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Shadowdark Independent Game Jam

Hosted by Dungeon Masterpiece - Baron de Ropp · #ShadowdarkIndependenceJam
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A jam submission

The Haunting of Ashtonshire KeepView project page

A short horror adventure designed for Shadowdark for levels 4-6.
Submitted by Lordmatteus (@Lordmatteus2312) — 3 days, 1 hour before the deadline
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The Haunting of Ashtonshire Keep's itch.io page

Results

CriteriaRankScore*Raw Score
Game Master Usability#463.3953.395

Ranked from 43 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.

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Comments

DarkBearmancula288 days ago(+2)

Excellent adventure! My only real criticism is that, to my eyes, the maps can be a bit difficult to read. I think this is down to three things:

  • Grid lines are roughly as thick as walls/other objects, which blurs things together (this is especially true on page 5)
  • The font used for map keys is a bit thin and hard for me to "zero" in on
  • The gray/white outlines of barriers leave space between the black lines, which makes it hard to find where barriers begin/end

None of this is a dealbreaker for me though, after a few minutes acclimating myself I'm able to read it all no problem. We'll definitely be utilizing this adventure in our future games. 

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gamermikeSubmitted288 days ago(+1)

Excellent work!  A wonderful setting to use as a one-shot, or to use in a larger campaign.  I could easily place any macguffin in the keep and incorporate the Haunting in any campaign.  Well done!

Submitted
My Ancestral Home
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LordmatteusDeveloper288 days ago(+1)

Thank you so much! I appreciate it!

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qzaf289 days ago

Looks great. I love the art, love the map.  

Any chance we could get player facing maps? (hiding the secret wall icons)

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LordmatteusDeveloper288 days ago(+1)

I will see what I can do. The map program I use isn't the best as "saved" material doesn't really save. lol. What I can do is try manipulating the maps with GIMP. Give me a few days as I am currently returning from a gaming convention.

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Black MagicianSubmitted289 days ago

I LOVE THIS!!! 

Such an evocative background! I felt like I was watching a movie montage with voiceover narration. 

The setting is completely atmospheric from page 1 through page 7 (I'm jealous that you didn't even need all 8 pages, you said, "Nah that's the whole thing." lol). 

I do have a couple questions, as I may be running this in the near future. First, how do the players figure out that the only way to relinquish the curse is by using the noose? Should they know all of the info from the "Adventure Background and Overview"? If so, would it be best just send them all of that text? If I had the resources and time to do so, I would love to make a short film or animation of it with VO narration, just because that's how I originally imagined it.

As for the other question, if the witch won't return until the following Autumn Equinox, how are they to prove that they ended the curse to NPCs? Should I just let them lie about it and collect the non-XP rewards?

Submitted
Into the Halls of Havoc
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LordmatteusDeveloper288 days ago(+2)

Well...I wrote this with OSR mentality in mind: Experimentation. The noose radiates magic. She appears as a woman with a broken neck. When they walk by the tree, they hear the sounds of a swinging gibbet. The noose is also found right in front of her inner sanctum.  So...it isn't going to be easy to make the connection, but I think the clues are there, if a bit subtle.

As far as XP, that's up to you man! You're the GM. Would I give some XP for not really defeating her but keeping her at bay for a year (or however long)...maybe? I've been known to be stingy. lol. 

As far as the narration in the beginning, that's again up to you. I figure if they PCs question the people of Ashtonshire, they will learn all of the information. If you want to drop it in front of the players for the purpose of a one-shot, go for it. I do that sometimes just to cut to the chase and get to the action.

If you did a short film, or animation, that would be awesome. I have a fledgling YT Channel that I would love to put it on as a sort of marketing thing. If that is okay with you, of course. DM if you'd like to hashout the details.

Thank you for commenting!

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SparkiesRevengeSubmitted289 days ago

I love when an adventure has a compelling story that can be told via NPC's.  Also, seconding everything ExHalibut said.

Submitted
Grove of the Bark Witch
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LordmatteusDeveloper289 days ago

Thank you! If you like the story, check the movie "The Conjuring." It is what inspired this module.

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ExHalibutSubmitted290 days ago(+1)

The hooks in the Getting the Party Involved section are simple and effective. The noose is nasty and gives me Nicodemus-from-Dresden-Files vibes. Great use of that trope. The maps have an old-school feel.

Solid work. Top marks.

Submitted
Corruption at the Verdant Shrine
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