Vathak 5e Adventures – Brides of the Black Earth by Jason Owen Black is a role playing game supplement published by Fat Goblin Games for use with Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. 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 an adventure for 3rd level characters in the Shadows Over Vathak setting.
The supplement is available as an 18-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $3.95 but was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. One page is the front cover, one the front matter and one the Open Game License.
Adventure Primer gives the background, which explains that two neighbouring baronies in Grigoria have finally arranged a marriage to end a generations-old feud, but the bride-to-be has vanished due to the actions of an outlaw knight. It explains where the adventure is, and hooks to involve the characters. Running this Adventure and Abbreviations explains what’s needed and how material is laid out. A sidebar gives some details on the Shadows over Vathak setting.
Scene 1: The Herald has the characters hearing a herald announcing the upcoming marriage. They can follow him to an inn and gain more information.
Scene 2: The Summons has the characters given a letter whilst they are in the inn, summoning them to the castle of the bride’s family, where they can be hired to find her and find out more.
Scene 3: The Grove has the characters travelling through the forest, where they can encounter a dryad’s grove and meet an individual who knows something about one of the foes.
Scene 4: The Vineyard is another location in the forest where more can be discovered.
Scene 5: The Bandit Camp is the camp of the outlaw knight’s followers, and the dungeon where the confrontation with those responsible for the bride going missing can be found.
Ending the Adventure has details on wrapping things up.
Vathak 5e Adventures – Brides of the Black Earth in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and is long enough with enough different sections that these would have been useful. Navigation could be better. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be free of errors. There are a number of black and white stock images, and a black and white map, as well as a colour handout. Presentation is okay.
The supplement has been adapted from Bride of the Darkened Rider, which has been converted to 5th Edition and altered to take place in Vathak. As such, it should be relatively simple to remove the Vathak references and drop it into other settings. The adventure involves quite a lot of talking to people and gathering information, before the more combat-heavy encounters at the end; this may not appeal to everyone. Players who don’t enjoy speaking to NPCs or searching for information are unlikely to enjoy this adventure. Vathak 5e Adventures – Brides of the Black Earth can be found by clicking here.
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