Publisher: Goodman Games
Do you remember the stories you heard as a child, full of magic, wonder, and adventure? Do you remember how they made you feel, how they sparked your imagination and curiosity? Do you remember how they inspired you to dream and explore? If you do, then you will love DCC #86 The Hole In The Sky, a level 0 adventure for Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG that takes you on a fantastical journey of discovery and transformation.
The Story
The adventure begins with a simple premise: a mysterious woman in blue offers a group of peasants a chance to change their fate by following her to a hole in the sky and jumping through it. What awaits them on the other side is unknown, but it could be anything from riches and glory to doom and despair. The only way to find out is to take the leap of faith and see what destiny has in store for them.
The adventure is divided into four parts, each with its own theme and challenge. The first part is the introduction, where the characters meet the Lady in Blue and decide whether to accept her offer or not. The second part is the bridge, where the characters have to walk on an invisible bridge that spans across the sky and avoid falling off or being attacked by flying creatures. The third part is the tower, where the characters have to sneak past a sleeping giant and climb up to a birdcage where the Lady’s ally is imprisoned. The fourth part is the hole, where the characters have to jump into the hole in the sky and face their final fate.
The Style
The adventure is written by Brendan LaSalle, who is known for his creative and humorous adventures for DCC RPG. He draws inspiration from folklore and mythology, as well as his own imagination, to create a whimsical and colorful adventure that feels like a fairy tale come to life. He uses vivid descriptions and evocative language to bring the scenes to life, and also adds some humor and whimsy to lighten the mood. He also provides plenty of guidance and advice for the judge on how to run the adventure and make it fun and memorable for the players.
The adventure is also illustrated by Doug Kovacs, who is known for his amazing artwork for DCC RPG. He captures the essence and atmosphere of the adventure with his beautiful and detailed illustrations, which add more charm and personality to the adventure. He also creates some stunning maps for the bridge, the tower, and the hole, which help the judge visualize and run the adventure.
The Challenge
The adventure is designed for level 0 characters, which means that they are ordinary peasants with no special skills or abilities. They are not expected to survive or succeed in their quest, but rather to have fun and memorable experiences along the way. The adventure is not meant to be taken too seriously, but rather to be enjoyed as a fantastical journey of discovery and transformation.
The adventure is also well-balanced and flexible, with enough challenge and reward for both players and judges. The author provides several options and variations for each part of the adventure, as well as tips on how to adjust the difficulty level or add more flavor. The adventure also includes several tables for random events, encounters, treasures, and destinies, which add more replay value and unpredictability. The adventure also has some surprises and twists that will keep the players on their toes and make them wonder what will happen next.
What are the most interesting encounters in the adventure?
There are many interesting encounters in the adventure, but some of the most memorable ones are:
- The Lady in Blue: She is the mysterious woman who invites the characters to follow her to the hole in the sky. She is a mysterious and enigmatic figure, who may have ulterior motives or hidden secrets. She is also a powerful and benevolent being, who can grant the characters wishes or help them in times of need. She is a key NPC in the adventure, who can influence the outcome of the story in various ways.
- The Bridge: This is the invisible bridge that spans across the sky, connecting the earth and the hole. It is a perilous and thrilling journey, where the characters have to walk on thin air and avoid falling off or being attacked by flying creatures. The bridge also has some surprises and secrets, such as hidden portals, strange phenomena, and mysterious messages.
- The Tower: This is the bramble tower that stands near the hole in the sky, where a sleeping giant guards a birdcage. It is a stealthy and cunning challenge, where the characters have to sneak past the giant and climb up to the birdcage, where they will find an ally of the Lady in Blue. The tower also has some dangers and rewards, such as traps, treasures, and clues.
- The Hole: This is the hole in the sky, where the characters have to jump through and face their destiny. It is a climactic and unpredictable finale, where the characters will discover what lies beyond the hole and what fate awaits them. The hole also has some twists and turns, such as different realms, outcomes, and consequences.
What are the most interesting locations in the adventure?
The adventure has many interesting locations that the characters can explore and interact with, but some of the most remarkable ones are:
- The Village: This is the home of the characters, a poor and humble village in the countryside. It is where the adventure starts and ends, and where the characters can meet their friends, family, and neighbors. The village also has some secrets and mysteries, such as a hidden shrine, a haunted well, and a mysterious stone circle.
- The Sky: This is the vast and beautiful sky that the characters have to cross to reach the hole in the sky. It is a wonderous and awe-inspiring sight, where the characters can see the sun, the moon, the stars, and the clouds. The sky also has some dangers and wonders, such as storms, rainbows, comets, and flying creatures.
Dungeon Crawl Classics #86 The Hole In The Sky on DrivethruRpg
