Blogsphere Links: Witches on Other Blogs, Part 2

 Here are some more links to other blogs, and the occasional message board, talking about things that interest me. Know more? Let us all know!

Dragonsfoot

Shamans / Witch Doctors and Unearthed Arcana
http://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=65694

Dreams of the Lich House

Mythic Monday: The Witch
http://dreamsinthelichhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/mythic-monday-witch.html

Any of the Gothic Greyhawk posts
http://dreamsinthelichhouse.blogspot.com/search/label/Gothic%20Greyhawk

Doomslakers!

Witch!
http://doomslakers.blogspot.com/2014/05/witch.html

Witch! (revised)
http://doomslakers.blogspot.com/2014/05/witch-revised.html

Witch (another revision)
http://doomslakers.blogspot.com/2014/06/witch-another-revision.html

Dump Stat
Deep Dive - Warlock Class
https://dumpstatadventures.com/blog/deep-dive-warlock-class

Dungeons Deep & Caverns Old
Fantasy Age Specializations - The Witch
http://dungeonsandcaverns.blogspot.com/2015/10/fantasy-age-specializations-witch.html

Elfmaids & Octopi

d100 Witches
http://elfmaidsandoctopi.blogspot.com/2014/01/d100-witches.html

The Blood Wizard Harvest  - Not really witches, but can be used as such.
http://elfmaidsandoctopi.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-blood-wizard-harvest.html

Your familiar is boring
http://elfmaidsandoctopi.blogspot.com/2015/10/your-familiar-is-boring.html

Wondering about Witchcraft
http://elfmaidsandoctopi.blogspot.com/2016/03/wondering-about-witchcraft.html

EN World

D&D 5th Edition Witch Class
http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?401243-Witch-Class

Let's talk about Witches
https://www.enworld.org/threads/lets-talk-about-witches.469321/

The Eye of Joyful Sitting Amongst Friends
I'm a DT-RPG publisher now! The Enchanter
http://joyfulsitting.blogspot.com/2015/09/im-dt-rpg-publisher-now.html

False Machine
GOBLINS GOBLINS GOBLINS
http://falsemachine.blogspot.com/2022/08/goblins-goblins-goblins.html

Flutes Loot

5e Guide to Playing a Witch
https://www.flutesloot.com/5e-guide-to-playing-a-witch/

Alchemist Artificer as a White Witch: D&D 5e Character Idea
https://www.flutesloot.com/reflavoring-the-alchemist-artificer-as-a-white-witch/

From the Sorcerer's Skull

Witches of Ix
http://sorcerersskull.blogspot.com/2014/08/witches-of-ix.html

Dark Days in Noxia
http://sorcerersskull.blogspot.com/2014/08/dark-days-in-noxia.html

The Witch Queen of Noxia
http://sorcerersskull.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-witch-queen-of-noxia.html

The Witch of the Woods
https://sorcerersskull.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-witch-of-woods.html

Giant in the Playground

Witches in D&D
https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?44145-Witches-in-D-amp-D

The Graverobber's Guide

The Witch's List (an adventure)
https://graverobbersguide.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-witchs-list-adventure.html

Design Document: Three Basic Classes
https://graverobbersguide.blogspot.com/2018/04/design-document-three-basic-classes.html

Magic as Language
https://graverobbersguide.blogspot.com/2018/07/magic-as-language.html

Wenches & Witches (d100 Carousing Table)
https://graverobbersguide.blogspot.com/2018/10/wenches-witches-d100-carousing-table.html

Greyhawk Grognard

Witch class preview: Ylfe-shot
https://www.greyhawkgrognard.com/2008/05/29/witch-class-preview-ylfe-sho/

Witch Class Preview: Evil Eye
https://www.greyhawkgrognard.com/2008/07/18/witch-class-preview-evil-eye/

Witch Preview #3: Familiar Names
https://www.greyhawkgrognard.com/2008/07/28/witch-preview-3-familiar-names/

The Witch
https://www.greyhawkgrognard.com/2011/10/17/witc/

Now Available: The Witch
https://www.greyhawkgrognard.com/2011/10/29/now-available-witc/

31 Days of Halloween: Grimoires
https://www.greyhawkgrognard.com/2015/10/08/31-days-of-halloween-grimoires/

Greyhawk Stories

Iggwilv: Mother of Witches
https://greyhawkstories.com/tales-from-the-flanaess/iggwilv-mother-of-witches/

Greyhawkery

Baba Yaga Mini (with discussion on the Baba Yaga-Iggwilv relationship)
https://greyhawkery.blogspot.com/2011/08/baba-yaga-mini.html

Greyhawk Related Stuff
https://greyhawkery.blogspot.com/2016/07/greyhawk-related-stuff.html

Witch Queen Iggwilv Discussion Tonight
http://greyhawkery.blogspot.com/2019/09/witch-queen-iggwilv-discussion-tonight.html

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything
https://greyhawkery.blogspot.com/2020/11/tashas-cauldron-of-everything.html

Gothridge Manor

Game Props Part 1: Tarot Cards
http://gothridgemanor.blogspot.com/2014/09/game-props-part-1-tarot-cards.html

Developing a Twisted Plot Within an Adventure: The Weeping Witch
https://gothridgemanor.blogspot.com/2016/12/developing-twisted-plot-within-adventure.html

Hall of the Mountain King

Witches, a series of images
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/search/label/witches
http://vaultofthemountainking.blogspot.com/search/label/Witch

Inspiring Illustrations - The Witch-Queen of Yithorium
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2013/06/inspiring-illustrations-witch-queen-of.html

NPC - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - Czylle
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2018/04/npc-blackmoor-land-of-thousand-witches.html

Project - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - The Red Witch
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/04/project-blackmoor-land-of-thousand.html

Project - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - Inkeri
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/05/project-blackmoor-land-of-thousand.html

Project - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - the Sisterhood
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/05/project-blackmoor-land-of-thousand_16.html

Project - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - NPC Tuure
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/05/project-blackmoor-land-of-thousand_17.html

Project - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - NPC Eira
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/05/project-blackmoor-land-of-thousand_18.html

Project - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - The Moon Hall
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/05/project-blackmoor-land-of-thousand_22.html

