Citadel of Chaos by Brett Schofield is a role playing game supplement published by Arion Games for use with Advanced Fighting Fantasy 2nd Edition. This is an adventure based on the original gamebook.
The supplement is available as a PDF for $12, as a softcover print on demand book for $25, as a hardcover print on demand book for $20, as softcover and PDF for $25 or as hardcover and PDF for $30. The PDF is the version reviewed, although it was purchased at a reduced price during a sale, and has 124 pages with two being the front and rear covers, two the front matter and one the Contents.
Chapter 1 – Introduction explains that The Citadel of Chaos was the second gamebook in the original Fighting Fantasy series and the new elements it brought to the game. It explains how this supplement is not just a straight conversion of the gamebook but included new material. It then explains what’s needed to play, that the adventure is intended for three players and the Director – GM – and finally some Background, a long piece of text to introduce the players to the adventure, followed by several other adventure hooks.
Chapter 2 – Prologue starts by explaining that the characters being in Salamonis, what they can buy there, a 3d6 encounter table for after leaving the city with monster encounters and some non-monster encounters that can be fleshed out, a couple of characters who can act as guides, how characters can cast spells if none of them otherwise could, as they are given six spell scrolls, a map of the region and another 3d6 encounter table for Craggen Rock. It then looks at the Black Tower, with an overview of the layout, details of guard patrols including guard stats, bluffs the characters could use to gain entry and threat levels for the tower and what they do. Finally, there is a 4d6 table of gossip.
Chapter 3 – Act One – Dungeons starts with a brief overview and a map of the area with the individual locations – somewhat oddly, called scenes – then covered.
Chapter 4 – Act Two – Basement is laid out in a similar manner to the previous chapter; an overview, followed by a map and the various locations detailed.
Chapter 5 – Act Three – Ground Floor follows the same format, with an overview, a map of the floor and descriptions of the different locations.
Chapter 6 – Act Four – The Black Tower again follows the standard format with an overview, a map and descriptions of the locations. This area also sees the final confrontation with Balthus Dire and includes the epilogue on leaving the Black Tower and the rewards the characters get.
Chapter 7 – Additional Resources starts with a table that has the Wizardry or Sorcery equivalents of the spells in the original gamebook, although in some cases there are no equivalents because of game balance issues. It then has details on black sorcery, including the benefits and issues black sorcerers have and a list of spells. After this is lore on Balthus Dire, his family, home, surrounding area, some associated NPCs and hill goblins. Finally, there are some pregenerated characters.
Citadel of Chaos in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and at this length it really needs them. The Contents covers the major sections and some sub-sections. Navigation is poor. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be free of errors. There are a number of black and white illustrations, up to full page in size. Presentation is decent.
Given that this is based on a gamebook, it is a fairly linear adventure, with characters heading up through the Black Tower until the final confrontation with Balthus Dire, although there are differences to the book. There are quite a few new magic items in the book, as well as the new lore and black sorcery options at the end. A straight-up combat approach may turn out badly, as the citadel is filled with various enemies, though many of them do not like each other that much. The adventure will probably play out better for those players who think there way through it. Citadel of Chaos is a substantial adventure and it can be found by clicking here.
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