Sanctum Secorum Episode #25b Companion: Free RPG Day Bonus Companion

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #25b Companion: Free RPG Day Bonus Companion was written by David Baity, Jen Brinkman, Bob Brinkman, and Marc Bruner. Art is by Ferit Quler, GorillaEye, Harry Clarke, hassified, Shadow696, and Toadstone. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion consists largely of reprinted materials from previous Episode Companions.

Within you will find:

Character Classes

Half Giant: From the Sanctum Secorum Episode #07 Companion: Who Fears the Devil?, written by David Baity.

Gods of the Eternal Struggle

From the Sanctum Secorum Episode #12 Companion: Kothar: Barbarian Swordsman, and written by Bob Brinkman. This includes:

• Astrol
• Eldrak of the Seven Hells
• Omorphon

Locations

Elf Hill: From the Sanctum Secorum Episode #24 Companion: Three Hearts and Three Lions. Written by Marc Bruner.

Monstresor Crypt: From the Sanctum Secorum Episode #03 Companion: The Halloween Special, as written by Jen Brinkman. 

Magic Items

Crystal of Clarity: From the Sanctum Secorum Episode #11 Companion: Another Fine Myth. Item write-up by Jen Brinkman.

Mask of the Mad Moon Gods: From the Sanctum Secorum Episode #16 Companion: Purple Priestess of the Mad Moon, as written by David Baity.

Prince Prospero’s Candles: From the Sanctum Secorum Episode #03 Companion: The Halloween Special, as written by Jen Brinkman. 

Monsters

Argonian Mermaid: From the Sanctum Secorum Episode #05 Companion: Song of Sorcery. Statistics by Jen Brinkman.

Dweller in the Mists: From the Sanctum Secorum Episode #22 Companion: Hiero's Journey. Statistics by Marc Bruner.

Patrons

Merlin (revised): A revision of Bob Brinkman's partial write-up of Merlin from the Sanctum Secorum Episode #01 Companion: The Shadow People. There may be additional revisions, but I noted that a table for spellburn was added, as well as notes on patron spells, bringing this to a full patron write-up.

"Merlin cannot be bothered to teach spells to all who beseech him for aid. There are no spells unique to Merlin. Instead he grants his followers access to advanced powers. Agents of Merlin are able to learn a single second level spell at first level, third level spell at second level, and one fourth level spell at third level."

Spells

Faerie Mist: Marc Bruner's 1st level fey patron spell, from the Sanctum Secorum Episode #24 Companion: Three Hearts and Three Lions.

Stone Form: David Baity's 1st level wizard spell from the Sanctum Secorum Episode #06 Companion: Eye of Cat.

This one is a compilation from previous Companions. While it can still be used to help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature she likes, it will help said judge to do so if she knows the source material as well as the write-ups herein.

It's free!

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Sanctum Secorum Episode #32 Companion: Attack From Atlantis

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #32 Companion: Attack from Atlantis was written by Bob Brinkman, Jon Hook, Clifford Morton. Ari-Matti Piippo, James Pozenel, and Anton Wilsbach. Art is by Jon Hook, Holy Lof, Papapanda, Ari-Matti Piippo, Peter Siegl, and Anton Wilsbach. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 32: Attack from Atlantis, which discussed the novel by Lester Del Rey. The featured adventure was The Sea Queen Escapes by Micheal Curtis.


Disclosure: A product I did some writing for, The Lost City of Barako, was discussed in this episode.

Within you will find:

Contest Information

Sanctum Secorum's Super Number 1 Contest!!

Classes

Ancient Hyperborean: "The hyperboreans are an ancient, antediluvian race, who ruled the world back when the earliest men were still but mewling apes. Their civilization was brought low by a dimension-spanning curse, a creeping doom from beyond the lurid veils of reality. For the hyperboreans were wizard-kings, molding reality with forgotten magics, and con-sorting with all manner of daemons, elder entities and starbeasts from the Great Nether."

In some ways, it is strange that this class was not included in the Sanctum Secorum Episode #33 Companion: The Powder of Hyperborea. Class write-up by Ari-Matti Piippo. The Sanctum Secorum's Super Number 1 Contest!! called for class entries in February, so this may simply be an early example thereof.

Fiction

The Blood-Drinking Box, Part 8: Clifford Morton wraps up the tale started in Sanctum Secorum Episode #25 Companion: The Fallible Fiend. This is based of off Terry Olson's Elzemon and the Blood Drinking Box.

Monsters

The Sanctum Secorum's Super Number 1 Contest!! called for monster entries in January, and we see herein the fruits of that invocation.

Blood Rats: "Blood rats are hairless creatures with tough leather skin. They have large black orbs for eyes, and a circular lamprey-like mouth. Blood rats have a gland highly sought after by wizards, for it contains a secretion that is vital in the creation of the Vampirism potion..." By Jon Hook.

Bone Ghost: "Bone ghosts are created when a wizard, aspiring to become a lich in his afterlife, steals a bone from a recently-deceased individual and uses it in an arcane ritual." By Jon Hook.

Gobloid: "A gobloid is a goblin mutant created by the experiments of the twisted Baron Nahum Whitlock. By exposing ordinary goblins to the otherworldly rays of the Outre Stone while directing their transmutation and ensuring their obedience with ancient demonic rites, Whitlock hopes to create a monstrously twisted army that he can unleash on his enemies." By Anton Wilsbach.

Harringo: "A harringo is the grotesque amalgamation of an old crone, a reptile, and an ostrich." By Jon Hook.

Hydradeatya (Carnivorous Plant, Giant): "Created in the conservatory of the warlock Baron Nahum Whitlock, the hydrandeatya is a once-normal flowering plant mutated by exposure to the entropic effects of the Outre Stone into a giant carnivorous abomination." By Anton Wilsbach.

Ichthyosaur, Mutant: A creature that actually appears in the featured novel, written up by Bob Brinkman.

Korpuz, Messenger of Ahriman: "Deities often use intermediaries to communicate directly with their worshipers and priests. Only the most fervent and powerful among a deity’s clergy have any hope of interacting with their godhead. Korpuz is one of Ahriman’s messengers. He is tasked with conveying his master’s desires and answering his charges’ prayers." This is the January Contest 2nd Place winner, by James Pozenel.

