The M-series of modules, for use using the black Master Rules box set for basic Dungeons & Dragons, sure is odd. This is M1: Into the Maelstrom (1985), in which the PCs become embroiled a game of sport between three immortals and wind up sailing into space, sort of, on a journey that sort of mirrors the Iliad and the Odyssey. There is a sorceress who turns people into chickens! Its weird! And four years before Spelljammer!

I am a sucker for flying ships. Not, like, space ships. Sailing ships that fly. There are a lot of them in this, part of a naval engagement that gets sucked into the Star Realms by the magic of one of the immortals. However, I struggle to get a grip on this one. Too much stuffed into too small a package, too little that is inspiring enough to extrapolate on on my own. The whole first part of the adventure is just an elaborate excuse to get the players (and some warring nations) to get boats in the water. The villain, the immortal Alphaks, who is a “roaring demon” (a Balor) may have his lair in a volcano, but he feels pretty second rate. Also, his name is Alphaks. What kind of name is that?

Which is weird to me, because in general I feel like author Bruce Heard has an iron grip on his understanding of the Known World (he did, after all, helm the Voyage of the Princess Ark – which is a flying ship! – serial in Dragon Magazine, which functioned as a extension of the Gazeteer series). Perhaps it is down to the Master rules being unwieldy?

On the other hand, if Spelljammer and the Princess Ark exist because of this confusing and underwhelming adventure, well, then it is OK in my book.

Anyway, kind of a humdrum Jeff Easley cover. But I quite enjoy Valerie Valusek’s interiors.