Publisher: Goodman Games
If you are a fan of classic fantasy literature and RPGs, you might want to check out DCC #97 The Queen of Elfland’s Son, a level 1 adventure for the Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG system. This adventure is inspired by the stories of Lord Dunsany, one of the pioneers of modern fantasy fiction. In this adventure, you will travel to the borderlands of Elfland, where you will face the dangers and intrigues of the Unseelie Court of Faerie. You will also encounter the Queen of Elfland and her son, who have a sinister plan for the village of Eng and its inhabitants.
What is Dungeon Crawl Classics?
Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC) is a RPG system that pays homage to the old-school style of gaming, where the rules are simple, the characters are expendable, and the adventures are unpredictable. DCC is based on the d20 system, but with some unique twists and modifications. For example, DCC uses a variety of dice, from d3 to d30, to create different outcomes and effects. DCC also features a magic system that is chaotic and risky, where spellcasters must roll on tables to determine the results of their spells. DCC is a game that embraces randomness and creativity, where anything can happen and no two sessions are alike.
What is DCC #97 The Queen of Elfland’s Son?
DCC #97 The Queen of Elfland’s Son is a level 1 adventure that can be played as a standalone or as part of a campaign. The adventure is written by Michael Curtis and features a cover art by Sanjulian. The adventure consists of four parts, each with its own challenges and rewards.
- Part 1: The Village of Eng. In this part, you will be introduced to the village of Eng, where strange attacks in the night have terrorized the villagers. You will have to investigate the source of these attacks and find out who or what is behind them.
- Part 2: The Edge of Elfland. In this part, you will encounter a mysterious portal that leads to the realm of Faerie. You will have to decide whether to enter or not, and what consequences your choice will have.
- Part 3: The Unseelie Court. In this part, you will enter Elfland, where you will have to navigate the treacherous politics and magic of the Unseelie Court. You will meet various faerie creatures and factions, some friendly, some hostile, some neutral. You will also learn more about the Queen of Elfland and her son, and their motives for attacking Eng.
- Part 4: The Final Confrontation. In this part, you will face the Queen of Elfland and her son in their castle, where they have prepared a trap for you. You will have to use all your skills and resources to survive and stop their plan.
Why should you play DCC #97 The Queen of Elfland’s Son?
There are many reasons why you should play this adventure. Here are some of them:
- It is well-written and full of flavor and atmosphere. The author does a great job of capturing the mood and tone of Dunsany’s stories, as well as creating a vivid and immersive setting for you to explore.
- It offers a lot of flexibility and options for the Dungeon Master (DM), who can adjust the difficulty and length of the adventure according to their preferences. The adventure also provides several hooks and suggestions for further adventures in Elfland or beyond.
- It is suitable for both new and experienced players, as it offers a good balance of combat, exploration, role-playing, and puzzle-solving. The adventure also introduces some new rules and mechanics for dealing with Faerie magic, such as glamours, charms, curses, and bargains. These add an extra layer of complexity and challenge to the adventure, as well as enhancing the theme and flavor of the setting.
- It is compatible with Fantasy Grounds Unity, a virtual tabletop software that allows you to play RPGs online with your friends. Fantasy Grounds Unity provides a lot of features and tools to make your gaming experience easier and more enjoyable, such as maps, tokens, dice, character sheets, chat, sound effects, and more. You can purchase the adventure as a downloadable content for Fantasy Grounds Unity on Steam or on DriveThruRPG.
What are the most interesting locations in this adventure?
There are many interesting locations in this adventure, but some of the most notable ones are:
- The portal to Elfland. This is a hidden entrance to the realm of Faerie, located in a secluded grove near the village of Eng. The portal is guarded by a powerful faerie creature called a glamour beast, which can change its shape and appearance to lure or frighten travelers. The portal is also enchanted with a glamour, which makes it invisible to anyone who does not have the sight, a special ability to see through faerie magic. The portal can only be opened by using a key, which is a rare and precious item that can be obtained from certain faerie beings or places. The portal is the gateway to a wondrous and perilous world, where anything can happen and nothing is as it seems.
- The Unseelie Court. This is the seat of power of the Queen of Elfland and her son, as well as the home of many other faerie creatures and factions. The Unseelie Court is located in a vast and dark castle, surrounded by a forest of thorns and shadows. The castle is full of traps, secrets, and dangers, as well as wonders, treasures, and allies. The Unseelie Court is also the center of the faerie politics and intrigue, where alliances are forged and broken, bargains are made and betrayed, and plots are hatched and foiled. The Unseelie Court is a place where you can find glory or doom, depending on your choices and actions.
- The Queen’s Garden. This is a special location within the Unseelie Court, where the Queen of Elfland keeps her most prized possessions and experiments. The Queen’s Garden is a beautiful and eerie place, where exotic plants and animals grow and roam. Some of these plants and animals are harmless or beneficial, while others are deadly or dangerous. The Queen’s Garden also contains some of the most powerful and mysterious faerie magic, such as the Tree of Life, which can grant immortality or death, the Fountain of Youth, which can restore youth or age, and the Mirror of Truth, which can reveal secrets or lies. The Queen’s Garden is a place where you can find amazing rewards or terrible curses, depending on your luck and wisdom.
What are the most interesting encounters in this adventure?
Some of the most interesting encounters in this adventure are:
- The glamour beast. This is a powerful faerie creature that guards the portal to Elfland. It can change its shape and appearance to lure or frighten travelers. It can also use its glamour to create illusions and manipulate emotions. The glamour beast is a cunning and dangerous foe, that can test the players’ courage and wisdom. The players can try to fight, avoid, or bargain with the glamour beast, depending on their strategy and goals.
- The Unseelie Courtiers. These are the various faerie creatures and factions that inhabit the Unseelie Court. They include the Sidhe, the noble and beautiful faeries that rule over the court, the Goblins, the mischievous and greedy faeries that serve as spies and thieves, the Trolls, the brutish and violent faeries that act as guards and warriors, and the Sprites, the playful and curious faeries that act as messengers and entertainers. The Unseelie Courtiers have different personalities, agendas, and relationships with each other and with the Queen of Elfland and her son. The players can interact with them in various ways, such as talking, fighting, trading, or playing. The players can also make allies or enemies among them, depending on their actions and choices.
- The Queen of Elfland and her son. These are the main antagonists of the adventure. They are the rulers of Elfland, and they have a sinister plan for Eng and its inhabitants. The Queen of Elfland is a powerful and ancient faerie, who has a vast knowledge of magic and secrets. She is also cold and cruel, and she does not care about the lives of mortals or other faeries. Her son is a young and ambitious faerie, who has inherited his mother’s power and cunning. He is also arrogant and reckless, and he does not respect the traditions or laws of Elfland. The Queen of Elfland and her son are formidable enemies, who will not hesitate to use their magic and minions to stop the players from interfering with their plan.