Lair of the Spider Hag

A Touch of Black: Chapter 10

The gargantuan spider lay dead, oozing black blood from many wounds. Its mistress, Oma Syndy Spinster, has fled
into the web choked tunnels below, surely hiding in the darkness waiting in ambush. Wisdom would demand that you
leave well enough alone. That you turn back. That you forsake your duty. Adventurers, even if they have it in
abundance, are not known for applying wisdom to problems. So the only real option is to plunge headlong into the Lair
of the Spider Hag.
TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT HORROR GAMES
SETUP INFORMATION 2 An effective Horror game can be a trick to run and takes
4 different skills than the average DM employs from game
ACT 1: The Hag’s Lair to game. It is my favorite style of game to run, and has
ACT 2: The Web Ward 8 been for forty years, so I have some suggestions for you,
ACT 3: Harp Concert 9 which you can find in the Appendices.
ACT 4: The Last Thread 9 What is The AOG?
CLOSING 11 It started 40ish years ago. I still remember the day my
OTHER CHAPTER LINKS 12 cousin brought out this thin blue book with a white
14 sketched dragon on its cover and a pile of strange dice.
LORE AND MORE He told eight year old me that we were going to play a
MAPS 19 game where I could be anything I wanted (as long as it
was an elf, dwarf, human, or halfling). I immediately
developed that love of bringing people along on journey
ADVENTURE MECHANICS after journey, and through all the moments and four
This Adventure is Part 10 of 10 decades of playing, the trip has never lost its wonder.
Target Party: 4 Level 5 Adventures Now, my son and I run Amplus Ordo Games as
Expected Playtime: 3+ Hours armchair content creators who donate our work to the
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Adventures. We do dabble into other areas like stories,
STYLE “SHORT SHOT” and thoughts on the game. My son helps write our “Year
A Short Shot is designed to give the GM a solid concept One” series which are adventures designed for entry
of what is going on inside of the adventure not just level DMs and players, and we use that content to run
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The Short Shot gives everything most GMs requires to like to make some requests or support the work you can
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PLAYING A.O.G. ADVENTURES Hundreds of maps, and a lot of support content.
AOG adventures are written and designed to be system On the purely Social Media side. We’re active on Reddit
neutral to avoid Copyright and IP conflicts or issues. Subs and our Discord, where we host games, fulfil
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cast in my Homebrew World. All of which should be Contact us
easily imported into any system of your choosing. I also
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Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023 1
 SETUP INFORMATION
Town of Tragedies Guidebook
These adventures have been written and designed to be
used with the Town of Tragedies Guide. It isn’t
necessary, but the content is referenced often.
A TOWN OF TRAGEDIES GUIDE
Previous Chapters
Here is a link to the Previous Chapters
Story Flow
The Player’s employer, Lady Persephone Trellu, came
to Deleran’s Crossing to do three things. Restore her
family’s holdings, cure her disease stricken paralyzed
body, and start a family of her own. To accomplish this
she entered into a dark pact with a Hag by the name of
Oma Syndy Spinster. Syndy demanded three tasks to be
accomplished before she would help. Gather Dark Root
seeds, retrieve a Mythical Harp, and rescue her sister’s
Child from a cosmic entity known as Aberrant Black. All
three tasks were accomplished and Syndy fulfilled her
bargains as well. But not in a desirable way.
Persephone was cured, married, and was with child, but
the baby grew rapidly and the child has begun to
consume its mother’s life essence.
In order to save them the players must confront Syndy,
and force her to lift the curse. The group has by now
followed their leads deep into the woods. (Perhaps even
with the help of Aberrant Black) There they found Oma
Syndy Spinster’s lair, a massive rotting Treant corpse
that has been hollowed out for the Hag’s use. There
they confronted the Hag, demanding that she lift the
curse on their employer Persephone Trellu, but knew
going into this endeavor that the likelihood of those
demands being met were minimal at best. Syndy like all
hags likely made counter offers, but those were nothing
more than shallow attempts to once again gain the
upper hand. No, this problem would have to be resolved
by steel and spell.
During the conflict Syndy fled into the tunnels below,
leaving the players to fight her pet gargantuan spider,
Rolb. They’ll now have to hunt her down and end her
once and for all, but that will be no simple task. The
Spider Hag’s Lair is a network of twisting caverns
formed into the sides quarter mile deep pit. She will
have headed deep into her sanctum to summon infernal
reinforcements. If they are to catch up to her and defeat
her once and for all they’ll need to disable her wards
and shut down the ritual she has begun.
2 Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023
Game Opening and Hooks
As mentioned, this Adventure is part of a
Series/Campaign. However, some people may just want
to use the nuts and bolts of the Module for their own
purposes, so I have provided some alternative ideas.
Campaign: Persephone and her soon to be newborn
are under a Hag’s Curse and in grave danger. The
Players must find a way to save her.
One Shot: The Group is hired by a local to end a
Hag’s Curse on their daughter.
One Shot Alternative: The Group comes across
some locals in distress. His wife is about to give
birth, but she wasn’t pregnant yesterday!
Mood
Things hidden away. Moments covered in darkness.
The unknowable. Secrets. Mysteries. Echoes of the past
long thought forgotten. These are the bedrock of
Deleran’s Crossing. Beyond every door. Behind the
curtains. Under every stone. Locked in the backroom.
Chained in the cellar. Politely veiled evils covered by
swollen sad eyes and wryly smiling lips. There are few,
if any, places in the city that have corners empty of
shadow or closets sans skeletons. Now in most cases
these private wickednesses remain buried but not
forgotten. In most cases… Those that live here, know
there are those rare and wretched moments where what
was thought long lost has gently come rapping, so
faintly it comes tapping, tapping at the chamber door. It
shall be hidden nevermore.
Madness, Sanity. and Trauma
Madness, Sanity. and Trauma These adventures often
deal with Madness and Insanity in the NPCs. For the
PCs I have introduced Madness issues and a Sanity
Mechanic to the campaign in this episode. Coming face
to face with inexplicable horror does things to the mind,
and that should not be lost on your players. It is 100%
optional, and if it in any way makes you or your players
uncomfortable you should not use it. You can check out
the mechanic I use in the Appendices
LORE AND MORE
I try to include all relevant information in brief upfront
and more thought out at the end of the Module. This
section will usually include deeper info on NPCs,
Locations, Maps. It may also include Stat Blocks,
Stories, Historical tidbits, as well as any Handouts.
Important Locations
Balinovia and the City of Beurnoli
The Stolregard Barony carved out of the heart of an
dark old growth forest known as the Graywood.
Deleran’s Crossing is the ruling seat of the Barony. It is
a poverty stricken, dying city, rotting from the inside out.
The Barony and Deleran’s Crossing
This is Persephone’s home, and worth mentioning as a
backdrop to her life. Balinovia has an Italian feel to it,
particularly when it comes to social and familial culture.
NPCs
Lady Persephone Trellu
The player’s Adventuring Patron. She is a noblewoman
new to town looking to extend her family’s power.
Marsilia Baralini
Persephone’s Handmaiden and personal bodyguard.
Syndy has transformed her into Vampiric-Spider
Creature.
Oma Sindy Spinsister (Cynthia)
Hag of the Night Circle
Oma and her sisters are ancient and powerful hags who
settled into the Stolegard forest around Deleran’s
Crossing and have staked a major claim on the land.
Sindy moves about the city in the form of Cynthia
Duprang, a kindly middle aged woman.
Vaemond Maleris, Second Son of the
Maleris Family of Coldrock
Vaemond is a pleasant young man with dashing
features, deep brown eyes, a finely trimmed black
mustache, and dark swept back hair. He is a dutiful son
to both family and business, and has been courting
Persephone for some time now and will have proposed
marriage the night before the adventure begins.
The Maleris Family of Coldrock
An influential Nobel Family From the city of Cold Rock
just to the north of Deleran’s Crossing. Vaemond’s
Uncle in the Magistrate of Deleran’s Crossing.
Don Galvini and The Trellu Family
Persephone’s father and Family have come to town. He
is a thicker human man in his mid fifties. And while not
physically intimidating he casts a long shadow and has
an imposing presence. Back in Balinovia he is infamous
a Mafioso ad force to be reckoned with. Here in
Deleran’s Crossing is simply a wealthy father who does
not care much for his future son in law.
PRE-GAME
Story Arcs
It is down to the Players and the Hag. They have fought
their way to the doorstep of Oma Syndy Spinster’s Lair,
and it’s time to head inside and confront the fiend. This
episode picks up right at the end of the previous one.
There should be little to no pre-game work to do if
you’re running the campaign. If you’re using the bones
here to run a one shot, the adventure becomes a Spider
themed Dungeon Crawl.
HELP!
There is a very real chance that your players will feel
overwhelmed and not up to the challenge ahead. There
is a very real chance that this feeling is accurate. If you
don’t think they’ll be able to handle the fights ahead on
their own, feel free to have some NPCs join them at the
beginning. Perhaps One of the other Sisters, who are
undoubtedly furious with Syndy, have sent their own
agents. Maybe some of the people they’ve met, like the
