Every game system has a Gamemasters Screen. The secret in getting a good response to the screens isn't in the amount of tables and charts. It's not putting great artwork on the screen or even the difference between a three and four panel screen. The secret is putting important, but not essential source material in the panels.
Holistic manages to succeed in several important areas. Readers of the review of Fading Suns 2nd edition know that the book ends with the world of Pandemonium and an adventure. The Screen's contents, Complete Pandemonium, build up on that information without repeating it.
The Pandemonium Primer gives more history, as well as details about the solar system. The planetary map of Pandemonium also has a small visual of the system with how many AU's everything is from the sun. This is a valuable tool for GM's of any system and it's one I wish all game companies would use.
The geography covers By Land, the landmasses, and By Sea, the different water bodies. The text is brief, but sets the stage for future development. For example, "The Find" is a dig that was abandoned during the cataclysms and those who seek it never return: A perfect dungeon crawl for GMs wishing to go that route. The Cathedral, built in the wastes, is a haven of safety that's still under construction and nameless. Characters could become involved with finishing it, or simply seeking shelter there.
The Hub is one of the last cities on Pandemonium. Nobles Characters coming from Spaceport Afil may want to head straight for the bazaar, or perhaps seek out some tech at Gentleman Jeluzhan's shop. Those with a sweet tooth may want to visit the Wonderful Crimson Gadget Depot and Treat Shop. Of course off worlders may need a scout, and a city guide only costs 5 firebirds a week.
Of course no city is complete without it's slums and characters looking for something exotic may head to the alien slum, or if mercenaries, the Brother Battle Hiring Hall.
In addition to locations, the Primer introduces Sir Martell Gilgar, a minor noble whose hotheaded attitude may draw him into conflict with the characters. More dangerous though, is Moshet Branko, a feral vorox who dislikes humans and not only works as a bodyguard for aliens, but avenges them when he fails. GMs more interested in exotic foes will enough creatures such as the baralough, a legendary ape-like creature whose hunting homes have withered due to the cataclyms, or the ravagers, large insects that attack en mass.
In addition to more details about Pandemonium, there are two adventurers. One, Everlight, works on perceptions. The moon Everlight is the most stable, but its orbit seems erratic. Only the engineer holds the answers that the people seek. Unfortunately, the engineer has secrets of his own. This adventure showcases not only the despair of Pandemonium, but also how easily miscommunications can bring about disaster.
The second adventure, A Healing Draught, is in many ways a traditional Grail Quest. The characters have several options of seeking the grail, but most involves many obstacles. One of the characters that the players can meet, the priest Von Effman, relates everything the characters do, for good or bad, to the virtues and vices of the Urth Orthodox faith. The sections are headed by different virtues. Humility, for example, where the party has to beg or scrounge for food. The difficulty in the module is regulated by the party's actions so GM's should encourage those vices!
The art is up to Holistic's usual standard with character illustrations of priests, nobles and monsters. The format, two columns, flows easily and game material is clearly separated from history and gaming text. One of the most impressive things about Complete Pandemonium is that no space is wasted. The front interior cover has a table of contents and a brief section on how to use this book. The back cover has a map of "The Hub", one of the cities of Pandemonium.
What about the screen? Three panels with Fading Suns art for the exterior and the traditional tables inside; Strength charts, grappling bonus, victory charts, slug guns, and thrown weapons, along with a host of other tables, give the GM all the quick reference tools he needs to run his game smoothly.
Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)
