Shadows on Wyrmwood Isle 🌿
A 4-Episode Mini-Campaign for levels 3-5
“Some mysteries should remain buried beneath the Spanish moss…” - Madame Beaumont, Island Oracle
📚 Campaign Overview
In the misty waters off the American Southeast, Wyrmwood Isle holds dark secrets beneath its veneer of antebellum grandeur. What begins as a simple ghost hunting expedition evolves into a desperate race against time as investigators uncover an ancient cosmic horror preparing to awaken.
Core Themes
- Southern Gothic atmosphere meets cosmic dread
- Mystery that peels back layers of reality
- Transformation of mundane to supernatural
- Weight of ancient sins and present consequences
📖 Episode Guide
🏛️ Episode 1: “The Invitation”
A Ghostly Beginning - Arrival at Wyrmwood Plantation’s decorated gates - Meeting the mysterious Blackwood family - First encounters with seemingly harmless phenomena - Discovery of the plantation’s detailed records
Key NPCs Introduced: - Elizabeth Blackwood (Current Owner) - Old Samuel (Groundskeeper) - Madame Beaumont (Local Oracle) - Professor Harrison (Historian)
👻 Episode 2: “Something Stirs”
Escalating Horrors - Supernatural encounters intensify - Ancient ritual sites discovered in the bayou - Connection to missing persons over centuries - Strange alignments in the night sky
Major Developments: - Hidden passages beneath the mansion - Ritual circles in the surrounding swamps - Mysterious symbols appearing in dreams - Growing influence of cosmic forces
🌙 Episode 3: “Beneath the Moss”
Dark Revelations - The Cult of the Unnamed emerges - Ancient temple complex revealed - True nature of hauntings exposed - Cosmic alignment’s purpose understood
Critical Discoveries: - Plantation’s true purpose - Cultist infiltration of local society - Connection to elder beings - Timeline of the coming ritual
⭐ Episode 4: “When the Stars Align”
Final Confrontation - Race against cosmic alignment - Cult’s master plan revealed - Elder horror manifestation - Fate of Wyrmwood Isle decided
Climactic Elements: - Multiple possible endings - Moral choices with cosmic consequences - Final confrontation variations - Legacy implications
🎭 Major Characters
The Blackwood Family
- Keepers of ancient secrets
- Generations of dark knowledge
- Complex motivations
- Hidden allegiances
The Cult of the Unnamed
- Ancient bloodlines
- Modern infiltrators
- Cosmic devotees
- Ritual masters
The Investigators’ Allies
- Local historians
- Skeptical authorities
- Hidden resistors
- Supernatural aids
🗺️ Key Locations
Wyrmwood Plantation
- Antebellum mansion
- Sprawling grounds
- Hidden passages
- Ancient foundations
The Surrounding Bayou
- Ritual sites
- Lost temples
- Natural barriers
- Cosmic convergences
The Town of Port Sorrow
- Suspicious locals
- Hidden cult presence
- Historical records
- Safe havens
🎲 Game Mechanics
Investigation Systems
- Clue discovery
- NPC interaction
- Research mechanics
- Supernatural detection
Horror Elements
- Sanity checks
- Cosmic revelations
- Supernatural encounters
- Reality distortions
Combat Scenarios
- Cultist confrontations
- Supernatural entities
- Cosmic horrors
- Environmental hazards
📈 Character Progression
Level 3
- Initial investigations
- Basic supernatural encounters
- Local mysteries
- Character establishment
Level 4
- Deeper revelations
- Increased danger
- Supernatural abilities
- Complex challenges
Level 5
- Cosmic confrontations
- Ultimate choices
- Maximum tension
- Campaign conclusion
🎯 Campaign Goals
Primary Objectives
- Uncover the truth of Wyrmwood Isle
- Stop the cosmic ritual
- Save innocent lives
- Preserve (or destroy) knowledge
Secondary Goals
- Explore all locations
- Understand family histories
- Discover hidden lore
- Build alliances
📝 DM Resources
Mood Setting
- Southern Gothic descriptions
- Cosmic horror elements
- Environmental details
- NPC personality guides
Plot Flexibility
- Multiple investigation paths
- Alternative endings
- Side quest opportunities
- Character arc possibilities
“In Wyrmwood Isle’s shadows, every answer leads to darker questions…”
