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What’s particularly cool about the adventure IMHO is that it’s set in Phlan – you know the city from the old SSI gold box computer game Pool of Radiance. Though it’s not a sequel to that storyline, the adventure does describe a compatriot of Tyranthraxus, a primordial called Maram of the Great Spear. In addition to an updated map of Phlan, there is also a regional map of the Moonsea North covering little before described areas of the Forgotten Realms like The Ride and the Tortured Lands. FR fans should definitely check it out.
Here is the intro text:
Quote:
Panicked refugees are pouring into the port city of Phlan, fleeing from barbarian attacks in the Moonsea North. Something ominous and ancient drives the horse nomads to attack their neighbors. Poised to shatter the ancient monument keeping him from Faerūn, a "lost god" from Toril's past sends an agent from the Elemental Chaos to herald his long-prophesied return… "Monument of the Ancients" is an adventure for 13th-level characters.
If myth and legend are to be believed, the antediluvian monument defends a region of Faerūn where the boundary between the world of Toril and the Elemental Chaos is weakest. At the monument's heart lies the Anchor of Chaos, an arcane bulwark sealing a cosmic fissure between the planes. Were the enchantment powering the Anchor to fail, the Moonsea North would stand defenseless against a full-scale invasion by forces of elemental evil. Unbeknownst to the citizens of Phlan, that day is nearly upon them.
About the Authors
Brian R. James is a freelance game designer living in the Seattle area. His works include The Grand History of the Realms, Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide, Open Grave: Secrets of the Undead, Dragon Magazine Annual, and Underdark. Follow Brian online at Brian R. James (brianrjames) on Twitter.
Matt James is a disabled combat veteran, having earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart from his recent service in the United States Army. When not exploring the fantasy worlds of Dungeons & Dragons, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife Dawn and two Chihuahuas, Peanut and Sammy. Follow Matt online at Matt James (matt_james_fr) on Twitter
Last edited by Wrox; 24th September 2009 at 11:20 PM..
I really like what I've read so far. It's definitely something that could be 'ported into other settings as well. I like how it showcases Realmslore as something other than a straitjacket.
__________________ Regards
D
The philosopher Herbert Spencer once observed: "The ultimate result of shielding man from the effects of folly is to people the world with fools."
Yeah, I'm trying to think of how I might shoehorn that into Eberron. Not a lot of opportunities for barbarian attacks. Maybe in Aundair near the Demon Wastes or Xen'drik with Stormreach filling in for Sharn.
__________________ -- Hailstop
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"And what would a 'Realms changing disaster' look like in Dark Sun anyway? The Sorcerer Kings lay down sod? A Halfling population explosion? Elves invent running shoes? " -- Andor
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"And what would a 'Realms changing disaster' look like in Dark Sun anyway? The Sorcerer Kings lay down sod? A Halfling population explosion? Elves invent running shoes? " -- Andor
I really like what I've read so far. It's definitely something that could be 'ported into other settings as well. I like how it showcases Realmslore as something other than a straitjacket.
At times, I almost think there is too much lore in the adventure, as it's backstory assumes that you'll already be familiar with some of it, even though its not in the 4e FRCS or explained within the adventure. While reading it last night, at certain points, I definitely felt like I was missing something. I guess its great for existing Realms fans (or maybe those who played the Pool of Radiance), but less so for those without an extensive library from past editions to refer to.
__________________ Veronica: Where's your brother?
Dick: I think he took Ghost World up to his room. They're probably up there making love. Or playing Dungeons and Dragons. Or both, at the same time. They're both, like, 12th-level dorks. I'm just sayin'
I dig on all the historical detail. I think it serves to create a sense of deep history and wonder, but I don't feel its necessary to fully know or understand it. In game play its basically great trivia to have NPCs throw out in conversation. But then, I don't DM in FR, so being super consistent doesn't matter to me.
Cool adventure. Like all the different locations and flying about. It feels 'paragon' for sure.
I dig on all the historical detail. I think it serves to create a sense of deep history and wonder, but I don't feel its necessary to fully know or understand it. In game play its basically great trivia to have NPCs throw out in conversation. But then, I don't DM in FR, so being super consistent doesn't matter to me.
Cool adventure. Like all the different locations and flying about. It feels 'paragon' for sure.
