If you read White Dwarf back in its heyday, perhaps you saw this scenario in issue #31 for June/July 1982:
"The Black Flower"
This RuneQuest scenario is more plot-driven than a traditional dungeon crawl. It involves intrigue, mystery, and the investigation of an ancient curse tied to a mysterious black flower. Like much of Dave Morris's later work, it emphasizes storytelling, atmosphere, and character interaction over straightforward combat, making it stand out for players who enjoy more narrative depth in their adventures.
Doesn’t ring any bells? Ah, then you must be in the real universe. In the sometimes-hallucinatory world of ChatGPT-4, this was the cover:
Flattered by ChatGPT's high opinion of my work, I asked it for more info:
Overview:
“The Black Flower” is a RuneQuest adventure by Dave Morris centred around a mysterious black flower with a dark and tragic history. The adventure is for 3-6 player-characters and blends investigative mystery with supernatural elements, encouraging players to explore a series of strange and unsettling events. Typical skill percentages may range from 30% to 50% in their primary skills, with a few specialties possibly reaching 60% or more.
The story begins with the discovery of a rare and sinister black flower in a small town. This flower, once thought to be a mere legend, is associated with curses, madness, and death. The adventure leads the players into an investigation involving a cursed family, ancient magic, and a series of unexplained deaths. As they delve deeper, they uncover secrets about the flower's origins and the dark forces it draws upon.
The adventure emphasizes narrative and atmosphere over combat, with much of the tension arising from the unravelling mystery and eerie interactions with NPCs. It's filled with plot twists, and the players must use their wits to solve the mystery and confront the supernatural force behind the curse.
The adventure’s tone emphasizes mystery and dark atmosphere. The players are drawn into a world where folklore and supernatural forces have tangible effects, and their investigation becomes a race against time as the curse spreads. The focus on mystery-solving, atmosphere, and narrative richness is typical of Dave Morris’s style, which makes “The Black Flower” a standout scenario in White Dwarf.
Introduction to "The Black Flower"
There is a saying among the people of the southern plains: ‘Once you have touched the black flower, there is no turning back.’ For centuries, the black flower has been spoken of only in hushed whispers, a symbol of doom and death. Many believe it to be no more than an old wives’ tale, yet recently, the flower has bloomed once again.
In the small, nondescript village of Erondale, a rare black flower has been found growing at the site of an ancient burial ground. The villagers are frightened, recalling old stories about the curse of the black flower—a curse that brings madness, illness, and death to those who come into contact with it. Several strange incidents have already begun to occur, and the local lord has hired the adventurers to investigate the growing unrest in the village.
The black flower is said to be tied to an ancient family curse, one that has lingered for generations. As the players investigate the village, they will encounter a web of secrets, superstitions, and strange occurrences, all pointing to the malevolent magic behind the flower. But the truth is darker and more complex than they could have imagined, and they must tread carefully or risk becoming part of the legend themselves.
The setting
Erondale is a small, remote village with an eerie atmosphere, located in a misty valley surrounded by dark woods and hills. It is known for its unsettling quiet and the strange, almost dreamlike haze that lingers over the land, which the villagers attribute to old faerie tales. The villagers live simple lives, but the village’s dark history with the cursed black flower haunts their every step.
The Investigation
The investigation is the heart of the adventure, driving the players deeper into the story’s dark lore and cursed history. As investigators, the players must uncover several layers of mystery, dealing with increasingly strange and ominous events. Here’s how it typically unfolds:
1. Arrival and Initial Inquiry
- The players arrive in a village already tense with fear. The villagers are reluctant to talk about the black flower, but there are rumours of strange deaths and madness befalling those who have come into contact with it.
- Their investigation starts by speaking with key NPCs, including the local lord (who commissioned their involvement), suspicious villagers, and any scholars or wise folk who know local folklore.
- The black flower is found near an ancient burial ground, adding to the air of superstition. Villagers will offer conflicting stories, some claiming the curse is nothing but legend, while others are convinced it's real.
2. Unexplained Deaths and Madness
- As they investigate, the players will hear about or witness several unusual occurrences: people who touched the flower have died from strange illnesses, others have succumbed to madness, and a few have gone missing.
- These encounters are designed to create an eerie, supernatural atmosphere. Players will find themselves chasing clues such as half-written journal entries, cryptic warnings from the local wise-woman, or strange markings on walls and bodies.