Gray Griffon, have come to their aid. Perhaps they can
find someone inside that Syndy was holding captive. Do
not be afraid to help them. This is going to be a tough
adventure, and they’ve earned some aid. And if all else
fails… they can call Aberrant Black. Because that surely
won’t end poorly for them.
Tier of Play
The players should be Level 5 (Tier Two), They will be
exploring a dangerous dungeon with no real chance to
rest. This is going to take the difficulty of this chapter
into Deadly territory.
Final Notes
As we begin the last chapter in our series, I want to
make you the DM aware that if you’re thinking things
aren’t looking good for our players… you’re right. This
is, and always has been, a Gothic Horror Campaign.
Which means the chances of the Heroes coming out on
top were, from the beginning, slim to none. Of course
there is Hope, but only a fools hope. Give them what
they need to get to the final battle. Even give them what
they need to beat Syndy. But the climax is written in a
way that will likely leave at least some of them dead.
Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023 3
 OPENING CUT-SCENE
Making Myself Known
She watches from behind them. She
stands in front of them. Alongside them.
With them. They never notice. It is
horrific to be ignored. Miserable to be
forgotten. Maddening to be unseen. Her
father walks past her for the hundredth
time this week. He doesn’t speak. No
words. Not a glance. She is invisible. Her
anger boils over. Like it has dozens of
times before. But what will she do? Lash
out? Speak harshly? Scream? They would
not hear. Her eyes fall on the wood
splitting axe. To them she does not exist.
She did once. But no longer. She is dead
to them. But not undead. No… she is no
ghost. No Spirit. Not a specter. She is
simply hated and ignore because she
chose to do the one thing her father
refused her. She chose to marry for love.
But they took that from her too, and
now the entire house ignores her. Her
hand grasps the axe, she wasn’t sure she
meant to. She feels its weight. The
consequence. The definity of it. They
won’t ignore her for much longer.
ACT 1: The Hag’s Lair
They will enter into the Spider Hag’s Tunnels. Down in
the bowels of the Shadow Fey. Syndy has burrowed out
a network of caverns all connected by a deep central
shaft. The players will have to explore the cavern and
destroy three skull altars that the Hag uses to charge a
ward that will keep them entering into the deepest part
of her lair. There she is using the harp to empower
herself. This Act and Act 2 will blend together quite a
bit. I have listed the important locations on the map,
they should be easy enough to identify.
4 Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023
Locations
1) The Entrance
You pass through the claustrophobic tunnel into a chamber.
The damp earth has turned to rocky walls. Webs crisscross the
tunnel and skulls with red glowing candles surround the
entrance, their eye sockets seemingly fixed on you.
Likely Player Actions
Destroy the Skulls: The skulls are basically there just to
creep them out, however, this is an opportunity to alert
them to the dangerous environment they just walked into.
Perhaps have the skulls cast a “Bestow Curse” style of
spell upon them that lasts for a while when they’re
attacked. Something that they can remedy with a little
magic but also something to let them know Syndy doesn’t
mess around.
2) The Web Shaft
You stand on the ledge of a pit choked with webs so thickly you
can barely see water reflecting at the bottom, more than 200’
below you. There are also three other ledges you notice
encircling the pit. Opposite you and some 40’ down. Off to the
East about 80’ down, and another to the West about 150’ mark.
Likely Player Actions
Navigate the Shaft: Traversing the shaft isn’t hard if a little
care is taken. In fact they’ll have to in order to continue
on. The sides of the pit are rocky and stable with many
handholds and smaller ledges. The larger spider webs are
not sticky and could be used in the place of ropes and
bridges. And they can always use their own ropes as well.
Some minor athletics checks could probably be made as
they scurry about, but failure should be a rare event.
Destroy the Webs: This is possible, but will have two
adverse effects. First, it will draw out the Spider Swarms
that nest here, who otherwise will remain hidden. It will
count as an encounter, but it may also make the final
battle easier, since Syndy will be robbed of the spider’s
help and her extra mobility in this room. Secondly, they’ll
have to make Dexterity Saving Throws to avoid damage
from the webs snapping like tight cables and whipping
around. Lastly, if they burn them they will need to make
Constitution Saving Throws to avoid being burned by fire
and choked by smoke. I recommend the poisoned
condition for an hour or exhaustion if you’re feeling a little
on the mean side. I would also fill the tunnels with smoke
limiting their vision and causing extra problems.
3) The Egg Room
A dozen or so clusters of web woven oval objects are placed
around this room. Egg sacks. They are webbed to the floor,
walls, and ceilings. Creatures with the lower half of spiders and
the upper body of elves skitter about tending to the sacks. Their
heads are wrapped in webbing and seem to pay you no
attention. Off to the south is a bone covered pedestal in a
cavern niche. The pedestal displays a large skull with a burning
black candle atop it.
Likely Player Actions
Destroy the Eggs: The Driders in the room have been
taken over by Spider Parasites and turned into Mindless
Drones. They aren’t interested in the players until they
take action against the eggs or the skull. At that point they
will attack until destroyed. If the sacks are destroyed they
will release a noxious gas that inflicts the poisoned
condition a hard Constitution Saving Throw can be made
to avoid the effects.
The Skull: The skulls only need to have the magical candle
extinguished, however, destroying it is a more likely player
action. In either case the moment the players approach
the skull the Driders will attack. If they destroy the skull it
will fight back attacking them with “Eldritch Blast” type
attack. It should have reasonable AC and Hitpoints.
Simply extinguishing the candle should be a Medium
Arcana Check or it will relight itself.
Encounter: Drider Drones
These Drides have their heads wrapped in webs and
dozens of Parasitic Spiders swarming over them
controlling their actions. They typically operate by the
commands of Syndy, or if left to their own devices with the
instinctual intellect of the spiders. They do have a Puppet
Master’s Fortitude ability. If they are dropped to 0 or less
HP they can make a Constitution Saving Throw, the DC of
which the total Damage +5. If they succeed they are not
killed, but instead the spiders web them back together
enough to keep them at 1 HP. Otherwise this is a brute
force combat.
4) Dark Root Chamber
Massive piles of twitching Dark Roots cover the walls and
much of the floor and ceilings. Several corpses can be seen
entangled among the roots. The air here is humid and thick
with the smell of rot.
Possible Player Actions
Destroy the Roots: This room can be simply passed
through. However, they may decide to destroy the Roots,
which will start an encounter, but not necessarily a
combat as they may find a creative way to eliminate them.
Taking out the roots will remove them as an option for
Sydny’s Lair Actions.
Hazzard
Dark Roots: As they already know these roots are
dangerous and can lash out with an attack similar to the
spell Vampiric Touch. Appropriate checks and rolls apply.
5) Acrid Pool
There is a large pool of viscus green liquid in the center of this
room releasing an odor into the air that burns your nostrils.
Periodic bubbles rise and pop slowly in the thick liquid.
Otherwise the room is fairly quiet. Down in the corner is a bone
covered pedestal displaying a large skull with a burning black
candle atop it.
Possible Player Actions
Search the Pool: They will examine the pool. They may even
attack it. If at all possible the pool should be described as
a caustic liquid with the consistency of flowing mud. It
eats organic material, wood, and most metals. Touching it
will cause damage and being too close to a bubble will
expose them to toxic gasses. The pit the liquid sits in has
some small side tunnels in it where the Gelatinous Stalker
hides. There should be something in these tunnels that is
recoverable.
The Skull: The skulls only need to have the magical candle
extinguished, however, destroying it is a more likely player
action. This one is a trap. The Gelatinous Stalker is using
it to distract intruders, hopefully giving it an edge if it
attacks. The real Skull is acting as the central nervous
system for the Stalker. They’ll have to face it to be able to
turn the skull off.
Encounter: Gelatinous Stalker
The Gelatinous Stalker is an Ooze in the Gelatinous Cube
family. Unlike the Cube a Stalker is intelligent, although
saying that is a bit generous. A Stalker can be trained and
commanded if it is well fed. Syndy keeps this particular
pet content and it is well trained. It rests in it’s pool until
something attempts to tamper with the skull in the room.
It then rises silently out of the acid and attacks. It will
attempt to pull attackers inside of itself and throw targets
into the acid pool. The real skull protects the brain of this
Stalker and can only be destroyed once the creature is
dead.
6) Brain Weed
There is an odd looking plant in the corner of this chamber.
Vines grow out like tentacles and a large pulsing fruit in the
center looks more like a brain than anything plant related.
Hazard: Brain Weed
Brain weed is an infectious plant that survives by
attaching parasitic burs to living creatures. These burs
drain the memories of those infected until their mind is
an empty shell and dies. Once dead the Brain Weed then
fully absorbs the mind of the creature into its own
consciousness. Brain weeds can live for hundreds, maybe
thousands, of years, and can contain the memories of
whole civilizations, if they are well fed. Creatures that get
too close to the Weed must make Medium Intelligence
