As I needed a quick review to do, without a lot of analysis of game rules and such (like I have to do with any of the Abandoned Arts Class Acts supplements), I decided to review The Dungeon Alphabet tonight.
The Dungeon Alphabet (Goodman Games)
System-less reference supplement.
Designing dungeons is as easy as A, B, C! The Dungeon Alphabet compiles twenty-six classic dungeon design elements in one place to assist the game master in creating subterranean challenges. A is for Altar, B is for Books, and C is for Caves: the Dungeon Alphabet has advice, hints, and randomized tables that bring new life to your adventures. Suitable for any rules system, the entries are accompanied by outstanding art from classic fantasy illustrators, with a foreword by noted game designer Zeb Cook.
This is a great little supplement. Whether you're needing something fast, like a book title, or you're trying to design a classic feeling adventure, this is great reference. For example; You know you want the treasure to be hidden, so you open up to N for "No Stone left Unturned", and roll on the Hidden In/By table with a d20, rolling a 15 you determine the gem is hidden inside a fireplace, hidden under the ashes or stashed in the chimney.
This book gives lots of advice for making OSR more fun, and frankly, even newer systems can benefit from this. Actually with this book, you can make those newer games less sterile, and more fun, because, while there have been some amazing advances in the rules systems, some of the newer mods have lost it, which is why I really like DCCRPG so much lately.
The book features some amazing artwork which definitely invokes in my mind, the incredible worlds of the old school dungeons, with classic feeling artwork by Erol Otus, Jeff Easley, Jim Holloway & Jim Roslof, how can you NOT be inspired?
This is a hard-bound book, with a low $9.99 price tag. Or $7.99 for PDF at DrivethruRPG. It's fun, and filled with great tables, and advice.
Critical Hit! 20/20Now, I remember seeing that a Dungeon Alphabet 2 is in the works also, that will be sweet.
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