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BROWSE
25 Adventurer Final avatar

B_Wiklund's page

290 posts (896 including aliases). 28 reviews. Aliases: Wyrd_Wiklund, Brendan Wiklund, Issac Vale, Jahangir.

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Recent reviews by B_Wiklund:



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PZO9204
Pathfinder Chronicles: Into the Darklands (OGL)
Print Edition: $17.99
PDF: $12.99
FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Good structure

The first thought on Paizo's underdark treatment is they've done a very good job of keeping things segmented/customizable. The division of three layers, and regions reminded me a little of Ravenloft domains in a good way. The GM is not obligated to have everything in the mix but rather to focus on what they want.
Now to the content itself. There's some neat stuff, love the treatment of the derro, the Lovecraftian/Hodgson touches of the the third layer with gugs, ghoul empires and prehistoric beasties. Oh, and neothilids!
A great hollow earth pulp feel.
My main issue is with the Sekamina, the 2nd layer. Paizo's done a commendable effort with the drow but I think they would have been better to jettison entirely. Yep they're an iconic villain but thanks to Salvatore and FR I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole.
Still all and all a good starting document to springboard ideas for campaigns/adventures. Recommended. PDF is good quality.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Indiana Jones meets Han Solo

The Northwest Smith stories showcase a splendid imagination, evocative worlds and are propelled by the brashness of Moore's titular rogue character. Heat guns, rockets side by side classic mythology and hard boiled street settings make for a potent brew. An excellent collection. Recommended.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Outlaws by the numbers

I wavered on giving this either 2 or 3 stars. Kline delivers a yarn that is passable and in some aspects improves upon the book's predecessor (Swordsman of Mars). Yet there is little remarkable in this rather formulaic story. The derring-do, near escapes from certain death, damsels in distress and the bug eyed monsters are all there but little stands out as Kline's characters and world come across as fairly drab.
Once the novel gets going the plot moves along at a snappy pace to its foregone conclusion. Kline's action reads well and luckily his stilted love scenes are mercifully short usually cut off by some iminent peril of the bug-eyed variety.
A quick note re the racism present in the text. The novel is a product of the 1930s and it shows but it is at least far less blatant and outright hostile than say the Fu Manchu or various Yellow Menace serials of the time. It is there, quite visible, but no moreso than you would find in many Jack London, Robert E.Howard tales or the like. Kudos to Planet Stories for presenting this text warts and all.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Setne's Last Journey

Fun, light read. However, there is not much mystery in this novel as the majority is taken up with Setne's journey to Hind. The mystery itself feels rather tacked on. That said, Gygax depicts a well drawn world with lively characters. The relationship and interaction between Rachelle and Setne grows providing many of the memorable scenes in the novel. The mystery's resolution works nicely and features a great scene with Setne and a certain deity.
Overall, not outstanding but enjoyable,



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar A fine end to Skaith

Brackett brings her Skaith trilogy to conclusion in fine style. This trilogy easily forms the best offerings Planet Stories has published thus far. Stark continues his odyssey, escaping monsters, facing off against pirates and crazed priests but is faced with harder decisions as not all can be saved.
The last book really shines in Brackett's vision of the final days of a dying planet. Apocalyptic cults, self-deceiving government and rank opportunists fill out a wide spectrum of all too human reactions. However, one almost feels the book is too short as a few promising plot threads are allowed to wander off or become 'suddenly' resolved.
Lucas' preface is an interesting read and one cannot help but wonder what Empire would've been like if Brackett had finished the project.
The Skaith trilogy is highly recommended.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Let Slip the dogs of war

The Skaith series heats up in the second installment as the power of the Lords Protector unravels and civil war begins.
Well worth the read and those that read the first book will not be dissapointed as Brackett rachets up the stakes. Stark continues to be embroiled in the politics of Skaith, a reluctant pawn of prophecy. Very much looking forward to how this will wrap up and the other forthcoming Brackett titles. Its not revolutionary SF adventure but it remains well above the average of the genre.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Solid stuff

