Dungeon Crawl Classics #68: The People of the Pit by Joseph Goodman 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 36-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 is the front matter, half a page is the Open Game License and one is an ad.
The Introduction explains that this is intended for 8-10 characters and can be deadly, especially the final scene involving a beast capable of flattening a city.
The Background explains that a gigantic tentacled monster used to rise up out of a ravine and go rampaging through the countryside, until a warrior-priest decided to introduce sacrificial offerings to placate them; virgins from nearby villages. Because what else would you give a tentacle monster. This worked, but eventually the locals grew tired of this and drove the warrior-priest and their order away. They disappeared into the pit. But now they’re back. There are instructions on using magical portals found in the pit, how the creature’s tentacles can be controlled, which includes using them as transport between levels, and how the characters get involved.
Level 1: Into the Pit has the characters descending into the pit from the place where the sacrifices were offered. They will encounter the no longer human cultists here.
Level 2: The Cult’s Workshop is where the cult converts humans into creatures like themselves, using discarded parts of the tentacle beast to corrupt them with a potion.
Level 3: The Holy Sanctuary is the main holy place of the cult, where the various rituals take place.
Level 4: The People of the Pit are where the mutant denizens dwell.
Appendix A: New Spells has two new spells.
Assassins of the Pit by Daniel J. Bishop is an expansion for the adventure, adding a new area. There are a number of ways given to introduce this area; it can be used during the adventure or perhaps afterwards, as the assassins seek revenge.
Dungeon Crawl Classics #68: The People of the Pit in Review
The PDF is bookmarked with major sections linked. Navigation is okay. The text maintains a two-column black and white format and appeared to be free of errors. There are a number of black and white illustrations, as well as the maps and handouts, all of which appear to be custom. Presentation is good.
Evil cultists worshipping a tentacled monster is not terribly original these days. However, execution can make a world of difference. Though the concept isn’t original, it has been very well executed. The Pit is full of interesting, which tends to mean potentially lethal, places to explore and there’s a wide range of twists, such as the tentacle elevators. Characters who behave intelligently could skip sections; those that don’t will probably end up dead, one way or the other. Dungeon Crawl Classics #68: The People of the Pit is an interesting execution of an old trope and it can be found by clicking here.
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