R - Return, Resident, Rakshasa, Rod

There are few gamers that started with anything 2e or older that have not played or run the original Keep on the Borderlands. When Dungeon Magazine rated the top adventures of all time the original came in at #7. Sadly I am not writing about that one. I needed to have the "Return" portion. This module is done well enough and some would say in some areas improves upon the original. One area it is said it improves on in that it does give more NPC detail. I was OK with less detail as that allowed me to put more of my spin on it. It also gives a time line for the area and what has occurred over the last 20 years. I would suggest getting it just to see how the new version compares to the older. If you don't have either of them and can only by one go with the classic, the original B2.

Movie:

Resident Evil is a movie that I liked for a number of reasons. I still like the original movie and for the most part the second installment in the series. I never played the video game so I can't speak to that. I love Zombie movies and almost anything dealing with the breakdown and downfall of society. Resident Evil will serve as fine inspiration for the fans of AFMBE (All Flesh Must Be Eaten) or any other game dealing with the modern era as the zombie aspect could play second to the scientific intrigue or working with the complexes computer. The Hive as a whole works for a number of different genres and could even serve as a terrestrial based Metamorphosis Alpha. Plus it has Milla and Michelle so we can end on that note :)

Plot:

Rakshasa have infiltrated the local government, the nobility and the hierarchy of the local guilds. That is what the crazed priest on the street was screaming about just before he ran up and plunged a bolt into the chest of the Counts magistrate. The retainers were quick to cover the body up even perhaps before they were sure that they were actually dead. That and recent changes in policy and "feel" about town makes one wonder if this is actually something that might be possible. But that is something you will have to check on after you see the wizard about the new plant they found with the almost man sized pod cases....

Magic:

Rods of Vision are clerical magic items. These allow the cleric to cast a number of useful spells without having to petition their deity through prayer for them. The Rod will allow the cleric to cast Augury once per day for every 2 points of Wisdom the posses. The Rod will also allow the owner to cast Locate Object once per day for every three points of wisdom. The Rod will also allow them to cast Divination 3 times a day and finally once per week the owner can cast True Seeing though doing so makes the Rod become inert for 2-5 days. The Rod can not be used as a weapon.