HOARDof the DRAGONQUEEN
B y W o l f g a n g B a u r a n d St e v e W in t e r
T YRA N N Y of D RA GO N S.
C r e d it s Fo r e wo r d
Ko b o l d Pr e s s Y ou h old in y ou r h an ds th e in au gu ral ca m p aign for the
Designers: W o l f g a n g Ba u r , St e v e W i n t e r fifth e d itio n o f D u n g e o n s & D r a g o n s . W ith W o lfg a n g
Editor: M i r a n d a H o r n e r B au r and S tev e W in ter at th e rein s, you are in g o o d
Interior Illustrators: A a r o n H u b r i c h , T y l e r Ja c o b s o n , h an ds. T h ey b oth have lon g, storied h istories w ith
G u i d o K u ip , M a r c e l M e r c a d o , Br y a n Sy m e D & D . Hoard of the Dragon Queen r e f l e c t s n o t o n ly th e ir
Cartographer: Ja r e d Bl a n d o vivid im a gin ation and com p ellin g adven ture d esign
Art Director: M a r c Ra d l e s k ills b u t a ls o th e ir a bility to ju g g le th is p ro je c t w ith an
Producer: W o l f g a n g B a u r ever-evolvin g set o f co r e ru les. T h e D & D d esign tea m is
in d ebted to th em for their p atien ce, ingenuity, and hard
W iz a r d s o f t h e Co a st w ork in creatin g su ch a great ca m p a ig n u n der tough
D& D Lead Designers: M i k e M e a r l s , Je r e m y C r a w f o r d circu m stan ces.
Producer: G r e g Bi l s l a n d
Adventure Contributors: M i k e M e a r l s , C h r i s t o p h e r Pe r k i n s , S p ea k in g o f th ose co re ru les, you n eed on ly th e b a sic
M a t t h e w Se r n e t t , C h r is Si m s , Ro d n e y T h o m p s o n r u l e s a n d t h e Tyranny ofDragons o n l i n e a p p e n d i x to
p l a y t h r o u g h b o t h t h i s a d v e n t u r e a n d it s s e q u e l , The
Art Directors: K a t e Ir w i n , Sh a u n a N a r c i s o Rise of Tiamat. B o t h t h e r u l e s a n d t h e a p p e n d i x c a n b e
Cover Illustrator: R a y m o n d Sw a n l a n d
Graphic Designers: B r e e H e i s s , Em i T a n j i d o w n lo a d e d fo r fre e at D u n g e o n sa n d D ra g o n s.c o m .
Project M anagement: N e i l Sh i n k l e , Jo h n H a y
Production Services: C y n d a C a l l a w a y , Je f f e r s o n D u n l a p , W ith laurels p la ced w h ere they b elon g and th e
r e s o u r c e s y o u n e e d to e n jo y th is c a m p a ig n at y o u r fin
D avid Gersh m an g ertip s, p ro c e e d . G o o d luck, a n d g o o d (d rag on ) hunting!
Brand and M arketing: N a t h a n St e w a r t , L i z Sc h u h , M ik e M earls
M ay 2014
C h r i s Lin d sa y , Sh e l ly M a z z a n o b l e , H i l a r y Ro ss,
Lau ra T o m m ervik , Kim Lu n d stro m , Trevo r Kid d
Playtesters: M e l i s s a B a s s e t t , A n d r e B e g i n , M i k C a l o w ,
M e la n ie Co te, M a n o n Cr evier , Ben D a n d e r s o n , D ave
Ea d i e , Fr a n k Fo u li s , Ro d r ig o G o r g u l h o , Pe t e G r i f f it h ,
L i a m G u l l i v e r , Jo n H a r v i l l , Jo s e p h K a u f f m a n n , Y a n
La c h a r it e , Re n a t a La n d im , Ro d r ig o La n d im , Er i c Ler o u x ,
C a r l o s Ed u a r d o L o p e s , Ju l i a L o p e s , D a v i d M u l l e r , C l a u d i o
Po z a s , Pa u l a Po z a s , C o u n t Re s p o n s e , Sa r a Se r v i n , Ro b in
St a c e y , Ja i m e T h a y e r , K e o k i Y o u n g
D isclaim er : Thefol l ow i n g advent ur e cont ains chrom at ic dr agons. W izards o f t he Coast
cannot be held liablef o r char act er s who ar e inciner at ed, dissolved, fr ozen , poisoned, or
elect r ocut ed.
O N THE COVER
In t h is g lacia l s c en e il lu s t r a t e d b y
Ra y m o n d Sw a n l a n d , t h e w h it e d r a g o n
Glaz h ael tak es ice scu lp tu re to ex trem es,
tu rn in g in t ru d ers in to g risly d eco ratio n s
f o r its d r a co n ic lair.
Ta bl e o f C o n t e n t s Third Floor................................................. 57
M ap: The Sword C o ast......................................4 Map: Castle Naerytar Level 3 ...................58
Introduction......................................................... 5 Beneath the Castle.....................................59
Background......................................................... 5
O verview .............................................................. 5 Map: Castle Naerytar D u n geon ...............60
Episode 1: Greenest in F lam es...................... 6
Rewards...................................................... 61
Character H ooks.......................................... 6 Episode 7: Hunting L o d g e ........................... 62
The Approach............................................... 6
General Features...........................................7 General Features........................................62
Wandering Encounters................................ 7 Castle in the C lo u d s.................................. 62
M issions......................................................... 8 Important Nonplayer Characters............. 63
Through the G ate....................................... 63
M ap: G reenest............................................ 10 Outside the Lodge...................................... 63
Lodge Ground Floor.................................. 65
Episode 2: Raiders’ C am p............................. 13
Tracking the Raiders.................................. 14 Map: Hunting Lodge Ground F lo o r.......66
The Cam p.................................................... 16
Lodge Upper Floor.................................... 68
M ap: Raider C am p......................................16
Map: Hunting Lodge Upper Floor........... 70
Rewards....................................................... 19
Episode 3: D ragon Hatchery........................ 20 Traveling to Parnast................................... 71
Episode 8: Castle in the C louds...................72
Map: Dragon H atchery.............................. 23
Map: Parnast...............................................73
Rewards....................................................... 27
Episode 4: On the R o a d .................................28 Skyreach Castle.......................................... 75
Elturel...........................................................28 Map: Skyreach C astle ............................... 76
Baldur’s G a te .............................................. 30
Fellow Travelers..........................................31 Concluding the Adventure.........................86
Life on the R oad......................................... 33 Appendix A : B ackgrounds........................... 87
Random Road Events.................................33 Appendix B: M onsters................................... 88
Planned Road Events................................. 37 Appendix C: M agic Ite m s............................. 94
Episode 5: Construction A h e a d .................. 39
Waterdeep.................................................... 39
Northbound, A gain .....................................40
Carnath Roadhouse....................................40
M ap: Carnath Roadhouse.......................... 41
Tracking the L o ad .......................................42
Grudge M atch............................................. 42
Episode 6: Castle N aerytar........................... 43
Traveling to the Castle................................ 43
Castle Naerytar............................................45
Squaring Off Against the
Cult of the D ragon ...................................... 48
Approaching Castle Naerytar....................49
Outside Castle Naerytar............................ 49
Inside Castle Naerytar............................... 50
Ground Floor...............................................50
Map: Castle Naerytar Ground Floor...... 51
Second F loor.............................................. 54
Map: Castle Naerytar Level 2 .................... 55
In t r o d u c t io n Se c r e t s
T yranny of Dragons i s a n e p ic s t o r y t o ld a c r o s s T h e C ult o f th e D r a g on h a s k ep t se cr e t its g o a l to b rin g
tw o a dv en tu re p ro d u cts , o f w h ic h th is is th e first. T ia m a t in to t h e w o r ld t h u s far. M a n y k n o w o f t h e c u lt ’s
C h a ra cters b e g in at 1st level, a n d b y th e en d o f in cre a s e d activity a lo n g th e S w o r d C oa st, e sp e cia lly in
the north , but the re a son s b eh in d th e resu rg en ce are
H oard of the Dragon Queen, t h e y s h o u ld b e 7 th o r 8 th unknow n.
le v e l a n d r e a d y t o c o n t i n u e w it h The Ri se of Tiamat. T h e
B e sid e s h is cu ltists, S e v e rin h a s forg ed an a llia n ce
id ea l p a rty s iz e is fou r ch a ra cters. If y ou r g rou p is la rg er w ith a splin ter fa ction o f the R e d W iz a rd s o f Thay. T h is
o r s m a lle r, y o u c a n a d ju s t th e a d v e n tu re ’s d ifficu lty b y sm all and secretiv e grou p, led by an ou tcast n am ed
red u cin g or in cre a sin g the n u m ber o f en em ies p resen t R a th M od ar, p lots to u n sea t th e lich S z a s s T a m fro m
in a giv en en cou n ter. h is p os itio n o v er th e R e d W iz a rd s. R a th b eliev es th at in
e x c h a n g e fo r h is h elp in re le a sin g T iam at, sh e w ill grant
Tyranny o f Dragons is s e t in t h e F o r g o t t e n R e a l m s o n h im the p ow er h e n eed s to overth row S z a ss Tam .
F a e r u n ’s w e s t e r n s h o r e — t h e S w o r d C o a s t . A t h in s t r i p C u l t O r g a n iz a t io n
o f civ ilization stretch es d ow n this coa st, w h ere w idely
sp a ced cities are arra n ged like b ea d s on a string. A co m T h e C ult o f th e D r a g o n is o rg a n iz e d in c ells , w h ich v ary
bin ation o f roa d s and w a g on track s loosely co n n e ct the in s iz e fro m ju st a h a n d fu l o f m e m b e rs to s c o r e s . L e a d
cities that stretch fro m L u sk a n in the n orth to C a lim p o rt ers in the cu lt are k n ow n as W ea rers o f P u rple, and
in th e sou th , p a ssin g th rou g h N everw in ter, W aterd eep , they ou tran k n orm al cu ltists, but n o form a l grad es exist
B a l d u r ’s G a te , a n d o t h e r g r e a t p o r t s a lo n g t h e w a y . w ith in the ran k s o f the W ea rers o f P u rple.
T h e bu lk o f this adven ture tak es p la ce o n the stretch
b e tw e e n B a ld u r’s G a te a n d N e ve rw in te r. A lth o u g h th e cu lt u s e s reg a lia in its ritu als a n d its
distan t ca m p s, m e m b e rs w h o op e ra te in p u b lic p la ce s
Adventure Supplements. Y o u c a n p la y t h is a d v e n t u r e d re s s a n d a ct n o d ifferen tly fro m a n y on e else.
w ith ju st th e D u n g e o n s & D r a g o n s b a sic ru les and the T h e cu lt is n o t a b o v e h ir in g m e r c e n a r ie s w h e n it h a s
s p e cia l jo b s to fulfill. In d eed , m a n y o f th e “cu ltists” that
Tyranny o f Dragons a p p e n d i x o n lin e , w h i c h c o n t a in s ch a ra cte rs en co u n te r in the first th re e e p is o d e s o f th is
adven ture are w ork in g for pay.
all th e m o n s te rs a nd m a g ic item s n ot d e s c r ib e d in th is
b o o k . B oth o f th e se su p p lem e n ts a re available a s free Ov er v iew
d o w n lo a d s on D u n g e o n sa n d D ra g o n s.c o m .
D u rin g th e tim e co v e re d b y th e first h a lf o f th is a dv en
Character Advancement. A t y o u r o p t io n , y o u c a n u s e ture, th e cu lt a lrea d y h a s s ev era l o f th e five d ra g on
m a sk s. W h ile th e cu lt w o rk s to g a in m ore, S e v e rin
th e m ileston e ex p erien ce rule. U n d er this rule, you p ick initiates th e s e c o n d p a rt o f h is p la n to re le a se T iam at:
certa in ev en ts in th e ca m p a ig n that ca u se th e ch a ra cte rs recru itin g dra gon s and a ssem b lin g a treasu re h oa rd
w orth y o f the q u een o f evil d ra gon s. T h ese efforts draw
t o le v e l u p . I n H oard of the Dragon Queen, t h e c h a r a c the ch a ra cte rs’ atten tion to the cult.
ters ga in a level a fter co m p le tin g e a ch e p is o d e ex ce p t T h e action b eg in s w h en a tow n co m e s u n der attack
e p iso d e 5. b y a d ra g on a nd its a llies. C h a ra c ters ca n in terven e to
save tow n sfolk , but n ot b efore attack ers ca rry aw ay an
Ba c k g r o u n d im p orta n t sch ola r. W h ile re s cu in g that ca ptiv e fro m the
ra id ers’ cam p, ch aracters learn th ey are up again st the
T h e C ult o f th e D r a g o n h a s b e e n a ctive in F a eru n for C ult o f th e D ra g on , a n d th ey h av e th e ch a n ce to d estro y
ce n tu rie s . It h a s fo c u s e d o n m a k in g u n d e a d d ra g o n s to a su b terra n ea n d ra g on h a tch ery that th e cu lt g u a rd s.
fu lfill a p r o p h e c y m o s t o f th a t t im e , b u t t h a t’s c h a n g in g .
T h e h a tch e ry p ro v id e s c lu e s to th e cu lt’s o p e ra tio n
Dr ag o n M asks and sen d s the ch ara cters on a lon g jou rn ey n orth w ard.
D u rin g that trip, th e y fa c e th re a ts fro m th e cu lt a n d ga in
T h e n ew lead er o f th e cu lt is a C alish ite n a m ed S everin so m e u n ex p ected allies w ith in the Z h en tarim , a sh ad
S ilrajin , w h o b e lie v e s that rea l d r a c o n ic k n o w le d g e ow y organ ization w ith an u n savory history. N orth o f
a nd p o w e r b e lo n g s to livin g d ra g on s, n ot u n d ea d on es. W a t e r d e e p , t h e c u lt ’s c o n t r a b a n d is o ffl o a d e d at a s m u g
S e v e r i n ’s a m b i t i o n a m u s e d T i a m a t , s o s h e r e v e a l e d t h e g l e r ’s d e n fo r s h ip m e n t t o a c a s t le lo n g a g o a b a n d o n e d .
e x is te n ce o f five d ra g on m a sk s to h im — o n e fo r e a ch
ch ro m a tic d ra g o n co lo r. In dividu ally, th e s e a n cien t A p ortal ben ea th the tem ple con n e cts to the stron g
m a sk s allow w ea rers to com m u n ica te w ith dragon s. h o ld o f o n e o f t h e c u lt ’s m o s t p o w e r f u l a n d m o s t
M ore im portantly, a p erson w h o is eru dite in d ra con ic d isg r u n tle d m e m b e rs , T a lis th e W h ite, w h o ca n b e c o m e
lore b e co m e s a w y rm sp ea k er w h ile w ea rin g th e m ask , either a dead ly en em y or a cru cia l colla b ora tor to the
w h ic h a llo w s th e w e a re r to th in k lik e a d ra g on , gain c h a r a c t e r s . W it h o r w it h o u t T a lis ’s h e lp , th e c h a r a c t e r s
fav or a m o n g d ra g on s, a n d subtly in flu en ce th eir b eh a v m u st get into a flying citadel that a clou d giant p la ce d at
ior. W h e n all five a re b ro u g h t togeth e r, th e y m a g ica lly t h e c u lt ’s d is p o s a l a n d p r e v e n t it f r o m r e a c h in g its d e s t i
n ation at th e W ell o f D rag on s.
m e r g e in t o a s in g le M ask o f the Dragon Queen. W it h th e
a ssem b le d m ask , th e cu lt ca n relea se T iam at from h er
p riso n in the N in e H ells.
A fter S e v e rin (su btly g u id ed b y T iam at) d is co v e re d
th a t s e c r e t , h e b e n t a ll t h e c u lt ’s r e s o u r c e s t o fin d in g
the lon g-lost d ra gon m a sk s in th eir secret h id in g p la ces.
W h en h e recov ered the red m ask , S e v erin b e ca m e the
first o f th e w y rm s p e a k e rs , but oth er s s o o n follow ed .
E pi s o d e 1: G r e e n e s t i n F l a m e s
T he tow n o f G reen est w a s fou n d ed by the halfling Ch a r a c t er H o o k s
D harva Scatterheart, a rogu e w h o fan cied h erself
the q u een o f the G reen fields. S catterh ea rt p a ssed T o t i e t h e c h a r a c t e r s ’ b a c k s t o r i e s t o t h e Tyranny of
Dragons c a m p a i g n m o r e c l o s e l y , s e e a p p e n d i x A .
aw ay w ith ou t ever ach iev in g that level o f em in en ce, but
T h e A ppr o a c h
h er tow n g rew into a th rivin g com m u n ity. Its s u cce s s
A s ch a ra cters a pp roa ch G reen est, th ey se e that a blu e
isn ’t su rp ris in g , s in c e G r e e n e s t is th e o n ly to w n o f d ra g on a n d its C ult o f th e D r a g on a llies a re a ttack in g
the tow n . T h e cu ltists se e k to co lle ct treasu re that they
a n y s iz e a strid e th e U ld o o n T rail, th e m o s t d ir e ct roa d h op e to p resen t to T iam at u p on h er arrival in the w orld.
T h e cu lt h a s a ss e m b le d a p ow e rfu l fo rc e for th is raid by
b etw een the eastern cities o f th e D ra g on C oast, C orm yr, ga th erin g b a n d its, k o b o ld s, sellsw ord s, a n d oth er m e r
cen a ry typ es into a sm all arm y. A m on k n am ed L eosin
an d S e m b ia w ith the C o a st W ay ru n n in g so u th to the E rlan th ar w a s a ls o in tow n . T h ro u g h d ilig ent re s e a rch
a n d in terview s con d u cted du rin g h is travels b etw een
great cities o f A m n , Tethyr, and far C alim sh an . T h e B erd u sk an d C an d lek eep, L eosin b e ca m e con v in ced
that th e cu lt is e n g a g e d in a b ig o p e ra tio n , b u t h e d o e s n ’t
trade cara va n s that p a ss th rou g h G reen est b rin g gold y e t k n o w w h a t it is. L e o s in u s e s th e ra id a s a n o p p o r tu
n ity to infiltrate th e cu lt s o that h e c a n lea rn m o r e a bou t
to th e to w n ’s m e r ch a n ts a n d cra ftsfo lk , a n d G o v e rn o r th e cu lt’s p la n s. H e is d is c o v e r e d a n d ca p tu re d , h o w ev er,
a n d n e e d s th e ch a ra cte rs’ h elp to e s c a p e fro m captivity.
N igh th ill ru n s th e tow n at th e b e h es t o f th e inh abitants.
C h aracters ca n en ga ge in several en cou n ters w h ile
T h e adventu rers m igh t b e on the roa d from on e tow n cu ltists and k ob old s ram p age th rou gh G reen est.
to a n oth er o r re tu rn in g to th eir h o m e s a fter a trip away.
A lternatively, th ey co u ld b e a cco m p a n y in g a m erch an t
o r w ealth y traveler as b od yg u ards. M an y restless yo u n g
p eop le o f F aeru n have h ad their first taste o f travel and
adventure as caravan guards.
Y o u c a n a d a p t Tyranny ofDragons t o d if fe r e n t r e g i o n s
o f th e R e a lm s o r to a d ifferen t settin g w ith a bit m ore
preparation o n y ou r part. C h an ge th e n a m es and lo ca
tio n s to su it y o u r ca m p a ig n .
Fo r t h e p as t sev er al d ay s, yo u h ave b een t r a v e l in g a ro ad w ou n d s du rin g the early sta g es o f th e attack and h asn ’t
sp a re d th e tim e fo r m o r e th a n cu r s o r y first aid.
th at w in d s lazily acro ss th e rolling g rasslan d s o f the
Castellan Escobert the Red. E s c o b e r t is a s h ie ld
G r e e n f ie l d s . Su n d o w n is ap p r o a c h in g w h e n yo u t o p a
rise an d see th e to w n o f Green est ju st a few sh o rt m iles d w a rf w ith k n otted , ta n gled, b righ t re d hair. A s m a ster
o f th e k eep , E s c o b e r t is in ch a rg e o f its d e fe n se a n d is
aw ay. Bu t in stead o f th e p leasan t , w elco m in g to w n yo u the b est s o u rce o f in form ation on the tun nel and the
ex p ected, you see co lu m n s o f black sm oke rising from sally p ort (see “ T h e O ld T u n nel” and “ T h e S a lly P ort”
b elow ). H e ca rrie s an en orm ou s rin g o f iron and b ra ss
b u rn in g b u ilding s, ru n n in g figures th at are little m ore than k ey s to th e m a n y lo ck s in th e k eep.
d o ts at th is d istan ce, an d a d ark , w in g ed sh ap e w h eelin g Wa n d er in g En c o u n t er s
lo w o ver th e k eep th at rises ab o ve th e cen ter o f th e tow n . T h e streets o f G reen est are overru n by fo rce s con sistin g
Gr een est is b ein g at tack ed by a d rag o n !
o f cultists a n d acolytes a c c o m p a n ie d b y m o n s tr o u s
T h e s e q u e n ce o f even ts that fo llo w is up to y ou and a llie s: kobolds w ith ambush drakes (se e a p p e n d ix B )
the ch ara cters. Y ou ca n presen t th em w ith as m any a n d giant lizards. T h e s e r a id e r s m o v e t h r o u g h t o w n
o f the en cou n ters as you w ant, in any order. T h e on ly
e x c e p tio n is “ S e e k th e K e e p ,” w h ic h sh o u ld b e th e first w ith ou t fear, p illa g in g as th ey go. A s ch a ra cte rs travel
en co u n te r after ch a ra cters en ter G reen est. th rou g h th e em b a ttled v illa ge, th ey ca n ru n into ra id ers
and tow n sfolk . U se th ese gu id elin es to determ in e if
Gen er a l Fea t u r es ch aracters have an encounter.
T h e sun h as set by th e tim e ch a ra cters rea ch the ed g e o f If ch a ra cter s u se co v e r a n d stealth to a v oid e n c o u n
tow n (the a rea sh o w n on the G ree n est m ap). ters, have ea ch ch a ra cter attem pt a D C 10 D exterity
(S tealth) ch e ck . F o r ev ery tw o in d ividu al ch e ck s that
Light. B u r n i n g b u i l d i n g s a n d a h a l f m o o n p r o v i d e fail, th e ch a ra cter s h ave on e e n co u n te r on th e w a y to
th eir destin ation . R oll a d8 on the E p isod e 1 E n cou n ters
d im ligh t th ro u g h ou t th e tow n . T h e in sid e o f th e k ee p is table to determ in e ea ch en coun ter. If ch a ra cters u se the
b rig h tly illum in a ted. stre a m b e d fo r c o v e r fo r m o s t o f th e trip, th e s e c h a r a c
ters have advantage on th eir D exterity ch eck s.
Fires. T h e c u l t i s t s t r i e d t o s e t b u i l d i n g s a b l a z e a s t h e y
If ch a ra c te r s d o n ’t u s e c o v e r a n d stea lth to a void
m o v e d t h r o u g h t o w n , b u t t h a t c h is n ’t a s f la m m a b le a s it e n co u n te r s, ro ll a d 8 fo r e v e ry 1 0 0 fee t th e y m o v e in
lo ok s. W h en ch a ra cters arrive, m ost o f th e fla m es co m e to w n . If th e ro ll is 4 o r lo w e r, th e y d id n ’t attract a tten
from h aystacks an d b arn s, n ot from h om es or sh op s. tion w ith that m ov e. If th e roll is 5 or h igh er, th ey ru n
into som eth in g ; roll a d 8 a ga in a n d ch e c k the E p is o d e 1
The Stream. T h e s t r e a m t h a t f l o w s p a s t G r e e n e s t i s E n cou n ters table to se e w hat th e ch a racters m eet.
sh a llo w (seld om m ore than 3 feet deep) w ith a gravel Episo d e 1 En c o u n t er s
b o tt o m , s o c h a r a c te r s c a n m o v e a lo n g it w ith o u t d iffi
culty. W h e re the b a n k s a re clea r, th e stre a m is e a sy to d 8 En c o u n t e r
get into or out of. B ru sh b y th e stream is den se, and the 1 6 kobolds
ban ks are steep w h ere brush grow s. C haracters can 2 3 k o b o ld s an d 1 am b u sh d r ak e (see ap p e n d i x B)
m ove on ly 5 feet p er turn th rou gh the brush. 3 6 cultists
4 4 cu ltist s and 1 guard
Im p o r t a n t C h a r a c t e r s 5 2 cultists and 1 aco lyte*
Governor Nighthill. T h e m a n w h o r u n s G r e e n e s t 6 3 guards and 1 aco lyte*
7 1d 6 t o w n sf o lk b ein g h u n t e d by r ai d er s (r o ll a d 6 t o
is T a rb a w N igh th ill, a h u m a n m a le o f six ty y ea rs. If
c h a r a c t e r s a s k w h o ’s in c h a r g e , t h e y a r e d ir e c t e d to d eterm in e th e raiding group)
N igh th ill. H e is p a c in g atop th e p ara p et o f th e k eep 8 1d 6 t o w n sf o lk h id in g
w h en the sk y is clear, or in side th e k eep if th e d rag on is
a ttack in g . I f th e ch a ra cte rs d o n ’t s e e k o u t th e g o v e rn o r * A c o l y t e s h a v e command p r e p a r e d i n s t e a d o f sanctuary.
w h en they rea ch th e k eep, he fin ds them . E ith er way,
N igh th ill w e lc o m e s th em a n d ta k es th em to th e p arap et. M ost o f th e cu ltists, g u a rd s, a nd a co ly te s a re h u m a n.
F rom there, they have the b est view o f G reen est. A t you r option , you ca n in clu de a few d w arves, h alf-
elves, h a lf-o rcs, or h a lflin gs w ith ou t a ltering any ga m e
T h e r ig h t s id e o f N ig h t h ill’s f a c e a n d h e a d a r e b a n s t a t is t ic s .
d a g e d , h is righ t a rm h a n g s in a slin g, a n d h is ligh t b lu e
tu n ic is sta in ed w ith h is ow n b lo od . H e receiv ed th ese Se e k t h e K e e p
St o l e n T r e a s u r e C h aracters have ra n d om en cou n ters w ith raiders w h en
th ey en ter G ree n e st, but th is on e sh o u ld b e th eir first
T h e cu ltists an d th eir k ob old lack eys are in th e m id st o f m is s io n o f th e e p is o d e . It b e g in s w h e n a te r rifie d h u m a n
lo o tin g Green est an d co llect in g th e sp o ils fo r tran sp o rt back fa m ily (father, m oth er, a nd th re e y o u n g ch ild ren ) d a sh
t o t h eir cam p (see ep iso d e 2 ). A n y m ar au d in g g r o u p t h at t h e
party en co u n ters has a 50 p ercen t ch an ce o f h avin g stolen a c r o s s th e ir p a th , h o u n d e d b y e ig h t kobolds.
t r e a s u r e in it s p o s s e s s i o n . Ro l l a d 6 an d m u l t i p l y t h e r e s u l t
by 10 to d eterm in e th e total valu e o f th e sto len item s, in gold
p ieces (g p ).
W it h o u t w arn in g , five h u m an s dash o u t from b etw een tw o If p la y ers n e e d g u id a n ce, G ov e rn o r N igh th ill ca n g ive
th e ch a ra cte rs a q u ick b riefin g o n th e ta ctica l situ ation .
b u ild in g s on yo u r left. A lim p in g m an an d th ree yo u n g T h e raiders have isolated the k eep fro m the tow n w ith
e n c ir c lin g g r o u p s o f g u a r d s , b u t th e y h a v e n ’t o r g a n iz e d
ch ild ren race acro ss th e street into m ore sh ad o w s, and a an a ttack . N ig h th ill th in k s th e ra id e rs d o n ’t in ten d to
attack the keep; they se e m in terested on ly in loot. T h e
w o m an carryin g a round shield and a broken sp ear tu rns re a l d a n g e r is to th e to w n a n d to th o s e p e o p le w h o d id n ’t
m a k e it in to t h e k e e p b e fo r e it w a s c u t o ff. N ig h th ill
an d faces b ack in th e d irectio n fr o m w h ich th ey cam e. w a n ts th e ch a ra cter s to slip b a c k into th e tow n a nd h elp
p e o p le w h o are cu t o ff o r h arass the raiders. A stealthy
Ei g h t k o b o l d s st r e am o u t o f t h e al l e y o n t h e f a m i l y ’s h e e l s g r o u p c a n m a k e it o u t o f th e k e e p a n d b a c k in a g a in
w ith ou t d ra w in g th e ra id ers’ attention.
and fan o u t aro u n d th e w o m an , w h o lo o k s d et er m in ed to
T h e O l d Tu n n e l
d elay th e creat u res fo r as lon g as p o ssib le.
A n arrow tu n nel ru n s fro m the ce lla r ben ea th the keep
T h e w o m a n is L in an S w ift, and h er h u sban d is Cuth. to th e b a n k o f th e s tre a m (a rea 2). T h e tu n n e l is w id e
e n o u g h t o a ll o w w a r r io r s t o p a s s t h r o u g h it in s in g le file.
L in a n is a commoner bu t w ith 8 hit p o in ts. H e r a tta ck In th e k eep , th e tu n nel is sea le d w ith a lo ck e d iro n b o u n d
d oor, a nd the strea m exit is co v e re d w ith a lo ck e d iron
w ith th e s p e a r is + 2 to hit fo r 1d 6 p ie rcin g d a m a g e. H er g r a te m a d e to lo o k lik e a s e w e r o u tle t. T h e tu n n e l’s m a in
h u sb a n d is d o w n to 2 hit p o in ts fr o m an e a rlie r fight. fu n ction w a s as a s ecret m ea n s o f collectin g w a ter from
T h e ch ild ren m ove at sp e e d 20. T h ey ca n b e ca rried , but th e str e a m d u rin g a sie g e , bu t it c a n d o u b le a s a s a lly
a ch a ra cter ca rry in g a ch ild h as disadvan tage on attack port. S in ce the k eep h as n ever b een b esieg ed , th e old
rolls and ca n n ot w ield a tw o-h an d ed w ea pon . tun nel h as n ever b een u sed. B arrels an d crates are p iled
in front o f th e d oor. T h e k eys for the lo ck s a re on the
U n less ch a ra cte rs in terfere, the k o b o ld s a ssu m e the rin g that E sco b e rt ca rrie s w ith h im everyw h ere.
ch a ra cters are cu ltists and ign ore th em to con cen tra te
o n k illin g th e w o m a n first, h e r fa m ily s e c o n d . A s s u m in g A t s o m e p oin t, E s c o b e r t re c o m m e n d s th e tu nn el as a
ch a ra cter s in terv en e a n d sav e th e fam ily, L in an ex p la in s m ea n s o f sn ea k in g tow n sfolk into the k eep w ithou t ru n
th a t t h e y m u s t m a k e t h e ir w a y t o t h e k e e p (at a r e a 1); it’s n in g the gauntlet o f a ttack ers w a tch in g the gates.
t h e o n ly s a f e p la c e in G r e e n e s t . T h e r a id e r s h a v e n ’t s e t
u p a n e f fe c t iv e c o r d o n a r o u n d th e k e e p , s o it’s s till p o s s i Locks. C h a r a c t e r s c a n c l e a r t h e c e l l a r d o o r w i t h a f e w
ble to m ove th rou gh th e fron t gate— but n ot for long.
m in u tes’ w ork . T h e lo ck is stiff but o p e n s w ith th e key;
T o r e a c h th e k e e p , th e c h a r a c te r s m u s t m a k e it p a s t w ith ou t the key, the ch a ra cter ca n op en th e lo ck w ith a
su cce ssfu l D C 10 D exterity ch e ck and a set o f th ieves’
th re e g r o u p s o f ra id e rs. A g r o u p c o n s is ts o f 1d 6 kobolds tools. T h e d isu sed tu n nel is ch ok ed w ith w e b s but is oth
a n d 1d 4 cultists. I f th e g r o u p c o n ta in s s ix k o b o ld s , o n e e r w is e clea r. A fe w y a rd s in sid e th e stre a m en d is a n est
is a winged kobold (urd).
o f t w o sw arm s of rats. T h e ra ts a t ta c k w h e n d is t u r b e d ,
C h a ra c te rs c a n figh t th e s e e n e m ie s, s n e a k p ast th e m ,
retrea t to a v oid th em entirely, o r try s o m e th in g clev er a n d th e su rv iv in g rats flee w h en h a lf th eir n u m b e r d ie.
su ch a s blu ffin g. If th ey fight, ru n th e co m b a t n orm a lly. Y ears o f ex p osu re and n eg lect have co rro d e d the lo ck
W h e n en em ies m u st m ak e a ch e ck to n otice sn ea k in g or
blu ffing, m a k e a c h e c k w ith a dv an ta ge fo r th e g rou p. on the exit grate. E ven w ith the key, a su cce ssfu l D C 10
D exterity ch e ck is n eed ed to op en the lo ck . W ith ou t the
E ach tim e the ch a ra cters retreat from an en em y key, th e D C in crea ses to 20. If th e roll m isse s b y 5 or
g r o u p to a v o id it, th e y r u n in to d 6 m o r e t o w n s fo lk w h o m ore, the k ey or th ieves’ tools b re a k o ff in th e lo ck so
a re try in g to re a ch th e k eep. F o r ev ery fo u r a d d ition al th at u n lo c k in g it b e c o m e s im p o s s ib le . T h e n o n ly a s u c
tow n sfolk in tow , the grou p m u st m ove past on e m ore cessfu l D C 15 Stren gth ch eck can force the grate open.
enem y group to reach the keep.
Foes. A g r o u p o f c u lt is t s is s e a r c h in g t h e s t r e a m
A t the k eep, the ch a ra cters are th e last grou p th rou gh
th e gate b e fo r e it is c lo s e d a n d b a r re d . A fte r ch a ra cte rs b an k s for h idin g tow n sfolk w h en the ch ara cters em erge
e n ter th e k e e p , ra id e rs e n circ le it in in c re a s in g n u m b e rs . fro m the tunnel. If ch a ra cters o p e n the lo ck w ith the
k ey o r w ith th iev es’ tools, th e first o n e to exit n otice s th e
Rewards. B e s i d e s e a r n i n g e x p e r i e n c e p o i n t s ( X P ) f o r raiders a pproa ch in g w ithou t b ein g sp otted in return;
th e ch a ra cte rs ca n k eep ou t o f sig ht in th e tu n n el o r try
raiders fought on the w ay to the keep, characters earn a to a m b u sh th e ra id ers a fter th ey p a ss. If th e c h e c k fails,
b on u s o f 50 X P p er n onplayer ch a ra cter (N P C ) brou gh t th e ra id ers sp o t th e ch aracter; roll initiative a n d p ro c e e d
a live into th e k eep. D iv id e th is b o n u s eq u a lly a m o n g th e w ith com bat. If the grate h ad to b e b rok en o p e n w ith
party m em bers. a S tre n g th c h e ck , th e ra id ers h ea r th e n o is e a n d find
cov er; they w a it for th e ch a ra cters to exit th e tunnel, then
M issio n s gain a su rp rise rou nd . T h e ra id e rs’ g rou p con sists o f
E vents in G reen est are divided into m ission s. M ission s t w o cultists a n d s ix kobolds. I f a n y c u lt is t s a re still a liv e
d o n ’t n e e d to in v o lv e co m b a t, bu t m o s t d o.
at th e b e g in n in g o f th e fou rth ro u n d o f th e fight, o n e o f
T h e ch aracters reach the tow n at su nd ow n , o r about
9 p .m . T h e su n c o m e s u p a ga in at 6 a .m . th e n ex t m o r n t h e m r u n s t o fe tc h h e lp . T e n m in u t e s la ter, t w o cultists,
ing, b ut th e last o f th e ra id er s a re g on e b y 4 a.m . ten kobolds, a n d o n e ambush drake (s e e a p p e n d ix B )
F or tim e-k eepin g p u rp oses, a ssu m e that ea ch m ission a rrive to g u a rd the tunnel.
ta k e s a n h o u r. T im e d u rin g th e h o u r that isn ’t sp en t
fighting o r slip p in g th ro u g h to w n is sp en t ten d in g gear,
b a n d a g in g m i n o r w o u n d s , p a t r o llin g t h e k e e p ’s w a lls ,
b rie fin g N igh th ill o n th e situ a tion , a n d o th e r m u n d a n e
task s. If ch a ra cters take a sh ort rest, they ca n ’t u n der
take any oth er m ission that hour.
M o n st er Na m es d o e s n ’t c o n s i d e r t h is t o b e its fig h t, a n d it is n ’t k e e n o n
t a n g lin g w i t h a d v e n t u r e r s fo r a n o t h e r ’s b e n e fit.
Th ro u g h o u t th e ad ven tu re, m o n ster n am es are p resen ted
D u rin g this attack, L en n ith on flies over the k eep and
in bold. T h i s is a v i s u a l c u e p o i n t i n g y o u t o l o o k u p t h e u ses h is brea th w e a p o n w ith ou t m ov in g c lo s e r th a n 25
m o n s t e r ’s s t at b l o c k in t h e Monst er M anual (o r in t h e f r ee feet fro m the parapet. T h e defen d ers on the w a lls have
m a s t e r e d t h e ir fe a r o f th e d r a g o n ’s F r ig h tfu l P r e s e n c e
su p p l e m e n t av ai l ab l e at D u n g e o n s a n d D r a g o n s . c o m ). So m e from ea rlier a ttacks. T h ere a re tw en ty N P C d efe n d ers on
m on sters ap p ear in ap p end ix B o f th is ad ven tu re. A n ote the w a lls at the b egin n in g o f the m ission , and m ore can
a p p e a r s a f t e r a m o n s t e r ’s n a m e i f t h a t is t h e c as e. arrive b etw ee n attacks to take the p la ce o f th ose w h o
fall. T h e d ra g o n d o e s n ’t ta rget th e a d v en tu re s at first,
Rewards. A w a r d s t a n d a r d X P f o r d e f e a t e d f o e s . A s i d e a n d every b rea th attack n ot d ire cte d at th em k ills 1d4
N P C d efe n d ers a nd in ju res 1d 6 m ore. A dv en tu rers w h o
fro m that, th e c h ie f rew a rd for th is m iss io n is the tun n el h ap p en to get cau gh t in th e a rea m a k e n o rm a l sa vin g
itse lf. A s lo n g a s it r e m a in s s e c r e t, c h a r a c te r s c a n u s e th row s and take stan dard dam age. T h e N P C s’ attacks
it to e n te r a n d e x it th e k e e p sa fely . E a c h tim e th e y u s e a re in effective again st L en n ith on . B e a r in m in d that the
th e tu n n el exit, roll a d 6. O n a roll o f 1, ra id e rs s e e a nd d ra g o n ’s b rea th w e a p o n w ill k ill a 1st-level ch a ra cte r ou t
attack the ch a ra cters (use th e E p isod e 1 E n cou n ters right, s o b e su re to d em on stra te its d estru ctive p o w e r to
table). O n a roll o f 2, th ey a re s e e n b ut n ot a ttacked. th e p la y ers b efor e tu rn in g th e d ra g on a gain st th e party.
Instead, the raiders set an am bu sh and attack the next
tim e th e ch a ra cters retu rn to the tu nn el exit. A fter e a ch attack, L en n ith on s w o o p s a w ay until his
breath w ea p on rech arges, th en sw in g s in for a n oth er
T h e Sa l l y P o r t a tta ck . H e r e p e a ts th is p a tte rn u n til it h a s ta k e n 2 4
d a m a g e o r m o r e , o r a s in g le cr itica l hit. A fte r that h a p
T h e k eep h as a sally p ort a lo n g the w est w a ll for c o u n pen s, L en n ith on leaves for g ood .
terattackin g foes w h o b rin g a batterin g ram again st the
gates. D u rin g the night w h ile ch a ra cters are in the k eep, Rewards. C h a r a c t e r s e a r n 5 0 X P e a c h f o r d r i v in g
ra id e rs a p p ro a ch th e o ld gate, fo r c e it o p e n , a n d ru sh
th rou gh . E sco b e rt d iscov ers th em and ra ces into the aw ay L en n ith on , but red u ce that aw ard to 25 X P if 10 or
co u rty a rd to so u n d th e a la rm a h ea d o f th e infiltrators. m ore d efen d ers w ere k illed du rin g the attack.
E n o u gh d efe n d ers a re available to d ea l w ith th e im m e Pr iso n er s
d ia te th re a t fr o m r a i d e r s l o o s e in th e k e e p , s in c e it’s
m ore a p rob e that got out o f h and rather th an a fu ll-sca le G ov e rn or N igh th ill w o u ld like to in terrog a te s o m e o f the
assault. E sco b e rt is m ost co n ce rn e d abou t re sea lin g the r a id e r s.
sally port, and h e se e k s out the ch a ra cters for that jo b .
“ I ’d g i v e a n y t h i n g t o k n o w w h a t w e ’re u p ag ai n st , an d w h y.
T o s e cu re the sally p ort, ch a ra cters m u st battle
th ro u g h tw o g r o u p s o f fo e s . T h e first fight o c c u r s a ga in st Fo r t h at , w e n eed p r i s o n e r s . A c o m m a n d e r , even a low-
o n e acolyte, fo u r kobolds, a n d o n e am bush drake ran k in g o n e, is b est .”
