Would you dare to take a step into the treacherous jungle?

Jungles of Farnassia is a tropical and setting-agnostic adventure module for characters of level 3-5, by Ed Chaurero. It provides 35 pages filled with exploration and storytelling, set on an island where nature itself is alive and warmly welcomes players into its secrets.

Scenario

You find yourself on an island with dense forestation and waterfalls descending from all sides. The island appears small at first glance, but it is in fact quite bigger than expected. Of course, magic is involved! Wellsprings are connections between Farnassia and the Feywild and are protected by the Keepers. If any character is brave enough, they could actually drink their water and gain a permanent or not effect.

The island is home to various species, including goblins, fairies, bugbears, and lizardfolk, who live peacefully together in communities. There are numerous settlements for exploration, involving mushrooms, fey conflicts and wonders hidden within the island. Speaking of wonders, Trandel is worth highlighting. It is a village resting on top of an enormous mound, which is placed upon roots. And if that was not impressive, those roots form claws that slowly but steadily drag the village through the jungle, while the forest parts and closes around it, like a guiding passage.

There is also a city supported by a massive tree, called Olden Tree City. On the tree’s branches, there are houses connected with vines and bridges, while at the very top stands the castle of Farnassia’s King, and the High Wellspring. In this sandbox module, the scenario reacts to the players’ actions.

Encounters

The encounters lean into exploration and rich lore, with skill checks capable of altering the outcomes of many situations. Travelling the vast jungle is difficult, and without the right item, it is a DC-30 -Survival-Check-to-find-your-way difficult. To determine where the party goes and what it encounters, you use roll tables that involve settlements, tigers, alligators and sloths, making the island unpredictable. The supplement is flexible, allowing you to insert your own encounters without disrupting the game’s flow. There is also a section called Hunting for Prey that lets characters track and hunt a specific creature of their choice.

Now let’s talk about some NPCs.

Dr. Jeremiah Pawson is a tabaxi Cryptozoologist and a wizard. Do not provoke him about his books, trust me.

Lady Amirinthia is a High Elf who provides accommodation to any traveller. She lives in a wooden hut with flowers on its walls and ceiling, with her own secret, which I will let the players uncover.

Finally, Rob Larsor is a self-proclaimed protector, and if the party earns his trust, he will ask them to throw a seed in the High Wellspring. He promises that by doing so, they will aid the poor by providing more food, but, surprise, surprise, the seed will actually sprout a Corrupt Treant to spread chaos and destroy balance. Talking about meaningful choices.

Layout & Art

The supplement uses our familiar 2-column layout, which is presented in a clear structure that effectively divides information into clear sections. Navigation is smooth thanks to the hyperlinked table of contents at the very beginning, putting everything a click away.
Roll tables are also present when needed, avoiding unnecessary page flipping, while boxed text and bold highlights are used to draw attention to key details.

No interior artwork is present, but there are maps for the Olden Tree City. On the cover, there is a photograph taken by the author himself at the Iguazu Waterfalls.

Extras

20 stat blocks are included in the module, covering NPCs and monsters featured on the roll tables, each accompanied by a dedicated paragraph to understand their role and purpose.

Something refreshing is the Recipes section, with 10 unique food recipes that match the theme and make the content feel alive.

For those who prefer extra options when making a character, the supplement introduces a fighter subclass. The Fey Warrior allows you to harness fey magic and blend it with martial powers. Moreover, there are 4 thematic backgrounds: Cryptozoologist, Gourmand, Wildhunter and Keeper, to help players feel tied to the setting. Lastly, there are suggestions for moving the island to another setting, for easier adaptation to ongoing campaigns.

Final Thoughts

Stay crafty and watch your step,
Your new favourite author.

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