Worlds at a Glance: Towns & Villages
review by Chad
Having been a Dungeons & Dragons player for a few years now, I've spent most of my time on the outside of the screen, enjoying the world my Dungeon Master (DM) painstakingly crafted. The thought of stepping into the DM's chair myself was both exciting and incredibly daunting. I know the rules and I have a decent imagination, but the prospect of creating an entire living, breathing world for my players to explore felt like a monumental task. I think back to stories from my close friend and DM and talks of spending hours or days prepping a single session. I knew from the start that I wouldn't have that much time to prepare, so I started looking for solutions. In my research, I came across "Worlds At A Glance: Towns & Villages," a tool used to describe towns, shops and NPCs, and I knew I had to give it a try. It was advertised as a streamlined way to create interesting and immersive experiences for players on the fly, which is just what I was looking for. And I can honestly say, it has made my first experience in the DM drivers' seat not just manageable, but truly enjoyable.
To start, this book isn't a pre-packaged adventure, and that's precisely its strength. It's a toolkit, a creative prompt system designed to make world-building on the fly a breeze. The most impressive aspect, and the one that has saved me countless hours of preptime, is the "FlowRead" mechanic and the accompanying description tables.
Each town and village is a modular piece of a larger puzzle. When my players decide to unexpectedly veer off the main road and head for a town I hadn't planned for, I no longer resort to panic mode. Instead, I just open this book. The tables for each location are organized with distinct sections: "A Glance," "Things to Do," and "Interesting Tidbits." The genius is in the multiple color coded options within each heading. Depending on the mood I want to set, the book allows me to instantly tailor the atmosphere to the situation. My players might be approaching the same town, but if they've had a rough night, I can describe it in rugged, desperate terms (highlighted in red) rather than the peaceful, idyllic scene from a previous visit (highlighted in green).
The "Things to Do" tables are where this book truly shines for a new DM like myself. It is not just a list of ships; it's a collection of plot hooks and mini-quests. My players walked into a town square, and I was able to quickly scan the table and present them with options: "You notice a quest board with a note about a missing mushroom farmer" or "A group of hardy individuals are arguing loudly in the middle of the square, seeking a strong fighter for a job." The simple, organized layout keeps the game moving and makes it feel organic and responsive, rather than feeling like I'm railroading the players. It allows me to be prepared for the unexpected with zero prep.
For an experienced player but a new Dungeon Master, this book is more than a convenience; it's a confidence booster. It has given me the tools to create a rich, living world that my players are excited to explore, and it has done so without the crushing burden of excessive prep. In my opinion, this is a must have for new DMs and a huge convenience for experienced DMs just looking for less prep time. For those looking for an even more premium experience, there is even a "Worlds at a Glance: 5E Box Set" that includes physical info cards and maps for the towns, shops and NPCs. I no longer dread the words, "So, what's in this town?" I just smile, open the book, and let the adventure unfold.
Final Verdict: 5/5 Fantastic Purchase
Worlds at a Glance: Towns & Villages is available now from our webstore.