Kuttner's Dark World provides a short but gripping read. His protagonist Edward Bond/Ganelon makes the novel as the uncertain nature of his character's personality and shady memory keeps the action in suspense. His setting is evocative and replete with intriguing allusions to world myths and locations. An effective if not entirely original spin on the parallel world concept. The resolution is a touch contrived and feels that Kuttner could have used the elements he had in play a little more elegantly but nonetheless is still quite satisfying. Highly recommended, one of my favourites featured thus far in the Planet Stories line.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Great format; watch out for last encounter

Just ran this last night for my group as a stand-alone adventure. Everyone got a kick out of the Arabian-flavoured setting with camels, cultist lepers and Fortitude saves for non-lethal damage. The encounters were strong but mixed with good rping opportunities. The party had a good experience schmoozing with the major caravan NPCs. All the encounters (except the first) are tough for lvl 1 but the last one is perhaps too much as it very nearly became a TPK. Still my players enjoyed it and I recommned this one for a short evening of play.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Adventure needs a little more character

Another solid Martian adventure from Planet Stories. Also notable for rescuing the novel from the hacks that rewrote segments and restoring the text to its original state. Kline crafts a lively setting and a well-paced adventure story. Kline does credit to the genre. However, his characters need a bit more juice. Only the renegade Sel Han shines with any real life, with the rest of the cast falling a bit too much into the stock types of the genre. The various nobles and loyal aides come across as all rather similar. Harry Thorne despite a promising beginning falls quickly into merely serving the role. Regardless of these faults Swordsman remains a fun read and am looking forward to the next Kline entry.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Ravenloft meets Hellraiser

As far as dungeon crawls go it doesn't get much better than this. Scarwall ranks up with Ravenloft as a classic haunted castle adventure.
Lots of great encounters/scenes. The danse macabre is particularly memorable and the Hellraiser touches are quite delightful. The spirit anchors give some focus and purpose to the crawl rather then it be an aimless wandering down (well the monsters get tougher going down so we must be going the right way...)
The Zon-Kuthon article is a great addition and fleshes out the creepiness.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar And now ...the MAZE OF DEATH!

Escape starts with a bang and ends in a series of frustrations. The Quarantine, Pilts Swastel, Red Mantis all provide a great beginning and a promising lead up to the Arkonas. The Arkonas I thought were one of the more promising elements of the AP but I found them to be terribly squandered in this adventure.
The setup for the latter dungeon crawls rankles mightily and I couldn't help but be reminded of the Thieves Guild from the D&D movie. "Yes I will help you but first you must traverse the MAZE OF DEATH!" Then the Arkonas are unceremoniously dumped from the campaign. Like I said strong first half but pitters off quickly. The Vudran background and Rakshasa article are quite good though.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar A little bit of a grocery list

So heading out into the Cinderlands, Shoanti massing for war against Korvosa. Lots of promise but only a little delivered.
The adventure quickly becomes a bit of a grocery list of tasks vaguely complicated by those shady Zon-Kuthon fellows.
There is some solid stuff in here with some great NPCs, and the tasks are neat but its focus seems to wander. It feels like a lot could've been cut in favour of a more direct lead in to Scarwall.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Epidemically good

Now that CoCT has ended looking back I'd say Seven Days was the high point of the AP and one of the best put out in the Pathfinder series. The plague plot is executed with style and overall the adventure has a good cut and thrust to it. The Queen's Doctors are wonderfully creepy opponents with their ibix masks (though an abundance of masked villains run thru the campaign, Grey Maidens, Red Mantis). There are very few slow parts aside from some of the XP fodder such as Racker's Alley and the Wererats. Seven Days also goes deeper into fleshing out the feel of Korvosa particularly after the opening EdgeofAnarchy.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Smorgasbord!