Saving Throws or consider the Weed in need of their
protection and begin having their memories Drained. If
the Weed is destroyed nearby victims will regain their
memories, and perhaps additional ones as well.
Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023 5
 7) Haunted Ledge
There is an uncomfortable feeling in this area. The air is cold
and you could swear you hear whispers in the shadows. Things
move in the corners of your vision, but when you focus on
them there is nothing there to be seen.
Possible Player Actions
Investigate: There are plenty of ways that the players can
interact with the “ghosts” haunting this room. Leave that
up to their imagination. Many folk have perished at
Syndy’s hands and tuning into lost and trapped spirits,
and both beneficial and malevolent spirits haunt this
place, so depending on how they engage this room could
benefit or hinder the players. Do they get a restful boon,
or do they have to fight angered ghosts? Use this area as a
great opportunity to manage their resources.
Encounter: Lost Spirits
If you do engage them in a combat encounter be sure to
use the spirits ability to become ethereal and move
through objects. Half of what makes Ghosts scary is that
they can move through solid things. I usually give
“ghosts” a disengage as a bonus action when shifting into
ethereal forms or passing through objects. Makes them
more ghosty.
8) Bone Pit
This room is filled with bones. The floor is completely covered.
So much so that you have no idea how deep the pile goes.
Rotting flesh clings to many of the remains and swarms of
larvae crawl over the rancid meat.
Possible Player Actions
Search the Pit: The players will be expecting something
horrible to come up out of the pit. I suggest only hinting
at something horrible. Bones move a little not far from
them, but nothing aggressive or supernatural happens.
The wind picks up. It gets colder. Whispers. Things that
make them uncomfortable. If they examine the actual
bones, many will have carvings on them, mostly dark
runes, but some will have names on them, and the details
of the deals they made with Syndy that got them here.
Destroy the Bones If they want to go to the trouble of
destroying the bones they canbe rewarded for the work.
They’re tied to some of Syndy’s power and weakening
them will weaken her. If they choose to do this though,
don’t let them off without a fight. Bring some spidery
minions from other areas after them while they work.
Some Phase Spiders work nicely, since they can come
basically out of nowhere.
Encounter: Phase Spiders
This should not be an overly complicated encounter. Make
the bones difficult terrain and have the phase spiders
teleport in and out of combat. I would also suggest having
them web off the exit. The players will get out easily after
the fight but the feeling of being trapped doesn’t leave
one’s consciousness so easily.
6 Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023
9) Ettercap Nest
Webs choke this portion of the cavern. They’re not overly thick
strands but they are layered very densely making it difficult to
see even a few feet beyond. There does seem to be some
funneling tunnels woven into the webs, perhaps for the
arachnids that dwell here to travel through. You also note the
large number of severed body parts hanging in the strands.
Arms, legs, and even a separated torso or two can be clearly
seen. The parts are dry and cracking, almost mummified.
Hazard: Ettercap Webbing
These webs are extremely thick up top and in most cases
interaction with them alerts the Ettercaps within. Cutting
them certainly does, and burning them is a bad idea. They
do burn slowly with a little effort. Unfortunately this
releases a toxic gas that will require constant Hard
Constitution Saving Throw. Failing the save will cause the
players to become poisoned for ten minutes. A Medium
Perception Check will reveal that the webs could be
crawled under with limited interaction if care is taken.
Possible Player Actions
Burn the Webs: Players do this a lot, and we as DMs
usually let them get away with it. However if they do that
here, they will quickly find that these webs do not burn
well, and what does burn releases a toxic fume.
Cut through the Webs: This is a more sensible approach,
and one without obvious consequences. The Webs cut
easily, though do stick to weapons and armor, but not as a
major hindrance. This does alert the Ettercaps though,
and the spider creatures will be waiting in ambush.
The Skull: The skulls only need to have the magical candle
extinguished, however, destroying it is a more likely player
action. The Skull here is acting as a lure bringing the
players ever closer to the Ettercap Ambush. Once they are
close the Ettercaps will lasso the skull with a web shot and
yank it up into the webbing above beginning the
Encounter phase of this room.
Encounter: Ettercap Ambush
The Ettercaps will hide in their burrows and use the thick
webs to their advantage. They are not hindered by them in
the slightest. They will camouflage themselves up above
the Skull and wait for the players to arrive. Once the party
approaches the Skull they will shoot out Webs and yank it
away, while simultaneously attacking the PCs. They will
pass the Skull around to one another as a Lair Action. This
begins a game of Keep Away which the Ettercaps should
be quite good at. If the players are not quick enough, or if
the fight turns against the creatures, the Ettercaps will
dash out into the Lair and attempt to hide the skull away.
10) Treasure Room
You find yourself in a small web draped but nearly empty nook
off to the side of the main tunnels. It seems to be some kind of
storage room. There is a large rusty cauldron, a few piles of
rope, some stacked firewood, and other mundane items and
tools scattered about. The most interesting thing about this
chamber is that it is somewhat secluded. It may make a “safe”
place to take a short rest.
Possible Player Actions
Take that Short Rest: Depending on the state they’ve left
the dungeon in I typically would allow them to take a short
rest in here. However, if they’ve caused a lot of chaos and
are being hunted by creatures then I probably would have
them get attacked.
Examine the Room: They may want to take a closer look at
this room. If so see the info in the “Puzzle” section below.
Cauldron Puzzle
While there doesn’t seem to be much going on in this
room, the truth is the Cauldron is a “Holding” magical
item. While it appears to be empty, it certainly is not.
Syndy keeps the majority of her treasures in it. I included
the idea of taking a short rest in the description
intentionally to throw them off of taking too close a look
at the items in the room. A closer inspection of the room
will reveal a burn spot on the floor in the center, and a
large hook hanging above it. The solution to the puzzle is
to suspend the cauldron and light a fire below it. Once
that is done the players will be able to see Syndy’s hidden
treasures inside of it. This should result in a Large Level
Appropriate Reward.
11) Syndy’s Chamber
This room feels straight out of a nightmare. Your eyes first land
on the small fire burning in the center of the oblong chamber.
Thick red tinted smoke curls up from it, choking the air with a
potent acrid smell, and feeding into a thick cloud that covers
the web draped ceiling. There is a broken arcane circle on the
floor near the entrance. Magical runes that you can’t decipher
but cause your skin to crawl just looking at them have been
inscribed in what appears to be blood all around its edges.
There is a jumble of broken and web covered furniture in the
north end of the room including a filth stained bed and some
broken shelves that are held together by spider’s workings,
their contents scattered about lying broken on the floor. In the
south is what looks like a large egg sac, it’s top peeled open like
the shell of a hard boiled egg.
Likely Player Actions
Search The Room: The players will certainly want to get a
close inspection of this room. Hopefully they’ve checked
for traps, because there are several in here. I’ll describe
them below in the Hazards section.
Most of the items in here are nothing more than macabre
trophies that Syndy has taken from those she has
ensnared. There are some that are from still active clients
and could be used to help free those under her
obligations. Some of that strictly depends on what you’ve
done on the side in town, and perhaps what you’d like to
do. Searching around the room will reveal that Syndy likely
sleeps in the egg sac and that “guests” sleep in the nasty
bed. There is a book next to the bed with guests’ names in
it. This too could help identify clients and lead to some
follow up adventures. With some Medium Checks the
Players should find a few things of note, I’d put potions
and scrolls in here that have a darker tone to them. Maybe
even some troublesome temporary side effects. Things
like a healing potion that also causes mild paranoia. A
scroll of Web that causes more eyes to form on the players
forehead. Things like that.
Destroy the Room: Also always a possibility. I’d let them go
nuts and destroy it all. Although I’d make some checks
along the way to see how much attention this gains. If
they’re too loud, send some guards, just enough to harass
them. Destroying the implements in the room should
weaken Syndy for the final confrontation.
Hazard: Syndy’s Traps
In General, Syndy is a rather paranoid creature and so she
has laid a number of traps in this room to protect her
belongings.
Webs: The Webs throughout the Lair do function as an
alert system. The ones in here more so. Any significant
contact should result in swarms of spiders coming out of
every nook and craney to attack the players.
The Broken Seal: This ward works just fine, and only looks
broken. It will cast Phantasmal Force on everyone in the
room. If thye fail their saves they will believe they are
being attacked by Syndy herself.
Cursed Belongings: Syndy has put a Hex on her belongings
in this chamber. anyone carrying items out of here will
suffer disadvantage on Attacks, Saving Throws, and Skill
Checks.
Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023 7
