In 1976 a group travels to the California desert for a photoshoot and decided to stop into a (not so) abandoned town.
Review
Brute is appropriate because this film is brutal as fuck. It's definitely inspired by Texas Chainsaw Massacre (which it references directly) and The Hills Have Eyes. The big difference between this and TCM is that this movie actually shows all the disturbing violence. Also unlike that film, the victims... er protagonists of this one are actually likable. I don't think there are any bad performances in this one.
As I mentioned, the flick is brutal. It has one of the top 5 nastiest slasher kills I've ever seen. I don't want to go into too many details but it involves a drill and a reproductive organ. Even censored (yes the body part is blurred) it's messed up. Fun fact, I'm friends with the victim of this kill. He and I went to school together and he drove me to school senior year. I didn't realize Mark was in the movie until I started watching it, which made the kill an even bigger surprise. T
This one isn't for everyone but if you are a slasher fan and gorehound check it out. It's a great tribute to some classic slasher flicks.
In Your Game
Mama Birdie and her family would fit right into a Bloody Appalachia game. You could even move them from the desert to Kentucky and make them a third faction.
A group of friends get more than they bargain for when they go to an "extreme" haunted house.
Review
This is a very solid modern horror flick. You root for some characters, while you can't wait for others to bite it. The performances are solid. In particular there are some excellent shots of silent shock and grieving that are so well done. The deaths are brutal and the haunted house itself is pretty interesting. Not sure how I felt about the twist and motivation of the villains, but it was at least interesting. Also, the ending is perfect.
In Your Game
Haunt Worker Armor Class: 13 Hit Dice: 4 HD Move: 12 Actions: 2 Attack: By weapon Bonuses: +2 to melee attacks, +2 to melee damage, +3 to Athletics: Basic, +4 to Stealth
Teenager Quinn and her father move to a quite Midwest town to start a new life. The town has fallen on hard times. Soon she and her new friends are being targeted by a local mascot, Frendo the clown.
Review
Based on the Adam Cesare's young adult novel of the same name, Clown in a Cornfield is a fun teen slasher. While a lot of the cast feel like stock slasher victims, a few stand out. Katie Douglas is fantastic as the lead, Quinn. Aaron Abrams is funny and likable as her father, Glenn. I also think Carson MacCormac does a fantastic job as the young oligarch of the town, Cole.
For slasher fans there is some gore, though it's not excessive. While at times the film is predictable to genre fans, there were some nice twists too. There was a lot more comedy than I expected. There are a few truly laugh out loud moments. My favorite involves the teens not understanding how to use a rotary phone. Now to be fair, I'm 41 and never used one so maybe it's not that strange that they didn't know how to use it.
Also I really like the themes and topics addressed in this one. I don’t want to spoil anything by saying what they are, just that I think it works.
If you want a fun slasher that isn't over the top, check this one out. As of time of post, it's available to stream on Shudder.
In Your Game
I won't go into any details for these stats, but if you want to add Frendo to your SURVIVE THIS!! game here's how to do it.
Frendo the Clown
Armor Class: 12
Hit Dice: 2
Move: 12
Actions: 1
Attack Damage: By weapon
Special: Inept
Bonuses: +1 to melee attacks, +2 to Stealth checks
Alignment: Evil
Morale: 7
Madness: 3 (9)
Terror: -
HDE: 2
Inept: When Frendo rolls a 1 on his attack roll the attack hits himself or an ally.
For Day 31 "All Hallows Eve" I watched Dark Harvest, mainly because I remember always digging the cover the novel its based on.
Plot
In a small Midwestern town in 1963, a teens confront a local legend that raises every October 31st.
Review
This is a dark fantasy Halloween tale that's heavily influence by Shirley Jackson's The Lottery. Casey Likes and E'mryi Crutchfield are fantastic as the leads, Richie and Kelly. The film has an excellent style and some excellent effects, even if it wasn't too scary. I liked the design of Sawtooth Jack, though I wish he would have had an actual Jack-o-lantern head. His design is reminiscent of Pumpkin Head, which is a good one, but I think a fiery gourd would have been more interesting.
