Desert Angel Fiasco

Today an enchanted flying ship, the Desert Angel, will attempt to cross the uncharted Great Sand Sea. The Vahid Trading Company has convinced enough merchants to fill its hold with silks and spices, as well as some other strange odds and ends. 

But Master Vahid is very worried about the safety of his new ship and crew, as well as the cargo. He is looking for trustworthy mercenaries to provide security on the Desert Angel’s maiden voyage. Payment upon (safe) arrival!

Players must contend with oasis monsters, dune hermits that worship eldritch horrors, sky-pirates, a maze of deadly canyons, a forgotten civilization, plots of mutinous murder, conspiracies to thieve, attempts at catastrophic sabotage, a sorcerous hijacking, an abomination in the cargo, and terrors falling from the sky!

ADVENTURE TYPE: Linear / Social / Combat / Mystery / One-Shot

New PC Background: The Desert Hermit!

In addition to some unusual desert gear, select one of 6 exceptional desert survival skills, and one of 13 bizarre eldritch patrons that you bonded with during your time in the wasteland.

SESSION REPORT

Read the narrative of one early play test of this adventure:

• https://www.josephrlewis.com/2020/08/desert-angel-fiasco-one-shot/
• https://www.josephrlewis.com/2021/06/desert-angel-fiasco-family-edition-one-shot...

REVIEWS

"Well organized, well written, interesting encounters that, for being arrayed like a railroad, give the party as much freedom as possible under the circumstances. A fun little romp. Quite nice format and the NPC descriptions are interesting, evocative, and easy (and fun!) to imagine." --Bryce Lynch

"This video review delves into the exceptional layout and writing of this adventure, highlighting its ability to provide a linear journey filled with freedom and choice, ensuring it never feels like a railroad. With around fifteen locations and events, each offering unique and engaging encounters, this adventure does the heavy lifting for the DM, making it a dream to run." --Fumble Table review of "Desert Angel Fiasco" on YouTube:

SYSTEMS AND FILES

This product includes three different PDFs, each containing a different version of this adventure:

• CAIRN. The new remastered version, with additional content. Two-column layout, digest size.
• 5E. The original version. Three-column layout, letter size.
• OSR. The original version. Three-column layout, letter size.

DESIGN NOTES

• This adventure is primarily geared for social encounters and combat, with some mystery-solving as well.
• Intended as a one-shot. (Works great at conventions!)
• Players ride a flying ship across the desert. Monsters attack. Passengers plot treachery. Mysterious locations appear.
• You can keep the tone serious or play up this ridiculous sequence of disasters for laughs.
• There are numerous NPCs as well as unique magical items and other treasures.

INCLUDES: DM notes, NPC notes, location descriptions, dialogue prompts, stat blocks, original creatures and treasures, and maps.

KEYWORDS: desert, voyage, ship, journey, disaster, sabotage, murder, mutiny, eldritch horror, scorpion, mummy, wasp, pirate, crater, pyramid, zombie, phoenix