3. The Curse of the Family
- The black flower is linked to a curse on a noble family from the area, stretching back centuries. The players will have to dig into old records, interview reluctant family members, and even visit old ruins or burial sites to piece together the history of the flower and its connection to this family.
- The curse originates from a tragic event, such as an ancient betrayal or forbidden magic that was tied to the black flower. The cursed family may even have direct or indirect responsibility for the flower’s recent appearance.
4. Supernatural Encounters
- As the players unravel the curse, they’ll begin to experience ghostly apparitions, twisted dreams, or confront strange creatures tied to the flower’s magic. These encounters are more atmospheric than combative, though the players may occasionally face physical threats.
- The players might also uncover the truth about the origins of the curse. Perhaps the flower was used in a dark ritual or serves as a gateway for some malevolent spirit or entity that feeds on death and madness.
5. The Resolution
- The adventure culminates in the players needing to break the curse. This may involve a dangerous ritual, destroying the black flower at its source, or confronting the malevolent force tied to the curse.
- How they choose to resolve the situation will depend on the information they’ve gathered throughout the investigation. The ending could be tragic or triumphant, depending on their choices and success in uncovering the truth.
Structure of "The Black Flower"
The adventure is more open-ended than a typical dungeon crawl, structured like a mystery that unfolds through investigation and player-driven exploration. Here’s a breakdown of the general structure:
1. Introduction/Setup
The players are introduced to the central problem: a black flower has bloomed in the village, bringing with it rumours of a curse. The local lord hires them to investigate the source of recent strange occurrences.
The adventure’s tension is established early on with accounts of death and madness, as well as the unease among the villagers.
2. Exploration Phase
The village and surrounding areas serve as the primary setting for exploration. The players have several leads to follow:
- Talking to key NPCs (the lord, villagers, scholars, and members of the cursed family).
- Investigating the location where the flower was found (an ancient burial ground or ruin).
- Examining strange deaths, madness, and other phenomena tied to the flower.
During this phase, they uncover clues about the family curse, the history of the black flower, and any possible supernatural involvement.
3. Escalation/Encounters
As the players delve deeper, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense. They may encounter supernatural manifestations tied to the curse, including ghostly visions, strange creatures, or psychological effects like nightmares and hallucinations. They may also find themselves pursued by an antagonist or malevolent force (possibly tied to the curse or someone seeking to protect the family’s secrets).
Events in the village escalate: more villagers may succumb to madness, and fear grips the population. The players are under pressure to act quickly.
4. The Climax/Final Confrontation
The investigation leads to a final revelation: the true nature of the curse and how to break it. This could involve uncovering the site of the original ritual that created the black flower or locating a lost artifact needed to end the curse.
The climax is likely a high-stakes confrontation with the supernatural force behind the flower, or perhaps a moral decision about how to deal with the cursed family or destroy the flower. The players may have to perform a dangerous ritual or battle some form of guardian or cursed spirit tied to the black flower.
5. Resolution
The adventure ends with the curse either being lifted or the situation taking a darker turn if the players fail. The resolution may also depend on how well the players have pieced together the history of the curse and whether they choose to confront or work with the cursed family.
The village’s fate is tied to the players’ actions. They may be celebrated as heroes or cursed themselves if things go wrong.
Key Themes
- Mystery and investigation: The core of the adventure is solving the mystery behind the black flower and the curse. Players are encouraged to use wit and diplomacy, rather than brute force, to uncover clues.
- Supernatural atmosphere: The story is designed to build tension through eerie encounters and a growing sense of dread as the players unravel the dark history of the black flower.
- Moral choices: There may be ethical dilemmas tied to the cursed family and how the players choose to resolve the curse, allowing for a more nuanced conclusion to the adventure.
“The Black Flower” is a perfect example of an adventure where atmosphere, intrigue, and player agency take precedence over combat.
Major NPCs
The NPCs in this adventure drive much of the investigation forward, providing clues, red herrings, and even danger. The key NPCs are often conflicted, with their own agendas, secrets, and relationships to the curse of the black flower. Here are some of the most significant figures players will interact with:
Lord Caradon
Role: The local noble who hires the players.
Description: A middle-aged nobleman who is well-meaning but deeply concerned about the recent strange events in his village. While not superstitious himself, he is under immense pressure from the frightened villagers to find a solution.
