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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Messageboard Golem" data-source="post: 2010226" data-attributes="member: 18387">Title:     The Penumbral PentagonPublisher:  Sword & Sorcery Studios – Scarred Lands Pages: 96 (including advertisements) – softcoverList Price (USD):  $18.95Playtest:  NoReview copy:  bought from enworld.rpgshop.comGenre: FantasyRating:   3 = AverageWhat it is: A setting sourcebook designed specifically for the Scarred Lands, detailing the secret society of the Penumbral Pentagon. DM Says: 90%+ for the DM. Readers who are players in a Scarred Lands campaign may be spoiling the gaming experience for themselves if their DM decides to utilize this material. Yes, I'm writing about YOU Stan.   Cross Campaign: Using this book for adventuring somewhere besides the Scarred Lands would take quite a bit of work for the DM, and probably render much of the book’s content irrelevant.  Inside: Chapter 1: The History of the Penumbral PentagonThe organization known as the Penumbral Pentagon was born out of associations with the ancient Slarecians, from which they learned the dark art of shadow manipulation. Those hoping for any useful game crunch directly for Slarecians will be disappointed, however, as this chapter is strictly flavor. Hopefully SSS will eventually decide to do a sourcebook focused on these baddies. Current and past Pentagon plots are briefly discussed in this chapter.Chapter 2: The Members of the Penumbral PentagonAnother version of Dar’Tan ( Minor differences from the “Wise & The Wicked” Version ), and the other 4 Penumbral lords: Surtane Terk ( Male Forsaken Dwarf Sor/Pen), Chiruli, Unhallowed Forsaken Priest ( Once human Undead Clr ), Night Arm, High Gorgon Engineer ( Gender challenged Sor) , and Blackfang ( Male Proud Bbn ). Other Members are listed, including a Male Human Wiz, a Female Human Rog who runs a guide service, and a Male human Exp who is a surveyor in the Bridged City. The biggest impression I was left with after reading this chapter was that the organization seems much less threatening than their reputation. The write ups and accompanying illustrations just did not convey the sense of danger that I was hoping for.  Chapter 3: The Penumbral FortressThis is the largest section of the book, and the real meat of the subject matter. The Fortress is actually many smaller locations spread over hundreds of miles, connected to each other by, and partially existing in, the realm of shadows. There are several locations detailed, including the homes and “lairs” of the Penumbral Lords. Many good illustrations and maps help detail the Pentagon’s shadow abode. The DM can easily use these to form the basis of adventure incursions into the shadows. Further details on the organizational structure are included, featuring guards, survey crews ( the PP is always expanding! ), and more mundane activities.Chapter 4: The Magic of the ShadowsThis chapter includes many magic items, most very specific to the organization and the fortress. There are also 5 pages of new spells, most Sor/Wiz spells suitable for the Penumbral Lord PrC. Chapter 5: Two short scenarios are presented here, The Engineer’s Tale, and The Shadow of Death. Both seem primarily focused on introducing the PC’s to Penumbral Pentagon, and the activities of the fortress. It will be up to the DM to further devise scenarios and details for actually penetrating the fortress.   Appendix: Includes two entries, a new shadow monster (Outsider), the Shadow Creature Template. Something Positive: As a Scarred Lands fanatic, and a DM running a game in Eastern Ghelspad, I was extremely happy to get this sourcebook. While SSS has been very prolific in support of the Scarred Lands, they have been relatively sparing with the adventure content. I’m happy to see that changing with the Serpent Amphora series and recent sourcebooks including this one and its superior cousin, <a href="http://www.enworld.org/reviews/index.php?sub=yes&where=currentprod&which=horn" target="_blank">The Hornsaw, Forest of Blood</a>. I now have an estimated 70% of what I need to make the Penumbral Pentagon a real menace to my PC’s. Nit-Picking: I’m not sure why the authors would spend 3 pages reprinting Dar’Tan himself, but not duplicate the Penumbral Lord PrC ( R&R1) here, which would also have been useful. Minor errors missed in proofreading don’t detract too much from the reading experience, but were noticed. Also, i’m gonna have to add some serious doses of evil to the organization before I’m happy with using them in my campaign, as the membership, and their immediate plots don’t really inspire much fear as written. I’d like to have seen more detail on current plots relevant to Mithril or Vesh, and perhaps a larger overall Armageddon sized plot. These guys are supposed to want to plunge the world into perpetual darkness for dark’s sake!  -----BFG is "BigFreekinGoblinoid" on the ENWorld messageboards. I have been playing D&D since the late 70's, and am a genuine sourcebook-aholic. Currently I am running a 3E game set in the Scarred Lands, and a player in another campaign or two. I continue to fool myself into believing that i'll eventually finish writing my homebrewed campaign world of Nebadon. My wife says I spend way too much time on "That damn black screen". Feel free to email me if you wish:  stoken@mail.com</blockquote>

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