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This a high quality piece of work, not just gaming material but writing in general. It's smooth,flowing, colorful and descriptive. Its a combination novel / National Geographic expose'. I've even talked my (non-gaming)wife into trying to read it, just for the fun of it.

Being a Trekker of sorts, I couldn't help noticing the similarities between this adventure's Kang race culture and Klingon culture. I don't believe this was intentional, they may just be two reflections of the same facet of humanity, but the parallels are undeniable. Each of the other cultures is more unique or at least cliche enough not to prompt immediate comparisons. Although not detailed to the extreme, there is enough information on each societies' structure and norms as to allow comfortable GM usage and player interaction with them.

Of course from a generic sourcebook stand point, this is also a gem. You can use the National Geographic-like information to bring the Quan Empire to life in any campaign, and not just straight fantasy. The jump from Windship to Spelljammer is short and the Empire now encompasses a planet, or several planets. Scifi exploration of low-tech worlds where the players observe a No Interference type of Prime Directive can find adventure with the Kang. Post holocaust or dimensional rips type games are another easy stretch.

What makes this all possible is the lack of heavy reliance on the Talislanta game system. The few references to the game rules can be easy substituted for by other rules or improvised. The Kang system of honor, khir, is simulated by a wonderfully simple point system that fits this culture's expectations to the letter. The Quan Empire and all of its inhabitants will surely have a corner of my next campaign (maybe even a continent on Mongo!). This is one of the very few gaming accessories I will encourage every gamer to buy, even at the $9.95 cover price.

Style: 5 (Excellent!)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

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Author: Talislanta (WotC) Category: game Company/Publisher: Wizards of the Coast Line: Talislanta (WotC) Cost: $9.95 Capsule Review by Papyrus on 06/01/99. Genre tags: Fantasy Asian/Far_East	This a high quality piece of work, not just gaming material but writing in general. It's smooth,flowing, colorful and descriptive. Its a combination novel / National Geographic expose'. I've even talked my (non-gaming)wife into trying to read it, just for the fun of it. Being a Trekker of sorts, I couldn't help noticing the similarities between this adventure's Kang race culture and Klingon culture. I don't believe this was intentional, they may just be two reflections of the same facet of humanity, but the parallels are undeniable. Each of the other cultures is more unique or at least cliche enough not to prompt immediate comparisons. Although not detailed to the extreme, there is enough information on each societies' structure and norms as to allow comfortable GM usage and player interaction with them. Of course from a generic sourcebook stand point, this is also a gem. You can use the National Geographic-like information to bring the Quan Empire to life in any campaign, and not just straight fantasy. The jump from Windship to Spelljammer is short and the Empire now encompasses a planet, or several planets. Scifi exploration of low-tech worlds where the players observe a No Interference type of Prime Directive can find adventure with the Kang. Post holocaust or dimensional rips type games are another easy stretch. What makes this all possible is the lack of heavy reliance on the Talislanta game system. The few references to the game rules can be easy substituted for by other rules or improvised. The Kang system of honor, khir, is simulated by a wonderfully simple point system that fits this culture's expectations to the letter. The Quan Empire and all of its inhabitants will surely have a corner of my next campaign (maybe even a continent on Mongo!). This is one of the very few gaming accessories I will encourage every gamer to buy, even at the $9.95 cover price. Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

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