Essentially a bonus, I got this book as part of an eBay purchase of The Dark of Hot Springs Island and A Field Guide to Hot Springs Island.  I was aware of it before, but wasn’t especially interested.  Turns out, this is a nice little module.

I don’t know the production history of the book, so perhaps being a hardcover was due to “stretch goals” on a Kickstarter or something.  Whatever the case, it’s an odd choice, as this is really a classic style, short module, not some prestige book.  Yet its construction implies the latter.  Whatever the case, it’s a nice book and due to its construction and interior layout, not only work well at the table, but also stand the test of time.

(Spoilers ahead). The basic premise is that a necromancer became a lich and is planning to become a demilich so he can “transcend.”  He brought along his lover, who is now a banshee.  In a sense, the whole dungeon is all part of his process.  I like that this means most of the critters and obstacles are there for a reason and engaged in their own duties and activities.  Because of this, careful PCs could manage to do a lot of things without engaging in outright war.  In fact, the scenario is not meant to be one where the PCs ultimately slay the central “villain.”  They’re wildly outclassed.  Sneaking around, investigating, being cautious, etc., are all valid ways to approach the Tomb of Black Sand.  And, unlike a lot of dungeon modules in the Gygaxian style, this one doesn’t seem to randomly punish or reward you for the same behavior, with no indication of right or wrong answers.  The danger of the titular black sand is interesting.  I imagine it has led to some dramatic outcomes.

If you want to run it as a one shot or add it to an ongoing campaign, the book has a bit of advice for you.  I think it would be a nice addition to an undead themed campaign, especially if you want to show a different side of the idea.  It’s not to say the lich at the end of this dungeon is a good guy, or that this is a cozy module or anything.  Just that it doesn’t need to be especially violent.  The villains likely hold no personal animosity toward the PCs and are largely indifferent, at least in the beginning. 

The Tomb of Black Sand is not tied to one specific system, but is obviously meant for D&D-esque, level based, D20 type systems.  It’s meant to be challenging for 3 to 6 characters of 4th level (I expect that means 2nd level in a game like DCC, but I may be wrong).  There are a few references that tie it into the Swordfish Islands, but nothing too deep or profound.  It should be relatively early to plug it into any standard Fantasy setting. 

If you like what I do, you can buy me a coffee. Check out my Facebook, YouTube, or Goodreads.  And take a look at my Patreon page, where I’m working on a novel and developing a tabletop RPG setting. I’m proud to be an affiliate of DriveThru RPG. I’m an independent author. You can also read my fiction over on Amazon. A rating & review would make a world of difference. I now have an Amazon Wishlist.