[originally published on my blog, ynasmidgard dot blogspot dot com, in 2014]

Grandpappy Cromdar's Whizbang Zoo! is a well-done and imaginative funhouse dungeon. It comes with its own little bestiary of completely new and interesting creatures, all lavishly illustrated by the author, David Lewis Johnson.

(I made sure that the review below contains only a minimal amount of spoilers regarding the adventure.)

The background of the dungeon is very simple but it properly establishes the mood one expects from a funhouse dungeon like this one. After numerous adventures around the world, Grandpappy Cromdar decided that, instead of building a stronghold like every sane high level fighter would, he would convert a dungeon to a family friendly zoo. Unfortunately for him, the zoo's monstrous inhabitants took over the place and now roam freely. There is rumour of great treasures lying in there, as well, so both the philanthropist and the opportunist types of characters have motivation to go there.

The product's first half details the 22 new monsters. They are statted for easy use with most D&D-esque games (HD, attacks, damage, ascending and descending AC, movement, and XP), plus each is gorgeously illustrated. Furthermore, each stat block includes the following information: how big the creature is, what it smells and sounds like, what its favourite pastime is, and what its turnoffs are. Thus we learn that a Gongwarped Fisherman sounds like a "conniving 3rd Reich pseudoscientist", its favourite activity is a "toss-up between vivisection and testing new mixtures of herbal remedies", and it really hates "being proven wrong".

The creatures are rather similar to the ones in Isle of the Unknown considering their appearance: a turkey with gorilla-arms, a kangaroo with an ape's face and insectile sword-claws, or a dog with a giraffe's neck and a ducky head. However, with the additional information provided in the stat blocks as well as the descriptions, I personally find them much more imaginative and appealing (although I understand the design choices behind Geoffrey McKinney's work), as the added details make the mental images in my head more vivid and well-rounded (in the sense that these creatures really have a character, and the referee is provided just enough to make them come to life, as opposed to being mere stats and special abilities).

The second half of the product details the actual dungeon, spanning over three levels and more than a hundred areas. The layout seems fairly good and the room descriptions are superbly done. Each numbered area has a name and a short description, and even the empty ones are given some nice detail (I think I found only three truly empty rooms). The monsters are always doing something, or their most probable reaction is given, instead. The treasure is mostly of weird or anachronistic items (e.g. pool table, portable gas forge, and silver statues of Cromdar in various fashion runway poses).

The dungeon is further divided into four zones, each with their own random encounters. These tables only determine the number and type of monster encountered; however, as each of their stat blocks provide insight into their character, it is quite easy to figure out what they might be doing.

Also, some of the areas include an appearance of Grandpappy Cromdar giving pro tips to the party. These may be easily ignored by the more serious referees - or, if embraced its craziness, could be used to further support the funhouse nature of the location.

The only thing that I dislike about the dungeon is that monster stats appear right after the monster's name in the middle of room descriptions. However, I understand that all of the room descriptions are fairly short, so taking note of what is happening in the room by a quick glance or checking the monster's stats might not take much effort in actual play.

Grandpappy Cromdar's Whizbang Zoo! is available in PDF format on both RPGNow and DriveThruRPG for merely 5 bucks. I whole-heartedly recommend it, especially for those who like funhouse dungeons, but it is probably worth its price for only the critters included.

Grandpappy Cromdar’s Whizbang Zoo (50 pages, at DriveThruRPG) is a fun/crazy adventure for Old School games. I decided to play cartoon characters, so I used Rabbits & Rangers (free at DriveThruRPG at the moment). It is for Labyrinth Lord, but I used Castles & Crusades RPG. I used Mythic Game Master Emulator as my solo engine. I created six characters. The adventure takes place in a zoo and the monsters have taken over. There are 126 room/areas to explore. For the first day of exploring, my PCs explored 24 of them. In room number four, they encountered two ticklettes. The PCs killed them but Badger the Rogue decided that he wanted the poison glands from the dead creatures. He botched the attempt and got poisoned. He soon turned green. After that he doubled in size (not taller, so think balloon). When they encountered a Lumigoy, they tried to have a conversation with him. He attacked. Badger blew up (that means he died) and the green goo got in the eyes of the Lumigoy. The PCs killed their opponent.

The next major problem was when they encountered a hunter killing Gulu(s). Again, the PCs just wanted to talk, but he started shooting at them from a distance with his gun. They retreated and used a zipline to get further away from him. They backtracked and picked out a room to hide and rest in. They looked over the loot they had found so far: silver coins, gold coins, licorice candy (yuck), a projector operated by a crank, an emergency aid kit, and a lamb. They ate the candy. They do look silly with black teeth. Maybe you will have better luck with your first day.

Gathox is one of my favorite settings, and this zine doesn't disappoint! From brain dungeons to downed mining vessels, this zine is packed full of new, fun ideas to enhance your experiences in Gathox (or elsewhere, for that matter).

Penned and illustrated by D.L. Johnson, who wrote and illustrated the original setting book, this zine serves as an extension of that setting book, and pairs well with the tournament-style adventure, Quake Alley Mayhem.

The book is well laid out, clean and easy to read. The artwork enhances the text, without being distracting.

My only complaint is there is no physical format at this time. Hopefully one is made available soon.

Terrific art and the most imaginative bunch of critters you'll find for whatever style of D&D or clone thereof you play. Brilliant. You will not regret the teensy price tag for this gem. Buy it now!

This book warms a weird part of my heart where a stiletto heeled old man collects various monsters and puts them into a zoo for the insane. If you don't love this book, then I don't love you.

What's not to love? Original monsters -- every. damn. one. Compatible with your Old School Stuff (and your New School stuff). The monster entries are inspired with the addition of the traits: As Big As, Smells Like, Sounds Like, Favorite Pastime, Turnoffs... An adventure that doesn't take itself (or you) seriously.

If you're looking for a diversion from your standard fantasy, give ole Grandpappy a try. And if you're like me, pick and poke the things out of it that you can use elsewhere, or plop it down whole cloth in the middle of your mega-dungeon.