Publisher: Goodman Games
If you are looking for a new and exciting adventure for your Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG, you might want to check out DCC Empire of the East #1 Hunt for the Howling God. This is the first module in a series of three that adapts the classic post-apocalyptic fantasy novels by Fred Saberhagen to the DCC system. The module is written by Julian Bernick and features stunning cover artwork by Doug Kovacs. In this review, I will give you an overview of the module, its strengths and weaknesses, and my personal rating.
Overview
The module is set in the world of the Empire of the East, a dark and dangerous place where ancient magic and technology coexist in a state of war. The Empire is a tyrannical regime that rules over most of the land with an iron fist, using powerful sorcery and machines to oppress the Free Folk, who resist its domination. The Free Folk are a diverse group of humans, elves, dwarves, and other races that live in hidden communities or nomadic tribes, fighting for their freedom and survival.
The module is designed for 1st and 2nd level characters, who are part of a Free Folk rebel cell that has been captured by the Empire. They manage to escape from their prison with the help of a mysterious stranger, who tells them about a secret mission that could change the course of the war. The mission is to find the location of the Howling God, a legendary artifact from the Old World that has immense power and potential. The Howling God is hidden somewhere in an ancient installation on the Western shore, guarded by unknown dangers and mysteries.
The adventure takes the characters on a perilous journey across the Western shore, where they will face mutant monsters, bandits, wizards, demons, and Empire patrols. Along the way, they will discover clues and secrets about the Howling God, the Old World, and the Empire. The module ends with a climactic confrontation at the installation, where the characters will have to make a crucial decision that will affect their fate and the fate of the world.
What are the most interesting encounters in the adventure?
The adventure has many interesting encounters that challenge the characters in different ways. Some of the most interesting ones are:
- The jailbreak: The characters start the adventure as prisoners of the Empire, and must find a way to escape from their cell and the outpost. They can use their skills, items, or allies to overcome the guards, traps, and alarms. They also meet a mysterious stranger who gives them the mission to find the Howling God.
- The bandit ambush: The characters encounter a group of bandits who try to rob them on the road. The bandits are led by a charismatic leader who claims to be a descendant of the Old World nobility. The characters can fight, negotiate, or trick their way out of the situation.
- The wizard’s tower: The characters come across a tower that belongs to a powerful wizard who is allied with the Empire. The wizard has a collection of Old World artifacts and experiments with them. The characters can sneak, fight, or bargain their way into the tower and try to find useful information or items.
- The demon summoning: The characters witness a ritual where a group of Empire sorcerers summon a demon to aid them in the war. The demon is a fearsome creature that can destroy anything in its path. The characters can try to stop the ritual, flee from the demon, or use it to their advantage.
- The installation: The characters reach the final destination where the Howling God is hidden. The installation is an ancient facility that contains many secrets and dangers of the Old World. The characters must explore the installation and find the Howling God, while avoiding or fighting the Empire forces that are also after it.
What are the most interesting locations in the adventure?
The adventure has many interesting locations that showcase the diversity and richness of the Empire of the East setting. Some of the most interesting ones are:
- The forest outpost: The forest outpost is a remote and fortified base of the Empire, where the characters are held captive at the beginning of the adventure. The outpost is surrounded by a dense and dangerous forest, where mutant creatures and rebel fighters lurk. The outpost is also equipped with advanced technology and weaponry, such as laser cannons, electric fences, and robots.
- The Western shore: The Western shore is a vast and wild region that borders the sea. The Western shore is home to many different cultures and communities, such as fishermen, pirates, nomads, and traders. The Western shore is also full of ancient ruins and relics of the Old World, some of which still function or have hidden secrets.
- The demon’s lair: The demon’s lair is a dark and sinister place where a group of Empire sorcerers summon a demon to aid them in the war. The lair is located in a cave system that is filled with bones, blood, and fire. The lair also has a hidden entrance to an underground temple that worships the demon .
Dungeon Crawl Classics Empire of the East #1 Hunt for the Howling God on DrivethruRpg
