Celtic-Frosting

And lo, the maiden fair did offer up her love unto the beast and with him lay in close embrace until the first cock crow. Her willing sacrifice thus broke the curse and freed them from the plague of Nosferatu.

Two years later, World Builder’s Guidebook got its natural companion in Dungeon Builder’s Guidebook (1998). Another (delightful) Daniel Horne piece on the cover, giving me some King Solomon vibes. The interiors are by Arnie Swekel, who very much feels like Glen Angus’ partner in late-2E crime to me. He does solid hatching throughout. I adore his two sidebar ornaments in particular that repeat throughout the book — my only complaint is that they are so good I wish there were a dozen of them instead of just two.

This one is more my speed and rather old-school in its approach, particularly in the use of geomorphs. Bruce Cordell divides dungeons into six core types: aerial, castle, interdimensional, mine/cavern, ruin/tomb and underwater. Each type is accompanied by tables for encounters and properties, and further, a full example dungeon in the back of the book. Cordell then describes an intriguing method for taking a dungeon space and pushing it to more interesting ends by adding thematic twists, discusses traps and provides a generator.

 The Nekromancer’s Daughter

“The Daughters of the Dread Nekromancer of Zuma ~~ No Living Being is certain if these stunning women are the Nekromancer’s actual progeny, or if the term “Daughter” indicates some other intimate relation to the powerful Master of Dark Secrets.”

They are Telepathic: save or have your mind penetrated.  

They possess a Stunning Gaze: save or lose turns.

Their Touch is Enervating: save or ability drain.