''I, Tyrant'' is an accessory for the 2nd edition of the ''
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
Several different editions of the '' Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') fantasy role-playing game have been produced since 1974. The current publisher of ''D&D'', Wizards of the Coast, produces new materials only for the most current edition of the ...
''
fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures.
The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...
role-playing game
A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, or abbreviated as RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of player character, characters in a fictional Setting (narrative), setting. Players take responsibility for acting out ...
.
Contents
''I, Tyrant'' is a supplement which provides further details about
beholders from what is given in the ''
Monstrous Manual
The ''Monster Manual'' (''MM'') is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') fantasy role-playing game, first published in 1977 by TSR. The ''Monster Manual'' was the first hardcover ''D&D'' book and i ...
'', including information about the history of beholders as a race, and their religion, culture, settlements and psychology, and game statistics on beholder deviants.
The book also provides rules for
psionics
In American science fiction of the 1950s and '60s, psionics was a proposed discipline that applied principles of engineering (especially electronics) to the study (and employment) of paranormal or psychic phenomena, such as extrasensory perceptio ...
and
magic items
Magic or magick most commonly refers to:
* Magic (supernatural), beliefs and actions employed to influence supernatural beings and forces
** ''Magick'' (with ''-ck'') can specifically refer to ceremonial magic
* Magic (illusion), also known as sta ...
available to beholders.
Publication history
''I, Tyrant'' was published by TSR in 1996 as a 93-page book. It was designed by
Aaron Allston
Aaron Dale Allston (December 8, 1960 – February 27, 2014) was an American game designer and author of many science fiction books, notably ''Star Wars'' novels. His works as a game designer include game supplements for role-playing games, sev ...
, and featured cover illustrations by
Dana Knutson
Dana Knutson is an artist best known for his work on role-playing game products.
Career
Dana Knutson has had a long career as an artist on role-playing games. He worked at FASA for 10 years, producing art on numerous works for their ''Star Trek' ...
, and interior illustrations by
Arnie Swekel
Arnie Swekel is an artist whose work has appeared in role-playing games.
Background
Swekel was born May 2, 1964, and grew up in River Rouge, Michigan. After graduating high school he briefly attended The Center for Creative Studies (now called Col ...
,
David Martin,
Glen Michael Angus,
William O'Connor, and
Randy Post
Randy "rk" Post is an illustrator of fantasy publications.
Background
Post was raised in Illinois on a farm.
Post has done freelance work for TSR, including ''Red Steel'', ''Cutthroats of Lankhmar'', and '' Spells & Magic''. Post garnered a f ...
.
''I, Tyrant'' and the module ''
Eye of Pain'' were the first publications from TSR in their "Monstrous Arcana" series, which details the most popular ''AD&D'' monsters.
Reception
David Comford reviewed ''I, Tyrant'' for ''Arcane'' magazine, rating it an 8 out of 10 overall.
He comments: "As if these multi-eyed nightmares weren't deadly enough, now they can have magical items and psionics too."
He notes that through ''I, Tyrant'', "the amazing versatility of the race is depicted in great detail, raising them from merely a collection of interesting monsters to a curious and powerful civilisation. The results give referees a myriad of encounter opportunities and possibilities for inserting beholder NPCs into existing campaigns for that extra punch of spice."
Comford concludes his review by stating: "The ''Monstrous Manual'' will still suffice for brief encounters with these creatures, but through expanded details on the creatures' behavior, powers, driving forces and tips on how to defeat them, ''I, Tyrant'' is useful to referees or players planning to embark upon a beholder-heavy adventure."
Reviews
*''Dragão Brasil'' #21, p. 56-57
(in Portuguese)
References
{{D&D topics
Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks
Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1996