VULCANIA - THE XHUUL SAGA is an action-packed role-playing game supplement from Gear Games, penned by authors Mattia Arnaudo, Luca Galietta, and Simone Raspi. Serving as a direct continuation of the introductory adventure from the Vulcania Core Book, this volume plunges players into an epic story that could fundamentally change the fate of the world.
The saga introduces the return of the Xhuul, an ancient civilization of cephalopod humanoids who once dominated the world. Having foreseen their extinction millennia ago, the Xhuul transferred their consciousness into an immaterial limbo, waiting for the cataclysm to pass while preserving their bodies in suspended animation within sarcophagi. Accidentally awakened by mankind, they are now scheming to conquer the top of the food chain. It is up to the Characters—be they buccaneers, mercenaries, or mad scientists—to stop this impending threat.
Key Features and Epic Campaign:
Character Progression: The campaign is structured to guide four Characters from Expert rank to Hero rank across seven grueling Acts.
A Horrific New Threat: Explore the terrifying reality of the Xhuul, frail creatures gifted with immense psychic might. They invade human minds, crushing the vessel's personality and using their hosts to orchestrate their grand plan.
The Campaign Unfolds Across Vulcania: The adventure spans various Islenations and dangerous locations:
Act 1: Desert Mysteries The investigation begins in Yutland, focusing on the dig site where the powerful Xhuul, Goro, first took control of Markonist Milo Van Aldez. Players must make a pivotal choice: joining the secret organization of the Hornmule or aligning with the crime lord Lando Carrizo.
Act 2: The Shadow of the Squid Characters infiltrate the deserted, ghiger-infested flying city of Cartago, now serving as a secret Xhuul base.
Act 3: The Camel is Back in the Fence A high-stakes adventure in Balastoc requires securing rare zirconite (necessary to activate the Anky Raj, a device used to locate other sarcophagi) through grueling negotiations with the Tawariq nomads, complicated by Xhuul cultists and potential amnesia induced by the local stimulant, khajiff.
Act 4: Conlio and Blood Investigate the Pah’doyin archipelago, Ketniv, where the Xhuul Agaxhiu is inducing mass hallucinations (the terrifying onyi) by contaminating the water supply with conlio.
Act 5: A Tomb of Ice Heroes brave the frozen Tuundra of Nuugard, dealing with extreme cold and fauna influenced by the Xhuul Uskjare.
Act 6: In the Lair of the Octopus The conflict culminates in Busto, home of the Monopolies, exposing the schism among the Xhuul and featuring confrontations with mechanized Xhuul adversaries.
Act 7: Abrabazem Showdown The finale takes place in devastated Gerola, Abrabazem, where the mad Xhuul Zodra is building explosive suicide aircraft (kaytens) to launch a world-ending attack from his flagship, the Widow’s Lament.
New Equipment and Foes: Access new gear, including the Prosperus Ring (a silent alarm system) and the devastating defensive tool Lando's Stick. Fight powerful Xhuul hosts (such as Mulroa, Agaxhiu, Zukro, Goro, Hotenhau, and Zodra), terrifying specialized hybrids (The Breaker, The Mechanic, The Blind), and monstrous creatures like Ghiger Spawn.
Narrator Tools: Includes material and guidance to make the life of your players "as hard as you need", alongside rules for Alley Chases and Aerial Travel Accidents. The book provides inspirational notes linking Acts to classic works like Indiana Jones, Call of Cthulhu, Alien, and Mad Max.