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The Dragon Lord The Songsmith

Fantasy Games Unlimited

Adventure Packs for Chivalry and Sorcery 2nd Edition

As the 3rd Edition of the venerable C&S game system rolls out in 1997 (and I want to get the review copy) I decided to put together a review of two of the adventure modules released by FGU for the 2nd Edition rules back in 1984.

The modules are set in the North Kingdom which appears to be a campaign world set up for the development of these scenarios. Each of the modules is just 20 pages in length.

The Dragon Lord is set in the town of Barrisglen, part of the fief of Lord Montbairn, and the surrounding wilderness area. The module contains both a GM's map plus a players map with less information and blank areas that are outside the characters experience. It also has a map of the world of the North Kingdom giving an overview for the location of the module's action and a background section (oddly located at the back rather than the front of the module). There are a few sketches that are reminiscent of the original C&S art in both these booklets.

The adventure is summed up on the cover of the module where a warrior is shown confronting a dragon and a mage with a tower set on a 'blasted heath' in the background and some bones in the foreground.

The plot is outlined for the players with additional GM information covering in-town preparations for the actual quest. This includes a Rumour Table and a number of tidbits of information besides details of the main protagonists. More data is provided for the wilderness parts of the quest including a number of mandatory encounters. The GM's information for the Final Encounter is summed up in a page and a half and the conclusions, tidying up the loose ends a further half page. The location for this encounter has a set of plans provided and there are specifications for several magical items. Also included are suggestions for continuing adventures in the area. A set of specialised encounter tables for the Barrisglen area and guidelines for wilderness travel are provided.

This scenario is well presented although GM's with players who are not at higher levels may find that the adventurers could be overwhelmed by the main enemy (a dragon) before the final showdown. A plot device is provided to reduce the dragon's power which should provide sufficient leeway for the GM to entertain the players while leaving them worried by the possible outcome.

The Songsmith continues the campaign started in The Dragon Lord and starts out in the town of Barrisglen with a chance encounter in an inn. This is standard fare for many GM's starting a scenario and shouldn't warn the players of what s/he has in store for the players.

The module contains a map covering the area between Barrisglen and Dwarvendale which encompasses the adventure. Background information is provided for the players just as in the earlier module. The main characters are fleshed out and have their C&S statistics presented to assist the GM. These seem to be intended only as a guideline and experienced GM's will adapt them to suit.

The short sea voyage is covered using the speed of passage tables from Bireme and Galley with some localised weather tables and encounter charts. Detailed maps are provided for some of the areas that the adventurers will encounter and a general guide is provided for uncharted parts. Again magical items are supplied for use in the adventure. Like the artifacts in the earlier Dragon Lord these are described in terms of their effect on game play with brief links to the specific C&S rules for the effects that they use.

Another well thought out scenario that will provide a lot of play for a mid level group of characters.

The feeling I get from these two adventure packs is that the plotline was thought out and then the game system used to support the NPC's and artifacts. They both have plenty of opportunities for role playing by both the GM and the players.

It may be that the copyright for these two booklets has reverted to J. Andrew Keith once they went out of print. The possibilty is that with a little rewriting they could be reissued for use with C&S III.

Style: 2 (Needs Work)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

The DragonLord and The Songsmith
Author: J. Andrew Keith Category: game Company/Publisher: Fantasy Games Unlimted Capsule Review by Nigel Clarke on 08/20/97. Genre tags: none	The Dragon Lord The Songsmith Fantasy Games Unlimited Adventure Packs for Chivalry and Sorcery 2nd Edition Copyright 1984 J. Andrew Keith As the 3rd Edition of the venerable C&S game system rolls out in 1997 (and I want to get the review copy) I decided to put together a review of two of the adventure modules released by FGU for the 2nd Edition rules back in 1984. The modules are set in the North Kingdom which appears to be a campaign world set up for the development of these scenarios. Each of the modules is just 20 pages in length. The Dragon Lord is set in the town of Barrisglen, part of the fief of Lord Montbairn, and the surrounding wilderness area. The module contains both a GM's map plus a players map with less information and blank areas that are outside the characters experience. It also has a map of the world of the North Kingdom giving an overview for the location of the module's action and a background section (oddly located at the back rather than the front of the module). There are a few sketches that are reminiscent of the original C&S art in both these booklets. The adventure is summed up on the cover of the module where a warrior is shown confronting a dragon and a mage with a tower set on a 'blasted heath' in the background and some bones in the foreground. The plot is outlined for the players with additional GM information covering in-town preparations for the actual quest. This includes a Rumour Table and a number of tidbits of information besides details of the main protagonists. More data is provided for the wilderness parts of the quest including a number of mandatory encounters. The GM's information for the Final Encounter is summed up in a page and a half and the conclusions, tidying up the loose ends a further half page. The location for this encounter has a set of plans provided and there are specifications for several magical items. Also included are suggestions for continuing adventures in the area. A set of specialised encounter tables for the Barrisglen area and guidelines for wilderness travel are provided. This scenario is well presented although GM's with players who are not at higher levels may find that the adventurers could be overwhelmed by the main enemy (a dragon) before the final showdown. A plot device is provided to reduce the dragon's power which should provide sufficient leeway for the GM to entertain the players while leaving them worried by the possible outcome. The Songsmith continues the campaign started in The Dragon Lord and starts out in the town of Barrisglen with a chance encounter in an inn. This is standard fare for many GM's starting a scenario and shouldn't warn the players of what s/he has in store for the players. The module contains a map covering the area between Barrisglen and Dwarvendale which encompasses the adventure. Background information is provided for the players just as in the earlier module. The main characters are fleshed out and have their C&S statistics presented to assist the GM. These seem to be intended only as a guideline and experienced GM's will adapt them to suit. The short sea voyage is covered using the speed of passage tables from Bireme and Galley with some localised weather tables and encounter charts. Detailed maps are provided for some of the areas that the adventurers will encounter and a general guide is provided for uncharted parts. Again magical items are supplied for use in the adventure. Like the artifacts in the earlier Dragon Lord these are described in terms of their effect on game play with brief links to the specific C&S rules for the effects that they use. Another well thought out scenario that will provide a lot of play for a mid level group of characters. The feeling I get from these two adventure packs is that the plotline was thought out and then the game system used to support the NPC's and artifacts. They both have plenty of opportunities for role playing by both the GM and the players. It may be that the copyright for these two booklets has reverted to J. Andrew Keith once they went out of print. The possibilty is that with a little rewriting they could be reissued for use with C&S III. Style: 2 (Needs Work) Substance: 4 (Meaty)

The DragonLord and The Songsmith