| Justice | |
| Justice is by Akhronath (Akhronath@aol.com). It’s rated R and is for Low level parties. | |
| Simmic’s Review | |
I have to say, when writing Justice, Akhronath didn’t seem to be very poetic. Looking at his other two scenarios, Earthward Road and River and Leaf, I was somewhat surprised. Justice was the first scenario of his I ever played, and it shouldn’t be taken as an example of what the rest are like.
Both River and Leaf and Earthward Road begin with a bit of poetry; Justice begins with a quotation, and a very apt quotation too. As it’s the first thing you’ll read anyhow, I can’t see myself spoiling anything — “A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.” — Joseph Stalin. Strangely true.
This scenario, some would say, could almost be a, well, smaller replica of A Small Rebellion set in a different time and place. It begins by vaguely telling you that you’re Empire soldiers in the Empire War against Exile. But you’re not fighting Exile. You are purging the land of Sliths. Some of us will remember the slaughter of entire villages of Sliths that Limoncelli directed in Exile II. This is what you’re meant to be doing in this scenario. And no wonder, I thought, that it’s rated R.
Combat is some of the most challenging you’ll get, harder even than Nephil’s Gambit. In this manner, the designer almost turns it into a mental challenge, forcing you to use spells usually disregarded or ignored, to use hit-and-run tactics and generally fight conservatively. Nor does the scenario lack in other, more directly mental challenges. I’ll warn a player about one thing in this scenario — don’t use a 1 PC party. I beta-tested this scenario, and, upon reflection, decided that to use a 1 PC party was darn near suicidal. While some scenarios, such as On A Ship To Algiers, are suited to 1 PC parties, this scenario is quite the opposite. Avoid them. Also, if you’re the sort who doesn’t enjoy combat, play through with a medium or higher level party.
Plot is one of the strongest points of the scenario, of course. Although, as mentioned earlier, the usual poetry is lacking, Akhronath’s use of English does by no means get any worse. Everything is written feelingly, except perhaps outdoor encounters. Of all the scenarios I’ve played, this one brings me the closest I’ve ever been to crying about what is going on. Which isn’t that close, but it was nevertheless a very good effort.
Characters are well fleshed-out and well-written like the rest of the dialogue; each has his own personality. Each has their ideals, but none of them, you will think, are actually bad or evil people. Such an achievement is what I think of as one of the ultimate realisms in Blades.
This scenario is well worth playing. It’s short but challenging, and more than worthy of your attention.
My score — 9.
— Simmic