Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to gush about one of my absolute FAVORITE things to inflict upon unsuspecting player characters: the Hag-Haunted Hollow from the Gamemastery module Hollow's Last Hope. Seriously, from the moment I laid eyes on this encounter, it was love at first (creepy, scarecrow-filled) sight.
There's just something deliciously devious about those unsettling scarecrows standing guard outside the witch's hut. They're like the opening act to a wonderfully weird and potentially violent play. They get the anticipation bubbling, like… well, like something in a cauldron!
And speaking of cauldrons, let's be real. In a world where every treasure chest is a potential toothy death trap (thanks, mimics, you've ruined everything), you'd think adventurers would be prepared for anything. ANYTHING! But noooooo. The sheer audacity of a mundane kitchen implement suddenly deciding to become a weapon of percussive maintenance? It gets them every. single. time. The look of utter betrayal on their faces is a thing of beauty.
Now, for years, I've run this gem with a mental image, maybe a hastily scribbled doodle on some scrap paper. It worked, sure, but it always felt like something was missing. Like a crucial ingredient in the witch's brew.
Enter my new best friend: Dungeon Alchemist! Oh. My. Goodness. This magical piece of software has finally given the Hag-Haunted Hollow the visual love it deserves. No more vague descriptions or my questionable artistic interpretations! Now, I can craft a gloriously detailed and atmospheric map of that creepy little hut, complete with strategically placed scarecrows that actually look menacing.
And the best part? I can finally present my players with a tangible layout of the witch's lair, lulling them into a false sense of security before that seemingly innocent cauldron decides to rearrange their facial features. Seeing the environment in such detail somehow makes the impending cauldron attack even more hilarious and shocking. They're all, “Ooh, look at the creepy details!” and I'm all, “Just wait for it…”
So, if you're looking for an encounter that perfectly blends spooky vibes with laugh-out-loud surprise, the Hag-Haunted Hollow is your ticket. And if you want to take it to the next level and finally give it the gorgeous map it deserves (and simultaneously enhance the shock value of the killer cookware), then you absolutely NEED Dungeon Alchemist in your GM toolkit. Trust me, your players will thank you… after they've stopped flinching every time they see a pot.