I have this set as well and I like it, although it feels more like a coffee table set or conversation piece to me. It feels like it should be separated into three books instead of two: one for all the interesting coffee table book history and such, one for the original module reprints, and one for the 5E update. As it stands, it feels like it would be a clumsy book to bring to bring the table no matter what edition you are tackling, despite how good the inner material is.
okay, so this is something I debated including in the video. I was thinking closer to 5 books, mainly due to the size of it all. I love the history portion (1st book), the original hommlet + original temple of elemental evil (2nd book), then divide the 5th edition conversion into 3 books, soft-cover would be awesome. I actually USE the books and they tend to fall apart, and I can see that happening with these just because of their sheer size. BUT.. should that start to happen, I'm not terribly concerned as I can always bind them how I want at that point.
I've ran that module for decade's and it is by far the best module ever. The best advice is that the party must work together as a cohesive team, the moment they stop working together is the moment they all die.
This seems to be high praise indeed, I am glad you are liking it! All of the background from the original modules seems like it would be worth it on its own, if for no other reason than to get a peek into the creative process of TSR during the 'golden years'. I have so many questions I could ask, such as whether there are new magic items? New Creatures? Are they using the same stat block for Zugs as was in Out of the Abyss? I can't thank you enough as you have already given me enough information to where I can confirm that we will be adding this (and Borderlands) to the table library over the next couple months, those questions are just my own curiosity ahead of time! I can already confirm that based upon your review we will be adding it to the library in the next couple of months. I want to thank you for taking the time to review this, and it means a lot to me! There is a lot of good 3rd party content out there and you are doing a great service to the hobby as a whole by giving it visibility! I have an irresponsibly large volume of digital 3rd party content, if you ever need more content to review I would be happy to send some of it your way as the more players that put eyes on quality material the better!
heh, I too have a library packed full of stuff that I am slowly moving through. I gotta say, if anyone is looking for this 2 part volume, NOW is the time to get it with it being almost 50% off retail. It is most certainly worth the price!
Thank you for the review. I have the first 2 volumes (Into the Borderlands, The Isle of Dread) and ran both of them as part of my family's campaign. Both were wonderful. The first chapter of Into the Borderlands contains about 20 pages of interviews, historical content as well as a foreward from Luke Gygax. The Isle of Dread was added into the Tomb of Annihilation with ease (I essentially added every encounter to Chult including Dwellers of the Forbidden City and Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan). I just ordered the 3rd volume (Castle Amber...my favorite of all time) and thanks to your review, the Temple of Elemental Evil as well! Thanks again.
I'll take your word that Into the Borderlands is wonderful and it will be my next Goodman Games purchase! Review will likely be a little later this spring.
70# paper IS 28#. Most magazine that are printed use 70# Titan Digital Glossy Text Paper that comes in at 104 to 105gsm. 28# is usually referred to as bond stock, whereas 70# is commonly referred to as text weight, but both are the same thicknesses in grams per square meter. There is also a matte 70# paper which is what most security envelopes are made with. Yes, there IS a 70# card stock, there is even a 50# card stock, but likewise there is also a 100# Titan Digital text paper that comes in at 148gsm, like other papers it comes in a variety of finishes from low gloss to high gloss, from smooth to textured. There are also coated and uncoated subsets of each commonly referred to as book weight and cover weight, sometimes also referred to as points (12pt / 14pt / 16pt - usually used for printing post cards). I've been in the print industry since about 1995 and run large format printers daily. Check out this video for more : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-e8VdPI26c6k.html
Love the subtle "likes" there, mate! LOL Unfortunately, this original module came out when I was born, and my high school didnt have copies of it. Iv, over the years, tracked down old websites and scans online that had bits and pieces of the module, but never run it. The only thing I know for sure, having heard old school D&D GM's and Players talk about it; is that the 5E one put out by WotC sucks, and that if you ever get a faithful updated original Greyhawk module...PLAY IT! PLAY IT NOW! :) Also, may I add, just how frustrating it is to NOT have proper settings in WotC D&D anymore! Here's the thing, My introduction to D&D was with the default setting...Mystara. Then my friends and I got a hold of books with Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms connected too it. Prior to that, I'd read Dragonlance trilogy back in primary school. Then during Spelljammer, we discovered the "blood money Mad Max" world of Dark Sun... all these worlds were different, and it was exciting to Spelljammer into a different Crystal Sphere and be exposed to the new dynamic... Is there magic, and is it high or low? Is there water? What kinds of people are common, and what might be considered a "monster"? What are the Gods like, if they're there at all!? Dragonborn and Half-Dragon's are monsters on Krynn... Goblinoids, Constructs, and Changlings are commonfolk in Eberron... Magic and Artefacts are High on Oerth, but Spellcasters are a vast minority... ...and original FR was good too, but 3 editions of WotC FR has wiped away any good points I can remember! LOL
The one that wizards put out was called Return to Temple of Elemental Evil and it was for 3rd edition. At the time it came out, it was pretty good, but it was also 3rd edition. By today's standards it's not exactly fitting with 5th edition, although I'm sure someone has updated it for 5e. Of course there was that Princes of the Apocalypse that came out for 5e.. it was... touted as being part of the elemental evil story arc, but really didn't connect too much. This one in today's video, however, is from Goodman Games, super cool and flows VERY well.