Octobear: "Transmogrifier and teratologist, Xultich, bred abominations in his laboratories. One of his earliest experiments was the arctic monstrosity, the octobear. The octobear has the head of an octopus and the body of a polar bear. Octobears have the tracking abilities and raw strength of a polar bear, plus the tentacle dexterity, ink cloud defense, and camouflage abilities of an octopus." This was the January Contest 1st Place winner, by Jon Hook.

Pummel Golem: A construct, by James Pozenel, which is usually instructed to pulverize "something into a bloody paste with their massive pinions".

Sunjelly: A creature not unlike a gelatinous cube with a heat ray, by Jon Hook.

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature she likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!

Sanctum Secorum Episode #28 Companion: Roger Corman's The Raven (1963)

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #28 Companion: Roger Corman's The Raven (1963) was written by Bob Brinkman, Marc Bruner, Clifford Morton, and Ari-Matti Piippo. Art is by Shaun Beaudry, Reynold Brown, Chidog-01, DarkSaxeBleu, MidnightTea7, Ocult90, Dimitris Papastergiou, and Kate Sheridan. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 28: The Raven (1963), which discussed the film by Roger Corman. The featured adventure was Enter the Dagon by Harley Stroh.

Disclosure: An adventure I wrote, Thirteen Brides of Blood, was discussed in this episode.

Within you will find:

Classes

Barbarian: This class, by Ari-Matti Piippo, is another example of the iconic barbarian. Other barbarian classes can be found in the Sanctum Secorum Episode #12 Companion: Kothar: Barbarian Swordsman (itself reprinted from The Gong Farmer's Almanac 2016 Vol 1), D.A.M.N. #1 - DCC RPG Adventure Magazine and News, and the Sanctum Secorum Episode #14 Companion: The Jewels of Gwahlur.

Fiction

The Blood-Drinking Box, Part 4: Clifford Morton continues the tale started in Sanctum Secorum Episode #25 Companion: The Fallible Fiend. This is based of off Terry Olson's Elzemon and the Blood Drinking Box.

Patrons

Way of the Raven: "Through careful study and ritual, casters – particularly those of a shamanistic or naturalistic nature – can attempt to bond with a specific species of animal, enabling them to draw upon that animal’s strengths." The Way of the Raven is a specific example, detailed by Marc Bruner, as a full patron write-up.

The author notes that "These rules are an adaptation of the rules for Ways found in Dinosaur Crawl Classics. For more information on Ways, including Ways of the Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, and Pteranodon, see the Goodman Games Gen Con 2017 Program Guide." The listing for this program guide can be found here.

Spells

Author Bob Brinkman offers seven spells.

Bedlo’s Promethean Sphere: "The caster draws upon the primal phlogiston to provide a spark capable of creating life or bringing death." This is a 4th level wizard spell.

Deceptive Dissolution: "A favorite among spell duelists, deceptive dissolution uses the strength of an attacker's spell – and their faith in its power – against them. The caster is, by all visible accounts, slain by the incoming spell, while he instead is teleported to safety and his body is replaced with a magical simulacrum." This is a 3rd level wizard spell.

Devouring Void: "The wizard rends open the ground beneath the feet of his foes, sending them tumbling into the yawning darkness beneath." This is a 5th level wizard spell.

Diabolic Dominion: "Harnessing the blackest of infernal powers, the wizard subjugates another to their will, forcing them do to their bidding and enslaving their very souls." This is a 2nd level wizard spell.

Phlogistonic Spray: "Grasping at the raw forces of magic that surrounds her, the caster lashes out with a wave of raw, unfocused magical energy that affects a single target." This is a 4th level wizard spell.

Technical Affinity: "Some wizards make up for a lack of proficiency in their abilities with magic by enhancing their craft through the use of various arcane aids and tools. They may be alchemists who mix strange ingredients with mystic reagents or thaumaturges with a wide array of sympathetic items. They may be astrologers who rely on the ebb and flow of cosmic tides or artificers who construct reality bending tools to elevate their craft. These wizards go beyond their personal limitations by relying as much on their tools as their own energies." This is a 2nd level wizard spell, akin to Arcane Affinity in the core rulebook.

Wand Magic: "Favored by artificers, but relied upon by many, with this spell, the wizard crafts a wand and imbues it with magical energies linked to his soul." This is a 2nd level wizard spell. For other variations on this theme, see Crawl! fanzine #3 and Liber Arcanum.

Wizards

Finally, Bob Brinkman uses the Jobe Bittman method from The 998th Conclave of Wizards to provide statistics for three wizards in Roger Corman's The Raven. They are:

Dr. Adolphus Bedlo: "Dr. Bedlo is both hampered and helped by his reliance on occult apparatus. While it allows him access to spells normally beyond his reach, it has not given him any greater abilities beyond his own, humble, natural talents. Looking out only for himself, Bedlo will seek to curry favor from whoever seems most powerful." Dr. Bedlo was played by Peter Lorre.

Dr. Erasmus Craven: "The son of the powerful magician Roderick Craven, former Grandmaster of the Brotherhood of Magicians and Sorcerers, Dr. Craven is a gentleman’s wizard. Kind of disposition, and loath to show off his talents, he merely wishes to practice his craft in private. Dr. Craven is a vegetarian." Dr. Craven was played by Vincent Price.

Dr. Scarabus: "Grandmaster of the Brotherhood of Magicians and Sorcerers, Dr. Scarabus is a longtime rival and enemy of the Craven family. While outwardly he seems almost grandfatherly, his unbridled lust for power leads him to weave Machiavellian machinations against those whose power he envies." Dr. Scarabus was played by Boris Karloff.

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature he likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!

Sanctum Secorum Episode #27 Companion: The King of Elfland's Daughter

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #27 Companion: The King of Elfland's Daughter was written by Bob Brinkman, Jen Brinkman, and Clifford Morton. Art is by Blacknemera, James Zapata, Joana Rita Gomes, Jonathan R. Neill, Kenneth Sofia, Miroslav Petrov, Nicolas Raymond, and Thibault Girard. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 27: The King of Elfland's Daughter, which discussed the novel by Lord Dunsany. The featured adventure was Through the Dragonwall by Daniel J. Bishop.

The King of Elfland's Daughter was also discussed on the Appendix N Bookclub podcast here.

