Editing Pool of Radiance (section)

== Sequels and related works ==
In November 1989, a [[novelization]] of the game, also called ''[[Pool of Radiance (novel)|Pool of Radiance]]'', was published by James Ward and Jane Cooper Hong, published by TSR. It is set in the Forgotten Realms setting based on the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy role-playing game. ''Dragon'' described the novel's plot: "Five companions find themselves in the unenviable position of defending the soon-to-be ghost town against a rival possessing incredible power".<ref name="Dragon141">{{cite magazine |last=Kirchoff |first=Mary |author-link=Mary Kirchoff |date=January 1989 |title=The Game Wizards |magazine=Dragon |page=69 |issue=141}}</ref> The book was the first in a trilogy, followed by ''[[Pools of Darkness (novel)|Pools of Darkness]]'' and ''[[Pool of Twilight]]''.

''Pool of Radiance'' was the first in a four-part series of computer ''D&D'' adventures set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. The others were released by SSI one year apart: ''[[Curse of the Azure Bonds]]'' (1989), ''[[Secret of the Silver Blades]]'' (1990), and ''[[Pools of Darkness]]'' (1991).<ref name="Gamasutra" /> The 1989 game ''[[Hillsfar]]'' was also created by SSI but was not a sequel to ''Pool of Radiance''. ''Hillsfar'' is described instead, by the reviewers from ''Dragon'', as "a value-added adventure for those who would like to take a side trip while awaiting the sequel".<ref name="Dragon147">{{cite magazine |author1=Hartley, Patricia |author2=Kirk Lesser |name-list-style=amp |date=July 1989 |title=The Role of Computers |magazine=Dragon |pages=78–79 |issue=147}}</ref> A player can import characters from ''Pool of Radiance'' into ''Hillsfar'', although the characters are "reduced to their basic levels" and do not retain any weapons or [[Magic item (Dungeons & Dragons)|magic items]]. Original ''Hillsfar'' characters cannot be exported to ''Pool of Radiance'', but they can be exported to ''Curse of the Azure Bonds''.<ref name="Dragon147" /> A review for ''Curse of the Azure Bonds'' in ''Computer Gaming World'' noted that "you can transfer your characters from ''Pool of Radiance'' and it's a good idea to do so. It will give you a headstart in the game".<ref name="CGW63">{{cite magazine |author=Scorpia |date=September 1989 |title=Curse of The Azure Bonds |url=http://cgw.vintagegaming.org/galleries/index.php?year=1989&pub=2&id=63 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723104541/http://cgw.vintagegaming.org/galleries/index.php?year=1989&pub=2&id=63 |archive-date=2011-07-23 |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |pages=8–9, 46 |issue=63}}</ref>

[[GameSpot]] declared that ''Pool of Radiance'', thanks to its detailed art, variety of quests and available treasure, and tactical combat system, and despite the limitations of only four allowed character classes and the low maximum character level, "ultimately succeeded in its goal of bringing a standardized form of AD&D to the home computer, and laid the foundation for other future gold box AD&D role-playing games".<ref name="GameSpotAD&D" /> Scott Battaglia of [[GameSpy]] said ''Pool of Radiance'' is "what many gamers consider to be the epitome of ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' RPGs. These games were so great that people today are using MoSlo in droves to slow down their [[Pentium III]]-1000 MHz enough to play these gems".<ref name="GameSpy" />

The 1988 ''Dungeons & Dragons'' role-playing game [[Adventure (Dungeons & Dragons)|module]] ''[[Ruins of Adventure]]'' was produced using the same adventure scenario as ''Pool of Radiance'', including its plot, background, and setting, as well as many of its characters, thus providing clues on how to complete missions in ''Pool of Radiance''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ward |first1=James |author-link1=Jim Ward (game designer) |title=[[Ruins of Adventure]] |last2=Cook |first2=David "Zeb" |author-link2=David Cook (game designer) |last3=Winter |first3=Steve |author-link3=Steve Winter |last4=Breault |first4=Mike |author-link4=Michael Breault |publisher=[[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] |year=1988 |isbn=0-88038-588-X |page=2}}</ref> ''Ruins of Adventure'' contains four linked mini-scenarios, which form the core of ''Pool of Radiance''.<ref name="HW">{{cite book |last=Schick |first=Lawrence |title=Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games |publisher=Prometheus Books |year=1991 |isbn=0-87975-653-5 |page=113}}</ref> According to the editors of ''Dragon'' magazine, ''Pool of Radiance'' was based on ''Ruins of Adventure'', rather than the module being based on the computer game,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=July 1990 |title=The Role of Computers |magazine=Dragon |page=53 |issue=159}}</ref> but Mike Breault stated in a 2021 interview that TSR chose him, Winter, Cook, and Ward to work on the design and writing for ''Pool of Radiance'', indicating that the material was originally created for the game.<ref name="mbreault20230808">{{cite web |author=Breault |first=Michael |date=2021-05-13 |title=Making Pool of Radiance |url=http://alpheus.wpi.edu/imgd/oral-history/interviews/mbreault.html |access-date=2023-08-08 |work=Oral History of Video Games}}</ref>

''[[The Forgotten Realms Atlas]]'' (1990) has many maps covering the Forgotten Realms, including regions in ''Pool of Radiance''. It is out of print and is prized by collectors.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kevin |first=Brian |date=2025-01-13 |title=Overlooked No More: Karen Wynn Fonstad, Who Mapped Tolkien’s Middle-earth |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/13/obituaries/karen-wynn-fonstad-overlooked.html |access-date=2025-01-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>