 ACT 2: The Web Ward
Act 1 and 2 blend together quite a bit. Act 2 Really
begins once they destroy all the skulls they find while
Exploring the lair. Each of the three is located in a
different environment, with different guardians, and
different circumstances. Each with a black candle
emitting eerie red light. They will look similar to the
ones they’ve already found near the entrance. The major
difference is that these are magical points that keep the
Ward in Location 12 active. Once they have destroyed
each of these they will have brought down the ward.
However, that will not be a simple task. Each skull has a
unique guardian that isn’t going to just allow the players
to freely attack the skulls.
Skull One is in Location 3) The Egg Room
Skull Two is in Location 5) Acrid Pool
Skull Three is in Location 9) Ettercap Nest
12) Ward Chamber
You take one look into this room and immediately feel the
sensation of powerful magic. There is a large warding circle on
the floor in front of the passage to the south. There are three
pillars surrounding it. (They are lit with the corresponding
number of skulls out there lit) The circle is flanked on each side
by a stone spider statue. They do not appear to be fully
animated, but as you observe the room you hear the grinding of
stone and watch their heads turn toward you.
Possible Player Actions
Examine the Room: Easy and Medium checks can be made
to tell them what they already know. That the fixtures in
this room combine to form a deadly trap. They may even
realize that the statues shoot webs and release poison
clouds. Hard Arcana checks will tell them whether it is
safe to pass or not. If all the skulls have been dealt with,
then it is safe to pass. If not they could attempt to press
their luck with the trap and ward.
Attacking or Disabling the Room: I would allow this but it
would require a series of Very Hard Checks, using both
Physical and Magical abilities. Any failures at all set the
mechanisms off.
Passing Into the Next Room: If the wars are down then this
happens without issue. If they are up, then they’ll find
themselves having to deal with the traps of the room.
Hazard: Lair Ward and Stone Spiders
If the trap is set into motion several things begin to
happen. First the pillars around the ward begin spraying
webbing. One over the north exit, one over the south, and
one around the room. (Webbing has an AC of 12 and
50hp) The pillars restore 25hp each round and make the
area difficult terrain. The players may attack the webbing
over the doorways, but the easiest way to deal with it is to
destroy the pillars (AC of 14 and 20hp). Compounding the
difficulty of the room are the Spider Statues. They will
spray poison clouds that fills the room doing 2d6 Poison
Damage (Hard Constitution Save for Half), and add an
additional 2d6 every round the trap is active.
8 Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023
13) Vamp-Spider Lair
Beyond the Ward is a large cavern with a series of downward
cliffs, dropping about 80’ before exiting out a tunnel below.
Thick heavy webs cross-cross this room. Cocooned bodies of
both folk and beasts hang in the webbing. Most of the cocoons
look to have been here for some time as a thick layer of dust
has settled on the cobwebbing. What did these poor souls trade
to suffer such a fate? As you ponder this question you begin to
hear a familiar sounding harp playing from the tunnel below.
Player Actions
Head Toward the Sound: Hearing the Harp will likely spur
them into action. Though it may not. If they linger, have
them make an Easy Charisma Saving Throw against
Charm. Those who fail, can be easily shaken out of it.
Examine the Cocoons: There are dozens of cocoons in
here, I’d even put a small dragon shaped one webbed up
against the ceiling if they start poking around. Doing so
will distract them from some of the others and dial the
tension level up. What else is in here? Various other
beings and creatures that have crossed the Hag and she
has fed to her pets. Oh, Marisilla and her family are here
as well, recovering from their last battle. They should be
about half restored at the moment. I would only have the
players find them if they are being very thorough.
However, the longer they stay in here the more intense the
Harp’s playing will become, calling for more saves. If they
do end up fighting the Vamp-Spiders that will aid them in
the final battle.
Encounter: Marisilla
This shouldn’t be a complicated fight. In fact it may even
be the only fight that the players will have the upper hand.
The Vamp-Spiders have retreated to their Cocoons
(Coffins) to regenerate after being defeated by the players
before. This will leave them in surprised and weakened
condition should the team actually find them. They will
have to awaken and crawl out of their cocoons before they
can attack, which should give the Players a round before
real combat begins. However once the fighting starts the
Vamp-Spiders will waste no time employing dangerous
tactics such as throwing players off ledges and letting the
fall kill them if possible.
ACT 3: Harp Concert
Once they drop the wards and move past the Cocoons
they’ll be able to progress into the final chamber, a
Ritual Room where Syndy is playing the Harp. She is
using it to open a rift into the Hells, which is never good
for players. They will begin their confrontation here, but
it won’t stay here. Once the players enter the room she
will flee out the back door while creatures from The
Abyss manifest into the chamber. One of them will be
Shoundra, the Shadow Demon from Sorrow Song.
Shoundra will continue playing the Harp while the
forces coming through the portal will run interference.
They’ll need to stop her then chase Syndy down the
tunnel and into the pit.
14) Dark Sanctum
This chamber is a dome of worked stone and feels ancient. The
floor is one massive dark arcane circle with red glowing
symbols carved into it. Syndy is here playing the harp. Her
arachnid features are extremely hard to read, but the predatory
smile on her face is unmistakable. “You think you’ve won
because you’ve slain my minions and found me here.” She
laughs. A wretched chittering sound. “All you’ve done is
present yourselves to pay our debts to a power you can’t
possibly comprehend. And for that I thank you!” She steps
away from the harp slinking toward the back of the room, but it
keeps playing. The shadows are playing it! No… a particular
shadow is playing it. Shoundra. The Shadow Demon insincerely
thanks you as Syndy slips out a secret door behind her. “We
won’t ever be able to thank you enough for all you’ve done for
us.” And with one discordant strum tears in reality form around
the room and demons begin crawling through.
Encounter: Shoundra and the Harp
This is a wave style encounter with demons showing up
every round. Shouldra will continue to play the Harp
which is keeping the portals open. Every round the Harp
will also force a save against Fear and Slow. It should be
pretty obvious that the Harp is the Epicenter of the
problems and lead them to attack it. If they do not there is
a very strong possibility of a TPK. Every round brings in
low level demons and a challenging one. The CR of the
bigger demon should increase every round they fail to
stop the harp. To end the fight they can either destroy the
Harp or Shoundra, which the other Demons will be
working hard to prevent. The Demons will use all their
ailities to keep them away from the Harp. Adjust for your
team, but the Harp should be immune to non-magical
attacks with an AC of 12 and 100hp. Once it is stopped
the portals close and what’s left will disappear. They will
have to kill Shoundra. She won’t just poof away.
Likely Player Actions
Follow Syndy: After the fight they can search for the secret
door and chase down Sydny. It shouldn’t be too hard to
find the secret door. They know it is there, so the only
issue is how long does it take them to get it open.
15) Escape Tunnel
You enter a web filled tunnel and are standing on a ledge that
slopes downward and disappears into darkness below. From
somewhere in the darkness you can hear slurping sounds and
soft whispers, it moves on its own and shadowy tentacles
writhe in your direction.
Likely Player Actions
Navigate the Tunnel: They can climb across the walls or
attempt to find a creative way to get across. The tunnel
has a number of hand holds and places they could get a
rope and grappling hook into. This should not be hard,
but it could be frustratingly time consuming.
Investigate the Darkness: While it feels like something akin
to the Hunger of Hadar, the darkness is only an illusionary
trick designed to slow down pursuit. Think of it as a
blanket that covers the lower passage. It does present
sound, so if they are trying to cross it and someone falls
through, they cannot call back up for help. The ledge only
drops down about 30’ and can be carefully walked down.
A Hard Perception Check will reveal the illusion.
Swim: The only way out is undert the water. I would have
them make one or two Constitution Saving Trows for
Dramatic Tension.
ACT 4: The Last Thread
We’re about to close the doors on Syndy. Unfortunately,
The final battle wont be an easy one. She has fled back
to the main shaft and this will very quickly become a
three dimensional fight as Syndy will be up in the webs
and using the entire shaft to her advantage.
Furthermore, she won’t be alone. Marisilia and her
family will join in fighting off the players.
Confronting Syndy
You come up from the water bellow to find yourself at the
bottom of the main shaft. Syndy is clinging to a web about
halfway up. She hisses is anger as she spots you. “So this is
what we’ve come to. Let us get to it then shall we!” She begins
casting a spell. She shrieks in furious rage as she pulls her
magic from the webs and stones around her.
Encounter: The Spider Hag
Syndy isn’t cornered but she has too much pride to
believe she can’t win this fight. The players have been
through several ordeals now, are surely hurt, and likely
very low on resources. And so the Hag will sit in the
middle of her webs and taunt them. She is still hurt from
the previous fight in the last chapter and may even
