Encounter ..................................................................................

21

CREDITS Conclusion ................................................................................ 23

Encounter #5 A Murder ....................................................... 23
Conclusion ................................................................................ 25

Author: Dr. Michael LaBossiere Encounter #6 Trade Camp .................................................. 25

Template: Simple Microsoft Word Template by Laura
Hirsbrunner
Art: Some artwork copyright Patrick E. Pullen, used with
permission; some artwork copyright Daniel F. Walthall, used with
permission; some artwork copyright Octavirate Entertainment,
used with permission; some artwork copyright William
McAusland, used with permission; some artwork copyright
Cerberus, used with permission; some artwork copyright Louis
Porter, Jr. Design, used with permission.
Trade Camp Map Key ............................................................. 25
Battle Circle Map Key............................................................. 26
Encounters ............................................................................... 26
Conclusion ................................................................................ 32
Encounter #6 Dungeon Entrance ....................................... 32
Map Key ..................................................................................... 33
Encounters ............................................................................... 33
Conclusion ................................................................................ 34
Encounter #7 Flooded Dungeon ......................................... 34
Map Key ..................................................................................... 35

Contents Encounter ................................................................................. 35

NPCs ........................................................................................... 38
Conclusion ................................................................................ 39
Conclusion ............................................................................ 39
Credits....................................................................................... 1
Magic Items .......................................................................... 39
Contents ................................................................................... 1
Introduction ..................................................................................... 2 Interrogation ........................................................................ 41
Setting & Background .................................................................... 2 Rapport Interrogation ............................................................41
Political Background ................................................................ 2 Intimidation Interrogation..........................................................41
The Left Hand ............................................................................ 3 Socratic Interrogation ........................................................... 42
Karabeth ...................................................................................... 4 Torture................................................................................... 42
The Three Sisters ...................................................................... 4 Mechanics of Torture ............................................................ 42
Verdanfey and Ashenfey ......................................................... 5 Tortured Condition ................................................................ 43
Capraemortu & Ashenhounds ............................................... 6
Free Stuff ............................................................................... 44
The Seven Tribes of Comosh.................................................. 7
Blood Claws & Red Hands ....................................................... 7 Free Map Collections ........................................................... 44
Giant Beasts ................................................................................ 8 Free Rules .............................................................................. 44
Ashanalla ..................................................................................... 8
Getting the PCs Involved ............................................................ 10 Free Encounters.................................................................... 44
Prelude to Encounters ................................................................. 10 Free Encounters Collections ............................................... 44
Kelleb & Company .................................................................... 11
Free Character Options ........................................................ 44
Fellow Travelers.......................................................................13
Encounter #1: merchant Siblings ............................................. 14 Stuff to Buy! .............................................................................. 44
Merchant Siblings Map ......................................................... 14 Adventures ............................................................................ 44
The Encounter ......................................................................... 14
Class & character Options.................................................... 44
Encounter #2 Unwelcome Vistor ........................................ 15
Karabeth Series ..................................................................... 44
Map Key ..................................................................................... 15
Encounter .................................................................................. 16 About the Author .................................................................. 45
Conclusion ................................................................................ 17 MAPS ...................................................................................... 46
Encounter #3 Bridge Out ...................................................... 17
Map Key ..................................................................................... 17
Encounter .................................................................................. 18
Conclusion ................................................................................ 18
Encounter #4 Fallen Outpost .............................................. 19
Map Keys ................................................................................... 19

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This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of the Coast and/or other authors. Such material is used with permission under the Community Content Agreement for
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1

INTRODUCTION
Written for a party of 1st level characters “Trip to
Town” is a starter adventure to get the party together.
It avoids the usual tavern meet-up and throws the
disparate party members together on the road and
then brings them together with an unnatural storm
and…murder.
This is the first in a series of encounters,
adventures, and supplements I am writing for my
Karabeth Campaign. All the works will be free or pay-
what-you-want (you can want to pay nothing).
Proceeds from these works will be “re-invested” in
resources (such as books, stock art and software)
used to improve and create forthcoming works.
While this custom material is being written for my
campaign, some of my players dislike grandiose story
arcs and prefer more episodic content. As such, these
works will be largely self-contained and easily usable
in almost any D&D campaign world.
While the encounters in this adventure are linked
into a coherent story, you can cannibalize this
adventure for standalone encounters that can be run
on their own.
My current plan is to have three main chapters to
the campaign. Chapter One is “Iron Blades & Blood
Claws” which is set primarily in the wilderness,
though there will be some dungeons and town
encounters. Foes will include mostly humanoids and
fey. Part Two is “Out of the Depths”, which will take
place mostly at sea. There will be some island
encounter areas as well. Part Three is “Secrets
Under the Sands”, which consists mostly of desert
wilderness and dungeons. The secret chapter Four is
“Blood Hunter Hunters.”
SETTING & BACKGROUND
This section provides the setting and background
for the adventure and the campaign (if this is being
run as part of a campaign).
While names are used for the setting locations,
these can be considered placeholders for analogous
entities in your campaign—simply swap in your own
names where appropriate.
This adventure is set in the former Imperial
province of Karabeth. It was once part of the Ventani
Empire, which fell to a catastrophe 500 years ago.
Karabeth borders the Duchy of Thelsem and the
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kingdom of Celshun, both former provinces of the
Empire.
During the days of the Empire, Karabeth was
known for its agricultural bounty and cosmopolitan
cities. Karabeth also had vital seaports, making it a
critical part of the Empire. Since the fall, Karabeth
has been an essential factor in the relationship
between Celshun and Thelsem: invasions from
Karabeth turn them into allies; victories over the
invaders send them back to being rivals.
Celshun is a peaceful neighbor of the ancient
Elven kingdom of Latherian. The tradition of peace
dates to the time of the Empire. While the Empire
had no qualms about forcefully absorbing territory,
even the brashest Imperial generals realized that a
war with an Elven kingdom would be costly. Instead,
the Empire signed numerous formal treaties with
the elves and honored them. When the kingdom of
Celshun was founded, the first king renewed most of
the treaties with Latherian and the peace has
remained undisturbed since then.
The southernmost town of Celshun is Tholm; it is
named after an ancient hero. While important
strategically, it is also metaphysically critical: an
ancient gate is buried under Castle Tholm. The
presence of this gate has long caused turmoil in the
region.
POLITICAL BACKGROUND
Twenty-five years ago, King Feran of Celshun and
Duke Tem of Thelsem were duped by their wives
into turning against each other. Both used a sham
joint invasion of Karabeth as a cover for their
preparations to seize the lands of the other.
The king, tricked by his wife, sent his main army to
invade the dukedom. The duke’s wife informed him
of this “treachery” and the duke crushed the king’s
forces. During the confusion of one great battle, an
assassin sent by the queen felled her king. The duke
survived a similar attempt on his life and then led his
army into the kingdom.
Unknown to the duke, his wife, and her sister (the
king’s wife) were demons serving the will of
Durakor—a demon lord of the undead. He had
tasked them with capturing an ancient gate buried
under Castle Tholm. This gate would allow him
access to the world once more.
Castle Tholm was defended against the invasion
with the aid of a band of heroes and they, along with
the legendary mercenary company Vakar’s Valiants,
turned the tide of the war and pushed the duke’s
forces back.
Aided by agents of the Left Hand (an organization
of spies and assassins dedicated to restoring the
Empire), the bold heroes killed the duchess and
exposed the treachery of the demon queen. They
pursued the queen to the kingdom of the
Frostcursed dwarves and not only killed the queen
but put an end to the Frostcurse. After saving the
world from Durakor, the heroes retired from
adventuring. Their leader, the paladin Montague,
married the leader of Vakar’s Valiants and the pair
became the new king and queen of the kingdom,
ushering in an age of order and prosperity. After
restoring the original borders, the kingdom made
peace with Thelsem, forming an alliance aimed at
expanding the rule of order into the lands of
Karabeth. This time, neither ruler has planned any
treachery.
To this end, numerous outposts and forts have
been constructed in Karabeth and some villages and
towns have been established. The village of Lelathon
now marks the edge of this frontier—a place of peril
and adventure.
THE LEFT HAND
Having arisen from a martial republic, the Ventani
Empire initially struggled with the espionage and
assassination so critical to imperial politics. Spying
and assassination were considered
morally dubious to the early
emperors and they did pay a price
for this.
Fortunately for the Empire, the
assassin Kella Veren took matters
into her able hands. When Kella
began her adventuring career, she
was joined by the young paladin
Vertaras. She did not know it at
the time, but Vertaras was in line
for the Imperial Throne.
During their adventuring days,
Kella quickly realized that the
paladin Vertaras was severely
constrained by his ethics. She took
it upon herself to do the things that
needed to be done for the party that Vertaras would
not do (or permit). Kindly Father Copel, the leader of
the party, called Vertaras the Right Hand of the party,
leading Kella to humorously see herself as the Left
3
Hand and she took steps to ensure that the right hand
did not know what the left hand was doing.
After Vertaras took the throne, he appointed his
party members to trusted positions. Kella was made
the head of the Empire’s somewhat anemic spy
services. On the surface, Kella reformed the spy
service and made it more effective—despite the
constraints of operating within limits Vertaras would
approve.
Sticking with the winning approach from her
adventuring days, Kella built her emperor an
unrivaled intelligence service. She created a parallel
network of spies and assassins unconstrained by the
strict limits of the official organization. She, of course,
called this organization the Left Hand. Members
were carefully selected based on their skills, their
willingness to do whatever must be done, and their
dedication to the Empire. Kella wanted evil in her
organization, but it had to be the right sort of evil: one
willing to do anything for the good of the Empire and
its people.
After her (apparent) death, her hand-picked
successor took over, running both the official
organization and the Left Hand. Over the centuries,
the Left Hand remained utterly dedicated to the
Empire---those that deviated from loyal service always
seemed to meet terrible fates.
Despite its diligence and devotion, the Left Hand
was unable to prevent the fall of the Empire. Though
many of its members perished bravely trying to
prevent the fall, the Left Hand
survived and has been rebuilding. It
is now devoted to restoring the
Empire and does so in a variety of
ways. During the last war, agents of
the Left Hand assisted a party of
adventurers in defeating the
Duchess and Queen and they are
quite willing to take similar action in
the future. The Left Hand hopes that
one of the provinces will grow strong
enough to rebuild the Empire and
they act to make this hope a reality.
To this end, agents of the Left
Hand operate in the former
provinces of the Empire, gathering
information, assisting those who
advance their cause and assassinating those who
would impede the return of Empire.
 Kelleb, an important NPC in this adventure, is an
agent of the Left Hand. He can be a useful ally of the
PCs and is intended to be a friendly PC.
KARABETH
While civilization has been restored to some parts
of Karabeth, much of the former province remains a
wilderness of ruins and monsters.
While the cities and towns of the fallen Empire
were razed and looted long ago, many treasures
remain hidden and protected in long forgotten
dungeons and towers. These await those bold enough
to risk life and limb in pursuit of adventure.
The tribes and monsters of the region present their
own opportunities and dangers: there are allies to be
made and foes to be slain.
The province also holds mysteries that predate the
Empire; secrets from a lost time that offer great
rewards and terrible consequences to those willing to
intrude into places best left undisturbed.
One mystery is the thin veils between Karabeth and
the realms of the Ashenfey and Verdenfey. While
these planes are coextensive with the prime material,
the boundaries are exceptionally weak in much of
Karabeth. The inhabitants of the Verdenfey are
typically either benign or indifferent towards the
people of the mundane realm. Those dwelling in the
Ashenfey are often malign and hostile to most
inhabitants of the prime material.
THE THREE SISTERS
While nature lies in the middle of order and chaos,
it has three faces: good, evil, and neutral. These
three faces are personified by the Three Sisters, the
primary goddesses of nature in my campaign worlds.
They are Ashalla, Darana, and Shadash. Shadash
features prominently in the campaign but can be
replaced with a neutral evil nature deity suitable for
your campaign.
Ashalla, the Green Goddess, is the personification
of the good aspects of nature. Her symbol is sheaf of
wheat (or other crop), representing the bountiful and
nurturing aspects of nature. She is regarded as the
provider of food, sunshine, pleasant weather, and
other good natural things. She is also the protector
of mothers and children.
Druids and clerics who worship her serve to aid
their communities by healing the wounded, curing
the sick and helping crops and animals flourish.
4
While her followers are sometimes stereotyped as
peaceful huggers of trees, among their number are
far more militant followers who take up arms and
magic to defend what is good.
Ashalla has strong connections with positive
energy, and she maintains the Verdanfey—a fey
dimension infused with this positive power.
Darana, the Blue Goddess, is the personification of
the balanced and neutral aspects of nature. These
aspects bring both weal and woe without
discrimination. Her symbol consists of a series of
abstract ocean waves, for water is the ideal
representation of nature’s neutrality. Water gives
life, but also takes it away. Water that once
quenched a child’s thirst can become part of a flood
that destroys a city and drowns the child. Darana is
regarded as the impartial bringer of weal and woe in
the natural world.
Priests who respect the impartiality of nature
worship her. Like her, they seek to maintain a
balance and to ensure that the course of nature is
not swayed by good or evil. Her more militant
followers abide by the saying “nature is cruel but
fair.” Darana often visits the Feywild and considers
it her second home.
Shadash, the White Goddess, is the
personification of the brutal and destructive aspects
of nature. Her symbol among humans and elves is a
white rose with thorns dripping blood. Among the
more brutal humanoids her symbol consists of
bloodied claws. Shadash brings the world the gifts of
death, pestilence, and destruction. Priests and
druids who regard the furthering of death,
destruction, and decay as desirable serve her. Like
her, they desire to maintain the balance of nature
through negative forces: life must be countered by
death, health by disease, growth by destruction.
While Shadash always has a strong connection to
negative energy, in some realities she becomes
corrupted by the undead demon lord Durakor
leading to the creation of Nature’s Undead and
granting her druids limited power over such
creatures. Such is the case with this world.
Shadash maintains and rules the Ashenfey—a fey
dimension accursed with negative energy. Here she
is known as the Lady of Ashes.
Her followers abide by the saying “nature is cruel
but fair. But mostly cruel.”
Shadash has plans for Karabeth. Her human
druids in the region have been actively encouraging
and supporting the Iron Blades movement. Undead creatures find the powerful positive energy
Dedicated to the notion of human superiority, the of the Verdanfey unpleasant and disruptive.
Iron Blades are both exemplars of Shadash’ cruel Whenever they make an attack roll or a saving throw,
values and pawns in her schemes. they must roll a d4 and subtract the number rolled
Shadash has directed considerable effort in from the attack roll or saving throw.
further weakening the veil between the prime An odd feature of the Verdanfey is that it contains
material and the Ashenfey. Her intent is that her no native iron ore. Instead, it has fey silver. This
beloved predators of the Ashenfey will be able to metal can be worked like iron, though it is somewhat
enter the material realm at will to hunt and lighter. Material plane iron brought to the Verdanfey
slaughter as they wish—until matters are balanced in grows slightly warm and erratically emits faint
the eyes of Shadash. sparks, as if the realm were trying to reject it. Many
creatures of the Verdanfey find cold iron unpleasant
and to some it is toxic. Inhabitants of the Verdanfey
VERDANFEY AND ASHENFEY often refer to the material plane as the “Ironlands”,
sometimes in a derisive manner.
In the early nights of the world, the Three Sisters
While the Verdanfey is a distinct plane, it is
found that despite their love for each other, they
coextensive with parts of the material plane. Because
could not agree on the proper way to shape the
of this, the Verdanfey and material plane resemble
natural world. Rather than fight, they elected to share
each other, albeit with some important differences.
influence over the material realm. Darana,
For example, a material plane river is likely to have a
embodying neutrality, was pleased with the balance
Verdanfey counterpart, but this counterpart is likely
between her sisters. While her sisters accepted this
to be a larger river with cleaner water and a faster
compromise, each desired to shape a realm in accord
current.
with their own conception of ethics. To this end,
There are numerous weak spots in the barrier
Ashalla created a plane parallel to that of the material
between the realm that can allow intentional and
realm and imbued it with strong positive energy and
accidental travel between them. These spots are often
Shadash created her own, negatively tinged, realm.
important to druids and some are marked with
To populate her new realm, Ashalla invited good
special trees or rings of standing stones. The opening
and neutral fey to join her. She also extended an
of such gateways is often marked with a strange
invitation to elves, gnomes and even some dwarves
weather event, such as a lightning storm with oddly
and humans. As for the plants and animals, she either
colored lightning and strangely musical thunder.
imported them or created them as needed. While
Certain evil beings watch for these storms, eager to
many of the inhabitants of the realm are good, not all
intrude into the Verdanfey.
are. The influence of Ashalla means few evil
Like her sister, Shadash created her own realm. To
creatures dwell permanently in the realm, so peaceful
differentiate it from her sister’s realm, Shadash
visitors will rarely face anything more threatening
blended strong threads of negative energy into the
than cruel pranks. But there are some exceptions and
weave of the world, thus creating an inherent necrotic
evil beings sometimes enter the Verdanfey to commit
taint.
misdeeds and atrocities.
To populate her new realm, Shadash coerced
The Verdanfey resembles the natural material
neutral and evil fey to join her. She also forcibly
world but has a stronger living presence: plants and
transported humanoids, plants, and animals. These
animals are more robust, colors are more vivid, water
transplants faced the harsh challenge of adapting or
is clearer and so on.
dying. While many died, some survived and a few
Because the Verdanfey is infused with positive
even thrived.
energy all living creatures in the Verdanfey gain
In what the elves regard as her most heinous deed,
“vulnerability” to healing and necrotic resistance. If a
Shadas shifted the entire elven city of Lothorellen
creature is normally vulnerable to necrotic damage,
into the Ashenfey. The elves suffered greatly but the
that vulnerability is suppressed in the Verdanfey. If a
survivors adapted and became the Ashen Elves. They
creature is normally resistant to necrotic damage, it
managed to recreate a civilization within the
becomes immune while in the Verdanfey.
Ashenfey, although this later fell to treachery and

