2 The Veiled Tyrant

3 The Salt Crown

4 The Fey-Cursed Hunter

6 The Sacrificial Karkadann

8 The Affable Gaffer

10 The Inkstained Pactmaster

12 The Stolen Childhood

14 The One Who Sees

16 The Commandant's Shadow

18 The Weeping Herald

20 The Haunted Soothsayer

22 The Princess of Lyres

24 The Crimson Emissary

26 The Hexed Baronet

28 The Explorer Adrift

When I write about death, I cannot escape the loss of my mother
when I was nine. It's the black cloud of mourning that looms over
my childhood—the catalyst for who I am today.

I have no right to speak about the fear of facing death, so I won't.

I hope to remain a stranger for a long while yet. I am, however,
wholly qualified to talk about what death does to those left
behind. I'm intimately familiar with how it spills over everyone it
touches, threatening to drown them or drive them into the cold
and the dark. If you emerge you do so with scars. What doesn't kill
you makes you all the weaker.

At its heart, Our Queen Crumbles tells a story of terminal illness

experienced from the outside. The dying Queen—hardly
recognizable as who she once was—daily crumbling. A band of
lovers, bound together by their common loss and inability to
change fate. The Parent, The Partner, The Friend, The Child, all
singularly bereft. A mysterious destination, ever looming on the
horizon but never understood.

I wrote this game while remembering the loss of my mother and

dealing with the chronic illness of my father. There is plenty of
room for laughter and wonder on the journey, but the conclusion is
already in place. You can only ever hope that the love you find is
worth whatever awaits you at the Tree.
Jason
 The Veiled Tyrant
Alternate Queen
The Queen was once a beloved figure in Halloway, but time has
decayed her—drawn her inward. For many years, the people of
the Lonely City have trembled under her rule. The Assassin's
attack may have tipped the scales, but she has been acquainted
with darkness for a long time.

Spite and vengeance bind her shadowed soul for now, but she
cannot refuse death much longer.

Name Decay
Ariadne / Oksana / Elenette / Indred /
The Queen's body has sprouted
Laramie / Goldfinch / Belladonna /
new limbs and eyes
Alice / Jael / Chartreuse / Winter /
something else The Queen has lost her Mark of
Royalty on the journey

Look The Queen's jaw has shattered

pale alabaster / bone­white porcelain / The Queen's voice grows shrill,
scoured copper / rune­marked bronze / like iron scraped on shale
unfired clay / sprouting wood / ice /
The Queen is desperately hungry,
something else
craving flesh and salt

The Queen no longer remembers

Mark of Royalty her own name, only responding to
a torn veil / the first king's skull / her Sobriquet
the oldest coin / a gilded lily / a heavy
marble crown / a vial of royal blood / The Queen's fury flares, and she
something else must be restrained temporarily

The Queen's soul begins to slip,

causing bouts of possession
Sobriquet
The Queen stands on the
Justice Embodied / The Crimson
threshold between life and death,
Witch / Queen of Rust and Ruin /
seeing the other side
Halloway's Fury / The Crystal Queen /
The Hangwoman / Her Holy Breath / The Queen's footsteps curse the
Mother Dearest / Lady of War / ground she walks on
something else

Conclusion
The Queen is truly dead, and her amalgam body lies lifeless

2
 The Salt Crown
Alternate Assassin
The Salt Crown is an infamous figure in Halloway: Lord of
Pirates, Champion of the Anchored God, and now killer of the
Queen. Every child from ice­rimmed sea to glass desert has heard
the tales of this bloody bandit, but there are very few who have
seen their face and lived.

Rumors
Loved the Queen Captured the Hollow Pearl, relic of
the ancient ocean fey
Carries a silver trident, tarnished
by blood Accompanied by Birdsinger, their
Last Mate
Drinks seawater and brine to
commune with the deep Wears a suit of heavy armor forged
from broken chain
Traded their soul for a dark
passenger, always grinning Pays their way through Halloway
with Skullions, gold coins used to
Can't swim, but refuses to drown
bribe the Prince of Death
Can't sleep on dry land
Once sank the ghost­ship
Collecting ritual components, Lemegeton
casting a spell to sink Halloway
Wears a rusted lock on a chain
beneath the waves
around their neck, missing the key
Their ship flies a thousand
Bears ever­changing scars on their
banners, stolen and stitched
back that mark a map to the Isle of
Last child of the Bell Ringer Tides

Conclusion
The Salt Crown lies dead in a pool The Salt Crown has proven their
of seawater and blood purpose and is allowed to do what
they will
The Salt Crown is let free, forever
forbidden from stepping upon land Something else

3
 The Fey-Cursed Hunter
Envoy to the Green Realm
concept by Micah Stowers

The Fey­Cursed Hunter learned their trade in the darkest forest

in Halloway. It was there they became a master of tracking,
trapping, and survival—whatever it took to bring their quarry in.

Then one night, under the full moon, the Hunter discovered a
magickal pathway leading into the The Loom, residence of
Halloway's most terrifying fey god. This was the domain of the
Fairy­Binder Quince: a crone who draws power from the captive
sprites she spins into thread. Since that night, the pathway to The
Loom has always been close at hand. The Hunter has become a
reluctant emissary, sent often by the Queen to beg the assistance
of this ancient fey lady. Repeatedly crossing the threshold has cost
the Hunter slivers of their body and soul.

