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NEW YORK: 15-year-old play er/DM of D&D, AD&D, games with 4 years experience ne eds a new group for gaming and esta blishing an RPGA Network club, if possible. Contact: Len Valure, 45 North Regent CANADA: I am looking for people with MASSACHUSETIS: ATTENTION Street, Port Chester, NY 10573 or call whom I could play the D&D® game, GAMERS Int erested in forming an 914-937-2764. AD&D® game, or any other similar role­ RPGA"' Network club (The playing game. I also would like to find Gamer's Guilcl) in the NW Mass. area? OHIO: Experienced players & DMs in interested new players willing to play a Send an SASE to: Costa Valhouli, 56 the Zanesville/Muskingum County area new RPG entitled ROBOTECH. Write: Hoyt Road, Bradford, MA. 01830. There wanted by Games, Inc. We pla y most Stephane Gauthier, 3013 Gaston, Laval, will be a newsletter (The Vorpal Blade), games and we have an age limit of 15 Quebec, H7P 1H5 or Phone: (514) 622- and meetings. Writers, artists, ideas yrs. & up. Call 453-2091 and leave your 4391. wanted. name and phone number & we will get in touch with you. Tod Ross. FINLAND: Wanted - I'm a DM without MASSACHUSETIS: For sale - As­ a party. Help!! I need players in Fin­ sorted boxed games, some AD&D hard­ PENNSYLVANIA: 13-year-old would land. Contact me: A. Stuart Tannehill cover books, many AD&D modules and like to start an RPG club in the Easton Alppikatu 19C, 00530 Hel sinki, Fin­ pla y aids, plu s unavailable back issues area. Main interests are D&D, STAR land. of DRAGON and White Dwarf maga­ FRONTIERS , Car Wars an d MARVEL zines. To find out more write: Ed Me­ SUPER HEROES game (Regular or CALIFORNIA: 14-year-old male look­ serve, 65 Stone Root Lan e, Concord, Advanced Rules). Contact: Charles ing for pen pal or possibly gaming part­ MA. 01742 . Pr ices are ba sed on condi­ Schindler at 2033 Arndt, Easton, PA. ner. My intere sts are AD&D game, DR. tion of item and purcha se pri ce. 18042 or call 252-5167. Is willing to WHO, and I'm willing to learn others. learn others EXCEPT AD&D. Contact: Jamie Williams, 3091 Chip­ MISSOURI: Want ed - Out of print RPG penham Drive, San Jos e, CA. 95132. Or Games and magazines. Especially one PENNSYLVANIA: Looking for role­ call (408) 272-2722. called Witchhun t. Contact: Cary Lay­ players and stra tegists in Conshohoken­ ton, Route 5, Box 241, Perryville, MO. Roxborough area (or anybody near ILLINOIS: Int elligent 19-year-old, 63775 or (314) 547-6919. there) to join a small group of play ers recentl y moved, seeks other 17-22 year hoping to get larger. We play a wide olds for gaming group. I play and ref­ NEW HAMPSHIRE: I, Kossack the range of games, please contact: Derrick eree AD&D game, , Conqueror, have discovered a new land . Loris, 2038 Wister ia Lane, Lafayette Call of Cthulhu, Trav eller and Jo in me in a computerized Pla y-By-Mail Hill s, PA. 19444 or call (215) 825-4082. MARVEL SUPER HEROES"' game. I'm adventure set on a new world. Instruc ­ interested in playing Jorune and tions and set-up are free. Turns cost 50 TEXAS: LARGE ARMY UP FOR Warhamm er. Contact: Dave Jezi ersk i, cents each . I await your reply. Contact: TRADE: Are there any wargamers 6732 W 64th Plac e, Apt 2E, Chicago, IL. Criss Bub acz, 17 Meadow Lane, Sun­ interested in making an even trade for 60638. cook, NH 03275 . Phon e: (603) 485-3315. 385 ORC Soldiers, if so send me a SASE telling me what you have to trad e, like MARYLAND: Looking for AD&D NEW JERSEY : WANTED - Small band other role playing games and if possible game play ers ages 15-21 in the Pik es­ of adventurers lookin g for mature, intel­ another large army. Send SASE to: ville area. Please write to Jean Borde, ligent AD&D game players in the Mid­ Jimm y Nugent, 602 East Alabama P. 0 . Box 32466, Pik esville, Baltimore, dlesex, Somerset, and/or Hunt erdon Street, Wharton, TX 77488. MD. 21208. county areas. Experienced unnecessary, ages 25 + and female players wel­ VIRGINIA : Southwestern Virginia MARYLAND: I am a first-level player comed. Contact: Jor ge Ocasio, 224 F gamers looking for other gamers partic­ with knowledge of the game but no Craig Road , N eshanic Station, NJ ularly interested in AD&D game and playin g experienc e seeking a local pa ­ 08853, (203) 782-7316. possibly learning Cyborg Commando. tient DM to get me starte d in the D&D We would like to form a club or team to or AD&D games . Please write to Carol NEW JERSEY: 14-year-old gamer with attend this year's ® Game Mathews , 3903 Napoleon Pla ce, Bowie, exper ience in D&D game who also Fair in August. Prefer 2-3 year's gam­ MD. 20716. games in AD&D, STAR FRONTIERS ® ing experience & 18 years or older. game, an d GANGBUSTERS"' game, Contact: Matt Hart 495 Church St., MARYLAND : WANTED - Gamers and seeks other gamers in Sout h J ersey Christiansburg, Va. 24073-1543. Phone: gaming groups in the Washington, DC­ area. Write: Matt Elwell, 38 West Ave­ (703) 382-2145. Metro area (include s Montgomer y nue, Woodstown, NJ 08098. County, PG County, and Northern VA). WISCONSIN: WANTED DESPER ­ Contact: Andrew Martin , Gamers Guild NEW JERSEY: WANTED - Experi­ ATELY Issues 9, 10, 25 of the of Mont gomerySample County, 716 Roxboro enced AD&D gamers for Par sippany , NJ POLYHEDRON"' file Newszine. If you are Rd., Rockvill e MD. 20850. Or call (301) club. Call Jame s (201) 334-4164 willing to part with these issues, sen d a 424 -2115, Hour s: Wed. Noon-2 p.m., Sat. letter stating cost and condition to: J ean 3-5 p.m. Mooney, P. 0. Box 689, Williams Bay, WI 53191.

