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The Haunting of Ashtonshire Keep's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Game Master Usability | #46 | 3.395 | 3.395 |
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
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:
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.
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!
Thank you so much! I appreciate it!
Looks great. I love the art, love the map.
Any chance we could get player facing maps? (hiding the secret wall icons)
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.
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?
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!
I love when an adventure has a compelling story that can be told via NPC's. Also, seconding everything ExHalibut said.
Thank you! If you like the story, check the movie "The Conjuring." It is what inspired this module.
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.