Win or Ooze

THRILLING ACQUISITION CRYSTAL-LINED CAVE

A keen inventor has a lightbulb moment when he hears news of an

ooze in his local area. He believes the creature’s secretion can be
used in his new experiment, and needs the party to collect a sample.
However, he isn’t the only one who wants a slice of the slime!

Starting the Adventure

“The job you took from the noticeboard in town was
scruffily written and signed by a scientist named
Dr Uligo Limus. Seeking ‘keen-minded adventurers
with a passion for science’, he offers to pay well in
return for assistance with his latest experiment. You
follow the instructions on the reverse of the note
and, after a day’s travel along a craggy road, make
your way to a secluded, metallic tower.”
Uligo is on the brink of a breakthrough. He thinks that
by utilising an Ochre Jelly’s rubbery secretions, he can
harness lightning to power his latest invention: fluorescent
bulbs of everlasting light! Uligo knows just how rare Ochre
Jellies can be, and has waited years to get his hands on
a sample of one. Now, as luck would have it, there are
reports that a yellow ooze recently forced a local tourist
spot to shut down. Uligo wants a slice, but would rather
the rest of it be destroyed than fall into the wrong hands.
Important Characters
DR ULIGO LIMUS
ELF, MALE, 113 (NOBLE)
Uligo is a disorganised scientist, who often causes
accidents in his lab. He is an expert on oozes.
“Uligo scratches his face when he contemplates
a new idea, which is evident from the greasy
smudges that his dirty gloves have left behind.”
Suggested Story
Set the scene, have the party enter Uligo’s tower,
describe his workshop, then continue:
OOZING WITH POTENTIAL
• After welcoming the party, Uligo explains that he
needs them to source a small sample of an ooze
from a nearby cave. He explains how to split the
Ochre Jelly into smaller, easier-to-handle entities.
• The party follow Uligo’s directions to a nearby
tourist destination called the Crystal Caves.
TOURIST TRAP
• Acting as safety officials, four Bandits block the
entrance to the cave and deny the party access.
They attack the party if they try to get past.
• When the party enter the cave, two Bandits have
crossed over a chasm and cut the rope bridge
behind them. The party must find a way across,
while the Bandits fire arrows at them.
THREE’S A CROWD
• The party arrive in the central cave shortly after
Butcher and a final Bandit. They also discover
Kertee and a Bugbear, who were already in the
cave and are currently battling a large Ochre Jelly.
A free-for-all brawl begins between the rival groups.
• In order to secure the sample, the party could join
the fight, create an alliance, or try to sneak past.

BRIAN ‘BUTCHER’ BLABBIDGE THE SAMPLE RETURNS

HUMAN, MALE, 45 (BANDIT CAPTAIN)
• When slashed into small enough pieces, the Ochre
The leader of the Butcher’s Boys gang. He hopes
Jelly can be captured in a jar for safe transport.
to capture the Ochre Jelly and use it as a weapon.
• If the party successfully deliver a sample to Uligo,
“This thug’s crocodile-leather armour stretches
he will thank them and gift them a prototype bulb.
over his enormous physique. Bruises, scars and
fresh scabs pepper his exposed arms.”

Quick Stats
KERTEE ZHUNDANK NAME AC HP INIT. KEY ABILITY
BUGBEAR, FEMALE, 38 (BUGBEAR)
The leader of the Red Claw gang. She wants to Bandit 12 11 +1 Carries two weapons
capture the ooze and use it as a trap in her hideout. Bandit Captain 15 65 +3 Can parry attacks
Bugbear 16 27 +2 Strong in melee
“Kertee wields a mighty morningstar with one of
her furry hands, unbothered by its huge weight.” Noble 15 9 +1 Very insightful
Ochre Jelly 8 45 -2 Divides when slashed

128 BRIEFING FROM ULIGO TRAVEL TO CAVES GET PAST BLOCKADE


ULIGO’S WORKSHOP
“Acrid-smelling experiments
bubble away on several untidy
workstations dotted around
Dr Uligo’s austere lab. A large
machine in the centre of the
room connects to lightning
rods on the tower’s exterior.”
Jars, components and books line
the shelves around the metallic
interior, and more litter the floor.
A stack of dirty dishes is piled
next to a hammock at the rear.
Key Locations
CAVE ENTRANCE
“Gaudy signs welcome potential
customers to explore the Crystal
Caves. Small, wooden booths
outside are currently manned
by wary safety officials.”
Disguised Butcher’s Boys are barring
entry to the caves. Their bandanas
and weapons might give them away.
Inside, a rope bridge hangs over a
10 ft drop onto sharp stalagmites.
Beyond, a long tunnel curls around
to the central, crystal-lined cave.
CHAPTER 6: DOWN UNDERGROUND
THE CRYSTAL CAVES
“The centre of this cavern
is lit up by stunning crystals
that twinkle and glow. Sticky,
yellow mucus hangs from the
stalactites on the ceiling and
slowly drips to the cold floor.”
An Ochre Jelly has made this cave
its home over the last couple of
days, and has covered the stone
surfaces in a slippery secretion.
The crystals are roped off to stop
tourists from touching them.

Secrets and Clues Quest Rewards

1. Oozes can be used as weapons or traps, so Uligo
wants the party to destroy all but his small sample.
2. The Crystal Caves are popular with geologists,
druids and students who are studying nature.
3. The Red Claw gang arrived in the caves ahead of
Butcher’s Boys; their footprints are faintly visible.
For a live sample of the Ochre Jelly, Uligo will pay
the party 200gp. After receiving the sample, he will
also offer them a prototype of his new invention (a
lightbulb-shaped Gem of Brightness), but will need
to spend an hour tinkering with it first.

4. B
 utcher wants to use the Ochre Jelly as part of a
new weapon he has created, ‘the slimelauncher’.
5. Kertee wants to place the ooze in a new pit trap
in her base to catch snooping rival Bandits.
6. Butcher’s Boys stole official uniforms, cones and
clipboards from a construction company in town.
Level 3 - 4 Adventure
EASIER: You could make Butcher a Thug, and swap
the Ochre Jelly for a Grey Ooze. There could also be
fewer Bandits at the cave entrance and the bridge.
HARDER: Consider making Butcher a Wereboar;
the two Bugbears could be swapped for two Knights.

CROSS ROPE BRIDGE FIGHT FOR A SAMPLE RETURN TO THE LAB 129
t
'I
L..._.
 Take a look at our other awesome tools

THE GAME MASTER’S

FANTASY TOOLKIT WINNER 2021

IMPROVISATION
MADE EASY
Exciting Encounters
Critical Hit Outcomes
Tavern Names
Loot and Rewards
So Much More!

Learn more here:

www.rollandplaypress.com/gmft
 Take a look at our other awesome tools

THE FANTASY 5E
CHARACTER KIT Compatible

CREATE EPIC
CHARACTERS
Inspiring Backstories
Unique Magic Items
NPC Names
Trinkets and Weapons
So Much More!

Learn more here:

www.rollandplaypress.com/tfck