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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rune" data-source="post: 5661685" data-attributes="member: 67">Championship Match: Pour vs. Waylander the SlayerOnce in a while, an Iron DM match produces two entries that, if combined, could make an even cooler entry.  This seems to me to be one such match.  These two entries are both thematically similar (yes, the ingredients do have something to do with that) to such a degree that the two could probably dovetail pretty easily with minimal work (switch the humans to orcs or vice versa, tweak a little here, a little there...).  So that's cool.That's a nifty side-effect that sometimes happens with two adventures written using the same ingredients, but the synergy is not what Iron DM is about, so...let's get on with the contrasting.First, the ingredients:Devilish Smile:  I must say, I was a little disappointed with the use of this ingredient in both entries.  With an ingredient as versatile as this one, I would hope to see it used more centrally, or at least more significantly than either entry did.  In fact, I didn't find it anywhere in Pour's entry, unless the wax lips were supposed to double as this ingredient, as well.  Disappointed as I was, I must admit that Waylander's Devilish Smile was a good use of the ingredient; it provides a way for the PCs to interact (although minor) and it helps move the adventure along.Illuminated History:  This was a fun ingredient; also easily interpreted in multiple ways.  As far as flavor goes, both entries use this ingredient equally well.  This (combined with the Paving Stones) is the central ingredient in Waylander's entry and, consequently, end up being more significant to the PCs.Misplaced Vendetta:  Here, again, I was a little let down by the use of this ingredient.  Neither entry really presented a Misplaced Vendetta, but, at least, Waylander's entry has the potential to develop it with the manipulations of the devil.Elven Champion:  Both entries use the Elven Champion as a major mover in the plot and each takes a different approach on just what a champion is.  Wayfarer's is a champion of ideals and Pour's is an actual arena champion.  Both are adequate.  One seems more interesting in play than the other; the one that will actually fight.  Pour's got this one.Grave Robber:  I'm not sure why Waylander's entry has a grave-robbing scene in it, except for flavor.  It's cool imagery, but, ultimately, seems just a little forced.  At any rate, Pour's use of the PCs as (potential) Grave Robbers appeals to me and I'll give him the edge on this ingredient.Paving Stones of Good Intentions:  Well, Pour doesn't even have them (that makes two manditory ingredients completely left out of his entry!), so Waylander automatically wins this category.  That said, I am disappointed somewhat with his entry.  It's good.  It's innovative.  Flavorful.  But, this was an ingredient with some significant connotations attached to it (connotations that meld very well with some of the other ingredients, in my opinion).  Specifically, the adage that this ingredient is derived from is “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.”  Inherent in this adage is the concept that the inclination do good furthers the cause of evil (although, whether this refers to good works never gotten around to or good works actually accomplished is not clear).  Nowhere is this even hinted at in the entry.Optional Ingredients:  The first thing I notice is yet more overlap.  That said, these ingredients are not going to be contrasted with each other; rather I'll just point out where they hurt their respective entries.  I'll point out what's good, too, but only for purposes of critique; there is no tie to be broken.Waylander's Incredibly Sharp Axe and Burial Shroud are not really that great.  They don't add much to the adventure and really aren't that significant.  They could have been pretty much anything.  The Poetic Wax was even worse...but!  The ingredient was Wax Poetic, and that is something that the entire adventure does (I mean, it feels like playing in an epic!).  That's cool!Pour's Flayers are great  (I mean, really, great villains—they are villains, right?), the Ship at Sea is minor, the Burial Shroud is...nowhere to be found?  And Wax Poetic is...what the hell?  But I'll get to this one in a minute.I expressed some disappointment for Waylander's use of the Paving Stones ingredient as an ingredient, But, I do like the style that they give to the adventure.  It feels disjointed and disorienting, but that furthers the poetic nature of the adventure.  I really like the concept of rearranging the past by reliving its epics.  Very cool.Now, Pour's adventure has a great gritty, dark, sinister feel, right up to the moment that the guy with the lisp puts on the big red wax lips.  The minute that happens at any table I've ever run (or played at), any attempt at a serious game is killed.  And not just for that session, either.  It's a shame, too, because I really liked where that adventure was going.  Still do.[spoiler]But, as far as Iron DM entries go, these two are not even close, in my opinion.  If Pour had put forth an entry as good as his last one, it would have won, hands down.  This entry, though...My vote is for Waylander the Slayer's A Song of Love & Loss.[/spoiler]</blockquote>

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