In This Issue

“By day the sun cast a wan maroon gloom across the land; by night all was dark and still, with only a few pale stars to post the old con- stellations. Time went at a languid pace, with- out purpose and urgency, and folk made few long-range plans.” Jack Vance Rhialto the Marvellous

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Editorial 6 Quadripartite 20 Critical Threats: Phyx 42 Letters Peter Aperlo 8 A minion of chaos has come to the Seth Spencer Critical Threats: Prime Material Plane from the void of The train marvelous servants, but Colossal Crypt the Far Realms to terrorize and con- when one of their minions grows a 16 quer inSample the name of its file masters. The spine and escapes, it makes for a Scott Peterson PCs must act quickly to assemble a deadly encounter. The choker Phyx is This tall chamber is composed of rings legendary artifact powerful enough to just such an enemy. His assassin train- of ancient crypts. Do they hold the weaken the minion so it can be ing combined with his natural choker heroes of old? Or possibly the villains? defeated. A D&D adventure for four abilities make him a potent foe. A D&D Maybe the giant headless statue that 14th-level PCs. “Critical Threat.” serves as the crypt’s centerpiece holds Maps of Mystery the key. A D&D “Critical Threat.” (Githzerai Monastery) 48

On the Cover: Mark Zug paints Hu’shurish the efreeti bar- barian and artisan. He rules his brass tower, guarding one of the relics needed to assemble the primal anchor in “Quadripartite.” v.158 f8 f46

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Maps of Mystery (Temple of Boccob) 50 First Watch 3 Global Positioning (Bank) 5 Bonus Subscriber Section! Hijinx 8 Fish Story 54 Global Positioning Jeff Quick (Nightclub) Adam Jortner Former PolyhedronSampleEditor file Jeff Quick 35 Locathah have invaded, or so it seems. drops by to deliver the most daring Downer But why, after all these peaceful years, Mini-Game yet. Try out nonviolent 46 have the fish creatures abandoned their conflict resolution with Hijinx, a rock Our resident drow dungeon guard home? The PCs must journey to the ‘n’ roll lollapalooza inspired by the faces off against Tagget the flooded village of Waterford and delve fun-loving musical cartoons of our and runs afoul of a new enemy. into the past to discover the cause of youth. Strap on a guitar, hire an the current commotion and uncover the annoyingly intelligent pet, and get secret history of the region. A D&D ready to meddle. adventure for four 5th-level PCs.

June 2003 On the Flipside: Cover artists Jason Martin and Heather McCollum of Artplaymix bring us a colorful rendition of Vol. XVII, No.3 rockin’ crimesolvers to commemorate Hijinx, this issue’s Issue 99 Polyhedron Mini-Game. Erik and Kyle will be touring with the band until next issue. View from the Other Side

Dungeon Group Publisher Johnny Wilson or the past few months, Editor Chris Thomasson has regaled you with Dungeon Editor Chris Thomasson Polyhedron tales from our weekly playtest of the new Adventure Path: Shackled City, which Editor Erik Mona Dungeon Art Director Sean Glenn started with “Life’s Bazaar,” in issue #97 and continued with “Flood Season” last Polyhedron Art Director Kyle S. Hunter

