Pool of Radiance (novel)

Pool of Radiance is a novel based on the Pool of Radiance computer role-playing game. It was written by James Ward and Jane Cooper Hong, and published by TSR in November 1989. The novel is set in the Forgotten Realms setting based on the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. This book was the first in a trilogy, followed by Pools of Darkness and Pool of Twilight.

Pool of Radiance
Cover of the first edition
AuthorJames M. Ward, Jane Cooper Hong
Cover artistClyde Caldwell
LanguageEnglish
SeriesHeroes of Phlan
GenreFantasy novel
PublisherTSR, Inc.
Publication date
1989
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages316
ISBN0-88038-735-1
OCLC21019475
Followed byPools of Darkness 

Plot summary

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Dragon described the novel's plot: "Five companions find themselves in the unenviable position of defending the soon-to-be ghost town against a rival possessing incredible power."[1]

Three companions, Shal Bal of Cormyr, Tarl Desanea, a cleric of Tyr, and Ren o' the Blade are brought together in Phlan by circumstance and encounter various threats as they work to purge the city of civilized Phlan, the restored part of the destroyed city of Old Phlan, culminating in a faceoff with the Lord of the Ruins, Tyranthraxus.

Reception

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In the Io9 series revisiting older Dungeons & Dragons novels, Rob Bricken commented that "frankly, I'm unsurprised that Pool of [Radiance] rolls a straightforward 4—no bonuses, no penalties, just a simple, unquestionable failure."[2]

References

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  1. ^ Kirchoff, Mary (January 1989). "The Game Wizards". Dragon (141): 69.
  2. ^ Bricken, Rob (June 6, 2022). "Dungeons & Dragons & Novels: Revisiting Pool of Radiance". io9. Retrieved 2022-07-19.