Beginning in the trade town of Scornubel, a mystery begins in the town of Scornubel and leads to dangers far afield from civilized lands. In the first module of the Shadowlords, The Message, a vision by the high priestess of Lathander causes events to unfold. The party is asked to deliver a letter to Captain Preth of the Red Shields. He fights with Zhentarim invaders to the north, though Josura the high priestess suspects there is more behind the battle. The party must make their way to Captain Preth, though the road is difficult and uncertain.
Posted by __doug__ at 2012-03-10 14:52:41 Voted 8.25 on 03/10/12
A fun short module and a good start to the series.
Posted by Reyluna-3 at 2011-07-04 17:04:56 Voted 9.25 on 07/04/11
(I'm commenting on the shadowlords series as a whole)
Very well done! In particular, I like the clever riddles and puzzles that you encounter throughout the game. The interesting story and characters kept me engaged. The humor, although a bit of an anachronism at times, was entertaining as well. There are some aspects that I don't like, but it was fun and good enough that I didn't pay much notice.
The parts I'm critical on:
The dialogue is a little two black and white and lacking in options.
Cities seem poorly designed in that the buildings are widely spaced and it takes a long time to travel form one end to the other. It also makes a massive field of cobble stones which really doesn't make sense.
This really isn't a complaint, but rather a part that confuses me. I don't understand the "Link Boy" and his purpose. Sure, it's a great way to get some free party members, but in the context of the story, it doesn't fit. Also, I can't seem to find a way to level up these henchmen so after a while their level 1 abilities become outdated.
Despite this, I highly recommend the shadowlords series.
Posted by jakan1973 at 2011-04-07 00:21:03 Voted 7.00 on 04/07/11
Great little mod, can breeze through it in a few hours.
Posted by gumbee42 at 2011-03-17 12:41:25 Voted 9.75 on 03/17/11
loved it
Posted by cemeteryschild at 2010-09-07 09:14:55 Voted 9.00 on 09/07/10
great module
Posted by WolfsBane66681 at 2010-07-15 16:02:57 Voted 9.00 on 07/15/10
Nice mod
Posted by JadedDeath at 2009-12-30 20:52:19 Voted 9.75 on 12/30/09
Was looking for a well put-together, easy to play, simple LINEAR adventure, since I've got a short break from school and just wanted to relax. I loved this. Can't wait to play the rest in the series. Thank you!
Ummmmmmm, I'm wondering if I killed the bandit shop owner too soon, because I got the little girl locket quest AFTER that, and I was thinking he would have been wonderful to interrogate... if I hadn't killed him already.
Or is it somewhere I missed with someone I missed? I THOUGHT I checked everything.
Posted by treas25 at 2008-12-01 02:52:57 Voted 8.25 on 12/01/08
Nice little module. A bit too linear and short but the roleplay(nice) and the other details make this a hall of famer.
Posted by Copperhawk at 2008-10-25 12:33:32 Voted 9.00 on 10/25/08
Solid game with no bugs!
Posted by colourwolf at 2008-09-27 22:41:11 Voted 8.75 on 09/27/08
Solid start to an excellent series
Posted by memsurs at 2008-03-09 18:43:50 Voted 9.25 on 03/09/08
This is my first time through the series. I have to say, running a wizard I have just enough problems to keep me interested. None of the fights were too difficult, but there were enough that made me think of how I was going to approach them. I liked the quests for a introductory character. I think what I liked is that this is one of the few modules where I have felt excited about reaching 2nd and 3rd levels. Most modules rapidly move you up levels to keep you player from being killed with one shot, but I liked the level pacing in this module.
Posted by Mirgalen at 2007-08-15 03:58:14 Voted 6.00 on 08/15/07
Replayed solo with a monk lvl 2 (finished lvl 4). I had no problem to finish the module. I was able to pick my fights and most of the time did everything alone. Got the 2nd henchmen this time. My score may look a bit low but it not if you compare this item to the latest HoF modules. Back in 2002 I would have probably given the module a couple of extra points.
I tend to disagree with some design choices like my char is a male but I am with a girl why can't she go get the potion (a farily easy item to script)? Also I am no fighter but if my char got say 18 in Strength why can't he lift the wheel possibly with the help of Nooble?
Just replayed it with a friend after playing back then alone.
The first in the series was never that great but it is ok as a short starter to the whole. Sure, it cannot compete with the new modules but at least it mostly worked in MP. There where a couple of instances where enemies stayed friendly to half the party but apart from that there where no MP related bugs.
The skills of the author improve through the series and that shows in many parts of the module (like henchmen interaction).
Posted by Jesse_Dylan at 2007-06-18 20:13:59 Voted 9.00 on 06/18/07
I'm always so surprised by some peoples' comments. "Poor in every respect." What? Nothing like constructive criticism.
I really enjoyed this module, and I look forward to playing the whole serious!
I do wish there was a walk-through, though, so I could read it and see what I missed. In the town where there is nothing but the inn, the cleric henchwoman, the mine and what not, there seemed to be some subplots and things going on. I can't help but wonder what I missed there.
Posted by Mirgalen at 2007-05-29 06:44:28 Voted 6.00 on 08/15/07
I tend to agree with Akka's comments this first chapter (have not played the others yet) does look and feel like a barely average entry level module. I wanted to try it solo since it did not work well as a MP module (some faction related bug as I explained previously) but I got tired of the one-hit-oops-my-henchen-is-dead thing. Somebody mentioned two henchmen? Well I would like that but I am still stuck with one after installing the mega shadowlord/dreamcatcher/demon package.
