Random 18th Century Villages for a Gothic Sandbox

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18th Century, Austenpunk, blackpowder, dreadpunk, Eighteenth Century, First Empire, French Directory, French Revolution, Georgian, Ghastly Affair, gothic game, Gothic Gaming, Gothic Horror, Gothic Literature, Gothic Romance, Gothick, Gothique, Louis Seize, Louis XV, Louis XVI, mannerpunk, Napoleonic, nineteenth century, Regency, Romance, Romantic Age, Romantic Horror, Romantic-era, Romanticism, schauerroman

What’s a Gothic story without an isolated village filled with dark secrets? The following random tables will help you design small European communities with populations between 100 and 1000 people, of the kind that might be constitute part of an 18^th century aristocrat’s estate. In conjunction with Appendices A, B, C, and D of “A Ghastly Companion to Castles, Mansions, & Estates”, they let you procedurally generate a complete countryside of horrors for PCs to wander at will.

If you would like your villages to be more Jane Austen and less Matthew Lewis, simply ignore Tables 16 and 17.

Table 1a: The Basic Layout of an Inland Village

d12	The buildings primarily cluster…
1	along a straight section of road
2	along a section of road that curves like a “C”
3	along a section of road that curves like an “S”
4	around an “X”-shaped crossroads
5	around an “X”-shaped crossroads enclosed by a ring.
6	around a “T”-shaped crossroads
7	around a “Y”-shaped, three-way crossroads
8	around a trident where two roads converge at angles on a third.
9	around a star-shaped, six-way crossroads.
10	around an “H” of paths, one leg of which connects to the main road.
11	around an especially large square or green, through which the main road passes.
12	in a gridiron of streets forming short blocks, like a miniature city.

There will also be 2d4 minor lanes branching off from the main paths(s) towards the surrounding fields.

Table 1b: The Basic Layout of a Maritime Village

d6	The buildings primarily cluster….
1	along a section of road that hugs the shoreline.
2	around a “T”-shaped crossroads, with the top of the “T” hugging the shoreline.
3	in a gridiron of streets forming short blocks, like a miniature city.
4	around a triangle of paths, with one side on the waterfront.
5	on a square of paths, with one side on the waterfront.
6	away from the shore, and resemble an inland village. Use Table 1a to determine Basic Layout.

d8	The waterfront has…
1	a long embankment with bollards.
2	a long embankment with bollards and a single long pier.
3	a long embankment with 2d4 short piers.
4	a single long pier.
6 – 7	2d4 piers.
7 – 8	a beach, upon which boats are pulled.

There will also be 2d4 minor lanes branching off from the main cluster of buildings, leading inland.

Table 2: The Main Source of Fresh Water

d6	Most of the water used by villagers comes from…
1	1d4 streams.
2	a canal. 50% chance a lock is located in or near the village.
3	a lake.
4	1d4 ponds.
5	a spring.
6	1d4 wells.

Table 3: Overall Impression of the Village

d20	At fist glance, the village looks:
1 – 6	perfectly ordinary.
7 – 8	very clean and tidy.
9 – 10	very dirty, with filth and garbage everywhere.
11	quite new, as if all the building had been constructed in the past decade.
12 – 13	exceptionally ancient.
14	gloomy and depressing.
15	decrepit.
16	partially deserted.
17	overcrowded.
18	like there was a recent fire (or other disaster).
19 – 20	bucolic.

Table 4: Village Population

d20	Population:	Land-owning families (besides the primary landlord):
1	100 + d100	0
2	200 + d100	0
3 – 5	300 + d100	0
6 – 10	400 + d100	1
11 – 15	500 + d100	1
16 – 17	600 + d100	1
18	700 + d100	2
19	800 + d100	2
20	900 + d100	2 or 3

Divide the population by 8 to find the total number of cottages. If the village looks partially deserted, divide by 4. If the village is overcrowded, divide by 16.

About 90% of families of most villages will be directly involved in food production of some kind – whether farming or fishing.

In Poland, Russia, Prussia, and the Kingdom of Hungary, a village may be inhabited mostly or wholly by bound serfs.

In the Kingdom of Hungary, up to 10% of the population may be impoverished (or “sandalled”) nobility – barely distinguishable from peasants in their economic circumstances, but possessing the legal rights of aristocracy.

Table 5: Building Density

d8	The building density in the village is…
1	Very high – almost every building shares a wall with those on either side.
2 – 4	High – there is perhaps a few inches between buildings in the central cluster, with only one or two outlying buildings.
5 – 6	Moderate – there is 1d4 feet between buildings in the central cluster, with a few outlying buildings.
7	Low – there is 4+1d10 feet between buildings. 50% chance that a house has a wall or fence around its lot. The walls or fences of adjacent lots connect. About 25% of the buildings will be up to a ¼ mile away from the main cluster.
8+	Very low – there is 15+d20 feet between buildings in the central cluster, most of which are in the middle of walled or fenced lots. Half or more of the building are scattered up to a ¼ mile from the central cluster.

Modifiers:

-2 for villages in Italy, Spain, Portugal, or Provence.

+4 for villages in Poland and Russia.

A village will be built in the “vernacular” style of its region. There will always be a blacksmith, a grain mill, and a church (the presence of which distinguishes a village from a hamlet). A logging village will also have a saw-mill. Mills may be wind powered (common in colder regions), water-powered, or turned by draft animals. In beer-drinking regions, there often be a malt house (a large building with an open interior, where barley is malted to make beer). In a wine-growing region, a village will have a wine-press instead. In the Italian States, Spain, and southern France, a village may also have its own olive–press. Mills, wine-presses and olive-presses will be usually be owned by the village landlord, who will charge the villagers a fee for its use. Often, there is only a single bread (and roasting) oven in the village, and villagers are likewise charged for its use.

There will be few (if any) shops in a village. Villagers make their own clothing, make most of their own food, repair their own houses, and often make their own beer (or wine). Cutlery and worked iron can be commissioned from the blacksmith. A local woman may be willing to sew (or repair) clothing for visitors. There might be a doctor and/or apothecary in a larger village. Except in those parts of Britain which are already industrializing, most finished goods a village produces (such as cloth or ceramics) are made by its inhabitants in their homes, and then collected by an agent of the landlord (or commissioning merchant). Such commodities may be available for legal purchase – with several days notice. Goods and services that villagers cannot provide themselves must usually be obtained from the market in the nearest town, or from itinerant merchants (who might pass through the village once a week or so, from spring to autumn). Such visiting merchants might work directly for the landlord, or pay him a fee (unless they are Gypsies who visit irregularly, and sell illegally).