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Volume 8, Number 2 Issue #40, March, 1988

SPECIAL MODULE FEATURE

9 The New Janeeva Herald -Prognosticator , Final Edition - by Michael Selinker Ace news reporters stumble upon a story that could cost them their lives in this ®game scenario that was used as an RPGA"' Network tournament.

FEATURES

About the Cover 6 The Crltlcal Hit - by Errol Farstad These intrepid adventurers aren't Dungeoneer 's Suruiual Guide and Wilderness Suruiual Guide are examined by really Jost, they're just examining our reviewer. the map to make sure they don't miss any local points of interest. 7 Arcane Academe - by Jeff Martin Art by Joseph Pillsbury. Thach an old character new tricks by cleverly using potions and other magic items.

8 The Living City 's Black Lotus - by Rollin Ehlenfeldt Stroll into the Black Lotus , an apothecary shop with special clients.

2 3 Night of the Wolf - by Lisa Stevens The fire-wielding mage Lupus Mortus, from Lion Rampant 's Ars Magica game, is on a mission. Woe be to those who stand in his way. Ars Magica and AD&D® game satistics for Lupus are also presented.

28 Roll For Surprise - by Roger Moore Generate some inte rest in new heroes and heroines by giving them old names.

Pub lisher Mike Cook DEPARTMENTS Editor 4 Notes From HO - by Jean Rabe Taking a look at the new POLYHEDRON"' Newszine. Assistant Edito rs Skip Williams 5 Letters - from the members. Guy McLimore

Art Director Roger Raupp

Prod uction Staff Kim Janke Stephanie Tabat Sylvia Deering SampleSharon Simonis file

p 0 L y H E D R 0 N 4 Notes From HO

It was time for a change. The Editor and other editorial articles from Moving Ah ead POLYHEDRON"' Newszine hadn't HQ will have a polyhedron dice near changed much in appearance since it the headlines. Other regular features, The bulk of the content of the next came out 39 issues ago. However, the such as Arcane Academe, will have an several POLYHEDRON Newszines has Network had been changing and grow­ outline head line. Roger said it took him been selected to keep the Newszine on ing and improving. Because of that, we about two weeks to create the new de­ schedule. Next issue will feature an thought it was time for the sign (in between working on DRAGON AD&D® game Oriental Adventures POLYHEDRON Newszine to improve and DUNGEON magazines) . He said he scenario called Wedding Party. The also. is especially proud of the overall look author is member Robert Farnsworth of So now you see our new cover design and the graph ic tidbits he included, Orlando, Florida. The adventure was and the new typography we've adopted. such as the graph design on the cover. used as the Oriental Adventures tour­ We will still keep many old, familiar nament at the GEN CON®20 Game elements of the Newszine, such as Ar­ The Name Game Revisited Fair. The Notes From HQ column will cane Academe, The Critical Hit, the address the revised point system and MARVEL SUPER HEROES"' game RPGA"' Network members have been will include charts detailing the point column, Fun In Games, Letters, and a given the pleasurab le responsibility of breakdowns between player and judge Ravens Bluff(Living City) entry. And naming the D&D®game world featured levels. we'll still have an adventure in each in the Gazetteer products. The deadline is issue (although we'll try to feature March 25. (We know that's not much Mu ch Thanks adventures for a variety of game sys­ time , but that shouldn't pose too much of tems , not just the AD&D® game ). But a problem for anyone with a pen, pencil, It is a great feeling to have the we'll also be doing something new occa­ or word processor and a little creativity.) POLYHEDRON Newszine moving