See you in 2026!

The Toadstool Thief is our last review for the year and is, of course, holiday inspired! Designed by Blair Hammond & Aurora Wells for newcomers to the world of Dungeons and Dragons, it can be completed in less than 4 hours, making it a nice option for a holiday session.

Disclaimer: We were provided with a free digital copy of this product.

The scenario

The party enjoys a moment of peace as they have successfully completed their contract in Fort Den, a northern trading post in the heart of winter. Before they head home, they are approached by a gnome from a nearby village, Birchwick, to ask for help as various treasures were stolen, including a sacred relic of great importance. The Sacred Toadstool is essential for a winter ceremony that ensures a fertile spring, and without it, the villagers fear that their way of life will be lost to the cold. The snow is falling fast, the river is about to freeze, and the clock is ticking while the party sets out to uncover the mysterious thief.

The story begins with a sense of established teamwork, as it is assumed that the party has been working together for some time, and the characters know and trust each other. The adventure even encourages the players to introduce their characters and share small quirks that may have become apparent after working together. This is a nice touch that bypasses the awkward “we meet in the tavern” phase and strengthens the party’s dynamic from the start.

The story is divided into 3 chapters, designed to introduce new players to all 3 pillars of adventure, with the outcome defined by the players’ actions. I find this approach suitable for first time groups, as it allows players to experience exploration, roleplay and combat and make them feel that their choices truly matter. There is plenty of information about the setup, with helpful and detailed descriptions, giving the game master a solid foundation to work with.

Encounters

As I mentioned above, the encounters in The Toadstool Thief are structured in a balanced way, where combat is not always the solution, SPOILER ALERT, as the adventurers could actually die here. *The horror of your first character perishing is real*.

Right at the start, the scene leans heavily in social interaction, encouraging both conversation and observation, but as the party travels through the wilderness, they soon realise that even the environment can bite. With the snow falling heavily, losing the trail is expected, and so is exhaustion. By the time the characters reach the thief’s cave, cold hands have already become part of the journey.

The final battle is the thief himself, a snow goblin named Grinnikin, though by battle, I don’t necessarily mean fighting. Grinnikin can actually become persuaded to return the stolen goods, and even convinced to share his own tale, as he was exiled for being vegan.

Players who tend to listen and think before acting will resolve the situation peacefully, turning a boss fight into a meaningful moment. The core message is that victories will come not from swinging swords, but from understanding the reason behind picking one.

Layout & Art

The layout is clean and designed to guide game masters. The adventure is broken into short logical sections, with boxed text easy to spot and read in order to set the vibe. Helpful notes are present to aid inexperienced Game Masters, and the menu of contents is hyperlinked for smooth navigation.

The illustrations lean into a storybook aesthetic. A mix of black and white and colourful pieces, the art feels handcrafted and totally suited to the winter theme. It supports the narrative and overall atmosphere without overwhelming the pages.

Extras

Appendix A offers 9 pre-generated characters, making it easy to start playing without lengthy preparations, as creating your own character can be time-consuming, especially for new players.

The supplement also offers audio and visual suggestions, a thoughtful touch and something you don’t always find in adventures. Tavern soundscapes, caves with dripping water and snow falling in the woods add a cosy and immersive touch, especially for people who enjoy music in their gaming sessions.

Final thoughts

Overall, The Toadstool Thief feels like a gentle introduction to D&D and could easily serve as a seasonal one-shot on a holiday table. It values story as much as dice rolls, and it is a nice recommendation for the New Year’s Eve.

Stay crafty and Happy New Year,
Your new favourite author.

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