The Book of Ruins

The Book of Ruins is a supplement for fantasy role-playing games published by Judges Guild in 1981.

The Book of Ruins

Cover
Genre	Role-playing game
Publisher	Judges Guild
Media type	Print

Contents

The Book of Ruins consists of ten miniscenarios, dungeons set in ruins of all sorts. Inhabitants include ogres, carnivorous apes, huge spiders, orcs, and efreets.

The Book of Ruins is a supplement composed of ten short dungeon adventures designed for four to eight AD&D player characters. Each scenario is set in a structure of between 3-20 rooms, with three of the adventures meant for 1st-3rd level characters, one for 8th-10th level characters, four adventures in between those ranges and one for characters of higher level. The supplement also provides a method for integrating these adventures into an existing role-playing game campaign.

Publication history

The Book of Ruins was written by Michael Mayeau, and was published by Judges Guild in 1981 as a 32-page book.

Reception

Ronald Pehr reviewed the adventure in The Space Gamer No. 41. He commented that "This book was a pleasant surprise. At first glance, the scenarios appeared too short, simple-minded, nothing but slay-monsters-rake-in-fabulous-loot; characteristic of AD&D adventures. But they were fun to play! The higher level scenarios fully challenge the powers of the players: Scout ahead, guard your flanks, support each other, or you don't get out alive!" He continued: "However, each scenario is only slay-monsters-rake-in-etc. The low level scenarios are too short, the AD&D hit point system brings low-level characters instant death or instant victory, and treasure is far too generous for what the characters accomplish." Pehr concluded the review by saying "AD&D is billed as a role-playing game. The Book of Ruins has little of that. But if you take it for what it's worth – fast action adventures, for random adventures or part of a campaign – and if you enjoy gaming which is heavy on the bloody combat, you won't be disappointed."