Over the Next Hill

Summerwine
CReek
O ver the Next Hill is a

multi-author series that

is focused on small settlements

you can drop into a campaign

with minimal preparation. Each

article in the series presents

several detailed NPCs, points of

interest, and loose plot hooks that

can be developed during play.

This installment of the series

details Summerwine Creek, a

village that has been plunged

into endless days and nights of

debauchery and hedonism by

writing James J. Haeck
mischievous fey. color art Ellis Goodson
mapping Michael McCarthy
editing James J. Haeck
layout Eric Life-Putnam

EN World
ENEN5IDER:
World EN5IDER  |  The Hamlet
Over the Next Hill II of
|  Summerwine
Varseldorf Creek
Overview
The people of Summerwine Creek used to be
hardworking country folk. The sweet summer
wine that their village was named for was a treat
reserved for festivals and weddings. Thanks to
Fey Prince Ildwych, it seems that every day since
midsummer’s eve has become a festival. No one
in Summerwine seems to mind—life is one great
party now—but the human body was not meant for
such revelry. Three weeks have passed and people
are dying. Dancers have collapsed from exhaustion
and been trampled underfoot, others retch until
their final breath, poisoned by overindulging in the
wine they loved so much. And what is to happen
when the vineyard runs dry?
Geography
Summerwine Creek is nestled in the sheltering
boughs of a deciduous forest, though its farms and
vineyards extend beyond the forest by several miles.
A wide creek cuts through the town, originating
from somewhere deep in the woods. The village
appears to be in a perpetual state of early autumn,
as its trees’ broad leaves create a tapestry of brilliant
gold, amber, and crimson.
Significant NPCs
Summerwine Creek is home to about 250 people,
mostly human, though most of the population
lives outside the village itself, tending to farms,
vineyards, or lumber camps, and only come to the
village center on market or festival days.
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this book is designated Open Game Content. All other material
in this book, including maps and illustrations (including any
illustrations in the public domain), in-character and out-of-
character narrative and descriptive text, character and place
names, trade dress, “EN Publishing,” “EN World,” “EN5ider,”
EN Publishing product and article titles, and
EN EN World and EN Publishing logos, are designated
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Product Identity.
Summerwine Creek  |  EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II
  Fey Prince Ildwych. This young fey prince
(noble) of the Summer Court sees the people of
Summerwine as overworked and in need of a long
season of revelry. He is genuinely trying to help
the townsfolk, and is blissfully unaware that he is
doing far more harm than good; his retainers do
not permit news of deaths or blight to reach his
royal ears. He lives within a tiny castle inside a
fairy ring in the town square (Area 3), allowing his
subjects to spill unseen from the Feyrealm into the
world of the “big folk.” His three closest retainers
are hard at work in the winery (Area 4), the apiary
(Area 6), and Marouf’s farm (Area 7).
Buttercup. A mean-spirited taskmaster, this
gorgeous sprite torments Brewmaster Redderfeld
beneath the winery (Area 4), forcing him to
continue making enchanted summer wine so
that Prince Ildwych’s party can continue forever.
Buttercup, like her prince, believes that this party
is for the humans’ benefit, she just doesn’t care if
“fat, ugly old folk” suffer, as long as young, pretty
ones are happy.
  Vintner Redderfeld. Before the fey came, this
human commoner was a husky man nearing
middle age. Reddenfeld was brought up as a vintner,
making the town’s sweet summer wine since he
was a boy. Now, the brewmaster is chained up in
the cellar of the winery, forced to keep making
enchanted wine for Ildwych’s party. He is not under
the fey spell, but is nonetheless their slave.
  Honeysuckle. This cheerful, plump pixie is
particularly fond of bees, and was overjoyed to
learn that there was an apiary in Summerwine
Creek—she just wasn’t prepared to run it. The
beekeepers haven’t returned to tend to their hives
since the endless party began, and the bees are
dying in droves. Though frantically trying to tend
to the needs of the bees, she’s just one small fairy.
  Old Sir Braunritter. An old ex-knight who
retired to Summerwine Creek to live out his winter
years in peace. Braunritter is the white-whiskered
grandfather of the young songster Grenwald and
Summerwine’s chief beekeeper. He is far from
frail, but his old bones are not up to the unending