sionally, such as including a few fiction Members planning to enter this con­ smoothly through the various phases of articles that clever game masters can test should consult the Gazetteers to get production . And it's an even better use as adventure plots for campaigns. a good background on the world. The feeling to know that X number of issues And we'll try to run some Rogues Gal­ winning name will be chosen by a panel no longer have to be produced before the lery entries that feature characters for a of TSR, Inc. experts. And the winning magazine is back on schedule. HQ variety of game systems. We're even name will be announced in a future would like to thank several people for bringing back Dispel Confusion! How­ POLYHEDRON Newszine and in Gazet­ helping get the Newszine back on track . ever, you're going to be stuck with teer products in 1989. Roger Raupp deserves much thanks for Notes From HQ. That's another thing The winner will receive autographed the fine new design. Roger Moore, the that 's not going to change. I just copies of Gazetteers 1-5. editor of DRAGON Magazine, and Bar­ couldn 't bring myself to stop writing bara Young, the editor of DUNGEON these wonderful missives. Team Spirit Magazine, have helped by proof reading The man responsible for the a few articles and by giving advice on a POLYHEDRON Newszine's new look is This year's GEN CON®/ORIGINS"' variety of topics. The TSR, Inc. typeset­ Art Director Roger Raupp. Roger has Game Fair wiU feature the first RPGA ting department worked extra hours to worked at TSR, Inc. for the past eight Network clubs-only tournament. This get the past several issues out so the years, and is also the art director for event will be open only to clubs which Newszine could get caught up. And Skip DRAGON®Magazine and DUNGEON"' have been sanctioned by the Network. (A Williams, who has edited several issues Magazine. club form appeared in POLYHEDRON of POLYHEDRON Newszine and who Roger said, "It was about time to give Newszine #36.) Each club which enters remains one of our assistant editors, has the Newszine a more professional ap­ this competition must choose six club done a tremendous job in getting artic ­ pearance, one that would also help members to compete. The winning team les edited before deadlines and for pro­ speed its production. It needs a new look will receive a trop hy and will have pos­ viding valuable ideas for the because the old look was associated session of a traveling trophy until GEN POLYHEDRON Newszine's future con­ with some poor things, such as lateness CON® Game Fair 1989. Any team which tents. A big thank you must also go to and a convoluted design. The idea is to wins the traveling trophy three years in all the RPGA members who stayed with give the Newszine a new identity. _! a row will get to keep it . Sound fun? We the Network throughout think the readers will like it. What's think so. And we think it is a way for POLYHEDRON Newszine's many de­ not to like? It's an improvement over the RPGA to offer something other than lays. We will strive to produce a top­ the old design." Roger said the new individual competition. A team entry notch Newszine Network members can format willSample allow the Newszine to be form will appear in the GEN CON®/ be proud tofile read and contribute to. typeset more quickly, which means it ORIGINS"' Game Fair pre-registration should make it easier to stay on sched­ brochure. Another special RPGA Net ­ Take Care, ule. The new design includes standard­ work offering at GEN CON/ORIGINS ized headlines for certain features. For Game Fair will be the benefit tourna­ example, Notes From HQ, Letters to the ment for the American Cancer Society. Jean