Project - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - NPC Taraso Centaur-Lord
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/06/project-blackmoor-land-of-thousand.html

Project - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - Kampala Shrine of Obad-Hai
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/06/project-blackmoor-land-of-thousand_6.html

Project - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - NPC Hilja
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/10/project-blackmoor-land-of-thousand.html

Project - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - NPC Brenna
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/10/project-blackmoor-land-of-thousand_19.html

Project - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - NPC Maarika the Fallen Sister
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/10/project-blackmoor-land-of-thousand_21.html

Land of Black Ice - The Frozen Monolith - Gateway to the Plane of the Gray
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/10/land-of-black-ice-frozen-monolith.html

Project - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - Siivnna of the Reindeer People
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/12/project-blackmoor-land-of-thousand.html

NPC - Linnea Schnai Witch
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2019/12/npc-linnea-schnai-witch.html

Nation - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - Part 1
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2020/04/nation-blackmoor-land-of-thousand.html

Nation - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - Part 2
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2020/04/nation-blackmoor-land-of-thousand_8.html

Nation - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - Part 3
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2020/04/nation-blackmoor-land-of-thousand_12.html

Nation - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - Part 4
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2020/04/nation-blackmoor-land-of-thousand_19.html

Nation - Blackmoor Land of a Thousand Witches - Part 5
http://jasonzavoda-hallofthemountainking.blogspot.com/2020/05/nation-blackmoor-land-of-thousand.html

That's enough for today. More later!

Blogsphere Links: Witches on Other Blogs, Part 1

 I don't just like writing about witches; I enjoy other people's effort as well. In fact, I enjoy reading something I never would have considered. I also enjoy reading material that is obviously based on the same books and sources I have read, and comes to a different result. 

As part of my desire to do more linking and interacting with other blogs, here is a list of material, posts, ideas, or random thoughts from other blogs about my favorite topics.

This list is not exhaustive and will likely take a couple or more posts.

42 Rolls of Duck Tape

Covers the Dragon Magazine adventure "The Sword of Justice" and other adventures with the involvement of the Witch Queen Kyleth.

• One Shot Session Notes, https://42ducktape.blogspot.com/2017/04/one-shot-session-notes.html
• How are we not dead yet, part 2, https://42ducktape.blogspot.com/2017/03/session-notes-2.html

A Blasted, Cratered Land

Wizards Die Messily
https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2019/12/wizards-die-messily.html

A bunch of material for GLOG, including Witches.

• The Witch (GLOG Class), https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-witch-glog-class.html
• Glitch Witch, https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2019/04/glitch-witch.html
• Mad Scientist (Witch Tradition), https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2019/01/mad-scientist-witch-tradition.html
• Stress, Trauma, Summoning, and the Occultist, https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2019/02/stress-trauma-summoning-and-occultist.html
• Cancer Warlock, https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2019/10/cancer-warlock.html
• Warlock Patron: the Baleful Star, https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2019/03/warlock-patron-baleful-star.html
• The Necromancer and the Cavalier, https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-necromancer-and-cavalier.html
• Wizard Colleges Imply Wizard Undergraduates, https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2021/06/wizard-colleges-imply-wizard.html
• GLΔG: Extra Wizard Templates, https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2021/04/glg-extra-wizard-templates.html
• The Sorcerer and Spell Mutations, https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-sorcerer-and-spell-mutations.html
• Mimics & Miscreants Spell List, https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2019/04/mimics-miscreants-spell-list.html
• GLOG Item Enchantment, https://crateredland.blogspot.com/2021/12/glog-item-enchantment.html

A Hamsterish Hoard of Dungeons and Dragons
Monster: Changer, Wych
http://hamsterhoard.blogspot.com/2016/01/monster-changer-wych.html

A Knight at the Opera

H Monsters at the Opera (Hags)
https://knightattheopera.blogspot.com/2024/09/h-monsters-at-opera.html

L Monsters at the Opera (Lycanthropes)
https://knightattheopera.blogspot.com/2025/08/l-monsters-at-opera.html

A Paladin in Citadel

Um, I was promised Witches?
http://apaladinincitadel.blogspot.com/2011/04/um-i-was-promised-witches.html

Adventures in Gaming v2

Magical Cat Companions
http://adventuresingaming2.blogspot.com/2015/09/magical-cat-companions.html

Alien Shores

Mirror Demon
http://knightsky-alienshores.blogspot.com/2013/10/monster-monday-mirror-demon.html

Alone in the Labyrinth

WOUNDED BIRD - Build a witch challenge
https://aloneinthelabyrinth.blogspot.com/2020/05/wounded-bird-build-witch-challenge.html#more

Ancient Vaults & Eldritch Secrets-An oldschool gaming blog….

[New Magic Item] Witch's Coin
https://ancientvaults.wordpress.com/2020/02/12/new-magic-item-witchs-coin/

Asshat Paladins

Edith the Harpy Witch
http://asshatpaladins.blogspot.com/2010/01/labyrinth-lord-npc-edith-witch.html

AV&ES - Roll those Dice!

[New Magic Item] Stone of the Crone
https://ancientvaults.wordpress.com/2017/12/12/new-magic-item-stone-of-the-crone/

[New Spell] Animal Aversion
https://ancientvaults.wordpress.com/2018/08/03/new-spell-animal-aversion/

[New Magic Item] Witch’s Coin
https://ancientvaults.wordpress.com/2020/02/12/new-magic-item-witchs-coin/

[New Spell] Let Us See The Tools Of Your Trade
https://ancientvaults.wordpress.com/2021/01/01/new-spell-let-us-see-the-tools-of-your-trade/

[New Magic Item] Spellseeking Sword
https://ancientvaults.wordpress.com/2021/08/31/new-magic-item-spellseeking-sword/

[New Magic Item] Witch’s Ring
https://ancientvaults.wordpress.com/2023/03/06/new-magic-item-witchs-ring/

[New Monster] Great Winged Wizard
https://ancientvaults.wordpress.com/2023/08/27/new-monster-great-winged-wizard/

[New Magic Item] Mask of the Witch Queen
https://ancientvaults.wordpress.com/2023/11/17/new-magic-item-mask-of-the-witch-queen/

