Misty Isles of the Eld by Chris Kutalik and Robert Parker is a role playing game supplement published by Hydra Cooperative for use with Labyrinth Lord. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result. This is a mini-sandbox for 4-7 PCs of levels 14-20.
The supplement is available from DriveThruRPG as a 103-page PDF for $12, as a print on demand softcover for $16 or as both softcover and PDF for $16. The PDF is the version reviewed, although it was purchased at a discount. Two pages are the front and rear covers, two the front matter, one the Table of Contents and one the Open Game License.
Welcome to the Misty Isles gives an overview of the Isles, referencing Slumbering Ursine Dunes (which are across the channel from the Isles) and Fever-Dreaming Marlinko. The Misty Isles on First Approach has a description as to how the isles appear as they are first seen, and as they are arrived at. Landing on the Island covers landing at one of the various points, and also has a d6 event chart for entering the mists.
Getting the Party to the Isles has several different ways of getting the characters there. They could interrogate a named Eld leader from Slumbering Ursine Dunes or Fever-Dreaming Marlinko, acquire a map, by using a patron, using the Golden Barge from Slumbering Ursine Dunes or by simple handwaving.
On Grub Ridges and Meat Machines covers the giant, essentially impossible to harm, grubs that divide the island into the various areas. A d8 table has various named Eld NPCs who can be encountered, who are then described in more detail, including behaviour and a sample of how they talk. The Eld Defense Plan explains how the Eld respond to detected intrusion, and has a d6 encounter table for Eld patrols. There is also a d6 table for Eld reinforcements and a general d12 wandering critter table for the isles.
Next is Using the Pointcrawl Map, which starts off by explaining pointcrawls. Pointcrawls are similar to hexcrawls, only they are simplified, with connections only between points of interest. Essentially, what you’d get if you removed every hex from a hex crawl that didn’t have something in it.
This is followed by the Pointcrawl Locations and a 2-page map of the isles. There are 18 different locations, as well as multiple feeding sites for the giant grubs. Four of the sites are also adventure locations, which have places that are described in more detail in the following sections. The adventure locations are essentially mini dungeons, even if they may be aboveground, rather than beneath it. Actions at a location can have consequences for what happens elsewhere; the Eld will increase their alert level once some actions are discovered.
Following the pointcrawl locations and adventure sites is the Anti-Chaos Index. This has similarities to the Chaos Index seen in Slumbering Ursine Dunes and Fever-Dreaming Marlinko, except it doesn’t move naturally towards zero, only being moved by events. As characters diminish the Eld’s sway on the Isles, their original reality starts to manifest and, eventually, the Eld can be completely driven back to the Cold Hell.
Appendix A: Bestiary has the new monsters that can be encountered on the Isles.
Appendix B: New Class describes the Psychonaut, a new, 8 level class with new powers and a tendency to get mutations and mental problems.
Appendix C: Eld Artifacts has the technologically advanced Eld equipment that can be found around the Isles, which range from weird to deadly and include weapons and transport.
Appendix D: Maps duplicates the maps from within the supplement.
Misty Isles of the Eld in Review
The PDF has no bookmarks and the Table of Contents is not as through as it could be. Navigation is pretty terrible. The text maintains a single column format and appeared to be free of errors. There are a variety of black and white illustrations, up to a full page in size, that appear to be custom. Not every new monster has artwork, but many of them do. Presentation is very good. Sadly, the maps do not come with player-friendly versions.
The text has a fair bit of vulgarity and adult references, as well as various comments to the GM. The Eld themselves are portrayed as being thoroughly unpleasant, yet also oddly humorous, creatures, and some of what the characters encounter should mean they have no problems with the idea of wiping the Eld out. The Eld are rather unique and portrayed in more detail than they have been before. The adventure site locations are weird, sometimes disturbing and definitely different. The various NPCs are also described in enough detail to make them individual, and as well as the major locations the Isles are dotted with the occasional piece of weirdness. Misty Isles of the Eld is an interesting and recommended combination sandbox/pointcrawl/Eld culture description and it can be found by clicking here.
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