Scourge of the Howling Horde (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Adventure) [Paperback]

Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 7, 2006

A new D&D adventure for first-level characters.

Scourge of the Howling Horde is a D&D adventure for first-level characters that pits heroes against a menacing tribe of goblins and their monstrous allies. It showcases a new encounter format designed to help Dungeon Masters run memorable encounters more easily. It also includes sidebars that contain useful advice such as differences when running the adventure for new players or for seasoned players.

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel works for Roleplaying Games R&D at Wizards of the Coast. Her previous design credits include Races of the Dragon and Fantastic Locations: Fane of the Drow.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (November 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786939354
• ISBN-13: 978-0786939350
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,691 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars For beginners only, August 7, 2007

By 

R. Luzetski "Rabit" (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scourge of the Howling Horde (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Adventure) (Paperback)

First, just to be clear: if you have ever run D&D campaigns in the past, do not get this adventure. Contrary to the marketing, it is purely for first time DMs.

And while I'm contradicting the marketing... this adventure has nothing to do with The Shattered Gates of Slaughtergarde. Do not buy Scourge of the Howling Horde if you're looking for an introduction to The Shattered Gates of Slaughtergarde. I fell for this, and was extremely annoyed.

For experienced gamers, this adventure has little to offer. Aside from the simplistic concepts that even a novice DM could have created, there are significant gaps in logic that really ruin this for me. The final encounter is a great example, as was previously commented on. Another example is the hobgoblins wielding long swords and wearing studded leather armor, while in a chest (that only they have the key to) are a magical long sword and magical studded leather armor.

They may be hobgoblins, but they are not that stupid.

There are additional issues, I am avoiding any spoilers in case players might take advantage of them.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great New Format, December 9, 2006

By 

Meek Angel (Brevard,NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scourge of the Howling Horde (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Adventure) (Paperback)

The new format makes it very easy for a DM to run this module with little to no preparation. While an experienced DM will not get much except a short easy to run module for starting characters, a new DM will find it invaluable as an example of a dungeon adventure.

There were a few minor mistakes like the melee damage for the skeleton with a longsword but overall the module was solid though short. A new DM would find the tactics section for each encounter very helpful.

My biggest complaint was the backgrounds on the pages. This only made it harder to read it made the greyed section nearly impossible. I beleive the Dragon and Dungeon magazines tried this and received so many compaints that they ceased this practice. If they want to get artsy then they should include pictures and/or interesting borders.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for quick sit-down-and-play!, February 2, 2007

By 

Elias Magana Jr. "dungeon mazta" (Paramount, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scourge of the Howling Horde (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Adventure) (Paperback)

This is definately the funnest 1st level advenvture I've ever run as a DM. I'm new to the DM game, and I absoultely can not express how great it was to literally buy the adventure, pick everyone up, and start playing (all within a few hours). The format and monster tables are great, I really look forward to buying more of these adventures that cater to DMs that want to let their player have a great time, without 3 months of preparation for the campaign. 5 stars!