Table 5: The Village Church

d20	The village church is…
1 – 3	too small for its congregation.
4 – 6	too large for its congregation.
7	very plainly decorated.
8	ostentatiously decorated.
7 – 9	in very bad repair.
10 – 14	neat, tidy, and in good repair.
15 – 16	filled with strange and disturbing art.
17	apparently a popular place for trysts!
18	of a different denomination than the official state Church.
19	actually two small churches that seem to compete for congregants.
20	an abandoned ruin – where do the villagers worship?

Also see “Twenty Creepy Churches in Isolated Places” in the supplement “A Ghastly Potpourri”.

Table 6a: Landmark of an Inland Village

d100	The most noteworthy location in or near the village is…
1 – 4	the local church.
5 – 8	the estate house (or castle) of the local landlord.
9 – 12	the pleasure house of an aristocrat (other than the landlord). A Villa, Lustschloss, Maison de Plaisance, etc.
13 – 16	a nearby fort where a company or regiment of soldiers is stationed. If the landlord is titled nobility, they may also be the force’s commander.
17 – 20	a local ruin. See Appendix C of “A Ghastly Companion to Castles, Mansions, & Estates”.
21 – 24	a complex of subterranean tunnels. See Appendix D of “A Ghastly Companion to Castles, Mansions, & Estates”.
25 – 28	a network of underground caverns. See Appendix D of “A Ghastly Companion to Castles, Mansions, & Estates”.
29 – 32	an ancient tree.
33 – 36	a stone circle.
37 – 40	a lake.
41 – 44	a bridge.
45 – 48	a natural spring.
49 – 52	a marsh or swamp.
53 – 56	a roadside shrine.
57 – 60	a corpse road.
61 – 64	a hill (if lowland) or valley (if upland).
65 – 68	a small patch of woods that is supposedly haunted.
69 – 72	another whole village, apparently abandoned.
73 – 76	a monument to a local hero.
77 – 80	the village cross.
81 – 84	a large, oddly-colored rock.
85 – 88	a rock formation that resembles something else (a person, animal, monsters, etc.)
89 – 92	a former battlefield, now a mass grave.
93 – 96	the remains of a defensive wall.
97 – 98	a monastery (or school for boys, in a Protestant country).
99 – 100	a convent (or school for girls, in a Protestant country).

Table 6b: Landmark of a Maritime Village

d20	The most noteworthy location in or near the village is…
1	the local church.
2	the estate house (or castle) of the local landlord.
3	a small chapel on an island offshore.
4	a monastery or convent on an island offshore. Abandoned if a Protestant country.
5	the pleasure house of an aristocrat (other than the landlord).
6	a nearby fort where a company or regiment of soldiers is stationed. If the landlord is titled nobility, they may also be the force’s commander.
7	a local ruin. See Appendix C of “A Ghastly Companion to Castles, Mansions, & Estates”.
8	a complex of subterranean tunnels. See Appendix D of “A Ghastly Companion to Castles, Mansions, & Estates”.
9	a network of underground caverns. See Appendix D of “A Ghastly Companion to Castles, Mansions, & Estates”.
10 – 11	a lighthouse / beacon
12 – 13	a supposedly haunted island offshore.
14	a rocky, supposedly inaccessible island offshore.
15	a wrecked ship (just offshore, or even washed up on shore)
16	a large, oddly-colored rock.
17	a rock formation that resembles something else (a person, animal, monsters, etc.)
18	offshore reefs (or rocks) that must be navigated carefully. 25% chance there is also a beacon.
19	a sea cave.
20	several picturesque cliffs.

Villages, whether inland or maritime, are often named for their Landmark.

Table 7: Accommodations for Travelers

d12	Travelers looking for accommodations will find…
1 – 4	nothing at all – apparently everyone drinks and socializes in each other’s homes. 50% chance a family is willing to host travelers who pay in cash.
5 – 6	a tavern with a single common bed.
7	a tavern with a single private room for rent.
8	an inn with a common bed, and 1d4 rooms.
9	a rooming house, with 1d4 rooms available.
10 – 12	a Coaching Inn.
13+	An exclusive Coaching Inn for wealthy travelers. Note: only possible if Village is on a major road. There will also be a separate Tavern, where ordinary villagers go to drink and socialize.

Modifiers:

+3 to the roll if the village lies directly on a major road.

-3 if village if off a major road.

See Appendix A in “A Ghastly Companion to Castles, Mansions, & Estates” for more information on travelers accommodations in the Ghastly Age.

Table 8a: Famous Produce of an Upland Village

d100	The village is best known for its…
1 – 4	butter and cheese.
5 – 9	cattle.
10 – 13	charcoal.
14 – 17	coal.
18 – 21	copper.
22 – 25	distilled liquors.
26 – 29	gemstones.
30 – 33	gunsmiths.
34 – 37	gypsum.
38 – 41	iron.
42 – 46	lead.
47 – 50	lime (mineral).
51 – 56	lumber and firewood.
57 – 61	medicinal plants.
62 – 70	mutton.
71 – 80	quarried stone.
81 – 84	salt (mined). In France especially the production of salt is heavily regulated, with ordinary people being required to purchase a minimum amount of heavily taxed salt a year.
85 – 88	tin.
89 – 92	hard cider.
93 – 96	wine and/or beer.
97 – 100	wool.

