Customer Reviews

Return to the Keep on the Borderlands (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons)

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

 

 

You'd think it would be a tall order, trying to improve on a classic like Keep on the Borderlands, that hoary introductory module that probably introduced the D&D game to more players than any other TSR product before or since. Most sequels suffer in comparison to the original, but happily that is not the case here.

The real strength of the old KOTB was that not only did it serve as a fertile seed from which a full-blown campaign could grow, it was also a terrific vehicle for introducing new players to the game and lots of fun even for experienced players starting out a new group of PCs. The new version loses none of that and also adds considerable text aimed at fledgling DMs that explains the various game mechanics, how to handle them in play and brief treatises on the monsters that will be encountered in the module. The advice and ideas presented are quite sound, even an experienced DM is likely to find a useful idea or three.

While the terrain and creatures are going to be familiar to anyone that played or DMed the original, Return is set several years later and there have been considerable changes, some obvious, others less so, since the first bands of adventurers ventured into the Caves of Chaos all those years ago. The new order of things is well-thought out and there will probably even be several amusing moments for veterans of the original adventure when they get to see the results of "their" handiwork through the eyes of their current crop of PCs.

Like the original, RKOTB is split into two main sections, the Keep itself and the adventuring area, the Caves of Chaos. The Keep is finely detailed with numerous NPCs, most of whom are fully described and who frequently have nifty secrets that the DM can employ as plot devices when desired. The Caves are likewise described in detail with useful notes on what the inhabitants do when the PCs arrive and the kind of steps that they will take after the PCs have shown up a time or two. Some of the lairs are similar to those in the original, others only look that way and some are completely different.

Overall, Return could easily provide fuel for many weeks if not months of campaigning as the PCs explore the various caves, get to know the inhabitants of the Keep and investigate the many and varied mysteries of the area. It doesn't matter whether you are introducing the D&D game to a group of neophytes or old hands that have been through the original KOTB a dozen times, they (and you) will still get a solid kick out of Return to the Keep on the Borderlands. Highly recommended.

Extremely fun to play! I highly recommend this for experienced and novice player alike. "AD&D Silver Anniversary, Return to the Keep on the Borderlands Adventure", is a particularly well done rewrite of the classic original. The keep itself is described in plentiful detail, including numerous NPC descriptions. The area immediately surrounding the Keep is also well described with more than enough potential encounters to keep your players busy for quite some time. And the description of the Caves of Chaos, just a hop from the Keep, is very well written and an enjoyable read. This adventure module is certain to provide many sessions of fun and challenging play, and is definitely worth the money.

There are a few problems, however, which is why this only gets a 4 star review. First, the artwork dispersed amongst the text is pathetic. But that's a minor issue. More importantly, there are several inconsistencies that old Greyhawkers will surely notice. For instance, the location is not quite right, and the background for a few NPCs strongly conflicts with Greyhawk history. Additionally, a few of the potential encounters could easily wipe out a low level party, leaving all characters dead, or severely injured (missing limbs, etc.). Fortunately for you and me, some individuals were kind enough to publish "fixes" for the Return to the Keep on the Borderlands. The article is in an on-line journal called the Oerth Journal. It is a Greyhawk journal where DMs (and players, I suppose) write articles about Greyhawk. In the most recent issue, someone modified the new Keep on the Borderlands to make it a bit more survivable for low level characters, and to fit with actual Greyhawk canon material. No, it does not contain the complete module, that would be illegal, only suggested re-writes for a few paragraphs, and a great suggestion for more appropriate placement of the Keep in the World of Greyhawk.

The URL for the site is: http://members.xoom.com/cogh/ This is the Council of Greyhawk website. The Oerth Journal that has this article is OJ#11

With the corrections in this article this module would easily receive a 5 star rating, with out hesitation. As I stated, I strongly recommend you purchase this most excellent Adventure Module, sure to be enjoyable for months. And stop by the above mentioned web site to obtain the few fixes that will make this module truly outstanding!

Enjoy the Chaos!

