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Message: <blockquote data-quote="KDLadage" data-source="post: 2008186" data-attributes="member: 88">updated on 22-NOV-02First let me state this is some DAMN fine work. As a 272 page hardback (mixed color and b/w artwork) lets first look at what you get: <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Two full color folded maps of the setting</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> 8 pages describing the humans of Tellene</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> 156 pages describing the various regions of the setting</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> 6 pages describing the independent organizations</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> 14 pages covering the various languages (including alphabets)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> 41 pages covering the gods of the setting</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> 42 pages of appendix material covering everything from celestial bodies to cities to codes of law to detailing various NPCs of the setting</li> </ul>Let me say -- WOW! This is a lot of information. There is a huge amount of detail presented -- but not so much that a DM doesn't have room to maneuver. So... lets dive into the pros and cons:PROS <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Lots and lots and lots of background and good material for DMs and Players alike. I cannot stress enough just how good the material (the reason you buy this thing) is. Worth every penny and every moment you spend reading it -- even if you don't plan to play in Kalamar. Very entertaining.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> The layout is clean and easy to read -- there are some issues I have with the color and black/white mixture -- see CONS below.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> The material seems to well edited and reads very smoothly.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> The maps are beautiful. A b/w version of the maps is located on the inside of the front and back covers. Unfortunately, no scale is provided on this version.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Between pages 256 and 256 is a perforated page of transparent plastic that has a multi-scales hex grid and map scale on it. Removing this from the book and placing it over the maps allows you to have a floating hex-grid to apply to any portion of the map you need. Very nice touch.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> The art varies from "decent" to "good" but none of it stands out as "excellent" or "superb" -- see also CONS below</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> The page edges have the chapters in different locations for each chapter. This makes flipping through the book to get to a chapter fairly quick.</li> </ul>CONS <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> The mixture of color and black/white artwork is not normally a problem. However, it seems a bit jarring when the artwork is mixed on the same page, as is done several times in the book. Still, not too bad.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> The page edge has a marbled design. On most pages it is black/white -- but seems to shift to a glossy color presentation once in a while for no reason. It is a bit odd to see, but does not detract from the overall quality of the material.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> The glue used for securing the maps into the book is a little too strong. It also seems to have seeped into the paper fiber and caused some slight discoloration of the pages they were attached to. I thought maybe this was a fluke of my copy, but I have since verified that this is the case with most (if not all) of the copies of the book.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Additionally, the maps were glued too deep into the binding, warping the pages a bit where the maps were secured in.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> On the top of each page is a nice celtic-chain-like pattern that forms the header of the page -- sometimes text is placed within that deals with art on the page. Very nice, overall. However, it suddenly disappears from page 190 thru 224, comes back on page 225, disappears again from page 226 thru 229. This comprises all but two pages of the Gods section -- not sure what was up with this one.</li> </ul>Still, a top notch product for a top notch setting.</blockquote>

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