The problem’s particular attraction is “Barnacus: Metropolis in Peril” by Francois Nantel. This journey gained the Module Design Contest in class A-8 (an city journey for low-level AD&D characters). The town of Barnacus is beneath menace from inside, and adventurers should navigate an online of energy struggles earlier than descending right into a catacomb beneath an deserted home. The module particulars over 70 buildings within the eponymous metropolis, although most of those added little to the journey. It was not unusual to explain each construction in an city surroundings in these days, as demonstrated most spectacularly by the Metropolis State of the Invincible Overlord. Opinions fluctuate as to the usefulness of this method. Regardless, this journey was Nantel’s solely printed RPG work.
The characteristic articles embody “The Psychology of the Doppleganger” by Fraser Sherman, which delves into the mysterious and unsettling nature of those shape-shifting creatures using a brief story. The editors presumably thought having an “ecology” of the doppleganger made little sense, however I am unsure I agree. Sherman went on to supply a number of articles for Dragon over the next years.
David Godwin’s “How Many Cash in a Coffer?” tackles the perennial downside of treasure storage in AD&D. The creator meticulously examines coin quantity, weight, and the logistics of transporting all of it. Many will discover this materials pedantic and tedious, however I’ve performed related calculations myself up to now! So, what number of cash can you set in a transportable gap? The reply is: 1,945,320.
Mike Beeman’s “5 Keys to DMing Success” outlines important methods for Dungeon Masters to create participating and sustainable campaigns whereas decreasing the workload. The keys embody sustaining continuity by linking adventures, growing wealthy character backstories, mastering the sport guidelines, fostering creativity by means of “artistic plagiarism,” and sharing DM duties. The recommendation typically holds up. Beeman wrote a number of extra articles for Dragon.
“Dungeon Grasp’s Acquainted” by John Warren is a BASIC laptop program designed to assist DMs handle the complexities of D&D gameplay by automating cube rolls and fight. It was the age of the microcomputer, and editor Kim Mohan talked about that Dragon had acquired over 100 laptop program submissions within the earlier 12 months.
Katharine Kerr, a frequent Dragon contributor, presents “Who Lives in That Citadel,” providing an in depth information for DMs on populating and presenting castles in medieval-era RPGs. The article explores the social constructions inside a fort, offering complete descriptions of nobles, officers, and commoners and insights into the financial and administrative methods that hold the fort functioning. Kerr emphasizes the significance of integrating this social hierarchy into your marketing campaign and offers ideas for gamers wishing to run their very own castles.
Ken Rolston’s “A Set of Guidelines for Sport Assessment” seeks to enhance the professionalism of recreation reviewing typically. He begins by introducing three forms of critiques:
- The capsule evaluation offers a fast evaluation shortly after a recreation’s launch.
- The characteristic evaluation gives extra detailed evaluation and playtesting.
- The vital evaluation completely examines basic or notable video games.
Rolston stresses the significance of integrity, clear communication, and balancing reality with opinion. He additionally notes the weather a superb evaluation ought to cowl and gives type steerage. Rolston wrote dozens of recreation critiques for Dragon all through his profession.
In “Treasures Uncommon and Wondrous,” Ed Greenwood replaces generic treasure rolls with distinctive and imaginative objects. The article gives a desk of 100 distinct treasures, resembling a “candelabra fabricated from tarnished silver, with branches formed like curling stems, every holding a candle within the open mouth of a carefully carved dragon,” valued at 500 gold items. The purpose is to brighten up the treasure hoard and enhance participant engagement. In my expertise, whereas fancy descriptions can add some immersion, you need to choose your second.
“Leomund’s Tiny Hut” returns with an in depth proposal from Gary Gygax and Lenard Lakofka, introducing new fight and expertise level charts. The authors counsel modifying the fight outcomes desk to supply fighters with a constant 5% enchancment in hit possibilities at every degree. The article additionally proposes revising saving throw matrices and expertise level values to use the same precept. The purpose is to supply a fairer and extra constant return for levelling, and it additionally permits all assault matrices to be offered in a single desk. This single-table method turned customary in later editions.
Chris Henderson returns and has some vacation reward concepts in “Off The Shelf”:
- The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers is a refreshingly ingenious fantasy novel with advanced characters and an intriguing plot; it’s “a strong, mainstream fantasy novel.”
- The Home of Wolf by Basil Copper is a uniquely charming werewolf story that stands out from the style, and for horror followers, “this novel is a should.”
- The Proper Stuff by Tom Wolfe is a strong and heroic account of the US area program and a “masterpiece of romantic reporting.”
- The place the Evil Dwells by Clifford D. Simak is a subtly insightful fantasy novel that “leaves you wishing for extra.”
- The Zen Gun by Barrington J. Bayley is an unusually thought-provoking science fiction novel with a vital edge and “glorious for these readers looking for a story with a bit extra substance.”
- Bug Jack Barron by Norman Spinrad is a basic and gripping reprint exploring the ability of media and politics and is a “very good stocking-stuffer.”
- Lest Darkness Fall by L. Sprague de Camp is an interesting time-travel novel the place an archaeologist makes an attempt to stop the autumn of Rome, and “probably the greatest concepts de Camp ever had.”
- Lastly, The Sea of the Ravens by Harold Lamb is a gripping historic fiction that seamlessly blends reality and fantasy, that includes a “fantastic plotline.”
There are a number of recreation critiques:
- Timeship by Yaquinto is an authentic and imaginative time-travel RPG emphasizing simplicity and customary sense over advanced mechanics. There are some flaws within the group and presentation of the foundations, however when the reviewer playtested it together with his native group, he concluded, “I do not consider I’ve seen FRP avid gamers have a lot enjoyable in years.”
- Illuminati by Steve Jackson Video games is a cleverly designed recreation of paranoia and conspiracy, the place gamers manipulate numerous organizations to attain secret targets. Though the sport parts are poorly packaged, it has the potential to grow to be a basic, interesting to “people who won’t ever play a wargame of their lives.”
- Privateers and Gents by Fantasy Video games Limitless is a historic role-playing and miniatures recreation set within the age of sail, combining dramatic realism with historic accuracy. Whereas the foundations are disorganized and lack situations, the sport excels in environment and character, delivering “an efficient combination of heroic romanticism and grim realism.”
- Man, Fable & Magic by Yaquinto is a fantasy RPG set on historic Earth that fails to ship because of poor recreation design and a rambling type. Regardless of some intriguing situations, the sport’s lack of historic plausibility, disorganized presentation, and uninspired guidelines make it “disappointing” and “lower than trade requirements.”
The duvet artwork is by Clyde Caldwell. Inside artists embody Dave Trampier, Phil Foglio, Roger Raupp, Harry Quinn, and Larry Elmore.
And that is a wrap! This subject felt full of good content material, with my favorite being “The Keys to DM Success.” Within the subsequent subject, now we have poison, spell parts, and a high-level AD&D journey!