[New Magic Item] Blood of the Witch Fish
https://ancientvaults.wordpress.com/2023/08/31/new-magic-item-blood-of-the-witch-fish/

[New Spell] Cannot Be Silent
https://ancientvaults.wordpress.com/2024/04/17/new-spell-cannot-be-silent/

[New Magic Item] Box of Gossip
https://ancientvaults.wordpress.com/2024/12/03/new-magic-item-box-of-gossip/

[New Magic Item] Ribbon of Witches
https://ancientvaults.wordpress.com/2025/10/21/new-magic-item-ribbon-of-witches/

Autocratik

Adventures in a World of Magic
http://autocratik.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/adventures-in-world-of-magic.html

Beyond the Black Gate

Baba Yaga's Hut
http://beyondtheblackgate.blogspot.com/2010/08/baba-yagas-hut.html

Hathras, City of Dreams
http://beyondtheblackgate.blogspot.com/2010/09/omegea-atlas-hathras-city-of-dreams.html

Black Gate

The Witch Bottle, or How to Catch a Witch With a Bit of Pee and Some Pins
http://www.blackgate.com/2015/04/15/the-witch-bottle-or-how-to-catch-a-witch-with-a-bit-of-pee-and-some-pins/

Built by Gods Long Forgotten

What's in the spell book of the evil wizard or sorceress?
http://builtbygodslongforgotten.blogspot.com/2015/01/what-in-spell-book-of-evil-wizard-or.html

B/X Blackrazor

The B/X Witch Class
http://bxblackrazor.blogspot.com/2011/05/bx-witch.html

Considering Witches
http://bxblackrazor.blogspot.com/2014/10/considering-witches.html

Holmes Rules: The Witch
http://bxblackrazor.blogspot.com/2015/11/holmes-rules-witch.html

Boccob's Blessed Blog

20 Pathfinder Witch Quest Ideas
https://boccobsblog.com/2019/05/17/20-pathfinder-witch-quest-ideas/

Bottomless Sarcophagus

Witches like Wizards: A customisable Witch class
https://bottomlesssarcophagus.blogspot.com/2018/10/witches-like-wizards-customisable-witch.html

Canonfire!

Witches of Greyhawk - The Coven
http://www.canonfire.com/cf/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=641

The Witch
http://www.canonfire.com/cf/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=709

The Witch Addendum
http://www.canonfire.com/cf/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=736

Witch of the High Secret Order Prestige Class
http://www.canonfire.com/cf/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=739

What use for the Witch, why not a Wizard?
http://canonfire.com/cf//modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5137

Cirsova

Alternatives to Spell Books
https://cirsova.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/alternatives-to-spell-books/

Coins and Scrolls

OSR: Class: Witch Coven
https://coinsandscrolls.blogspot.com/2018/08/osr-class-witch-coven.html

OSR: Class: Weather Witch
https://coinsandscrolls.blogspot.com/2018/08/osr-class-weather-witch.html

Cross Planes

Witch Doves
http://crossplanes.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-to-z-challenge-w-is-for-witch-dove.html

D&D Next Witches

• Maiden, https://www.crossplanes.com/2013/02/witch-maiden-d-next.html
• Mother, https://www.crossplanes.com/2013/02/witch-mother.html
• Crone, https://www.crossplanes.com/2013/03/witch-crone-d-next.html

D&D 5th Edition: Mantle of the Kodiak
http://crossplanes.blogspot.com/2014/11/d-5th-edition-mantle-of-kodiak.html

Daddy Rolled a 1

Open Game Content: REVISED Sorcerer for B/X - Old School Essentials
https://daddyrolleda1.blogspot.com/2020/03/open-game-content-revised-sorcerer-for.html

• 1st Level Spells: https://daddyrolleda1.blogspot.com/2021/01/open-game-content-new-1st-level-bx-ose.html
• 2nd Level Spells: https://daddyrolleda1.blogspot.com/2021/01/open-game-content-new-2nd-level-bx-ose.html
• 3rd Level Spells: https://daddyrolleda1.blogspot.com/2021/02/open-game-content-new-3rd-level-bx-ose.html
• 4th Level Spells: https://daddyrolleda1.blogspot.com/2021/02/open-game-content-new-4th-level-arcane.html

Open Game Content: D12 Fairy Tale Subclasses for B/X or Old School Essentials Games
https://daddyrolleda1.blogspot.com/2020/05/open-game-content-d12-fairy-tale.html

Dangerous Brian

Zama: The Drune
http://dangerousbrian.blogspot.com/2011/04/z-of-zama-drune.html

The Houri, Part 1 and Part 2
http://dangerousbrian.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-osric-class-houri-part-i.html
http://dangerousbrian.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-character-class-houri-part-ii.html

DCC Trove of Treasures
DCC focused, but still good stuff for my games.

Angels, Daemons, and Beings Between
https://dcctreasures.blogspot.com/2016/06/angels-daemons-and-beings-between.html

Hubris: A World of Visceral Adventure
https://dcctreasures.blogspot.com/2017/05/hubris-world-of-visceral-adventure.html

Sanctum Secorum Episode #27 Companion: The King of Elfland's Daughter
https://dcctreasures.blogspot.com/2018/05/sanctum-secorum-episode-27-companion.html

The Witch of Wydfield
https://dcctreasures.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-witch-of-wydfield.html

The Disoriented Ranger

Another rejected Magic Item (The Cauldron of Decadence)

http://the-disoriented-ranger.blogspot.com/2015/03/another-rejected-magic-item-cauldron-of.html

I'll do some more later on!

Let me know if you have content you want to see added to my list here.

Magic Backlash!

Photo by Dima Valkov

Or,  Biting off more than you can chew, magically speaking.

In the AD&D rules (and really most D&D variants), a spellcaster can't cast a spell above their prescribed levels. As a rule of thumb, this is often a spell level of half their caster level. There are variations across classes and editions, but this is sufficient for today's discussion.

But what happens when a spellcaster tries to cast a spell of a higher level?