issue. The next installment will appear in issue #102, which gives me a chance to Contributing Editors Penny Williams Christopher Perkins sneak in and tell you about the campaign from the perspective of one of the players. Chris likes to focus on our mistakes, mentioning twice now that we were, in fact,“industry Production Director John Dunn Prepress Manager Matt Beals professionals” who should know better. I’d like to point out that there’s one very good reason Production Designer Theresa Cummins Circulation Director Pierce Watters why Chris focuses on these mistakes in his editorials. Messing up is pretty much the only Advertising Sales Director Johnny Wilson thing we do reliably or well. Ad Traffic Manager Dawnelle Miesner Dungeon Cover Artist Mark Zug Dragon Polyhedron To bring you up to speed: Editor Jesse Decker replaced the lost druid Hallan with a Cover Artist Jason Martin & Heather McCollum cleric of Fharlanghn named Podo, friend to Matt Sernett’s new character, Kodo (Dragon editors Contributing Authors sure love them some Beastmaster). Newbie Web Developer Rob Head replaced the departed Peter E. Aperlo, Adam Jortner, Scott Peterson, Jeff Quick, Meechee with Brien, an elven barbarian.The rest of us kept on keeping on with the same old Seth Spencer characters from the first installment.To make a long story short, the villainous Tongueater ate Contributing Artists Tom Baxa, Peter Bergting, Jeff Carlisle, Dave Crosland, Brien and Podo, proving that his tastes extend far beyond what his name suggests. Kyle S. Hunter, Rey Lewis, C. Scott Morse, Jake Parker, My character, Mestiphar the Magnificent, survived the way he’s always survived when the Wayne Reynolds, Stan Shaw, Stan!, Chris West, Mark Zug going gets tough—by not coming to the dangerous sessions. Even though the playtest has scored one of the highest kill-rates of any campaign I’ve ever played, I’ve been lucky enough to be on vacation or tight deadlines each time a character has been killed.Whether my char- Publishing, LLC 3245 146th Place SE, Suite 110 acter’s survival comes from pure luck, karma, or insider knowledge is, of course, a private Bellevue, WA 98007 matter between me, my boss, and the DM. Chief Executive Officer Lisa Stevens Here are some things I’ve learned along the way. A “Diary of a Survivor,” if you will. President Johnny L. Wilson Director of Marketing Mary Franklin Technical Director Vic Wertz Come Early, Come Often Corporate Administrator Wailam Wilson When you miss a session, no matter the reason, you’re putting your friends at risk. That’s not Dungeon to say you should enslave your life to the schedule of the game, but it’s worth factoring the (ISSN# 1526-6391) is published monthly by Paizo Publishing, LLC, 3245 146th Place SE, Suite 110, Bellevue, WA 98007, United States risk to other players when you decide not to show up to a session. DMs often plan expecting of America. Periodicals Postage Paid at Bellevue, WA, and at additional mailing offices. everyone to be there. By the time you’ve gotten stuck in traffic or decided to blow off the POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Dungeon game, it’s likely too late for the DM to scale down his encounters.Sample Nearly every file time a fellow Magazine, P.O. Box 469106, Escondido, CA 92046. ©2003 , Inc. All rights reserved. PC has died in the last two campaigns I’ve played, it’s been on a day when a couple players No part of this magazine may be reproduced (except for review purposes) without the prior written permission of the publisher. were absent. Material published herein does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Paizo Publishing, LLC, its employees, or its editorial staff, who are not liable for opinions expressed herein. Most product names are trade- Initiative Cards Help marks owned by the companies that publish those products. Use of the name of any product without mention of trademark status should When we playtest at work, we generally go for about an hour and a half. That’s not a lot of not be construed as a challenge to such status. Wizards of the Coast; Dungeons & Dragons; D&D; Forgotten time, so it’s best to cut away anything that’s not actually playing the game. Chris used to Realms; ; ; ; Birthright; ; ; ; ; Al-Qadim; Dark•Matter; Dungeon track initiative on a whiteboard, scrolling through turns in a fairly clumsy fashion that Master; Dragon; Dungeon; Polyhedron; Living City; Living Greyhawk; slowed down the game. We finally convinced him to use initiative cards produced by The ; and RPGA are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Star Wars and Lucasfilm are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd. Game Mechanics (www.thegamemechanics.com) and the difference is remarkable. Check All rights reserved. × SUBSCRIPTIONS: Please contact Publishers Creative Systems at them out online or just make some cards of your own with ordinary 3 5 inch index cards. [email protected] or call 1-800-395-7760. You won’t be sorry. ADVERTISING: Contact our Advertising Sales Director, Johnny Wilson, at [email protected]. All ads are subject to approval by Paizo Publishing, LLC, which reserves the right to reject The is an Enemy to All Players any ad for any reason. Advertisers and/or agencies of advertisers agree not to hold Paizo Publishing liable for any loss or expense from The first couple Shackled City adventures used creatures from the recently published Fiend alleged wrongdoing that may arise out of the publication of such advertisements. Folio. The book’s very popular around the Paizo offices, since four of our editors participated Northeastern Advertising Representatives: Sig or Scott Buchmayr, Buchmayr Associates, 137 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton, CT 06853, in writing it. It’s also been very unpopular because creatures from it have killed almost a half- (203) 855-8834. Distribution Nationally and Internationally by Curtis Circulation dozen PCs. Last week, the combination of a particularly nasty pit trap and a swarm of blood- Company, 730 River Road, New Milford, NJ 07646. Tel: 201-634-7400. bloaters almost took out half the party. All of us have been anxiously awaiting meeting our Fax: 201-634-7499 OPEN GAME CONTENT: Unless otherwise noted, this Wizards of own creations in combat. At this rate, few of us expect to survive, and we’ve got only our- the Coast game product contains no Open Game Content. No portion of this work may by reproduced in any form without written permis- selves to blame. sion. To learn more about the Open Gaming License and the d20 System License, please visit www.wizards.com/d20. Although we accept subscriptions to prison addresses, delivery is subject to the discretion and/or whim of prison personnel. If you have not received a magazine or premium, please consult with your Mail 6 DUNGEON/POLYHEDRON June 03 Room authorities. This publisher is not responsible for non-delivery. Printed in the U.S.A. Sample file PRISON MAIL