Honestly even though I know the twist and ending, I think I want to read the book. I've read some excellent reviews.
Your Game
Sawtooth Jack (Aberration)
Armor Class: 14
Hit Dice: 27 (6 HD) Move: 15 Actions: 2
Attack: Unarmed (1d8) or By Weapon Special: Limb Tear, Breath Fire
Bonuses: +4 to melee attacks, +4 to melee damage
Alignment: Neutral
Madness: N/A
Terror: 15
HDE: 3
On a natural attack roll of 20 Sawtooth Jack rips a limb off and does X3 regular damage. Once per day Sawtooh Jack may breath fire, forcing creatures with 15 feet to make a Magic Saving Throw or take 3d6 fire damage.
For Day 30 I decided to do an alternate prompt. "Best Gratuitous Nudity"
Plot
Spring break turns into a total slaughter when ancient flesh-eating fish are let loose at a lakeside resort.
Review
This movie is schlock, but it's funny and has a lot of gratuitous nudity. The movie has a phenomenal cast. My two favorite members are Richard Dreyfus (which is a nice Jaws call back) and Jerry O'Connell. O'Connell plays an absolute sleezeball and has one of the funniest moments of the flick. He get's his too, in a hilarious way. If you're cool with low brow humor, this is a fun ride full of blood and boobs.
Your Game
These are updates of some stats for SURVIVE THIS!! I did years ago. This one honestly could be used in any of those games, but I think it'd be extra appropriate with Bloody Appalachia and Camp Blood.
Piranha, Prehistoric (Animal)
Armor Class: 12
Hit Dice: 10 (3 HD) Move: 5/15 (Swim) Actions: 1
Attack: Bite (1d6) Special: Blood Frenzy, can leap up to 10 feet out of water
Bonuses: +1 to melee attacks, +2 to melee damage
Alignment: Evil
Morale: 10
Madness: 0 (6) Terror: 9
HDE: 1
The smell of blood will cause a piranha to frenzy, giving it advantage on attack rolls, but giving it a -2 AC penalty.
I already talked about the original Terrifier earlier in the month, so I figured Terrifier 2 would be the perfect "All Hallows Eve" movie.
Plot
The Miles County Killer returns and his connection to Sienna Shaw and her brother Jonathan will tear their family and community apart... literally.
Review
It's the end of the month and I'm getting lazy. If you want to read an extended review of the film, check out this one I did last year. I rewatched the flick earlier this evening. While I didn't have the initial shock I did with the first viewing, I still had several wtf reactions during it. If you can stomach the chaos, its a gory and disgusting good time.
The poster for Terrifier 3 has been linked and it's not going to be a Halloween flick... it's going to be a Christmas one!
In Your Game
These stats are repeated from the ones I posted earlier in the month (though I did add the Evil Reborn trait).
Art the Clown (Outsider) Armor Class: 12 Hit Dice: 36 (6 HD) Move: 12 Actions: 2 Attack: By Weapon Special: Fearless, Master of Pain, Regeneration (2 HP a round), Total Sadist, Toughness +2, Evil Reborn (will always come back)
Bonuses: +4 to Attack rolls, +2 to damage, +5 to Stealth
Alignment: Evil
Morale: 8
Madness: N/A Terror: 15
HDE: 4
Master of Pain: Art can choose to make a devastatingly painful attack. If the attack hits it only deals 1 hit point of damage. However, the victim suffers Disadvantage on all skill checks and physical attacks for 1d4 rounds.
Total Sadist: Once Art begins to brutalize a target, he has a problem stopping until they are utterly tormented and dying. He must
"Found Footage" flicks aren't everyone's cup of tea. I get it, and in general, I'm not always the biggest fan. However, when done right they can be fantastic.
Plot
Shawn is an internet personality that became infamous and lost followers when a prank went bad. To regain follows and keep his last sponsor, he agrees to stay in a supposedly haunted house overnight. He intestinally misplaces his keys and car's spark plug so that he can't escape.
