Publisher: Troll Lord Games
Introduction
Are you looking for a new and exciting setting for your Castles & Crusades game? Do you want to explore a land of dark secrets, ancient evils, and restless spirits? If so, you might be interested in the Castles & Crusades Players Guide to the Haunted Highlands, a supplement that provides new options and information for players who want to venture into the Haunted Highlands, a region of horror and adventure in the world of Aihrde.
In this review, I will give you an overview of the book and its main features, as well as my opinion on its strengths and weaknesses. I will also evaluate its presentation and style, and give you my final verdict and recommendation. Whether you are a fan of Castles & Crusades or a newcomer to the game, I hope you will find this review helpful and informative.
Content
The book is divided into four chapters: Introduction, Races, Classes, and Gazetteer. Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
Introduction
The Introduction gives an overview of the Haunted Highlands setting, its history, geography, and culture. It also explains the basic rules of the Castles & Crusades game, which are similar to the original Dungeons & Dragons rules but with some simplifications and modifications. The chapter sets the tone and mood of the setting, which is dark and gritty, with a lot of mystery and danger. The chapter also introduces some of the themes and concepts that are central to the setting, such as the Old Faith, the Dark Gods, the Cursed Lands, and the Haunting.
The Introduction is a good introduction to both the setting and the game system. It gives enough background information to understand the context and flavor of the Haunted Highlands, without being too overwhelming or boring. It also summarizes the main rules of Castles & Crusades, which are easy to learn and use. The chapter is well-written and engaging, with a clear and consistent tone.
Races
The Races chapter presents four new races that are native to the Haunted Highlands: the Auld Ones, the Craggen, the Half-Elves, and the Highlanders. Each race has its own traits, abilities, and background. The Auld Ones are ancient beings that have lived in the Highlands since before recorded history. They are wise and secretive, but also aloof and arrogant. The Craggen are fierce warriors that dwell in the mountains and caves. They are loyal and brave, but also savage and stubborn. The Half-Elves are descendants of humans and elves that have intermingled in the Highlands. They are adaptable and charismatic, but also restless and conflicted. The Highlanders are humans that have settled in the Highlands after fleeing from oppression or persecution. They are hardy and resourceful, but also proud and rebellious.
The Races chapter is interesting and balanced, offering new possibilities and challenges for players. The new races are well-designed and fleshed out, with their own history, culture, and personality. They also have their own advantages and disadvantages, making them suitable for different play styles and preferences. The chapter also provides some tips on how to role-play each race effectively.
Classes
The Classes chapter offers new specializations and spells for the existing classes in Castles & Crusades, such as the Barbarian, the Bard, the Druid, and the Witch. The specializations are optional features that allow players to customize their characters further by choosing a specific path or focus within their class. For example, a Barbarian can choose to be a Berserker, a Raider, or a Shaman; a Bard can choose to be a Minstrel, a Skald, or a Troubadour; a Druid can choose to be a Circle Keeper, a Shapechanger, or a Wildspeaker; and a Witch can choose to be a Hexer, a Seer, or a Weaver. Each specialization grants additional abilities and benefits that reflect its theme and role. The chapter also introduces new spells that are unique to each class or specialization, such as Blood Rage for Berserkers, Call of Valhalla for Skalds, Animal Companion for Shapechangers, and Evil Eye for Hexers.
The Classes chapter is useful and fun, offering more options and variety for players. The new specializations and spells are creative and flavorful, enhancing the identity and power of each class or specialization. They also fit well with the setting and its atmosphere, adding more depth and immersion to the game.
Gazetteer
The Gazetteer chapter provides a detailed description of the Haunted Highlands region, including its major locations, factions, deities, and monsters. It also includes a map of the area and some adventure hooks. The chapter covers various aspects of the setting, such as its geography, climate, resources, politics, religion, magic, and folklore. The chapter also introduces some of the threats and mysteries that lurk in the Highlands, such as the Dark Lords, the Cursed Lands, the Haunting, and the Old Ones. The chapter is comprehensive and useful, giving enough information to run adventures in the Haunted Highlands without being overwhelming or restrictive. It also leaves room for customization and exploration, allowing game masters to create their own stories and scenarios in the setting.
Presentation
The book is well-written and illustrated, with a clear layout and a consistent tone. The writing style is engaging and descriptive, capturing the mood and flavor of the setting. The layout is organized and easy to follow, with headings, subheadings, tables, and sidebars. The illustrations are beautiful and evocative, depicting the characters, locations, and creatures of the setting. The book is also clear and consistent, with few errors or inconsistencies. The book follows the same format and style as the other Castles & Crusades books, making it compatible and coherent with them.
Conclusion
Castles & Crusades Players Guide to the Haunted Highlands is a solid and enjoyable supplement for fans of Castles & Crusades and fantasy role-playing games in general. It offers a lot of new content and inspiration for players who want to experience a dark and gritty fantasy world full of horror and adventure. It is not perfect, but it is definitely worth checking out if you are looking for something different and exciting for your game.
Castles & Crusades Players Guide to the Haunted Highlands on DrivethruRpg
