WFRP: The Enemy Within - why you need to play it!

We are delighted to have completed the Enemy Within — a massive five-volume, 10-book campaign that has been part of our WFRP schedule for the past few years. Each volume offers a 160-page campaign book (208 for the final volume, Empire in Ruins!) as well as a separate Companion book packed with extra content, new rules, NPCs, alternate challenges, and more. The recent release of the final companion in PDF was cause for celebration here at C7 as we could finally reveal how things would end.  

As well as the standard editions, we also produced an exclusive Collector’s Edition option for each volume. These are beautifully finished and presented in gloriously illustrated slip cases. Check out the Enemy in Shadows Collector’s Edition below which includes the campaign and companion books.

We want to offer a huge thank-you for your support on this campaign. We know that many of you have been following us from Volume 1: Enemy in Shadows and way before.

We also want to welcome those of you who are new to the Enemy Within or new to Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay. This is the perfect time to join us as we begin our look back at each volume starting with Enemy in Shadows. So, if you want to find out what the Enemy Within is all about, why you need to play it, and where to start —  keep reading! Producer Pádraig Murphy and developer Dave Allen are here to offer their expert advice over the next few weeks!

And for those of you who have all of the volumes, don’t worry — we’ll be back with lots more newness very soon!

What is the Enemy Within?

With a history stretching back more than three decades, the Enemy Within has established itself as one of the most momentous roleplaying campaigns ever written. Breaking away from familiar paths in the genre, the Enemy Within campaign stretched over five adventures, each one slowly drawing the players into the machinations of the powerful and the profane.

Cubicle 7 set out to update this classic adventure series for WFRP 4th Edition, working directly with Graeme Davis, one of the original authors, to do so. The result is a director's cut of the Enemy Within, packed with commentary, supplementary materials, fantastic art and perilous threats to challenge even those familiar with the original. Part four of the Campaign, The Horned Rat, is entirely new, rewritten to keep the campaigns focus squarely on the Empire. All of this comes to a crescendo in part five, Empire in Ruins, a reimagined conclusion which sees our bedraggled players given one last chance vex those who would tear down the Empire from within.

Where to Start: Enemy in Shadows — Volume 1

'It’s one of the finest campaigns I’ve ever played and this new incarnation takes things to a whole new level. Huge attention to detail, lots of alternative routes through the adventures, with options for both novices and veterans.'

-Geekdad.com

Readers' Choice Award 2020: 'Combined with the Companion book, it provides an incredible experience and an extremely well presented and useful resource for the games master'

- Techraptor.net

'Buy Enemy in Shadows now. Right now. Read this review later, simply upon reading this book already, you know you are handling a classic. Everything is glorious about it.'

-RPG.net

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Enemy in Shadows incorporates the first adventure written for the Enemy Within, Mistaken Identity, in which the Characters are lured with a promise of adventure, but find much more than they were bargaining for. The adventure is suitable for starting characters and beginner players, as the Old World is introduced as a unique and compelling setting during the progress of this adventure. Both friends and enemies are introduced in such a way as to give the players the impression that this is a world which is in some sense familiar, but which is increasingly hostile and corrupt. It is well known for its intriguing twists and entertaining set pieces.

Once the stage is set the Characters inevitably find their way to Bögenhafen, where the delights of a spring festival hide the dark and rotten heart of the Empire. Once they are settled in the town, the Characters find themselves drawn into an investigation to uncover a sinister conspiracy. This section of the campaign is well known for the colourful setting of Bögenhafen, the many sinister and entertaining NPCs who live there, and a freeform investigative scenario that provides a staggering array of options for players to follow in order to bring them to the adventure's (potentially devastating) conclusion. Whilst the events at the start of the campaign help introduce the players and GMs to the setting, it is with Bögenhafen that the Enemy Within really finds its stride, establishing a darkly comic tone and letting the players know in no uncertain terms that their failures will have dire consequences.

Enemy in Shadows adds a significant town guide to the original presentation of Bögenhafen, so whilst the tone and character of the original version is retained, more of the town's landmarks, culture, and historical information are available than in any previous edition of the adventure.

At the appointed time, we shall rise from our secret places and throw down the towns and cities of the Empire. Chaos will cover this land, and we, the Chosen Servants, shall be exalted in HIS eyes. Hail to Tzeentch, Changer of the Ways! Njawrr’thakh ‘Lzimbarr Tzeentch!’

Enemy in Shadows Includes:

  • A selection of ‘Grognard Boxes’ that add entirely new ways to play through the adventures, ensuring even those who have played the Enemy Within campaign before will find Enemy in Shadows fresh and new.
  • The first part of the Enemy Within campaign, revised and updated by Graeme Davis, legendary WFRP author.
  • A complete guide to Bögenhafen, one of the most important towns in the Reikland, full of exciting locations to visit and explore.

Enemy in Shadows Companion

The Enemy in Shadows Companion is an indispensable guide to the first part of the epic Enemy Within campaign, the classic WFRP adventure that inspired a generation of gamers. Packed with additional rules, optional NPCs, tantalising adventure hooks, and wise words of advice for new and veteran GMs alike, it is the perfect addition to enhance your experience of the Enemy Within, or any other WFRP adventure.

Enemy in Shadows Companion includes:

  • Exclusive insight and commentary from Warhammer Legends Graeme Davis and Phil Gallagher.
  • The Empire: a look at the foremost power of the Old World, its politics and influence.
  • Travel in the Empire: road travel, mounts, vehicles, and the hardy Road Wardens who struggle to keep the byways of the Empire open.
  • A plethora of new NPCs to aid, hunt, frustrate, and scoff at your players.
  • The Purple Hand: An in-depth look at that most insidious of cults, including a full new Career, The Cult Magus of Tzeentch.
  • 25 new Chaos spells for the mad, the desperate, and those unafraid to wield true power.
  • Three classic encounters, including the beastly Pandemonium Carnival and its terrible menagerie of monsters, not all of whom are caged.
  • The classic adventure The Affair of the Hidden Jewel, a dramatic tale of heroics and intrigue with fully updated rules.

Enemy in Shadows, the Companion and the Collector's edition can be bought here.

Browse all Enemy Within titles here.