Review
This flick finds an interesting way to justify it's found footage nature. It's a live stream. Folks streaking can also comment and send videos, which allows for brief distracts and changes of settings. The protagonist, Shawn, walks a fine line well. He's like so many annoying af YouTube personalities which means you want to punch him. At the same time, you root for him and kind of feel sorry for him. In a lot of ways he reminds me of Evil Dead's Ash. He's a douche, but he's a douche you root for. Honestly, I feel like this movie wouldn't be out of place in the Evil Dead universe. There is a grossness to the horror that also feels very Evil Dead-esque.
If you want some laughs and legit gross horror, check this one out on Shudder.
In Your Game
I thought about statting Shawn out as a pc, but I thought it would be more useful for folks to have an Content Creator stat block for npcs. These could be useful in What Shadows Hide and Bloody Appalachia games.
Content Creator, Human (Humanoid)
Armor Class: 12 Hit Dice: 1 Move: 12 Actions: 1 Attack: Punch (1-2) or by weapon Special: Toughness +1, +1 to all saves
Bonuses: +3 to Electronics, +2 to Knowledge: Pop Culture, +3 to Performance, +3 to Persuasion
Alignment: Any
Morale: 10
Madness: 0 (8) Terror: -
HDE: 1/2 point
Items: Cell phone, tablet, camera, headset, laptop, camera rig
"Clowns" are something that a lot of people don't like. I get that. I used to be unnerved by them. There's something about a person that always smiles that is unnatural. As I've gotten older my views have definitely changed. I've been corrupted by one too many sexy Pennywise cosplayers... and don't get me started on the live action One Piece version of Buggy the Clown. This entry is not about sexy clowns though. It's about one of the creepiest clowns in cinema, Art the Clown.
Plot
A sadistic clown stalks victims through a rundown apartment building on Halloween night.
Review
I heard something this past weekend that made me love this franchise even more. While working the Bloat Games booth at the Goatman Festival I complimented a gent on his Art tattoo. He told me that when he met Terrifier writer and director, Damien Leone, that he was told Art the Clown is essentially a horror version of Mr. Bean. I'd never thought about it, but it makes so much sense...
I've talked about this one several times. It's a violent, nasty throwback horror slasher. Art is utterly disturbing (even more so when you think about the fact he's supposed to be a diabolical version of Mr. Bean). This movie is mean and no one gets out unscathed. The weird thing is, compared to the events of Terrifier 2, this one is actually very tame.
In Your Game:
After watching both Terrifier movies I'm still not sure if art is a demon, spirit, or something else. For the purpose of these stats we're going the demon route.
Art the Clown (Outsider) Armor Class: 12 Hit Dice: 36 (6 HD) Move: 12 Actions: 2 Attack: By Weapon Special: Fearless, Master of Pain, Regeneration (2 HP a round), Total Sadist, Toughness +2
Bonuses: +4 to Attack rolls, +2 to damage, +5 to Stealth
Alignment: Evil
Morale: 8
Madness: N/A Terror: 15
HDE: 4
Master of Pain: Art can choose to make a devastatingly painful attack. If the attack hits it only deals 1 hit point of damage. However, the victim suffers Disadvantage on all skill checks and physical attacks for 1d4 rounds.
Total Sadist: Once Art begins to brutalize a target, he has a problem stopping until they are utterly tormented and dying. He must
______________
First Time View: 3
Total Watched (Including Non-Challenge Horror Movies): 23
Though it's only super loosely "Inspired by True Events" I went with the OG The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
Plot
Sally, her paraplegic brother, and friends head to their family's original home when they learn their grandfather's grave may have been vandalized. After a detour they encounter a brutal family and their horrifying home.
Review
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is still as good today as it was when it was released nearly almost 50 years ago. It's a brutal movie. In particular watching Kirk get hit in the head and then convulse on the ground still makes me cringe. All of that being said, the movie isn't the gorefest that folks often describe it as. That's really one of the things that makes the movie so great. The worst of it actually takes place in your head.
