Austin Hunt, author of Hide, Stone, and Bone, introduces his game of skirmish and survival at the dawn of humanity. 

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When modern humans left Africa, they discovered new territories full of opportunity… and dangers. Cave bears and sabertooths roamed the land. Hunting the great herbivores such as Mammoth risked life and limb, and starvation was an ever-present threat. Nor were they the only Hominids. Homo Neanderthalensis flourished in the Levant, through Anatolia, and across Europe. Hide, Stone, and Bone lets players recreate this prehistoric world on the tabletop.

Players take control of a band of hominids, either human or Neanderthal, and lead them through the perils of the Stone Age. Hide, Stone, and Bone is best played as a campaign, with your band (hopefully) growing in technological and cultural know-how, size, and skill. Humans are more flexible than Neanderthals when it comes to in-game actions (they get four actions per activation instead of Neanderthals’ three), and inventiveness. Neanderthals on the other hand are more robust, having both an extra wound and being harder to wound in the first place! There are other differences that impact tactics, though a little skill or lucky dice can always turn the tide!

Bands vary from a handful to around 20 adults plus youths. You’ll only need half a dozen or so adults for most scenarios, called Big Days, with only Ritual Battles or Great Hunts potentially demanding all Adults in a Band take part. During a Big Day, your hominids either attempt to hunt the great prey animals that roamed the Paleolithic, avoid being eaten by the predators, or drive off rivals. In between your Band can forage, make and invent equipment, or go on vision-quests, among other things. Success brings food, glory, and perhaps the survival of your species. Failure leaves only a footnote in the archeological record!

Hide, Stone, and Bone strives to capture the essence of primitive combat, where ranged weapons of any sort were rare (apart from rocks, which the truly desperate can always hope to find lying around!) and armour non-existent. Stress can allow players to drive off foes more easily than killing them, adding a unique element to gameplay. Meanwhile it’s sometimes better to cooperate with other Bands to secure enough food for the winter… even if it means risking being backstabbed during the Hunt! Players can also control Predators and Prey, meaning that if your band falls behind in campaign you can even the odds. There’s something immensely satisfying in avenging your band’s defeats via trampling your enemy’s hominids with Mammoth!

While Hide, Stone, and Bone is primarily a historical game, there’s also other options. Precursors, representing Homo Heidlburgensis and other human predecessors can be found in out of the way corners, and even Gigantopithecus (aka Bigfoot to some cryptozoologists) can make an appearance. For players who want more Pulp in their caveman antics, bands can enter The World Beneath to battle Sharptooth, Spike-Tails, Giant Apes and more!

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