Background: Unbeknownst to the players, Lord Caradon’s ancestors were tied to the cursed family, although this connection is buried in forgotten history. His involvement in hiring the players is not entirely altruistic—he may be trying to atone for his family’s ancient sins.
Clues: He provides the players with their initial information about the black flower and offers some vague knowledge about old legends. However, he knows more than he initially lets on and may gradually reveal this, especially if the players gain his trust.
Eldra the Wise Woman
Role: Local healer and herbalist.
Description: An elderly woman who lives on the outskirts of the village. Eldra is both respected and feared due to her knowledge of herbs, magic, and local folklore. She is one of the few villagers who takes the curse of the black flower seriously.
Background: Eldra has long studied the dark history of the region and may even have some ties to the supernatural forces at work. She is a reluctant ally, torn between her fear of the curse and her sense of duty to protect the village.
Clues: Eldra knows a great deal about the legends surrounding the black flower, including its ties to the cursed family. She can offer insight into breaking the curse but will be cryptic, forcing the players to interpret her riddles and warnings.
Encounters: Players can visit her for knowledge, but she may also become a target of the supernatural forces as the curse escalates.
Sir Gereth, the Cursed Knight
Role: The last living member of the cursed family.
Description: Sir Gereth is a haunted figure, a knight whose family has been plagued by tragedy for generations. He is the most direct link to the curse but is reluctant to speak about it.
Background: Sir Gereth’s family was once powerful but fell into ruin due to the curse associated with the black flower. He is racked with guilt and fear, believing that his family’s past sins are the cause of the current events. He may initially appear as an antagonist, but he is more tragic than villainous.
Clues: Gereth holds key information about the origin of the curse, including details about his ancestors’ role in the dark rituals that gave rise to the black flower. However, he is reluctant to help, fearing the curse will claim him if he gets too involved.
Encounters: Players may need to convince or force Gereth to reveal his knowledge. Depending on how they interact with him, he could become an ally or a source of further danger.
Mira, the Flower's Guardian
Role: The protector of the black flower (or the force controlling it).
Description: Mira may appear as a mysterious woman tied to the supernatural elements of the story, possibly a spirit or an ancient being tasked with guarding the cursed flower.
Background: She may be connected to the original ritual that created the curse and now serves as a manifestation of the flower’s dark magic. Her motivations are ambiguous—she might want to protect the flower to prevent greater harm or use its power for her own ends.
Clues: Mira holds critical information about how the flower can be destroyed or controlled. However, her intentions are unclear, and trusting her could lead the players astray.
Encounters: Mira is likely to appear in the final stages of the adventure, perhaps offering to help the players—though her true motives may remain hidden until the climax.
Key Encounters
The encounters in "The Black Flower" are designed to build tension and heighten the sense of unease. They focus on atmosphere, puzzle-solving, and occasional supernatural confrontations rather than straight combat.
The Discovery of the Flower
Location: Ancient burial ground near the village.
Description: Early in the investigation, the players visit the site where the black flower was discovered. The area is filled with eerie silence, and strange carvings can be found on nearby stones. The flower itself is a dark, unnatural-looking plant, surrounded by the decaying remains of animals or people who have come into contact with it.
Challenge: Players must examine the site carefully, looking for clues about the flower’s origin. They may need to avoid disturbing the flower too much, as touching it can cause illness, madness, or worse.
Potential Encounter: Ghostly apparitions may appear at the site, warning the players to leave or showing glimpses of the past events that caused the curse. This encounter is more atmospheric than combative, setting the tone for the rest of the adventure.
Visions and Dreams
Location: Various locations (inn, village, etc.)
Description: As the players investigate, they begin to experience unsettling dreams or visions tied to the black flower’s magic. These may occur when they sleep or even while they are awake, providing cryptic clues or warnings about the curse’s nature.
Challenge: Players must interpret the meaning of these visions. The dreams could include imagery of the cursed family’s past sins, the ritual that created the flower, or glimpses of what might happen if they fail to lift the curse.
Potential Encounter: In one vision, the players might see the family performing a ritual to summon a dark entity that is now bound to the flower. They may encounter this entity later in the story, either as a spirit or a physical threat.
Supernatural Attacks
Location: Throughout the village and surrounding countryside.
