An Endzeitgeist.com review

This module/supplement from the Crimson Dragon Slayer-game clocks in at 24 pages, 1 page front cover, 1 page inside of front cover, 2 pages of editorial, 1 page Kort'thalis glyph, 1 page inside of back cover, 1 page back cover, leaving us with 17 pages of content, so let's take a look!

We begin with a page of advice on how to structure a CDS game and/or how to run this. The pdf does include conversion notes for traditional ACs and attack bonuses, making this more hackable than it would otherwise be. The pdf does include 3 tables that let you generate a dark secret for an ally, 12 prior events and a means to include a variety of nicknames to the character.

The scenario does begin on the standard CDS-homeworld Thule, with the PCs finding a hunk of scrap and a laser-toting skydrone - and a portal that brings the PCs to New York city - not any New York, mind you, but to a place that amounts to a retro-apocalypse, 80s style - a post-bomb, prior clean-up version reminiscent of Snake Plisskin's adventures, but with a healthy infusion of the weird. So yes, if you belong to the folks who enjoyed A-, B- and C-movies of that genre, you'll be in for a nostalgia-marathon. Similarly, if pop-culture references and the like annoy you, then, surprise, this may not be for you.

Now, this New York is dangerous - and it is perpetually shrouded in neon-based twilight, courtesy of the cataclysm and yes, you may be subject to neon light allergy if you're unlucky. 6 sample gangs. The themes and tropes are all represented: A robotic cabbie, a femme fatale (dubbed Hard Candy...which reminds me of a rather grisly torture-porn movie) and subterranean travel with 6 sample events, all included. Reptile aliens (out-of-towners), sub-human cannibals and a d8-table of sample prostitutes help generate the grimy, desolate feel of the post-apocalyptic metropolis. Bat-men riding giant bats and Steak-Sauce Sinatra, the big boss of the town, also come with full stats. or become the hired killers of the vampire prince of the city.

A little chart for randomly-generated opinions of dudes on the street can be found and the PCs may eat hot-dogs at Old Snake's, meet Blade-reference vampires in trenchcoats, receive an invitation from slasher-mimes, witness demon-zombies erupting from one of the worst movies of all time. Seedy bars and sudden eruptions of Lovecraftiana and yes, a crimson dragon, complement these sketches.

The pdf concludes with 3 new spells: Power Word: Anal Violation by Plague of Rats is just as puerile as you'd think it'd be. It's also very potent for second level and pretty opaque in how it's supposed to work - conversion to more rules-conscious OSR-games will be a mess here. Right from the Joker's arsenal, we have a homage on the one German song probably 80% of Americans know by hard - 99 Crimson Balloons generates the eponymous balloons, makes them float up and then erupt, dousing those below in demonic blood. Those doused take on demonic characteristics, gaining an additional attack and killing those nearby. The spell has a lot of issues: It does not specify whether the affected retain control over whom they attack; the spell specifies no range for the blood either. Reverse Curse lets you either offset a curse or add a minor curse to an object - cool!

Conclusion:

Editing and formatting are very good, I noticed no serious hiccups. Layout adheres to a relatively printer-friendly two-column b/w-standard and the pdf sports a lot really nice b/w-full-page artworks, all original! The pdf has no bookmarks, which constitutes a minor comfort-detriment.

Venger As'Nas Satanis' take on a retro-post-apocalyptic NYC is glorious if you're looking for a trip down nostalgia lane. This is a gleeful, unrepentant, somewhat sleazy stroll down memory lane that is amazing if you're inclined for the like. The references of classic tropes and twists on them are fun and based on a true appreciation of the source material, an honest, conscious appreciation of it. If you share it, this will be amazing for you. That being said, one might also criticize this pdf - not for its adhere to tropes and its twists on them, but for the presentation and lack of structure this pdf sports. I know next to nothing about this alternate New York City's power-structures, layout or the like - this very much represents more of a toolkit than an adventure, with hooks left and right, yes - but they remain just that. The individual components never really come together as a concise and holistic hole, never explain how this city's dystopia still, even remotely, works.

