Simon Collins
Explorer
Beware! This review contains major spoilers.
Blood Reign Of Nishanpur is an adventure module for 4-6 characters of 5th-7th level. It costs $9.99.
Production & Presentation: This is a softcover 32-page module. The front cover is an average piece of colour artwork. The back cover introduces the module and outlines its features. The front and back inside covers contain OGL licence information (definitely a better use of this space than leaving it blank as some d20 modules by other companies have done). The first page contains credits and some OGL stuff. The general text is well-defined and clear, making it easy to read, though the boxed text to be read to the players is on a textured background. The text takes up 9/10 of each page in a familiar two-column layout - the edge of each page is bordered by a drawing of Losknek, Prince of Hell. There are several pieces of pencil-sketch internal black & white artwork by six different artists – some of the art is average, some good. All the art is relevant to the adventure and helps to picture the NPCs, creatures or setting.
The Story: The module begins by explaining the Hard Point/Soft Point system used in the module (scenes in the module are categorised as essential to the plot (hard points) or as optional (soft points) so the GM can modify the adventure to an extent).
Blood Reign is introduced as the follow-on to Paradigm Concept's first release, The Spear Of The Lohgin, but it can (theoretically) be run as a standalone module. Background from The Spear Of The Lohgin is given to aid this followed by an overview of the lead in to the new adventure.
The Hard Points (plot essentials) are then listed which gives an overview of the adventure itself. A glossary of terms is then given (the adventure is set in Paradigm Concept's 'Arcanis, the world of Shattered Empires', and the glossary serves as a basic overview of relevant aspects).
The adventure begins when the PCs are invited to a feast, with an introduction to rumours that evil creatures are plaguing the area. On their way, the PCs may encounter a swordsman out to test his mettle against the famous PCs, and an attempted poisoning by a cultist of Neroth, the God of Death. At the feast, Losknek the Prince of Hell arrives. He is searching for an imp that was meant to steal a magical tome for him. He catches the imp hiding at the feast, but the imp informs Losknek the book was taken by someone with the black manacle of Sarish on their arm. Losknek informs the guests that the creatures that are plaguing the area are coming from a portal to Hell that only he can close. If the PCs retrieve the tome for him, he will close the gate.
A couple of alternative scenes are then outlined in case the PCs decide to try and close the portal themselves or try to cheat Losknek in some way (neither of these are wise decisions). The PCs must then seek the advice of a wise warmaster in order to gain background information to the adventure and learn they must enter the neighbouring country of Canceri, a country dominated by a triumvirate of three dark gods and their evil priests. Their aim is to retrieve the tome from the library of the capital of Canceri, Nishanpur, where the book has most likely been taken.
On the road into Canceri, the PCs have the chance to earn themselves a couple of useful magical items, one in an atmospheric dream scene. The PCs enter the border city of Kielmun. A variety of 'soft' encounters are explored, including the possibility of being hauled in by the secret police for questioning if the PCs do anything unusual. When the PCs wake in the morning, the city is in the process of being seized by an opposing faction (Nierites) to the rulers of Kielmun (Nerothians).
The PCs escape the city and are driven further into the depths of Canceri. After further possible encounters with a demon and a devil, gaining useful information from the accompanying NPC regarding Nishanpur. The PCs pay for a special mark that earns them protection from the guardian demons that enforce the law within Nishanpur (those without the mark can be robbed, raped or murdered - without intervention by the demons). Violence against another mark-wearer causes the mark to disappear.
Inside Nishanpur, several soft scenes allow the PCs to experience the vice, violence and plotting that simmers throughout the city. The PCs contact a sorcerer, Kelimrhe, who gives them details regarding the tome they seek, the name and location of the original tome-thief, a sorceress named Sulemei. He also wishes the PCs to uncover proof that the faction that Sulemei belongs to plotted the recent murder of Canceri's leader.
The PCs travel through a magic mirror to the place where the book is thought to be located, where they may encounter devils and evil acolytes, and an interesting encounter with a fallen Valinor, a powerful lawful-neutral servant of the gods who has been corrupted by Sarish, one of the dark gods.
