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"Aurore" & "Kafer Dawn", are a planetary sourcebook and an adventure compilation published for GDW's "2300 AD" (aka "Traveller 2300"), a 'hard' SF sequel to "Twilight 2000". Both deal with the planet Aurore, one of the farthest points of human settlement in the 2300 universe and a world invaded by the enigmatic Kafer, beings that seem driven to conquer.

The first book, "Aurore", is a comprehensive sourcebook, it details the planets, history, lifeforms and major settlements (Novoa Kiyve(Ukrainian), Aurore(French) & Tanstaafl(Corporate, now independant). The planets geography is detailed, with information on both lifeform and terrain encounters and each geographic region is provided with adventure hooks. Indeed the entire background, as can be expected for a suppliment written by William H. Keith Jr, will provide the creative GM with many plot ideas. The only thing the book does lack is an introductory adventure, for that you need "Kafer Dawn".

"Kafer Dawn", also by William H. Keith Jr, contains the introductory campaign missing from "Aurore". The book is divided into three sections, the first is a summary of the information contained in "Aurore', the second is detailed information on the region surrounding the independant city of Tanstaafl (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch). The final section contains four adventures which are intended to form the framework of a long term campaign on the planet.

The four adventures are:

"Waiting for the Cavalry"

In which the PC's are required to rescue a homesteading family from a Kafer attack and then escort them to a relay station where help can be summoned.

"On the Slopes of Mt. Phaeton"

The PC's are hired to protect a mine on the southeast slope on the mountain of the title from Kafers.

"Peace Quest"

The PC's are hired or ordered to escort a naive scientist who believes that peaceful communications are possible with the Kafers, she has to be protected, both from the Kafers, who understand peace to mean the defeat of their foe, and from some of the escort, who believe much the same thing.

"Thunder Valley"

This adventure will provide a spectacular end to an Auroran campaign, as the PC's assist in an operation designed to destroy the last major Kafer force on Aurore, by driving them into the path of a tidal bore.

All of the adventures will provide an exciting game session, with the first, being a straightforward action adventure, the second and third requiring thought on the part of the PC's as well as quick reflexes. The last adventure requires both, as the PC's first scout routes to enable tanks to reach the Kafer camp and then join in the assault.

I have decided to rate these books together because both books are needed together to get full enjoyment out of the setting, "Kafer Dawn" provides the GM with a way to introduce the PC's to the planet Aurore, while "Aurore" gives the GM the tools to keep them interested while they are there.

For the pair together three out of five for presentation and five out of five for content.

For "Aurore" on its own, three out of five for presentation and four out of five for content.

For "Kafer Dawn" on its own, three out of five for presentation and three out of five for content.

Aurore Sourcebook and Kafer Dawn
Aurore Sourcebook and Kafer Dawn Capsule Review by Graham Donald on 11/11/01 Style: 3 (Average) Substance: 5 (Excellent!) Taken together, these books provide enough material for a long exciting campaign. Product: Aurore Sourcebook and Kafer Dawn Author: William H Keith Jr Category: RPG Company/Publisher: GDW Line: 2300 Cost: Page count: Year published: 1987 ISBN: SKU: Comp copy?: no Capsule Review by Graham Donald on 11/11/01 Genre tags: Science Fiction Space	"Aurore" & "Kafer Dawn", are a planetary sourcebook and an adventure compilation published for GDW's "2300 AD" (aka "Traveller 2300"), a 'hard' SF sequel to "Twilight 2000". Both deal with the planet Aurore, one of the farthest points of human settlement in the 2300 universe and a world invaded by the enigmatic Kafer, beings that seem driven to conquer. The first book, "Aurore", is a comprehensive sourcebook, it details the planets, history, lifeforms and major settlements (Novoa Kiyve(Ukrainian), Aurore(French) & Tanstaafl(Corporate, now independant). The planets geography is detailed, with information on both lifeform and terrain encounters and each geographic region is provided with adventure hooks. Indeed the entire background, as can be expected for a suppliment written by William H. Keith Jr, will provide the creative GM with many plot ideas. The only thing the book does lack is an introductory adventure, for that you need "Kafer Dawn". "Kafer Dawn", also by William H. Keith Jr, contains the introductory campaign missing from "Aurore". The book is divided into three sections, the first is a summary of the information contained in "Aurore', the second is detailed information on the region surrounding the independant city of Tanstaafl (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch). The final section contains four adventures which are intended to form the framework of a long term campaign on the planet. The four adventures are: "Waiting for the Cavalry" In which the PC's are required to rescue a homesteading family from a Kafer attack and then escort them to a relay station where help can be summoned. "On the Slopes of Mt. Phaeton" The PC's are hired to protect a mine on the southeast slope on the mountain of the title from Kafers. "Peace Quest" The PC's are hired or ordered to escort a naive scientist who believes that peaceful communications are possible with the Kafers, she has to be protected, both from the Kafers, who understand peace to mean the defeat of their foe, and from some of the escort, who believe much the same thing. "Thunder Valley" This adventure will provide a spectacular end to an Auroran campaign, as the PC's assist in an operation designed to destroy the last major Kafer force on Aurore, by driving them into the path of a tidal bore. All of the adventures will provide an exciting game session, with the first, being a straightforward action adventure, the second and third requiring thought on the part of the PC's as well as quick reflexes. The last adventure requires both, as the PC's first scout routes to enable tanks to reach the Kafer camp and then join in the assault. I have decided to rate these books together because both books are needed together to get full enjoyment out of the setting, "Kafer Dawn" provides the GM with a way to introduce the PC's to the planet Aurore, while "Aurore" gives the GM the tools to keep them interested while they are there. For the pair together three out of five for presentation and five out of five for content. For "Aurore" on its own, three out of five for presentation and four out of five for content. For "Kafer Dawn" on its own, three out of five for presentation and three out of five for content.

Aurore Sourcebook and Kafer Dawn