I have been meaning to write-up a post on this, ever since I received my copy in the mail. I ordered the hard cover version, to support Dyson and I like a good hard cover book. What can I say, it was Dyson’s blog that inspired me to blog and map myself, so I really won’t review the book, as I would be too biased. I will say, as a fan of Dyson’s considerable body of work, that I am very pleased to have been able to purchase all these maps in one quality volume. (Click on the cover image above to go to Lulu if your interested in buying the book.)
A quick run-down of the book:
Pages 1-3: Introduction and table of contents. My favorite part, “-thus you don’t have to write in the volume itself if you don’t want to deface it. That said, I truly recommend defacing the volume yourself as you go as it makes for a truly unique book that has been customized to your campaign,…”
Pages 4-59: Completely keyed and stocked dungeons that have been previously seen on Dyson’s blog. Dyson’s Delves levels 1-11, The Charmed Grotto, Ruins of the Gorgon, The Worm’s Gullet and Erdea Manor. I feel Erdea Manor is one of the most ambitious creations Dyson has churned out.
Pages 60-149: A great collection of some of Dyson’s best maps, each with a lined blank page next to it for stoking it as you see fit. Like dyson said in the intro, “…I truly recommend defacing the volume yourself…” I think that is just what I will do with some of those maps and this book! It will be Dyson’s book personalized by me.
Pages 150-155: The Twisted Halls of Mornard’s Revenge, this is an exclusive adventure found only in the hard cover version of the book. I have not read it yet, so I won’t comment on it. It does have a sweet map though.
Pages 156-157: The Open Gaming License.
Like I said, this is not a review, I am and always will be a big fan of Dyson’s work. I do not know if there are any of the hard copies left, it was limited to 100 copies I think. If you haven’t bought a copy yet check it out, I think it sells as a soft cover version and a PDF version. Now I’m going to go and scribble all over Dyson’s hard work…:)!!!
Purchased the hardback on your recommendation. This sounds like a really cool book!
I’m absolutely terrible at books intended to be written in, though. I just..can’t…do it.
I am so glad you purchased the book, it will help keep Dyson’s interwebz up and running (which is good for all of us)!!! This is one book that was really designed to be written in, once you get it you’ll see what I mean. Thanks for visiting my little corner of the “Blog-O-Sphere”
Opps, Sorry, I did not recognize the different handle, Link Skywalker….your comments yesterday came in as LS, welcome back my friend…:)
That’s strange, I didn’t even notice.
It may be because i”m at a different location. Maybe I signed into a different account or something.
*fixes it*
Nada Problemo….:)
Bought the hardback, love it…but can;t write in it!
Come on Chris, this thing is made to be written in…LOL!!!!
It sure is BUT I get too creative and one week I am thinking its undead and vampires, and the next its filled with oozes and space larva. Once you write in it, you seal it’s fate!
True, but then you can always get the PDF version to create the next version….:)