Tegal Manor is alive. The manor breathes, it watches, it waits. Bill Webb, Thom Wilson and Gabor Lux of Frog God Games bring this legendary haunted house back to life for 5e, and it’s as deadly as ever. Originally published in 1977 by Judges Guild, Tegal Manor remains one of the most iconic modules in tabletop RPG history. It’s packed with danger, mystery, and a little bit of madness.
The story centers around Sir Runic the Rump, the last living member of the Rump family. He’s desperate to sell the family’s manor, but there’s one problem: 100 of his dead ancestors still haunt the place. And they’re not friendly. Sir Runic promises a reward to anyone brave enough to clear the manor of these corrupted spirits. The catch? They’re all Rumps, and their names start with “R.” Webb’s new version, published by Frog God Games, stays true to this eerie legacy while expanding on the challenges and chaos. The 5e mechanics streamline the gameplay for modern players without losing any of the original’s bite.
The Haunted Atmosphere
The manor drips with tension. Every creak of a floorboard, every shadow on the wall, feels like a warning. The Gothic atmosphere is thick—you can almost feel the history pressing in on your party. This place is old, full of secrets, and none of them are good. It’s the kind of haunted house that gets under your skin. In some ways, it feels like a mash-up of The Cabin in the Woods with classic Gothic horror. It’s strange, dangerous, and unpredictable.
Brutal Challenge
Tegal Manor doesn’t pull punches. If you think you can outsmart it, think again. The manor is full of traps, and enemies lurk where you least expect them. The encounters are random, keeping you on edge the entire time. Here’s a tip: Don’t mess with the family portraits or statues. If you do, you’ll summon 1d4+1 Rump family members in 2d6 rounds. They might be vampires, mummies, or worse. You’ve been warned.
Webb has balanced the difficulty well within the 5e framework. It’s punishing, but it’s not impossible. Smart planning and teamwork will keep you alive, but one reckless move could doom the party.
Layout & Exploration
The manor is a sprawling, non-linear sandbox. You’re free to explore, but the lack of a clear path means every room is a new mystery. The map is detailed, and every corner holds something unexpected. Dungeon Masters, be prepared. You’ll need to do your homework to keep track of the Rump family members and the constantly shifting rooms, but the effort pays off. The unpredictability is what makes this adventure so compelling.
Thoughtful 5e Conversion
The 5e adaptation is well done. It preserves the deadly spirit of the original while updating it for modern mechanics. The traps, monsters, and encounters all fit smoothly into 5th edition, so veteran players and newcomers alike will find plenty to enjoy. It’s a faithful update, but it never feels dated.
High Replayability
Tegal Manor shines in its replayability. The random elements, shifting encounters, and hidden secrets mean that no two sessions will be the same. Players will keep discovering new threats and treasures, making it a dynamic experience every time.
Playthrough: Our Session
In our campaign, the dead were rising. Chaos and fear swept through the realm as an ancient corruption spread. Our party traced the source to a monastery where the head abbot had found a piece of a fallen “comet.” This strange stone was kept hidden in the crypt, but it had started to corrupt its surroundings, turning them into a biomechanical horror. The abbot, now possessed by demonic forces, became a twisted creature. The characters managed to kill him and stop the process—for now. But we learned that the undead were just a symptom. Demons were using the comet to construct a gate into the material plane.
The artifact to stop them? Hidden in the laboratory of a lich inside Tegal Manor.
We teleported to the manor, but the party was worn out from the previous battle. They met Malcarion, a devil who offered gifts in exchange for their help retrieving the artifact. Time was running out. The demons were planning a masquerade ball in the Great Hall, where they would summon a powerful demon. The job? Crash the party, blend in, and stop the ritual.
It didn’t go well. One of our party members almost died after stumbling into a bedroom full of rose petals, only to be ambushed by a swarm of stirges. Another triggered a fight with a mummy in the hallway, failing his Constitution save and nearly succumbing to mummy rot. Desperate, they fled the manor, but one of the party traded a piece of his soul to Malcarion to remove the mummy rot.
Later, they shrank down to the size of rats and crawled through the manor’s rat holes, eventually defeating Count Radu Rumpula. He summoned 13 wolves to tear the party apart while he watched in gaseous form, but they managed to take them down and the Count left through a keyhole in the door. It’s as if he was merely toying with them…
Final Thoughts
Tegal Manor 5e is a brutal, rewarding adventure. The Frog God Games adaptation preserves the haunted legacy of the original while making it accessible to new players. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but for those who crave a challenge, it’s a must-play.
Pros:
- Rich, immersive atmosphere.
- High replayability with random encounters.
- Faithful to the original, with smooth 5e mechanics.
Cons:
- Open layout can be hard to manage.
- Difficulty may not suit every group.
Looking for a haunted house with real stakes? Tegal Manor delivers.
