R U N E B O U N D

Cities of Adventure
Rise of the Dragonlords
This variant includes a different story dice chart for each of the original eight cities in Runebound. The new city charts
tie in more closely with the theme of the main Rise of the Dragonlords adventure and is meant to make the base game
far more challenging for the heroes. Vorakesh and his undead minions haunt the shadowed streets, while the dragons
awake to reap destruction on all who stand against them.

Story Dice Rules: Each time your hero ends his turn in town, roll one of the movement dice and consult the chart
below for the specific city you entered. Each terrain type results in an event that effects your character during their
visit to town. A player may resolve the events in any order they wish. (Note: If you don't wish to roll every time,
consult the variant rules in the original Cities of Adventure variant posted under the files of the base game.)

Optional Death Rule: To really showcase the added danger of these rules they are best played without the knock out
rules from the standard game. Instead, any hero who loses his last life is killed and removed from the game. A player
may choose to start a new character in any town of his choosing at the start of his next turn. If it is late in the game, a
player can also choose just to sit out and watch to see if any of the other heroes can defeat the Dragonlords.

Cities of Adventure - Rise of the Dragonlords! 1

 T A M A L I R

City of Political Intrigue Road: Crowded Streets: Nothing Swamp: Servants of the Shadow:
The largest human city in all the land in this city moves quickly and that Your royal friends have recently
is considered to be one of the last includes traffic. Roll two less switched sides and have made a
movement dice next turn. deal to sell you to agents of the
peaceful places, untouched by the
Shadow Academy. Make a Hide
undead minions of Vorakesh or the Hills: Politics!: Make a diplomacy Check (Mind) (18) to slip away
fires of the Dragonlords. Alas, some (spirit) check (16). If you succeed, before you are captured. If you
of the noble families have begun to you gain the help of a powerful fail, you must draw and resolve
lose hope and have petitioned the King new family who aids you on your one yellow adventure card. Your
to step down so that Margath might quest. Your hero gains 2 gold. hero!s turn ends immediately once
rule unopposed. While most consider this card is resolved.
Mountain: Royal Summons: You
such things to be the talk of traitors,
lose your market step this turn as
the heroes must be careful about which
you are summoned by the King to
noble families they ask for aid. the palace. The King promises the
full support of the throne and your
Plains: Royal Favors: Your hero is hero is given 5 gold to aid them in
healed one wound for free. their quest.

River: Trade City: Immediately Forest: Lost: The winding streets

draw three market cards and add of the city can leave anyone
them to the market stack. confused. You may not roll
movement dice next turn.

2! Cities of Adventure - Second Edition

 D A W N S M O O R

Stronghold of the Ura-khan
Orcs of the Skar Clan have recently
gained power in Dawnsmoor,
swearing their loyalty to the
Dragonlords. While an orc hero
might still be able to find aid from his
fellow orcs who long for the peaceful
past, a non-orc hero may be wise to
avoid the city entirely.
Hills: Orc Assistance: If your Swamp: Pit Fight: Your hero has
character is an orc, he heals one been forced into the gladiator pit to
wound and gains 1 gold. If he is a prove their worth against an orc
non-orc, nothing happens. warmaster, a powerful fighter
skilled with using both his axe and
Mountain: Show of Strength: Test his fangs as weapons. If your hero
(body) 18. If you succeed, all allies defeats the warmaster, gain 3
in the market stack are half price experience and 3 gold. If you fail,
this turn. If you fail, they are you are knocked out and suffer the
regular price. normal penalties.

