thalmin
Retired game store owner
For those interested, before I list what is in #117, the previously announced part 1 of the Map of Greyhawk has been delayed a month, as has been discussed elsewhere on these boards.
Now, what IS in issue #117:
Adventures
Fallen Angel by Keith Baker. On Olarune 9th in the 918th year since the founding of the Kingdom, one of the city of Sharn's floating towers fell from the sky, crushing much of the Godsgate District. Now, a band of bestial savages searches Godsgate for remnants of a broken statue, pulling the PCs into a plot that could destroy Sharn itself. A D&D Eberron adventure for 4th level PCs. Urban & dungeon crawl. About 12 pages including a 1/2-page map.
Touch of the Abyss (Part 1 of 3) by Greg A Vaughan. A decade ago, the drow goddess Lolth captured the city of Istivin in her world-spanning Demonweb. Adventurers eventually won the day, but the affair left a dark stain on the city's soul that now sputters to terrible life. A D&D adventure for 11th level characters. Urban & dungeon crawl. 16 pages including two 1/2-page maps and a page of player handouts.
The Winding Way by Nicholas Logue. The Temple of the Winding Way stands watch over the twisting passes of the northern mountains, but who stands watch over the temple's wretched secret? A D&D adventure for 14th level characters. Dungeon crawl. About 19 pages, including two 1/2-page and one 1/3-page maps.
Backdrop
Istivin: City of Shadows by Greg A. Vaughan & Erik Mona. At the heart of a tragic western kingdom is star-crossed Istivin, a city haunted by demonic pacts, devious darkelves, and worse. A complete urban dark fantasy mini-setting for all D&D campaigns. About 12 pages, including two 1/2-page maps.
Cartoons
The Portent
Mt. Zogon
Downer
Columns
Editorial The Campaign Component Erik Mona looks at why DM's design campaigns.
Prison Mail
Dungeoncraft
Mastering the Game Starting a New Campaign (Part 4)
Table Rules by Monte Cook. Not about house rules, but rather such issues as how you handle a player missing, touching someones dice, table talk, and more. Monte then lists his own 10 rules.
Wil Save First Level Sucks by Wil Wheaton. Wil shares some all-too-common experiences in playing a first-level character.
Campaign Workbook
The Cast Five-Second NPCs by Mike Mearls. Forty NPCs with character, not stats. Mike focuses on what they act like, not what they do.
The City Graveyard Encounters by Dawn Ibach.
One hundred things you might see or encounter in a graveyard, from the mundane to plot seeds.
The Dungeon A Brief Respite by Rodney Thompson. Since the party is going to get beat up in the dungeon, maybe the DM should design places for them to rest up.
The Journey Bridging the Gap by Mike Mearls. Five bridges that are encounters in themselves.
Now, what IS in issue #117:
Adventures
Fallen Angel by Keith Baker. On Olarune 9th in the 918th year since the founding of the Kingdom, one of the city of Sharn's floating towers fell from the sky, crushing much of the Godsgate District. Now, a band of bestial savages searches Godsgate for remnants of a broken statue, pulling the PCs into a plot that could destroy Sharn itself. A D&D Eberron adventure for 4th level PCs. Urban & dungeon crawl. About 12 pages including a 1/2-page map.
Touch of the Abyss (Part 1 of 3) by Greg A Vaughan. A decade ago, the drow goddess Lolth captured the city of Istivin in her world-spanning Demonweb. Adventurers eventually won the day, but the affair left a dark stain on the city's soul that now sputters to terrible life. A D&D adventure for 11th level characters. Urban & dungeon crawl. 16 pages including two 1/2-page maps and a page of player handouts.
The Winding Way by Nicholas Logue. The Temple of the Winding Way stands watch over the twisting passes of the northern mountains, but who stands watch over the temple's wretched secret? A D&D adventure for 14th level characters. Dungeon crawl. About 19 pages, including two 1/2-page and one 1/3-page maps.
Backdrop
Istivin: City of Shadows by Greg A. Vaughan & Erik Mona. At the heart of a tragic western kingdom is star-crossed Istivin, a city haunted by demonic pacts, devious darkelves, and worse. A complete urban dark fantasy mini-setting for all D&D campaigns. About 12 pages, including two 1/2-page maps.
Cartoons
The Portent
Mt. Zogon
Downer
Columns
Editorial The Campaign Component Erik Mona looks at why DM's design campaigns.
Prison Mail
Dungeoncraft
Mastering the Game Starting a New Campaign (Part 4)
Table Rules by Monte Cook. Not about house rules, but rather such issues as how you handle a player missing, touching someones dice, table talk, and more. Monte then lists his own 10 rules.
Wil Save First Level Sucks by Wil Wheaton. Wil shares some all-too-common experiences in playing a first-level character.
Campaign Workbook
The Cast Five-Second NPCs by Mike Mearls. Forty NPCs with character, not stats. Mike focuses on what they act like, not what they do.
The City Graveyard Encounters by Dawn Ibach.
One hundred things you might see or encounter in a graveyard, from the mundane to plot seeds.
The Dungeon A Brief Respite by Rodney Thompson. Since the party is going to get beat up in the dungeon, maybe the DM should design places for them to rest up.
The Journey Bridging the Gap by Mike Mearls. Five bridges that are encounters in themselves.