Scene Reference
Name 1. Determine the scene's Location
Willow / Ellis / Seeker / Thorn /
2. Read the Location, choose a
Owlet / Ranger / Hartwick /
Backdrop, answer the Question, mark
Spruce / Demet / Mouse /
the Queen's Decay
something else
3. Play the scene, mark up to 2 boxes
Look on your sheet
rugged / blooming / broad / 4. Conclude the scene by marking the
mended / pruned / shrouded / discovered Assassin's Rumor
shrubby / something else
5. Mark the Path Tracker

Conclusion Grown verdant, unwound by the curse

An apprentice Fairy­Binder, A warm home full of family, a warm
harnessing the power of The Loom bowl full of stew, stories on your lips
A homestead on the empty frontier, Enthralled by the Tree Under the
quiet and green Mountain. Is it alive? Is it a pathway
to somewhere else?
Six feet deep, felled by a vengeful
fairy too quickly unbound Something else

4
 Traits
Always knows a secret pathway to Still hunting the hermit Feverfew,
The Loom trying to recover a precious stolen
trophy
Cursed by the Fairy­Binder Quince,
body slowly being overtaken by leaf Knows how to pull at the edges of
and shadow a shadow and hide beneath
Once shared a meal with a family Can cleanly skin a beast with just
of starving cobwalkers who still a single knife and a little time
remember the kindness
Knows a merchant willing to buy
Knows how to locate potent anything, no questions asked
medicinal herbs, though it is hard
Patron of the changeling orphans
to tell if they are ripe
of Saint Amelie's Home for
Childhood friend of Gartim Imposters
McNaughton, High Countist of the
Trained in the bagflute, a
Merchant's Guild
traditional instrument made of
Knows how to speak to flowers at aquifex bladders and hollow reeds
the cost of a little blood
Rides a Black Forest Spider,
A regular at the Trailhead Tavern, rescued at a young age and well
a seedy local dive on the road trained
Last heir of an impoverished noble Spent a year of their childhood
house learning wilderness survival from
the Lakebed Nomads

Quince's Blessing Satchel

No longer must you breathe air, A pan flute carved from the bones
my child, your lungs serve me of a dryad
better as root beds
A bottle of sunlight, fermented by
I have sewn a set of wings onto fey caskmasters
your back, my child, do not ask
Arrowheads made of rare stone,
where I got them
each with a curious effect
Your blood shall run amber, my
A butcher's hammer
child, for sweet sap is much better
Two vials of phoenix cordial,
I have need of your eyes, my child
useful for cauterizing wounds or
You shall bear my horns upon as an aperitif
your brow, my child, to strike my
A broken note of betrothal, still
enemies down
sealed
The thorns that grow upon your
A glass orb, waiting to be filled
skin shall not bother you for long,
my child, they only serve to A small silver fairy, bound in
protect the precious fruit crimson thread

5
The Sacrificial Karkadann
The Last Desert Doctor
concept by Devinne W.

The Karkada were once a noble clan of dust knights and glass
smiths who resided deep in the heart of the Silicate Rose Desert.
They were known for their chivalry and were marked by the horns
that grew where most humans have noses—a result of eating the
fragrant desert sands uniquely harvested from around their
village. Twelve years ago, the clan was wiped out by an unknown
magickal event that occurred at The Prism, leaving only one
survivor: The Sacrificial Karkadann.

The Karkadann was a young woman, trained in the art of desert

healing. She was rescued by the Queen, who happened to be
travelling through the desert on a pilgrimage, and quickly became
an integral part of the royal retinue.

Scene Reference
Name 1. Determine the scene's Location
Ammala / Anja / Deka / Esfir /
2. Read the Location, choose a
Kamimi / Mahin / Nekane /
Backdrop, answer the Question, mark
Nyala / Shahnaz / Talin /
the Queen's Decay
something else
3. Play the scene, mark up to 2 boxes
Look on your sheet
silken / shrouded / armored / 4. Conclude the scene by marking the
shaded / layered / golden / discovered Assassin's Rumor
glassy / something else
5. Mark the Path Tracker

Conclusion Head of a black­market guild of sittle

peddlers, dripping in dirty wealth
Returned to the Karkada village,
destined to live alone in the sands Trusted handmaid to the next Queen
of Halloway
Hired as the resident Alchemistress
at the Tower Inn & Tavern Student of The Prism, studying her
clan's disappearance
Six feet deep, slain to seal away the
knowledge of the Karkada Something else

6
 Traits
Last surviving member of the Knows how to navigate using the
Karkada clan stars and an astral calendar

Trained in desert medicine Once poisoned the robber­baron

Berthold
Wears a bladed velvet cape, and
knows how to use it Knows how to make delicious ice
cream, chilled by glass and magick
Has been to a medicinal shop in
every town Once spent the night at the
Convocation of Desert Fey
Expert horse trainer
Spent years learning how to
Knows how to make colorful
identify handwriting samples
fireworks, given the right supplies
Has a reputation for compassion
Has a rival: the royal chef­at­arms
among the people of Halloway, and
Elory Du Jure
is often sought out for help
Can climb even the highest wall
Knows how to pinpoint nerves, for
quickly and silently
healing or harming
A novice in art forgery (both
A proficient sandfisher, able to pull
detection and production)
delicious lizards out of the dunes
Knows how to use small magicks to
Once saved the life of Erin the
learn more about a person from
Damned, a wandering ash knight
just their blood

Pharmacopeia Satchel
The wings of a snakebeetle, dried A bone­carving knife, dulled by
and bitter, for stirring the liver years of use
and spleen
A handful of colored glass gems,
A pinch of fragrant sand which worth a fair bit
can trigger a single massive
The Book of Bright Things
sneeze
A set of lock cracking needles,
Three ampoules of Wonderwill's
useful for going where you don't
Finest Therapeutic
belong
A tablet of Old Bell mushroom
A hand chime, tuned to a very
spores, deadly when dissolved in
specific frequency
fine wine
The infamous glass spear,
A half­used bag of sittle drops, a
Mohan's Razor
dangerously potent stimulant
Three hollow marbles
A small sachet of Karkada horn,
able to stave off certain death A magick kiln, able to melt glass
in seconds

7
 The Affable Gaffer
Tender of the Garden
concept by Jake the Fake Jake

The Queen's garden is the finest in the Lonely City, owing its
splendor in part to her incredible wealth, and in part to the
fastidious tending of the Affable Gaffer. The Gaffer has been the
royal gardener since the Queen's mother's reign, and they have a
deep and abiding love for the Lonely City and its people. Every
leaf has its place in the Gaffer's domain, every vine a part of the
living tapestry.

Yet the Assassin's attack has cost the city more than just the
Queen's life. The royal gardens were torched in the attack, leaving
the soil soaked in blood and the trees ablaze. Things cannot go
back to how they were. The Gaffer will not plant new seeds in the
ashes until the Assassin is brought to justice.

