Odd Ancestry & Ancient Axes

- An AOG “Year One” D&D 5e Adventure for a party of 3 to 5 player characters of 2nd to 4th level.

Scenario: Dungeon Crawl Adventure Outline:

A willful young dwarf wants to join a famous
adventuring guild… but he’s convinced he won’t be able
to do so without first obtaining his “Grandpappy’s”
legendary battle axe. The party is hired to break into a
sealed dwarven tomb, find the axe, survive the undead
they have so rudely awakened, and return the axe to
their young dwarf employer.
Story Summary:
What makes a person family? What makes
someone a relative? Are they the same? What makes an
item an Heirloom? What happens when an Heirloom
belongs to who you believe to be your family, but you
aren’t exactly related… and that heirloom hasn't exactly
been passed along… Can you still claim it?
Such are the questions of the aspiring young dwarf
warrior Howvandi SteelBuckle. “Howie” is convinced
that he is to be the next great warrior in his clan of
dwarves… but he needs his grandpappy’s legendary
battle axe. Only issue… the axe is buried deep in the
catacombs with the long deceased Grandpappy. And
though Howie cannot enter the catacombs himself…
who’s to say he can’t ask someone else?
However… This is still against local dwarven law.
So, upon reaching Grandpappy’s tomb, a hired
adventuring party will find the Ghost of Grandpappy
seriously disturbbed by such rude intrusion. The
grandson’s motivation to wield the “legendary battle
axe” is found to be without proper permission. His
action of hiring adventurers leaves Grandpappi
unwilling to part with his weapon. The party must then
choose to continue as they see fit. Will they follow
through on their commitment to the inspired young
dwarf by convincing Granpappy to part with his battle
axe? Do they take it by force? Do they peacefully leave
Grandpappy and return to reprimand young Howie?
…Do they even have the right to choose?
Adventure Hooks
Optional hooks to get the party started include:
Adventure START -
1. A Meeting with Howie (Social)
a. Learn Howie’s request
b. Learn Howie’s motivations
2. Into the Quiet Tomb (Explore/Skill/Combat)
a. Learning SteelBuckle History
b. Participate in Rituals
c. Avoiding Monsters
3. The Ghost of Grandpappy (Social/Combat)
a. Talk to him
b. Fight?
c. Flee?
4. Escaping the Tomb (Exploration/Skill)
a. Fight off the Undead
b. Run from the Undead
c. Return to Entrance
What is a Year One Adventure?
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- Stumbling upon the tomb and dwarf while traveling.

