Old School Renaissance – Dungeon Crawl Classics – DCC #66.5 Doom of the Savage King

Dungeon Crawl Classics, Old School

Publisher: Goodman Games

In this review, I will talk about Dungeon Crawl Classics – DCC #66.5 Doom of the Savage King, an adventure module for level 1 characters, written by Harley Stroh and published by Goodman Games in 2012. The module was reprinted in 2014 and also made available in digital format for FoundryVTT. The adventure takes place in the village of Hirot, besieged by a hellish beast that kills its inhabitants every night. To defeat the monster, the characters will have to uncover the mysteries of the land and its Savage Kings, and arm themselves with relics forged by a bloody past. Only then, the most cunning and brave adventurers will be able to challenge the hound of Hirot! The module is inspired by classics of literature such as Beowulf, The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Company of Wolves, and has a gothic horror movie atmosphere.

Description

The module is structured as a sandbox, where the characters have a lot of freedom to explore the village and its surroundings, interact with the inhabitants and the factions in conflict, and choose how to face the threat of the hound. The module offers several options to customize the adventure according to the preferred style of play of the master and the players, and also includes a series of appendices with additional information on the world, the rules, the creatures and the magic. The module is rich in evocative illustrations and detailed maps, made by Doug Kovacs.

What are the most interesting encounters

Doom of the Savage King is an adventure module that features several interesting encounters for level 1 characters. Some of the most notable ones are:

  • The opening scene, where the characters witness a young woman being tied to a stake as a sacrifice to the hound of Hirot, a monstrous beast that terrorizes the village. The characters can choose to intervene and save the woman, or side with the lord who orders the sacrifice, or even try to bargain with the hound itself. This encounter sets the tone for the adventure and introduces the main conflict and the main antagonist.
  • The exploration of the barrow mound, where the characters can find the legendary sword Hrothgar’s Doom, the only weapon that can harm the hound of Hirot. The mound is guarded by undead warriors, traps, and puzzles, and also contains other treasures and secrets. The characters will have to brave the dangers of the tomb and prove themselves worthy of wielding the sword.
  • The final showdown with the hound of Hirot, where the characters will have to use their wits, skills, and courage to slay the beast once and for all. The hound is a formidable foe, with high stats, special abilities, and a near-immortality. The characters will have to exploit its weaknesses, such as its fear of fire and its vulnerability to Hrothgar’s Doom, and also deal with its allies, such as the lord of Hirot and his men. This encounter is a climactic and epic battle that will test the characters’ mettle.

What are the most interesting locations

Doom of the Savage King is an adventure module that features several interesting locations for level 1 characters. Some of the most notable ones are:

  • The village of Hirot, where the characters can interact with the villagers and their factions, learn about the history and legends of the land, and witness the nightly sacrifice to the hound of Hirot. The village is divided into four quarters: the lord’s quarter, where the lord and his men reside; the common quarter, where most of the villagers live and work; the outcast quarter, where the exiled and the shunned dwell; and the temple quarter, where the priestess and her followers worship. The village also has a market, a tavern, a smithy, a mill, and a graveyard.
  • The barrow mound, where the characters can find the legendary sword Hrothgar’s Doom, the only weapon that can harm the hound of Hirot. The mound is an ancient tomb of a fallen king, guarded by undead warriors, traps, and puzzles. The characters will have to brave the dangers of the tomb and prove themselves worthy of wielding the sword.
  • The wilderness, where the characters can explore the moors and the woods surrounding the village, encounter various creatures and hazards, and discover other secrets and mysteries. The wilderness is a vast and wild area, full of natural beauty and hidden dangers. The characters will have to be careful not to get lost or fall prey to predators.

Opinion

My personal opinion on this module is very positive. I really liked the theme of the adventure, which mixes elements of Norse mythology, English folklore and classic horror. I also liked the sandbox structure of the adventure, which leaves room for creativity and improvisation, without losing sight of the main goal. I found the module well written, well organized and well illustrated, with a good dose of black humor and irony.

The only flaw that I can find in this module is that maybe it is a bit too difficult for level 1 characters, especially if you follow the brutal and lethal style typical of Dungeon Crawl Classics. The hound of Hirot is indeed a very powerful and almost immortal opponent, that requires a well-planned strategy and a good dose of luck to be defeated. Moreover, the village of Hirot hides many other dangers and enemies, that can easily put in trouble inexperienced characters.

Dungeon Crawl Classics #66.5 Doom of the Savage King on DrivethruRpg

DCC 66.5 page 2
DCC 66.5 page 3
DCC 66.5 Hirot Map