Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
*TTRPGs General
IRON DM 2013--Entries, Judgements, Commentary, & Trash-Talk
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Rune" data-source="post: 6156105" data-attributes="member: 67"><p><strong>Round 1, Match 3 Judgement: Radiating Gnome vs. EP</strong></p><p></p><p>I'm going to start off by expressing some disappointment in how a few of the ingredients were used in both of these entries. Not all of them; there were some very well-used ingredients in both, but, in some cases, <em>uninspired</em>. Maybe ingredients like “Point of No Return” and “Fork in the Road” were harder than they looked to me.</p><p></p><p>The <strong>Introverted Aboleth</strong> of “Curse of the Unwanted” (henceforth, “Curse”) is a great character. I mean, how often do you get to feel pathos for an aboleth? But as an ingredient, I never really got a sense of its abolethness—which would be fine if I felt that it had done away with schemes and slaves because of its introversion. But I didn't get that sense, either. Instead, it just felt like the aboleth was hiding because it was wounded and scared. While that makes for an interesting character, it didn't quite live up to the ingredient.</p><p></p><p>In contrast, “The Sermon of Kingfish VII” (henceforth, “Sermon”) has it locked down. Kingfish dominates all of his subjects (slaves) to such a degree that he even moves them around at whim for his sermons. This answers the question of why an introverted aboleth would surround himself with slaves (even at a distance) nicely: the slaves are not sentient to the aboleth—they are merely furniture. Add to that, the extremely isolated nature of Kingfish—so much so that he walled off his entire island with a hurricane—and we get a real sense of how an introverted aboleth might still be terrifying.</p><p></p><p>“Sermon” uses <strong>Fork in the Road</strong> as significant choice that the characters must make leading to their confrontation with Kingfish. The decision that the characters make have consequences. This is good. But, these decisions aren't even mutually-exclusive! It's possible for the PCs to do both? That might be better for the adventure, but the ingredient suffers for it; it is fundamental that when you come to a fork in the road (assuming it's not cutlery), <em>you must choose one path</em>.</p><p></p><p>At least “Curse” uses the ingredient more meaningfully. Again, it is a choice, but, here, it is a theme, as well. The denizens of the Lonely City must choose between their natures or to build a civilization. The PCs must choose between the typical problem-solving style and a peaceful acceptance of this new monster-nation. And they must choose again between fulfilling their (probably pointless, but lucrative) quest and mercy. I know I insinuated that this ingredient was used poorly all around earlier, but that's not the case, here. This one is well done.</p><p></p><p>And yet, while “Curse” has a <strong>Lonely City</strong>, it doesn't feel very lonely with its new inhabitants running around in it. “Sermon,” on the other hand, does. The city in this piece is isolated, lonely, desperate, oppressive...and to make matters more fun, the PCs are very likely to blend in—which might make them feel a bit isolated, as well! A lot of the character in “Sermon” comes out in the city, itself, and that always helps in bringing an adventure to life.</p><p></p><p>But the <strong>Point of No Return</strong> in “Sermon” is nearly meaningless to the PCs. If that point is the beginning of the adventure, the question raised is not “are we ready for this”, but simply “do we bother with this?” Functionally, it works, but it would have been better to see the ingredient pop up a little later in the adventure—once things were already in motion. Unfortunately, “Curse” doesn't even give us that. The ingredient here is only used as part of the hook—and not even one that the PCs have influence over. I think. I'm a little fuzzy on just how the ingredient manifests in the first place. Which isn't good.</p><p></p><p>And, here I run into a problem. I <em>liked</em> the <strong>Inspirational Sermon</strong> used in “Sermon.” It served as part of the framework upon which the adventure was built. <em>I</em> found it inspirational. But it clearly <em>was not</em> inspirational to the participants—they were only there to get fed! Nor was it even supposed to be—Kingfish cared so little about inspiring the masses that he took control of their very seating arrangements! “Curse” implements the ingredient more faithfully, but I find it somehow less intriguing. Which is odd, because I actually love the direction that it takes the adventure. I dunno. Maybe it's all the pre-scripted speech. Makes it feel more linear than it actually is. Just not my style, I guess. Can't penalize the piece for that.</p><p></p><p>So, how about the <strong>Changeling</strong>? “Sermon” has a great character in the form of Anter—who changes his very state of mind to keep it safe (although I do wonder where all of the alcohol is coming from), and who changes from friend to foe as the story progresses. He really helps bring the monstrous nature of the aboleth home. But I think I like the Keeper in “Curse” even more. Here is a shapeshifter who wants to change <em>everything</em>! The goblinoid's nature, the status quo, the very perceptions of the PCs! Now <em>that</em> is making the most of an ingredient!</p><p></p><p><em>The adventures:</em></p><p></p><p>“Sermon” is wonderfully atmospheric (in a creepy and oppressive way) and a tight adventure with a lot of adventure potential going on. “Curse” explores themes that I enjoy in my games. I see a <em>lot</em> of potential for this adventure—and for future adventures! But, as much as I enjoy it, I have to admit, it just isn't as tight as the other adventure—and there isn't nearly as much for the PCs to do.</p><p></p><p>[spoiler]I thought I knew the winner of this match before I started writing this judgment. But, as sometimes happens, the articulation of certain points caused me to reassess. In the end, I find that my reassessment matches up with my original assessment, but it is quite a bit closer than I thought. Alas, a couple of very inspired ingredients and a very inspired scenario are not enough to outweigh a well-crafted adventure with more tightly-woven ingredients.</p><p></p><p>EP, you've got the goods, and I look forward to seeing you compete in future tournaments, because this was a very fine piece. If I could give you one bit of advice for future tournaments, it would be this: work a little bit on tightening the adventure up—and giving the adventurers more to do. I think there's room for improvement with the ingredients, as well, but I also think that, with a little refining of the adventure, that would fall into place.