Dungeon Crawl Classics #66.5: Doom of the Savage Kings by Harley Stroh is a role playing game supplement published by Goodman Games for use with Dungeon Crawl Classics. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result. This is an adventure for level 1 characters.
The supplement is available as a 20-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $6.99 and is also available in printed form from sites such as Amazon. The PDF is the version reviewed, although it was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. Two pages are the front and rear covers, one page is the front matter and two pages are ads.
The Introduction explains that the supplement is intended for 6 to 12 1st level characters. This might sound quite a lot, but the adventure is dangerous. It may also be done by 0-level characters. Frankly, it could even be a challenge to higher levels.
The Adventure Background explains that the village of Hirot is being attacked at night by a devil-hound (the similarity in name to Heorot may not be coincidental) and the villagers are sacrificing one of their number every third day when the characters arrive.
The Hound of Hirot explains that the hound is a dangerous creature disturbed from the tomb where it was confined, and gives the ways of defeating it.
The Village of Hirot gives a quick overview of the village and is followed by a table of rumours, legends and superstitions.
Roleplaying the Non-Player Characters gives some details on doing so for the most important NPCs; the Hound is included.
Player Start has the characters arrive just as the village is about to leave another person as a sacrifice. How the characters respond could affect the rest of the adventure.
Encounter Areas describes the locations and people in the village; there are potential allies and helpers, and useful information to be found.
Tomb of the Ulfheonar is the location where the Hound was imprisoned until some thieves foolishly managed to release it.
Interlude: Exiting the Serpent Mound is the final part of the adventure, despite the name, and has the characters attacked and covers some of the surrounding area.
Dungeon Crawl Classics #66.5: Doom of the Savage Kings in Review
The PDF is bookmarked but only some of the major sections are linked. Navigation could be a lot better. The text maintains a two-column black and white format, and the only error was that the Open Game License appears to have been omitted. There are a number of black and white illustrations, including the maps, all of which appear to be custom. Presentation is good.
This is not a simple adventure, nor is it linear. It’s not necessarily a case of find out about the problem, head to the source of the problem then deal with the problem permanently. Though there are claims that the Hound cannot be hurt by normal weapons, it can; it just can’t be killed permanently. And if it isn’t killed permanently, it will fully heal then go on a rampage.
Matters aren’t helped by the Jarl, the local ruler, who is definitely not the party’s friend. In fact, he will make different attempts to kill them and will suggest that the best way they can help the village isn’t by fighting the Hound but by offering themselves up as sacrifices. It’s unlikely players will take him up on that offer. All of this combines to make an adventure that is unusually freeform in nature, and one that can be extremely dangerous; the Hound is deadly for lower-level characters. Dungeon Crawl Classics #66.5: Doom of the Savage Kings is an interesting adventure and it can be found by clicking here.
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