(s e e a p p e n d ix B ), w h ic h a r e g u a r d in g th e s a lly p o r t ’s I f th e c h a r a c te r s h a v e n ’t ru n in to a n y cu lt le a d e r s yet,
10-foot-by-20-foot read y ro o m against exactly this type N igh th ill ta k es th em on to th e p arap et an d p oin ts out
o f coun terattack. A fter ch ara cters seize the room , they w h a t h e m ea n s. T h is is an id ea l tim e for ev ery on e to
d is co v e r that the d o o r is h eavily d a m a g ed . T h e fastest
ca tc h a g lim p s e o f Frulam Mondath (s e e a p p e n d ix B )
r e p a i r i s w i t h fiv e c a s t i n g s o f mending (t a k in g fiv e m i n
in h er p u rp le rob es, a cco m p a n ie d b y a d o z e n gu ards.
utes). If n on e o f th e ch a ra cters ca n d o this, an N P C in the E ven the g ov ern or ca u tions ch a ra cters against attack
k e e p k n o w s th e ca n trip . S o m e o n e m u st fin d a nd fetch in g su ch a form id a b le force, e sp e cia lly w h en any
h er to the ready room . low er-lev el officer ca n a n sw er h is q u estion s.
B efore the d oor ca n b e repaired, a s e co n d grou p o f L ea vin g th e k eep th rou gh the front gate is ou t o f the
q u e s tio n . B y n ow , to o m a n y ra id e rs a re w a tch in g it, a n d
r a id e r s c o n s is t i n g o f o n e guard, t h r e e cultists, a n d fo u r they w ou ld ju m p the ch a ra cte rs as s o o n as they m oved
kobolds a tta ck s. T h e s e fo e s c a n c o m e fro m o u tsid e th e aw ay from the k eep. O th er op tion s are w a itin g for a
clou d to cov er the m oon b efore clim bin g d ow n rop es
k eep, o r th ey m igh t b e a grou p o f infiltrators tryin g to tossed over the b ack w a ll o f the k eep, or u sin g the old
fight its w a y b a c k o u tsid e . If ch a ra cte rs b a r ric a d e th e tun nel that exits into the stream b ed .
d o o r w ith barrels or oth er h eavy ob je cts w h ile aw aiting
rep a irs, th ey m igh t h old o ff a ttack ers until th e rep airs T h is m ission ca n b e com b in ed w ith an oth er m ission ,
a re fin ish e d a n d a vo id th is figh t entirely. su ch a s sa v in g th e m ill or re s cu in g villa ge rs fro m the
tem p le o f C hau n tea . A ll ch a ra cte rs n e e d to d o is b rin g
Rewards. A w a r d s t a n d a r d X P f o r d e f e a t e d f o e s . a live cu ltist o r C ult o f th e D r a g o n initiate b a c k to th e
k eep . O r ch a ra cte rs ca n g o into th e tow n h u ntin g for on e
Dr ago n At t ack s p e cifica lly .
T h e adult blue dragon L e n n it h o n a c c o m p a n ie d t h is P rison ers brou gh t b a ck to th e k eep are interrogated
b y G ov e rn o r N igh th ill a nd a fe w o f h is p ick ed g u a rd s.
raid but is n ot a n en th u siastic p articip an t. Its ch ie f C h a ra cters ca n p a rticip a te if th ey w a n t to.
con trib u tion h as b e e n its F rig h tfu l P r e s e n c e , but that
b e co m e s le ss effective as the night w ea rs on and d efen d • C ap tu red k o b o ld s are terrified; th ey say w h atever they
ers o v e r co m e th eir fear. S h o rtly b e fo re m idn igh t, the th in k th e qu estion er w an ts to hear. T h ey k n ow that
d ra g o n la u n ch e s a fin al a ssa u lt a g a in st th e cita de l.
F ru lam M on dath ord ers the attack, k n ow in g that the
adven tu rers are in the k eep at the tim e. L en n ith on
t h e y ’r e w o r k i n g f o r t h e C u lt o f th e D r a g o n a n d f o r th e “ T h e g u ar d s h ave sp o t t ed a n ew t h r eat . Raid er s are t r yin g
“d r a g o n la d y ” (R e z m ir ), a n d th a t t h e y ’r e a ft e r lo o t . t o s e t f i r e t o t h e t o w n ’s m il l . If i t b u r n s , w e ’ ll l o s e o u r
• C aptured m ercen a rie s or ban dits talk freely; they st o ck p ile o f f lo u r an d w e w o n ’t be ab le to g rin d m o re f o r
h av e n o s p e cia l loyalty to th e C ult o f the D ra g on . T h ey m on th s. I’m trying to assem b le en ou gh defen d ers from
r e v e a l th a t th e y ’v e b e e n r a id in g c o m m u n iti e s a r o u n d h ere in th e k eep to d ef en d it th ro u g h th e rest o f th e n ig ht,
th e G r e e n fie ld s fo r lo o t, a n d th e y ’v e h e a r d r u m o r s in b u t t h at w ill t ak e t im e. Yo u ’d d o us a g reat ser vice if yo u
the ca m p about dragon eggs. cou ld g et to th e m ill q u ick ly and d rive aw ay th e raid ers
• C u ltists a n d initiates a re th e m o s t tigh t-lipp ed . A b ef o r e t h e y c an se t i t af l a m e . Y o u ’ ll n e e d t o d e f e n d it u n t i l
s u cce s s fu l D C 10 C h a rism a (In tim id ation ) o r D C o u r f o r ce ar r iv es t o t ak e o ver , b u t it s h o u ld n ’t be m o r e t h an
12 C h arism a (P ersu a sion ) ch e ck is n eed ed to ca u se fifteen m in u tes b eh in d yo u .”
cu ltists to rev ea l that th ey a re m e m b e rs o f th e C ult o f
the D rag on and that they are collectin g loo t “for the T h e m ill is a b ou t 5 0 0 feet fro m th e k eep. T h e d ista n ce
great h oard that w ill u sh er in the reign o f th e Q u een is dou b led if ch a ra cters u se the secret tunnel and follow
o f D ra g o n s.” T h ey k n o w that th e cu lt h a s a clu tch o f the stre a m to stay h id d en .
dra gon e g g s u n der h eavy gu a rd in a cave at the cam p.
R oll a d 6 on the E p isod e 1 E n cou n ters table to deter
Rewards. I f c h a r a c t e r s c a p t u r e a p r i s o n e r , a w a r d m in e th e stren g th o f th e ra id ers that a re try in g to se t fire
to th e m ill. A n y k o b o ld s in th is fo rc e ru n a w ay a s s o o n
ea ch o f th em 25 X P. T o collect that aw ard, the p rison er a s tw o o r m o r e ra id ers a re k illed . If ch a ra cte rs ob se r v e
m u st b e b rou gh t to th e governor. Interrogatin g the th e m ill fo r a m in u te o r m ore b e fo re a ttacking, a llo w
prison er in dep en d en tly and b rin g in g th e in form ation to th em to attem pt D C 15 W isd o m (In sigh t) or C h arism a
th e g o v e rn o r d o e s n ’t co u n t. T h e ch a ra cte rs a ls o re c e iv e (P erform a n ce) ch eck s. If su ccessfu l, a ch a racter rea lizes
stan dard X P for any m on sters they defeat a lon g the way. that the raiders are m a k in g a d em on stra tion o f startin g
a fir e , b u t it’s fo r s h o w . A f e w fir e s a r e b u r n in g a r o u n d
Sa v e t h e M il l th e b u ild in g , but th ey c o u ld b e ex tin g u ish ed easily.
F rom the parapet o f the keep, s o m e o n e sp ots a grou p T h is act o f b u rn in g th e m ill is a ru se. M on d ath h as
o f ra id er s try in g to set fire to th e to w n m ill. G o v er n o r b e e n in form ed that h e ro e s are a id in g th e tow n , an d sh e
N igh th ill q u ick ly a p p ro a ch e s th e a dv en tu rers. w a n ts to lure th em into an am bu sh . M ore ra id ers— on e
cultist p lu s o n e guard p e r c h a r a c t e r — a r e h id in g in s id e G r o u p B c o n s is t s o f t h r e e cultists, te n kobolds, a n d
tw o ambush drakes (s e e a p p e n d ix B ) stru n g ou t in a
th e m ill, w a itin g fo r th e ch a ra cte rs to s h o w up.
T h e m ill is a sim p le re cta n g u la r b a rn , a b ou t 4 0 feet m o b that stretch es 5 0 feet. T h is p ro ce ss io n w ith leap in g
and w h irlin g k ob old s co m p lete s on e circu it a rou n d the
lo n g a n d 2 0 feet w id e , w ith an a tta ch ed, ex te rio r office. tem p le a p p rox im ately ev ery eigh t m in u tes (tw o m in u tes
T h e lon g sid e o f the bu ild in g aw ay from the strea m h as p e r side).
barn d o o rs and a tw o-p art door, an d the tw o sh ort w alls
have w in d ow s. A ll th ese op en in g s are closed , but n on e G r o u p C c o n s i s t s o f t w o cultists a n d s ix kobolds
a re lo ck e d o r b a rred . In sid e, th e m a in flo or is d o m in a ted
by a m assive ston e grin d in g w h eel driven by a w ater clu ste re d tightly a ro u n d th e te m p le ’s b a ck d o or. T h eir
w h e e l in th e strea m . T h e m ill w a s o p era tin g late w h en m e a ge r fire p ro d u ce s little flam e, in stea d cre a tin g p r o
the raid b eg a n and the m illers fled w ith ou t disen ga gin g d igiou s clou d s o f thick sm ok e that en gu lf the b a ck o f the
th e w h e e l, s o it still tu r n s n o is ily . T h e u p p e r h a lf o f th e tem ple and blanket the su rrou n d in g 3 0 feet o f grou nd .
b a rn is a loft w h ere m ille d flou r is stored . T h e loft ca n E v e ry th in g in th e sm o k e is ligh tly o b sc u re d , a n d o b je c ts
b e rea ch ed by w o o d e n stairs a lo n g th e ea st w a ll or by or crea tu res that a re s e e n th rou g h m ore than 15 feet o f
u sin g the ro p e s a nd p ulleys that h oist b a gs o f flou r up sm ok e a re heavily ob scu red . C h aracters ca n sn ea k up on
and d o w n th ro u g h la rg e op e n in g s in the loft floor. th ese raiders a nd gain a su rp rise rou n d a gainst them , as
lon g a s they avoid G rou p B in the p ro ce ss .
T h e am bu sh ers are w a itin g in the loft for h eroes to
enter the m ill. W h e n th e h e ro e s a re in side, the gu a rd s Arranging a Rescue. T h e h e r o e s ’ b e s t s h o t at r e s
lau n ch a volley o f sp ea rs from above, th en leap d ow n to
fight h an d-to-ha nd . T h e a m b u sh ers h ave a g o o d ch a n ce cu in g the tow n sfolk is to ov erp ow er G rou p C and take
to ga in a s u rp rise ro u n d fo r th eir s p e a r volley ; a s u c co n tr o l o f th e b a c k d o or. In the tem p le, th ey ca n a rra n g e
ce ssfu l D C 20 W isd o m (P ercep tion ) ch eck is n eeded a d istra ction to k eep G rou p s A a nd B o ccu p ie d at the
to n otice th em b efore th e attack. C h aracters w h o sca n fron t w h ile th e citiz en s o f G re e n e st slip out th e b a ck
the loft for h id d e n e n e m ie s u p o n en terin g th e m ill have and ra ce for the k eep or for the old tu n nel— if ch a ra cters
advan tage on the ch eck. h a v e o p e n e d it a lr e a d y . T h a t ’s o n ly o n e p o s s ib ilit y ; c le v e r
p la y ers ca n c o m e u p w ith d ifferen t so lu tion s.
T en m in u te s a fter th e s e c o n d figh t e n d s, a d o ze n
b lood y but b a sically h ealthy d efen d ers arrive from the T h e tow n sfo lk in th e tem p le a re n ea r p a n ic, h ow ever,
k e ep w ith o rd e rs to relieve the ch a ra cte rs a n d d efen d a n d th e y w o n ’t tak e o rd e r s fro m s tra n g e rs u n le s s s o m e
th e m ill. T h e y tell the ch a ra cte rs to g o b a ck to th e k eep on e m a k es a su ccessfu l D C 15 C h arism a (P ersu a sion )
qu ietly w h ile th ey rem a in b eh in d at th e m ill. ch eck . O th erw ise, ch a ra cters n eed to loca te th e priest o f
C h au n tea, E ad ya n F a lc o n m o o n , a lev el-h ea d ed h alf-elf.
Rewards. A w a r d s t a n d a r d X P f o r d e f e a t e d f o e s . I f H e ’s e a s y t o s p o t , b e in g t h e o n ly c a l m p e r s o n t h e y c a n
find in th e tem p le, a n d h e is elated to s e e th em . H e lo o k s
ch a ra cters rea lized they w e re w a lk in g into a trap, give to th e ch a ra cte rs fo r a p la n .
e a ch a 5 0 X P b o n u s . If th e y d id n ’t d e d u c e th at it w a s a
trap but spotted the am bu sh ers in tim e to preven t a su r T im e is pressin g. W h ile ch a racters are inside the
prise rou n d, give ea ch ch a ra cter a 25 X P b on u s. tem p le, rem in d th em o f the b o o m in g h a m m er b low s
o f the ba tterin g ram a gain st the fron t d o o rs, the cra ck
Sa n c t u a r y in g tim b e rs , th e s to n e s a n d s p u tte rin g to rc h e s that fly
th rou g h the w in d o w s interm ittently, the sm o k e rollin g
D o z e n s o f tow n sfolk have b a rrica d ed th em selv es in side b elo w the ceilin g, and the frighten ed tow n sfolk . H ow
th e te m p le to C h a u n te a , b u t r a id e r s h a v e it s u r r o u n d e d . m u ch tim e you allow b efore the d o o rs burst op en
T h e a ttack ers tried settin g fire to th e stout stru ctu re but d e p e n d s on yo u r grou p; slo w th in kers a nd ca refu l p lot
h a d little s u c c e s s . N o w t h e y ’v e d e p lo y e d a n i m p r o v is e d ters n e e d m o r e tim e th a n fast m o v e rs . W h a t’s im p orta n t
b a tte rin g ra m . It’s o n ly a m a tter o f tim e, p o s s ib ly m in is that p la yers feel p re sse d .
u te s , b e fo r e th e t e m p le ’s m a in d o o r s c r u m p le u n d e r th e
a ssau lt, le a vin g the villa ge rs in sid e h elp less. T o create a sen se o f p ressu re, give th e fron t d oors
3 0 hit p o in ts a n d let e a ch th u d o f th e b a tterin g ra m
T h e tem p le is a la rg e b u ild in g , m a d e o f field ston e w ith d e a l 1d 6 d a m a g e . W h e n th e d o o r s r e a ch 2 0 hit p o in ts,
a p e a k e d sla te ro o f, a n d s q u a re in s h a p e . It is ta lle r th a n th e y h a v e cr a c k s la rg e e n o u g h to s e e th ro u g h . A t 10 hit
m o s t oth er b u ild in g s in tow n . In sid e, th e altar o cc u p ie s poin ts, the d o o rs are sa g g in g in th eir h in ges. A t 5, they
th e m id d le o f th e tem p le, w ith oth er w or sh ip a rea s co u ld co lla p se at the n ext im p act. H o w freq u en tly you
a r r a n g e d a r o u n d it. roll the die is up to you ! O n e roll every 1 5 -2 0 se co n d s
is a g o o d target for an average grou p. O n e roll every 30
Foes. T h e f o r c e o u t s id e t h e t e m p le is s p lit in t o t h r e e s e co n d s m igh t b e better for a grou p that n eed s to d ebate
and rea ch con sen su s, w h ile a grou p con ta in in g quick-
grou p s. O n e (A ) is b a tterin g at th e fron t d o o rs, a n oth er on -their-feet, ta k e-ch a rge typ e s co u ld d ea l w ith a roll
(B ) is circlin g the tem p le in a s cr e e ch in g m o b , a n d the e v e ry 10 s e c o n d s . B e flexib le, k e e p a n e y e o n th e p la y
th ird (C ) is h e a p in g b u rn in g stra w a ga in st a re a r d oor. e r s ’ level o f te n sio n , a n d d o n ’t let a n y o n e relax.
A ll th e se g rou p s tog eth e r w o u ld ov e rw h elm 1st-level
ch a ra cters, but ch a ra cters ca n d evise a plan that gets If th e d o o r s b urst o p e n b efo re th e tem p le is evacu ated,
th em in sid e th e tem p le b y d e a lin g w ith on e grou p. this scen e turns into an ugly m elee against G roup A . T h e
k ob o ld s in that grou p p refer to a ttack u n a rm ed villagers
G r o u p A c o n s i s t s o f o n e dragonclaw (s e e a p p e n d ix B ), instead o f leth al adventurers. E a ch k o b o ld a utom atically
t w o cultists, a n d s ix kobolds. T h e c u ltis ts a r e h a n d lin g k ills on e villager ea ch rou n d u n le ss ch a ra cters attack the
k obolds, cut them off from their victim s, or interfere som e
th e ra m w h ile th e k o b o ld s sta n d g u a rd in c a s e th e to w n oth er w ay. If tow n sfolk have a lread y evacu ated the tem ple
m ilitia m ou n ts a cou n terattack. T h e d ra g on cla w is in
ch a rg e. T h e k o b old g u a rd s are alert, but they a re d is
tracted w h en G rou p B p a s se s in front o f the tem ple.
th rou gh the b a ck d oor, or that p ro c e s s is w ell a lon g C yanw rath is p lea sed to se e a ch a m p ion step forw a rd.
b e fo re th e fron t d o o rs split apart u n d er th e ram , then H e a grees to th ese term s for the com bat: T h e th ree ch il
ch a ra cters ca n con d u ct a figh ting w ith draw al th rou gh the dren w ill b e set lo o se im m ediately, but h is k ob old s w ill
tem p le. A fter ev eryon e gets into th e s m o k e ou tsid e, they con tin u e to stan d gu a rd over th e w om a n , and they w ill
ca n c lo s e a n d b ra ce th e b a c k d oor, then sprin t for the k ill h er if a n y on e in terfere s in th e fight— fo r e x a m p le,
k eep o r th e tun n el in th e strea m b a n k w ith en ou g h o f a if a rc h e r s in th e k e e p let fly at h im . R e g a r d le s s o f w h o
h e ad start to get a w ay safely. w in s, th e w o m a n w ill b e rele a se d w h en th e fight is over;
and the victor w ill b e th e last on e stan ding.
Rewards. R e s c u i n g p e o p l e f r o m t h e t e m p le e a r n s
G o v e rn o r N igh th ill h o ld s h is tr o o p s in the k ee p d u rin g
e a ch ch a ra cte r 1 00 X P in a d d ition to the p oin ts for k ill the com bat. A dven turers can g o out if they w ant, but
in g m on sters. If m ore th an ten villag ers d ied du rin g the the h alf-dra gon in sists that th ey k eep th eir d ista n ce and
rescu e, red u ce that aw ard to 5 0 X P. stay b etw een h im and the fortress. If ch a ra cters try to
su rrou n d h im or to ed g e into p osition for an am bush ,
H a l f -D r a g o n C h a m p io n h e w a rn s th e m that h is k o b o ld s w o n ’t h esita te to k ill th e
h osta g es if they se e sig n s o f treachery. T h e h alf-dragon
B e fo re all th e ra id ers d ep a rt, th eir c h a m p io n ch a lle n g e s is evil, b u t h e h a s a d e e p s e n s e o f h o n o r a b o u t o n e -o n -
t h e t o w n ’s b e s t w a r r io r . o n e co m b a t. H e d o e s n ’t in ten d a n y sh e n a n ig a n s , a n d h e
w o n ’t a llo w a n y fr o m h is k o b o ld s .
Fr o m t h e d ar k n es s, a c r e at u r e s t r i d e s in t o t h e d im lig h t
o f th e d yin g fires aro u n d th e k eep . A lth o u g h it is sh ap ed C ya n w ra th is th e lik ely w in n e r o f th is m a tch , w h e th er
ro u g h ly like a h u m an , it is at least seven feet tall, its skin h e ’s fig h tin g S e r g e a n t M a rk g u th o r a ch a ra cte r. W h e n
is co vered in b lu e scales, its fin g ers b ear w ick ed claw s, h is foe d rop s, h e strik es on e m ore tim e; th e last b lo w
an d its face h as th e m u zz le an d rep tilian eyes o f a d rag on . k ills M arkgu th or in flicts o n e death roll failu re on a
Th e creatu re sto ps ab o u t eig h ty yards from th e m ain gate ch a ra cter. If C ya nw ra th lo s e s th e fight, th e k o b o ld s
o f th e k eep and scan s th e w alls. A lin e o f k o b old s fan s im m e d ia te ly ju m p in to p r o te c t h is b o d y a n d c a r r y it
o u t b eh in d it. W it h t h eir sp ears, th ey p rod f o u r h u m an away. (C yanw rath w ill recov er fro m h is w ou n d s and
p riso n ers in to th e d im ligh t. You can m ak e o u t a w o m an , b e e n co u n te r e d a g a in later.) I f b y s o m e m is c h a n c e
a teen ag e b oy in a b lood - soak ed tu n ic, and t w o ch ild ren . C ya n w ra th is k illed o r ca p tu red , h is p la ce in the d ra g on
Th en t h e h alf- dragon creat u re h ails th e keep. h atch ery (ep iso d e 3) is taken by an oth er h alf-dragon .
“ D efen d ers o f Green est! Th is has been a su ccessfu l W ith th e figh t over, th e last o f th e ra id ers retrea t en
night, and I am feelin g g en ero u s. Do you see th ese fo u r m a sse from the tow n into the d ark n ess, m a rch in g aw ay
pitifu l, u seless p riso n ers? W e h ave no need fo r th em , so I tow ard the southeast.
w i l l t r a d e t h e m b ac k t o y o u . Se n d o u t y o u r b e st w a r r i o r t o
fig h t m e, an d yo u can h ave th ese fo u r in ex ch an g e.” Rewards. I f a c h a r a c t e r s t e p s u p t o t h e c h a l l e n g e a n d
T h e s p e a k e r is Langdedrosa Cyanwrath (s e e a p p e n d ix figh ts C yanw rath , ea ch p arty m e m b e r ea rn s 5 0 X P . If
not, ch a racters receiv e n oth in g for this encou n ter. A
B fo r statistics) a h alf-b lu e d ra g on w h o s e rv e s th e C ult o f t e a m o f h e a le r s w it h h e a le r ’s k its a n d + 4 b o n u s e s to
the D rag on . C yanw rath h as a p erson a l troop o f six teen W isd o m (M ed icin e) ch e ck s attend to the w ou n d ed or
d y in g ch a ra cter, a nd G ov ern or N igh th ill gratefully offers
kobolds. A c h a r a cte r w h o m a k e s a s u c c e s s fu l D C 15
t w o potions ofhealing t o t h e w o u n d e d c h a r a c t e r . I f
In tellig en ce (A rcan a) or In tellig en ce (N ature) ch e ck r e c
o g n iz e s the creatu re a s a h a lf-d ra g on from d escrip tion s. ch a ra cters d o som eth in g that co s ts the life o f a h ostage,
G o v er n o r N igh th ill is fu riou s w ith th em a n d offer s n o
O n e o f th e d efen d ers in the k eep, S erg ea n t M arkguth, m o r e help.
re co g n ize s the p rison ers as h is sister and h er children,
an d h e is read y to ru sh ou t into battle w ith the h alf- De v e l o pme n t s
dragon . E scob e rt the R ed and a few oth er defen d ers
restra in h im w h ile N igh th ill a p p ro a ch e s th e ch a ra cters. It’s a s s u m e d th a t w h e n c h a r a c t e r s fir s t s e e t h e fig h t in g
in G r e e n e s t , t h e y w i ll r u s h to its d e fe n s e . I f t h e y d o n ’t,
“ M y f r ie n d s , y o u ’ve d e m o n s t r a t e d y o u r p r o w es s all a n d th e y ’r e t r a v e lin g w it h o t h e r s , t h e n t h e N P C s t h e y ’r e
t h r o u g h t h is fr ig h t fu l n ig h t . I realiz e t h is is an aw fu l traveling w ith su gg est that an im m ed iate attack m igh t
b u rd en to ask yo u to bear, b u t an y o f yo u h as a b ett er tu rn th e tid e o r at lea st sav e m a n y lives. If ch a ra cte rs
ch an ce to d efeat th at h o rro r th an m y m ilitia h ave.” still sit o u t th is fight, th e y s e e a b o u t h a lf o f th e a ttack e rs
leave arou n d m idn igh t, w ith th e rest retirin g in sm all
If n o o n e step s fo rw a rd , N igh th ill is d isa p p oin ted but groups over the next few hours. W h en the sun com es
sa y s h e u n d ersta n d s, a n d th eir refu sa l in n o w a y d im in up, even a q u ick in sp ection s h o w s that over h a lf o f th e
is h e s w h a t t h e y ’v e d o n e s o fa r. I n th a t c a s e , t h e w o m a n ’s b u ild in g s a r e h e a v ily d a m a g e d a n d m u c h o f t h e t o w n ’s
b roth er g o e s out to fa ce the h alf-dragon . H e is a h u m an w ea lth w a s ca rrie d aw ay. H u n d red s o f in ju red p eop le
are crow d ed into the k eep or are fou n d h id in g in cellars,
guard. S e l e c t o n e o f th e p la y e r s to c o n tr o l S e r g e a n t but m ost o f th em w ill survive.
M a rk g u th fo r th is fight o r ju s t n arra te its resu lt. If you a re u sin g th e m ile sto n e e x p e rie n ce ru le, the
ch a ra cters rea ch 2n d level at th e en d o f this ep isod e.
E pi s o d e 2: R a i d e r s ’ C a m p
n th e w a rm ligh t o f day, G o v e rn o r N igh th ill a n d A yo u n g m an w alk s up to you, lim p in g heavily on his
b an d ag ed left leg. “ I h ear th at yo u in t en d to f o llo w th e
I other leaders w ant to k n ow w h o w a s b ehin d the r a i d e r s an d se e w h e r e t h e y ’v e g o n e . I ’d lik e n o t h i n g b e t t e r
attack on G reen est, and w h y the tow n w a s a target. t h a n t o c o m e w i t h y o u , b u t in t h i s c o n d i t i o n , I ’d s l o w yo u
T h e ra id ers retreated tow a rd th e sou th east, and th eir d o w n . In t h e m id s t o f all t h is t r ag ed y, t h e r e 's n o r easo n
trail is ea sy to spot. A sm all, stealthy grou p cou ld follow yo u w o u ld h ave h eard ab o u t t h e fate o f m y m ast er, Leo sin
the trail to the ra id ers’ ca m p an d gather in form ation . Er l a n t h a r , b u t i t ’ s i m p o r t a n t y o u k n o w . H e is a m o n k f r o m
Be r d u sk . H e d i s a p p e a r e d la st n ig h t , af t e r w e f o u g h t a
G o v e rn o r N igh th ill a p p ro a ch e s th e ch a ra cte rs w ith p articu larly savag e b attle ag ain st raid ers. A few o th ers and
a p ro p o sa l: If th ey lo ca te th e ra id ers’ ca m p a nd find I f o u g h t o u r w ay t o t h e k eep , b ar ely. Leo sin d id n ’t m ak e it
ou t certa in inform ation , h e offers to pay th em 2 5 0 gp at all. W e w e n t b ack t h i s m o r n in g t o lo o k f o r h im , b u t all
a p ie ce . H e w a n ts to k n o w w h e r e th e ca m p is sited , h o w w e fo u n d w as his brok en st af f and th is ch oker, w h ich he
m a n y r a id e r s a r e th e re , w h o th e ir le a d e r s a re , w h a t’s alw ays w o re."
m otiva tin g th ese attacks, a n d w h ere th ey plan to strike
next. If ch a ra cte rs re co v e r va lu a b les that w e re stolen T h e m o n k ’s n a m e is N e s i m W a la d r a . A ft e r in t r o d u c
from the tow n , h e w ou ld like th em retu rn ed, but h e d oes tion s are m ade, h e con tin u es.
h is b e s t t o a r r a n g e a r e w a r d f r o m w h a t ’s le ft o f th e t o w n
treasury. R ecov erin g treasu re, h ow ever, is a lesser goal
w h en co m p a re d to th e oth er o b jectiv es h e b rin gs up.
A n y g ea r o r s u p p lie s th e ch a ra cte rs n e e d fo r th e trip
are fu rn ish ed b y the tow n . A s ch a ra cters p rep are to set
o ff on th is m ission (or to leave tow n if they turn dow n
the m ission ), th ou gh , an in ju red m on k ap p roa ch es.
“ Leo sin h as b een in vest ig atin g th ese raid ers fo r m o n th s. I T h e trail lea d s sou th a b ou t tw elv e m iles, to a m ore
ru g ge d re g io n w h e re stee p -sid ed , ro ck y p la teau s re p la ce
fear th at he m ig h t have tried to infiltrate th eir group w hen th e gen tly rollin g h ills. T h e lan d b e tw e e n th e p lateau s is
la rg ely flat, b ro k e n o n ly b y o u tc r o p p in g s a n d w a n d e r in g
th ey retreated , o r w o rse, w as cap tured and carried aw ay stre a m s in s te e p -s id e d g u llie s. T h e p la tea u s ju t fifty
to on e h u n dred feet a bove th eir su rrou n d in gs and are
as a p riso n er. N o o n e u n d erst an d s th ese b an d it s b etter difficu lt to clim b e xce p t w h e re r o c k falls a n d su b sid e n ce
crea te d n atural ra m p s. T h e cru m b lin g s id es o f th e p la
th an he do es, and his k no w ledg e w ill be in valu ab le ag ain st tea u s a re d otted w ith ca v e s a n d tu m b led b o u ld e r fields.
th em . Wh en you find th eir cam p, p lease look fo r any C h a r a cte rs c a n h ave tw o e n co u n te r s d u rin g th is trip.
T h e first is w ith a g ro u p o f ra id e r s w h o h ave stra g g le d
sig n th at Leo sin is th ere. O n e o f m y b ro th er s h as alread y beh in d the m ain body. T h ey are d isorg a n ized and
q u a rre lso m e, a n d th ey sh ou ld b e e a sy p rey fo r a lert
d ep ar ted fo r Ber d u sk to b rin g b ack h elp , b u t it w ill be adven tu rers. T h e se co n d grou p is an org a n ized rea r
gu a rd w a tch in g spe cifica lly for p u rsu ers from the tow n .
m an y days b efo re h elp arrives. A n yt h in g you can d o b efore T h ey presen t a m u ch graver threat.
th en w o u ld be a g o d sen d .” St r a g g l e r s
N esim an sw ers th e ch a ra cters’ qu estion s to th e b est C h a ra c te r s s p o t th is g r o u p ’s c o o k in g fire s m o k e fro m
o f h is ability, but h e a ls o u rg e s th e m to m o v e q uickly. several m ile s away, b eca u se the stragglers sto p p ed to
T h e m on k s w ere retu rn in g to B erd u sk from the great roa st a fe w p ra irie h en s for a m ea l. T h ey so u g h t shelter
lib ra ry at C a n d lek eep , w h e re L e o s in w a s co n su ltin g the in a lo w s p o t b e tw e e n s u rr o u n d in g h ills, w h e r e tall
lib ra ria n s a n d re s e a rc h in g a n cien t w ritin g s on d ra g on b ou ld ers have rolled into a lo o s e ju m b le. In fact, th e su r
fo lk lore. D r a g o n cu lts a re h is s p e cia l interest. r o u n d in g s o ffe r n o p r o te c t io n w h ile m a k in g it e a s ie r fo r
e n e m ie s to s n e a k u p o n th e site.
T h e b rok en sta ff is n oth in g sp ecia l. T h e ch ok er is a
bra id ed leath er n eck b an d w ith a silver dra gon d esign B y o b serv in g for a few m inu tes, ch a ra cters ca n
c h a s e d in to th e le a th e r. T h e e n d s a re r a g g e d , a s if it w a s
rou g h ly torn off. d is c e r n th a t th e re a re fo u r h u m a n cultists a n d e ig h t
kobolds in th e g rou p . T h e k o b o ld s a n d h u m a n s d istru st
Tr a c k in g t h e Ra id er s
e a ch oth er, a n d a lth o u g h th e cu ltists a ct a s if th e y ’re th e
T h e ra id e rs ’ path is e a sy to fo llo w a cro s s th e ro llin g b o ss e s , th eir lead ersh ip am ou n ts to n oth in g m ore than
grasslan d o f th e G reen fields. A w id e sw ath o f grass is in effectu a l b ullying. T h e h u m a n s’ w e a p o n s a re sta ck ed
t r a m p le d d o w n , b u t it’s i m p o s s ib le t o d e t e r m in e t h e again st a rock , out o f ea sy reach . T h e k ob old s have th eir
ra id ers’ n u m bers precisely. T h e path on ly con firm s w e a p o n s o n their belts.
w h a t ch a ra cte rs a lrea d y k n ow : th ere w e re a lot o f them ,
and they w ere a m ix o f h u m an s, k obold s, and trained If th e g rou p is left a lon e, the k o b o ld s g rab th eir sh a re
rep tiles. O n e bit o f in form a tion ca n b e g lea n ed w ith a o f th e h a lf-c o o k e d lu n ch a nd m ov e a b ou t fifty y a rd s aw ay
su cce ssfu l D C 15 W isd o m (P ercep tion ) ch eck : M an y o f to eat, w h ile the h u m a n s con tin u e squ a bb lin g over h o w
the b ea sts’ footprin ts are d eep er o n the retreat than they to c o o k a h en a n d the u s e le s s n e s s o f k o b o ld s a s a llies.
w ere on the app roach m arch. T h ey w ere w eigh ed dow n
w ith lo o t o n th e h o m e w a rd -b o u n d trip, but let p la ye rs If ch a ra cters ch o o s e to by pa ss th is grou p, a detou r ca n
r e a c h th a t c o n c lu s io n o n th e ir o w n . It’s n o t p o s s i b l e to g e t th e m a r o u n d it w ith n o d ifficu lty . T h e y c o u ld r u n in to
tell from th e co n fu s in g ju m b le o f p rints w h eth er a n y s p e th es e stra g glers a ga in o n th eir w a y b a ck to G ree n e st.
cific footp rin ts are th ose o f prison ers.
If ch a ra cters attack, th en u n le s s they g ive a w ay th eir
C u l t o f t h e D r a g o n Ra n k s p r e s e n c e o n p u r p o s e (b y h a ilin g th e ca m p , fo r ex am p le),
they gain a su rp rise rou n d. T h e h u m an s sp en d their
T h e Cu lt o f t h e D rag o n h as an act ive recru it in g p ro cess, first tu rn s retrievin g th eir w e a p o n s a nd sh ield s. T h e
accep t in g in it iat es f r o m a yo u n g ag e. A n in it iat e (u se t h e k ob old s d rop their fo o d and scatter, th en reg rou p and
cou n tera tta ck o n rou n d four, u sin g th eir slin gs as m u ch
cultist s t at b l o c k ) t r a i n s f o r m o n t h s o r y e a r s b e f o r e g a i n i n g a s p o ss ib le . T h ey stick a rou n d a n d fight on ly a s lo n g
a s any o f th eir h u m a n a llies a re still fighting. A s s o o n
an y r an k w it h in t h e o r g an iz at io n , an d m an y t r ain ees d o n ’t a s th e h u m a n s a re all d efea ted , th e r e m a in in g k o b o ld s
survive th e tests. An initiate w h o passes the tests m ust s lin k a w a y in to th e h ills a n d a re n ’t s e e n a gain .
ch o o se an af fin it y t o a p ar t icu lar co lo r o f d rag o n : b lack , b lue,
g reen, red, o r w h ite. H e o r sh e is th en w elco m ed in to th e Rewards. A w a r d s t a n d a r d X P f o r d e f e a t e d f o e s ,
rank s as a d rag o n claw .
in clu d in g k ob old s that ran away. If any cu ltists are q u es
T h e h ig h er rank s o f t h e cult, in ascen d in g order, are tio n e d , th e y re fu se to ta lk u n le s s s o m e o n e s u c c e e d s at
d rago nclaw , d rag on w in g , d rag o nfan g, d rag o nsou l, and a D C 15 C h a r ism a (In tim id a tion ) ch e c k . T h e y k n o w it’s
w yrm sp eak er. Th ere are o n ly five w yrm sp eak ers, o ne p er co lo r stan dard p ra ctice for a raidin g party to leave beh in d a
o f c h r o m a t i c d r a g o n . T h e c u r r e n t w y r m s p e a k e r s ar e Se v e r i n r e a r g u a r d . T h e y d o n ’t k n o w h o w s t r o n g t h e r e a r g u a r d
(r ed ), Ga lv a n (b lu e), N er o n vain (g r een ), Rez m ir (b lack ), an d w ill b e , b u t th e y e x p e c t it is s ite d a b o u t a m ile a h e a d
Var ram (w h it e). w h e re the p ath p a sse s b e tw e e n ro ck y bluffs. T h ey also
c a n d e s c r ib e th e ra id e rs ’ ca m p a n d its lo c a tio n , p lu s
M o s t o f t h e c u l t ’s o p e r a t i o n s ar e o v e r se e n b y l o c al l ead e r s they k n ow som e prison ers w ere taken from the tow n but
c a ll e d W e a r e r s o f Pu r p l e f o r t h e c e r e m o n i a l r o b es t h a t t h e y n ot h ow m an y or w h eth er they in clu d e a h a lf-elf m on k .
w ear . A ll o f t h e w y r m s p e a k e r s ar e W e a r e r s o f Pu r p l e , as ar e T h ey k n ow the raid w a s for loot, b e ca u se they w ere told
low er- ran king cu lt ists ap p o in t ed by th e w yrm sp eak ers to
p reside over cu lt enclaves.
to lo o k sp ecifica lly fo r gold, gem s, a n d oth er va lu ab les ch e ck , b ut n ot until the ch a ra cte rs a re w ith in 2 0
and w ere forbidden to d o any lootin g for th em selves. y a rd s.
C u ltists k n o w th ey a re p re p a r in g “th e g reat h o a rd to • I f p la y e rs s ta te th a t th e y ’r e w a t c h in g fo r p o te n tia l
h o n o r the D ra g on Q u ee n .” am bu sh spots, give th em advantage w h en m ak in g
these checks.
C a p tu red k o b o ld s ta lk freely, but m o st o f w h a t th ey
s a y is lie s . T h a t ’s n o t b e c a u s e t h e y tr y to m is le a d e n e T h e r e a r g u a r d h a s a tw o f o ld m is s io n . It m u s t s to p
m ies, but b e ca u se they w ill say anything, n o m atter h ow a n y sm a ll p a rty o f in tru d ers c o m in g u p th e trail, or
o u tla n d is h , if it m ig h t g a in th e m th e ir fr e e d o m . h a ra s s a n d d ela y a la rg er g rou p w h ile se n d in g w o rd to
th e ca m p that trou ble a pp roa ch es. T h e gu a rd d ecid es
T h e cu ltists have 28 sp a m on g them , b e sid e s their that he h as en ou gh o f an advantage again st a party o f
ch ea p w e a p o n s. T h e k o b o ld s, w h o lo o te d d esp ite th eir five o r s ix a d v en tu rers to d ea l w ith th e p ro b le m on th e
ord ers, have a sa ck con ta in in g p ew te r ca n dlestick s, sp o t, p ro v id e d h e d o e s n ’t w e a k e n h is fo r c e b y s e n d in g
so m e silver servin g dish es, and a few religiou s ca rv in gs a ru n n er to F ru lam M ondath. If th e adven tu ring grou p
o f C h au n tea taken from a h om e sh rin e. con ta in s seven o r m ore ch ara cters, you ca n either have
the gu ard h arass the en em y and d isp atch a ru n n er to
Rea r g u a r d th e ca m p , or y ou ca n add cu ltists u n til th ey ou tn u m b er
the ch a ra cters b y tw o or three, th en let th e cu ltists m ak e
If the ch a ra cters learn o f th e ca m p loca tion and p rob a a stand.
b le site o f th e re a rg u a r d fro m th e stra g g le rs, th e y c a n
u s e that in fo rm a tion to b y p a ss th is e n co u n te r entirely. If ch a ra cters w a lk into the trap, th e cu ltists tum ble
In fact, that w o u ld b e the sm art th in g to d o, b oth bou ld ers onto them . E ach character m ust su cceed on
b e c a u s e it n e g a te s a d a m a g in g fig h t a n d b e c a u s e i f th e
rea rg u a rd is w ip e d out, lea d ers in th e cu lt w ill w o n d e r a D C 11 D ex te rity sa v in g th r o w o r ta k e 2 d 12 b lu d
w h y it n e v e r re p o r te d b a ck . T h e b e s t re s u lt fo r th e ch a r g eon in g d am a ge from fallin g rock s (h a lf as
acters is if the ou tp ost ch eck s in at th e co rre ct tim e w ith m u ch d a m a g e o n a s u cce s s fu l save). T h e b o u l
a n “all clea r.” der attack con stitu tes th e cu ltists’ su rp rise
rou n d . A fter that, they u se ra n ged a ttacks
T h e r e a r g u a r d c o n s is t s o f o n e guard, s ix cultists, a n d until they a re out o f a m m u n ition o r the
t w o acolytes. T h e g u a r d a n d c u ltis ts h a v e s p e a r s fo r h eroes force th em into m elee. B eca u se they
a re p ositio n e d in th e ro c k s a b ov e the
b o th ra n ge d a n d m e le e co m ba t. T h e y a re p o sitio n e d in ch ara cters, the cu ltists have th ree-qu a r
an a rea w h ere the trail w in d s th rou gh a gap b etw ee n ters cov er again st attack s from b e lo w
tw o ou tcrop s. T h e a m b u sh ers are h id den in the rock s, (+5 b o n u s to A C ). T o re a ch the fo es,
12 to 15 feet a b ov e g rou n d level. C h aracters m igh t ch a ra cters m u st scra m b le up
d etect the am bu sh , w ith the od d s d ep en d in g on w hat th e rock s. T h e d ista n ce is
they k n ow and h ow they approach the area. on ly 10 to 15 feet and n o
ability c h e c k is re q u ired , but
• If stra g g lers d e scrib e d the likely a m bu sh the r o c k s a re difficu lt terrain.
s p o t to c h a r a c te r s , it c a n b e r e c o g n iz e d fr o m
2 0 0 y a rd s a w ay w ith a s u cce s s fu l D C 10 D ev el o pm en t s
W isd om (P ercep tion ) ch eck . T h e s e ra id ers a re d istin ctly d iffer
• If stragglers m en tion ed the reargu ard ent fro m th e earlier stragglers.
b u t d id n ’t d e s c r ib e th e s p o t, it is A ll are d ressed in sim ila r (but
re cog n ize d as a g o od sp ot for an n ot iden tical) b la ck leather
am bu sh from 100 yard s aw ay w ith tu n ics w ith fla red , b la ck
a su ccessfu l D C 15 W isd om m a n tles. T h ese are
(P ercep tion ) ch eck . d edica ted cu ltists. If
captu red, n oth in g less
• I f c h a r a c te r s h a v e n ’t b e e n than a su ccessfu l D C
w arn ed about the 20 C h arism a (In tim
rearguard, som e idation) ch e ck can
on e spots a face pry any in form ation
p eerin g dow n fro m them . E ven w ith
from above w ith that, all th ey rev ea l is
a su ccessfu l that th ey a re initiates in
D C 20 W isd om th e C ult o f th e D ra g on ,
(P ercep tion ) the n a m es o f their leaders
(R ezm ir, F ru lam M on dath,
a nd L a n g d e d ro sa C yanw rath),
and that the raid o n G reen est
w a s to collect treasu re for
d ra gon s. R ezm ir ou tran k s the
oth er leaders.