attempt to bargain with them, though breaking her
contracts won’t be something she’ll do easily. Now this
may be a fight that the players cannot win, and as this is
the end of the campaign it will be a great place for a
glorious death. Don’t be afraid to allow them to kill Syndy
and thus end her reign of terror, but still succumb to
Marisilla and her vamp-spider family or the environment
around them. This is a Horror Campaign after all, and no
one really wins, not really. …
Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023 9
 Encounter: The Spider Hag (cont)
Tactics wise Syndy will use her spells, the terrain, and her
lair actions keep the players at a distance as best she can.
She will also attempt to restrain and knock the players
from whatever they are standing on, forcing them to make
Dex and Str types of saves and checks pretty regularly.
Once they do begin to close in on her or start relying on
ranged attacks she will summon her Vamp-Spider thralls
to defend her.
The fastest but most deadly way to end this is the self
sacrifice play and them burning the webs. Now, it has
already been mentioned that this is a bad idea for the
players, at least as far as their survivability. But they may
have forsaken that at this point. If they light the webs up,
Syndy should react in a mad panic, and be consumed by
the flames. If you want to let them get killing blows in on
her, have her plummet down to them. However, they
should not be able to simply escape the burning lair. Near
Impossible Checks should be made, not only to avoid fire
damage but to be able to continue to breathe as the entire
cavern fills with smoke. And since they are likely at the
near bottom of the lair… they cannot get out.
Syndy’s Enhanced Lair Actions
These actions Replace Syndy’s Stat Block Lair Actions.
1. Entangling Webs: Syndy shoots lines of heavy webbing in
multiple directions. She can target up to eight creatures or
objects. A Medium Dexterity Save must be made in order
to avoid becoming grappled. If they are hit twice they
become restrained. A Strength Save can be made to
escape. These webs Can anchor from wall to wall as well.
2. Hypnotice Pattern: Sydny Spins a glittering web in the air.
Those in line of sight must make an Intelligence Saving
Trow or become Hypnotized as the spell Hypnotic Pattern
3. Swarming Spiders: Spiderlings swarm down any Web
Strands or Walls Available and attack any creatures Syndy
dirrects them to. A Medium Constitution Saving Throw
must be made or the targets take 2d4 Poison Damage and
are poisoned. They can attempt to save again at the end of
their turns. This Lair action can be disabled if the players
already fought the Spiderlings in the Shaft.
4. Curse of Darkness: Darkness only moderately obscures the
area causing Disadvantage on attack rolls for the round.
This Lair action can be disabled if the Players have settled
the Spirits in Syndy’s Lair.
5. Grasping Dark Roots: Syndy can call upon the Dark Roots if
the Players did not destroy them. Anyone within 15’ of the
walls must make a Medium Constitution Saving Throw or
have their Max Hp drained by 2d4. Syndy is Healed for
half the amount drained.
10 Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023
SKILL CHALLENGE: Escape
Once the Hag is dead the lair will begin collapsing in on
itself. Whomever is still alive will surely want to fight their
way to the exit if possible. This will initiate a multiple roll
Skill Challenge that should have increasingly difficult DCs. If
the cavern is on fire things should be even worse, and
almost certainly should force enough saves and damage to
kill some of the players along the way.
1. The Main Shaft begins collapsing! Dexterity Saving Throw
as Rocks Fall (Bludgeoning Damage)
2. Allow them to use Skills and Abilities to begin their escape
3. The Main Shaft and Tunnels continue collapsing! Webs
are snapping as boulders plummet and break them.
Increasing risk of falling and lashing around the room like
whips. Saving Throws as Rocks Fall (Bludgeoning
Damage). Saving Throws as webs lash out (Slashing
Damage).
4. Allow them to use Skills and Abilities to continue their
Escape.
5. The sides of the tunnels begin to cave in. Debris is falling
everywhere. All areas becomes Difficult Terrain. Saving
Throws as Rocks Fall (Bludgeoning Damage). Saving
Throws tumbling stones and rock slides threaten to knock
them off their feet and bury them (Bludgeoning Damage).
6. Allow them to use Skills and Abilities to continue their
Escape.
7. The Entrance Tunnel (Location 1) completely collapses.
They can make a Very Hard Athletics or Acrobatics Check
to dive through it if they’re quick. Saving Throws as Rocks
Fall (Bludgeoning Damage).
8. The collapse subsides. Any fire has spread to the Tree
above. The Lair has completely caved in. Allow them to
use Skills and Abilities to possibly rescue those who
“almost” made it. If the tree is on fire they must make
appropriate saves and take fire damage.
9. Allow them to use Skills and Abilities to reach the exit. If
they survived they can flee the tree back out into the park.
CLOSING
It is likely that some, if not all of the Players have died
either in the fight or during the escape attempt. If you do
have survivors the first thing they’ll notice is the
Shadow Fey area that overlaps the park is beginning to
dissipate and daylight is shining through. Now there are
two ideal ways to end this for the survivors. They either
make it back safely earning their promised rewards, and
that is a wonderful way to close out the story. Or, in
classic horror movie style, they escape with their lives
only to have something else tragic happen.
If you are allowing them to leave rather than ending
their stories here, they can stumble back out into the
Park and then into the city. From there they will make
their way back to Persephone and the Baby. No signs of
the Shadow Fey will be left in the Park, which you need
to make sure they realize it is a big win for the city. Even
if they’re dead they’re heroes. We will close the
adventure with a cut-scene. If you are choosing to
continue playing, still give them the cut-scene and then
move on however you see fit. Make sure to adjust it if
Persephone has died already. I would suggest a “happy”
adventure or two. They’ve earned it.
But I do really like the idea of one or two of them
crawling out of the burning tree back into the Shadow
Fey, and having their happy ending snatched from them.
It is classic Gothic Horror storytelling. Terribly burned,
completely exhausted, and on Death’s very doorstep…
but alive. There is an initial feeling of relief. A feeling
that is quickly yanked away. But what happens then?
Are they captured by Dark Fey? The curse has been
lifted, but as the Shadow Fey dissolves around them
does it take them with it? Are there vengeful demons
left from the ritual that drag them into the Abyss? Do
Syndy’s sisters come for them? Maybe an agent of
Aberrant Black or some other NPC they’ve crossed
shows up to deal with them? Lots of possibilities. They
should still get the ending Cutscene, particularly in this
case. It’ll help them still feel like they won, even if
they’re dead.
However you end it. I hope it is something you and your
players love.
REWARDS
As this is the “end” of the campaign, Rewards can feel a
bit empty. But I have a few recommendations. You can
always give their new characters some “Legacy” items.
Rewards for the new run! They do not need to be
connected to this story, but something for the players to
feel that sense of accomplishment. If you’re continuing
on, then reward them in a way that makes sense for
where you’re headed next.
Whatever the case, I highly recommend doing a brief
epilogue describing how each of your players changed
the city for the good. This is again a great place to
highlight the restoration of Callington Park. Remind
them that they broke up a slave trafficking ring, freed
some trapped spirits, ended the shadow curse of Song
Dell, and even rescued some civil servants from the
Sewers. They accomplished a lot. Tragedy has a way of
clouding over achievements. Remind them of those high
point moments.
Ending Cut-scene
A beam of sunlight breaks through into
the bedroom window. It has a natural,
pure feel to it. The screams of pain and
terror that filled the night slow to
whimpers, then murmurs, and then
nothing but soft breathing. A clean
breath of air takes over the room and
Persephone’s eyes flutter open, filling
with tears. She is older, aged
unnaturally. Her youth is gone, but her
ailments remain vanquished and she is
alive. The baby, now nearly two years past
newborn, unlatches from her breast and
begins to giggle and coo. Vaemond races
to their side. He gather’s Persephone’s
head to his chest and allows the babe to
grasp his finger. Her champions did it.
Against all odds, they lifted the curse.
The “young” family weeps in relief
together in their private chambers. And
for just a brief moment. A fleeting
moment. A moment that feels like a
treasured island of happiness drifting
through the dark sea that is Deleran’s
Crossing. They have peace. Soon after,
her father enters the room and cheers
with joy to see his girl alive and awake.
Servants come and begin attending to
their needs. They help her up and begin
to change the sheets and help the new
mother into less bedraggled clothing.
One moves to the window and throws it
and the curtains open. Sunlight, fresh
wholesome sunlight, pours in. As she
turns back into the room a large black
cat jumps onto the window sill. It begins
to lick its paws and bathe itself, purring
loudly. It watches and begins waiting. It
made a deal and now must wait. And
waiting is of no real consequence. It
leaps to the bed and rubs its head against
mother and child, purring all the
louder. Afterall, what is a handful of
years in comparison to the eons to come?
THE END…
Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023 11
 THANKS FOR PLAYING
I do want to take one last moment to sincerely thank you for playing an AOG Adventure. It means a lot to me as a
creator. If you enjoyed it please leave me some comments on wherever you found this adventure. You can support
more content like this by subscribing to our Patreon. AMPLUS ORDO GAMES