5
deceit—the ruins of their cities are sometimes of this, the Ashenfey and material plane resemble
haunted by the remnants of their inhabitants. each other, though there are significant differences.
Many of the realm’s inhabitants are evil and the For example, a material plane river is likely to have
others tend to be hard-hearted survivors. Visitors to an Ashenfey counterpart, but this counterpart is likely
this realm can expect, at best, cruel to be a smaller river with foul water
indifference. and a sluggish current.
The Ashenfey resembles There are numerous weak
the natural material world spots in the barrier between
but is marked with a profound the realms that permits
darkness and harshness. Plants intentional and accidental
have more and sharper thorns, travel between them. These
venom and disease are more spots are often important to
intense, colors are more druids and some are marked
subdued, animals are more savage, with special trees or rings of
the rivers are often sluggish and flow standing stones—often to warn the
with tainted water, and so on. unwary of the danger. The opening
Because the Ashenfey is infused of such gateways is often marked
with negative energy and weak with strange weather event,
in positive energy all living such as a lightning storm
creatures in the Ashenfey with oddly colored lightning
gain “resistance” to healing and unsettling thunder.
and necrotic vulnerability. If Certain good beings watch
a creature is normally vulnerable to necrotic damage, for these signs, standing on guard against what might
that vulnerability remains. If a creature is normally emerge from the Ashenfey.
resistant to necrotic damage, it loses that resistance
(but does not gain vulnerability). Creatures normally Verdanfey Features
immune to necrotic damage become resistant while • Living creatures have “vulnerability” to
healing.
in the Ashenfey. • Living creatures gain resistance to
Undead creatures find the negative energy of the necrotic damage.
Ashenfey pleasant and stimulating. Whenever they • Undead creatures suffer a 1d4 penalty
make an attack roll or a saving throw, they roll a d4 on attack rolls and saving throws.
and add the number rolled from the attack roll or
saving throw. Ashenfey Features
An odd feature of the Ashenfey is that it contains no • Living creatures have “resistance” to
native silver ore. Instead, it has necrotic iron. This healing.
• Living creatures gain vulnerability to
metal can be worked like iron, though it is somewhat
necrotic damage.
heavier. Necrotic iron brought into the Verdanfey • Undead creatures enjoy a 1d4 bonus on
grows uncomfortably warm and emits sparks of attack rolls and saving throws.
shadowy energy.
Material plane silver brought to the Ashenfey
grows slightly warm and erratically emits faint
sparks, as if the realm were trying to reject it. Fey CAPRAEMORTU & ASHENHOUNDS
silver brought to the Ashenfey grows uncomfortably
hot and emits bright sparks. Many creatures of the After creating the Ashenfey, Shadash needed to
Ashenfey find silver to be unpleasant and to some it is populate it with suitable creatures. Inspired by the
toxic. Inhabitants of the Ashenfey often refer to the hounds of Hell, she corrupted Feyhounds,
material plane as the “Silverlands”, usually in a transforming them into necrotic infused
derisive manner. Ashenhounds. Being fond of music, she seized
While the Ashenfey is a distinct plane, it is numerous Satyrs and exiled them into the Ashenfey,
coextensive with parts of the material plane. Because but not before transforming some of them into females
to improve their chances of reproducing and surviving.
6
The Ashenfey corrupted the Satyrs, transforming
them into the hardened and brutal Capraemortu.
While Satyrs were not known for their fondness for
hounds, the Ashenhounds and Capraemortu found
each other to be useful allies and have formed as
strong a bond as creatures of the Ashenfey can form.
While the original Satyrs hated Shadash for what
she did to them, their descendants believe that they are
the chosen among the Satyrs and seek to honor her
with tributes of blood and bone. Whenever possible,
the Capraemortu and their Ashenhound allies intrude
into the material plane to hunt the inhabitants. They
also dream of entering the Verdanfey, knowing that
slaughtering the fey of that realm would be most
pleasing to Shadash. While the Ashenfey has a diverse
population, the Capraemortu are on the vanguard of
intrusions into the prime material.
THE SEVEN TRIBES OF COMOSH
In his youth, Comosh travelled the
Empire, preaching against the corrupting
influence of cities and city life. He urged
everyone to abandon the cities in favor of
new lives in the wilderness. While some
found him amusing, he was largely
ignored. Life was good in the cities and
only mad barbarians and monsters
lived in the wilds. Despite his failures,
he persisted as only true believers
and the mad do.
By chance, Comosh arrived in
the imperial province of Karabeth
as disaster struck the Empire. As
Karabeth fell, Comosh rose. Faced with
the collapse of the Empire and the encroachment of
enemies, his call to leave the cities grew more
appealing. As conditions worsened, the ranks of his
followers swelled. Some scholars contend that if
Comosh had called for a defense of the cities or if he
had not drawn away so many from their defense,
Karabeth might not have fallen. Others contend that
Comosh is the only reason that there were Imperial
survivors of fall in the province.
Whatever truth might exist in the speculation, the
fact is that Comosh travelled the land, gathering
people until the fall of the last city. In one case, he
managed to persuade a tribe of attacking orcs to
allow his followers to leave peacefully. Some tales
claim the shaman of the tribe received a vision
directing him to spare Comosh but others credit
7
Comosh’s power of persuasion. More cynical scholars
claims that Comosh simply bribed the chief.
After the last city in the province fell, he led his
people to a circle of ancient stones that appeared in
his guiding vision. There he commanded the people
divide into seven tribes and take up the ways of the
wilderness so that they might survive. Scholarly
supporters of Comosh claim that this saved the
people—the wealth of the fallen cities attracted
invaders who had little interest in nomadic bands of
poor survivors. Scholarly detractors argue their usual
point: if his followers fought in the defense of the
cities, Karabeth might not have fallen. This is still a
point of contention today and some detractors refer to
Comosh as “Comosh the Coward.” Such slurs
are not well taken among the tribes of
Comosh and the historical evidence is that
Comosh had exceptional courage.
The Seven Tribes were named after
the first chiefs appointed by Comosh.
These were Molon, Kellebren, Kokell,
Ruchom, Abrell, Tutren, and Yebrek.
Comosh then departed, promising he
would return in the tribes’ time of greatest
need. Since then, the Seven Tribes
have faced terrible difficulties and
dangers, but have managed to
survive. True to the teaching
of Comosh, they have never
built cities and have lived as nomads. While
they have bickered and even fought among
themselves, they still see themselves as a
family—the Seven Tribes of
Comosh.
As would be expected, the Seven Tribes often clash
with the orcs and monsters in Karabeth. Because of
years of conflict, the Seven Tribes and some orcish
tribes have established shared rituals of war. The
interaction between the tribes has changed the
cultures of both orcs and humans creating the
beginnings of a shared culture, especially with the
Blood Claw orcish tribe. Some claim that the shaman
saw a vision of the future: The Seven Tribes and the
Blood Claw united. Others reject this idea.
BLOOD CLAWS & RED HANDS
The Blood Claws are one of the largest orc tribes in
the region. While the Blood Claws were led into the
province by an evil warlord, they broke free of this
domination and were able to develop their own culture
and traditions. This enabled them to have some degree
of peace with the Seven Tribes. The Blood Claw have
competed with the Seven Tribes over the centuries
and this interaction has influenced their culture
dramatically. While many of the Blood Claw maintain
their more traditional beliefs, druidism has made
considerable inroads. The Blood Claw and the Seven
Tribes even hold truces to celebrate the various dates
significant to their shared faiths.
The Blood Claw also operate the Red Hands, a
mercenary company consisting of orcs, half-orcs and
humans. During the last major war, the Red Hands
pretended to be working for Celshun, but turned
against them during a crucial battle. The leader of the
Red Hands was killed by adventurers after this
betrayal and the mercenary company fell on hard
times. The grandson of the original leader, an
adventurer of some renown, has rebuilt the company
and earned it a reputation for brutal reliability.
Positions in the Red Hands are sought after by Blood
Claw warriors for the wealth and opportunities for
battle that they afford.
While the Blood Claw are capable of brutal violence,
they have learned the value of peaceful trading. The
Left Hand has agents operating within the tribe,
carefully guiding them towards becoming useful in the
restoration of the Empire. The Left Hand has plans for
the Red Hands and finds it a useful organization.
GIANT BEASTS
While some realities have naturally occurring giant
versions of normal animals, these creatures are often
the result of magical experiments. While these giant
beasts generally lack magical powers, their
unnaturally large size often requires the intervention
of magic to allow them to even live. For example,
without the working of magic, giant insects and giant
spiders would be unable to survive—they simply could
not get enough oxygen into their bodies. This life
enabling magic is so woven into their nature that they
do not detect as magical, and they operate normally
even within areas where magic is negated.
Giant animals have been created for a variety of
reasons, ranging from efforts to provide more food to
efforts to create more dangerous guardian beasts. In
some cases, they were created as mere curiosities but
managed to reproduce and thrive.
Karabeth was once the home of many notable
wizards and schools of magic. Thus, it is no surprise
that the wilds of Karabeth count giant beasts among
8
their denizens. Many of them are descended from
magical experiments and creations.
ASHANALLA
Ashanalla was created as an angel tasked with
defending humanity from demons and undead.
Being wise, she realized she could not undertake
this task alone and created celestial minions to serve
as her army. Much to her dismay, she learned that
while devoted to law and goodness, her minions
often failed because they did not understand the
flaws that made humans willing victims of demons
and necromancy. She realized she needed
champions with an infusion of the divine, but with all
the flaws that made humans so very human. After
consulting with other angels, she proposed to the
gods of goodness the creation of the paladins.
While the gentler gods had misgivings about the
creation of such militant servants of good, the
proposal was well-received, and the gods saw to it
that the first paladins received their divine gifts and
inspiration. For many years only humans served as
paladins, but eventually the other gods saw the
benefit of having such stalwart champions and non-
humans were granted the divine gift.
The paladins served humanity well and were the
foremost defenders of the First Kingdom of
humanity. When this kingdom was assailed by the
demons, Ashanalla pleaded with the goods of
goodness to intervene directly. Bound by eternal
laws, they could not. Outraged, Ashanalla took
matters into her own hands and descended to the
battlefield, slaughtering demons, and making them
know fear. It is then that she earned the title of “she
who tears screams from demons.” Ashanalla might
have been able to save the First Kingdom, but the
gods intervened and stopped her, binding her with
chains of eternal light. This was done not from any
malice, but to prevent the demon lords from
intervening directly on the material plane—and so
the eternal rules held.
Seething with righteous fury, Ashanalla broke her
chains and fled to the one place where she could
slaughter demons without worry of divine
meddling—the boundary between Hell and the
Abyss. In that realm, demons and devils slaughter
each other across all eternity. The devils were
initially terrified and angered by her arrival, but they
soon rejoiced in her presence when it became clear
she cared only for the slaughter of demons. Such
was her success that she carved out her own
territory in this shifting boundary area and
established a fortress, the Geretex, from which to
conduct her operations.
While believing herself to still be good, Ashanalla
had become evil—but not fully evil. In matters of
combating demons and the undead, she recognizes
almost no moral limits—she passed boundaries that
made even the demons scream in fear and pain.
However, in all other matters she retained her utter
scrupulousness. This sharply divided moral system
attracted mortals who think the same way, most
notably paladins who were incorruptible yet
recognized almost no moral limits in their battle
against demons and the undead. Thus arose a
strange type of paladin—one who could exceed the
evil of the legendary anti-paladin in how they dealt
with demons and undead, but who was otherwise a
moral exemplar. Others outside the ranks of
paladins also find her doctrines appealing and most
of them never realize that as they become more and
more like her, they move away from goodness and
into a special sort of evil. Such is the complexity of
this matter that even the gods are confused and
uncertain. As a practical solution, the gods have
agreed that the faithful souls of Ashanalla’s
followers will join her after their death.
While now a devil, Ashanalla has no desire to
corrupt mortals or lead them into evil. In fact, she
would be horrified by any such suggestion and still
thinks of herself as humanity’s devoted protector. As
such, she requires her followers to be on guard
against any attempts to corrupt humanity, be it
caused by demons, devils, or evil gods. Her
followers, even those who know what she truly is,
are sincere and exemplary protectors of humanity,
especially the weak and vulnerable. However, they
will do almost anything to combat demons and
undead and when this conflicts with their other
values, these values typically give way. However,
such violations must be justified in the eyes of
Ashanalla or her punishment will be severe. Her
followers are forbidden to do serious harm to good
paladins and other champions of goodness without
her permission, even when they might interfere with
their plans.
Because of their devotion to protecting humanity
and the world from demons and undead, the
followers of Ashanalla are generally accepted in
9
human society. The fact that she is now a special
sort of devil is not well known, even among her
followers. So much of this acceptance is based on
ignorance—it is generally believed that she is an
angel whose rage against the demons means she is
willing to forgo the heavens to fight them. Even
those who learn the truth have elected to remain
silent—for the devotion of Ashanalla and her
followers is sincere.
When her devoted followers die, they join her in
the Geretex and are transformed into forms suitable
to their power and devotion. They usually become
devils of war, ideal for fighting demons and the
undead. Unlike many other devils, they have strict
moral codes and while interested in recruiting, they
do not engage in the usual efforts of moral
corruption.
Other devils find this perplexing, but the princes of
Hell have commanded their followers to not
antagonize or interfere with Ashanalla. While she
might rob them of some souls, her devastation of
demons more than makes up for it.
Temples of Ashanalla are designed similar to that
of a cult hiding behind a façade of respectable faith.
The public parts of the temple are indistinguishable
from those one would see in a temple of a lawful
good divinity. Concealed beneath the public surface
are the true working areas of the temple: armories,
prisons, and interrogation chambers. These areas
express an odd mix of the aesthetics associated with
goodness with a very practical harshness. While
there are exceptions, the temple wardens and
interrogators do not use cruelty or abuse as tools.
This is not due to any moral qualms, but rather the
result of pure practicality: they know that such
means are ineffective in achieving their ends. And
cruelty and abuse for their own sake are not among
their ends.
Most cities of the Empire had at least one Temple
of Ashanalla and these temples often worked closely
with local authorities. After the fall of the Empire,
the popularity and appeal of Ashanalla increased
and her temples thrive in most major human
dominated cities. Human dominated towns and
villages tend to have at least a shrine dedicated to
Ashanalla.
While she sees herself as the special protector of
humanity, she has no bias or prejudice against non-
humans and gratefully accepts them into her service.
Her followers will also protect non-humans from
demons and undead, though her human servants
will prioritize humans.
When Karabeth fell, the temples of Ashanalla fell
with it. Her followers defended their land with
fanatic devotion, sometimes buying critical time to
allow others to escape. Her temples in Karabeth
now lie in ruins; they were sometimes destroyed
incidentally as the cities were sacked and sometimes
specifically targeted.
One ruined temple of Ashanalla in Karabeth still
serves as a prison, it is a place of terrible danger.
The upper level of this temple is included in this
adventure. It is also a place of danger, but
appropriate to beginning heroes.
GETTING THE PCS INVOLVED
This adventure is intended to get the PCs together
as a party and set the stage for adventure to follow.
However, it can still be run if the PCs have already
established their party.
Adventure seeking PCs who are from the “civilized”
lands have an excellent reason to be on the road to
Lelathon. Experienced and powerful adventurers
have been focusing on the ruins of the great fallen
cities of Karabeth and this leaves room for new
adventures in the small frontier village. News of the
frontier regularly makes its way through the
“civilized” lands and thus the village will be known to
the PCs.
For players who prefer to have a reason for their
PCs to be drawn into the adventuring life, the frontier
has many lures for non-adventurers: merchants,
craftspeople, traders, explorers, criminals, and others
all have a bounty of opportunities awaiting them. For
example, a PC with a criminal background might be
heading to the frontier to pursue their misdeeds after
things got too hot for them in their hometown. Or
perhaps they want a fresh start and want to abandon
their former life of crime.
Only the foolish and powerful travel the roads of
Karabeth alone, so the PCs would naturally want to
seek out a group to travel with to Lelathon.
Conveniently, such a group exists. This group will
form around the jolly merchant Kelleb—he has a
trading route through Karabeth and knows it well. As
such, the PCs from the “civilized” areas can start out
as part of the small group travelling with Kelleb.
Karabeth itself is home to many who might become
adventurers and it would be reasonable for a PC from
10
this area to accidentally meet up with the others on
the road. The Seven Tribes of Comosh wander this
former province and numerous non-human peoples
call the area home. PCs from this area (or other
locales such as the Underdark) can meet up with the
travelling group just before the start of the
encounters.
PRELUDE TO ENCOUNTERS
Before the adventure encounters begin, the PCs
will meet up at various points along the road. The
merchant Kelleb operates from the city of Tholm.
With the restoration of Castle Tholm and its role in
the previous war, Tholm became an important city in
the kingdom. It is located near the original border of
Karabeth and is thus also important in the current
political and economic situation.
The village of Hessel, reclaimed and rebuilt during
the last war, is Kelleb’s first stop. Hessel is about fifty
miles south of Tholm. After that, Kelleb visits various
outposts, villages, and tribes over the remaining 150
miles to the other end of his route, the village of
Lelathon.
At the start of the trip, the weather will be mild but
will soon take a turn for the worse. After Kelleb
departs Hessel, it will begin to rain, and each day will
be gloomy, damp, and grey. Things will only get worse
from there.
The prelude to the first encounter can include some
role-playing to introduce the PCs to each other and to
the NPCs of the travelling group. Groups focused on
roll playing over role playing can jump right into the
combat encounters.
A key NPC is Karena. She is posing as an assistant
to Kelleb. She murdered Kelleb’s old assistant Evela
shortly before Kelleb was scheduled to leave and then
showed up just in time to fill the empty position. She
does not know that Kelleb is a spy for the Left Hand,
and this will prove to be her undoing. Assuming she
does not die before her scheduled murder, she will
also be the center of a brief murder mystery.
Setting up for the murder mystery (see below) does
require showing the interactions between Karena,
Thegg and Shemup. Karena is a spy for the
Lightfinger Thieves’ Guild, and she also hates orcs.
While she is a competent spy, some of her behavior
will be somewhat unusual for the role she is playing.
For example, the PCs might notice (using skill
checks) that she is too interested in certain matters
that would normally not interest someone in her role.
As another example, her movements might betray a
physical competence beyond that one would expect in
her role. A DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) roll (or an
opposed check against her Charisma (Deception))
will reveal that she sometimes moves more like a
trained fighter than a merchant’s assistant.
Because of her hatred of orcs, Karena will have
issues with Thegg. While she will take some care to
not provoke him to justifiable violence, her insults and
remarks will make her hostility clear. Thegg, having
grown accustomed to racism in the human cities, will
be stoic about it. He wants to remain with the group
and will keep his anger in check. Once she realizes
that Kelleb does not share her racist view of orcs,
Karena will struggle to not engage in her racism
when he can hear her—but she cannot help but push
Thegg whenever she can.
Shemup, who is fleeing from debt collectors,
mistakenly believes that Karena might be one of
them. While drunk, he say her at the gambling hall
where he lost his life savings and this fuels his vague
and uncertain suspicion of her. Because of this, he
will keep an eye on her. This, in turn, will worry her—
she will suspect that he might know who she really is.
Her responses will only make him more suspicious,
and he will attempt to win allies and turn them
against her. Shemup, aware of the hostility between
Thegg and Karena, will try to exploit that to his
advantage. The conflicts should serve to make both
Thegg and Shemup plausible suspects when Karena
is killed.
KELLEB & COMPANY
Kelleb’s company consists of himself, four guards,
two horses, a wagon, and two assistants. His wagon
holds 750 gp in mundane goods along with a lock box
(DC 15 to pick or break) holding 234 cp, 175 sp, and
52 gp.
Kelleb
Spy
Medium humanoid, lawful neutral
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 33 (6d8+6)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 10 (+0), DEX 14 (+2), CON 12 (+1), INT 12 (+1), WIS 14 (+2),
CHA 16 (+3)
11
Skills Deception +5, Insight +4, Investigation +5, Perception +6,
Persuasion +5, Sleight of Hand +4, Stealth +4
Tools: Thieves’ Tools +4
Senses passive Perception 16
Languages Common, Elvish, Orc
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Cunning Action. On each of its turns, the spy can use a bonus
action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
Sneak Attack (1/round). The spy deals an extra 7 (2d6) damage
when it hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage
on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally
of the spy that isn’t incapacitated and the spy doesn’t have
disadvantage on the attack roll.
Actions
Multiattack. The spy makes two melee attacks.
Hand Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 30
ft./120 ft., one target.Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target.Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage.
Treasure: 22 cp, 34 sp, 10 gp, and a gold ring worth 15 gp, 2
vials of serpent venom
Description: Kelleb presents himself as a jovial merchant who
is quick with a joke. While this is his genuine personality, he is
also a low-level spy for the Left Hand (the remains of the spy
and assassination network of the old Empire). His assignment
has been to gather intelligence in Karabeth and to assist useful
adventurers in travelling to the region. While knowing that
adventurers can present a danger to their goal of restoring the
Empire, the Left Hand often finds adventurers very useful in
exterminating monsters.
Kelleb is skilled at maintaining his cover—he has been a
merchant so long that it is no longer an act on his part. While
capable in combat, he is careful to avoid fights when they
would not serve the interest of the Left Hand. But he does
actively encourage adventurers to adventure—when their
adventuring would yield useful intelligence or eliminate
obstacles to the return of the Empire.
Since the Left Hand understands spy operations, Kelleb only
knows the identity of the supervisor he reports to in Tholm. He
is also loyal to the Left Hand and will not betray them. The Left
Hand currently supports the efforts of the kingdom and
dukedom in Karabeth—restoring order to the fallen province
would be a significant step towards their goal.
While initially concerned about orcs and other non-humans,
Kelleb has found dealing with them can be rewarding. The Left
Hand, being a very practical organization, also discourages
prejudice in its ranks and Kelleb has adopted this policy.
Kelleb keeps his two vials of venom and hand crossbow
hidden on his person; he will only use the crossbow or poison
in an emergency.
Guard Karena
Medium humanoid, neutral Spy
Medium humanoid, neutral evil
Armor Class 16 (chain shirt, shield)
Hit Points 11 (2d8+2) Armor Class 12
Speed 30 ft. Hit Points 27 (6d8)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 13 (+1), DEX 12 (+1), CON 12 (+1), INT 10 (+0), WIS 11 (+0),
CHA 10 (+0) STR 10 (+0), DEX 15 (+2), CON 10 (+0), INT 12 (+1), WIS
14 (+2), CHA 16 (+3)
Skills Perception +2
Senses passive Perception 12 Skills Deception +5, Insight +4, Investigation +5,
Languages Common Perception +6, Persuasion +5, Sleight of Hand +4,
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP) Stealth +4
Senses passive Perception 16
Actions Languages Common, Orc
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Spear. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack:

