The Giggling Deep (CE-7)
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Introduction
Any role-playing game session can take a left turn at Albuquerque¸ leaving the poor Game Master wondering what to do next. This is even more true for the dedicated Dungeon Crawl Classics judge¸ who discovers that patron quests¸ divine disapproval¸ and the requests of gods to pay back divine favor can make the game take incredible new turns with the roll of a few dice.
Add to this the advice urging players to "Quest For It" when they want something unusual for their characters¸ and you have a potent stew for gaming¸ but also a situation in which the judge may want strong DCC elements with a minimum of preparation required.
The Campaign Element (CE) series attempts to address these specific areas. Now¸ when your wizard is looking for a spell¸ your cleric is sent on a mission from her deity¸ or your thief simply wants to find a location where stealth and a cunning mind are paramount¸ you will have an answer at your fingertips. Weave these campaign elements into your world¸ mesh them into other modules and areas of your own creation¸ and watch the "Appendix N" vibe of your games grow.
In addition¸ for various reasons sometimes only a few players were available for a night's gaming. Each Campaign Element is short enough to be played through by most groups in only a single session. That doesn't mean that the value of the area is limited to a single session - each adventure includes notes on "squeezing it dry"…effectively getting the maximum re-use from your investment.
Using This Material
The Giggling Deep describes an underground location with unique properties that will draw wizards and elves back again and again. Other character types may find things of interest to them. The Goremera offers a unique combat challenge¸ and warriors may be tracking the beast to avenge its victims. Thieves are given three potential prizes - the Goremera's hoard¸ a shrine to loot¸ and a creature whose cooked flesh aids in combating poisons. Clerics of the Hidden Lord may need to reach His shrine to achieve some quest. Clerics of opposed deities may be sending their minions to destroy it. Giving multiple PCs different (and sometimes contradictory!) purposes in entering the region results in the most fun.
A setting element to help create a rich campaign environment for DCC games of all levels.