Customer Reviews

STAR CAIRNS, THE (First in the Lost Tombo Series)

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

 

 

The module details four of the five Star Cairns, which is somewhat disappointing since this seemed like a missed opportunity to present the lost fifth Star Cairn. Instead, the four known Star Cairns with their current inhabitants are listed while the fifth is apparently still missing.

While the inhabitants vary widely, the floor plans for the four Cairns are essentially identical and this appears likely to take some of the fun out of exploring a new Cairn, players will already know where the chambers, stairs and halls lead after seeing any one of the Cairns. There are some common magical features and creatures as well, players and DMs alike will probably find themselves saying things like "Hm, the kitchen should be that way and that's where we will find the mephits...", there could have been more variety between the Cairns. This can be a major drawback if you don't run a WoG campaign or wanted to run the Cairns as four separate dungeons, the DM is restricted to a unifying theme and it is all but impossible to pass the Cairns off as unrelated dungeon crawls, something for which they are probably best suited.

Plotting and story lines are quite thin and the Cairns apparently operate wholly independently of one another with only a few general suggestions for the DM in how these NPCs might be incorporated into the campaign as a whole. This again is a missed opportunity since three of the four Cairns have inhabitants that could be developed into major NPCs or centers of power and it seems unlikely that such potentially powerful groups could dwell within a few miles of each other with practically no interaction or interest in the others. The golem Cairn was rather neat, but is probably a one-time dungeon crawl while the necromancer Cairn was fairly unimpressive as it doesn't seem very workable as written. The doppleganger and beholder Cairns were among the best of the lot, but too many details were left unanswered about these creatures and their often far-ranging activities.

Though the Cairns were supposedly built by powerful wizards, the use of permanent magical effects was a bit overdone and there is the definite feeling that a group that explored all four Cairns in succession would rapidly grow bored with the identical layouts and features. While the history of the Star Cairns was rather interesting, the background material is a bit sloppy and some of the information directly conflicts with previously published Greyhawk material, for example an ancient wizard is referred to as serving the Malachite Throne some two centuries before the throne was created and the small-scale map changes the location of some previously established places of renown. I really wanted to like this product, but nagging problems like these were just a little too frequent to recommend the product as anything more than mediocre.

So, this module is the first in the Lost Tombs series, and details four of the five Star Cairns (the fifth was shattered and sent to Lyzandred's demiplane). This adventure can be an exercise in mixed blessings for a gaming group. It is challenging, with the potential for both powerful allies and an arch enemy or two. It also brings the players under Lyzandred's radar. Also, many of the magic items that can be discovered have major flaws that can reveal themselves at just the wrong time for a group that relies too heavily on their magical repertoire, which of course results in delightful moments for the DM while simultaneously scaring the players and making them a bit more careful in the use of their treasures, lol. All in all, this is a fun set of adventures within the fold of the larger Star Cairns module, and will be a welcome addition to your campaign.

Enjoy!

The latest from TSR/WOTC is The Star Cairns first in a series of modules designed for TSR's reborn World of Greyhawk called The Lost Tombs Series.

Adventurers are tapped to discover the secret of a newly rediscovered series of crypts. But all is not as it seems.

This module is perfect for beginning DMs as well as grizzled veteran DMs. The beauty lies in the perfect mix of detail and vaguery. The module is detailed enough for new DMs to base a beginning campaign on and broad enough to be woven into an established campaign: the hallmark of GreyHawk itself.

All in all Star Cairns is a quality product and Sean Reynolds is a rising star to be watched.

After trying out Sea of Blood as a new DM (played for years as a character) and deeply disliking the way the story went, this is wonderful. It gives the novice DM all the info. necessary to run a dungeon the players like (isn't that what it's all about?) as well as having fun yourself and learning how to be a better DM. Very enjoyable story. Exploring all 5 Cairns was fun.

If you liked the older style of modules with no fluff and all the right stuff you will love this module. The plot is thin so as to allow the DM to create his own reasons for the party going there. No need for drag'em by the noise modules here!

The module explores the 5 Cairns South West of the city of Greyhawk. A regional map is included. Links are also included to direct the party towards the next module in this series.

Each Cairn has a special occupant and mystical power with it's own unique abilities.

First time DMs should find this a good module and veterans should find that it keeps the DM prep' to a minimum.

Sean Reynolds has captured the spirit of Greyhawk in this module. Tackling the first in any series has got to be tough, but he has managed and done so in an excellent adventure. From the outset, you are able to delve into the World of Greyhawk and into one of its oldest mysteries. In the style of some of the earliest modules that made Greyhawk unique, Sean has managed to capture and add to this oldest of the AD&D worlds.