Marilyn Burns does a great job as Sally. She truly portrays a protagonist scared witless by the unthinkable situation she's in. I'm sure the unrelenting Texas heat helped her with the hopelessness and madness she portrays.
While the film's sequels, reboots, and prequels might not all hit the mark, TCM has left a last mark on the horror genre. Leatherface is truly an icon that will not be forgotten.
In Your Game
The Family Prodigy class from the Bloody Appalachia supplement Beware the Locals was created with Leatherface in mind. For that reason I'm going to use it to stat him out as a 1st level player character. This isn't going to use any lore from the other films, just the original.
Camp Blood is the latest Kickstarter from my fam at Bloat Games. It's a grindhouse style tabletop that uses the SURVIVE THIS!! rules to emulate slashers like Friday the 13th, Sleepaway Camp, Fear Street II: 1978 and others. Characters will play campers and/or counselors trying to survive a deadly camp.
It is a stand alone game, but also a part o of the "Bloody Horror Universe" of games. That means its totally compatible and goes great with Bloody Appalachia. Like that game it will have companion book. Whereas Bloody Appalachia's Beware the Localslet you play members of the community, These Campers Are Different will let you play campers with abilities beyond the normal (as well as supplement the game as a whole).
I'm really excited about this one. Bloody Appalachia is an amazing book and this one is going to be just as good. I have no doubt. Peter Frain has done an amazing job on the cover and the interior will feature more brutality from Christopher Torres.
While "Slow Burn" isn't my typical preference for horror, but there are times I can dig it. 1973's The Wicker Man is one of, if not one of, the best folk horror films of all time.
Plot
Conservative Christian Sergeant Howie visits the small Scottish islands of Summerisle to investigate a missing child report. His personal beliefs are tested as he witnesses the sexual pagan rituals performed by the residents.
Review
This one really is a classic. The script is brilliant and the locations and cinematography are wonderful. Edward Woodward is excellent as the as Sergeant Howie. His interactions with the pagan village, led by Christopher Lee as Lord Summerisle, are fascinating. The whole piece it atmospheric and an interesting mix of cult thriller and folk musical. It really is an offbeat movie, but it's a damn entertaining one.
This film has one of my favorite endings of all time. I don't want to spoil it, but it sticks with you, for sure.
In Your Game
Many SURVIVE THIS!! games have Human Cultist stats. The Cult Maiden is a specialized version of of those and serve their cults as honeypots.
Cult Maiden, Human (Humanoid)
Armor Class: 12
Hit Dice: 1 HD Move: 12 Actions: 1 Attack: Punch (1-2) or by weapon
Special: Disadvantage on Mental saves against own cult and Advantage on all other mental saves, Advantage on all rolls related to seduction and manipulation
Bonuses: +1 to attacks, +2 to Initiative, +4 to Dancing, +4 to Persuasion, Spot and Listen +2
Alignment: Any
Morale: 7
Madness: 2 (7)
Terror: - HDE: 1/2 point
Items: provocative clothing, flower crown
______________
First Time View: 2
Total Watched (Including Non-Challenge Horror Movies): 11
Today 's list prompt is "What A Twist." Instead of going with a movie known for it's twist, I decided to take a movie that twists standard tropes. Killer hillbillies are a pretty standard trope. I mean they are common enough that Bloat Games made a SURVIVE THIS!! game about them. Tucker and Dale are not the hillbillies though.
Plot
Tucker and Dale are two best friends that just really want to clean up their new vacation home. Unfortunately, due to a series of misunderstandings (exacerbated by preconceived anti-hillbilly notions), they find themselves besieged by preppy college kids that keep accidentally killing themselves.
Review
This review will be short and I have nothing but praise for this movie. Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk are adorable and perfect as the two well-meaning hillbillies. The budding romance between Labine's Dale and Katrina Bowden's Allison is really sweet. The accidental deaths are all fun and creative. If you haven't watched this one, do yourself a favor and watch it ASAP. If you have seen this one, do yourself a favor and watch it asap.