Disclosure: I wrote the featured adventure for this episode. In addition, four adventures I wrote were discussed in the episode (Creeping Beauties of the Wood; The Portsmith Mermaid; Prince Charming, Reanimator; and Three Nights in Portsmouth), as well as three Harley Stroh adventures I converted to Dungeon Crawl Classics rules (Curse of the Kingspire, Dragora’s Dungeon, and Well of the Worm)

Within you will find:

Curses

Appendix C in the core rulebook deals with curses in-game, as they appear in Appendix N fiction. There are some excellent uses of curses in Dungeon Crawl Classics adventures - The Sea Queen Escapes and The One Who Watches From Below spring immediately to mind - but you can never have too many examples to draw from.

Curse of Impotent Fuel: Supplied by Jen Brinkman, this curse keeps the home fires from burning. Or the travel fires, for that matter. While this might seem minor, when you consider how much we humans rely upon fire - and not only for warmth and light - you might treat this one with a bit more respect.

Curse of the Mislaid Broom: Witches use brooms to get around, and this minor curse by Jen Brinkman makes a witch's broom much harder to find.

Curse of the Faerie Ring: This major curse, by Bob Brinkman, traps its victim in Elfland.

Fiction

The Blood-Drinking Box, Part 2: Clifford Morton continues the tale started in Sanctum Secorum Episode #25 Companion: The Fallible Fiend. This is based of off Terry Olson's Elzemon and the Blood Drinking Box.

Magic Items

Black Stick of Ziroonderel: This black stick, owned by the witch Ziroonderel, has a number of powers which are more useful around the house than in an adventure. Nonetheless, items like this are great for giving a campaign milieu verisimilitude, and these minor powers can also be used to impress PCs. Write-up by Bob Brinkman.

Broom of Flight: Next to her familiar, this is a witch's best friend. Write-up by Jen Brinkman.

Sword of Alveric: "Using runes forged of fallen thunderbolts, the witch Ziroonderel crafted this magical blade, capable of standing against all but the mightiest runic magics of Elfland." Seriously, Lord Dunsany is worth reading for his creation and use of magic items alone. For another example of the creation of a magic sword which would be cool to emulate in a Dungeon Crawl Classics adventure, see The Fortress Unvanquishable, Save for Sacnoth. Write-up by Bob Brinkman.

Monsters

Author Bob Brinkman presents five creatures from Elfland:

Hounds of Erl: Elf-hounds bred to hunt unicorns.

Knight of Elfland: The hollow knights of Elfland. For similar creatures see the Sanctum Secorum Episode #24 Companion: Three Hearts and Three Lions and The Revelation of Mulmo.

Troll, Dunsanian: These are nothing like the classic Dungeons & Dragons troll, which is modeled off the work of Poul Anderson and the Harold Shea stories of by L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt. Instead, these are fun-loving creatures which serve the King of Elfland.

Unicorn: Exactly what it sounds like.

Will-o’-the-Wisp: Not the Dungeons & Dragons creature of the same name, but diminutive beings of Elfland.

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature she likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!

Sanctum Secorum Episode #31 Companion: Jack of Shadows

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #31 Companion: Jack of Shadows was written by Daniel J. Bishop and Clifford Morton. Art is by Pedro A. S. Fonsesca, Beatriz Galiano, and Elena Kheidze. The publisher is Sanctum Media. Cartography is by Daniel J. Bishop. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 31: Jack of Shadows, which discussed the novel by Roger Zelazny. The featured adventure was The Jeweler Who Dealt in Stardust by Harley Stroh.

Jack of Shadows was also discussed on the Appendix N Bookclub podcast here.

Disclosure: I did some writing for this Episode Companion. It also includes some cartography I did.

Within you will find:

Contest Information

Sanctum Secorum's Super Number 1 Contest!!

Featured Adventure

The Ruined Keep: Written by Daniel J. Bishop, this is one of two scenarios originally written for Raven Crowking’s Fantasy Game (RCFG), the “fantasy heartbreaker” I was writing before I switched to Dungeon Crawl Classics. I converted this adventure to the DCC rules, to be used as a funnel for 12-18 0-level characters or 1st level adventure for 4-6 PCs. RCFG was already moving away from D&D tropes; conversion to DCC increases the distance, but this was an early scenario, so it has big spiders, giant frogs, and goblins. All of the new creatures are direct conversions from the earlier version of the adventure. I have tried to make them interesting.

This scenario had originally appeared in Raven Crowking's Birthday Mathom 2014.

Fiction

The Blood-Drinking Box, Part 7: Clifford Morton continues the tale started in Sanctum Secorum Episode #25 Companion: The Fallible Fiend. This is based of off Terry Olson's Elzemon and the Blood Drinking Box.

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature he likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!

Sanctum Secorum Episode #21 Companion: The Dying Earth

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #21 Companion: The Dying Earth was written by Marc Bruner, Bob Brinkman, Forrest Aguirre, and Jonathan Nichol. Additional concept by Ethan Nicholle. Art is by Skryrimphotographer, Dove & Bloo, Dandy Jon, RiderB0y, Ozgur Maden, Geralt, Alchemist-Pac, and Bearmageddon News Network. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 21: The Dying Earth, which discussed the short story collection by Jack Vance. The featured adventure was Black Sun Death-Crawl by James MacGeorge.

Disclosure: Two adventures I wrote, Prince Charming, Reanimator, and Silent Nightfall, were discussed in this episode. In addition, I was a Contest Winner, receiving a set of the original Shanarra trilogy (The Sword of Shanarra, The Elfstones of Shanarra, and The Wishsong of Shanarra).

It is interesting to note that Goodman Games has announced a licensing deal to create a Dungeon Crawl Classics version of The Dying Earth setting.

Within you will find:

Campaign Tools

Vancian Word List: Jack Vance's use of esoteric vocabulary is legendary. Here, Marc Bruner offers a mini-game based off the same:

"When the players encounter a series of runes or a magical grimoire that they attempt to read or decipher, have the players draw 3d3 words from the container and give them 2 rounds (20 seconds) to assemble a sentence using the words. The players can use common articles such as 'a' or 'the' to connect the words, but have to use all of the words drawn or risk an incomplete - and possibly disastrous - effect."

Five pages of definitions and examples follow.

Mighty Deeds

Jungle Warrior Mighty Deed: Vinery: Related to the Sanctum Secorum Episode #20 Companion: Tarzan of the Apes, Forrest Aguirre provides a Mighty Deed where swinging on vines is used to get advantage over foes.