+3 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20 ft./60 ft., Cunning Action. On each of its turns, the spy can use a bonus
one target. Hit: 4 (1d6+1) piercing action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
damage or 5 (1d8+1) piercing damage if
used with two hands to make a melee Sneak Attack (1/round). The spy deals an extra 7 (2d6) damage
attack. when it hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage
on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally
Treasure: 1d20 cp, 1d10 sp, 1d4 gp of the spy that isn’t incapacitated and the spy doesn’t have
Description: Kelleb’s guards have worked for him for years and disadvantage on the attack roll.
are reasonably loyal to him. While brave, they are not
interested in adventure. Actions

Bert the Assistant

Commoner Multiattack. The spy makes two melee attacks.
Medium humanoid, neutral
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or
Armor Class 10 range 20 ft./60 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing damage.
Hit Points 15 (3d8)
Speed 30 ft. Treasure: 22 cp, 13 sp, 4 gp, 10 25 gp gems

STR 10 (+0), DEX 10 (+0), CON 10 (+0), INT 10 (+0), WIS 12 (+1), Description: Karena is a spy for the Lightfinger Thieves’ Guild,
CHA 14 (+2) a notorious criminal organization that is looking to expand its
operations into Karabeth. They are trying to determine the
Skills Insight +3, Persuasion +4 most profitable criminal operations in the region and have
Senses passive Perception 11 dispatched numerous agents to gather information. Karena’s
Languages Common, Orc task is to spy on the independent traders and determine
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP) whether murdering them or extorting them would be more
profitable.
Actions Karena is a competent spy but is cruel and selfish. She hates
orcs; her parents were killed by them during a raid against their
Club. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. village while Karena was in the city committing crimes. She will
Hit: 2 (1d4) bludgeoning damage. be hard pressed to conceal this and will be openly hostile to
Thegg.
Treasure: 20 cp, 16 sp, 3 gp
Description: Bert assists Kelleb in his operations, such as Horse
driving the wagon and arranging trades. Bert has been with Riding horse
Kelleb for years and is well known to and liked by the Large beast, unaligned
customers. He has a range of comedic tales about a fictional
land to the east. Armor Class 10
Hit Points 13 (2d10+2)
Speed 60 ft.

STR 16 (+3), DEX 10 (+0), CON 12 (+1), INT 2 (-4), WIS 11 (+0),
CHA 7 (-2)

12
Senses passive Perception 10 most other people). Karena will, however, push his tolerance to
Languages — the limit.
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP) Thegg is accustomed to looking out for danger, guarding
others, and working with a team. Because of these traits, he
Actions can be a useful ally for the PCs. He can be used to fill out or
strengthen the party as needed during this adventure.

Hooves. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Traveler
Hit: 8 (2d4+3) bludgeoning damage. Commoner
Medium humanoid, neutral
Description: A horse is a horse, of course.
Armor Class 10
Hit Points 5 (1d8+1)
Speed 30 ft.
FELLOW TRAVELERS
STR 12 (+1), DEX 10 (+0), CON 12 (+1), INT 10 (+0), WIS 10 (+0),
Since there is safety in numbers, Kelleb welcomes CHA 10 (+0)
reputable travelers to travel with him. He also often
finds them to be useful sources of information. Senses passive Perception 10
Languages Common
Challenge 0 (10 XP)
Thegg
Orc
Actions
Medium humanoid (orc), chaotic neutral

Armor Class 14 (chain shirt)

Club. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit Points 15 (2d8+6)
Hit: 3 (1d4+1) bludgeoning damage.
Speed 30 ft.
Treasure: 1d20 cp, 1d10 sp, 1d4 gp
STR 16 (+3), DEX 12 (+1), CON 16 (+3), INT 10 (+0), WIS 11 (+0),
Description: Over the course of the trip various travelers will
CHA 11 (+0)
join up with the group and depart. These are normal folks with
normal business on the road. Some of them are named and
Skills Athletics +5, Insight +2, Intimidation +2
briefly described. Shemup is the only named traveler that must
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
be included.
Languages Common, Dwarvish, Elvish, Orc
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Rulk: Rulk, a human, grew up in the city but wants to have his
own farm. Since the land in the civilized area has been claimed,
he has decided to journey to Karabeth to secure his own land.
Aggressive. As a bonus action, the orc can move up to its speed
toward a hostile creature that it can see.
Enna: Enna, a half elf, is skilled at woodworking and serves
ably as a bowyer and a fletcher. She believes that her skill will
Actions
be in demand in Karabeth. While she would not have enough
time to make a proper bow on the journey, she can make
arrows and bolts for the PCs. Unknown to her, she is distantly
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
related to a goddess of archery. While she is mortal, an arrow
target.
she makes has a touch of the divine: if you roll a 1 on the
Hit: 9 (1d12+3) slashing damage.
damage die for the arrow, you can reroll it and must take the
second result.
Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. or
range 30 ft./120 ft., one target.
Shemup: Shemup, a halfling, had to flee his home city because
Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing damage.
of gambling debts he cannot repay. He is suspicious of
everyone, thinking they might be in the pay of those he owes.
Treasure: 234 cp, 190 sp, 55 gp, 750 gp in gems.
He will be especially suspicious of Karena. While he was drunk
Description: Thegg belongs to the Blood Claw tribe. In his
at the time, he saw her at the gambling hall he frequented and
youth he joined the Red Hands mercenary unit and survived
now has a vague mental association between her and debt
numerous battles. Using connections he made as a mercenary,
collectors. He is not sure about this, but his careful watching
he later secured various guard posts until finally finding
will annoy and worry her—she will suspect that Shemup might
employment with an eccentric and generous noble who
know who she really is.
wanted an orc guard. After completing his employment, Thegg
decided to return home with his wealth and retire.
Helhk: Helhk, a human, is a competent carpenter and is
His time working with (or killing) a diverse group of beings
travelling with his carpentry set. He is good natured and happy
has given him a degree of tolerance uncommon in an orc (and
to help others.

