Veins of the Earth: OSR DnD Underdark Book Review

[@QuestingBeast]

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[@DeusMachina71]

This book needs to come back in print

[@Jack_OLanterns]

When QuestingBeast puts up a video. 1. read title 2. find book online 3. buy said book in print 4. watch video. 5. not be disappointed in my RPG consumerism 6. book arrives. 7. try to find space for new book in my office

[@BrooksSligh]

Oh man you absolute MONSTER. This (along with the Hot Springs Island books) is one of those books that I'm just losing my mind over. I swear your channel is going to bankrupt me...

[@Yora21]

I am always amazed again when I remember that Patrick's first RPG ever was D&D 4th edition. He came into these games very late but quickly became the most original creator of new material. Perhaps being unburdened by decades of established tradition was what enabled him to really go where no writers had gone before.

[@Bluecho4]

I love how this book makes the underground dark and claustrophobic and WEIRD. Like you are entering a completely alien world that was not meant for you. Ever since my college days, I've been fascinated by Surrealism, and _Veins of the Earth_ scratches that itch excellently. Even using a fraction of the material in this book in a game would go a long way towards making the underdark as daunting as it SHOULD be. The unfathomable fathoms, where one's lightborn senses betray you, and where the secrets are terribly secret and geologically old.

[@szymonskalka3319]

I love how there's a description of the sky by someone who's never seen it. It's terrifying and oppressive.

[@golaren]

I like the mechanic regarding light, especially the conversion of light as a measurement of distance. Reminds me of cultural studies in Sweden before the industrialisation of agriculture were farmers and other people in the country side measured time not by a wach but by how long a cow could travel before needing water, or how large an area of grass was needed to feed a sheep. I wonder in what way the relation to time affects the psyche of the people. /sry for any misspellings.

[@AEB1066]

Just a note - and obviously in a fantasy setting things don't need to function like on Earth - but heat is an issue rather than hyperthermia the deeper you travel due to the limited ability of underground systems to discharge heat. This is due to heat rising from the mantle and core. The deepest mines on Earth need special systems to deal with 50 degrees C / 122 degrees F temperatures and 100% humidity (or even hotter). But this heat provides part of the energy lifeforms need in an environment with no access to the sunlight, the rest being supplied by chemical energy. So the Underdark should be more hot and steamy, basically tropical, rather than frigid.

[@GRRAB]

Why not both? Of course as you mentioned, many fantasy settings; notably d&d, have deep cavernous cave and dungeon systems, including cities and civilizations, subterranean oceans and the like, they're usually less limited by the concept of a "core".

[@jeremytitus9519]

This is among the most beautiful RPG products (of any kind; book, miniature, dice, terrain) that I have ever held in my hands.

[@a7699aaa]

The idea of the Lume as a universal currency of the Underdark is just plain marvelous!

[@seppa193]

No, its the opposite. Most creatures have infravision and when using light you attract danger.

[@mikegould6590]

Playing Out of the Abyss, and thinking this would add so much more to it.

[@tylamcgilverson3923]

You are quickly becoming one of my favorite dndtubers

[@questwise4077]

Great stuff, sir! I was on the fence about this book, but am now looking forward to getting my hands on a copy.

[@c-bass9367]

This book now sells for $350.00 on ebay. I really like this book but I will have to wait for a kickstarter re-launch or just print it myself. Crazy the value on this book. I saw copies selling for $750.00

[@bluebotic2327]

The book looks awesome. Great review. I like your clear and concise no-nonsense presentation style. Thanks!

[@szymonskalka3319]

Patrick Stuart is an unsung genius. The different types of dark, the 3D mapping of it, the horrific monsters, races, and then the art...oh I am mining the art for the Reigar in D&D. Can't recommend the writing in this book enough.

[@Motavian]

Scrap Princess' art is particularly effective here, hazily abstract shapes of indeterminable borders groping viciously in the dark. And I always love when bestiaries engage other senses beyond sight, it reminds me of Ssù... The scent of cinnamon means you are going to be eaten by a grue in Têkumel.

[@xaosbob]

After the first few minutes, I started skipping ahead so I wouldn't spoil the book. I have been looking for an overview/review just like this for ages, and now I know...I want this book. Thank you, man.