dancing and revelry in the town square.
  Grenwald the Songster. A human in the summer
of his life (use acolyte statistics, using his lyre as
a club). He loves to sing and play the lyre and has
been training in the big city to sing arias, and is
one of the favorite musicians at the endless party
(Area 3). He traveled to Summerwine to visit his
grandfather, Braunritter, but drank the enchanted
wine and fell under Ildwych’s spell. He hasn’t sent
word back to family in the city for nearly a month,
and his family is worried sick.
  Nahla Marouf. This human druid has been a part
of Summerwine’s farming community since she
was a small child, using her magic to bring strong
harvests come autumn. Residing here are Nahla,
her husband Ammar, and her two daughters Habiba
and Najiyah (age 8 and 15, respectively). Since the
fey party began, Nahla’s unchecked druidic magic
has spread chaos across the outlying farms (Area 8).
EN World
ENEN5IDER:
World EN5IDER  |  The Hamlet
Over the Next
  Barleybloom. The most dutiful of Ildwych’s
sprites, Barleybloom is disappointed that she
is stuck in this human village running damage
control on the plant monsters rampaging around
the village. First, she should be back at the border
of the Feyrealm defending her principality against
the Shadowlands. Second, if she must be in the
human world, she should at least be partying, too.
If she knew that the druid causing chaos in town
were the one who should be cleaning up this mess,
Barleybloom would drag her back and sober her up
in a fey heartbeat.
  Wise Elf Gwyn. The village’s androgynous
guardian mage and wise elf was pilloried by
Ildwych’s guards for attempting to break the
fey enchantment. As an elf, Gwyn’s fey ancestry
gave them a certain resilience to the enchanted
wine’s effects. Now, raucous partygoers take great
Hill II of
|  Summerwine
Varseldorf Creek
pleasure in throwing rotten food at Gwyn while
the elf languishes in the pillory, awaiting Ildwych’s
judgment. They have been trapped inside the
stockade since just after midsummer; their face
has grown gaunt, and their short, silver hair has
lost its luster. Gwyn has not been able to properly
rest since the party began—they have 3 levels of
exhaustion and have only one 1st-level spell slot
remaining.
Significant Areas
1. Main Road and Town Gate
The main gate of the city is a beautifully-carved cedar
arch bearing the town’s name, but the arch is cracked
and dozens of boots, tied together by their straps,
have been slung over the top. An unmanned cart
bearing two casks of wine has been crashed into the
arch. Just beyond is a town square filled with people
and bursting with jovial music.
The road to Summerwine Creek is a well-worn dirt
path wide enough for two ox-drawn carts side by
side. It is about 50 miles from the nearest city, but
a DC 10 Intelligence (History) check reveals that it
usually bustles with trade, selling produce and its
famous summer wine to city folk. Oddly, no traders
are passing through today.
2. Open Field
The open fields between farms and vineyards are
home to many grazing farm animals, with few
fences to contain them. For the past several weeks,
these fields have also been home to the dead and
the dead drunk. Small fey creatures may also
wander these plains while the party is in progress.
3. Fairy Ring Square
A canopy of orange-red leaves covers the town square,
fluttering in the wind like flickering flames. Strung
from bough to bough are strings of colorful fairy
lights, illuminating nearly six dozen villagers dancing
Summerwine Creek  |  EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II
a lively, drunken tarantella within the square. To the
north is a wooden stage bearing performers on fifes,
drums, and lyres. Dozens more revelers guzzle wine,
eat honey cakes, and make merry around the danc-
ers. Among the humans are other folk, stout, furry
creatures with the upper bodies of men and the legs
and hooves of goats.
The village square is center of the party, where
about 150 commoners cyclically dance, collapse of
exhaustion, crawl to the wine tables encircling the
town square, drink heavily, and return to dancing.
Since the party began, nearly three dozen humans
have died—of exhaustion, alcohol poisoning, or
trampling.
  Satyrs. The 12 satyrs mingling with the humans
are Prince Ildwych’s enforcers. They ensure that no
one stops drinking the wine long enough to break
the enchantment (about 3 hours), new arrivals
drink up, and to keep any humans from dying. They
aren’t very good at their last duty, but are excellent
at forcing their will on the villagers.
  Villagers. All the villagers are deeply under the
wine’s mollifying spell. Even if one is threatened
