Table of Contents - Mega Miniatures

This is the new campaign module released by Wizards of the
Coast for the Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game that will take
characters from 1 st to 6 th level. The Wheel of Time Roleplaying
game is based on the writings of Robert Jordan who is currently
undertaking a monstrous series that sees book 10 out in
November. The books are detailed (some say overly detailed)
and large (some say WAY overly large), and easily lend
themselves to a roleplaying game of high fantasy. The Wheel of
Time Roleplaying Game (henceforth referred to as WOTRG) is a
D20 system making it very easy for anyone familiar to the current
D&D to play.
Upon first thumbing through the book I was impressed that the
artwork is surprisingly good. Jordan aficionados are repeatedly
disappointed by lousy artwork, and here at least, as well as in
the core rulebook, we are not offended. Each section is
delineated as a chapter, and the book on the whole is easy to
digest. All of the NPC’s stats are listed at the end of each
chapter for you to copy upon note cards or to bookmark.
With repeated re-readings several other positive things have
popped out. Each chapter neatly lines up approximately with a
level up for the characters. The end of the module corresponds
nicely with the requirements for prestige classes. Just when
characters reach their esteemed goals, the module is over and
the GM can create adventures that fit with the party goals. The
first chapter is VERY nonlinear and is simply a collection of
simple low level adventures that allow the gamemaster to
geographically move the characters to the start of the second
chapter. The module weaves itself in and out of the book series,
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and well-read people will easily be able to pick out characters
and situations from the series. The PC’s do not actively
participate in the rescue of Elayne from the Seanchan, but they
might be in the area and hear rumors of a male channeler. The
module gives several ways of dealing with the characters
depending on what type of character that they are running. A
latent dreamer may have warnings in his or her dreams and a
noble may receive gossip. These little “hooks” are listed
throughout the modules as asides. For the novice GM these are
VERY helpful. Also helpful to the beginning GM is the large
amount of annotated skill checks sprinkled throughout each
adventure. It helps to have the DC of a sense motive check
printed rather than having the player character roll and you
making it up on the fly. The maps of the villages are well
rendered and useful, and there is quite a bit of background for
each country that the characters will pass through.
Although I am a big fan of Jordan’s writings and this game there
are some things to be noted before running out and purchasing
it. Hands down the first thing to raise eyebrows is the price. It
comes in at $30 for a 191-page module that requires $40
Rulebook to play. As I glance around at other modules
(particularly the “super modules”) I notice that this appears to be
the market norm, so this claim is one of personal taste rather
than a real complaint. Another issue is the fact that without a
working player knowledge of the background some of the
nuances of the module are lost on them. Off handed comments
that should be loaded with information tended to get overlooked.
My PC’s simply pointed out to treat them as if they knew nothing
and to overkill the hints. We will see if this eases everyone’s
problems with the setting. As a novice role-player (A little over a
year now), this campaign is the first I have ever GM’d. It is very
important to realize that this is a ROLEPLAYING module.
People can get themselves killed quick. The WOTRPG does not
offer any instantaneous healing. It converts damage to sub dual
damage thereby speeding up recovery, but note that it does take
time to (gasp!!) recover. With this in mind do not expect
dungeon crawls. Although the maps of the towns are nice, the
building drawings are representative and do not have the actual
measurements drawn off. This could be common in modules,
but as a beginner it sure would have been easier if it was
provided. Simply drawing the same pictures with a grid system
underneath it would have been enough.
My small gripes aside I think this is a great module. All of it can
easily be adapted to fit into other universes, and would work nice
to force a group of heroes to think instead of the typical “charge
the bad thing” style of roleplaying that is common in game
stores. The mini adventures especially give a great twist on the
stereotypical caravan and save the village from a pack of killer
x,y,and z’s scenarios. I do like the realism of the healing and this
would be a neat twist to put into a campaign. Have the
characters enter “Randland” via a portal stone and watch the
horror as the cleric screams, “Thangs just don’t seem to work
right pa. Dis here arm should be well by now!!!” If you have not
read the books before playing then do a little research. Websites
abound, and a WOT compendium was published a few years
ago. The website www.audiobooksforfree.com has the first six
or so online for download. Burn a disc of them and listen in the
car. For any Robert Jordan fans that Role-play this is a must.
For everyone else I think this is a great introduction into a
complicated series, or at least a wonderful start of an adaptation
to another setting.