[@jchart01]

Wow. Very cool. I might have to get one of these printed and coilbound. I have to admit, the art of Scrap Princess never really grabbed me until I saw this video. He did some awesome work in this one. I'll have to watch for more of this illustrations in other books.

[@B00Radl33]

This looks incredible. I think I need this book... I wonder how well it would work with the Eyes of the stone theif adventure?

[@adrianbayless2092]

This book really is amazing. One of the best and most inspiring RPG things I've ever read. And it's because of this review and this channel and this Ben that I found it. Thank you, Ben!

[@Licjr]

Patrick Stuart and Patrick Stewart are not the same guy. The more you know

[@madsam7582]

Thanks, I needed that.

[@HikkiNeetNeko]

Just discovered your channel. Love your review! Can't wait to received my Veins of the Earth copy. Keep up the great work!

[@dubuyajay9964]

Hi Drill Head! 🙋‍♂️

[@VhaidraSaga]

Thank you for the review!

[@GripTightThin]

Started reading Veins of the Earth last night. Some of the most original and creative ideas I have seen in years.

[@ninjagumpi]

I'm blown away that he didn't mention the rapture! There's a spot on the character sheet for it!

[@jesperwallin]

I went to drivethru and bought the book halfway through your video 😄

[@quint3ssent1a]

Aelf-adal are cool twist on the elves, they do drugs (one of their treasures is a syringe kit with heroin) and they are literal nightmares in flesh. Other material... well, most of the new spells is just esoteric form of suicide, and some monsters are funny in concept, but utter garbage to play (tachyon troll, lol)

[@andreww9104]

Some of what was discussed in the video makes me think this was a huge inspiration for Hollow Knight

[@ssaberwolf]

Wish I could find this book for under a hundred bucks...

[@Stratplayer05]

50 different kinds of stone...gneiss...

[@JoshKnoxChinnery]

Gneiss

[@k1ngdeth]

Gneiss...

[@misomiso8228]

Always love your videos dude. Am Agree on your opinion on patirck Stuart. Now if onyl he'd write a novel...

[@peterfox242]

Bought the book; yes, a bit pricey but it looks awesome.

[@DystopianCreativity]

Absolutely going to need to pick this book up when I've got the spending money - the Underdark has always been an area that I had trouble coming up with ideas for, and a blend of horror with absurdist humor definitely sounds like a plan. Plus, I'm with ya - the sketchy artwork is gorgeous, in an unnerving sort of way.

[@thiagobrazolin]

Since I started watching your channel, I bought The Black Hack and I'm also planning to buy LoFP. This is ruining my savings..

[@thereluctanthireling]

I know what I want for Christmas now....

[@peterlewerin4213]

12:52 QB: "...lots of very clear examples" Book figure: SQUIGGLE SQUIGGLE SQUIGGLE!!! :)

[@dubuyajay9964]

Yeah, NOT a fan of some of the drawings. I get what they were TRYING to do, just NOT a fan of it!

[@yomama211]

Late to the party looks AMAZING!

[@Bryon1187]

Anotherone for my list!

[@solomani5959]

I hear lots of praise but can’t find anyone who has actually used it (or if they have, it’s not documented). Was thinking of using this for an OSE version Descent into the Earth.

[@madmanvarietyshow9605]

God I wish I could get my hands on this book. The only way I've found to get it is to order from LotFP EU store and pay around $120 USD for it 😭

[@brianstevens5547]

now all I can find is a used copy for $550 so fml

[@scottanderson8167]

Patrick Stewart poops out better ideas before breakfast than Mike Mearls thinks up on his best day

[@Kingspawn000]

I’d be curious to see your thoughts on Qelong! It’s one of the cheaper LotFP products and one that I always think of throwing in the cart to pad an order.

[@QuestingBeast]

It's on my wish list, so some day...

[@danmorgan3685]

It's interesting but I think it would be difficult to run. It's designed to be a hell march which will turn off a lot of players. Also it might be very difficult to replace dead PCs. The setting doesn't strike me as a place a lot of outsiders would want to enter. Unless you create a PC that is a local - with all the problems that entails - it could get tricky or boring. "What? ANOTHER overturned boat with a former, foreign born slave who wants to come along? Oh, their equipment was in a sealed barrel this time? Third one this week."