or violence breaks out, they blithely continue the
reveling. If spoken to, they sedately obey orders,
as if affected by the suggestion spell, but adamantly
refuse to stop having fun.
  Old Sir Braunritter. The old knight (see
Significant NPCs) is exhausted, but can’t seem to
stop dancing no matter how hard he tries. If he
is not helped, he must make a DC 10 Constitution
saving throw each hour or drop to 0 hit points and
start dying. Returning his armor to him (from Area
6) invokes such powerful memories of past heroism
that he breaks free from Ildwych’s magic.
  Grenwald the Songster. This young bard is
performing with several humans and satyrs on the
village stage. He’s been playing almost non-stop for
weeks, stopping only when the satyrs pull him aside
for healing when his voice disappears or his fingers
begin to bleed. His grandfather Braunritter knows
a lullaby he used to sing when Grenwald was a
child; if Braunritter is freed from the enchantment,
he can help Grenwald as well.
  Fairy Ring. Beneath the tree in the center of the
square is a 5-foot diameter fairy circle, in the center
of which is a castle of cloudy green class. Only Tiny
fey creatures can enter Ildwych’s castle (Area 9).
4. Winery
A sign hanging at the entrance to this building reads:
Overcreek Winery and Summerwine Vineyard. Inside,
the winery has been thoroughly trashed. Empty wine
casks have been thrown haphazardly around the
lawn, and a trail of rubbish and smashed furniture
leads downstairs into the winery’s cellar.
The main floor of the winery has little to offer
except for glass bottle shards and crushed tables.
Downstairs, the sprite Buttercup has imprisoned
Vintner Reddenfeld—forcing him to stomp grapes
for new wine, not quite understanding how long
fermentation takes—and enchanting the few
remaining casks.
  Plot Seed. Buttercup is on edge. With only ten
casks of wine remaining and Reddenfeld’s grape-
stomping not producing wine at the rate she
expected, the sprite worries that the enchanted
wine will run out within a day or two, and she is
tasked by her prince with keeping the wine flowing
no matter the cost. If no recourse is found, the
vicious sprite may turn to darker options to keep
goblets full.
5. Pillory
A trio of stockades stand by the edge of the creek.
Two are empty, but the third holds a thin figure with
an angular, sunburnt face and short, silver hair. They
are being pelted with rotten vegetables and clumps
of mud by a cluster of laughing villagers. The prisoner
raises their head, revealing two pointed ears, and si-
lently mouths: “Help me.”
Wise Elf Gwyn was imprisoned by the townspeople—
urged on by Ildwych’s satyrs—for trying to stop the
party. As far as the elf knows, they are the only
person in Summerwine free from the spell.
EN World
ENEN5IDER:
World EN5IDER  |  The Hamlet
Over the Next
  Plot Seed. Gwyn thinks that they know a way to
end Ildwych’s enchantment without confronting
the fey prince. First, Gwyn must be freed from the
stockade, and an ochokochi* named Garglespit
prowling the outlying farms has the key. Once the
elf is freed, they can accompany the party into
the forest north of Summerwine to find Iele, a
samovila* and fey princess that lives at the mouth
of the creek, who might be able to break the spell
if she is appeased. If the PCs are set on confronting
Ildwych, Iele may instead be able to transform
them into Tiny fey for a few hours so that they can
enter the castle.
6. Apiary
Rows of white beehives stand near a quaint cottage
on a rolling green field. No light shines from inside
the cottage, but the beehives are in chaos. Swarms
of bees buzz furiously around the beehives, but are
losing bees every second, falling like rain from the
cloud of insects. Amid the buzzing, you can hear tiny
squeaks of “Ouch, quit it! I mean it!” from a pixie flit-
ting around the swarms.
The pixie Honeysuckle loves bees and pleaded with
Ildwych to let her take care of them. Honeysuckle
has the best intentions, but she is just terrible at
taking care of bees. They are dying rapidly; unless
the bees are saved, Summerwine’s crops may never
grow again. The nearby cottage belongs to Old Sir
Braunritter and contains his old armor. Returning
the armor to him—and the memories of his heroic
spirit that it carries—snaps him out of Ildwych’s
curse.
  Plot Seed. This apiary is falling into chaos
because their queen bee has been stolen by one of
the revelers as a gift for their prince. The queen bee,
now infused with fey magic, lives inside Ildwych’s
Tiny Castle (Area 9). Only returning her to the
apiary calms the swarms of bees.
 * See From Stranger Woods by Artem Serebrennikov, or
replace these creatures as you see fit.
Hill II of
|  Summerwine
Varseldorf Creek

