Spring-Heeled Jack

A Broadsheet for Whispers RPG

Saturday Morning Scenarios
By Matt Corley

WHAT IS A BROADSHEET?
A broadsheet is a newspaper or advertisement, printed on large sheets of paper. These supplements are
a bit of both. They’re bite-sized, inexpensive, and meant to expand your Whispers RPG campaign
with new rules, encounters, NPCs, and items. Periodically, they will be compiled into an omnibus.

Special Thanks to PresentationMagazine.com for the Newspaper template used in the handout and to
the public domain for the illustrations the pictures were created from, and to Matt Young and Chris
Tallman for the great feedback.

Copyright © 2020 Matt Corley, Saturday Morning Scenarios LLC. All rights reserved. Saturday Morning Scenarios, the
Saturday Morning Scenarios logo, and all content herein is the copyright of Saturday Morning Scenarios LLC. Spring-
Heeled Jack is published by Saturday Morning Scenarios. The intellectual property known as Whispers in the Dark
Quickstart Rules are owned by Matt Corley and M.T. Black, excepting Madness rules which are owned in whole by Matt
Corley.
This is a work of fiction. Any similarity with people or events, past or present, is purely coincidental and unintentional
except for those people and events described in historical context. All rights reserved worldwide by the copyright holders.
Whispers in the Dark and its contents are trademarks of Saturday Morning Scenarios. All rights reserved. Product
Identity: all content herein, unless covered by the Open Game License, are Copyright Saturday Morning Scenarios LLC.
Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express
written permission of Saturday Morning Scenarios LLC.

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 The Story of Spring-Heeled Jack
While sightings of Spring-Heeled Jack were historically limited to Victorian-era England,
with a few tweaks, Jack could be used in any urban setting in any era.
Naughty children are told stories of a hopping Mary Stevens, a comely young woman
devil that will spirit them away for misdeeds, working as a servant, was accosted while
pranks, and shenanigans. If they aren’t good walking home through an unsavory
little boys and girls, this springing devil will neighborhood in October 1837. When
find them, scare them near to death, and if questioned about the attack Ms. Stevens
they are especially wicked, take replied, “He was so strong.
them away. Spring-Heeled Jack, so And quick as a serpent. I
named for their vaunted jumping ‘ad no idea what was even
ability, first came to the attention of the happening. I’ll never
public in the mid-1830s. Soon stories of forget his stinking
their troublemaking ways would spread breath, like
throughout the British Isles and beyond, rotting eggs
turning up in cities throughout the world. and those
Jack is universally described as having a hands. Cold and
fiendish countenance, hands akin to clammy as those of
claws, eyes that glow with the a corpse.”
embers of Hell, and with an Fortunately
unnatural jumping ability that for Ms.
allows them to terrify and elude Stevens,
capture so easily. The remaining her scream was
aspects of his appearance—his attire, sufficient to draw the attention of
build, height, gender and mannerisms— residents and the
have considerable regional variations. At least creature bounded away in haste to avoid the
one hyperbolic report claims that Jack’s able to would-be rescuers. Ms. Jane Alsop presented a
exhale gouts of blue-white flame. When they strikingly similar story the following year,
deign to speak, they are comprehensible and adding that her attacker had vomited balls of
fluent in the language of their habitat. blue-white flame.
Scotland Yard and other institutions of law A first-hand account from the venerable Mr.
and order have made a listing of the fiend’s Frank Furmedge describes Jumping Jack, as the
most well-documented attacks, and hope to ne’er do well was sometimes known, as “All o’
capture them before the crimes escalate to a glitter, his clothes shone like millions of lil
higher forms of violence and debauchery. The bright beads. He’d spring up behind bushes on
accounts below are typical of Jack’s activities Barnes Common or wait behind hedges until
and targeting proclivities. someone came along all on their own and then
jump over and frighten them to death!"

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 Eyewitnesses confirm Spring-Heeled Jack’s
leaping ability, saying that they could leap to
and from the roofs of buildings with ease. A
minority of stories claim that Jack protects the
unfortunate from evil-doers. With the
proliferation of sightings there is little doubt
that there are multitudes masquerading as the
hopping hooligan.
In response to the spate of sightings Sir John
Cowan, the Lord Mayor London, revealed in a
public session a letter he’d received in which an
anonymous informant presented their belief
on the origins of Spring-Heeled Jack, namely
that the individual perpetrating the crimes is
none other than a bored gentleman who’s
accepted a wager of dubious origins. There are,
of course, dissenters who point to Jack’s
superhuman leaping abilities and breath of fire
as signs of a more infernal origin.
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 Design Note: Whispers RPG statblock skill bonuses do NOT include ability score
modifiers. This is intentional and explained more fully in Horror in the Windy City and
Whispers RPG Corebook.

