Customer Reviews

Crypt of Lyzandred the Mad (AD&D 2nd Ed Fantasy Roleplaying, Greyhawk Setting)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The best of the three-module Lost Tombs set. The DM is provided with a wide selection of puzzles, riddles and combat encounters, so many in fact that less than half will probably be used, leaving the remainder available for use in other scenarios. A few of the puzzles and riddles are of the groaner type as in "who's buried in Grant's Tomb?" and the algebra problems get somewhat repetitive, but overall I thought they were fairly entertaining and quite a bit different from the usual chestnuts that pass for riddles or puzzles in published scenarios. Hack and slashers need not despair, there are plenty of combat areas and failure to figure out the puzzles in time usually results in a fight as well.

Most of the encounters have some Greyhawk "flavor" added to them and Reynolds cleverly includes a few encounters that utilize scenes from the classic Greyhawk modules of yesteryear. The Greyhawk references are certainly not overwhelming, however, and a real strength of the adventure is that it could easily be adapted to any other campaign.

There are a few Greyhawk timeline errors in the background information, but nothing fatal. If the writing has any real faults, it might be an overdependence on overwhelming magical coercion of the PCs and tacky plot devices that rely on magical means to attain mundane result. Both methods smack a little too much of that other (ick) campaign world where wizards routinely waste telekinesis spells on fetching themselves a mug of beer from ten feet away. These are certainly minor quibbles, the Crypt of Lyzandred the Mad should prove useful and amusing for GMs in any campaign.

Crypt of Lyzandred the Mad is a well written and conceived module. The layout of the adventure is fluid so that no two DM's will run the module in exactly the same way. There is sufficient detail to flesh the out and tailor the adventure, keeping even the most adept adventurer on their toes. The plot is solid and the challenges the players face can range from deadly traps to puzzle solving encounters, it's up to the DM. The only drawback is that use of the module requires significant set up and can't really be played directly from the book without a good amount of preparation, but it's worth the effort.

If you like puzzles and challenges, this is where you need to send your characters. A huge mass of puzzles in the extra-dimensional maze of a crypt.

Some may not like the puzzles, as they do include logic puzzles, numeric calculations, and algebraic figures. But hey -- I guess the characters can just fail to pass those puzzles...

OK, the way I see it, puerile kids may think this is the thinking man's module but any adults will cringe.

TSR always has figured that their audience has no link with reality as they pepper their adventures with implausible plots, insane characters, and magic that makes no sense.

Here, we are led to believe that the adventure has plenty of riddles to thwart the players. First off, the majority of the riddles are so lame they make no sense. At first I thought this module was a joke, like Castle Greyhawk but much to my dismay it was not. While I enjoy math, I don't enjoy sitting down to do algebra while I game. If it were plausible I might allow it but it is thrown in for no reason. And will the players want to wade through riddle after riddle that tests the players INT? How can you roleplay this?

The organization is shoddy which turns this contraption into a GM's nightmare.

As for realism, how did the protaganist create all of this? He sure does notseem to have the magical prowess in the final encounter. Further, his motivations are lame too. It just makes no sense. This adventure will appeal to those who don't care for any semblance of realism in their campaign.

Please TSR, if you insist on advertising adventures with riddles to try and attract gamers who want something more than average, give it a coherent theme and a real reason for existing.

Lamer than lame!

My group played this module a while ago and we had a lot of fun with it. The puzzles were fun and challenging; and there were plenty of monsters to thwap if you didn't like puzzles.

One of the better adventures to come around, Crypt of Lyzandred the Mad is a fun time for a gaming group. Sean K. Reynolds has produced all quality work so far, lets hope he keeps his pattern going.

This module certainly keeps your group hopping. There are enough encounters to play through it more than once. They are quite varied for the most part and it is easy to hop from riddle to straight out hack and slash to keep everyone in the group happy.