TALES OF THE TAROKKA - The Artifact: Invidia

Step into a nightmarish domain where the line between innocence and evil blurs. In a haunted estate, Malocchio Aderre, a child touched by darkness, manipulates spectral beings and tormented servants in a macabre game of horror. This is no ordinary child, and his games are a testament to a mind steeped in malevolence.

Meet an array of grotesque characters, each bound to the whims of the young lord. Unravel their chilling tales and navigate the treacherous politics of the estate. A mother's ambition, a tutor's hidden schemes, and a child's cruel pastime create a perilous maze that could lead to escape or ensnare you further.

At the heart of this intrigue is a potent artifact—an ethereal conduit to the spirit world. Could this be your key to salvation, or the final step in a sinister trap?

Surviving this harrowing adventure requires more than courage. You'll need to outwit your adversaries, solve cryptic riddles, and choose your allies wisely.

Step inside — the game has already begun...

Unlike most D&D adventures, in which characters of increasing power often face challenges and enemies head on, these stories are best experienced as gauntlets of survival and terror. Consider using the “Survivor” character options presented in Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft. These ready-to-play archetypes have intentionally limited progression, maxing out at 3rd level with their low power quotient fitting Ravenloft’s themes of gothic survival horror. (Rather than every Apprentice and Disciple having the same spells, you could allow players to choose other spells of the same level—subject to DM’s approval, of course.) Perhaps have each player roll on the “Horror Trinkets” table in Van Richten’s Guide, or on the standard Trinkets table from the Player’s Handbook to add flavor and novelty. Another approach could be to allow players to build standard 1st-level characters but then use Survivor rules for leveling up to 3, allowing them to select from the Survivor traits (but otherwise remain as technically 1st-level characters with respect to hit points, class features and such).

That said, groups interested in more heroic adventure should feel welcome to utilize standard 5th Edition characters in these modules. In such cases, Dungeon Masters will likely need to adjust challenges and threats accordingly, and each entry will offer guidance on that front.

Note that AI images and language models were used in the creation of this product.

These installments are intended to be released individually over time until the series is completed. Please visit our website for future planned offerings: www.talesofthetarokka.com