Review: "The Smoking Pillar of Lan Yu" by Kevin Crawford

The Smoking Pillar of Lan Yu is a free OSR module for low-level adventurers from Kevin Crawford of Sine Nomine Publishing.  However, it is primarily intended as a design example for designers interested in the visual design of early 80s modules - hence the "EX" code - and includes a detailed commentary for that audience.  Crawford has made it pretty clear that he doesn't consider the scenario to be "particularly compelling", but he does say that the Smoking Pillar is "complete and playable".  As my target audience is the DM who feels short on time or experience, I just want to address the worth of the module as a play aid in this post.

There are three handsome black-and-white maps in the module, covering the Village of Talamau, the Island of Kai Basil, and the main dungeon site.  As you might expect for a module intended to showcase design, all three maps are easy to follow.  My only complaint here is the dungeon's entrance.  For one, it's not entirely obvious (though probably by stairs into level 5) and there's no real cue about alternative entrances.  That said, even if there's only one way into the complex there are several different routes to take once inside.  The supporting art is of a high quality but often doesn't support the theme of the module.  The cover art pictured, for example, is a red herring.

Crawford has provided a short but informative background and given the DM some pointers on placing Kai Basil into an existing milieu and involving the party in its affairs.  His premise is straightforward but not overplayed.  The only human settlement on the island, Talamau, is threatened by a volcanic eruption and implores the party to restore their magical protection against catastrophe.  The village gets a decent write-up with main characters and opportunities being addressed in fair detail.  There are even notes on the financial reward that might be obtained from Talamau by less heroic adventurers, but the assumption is that the party will trek across the wilds of Kai Basil to the Temple of Flame in the hopes that a solution can be found there.

The wilderness adventure is a fairly short affair - more of a day trip than an extended hike - but still quite dangerous.  In the scenario as written, there are ways for the PCs to make their lives easier, but Crawford (rightly) does not suggest that the DM be overly helpful.  He does, however, include "Special Encounters" on the Random Encounter table.  Those listed invite the DM to use fiat to help or hinder the party, which is not my favourite approach.  More appealing are the additional adventure sites, especially the sinister location 6.

Once the party has found their way to the Temple of Flame their task is mainly exploration.  There's no specific table for random encounters within the Temple, which is an odd touch.  Several different explanations could be ventured but the text is mute on the point.  Keyed encounters are thematic if a little one-note.  The treasure in this section felt a little light, as the party has to run substantial risks to get to and from the Temple.

There are several pages of extra components in The Smoking Pillar of Lan Yu.  First and foremost is the unsettling signature monster of the scenario.  Crawford did a good job of creating something horrifying without relying on tremendous combat prowess.  The second DM special in the module is less striking but still interesting in its own right.  A quartet of new magic items have been included to serve as maguffins, although in the main they do little else.  Finally, a new character class is a surprising but interesting addition to the module.

My rating is 3/5.  While I like some of the extra components and the maps, the basic scenario is a bit rough around the edges.  If it's not entirely complete, The Smoking Pillar of Lan Yu is otherwise the module that Crawford promised: playable without being compelling.  Again, this is not a final weighing up on the total worth of the product, just an assessment of its usefulness as a play aid.