1. "Saturday morning breakfast cereal and cartoons" vibes, which you don't see in the space as often as you might like. And a puzzle dungeon? Please and thank you.
2. No spoilers, but the conceit at the heart of this module is an experience I've never encountered at a table, or at least not as well as AFT does it, and I've run a lot of games. Read it and you'll know what I'm talking about.
3. A perfect "back pocket" one- or two-shot. Easy to grok, evocative characters, fun magic items, rich and deep without being a burden to prep... the list goes on and on, to say nothing of the pre-gen characters and art. There are even directions for crafting a tower out of an oatmeal tube. Cylinder? Whatever. (Do it. Trust me.)
If you run this for friends and they don't like it, make new friends. They have bad taste. But it wont happen, because AFT rules. Buy it. 10/10.
Note: Converted to Cairn 2e with minimal effort using the OldSchool-to-Cairn conversion method in the Cairn 2e Warden's Guide. Still used the pre-gen characters that come with AFT (also converted to Cairn) and their individual missions, which I made secret for each player, theirs to share or spoil or keep. An absolute smash hit.
Woe betide those who sneak into the secret underwater lair of the sinister Dr. Morelius!
I printed out the illustrations so my players could see just how monstrous this guy is. Lots of flavor in such a low-prep package—a GM's dream! I'll definitely run this one again. 10/10.
Tannic is pure magic. 19 out of 10. Would run again in a heartbeat.
The festival encounters had us in stitches, and the bittersweet finale in the oubliette, which we resolved without combat, was a GMing experience I'll never forget.
CURSE YOU, ELEMENTAL MARKET! he shouted at his ceiling, alone.
Tower of Mages and Hall of the Dwarven King are brilliant fun. Highly recommend. I had to print both on laminated paper to save from destroying rainforests with how often I play these two games.
Artefact is the genuine artifact. Never has a game left me so inspired to create and so willing to trust where my imagination will take me next. What a treasure. Thank you.
Wickedly fun game. I can't get over how simple and rewarding (and punishing) it is. You've made something very special here. Thank you for sharing! Have you or anyone else experimented with making this multiplayer?
