Beware Of The Locals Review

Intro and Overview

Beware of the Locals is the first supplement to Bloody Appalachia. While the core book focuses on playing outsiders entering Bludworth Hollow, this book includes new classes and rules to let you play locals.

Character Creation

The book starts with a local specific occupation table. We're then presented with several new classes:

• Backwoods Chemist - While the Pusher from the core book might sell illicit substances, you know how to make 'em
• Backyard Wrestler- you're one Jim Cornette would refer to as an outlaw garbage wrestler, as the first official wrestling class for ST this, I'm super happy with this one! 
• Family Prodigy - the class name, taken out of context is misleading, this one is designed to play a champion of the Lee and Hooper families. This class emulates the Sawyer family from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise.
• Good Ol' Boy/Girl - this is just a rough and tumble country native
• Miner - Miners have along history in Appalachia, it's hard dangerous work, the class also has an option for spelunkers
• Moonshine Runner - you know how to drive and deliver your goods without get caught by the law
• Mountain Folk - this is a solid class for kin that live in the back hollers
• Mountain Preacher - this one is a fun one and very fitting. That old-time religion is an important part of Appalachian society (for good or ill). There are four variants and I've met them all (except the snake wrangler)
• Poacher - these folks hunt when they want and where they want, laws be damned
• Survivalist (Mountain Tracker Variant) - A doomsday prepper that's at home in the hills

Because of the lethal nature of the game, it's recommended to have back up characters ready. The skills section looks pretty similar to other ST games. The same can be said for the equipment. There is a small section on improvised explosives and quick and dirty drug creation. There's a full page of drugs, costs, and effects.

Rules For Play

Beware of the Locals adds vehicle and vehicle combat rules. There's a chart with vehicles, their costs and stats. We're also presented with ways to upgrade them (and what that costs). New car chase/race rules and specific actions for drivers are detailed (with a multiround example). Of course, the roads aren't always going to be clear so obstacle and crash rules are also included.  

Game Master Section

There are three new scenario for Bloody Appalachia. They can be played by locals or outsiders. There is an appendix of Appalachian terms. Going to be honest, I've lived in Appalachia 35 of my 39 years on Earth and haven't heard a lot of these terms. Not doubting there veracity, there just older terms. There are several useful tables like weapons you would fin in a barn, basic items you would find in a barn, what's in the cooler, as well as several other.

Final Thoughts

While this supplement is short (only 40 pages), it's definitely useful. Honestly, even if you don't plan on playing Bloody Appalachia, I think this is a good rural sourcebook for something like What Shadows Hide.  Plus it provides some vehicle rules not found in that game. Speaking of those rules, I might revisit this flick now that I have an Appalachian horror game with vehicle rules.

The art is fantastic. Peter Frain did a great job on this cover too and Christopher Torres art is metal af.

Preorder Link