Cabaret of the Grotesque by Robert J. Schwalb is a role playing game supplement published by Schwalb Entertainment for use with Shadow of the Demon Lord. This is a Master level adventure.
This is available as a 15-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $2.99 but was received for free due to a special offer. Around three quarters of a page are the cover illustration and Credits.
The opening paragraphs briefly cover the adventure, about a sinister show put on by a person known as the Crimson King.
The Crimson King explains that the titular figure, a demonologist, fled to the Underside some months ago and made a bargain with the local gang leader. The Crimson King has been driven insane and is summoning demons with the hope of placating the Demon Lord, and carrying out the titular cabaret to keep the demons under control. There follow some paragraphs of involving the characters such as passing through Underside, hired to investigate the rumours or through an existing connection. As for placing Underside, some suggested cities are Edes, Set, Caecras or Freeport; larger cities are needed.
Underside gives an overview of the place, describing the inhabitants and the Cyclopes, the gang that controls the region. There is a d20 table of local events followed by a labelled map of Underside (the labels could really have been done in a colour that didn’t blend in so much with the map), with descriptions of six locations, either useful or part of the adventure.
Next are details on exploring Underside, various encounters and attempts to find a witch hunter who disappeared whilst hunting the Crimson King. There are a few places and people that characters can gain information. There is also a description of the events of the Cabaret; interrupting it may not be ideal.
Finally, Assault on the Red House is a direct attack on the Crimson King’s lair, with general descriptions of the Red House and the demonic inhabitants, followed by the Crimson King’s lair within the house that has a map.
Conclusion has details on wrapping up the adventure.
Cabaret of the Grotesque in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and is long enough with enough different sections that these would have been useful. Navigation is poor. The text maintains a two-column colour format and appeared to be free of errors. As well as the maps, there are colour illustrations, most of which appear to be custom, and a piece of black and white filler. Presentation is good.
This is a combination of city investigative adventure, although the characters have little to fear from city authorities if they randomly slaughter things, given that Underside has been abandoned by almost everyone but those who have no choice to live there, followed by a confrontation with the major enemy in his lair. This gives it a varied style with a number of different skills needed. Cabaret of the Grotesque is a decent adventure and it can be found by clicking here.
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