Plains: Not Welcome: The Orcs
are inspecting all traffic into and
out of the city. Make a Diplomacy
Test (Spirit) (15). If you fail, you
may not resolve a market step this
turn or pay to heal wounds and
fatigue. Orc heroes pass this test
automatically, whereas Dwarf
heroes automatically fail.
River: Strong Ale: The drink of the
orcs is ten times stronger than
what humans drink and tastes like
a mix of blood and mud. But to
refuse such an offer would bring a
fight and great dishonor. Test
Endurance (body) 15. If you pass,
your hero and each ally heal all
fatigue. If you fail, your hero and
each ally suffer 2 fatigue damage.
Forest: Blood Magic: It is said the Orc Warmaster
orcs practiced blood magic in the
last great war and there are still a Before Combat: Make a Spot
few old shamans who know the (Mind) Check (18). If you fail, the
secrets. If your hero skips his next combat starts in the melee phase.
turn, pays 3 gold and takes three If you succeed, you may start the
life damage, he may take an combat in any phase of your
experience counter of his choice at choice.
the end of his next turn. A hero
may only do this once per game. 5 Life
Mind: 18/1
Body: 18/4
Spirit: 10/1

Road: Rot and Death: The orcs

have lined the road to their city
with spears, skulls and the slain
bodies of those foolish heroes who
have come to their city looking for
aid. Such sights are disheartening
and your hero suffers 1 fatigue
damage.

Cities of Adventure - Rise of the Dragonlords

 G R
City of Scholars
The oldest college of magic in the land
was founded in Greyhaven over 500
years ago. As danger threatens the
land, new students and old graduates
have flooded into the town to expand
their knowledge of the magical arts.
Many seek such power to better
protect their families, while others look
only to turn a profit, but a few are
unsavory individuals in league with
Vorakesh.
Plains: Knowledge is Power:
Choose one unresolved adventure
gem and draw an encounter card
for it. Place this card face down in
the Undefeated Track after looking
at it and place the Undefeated
token underneath the gem you
choose. If the Undefeated Track is
full, your hero gains no benefit
from this result.
River: Winds of Magic: All Rune
items in the market stack cost 2
less gold this turn.
4!
E Y H A V E
Road: Teleport!: Mundane travel is
for lesser beings without the power
or gold to afford better ways. Your
hero may spend 5 gold to move
anywhere on the board at the start
of his next turn.
Hills: Wizards Duel: Your hero
wanders into the middle of a
wizards duel. Pass a Mind Test
16 to avoid getting struck by an
errant magical spell. If you fail,
your hero suffers 2 wounds.
Mountain: Gain a Familiar: Draw
market cards until you draw a
familiar and take this card for free.
If your not playing with the
Runebound expansions that
contain familiars then gain 1 gold
instead.
Forest: Lost Knowledge: Even in
Greyhaven their are still secrets
remaining to be answered. Your
hero must skip their market step
this turn. Your hero may still pay
for healing as normal.
N
Swamp: Summon Dragon: If your
hero wishes he can attempt to
summon one of the Dragonlords to
Greyhaven where he can use the
cities magical wards to aid in the
battle. If you hero chooses to do
so, he must first pass a Spirit Test
(20). If he succeeds he may draw
the first red adventure card and
resolve it as normal. If he fails,
nothing happens and his turn
continues as normal. If the red
adventure card is a Dragonlord,
then the hero is aided by the cities
magical wards, gaining +2 on all of
his dice rolls and +1 damage on all
of his attacks. A hero may only
use this event once per game.
Cities of Adventure - Rise of the Dragonlords
 N E R K H A L L

The Dread City
Servants of the Shadow Academy have
summoned an enormous black tower
to rise from the earth in the center of
town, a testament to their power and
their allegiance. Black clad
mercenaries guard the streets and
rumors persist that Vorakesh is
getting ready to cast the Dance
Macabre from the top of the tower. If
not stopped, the dead from all across
the land will soon rise to join his army
of darkness.
Plains: Stolen Goods: Take one
card from any other cities market
stack and add it to Nerkhall!s
market stack.
draw market cards until he draws Swamp: Soul Drain: An unseen
a “Rune” card. He may take this attacker attempts to drain your
card for free. Only one hero per hero of life. Your hero must pass a
game may succeed at this event. Body or Spirit Test (16) or suffer 1
Once accomplished, this event wound. If you fail, your hero must
may no longer be attempted. continue retaking this test until he
passes or is knocked out.
Forest: Night Market: Your hero
manages to find a secret meeting
place for a small band of
merchants who carry unusual
goods. Draw the top five cards
from the market stack. Your hero
may choose to buy any of these
goods for 1 less gold then their
listed price. Any item not
purchased is placed into the
discard pile.

