I acquired the Flaming Eye Sourcebook last Saturday. I've a few comments
at this point, and I may have more as I go along. Let me start with the
statement that I happen to like the system summary sheets, and the total
amount of background data is probably worth the price of the book.
The book claims, however, to be two "campaigns". I'm not sure if we have ever
settled on definitions of "adventure" and "campaign" but I tend to think that
both of these "campaigns" could be played through in two or three sittings, as
long as the gm didn't throw in a lot of unincluded material. That makes them
rather less than a "campaign" in my book. Just a quibble...
Metlay complained about the cinematic nugget format of Knightfall a while
back, and with good justification. I choked a little, though, when I came
across the following, drawn from the summary to start Campaign 2 for players
who have been through Campaign 1:
<The players are asked to deliver a package for a man on Vhodan, for a payment
of Cr100,000. The gm is asked to read this to the players:>
That was some time ago. The trip from Lakarda to Vhodan was no less exciting
than the entire rescue mission. Between the Vilani patrols and the Vargr
corsairs, it is a wonder you arrived at Vhodan with your message intact.
Getting the damage inflicted on your ship by the growler pirates ate up all
but Cr2000 of your ready cash, leaving you hunting for a high-paying job,
before your berthing fees drain your meager account.
In other words, friends, you are asked to rip off the players and damage their
ship--OFFSTAGE. If I was in a game and the gm tried that on me, I'd be looking
for a new gm. That is the sort of major plot element that I would rather play
out. I relize that you could always do so, but it disturbs me to see a "pro"
adventure put that kind of thing in. Any comments?
Rob Dean