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A jam submission

Woe of the Pale PrinceView project page

A hyperborean descent into a monument of love and loss.
Submitted by Autumn Eternal — 6 hours, 12 minutes before the deadline
Rated by 24 people so far
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Woe of the Pale Prince's itch.io page

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Comments

Submitted

Cover and background texture: it’s quite pretty. The cover art is evocative and a little mysterious.

The worn paperback texture works well on the outer cover, though I find the same worn look on the inside pages a bit jarring. If this was genuine wear, the inside would be less worn than the outside. The folded corner on the inside middle panel does not seem possible (and there is no corresponding fold on the outside panel).

Layout: Very effective use of fonts and colour. The map is beautiful. I like the way the formidable warrior artwork uses the same palette as the map and text. Overall layout is very clear, everything is understandable at a glance.

Prelude: I didn’t get it on my first reading. After reading the rest of the intro material, it made more sense on a second reading. The relationship of the local people to the Pale Prince is a bit ambiguous. He is the “elven master”, so like a fief lord? Or do the elves keep to themselves and the local people being affected by his malaise is purely circumstantial? Maybe you could add a sentence to explain the relationship between the people and the elves, it seems like important context.

The adventure: I love the coherent theme of the complex: a series of tombs of dead lovers, each with their own unique characteristics.

Presumably the locale is within Crescent Hill? Or is it a structure atop Crescent Hill? The intro only mentions, “under which the paramours of the Pale Prince rest” so I assume it’s underneath. What is the entrance like? An archway on the hillside? A hole in the middle of a ring of faerie stones? Is there a door?

System neutral is fine, but unique monsters could perhaps use some explanation. What is a “ditsy skeleton”?

It is not clear to me how the spirit of Lorelei can be interacted with besides reading the poem to her. Does she respond if spoken to? If she is attacked do weapons just pass through her, does she fight back, or does she just disappear?

Was Angoirix also one of the prince’s lovers, or is the prince’s sexuality left to the discretion of the GM?

The wandering monsters fit with the theme but it seems like a lot of creatures wandering around quite a small complex. I suppose some of them could be encountered outside the tomb.

Overall: it’s a nice adventure with strong theme, good use of environmental storytelling, and mix of combat and puzzle challenges. Would require a little work by the GM to make decisions about the ambiguities above and create stats.

(+1)

good design i like the visual.

Submitted(+1)

Great concept; the mythic, fairytale logic felt really on theme. I also loved the cover art, the isometric map, and the colour scheme you chose! Very pretty. 

The light blue, descriptive font was a bit tough to read for me (I had to zoom in), and I would prefer if you didn't have the paper texture overlay--there is already a lot of great texture in your background and in your art, you don't need it and I think it's making a bit too busy for me.

Submitted(+1)

I cannot get over just how pretty this is. Like, as if crafted from actual fairytale magic! I loved the colors, layout, texture, & typography, as well as that awesome isometric map- but the prose is on another level! And going completely statless was a brave choice, but I believe it paid off.

This is a top tier entry, in every category, and I am very much going to peruse the rest of your works soon, as well as eventually running this. Fantastic work.

Submitted(+1)

this is possibly my favorite in terms of visuals. makes me want to experiment with paper cut outs. i have to ask tho, have you seen Madoka Magica? the visual language of the witches in that show seem like it'd be up your alley!

Developer(+1)

Thank you so much for your kind comment, it means so much to me <3 I don't know the anime, but searching it up, the witch forms are insane and as you implied, indeed right up my alley!

Submitted(+1)

I thought the prelude to be a bit generic, even after I saw the cover. What a fool I was. Quickly I was corrected simply reading the names of the first rooms. This module seems very safe to play, but could cut deep. It’s a dungeon, a parable and a contemplation. I somehow got reminded to Cat Steven’s album ‘Numbers’, hinting on a book’s worth of strange and beautiful poems but giving only that what’s needed, leaving the rest to the one experiencing it. Really lovely.

Developer

Lovely comment, thank you so much for connecting with it emotionally <3

Submitted(+1)

Map is really well done, as are the spot illustrations, very evocative and appropriately moody!  I did find the blue coloured flavour text a little difficult to read with that font, but honestly top-notch entry!

Developer

Thank you so so much <3

Submitted(+1)

I love the map and the aesthetic. The nostalgic tone of the story is beautifully captured in both the descriptions and the unique little mechanics. Beautiful work!

Developer

Thank you so much, really appreciate it <3

Submitted(+1)

It’s cool! I really like the premise and the different mythologies you tied into the tomb. The deep blue feels frigid and each room is an effective little vignette of loss and mourning, which all contributes to the overall effect really well. The map is awesome but also the illustration of the warrior! If I were to criticize anything, I might say that while each room is an effective vignette or little challenge, I admit to feeling like I wish there were more connective tissue between them; one thing I really like that you did is include how the prince feels about certain objects or plights throughout the tomb. I wonder if the party was anticipating that they could use these to appeal to the prince, looking for these kinds of thing before they even entered the dungeon, if that could add that connection and make all these different kinds of sadness pull together in the end. Either way, really nice module, beautiful artwork, and terrific layout <3

Developer

Thank you so much <3

Submitted(+1)

Holy smokes, this is really really good. The map is stunning and rightfully front and centre but the layout is so good it never feels crowded. Honestly blown away, deserves a top prize this one

Developer(+1)

Wow, thank you!! I'm thrilled you like the art and layout! <3

Submitted(+1)

Stunning map and art. I love the memento collecting as a game mechanic, and also the possible solutions. Took me a little to figure out the pamphlet formatting and the "first page" but this would rock in print.

Developer

Thank you so much, that makes me very happy to hear <3
I am considering also doing a format that works better for digital in addition to the trifold print format!

Submitted(+1)

Legit putting you up on my fav entries, ths art reminds me of Sol Cesto (game)!

Developer(+1)

Wow, that's high praise, thank you! I love the art direction on that game.

Submitted(+1)

Wow the visual is cool!!! I love the cover and map!

Developer

Thank you so much, means an awful lot <3

Submitted(+1)

The colour composition is lovely. All of the visuals are great but the map in particular gets a chef's kiss! I think you have a similar design philosophy to me where you want it to look great and atmospheric, but still be a game-able adventure. It's a tough balance and you nailed it. I think this would require a bit of prep as the DM but would be totally worth it.

Developer

Thank you so much <3 We kept the design and the writing free from as much mechanical language as possible to make space for whatever classic fantasy d20 system you may want to run it in. We also saw it as a kind of experiment in terms of how much you actually need within NSR design to run a module, so I'm glad you find it gameable.

Submitted(+1)

The art, colors and textures are fantastic! Really enjoy how the cover art feels like looking into room 10 from room 6. Very moody with a pinch of whimsy!

Submitted(+1)

The vibes are everything here. Cold, somber, and beautifully broken. Someone please deliver some warmth to the Pale Prince, and fast!

(+1)

Looks fantastic!!!