An overview of the locations and people along The Black River.
CIVILIZATIONS
Itzalca. Scattered descendants of a mighty human civilization that fell long ago. They are the keepers of fragmented legends that tell the greater story of their downfall. The villages do not easily cooperate, but they all wish to reclaim the lost knowledge of their ancestors.
Basilisk Cultists. Warrior-monks and shamans who worship basilisks. The fearsome cult was culturally dominant centuries ago, but now many of their temples stand empty. Itzalca reluctantly send youths as tributes to be raised in the cult.
Void Beings. Sleek, black structures have lurked in remote parts of the jungle for longer than all memory. Entering them is certain death. Inside, abominations from the void wait patiently for the sun to expire.
TERRAIN
Normal Terrain. Paths, shoreline.
Difficult Terrain. Jungle, mountains.
Impassable Terrain. Rivers (unless using a boat), lava.
BOATS
Raft. Takes half a day to create out of natural material. Carries six people plus their gear. Moves at sailing speed (8 hexes) downriver and cannot move upriver.
Cumulative 1:6 chance per day the raft breaks.
Canoe. Can only be created by an expert (see village of Tiwara, 716). Carries two people plus their gear. Moves at sailing speed downriver (8 hexes) and half speed upriver (4 hexes).
Welcome to the jungle
in this fourth issue of Cursed Scroll Zine!
The rainforest along the Black River surges with ravenous life and abundant death.
A legion of screams, roars, and howls fills the thick air day and night. Slithering horrors strangle each other in the river's black water, playing out their last moments in desperate silence.
Yet life endures in this dark land of extremes.
The proud Itzalca people hold on to the memory of their once-great empire.
Dauntless explorers delve into forgotten ruins to learn their lost purposes and secrets.
And the evil horrors who arrived in the jungle long ago wait patiently inside their obsidian temples for the bright sun to fade and die, allowing them out...
It's eat or be eaten along the Black River. Are you up to the challenge?
Roll up a brand new ranger or basilisk warrior, load up on rations and torches, and strike out into the inhospitable jungle to make your fortune!
As ever, this zine enhances and expands Shadowdark RPG with official new material. If you're just getting started, grab the free Shadowdark RPG Quickstart Set to jump in.
And don't forget to always sleep with one eye open!
-Kelsey Dionne, Dec. 2024