13
Rella: Rella is an able engineer and can design bridges and
other structures. She has been hired to work in Lelathon and is
looking forward to her new life on the frontier. Unlike many
dwarfs, she prefers being outside rather than underground.
ENCOUNTER #1: MERCHANT
SIBLINGS
When the PCs set out the weather will turn bad:
most of the days will feature light to heavy rain with a
few scattered thunderstorms. These storms will
become increasingly strange. Those observing the
lightning will notice that the bolts seem doubled, with
the second bolt being less intense and tinged with
green—almost as if they are infected with disease.
The thunder will also seem strangely doubled, with
the second sound being muffled and yet also more
ominous than the first. The strangeness of the storms
is due to the weakening of the barrier between the
Ashenfey and the material plane: the storms on each
plane are increasingly overlapping. This effect will
strengthen as time goes on, with the strange lightning
and thunder growing ever more intense. A DC 15
Intelligence (Arcana) check will reveal the nature of
the phenomenon.
The first encounter, which is with travelling
merchants, is intended to be peaceful, but the players
have the option to engage in violence.
Breaking with the usual stereotypes of their
ancestry, four half-orc siblings have chosen to
become merchants, travelling between various
villages and tribes providing useful goods at
reasonable prices. The siblings are well-liked by most
and freely travel between the human controlled areas
and those controlled by orcs and other humanoids.
Kelleb has struck up a friendship with them, in part
because of their clear value as intelligence assets but
also because they are likeable.
MERCHANT SIBLINGS MAP
The map shows
the section of the
road where the PCs
will encounter the
siblings.
The road is dirt
and is “maintained”
by the impact of
those travelling it.
14
The area is wilderness with some light forest fields,
so visibility is generally good, even when it is raining.
THE ENCOUNTER
The siblings will be travelling the road in their
wagon and making no effort at stealth. They will greet
the PCs in a friendly manner and will do their best to
avoid combat. The siblings know Kelleb and they are
on good terms.
The siblings own a wagon pulled by two horses.
Their goods are kept on the wagon (see treasure,
below).
If the PCs attack the siblings, they will defend
themselves. If Kelleb is present when the attack
occurs, he will try to dissuade the PCs from
committing murder and will join forces with the
siblings if the PCs persist. Thegg will aid Kelleb.
If the PCs are defeated, Kelleb will strip them of
their gear and secure them for transport to the
authorities. If the PCs win, they might face
consequences for their actions from the authorities
(and others—the Left Hand will investigate and act).
Merchant Sibling (Kaggi, Hresk, Thont, and Nevatha)
Half orc wilderness merchant
Medium humanoid (half-orc), neutral
Armor Class 12 (leather armor)
Hit Points 13 (2d8+4)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 14 (+2), DEX 12 (+1), CON 14 (+2), INT 11 (+0), WIS 11 (+0),
CHA 12 (+1)
Skills Persuasion +3
Senses darkvision 60 ft. (including magical darkness), passive
Perception 10
Languages Common, Orc
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Relentless Endurance (1/day). When reduced to 0 hit points
but not killed outright, the half-orc can drop to 1 hit point
instead.
Savage Attack. When the half-orc scores a critical hit with a
melee weapon attack, they can roll one of the weapon’s
damage dice one additional time and add it to the extra
damage of the critical hit.
Actions
Battleaxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 6 (1d8+2) slashing damage or 7 (1d10+2) slashing
damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.
Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or
range 30 ft./120 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage.
Treasure: Each sibling carries 1d20 cp, 1d20 sp and 1d10 gp.
Their wagon holds 277 gp in mundane items, mostly everyday
items of interest in the wild, simple weapons, leather armor,
and arrows. Their wooden lockbox (DC 12 to pick or break)
holds 277 cp, 124 sp, 34 gp, and small pieces of art worth a
total of 77 gp.
Description: The four siblings are the children of an orcish
adventurer from Karabeth and a human tavern owner. Growing
up on the frontier, they learned the essential skills required to
not die. Growing up in a tavern, they learned about business
and commerce. While they faced prejudice because of their
mixed ancestry, they also realized that they were more
accepted among orcs than humans would be and more
accepted among humans than orcs would be. Kaggi, the eldest
sister, convinced her siblings that they would make ideal
merchants of Karabeth. Her idea was proven true: the siblings
are successful small merchants who have begun establishing a
lucrative trade that crosses between the various divisions of
Karabeth.
While they prefer trading over fighting, they are familiar with
battle and are reasonably well armed. In combat they support
each other.
Kaggi: Kaggi is the oldest sibling and has the best head for
business. She has a good grasp of the relations between the
Tribes of Comosh and the Blood Claw (a dominant orc tribe) and
has been able to create a safe and profitable system of trade
between them.
Hresk: Hresk is the second oldest and is not entirely
comfortable with his sister’s leadership. He tends to embrace
some of the more traditional human and orcish values in which
males enjoy dominion over females. Despite this, he does
recognize that she is better at business and his pragmatism
usually wins over his sexism.
Thont: Thont has consciously favored his orcish heritage and
uses it as an advantage when trading with orcs. While he
originally took on the orcish role as a mere business tactic, he
has found value in this aspect of his heritage and lives it rather
than merely playing a role.
Nevatha: Nevatha heavily favors her human parent and can
easily pass as a human. Ironically, she identifies strongly with
orcish culture and wishes she were a full orc. She is, however,
skilled at “acting human” when conducting business with
humans. A select few of the more open-minded orcish
customers know her views and accept her as a fellow orc.
ENCOUNTER #2 UNWELCOME
VISTOR
As the party travels, the weather will worsen. It will
rain each day and the strange thunderstorms will
grow more intense. Even during the day, the skies will
15
be dark, and a damp gloom will fall over the group of
travelers. The rain will turn the roads into mud,
slowing down travel considerably.
Concerned that the unusual volume of rain might
submerge a bridge they must cross, Kelleb will push
the group to the fastest pace they can sustain. As the
conditions worsen, Kelleb will change his plan and
reduce the pace while he thinks of a way to safely
cross what will surely be a flooded river.
Two days before they will be able to reach the
bridge, the group will be huddling in a soaked camp
futilely trying to stay warm and dry. During the night,
the strange storms will reach their pinnacle. The
strange green lightning will be shockingly bright, yet
also seem weakened by a metaphysical disease. The
thunder of another world will invade the eardrums of
the travelers, echoing with the sound of death itself.
These are the signs that the Ashenfey is coming into
phase with the prime material, allowing things to
cross between the realms.
As the lightning strikes nearby, the PCs will notice
that each strike pierces the veil between the realms:
they will see a gray, washed out land with nightmare
vegetation. They will also catch glimpses of what
appear to be twisted and evil looking trees
(Asheneants, a corrupted version of the Treant)
striding towards them, appearing, and disappearing
with each lightning strike. At last, there will be a final
volley of lightning and the shuffling husk of an
infested Feylands Wolf will cross over and stagger
through the rain and mud to find victims for its
controlling swarm. Fortunately for the PCs, the
Asheneants will not be able to cross into the prime
material.
MAP KEY
This map shows the
area where the PCs will
encounter the shuffling
husk of the wolf. Kelleb
will select this area for
the camp because it has
three decent sized rocks
that will allow more of
the travelers to get out
of the mud.
1. Rocks: This area of the map has three large
rocks and nearby pine trees. Kelleb will suggest
 using the trees as anchors for hanging a tarp to
block some of the rain.
2. Road: This is the muddy road.
3. Arrival Point: The shuffling husk will arrive
here when the storm pierces the veil between
the Ashenfey and the prime material.
ENCOUNTER
The default encounter is with one shuffling husk of
a Feylands wolf (CR ½) infested with a small Arthapi
insect swarm (CR ½). The encounter begins when
the wolf is shifted from the Ashenfey to the prime
material. The swarm will be momentarily confused
by the transition, but as soon as it becomes aware of
the presence of the PCs it will direct the wolf to
attack. The encounter can be increased in difficulty
by adding extra monsters. It can be lessened in
difficulty by having the wolf start the encounter
already injured.
The swarm prefers a humanoid host and will
attempt to secure one. As such, its tactics will focus
on incapacitating one humanoid and infesting its
body. While the swarm is not very intelligent, it can
recognize when the battle turns against it. In that
case, it will attempt to flee (abandoning its host if
need be).
The guards will move to protect Kelleb and the
others in his group from the wolf. Thegg will join
them. The others in the group will ready whatever
weapons they have and prepare to fight if need be.
Kelleb will fight if he must but will try to conceal his
abilities unless the alternative is his death. If it
comes to it, he will explain his abilities by saying that
he served in the army before becoming a merchant—
which is a plausible story. Karena has the same
policy. If exposed, she will say that after orcs killed
her parents, she had to survive on her own and this
often involved fighting. While she will leave out her
involvement with the thieves’ guild, her story is true.
As Karena is destined to be killed in a later part of
the adventure, she should survive the encounter. If
she does not, the murder mystery subplot will not
occur. The sibling merchants are also destined for
death—their murders will be a starting hook in the
next adventure in this series.
Since the PCs are the heroes of the story, they
should bear the brunt of the combat—but the NPCs
can assist them as needed.
16
Shuffling Husk (Feylands Wolf)
Shuffling husk (wolf)
Medium beast, neutral
Armor Class 11 (natural armor)
Hit Points 26 (4d8+8)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 14 (+2), DEX 11 (+0), CON 14 (+2), INT 3 (-4), WIS 8 (-1), CHA
6 (-2)
Skills Perception +1, Stealth +2
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages —
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Infested. A shuffling husk is infested and controlled by a swarm
of Artharpi insects. If the husk is destroyed, any excess damage
is taken by the swarm. If the swarm survives, it emerges from
its host and seeks a new one.
Keen Hearing and Smell. The wolf has advantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
Pack Tactics. The wolf has advantage on an attack roll against
a creature if at least one of the wolf's allies is within 5 ft. of the
creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.
Hit: 7 (2d4+2) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it
must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked
prone.
Description: Once a magnificent Feylands wolf, this
unfortunate creature has been infested by an Artharpi insect
swarm. It moves with a jerky, twitching shuffle exhibiting both
the horrific pain it is enduring and the fact that its body is being
driven by the infesting swarm. Its eyes are full of pain and
madness and drool flows from its slack mouth. Its fur is matted
and dirty; its skin bubbling and shifting with the constant
motion of its controllers.
Artharpi insect swarm (small)
Artharpi insect swarm
Small swarm of Tiny swarm of tiny beasts, neutral evil
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 13 (3d6+3)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft., fly 40 ft.
STR 3 (-4), DEX 16 (+3), CON 12 (+1), INT 6 (-2), WIS 10 (+0), CHA
10 (+0)
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, paralyzed,
petrified, prone, restrained, stunned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Sylvan
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
 After the encounter is resolved, the weather will
improve, and the rain will finally stop as the sun rises.
Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature's space and
vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large
While the road will still be muddy, travelling will be
enough for a Tiny insect. The swarm can't regain hit points or easier. Kelleb will organize the group and set out. He
gain temporary hit points. will express concern that the river might be
impassable when they get to the bridge but will
Actions
optimistically say that at worse they will just need to
wait for the water level to drop.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. If the PCs act in a way that makes it impossible for
Hit: 5 (2d4) piercing damage. If the swarm is reduced to half hit them to remain with the group, the rest of the
points or less, its damage is reduced to 1d4. A creature bit by
adventure will need to be modified to account for
the swarm must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or be
poisoned for 1 minute. Until this poison ends, the target is these changes.
paralyzed. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of
each of its turns, ending the poison on itself on a success.
ENCOUNTER #3 BRIDGE OUT
Infest. As an action, a swarm can enter the body of a helpless As the sun dries the muddy road, the group’s pace
creature whose square it occupies. If the creature succeeds on will improve. They will arrive at the river just as night
a DC 11 Constitution save, its body ejects the swarm. If it fails,
is starting to fall, but there will be enough light to see
its INT, DEX, WIS, and CHA decrease by 2 as the swarm
consumes and replaces key organs with its own bodies. At the that the stone bridge was destroyed by the
end of its next turn, it can attempt another save; if it succeeds it stormwater. The level of the river will seem oddly low,
ejects the swarm. If it fails, its INT, DEX, WIS, and CHA decrease but this is because some of the water flowed into the
by 2 (minimum 1). The creature gets a final save; if it succeeds,
Ashenfey.
it ejects the swarm. If it fails, its STR and CON increase by 2 and
its speed decreases by 10 feet, but it is now under the control Kelleb will stop the group before the bridge and ask
of the swarm as a shuffling husk. The infesting swarm cannot the PCs to check on the condition of the river while
be attacked without attacking the host; killing the host expels he consults his maps for possible alternative routes.
the swarm and any excess damage is applied to the swarm. The
As the group waits, a light rain will begin and the
swarm can be removed using greater restoration (and more
powerful magic, such as wish). Removing the swarm removes rumble of (normal) thunder will be heard in the
the bonus to the creature's STR and CON; but the reduced distance.
abilities remain reduced. They can be restored by multiple uses Some creatures came along with the water from
of greater restoration or other powerful healing magic. A swarm
the Ashenfey including blood rivulets (a corrupted
can abandon its current host as an action.
form of water elemental). The PCs will make their
Description: The original Artharpi insects lived in relatively acquaintance when they approach the river.
benign collective hives and only took control of other
organisms when defending themselves. Shadash saw their
potential and warped them into what they are now: parasites
who take control of the bodies of their victims.
MAP KEY
Individually, each insect looks like a tiny, winged crab with
The map shows
tendrils extending from its abdomen. As a collective, they are
horrific and infest the bodies of living creatures using them as the river and the
shelter, food, and protection. destroyed bridge.
The surge of water
from the storms
CONCLUSION (and from the
Ashenfey) scoured
The encounter ends when the PCs defeat the
the banks and tore
monsters, flee, or are defeated. If the PCs defeat the
the bridge apart.
monsters and protect the others, Kelleb’s opinion of
Chunks of the
them will improve.
bridge rest on the riverbed, scattered about by the
If the PCs prove unable to defeat the wolf or flee,
force of the water.
then Kelleb and the others will deal with the threat.
Even if the PCs flee, they will be allowed to return to
the group---although Kelleb’s opinion of them will
worsen.
17
ENCOUNTER
The default encounter is with two blood rivulets
(CR ¼ each). The difficulty of the encounter can be
adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of
Blood Rivulets. The encounter can also be adjusted
by involving the NPCs. The blood rivulets have been
hunting along the edge of the river and the ones the
PCs encounter will be those who have had no luck in
their hunt. Being drawn to blood, they will slither
towards the PCs to attack.
While somewhat intelligent, their approach to
combat is to swarm a target and drain it of blood.
They repeat this until they run out of victims or they
are destroyed.
At the start of the combat, the PCs are likely to be
the only ones near the blood rivulets. When the
combat starts, the guards will move to protect Kelleb
and his fellows while Thegg will head towards the
combat to assist. If Kelleb and Karena have already
shown their combat abilities, they will engage the
blood rivulets if it is required. Otherwise, they will let
the PCs, guards and Thegg deal with them.
Blood Rivulet
Small elemental, neutral evil
Armor Class 11
Hit Points 9 (2d6+2)
Speed 20 ft., swim 60 ft.
STR 7 (-2), DEX 12 (+1), CON 12 (+1), INT 5 (-3), WIS 10 (+0),
CHA 6 (-2)
Damage Resistances fire
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed,
poisoned, prone, restrained, unconscious
Senses blindsight 30 ft., Blood Sense, passive Perception 10
Languages Aquan (does not speak)
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Elemental Nature. The blood rivulet does not require air,
food, drink or sleep.
Invisible in Water. The blood rivulet is invisible in water. If it
has any temporary hit points gained from its blood osmosis
ability, it loses this ability until it has lost all the temporary hit
points.
Blood Sense. A blood rivulet automatically senses the blood
of living creatures within 60 feet and can pinpoint their
locations within 15 feet.
18
Actions
Blood Osmosis. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one creature. Hit: 3 (1d4+1) bludgeoning damage. The target
is grappled (escape DC 11) Until this grapple ends, the
creature is restrained, and the blood rivulet can't constrict
another target. While attached, the blood rivulet doesn't
attack. Instead, at the start of each of the blood rivulet’s
turns, the target loses 5 (1d4 + 3) hit points due to blood loss.
For every 5 points the target loses due to blood loss, the blood
rivulet gains 1 temporary hit point.
Description: Blood rivulets are a corrupted form of the more
benign water rivulet elementals. After creating the Ashenfey,
Shadash experimented with various elementals and created
the blood rivulets in this process. Scholars of the elemental
planes suspect that rivulets are related to water weirds. Some
have speculated that a rivulet is an immature form of the water
weird, but no evidence has been found to support this view.
Because of Shadash’s alterations, blood rivulets thirst for
blood. They “feed” by a strange process in which they
transform the blood they consume into a mix of elemental
water and blood. Normally transparent like water, they
become red as they consume the blood they crave. They are
capable predators and can locate the presence of blood
unfailingly. While they do not need to eat, they are obsessed
with blood. One arcane researcher who used telepathy to
communicate with a blood rivulet learned that “blood calls to
them” with an irresistible music. A blood music, one might say.
CONCLUSION
The encounter ends when the PCs defeat the blood
rivulets, flee, or are defeated. If the PCs win, Kelleb’s
opinion of them will grow more favorable.
If the PCs prove unable to defeat the blood rivulets
or flee, then Kelleb and the others will deal with the
threat. Even if the PCs flee, they will be allowed to
return to the group---although Kelleb’s opinion of
them will worsen.
After the fight with the blood rivulets, the rain will
grow heavier, and thunder will rumble ever closer.
Concerned that the storm might herald the arrival of
more creatures, Kelleb will decide to take the group
to a Celshun outpost located about two miles upriver.
While Kelleb thinks the wooden bridge near the
outpost was surely destroyed in the storm, the
outpost has some limited accommodations for
travelers. He also hopes that the soldiers will be able
to rebuild the wooden bridge. The group will then set
out to reach the outpost.
ENCOUNTER #4 FALLEN of battle, described below. These might alert the PCs
that something is amiss.
OUTPOST
During the peak of the storm, a hunting party of 1. Road: The road is well travelled and still muddy
capraemortu and ashenhounds crossed over into the from all the rain. There are capramortu and
ashenhound prints crossing the road; it is a DC
prime material plane. These capraemortu are
10 Wisdom (Perception) check to spot them.
devoted to the Lady of Ashes and engage in savage
2. Travelers’ Lodging: This rough wooden
hunts to secure blood and bones to offer in tribute to structure was previously used by travelers in
her. Seeing this accidental transition as a gift from need of shelter. The surviving capraemortu
Shadash, the capraemortu immediately searched for dragged all the corpses here, although the blood
prey worth of their lady. They were not disappointed. trails were
Spotting the lights of a Celshun outpost, they washed
launched a brutal attack against the soldiers. While away by the
the defenders acquitted themselves well and slew rain.
Heaped in
many of the attackers, the outpost fell. The surviving
a pile are
capraemortu chose to rest in the outpost, waiting for
the bloody
the rain to stop so that they might burn the bodies of corpses
the guards and thus offer them up as ashes and bones of13
to their lady. soldiers
Kelleb will, of course, be unaware of what has who served
transpired and will guide the group to the outpost in at the outpost. The capraemortu also laid out
the belief that it will be a haven. their dead here: four capraemortu and two
While the group is preparing to set out, a wooden ashenhounds. The PCs can scavenge the
following items from the corpses:
pigeon will bring a message to Kelleb informing him
 13 suits of studded leather
of Evala’s fate.
 6 shields
At the request of Kelleb, a minor functionary of the  13 daggers
Left Hand asked the local authorities investigate  9 long swords
Evala’s disappearance. Since Evala was not a person  9 light crossbows and 76 bolts
of importance, little effort was put into the  4shortbows and 57 arrows
investigation and it was some time before her (capraemortu)
remains were found. Suddenly concerned that this  4 suits of studded leather
might not be a random murder, the Left Hand (capraemortu)
 4 short swords (capraemortu)
recovered the body and used speak with dead to learn
 122 cp, 67 sp, 18 gp
what had transpired. The Left Hand then launched its
3. Corral: There are two horses in the corral; they
own investigation, learning about Karena’s are unharmed.
involvement with the thieves’ guild. The message 4. Tower Entrance: The door to the tower has
attached to the wooden pigeon will include a been broken open. The capraemortu in the
description of Karena. Kelleb will also be directed to tower wedged it closed with a chunk of wood.
use his discretion to resolve the matter. Smashing the damaged door open requires a
Kelleb will decide to kill Karena and secure her DC 12 Strength (Athletics) check. Alternatively,
head in a box for later interrogation via speak with a PC can take an action to knock the chunk out
from under the door. There is blood splattered
dead. He will rationalize his desire for revenge by
on the floor.
telling himself that Karena is a threat to his mission
5. Tower Barracks: This served as the barracks
(which is true). But before this pre-meditated murder for four of the soldiers. The room has two bunk
can take place, the PCs will need to defeat the beds and four foot lockers. The lockers can be
denizens of the fallen outpost. picked with a DC 12 Dexterity (Thieves’ Tools)
or smashed open with a DC 12 Strength
MAP KEYS (Athletics) check. Each locker contains personal
items, 1d100 cp, 1d10 sp, and 1d4 gp.
The outpost consists of six wooden structures and 6. Storehouse: The storehouse door is locked. A
a corral for the horses. There are some minor signs DC 12 Dexterity (Thieves’ Tools) check is
19
 required to pick the lock. The door can also be
kicked in with a DC 12 Strength (Athletics)
check or broken open with weapons (AC 15 HP
10). The storehouse holds crates and barrels of
mundane supplies such as food, wine, and
clothing. There are also the following items that
might be of interest to the PCs:
 4 long swords
 6 shields
 6 suits of studded leather
 3 light crossbows
 220 bolts
 2 short bows
 110 arrows
 6 daggers
 12 spears
7. Kitchen: The kitchen is set apart from the other
structures to minimize fire damage. The kitchen
has two stoves, two tables and is well stocked
with food. The door has been broken in and
swings freely in the wind. The surviving
capraemortu cooked themselves a
robust meal after their victory—good
food and wine are very rare in the
Ashenfey.
8. Mess: The doors to this room are
unlocked; the soldiers ran out to fight
when the capraemortu attacked the tower. After
their victory, the capraemortu ate their meal
here; the table is still littered with the remnants
of their feast.
9. Bunk Room: This served as the barracks for ten
of the soldiers. The room has two bunk beds and
tenfoot lockers. The lockers can be picked with
a DC 12 Dexterity (Thieves’ Tools) or smashed
open with a DC 12 Strength (Athletics) check.
Each locker contains personal items, 1d100 cp,
1d10 sp, and 1d4 gp. The door to the barracks
is open and the windows are open—the soldiers
fired their crossbows out of them during the
battle.
10. Well: The capraemortu weighted the body of
one of the dead soldiers and dumped it into the
well. Their intent was to contaminate the well—
Shadash is also a goddess of disease and
intentionally spreading illness in her name
pleases her. The body has yet to decay enough
to seriously contaminate the well.
11. Outhouse: The outpost has a fine three stall
outhouse.
Level 2
This is the second level of the tower.
1. Sergeants’ Bunks This room holds two beds
and a writing desk. There are two foot lockers
in the room. The lockers can be picked with a
20
DC 12 Dexterity (Thieves’ Tools) or smashed
open with a DC 12 Strength (Athletics) check.
One contains 212 cp, 68 sp, and 22 gp. The
other holds 312 cp, 72 sp, 14 gp, a bottle of 5 gp
wine and a pouch of tobacco. The writing desk
holds an assortment of area maps and various
reports.
2. Ladder Room: This has a ladder and a
trapdoor. The trapdoor is locked (the
capraemortu have the keys). A DC 12 Dexterity
(Thieves’ Tools) check is required to pick the
lock. The door can also be kicked in with a DC
12 Strength (Athletics) check or broken open
with weapons (AC 15 HP 10).
Level 3
This is the third floor.
1. Lieutenant’s Bunk: At the start of the
encounter, one of the capraemortu and the
ashenhound will be resting in this room. This
room holds a bed, a bookshelf, and a writing
desk. There is a small lockbox under
the bed. The lockbox can be picked
with a DC 15 Dexterity (Thieves’
Tools) or smashed open with a DC 15
Strength (Athletics) check. It holds
656 cp, 450 sp, and 220 gp. The
writing desk holds an assortment of
area maps and various reports. There is also a
locked drawer holding the lieutenant’s
valuables. The drawer’s lock can be picked with
a DC 12 Dexterity (Thieves’ Tools) or smashed
open with a DC 12 Strength (Athletics) check.
The drawer holds 123 cp, 211 sp, 37 gp, and a
finely carved chess set worth 25 gp.
2. Ladder Room: This has a ladder and a
trapdoor. The trapdoor is locked (the
capraemortu have the keys). A DC 12 Dexterity
(Thieves’ Tools) check is required to pick the
lock. The door can also be kicked in with a DC
12 Strength (Athletics) check or broken open
with weapons (AC 15 HP 10). The corpses of
the two sergeants and the lieutenant are here.
Each corpse is wearing a chain shirt, has a long
sword, has a shield and a dagger. The
lieutenant’s corpse has a long bow and 12
arrows. Each sergeant has a crossbow and 17
bolts. The corpses are kept here in case the
capraemortu need to use their ability to animate
dead. If there are more than two capraemortu in
the encounter, there will be one additional
corpse here (rather than in the Traveler’s
Lodging).
Roof
This is the roof.
1. Roof: At the start of the encounter one
capraemortu will be om the roof, watching for
intruders. Access to the roof is via a trapdoor.
The trapdoor is locked (the capraemortu have
the keys). A DC 12 Dexterity (Thieves’ Tools)
check is required to pick the lock. The door can
also be kicked in with a DC 12 Strength
(Athletics) check or broken open with weapons
(AC 15 HP 10)
ENCOUNTER
The default encounter is with two Capraemortu and
one ashenhound. This assumes that the PCs will have
assistance from their NPC allies. The difficulty can be
decreased by reducing the number of foes or reducing
their hit points (the effects of the battle with the
defenders of the outpost). The difficulty can be
increased by adding additional monsters or removing
the assistance of the NPCs.
At the start of the encounter, the capraemortu and
the ashenhound will be in the tower. One
capraemortu will be on the roof, keeping an eye out
by peering over the wooden parapets. While these
capraemortu are fanatically devoted to Shadash, they
are not fools and will use both their cunning and
combat abilities to secure worthy sacrifices for the
Lady of Ashes. If an opportunity presents itself, the
capraemortu on the top of the tower will try to pass
as a guard to secure an edge over the PCs.
While the capraemortu do speak common, they
have very limited knowledge about occurrences on
the prime material plane and the ruse could be
exposed by suitable questions (or a good Wisdom
(Insight) roll against the capraemortu’s Deception
(Charisma) roll. Since a capraemortu looks like a
Satyr (or even a Tiefling), they will try to pass as one—
while fey (or Tiefling) serving in outposts is rare, it is
not impossible in this region.
If the ruse succeeds, the capraemortu will exploit it
as much as they can, ideally to murder unwary PCs in
their sleep.
If the ruse fails (or is not attempted), the
capraemortu will resort to violence. They understand
the advantage of fighting from the tower with ranged
wepons and will do their best to keep the PCs out of
the tower while they use their abilities. If the PCs try
to enter the tower by the door or windows, the
capraemortu and ashenhound will move to engage
them. Prior to engaging in melee combat, the
21
capraemortu will try to use their Piping to Which the
Dead Dance to animate zombies to fight for them.
The capraemortu are not interested in taking
prisoners—they only want sacrifices for Shadash.
They will also not surrender, unless they think the
PCs are foolish enough to spare them and give them
another opportunity at killing.
It is intended that the PCs take the outpost; if they
do not then the murder mystery will need to be
changed somewhat to reflect this fact.
Capraemortu
Medium fey, chaotic evil
Armor Class 15 (studded leather)
Hit Points 52 (7d8+21)
Speed 40 ft.
STR 14 (+2), DEX 16 (+3), CON 16 (+3), INT 12 (+1), WIS 10 (+0),
CHA 16 (+3)
Skills Perception +2, Stealth +5
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Common, Elvish, Sylvan
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Magic Resistance. The Capraemortu has advantage on saving
throws against spells and other magical effects.
Actions
Ram. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.
Hit: 7 (2d4+2) bludgeoning damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 80 ft./320
ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing damage.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing damage.
Piping of Despair (1/day). The Capraemortu plays a song of
despair on its pipes. Each creature, other than fellow
Capraemortu, within 60 feet of the Capraemortu must
succeed on a DC 13 Charisma saving throw. A creature can
also repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns. If a
creature's saving throw is successful, the Effect ends on it. A
target that successfully saves is immune to this
Capraemortu’s piping of despair for the next 24 hours.
Whenever a target that fails this saving throw makes an Attack
roll or a saving throw while the song’s effect remains, the
target must roll a d4 and subtract the number rolled from the
Attack roll or saving throw. The Capraemortu must take a
Bonus Action on its subsequent turns to continue the song
and must use one hand to play its pipes. It can stop the song
at any time. The song ends if the capraemortu is
Incapacitated.
Piping of Fear (1/day). The Capraemortu plays a song of fear
on its pipes. Each creature, other than fellow Capraemortu,
within 60 feet of the Capraemortu must succeed on a DC 13
Wisdom saving throw. A creature can also repeat the saving
throw at the end of each of its turns. If a creature's saving
throw is successful, the Effect ends on it. A target that
successfully saves is immune to this Capraemortu’s piping of
despair for the next 24 hours. A target that fails this saving
throw is frightened. The Capraemortu must take a Bonus
Action on its subsequent turns to continue the song and must
use one hand to play its pipes. It can stop the song at any
time. The song ends if the capraemortu is Incapacitated.
Piping to which the Dead Dance (1/day). The Capraemortu
plays a song to make the dead dance. It selects humanoid
bones or a corpse withing 60 feet and the magic imbues the
target with a foul mimicry of life, raising it as a Skeleton or a
Zombie until it is destroyed, or the song ends. The
capramortu must take a Bonus Action on its subsequent turns
to continue the song and must use one hand to play its pipes.
It can stop the song at any time. The song ends if the
capraemortu is Incapacitated. As part of the Bonus Action to
maintain the song, the caparemortu can direct the animated
dead. The capraemortu decides what action the creature will
take and where it will move during its next turn, or it can issue
a general Command, such as to guard a particular chamber or
corridor. If it issues no commands, the creature only defends
itself against Hostile creatures. Once given an order, the
creature continues to follow it until its task is complete.
Treasure: One of the capraemortu can be equipped with a suit
of fey iron chain (same AC as studded leather, grants resistance
to radiant damage and vulnerability to necrotic damage) and
the other can be armed with a fey iron weapon (shortsword; it
does 1 extra point of necrotic damage when damaging a living
creature).
Description: To help populate the Ashenfey, Shadash
dragged numerous Satyrs into that shadowy realm,
transforming some of them into females so they would have a
chance at reproduction. Over the centuries, the Ashenfey and
the touch of Shadash changed these transformed Satyr,
making them stronger and replacing the joyous music in their
souls with haunting despair and worse. With their pipes, they
can make others experience their horror and their loss. They
can also cause the bones of the dead to dance, driven by a
hatred of life.
While still looking much like Satyrs, the Capraemortu are
hardened and brutal survivors. They delight in hunting other
creatures, offering their burnt bones to Shadash. The leaders
of the hunt are usually rangers, while the rulers of their tribes
tend to be druids devoted to Shadash. Their art is a
perversion of the original Satyrs’ aesthetics and they often
mark their bodies with ritual tattoos and scars.
If they have a large enough hunting party, the Capraemortu
will begin combat by using their piping and observe the
effects. If one or more succeed in their efforts, they will
maintain the piping while the others in the party attack. If
bones or a corpse is available, the Capraemortu will animate
it to send into battle.
Satyr and Capraemortu tend to be hostile to each other; the
Capraemortu because they are reminded of what they have
lost and the Satyr because of what they fear they could
become.
22
Some Capraemortu refuse to worship Shadash and dwell
apart from their fellows. They rarely survive long, since the
faithful make them a priority for their hunts.
Ashenhound
Medium fey, neutral evil
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 39 (6d8+12)
Speed 50 ft.
STR 14 (+2), DEX 16 (+3), CON 14 (+2), INT 7 (-2), WIS 12 (+1),
CHA 10 (+0)
Skills Perception +3 (You have advantage on checks relying on
smell), Stealth +5
Damage Resistances necrotic
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Sylvan
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Keen Senses. The creature has advantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on certain senses.
Keen Smell. has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks
that rely on smell.
Pack Tactics. This creature has advantage on an attack roll
against a creature if at least one of this creature’s allies is
within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.
Hit: 6 (1d8+2) piercing + 2d6 necrotic damage.
Necrotic Breath (Recharge 5-6). The hound exhales necrotic
energy in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make
a DC 12 Constitution saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) necrotic
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
successful one.
Description: An Ashenhound is a wolf-like creature whose ash
grey fur is streaked with light-devouring strands of necrotic
energy. Twisted horns protrude from its skull and liquid
darkness drips from its fanged mouth. The skin over the face of
the creature is thin and taut, creating the appearance of a skull.
Inspired by the hounds of Hell, Shadash infused stolen
feyhounds with necrotic energy to create the ideal hounds for
the Ashenfey. While most perished horrible during this
transformation, the strongest survived and bred true to create
the Ashenhound.
In combat the Ashenhound coordinates with its pack mates,
using its breath weapon as often as it can. While the harsh
existence of the Ashenfey and the divine influence of Shash has
made most of them neutral evil, the Ashenhound retains some
of the feyhound’s instinct for loyalty and they will form bonds
with certain other creatures. They are most likely to be found in
the company of Capraemortu and together they form effective
hunting packs for the glory of Shadash.
Zombie
Medium undead, neutral evil CONCLUSION
Armor Class 8 (AC 11 with chain shirt) The encounter ends when the PCs defeat the
Hit Points 22 (3d8+9) capraemortu and ashenhound. If the PCs win,
Speed 20 ft. Kelleb’s opinion of them will grow more favorable.
Kelleb will try to discourage the PCs from
STR 13 (+1), DEX 6 (-2), CON 16 (+3), INT 3 (-4), WIS 6 (-2), CHA
5 (-3) excessively looting or destroying the outpost. If the
PCs behave with moderation, then Kelleb will vouch
Saving Throws Wis +0 for their role in recapturing the outpost and the PCs
Damage Immunities poison will receive a suitable reward from the Celshun
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 8 authorities when they reach town. The basic reward
Languages understands the languages it knew in life but is 100 gp in equipment or 50 gp in coins. A generous
can't speak DM can increase this reward. If the PCs looted the
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP) outpost or needlessly damaged it, then they might
face consequences when the reach town (this
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the zombie to 0 hit assumes the authorities learn of their activities). A
points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of small force will be dispatched from town to man the
5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a outpost while they wait for a relief force from
critical hit. On a success, the zombie drops to 1 hit point
Celshun.
instead.
If the PCs prove unable to defeat these foes or
Actions decide to flee, then the easiest way to keep the story
on track is to have the NPCs secure the outpost. The
PCs can then be in the outpost when the murder
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 4 (1d6+1) bludgeoning damage. occurs. Alternatively, the next part of the story can
continue with suitable modifications to the setting.
Skeleton
Medium undead, lawful evil

