Islands of Peril

Holmes Campaign: Islands of Peril

Within the pages of this campaign adventure book, you will find five detailed islands featuring a variety of adventure locales and themes. Each of the islands has its own theme and ecology. From a lost civilization crawling forth from the depths of time, to marauding pirates, to a witch that uses her island to trap the unwary, Islands of Peril has something for everyone.

Designed for character levels 1-4, you can kick off and entire campaign or just selectively pick adventures to fit your existing campaign., Using your favorite Classic D&D system or retroclone (Dungeon X, OSE, etc.), Islands of Peril is ready for play; we have included detailed stat blocks so traversing rule books is not needed.

Also, inside you will find 18 maps, 17 new monsters, 14 new magic items, and seven new spells! Of course, we have also included Dr. Holmes’ original hand-drawn maps as well!

Islands of Peril: Book One details these locations:

Crying Cyclops Isle: This island rises from the ocean like a solitary mountain on a vast plain. A wide beach is bordered by towering palms that hide a dense pine forest that surrounds the island’s main feature, a mountainous spire that reaches a thousand feet skyward. At the peak, a perfect circular hole punctures the black rock. A small stream emerges from the base of the hole, and the water cascades down the mountain forming many pools and waterfalls until reaching the beach. Numerous caves dot the mountain.

Ash Island: Also known as Pirate Island, this hidden island lies within the Flaming Atolls. Formed by the remnants of an ancient volcano, the many atolls create a series of reefs and hazards that sink most ships that attempt to ply these waters. Also, lava still flows from several of the larger atolls, creating clouds of steam when the lava reaches the ocean water. A single island, Ash, lies amidst the Flaming Atolls, and it is the sanctuary of many pirates that prowl the nearby waters.

Isle of Shadow: Most mariners stay well clear of this island which is covered with the ruins of some ancient city. It is rumored that shadowy people haunt the island and kill all who trespass.

Barrow Island: This island is very flat but for a single mound at its center. Tall pines and palm trees cover most of the land. The island is crossed with shallow tidal flats flanked by thick mangroves. Many years ago, a merchant ship was swept onto the island during a hurricane. The crew attempted to explore the island but were attacked by a horde of undead as they neared the central hill. The few that survived claimed the hill is actually a massive barrow. On occasion, an adventuring party seeks to raid the barrow, but none have managed to actually enter; they are beset by undead and either killed or forced to flee the island.

Isle of the Crawling Doom: This small island is crescent shaped and surrounds a blue hole. A tower of blue marble capped in silver acts like a beacon drawing ships to the strange harbor and their doom. The currents that surround the island force all would-be landing craft away from its shores. Only by following the strange silver light of the tower can a ship safely approach the island and enter the lagoon. However, once inside, the ship is quickly surrounded and enveloped in a strange creeping seaweed.

This adventure module is designed for use with your favorite Classic D&D RPG and is completely compatible with the classic fantasy RPG system written by Dr. J. Eric Holmes. Additionally, it is 100% compatible with Pacesetter's new Dungeon X RPG (our concept of the next iteration of Basic/Expert D&D. The scenario is best played with five to eight characters of 4th to 6th level, and the adventuring party should contain approximately 30 character levels. No particular class is required, but at least two fighter types and one cleric are recommended.

In conjunction with the Dr. John Eric Holmes estate, Pacesetter has produced a massive, 76-page adventure module based on Holmes' home campaign adventure from the mid-1970s. This dungeon was also featured in The Maze of Peril novel by Holmes. We were provided with his original hand-drawn maps and notes to create this amazing adventure. It truly is a window into the early days of Dungeons & Dragons.

Dr. Holmes is the author of the first Dungeons & Dragons basic set; the first mass-marketed version of D&D. We used those rules (which include rules for 1st to 3rd level characters) to create a new set of rule books that allow play through 10th level. These rules are not required to play the adventure module (which is set for 4th-6th level characters), but are available as well. The adventure module is compatible with any classic version of D&D (BX D&D, BECMI, AD&D). But if you would like to play using original the Holmes system, we have the books.

The module and rule books have a limited print run and will be available during and at the North Texas RPG Convention and here on our website.