“This here is Satan–we might say the devil, but that ain’t right and gennelfolks don’t like such words. He
is no’ commonly called ‘Spring-Heeled Jack’”
-Henry Mayhew, London Labour and the London Poor
Jack’s features are invariably described as diabolically dashing. Some bystanders describe them as
jaunty, heroes with awed tones of adoration, and others say they are the devil made flesh complete with
horns and crimson skin. Their flowing cape gives him a bat-like appearance further confusing the
matter. Each bystander seems to see what they choose to see. Regardless, they all agree on one thing:
the distinctive well-heeled, black leather boots that are the apparent source of his jumping. In addition
to his malleable appearance Jack’s disposition has been described alternatively as vile and vigilant,
mischievous and malicious, and both protector and assailant.

Medium humanoid (human), narcissist

Armor Class 13
Hit Points 27 (6d6 + 6)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
13 (+1) 17 (+3) 13 (+1) 10 (+1) 10 (+0) 16 (+3)

Skills Athletics +4, Deception +2

Senses passive Perception 10
Languages their native languages and others at the
GM’s discretion
Challenge 1
Bounder. Spring-Heeled Jack’s long jump is up to 20 ft, and
his high jump is up to 10 ft., with or without a running start.
Pounce. If Jack moves at least 15 feet towards a creature and then hits
the creature with a melee attack on the same turn, that target must succeed a
DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Safety Spring. As a Bonus Action Jack may use his Bounder feature to
Disengage.

ACTIONS
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6
+ 3) slashing damage.

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Medium fiend, narcissistic anarchist

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points 39 (6d8 + 12)
Speed 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
13 (+1) 18 (+4) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 16 (+3)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Cha +5

Skills Athletics +4, Deception +2,
Intimidation +4
Condition Immunities frightened
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive
Perception 10
Languages Infernal and others at the GM’s
discretion
Challenge 3
Bounder. Spring-Heeled Jack’s long jump
is up to 40 ft, and his high jump is up to 20
ft., with or without a running start.
Pounce. If Jack moves at least 15 feet towards a
creature and then hits the creature with a melee attack on the
same turn, that target must succeed a DC 14 Strength saving throw or
be knocked prone.
Safety Spring. As a Bonus Action Jack may use his Bounder feature to
Disengage.

ACTIONS
Multiattack. Spring-Heeled Jack makes two attacks.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage.
Fire Breath (Recharge 6): The Devil Jack exhales fire in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area
must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as
much damage on a successful one.

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FOR THE GM
The fiends known colloquially as Spring-
Heeled Jack, and collectively as Springles, are
many things to many people. Context, regional
differences, and unreliable narrators abound
giving the GM a number of options for
inclusion in their campaign. To further
confuse the matter there are two distinctly
different types of Spring-Heeled Jack, both of
which may be active at any at any time in a
single region.
INTRODUCING JACK
ANTI-HERO. Springles that pursue the role
of hero rescue only the most attractive victims,
and attack the homeliest of villains. Their sense
of right and wrong is as skewed as their sense of
restraint, lethal solutions are preferred, and
they are easily bored. Some go so far as to
fabricate crimes just to save the day. Should a
victim fail to praise their rescuer sufficiently, or
a legitimate investigator question the Jack’s
methods, they run the risk of irking Jack as
they reveal their true nature. Gentleman Jacks
are the most likely to assume the role of anti-
hero, though Devil Jacks will adopt the guise
when it suits their needs.
Scenario Hook. The investigators stumble
upon an act of random violence, and as good
citizens they step in to save the victim. During
the altercation a devilishly handsome figure
hops down from a nearby rooftop, dispatches
the villain with brutal finality, and makes a
hasty getaway after a clever quip about
rescuing the rescuers.
The following day the town is aflutter with
talk of the narrowly averted attack, and
mentions of a mysterious benefactor are
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conspicuously sparse in details. All credit is
given to the PCs, and when the devilish
assistant is mentioned at all, he’s portrayed as
bumbling and inept. Jack is enraged at the turn
of events and stolen attentions. Will he react by
“rescuing” more townsfolks? Or will he take
his ire out on the PCs that robbed him of his
accolades?
PRANKSTER. The most common of
Jacks are content to fill their time with
malicious pranks, hurtful gags, and elaborate
practical jokes. Physical comedy is their
weapon of choice, and they know no
boundaries when it comes to satisfying the
whims. Maimings are more commonplace than
fatalities, at least until the inevitable escalation
that leads to the death of a dupe.
Scenario Hook. The local farrier’s child, a
ravishing young adult, has caught Jack’s eye,
and what better way to impress them than with
a string of distractions from their daily
doldrums? The farrier took no notice of the
initial jokes—horses missing their shoes,
saddles coming undone—thinking it just a
product of their overworked and forgetful
mind. Jack has since taken to sabotaging the
shoes, resulting in the hobbling of several
horses, and solidifying in the farrier’s mind that
someone is out to get them and ruin their
reputation. The PCs are hired to stop the
villain and bring them to justice before more
serious damage is done.
MALEVOLENT VILLAIN. Some Jacks
embrace their devilish disposition, abandoning
any pretense at playfulness or valor. In their
rampages, they are apt to leave a survivor,
maimed or disfigured in some way, to share
tales of their deeds. For villainous Jacks they
want nothing more than to shock, terrorized
and be front of mind for the folks they’re
plague. They thrive on the hateful adoration of
a town living in fear.
Scenario Hook. No one noticed when the
number of stray cats and dogs dropped
precipitously. Missing livestock were harder to
ignore, but readily explained away as a bear or
cougar attack. None were too worried that the
animals were mutilated but not consumed.
When the mayor’s horse was quartered and
arranged as a grotesquery in pieces in the front
yard the terrified town shuttered themselves in
and called for help.