Armor Class 13 (armor scraps) or AC 15 (chain shirt) ENCOUNTER #5 A MURDER

Hit Points 13 (2d8+4) Assuming the PCs secure the outpost, Kelleb will
Speed 30 ft.
recommend that they do some quick repairs and
STR 10 (+0), DEX 14 (+2), CON 15 (+2), INT 6 (-2), WIS 8 (-1), then rest there for the night—being within the walls
CHA 5 (-3) will be safer than being out in the wilds.
Unless the PCs take charge, Kelleb will divide the
Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning
group between the tower and the barracks building.
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned He will suggest that the PCs stay in the tower and
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9 will set up a schedule of watches, taking one himself.
Languages understands the languages it knew in life but During the discussion, Karena will get into a fight
can't speak
with Thegg. She will make racist slurs against him,
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
saying that he will no doubt try to murder and rape
Actions her while she is asleep. Shemup will loudly side with
Thegg, making suggestions that Karena might be a
criminal who is trying to divert attention from
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80 ft./320
ft., one target. herself. Attentive PCs who successfully make a
Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage. Wisdom (Insight) roll against Karena’s Charisma
(Deception) roll will notice that Karena reacts to
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Shemup’s claims nervously. If pressed about this,
target.
Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage. she will say that no one likes to be accused of being
a criminal. To which Shemup will reply “especially
criminals!” This will go on until Kelleb is able to put
an end to it (or the PCs do).

23
 After the incident, Karena will insist that the PCs
escort her to the storehouse—she intends to sleep
there alone. Thegg, for his part, will say he intends
to stay in the kitchen so he can calm his temper with
wine and food. Shemup will find this a fine idea and
go with him.
Once the group settles down for the night, Kelleb
will patiently wait for his watch. He will then go to
the storehouse and pick the lock silently. He will
then kill Karena in her sleep with a poisoned
weapon. After that, he will remove
her head and put in a box for
transport. He will then return to
his watch after stashing the
nondescript and waterproofed box
amidst his wares. He will leave
the door unlocked when he
departs.
In the morning, Karena’s
headless body will be
discovered when the group
checks on her (assuming they do so). If the PCs
examine the storeroom, a DC 15 Wisdom
(Perception) check will reveal a tiny scratch on the
lock that could indicate an attempt to pick it.
If the PCs examine the headless body, a DC 15
Wisdom (Medicine) check will reveal signs that
Karena was dead before she was beheaded A DC 15
Wisdom (Medicine) check to determine the cause of
death will reveal that she was poisoned. There is no
visible wound on the body since Kelleb stabbed her
in the eye with a poisoned short sword.
The PCs might decide to try to solve the murder.
Optional interrogation rules are included below,
though the matter can also be resolved entirely by
role-playing or using the usual Wisdom (Insight)
rolls.
If Thegg is confronted about the murder, he will
insist that while he would have happily killed her, he
did not do so. Thegg will be quite calm and
unconcerned. A DC 5 Wisdom (Insight) roll will
reveal that Thegg seems to be telling the truth. If a
PC fails the roll, they might get the impression that
he seems too calm and unconcerned. If the PCs
attack Thegg, he will defend himself and might be
aided by the other NPCs (depending on how the DM
wants the encounter to go).
Shemup will vouch that Thegg fell asleep after
consuming an ample volume of comfort food. Thegg
will vouch that Shemup was in the kitchen when he
24
fell asleep. Shemup is also telling the truth. Since
Shemup is always very nervous and twitchy, it is a
DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check to sort out that while
he is nervous and twitchy, this is his usual level of
nervous twitching. If the PCs attack Shemup, the
other NPCs are less likely to aid him then they
would be to aid Thegg.
The other group members will all truthfully say
that they did not commit the murder. But they are all
a bit nervous and upset by the murder and being in
an outpost where everyone was killed. A DC 10
Wisdom (Insight) roll will reveal that they seem to be
telling the truth. If the PCs
attack one or more of the
other group members, the other
NPCs might act in their defense—
depending on who the PCs attack.
As an experienced agent of the Left Hand,
Kelleb will act normally after the murder—killing for
him is a normal part of the job. If the PCs question
Kelleb, he will use his Charisma (Deception) to lie to
the PCs. He will advance the idea that a
capraemortu or another monster killed Karena;
being the only one who was alone she would be an
ideal victim.
Since Kelleb considers Thegg a useful asset, he
will not steer suspicion onto him unless that
becomes his only option. He has nothing against
Shemup but will be willing to steer suspicion
towards him. If he does so, he will present himself
as reluctant to blame Shemup. Kelleb is experienced
enough at deceit to know that seeming eager to
place the blame tends to make one seem guilty.
If the PCs discern that he is lying, he will endeavor
to speak to them in private and convince them that
his actions were justified. He will begin by truthfully
explaining that an associate of his learned that
Karena murdered Evela to infiltrate the merchant’s
group. He will then say, truthfully, that he decided to
eliminate the threat. If asked why he acted secretly,
he will honestly say that he was concerned that there
might be other infiltrators in the group. He will
admit that he is more than just a merchant but will
claim that he is working for a guild of merchants. If
that lie fails, he will claim that he is working for
government organization (which is technically true).
Under no circumstances will he reveal that he works
for the Left Hand.
Kelleb will attempt to resolve any confrontation
peacefully but will defend himself if the PCs use
violence. Kelleb’s guards will certainly assist him
and Thegg is likely to intervene as well. The other
NPCs might also join the fight on Kelleb’s side.
CONCLUSION
The encounter ends when the situation is resolved,
and the party is ready to move on to the next
encounter.
If the PCs fight Kelleb and are defeated, he will do
his best to spare them—but will reluctantly kill them
if that is his only option. Unless he thinks they will
persist in trying to kill him, he is likely to set them
free and allow them to make their own way to town.
In this case, some minor modifications will need to
be made to some of the following encounters.
If defeated and captured, Kelleb will endeavor to
escape. If the PCs decide to deliver him to the
authorities, the Left Hand will resolve the situation.
This might require Kelleb to abandon his current
cover and take up a new role elsewhere.
If the PCs kill Kelleb, the DM will need to make
some minor modifications to some of the encounters
that follow. The Left Hand will also investigate the
matter, which could result in problems for the PCs.
Fortunately for the PCs, the Left Hand might be
inclined to spare them, chalking up Kelleb’s death to
his own failure.
If the PCs fight or kill some of the other NPCs, but
do not fight Kelleb then the resolution depends on
who they killed or fought and why. This might result
in them being kicked out of the group.
If the PCs do not engage in any violence, then the
group will continue on its way to the next encounter.
ENCOUNTER #6 TRADE CAMP
The high water and the destruction of the bridges
means that Kelleb will not unable to get the wagons
across the river by fording. Kelleb will suggest to the
group that they journey to a nearby trade camp
operated by Orelgu, an orc trader. This will allow the
merchants to do some business and, more
importantly, seek assistance in crossing the river.
Kelleb knows Orelgu and has done business with
him for quite some time. The trade camp is right at
the edge of Blood Claw territory. While the Blood
Claw will raid merchants and others who enter their
territory, the trade camp is respected as neutral
ground. Kelleb will assure the PCs that if they remain
25
near the camp and follow the rules, they will be safe
in and near the camp.
Kelleb hopes to enlist some of the Blood Claw in
felling trees to make rafts suitable to cross the river.
He knows that some of the tribe members are skilled
at the construction and operation of such rafts and
would prefer to rely on their skill rather than
attempting an amateur crossing. He also wants to use
the opportunity to strengthen his connections with
Orelgu and the Blood Claw. The Left Hand has plans
for the tribe and believes that building trust will prove
useful.
TRADE CAMP MAP KEY
The orcish trade camp consists of a leveled section
of packed earth and two permanent structures. While
the Blood Claw do have permanent settlements and
fortifications, many of the tribal members travel about
in the tribal lands and reside in tents or found
shelters. When orcs and others come to the trade
camp, they usually set up tents around the central
trading area. Established merchants and traders set
up stalls in the central area as needed, though trade
can be conducted anywhere and often is. While orcs
are known for being chaotic, the trade camp operates
under a set of codes and rituals. The two main
restrictions are that murder and theft are forbidden
on the trade grounds. Disputes that arise are to be
settled peacefully on the grounds or violently off the
grounds.
There are also various other informal codes and
rituals aimed at facilitating fair trade. While
exaggeration and drama are acceptable parts of
trading, outright lying and deceit go against the code.
Driving a hard bargain or outwitting a less capable
trader are respected; cheating and lying are
condemned—often with violence.
Those who grossly violate the rules are punished by
the community of traders—the skulls of the most
serious transgressors are displayed atop poles lining
the main entrance to the trading ground. Hanging
from each poll is a board listing the crimes of the
transgressor in orcish and common.
1. Path of the Final Price: The main entrance to
the trading ground is lined with poles topped
with the skulls of those who grossly violated the
rules and rituals of the trade camp. The most
common violations are theft and murder.
2. Well: After an orc druid located the best spot,
Celshun engineers constructed a fine well. The
well is carefully maintained and contaminating
it is punishable by death.
3. Orelgu’s House: Orelgu has a modest wooden
house where he sleeps. While he keeps most of
his coins and gems in his bag of holding, he has
an iron lock
box under
his bed.
Picking the
lock
requires a
successful
DC 15
Dexterity
(Thieves’
Tools)
check.
Breaking it open requires a DC 15 Strength
(Athletics) check. The box is AC 19 and has 10
HP. It contains 153 cp, 45 sp, and 10 gp. Orelgu
has the key.
4. Orelgu’s Warehouse: The warehouse has stout
wooden walls and a reinforced roof. The front
door is locked. Picking the lock requires a
successful DC 15 Dexterity (Thieves’ Tools)
check. Breaking it open requires a DC 15
Strength (Athletics) check. The door is AC 15
and has 18 HP. Orelgu’s stock changes rapidly
as he trades and sells items. At any given time,
he will have 400-800 gp worth of items stored
here. He deals in a wide range of merchandise
and is usually well stocked with basic weapons
and armor that are common in the region.
These include battle axes, great axes, javelins,
bows, crossbows, spears, leather armor, chain
shirts, shields, and hide armor. He sometimes
has less common items acquired by his
adventuring sons or other adventurers.
5. Trading Grounds: This area of well-packed
earth is where the established merchants and
traders set up their booths and stalls. The area
around the trading grounds has been worn
down by years of use and those coming to trade
set up their tents there.
26
BATTLE CIRCLE MAP KEY
Because fights (good natured or lethal) are a
regular occurrence at
the trade camp, the orcs
have created a battle
circle. The circle has
been worn down by
years of fighting and
stained with the blood of
many a warrior.
The circle is outside of the trade camp rules;
although fights often have their own rules or codes as
set by the participants.
ENCOUNTERS
The trade camp is intended to be a mostly non-
combat encounter, but there are opportunities to
fight.
When the group approaches the camp, they will see
it bustling with activity. There are numerous Blood
Claw tents pitched around the trading grounds and
orcs and half-orcs will be engaged in trading, talking
and other activities.
The merchant siblings are well known at the camp
and will be warmly welcomed. After setting up, they
will get down to business and conduct many trades.
Kelleb is also known at the camp and will be
welcomed as a respected trader. He will set up his
wagon and do a brisk business in weapons and other
useful items.
Thegg will be ecstatic to be back among his people
and will be received as a returning hero for his
success. His tales of adventure and battle will prove
quite popular.
The other travelers will initially be afraid; they have
long heard tales of orcish savagery. However, they
will gradually feel somewhat less afraid as they get
used to being around so many orcs.
If Kelleb, Thegg and the merchant siblings vouch
for the PCs, the Blood Claw orcs will accept them.
Even if the PCs are not vouched for, they will be
allowed to remain in the trade camp if they abide by
the rules. If the PCs break the rules, then appropriate
action will be taken against them.
Some possible interesting interactions are detailed
below; the PCs might not trigger all the interactions.
TRADE MASTER ORELGU The day after the PCs arrive, he will decide that the
As a young warrior, Orelgu took the bold move of adventure is taking too long and will enter
approaching a travelling merchant party and negotiations with the PCs to get them to investigate
speaking with them. Fortunately for Orelgu, the the dungeon and, if need be, rescue the missing
merchant was willing to listen to his pitch and he was adventurers.
hired as a guard and guide. Being a shrewd merchant and a
Orelgu served the concerned father, he will negotiate
merchant loyally for a conditional agreement with
several years, learning the greater rewards for greater
trade an amassing enough accomplishments (such as rescuing
wealth to become a his children). He will know that
merchant himself. Kelleb and company need help
Orelegu used some of crossing the river and will make
his wealth to get the trade that part of the agreement if the
camp set up and running. PCs are willing. If the PCs insist, he
While there were some will offer a minimal payment even if
initial incidents, Orelgu they merely go to the dungeon and
was able to overcome find that everything went well; he
them, and the trade camp will start negotiations at 10 gp in
has become a success. trade goods for that
Orelgu eventually married accomplishment.
and had two children, Kelleb knows that Orelgu
Orela and Relgu. While he bargains in good faith and will
wanted them to become vouch for him, Kelleb also values
warrior merchants, he Orelgu and his children for their
was pleased when they usefulness to the goals of the Left
followed their mother and Hand and hence will want to work
took up the path of with Orelgu to help him. The
adventure. Through them, outcome of the flooded dungeon is
he made new contacts discussed in that encounter, below.
with local adventurers If the PCs agree to the mission,
and his business Orelgu will provide them with the
opportunities improved. location of the dungeon. His
He has also been able to information is limited to what the
sell many of the items they goblins sold him: they noticed an
have recovered on their adventures. They are on an artificial opening in a riverbank that had been eroded
adventure now, which can lead the PCs to the flooded by the river. They peeked inside to confirm that there
dungeon, below. was some sort of dungeon but elected to not go
This dungeon was exposed during the storm and beyond the entrance. The goblins also reported that
was located by a group of curious goblins. Having lost there are ruins over the dungeon. Orelgu will be able
some of their number in past explorations, they to describe the location well enough that the PCs can
decided to sell the information about the dungeon to easily find it—they just need to go down the river and
Orelgu and let his children take the risk of exploring look at the bank. He will recommend using a boat,
it. After questioning and paying the goblins, Orela and since it is on the other side of the river. Some of the
Relgu recruited two other adventurers (Belra and traders at the camp use boats and one of them,
Hregg) and set out to explore the dungeon. As Welgra, would be willing to provide them with
detailed below, this adventure did not go well and transport down the river for a modest fee. She will
Orela and Relgu have not returned. start negotiations at 10 gp in trade goods for a round
Orelgu knows that a dungeon crawl can take a trip. She will provide the rower, Grug (an orc
while, but he has been growing increasingly worried. warrior). In addition to rowing, Grug’s job is to ensure