Scene Reference
Name 1. Determine the scene's Location
Bailey / Clove / Sasha / Voss /
2. Read the Location, choose a
Whitby / Storm / Vivian / Inge /
Backdrop, answer the Question, mark
Cael / Rowan / Laurel / Ed /
the Queen's Decay
something else
3. Play the scene, mark up to 2 boxes
Look on your sheet
lithe / taught / overgrown / 4. Conclude the scene by marking the
trimmed / sunny / grubby / discovered Assassin's Rumor
something else
5. Mark the Path Tracker

Conclusion Leader of the Old Growth, a mafia of

druids, fairies, and trees
Alone among the branches, now
more plant than planter Returned to the royal garden, letting
new life take root
Intrepid flora hunter, seeking rare
plants outside the Queendom Tender of The Tree Under the
Mountain, and all that grows there
Six feet deep, serving the soil even
in death Something else

8
 Traits
The royal gardener, skilled in local Knows how to spot the undead, and
botany how to send them to the grave
Carries a magickal herbarium, able An expert duelist with a pair of
to grow plants on the road gardening shears

Brews an herb­infused spider root Old friends with Elder Oak, the
tea, a traditional high­society drink lumber drake riddlemaster

Spent a winter studying the glass Enemy of the Flame Mage Wick­in­
flowers that grow in the Silicate Tallow, member of the Court of
Rose Desert Magick

Knows how to make a potent Grew up in the deep forests of

paralytic from wild Skull Daffodils Halloway's wilderness, always
knows how to find a secret route
Head of the Green Guild, a
scattered club of botanists Signed a pact with a minor fey
noble letting them rapidly
Honored by the Druid's Court for
accelerate plant growth
their deep knowledge of the wilds
Advisor to the glowing cave
Employs a small mud golem for
gardens of the Raine River Valley
help with heavy burdens and
particularly unruly plants An expert Tile Poker player

Can tell what orchard a wine is Was a well­known pugilist in their

from with a sip, unless drunk youth, still packing a punch

Herbarium Satchel
A lionwood sapling, which is highly The Redblade Shears, mark of
intoxicating for many large beasts office for the royal gardener
Sun God's Glory, a shiny golden A pinwheel walking staff, able to
chile said to burn even the gods tell the speed and direction of the
wind
Toad Garlic, an oily plant that can
apparently blind demons; tastes A registered gourmand's license,
great spread on bread one stamp away from a prize
Razorgill Caps, a terrifying Cleonie's Wild Root Compendium
mushroom that can flay skin if not
Battlescythe of the Farmer­
properly stewed
Knight Apollo
Apple leaf, a sweet and mild herb
The heart of a minor god, still
that is often toasted and smoked
half full
Holy Gum, a tiny berry bush whose
A crystal, almost fully grown
bitter rubbery fruit can be chewed
to alleviate the affects of a curse A combination spyglass and
magnifying glass
Deadly Nightshade, three doses

9
The Inkstained Pactmaster
Advocate of Fate
concept by Asher Holy

The House of Grey Magick is one of Halloway's most enigmatic

and mysterious institutions. Unlike the other magick academies,
the House does not teach any one branch of arcane study—instead
they collect the knowledge and relics of magick that has been lost
to the ages. Many years ago a child snuck into the House and
taught themself the ancient art of pactmagick: the formation and
application of powerful binding magick contracts.

Decades later, the child who once adventured into the House of
Grey Magick now serves as the Queen's Royal Pactmaster,
curating the pacts that hold the Queendom together. They are
bound to aid the Queen while she yet lives, and it is their deepest
desire to sign the Assassin's death warrant in crimson blood.

Scene Reference
Name 1. Determine the scene's Location
Leo / Morgan / Scriptkeeper /
2. Read the Location, choose a
Ainsley / Binder / Caelen /
Backdrop, answer the Question, mark
Quill / Leander / Scratch /
the Queen's Decay
something else
3. Play the scene, mark up to 2 boxes
Look on your sheet
scrawled / blotted / stamped / 4. Conclude the scene by marking the
sealed / pressed / neat / discovered Assassin's Rumor
annotated / something else
5. Mark the Path Tracker

Conclusion Curator of The House of Grey Magick

A professional pactbreaker, helping A travelling historian, writing a
others escape punishment memoir of the Queen's life and their
journey together
Retired, finally free from their
obligations Lost in the papery depths, writing The
Last Contract
Six feet deep, victim of a bloody
broken pact Something else

10
 Traits
Bound by a contract to serve the Signed a contract with Sleep, no
Queen until death longer needs to rest at night

Master practitioner of the art of Knows the keeper of every town's

pactmagick library

Was once the librarian for the Cult Chosen by the god of luck, Obis
of Broken Wings
Once signed away three years of
Longtime friend of Iroka, the their life to gain the power of flight
Prince of Death's personal
Can identify the origin of ink by
pactmaster
looking closely and tasting a bit
Speaks the language of fairies,
Wears a monocle, just for show
trolls, and minor gods
Divorced their partner long ago, the
Knows how to make floating
first promise they didn't keep
lanterns out of parchment and wax
Feared by merchants and
Bound by magick to never take
barristers across Halloway
another's life
Knows how to sail a boat, but not
Has seen the Tree Under the
how to swim
Mountain in their dreams
Keeper of the Queen's will
Knows how to heal spiritual
injuries using a bone needle and Once signed a grim pact with the
silver thread Demiurge

Contracts Satchel
A promise of payment which can A vial of promised blood and a
be redeemed at any inn fresh silver plume

A writ of immunity, pardoning a A folio of prewritten pacts

criminal if they hold up their end
The Book of Secret Names, stolen
The terms of a duel between two from the library of the House of
parties, to the death Grey Magick

A holy mandate, able to summon A blessed candle and stamp, able

the aid of a minor god to seal letters or souls

A soul­binding certificate, A vial of shimmering gold potion,

entwining two people in life and in to open your eyes
death
Twelve individually wrapped
A verbose pact, full of hidden licorice candies
bonds and subtle loopholes
A case of razor­sharp pen nibs,
The First Contract, a relic of for facing the sword
ancient days
A wretched hand, twice burnt

11
 The Stolen Childhood
Adopted Changeling Child
concept by Aisling Jensen

Not so long ago war between the Queendom and the Fey Court
seemed inevitable. Human trade caravans often disappeared, only
to be found weeks later drowned in spoiled milk. Brutish lumber
knights were paid from the royal coffers to hack away at the
forest’s edge. But on the eve of chaos, a desperate deal was made:
to seal a peace treaty, the Queen agreed to trade her only child for
the changeling child of the Fairy Crown Obre.