[@QuestingBeast]

I don't explain where the replacement character come from. I just handwave it and move on most of the time. But then I pretty much only run high lethality games.

[@sebbychou]

I need this

[@Ufo757]

I'm having a hard time finding other works of Patrick Stuart. Anybody know if he has done other stuff and could tell me?

[@QuestingBeast]

Deep Carbon Observatory, Maze of the Blue Medusa, and Fire on the Velvet Horizon. I have reviews on all of them on this channel.

[@Ufo757]

Sweet. Thank you!

[@dubuyajay9964]

Does this book address that some traditional races should be resistant (if not immune) from going mad in the underdark? Dwarves, gnomes, etc? Or does that have to be house ruled?

[@christopherpatterson4084]

This is amazing. Could it be used for other systems?

[@valziboy]

Yes, it's more about the details, not about the stats. It does include stats, however, so you'll have to convert or ignore them.

[@lukeharris8806]

Great review of an absolutely fantastic book - I picked this up from the LOTFP stall at this years uk Games Expo. I winced a bit at the price but it is worth every penny ( and a lot grittier in content than those price-comparable WOTC Books :-) This book is beautifully crafted and jam packed with imind-bending ideas and inspiring set-ups to fire the synapses .... it’s worth it for the bestiary alone - your group will not believe some of the evil bastard things that lurk in here ....

[@biathemis]

Hi Ben! Great review as usual. Do you plan to do a review of Myhtras? I feel like it is not getting the love it deserves to due not getting enough coverage and I would be very interested to hear your take on it.

[@Falkdr]

that would be great.

[@ALvIn0H-f6y]

What is your opinion of LotFP? Is it too overdiscussed to make a review of it? Would be great if you did a review.

[@squirrellordsgaming2772]

I wonder how I can convert this to 5th ed DND...

[@brassmonkey2697]

is it its own game or do you pair it with a system like DnD? do you play the races only in book?

[@QuestingBeast]

It's a supplement for the Lamentations of the Flame Princess RPG, which is basically a tweaked version of Basic DnD from the early 1980s. However, the monster stats are so simple that running it with 5e would be really straightforward.

[@sargondp69]

This fellow thinks like me. He is clearly a genious of the firstest order! Light and Enc are things I have tinkered with. I really like the system here, among other great ideas. Given the roll charts, this seems close to being playable solo/without DM--something I want to make for games I am working on (slowly). I do like madness for things like when you are lost in the dark, all food and light sources spent, the darkness closes in ... well the Darkest Dungeon tried to pull it off in a video game. (paperback option would be a good idea)

[@jctxcboy36]

Is this OSR 1e,2e or 5e? Thought OSR is more based on old school design mechanics

[@VhaidraSaga]

OSR, specifically LotFP, but could be used with most any system.

[@TheddunTOSS]

How easy can this be run in anything else than LotFP, like OSE?

[@QuestingBeast]

Very easy. The systems are very similar

[@guyalter7519]

So what system does it support? Is it compatible with different systems than the one it has in the book?

[@VhaidraSaga]

LotFP

[@Mind_of_MATT]

Looks like I missed the boat on this one. I can't find it in print. Will it get another print run?

[@QuestingBeast]

Looks like it's still available on the LotFP webstore

[@Muto-yo7vl]

Looks like it is out of print, if anyone knows where I could find a copy send me a message.

[@VhaidraSaga]

Zak Smith has his copy up for sale at the Lamentations of the Flame Princess Official Facebook group

[@arijanknezevic1843]

im probably coming off ignorant but what edition is this for, or is it even dnd system at all??

[@thefreindlywolf]

Arijan Knezevic I would like to know this as well

[@garblechunk]

This is written for Lamentations of the Flame Princess, a retro-dnd-style game, but you could use a lot of the material (basically everything but the monster stats and the character sheets) for any system.

[@dougmcintyre3603]

I know this is a bit after the videos posting, but how compatible would you say this book is with D&D 5e?

[@QuestingBeast]

If you pause the video to look at a monster's stats, you can see that they have all the standard D&D conventions, so it should be very straightforward to convert.

