The finest inn in Rybalka burned down a year ago and has now been rebuilt, despite various strange incidents plaguing the construction. These events have delayed the re-opening of the inn, although with the arrival of a Prince, no less, in town it has been decided that the doors of Rybalka Lodge must open once more...

... and that's where the characters come in, the Mayor would like them to get to the bottom of all these mysterious lights and smashed dishes and compelling images of the place on fire that mysteriously leave no trace when anyone arrives with a fire bucket. So, folks, it's time for some ghost-hunting if not ghost-busting.

The characters will have to use investigative skills as well as combat to solve the mystery. There is plenty for them to do and see during the course of this investigation, and everything is clearly presented so that pertinent details are at the GM's fingertips as the adventure proceeds. NPCs/monsters are dual-statted for both D&D 3.5 and Pathfinder RPG, with opportunities for skill use signposted well with results for differing levels of success laid out well.

It will be worth spending the time to prepare to run this adventure. The various encounters and opportunities to gain information that will help unravel the mystery are presented in a rather linear manner - first you meet X and then there's a chance to question Y and next you can go poke about in location Z - so if the characters decide to do things in a different order it helps to know where all the clues are!

It's a cracking haunted house mystery and when all is revealed a surprise is in store! The whole adventure is very atmospheric and ought to conjure up some real terror as the characters explore the Lodge (especially if they go round at night...). I want to rush off and run this at once, even before I've finished writing this review....

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Reviewed: 24 March 2013