5) 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas

[thealmightymudworm]

Slightly surprised that this doesn't have a thread already, but I can't see it...?

For those who can't see the tweet, it says:
"While I'm busy writing the bonus chapter for the collector's hardback edition of the book, don't forget that it's not too late to place a Late Pledge for my new #ACEgamebook 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas."

Here's the link to the relevant blog post:
jonathangreenauthor.blogspot.com/2019/02/gamebook-friday-twas-krampus-night.html

[schlendrian]

No need for it, if I want to get beaten up by a krampus over here, I just have to wait for December XD

That aside, as much as I usually like Green's work, I'm not a fan of this "warped children's tale" approach he has since the Alice book. Just not my cup of tea, I guess.

[philsadler]

I was very annoyed by the maze in the Alice book, so I stopped playing it.

[kieran]

Me too to be honest. I also find Carroll's original novels more unsettling than the supposedly more nightmarish steampunk theme Green went for.

Having said that, I have heard so many good things about the book that I really ought to give it another go. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind when I first tried it.

I do like the look of the Krampus book though so did contribute to that. The Beowulf book looks good too.

[Wilf]

On my very first playthrough of this book tonight. Not found any errata for it online, but I believe I've found two:

• On paragraph 275, the Turn To numbers seem to be reversed - going to 296 only makes sense if you *do* have the codeword "Kold".
• It is also possible to reach paragraph 114 without fighting Krampus and discovering his stats (by using The Pen Is Mightier ability straight beforehand)
  

(Got defeated in the final battle, but thought this was one of the more enjoyable ACE gamebooks, second only to Alice.  Would recommend.)

[tyrion]

I think you're right about para 275, although the benefits in para 296 might be because you would still be a bit chilly after climbing a glacier in your dressing gown and gloves.

I've just completed this as well. I didn't actually fight Krampus, I banished him with some items and latin, so didn't come across the problem you described wilf. I'll try the ice castle route later and have a scrap with Krampus then.

It is very well written, as you'd expect. Lots of wintery encounters. Possibly a bit easy, statwise, if I'm being critical. The artwork is outstanding. There are a few hidden paragraphs, but it doesn't feel overdone. Similarly, the codewords feel well utilised.

I haven't read Green's Alice so can't compare them (I see Alice is written in third person, which I'm not keen on), but this is certainly better than the garbage scholastic is publishing. I actually prefer it to night of the necromancer. Highly recommended.

[Babel_17]

I led a team of Adventures on this over Christmas, they loved it. I read, they choose. It's democracy manifest!
The adventurers do find the ACE books to be a bit more engaging than some of the older FF books when we do them.
I am finding all the artwork in Jonathan's new books to be outstanding.

[Jonathan Green]

Hi

I have a new Kickstarter launching in January 2023. It is to produce The Box of Delights RPG, which uses the rules developed for 'TWAS: The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, which was itself based on 'TWAS: The Krampus Night Before Christmas.



You can sign up to be notified when the project goes live here:


Any help in spreading the word would be much appreciated.

Best wishes and Happy Holidays!
Jon