27
that the boat is returned. Grug might be willing to
assist the PCs in the dungeon if they offer an
adequate incentive.
In addition to his main concern for his children,
Orelgu is also interested in trade—he will happily sell
to and buy from the PCs. Orelgu is also the
adjudicator of the trade camp and rules on matters of
violations. He is fair but stern and will be backed up
in his decisions by the warriors.
If, for some reason, the PCs attack Orelgu on the
grounds of the trade camp, the entire camp will
immediately become hostile and rush to his aid. This
will most likely result in the deaths of the PCs. Kelleb
and his group will stay out of the fight—they have no
desire to die for the PCs.
Orelgu
Orc merchant
Medium humanoid (orc), neutral
Armor Class 12 (leather armor)
Hit Points 19 (3d8+6)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 14 (+2), DEX 12 (+1), CON 14 (+2), INT 10 (+0), WIS 12 (+1),
CHA 14 (+2)
Skills Insight +3, Persuasion +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common, Orc
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Aggressive. As a bonus action, the orc can move up to its
speed toward a hostile creature that it can see.
Actions
Battleaxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target.
Hit: 6 (1d8+2) slashing damage or 7 (1d10+2) slashing damage
if used with two hands to make a melee attack.
Handaxe. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.
or range 20 ft./60 ft., one target.
Hit: 5 (1d6+2) slashing damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 80 ft./320
ft., one target.
Hit: 4 (1d6+1) piercing damage.
Treasure: Bag of holding containing 454 cp, 646 sp, 751 gp and
1,000 gp in gems and jewelry.
Description: Orelgu is a middle-aged orc who has settled into
a comfortable life as a trade master. That said, he has not
forgotten his roots as a warrior and still practices with his axe
and goes on regular hunts to keep his longbow aim sharp.
28
Orelgu is good at reading and persuading people, skills he
has developed as a merchant. While interested in profit, he
sees trade as a means to an end: he seeks to improve
conditions for the Blood Claw and dreams that someday they
will be able to match the human-dominated kingdoms in
wealth and power. But he also worries that this path might be
detrimental to his people, that they will lose what is unique to
them.
While not devoted to the abstract ideal of law, Orelgu is very
strict about the rules and rituals of the trade camp. He knows
that these are essential to keeping the trade camp in
operation.
Orelgu loves his children and worries every time they go out
to adventure, but he knows that they must pursue their own
path. Their mother was killed while adventuring and her body
was never recovered. He worries that his children will go to that
deadly dungeon to try to find her body; but they have shown
good judgment in facing only challenges they have a good
chance of overcoming.
ORC HUNTERS
While the Blood Claws do engage in farming, they
also rely heavily on (and enjoy) hunting. Many orc
hunters have adopted druidism as their faith and they
find Darana appealing: they understand that nature is
cruel, but fair.
Hunt leader Okelb and many of his fellow hunters
frequent the camp, trading meat for items they need
and want, such as axes and metal arrow heads. While
wary of the dangers of the old ruins, Okelb has found
it profitable to explore them for valuable items. He
has also ranged far and wide over the area and knows
it well.
If the PCs break the rules of the camp, Okelb and
his fellow hunters will join the others in addressing
this behavior. Okelb values the camp and thus will
take action to defend it from threats.
Because of his experience in the area and
knowledge of the nearby ruins, Okelb can be a useful
contact for the PCs. If the PCs can convince him that
they do not mean any harm to his people, he will be
happy to trade information to the PCs. Okelb does
have some use for coins and will accept those as
payment. He is also interested in useful information
and equipment. While an experienced trader, he
tends to avoid the extremes of some other traders
(such as opening with exorbitant prices) but will still
endeavor to drive a hard bargain.
With enough incentive, he would be willing to lead
the PCs to areas they are interested in. He will
typically ask for a base payment and a small cut of any
valuables the PCs secure. He is “not interested in
being eaten by some monster in a dank dungeon”, but
a large enough reward could get him to change his
mind.
 If the PCs attack Okelb or the other hunters on the
campgrounds without provocation, the others in the
camp will step in to assist the hunters.
If the PCs are too weak to handle the remaining
encounters, Okelb could be hired to join them. Okelb
might also prove useful in future adventures, given his
knowledge of the area and the ruins.
Hunt Leader Okelb
Orc hunt leader
Medium humanoid (orc), neutral
Armor Class 14 (leather armor)
Hit Points 32 (5d8+10)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 14 (+2), DEX 16 (+3), CON 14 (+2), INT 10 (+0), WIS 12 (+1),
CHA 12 (+1)
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +5, Survival +3
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Orc
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Aggressive. As a bonus action, the orc can move up to its
speed toward a hostile creature that it can see.
Actions
Multiattack. A orc hunt leader makes two melee or ranged
attacks.
Battleaxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target.
Hit: 6 (1d8+2) slashing damage or 7 (1d10+2) slashing damage
if used with two hands to make a melee attack.
Handaxe. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.
or range 20 ft./60 ft., one target.
Hit: 5 (1d6+2) slashing damage.
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 150 ft./600
ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (1d8+3) piercing damage.
Treasure: 33 cp, 77 sp, 10 gp, 25 gp silver ring, 75 gp ivory and
gold sword hilt, and a 50 gp pearl.
Description: In his youth, Okelb made a name for himself
serving as a scout in the many conflicts with the Seven Tribes.
When not engaged in this role, Okelb spent his time hunting
and exploring. Unlike many others in his tribe, Okelb is very
interested in the old ruins. The first time he entered a ruin, he
was almost killed. But he defeated his opponents and found a
silver ring, a treasure he keeps to this day.
Okelb prays to Darana and follows a path of neutrality,
focusing on his survival and the survival of those he cares
about. Okelb has a great deal of curiosity and finds the ruins
fascinating. He has a small cache of books that he gathered
on some of his expeditions; his prize possession is a
29
naturalist’s work that includes beautiful drawings of various
animals and plants.
As an experienced hunter and scout, Okelb is at home in
combat. As would be expected, he prefers to fight foes at
range using his bow.
Orc Hunter
Medium humanoid (orc), neutral
Armor Class 13 (leather armor)
Hit Points 19 (3d8+6)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 14 (+2), DEX 14 (+2), CON 14 (+2), INT 10 (+0), WIS 10 (+0),
CHA 10 (+0)
Skills Nature +2, Perception +2, Stealth +4, Survival +2
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Common, Orc
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Aggressive. As a bonus action, the orc can move up to its
speed toward a hostile creature that it can see.
Actions
Multiattack. The hunter makes two ranged or melee attacks.
Battleaxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target.
Hit: 6 (1d8+2) slashing damage or 7 (1d10+2) slashing damage
if used with two hands to make a melee attack.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80 ft./320
ft., one target.
Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage.
Treasure: 1d100 cp, 1d20 sp, 1d4 gp
Description: In times of conflict, the orc hunters often serve as
scouts and raiders. When not engaged in these conflicts, the
hunters spend most of their time out in the wild, hunting.
Those who follow Okelb are willing to follow him into the ruins;
they have learned that Okelb shares the rewards of such
expeditions just as he shares the meat after a hunt.
The hunters are more focused on ranged combat than the
stereotypical orc warrior and they tend to be followers of
Darana and are thus inclined towards neutrality.
FISTBREAKER
When the Blood Claws invaded Karabeth, they
were a relatively small tribe. Like most of the other
orc tribes invading the area, the Blood Claw resolved
disputes among their ranks through violence. This
often resulted in permanent injury and death. The
wise and practical leader of the tribe, Orukk,
gradually established the tradition of setting disputes
within the tribe using unarmed combat. While this
could still result in severe injury and death (thus being
acceptable to the orcs) it was less likely to do so.
Some orcs found unarmed combat extremely
appealing. A few even claimed that it was the purest
expression of orcish strength. These orcs devoted
themselves to transforming their bodies into
weapons, engaging in brutal combat, and punishing
training regimens. Those who
survived and excelled became
known as Fistbreakers. This
refers both to their tough skin
and the fact that they break
their own fists in their
training and fights.
The tradition of unarmed
combat between tribe
members has persisted,
which has saved numerous
lives over the years. The
Fistbreakers have also
persisted, and various
cultural traditions have
arisen around them.
Fistbreakers often serve as
referees and judges in fist
fights between members of
the tribe and they generally
prevent tribal members from
killing each other. Fighting a
Fistbreaker is considered an honorable challenge
and orcs interested in their status will seek out
combat with one. Orcs record these battles on their
skin, using either tattoos or artistic scars. The marks
indicate who was fought and the result of the fight;
members of the tribe can easily read these marks.
A fight continues until a fighter is rendered
unconscious (or killed) or yields (by shouting “yulg!”)
Outsiders interested in proving themselves to the
Blood Claw sometimes seek out a fight with a
Fistbreaker—this a quick way to earn respect.
Outsiders are expected to follow the rules of the fight.
The rules forbid the use of weapons, armor, shields,
and magic. The rules require that the fighters use only
their natural weapons—which can include claws and
teeth. Fights with outsiders are closely watched to
prevent cheating. An outsider who is caught cheating
will be punished. At the very least, they will be beaten
unconscious and then marked with a large scar
signifying their cheating. In some cases, the cheater
will be killed and then marked.
An outsider who fights a Fistbreaker fairly will
receive the appropriate marks signifying who they
fought and the outcome of the right. The outsider can
choose where the marks go; but orcs prefer such
marks to be readily visible—so they favor the face and
arms.
Fistbreakers also earn status by fighting worthy
outsiders, so they seek out fights. A
few Fistbreakers have journeyed to
cities to fight in public matches,
thus gaining (or losing)
considerable status.
Fistbreakers also frequent
areas where there is regular
interaction with outsiders,
such as the trade camp. One
Fistbreaker, Kellja, regularly
visits the trade camp in the
hopes of finding worthy
opponents. Although she does
not always find a worthy
outsider, she always finds
someone to fight.
When she learns that the PCs
are at the camp, she will assess
them. If she finds at least one of
them worthy of fighting, she will
propose a fight. While some Fistbreakers will
use insults and bullying to start a fight, Kellja holds
such behavior in contempt: she wants only willing and
worthy opponents.
If a PC agrees to a fight, it will be a become a big
event and draw a crowd. Orelgu will set up an
impromptu ring and serve as the referee. Before the
fight, Orelgu will explain the rules and point to one of
the skulls as a warning about what can happen to a
cheater.
If a PC is defeated, they will get a mark for the fight.
If they did reasonably well, they will earn some
respect from the Blood Claw. If the PC wins the fight,
they will also get a (better) mark and will earn more
respect from the Blood Claw. Anyone caught with
fake marks will typically be severely punished: at the
very least, the marks and skin will be removed with a
knife.
Displaying a Fistbreaker mark to a Blood Claw will
generally result in a more favorable impression and
can also be useful in intimidation.
In game terms, a PC displaying at least one mark
gets a +1 on Charisma(Persuasion) checks when

30
interacting with the Blood Claw. The DM can adjust
this for more marks as desired.
A PC can also display marks to a Blood Claw as part
of making a Charisma (Intimidation) check. If the PC
has more victory marks than the target, they gain a +1
on their roll. If the target has more marks, they get a -
1 on their roll.
Kellja will be happy to fight more than one PC; but
she will take time to recover between fights if need
be.
If a PC turns down an offer to fight, Kellja will
accept this and not push the matter. Other orcs who
are aware of this will think that the PC is weak or
cowardly.
Kellja will think well of any PC who fights her fairly
and will think very well of any PC who beats her fairly.
Because she has a reasonably high status in the
Blood Claw tribe, she could prove to be a useful
contact in the future.
While Kellja loves to fight, she is not very interested
in adventuring. Unless the adventure involved an
unarmed fight with a worthy opponent.
Kellja Fistbreaker
Orc fistbreaker
Medium humanoid (orc), chaotic neutral
Armor Class 14
Hit Points 37 (5d8+15)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 18 (+4), DEX 12 (+1), CON 16 (+3), INT 10 (+0), WIS 10 (+0),
CHA 10 (+0)
Skills Athletics +6
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Common, Orc
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Aggressive. As a bonus action, the orc can move up to its
speed toward a hostile creature that it can see.
Breaking Fist. If a fistbreaker scores a critical hit with a fist
attack, the attack does an additional die of damage
Fistbreaker. While not wearing armor, the fistbreaker's Armor
Class equals 10 + their Dexterity modifier + their Constitution
modifier.
Actions
Multiattack. A fistbreaker makes two fist attacks.
Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.
Hit: 7 (1d6+4) bludgeoning damage.
31
Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.
or range 30 ft./120 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (1d6+4) piercing damage.
Treasure: 89 cp, 44 sp, 14 gp, and a 25 gp necklace.
Description: Kellja embraces and exemplifies the traditions of
the Fistbreaker. She trains rigorously every day and fights
whenever she can find a worthy opponent. She strictly follows
the rules of the right.
Like most Fistbreakers, she forgoes wearing clothing (or at
least much clothing) to display her many fight marks.
She is very interested in the combat rituals and rules of other
cultures. She enjoys designed new marks to denote her
encounters with fighters from these cultures.
ORC WARRIORS
While the Blood Claw tribe does have a diversity of
alignments, there are still strong factions of chaotic
evil warriors who practice what they consider the true
orcish traditions.
These warriors sometimes go to the trade camp.
Some of them are there to trade for goods that are
difficult to acquire elsewhere, such as certain types of
armor or weapons. Others go to the trade camp
looking for trouble; though they are usually careful to
stay within the rules.
When the PCs arrive at the trade camp, there will
be a few of the more “traditional” orcish warriors that
embrace chaos and evil. They will be looking for
outsiders to bully and rob (or even kill). When they
learn that the PCs are in the camp, they will seek
them out. Unless the PCs seem clearly
overwhelmingly powerful, the orc warriors will try to
insult and bully them (pushing the limits of the rules).
Such behavior is acceptable at the trade camp; those
who are too weak to protect themselves should stay
at home protected by others.
If the orc warriors think they can beat the PCs, they
will escalate their insulting and bullying. They will
eventually challenge the PCs to a fight outside of the
camp. If other orcs dislike the PCs, they will be fine
with this and let the fight play out. Some might even
want to join in attacking the PCs if the PCs have
behaved badly.
If any orcs like (or need) the PCs, they will still
expect the PCs to fight the orc warriors, but they will
watch the fight to ensure that it is conducted fairly by
orcish standards.
If the PCs refuse to fight the orc warriors, they will
lose status in the trade camp and are likely to be seen
as cowards. Unless the orc warriors lose interest in
the PCs, they will wait for the PCs to leave camp and
simply attack them then.
The PCs might be able to avoid fighting without
losing status by dealing with the situation in some
other manner, such as winning over the orc warriors
by out drinking them or some other clever approach.
Bribing them can work but will result in some loss of
status among the other orcs.
If the PCs fight the orc warriors and win, their
status will increase. The orc warriors will fight until
they are unconscious or dead. If the PCs spare them,
the orcs will be suitable impressed by their skill in
battle and cease harassing them; they might even
become friendly towards the PCs. A defeated orc
warrior will be willing to pay the PCs a small ransom
for being spared and will also accept being scarred as
a mark of their defeat. Such marks are accepted as
part of the way of combat by the Blood Claw and there
is a certain honor in surviving a fight. But if the PCs
kill the orc warriors honorably, the other orcs will
accept this as the way of battle.
If the PCs fight the orc warriors and lose, Kelleb
and any friends they have made in the camp will try
to save their lives. The orc warriors are willing to
settle for the payment of a modest ransom (10-50 gp
of items per PC) and scarring the PCs to mark their
defeat. If PCs are killed in the fight, then new
characters will be needed.
Orc Warrior
Orc
Medium humanoid (orc), chaotic evil
Armor Class 14 (chain shirt)
Hit Points 15 (2d8+6)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 16 (+3), DEX 12 (+1), CON 16 (+3), INT 7 (-2), WIS 11 (+0),
CHA 10 (+0)
Skills Intimidation +2
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Common, Orc
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Aggressive. As a bonus action, the orc can move up to its
speed toward a hostile creature that it can see.
Actions
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target.
Hit: 9 (1d12+3) slashing damage.
32
Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.
or range 30 ft./120 ft., one target.
Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing damage.
Treasure: 1d20 cp, 1d10 sp, 1d4 gp
Description: These orc warriors follow the traditions handed
down from the original invaders of Karabeth. At that time, the
Blood Claw tribe was driven by evil and cruel warlords. While
the tribe has changed over the centuries, these warriors are
very similar to those who served the will of those evil masters.
CONCLUSION
The trade camp encounters end when the PCs
complete them all or leave the camp. The encounters
can be completed by the PCs ignoring them.
The PCs might have gained some useful allies or
earned some minor enemies; these should impact
later adventures. For example, if the PCs depart on
good terms with Okelb, then he would be willing to
guide them to some ruins (for a reasonable price).
The PCs might have gained a good reputation with
the Blood Claws or a bad one; this should also impact
later adventures in this series. For example, PCs with
a good reputation will find future dealings with the
Blood Claw more positive.
ENCOUNTER #6 DUNGEON
ENTRANCE
As noted above, Orelgu’s two children and their
party have not returned from a dungeon they went to
explore. If the PCs agree to investigate the fate of
Orela Relgu, Belra and Hregg, then Orelgu will
provide them with the location of the dungeon. The
PCs might be able to learn of its location in another
way, perhaps by tracking down the goblins who sold
the information to Orelgu.
The dungeon consists of the lower levels of a
temple of Ashanalla. While many of her temples were
in cities, special temples were also constructed away
from highly populated areas. These temples were
used for activities deemed either too dangerous for
cities or unsuitable for the public eye. One use of this
temple was to imprison powerful beings. In some
cases, this was in the hopes of gathering information
from them or even turning them. In other cases, this
was because killing the beings was not a viable
option. For example, a lich might be imprisoned until
its phylactery could be found and destroyed. A temple
that serves this purpose is known as a Daemonium
Carcerem, although they do hold prisoners other than
demons. The temple that the NPC party entered is
one such prison.
Before the fall of the Empire, this temple housed
several dangerous prisoners and was guarded by
some of the temple’s finest soldiers. When Karabeth
began to fall, the temple sent as many soldiers as it
could spare to aid the Imperial and local forces. But
the guards of the prison remained, knowing that
allowing their charges to go free would make matters
even worse.
After Karabeth collapsed, the temple forces
remained at their posts and awaited the inevitable
attacks by those wanting to loot the temple and,
worse, those wishing to free its terrible prisoners. the
warden of the prison, Ellesha, and her priests and
mages worked powerful magics to ensure that the
worst of their prisoners could not be easily freed. The
guards slaughtered the other prisoners, knowing that
the gods would sort them out.
Wishing to earn favor from his demonic master, the
warlord Kreh Telk led his forces against the temple
after its defenses had been weakened by the orcish
tribe he had deceived into attacking it. Telk’s forces
breached the temple at great cost but eventually slew
all the defenders save Ellesha and her wisest priest
and most powerful mage. Knowing that all her other
compatriots were dead, the warden directed the
priest and mage to complete a terrible spell whose
completion consumed the three of them in infernal
anguish. This spell devoured Telk and almost all his
followers and served to seal away the prisoners with
wards of terrible magic. While the demon lord Telk
served raged about the defeat, they decided to leave
well enough alone—the temple had been destroyed
and perhaps it would serve their plans best if the
prisoners remained imprisoned a while longer.
The temple was largely forgotten as nature eroded
and covered the surface ruins. The dungeon beneath
the temple remained largely intact, but the flow of the
river ate away at part of the complex. When the recent
storms turned the river into a raging torrent, the
water tore into the weakened complex, flooding parts
of it. When the water receded, the curious goblins
located it and sold this information to Orelgu.
Following the goblins’ directions, the party of Orela
Relgu, Belra and Hregg rowed to the entrance and
entered the dungeon. They encountered a
Acersecome demon that had been left behind in the
ruins to keep an eye on things. The demon killed
Hregg and animated him as a zombie. The demon
33
then amused itself torturing Belra before finally
killing her. Orela and Relgu are still alive, the demon
has been torturing Relgu while forcing Orela to
watch. It is at this point that the PCs will arrive at the
dungeon.
MAP KEY
The dungeon entrance is located next to the river.
Little is left of the surface temple beyond the
foundations and a few broken walls.
1. Boat: The
boat the
NPC party
used to
reach the
dungeon is
pulled up
on the
shore and
tied to a
rock. The
party left some gear in the boat including rations
(3 days for 4 party members), 48 spare bolts, 6
extra javelins, 50 feet of rope, and 10 large
sacks. There are boot prints around the boat
that lead to the entrance. A giant frog (or frogs)
might be swimming by, looking for prey.
2. Entrance: The rushing water eroded away part
of the dungeon, exposing a corridor. The
dungeon is detailed below.
3. Ruins: The ruins of the temple; the survive
stones show clear signs that the temple was
attacked with siege weapons. The ruins have
also been stripped of stones for various uses
and the centuries have also taken their toll. A
giant centipede (or several) resides in the ruins.
ENCOUNTERS
There are two possible encounters at the dungeon
entrance. If the PCs explore the ruins, they can
encounter one or more giant centipedes. These
centipedes usually hunt rabbits and deer but will
attack humanoids. The default encounter is two
centipedes, but this can be adjusted as needed.
If the PCs are near, on or in the river, then they
can encounter one or more giant frogs. The frogs
usually ambush deer at the water’s edge but will also
attack humanoids. The default encounter is two
giant frogs, but this can be adjusted as desired.
 Unless the PCs take a fight into the dungeon or
are incredibly loud, the Acersecomes will be
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
unaware of their presence. Conversely, they will not Hit: 4 (1d6+1) piercing damage. The target is grappled (escape
hear the cries of the victims from outside the DC 11). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the
complex. frog can’t bite another target.
Swallow. The frog makes one
bite attack against a Small or
Giant Centipede
smaller target it is grappling. If
Small beast, unaligned
the attack hits, the target is
swallowed, and the grapple
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
ends. The swallowed target is
Hit Points 4 (1d6+1)
blinded and restrained, it has
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
total cover against attacks and
other effects outside the frog,
STR 5 (-3), DEX 14 (+2), CON 12 (+1),
and it takes 5 (2d4) acid
INT 1 (-5), WIS 7 (-2), CHA 3 (-4)
damage at the start of each of
the frog’s turns. The frog can
Senses blindsight 30 ft., passive
have only one target swallowed
Perception 8
at a time. If the frog dies, a
Languages —
swallowed creature is no longer
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
restrained by it and can escape
from the corpse using 5 feet of
Actions
movement, exiting prone.