@@rpgchronicler the price for this massive two volume set was about $50.00. the keep on the borderlands version is actually B1 and B2 combined and is about $40, I've got more details in the description.
DM It All has a fantastic 2 parter on the Village of Homlet (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZqbCXuhnY6o.html) and the Temple of Elemental Evil (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WzsxwbWmjAo.html). WELL worth a watch for any DM thinking o diving into this adventure! PLAYERS STAY OUT! ;) Great video mate, we have to talk about how I can start getting review copies of stuff too ;) Cheers!
aye, this specific adventure is NOT for the beginner DM.. I mean.. it CAN be but there is A LOT of nuance and one really needs to read the entire "module" before running it. There are connective points all throughout and having that stuff in mind is the only way to run this thing in a fluid manor.
this was more to have updated things for 5th edition, but yeah, I'll be honest, I'm gonna have a hard time cracking them open to actually play from simply because they are so... NICE.
spin off is a good term for it. According to the PotA storyline, there are 4 cults (based on earth, air, water, and fire, oh my!) that are bent on destroying the world. Temple of Elemental Evil took place in Greyhawk, whereas Princes takes place in Forgotten Realms. Princes was, however, advertised as being the Forgotten Realms version of Temple of Elemental Evil, but there was never a direct connection, as best I can recall.
@@gamemasters between that and vecna eve of ruin- we'll have a lot of high level modules to play in May. Goodman games does make some pretty good products with these 5e conversions. I also really enjoy rappan athuk by frog god games also.
I'll disagree here. The artwork inside contains artwork by Elmore, Parkinson, Butler, and more classic fantasy artists, their works are considered classical to the genre. Tho, I'll completely grant to you that art is subjective and not everyone likes the same things. On the books, aye, they are some massive tomes and can make it a bit difficult to run the adventure itself due to their size.
@@gamemasters yes, he was duel wielding and hit very hard with that staff of striking (as that bad pic shows) question: How do you use a mace and staff at the same time?
Extremely Amazing & Outstanding Video by you Gamemasters as always! You always Bring it! I actually bought myself a copy Reincarnated #6: The Temple of Elemental Evil on Amazon for 41.99 on December 8th. It went up to 53 bucks a few days later, It's Truly Amazing & Epic! I also bought "The Lost City" & "Into the Borderlands" both are amazing. I wanna buy "Isle of Dread" & Expedition to the Barrier Peaks. However, I wanna buy myself a second copy of Reincarnated #6: The Temple of Elemental Evil. I like it that much. I intend to never open it & keep it on my desk as a Show Copy to look good on my desk. I didn't wanna open my my first copy, but i was too tempted. The level of detail is insane. Anyway, It's 53 bucks now, so I gotta bite the bullet & buy it. I'll use your link on Amazon. I don't mind its only two books almost 725 pages, & pounds. It's Unreal. You can tell I like it huh? Anyway, I think you are a "God" of Dungeons & Dragons Reviews! You are simply "Amazing" Gamemasters!!! 👽👻😉
I'm not sure I deserve THAT much praise lol, but I'll accept it! (Smile). I too have considered getting a second copy to leave unopened, I just know through general use I'll out a lot of wear on this one.
