This month’s cowl is by Susan Collins and known as “The Harmless Energy.” Inside illustrations are by Kurt Ericksen, Jeff Busch, Denton Elliott, Roger Raupp, Robert Lilly, Lora Louise Freeland, Nick Smith, Jeff Easley, Larry Elmore, and Dave Trampier.
The particular attraction is “The Twofold Talisman: Journey Two” by Roger Moore, Philip Taterczynski, Douglas Niles, and Georgia Moore. Having recovered the Coronary heart of Mild, the characters should now search out the Ebon Stone, which lies in a mountain fortress. The dungeon is combat-focused and has fewer intelligent methods and traps than you usually discover in match modules of this period. The monster choice is nice, although, and a few make use of attention-grabbing ways. It all the time surprises me how a lot content material was in these match adventures—gamers should discover 30 places in 4 hours!
There’s a assortment of three articles centered on the cleric. “This is to Your Well being” by Kim Mohan examines the mechanics and significance of therapeutic spells, exploring their operate, limitations, and impression on gameplay. “Particular Abilities, Particular Thrills” by Roger E. Moore suggests granting clerics distinctive skills primarily based on their deities—corresponding to clerics of Odin gaining the usage of spears. “Clerics Should Be Deity-Sure” by Fraser Sherman argues that clerics ought to base their actions on the traits of their deities, not simply their alignments. For instance, a cleric of Thor would possibly really feel compelled to cost into battle eagerly. Sherman wrote a number of articles for Dragon round this era.
“PBM: Issues by Mail” by Michael Grey discusses the frustrations confronted by gamers within the play-by-mail gaming trade on account of unreliable corporations, highlighting situations of misplaced cash and unresponsive companies. He describes efforts to scrub up the trade by establishing a PBM Moderators Affiliation and notes a number of high quality video games price investigating.
“The Ecology of the Ixitxachitl” (pronounced ‘ick-zit-sah-chitl’) by Ed Greenwood explores the behaviour, society, and impression of this race of evil, manta ray-like creatures. Introduced as an excerpt from the sage Nenemith’s ramblings, the article delves into the creature’s demonic worship of Demogorgon, aggressive looking ways, and sophisticated interactions with different underwater races. Greenwood as soon as extra provides gaming mechanical info through footnotes, permitting him to remain in character for the narration. It is a terrific entry on this sequence.
“Valkyrie Settlement” by Susan Shwartz is a Norse-inspired story a couple of queen’s wrestle with obligation, loss, and empowerment. The story options wealthy imagery and robust character growth. Nonetheless, the tempo sometimes slows on account of prolonged descriptions and inner monologues. Shwartz printed many brief tales and novels, together with a number of Star Trek variations.
“Three Cheers for Beowulf” by Robert Cooke, Roger E. Moore, and Kyle Grey presents three interpretations of the legendary hero Beowulf to be used in an AD&D recreation. Every writer affords a particular portrayal: Cooke emphasises Beowulf’s knowledge and sense of accountability, Moore presents a proud and brave hero, whereas Grey focuses on his mighty energy and readiness for battle.
“Modules: What We’re Searching For” by Kim Mohan gives tips for aspiring authors who want to submit modules to Dragon Journal. Mohan emphasises the significance of originality, adherence to recreation guidelines, logical consistency, and correct presentation. Widespread pitfalls to keep away from are illogical encounters, inappropriate content material, overused themes, and overpowered components that disrupt recreation steadiness.
“A Stone’s Throw Away” by Roger E. Moore is a light-hearted story about Tasslehoff Burrfoot, a curious kender who embarks on an surprising journey involving a mysterious ring and darkish magic. Whereas the narrative crafts a vivid setting and maintains an attractive tempo, it falls brief in character growth and struggles to maneuver past fantasy cliches.
There are a number of recreation critiques:
- Warhammer: The Mass Fight Fantasy Roleplaying Recreation by Citadel Miniatures is a recreation that blends tabletop miniatures warfare with fantasy components. It affords organised and simple guidelines, making it accessible for each rookies and skilled gamers. Whereas it might lack some detailed wargaming points, it gives robust motion potential and satisfying fantasy flavour. Ken Rolston concludes it’s “a creditable step in the precise path” for these looking for a mix of wargaming and fantasy roleplaying.
- Common contributor Katharine Kerr additionally reviewed Warhammer. She was disenchanted with its untidy writing and disorganised guidelines. Whereas the fight and magic techniques exhibit potential, character creation must be improved. The battle guidelines are clear, however the system lacks depth and adaptability. Kerr thinks it’s “a sloppy, amateurish piece of labor that wants rewriting, modifying, and increasing to be a playable system.”
- Reaper: Fantasy Wargame Guidelines by Desk Prime Video games is a versatile mass fight system designed for fantasy miniatures fans. Whereas the fight and manoeuvre guidelines are disorganised and fall wanting common wargaming requirements, the magic system stands out with its customisable spell catalogue. Rolston thinks the system’s important advantage is “flexibility” and that it affords important worth for devoted fantasy wargamers.
- Misplaced Worlds: Fantasy Fight E book Recreation by Nova Recreation Designs, Inc. is a fascinating melee fight system that includes distinctive characters and vivid illustrations. The sport affords easy-to-learn mechanics that enable for fast-paced and tactical battles. Rolston states the sport has “environment, motion, rigidity, and technique,” making it an excellent minor diversion for fast gaming classes.
- Cry Havoc by Commonplace Video games and Publications Ltd. is a fantastically crafted medieval skirmish recreation that includes detailed two-colour maps and 228 illustrated taking part in items. The easy, clearly offered guidelines enable fast studying and fast-paced, tactical gameplay. Rolston praises “the fantastic thing about its presentation, the attraction of its medieval environment, and the enchantment of its easy mass fight techniques.”
Rolston additionally offers a number of capsule critiques:
- Whispers from the Abyss by Tome is a group of fantastic, dramatic, and complex eventualities for Name of Cthulhu.
- The Snow King’s Bride by Chaosium is a state-of-the-art solitaire journey for RuneQuest that delivers problem, humour, and environment.
- To Problem Tomorrow by Ragnarok Enterprises is a roleplaying recreation overlaying the previous, current, and future with attention-grabbing mechanics and concepts.
- Shady Dragon Inn by TSR is a helpful play assist for D&D, containing over 100 pre-generated characters and detailed inn floorplans.
- Palladium Roleplaying Recreation by Palladium Books is a whole fantasy RPG with engaging fight and magic techniques, providing a helpful various or complement for campaigns with a D&D flavour.
The Ares Part returns with 14 pages of science fiction and superhero content material. There are 4 articles:
- “The Federation Information to Luna” by Dale L. Kemper gives a vacationer’s information to the Moon inside the Star Trek recreation universe.
- “Gamma Hazards” by John M. Maxstadt introduces a trio of ingenious new monsters for Gamma World: the fungimal, humbug, and jungle lurker.
- “Stopping Complacency in Traveller Gaming” by Roger E. Moore gives referees with sensible methods to maintain Traveller campaigns dynamic and unpredictable, corresponding to uncommon planetary modifications.
- Lastly, “Lions, Tigers, and Superheroes” by Leonard Carpenter incorporates wild animals and animal powers into the Champions recreation.
And that is a wrap! My favorite article was “The Ecology of the Ixitxachitl”. Subsequent month, we’ve mannequin castles, new enchanted objects, and dragon gods!
