The half size adventure format, with 16 pages and a cardstock cover, seems to be a popular one with some companies looking to get in on the booming sales of d20 merchandise. In the case of Fantasy Flight's "Lairs and Legends" offerings, it's a format that often works well. Unfortunately, the adventures in this series are a mixed bag, and some of them suffer from the 'capsule' nature of the short module format.
Case in point: Raid on Tonwell, adventure number 3 in their first series of modules. On one level, it's a well done brief adventure with a basic premise and a straightforward delivery. The PCs are asked by refugees of a raided village to return to their home and recover a holy relic before the barbarians that attacked them do.
Very simple plot, but that's forgivable in what is essentially a "drop in" style adventure. Half-size modules lend themselves well to being dropping in to existing campaigns. The lack of details helps DMs tailor these adventures to best fit their game worlds. Raid on Tonwell, however, takes this lack of information to an extreme, not even offering basic facts like what kind of barbarians raided the village of Tonwell in the first place.
Other things lacking in this adventure are adequate descriptions of places and things. The main goal of the quest, a blade sacred to the god of Justice in this land, is described as, "a typical longsword, with a green gem set into its crossbar". Not much to inspire legends with, to be sure.
Also lacking is any kind of resolution. The module ends with a fight, offering no explanation of what will come after it. The DM should be expected to resolve things as their game requires, but they shouldn't be expected to provide an ending for a retail module.
There are things in Raid on Tonwell worth looking into. The relic mentioned before, The Blade of St. Gavus, is an excellent example of a minor holy artifact (though no mention is made of its enhancement bonus in its write-up of powers). The two new monsters presented will also provide good challenges for low-level parties.
If collecting the 8 issue set of Fantasy Flight's adventures, be sure to get this one. Otherwise, pick up one of the other modules. This one is probably the worst of the run.
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