In short, to me, this worked for as long as I turned off my brain and didn't start questioning everything; as soon as I did, I felt like I had seen the man behind the curtain. In short, as much as the individual hooks are cool, as much as each aspect of this book is pretty neat, the totality does not really offer that much for me - this is an instance, where the whole is not greater than the sum of its parts, unlike in e.g. a similar scenario, Venger's Revelry in Torth. If the nostalgia and reference don't do it for you, you may find yourself feeling a similar way about this and be somewhat disappointed by the pdf. As a whole, this is a nice first step, a fun first look at a retro-post-apocalyptic campaign setting, but not more than that. If you're expecting a fully-fleshed out module or setting, this will not deliver.

How to rate this, then? Well, for me, personally, this didn't do much. As much as I love these retro-apocalypse movies and references, I lack the capacity for full-blown nostalgia and as such, the main draw of this pdf...is lost on me. For me, personally, this is a 3 star-file - decent, but frankly not that amazing. However, as a reviewer, I have to take into account that many of you will absolutely adore this pdf, courtesy of the nostalgia I don't really get - hence, my official final verdict will clock in at 3.5 stars...and since I have an in dubio pro reo policy, my final verdict will be rounded up.

Endzeitgeist out.

Right from the first paragraph you know that your in for a f**king ride.

You'll be adventuring in a parallel world of New York City, circa 1983. After a short but calamitous global thermal nuclear war, the urban landscape became a burned-out wasteland of ruin and mutation. Survivors congregate in the city that never sleeps, making it their nightmarish playground.. a shit hole of degeneracy & and wickedness.

As the author states, running a Crimson Dragon Slayer campaign " If it's possible to imagine whatever's going on in some late-night, low-budget 70's or 80's flick, then said thing is appropriate for Crimson Dragon Slayer. Appropriate? Nay, encouraged! The more ridiculous, the better." Which perfectly sets up this module! (I need to run this game man!). Considering I did add a little thoughts here & there to the development of Crimson Dragon Slayer.

That being said this game isn't for the faint of heart, or for that matter "typical role players". When I say that, I mean you need a group of players that are into this type of fantasy world. Not the usual damsel's in distress (more like damsels in a state of undress!), Orc's, Wizards, Elves! BAH make em purple with tentacles and slime and your getting closer. etc. Crimson Dragon Slayer is meant to be a fun, engaging alternative to the usual role playing tropes that we hold near and dear.

Note: The opening mentions the home world of "Thule". I hazard to guess this is the world of Crimson Dragon Slayer. Since I can't quite find my copy of the rules, I am going to go with that. Having said that the premise of the game is an alternate reality, so feel free to dream up your own world to run this campaign in.

Conversion notes: If you want a more traditional Armor Class, all you have to do is add 10 to what's listed. For the Attack Bonus, simply give a +1 for every Hit Die. Everything else should be interpreted by the Dragon Master as he sees fit.

Having read & played a few of Venger's modules, they are relatively easy to convert to any Old School system. For me this screams Mutant Future, or a 5e mashup. That said I'm sure it was written with Crimson Dragon Slayer in mind originally. Although advertised as "Best of all... this is more or less compatible with any OSR game that uses Hit Dice, Armor Class, etc. No Escape from New York is 85% of a full-fledged micro-campaign just waiting for your grimy, crimson-soaked fingertips. Caress this PDF if you dare!"

Random note: Venger, why didn't you call it Crimson Demon Slayer? Every time I write CDS I screw it up and have to go back and revise. hahaha

File under best name for a random table ever: REASONS WHY YOUR BUDDY IS A DARK SIDE JACK-HOLE

As much as "Keep on the borderlands" is a perfect starting point module for Basic D&D, No Escape From New York perfectly suits trying out CDS for the first time. It throws you into the twisted mind of the author and the game. After running thru this module you will have perfect jumping off points to continue your campaigns within the CDS system.

