Continuing on the theme of non-digital penguin gaming, here's an interesting gem; Ikuisuuden laakso: Roolipeli pingviineistä (translates to 'Valley of Eternity: A Role Playing Game About Penguins'), written by Juhana Pettersson and published by Pohjoismaisen roolipelaamisen seura.

Ikuisuuden laakso is a very unique specimen not only in terms of setting, but as a role playing game in general. This is not your high-level epic fantasy D&D, nor is it a gripping survival tale of Lovecraftian horror, but a more philosophical journey sharing many characteristics with Italian Westerns of old. Hero penguins share the fate of their horse-riding counterparts as being outcasts and very likely outlaws of their society despite their good deeds.

From penguin-fanboy perspective, one of the most interesting concepts Ikuisuuden laakso introduces is the idea of Anti-Penguins. Unlike their kin, calling of the anti-penguin comes from in-land and not the sea. They travel to their destiny alone and – if they survive – they turn into anti-penguins, mythic figures of legends that are equally feared and respected. The transformation is complete, as even the penguin's feathers turn inverted with black bellies and white backs, as seen in the cover.

Even if you are not into true pen-and-paper role playing, reading this book is strongly recommended to all penguin fans out there. Writer Juhana Pettersson is clearly a lover of penguins and Antarctica and the world he has crafted is worth experiencing, even just as a concept. I'm not sure has the game been published in English yet, but I know it's available at least in Finnish and Danish.

All hail all-sorts-of-games About Penguins!