2 comments about Dragonlance Dragons of Autumn (Dragonlance).

1. I've been wanting these adventures adapted to 3.5 for a long time and they are finally here. The adaptors of this series of adventures have done a fine job of updating (and improving) a classic. Gone are the confusing maps. Welcome to a balanced party (no more 3rd level Raistlin, 7th level fighters.) The adventure also helps those who want to create their own characters (which I've found most players do).
   One does need to own, in addition to the D&D core rulebooks, the Dragonlance Campaign Setting and the War of the Lance accessory, and it wouldn't hurt to be familiar with the original trilogy of novels either. In other words, this is probably only for fans willing to make the investment.



2. I agree with everything the other reviewer (CW) has to say about this collection - I would even go so far as to argue that for a Dungeon Master reading the work of fiction these modules are based on, Dragons of Autumn Twilight (by Weis and Hickman) is mandatory. For those who haven't read it, go out and buy it right now - it's a classic of the sword and sorcery genre and spawned a huge number of Dragonlance fans after its publication. On the other hand if you're one of those rare few who DON'T enjoy the Weis and Hickman book it's best to find that out first before buying this or the other d20 Dragonlance products - if you don't like the Weis and Hickman novel there's a very good chance you won't like the d20 Dragonlance products either.
   
   The Dragonlance Campaign Setting and Dragonlance War of the Lance books are also mandatory to get full enjoyment out of this collection of modules - the other d20 Dragonlance books are a lot of fun but not quite so much of a requirement. However the two aforementioned titles are more than worth the monetary investment and does a wonderful job of bringing the Dragonlance rules to life in today's d20 setting. The writers of the Dragons of Autumn Twilight module collection assume that the player characters will be after the same goals the fictional characters from Dragons of Autumn Twilight (Weis and Hickman novel) pursued - defeating the dragonarmies that seek to enslave all of Krynn - so Dungeon masters should ensure that player characters generated for this setting are either of Good alignment (as in the "We're going to save the world because it's the right thing to do" sort of inclination) or have some other strong motivation for doing battle with the foes featured in this collection of modules. A lot of players and DM's have fun generating different characters other than the heroes of the Weis and Hickman novel and running through the Dragonlance setting with them - basically a "what if the Dragonlance wars were fought by different people" sort of alternate world scenario.
   
   At Amazon's price it works out to roughly five dollars a module (this is a collection of the first four Dragonlance modules published way back decades ago but updated to the d20 version 3.0/3.5 rules) if you choose the free shipping and handling option which is definitely a fair price.
   
   The only real complaint I have with this collection of modules is the way experience is handled - basically the characters automatically go up a level whenever they accomplish the major goal/conclusion set out in each of the four modules. I would have preferred to see a specific amount of experience points mentioned for each particular non-combat task the characters successfully complete, the sum of which (along with the normal xp award for monsters defeated along the way) equaling the amount needed to advance a level. Dungeon masters using the xp and challenge rating rules mentioned in the Dungeonmaster's Guide (version 3.0/3.5) can probably do an ad-hoc job of generating xp amounts themselves but it's that much additional work for the DM. It's been my experience that players are used to getting an xp award at the end of each gaming session, and as D&D veterans will attest it will certainly take more than one four to five hour gaming session to complete a module. Still I would say this collection is more than worth the price and an excellent investment as long as the potential buyer takes the aforementioned points into consideration.

1 comments about Castles & Crusades Castle Zagyg: Dark Chateau.

1. This is a terrific Rob Kuntz game for castles and crusades. I like much but not all of Rob's work. I'd say this is his best work. It is action-packed, but old-school in the sense that if the PCs are stupid and wildly aggressive, they will almost certainly be slaughtered. In other words, there are serious dangers in the module, some of which are best avoided.
   
   It is a preview to the Castle Zagyg (Castle Greyhawk under a different name due to copyright issues) series of modules that is forthcoming.
   
   The module is for L1-3.

1 comments about Mutants & Masterminds: Instant Superheroes Sourcebook.

1. Like the name says, this book contains ready-made characters for use in the Mutants & Masterminds superhero role-playing game. Like the examples from the Player's Handbook, character descriptions start with base archetypes, but also include a couple of variations on each archetype and suggestions for additional modifications to make characters even more unique.
   
   The book's archetypes (and variations) are: Agent (Fixer, Imposter), Amphibian (Atlantean, Sea Deity), Android (Golem, Robot), Battlesuit (Cryosuit, Mystic Garment), Costumed Detective (Conspiracy Theorist, Dark Avenger), Cyborg (Braincase, Cybertrooper), Demon (Dhampir, Revenant), Duplicator (Duality, Spirit Caller), Elemental (Air, Earth, Fire, Water) Energy Controller (Magnetism Master, Pyrokineticist), Fortunate Hero (Black Cat, Good Luck Charm, Hex), Gadgeteer (Disabled Genius, Mystic Artisan), Jungle Lord (Barbarian, Beast Man), Living Weapon (Physical Booster, Nano-Augment), Martial Artist (Iron Palm, Wandering Monk), Martian (Alien Star Captain, Star Child), Mimic (Animal Mimic, Nemesis, Power Thief), Mystic (Illusionist, Witch) Paragon (Eternal Champion, Perfect Specimen), Powerhouse (Bulk, High Gravity, Titan), Psionic (Psychic, Psychic Investigator), Ring Bearer (Galactic Cataphract, Guardian of Light), Sentient Plant (Plant Spirit, Wood Beast), Shapeshifter (Elastic Hero, Size Changer), Speedster (Teleporter, Time Controller), Super-Soldier (Futuristic Law Enforcer, Soldier of Fortune), Swashbuckler (Mystic Knight, Samurai), Totem (Amoeba, Bear, Eagle, Insect, Leopard, Lizard, Monkey, Raven, Serpent, Shark, Spider, and Wolf), Tracer (Gumshoe, Supernatural Scholar), Wealthy Thrill-seeker (Affluent Dilettante, Patron), Weapon Master (Archer, Mystic Warrior), and Weather Controller (Temperature Controller, Wind Controller).
   