Description: As the players dig deeper into the mystery, supernatural forces tied to the flower begin to attack the village. People may be found dead or driven insane, animals act strangely, and the natural world seems to turn hostile.
Challenge: These supernatural events are meant to escalate the tension. For example, villagers may fall ill with no apparent cause, or their eyes may turn black like the flower’s petals. Players need to find ways to protect themselves and others from these forces while continuing their investigation.
Potential Encounter: At night, the players could be attacked by creatures born from the curse—perhaps ghostly figures, or even corrupted animals controlled by the flower’s magic. These are physical threats, but they serve to increase the players’ sense of urgency.
The Ritual Chamber
Location: Ruins or crypt connected to the cursed family.
Description: The players eventually discover a hidden chamber or ruins where the black flower was originally used in a dark ritual. This location is crucial to lifting the curse, but it is also heavily guarded by supernatural forces.
Challenge: Players must decipher old inscriptions, locate a key artifact, or perform a counter-ritual to end the curse. The room itself may have traps, magical wards, or illusions designed to protect the flower’s power.
Potential Encounter: A final confrontation with a spirit or demon bound to the flower occurs here. This could be the original entity summoned during the family’s ritual or the cursed spirit of one of the ancestors themselves. Combat here would be challenging, with the entity drawing power from the flower, making it difficult to defeat.
Confronting the Guardian
Location: Near the black flower.
Description: If the players meet Mira or another guardian figure, this confrontation represents a key decision point in the adventure. Depending on how they’ve handled the investigation, Mira may offer to help them destroy the flower or mislead them into performing a ritual that strengthens the curse.
Challenge: This is a moral and intellectual challenge as much as a physical one. Players must decide whether to trust the guardian and follow their advice or take matters into their own hands. The outcome will influence how the curse is lifted or whether the players inadvertently make things worse.
Potential Encounter: If the players reject Mira’s guidance, she may turn on them, revealing her true nature. This could lead to a final battle or a tense negotiation.
Outcome
The adventure culminates in the players either successfully lifting the curse, which may involve destroying the black flower or dispelling the dark magic tied to it, or failing, allowing the curse to continue or even grow stronger. The resolution may depend heavily on the decisions made in the ritual chamber and their interactions with the NPCs, particularly Mira and Sir Gereth.
The outcome can range from a tragic ending where the curse consumes the village, to a bittersweet resolution where the players end the curse but at great personal cost.
The stat blocks for "The Black Flower" primarily cover supernatural entities, cursed creatures, and the guardian of the black flower. Here’s an outline of potential stat blocks for key encounters.
Cursed Villager (Minor NPC/Encounter)
These cursed villagers serve as minor threats, affected by the black flower’s influence. They act erratically, and in some cases, violently.
STR 10-12
CON 10-11
SIZ 9-11
DEX 8-10
POW 5-8
INT 7-9
CHA 6-8
HP 11
Skills:
- Dodge: 25%
- Melee Weapons: 30%
- Unarmed Attack: 35%
Abilities:
- Cursed Mind: Due to the influence of the black flower, these villagers are under the control of the supernatural entity. They may become violent or act irrationally.
- Madness Check: Players who spend too much time near them might experience hallucinations or nightmares.
- Madness: 1d4 sanity loss when interacting with a cursed villager (GM discretion).
Black Flower Guardian (Major NPC/Encounter)
This could be a spirit or entity tied to the flower, guarding it from destruction. Mira, as described earlier, could take on this role.
STR 8-10
CON 12
SIZ 13-14
DEX 15
POW 16
INT 13
CHA 15
HP 15
Skills:
- Dodge: 55%
- Melee Weapon (Dagger or Staff): 40%
- Manipulation (Magic): 75%
- Stealth: 60%
- Lore (Ancient Rituals): 70%
Abilities:
- Spellcasting (RuneQuest magic system):
- Dominate Human: Forces a target to obey commands (POW vs POW roll).
- Spirit Combat: Engages in ethereal combat with other spirits or characters tied to the spiritual plane.
- Curse: Affects the target with a temporary debilitating curse, reducing one characteristic (like POW or STR) for a set duration (1d6 days).
- Illusionary Presence: The guardian can create illusory duplicates of themselves or other creatures to confuse players.
- Roll against POW to disbelieve illusions.