In Your Game
I initially thought about statting out Tucker and Dale as PC's. However I decided to stat the antagonist Chad (or Frat Bitch as Tucker calls him). Chad is a manipulative preppy kid with a hatred of hillbillies. Before he was born his mother was the solo survivor of a group of partiers massacred by killer hillbillies. Chad eventually learns that he is a produce of that attack and is half-hillbilly, something he can't live with. He thinks he is a hero. If you have a group of characters playing locals in Bludworth Hollow, Chad is a great antagonist.
Chad (Humanoid)
Armor Class: 13
Hit Dice: 36 HP (4 HD) Move: 12 Actions: 2 Attack: Knife (d4-1)
Special: allergic to Chamomile, outsmart (1/day), Toughness +3
Bonuses: +2 to Melee attacks, +3 damage to hillbillies, +2 to Initiative, +4 to Stealth
Alignment: Evil
Morale: 10
Madness: 8 (12)
Terror: 8 HDE: 2
Items: Knife
______________
First Time View: 2
Total Watched (Including Non-Challenge Horror Movies): 7
Today's list prompt is "First Time Watch." I've owned a copy of Cemetery Man for a few years now, but have been saving it for a rainy day.
Plot
Along with his developmentally disabled cohort Gnaghi, Francesco Dellamorte works as a cemetery custodian in a small Italian town. The dead buried there often come back as zombies, and its Francesco's unofficial job to stop them. When he becomes obsessed with a beautiful widow, tragedy strikes and he starts a descent into madness and depression.
Review
You might be surprised by this, but despite the description, this Italian horror movie is also a comedy. While it's not a laugh out loud romp, it is full of dark humor. It is loosely based on Tiziano Sclavi's novel Dellamorte Dellamore (the film's Italian title) and his Dylan Dog comics (which were directly adapted into the film Dylan Dog: Dead of Night).
The film itself is beautifully shot. The Italian country side it beautiful and the director takes great advantage of it. The actors all give a great performance. In particular, Rupert Everett's Francesco is the prefect world weary narrator and focus. François Hadji-Lazaro's Gnaghi brings innocence and sweetness to balance Francesco's morose moods. Anna Falchi is beautiful and mysterious and Fabiana Formica is memorable as the mayor's daughter, Valentina.
While I am very quick to praise this movie, that's not to say its perfect. There are many aspects that could affect someone's opinion and/or be considered problematic. The film isn't super clear about everything. Why do the dead rise in the cemetery. What is the nature before the three women Falchi plays. Also the final shot... As far as problematic things there is discussion of SA, a lead that murders, and a relationship between an developmentally disabled adult and a teen zombie head.
Despite these things, I think Cemetery is an interesting zombie flick. It's not scary. It's not gory. It's beautiful and entraining though and if you haven't watched it, I recommend checking it out.
In Your Game
For each movie this month I want to include new material that can be used with Bloat Games SURVIVE THIS!! game line (particularly with What Shadows Hide/We Die Young/Bloody Appalachia). Pet Semetary one take on a resurrecting graveyard, but the Buffalora Cemetery is another example. A location like it would be a nice addition to most games. The caretaker could even be an ally of the party.
While some of the zombies in the film are the traditional template zombies present in the games mentioned, others movie quickly and seem to have the overall same mental capacities they did while living. That's why I'm presenting a new zombie template, which I'm calling the Buffalora Zombie template.
Buffalora Zombie Template
Buffalora zombie is a template that can be added to any human. Some sort of mystic energy animates these people and gives them a semblance of life, at least compared to traditional zombies.
All Buffalora have the undead trait.
Undead: Undead are immune to mind-affecting effects, poisons, stuns, being sickened diseases and Critical Hits.
They gain:
+1 Hit Dice, toughness +1, +3 to Terror. (Add a 1/2 point to HDE)
Bite (1d4-1)
A desire to eat leaving flesh. While they must feed on flesh and often bite at inopportune times, they are not mindless and can control their hunger to an extent.
Weak Spot - While they are immune to traditional Critical Hits, an attack roll of a natural 20 is considered a head shot and will put the Buffalora zombie to rest permanently.