Monsters

Bearboon (I): A bear-sized hybrid, by Bob Brinkman (from a concept by Ethan Nicolle). This creature is not from The Dying Earth.

Bearboon (II): Also by Bob Brinkman (and also from concept by Ethan Nicolle), this is a smaller (but no less dangerous) hybrid. Also not from The Dying Earth.

Devourer of Beauty: "While some believe that beauty fades with time, or with the dying of love, there is a third cause – a more malevolent cause. The devourer of beauty is the foul spirit of a suicide that has been transformed by self-loathing into a creature determined to make the world over in their own self image." Written by Bob Brinkman.

Twk-Man: Intelligent insect-sized humanoids who bargain information for salt, they ride dragonflies and have greenish skin. Write-up by Bob Brinkman.

Patrons

The Curator: "The Curator is an ancient being of profound wisdom. Once kept alive through artificial means, the vast knowledge accumulated within his prolonged lifetime refused to pass on with his mortal self."

This is a full patron write-up by Bob Brinkman. The Curator has knowledge of all 666 wizard spells, and all spells granted by patrons and deities. As a result, the Curator has no patron spells of his own, but can choose to grant any spell - wizard or cleric - as a patron spell, at the judge's discretion.

Pandelume: "Pandelume is a vastly powerful magician who lives in Embelyon, a land of his creation both of and not of the Earth. He is a master mathematician, the first since Phandaal, and knows all spells that were ever wrenched and molded from space. By his own law, no one may gaze upon Pandelume, and he always keeps his face and form hidden - to see Pandelume is to go mad."

This is a full patron write-up by Marc Bruner. Rather than have patron spells, Pandelume grants random cleric spells in their stead...but the spells are one level higher than the wizard spell whose "slot" they take.

Spells

Life Gong: This is a 3rd level wizard spell by Marc Bruner: "This lengthy ritual entraps the soul of a target creature to the will of the caster, binding it to a magical bronze gong that can be used to compel the target into acting in the caster’s service."

Transportation

Marc Bruner supplies two methods of getting around in the world of The Dying Earth. Both are alive, and both are given a full statblock.

Live Boots: These "are a type of magical creature crafted by powerful wizards to enable effortless travel over long distances."

Oasts: A "giant race of men raised to be used as mounts by the uncivilized tribes living below the crags of Fer Aquila."

Weapons

Lasso: Related to the Sanctum Secorum Episode #20 Companion: Tarzan of the Apes, Jonathan Nichol provides statistics for one of Tarzan's signature weapons.

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature she likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!

Sanctum Secorum Episode #30 Companion: Sign of the Labrys

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #30 Companion: Sign of the Labrys was written by Daniel J. Bishop, Bob Brinkman, Marc Bruner, Clifford Morton, and Ari-Matti Piippo. Art is by Brotherdesmond, Dafne-1337art, Irzun, LeoFlynn, Jean-Pierre Moynet, and Ari-Matti Piippo. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 30: Sign of the Labrys, which discussed the novel by Margaret St. Clair. The featured adventure was Operation Unfathomable by Jason Sholtis (DCC conversion by Paul Wolfe).

Disclosure: I did some writing for this Episode Companion.

Within you will find:

Campaign Tools

Occult Actions: "There are times when those who wield arcane magic wish to draw directly upon their connection to the raw phlogiston of the universe for impromptu effects rather than for use in greater magic. Doing so requires advanced understanding of magical energies and this is not something practiced by mere apprentices."

Author Bob Brinkman offers a mechanic, similar to a Deed Die, to do one of the following:

• Amplification: "Used specifically as a part of ritualized magic, this working carries additional risk as failure disrupts and taints the entirety of the ritual magic being performed...".

• Dampening: "With their highly attuned understanding of magical energies and phlogistonic flows, wizards are sometimes capable of dampening the mystic energies around them."

• Fortification: "By infusing their bodies with mystical energies, wizards may (temporarily) stave off death."

Yeast Plagues: In Sign of the Labrys, the vast majority of humanity has been wiped out by plagues of (possibly intentionally) mutated yeast. Author Daniel J. Bishop provides mechanics for the pulmonary and neutolytic yeast plagues described in the novel.

Featured Adventure

Interlude: The Vault of Future Past: This adventure, by Ari-Matti Piippo, is for any level. It is intended to take place during wilderness travel. The author writes "It contains no combat or pronounced risk of death, although skilled players will certainly be able to kill off a few characters in the plasticrete bowels of the Vault."

The basic conceit of the adventure is that "most of the fantasy worlds we adventure in are
simply post-apocalyptic locales, where the inhabitants have forgotten their vaunted technological past, and consigned its wonders to the realm of magic and superstition. Why else would the wilderness be full of deep tunnel complexes and wandering hybrid monstrosities?"

This is certainly the case in Mutant Crawl Classics, Umerica, or adventure areas such as Silent Nightfall.

Fiction

The Blood-Drinking Box, Part 6: Clifford Morton continues the tale started in Sanctum Secorum Episode #25 Companion: The Fallible Fiend. This is based of off Terry Olson's Elzemon and the Blood Drinking Box.

Monsters

Cryo-Fungus: An extremely cold and prolific fungus, brought to you by Marc Bruner.

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature he likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!

Sanctum Secorum Episode #13 Companion: Down to a Sunless Sea

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #13 Companion: Down to a Sunless Sea was written by Jen Brinkman, David Baity, and Bob Brinkman. Art is by Digital Swamp, Géraud Soulié, Imposter1, J. Benjamin Wilson, NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS, and Richard Ellis. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 13: Down to a Sunless Sea, which discussed the novel by Lin Carter. The featured adventure was Peril on the Purple Planet by Harley Stroh.

The novel takes place on a "legendary Mars", which means that items from this Episode Companion might find use in a Mutant Crawl Classics, Crawljammer, or Umerican campaign.

Within you will find:

Items

Author David Baity supplies game information for several items found within the novel.

Dialectric Converter: Effectively, a power cell.

Power Fence: Effectively, a portable electric fence, which makes your evening camp safer.

Pressure Still: A device intended to extract moisture from whatever sources are available.

Water Shoes: "Two pontoon-shaped pieces of lightweight wood are laced with leather straps. With some time and effort, the wearer is able to float on any surface of water. With the aid of long paddles, the water shoes may be used to cross any calm body of water." These, of course, actually exist.