The Stolen Childhood is the product of this treaty. The Queen

adopted the Childhood, and peace has so far held. Despite the
traumatic circumstances of their relation, the Queen has always
treated the changeling as her trueborn heir. They may be young,
but they refuse to let their mother’s Assassin get away.

Scene Reference
Name 1. Determine the scene's Location
Lief / Erin / Hansel / Bobbet /
2. Read the Location, choose a
Hale / Sid / Silphy / Faun /
Backdrop, answer the Question, mark
Arin / Egg / Pimm / Otto /
the Queen's Decay
something else
3. Play the scene, mark up to 2 boxes
Look on your sheet
strong / soft / armored / pastel / 4. Conclude the scene by marking the
painted / shadowy / gangly / discovered Assassin's Rumor
something else
5. Mark the Path Tracker

Conclusion Takes the form of a fallen comrade

and completes their destiny
Returned to the Fey Court, to see if
they might have another parent A wandering adventurer, seeking new
stories and new faces
Consumed by anger, taking revenge
on those who betrayed the Queen by The new monarch of Halloway, uniting
wearing their faces the Queendom and the Fey Court
Six feet deep, lost alone in the wilds Something else

12
 Traits
A fairy changeling, adopted by the Studied the history of Halloway
Queen under the royal tutor, well versed
in the Queendom's politics
Knows how to change their
appearance at will Knows how to receive an earnest
offering, and how to bless the giver
Has a pair of delicate wings
Fast friends with the aging
Was taught to weave gold thread
Cardinal of Keys, Alvor
into cloth
Has permission to contact the Fey
Nephkin of Obis, the god of luck
Embassy in any town that has one
Can walk across still water
Can heal creeping wounds with
Has an uncanny ability to solve honey and ferncloth
mazes, mysteries, and metagrams
Rides a thoroughbred siege elk,
Has an acute memory for voices the Queendom's most expensive
steed
Studied for a time under the
famous craftsgolem Truvian Withers quickly in the heat, must
drink more water than most
Feared by the commonfolk of
Halloway, a reminder of the Fey Knows how to skip a stone an
War impressive distance
Knows how to extract delicious Has a heroic heart, can pull off one
nectar from flowers feat of impossible bravery

Faces Satchel
The face of a bandit prince, A long sliver of coffin wood, good
dashing and scarred for sending the dead away

The face of innocence, able to A ball of cursed twine, able to bind

charm anyone with a heart fey creatures like iron

The face of death approaching The Queen's war­needle,

Glassbender
A faceless visage
A silver hand mirror that always
The face of authority, with a
shows your true face
subtle mistake
A pair of tempered slugjammers
The eyes of a wild beast
Three vials of spiced wine, one
The face of a hearthspirit, well
spiked with a numbing powder
loved by the commonfolk
A locket with a portrait of the
A face full of stars
Fairy Crown Obre
A mask with sparkling teeth
A set of fine cinnamon pencils and
The face of the Queen, still alive a vellum sketchbook

13
 The One Who Sees
The Knight of Eyes
concept by Chris Angelini

The Prince of Death is worshipped in secret by a rare few of

Halloway's citizens. He is the figure that wanders blood­slick
battlefields—the face which stills the dying. Those who receive his
blessing usually die, though a few manage to cloak themselves in
the veil rather than choke beneath it.

The One Who Sees has always glimpsed too much: a flicker in the
shadows, the face of the sun, spirits lingering in every foul place.
They do not remember how they were marked by the Prince of
Death, nor how they survived the encounter. The One spent their
youth as a travelling exorcist, searching for another meeting with
the Prince. Though they are no great warrior, their supernatural
vision has earned them a place in the Queen's personal guard.

Scene Reference
Name 1. Determine the scene's Location
Gaunt / Esme / Cassandra /
2. Read the Location, choose a
Sallow / Tam / Mort / Alice /
Backdrop, answer the Question, mark
Inge / Sir Ocula / Benedict /
the Queen's Decay
something else
3. Play the scene, mark up to 2 boxes
Look on your sheet
drawn / glassy / unkempt / 4. Conclude the scene by marking the
tattooed / silver / crimson / discovered Assassin's Rumor
something else
5. Mark the Path Tracker

Conclusion The new Prince of Death

Returned to the Lonely City, no Named Royal Exorcist for the next
longer marked by the Prince monarch of Halloway
Stranded alone at the Prism, gazing Wandering mercenary with a keen eye
ever deeper into the glass for danger and death
Six feet deep, drawn from this side Afforded a meeting with the Prince of
of the veil to the other Death, who answers a single question

14
 Traits
The Queen's Knight of Eyes, Knows how to step out of the real
marked by the Prince of Death world, momentarily
Can see beyond the veil, granting Can fold paper flowers that float
true sight of spirits, gods, and into the sky when lit
creeping magick
Apprentice to Monument Placid,
Is a friend of the isolated Nuns of the golem mortician
Valor Restrained
Knows how to count dice and cheat
Can predict anyone's death, but at tile poker
only when the moon is empty
Recently bound a helpful spirit to
Has a smoldering rivalry with the their personal service
Travelling Archbishop
Searching for the dried heart of an
Knows a grey magick ritual which Elepede, a rare spell component
can sever a soul from its vessel
Honorary member of the Hall of
A terrible swordfighter wielding a Men, a dystheist sect of monks who
terrible sword want to kill or banish gods

Trained at the castle of the An excellent rabbit trap­hunter

Surgeon Knights
Wears the ceremonial garb of an
Once fell into the labyrinth of the elder deathseeker
Fairy Crown Obre
Only drinks out of a poison­proof
silver flask

