In the Footsteps of Fools

Footsteps of Fools is a series of Cugel-level adventures that echo the footsteps of Vance's oft-maligned hero Cugel the Clever.

It combines, refines, varies and expands locations from Jack Vance's two classic fantasy novels about Cugel, creating a single vast travelogue that brings the Dying Earth RPG world to vivid lived experience in a way no ordinary single publication ever could.

Part of the premise is that the rough-and-ready rogues at the beginning of the series set-off back towards Azenomei with vengeance in their hearts, but totally unequipped to face Iucounu. The sheer scope of their exploits on the way back, however, advances them either into being low-level Turjanic adventurers, or high-level Cugelesque ones (the difference being largely one of adventure tone and whether magic is primarily accessed through items or spells). Either way, the battle with Iucounu is now one that (with help) they may possibly win!

Marvel then as characters first enjoy the fabled fair in Azenomei; cavort in paroxysms of terror as they are then transported to far-flung Saskervoy; squeal with delight as they then savour the delights of decadent Cil; tremble in rhapsody as they travel In the Footsteps of Fools Part 4: Beyond the Mountains of Magnatz; and finally, swoon with ecstasy as they confront the Laughing Magician in his manse!

Masterfully penned by the erudite Ian Thomson, Footsteps of Fools is a delightful series that once looked never to be finished when the publisher's license for the Dying Earth expired. Happily, the licence was renewed and Ian Thomson finished the series and is now no doubt basking in the staggeringly rich rewards showered upon him by a grateful publisher.

Here are Ian Thomson's notes about the suggested running order of the episodes in the Footsteps of Fools series.

N.B. The "Original Series" products themselves give a different suggested ordering in their printed introductions. The list order here is derived from later comments by the author.

The "Original" Series

Footsteps of Fools Episode 01: "The Cooks of Cuirnif" in The Dying Earth Roleplaying Game
Footsteps of Fools Episode 02: The Quergib Frogs in The Excellent Prismatic Spray (Volume 1, Number 3)
Footsteps of Fools Episode 03: The City of Lumarth/Caravan to Aktabras in The Excellent Prismatic Spray (Volume 1, Number 4/5)
Footsteps of Fools Episode 04: The High Road to Kaiin
Footsteps of Fools Episode 05: A Walk in the Woods
Footsteps of Fools Episode 06: The Exasperating Cadaver
Footsteps of Fools Episode 07: The Day of the Quelo
Footsteps of Fools Episode 08: Axomber's Crypt
Footsteps of Fools Episode 09: The Kaiinese Drakeling
Footsteps of Fools Episode 10: Flolad's Nephew

The "New" Series

In the Footsteps of Fools Part 1: All's Fair at Azenomei (Episode 1)
In the Footsteps of Fools Part 2: Strangers in Saskervoy (Episodes 2, 3)
In the Footsteps of Fools Part 3: Lords of Cil (Episode 4)
In the Footsteps of Fools Part 4: Beyond the Mountains of Magnatz (Episodes 5, 6)
In the Footsteps of Fools Part 5: And Thence To Almery (Episodes (7, 8, 9)