Handiwork Games has unveiled the cover and details for FiveEvil: Netherworlds, the first print supplement planned for their standalone horror roleplaying game, FiveEvil. The original game, released previously, offered a dark twist on 5e mechanics tailored for horror scenarios.
FiveEvil: Netherworlds focuses on the climactic moments in horror adventures when characters must enter the domain of the threat itself – termed ‘netherworlds’. These could range from a sinister basement or sewer system to more expansive locations, such as a haunted carnival, a deserted space colony, or even an entire town gripped by nightmares.
The supplement aims to provide Game Masters with tools to design and run these high-stakes environments effectively, ensuring they remain tense and terrifying rather than devolving into standard dungeon exploration. It includes a step-by-step guide covering the design process, considering the netherworld’s purpose, inhabitants, unique qualities, and potential random encounters.
Furthermore, FiveEvil: Netherworlds introduces specific procedures for managing exploration within these dangerous domains, helping GMs maintain suspense round by round.
To assist GMs further, the book contains five pre-designed netherworlds ready for immediate use. These examples, built using the supplement’s rules, include environments such as twisting sewers and ruined space colonies, complete with advice on integrating them into scenarios and selecting appropriate horrors as ultimate antagonists.
Rounding out the supplement is a campaign scenario titled “A Lament”. Designed initially for duet play (one GM, one player) but adaptable for groups, it involves a character visiting an unfamiliar mountain town where their estranged father has fallen ill after marrying someone unknown to the player character. The scenario challenges players to ensure their father’s well-being while uncovering the town’s dark secrets.
Handiwork Games previously released FiveEvil as a standalone system, described by Geek Native as a subversion of 5e mechanics specifically for horror gaming.