- Aura of Fear: Any who come within 10 feet of the guardian must roll against POW or be paralyzed by fear (failure means they lose an action for 1d4 rounds).
Weaknesses:
- Vulnerable to certain rituals or objects tied to the black flower’s origin. Players might discover a way to weaken the guardian using ancient knowledge.
Cursed Spirit (Mid-Level Combat Encounter)
This spirit represents the malevolent force bound to the black flower, often tied to the cursed family’s dark history. This could be a wraith, shade, or similar entity.
STR 8-10
CON 13
SIZ 10-12
DEX 14
POW 16-18
INT 10
CHA 10
HP 12
Skills:
- Dodge: 45%
- Unarmed Combat (Spirit Strike): 50%
- Stealth: 60%
- Intimidation: 70%
- Spirit Combat: 75%
Abilities:
- Spirit Strike: Deals POW damage to an enemy in spiritual combat. If the target loses POW, they may lose access to their magic for a certain number of rounds.
- Ethereal Form: Can phase through physical objects and attacks, though magical weapons or spells can still harm the spirit.
- Aura of Despair: Any living being near the spirit must make a POW check or suffer from visions of their worst fears (reducing their effectiveness in combat by -10% to all rolls for 1d4 rounds).
- Drain Life: On a successful attack, the cursed spirit can drain 1d4 points of POW from the victim. If the victim reaches 0 POW, they die, and their body is left as a desiccated husk.
Weaknesses:
- Bound to the Black Flower: The spirit’s strength comes from the black flower’s magic. If the players begin a ritual to destroy the flower or sever the curse, the spirit loses 1 HP per round until it dissipates.
Black Flower’s Final Manifestation (Major Combat Encounter)
In the final stages of the adventure, the black flower might manifest as a powerful supernatural force, combining both physical and magical threats.
STR 16
CON 15
SIZ 16
DEX 12
POW 20
INT 8
CHA 5
HP 18
Skills:
- Dodge: 30%
- Tentacle/Root Strike: 60%
- Magic Resistance: 80%
Abilities:
- Tentacle/Root Strike: The flower can lash out with magical roots or tendrils. This attack deals 1d8 damage and can restrain targets, forcing a STR vs STR roll to break free.
- Corrupting Pollen: The flower releases toxic pollen that weakens the players’ resolve. All within a 20-foot radius must make a CON check or suffer from a -20% penalty on all rolls for 1d4 rounds.
- Aura of Corruption: Any living being within 10 feet of the flower must make a POW check or suffer from the "Cursed" condition. This reduces their maximum POW by 1 point for every round spent near the flower. The POW can be restored with a powerful ritual after the flower is destroyed.
- Summon Cursed Spirits: Every few rounds, the flower can call upon 1d4 cursed spirits or cursed villagers to fight for it. These spirits are weaker than the primary cursed spirit but still dangerous.
Weaknesses:
- Tied to the Ritual: The flower’s power can only be weakened or destroyed by completing a specific ritual or using an artifact discovered during the investigation.
- Vulnerable to Magic: The flower is particularly susceptible to magic that counters curses or purification spells. Attacks involving fire, holy symbols, or salt might deal extra damage.
General Notes for Encounters in "The Black Flower"
The encounters are designed to build atmosphere and tension, with a mix of psychological and physical challenges. Many of these stat blocks assume that players will need to use magic, wit, or specific knowledge (gleaned from the investigation) to gain an advantage in combat.
The adventure encourages players to engage with NPCs and utilize their skills creatively, meaning that not all interactions will require high skill percentages. Clever role-playing, teamwork, and narrative creativity can lead to successful outcomes even when skill checks are low.
Morale and Sanity: Players may face sanity checks or POW rolls during particularly intense encounters, as the supernatural elements could erode their mental resilience over time.
Weaknesses: Most creatures are tied to the black flower and draw their strength from its curse. Players can exploit this if they discover ways to weaken the flower or dispel its magic.
Clearly ChatGPT hasn't quite got the hang of how scenarios were written back then, but its notes for "The Black Flower" are considerably more extensive than anyone actually needs to whip up a game session. (If it were really my scenario I'd make the black flower curse a MacGuffin and have the meat of the adventure involve somebody exploiting the curse for reasons of their own.) If you feel like giving it a go, tell us all about it in the comments. And if you're one of those who is fretful about AI in general, this article will help dispel some of the more paranoid myths.
