Publisher: Goodman Games
Introduction
In this review, I will be looking at one of the most popular and acclaimed adventure modules for the Dungeon Crawl Classics Roleplaying Game: DCC #67 Sailors on the Starless Sea. This module is written by Harley Stroh and illustrated by Doug Kovacs, and it is designed for a group of 0-level characters, who are ordinary villagers who become heroes by facing the forces of Chaos. I will give you an overview of the module, its main features, its strengths and weaknesses, and my personal opinion on it.
Overview
DCC #67 Sailors on the Starless Sea is a classic adventure module that takes inspiration from the pulp fantasy and sword and sorcery genres. It is set in a dark and mysterious land, where ancient ruins hide secrets of a forgotten past, and where beastmen, cultists, and twisted horrors lurk in the shadows. The module is full of atmosphere, action, and surprises, and it offers a great introduction to the DCC RPG system.
The module consists of four main parts:
- Part 1: The Burning Village. The adventure begins with the characters escaping from their village, which is under attack by beastmen raiders. They have to evade or fight off the enemies, and find a way to reach the nearby ziggurat, where they hope to find safety and answers.
- Part 2: The Ziggurat of Chaos. The characters explore the massive ziggurat, which is an ancient temple dedicated to the Chaos Lord. They have to solve puzzles, avoid traps, and face deadly enemies, such as giant rats, skeletons, gargoyles, and more. They also have to deal with the cultists who worship the Chaos Lord, and who have a sinister plan to unleash a terrible evil upon the world.
- Part 3: The Starless Sea. The characters descend into the depths of the ziggurat, where they discover the starless sea, a mysterious body of water that lies beneath the temple. The starless sea holds untold wonders and horrors, such as ancient ships, strange creatures, and powerful artifacts. The characters have to navigate the starless sea, and find a way to reach the island where the Chaos Lord awaits them.
- Part 4: The Chaos Lord’s Island. The characters arrive at the island where the Chaos Lord resides. They have to face his minions, such as beastmen champions, chaos warriors, and chaos spawn. They also have to confront the Chaos Lord himself, who is a formidable foe with godlike powers. The characters have to use their wits, courage, and luck to stop him from completing his ritual and destroying the world.
Features
The module has many features that make it stand out from other adventure modules. Some of them are:
- A thrilling escape from a burning village, where the characters have to evade or fight off beastmen raiders.
- A daring exploration of a massive ziggurat, where the characters have to solve puzzles, avoid traps, and face deadly enemies.
- A climactic showdown with the Chaos Lord and his minions, where the characters have to use their wits, courage, and luck to save the day.
- A chance to discover the secrets of the starless sea, a mysterious body of water that lies beneath the ziggurat and holds untold wonders and horrors.
- A variety of options and outcomes, depending on the choices and actions of the characters.
Strengths
The module has many strengths that make it a great adventure module for both new and experienced players and GMs. Some of them are:
- The module is written by Harley Stroh, a veteran author of many DCC RPG adventures. He has a knack for creating memorable scenes, characters, and challenges that capture the spirit of old-school gaming.
- The module is beautifully illustrated by Doug Kovacs, who provides stunning maps, cover art, and cartography that enhance the mood and immersion of the adventure.
- The module is full of creativity, originality, and fun factor. It offers a unique and exciting adventure that will keep the players on their toes and leave them wanting more.
- The module is suitable for both new and experienced players and GMs. It can be played as a standalone adventure or as part of a larger campaign. It can also be easily adapted to other settings or systems.
Weaknesses
The module has some weaknesses that may affect some players or GMs. Some of them are:
- The module is designed for 0-level characters, who are very fragile and vulnerable. This means that there is a high chance of character death or failure in this adventure. Some players or GMs may not enjoy this level of difficulty or risk.
- The module is very linear in its structure. It follows a predetermined path from one location to another, with little room for deviation or exploration. Some players or GMs may prefer a more open-ended or sandbox-style adventure.
- The module is very dependent on the DCC RPG system and its mechanics. It uses many features that are unique to the DCC RPG, such as the luck stat, the patron bond, the mercurial magic, and the corruption. Some players or GMs may not be familiar with or fond of these features, and may have trouble adapting them to other systems.
Opinion
In my opinion, DCC #67 Sailors on the Starless Sea is a fantastic adventure module that deserves its reputation as one of the best DCC RPG modules ever. It is a classic adventure that delivers a thrilling and memorable experience for both players and GMs. It is a great introduction to the DCC RPG system and its style of gaming. It is a module that I would recommend to anyone who loves fantasy and adventure.
Conclusion
DCC #67 Sailors on the Starless Sea is a classic adventure module for the Dungeon Crawl Classics Roleplaying Game. It is written by Harley Stroh and illustrated by Doug Kovacs, and it is designed for a group of 0-level characters, who are ordinary villagers who become heroes by facing the forces of Chaos. The module is full of atmosphere, action, and surprises, and it offers a great introduction to the DCC RPG system. The module is available in both PDF and print formats from various online retailers . If you are looking for a fun and exciting adventure that will challenge your players and leave them wanting more, then DCC #67 Sailors on the Starless Sea is a great choice.
Dungeon Crawl Classics #67: Sailors on the Starless Sea on DrivethruRpg
