Dungeonology

by Matt Forbeck

Overview

A treasure trove of lore for new adventurers!

The world's most beloved roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons, joins the legendary 'Ology series as the renowned guide Volo Geddarm takes you on an unforgettable journey through the Forgotten Realms. From the dreaming spires of Waterdeep to the frozen majesty of Drizzt Do'Urden's Icewind Dale, and from the despicable Underdark to the mysterious Underchasm, you'll learn the history, secrets, and wonders of this incredible world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763693534
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	10/21/2016
Series:	Ologies Series
Pages:	30
Product dimensions:	10.20(w) x 11.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Matt Forbeck, an award-winning and New York Times best-selling author and games designer, has been playing Dungeons & Dragons since he was thirteen. After earning his degree in creative writing from the University of Michigan, he embarked on a prolific writing career that included working with the late legendary Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax. He is the author of the well-received Secret of the Spiritkeeper, the first book in the Knights of the Silver Dragon series. Matt Forbeck lives in Wisconsin with his wife and five children.

Editorial Reviews

10/10/2016
Volothamp “Volo” Geddarm, a name that will be familiar to many Dungeons & Dragons fans, serves as a guide to the Forgotten Realms in a densely illustrated addition to the Ologies series that includes a foldout map, booklets, a letter from the wizard Elminster Aumar, and other interactive elements. Through Volo’s drily funny narration, Forbeck explores the heroes that make up a raiding party, the monsters that can be found in dungeons (shriekers, mimics, and gelatinous cubes, among them), and the various weapons and magical items that make for a successful raid. Featuring a mix of sketches and richly detailed character (and creature) studies, it’s a package that should please existing D&D fans and leave newcomers eager to learn more. Ages 10–up. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

Featuring a mix of sketches and richly detailed character (and creature) studies, it’s a package that should please existing D&D fans and leave newcomers eager to learn more.
—Publishers Weekly

A handy travel guide to the Sword Coast's sprawling Underdark, along with helpful hints for prospective questers thereto.Both confirmed gamers and readers seeking a peek into the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse will be entertained by this album-sized vade mecum...A taste of adventure for all who would delve D&D's lightless depths for virtual treasure.
—Kirkus Reviews

This title will appeal to new players, those interested in learning about D&D, and stalwart fans of the “Ologies” series. A solid purchase for most collections.
—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

01/01/2017
Gr 4–7—This new entry in the popular series focuses on the iconic role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). It is narrated by the fictional lore master Volothamp Geddarm (aka Volo), who unabashedly tells readers: "So heed my words, and read these words as if your life depended on them—because it very well might!" Serving as a guide to the Forgotten Realms, a setting in the game, the esteemed Volo takes readers through the fundamentals of D&D in a fun and lively manner. Novices will learn what constitutes an adventuring party, and the author presents information on various types of heroes, monsters, magical items, weapons, and much more. The volume is illustrated by numerous artists, and each page contains various sketches and drawings, along with foldout pages, minibooks, and a beautiful map of the Sword Coast. Bonus material includes "Volo's Guide to the Forgotten Realms," which will please enthusiasts. VERDICT This title will appeal to new players, those interested in learning about D&D, and stalwart fans of the "Ologies" series. A solid purchase for most collections.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI

School Library Journal

2016-11-02
A handy travel guide to the Sword Coast's sprawling Underdark, along with helpful hints for prospective questers thereto.Both confirmed gamers and readers seeking a peek into the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse will be entertained by this album-sized vade mecum. Drawing from his extensive travels in the Forgotten Realms, "author" and recurrent D&D character Volothamp Geddarm offers both general tips ("Never underestimate the power of lucky socks") and specific advice about what magical gear and weaponry to pack for an expedition. He also introduces four standard RPG character types, select monsters, and some of the pure- and half-blood races of humanoids visitors may encounter. Most of these are light-skinned, though renowned dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden and some of the "humans" are somewhat darker. A sparse array of special features ranging from a large foldout map of the Sword Coast to information about spells and dragons in booklets, attached or otherwise, and a 3-D lenticular tile embedded in the rear cover supplement the detailed painted views of exotically armored heroes and leering villains, ravening creatures, and firelit subterranean mazes on every page. A taste of adventure for all who would delve D&D's lightless depths for virtual treasure. (Novelty. 10-13)

Kirkus Reviews