Description: A predatory frog;

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit,
clearly the product of long ago
reach 5 ft., one creature.
magical research.
Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing damage. The
target must succeed on a DC 11
Constitution saving throw or take 10
(3d6) poison damage. If the poison CONCLUSION
damage reduces the target to 0 hit
points, the target is stable but The encounters end
poisoned for 1 hour, even after when the PCs defeat the
regaining hit points, and is paralyzed while poisoned in this
monsters, flee, or are killed. If the PCs win, they will
way.
be able to progress to the flooded dungeon. They
Description: A giant version of the centipede; the product of could also flee into the dungeon. If the PCs flee the
magical experimentation. area and take too long to return (at the DM’s
discretion), then the Acersecomes might kill one or
Giant Frog
Medium beast, unaligned both surviving adventurers. If the PCs are killed,
then it is time to roll up better characters.
Armor Class 11 Depending on when the new PCs arrive, the NPC
Hit Points 18 (4d8)
adventurers might be dead.
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

STR 12 (+1), DEX 13 (+1), CON 11 (+0), INT 2 (-4), WIS 10 (+0),
CHA 3 (-4)
Skills Perception +2, Stealth +3
Senses darkvision 30 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages —
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Amphibious. The frog can breathe air and water.
Standing Leap. The frog’s long jump is up to 20 feet and its
high jump is up to 10 feet, with or without a running start.
Actions
ENCOUNTER #7 FLOODED
DUNGEON
The flooded dungeon was once a lower level of the
temple of Ashanalla. It is now a damp ruin, the first
level ruled over by a minor demon left behind
centuries ago. The level directly beneath this one is
completely flooded and the stairs to the lower levels
beyond it are blocked. These obstacles should be
beyond the ability of the PCs to overcome at this

34
level. If they can get beyond these obstacles, death is
all but assured.
MAP KEY
When the temple was active, this level was used
primarily for storage. Unless otherwise noted, this
level is dark. The ceilings are vaulted (for maximum
strength) and peak 15-20 feet above the floor. The
floors, ceilings and walls are worked stone. The
interior doors are stone, but the locks were broken
long ago.
Because of the recent flooding, most areas have
puddles and debris. The armory is partially flooded,
and the lower levels are completely flooded.
1. Entrance: The floor is covered in mud and
debris washed in from the river. This was once
a 5.
storeroom.
The tracks
of the NPCs
who
entered the
dungeon
are clearly
visible in
the muck. If
the NPCs
are still alive, when the PCs enter this area, they
can make a DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check
to hear the cries of the demon’s victim. As the
PCs move closer to the records room, the DC
will drop to 5 in the main corridor, and they will
automatically hear it when the reach the door to
the records room.
2. Flooded Staircase: This staircase leads to the
next level, which is completely flooded. The
level is devoid of foes, but low-level PCs will
probably find the water a formidable obstacle.
The stairs to the level beneath it are blocked
with rubble and would need to be cleared with
great labor or magic. The deeper levels are the
prisons—some held mundane creatures, while
others still hold formidable undead and
demons.
3. Flooded Storeroom: This storeroom held
various mundane supplies for the temple. Time,
pests, and the recent flooding have destroyed
the supplies.
4. Flooded Records Room: This room was used
to hold meetings and served as a records room.
The temple kept meticulous records of their
prisoners and the intelligence they gathered.
Time and moisture have ruined almost all the
records kept here. There is, however, sealed box
35
holding a listing of the prisoners kept in the
lower levels. This list has a brief description of
each prisoner. Notables on the list include the
night hag Nelshena, the lich Olru-Teth, Lady
Selth the Succubus, and General Melaniaka the
Marilith. The acersecome demon has converted
this room into a torture chamber. Belra’s
mutilated corpse is on the floor. The half-orc
sorcerer’s body has her spell component pouch,
34 cp, 27 sp, and 21 gp. Her light crossbow,
dagger, staff and 16 bolts lie on the floor as well.
If Orela and Relgu are still alive, Relgu will be
pinned to the table with spikes and undergoing
torture when the PCs arrive. Orela will be
pinned to a table as well and held by the zombie
Hregg, forced to watch the torture. Relgu and
Orela’s gear are on the floor of the room (see
their character stats, below).
Flooded Armory: The armory of the temple
was well stocked but was depleted during the
battle. The few weapons and pieces of armor
that remain are decayed beyond usability.
6. Guard post: This guard post protected the
lower level. The remains of a vrock lies on the
floor, a dagger of death binding embedded in its
skull. The acersecomes understands how the
dagger works but has left it in place because as
a demon it enjoys the suffering of fellow
demons. If the dagger is removed, the vrock will
be able to reform in the abyss.
ENCOUNTER
The combat encounter is with Arucz the
acersecomes. This demon was left behind to watch
this level of the temple for its master as punishment
for some minor transgression centuries ago. Qix the
quasit is dispatched from time to time to get a report
from Arucz and to mock it. Qix is also being
punished. Qix had served as a familiar for a
promising evil wizard; but ended up botching the job
of securing the wizard’s soul.
The standard encounter consists of Arucz and the
zombie it created from Hregg’s corpse. If the NPCs
are still alive when the PCs arrive, Arucz will be
busy with its torture and is unlikely to hear them
until it sees them unless they are unusually loud. If
the PCs use the screams as noise cover for their
movement, they gain advantage of Dexterity
(Stealth) checks to avoid being detected. If the
NPCs are dead when the PCs arrive, Arucz will still
be in the same room, only it will be engaged in
woefully mutilating the corpses.
 If the Arucz does not hear the PCs approach, the
fight will most likely take place in the records room.
Arucz has a range of attacks at its disposal and while
not very intelligent, it will use its options as
effectively as it can. At the start of combat, it will
direct the Hregg zombie to attack. If Hregg is
destroyed, Arucz will attempt to create another
zombie using its animating spike. One of the badly
wounded NPCs will be a likely target, although
Arucz will have to then use its action to free them (a
PC can also use their action to free an NPC). But if a
PC seems badly wounded enough to fall victim to
the spike, Arucz will target the PC.
If Arucz detects the PCs approaching, it will
investigate. It will initially leave the Hregg zombie in
the records room to keep watch on the NPCs while
it assesses the intruders. Once Arucz recognizes that
the PCs are adventurers, it will command Hregg to
assist it in combat.
The difficulty of the encounter can be adjusted in
various ways. It can be made easier by wounding the
acersecomes to lower its hit points or by having an
NPC or NPCs accompany the party. It can be made
significantly more difficult by adding Qix to the
encounter (it just so happens to arrive to check in on
Arucz).
Acersecomes
Medium fiend, chaotic evil
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 45 (7d8+14)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 14 (+2), DEX 14 (+2), CON 14 (+2), INT 7 (-2), WIS 10 (+0),
CHA 8 (-1)
Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Custom Language, Abyssal
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Spikes. The acersecome's body is pierced with spikes of
abyssal iron. As an interaction, it can remove a spike from its
body for use as a weapon. As a bonus action, it can imbue the
spike with a special function: burning, restraining, or
animating.
If the acersecome is killed, one special spike of each type can
be harvested from its body. The spikes can be kept until they
are activated and work in the same manner as they do for the
acersecomes.
36
Spikey Hide. At the start of each of its turns, the acersecomes
does 3 (1d6) piercing damage to any creature grappling it.
Actions
Multiattack. The acersecomes makes two attacks: two with
its claws or one spike attack and one claw attack.
Animating Spike. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one creature. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing +1d6 necrotic damage. If
the acersecomes kills a humanoid creature with this spike, it
embeds in its flesh and animates it as a zombie. The zombie
remains animated and under the control of the acersecomes
until it is destroyed or the acersecomes creates another
animating spike.
Burning Spike. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
creature.
Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing +1d6 fire damage. The burning spike
burns for 1 minute or until another burning spike is created.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.
Hit: 5 (1d6+2) slashing damage.
Restraining Spike. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one creature. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing damage. A creature
damaged by this spike is restrained (by being spiked to a
nearby surface). A creature can free itself from the spike using
an action by making a DC 12 Strength check. Alternatively, a
creature can expend half its movement and tear free with a
DC 12 Strength check, taking 1d6 piercing damage whether it
succeeds or fails. The spike retains its restraining ability until
a restrained creature escapes or the acersecomes creates
another restraining spike. The spike can be used as a melee or
thrown weapon (20 foot range).
Throwing Spike. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 20
ft./80 ft., one creature. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) damage.
Description: While an acersecome is a relatively minor
demon, its special spikes provide it with range of options in
combat. This makes it a flexible opponent and sometimes
enables it to defeat foes that are more powerful. While not
very intelligent, it understands its spikes very well and uses
them effectively in combat. The priority of an acersecome is
usually to create a zombie from a humanoid it kills; this
provides the demon with an obedient assistant.
According to one version of abyssal lore, the first
acersecome arose spontaneously from the corpse of a victim
tortured to death with spikes of abyssal iron. A competing
tale insists that the first acersecome arose from a dretch with
a gift for torture. What is known is that the souls of humanoids
who delighted in at excelled at torture sometimes form into
acersecome in the abyss.
Like most demons, an acersecome has a horrific
appearance. The body of the creature resembles a desiccated
humanoid corpse pierced with spikes of abyssal iron. It is also
common for the creature to have chains, hooks and chunks of
abyssal iron embedded into its flesh.
While all demons enjoy torturing victims, an acersecome
takes a special delight in this pastime and make innovative
use of its spikes in the process. Because of its love of torture, Condition Immunities poisoned
an acersecome is reluctant to kill its victims. Whenever Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 10
possible, it attempts to take prisoners for its later Languages Abyssal, Common
entertainment. Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Zombie Hregg Magic Resistance. The quasit has advantage on saving throws
Zombie against spells and other magical effects.
Medium undead, neutral evil
Shapechanger. The quasit can use its action to polymorph into
Armor Class 11 (chain shirt) a beast form that resembles a bat (speed 10 ft. fly 40 ft.), a
Hit Points 25 (3d8+12) centipede (40 ft., climb 40 ft.), or a toad (40 ft., swim 40 ft.), or
Speed 20 ft. back into its true form. Its statistics are the same in each form,
except for the speed changes noted. Any equipment it is
STR 14 (+2), DEX 6 (-2), CON 18 (+4), INT 3 (-4), WIS 8 (-1), CHA 5 wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form
(-3) if it dies.

Saving Throws Wis +1 Actions

Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages common, orcish but can't speak
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the zombie to 0 hit
points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5
+ the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a
critical hit. On a success, the zombie drops to 1 hit point
instead.
Actions
Claws (Bite in Beast Form). Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 5 (1d4+3) piercing damage. The target must succeed on a
DC 10 Constitution saving throw or take 5 (2d4) poison damage
and become poisoned 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.
Invisibility. The quasit magically turns invisible until it attacks
or uses Scare, or until its concentration ends (as if
concentrating on a spell). Any equipment the quasit wears or
carries is invisible with it.

Scare (1/day). One creature of the quasit’s choice within 20

Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: -2 to hit, range 80 feet of it must succeed on a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw or be
ft./320 ft., one target. frightened for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw
Hit: 2 (1d8-2) piercing damage. at the end of each of its turns, with disadvantage if the quasit is
within line of sight, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Mace. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 5 (1d6+2) bludgeoning damage. Description: While many quasits are ambitious and desire to
advance up the tiers of demons, Qix is plagued with the sin of
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. laziness and lacks ambition. While this makes him as
Hit: 5 (1d6+2) bludgeoning damage. trustworthy as a demon can be, it also causes him to fail at his
tasks. For example, as a familiar quasit he is supposed to
Treasure: 23 cp, 41 sp, 5 gp, holy symbol corrupt his “master” and secure their soul for the abyss. While
Description: The animated corpse of the cleric Hregg. Qix has guided some wizards towards sloth and indifference,
he has been notably unsuccessful in securing souls. Ironically,
it is Qix’s lack of ambition that has kept him from being
Qix the Quasit destroyed: of all the quasits, he is the least likely to subvert the
Quasit plans of his master.
Tiny fiend (demon, shapechanger), chaotic evil Qix will fight weaker creatures if he must but prefers to avoid
combat and engage in lazy misdeeds to vex and annoy his
Armor Class 13 victims.
Hit Points 7 (3d4) He has been assigned to check in on Acrucz as part of his
Speed 40 ft. punishment for past failures. He does enjoy tormenting Acrucz
but is careful to avoid pushing the stronger demon too far.
STR 5 (-3), DEX 17 (+3), CON 10 (+0), INT 7 (-2), WIS 10 (+0), CHA
10 (+0)

Skills Stealth +5
Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities poison
37