Monsters

Arachni-Ursidae: Another take on the spider-bear, inspired by the art of J. Benjamin Wilson, and written by Bob Brinkman. For David Baity's version of the same creature, see Sanctum Secorum Episode #11 Companion: Another Fine Myth.

Hunter: Lizards used as hunting beasts on Mars, given statistics by Bob Brinkman.

Loper: Another reptile, this one used as a mount on Mars, described by Bob Brinkman. The creatures gain their name from their gait.

Sandcat: A cat-like reptilian predator, native to Mars. Write-up by Bob Brinkman.

Sea-Slug: Whether or not the sea slugs of Mars are somehow related to those of our own world, these creatures have no predators. This creature is statted up by Jen Brinkman.

Sea-Slug, giant: Jen Brinkman also provides a giant version, which is quire a bit larger than its smaller cousin. They are somewhat reminiscent of the masher, as it appeared in 1st Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. Down to a Sunless Sea was first published in 1984, so if there is any inspirational link between the two, it goes from Steve Marsh through Gary Gygax to Lin Carter. The D&D masher is, of course, a fish rather than a slug.

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature he likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!

Sanctum Secorum Episode #33 Companion: The Powder of Hyperborea

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #33 Companion: The Powder of Hyperborea was written by Bob Brinkman, Jen Brinkman, Marc Bruner, and R.S. Tilton. Art is by Giuseppe Aureli, Crodeart, J. L. Hilton, Christos Karapanos, Sandeep Karunakaran, Andrew Minor, MrTroll, Mihaly Szemenyuk, and R.S. Tilton. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 33: The Powder of Hyperborea, which discussed the short story by Clark Ashton Smith. The featured adventure was Street Kids of Ur-Hadad by Edgar Johnson.

Within you will find:

Contest Information

Sanctum Secorum's Super Number 1 Contest!!

Classes

The Huntsman: “You are the rarest of occupations, that which stalks the night, seeking to destroy those creatures that hunt your fellow humans. You are a champion of the community, though greatly feared by the populace, as many Huntsmen fall under the sway of powerful monsters and ravage the countryside.” This is the February Contest First Place winner, created by R.S. Tilton.

Gods of the Eternal Struggle

Author Bob Brinkman brings you two of the deities associated with Hyperborea.

Leniqua: "Among the lesser gods of Hyperborea, perhaps none is so favored by the wealthy as Leniqua, god of the moon. Within his ancient temple in the suburbs of Hyperborea’s capital, Uzuldaroum, are kept thirty-nine maidens. The virtue of those maidens is guarded by the temple guards, as well as golden and jeweled chastity girdles."

Tsathoggua: "An alien god from a time when humans had yet to crawl from the primordial ooze, the cult of Tsathoggua is shrouded in mystery." Statistics for formless spawn (servitors of Tsathoggua) are also provided. See also The Weird Worm-Ways of Saturn and The Vault of Ash.

Magic Items

The Powder of Hyperborea: Jen Brinkman provides game mechanics for the titular substance of this story.

Men and Magicians

Alchemist: Information on, and statistics for, alchemists are provided by Marc Bruner.

NPCs

Bob Brinkman provides statistics for two characters in The Power of Hyperborea. The author uses the Jobe Bittman method from The 998th Conclave of Wizards. They are:

Marquanos: "High priest of Leniqua and religious whoremonger, Marquanos personally holds the keys to the thirty-nine girdles. Repugnant in word and deed, this priest only cares for the lascivious delights offered to him by his position within the temple."

Veezi Phenquor: "Wizard-Alchemist and secret member of the Hyperborean Cabal (see Sanctum Secorum #8), Veezi spends his time during his recent retirement in the research of ever greater potions and unguents."

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #08 Companion: Life of Eibon, containing information on the wizards of the Hyperborean Cabal, can be found here.

Spells

Make Potion (spell expansion): Marc Bruner expands the list of potions from the core rulebook.

Nightmare Nimbus: "The caster summons forth swirling hallucinatory clouds of nightmare to disorient and terrify his foes. Contact with the vapors is enough to trigger the spell effect, although inhaling them enhances the result." This is a 2nd level wizard spell, by Bob Brinkman.

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature he likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!

Sanctum Secorum Episode #35 Companion: Hundra (1983)

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #35 Companion: Hundra (1983) was written by Daniel J. Bishop, Bob Brinkman, Ari-Matti Piippo, and Ian Shears. Art is by Sophie Black, Crashing Course, Rafa Lee, Madguten, Ethan Nicolle, Lorena Pereda, Ari-Matti Piippo, Michael Richards, Setvasi, and Yuka-Soemy. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 35: Hundra (1983), which discussed the film by Matt Cimbar. The featured adventure was The Trolls of Mistwood by David W. Fisher.

Disclosure: I did some writing on this Episode Companion. In addition, an adventure I wrote (The Tribe of Ogg and the Gift of Suss), and an adventure I co-wrote (Curse of Mistwood, with David W. Fisher) were discussed. Finally, it was announced that I won the April Contest, meaning that the DCC Trove of Treasures will have a listing for Super Number One Food Tower!

Within you will find:

Contest Information

Sanctum Secorum's Super Number 1 Contest!!

Character Classes

Amazon: "Refusing to be subservient to men, the Amazons are tribes which consists solely of women. Nomadic, these warriors travel to avoid the conflicts which inevitably arise when they encounter male-dominated societies. Preferring to live in peace, these women are well trained in the arts of war and do not shy from combat, for none are their superior." Class by Bob Brinkman. This is the only thing in this Episode Companion which related directly to the featured film.

Bard: "The tradition for song and storytelling spans all cultures and times: bards, minstrels, skalds, wise-men, soothsayers, troubadours and shamans all spin the same magic of the Word, bringing new meanings and ideas to those who care to listen." Class by Ari-Matti Piippo.

For another take on the bard, see Crawl! fanzine #6.

Monsters

Baal Zymymar: "This potent demon has power over a legion of seventy-two lesser demons. It appears as a giant (20' tall) goat-headed man with a patch of bare flesh shaped somewhat like an upside-down star on its forehead. Baal Zymymar gives off an offensive smell, not unlike that of a great goat, but muskier and strangely disturbing to those who smell it. The demon can communicate telepathically or speak in any known tongue." This entry, by Daniel J. Bishop, was originally from a blog post.

The Entourage of Baal Zymymar: Five demons (four specific demons and one type of demon) that are linked to Baal Zymymar. This entry, by Daniel J. Bishop, was originally from a blog post.