The way the module is laid out, there are all kinds of random things that can happen, and a set of "events" as I'd like to call them. Jumping off points to move the story along. Obviously the GM can follow the chosen path (although its not a railroad whatsoever), or take a hard left turn and go off on some other wildly extreme tangent (preferably with tentacles!).

The module contains amazing BW art that we have come to expect from all of Venger's writings. The evoke the world that you are playing in. And as a GM they help to get you right in the zone.

There isn't really any kind of maps of New York, as the author states its good to start off small when building a campaign. There's enough going on within the module to get you there without a map of the area. That said even a cross section street view with a few area's of interest would have been handy. Easily solved by googling old city maps of New York.

I'm totally in love with all of the 80's references, including the "Gang of three". Nope I'm not telling you who is in the gang. Buy the module and find out!

Any module that includes references to the "Ultimate Wet T Shirt" contest is awesome in my book! The whole premise of this adventure takes you on one helluva a crazy ride. In all honesty if I was running this, I'd make sure the PC's were pretty tough, just so I could get them thru the whole thing! The module includes 3 new spells for Old School & CDS play. As well there's a bunch of awesome tables, including ones for hilarious character name generation.

All in all, this is a great adventure! Clocking in at 24 pages, it leaves me wanting a bit more. But I know if I was running this I'd start adding all my own little flourishes to make it even that much better. Which is the idea of a module isn't it? We can't think of everything as publishers. And a system like CDS really allows for the imagination of the players & GM to take over and make it theirs.

No Escape from New York a Crimson Dragon Slayer Adventure – Review

This is the first “module” for CDS and oh it's a doozie! Similar to Venger's other products this one isn't for the faint of heart, definitely rated “R” mainly due to the sexual content. It's a no holds barred New York that others have never experienced.

This PDF is 24 pages with 17 of that actual game material. It starts off kinda of interesting, with the players in the 1980s playing a new video game and getting sucked into a parallel and very different New York city, where it's always night, dusk or dawn...No Daylight!

The interior art is by artist Bojan Sucevic and is Fantastic! And there are several Easter Eggs to be found in the art too. Really sets the mood and environment and the layout is very similar to CDS and is setup by Glynn Seal of Monkey Blood Design. I love the quotes that set off by, normally empty, white space.

The writing is, well Venger, as only he can do. Very descriptive and raunchy, I had to cringe a couple of times and come back to it later. This is however only the third book of his that I read read through, but it's growing on me.

There are many options in this open city and they all have little bits of brilliance that the players can look forward to. There are gangs to contend with and 'Out of Towners”, hookers and a hot dog stand among other groups of bad guys and gals. There are several outcomes towards the end game for NYC and none of them are very easy.

Overall this is very well done and I would love to play it sometime, maybe even GM it.

I give this 5 out of 5 Stars, very recommended.