NPCS
The two NPCs are Orela and Relgu, Orelgu’s
children. If they are alive at the start of the
encounter, Orela will have 3 hp and Relgu will have
2 hp. They are also suffering from exhaustion level 2
(disadvantage on ability checks and speed halved).
Arucz has secured them; a PC can use an action to
free one NPC if they are adjacent to them (magic
might also be an option at range). An NPC can also
try to free themselves, but it is DC 15 Strength
(Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to do so.
If an NPC is freed, they will try to free the other
NPC. If both are free, they will recover their
weapons and assist the PCs in the fight. If, for some
reason, the PCs attack the NPCs, they will respond
in kind.
Orela
Half-orc Rogue 1
Medium humanoid, chaotic neutral
Armor Class 14 (studded leather)
Hit Points 9 (1d8+1)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 12 (+1), DEX 14 (+2), CON 12 (+1), INT 10 (+0), WIS 10 (+0),
CHA 10 (+0)
Saving Throws Dex +4, Int +2
Skills Acrobatics +4, Athletics +3, Insight +2, Intimidation +2,
Perception +4, Persuasion +2, Stealth +6
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Goblin, Orc
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)
Actions
Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80
ft./320 ft., one target.
Hit: 6 (1d8+2) piercing damage.
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or
range 20 ft./60 ft., one target.
Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing damage.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target.
Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage.
Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one creature.
Hit: 2 bludgeoning damage.
Description: Orela learned the basics of being a rogue from her
mother, thus following in her stealthy footsteps. She has some
interest in magic and is considering becoming an arcane
trickster.
38
While believing in freedom and not overly concerned with
good and evil, Orela has been influenced by her father’s
commitment to the codes and rituals of the trade camp. She
also sees the value in being seen as dependable by people she
will need to rely on and thus keeps her chaotic ways in check at
times.
She inherited her mother’s blonde hair and green eyes, but
also has a strong resemblance to her father.
Relgu
Half-orc Fighter 1
Medium humanoid, chaotic neutral
Armor Class 16 (chain mail)
Hit Points 12 (1d10+2)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 16 (+3), DEX 12 (+1), CON 14 (+2), INT 10 (+0), WIS 10 (+0),
CHA 10 (+0)
Saving Throws Str +5, Con +4
Skills Insight +2, Intimidation +2, Perception +2, Persuasion +2,
Survival +2
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Common, Goblin, Orc
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)
Actions
Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 100
ft./400 ft., one target.
Hit: 6 (1d10+1) piercing damage.
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. or
range 20 ft./60 ft., one target.
Hit: 5 (1d4+3) piercing damage.
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target.
Hit: 9 (1d12+3) slashing damage.
Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one creature.
Hit: 4 bludgeoning damage.
Description: While Blood Claw culture favors barbarians, Relgu
prefers the more refined combat style of the fighter. He
strongly resembles his mother and is often mistaken for being
entirely human. This is something of a sore spot with him; he is
sometimes the target of prejudice and mockery on the part of
fellow Blood Claw. Being young, he has not yet decided on how
to handle this. Sometimes the insults push him away from
Blood Claw culture, leading him to consider leaving the area
and taking up adventuring in human controlled lands. Other
times he responds by an exaggerated adoption of Blood Claw
culture. His sister has been able to talk him out of these
extremes and she urges him to be himself. He does not yet
know what this means.
Relgu is a brave fighter but has also inherited his father’s
love of trading and dealing. While adventurers tend to love
looting and vending, he has a special love for vending and
deal making. He is always thinking of a way to conduct a
WEAPON OF DEATH BINDING
winning deal, even in combat. Weapon (any melee weapon), uncommon
You inflict an extra point of radiant damage
CONCLUSION when you strike a fiend or undead creature with
this magic weapon. If you kill a fiend with this
The encounter ends when the PCs defeat Arucz
weapon and leave the weapon embedded in its
(and possibly Qix), flee or are killed. If the PCs are
corpse, the fiend must make a DC 15 Charisma
killed, then it is time to create new characters. These
saving throw or be unable to reform on its home
characters can make another attempt.
plane until the weapon is removed. The corpse
If the PCs flee, then Arucz will kill the two NPCs.
of the fiend will decay but will leave behind
The PCs will have the option of returning and
remnants into which the weapon is embedded.
making another attempt. They also have the option
These remnants are usually bones. Removing
of reporting back to Orelgu. Orelgu will keep to the
the weapon requires an action by a creature
agreement and provide them with payment for their
and doing so frees the fiend to reform on its
investigation proportional to the information they
home plane. The remnants will instantly
are able to provide and the effort they took. This
complete their corruption, turning to ash, foul
payment will still be relatively modest, amounting at
smoke, or rapidly drying slime as appropriate
most to 25 gp in items or coins.
for the creature.
If the PCs defeat Arucz (and possibly Qix), then
they can report their success to Orelgu. If his
FEY NECROTIC IRON CHAIN
children die, then Orelgu will provide payment of up
Medium armor (chain shirt), uncommon
to 100 gp in items or coins (the maximum reward
This chain armor provides an armor class of
assumes the PCs recover the bodies). If the PCs can
13+ Dex modifier (max 2) and weighs 22 pounds.
save one or both of Orelgu’s children, the reward
It is made of enchanted fey necrotic iron,
will increase by 50 gp for each one they rescue. The
granting it a strength greater than mundane steel
PCs can also get a 10-gp reward for recovering the
at a cost of greater weight. The infusion of
corpses of Belra or Hregg (20 gp for both).
negative energy grants the wearer resistance to
Success in the dungeon will also increase the PCs
radiant damage but also vulnerability to necrotic
reputation with the Blood Claw. If word of their
damage. Living creatures not accustomed to
success travels, they will generally receive a more
necrotic energy find the armor unpleasant to
favorable response from any Blood Claw NPCs they
wear, undead find it pleasant.
encounter.

FEY NECROTIC IRON WEAPON

CONCLUSION
The adventure ends when the encounters come to
an end. After the last encounter, the PCs will be able
to complete their journey to town. This adventure
ends as the PCs approach their goal and their next
adventure can start when they reach Lelathon
Village. The second adventure in this series is
Lelathon Village.
MAGIC ITEMS
The following are new magic items available in
this adventure.
Weapon (any metal melee weapon), uncommon.
Forged from necrotic iron, this weapon is
infused with a taint of negative energy. In
addition to being considered a cold iron
weapon, the weapon also inflicts an extra point
of necrotic damage when it strikes a living
creature.
WOODEN PIGEON
Wondrous item, uncommon
This life-sized magical wooden pigeon is
always created with an accompanying
perch. When activated by speaking its
command word, the pigeon becomes a
living creature and endeavors to fly
back to its perch by taking the shortest

39
route and avoiding dangers as best it can. If killed
without being destroyed, it reverts to its wooden
form. If it reaches its perch, it reverts to its wooden
form. The wooden pigeon can assume its living form
once per day, though it will remain in this form until it
reaches its perch (or is killed); this ability is restored
at dawn.
Wooden pigeons were designed as messengers and
are typically equipped with a means of carrying a
small message, such as a small cylinder affixed to the
leg.

Wooden Pigeon
Tiny beast, neutral

Armor Class 11
Hit Points 1 (1d4-1)
Speed 5 ft., fly 60 ft.

STR 2 (-4), DEX 12 (+1), CON 6 (-2), INT 2 (-4), WIS 10 (+0), CHA 5
(-3)

Skills Perception +2, Stealth +3

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages —
Challenge 0 (10 XP)

40
INTERROGATION RULES If the target of the interrogation has been
persuaded or intimidated by someone else to remain
The object of interrogation is to secure accurate
loyal or not divulge information, then you can use an
information from the person being interrogated. In
opposed roll against that Charisma (Persuasion) or
our world, the overwhelming evidence is that torture
Charisma (Intimidation) roll. For leaders (and others)
is not effective in achieving this goal. The methods
who command loyalty through persuasion or
that are effective translate well into simplified D&D
intimidation, the DC can be 10+ their skill.
rules and I offer three types of interrogation. These
Persuasive magic, such as charm person, can be
are rapport interrogation, intimidation interrogation,
useful when using rapport interrogation.
and Socratic interrogation.
All forms of interrogation require the ability to
communicate; this usually requires a shared INTIMIDATION INTERROGATION
language or magic. The use of Wisdom (Insight) is Intimidation interrogation does not use the
useful for sorting out whether the subject of methods of torture but involves trying to over-awe the
interrogation believes what they are saying. Zone of target with the force of your personality. Building up
truth and other spells can be useful when this level of awe takes at least 1 minute of game time
interrogating subjects. It is important to note that but can take much longer.
mundane and magical means of detecting lies To extract information using this technique, you
typically do not distinguish what is true from what is must succeed on a Charisma (Intimidation) check.
not; they merely reveal whether the target believes The DC is determined by considering such factors as
what they are saying. the target’s attitude to the PC (friendly, indifferent, or
hostile), the importance of the information, and the
RAPPORT INTERROGATION
possible consequences of talking. The DC can be
Rapport interrogation involves building up a
reduced by factors such as cutting an imposing figure
positive relationship with the subject and using
demonstrating great strength of personality. The DC
persuasion to convince them to voluntarily provide
can be increased by such factors as displays of
information. Building up a useful degree of rapport
weakness, senseless cruelty, or indecision.
takes at least 10 minutes of game time but can take
As a quick guide, the DC for getting a piece of
much longer.
information is 5 when the target is friendly, 15 when
To extract information using this technique, you
the target is indifferent, and 25 when the target is
must succeed on a Charisma (Persuasion) check. The
hostile. If the roll succeeds, the target will provide
DC is determined by considering such factors as the
information that it believes to be true. If the roll fails,
target’s attitude to the PC (friendly, indifferent, or
the target refuses to divulge the desired information.
hostile), the importance of the information, and the
If the roll fails by 5 or more, the target tries to lie to
possible consequences of talking. The DC can be
the PC. The target’s Charisma modifier applies to the
reduced by factors such as bribes, good treatment,
DC.
credible promises of protection, and so on. The DC
If the target of the interrogation has been
can be increased by such factors as bad treatment
persuaded or intimidated by someone else to remain
and threats.
loyal or not divulge information, then you can use an
As a quick guide, the base DC for getting a piece of
opposed roll against that Charisma (Persuasion) or
information is 0 when the target is friendly, 10 when
Charisma (Intimidation) roll. For leaders (and others)
the target is indifferent, and 20 when the target is
who command loyalty through persuasion or
hostile. If the roll succeeds, the target will provide
intimidation, the DC can be 10+ their skill.
information that it believes to be true. If the roll fails,
Magic and effects that create fear can be useful
the target refuses to divulge the desired information.
when using this technique. If the target is frightened
If the roll fails by 10 or more, the target tries to lie to
the PC.
41
of you or your associates, you make the roll with (good) and wrong to the degree that it generates
advantage because they are easier to overawe. negative value (evil).
In our world, the usual utilitarian argument is built
on the claim torture is morally justified in cases in
SOCRATIC INTERROGATION
which its benefits (such as getting critical
Socratic interrogation involves engaging the target
information) outweigh the harms of torture (such as
in conversation and using various philosophical
inflicting pain and suffering on a person). This line of
techniques to get them to unwittingly reveal bits and
reasoning has some appeal. After all, people do
pieces of information that can be combined and
believe the consequences of an action can justify an
checked against each other.
action. For example, people think lying is usually
This method takes at least thirty minutes of game
wrong but most of us think that certain
time but can take much longer.
circumstances, such as saving a life, can justify lying.
To extract information using this technique, you
Critical to the defense of torture is the question of
must succeed on a Wisdom (Insight) check. The DC
whether it is effective. If it is, then the utilitarian
is determined by considering such factors as the
argument can get off the ground. If not, then torture
target’s attitude to the PC (friendly, indifferent, or
cannot be justified on these grounds. As noted in the
hostile), the importance of the information, and the
introduction, the overwhelming scientific evidence is
possible consequences of talking.
that torture does not work.
As a quick guide, the DC for getting a piece of
The myth of the effectiveness of torture is
information is 0 when the target is friendly, 10 when
perpetuated in fiction—tough heroes beating and
the target is indifferent, and 20 when the target is
abusing the “bad guys” to get them to talk. Since D&D
hostile. The target’s Wisdom modifier applies to the
is a game of fiction, you could decide to have torture
DC (whether positive or negative).
“work” in your world—but you should keep in mind
If the roll succeeds, the target will provide
the possible consequences of perpetuating the myth
information that it believes to be true. If the roll fails,
even in fiction (our good dead friend Plato has a lot to
the target refuses to divulge the desired information.
say about this sort of thing).
If the roll fails by 5 or more, the target attempts to
Some players like to use graphic descriptions of
mislead the PC.
torture to upset other players (or in a misguided
If the target of the interrogation has been
attempt to convey how “tough” they are) and this can
persuaded or intimidated by someone else to remain
create an unpleasant and hostile table—which is why
loyal or not divulge information, then you can use an
it is usually best to make the moral limits of the table
opposed roll against that Charisma (Persuasion) or
clear from the start of the game.
Charisma (Intimidation) roll. For leaders (and others)
If you use alignment in your game, the use of torture
who command loyalty through persuasion or
is evil and PCs who persist in torturing would move
intimidation, the DC can be 10+ their skill.
towards evil alignments (if they are not already evil).
This holds even if they believe they are torturing for
TORTURE good.
In this context, torture is intentionally inflicting
pain and suffering to extract information from a MECHANICS OF TORTURE
victim. On the face of it, torture is an evil action and Torture can be inflicted in a variety of ways in game,
the burden of proof rests on anyone who claims that ranging from the crudest beating to the application of
it is morally acceptable to inflict pain and suffering on spells to inflict physical and psychological pain.
a helpless victim. Those wishing to defend torture One obvious issue with torture in D&D is that while
typically use the moral theory known as PCs and NPCs take damage, they are generally
utilitarianism. This is the ethical theory that an action immune to pain. For example, your PC could be set
is right to the degree that it generates positive value on fire by a fire elemental that you are grappling, get

42
pin cushioned by manticore spikes, have an acid
arrow stuck in their face, and then fall down a 100
foot pit onto spikes (with the elemental) and still be
100% operational (aside from the hit point loss).
There are some ad hoc exceptions, such as heat
metal, that do seem to have a pain mechanism—so
the same could be done for torture.
If you torture a creature, you decide whether to use
physical or mental torture as your primary means of
torture. Torture, used as interrogation, takes at least
10 minutes of game time, and can take longer.
If you use mental torture, you add your Intelligence
modifier to a d20 roll. The target resists with an
opposed roll using its Wisdom modifier. If you use
physical torture, you can use your Strength or
Dexterity modifier to a d20 roll. The target resists
with an opposed roll using its Constitution or Wisdom
modifier. If you are proficient in torture tools, you can
use your proficiency modifier. The roll can also be
adjusted by various factors, such as the use of magic
or especially painful techniques.
If you succeed in torturing the creature, it gains the
tortured condition until it completes a short or long
rest. If you beat the target’s roll by 10 or more, it is
frightened of you for as long as it has the tortured
conditioned.

TORTURED CONDITION
A creature with the tortured condition:
• Will say whatever they believe will prevent
future torture, whether it is true or not.
• Has advantage on Charisma (Deception)
rolls to deceive the torturer and their allies
because their extreme duress makes them
seem convincing.
• Is hostile to the torturer and their
associates.

43
FREE STUFF
Mike’s Free Encounter #44: Cornu Umbra
Mike’s Free Enounter #45 Serutani Tomb
I regularly make free D&D stuff available, including map Mike’s Free Encounter #46: Tiger Canon
Mike’s Free Encounter #47: The Deluded Djinni
collections and encounters.
Mike’s Free Encounter #48: Druid of the Moonlit Web
Mike’s Free Encounter #49: Quillbones

FREE MAP COLLECTIONS Mike’s Free Encounter #50: Bonerunners

Mike’s Free Encounter #51: Welg
Mike's Free Maps Collection #1 Mike’s Free Encounter #52: Osfranger
Mike's Free Maps Collection #2 Mike’s Free Encounter #53 Cross Cat
Mike's Free Maps Collection #3 Mike's Free Encounter #54: Musiksalskare
Mike's Free Maps Collection #4 Mike’s Free Encounter #55: Truthsayer
Mike's Free Maps Collection #5 Mike’s Free Encounter #56: Warewolf
Mike’s Free Maps Collection #6 Mike’s Free Encounter #57 Ghost of Water
Mike’s Free Maps Collection #7 Mike’s Free Encounter #58 Bone Shaper
Mike’s Free Maps Collection #8 Mike’s Free Encounter #59 Legacy of Medusa
Mike’s Free Maps Collection #9 Mike’s Free Ecounter #60: Calsh Stoneworks
Mike’s Free Maps Collection #10 Mike’s Free Encounter #61: Sleeper in the Well
Mike’s Free Maps Collection #11 Mike’s Free Encounter #62: Krympt Jätte
Mike’s Free Encounter #63: Ghost Tears
Mike’s Free Encounter #64: Rebel Mummy
FREE RULES Mike’s Free Encounter #65: Dealing Doppelganger
Mike’s Free Encounter #66: Of Sheers, Weagles and Spakes
Mob Rules
Mike’s Free Encounter #67: Sky Piercer
Interrogation
Mike’s Free Encounter #68: Skeletal Scholar
Mike’s Free Encounter #69: Will & Theo’s Lost Lute
Mike’s Free Encounter #70: Puddle Lurker

FREE ENCOUNTERS
Mike's Free Encounter #1: Necromancer's Stash
Mike’s Free Encounters #2: Worg Riders
Mike’s Free Encounter #3: Haunted Stones
Mike’s Free Encounter #4: Kobold Emissary
Mike’s Free Encounter #5: Gnark Horse
Mike’s Free Encounter #6: Ghost of Kella Thar
Mike’s Free Encounter #7: Capraemortu
Mike’s Free Encounter #8: Bonewalkers
Mike’s Free Encounter #9: Alena Trel the Eye Piercer
Mike’s Free Encounter #10: The Bog Witch
FREE ENCOUNTERS
COLLECTIONS
Mike’s Free Encounters #1-10 (pay what you want)
Mike’s Free Encounters #1-20 (pay what you want)
Mike’s Free Encounters #21-30 (pay what you want)
Mike’s Free Encounters #31-40 (Pay what you want)
Mike’s Free Encounters #41-50 (Pay what you want)
Mike’s Free Encounters #61-70 (Pay what you want)

FREE CHARACTER OPTIONS

Mike’s Free Encounter #11: Shadow Fang Gnolls
Mike’s Free Encounter #12: Shadowed Fields
Mike’s Free Encounter #13: River Pirates Seven Tribes of Comosh
Mike’s Free Encounter #14: Bad Mercenaries
Mike’s Free Encounter #15: Dwarven Guard Post
Mike’s Free Encounter #16 Necrolossi
Mike’s Free Encounter #17: Frostcursed Guard Post
Mike’s Free Encounter #18: Death Captain
STUFF TO BUY!
Mike’s Free Encounter #19: Corporagelida
I also sell stuff for D&D:
Mike’s Free Encounter #20: Frostcursed Headless
Mike’s Free Encounter # 21: Frostcursed Forge
Mike’s Free Encounter #22: Frostcursed Docks
Mike’s Free Encounter #23: Frostcursed River Diamond ADVENTURES
Mike’s Free Encounter #24:Dividuicorporis Arrogo's Tomb
Mike’s Free Encounter #25: Frostcursed Queen Belmey (pay what you want)
Mike’s Free Encounter #26: Cult of the Bat Broken Mine 5E
Mike’s Free Encounter #27: Burning Beasts Dragon Hunt
Mike’s Free Encounter #28: Sting of Drenlak Tower of Zakelana
Mike’s Free Encounter #29: Sand Gnark Horse
Mike’s Free Encounter #30 Ghul Caravan
Mike’s Free Encounter #31 Fallen Desert Outpost
Mike’s Free Encounter #32: Ancient Aqueduct
CLASS & CHARACTER OPTIONS
Boot Dagger Booter (pay what you want)
Mike’s Free Encounter #33: Tomb of the Desiccated
Circle of Ash (pay what you want)
Mike's Free Encounter #34: The Bath of Pelthonus
Flame Touched (pay what you want)
Mike’s Free Encounter #35: Windchime
Legacy of the Frostcursed (pay what you want)
Mike’s Free Encounter #36: Molodus
Mike’s Free Encounter #37: The Pool of Pelthonus
Mike’s Free Encounter #38: Sea Tiger Island
Mike’s Free Encounter #39: Sanguinem Volant KARABETH SERIES
Mike’s Free Encounter #40: Gladiomortuus
Mike’s Free Encounter #41: A Princess Met on the Road
Mike’s Free Encounter #42: College of the Damned
Mike’s Free Encounter #43: Necrokyrie
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Michael LaBossiere is a gamer/runner from Maine who went
to school in Ohio and ended up a philosophy professor in Florida.
While acquiring his doctorate in philosophy at Ohio State
University, he earned his ramen noodle money by writing for
Chaosium, GDW, R. Talsorian
Games, and TSR. After
graduate school, he became a
philosophy professor at
Florida A&M University. His
first philosophy book, What
Don't You Know?, was
published in 2008. He
continues to write philosophy
and gaming material. He is
also a blogger, but these days
who isn't?
When not writing, he enjoys running, gaming and the martial
arts. Thanks to a quadriceps tendon tear in 2009, he was out of
running for a while, but returned to the trails and wrote a book
about it, Of Tendon & Trail. He can be contacted at
ontologist@aol.com.

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