A huge thank you to Marco Bertini, who sent us a copy of The War for the Throne in order to write this review. This is a D&D5e adventure for four 5th level characters, sequel to The Second Black Dawn.
The author and creative director, Marco Bertini, has a long list of products featured on DMsGuild, many of which have been reviewed by No Dice Unrolled in recent years. Among them there are Underwater Campaigns, recent winner of a NDU Award and two products named as sources for this product: Realm Events and Thieves’ Guilds.
The War for the Throne is on sale on DMsGuild in digital format for $ 9.99. An interesting bundle is also available containing this adventure, the first chapter and a booklet with an additional subclass; all with a 25% discount!
Structure of the Product
The War for the Throne is 63 pages long and it’s divided in three parts.
The first one contains all the info, clearly presented, to have a precise idea of the starting situation and its possible developements. There are some advices about game preparation, from session 0 to how to build a unique character. The only other manuals needed are the three core books.
The second part is the biggest one. There is the adventure, divided in three chapter. We will talk about them later, trying to be spoiler-free.
It is followed by four appendices, that represents the third and last part of the product. The first appendix is full of advices for the soundtrack. There are dozens of suggested tracks with some tips to when to use them. Nice idea. The second appendix presents the statblocks of monsters and NPC, the third some spells and the volume ends with an handout.
Let’s Give Some Numbers
Covered by professional secrecy that prevents me from spoiling the whole juicy plot of The War for the Throne in this review, I believe a few numbers will help you understand the scope of the product. I already mentioned that the adventure is 63 pages long, but there are more data.
First of all, an important information: the estimated duration is 30 hours. Let’s face it, how do you estimate the duration of an adventure when in roleplaying games each group has very different dynamics and approaches? At least we use that number to approximate that it is a campaign that should last between 7 and 12 sessions.
More certain numbers are: 11 maps included in the purchase, 8 new monsters, 10 new magical items and 2 original spells. Interesting elements, cleverly painted and very functional to the narration. Some items are very appetizing and they will make you want to never end the adventures of their owners.
What Can Be Said about the Adventure
The previous adventure, The Second Black Dawn, was centered on the search for a missing king, obviously saved by the adventurers in extremis. Many people asked Marco Bertini for a sequel and after a few years the story can finally pick up where it left off: the heroes of the kingdom take the king back to the capital, gaining the well-deserved reward and a nice slice of glory. Considering that it is an adventure, which is called The War for the Throne and that on the cover there is a king in front of a burning city, things are not going very smoothly for the group of adventurers.
The storyline is classic and it will make players feel at home. Excellent for newbies, it will not make the most seasoned players faint for originality but thanks to excellent ideas of characterization of situations and a solid story it can be enjoyed by everyone. Some situations and references to the previous adventure open up many possibilities to get out of the feeling of linearity and to better enjoy the journey. Apart from the scarce grasp of the so-called moral dilemmas promised by the author, everything else is consistent and coherent. An evil cult, a dangerous ritual, dark alliances. The action component prevails over exploration and intrigue. Then, as always, everything is malleable in the hands of the dungeon master.
Reviewing the previous adventure, I hoped that the quality level could be maintained, but I am happy that it has even risen. There is more mastery and experience, and the story benefits from it. Compared to the first adventure, which had some weak plot passages, in The War for the Throne I found a really good narrative level and nice references.
Review of Art abd Layout of The War for the Throne
Nothing to say, the professionalism of Marco Bertini’s editing is now a trademark. The level is almost near original publications. The many text boxes are interesting and well placed. Bold, italics and hyperlinks are precise and very functional.
Maps are simple but well crafted.
Like other similar products, the graphic sector suffers a little from the fact that most of the images are illustrations already used, some of them very well known. The result is still pleasant and the excellent choice of images satisfies the eye and the atmosphere. After all, avoiding original images allows to keep a good price for a full-bodied adventure.
Final Considerations of the Review of The War for the Throne
Another product from the Bertini collection that confirms what can be defined as a precise and quality editorial line. What comes out in every Marco’s publication highlights a clear vision of the D&D5e game design. In fact, part of the contents of this adventure is inspired by already published supplements and, in a practical way, the author exemplifies how to use the same sources that he creates. If you are happy in this way of approaching the most famous role-playing game in the world, even with The War for the Throne you will be happy. And, we hope, also with the prosecution of the saga, since at the end of the adventure the next chapter is announced: The Portal of Chaos!