The Haunting Engine: A Procedural GM Toolkit
The Haunting Engine: A Procedural GM Toolkit by Steven Chabotte (Lucky Dice Games) is a system-neutral GM toolkit for generating haunted locations, restless spirits, and supernatural mysteries.
- Game system
- Any system / system-agnostic
- Product type
- Equipment & Magic Items
- Language
- English
Product overview
Utilizing interconnected d20 tables, the book separates hauntings into The Hunger, The Anchor, and The Release. It features a six-part Quick Haunting generator, a tiered Pressure escalation system from Dormant to Claiming, investigation mechanics (Traces, Contradictions, Revelations), spirit complications, and worked examples with worksheets.
The Six-Part Haunting Core and Investigation System
The toolkit structures hauntings around six core elements: The Wound, The Dead, The Hunger, The Anchor, The Primary Sign, and The Release. Characters investigate supernatural phenomena through Traces, Contradictions, and Revelations, unearthing the true needs of unreliable spirits.
Pressure Escalation and System-Neutral Tools
A dedicated Pressure track governs the haunting's escalation from Dormant to an active Claiming Event. The guide provides comprehensive d20 tables, special haunting variations, worksheets, and quick-reference sheets usable with fantasy, horror, modern, or historical RPGs.
Ideas for your table
- Game Masters can use the six-part Quick Haunting generator during prep to create a localized ghost mystery for an abandoned roadside manor.
- The Pressure escalation track can be used to time environmental manifestations as players search a cursed crypt.
Questions & answers
Does The Haunting Engine require specific monster stats or system rules?
No, it is completely system-neutral and contains no damage values, saving throws, or stat blocks, making it adaptable to any tabletop RPG.
Where can The Haunting Engine PDF be purchased?
GMCraft provides product overviews, while digital PDF downloads are handled directly by DriveThruRPG.