paizo.com - Dungeon Issue #100 with Polyhedron #159

The centennial issue of DUNGEON Magazine is here. Launched as the consummate D&D adventure magazine in 1986, DUNGEON has become the ultimate DMs supplement. This issue will also be the first to feature the revised 3rd Edition rules. Issue #100 features a sampling of all the best DUNGEON has to offer, including:

INCURSION
"The Lich Queen’s Beloved"
The Incursion has begun! Dungeon’s contribution to this three magazine project sends the PCs to the Palace of Whispers in the githyanki capital city on the Astral Plane. There, the characters must brave the githyanki lichqueen’s deadliest tricks and traps to stop her quest for godhood. A D&D adventure for 18th-level characters.
By Christopher Perkins
Also be sure to check out the Web enhancement!

“Old Embers Never Die”
The designer behind the revised Player's Handbook brings one of DUNGEON’s most memorable villains back to the pages of the magazine. The cover subject of issue #1, Flame, the powerful red dragon featured in that issue's “Into the Fire” and issue #17’s “Out of the Ashes” returns to his lair in the Western Mountains, hungry for blood and treasure. A D&D Adventure for four 12th-level PCs.
By Andy Collins

“Woe to Mistledale”
This sequel to issue #87’s ”Raiders of Galath’s Roost” takes the PCs back to the Dales region of the Forgotten Realms. Someone--whether drow, the local elves, or another force entirely--has taken up residence in the forests near Mistledale, disrupting trade along the Moonsea Ride and slaughtering merchants and taking their goods. The PCs must embark on a convoluted investigation to uncover the mystery behind the attacks. A D&D Forgotten Realms adventure for four 8th-level PCs.
By Skip Williams

“Beast of Burden”
Some massive engine of destruction has appeared from the wilds, stalking and destroying entire villages. That alone would have the region in an uproar, but the fact that an organized army seems to live on the creature’s back, raining destruction on villagers and the land alike. The PCs must catch the mysterious creature and stop the marauders living atop it before it reaches a major city. A D&D adventure for four 6th-level PCs.
By Michael Kortes

Plus, “Critical Threats” by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Rich Baker, and Peter Adkison; a new Map of Mystery; and an editorial retrospective and timeline looking back at DUNGEON #1-100

POLYHEDRON v.159

KNIGHTS OF THE LICH-QUEEN
Take the role of the enemy in the Knights of the Lich-Queen Mini-Game, in which you play a githyanki invading a Prime Material world. The rest of Incursion assumes you’re the good guys.We know you better than that.
By James Wyatt

Note: The PDF edition does not contain the poster map.

Are there errors or omissions in this product information? Got corrections? Let us know at webmaster@paizo.com.

A flaw in the issue that makes it less valuable.
Reviewer: Bram Blackfeather
Sun, Apr 16, 2006, 05:47 AM

Issue 100 of Dungeon has a lot in it: the Critical threats, four adventures - including the ultimate finishing touch on the notion of a Githyanki "Incursion" campaign. For sheer size and content, I grant three stars.

But unfortunately, one of the four adventures is quite messed up. "Old Embers Never Die," is a two-part adventure that doesn't work. One the one hand, the maps are missing information or incorrect ('Guardians of the Pond' is missing half the information; 'Lake Haven' has an F6 that's never discussed, F5 is mislabeled, and there's a bridge on the map - but not in the text; a trap inside 'Flame's Lair' relies on knowing where a shaded area is - but there isn't a shaded area, and so on).

And on a challenge level, even fixing the map issues and trying to figure out what was supposed to really be where, in both halves of the adventure, the damage output just outright slays every adventuring band I've ever put through the adventure, despite precautions.

While, with a re-write and a bit of working of the maps, we found a way to make "Old Embers Never Die," work, it really wasn't functional as written. It's unfortunate, as Collins is usually an author I keep tabs on - don't let this adventure be your benchmark for him.