Crit and Grit Media: Echoes in the Dark

In this episode of Malevolence, the characters navigate a horror-themed adventure filled with suspense and emotional depth. The story unfolds as they explore a haunted manor, encountering familiar faces and eerie phenomena. Byron's emotional connection to his mother leads to a pivotal moment, while the group's investigation reveals dark secrets hidden within the grandfather clock. Tension builds as they face the unknown, culminating in a gripping narrative that intertwines character development with thrilling gameplay. In this thrilling session of a tabletop RPG, the players navigate a series of intense encounters, including a confrontation with an undead mother and a living brain. The narrative unfolds with dramatic twists, showcasing the characters' struggles and triumphs as they engage in combat and unravel the mysteries surrounding them. The session highlights the importance of character development and the emotional stakes involved in their adventures.

In this Episode the party faces the recent party conflict and continues to investigate their missing companion Ulberd. Continuing their search more haunts and creatures attempt to toy with the adventurers minds. The party will find clues that will either lead them to Ulberd or to Peril! Crit and Grit Media is not sponsored or affiliated with Paizo aside from our love for their game and creativity!

The adventurers face their biggest threat yet, and it's not what anyone expected. With Ulberd missing the party faces the mansions worst mental intrusions trying to push them away from the mansion... and each other.

Ulberd goes missing, Varric falls unconscious and weird stuff keeps happening. Who is the man without a hand? why does his wife hate him? and where did he take Ulberd? These questions run through our adventurers heads as they try to stay safe and still find their friend with urgence. 

The investigation reaches its turning point as the crew presses deeper into the unknown, uncovering unsettling signs that the disappearance of the Xeno Wardens was no simple accident. Strange growths, hidden truths, and an expanding sense of control reshape the mission, forcing the team to confront a threat far more pervasive than they expected. As secrecy gives way to revelation, the line between rescue and survival begins to blur. The Spore Den reveals its true influence, and the consequences of what lies within cannot be ignored.

A rare stillness settles over the manor as the investigators finally catch their breath, piecing together fragments of forbidden knowledge uncovered among dust-choked shelves and half-forgotten warnings. But quiet never lasts long in this place. As memories surface and old emotions stir, the party is forced to choose their next path—upward into the unknown or deeper toward secrets best left buried. Faith is tested, the past bleeds into the present, and something restless answers their intrusion with fury. In Episode 7 of Echoes in the Dark, moments of reflection give way to sudden terror, proving once again that in this house, even victories carry a price.

The investigators find little comfort as they delve deeper into Xarwinn Manor’s library, a place heavy with dust, silence, and secrets never meant to be disturbed. The air itself turns hostile, testing their resolve as unseen guardians stir to defend what has long been forgotten. Light fades, breath shortens, and every movement feels watched as the group learns that not all threats announce themselves with claws or steel. In a house built to preserve knowledge, survival may be the rarest thing left to protect.

Fresh from a brutal confrontation, the party takes a moment to breathe—if the manor will allow it. Old wounds linger, nerves fray, and the silence presses in as they push deeper into Zarwin Manor. Memories surface, unseen forces stir, and every closed door feels heavier than the last. In a place where survival is never guaranteed, the house begins to make its presence felt in unsettling ways.

The investigators finally cross the threshold of Xarwinn Manor, only to discover that the house is anything but empty. Strange sounds and unsettling memories blur the line between the past and the present as danger reveals itself in unexpected ways. With escape no longer guaranteed, the group must rely on quick thinking and trust in one another to survive their first true test inside the manor. Whatever this place is, it has made one thing clear: it does not want them here.

A new team of unlikely adventurers gathers on Absalom Station as they’re recruited for a high-stakes mission issued by the Xeno Wardens. After meeting aboard a living ark-ship, the crew is briefed on a missing research team deep within Castrovel’s dense and dangerous wilds. With limited time and two possible routes ahead, the group must choose how best to approach their rescue operation. Their journey begins with cooperation, questions, and the first steps into a mission that promises far more than they expect — all played using the Starfinder Second Edition system. Disclaimer: Crit & Grit Media is not sponsored, endorsed, or affiliated with Paizo Inc. Starfinder Second Edition and all related terms are trademarks of Paizo Inc.

The storm hasn’t let up, and neither have the horrors lurking around Xarwinn Manor. As the investigators fight to regain their footing quite literally, they find themselves swarmed by skittering nightmares that test their resolve, their teamwork, and their luck. Flames flash, steel rings, prayers are whispered into the downpour, and the party pushes through the chaos with grit (and a little singed hair). But the courtyard is only the beginning. With danger at their heels and an ominous flock circling overhead, the group finally reaches the manor’s looming doors though the welcome they receive is far from warm. Something watches. Something stirs. And the threshold ahead promises more questions than answers. Step back into the fog-drenched dread of Malevolence: Echoes in the Dark where every door creaks with possibility.

Episode 2 follows the party as they travel through relentless storm and unsettling silence toward the abandoned settlement of Crooked Cove. Along the way, strange sights and unease settle over the group, hinting that the region holds more than simple superstition. The investigators navigate the ruined town and face the growing sense that they are being watched by forces unseen. As tensions rise, each character relies on their skills, instincts, and faith to steady themselves against the encroaching dread. By the time they reach the gates of the Xarwinn Manor, the group realizes their journey has only just begun, and the house ahead is anything but ordinary. Content Warnings This adventure path contains horror-themed elements, including scenes that may involve body horror, self-harm, or suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Affiliation Disclaimer Crit and Grit Media is not officially partnered with, sponsored by, or affiliated with Paizo Inc. Pathfinder, Starfinder, and their respective logos are trademarks of Paizo. Special Thanks A huge shoutout to Monument Studios for providing the incredible background music that enhances every moment of our storytelling.

Episode Introduction Welcome to the first episode of Crit and Grit Media’s playthrough of Malevolence, a chilling and atmospheric horror adventure for Pathfinder Second Edition. This series invites you into a tale steeped in mystery, haunted history, and psychological tension, where our characters must confront forces far darker than they ever expected. While we always strive to highlight character-driven storytelling and roleplay, this particular adventure leans deeply into eerie ambience, creeping dread, and the unsettling consequences of tampering with the unknown. Settle in as we begin our descent into a story where curiosity is dangerous. Content Warnings This adventure path contains horror-themed elements, including scenes that may involve body horror, self-harm, or suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Affiliation Disclaimer Crit and Grit Media is not officially partnered with, sponsored by, or affiliated with Paizo Inc. Pathfinder, Starfinder, and their respective logos are trademarks of Paizo. Special Thanks A huge shoutout to Monument Studios for providing the incredible background music that enhances every moment of our storytelling.