- Seeing a posting for help in a local adventuring guild.
- Meeting Howie the Dwarf personally and offering aid.
Adventure Start
The adventure begins with a conversation with the
young dwarf fighter Howvandi “Howie” Steelbuckle.
After the DM has delivered a fitting hook, read the
following text to the players;
Walking toward you is a stout young Dwarf with a
short red beard, wearing chainmail and basic
adventuring gear. He waves to you with enthusiasm
and calls out,
“Hello there! Yer just in time. An ya look like yer just
the people for the job! Thank you so much for agreein’
to listen to my plea an’ help me out.”
He pulls out a large parchment, which looks to be a
map. Pointing his fingers along an inked trail he says,
“The tombs are just to the north of us! You follow
this trail and We’ll get there in no time. Ya Ready!?”
The Party should immediately engage with Howie
and receive the mission directly from him.
1 - Meeting with Howie (Social)
Howie the Dwarf is looking for an adventuring
party to retrieve his grandfather’s battle axe from inside
his dwarven clan’s tomb. The Party will need to ask
Howie about this job, retrieving info for the task.
Howvandi “Howie” Steelbuckle
With a large grin and a boisterous bellow, the dwarf
greets you again. “Ha ha! Don’t look so confused! Ya
remember what ya signed up for… right?”
- Howie is a young dwarf eager for adventure.
- Howie wants to hire the party to enter the
dwarven tombs that local law requires him from
entering, to retrieve Grandpappy’s Battle Axe.
- Howie will be completely honest with the party, not
hiding anything, so long as THEY promise to
genuinely work with him.
- The Party can convince Howie to pay them a
portion up front if they are kind and considerate.
Asking about The Job:
“Oh! Right! I need you to enter me Grandpappy’s
tomb, and retrieve his Legendary Battle Axe for me!
It’s a family heirloom, passed down for generations,
that HE never passed down… You see, me father
didn’t want to be a warrior like Grandpappy, but I do!
Grandpappy had been buried with the axe, so now I
need to go n’ get it! But… well… I can’t. That’s why
YOU'RE here!”
Why Howie Can’t Go in the Tomb:
“Well… in order to go into a dwarven warrior clan
tomb, you need to prove yourself as a warrior first…
And I haven't exactly done that yet. If I were to enter,
It would be a terrible disgrace to me clan!”
Why does Howie Need the Axe?
“...But that’s EXACTLY why I need it! I won’t ever be
able to prove meself a great warrior like Grandpappy
without an axe like his! That Battle Axe has seen
many battles, and always come out in victory, with a
weapon like that, I’ll prove meself in NO TIME!”
“And Besides… I’m FAMILY! It should have gone to
me father first, and then to me.
About Grandpappy’s Battle Axe:
“Me father told me that it was a large, double edged
silver battle axe of dwarven make, with a steel plated
oak handle. It was spiked at the top, clad with
glittering gold runes, and a big bright emerald
emblazoned at the bottom of the hilt.” The dwarf
sighs with delight. “Ahhhhhh… A swish of silver ‘n
gold with a green shimmer in the wake of each swing!
Sounds so beautiful… doesn’t it?”
If Asked About Father…
“BAH. Me old man died a while ago. Smithin
accident… terribly unfortunate. He was a good dwarf,
he was, but he always told me to stick to smithin’. Said
that it would be better that way… I’ll show him! I’ll
make both him and me Grandpappy proud!
Why Hire the Party?
“Interestingly other people CAN visit as admirers of
the dwarven warrior’s strength, if given permission
from a clan member! Well, I’m a member… even if I
haven't actually proven meself a warrior yet.
“So Here’s the plan… I let you in, you go down, you
get Grandpappy’s Battle Axe, you bring it back to me,
and I’ll pay ye for all yer hard work! Easy n’ nuff, ya?
Payment up front (Charisma DC 20):
“Oh alright… I suppose ya walked out this far
without much to go on about. Here’s a portion up
front… you’ll get the rest when ya come back with
Grandpappy’s Axe! Good!?”
*Party Receives 100gp Total, OR 25gp per player
- The conversation should end with The Party
agreeing to enter the tombs. Howie will walk with
them to the gated Mausoleum, where the party will
then begin the next encounter.
- Howie has a Dwarven Clan Key that will allow
entrance to the Clan Mausoleum. He will not
willingly part with this item.
Walking to the Mausoleum
- The journey should be simple and easy, following a
path cut up into the nearby hills
- Howie will gladly make small talk with the Party, and
will offer any of his traveling gear to the party to use
along the way.
Arriving at the Mausoleum
After a short journey, you come upon a simple
stone building cut like that of a Dwarven Keep with
shimmering steel pillars standing as decorational
supports. A large gate seals the entrance, its
handles wrapped with a bulbous brass padlock &
chains. Howie pulls a large key from his back pocket
and approaches the padlock.
“Alright friends… Here we are. The Steelbuckle
Mausoleum. Now… I’ve never been down there
before, so I have no idea what awaits. But I trust it
shouldn’t be hard to find Grandpappy’s resting
place. After all, he was a highly decorated clan
warrior buried in a place of honor! We dwarves are
quite proud of our combat and craft!
The Dwarf pops open the padlock and removes the
chains. With an eerie creeeeeek of metal on metal,
he pulls upen the large steel gate.
“I’ll just be campin’ up here on me lonesome, but
you can take yer time. Admire the Clan why dontcha
since that’s technically what yer doin here
anyway… Good Luck!”
Entering the Mausoleum:
- The entrance to the Mausoleum is locked, but Howie
has a Family Clan Key that will allow him to let the
party enter.
- Howie will set up a small camp and wait for the
party’s return. He will not leave until the Party arrives.
2 - Into the Quiet Tomb
(Exploration/Skill/Combat)
The Party will enter the Dwarven Mausoleum, and
descend into its catacombs. The following part of the
adventure should be run as a Dungeon Crawl. Moving
from room to room, using skills to navigate the
dungeon. The party might or might not encounter a
few roaming monsters, or participate in any of the