Table8b: Famous Produce of a Lowland Village

d100	The village is best known for its…
1 – 3	apiary products (wax and honey).
4 – 6	butter and cheese.
7 – 9	cattle.
10 – 12	ceramics (tiles, pots, etc.).
13 – 15	cloth.
16 – 18	cutlery.
19 – 21	distilled liquors.
22 – 23	dyestufs (indigo, etc.).
24 – 26	eggs.
27 – 29	flax.
30 – 32	flowers.
33 – 35	freshwater fish (village must be near a river or large lake)
36 – 38	grain (wheat, rye, barley, rice, oats, etc.)
39 – 40	gunpowder.
41 – 42	gunsmiths.
43 – 45	gypsum.
46 – 48	hops
49 – 53	lumber and firewood.
54 – 56	medicinal plants.
57 – 60	mutton.
61 – 65	pigs.
66 – 70	poultry.
71 – 72	quarried stone.
73 – 75	region-specific crops (almonds, olives, oranges, saffron, etc.).
76 – 80	salt (mined). In France especially the production of salt is heavily regulated, with ordinary people being required to purchase a minimum amount of heavily taxed salt a year.
81 – 83	smithing.
84 – 88	tanned leather.
89 – 90	tree fruit (apples, pears, apricots, olives, etc.).
91 – 96	wine / beer / hard cider.
97 – 100	wool.

Table8c: Most Important Produce of a Maritime Village

d100	The village is best known for its…
1 – 5	apiary products (wax and honey).
6 – 10	boats.
11 – 15	ceramics (tiles, pots, etc.).
16 – 20	cloth
21 – 25	cutlery.
22 – 30	distilled liquors.
31 – 35	flowers.
36 – 40	fresh fish.
41 – 45	glassware.
46 – 50	medicinal plants.
51 – 55	oysters (or other shellfish).
56	pebbles (used for rocaille decorations)
57 – 61	quarried stone.
62 – 66	rope.
67 – 71	sailors (half the male population will be away at sea at any one time).
72 – 75	salt. In France especially the production of salt is heavily regulated, with ordinary people being required to purchase a minimum amount of heavily taxed salt a year.
76 – 80	salted fish.
81 – 83	seashells (used for rocaille decorations)
84 – 88	shellfish.
89 – 94	smoked fish.
91 – 95	stockfish.
96 – 100	wine / beer / hard cider.

Table 9: Class Relations

d4	Overall, relations between the social classes are…
1	Good. The local landlord is charitable, rents are reasonable, and the average villager is content with their lot. The landlord does not enforce any onerous feudal obligations. There is no crime or violence to speak of. Re-roll results of 13 or above on Table 10.
2 – 3	Average. The rents are a little higher than the villagers would like (but not impossible to pay), the tradesmen usually charge fair prices, and the landlord occasionally takes an interest in the welfare of the villagers. All ancient feudal obligations are enforced, but exceptions are made in cases of extreme hardship. There is some domestic violence, and the occasional drunken fight between villagers.
4	Poor. The rents are outrageously expensive. The landlord and his family zealously enforce any feudal obligations, and are completely disinterested in the misery they cause. The tradesmen frequently price-gouge. The ordinary villagers support and aid the local bandits. There is a significant black market. Many villagers support radical political ideas. Significant crime and violence occurs. Re-roll results of 7 or below on Table 10.

Examples of ancient feudal obligations that may still be in effect include:

• Having to pay a fine to the landlord for each young woman who gets married.
• Having to labor for free in the landlord’s fields (in addition to the rent one pays for one’s own field).
• Handing over a portion of all crops grown in one’s rented field.
• Unpaid labor on the local roads.
• Unpaid labor at the landlord’s house or castle.
• Having to pay to use the landlord’s mills and presses, and not being able to use any other.
• Having to pay a toll to the landlord each time one crosses a bridge, and not being allowed to use any route that avoids that bridge.

Few (if any) feudal obligations would still be in effect in a British village, while all of the above might be suffered by a French peasant before the Revolution.

Table 10: Disposition of Villagers

d20	The general disposition of the villagers seems to be…
1	virtuous.
2	honest.
3 – 6	friendly.
7	polite.
8	amorous.
9	hot-tempered.
10	fanatically pious.
11	impious
12	crude
13	unfriendly.
14	dishonest.
15	frightened.
16	menacing.
17	gloomy.
18	envious / resentful.
19	fatalistic.
20	criminal. If Class Relations are good, the villagers simply flout needlessly repressive laws, and the village landlord tries to ignore their otherwise harmless behavior whenever possible.

Table 11: The Unofficial Village Leader

d10	The average person in the Village looks for leadership from…
1	a wealthy farmer who owns a substantial tract of land. Roll again if Class Relations are poor.
2	a tradesman involved in the village’s primary produce.
3 – 4	the priest/parson.
5	the blacksmith.
6	the owner of the local tavern or inn. Roll again if there is no such establishment.
7	a retired military officer.
8	a retired sea captain.
9	a retired professor.
10	the local highwayman (or pirate), who only targets the rich. Roll again if Class Relations are good.

Remember, this an unofficial leader – as a rule an 18^th century village does not have any formal government of its own, but is administered by the landlord who owns most of the property.

Table 12: The Wealthiest Villager

d12	Besides the local landlord, the wealthiest person in the village is…
1 – 3	a farmer who owns a substantial tract of land. Some villagers might actually be renting land and/or a cottage from this person, rather than the community’s primary landlord. Where serfdom persist, the wealthy farmer might even own their own serfs. The village’s primary landlord, however, will still be the legal authority over the village as a whole.
4 – 5	a shrewd tradesman involved in the village’s primary produce.
6	the priest/parson
7	a wealthy dowager.
8	the miller.
9	the blacksmith.
10	a retired military officer.
11	a retired sea captain.
12	a Mad Scientist whose laboratory is here.

Table 13: The Village Scapegoat

d8	The first person who will get blamed for any catastrophe is…
1	a mentally-challenged vagrant.
2	the local “freak”, who suffers from a congenital birth defect.
3	a Gypsy who who has settled on the outskirts.
4	an old spinster who lives alone.
5	the “foreigner” who recently settled in the village.
6	the local prostitute.
7	the most recently arrived stranger – and that means the PCs!.
8	the Mad Scientist whose laboratory is here.

Table 14: The Most Beloved Villager

d20	The most beloved person in the village is…
1 – 2	the priest / vicar / parson.
3	the landlord. Roll again if Class Relations are poor.
4	the landlord’s spouse. Roll again if Class Relations are poor.
5	the mistress / lover of the landlord (or their spouse).
6	the daughter of the landlord. Roll again if Class Relations are poor.
7	the son of the landlord. Roll again if Class Relations are poor.
8	the beautiful young daughter of a villager.
9	the handsome young son of a villager
10	the local midwife.
11	a generous dowager.
12	the blacksmith.
13	the blacksmith’s wife.
14 – 15	the proprietor of the local tavern/inn/rooming house. Roll again if there is no such establishment.
16	the local prostitute, known for her charity and kindheartedness.
17	a retired soldier.
18	its wealthiest inhabitant (other than the landlord). Roll again if Class Relations are poor.
19 – 20	the local highwayman (or pirate), who only targets the rich. Roll again if Class Relations are good.

