A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Bones of the Companions

Bones of the Companions by Davis Chenault is a role playing game supplement published by Troll Lord Games for use with Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result. This is an adventure for 8th level characters.

The supplement is available as an 18-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $7, although it was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. Two pages are the front and rear covers, one page is the front matter and one the Open Game License.

The Introduction explains that this adventure takes place in a pocket dimension that has a portal to the Abyss. Demons have taken over and it is intended for a party with a range of classes. Clerics are essential; paladins are useful.

A Note About Terminology explains how 5th Edition books are referred to.

Bones of the Companions gives some background on The Companions, a mercenary company of some repute whose members are now all retired or dead. The bones of the dead were interred in a crypt in a pocket dimension in the home of the group’s last leader, who has recently died. Demons have since entered, and then raided the surroundings, and the characters are asked to deal with the problem.

There is a random encounter table of demons and undead, but there are limited numbers, so any that are dead or who have left are deleted from the table. The adventure itself is pretty straightforward; the characters enter the crypt and deal with all the problems now infesting it, and there are a substantial number of demons. There are portals that the characters could travel through, including to the Abyss, but such are not covered in this adventure.

The final page of content is a map of the crypt.

Bones of the Companions in Review

The PDF lacks bookmarks and is long enough that these would have been useful. The text maintains a two-column black and white format and a number of errors were noticed, including the supplement being misnamed on the cover. There are a number of black and white illustrations, which look like they may be stock, as does the crypt map. The map doesn’t come in a player-friendly version and appears as if it has been enlarged, making it a bit fuzzy. Presentation is adequate.

This is a simple and straightforward enough adventure. There’s a crypt that’s been spewing out demons; the characters have to enter and deal with the problem. Enter, explore and kill everything, demon or undead. Straightforward doesn’t mean simple or safe, though, for there are enough demons and problems in the crypt to make it difficult. Bones of the Companions is a decent enough adventure and it can be found by clicking here.