Per the request of Erin in the comments, here are some examples of the kind of the marginal minimaps and annotations I was making in my prep to run Deep Carbon Observatory.
Also, you should use Claytonian’s version of the dungeon map, which I unfortunately didn’t have access to at the time: http://killitwithfirerpg.blogspot.jp/2017/07/deep-carbon-observatory-map-fan-map.html.
Our discussion & review of Deep Carbon Observatory, text by Patrick Stuart and art by Scrap Princess. MAJOR SPOILERS.
tl;dl: it’s a work of superlative imagination. It refreshes the underdark and specifically the drow, and contains some structural/mechanical experiments you can lift for other purposes. It’s a no brainer purchase. However, needs a second edition that focuses on the “presentation layer”—how the ideas are to be communicated to the players, both in the maps and in the room contents.
Here’s the character generation episode we did for the module, and here’s the first episode of the module proper.
We leave you with links and Trump memes relevant to the module.
“Lewis and Dekalb” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Soundcloud player background image by Scrap Princess, from the module.
We wrap up the campaign.
Our next episode is the recap & review, here: https://ggnorecast.com/53.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (aff link): get it on Amazon
“Lewis and Dekalb” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Soundcloud player background image by Scrap Princess, from the module.
We continue to explore the observatory.
A comedy of errors.
Situations grotesque, risible, & fantastical—all for you.
“Lewis and Dekalb” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Soundcloud player background image by Scrap Princess, from the module.
Bickering and exploring. Mostly bickering.
A quick note here from Daniel re: module design: don’t have multilevel treasure tables for generating finite treasures. If there are going to be XdY treasures of properties that you need to generate by rolling yet further, save the DM the trouble and pre-generate the most interesting ones. You’ll see what I’m talking about in this episode. I could have pre-rolled them, but why not save the end-user some work?
Update: our confusion over “Sense Nearby” was just cleared up by the writer of Into the Odd. The character starting package doesn’t indicate that you can “sense nearby” (whatever that means) and also get an Arcanum. “Arcana” should be read as the object of the sensing: “sense nearby Arcana,” like detect magic. I (Daniel) hadn’t looked at the entry until now, but I see that its being split up over two lines is what caused the confusion for us.
Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History: http://www.dancarlin.com/hardcore-history-series/
“Lewis and Dekalb” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
“Pixelland” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Soundcloud player background image by Scrap Princess, from the module.
We enter the observatory and behold its wonders.
Follow dungeon SOP, achieve expected results.
This didn’t go as planned or desired at all, but ya gotta kill yer darlins. Or have them exploded.
Thank you, bone magnet.
Also, I (Daniel) am not sure at all that I ruled correctly re: the climactic moment here. I think I was interpreting metaphorical language in the text too literally. But it was a magical anatomy judgment made the heat of the moment. Perhaps Patrick can find it in his heart to forgive me.
“Lewis and Dekalb” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Soundcloud background image adapted from Scrap Princess’s illustrations for the module.
At last, the Observatory.
Our pointcrawl concludes, and we experience the moment of eponymony.
“Lewis and Dekalb” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Soundcloud background image adapted from Scrap Princess’s illustrations for the module.
This episode is an example of what can happen when you follow your random encounter procedures to the bitter, bitter end—and don’t flinch at the dice.
It’s great!
“Lewis and Dekalb” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Soundcloud background image adapted from Scrap Princess’s illustrations for the module.
We explore the dam, and something terrible happens.
And you get a sense of the death & dying rules of Into the Odd!
Actual play starts @ 9:42.
For the record, Tim is playing it now and enjoying it, TOLD YA
—Daniel
Episode image background sketch by Scrap Princess, from the module.
“Lewis and Dekalb” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
We enter the dam; and, don’t worry, everything’s fine, and nothing’s bad!
monster image by Scrap Princess: http://monstermanualsewnfrompants.blogspot.com/
featured image: Complete set of canopic jars, circa 900 and circa 800 BC.[4] The Walters Art Museum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canopic_jar#/media/File:Egyptian_-_A_Complete_Set_of_Canopic_Jars_-_Walters_41171,_41172,_41173,_41174_-_Group.jpg
“Lewis and Dekalb” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
gg no re 
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