Pyramid: Pyramid Review: Paths of the Damned: Spires of Altdorf (for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay)

Pyramid Review

Paths of the Damned: Spires of Altdorf (for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay)

Published by Black Industries

Developed by Green Ronin Publishing

Written by David Chart with Kate Flack, Chris Pramas, & Gav Thorpe

Cover by Christer Sveen

Illustrated by Tony Parker & Christer Sveen

Cartography by Shawn Brown

96-page b&w hardcover; $24.95

Spires of Altdorf is the second part of the Paths of the Damned trilogy for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay. It is also the third part of the campaign begun in "Through the Drakwald," found in the core book, following on from Ashes of Middenheim. Where that scenario suffered in being too linear, sending the adventurers out to deal with one threat, grab any treasure and come back to repeat the exercise over again, it is pleasing to see that Spires of Altdorf escape that structure to provide a more player-driven affair. This is the author's first work for the game, being better known for his re-design of Ars Magica and supplements such as The Medieval Player's Manual. That said, if the interesting d20 System scenario Splintered Peace is any indication, then Spires of Altdorf could be a big improvement upon Ashes of Middenheim.

As the title suggests, the setting for this scenario is Altdorf, capital of the Empire, and a city that was barely visited in The Enemy Within campaign, let alone detailed. Not just home to the Emperor, the headquarters for each of the Orders of Magic is here (and weird places they are), as is the Cult . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.

Article publication date: November 3, 2006

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