Publisher: Troll Lord Games
Introduction
If you are a fan of tower adventures, you might want to check out Towers of Adventure Master, a PDF that contains 15 tower illustrations with maps, adventure hooks, charts, NPCs, monsters, treasures, and traps. It is a product by James M. Ward, a veteran game designer who has worked on many classic RPGs such as Gamma World, Deities & Demigods, and Metamorphosis Alpha. In this review, I will tell you what I liked and disliked about this PDF, and why I think it is worth buying.
Content
Towers of Adventure Master is a PDF that is compatible with the Castles & Crusades Role Playing Game, but it can also be adapted to other fantasy RPGs with some modifications. The PDF is designed to help you create and run tower adventures for your players. It has the following features:
- 15 tower illustrations with maps: Each illustration shows a different tower with its exterior and interior details. The maps are clear and easy to read, and they have numbers that correspond to the rooms in the tower. You can use the illustrations and maps as they are, or you can modify them according to your preferences.
- Adventure hooks: Each tower has a brief description and a list of possible adventure hooks that can motivate the players to explore the tower. The adventure hooks are varied and interesting, ranging from rescuing a princess to stealing a treasure to destroying a cult.
- Charts: The PDF has several charts that help you generate random elements for your tower adventures. These include charts for room contents, room features, room hazards, room occupants, room treasures, and room traps. You can use these charts to create millions of different towers by assigning numbers to the rooms and rolling dice.
- NPCs: The PDF has a list of NPCs that can be encountered in the towers. These include allies, enemies, neutrals, and special characters. The NPCs have names, descriptions, stats, and personalities. They are diverse and colorful, ranging from cloud giants to gnomes to zombies.
- Monsters: The PDF has a list of monsters that can be encountered in the towers. These include common monsters, rare monsters, and unique monsters. The monsters have names, descriptions, stats, and abilities. They are challenging and fun to fight, ranging from dragons to manticores to beholders.
- Treasures: The PDF has a list of treasures that can be found in the towers. These include mundane items, magic items, gems, jewelry, and coins. The treasures have names, descriptions, values, and effects. They are rewarding and tempting, ranging from swords to rings to crowns.
- Traps: The PDF has a list of traps that can be triggered in the towers. These include mechanical traps, magical traps, natural traps, and special traps. The traps have names, descriptions, triggers, effects, and saves. They are risky and dangerous, ranging from pits to arrows to curses.
Pros
There are many things that I liked about Towers of Adventure Master. Here are some of them:
- It is easy to use: The PDF has clear instructions on how to create and run a tower adventure. It also has examples and tips that make the process easier and more enjoyable.
- It is versatile: The PDF allows you to customize the towers according to your campaign setting and style. You can change the names, locations, themes, levels, and difficulties of the towers as you wish.
- It is creative: The PDF offers endless possibilities and hours of fun. You can create millions of different towers by using the charts and tables provided. You can also mix and match the elements from different towers to create your own unique combinations.
- It is high-quality: The PDF is well-written and well-edited. It has no typos or errors that I could find. It also has well-done illustrations and maps that give a good sense of the tower’s layout and atmosphere.
Cons
There are not many things that I disliked about Towers of Adventure Master. Here are some of them:
- It is not very original: The PDF does not have any new or innovative ideas that I have not seen before in other RPG products. It mostly uses existing concepts and tropes from fantasy literature and gaming.
- It is not very detailed: The PDF does not have much depth or background information about the towers or their inhabitants. It mostly focuses on the mechanics and gameplay aspects of the tower adventures.
- It is not very interactive: The PDF does not have much dialogue or role-playing opportunities for the players or the NPCs. It mostly relies on combat and exploration as the main sources of entertainment.
Conclusion
Towers of Adventure Master is a great resource for any Castle Keeper who wants to create exciting and varied adventures for their players. It is a PDF that contains 15 tower illustrations with maps, adventure hooks, charts, NPCs, monsters, treasures, and traps. You can use the PDF to generate millions of different towers by assigning numbers to the rooms and using the tables provided. The PDF also allows you to customize the towers according to your campaign setting and style.
The PDF is easy to use and has clear instructions on how to create and run a tower adventure. The illustrations and maps are well-done and give a good sense of the tower’s layout and atmosphere. The NPCs and monsters are interesting and diverse, ranging from cloud giants to gnomes to zombies. The treasures and traps are also fun and challenging, offering rewards and risks for the adventurers.
The PDF is compatible with the Castles & Crusades Role Playing Game, but it can also be adapted to other fantasy RPGs with some modifications. The PDF is designed by James M. Ward, a veteran game designer who has worked on many classic RPGs such as Gamma World, Deities & Demigods, and Metamorphosis Alpha. He brings his experience and creativity to this product, making it a valuable addition to any Castle Keeper’s library.
Castles & Crusades Towers of Adventure Master on DrivethruRpg