Despite my earlier reservations, I do have to agree with you here. Its a really good adventure. BTW, are there any easily accessible resources out there that would fill my perceived gaps in Realmslore?
__________________ Veronica: Where's your brother?
Dick: I think he took Ghost World up to his room. They're probably up there making love. Or playing Dungeons and Dragons. Or both, at the same time. They're both, like, 12th-level dorks. I'm just sayin'
Wonder if it would be mixed into the Revenge of the Giants module? Of course, then I would have to think about moving everything to Greyhawk . . . just for flavor.
I'm glad the adventure is being well received. I always chew my nails to a nub when content is released
What my brother and I tried to go for is a realmslore-saturated article that could also appear to the non-realmslore fan as well. We wanted to design an adventure that was both cool from a development point of view as well as design (rules versus fluff). Even though a perfect adventure can't really exist to please everyone, we hope that PCs and DMs can take this and run with it. We left plenty of side quests and adventures that branch off that those so inclined could stretch it out to their needs.
I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did writing it with my big brother.
__________________ Matt James
Freelance Game Designer Loremaster.org
Last edited by Matt James; 24th September 2009 at 11:35 PM..
Reason: Grammar
I'm glad the adventure is being well received. I always chew my nails to a nub when content is released
What my brother and I tried to go for is a realmslore-saturated article that could also appear to the non-realmslore fan as well. We wanted to design an adventure that was both cool from a development point of view as well as design (rules versus fluff). Even though a perfect adventure can't really exist to please everyone, we hope that PCs and DMs can take this and run with it. We left plenty of side quests and adventures that branch off that those so inclined could stretch it out to their needs.
I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did writing it with my big brother.
Even if I don't use the adventure, I love the fact that there is a substantial skill challenge/problem solving aspect to it. Not just a bunch of combat encounters.
__________________ -- Hailstop
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"And what would a 'Realms changing disaster' look like in Dark Sun anyway? The Sorcerer Kings lay down sod? A Halfling population explosion? Elves invent running shoes? " -- Andor
I personally pushed hard to get some good skill challenges in there and at least one puzzle challenge. I am very interested in hearing what people think of them. Thanks for the compliment, it was definitely something we knew had to be included.
__________________ Matt James
Freelance Game Designer Loremaster.org
Speaking of Phlan, did WotC ever finally release the Phlan web enhancement they promised to release several years ago?
They did not.
BTW, I re-read the adventure today at work and I enjoyed it even more (I did look up a few things online too so I would get the references); I think some of my initial reservations were related to when I read finally read the adventure. Its easily one of the best adventures in 4e Dungeon.
__________________ Veronica: Where's your brother?
Dick: I think he took Ghost World up to his room. They're probably up there making love. Or playing Dungeons and Dragons. Or both, at the same time. They're both, like, 12th-level dorks. I'm just sayin'
I like the map. The city brought back memories of playing the SSI game and "going into the monster part of town. The Moonsea North area is great. Its rugged area for sure. The great glacier and all makes me think of "Fire and Ice".
I dig how you have to deal with unsavory Bane worshiping rulers who are nice, then not nice.
Great use of skill challenges. First that I have been really impressed with. For the unlock challenge I like the way that the information for each success is provided in an interesting way - rather than simply 'you pass'.
The overland travel is also done well. I'd be tempted when DMing to dictate which checks need to be made by presenting the terrain day by day with the use of perception always being allowed as an avoid. I'd add a time/encounter penalty as per the camping option. One thing though...where did the hippogriffs go for this part? I'm also not sure that my group wouldn't be pretty much jetting along using phantom steed and shadow walk at this stage. I would be more likely to use an overland challenge like this at lower level
This is one of the best 4e adventures I have seen in Dungeon. More of this and less dungeon path for me
Thanks Prism! We wanted to add the Hippogriffs to assist in time management for the adventure to allow the PCs to cover a larger portion land in a shorter period. Using other such forms of transporation are indeed just as well, if not encouraged. I personally wanted to toss in the leveled up hippogriffs (they are not standard as I recall from doing their stats) so that players who took the mounted combat feat could take advantage of it if they had not already had a mount. Hippogriffs are the fastest mounts too (again, if I recall correctly- ill need to check my notes).
__________________ Matt James
Freelance Game Designer Loremaster.org
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