Fantasy Grounds Curse of Orthnix delivers a 5.5E compatible RPG adventure module built for the Fantasy Grounds virtual tabletop on PC. Players take on the roles of characters exploring a buried desert manor and tomb tied to Baron Bohdan Orthnix, whose pursuit of immortality created a persistent curse centered on a sacrificial dagger that drains youth from its victims.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on exploration and combat across five interconnected dungeon levels beneath shifting sands. Groups navigate forgotten chambers filled with cultists, undead guardians, and elemental experiments while avoiding deadly traps and uncovering hidden vaults. The module supplies over 20 tokens, more than 10 monsters and NPCs, and a similar number of magic items and spells to populate encounters. Complex Curses form a key system that turns cursed objects into narrative elements with built-in histories, clues, and removal methods rather than simple mechanical penalties. All content supports both 5E and 5.5E rulesets through formatted story entries, linked encounters, and reference material.
Game Modes
Curse of Orthnix functions as a structured adventure for groups of four to six characters at fifth level. Fantasy Grounds handles the session through its online multiplayer framework, where one participant acts as game master while others control player characters. The module includes adventure maps with dynamic lighting, pins, and navigation links that facilitate real-time play. Records for NPCs, monsters, magic items, spells, and treasure integrate directly into the platform for quick reference during sessions. No separate single-player or competitive modes appear in the design.
Adventure Structure
The module converts a 36-page adventure into a fully formatted digital package with integrated illustrations and handouts. Five dungeon levels connect through story-driven progression that leads characters from the resurfaced dagger to the baron's tomb. Encounters blend combat against cultists and undead with puzzle-like elements involving elemental experiments and ancient treasures. The Complex Curses framework adds layers of investigation, requiring players to piece together clues before confronting the curse's source.
Is It Worth Playing?
This module suits groups already using Fantasy Grounds who want a ready-to-run 5.5E adventure focused on curse resolution and dungeon exploration. It provides complete support materials including tokens, maps, and records, reducing preparation time for the game master. The emphasis on story-driven curse mechanics offers a departure from standard dungeon crawls. Availability through the Fantasy Grounds platform means players need the base application, which includes a free tier for basic use. No player review data or update history exists yet given the recent release, so groups should evaluate based on their interest in mid-level 5.5E content centered on investigation and combat within a contained tomb setting.
