''Dungeon Master's Design Kit'' is an accessory for the ''

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''Dungeon Master's Design Kit'' is an aid for Dungeon Masters (DMs), with advice and tables for creating different kinds of adventure scenarios. ''Book I: Adventure Design'' includes information on creating an adventure scenario and demonstrates with a brief sample scenario. ''Book II: Forms Book'' includes a number of different types of blank design forms. ''Book III: Adventure Cookbook'' contains ideas to inspire the creation of settings, and plots for adventures. This book identifies and discusses many of the conventional plot, characterization, and thematic features of the fantasy role-playing game genre.

Publication history

The ''Dungeon Master's Design Kit'' was designed by Harold Johnson and

Aaron Allston Aaron Dale Allston (December 8, 1960 – February 27, 2014) was an American game designer and author of many science fiction books, notably ''Star Wars'' novels. His works as a game designer include game supplements for role-playing games, severa ...

, with a cover by

Keith Parkinson Keith A. Parkinson (October 22, 1958 – October 26, 2005) was an American fantasy artist and illustrator known for book covers and artwork for games such as ''EverQuest'', ''Guardians'', ''Magic: The Gathering'', and '' Vanguard: Saga of Heroes ...

and interior illustrations by George Barr. It was published by TSR in 1988 as three 32-page books and an outer folder. It was edited by Christopher Mortika.

Reception

Ken Rolston Ken Rolston is an American computer game and role-playing game (pen and paper), role-playing game designer best known for his work with West End Games and on the computer game series ''The Elder Scrolls''. In February 2007, he elected to join th ...

reviewed ''Dungeon Master's Design Kit'' for ''

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'' magazine in July 1991. He began his review by expressing his disappointment, saying, "the ''Dungeon Master's Design Kit'' is based on the use of scads of fill-in-the-blanks forms." He felt that while the forms are "useful reminders of all the details that may be needed in an adventure design," they seem to imply that the Dungeon Master should plan and record all those details before running an adventure even when "no one method of planning and recording details will be satisfactory for all, or even many, DMs". He also said that "Almost any instinctive narrative impulse is likely to produce a more lively adventure than following the suggested procedures in this kit." Rolston found the ''Adventure Cookbook'' to be the most interesting reading, but said that while newer DMs would find it worthwhile, more experienced ones would find the book too remedial and boring. He considered the later ''

Campaign Sourcebook and Catacomb Guide ''Campaign Sourcebook and Catacomb Guide'' is an accessory for the ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy role-playing game. Contents The ''Campaign Sourcebook and Catacomb Guide'' is a supplement to the ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' for the ''Adv ...

'' to be a better DM aid in general, one that gives DMs the ability to create rather than just presenting lists of ideas. Rolston concluded the review by stating: "This supplement is nonessential. Exceptionally organized and compulsive DMs who love forms and summary sheets may find it exciting, and some of the plot, setting, and character-building tips could be useful to a DM trying to improve his adventure design. Instinctive or veteran DMs don't usually have the problems this book tries to solve. If you are having trouble designing or organizing your own adventures, however, you might give this a try."

Lawrence Schick Lawrence Schick is a game designer and writer associated with role-playing games. Early life and education Schick attended Kent State University Kent State University (KSU) is a public research university in Kent, Ohio. The university al ...

, in his 1991 book ''Heroic Worlds'', noted the similarities of some of the forms in ''Forms Book'' to the ones in Wilmark Dynasty's ''Roomscapes'', and called ''Adventure Design'' and ''Adventure Cookbook'' "quite good".

Reviews

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References

{{D&D topics Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1988