This issue, editor Ian Livingstone talks about conventions and how the large three-day affairs in the US don’t seem to be mirrored in the UK where our cons are still one day events. I suspect the smallness of the UK in comparison that lets you travel somewhere and back in a day might have something to do with it. But he does wonder if a big three-day con might take off one day, making it doubly wonderful to see UK Games Expo go from strength to strength.
A collection of new monsters created by readers. Slightly fewer this issue, but the major news is the end of the Monstermark system. Basically they have now adopted the same format as the Monster Manual. At least the arguments over how it was calculated will finally end!
On the Cover
A white haired pixie creature rides a lizard out in defence of his tree stump home and neighbouring snail. The cover is by “Emmanuel” who will later create the Githyanki cover for the upcoming Fiend Folio.Features
- Expanding Universe (Andy Slack): The second part of Andy Slack’s series of Traveller expansions. This issue he looks at spaceships and the nuts and bolts of breakdowns and combat damage, with a quick look at nuclear weapons! Very useful for any other low tech space rpg, like Firefly.
- Interview with Gary Gygax (Ian Livingstone): White Dwarf talks to the man himself as his company TSR gradually grows with the new popularity of D&D and now AD&D! They chat mainly about how gaming has grown and how many people are playing now. They also discuss the future of the game and how it might grow compared to Monopoly.
- Lair of the White Worm (John Bethell): An adventure for Runequest, albeit one you could easily convert to D&D if you prefer. It’s a nice simple dungeon that the PCs enter searching for a scroll stolen by the dungeon’s previous occupants. But the original residents are long gone and the place now plays host to an array of bandits and monsters. There is a bit more character and role play in this one that makes it stand out a little more.
Regulars
- Letters: This week the argument is about Fiend Factory. Have the monsters got less interesting? Do we need the monstermark system anymore? Is the Spook too powerful? Accusations and rebuttals continue. The Monstermark question is at least answered in this issue.
- Molten Magic: Back again with figures from Greenwood & Ball, Asgard Miniatures, Fantasy Figures Unlimited, Miniature Figurines, Grenadier Models, Archive Miniatures, Martian Metals, Rap Partha and a lot of Citadel Miniatures.
- News: A lot of stuff coming out this month, but most people are waiting for the AD&D Dungeon Master’s Guide. But among the recent releases is Villains and Vigilantes, which will become a well-loved supers game. Also there is mention of Star Fleet Battles which will hold its ‘not Star Trek, honest’ licence for many more years. Chaosium releases Snake Pipe Hollow for Runequest and there is a host of new Judges Guild D&D modules.
- Treasure Chest: A selection of traps this issue, mostly interesting pits and triggers, with an additional mini dungeon.
A collection of new monsters created by readers. Slightly fewer this issue, but the major news is the end of the Monstermark system. Basically they have now adopted the same format as the Monster Manual. At least the arguments over how it was calculated will finally end!
- Energy Cyclone (M.C.): A form of extra magical wind elemental that does most of the same things but with a slightly different twist to keep the players on their toes.
- Gazer (Charles Stross): A low level beholder variant from the Atrocity Archives novelist.
- Gurgotch (Roger Musson): A demon elephant with a trunk breath weapon, exactly what is says on the tin.
- Ice Maiden (David Hicks): A form of ice medusa, a cold woman who can petrify with a gaze.
- Mindweb (David Taylor): A very interesting creature that absorbs minds, linking them into a form of Borg Collective.
Open Box
This month’s reviews are:- Balastor’s Barracks, Runequest Adventure (The Chaosium). A short dungeon bash for low level Runequest characters.
- The Dungeon Crown and Of Skulls and Scrapfaggot Green, Adventures (Judges Guild) These two adventures were run as Gen Con tournament adventures from the previous year.
- Traveller Supplements: Mercenary (Book 4) & 1001 Characters (Supplements 1) RPG Supplements (GDW). The first expansions to Traveller that will soon become a sea of small books.