Table 15: Current Events

d100	Besides events in the landlord’s Estate House, everyone is also talking about…
1 – 10	an upcoming wedding – and wedding feast!
11 – 14	a pair of young lovers whose love has been forbidden by their parents.
15 – 17	the death of a beloved villager.
18 – 20	the recent arrival of Gypsies.
21 – 23	the upcoming religious festival / procession.
24 – 26	the upcoming village fair and dance.
27 – 29	the discovery of an adulterous affair.
30 – 31	the upcoming pig slaughter. Late autumn/early winter only.
33 – 35	a puzzling and mysterious death.
36 – 38	a dog that became rabid.
39 – 41	the disease that is sweeping through the village.
42 – 44	the recent death of a whole family from spoiled food.
45 – 47	the abduction of a child.
48 – 50	the recent increase in rents.
51 – 52	a puzzling decrease in rents!
53 – 54	a recent boxing match.
55 – 56	a charlatan who recently breezed through the village.
57 – 58	the strange, localized weather event that recently occurred. See Twenty Ominous Weather Events in the supplement “A Ghastly Potpourri“.
59 – 60	the recent birth of a strangely deformed child.
61 – 62	the child who was recently discovered to be a Fairy changeling.
63 – 64	the miraculous healing that recently occurred in the church.
65 – 66	the sighting of a diabolical figure dancing atop the roof of the church.
67 – 68	the exposure and arrest of someone for “crimes against nature”.
69 – 70	the theft of a domestic animal.
71 – 72	the recent attacks on livestock by predators.
73 – 74	a haunting that has recently begun.
75 – 76	the desecration of graves in the churchyard.
77 – 78	an apparently unbeatable fighting cock (or dog).
79 – 80	the statue of a saint that has begun bleeding / exuding oil / crying holy water. Roll again in Protestant countries.
81 – 82	the villager who just experienced a vision of the Virgin Mary. Roll again in Protestant countries.
83 – 84	the “foreigner” who has decided to settle in the village. Note: a “foreigner” could be anyone from a place more than a day’s journey distant).
85 – 86	the mysterious stranger who recently came into town.
87 – 88	the group of soldiers (or Gendarmes) that recently passed through and bullied everyone.
89 – 90	someone’s recent encounter with an Immortal Wanderer.
91 – 92	a recent visit by someone whom the villagers believe to be a member of the Royal Family in disguise.
93 – 94	the recent visit by a demagogue preaching subversive politics.
95 – 96	a recent visit by an artist searching for picturesque landscapes to paint.
97 – 98	the poet that has taken up residence in a cottage.
99 – 100	a monstrous corpse that has been unearthed (or washed ashore).

Table 16: The Immediate Danger

d20	Villagers would welcome help with…
1	a pack of wolves.
2	a bear.
3	a rabid dog.
4	a gang of bandits.
5	normally non-aggressive animals that have suddenly turned vicious.
6	a Ghoulish Revenant.
7	a wandering Mindless Revenant.
8	a Vampyre.
9	a Werewolf.
10	a Ghost.
11	a family of Cannibals lurking in a nearby cave.
12	a monster lurking in the woods (or offshore).
13	a person suspected of being a witch (or warlock).
14	a Demoniac.
15	children who have gone missing.
16	the local Mad Scientist – pitchforks and torches are ready!
17	a press gang that has targeted the men of the community.
18	crimes committed by soldiers recently billeted in the village.
19	Ruffians employed by the local landlord to collect rents. Roll again if Class Relations are good.
20	a Fairy who who has abducted someone.

Table 17: The Village’s Dark Secret

d100	The villagers don’t want outsiders to know about…
1 – 4	a terrible crime committed there in the past, for which no one was ever brought to justice.
5 – 8	a recent crime committed by one or more respected members of the community.
9 – 11	all the inbreeding. Use Appendix L: Inherited Peculiarities of Inbred Noble Families from “A Ghastly Companion to Castles, Mansions, & Estates” to determine the distinguishing characteristic of native villagers. Only roll once – the most inbred villagers are nowhere near as inbred as the aristocracy!
12 – 14	the Vampyre that they secretly serve.
15 – 17	the many werwolves who inhabit the place.
18 – 20	the nearby caves that shelter monsters.
21 – 23	the evil that lurks in an abandoned mine.
24 – 26	the ancient temple complex the village is built atop.
27 – 29	the Pagan worship that persists in the Village.
30 – 32	the human sacrifices they make to preserve the fertility of the fields.
33 – 35	their devotion to Satan (or another diabolical figure).
36 – 38	their highly unorthodox Christian worship.
39 – 40	their secret practice of Judaism. Openly Jewish villages exist in Poland, western Russia, and the Kingdom of Hungary. Elsewhere, the openly Jewish population tends to be urban.
41	their secret practice of Islam.
42 – 45	their reverence towards a local Fairy.
46 – 48	their hunger for human flesh!
49 – 51	their practice of swapping spouses.
52 – 54	the fate of the travelers that recently disappeared after visiting the village.
55 – 57	the purpose of the talismans hung everywhere.
58 – 60	the local gang of bandits (or wreckers).
61 – 63	the coven of witches who meets nearby.
64 – 66	the reason their church was abandoned.
67 – 69	an abandoned house, and the awful people who once dwelt there.
70 – 72	the ruined castle nearby.
73 – 75	the buried treasure that was recently unearthed.
76 – 78	the local haunting. See Appendix O in “A Ghastly Companion to Castles, Mansions, & Estates”.
79 – 81	the village demoniac.
82 – 84	the desecrated graves in the churchyard.
85 – 87	the revolutionary who is hiding out there.
88 – 90	the young aristocrat who is hiding there with their lower-class spouse (or lover).
91 – 93	the powerful magician who lives here.
94 – 95	the dragon that must be placated with the sacrifice of a virgin girl every 10 years.
96 – 97	their interbreeding with Fairies, or something monstrous.
98	the upcoming wedding of a young woman to Satan.
99 – 100	the landlord’s shocking practice of jus primae noctis.

