A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Vathak Hauntings: Red Rose Manor

Vathak Hauntings: Red Rose Manor by Kiel Howell is a role playing game supplement published by Fat Goblin 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.

The supplement is available as a 9-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $3.41 but was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. One page is the front cover, one the front matter, one the Contents and one the Open Game License.

The Introduction explains that Red Rose Manor is the former home of a long dead wizard and other former owners. It was once home to the oak grove of dryad sisters, whose trees were cut down and used to build the house. The dryads’ souls are now bound to the house, a constant reminder of their failure to protect their grove, trick the wizards and move on.

Rumours has three rumours to hear about the house; one false, one true and one secret.

Haunts explains that the first haunt formed when the wizard used the skin from the dryads’ heads to make the front door. The haunts that are found in the house are then described. Each explains the thing to which it was bound was created and from which part of the dryads. There are eight different haunts, from CR 6 to CR 9, covering a range of objects and all linked to the dryads.

Optional Encounters has a few extra encounters to expand the location.

Vathak Hauntings: Red Rose Manor in Review

The PDF is bookmarked with the various major sections linked. The Contents is to a similar level of depth and is hyperlinked. Navigation is decent. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be free of errors. There is a single colour illustration. Presentation is okay.

This isn’t an adventure so much as it is a single unmapped location full of haunts. A GM could make it into a full adventure by using this as a seed and developing it further, but as is it isn’t really one. Though intended for the Shadows over Vathak setting, it would be easy enough to drop in anywhere. Vathak Hauntings: Red Rose Manor can be found by clicking here.