Visions Satchel
A monstrous face just outside the The Prince's Blade, Respite
ring of firelight
A dark iron key to the Crypt of
A pair of spirits that duel at the Blessed Silence
stroke of midnight every night
An urn of precious ashes
A shade, stalking the Queen
The knucklebones of a myth
The reflection of another place on
A bouquet of wildflowers, picked
the surface of still water
along the edge of the road
A demon's true face
A chest of exorcist's tools, well
A victim of the Assassin, lingering worn and rusted
where they were slain
A handful of gold rounds, worth
Hel, the wolf that hunts the dead more for ritual than for coin

The hidden symbols that mark a A heavy leadcloth blindfold

fey gate
A cracked obsidian sphere, full
A friendly sprite, curious about of dark energy
the party

15
The Commandant's Shadow
Hero of Another Age
concept by Paul J Hodgeson

For a long and silver age the Queens of Halloway have sat upon
the Twin Ring Throne, presiding over the Lonely City. But long
ago, before the soaring bridges and marble walls gave shape to the
city, a great wooden fortress stood on the same land. This was the
Cresset Age, a time when living darkness gnawed endlessly at the
edges of civilization.

The Commandant was a hero in those days, leading cavalcades of

brave men armed with steel and fire to slay the monsters creeping
in the night. His life ended far from the Lonely City, at the foot of
a distant mountain where he slew the god­tyrant Night. Though
his name has been forgotten, the Commandant has not yet fully
passed from Halloway. His Shadow haunts the castle still.

Scene Reference
Name 1. Determine the scene's Location
Bane / Ebenezer / Cain /
2. Read the Location, choose a
Lamech / Coldstove / Idris /
Backdrop, answer the Question, mark
Goshe / I can't recall /
the Queen's Decay
something else
3. Play the scene, mark up to 2 boxes
Look on your sheet
empty / glowing / fleeting / 4. Conclude the scene by marking the
cold / scattered / bound / discovered Assassin's Rumor
desiccated / something else
5. Mark the Path Tracker

Conclusion The new monarch of Halloway, a land

for the dead and the living
An unbound shade, able to wander
the land freely and peacefully Avatar of the god­tyrant Night, the
enemy he slayed so long ago
Guardian shade for one of the
surviving members of the party Trapped in the Tree Under the
Mountain
Six feet deep, finally free from
lingering life Something else

16
 Traits
The castle shade, spectral advisor Knows how to inhabit glass, as long
to the lineage of Queens as there is a source of light nearby
Ancient hero of the Cresset Age, Always finds time to eavesdrop
able to call upon the magick of a
Folk storytellers still speak of his
bygone era
past adventures
Knows the ancient history of most
Knows something about the Tree
locations, no matter how much they
Under the Mountain that has been
have changed
lost to time
Hunted by the Outcast Exorcist
Old friends with the Resting Troll
Luthier
Turnsk nar Tronkle
Can possess another's body to grant
Has the ability to speak to the
them incredible martial skill
recently deceased
Knows a gossipy restless spirit in
Can manipulate the shadows
every town
Has spent many of his long years
Can't be killed by mundane weapon
reading in the castle library
or simple magick, just temporarily
dispelled Sometimes leaves behind a bit of
spectral slime
Still holds a grudge against the
Fairy Crown Obre Knows how to track quarry both
living and dead
An expert military tactician

Arcana Satchel
A haunting dirge which can drive The Moonlight Spear
the living to mourning and sleep
A handful of silver nails, the
A bone needle floating in water, currency of the fae black markets
always pointing towards a secret
A copper vessel full of gunpowder
A holly wand full of banishing light and grave dirt
Steel spikes, twice enchanted and A full­length silk shroud
once cursed
A pot of thick white smoke which
The symbol of a dead god can snuff out fire
A ritual which summons a monster A set of spectral lenses
from the past
Three bolts of bone canvas, the
A tall obsidian obelisk, unnoticed main component of spirit armor
until just now
A double­sided dagger, one edge
A circle of twigs woven together, for flesh and one edge for spirit
useful for capturing spirits
A coin with his own face stamped
A clear glass marble, twinkling on it, proof of a long­held debt

17
 The Weeping Herald
Trickster, Smokesinger
concept by Gabriel Bélanger

Every summer solstice, the Wild Knights meet deep in the Thunderwood for their
annual Grand Melee. This cavalcade of fey heroes compete in a series of challenges
to win the favor of the Fairy Crown Obre and a single granted wish. The Melee has
only one rule: no mortal may bear witness and live.

Some years ago, an unknown knight entered the Grand Melee, masked and
carrying a broadsword­sized tuning fork. They triumphed in every event, winning
each contest through trickery and wit. When the time came to receive their
reward, the knight revealed themself to be a human wearing a blindfold and
demanded their wish be granted: to become the finest storyteller in the world. The
enraged fey monarch granted their wish, but not without a twist. The Weeping
Herald has become the most celebrated orator in Halloway and the Queen's trusted
left hand, but they suffer from a curse—whenever they lie, thick black smoke pours
from their mouth and stings their eyes.

Scene Reference
Name 1. Determine the scene's Location
Sweetgreen / Halibranth /
2. Read the Location, choose a
Cruz / Bellow / Heiress /
Backdrop, answer the Question, mark
Thrumm / Loki / Loom /
the Queen's Decay
something else
3. Play the scene, mark up to 2 boxes
Look on your sheet
sootstained / floral / starched / 4. Conclude the scene by marking the
fur­lined / velvet / leatherclad / discovered Assassin's Rumor
something else
5. Mark the Path Tracker

Conclusion Court Herald, riding through

Halloway announcing the reign of a
Alone in the wilderness, keeping this
new monarch
sad tale to themself
Riddlemaster of the Thunderwood,
A traveling talespinner, keeping
tricking fool and fey who wander
their adventures alive through story
through their domain
Six feet deep, choking on a final lie
Something else
and broken heart

