A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement The Genius Guide to Horrific Haunts

The Genius Guide to Horrific Haunts by Owen K.C. Stephens is a role playing game supplement published by Rogue Genius Games (originally Super Genius Games) for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. 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 a seven PDF that is available from DriveThruRPG for $3.99 but was purchased at a greatly reduced price as part of a special bundle. Around two thirds of a page is the cover illustration and one page is the Open Game License and credits.

A brief introduction explains that the supplement is intended to expand the options available for haunts, which it says were first introduced in the GameMastery Guide (they may have actually appeared first in the Rise of the Runelords adventure path).

Using Haunts has some tips on using them in game. The first thing considered is using haunts with other threats. Haunts are similar to undead, and undead are a logical menace to have in tandem, especially as they may have a shared origin. Other monsters may be the reason why the haunt came to be in the first place. Intelligent beings that know a haunt exists may use them to trap other creatures. They could also be combined with a trap, and some traps could be the cause of the haunt.

Foreshadowing a haunt can be used to enhance an encounter; describing a haunt could result in a description that is accurate, yet gives the wrong impression as to what the cause is. Finally, it’s suggested to use haunts sparingly.

Haunt Modifiers are ways of making haunts more flexible. Instead of a haunt appearing in a standard, fixed location, there are other possibilities. Haunts may cover a larger area than usual, objects could be haunted and some haunts may even wander. There are also some suggestions on different triggers for haunts, including some that are cyclic in nature, triggered during certain times, or ones that are simply random. Finally, there some HP variables for haunts to make them more difficult to damage.

New Haunts has three new haunts. Interestingly, they have effects other than normal spells – many haunts are essentially “spell in a haunt” and are designed to work with the modifiers previously mentioned. Each haunt also some notes in their creation.

The Bruja Cauldron is used by hags or witches. Their dead are boiled in the cauldron, and then eaten. The witches’ spirits remain tied to the cauldron and can be called upon by those who touch it and know their name. This is less a haunt than it is a new magic item.

The Drowned Doxie is created when someone is drowned by a trusted friend or loved on. They have a wandering location and are triggered by males, taking the form of an attractive young woman who is then attacked by something attempting to drown her. The haunt tries to drown victims.

Finally, the Unending Laboratory is a lab that was used to create golems that has taken on a life of its own, and continues to manufacture new golems, ones that wander about attacking anything they encounter. These golems may also take raw materials back to the lab. The lab itself can turn into a single cannon golem or a quantity of lesser golems, should it be attacked.

The Genius Guide to Horrific Haunts in Review

The PDF lacks bookmarks and, although short, they would have been appreciated. Navigation could be better. The text, which appeared to be free of errors, follows Super Genius’ old three column landscape layout that is designed to be easier to read on electronic devices. It is less convenient on small screens though and not really ideal for printing. There are a handful of colour illustrations in different styles which are reasonably thematic in nature. Presentation is okay.

There are some interesting new options for haunts in this, and it’s good to see some haunts that are a little different that use some of these options. However, the supplement does feel a little short. At full price, it doesn’t really feel worth it, not compared to some other haunt supplements that are available. At the price it was actually purchased for – pennies – it did feel like a bargain. The Genius Guide to Horrific Haunts does add some new and interesting options for haunts and it can be found by clicking here.