The 1st Edition DMG has some rules on pages 127-128 on scroll reading and failure, but nothing as far as I have found on similar rules for spellbooks. I am sure someone, somewhere, has said with all the authority a Rule Lawyer can muster that "I Shall Not Be Done!" and then quote something that someone else said somewhere else. Frankly, that is myopic and doesn't serve the players well. 

So let me see if I understand the logic here...a group of adventurers are going to risk life, limb, possiblly even their immortal souls and sanity, for a chance of gold and glory. But reading a spell of slightly too high a level is verboten? No. I don't think so. Granted, it should come with consequences.

Here some rules I have been picking at. They supersede the ones found in the DMG.

Casting Higher Level Spells

A spellcaster is typically prohibited from casting spells to which they have no mastery of. Higher level spellcasting is the domain of higher level spellcasters and the untrained mind can not recall the information adequately to even attempt a spellcasting, that is even when they can understand the arcane or occult formulae at all.

But there are times, dire times, in which a spellcaster might want to attempt the dangerous casting of a spell to which they have no knowledge or skill of. This maybe attempted by reading a scroll or directly from a spellbook. There is a high chance of spell failure, and a chance of unintended and catastrophic results. There is also a chance that the spell works as intended and desired. This could be the difference between life and death, or a fate even worse.

To determine the chance of success, start with the Caster level.

Roll under chance of Success on d%.

Base Chance of Success = 5% per level

Table: Spell Casting Modifiers

Situation	Modifier
Spell is of caster's own class list	+10%
Spell is of allied Witch tradition (Classical, Craft of the Wise, etc.)	+5%
Spell belongs to a related arcane class (Magic-User ↔ Illusionist)	-5%
Spell belongs to a related occult class (Witch ↔ Warlock)	-10%
Spell belongs to an entirely different class (Divine/Cleric/Druid/etc.)	-15%
Spell is 1 level above caster's maximum	+5%
Spell is 2 or more levels above caster’s maximum	+10% per spell level
Spell of opposing alignment/Patron	-25%
Spell of opposing school (arcane only)	-10%

01 always succeeds.

00 (100) always triggers a Major Backlash (roll twice on the d100 table).

Failure results are detailed in the tables below. Scrolls and Spellbooks use different tables. Any casting, success, failure, or otherwise, results in the destruction of the spell being used.

Table: Scroll Spell Failure / Minor Backlash

d100	Result
01–20	Fizzle: Spell fails harmlessly; scroll turns to ash.
21–25	Harmless Surge: Hair stands on end; tiny sparks fly. No damage.
26–30	Minor Burn: Caster takes 1d4 damage.
31–33	Flashblind: Caster blinded for 1d4 rounds.
34–36	Reversed Spell: Effect targets caster.
37–40	Wild Targeting: The spell affects a random creature within 30 ft.
41–43	Spell Fragment: Only the first or last portion of the spell manifests (DM choice).
44–46	Partial Success: Spell works at half-strength, half duration, or half area.
47–49	Echo: The spell takes effect 1d4 rounds later.
50–52	Arcane Whiplash: Caster cannot cast spells for 1d3 rounds.
53–55	Magic Drain: Lose one randomly chosen prepared spell (or witch spell-slot) for the day.
56–58	Item Flare: A magic item worn must save vs. Spells or malfunction once.
59–60	Sour Ink: A random scroll in caster’s possession corrodes (save or be ruined).
61–63	Spirit Attention: A minor invisible spirit observes for 1 turn; 10% chance it interferes.
64–66	Vermin Sign: Normal vermin swarm briefly; 10% chance of ruining random gear or potions.
67–69	Etheric Disruption: All spellcasting within 10 ft suffers –2 to initiative for 1 turn.
70–72	Foul Omen: Caster takes –1 on all rolls for 1 hour.
73–75	Spell Echoes Elsewhere: The spell manifests 100–1000 ft away at random.
76–78	Vitality Leak: Caster loses 1d3 points of Constitution for 1 turn (fatigue aura).
79–81	Arcane Whip: Caster is knocked prone.
82–84	Shadow Flicker: Something mimics the caster’s shadow for 1 turn. Harmless but unsettling.
85–87	Planar Draft: A chill wind blows from nowhere; undead within 1 mile sense the caster.
88–90	Fail + Attract Minor Monster: Equivalent to a random monster roll.
91–95	Arcane Pulse: 1d6 damage to all creatures within 10 ft (save half).
96–99	Severe Shock: Caster stunned 1d4 rounds; lose 1d3 prepared spells.
100	Catastrophic: Roll once on the Major Backlash Table below.