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The Fire King – A Literary Demon

Tags

18th Century, blackpowder, Demon, dreadpunk, Eighteenth Century, English literature, English Romanticism, Georgian, Ghastly Affair, gothic game, Gothic Gaming, Gothic Horror, Gothic Literature, Gothic Romance, Gothick, Infernal, nineteenth century, Regency, Romance, Romantic Age, Romantic Horror, Romantic poetry, Romantic-era, Romanticism

About 120 years before H.P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, and Robert E. Howard collaboratively created what has become known as the “Cthulhu Mythos”, Matthew Lewis (author of “The Monk”) and Walter Scott (who went on to write such books as “Ivanhoe” and “Rob Roy”) made an abortive attempt at a shared mythology based off Germanic stories of the elemental Fairy Kings. Snobbish critics have historically tended to downplay, or even completely ignore, Scott’s involvement with Gothic literature, but he contributed poems to Lewis’ popular anthology “Tales of Wonder”. Scott’s “The Fire-King” (which also appears in his collection “Translations and Imitations from German Ballads”) stands as a great and influential contribution to the literature of the weird. Those familiar with 20th century fantasy may no doubt recognize a precursor of Tolkien’s “Balrog” here.

The following depiction of the Fire King combines both Scott’s and Lewis’s ideas.

Fire King

A powerful ruler among the Fire Demons, sought out by the bloodthirsty.

Creature Class: Spirit (Demon)
Number Appearing: 1
Initial Impression: An enormous naked man wreathed in flames, exhaling smoke from his mouth and nostrils, and wielding a bloody falcion of blue steel.
Size: Large (12’ high)

Perversity: 30
Disposition: Aggressive
Charisma: 18 Intelligence: 15 Wisdom: 15
Strength: 50 Dexterity: 18 Constitution: 22
Speed: 13 walking, 20 Flying

Armor Class: 9
Hit Dice: 10
Attacks: 1 (Demoniac Falcion, or punch)
Special Abilities: Demonic Characteristics, Burning Hot to the Touch, Sage of Fire, Summon Fire Demon
Weaknesses: Demonic Weaknesses, Vulnerable to Water
Assets: Intimidating
Afflictions: Easily Angered
Preternatural Powers: Ball Lightning; Combust; Darkness; Detect Evil; Fireball; Flame Strike (1 time a day); Fog (Smoke) Cloud; Ghost Lights; Invisibility; Light; Lightning Bolt; Transform Self into Snake, Scorpion, Lion, Lizard, Salamander, or Jackal; Pyrotechnics; Stinking Cloud; Wall of Fire

Natural Habitat: The Outer Darkness, the court of the Elemental Fairy Kings, the upper atmosphere of Earth, volcanoes and lava fields
Level: 10

Fire Kings are the nominal rulers of the Fire Demons that inhabit the upper atmosphere of the Earth. Thankfully for the human race, even the powerful Fire Kings cannot keep the rebellious demons focused on their goals. Otherwise, all life on Earth might have been incinerated long ago.

The Fire King’s muscled body is always wreathed in flame, yet (like all Demons) they actually cause the environment around themselves to become colder, rather than warmer. Anyone who actually touches a Fire King, however, will be horrifically burned. A Fire King’s voice roars like an out of control conflagrations, and lightning will flash from his mouth. His eyes glow like white-hot metal, and despite the fire around him, the blade he carries is always covered in liquid blood. Although he lacks apparent wings, he can fly through the air at great speed. A Fire King is also 50% likely to be riding a Dragon when he appears.

A Fire King’s Falcion is actually a Demoniac Object inhabited by a Possessor Demon (with 3 Hit Die). Consequentially, the weapon does an addition 3 points of damage whenever it strikes, and can harm any supernatural creature. As is the case with any Demoniac Object, however, the Demon within the blade can be exorcised, or forced to flee with a successful show of Faith. If that happens, the blade will become an ordinary (if oversized) weapon. If the Fire King is destroyed, the Demon within the blade may agree to stay within the weapon and serve a new owner, if the weapon will be often bathed in gore.

Although they are Demons, each Fire King is also part of a regional Fairy court consisting of itself, an Earlking, a Cloud King, and a Water King. Together they conspire to inflict pain, suffering, and death upon humanity. The Fire King’s role is to rain burning meteors on the ground, cause the eruptions of volcanoes, and ensure that travelers are misdirected by roving lights. They are opposed in this work of malevolence, however, by the Good Fairies and Angels who watch over the world.

Only the most foolish or powerful Magician would dare try to Summon a Fire King. Nonetheless, their total knowledge of all subjects relating to fire, and ability to wreak destruction, can cause the unwise (or daring) to attempt their command. Likewise, Fire Kings have been sought out by desperate warriors, for the Demons are known to lend their Demoniac Falcions to those who wish to commit acts of slaughter.

Fire King Special Abilities

Demonic Characteristics: Fire Kings are immune to all weapons, except those which are made of iron, blessed, or otherwise enchanted. They cannot be harmed by cold, fire, acid, disease, or any Special Ability or Preternatural Effect which targets minds or emotions (except those that specifically target Spirits, of course). They can see perfectly regardless of illumination, are immune to blindness or any other debility caused by extremely bright light, retain the ability to distinguish colors in conditions of total darkness, and do not need time to adjust their eyes to changing light. Fire Kings can speak, write, and understand all languages and forms of communication.

Burning Hot to the Touch: A character that deliberately touches a Fire King with their hand (or other body part) will be burned for 1d6 points of Lethal Damage.

Sage of Fire: Fire Kings have perfect knowledge of all arts, sciences, and crafts involving fire – metallurgy, glassblowing, blacksmithing, artillery use, etc. They are sometimes Summoned expressly for their knowledge, but preternatural means such as Bind Spirit are usually required to force the Demons to answer truthfully.

Summon Fire Demon: Once during any fight a Fire King may Summon a Fire Demon to his aid. The Demon that responds to the Summon will appear the next Round, and can be anywhere from 1 – 8 HD in strength.

