22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent overview of the Brotherhood and the southlands., March 4, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: The Scarlet Brotherhood (AD&D Fantasy Roleplaying, Greyhawk Setting) (Paperback)
This is the first truly 'new' supplement released for the Greyhawk line (the others were mostly rehashes of old material). The title is somewhat misleading, as only some 30 pages are devoted to the Brotherhood. An equal amount is also devoted to Hepmonaland, and another dozen or so to the Amedio Jungle.
Overall, it is of very good quality, providing a good general overview of each area's history, internal structure, and long-term goals providing the needed structure for the Brotherhood, but without overwhelming detail. Quick stats and personalities for major NPCs are given, along with a gazetteer of all major areas. In addition, the SB's character is fleshed-out with details of culture, dress, and even a Suel-English dictionary.
Hepmonaland seems slightly under-detailed, as it is made up of 'city-states' that actually cover vast territories. A greater density (ie more locations) would seem more realistic. One area of interest that has often been neglected in Greyhawk supplements is culture. 'The Scarlet Brotherhood' does an excellent job of fleshing out the SB, the Olman, and the Touv (a new race) with customs, dress, deities, and even language.
The map provided has a nice style to it, and is clear to read (although swamps and deserts could be more clearly delineated). It is, however, somewhat delicate - the size of the maps would have been perfect for a cardstock insert such as found in the Player's Guide to Greyhawk.
The artwork is probably the weakest part - most illustrations (a good idea - illustrating the content of the text, rather than random decoration) is sketchy and rushed-looking. Overall, I think this supplement is well worth the cost and I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
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5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Imaginive supplement. This year's best TSR release., June 4, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: The Scarlet Brotherhood (AD&D Fantasy Roleplaying, Greyhawk Setting) (Paperback)
From the stuff I've seen released this year, I would have to say, hands down, that the Scarlet Brotherhood is by far the best release TSR has put out this year. It details the sect itself, the surrounding area, and the different tribes and cultures in the south are of Oerth, thw world in which the Scarlet Brotherhood is set.
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4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Woo-Hoo, March 4, 1999
This review is from: The Scarlet Brotherhood (AD&D Fantasy Roleplaying, Greyhawk Setting) (Paperback)
After the long wait, The Scarlet Brotherhood delivers with 96 pages of great stuff!
Maps of jungles you never knew existed. The character classes of Monk and Assassin are back, similar to the 1st edition folks, but these are all evil.
The Scarlet Brotherhood, Hepmonaland, and The Armedio Jungle are all detailed here with enough information for entire campaigns of sweaty, mosquito-infested fun!
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