Table: Spellbook Spell Failure / Major Backlash

d100	Result
01–05	Psychic Burn: 1d6 damage per spell level attempted; stunned 1 round.
06–08	Arcane Fever: –2 to all rolls, no spellcasting for 24 hours.
09–10	Witch-Marking: A permanent visible magical mark appears; –1 Charisma.
11–13	Memory Leak: Lose 1 prepared spell of each level. Highest levels first.
14–15	Reversal Cascade: Every beneficial effect on the caster reverses for 1 turn.
16–18	Wild Elemental Surge: Take 1d8 acid, cold, fire, or lightning damage (random).
19–21	Voice of the Spirits: Caster hears whispers for 1d6 hours. -2 on all rolls
22–24	Spirit Intrusion: Attempted possession (save vs. Spells or controlled 1d6 rounds).
25–27	Fates Displeasure: –1 to saving throws for 24 hours; omen appears.
28–30	Arcane Wound: Permanent –1 Constitution unless cured by heal, wish, or witch ritual.
31–33	Temporal Skip: Caster vanishes for 1d4 rounds and reappears confused for 1 round.
34–35	Spell Implosion: Lose all prepared spells of the highest level available.
36–37	Mana Scour: Drop to 0 spells; cannot cast for 12 hours. Spells return.
38–39	Grimoire Corruption: A spell in the caster’s book becomes unusable for 1 day. (Divine reroll)
40–41	Pain Curse: For 24 hours, all damage dealt to the caster is increased by +1 per die.
42–44	Aura Taint: Detect Magic/Good/Evil shows the caster as a random alignment for 1 day.
45–47	Attract Lesser Demon/Spirit (DM chooses): Negotiation may be required.
48–49	Blood Price: Lose 1d4 Strength for 24 hours.
50–52	Summoning Echo: A random outsider peers through briefly; 5% chance it steps through.
53–55	Arcane Feedback: Caster and all within 10 ft take 2d6 damage (save half).
56–57	Magic Reversal: The spell goes off but affects the absolute worst possible target.
58–59	Astral Flicker: Caster is partially astral for 1 turn; incorporeal but cannot act.
60–61	Possessed Insight: Gain a vision of the future, but also take 2d6 psychic damage.
62–63	Hexblight: Caster cannot benefit from magical healing for 24 hours.
64–65	Nightmare Veil: The next time the caster sleeps, they suffer a draining dream (lose 1d6 hp).
66–67	Witchfire Backlash: Caster burns with blue flame; take 1d6 damage and frighten nearby animals.
68–69	Feral Mind: –4 Intelligence and –4 Wisdom for 1 hour.
70–72	Undead Attraction: The nearest undead (within 1 mile) senses and seeks the caster.
73–74	Patron Claim (Occult only): The Patron asks a service (within 1 week). Refusal imposes -2 to all rolls. (Arcane/Divine reroll)
75–76	Contagion of Chaos: 10% chance for each magic effect within 30 ft to misfire.
77–78	Spell-Eater Aura: For 1 hour, any spell cast within 10 ft automatically fails.
79–80	Dimensional Shudder: Teleportation near caster is impossible for 1 day.
81–82	Grave Chill: Caster’s touch deals 1 cold damage per hit die for 10 minutes.
83–84	Shadow Doppelganger: A hostile shadow-copy of the caster manifests (HD = caster level –2).
85–87	Blood-Ink Words: Any further spellcasting today causes 1 hp damage per spell level.
88–89	Wards Collapse: Any magical protections on caster immediately expire.
90–91	Forbidden Knowledge: Gain a secret insight (DM chooses) but take 2 permanent hp loss.
92–93	Cataclysmic Surge: 3d6 force damage in 20 ft radius; save half.
94–95	Deathly Pallor: Caster appears undead to detection spells for 1 week.
96–97	Spellstorm: Roll a random spell of each level the caster can cast; all activate at once.
98–99	Arcane Rupture: Caster must save vs. Death Magic or die (success = 3d10 damage).
100	Grand Catastrophe: Roll twice more; both effects apply; the attempted spell explodes violently. Spellbook destroyed.

Any roll that results in an ability being reduced to 0 or below results in the death of the caster. Saving throw vs Death will instead place the caster in a coma until they are restored.

--

With the chances of death, destruction, and the potential loss of an entire spellbook, it is easy to see why many spellcasters treat casting higher level spells as something "they just can't do."

Urban Fantasy Fridays: WitchCraft RPG & Unisystem

 It is Halloween! The best day of the year. For that, I want to share one of my all-time favorite Urban Fantasy Horror RPGs.

C. J. Carella's WitchCraft RPG

WitchCraft is, hands down, my favorite game.  Period.  Picking up a copy of this book back in 1999 was just like picking up a copy of the Monster Manual in 1979.  Everything I ever wanted in a game was right there. Everything.

WitchCraft had such a profound effect on my gaming that I can draw a rather clean line between what came before and what came after it.  Granted, a lot was going on in 1999/2000, both gaming-wise and personally, that may have added to this effect; it was an effect all the same.

Back in 1999, I was really burned out on AD&D. I was working on my own Witch netbook and reading various games when someone, I forget where, must have been the old RAVENLOFT-L that TSR/WotC used to run, told me I really needed to check out WitchCraft.  At first, I balked.  I had tried Vampire a couple of years ago and found I didn't like it (and I was very much out of my vampire phase then), but I was coming home from work and my FLGS was on the way, so I popped in and picked up a copy.  This must have been the early spring of 2000.

I can recall sitting in my office reading this book over and over. Everything was so new again, so different.  This was the world I had been trying, in vain, to create for D&D, but never could.  The characters in this book were also all witches, something that pleased me to no end; it was more than just that.  Plus, look at that fantastic cover art by George Vasilakos. That is one of my favorite, if not my most favorite, covers for a game book. I have it hanging in my game room now.

WitchCraft uses what is now called the "Classic" Unisystem system.  So there are 6 basic attributes, some secondary attributes (derived), skills, qualities, and drawbacks.  Skills and attributes can be mixed and matched to suit a particular need.

WitchCraft uses a Point-Buy Metaphysics magic system, unlike Ghosts of Albion's levels of magic and spells system. Think of each magical effect as a skill that must be learned, and you have to learn easier skills before the harder ones first. In D&D, for example, it is possible to learn Fireball without having previously learned Produce Flame.  In WitchCraft, you could not do that.  WitchCraft, though, is not about throwing around "vulgar magics".  WitchCraft is a survival game where the Gifted protect humanity from all sorts of nasty things, from forgotten Pagan gods, to demons, fallen angels, and the Mad Gods; Cthulhoid-like horrors from beyond.  WitchCraft takes nearly everything from horror and puts it all together, and makes it work.

The Eden Studios version was the Second Edition, I was later to find out.  The first one was from Myrmidon Press. I manged to find a copy of that one too and it was like reading the same book, from an alternate universe.  I prefer the Eden Edition far more for a number of reasons, but I am still happy to have both editions.

The first edition (from Myrmidon Press) is like an alternate-universe echo of the later Eden Studios release. I own both, but Eden’s version is definitive. It’s cleaner, more playable, and it feels like the book C. J. Carella meant to write.

The central idea behind WitchCraft is the same as most other Modern Supernatural Horror games.  The world is like ours, but there are dark secrets, magic is real, and monsters are real. You know the drill.  But WitchCraft is different.  There is a Reckoning coming, everyone feels it, but no one knows what it is.  Characters then assume the roles of various magic-using humans, supernatural beings, or even mundane individuals, and they fight against the threats.  Another conceit of the game (and one I use a lot) is that supernatural occurrences are greater now than ever before.  Something's coming...  (dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria).

