Intended as an introduction to the World of Warcraft RPG for people who may never have role-played before, even if they play the computer game, this could also be used as a light-hearted 'monster bash' for more experienced gamers, especially if they haven't played this particular game.

It starts with a brief overview of what a role-playing game is, highlighting the difference between this and a computer game - here, you can try to do literally anything you can think of, rather than being constrained by what the game programmer has put in for you to do. There's a quick explanation of Game Master and Player and of the 'funny sided dice' you'll need to play, then a list of the pregenerated characters supplied and the usual note that only the GM ought to read the adventure itself, which is what comes next.

The actual adventure is a fairly straightforward combat-based one, with limited scope for the characters to interact with NPCs. Basically, the characters are hired to clear a necromancer out of a cave near the township of Ironforge... but all is not quite what it seems. Although the opposition is provided in full detail, the GM is going to have to find or design plans for the cave in which most of the action will take place. There are quite a few background references to factions and races which will only make sense if you are familiar with Warcraft (in either RPG or computer incarnation), but it's not essential to understand them to enjoy the scrap!

The next couple of pages contain a summary of the rules needed to play, and it is suggested that you print out a copy for each player who will be taking part. It's a good basic introduction to how the D20 game mechanic works, particularly in a combat situation, although naturally you need to read a full set of rules to be able to make the most of the system. It's enough to whet the appetite, and to enable this introduction to be played out, however.

Next, the pregenerated characters are presented. They will need some work, as they are crammed together onto all of 3 pages - fortunately a full 2-page blank character sheet is also supplied, so the best method is to print out sufficient for all and write them out.

As an introduction to role-playing, it would be a bit thin without some additional work by the GM, but it serves well to give newcomers a good idea of how the table-top RPG works mechanically.

Return to Bones of Ironforge page.

Reviewed: 17 June 2006