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Post by Black Cat on Sept 13, 2008 1:38:24 GMT -5
Well, in order to have some activity on these boards other than in the Lorehall of Solaris, here's a poll for you: which of the first four mini-adventures (that is, the ones featured in books 2 to 5) do you love the most?
As for myself, although I love the backstory these mini-adventures give us on the secondary characters, they are not of equal quality. The best one IMO is Ruanon: it's pretty epic and gives a second view on the events surrounding Lone Wolf's mission in book 4. However, I would had loved to actually fight with the Kai in the last attack of the Vassagonians against Ruanon (the battle after the one during which LW arrived). I didn't have to draw my sword at all!
I do plan to make another poll when the Magnakai series will be completely published, which is in maybe less than 6 months now that Mongoose picked up the rythm with their releases.
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Post by zipp on Sept 22, 2008 20:17:35 GMT -5
I've only played the one from book 2, where you play as Ryhgar, and I have to say I wasn't too impressed. As noted in another thread, the abilities given to you seem to make the adventure very easy, and there seems to be little consequence for your choices (you end up in pretty much the same situation no matter what page you go to). Furthermore, the plot is given in one long interogative monolouge near the end, which broke the reality of the thing for me.
All in all, I just didn't feel very heroic. I felt overly qualified for the pithy task assigned to me. I think more exciting would've been to play Rhygar during the attack on the Helghasts. Though destined to end in defeat, the winning section would have you holding them off long enough for LW to escape and would've felt truly heroic.
One thing I did like was the attention given to Rhygar's chainmail and its fatiguing effect. it was the only damage I took in the entire mission.
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koreth
Full Member
The Cener Druids Rule All. Accept It.
Posts: 172
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Post by koreth on Sept 22, 2008 22:11:50 GMT -5
Yes, the Rhygar mini-adventure was a disappointment. Very linear, very unchallenging, and very little difference in outcomes to your decisions.
But the later mini-adventures improved reasonably well. I haven't read the Gwynan mini-adventure, but the illustrations look awesome. Just glancing at the text, the adventure itself looks good.
Even in the Rygar adventure, it was some interesting aside information on Durenor. The info about a series of light-towers and hawk messengers was new to me.
The only question on the mini-adventures is the canon nature of them. Probably a discussion already held on the other forum, but I'd say the mini-adventures qualify as semi-canon. Or whatever term fits for "can take as fact unless/until Joe Dever writes something that contradicts".
Koreth
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koreth
Full Member
The Cener Druids Rule All. Accept It.
Posts: 172
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Post by koreth on Sept 22, 2008 22:17:12 GMT -5
Replying to my own reply:
**SPOILER BELOW**
I'd hope not the entire Rhygar mini-adventure isn't considered canon. The Khatro-Darklands alliance plot was simply too much to be revealed at that point in time and could have risked the greater Darkland plot to kill King Ulnar in LW#1 (Mongoose Edition), assuming the two kingdoms talk at all.
The first mini-adventure still surprises me that the overall plot/things revealed made it through with Mr. Dever's approval.
But again, the later mini-adventures have improved.
Koreth
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Post by zipp on Sept 23, 2008 0:54:51 GMT -5
Replying to my own reply: **SPOILER BELOW** I'd hope not the entire Rhygar mini-adventure isn't considered canon. The Khatro-Darklands alliance plot was simply too much to be revealed at that point in time and could have risked the greater Darkland plot to kill King Ulnar in LW#1 (Mongoose Edition), assuming the two kingdoms talk at all. The first mini-adventure still surprises me that the overall plot/things revealed made it through with Mr. Dever's approval. But again, the later mini-adventures have improved. Koreth I'm glad I'm not alone. I thought I might be acting over critical, but on hearing your comments, I see this wasn't the case. SPOILERS! I can see the plot being cannon, though. After all, Ulnar would already have his own systems in place to detect Helghasts. In fact, the only reason one gets in to murder him is because of the confusion of the seige and the fact that the prince falls in combat. And even then, remember how critical he and Madelon were of the Prince's sudden appearance? |
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Post by Black Cat on Sept 23, 2008 11:38:46 GMT -5
I consider myself the mini-adventures as canon, just like Ian Page's GS series is even if it wasn't written by JD. After all, it was published after the man himself took a look at it.
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koreth
Full Member
The Cener Druids Rule All. Accept It.
Posts: 172
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Post by koreth on Sept 23, 2008 21:36:06 GMT -5
This is a tough discussion on canon, semi-canon, and so on.
Only Mr. Dever can say what is canon, and we never know to what level of review he actually gives the mini-adventures, or other Mongoose writings like the "Magic Of Magnamund" et. al.
I agree that I would tend to put a higher level of "canon" on the mini-adventures, with the assumption that he gives it a close review.
I'm just having a hard time seeing where Mr. Dever actually got the chance to do a close review on the first mini-adventure. At a minimum, it just doesn't show the same level of edit that JD gave the GreyStar series.
(shrug) I just don't know, but I can't accept the first mini adventure except in a very general sense.
But with that being said, I do look forward to what Mongoose publishes. I'm very thankful for what they're doing and it's kinda like being a kid again...always checking the store/mailbox for the next LW book!
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Post by greywolf on Sept 26, 2008 7:32:17 GMT -5
Joe has to edit, review, re-write and look over every inch of the bonus adventures. He first of all has to approve anything that's done, how do I know...because I'm working with Joe at the moment and he's a delight to work with.
He may of course have had a different system with the first few adventures, but I don't know since I'm only involved (so far) with Book #8
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Post by zorkaan on Nov 17, 2008 13:25:07 GMT -5
I voted for Ruanon, even if it was difficult.
I could not vote for the mini-Adventures of Rhygar, because [SPOIL] the darkland plot to destroy the Sommerswerd appears a little improbable (a darkland blade destroying the Sommerswerd???).
The mini-adventure of Loi-Kymar is funny to play, and Loi-Kymar is an interesting character, but we learn too little about "Vonotar's web". What does he intend to do in Kalt? What has he done to escape after the battle of the Gulf of Holm? Too short, even if it is a good one.
I have hesitated between the two last ones. The Tomb of Mahjan is exciting, we learn a little about the origins of Vassagonia and about Shiantis, but it is also too short. SPOIL: I'd like to know if the "Vassagonian Ancient" at the end is a human's or a Shianti's spirit???
The adventure of D'Val in book 4 is the more complete, a true game-book, even if we don't learn where does Barraka come from (I supposed Kuchek, because of the horses of his army)! Finally it is my vote.
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