River: Into the Sewers: Your hero

is forced to use an unconventional
means to enter the city. Your hero
and each ally suffer 1 fatigue.

Road: Hired Swords: Your hero

must pay 2 gold to bribe off the
cities guards or be thrown out of
the city. If you choose not to pay
your hero!s turn ends immediately
and he may not use the market
phase or heal this turn.

Hills: A Knife in the Dark: Make a

Hide Test (Mind) 16. If you fail,
your ally with the lowest life total is
killed.

Mountain: The Dark Tower: Your

hero may choose to attempt entry
into the Dark Tower. If he attempt
this feat, he must pass a Mind,
Body or Spirit Test (21) to reach
the top of the evil stronghold
unseen and destory Vorakesh!s
spell book. If you fail, your hero
suffers 2 wounds and his turn ends
immediately. If you succeed, your
hero gains 3 experience and may

Cities of Adventure - Rise of the Dragonlords! 5


City of Iron
The Dwarfs of Forge are famous for
their mines and metal working. With
the recent dragon attacks, the gates
have been closed more often than not,
with only proven friends allowed
within the cities walls.
Plains: Axes and Shields: Draw
five cards and put any weapons or
armor in the market stack. All other
cards are discarded. Market items
(but not allies) cost two additional
gold when your hero resolves the
market step.
River: Dwarf Beer: It is said the
Dwarfs and Orcs share little love
for each other, but can still respect
the strength of their enemies brew.
Test Endurance (Body) 18. If you
pass you heal all fatigue. If you
fail, you suffer two fatigue.
Road: Gate Warden: The Dwarfs
are questioning all visitors to their
city. Make a Diplomacy Test
(Spirit) 18. If you fail, you may pay
2 gold or you may not resolve a
market step this turn or pay to heal
wounds and fatigue. Dwarf heroes
pass this test automatically,
whereas orc heroes automatically
fail.
6!
F O R G E
Hills: Secret Tunnels: The Dwarfs
of Forge agree to let you use their
underground roads to quickly and
safely travel to your next
destination. Your hero may move
anywhere within six spaces of
Forge for free next turn.
Mountain: Knowledge of the
Ancestors: The Dwarfs know many
stories from the earlier Dragon
Wars that will aid a hero in their
quest to slay the great wyrms.
Your hero must pass a Mind, Body
or Spirit Test 16. If they succeed,
your hero gains one experience
counter of that same type for free.
A hero may only resolve this event
once per game.
Forest: Dragon Sighting: The
Gate Wardens seal the gates to let
the danger pass. Your hero may
not travel next turn, but may heal
or resolve a market step within
Forge as normal. Do not roll again
on this chart next turn.
Swamp: Horrible Hangover: After
a long night of drinking you can
barely walk much less think. Your
Hero (but not allies) suffers -2 on
all skill and combat rolls next turn.
Cities of Adventure - Rise of the Dragonlords
 F R O S T G A T E

City of Eternal Winter
Located just south of the great glacier
and on the very northern edge of
civilization, Frostgate was always a
small fringe town until the last
hundred years when thousands fled
here to escape the trials of the last
great war. Orcs, humans, elves,
dwarfs and even a few dragon-kin
make there home here and for the most
part get along better than can be
expected. This isolation has proven
dangerous in these troubled times as
monsters have been quick to take
advantage of the town’s isolation.
Hills: Retired Adventurer: You
meet an old, retired hero at the
tavern who agrees to join you on
your quest. Draw market cards
until you draw an ally, then take
this ally for free.
Mountain: Under Attack: Place a
green adventure gem on this city.
Heroes may not heal or use the
market in Frostgate until this gem
has been cleared. Your hero may
attempt this adventure gem this
turn if they wish, but must end
their turn immediately once this
card has resolved.
Forest: Blizzard: Winter has come
to the north in full force. Your hero
may not roll movement dice next
turn.
Swamp: Dragon Overlord: Place a
red adventure gem on this city.
Heroes may not heal or use the
market in Frostgate until this gem
has been cleared. Your hero may
attempt this adventure gem this
turn if they wish, but must end
their turn immediately once this
card has resolved.

