Nice review Bud! You're spot-on that this deserved a full hardback edition with additional art & maps. The material within is choke full of detail & important information for any campaign set in the world of Greyhawk, the only thing that strikes me as a foul are the over-the-top stats for almost any villain presented. A Lich that has cast a wish to return as Demi-Lich once slain? A mage with -9 AC etc. It reminds me of FR power levels and I would prefer Greyhawk material to be more toned-down to earth. Nothing a good DM can't change though.
Greyhawk is a fantastically developed setting. Too bad it's been practically abandoned. I've only run 2 games in it myself and never been a player in it, sadly.
Greyhawk was 100% my favourite setting, and I ran various scenarios (The Falcon series, Vecna Lives etc.) for my group that took them from level 1 to 15 over the course of many years, and the fact that later editions took so much from it speaks volumes as to it's legacy. The problem I feel is that it is kind of stuck in a rut - a rut that Greyhawk Wars was supposed to dig it out of, but failed to do. If it were to be rebooted for 5th edition, I feel that it would need a world-shattering event akin to the Godswar of Faerûn to make it more accessible to new players - and remove some of the old chaff (I mean Bralm the god of Insects and Industriousness?!). Anyway, hope you enjoyed the review and please make sure to subscribe as I often pull out an old scenario and give it a review for a newer audience.
Sure enough. Ravenloft and Planescape are my favorite settings but Greyhawk has a special place in my heart for being a sort of recovering from the dark ages type setting, as the Aerdy empire falls farther and farther into decline (including the final rituals enacted by the mad emperor), and further back the diaspora and dissolution of the old Bahkluni and Suel empires. Lots of magical ruins and sites all over the place that serve as great adventure locales without being insanely thick with it like the Forgotten Realms is. Lots of powerful NPCs bopping around, but again, not so insanely thick with them: usually as important leaders or secluded masters. Lots of factions, from the Scarlet Brotherhood to the simple Thieves Guild of Greyhawk, lots of varied religions and cultures... stuff that other settings tried to emulate and mostly failed at.
I have unfortunately never seen this product. I am a bit surprised at the level of detail contained within, detail which reminds me of some of the better Glorantha lore. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this treasure.
@@BudsRPGreview Here is one of the posts. They have just started advertising it. There might be a name change depending on what Wotc says when they get back to the organizer. If it does change it will probably become Hawktoberfest. tabletop.events/conventions/virtual-greyhawk-con-2020
"Eye-ahz"? It's wise that you mispronounce the fellow's name like that. Saying it correctly might get his attention, and that's not something you want - unless you are very powerful. ;)
6000 bandits in one place? All out roaming and banditing? Must be lots of sorry farmers & villagers nearby to support that number. 20000 slave drivers in one place? All out roaming and slaving?.... You get the idea.
@@BudsRPGreview Lol, sorry about that. I found your channel a few weeks ago and really enjoy the reviews so have been catching up with the old vids. Comment refers to settlements mentioned around the 11th & 13th minute marks
With that great accent and the solid, well-presented info, you have my sub! Excellent stuff.
14:45 agree Carl Sergeant was such a great author.
Sadly missed.
From the Ashes is a masterpiece. I say that as a near Millenial. I can recognise past masters
You have given me as to now unknown information as to what happened to some of the members of the Circle of Eight. Thank you.
Congratulations on your growing channel, Bud! Nice review as always!
Thanks pal!
This was absolutely an amazing review. How you told the story was truly captivating. Thank you!
Cheers! Glad you enjoyed it. Greyhawk is a particular favourite of mine, so I love talking about it.
Would you consider doing a review on City of Skulls?
Thomas Caramela sure. I don’t own a copy, but I know someone who does. I’ll look into it.
Update: A friend had a copy of The City of Skulls which he has let me borrow, so a review will be up soon.
Great News! I can't wait and thank you for doing this it means allot.
nice overview. a lit of interesting adventure hooks.
Sevantasticlyfabulous on tone rate pitch inflection with a great voice. Thanks for this gift of entertainment homie.
Nice review Bud! You're spot-on that this deserved a full hardback edition with additional art & maps. The material within is choke full of detail & important information for any campaign set in the world of Greyhawk, the only thing that strikes me as a foul are the over-the-top stats for almost any villain presented. A Lich that has cast a wish to return as Demi-Lich once slain? A mage with -9 AC etc. It reminds me of FR power levels and I would prefer Greyhawk material to be more toned-down to earth. Nothing a good DM can't change though.
Valerfor I mean the mage with -9 AC is part of the Boneheart if memory serves me correctly...
I miss Greyhawk 🤔
Me too. :(
Greyhawk is a fantastically developed setting. Too bad it's been practically abandoned. I've only run 2 games in it myself and never been a player in it, sadly.
Greyhawk was 100% my favourite setting, and I ran various scenarios (The Falcon series, Vecna Lives etc.) for my group that took them from level 1 to 15 over the course of many years, and the fact that later editions took so much from it speaks volumes as to it's legacy. The problem I feel is that it is kind of stuck in a rut - a rut that Greyhawk Wars was supposed to dig it out of, but failed to do. If it were to be rebooted for 5th edition, I feel that it would need a world-shattering event akin to the Godswar of Faerûn to make it more accessible to new players - and remove some of the old chaff (I mean Bralm the god of Insects and Industriousness?!). Anyway, hope you enjoyed the review and please make sure to subscribe as I often pull out an old scenario and give it a review for a newer audience.
Sure enough. Ravenloft and Planescape are my favorite settings but Greyhawk has a special place in my heart for being a sort of recovering from the dark ages type setting, as the Aerdy empire falls farther and farther into decline (including the final rituals enacted by the mad emperor), and further back the diaspora and dissolution of the old Bahkluni and Suel empires. Lots of magical ruins and sites all over the place that serve as great adventure locales without being insanely thick with it like the Forgotten Realms is. Lots of powerful NPCs bopping around, but again, not so insanely thick with them: usually as important leaders or secluded masters. Lots of factions, from the Scarlet Brotherhood to the simple Thieves Guild of Greyhawk, lots of varied religions and cultures... stuff that other settings tried to emulate and mostly failed at.
LOL I've mispronounce Iuz as well I pronounce it "EYE-yooz".
I have unfortunately never seen this product. I am a bit surprised at the level of detail contained within, detail which reminds me of some of the better Glorantha lore. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this treasure.
Well, it is Carl Sargent.
Love all your reviews Bud. Just an FYI, there is going to be a Virtual Greyhawk Con coming in October :)
any details?
@@BudsRPGreview Here is one of the posts. They have just started advertising it. There might be a name change depending on what Wotc says when they get back to the organizer. If it does change it will probably become Hawktoberfest. tabletop.events/conventions/virtual-greyhawk-con-2020
I'll be running at least one of the Streamed events during the event, and another unstreamed most likely.
"Eye-ahz"? It's wise that you mispronounce the fellow's name like that. Saying it correctly might get his attention, and that's not something you want - unless you are very powerful. ;)
Well, there's no pronunciation guide so we're all making it up really!
6000 bandits in one place? All out roaming and banditing? Must be lots of sorry farmers & villagers nearby to support that number.
20000 slave drivers in one place? All out roaming and slaving?.... You get the idea.
I wrote that review years ago so I have no context for what you have written here. Will have to check it out.
@@BudsRPGreview Lol, sorry about that. I found your channel a few weeks ago and really enjoy the reviews so have been catching up with the old vids. Comment refers to settlements mentioned around the 11th & 13th minute marks