Rewards. A w a r d s t a n d a r d X P f o r d e f e a t e d f o e s . T h e a nd o n e a top th e plateau. T h e s e to w e rs a re 2 0 feet h igh
an d m ade fro m rou g h tim bers lash ed togeth er w ith
cu ltists have n o tre asu re, but th eir C ult o f th e D ra g o n ou t rop e. T h ey are large en ou gh for a few look ou ts. T h e
fits a n d w e a p o n s c o u ld b e in valuable w h e n ch a ra cte rs try tow er at th e m ou th o f the h ollow is m a n n ed by k ob old s,
to get into the ra iders’ cam p. w h ile w a rrio rs m a n the on e above. T h e gu a rds have
h o rn s to b lo w w h e n th ey m u st s o u n d a n a la rm .
Th e Camp
Prisoners. T h e c u l t i s t s ’ p r i s o n e r s a r e k e p t at a r e a
T h e cu ltists h av e set u p th eir ca m p in th e h o llo w o f a
r o c k y p la tea u th a t’s s h a p e d ro u g h ly lik e a h o r s e s h o e . 1. C u rren tly, o n ly e ig h t p r is o n e r s a re in th e c a m p , n o t
T h e lo w e r p or tion o f th e p la teau ris e s gen tly fro m th e cou n tin g L eosin . D u rin g the day, they are put to w ork
s u r r o u n d in g la n d , b u t it q u ic k ly s te e p e n s a n d a s c e n d s
to a h eigh t o f 150 feet above the la n d scap e. B ou ld ers u n d e r g u a r d b y fo u r dragonclaws (s e e a p p e n d i x B ). A t
fo rm ju m b le d h ea p s at th e b a se s o f th e cliffs. T h e level
sh elv e s a nd top o f th e plateau a re co v e re d in lo n g g ra ss, night, th ey a re sh a ck led to a p o st in their hut to p reven t
a n d b ru sh a n d s cru b b y tree s g r o w in p a tch es. esca p e. T h e sh ack les are secu red by a sin gle ch ain and
lo ck that ca n b e op e n e d w ith a k ey ca rried b y on e o f
G e n e r a l Fe a t u r e s the gu ards or w ith th ieves’ tools and a su ccessfu l D C
10 D exterity ch eck . T h e ch a in ca n b e b rok en w ith a
Boulders. T h e b o u l d e r s a r e d i ffi c u l t t e r r a in a n d p r o su ccessfu l D C 20 S tren gth ch eck . Five o f the p rison ers
are fro m G reen est, a nd the oth e r th ree a re from ea rlier
vide three-quarters cover. raids against h am lets an d sm all farm in g villages to the
sou th and east. T h ere w ere m ore p rison ers at on e tim e,
Brush. T h e b r u s h a r o u n d t h e s it e g r o w s t o a h e ig h t but m an y have died from ov erw ork and m istreatm en t. If
a situ a tion d e v e lo p s w h e r e r e le a se d p riso n e r s m u st fight,
o f 4 to 6 fe e t. It is to u g h a n d d e n s e , m a k in g it d ifficu lt
terrain and providin g th ree-q u arters cov er to targets u se commoner stats for th em .
s h e lt e r in g a m o n g it.
Slopes. T h e s i d e s o f t h e p l a t e a u r i s e s h a r p l y , w h i l e
Caves. T h e s t e e p s i d e s o f t h e p l a t e a u a r e d o t t e d w i t h
the floor o f the h ollow slo p es up gradu ally tow ard the
sh a llo w ca ves. B ou ld ers or b ru sh con ven ien tly con cea ls east. A lon g ladder is lash ed to the cliff s o gu a rds ca n
m a ny o f the cave m ouths. C haracters w h o n eed to take a rea ch the u pper guard tow er.
lo n g rest ca n ea sily fin d a s e c u r e ca v e in w h ich to h id e.
T h e cliffs h ave h an dh old s and footh old s for clim bin g,
Guard Towers. T h e c u l t i s t s h a v e b u i lt t w o g u a r d so n o die roll is n eed ed u n der n orm a l circu m sta n ces. If
ch a ra cters are in a hurry, a su cce ssfu l D C 10 S tren gth
tow ers at the ca m p , o n e at th e en tra n ce to th e h ollow
(A th letics) ch e c k is n e e d e d to m a k e the clim b w ith ou t the h alf-dragon , re cog n ition is autom atic.
fallin g. If ch a ra cte rs a re c o n c e r n e d a bo u t k e e p in g A s the day w ea rs on and the com m o tio n w in d s d ow n ,
quiet, then a su cce ssfu l D C 10 D exterity (Stealth) ch eck
e n su re s that n o ro c k s b re a k lo o s e a n d rattle d o w n . the ca m p b e co m e s ca lm er and better org an ized . G u a rds
r e s u m e th e ir n o r m a l r o u tin e s . I f c h a r a c te r s h a v e n ’t
Tents. T h e r a i d e r s l iv e i n c i r c u l a r h u t s m a d e f r o m en tered th e ca m p b e fo re su n d o w n o f th e first day, th ey
fin d it m o r e d ifficu lt, s i n c e t h e r e ’s v e r y little t r a ffic in a n d
clo s e ly s p a ce d w o o d e n o r b o n e p o le s co v e re d in h ide, o u t o f th e ca m p o n a n o r m a l day. T h e y ’ll n e e d a g o o d
m ud, and sod . H uts vary in dia m eter fro m 10 feet to 25 sto ry and a su cce ssfu l D C 10 C h arism a (D ece p tion )
feet, a n d in h eigh t fro m 5 feet to 10 feet. (S y m b o ls on
th e m a p re p res e n t clu ste rs o f tents.) T h o s e in th e m ou th c h e c k to w a lk p a s t a g u a r d s ta tion o f fiv e guards. T h is
o f th e h o llo w (level 1 on th e m ap) a re cr u d e ly b uilt a n d
d e co ra te d w ith a n im a l sku lls. T h e s e a re o c c u p ie d b y c h e c k c a n b e m a d e o n ly o n c e fo r th e g rou p ; th e y c a n ’t
k o b o ld s . C u ltists o c c u p y th e huts on level 2, w h ich a re ta lk th eir w a y ou t o f a failu re. A fter th e initial o p p o rtu
stu rdier, clea n er, a n d d e co ra te d w ith p a in ted d esig n s nity to enter th e ca m p h a s p a ssed , ch a ra cte rs n e e d to
rep resen tin g dra gon s. A few tents on level 2 are set resort to stealth o r su bterfu ge to get in. F or exam ple,
aside for prison ers. ch a ra cters sca lin g the plateau fro m the east cou ld u se
b ru sh fo r co v e r righ t u p to w h e re th e cliff o v e rlo o k s the
T h e large ten at area 2 is set apart from the oth ers by ca m p . F rom th ere, th ey cou ld ob serv e o r clim b d ow n
a n o p e n s p a c e . It is r e s e r v e d fo r R e z m ir, F ru la m M o n the rock s u n der cov er o f darkn ess.
dath, and L a n g d ed rosa C yanw rath . A n h on or guard o f
T h e w h o le ca m p g o e s o n a lert if th e b o d ie s o f m u r
fo u r guards a n d fo u r guard drakes (a p p e n d ix B ) k e e p s d ered h u m an sen tries or cu ltists are d iscov ered . O n e
d e a d k o b o ld w o n ’t c a u s e m u ch a la rm , bu t m a n y d e ad
w a t c h a r o u n d t h is te n t d a y a n d n ig h t. T h e y d o n ’t s le e p at k o b o ld s w ill. If th e ca m p g o e s o n a lert, ev ery ch a ra cter
th e ir p o sts , th e y d o n ’t fall fo r trick s, a n d th e y d o n ’t listen m u st m a k e a D C 15 C h a rism a ch e ck . A failu re m ea n s
to s to rie s o r p lea s. T h e ir jo b is to k ee p ev e ry on e aw ay the ch a ra cter h as b een sp otted as a stran ger an d an
fr o m t h e ir l e a d e r s ’ te n t, a n d t h e y a r e fa n a t ic a l a b o u t it. infiltrator. S o m e o n e ra ise s th e h u e a n d cry, w h ich
O n ly a co ly te s a n d a d ep ts th e g u a rd s k n o w b y sig h t a nd qu ick ly dra w s a crow d . A roll o f 10 or low er m ea n s
by v o ice are a llow ed to app roach .
Ca m p A l er t n ess
F o r th e first d a y fo llo w in g th e raid, th e cu ltists a re b o th
ela ted w ith th e o u tc o m e a n d e x h a u sted . R e z m ir d o e s n ’t
ex p ect a seriou s ch a llen ge from the tow n , and slow er
m em b ers o f the raidin g party and w alk in g w ou n d ed
stra g g le in to ca m p all th rou g h th e d ay after th e raid.
T h e situ ation at the ca m p is c o n fu se d a n d secu rity is
lax. M ost o f th e se raiders are m erce n a rie s an d bandits,
a nd n ot even the d ed ica ted cu ltists w ea r rec og n iz a b le
u n iform s on raids. N o on e ch a llen ges la tecom ers for
p a s s w o rd s o r s ecu rity sig n a ls. P u t sim ply, th e raiders
a re con fid e n t that n o e n e m ie s fo llo w e d th e m th is far.
C h ara cters ca n w a lk straigh t into th e ca m p w ith ou t
h av in g th eir iden tities se rio u sly ch a lle n g e d . In fact, the
b o ld e r th ey a re, th e m o r e lik ely th e y a re to b le n d righ t in.
P layers m a y b e tem pted to have ch a ra cters s e e k cov er
and ob serv e du rin g the day and n ot attem pt to enter the
ca m p until nig htfall. T h is ca n w o rk , too, but sn e a k in g
a ro u n d in th e d ark is m o re lik ely to attract su sp i
cion than sim ply w a lk in g in as if they b elon g
in the cam p.
T h e ch ie f risk is that s o m e o n e m ight r e c
o g n iz e th e ch a ra cter s fro m th e fig h tin g
at G reen est. H ave ea ch ch a ra c
ter m ak e a D C 5 C h arism a
check. S u ccess m eans no one
re m e m b e r s th e ch a ra cte r ’s fa ce ,
but failure m ea n s that at s o m e tim e (not n e ce ssa rily
im m ediately, but w h en re cog n ition w ou ld b e th e m ost
d ra m atic), s o m e o n e in th e ca m p r e c o g n iz e s the ch a ra c
ter. I f ch a ra cte rs a re w e a r in g C ult o f th e D r a g o n re g a lia
tak en from th e reargu ard, th e ch a ra cters have disadvan
tage on this roll b e ca u se n o on e retu rn in g to ca m p at
th is tim e sh o u ld b e in u n iform . T h e ch a ra cte r w h o fa ce d
C ya nw rath o n e -o n -o n e , h ow ever, h a s a -4 p en a lty to
the roll. If that ch a ra cte r ev er c o m e s fa ce-to-fa ce w ith
s o m e o n e h a s r e c o g n iz e d th e ch a ra cte r fr o m th e fight • T h is is a ca m p o f th e C ult o f th e D ra g on — p ra ise
in G ree n e st. T h e ch a ra cte rs h ave a ch a n ce to get a w ay T ia m a t ’s g lo r y ! ( S o m e c u lt is t s e x t e n d t h e ir r ig h t h a n d
if th ey im m edia tely g o o n the attack and b eg in cuttin g w ith fin g ers ou tstretch ed to re p rese n t th e five h e a d s o f
th eir w a y ou t o f ca m p , but if th ey d elay o r sp in tales, a T iam at w h en they pra ise h er glory. O th ers cu rl b ack
tw o fin ge rs, to s h o w that T ia m a t’s stre n g th is h id d en .
c r o w d o f cultists th a t o u tn u m b e r s th e m fiv e to o n e s u r T h is is n ot m a nda tory, but a dep ts a nd h a rd -co re cu lt
ists lo o k fa v ora b ly o n th o s e w h o d o it sin ce re ly.)
rounds them .
If ch a ra cters try to estim ate n u m bers in the cam p, • N ot ev ery on e h ere is a fu ll-fled g ed m e m b e r o f th e cult.
M a ny a re n e w initiates w o rk in g tow a rd fu ll a c c e p
they cou n t rou g h ly on e h u n dred k ob old s and a m ix o f tan ce, and m an y oth ers are sim p le m erce n a rie s, h ired
b an d its, g u a rd s, a n d cu ltists tota lin g a bou t eigh ty— e ffe c t o fle s h o u t t h e c a m p ’s s t r e n g t h d u r in g r a id s o r i f it
tively an u n lim ited su pply if ch a ra cters get the idea o f sh ou ld co m e u n der attack.
figh tin g th e m all.
• T h e k o b o ld s a re h ere b e c a u s e th eir w or sh ip fu l atti
C a pt u r ed ! tu de tow ard dra gon s m a k es th em ea sy for R ezm ir and
If cau gh t, ch a ra cte rs a re d is a rm ed , th eir h a n d s a re tied, oth e r h ig h -ra n k in g cu ltists to m a n ipu la te, but th ey a re
and they are brou gh t b efo re F ru lam M on d ath fo r ju d g n ot w ell lik ed or trusted by th e oth er races.
m ent. O ne by one, sh e asks them w h o they are, w h ere
th e y c a m e fr o m , a n d w h a t th e y ’r e d o in g in h e r c a m p . • H un ters w h o b rin g in an telop e and oth er large gam e
fro m the grassla n ds feed the ca m p . T h e cu ltists and
• If a n y on e w a s re c o g n iz e d fro m th e fig h ting in th e ir a llie s ea t m o s t o f it, b u t s o m e is s t o r e d in th e
G r e e n e s t, it d o e s n ’t m a tte r w h a t th e c h a r a c te r s say. cave to feed the h atch lin gs.
M on d ath se n te n ce s all o f th em to b e e x e cu te d on th e
m orro w , a fter sp e n d in g th e n igh t tied to p o sts a lo n g • T h e cu lt h a s b e e n ra n gin g fa r a n d w id e on sm a ll raids
sid e th e m o n k L e o sin . C h a ra cters h av e o n e n ight to collect treasure. G reen est w a s the closest target to
to e s c a p e th is fate. T h e y m igh t w rig g le ou t o f th eir th e c a m p , th e b ig g e s t o f a ll th e to w n s th e y ’v e a tta c k e d ,
b o n d s, b rib e o r ch a rm a cultist to set th em free, or a n d t h e m o s t p r o fit a b le — p r a is e T ia m a t ’s g lo r y !
c o m e up w ith a clev er u s e fo r a ca n trip . If all e lse fails,
L e o sin reveals that h e h as a h id d en k n ife w ith w h ich • P rison ers are u sed for m an u al labor. In the past, a few
they ca n cu t th em selv es free. have “con v erte d ” and b e co m e loyal m em b ers o f the
cult, but m o st d ie eventua lly o f o v e rw o rk a n d u n d er
• If ch a ra cters adm it th ey ca m e fro m G reen est and are n ou rish m en t. T h en they are fed to the d ra k es or taken
e n e m i e s o f t h e cu lt, th e e f fe c t is th e s a m e a s if t h e y ’d into the ca ve to fe ed the h atchlin gs.
b een recogn ized .
• T h e ca ve at th e b a ck o f the ca m p (area 4) is off-lim
• If ch a ra cters lie to M on dath — cla im in g they are n ew its t o a ll b u t t h o s e w h o ’v e b e e n c l e a r e d b y M o n d a t h
recru its a n d th is is all a m ista k e, fo r ex a m p le, or that and R ezm ir, w h ich in clu d es a h an dfu l o f gu ards and
th ey are stu dyin g th e cult b efore d ecid in g w h eth er k o b o l d s . It’s k n o w n a r o u n d c a m p a s “ th e n u r s e r y ,”
to jo in — th en com p a re th eir C h arism a (D ecep tion ) a n d it’s a n o p e n s e c r e t th a t R e z m i r p la n s t o h a t c h a
c h e c k s t o M o n d a t h ’s W i s d o m c h e c k to d e t e r m in e clu tch o f d rag on eg g s there.
w h eth er sh e b eliev es th em . Y ou ca n allow advantage
o r d isa d v a n ta g e o n th e ro ll w h e n s o m e o n e ’s lie s are • T h e h alf-black d ra gon R ezm ir ca m e to the area a few
e s p e cia lly p la u sib le o r im plau sib le. M a tch d ie rolls m on ths ago, and she set up the cam p. M ondath han
in d ividu ally fo r ev ery ch a ra cter. T h o s e w h o M on d ath dles everyday opera tion s.
b eliev es are set free, but w a tch ed and stop p ed if they
try to leave the cam p. T h o se w h o M on dath d o e s n ot • T h e h a lf-b lu e d r a g o n C y a n w ra th is M o n d a th ’s righ t
believe are sen te n ce d to die as above. h an d and is seld om far from h er side. H e h as a rigid
s e n s e o f h o n o r , b u t y o u d o n ’t w a n t t o m a k e h im a n g r y .
Ex p l o r in g t h e C a m p
• T h e m o t h e r o f d r a g o n s — p r a is e T ia m a t ’s g lo r y — s h a ll
C h aracters ca n learn m u ch fro m p ok in g a rou n d in the retu rn , a n d w h e n that d ay c o m e s , all th e n a tio n s o f th e
ca m p . If th e ch a ra cte rs p o s e as cu lt m e m b ers, th ey ca n w o rld sh a ll trem b le b e fo r e h er m a jesty!
sp e a k to oth er cu ltists a n d q u estion th em (carefu lly)
a b o u t th e cu lt’s p la n s a n d lo n g -te rm g o a ls. M o s t cu ltists • T h e m o n k is o f s p e cia l in terest to R ezm ir. W h y else
sh o u ld b e trea ted a s in d ifferen t w h en d ete rm in in g re a c w o u ld sh e k eep th e crea tu re alive that w a y ? W h a t
tion s or tryin g to gain a favor. K ob old s are less h elpful R e z m ir h o p e s t o le a r n f r o m h im is a n y o n e ’s g u e s s ,
and sh ou ld b e con sid ered h ostile w h en ch a ra cters m a k e but y o u w o u ld n ’t w a n t to b e in th at h a lf-e lf’s s k in — o r
C h arism a ch eck s to gau ge th eir reaction . w h a t ’s le ft o f it— w h e n th e q u e s t i o n in g g e t s s e r io u s .
C h aracters ca n learn the follow in g in form ation • T h e p lu n der fro m n earby settlem en ts is stored in the
th rou gh ob serva tion and qu estion ing. T h ey n eed to be cave. N o on e but R ezm ir k n ow s h ow m u ch is there
ca refu l, h ow ever, n ot to attract a ttention for a sk in g to o a lto g e th e r, b u t it m u s t b e a b ig p ile b y n o w .
m a n y q u estion s or p o k in g th eir n o s e s into th in gs that
are n on e o f their bu sin ess. A n y tim e they co m e off as A sid e from b ein g recog n ized , the ch ief risk o f spen d in g
“to o n osy,” feel fre e to ca ll for a n oth er C h a rism a ch e ck to tim e in the cultist ca m p is gettin g rop ed into a w ork
see w h eth er som eon e recog n ize s th em from G reenest. detail. C h a ra cters m igh t b e se le cte d b y a n o fficer to
sp en d a few h ou rs h elp in g w ith fo o d preparation , stan d
in g g u a rd in a tow er, p ra cticin g w e a p o n d rill, o r e ven
c le a n in g u p a fter a n im a ls (a jo b u su a lly re s e r v e d fo r
prison ers, but cu rren tly the n u m ber o f p rison ers in the
ca m p is low ).
L eo sin rev e a ls that h e h a s a sm a ll k n ife h id d e n in
Er l a n t h a r h is b o o t. T h e y c a n u s e it to c u t th e ir b o n d s .
L e o s i n ’s a b s e n c e is n o t i c e d w it h in fiv e m i n
T h e m on k is tied to a stake at the u tes if h e is taken away, and an ala rm g o e s up
b a c k o f th e ca m p (area 3). H e h as th rou gh ou t the ca m p . R ig g in g up a du m m y
b een severely beaten , and h e h as in h is p la ce d ela y s th e d is co v e ry b y tw en ty
b een d en ied fo o d and w ater in an m in u tes. T yin g up a d ead or u n con sciou s cult
effort to b re a k his spirit. R ezm ir ist (p re fera b ly a h a lf-elf) in h is p la ce a ss u re s
k n ow s from in form an ts a cross the intru ders a tw o-h ou r h ead start b e fo re the
the S w o rd C oast that L eosin e s c a p e is n oticed .
h as b e e n resea rch in g the
cu lt’s h isto ry a n d re ce n t Rew a r d s
activity. T h e w y rm s p e a k e r
w ants to k n ow h ow m uch A w ard standard X P for defeated foes. T h is e p isod e
L eosin h as learn ed and d o e s n o t in v o lv e m a n y fig h ts, b u t it d o e s p r e s e n t
w ith w h om h e sh ared m any ch allen ges, and ch a racters sh ou ld b e
h is in form ation . R ezm ir rew arded for overcom in g them . T h e aw ards
c o n s id e r e d it a n a m a z in g listed b e lo w are ju st reco m m en d atio n s;
strok e o f lu ck that L e o sin adjust th e m a n d a d d to th e m a s y o u s e e
w a s ca p tu re d d u rin g th e raid. fit. C h a r a c t e r s c a n r e a c h 3 rd le v e l if th e y
a ct p ru dently a nd cap ita lize on all th e
In fact, it w a sn ’t lu ck at all, at le ast o p p o r t u n it i e s th e c a m p o ffe r s , b u t it’s n o t
not for R ezm ir. L eosin h ad stu died essen tial that they do.
th eir prev iou s attacks and con clu d ed • If y ou are u sin g the m ileston e e x p e
that the tim e w a s right for the cult rien ce rule, the ch a ra cters rea ch 3rd
to strik e a b igg er target, and level w h en th ey com p lete this ep isod e.
he k n ew that G reen est w a s •F o r g e ttin g in to a n d o u t o f th e c u ltis ts ’
prosperou s yet poorly ca m p w ith ou t ca u sin g an alarm or
d e fe n d e d , m a k in g it th e b ein g cau gh t: 100 X P p er character.
m os t likely n ex t target. S o , • F o r gettin g into a n d ou t o f th e cu ltists’
w h en he d ee m e d the tim e ca m p w ith ou t stirrin g any su sp icion : an
w a s ju st a b ou t right, h e visited
th e tow n w ith the intent o f stay in g addition al 100 X P p er ch aracter.
until so m eth in g h a p p en ed . H is ob se rv a • F or rescu in g L eosin : 2 5 0 X P p er character.
tion s p aid off, a n d L e o s in se p a ra ted fro m h is • F o r le a v in g a d u m m y o r d e c o y in L e o s in ’s p la ce : an
p e op le d u rin g th e n igh t a n d fell in w ith th e raiders
w h en they retrea ted, h op in g to lea rn m ore a bou t the addition al 50 X P p er ch aracter.
cu lt's p la n s a n d th e lo c a tio n o f th eir ca m p . R e z m ir s p o t • F or rescu in g oth er p rison ers: 25 X P for each p rison er
ted h im a fter th e su n ca m e up, a nd th e m on k w a s q uick ly
overpow ered and captured. b rou g h t ou t o f th e c a m p alive.
• F or ea ch p ie ce o f in form ation listed u n der “E xp lorin g
T h at p o r tio n o f L e o s in ’s s c h e m e h a s w o r k e d r e a s o n
ably w ell. H e n ow k n ow s m ost o f th e in form ation listed th e C a m p ” that ch a ra cters learn o n th eir o w n (not
a b ove u n d er “E x p lorin g the C am p .” U nfortun ately for from L eosin ): 25 X P p er character.
h im , ca ptivity h a s b e e n m o re b ru tal tha n h e exp ected ,
a n d a lt h o u g h h is m in d a n d w ill a r e s till s t r o n g , h e ’s in a W h en th e ch a ra cters arrive sa fely b ack at G reen est—
very p o o r p h ysica l state. p re su m a b ly w ith L e o s in in to w — h e c a n fill th e m in o n
a ny d eta ils they m iss e d d u rin g th eir in vestiga tion o f
D e s p ite th e d an ger, L e o s in isn ’t e n tirely h ap p y a bo u t th e cu lt’s ca m p . T h e m o n k s w h o a c c o m p a n ie d h im a re
b ein g rescu ed if ch ara cters com e to set h im free. H e d elig h ted to s e e h im alive, a n d the fa m ilies o f a ny oth er
b e lie v e s h e c a n le a r n m o r e , a n d h e ’s w illin g to ta k e th e re lea sed p rison ers a re eq u ally gratefu l for the return o f
ris k . H e ’s t o o w e a k t o r e s is t , h o w e v e r, s o c h a r a c t e r s c a n th eir lo v e d o n e s. G ov e rn o r N igh th ill p a y s th e ch a ra cte rs
e a s ily t a k e h i m a w a y a g a in s t h is w i ll i f t h a t ’s w h a t th e y th eir p ro m ise d 2 5 0 gp e a ch a n d p u b licly p ra is e s th eir
w a n t to d o. H e ca n m ov e w ith ou t a id at a s p e e d o f 2 0 feet co u ra g e a nd d arin g.
and figh ts a s a c o m m o n e r w ith d isa dva n tage on attack
rolls. If ch a ra cte rs d o n ’t b rin g h im o u t o f th e ca m p ,
L e o s in b rea k s a w ay on h is ow n . H e re fu se s to talk a bou t
it later.
If ch a ra cters are ca p tu red an d im p rison ed alon gside
L e o s in a n d th eir a ttem pts to e s c a p e fall th rou g h , he
E piso d e 3: D r a g o n H a t c h e r y
A fter h is e x p e rie n ce in captivity, L e o s in n e e d s sev If the ch aracters w ere w orkin g as caravan guards,
era l d a y s to re co v e r. W h e n h e ’s h e a lth y a gain , h e L eosin offers to m atch w hatever their p reviou s em p loyer
intends to travel n orth to E lturel to con v ey w h at w a s p a yin g th em p lu s 2 0 p e rcen t. If th ey a re cu rren tly
u n e m p lo y e d , h e o ffe rs th e m 1 5 0 g p a p ie ce . H e ’s w illin g
h e ’s le a r n e d to O n th a rr F ru m e , a p a la d in o f T o r m w h o to h aggle; th is m ission is im portan t, and n o on e else
is a v a ila b le w h o L e o s in b e lie v e s c a n h a n d le it. If th e
s h a r e s h is c o n c e r n o v e r th e C u lt o f th e D r a g o n ’s re ce n t ch a ra cte rs a cce p t, h e tells th em to fin d h im at th e city o f
E lturel afterw ard, b oth to rep ort and to co lle ct th eir pay.
su rg e in activity. H e h a s a favor to a sk o f th e ch a ra cters. If h e h a s m ov ed on b e fo re th ey re a ch the city, th ey ca n
sp e a k to th e paladin O n th arr F ru m e instead.
“ A f t e r all y o u ’ve d o n e alr ead y f o r m e p er s o n ally an d f o r
the p eo p le o f Green est, I hate to ask an yth in g m o re from T h e m o n k d o e s n ’t b e lie v e it’s e s se n tia l th at th e c h a r
you . Bu t th e n eed is g reat, an d I d are to h o p e th at yo u can a c t e r s h e a d b a c k t o t h e c a m p im m e d ia t e ly . H e d o e s n ’t
aid m e o n e tim e m o re. I n eed you to retu rn to th e cu lt ist s’ e x p e ct th e cu ltists to m a k e a n y su d d en ch a n g e s in their
cam p . Yo u k n o w yo u r w ay aro u n d it n o w . If th e cu lt ist s are plan s o r m o d e o f op eration . L e o sin is w ro n g abou t this,
p rep arin g to co n d u ct an o t h er raid, o r a larg e b o d y o f th em b e c a u s e h e d o e s n ’t r e a liz e h o w m u ch h is p r e s e n c e in
m arch es aw ay, o r if an yt h in g su b stan t ial is car r ied in to o r G reen est a larm ed the w y rm sp ea k er. R ezm ir k n ow s
ou t o f th at cave, I need to know . If you h ave a ch an ce to that L e o s in is in v estig a tin g th e C ult o f th e D ra g on , but
get into th e cam p and look arou n d again, th at w o u ld be sh e d o e s n ’t k n o w w h e th e r th e m o n k ’s a p p e a r a n c e in
th e id eal w ay to sp o t an yth in g th at's ch an g ed . G ree n est w a s a co in cid e n ce , a g o o d g u ess, o r a sig n that
th e c u l t ’s w h o l e p la n h a s b e e n c o m p r o m is e d . S h e is n ’t
“ I d o n ’t reco m m en d let tin g yo u rselves g et cap t u red ,” he w illin g to ta k e c h a n ce s : s h e ’s h e a d in g n o rth w ith th e
ad d s w it h a w ry sm ile. accu m u la ted treasu re im m ediately.
A ba n d o n e d Camp egg s are im p ortan t to the cult, but they w e re d e em ed too
n e a r to h a tch in g to b e m ov e d safely. R e z m ir left th em
W h e n c h a r a c t e r s r e t u r n to t h e c a m p a r e a , t h e y fin d it w ith w hat h e believed w a s an adequate guard force
m ostly ab an d on ed . (If they stayed, they w itn essed the u n der F ru lam M on dath and L a n g d ed rosa C yanw rath.
rapid p a ck in g up a nd a b a n d o n m en t o f th e ca m p .) T h e
stin k in g h u ts o f th e k o b o ld s (th o se o n lev el 1) h ave b e e n Ceilings. C a v e r n c e i l i n g s a r e 1 5 f e e t h i g h . C e i l i n g s
b u rn ed , but th e level 2 huts a n d b oth g u a rd tow ers
rem ain . A n yon e ca n determ in e from track s that the in th e h u m a n s’ ch a m b e rs (areas 11, 12, an d 13) a re 10
cu ltists trek k ed a w ay in sm a ll g r ou p s in all d irectio n s. fe et h igh .
A su cce ssfu l D C 10 W isd o m (P ercep tion ) ch e ck reveals
that m o s t o f th e c a m p ’s w a g o n s a n d p a c k a n im a ls Light. D u r i n g d a y t im e , a r e a s 1 a n d 2 a r e b r i g h t l y lit,
m ov ed in a train tow a rd the w est.
a n d a r e a s 3 a n d 4 a re d im ly lit b y o u t s id e ligh t. A ll o th e r
S till left in the ca m p a re s o m e h un ters, th e k o b o ld s a rea s a re in d a rk n e ss u n le ss th e a rea n o te s o th erw ise .
w h o ten d th e d ra gon n u rsery in the cav es, F ru lam M on
dath, h er gu ards, an d L a n g d ed rosa C yanw rath . O nly the Sound. T h e c a v e r n s a r e f il le d w i t h f a i n t s o u n d s :
h un ters still u se th e huts. A ll oth e rs live in th e h a tch ery
cave. T h e activity and gu a rds arou n d the ca ve m ou th dripp in g w ater, scra tch in g roden ts, scra b b lin g lizards,
sh o u ld b e th e top d ra w o n th e ch a ra cte rs’ attention. w in d m oa n in g a cro ss the en tran ce. T h e se n orm al
u n derg rou n d sou n d s ca m ou fla g e the clan k s, thuds,
O n m ost m orn in gs, h un ters fan out on to th e grassla n d cou g h s, and sp e e ch o f the k ob old s and cu ltists. S ou n d
to hunt for a n telope and oth er large gam e. T h ey travel ech o e s w ell alon g th e m ain ch a m b er (areas 1 -5 ), s o a
on h o rse b a ck and b rin g alon g an extra h o rse to pa ck the fight in a n y o f th e se c a n b e h e a r d in th e o th e rs. E ls e
fie ld -d re s se d g a m e b a c k to th e ca m p . H u n ters d o n ’t n e c w h ere, n o rm a l s o u n d s e ch o co n fu sin g ly a n d a re lo st in
e ssa rily retu rn to th e ca m p every even in g. T h ey stay out the b a ck g rou n d n oise. T h e sou n d o f a scre a m ca rrie s a
until they h av e a lo a d o f m ea t to b rin g b a ck . H un tin g on lo n g d ista n ce , h o w e v e r, a nd th e s o u n d o f a figh t travels
th e G reen fields is g ood , so they seld om n eed to sp en d th rou g h 30 feet o f tu nn el and attracts attention if the
fight la sts m o r e th a n 3 ro u n d s.
m o r e th a n a n ig h t o r tw o aw ay. F o u r scouts a ct a s h u n t
W a n d e r in g M o n st e r s
ers; roll a d4 to determ in e h o w m any are in the ca m p
w h en ch a ra cte rs arrive. T h ey a re n ot d e d ica te d cu ltists, K ob old s m ove freely th rou gh the cavern s, goin g about
s o th e y w o n ’t ch a lle n g e ch a r a cte r s w h o e n te r th e ca m p , th eir b u sin ess. C h aracters have a ch a n ce to ran dom ly
a ttack them , o r even alert th e cu ltists. T h ey co n sid e r en cou n ter th ese w a n d erin g k ob old s. R oll a d6 every
stan din g gu ard to be ben eath them . tim e ch a ra cters en ter or re-en ter a rea s 3 to 10. O n
a r o ll o f 1, m o n s te r s a r e p r e s en t. R o ll o n th e ta b le to
T h e y a re a ta citu rn b u n ch , s o th e y w o n ’t b e m u ch d eterm in e w hat they m eet. T h e se ran dom ly e n cou n
h elp to inq uisitive ch a ra cte rs. T h e y co n v e rse m or e tered m on sters are add ed to any crea tu res m en tion ed
freely w ith ran gers, but to m ost stran gers they m erely in th e a rea d e scrip tion . B e su re to m a k e th is roll b e fo re
n od , p oin t, sh a k e th eir h ea d s, sco w l, a n d utter on e- or ch a ra cters en ter the area, b e ca u se b oth grou p s have a
tw o -w o rd a n sw ers. If ch a ra cte rs co n v e rse w ith them , ch a n ce to ga in su rp rise .
th ese h un ters ca n relate h ow the ca m p d issolv ed w ith in
h o u r s a ft e r t h e d is c o v e r y o f t h e c a p t u r e d h a lf -e lf ’s Ep i s o d e 3 En c o u n t e r s
esca p e. C rates ca rrie d from the cave w ere loa d ed on to
w a g on s or an im a ls and h au led to the w est. A few raiders d 6 En c o u n t e r
rem ain in th e cave: th e W ea rer o f P u rp le (M ondath), the 1 4 k ob old s
“dra gon -m an ” (C yanw rath), the better w a rriors, and the 2 6 kob old s, 2 w in g ed kobolds
“d ra g on -d og s” (k obolds). A s lon g as the cu ltists pay w ell 3 3 w in g ed k ob old s
fo r fres h m eat, th e tra ck ers con tin u e h u n tin g for them . 4 5 w in g ed k ob old s
W h atev er else the ca ve h olds is n on e o f their con cern . 5 2 w i n g e d k o b o l d s , 1 g u a r d d r a k e (a p p e n d i x B)
6 2 a m b u s h d r a k e s (a p p e n d i x B)
A th orou gh sea rch o f the ca m p ta kes abou t ten m an-
h ou rs. A llo w ch a ra cters to m ak e a W isd o m (P ercep tion ) 1. C a v e E n t r a n c e
ch e c k a fter th e first hour. A s u c c e s s fu l roll m e a n s the
ch a ra cte r r e a liz e s that w h ile qu ite a bit o f m a terial h as T h e e n tra n ce to th e ca v e is b ro a d a n d tall, but th e c e il
b e e n le ft b e h in d , it’s a ll t r a s h : c r a c k e d p o tte r y , r u s t y in g qu ick ly low ers to a height o f 15 feet. S ta n d in g guard
k nives, soiled cloth in g and b ed d in g, ch ea p cook w a re,
a n d w in e th a t’s g o n e to v in e g a r. S o m e o f it m ig h t b e o f in s id e th e e n tr a n ce a re t w o dragonclaws (s e e a p p e n d ix
u se to th e p e o p le o f G ree n est w h o lost ev ery th in g in
fir e s , b u t it h a s n o v a lu e a s tr e a s u re . B). T h e y p o sitio n th e m se lv e s a bo u t 3 0 feet in sid e th e cave
a nd stay n ear th e w a lls and the colu m n , s o that w h ile
G e n e r a l Fe a t u r e s th ey a r e n ’t h id d e n , th e y a re n ’t c o n s p ic u o u s , eith er. C h a r
a cters w h o ob serve the cave from a d ista n ce—fro m the
T h e on ly th in g o f in terest re m a in in g in th e ca m p is the area o f th e plateau w h ere the step s a sc en d from level 1 to
ca ve itself (area 4 on the m ap o f th e cam p), w h ich ch a r level 2, for e x a m p le— s p o t o n e o f the d ra go n cla w s.
a cte r s c a n s e e fro m th e ca m p . T h e re , ch a ra cte rs fin d
the cu ltists w h o stayed beh in d , a clutch o f d ra gon egg s, If ch a ra cters a pp roa ch op en ly th rou gh the ca m p , the
the sp ecia l ca d re o f k ob old s w h o tend the eg g s— and the d ra go n cla w s sp ot th em a u tom a tically a nd retrea t tow a rd
m an y traps th e k ob old s set to defen d th eir h om e. T h ese area 2 in the cave, to set up an am bush . If ch ara cters
a p p ro a ch th e ca v e q u ietly fr o m th e sid e s , th e y w o n ’t b e
spotted. T h ey th en have a ch a n ce to su rp rise the d ra gon
claw s, w h o have n orm a l rea d in ess.
2. C o n c e a l e d Pa s s a g e b y th e n o ise , d ro p fro m th e ceilin g , a n d fly th rou g h th e
ca v ern in a b lin d in g clo u d o f fla p p in g a nd sq u e a k in g
If the guards at the entran ce spotted the ch a ra cters’ roden ts. T h e bats p resen t n o dan ger, but th eir racket
a p p ro a ch , th ey w a it h ere u n til the ch a ra cte rs c o m e into d r o w n s ou t o th e r n o is e a n d m a k e s it im p o s s ib le to
view , then try to sp rin g an am bu sh . D eterm in e su rp rise s e e m o r e th a n 5 feet. It a ls o a le rts th e s tirg e s , a n d th e
n orm a lly ; the d ra g o n cla w s’ re a d in e s s is high. op p ortu n istic b lood su ck ers attack in th e con fu sion . T h e
s tirg e s ga in a +2 b o n u s to A C in th e bat storm .
T h e p a ss a g e at th e en d o f th is a lco v e is d eep ly sh a d
o w e d a n d h id d e n b y a c le v e r ly c u t f o ld in t h e r o c k . It’s T h e bats ca lm d ow n and retu rn to th eir ro o sts on the
ob v io u s to an yon e w h o w a lk s to th e en d o f the alcove, ce ilin g a fter five m in u tes o f quiet in a rea 4.
b u t fr o m e ls e w h e r e in th e c a v e r n , it c a n b e s p o tt e d o n ly
w ith a su ccessfu l D C 20 W isd om (P ercep tion ) check . A s p e a r w ith a p itted b la d e lie s o n th e flo o r n e a r th e
top o f the step s lea d in g to a rea 6. K o b o ld s u se th is to
T h e sta irs d o w n to a re a 3 a re tr a p p ed . S e e that a re a ’s b y p a s s th e trap at th e b o tto m o f th e step s (s ee a rea 6).
d e scrip tio n fo r d etails.
5. T r o g l o d y t e I n c u r s i o n
3. Fu n g u s G a r d e n
T h e floor d rop s d ow n 10 feet at ea ch ledge.
