Product Name: The Stew
Publisher: Rogue Games
Author: Richard Iorio II
System: 12°
Setting: Shadow, Sword & Spell
Series:
Theme: Pulp Fantasy
Type: Adventure
Link: http://www.rogue-games.net/
The Stew is a location-based adventure module for Shadow, Sword & Spell and seems to be designed for lower level characters with roughly 4 – 6 in a single party. There are two parts to the location with the first being primarily investigative and the second being the overall purpose of the adventure. It’s a great mixture of encounters and twisted secrets with a grand narrative creating the framework.
While “The Stew” may seem like an odd title, it has a very twisted meaning which I will not divulge; players will have to figure it out themselves. The narrative does a fantastic job of not only framing the adventure but also moving it along at a good pace and providing the GM with lots of material that can be incorporated into the adventure at almost any time. The Stew does a fantastic job of establishing how a humanistic pulp fantasy adventure could look and feel. I’d be interested to see how the Expert core rulebook would enhance this adventure.
Background
Chapter 1 is dedicated to the background of the setting in which you learn of the story, the purpose, and an introduction to some of the NPCs that are pertinent to the adventure. This background story is narrative and extremely easy to read. Not only does it create the framework of the adventure, it also creates a number of potential adventure seeds, ideas to enhance this adventure, and possibly even a starting point for a full campaign. Much of this information could be shared with the PCs throughout the process of investigation or as the GM sees fit. The GM could explain this background once the adventure is done but the one thing is clear, this gives the GM all the information they need to frame their adventure storyline.
Player Introduction
Chapter 2 is the player introduction in which the PCs come to the location and meet their main NPC contact. Not much else happens here but it is the actual game-play starting point.
Setting
Chapter 3 gives the framework of the setting including the important locations, pertinent NPCs, a map, and the sources of investigation throughout the location. This is a very important part of the adventure as it gives the players and their characters the information necessary to understand their quest and decide what steps should be taken throughout the quest and afterward, should they succeed. There are a few NPCs introduced in the setting that could be used as valuable allies or informants for future adventures or a full campaign.
Adventure
Chapters 4 – 6 are the questing portions of the adventure after the PCs have learned everything they need. Part of the quest is a journey to the pre-determined location while part of it is the investigation of the actual location. There are many secrets to be discovered here and some that are just plain twisted. I thoroughly enjoyed the combination of combat and non-combat encounters including the simple investigation and what is to be found.
OVERALL
The Stew is a great start to any Shadow, Sword & Spell campaign or as a way to framework future adventures. The storyline is well developed and follows a great flow from beginning to end. The NPCs introduced are interesting and could make potential allies in the future. There is a great combination of combat and skill encounters with a fair amount of investigation. The adventure really incorporates many aspects of the game giving GMs and players a taste of its full potential.
RATINGS
Publication Quality: 10 out of 10
The layout is simple, clean, and easy to follow. There are a fair number of illustrations and a pair of maps detailing the important parts of the location. I love the vast amount of narrative and the clean presentation of all “parts” to the adventure. One of the best selling points of The Stew is the vast amount of background and details provided giving the GM a clear picture of the events leading up to this point and offering many ideas for ways to enhance or further detail the adventure.
Storyline: 10 out of 10
The storyline truly shines within The Stew. It not only creates the detailed framework and flows well from beginning to end, but it also creates adventure seeds for future adventures or the start of a continuing campaign either within this setting or using the presented NPCs.
Desire to Play: 10 out of 10
This adventure has a high amount of flexibility and options for all types of game-play. The only play type not featured is a simple hack-and-slash. However, the setting does allow for this with some GM changes and a deviation from the main storyline. The result is a storyline and setting that is conducive to all types of play styles and could be desirable for all players and any character they could create.
Overall: 10 out of 10
I highly recommend picking up The Stew not only for running the adventure but also as an example of how a Pulp Fantasy adventure could be run, a great storyline, lots of adventure seeds, well-developed NPCs, and a location with great potential. This is a great starting point for anyone’s endeavors into Shadow, Sword & Spell.