7. Marouf ’s Farm
Dozens of small farms and homesteads sprawl across
the southeastern fields; all are choked by huge, grasp-
ing vines. Grape vines and rows of wheat have grown
to absurd proportions and are tearing apart the tilled
fields. One farmhouse is the epicenter of it all, and a
beleaguered fairy is flitting back and forth, shooting
tiny arrows at shambling heaps of vegetation.
The druid Nahla Marouf lives here with her
husband and two children. The farm has produced
incredible harvests for generations, even in years
of blight, thanks to her family’s druidic magic. With
Nahla under the fey enchantment and perpetually
Summerwine Creek  |  EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II
drunk (she is among the revelers in Area 3), her
unchecked magic has caused the plants to grow
out of control. Huge vines have torn up the fields
and two dozen shambling mounds and countless
awakened shrubs made of corn stalks are ravaging
the surrounding farms.
  Plot Seed. The sprite Barleybloom has been
ordered by Ildwych to keep Nahla’s untamed
magic in check by slaying the shambling mounds
and awakened shrubs running amok. Barleybloom
demands that the owner of the farm be brought
to her so that the human can return to her
usual activity, releasing her from this miserable
occupation.
8. Lumberyard and Waterwheel
Five tree trunks float in the stream beside this lumber
mill, turned sideways against the waterwheel. They
seem to have floated downriver from the forest. A
water-powered rotating saw blade spins dangerously
close to the head of a passed-out young man.
The young man is a mill worker named Runner,
and he collapsed here after wandering drunkenly
away from the party in the town square. If he were
to roll in his sleep just a little bit to the left—into
the sawblade—this scene would be a lot bloodier. A
gang of 1d6 satyrs patrol here every few hours to
drag exhausted revelers back to the party; the fun
can’t stop until Ildwych says so!
9. Ildwych’s Tiny Castle
The fey prince’s crystal castle has been built in the
boughs of the central oak tree in the town square.
Only Tiny-sized fey can enter; if the PCs want to
gain access, they’ll need to come up with a creative
solution—though finding Iele (see plot seed, Area 5)
is a good fallback plan.
  The interior of the castle is detailed in an
upcoming EN5ider adventure. e
 Over the Next Hill