T h e k ob old s cultivate fu n g u s in th is ca v ern to su pp lem en t K o b o ld s u se this p ortion o f th e ca ve as a trash dum p.
th e m ea t b ro u g h t in b y the h u n ters. M ix ed in a m o n g the
m u n d an e fu n gi are violet fun gi. T h e d ro p -o ff fro m a rea 2 A lon g w ith n orm a l s orts o f refu se, su ch as b ro k en p ot
is 10 feet h igh . T h e stairs are trapped; se e below . tery , r o tt e d b a s k e ts , a n d m o u s e -c h e w e d r o p e , th e y ’v e
a lso th row n ou t item s that a pp ea r u sefu l fro m a d is
T h e en tr an ce to th e cave en d s h ere at a 10- foot d r o p tan ce: d isca rd ed cloth es, w orn b o o ts, tattered b o o k s,
off. To yo u r right, broad steps are roug hly hew n into a cra ck ed la m p s, and s o forth . S o m e o f th ese item s ca m e
n at u ral st o n e ram p . T h e caver n b elo w is carp et ed w it h from p rison ers w h o died, and oth ers w ere tak en in trea
a p ro fu sio n o f fu n g i ran g in g fro m a few in ch es h igh to su re raids an d later d e e m e d to b e u n w orth y o f T iam at.
C h aracters v iew in g this area from th e ledg e se e tan
n early as tall as a h u m an ad u lt. Tw o p ath s lead th ro u g h ta lizin g glin ts o f m eta l (b elt b u ck le s w ith o u t b elts) a n d
th e fu n g i: o n e on th e rig h t and on e on th e left. pa rch m en t (b o o k s ren d ered illegible by w a ter dam age).
N oth in g d istin gu ish es the paths to ca su al in sp ection . A s tro n g , fo u l s m e ll h a n g s in th e air. T r o g lo d y te s that
live d e e p e r b en ea th the g ro u n d have m a d e in cu rsio n s into
T h e p a th o n t h e r ig h t is fla n k e d b y fo u r violet fungi, the ca v e th rou g h n a rro w crev ice s (not d isp la yed on the
m ap). If ch a ra cters give this a rea a cu rso ry lo o k and then
w h ile th e path on th e left is fre e o f th es e d a n ge ro u s leave, n oth in g h a p p en s h ere. If th ey sp e n d tim e se arch in g ,
g r ow th s . T h e v iolet fu n g i ca n b e s p o tted a m o n g all th e
oth er m u sh room s w ith a su ccessfu l D C 15 In telligen ce th e n fo u r troglodytes a tta ck . T h e c r e v ic e s a re a p o te n tia l
(N atu re) ch eck , but on ly from the b a se o f the steps, not
fro m atop the ledge. L ik ew ise, a ca refu l in sp ection o f a r e a f o r c h a r a c t e r s t o e x p l o r e i f y o u ’d lik e t o e x p a n d t h is
th e path re v ea ls that on ly th e left trail s e e s h ea v y u se. d u n g eon for fu rth er a dven tu res. If not, then d ecla re that
t h e y ’r e t o o tig h t f o r c h a r a c t e r s to s q u e e z e t h r o u g h , o r
T r a p p e d St a i r s elim in ate th em and th e trog lod y tes entirely.
T h e stairs are con stru cted so that the low est steps c o l
la p se into a ram p that d u m p s a ch a ra cter righ t at the T r ea su r e
b a se o f the v iolet fun gi. R oll any d ie a s ea ch ch a ra cter A th orou g h sea rch o f th e trash heap, tak in g 10 m inutes,
d e s c e n d s th e steps; on a n o d d roll, th e ch a ra cter trig g ers d o e s fin d o n e w o rth w h ile item : a n o v e r lo o k e d p o u c h o f
th e trap. A ch a racter w h o is actively lo ok in g for a trap on six orn a m en ta l g em s w orth 10 gp ea ch an d eigh t sem i
th e sta irs c a n fin d th e tra p p e d ste p w ith a s u c c e s s fu l D C p recio u s g em s w orth 50 gp each . T h e troglod ytes have
15 W isd om (P ercep tion ) ch eck . T h e k ob old s and gu ards n oth in g that anyon e w ou ld w ant n ear them .
k n ow w h ere to avoid stepping, o f cou rse.
6. M e a t L o c k e r
4. St i r g e L a i r
T h e cu rta in a cro s s the e n tra n ce to th is ca v ern is
S o m e fu n g u s fr o m a r e a 3 d o ts th is a re a , b u t c h ie fly it is trap p ed . S e e “ T ra p p ed C u rta in ” b e lo w for details.
th e lair o f a colon y o f bats. H id den a m on g th e bats are
At the base o f th ese steep ly d escen d in g step s, a cu rtain
te n stirges. T h e b a ts a r e p r e s e n t o n ly fr o m s u n r is e to h an g s ac r o ss t h e p assag e . It is m ad e f r o m h u n d r e d s o f
h eavy leath er strip s, each ab o u t th e w id th o f a hu m an
su n d ow n , but the stirge s a re a lw a ys h ere. N orm a lly the h an d . T h e st rip s are fix ed to th e ceilin g an d are lo n g
s t ir g e s p r e y o n t h e p le n t ifu l b a t s a n d le a v e t h e c a v e ’s en o u g h to d rag on th e floor. T h e cu rtain ex ten d s from w all
oth er residen ts alon e, but n ot alw ays. to w all. T h e leath er co m es fro m a variety o f local an im als
an d is b ad ly cu red . T h e cu rt ain is sever al layers th ick w ith
C h aracters n otice dead bats on the floor (victim s o f the n o g ap s, so yo u c a n ’t see t h r o u g h it at all.
stirges). If that ca u s e s s o m e o n e to lo o k up, d e sc rib e h o w
th e ce ilin g is ca rp ete d w ith bats w ith a s u cce ssfu l D C 10 T h is c a v e r n is n a tu ra lly co ld . It h o v e rs a fe w d e g r e e s
W is d o m (P er ce p tion ) ch e ck . T o a v oid sta rtlin g th e bats, a bove freezin g year rou n d, reg a rd less o f the sea son .
ch a ra cter s m u st p r o c e e d v ery quietly. T h is re q u ire s a
su cce ssfu l D C 10 D exterity (Stealth) ch eck . If th ree or
m ore ch a ra cters fail the ch eck , the bats are ala rm ed
M u ch o f th e m eat b rou g h t in b y th e h u n ters fe e d s the A ca re fu l in sp ection o f the leath er strips cou p led w ith
cultists and the k ob old s, but the extra is stored h ere for a s u cce s s fu l D C 10 W is d o m (P erce p tion ) ch e ck fin ds
even tu al u se w h en the d ra gon eg g s h atch and th e raven b a rb s; th e y c a n ’t b e n o tice d o th e r w is e . W h e n k o b o ld s
ou s h a tch lin gs em erge. T h e ca rca sse s ran ge from very u s e t h is s ta ir w a y , t h e y b r i n g th e r u in e d s p e a r t h a t’s k e p t
fresh to several m on th s old. T h e m eat is on ly cold , not in a r e a 4 . W ith it, th e y s w e e p th e le a th e r s tr ip s to th e left
frozen , s o the older item s are slow ly goin g bad. side o f the corrid or an d w ed g e the en d o f the sp ea r sh aft
into an a n gled so ck e t in the flo o r ju st in sid e area 6. T h is
T h e sm ell o f o ld b lo o d assau lt s yo u r n o se. T h e f lo o r is h old s the leath er strips safely out o f the w ay w h ile they
co ver ed w it h d ried p u d d le s o f it. Fo u r flo o r - t o - ceilin g m o v e in a nd out o f th e ch a m b er.
co lu m n s are sp aced acro ss th e ch am b er, an d ch ain s
h ave been stru n g b et w een th em like clo t h eslin e. A n im al 7. D r a k e N u r s e r y
carcasses h an g on h ook s from th e ch ain s. You see g utted
and sk in n ed an t elo p e, deer, g o ats, w h at m ig h t be big cats, T h e sh ort, w id e p a ssa g e b e tw e e n a rea s 4 a n d 7 is
an d ev en a f ew sm all b ear s. So m e o f t h is m ea t h as b een tra pp ed . S e e “S p ik e T ra p ” b e lo w fo r d etails. S im p le
h ere fo r a w h ile if th e sm ell is a reliab le ind icato r. oil la m p s p rov id e d im , flick erin g light. T h is ch a m b e r
T h is ca v e co n ta in s n o th in g o f value. c o n ta in s fo u r kobolds a n d o n e winged kobold. T h e s e
T r a p ped C u r t a in crea tu res a re in th e u p p er p art o f th e ch a m b er.
H id d en in the p a tch es o f fur still clin g in g to the lea th er T h e lo w e r a rea is w h e re cu ltists co n d u cte d th e ritu als
strips o f th e cu rtain are h u n dred s o f m etal ba rb s about
th e size o f large fish h ook s. T h e b arbs are coa ted w ith to create their gu ard dra k es and then h ou sed the crea
p oison . A n yon e w h o bru sh es th rou gh the cu rtain m ust tu res. T h e ledge is a sh arp 10-foot drop -off. W o o d e n
s u cce e d on a D C 10 D exterity savin g th ro w or take 5 sta irs d e sce n d at th e righ t en d o f th e led g e. A stou t ca g e
( 1d 10) p o is o n d a m a g e , a n d th e ta rge t’s h it p o in t m a x m a d e o f iro n b a rs su rro u n d s th e se ste p s to a h eigh t o f
im u m is re d u ce d b y 5. T h is red u ction la sts until the 10 feet to preven t u n train ed drak es fro m esca p in g up
target fin ish es a lon g rest. th e s t e p s . A k e y h a n g s o n a p e g a t t h e t o p o f t h e s t e p s ; it
op en s th e lock ed gate at the bottom .
A ra ck a lon g th e sou th w est w a ll h old s im plem en ts
u sed in train in g the d rak es: lon g p o le s w ith la s so s at
the end, u sed for sn arin g and co n trollin g yo u n g drakes;
leash es and collars; sh arp p rod s; m o ck w ea p on s m ade
o f w o o d ; h u m a n -s iz ed d u m m ie s stitch ed out o f sa ilcloth o f th em is terrible, but fou r have a u niqu e, if savage,
and stu ffed w ith straw , w ith rid icu lo u s ex p re ssio n s a rtistic flair. T h e s e a re w o r th 5 0 , 6 0 , 7 0, a n d 1 0 0 gp
pain ted on th eir faces. resp ectively if sold to a collector o f artistic oddities. To
any other m erchant, they are w orth 10 gp each.
T h e l o w e r a r e a is h e a v ily s h a d o w e d . C u r r e n t ly it
C o l l a p s in g T r a p
h o ld s th r e e guard drakes th at a re n e a r th e e n d o f th eir T h e top step is rig g ed to d ro p a p o rtio n o f th e ce ilin g in
a r e a 7. A s e a c h c h a r a c t e r e n t e rs t h e s t a ir c a s e , r o ll a n y
training. B e in g n ot quite fu lly develop ed , they have the die. O n an o d d roll, th e ch a ra cter s tep s in th e w ro n g
n orm a l stats o f a g u a rd d ra k e but on ly 3 3 hit p oin ts. sp ot and trig gers the trap. T h e ce ilin g co lla p se s above
S p ottin g th ese dra k es from the led ge req u ires a s u c th e n ex t ch a ra cte r in lin e (the on e b e h in d th e c h a ra c
cessfu l D C 15 W isd o m (P ercep tion ) ch eck ; sw eep in g ter w h o trig g ere d th e trap). T h a t ch a ra cte r ta k es 4 d 4
th e pit w ith a b u llse y e lan tern g ran ts a d va n ta ge o n th is b lu d geon in g d am a ge from fallin g rock s; the d am a ge is
ch eck. If ch a ra cters b rin g so m e raw m eat to th e ledge, ha lved if the ch a ra cte r m a k e s a s u cce s s fu l D C 15 D ex
th e d r a k e s th in k th e y ’r e a b o u t to b e fe d a n d a d v a n c e in to terity sa v in g th row . E v ery ch a ra cte r w ith in 5 feet ta k es
th e ligh t. I f ch a ra cte rs e n ter th e pit, eith e r b y d e s c e n d in g 2 d4 b lu d ge on in g dam ag e, o r h a lf that w ith a su cce ssfu l
th e steps or clim b in g d ow n the ledge, th e dra k es attack. savin g throw .
If the drakes are sp otted and attacked by ch a ra cters A ch aracter w h o is actively look in g for a trap on the
sta irs ca n fin d the tra p p ed step w ith a s u cce s s fu l D C 10
o n th e le d g e , th e y s e t u p a h o w l th a t d r a w s s ix kobolds W isd o m (P ercep tion ) ch eck . T h e collap sible ce ilin g is
a n d th r e e winged kobolds fr o m a r e a 8 . A t le a s t o n e o f sp o tted in ciden ta lly w ith a s u cce s s fu l D C 15 W is d o m
(P ercep tion ) ch eck .
th e se try to get past the ch a ra cters and u n lo ck the gate
at the b otto m o f the step s, letting the guard d ra k es jo in T h e k ob old s in a rea s 8 and 9 h ear the co m m o tio n if
t h e b a t t le a s t h e y ’v e b e e n t r a in e d t o d o . th e trap is set off.
Sp i k e T r a p 9. D r a g o n Sh r in e
A p ortion o f the floor b etw een area s 4 and 7 h as b een
rep la ced w ith a sh eet o f p a rch m en t cleverly p ain ted T h is cave is a sh rin e to Tiam at, but w ith an em ph asis on
to re s e m b le th e s u rr o u n d in g s to n e . It c a n b e s p o tte d h er black d ra gon h ea d and on b la ck d ra gon s in gen eral.
in ciden tally w ith a D C 15 W isd o m (P ercep tion ) ch eck , It a ls o c o n ta in s m a n y C u lt o f th e D r a g o n ic o n s , a n d
or au tom atically by s o m e o n e w h o is system atically tap a d e v i o u s t r a p f o r t h e u n w a r y ; s e e “A c i d T r a p ” b e l o w .
p in g the flo or ah ead w ith a p ole or oth er tool. B en eath F lic k e rin g o il la m p s p ro v id e d im light.
th e p a rc h m e n t sh e e t is a s h a llo w pit (ab ou t 2 fee t d e e p )
lin ed w ith p o iso n e d spik es. E ach tim e a ch a ra cter L a n g d ed rosa C yanw rath o ccu p ie s the sh rin e, and he
m o v e s b e tw e e n a re a s 4 a n d 7, ro ll a d 1 0 . O n a ro ll o f 1
o r 2 , th a t c h a r a c t e r ’s f o o t h a s g o n e t h r o u g h th e tra p . T h e is jo in e d b y tw o h u m a n berserkers. (I f th e a d v en tu rin g
ch a ra cter ta k es 1d 4 p ie rcin g d a m a g e fro m th e sp ik es
a n d m ust m a k e a D C 10 C on stitu tion sav in g th row party con ta in s m ore th an fou r ch a ra cters, add on e m ore
again st p o is on . O n a failed save, the ch a ra cter is affected b e rs erk e r fo r e a ch a d d ition al ch a ra cter. If L a n g d e d ro sa
w a s k illed , th en rep la ce h im w ith a n oth er h a lf-d ra g on
a s b y a confusion s p e l l f o r o n e m i n u t e (1 0 r o u n d s ) . O n a w ith th e s a m e sta tistics.) If C y a n w ra th fou g h t an y o f th e
s u c c e s s f u l s a v e , t h e c h a r a c t e r i s a f f e c t e d a s b y a confu ch a ra cters on e-o n -on e in G reen est, he im m edia tely sin
sion s p e l l f o r 1 r o u n d . T h e e f f e c t i s n o t m a g i c a l . gles out that p erson to a d d ress as follow s.
8. K o b o l d Ba r r a c k s “ You su rvived ! I d o n ’t k n o w w h et h er to be d isap p o in ted or
p leased . It ’s a m ix o f b oth , I th in k ."
T h e steps d ow n from area 7 are trapped; se e “C ol
la p sin g T ra p ” b e lo w for d eta ils. A re a 8 is th e k o b o ld s ’ If the ch a ra cter beat th e o d d s in G reen est a n d w o n the
liv in g q u a rt e r s . It w a s a n a tu ra l ca v e r n , b u t it h a s b e e n fight, yo u ca n p a ra p h ra se to refle ct that. A s s o o n a s he
en la rg ed a n d sm o o th e d in a cru d e m a n n er. U n less fin ishes spea k in g , h e attacks. A s lon g as n on e o f the
th ey a lr e a d y r e s p o n d e d to n o is e in a re a 7, th is a rea c h a r a c te r s in te rv e n e , C y a n w ra th ’s g r o u p k n o w s b e tte r
than to interfere in h is on e-on -on e m atch es. If the ch a r
c o n ta in s s ix kobolds a n d s ix winged kobolds. T h e y acters gan g up on C yanw rath or o n e o f h is guards, or try
to leave the cham ber, the gu ard s attack.
a re o ff duty, s o th e y a re n ’t b e in g e s p e c ia lly a le rt. U s e
th eir p a ssiv e W is d o m (P e rce p tio n ) s c o r e s to d ete rm in e If n on e o f the ch a ra cters fough t C yanw rath du rin g the
w h eth er th ey re a ct to n o ise s. F lick e rin g oil la m p s p ro raid but sp en t tim e in th e cu ltists’ ca m p , rea d this.
v id e d im illu m in a tion .
“ You loo k f a m ilia r . . . I’ve seen you aro u n d th e cam p . If
Th in m attresses o f straw co vered w ith bad ly cu red furs
you cam e loo k in g fo r trou b le, I am th e tro u b le you seek .”
form sm all beds th at are h ap h azard ly p o sitio n ed aroun d
T h e n h e a ttack s, a n d h is g u a rd s jo in in im m e dia tely.
t h e ch am b er . Rat s an d sm all liz ar d s sc u r r y t h r o u g h t h e T h e cr e a tu r e s in a re a 10 a re n o t d ra w n to th is fight.
food scrap s and m o ld y w in e skins litterin g th e floor. T h ey h id e a nd w ait to s e e w h o w in s. W h e n th e fight is
over, ch a ra cters have tim e to investigate the room .
A sea rch o f the ro o m ta k es 10 m in u tes and tu rn s up 38
gp, 152 sp, a n d 7 0 4 cp s o rte d in to eigh ty-eig ht sta ck s
o f exactly eigh t co p p e r coin s each . D o z e n s o f drag
on -th em ed ta lism a n s a n d a m u lets a re ca rv e d fro m b on e,
soap ston e, w ood , and ivory. T h e w ork m an sh ip on m ost
T h is ch am b er h as b een en larg ed an d resh ap ed fro m its E veryon e in the ch a m b er m u st s u cce e d on a D C 10
orig in al fo rm . T h e flo o r an d th ree o f th e w alls are sm o o th , D exterity savin g th row or take 2 d 6 acid d am a ge from
and stalactit es and st alag m it es have b een p o lish ed into the acid sprayed on to th em (h a lf as m u ch d am a ge on a
g l e a m i n g c o l u m n s . Ev e r y s u r f a c e g l i s t e n s w i t h m o i s t u r e , s u cce s s fu l sa vin g th row ). T h e rea l d a n ger fro m th e a cid
and th e air is w arm an d h u m id . T h e flat w alls o f th e is n ot to th e ch a ra cte rs ’ sk in , h ow ever, but to th eir lu n gs.
ch am b er are d eco rat ed w it h sh allo w ab str act carvin g s o f E veryon e m u st a lso s u cce e d on a D C 10 C onstitu tion
d rag o n s. D r ag o n s’ tails co il in to in t ricat e p at tern s and savin g th ro w or take 2 d8 extra acid dam age. P layers
knots th at flo w across th e w alls. T h e creatu re po rtrayed w h o d ecla re im m edia tely that th eir ch a ra cters are co v e r
in th e n o r t h w est co r n er st an d s o u t: a five- h ead ed d rag o n , in g their fa ces an d gettin g out o f th e ch a m b er as quick ly
risin g from an eru p t in g vo lcan o . O t h er d rag o n s, w h ich as possib le, and are tryin g to n ot in h ale th e vapor, have
seem d w arfed by th e five- h ead ed m o n st ro sit y, flo ck to its advan tage on th eir C on stitu tion savin g th row s.
sid e. A sm all, w o o d en ch est w it h silver an d m other- of-
p earl in lays sits o n th e flo o r in th e co rn er, in fr o n t o f th e T r ea su r e
m o n stro u s dragon carvin g. T h e ch est con ta in s a few o f th e ch oicest item s seized
d u r in g th e c u l t ’s r e c e n t t r e a s u r e r a id s . M o n d a t h p e r
T h e five-headed d ra gon is T iam at, and the v olca n o is the s u a d e d R e z m ir to let h er k ee p th em , a n d sh e p ro m ise d
W ell o f D r a g on s, w h e re th e C ult o f th e D ra g o n in ten d s to b rin g th em w ith h er w h e n sh e travels n orth fo r th e
to b rin g T iam at into the w orld . T h e W ell o f D rag on s is cerem on y at the W ell o f D rag on s. In truth, sh e w an ted
lo ca te d at the n orth ern extrem e o f the S u n se t M ou n so m e th in g to fall b a ck on if ev ery th in g w en t s o u r (she
tains. M ost ch a ra cters sh ou ld re co g n ize T iam at from n ever m en tion ed that last part to R ezm ir). In side are a
fo lk ta les a n d k n o w sh e w a s b a n is h ed to th e N in e H ells strin g o f p ea rls (3 0 0 gp), a g old -a n d -sa p p h ire rin g (9 0 0
lo n g a g o a nd re m a in s im p ris o n ed there. T h er e is n o w a y gp), a nd a p o u ch con ta in in g a h a lf-d oz e n m a sterfu lly cut
to tell from the ca rv in gs w h ere th e vo lca n o is loca ted , or a nd p o lish e d p re cio u s sto n es (1 0 0 gp ea ch ). T h e rin g
to k n o w if it’s m e a n t to b e a p re d ic tio n o f e v e n ts to c o m e and the p earls w ere tak en from G reen est and w ou ld b e
or ju st a birth m eta p h or fo r the q u een o f evil d rag on s. recog n ized by anyone from there, but the ston es ca m e
fro m e lse w h e re a nd w o u ld b e d ifficu lt to iden tify. I f th e
T h e c h e s t is l o c k e d a n d t r a p p e d ; s e e “A c i d T r a p ” item s from G reen est are retu rned, their ow n ers w ill pay
b e lo w fo r d e ta ils . C h a r a c te r s c a n o p e n it w ith th e k ey a rew a rd w o rth 2 5 p e rc en t o f th eir va lu e (3 0 0 gp).
from area 11, or the lo ck ca n b e pick ed w ith th ieves’
tools and a su cce ssfu l D C 10 D exterity ch eck . U n less 10. D r a g o n H a t c h e r y
th e D e x te r ity r o ll is 15 o r h ig h e r, h o w e v e r , it s e ts o f f th e
trap w h en the ch est op en s. T h is ch a m b e r h o ld s th ree e g g s that R e z m ir h o p e d
to h atch into a n ew b ro o d o f dra gon s. T h ey h ave n ot
If ch a ra cte rs sp en d 10 m in u tes o r m ore stu d yin g the h atch ed yet but they w ill very so o n , w h ich is w h y
ca rv in gs, they ca n learn tw o th in gs. First, b la ck d ra gon s R ezm ir w a s u n w illin g to m ov e th em w h en th e ca m p
are ov errep resen ted . A lm ost h alf the d ra gon s sh ow n p a ck ed up a n d left. In stead , sh e left th em u n d er th e
a pp ear to b e b la ck dra gon s. W y rm sp ea k er R ezm ir ca re o f M on d ath a n d th e k ob old s. T h e ch a m b er is dark;
fav ors th em ov e r all oth er ty p es. S e c o n d , a d etailed the k ob old s ex tin g u ish ed th eir ligh ts w h en they h eard
sea rch cou p le d w ith a su ccessfu l D C 10 W isd o m (P er fig h tin g in a rea 9.
cep tion ) ch e ck sp ots that m a n y o f the b la ck dragon
ca rv in g s h av e h o le s in th eir m ou th s. T h e c h am b e r t h a t o p en s at t h e b o tt o m o f t h e st airs is
A p a ssa g e in the sou th w est co rn e r o f th e sh rin e ch a m im m en se. A w id e led g e ru ns alo n g th e left w all and dro p s
b e r lead s to a chu te that rises 3 0 feet up to area 11. A
ro p e la d d er is fixed at th e top; a ru g co v e rs th e op e n in g . aw ay to a pit on th e right. M an y stalactites d escen d
fro m th e ceilin g, and th e so u n d o f d rip p in g w ater ech o es
A c id T r a p
T h e h o le s in the d ra g o n s’ m ou th s a re n o z zle s fo r a trap co n tin u o u sly.
that sp rays a cid ic m ist. T h e trap h a s tw o triggers. T h e
first is u n d e r th e ch e st in the n o rth w est corn er. If the T h e lo w e r p o rtio n o f th e ro o m (10A ) is 15 feet b e lo w the
ch es t is m ov ed , the trap g o e s off. T h e s e c o n d is in the led g e. W o o d e n s tep s h ave b e e n b u ilt d o w n to th e lo w e r
c h e s t. I f it is fo r c e d o p e n , o r i f th e lo c k is in e x p e r tly floor. A s in r o o m 7, th e ste p s a re e n c lo s e d in a stou t iro n
p ic k e d (a D ex terity resu lt o f 14 o r less), th e trap g o e s off. ca g e w ith a gate at the b ottom . T h e k ey to the gate h an g s
on a w a ll p eg op p osite the top o f the stairs. A s s o o n as
Yo u h ear a sn ap fr o m b en eat h th e ch est , fo llo w ed by a ch a ra cters adva n ce into the ro o m as far as th e top o f the
h issin g so u n d like d o zen s o f an g ry sn ak es— or like liq uid stairs, they co m e u n der attack from the k ob old s h id in g
m o vin g th ro u g h o p en tu b es. A m o m en t later, liq u id in 10B . S e e that d escrip tio n for details.
sp rays o u t fro m d o z en s o f tin y h o les in th e w alls an d
ceilin g . W h e r e v e r it sp lash es o n to th e flo or, th e m o istu re F rom the led ge, ch a ra cte rs ca n ju st m ak e out the
on th e sto n e bu bb les and sm ok es. Wit h in m o m en ts, th e s h a p e s o f la rg e e g g s (e a ch e g g is n e a rly th re e fe e t tall) in
ch am b er is filled w it h acid ic m ist. the d a rk n ess b elow . T h e ca vern exten ds into d ark n ess
b e y o n d th e ra n g e o f th eir ligh t. T h e y n e e d to g o d o w n
th e sta irs a n d e x p lo r e th e a re a d ir e ctly to d is c o v e r its
fu ll extent. C h a ra cters sta n d in g a lon g th e led ge ca n
d iscern m an y large, dark stain s on the rou g h floor at the cru sh ed , or stabbed. If an eg g is sim ply cra ck ed op en ,
b a se o f the ledge, but w hat ca u sed th em is n ot apparent. th e infant d ra gon stru gg les for breath, crie s and
s q u ir m s lik e a h u m a n b a b y fo r a fe w m in u tes, a nd th en
10A. Bl a c k D r a g o n E g g s d ies.
T h is area is w a rm and h um id. A fter ch a ra cters look 10B. K o b o l d s i n H i d i n g
clo s e ly at th e floor, th ey ca n d ete rm in e that th e sta in s
are b lo od , an d s o m e o f th em are fresh . T h ey co m e from T h e floor o f this area is abou t 10 feet b e lo w the ledge.
th e m eat th e k ob old s toss dow n here.
T h e fo u r kobolds w h o ten d th e e g g s h id in th is d e p r e s
H u dd led in th e sh a d ow s at th e far e d g es o f th e ro o m
sio n w h e n th e y h e a rd th e fight b re a k o u t in a re a 9.
o r b e h in d th e n atu r a l c o lu m n s a r e tw o guard drakes W h en ch a ra cters a pp roa ch w ith in 25 feet o f the ledg e
overlo ok in g 10B (w hen they c o m e in lin e w ith the top o f
tra in e d to p ro te ct th e d ra g o n e g g s. T h e y d o n ’t a ttack th e sta irs to 10A ), tw o k o b o ld s to s s glu e b o m b s a n d th e
as s o o n as ch a ra cte rs c o m e th rou g h th e gate but w ait oth er tw o to ss fire b o m b s . T h ey d o th e sa m e th in g on
until th e ch a ra cte rs h av e m ov e d into th e ch a m b er. T h e the n ext rou n d . T h en they w ait a rou n d or tw o, if p o s s i
d ra k es ’ first p riority is to p rotec t th e eg g s. T h eir s e co n d b le, w h ile th e r o p e r in a rea 10A d ra g s ch a ra cte rs in to its
priority is to get b etw een th e in tru ders and th e step s to ten tacles, bites th em , or d rop s th em 2 0 feet to the gu ard
preven t th em from esca pin g. U n less ch a ra cters clim b drakes.
d ow n into 10A w ith ou t u sin g th e stairs, th ey trigger the
k ob old s’ attack b efo re ex p lo rin g this area. Glue Bomb. E a c h c r e a t u r e w i t h i n 1 0 f e e t o f th e
M ixed in a m on g th e stalactites n ear the sou th east b o m b ’s ta r g e t p o in t m u s t s u c c e e d o n a D C 11 D e x t e r ity
savin g th row or b e restrain ed. T h e target o r a n oth er
c o r n e r o f t h e r o o m is a roper. It d o e s n ’t a t ta c k th e cre a tu re w ith in re a ch o f it c a n u s e a n a ctio n to m a k e a
D C 11 S tre n g th ch e ck ; if the c h e c k s u cce e d s , th e effect
k ob old s or gu ard d ra kes b e ca u se the k ob old s feed on the target ends.
it s p o i le d m e a t th a t t h e g u a r d d r a k e s w o n ’t e a t. I f
a t ta c k e d , it fig h ts b a c k (a n d it’s v e r y d a n g e r o u s to Fire Bomb. E a c h c r e a t u r e w i t h i n 1 0 f e e t o f th e
3 rd -lev e l ch a ra cte rs !). It c a n r e a ch a n y w h e re in a re a 10
w ith its te n ta cle s, a n d it c a n a ls o m o v e at s p e e d 10. It is b o m b ’s t a r g e t p o in t m u s t s u c c e e d o n a D C 11 D e x t e r it y
cu rren tly full and cu rio u s abou t stran gers, h ow ever, so s a v in g th ro w o r ta k e 4 ( 1d 8 ) fire d a m a g e (h a lf a s m u ch
it’s n o t a v e r s e t o t a lk in g . Its o n ly r e a l c o n c e r n is fo o d . d a m a ge on a s u cce s s fu l sa v in g th row ).
If told a b ou t th e su p p ly o f m ea t in a rea 6 a nd b rou g h t
s o m e a s p r o o f, it le ts th e c h a r a c te r s g o a b o u t th e ir b u s i If all else fails, th e k o b o ld s s cr a m b le up th eir m a k e
n e s s w h ile it c r e e p s a w a y to in v e s tig a te th e la rd e r. sh ift la d d er a n d a ttack w ith th eir sh orts w o rd s .
A total o f th ree dragon egg s are spread throu ghout 11. F r u l a m M o n d a t h ’s C h a m b e r
th e area. E a ch is a b o u t th re e feet tall an d w e ig h s 150
p ou n d s. T w o o f them are easy to sp ot ju st by w a lk in g Frulam Mondath (s e e a p p e n d ix B ) m o v e d in to th is
th rou g h th e r o o m w ith a light s o u rc e. T h e th ird is
tu ck ed into a pile o f sim ila r-colo re d ston es sim p le but com fo rta b le ch a m b er w h en the ca m p w a s
beh in d on e o f the colu m n s, m akin g a b a n d on ed . If n o fight h a s o c c u r r e d w ith th e g u a rd s
it e a s y to m is s . W h e n c h a r a c te r s in a rea 12 a n d ch a ra cte rs en ter th is
search the room , have everyon e c h a m b e r fro m a re a 9, th en M o n d a th is
m ake a W isd om (P ercep tion ) h e re w h en th ey arrive. G u a rd s in a rea
ch eck . O nly a ch aracter w h o 12 h ear w h atever h ap p en s in this ch a m
rolls 15 or h igh er n otice s the b e r a n d re s p o n d dutifully.
e g g in its ca m o u fla g ed nest. T h e ch a m b er con ta in s a w ritin g
L ook in g at a d ragon egg, a d esk and stool, several tables w ith b o o k s
ch aracter ca n determ in e the
color o f dragon w ith a su c
ce ssfu l D C 10 Intelligen ce
(N ature) check.
If th e e g g s a re left h ere,
th ey h atch in le ss th a n a
w eek. If they are taken
away, w hether they hatch
d epen d s on h ow they are
stored and treated. A w ay
from a w a rm , h u m id en viron
m en t su ch as this ch am ber,
th eir p ro g r e s s h alts until th ey
a re a ga in in a su ita ble in cu
bator. T h e d ra go n s ca n
b e k illed easily if the
eggs are sm ashed,
and pap ers, and a m irror on a floor stand. Light co m e s in v estiga te the so u n d o n a roll o f 12 o r h igh er. O th e r
fro m tw o oil lam ps. T h ick ru g s com pletely cov er the w is e th e y s ta y h e r e , m o s t ly o b liv io u s to w h a t’s g o in g o n
floor, in clu d in g an o p e n ch u te that d ro p s d o w n to a rea elsew here.
9. A ro p e ladder is fixed in the chu te for clim b in g up
an d dow n , but n oth in g m a rk s th e p osition o f the op en , If ch aracters enter this ch am ber from area 2, the guards
3 -fo o t-w id e h o le w h e n it is c o v e r e d b y r u g s . T h e slig h t re a ct quickly. T w o o f th e g u a rd s a n d five o f th e cu ltists
d e p r e s s io n it c a u s e s in th e r u g c a n b e n o tic e d w ith a fight the ch a ra cte rs h e re w h ile o n e gu a rd a n d th ree o f the
su ccessfu l D C 10 W isd om (P ercep tion ) ch eck. If so m e cu ltists retreat to a re a 11 to p rotect F ru lam M on d ath .
o n e s t e p s o n th e c h u te w ith o u t k n o w in g it’s th e r e , th e
ch a ra cter m u st m ak e a D C 10 D exterity sav in g throw . T r ea su r e
S u c c e s s m e a n s t h e c h a r a c t e r h o p s o f f t h e r u g b e fo r e it T h e gu a rd s’ sca b b a rd s are d ecora ted w ith dragon
colla p ses th rou g h th e h ole, or grab s th e top o f ladder as m otifs. T h ey are w orth about 5 gp each. T h ey are not
h e or s h e falls; failu re m ea n s th e ch a ra cte r p lu n g e s 3 0 p a rt o f a C ult o f th e D ra g on “u n ifo rm ,” b u t w e a rin g on e
feet d ow n the chute into area 9, tak in g 3 d 6 blu d geon in g o f th ese sca b b a rd s cou ld bu y a ch a ra cter credibility
d a m a g e fr o m th e fall. w h en tryin g to p o se as a cultist. F o r exa m p le, you m igh t
grant a +1 b on u s to C h arism a ch eck s m a de to fool or
Sp r e a d o p e n o n o n e o f t h e t a b l e s is a s i m p l e m a p o f t h e in flu e n ce cu ltists. A sid e fro m th eir gear, th e gu a rd s h ave
Green field s area sh o w in g th e villag es th e cu lt attack ed coin s and sm all gem s w orth a total o f 120 gp.
an d lo o t ed . A n ar ro w is sk et ch ed in fr o m th e Green f ield s
to w ard th e w est an d th e t o w n o f Ber eg o st o n th e Trad e 13. T r e a s u r e St o r a g e
Way, w h ere th e arro w tu rn s no rth. A sep arate sh eet o f
p ap er t h at is co vered w it h n u m er als in co lu m n s co n tain s T h is ch a m b e r is n o w m o stly em pty, e x cep t fo r a fe w
overtu rn ed b ox es, b rok en item s, sca ttered coin s, sm all
t h e n o t e, “ Ev e r y t h in g m u s t b e f r e ig h t e d n o r t h t o N a er y t ar . gem s that w ere d ro p p e d du rin g th e h asty evacu ation,
Rez m ir allo w ed us to k eep so m e p earls, a ring, an d a
han dfu l o f sm all sto n es.” O th er pap ers are o f less interest; a n d o n e cultist w h o is s le e p in g s o u n d ly o n t h e flo o r
m o st o f t h em h ave bad p o etr y ab o u t d rag o n s.
a f te r c o n s u m i n g s e v e r a l b o t t l e s o f w i n e . H e w o n ’t w a k e
T h e sm a ller ch a m b er o ff the m a in on e con ta in s a bed, a u p fr o m a n y th in g le s s th a n v ig o r o u s s h a k in g , a n d it w ill
tru n k c o n ta in in g M o n d a th 's c lo th e s , a n d a s e c o n d tru n k b e several h ou rs b efo re h e is coh eren t. A ll the d rop p ed
c o n t a in in g M o n d a t h ’s C u lt o f t h e D r a g o n re g a lia . W it h item s left in th is ro o m h av e a total va lu e o f on ly 16 gp.
th is regalia , on e p e rs o n (p refera b ly a h u m a n w o m a n ,
b u t th e c lo th in g c a n b e a d ju s te d to fit a m a n ) c a n b e Rew a r d s
o u tfitte d a s a W e a r e r o f P u r p le . It’s w o r t h n o t in g th a t
e a ch W e a r e r o f P u r p le ’s re g a lia is sim ila r b ut u n iq u e, s o A w ard stan dard X P for defeated foes. T h is ep isod e
h ig h -ra n k in g cu lt m e m b e rs a re lik ely to r e c o g n iz e this in clu d es m a n y ch a lle n g e s o th er tha n fights, a n d ch a r
re g a lia a s M o n d a th ’s. W h e n th e y s e e th at th e p e rs o n acters sh ould b e rew arded for overcom in g them . T he
w e a r in g it is n o t M o n d a th , o r i f th e y k n o w s h e is d e a d , a w a rd s listed b e lo w a re ju st re co m m e n d a tio n s; adju st
a la rm b ells a re g u a ra n teed to g o off. th e m a s y o u s e e fit. C h a r a c te r s m ig h t r e a c h 4 th le v e l b y
th e e n d o f t h is e p is o d e , b u t it’s n o t e s s e n t i a l th a t t h e y d o .
D ev el o pm en t s
I f a fight b re a k s o u t in a re a 12 a n d fo u r o f th e g u a rd s • If you a re u sin g th e m ile sto n e e x p e rie n ce ru le, the
fro m that ch a m b er retreat h ere to defen d M on dath, ch a ra cte rs re a ch 4th level.
h er re s p o n s e is u p to y ou . If th e fight in th e b a rra ck s
ta k es a h eavy toll on th e ch ara cters, sh e m igh t decide • F or loca tin g a nd d isa rm in g traps: 1 00 X P p er trap.
to con fro n t th em h ere. If the attack ers p lo w th rou gh h er • F o r o ffe r in g th e r o p e r m e a t in s te a d o f fig h tin g it to th e
forw a rd guards, M on dath m igh t retreat d ow n the chute
to a rea 9 a n d jo in fo r c e s w ith C ya n w ra th o r even flee d e a t h : 1 ,8 0 0 X P (th e r o p e r ’s s t a n d a r d X P v a lu e ).
fro m th e ca ve. S h e h a s d e d ica te d h er life to th e C ult o f • F or ea ch d ragon egg d estroyed or taken: 2 5 0 XP.
th e D ra g o n , bu t sh e isn ’t e a g e r to d ie fo r th e cu lt. M o n • F or d estroyin g or tak in g on ly tw o d ra gon egg s: 5 0 0
dath k n o w s that th e C ult is a m a s s in g trea s u re in th e
n orth an d that R ezm ir sp ok e often o f T iam at, but that is XP.
th e extent o f h er k n o w le d g e o f th e la rg er plan.
W ith th e d ra g on h a tch ery d e stro ye d a n d th e cultists
12. G u a r d Ba r r a c k s all g on e, ch a ra cte rs sh ou ld h ea d fo r E ltu rel a n d their
ren d ezvou s w ith L eosin E rlan th ar and O n th arr F ru m e.
T h e gu a rds w h o rem ain ed b eh in d w ith M on dath u se T h ey m igh t c h o o s e to fo llow the w a g on track s instead.
this ch a m b er as th eir b arra ck s. A t any given tim e, fou r T h e w a g o n s fo llo w e d th e co u r s e rou g h ly laid out on
o f th em k eep w a tch in area 1 and the oth ers—th ree th e m a p in M on d a th ’s ch a m b e r: w e s t to B e r e g o s t, th en
n orth a lon g th e T rade W ay. T h ey have at least a full
guards a n d e ig h t cultists—a r e h e re , a s le e p o r r e la x d a y ’s h e a d s ta r t o n th e c h a r a c te r s , a n d p o s s ib ly m o r e ,
d e p e n d in g on h o w m u ch tim e ch a ra cte rs s p en t in
ing. If fighting a gain st th e gu a rd s fro m a rea 1 p u sh es G ree n es t b e fo re retu rn in g to th e plateau.
n ear th e p a ssa g e to area 12, roll a d 20 ; the gu ards h ere
E pisode 4: O n t h e R o a d
T h e treasu re loote d fro m the G reen field s is h ead ed El t u r el
n o rth on th e T ra d e W ay, h id d en in u n m a rk e d
freigh t w a g on s that are part o f the regu lar m er E lturel, a large, ord e rly city o v e rlo o k in g th e R iv er C h io n
thar, is filled w ith m erch a n ts, river trad ers, a n d fa r m e rs ’
ch a n t traffic o f that w ell-trav eled roa d . T h e h e r o e s m u st m a rk ets. Its m o st d istin g u ish in g fea tu re is a b rillia nt
m a g ica l lig h t th at h o v e rs a b o v e it, illu m in a tin g it d a y a n d
find ou t w h er e all that lo ot is g oin g , w h ich m ea n s ta k in g night. T h is ligh t is p a in fu l to u n d ea d a n d is v is ib le from
a lm ost ev ery co rn e r o f E ltu rga rd (o f w h ich E ltu rel is the
a lon g , d an g er-filled trip n orth w a rd . capital), a p p ea rin g fro m a far a s a sta r o r d ista nt su n.