following puzzles for attempts at treasure.
a. The Entrance Foyer:
You walk down the steps and descend into the cold,
dank, underground catacomb. The corridor at the
base of the steps opens into a small room, filled
with jars, urns, and decorative tapestries. Emblems
of the SteelBuckle clan are engraved and stamped
upon each of the decorations. You see a long skinny
stone table standing in the center of the wall
furthest from you,, and a wooden door is closed
shut at the far corner.
Etched into the wall directly above the table are a
few lines of dwarven runes…
*Language Required: Dwarven - The runes seem
to be a piece of Dwarven Poetry, reading:
“Here lay the bodies of champions resting,
Who lived well, made rich from their fight.
With tools of their trade clung tightly to chest,
May the Clan and its Craft be honored in Life.
“Continue thee who chose to admire with a vow:
“To the strength of the SteelBuckle!
With Honor! With Tribute! With Rite!
Lest I meet thee in the Wrath of your Death”
Exploring the Entrance
- The players can search the urns, pots, jars, and coffers
for treasure, finding coins and gems easily. With a good
Investigation or Perception Check, The Party can find
up to 150gp worth of coins and gems.
- Reading the Dwarven Poetry and making a successful
DC 15 Insight Checkwill warn the party that they
should be as respectful as possible while down here,
and restrain from taking treasures or trophies.
- Failing to repeat the Dwarven Vow will result in
decreased Favor with Grandpappy.
Taking Treasures:
- Leaving the treasures alone will increase Favor with
Grandpappy, causing him to better trust the Party.
Taking treasures will decrease Favor with Grandpappy,
causing him to be distrustful and angry with the party.
b. The Main Catacombs
The door opens into a large space, where multiple
stone coffins line the room, sitting upon recesses
built into the walls. Tons of dwarven weapons are
on display around the room. A large carpet rests on
the floor, and a few small trophies sit atop stone
tables amongst the steel pillars that stand as ceiling
supports. A statue of a dwarf hunter stands
prominently against the center of the far wall…
*Passive Perception 12 - You hear the sounds of
scratching on stone…
*Passive Perception 15 - You see shadows moving
along the wall– creatures are hiding behind the
pillars and stone tables!
Combat 1: Catacomb Ghouls
- The party will become surprised by 4 hidden Ghouls
unless characters spot them with a perception check.
- The Ghouls will fight ruthlessly to the death,
attempting to gang up on a single target at a time.
Exploring the Main Catacombs
- The players can spend time in the catacombs learning
about the SteelBuckle Dwarf Clan.
- The party should use a variety of skills to discover
clues and history about the SteelBuckle Dwarves.
-The more time party members spend learning about
and admiring the SteelBuckle Dwarves, the more Favor
they will gain with Grandpappy.
- If a Party member uses any of the Dwarven Weapons
found on the tables to defeat the Ghouls, they will
increase their Favor with Grandpappy
Significant Items found on the tables:
Dwarven War Axe (not Grandpappy’s)
Dwarven Heavy Crossbow & 20 bolts
Dwarven War Hammer
Dwarven Shortsword and Kite Shield
Dungeoneer’s Pack (with contents)
Ornate Shovel and Pickaxe
Warhorn made from a Ram’s Horn
A hefty pair of Decorative Metal Boots
Applicable Skills & DCs for Uses
Arcana 10 - It seems that few of the Dwarves
used magic, and never in combat.
History 12 - The SteelBuckle Dwarves are a small
clan, considering how big some clans can
be. But like all dwarves, they take pride
in the expert use of weapons and tools.
Religion 14 - Many of the engravings mention
something worshipful about “The
Maker.” The SteelBuckle Dwarves
astutely followed God’s decree to be
creative and resourceful for His glory.
Investigation 12 - Based on the reading of plaques on
coffins, most of the dwarves buried in
this room are simply clan members and
expert artisans, not necessarily warriors.
Perception 14 - Most of the stone coffins in the room
are sealed shut… but not all of them.
*A quick peek into an open coffin reveals
a dwarf skeleton wearing heavy armor.
The skeletons clutch a heavy weapon in
their hands, laying across their chest.
Survival 12 - The adventuring gear scattered about
as decoration all seem to be crafted
specifically for exploring underground.
The Dwarf Hunter Statue
The Stone Statue resembles a Male Dwarf Ranger,
hoisting a large dwarven crossbow over his
shoulders. A plaque on the base of the statue reads
(*Dwarven):
“Tagrin SteelBuckle - The Underdark Pathfinder -
Master of the Heavy Crossbow”
- Searching the Statue with a successful DC 12
Perception Check reveals a small rhombus shaped
key-hole in the statue above the plaque: a follow-up
successful DC 15 investigation Check will alert the
players that the keyhole is shaped like an arrowhead…
- Inserting one of the Dwarven Bolts found on the
tables into the keyhole will open a secret compartment
in the statue, revealing an item: a blue-green
luminescent glass orb: *Tagrin’s Orb of Direction
c. The Tribute Alter
Past the door is a small room; A platform of sorts,
where to the left is a large altar scattered with
more jars and urns with a chest sitting in the center
beneath a large *tapestry. The tapestry depicts a
pair of hands molding a large mountain range and
set of verdant hills. To the right is a set of steps that
lead off the platform, and further down into the
catacombs.
*DC 10 Religion Check - The Tapestry isn’t
dedicated to the SteelBuckle Dwarves… it’s to the
deity known as “The Maker.”
Combat 2: Spider Swarms
- A player that approaches the alter and tapestry will be
ambushed by multiple Spider Swarms that pour out
from behind the tapestry. The swarm will run down the
walls of the altar to attack the nearest player.
- Peeking behind the tapestry will reveal a small
corridor exit filled with spider sacks and old webbed-up
bodies… it seems the spiders drag away their prey and
eat them all the way back there…
Exploring the Tribute Alter
- The players can search the urns, pots, jars, and coffers
for treasure, finding coins and gems easily. With a good