I wasn't sure what to expect with this collection. A lot of rpg authors I can take em or leave em. However, I'm glad to say this antho was chock full of (mostly) pleasant surprises. There's a lot of variety running the gamut of SF and fantasy.
Standout tales were certainly Cunningham's Lorelei, Lowder's Unquiet Dreams, Kemp's Confession, Varen's Oaths of the Gods and the short but very enjoyable Three Impossible Things by Smedman. There were several others as well.
There are a few duds thrown in there. The Salvatore story isn't particularly noteworthy as are a few others but the good clearly outweighs the so-so.
Also as writers from the rpg field these stories are some great inspiration for adventures.
Overall I'd like to see more antho books in the Planet Stories line as this was a promising first.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Not at ALL like Fafhrd and Gray Mouser...

So despite Gygax's protestations that his book was nothing like Leiber's famuos duo I couldn't help but think of Fafhrd and the Mouser the entire time I was reading it. That, and what 1e Monster Manual artwork of ferretfolk would look like.
Not that, that is entirely a bad thing. Planet Stories gives us another novel of Aerth based around Gygax's briefly lived Dangerous Journeys RPG.
His duo of swordsman, Ferret and Raker are, despite the shadow of Leiber, an amusing pair. Their banter and rivalries give colour and it is always nice to have adventurers be adventurers. That is rakish, uncouth, not entirely honourable and rather self-serving. These guys aren't out to defeat some dark lord. Do the job, get the reward, exact revenge and move on.
Gygax paces the novel well. Neva, the villain is certainly the book's weakpoint as she serves as a poor foil and comes across as pretty two dimensional.
Gygax's spanish influenced setting gives the book some needed novelty though beyond name dropping and a few touches Gygax doesn't use it to its full extent. And alas there is no spanish swordsman called Inigo looking for a six fingered man.
Overall a light enjoyable read of sword swinging with some derring-do and a dash of intrigue. It's still a cut well above most rpg fiction.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Stark in Skaith

As Sinharat has so far been my favourite of the Planet Stories book published so far I was looking forward to the return of Eric John Stark.
Stark cuts a swath across the planet Skaith as he searches for his foster father.
Brackett's setting shines in every page of the novel. The age of the planet, its fatalistic peoples, grim theocracies and the old weak sun bearing down at the planet. It's a striking setting and I look forward to seeing more of Skaith in the later novels.
The novel has some dissapointments but nothing too big. The secret of the Lord Protectors is a little dissapointing and the resolution at the end does feel rather rushed.
Nonetheless a promising start to a series.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar The Pits

The last of the Michael Kane novels whilst an improvement over Lord of Spiders and reaches parts comparable to City of the Beast is nonetheless a dissapointing ending to the trilogy.
Kane and Hool Haji are once again enjoyable partners engaged on a quest to find a cure for a deadly plague. They're a dynamic duo of swords and action.
Yet the book is full of might-have-beens. Rikon and his barbarians could have been an interesting villain/uneasy ally, the Sheev and Yaksha aren't developed further despite their influence on the main plot, and the ending is to be charitable I'll say original.
The pulp adventures and action are still there yet again Moorcock should have been able to deliver more. Can't really recommend this one.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Not Agatha Christie

Not having read any of Gygax's fiction I was pleasantly surprised. He's no Susanna Gregory but the Samarkand Solution provides an entertaining and not badly crafted fantasy murder mystery.(an undeveloped genre if there ever was one.)
Gygax does well in unfolding his setting and characters. His Aegypt is a bed of intrigue and religious rivalry. The colleague relationship b/w Setne and the Chief Inspector whilst not particularly original in the genre keeps the pace and dialogue snappy.
Some of the game roots show but for the most part Gygax does a good job of weaving those elements into the world and Setne's use of magic was quite colourful in many parts.
The book probably deserves three and a half stars but I'll put it at 4 for a pleasant surprise. Looking forward to Death In Delhi and now I'll have to go back and order Anubis Murders.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Impressive