T h e ch a ra cters sh ou ld travel fro m the ab a n d on ed cult W h e n th e ch a ra cte rs m e e t O n th a rr F ru m e , th e y fin d
h im to b e a g ood -n a tu red paladin o f T orm , the g od o f
ca m p sou th east o f G reen est to the city o f E lturel on the h eroics an d bravery. H e is a m an o f action w h o loves
jo k e s a n d p ra n k s, a stiff d rink , a n d a frien d ly scu ffle.
R iver C hionthar. T h eir route ta k es th em b a ck th rou gh
If ch a ra cters ask for L eosin E rlan th ar w h en they
G reen est, w h ere they ca n retu rn any stolen g o o d s that a rriv e in E lturel, n on e o f the lo ca ls k n o w h im . If th ey a sk
for O n th arr F ru m e, anyon e ca n d irect th em to the “h ea d
th ey re co v e re d fro m the cu lt a n d recu p e ra te fro m their q u a rte rs ” o f F r u m e ’s fa ctio n , th e O rd e r o f th e G au n tlet,
at a tavern ca lled A P a ir o f B la ck A ntlers. If th e ch a ra c
w ou n d s. N igh th ill g re ets th e ch a ra cters w ith d elig h t a nd t e r s a r r iv e w it h in a t e n d a y o f E r la n t h a r ’s d e p a r t u r e f r o m
G ree n e st, th en the m o n k is still th ere w ith h is h a n d fu l o f
re sp ect. H e tells th em that b e fo re L e o s in E rlan th ar left disciples, too.
tow n , h e b ou g h t h orses and rid in g gear for the ch a ra c Y o u c a n s p e n d a s m u ch o r a s little tim e o n in ter
a ction s in E ltu rel as y ou a n d y o u r p la y ers w an t.
ters to s p e e d th eir jo u r n e y to E lturel. T h e h o rs e s a re C h aracters are gu aran teed to have a g o o d tim e in
F r u m e ’s c o m p a n y , p r o v id e d t h e y c o n s i d e r c o n t in u a l
b e in g k e p t at th e d e a le r ’s sta b le s u n til th e ch a ra cte rs are
rea d y to leav e for E ltu rel; all th eir c o s ts a re p aid for.
O n h orseb a ck , ch a ra cters ca n travel the 2 0 0 m iles
fro m G re en e st to E ltu rel in a b ou t six d ays. T h e y m a k e
th e jo u rn e y w ith ou t in cid en t, u n le ss you th ro w an
en co u n te r o r tw o at th em to s p ice up th e trip o r to
in cre a se th eir X P totals. E n cou n ters w ith ban dits,
h u m a n o id cla n s , a nd ro v in g m o n s te rs a re a p p ro p ria te in
the u n tam ed ex p a n ses o f th e G reen fields.
drin k in g, arm -w restlin g , h orseb a ck rid in g con tests, and on T iam at are ca u se for con cern . T h e cu lt is on
sp a rrin g, a n d w e a p o n tra in in g to b e a g o o d tim e. If the t h e m o v e a n d it’s u p to s o m e t h in g b ig ; th e O r d e r o f th e
p la y e rs d o n ’t r e a liz e it, E rla n th a r fin d s a q u ie t m o m e n t G au ntlet, th e H a rp ers, a nd a th ird a llied g r ou p k n ow n
to b e su re the ch a ra cters u n derstan d that im p ressin g a s th e E m e ra ld E n cla v e w a n t to th w a rt th e cu lt’s p la n s.
F ru m e w ith their p row ess, th eir h onesty, and th eir drive
is in th eir lon g-term interest. T h e ch a ra cte rs ca n m a k e a In this m eetin g, F ru m e and E rlan th ar are offerin g
positive im p ression on F ru m e by w in n in g a few con tests th e ch a ra cte rs the ch a n ce to jo in th eir faction s. A t this
(res olv ed q u ick ly w ith o p p o s e d sk ill o r ability ch e ck s) ea rly sta g e, th ere is n o pay fo r m e m b e rs a n d th ere a re
or s p a rrin g m a tch e s a gain st h is tro o p e rs or b y tellin g n o rank s. W h at they ca n offer is help and su pp ort from
en tertain in g tales o f their exp loits du rin g th e G reen est o th er m e m b e rs a n d a llies, w h o a re sp rea d from N ash kel
raid, in th e ra id e rs’ ca m p , a nd in th e d ra g on ca v es. a n d C a n d le k e ep in th e sou th to N e v erw in ter a nd M ira-
b ar in the n orth . T h e h o rse s that E rlan th ar arra n ged for
Th e O r der o f t h e Gau n t l e t the ch a ra cte rs are ju st on e sm all exa m p le o f the aid the
H a rp e rs a n d th e O rd er o f th e G au ntlet ca n p rovid e.
L ate in th e even in g, a fter a d ay w h en F ru m e h as b ee n
suitably im p re ss e d b y the ch a ra cters, he se n d s on e o f h is H a r p e r s c a n b e r e c o g n i z e d b y th e g r o u p ’s s y m b o l:
sq u ire s to s u m m o n th em to a private ro o m in the tavern. a silver h arp n estled b etw een the h orn s o f a crescen t
m oon . S o m e p eop le w ea r th e sy m b ol openly, and oth ers
Fru m e’s sq u ire sh o w s you to a p rivate sp ace o f f th e k e e p it c o n c e a le d . E rlan th ar w e a r s h is a s a m e d a llio n
t avern ’s co m m o n roo m and clo ses th e d o o r w hen a r o u n d h is n e c k w h e n h e is c e r t a in th a t h e ’s n o t h e a d i n g
h e leaves. W a it in g fo r yo u in t h e ro o m are t h e broad- into a p oten tia l ca p tiv e situ ation — s o m e tim e s o p e n ly and
sh o u ld ered h um an paladin, th e m on k Leosin , and m an y som etim es tu ck ed away. M em b ers o f th e O rder o f the
G a u n t le t w e a r t h e ir h o ly s y m b o ls o p e n ly . ( F r u m e ’s is
p it ch ers o f d ark red w in e. T h e p alad in ’s face w ears a th e rig h t-h a n d e d ga u n tlet o f T o rm .) T h e o r d e r ’s u n iv er
serio u s ex pressio n , unlike its usual op en co u n ten an ce. sa l sy m b o l is a g au n tlet g ra s p in g a s w o rd b y the b la d e.
F ru m e w ea rs su ch a sym b ol on a pen dan t arou n d his
“ M y frien d s, w e h ave im p o rtan t b u sin ess to d iscu ss. At n eck , h id den b e lo w h is flow in g beard.
th is p o in t, yo u k n o w alm o st as m u ch ab o u t it as w e do,
an d t h an k s t o yo u , w e k n o w t w ice as m u ch t o d ay as w e C h a r a c t e r s d o n ’t n e e d to j o i n e it h e r fa c t io n , b u t t h e r e
d i d a t e n d a y ag o . So m e t h i n g r o t t e n is af o o t . W e h av e n o are advantages to d oin g so and n o real draw backs. E ven
fo rm al org an iz ation to o p p o se th ese rascals— not yet
an yw ay. W e ’re w o r k in g o n th at. A n d w e n eed p eo p le like
you, w h o kn ow h ow and w h en to fight, and h ow and w h en
t o k eep t h e ir h ead s d o w n an d o b ser ve. W e c a n ’t p ro m ise
yo u an yt h in g ex cep t lo n g d ays filled w it h d an g er an d
s t r e s s — b u t w h a t co u ld b e b e t t e r t h a n t h a t , e h ?”
O nth arr F ru m e and L eosin E rlanthar, alon g w ith a
h an dfu l o f oth er co n ce rn e d lead ers and sch ola rs alon g
the S w o rd C oa st, a re in th e early sta g es o f orga n izin g
a g a in st th e C ult o f th e D ra g on .
E r la n th a r ’s o r g a n iz a t io n is th e H a r p e r s . C h a r a c te r s
m ig h t h a v e h e a r d o f th e o ld e r H a r p e r s , b u t th e y ’re
u n lik ely to k n o w m u ch a bou t th e secre tiv e grou p b ey on d
w h a t is g en era lly ru m o re d : that th e H a rp e rs a re d e d i
ca te d to fu rth e rin g eq ua lity a n d ju s tice a n d to k ee p in g
p o w e r o u t o f th e h a n d s o f t h o s e w h o d o n ’t d e s e r v e it.
E rlan th ar exp lain s that the H a rp ers are lo o se ly org a
n ized; agen ts are a llow ed w id e freed om o f action.
O nth arr F ru m e rep resen ts th e O rder o f the
G au ntlet. H is ord e r sh a r e s m a n y o f th e H a r p e r s ’
p rin cip les, but th e tw o organ iza tion s are very
d ifferen t. T h e O rd er o f th e G au n tlet e m p h a s iz e s
faith, v ig ila n ce, a n d con sta n t stru g g le a g ain st
th rea ts o f evil. M a n y o f its m e m b e rs a re c le r ic s a n d
palad in s, but the ord er w e lco m e s anyon e w h o sh ares
its id ea ls. D iscip lin e is key, a n d th e ord er is d istin ctly
m ore stru ctu red and h ierarch ica l than the H arpers.
T h e top c o n c e r n o f b oth g ro u p s is th e C ult o f the
D ra g on . In th e past, th e cu lt w a s m or e a ctive to th e ea st
a n d it w a s f o c u s e d o n c r e a t in g d r a c o lic h e s . Its s h ift to
the S w ord C oa st and n ew em p h asis on livin g d ra gon s
if ch a ra cte rs d o n ’t a g r e e to jo in , F ru m e a n d E rlan th a r B a l d u r ’s G a t e
try to e n list th e ir a id in tr a ck in g th e cu lt’s sh ip m e n ts.
B a ld u r ’s G a te is a b u s t lin g c e n t e r o f tr a d e , w it h g o o d s
T h e M is s io n co m in g fro m n orth and sou th by w a g on a lo n g the
T rad e W a y a n d b y sh ip on th e S e a o f S w o rd s, a nd from
T h a n k s to th e ch ara cters, the H arpers n o w k n o w that th e ea st a lo n g the R iv er C h ion th a r a n d fro m C orm yr
th e cu lt is a m a s s in g tr e a s u r e a n d s h ip p in g it n o rth . a n d S e m b ia . B a l d u r ’s G a te i s s itu a te d o n a p r o m i n e n t
W h ere exa ctly this treasu re is goin g and w hat th e cult b lu ff n ext to th e river, o v e rlo o k in g a n ex ce lle n t n atural
p la n s to d o w ith it a r e th e n e x t t w o q u e s t io n s th a t n e e d h a rb o r. It is d iv id e d in to th re e d is tin ct s e g m e n ts : th e
an sw erin g. F ru m e and E rlan th ar w ou ld like the ch a ra c U p p e r C ity w h er e th e rich e st a n d m o s t influ ential cit
te r s to jo i n th e c u lt’s c a r a v a n a n d a c c o m p a n y it o n th e i z e n s liv e a n d w h e r e th e c i t y ’s m a r k e t p la c e (th e W id e )
jou rn ey . T h ey co u ld get th em selv es h ired as gu a rd s— if is lo ca t e d ; th e L o w e r C ity, w h ic h s u rr o u n d s th e h a r b o r
n o t b y t h e c u lt ’s w a g o n m a s t e r s , t h e n b y o t h e r m e r a n d w h e r e m o s t o f th e city ’s m e r ch a n ts live a n d co n d u c t
ch a n ts w h o a re travelin g in th e sa m e d ire ctio n at the th e ir b u s in e s s ; a n d th e O u te r C ity, w h ich lie s o u t s id e th e
sa m e tim e. M erch a n ts fro m d ifferen t co m p a n ie s c o m w a lls a n d w h e r e m o s t o f th e city ’s la b o re r s re s id e in c o n
m on ly jo in togeth er to form larger trains for protection . d ition s that va ry fro m cro w d e d but cle a n to squ alid .
F ru m e h as con ta cts a m on g the m an y m erch a n ts o f the
re g io n an d is ce rta in h e ca n arran ge a jo b . D ep en d in g on tim in g, ch a ra cte rs m igh t have ju st a
f e w d a y s t o w a i t i n B a l d u r ’s G a t e , o r u p t o a t e n d a y . M o s t
T im in g is an issu e. T h e track s leavin g th e cu ltists’ o f that tim e sh ou ld b e spen t con ta ctin g a m erch an t r e c
c a m p a n d th e m a p fr o m M o n d a th ’s c h a m b e r b o th in d i om m en d ed b y F ru m e and arra n gin g affairs s o they ca n
cate that the w a g on s w e re h ea d in g w est to p ick up the sp ot the cu lt w a g on s w h en they arrive.
C oast W ay road, w h ere they w ou ld tu rn n orth to B er-
e g o s t a n d B a l d u r ’s G a te , a j o u r n e y o f a b o u t 5 5 0 m i le s . F r u m e ’s c o n t a c t is a h u m a n t r a d e r n a m e d A c k y n
T h e w a g o n s w o u ld ta k e tw en ty-five to th irty d ays fo r S e le b o n . H e op era tes an equ ip age b u sin e ss in the O u ter
that trip, d e p e n d in g o n c o n d itio n s . T h e w a g o n s p u lle d C ity n o rth o f th e city w a ll, in a d istrict ca lle d B la ck ga te.
out at least a day ahead o f the ch ara cters’ return to the T h e r e h e se lls all th e m a teria l n e e d e d fo r lo n g -d is ta n ce
ca m p , an d th e ch a ra cters p robab ly spen t a day ex p lo r freigh t h a u lin g: w a g o n s, rop e , netting, g rea se, ch a in s,
in g the a ba n d on ed ca m p an d clea rin g ou t the d ra gon w h ee ls, a n d s o on . H is sh o p a ls o rep a irs w a g o n s. H e is
hatch ery. R e tu rn in g to G ree n e st, restin g, a nd traveling n ot d ire ctly in v olv ed in th e h irin g o f g u a rd s fo r ca ra v an s,
to E lturel a cco u n t for eight to ten m ore days. U n less but h e k n ow s p eop le w h o are. W ith h im to v ou ch for the
the ch a ra cters w a lk ed to E lturel or lou n g ed for days ch aracters, they sh ou ld have n o trouble gettin g h ired on
in G ree n est b e fo re co m in g n orth , they sh ou ld have at a s g u a r d s fo r a n o rth b o u n d ca ra v a n , bu t h e c a n ’t g ive
le a st ten to fiftee n d a y s b e fo r e th e cu lt’s w a g o n s re a c h th em w ork w ith a sp ecific m erchant.
B a l d u r ’s G a te .
H ir in g O u t
T h e R iv er C h ion th a r flo w s d irectly fro m E ltu rel to
B a ld u r ’s G ate. A s a ilin g v e s s e l c a n m a k e th at trip d o w n B a ld u r ’s G a te d o e s n ’t a llo w w a g o n s , p a c k a n im a ls,
s t r e a m in a b o u t th r e e d a y s if it tie s u p o v e r n ig h t fo r h o rs e s, o r ev en d o g s in to th e city. T h e stre ets a re s o
s afety, o r tw o if it r is k s p u s h in g o n th ro u g h th e n ig h t b y n arrow , steep, and slick from frequ en t rain that h eavy
lam p ligh t. F ru m e h a s a lrea d y a rra n g e d fo r su ch a b oa t w a g o n s w o u ld b e a m e n a ce . T h is is a ctu a lly on e o f th e
to leave at daw n the n ext m orn in g. T h ey are a lso p ro r e a s o n s w h y B a ld u r ’s G a te is s u c h a b u s t lin g c o m m e r
v id e d w ith 5 0 g p e a ch to c o v e r e x p e n s e s o n th e trip. cia l hub: for g o o d s to p a ss th rou gh the city from sou th to
n orth , for exa m p le, they m u st b e u n loa ded in th e O u ter
If th e ch a ra cters turn d ow n this m ission , F ru m e C ity ea st o f th e w a ll, ca rr ie d th ro u g h th e city b y p o rter s
m a k es so m e rem arks abou t h ow th ey aren ’t the p eop le o n foot, a n d re lo a d e d on to d ifferen t w a g o n s n orth o f the
h e th ou gh t they w ere, and he leaves the m eetin g m ore city fo r th e rest o f th eir jou rn ey . N o roa d con v en ie n tly
th a n a little bit an gry. E rla n th a r stay s a n d m a k e s o n e b y p a s s e s t h e c ity — a s it u a tio n th a t t h e g a t e ’s p r o fit e e r in g
m o re a p p ea l to th eir s e n s e o f h o n o r a n d duty. If the ch a r in te rm ed ia rie s w o rk h a rd to m a in ta in . M o st m erch a n ts
a cte rs still tu rn h im d o w n , h e re a ch e s in to h is tu n ic a nd fin d it e a sie r to se ll th e ir lo a d s to th o s e in te rm e d ia r ie s
pu lls out a soft leath er pou ch , w h ich he h an d s to on e o f a n d c o n s ig n m e n t d e a le rs w h e n th e y re a ch B a ld u r ’s
the ch a ra cters. In sid e is a m a gn ificen t ru b y w orth 1 ,2 0 0 G ate, bu y a n ew load o f exotic g o o d s fro m som ew h ere
gp. H e ex pla in s that if they take th e m ission , this ruby far away, and turn arou n d and h ead b a ck h om e, w h ere
w ill b e w a itin g for th em in the h an ds o f a H arper agent th e y c a n a g a in se ll th e n e w g o o d s at a p rofit.
in W aterd eep .
A lo n g w ith w a gon s, gu a rds seld om m ak e a con tin u ou s
T h a t n igh t, F r u m e s e e s that th e ch a ra cte rs a re all jo u r n e y t h r o u g h B a l d u r ’s G a te . G u a r d s fo r n o r t h b o u n d
eq u ip ped w ith n ew cloth in g and gear, and even n ew ca ra va n s a re typ ica lly h ired in B la ck ga te w h e re n orth
w ea p on s if they w ant. H e su gg ests that they ch an ge b o u n d w a g o n s b e g in th eir jou rn ey . S e le b o n tells th e
th eir a p p ea ra n ce as m u ch as th ey ca n in sim p le w ays, ch a ra cters that if they h an g a rou n d any o f th e tavern s or
to red u ce the o d d s o f an yon e th ey m ight have m et at the tent s a lo o n s n e a r h is sh o p , th e y a re su re to s e e all the
cu lt ca m p re c o g n iz in g th em . n o rth b o u n d traffic. T h e y sh ou ld n ’t h esitate to u se h im as
a referen ce if a potential em ployer a sk s for on e.
T h e tr ip d o w n r iv e r to B a l d u r ’s G a te is u n e v e n tfu l,
r e g a r d le s s o f w h e th e r it ta k e s th r e e d a y s o r tw o . T h e T h e n o r th b o u n d jo u r n e y fr o m B a ld u r’s G a te is
ch a ra cters ca n b rin g th eir h orses a lon g on th e boat if ardu ou s, so m erch an ts travel togeth er for safety. E ach
th e y w is h . T h e h o r s e s w o n ’t lik e it, b u t th e y ’ll m a n a g e . m erch an t h ires gu a rds in dependen tly, but th e co m m o n
b e lie f is that if ev eryon e h ires tw o or th ree and en ou gh Azbara Jos (se e A p p e n d ix B fo r sta tistics) is a m a le
w a g on s travel together, th e caravan is w ell protected .
h u m an and a R ed W iza rd o f Thay. R ed W iza rd s are
W ith in a fe w days (the w ait is up to y ou and the tim in g w idely d islik ed and m istru sted, s o h e tak es so m e pain s
y o u ’v e w o r k e d o u t f o r t h e c a r g o ’s a r r iv a l f r o m th e to d is g u ise h is m em b ersh ip in that g rou p b y a lw a ys
cam p), ch a ra cters sp ot p e op le they re co g n ize from the w e a rin g a w o o l ca p w ith e a r a n d n e ck fla ps to co v e r
c u lt ’s c a m p o n t h e p la te a u . R e z m i r , b e in g a h a lf-d r a g o n , h is s h a v e d , t a t t o o e d h e a d . It’s n o t a n e s p e c ia ll y e f f e c
c a n ’t t r a v e l o p e n l y in B a ld u r ’s G a t e ; s h e ’d b e a tt a c k e d tive d isg u ise; ch a ra cters w h o m ak e a su cce ssfu l D C
b y a m o b . T h e c i t y ’s w e a lt h y e lite , h o w e v e r , o f t e n tr a v e l 15 W isd o m (P ercep tion ) ch eck n otice the ed g es o f the
th e streets in s cre e n e d or cu rta in ed p ala n qu in s for tattoos p eekin g out from under the cap. M any T hayans
b oth co m fo rt a n d privacy. R e zm ir d o e s th e sa m e. W h en have shaved, tattooed h eads, h ow ever, but on ly a few
ch a ra cters sp ot fam ilia r fa ce s from th e cu lt ca m p , the are R ed W iza rd s. C ou n tless T h a yan s fled their cou n try
cu ltists are ca rry in g or a ccom p a n y in g a p alan qu in w h en the lich S za ss T am se iz e d con trol, so they are
w h ere R ezm ir rid es. T h ey m igh t ca tch a g lim p se o f h er n ot en tirely stran ge on the S w ord C oast. If qu estion ed,
t h r o u g h a b r ie fly p a r t e d c u r t a i n i f t h e y ’r e o b s e r v a n t . Jo s cla im s to b e ju st an oth er T h ayan exp atriot trying
to fin d refu ge w h ile h is co u n try is con tr olle d b y u n d ea d
R e z m ir a n d h e r b o d y g u a r d s c o m e to S e l e b o n ’s y a r d m o n s t e r s . In fa c t, o t h e r t h a n t h e d e n ia l th a t h e ’s a R e d
to p u r ch a se five w a g o n s a n d su p p lie s (h a v in g s o ld th e W iz a rd , th is is all true.
oth er w a g o n s sou th o f th e city). O n ce th ey a re e q u ip p ed ,
lo ca l p orters p a ck m e rch a n d ise an d su pp lies on to the J o s b u y s s p a ce a b o a rd on e o f th e cu lt w a g on s,
w a g on s, cov er th em in can va s, an d lash th em dow n . alth ou gh they tu rn ed aw ay every on e else w h o sou gh t
p a ssa g e earlier in the jou rn ey . H e d o e s n ot m in gle w ith
A fter th e ch a ra cters have id en tified th e cu ltists’ the oth er travelers and seld om sp ea k s to an yon e ex cept
w a g on s and seen th eir arran gem en ts, they sh ou ld have th e m a n w h o s e e m s to b e th e lea d er o f th e cu ltists.
a n ea sy tim e g ettin g h ired a s g u a rd s. T h e y ca n a pp ly
to th e cu ltists if th ey feel lik e b e in g re c k le s s , but oth er Jamna Gleamsilver (s e e A p p e n d ix B fo r s t a t is t ic s )
m erch a n ts are m a k in g the sa m e prep ara tion s to leave
o n th e m orrow . S e le ct a n y on e fro m th e list o f m erch a n ts is a fem a le g n o m e a n d a m e m b e r o f a se cre tiv e o rg a
a n d trav elers to b e a p oten tial em p loyer. E a ch ch a ra cter n iza tion ca lle d the B la ck N etw ork , a ls o k n o w n a s the
m a k es a C h arism a (P ersu a sion ) or S tren gth (A thletics) Z h en tarim . O u tw ardly, the B la ck N etw ork pro vid es m er
ch eck , w h ich ev er they prefer. C h eck the resu lts below . ce n a rie s a n d oth er fo rm s o f m u scle for h ire. In form a lly,
it is k n o w n a s a c r im in a l s o c ie t y a k in to a w id e s p r e a d
H ir in g O u t th iev es gu ild. S ecretly , its le a d e rs s e e k to ex ten d th eir
sh a d ow y fin g ers in to every th ron e ro o m and ru lin g
d20 Result cou n cil ch a m b er in F aerun . L ik e the H a rpers, the Z h en
ta rim to o a re a w a re that th e C ult o f th e D r a g on is on
0- 5 N o o n e is in terested in h irin g th e ch aracter, b u t th e m o v e , a n d t h e y n e e d to k n o w t h e c u lt ’s p la n s s o th e y
c a n p r e v e n t t h e m fr o m i n t e r fe r in g w it h t h e Z h e n t a r im ’s
h e or sh e can tag alo n g as a traveler. Gu ard s o w n p la n s, p lu s p erh a p s take adva ntage o f th e p lu n der
p o s s ib ilitie s .
so m et im es q u it or d ie on th e road, an d a
T h a t ’s w h y G le a m s ilv e r jo i n s t h e c a r a v a n . T h e B la c k
6-10 rep lacem en t h as a ch an ce to find em p lo ym en t. N e t w o r k ’s s p i e s l e a r n e d th a t t h e c u lt is m o v i n g fr e ig h t
H ir ed as a b asic g u ard fo r 5 gp p er t en d ay, p lu s n orth w ard, and, lik e the ch ara cters, sh e w a s task ed
w it h f in d in g o u t w h a t t h e y ’r e h a u lin g a n d w h e r e it’s
fo o d an d livin g ex p en ses o n th e road. h eaded. T h o se a bove h er seriou sly con sid ered w ip in g
ou t the caravan w ith m ercen a rie s d isg u ise d as ban dits,
11- 15 H ir ed as a ser g ean t fo r 8 gp p er ten d ay, p lu s fo o d ra n sa ck in g th e w a g on s, and tortu rin g cu lt m em b ers for
the d esire d in form ation . F ortun ately for the ch ara cters,
an d livin g ex p en ses o n th e road. G leam silver persu ad ed h er su p eriors to give h er a sh ot
at u n co ve rin g th e truth in a le ss b lo o d y fa sh ion . If sh e
16+ H ir ed as a b o d yg u ard fo r t h e m erch an t at 10 gp p er h a s n ’t c o m e u p w ith s o m e th in g u se fu l b y th e tim e th e
ca ra van re a ch es W a terd eep , sh e w ill put p la n B —the
ten d ay, plus fo o d an d livin g ex p en ses o n th e road. on e in v olv in g m a ss m u rd e r— in to a ction .
A ll h ires are for the jou rn ey to W aterdeep. S erg ean ts D espite the vast g u lf b etw een th eir ou tlook s, the B la ck
a re e x p e cte d to m a n a g e tw o to five oth er g u a rd s. B o d y N etw ork and the H a rp ers have a co m m o n enem y, and
gu a rds are ex p ected to stick clo se to th eir em p loy er and that is p u sh in g th em into an u n lik ely allian ce. G leam
protect h im or h er again st h arm . silver is the antith esis o f a h ero— sh e is self-servin g , a
s k ille d th ie f a nd liar, a n d w illin g to m u rd e r a n y o n e w h o
Fel l o w T r a v el er s sta n d s b e tw e e n h er a n d h er g oa l.
D u rin g the co u rse o f this jou rn ey, the ch a racters have O t h e r N o npl ayer Ch ar ac t er s
op portu n ities to m eet a ran ge o f p eo p le from a cross
Faeru n. M erch ants, m ercen aries, pilgrim s, sch olars, T h is list o f tw e n ty N P C s is p ro v id e d fo r w h e n y o u n e e d
th ieves, a nd e x p lo rer s all m in g le on th e great T rad e W ay. o n e quickly. Y ou ca n , o f co u r s e , ch a n g e any d eta ils a bou t
th em that you w ish . U se th em to flesh out th e caravan,
K ey N o npl ayer Ch ar ac t er s to s p ice up th e jou r n ey , to h elp b rin g th e trip to life, a nd
T w o N P C s w h o jo in th e ca ra va n p a rtw a y th ro u g h th e trip
are esp ecia lly im portan t: A zba ra J os a nd Jam n a G leam sil-
ver. B oth jo in the ca ra va n at D a ggerford , a bout 1 20 m iles
sou th o f W aterdeep and the last p la ce w h ere the caravan
ta k es a d ay-lon g rest. T h ey a re n ot traveling together;
b ein g in D a ggerford at the sam e tim e is coin ciden tal.
to give ch a ra cte rs p e o p le to lik e a nd p rotect, o r d islik e fro m h ead to foot. H e r skin , hair, eyes, nails, teeth — every
and quarrel w ith, a lo n g the way. th ing abou t h er is green . S h e rea d ily a d m its that sh e is
traveling to W aterd eep in se a r ch o f a rem ed y for h er
Achreny Ulyeltin (Male Human Merchant). U ly e ltin con d ition . T h e co lo ra tio n d o e s n ’t s e e m to b o th e r her, but
sh e b e c o m e s flu stered if a n y on e a sk s h o w sh e ca m e to be
is a n in d e p e n d e n t w a g o n m a ste r w ith tw o w a g o n s in this w ay. S h e is friendly, if som e w h a t quiet, as lo n g a s the
this caravan. B oth are h au lin g cu red fu rs and u n cu red con versa tion stays a w ay from h er past.
h ides. H e is a b oorish m an w ith ou t a trace o f civilization
a b o u t h im . H e ’s n o t u n fr ie n d ly —ju s t s m e lly , v u lg a r , a n d LaiAngesstun (Male Gold DwarfMerchant). T h is
utterly w ith ou t m a n n e rs . H is s e c o n d w a g o n d river a nd
tw o la b ore rs, on th e oth er h an d , a re p er fe ctly p leasa n t. am bitiou s m erch an t is h au lin g scen ted co o k in g oil and
p e rfu m e s fro m A m n , h op in g to m a k e a h u g e profit from
Aldor Urnpoleshurst (Male Human Lawyer). A th e a ristocra ts a n d d a n d ies o f W a terd eep . H e ta lk s
about m on ey con stantly: h o w m u ch h e intends to m ake,
la w y er b y tra in in g b ut a sk u n k b y in clin a tion , U rn p o le h o w h e w ill s p e n d it, a n d h o w o t h e r s w ill e n v y h im f o r it.
s h u r s t is r e lo c a t i n g fr o m B a l d u r ’s G a te t o a n y w h e r e th a t H e w ill n ot sp en d a sin gle co p p e r bu yin g an yon e else a
is n ’t B a l d u r ’s G a te . G o s s ip a r o u n d th e c a r a v a n is th a t d rin k o r a ro a ste d tu rn ip d u rin g th e e n tire trip.
h e w a s d r iv e n o u t b y a s c a n d a l , a n d t h a t ’s h a r d n o t to
believe. H e is su sp icio u s o f ev eryon e and m a k es ou tra Lasfelro the Silent (Male Human Merchant). F r o m
g e o u s a ccu sa tion s at th e d ro p o f a hat.
tim e to tim e, L a sfe lro in ex p lica b ly b rea k s into m erry
Beyd Sechepol (Male Half-ElfMerchant). A le a n d son g s and sh ort stretch es o f jok e-tellin g. H is vo ice is a
fin e ten or a nd h is jo k e s a re h ila riou s. B ut th es e g reg a r
b eer are s o co m m o n that n ot m u ch m on ey ca n b e iou s m o o d s a re a lw a ys sh ort. T h e rest o f th e tim e, h e is
m a d e h a u lin g t h e m l o n g d is t a n c e s . B u t t h a t’s w h a t fills silen t as the grave, starin g su llen ly at the road a head,
S e c h e p o l ’s w a g o n . H e w i ll m a k e h is m o n e y o n t h e r o a d , b arely m ov in g on th e seat o f h is w a g on , s e e m in g h ardly
se llin g h is s to ck to h is fe llo w travelers in th e ca ra va n. to breathe. N o on e k n ow s w h at h e tran sports in his
H e is d ip lom a tic a nd h a s a gift fo r d efu sin g a rg u m en ts w a g o n , b u t it is g u a r d e d b y a b r o o d in g g a r g o y le th at is
to e v e r y o n e ’s s a t is fa c t io n b e fo r e t h e y e s c a la t e to v i o teth ered to th e w a g o n b y a slim , silver chain.
len ce, but h e is ca r e le s s a bou t g e a r a n d h o r s e s — a fault
that ca n ca u se friction w ith th o se w h o hate to s e e a Leda Widris (Female Human Guard). W id r is is a s
h orse m istrea ted th rou g h th ou gh tlessn ess.
h on est and cou ra g eou s as m ercen aries com e. S h e has
Edhelri Lewel (Female Moon E lfMerchant). L e w e l ’s spen t m any years in the sou th and n ow w ants
to s e e the sn ow s a nd frozen sea s o f the far
w a g o n is loa d ed w ith ex otic w o o d from the Jun g le o f n orth a nd ex p erie n ce w h at a truly co ld
C hult for the m a ster ca rp e n ters and ca b in e tm a k ers o f w in d feels like.
W a terd eep to turn into exq uisite furnitu re. S h e is the
exact op p osite o f B eyd S e ch e p o l in tem peram ent: im pa Losvius Longnose (Male
tient w ith p e o p le but ex a ctin g a bou t h er w a g o n and Lightfoot Halfling Teamster).
d otin g o n h er a n im a ls.
A lt h o u g h L o s v i u s ’s n o s e is r e s p e c t
Eldkin Agetul (Female Shield DwarfGuard). ably large, even for a h alfling, the
A g etu l h a s m a d e th is trip se v era l tim es b e fo r e a n d a pp ellation L o n g n o se w a s h ung
n ev er h esita tes to w a v e that e x p e rie n ce in o th e rs ’ on h im for a differen t rea son :
faces. S h e is a p erfection ist, and sh e w an ts he is cu rio u s a bout every
o t h e r s t o k n o w it. thing, in clu d in g oth er
p e o p l e ’s b u s in e s s , a n d
Enom Tobun (Male Lightfoot Hal e s p e c ia lly o t h e r p e o p l e ’s
fling Teamster). T o b u n h a s d r iv e n em barrassin g secrets. L o s
freigh t w a g on s a cro ss F aeru n for the viu s d o e s n ’t p o k e h is n o s e w h e re
past forty yea rs, from W aterdeep to it’s n o t w a n t e d in a s e a r c h fo r
C a lim p o r t a n d f r o m B a l d u r ’s G a te b la ck m a il m aterial. H e is ju st over-
to H illsfar. H e is a fon t o f sto ries pow erin gly cu riou s about w h at other
a n d le g e n d s, but it’s im p o s s ib le p e o p le d o n ’t ta lk abou t. If h e is alon g,
to tell th e truth fro m fiction in t h e r e ’s a g o o d c h a n c e o n e o r m o r e o f th e
h is tales. If anyon e ch a llen ges ch a ra cte rs w ill fin d h im n o s in g th rou gh
h im on th e truth o f a story, h e th eir belon gin gs w h en he thought their
grow s argu m en tative, then backs w ere turned.
su llen and ven gefu l. A s
lo n g a s a traveler stays Noohar Serelim (Male Moon Elf
on h is g o o d side, T obu n Merchant). N o o h a r a n d h is m u te
is a w on d erfu l traveling
com p a n ion . brother, S elvek , are h au lin g exquisite
w o o d e n ca rv in gs m a de by th e elves
Green Imsa (Female o f C orm yr. W h ere h is broth er
Human Traveler). com m u n ica tes on ly th rou gh
sign lan gu age, N ooh a r m ay
The reason b e the m ost articulate p erson
b e h in d I m s a ’s the ch a ra cters have ever m et.
n am e is ob viou s: S p e e c h sp rin g s fro m h im lik e
sh e is g reen m u s ic fro m th e h a r p o f M ilil.
T h e fact that h e seld om h as an yth in g to say n ever seem s L if e o n t h e Ro ad
to stop h im fro m ta lk in g or oth ers fro m listening.
T h e s t r e t c h o f r o a d f r o m B a l d u r ’s G a te t o W a t e r d e e p
Nyerhite Verther (Male Human Merchant). A l o a d o f is a jou rn ey o f 7 50 m iles. H orse-d ra w n or m u le-d raw n
freigh t w a g on s cov er 15 m ile s p er day, d ep en d in g on
C alish ite silk w ill m a k e N yerh ite V erth er a rich m a n in con d itio n s. T h e a n im a ls n e e d o n e day o ff a fter every six
W a terd eep , o r s o h e b elieve s. S adly, h e d id n ot in s p e ct days o f h aulin g to recov er fro m th eir w ork . A ll things
h is s ilk c a r e fu lly w h e n h e b o u g h t it, a n d it’s in fe s te d co n s id e re d , th e trip is e x p e cte d to take tw o m on th s.
w ith w orm s. If anyon e sp ots th em and p oin ts th em out
to V erth er d u rin g th e trip, h e b e c o m e s u n h in g ed in h is T h e ca ra v a n le a v in g B a ld u r’s G a te c o n ta in s th e th re e
a n g er a n d grief. w a g o n s o f th e C ult o f th e D r a g o n p lu s 2 d 4 m o r e . N ot all
travelers a re m erch a n ts. A w a g o n m igh t ca rry a fa m ily
Orvustia Esseren (Female Human Guard). E s s e r e n relo ca tin g to the n orth o r a d ip lom a t o n a m issio n to
W aterd eep . P e o p le and w a g on s jo in the caravan alon g
g r e w u p in t h e f a r m la n d o u t s id e B a ld u r ’s G a te , a n d t h is is the w ay, a n d oth ers leave a cco rd in g to th e d icta tes o f
h er first trip m o re th a n tw o m ile s a w ay fro m h o m e . S h e is b u sin e ss a n d fortu n e. S o m e travelers rid e h o rse s, s o m e
sm art, tou gh , a nd talented w ith b oth sp ea r and b ow , but w a lk b esid e the w a g on s, and so m e pay the m erch a n ts to
s h e k n o w s n o t h in g o f th e w o r ld b e y o n d h e r a u n t’s fa r m o r ride a b oa rd th eir w a g on s. O n several o cca sio n s, ch a ra c
o f p e o p le w h o d ea l d ish o n estly. H er aunt, a w ise w o m a n , ters n o tice the cu lt tea m sters tu rn in g a w ay p a sse n g e rs
b e liev es this trip w ill b e g o o d for her. even th ou gh they have spa re ro o m on th eir w a gon s.
Oyn Evenmor (Male Human Merchant). E v e n m o r N o t h in g id e n tifie s t h e c u lt ’s w a g o n s a s a n y t h in g b u t
typical m erch a n ts h au lin g n orth b ou n d freight. T h ey
is an in dep en den t w a g on m a ster h au lin g ex otic birds to d o n ’t b u n ch u p d u rin g th e d ay o r c a m p to g e th e r at n igh t.
the lucrative m ark ets in W aterdeep. H e is a stu b born , A s far as a n y on e else k n ow s, th eir on ly c o n n e c tio n is
a rgu m en ta tive m a n w ith stro n g o p in io n s a b ou t a lm o st that th e y ’re p a rt o f th is ca ra va n .
e v e r y th in g , b u t h e is g e n e r o u s w h e n it c o m e s to p o u r
in g d rin k s fo r th o s e w h o w ill sit a n d a rgu e w ith h im R e z m ir a n d e ig h t o f h e r g u a rd s leav e B a ld u r ’s G ate
en dlessly. se cretly ah ea d o f th e caravan and ride n orth at a fast
clip. T h e y a re h ea d ed fo r C astle N a eryta r in th e M ere
Radecere Perethun (Male Rock Gnome Traveler). o f D e a d M en a n d w o n ’t b e s e e n a g a in u n til e p is o d e 6.
N o o n e k n o w s w h e re P ereth u n is u ltim a tely h e a d e d or S h e le a v e s tw e lv e guards b e h in d . O n e tra v e ls w ith e a ch
w hy. H e e a ts a lo n e, s e ld o m s p e a k s, a nd a lw a y s rid e s in
the b ack o f the w a gon , starin g w istfu lly at the roa d gon e w a g on , a ctin g as a gu a rd a n d a ssistan t to the team ster.
by. T h e on ly th in g that b rin g s h im out o f this sh ell is a T h e oth e r n in e a re clo a k e d as p rivate trav elers in tw o
g a m e o f ch a n ce . H e g a m b le s b o is te ro u s ly a n d w ell. d istin ct g rou p s, se e k in g co m p a n y a n d p ro te ctio n in the
cara v a n for th eir jou rn ey .
Samardag the Hoper (Male Human Merchant).
T h e w a g o n s travel fo r a b ou t eigh t h o u rs p e r day, w ith
P erh a p s s o m e o n e w h o h au ls cra tes o f exp en siv e, fra gile a few sto p s to feed an d w ater the h orses and m u les.
p orcela in in a b ou n cin g, ja rrin g w a g on a lon g the T rade M any n ights are spen t ca m p in g a lon g the road. M ost
W a y m u s t b e a b o r n o p t im is t . I n S a m a r d a g ’s w o r ld , sm a ll to w n s h ave ro a d sid e in n s if travelers w a nt m ore
th e sk y is a lw a y s b lu e, th e w e a th e r is a lw a y s fin e, a nd co m fo rt, and w a lled h ostelries caterin g to w a g on ca ra
th e o u tlo o k fo r to m o r ro w is a lw a y s b right. O d d s a re h e v a n s a re sp rea d a fe w d ays apart. A n im a ls a nd travelers
w ou ld b e a w ealth y m an if h e h u n g on to his m on ey, but ca n rest com forta b ly at th ese w a lled com p ou n d s w h ile
h e is a soft tou ch for every u rch in and h ard-lu ck story w a g on s are safely lock ed in side. T h e m ap for e p isod e 5
that cr o s s e s h is path. s h o w s a s tru c tu re th at o n c e s e rv e d th at p u r p o s e . It ca n
b e u sed as th e m od el for a typical h ostelry if n eeded.