_________________
First Time View: 1
Total Watched (Including Non-Challenge Horror Movies):1
The only thing America loves more than violence is
being angry about violence, every night at 8:00 PM on the dot.
This is a follow up to Thursday's post about Ice Nine Kills. Inked In Blood is a graphic novel that bridges the story between The Silver Scream and Welcome To Horrorwood: The Silver Scream 2.
INK's lead vocalist, Spencer Charnas, created the concept and the story was written by Steven Foxe. The art was created by Andres Esparza and Phillip Sevy.
Heather, who's bullied for her obsession with the band, decided to unite with other INK fans in support of Spencer. Their efforts prove to be deadly as they find themselves trapped in Heather's high school as a killer stalks them. There are suspects and fakeouts.
The story is broken down into easily digestible chapters. The story is full of horror tropes that any INK or horror fan will enjoy. The story plays out like a classic slasher mystery. Violent media and its effect of people is definitely a big topic in the story. There are even references to Tipper Gore and the PMRC. This one is a fun read for any fan of the genre, but will definitely be enjoyed by Ice Nine Kills fans.
I wanted to post some game related goodness, so I've going to stat out the story's protagonist Heather. Looking through What Shadows Hide, We Die Young, and Bloody Appalachia, the Final Girl class from Bloody Appalachia seemed most appropriate. Given the events of the story, I'd say she's earned a level.
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.
I want to start with a full disclaimer and admission. When Eric and Josh decided to do this one they brought me on as an additional writer. I love horror and love Appalachia. I am credited with additional writing in the book, but to be honest, I just helped out with ideas and inspiration. I definitely supported this one, but I don't feel I deserve writing credits.
If you've played any SURVIVE THIS!! game, Bloody Appalachia is a game you know how to play. You have familiar attributes, class, and roll a d20 and add your modifiers. Everything is compatible with other ST content which allows for maximum awesomeness.
Character Creation
Unlike What Shadows Hide and We Die Young, players in Bloody Appalachia are human. There are no races presented, though we do get an outsiders occupation table. All of the classes presented are mundane (no magic or psionics) and are designed to represent outsiders that would come to the region. They are:
College Student- this is the classic horror victim and fits perfectly; there are 5 subtypes to choose from
Emergency Medical Technician - the field medics are invaluable when you trying to stay alive
Film Maker - what better place to film your indie masterpiece than the deep dark woods?... Eric mentioned he was inspired by watching the movie X, which explains this one.
Final Girl - this might be the most iconic horror character archetype, it's fitting in pretty much any modern-ish ST horror game
Folklorist - some folks head to the hills to learn more about rich history of Appalachia and its culture while others are more interested in cryptids and legends
G-Men - a rookie government agent sent to the holler to investigate, they folks are definitely distrusted by the locals
Paranormal Investigator - like the Final Girl, this one fits into most modern-ish horror ST games
Police Officer - a local cop investigating something in Bludworth Hollow, they have several different subtypes (including CPS)
Private Investigator - an independent investigator
Pusher - the pusher sells illicit substances, whether they be weed, meth, or moonshine
Songcatcher - these skilled musicians seek to learn the music of the people to preserve it.
Weekend Warrior - office workers and such during the week, these folks dream about their weekends in nature
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
This section includes standard ST rules. This is the general how to play section. There is a Madness and phobia section.
Game Master Section
The setting of Bloody Appalachia is the focus of the latter half of the book. It isn't era specific. It works perfectly if you want a game set in the 60's to day. Just change some equipment and tech and you're good. A conceit of the setting is that characters never leave. Even if they survive a horrid event... the just stumble into another. The setting is Bludworth Hollow. Just off a highway, the area is controlled by two cannibalistic families, the Lee's and the Hooper's. We're presented with several pages that highlight various locations in the area and a brief discussion of nearby Aviation Hill. There's an extremely useful "Basic Hooks That Could Bring You To Bludworth Hollow" table.