Fire King Weaknesses

Vulnerable to Water: Water-based attacks against a Fire King grant the aggressor a +2 Bonus on the Attack Check, and inflict an additional 2 point of Lethal Damage. Holy Water does double normal damage to Fire Kings. Fire Kings must Check Morale whenever they are damaged by water-based attacks.

Demonic Weaknesses: Fire Kings are burned by holy water as if it was acid, cannot enter holy ground or touch blessed objects, and are subject to the power of Faith. Like all Demons, they are Vulnerable to Iron, will not voluntarily touch it, and must Check Morale if damaged by it. Additionally, they are repelled by pure crystalline salt. As Spirits, they are susceptible to all Preternatural Effects that target spiritual entities. Strangely, they cause the entire Nearby Area to become discernibly cold rather than hot.

The Fire King’s Falcion

A Fire King is willing to give his Falcion to anyone who has murder in their heart, and who will use the weapon to cause suffering and bloodshed. Naturally, the Possessor Demon inhabiting the weapon will will not tolerate any expressions of piety or tenderness on the part of its owner. If the blade’s wielder shows any evidence of deviating from the path of destruction, it will fly from his hands and return to the Fire King (no matter where the demon currently is in the Universe). The Falcion is over five feet long, and requires a normal-sized person to use both hands when using it. Despite its size, the Demon within it causes the weapon to be as light as a feather.

Fire King (for OSR games)

Number Appearing: 1
Size: Large
Alignment: Chaotic (Evil)
Morale: 11 (or 17)
Intelligence: 10
Move: 240′ (or 24”, or 50 ft), Flying: 450′ (or 45”, or 85 ft.)
Armor Class: 1 (or 19)
Hit Dice: 10
Attacks & Damage: Falcion+3 (1d8 +10 total)
* Magic Resistance: 75%, or +7 on Saves vs. Magic.
* Immune to all weapons not Magical, Blessed, or Iron.
* Immune to Cold.
* Immune to Fire.
* Immune to Acid.
* Immune to Disease.
* Immune to mind-affecting magic (except that which targets Spirits)
* Perfect vision under all conditions.
* Can speak, write, and understand all languages.
* Strong as a Hill Giant
* Burning Hot: Take 1d6 Damage if deliberately contacted.
* Perfect knowledge of all arts and sciences relating to fire.
* Summon a Fire Demon of d8 Hit Dice (once per day).
* Cannot enter holy ground.
* +2 Damage from Iron
* +2 Damage from Holy Water (1d8+2)
* 50% likely to ride a small Red Dragon.
* Spell Like Abilities: Dancing Lights; Darkness; Detect Evil; Fireball (three times a day), Fog Cloud; Flame Strike (once a day), Lightning Bolt (three times a day); Invisibility; Polymorph Self {Snake, Scorpion, Lion, Lizard, Salamander, or Jackal}; Pyrotechnics; Stinking Cloud; Wall of Fire (three times a day)
Saves: As Magic User 10
Treasure: 50,000 gp value of coins, gems, and magic items, plus its magical Falcion.
Challenge: Four characters of at least 10th Level.

Pets and Vermin in a Grand House

Tags

18th Century, chateau, country seat, dreadpunk, Eighteenth Century, Georgian, Ghastly Affair, gothic game, Gothic Gaming, Gothic Horror, Gothic Literature, Gothic Romance, Gothick, mannerpunk, Napoleonic, random encounters, Random Table, Romantic Horror, Romantic-era, stately home

The effect of supernatural events on household pets is a recurring motif of Gothic and horror novels that can be used to great effect in a game. Sometimes the pet is itself the locus of the supernatural events, perhaps being actually a demon in disguise. Although the general treatment of animals during the Ghastly Age (1765 – 1820) was… ghastly, many aristocrats were in fact animal lovers who kept numerous pets. Lord Byron, for example, was renowned for his love of animals, and the Villa Diodati (where Mary Shelley conceived the idea for “Frankenstein”) was crawling with tame (and semi-tame) animals. The English eccentric John Mytton famously kept thousands of pets, let his horse live in his house, and once rode a pet bear to dinner! In the fictional Highdark Hall setting, Georgina Altumber’s calico cat Artemis is often to be found sleeping on her owner’s bed.

Pets Living in the House

Roll as many times as there are family members living in the house, but stop when you roll a 69 or higher. Add repeated results together.

Remember that there will almost always be a semi-feral cat kept in the kitchens (for killing vermin), and possibly a turnspit dog (or two).

d100	The family keeps…	NOTES
1 – 4	an angora cat.
5 – 6	a barbet (hunting dog).	Barbets actually used for hunting will usually be kept in exterior kennels.
7 – 8	a beagle (lapdog)	Beagles actually used for hunting will usually be kept in exterior kennels.
9 – 10	a bichon (lapdog).
11 – 12	a bullfinch.
13 – 14	a canary.
15 – 16	a capuchin monkey.	Often dressed in a footman’s livery, or exotic costume.
17– 18	a chihuahua (lapdog).
19 – 20	a corgi (lapdog).	According to Welsh legend, corgis are the mounts of Fairies.
21 – 22	a crow or raven.
23 – 24	a fox	Tame animal kept as a pet, although foxes are also considered vermin.
25– 26	1d8 goldfish.	Fishbowl will be located in a family member’s bedchamber, boudoir, or cabinet.
27 – 28	a green (or sabaeus) monkey.	Often dressed in an outfit.
29 – 30	a hedgehog.	Tame animal kept as a pet, although hedgehogs are also considered parkland vermin.
31 – 35	a long-haired cat.	A semi-feral ratter will usually be kept in the kitchen.
36 – 37	a pair of lovebirds.
38 – 39	a macaque (or Barbary ape).
40 – 41	a mastiff (guard dog).	Guard Mastiffs will usually be kept in exterior kennels.
42 – 43	a nightingale.
44 – 45	a papillon (lapdog).
46 – 47	a parrot.
48 – 52	a Persian cat.	Original breed, without the pug face characteristic of modern examples.
53 – 54	a poodle (hunting dog).	Poodles actually used for hunting will usually be kept in exterior kennels.
55 – 56	a pug (lapdog).	The 18th century breed has a short, but noticeable muzzle.
57	a serval.
58 – 59	a short-haired cat	A semi-feral ratter will usually be kept in the kitchen.
60 – 61	a spaniel (hunting dog).	Spaniels actually used for hunting will usually be kept in exterior kennels.
62 – 63	a spitz (hunting dog).	Spitzes actually used for hunting will usually be kept in exterior kennels.
64 – 65	a terrier (hunting dog).	Terriers actually used for hunting animals other than rats will usually be kept in exterior kennels.
66– 68	a toy poodle (lapdog).
69 – 100	No more pets.