18
 Traits
Left hand of the Queen—tasked Is well­known among Halloway's
with proclamation, commendation, eligible nobility, and has been
and song romantically involved with many of
them
Feyblessed tongue—every truth
carries magick tones, every lie Very loud
bellows acrid smoke
Knows how to weave bundles of
Has a fanclub among the street gossamer grass into a useful shape
urchins in every town
Can throw their voice accurately at
Youngest of seven siblings, each the cost of belching a bit of smoke
with a surprising reputation
Bound by a magickal contract to aid
Has a small bounty on their head the Hallow Fiend should he ever
from an unfortunate horse racing come calling
incident
Knows how to design elaborate
Knows enough of the Queendom's masks and costumes, better for
laws to out­talk most guards and standing out than blending in
executioners
Fond of local food, knows the best
Friend of the River Gods, a family restaurant in most towns
of jolly talking fish
Still despised by most priests after
Cares deeply about the sorrow of their blunder at last year's
their companions, and is always Convention of Holy Men
willing to lend an ear

Recitations Satchel
A song that binds a sprite to A broadsword­sized tuning fork
temporary service
Three lemonbark cigars which
A proclamation of triumph that produce an astringent yellow
drives an ally to excellence smoke
A stack of pamphlets that can A handful of fey coin won from
rouse the masses the Dealer in the Mirror
A tale of grim intrigue, told in A trumpet lance
darkness
A fine vintage bottle of fermented
A lie twice told, able to fill a room mushroom mead
with smoke in seconds
A plate­mail golem who owes you
A whispered story able to cheer a favor
someone in pain
The gossip log of an information
A shout that burns with light, broker, written in code
blinding all those who hear it
A die that never rolls a 1 or 6
A eulogy that puts a shade to rest
The Queen's royal banner

19
 The Haunted Soothsayer
Survivor of the Fractured Worlds
concept by Clementine Angquico

Deep in the halls of Halloway's Academy of Magick the

queendom's mages and artificers study the fundamental forces of
the world. It is here that new magick is discovered and the wheel
of history is driven forward. The Haunted Soothsayer was once a
researcher here, studying a mysterious crystal which seemed to
act as a window to other worlds. Until disaster struck.

As the Soothsayer watched, every other world began to go dark.

Disaster, calamity, and death have claimed every existence but
this one, and it is the Soothsayer's duty to protect this world from
the fate that has befallen all others. The assassination of the
Queen seems to have put this world on a path towards darkness,
and they have but one chance to set the scales right.

Scene Reference
Name 1. Determine the scene's Location
Castelain / Holiday / Victorine /
2. Read the Location, choose a
Ardvent / Ophelia / Riley /
Backdrop, answer the Question, mark
Ydris / Willow / Emlane /
the Queen's Decay
something else
3. Play the scene, mark up to 2 boxes
Look on your sheet
ashen / spectral / hollow / 4. Conclude the scene by marking the
frayed / clouded / reflective / discovered Assassin's Rumor
something else
5. Mark the Path Tracker

Conclusion Royal Prognosticator for the new

monarch of Halloway
Self­imposed exile, alone except for
the crystal's phantoms Consumed by visions of other worlds,
obsessed with the edges of fate but
Founder of the Crystal Palace, a
unable to alter them
foundation for making new worlds
Traveling mage and fortune breaker
Six feet deep, dead to keep the
darkness at bay Something else

20
 Traits
Arcane researcher, well­studied in Hunted by the Black Hound of the
magickal theory and academic Glade for transgressions against
application the fey court
Bearer of the Shattered Crystal, Fashioned a shard of crystal into a
which can be used to predict glass eye which reveals all magick
disaster, calamity, and death
Once served as an advisor to the
Once spent four days debating the Witch­Mother's coven
origins of binding magick
Knows how to curse a patch of land
Survived a full night in the Wood with a withering blight
of Howling Fiends, on a bet
Warden to a spirit imprisoned for
Patron of the Orphan's Court, crimes against the crown
where they grew up
Well­practiced dancer, especially
Skilled in golem maintenance, skilled in court­formal swing
repair, and enhancement
Swore an oath of secrecy to the
Invented a ritual which allows Demiurge and only broke it once
them to be in three places at once
Wears a set of glass plate armor to
for a very short time
formal events, a mark of their
Card­carrying member of both the arcane education
Grand Mapmaker's Consortium
Knows a forgotten ancient story
and the Star­Almanac Charting
about the Prism
League

Crystal Shards Satchel

A well­worn shard depicting the A set of silver­foil tarot cards
Queen's death, the one future they with one additional card not in
couldn't avert standard decks
A razor­sharp shard which shows A pouch of seeds that numb the
some violence about to occur mind and body
A clouded shard which shows the A token of favor from the Witch­
phantom of someone with Mother
important information
A calligraphy set and a sheaf of
The darkest shard, connected to a papers stolen from a fey
true evil from another world chronicler
A mirrored shard which shows the A book of terrible prophecies
current moment with one key that have not yet come to pass
difference
An ornate scrimshaw skull
A jagged shard which predicts whose engravings change when
certain death not watched carefully
An empty shard, glowing slightly The Brooding Dagger

21
 The Princess of Lyres
Heir to Soul and String
concept by Ben Hatton

The line of Queens has been unbroken for generations—each

monarch of Halloway passing the crown to her child in turn. Thus,
it was expected that the Queen's daughter, the Princess of Lyres,
would take her place after her mother's assassination. But the
Princess has never desired to sit on the throne—she has always
cared more about magick and song than politics. Until her
mother's soul is put to rest, she cannot be compelled to rule.

For the first time in centuries, the throne lies empty in the Lonely
City. The Queen herself has been reduced to a crumbling husk
bent on revenge, and the Princess is unwilling to lead. The fate of
the Queendom hangs in the balance: will the Princess rise to her
birthright, or is this the first chord of a new song?

