tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post2970193508741964375..comments2024-03-26T00:09:13.941-07:00Comments on Dungeon of Signs: REVIEW OF I3 - PHARAOH Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-17449650176849091002023-02-15T17:45:33.569-08:002023-02-15T17:45:33.569-08:00Totally agree. It's not the module that makes...Totally agree. It's not the module that makes it boring. it's the DM. A good DM can take this and make it vastly more enjoyable -- as I have. Running it for the 3rd time right now, and my players have never been disappointed.Scotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-91221939060949306022023-02-12T13:48:50.364-08:002023-02-12T13:48:50.364-08:00A lot of changes for the better were made from I3 ...A lot of changes for the better were made from I3 to create the combined Desert of Desolation of I3-I4-I5. The first part of it up to White Palm Oasis (essentially the improved I3 module) was atmospheric, drew a fair amount from history/archeology in creating the pyramid complex, and was awesome to play in. In fact, it still is in the top 10 dungeons I played in over 40 years. However, the whole campaign lost stream after the pyramid dungeon - nothing bested it, too early a climax. Kubonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-22809266805276714292017-05-31T11:09:38.884-07:002017-05-31T11:09:38.884-07:00I agree that the opening plot hook is cheeky, but ...I agree that the opening plot hook is cheeky, but I couldn't disagree more with your overall review. Changing the treasure more to your liking is easy enough. Also, the pyramid tomb itself has some good traps/tricks for the players. How about climbing through a painting to emerge in the clouds 10,000 feet above the pyramid, with an ancient reed boat just out of reach with the real treasure inside? You call that boring?!?!ShyberKrysthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05354952366634724043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-43427310572697897542016-06-28T12:05:39.360-07:002016-06-28T12:05:39.360-07:00A bland template that fails to include what is act...A bland template that fails to include what is actually useful to a GM ... evocative detail and wonder. Don't blame the time period, Tamochan has these things at least, and bits of Pharoh even hint at it, but all coin treasure and a monster hotel do not make even a useful template.Gus Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872819206286105195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-86758671493564984012016-06-28T11:44:44.962-07:002016-06-28T11:44:44.962-07:00I read this lambaste of one of the better series o...I read this lambaste of one of the better series of modules of their time. Of course we bloody well ignore the moronic beginning adventure hook. How can you call skeletons, mummies, various groups with divergent aims and antipathies boring? You seem to think that the AD&D / D&D Modules are supposed to be finished products - but they are not. They are a structure, a canvas to be painted - not Skyrim. Yes, these modules are mere sketches - but a great DM will make them into Howardian towers of spider haunted mystery that they could be. They aren't a script - they are a template. Bret Goldsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00806674964218813228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-81601988374628019632014-01-02T17:33:52.613-08:002014-01-02T17:33:52.613-08:00It's not the round numbers Keith, it's the...It's not the round numbers Keith, it's the boring. Everything should be round numbers - but it need not be boring - heck even Gygax managed that in 1978. Like in D4 - Vault of the drow everything is worth round numbers of GP. Yet, it's not borning, why because it's not all coinage. Like 2,000 GP platinum scroll case, sounds valuable and sounds like something a Drow commander would wave around to look decadent. <br /><br />A mummy's tomb? Why is it filled with coins. I mean there are actual reords of the cool stuff found in ancient Egyptian tombs, alabaster statuary, golden masks, chariots, incense, lapis inlays, silver jugs etc etc. Why not use that - it's not many additional words really.<br /><br />Rats, it's like the idea of a huge rat is disgusting and terrifying, but if you say "Giant Rat" the rpg gamer goes - "1/2 HD, AC 8, 1 ATK, DAM 1D4" or something. Call it a featherless vulture or feral lizard monkey and it's suddenly scary.Gus Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872819206286105195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-69752661073740573622014-01-02T15:50:52.180-08:002014-01-02T15:50:52.180-08:00You had the round numbers, but at least you didn&#...You had the round numbers, but at least you didn't have the rats...Keith Davieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08411665536982769550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-18115878858757241902013-12-26T12:12:43.966-08:002013-12-26T12:12:43.966-08:00Pretty new. I've been reading for a couple mo...Pretty new. I've been reading for a couple months now. I'll check it out!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-6111109379359247772013-12-26T11:58:55.852-08:002013-12-26T11:58:55.852-08:00Always nice to hear from a new(?) reader that they...Always nice to hear from a new(?) reader that they are enjoying stuff I post. Here's a larger thought on the nature of gonzo games (and the source of the Poultry-Rex discussion)<br /><br />http://dungeonofsigns.blogspot.com/2013/02/thoughts-on-gonzo-games.htmlGus Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872819206286105195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-21622924480775450392013-12-26T11:03:52.812-08:002013-12-26T11:03:52.812-08:00"The key to a good gonzo game is that the sil..."The key to a good gonzo game is that the silly is deadly seriousness for the characters."<br /><br />This is a wonderful mantra.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-10075177565999018032013-12-25T15:58:44.992-08:002013-12-25T15:58:44.992-08:00I ran this for my group back in the early 80's...I ran this for my group back in the early 80's and it was a lot of fun. Looking back now I agree with most of your comments on it, particularly the bad railroady start and the boring treasures. If I were to run it again I'd spruce it up a lot first.Priddayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17988483528642234280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-50720974380919611802013-12-25T04:49:06.403-08:002013-12-25T04:49:06.403-08:00I like this when I was 14 when it came out and we ...I like this when I was 14 when it came out and we enjoyed it then. Still a few bits I would use. Mid era modules best for art and maps not story or interesting archaeology. I couldn't railroad players like this anymore.Konsumterrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18170560484656800416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-43012390665117445862013-12-24T18:13:34.913-08:002013-12-24T18:13:34.913-08:00Definitely save the maps, write your own hooks, an...Definitely save the maps, write your own hooks, and swap out the encounters and your obviously better ideas. This module is best used as a framework for your own ideas of a good Egyptian themed adventure. Five bucks is way too much for this one as is.David Baymillerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18345422887590571509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-23589154794465080772013-12-24T17:49:59.157-08:002013-12-24T17:49:59.157-08:00You could - but why? I mean if you men steal a fe...You could - but why? I mean if you men steal a few bits and put an adventure in a pseudo Egyptian desert sure - that would be great, especially if you made everyone wear linen armor and carry sickle swords - or set it much later with hind of a horrible D&D people as colonialists and the locals trying to trick them into awakening all the mummy lichs. Yet, that wouldn't be this module. You could even use the maps, but the problem here is that there's just a startling lack of kick-ass.Gus Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872819206286105195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607464045429311026.post-40955085246126361242013-12-24T14:31:04.790-08:002013-12-24T14:31:04.790-08:00From this review, I think I could make a kick-ass ...From this review, I think I could make a kick-ass version of this module as the opening gambit for a new campaign.<br /><br />Basically identical to the module, but made of fun and kick-ass instead of boring and boring.Dyson Logoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14352404068239792475noreply@blogger.com