p 0 L y H E D R 0 N 5 Letters

Renewal Problems Playtes ting Sec o n d Editi on POLYHEDRON N Newszin e (the official newsletter of TSR, lnc.'s ROLE PLAYING GAME ASSOCIATIONN I am responding to your request for I have just recently joined the RPGA Network) is published bi-monthly by TSR, Inc. The mailing address for all correspondence is: P.O. Box member views on the reason for the loss Network , and I have read in DRAGON® 509 , Lake Geneva, WI 53147 . Telephone : (414) of RPGA"' Network members. I do agree Magazine that you will be conducting 248-3625 . with you on the point of late issues, but the play-testing of the AD&D® Second POLYHEDRON Newszine is mailed free to all I find the issues worth waiting for, and I Edition early next year. I am interested RPGAN members. US membership rates are $12 do not think that so many people would in being a play -tester, and my group and per year (bulk mail delivery only); foreign rates are drop their memberships due to lat e I are wondering if there are any oppor­ $20 per year (surface maiQ or $30 per year (air mail) . All prices are subject to change wrthout notice . issues. tunities to get in on this. Any informa­ Changes of address for the delivery of membership I think one of the reasons that you tion you may have would be greatly materials must be received at least 30 days prior to have so many members not renewing appreciated. the effective date of the change to insure uninterrupt­ ed delivery . their memberships is that each year, POLYHEDRON Newszine welcomes unsolicited when it comes time to rejoin , something Alex Sudnik submissions of written material and artwork . No gets screwed up . For example, I keep Waldwick , NJ responsib ilrty for such submissions can be assumed by the publisher in any event. No submissions will be receiving notice s telling me my mem­ returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed . bership has run out after I have paid . Play-testing for AD&D Second Edition stamped envelope of sufficient size. Also, for the last couple of years I've began in the spring of last year. S everal Unless special arrangements to the contrary are made prior to publication, materials submitted to the been receiving two Newszines, two RPGA clubs ha ve been testing various Publisher for publication in POLYHEDRON Newsz ine membership cards, etc. I only sign up elements of the system since then, and are accepted solely upon the condrtion that the for one membership , but I still keep making reports to the gam e developers. materials may be edrted and published in POLYHEDRO N Newszine or used in RPGAN getting two issues AND two bills . I Two other RPGA clubs this past month Network sanctioned tournaments, conventions, and think you should not only get your play-tested modules for 19th and 100th events without cost to the Publisher. All other issues out on time , but you should also level AD&D characters. publication rights may be reserved by the author except that, upon publication, the Publisher is straighten out your membership fees. When the RPGA Network is given the granted a first right of refusal to purchase any and all Those are the only complaints I have. opportunity to assign play -testing mate­ such publication rights offered for sale by the author. I really enjoy the Newszine and am a rials, we first .look to the RPGA clubs. Solely for purposes of submissions for publication in POLYHEDRON Newszine and upon prior written faithful RPGA member. I'll continue to Play-testing is one of the benefits of being agreement, authors may be granted a non-exclusive be loyal if YOU continue to be loyal. part of a club. right to use TSR copyr ighted material with proper I think I'll also give writing some An RPGA club form appeared in acknowledgement: however, any use of such copyrighted material in the submission beyond the articles a shot . Oh, and here's a gaming POLYHEDRON no. 36. Club forms are newszine without TSR's further prior written approval word for Rick Reid: scrup, used to show available through Network HQ. is prohibited . a dislike for food. Example s, "That's a In the event an article submitted for publication in POLYHEDRONN Newsz ine con tains material rude pile of scrup on your plate;' or Com plaint Depar tmen t copyrighted by TSR, Inc., to such an extent as to "Don't eat at the Dwarves' Beard Tav­ make rt impractical to separate those materials from ern, it serves pretty scruppy food." Thi s I would like to express my dissatisfac ­ the submission, TSR will retain copyright ownership of the article upon submission for publication . word came from tavern goers who asso­ tion with the RPGA Network. From However, if TSR makes use of the materials ciated bad food with the sound of some­ what I have read these past few months contained in the article for any product or commer • one scraping dried foodstuffs off the and seen, I feel you are all very hypo­ cial purpose beyond RPGAN Network use, TSR will pay the author the then current fee for such product tavern walls . critical. All you ever use are TSR, Inc.'s or purpose . products! The Newszine is practically All letters addressed to the RPGAN Netwo rk or to Paul C. Easton DUNGEON"' Magazine in miniature! I TSR, Inc .. will be considered as submissions and may be printed in whole or in part at the discretion of White Bear Lake, MN. can't believe you people! I don't see too the editor unless the sender spec ifically requests much difference between the two; otherwise in writing . Sorry for all the problems you have had except one is in color. RPGA is for ALL Unless otherwise stated. the opinions exp ressed in POLYHEDRON Newszine are those of the individual with your RPGA membership. For some role-playing games, not just for those authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions reason you were in our membership files published by TSR. Even in issue #34 of TSR, Inc., the RPGA Network , or rts staff. twice. If other members are having simi• you ask for more material for the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. D&D , ADVANCED DUNG EONS & DRAGONS. ADVANCED D&D , lar problems, we would appreciate hear• AD&D system, MARVEL SUPER AD&D, BOOT Hill, GA MMA WORLD , TOP ing from them . We can't correct the HEROES"' game , and GAMMA SECRET, DRAGON , and STAR FRONTIERS are problems if we aren't told about them . WORLD® game. All are published by registered trademar ks owned by TSR, Inc. "T M" designates other trademarks owned by TSR, Inc., Tou say you find the Newszine worth TSR! unless otherwise indicated . ROLE PLAYING GAME the wait. Well, hopefully you won't have ASSOCIATION, RPGA , and GEN CON are service to wait anySample more for the Newszine. Mak­ Peter Young marks ownfileed by TSR, Inc. MARVEL SUPER HEROES, SECRET WARS, and all Marvel characters ing deadlines is important. This issue is Olympia, WA are trademarks of the Marvel Comics Group . on schedule. That's important. And we will strive very hard to make sure we don't get behind schedule again. (Continued on pag e 27)

