All,

This corebook is another masterpiece from Kevin Crawford.

I have been playing RPGs for 30 years and used/played about 100 published core books/systems. I almost always end up reading with interest only to find I can not (without massive work) translate the ruminations into an actual game.

Listen to his 1-hour interview on youtube if you want to understand how cleverly he thinks about these things - you will have even more respect for his work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziteyWHAzCs

Consistent with the interview, his works are GM practical focussed. As he notes, many works are filled with puff/guff talking about playing in the setting/story without actually practically assisting the GM to deliver it.

This work is a great practical enabler you can actually use - better than books 5 times the cost, containing more useful material.

Buy it to improve any fantasy setting.

Oliver

All,

This module is a little gem.

I have been playing RPGs for 30 years and used/played about 100 published RPG modules. I almost always end up making material modifications to make them work (removing circus style different monsters and gonzo silliness that undermines dark ambience or story theme, cleaning up random 'no purpose' NPCs to give motives/character etc).

This module was able to bolted on directly with internally consistent whimsical and mysterious fae themed structures, monsters, maps, NPCs and backstory. I used everything.

The map is standalone and consistently themed, each room entry is succinct and unique. One read over an entry and then I just glance at it in game and we are on.

Only a very few modules achieve this standard.

Oliver

All,

This module is a masterpiece. Do not be put off by the term megadungeon. It is usuable without having read the 336 A4 pages in advance.

I have been playing RPGs for 30 years and used/played about 100 published RPG modules. I almost always end up making material modifications to make them work (removing circus style different monsters and gonzo silliness that undermines dark ambience, cleaning up random 'no purpose' NPCs to motives/character etc).

This module was able to bolted on directly with internally consistent dwarf themed structures, monsters, maps, NPCs and backstory. I used everything.

Normally I shy away from massive maps. They tend to use up precious brain RAM that is better used to prepare for actual play/story/PCs. The rooms usually end up repetitive/pointless and all merging into a blob in my mind. Dwarrowdeep is the opposite. Each map is standalone and consistently themed, each room entry is succinct and unique. One read over an entry and then I just glance at it in game and we are on.

In an unexpected twist, the vastness of DwarrowsDeep has added to the wonder of explanation as PCs map on Graph Paper is starting to fill the table area. Going deeper and deeper...

Few modules achieve this standard.

Oliver

Great little adventure.

Great job chance. OSR at its best.

pros

• Self contained and I would not suggest trying to burn through it in a session as there are lots of layers and opportunities for spin off elements.
• great sandbox.

Also has two uncommon features that make it great.

• The first is some dangerous monster relative to the low level adventures to make everyone sit up and think.
• This is then combined with weaknesses or loop holes to exploit (giant is asleep, Dragon has weak.spots and a way to poison it etc).

cons

• only thing I would do is reduce treasure and magical items as it's a bit too generous for my taste.

A good little module.

Pros

• good arthurian legend feel. Creepy mountain - ruined castle - spirits of lost maidens - holy spirits seeking answers to test worthy knights.

• Good mystery ambience. Perfect for a side quest for paladins and lawful clerics.

• Cheap as chips

Cons

• no maps-  I could just follow but it was hard. Suggest author at least put in a simple map.
• generic so no stats for use with dungeoons and dragons. Suggest putting in the basics - hps, ac, spells etc.
• somewhat railroad - seems to be only one real way to go, one answer to questions, comments like no matter what PCs say spirit girls get angry and attack.

Worth picking up given how cheap it is for a creepy mountain context piece.

Oliver