The PCs eventually reach Sulemei's quarters and experience a couple of rather nasty demonic magical traps, but no Sulemei and no tome. They learn Sulemei (and possibly the tome) are attending a council of Canceri's high priests. If the PCs take the evidence they may find, proving priests of Sarish killed the Canceri leader, to the council of Canceri's priests, a riot breaks out in the council hall. Sulemei escapes through a magic mirror. If the PCs follow her, they land right in the middle of a dark ritual calling up a city-size Blood Elemental, which they must defeat by interrupting the ritual.
The PCs return the book to Losknek whilst in the distance Nishanpur falls into chaotic civil war.
The final pages are dedicated to background motivations for the NPCs, a new spell 'Neroth's Embrace' (shrivels appendages - ouch!), some information on Nishanpur and a new Prestige Class, 'The Ordainer' - these wizards are trained to redirect, leech and reflect magical energy.
The High Points: A complex, multifaceted plotline, thought-provoking NPCs with appropriate motivations and placement, a plethora of (intelligently-explained) demons and devils, an unusual dark setting, and expressive description and dialogue which adds flavour and atmosphere to the module. All the good things from Spear of the Lohgin have been repeated in this module.
The Low Points: Unfortunately, the typos, and game information set within boxed text have also been repeated. In addition, to my mind this module is less easily adaptable to your own campaign than Spear of the Lohgin was – it directly follows on from 'Spear' and makes more sense in this context. There are a number of plot elements that depend on the conflict between the three evil priesthoods of Canceri, and the plot hooks are strongly linked to setting-specific information. The module’s claim to be usable as a stand-alone adventure is true, but it would be a much weaker adventure.
Conclusion: Not as adaptable as Spear of the Lohgin, and stronger if used as a follow-on adventure. It's not for DMs who want an off-the-cuff adventure, which they skim read and then run. This needs a few reads to grasp it's complexities before running, and some pre-planning and thought as to running the NPCs and the optional scenes, to really make best use of it. It also repeats the mistakes of stats and read-aloud text found in Spear Of The Lohgin. But all the information is given to run a terrifying and memorable adventure.
Blood Reign Of Nishanpur is an adventure module for 4-6 characters of 5th-7th level. It costs $9.99.
Production & Presentation: This is a softcover 32-page module. The front cover is an average piece of colour artwork. The back cover introduces the module and outlines its features. The front and back inside covers contain OGL licence information (definitely a better use of this space than leaving it blank as some d20 modules by other companies have done). The first page contains credits and some OGL stuff. The general text is well-defined and clear, making it easy to read, though the boxed text to be read to the players is on a textured background. The text takes up 9/10 of each page in a familiar two-column layout - the edge of each page is bordered by a drawing of Losknek, Prince of Hell. There are several pieces of pencil-sketch internal black & white artwork by six different artists – some of the art is average, some good. All the art is relevant to the adventure and helps to picture the NPCs, creatures or setting.
The Story: The module begins by explaining the Hard Point/Soft Point system used in the module (scenes in the module are categorised as essential to the plot (hard points) or as optional (soft points) so the GM can modify the adventure to an extent).
Blood Reign is introduced as the follow-on to Paradigm Concept's first release, The Spear Of The Lohgin, but it can (theoretically) be run as a standalone module. Background from The Spear Of The Lohgin is given to aid this followed by an overview of the lead in to the new adventure.
The Hard Points (plot essentials) are then listed which gives an overview of the adventure itself. A glossary of terms is then given (the adventure is set in Paradigm Concept's 'Arcanis, the world of Shattered Empires', and the glossary serves as a basic overview of relevant aspects).
The adventure begins when the PCs are invited to a feast, with an introduction to rumours that evil creatures are plaguing the area. On their way, the PCs may encounter a swordsman out to test his mettle against the famous PCs, and an attempted poisoning by a cultist of Neroth, the God of Death. At the feast, Losknek the Prince of Hell arrives. He is searching for an imp that was meant to steal a magical tome for him. He catches the imp hiding at the feast, but the imp informs Losknek the book was taken by someone with the black manacle of Sarish on their arm. Losknek informs the guests that the creatures that are plaguing the area are coming from a portal to Hell that only he can close. If the PCs retrieve the tome for him, he will close the gate.
