Curse of the Crimson Throne is a Pathfinder adventure path that was first released in 2008 and recently revamped for the second edition of the game. It is a dark and politically charged campaign set in the city of Korvosa, a dangerous and corrupt place ruled by a cruel queen. The adventure path is divided into six parts, each offering a unique and challenging storyline. In Curse of the Crimson Throne, players take on the roles of heroes who must navigate the treacherous political landscape of the city and uncover a sinister plot that threatens to bring chaos and destruction. The campaign is known for its focus on urban intrigue, with players engaging in social encounters, investigations, and deadly combat. One of the central themes of the campaign is the curse that hangs over the city of Korvosa.
WHY ARE WITCHES ASSOCIATED WITH HALLOWEEN?
As with many festivals and traditions, Halloween can trace its roots back to the Druids – the Celtic peoples who lived in Ireland more than a millennia ago.
The Celts believed that Halloween, known then as Samhain, was the night that the veil between the spirit realm and the living was at its thinnest, allowing spirits and other supernatural forces to descend and cause mischief or harm. To the ancient Celts, people were transformed into cats as a punishment for their bad deeds. Those unfortunate enough to be cursed by black magic were also turned into cats, particularly black cats.
Catholic conversion
It doesn’t end there. After Roman take over, the Catholics began converting the Celts. The two belief systems merged. The church turned witches - those that ancient peoples looked to for wisdom and medicine - into devil worshiping hags. It was believed that witches could turn into cats (more black cat connections) and other animals such as bats and spiders. These companion creatures are what we now call familiars!
It wasn’t until the 1400s that witch hysteria spread across Europe. More than 100,000 were accused of witchcraft with upward of 50,000 being executed – most via hanging, but those killed during the Spanish Inquisition were burned at the stake.
Witch hysteria
America’s witch scare, which culminated in the infamous Salem Witch Trials were largely the end of the mass hysteria and killing of accused witches. While there were autumn festivals that included the telling of ghost stories and other such creepy traditions, it wasn’t until the influx of Irish immigrants that came to America in the 19th century that Halloween as we know it today began to take root. The mixing of Irish and English customs – jack-o-lanterns, costumes, going door-to-door asking for money – led to the current incarnation of Halloween.
Many young women especially believed that Halloween was the best day for divination and would often seek out fortune tellers to find out the names of their future husbands. This mashup of traditions and beliefs across millennia led to witches becoming a symbol of a holiday celebrating the macabre.
I personally love witches and witch stories. Witches fly in the face of societal expectation and convention – after all its always the young girl, the old midwife, the loner woman – who is accused. I see them as feminist symbols of power. From Hocus Pocus, to The Crucible, The VVitch and American Horror Story, there is no shortage of intriguing stories of the power of magical women. It was this history and this media that led me to release the Coven Collection and I hope to expand on it in the future.
Any suggestions for future Coven subjects?
Witch Themed Halloween Party for Ladies Night
Host a witch themed Halloween party for ladies night. These party ideas are for adults and perfect when you’re hosting girls night in, or an October birthday. I’m sharing a witch theme tablescape, party decorations, and a tasty menu that’s right on theme.
WHAT’S UP WITCHES. I have a fun Halloween girls night theme to share. In fact, I specialize in ladies nights themes because I’ve created so many party ideas based on this ritual. I’m a BIG believer in staying connected to girl friends, even when you’re knee deep in family and kids’ activities. We’ve got to make time for ourselves, ladies!
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE? ToggleOne of the central themes of the campaign is the curse that hangs over the city of Korvosa. This curse, known as the Crimson Throne, is said to be the source of the city's corruption and suffering. As the adventure unfolds, players are drawn into a web of conspiracy and betrayal as they uncover the truth behind the curse and face the sinister forces behind it.
Witches Halloween party
I put together this witches party theme inspired by all those things related to black magic: Ouija boards, tarot cards, black cats, crystal ball, and spells. I love how it turned out and it was so easy to pull together with a few Halloween props and a click of my mouse. See all the resources and recipes below. Cue witch cackle! EhhhHeeeHeeheeheee…….
Curse of the Crimson Throne offers a rich and detailed setting, with a vibrant and diverse cast of characters. From corrupt politicians to ruthless assassins, players will encounter a wide range of challenges and opportunities as they progress through the campaign. The city of Korvosa itself is a major character in the story, with its own history, culture, and secrets waiting to be discovered. The second edition of Curse of the Crimson Throne brings new updates and improvements to the original adventure path. The revised edition includes updated rules and mechanics, as well as additional content to enhance the overall gameplay experience. The revamped campaign is designed to be accessible for both new and experienced players, offering a balanced and engaging challenge. Overall, Curse of the Crimson Throne is a must-play adventure path for fans of Pathfinder. It offers an immersive and thrilling experience, with a captivating storyline and memorable characters. Whether you are a seasoned Pathfinder player or new to the game, Curse of the Crimson Throne is a campaign that should not be missed..
Reviews for "Betrayal and Redemption: The Paths of Curse of the Crimson Throne 2e's Heroes"
1. John - 2 stars
While I was excited to play "Curse of the crimsonthrone 2e" due to its reputation, I found the experience lacking. The storyline felt disjointed, and the characters were not developed enough to make me care about their fates. Additionally, the combat encounters were unbalanced, with some being too easy while others felt impossible to overcome. Overall, I was left disappointed and wishing for a more engaging and polished game.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I'm sorry to say that "Curse of the crimsonthrone 2e" failed to meet my expectations. The game seemed to rely too heavily on tropes and clichés, and the choices for character development were unoriginal and predictable. The pacing was off, with long stretches of tedium followed by rushed and confusing moments. The lack of depth in the world-building and overall narrative left me disconnected from the game, and I ultimately lost interest before reaching the end.
3. Chris - 2 stars
As a fan of tabletop RPGs, I was hoping for an immersive and exciting experience with "Curse of the crimsonthrone 2e," but unfortunately, it fell flat. The mechanics of the game felt clunky and unbalanced, making it difficult to truly enjoy the combat encounters. The storyline had potential, but it lacked depth and failed to deliver on its promises. Overall, I found the game to be underwhelming, and I would not recommend it to others looking for a captivating and satisfying RPG experience.