Goblin Squad Member. Adventure Path Charter Subscriber. Organized Play Member. 982 posts (993 including aliases). 2 reviews. No lists. No wishlists. 4 Organized Play characters. 1 alias.
After reading Vernor Vinge, A Deepness in the Sky, I was inspired to run a Sci-Fi RPG. After searching through several, I found this gem. I really like the premise...
"It is the Second Age of Space. The light of human civilization, which had flickered and threatened to die, burns bright again with contact with the thousand worlds of space." ~ The Songs of Old Earth, Book I ~
And I like Sarah Newton's writing and explanation of the 'verse as well as a refresher on Fate Core Rules and how to apply them to this setting. With Fate I fell there are a lot of narrative elements that are conducive to this space opera/hard sci-fi setting, and while it reminds me of Traveller in its glory days in scope, I appreciate the updated views on Transhumanism, virtual reality, and technology that Newton brings.
I am really loving this product. Sure, there are knights and chivalry, but there is clearly a Byzantine influence in the design. The artwork is evocative and I love the maps, Oppara especially. I am seriously considering starting a new campaign in this region.
As with all the Dark Heresy products so far, the production value of this book is very, very good. The printed material is dense, and the art is evocative as is typical with a WH40K-related product.
Chapter 1 was an amazing surprise, giving hints of a sector/galaxy changing event that the GM could use in his game.
The adventure was well conceived and attempts to blend together many elements introduced earlier in the book while giving the GM free reign to customize it for his players.
The middle of the book is rich with information on all the nasty bad guys in the default region for the DH game (Calixix sector), giving their history, organization, leadership and importantly, adventure hooks and ideas on how to incorporate them into your own DH game. All in all, a top notch product (again) by the DH-design team.
The production value of the book is well worth the price. I am amazed by the high-quality of what has been put out by the DH line so far. This is not an FFG reprint, but the original Black Industries printing distributed by FFG. This has more background to create characters including package deals, alternate career paths, elite advance paths, as well as a new career. Furthermore, the equipment section is to drool over...A must for PCs and GMs alike!
I cannot wait to spring this adventure on my players. I love that the ramifications of failure are world-changing in scope, a change of pace from your run-of-the-mill adventure even at 11th level. The encounters are well-written emphasizing the gruesome and fiendish nature of the adversaries, and evoking an appropriate mood that couples with the sheer heroic-ness of the task. The new monsters and magic items are well done. Highly Recommended.