Just to declare it upfront, I was one of the contestants up to the second round. Resultingly, I had been highly interested in this module to see what came up. However my hopes of nitpicking were quickly shattered.
This a solid adventure to the great outdoors. A wonderful chase through the wilderness complete with traps and ambushes and memorable critters.
The setting is well drawn. The town while somewhat standard wilderness outpost is given colour by the Harvest Festival and the NPCs. But the wild is where this adventure really shines. Kudos for a wilderness adventure that actually feels like one and not just a walk through the forest. River crossings, icy gorges, glaciers, avalanches and lots of tracking. Rangers, druids should have a field day.
Additionally, Schwartz's Red Raven is sure to be a memorable character/adversary(?) in any campaign.
If you're looking to give your party a good hike Raven should fit the bill nicely. Kudos to Mr. Schwartz for an impressive outing.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Sequel syndrome

The second Kane outing doubtless suffers from sequel syndrome. Moorcock expands his Martian setting but the novel's picaresque structure lacks the taut focus of City of the Beast. Despite some intriguing glimpses of the ancient civilization that once controlled Mars the novel contains few suprises and wraps up rather predictably.
It's still an enjoyable read but after the previous martian adventure novels published in this line, Lord of Spiders fails to impress substantially. As I quite liked City of the Beast I hope that Master of the Pit picks the series up again.



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Almuric (Trade Paperback)
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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Barbarians, bats and battles

Esau Cairn is no Conan or Solomon but REH's Almuric is a still a solid adventure story of the man who did not fit in. The outcast Cairn's savage struggle for survival provides a great opening and definitely strong echoes of Jack London resonates.
The world of Almuric is a neolothic battlefield of barbarism, feuds and eldritch mysteries. The Yagga are splendidly demonic and debauched (a bit like drow on a bender).
REH provides tantalizing glimpses of this caveman's world and one almost wishes Cairn had dallied a bit more in the wilds or the ruins of these strange civilizations. While never a strong builder of character, Cairn despite a promising premise remains rather neutral with not even the glimpses of Kull's introspection or Bran Mak Morn's sense of weary destiny.
A worthy addition to REH and a fun read yet one wishes Howard had sketched out a little more for Cairn to explore.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Shark Attack

Picked this up with my Kobold Q download. Well worth the price. Wish I had this when I was running the Savage Tide. The article includes a wonderfully grisly background complete with pirates, cannibals, and were-sharks. Also a vicious monster, and feats, a Prc, and magic items related to the rather bloodthirsty cult of Dajobas. Easy to port into any setting and definitely worth looking at if you're planning on any nautical jaunts to your campaign. Anyone running the early part of STAP should love this.
Interested in seeing more on the Razor Coast.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar En garde

Another set of neglected yarns with a sharp cut and thrust for Planet Stories.
Kuttner's Elak and his thirsty friend Lycon slash a swath across Atlantis. The two companions make for great foils as they deal with irritable druids, sorcerors and inhuman monstrosities. Kuttner's writing is a swirl of action, brooding atmosphere with plentiful doses of a keen rapier wit.
The two Prince Raynor stories while fine are not as striking but the Elak tales are a cut above the rest.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Red Planet Western

Overall a good read. Brackett's Mars is a gritty sci-fi with a bit of a 'western' feel. Stark makes the tale as the lone gun who gets caught in the crossfire of civilization vs. barbarism, colonials vs. aboriginals. Brackett's colonial subtext gives her setting an extra edge that separates this from other Martian tales.
That said "Secret of Sinharat" is a taut tale but "The People of The Talisman" despite a great setup and middle loses steam near the end. This would be a 3 1/2 stars overall. Good read and another solid entry in the Planet Stories line. Looking forward to the other Brackett tomes.



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FullStarFullStarFullStarFullStarFullStar Please sir can I have some more?

A strong kickoff to what is looking to be a great AP.
A rich urban setting with a sort of 'medieval-Dickensian' feel, peopled with a detailed cast, EoA hits the ground running.
The adventure(s) have a nice episodic structure that serves as a great intro to the city and plants some seeds for the greater plot arc. Adventurers will deal with orphan-enslaving criminals, spidery crime-bosses, rioting mobs and a clutch of graverobbers (not to mention the ocasional hungry otyguh).
Other goodies include a neat writeup on Varisian culture, a surprisingly gripping journal of Shoanti rituals and a menagerie of critters you might find hanging out near the Thames waterfront.
Can't wait to run this one.



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