Investigation or Perception Check, The Party can find
up to 300gp worth of coins and gems.
- The Chest on the altar is filled with religious scrolls
and texts, all written in dwarven.
- *A successful DC 12 Religion Check will allow a
character reading the texts to understand that they all
have to do with finishing life well by serving others.
They read of receiving a blessed afterlife because of
one’s acceptance and follow through of the mission to
serve others in life.
- A successful DC 12 Insight Check will clue characters
in that they should make an offering or say a prayer
while here at this altar.
- Characters who say a prayer or make an offering to
The Maker will honor the dead by extolling them for
their dedication to both craft and combat for the sake
of protecting others, and will thus increase their Favor
with Grandpappy.
- Characters who refuse to pray or make an offering
will decrease their Favor with Grandpappy.
d. The Grand Hall
Descending a few steps off the platform leads you
into a grand hall, with a ceiling about 25 feet high.
Braizures glow orange from crackling red embers,
illuminating the room with a feeling of warmth.
Another statue of a heavily Armored Dwarf stands
tall in the corner, while more coffins line the walls
around it. A few more steel pillars can be seen
lining a large bronze colored carpet that stretches
down the center of the hall towards a platform.
Upon the platform sits a large stone coffin, cut and
decorated far different from the others.
Exploring the Grand Hall
- This room is very clean compared to the other rooms,
and no treasures can be found amongst the hall.
- A successful DC 10 Investigation or Insight Check
reveals that the Coffins in this room belong to clan
warriors. The lids on these coffins are shut, but not
sealed as some of the others were previously.
The Dwarf Warrior Statue
This statue depicts a heavily armored Male Dwarf
wearing a horned helm. The Dwarf wields a
double-edged battle axe in one hand, and raises an
ornate lantern in the other. A Plaque on the Statue
Base reads (*Dwarven):
“Khurgrumir “Grandpappy” SteelBuckle
- The Giant Slayer - Master of the Battle Axe”
- Searching the Statue with a successful DC 16
Perception Check reveals a small lever hidden inside
the lantern it holds. Pulling the lever will open a secret
compartment in the base of the statue, revealing an
item: A shiny brass lantern, with a steel handle:
*Grandpappy’s Monster Trackin’ Lantern
Approaching Grandpappy’s Coffin
- The closer a player gets the Grandpappy’s Coffin, the
more emotional they should feel: If a player has
consistently increased Favor with Grandpappy, the
player will feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. If
a player has consistently decreased Favor with
Grandpappy, the player will feel a sense of dread. This
player will need to make a successful DC 12 Wisdom
Saving Throw, or become frightened by the coffin, and
will not be able to approach.
- Approaching Grandpappy’s Coffin will summon the
Ghost of Grandpappy.
 3 - The Ghost of Grandpappy
(Social / Skill / Combat)
Approaching Grandpappy’s Coffin will summon
the Ghost of Grandpappy, who will then immediately
initiate a social encounter with the party. Depending on
how much Favor the party has either gained or lost
during their exploration of the catacombs, Grandpappy
will treat them with understanding forgiveness, or with
harsh judgment. The DM should try to make record of
the party’s total Favor before initiating.
The Ghost of Grandpappy
The coffin opens with a windy howl, and a shimmering
blue spirit of an armored dwarf with a huge white beard
emerges, raising into the air in a twist of wind and cold fog.
The Ghost shouts in a deep guttural dwarvish, “WHY have I
been awoken!? WHY have you so rudely disturbed the
SteelBuckle’s Slumber!?”
- The Ghost of Grandpappy is a grumpy and senile old
warrior dwarf, who will not work willingly with the party
unless they have successfully admired participated in the
SteelBuckle Rituals hidden throughout each checkpoint.
- Grandpappy will not initially attack the players, on
account that they cleared out the Ghouls and Spider
Swarm, but he will not want to entertain their stay for
long.
- Grandpappy’s Body is laid to rest, adorned in heavy
dwarven armor, and clutching his “Legendary Battle Axe”
tightly to its chest.
Asking for Grandpappy’s Axe:
“Absolutely not! Me AXE was ME LIFE! The only person
that I would ever pass it to, is a SteelBuckle worthy of
wielding it! AN’ me fool of a son never followed in me
steps… SO the axe STAYS buried with me!
Mentioning Howie SteelBuckle:
“What did you say…? Me SON’s, son? All grown up!? Wait…
Howvandi sent you in here!? Oh no… no no no… Howie,
ohhh poor Howie…” The ghostly dwarf shakes his ghostly
head. “Unfortunately for you, Howie is still wrong to have
done this. It’s still against the law to let you in here. You’re
trespassing, and it’s time for you to leave.”
*Favorable Attitude -
“Lads… I’ve noticed you take great care in honoring our
tradition so I suppose I ought to tell ya… Howie is adopted.
“He’s a clan member, sure… but he’s not bloodline. And the
poor boy doesn’t even know it! I can’t pass the axe to him. I
can’t! It’s against SteelBuckle law n’ tradition! If I give you
the axe to give to him… and he were to die while wielding
MY weapon, my bloodline would be forever disgraced! It’s
one thing to be discontinued… it's another to be disgraced.
Unless…” The dwarf scratches his ghostly beard.
“There is an OLD rite of passage, that if a Steelbuckle can
display his prowess by defeating a superior in battle… BAH!
No! It’s not worth it.”
Asking about a Rite of Passage
“Persistent… The ONLY way I could possibly hand it off,
and know that me bloodline wouldn’t be disgraced, is if
Howie himself were to defeat ME in single combat with me
own weapon. ONLY THEN! Would I be willing to part with
what made me the dwarf I was in life!
“But… honestly… the poor boy would certainly die. I would
demolish the lad before he had a chance to even take his
first swing! I’ve slain GIANTS for the Maker’s sake!
“But it IS his right to challenge me…”
*Unfavorable Attitude -