</p><p></p><p>Radiating Gnome advances to Round 2.[/spoiler]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Rune, post: 6156105, member: 67"] [b]Round 1, Match 3 Judgement: Radiating Gnome vs. EP[/b] I'm going to start off by expressing some disappointment in how a few of the ingredients were used in both of these entries. Not all of them; there were some very well-used ingredients in both, but, in some cases, [i]uninspired[/i]. Maybe ingredients like “Point of No Return” and “Fork in the Road” were harder than they looked to me. The [b]Introverted Aboleth[/b] of “Curse of the Unwanted” (henceforth, “Curse”) is a great character. I mean, how often do you get to feel pathos for an aboleth? But as an ingredient, I never really got a sense of its abolethness—which would be fine if I felt that it had done away with schemes and slaves because of its introversion. But I didn't get that sense, either. Instead, it just felt like the aboleth was hiding because it was wounded and scared. While that makes for an interesting character, it didn't quite live up to the ingredient. In contrast, “The Sermon of Kingfish VII” (henceforth, “Sermon”) has it locked down. Kingfish dominates all of his subjects (slaves) to such a degree that he even moves them around at whim for his sermons. This answers the question of why an introverted aboleth would surround himself with slaves (even at a distance) nicely: the slaves are not sentient to the aboleth—they are merely furniture. Add to that, the extremely isolated nature of Kingfish—so much so that he walled off his entire island with a hurricane—and we get a real sense of how an introverted aboleth might still be terrifying. “Sermon” uses [b]Fork in the Road[/b] as significant choice that the characters must make leading to their confrontation with Kingfish. The decision that the characters make have consequences. This is good. But, these decisions aren't even mutually-exclusive! It's possible for the PCs to do both? That might be better for the adventure, but the ingredient suffers for it; it is fundamental that when you come to a fork in the road (assuming it's not cutlery), [i]you must choose one path[/i]. At least “Curse” uses the ingredient more meaningfully. Again, it is a choice, but, here, it is a theme, as well. The denizens of the Lonely City must choose between their natures or to build a civilization. The PCs must choose between the typical problem-solving style and a peaceful acceptance of this new monster-nation. And they must choose again between fulfilling their (probably pointless, but lucrative) quest and mercy. I know I insinuated that this ingredient was used poorly all around earlier, but that's not the case, here. This one is well done. And yet, while “Curse” has a [b]Lonely City[/b], it doesn't feel very lonely with its new inhabitants running around in it. “Sermon,” on the other hand, does. The city in this piece is isolated, lonely, desperate, oppressive...and to make matters more fun, the PCs are very likely to blend in—which might make them feel a bit isolated, as well! A lot of the character in “Sermon” comes out in the city, itself, and that always helps in bringing an adventure to life. But the [b]Point of No Return[/b] in “Sermon” is nearly meaningless to the PCs. If that point is the beginning of the adventure, the question raised is not “are we ready for this”, but simply “do we bother with this?” Functionally, it works, but it would have been better to see the ingredient pop up a little later in the adventure—once things were already in motion. Unfortunately, “Curse” doesn't even give us that. The ingredient here is only used as part of the hook—and not even one that the PCs have influence over. I think. I'm a little fuzzy on just how the ingredient manifests in the first place. Which isn't good. And, here I run into a problem. I [i]liked[/i] the [b]Inspirational Sermon[/b] used in “Sermon.” It served as part of the framework upon which the adventure was built. [i]I[/i] found it inspirational. But it clearly [i]was not[/i] inspirational to the participants—they were only there to get fed! Nor was it even supposed to be—Kingfish cared so little about inspiring the masses that he took control of their very seating arrangements! “Curse” implements the ingredient more faithfully, but I find it somehow less intriguing. Which is odd, because I actually love the direction that it takes the adventure. I dunno. Maybe it's all the pre-scripted speech. Makes it feel more linear than it actually is. Just not my style, I guess. Can't penalize the piece for that. So, how about the [b]Changeling[/b]? “Sermon” has a great character in the form of Anter—who changes his very state of mind to keep it safe (although I do wonder where all of the alcohol is coming from), and who changes from friend to foe as the story progresses. He really helps bring the monstrous nature of the aboleth home. But I think I like the Keeper in “Curse” even more. Here is a shapeshifter who wants to change [i]everything[/i]! The goblinoid's nature, the status quo, the very perceptions of the PCs! Now [i]that[/i] is making the most of an ingredient! [i]The adventures:[/i] “Sermon” is wonderfully atmospheric (in a creepy and oppressive way) and a tight adventure with a lot of adventure potential going on. “Curse” explores themes that I enjoy in my games. I see a [i]lot[/i] of potential for this adventure—and for future adventures! But, as much as I enjoy it, I have to admit, it just isn't as tight as the other adventure—and there isn't nearly as much for the PCs to do. [spoiler]I thought I knew the winner of this match before I started writing this judgment. But, as sometimes happens, the articulation of certain points caused me to reassess. In the end, I find that my reassessment matches up with my original assessment, but it is quite a bit closer than I thought. Alas, a couple of very inspired ingredients and a very inspired scenario are not enough to outweigh a well-crafted adventure with more tightly-woven ingredients. EP, you've got the goods, and I look forward to seeing you compete in future tournaments, because this was a very fine piece. If I could give you one bit of advice for future tournaments, it would be this: work a little bit on tightening the adventure up—and giving the adventurers more to do. I think there's room for improvement with the ingredients, as well, but I also think that, with a little refining of the adventure, that would fall into place. Radiating Gnome advances to Round 2.[/spoiler] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
*TTRPGs General
IRON DM 2013--Entries, Judgements, Commentary, & Trash-Talk
Top