Bear Bat: A big bear with bat wings and a venomous bite, by Bob Brinkman.

Bear Crab: A crustacean crab that regenerates, by Bob Brinkman.

The Death Dealer: "The Death Dealer is an un-dead reaver mounted on a great black warhorse. His eyes glow red, but no visage can be seen beneath his horned helmet." This entry, by Daniel J. Bishop, was originally from a blog post. Includes statistics for the Death Dealer’s warhorse.

The Following Thing: "It looks like a well-dressed man in a long black suit with tails, but its face is a stag skull with dead white eyes. It does not walk, but crawls on all surfaces with equal ease. Once it selects a victim, it will pursue that victim relentlessly..." This entry, by Daniel J. Bishop, was originally from a blog post.

Patrons

Lilith: Author Ian Shears describes the "mother of monsters, the queen of demons" with a full patron write-up. Several creatures related to Lilith are also described:

• Empusa: "Some say Empusa look like attractive women, but from the waist up. One leg is solid brass and the other is a donkey's. Others say that they have the form of a dog but are covered in scales and their head is that of a beautiful blonde woman." For another version of this creature, see D.A.M.N. Magazine #1 - Winter 2017.

• Lillim: "The Lillim are named after their dread mother. They look like attractive young women with pale skin and stark black hair. Their eyes have no pupils. A pair of jet black bat wings sprout from their back, allowing flight. Although considered plain-looking compared to the succubi, Lillim know they are at least cute and titter and giggle constantly as if at some unspoken jest."

• Lamia: "Another child with varying form, the Lamia all have the top body of a perfectly attractive woman form the top up. From the bottom they either have the body of a lion or a serpent. Regardless of their form they are the proud warriors and hunters among Lilith's children." For another version of this creature, see D.A.M.N. Magazine #1 - Winter 2017.

• Succubus: "What is there to say that has not been said of Lilith's favorite children? They embody the ideals of mortal beauty and exist to pervert the natural order by taking advantage of said ideals. These foul ladies seek to seduce men, destroy and dethrone paragons of good and law, and to topple the churches of her hated rivals." For another version of this creature, see The Balance Blade in The 13th Skull.

Lyrics

Hundra-Struck: According to the Episode Companion, this is "To the tune of AC/DC’s Thunderstruck with apologies to Angus & Malcolm Young and all blame to Daniel J. Bishop". Lyrics by Daniel J. Bishop.

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature she likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!

Sanctum Secorum Episode #34 Companion: The Face in the Frost

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #34 Companion: The Face in the Frost was written by Bob Brinkman, Marc Elsenheimer, Christopher Lee, Ian Shears,and Anton Wilsbach. Art is by Assumzaek, Dominic Barnhill, Marc Elsenheimer, Pikadude31451, and SpyrusTheVirus. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 34: The Face in the Frost, which discussed the novel by John Bellairs. The featured adventure was Emirikol was Framed by Michael Curtis.

The Face in the Frost was also discussed on the Appendix N Bookclub podcast here.

Apparently, there was once a lost prequel, as well as an unfinished sequel.

Within you will find:

Contest Information

Sanctum Secorum's Super Number 1 Contest!!

Featured Adventure

The Fate of the Ruthless Wizard: "Tyrannized by a cruel Wizard, the villagers of Pico have suffered for many years. Broshgar the ruthless came a long time and claimed the old tower in Pico's center for himself. Formerly a watchtower, built for a war long forgotten, he turned the building into his home and the whole village into his property. Out of fear of his arcane might, the villagers did nothing to resist him as he stole their food and tools, burnt their fields and even abducted their children."

This is a 0-level funnel adventure by Marc Elsenheimer.

Spells

The Sanctum Secorum's Super Number 1 Contest!! asked for spell entries in March, so it is not surprising that there are some spells in this Episode Companion. Bob Brinkman's additional Runic Alphabets, below, arise from the mention of more than two such alphabets in The Face in the Frost.

Drain Vitality: "The caster weaves necromantic energy to siphon the vital force of his foes." An Honorable Mention in the March Contest, this is a 2nd level wizard spell by Christopher Lee.

Illumination: "The caster creates a magical, heatless light source of varying intensity." This 1st level wizard spell, by Anton Wilsbach, was the First Place winner in the March Contest.

Runic Alphabet (Dwarven): "This spell imparts unto the caster the secret knowledge of the dwarven rune-masters." This is a 1st level wizard spell, by Bob Brinkman.

Runic Alphabet (Infernal): "This spell is a jealously guarded secret among infernalists, allowing them access to the runic language of the Hells." This is a 4th level wizard spell, by Bob Brinkman.

Sunbolt: This 1st level cleric spell is the Second Place winner of the March Contest, by Ian Shears.

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature he likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!

Sanctum Secorum Episode #15 Companion: Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #15 Companion: Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth was written by David Baity, Bob Brinkman, and Andrew Branstad. Art is by Dadio46, Darren Barlow, El Ultimo, Códice, Jeff Preston, MaliceAndMacarons, Nerdmaso, Nils-Petter, Norlin, Susan Skaar, Uberjeff, and Val-Verde. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 15: Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth, which discussed the comic book series by the immortal Jack Kirby (and others). The featured product was Mutant Crawl Classics by Jim Wampler.

Within you will find:

Character Classes

Canine Scientist: "Using their superior intellect, many canids have found themselves high ranking positions as advisors to warlords of the other species (most notably Doctor Canus, who serves Caesar, the warlord of the Tigers)."

This class, written by Bob Brinkman, allows you to play such a creature. It is interesting to note that, because the Mutant Crawl Classics rules were not available at the time this Episode Companion was written, this class would probably work better in an Umerican or Crawljammer campaign. Drongo: Ruins of the Witch Kingdoms includes a Simian class which is clearly inspired by the Planet of the Apes series of films, as was Kamandi. Primal Tales #1 allows you to build communities of anthropomorphic animals which would be right at home in Kamandi's Earth A.D.

Human, Earth A.D.: "When the great disaster struck earth, mankind fell into barbarism. Unable to cope without the benefit of their technologies, humanity rapidly devolved into a primitive state. Mostly dwelling in caves and ruins, these last vestiges of humanity fight not for glory, but for their own survival. Characters of this race are often taken on as pets and will loyally serve with their friends."

Now you can play one, courtesy of Bob Brinkman.