This module, "Return to the Keep", is very well developed. I have just run my first session in it and I am already having a great deal of fun with the NPCs in the module. There is so much going on at the Keep now, and in the caves. Perfect begining module for any DM. Begining DM's will benefit from the very helpful advice. Old pros will have many well developed plots to place their players in the middle of. Excellent module.

It was like going back to someplace you haven't been in awhile to see everything that has changed. I have used "Return to The Keep" twice, first group tried a slash and burn approach (it will not work even if you are higher than the recommended levels). Second group tried political intrigue, and had enjoyable adventure.

Much more depth than the old B2. An excellent way to Return to Greyhawk. Made me look forward to The Giants coming in August!

(ADVICE TO DM's; do some homework on your NPC's, good guys and bad guys. They make this adventure work.)

Let's face it, for most of us who grew up playing D&D 20 odd years ago, the Keep on the Borderlands was the first adventure we all played. I was really looking forward to this re-write because i'd played the original so many times my PC's knew it back to front: eg, (DM)"you see a pair of shapely legs around the corner" - (PC)"look out, it's that Medusa again!!". So taking your players through this adventure is certainly a surprise for returning players. The background of the keep and recent developments in the area are great additions to the original module. Criticisms are that it is a bit too hard for 1st level players, and the silly Minotaur maze which somehow got excavated within the existing caves without anyone noticing. I just ommited that part entirely. In summary, a good game but not as good as the original.

"Return to the Keep on the Borderlands" is a good, challenging adventure. Being a reformation of the original adventure that came with the original boxed set of the D&D game, it helps new gamemasters at their craft.

However, Yeomary was one region I needed more detail on, but the detail about the keep wasn't lacking at all.

It's a challenging adventure for player characters played by dungeon hackers, but those players who wants a great plot will have to depend on the DM to provide it.

Other than that, the adventure is awesome. And this is coming from a guy who started roleplaying in D&D at age twelve (1986). I highly reccomend it to any one who wants a good night of casual play.

I've been playing D&D for 17 years (yes, that's right, seventeen years. . .jeez, has it been that long?), and this was the first module we played, and since then I've played it a few more times as both PC and DM, and it still never loses it's flair. The 25th Anniversary issue is even better! More detail to the Keep and its inhabitants, a very interseting group of NPC's to chose from to join the party (if you so decide), and you even get the chance to join forces with a tribe of humanoids to drive away the evil clerics! I love it! The only reason why this got four stars instead of five is because the original was in the Mystara campaign (my personal favorite), and they try to push this gem into the overrated Greyhawk world. . .still, newcomers will love this because of all the special instructions at the beginning, and old-timers like myself will get a kick out of the nostalgia factor alone. It's not exactly the same as the first, don't get me wrong! There are quite a few little surprises that will make you say "Hey, that wasn't in the original!", and it's all good.

Well, e'nuf said! If you want the advice of an old school gamer, this one is worth the money.

When the Known World was first created it took more than 7 days. Here we are now 30 years later, and it is amazing to look back and see the early days. 'Return' is a job well done. It reflects well on the original setting, and provides a good foundation for new DMs and PCs. Some of us might wish we had such a wealth of information back in 74, but then we couldn't enjoy it as much now if we did. My advise to new DMs is to sit down, some place comfortable with a drink of your choice, and just read through it cover to cover. Have some post it notes with you and mark the areas that you want to go back to later. Don't rush yourself. This is a campaign that both you and your players can enjoy for months to come.

This is one of the best modules I've seen and I definetly recomend buying it. It's very detailed and an awesome starting adventure.

So much could happen in a keep on the borderlands, and to the books cridit it describes the keep itself quite well, as well as a few of the local dangers (i.e. bandits and Gnolls).

Where this book really falls down though is in the caves (where much of the adventuring will take place), each one is just a poor dungeon crawl, with the main motivation being pest extermination.

Despite supposedly being set in Yeomanry, there is no detail whatsoever about the region.

Whilst this kind of adventuring might be some peoples cup of tea, if you dont like sterile dungeon hacks then avoid this product.