Episode 34: Crocodile

Edryk, Miria, and Kale face a terrifying onslaught on the dismal beaches of Abzû.

This game sues the crocodile stats from Swords & Wizardry, It also delves pretty deep into the Dungeons & Dragons theory of the Soul that was made central to the concept of planar travel in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons starting later in the 1st edition and refined in the Planescape setting.

I also wanted to share the Enuma Elish, if you want to read some ancient Mesopotamian myth.

Roger Dean’s Cover for the first Asia album self-titled “Asia” was a huge inspiration for the setting of Abzu. I spent a great many hours staring at this album cover and listening to the record when I was a kid. In fact a great deal of the campaign aesthetics in – in my head at least – are inspired by Dean’s art.

Roger Dean was a major influence on the aesthetics of the Psychedelic art and music movement and redefined what Fantasy looked like through the 60s and 70’s.

I would be remiss if I didn’t send a link to his homepage where you can get prints of this truly amazing work.

Abzu Random Encounter Table

3d6categoryEncounter#Mein3SettlementForlorn Camp*specialSuffering4SettlementDuregar mining camp**specialFeasting on HER flesh5IntelligentScorpion Men1d4Worshipping HER6IntelligentIxitchatil2d10Hunting7IntelligentBeast Men3d10Digging a burrow8TravellerJaani2d4Lost9TravellerNight Hag1Performing Dark Rites10MonsterGiant Scorpion1d3Frozen in despair11MonsterLarge Giant Centipede1d6Mating12MonsterCrocodiles2d6Sleeping14MonsterSea Serpent1Exploring14SupernaturalLarvae3d10Tormenting15SupernaturalShedu1Cultivating HER wisdom through alchemy16SupernaturalElsewhale1Desperately trying to get elsewhere17AtmosphericTiamat Stirs***n/aGoing Mad18AtmosphericStormm/aGrieving

Notes

*Forlorn Camp: a wretched set of huts of bone, skin, and scale overrun by wasp’s nests. Most inhabitants are dead, but 1d6 diseased and mad cultists linger.

**Duregar Mining Camp: 2d10 Duregar oversee 5d20 beast-men slaves in mining scale and bone from Tiamat.

***Tiamat Stirs: The ground shakes and strange omens fill the sky before a deafening scream splits the sky. All creatures must save vs spells or be paralyzed with terror for 1d3 turns. Check for additional encounter.

Voice Talent in this Episode:

Owen Rideout as The Psisquid

Music in this Episode

“COMBAT: Classic Metal Chugga-Chugga” by Jon Cohen, used with permission.

From the Free Music Archive:

“King Edward” by Mr. Smith a CC-BY song released through the FMA

From Pixabay:

“Apex” by Alexander Nakarada

“Scorched Fields” by Alexander Nakarada

“Crossroads” by Alexander Nakarada

“This Metal” by Mr. Claps

“Melodic Metal” by Alex Koff

“Powerful stylish rock” by Sound for You

“Island of the Lost” by OB-LIX