The Hybrid: David Baity provides not just a class, but a simple method for playing a humanoid hippo, lion, or even mosquito. Again, it is interesting to compare this build with those from Primal Tales #1. It seems likely that the authors of Primal Tales were building off David Baity's foundations.

Nu-Men: "Altered by ancient, lost science to survive the greatest environmental threats that mankind might ever face, the nu-men are spoken of in whispers, and rarely, if ever, encountered. At first glance they can pass for human, although their civilized behavior and ability to speak immediately sets them apart from all other humans of Earth A.D."

The radioactive men of Kamandi's future are described as a class by Bob Brinkman.

Monsters

Author Bob Brinkman provides two creatures one might encounter in the Earth A.D. of Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth.

Beast of Monster Lake: This is a giant radioactive crab-thing which can generate waves of destructive energy from its eyes.

Zone Devil: "Of all of the horrors spawned by radiation, the giant insectile creatures often referred to as devils are certainly out of the collective nightmares of humanity."

Note that this is also explicitly true in Mutant Crawl Classics.

Patrons

The Star Child: "Somewhere across the infinite realms of time, space, and possibility, there stands the greatest possible achievement of architectural design: a monolithic solid whose perfect and precise dimensions exist in a ratio utterly pleasing to the cosmos itself. Not only are the monolith’s height, width, and depth in perfect harmony with the divine ratio, but so too are its invisible dimensions, on into infinity across the breadth of time, substance, and all meaning. To behold this wonder is to behold the splendor of creation. To touch it is to touch the very fabric of perfection."

This is a partial patron write-up by Andrew Branstad. It includes invoke patron results as well as patron taint. This appears to be based on 2001: A Space Odyssey, rather than the Kamandi series, but there may be some crossover that I am not aware of. Note that this is not a patron AI, although one did appear in an earlier Episode Companion.

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature she likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!

Sanctum Secorum Episode #17 Companion: A Night in the Lonesome October

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #17 Companion: A Night in the Lonesome October was written by Jen Brinkman, David Baity, Bob Brinkman, and Daniel J. Bishop. Art is by Antotoooo, Benjamin Smith, D. Andreas Schmidt-Rhaesa, Su Yeong Kim, Lacy Franks, and Todd McGowan. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 17: A Night in the Lonesome October, which discussed the novel by Roger Zelazny. The featured adventure was The Sinister Sutures of the Semptress by Michael Curtis.


Disclosure: I wrote content for this Episode Companion. In addition, two adventures that I wrote, The Arwich Grinder and Prince Charming, Reanimator, were discussed in this episode.

Within you will find:

Familiars

A Night in the Lonesome October is told from the point of view of the familiars of various witches, wizards, and similar beings. Naturally, the Sanctum Secorum crew wanted to stat some of these out. The following familars are given DCC statistics by Bob Brinkman:

• Bubo (packrat)
• Cheeter (squirrel)
• Graymalk (black cat)
• Needle (vampire bat)
• Nightwind (barn owl)
• Quicklime (black snake)
• Snuff (hound)
• Tekela (albino raven)

Don’t Get Too Attached: Parasitic Familiars: This is an article, by David Baity, which discusses the option of having a horrific parasite as a familiar. Three specific examples are included: the Cymothoa (a microscopic crustacean that grows to replace its host's tongue), the Filarial Worms (which infest the lymphatic system, causing "an ever-worsening case of elephantitis"), and the Emerald Wasp (which invades the mind of its host).

Magic Items

The Ripper’s Blade: This is one of the items used in the Great Game (either attempting to open or keep closed the portal allowing Cthulhu and the Great Old Ones to access our world). It is wielded by Jack, the master of the novel's protagonist. Write-up by Daniel J. Bishop.

Wolf Flower: Author Jen Brinkman presents the mariphasa lupina lumina, a flower which can sometimes cause, or stave off, lycanthropy.

Monsters

The Experiment Man: "The creation of the Good Doctor, the Experiment Man is a large, living humanoid created from corpses and artificial flesh. To creatures with good senses of smell, the Experiment Man reeks of death." Write-up by Daniel J. Bishop.

The Thing in the Wardrobe: Given game statistics by Bob Brinkman, this is a Thing from "someplace else" that Jack intended to use as part of the Great Game.

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature she likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!

Sanctum Secorum Episode #26 Companion: Changeling Earth

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #26 Companion: Changeling Earth was written by Bob Brinkman, Jen Brinkman, Marc Bruner, and Clifford Morton. Art is by Artsed, Henry Pether, Holy Lof, and NASA/JPL-Caltech. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 26: Changeling Earth, which discussed the novel by Fred Saberhagen. The featured adventure was Silent Nightfall by Daniel J. Bishop.

The Changeling Earth (aka Ardneh's World) is the third volume of the Empire of the East series.

Disclosure: I wrote the featured adventure for this episode.

Within you will find:

Campaign Tools

Elemental Turning: "A wizard can attempt to wrest control of an elemental from another wizard, seeking to turn it against its master, diminish its strength, or even banish it from this plane of existence." Marc Bruner supplies the rules you will need to include this element in your game.

Fiction

The Blood-Drinking Box. Part 2: Clifford Morton continues the tale from Sanctum Secorum Episode #25 Companion: The Fallible Fiend. This is based of off Terry Olson's Elzemon and the Blood Drinking Box.

Gods of the Eternal Struggle

Orcus: This is a deity write-up by Bob Brinkman, and it is not the Orcus known to Dungeons & Dragons players for decades. "Of all of the demons of the Empire of the East, it is Orcus who reigns supreme. All other demons and living beings are but ash blown before his radioactive might. Chained and sleeping within the abyss, Orcus awaits the day he should be awakened by the foolhardy. Disdainful of both the living, as well as his own kind, should Orcus be unbound it will attempt to lay waste to the world before it."

Essentially, this version of Orcus is a demon created by the influx of magic at the time a nuclear missile detonated. The origin of the demon in Silent Nightfall is an homage to the concept from this novel.

See also Divinities & Cults Volume II for a more standard take on Orcus.

Monsters

Demon Mount (Type II demon): "The demon mount is a chimera-like demonic steed summoned by powerful wizards to traverse great distances at an extremely high rate of speed." These mounts are not all the same, and author Marc Bruner provides a d10 table to determine each mount's head, torso, and form of locomotion.