p 0 L y H E D R 0 N 6

Surviva l! Climbi ng Wa lls and just plain do not permit fighting on by Errol Farstad walls and other sheer surfaces. Found in the "Movement" section, this The penalties for fighting in darkness Realism versus playability. That now is perhaps the most significant change make sense, however. Fighting in the seems to be the name of the game for to the AD&D rules, permitting non­ dark is a lot like fighting someone who the new additions to the AD&D®game thief player characters to climb walls. is invis ible. The major difference is that system; the Dungeoneer 's Survival Long ago, it was remarked that non­ in the dark you have the chance of hit ­ Guide and the Wilderness Survival thieves, because they lack the training ting your fellow party members as well Guide. What these two works do is and skills necessary, had a very small as your enemy (who is probably hidden incorporate realism , attempting to chance to climb walls. The DSG gives in some corner sniggering behind a desk make AD&D closer to real life. PCs who are not thieves a base 40% or something; sneaky DMs take note ). Is the "realism factor" a bad thing? chance. This, fortunately, takes into Not really. Is the "realism factor" neces­ account the condition of the wall Unde rgroun d Environ ment sary? No. But the harm or help already climbed , the type of armor worn by the has been done. Before you make any PC, and the types of surfaces to be judgments based on these opening para­ climbed. The modifiers for such inclu­ If a DM really wants to be a killer, this section allows one to kill a group of PCs graphs, I recommend you read this sions are stated in this section. Do you essay thoroughly , and decide for your­ agree or disagree that non-thieves without having to send a large number self if the fun has left the AD&D game should be permitted a base chance to of nasty monsters after them. In all by the addition of the surviva l guides. climb walls as per the DSG? In my seriousness, these rules include what happens when too much smoke is in an In general, the addition of these hard opinion, this should be allowed only if cover supplements provides some they have the mountaineering profi­ area with no ventilation, cave-ins and needed reference for panic situations ciency. The choice is up to you. their causes and effects, odors and nox­ where DMs are not sure what should be ious gases and the effects thereof, etc . done. For examp le, your character Profi ciencies In this section we find a smattering of needs to use a grappling hook to get useful equipment that is a welcome addi­ across a chasm, and you are not sure Like the Oriental Adventures book, the tion to AD&D game such as the grap­ what his chances are. Consult either DSG now has non -weapon proficiencies. pling hook, the crowbar, and crampons. survival guide, depending if the player There are three types available: Arti­ There is also a section that gives some character is in the wilderness or under­ san, Craftsman, and Adventuring Profi­ information on what to do should your PCs discover a mine within your under­ ground, and you will find your quiet ciencies. I really feel that the ground realm. This should be an interest­ desperation turn to relief as you dis­ non-weapon proficiencies are the best ing item if any group finds Moria. cover the exact chances for successful part of the DSG , as these proficiencies The Dungeon Masters' Section does grappling. Sounds good, you say? The can truly add more depth to a PC, and give some good general guidelines grappling table is only one of the many add more "color" to a character. Many should PCs decide they want to take an tables that have been added to the DMs may feel these proficienc ies add extended vacation underground. It even AD&D system. too much realism , but I disagree. If Let us first tackle the similarities anything, they may replace the Second­ goes so far as to explain a basic political between the two books. As mentioned ary Skills Table found on page 12 of the system for var ious underground races. earlier, both work s are hard cover Dungeon Masters Guide (DMG), or they However, the best addition to the DMs' books, cost $15, and have the excellent can be used in combination, with the Section is the Campaign Considerations exterior artwork that is the trademark Secondary Skills providing basic back­ chapter, giving the DM some fresh ideas of . Both, also, have tables in ground skills and the proficiencies pro­ on how to run a campaign. One part the back , some of which overlap be­ viding specific skills. discusses the importanc e of the story in tween the two volumes. It is there that the AD&D campaign, and gives several the similarities end. examples of how to plot a story for your Comb at Rules Un derground adventuring party. I am not going to go into any specifics other than to say that DUNGEONEER' S SURV IVAL To be honest, I do not see how it can the DSG is worth the $15 purchase price GUIDE be possible for a PC to fight from a wall. for its DM section alone. I would think that one would need both The only section that I question The Dungeoneer's Survival Guide (DSG) hands and feet to maintain balance within the DM's section deals with is written by , who previ ­ while perched on a sheer surface. Ac­ perspective mapping. Perspective map­ ously broughtSample us severa l modules of the cording to the DSG, "a -2 pena lty is ping givesfile an ordinary graph map a ®campaign, as well assessed to all of the character's attack, three -dimensional "feel ;' so that the as contributions to the STAR damage, and save rolls" (DSG, pg 30). DM can see what the players have got­ FRONTIERS ® game system. I'm sorry, but that rule just does not ten themselves into. wash. Other DMs may feel the way I do, (Continued on page 30)

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