Sulesdeg the Pole (Male Human Guard). A m o n g h is
T h e m o st difficu lt p art o f th e jo u rn e y is n ea r th e b e g in
trib e in h is h o m e la n d o f th e S h a a r, S u le s d e g ’s n a m e n in g . A f e w d a y s ’ tr a v e l n o r t h o f B a l d u r ’s G a te b r in g s t h e
m ea n s “tall a s a lo d g e p o le .” O n th e S w o r d C oa st, h e is caravan into a cou n trysid e k n ow n a s the F ields o f the
ju st k n o w n a s “the P o le .” A t 7 feet 5 in ch e s in h eigh t, he D ea d . T h e roa d tw ists a n d w a n d e rs th rou g h h ills d otted
p ro b a b ly is the ta llest h u m a n the ch a ra cters o r a n y on e w ith a n cien t b attlefield s, d o lm e n s, a n d b a r r o w m ou n d s.
e ls e in th e ca ra v a n h a s e v e r se e n . H e d o e s n ’t ta lk m u ch , C o m m o n w i s d o m h o ld s th a t it’s a v e r y b a d id e a t o lig h t
bu t w h en h e d o e s , p e o p le g en era lly listen. a fire o n a h illtop at n igh t in th e F ie ld s o f th e D ea d ,
b e ca u s e th e light a ttracts m o n ste rs fro m m ile s a rou n d .
Tyjit Skesh (Female Shield DwarfGuard). It w o n ’t C ro ssin g this territory ta k es several days, du rin g w h ich
everyon e w ill b e ed g y and on w atch.
take lo n g b e fo re ev e ry o n e in th e ca ra v an k n o w s to steer
c le a r o f Tyjit S k e s h . S h e is q u ick to a n g e r a n d q u ick e r to Ra n d o m Ro a d Ev e n t s
re s o rt to h er b la d e s w h e n s o m e th in g sets h er off. S h e is
h on est to a fault a nd n ev er fa ils to let p e o p le k n o w w h y T h e jo u rn e y n orth lasts abou t forty days, and m ost trav
sh e w a s angry, s o th ey ca n c o r r e c t their b eh a v ior in the elers h op e th ese days are m on oton ou s and u neventful.
future. S h e w ill n o t tolerate b u llyin g. T h is b e in g F a eru n , th a t’s n e v e r th e ca s e .
Werond Torohar (Female Human Teamster). Q u ie t, M any days p a ss w ith n o excitem ent, but oth ers see
m on ste r attacks, stra n ge in cid en ts, excitem en t at ro a d
u n a ssu m in g W eron d T oroh ar ca n h an dle a team o f sid e stops, m eetin gs w ith N P C s, and the ever-presen t
h orses o r m u les better than anyon e on the T rade W ay. q u e stio n o f w h e r e th e cu lt’s w a g o n s a re h e a d e d . Y ou ca n
S h e h as an u n ca n n y k n ack for m a k in g a n im als u n der
stan d w hat sh e w an ts from th em w ith on ly a tw itch on
the rein s, a w h istle, and a sn ap o f h er w h ip. M ud, ston es,
a nd ice s e e m to n ot b e o b sta cle s at all w h e n T o roh a r
is h a n d lin g the team . S h e is a starry-eyed rom an tic at
h eart, and sh e ca n b rin g stron g m en to tears w ith h er
tales o f lon g -a go lost lov es and th w arted p assion .
p a c e th es e even ts h o w e v e r y ou like. U se a few , u se th em form e r em p loyer, n o w su ita bly ch a sten ed , is w illin g to
all, o r m a k e u p m o r e o f y o u r o w n . h ire th e ch a ra cte rs b a ck at sligh tly in cre a se d w a ge s.
O n a trip o f th is len g th , ch e ck in g fo r ra n d o m even ts A n im a l A buse
every h ou r is ex cessiv e. T h e T rade W ay se e s a lot o f trav
e le r s a n d it is r ela tiv e ly (if n o t e n tire ly ) s a fe . C h e c k fo r a O n e o f th e trav elers— a n o b le— is reg u la rly s e e n m is
ra n dom event ea ch day by rollin g a d 20 . O n a roll o f 16 treatin g h is h o rs e s. H e a llo w s th eir co lla rs a n d girth s
o r h igh er, o n e or m o re even ts o c c u r a s in d ica ted b e lo w : to ch a fe s o re s in th eir h ide, sk im p s on th eir feed, and
w h ip s th e m w h e n th e a ch in g , h u n g ry a n im a ls d o n ’t p u ll
• 16 m ea n s an even t o c c u r s in th e m o rn in g h a rd e n ou g h o r fast e n ou g h to su it h im . If th e ch a ra c
• 17 m e a n s an even t o c c u r s d u rin g th e first re st stop ters still h av e th eir h o rse s, h e a d m ire s th em a nd offers
• 18 m ea n s an event o ccu rs in the a ftern oon to b u y o n e o r m o re to re p la ce th e “u se le ss n a g s” h e is
• 19 m e a n s an even t o c c u r s in th e ev en in g o r n ight stu ck w ith. E ventually, o n e o f h is h o rs e s w ill co lla p se in
• 2 0 m ea n s on e event o ccu rs in the m orn in g and its h a r n e s s , a n d h e w ill e ith e r b e a t it to d e a th in th e r o a d
o r c u t it l o o s e a n d le a v e it to d ie , u n le s s o n e o r m o r e
an oth er du rin g a ftern oon o r night ch a ra cters in terven es. H e h as a kn igh t and a m age trav
elin g w ith h im as b ody g u ards.
W h e n an even t o ccu rs , sele ct on e that s e e m s a pp rop ri
ate to the loca tion , th e tim ing, and the b ack sto ry that the Ba n e o f t h e M o u n t a in s
ch a ra cte rs h av e th u s far, or y ou ca n roll a d 12 to s ele ct
o n e ra n d om ly . Y ou ca n su bstitu te a ra n d o m b a n d it (day H igh above, tw o p eryton s are w a tch in g the roa d for
tim e) or m on ster (nigh ttim e) attack for any oth er even t if fresh h earts th ey ca n con su m e b efo re laying their
a d o se o f instant action is n eed ed . e g g s. T h ey circle at an altitude w h e re th ey a re ea sily
m istak en for ea gles. E ach ch a ra cter can m ak e a D C 15
E x p e rie n ce p oin t a w a rd s for th e se events a re up to In telligen ce (N ature) ch e ck u p on seein g the creatu res.
you . W e recom m en d 3 0 0 X P p er ch a racter for each S u cce s s m ea n s they re cog n ize the p eryton s for w h at
situ a tion th e h e r o e s re s o lv e s u cces sfu lly . Ideally, th e th ey a re b e fo r e th e first d ive a ttack . F a ilu re m ea n s the
ch a ra cters have the ch a n ce to com plete eight or n in e o f ch a ra cter is su rprised.
th ese events. If you u se the m ileston e ex p erien ce rule,
the ch a ra cters rea ch 5th level at th e end o f this jou rn ey. Co nt r aband
T r a d e W a y Ev e n t s O n e o f th e cu lt w a g o n s ove rtu rn s o n a difficu lt co r n e r
o r w h en a w h eel b rea k s on a rock . O f the crates that
d12 Event tu m ble free, on e sm a sh es op en , revealin g d ozen s o f
1 A d ven t u r in g Life beau tifu l item s o f je w e lry w ra p p ed in w o o l for p rotec
2 A n im al Abu se tion . T h is is an ex cellen t op p o rtu n ity fo r th e ch a ra cters
3 Ban e o f th e M o u n t ain s to se e so m e o f the con tra ba n d and even to get frien dly
4 Co n trab an d w ith the cu ltists by h elp in g th em rep a ir th eir w a gon .
5 Ev e r y t h i n g H a s a Pr i c e
6 Fu n g u s H u m o n g o u s T h e cu lt m e m b e rs a re a n g ry that p e o p le s a w th e c o n
7 The Go ld en Hin d tents o f th eir spilled ca rg o. T h eir in stru ction s, direct
8 High H o ly Day fro m W y rm sp e a k e r R ezm ir, w e re to k ee p the m a terial
9 N o Ro o m at t h e In n se cu re and secret. W itn esses w h o sh o w m u ch interest
10 Ro ad si d e H o s p it a li t y in th e je w e lr y o r w h o a sk q u estion s m igh t n e e d to b e
11 Sp id e r W o o d s silen ced . N P C w itn esses cou ld d isa p p ea r overnight
12 St r a n d e d or die u n ex p ected ly from su dd en illn ess (w h ich a s u c
ce ssfu l D C 10 W isd o m [M edicin e] ch eck reveals to b e
A d v e n t u r in g L if e poison ). T h e sa m e attacks ca n b e d irected again st ch a r
acters w h o sh o w to o m u ch cu riosity.
A n oth er group o f adventurers jo in s the caravan or
is stayin g at th e sa m e ro a d sid e inn. J u d gin g b y th eir Ev e r y t h in g H a s a Pr ic e
boastin g , they have b ested so m e o f the m ost ferocio u s
m on sters a n d fo e s F a eru n h as to offer. T h e y lo o k p r o s S o m e o n e in th e ca ra v a n d e v e lo p s a fa n cy fo r a trea su re d
p e ro u s , th e y ’re fille d w ith e x c itin g ta les, a n d th e y strik e p o ss e s sio n that b elo n g s to on e o f th e ch ara cters. T h e
up a b on d w ith a m erch an t w h o em p loys on e or m ore N P C tr ie s to b u y it, b u t th e o ffe r e d p r ic e is lo w . T h e N P C
o f th e ch ara cters. T h e n ext m orn in g, that m erch an t p ersists th rou g h the day, b e co m in g m ore ob n ox io u s
in fo rm s th e ch a ra cte rs that th eir s e rv ice s a re n o lon g er w ith ou t gettin g any m ore g en erou s. U n less th e ch a r
n eed ed b eca u se h e h as h ired m ore ex p erien ced guards. acter tak es sp ecia l p recau tion s, the ob je ct d isap p ea rs
overnigh t. If th e ch a racter a ccu se s the N P C p u blicly the
T h e n ew com ers are a troop o f a ctors tryin g to pay fo llo w in g m orn in g , th ey m a k e an en d u rin g en em y ; that
th eir w a y to th e n ext tow n . T h ey a re g a m b lin g that n o N P C d o e s n ’t h av e th e ite m a n d is in c e n s e d at th e a c c u
d a n g e r w ill a ris e that n e e d s th e m to ste p u p a n d fight. sation. S o m e o n e else w h o w itn essed the con v ersation s
W h e n it d o e s (a s it s u r e ly w ill), it b e c o m e s p a in fu lly the day b efore d ecid ed the oth er N P C p rov id ed p erfect
ob v iou s that n ot o n e w a rrio r or w iza rd is a m on g them ; co v e r for a little n ig h ttim e th iev ery a n d to o k th e m is sin g
th ey a re five h u m a n c o m m o n e r s w ith ch a ris m a to item . T o fin d the item , ch a ra cte rs n e e d to su rreptitiou sly
b u rn a nd sh in y sta ge p ro p s for w e a p o n s a nd arm or. s e a r c h p e o p l e ’s b a g s a n d w a g o n s , s in c e f e w p e o p l e w ill
A ft e r t h e y ’v e b e e n r e s c u e d f r o m d a n g e r , t h e c h a r a c t e r s ’
a gree to have th eir b elo n g in g s rifled th rou gh as if they dow n , p rotect the stag, o r ig n ore the situ ation , as they
w e re c o m m o n th ie v es — e s p e cia lly n ot a c o m m o n thief. s e e fit. It c a n b e tr a c k e d t h r o u g h th e fo r e s t w ith a s u c
ce ssfu l D C 10 W isd o m (S u rvival) ch eck . A n ew ch eck
Fu n g u s H u m o n g o u s m ust be m ade every 5 0 0 yards.
A fter tw o d ays a n d n ig h ts o f rain, ligh tn in g, a n d stra n ge T h e stag lea d s h un ters o n a 1 ,5 0 0 -y a rd ch a se (th ree
w h istlin g s o u n d s on the w in d , ch a ra cte rs a w a k en to W isd o m (S u rvival) ch eck s) to a m oss-g row n , ivy-draped
se e that the su rrou n d in g co u n trysid e is b lan k eted w ith ru in in th e forest. T h ere, o n e o f th ree th in g s ca n h a p p en .
fu n g u s . It g r o w s e v e r y w h e r e , in c lu d in g o n th e ro a d . C h o o se the on e that b est suits y ou r gam e.
W h e n a n y o n e s t e p s o n a m u s h r o o m (it’s n e a r ly i m p o s
s ib le n o t to), it e m its a p u ff o f b la c k s p o r e s a n d a m o a n • T h e s ta g c a n b e c o r n e re d , fou g h t, a n d k ille d . It is a
o f pain. T h ese tiny sh riek ers sprou t from an im m en se n orm a l stag but w ith a breath tak in gly beau tifu l co a t
m yceliu m that h as spread ben ea th th e area fro m sh al o f g o ld e n fu r. I f th e l o c a l f a r m e r s l e a r n th a t it’s b e e n
lo w ca v es. T h e y ca n b e id en tified w ith a s u cce s s fu l D C k illed , th ey g ra b th eir p itch fork s a n d lo n g b o w s and
15 In telligen ce (N ature) ch eck , but if th e roll is 1 0 -1 4 , th reaten to overru n th e caravan u n less they are paid
th e ch a ra cter m isiden tifies th em and b eliev es they are 5 0 0 g p fo r th eir lo ss ; th e sta g b ro u g h t th em luck.
d e a d ly p o i s o n o u s (th e y a r e n ’t).
• T h e sta g g re ets the ch a ra cte rs in S ylvan . If n on e o f the
T h e m erch a n ts a re terrified o f the th in gs a nd re fu se to c h a r a c te r s s p e a k th a t la n g u a g e , it s w it c h e s to E lv ish ,
d rive th rou gh them , fe arin g that they m ay b e p o is o n o u s a n d i f n o o n e r e s p o n d s a g a in , it tr ie s h e a v ily a c c e n te d ,
or w o rse . B e s id e s that, the s o u n d s s p o o k th e a n im a ls p id g in C o m m o n . It a s s u re s th e m th at th e y a re o n th e
and m ak e th em im p ossib le to con trol. right track, a n d th ey m u st con tin u e fo llo w in g the river
o f g old until th ey re a ch th e ca s tle in th e sky. S adly,
T h e m u sh ro o m s a re g ro w in g s o fast on th e rain- th eir path w ill b e filled w ith h a rd sh ip a n d b lo o d . T o
soa k ed grou n d that a p erson ca n a lm ost se e th em a id th e m , it o ffe r s th e c h a r a c te r a +1 lo n g b o w . T h e
gettin g bigger. T h ey w ere th e siz e o f ch a m p ag n e cork s b o w a pp ears on the grou n d b efore them , and then the
w h en first n oticed ; w ith in an h ou r, th ey g r o w s ix in ch es sta g fa d es fro m v ie w say in g, “N ot all w ill su rv iv e . . . ”
tall, a n d a fo o t ta ll an h o u r later. T h e ir g r o w th s lo w s
d o w n a fter that, but b y th en , m ost p e o p le in th e ca ra v an • W h e n the ch a ra cters s e a rch the tu m b led ru in s, they
a re certa in that a ll is d o o m e d . find n o sig n o f th e s ta g bu t s e e a th in p e rs o n w h o
resem b les a w o o d e lf w ith bright golden skin. T h e
A n y o n e ca n literally s w e e p a path th rou g h th e m u sh you n g m ale is n ak ed an d either is w ea rin g an ant
room s w ith a h eavy b room , a scyth e, or a tree branch. lered h e a d p ie ce or h a s d elica te an tlers g row in g from
T h e n o is e is d istre ssin g . E v e ryo n e in v olve d in th is h is head. H e d ro p s to h is k n ee s a nd b e s e e c h e s the
p r o c e s s m u st m a k e a D C 10 C on stitu tion sa v in g throw . ch a ra cters in a d ia lect o f E lvish that is a rch a ic but
F ailure m ea n s th e ch a ra cter is o v e rco m e w ith feelin g s o f u n dersta n d ab le. H e is an e lf p rin ce, a nd the ston es
grief and rem orse, seem in g ly trigg ered by h earin g th ou aroun d them w ere o n ce the beau tifu l castle w h ere h e
sa n d s o f tiny crie s o f p a in a n d d ea th g roa n s but w h ich is ru led. B ut h e w a s cu rse d b y the fath er o f the w o m a n
in fact the resu lt o f in h a lin g m ild ly to x ic s p o re s re le a se d he loved to tran sform into a golden stag w h en ever he
b y the im m a tu re fun gi. A ffe cte d ch a ra cters b re a k d o w n step s ou tsid e th ese w a lls. H e h as lived w ith th e cu rse
a fter 1d 2 0 m in u te s a n d s im p ly c a n ’t fa c e t h o s e s o u n d s for s o lon g that h is k in g d o m is forgotten , h is ca stle is
a n y m o re . T h e y h ave n ig h tm a re s fo r d ays to c o m e , until fallen to ruin, a nd h e n o lo n g e r rem e m b e rs h is o w n
the tox in is com p lete ly out o f th eir system . Y ou ca n n am e. H e believes that a w izard so m ew h ere ca n
im p o s e e ve n m o r e lin g e rin g re su lts if y o u lik e, su ch a s a relea se h im from the cu rse, but w h erever he goes, p e o
lifelon g a v ersion to ea tin g m u sh ro o m s o f any k in d. p le try to k ill h im for h is g old en coa t. If th e ch a ra cters
a llo w h im to a cc o m p a n y th em a nd p ro tec t h im , h e w ill
P e o p le ca n clea r a path th rou g h th e m u sh room s w ith d o h is b es t to rew a rd th em at th e en d o f th e jou rn ey .
s ix m a n -h o u r s o f w o r k (s ix p e o p le c o u ld d o it in o n e T h e story is true; severa l w iz a rd s in W a terd eep cou ld
h o u r, o r th r e e p e o p le c o u ld d o it in tw o h o u rs ). rem ove the cu rse. T h e elf ca n n ot pay a rew ard at the
en d, but th e ch a ra cters ea rn 5 0 0 X P a p iece for b eliev
T h e G o l d e n St a g in g h im a n d p ro te c tin g h im . T h at jo b w o n ’t b e easy,
b e ca u se p eo p le in the ca ra va n find their story rid icu
O n a b e a u tifu l, s u n n y a fte r n o o n , a h e r d o f deer is s p o t lo u s a nd lo o k for op p ortu n itie s to kill the stag.
ted g ra zin g o n a n ea rb y hill. T h e travelers ta k e su ch Pa y b a c k
op p ortu n ities to hunt fresh m eat for the larder. T h is
A s the caravan rou n d s a b en d in the road, a h u m an h ead
h e r d , h o w e v e r , in c lu d e s a m a g n ific e n t s ta g (u s e elk s ta ca n b e seen sitting in the m idd le o f the road a h u n dred
yard s ahead. F rom a d istan ce, ch aracters w ith a p assive
tistics) that s h im m e r s in th e ligh t a s if its c o a t is sp u n W isd o m (P ercep tion ) s co re o f 15 or h igh er recog n ize
fro m g o ld a n d its a ntlers p la ted w ith pla tin u m . N early that the h ea d is a ctu a lly a p e rso n b u rie d up to th e n eck ,
ev e ry on e in th e ca ra v a n w h o ca n h a n d le a b o w w a n ts an d h e is u n c o n s c io u s b ut still alive. T h at fact is o b v io u s
to b rin g d o w n that b ea st. Its p elt w o u ld b e w o rth a fo r to anyon e w h o a p p roa ch es w ith in 10 yards, as is the
tu n e, ev en if it’s n o t re a l g o ld . A fe w o f th e m o r e ca u tio u s w ord “ O ath break er” pain ted on h is foreh ead .
ty p es w a rn that th e creatu re is clearly a b le ssed b ein g
a n d th a t k illin g it w o u ld b r in g b a d lu c k o n th e c a ra v a n , T h e b u ried h u m an is in bad sh ap e fro m ex p osu re and
b ut n o m o re tha n tw o o r th re e p e o p le a re p ersu a d ed . In dehydration . A n y h ealin g m a g ic or som e w ater and a
m in utes, the hunt is on, and the deer h erd sca tters into
th e n ea rb y fo re st a n d th rou g h fa rm e rs ’ fields.
T h e ch a ra cte rs ca n jo in th e ch a se , try to ta lk p e o p le
s u cce s s fu l D C 10 W is d o m (M ed icin e) ch e c k rev iv es h im . o f re a s o n o r d eb a te o r b y o ffe rs o f m on ey. T h ey fin d the
M an y o f th e m erch a n ts in the caravan are o f the situ a tion e n o rm o u sly a m u sin g a n d s e e m p le a se d b y th e
p rosp ect o f the m erch an ts and th eir a n im als su fferin g
op in ion that w h oev er this is, if s o m e o n e or som eth in g in th e fre e z in g rain all n igh t. T h ey n ee d le a n d g o a d th e
w en t to the trou ble o f m a rk in g h im as a traitor and b u ry ch a ra cte rs a nd th eir fe llo w travelers at ev e ry o p p o rtu
in g h im up to the n eck in the T rade W ay, h e prob ably nity, in c lu d in g fro m th e d o o r w a y a n d w in d o w s o f th e inn
d e s e r v e s it a n d s h o u ld b e le ft th e r e . I f c h a r a c te r s a re w h e n n o o n e e ls e is in sid e . If th e ch a ra cte rs d o n ’t sta rt a
w o rk in g as gu ard s fo r N P C m erch a n ts, at least o n e o f fight, s o m e o n e e ls e fr o m th e ca ra v a n m igh t.
th e ir e m p lo y e rs is a m o n g th is g rou p . It’s o b v io u s fro m
w h eel track s o n th e tu rn ed-over earth that oth er w a g on s In fact, th e s e N P C s a re fo u r d isg u ise d assassins trav
h ave in d eed p a ssed h im by du rin g the last few days.
e lin g to B a ld u r ’s G a te in s e a r c h o f e m p lo y m e n t a n d o u t
D ig g in g the m an out o f the grou n d ta k es tw o d igg ers to h a v e a g o o d la u g h o v e r s o m e o n e ’s m is fo r t u n e . T h e y
at least tw o h ou rs, and refillin g the h ole takes an oth er d ro p all p reten se a fter v io le n ce b rea k s out.
h o u r (y o u c a n ’t ju s t le a v e a h o le in th e roa d ).
R o a d s id e H o s p it a l it y
T h e b u ried m an is C arlon A m offel. H e is a h u m an
W h e n th e ca ra v a n re a ch e s its sto p p in g p oin t for the
spy a n d a m e m b e r o f th e H a r p e r s ; c h a r a c te r s d is c o v e r night, tw o b u x o m tw in sisters a re th ere a h ea d o f
them , settin g up ca m p and ten d in g to th eir h orses.
a H arper tattoo on h is arm if they d ig h im up. H e h as A rietta and Z elin a In n evar take a lik in g to s o m e o f the
n o th in g but th e loin clo th h e w a s b u ried in. travelers— possibly, but n ot n ecessarily , a few o f the
ch a ra cters— and sp en d the even in g a sk in g abou t th eir
P u b licly, A m o ffe l’s sto r y is th at th e o a th h e b ro k e w a s p a s t , w h e r e t h e y ’r e h e a d e d , w h e t h e r th e y h a v e fa m ily ,
a p rom ise to m arry a w om an . H e broke the en gagem ent
b e ca u se he d iscov ered that h er fath er and b roth ers w ere a n d s o o n . T h e s is t e r s a re a c t u a lly t w o doppelgangers.
all b a n d its a nd that h e w a s e x p e cte d to jo in th em .
T h ey ca n either attack s o m e o n e that night o r jo in the
If any o f the ch aracters are H arpers and they reveal ca ra v an fo r a fe w d ays w h ile th ey stu d y the travelers a nd
th eir a sso cia tio n to A m offel, h e tells th em the rea l story. ch o o s e their victim s. W h en the tim e co m e s to strike,
H e w a s on exactly the sa m e m ission they are: track in g th ey w a it until after dark, then try to lure th eir target
a s h ip m e n t o f s t o le n lo o t n o r t h . B u t th e s m u g g l e r s — h e ’s aw ay fro m oth er p e o p le b y ca llin g for a ss ista n ce in a
s u r e th e y ’r e m e m b e r s o f th e C u lt o f th e D r a g o n — fa m ilia r v o ice. F ortu n ately fo r th e ch a ra cte rs a nd their
b e ca m e su sp icio u s o f him . A m offel p a ssed in form ation fe llo w travelers, if o n e is d efea ted , th e oth er tw o flee in a
to an oth er H arper at a roa d side inn, and m em b ers o f the flu rry o f c u r s e s a n d v en g efu l th rea ts.
caravan w itn essed the m eetin g. T h e cu ltists m a n u fa c
tu red a story that h e w a s p a ssin g in form ation to ban dits. Sp id e r W o o d s
T h e m erch a n ts w e r e u n w illin g to k ill h im ou trigh t, but
they w ere w illin g to leave h im b u ried in the roa d and T h e T rade W ay sk irts arou n d and b etw een the hu ge
“ le t p r o v i d e n c e d e c i d e t h e m a n ’s fa te .” T r o llb a rk a n d M isty F o re sts, bu t it p a s s e s th ro u g h m a n y
oth er, s m a lle r fo re s ts that d o n ’t a p p e a r o n m a p s. W h e n
A m offel h as H arper con ta cts in W aterd eep and k n ow s th e ca ra v an is p a ss in g th rou g h o n e s u ch w o o d e d reg ion ,
h is w a y a ro u n d th e city. H e ca n b e a u sefu l ally w h en
th is ca ra v an rea ch e s its d estin ation . t h r e e ettercaps a n d t w o giant spiders a tta c k it. T h e y
No R o o m a t t h e In n a re ch iefly in terested in ta k in g h o rs e s, n ot m e rch a n d ise ,
b u t th e y w o n ’t b a lk at ta k in g p e o p le if th e y c a n ’t get
A fter a m isera bly w et, co ld day that p ro m ise s to b e co m e h orses. T w o etterca ps g o after h orses w h ile the third
a n ev en w etter, fre e z in g night, th e ca ra v a n a rriv es ettercap and the giant sp id ers k eep th e caravan gu ards
at a large inn. U pon en terin g the w a rm , com forta b le busy. A n etterca p ca n cu t a h o rs e free fro m its h a r
c o m m o n r o o m to m a k e a rra n g em en ts for th e night, the n e s s in 3 rou n d s. A fter that, th ey retrea t into th e trees,
e m b a r ra s s e d in n k e e p er tells th e ch a ra cte rs that th e leadin g the h orse aw ay w ith rein s o f w eb bin g. W ith
en tire inn is s o ld out; all th e private r o o m s a re ta k en a nd out h orses, the w a g on s are stranded. T h e ch ara cters’
th e c o m m o n ro o m is re s e rv e d fo r a private party. T h e em p loy er in sists th ey go a fter th e etterca p s a n d retrieve
ca rav a n w ill n e e d to sp en d th e n ight ou tsid e. L o o k in g th e stolen h o rs es .
a rou n d the roo m , th e ch a ra cte rs see ju st on e grou p: an
aristocra tic ju d g e and h is en tou ra ge o f th ree h u m an If the ch a ra cters m ov e quickly, they have a g o o d
d iletta ntes. T h ey sm irk at th e ch a ra cte rs w h ile m a k in g ch a n ce to retrieve th e h o rse s alive. T h e a n im a ls leave a
com m en ts su ch as “sle ep tigh t” and “h ave a pleasan t trail th ro u g h th e u n d e rb ru sh th at’s e a sy to fo llo w ; a s u c
e v e n in g ” fo llo w e d b y in su lts m u ttered u n d e r th eir b rea th ce s s fu l D C 10 W is d o m (S u rviva l) ch e ck is su fficien t to
about the ch a ra cters’ m u d -sp attered clo th in g and low k e e p o n it. T h e h o r s e s a r e le d a w a y a b o u t h a l f a m ile to
b ree d in g . If ch a ra cte rs a sk a b ou t sle ep in g in th e stable, th e e tte r ca p s’ lair. If ch a ra c te r s ch a rg e stra ig h t in, th ey
on e o f the n ob les sp ea k s up, saying, “ O ur h orses are
rath er pick y a bou t w h o they sh are sp a ce w ith. W e h ad to a r e a tta c k e d b y t h r e e ettercaps a n d t w o giant spiders.
r e s e r v e a ll o f it, t o o , fo r t h e ir s a k e . Y o u u n d e r s t a n d , I ’m
su re.” H is s n o o ty frie n d s h av e a g o o d ch u ck le ov er that. If they pau se to ob serv e for a few m inutes, they see the
etterca p s s h o o the giant sp id ers aw ay w h ile th ey p re p a re
S p en d in g this night in the w a g on s w ill b e h ard on the for their feast o f h orse m eat. T h e ch a racters ca n then
ch a ra cters but w ill b e m ise ry for th e u n protected h orses fight ju st the etterca p s for 6 rou n d s, b e fo re th e sp id ers
a n d m u le s , a n d th e o n ly r e a s o n fo r it is th e c r u e lty a n d re tu rn to th e s o u n d o f battle. T h e ch a ra cte rs c a n ’t d ela y
a rro g a n ce o f th e se s n ick e rin g tw its in th e inn. fo r lon g , h ow e ver, b e c a u s e th e e tte rca p s w o n ’t w a ste
m u ch tim e b efor e k illin g and tu ck in g into the h orses.
T h e N P C s in th e in n w o n ’t b e in flu e n ce d b y a n y so rt
St r a n d e d _____ autom atically, for th e sa k e o f
u sin g this event.
T h is is an id eal event for th e F ield s o f the
D e a d r e g io n , if o n e o c c u r s t h e re , b u t it If a ch a ra cter is recog n ized ,
can b e u sed anyw here. a llow that ch a ra cter to m ak e a D C
15 W is d o m (Insigh t) ch e ck . S u c
T h e ca ra va n s e e s a fight h a p p e n in g ce ss m ea n s the character catches
ahead. A freight w a gon is stranded a cu ltist w a tch in g h im o r h er su sp i
o n the roa d , its d raft a n im a ls dead . ciou sly, n otin g w h o the ch a ra cter
ta lk s to, w h e n th e ch a ra cter eats,
A m e r c h a n t (noble) a n d t h r e e and w h ere the ch a racter sleeps.
guards a re s h e lte re d u n d e r th e O v e r t h e c o u r s e o f a fe w d a y s , it
w agon , w ith crates dragged betw een sh ou ld b e co m e ob v iou s that
the w h eels for cover. T h ey are plen this cu ltist h a s r e c o g n iz e d the
tifu lly su p p lie d w ith c r o s s b o w s and ch ara cter. If ch a ra cters d elay
takin g action, the cultists
b o lts , b u t th e s ix hobgoblins a n d o n e strike first by try in g to a ss a s
hobgoblin captain a s s a ilin g th e m sin ate th e ch a ra cters in their
b edrolls or perh aps by arran g
seem con tent to k eep them under
sie g e until su n d o w n , w h e n th ey in g an a cciden t— a lo o se w h eel,
p la n to ru sh th e w a g on w ith dark brok en axle, or sp ook ed lead
n ess as cover. T h ese are U rshani h orse m igh t b e an effectiv e w a y
h ob g ob lin s, recog n iz a b le by their to solve a p roblem . T h e on ly p er
u nu su ally sav age a p p ea ra n ce m anent solu tion to this p rob lem
(even for h obgoblins). U rshani for the ch ara cters is m urder;
h obg oblin s adorn them selves the cultist w ith su sp icion s m ust
w ith w o lf furs, paint w org h eads b e elim in a ted b e fo re h e or sh e
onto their sh ields, a nd in co rp o
rate oth er w o lf p arts a nd ico n s in sh ares th ose su sp icion s w ith
their arm or and clothing. the others. G o o d characters
m a y b e reluctan t to ta ke this
F irst the h ob g ob lin s m ust s te p ; th a t’s r o le p la y in g . I f th e y
b e d riven off, th en th e in ju red c a n fin d a n o th e r w a y, th a t's
a tten ded to, an d th en s o m e excellent, but o n ce the op p o sitio n
th in g m ust b e d on e a bou t the r e c o g n iz e s s o m e o n e , the situ ation
stran ded w agon . T h e trader is lik ely to en d in death.
h as m on ey to buy m ore h orses
if a n yon e is w illin g to sell. O th U n w a n t e d A t t e n t io n
e rw is e , h e ’ll ta k e a lift to th e n ext
h ostelry, w h ere h e ca n b u y an i T h e d ay a fter the ca ra va n lea ves D a gge rfo rd , have
m a ls, w h ile h is th ree gu a rd s stay ea ch ch a ra cter m ak e a W isd o m (In sigh t) ch eck . (A lter
beh in d. natively, y o u c a n a llo w a C h a ris m a [D e ce p tio n ] ch e c k
h ere, p e rm ittin g ch a ra cte rs to u s e th eir k n o w le d g e o f
Pl a n n ed Ro a d d e ce p tio n to re c o g n iz e w h en s o m e o n e else is p uttin g
Ev e n t s th e sa m e talen t to u se. O n ly ch a ra cte rs w ith train in g in
D e c e p tio n ca n c h o o s e th is op tion .) In terpret th e resu lts
A fter Jam n a G leam silver and A zba ra Jos jo in the ca ra as follow s.
van, th ree pla n n ed even ts m ust take pla ce. T h eir tim in g
is up to you. • 9 or le ss: T h e ch a ra cte r n o tice s n oth in g.
• 1 0 -1 2 : T h e ch a racter n otice s that the g n om e w h o
Re c o g n iz e d !
recen tly jo in e d the caravan sh o w s an interest in the
If th e ch a ra cters spen t m u ch tim e w a n d erin g th rou gh h u m an w h o jo in e d at the sa m e tim e and w h o w a s
the ra id ers’ ca m p on the G reen field s and ta lk in g to w e lc o m e d a b oa rd on e o f th e cu lt w a g o n s a s a p a sse n
cu ltists, they m igh t have stru ck up a con v ersa tion th ere ger. T h e y a re n ’t to ge th er, bu t d u rin g s to p s , th e g n o m e
w ith a cu ltist w h o is n o w on e o f th e w a g on drivers. often sid le s up n ea r e n ou gh to overh ea r a n yth in g the
H ave e a ch ch a ra cter m a k e a C h arism a ch e ck on the h u m an m igh t say, and sh e h as a lso b een spotted h ov
fir s t d a y o f th e jo u r n e y , b u t d o n ’t te ll p la y e r s w h a t it’s erin g n ea r th e cu lt w a g o n s w h e n th e cu ltists a re b u s y
for. A t s o m e p oin t d u rin g th e jou rn ey , the ch a ra cter w ith ta sk s oth e r th a n g u a rd in g th e w a g o n s closely .
w h o s co re d the low est resu lt on th e C h arism a ch eck • 1 3 -1 5 : T h e ch a racter n otice s that the g n o m e sh ow s
is r e c o g n iz e d b y a cu ltist. T h e cu ltists a ss u m e that, at an interest in the ch a racters. S h e h as sp ok en to
best, the ch a ra cter m u st b e a d e se rte r fro m the cult. At several o f them , ask in g in n ocu ou s q u estion s and
w orst, h e or sh e is a sp y an d a saboteu r. A t a dra m atic
p oin t o n the jou rn ey , w h en the ca rav an is aw ay from
B a ld u r ’s G a te , t h is m e a n s t r o u b le .
O ptionally, y o u ca n d is p e n s e w ith th is d ie roll
and have so m e o n e recog n ize on e o f the cha racters
co m m en tin g on th e w eather. S h e leaves th e im p res k n o w . I f th e c h a r a c te r s h a v e n ’t fig u r e d o u t th a t A z b a r a
sio n o f b e in g s o m e o n e w h o fla w lessly ta k es in every Jos is a R ed W iza rd o f Thay, sh e poin ts that out and
detail abou t p eop le and h er su rrou n d in gs. r a is e s th e q u e s tio n o f w h y a R e d W iz a r d is c h u m m in g it
• 16+: T h e character n otices both and has the im pres up w ith C ult o f th e D ra g o n m e m b e rs .
sion that G leam silver is aw are o f the ch ara cters
w a tch in g her, too. G le a m silv e r is e s p e c ia lly ca g e y a b o u t w h y sh e ’s
in terested in all this. T h e g n o m e n e v er m e n tion s th e
If s o m e o n e re v e a ls a H a r p e r b a d g e to G leam silv er, sh e Z h en tarim or the B la ck N etw ork . S h e n ever co m e s out
resp o n d s w ith a cu rt “put that away, fo o l,” and leaves. a nd sa y s sh e w o rk s fo r th e H a rp e rs, either. G le a m silv e r
is an expert at p ick in g u p on th e su btlest clu es and u sin g
W h o ’s Y o u r F r i e n d ? th em to s e e m to k n o w th in g s sh e d o e s n ’t a ctu a lly k n o w
and to say w h at p eop le w ant or exp ect to hear. S h e u ses
O n the m orn in g o f th e day w h en the caravan is fou r that talent to great ad va n tage a g ain st th e ch a ra cte rs in
d a ys’ travel fro m W a te rd ee p (tw o days a fter “U nw an ted all th eir d e a lin g s. If p la y ers a sk to u se W is d o m (In sigh t)
A tten tio n ” ), G le a m s ilv e r a p p ro a ch e s th e ch a ra cte rs to d etect w h eth e r th e g n o m e is tellin g th e truth, let th em
ju st as th ey are sitting d ow n to the m orn in g m eal. A fter m a k e the ch ec k . O n a roll o f 15 or h igh er, th e ch a ra cter
gla n cin g arou n d to m a k e su re n on e o f the cultists are s u s p e c ts G le a m silv e r isn ’t te llin g th e m e v e ry th in g but
w a tch in g , sh e p uts h e r fin g ers to h e r lip s, th en ta k es th e d o e s n ’t d is c e r n a n a c t u a l lie . O n a n y o t h e r r e s u lt , th e
b o w l o f oa tm ea l that o n e o f th em is a b o u t to eat. ch a ra cters detect n o dish on esty.
After pokin g th ro ugh yo u r o atm eal w ith th e blade o f her M u r d e r M o s t Fo u l
d agger, th e g n o m e lifts it o u t an d sh o w s yo u an o atm eal-
sm e a r e d o b j e c t r e s e m b l i n g a t i n y b e ad . Sh e g l an c e s o v e r T w o d a y s a fte r “ W h o ’s Y o u r F r ie n d ? ” h a p p e n s , t h e c a m p
h er sh o u ld er to w ard w h ere cu ltist s sit at th eir b reak fast. a w a k en s to a k illin g. O n e o f the cu ltists a ctin g a s a
“ It ’s a sliver o f b o n e,” sh e w h isp ers, “ cu rled in to a circle so w a g o n g u a rd w a s m u rd ere d ov ern ig h t. H e w a s sta b b e d
yo u can sw allo w it in a m o u th fu l o f g ruel w it h o u t n o ticin g . in the b a c k w ith a s w o rd (the w o u n d is to o b ig to b e fro m
O n ce eaten , it slo w ly u n cu rls in sid e you , ex p o sin g n eed le a d a g g er) a nd left w h er e h e fell b en ea th a cu lt w a g on .
p o in t s th at p ierce yo u r g u ts an d kill you slo w ly. I su sp ect
t h ey 'r e in all yo u r b r eak f ast s.” A s sh e g et s u p an d w alk s T h e d e a d m a n ’s c o m p a n io n s im m e d ia t e ly a c c u s e o n e
away, sh e ad d s, “ Let ’s talk th is even in g .” o f the ch aracters and d em an d to in sp ect the ch a ra cters’
w e a p o n s . I f th e c h a r a c te r c a r r ie s a s h o r ts w o r d , it w ill b e
N o m ore b o n e slivers are in th e ch a ra cters’ gruel. T h e a m atch, alth ou gh that p rove s n othing. A n y sw o rd that
on e G leam silver sh ow ed th em w a s a lready stu ck to the siz e w ou ld b e clo se en ou gh . M an y footp rin ts are arou n d
u n d e r s id e o f h e r d a g g e r b e fo r e s h e p o k e d it in to th e the w a gon , but a su cce ssfu l D C 10 In telligen ce (In ves
bow l. If ch a ra cters dig th rou gh th eir oa tm eal look in g for tigation) ch e ck d eterm in es that th ey are all fro m p eop le
slivers, let th em m a k e D C 15 In tellig en ce (In v estig a tion ) crow d in g arou n d th e b o d y in the m orn in g. T h e grou n d
ch e c k s . If a c h e c k s u c c e e d s , tell th e m th ey fin d sev era l w a s sw ep t du rin g th e night to rem ove prints.
sm all lu m p s that m igh t b e b o n e slivers, but they m igh t
ju st as ea sily b e oat h u sks, saw d u st, or in sect egg s. A lso B y th is p oin t in th e jou rn ey , th e ch a ra cters sh o u ld
tell th em that tw o o f th e cu ltists k eep lo o k in g in their b e p op u la r w ith the oth er travelers; they prob ably have
d irection but a pp ear to b e tryin g to h ide th eir interest. sav ed n u m erou s lives and the entire caravan m ore than
o n ce . T h e cu ltists, on the oth e r h an d, a re n ot s o p opu lar.
T h a t even in g, a fter m o st o f th e travelers h ave b e d d e d T h ey a re sta n d offish a n d ev en a bit od d . T h is w o r k s in
dow n , G leam silver co m e s to th e ch aracters. S h e b eg in s th e a c c u s e d c h a r a c t e r ’s fa v o r, b e c a u s e m a n y p e o p l e w ill
by in trod u cin g h e rse lf if that h asn ’t h ap p en ed previou sly. sp e a k up in h is o r h er d efe n se .