It is most often compared to World of Darkness, but there are aspects of WitchCraft that I prefer.  Unlike (old) Mage there is no war between the (good) Mages and the (evil) Technocracy.  There is a war certainly, but nothing so cut and dry.  Unlike the new Mage, there are rarely clean divisions between the factions.  Yes, yes Mage players, I am being overly simple, but that is the point, on the simple levels new Mage dives everything into 5 because that is how the designers want it.  There are factions (Associations) and different metaphysics for each, but they also overlap, and sometimes no clear and defined lines are to be found or established.  It feels very organic.

In my opinion, C. J. Carella may be one of the best game designers out there.  WitchCraft is a magnum opus that few achieve.  I took that game and I ran with it.  For 2000 - 2003, it was my game of choice above and beyond anything.  The Buffy RPG, built on the Cinematic Unisystem, took over till I wrote Ghosts of Albion, which also uses the Cinematic Unisystem.  I mix and match the systems as I need, but WitchCraft is still my favorite.

WitchCraft, in fact, is what got me into professional game design.

Back in the Spring/Summer of 2001, I started up a new game.  I had just purchased the WitchCraft RPG book about 16 months prior, and I was looking for something new.  That something came to me in the guise of Willow and Tara.  I had been watching Buffy for a bit, and I really enjoyed the character of Willow.  When she got together with fellow witch Tara, I thought they were perfect.  I had become very involved in the online Willow/Tara fandom, so I created a game, focusing on just them.

The game would focus on just these two, no one else from the show (which I would soon become an ex-fan of, but that is a different story).  Plus it gave me something to try out in a modern setting, something I have not done since my early days with the Chill RPG.

The trickiest part of developing game stats of any fictional character that belongs to someone else is knowing how to strike a balance between the game's rules and the fictional portrayal. A lot of "artisitc" license needs to be used in order to get a good fit. For example, how do you determine what some one's strength is when there is little to no on screen evidence? What spells would the girls have?

In the end, I decided to play it a little loose, but I love where their stats ended up.  In many ways, this is who Willow and Tara are to me, not the characters on TV or in comics, but the ones who were my characters since that day back in May 2001, when I decided they needed their own chance to shine.

After this, I worked on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer RPG.  It should be no surprise then that the Willow and Tara stats that appear there are not that much different than my own.  I can be pretty vocal in play tests.  That got me the chance to write the Ghosts of Albion RPG. This also allowed me to meet, work with and remain friends with Christopher Golden and Amber Benson.

WitchCraft paved the way for so many other games for me, not just in terms of playing but in writing.  If it were not for WitchCraft, then we would not have had Buffy, Angel, or Army of Darkness. Conspiracy X would have remained in its original system. There would be no Terra Primate or All Flesh Must Be Eaten, and certainly there would be no Ghosts of Albion.  This game means that much to me.

But you don't have to take my word for it, Eden Studios will let you have it, sans some art, for free.

Download it.  If you have never played anything else other than D&D then you OWE it yourself to try this game out.

My thing is I wish it was more popular than it is.  I love the game. If I was told I could only play one game for the rest of my life then WitchCraft would be in my top 3 or 2 choices.

Larina Nichols for WitchCraftRPG

Like Willow and Tara, I consider the WitchCraft version of Larina to be the "main" or even "true" one. Not a shock. I was reading the WitchCraftRPG after completing my first publication, "Complete Netbook of Witches & Warlocks," which featured a six-year-old Larina learning she would become a witch.  

Later on, I played her in an online game where she went to Scotland, got married, got divorced, and moved back. In fact, it was her "return to America" stage of her life that I tried to capture with the Buffy the Vampire Slayer RPG. It was here that her "modern age" counterpart had made contact with her "fantasy age", aka D&D counterpart. 

Larina "Nix" Nichols

Wicce Seeker of Knowledge Gifted
Age: 30 (circa 2000/2001), Ht: 5'4", Hair: Red, Eyes: Blue

Attributes: Str 2 Dex 3 Con 3 Int 5 Per 5 Wil 6*

Life Points:  33
Endurance: 29 (27)
Speed: 12/6

Essence Pool: 76
Channeling Level: 10

Survival: 10
Lifting Capacity: 100 lbs

Qualities & Drawbacks

Gifted (+5), Attractive (+2), Essence Channeling (+5),  Hard to Kill (+1), Increased Essence Pool (+8), Nerves of Steel, Old Soul* (+3), Resources (+1), Emotional Dependency: Fear of Rejection (-1), Honorable (-2), Recurring Nightmares (-1), Obsession Magic (-2)

Skills

Cooking (1), Craft, Simple Crafts (2), Driving, Car (2), Humanities, History (2), Humanities, Religion (2), Humanities, Wicce Theology (2), Humanities, Psychology (1), Language, Latin (4), Language, Greek (3), Language Italian (3), Language, Gaelic (2), Magic Bolt (3), Magic Theory (3), Myth and Legend, Celtic (2), Myth and Legend, Greek (2), Folk Magic (4), Occult Knowledge (2), Play Instrument, Clarinet (2), Research (3), Rituals, Wicce (2), Singing (1), Survival, Urban (3), Trance (2)

Metaphysics/Powers

Affect the Psyche (Influence Emotion, 2), Blessing (Good Luck, 2; Protection, 2), Create Ward (2), Flame (2), Insight, One with the Land (1), Perceive True Nature (2), Protection vs. Magic (3), Soul Projection (4), Soul Fire (3), Sending (1)

Weapons

Knife d4x2
Baseball bat d8x2 / d8x3 (two handed)

Possessions: Books on magic, spell components, crystal ball, laptop computer (Mac PowerBook G3 "Lombard"), 1998 Volkswagen Beetle. 

As with Chill, this is not a starting character. I have said it already, but I consider this to be the "Prime" modern Larina, that is, until I wrote NIGHT SHIFT. I use the Old Soul quality not only to have her connect to past lives, but also to her "alternate lives." This would include her D&D and Mage versions. This is what allows her to exceed the human limit of 5 in Willpower. 

Larina's Timeline

Since this is the last post in this particular series, I decided to look back on the lifespan development campaign idea. 

• Childhood
• Tween
• Teenager
• Young Adult
• Adult
• Later Adult

There are certainly more games I could use to fill in some more. Even if I never play all these games, using them is a better solution than a huge backstory. It gives you the chance to build that backstory. 

