| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 02 Nov 2007 : 15:50:45
Well met
This is a Book Club thread for Crypt of the Moaning Diamond (Book 4 of the Dungeons series), by Rosemary Jones. Please discuss chapters 6 - 10 herein. |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Tremaine |
Posted - 31 May 2010 : 11:19:14
I didn't have a problem with all the different encounters the group have had so far and I don't play dnd, through I do think the make up of the group is a bit too exotic for me. (haven't a clue what a genesi or what creature kid is)
I find it quite funny that Zuzzara has just a shovel to fight foes with ;-)
like the interaction between the heroes ,will ivy and Sanval get it together do I detect some chemistry between them?
and just how many stepmothers have the sisters had?
the gem bomb a cool idea
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| Kyrene |
Posted - 13 Jun 2008 : 07:35:44
quote:
Originally posted by Ozzalum
it seems to be coming down to a bunch of random encounters. Kobolds, invisible fungi, snakes, and flaming skulls are a strange mix.
It is exactly this that made this book such a great and wonderful read. It's a dungeon romp in the purest sense with a DM that's not out to TPK. I was pretty relieved that the 'breakers only fought the 'baby' fungus, not the mommy one that ate the bugbear. Besides, with a low magic 'campaign' how else are the 'breakers supposed to survive? Just how much damage does a shovel do anyway? 1d4? 1d6? |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 12 Feb 2008 : 21:19:36
The idea of an invisible creature that can only be revealed by a certain type of spell is actually pretty creepy. |
| Rosemary Jones |
Posted - 11 Feb 2008 : 19:15:54
quote:
Originally posted by Ozzalum
quote:
I thought about doing an in-depth ecology of dungeons explanation:
Well, so long as there was one, I am satisfied.
I have to ask you though, why the invisible fungus creature?
Definitely a story being told with a few drinks!
Or by an author who reads the Monster Manuals at 2 a.m., which is when invisible fungus seem like a GREAT idea.
Looking back at my notes, the invisible fungus was always there. Long before Wiggles or some of the other characters. My original idea, besides keeping all the action underground as much as possible, was that the creatures would all be underground creatures. And the fungus worked out beautifully that way.
It also gave the Siegebreakers an opponent that couldn't just be bashed or smashed out of the way. Gunderal HAS to get involved or the fight would go very badly indeed for them. Of course, they could have just cut and run, leaving Zuzzara behind. Like the OTHER GROUP did, leaving behind one dead bugbear.
Only that's not how the Siegebreakers think. |
| Ozzalum |
Posted - 11 Feb 2008 : 12:52:09
quote:
I thought about doing an in-depth ecology of dungeons explanation:
Well, so long as there was one, I am satisfied.
I have to ask you though, why the invisible fungus creature? That one completely ripped me out of the book with its sheer implausibility, even for DnD. Is it the humorist side of you that made you build up suspense and then deliver "some sort of mushroom, I mean fungus creature, an invisible fungus creature, that moves... and it bit me!"
Definitely a story being told with a few drinks! |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 10 Feb 2008 : 21:45:21
I have to admit (as I said in another thread) I love all the protagonists, so I'm very, very relieved that so far, no one of them are dead yet. Heck, I even want the dog to be okay (I'm an animal-lover, and I can't stand it when animals die in books or movies).
I am finding the fights to be pretty frequent as well as tense. It's also fun to find out how the heck the Siegebreakers are going to get themselves out of this or that mess. That's not to say that Ozzalum's perspective is wrong, though--everyone reacts to novels differently. |
| Rosemary Jones |
Posted - 21 Dec 2007 : 05:19:20
quote:
Originally posted by Ozzalum
Kobolds, invisible fungi, snakes, and flaming skulls are a strange mix.
To temper this harsh criticism some, I will say have enjoyed the interactions between the Siegebreakers. T
Fair enough. The flaming skull could have been tougher.
However, I do maintain that a dungeon without kobolds is not worth visiting.
I thought about doing an in-depth ecology of dungeons explanation: first came the treasure hunters (leaving behind things like the flaming skull), then came the rats (eating the dead treasure hunters and other garbage), then came the snake after the rats (and it grew to be very big as there were a lot of rats), then came the kobolds and invisible fungi looking for snake dinner, and then came...well you'll meet them later.
And then came my poor Siegebreakers who just wanted to do a simple job and got much more than they bargained for!
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| Ozzalum |
Posted - 17 Dec 2007 : 22:53:58
So I got through to chapter 12. I'm sorry to say I think it is getting a bit silly. I haven't read the other dungeon series books and I'm not sure how this tendency can be avoided, but... it seems to be coming down to a bunch of random encounters. Kobolds, invisible fungi, snakes, and flaming skulls are a strange mix.
I hope Ms. Jones will comment on the tone she was going for in this book, but I did not feel much tension in the fights thus far. By the time we reached the flame skull I had already decided they weren't really in much danger, even though I think those guys are supposed to be pretty tough.
To temper this harsh criticism some, I will say have enjoyed the interactions between the Siegebreakers. The straight laced guy serves the purpose of that guy you have to explain everything to so the reader knows what's going on, but in this case I really kind of like him. Mumchance is a fine character though I must disagree with the others here and say that Wiggles isn't doing much for me. I continue to enjoy the sisterly interaction.
I just can't get over the feeling that this tale is being told by Ivy after a few too many drinks long after the events unfolded without any dire results. So long as that's how it ends up, I think I will still be satisfied with my purchase. If something really tragic happens, I think it will be too jarring with the overall tone of the book. |
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