The Book of Lairs (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Official Game Accessory, REF3, No. 9177)

NOTE: THIS REVIEW FOR REFEREE'S EYES ONLY. THERE ARE SPOILERS HERE FOR PLAYERS. The Book of Lairs (REF3) is perfect for those times when -- as a DM -- you're having "writer's block." Here's an example of what I did with just one of the encounters from the book, "Drow." What follows is an "after-action" report I wrote for my players, so the details of the adventure wouldn't be forgotten with time. (6/2/03) "Festan answered the summons from the Archdruid Kyelmann immediately. Ardeep Forest, close to Waterdeep, is a de facto druid embassy to the city-state. Ideally, conflicts from both sides can be resolved peacefully, and Kyelmann has negotiated most of those agreements. Kyelmann, an old but vigorous man with snow-white hair and beard, greeted Festan formally. This was not their first meeting. The two sized each other up once again, for one day the ambitious and able younger druid would surely challenge Kyelmann for the Archdruid position. The outcome of that contest was far from certain. The assignment: Investigate the source of recent Drow elf raids in The High Forest, south of the Star Mounts. Drow kill indiscriminately, and are as disruptive as settlers hacking down the forest. Kyelmann also had a "gift" for Festan, an elf warrior, Evana Vega, who ended up being a welcome addition to the party. Since the loss of Boutros the Half-Ogre, the party had been missing an extra sword. The party gathered at the Yawning Portal, their favorite watering-hole in the city. The remnants of a badly savaged adventuring group emerged from Undermountain during their meeting, but they shrugged off the bad omen. The party: · Festan, druid · Stalith, fighter · Kavitt, mage · Thoumann, bard · Evana, fighter · Druwezza, fighter/thief The party embarked by barge from Illefarn up the Unicorn Run. The trip was slow and peaceful, save for Orc bandits attacking from cliffs overlooking the river. The assault was quickly broken, the orc survivors scattering. After proceeding up the River Shining, the party began searching the southern reaches of the High Forest for several days, before finding clues of Drow raiders. The only significant encounter was an extremely large brown bear, angry because Thoumann thought her cubs were cute. Festan, in reptile form, investigated a set of featureless metal doors behind a bramble thicket. Despite threats and pleas from the talking doors, traps galore, and the failure of the party's strongest warriors, the doors were finally forced open (by Thoumann the bard). Inside was a wide hallway, and dark. The party didn't realize how high the hall reached, and was attacked by the guardian, Bilastrinix, a Drow elf fighter/magic-user. He was levitating above, casting magic, and firing crossbow bolts with a sleep poison. It was a difficult and frustrating encounter for both sides, with much magic hurled, only to be repelled by the Drow's magic resistance. Several party members were virtually impotent, lacking an effective att

Here it is, the DM's Bible... over 70 mini-adventures for all levels, all places, and all play styles, arranged by creature type. This book is the saving grace for DM's blessed with those players who love to do their own thing and wander off into the wilderness. So, when the encounter dice read "Quicklings," and you say, "Uhhh..." here's the ideal way to handle it! The adventures are all well-written, original, and intense. One of TSR's finest, highest recommendation.

This is a great book for anyone who likes a few adventures ready at their fingertips. Many of the adventures are beautifully designed, and are great to fit into any campaign. The parameters surrounding them are very flexible for doing this. The adventures also work well independently for a quick one-adventure play, during those times you don't know if you have time for a full campaign. It has a few drawbacks however. A few of the adventures are rather mediocre, and overall, they tend to focus more on hack-and-slash than on role-play, but in the hands of a skillful dm, it can be a powerful and effective tool.