Publisher: Goodman Games
If you are looking for a horror adventure that will make your blood run cold and your heart race, then you should check out DCC Horror #1 They Served Brandolyn Red. This is a level 0 adventure for the Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG system, written by Stephen Newton and published by Goodman Games. In this adventure, you will face an ancient evil that has been unleashed on a peaceful village, and you will have to fight for your survival and your sanity.
The Plot
The adventure takes place in the village of Portnelle, where two rival families are about to be united by a wedding. However, the festivities turn into a nightmare when a mysterious red wine is served at the banquet, and the guests start to die in gruesome ways. The wine is actually the blood of Brandolyn, a witch who was burned at the stake centuries ago, and who has returned to take her revenge on the descendants of her killers. As the village is engulfed in chaos and horror, you and your fellow survivors must find a way to stop Brandolyn and her minions, and uncover the dark secrets that lie beneath Portnelle.
The Style
The adventure is written in a clear and engaging style, with a lot of attention to detail and atmosphere. The author draws inspiration from classic horror movies and stories, such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Wicker Man, The Evil Dead, and The Witch. The adventure is full of creepy scenes and twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The adventure is also very flexible, allowing you to adjust the difficulty and the tone according to your preferences. You can play it as a standalone or as part of a larger campaign.
The Art
The adventure is beautifully illustrated by Doug Kovacs, who is known for his amazing work on the DCC RPG system. The cover art and the cartography are especially impressive, and add to the immersion and the enjoyment of the adventure. The layout and the design are clear and easy to follow, and the adventure includes several handouts and maps for you and your players.
What are the most interesting locations in this adventure?
Some of the most interesting locations in this adventure are:
- The wedding banquet hall, where the horror begins. This is where the guests are served the cursed wine, and where they start to die in horrible ways. The hall is filled with blood, gore, and screams, and the players have to escape or fight their way out. This location sets the tone for the rest of the adventure, and introduces the main villain, Brandolyn.
- The abandoned church, where the players can find clues about the history of Portnelle and the origin of the curse. The church is haunted by the ghosts of the villagers who were killed by Brandolyn in the past, and who try to warn or harm the players. The church also contains a secret passage to the underground catacombs, where Brandolyn’s remains are hidden.
- The Brandolyn Manor, where the players can confront Brandolyn and her minions. The manor is a twisted reflection of Brandolyn’s personality, with rooms full of traps, puzzles, and horrors. The players have to face Brandolyn’s loyal servants, such as her pet spider, her zombie bridegroom, and her demonic familiar. The final showdown takes place in Brandolyn’s bedroom, where she awaits the players with her magical cauldron.
What are the most interesting encounters in this adventure?
Some of the most interesting encounters in this adventure are:
- The wine tasting, where the players have to decide whether to drink the wine or not. If they drink the wine, they have to make a Fortitude save or become possessed by Brandolyn’s spirit. If they don’t drink the wine, they have to deal with the suspicion and the hostility of the other guests. This encounter tests the players’ wisdom and charisma, and can have different outcomes depending on their choices.
- The graveyard, where the players can encounter a ghostly wedding party that invites them to join their dance. If the players accept, they have to make a Will save or become entranced by the music and dance until they die of exhaustion. If they refuse, they have to fight the angry ghosts that attack them. This encounter tests the players’ courage and endurance, and can be a source of horror or humor depending on how they handle it.
- The cornfield, where the players can find a scarecrow that is actually a living puppet controlled by Brandolyn. The scarecrow can talk to the players and try to lure them into a trap, or attack them with its sharp claws and its flaming eyes. The scarecrow can also summon other scarecrows from the field to join the fight. This encounter tests the players’ perception and combat skills, and can be a challenging and surprising foe.
Dungeon Crawl Classics Horror #1: They Served Brandolyn Red on DrivethruRpg
