Publisher: Goodman Games
If you are looking for a thrilling and original adventure for your Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG campaign, you should check out DCC #73 Emirikol Was Framed! by Michael Curtis. This adventure is a homage to a classic sword and sorcery story by Fritz Leiber, and it will take your level 4 characters on a perilous journey to stop the mad wizard Emirikol from wreaking havoc on the city with his winged apes and his shifting tower. Here are some of the reasons why I loved this adventure and why you should give it a try.
The Plot
The plot of this adventure is simple but intriguing. The characters are hired by a mysterious patron to infiltrate Emirikol’s tower and stop his rampage. However, things are not as they seem, and the characters will soon discover that Emirikol is not the real villain, but rather a pawn of a more sinister force. The adventure is full of twists and surprises, as well as some references to the original story by Leiber that inspired it. The adventure is not linear, but rather offers multiple paths and choices for the characters to make, as well as some random elements that add replay value.
The Encounters
The encounters in this adventure are varied and challenging, ranging from diabolical traps, fiendish guardians, and unimaginable terror. The characters will face winged apes, animated statues, demonic worms, and even Emirikol himself. The adventure also includes some bonus material that expands on some of the magic items presented in the core adventure, such as the Eye of Lankhmar, the Staff of Power, and the Ring of Gaxx. The encounters are well-designed and balanced, with a good mix of combat, exploration, and roleplaying.
The Artwork
The artwork and cartography by Doug Kovacs are excellent, as usual for DCC products. The cover art depicts a dramatic scene of Emirikol’s tower looming over the city, while the interior art shows some of the memorable encounters and locations in the adventure. The maps are clear and detailed, with a distinctive style that evokes the old-school feel of DCC. The layout and editing are also of high quality, with no major errors or typos.
What are the most interesting locations in this adventure?
Some of the most interesting locations in this adventure are:
- The Shifting Tower: This is Emirikol’s abode, a magical tower that changes its shape and layout every time someone enters it. The tower is full of traps, puzzles, and secrets, as well as Emirikol’s experiments and treasures. The tower is also the source of Emirikol’s power, and the characters will have to find a way to disable it or destroy it.
- The Winged Ape Lair: This is where Emirikol keeps his loyal minions, the winged apes. These creatures are fierce and intelligent, and they serve Emirikol as his eyes and ears in the city. The characters will have to fight their way through the lair, or try to sneak past them, to reach Emirikol’s tower.
- The Temple of the Black Flame: This is where the true villain of the adventure resides, a mysterious entity known as the Black Flame. The Black Flame is an ancient evil that seeks to consume all life and magic in the world. It has corrupted Emirikol and manipulated him into creating chaos in the city. The characters will have to confront the Black Flame and its cultists, and decide whether to ally with Emirikol or destroy him.
What are the most interesting encounters in this adventure?
Some of the most interesting encounters in this adventure are:
- The Winged Ape Attack: This is the first encounter of the adventure, where the characters are ambushed by a group of winged apes as they enter the city. The winged apes are Emirikol’s loyal minions, and they will try to stop the characters from reaching his tower. The encounter is challenging and dynamic, as the winged apes can fly and use their claws and teeth to attack. The characters will have to use their wits and skills to survive and escape.
- The Puzzle of the Four Elements: This is one of the possible encounters in Emirikol’s tower, where the characters have to solve a puzzle involving four elemental symbols: fire, water, earth, and air. The puzzle is clever and tricky, as it requires the characters to use logic, observation, and experimentation to find the correct combination. The puzzle also has a hidden clue that reveals a secret passage to another part of the tower.
- The Final Showdown: This is the climax of the adventure, where the characters face Emirikol and the Black Flame in a deadly confrontation. Emirikol is a powerful wizard who can use his staff of power and his ring of gaxx to unleash devastating spells and abilities. The Black Flame is an ancient evil that can manipulate fire and darkness, and it has corrupted Emirikol’s mind and body. The characters will have to decide whether to ally with Emirikol or destroy him, and whether to try to banish the Black Flame or flee from it.
Dungeon Crawl Classics #73 Emirikol Was Framed! on DrivethruRpg
