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First off the aim of the Monstrous Arcana series of Modules, which are in the format of trilogy, is that they are for a particular monster that had a very detailed Monstrous Arcana info book released for them. "Dawn of the Overmind" is for Illithids or as they are more commonly refered to, Mindflayers. The Illithids in the module "Dawn of the Overmind" are more like what they used to be according to their history, leaders of a space wide evil empire, instead of being monsters that you find in caves, dungeons, and the Underdark. You don't need the two previous modules, "Darkness Gathering" and "Masters of Eternal Night". There's a quick paragraph overview for each module. From the brief overviews of the other modules, each module seems self contained enough to play any one without the other, but all 3 can connect up to make a good campaign.

Ok, the module is rated at 4 to 6 player characters from level 8 to 10 (48-60 total levels). I would suggest having 6 players, because 4 characters would find themselves overwhelmed or overworked. Ok the overall plot is not that complex. The adveturing party is charged with finding an item and then saving the universe with it (That's right no puny saving the world here, saving the universe!). So with a simple plot what do you fill those 60 pages with? Pictures? No there is acutally very few pictures in this module and the maps are part of the front and back cover (You know where TSR doesn't staple the cover to the module and then shrink wrap it. I personally don't like that because I'm always afraid that I'll lose the cover). The module is filled with details about the world and every setting the characters will come to. This is a good thing because it give the DM a great feel for the setting and adventure and it's bad thing because that's alot of info to read and keep track of. Overall I would say if a DM and some players want a some good, detailed, AD&D fun then this module should do the trick

Style: 3 (Average)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Dawn of the Overmind
Author: Bruce R. Cordell Category: game Company/Publisher: Wizards of the Coast Line: TSR/ AD&D Monstrous Arcana Cost: 1395 Page count: 62 ISBN: 0-7869-1211-1 SKU: 9572 Capsule Review by David Doub on 06/19/00. Genre tags: Fantasy	First off the aim of the Monstrous Arcana series of Modules, which are in the format of trilogy, is that they are for a particular monster that had a very detailed Monstrous Arcana info book released for them. "Dawn of the Overmind" is for Illithids or as they are more commonly refered to, Mindflayers. The Illithids in the module "Dawn of the Overmind" are more like what they used to be according to their history, leaders of a space wide evil empire, instead of being monsters that you find in caves, dungeons, and the Underdark. You don't need the two previous modules, "Darkness Gathering" and "Masters of Eternal Night". There's a quick paragraph overview for each module. From the brief overviews of the other modules, each module seems self contained enough to play any one without the other, but all 3 can connect up to make a good campaign. Ok, the module is rated at 4 to 6 player characters from level 8 to 10 (48-60 total levels). I would suggest having 6 players, because 4 characters would find themselves overwhelmed or overworked. Ok the overall plot is not that complex. The adveturing party is charged with finding an item and then saving the universe with it (That's right no puny saving the world here, saving the universe!). So with a simple plot what do you fill those 60 pages with? Pictures? No there is acutally very few pictures in this module and the maps are part of the front and back cover (You know where TSR doesn't staple the cover to the module and then shrink wrap it. I personally don't like that because I'm always afraid that I'll lose the cover). The module is filled with details about the world and every setting the characters will come to. This is a good thing because it give the DM a great feel for the setting and adventure and it's bad thing because that's alot of info to read and keep track of. Overall I would say if a DM and some players want a some good, detailed, AD&D fun then this module should do the trick Style: 3 (Average) Substance: 4 (Meaty)