Dubious Heroes

Tag: review

  • Review: Racing to Ruin – Paizo (Shadowfinder)

    Review: Racing to Ruin – Paizo (Shadowfinder)

    Using my Shadowfinder system, we ran Serpent’s Skull Book Two during a coastal retreat. To avoid a massive slog, I cut most of the linear adventure’s filler, creating a punchy twelve-hour highlight reel. Despite annoying Paizo formatting and NPC bloat, we loved our pirate allies. Next: Books Three and Four!

  • Review: Core Boxed Set – Dragonbane

    Review: Core Boxed Set – Dragonbane

    Overview The Good The Bad Link Free League: https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/dragonbane/ Blackrattle Bog, my Dragonbane adventure: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/menagerie-press-llc/blackrattle-bog-a-dragonbane-rpg-adventure

  • Review: Kingmaker – Paizo – Pt. 1

    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.

  • Czech Republic Fantasy Map

    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.

  • Review: Among the Living – Paizo

    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.

  • Review: Souls for Smuggler’s Shiv – Paizo

    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.

  • Gods of the Forbidden North, Vol. 1 (OSE Adapted for Shadowdark) – Pulp Hammock Press – Part 1

    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.

  • Wreckers (D&D 5E AL Adapted to Shadowdark for Forbidden North)

    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.

  • Ultraviolet Empress (Ultraviolet Grasslands x Cloud Empress)

    Ultraviolet Empress (Ultraviolet Grasslands x Cloud Empress)

    Overview Pros Cons Other Notes Final Thoughts

  • Vengeance at Trollbridge By Pickpocket Press (adapted for Shadowdark)

    Vengeance at Trollbridge By Pickpocket Press (adapted for Shadowdark)

    Adventure Framework 31: Vengeance at Trollbridge offers an adaptable, engaging RPG experience, featuring trolls, innovative vertical maps, and dynamic treasure discovery. The session showcased intense role-playing moments, though future exploration of the troll den remains uncertain due to PC losses.