Dungeon Crawl Classics #87: Against the Atomic Overlord by Edgar Johnson 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 5 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 page is the front matter, about half a page is the Open Game License and one is an ad.
The Introduction explains that the characters are transported to an unknown planet, Mezar-Kul, where they will, probably, find themselves in the middle of a battle between two factions.
Getting to Mezar-Kul (And Back) has some suggestions for both. A sidebar gives an overview of the adventure’s elements.
Background gives some history of Mezar-Kul and the current situation. Another sidebar gives the four factions of the dead city to which the characters are transported, giving what they are, what they want, where they are and how to play them.
Adventuring in the Dead City explains that the city is too vast to fully detail.
Part 1: Fulfilment of the Bargain has the characters transported to the city on behalf of one faction.
Part 2: Under the Dead City notes that it’s assumed the characters follow the troops of the faction that summoned them, but it doesn’t have to be the case. This details the location of one faction. A sidebar gives some grappling rules.
Part 3: The Great Egg Hunt has the characters travelling under the city.
Part 4: The Scientist and the Silo is home to another faction and the Great Egg. A sidebar gives some suggestions for running the final conflict.
Part 5: A Matter of Life has what can happen after the Great Egg is triggered.
Appendix A: Factions of the Dead City has details and stats for the four factions.
Appendix B: Creatures of Mezar-Kul has the new creatures that can be encountered.
Appendix C: Dead City Encounters and Artefacts has d14 tables, one for encounter, one for artefact, for the three main types of location.
Dungeon Crawl Classics #87: Against the Atomic Overlord in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and, given the length and number of different sections, it could really have used them. Navigation is poor. The text maintains a two-column black and white format and appeared to be free of errors. There are a variety of black and white illustrations, up to full page in size, all of which appear to be custom, as well as extensive handouts and maps. Presentation is very good.
The adventure mentions that this can be a free form adventure, as it’s up to the players where they go and what they do. The players, even though the Judge presents things in a way that fantasy characters would understand, will probably quickly realise that they are in a post-apocalyptic technological wasteland. It’s also mentioned that much of the dead city isn’t covered, and, in a way, this lets the adventure down. There’s a definite feeling that this is an adventure that could be much, much larger than it is. A Judge who is willing to take the time could expand the adventure and the city tremendously, increasing its length and adding a lot more fixed encounters.
With this adventure being closer to science fiction in nature, it may well not appeal to every group. One downside is that the groups it is most likely to appeal to will probably prefer Mutant Crawl Classics. This makes it feel like it’s an adventure without a true niche, even though it does hail back to some of the earliest adventures in some ways. Dungeon Crawl Classics #87: Against the Atomic Overlord is a definitely different adventure and it can be found by clicking here.
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