Tell us what you think of this issue. Write to: Prison Mail, 3245 146th Place SE, Suite 110, Bellevue, WA 98007 or send an email to [email protected]. x I Wanna Praise It seems to me that these issues are Hmm, publish this and I’ll renew my You... going to eventually find them in subscription . . . bah, I’ll do it anyway. I'd first like to applaud issue #97. I some way, and what better way than James Bethany ("Gargamel") found all the adventures within to be through the filtered advice of the Vie Email nothing short of exhilarating. My parent or guardian? players especially enjoyed “Life's You know, it only takes a few min- Can we still publish your letter? Bazaar,” by Chris Perkins (another utes for a DM worth his weight in Bit- —Erik Mona tally on the hit-list, Chris!). We used tleSnags (which is what my rogue PC this module as a break from the calls anything without value) to v Frown Now higher-level campaign my players are simply alter the adventure to fit into Upside Down currently tackling. They seemed to your impenetrable G-rated game. If I must say I walked into my local appreciate the idea of running two kids were trying to hunt down adult bookstore with a frown on my face. separate worlds, and it gave them a material, there are many other con- Shall I buy this issue of Dungeon? I second wind when going back to the tending magazines that come to mind. asked myself. Last issue was below master campaign. To close, I just want to say “good average, and the one with vile con- Now I'd like to address a few of the job and keep it up” to the staff of tent didn’t interest me not so much letters published in the last couple Dungeon Magazine.It’smyfavorite because it was vile, but because it issues regarding people concerned thing to find in my mailbox (other struck me as boring. about the use of both drugs and than the occasional 6-digit I picked up issue #97. Oh look, I mature content as gaming material. inheritance from that great-uncle I’ve muttered, a cartoony beholder. I Grow up. What you are really saying never met). Although I am not a fan flipped inside, however, and found I is that death and violence are fine, of Polyhedron, I’m not going to let had struck gold! but your kids shouldn't be introduced that technicality null my apprecia- I’d like to congratulate you guys on to otherworldly threats. tion for Dungeon. I praise thee. Dungeon #97! It has to be one of my

Sample file favorites thus far. “Demonblade” was a then given me my magazine back. brilliant adventure, and I’m very Also, regarding the “mature tone” happy with the new Adventure Path: letter in issue #97 about drug use, I Shackled City. It thrills me that the think it was handled very well [in adventure consists of so many pages, Dungeon #96’s “Pandemonium in because my group hasn’t had a long the Veins”]. My group could tell it one since “Tears for Twilight Hollow” helped a little, but then hurt in the (Dungeon #90). “Blind Man’s Bluff” long run. One guy tried some to get a has given me loads of adventure ideas. boost, but lost some permanent Con- Also, this issue of Polyhedron was stitution and so immediately by far the best ever. I have been stopped. I think that the drug use thinking of DMing a World War II wasshowninaverynegativelight campaign for the last while, but which proved a point very well. I didn't know how. applaud you for your portrayal of Vile content? I don’t see what all drugs as a bad thing! the hype about it is. If a father wants Your 14-year-old DM, to use Dungeons & Dragons for his Sam Kerr kid, let him. So what if he sees a label that says “Porphyry House of Horror.” g Freshness Valued Unless he’s a reincarnated surgeon, I’ll start by saying that I think your he won’t be able to open the sealed magazine has revolutionized the way section without tearing it. Better yet, people perceive roleplaying games why doesn’t the father take it out of today. I’ve been playing D&D for the magazine and throw it away? nineteen years, and I have seen Wow! What a concept! enough change to boggle the mind. My advice, however, is to omit the People who don’t “get” the game vile content. My sentiments? You may cannot understand why I have $3,000 lose reader’s by including vile content, worth of rules in my bookshelves, or but I for one won’t burn my subscrip- spend hours developing plots and tion because I don’t see Satan’s house personalities for my adventures. of gore on the front cover. “Aren’t you going to ever grow up?” Andreas Palalas “You mean you still play that game?” Via Email Sometimes I feel that at heart I’m V YouthSample Chimes file in on still that 10-year-old, sneaking my Vile Debate I have roleplayed for about a year now, but just started reading your Getting in Touch magazine with issue #96. with Dungeon/ I have read the letters that were sub- Polyhedron mitted regarding the sealed content in Subscriptions: Direct change of address and other issue #95. Now, I didn’t buy that issue, subscription inquiries to Publisher’s Creative but as I understand it, the sealed sec- Systems at [email protected] or call 1-800-395-7760. Or write to us at Paizo Publishing, tion caused some complaints. PO Box 469106, Escondido, CA 92046-9680. I have seen many replies to this Back Issues: Missed an important issue? Visit section with negative feedback www.paizo.com/backissues, email regarding children. As I am a DM for [email protected], or write to us at Back Issues, 3245 146th Place SE, Suite 110, Bellevue, a group of 14- and 13-year-olds, I buy WA 98007. D&D stuff. However, if I tried to buy Letters to the Editor should be e-mailed to a book called The Book of Vile Dark- [email protected] or [email protected] Dungeon/Polyhedron ness or a magazine with a sealed sec- or mailed to Prison Mail, Magazine, 3245 146th Place SE, Suite 110, tion, my parents would forbid it. Bellevue, WA 98007. Letters may be edited for The way I see it, it’s the parents’ space and clarity. responsibility to monitor this kind of Submissions: Interested in writing for the maga- thing. If I had bought it through a sub- zine? Download our submission guidelines by vis- iting the Dungeon homepage at scription, however, my parents would www.paizo.com/dungeon. have just cut it out, thrown it away,