Scene Reference
Name 1. Determine the scene's Location
Cadenza / Octavia / Ellie /
2. Read the Location, choose a
Gaige / Viv / Morgana /
Backdrop, answer the Question, mark
Katrina / Zemlya / Hester /
the Queen's Decay
something else
3. Play the scene, mark up to 2 boxes
Look on your sheet
silverclad / laceborne / 4. Conclude the scene by marking the
jewelbound / ironblessed / discovered Assassin's Rumor
leathershod / something else
5. Mark the Path Tracker

Conclusion The next Queen of Halloway, finally

accepting of her fate
Bandit Queen, reveling in pillaging
the Queendom she could have owned A figurehead monarch, bound by
tradition but unable to lead
Infamous hero pursuing adventure
outside the Queendom Wandering minstrel and entertainer
with an entirely new persona
Six feet deep, entombed in honor at
the royal crypt Something else

22
 Traits
Daughter of the Queen, crown Friends with Left Leg Larry, a
princess of Halloway, heir apparent wandering astrologian
Novice witch, budding musician, Apprentice demon hunter, tutored
able to bend both spell and song by the best royal gold could buy

Knows how to clean areas of Knows how to identify common

magickal corruption herbs and natural poisons

Once won a musical duel with an Has a line of credit at the

illustrious fey fiddler Scrollbinder's Emporium

A daring gambler with more than Has the authority to command the
enough gold to play reckless Queendom's militia

Rides a noble warhorse who is not Knows a set of runes that are able
very fond of her to bind a soul temporarily

Friendly rivals with a young leader Spent a winter studying the

of Halloway's anti­monarchy rebels Vermillion Children cult
Most nobles would do anything to Knows how to decode messages
earn her favor written in code, given time

Well versed in formal tea service Patron of the Mummers and Misers
and court tradition travelling theatre troupe

Knows a secret even the Queen has Secretly worships Notus, the
now forgotten trickster god

Spells and Songs Satchel

A weak gravity enchantment that A crystal vial filled with
can't quite lift a person writhing liquid fire
A rousing pub song, bawdy lyrics A mask that can be glamoured
and all to look like another person
A spell which billows smoke A lead flask filled with crimson
deadly to vampires and trolls royal blood
A sonata from a distant land A fencing foil sharp enough to
pierce spirits
A ward which blocks exactly one
strike that would otherwise kill A braid of wolf hair
A love song, hummed softly A polished seashell which
reflects the light of dead stars
A hex which drains luck
A golem assistant bound for
The royal anthem of Halloway
pack­carrying and protection
A blood curse that bends the bones
A gold­scrolled music box
and breaks the body of an enemy
A bandolier of loaded crossbows

23
 The Crimson Emissary
Master of Espionage and Intelligence
by Riley Rethal

The Crimson Emissary began as a thief who tried to steal from

the castle, but when they were caught, the Queen’s mother
decided to hire them instead of hang them. They have spent many
years as the spymaster of Halloway and know more about the
shadowy goings­on, conspiracies, and mundane gossip of the land
than anyone else in the Queendom.

The Emissary should have known about the assassination before

it happened. They should have known the Assassin's name the
moment they entered the Lonely City. They should have stopped
this. But they have failed. The only thing the Emissary can do
now is follow the threads of treachery—pull on the strings until
they find revenge.

Scene Reference
Name 1. Determine the scene's Location
Viola / Derrick / Darlow /
2. Read the Location, choose a
Zephyr / Runa / Kasper /
Backdrop, answer the Question, mark
Mercury / Brynne / Lark / Olen /
the Queen's Decay
something else
3. Play the scene, mark up to 2 boxes
Look on your sheet
amiable / alluring / bitter / 4. Conclude the scene by marking the
cloaked / cautious / decorated / discovered Assassin's Rumor
imposing / something else
5. Mark the Path Tracker

Conclusion A closed off scholar, obsessed with

discovering the reason behind the
Spymaster for the new Monarch of
assassination
Halloway, and the real power behind
the throne An emerging leader in the growing
revolt against the crown
A traveler far beyond the Queendom
An artisan in the Lonely City
Six feet deep, killed by a lingering
wound from the Assassin Something else

24
 Traits
Loves the Queen Has a twin sister who is a knight in
the Order of the Golden Lily
Experienced information gatherer
and spy with many connections Can read and write in many foreign
languages but has trouble speaking
Former pickpocket and bandit of
them aloud
the Silvergarden Pass
Once helped the pirate captain
Always has a dagger on hand or in
Dawson Bailey evade the pirate
boot
hunter Trebinald Monte Castille
Master of forgery
Knows how to make a poison out of
Once spent 5 months in the common herbs and roots
dungeon for suspected treason
Raised as a follower of the God of
Hated by at least one local thieves Many Summers, but hasn't
guild practiced since childhood
Has a crush on Olympe the Helped to forge an alliance between
Glorymaker, the greatest bard in the Queen and the Golden Mage
Halloway Farzipal
Friend and ally to a small group of Once stole a small glass prism from
rebel fey, but has never vivsited the manor of the robber­baron
the Fey Court Berthold
Knows a secret the Hourkeeper Knows how to break magickal locks
has hidden even from the Queen

Connections Satchel
The storyteller at the local tavern, A set of detailed maps, legible
who owes you a drink only to you
The golem who serves the local A key to a noble’s manor, given
manor and risked their station to by a servant
help you uncover a dastardly plot
A pouch of pressed flowers
The Church of the Holly Garland
The Sword of Hecuba Dawn, a
whose Vicar you saved from an
gift from the Queen
assassination attempt last year
A worn book written in a code
A local magician who is enamored
you have been deciphering for
with you
months
A scholar in the Academy of
A purse of copper and silver
Magick who you’ve never met, but
coins,
have corresponded with through
letters sporadically A short list of nobles who have
not yet submitted all of their
A clerk of the Prince of Death, who
taxes to the castle
you met once on accident

25
 The Hexed Baronet
The Landlord Aristocrat
by Riley Rethal

The Queen's cousin has always been a bit of an eccentric. Their

noble lineage has given them much: swathes of land, a luxurious
manor in the Lonely City, the finest food money can buy. But they
have no interest in business, instead spending their days studying
art, magick, and whatever else will hold their interest for a day.