DELERAN’S CROSSING CAMPAIGN GUIDE

A Town of Tragedy Campaign Guide

A TOUCH OF BLACK ADVENTURE CAMPAIGM

Warehouse of Woe
Condemned

The Haunting of House Trellu

Black Taxes
A Candle In The Window

The Shadows of Song Dell

Pitiful Little Things

Along Came The Spider

Aberrant Born

Lair of the Spider Hag

COMING SOON: The Full Campaign Guide! (Once I Compile, Update, and Re-Edit It)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To the Long History of Open Gaming that allows our adventures to be written system neutral.
The folks at WotC, Paizo, Kobold Press, and others publishing with Creative Commons and Open Licenses.
Original story written by Amplus Ordo Games
All Maps and Handouts were done by Designers at AOG using Inkarnate
PDF Formatting done using The Homebrewery
12 Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023
 MAPS,LORE, AND MORE
Notes, Lore, Stories, Handouts, Maps, & Statblocks
D&D is a complicated dance of information and imagination. I've often found a lot of
trouble seeing someone else's vision in what they have written. Having put out dozens
of adventures now, we at the AOG have figured out that what we see isn't always what
you see. And while that is absolutely wonderful when it spawns creativity... it is
absolutely tragic when it breeds confusion.

We understand that we have a specific and sometimes unique way of presenting

infgormation, and so we've included the following items to help clear up some of that
confusion.

You probably won't find sections like these in our "Year One" or "Quick Shot"
Adventures, as those are designed to flow without a lot of extra information. But
when it comes to our Bigger Releases we'll typically include quite a bit of extra
information to bring some clarity to our thinking, to further expand on our vision,
and hopefully add fuel to your own.

I think that's about all you need to know about this section.

And as always Thank You for playing with us!

Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023 13

 PLAYING AN AOG ADVENTURE: THE BASICS
Homebrewed World
First off, almost all my adventures are set in my Homebrew World of Taalist, particularly the Continent of Krenshad.
Which the majority of has a very Gothic Art and Renaissance Period cultural feel to it. With some Greek and Middle
Eastern Cultre from various time periods thrown in there for flavor. That said… Almost all of my Adventures can be
easily ported into your location of choice. If you would like to play in Taalist my Campaign Guide (All 150+ Pages of it)
can be accessed on our Discord.
The Lay Out
I divide my adventures into “Acts”. An Act doesn’t necessarily reflect an amount of time, but more of an important
series of events or locations. Some Acts may take 5 minutes, some 5 hours. Why? I dunno, ask the players who over
complicate simple matters and simplify the overly complex.
Skill Check DCs
I don’t spend a lot of time defining DCs as I play with a bit wider scale of success and failures. What does that mean?
For reference the DC scale in 5E looks like this…. Very Easy DC 5, Easy DC 10, Medium DC 15, Hard DC 20, Very
Hard DC 25, Nearly Impossible DC 30. When I list a DC, I will tell you it is Hard. But Hard for one party may be easy
for another so I leave the actual number value up to you. I also play with a “Success but with Consequences” mentality.
That means if they get close they still accomplish their goal, but there is a “but” to that success. An Example? Hard
Stealth DC is 20, they roll an 18, I tell them “You sneak past the guard you see, but the guard you didn’t see heard
something and is headed your way.” I think it adds more to the story that way.
Search Checks
I often reference Search Checks. What is a Search Check? When the players want to “search” something or for
something I let them use either Investigation or Perception. I know that isn’t RAW but it just makes things so much
easier. I got real tired of explaining to players who have been playing with me for years the difference between the
two… just let them look for stuff!
Treasure Sizes
Every game is different. So I do not usually list out treasures. Instead I use the follwing terms to assign value not size
to the treasure Petty, Small, Medium, Large, Huge. Often I will use a combination of them. You can decide how best to
fulfill that for your party.
Identify Rules
I use a different style of Identify. Items in my world have a Knowledge DC on them (Arcana, Religion, History, and
Nature). I allow the player to use an appropriate Check on an item to identify it. The Identify Spell adds a +10 to this. It
can be upcast for additional +5 bonuses. Depending on the score of the Check I give them different information. Some
information is extremely hard to obtain, for example Curses are well hidden behind DCs that are at least DC 30, often
much higher.
Opening Cutscene
I like to start my games with an Opening Cutscene which is read before anything else happens. These are usually
really vague bits of information that give a glimpse into something that will maybe happen later, happened before the
adventure, or is story adjacent to it. I have found these to be great tools to set the mood and create a little mystery.
Setting, Background Info, and Hooks
These portions can be used as you see fit. Each one is a little different, so it is hard for me to say how best to use them.
Some will play better if you can get them into the hands of the players before the game. Others may have better
influence when read just after the Cutscene. Some are really only relevant to moments in the story. But as in all things
you do what is best for your game! That is always the way to go.
Skill Challenges
I use the idea of Skill Challenges a lot. What is that? It is an event in the game that isn’t quite an encounter and it isn’t
a simple skill check. It is a problem they solve with their whole skill set. Typically they must get three successes before
three failures in order to succeed in a skill check. The thing about a Skill challenge is they’re are vague on purpose to
allow players to be creative in solving a problem. An example may help here.
DM says “Your Boat is taking on water. What would you like to do?”
Player 1 responds with “I use my carpentry tools to fix the hole” and they make a Tool Check. But they roll a 2 so
they fail. Too much water.
Player 2 says “ wants to row harder with the crew to get us toward shore faster” They make an Athletics Check and
roll an 18. So that is a success.
Player 3 “I use Destroy Water to get water out” OK, well it only destroys 10 gallons so it isn’t super helpful, but the
momentary reprieve allows a little drywork to happen and allow player 1 to reroll.
14 Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023
NPCs
Lady Persephone of House
Trellu of Balinovia
House Trellu is a powerful Noble family in the nation of
Balinovia, the city of Beurnoli specifically. They, like
most nobles, maintain their wealth by owning land and
collecting rent. The recent passing of a cousin who held
both land and title in Deleran’s Crossing has opened
some interesting doors for them. Balinovia is at war
with the Blood Axe Orcs to the North and their chances
of keeping the Orcs at bay are not good. Barnabus
Trellu, the current head of House Trellu has sent his
eldest daughter Persephone to manage the properties
and put them in an order worthy of House Trellu.
Persephone is a remarkable woman in many ways. As
an infant she contracted the Pox, a disease that ravaged
her body leaving her blind, and confined to a
wheelchair. She has never let her disabilities define her.
Now in her mid twenties, she has a sharp mind and a
remarkable insight. She has proven herself time and
again in both social situations and business. She has a
no nonsense personality, that some consider cold and
calculating. She is a fine looking woman of natural
beauty, but does not allow Marsilia, her handmaid, to
apply makeup or do anything more than a simple braid
with her hair. She wears a simple scarlet blindfold to
cover her eyes, as their empty pale milky color often
puts people off, and not in a way that benefits
negotiations.
Potential Dark Secret: Persephone does not have many
desires. She accepted her life as a child and does not
often live with wishes or regrets. She does, however,
have one. She wants children herself, but her physicians
have informed her that such a thing is impossible. The
Pox took that from her as well. Still, the heart wants
what the heart wants. Shortly, before her Aunt’s death
she received a letter from her. That letter hinted that
someone in Deleran’s Crossing had the power to help
her conceive a child, maybe even recover fully. Shortly
afterward, another letter appeared. This one from an
unknown sender. It claimed that they could indeed help
Persephone, but blood would have to be spilled,
beginning with her Aunt. If she was willing to earn her
cure then she should put a black candle in the window
and burn the letter at midnight.
She hasn’t fooled herself into thinking this arrangement
isn’t without danger. She knows the force behind it is
likely a Fiend or a Hag. No matter, one week later a
candle had been purchased, a letter burned, and Auntie
Zanetta passed away unexpectedly. Persephone has
come to do family business, and with any luck start one
of her own.
DM Notes: Persephone is a main protagonist for the
early adventures in A Town of Tragedy. There should be
a certain amount of mystery surrounding her, enough to
create suspicion but not so much that the players turn
on her. I will be using her Dark Secret as the story
builds, but intend for her to be more of a tragic figure as
things develop.
Marsilia Baralini
When one uses the word Handmaiden it conjures
pictures of young maidens in plain dresses attending
much older women. In this case the picture is turned
about. Marsilia has been many things to Persephone
Trellu. Nursemaid, Nanny, Governess, and
Handmaiden. She is a middle aged woman of proper
bearing. She holds herself as a lady of class, although
she has no claim to any titles herself. She has been a
loyal servant to the Trellu family since she was a
scullery maid in their kitchens as a child. She was
married a long time ago, but the same Pox that took
Persephone’s eyes and legs stole her husband and two
children. She has always looked after Persephone as
her own, and has never let that attachment show in an
inappropriate way. She is also the young woman’s
personal bodyguard, Handmaidens in Balinovia are not
simply responsible for dresses and makeup. They are
trained combatants responsible for protecting their
charges with their very lives.
Potential Dark Secret: Marsilia was contacted by the
Hag before Aunt Zanetta’s letter arrived. Zanetta had no
intention of luring Persephone into a contract with a
Hag, but the vile creature was made aware of the
situation and decided to take advantage. Afterall, broken
hearts are the most fertile grounds for empty promises.
Marsilia was promised a second chance with her family.
She has made that arrangement. Though the price for
her family is steep and may be more than she can bear.
Marsilia is to help the Hag lure Persephone into a soul
forfeiting deal. Once done, Marsilia and her family will
be restored and allowed to carry on with their lives in a
demi-plane recreation of Beurnoli before the Pox came.
DM Notes: Marsilia is in way over her head, but so far is
holding the course. There should be minimal hinting at
her Dark Secret until the actual reveal. She is truly torn
by this decision, and will still fight desperately to keep
Persephone safe. She still thinks of her as a daughter,
but she still wants her family back. So the loyalty is one
part needing Persephone alive and one part actually
caring. Either way Marsilia is not slotted for a happy
ending.
Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023 15
 Syndy Spinsister, Hag of The
Night Circle
Syndy and her sisters are ancient and powerful hags
who settled into the Stolegard forest around Deleran’s
Crossing after the Pentad War. When the Weave
Drought took magic from the hands of mortals their
coven infiltrated the City and began doing what Hags do
best, broker deals with beings whose wants outgrow
their sensibilities. The hags have divided up the aspects
of the city amongst themselves. Syndy, is the Hag of the
Downtrodden. She dwells in the ruined Park and
forests of the city and walk through the overgrown
yards, using her spider minions to keep a constant flow
of information coming to her. She usually takes the
form of Cynthia Duprang, a middle aged woman from
the lower aristocracy. Cynthia is an average looking
human woman with dishwater blond hair with small
streaks of gray forming. She has dull green eyes, a
welcoming smile, and the healthy, yet attractive figure of
a woman who has led a full life. Cynthia is extremely
disarming and pleasant to be around.
Oma’s true form is the stuff of nightmares. She, like
most hags, has many features of the stereotypical
folklore witch. A bent posture, wrinkly warted skin, long
scraggly gray hair. But that is where the similarities end.
She has four arms and four legs. Her hands and feet
each have eight digits. Four fingers where you would
expect them and four more opposite her palm where a
normal beings wrist would connect to the hand. Her
wrists instead join at the back of her palm and can
unnaturally rotate. She wears a filthy black silken gown
that does not cover her sagging granny bits, and a ratty
belt from which numerous pouches hang. Beneath he
scant wardrobe one can clearly see a spider like
spinneret in her lower abdomen. She has twelve eyes
scattered across forehead and arachnid mandibles in
place of a mouth. She typically crawls about on all eight
limbs, but is just as quick when she rears up on her legs
in order to cast spells. Her skin is a dark decomposing
gray color and covered in countless pussing wounds
where multiple spider colonies nest inside of her. She
can naturally climb walls as the spell spider climb and
can attack anyone within 5’ of her with the spiders living
in her as a free action in a similar fashion to the
infestation spell.
Vaemond Maleris, 2nd Son of
the Maleris Family of Coldrock
Vaemond is a pleasant young man with dashing
features, deep brown eyes, a finely trimmed black
mustache, and dark swept back hair. He is a dutiful son
to both family and business, and has been courting
Persephone for some time now and will have proposed
marriage the night before the adventure begins.
16 Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023
Don Galvini Trellu
Persephone’s father has come to town. He is a thicker
human man in his mid fifties. And while not physically
intimidating he casts a long shadow and has an
imposing presence. Back in Balinovia he is infamous a
Maffioso ad force to be rekoned with. Here in Deleran’s
Crossing is is simply a wealthy father who does not care
much for his future son in law.
NPC Group
THE NIGHT CIRCLE
There are few things more unsettling or more
dangerous in the world than a coven of powerful Hags.
There is no doubt that there is such a coven lurking in
and pulling the strings on the town of Deleran’s
Crossing. They have divided the area amongst
themselves and each controls a different aspect of the
city. One manages the forests around Deleran’s
Crossing, her reach extending far beyond the immediate
woodlands, from there she twists the natural into the
unnatural. Another has embedded herself into the upper
class, aristocracy, and leadership of the town, loving the
backstabbing and treachery people in power engage in.
The last has happily chosen the downtrodden souls
whose misery she revels in, and takes great pleasure in
compounding. Together they form the coven the locals
whisper about as the Night Circle. The people are
terrified of the coven, though no real proof of its
existence has ever been presented. They simply know
and understand that such things lurk in their shadows.
Children are warned against making wishes, and adults
dare not speak dark desires out loud. Those who
commit dark deeds often watch over their shoulders.
But the truth is, although the coven loves to take
advantage of such situations, and will happily bargain
with those who desire their help, they are often far more
subtle than the citizens would imagine. They play long
games of influence and debt and have their claws deep
into the hearts of the people, who are oftentimes
completely unaware.
LOCATIONS
The Stolregard Barony and
Deleran’s Crossing
Let us begin with the Nation itself. Once a thriving part
of Cetnovia, The Barony was founded long ago after
land and title for the Eastern forests of Cetnovia were
granted to Deleran Callington as reward for stopping
the Kren Empire from using the Throne of Bones to
dominate Cetnovia. It was later split off from Cetnovia
after some near cataclysmic disasters. Nestled in the
rocky foothills and valleys of the Stolregard mountains,
the barony is a land with deep old growth forests. It was
once a shining jewel in the world but centuries of
struggle have dimed its light. The Gray Wood is now
filled with dark creatures and foreboding mystery.
The Capital City of Stolregard, Deleran’s Crossing is
nestled deep in the foothills of the Stolregard
Mountains and surrounded by dark and foreboding
Gray Wood forest. Even in these late years and dark
times it is still a sight to behold. The city is built upon a
cliffed island surrounded by a series of ridges and dells
cut out of the land by the Cold Rock River. The ruling
seat, Castle Skystone, sits just above the higher points
of the city on a plateau along the town’s northern edge.
At first glance Deleran’s Crossing appears to be
something out of a storybook, upon closer inspection it
more closely resembles a Shakespearean tragedy.
Being a resident here is difficult, and life is pretty
dismal. Despair and hopelessness are as common in
town as rats and roaches. Low level violence and petty
crime are a daily occurrence. The people do what they
have to do to survive both physically and emotionally.
The Nation of Balinovia And
The City of Beurnoli
This is Persephone’s home, and worth mentioning as a
backdrop to her life. Balinovia has an Italian feel to it,
particularly when it comes to social and familial culture.
Sadly, it is a land of extreme selfishness, most everyone
there is looking out for themselves first and themselves
second. And who could blame them? The nation is run
by a former Pirate who wrangled the nobility under his
thumb with the promises of riches or blood. They chose
riches. It likely won’t last though. There are tens of
thousands of Orcs from the Blood Axe Dominion
building up on their northern borders. Balinovia has
managed to keep them at bay thus far, but sooner or
later the Orcs will break the lines and sweep through
the land.
Buernoli is a good sized city of tens of thousands
nestled on the north side of the Thundering River, and
is a valuable industrial center, and produces much of
the nations arms and armor. The surrounding area is
hilly and rich with minerals, though most of the major
mining operations are across the river in the mountains.
It is covered with small farms producing grain and
livestock. There are also a fair amount of vineyards
here, though the land isn’t as well suited to growing
grapes as the towns to the southwest are. It would be
extremely picturesque if it weren’t for the pollution.
Buernoli itself is filthy, the streets are filled with trash
from large amount of industry that dominates the town.
The waste has tainted the river and forges have filled
the sky with smoke. The wealthy live well outside the
city in hillside villas where they can ignore the decay
happening in town.
Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023 17
 Syndy Spinster
Medium fiend, Lawful evil
Rolb, Gargantuan Spider
Huge beast, Servant of Sydny
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 120 (12d10 + 50)
Speed 40 ft. Armor Class 15
Hit Points 80 (2d8 + 2)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Speed 50 ft., climb 50 ft.
21 (+5) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 15 (+2)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
12 (+1) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 3 (-4) 12 (+1) 4 (-3)
Saving Throws Con +5
Skills Deception +5, Perception +5 Skills Perception +3, Stealth +7
Damage Resistances cold Senses blindsight 10 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15 13
Languages Common, Beast, Sylvan Languages —
Proficiency Bonus +5 Proficiency Bonus +2
Actions
Multiattack. Syndy makes one Bite & Two Claw attacks Spider Climb. The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability
15 (1d4 + 4) piercing damage and 7 (2d6) poison damage. check.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Web Sense. While in contact with a web, the spider knows the
Hit: 15 (3d6 + 4) slashing damage. exact location of any other creature in contact with the same
Restraining Web. As a Bonus Action Syndy shoots webs out as a web.
Ranged Attack: +8 to hit, reach 30 ft., one target. Hit: The target Web Walker. The spider ignores movement restrictions caused
is grappled and restrained (escape DC 15) if it is a Large or by webbing.
smaller creature. Actions
Frightful Presence: Creatures of Syndy’s choice that are within
120 feet and aware of her must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom Multiattack. Rolb makes one Bite & One Web Attack Bite. Melee
saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 15 (3d6
can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, + 6) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 15
ending the effect on itself on a success. If the save is Constitution saving throw, taking 13 (4d6) poison damage on a
successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If the
her Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours. poison damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target is
stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit points,
and is paralyzed while poisoned in this way.
Spellcasting. The hag casts one of the following spells. Restraining Web. Rolb shoots webs out as a Ranged Attack: +8
Charisma is her spellcasting ability (spell save DC 14): to hit, reach 30 ft., one target. Hit: The target is grappled and
3/day each: disguise self, Fog cloud restrained (escape DC 15) if it is a Large or smaller creature.
At Will: Eldritch Blast 3 Blasts Sneaky Spider Can bonus action Dash, Disengage, or hide
1st (4): identify, ray of sickness, Helish Rebuke (R)
2nd (3): hold person, locate object, locate creature, Misty Step
(B), Darkness
3rd (3): bestow curse, counterspell, lightning bolt, Vamp Touch
4th (3): phantasmal killer, polymorph, Sickening Radiance
5th (2): contact other plane, scrying, Negative Energy Flood
6th (1): eyebite, circle of death

