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Elevator to the Netherworld is the long-awaited supplement describing Feng Shui's crosstime Inner Kingdom. Elevator details the Netherworld's important persons and places, including the Four Monarchs and their palaces.

Chapter 1 (8 p.) is a discussion of the Netherworld's geography, physics, and socio-politics. A discussion of physics is crucial in a place where gravity, light, and space operate independent of most known rules. There are also maps for each of the Netherworld's four levels. Yeah, if the L-word caused you to raise an eyebrow in doubt, the maps themselves will have you wondering if the mysterious Netherworld is going to get the D&D treatment. Unfortunately, what is described here is not integrated well with (an partially contradicts) the description of the Netherworld in the main rulebook where the Netherworld is described as an inhabited Center with a radius of 400 kilometers surrounded by kilometers of twisting passageways. The geography section also doesn't do a very good job of describing what the Netherworld looks like, what it is like to walk its twisting corridors, what the ceiling and light is like, etc. All the verisimilitude that is essential for describing a setting to players. The good news is that the maps are largely ignored by the rest of the settlement.

Chapter 2 (32 p.) describes the palaces of the Four Monarchs, the Monarch's principal assistants, and mooks. This is the meatiest chapter, full of rich detail on the Monarch's and their plans. This material allows you to bring the Monarchs into the Secret War as fully fledged players. There are plenty of plot hooks to give you ideas of ways to include one or more of the Monarchs in your campaign.

Chapter 3 (49 p.) describes the "secret battlefields" within the Netherworld where the PCs can break stuff and where it all goes down. These battlefields include the Architect's Biomass Reprocessing Center (as in reprocess into abominations), the Ascended's Hub, the Junkyard, and the Temple of Boundless Meditation. There's a lot of text here, but most of the descriptions feel rushed and incomplete.

Chapter 4 (32 p.) describes the rest of the Netherworld. Other important groups and individuals and places such as IKTV, the Escher Hotel, the Sunless Sea, the Forest of Fallen Banners. This is a hit-or-miss chapter with great descriptions of groups like the Unexpected Deliverance Society and the Brotherhood of Hebrew Champions (from an erased juncture) and weaker ones like the band Two Face and the caffeinated gunman Johnny Java. The description of Pinballhalla also lacks rules that would allow you to actually run a scene in the giant pinball machine. Elevator finishes up with a two-page index.

So, is this elevator ride worth the price of admission? The material on the Monarchs is great, but much of the rest of book feels cobbled together. Parts read like they have been sitting on the shelf since Daedalus' first edition of the game. The art is ok for the most part. There is nothing to compare with the wonderfully baroque illustrations of the Netherworld from the main rulebook. The pictures of the Escher Hotel, in particular, do not do it justice.

One thing that is definitely missing is a discussion of gateways, such as where they can be found, how many there are, where they link to, and how big they are. Another thing that would have been useful in a place with as many people traveling through and where the gravity can change around any corner is a random encounter table. That would be just the thing to make sure that trips through the Netherworld do not become routine.

The good news is that Elevator is not the last word on the Netherworld. You are still free to describe your campaign's Netherworld, taking what you like from Elevator, leaving the rest, and adding whatever else you want.

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

Elevator to the Netherworld
Author: Tim Dedopulous, Bryant Durrell, David Eber, Geoff Grabowski, Mike Lee, Mike Mearls, Chris Pramas, Greg Stolze, and Tim Toner Category: game Company/Publisher: Atlas Games Line: Feng Shui Cost: $20 Page count: 127 ISBN: 1-887801-83-9 SKU: AG4003 Playtest Review by Jeb Boyt on 06/25/00. Genre tags: Fantasy Modern day Conspiracy Asian/Far East	Elevator to the Netherworld is the long-awaited supplement describing Feng Shui's crosstime Inner Kingdom. Elevator details the Netherworld's important persons and places, including the Four Monarchs and their palaces. Chapter 1 (8 p.) is a discussion of the Netherworld's geography, physics, and socio-politics. A discussion of physics is crucial in a place where gravity, light, and space operate independent of most known rules. There are also maps for each of the Netherworld's four levels. Yeah, if the L-word caused you to raise an eyebrow in doubt, the maps themselves will have you wondering if the mysterious Netherworld is going to get the D&D treatment. Unfortunately, what is described here is not integrated well with (an partially contradicts) the description of the Netherworld in the main rulebook where the Netherworld is described as an inhabited Center with a radius of 400 kilometers surrounded by kilometers of twisting passageways. The geography section also doesn't do a very good job of describing what the Netherworld looks like, what it is like to walk its twisting corridors, what the ceiling and light is like, etc. All the verisimilitude that is essential for describing a setting to players. The good news is that the maps are largely ignored by the rest of the settlement. Chapter 2 (32 p.) describes the palaces of the Four Monarchs, the Monarch's principal assistants, and mooks. This is the meatiest chapter, full of rich detail on the Monarch's and their plans. This material allows you to bring the Monarchs into the Secret War as fully fledged players. There are plenty of plot hooks to give you ideas of ways to include one or more of the Monarchs in your campaign. Chapter 3 (49 p.) describes the "secret battlefields" within the Netherworld where the PCs can break stuff and where it all goes down. These battlefields include the Architect's Biomass Reprocessing Center (as in reprocess into abominations), the Ascended's Hub, the Junkyard, and the Temple of Boundless Meditation. There's a lot of text here, but most of the descriptions feel rushed and incomplete. Chapter 4 (32 p.) describes the rest of the Netherworld. Other important groups and individuals and places such as IKTV, the Escher Hotel, the Sunless Sea, the Forest of Fallen Banners. This is a hit-or-miss chapter with great descriptions of groups like the Unexpected Deliverance Society and the Brotherhood of Hebrew Champions (from an erased juncture) and weaker ones like the band Two Face and the caffeinated gunman Johnny Java. The description of Pinballhalla also lacks rules that would allow you to actually run a scene in the giant pinball machine. Elevator finishes up with a two-page index. So, is this elevator ride worth the price of admission? The material on the Monarchs is great, but much of the rest of book feels cobbled together. Parts read like they have been sitting on the shelf since Daedalus' first edition of the game. The art is ok for the most part. There is nothing to compare with the wonderfully baroque illustrations of the Netherworld from the main rulebook. The pictures of the Escher Hotel, in particular, do not do it justice. One thing that is definitely missing is a discussion of gateways, such as where they can be found, how many there are, where they link to, and how big they are. Another thing that would have been useful in a place with as many people traveling through and where the gravity can change around any corner is a random encounter table. That would be just the thing to make sure that trips through the Netherworld do not become routine. The good news is that Elevator is not the last word on the Netherworld. You are still free to describe your campaign's Netherworld, taking what you like from Elevator, leaving the rest, and adding whatever else you want. Style: 3 (Average) Substance: 4 (Meaty)