A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement The Black Ink Parlor

The Black Ink Parlor by Harold Black is a role playing game supplement published by Schwalb Entertainment and Nightmare Gate Press for Shadow of the Demon Lord through the Disciples of the Demon Lord Community Content Programme.

This is a 4-page PDF that is available from DriveThruRPG for $1.99 but was purchased at a reduced price during a sale. Half a page is the cover illustration and around a quarter of a page is the Credits.

The introductory paragraphs give some details of tattooing in general and how Beltha’za Tha’zi has perhaps the greatest reputation.

Beltha’za Tha’zi gives a history of the cambion; how he was the result of a foolish pact between a farmer and a succubus, how he was raised by the farmer’s vindictive wife, even after he killed himself, and how Beltha’za Tha’zi eventually learned how to summon his mother, who taught him how to corrupt the souls of mortals through tattoos. There is a description of Beltha’za Tha’zi, but no stats. Though not overtly stated, the cambion form Exquisite Agony could probably be used.

A, slightly badly position sidebar box – it’s in the middle of a sentence – explains that this is part of the City Shadows series that details urban-dwelling characters to drop into the game.

The Alley of Stars is the location of the Black Ink Parlor and it can be dropped into many cities. The alley itself has hazards. The Black Ink Parlor is itself described next, with a list of four tattoos and a drug that can be bought. These are then described, and a sidebar gives general instructions on tattoos. There is also a new spell, followed by rumours and adventure hooks.

The Black Ink Parlor in Review

The PDF lacks bookmarks and, at this length, doesn’t really need them. Navigation is okay. The text maintains a two-column full colour format and appeared to be free of error. There is a single piece of black filler art, plus the front cover, which appears to be custom. Presentation is excellent, for a supplement of this type.

The only real quibbles are with the siting of one of the sidebars and that the NPC doesn’t have any stats, nor is the reader explicitly told where to find them. Other than that, this is a really nice little supplement. An NPC with a detailed backstory and an apparently useful skill, but one that could have unfortunate side effects if characters use it. There are a substantial number of hooks to tie him into a campaign as well. The Black Ink Parlor is definitely recommended and it can be found by clicking here.