Richard Pett’s Grimalkin is an adventure for 3rd-5th level adventurers set in the Southlands of Kobold Press’s Midgard setting. It is a sequel to Cat and Mouse, but you don’t need to know that adventure to appreciate this one.
The basic plot revolves around a hidden tomb that several factions wish to find and loot. Unfortunately, the factions don’t know where the tomb is and the last person to find it is now dead. However, they do know where his corpse is, so perhaps it has the clues they need?
The joy of Grimalkin comes from its cast of memorable characters. The adventurers get to interact with them, and the adventure uses lots of events and advice to keep the interactions interesting. Who’s telling the truth? Can I trust anyone? Are we talking to cannibal gnolls? Why are we in this situation? It’s an absolute delight, and this town-based interaction takes up the first two-thirds of the adventure.
One highlight is that the initial hook for the adventure takes note of whether the adventurers are looking for wealth or looking to help people and modifies the initial interaction to suit.
The final third of the adventure is the dungeon crawl, where the adventurers get to go through a trap-filled dungeon buried beneath the desert, where the last two people to enter it have both died horrible deaths. I’m not entirely sure why the adventurers will be going in; it is a weak link in the adventure. For many groups, the mere thought of treasure, both mundane and magical, is enough to get them motivated, but what of those that were doing this to help people?
The dungeon is well-made. It’s not huge – only ten areas – but it uses the environment well and has some interesting challenges for the party. Undead there are, certainly, and traps likewise. It’s part of the Egyptian tomb trope that Kobold Press have going in the Southlands, and it’s well realised.
The maps, I’m glad to say, are clear and easy to read with a well-defined grid. The artwork is well-used and of superior quality.
Overall, this is an excellent adventure, well worth investigating. Highly recommended!