Elemental, Desert: "Desert elementals are close kin to air elementals and share many of the same traits. However, desert elementals are not merely warm, living zephyrs, they are the howling manifestations of the deserts heat coupled with unrestrained winds." This entry, by Bob Brinkman, follows the standard DCC method of elementals having 8, 12, or 16 Hit Dice.

Elemental, Forest: "The gentle force of life given form, the forest elemental is normally the most gentle and peaceful of all their summoned kin. Unwilling to enter combat unless strongly provoked by actions of a greatly destructive nature or forced self preservation, the forest elemental is greatly sought after for its skill in aiding passage through woodlands." This elemental write-up is also by Bob Brinkman, using the standard DCC method for elemental Hit Dice.

Spells

Door of Orcus: This is a 5th level wizard spell by Jen Brinkman. "This high-powered spell creates a doorway through which the powerful Demon-Emperor Orcus may return to the mortal plane."

Summon Elemental: This is a 3rd level wizard spell by Marc Bruner. "This spell allows powerful wizards to summon the primal elements from the roiling elemental planes of fire, earth, water, and air, reconstituting the same elements to do the caster’s bidding in the form of elementals."

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature she likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!

Sanctum Secorum Episode #10 Companion: The Maker of Gargoyles

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #10 Companion: The Maker of Gargoyles was written by Jen Brinkman, David Baity, Bob Brinkman, and Joe Salvador. Art is by Joel Harlow, Propnomicon, Sandip Lahiri, and Todd McGowan. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 10: The Maker of Gargoyles, which discussed the short story by Clark Ashton Smith. The featured adventure was The Carnival of the Damned by David Baity.

Disclosure: An adventure I wrote, Silent Nightfall, was discussed in this episode.

Within you will find:

Character Classes

Deep-One Half-Breed: Author Joe Salvador provides another version of those who carry the Innsmouth Look, as discussed in Sanctum Secorum Episode #09 Companion: Two From H.P. Lovecraft.

The Gargoyle: Author David Baity offers a gargoyle class, the result of a character being cursed prior to reaching 1st level, and slowly changing form from her mortal one to that of a guardian protecting some distant building. All in all, a brilliant concept, and one which automatically takes the character out of the day-to-day doings of the campaign milieu should she survive to reach 10th level.

Monsters

Gargoyle, Graven: Every gargoyle is different, and if you use the tables provided here by author Bob Brinkman, this will be true in your campaign as well. Gargoyles herein are linked to the seven virtues if Lawful, or the seven vices if Chaotic.

Spells

Imbue the Stone: This is a 3rd level wizard spell, by Jen Brinkman, which can be used to bring a sculpture to life.

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature he likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!

Sanctum Secorum Episode #29 Companion: Creep, Shadow!

The Sanctum Secorum Episode #29 Companion: Creep, Shadow! was written by Bob Brinkman, Clifford Morton, and Ari-Matti Piippo. Art is by Bob Brinkman, Joseph Garcia, Kerd, Miroslav Petrov, and Ari-Matti Piippo. The publisher is Sanctum Media. This product is produced in association with the Sanctum Secorum podcast.

This Episode Companion is based on Sanctum Secorum Episode 29: Creep, Shadow!, which discussed the novel by Abraham Merritt. The featured adventure was Bride of the Black Manse
by Harley Stroh.

Creep, Shadow! was a sequel to Burn, Witch, Burn!, which was discussed on the Appendix N Bookclub podcast here.

Disclosure: Four adventures I wrote (The Arwich Grinder, Creeping Beauties of the Wood, The Imperishable Sorceress, and The Portsmouth Mermaid) were discussed in this episode.

Within you will find:

Campaign Tools

Shadows, Followers, and Whisperers: "Sometimes the darkness has a will and a voice. And sometimes the shadows want things beyond the simple suffering of mortal men." Author Ari-Matti Piippo goes to town on the shadows presented in this novel, supplying everything you need to include similar beings/events in your home campaign.

Really, I cannot say too much about the job done here. In addition to general shadow mechanics, the author delves into specific shadow interactions. To wit:

• A Shadow of the Past: "A shadow of the past generations has stepped into the character’s soul sphere, and is slowly making itself known. This is not necessarily a bad thing, for there is much to learn from the bygone years. But the touch of a shadow is often painful to those who bear it, and results may vary."

• A Follower from Darkness: "Sometimes, a young shadow chooses to follow someone, to move to a better hunting ground and to discover the dark places of the world. Too weak to attack or to subsume the target, it stalks their steps, causing unlikely and unpleasant events unwittingly."

• The Uninvited: "The Uninvited are shadows only in the widest sense of the word: they are creatures from beyond the veil of this reality, existing solely in the void between worlds. They are sometimes able to reach out to the creatures of this plane, in places where the raw, umbral darkness is the deepest."

• Whisperers: "Being alone in a dark place can make you hear things, as your ears become more sensitive to the micro-sounds around you. These sounds are often scary, but usually just tricks your mind plays on you. But sometimes, they are the actions of trickster spirits called the Whisperers, also known as the Knockers or sometimes Pixie-Ghosts."

• The Loving Nightmare: "The Loving Nightmares are the memories and ghosts of those who died with unrequited love in their hearts. These forlorn creatures stalk the umbral realms in search for sustenance, forever hungering for the warm touch of a lover’s embrace. The only thing they remember from their past lives is the yearning; all other traces of who they once were are gone."

Curses

Two curses inspired by Creep, Shadow! are given game mechanics by Bob Brinkman. While it is unlikely that the PCs themselves will fall victim to these curses, because of the specifics of how they are cast, these can be used exactly as were their literary counterparts - as motivation when used against other characters in the milieu, and/or as a threat of their use against the protagonists.

The curses are:

Curse of the Captive Reflection: Although it can only be used under very specific circumstances, those who fall prey to this curse become "subject to every capricious whim of the witch who has them enthralled, so long as the witch holds the mirror on their person."

Curse of the Mason’s Knot: A killing curse that requires the victim's shadow to be measured.

Fiction

The Blood-Drinking Box, Part 5: Clifford Morton continues the tale started in Sanctum Secorum Episode #25 Companion: The Fallible Fiend. This is based of off Terry Olson's Elzemon and the Blood Drinking Box.

As with previous Companions, this volume can help the discerning Dungeon Crawl Classics judge determine how to stat up creatures from whatever movie or literature she likes.

It's free!

Get It Here!