A couple of alternative scenes are then outlined in case the PCs decide to try and close the portal themselves or try to cheat Losknek in some way (neither of these are wise decisions). The PCs must then seek the advice of a wise warmaster in order to gain background information to the adventure and learn they must enter the neighbouring country of Canceri, a country dominated by a triumvirate of three dark gods and their evil priests. Their aim is to retrieve the tome from the library of the capital of Canceri, Nishanpur, where the book has most likely been taken.
On the road into Canceri, the PCs have the chance to earn themselves a couple of useful magical items, one in an atmospheric dream scene. The PCs enter the border city of Kielmun. A variety of 'soft' encounters are explored, including the possibility of being hauled in by the secret police for questioning if the PCs do anything unusual. When the PCs wake in the morning, the city is in the process of being seized by an opposing faction (Nierites) to the rulers of Kielmun (Nerothians).
The PCs escape the city and are driven further into the depths of Canceri. After further possible encounters with a demon and a devil, gaining useful information from the accompanying NPC regarding Nishanpur. The PCs pay for a special mark that earns them protection from the guardian demons that enforce the law within Nishanpur (those without the mark can be robbed, raped or murdered - without intervention by the demons). Violence against another mark-wearer causes the mark to disappear.
Inside Nishanpur, several soft scenes allow the PCs to experience the vice, violence and plotting that simmers throughout the city. The PCs contact a sorcerer, Kelimrhe, who gives them details regarding the tome they seek, the name and location of the original tome-thief, a sorceress named Sulemei. He also wishes the PCs to uncover proof that the faction that Sulemei belongs to plotted the recent murder of Canceri's leader.
The PCs travel through a magic mirror to the place where the book is thought to be located, where they may encounter devils and evil acolytes, and an interesting encounter with a fallen Valinor, a powerful lawful-neutral servant of the gods who has been corrupted by Sarish, one of the dark gods.
The PCs eventually reach Sulemei's quarters and experience a couple of rather nasty demonic magical traps, but no Sulemei and no tome. They learn Sulemei (and possibly the tome) are attending a council of Canceri's high priests. If the PCs take the evidence they may find, proving priests of Sarish killed the Canceri leader, to the council of Canceri's priests, a riot breaks out in the council hall. Sulemei escapes through a magic mirror. If the PCs follow her, they land right in the middle of a dark ritual calling up a city-size Blood Elemental, which they must defeat by interrupting the ritual.
The PCs return the book to Losknek whilst in the distance Nishanpur falls into chaotic civil war.
The final pages are dedicated to background motivations for the NPCs, a new spell 'Neroth's Embrace' (shrivels appendages - ouch!), some information on Nishanpur and a new Prestige Class, 'The Ordainer' - these wizards are trained to redirect, leech and reflect magical energy.
The High Points: A complex, multifaceted plotline, thought-provoking NPCs with appropriate motivations and placement, a plethora of (intelligently-explained) demons and devils, an unusual dark setting, and expressive description and dialogue which adds flavour and atmosphere to the module. All the good things from Spear of the Lohgin have been repeated in this module.
The Low Points: Unfortunately, the typos, and game information set within boxed text have also been repeated. In addition, to my mind this module is less easily adaptable to your own campaign than Spear of the Lohgin was – it directly follows on from 'Spear' and makes more sense in this context. There are a number of plot elements that depend on the conflict between the three evil priesthoods of Canceri, and the plot hooks are strongly linked to setting-specific information. The module’s claim to be usable as a stand-alone adventure is true, but it would be a much weaker adventure.
Conclusion: Not as adaptable as Spear of the Lohgin, and stronger if used as a follow-on adventure. It's not for DMs who want an off-the-cuff adventure, which they skim read and then run. This needs a few reads to grasp it's complexities before running, and some pre-planning and thought as to running the NPCs and the optional scenes, to really make best use of it. It also repeats the mistakes of stats and read-aloud text found in Spear Of The Lohgin. But all the information is given to run a terrifying and memorable adventure.
