The Rest of #132 and #133 (Spoilers)

[Greg A. Vaughan]

The AoW adventures have gotten a lot of press (and are certainly deserving), and I suppose it's just the nature of the beast, but I wanted to start a thread and invite comment on the other adventures in these two issues. I have to say that in my opinion an already-excellent magazine has really stepped it up with these latest outings.

I think Kevin Carter's "Ill Made Graves" is great. I love the viking flavor (especially the GH viking flavor) in it. I know there have been viking-style adventures over the years, but I can't think of any that have captured the feel as well. The whole Beowulf homage is great and seemed to even be an homage to another Beowulf homage. It reminded me of "Eaters of the Dead" by Creighton ("The 13th Warrior" to the uncouth churls out there). Anyway, an excellent adventure and especially ingenius in its use of the artifact's powers that activate in different areas of the dungeon.

As to Nic Logue's "Chimes at Midnight" I must begin by saying that while I'm not in the "I hate Eberron" camp and think it is an extremely creative and cinenatic-feeling setting, it never really appealed to my style of play. I have the books and think they are some high quality stuff (Keith Baker has a great mind), and I've enjoyed the previous Eberron adventures in Dungeon (in the sense of "that's nice but I'll probably never use it"). However, I think Nic has hit a homerun with "Chimes". I haven't even finished it yet and I'm hooked. The plot, the villains, the setup, it's all top notch. I find myself thinking how can I adapt this out of Eberron to use it. And then find myself thinking that perhaps I should just use it Eberron as intended. Obviously his WotC adventure coming out later this year is going to be a hit if it's anytjing like "Chimes", and I suspect he's likely to have a long and prosperous career writing Eberron (as well as AP and other stuff, of course). Well, that's enough gushing. I was just startled by how interested I got in this Eberron adventure.

Okay moving on...

Chris Wissel's (I believe) first outing as a full adventure, "Wingclipper's Revenge" is also great (see no Word-of-the-Day calendar, ASEO!). It's great greatness is greatly enhanced by the fact that is so enjoyable to me when arguably fey adventures and forest adventures are my least favorite kinds of adventures (not that there's anything wrong with them, they just seem to have been the most abused in the past). It has a neat story, a wonderfully horrid motive, and Nightshade Hold is a cool, I mean, great location. Chris's imagination is so good I mainly spend my days lurking on the boards looking for his posts to steal ideas for adventures from him (my wallet thanks you, Chris).

Finally I come to Campbell Pentney's "Caverns of the Ooze Lord". This is a nice horror movie stuffed into an adventure. It could have been twice as long and still been just as interesting. I kept looking back to the title page of this grim tale to make sure it hadn't been written by Richard Pett. Congratulations to Mr. Pentney (and the future Mrs. Pentney, I suppose) on a wonderful adventure. Reading it was like walking the streets of Dunwich.

[Nicolas Logue]

Greg V wrote:

Well, that's enough gushing. I was just startled by how interested I got in this Eberron adventure.

Okay moving on...

No don't stop! Your gushing and I'm blushing! Thanks for the compliments Greg! Glad you dig on the "Chimes." I agree the other adventures in the past two issues have all been first-rate.

"Ill Made Graves" captures Beowulf in ways I never thought a D&D adventure could. The Tooth-as-antagonist plot is so incredibly cool, it is totally Eaters of the Dead meets Lord of the Rings and its own beautiful story at the same time. Absolutely delicious.

"Wingclipper's Revenge" is so very tasty as well. I love the NPCs in the adventure and some of the encounters are totally priceless (especially the post bachanalian revels scene...great!).

"Caverns of the Ooze Lord" was downright horrifying. Something about being turned into ooze slowly is just the absolute worst fate I can imagine. Terrifyingly delightful. I also extend my congrats to you and your missus-to-be Campbell! I just got engaged to my beau four months ago so I know how excited you must be! Kudos!

I think the past two issues of Dungeon have been some of the strongest I've seen to date. I have re-read both issues three or four times each already (and not just my own adventures). ;-)

DUNGEON STAFF! YOU ARE DOING AN AMAZING JOB!

You know this, but it doesn't hurt to shout it out every now and again.

[Mrannah]

you're right, even if you ignore the Age of Worms sections in these two issues, we have four absolutely fabulous adventures here, each with a unique flavor and style.

[Peruhain of Brithondy]

I also very much enjoyed the feel of Ill Made Graves--I'm a big fan of Beowulf and Tolkien, and also the Icelandic sagas, and it does a nice job of combining that feel with some interesting, creative ideas for encounters. The title page spread was excellent, too, art dept.

Due to getting the last three issues over a three week period I haven't had a chance to peruse the other adventures, but I'll have to do that now!

[golem101]

Greg V wrote:

Chris Wissel's (I believe) first outing as a full adventure, "Wingclipper's Revenge" is also great (see no Word-of-the-Day calendar, ASEO!). It's great greatness is greatly enhanced by the fact that is so enjoyable to me when arguably fey adventures and forest adventures are my least favorite kinds of adventures (not that there's anything wrong with them, they just seem to have been the most abused in the past). It has a neat story, a wonderfully horrid motive, and Nightshade Hold is a cool, I mean, great location. Chris's imagination is so good I mainly spend my days lurking on the boards looking for his posts to steal ideas for adventures from him (my wallet thanks you, Chris).

Seconded.

I just finished reading trough it (because of job I'm kinda late, with a bunch of unread magazines waiting in line), and I found it a great adventure.
Locations, descripitions, NPCs & nasties, characterizations of the villains, everything truly of the greatest quality.
Chris, if you're reading and if you have more material about the hinted conflict among the fey, please keep'em coming. Only one adventure could spark a very interesting campaign, can't wait to see more along the lines.

[Great Green God]

I have to agree the last two have been absolutely superb in terms of both overall variety and quality. If anyone starts a "Best of Dungeon 2006" thread these issues will surely get many votes. Many thanks to all the contributers/editors involved.

GGG