A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement A Violet Shade of Death (A Mythos Horror Scenario for TSRPG)

A Violet Shade of Death (A Mythos Horror Scenario for TSRPG) is a role playing game supplement published by Skirmisher Publishing for use with TSRPG.

The supplement is available as a 22-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $1.99 but was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. Two pages are the front and rear covers, three the front matter and one is an ad. There is also a zip containing 16 images, including tokens, from the adventure.

The opening paragraph explains that the adventure is inspired by the writings of H.P. Lovecraft, that it takes place in 1969 in upstate New York, that it is for 2-8 players and should take 3-6 hours. It is also primarily an investigative adventure.

Background gives details on an abandoned mine in the state which was seized to recover graphite ore for the Manhattan Project, then closed, then discovered by Mi-Go who mined it for another substance. They protected the mine with a deadly bacterium and enslaved a local trapper. This year, a metallurgist and amateur prospector sought out the mine believing it home to a new mineral. He was infected by the bacteria, encountered the trapper and fled, infecting another person and dying himself.

Timeline has a timeline of events related to the mine for 1969.

Introduction has a possible hook to get the characters to visit the mine.

Running the Scenario explains how the scenario is presented and how to run Challenges, as well as some details on the cost of things in 1969 and what isn’t available.

Nee’Kring, the Bacteria has details on the Mi-Go bacteria.

Conclusion is how the characters can complete the adventure successfully.

Dramatis Personae et Locus et Eventus has the important NPCs and locations in the adventure, and details them as well as what can be discovered. This takes up a good portion of the supplement.

Storyteller’s Map, Handouts, & Sample Characters has what it says; there are four sample characters.

Example of Play has examples of how different kinds of challenges are run in TSRPG.

The final page of content is the basic rules for TSRPG itself, meaning that this adventure works standalone; the rules do not need to be purchased separately. The game is a storytelling game that is played through a series of Challenges; details of how these work, success and failure and difficulty are given.

A Violet Shade of Death (A Mythos Horror Scenario for TSRPG) in Review

The PDF is bookmarked with major and minor sections linked. Navigation is decent. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be mostly free of errors. There are a number of black and white and colour stock images, some tweaked, as well as some colour maps. Presentation is okay.

As stated, this is primarily an investigative scenario. The characters could have combat encounters, but it’s just as likely that they may not. This doesn’t make it remotely safe, however; the bacteria in particular is fatal if not treated. Fortunately, it is comparatively easy to treat. It is also a pretty sandbox adventure; the characters will travel to different places asking questions.

This will currently function best as a one-shot adventure. 1969 is hardly a peak year for Mythos-based material, so there is very little available to adapt to expand the adventure, and there isn’t much overlap between any of the current TSRPG adventures. A Violet Shade of Death (A Mythos Horror Scenario for TSRPG) is a potentially dangerous adventure and it can be found by clicking here.