Jungle Ruins of Madaro-Shanti (Frog God Games)

[Omote]

Jungle Ruins of Madaro-Shanti [REVIEW]

The Jungle Ruins of Madaro-Shanti is the first adventure in Frog God Games series of One Night Stand modules. The author of this module is Scott Casper. This review comes from the Pathfinder RPG version of the module. Frog God Games releases many of their modules in dual formats for the Pathfinder RPG and the Swords & Wizardry RPG.

This 32-page module opens with a nice piece of cover art by Rowena Aitken depicting a forlorn woman staring at a terrible visage in the mirror. Behind the woman a bare-chested man lies unconscious on a bed with a stream of blood pouring from a pair of bite marks on his neck. Of the 32 pages, one page counts as the cover to the module, one page the credits, one page is dedicated to the Legal Appendix found in most RPG releases and one page is dedicated to the back cover which is an advertisement.

The initial part of this adventure module starts with the introduction. The Jungle Ruins of Madaro-Shanti is and adventure for 4-8 characters of 4th-7th level. Here we have the GM’s background and history on the events leading up to the adventure proper, followed by the background information that the players will need to know. There is an extensive section of GM’s notes detailing rumors that the PCs may have heard, wandering monsters and their statistics, special encounters for the PCs to stumble across, new monsters which are fully described, and couple of maps describing the general area as well as a close up map of the ruins in which this adventure module centrally takes place.

The sections that follow are the detailed descriptions of the journey that the player characters will take, plus plenty of maps on gatehouses, palaces, dungeons and the like. Each map is basic, but well rendered, and traditionally numbered with encounter areas that can be cross referenced with detailed explanations within the module. The descriptions of the ruins that the PCs will explore are, as expected, the largest portion of this module. Much of the deeper details and plot are to be found in this section as mystery of the jungle ruins unfolds with the exploration.

Finally, the final pages of this adventure module cover wrapping up the adventure with details on filling in the story gaps that the PCs may not have become aware of, and an appendix on the magic items and artifacts found in the module.

The Jungle Ruins of Madaro-Shanti is, in most respects, is a straight-up adventure module with travel, exploration, and a fair amount of deadly combat. While this module is in a series called One Night Stands, it is possible to complete this adventure in a single, long session of play. More likely though, and of course depending on the actions of the characters, running or playing in this adventure will give you several sessions of play quite easily.

The player characters start in the jungle town of Chologadi where they hear of a cursed black cloud that hangs over the nearby ruins of Madaro-Shanti. The hunters and tradesmen of the area report that this pall of darkness and rot is moving slowly towards their fair city. The locals fear that this black cloud is a plague called from ancient times. Chologadi is in peril and the city is becoming a ghost town. It is up a group of adventurers to lead an expedition to the ruins where the black fog is thought to originate and put an end to it!

When the party successfully gets to the jungle ruins, they will have the opportunity to explore 4 locales; a gatehouse, a well complex, a dilapidated palace and a 2-level dungeon below the palace. Within all of these areas there are many chances to fight the jungle terrors that lie in wait in the old ruins. PCs will more than likely trip a few deadly traps, and in the end, encounter the spirit of evil which resides hidden in the Jungle Ruins.

The Jungle Ruins of Madaro-Shanti is written in the old style of fantasy RPG adventuring, and in doing so breaks no ground. There is nothing fancy or shocking in the direction that this adventure module takes. Plots twists and over-reaching, grandiose story will not be found within these 32 pages. What Madaro-Shanti does deliver by the bucket full is atmosphere in classic adventuring style. The player characters will encounter jungle-themed enemies and ruins, and in the process roll lots of dice, and probably suffer a few casualties. This adventure while stated to be for characters of level 4-7, would be well advised to stay closer to level 5 or higher. Four characters of 4th level would probably have a very difficult time successfully completing this adventure, and certainly wouldn’t do so in a single session.

Overall, what you get is what Frog God Games, and much like its predecessor Necromancer Games, have always delivered: classic adventure feel that transcends system mechanics.

The Jungle Ruins of Madaro-Shanti is worth your time. 8.5 / 11.0.

~O

[Joe]

I plan to run this for my home group.

I just don't like having to track what happens if/when the players do such and such. But I have some players that seem to really enjoy the if this then that sort of scenarios so I think it will be lots of fun.

I'm still trying to make sense of what happens when players move things around.

I also have yet to determine what the cover art has to do with the module contents.

[Omote]

I also have yet to determine what the cover art has to do with the module contents.

Nada. Still, it's a pretty cool mudule. I'll be running this in my campaign soon too.

~O

[Joe]

Oh, I love all things BW has worked on!
I don't go for fanboy stuff usually but their products are one company I am willing to buy on the blind.
I have yet to be dissapointed.

You'll have to let me know how it goes.
I think I got my head around the details but that still does not appease the lazy GM in me.