Category: Reviews
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Review: Kingmaker – Paizo – Pt. 1
The writer is playtesting Shadowfinder rules in Pathfinder 2 while adapting the Kingmaker adventure path. They appreciate the open-world nature, but find the conversion to Pathfinder 2 complicated, especially regarding stronghold building. Although initial sessions flow well, concerns grow about future campaign challenges, particularly after the third book’s conflict.
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Czech Republic Fantasy Map
Preparing a Kingmaker campaign set in the Swordlands, a Czech Republic-inspired region. Multiple adventuring groups explore this monster-filled frontier. Custom hex and climate maps support terrain, weather, and exploration.
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Review: Among the Living – Paizo
Among the Living is a flexible, Halloween-themed Shadowfinder adventure set in a gaudy opera house hiding dark secrets. Streamlined for quick play, it balances drama, undead threats, and tactical variety, offering a solid one-shot with adaptable challenge levels.
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Review: Souls for Smuggler’s Shiv – Paizo
During our autumn coast trip, we ran Souls for Smuggler’s Shiv as a streamlined point crawl with fewer random encounters, focusing on key story beats. Adapted easily to Shadowfinder, though Paizo’s layout and excess lore caused some difficulty mid-game.
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Gods of the Forbidden North, Vol. 1 (OSE Adapted for Shadowdark) – Pulp Hammock Press – Part 1
The author reviews “Forbidden North,” highlighting its extensive details and variety of encounters. Though adaptable to campaigns, the writing lacks clarity and organization, making it challenging for GMs. While Book 1 offers useful content, subsequent books fall short. Overall, “Forbidden North” shows potential but suffers from excessive details.
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Wreckers (D&D 5E AL Adapted to Shadowdark for Forbidden North)
The author describes running “Wreckers” by William Beers as an introduction to a Shadowdark campaign in Daj Kodan, showcasing its adaptability for open tables. The adventure involved cultists and a sea monster, leading to an ambush that gave players a smuggling sloop. While requiring some adjustments, it emphasized action over narrative.
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Ultraviolet Empress (Ultraviolet Grasslands x Cloud Empress)
Overview Pros Cons Other Notes Final Thoughts
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Kobold Guide to Dungeons (Kobold Press)
The Kobold Guide to Dungeons, a 2012 Ennie Winner, features 20 essays, many lacking substantive value. While a few offer genuine dungeon design advice, most focus on narrative control and issues with D&D 5E and Pathfinder 1, resulting in a mediocre experience overall.
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Tombs of Atuan: Ursula K. Le Guin
Atuan is praised as a standout in the Earthsea series, exploring the nature of evil while overcoming pacing issues found in earlier books. The author, LeGuin, develops characters better in the sequels, while some view the original as weaker.
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The Crusader’s Road (Pathfinder Audiobook, Paizo)
Crusader’s Road, a Pathfinder audiobook, features a good narrator and a compelling plot involving ogre-kin and fantasy politics in Echo Wood, with appealing character growth. Enjoyable experience.
Dubious Heroes 