O th erw ise , sh e g ets righ t to th e p oint.
I f a c h a r a c t e r s u g g e s t s th a t t h e w a g o n ’s o w n e r s
“ W e d o n ’t w o rk fo r t h e sam e p eo p le, b u t w e ’re all o n t h e sh ou ld op en th eir crates to s e e if anyth in g is m issin g,
sam e sid e— w e sh are a b elief th at th e Cu lt o f th e Drag on th e a c c u s a t i o n s d ie a w a y . ( I f a c h a r a c t e r d o e s n ’t s u g g e s t
m u st b e st o p p ed . I n eed to k n o w w h at t h e y ’re car r yin g in this, an on look er in the crow d d oes.) U n ch aracteristi
th o se w ag o n s an d w h ere t h ey’re tak in g it. W ill you h elp cally, A z b a ra J o s c o m e s fo rw a rd a n d tr ies to ca lm th e
m e find o u t? W e can d o it to n ig h t.” situ a tion , in th e p r o c e s s s a y in g m o r e th a n a n y o n e h as
so far h ea rd h im say at o n e tim e.
If th e ch a ra cte rs tell G le a m silv e r w h at they k n o w a bout
th e cu lt’s ca rg o , sh e e x p r e s s e s g ra titu d e a n d re lie f that In th e e n d , t h e c a r a v a n ’s m o s t p r o m in e n t m e r c h a n t s
sh e d o e s n ’t n e e d to ris k b re a k in g in to th e ir w a g o n s . a gree that w ithou t w itn esses, n oth in g ca n b e don e. T h e
In fact, s h e a lrea d y k n o w s , but s h e n e e d e d to fin d ou t g o d s w ill p u n ish th e g u ilty p a rty a n d life w ill g o on .
w hat the ch ara cters kn ow . S h e p u m p s th em for every
b it o f in f o r m a t io n t h e y ’r e w il l in g t o s h a r e w h ile o ffe r in g M ost o f the cu ltists n ever again look at the a ccu sed
little in retu rn ex ce p t con fir m a tion o f w h at th ey a lrea d y ch a ra cter w ith anything but u n disgu ised h atred. T h is
a n im osity b e co m e s im portan t later on in ep isod e 5.
T h e m u rd erer w a s, o f co u rse , J a m n a G leam silver.
K n o w in g w h a t w a s in th e ca rg o , s h e c o u ld n ’t re sist
h elp in g h e rs e lf to so m e . T h e theft itself is u n d etectab le,
b e ca u s e sh e left n o sig n s, a n d th e cu lt isn ’t ca rryin g a
m a n ife st o f its lo o te d trea su re. T h e g u a rd in terru pted
h e r in th e a ct a n d h a d to d ie; it w a s ju s t that sim p le.
E pi s o d e 5: C o n s t r u c t i o n A h e a d
T h e freigh t travels as far n orth as p ossib le, follow A z b a ra J os re m a in s w ith th e cu ltists d u rin g th is tim e,
in g th e T rade W ay past W aterd eep to w h ere the a nd J am n a e x p r e s s e s h er d e sire to stick w ith th em until
great road w a s sw a llow ed up by th e ever-expan d- t h e y u n c o v e r t h e t r e a s u r e ’s d e s t i n a t i o n .
in g M ere o f D ea d M en. A fortified roa d h ou se that o n ce T h e cu ltists sp en d a day restin g th eir h o rs e s at a
stable on the n orth sid e o f W aterdeep. O ther w a g on s are
serv ed m erch a n ts and team sters n ow feeds la b orers and a lrea d y th ere, cov ertly ca rr y in g trea s u re fro m all over
th e S w o r d C o a s t to th e co lle ctio n p oin t. D u rin g th e day,
s a fe g u a r d s r o a d -b u ild in g s u p p lie s , a n d it a ls o a id s th e s o m e o f the cu ltists visit a large w a reh ou se ju st in sid e
the n orth ern city gate, w h ere con stru ction su pp lies are
C ult o f th e D ra g on in sm u g g lin g its treasu re. stock p iled for sh ipm en t n orth and w h ere w a g on s are
ga th e re d a n d lo a d e d fo r th e trip.
Wa t er d eep
I f c h a r a c t e r s a s k a r o u n d W a t e r d e e p ’s n o r t h e r n g a te
W h e n th e ca ra va n ro lls in to W a te rd eep a fter tw o a b o u t a n y o n e m a t c h in g R e z m ir ’s d e s c r ip t i o n , t h e y h e a r
m o n th s on the roa d, m o st o f the m erch a n ts d is p e rse to ru m o r s o f a h a lf-d ra g o n b e in g sig h te d in th e a re a at
t h e c i t y ’s m a r k e ts , w a r e h o u s e s , a n d s t a b le s . T h e y ’v e least a ten d ay a go. E v ery on e re m e m b e rs th e in cid en t;
rea ch ed th eir d estin ation an d th e ch a ra cters are paid off ch rom atic h alf-d rag on s are a lm ost n ever seen , and they
in silver a n d th a n k ed fo r th eir se rv ice . If th ey p e rfo rm e d ten d to ca u se alarm w h en they are. If the ru m or is true,
w e ll, t h e y ’r e t o ld t h e y c a n fin d w o r k w it h t h e s e s h ip p e r s then th e h a lf-dragon w a s traveling w ith a stron g escort
a n y tim e in th e fu tu re. C h a ra c te r s c a n ’t w a ste m u ch o f m ou n ted guards, h ead ed n orth . T h e ru m or is true, o f
tim e closin g a ccou n ts w ith their o w n em p loy ers or sight c o u r s e , b u t it c a n ’t b e c o n fir m e d 1 0 0 p e r c e n t.
seein g in W aterdeep, h ow ever, or they lose the treasu re
w a g o n s in th e cr o w d e d m e tr op olis. B y ask in g arou n d, ch a ra cters learn that the road
to the n orth, ca lle d the H igh R oad, u sed to con n ect
T h e cu lt w a g o n s d o n ’t fo llo w th e sa m e p a ttern a s th e W aterdeep to the city o f N everw inter. A cold , coa sta l
oth ers from the caravan . Instead, they h ead for the north m a rsh ca lle d the M ere o f D ea d M en lay b etw een the
sid e o f the city b efore look in g for a p la ce to sp en d the roa d and the coa st. O ver the yea rs, the m ere con tin u ally
night. E v ery on e w h o th e ch a ra cte rs k n o w to b e a s s o c i
ated w ith th e cu lt ga thers at th e sa m e sp o t b y n ightfall.
e x p a n d e d . E a c h tim e it g r ew , it flo o d e d th e r o a d , w h ic h En co u n t er s N o r t h o f W a t er d eep
h ad to b e reloca te d fa rth er in lan d. T h at w a s th e situ a d20 Encounter
tion until a cen tu ry a g o, w h e n N ev erw in ter w a s n early
d estroyed by the eru ption o f M ou n t H oten ow . W ith 1- 14 No encounter
th e city in ru in s, efforts to k ee p th e roa d o p e n sim p ly
s to p p e d . It n o lo n g e r s e r v e d a p u r p o s e . 15 12 h u m a n b an d it s
But n ow , L ord N ev erem b er is reb u ildin g N everw in ter 16 1 t roll
a n d the roa d is n e e d e d again. T h e w a re h o u s e visited
b y th e cu ltists is w h ere sh ipm en ts o f su pplies to the 17 4 o r c s an d 1 o g r e
roa d-b u ildin g ca m p s are coord in ated. If freigh t h aulers
w e n t th e re , it m u s t h a v e b e e n to s e e if th e y c o u ld h a u l 18 2 o g r es
su pp lies to the road -h ea d for pay. A re they h irin g gu ards
for su p p ly ca ra v a n s? S u re, y ou b et th ey are. T h e M ere 19 3 liz ar d f o lk an d 3 g ian t liz ar d s
o f D ea d M en is w ild and d an gerou s. L ord N everem -
b e r ’s a g e n ts in t h is e n d e a v o r a r e p e r p e t u a l ly lo o k i n g 20 6 lizardfolk
for lab ore rs to b u ild the road and figh ters to protect the
la b ore rs. T u rn ov er in th o s e jo b s is p retty h igh . 21 8 g i a n t f r o g s
N o r t h bo u n d , A g a in 22 12 b u llyw u g s
T h e ch a ra cte rs h av e n o trou ble g ettin g h ired as w a g o n Ca r n a t h Ro a d h o u se
e s co r ts at the su pp ly w a re h o u se. U n lik e in th e ca ra va n,
gu a rd s a re n ot h ire d b y ind ividu al w a g o n m a sters but by T h e c o n v o y ’s d e s t in a t io n is th e C a r n a t h R o a d h o u s e , a
the H igh R oa d C h arter C om pan y, a con sortiu m o f guilds com p ou n d that serv ed as a h ostelry on the trade road
and n oble h ou ses partn ered w ith L ord N everem ber. A b etw een W aterd eep and N everw in ter in the days w h en
h u m an veteran n a m ed A rd re d B riferh ew com m a n d s tra d e flo u ris h e d . It fell in to d is u s e w h e n tra d e s to p p e d ,
th e e n tire co n v o y . It c o n s is ts o f s ix s u p p ly w a g o n s , b ut n o w that th e ro a d is b e in g rebu ilt, th e ro a d h o u s e
tw elve e s co rts (in clu d in g th e ch a ra cte rs a n d Jam na), h a s b e e n rep a ired a nd put to u se as a su p p ly d e p o t a nd
a n d tw o d o z e n la b o re rs m a rch in g out to relieve a g rou p w a g o n park. T h is p a rt o f th e a dv en tu re p la ys lik e a sp y
that is c o m in g b a c k to W a terd eep for s o m e tim e off. story. S tea lth y ch a ra cte rs sh ou ld fin d p len ty to d o h ere.
T h o s e cu ltists w h o w e r e n ’t h ire d a s te a m s te r s fo r th eir
th ree w a g on s are co m in g a lo n g as la borers. E s s e n t ia l In g r e d ie n t s
T h e cu ltists are n ot h appy to see th e ch a racters again, T h e w o r k c a m p is e x a c tly w h a t it a p p e a r s to b e : a s u p p ly
s o the ch a ra cte rs a re the target o f d irty loo k s. d e p o t fo r th e ro a d b u ild e rs . It is a ls o s o m e th in g m o r e ,
h o w e v e r : a t ra n s it p o in t f o r th e c u lt ’s c o n t r a b a n d c o m in g
T h e w ork ca m p the con v oy is h ea d ed tow ard lies 2 0 0 up from the sou th .
m ile s up the coast. F o r m ost o f that dista n ce, th e roa d
w in d s th rou g h rou g h coa sta l h ills n estled b etw een the W h en w a g on s arrive from th e sou th , they are brou gh t
S w o r d M ou n ta in s a nd th e se a . O n th e sev en th night, the into th e co m p o u n d o n e o r tw o at a tim e fo r u n loa d in g ,
con v oy ca m p s on a h illtop from w h ich ch a ra cters have th en m o v e d b a c k o u tsid e fo r p a rk in g. T h e c o m p o u n d is
th e ir fir st s ig h t o f th e M e r e o f D e a d M e n . It is a c h ill cr o w d e d w ith fo o d , lum ber, a nd m y ria d o th e r s u p p lie s in
tan gle o f trees, bru sh , b o g g y grou n d , stan d in g w ater, cra te s a n d b a r re ls. M a te ria l that c a n ’t b e left e x p o s e d to
re ed s, a n d cat-tails stre tch in g fa rth er than the ey e ca n the cold , w e t w ea th er or is esp ecia lly valuable is stored
s e e . T h e res t o f th e trip is w ith in sig h t o f th e m ere. T h e in th e w a r e h o u s e (area 3), a n d a n y th in g v a lu a b le is k ept
destin ation is rea ch ed som etim e on the tenth day. in the lock ed stron g ro o m attach ed to the w a reh ou se
(area 4). O n ly th e c a m p su p erin ten d en t, a b u rly h a lf-o rc
En c o u n t e r s N o r t h o f W at er d ee p k n ow n on ly as B o g L u ck, h as a k ey to that in n er room .
N o th in g m u ch n e e d s to h a p p en o n th e trip n orth o f B o g L u ck w a s re cru ited to th e C ult o f th e D ra g on
W a te r d e e p . Y o u c a n n a r ra te th r o u g h it q u ick ly . A t y o u r yea rs ago. T h e on ly ou tw a rd sign o f this is the sca b b a rd
option , u se the ra n d om en cou n ters b e lo w to sp ice up o f h is ever-presen t sh ortsw ord, w h ich is d ecorated w ith
th e jou rn ey . R oll a d 2 0 ea ch d ay and u se th e ind icated a dragon resem b lin g the d esig n s on the sca b b a rd s ch a r
en cou n ter. A d d 2 to the roll o n d ays 8, 9, a n d 10. a cters s a w in the d ra g on h a tch ery (and p o ss ib ly have
w ith th em still; s e e a rea 12 in that s ectio n ). W h e n cu lt
R e m e m b e r that the ch a ra cte rs are ju st p art o f the w a g on s arrive, th eir road -bu ild in g ca rg o is u n loaded
co n v o y e sco rt. T h e m o n ste rs listed on the E n co u n ters into the co m p o u n d n orm a lly, but B o g L u ck e n su re s that
N orth o f W aterd eep table are th ose the ch a racters the co n tra b a n d is sto re d in th e stron g ro o m . A fterw a rd ,
m u st fight. A t th e s a m e tim e , N P C m e m b e rs o f th e h e g o e s into the stron g ro o m alon e and paints a sy m b ol
e s co r t a re d ea lin g w ith a d d ition al m on ste rs n ot listed on to ea ch ca rton b e lo n g in g to th e cult.
h ere. A ss u m e that m o n ste rs a n d th e travelers a re at
h igh rea d in ess b efo re th ese en cou n ters. A fter each In the floor o f the stron g ro o m is a ca m ou fla g ed trap
en cou n ter, roll 1d 4 - 2. T h e resu lt is th e n u m b e r o f N P C d o o r . It c a n b e fo u n d w ith a D C 10 W is d o m ( P e r c e p tio n )
e s c o r ts k ille d else w h er e in th e battle. ch e ck . T h e tra p d o o r co n n e cts to a d ripp in g, slim y tun n el
that ru n s 5 0 0 ya rd s into a d en se stan d o f tree s and
b ru sh at th e ed g e o f th e M ere o f D e a d M en . A t night,
w h en e v ery on e in th e co m p o u n d is a sle e p e x cep t fo r a
few rooftop gu a rds, lizard folk creep th rou gh the tun nel
a n d tak e th e m a rk ed cra tes to a lo ca tio n in th e m ere (the
su b ject o f e p is o d e 6). T h ey se ld o m p e rfo rm th is task
over a sin gle night u n less the sh ipm en t is very sm all.
T ypically they take on e night p er w a gon .
1. C o u r t y a r d 4 . St r o n g R o o m
M o st o f th e tim e, th is o p e n cou rty a rd is cr o w d e d w ith U n u su a lly va lu able c a rg o e s a nd p e rs o n a l item s a re
crates, barrels, and sta ck s o f su pp lies. T h e dam p cli k ept in the stron g ro o m u n der lo ck and key. N on e o f the
m ate m ea n s that the grou n d is m uddy, ex cep t w h en the w ork ers k n ow or ca re w hat sorts o f roa d-b u ildin g su p
tem peratu re is b e lo w freezin g. T h en the m u d h ard en s p lies are con sid ered s o valuable they m u st b e lock ed up
in to u n even, fro st-co v e red ruts. A path is k ept cle a r fro m f o r p r o t e c t io n . T h e y ju s t f o ll o w B o g L u c k ’s in s t r u c t io n s
the gate to the stab les s o an im a ls ca n b e m ov ed , but a n d s t a c k t h in g s w h e r e t h e y ’r e t o ld t o s t a c k th e m .
d u rin g bu sy tim es, that path often ru n s u n d er the bal
co n y in fron t o f the d o o rs to the ro om s. S in c e th e s le e p in g r o o m s c a n ’t b e lo ck e d , w o r k e r s
and team sters often have B o g L u ck lo ck their ca sh and
2. St a b l e s oth er valu ables into the stron g ro o m for safek eepin g.
H e k e e p s a r e c o r d in a led g e r b o o k o f all th e p e rs o n a l
In so m e w ays, the stables are the m ost com fo rta b le item s stored th ere and h as a reputation for b ein g m etic
area o f th e com p ou n d . W h en th e sta bles are crow d ed , u lou s a bou t m a k in g su re ev e ry on e g ets th eir b e lo n g in g s
th e h o rs e s ’ and m u les’ b o d y h eat k eep s the bu ildin g
w a rm . F o u r stab le b oy s ta ke ca re o f the a n im a ls a nd b a c k — a ll o f t h e i r b e l o n g i n g s a n d only t h e i r b e l o n g i n g s .
sle e p h ere. O n ly the you n gest, a quick -w itted b o y ca lle d
W u m p, h as any su sp icion that som eth in g m ysteriou s T h e k e y fo r t h is r o o m is a lw a y s o n B o g L u c k ’s b e lt, b u t
is g o in g on . H e k n o w s n o th in g a b ou t th e C ult o f the th e lo ck ca n b e o p e n e d w ith a s u cce s s fu l D C 10 D ex te r
D ra g o n , bu t h e ’s sh a r p e n o u g h to w o n d e r w h y a n y th in g ity c h e c k a n d a set o f th ie v e s’ tools.
u sed by th e roa d b u ild ers n eed s to be lock ed up.
T h e tra p d oor is loca te d in the sou th east co rn e r o f the
3. W a r e h o u s e r o o m . A n e m p ty c ra te n a ile d o n to th e d o o r c o v e r s it;
w h en the d oor is op en ed , th e w h ole crate tips tow ard
T h e w a reh ou se d o o r is latch ed but u n lock ed . S u p plies th e n orth. B e in g n a iled to the floor, the cra te feels solid
that sh o u ld n ’t b e le ft e x p o s e d to th e w e a th e r a re sto re d a n d fu ll to a c a s u a l b u m p o r s h o v e . O n ly w h e n it’s t ip p e d
h ere: fo o d for the p e o p le and fod d er for an im als. d o e s th e trick b e c o m e o b v io u s . It c a n b e d is c o v e r e d w ith
a th orou g h 20-m in u te sea rch o f the ro o m or w ith a s u c
ce ssfu l D C 15 W isd o m (P ercep tion ) ch eck .
If ch a ra cter s s e a rch th e s tro n g r o o m d u rin g th e night,
lizardfolk sh ow up to ca rt aw ay con trab an d . T h ere are
th r e e lizardfolk fo r e v e r y tw o c h a r a c te r s .
5. R o o m s • G ristle P ete, w h o s le e p s a b ov e th e stro n g ro o m , h ea rs
stran ge n oises on certa in n ights. H e m istak es th ose
T h e w a g o n drivers, esco rts, and lab orers w h o stay at the n oises for rats, but they co m e fro m lizardfolk ca rryin g
c o m p o u n d sh a r e th e r o o m s . N o n e a re private r o o m s ; all con traba n d into the tun nel ben ea th the stron g room .
have b u n k s for at least fou r p eop le, and th e larger ro o m s
sleep six. T h ey con ta in bu n k s, tru n k s for belon gin gs, • T h ey ca n take th e d irect a pp roa ch and in sp ect th e
and w o o d e n flo ors cov ered w ith ru sh es. stro n g r o o m su rre p titiou sly . T h is le a d s to a figh t w ith
liz a rd fo lk if ch a ra cte rs s e a rch th e ro o m in th e d ea d
N on e o f th e ro o m s have lock s on th eir d o o rs ex cept o f night. G ettin g in b y p ick in g th e lo c k is the sa fest
B o g L u c k ’s. I f a s k e d a b o u t lo c k s , B o g L u c k e x p la in s th a t a p p ro a ch . T ry in g to lift th e k e y fr o m B o g L u c k ’s b elt
th e y k ep t fre e z in g in c o ld w e a th e r s o p e o p le c o u ld n ’t get c a n w o r k , b u t it’s r isk y . I f h e c a t c h e s s o m e o n e in th e
into or out o f th eir room s. T h is ex cu se is cred ib le; the attem pt, a beatin g is the b est they ca n h o p e for. A
u p p e r r o o m d o o rs , in p articu lar, often a re co a te d w ith sm a rt ch a ra cte r su b m its to this h um iliation , b e ca u s e
ice in th e m orn in g . In fact, B o g L u ck re m ov ed the lo ck s figh ting b a ck m ea n s that B o g L u ck ca lls ev eryon e else
to stren g th en h is ex cu se for lock in g th e stron g room . to h elp h im p u n ish th e th ief, a n d all th e ch a ra cte r s a re
ostra cized fro m th en on. T ak in g the beatin g m ea n s
6. B o g L u c k ’s R o o m B o g L u ck k eep s the in ciden t b etw een the tw o o f them .
B o g L u ck h a s th is r o o m to h im se lf, s o it’s m o r e s p a cio u s • C h aracters ca n arran ge to have a ro o m n ext to the
a n d c o m fo r t a b le t h a n t h e o t h e r s . H e ’s s e ld o m h e r e C ult o f th e D ra g o n tea m s ters a n d listen th rou g h th e
ex cep t w h en sleepin g , and h e k eep s the d o o r lock ed. w a lls to t h e c u l t is t s ’ c o n v e r s a t i o n . T h e y c a n ’t m a k e o u t
A su cce ssfu l D C 10 D exterity ch e ck w ith th ieves’ tools en tire con v ersation s, but they d o p ick ou t the w ord s
c a n o p e n it. D e s p it e h is c r u d e m a n n e r , B o g L u c k is a “stro n g ro o m ,” “tu n n el,” “liza rd folk ,” a n d “B o g L u ck .”
som ew h at educated m an, as eviden ced by the b ook s of
p h ilo so p h y a n d natural h istory o n h is re a d in g shelf. • T a lk in g to oth e r e s co r ts a n d w a g o n d riv ers y ield s
so m e in terestin g ob serva tion s but n o con crete leads.
7. A r d r e d B r i f e r h e w ’s R o o m M ost o f the oth ers w h o ca m e a lon g on th e haul n orth
o f W a t e r d e e p a g r e e th a t t h e r e ’s s o m e t h in g s t a n d o ffis h
T h e com m a n d er o f the h ired gu a rds h as this sm all ro o m a b o u t th e cu ltists (th ey d o n ’t u s e th at w o r d ).
to h im s e lf. T h e r e is n o t h in g r e m a r k a b le a b o u t it.
• S ea rch in g th e cu ltists’ tw o ro o m s tu rn s up som eth in g
8. K it c h e n a p erson a l b ag con ta in in g six p olish ed gem s and
sm all, ea sily c o n c e a le d item s o f jew elry , all tog eth er
T h is u pper ro o m is u sed for prep arin g fo o d on a large w orth a bou t 1 ,4 0 0 gp. T h e cu ltists h ave a th ie f a m o n g
stove. In the even in gs, this d ou b les as a co m m o n ro o m them : a h a lf-elf n am ed L a rion K een bla de. If h e ca n
w h ere p eop le gath er to sm ok e, drink , sw ap stories, b e id en tified a n d a cco s te d a w ay fro m th e oth ers, he
and k eep w a rm . E ven tu ally th e cook , a gru m py h u m an m ig h t a g re e to h elp th e ch a ra cter s in e x c h a n g e for
ca lle d G ristle P ete, k ick s everyon e out s o h e ca n u n roll th eir h elp g ettin g away.
h is m a ttre ss a n d b la n k ets a nd get s o m e sleep .
Gr u d g e M a t c h
I f c h a r a c te r s liste n c a r e f u lly to G r is tle P e t e ’s m u tte r-
in g s as h e w o r k s a rou n d h is k itch en , th ey ’ll h ea r h im A friend o f th e cultist m u rd ered by Jam n a h as n u rtu red a
ta lk in g in c ir c le s to h im s e lf a b o u t h o w h e " . . . d o n ’t get g ru dg e a gain st a ch a ra cter s in ce that in cid en t. N ow that
n o sle e p fro m all th e critters in th e flo or s b a n g in g and th eir loa d is sa fely d eliv ered a nd th e m issio n is com p lete,
k n o ck in g a n d h is s in g a n d w h isp e rin g at all h o u rs ” a nd th is cu ltist c a n s e e k v e n g e a n ce for h er sla in friend.
so on . T h e n oises h e h ears and m istak es for rats are the
lizard folk retrievin g con trab a n d fro m the stron g room A t an o p p ortu n e tim e, the cultist tries to goa d the
below . If qu estion ed, h e h ears th e n oises every n ow ch a ra cte r in to a figh t. S h e ’ll u s e a n y in cid e n t sh e ca n
a n d then , n ot ev ery n igh t. If p re sse d , h e re a liz e s that fro m th eir tim e together, in clu d in g the m urder, to
th e s o u n d s h a p p en a fe w n ig h ts a fter a n e w loa d gets q u e s t io n t h e c h a r a c t e r ’s c o u r a g e a n d fig h tin g a b ility in
d r o p p e d o ff. N o w a in ’t th a t s o m e o d d b a ll rat b e h a v io r ? fron t o f ev ery on e. If th e ch a ra cte r re fu s e s to bite, th e
cu ltist d o e s n ’t b a c k d o w n . T h e N P C w a n ts b lo o d a n d
Tr a c k in g t h e L o ad w o n ’t s e t t le fo r a n y t h in g le s s . S h e d r a w s h e r s w o r d a n d
C h a ra c te r s h av e a fe w w a y s to c o lle c t clu e s a b o u t w h a t’s a t ta c k s . T h e c u lt is t u s e s t h e s ta ts o f a veteran.
h a p p e n in g at th e w o r k ca m p . J am n a ca n h elp ou t w ith
t h e s e t a s k s i f n o n e o f t h e c h a r a c t e r s a r e u p t o it. A s far a s th e o th er cu ltists, tea m sters, a n d h ired
gu a rd s a re co n ce rn e d , th is is a p e rso n a l issu e b e tw e e n
• If th e y w a tc h th e w a g o n s b e in g u n lo a d e d , th e y ’ll th ese tw o. If the ch aracter b ack s dow n, everyone
n otice B o g L u ck d irectin g lab orers to ca rry the crates a ssu m es the ch a racter is a cow a rd and treats this ch a r
brou gh t fro m the G reen fields into the w a reh ou se. If a cte r w ith d is r e s p e c t fo r th e re s t o f h is o r h e r tim e at
th e y h a v e a c h a n c e to s e e w h a t’s g o i n g o n in th e w a r e th e ca m p . If oth er ch a ra cte rs ju m p into th e fight at th eir
h ou se , th ey s e e that all th e cra tes g o in to th e stro n g c o m p a n io n ’s sid e , m o r e cu ltists d o th e s a m e (treat th e m
room . If they d on ’t lo o k in side the w a reh ou se w h ile
the w a g on s are u n loa ded but in sp ect the w a re h ou se a s t w e lv e guards). B o g L u c k a n d A r d r e d B r i fe r h e w
later, th e y w o n ’t fin d a n y o f th e cra te s; th e o n ly o th e r
p la ce they cou ld have gon e is into the stron g room . p re v e n t a n y o n e e lse fr o m jo in in g in, but th e y d o n ’t m in d
w atch in g so m e lim ited b lo o d sh e d to b rea k th e b ored om .
T h e cultist m ea n s to kill the ch a ra cter, a n d sh e w ill if
sh e w in s the duel (con tin u in g to stab the b o d y after the
ch a ra c te r is at 0 hit p o in ts) a n d n o o n e s to p s her.
E p is o d e 6: C a s t l e N a e r y t a r
T h e tu n nel fro m th e ro a d h o u s e e m e rg e s in a sp ot T r a v el in g t o t h e Ca st l e
n e a rb y th a t’s s c r e e n e d b y tr e e s a n d b ru s h fro m
the cam p. A s cha racters app roa ch th rou gh the C a s t le N a e r y t a r is n o t ju s t a s t o n e ’s t h r o w d o w n th e
ro a d . It s its fifte e n m ile s fro m th e w o r k c a m p — fifte en
tu n n el, h ave ev e ry on e m a k e a D C 10 W is d o m (P e r c e p co ld , m u d dy , d ifficu lt m ile s . It ta k e s th e ch a ra cte rs
tw o days to cov er that g rou n d at a m oderate p ace.
tion) ch eck . T h o se w h o su cce e d h ear b estial v oices F ortunately, the trail is m a rk ed b y th e liz a rd folk w h o
tran sport con traba n d th rou gh the m ere to C astle N aer
a h ea d, g r o w lin g a n d m u rm u rin g in d istin ctly in D ra yta r fo r th e cult. W ith ou t th e trail, fin d in g th e ca stle in
this sn arled, con fu sin g m a ze w ou ld depen d m ore on
con ic. F rom there, a trail lead s into th e M ere o f D ea d lu ck th a n sk ill. T h is trail d o e s n ’t m a k e travel e a sy ; th e
l iz a r d f o lk ’s tr a il is s till t r e a te d a s d ifficu lt t e r r a in . It o n ly
M en , w h ere a m ix o f sw a m p d en izen s and cu ltists o f the sh ow s the d irection to go.
d ra gon vie fo r p o w e r at th e ru in s o f C astle N aerytar. Day 1. T h e f ir s t d a y ’s t r a v e l i s b y f o o t t h r o u g h t a n g l e d
T h is stout, ston e ca stle w a s the h om e o f a h alf-elf m arsh . T h e grou n d is w hat p a sses for dry in th e m ere:
ev en “so lid g r o u n d ” is so g g y , w ith w a ter v ery n ea r th e
w iz a r d , b u t h e a b a n d o n e d it lo n g a g o w h e n th e sw a m p s u r f a c e . L i z a r d fo lk p o r t e r s c a r r y t h e c u lt ’s c o n t r a b a n d
o n th eir b a ck s a lo n g th is p o rtio n o f th e trail, a n d th eir
cla im ed the area. F or a tim e, a grou p o f astrolog ers tra ck s ca n b e p la in ly se e n w h ere the path c r o s s e s w et
grou n d. M u ch o f th e path is th rou gh m ucky, cold , k n ee-
ca lle d the A ca d em y o f S ta rg azers took over the stru c d eep w ater. O n th ose stretch es, bla ze m a rk s are cut
into tre es to k eep p o rte rs o n th e righ t co u r s e . N o skill
ture, but they van ish ed m y steriou sly after a few years. c h e c k s a re n e e d e d to a void g ettin g lost a s lo n g a s c h a r
a cte r s stic k to th e trail. I f ch a ra cte rs leave th e trail, th e n
N o o n e k n o w s w h a t b e c a m e o f t h e m . B e f o r e t h e g r o u p ’s a su cce ssfu l D C 15 W isd o m (S u rvival) ch e ck is n eeded
destru ction , the m em b ers m od ified the ca stle by bu ild
in g an ob serva tory into the top floor o f the k eep. S o m e
o f th eir m a g ica l v ie w in g eq u ip m en t is still there.
N o w th e C ult o f th e D r a g o n h a s m o v e d p e o p le into
C astle N aerytar and form ed sh ak y a llia n ces w ith n earby
sw a m p d w e lle rs, but th e su rrou n d in g sw a m p la n d is far
fr o m u n d e r a n y o n e ’s c o n t r o l. T h e c u lt b r o u g h t l iz a r d
folk , b u lly w u g s , a n d a p a ir o f b la ck d ra g o n s tog eth er in
an u n stable allian ce, but the faction s are riven by deep
d istru st that ou tsid e rs ca n exploit.
to fin d it a ga in . E a ch c h e c k e q u a te s to a n h o u r o f s e a r c h civiliza tion : g la ss b e a d s, co in s, c o s tu m e jew elry , tiny
ing, w h ich ca lls for a ra n dom en cou n ters ch eck . m irrors, a n d sta m p e d c o p p e r a n d tin a m u lets o f th e sort
that ca n b e b ou g h t fo r a fe w p e n n ie s at a ny trin k et s h op
Evening 1. A f t e r s e v e n m i l e s o f p r o g r e s s , c h a r a c t e r s o r s o u v e n ir s ta n d . N o n e o f it is m a g ic a l.
rea ch a cam psite at the approxim ate h a lfw ay poin t on D u rin g the qu estion in g, have every ch a ra cter m ak e a
th e trip b e tw e e n th e w o r k ca m p a n d C astle N aerytar. C h arism a ch eck . W h ich ev er ch ara cter s co re s h igh est
m a k es a stron g im p ression o n a lizardfolk captive. T h is
It is n ’t m u ch o f a c a m p — j u s t a c le a r in g t h a t ’s sl ig h t ly liza rd folk , w h o s e n a m e is S n ap ja w , is u n h a p p y a bou t
th e situ a tion in th e m ere, a n d h e d e v e lo p s th e n otion
d rier th an th e m u ck yo u ’ve b een w ad in g t h ro u g h — b u t that th ese stra n ge rs co u ld b e th e key to d rivin g out the
cu ltists a n d to slau gh terin g th eir cru e l b u lly w u g a llies.
f o u r w ic k e r lean - t o s an d a st o n e p lat f o r m (f o r lig h t in g a S n a p ja w tries to com m u n ica te w ith th e ch o se n ch a ra c
ter, bu t h e d o e s n ’t w a n t a n y o f h is c o m r a d e s to k n ow . H e
fire ab o ve th e so g g y g r o u n d ) co m m an d at ten tio n in th is sp ea k s en ou g h p idgin C om m on to con v erse in sim ple
term s, in ca s e n o o n e in th e p a rty sp e a k s D ra co n ic.
w ild ern ess. Th ree d u g o u t can o es are draw n up near on e
H o w S n ap ja w g o e s about op en in g a d ia lo g d ep en d s
o f th e lean- tos. o n th e s itu a tio n . I f h e ’s th e o n ly s u r v iv in g l iz a r d f o l k o r
h e ’s q u e stio n e d o u t o f e a rsh o t fro m th e o th e rs, h e c a n
A few d o z en yard s b eyo n d th e cam p site in th e d irectio n s p e a k o p e n ly . I f s e v e r a l liz a r d fo lk a r e tie d u p a n d th e y ’re
b ein g q u estion ed together, h e cou ld sprin k le w ord s o f
y o u ’ve b een t r av elin g , d r y lan d en d s. O t h e r t h an m o ss- C o m m o n into h is D r a c o n ic rep lies, su ch as “w a n t to
h elp ” a n d “ta lk a lo n e.” If sev era l liz a r d fo lk a re tied up
co vered tr ees, fallen log s, an d t h ick clu m p s o f reed s, a nd left a lon e for a fe w m in u tes, h e co u ld scra tch a s im
ilar m e s s a g e into th e g rou n d . H e m igh t try p ro v o k in g a
n o th in g rises ab ove th e still, b lack w ater. ch a ra cter into a w re s tlin g m a tch o r a d u el (if y o u r p lay
ers are th e type to take up su ch a challen ge), and then
E a ch c a n o e h as th re e p a d d le s a n d is larg e e n ou g h to w h i s p e r h is m e s s a g e in t o t h e c h a r a c t e r ’s e a r.
h o ld five h u m a n s w ith ou t m u ch gear, o r tw o or th ree
w ith pa ck s and oth er gear. In side th e lean -tos are a few I f c h a r a c t e r s d o n ’t m is t r e a t S n a p ja w a n d d o n ’t k ill a n y
b a sk ets co n ta in in g sm o k e d fish (edible) a lo n g w ith s o m e m ore lizardfolk than they n eed to, he b e co m e s a reliable
liz a rd s a n d b ir d s th at h a v e b e e n s m a s h e d flat a n d d rie d ally fo r a s lo n g as th ey w o rk a g a in st th e cu lt a n d the
in th e su n (very u n a p p etizin g to h u m a n s b ut edible). b u lly w u g s. R oll a die for ea ch o f th e oth er lizardfolk ca p
tives. O n an ev en roll, S n a p ja w p ersu a d e s that liz a r d fo lk
If ch a ra cters arrive b efore dusk, th e ca m p is em pty to jo in h is little rev olt. O n a n o d d roll, th at N P C re fu s e s
a n d th e y c a n e x p lo r e it safely. N o ra n d o m e n co u n te r s to coop erate un der any circu m stan ce.
b o t h e r c h a r a c t e r s w h ile t h e y ’r e in t h e c a m p s it e . A s t h e
Day 2. F r o m t h e c a m p s i t e o n , t h e t r ip t o C a s t l e
s u n b e g in s to s e t, n in e lizardfolk p a d d le u p in th r e e
N aerytar m ust b e m a d e by ca n oe. S n ap ja w ca n gu ide
c a n o e s . T h e y a re traveling fro m C astle N a eryta r to the th e ch a ra cte rs . A g u id e isn ’t rea lly n e ce s s a r y , b e c a u s e
roa d h ou se to pick up a load o f con traba n d. T h e lizard the co u rse is m a rk ed w ith sy m b ols scratch ed into tree
folk ex p ect n o trouble n ear th eir cam p, s o if ch ara cters trunks and totem s hung from branch es.
p osted a w atch , th en th ose ch aracters w h o are actively
on w a tch n otice the a pp roa ch in g lizardfolk autom ati M er e of Dead M en
ca lly a n d th e liz a r d fo lk a re s u rp ris e d . If ch a ra cte rs lit a
fire, h o w e v e r, th en th e liz a r d fo lk sm e ll th e s m o k e fro m Ra n d o m En c o u n t e r s
quite a d ista n ce aw ay and k n o w s o m e o n e is in the cam p.
T h e y a ss u m e it’s m o r e o f th eir o w n k in d re tu rn in g fro m T h e M ere o f D e a d M en is a p la ce filled w ith d a n ge ro u s
the w o rk ca m p w ith trea su re b o u n d for C astle N aerytar, crea tu res. R o ll a d 2 0 p er h ou r o f travel; a n en cou n te r
but the m ere is filled w ith p oten tial en e m ie s a n d on e o ccu rs on a roll o f 1 8 -2 0 . D eterm in e the en cou n ter by
n ever k n o w s for su re, s o th eir a p p ro a ch is m o re ca u rollin g o n the table below , o r c h o o s e an en coun ter.
tiou s if they sm ell sm ok e. In that ca se, ch a racters w ith
passive W isd o m (P ercep tion ) s co re s o f 10 n otice the M er e o f D ea d M en En c o u n t er s
ap p roa ch in g lizardfolk ca n o e s b efo re the lizardfolk spot d12 Encounter
the stra n gers in th eir cam p.
1 - 2 Bu l l y w u g s (2 o r 3 p e r c h a r a c t e r )
T h e s e liz a r d fo lk w o n ’t n e g o tia te o r c o n v e r s e w ith 3 C r o c o d il e s (2 p er c h ar a ct e r )
c h a r a c t e r s . T h e y ’v e b e e n t o ld b y th e e lf w h o c o m m a n d s 4 G i a n t f r o g s (2 p e r c h ar a c t e r )
o p e ra tion s at C astle N a ery ta r that stra n g ers in th e m ere 5 G i a n t li z ar d s (2 p e r c h ar a c t e r )
are to b e k illed or ca ptu red but n ever en g a g ed in con v er 6 G i a n t s p i d e r s (1 p e r c h a r a c t e r )
sation . If they are ca ptu red and tied up, a su cce ssfu l D C 7 - 8 Li z a r d f o l k (3 p e r 2 c h a r a c t e r s )
10 C h a rism a (In tim id ation ) o r D C 15 C h a rism a (P e rs u a 9 Qu ick san d
sio n ) c h e c k lo o s e n s th eir to n g u e s. I f th e liz a r d fo lk a re n ’t 10 Sh a m b l in g m o u n d
tied up, ch a ra cters have disadvan tage on th ese rolls 1 W i l l - o ’- w isp s (3 )
b e ca u se the lizard folk th in k th em soft-h earted . 12 Yu an - t i h u n t in g p ar t y (see b elo w )
L iz a r d f o lk k n o w th a t t h e y ’r e t r a n s p o r t in g t r e a s u r e to
th e c a s tle . T h e “d r a g o n k n e e le r s ” ta k e it in to th e c a s tle ,
a n d th e liz a r d fo lk n e v e r s e e it a g a in . T h e y a r e p a id in
steel b la d e s (th ey h ave n o ability to m a n u fa ctu re w ith
m etal) and m a g ic talism an s. A ll the liza rdfolk w ea r
n eck la ces and b ra celets m ade o f b on e, teeth, feathers,
ca rv ed soft ston e, and leather. O n close in sp ection ,
ch a ra cters s e e m ix ed in a m on g th ese th in gs tra ces o f
Bullywugs. B u l l y w u g s p a t r o l t h e m e r e h a p h a z a r d ly . w h o fo llo w s th e lig h ts ev en a sh ort d ista n ce is lu red into
a p atch o f q u ick sa n d . If th e en co u n te r o c c u r s a fter ch a r
B e fo re ch a ra cte rs re a ch th e m id w a y ca m p site, this a cte rs leav e th e m id w a y ca m p , th en th e w ill-o ’-w is p s u se
en co u n te r is w ith tw o b u lly w u g s p e r ch a ra cter. A fter the sam e trick but in h eavy m orn in g fog, and in stead o f
ch a ra cters rea ch the m idw ay cam psite, this en cou n ter lu rin g ch a ra cters into qu ick san d , they lure th em to the
is w ith th ree b u lly w u g s p e r ch a racter. N ot all b u lly w u g s lair o f V oaragham an th ar, th e b la ck dragon .
in th e m ere w o rk for th e cult, but any the ch a ra cters run
into do. Yuan-ti Hunting Party. A ll r e s id e n t s o f t h e m e r e ,
Crocodiles. A n e n c o u n t e r w i t h c r o c o d i l e s a lw a y s in clu din g the lizardfolk , the cu ltists, and esp ecia lly the
b u lly w u g s, fea r a n d d e sp is e th e yuan-ti. F o r th eir part,
o c c u r s in w a ter at lea st 2 feet d ee p . T h e first tim e ch a r th e yuan-ti d e sp is e eve ry on e right b a ck , but th ey have
a cters ru n in to c r o c o d ile s in th e m ere, th e cre a tu res
h av e adva ntage on th eir S tea lth ch e ck . n o fe a r. T h is g r o u p o f t w o yuan-ti m alisons (ty p e 1)
a n d th r e e yuan-ti purebloods is h u n tin g fo r a n y in te lli
Giant Frogs. G i a n t f r o g s u s e t h e i r s t i c k y t o n g u e
gen t crea tu re s that w o u ld b e su itable s a c rifice s to th eir
a ttack s w h e n e v e r th ey ca n , a nd th ey p refer h alflin g s, lo n g -s lu m b e r in g g o d M e r r s h a u lk . Y u a n -ti w o n ’t a lly w it h
g n om es, and oth er sm all targets over creatu res they an yon e or again st anyon e.
c a n ’t sw a llo w .
