Review: Dungeon Magazine #156 (Digital edition, July 2008)

Dungeon Magazine #156
Wizards of the Coast
July 2008

Wayne Reynolds does the art on this busy, but exciting cover depicting viscous monsters and amazingly deadly weapons and armor!

This issue starts the first new adventure path since the creation of the digital initiative (DDI) of which this magazine is a part.  Called, "The Scales of War", this adventure path is designed to take characters from 1st through 30th level over the coming months!  Since, though, I am currently playing in this adventure path, I will not be reading or commenting about The Scales of War, except to say that so far, in the first part, I'm having a great time!

Rescue at Rivenroar by David Noonan.  [Heroic 1-10] Since I am in this adventure, I am not reading or commenting.

The Haunting of Kincep Mansion by Skip Williams. [Heroic 1-10].  Strange, the label says levels 1-10, but the adventure claims it is for 12th level.  This is an update to a mansion that was posted on the website in 2003 for 3rd edition.   This adventure deals with a pack of vampires and werewolves that have moved into the haunted mansion.  Jaccobux, the owner and now ghost, can be a help to the party.  As cool as the adventure is, I thought that this would be the perfect home base for a party of adventurers!  Spend some money fixing it up, add some more defenses or guards, and make a deal with the ghost to keep bringing hims the knowledge he craves!

The Last Breaths of Ashenport by Ari Marmell. [Heroic 1-10].  A very Lovecraftian adventure for characters of level 8.  This is an adventure updated to 4th edition.  In it, the deep secret of a prosperous town becomes the quest of the adventurers.  The call of Dagon approaches, seeking to destroy all those who are not worshippers...  This is a good update that makes for a really creepy story and what looks to be a fun adventure!  I'm looking forward to running this one!

Thunderspire Conversion: Forgotten Realms by Greg Bilsland.  This is a nice companion to adventure H2: Thunderspire Labyrinth that converts it to the 4th edition Forgotten Realms campaign setting.  It changes some NPC interactions, adds some Realms flavor, and even a new monster!  This adventure seems much easier to convert then H1 was.

Thunderspire Labyrinth Sidetrek: Echoes of Thunderspire Labyrinth by Greg Bilsland.   This is exactly what I wanted for Thunderspire:  more encounter areas based on the maps!  This adds four new quests with hooks and encounters.  I like the idea of using Thunderspire as a more sandbox game area, and sprinkling in extra quests helps achieve that.

Dungeoncraft: Information Management, Part 1 by James Wyatt.  This 2-part series covers organizing the information of a campaign for ease-of-use and good communication.  Part 1 focuses on how to get the information to the players.

Dungeoncraft: Greenbriar Chasm by James Wyatt.  This is an example of a campaign handout for players that James was creating.  It is really helpful to not just have the how and why, but to actually show an example.

Save my Game: Saying Yes is a Skill (and Saying Yes With Skills) by Stephen Radney-Macfarland.  Great article on why saying "yes" can help your game!  All DM's should read this!

Map of Mystery: Vale of Fallen Wyrms.  An interesting local with the bones of many dragons after a large gate-complex.


Final Thoughts:

A good second issue for the 4th edition.  I like seeing support for the published adventures, the re-done old adventures, plus all-new material!  The columns are helpful and enjoyable, making this worth the read.