Loads of fun and challenges for a 1st level Tunnels and Trolls character that emphasize saving rolls. This is one of those solo adventures that I think about long after I've completed a mission. What if I had gone with the mermaid? Should I have kept the jeweled pin of the other captain? What might have happened if I joined the Pirate Ship instead of the Merchant Ship...?

My only problem with this adventure written by Mark Thornton is that there does not seem to be a Part 2 ! I've earned my naval promotion darn it, where's the next Ocean's Edge adventure Mark ?!?

OK maps, nothing special. the disadvantage being that they are so specific that they are not generally useful. Of course you could make advantages specifically to the map but better for your own maps according to what you need.

A work of pure unbridled genius.

Except for that crackpot article on Harpies, what's that all about?

Seriously this is an excellent snapshot of what is going on with T&T right now, some great articles and adventures from some great writers.

A Tunnels and Trolls solo for novice characters. There are a number of short missions to complete. Considerable replay value: there are three different ships on which you can serve, and three (mostly) different strands depending on the identity of your immediate superior. A good variety of encounters, although it would have been nice to have some longer missions; perhaps there should be more choices, and less emphasis on saving rolls (skill checks). The port of Esperanto is fun. Accurately written: all the links seem to work. Very occasional typos: e.g. 205, "jib" not job.

Recommended.

Excellant adventure.Good purchase.The pdf doesnt include a front cover, would be great if an updated version could include the cover.

Amusing encounter that I definitely plan on using. It mixes music with a dungeon setting. It's a bit tongue in cheek but great nonetheless.

Caveat: Mark is a friend and I am a fan of his gamesmastering and his solos. Do remember that reviewers always hurt the ones they love.

Not that I intend to be meaner to Mark than usual, unless it would be funny. You might want to know that when Mark tells you this is set in the same castle (and practically nation unto itself) as his masterful "Poisoned Chalice" solo mystery, it means you will enjoy this much more if you have played (and survived) Poisoned Chalice first. Since this adventure is a GM run adventure, it's even more fun to see your players squirm as did you. It also provides you with more background than you'll find here, making the experience better than a deathtrap run.

The plot is fairly skimpy, really an excuse to delve into the old timey dungeon of a sadistic noble or wizard (or GM) who just wants to see PCs scream. Successfully foil his (your) viciousness, and they should pick up a few bucks and points, as well as the fun of the game itself.

A unique feature is the introduction of a jinx type of character "class," remembering that "classes" in Tunnels and Trolls are considerably more complex than most games'. It's fairly simple to use this new class type to complicate player characters' lives. Have fun!

This has a few good ideas but it is very, very loose so don't expect to be able to use anything in it without signficant work on your own part. But of course it is free so it is still worth a look if you want a kind of zany adventure seed for a GM adventure. The "Liability" class isn't really properly explained in a way that made sense to me so expect to have to do some work to use that idea too.

Great module where you make your way through progressively stronger enemies. It's well done. The opponents are interesting and there are lots of pictures

I mistook it for a solitaire dungeon like T&T is famous for. That's my mistake. Their mistake is putting out a DM run scenario that requires more work and writing than if the DM starts from scratch.

In funnier news, I have now played Zyrian Atrocities three times in seven minutes and can safely say I have never laughed so much nor had so much fun in any solo adventure. What a wonderful way to start the day! Political offense guaranteed, no matter what your beliefs! Kudos and Trollish Laughter Points to Mark Thornton writer and StanLee/Ditko cartoonist. This is not your father's TnT.

Mark Thornton's Khaboom spell books are a useful and easy to use resource for Tunnels & Trolls adventures. Being available free it's a must-have! Thanks

This is one of the reasons why I recommend Tunnels & Trolls to any person who has or hasn't experienced rolegaming: Because the most nonconformist and, perhaps, dangerous ideas seem to run through TnT (the preferred acronym, which does imply its danger) first.

Yes, there have been humorous scenarios before, going all the way back to Blackmoor. Yes, there have been humorous solos, going at least as far back as Deathtrap Equalizer Dungeon.

Despite the precedents, there has been nothing quite like Fleabitten, and I don't know how to categorize it.

It's humorous - a lot! And it has the sort of absurdist logic of Lewis Carroll. It's deadly, but only if you treat this adventure as you would most RPG adventures. And it's a solo, which can be adapted for GM use, especially if the GM is just a little bit cracked.

The main track (which you may choose to not take) concerns an underwater adventure of discovery and deduction. You will discover a new type of dwarf and a LOT of things about undersea life that you never suspected. And you would, if this were a Call of Cthulhu adventure (and it could be), lose a lot of Sanity Points.

As always, Mark provides options to options and options OF options. Almost every action has a consequence, and the characters (though absolutely ridiculous at times) usually come off as 3-dimensional - save for those who are not intended to seem realistic at all.

You'll interact with some of your favorite fictional characters from comics and elsewhere...though they may seem a bit more eccentric than usual. They may even carry different names and forms. It's always a toss up whether Mark is seriously challenging your sense of humor, your sense of honor, or your gaming skills. Few people can pull off a comedy which is equally an adventure, or vice versa. There is a difference.

Steve Jackson, decades ago, gave one of my favorite sayings when he stated that there's just not enough silly in games right now. Of course "now" was THEN, but I hope you get my meaning.

And if you understood that last paragraph, much less the previous ones. "Fleabitten" is for YOU.

You'll find it in the usual downloadable places, such as DriveThruRPG/RpgNow, and nowhere else of which I know. But you can always write Mark and annoy him to death. It would serve him right!

(This review originally appeared in 'The Play's the Thing' aka http://GrandpaRPG.blogspot.com/)

WESLYNN IS REVENGED!!!

Mark has a talent for creating solo adventures which are NOTHING like the plots which came before. When he has options, he has options for the options; and the results may or may not be to your liking - but you probably won't know until you hit that Hitchcock twist in the plot!

I was overjoyed to play this adventure, and even emerge in a - um - better (?) status than my PC started. If nothing else, he now is wiser and has some facts in hand that will help in the future.

Yes, your "Deathbed" character has a future of adventure and intrigue. If Mark doesn't create sequels for this, an obvious prologue to a long epic story, then you should immediately prepare a long epic campaign and draw in more players.

At one pivotal point, you may choose to be quested, in any number of ways, in any number of forms (literally) and I was lucky enough to have a chance to AVENGE the epic murder of one of the better characters I've seen. No, it was not one of mine - let's just say that "Deathbed" ranks high in honor for cleverly and effectively sequeling from perhaps the best campaign in which I've played.

Mark, you actually lived up to a legend. Go forth and write more chapters!

(originally published at http://grandparpg.blogspot.com/ )

It may be a bit self-serving to review this, but no one else has - so here goes!

It's short in pages, but long in play -- if you make some very good saving rolls. Or if the NPCs do.

What you have is an archery contest. Which starts out fair, and keeps going until even the Flynn Robin Hood would throw up his hands and surrender his sanity! At one point, the champion archers must aim and HIT invisible moving targets.

Hopefully, you'll succeed well before this - or fail, which seems more likely. But it's totally fair -- the NPCs have just as much a chance to fail as do you -- probably even more chances!

The reward is fulfilling for your character and for yourself. Because you, as a winner (HUZZAH!!) are invited by the Khaghy one to enter into Trollhalla itself. He may or may not have such authority, but it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

And it's MUCH better to be lucky than skillful.