   Reasons to buy: to add supporting characters to your M&M game without taking a lot of time; to find villains for one-shot adventures on the fly; to gain ideas about character archetypes not covered in other M&M books.
   
   A bit pricey for its 96 pages, this collection of character descriptions is well organized and an efficient time-saver, but not essential to play the game.

No comments about Rampant: Rules for Live-Action Role Playing. a Twin Crowns Supplement.

No comments about Gamma World: Beyond the Horizon (Gamma World d20 3.5 Roleplaying Game).

5 comments about ACCURSED TOWER, THE (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons : Forgotten Realms Adventure).

1. First of all, let me say that this is not a book. This is a packaged adventure, it comes in a shrink-wrapped cardboard box, and itself contains numerous booklets and maps. There. Having said that...

   The Accursed Tower is a good Advanced Dungeons and Dragons adventure set in the fantasy world of Faerun, where the Forgotten Realms setting is placed. This is a classic fantasy world in the best tradition of Tolkien. I won't spoil the fun for you by telling what the adventure is about, but it does a very good job at showing your players the basics of the campaign world. The terrain maps are wonderfully understandable, and even the cave maps detailing 3D areas can be read without too much strain. The adventure is easy to build upon, which cannot be said about a great many others. Try it.




2. The Accursed Tower is a great module. It has a great story, and any PC's will probably enjoy it very much. For the most part, it was very well written. There were a couple of places within that I had to stop, think about what was just written, and also maybe back track a little bit. Another problem I had with it was the dungeon map. For the most part, it was good, but figuring out where the stairs lead took a little bit of time. This module is absolutly perfect for a new group of adventurers. I started a new group of first level PC's and they enjoyed it a lot. Another thing that is a DM's dream come true is the ideas it gives at the end for continuing.



3. This is a shining star for Forgotten Realms. If you don't mind playing a low level adventure, buy the accursed tower. This adventure has everything a DM could want. Good story line, overland travel allowing lots of opportunity to roleplay as well as a difficult but survivable underground crawl. It is must play for anyone who has read the Icewind Dale trilogy and wants to juice up the campaign with small parts featuring your favorite NPCs. This module is also good for younger DMs as it provides well laid out text boxes. It even has excellent subplots that can be explored after the adventure. The only thing I feel that needs to pointed out is the map. Pretty but flawed (watchout for the stairway that seemly dissappear). There are a large amount of magic items, but it is the Realms. I only hope TSR will now make some good mid level adventues.



4. The Accursed Tower: You meet A guy that is trying to recover his friends journal in the accursed tower... he pays you to be his guide and to find the journal. You travel for 21 days (I think?) through mountains. You fight a gang of hobgoblins and you get some good treasure... but better awaits you. Then you get to this town where you stay with him. You try to uncover the mystery of the Accursed tower. You meet this big murf guy in the middle of of a snowy place. He tells you pretty much everything. You go and find the Accursed Tower.You go in it and search the place and fight a lot of monsters... then you find the evil wizard that holds the journal. He teleports all of your players to different parts of the Tower. Those who can resist the spell fights him. If you defeat him you get the Robe of eyes... this makes you see in all directions, you can wear it or sell it for 90,000 gold pieces. The journal is in his hand. If you read the journal you discover that the person that paid you to recover it is an EVIL MAGE... when you go to meet him he cast mage armor on himself just incase... well that's pretty much the whole Adventure. I thought the adventure kicked [butt]... and I hope you enjoy it too... I RATE THE ACCURSED TOWER A 5



5. This adventure was incredible! It starts out when you meet this guy in a bar... he's trying to get to a city, but it's to dangerous to get there with out protection. He pays you to guide him there. After three weeks you get to the town. He pays you and asks you to do another favor for him. He asks you to recover his friends journal...that's in the accursed tower. You agree. You travel to find info. to where the tower is. You meet this huge guy in the winter in the middle of no where. He tells you pretty much anything you need to know.You find the tower and you go through it and you fight some really hard monsters. Finally you get to the last room. You open the door... and there's a evil wizard that looks like he's half dead. Right when you enter he teleports all of you're players to different parts of the tower. Those who can resist the spell, stay to fight the wizard. When you kill him he has the journal in his hands... and you find a Robe of Eyes. This means that you can see in every direction (kind of having eyes in the back of your head). You can keep it or you can sell it for 90,000 gold pieces. If you read the journal you find out that it has spells for evil mages. When you go to meet that guy... before you enter the room he puts on mage armor, just incase you try to kill him. The dude is a EVIL MAGE and wants the journal. If you fight him then you may win the battle. If you don't then you get paid and the adventure is over...

   I think this is the best adventure ever! It takes along time to finish the Dungeon. You should buy it right now!!!

No comments about Battlefield Evolution: Modern Combat.

No comments about Deluxe Eberron Player Character Sheets (Eberron: Accessories).

No comments about Mythic Vistas: Mindshadows (Mythic Vistas).

1 comments about EverQuest Roleplaying Game: Monsters of Norrath.

1. Fans of D&D or swords and sorcery who enjoyed everquest will greatly enjoy the monsters in this book which includes the smallest rat up to the God of hate innoruk.