[@dougmcintyre3603]

@@QuestingBeast Thanks for getting back to me so quicly

[@RobertCharlesW]

When you say Patrick Stewart do you mean the same that played John Luke Picard in Star trek?

[@maxvernau]

I always look forward to your reviews, but I clicked on this one so fast I almost broke my mouse.

[@sehidnamrin1521]

Review the Primeval Thule campaign setting please!

[@InternetHydra]

Man physical copies of this are now so expensive... real shame

[@apilgrim8715]

This stuff is like Michael Shea the RPG. In Yana, Nifft the Lean, Quest for Simbilis all are very similar.

[@Madkingstoe]

Okay, I respect that everyone has different tastes, and I'm not trying to disparage others - clearly my opinion is in the minority - but I just don't get it! At all! All I ever hear is how inspiring and masterful these LotFP books are. Like exquisite works of art. I have bought many of them off the praise of others, but feel like I'm being "trolled". The artwork often looks like something a child has drawn, or a deranged serial killer, and the ideas are often so alien and bizarre that I imagine they were written by someone on psychedelic drugs. Considering I'm almost perfectly aligned with everyone else in the OSR community when it comes to old school art, ideas and books, I find this hyperbolic praise of these niche OSR products to be very confusing. Like how wine connoisseurs drink wine that tastes terrible but act like its divine. I guess I'm just looking for validation that I'm not the ONLY person who seems to "not get it", when it comes to these sycophantic adulations. The Fungal Abasodile is genius!? C'mon! I feel like I'm taking crazy pills! :P

[@QuestingBeast]

It's certainly not to everyone's taste!

[@Madkingstoe]

@@QuestingBeast I certainly don't mean any disrespect to yourself or the other fans of these books. I just feel like I'm looking at the color blue and everyone else is saying its green. I'm just very confused. Thanks for the response, and keep up the good work. I'm a big fan of your channel.

[@TheGiantRobot]

I was searching for an opinion like yours. Looking at this art, I am astonished that anyone likes it. I like rough art, but this is so rough I don't even see a mood in it. As an artist, I'm glad to see that something so strange is appreciated, but perplexed as to why.

[@davewilson13]

You’re so bad for my wallet.

[@dafrca]

So sad to see this cost so much for a printed book. $300+ a copy.

[@dixieflatline9772]

Patrick Stewart. . .the actor?

[@weduncan4]

What system is it designed for? 3.5?

[@Fo0tie]

Its designed for Lamentations of the Flame Princess.

[@Sammo212]

This book sounds great but I hate the size of the LotFP books.

[@Fo0tie]

Why should the Party ever travel to the underdark xD

[@Bluecho4]

1) Because it's there 2) For Science(!) 3) Because *Treasure* 4) The party may not be that far underground by choice... 5) A Quest^TM

[@pappabear4977]

Patrick Stewart the actor?

[@celebrim1]

Everything you say in your review makes it sound like this is one of those books that reads far better than it plays. People handwave light not because they don't care, but because they've learned over time that it's not practical to not handwave light. The problem is that you are playing a social game, and sure realistically the players might not see everything, but typically different players are capable of seeing different things. One has a torch. Another has a bullseye lantern. Another has low light vision and can see twice as far. It's not feasible for a single DM to describe what each player in the party can see. So you come up with a consensus description and only describe the things that are so far away no one can see them as "lost in the darkness". Plus, to make the matter more problematic, if you do try to make light a precious resource, all that means is that players will invest something in stopping making it a precious resource. They'll all play races with darkvision, or they'll invest in magic. Anyway, thanks for the review. I was very tempted to buy this as a pdf, but your review completely turned me off to this book and convinced me it would be a total waste of money.

[@thefreindlywolf]

Fifth edition???

[@VhaidraSaga]

No, LotFP

[@jmhimara]

"These elves literally come from human nightmares." I'm sure people will disagree, but I have a hard time calling that "good writing." Sounds so cheesy and fetishized. I don't think it evokes any strong emotion or sense of fear.

[@Falkdr]

this cave mapping "system" makes no sense to me.

[@eclairz9275]

Just like real caves then.