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 Order for Pool of Radiance CRPG - Module - novel
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Alisttair
Great Reader

Canada
3054 Posts

Posted - 09 Dec 2010 :  19:21:35  Show Profile  Visit Alisttair's Homepage Send Alisttair a Private Message  Reply with Quote  Delete Topic
So what would be the best order in which to immerse myself in these products.
The Pool of Radiance computer game, the novel, and the module which is tied in to the computer game (actually running the module also i guess)? Anyone know which order is best to read/play these? Thanks!

Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)

Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023

idilippy
Senior Scribe

USA
417 Posts

Posted - 09 Dec 2010 :  19:37:37  Show Profile Send idilippy a Private Message  Reply with Quote
The game was released first, so if you wanted to experience them in chronological order I would say the game, then the module, then the novel. On the other hand, according to one of the old Dragon magazines(159 according to wikipedia) the computer game is actually based off of the module, even though it came out a month earlier. Still, reading and or running the module will spoil some encounters in the computer game, so if you want to play the game with no preconceived ideas about what happens I'd play the computer game before looking at the module.
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Diffan
Great Reader

USA
4471 Posts

Posted - 09 Dec 2010 :  19:50:49  Show Profile Send Diffan a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Do you mean the Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor game? If so, I'd read the book first. I actually enjoyed it, though it's rather simplistic in it's character development. The arguing between the goody-goody paladin and the main character (a loner female Rogue) was pretty funny at times and the internal conflict of the group keeps things interesting.

As for the game, meh I've honestly played better RPGs. It's very turn-based, going so far as to have a time limit on what a specific character can do in a round (this ability can be shut off). Theres also an Auto-Run function which I highly recommend you keep on at all times. The Dungeons are pretty expansive and it can get frustrating going back and forth really slowly.

Oh, and the game is pretty hard, often fighting creatures 2 to 3 levels (CR wise) than you can handle.

Diffan's NPG Generator: FR NPC Generator
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idilippy
Senior Scribe

USA
417 Posts

Posted - 10 Dec 2010 :  02:37:21  Show Profile Send idilippy a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Ah, I was mistaken, I thought you were talking about the old Pool of Radiance DOS game. I've never played Ruins of Myth Drannor but I did read the book and agree with Diffan that it is entertaining. It's nothing exceptional but I had such low expectations going into the book that I was pleasantly surprised.
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Alisttair
Great Reader

Canada
3054 Posts

Posted - 10 Dec 2010 :  11:18:08  Show Profile  Visit Alisttair's Homepage Send Alisttair a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Yes I forgot to mention, it's Ruins of Myth Drannor, the newer one. No way will I play that old DOS game - gives me a headache lol.

Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)

Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023
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Ayrik
Great Reader

Canada
7989 Posts

Posted - 10 Dec 2010 :  12:13:32  Show Profile Send Ayrik a Private Message  Reply with Quote
The Ruins of Adventure module is fantastic. But poorly written and organized ... it's a bit difficult to make much sense out of it unless you've already played the Pool of Radiance computer version. It's also arranged in the same "progressive square map area" layout, a very arbitrary artifact from DOS-era gaming. The PoR book is, ah, "loosely based" on the other two; it's again much the same story but you won't find a lot of people who liked it.

There's plenty of "walkthrough" spoiler/hint/cheat guides which can give you a good overview of the PoR game, no real need to play it.

[/Ayrik]
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Alisttair
Great Reader

Canada
3054 Posts

Posted - 10 Dec 2010 :  12:58:26  Show Profile  Visit Alisttair's Homepage Send Alisttair a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Arik

The Ruins of Adventure module is fantastic. But poorly written and organized ... it's a bit difficult to make much sense out of it unless you've already played the Pool of Radiance computer version. It's also arranged in the same "progressive square map area" layout, a very arbitrary artifact from DOS-era gaming. The PoR book is, ah, "loosely based" on the other two; it's again much the same story but you won't find a lot of people who liked it.

There's plenty of "walkthrough" spoiler/hint/cheat guides which can give you a good overview of the PoR game, no real need to play it.



I'm actually running Ruins of Adventure for my brother, adapted to 4E (yes he is playing 4 characters by himself lol). It's pretty simple to run the way everything is laid out. I find it funny how the "quests" aren't written in order (some of the first ones written states that they aren't available until most of the ruins are clear, etc...), but knowing this and having an action plan written out on the side, it's simple and easy enough to run and very fun (so far, we are a little over halfway through).

Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)

Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023
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Bakra
Senior Scribe

628 Posts

Posted - 10 Dec 2010 :  12:59:29  Show Profile Send Bakra a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair

Yes I forgot to mention, it's Ruins of Myth Drannor, the newer one. No way will I play that old DOS game - gives me a headache lol.



Read the book first, play the module, then boot up Windows XP and run the computer game. For me, the book got me into the mood to play the module and computer game. If you are running the game for players then by all means play the pc game first and take notes. Read the novel and take even more notes....find the bonus web content released for the module...THEN mix it all together for hopefully a good time.