The ghost draws a gleaming & illusory version of his
double edged axe up and out from his coffin and shouts, “NO
respect for our people, nor our place of rest, AND ye think ye
can take what belongs to the SteelBuckles for yer own!? And
to think, a clan member put you up to this… That adopted
little brat needs to know that THIS Axe is for BLOODLINE
Dwarves ONLY. If he wants it, he needs to come and take it
over me dead body! And… over YOUR DEAD BODIES!”
“BEGONE YOU VILE DEFILERS!”
Taking the Axe WITHOUT Permission
“HANDS OFF what doesn’t belong to you, or anyone else!
You’ll pay for your transgressions, and the spiders will come
back to take your sorry carcasses away! YAHHHHH!”
- The conversation ends with the party agreeing to either
leave in peace or retrieve Howie for a duel, or the party
has angered The Ghost of Grandpappy, and will need to
escape for their lives.
Combat with Grandpappy
- If Combat is initiated, The Ghost of Grandpappy will
blow on a Ghostly War Horn, to raise the bodies of the
dwarf warriors slumbering throughout the catacombs.
- Arisen Dwarven Warriors will join the frey and fight
to the death, attempting to slay the party members
before they escape. They
- Grandpappy will attempt to possess the party member
with the least amount of Favor, or the party member
who is currently holding onto Grandpappy’s Battle Axe.
Grandpappy will put the possessed character into the
most dangerous position possible.
- The Ghost of Grandpappy will pursue the party as far
as the Tribute Altar, and the Arisen Dwarven Warriors
will pursue the party as far as the entrance to the
mausoleum, but fall apart if attempting to leave it.
4 - Escaping the Tomb
(Combat/Skill)
If the party is forced to escape the tomb under
pressure, they will need to push past the arisen undead
and use various skills to traverse the now active traps
and hazards in the tomb. The DM should use discretion
to make the following encounter very difficult, but not
impossible.
Escaping with Grandpappy’s Battle Axe
- It IS possible for the party to escape with
Grandpappy’s Battle Axe, but it should be extremely
difficult to do so.
- The closer that a player wielding Grandpappy’s Battle
Axe gets to the entrance, the more they will feel
tremors in the ground around them. A successful DC 14
Insight or Survival Check will clue the player that the
entrance will be collapsing soon.
- Once a Party member exits the Mausoleum with
Grandpappy’s Battle Axe, the Mausoleum entrance will
collapse, blocking both entry and exits. Any character
standing in the entrance will need to make a DC 14
Dexterity Saving Throw or be caught under the falling
rubble, taking 2d10 bludgeoning damage on a failed
save, or half as much damage on a successful save.
Escaping through the Spider Caverns
- If the entrance is blocked or impassable, players can
use the cavern hidden behind the Tribute Altar. Doing
so will require several successful Athletics or Acrobatics
Checks in order to push past the Spider Webs without
getting stuck.
5 - Returning to Howie (Social)
Once the Party returns to Howie, there are several
ways to end the adventure, depending on their
interactions with Grandpappy inside the tomb.
Returning Grandpappy’s Battle Axe
- Howie will not pay the party any extra rewards, unless
they have returned with Grandpappy’s Battle Axe.
- If the party has successfully returned Grandpappy’s
Battle Axe, Howie will pay each party member an extra
125gp total.
- *Upon hearing that he has been adopted, Howie will
respond with sorrow and rage. He will not want to
believe the party, unless they make several successful
Charisma Checks to convince him otherwise.
Convincing Howie to Duel Grandpappy
- If the party returned peacefully, and offers
Grandpappy’s ultimatum of a duel, They can share this
info with Howie. However Howie will not want to
challenge Grandpappy to a duel, believing that he will
lose the battle, unless the party makes several successful
contested Charisma Checks to convince him otherwise.
- Howie will ask the party to follow him back into the
tomb if they convince him to duel Grandpappy. After
Following Howie back into the tomb, The Ghost of
Grandpappy will be waiting for Howie.
- Grandpappy will oblige to Howie’s challenge, and
allow Howie to take his Battle Axe for the duel.
The Duel of Howie & Grandpappy
The duel will end quickly with Howie’s Death,
where Grandpappy will then ask the Party to return the
axe to his resting place.
The Dwarves square up… Ghost to adopted
Grandson. Howie shouts and charges with vigor
towards the ghost, making a wild overhead swing.
Grandpappy gracefully sidesteps the wild swing,
spinning ferociously with his ghostly axe , and lops the
head off of the young dwarf. The body falls with a
thud… blood spilling onto the bronze colored carpet.
“Welp… That’s unfortunate… Would you mind putin
me axe back where it belongs? Then it be best you be
on your way. Don’t worry about the poor lad’s body.
The spiders will come for it soon enough…”
- At this point the players can attempt to steal
Grandpappy’s Battle Axe, initiating the combat
sequence in Encounter 3, or leave peacefully.
- Howie’s body will have basic adventuring gear, a
heavy crossbow, and an amount of money equal to
125gp per player.
Adventure Resolution
The adventure ends with the party successfully
returning to Howie, or leaving the tomb alive.
With the Tomb of the SteelBuckle Clan closed, and
Grandpappy laid back to rest, you go on your way…
Perhaps you’ve learned something about ancestry
and heirlooms, perhaps you haven't. Eitherway, this
was a dilemma you certainly won’t forget.
REWARDS and TREASURE
Combat Encounters
Below is a list of items potentially gainable to the
players, both mundane and
Combat 1 - Catacomb Ghouls
- Treasures and coin found in the tombs MONSTER HP workspace:
- Dwarven Weapons and Armor
- Payment from Howie
Ghoul 22
Significant Treasures or Magic Items Ghoul 22
- Orb of Direction Ghoul 22
- Tracker’s Lantern
- Grandpappy’s Battle Axe Ghoul 22
Blah blah… hopefully you understand how to do
this by now. All that’s left is to get to the table and have Combat 2 - Spider Swarms
a blast with it!
Good luck and Happy Adventuring! MONSTER HP workspace:

Spider Swarm 22
Spider Swarm 22
THANKS FOR PLAYING
I do want to take one last moment to sincerely thank
Combat 3 - Undead Dwarves
you for playing an AOG Adventure. It means a lot to MONSTER HP workspace:
me as a creator. If you enjoyed it please leave me some
comments on wherever you found this adventure. You Ghost of 55
can support more content like this by subscribing to Grandpappy
our Patreon.
Arisen Dwarf 12
Warrior (Skeleton)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Arisen Dwarf 12
● Wizards of the Coast and D&D for the amazing job
Warrior (Skeleton)
they do providing RPG Content for us to use!
● Original Story Written by Amplus Ordo Games Arisen Dwarf 12
● All Maps and Handouts were done by Amplus Ordo Warrior (Skeleton)
Games using Inkarnate
● PDF Formatting done using The Homebrewery Arisen Dwarf 12
Warrior (Skeleton)
Arisen Dwarf 12
Warrior (Skeleton)
Arisen Dwarf 12
Warrior (Skeleton)
STAT BLOCKS by Encounter:
Ghoul
Medium Undead, Chaotic Evil

Armor Class 12
Hit Points 22 (5d8)
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

13 (+1) 15 (+2) 10 (+0) 7 (-2) 10 (+0) 6 (-2)

