Fanboy: So you want to review this Module after someone suggested the author have his private parts violated?
Reviewer: Yes. It seemed appropriate.
Fanboy: What makes your opinion so special?
Reviewer: Nothing, I just wanted to give a thorough review. Trolls annoy me.
Fanboy: But what are your qualifications?
Reviewer: If you're looking for a resume, I wrote for the RPGA for several years. My two big achievements were writing the 2002 D&D Open at GenCon titled "The Proving Grounds," and winning an award at GenCon UK for my scenario "Holding the Fort." I have a short story set to appear soon in "The Writhing Dark" from Chaosium for the 7th Edition of Call of Cthulhu titled "The Book of San Yrsath."
Fanboy: But you never wrote for Dungeon Magazine. Mike Shel wrote for Dungeon Magazine.
Reviewer: I chose to focus on the RPGA, and that was not the best decision, looking back on things. Now, let's move on to the adventure.
Fanboy: The adventure is known for how creepy it is, what's your take on the atmosphere.
Reviewer: Super creepy. I felt like I was reading some prime horror novels, and Clive Barker is the appropriate comparison here. Bodies hanging from the ceiling, extreme torture and undead from out of your worst nightmares. I've had some pretty bad nightmares, but these descriptions are not for those with weak stomachs. Since I dig this kind of stuff in my horror, I give it a positive review with the note about weak stomachs.
Fanboy: What about the background information available to the characters?
Reviewer: While there are opportunities to learn everything if you roll well on knowledge checks, the lack of access to that information from within the temple is an oversight. Outside of a tournament situation, this is easily remedied by the placement of texts, journals, and other artifacts.
Fanboy: Ok, how about the encounters. Some reviews complain about how combat heavy the scenario is and how deadly it can be.
Reviewer: There's nothing wrong with a tough scenario, even within the confines of PFS. I'm old school, and I have no problem with trapped dungeons that are designed to kill interlopers. I do have problems with "dungeons" that let players waltz right through them, especially once above third level. People complained about how tough The Tomb Of Horrors was, but that now is considered an icon in dungeon design. I believe a temple/tomb/lair of "bad guys" should not in any way be easy. I certainly wouldn't make my evil lair simple to get through so treasure seekers could just wander in and take my stuff, why should this temple be any different? Should there have been a welcome mat with a plate of cookies and a glass of milk? It's a lost temple to a violent being that now is inhabited by undead. If you thought this was going to be a weekend lark smashing some low-level zombies while stealing the Holy Grail, you signed up for the wrong adventure. Bravo to Mr. Shel for doing it right.
Fanboy: Tell me some things you didn't like.
Reviewer: The Grammar Police wrote several tickets for items pointed out elsewhere I won't repeat here, other than to observe they're still on the page two years later. I thought the PDFs would've been touched up by now.
Fanboy: You're nitpicking, tell me something you didn't like.
Reviewer: I thought Tholrist should've been a more proactive antagonist. Since the players wouldn't exactly have been able to keep their investigation of the temple secret, Tholrist should've had a little more to do other than to just sit there and wait. I know he's confined to his room, but giving the guy some minions is the easy fix for this. Also, a projected image taunting the players would have been a nice touch, but that's just me.
Fanboy: That's it for negatives?
Reviewer: Yes. Overall this is a great One Night Stand adventure that players will remember. The layout of the temple makes sense, the monsters are tough, and the add-on of assembling the mask gives the characters a reason to keep exploring the temple even if they find the secret door and rescue the prisoners.
Fanboy: Is there anything you'd like to do to Mr. Shel? Someone already has wished violence to his nether regions.
Reviewer: Buy him a beer and talk D&D, PF, Sci-fi or Football and Baseball if he's a fan.
Fanboy: Any closing remarks?
Reviewer: I hope everyone enjoyed reading this.