WitchCraft as a D&D Replacement

I have talked about this one as much this month, even if it is a central feature of my Fantasy Fridays. But the WitchCraftRPG can be used as a replacement for D&D. Eden even published a book for it, Dungeons & Zombies. Overtly for the All Flesh Must Be Eaten RPG.

It is no surprise then that Dungeons & Zombies comes from Jason Vey. Vey and I would later take all that we knew from WitchCraft, AFMBE, and Buffy and Ghosts, and design NIGHT SHIFT.

I even ran the Ravenloft I6 adventure using WitchCraft. It was fantastic.

Final Thoughts

Revisiting WitchCraft after Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition feels like returning to the root system after tracing the branches. Mage is about transcendence, belief shaping reality. WitchCraft is about endurance, belief surviving reality.

In Mage, Larina questions the structure of the cosmos; in WitchCraft, she defends it. Both games explore the same axis of power and consequence, but WitchCraft speaks to something older and more intimate: the soul’s stubborn refusal to go quietly.

Twenty-five years later, WitchCraft still reads like a love letter to the people who look at the dark and light a candle anyway. It’s hopeful without being naïve, mystical without losing its humanity.

When I flip through those pages now, I can still feel that same spark from 1999. The moment I realized that “urban fantasy” wasn’t just a genre; it was a worldview, and it was where I wanted to spend my gaming days and nights.

And Larina’s still there, at her desk, cup of tea beside a stack of grimoires, scrolling through student papers by day and summoning protective circles by night. The Reckoning may come, or it may not, but she’ll be ready either way.

Links

• C. J. Carella’s WitchCraft RPG – Eden Studios (DriveThruRPG)
• Ghosts of Albion
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Angel
• Eden Studios
• WitchCraft
• Ghosts of Albion
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer / Angel

Witchcraft Wednesdays: The Witch Queen Advanced Class

Photo edit of "Ginger Queen by Black-Bl00d"

For all my talk about witch queens here, I have no real witch queen class. Yes, there is my D&D 3x Prestige class, but nothing really for Old School games. So my oldest and I tried this one out during our AD&D games. Not 100% there yet, and in the tradition of the Arch Druid (Unearthed Arcana), she might get her own level progression above and beyond the witch class. I just have not crunched all the numbers just yet.

This is primarily for AD&D 1st Edition, but it should work in many other games as well.

WITCH QUEEN / WITCH KING

Advanced Class for Witches

When a Witch has reached the height of mortal power, there yet remains one step further upon the Path, the ascension to the mantle of the Witch Queen (or Witch King). This being is the supreme vessel of a Patron’s will, the living nexus of a Tradition’s power, and the spiritual sovereign of all witches within her realm. Like the Grand Druid of the Old Faith, she is both pontiff and prophet, counselor and conduit, a figure whose very presence can bend the ley and alter the seasons' turning.

Whether crowned by fate, prophecy, deed, or divine lineage, this witch has ascended beyond the coven to become a legendary figure. 

Only one Witch Queen (or King) may reign for each Tradition at any given time, making them as rare as they are powerful.

Requirements

To become a Witch Queen (or Witch King), a character must:

• Be a Witch of at least 14th level
• Possess Charisma 17 or higher. Additionally, the witch needs to have an Intelligence or Wisdom of 15 or higher.
• Be a member in good standing of a coven
• Must know the Supernal Language
• Have been chosen through omen, divine sign, or a coven-wide rite as the next Queen or King

Restrictions

• Only one Witch Queen or King may exist per Tradition at a time (GM’s discretion)
• To become a Witch Queen or King, the previous sovereign must abandon or relinquish their rulership.  This is often upon the death of the previous sovereign, but not required. 
• Occult Powers are gained differently (see below)

Spellcasting

• The Witch Queen continues to cast spells as a Witch of her full level
• May forego the use of Material Components. 

Witch Queen Abilities

Awesome Presence (gained at level 16): Witches perceive the Witch Queen as a radiant beacon of power. Allies within 60 feet receive +1 to morale checks and saving throws vs. fear; enemies must save vs. spells or suffer -1 to morale. All witches instinctively recognize her status and will defer unless magically compelled otherwise.

Occult Eminence (gained at level 18): The Witch Queen gains one choosen Occult Power of her Tradition. This power is gained as if at the appropriate level, but may not exceed the “Grand” tier unless already eligible. She may choose another Occult Power from a different Tradition at level 19 if desired.

A Thousand Faces (gained at level 20): The Witch Queen may alter her appearance at will, as per the disguise self spell, though the effect is real, not illusory. This change does not affect clothing or equipment, and may be maintained indefinitely.

Timeless Body (gained at level 22): The Witch Queen ceases to age. She gains immunity to magical aging and no longer suffers ability penalties due to age. Natural bonuses to Intelligence and Wisdom still accrue. Her lifespan is extended to 120 years, and she will still die of old age unless further extended by other magical means. 

Rulership and Influence

The Witch Queen or King is not merely a title, but a mantle of magical authority. All witches of her Tradition know of her. At the GM’s discretion, she may gain the right to command covens, invoke her Patron’s will across vast distances, or declare magical edicts that affect ley lines or seasonal flows. Along with this power and influence comes the wisdom and responsibility of how to use such power. 

Optional Rule: Mantle of Sovereignty

Once per month, the Witch Queen may perform a rite, calling upon her Tradition’s power. Effects may include summoning a spirit host, causing omens to appear across the land, or sealing a region against extra-planar intrusion for 1d4 days.

Experience Progression and Saving Throws

Continues to use the Witch class tables for all purposes.

Multi-Class and Dual-Class Use

Only single-classed Witches may become Witch Queens (Archwitches and Witch-Priestess are considered single-class witches). The transformation requires undivided devotion to the Patron and Tradition. Other characters may assist or serve such a queen, but may never claim her title.

The Witch Queen is both symbol and sovereign, oracle and enforcer. Her path is not taken lightly, for once crowned, her soul is forever marked by the gaze of the gods.

--

Still have details to work out, but I like it so far. Again, this is designed to mimic the Arch Druid to Hierophant Druid of AD&D 1st Edition. Though I do think the Hierophant is a bit overpowered.  

