Fantastic - the mystery is really well done, the setting feels very fleshed out given the space available, it would be easy to work into a campaign. The cover is great and ripping it is a nice solution to adding a bit more space for text within the page limit. Definitely one I'd like to run.
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The War Below the Waves's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Layout: how easy is it to find all the presented information? | #10 | 4.559 | 4.559 |
| Playability: how easy would it be to run this module? | #17 | 4.206 | 4.206 |
| Overall | #25 | 4.294 | 4.294 |
| Writing: how clear and/or interesting is the writing? | #26 | 4.294 | 4.294 |
| Theme: how well would the module have fit into the Appendix N? | #50 | 4.324 | 4.324 |
| Art: how well does the art support the other content? | #74 | 4.088 | 4.088 |
Ranked from 34 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Comments
A well structured mystery with many layers. The NPC knowledge, desires etc. give great roleplaying hooks for the GM. The set up is novel and interesting. Good work!
Submitted
The Scored AtlasGreat town with a problem module this, really like the kraken egg calling out to the townsfolk and the potential for merfolk to get the blame here. The merfolk scout posing as a mute elf is superb.
With more space, would have been great to have Holly's Hollow fleshed out and turned into a little dungeon but understand that probably not feasible to fit in alongside the town.
Also great torn cover idea! Love that
Submitted
Armour of the Phlox HazeA seaside mystery prompting roleplay focused solutions. I love how simply asks/knows/hides builds a complex web of relationships between characters.
Submitted
Keep of the Thrice-Crowned KingA mystery with other elements intertwined within.
Excellent construction of a research village experiencing a significant problem, with disputes arising and worsening the situation.
The events table is also quite interesting and adds more to the story and location.
The art and layout are impeccable. I really liked it.
Submitted
The Gloaming UrnfieldThis adventure is really great. I especially love the "torn" book cover revealing the adventure introduction and the Asks/Knows/Hides format for quickly detailing NPCs. Well done!
Submitted
Agents of the Gilded PalmSo cool! I think this is the most immediately playable system neutral module I've seen. There's so much good stuff to work with here and it totally fits the Appendix N theme.
Submitted
Plunderers of the Jeweled CoastI think this is the highest rating I've given something so far. The town feels really alive and just seething with secrets waiting to be uncovered. I could see the web of connections getting a little overwhelming for some GMs, but you provide a lot of strong details and characterization that makes it lock pretty well into place (and it's likely that PCs won't follow every single thread in its entirety).
The torn front cover is really clever. The town map is really readable and clean. The town events make great hooks (or clues for a party feeling lost).
The way the kraken interacts feels original and compelling (so much more than a big, monstrous squid).
The layout is clean both overall and within paragraphs/sections. Having the cave offset with the black background is pretty great.
The spaces to add stuff (like a cave-crawl or psychic kraken influence mechanics) feel present without feeling essential.
For a pretty short adventure, I honestly could go on and on about the good things in here. I really hope I get a chance to run it before too long.
Submitted
Spirit Shrouds of SaturnI don't have much else to add that other people haven't already said, but I will highlight the "Asks, Knows, Hides" structure that really makes this feel easy to run. You know how to steer a conversation with each NPC because of those bullet points.
Submitted
Account of the Animating GeyserI really like the torn cover and how well the front cover replicates older D&D modules. The layout is super well laid out and the prose work really well. Great work!
Submitted
He Who Walks with ShadowsWell-structured “town with a mysterious past.” The townsfolk’s tangled webs are clearly explained and easy to visualize. And the “torn cover” first page is 🧑🏻🍳💋.
Submitted
The Astral ShipClassic town problem, but a well structured mystery. Great intro to DMs and clear explanation as to motives and knowledge. Great
Submitted
Death, Imprisoned!Love the torn-page cover! The fiction and setting are tight and playable. The relationships to uncover between the NPCs are 👌. Nice work!
Submitted
Those Who Call Down the MoonBig fan of the themes in this adventure, the way you have layed out the adventure is excellent and I can see this making running all the different characters alot easier. Great little map to! Awesome work.
Submitted
Travellers of the Last EonTo start off, great execution of the cover. But the real meat is in the way the mystery is laid out, with all the info on each NPC (asks/knows/hides/resources). Having all of this concise info so readily available makes this such a nice read.
I feel really inspired looking at the way you've managed to present a classic mystery scenario.
Submitted
The Fallen Tower of Vanoc
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