Publisher: Goodman Games
Introduction
If you are looking for a thrilling and imaginative adventure for your DCC RPG campaign, you might want to check out DCC Dying Earth #5 Penumbra of the Polar Ape. This is a 5th-level adventure set in the far-future world of Jack Vance’s The Dying Earth, a setting that combines fantasy and science fiction elements in a whimsical and darkly humorous way. The adventure takes you to a mysterious star that emits a strange aura, where you discover a moon-sized egg that contains a star-dragon about to hatch. You must explore the moon, encounter its bizarre inhabitants, and find a way to prevent the star-dragon from destroying the star system.
The Adventure
The adventure is well-written and full of creative details, such as the polar ape, a giant white-furred beast that guards the egg; the star-dragon, a cosmic entity that can manipulate reality; and the moon itself, which has its own personality and secrets. The adventure also offers plenty of opportunities for role-playing, exploration, and combat, as well as some puzzles and challenges that require clever thinking and teamwork.
The adventure is designed for DCC Dying Earth, a setting based on the classic novels by Jack Vance, which are highly recommended for fans of imaginative and witty literature. However, the adventure can also be adapted to any DCC RPG setting with minimal changes, as it does not rely heavily on specific Dying Earth features.
What are the most interesting locations in this adventure?
Some of the most interesting locations in this adventure are:
- The star that emits a strange aura, which is actually a portal to another dimension. The star is home to a mysterious race of beings called the Starborn, who have a complex and ancient culture. The Starborn are friendly to the party, but they also have their own agenda and secrets. The party can learn more about the Starborn and their history, as well as the nature of the star and the portal.
- The moon that contains the star-dragon egg, which is a living world with its own consciousness. The moon can communicate with the party through telepathy, and it has a quirky and playful personality. The moon can also alter its terrain and climate at will, creating various environments and challenges for the party. The moon is fond of the party, but it also wants to protect the star-dragon, which it considers its child.
- The polar ape’s lair, which is a massive ice cave that houses the polar ape and its minions. The polar ape is a giant white-furred beast that guards the star-dragon egg with fierce loyalty. The polar ape is intelligent and can speak, but it is also savage and violent. The party must either fight or negotiate with the polar ape, or find a way to sneak past it. The polar ape’s lair also contains some treasures and secrets that the party can discover.
What are the most interesting encounters in this adventure?
Some of the most interesting encounters in this adventure are:
- The star-dragon, which is the final boss of the adventure. The star-dragon is a cosmic entity that can manipulate reality and has immense power. The star-dragon is hostile to the party and wants to escape the moon and destroy the star system. The party must find a way to stop the star-dragon, either by fighting it, tricking it, or convincing it. The star-dragon is a challenging and epic foe that will test the party’s skills and creativity.
- The Starborn, which are the inhabitants of the star that emits a strange aura. The Starborn are a mysterious race of beings that have a complex and ancient culture. The Starborn are friendly to the party, but they also have their own agenda and secrets. The party can interact with the Starborn and learn more about them and their history, as well as the nature of the star and the portal. The Starborn can also provide some assistance or hindrance to the party, depending on their actions and choices.
- The moon’s games, which are the various challenges and puzzles that the moon creates for the party. The moon is a living world with its own consciousness, and it likes to play with the party. The moon can alter its terrain and climate at will, creating various environments and situations for the party. The moon’s games can be fun, dangerous, or both, and they require the party to use their wits and teamwork to overcome them. The moon’s games can also reward or punish the party, depending on their performance and attitude.
Based on The Dying Earth Book Series by Jack Vance.
Dungeon Crawl Classics Dying Earth #5: Penumbra of the Polar Ape on DrivethruRpg
