Train of The Damned
A 5e TTRPG One-Shot
*Every image and supplementary item is linked to a google drive where you can download the original files
What You’ll Find Here
Maps | Conditions | Changing CR Difficulty | Beast Statblocks | Inspiration…
*There are a lot of dead things on this train. Don’t forget their ability to use Undead Fortitude
Courtesy of D&D Beyond
Car 1 for the undead bestiary
Car 2 For The Pedestal Puzzle
*Below are some “runes” or symbols that GMs can share with PCs to help them solve the puzzle
Car 3 with the Ecstasy Room, Madness Room, & Boon Room
Car 4 For The Encounter with “Mama” & “Dada”
Car 5 For the Final Encounter with “The Child” & “The Feline”
“The Child” Kreed Possesses The Above Ability | Here For GM Reference
Courtesy of D&D Beyond
Conditions
*Blinded, Charmed, Frightened, Grappled, Petrified Condition Images Courtesy of D&D Beyond
Running Madness
*Images courtesy of Roll20
*GMs this can be flavored and spiced up however you would like!
CR - Challenge Rating - Making Things More Dangerous
This guide (courtesy of blogofholding.com) is a great way to compare the benchmarks of different CR monsters to your own creations.
A few easy ways to improve your encounters’ difficulty.
Increase Action Economy
Through Spells (slots)
Add Multiattack (or increase the number of attacks)
Increase hit die number or give creatures Max HP for their hit die
Give them magic items like weapons, armor, or scrolls (this can then be loot for the PCs)
A Few Suggestions for improving CR Difficulty in this adventure
Give “Dada” - Car 4 - Some Spells & Spell Slots
He’s based on traits from different Mages from the D&D Monster Manual, so here is an example of what his spellcasting could look like.
Image courtesy of D&Dbeyond.
Give “Mama” - Car 4 - A New Attack
She has different zombie’s traits, and this would fit in great, especially if you want to start adding some necrotic damage.
Image courtesy of D&Dbeyond.
Give “Mama” - Car 4 - Some Limbs That Won’t Quit
One of the bases for “Mama’s” creation was the Strahd Zombie from the D&D “Curse of Strahd” Adventure, which possesses this wild, and authentic zombie ability.
As nearly all (except for “Dada” are undead), this can apply to a lot of the creatures in this adventure’s encounter.
BE WARNED: It can add a lot to the GM's plate, so don’t over use.
Image courtesy of D&Dbeyond.
Bestiary Statblocks
*All Creature Statblock Images Courtesy of D&D Beyond
Inspiration…
Are you wondering where this all came from? Do you have a guess? The biggest lingering clue may be in the names of the BBEGs in Car 5. No?
Well, every encounter is based on Stephen King’s Pet Sematary!
When I first ran this one-shot for different groups of friends, the bestiary was filled with animals from the aforementioned “sematary” that good ole Jud Crandall takes the Creed family through after arriving at their new home in Maine.
You may note one family member didn’t make it onto the train.
I didn’t have the heart to include Elly Creed amongst the damned. But I have played with the idea of a follow up adventure where PC’s can save her from the wendigo…
So if you want to have some fun, you can flavor the beasts this way:
Blink Dog = Jud’s Dog “Spot”
Cockatrice = A Parrot “Polynesia”
Giant Boar = A Black Bull “Hanratty”
Giant Rat = A Cat “Smucky”
Giant Weasel = A Dog “Bowser”
Stirge = A Parakeet “Unnamed”
Worg = A Dog “Biffer”
See if your PCs notice.
Maybe offer a “Heroic Inspiration” to the brave adventurer who does!
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“Livin’ the nightmare.”