I briefly considered the more gender neutral title of Witch Sovereign, but that doesn't have the same weight to it. My influences should be rather obvious, but even "Simon King of the Witches" is called a King and not a Sovereign. 

Likely need some more work on this one, so feedback is appreciated. 

Mail Call: Aquelarre

 Treated myself to a game I have been wanting for some time now. The Spanish RPG Aquelarre.

This is the English version, but it is still a great RPG.

And it is massive. Can't wait to dig into it.

October Horror Movie Challenge: Akelarre (2020)

 Another rewatch tonight, but I have been wanting to rewatch it for some time.

Akelarre (2020)

I watched this one back in 2022. Tonight I rewatched it in the original Spanish.  I learned two things. First, this is a great movie and a lot is going on here. Secondly, my Spanish is still rather terrible.

Here is my original review; it still stands.

Also known as Akelarre and Coven of Sisters it is not to be confused with the 2019 movie Coven.

This one just sneaks in with the theme. Maybe Great-Great Grandmothers of the Craft is a better descriptor for this one. 

This one is horror, but not for the reasons the first two are. 

In 1609 in the Basque Country of Spain five girls are all arrested and charged with witchcraft.  One of their friends tries to rescue them and she is captured too. At first, the girls are afraid but then they begin to joke about it, not believing that this is happening to them.  Then the torture begins.    

It's all rather horrible to be honest.  Worse, because you knew this sort of thing happened all the time.  

Amaia Aberasturi stars as Ana and she is the real stand-out here. She keeps stringing along her accusers to drag out the proceedings to help save the other girls. Ana easily strings along the horny men till the full moon. 

The girls decide that in order to delay their execution longer they tell the judge they will re-enact the Black Mass, or the Sabbath, for his records. They do so and get him all involved as Lucifer.  Once they had frightened the men, or turned them on, enough they run into the woods. They are chased by the men and soldiers till they get to the edge of a cliff over the ocean.  The other women, the ones not accused of witchcraft, sing a song about the full moon and the high tide.  Ana, realizing the message, tells the other girls they can jump. 

They jump over the side, not knowing if they lived or died.  

I thought this movie was great honestly. Not the typical sort of horror, but also not exactly what I thought it was going to be either.  

Occult D&D and NIGHT SHIFT

The Occult D&D influences are obvious: witch cults, witch hunters, and scared townsfolk. The biggest issue here of course in D&D magic and demons are real, and in movies like Akelarre they are not. 

While it might not work so well as a "witch trial" idea, I love the idea of exploring more about Spanish and Basque witches.  This would be a good way to add in my demon Akelarre. 

October Horror Movie Challenge 2025
Viewed: 29
First Time Views: 25

October Horror Movie Challenge: Spellbinder (1988)

 This one has been on my list for a bit. At least since I saw it in the video store in Carbondale. As it turns out, that video store is now Castle Perilous Games.  My wife says I have seen this, but I sure I hadn't; I am not really a fan of Kelly Preston. But today is a good day for witch movies. Starting this one early today because I don't want to clean up my garden.

Spellbinder (1988)

Jeff Mills (Tim Daly of Wings and Superman: The Animated Series) is a Los Angeles lawyer who saves Miranda Reed (Kelly Preston) from being beaten up by her sketchy Central Casting creep boyfriend Aldys (Anthony Crivello ). Jeff takes Miranda back to his place, where she gets naked, but they don't have sex (at least on screen) but she heals his injured back which seems to drain her and she falls asleep. Magic can be draining.

Jeff leaves her at his place (sleeping) but he sees Aldys in his dreams trying to kill him. He gets home that evening and she is still there AND cleaned his house by canglelight, just wearing one of his shirts. Had to check, yeah written by a guy. Surprised she didn't have a steak and martini ready for him. Though they do drink champagne in a bubble bath. Oh, and dinner was ready.

An aside...I still don't think Kelly Preston can act. She is great looking here, but I have never been impressed with her at all.

Soon, Jeff and Miranda settle into a domestic life, but are being followed by Temu Billy Squire and "We Have Billy Drago At Home."  Things start to fall apart when Miranda's coven starts hunting down wayward members, Jeff's secretary starts to suspect Miranda, and oh yeah, she becomes a suspect in a series of Satanic murders. Things start to pick up when Mrs. White (Audra Lindley aka Helen Roper) shows up to threaten Jeff. 

Mirianda leaves, and Jeff starts looking for her. He goes to the police and we get treated to Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Lieutenant Lee. 

Miranda has been missing for a bit now, and Jeff is still looking for her. One night he gets a call from her at his office. Mirianda is there, but the coven follows them back to Jeff's place. We learn that the coven needs to sacrifice someone on the Winter Solstice, and Miranada thinks it is going to be her.

Jeff takes Miranada to one of his clients, Brock, who is a paranoid conspiracy theorist. Mrs. White turns out to be Miranada's mother, which is a shock to absolutely no one except for Jeff.  

Miranada disappears again, even Brock's Fortress of Paranoia can't protect her.

The movie really drags at the end. Turns out everyone but Jeff is in the cult, and Miranada wasn't a victim; she was bait to get Jeff, who is the real sacrifice.  They kill him and cut out his heart.

Later on, Grace dies mysteriously, and we see Miranda acting out the same scene from the beginning of the movie on her next victim.

It had some potential, but it got bogged down. 

In the end, only Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's Lieutenant Lee is the only decent character here. 

This really didn't change my opinion of Kelly Preston.

Occult D&D and NIGHT SHIFT

 The movie, despite its flaws, has some good ideas. A witch moving in with a PC suddenly is a great plot point. Whether the witch turns out good or evil, they will undoubtedly be trouble of some sort. 

When I was talking about the WitchCraftRPG yesterday, I was considering some Conspiracy X material as well. This movie kinda gives us some crossover. This sort of thing is a lot easier in NIGHT SHIFT.

A possible adventure idea would be to follow along with Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's Lieutenant Lee investigating these Satanic murders. Getting closer and closer to the coven. Knowing the 1980s he would also have a background in some mystical martial art. Cliché? Yeah, but that's the 80s for you.

October Horror Movie Challenge 2025
Viewed: 28
First Time Views: 25