New Monte Cook Megadungeon Brings the Best of Both Worlds

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Monte Cook Games has just rolled out a major new crowdfunding campaign focused on a massive megadungeon for their popular Cypher RPG system. Entitled Jewel in the Sky, the project is unusual in that it allows GMs and players to experience the adventure in one of two different ways: as either a high fantasy dungeon crawl or an epic sci-fi space opera.

The campaign is part of the ongoing Megadungeon Month, with multiple publishers running projects over the course of April. You can back Jewel in the Sky from now until May 1st, 2026 on BackerKit. Below, we take a closer look at what’s included in this new genre-bending dungeon crawl.

What is Jewel in the Sky?

Jewel in the Sky is a complete campaign for Monte Cook Games’ Cypher system that takes place on a fantasy world of monsters and magic that’s home to an eight-mile wide floating island known as Vocurro. Deep beneath the island, is also the ancient megadungeon known as the Crystal Cathedral, which is filled with countless traps, treasures and tunnels.

Unbeknownst to most, however, the megadungeon was once also home to the Visitors, a group of beings who travelled from across the stars, using advanced technology to establish a secret base within the depths of the Crystal Cathedral. They were eventually forced to abandon the base and over the centuries, the machines they brought have interacted with magic of the dungeon, creating bizarre hybrid creatures and unforeseen dangers.

This unique premise, also allows Cypher Gamemasters to run the campaign in one of two different ways as either a:

• Classic Fantasy: A high-magic dungeon crawl where adventurers explore an ancient, floating citadel filled with a mix of both sorcery and sci-fi
  or
• Space Opera Sci-Fi: A futuristic mission where agents are tasked with reclaiming a high-tech base lost centuries ago on a primitive world of monsters and magic.

What are the backer options for Jewel in the Sky?

The primary focus of the BackerKit is the Jewel in the Sky sourcebook, which as noted above, is a single book that can be run within either the fantasy or sci-fi genres. The book is available in both PDF and physical formats, but the campaign also features a deluxe box set version, along with a range of add-on accessories, including poster maps, player handouts, character sheets, cards, physical timers and VTT versions.

It’s worth nothing, however, that do you do need the base Cypher rules to be able to play, which can be purchased as part of the crowdfunder if you don’t already own them.

The BackerKit crowdfunding options are as follows:

• Digital Edition ($19 USD): The Jewel in the Sky core book in PDF format.
• VTT Edition ($49 USD): A digital-only tier for use on your platform of choice (Roll20 or Alchemy).
• Standard Print + PDF ($54 USD): The physical hardcover book and the PDF.
• Deluxe Boxed Set ($149 USD): The premium, backer-exclusive boxed set that includes physical maps, cards and timers.
• Cypher Newcomer Bundles ($54 – $149+): Includes the Cypher System Rulebook and Cypher Character Rulebook (in print or PDF) at a special backer-only price.

Notably, if you back the campaign alongside at least one other Megadungeon Month project (such as Goodman Games’ Castle Whiterock or Kobold Press’ Hastening Doom), you also unlock a 20 page Mega-Exclusive Bonus PDF with bonus content from multiple publishers.

Why we’re excited about Jewel in the Sky

• A dungeon designing legend: Monte Cook is a master of dungeon design having created adventures like Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil and Labyrinth of Evil, and is directly involved in the project.
• Table usability: The book promises to have a two-page spread for each area, with locations clearly marked and only the most important information listed on the map, which is a breath of fresh air compared to text-heavy dungeon keys.
• Two genres, one book: The ability to pull a single supplement off the shelf for a fantasy game one year and a sci-fi game the next feels like a ton of bang for your buck.
• Incredible art and design: Monte Cook Games creates some truly gorgeous TTRPG books, and the art and layout that we’ve seen so far looks absolutely stellar.

Final Thoughts

The concept of a single megadungeon working in both a fantasy and sci-fi campaign is something we haven’t really seen before and feels incredibly innovative, while also being a nod to the classic old school D&D modules like Expedition to the Barrier Peaks. It’s also something that seems very much in Monte Cook Games’ wheelhouse with their popular RPG Numemenra, which itself has often walked a fine line between the two genres.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on this campaign in the days ahead, but in the meantime you can back Jewel in the Sky from now until May 1st, 2026 on BackerKit.