Grand Houses (such as Highdark Hall) were almost always infested with some kind of vermin, and an attempt to finally eliminate them can make a nice setup for a scenario. As with the family pets, there is always the possibility that the house vermin are not at all what they seem…

Vermin in the House

Roll 1d4 times.

d100	The house is infested with…	NOTES
1 – 2	ants.
3 – 7	barn owls.	Only seen in attic.
8 – 9	barn swallows.	Only seen in attic.
10 – 15	bats	Only seen in attic.
15 – 16	bedbugs.	An infestation creates a noticeable smell like coriander (cilantro).
17 – 18	carpet beetles.
19 – 20	centipedes.
21 – 24	clothes moths.
25 – 26	cockroaches.	Most active at night. Will flee bright lights.
27 – 28	crickets
29	dangerous spiders.
30 – 31	death’s head moths.
32 – 33	deathwatch beetles.
34 – 35	fleas.
36 – 40	flies.
41 – 42	grave beetles.
43 – 44	harmless house spiders.
45 – 46	harmless snakes.	Only seen in basement or on ground floor.
47 – 48	house moths.
49 – 50	larder beetles.
51 – 52	lizards.	Warm areas only.
53 – 63	mice.	Almost all Grand Houses have some mice and/or rats. A result here indicates a noticeably large amount.
64 – 75	millipedes.
76 – 77	paper wasps.	Only seen in attic.
78 – 90	rats.	Almost all Grand Houses have some rats and/or mice. A result here indicates a noticeably large amount.
91 – 92	silverfish.
93 – 95	termites
96	toads.	Only seen in basement or on ground floor.
97	venomous snakes.	Only seen in basement or on ground floor.
98	woodwasps
99 – 100	woodworms.

Highdark Hall Now Available on DriveThruRPG and RPGNow!

Tags

18th Century, blackpowder, dreadpunk, Eighteenth Century, French Directory, French Revolution, Georgian, Ghastly Affair, gothic game, Gothic Gaming, Gothic Horror, Gothic Literature, Gothic Romance, Gothick, Gothique, Historical, Historical Gaming, Louis Seize, Louis XVI, mannerpunk, Napoleonic, OGL, Regency, Romance, Romantic Age, Romantic Horror, Romantic-era, Romanticism, rpg, schauerroman

Here’s a surprise Halloween treat for you all – the complete Highdark Hall is now available for download on DriveThruRPG and RPGNow!

Experience a place of hauntings and High Society, where good manners are veils for murderous intentions. Welcome to Highdark Hall! Horrors beyond belief, and romances beyond reason, have played out within its walls. Designed as a backdrop that would support the creative visions of individual Game Masters, Highdark Hall is intended as a setting where shocking stories of love, death, and the supernatural can emerge spontaneously from interacting with its colorful inhabitants and strange locations. What further catastrophes befall its occupants and their guests, are for you to decide.

This PDF collects the Highdark Hall material you may already know, and also reveals many previously hidden secrets. It includes:

• • Detailed, historically plausible floor-plans for an 18th century Stately Home on five floors.
  • An overview of the enigmatic Altumber family and their (in)famous residence.
  • Over 100 interior locations, from the opulent Lunar Ballroom, to the secret Hellfire Chapel.
  • A fully mapped parkland filled with dramatic (and potentially dangerous) locations.
  • Over 50 unique NPCs, from the vile to the virtuous, in a tangle of conflicting desires set to explode.
  • Extensive rumors and legends, ripe for investigation by the brave (and foolish).
  • Schedules of the entertainments and activities enjoyed by visitors, with descriptions of typical meals.
  • An in-depth description of the legendary (and possibly haunted) Hedge Maze of Highdark Hall.
  • A description of the annual Autumnal Masque, with tables to generate the costumes of attendees.

Plus, printable versions of all maps.

Highdark Hall was created especially for use with Ghastly Affair, the Gothic Game of Romantic Horror, but it has potential for any game set in Georgian, Napoleonic, Regency, or early Victorian times. It could even be explored by modern paranormal investigators, come to uncover its disturbing past. How will its spirits speak to you?

Note: Highdark Hall contains some mature subject matter. Reader discretion is advised.

Random Titles for 18th Century Gothic Romances

Tags

18th Century, Austenpunk, blackpowder, dreadpunk, Eighteenth Century, English Romanticism, Georgian, German Romanticism, Ghastly Affair, gothic game, Gothic Gaming, Gothic Horror, Gothic Literature, Gothic Romance, Gothick, Gothique, Historical, Historical Gaming, mannerpunk, nineteenth century, Regency, Romance, Romantic Age, Romantic Horror, Romantic-era, Romanticism, schauerroman

The following tables will create the wonderfully florid, two-part titles characteristic of late 18th and early 19th century Gothic Romances. The kind that followed the general format of “Something Something; or, The Something Something of the Something Something”. Use them to define the “horrid novel” hidden under a young lady’s pillow, or even to title your next Gothic gaming scenario!

