''Night of the Seven Swords'' is a 1986

adventure module An adventure is a playable scenario in a tabletop role-playing game. These can be constructed by gamemasters for their players, and are also released by game publishers as pre-made adventure modules. Different types of designs exist, including l ...

for the ''

Oriental Adventures ''Oriental Adventures'' (abbreviated OA) is the title shared by two hardback rulebooks published for different versions of the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') fantasy roleplaying game. Each version of ''Oriental Adventures'' provides rules for ...

'' rules of the ''

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Several different editions of the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') fantasy role-playing game have been produced since 1974. The current publisher of ''D&D'', Wizards of the Coast, produces new materials only for the most current edition of the ga ...

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...

role-playing game A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of player character, characters in a fictional Setting (narrative), setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within ...

Plot summary

''Night of the Seven Swords'' includes four linked scenarios. The

player character A player character (also known as a playable character or PC) is a fictional character in a video game or tabletop role-playing game whose actions are controlled by a player rather than the rules of the game. The characters that are not control ...

s must penetrate a haunted castle to retrieve several relics from the castle, but the forces of Lord Korimori try to stop their efforts. ''Night of the Seven Swords'' concerns a rivalry between two clans, a haunted castle, and a box of relics. After an encounter in which the party is required to be suitably honorable, the characters explore the haunted castle of Ito-Jo. After attaining their objective in the castle, the characters must make a delivery, while avoiding the machinations of their lord's rival. ''Night of the Seven Swords'' details another province in the world presented in the original ''

''.

Publication history

OA2 ''Night of the Seven Swords'' was published by TSR in 1986 as a 48-page booklet with an outer folder. The module was written by

Jon Pickens Jon Pickens is an American game designer and editor who has worked on numerous products for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy role-playing game from TSR and later Wizards of the Coast. Early life and education Jon Pickens was born in Mishawak ...

, David “Zeb” Cook, Harold Johnson,

Rick Swan Rick Swan is a game designer and author who worked for TSR. His work for TSR, mostly for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, appeared from 1989 to 1995. Swan also wrote ''The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games'' (1990), published by St. Martin's Pre ...

, Ed Carmien, and David James Ritchie, with cover art drawn by

Clyde Caldwell Clyde Caldwell (born February 20, 1948) is an American artist. Self-described as a fantasy illustrator, he is best known for his portrayals of strong, sexy female characters. With his work at TSR in the 1980s, he is considered one of the artis ...

and interior art by James Holloway. Pickens, Jon, David “Zeb” Cook, Harold Johnson,

, Ed Carmien, and David James Ritchie. ''Night of the Seven Swords'' ( TSR, 1986) OA2 is the second adventure produced for ''Oriental Adventures'' and is suggested for a party of 6–8 level 4–6

s. The module comes in the form of a 48-page booklet inside a 3-part wraparound cover that can be used as a Dungeon Master's (DM) screen. The inside cover shows the plans to the castle Ito-Jo, presented in the "exploded view" previously used in the ''

Dungeoneer's Survival Guide ''Dungeoneer's Survival Guide'' is a supplement to the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy role-playing game. The book was written by Douglas Niles, and published by TSR, Inc. in 1986. Contents The ''Dungeoneer's Survival Guide'' describes how to r ...

''. The cover also has a more conventional groundplan of the dungeon beneath the castle, and of an inn which is featured in the adventure. A full-color map of Maeshi Province is seen on the outside of the cover, visible to the players when the cover is stood up as a DM's screen. The booklet begins with a 3-page background section that details the geography and history of Maeshi province, followed by information for the DM and notes on setting up the adventure.

Reception

Graeme Davis reviewed ''Night of the Seven Swords'' for ''

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'' #86. Davis found the plot interesting and believable, although he was initially concerned that the main part of the adventure in the haunted castle was just another standard dungeon bash. However, he concluded that "it's a very ''good'' haunted castle, and even those who don't normally enjoy dungeon bashes will probably find it interesting and enjoyable. There are some interestingly Oriental bits and pieces which maintain the atmosphere nicely". He felt that some of the encounters were tough for the suggested party strength, although he suggested that a reasonable number of spellcasters should help to cope with that. He felt that it would have been nice to have a poster-size map of Maeshi Province, but found that the two main settings of the castle and the inn would make useful stock locations for ''OA''. Davis concluded that the adventure is "an interesting and well-balanced mixture of role-playing and fighting". He considered having OA2 and '' OA1'' in different provinces to be a drawback, although he figured that a DM wanting to link the two adventures in a campaign should be able to tweak the setting and history with a little work. He noted that ''

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'' referees could do some conversion work to fit the scenario into that game. Davis concluded the review by stating, "Overall, it's a nice adventure, with the Oriental Adventures rules used to good effect throughout." Michael Mullen reviewed the adventure in '' Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer'' No. 81. He commented that the module "gives a nifty 'haunted house' adventure". Mullen concluded that ''Night of the Seven Swords'' adds a province although it is not as filled with details as the one in 'Swords of the Daimyo''">Swords_of_the_Daimyo.html" ;"title="'Swords of the Daimyo">'Swords of the Daimyo'' The territory is more isolated and less populated, however. The main story of this module, recovering a relic from a haunted castle, is well constructed and the adventure is challenging. There is a real nasty new monster here, too."

References

{{D&D topics Dungeons & Dragons modules Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1986