City of
Hidden
Ways
O
ver the Next Hill is a

 multi-author series

that is focused on small

settlements you can drop

into a campaign with minimal

preparation. Each article in the

series presents several detailed NPCs,

points of interest, and loose plot hooks

that can be developed during play. This

installment of the series details Glavas

Roh, the City of Hidden Ways.

writing GM Lent
color art Xanditz
maps Michael McCarthy
editing James J. Haeck
layout Eric Life-Putnam
Overview
Near the edge of the sea, nestled
below a forbidding mountain range,
lies a settlement of archaic and unusual edifices.
The village is called Glavas Roh, and its ancient
buildings stumble upon each other as though
scrambling to reach the massive, vaguely funnel-
shaped structure—known colloquially as the
Tölcsér—that thrusts upwards from its center.

EN WorldEN
EN5IDER:
World EN5IDER  |  The Hill
Over the Next Hamlet
II  of
|  City
Varseldorf
of Hidden Ways
The Tölcsér looms over the town, a three hundred-
foot-tall monolith of smooth, dark obsidian. Its
walls are warm to the touch and the air around is
thick with acrid fumes.
  Styled “The City of Hidden Ways” despite its
modest size, Glavas Roh’s sheltered location, far
from civilization, makes it an ideal retreat for any
miscreants seeking to evade the law …  if they can
find their way there. Its oddities are also a beacon
for those interested in the occult, but few outside
the village itself seem able to provide reliable
instruction on how to reach it.
  The village is far older than even the wisest sages
realize, and the purpose of the bizarre building in
its center is a mystery to all but a select few. Those
who know the truth are happy to remain incognito
among the commoners, visitors, and scholars.
Geography and Populace
Glavas Roh is located on an island formed by the
bifurcation of the massive Allapot River into two
channels heading to the sea. Those rivers, the
Idegen and the Furcsa, begin where the Allapot
pours off the mountains and forms an enormous
pool at the foot of a great limestone formation.
The Idegen flows north and provides a short
if tricky route from the sea, though the town’s
remote location offsets the economic benefits of
its proximity to the ocean; the Furcsa meanders
westward into marshlands and jungles. Atop the
limestone skulks the village, brooding beneath the
black Tölcsér.
  The Allapot cascades over menacing mountains
that rise as sheer faces into the sky. Bereft even of
crags and breaks, the Meredek cliffs rise vertically
from the ground for over 1,000 feet before leveling
off. The mountain range has a great impact on the
climate of Glavas Roh, protecting the village and
its surroundings from the winter’s wrath. The area
immediately outside the village is mostly level,
allowing a steady breeze from the nearby ocean
to dissipate any humidity that might otherwise
develop, but the flatness of the land accentuates
City of Hidden Ways  |  EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II
the unsettling thrust of the Tölcsér all the more.
  Scholars occasionally find their way to the City of
Hidden Ways, mostly drawn by fractured rumors
of the mysterious monolith at its center, but most
complain of nightmares and few stay longer than is
necessary to complete their pressing studies. Why
these scholars are allowed to find their way through
the wilderness to Glavas Roh and not others
remains a mystery. Alongside these academics is a
population who largely want to be left alone, along
with a small group of residents who seek to take
benefit from the visitors—landlords, innkeepers,
and providers of similar services.
Significant NPCs
Anatu Allatu
One of the earliest visiting researchers, Anatu
Allatu has over the years become the de facto
leader of the town. Glavas Roh’s self-styled Prefect,
Allatu was initially drawn to the village by a desire
to understand the Tölcsér. That structure remains
the focus of her fascination, though she has also
come to believe that the name Glavas Roh comes
from a proto-language of Abyssal and Infernal. The
implications of the name’s origin have prompted her
to begin investigating histories of the lower planes.
When her original research was not resolved
as quickly as she’d planned, Allatu settled in for
the long term. Noticing that the village lacked
a governing body and an effective system of
operations, she began to organize the residents into
functioning guild-like groups called Circles; the
Circles now operate as a federation of independent
causes and elect representatives to speak for them
in monthly council meetings. Of these groups, the
Circle of Farmers and the Circle of Defense are
particularly powerful.
Allatu has been said to dabble in black magic,
and rumors persist that she trafficked with demons
and other evil powers. Well respected but not
particularly liked, Allatu lives in one of the houses
that abuts the Tölcsér and spends most of her time
cloistered within her study.
Ubar Sahu
The current representative of the Circle of Farmers,
Sahu is a businessman. He comes from a long line of
farmers, who have tilled and raised livestock upon
the farmlands outside of Glavas Roh for centuries.
Sahu presents himself as a straight shooter, and an
honest worker of the land; he shows little respect
for those who visit the village seeking to uncover
its enigmas.
In truth, Sahu knows the island better than
almost anyone else, and is aware of its ancient
secrets. He is one of the few who understands the
language from which the town, rivers, and the
great cone draw their names, and he leads the
cabal that ministers the Tölcsér (see below). When
Allatu instigated the Circles, Sahu’s own power and
influence increased mightily, but he still sees her as
a fly-by-night transient.
EN WorldEN
EN5IDER:
World EN5IDER  |  The Hill
Over the Next
Gemekaa Kur
If the most valuable business in the city is providing
sustenance for the visitors, a close second is
providing their housing. Gemekaa Kur is the
gatekeeper to almost half of the available living
units in the village, and likely has a vested interest
in the rest. Calling him the representative for the
Circle of Grantors is accurate but misleading; no
other landlord has anywhere near the wealth or
power Kur commands.
  Gemekaa Kur is interested primarily in profits.
As the Steward of Glavas Roh, he literally holds the
keys to the most desirable living and working spaces
in the village, and is happy to charge exorbitant
