The main action takes place on the Islands of the Damned--a mythical archipelago that appears every century and a half and hides a god's ransom in treasure. (Sort of a cross between Atlantis and Brigadoon, with a little Bermuda Triangle thrown in just because.) Each island is controlled by a different villain, and each holds a different piece of the puzzle the players will need to unlock the treasure hoard.
We made sure to give each island a distinct mood, cast of characters and set of challenges. In essence, every island is its own mini-module, as different from the rest as, say, "Expedition to the Barrier Peaks" is different from "Tomb of Horrors."
That means all sorts of possibilities for the players. They'll face classic dungeon crawls, beat-the-clock races to safety, armies of undead, giant apes, flying skulls--a great mix of hack-and-slash, problem-solving and role-playing. And, of course, at the end of it all is a huge stash of treasure. You can't spend it when you're dead!
There's also plenty in the module for diehard Freeport fans. If the Islands are the centerpiece of the adventure, Freeport is the framework--it's where you start, and where you finish (in the biggest free-for-all the city has ever seen). The adventure introduces an unlikely new contender for the Sea Lord's throne and takes the players into unexplored sections of the city, from the prison Hulks to the Temple of the Pirate God. It also creates a detailed mythology for Freeport's patron deity--and the cosmic villain who wants to shower unholy love on the City of Adventure.
