Fantasy Grounds - House of Krampus - Level-6 is a tabletop RPG adventure module designed for virtual tabletops on PC. Players take on the roles of level 6 adventurers investigating strange disappearances in the snowbound village of Hearthglen, where a mysterious mansion known as the House of Krampus has materialized in the nearby forest.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on exploration and combat within a haunted manor and the twisting dungeon beneath it. Adventurers navigate snow-covered grounds, enter the crooked black-wood mansion with its glowing red windows, and descend into corridors lined with cracked icicles and tattered garlands. Encounters involve cultists of the Dark Mistletoe, dark magic effects, and environmental hazards that test party resources and decision-making.
Key mechanics include periodic random events that occur after set intervals or loud noises, light management in areas with magical sconces, and a bells system tied to Krampus that can influence character resolve through group checks. The adventure builds toward locating and destroying a dark growth that anchors the devilish presence, requiring confrontation with guardians such as Lindlen Zikara and his fanatics.
Progression follows standard RPG structures with investigation of missing villagers, navigation of unsafe or risky zones, and tactical battles against foes that possess darkvision and other resistances. The module supports both D&D 5e and Shadowdark rulesets, allowing groups to adapt encounters to their preferred system while maintaining a consistent horror-tinged holiday theme.
Game Modes
The module functions primarily as a self-contained adventure suitable for a single session or short campaign arc lasting three to five hours. It supports group play through virtual tabletops, where a game master oversees the narrative and multiple players control characters in real time or turn-based resolution depending on the ruleset in use.
Exploration splits between the manor level, marked by higher danger checks every thirty minutes, and the deeper dungeon level with more frequent risks every twenty minutes. Optional integration allows the content to slot into larger ongoing campaigns, with the central plot of banishing Krampus providing a focused objective that can stand alone or connect to broader stories.
Setting and Atmosphere
The adventure unfolds in Hearthglen, a village gripped by fear as residents vanish during the holiday season. The House of Krampus appears as a spectral structure tied to ancient legends of the winter devil, complete with pine-scented smoke, frost-covered details, and an underlying sense of dread that permeates both the surface manor and the subterranean labyrinth.
Atmospheric elements emphasize isolation in the snowbound woods, the contrast between festive traditions and encroaching terror, and the cult's influence through corrupted holiday motifs. Random events and the bells mechanic add layers of tension, forcing players to manage time, noise, and psychological pressure alongside combat and puzzle-solving.
Is It Worth Playing?
This module suits groups seeking a compact, thematic RPG experience centered on investigation, dungeon crawling, and boss-style confrontation in a winter horror setting. It delivers a clear narrative arc from village mystery to heart of the dungeon without requiring extensive preparation beyond the provided maps and descriptions.
Players who enjoy structured adventures with environmental storytelling, cult encounters, and a climactic goal of destroying an anchoring force will find the content engaging for a focused evening or weekend session. The dual system support broadens accessibility for different rule preferences, and the virtual tabletop format enables remote play with friends.
Availability through platforms that host Fantasy Grounds content makes it straightforward to acquire and run. Groups new to holiday-themed modules or those looking for a level-appropriate challenge with built-in tension mechanics will likely appreciate the direct approach to the Krampus legend without unnecessary complexity.