rates for their use. He is not unreasonable, however,
and knows a good deal when he sees one. Those
willing to sign long term leases with him or perform
specific quests and tasks at his direction can expect
substantial discounts. His position of formal
Hamlet
II  of
|  City
Varseldorf
of Hidden Ways
authority puts him at odds with Anatu Allatu, who
commands true social power within the town.
Significant Areas
Allapot Falls
Cascading down in a 1,000 foot waterfall out of
the Meredek Mountains, the Allapot drops into
an abyssal basin, then splits into the Idegen and
Furcsa rivers. The actual depth of the pool is
unknown, though its surface lies some 20 feet
below the island’s grade. Local legends tell that
the basin was formed eons ago when a colossal
fishlike beast called an afanc swam over the Allapot
Falls, plummeted to the rock below, and was
knocked senseless when the limestone sundered.
Some swear the creature now sleeps deep below
the surface, and its nightmares are to blame for
maelstroms in the lagoon.
Idegen River
The Idegen, shorter and slightly wider than the
Furcsa, would be the preferred route to Glavas Roh
if not for two factors: the river is both shallow and
swift, its current pushing hard toward the ocean.
These elements make it challenging both for both
deepwater craft and barges to navigate.
Furcsa River
Deeper, narrower, and slower-flowing than the
Idegen, the Furcsa provides a leisurely passage
through the wetlands to the west. Traders along
this route bring rice, fruits, hardwoods, and other
necessities to help sustain the island, but also
attract the attention of savage marsh and jungle
elves.
The Tölcsér
Centerpiece and focal point of Glavas Roh, the
funnel-like structure known as the Tölcsér rises
from a base 60 feet in diameter, narrowing to a
10 foot wide domed cylinder at the top. The only
opening in the exterior is at the ground level—an
archway fifteen feet tall and ten feet wide, which
City of Hidden Ways  |  EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II
opens into a hallway of the same dimensions and
thrusts 20 feet toward the center of the structure
before coming to a large chamber. This central
chamber is circular, roughly 30 feet in diameter,
and has a ceiling that rises to a dome 20 feet high
at its peak.
  A well-disguised secret door located about
halfway down the tunnel, requiring a DC 25
Wisdom (Perception) check to locate, opens to a
stairway which allows access to the prison above.
The secret door is hidden on the other side as well,
and opening it from the stairway requires a check
of the same DC.
  Ubar Sahu and his followers use the central
chamber to perform foul rituals which summon
and bind fiends in the upper portion of the
structure. Once bound and imprisoned, the group
can force the captured being to grant them boons
such as a bountiful harvest, luck, or to bring harm
to undesirables. Once it has fulfilled these demands,
the fiend is released.
  One of the imprisoned creatures has claimed to
be a demon lord; consequently, Sahu understands
the structure’s potential summoning power to be
considerable.
  The strange blocks that form the Tölcsér keep the
interior at a comfortable temperature, if a little on
the warm side. The acrid smell, faint on the outside,
is much more prominent in the interior.
Common Buildings
The vast majority of Glavas Roh’s structures are
made of mud brick and clustered together, sharing
walls and roofs. The village has no proper streets,
and all of the common buildings are accessed by
ladders poking through openings in their roofs. The
interiors of the buildings are coated in plaster and
generally kept meticulously clean by the residents.
While most consist of only a chamber or two, some
have as many as three or four rooms—though the
only doors inside are created by hung blankets and
textiles. The buildings have no windows, and the
top hatchway is their sole source of ventilation and
exterior light.
Port Glavas
The harbor at the edge of the Idegen River is Glavas
Roh’s main point of contact with the outside world.
It consists of a warehouse and two outbuildings.
Stairs and slopes carved into the limestone along
with a complex of pulleys and ramps to allow for
the easy transport of goods up and down the cliff
face.
Farmland
The farming areas outside Glavas Roh consist of
arable land covered in fields and ranches.
Rumors and Plot Hooks
1. Behind the Falls
The mighty Allapot drops a crushing 1,000 feet
from the top of the Meredek cliffs. The mountain’s
vertical face is almost unscalable, requiring a DC
30 Strength (Athletics) check to climb. Rumors
hold that roughly halfway up the cliff, a cave opens
behind the waterfall and leads to an abandoned
complex of perfectly-formed caverns and rooms,
and anyone with the patience to navigate the
labyrinth will master time itself.
2. The Lizard-Person
The areas around the village have always been
surprisingly free of hostile monsters. However,
EN WorldEN
EN5IDER:
World EN5IDER  |  The Hill
Over the Next
recently a body surfaced in the basin below the
Allapot falls—a body unlike any known to the
residents. It is humanoid, roughly six feet tall, and
is covered with leathery gray scales. The body
emits a faint yet sickening stench.
3. The Ancient Buildings
The style of Glavas Roh’s common structures—
jumbled upon one another and with entrances
only through the roofs—are subject to rampant
speculation. The answer may lie in the village’s
distant past, when primitive humans first felt the
call of the Tölcsér.
4. The Thing in the Funnel
The origin and purpose of the Tölcsér has been
debated in Glavas Roh for as long as its modern
habitation. Anatu Allatu is keen for any information
that could potentially solve the mystery, though
others would prefer she stop investigating.
  Meanwhile, Sahu’s latest capture in the Tölcsér
has him concerned. It does not communicate but
is always hungry, and the food it seems to prefer is
sentient creatures. Sahu forces as many transients,
savage humanoids, and wayward sailors as he can
up the stairway in the hall, and all have vanished.
He doesn’t know what to do, and for some reason
he cannot release or banish whatever it is he has
snared. He is coming to fear that he accidentally
captured some kind of imbecile god. e
Hamlet
II  of
|  City
Varseldorf
of Hidden Ways
City of Hidden Ways  |  EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II
Over the Next Hill
GAZEBO BAY

