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| Beyond the Gates of Sorrow |
This issue serves to introduce the Twelve
Kingdoms, a divided northern region to the northwest of Erillion, cut off
from the rest of human civilisation. Two hex map sheets describe the five
larger, four medium-sized, and numerous smaller islands ruled by rival petty
kingdoms, and ravaged by incessant warfare. Ruined castles, faerie-haunted
forests, barren coasts and cold mountain ranges await those who adventure here;
druids, reclusive eccentrics, jealous wizards’ orders and mysterious
monasteries complicate the network of temporary alliances. This is a land fit
for exploration, plunder... or will that be conquest? Let the players decide,
and live with the consequences!
The titular adventure, Beyond the Gates of
Sorrow, takes the company to a small archipelago on the borders of the
Kingdoms. Uninhabited and barely sustainable to sustain life, there is
nevertheless much danger here. Can a shipwrecked party find a means of escape
from their predicament? Or can another find a person or item of special
significance while racing against a rival group of explorers? 19 wilderness and
18 dungeon locations describe the archipelago’s dangers and occasional treasures
in this scenario for levels 2-4.
Echoes #09 also includes a larger dungeon adventure,
The Vaults of Volokarnos. Originally published as a stand-alone
introductory module for the Casemates and Companies RPG, and now converted
to the B/X lineage of old-school games, the Vaults are specifically designed
for beginning characters, and potentially players who are new to old-school
gaming in general. A fully stocked dungeon level awaits with 52 keyed reas, and
more orcs than you can shake a stick at. Explore a dungeon complex that had
once served as a catacomb system, thermal bath, touristic attraction... at the
same time. Find out what the orcs are up to, what lies in burial vaults yet unconquered,
and what the patricians of the nearby town do not want you to know... and where
character sheets and followers are concerned, bring spares. It shall not hurt.
In addition to the Vaults, the issue also describes
the isle republic of Arak Brannia. This two-page setting can serve as
the background for the Vaults of Volokarnos, or a springboard for further
adventures on the northern coastlands of the declining Kassadian Empire...
The print version of the fanzine is available from
my Bigcartel store; the PDF
edition will be published through DriveThruRPG with a few months’ delay. As
always, customers who buy the print edition will receive the PDF version free
of charge.
Double hex map