d20, twice	This book is entitled…
1	“The Cursed…	Monk;
2	“The Haunted…	Castle;
3	“The Curious…	Abbey;
4	“The Spectral…	Count;
5	“The Lost…	Maiden;
6	“The Uncanny…	Prisoner;
7	“The Hidden…	Steed;
8	“The Ruined…	Seat;
9	“The Disputed…	Manor;
10	“The Stolen (or Abducted)…	Heir(ess);
11	“The Secret…	Tomb;
12	“The Infamous…	Turk;
13	“The Terrible…	Staircase;
14	“The Mysterious…	Vault;
15	“The Bewitched…	Image;
16	“The Deadly…	Idol;
17	“The Fateful…	Book;
18	“The Ancient…	Chamber;
19	“The Disappearing…	Cavern;
20	“The Miserable…	Bandit;

d12, five times	or, …
1	The…	Thrilling…	Tale…	of the…	Fortress”.
2	A(n)…	Dolorous…	Novel…	of the Horrid…	Tower”.
3	A Most…	Forbidden…	Story…	of the Damned…	Cloister”.
4	Another…	Wondrous…	Account…	of the Blessed…	Lovers of Italy”.
5	The First…	Sworn…	Recounting…	of the Doomed …	Forest”.
6	The Second…	Gothic…	Fable…	of the Fated…	Mountains”.
7	The Celebrated and…	Terrifying…	Poem…	of the Forbidden…	Orient”.
8	A Terrible and…	Sublime…	Epic…	of the Mysterious…	Family”.
9	The Collected and…	Entire…	Testament…	of the Mad…	Sodality”.
10	A Queer and…	Philosophical…	Romance…	of the Strange…	Crypt”.
11	The Famous and…	Shocking…	Relation…	of the Weird…	Chapel”.
12	The Whole and…	Curious…	Dialogue…	of the Infamous…	Spaniard”.

d100	As you page through the book, you notice…
1 – 2	it promotes itself as an account of true events.
3 – 4	the shocking illustrations, unfit for the eyes of “respectable” women.
5 – 6	its strong moral voice that upholds virtue at every turn.
7 – 8	the author’s apparent sympathy with the ostensible villain of the story.
9 – 10	the author’s ability to inspire genuine fright.
11 – 12	that the title seems to have nothing at all to do with the plot.
13 – 14	it’s an obvious rewrite of a better-known book.
15 – 16	the author has plagiarized whole sections from other novels, and strung them together with a flimsy narrative.
17 – 18	its blasphemous and impious nature.
19 – 20	its graphic depiction of sex.
21 – 22	its subversive political stance.
23 – 24	the scenes are beautifully described, but the characters are completely unconvincing.
25 – 26	the plot meanders aimlessly.
27 – 28	the thrilling and masterfully-structured plot.
29 – 30	the plot is completely predictable.
31 – 32	the story is full of contradictory episodes.
33 – 34	it appears to be little more than a catalog of horrors suffered by its heroine.
35 – 36	the numerous poems inserted into the story.
37 – 38	the characters are obvious stand-ins for well-known people.
39 – 40	the whole book is an extended allegory.
41 – 42	it takes every opportunity to defame the Roman Catholic church.
43 – 44	it is extremely antisemitic.
45 – 46	it is filled with slanders against Muslims.
47 – 48	it ascribes every possible crime to the Romany.
49 – 50	every aristocrat is portrayed as a depraved monster, except the virtuous heroine (of course).
51 – 52	it actually promotes tolerance of widely-disliked groups.
53 – 54	it constantly belittles the minds and morals of women.
55 – 56	the author’s obvious support for the education and emancipation of women.
57 – 58	it actually supports the institution of slavery.
59 – 60	the author’s obvious support for the abolition of slavery.
61 – 62	the author has obviously never been to any of the real-world locations described.
63 – 64	the inclusion of authentic details about the places and kinds of people described.
65 – 66	the depictions of witchcraft seem a little too authentic.
67 – 68	the author’s obsession with blood.
69 – 70	the author’s obsession with torture.
71 – 72	the author’s obsession with incest.
73 – 74	the author’s obsession with death and decay.
75 – 76	the author’s obsession with outré sexual practices.
77 – 78	the heroine seems to endure an amount of abuse that should have killed her in the first chapter!
79 – 80	its strong opposition to arranged marriages.
81 – 82	its surprising sympathy with arranged marriages.
83 – 84	the plot focuses on the “romantic friendship” between two people of the same sex.
85 – 86	it was carelessly typeset, and whole pages seem to be missing.
87 – 88	the credited author appears to be a pseudonym for a well-known writer who perhaps didn’t want to be associated with this book.
89 – 90	you can’t shake the feeling that there is another text somehow encoded within this one.
91 – 92	the surprising weakness of the male characters in the face of danger.
93 – 94	the absurdly high number of times the heroine faints.
95 – 96	there are several recipes included in the text!
97 – 98	it reads like a primer for budding young criminals!
99 – 100	it shamelessly glorifies suicide.

The Contributions of LGBT Authors to the Gothic Genre

Tags

18th Century, classic horror, English literature, German Romanticism, Gothic Literature, Gothic Romance, Historical, nineteenth century, Romantic Age, Romantic-era, Romanticism

Yesterday was the annual Pride parade in NYC. This Thursday (June 28th) is the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots that ignited the modern movement for LGBT rights. It seems an appropriate time to acknowledge some of the historical contributions of LGBT people to the Gothic genre.

• Horace Walpole, who wrote the first Gothic novel, “The Castle of Otranto”, was almost certainly gay.
• William Beckford, author of “Vathek”, was gay.
• Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, scientist, statesman, driving force of German Romanticism, and author of the most famous rendition of “Faust”, was probably bisexual.
• Mary Wollstonecraft, mother of Mary Shelley, author of the feminist Gothic novel “Maria: or, The Wrongs of Woman”, and founding voice of English feminism, was bisexual.
• Mary Shelley was deeply in love with Jane Williams, the lover (and de facto wife) of Percy’s friend Edward Williams (who died in the same boating accident as Percy). Mary and Jane shared a complex network of mutual friends and lovers.
• Lord Byron, satirized in Dr. Polidori’s “The Vampyre”, and therefore the model for all modern aristocratic bloodsuckers, was famously bisexual.
• Lady Caroline Lamb, who established the literary archetype of the “Byronic Hero” when she satirized her former lover Lord Byron in her Gothic novel “Glenarvon”, was bisexual.
• Oscar Wilde, author of “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, was of course gay, and suffered imprisonment under the sodomy laws of Victorian England.
• Vernon Lee (Violet Paget), famous for her ghost-filled tales of Italy, was lesbian.
• Daphne du Maurier, author of “Rebecca”, and of the stories upon which the movies “Don’t Look Now” and “The Birds” are based, was bisexual.

Of course the list is far from complete. Feel free to use the comments section to add names I’ve overlooked. Also I haven’t included any living authors, as they can speak for themselves.