Ca st l e Na er y t a r
Giant Lizards. G i a n t l i z a r d s o f t h e M e r e o f D e a d M e n
O v er a ce n tu ry a go, a h a lf-elf w iz a rd bu ilt a ca stle at th e
h av e th e H old B rea th trait. T h er e is a 3 0 p e rc e n t ch a n ce ed g e o f th e M ere o f D e a d M en . H e liv ed th ere a relatively
that th ese are train ed lizards m ov in g ah ead o f a liza rd sh ort tim e b efo re the g row in g sw a m p flo w ed p ast the
folk en cou n ter grou p. If so, th ose lizardfolk (see below ) ca s tle on all s id e s a n d m a d e th e loc a tio n to o re m ote for
a pp ear on the sce n e at the start o f th e sixth rou n d o f even h is taste. A fter the stru ctu re sat ab a n d on ed for
com bat. yea rs, a grou p o f astrolog ers ca lle d the A ca d em y o f S ta r
g a z e r s c la im e d it. T h e y b u ilt a n o b s e r v a to r y in to th e to p
Giant Spiders. T h e s p i d e r s ’ w e b i s n e a r ly i n v i s i b l e in level o f th e k eep, w h ere they in stalled a p iece o f m a gic
an area o f h eavy fog. S p id ers o f th e M ere o f D ea d M en e q u i p m e n t c a l l e d t h e farseer of Illusk. B u t t h e a s t r o l o
h av e th e H old B rea th trait.
g ers va n ish e d m y steriou sly a fter a fe w yea rs.
Lizardfolk. T h e l i z a r d f o l k o f t h e m e r e a r e r e l u c t a n t A fter the d isa p p ea ra n ce o f the a strolog ers, the castle
allies o f the cult, m ostly b e ca u se D ralm orrer B orn g ra y a g a in fe ll in to d is u s e . It w a s b u ilt to w ith s ta n d its c o ld ,
a llow s the m ore n u m erou s b u lly w u gs to pu sh th em w a te ry e n v iro n m e n t, s o th e e n c r o a c h in g w a te r h a s n ’t
around. T h e od d s are 50 percent w hether a group u n d erm in ed the w a lls or flo od ed the du n geon . O ver
o f liz a r d folk w o r k s fo r th e cu lt o r is in d ep en d en t. A n d e c a d e s o f a b a n d o n m e n t, h o w e v e r , it fille d w ith d e b r is
in d ep en d en t g rou p h e lp s th e ch a ra cters if S n a p ja w is and attracted m an y u n pleasan t dw ellers. T h en R ezm ir
p re s e n t to p e r s u a d e th e m . T h e y w o n ’t ta ck le th e cu lt h a p p en ed u pon the ca stle on on e o f h er trips into the
or a large grou p o f b u lly w u gs h ead -on , but they ca n m ere to study and n egotiate w ith the b la ck dragon
h elp b y sco u tin g a nd cre a tin g d ive rsion s. L iza rd fo lk V oaragham an th ar. R ezm ir su sp ecte d the ca stle cou ld
that d o w o rk fo r the cu lt a ttack im m ed ia tely if th ey s e e b e co m e a u sefu l stron gh old for her, b e in g loca te d so
S n a p ja w tied lik e a p rison er. If S n a p ja w is lo o s e and con v en ien tly clo se to the lair o f a b la ck dragon . S h e
c h a r a c t e r s d o n ’t s e e m h o s t ile t o w a r d h im , th e liz a r d fo lk exp lo red the stru ctu re, clea red the giant spiders ou t o f
h esitate, w o n d e rin g w h eth er the ch a ra cte rs a re cultists th e tow er, a nd fo rg ed an a llia n ce w ith th e n ea rb y trib e o f
th em selves. bu llyw u g s.
Quicksand. A c r e a t u r e th a t s t e p s i n t o t h e q u i c k s a n d D u rin g that tim e, th e h a lf-d ra g on w a s still th in k in g
o f th e ca stle sim p ly a s a fortified h id eou t. W h e n sh e
m u st s u c c e e d o n a D C 11 D e x te rity sa v in g th r o w o r s in k d is co v e re d the p o rta l in th e d u n g eo n a nd lea rn ed that
into th e q u ick s a n d a n d b e restra in ed . O n its tu rn , as it c o n n e c t e d to a n a b a n d o n e d lo d g e in th e G r a y p e a k
p a rt o f its m ov e m e n t, th e tra p p e d cre a tu re c a n e s c a p e M ou n tain s, a n ew th ought took sh ape. L u ggin g large
by m akin g a D C 15 Stren gth ch eck. A n oth er creature a m ou n ts o f trea su re fifteen m ile s th ro u g h th e m ere
ca n attem pt to pull the restrain ed creatu re out o f the w o u ld n o t b e e a sy , b u t if it c u t 7 0 0 m ile s o f w a g o n
q u ick sa n d as an action but m u st s u cce e d on a D C 15 tr a n s p o r t o u t o f th e p ic tu r e , it w o u ld b e w o r th th e d iffi
S tren gth ch e ck to d o so. A s in a m ov ie, the trapped cu lty — es p e cia lly if b u lly w u g s a nd liz a r d folk d id all th e
creatu re is alw ays m ore than 5 feet from the ed g e of h ard w ork . R ezm ir laid cla im to b oth stru ctu res, tu rned
t h e q u i c k s a n d , s o r e s c u e r s c a n ’t ju s t g r a b t h e c h a r a c t e r ; th e G ra y p ea k M ou n ta in h u ntin g lo d g e ov er to a trusted
th e y m u st fin d a vin e, a ro p e , o r a p o le a n d to s s it to C u lt o f th e D ra g o n a s s o cia te (a h a lf-e lf n a m e d T a lis w h o
w h e r e t h e t r a p p e d c h a r a c t e r c a n r e a c h it. n o w d e sp is e s R e z m ir — s e e e p is o d e 7), a n d set a bou t
m a k in g C a s t le N a e r y t a r a n e s s e n t ia l h u b in t h e c u lt ’s
Shambling Mound. A ll t h e liz a r d f o lk , S n a p ja w trea su re -a m a ssin g activity in th e N orth .
in clu d ed , a re terrified o f “the w e e d that w a lk s.” If T h ro u g h d ip lo m a cy a n d in tim ida tion , a n d b y lev er
it a p p e a rs w h ile S n a p ja w is w ith th e ch a ra cte rs , h e a gin g th e in flu en ce o f V oarag h am an th ar w ith the
s p e n d s 1 ro u n d u rg in g th e ch a ra cte rs to flee, th en d o e s m on strou s crea tu res o f th e m ere, R ezm ir created an
s o h im s e lf. U n l e s s s o m e o n e f o l l o w s h i m im m e d ia t e ly , it u n ea sy a llia n ce in the M ere o f D e a d M en a nd b rou g h t
w ill ta ke an h ou r to fin d h im again. h er v isio n in to reality.
Will-o’-Wisps. I f t h i s e n c o u n t e r o c c u r s b e f o r e c h a r
a c t e r s r e a c h t h e m id w a y c a m p , t h e w i s p s d o n ’t s h o w
th em selv es im m edia tely but in stead follow the ch a ra c
ters in v isib ly until n igh tfall. T h en th ey try to lure ju s t
on e or tw o ch a ra cters into fo llow in g th em , by app earin g
as indistinct, flick erin g lan tern s p a ssin g nearby. A n yon e
Fa c t i o n s ca stle description . T h ey act as ov erseers and aides to
B orn gray an d R ezm ir.
T h re e p o w e r grou p s op e ra te a ro u n d C astle N aeryta r:
th e C u lt o f th e D ra g on , a b a n d o f b u lly w u g s, a n d a liz- Bu l l y w u g s
ard folk tribe. T h e b la ck d ra gon V oaragham an th ar, alon g
w ith its k o b o ld a nd liz a rd folk m in io n s, co u ld con stitu te T h e b a n d o f b u lly w u g s se rv in g th e C ult o f th e D ra g on
a fo u r th g ro u p if it to o k a n a ctive h a n d in ev en ts, b u t fo r
n o w it is b id in g its tim e to s e e h o w e v e n ts d e v e lo p . fo llo w s th e d ic ta te s o f Pharblex Spattergoo (s e e a p p e n
R e z m i r ’s t h r e e -w a y a llia n c e is u n s t a b le . T h e c u lt is t s d ix B), a ra re b u lly w u g w h o h a s m a ste re d sh a m a n istic
d e sp is e livin g in th e sw a m p a nd h av e little r e s p e ct for m a gic. H is “relig io n ” is a m ish m a sh o f co n fu s e d trad i
the b u lly w u gs or liza rdfolk ; the lead er o f the bu llyw u g s tion, b o rro w e d m ysticism , h allu cin ogen ic intoxicants,
w ou ld like to seize C astle N aerytar for h is o w n pu r and m an u factu red lore that serv es m ore as a road to
p o se s; th e b u lly w u gs in gen eral take every op portu n ity p e rso n a l p o w e r fo r P h a rb le x th an a s a sp iritu al system
to pu sh arou n d the lizardfolk ; and the lizardfolk ch a fe fo r t h e b u l ly w u g s . P h a r b le x ’s s p e llc a s t i n g h o ld s h is f o l
u n der the a bu se o f the b u lly w u gs and w on d er w h y lo w e rs togeth er, a nd that m a k e s h im u se fu l to R ezm ir.
V o a r a g h a m a n th a r d o e s n ’t step in to p ro te c t th e m .
P h a rb lex h o p e s that w h en T iam at return s, R ezm ir
Cu l t o f t h e Dr a g o n w ill h an d C astle N aerytar over to h im , and h e w ill
ru le the en tire M ere o f D ea d M en from the castle. T h e
A lth ou gh R ezm ir is re sp on sib le for resu rrectin g C astle on ly ob sta cle h e s e e s b e tw e e n h im se lf a n d h is g o a l is
N a e r y ta r a n d c la im in g it fo r th e C u lt o f th e D r a g o n (in th e c a s t l e ’s c u r r e n t m a s t e r , D r a l m o r r e r B o r n g r a y ; th e
n a m e o n ly ; s h e c o n s id e r s it h e r p e r s o n a l p ro p e r ty ), a n n o tio n that s o m e o n e m igh t w a n t to n ot live in a s w a m p
e lf W e a r e r o f P u rp le n a m e d Dralmorrer Borngray (se e
app en dix B ) com m a n d s the castle
for R ezm ir. T h e h alf-dragon
n eed s to sh ow up o cca sion a lly
to rem in d the b u llyw u gs and
liz a r d fo lk that th e C ult o f th e
D ra g o n is rea lly in ch a rg e, but
B orn gray ru n s the operation .
D ralm orrer B orn gray is a
m em b er o f th e E ldreth Valuuthra, a
grou p o f e lf su p rem acists d ed ica ted to
rem ovin g h u m an ity fro m F aerun . H e
lon g s for th e age o f great em p ires b efore
h u m an s cla im ed the con tin en t. B ein g
fro m E verm eet, h e b elieves that his
isla n d h om e w ill b e sa fe ly sh eltered
fro m the d ra g on s’ reign . E lves on the
m a in la n d w ill suffer, b ut that w ill b e a
sm all p rice to pay for th e terror that w ill
fall on hum anity.
T h e e lf id o liz e s R e z m ir in all w a y s but on e:
h e ru e s h er d e cisio n to elevate th e b u lly w u g s in th eir
a llia n ce . In B o r n g r a y ’s o p in io n , th e liza r d fo lk w o u ld
b e m o re u sefu l, m o re reliab le, a n d m o re a p p rop ria te
a llies th a n th e rep u lsiv e b u lly w u g s are. H e ca n n o t alter
th e a rra n g e m e n t w ith o u t co u n te r in g R e z m ir ’s o rd e rs,
but B orn g r a y h a s tak en sm a ll s tep s to re sto re th e liz-
a r d fo lk ’s trib al p rid e , s u ch a s b y try in g to te a ch th e m
m eta llu rg y. H is e ffo rt h a s m e t w ith little s u c c e s s .
B o rn g ra y is loyal to th e cu lt a n d y e a rn s fo r T ia-
m a t ’s r e t u r n . H e g e n u in e ly l o o k s f o r w a r d t o th e
w h o le w o rld ly in g h elp le ss u n d er th e cla w s o f
d r a g o n s , b o t h b e c a u s e t h a t’s w h e r e t h e w o r ld
b e lo n g s , a n d b e c a u s e it w ill m e a n th a t h is
jo b at C a stle N a eryta r is fin ish ed. T h e s e c-
o n d -b e st d ay o f h is life w ill b e the d ay w h en B orn gra y
ca n scra p e the m u d and stin k o f the M ere o f D ea d M en
o ff h is b o o ts and return to som ep la ce civ ilized. H e has
n ever m e n tion ed h is d e sire to leave to the b u lly w u g s,
w h o m h e con sid ers revoltin g n ecessities.
O n ly a h a n d fu l o f tru e C ult o f th e D r a g on in itiates a nd
o ffice rs re sid e s at the ca stle. A ll o f th em a re n oted in the
h a s n e v e r e n te re d P h a rb le x ’s n a r r o w m in d , a n d th e far-ran gin g s cou ts and ou tlyin g guards, sin ce they
b u lly w u g s e e m s d e a f t o B o r n g r a y ’s i r o n ic a n d s a r c a s t ic are far s u p er io r to any b u lly w u g at actively p atrollin g,
ja b s at th e m ere. W h e n th e tim e is right, P h a rb le x p la n s a m bu sh in g, a n d laying traps. F ifth , a ca d re o f liz a rd folk
to rem ov e the e lf from the pictu re by any m ea n s n e ce s h a s b e e n en lis ted as elite g u a rd s fo r th e ca s tle itself.
s ary. It is u n lik e ly th at h e w o u ld c h o o s e th e m id d le o f a B o rn g r a y d o e s n ’t e x p e c t that a n y fo r c e w o u ld e ve r
battle again st th e ch ara cters, w h en h e and B orn gray are m o u n t a re a l a tta ck a g a in st th e ca stle ; it’s to o in a c c e s s i
fig h tin g s id e b y s id e , t o b e t r a y th e e lf— b u t it’s n o t i m p o s b le, ly in g d ee p in th e sw a m p . B ut if that u n lik ely even t
s ib le . I f it l o o k s lik e th e c u lt’s o p e r a tio n at th e c a s t le is ever h ap pen ed , h e k n ow s that th e sw a g g erin g b u llyw u gs
d o om ed , P h a rb lex is the sort o f crea tu re w h o w ill sw itch w o u ld d e se rt rath er th an fight an o rg a n iz e d en em y. T h e
sid es to save h is slim y skin . T h e tim in g m u st b e perfect, lizardfolk , on the oth er han d, ca n b e cou ra g eou s and
b eca u se h e fears R ezm ir m ore than he fears the ch a ra c d isciplin ed w h en they have a lead er w orth follow in g.
ters. If, h ow ev er, th e ch a ra cte rs h av e w o n th e liza rd folk B orn gray h o p e s to b e that leader, at least to the sm all
over to th eir side, slau gh tered or driven off m ost o f the con tin g en t o f liz a rd folk w a rrio rs h e h o u se s in th e ca stle
b u llyw u gs, ove rru n th e ca stle, a n d a re p o is e d to kill an d rew ards w ith sp ecia l treatm en t. In exch an ge for
B orn g ra y a n d P h a rb le x in b attle— P h a rb le x ju d g e s that th eir w ork , B o rn g r a y “p a y s” th e trib e in m eta l w e a p o n s
the ideal tim e to forsak e old a llies an d cou rt n ew on es that are brou gh t to the ca stle a lon g w ith th e loot.
h as arrived . H e offers ju st abou t anyth in g in ex ch an ge
fo r the ch a ra cte rs leav in g h im alive a nd in p o s s e s s io n o f M ea n w h ile, the b u lly w u gs b o ss and bully th e liz
ard folk, em b o ld e n e d by th eir su p e rior n u m bers, the
C a s t l e N a e r y t a r ( w it h o r w i t h o u t t h e farseer ofIllusk in l iz a r d f o lk ’s in s t in c t iv e a w e o f P h a r b le x ’s m a g i c , a n d th e
a b sen ce o f any restrain in g sign from B orn gray or from
op era tin g con dition ). th e lair o f th e b la ck d ra g o n . V o a ra g h a m a n th a r’s sile n ce ,
T h e n u m b e r o f b u lly w u g s a rou n d th e ca stle flu ctuates. m ore than anyth in g else, m a k es the lizardfolk w on d er
w h eth er fate is p u n ish in g th em fo r s o m e u n k n ow n
T h ey c o m e and go as they plea se. O n any given day, tran sg ression . T h ey gru m ble, and occa sion a lly a few
fo rty to fifty a re ca m p e d ou tsid e th e ca stle. T h irty -fou r d esert, but m ost o f th em b ea r up w ith reptilian stoicism .
m o r e p lu s P h a rb le x live in th e ca stle b a r ra ck s (a re a s 1G
a n d 2G ). A n oth er th irty to sev e n ty a re in th e im m ed ia te S n a p ja w is on e o f th e fe w w h o h as su gg este d reb ellin g
a rea , clo s e en o u g h to re sp o n d w ith in fifteen m in u tes to a g a in st th e h a ted b u lly w u g s a n d th e cu ltists. H e h a s n ’t
the b ea tin g o f th e d ru m in the b a rb ica n . d o n e s o open ly, b e ca u s e that w o u ld invite retrib ution
fro m the bu lly w u gs, but h e h as sp ok en to a few fellow
T h e b u lly w u gs a lready believe th em selv es to be trib esfolk h e trusts. T h eir re sp o n se w a s in terested but
lo r d s o f th e m e r e , a n d th e y a ct lik e it. T h e y a r e e a sily n on com m itta l; they intend to take rev en ge on the bu l
con fu sed , how ever. U nder norm al circu m sta n ces, they ly w u g s, but n ot until the o m e n s a re right. M ea n w h ile,
a ttack a d ve n tu re rs o n sigh t, p ro v id e d th e b u lly w u g s th ey en du re— and stock p ile w ea p on s. B orn gray h as on ly
h ad su p erior n u m bers. T h ey have grow n a ccu sto m ed a r o u g h id e a o f h o w m a n y liz a r d fo lk a re in th e trib e all
to se e in g cu ltists o f m an y ra ce s co m in g and goin g tog e th e r, a n d h e h a s n ’t k ep t c lo s e co u n t o v e r h o w m a n y
arou n d the castle, so w h en they se e stran gers, th eir sw o rd s, sp e a rs , d a gg ers, sh ield s, a n d m eta l-tip p ed
first a ss u m p tion is that th e n e w c o m e r s a re m o re cu lt a rrow s have b een tu rn ed over to them . T h e lizardfolk
ists. T h is a ssu m p tio n is re in fo rce d if S n a p ja w or oth er are m u ch b etter a rm ed at th is p oin t than th ey let on
lizard folk a ccom p a n y th e stra n gers or if the ch a racters to eith er th e b u lly w u gs or the cultists. W h en th e tim e
h ave a ny overtly cu ltish gea r o r cloth ing. co m e s to m ove again st the bu llyw u g s, the lizard folk
in ten d fo r e v e ry b u lly w u g th roa t a n d b e lly to b e slit o p e n
T h i s d o e s n ’t m e a n c h a r a c t e r s c a n w a n d e r at w ill w ith a n ew , ra zor-sh a rp steel b la de.
th ro u g h th e ca m p a n d th e ca stle. B u lly w u g g u a rd s still
c h a lle n g e t h e m t o a s k w h o t h e y a r e a n d w h e r e t h e y ’r e L ik e t h e b u l ly w u g s , t h e l iz a r d f o lk ’s fir s t a s s u m p t io n
g o in g (in fra ctu re d p id g in C o m m o n if n on e o f th e ch a r o n s e e in g stra n ge rs is that th ey a re cu ltists, o r a llies
a cte r s s p e a k B u lly w u g ). T h e y ju s t d o n ’t a s s u m e that o f the cu ltists, c o m e to w o rk o r p a rley at the ca stle.
ev ery stra n g e r is an e n e m y a n d a ttack on sight. T h e y d o n ’t sh a r e th e b u lly w u g s ’ a rro g a n ce , h o w e v e r, s o
u n le s s th e y a re a tta ck e d, th ey d o n ’t re a lly ca r e w h o w a n
Liz a r d f o l k ders th rou gh th e ca m p . L iza rd folk on patrol or stan din g
gu a rd a re an e x cep tion . T h ey a re alert, a nd th ey a ss u m e
T h e S ca ly D ea th lizardfolk tribe h as n o leader. P h arb lex e v e ry o n e is a p o te n tia l en e m y. T h e y w o n ’t a ttack u n til
k ille d its sh a m a n , S u n ca lle r, a nd th e d ea th left th e trib e they k n ow for su re, lest they in cu r th e w rath o f R ezm ir
w ith an in feriority com p lex that w a s ripe for exploita o r B o rn g r a y fo r k illin g a n ally. A s o u tly in g g u a rd s,
tion. W h en R ezm ir p rom ised that V oaragh a m a n th ar th eir in stru ctio n s a re to a lert th e ca m p w h en stra n g ers
w o u ld r e w a r d th e tr ib e ’s la b o r s fo r th e cu lt, th e liz a r d app roach , k eep the stran gers u n der ob serva tion , and
fo lk w e re re a d y to listen. aw ait fu rth er in stru ction s.
W h e r e th e b u lly w u g s fill th e r o le o f a sta tic d e fe n s e T h e S ca ly D ea th tribe co m p rise s eigh ty lizardfolk
fo rc e , th e liz a r d fo lk p e rfo rm five fu n ctio n s. F irst, th ey w a rriors, b oth m ale and fem ale. A bou t h alf o f th em are
a r e th e c u l t ’s l a b o r e r s a n d p o r t e r s . L iz a r d f o l k d id m o s t in the v icin ity o f th e ca stle at any g iv en tim e; tw en ty -six
o f th e h eavy w ork w h ile clea rin g d ebris from the castle, live in th e ca s tle a n d th e re st in r e e d h u ts (a rea 3). T h e
and they ca rry m ost o f the treasure from the w ork ca m p oth ers a re a w ay h u n tin g, fishin g, p a trollin g , h a u lin g c o n
to th e castle on th eir b a ck s and in th eir ca n oes. S e co n d , traban d from the w ork ca m p , or visitin g their fam ilies in
th ey tend th e giant liza rds that are u sed to dra g or ca rry th e trib a l v illa g e (a fe w h o u rs a w a y to th e s o u th w es t).
esp ecia lly h eav y loa d s th rou gh the m ere. T h ird, they
d o m o st o f the h u n tin g, fishin g, a n d g a th erin g to feed
e v e r y o n e a t t h e c a s t le . F o u r t h , t h e y a c t a s t h e c a s t l e ’s
Red Wiz a r d s o f oth er d ra go n s is ju stified , th e fact that they a re tw o
m e a n s th e y h ave little to fe a r fr o m m o s t so lita ry d r a g
O nly on e R ed W iza rd is p resen t at C astle N aerytar: on s. R ezm ir is w ork in g h ard to p ersu ad e th em that
A zb a ra J o s, w h o w a s a ls o in th e cu lt ca m p o n th e G re e n th ey co u ld ga in g reat p o w e r b y rev ea lin g th eir s e cre t at
fields a nd traveled n o rth w ith R ezm ir. H e h a s n o in terest th e stra te g ica lly c o r r e c t m o m e n t. U n til T ia m a t’s re tu rn
in th e M ere o f D e a d M en , b u lly w u g s, or liza rd folk , and look s m ore certain , h ow ever, V oaragh am an th ar and
ju st sligh tly m o re in terest in b la ck d ra g on s. H e is h ere W a e r v a e r e n d o r in te n d to k e e p p la y in g it s a fe , s tic k c lo s e
o n ly a s R a th M o d a r ’s lia is o n t o R e z m ir . T h e p o r t a l to h om e, and gu ard their secret.
b e n e a th th e ca stle p iq u e s J o s ’s in terest, h o w e v e r ; p o rta ls
a re a lw a ys o f co n c e rn to th e R e d W iza rd s. V oaragham an thar and W aervaerendor are not a true
faction in the m ere b e ca u se th ey are n ot adva n cin g
A d v e n tu re rs a p p e a r in g at th is re m o te , s e c r e t site a lso any agen da o f th eir ow n , but their p re se n ce affects the
in terest h im . If A zb a ra J o s s e e s th e ch a ra cte rs or le a rn s b a la n ce o f pow er. W ith ou t V oaragham an th ar, the cult
o f th eir p resen ce, h e a rra n ges a private m eetin g— on e w o u ld n ’t b e h e re at all. W ith o u t V o a ra g h a m a n th ar, th e
th at R e z m ir a n d B o rn g r a y d o n ’t e v e n k n o w a b o u t, let lizardfolk prob ably cou ld n ot h ave b een m an eu v ered
alon e attend. H e w an ts to learn h ow m u ch the ch a r into m a k in g co m m o n ca u se w ith the bu llyw u gs.
a cte r s k n o w o f th e cu lt’s p la n s, w h e r e a n d h o w th ey
u n c o v e r e d th e in fo r m a tio n , w h o e ls e k n o w s a b o u t it, a n d C h aracters sh ou ld n ot en cou n ter eith er o f th ese
w h a t t h e y t h in k o f th e p la n ’s c h a n c e t o s u c c e e d . I f th e d ra go n s fa ce to fa ce in this a dven ture (they a re lik ely
ch a ra cters are ca ptu red and lock ed up in the castle, Jos
fin ds a n o p p o rtu n ity to a sk all the s a m e q u e stio n s, again t o m e e t in The Rise of Tiamat). I f c h a r a c t e r s s t r a y
privately, b u t h e is in a b etter p o sitio n to fo r c e a n sw e rs
out o f the characters. fr o m th e liz a r d fo lk ’s p ath b e tw e e n th e w o r k ca m p a n d
C a stle N aerytar, in te n tion a lly o r u n in ten tio n ally — if, fo r
T h is a ssu m es the ch a ra cters are at C astle N aerytar e x a m p le , t h e y f o ll o w w i l l - o ’-w is p s in t o t h e m e r e — t h e y
p o sin g as cu ltists o r h idin g a m on g th e lizardfolk . If co u ld en ter th e b lig h ted territory a rou n d o n e o f th e lairs.
t h e y ’r e r a m p a g in g t h r o u g h t h e c a s t le , k il lin g e v e r y o n e M a n y c lu e s c a n in fo r m c h a r a c te r s th a t th e y ’r e in d r a g o n
they m eet, then A zba ra Jos h as on ly on e con cern : e sca p territory. F irst, they p a ss m a rk ers co n sistin g o f the acid-
in g th rou gh the portal b efo re som e o n e or som eth in g eaten sk u lls o f h u m a n s, h u m a n o id s, yuan-ti, cro co d ile s ,
k ills h im . a nd ju st a bou t ev ery oth er cre a tu re that liv es in th e
m ere. T h e sk u lls h an g fro m w ith ered trees and from
Vo a r a g h a ma n t h a r sp ik es driven into the grou nd.
V oa ra g h a m a n th a r is an adult b la ck d ra g on w h o cla im s B oth d ra g o n s’ la irs a re h eavily gu a rd e d b y liz a rd folk .
the M ere o f D ea d M en as h is territory. A lth ou gh m an y T h e d ra g on s’ gu a rds are sele cted from the S ca ly D ea th
c r e a t u r e s liv e in th e m e r e a n d d o m in a te it to o n e e x te n t lizard folk that w o rk fo r th e cult. K o b o ld s in fest the
o r a n o t h e r , n o n e c h a lle n g e V o a r a g h a m a n t h a r ’s s u p r e m actu al lairs, but th ey seld om c o m e out into the m ere.
acy. T h e b u lly w u gs con sid er h im a con sta n t th reat and
trem b le w h e n ev e r h is s h a d o w p a s s e s near. T h e yu an -ti Sq u a r i n g O f f A g a i n s t
grant h im gru dg in g resp ect an d cov et h is im m en se t h e Cu l t o f t h e D r ag o n
w ea lth . T h e liz a r d fo lk h o n o r h im a nd w o n d e r w h y he
a llow s the cu ltists to abu se th em . T h e cultists ven erate C h aracters have several op tion s at C astle N aerytar, and
h im a n d d ivert s o m e o f th e a rriv in g co n tra b a n d to h is even ts th ere ca n go in m any direction s. H ere are the key
la ir a s tribute. p oin ts to k eep in m in d w h en ru n n in g th is ep is o d e .
V oaragh am an th ar h as a secret that is k n ow n to on ly • R e z m ir a n d A z b a ra J os d o a lm os t a n y th in g to a void a
tw o oth er creatu res in F aeru n . O n e o f th em is R ezm ir. battle w ith in terferin g adven tu rers. T h ey have b igg er
c o n c e r n s th an th e sa fe ty o f C astle N a ery ta r a n d its
T h e o t h e r c r e a t u r e is t h e s e c r e t : W a e r v a e r e n d o r , t h e occu p a n ts. If a battle d ev elop s, b oth o f th ese ch a ra c
ters h ead directly for the gate ben eath th e ca stle and
tw in b roth er o f V oaragh am an th ar. F or cen tu ries, th ese t e le p o r t t o T a lis t h e W h it e ’s h u n tin g l o d g e ( s e e e p i
tw in s have m isle d the w orld into be lie vin g that on ly on e s o d e 7). F o r p u r p o s e s o f th is adventu re, d o ev e ry th in g
d ra gon dw ells in the M ere o f D ea d M en — on e dragon y ou ca n to en su re that R ezm ir and Jos survive this epi
th at m u st tra v el at im m e n s e s p e e d , s in c e it h a s b e e n s o d e . It’s n o t a c a t a s t r o p h e i f t h e y d o n ’t, b u t it’s m u c h
spotted at w idely separated lo ca le s in rapid su ccessio n . better if they do.
T h e siblin gs seld om leave th eir lairs, but w h en they do,
they co ord in a te s o they are n ever seen togeth er or seen • D ra lm orrer B orn gray and P h a rb lex S p a tterg oo have
in tw o d istan t p la ce s at p re cis e ly th e s a m e tim e. ev eryth in g to lose if en em ies o f th e cu lt overru n
C astle N aerytar; a d efeat w o u ld co s t B orn gray his
R ezm ir p ersu ad ed th e tw in s to p led ge th eir aid to the h a rd -e a rn ed ra n k in th e cult, a n d S p a tterg o o w o u ld
cu lt, b u t s o far, th e p le d g e h a s n ’t c a r r ie d m u c h w e igh t. lo se the b a se from w h ich h e h o p e s to ru le the m ere
N eith er d ra g on lea v es its lair freq u en tly e n o u g h to p r o a fter th e cu lt is fin ish e d w ith th e ca s tle . T h e y figh t to
v id e m u ch h elp . L ik e all b la ck d ra g on s, th e s e tw o a re the death to p rotect the ca stle (sim u ltan eou sly bu y
p a r a n o id a b o u t a ll o th e r d ra g o n s. T ia m a t’s p oten tia l in g tim e for R ezm ir and Jos to esca pe). D espite their
retu rn and the establish m en t o f a vast d ra gon em p ire loath in g for on e another, they u n derstan d that they are
se e m like rem ote p ossib ilities com p a red to the real m u ch stro n g e r tog eth er th a n a part. A s s o o n a s figh tin g
da n ger o f tan glin g w ith an oth er dragon , any o f w h om b rea k s out, they jo in fo rce s and coop erate.
w ou ld gladly m u rder V oaragh am an th ar an d W aer
v a e r e n d o r f o r t h e ir h o a r d s . T h a t ’s t h e t w in s ’ o u t lo o k ,
anyw ay. W h ile their co n ce rn over th e m u rd erou s n ature
• T h e b est p la ce for B orn gray and P h a rb lex to m a k e c h a r a c t e r s d o n ’t i m p r e s s t h e m . T h e y w o n ’t t a k e a c t io n
th e ir s ta n d d e p e n d s o n h o w th e a tta c k d e v e lo p s ; y o u ’ll a g a in st th e b u lly w u g s n ow , but th e y w o n ’t in terfere
n e e d to p la y that p art b y ear. T h eir b e st p loy a gain st a w ith the ch a ra cte rs, either. If the resu lt is 5 o r low er,
d eterm in ed assau lt m ay b e a figh tin g retreat th rou gh t h e s e g u a r d s d e c i d e S n a p ja w ’s ta lk o f a n u p r is in g is
th e ca stle and d ow n into the ca vern s, w h ere the n ar d an gerou sly rash, and they attack him .
ro w p a s s a g e s a n d gian t fro g s w o r k in th eir favor. • I f th e ch a ra cte rs h ave d o n e n o th in g to w in S n a p ja w ’s
tr u s t o r t h e y ’v e tr e a t e d h im n o b e t t e r t h a n b u l ly w u g s
• T h e b u lly w u gs are n u m erou s but cow ardly. T h ey w o u ld have, th en h e tells th e gu a rd s that the ch a ra c
figh t to p ro te ct P h a rb le x , b u t if h e isn ’t im m e d ia te ly in ters are n oth in g but trouble, and the lizard folk attack.
sig ht— if P h a rb le x h a s retrea ted into th e ca v e rn s w h ile
oth er b u lly w u g s a re fig h tin g in th e in n er w a rd , for If S n a p ja w is n ot w ith th e ch a ra cters, th ey still have a
ex a m p le— b u lly w u gs w h o feel as if h e h as a ba n don ed ch a n ce to detect the gu a rd ou tp ost o n th eir ow n . C h ar
th em a re lik ely to leap a w ay into th e m e re a n d n ever acters w ith pa ssive W isd om (P ercep tion ) s co re s o f 15 or
c o m e b a ck . If P h a rb le x is k illed , m o s t b u lly w u g s d e s h ig h er ca tch w h iffs o f w o o d sm ok e. A lso m a k e a sin gle
ert im m ediately. D exterity (Stealth) ch e ck for the lizardfolk gu a rds, w ith
a d v a n t a g e (th e y ’v e h a d p le n ty o f t im e to c o n c e a l t h e m
• T h e liza rd folk a re brave, b ut they d e sp is e th e b u lly selves). C om p a re th eir resu lt to th e ch a ra cte rs’ p a ssive
w u g s . I f c h a r a c te r s h a v e n ’t r e c r u it e d th e liz a r d fo lk W isd o m (P ercep tion ) s co re s to se e w h eth er any o f the
to th eir side, th en th e liz a r d fo lk fight w e ll w h en ev e r ch a ra cte rs n o tice the liz a rd fo lk in h iding.
t h e y ’r e a lo n e . I f b u l ly w u g s a r e n e a r b y , liz a r d f o l k p u ll
b a c k a n d let th e b u lly w u g s b e a r th e b ru n t o f co m b a t If the liza rd folk g o u n d etected , they sen d tw o fast
and casu alties. If the lizardfolk have b een w on over sw im m ers ah ead by a s e co n d a ry route to alert bu l
to figh tin g a lon gsid e th e ch a racters, th en th ey hunt ly w u gs at the castle. T w o m ore sco u ts follow the
b u lly w u gs th rou gh th e ca stle an d grou n d s and m u rder ch a ra cters w h ile the last tw o rem ain at th eir p ost and
th em m ercilessly. If b u llyw u gs flee into the sw a m p , con tin u e k eep in g w atch.
lizardfolk ch a se them . T h ey are h alf-h earted w h en
fa cin g cu ltists— n ot b eca u se they fear th e cu ltists but O u t sid e Ca st l e
b e c a u s e th e y d o n ’t h ate th e m , a n d th e y h ave a h a rd e r Na er yt a r
tim e m en ta lly tu rn in g a gain st that a llia n ce.
C astle N a eryta r w a s b uilt on d ry lan d, th en a d eep , d ry
• T h e cu ltists are d ed ica ted but n ot fan atics, and they m o a t w a s d u g a r o u n d it. W h e n th e m e r e e x p a n d e d a n d
a re la b o re rs, n ot so ld ie rs. T h ey fight b ra v ely w ith s u rr o u n d e d th e ca stle site, th e m o a t flo o d e d a n d o v e r
D ra lm o rre r B o rn gra y le a d in g th em . W ith ou t h im , flo w e d . N o w th e w h o le site is sw a m p y , a nd la rg e p o o ls o f
th e cu ltists’ a ttack s a re u n co o rd in a te d a nd h esitant. s ta n d in g w a ter d ot th e clea rin g . T h e ca stle w a s b u ilt on
T h eir situ a tion b e c o m e s ev en w o r s e if th ey a re fight e x p o s e d b e d r o ck , s o its fou n d a tion is so u n d a nd m ostly
in g again st reb elliou s lizardfolk . In that ca se, w ith out dry even a cen tu ry after the flood in g. T an gled bru sh and
B o rn g r a y to e g g th em on, th ey a re m o s t lik ely to b a r trees g row to w ith in tw en ty feet o f th e w a lls o n th ree
rica d e th em se lv es in th e u p p e r lev els o f th e sou th w e st sid e s o f th e ca stle. O n ly th e fron t (sou th ern ) fa ce is clear.
tow er o r th e lib ra ry a n d try to rid e ou t th e slau gh ter.
B u lly w u g s live in cr o w d e d , h astily m a d e re e d huts.
A ppr o a c h in g T h e liz a rd folk have stu rdier, ro o m ie r ree d lon g h o u se s.
Ca st l e Na er y t a r
1. L a n d i n g
H ow ch ara cters a pp roa ch N aerytar ca n set the tone for
everyth in g that h a p p en s at the castle. A h alf-d ozen du gou t ca n o e s are pu lled up on to lan d
h ere. T h r e e to five p a d d le s lie in th e b otto m o f ea ch .
S n ap ja w k n o w s w h ere th e lizard folk p ick ets are F ive o f th em a re in g o o d co n d itio n ; th e six th h a s a rotten
p osted abou t h alf a m ile ou t from th e ca stle. If h e is w ith b o tt o m , a n d th e liz a r d fo lk n e v e r u s e it. I f c h a r a c te r s
the ch a ra cters, h e ca n prevent th em from blu n derin g g r a b c a n o e s in a h u rry, th e r e is a 1-in -6 c h a n c e th e y get
t h e r o t t e n o n e . It s ta r t s le a k in g a s s o o n a s it’s p u t in
in t o a t ra p o r a n a m b u s h . H e t a lk s t o th e 6 lizardfolk w a te r, a n d it s in k s a fte r fifte e n m in u te s .
g u a rd s if ch a ra cte rs let h im . W h a t he tells th em d e p e n d s 2. A n i m a l St o c k a d e
o n t h e o p in i o n h e ’s f o r m e d a b o u t t h e c h a r a c t e r s .
T h e lizard folk k eep th eir giant lizards p en n ed h ere. T h e
• I f S n a p ja w isn ’t y e t su re w h e th e r th e ch a ra cte rs are fiv e-foot-h ig h w a ll o f th e stock a d e is m a d e fro m stu rdy
th e s a v iors h e h o p e s th ey a re, h e tells th e g u a rd s that logs d riven into the earth , sp a ce d abou t six in ch es apart,
th ese are cu ltists co m in g to jo in th ose already in the a n d b o u n d to g e th e r w ith tw iste d fiber. T h e liz a r d s ca n
castle. T h e gu a rd s a ccep t that story w ith ou t qu estion ca rry or d rag load s that are to o m a ssive for the lizard
a n d let e v ery on e p a ss. folk, su ch as large tim b ers or im pressive cro co d ile s.
T h ey are a lso u sed to ra ise ston e on to th e ca stle battle
• If the h eroes have estab lish ed stron g trust b etw een m en ts th rou gh ro p e s an d pu lleys— te ch n o lo g y that n ever
th em se lv es a n d S n ap ja w , h e tells th e g u a rd s that the
ch a ra cte rs a re g rea t w a r r io r s c o m e to d e s tr o y th e C ult c e a s e s to a m a z e t h e liz a r d fo lk . T h e r e a r e 2 d 4 giant liz
o f th e D rag on , and that n o w is the tim e to m a k e their ards in th e p e n at a n y g iv e n tim e . T h e y a re ill-te m p e re d
m ov e again st the bu lly w u gs. Y ou ca n eith er d ecid e
fo r y o u rse lf h o w the gu a rd s rea ct to that, or m a k e a and attack an yon e w h o co m e s w ith in rea ch if th eir
D C 10 C h arism a ch e ck fo r S n ap jaw . If the ch e ck s u c
c e e d s , th e g u a rd s a re p e rsu a d e d . I f th e c h e c k fails, th e
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D&D 5e Hoard Of The Dragon Queen
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