Customer Reviews

Conan: Tales of the Black Kingdoms (Conan RPG)

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Conan - Tales of the Black Kingdoms is the latest in the line of outstanding supplements from Mongoose Publishing set within the Hyborian kingdoms during the ancient, forgotten era of Conan the Barbarian. In this supplement, the players travel to those dark jungles of lands such as Keshan, Darfar, Kush, and the Black Coast for three adventures that can be played separately or as one full campaign. The first adventure, "Shroud over Zabhela" is designed for five to six PCs of 3rd to 4th level. The characters have arrive in the port of Zabhela aboard an Argossean merchant ship. The ruling class in of Kush are hiding their daughters in fear of the servants of the ape god Jullah. The player's investigation will soon put them in confrontation with a band of assassins and in search of a treasure map.

In "Ruins of Atlaia" the players find themselves captured by Tibu slavers and then manage to escape when the slavers are raided by a more dangerous rival clan of warriors. On the run they find themselves surrounded by enemies in a dangerous until they find aid from a princess who leads them to the Temple of Olorin. Finally, in "Red Citadel" the players will find themselves in pursuit of the assassins of the Scarlet Hand and the scepter that was stolen from them in the previous adventure and a final face off with the forces behind the trouble in the black kingdoms.

Those unfamiliar with Robert E. Howard's Hyborian realms should know that this was not a typical D&D type universe where there are loads of monsters and magic items to be found. Most of the foes the players face will be human long with some various animal beasts. But the campaign has a very strong Howard feel to it. It has that dense, tautly written flavor of a Howard story and the adventure will keep even the most seasoned player on their toes as they venture through this very strange and dangerous new territory. It's an adventure that should be run by an experienced DM that is familiar with Conan and Howard's stories to really capture the proper mood and setting. The players will find more than enough challenges in this adventure. I'd recommend going on the high side of the suggested PC level and having six PCs total. A diversified group will work best but you'll want to have at least 3 good fighters whether they are straight fighters or multi-classed.

All in all a very enjoyable adventure and another winner from Mongoose!

Nick Berquist is no Christopher Dolunt (See My Review Nyambe African Adventures). While Conan Tales of the Black Kingdoms is an interesting yarn its storyline could have been improved. How? Well, unlike Dolunt, who created and undoubtably researched African-stlyed civilizations and cultures, Berquist only rehashes what was started by Howard in the 1930s. These antiquated ideas from the early 20th century simply do not work in the early 21st century.

There were mistakes in characterizations. On pages 31 and 33 we see this as Agabundah's daughter is referred to as Kirisi, yet on page 33 she is referred to as Erishka. Then on page 51 or 53 we see the king (Previously Called Agabundah) referred to as Thamaug. What is going on here? Poor editing and proofreading, that is what!

Furthermore, the Wadai tribesman are said to be Kushites on page 59, yet their lands are thousands of miles south from the area called Kush. The Black Kingdoms are vast, with huge tracts of territory that even Conan did not traverse.

Subtle racism was written into the storyline. "...wipe the influence of the white man from Wadai lands" (P67). Then two pages later: "...Kulbahath will rise and cast these white devils out of his land" (P69). This could be construed as racism by anyone hailing from/having European descent. The stereotypical cover does not help things either. A black woman on all fours looking to be an animal along with a brutish black man with a panga in his hand. Perhaps I'm looking too deeply into this but I have a basis for comparison. Emirates of Ylaruam, Endless Sands and the aforementioned Nyambe African Adventures avoided stereotypes and outright racism whilst blending in the beautiful cultures they were composited from.

I also wish that there could have been more characters integrated from the actual lands of the Black Kingdoms instead of having to rely on NPCs (Well-Written I Will Admit) that would only become cumbersome for an overworked Gamemaster to control. Chris Dolunt created whole cultures based upon African societies from the past and present, thus allowing a player to create a denizen-character from the land that was being written about. Berquist could and should have done this as well.

What did I like about the module? The interior colour map added detail to Howard's world and is/was something I can't get enough of. Indeed, I will look forward to keeping a copy by my bedside when I read books set in the region (Conan Lord of the Black River Comes To Mind). I liked the non-player characters as they were presented--both protagonists and antagonists and the minor character NPCs. Artelios, Anubar, Erishke, Ebar (And Many More) were a delight to read about and will no doubt be a boon to any GM conducting his own campaign. That said, I cannot reccomend this game booklet. Compared to the aforementioned modules, I feel it pales in comparison. Don't take my word for it, read them for yourself and you'll see what I mean.

I might add that Berquist did integrate a few of the real life monsters from Nyambe African Adventures to his Conan Tales of the Black Kingdoms adventure story. This was wise and I'm glad that it was done.

A. Nathaniel Wallace, Jr.