Folkloric: The Underhill Court
From: Dog Soul Publishing
Reviewed by: Ron McClung
Folkloric: The Underhill Court is a new d20 Fantasy mini-setting PDF from Dog Soul Publishing.
In the grand style of ancient Celtic fairy tales, The Underhill Court is one of several d20 mini adventure settings produced by Dog Soul in their Folkloric series. It reinterprets some classic legends into a D&D style fantasy realm for use in any fantasy setting. This particular one tells the tale of a mysterious dream-like place where sidhe hold a court and it is never found in the same place.
From page #1 :
“It was covered in dirt and grass and set into the side of a hill but, nevertheless, the great brass handles indicated that it was a door of some importance.”
The PDF opens with a typical “uncle tells boy a story” background, telling the story of one encounter with the Underhill Court. Cute and clichéd, it is appropriate for the subject matter and gives a good mood setter. Then it goes into thirty-odd pages of description of a dream-like place that appears and disappears at will, where a group of drow live and party it up until someone stumbles through their door.
The Inhabitants of Underhill Court are solemn and pensive Lord Auberon and beautiful but deadly Lady Titania. Both are relics of a time gone by, where their kingdom was once glorious and great, but now is reduced to what they see each and every night. The lord longs for the days of old, while the lady parties hard with members of the court. Both ignore each other like they do not exist, the fires of their relationship long since quenched in their immortal age. This is the last royal court of the Tuatha de Danann, a race of drow cursed to hide underground from their enemies and never able to procreate and build a new future.
Twice a year, when summer and winter begins, the Underhill Court vanishes only to reappear to a seemingly random place somewhere else in a constant attempt to hide from its enemies. There are only a few hundred surviving nobles in the court, along with the royal guard and the ghostly staff. But few know the true nature of the deal made by their lord to save them from their enemies and what it cost him.
From page # 3:
“There is a place in the woods, a magical realm where human laws do not apply. In this timeless place, the last remnants of an ancient race hold court.”
The background is rich with myth and legend, as well as great opportunity for adventure. After the background, the map and map description follow. The Underhill court is a series of underground tunnels and catacombs that connect the Great Ballroom with rooms like the library, the music room, the garden, and the kitchen. Also included are a number of items contained within the possession of this tribe of sidhe that they sometimes give to exceptionally worthy visitors. There are eight total items, such as the ever changing Legacy Sword, the mystical Lute of Epics, the dancing Badger Mask, and the Panoply of Seasons. There is also the dread pit with a random monster table. Anyone thrown in the pit could end up facing anything from an ogre or dire ape to a shambling mound or gorgon.
The layout and overall look of the PDF is good. The cartography is well done and the added bonus is the extra PDF with the maps in larger format and scale to be pieced together and used with minis.
In conclusion, I honestly found this story very inspiring. There are all kinds of possibilities with this story, from epic to more local adventures. This can be a kick off of a grand adventure of warriors or thieves. It has many possibilities and a wide range of applications. Very well done.
For more details on Dog Soul Publishing and their new d20 Fantasy mini-setting PDF “Folkloric: The Underhill Court” check them out at their website http://www.dogsoul.net.
Folkloric: The Underhill Court
From: Dog Soul Publishing
Type of Game: d20 Fantasy mini-setting PDF
Written by Alexander Bennett
Original art by Cris Griffin and Jimmy (Dreadjim) Ling
Graphic Design and Cartography by Deborah Balsam
Edited by Tony Law
Proofed by Lisa Hartjes
Number of Pages: 34
Game Components Included:Two PDF files, one for the setting, one for the map
Game Components Not Included: Core d20 fantasy rule books
Retail Price: $ 5.95 download, $12.95 print (US)
Website: www.dogsoul.net
Reviewed by: Ron McClung