Customer Reviews

The Emirate of Ylaruam: Special Module Gaz2 (Dungeons & Dragons)

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Here's the ultimate desert setting for the world of Mystara - if you're playing the classic module B4, The Lost City, you need this! You get a giant, gorgeous poster map of the Emirates, plus full details on the cultures, caravans, magic, and treasures of the intriguing clans themselves. Lots of atmospheric details - adventure hooks, customs and taboos, monsters, and more... a wonderful sourcebook for anyone interested in running fast, mysterious "Arabian" adventures!

The Emirates of Ylaruam is a fantastic module for the D&D gaming system. It creates a world that one can delve into with a clarity and effusive joy that would not be expected for a game system that has mostly been Eurocentric in nature.

At 64 pages, the module is short and concise, which means it can be read in less than two or three sittings if one concentrates. This module came 15 years (1987) before the Endless Sands D20 supplement (2002). While that booklet was more detailed in certain ares such as detailed descriptions of cities and places (There Were Only Four), The Emirates of Ylaruam module surpasses Endless Sands with the multitude of maps and drawings (See The Fantastic Pull-Out Map) that bring clarity and advanced realism to the Alasiyan Desert. The exterior maps of the University and the palace of the Caliph were all remarkably well done!

Like the Endless Sands booklet, the towns and small cities are described with much detail, but seem to be more sparsely populated than Endless Sands. Indeed, one city in Endless Sands seems to equal the population of all the Emirates' population combined! This makes Emirates of Ylaruam more realistic. Like the John Norman book Tribesman of Gor, Emirates of Ylaruam populations (Nomadic Or City Dweller) are smaller than what would be encountered in more fertile areas outside their desert domains. Thus the people are rugged and resilient in the face of their arid environment. The descriptions of the political organizations these denizens live in are given much detail in Emirates of Ylaruam.

Description is given to Emirates' law, society, people and geography. Unlike Endless Sands, religion is described in detail while in Endless Sands it is mentioned only in one or two pages of text. The Emirates of Ylaruam detail the religion of The Eternal Truth and it's prophet Al-Kalim in detail which is alluded to repeatedly throughout the book. While interesting, I felt it went a bit too far for a Fantasy game. I like to be entertained when I play or read, not preached to (Even In Superficial Make Believe Ways). But this is a quibble I have. The overall concept by the brilliant Ken Rolston was sound-- as were his adventure hook ideas. Too, the Non-Player Characters were richly described and not at all superficial. They were realistic!

As of this writing, Brian Pinzon is selling a brand new copy for $40.24! That is a great price for an out of print 24-year-old module booklet. I got my new one from Ian485 for a similar price and have been extremely pleased. Any price higher than $45.00 for a new book and I would suggest you buy used. Even then it's probably not worth it.

Buy this module and The Endless Sands. Read them both for comparison. You will enjoy them and see their similarities. The writers of these books did their research. After you read them you won't be disappointed.

A. Nathaniel Wallace, Jr.

I was a little surprised that I could still acquire such an item in almost new condition. I am pleased of the product and it arrived fairly quickly. The outside cover had some ware but aside from that every thing is fine. I look forward to an futre bussiness.