What is Death House?
Death House (Appendix B) is a haunted townhouse in the Village of Barovia designed for levels 1-3. It’s a self-contained horror dungeon that introduces the campaign’s themes: dark bargains, corrupted families, and the ever-present influence of evil.
Floor-by-Floor Notes
Ground Floor (Rooms 1-4)
The ground floor appears normal — a well-appointed townhouse. Use this to build false security:
- Describe the furniture as dusty but expensive
- The children’s portraits on the walls show Rose and Thorn, who appear outside to lure the party in
- Hidden passages begin appearing from the second floor onward
Upper Floors (Rooms 5-14)
The horror escalates as the party climbs:
- Library (Room 8): Contains the cult’s history in letters and journals
- Children’s Room (Room 15): The ghosts of Rose and Thorn are here. They’re genuinely terrified and beg the party not to go to the basement
- Attic (Room 16-20): Reveals the house’s true nature — nursemaid’s skeleton, the secret staircase down
Basement (Rooms 21-38)
The dungeon proper. Key encounters:
- Cult Quarters: Empty robes arranged as if in worship — until they animate
- The Ritual Chamber: An altar demanding sacrifice; the house won’t let the party leave without one
- The Shambling Mound: The final boss, emerging from the altar if no sacrifice is offered
Modifications
The Sacrifice Dilemma
The module’s biggest moment: the house demands a sacrifice at the altar. If the party refuses:
- The house attacks with animated objects, poison gas, and the shambling mound
- Popular modification: Allow a symbolic sacrifice (blood, a cherished item) to partially appease the house
- Harder version: No compromise — fight your way out or give something real
Pacing Tips
- Session 1: Floors 1-3, ending with the discovery of the secret staircase
- Session 2: Basement exploration through the final encounter
- Total: 2-3 sessions depending on exploration pace