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nonesensed's review
5.0
An adventure module set in Exandria, the world of the actual play show Critical Role. You can follow along with the setting and plot if you're unfamiliar with the show, but I think you get the most out of it if you're a fan.
That said, it's been ages since I've had this much fun reading a module! I prefer to DM homebrews and writing campaigns and one-shots "from scratch" because I think it's fun and because I rarely find modules flexible enough for me to do the amount of improve I prefer. I might because I'm so familiar with this world, but this module felt both easy to remember and open to several ways to play it. The organizations and NPCs are memorable, the dungeons are fun, and the final section was truly inspiring when it comes to building up a final boss encounter both in difficulty and atmosphere.
Being someone who hasn't used many modules because they haven't been my thing, please take my endorsement with a grain of salt. But I really did enjoy reading this! I wanted to keep reading simply because I was enjoying the story and characters, with the added bonus of inspiring combat planning and dungeons!
That said, it's been ages since I've had this much fun reading a module! I prefer to DM homebrews and writing campaigns and one-shots "from scratch" because I think it's fun and because I rarely find modules flexible enough for me to do the amount of improve I prefer. I might because I'm so familiar with this world, but this module felt both easy to remember and open to several ways to play it. The organizations and NPCs are memorable, the dungeons are fun, and the final section was truly inspiring when it comes to building up a final boss encounter both in difficulty and atmosphere.
Being someone who hasn't used many modules because they haven't been my thing, please take my endorsement with a grain of salt. But I really did enjoy reading this! I wanted to keep reading simply because I was enjoying the story and characters, with the added bonus of inspiring combat planning and dungeons!
sheilafromhr's review
4.0
Just finished reading and am currently playing through the module. My players seem to be enjoying it so far (we're only on chapter 2)
jjvaldezbooks's review
4.0
i wish I'd been given more guidance with the rivals, but gods, what a fun story to run!
pryingblackbird's review
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
quinlbr88's review
5.0
This is a fun adventure, something you would expect from the minds behind Critical Role. This one requires a little more work from the DM since they will be running a rival group of adventurers.
This is a good way for a group to experience areas of Exandria outside of Tal'dorei.
This is a good way for a group to experience areas of Exandria outside of Tal'dorei.
cennetalbo's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carlyalynnsia's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really enjoying running this campaign, though I’ve struggled a bit with the rival system and feeling like it is cool, but it bogs things down.
meliemelo's review
5.0
An amazing adventure I can't wait to take my players through (we just finished chapter one). Loads of Easter Eggs for CR fans (and I probably missed half of them) but I think it still stands well on its own.
My only, minor complaint (partially due to my inexperience as a DM, and to the fact that my party has a tendency to go off-track and not even on purpose) is that I feel that some parts could do with more guidance, or options/ideas for when the party is determined (in spite of itself) not to do the thing. But then again, improvisation can be cool too.
Finally, I loved the rivals and am definitely enjoying role-playing them so far - such a great idea!!
My only, minor complaint (partially due to my inexperience as a DM, and to the fact that my party has a tendency to go off-track and not even on purpose) is that I feel that some parts could do with more guidance, or options/ideas for when the party is determined (in spite of itself) not to do the thing. But then again, improvisation can be cool too.
Finally, I loved the rivals and am definitely enjoying role-playing them so far - such a great idea!!
puttingwingsonwords's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Murder, Violence, War, and Abandonment
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Xenophobia
Minor: Ableism
rainbowrachel's review
3.0
There's a lot of good stuff in here, but ultimately, I don't feel that it works. Admitedly, that is based just on having read through the book rather than running or playing it, but I bought the book with the intention of running it, and having read it, I no longer wish to do so.
The biggest problem I have is the rivals, which seem like a recipe for disaster. Depending on how things play out, I can easily imagine them taking too much focus away from the player characters, or dying very early on and leaving a hole in the plot, or becoming staunch allies to the player characters and completely wrecking all encounter balance. There's just too many ways for them to go badly wrong.
Still, for an experienced DM whose willing to put in the work to overcome these players, or for a Critical Role superfan, there's enough here to be worthwhile, with interesting NPCs and lore, cool locations and set pieces, some great artwork, and so on. But if you are planning on running it, expect it to be a little bit of a fixer-upper.
The biggest problem I have is the rivals, which seem like a recipe for disaster. Depending on how things play out, I can easily imagine them taking too much focus away from the player characters, or dying very early on and leaving a hole in the plot, or becoming staunch allies to the player characters and completely wrecking all encounter balance. There's just too many ways for them to go badly wrong.
Still, for an experienced DM whose willing to put in the work to overcome these players, or for a Critical Role superfan, there's enough here to be worthwhile, with interesting NPCs and lore, cool locations and set pieces, some great artwork, and so on. But if you are planning on running it, expect it to be a little bit of a fixer-upper.