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

If Syndy fails a Save, she can choose to succeed instead.
Legendary Action
Syndy can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options
below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time
and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Syndy regains
spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.
Lair Action
On initiative cout 20 (losing ties), Sydny causes one of the
following effects. She can’t use the same effect two rounds in a
row and is immune to her own lair effects. Effects last 1 round.
Creates Darkness in the entire tree.
Casts a Web Spell that fills the interior of the tree.
Summons a swarm of spiderlings that do 2d4 damage to
targets of her choice inside the tree.

18 Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023

The Stolregard Barony
NOTES
Once a thriving part of Cetnovia, The Barony was founded long ago after land and title for the Eastern forests of
Cetnovia were granted to Deleran Callington as reward for stopping the Kren Empire from using the Throne of Bones
to dominate Cetnovia. It was later split off from Cetnovia after some near cataclysmic disasters. Nestled in the rocky
foothills and valleys of the Stolregard mountains, the barony is a land with deep old growth forests. It was once a
shining jewel in the world but centuries of struggle have dimed its light. The Gray Wood is now filled with dark
creatures and foreboding mystery.
The Capital City of Stolregard, Deleran’s Crossing is nestled deep in the foothills of the Stolregard Mountains and
surrounded by dark and foreboding Gray Wood forest. Even in these late years and dark times it is still a sight to
behold. The city is built upon a cliffed island surrounded by a series of ridges and dells cut out of the land by the Cold
Rock River. The ruling seat, Castle Skystone, sits just above the higher points of the city on a plateau along the town’s
northern edge.
Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023 19
20 Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023
Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023 21
 DELERAN’S CROSSING LOCATIONS
INSTITUTIONAL BUILDINGS
1. CASTLE SKYSTONE (HR)
2. THE CHAMBER OF VOICES (HR)
3. THE CITY WATCHTOWER (HS)
4. FORT CALLINGTON (HR)
5. THE LABOR HOUSE (HS)
6. CROSSING’S SCHOOLHOUSE (HS)
7. THE SWORDS OF STOLREGARD (HR)
8. DELERAN’S CROSSING UNIVERSITY (HR)
9. WELLSTONE SANITARIUM (HR)
10. ST MARTIN’S CATHEDRAL (HR)
11. ST REMIGIUS’ (HS)
12. THE GRAVEYARD (HS)
13. ESMAY CALLINGTON ORPHANAGE (HS)
14. THE COLD ROCK PORT (HS)
15. THE TENACIOUS STUDIO (HS)
NEIGHBORHOODS & AREAS
16. THE BRONZE HALL (HS)
17. CROWN MEADOWS (OT)
18. DURRAND WINERY AND VINEYARDS (OT)
19. THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT (HS)
20. MARKET SQUARE (HS)
21. THE BARREN ORCHARD (HS)
22. BEGGAR’S HIGHWAY (HS)
23. THE DOWNS (HS)
24. THE SEWERS (OT)
25. ROADSIDE (OT)
26. SWIFT MARSH (OT)
27. GALVIN’S POND (OT)
TAVERNS & ENTERTAINMENT
28. THE COPPER CROSSING (HR)
29. DURRAND’S TAPROOM (HR)
30. FERUCHI’S GALLERY (HR)
31. HILLSIDE INN AND TAVERN (HS)
32. THE CRIMSON CURTAIN (HS)
33. THE TRAVELER’S TALE (HS)
OTHER LOCATIONS
34. CALLINGTON PARK (HR)
35. ALGREN’S TOWER (HR)
36. THE CROWN THEATER (HR)
37. ABANDONED DOCKS (OT)
38. ABRITROM QUARRY (OT)
39. STANDING STONES (OT)
40. TOWER RUINS (OT)
41. HILLSIDE GATEHOUSES (HS)
42. THE DURRAND ESTATE (HS)
43. CALLINGTON CHATEAU (HS)
44. THE GUIVERE MANSION (HS)
45. MORELY HOUSE (HS)
46. MELANIS HALL (HS)
22 Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023
HILLSIDE BUSINESSES
47. STONE-SIGHT EXPEDITIONS (HS)
48. BERNARD’S ODDS AND ENDS (HS)
49. THE CAREFUL CLEAVER (HS)
50. KARGAMON’S MAPS (HS)
51. THE BREAD BASKET (HS)
52. STICKS AND WICKS (HS)
53. THEODORE’S TEXTILES (HS)
54. LESAGE’S EMPORIUM (HS)
55. HILLSIDE GENERAL STORE (HS)
56. BOUVIER’S APOTHECARY (HS)
57. CRYSTAL CLEAR (HS)
58. BLAST-HAMMER’S (HS)
59. WINCHESTER’S WAGONS (HS)
60. PELETIER’S PELTS (HS)
61. MUMBLE’S CURIOS AND SECRETS (HS)
62. CLICKS AND GIGGLES (HR)
63. ZIPPER’S (HS)
HIGH ROAD MERCHANTS
64. GRAY OAK WONDERS (HR)
65. SOIREE (HR)
66. SHELF INDULGENCE (HR)
67. HOMESTEAD DECOR (HR)
68. A CUT ABOVE (HS)
69. HIGH ROAD ARMS AND ARMOR (HR)
70. SIMPLY ENCHANTING (HR)
71. OPULENT ACCESSORIES (HR)
72. TOUCH OF CLASS (HR)
73. THE SEWING SISTERS (HR)
TOUCH OF BLACK LOCATIONS
A) House Trellu (HS)
B) Warehouse 13 (HS)
C) The Shadow Wreck (OT)
D) Galvini Imports (HR)
Notations
HR - High Road
HS - Hillside
OT - Out of Town
Lair Locations
1. Entrance 9. Ettercap Nest
2. Shaft 10. Treasure Room
3. Egg Room 11. Syndy’s Chamber
4. Dark Root Chamber 12. Ward Chamber
5. Acrid Pool 13. Vamp-Spider Lair
6. Brain Weed 14. Dark Scanctum
7. Haunted Ledge 15. Escape Tunnel
8. Bone Pit
Lair of the Spider Hag, September 2023 23
{{wide