Dark Archive: The Missing Pages | To Defeat a Mountain (Cryptid Horror One-Shot)

About the adventure

The Last Archivist is gone, the Dark Archive shuttered by the Pathfinder Society. Yet the dangers that the Archivist rooted out still linger, pages of his last journal the only clues of where these dangers lurk. A page has found its way to you, with notes from a young apprentice who thought themselves prepared for the horrors that lurk in the world beyond the Archive's old walls. What happened to this apprentice is unknown, but the page points you to a small town near a wizard's tower. The wizard has been gathering unique and supposedly dangerous components, and the Last Archivist's notes suggest that they were going to visit the wizard, an old comrade, to ferret out what plans the arcanist had brewing. It is now up to you to travel to the town and find news of the lost apprentice. Prepare yourself for the unknown dangers that lurk, hinted at by this lost page of the Dark Archive. This game is set on Golarion, Pathfinder 2E's core setting, and is based on the Dark Archive, a book of horror and unsettling themes, particularly cryptids. Roleplay is highly encouraged, but the session will include combat and investigation as well!

Additional Details

How to prepare

You should be ready for the game with a microphone and headphones, and a camera if you wish to be on video (like me). Voice and video will be handled on Discord, while character and battlemap interactions will take place on Roll20 (both of which can be run in a web browser, if you do not wish to install any other software). You are welcome to bring your 3rd to 4th level character, but pregenerated characters will also be available (built into the Roll20 game). Roll20 takes care of the dice rolling, so all you need is your computer, your mic, a webcam (if you wish), and headphones (to reduce feedback sound). If you don't know the Pathfinder 2E system, that is ok! The Roll20 interface pretty much covers everything, and I will fill in the blanks as we go along.

What I provide

I will bring the popcorn! However, I will be the only one to eat the popcorn I eat (silly technology, let me email popcorn!). However, I will have the adventure all set up for your enjoyment in Roll20, including battlemaps, characters, and story!

Gameplay details

You can expect a level of NPC death and dismemberment (spoilers!), and potential PC death (depending on your choices). I welcome X-card notices, either verbal, by messaging me on the group channel on Roll20 or Discord, or by messaging me privately on Discord. Your boundaries are respected!

Content warnings

(none)

Safety tools used

Breaks
X, N, and O Cards

How will character creation work

You are welcome to bring your 3rd to 4th level character, but pregenerated characters will also be available (built into the Roll20 game). Characters that have taken part in the Dark Archive adventures are welcome, too!

Players can expect

• Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.
• Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.
• If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.