The Gloom Beneath Stonefell Keep by Edward Ellsworth is a role playing game supplement published by eeRomero for use with Shadowdark. This is a 4th level adventure.
The supplement is available as a 33 page Pay What You Want PDF from DriveThruRPG. One page is the front cover, one the front matter and one the Acknowledgements.
The Overview explains that the Stonefell clan of dwarves was considered strange, with rumours of necromancy and demonic pacts. A keep was constructed by one member where the clan dwelled until the keep, according to legend, was essentially levelled by dragon fire and faerie magic. Adventure Hooks has a couple of hooks to involve the characters, one being sent to find something, the other being forced to it by inclement weather.
The Ruined Keep outlines the general features, danger level and light of the keep, with a description of what can be found in the ruins.
The Stonefell Crypts covers the main part of the adventure. Again, it starts by outlining the general features, danger level and light before covering the major danger of the dungeon. There is also a d6 table of random encounters. Keyed Locations then describes the various locations. These have overviews, read aloud descriptions, details of anything of interest including monsters and treasure and a piece of the map showing where it is. There are tables of types of burial and burial contents along with special treasures, a book, new monsters and notable NPCs. There are details on goons who will enter the dungeon after a certain amount of time has passed, details on some magic, an explanation that the dungeon can easily prove fatal and a suggestion for a further adventure by expanding the area.
The Gloom Beneath Stonefell Keep in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and is long enough with enough different sections that these would have been useful. Navigation is okay. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be free of errors. As well as the maps, there are a number of stock black and white illustrations. Presentation is decent.
This is a potentially deadly adventure with creatures having the potential for a TPK, as well as other actions by the characters making their lives more dangerous. Time also plays a factor, as other enemies will enter after a certain time. It should be easy enough to drop it into most settings as a side quest. The Gloom Beneath Stonefell Keep is a dangerous adventure and it can be found by clicking here.
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