Weird Tales: Strange Orchids

Weird Tales: Strange Orchids is a Shadowdark adventure that draws inspiration from Weird Tales volume 29, number 3, published in March of 1937. The cover of that volume features artwork by Margaret Brundage, illustrating Dorothy Quick’s story “Strange Orchids”.  The short story follows Louise and Rex, as they investigate the disappearance of a young woman. Their attention turns quickly to a botanist named Angus O’Malley, who wants to hypnotize Louise and turn her into a special orchid he has developed.

This adventure expands that story. Here, Angus is a conflicted. He realizes he has created something no longer in his control, a Corpse Orchid. This creature can turn its victims into orchids which feed off of flesh. He ultimately wants to destroy the creature, while also trying to save his own skin. 

The adventure takes place not in the ornate O’Malley manor, but in the now aptly named Orchid Caves below it, and culminating in the scene illustrated on the cover: One victim charmed by Strange Orchids, another being devoured by the Corpse Orchid, and O’Malley himself lurking in the shadows. Do you have what it takes to stop him?