Fifth Edition modules on Kickstarter are a dime a dozen. The artwork is usually lacking and the adventure plot is simply regurgitated from the last 40 years... with a twist!
So what made me take note of and want to write about Insane Angel's The Hidden Halls of Hazakor?
Just look at the Jackie Musto cover art.
First I was drawn in by the kid-adventurers. Then I noticed they were all women (although with dwarven cultures, you're never quite sure). Then I realized there were four different races (human, dwarf, halfling...and an elf in a hijab.). Yeah, none of them are close to fantasy Caucasian either.
Perhaps it's the fact that I'm not a crotchety old white neckbeard that should feel offended by the idea of kids (possibly girls!) playing a fantasy game where the people are of different ethnicities... even if it matches their own.
I also would like to subscribe to the dwarf cleric's newsletter. Her gear simply screams for an epic story.
My ramblings aside, The Hidden Halls of Hazakor is a 5th Edition D&D module written by Scott Fitzgerald Gray for beginning Dungeon Masters and 1st level characters.
This adventure builds on the rules and information presented in the D&D core rulebooks and the D&D Starter Set, and on the first-time DM's experience of having previously been a player in the game. A beginning DM running the adventure will learn to think about the ways in which the story can go in different directions based on what the characters do — and how to not be scared when it does. They’ll practice bringing NPCs to life by way of interesting quirks, to help the players engage with and remember them. They’ll get tips on running fun combat sessions, building from an initial slate of simple, single-foe encounters to more complex fights. And they’ll learn to use humor as a tool to make the game interesting and memorable, especially for other younger players.
So what made me take note of and want to write about Insane Angel's The Hidden Halls of Hazakor?
Just look at the Jackie Musto cover art.
First I was drawn in by the kid-adventurers. Then I noticed they were all women (although with dwarven cultures, you're never quite sure). Then I realized there were four different races (human, dwarf, halfling...and an elf in a hijab.). Yeah, none of them are close to fantasy Caucasian either.
Perhaps it's the fact that I'm not a crotchety old white neckbeard that should feel offended by the idea of kids (possibly girls!) playing a fantasy game where the people are of different ethnicities... even if it matches their own.
I also would like to subscribe to the dwarf cleric's newsletter. Her gear simply screams for an epic story.
My ramblings aside, The Hidden Halls of Hazakor is a 5th Edition D&D module written by Scott Fitzgerald Gray for beginning Dungeon Masters and 1st level characters.
This adventure builds on the rules and information presented in the D&D core rulebooks and the D&D Starter Set, and on the first-time DM's experience of having previously been a player in the game. A beginning DM running the adventure will learn to think about the ways in which the story can go in different directions based on what the characters do — and how to not be scared when it does. They’ll practice bringing NPCs to life by way of interesting quirks, to help the players engage with and remember them. They’ll get tips on running fun combat sessions, building from an initial slate of simple, single-foe encounters to more complex fights. And they’ll learn to use humor as a tool to make the game interesting and memorable, especially for other younger players.
Sorry to not chime in here until now; I only saw your post in my Google Alerts this morning for some reason. Thanks so much for your thoughts, though. Jackie truly knocked this cover out of the park, into the next park, and then out of that park in turn.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, though, both the dwarf cleric and the halfling rogue are guys; though it’s hard to tell with the halfling, what him him being asphyxiated and all. :-)
I happily stand corrected and wish you folks the best of luck on your Kickstarter.
DeleteAnd with the tax return hitting ridiculously early, consider it backed!
DeleteAwesome, and I hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDelete