Publisher: Goodman Games
If you are a fan of Jack Vance’s Dying Earth series, you will love this adventure for Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG. It is a level 3 adventure that can be played in any DCC setting, but it is especially suited for the Dying Earth, a world where magic and technology are ancient and mysterious, and where the sun is about to go out.
The Plot
The adventure begins when the players are hired by a mysterious patron to retrieve a ring of revivification, a powerful magic item that can resurrect the dead. The ring is hidden in an underground complex that was once the home of a group of ancient wizards, who used it to conduct experiments on life and death. The complex is now haunted by the ghosts of the wizards and their creations, as well as a strange phenomenon called the ectoplasmic cotillion, a dance of the dead that occurs every night.
The players must explore the complex, avoid or fight the ghosts, and find the ring before it is too late. Along the way, they will discover secrets and mysteries about the wizards, their experiments, and the nature of the ring. They will also have to make choices that will affect their fate and the fate of others.
The Highlights
The adventure is full of atmosphere and creativity, with rich descriptions and illustrations that capture the mood and tone of the Dying Earth. The adventure is also well-designed and balanced, with a variety of encounters and challenges that test the players’ skills and abilities. The adventure offers multiple paths and outcomes, depending on the players’ actions and decisions. The adventure also introduces a new magic item, the ring of revivification, which can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how it is used.
The adventure is not for the faint of heart, as it involves some dark and disturbing themes and situations. It is also not for beginners, as it requires some preparation and improvisation from the judge, as well as some familiarity with the Dying Earth setting and its rules. The adventure is best suited for experienced players who enjoy complex and immersive scenarios that mix horror, humor, and wonder.
What are the most interesting locations in this adventure?
Some of the most interesting locations in this adventure are:
- The Entrance Hall, where the players encounter a ghostly butler who welcomes them to the complex and offers them refreshments. The butler is actually a trap that tries to poison the players and steal their souls.
- The Hall of Mirrors, where the players face their own reflections that have been twisted by the ring of revivification. The reflections are hostile and try to swap places with the players, trapping them in the mirrors.
- The Laboratory, where the players find the ring of revivification and learn about its history and effects. The ring can resurrect anyone who wears it, but it also drains their life force and makes them addicted to its power. The ring also has a mind of its own and can influence the wearer’s actions.
- The Ectoplasmic Cotillion, where the players witness a spectral dance of the dead that occurs every night. The dance is a ritual that feeds the ring of revivification with the souls of the deceased. The players can join the dance, but they risk losing their sanity and their souls.
What are the most interesting encounters in this adventure?
Some of the most interesting encounters in this adventure are:
- The Ghost of Zalazar, the leader of the ancient wizards who created the ring of revivification. He is a powerful and arrogant ghost who tries to persuade the players to join him in his quest for immortality. He can offer them valuable information, but he can also betray them or manipulate them with the ring.
- The Ectoplasmic Worms, the remnants of the wizards’ experiments on life and death. They are huge, slimy, and hungry creatures that lurk in the dark corners of the complex. They can sense the presence of the ring and will try to devour anyone who wears it.
- The Dance of the Dead, the climax of the adventure where the players have to face the ectoplasmic cotillion and decide what to do with the ring. They can either destroy the ring and free the souls of the dead, or keep the ring and join the dance. Either choice will have consequences for their future.
Based on The Dying Earth Book Series by Jack Vance.
Dungeon Crawl Classics Dying Earth #7 Phantoms of the Ectoplasmic Cotillion on DrivethruRpg