Plains: Bitter Cold: Chilling

temperatures sap your hero and
his allies strength. Each hero and
ally in your party gain 1 fatigue.

River: Water Travel: Commerce is

constantly moving along the River
of Sleep and you manage to find a
boat leaving port in the morning.
Move 3 free river spaces next turn.

Road: Warm Welcome: The

people of Frostgate are a caring
folk, quick to tend wounds and
treat frostbite. Each hero and ally
in your party heals one wound for
free.

Cities of Adventure - Rise of the Dragonlords! 7

 R I V E R W A T C H

River: Drowned: Your hero finds

the body of a merchant washed up
on the river bank. Randomly
discard one card from every
market stack.

Road: Easy Travel: As a center for

commerce its easy to travel to this
fair town. Roll one extra movement
dice next turn.

Hills: Pick Pocket: Your hero must Forest: Night Life: Test Resist
make a Spot Test (Mind) 15. If you (spirit) 16 to avoid going out on the
fail, your hero loses one gold. town. If you fail, your hero and all
his allies suffer 2 fatigue. If you
Mountain: A Special Price: If your pass this test you have extra time
hero wishes to buy any item from to hunt for bargains, so add 2
the market stack this turn, roll additional cards to the market
1D10 on the following chart for stack.
each item:
Swamp: Roughed Up: Your hero
1-2: The item costs twice as much. must draw and resolve one yellow
3-4: The item costs 1 gold more. adventure card. Your hero!s turn
5-6: Listed price. ends immediately once this card is
7-8: The item is one gold less. resolved.
9-10: The item is free.

City of Trade
This fair city is a sprawling merchant
town, where the guilds hold great
power. Goods from all over the realm
can be found here in great supply and
can be had at bargain prices. Recently
this wealth has attracted the attention
of agents of Vorakesh who have
infiltrated the guilds and begun
manipulating the markets to their
advantage.

Plains: Large Markets:

Immediately add the top three
cards from the Market Deck to the
market stack.

8! Cities of Adventure - Rise of the Dragonlords

 V Y
The Holy City of Kellos
The spiritual center of the realm, this
city is home to the Kellos religion. As
this religion is centered on the
worship of a fire god, there is a
growing division in the church as
some see the Dragonlords as living
avatars of Kellos. The current leader
of the church, Hierarch Luthyr
Ashbringer, is one such believer and
has sworn an oath to see the
Dragonlords rise to power. As such,
the normally helpful city, is now a
dangerous place for would-be-heroes,
who are best to keep there goals to
themselves.
Plains: Blessing of Kellos: Your
hero and allies are healed of all
wounds.
River: Holy Water: Your hero and
allies are healed of all fatigue.
Cities of Adventure - Rise of the Dragonlords!
N E L V A L E
Road: Church Tithes: Your hero Swamp: Living Avatar: Your hero
must pay one gold or sacrifice one must draw blue adventure cards
item (not ally). If he refuses he until he draws a card with “dragon”
may not perform a market step this in its name. His turn ends
turn. immediately one he has resolved
this encounter.
Hill: Ashes to Ashes: Discard all
the cards in this town!s market
stack and do not draw new market
cards this turn.
Mountain: Fires of Heaven: The
church is actively hunts down
heroes. Your hero must test
Diplomacy (spirit) 17. If he fails,
your hero and each ally suffers 1
fatigue, and must keep taking this
diplomacy test until your hero
passes or is knocked out.
Forest: Holy Order of the Silver
Flame: There are still those in the
church who look to aid in the
destruction of the dragons who
threaten the land. Draw cards
from the market stack until you
draw an ally, take that ally for free.
9