No Escape From New York is one part sourcebook, three parts adventure, and one part Crimson Dragon Slayer rpg goodness.The plot line is one warped by the events of Crimson Dragon line; You'll be adventuring in a parallel world of New York City, circa 1983. After a short but calamitous global thermal nuclear war, the urban landscape became a burned-out wasteland of ruin and mutation. Survivors congregate in the city that never sleeps, making it their nightmarish playground… a shi*hole of degeneracy and wickedness. So the other night I get home to find a copy of No Escape From New York from the slime covered pen of Venger Satanis. Venger basically wrote a love letter of an adventure to The Warriors, Escape From New York and every urban twisted Italian post apocalyptic movies that came out in the 80's. This adventure clocks in at twenty four pages and features some very nice artwork. I was listening to the Warriors soundtrack and downing a beer at four am trying to compile what I like about No Escape From New York. Is it the four dollar price tag for what is essentially a source book that can be used independently of any other post apocalpytic or D&D style game or add it to the on going gonzoness that is the awesomeness of Crimson Dragon Slayer. The game features one of the most iconic cities in pop culture Eighties. But is the damage adventure playable? Yes it is and features a plot line straight out of an LSD nightmare fueled with lots of nasitiness for your adventurers to content with;The adventurers begin on their home-world of Thule. Eventually finding themselves in a parallel universe of New York City, the characters must contend with street gangs, vampires, serpent-men, and much,much, more to contend with. Sure that's all there in twenty four square pages of Crimson powered adventure but its more then simply that. This is a source book as well with lots of opportunities to take your PC's into the darkness and depravity of Thule along with a version of the city that never sleeps that will challenge PC's from across space and time. Your going to have PC's and NPC's at each others throats with swords at the ready at every turn. Sure the gonzo factor is up to eleven in this adventure but this is a New York City with one part Eighties Saturday morning cartoon, three parts of a moldy VHS three A.M. movie coming in over cable, all filtered through the lens of Venger Satanis's imagination with lots of opportunities for PC's to get themselves in trouble. Sure this adventure can add in plenty of room for your standard fantasy adventure types of classic D&D PC's but its more then just that. You see this is a New York of foulness and science fantasy weirdness. New York has always been a blender and melting pot but add in mutation, lots of depravity, and glatorial combat and you've partially got what this adventure is about. This is the place that has been featured in a ton of late night action films. In fact its always night and there are reasons for this given in the adventure; 'Interestingly, this New York is always night. Occasionally, there will be a few minutes of dawn or dusk at odd intervals, but mostly it's constantly nocturnal - just the way they like it. If any of the players ask, tell them it's because of The Torth Effect'. And this is only the start of it, given the gonzo background of CDS. This is the sort of an adventure setting that PC's from Mutant Future, Labyrinth Lord, etc. or your favorite retroclone would be at home in. In point of fact No Escape From New York City could be used to act as a bridge gap into the world of Thule for your favorite OD&D or retroclone PC's. This is another reason why the adventure works because even though its gonzo and quite over the top with some adult themes it works. And it works well, this adventure doesn't punish the adventurers for being in its funhouse pop culture world. It exploits them at every turn with weird, wild, and strange stuff straight out Satanis's imagination. Not only are going to meet this guy but he's going to turn your PC's into a Popsicle if your A. not careful and B. take a wrong turn. Make no mistake just because this a glorious gonzo cheese fest of a setting its not deadly. It's quite deadly with lots of monsters, horrors, and demons waiting for your PC. But in point of fact its a gloriously playable cheese fest just waiting for PC's to enter in. Right I should mention that this is a Venger Satanis book and there's lots and lots of adult themes, tables, etc. things such as the random prostitute's encounter chart on page ten. Extra dice and cash for obscene acts with bonuses and like all of the other Venger titles this one is so outrageous and over the top that none of this to be taken seriously at all. Demon zombies are another hazard along with a ton of vampires. The place is crawling with em. This is New York just waiting to exploit the hell out of your PC's and its perfectly suited for what it does. I can actually see this setting being perfect to exploit the hell out of your Dungeon Crawl Classics party. The sheer weirdness factor alone makes this a must buy for the DCC crowd, it should be an easy conversion for a dungeon master with some time on their hands. The influences in this product fly fast, fun, and hard. There are so many send ups and Easter Eggs that make this one fun. Can't even begin to tell you which one was my favorite. Dungeon master this one well and this adventure could be used as fodder for years and years to come. There's so much potential with this adventure that its so much fun to think of the possibilities. Do I think that this adventure could and should be used for Crimson Dragon Slayer? I think so in spades but I also think that this adventure has a huge use as a way of exploiting the hell out of a D&D or retroclone party of adventurers to have a blast with the CDS New York setting. If you have a twisted and weird sense of humor that goes to eleven. Bojan Sucevic's art in this suits the product as well and presents a theme that works very, very well. Do I want a copy of this as a physical book? You bet I do. Four out of five for this adventure and a really nice addition to the Crimson Dragon Slayer line. This review originally appeared at the Sword and Stitchery blog http://swordsandstitchery.blogspot.com/2015/10/review-commentary-on-osr-adventure-no.html

Eric Fabiaschi Sword and Stitchery blog