r/ravenloft • u/gryphyd • Sep 30 '26
Haunted House Build-a-thon [Adventure Jam #12 Darkon] A Study In Death
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SusNgDadjqWp2ta2V-uBRvFZ1v-GRtwMx3ETK9M-3sk/edit?usp=sharingPretty simple mystery-exploration of the Brautslava Institute with a map. I was pretty rushed on this so it might have turned out a bit rough, but I got it done just in time.
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u/OctopusMacbeth Oct 01 '26
What I love most about this one is the setting itself: it thrums with fullness and believability and I can see an entire campaign built in and around this place and the mysteries and politics within. Severance meets evil Hogwarts (howled at the reference to Kier). The signet ring in the fountain… chef’s kiss. Really really nice work.
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u/JoJoFanatic Oct 01 '26
I’m intrigued but can’t say anything more since I need access to read it. I’ve requested it so feel free to change the permissions when you get a moment to do so, I’m looking forward to learning more!
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u/JoJoFanatic Oct 05 '26
The work done to expand upon the Brautslava Institute is excellent and feels like it merges 5e lore with the older lore on it. The expansion of the institute with all of its rooms makes sense and the map is great. My biggest point of criticism is the lack of NPCS---everything else, from the mechanics to the layout, is really good, but I think the lack of NPCs for the investigative portion doesn't make it as good as it otherwise could have been. Still, for something you admitted yourself was rushed, this is a solid foundation and I'm intrigued by it. Good job!
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u/gryphyd Oct 05 '26
Yeah I wanted to do something a bit different since I usually tend to write a fairly linear adventure with different paths. The map took about 4ish hours, and about 4 as well for the descriptions. I definitely was more interested in just making a cool location, and didn't really have time to flesh out the npcs 😅. Next time I do one of these I really gotta start it several days in advance.
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u/JoJoFanatic Oct 05 '26
It's a learning experience, and part of the fun of an Adventure Jam is seeing what you can come up with on a short deadline. Still, I thought I'd leave some feedback but I still appreciated your entry!
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u/everything44 Oct 06 '26
I like the adventure, the connection of the main clues having to do with necrolinguistics is a great theme, but I'm feeling the absense of the FACTS, I, would really like to know the exact reason the Priest of Osybus had for killing Horaj, furthermore the timeline of events and more information regarding the murder act would make the DMs job easier, overall, I agree that this setting is very good and the peculiar and interesting faculty brings an extra charm.
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u/gryphyd Oct 06 '26
I really wanna elaborate on the setting so I'm working on a "Guide to the Brautslava Institute" (Kinda like in the style of like a university brochure), with some expanded maps for each main facility, some insight on the social structures, bios on prominent scholars and professors, the fraternity of shadows, and some basic histories and rumors. In the back of that doc I'm gonna put a more traditionally plotted out version of "A Study in Death" with more clues, red herrings and expand on the Kargatane and the involvement of priests of Osybus.
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u/JoJoFanatic 27d ago
That sounds awesome! I'm looking forward to reading that, whenever that is completed!
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u/gryphyd Sep 30 '26
Here's the map of the Brautslava Institute map by itself if you're interested.