Publisher: Troll Lord Games
Introduction
Castles & Crusades is a fantasy role-playing game that combines the classic feel of old-school games with the simplicity and elegance of modern design. The game is published by Troll Lord Games, a company that has been producing quality products for over 20 years. One of their latest releases is Castles & Crusades By Shadow of Night, a city sourcebook and adventure module that takes the players to the dark and dangerous city of Bergholt. In this review, I will give you an overview of the book, its contents, and its quality, and share my opinion on why you should check it out.
The Book
Castles & Crusades By Shadow of Night is a 128-page softcover book that comes with a large fold-out map of the city of Bergholt. The book is written by Davis Chenault, the co-creator of Castles & Crusades and the author of many other books for the game. The book is illustrated by Peter Bradley and Jason Walton, who provide some excellent artwork that captures the mood and atmosphere of the city. The book is well-edited and formatted, with clear headings, tables, and sidebars. The book uses the standard Castles & Crusades rules, which are easy to learn and play. The book also includes some optional rules for using magic in the city, as well as some new spells, items, and monsters.
The City
The city of Bergholt is the main setting of the book, and it is a place where crime and corruption are rampant. The city is ruled by a council of nobles, who are constantly scheming and plotting against each other. The city is divided into several districts, each with its own flavor and features. The book provides a detailed description of each district, as well as some notable locations, such as taverns, markets, temples, guilds, and more. The book also introduces a rich cast of NPCs, each with their own motivations and secrets. Some of these NPCs are allies, some are enemies, and some are both. The book also gives some tips on how to run the city as a sandbox, where the players can explore and interact with the various factions and events.
The Adventure
The adventure module in the book is called By Shadow of Night, and it is a complex web of intrigue, betrayal, and murder. The adventure can be played as a stand-alone or as a sequel to the Death in the Treklant series, also by Troll Lord Games. The adventure is designed for 4-8 characters of levels 4-6, and it can be easily adapted to any fantasy setting. The adventure begins when the characters are hired by a mysterious patron to investigate a series of murders in the city. As they follow the clues, they will discover that there is more than meets the eye behind these killings, and that they are part of a larger plot that threatens the fate of the city and beyond. The adventure is full of twists and turns, and it offers plenty of opportunities for role-playing, exploration, combat, and investigation. The adventure also includes over 20 encounter areas, ranging from taverns and markets to sewers and catacombs. Each encounter area has its own map, description, challenges, and rewards.
Conclusion
Castles & Crusades By Shadow of Night is a great product for fans of Castles & Crusades and fantasy role-playing games in general. It offers a rich and immersive setting, a compelling and challenging adventure, and a lot of fun and excitement. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a dark and gritty urban adventure with a lot of depth and flavor.
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