Customer Reviews

Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan (Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Module C1)

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Similar to the classic Tomb of Horrors module, Tamoachan has a seperate book of art by classic TSR artists such as Erol Otus, Jeff Dee, Darlene, and others. Nice.

The Monochrome is the 1980 version. The color cover version -- essentially identical inside -- was released in 1982. (There's also an ultra-rare 1st edition called "Lost Tamoachan" (1979), with less than 500 copies released.)

This module was originally an official tournament module at one of the big conventions in the 70's, hence it's narrow focus on a one-dungeon setting and seeming lack of plot. Designed for a small party of 3rd - 6th level characters, it can be played through in one or two sessions.
What I found most appealing was the introduction of a completely different, Meso-American setting highlighted by the included supplement depicting various rooms and features of the dungeon. Erol Otis' artwork is especially well-suited to this mileu, just as his was to the H.P. Lovecraft mythos in the first ed. Deities and Demigods.
Problem-solving and wariness are critical to success in this adventure; don't count on a whole lot of hacking and slashing.

This adventure is a random collection of encounters tossed together with no logical pattern, rhyme and/or reason. What makes it annoying is why all of these monsters are living together in such a confined space. No explanation is given. This is the sort of adventure that you come up with for your friends when you're 12. Just a bunch of monsters and fighting, and it isn't a complete adventure. There are places in the book where it is up to the DM to fill in the details. Sound nice in one sense, but you are paying for the book. You could've saved your money, and made up stuff anyway.