Avalon Hill’s RuneQuest 3 initial supplements were a series of box sets that eventually spanned 11 entries. Like RQ3 in general, they are a mixed bag – high quality printing, nice design, high cost for the time and dubious usefulness, though almost all make for interesting reading.

This is the first, Monster Coliseum. It’s exactly what you think: an entire box dedicated to running player vs. monster combat, chariot races and other blood sports in an ancient arena, complete with giant arena map and cardboard rulers for measuring range. When I was actively putting together my RQ collection, a lot of Monster Coliseum boxes passed through my hands. They were all in pristine condition, which I suspect indicates that not a lot of people ever opened it more than once.

The cover by Lisa A. Free is pretty sweet, though. And I love Kevin Ramos’ interior art a lot – particularly the fachan. However, seeing as how I had to open the box just now to confirm Ramos’ name, this is a good time to mention another entry on the long list of things that rankled Chaosium in this deal: Avalon Hill’s unwillingness to put creator credits on the front covers.