Quickbeam
Explorer
I almost don't know where to begin, there's so much postive to say. I've heard an almost endless array of great things about Kenzer & Co. and particularly Kingdoms of Kalamar...now I know why.
Harvest of Darkness comprises four previously published adventures in their 3E translations, with particular attention towards customizing them for KoK. Each of these adventures is capable of acting as a stand alone mini-campaign, or the DM may choose to intertwine the tales into one larger storyline.
Here are my thoughts listed in rapid-fire succession:
** The diverse adventure styles encompassed in Harvest of Darkness are amazing. Each of the four mini modules has its own distinct style and flavor, ranging from combat heavy to cunning and guile-dependent.
** The background detail is very thorough, yet easy to recall and reference. After a brief read-through, I felt prepared to run any of the four adventures.
** The NPC's are memorable yet realistic -- not a given in many modules.
** Picture cards are included to enhance the DM's descriptions...something I remember liking from modules such as Expedition to the Barrier Peaks, Tomb of Horrors, etc.
** New monsters and templates are included which seem believable, and more importantly well-conceived and balanced.
** None of the four adventures in this module err on the side of too much reward for too little risk. Groups which endeavour to complete these campaigns are going to earn every victory and gp.
** The story hooks provided make sense, and the adventures are designed in such a way that they could easily be dropped into any ongoing campaign of appropriate level. In fact, one could even gear them more or less towards town or wilderness encounters depending on party composition.
** Many of the encounters are completely unique, and will leave players with long-lasting impressions and scars (physical, emotional and mental) for their efforts.
** I flat out loved the inclusion of several villains and organizations ripe for positioning as party nemesis.
** Players are unlikely to become bored by the events surrounding their missions, and there's enough latitude provided for stories to move off track before surging ahead.
The bottom line for me, is that I enjoyed Harvest of Darkness enough to trigger the purchase of the KoK Player's Guide and Campaign Setting!! Granted these were purchases I'd been considering previously, but this compilation module sold me on the quality of Kenzer's products and Kalamar as a backdrop. This may all seem like fluff without criticism to match my glowing remarks, but in all sincerity there just wasn't much I disliked about Harvest of Darkness. There were a few map typos, and the occasional vague reference or descriptor, but even these were minor.
Thanks for the chance to review this product Noah, Mark, Dave et al
!!
Harvest of Darkness comprises four previously published adventures in their 3E translations, with particular attention towards customizing them for KoK. Each of these adventures is capable of acting as a stand alone mini-campaign, or the DM may choose to intertwine the tales into one larger storyline.
Here are my thoughts listed in rapid-fire succession:
** The diverse adventure styles encompassed in Harvest of Darkness are amazing. Each of the four mini modules has its own distinct style and flavor, ranging from combat heavy to cunning and guile-dependent.
** The background detail is very thorough, yet easy to recall and reference. After a brief read-through, I felt prepared to run any of the four adventures.
** The NPC's are memorable yet realistic -- not a given in many modules.
** Picture cards are included to enhance the DM's descriptions...something I remember liking from modules such as Expedition to the Barrier Peaks, Tomb of Horrors, etc.
** New monsters and templates are included which seem believable, and more importantly well-conceived and balanced.
** None of the four adventures in this module err on the side of too much reward for too little risk. Groups which endeavour to complete these campaigns are going to earn every victory and gp.
** The story hooks provided make sense, and the adventures are designed in such a way that they could easily be dropped into any ongoing campaign of appropriate level. In fact, one could even gear them more or less towards town or wilderness encounters depending on party composition.
** Many of the encounters are completely unique, and will leave players with long-lasting impressions and scars (physical, emotional and mental) for their efforts.
** I flat out loved the inclusion of several villains and organizations ripe for positioning as party nemesis.
** Players are unlikely to become bored by the events surrounding their missions, and there's enough latitude provided for stories to move off track before surging ahead.
The bottom line for me, is that I enjoyed Harvest of Darkness enough to trigger the purchase of the KoK Player's Guide and Campaign Setting!! Granted these were purchases I'd been considering previously, but this compilation module sold me on the quality of Kenzer's products and Kalamar as a backdrop. This may all seem like fluff without criticism to match my glowing remarks, but in all sincerity there just wasn't much I disliked about Harvest of Darkness. There were a few map typos, and the occasional vague reference or descriptor, but even these were minor.
Thanks for the chance to review this product Noah, Mark, Dave et al
!!
. I took your suggestion to heart, and posted the review official-like.