I hope Candlekeep continues to be the friendly forum of fellow Realms-lovers that it has always been, as we all go through this together. If you don’t want to move to the “new” Realms, that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with either you or the “old” Realms. Goodness knows Candlekeep, and the hearts of its scribes, are both big enough to accommodate both. If we want them to be.
(Strikes dramatic pose, raises sword to gleam in the sunset, and hopes breeches won’t fall down.)
Enough for now. The Realms lives! I have spoken! Ale and light wines half price, served by a smiling Storm Silverhand fetchingly clad in thigh-high boots and naught else! Ahem . .
So saith Ed. <snip>
love to all,
THO
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Alisttair
Great Reader

Canada
3054 Posts

Posted - 10 Dec 2010 :  14:04:18  Show Profile  Visit Alisttair's Homepage Send Alisttair a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Bakra

quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair

Yes I forgot to mention, it's Ruins of Myth Drannor, the newer one. No way will I play that old DOS game - gives me a headache lol.



Read the book first, play the module, then boot up Windows XP and run the computer game. For me, the book got me into the mood to play the module and computer game. If you are running the game for players then by all means play the pc game first and take notes. Read the novel and take even more notes....find the bonus web content released for the module...THEN mix it all together for hopefully a good time.



Got a link for said web content?

Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)

Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023
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Tamsar
Learned Scribe

United Kingdom
141 Posts

Posted - 10 Dec 2010 :  22:10:37  Show Profile Send Tamsar a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by ArikThe PoR book is, ah, "loosely based" on the other two; it's again much the same story but you won't find a lot of people who liked it.



I've always had a soft spot for the novel, as it was one of the early FR novels. Found it to be an enjoyable read, and I recently re-read again for the umpteenth time.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light
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Ayrik
Great Reader

Canada
7989 Posts

Posted - 10 Dec 2010 :  22:21:34  Show Profile Send Ayrik a Private Message  Reply with Quote
How are the subsequent novels? I haven't read them yet.

[/Ayrik]
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Alisttair
Great Reader

Canada
3054 Posts

Posted - 13 Dec 2010 :  12:22:39  Show Profile  Visit Alisttair's Homepage Send Alisttair a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Arik

How are the subsequent novels? I haven't read them yet.



Pool(s) of Darkness and Pool(s) Twilight? I found them to be very good follow ups.

Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)

Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023
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Diffan
Great Reader

USA
4471 Posts

Posted - 13 Dec 2010 :  13:41:18  Show Profile Send Diffan a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair

quote:
Originally posted by Arik

How are the subsequent novels? I haven't read them yet.



Pool(s) of Darkness and Pool(s) Twilight? I found them to be very good follow ups.



Definitly agree though I'm more of a fan of Pool of Twilight.

Diffan's NPG Generator: FR NPC Generator
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Bakra
Senior Scribe

628 Posts

Posted - 13 Dec 2010 :  13:48:50  Show Profile Send Bakra a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair

quote:
Originally posted by Bakra

quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair

Yes I forgot to mention, it's Ruins of Myth Drannor, the newer one. No way will I play that old DOS game - gives me a headache lol.



Read the book first, play the module, then boot up Windows XP and run the computer game. For me, the book got me into the mood to play the module and computer game. If you are running the game for players then by all means play the pc game first and take notes. Read the novel and take even more notes....find the bonus web content released for the module...THEN mix it all together for hopefully a good time.



Got a link for said web content?



Ahh my memory stinks this is not really a bonus content but here is the link:

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/fx20010627c


I hope Candlekeep continues to be the friendly forum of fellow Realms-lovers that it has always been, as we all go through this together. If you don’t want to move to the “new” Realms, that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with either you or the “old” Realms. Goodness knows Candlekeep, and the hearts of its scribes, are both big enough to accommodate both. If we want them to be.
(Strikes dramatic pose, raises sword to gleam in the sunset, and hopes breeches won’t fall down.)
Enough for now. The Realms lives! I have spoken! Ale and light wines half price, served by a smiling Storm Silverhand fetchingly clad in thigh-high boots and naught else! Ahem . .
So saith Ed. <snip>
love to all,
THO
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Halidan
Senior Scribe

USA
470 Posts

Posted - 13 Dec 2010 :  17:45:12  Show Profile  Visit Halidan's Homepage Send Halidan a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair

Pool(s) of Darkness and Pool(s) Twilight? I found them to be very good follow ups.



The problem is that both Pools of Darkness and Pools of Twilight are follow-ups to the original Pools of Radiance novel, set in Phlan and the op has already indicated that he's interested in the Pools of Radiance:Ruins of Myth Drannor series, which has no follow-up novels.
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Alisttair
Great Reader

Canada
3054 Posts

Posted - 13 Dec 2010 :  18:00:00  Show Profile  Visit Alisttair's Homepage Send Alisttair a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Halidan

quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair

Pool(s) of Darkness and Pool(s) Twilight? I found them to be very good follow ups.



The problem is that both Pools of Darkness and Pools of Twilight are follow-ups to the original Pools of Radiance novel, set in Phlan and the op has already indicated that he's interested in the Pools of Radiance:Ruins of Myth Drannor series, which has no follow-up novels.



Yes I would say that this thread has strayed in the directions of both the original Pools of Radiance and the Ruins of Myth Drannor discussions respectively.

Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)

Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023
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