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ShortQuests -- individual adventure modules! An all-new collection of digest-sized D&D adventures designed to plug in to your game.

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Messageboard Golem" data-source="post: 2009606" data-attributes="member: 18387">By Steve Creech, Exec. Chairman, d20 Magazine Rack This review is for Monsternomicon by Privateer Press. Subtitled Volume 1: Denizens of the Iron Kingdoms, this 240-page book is filled with all manner of beasts and retails for $29.95. I have to say that this is probably the best d20 monster publication to date. Even though the monsters are designed for Privateer’s Iron Kingdoms world (which is steampunk), they are useable in any setting. I don’t typically comment on artwork in a product because as a rule, artwork isn’t as important as the actual content. However, I am a fan of black ink and pen artwork and the drawings in this book really rock as a result. The artwork succeeds in making each monster menacing in its own right. Monsternomicon consists of 97 monster entries. In addition, the final 32 pages list new skills, feats, magic items, templates (called quickplates), prestige classes and playable races for the Iron Kingdoms. Each monster entry is two full pages and consists of the game statistics, general description, combat methods, legends & lore, treasure, and adventure hooks. The game statistics are in the same format as your typical monster appearing to have no mechanics or balance issues. The general description is done in first person account by Professor Viktor Pendrake and makes an entertaining read (you gotta love his dracodile entry). Legends & lore offers common, uncommon, rare or obscure tidbits of information about the specific creature. I really like this feature. It’s quite original. The treasure section doesn’t always specifically list the exact treasure you would normally find, but rather a generalized description that may point out things such as the fact that the monster’s hide serves as masterwork hide +2 (for example). The adventure hooks are all fairly thought out and not typically the run-of-the-mill overused hook. The last section of the book goes into mostly non-monster crunchies designed more for the Iron Kingdoms and those playing in it. A new skill, Creature Lore, is presented along with three new feats: Unearthed Arcana, Myth Delver, and Tall Tales. The quickplates (alpha hunter, bloodthirsty, crafty, deep dweller, holy, maligned, stealthy, tough, and urban) all add interesting twists to any creature. These templates will really throw your players off when you apply them to a monster they think they know inside and out. The prestige classes are definitely tailored to Iron Kingdoms but should be able to be used in any setting with little to no modification. The classes discussed are: Adventuring Scholar, Bone Grinder and Monster Hunter (very cool PrC!!). The playable races detailed include dwarves, elves, gobbers, trollkin, ogrun, and nyss. I am very interested in seeing the campaign book for this setting when it comes out so there is more detail on these new races. Overall, Monsternomicon is an outstanding book. My only complaint is that there is no index that lists the monsters by challenge rating (they range from ¼ to 66). Perhaps Privateer will offer this as a web enhancement. In my opinion, this is a must have book for everyone. Buy a copy as soon as you can! It’s now my primary monster book in my campaign. To see the graded evaluation of this product, go to The Critic's Corner at <a href="http://www.d20zines.com" target="_blank">www.d20zines.com.</a></blockquote>

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