Damage Immunities poison

Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Common
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

ACTIONS:

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.

Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) piercing damage.

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage. If the target is a creature
other than an elf or undead, it must succeed on a DC 10
Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The
target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its
turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Skeleton
Medium Undead, Lawful Evil

Armor Class 13 (armor scraps)

Hit Points 13 (2d8 + 4)
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

10 (+0) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 6 (-2) 8 (-1) 5 (-3)

Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning

Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages understands all languages it spoke in life
but can't speak
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)

ACTIONS:

Battle Axe. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,

one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.

Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range

80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
 Possession (Recharge 6). One humanoid that the ghost can
Ghost of Grandpappy see within 5 feet of it must succeed on a DC 13 Charisma
Medium aberration, lawful evil saving throw or be possessed by the ghost; the ghost then
disappears, and the target is incapacitated and loses
Armor Class 12 control of its body. The ghost now controls the body but
Hit Points 45 (10d8) doesn't deprive the target of awareness. The ghost can't be
Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover) targeted by any attack, spell, or other effect, except ones
that turn undead, and it retains its alignment, Intelligence,
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Wisdom, Charisma, and immunity to being charmed and
7 (-2) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 17 (+3) frightened. It otherwise uses the possessed target's
statistics, but doesn't gain access to the target's knowledge,
Damage Resistances acid, fire, lightning, thunder; class features, or proficiencies.
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from non magical The possession lasts until the body drops to 0 hit points,
attacks the ghost ends it as a bonus action, or the ghost is turned
Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison or forced out by an effect like the dispel evil and good
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, spell. When the possession ends, the ghost reappears in an
grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained unoccupied space within 5 feet of the body. The target is
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11 immune to this ghost's Possession for 24 hours after
Languages any languages it knew in life succeeding on the saving throw or after the possession
ends.
Ethereal Sight. The ghost can see 60 feet into the Ethereal
Plane when it is on the Material Plane, and vice versa.

Incorporeal Movement. The ghost can move through other

creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It
takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an
object.

ACTIONS:

Multiattack. Ghost of Grandpappy makes two attacks with

it’s Ghostly Battle Axe.

Ghostly Battle Axe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach

5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d6 + 3) necrotic damage.

Withering Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5

ft., one target. Hit: 17 (4d6 + 3) necrotic damage.

Etherealness. The ghost enters the Ethereal Plane from the

Material Plane, or vice versa. It is visible on the Material
Plane while it is in the Border Ethereal, and vice versa, yet
it can't affect or be affected by anything on another plane.

Horrifying Visage. Each non-undead creature within 60

feet of the ghost that can see it must succeed on a DC 13
Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. If the
save fails by 5 or more, the target also ages 1d4 × 10 years.
A frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end
of each of its turns, ending the frightened condition on
itself on a success. If a target's saving throw is successful or
the effect ends for it, the target is immune to this ghost's
Horrifying Visage for the next 24 hours. The aging effect
can be reversed with a greater restoration spell, but only
within 24 hours of it occurring.
MAP: Steelbuckle Mausoleum