City State of the Invincible Overlord

[johnsemlak]

Just got this recently. I really like it so far

Plusses:

• Has a new NPC class called the Begger. It's a 10 level class, which is able to give valuable information in exchange for 'donations' that go up per level. It's a really cool idea that offers RP opportunities and is easily portable. One of hte most original new classes I've seen in a while.
  
• Has info on nearly 400 locations in the City State (and that's just above ground! There's also the dungeons).
  
• It gets away with that by having only bare info on most NPCs and monsters. In nearly all cases I really like this. Saves tremendous space. In referring to monsters it usually just says 'See MM'.

Other points:

• Other than the above mentioned NPC class, the book has few new rules PC/NPC options such as feats or PrCs. It has only one PrC, no feats or spells. It has a new skill called gambling.
  
• It does have some new monsters and a number of new magic items. I haven't looked at the monsters closely, but some illustraitons looked cool.
  
• THe book occasionally does refer to monsters in the Tome of Horrors. I'm fine with this, but some may object.
  
• Only three NPCs are fully statted and given extensive detail. The Invincble Overloard himself and 2 others. Earlier I mentioned i appreciate breif stat blocs, but I would have appreciated a few more fleshed out NPCs.

 

[Khairn]

The City State is now nearing the top of my "must have' list.

I remember playing the original setting and mapping out the players map as they travelled along. It took us many months of gaming to explore the city and the area around it. Great fun.

 

[DragonSword]

Sounds like a good buy, you've sold it to me. Might just have to get my hands on that one.

 

[kenobi65]

I'm wondering how much of a resemblence it bears to the old City-State. That was the home base for our original D&D campaign, and we had great fun with it. Our now-ancient maps are covered with notes on buildings that the PCs bought, areas that were destroyed (oops!), etc.

 

[Quasqueton]

I'm wondering how much of a resemblence it bears to the old City-State.

I've heard about this old item, but I've never seen/read it. I'd like to know more about it, in depth.

johnsemlak: Should I start another thread on the old version, or is it cool with you to ask for info to be posted here?

Quasqueton

 

[Anabstercorian]

I'm wondering how much of a resemblence it bears to the old City-State. That was the home base for our original D&D campaign, and we had great fun with it. Our now-ancient maps are covered with notes on buildings that the PCs bought, areas that were destroyed (oops!), etc.

It's an exact conversion, with some of the endearing quirks intact. As a born & bred 3e player, I can say I'm very impressed with it! It is a weird place, but internally self-consistent and very DnD-ish. Fantastic production values and all-around good editing help cinch the deal. It costs a crapload, but if you want a locale your players will remember, try the City State.

 

[johnsemlak]

johnsemlak: Should I start another thread on the old version, or is it cool with you to ask for info to be posted here?

Quasqueton

Hmm, not sure on that one. I'm not familiar with the old product, but maybe those who are can post their comparisons here?

 

[Aaron2]

My only complaint thusfar is that the detail seems random. For example, there are detail of dozens of rooms (including empty ones) that reside beneath the three main temples yet almost no description of the temples themselves. You have to look on the main map to even see what shape they are. And these upper temples have hundreds of guards!

This is a result of the book being a conversion of two different products, the Citystate set and another one called IIRC "Wraith Overlord" that dealt solely with underground stuff.


Aaron

 

[MrFilthyIke]

I know nothing of the original, can anyone describe this old setting?

 

[Treebore]

http://www.lundr.com/TreeboresKingdom/reviews/review1.html

I suggest you look at my review on the link above or here on ENWorld, then go to judgesguild.com and look at their free downloads and things. IF you like what you see then make sure to not only get CSIO and The Players Guide to the Wilderlands, but the boxed set for the Wilderlands setting coming out in April.

Plus Tegal Manor 3.5 is also in the works, plus a couple of other products.