A Perilous House is a rules expansion and setting for Dungeon Crawl Classics & Shadowdark. A copy of either the Dungeon Crawl Classics or Shadowdark core rules is prerequisite, although it was written to be broadly compatible with the Old School Roleplaying game of your choice.

Players in A Perilous House assume the role of a Necromancer or a Knight. Necromancers and Knights are citizen-rulers of the most powerful empire in the Galaxy, The Work.

Thousands of years ago, a great King united many warring wizards and warlords into one kingdom. He was aided by his greatest friend, a powerful Necromancer. Together, they set up a system of governance that has lasted since, mirroring their own successful partnership.

Each of the myriad planets in The Work is ruled by a Necromancer. Each Necromancer is served by a Knight, who is expected to act as the strong “right hand” of their master. Many different types of Knight and Necromancer have emerged from many different planets, but all preserve two cardinal rules: a Knight must serve a Necromancer, and a Necromancer must serve the Empire.

These rules hold true for all except the rulers of The Work: whichever Knight holds the magical sword Calliburn will become ruler of it all, and their Necromancer will serve them.

In this way, there is balance.

This rules expansion features two classes, with new spells, and is offered as a PWYW supplement to two new funnels for A Perilous House (Sisterhood of the Splintered Bone & This Rose Will Never Die)

These rules are a work in progress; they should be considered beta rules and one should expect updates to these files to follow.