ASC3 Review - Interdimensional Tunnels of the Sluggobs

Adventure Site Contest 3 review

This adventure was submitted for consideration in Adventure Site Contest 3 being run by Ben Gibson at Coldlight Press. This is an unofficial review, which was written prior to reading (or watching) any of the official judges’ reviews. Links to the official reviews are at the bottom of the review. 

Five-star rating scale, based on both playability and interest:
*          Failing grade. The adventure doesn’t meet minimum standards of playability.
**         I could see running this, but it fails to inspire me or has significant playability issues.
***       I would consider running this.
****     I am considering running this.
*****   I want to run this. Now.

 

Interdimensional Tunnels of the Sluggobs
By Gábor Csomós (Chomy)
For Swords & Wizardry
Levels 4-5

Time to grok the adventure: 20 minutes 

Set-up: 

A series of passageways provides refuge to chaotic creatures but also provides an inter-dimensional connection to five disparate locations. It is ruled by an annis hag.

Things I like:

Having a way for a party to traverse large distances can be very useful for a GM. Players like it too. 

With a little luck, and depending on which entrances are being used, a party could traverse the passageways numerous times with little danger and without bothering to explore it.

The hodge-podge of NPCs and evil creatures is what makes this site interesting to explore. It also makes the site easy to customize or re-stock. Combat is always a danger, but it can absolutely be avoided.

Things to note:

The GM has to provide the five locations linked by this site, so it would only be useful in an ongoing campaign. 

The book reference for the annis hag isn’t given. I assume it is either Monstrosities or the Monster Book.

The author gives these annis hags some additional powers, and each of the three hag sisters is given different ones at that. Nothing overboard though. 

When the younger sister curses the party, it isn’t clear whether this has a magical effect or whether she is just telling them off.

The room numbering is off by two for certain rooms. For example, entrances referred to at locations 11 and 19 are actually locations 13 and 21. 

Rating:

****  An adventure site for a campaign, providing both a means of rapid travel and interesting role-playing possibilities

Links to official judges' reviews:

• B/X Blackrazor