A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement The Cawdor Complex

The Cawdor Complex by Shanna Germain and Bruce R. Cordell is a role playing game supplement published by Monte Cook Games. This is an adventure for the Cypher System and Predation; both books are needed to play.

The supplement is available as a 42-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $4.99 but was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. One page is the front cover and one the Table of Contents and Credits.

About the Adventure starts by explaining this is suitable for beginning or experienced players and, though it can be played anywhere, it is aimed at convention play and has tips for doing so. It gives a synopsis; a scientist claims to have nearly completed a working time machine, time travel having stopped working about a hundred years ago. The characters are one of two different groups who could be heading to his volcano fortress.

This is followed by an overview of Grevakc, the Predation setting, and the Cypher System. The two groups are SATI, Space and Time, Intg., the company that originally discovered time travel, and the Butterflies, named from the short story “A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury; those familiar with the story will understand the reference.

Time Anomaly Cyphers has five cyphers that can be use; characters will be able to charge cyphers in a time anomaly in the complex. More cyphers are available in the Predation book.

The Cawdor Complex is the actual adventure. There are two different introductions; one for SATI members and one for Butterfly operatives. Players will choose which group they want to play; only one is heading to the complex, but each organisation has different aims. The majority of the adventure takes place inside an active volcano. With a mad scientist. It’s practically guaranteed to erupt, given that combination. Finally, experience points and how the adventure ends for each group is covered.

The next twelve pages have six double-sided pre-generated character sheets. The twelve pages after that have Companion characters sheets; Companions are an addition to the Cypher System and are essentially also characters. Albeit ones that are dinosaurs. The final two pages have group affiliation notes, one for SATI, one for the Butterflies.

The Cawdor Complex in Review

The PDF is well bookmarked with major and minor sections linked. The Table of Contents is less in-depth but is hyperlinked. Navigation is very good. The text maintains a two columns with sidebar format and appeared to be free of errors. The sidebar is used for references, stats and GM tips. There are a number of colour illustrations; they appear to have been taken from the Predation core book. Presentation is good.

This is a decent little adventure that could serve as an introduction to Predation, though less so for the Cypher System in general, given a few differences. The adventure is definitely designed for convention play, but could probably be adapted for regular play as well. However, unless characters are members of either SATI or the Butterflies, more changes will need to be made for the hook. It’s likely not difficult, but it is more work. The Cawdor Complex is a nice adventure and it can be found by clicking here.