Through a series of ill­considered investments, the Hexed Baronet

has accrued a mountain of debt. Their connections to the Queen
have insulated them from any real material consequences except
for one: the Court of Magick has bound the Baronet with a
powerful debt­collection curse. Any coins, jewels, or treasures that
they touch are instantly transported into a repayment vault until
such a time as the Baronet's debts are absolved.

Scene Reference
Name 1. Determine the scene's Location
Alden / Carolyn / Williford /
2. Read the Location, choose a
August / Victoria / Ernest /
Backdrop, answer the Question, mark
Clarence / Vance / Esme /
the Queen's Decay
something else
3. Play the scene, mark up to 2 boxes
Look on your sheet
enchanting / ornate / wistful / 4. Conclude the scene by marking the
haughty / delicate / guarded / discovered Assassin's Rumor
fretful / something else
5. Mark the Path Tracker

Conclusion The new monarch of Halloway,

building an empire of their own
Has forsaken their title and taken
up the study of magick Stripped of their title under false
pretenses, forced to find a new life as
Married off to a foreign noble for
a peasant in the Lonely City
political reasons, rarely able to visit
Halloway Buried in wealth from a shrewd deal
Six feet deep, drowned in their debt Something else

26
 Traits
Cousin of the queen, Baronet of Fascinated by magick and the
Rainewood occult

Owes a mountain of debt, bears a Owed a debt by the master of the

curse which seizes any valuables House of Grey Magick
they touch for repayment
Lost their only daughter to the
A lavish patron of the arts, beloved Black Swamp Flu not three years
by minstrels and artists across ago
Halloway
Owns land in places far from the
Tutored by the Bloody Historian as Queendom’s borders
a child
Has a rival: the Canary Duchess of
Close friends with the pirate Austereaux
hunter Trebinald Monte Castille
Childhood friends with a fey
Had a claim to the throne after the princess, who taught them some
death of the Queen’s mother, but basic magick
refused to act on it
Controls an important port just
A proficient horse rider with a outside of Halloway
close connection to their horse
Hated by the Lakebed Nomads, as
Owns a mint farm on the outskirts they once tried to take their land
of a small village
Can see ghosts, but refuses to speak
Employs a golem attendant to them

Assets Satchel
The deed to a silver mine in a A delicate and ornate umbrella
mountain overrun by razor crabs
Maps that are more beautiful
Three shares of a small crafthouse than useful
that makes exquisite instruments
A shining sword which you
The bones of a dead god, packaged know not how to wield
for display in a museum
Letters from various nobles
A grain warehouse near the across Halloway
bakery district
A small pouch of foreign spices
The only copy of the recipe for an
A necklace too gaudy to match
especially rare brandy
your current outfit
A cartful of oil paintings by a
A small piece of parchment with
recently deceased master painter
a secret written on it
An I.O.U. from the bishop for
An embroidery kit
twelve ruby shards
A beautiful and expensive silk
A fine cask of mushroom wine
ribbon

27
 The Explorer Adrift
Royal Traveler and Privateer
by Riley Rethal

The Explorer Adrift left Halloway long ago, before the current
Queen was the Queen. They spent years exploring foreign lands,
learning information and making alliances that could be useful to
the crown. They have seen the vast library carved out of the ice in
the Frozen Sea, flown in hot­air balloons over the edge of the City
of Sun, and listened to the shanties of the lake­lobster men.
Finally they have sailed home, ship laden with maps and books
gathered from across the land.

They arrived back in Halloway just in time to partake in this

journey, and hope to serve this new Queen as well as they did her
mother, even in her last days.

Scene Reference
Name 1. Determine the scene's Location
Alaska / Edmund / Sylvan /
2. Read the Location, choose a
Alexandrine / Beatrix / Hollis /
Backdrop, answer the Question, mark
River / Vega / Marlowe /
the Queen's Decay
something else
3. Play the scene, mark up to 2 boxes
Look on your sheet
rugged / proud / disheveled / 4. Conclude the scene by marking the
distracted / intense / earnest / discovered Assassin's Rumor
weary / something else
5. Mark the Path Tracker

Conclusion A double agent in the new monarch's

court, working for a rebel faction
A traveler yet again, leaving
waiting for revolution
Halloway behind for good
Retired to a small apartment in the
A propagandist in the employ of the
Lonely City, telling stories in an
new crown
underground bar
Six feet deep, killed in an ill­fated
Something else
duel

28
 Traits
Loves the queen Was once in love with the Canary
Duchess of Austereaux
Traveler of lands, far and wide
Was a part of the infamous
Knows curse words in almost every
Alabaster Coup in Thadona, but left
known language
before the new leader was chosen
Honorary Protector of the Lakebed
Knows a bit of divination magic
Nomads
from their time in the Valley of the
Trained in fencing under the Waxing Gibbous
master duelist Sabine Lily­Garnier
Can brew a perfect cup of tea
Flirted with the Mistress of
Knows very few people in Halloway
Gloaming and lived to tell the tale
because they’ve been gone so long
Knew the Knight of Whispers
Was mentioned a few times in the
when they were both children
best­selling book of a fellow traveler
Knows many recipes for delicious
An expert at astral navigation
foods from distant realms, but is a
terrible chef Spent time learning the local
dances in many of the lands they
Spent a year traveling with the
visited
pirate captain Dawson Bailey
Has been in regular communication
Offers cigarettes to others but
with the Crimson Emissary during
never smokes them
their travels

Stories Satchel
“The time I smuggled a crate of A worn journal detailing many
Gilded Hawk Eggs across the Sea of their travels
of Ringing Glass”
A bronze telescope, a gift from a
“The time I challenged the pirate distant king
hunter Trebinald Monte Castille
An assortment of papers, inks,
to a duel, and we tied”
and quills
“The time I pulled a fantastic
A rapier which has served them
prank on the Imperator of Amara
quite well
and was unfairly banned from the
city” A letter from a distant vizier,
meant for the Queen
“The time I spent three and a half
weeks in a Hederan dungeon, all A pouch of dried fruits and nuts
because I was mistaken for a local A royal letter of introduction, for
thief” use in their travels
“The time I took an artifact that A few foreign coins with
should’ve been left alone and got unfamiliar markings
myself cursed”

29