IMHO the module is probably best with a strong melee type character with the fighter (the cleric does not turn undead btw) else just avoid all fights and complete the mission ASAP.
I shall retry it one more time...
Posted by jreid at 2007-04-07 19:40:47 Voted 10.00 on 04/07/07
This whole series is excellent.
Posted by Guru Bob at 2006-12-23 06:17:17 Voted 8.75 on 12/23/06
I found this a nice starter mod, but I wasn't drawn in like I have in some of the "newer" mods. I guess it is not fair to expect this to be as innovative in game mechanics as those. I look forward to see how Nooble develops as the series progresses.
Posted by Salish at 2006-10-23 12:11:15 Voted 10.00 on 10/23/06
This whole series of modules is awesome! Thank you, to Mr. Miller for making a great game.
Posted by amonsloane at 2006-09-29 13:50:22 Voted 9.00 on 09/29/06
good module, i love the interaction with the henchmen. it was a little lacking as far as just keeping your interest goes though, but not too bad for me to actually lose interest. the series just gets better from here, though
Posted by PineGrein ( 66.215.xxx.xxx ) at 2006-06-21 12:41:39
For all those who were wondering, it is possible to complete the love potion # 9 in this mod. you just walkpast the guy on his left, and then get a manicue...lol. maybe it was ecause my character was not heavily built...
Posted by fommil at 2006-06-11 15:22:08 Voted 9.00 on 06/11/06
This is my vote for the whole ShadowLords series... I was very impressed. Typical start to a D&D adventure but the story unfolded nicely in the next few chapters. Good henchmen, although a little plain. I thoroughly enjoyed this series with each module getting better than the last.
Posted by GLWizard at 2006-03-30 17:44:50 Voted 10.00 on 03/30/06
Great module. Not a sweeping epic at this stage by any means- but very much built to scale for a beginning character. I appreciated and loved the in-town quests (capable of bringing your character to second level before your focus shifts to the main quest). Bravo! _________________________ NWN: Shifter Expanded Classes hak, GLWizard Spell Pack
NWN2: GLWizard Spellpack with Extra Invocations
Posted by LeviTosh at 2006-01-31 17:57:28 Voted 8.50 on 01/31/06
Pretty good module for a beginning character/party. Some optional social quests in town to get some exp before going out into the dangerous world, where there's plenty to keep you on your toes, but not overwhelm you.
Posted by marcello ( 60.230.xxx.xxx ) at 2006-01-10 15:35:15
to all those who wish to kno!!!!!
the girls locket is bought from the store with the back room(the one that had the boy selling the stolen ring) If you have tried to get into the backroom and killed the storeowner-then you cannot complete this quest!!! Simple as that
To get out of scornobul you must complete take the stolen ring back to its owners(in the tavern). You must then talk to the halfling that was accused(when you are ready) and tell him that you want to leave.
p.s. does anyone know if its possible to complete "Love Potion no. 9" when you are a male?
p.p.s l love this module-9.5 outta 10 (due to bugs)
Posted by Akka at 2006-01-06 16:57:40 Voted 4.00 on 01/06/06
(forgot to log in, voting)
Posted by Akka ( 82.225.xxx.xxx ) at 2006-01-06 16:33:00
A long time ago, I downloaded and played the Shadowlords-Dreamcatcher serie.
I had a fond memory of it, and when, recently, I came back scanning for mod and saw that Demon was here, I decided to start from scratch and play the saga again.
I'll then comment each part soon after I finished it, with them fresh in my mind.
Sadly, the beginning is clearly not on par with my fond memories nor the ranking the first modules get.
I've for now finished the three firsts (they are short and can be played through quickly in a row), and I'm afraid that I have to admit that I continue to play only because I decidedly had good memories of the saga, and I hope that it was because of the later parts, and not just nostalgia...
I don't like to say bad things about the works of another, but I don't like to lie either, so I have to say that the quality of the first three modules is pretty low.
I don't really care about the fights, so even if they are often definitely too hard, it's not a big deal. The BIG problem, which is the one I care about, is the very bland and uninspired dialogues.
I have a bit of a hard time understanding how people can use adjective like "awesome", "fantastic" or "superb" here, considering that it's their low quality that actually make the module pretty weak.
There is practically no room to roleplay, with only caricatural "good/bad" (and sometime "neutral") choices.
And the worse is that they don't feel natural at all. They are mostly just informations coming out of the blue. Utilitarians and not at all immersive.
The interaction with henchmen sounds hollow too, plagued with the same dryness and artificiality.
I sincerely hope that the ending of Shadowlords, and the whole Dreamcatcher serie, are as good as I remember (which means, really superb in my memory), but sadly, for now, I have to say that these first modules are pretty boring and clearly not deserving their actual note.
If I had to note, this one would take a 4.
Posted by Lachluine at 2006-01-04 19:09:27 Voted 9.75 on 01/04/06
Posted by acebriarfoot ( 67.165.xxx.xxx ) at 2005-12-12 10:34:29
Excellent work! I've played through the entire Shadowlords campaign, and I love it.
Posted by Sualkin Sreid at 2005-11-24 15:40:29 Voted 9.75 on 11/24/05
Very good. I just finished it. I have the others ready, and I can't wait to see what happens. Some bugs, though. _________________________ I think the GPS Navigation things in new cars shouldn't have that woman's voice, but the voice of the HAL 9000 from 2001 Space Odyssey.
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