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More from Saturday Morning Scenarios
Lamp’s Light Sanitarium for 5e
“I backed this Kickstarter and have 0
regrets. The author has put together a
fantastic supplement (that) would add a
much needed depth to traditional fantasy
in an unorthodox fashion." - Charles G.
“An easy and effective way to bring
horror into any RPG campaign.
Included are multiple story hooks for a
variety of settings so you can seamlessly
bring your existing group into a world
of eldrich horror. Also included is a
sanity system that can give lasting
effects to characters which reinforce an
actual feeling of dread."
- Peter S.

Whispers in the Dark Quickstart Rules

“Whispers in the Dark is everything I
have ever wanted in a tabletop role
playing game. It features horror and
mystery, an easy classless leveling
system and mental health awareness. There
is also enough information that if one
wanted to take the sanity/madness
mechanic and add it into their own game,
they could do so easily. I highly
recommend picking up a copy of this
adventure and running it for your group!"
- GGA game review“

If you are like me and would love to run

an RPG version of Robert Louis
Stevenson’s “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and
Mr Hyde” or Agatha Christie’s “And Then
There Were None,” Whispers in the Dark
gets you off the ground fast, solving crimes, and leveraging your PC’s
skills to outwit your version of Moriarty or The Crow. I highly recommend
that you purchased this supplement if you want to run a successful
thriller at the table"
- Xoasitects.com

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 Invitation Only: A Whisper RPG Scenario
It is the spring of 1876 and the Crow Man has
been stopped, for now, but the forces behind his
summoning are at large. The streets of New
Orleans have been uncharacteristically quiet
in the wake of The Crow Man murders. A plea for
help from beyond the grave by an ally brings the
PCs back into the thick of things whether they
want to or not.
Invitation Only is the sequel to
The Crow Man (found in the Whispers in the Dark
Quickstart), and takes the investigators further
behind the veil of New Orleans' supernatural
community.

Invitation Only: A Whisper RPG Broadsheet

An invitation-only club for Chicago’s elite,
the Delphine Society is nigh unrecognizable
from the association started by Charles
Avingdon Villieport in 1818. Ostensibly
dedicated to preserving the business
interests of Chicago’s wealthiest mercantile
families, the lure of spiritualism has changed
the society irreparably.
She Who Rules the
Sea details the Delphine Society, giving the
GM everything they need to insert the
organization into their Whispers in the Dark
campaign.

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 Horror in the Windy City, A Whispers RPG Campaign
Horror in the Windy City brings the excitement,
intrigue, and beautiful chaos of the time period to
your table using the 5e rules you already know.
The beautifully illustrated 250+ page book is a
fully realized campaign sourcebook covering
Chicago in the latter half of the 19th century.
There are new rules, backgrounds, a new alignment
system, NPCs, scenarios, and more. In short, it’s
everything you’ll need to take your party of
investigators to Chicago. It will be up to them to
find their way out.

The Devil’s City, A Whispers Novella

“The Devil’s City is a helluva thrill ride,
delving deep into the sick history of serial
killer HH Holmes, brutally peeling back the
layers of his evil legacy through a series of
surprising character studies, viciously
unraveling Holmes' evil blood lust, victim
after victim, until it reveals an unexpected
core lurking behind it all. 
Holmes experts
Sara Tantlinger and Matt Corley have built a
whole new underworld around the killer's
infamous Murder Castle at turn of the
century Chicago, and this book takes you
straight down into the twisted intricacies
its darkest abyss. LOVED IT.”
-Michael Arnzen, Bram Stoker Award-winning
author of Play Dead

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15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
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System Reference Document 5.1 Copyright 2016, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Chris Perkins,
Rodney Thompson, Peter Lee, James Wyatt, Robert J. Schwalb, Bruce R. Cordell, Chris Sims, and Steve Townshend, based on original
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Bumps in the Night, vol 1. Copyright 2020, Saturday Morning Scenarios; Author Matt Corley

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