This is followed by Advanced Bloody Appalachia Hooks. These are similar to the Adventure Seeds present in most ST games. If Bloody Appalachia was a franchise, these advanced hooks would be the individual films. There's a wide variety here. We've got crazy religious leaders, cursed undead, aliens, slashers, and more. There are several plot hooks/points for each and related stats. If that wasn't enough, there's also 20+ pages of additional beasts, humans, templates, and monsters.
The book ends with some useful charts and GM References.
Final Thoughts
Bloody Appalachia is a game for adults. Its a game that contains extreme violence, cannibalism, gore, and other strong subjects. It also deals with drugs and other substances. It's a game for folks that love rural horror movies. This game plays into tropes of the horror genre and such. There's a lot here that plays to the negative stereotypes of the region. I can see that upsetting some folks sensibilities. However, I can attest that you can be a proud Appalachian and still enjoy some mindless hillbilly slashers.
This book is pretty brutal. Peter Frain did an fantastic job on the cover. The interior art is done by Christopher Torres and a lot of it reminds me of stuff you'd find in the Black Dog Game Factory imprint of White Wolf back in the day. There's a lot of horrific gore and tits. This isn't a complaint, because it fits the theme of the book well.
The game pairs well with What Shadows Hide and if you don't run it as a stand alone game, is a nice subsetting for that one. While they don't mix well thematically, there's definitely some crossover potential with We Die Young. If you want to expand the character creation possibilities, I'd say the following classes from the latter could work in Bloody Appalachia:
Papal Pursuant - while they have some supernatural connected power with their anti-undead abilities, but the Vatican could definitely send someone to investigate a demonic phenomena in the holler.
Riot Grrl - while there's no direct hook for a Riot Grrl, they'd be an appropriate addition to a group and would probably challenge local opinions on what's appropriate behavior for a lady
Rock Star - a rock star's bus could get lost and end up in Bludworth Hollow, they could also be connected to a Songcatcher
Serial Killer - the class fits right in, you can actually set up a nice hunter hunted scenario if you allow a serial killer
Street Bard - like the Riot Grrl, a street bard could be traveling with friends, they could also be connected to a Songcatcher or Rock Star
Street Fighter - a street fighter could head to Bludworth Hollow looking for a challenge among the local backwoods wrestlers.
I'm excited to talk about a new Bloat Games project I'm working on calledBloody Appalachia. The game is a mature grindhouse rpg using BG's fantastic SURVIVE THIS!! rules set. It will be standalone game, but can combined with any other ST!! products.
"In the hollers of Appalachia Kentucky, the hills run
red with blood. Folks around these parts don't take kindly to outsiders. Before
you venture off the safety of the highway to stop for gas and a bite to eat, or
rent a rural cabin in the woods, know and heed this warning: You are not
welcome here!"
The game seeks to emulate scenarios scene in flicks like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Devil's Rejects, X, Pearl, and My Bloody Valentine. It's deadly and nasty. The game will include sensitive material, just like the low budget slashers that inspired it. Gore, violence, assault, mutilation, horror, nudity, cannibalism, and other genre specific themes ill be found in the game. It's not for the faint of heart, but not every game is for everyone.
Characters take on the role of outsiders trying to survive a backwoods-nightmare. The game will be great for one-shots and short campaigns. It's being written by the Bloat All-Stars (Josh Palmer and Eric Bloat)... along with myself.
In the Kickstarter you can grab a copy from the initial print run or get an at-cost POD LULU code if you're outside the US. There will also be a supplement entitled Beware the Locals. Finally there's a dope logo t-shirt you can snag during the Kickstarter.
I'm extremely excited about this one. While I love tasteful and respectful representations of my Appalachian heritage, I'm also down for a nasty exploitative grindhouse version of things. The game is set in the same state as J'Town (the primary setting of Dark Places & Demogorgons) and you can definitely pull the horrors from this game and add to that one if you want a more mature DP&D game. Personally I think there can be some amazing crossover work if you you use this one to come up with some rural adventures for a What Shadows Hide game. Mixing this one with Vigilante City could also be a lot of fun, particularly if you have a group of non-powered characters.
If you're not squeamish and you like the source material, this is the game for you. Check out the Kickstarter and consider backing. You won't be disappointed.