O
ver the Next Hill is a multi-
 author series that focuses on small
settlements you can drop into a campaign
with minimal preparation. Each article in the
series presents several detailed NPCs, points
of interest, and loose plot hooks that can be
developed during play. This installment of the
series details Gazebo Bay, a luxurious resort on a
picturesque tropical island.
Overview
Characters who visit Gazebo Bay find themselves
on a tropical island resort with exotic food, warm
beaches, interesting vacationers, and the most
hospitable staff for 500 leagues! Gazebo Bay is a
small tourism town that will provide characters
the opportunity to rub shoulders with important
people, explore exotic locales, and maybe even
catch up on some much needed downtime!

writing GM Lent
color art Xanditz
maps Michael McCarthy
editing James J. Haeck
layout Eric Life-Putnam

EN World
EN World
EN5IDER:
EN5IDER  The
Over | the Hamlet
Next HillofII 
Varseldorf
|  Gazebo Bay
Geography
The resort town of Gazebo Bay is located on a small
tropical island separated from any neighbors by
miles of ocean. The unnamed island is crescent
shaped, wrapping around a shallow bay protected
by a natural reef. Strung along the long, sandy
southern arm of the island are a dozen private
gazebos that are rented by patrons. North of the
resort is a rocky spire called Kraken’s Reach from
which the picturesque Leviathan Falls cascades
400 feet directly into the ocean opposite the bay.
Hidden in the forest at the base of the spire are the
bungalows inhabited by the resort staff. The island
is covered in dozens of fruit-bearing trees, home
to brightly colored songbirds native to the island,
a troupe of crystalclaw monkeys, and a flock of
macaws.
Most of the staff are humans and halflings come
from a wilder island that is a 6-hour canoe trip
to the north. Otherwise, the nearest inhabited
landmass is about 400 miles away.
Gazebo Hill Residents
Gazebo bay is the semi-permanent residence
of its staff and their families, about 50 people
total. Unless otherwise noted, staff members are
commoners.
Chef Boscoe
Boscoe is the head chef of Gazebo Bay. He plans
and prepares exquisite meals for the resort. After
each dinner, Boscoe engages in the dancing and
then tries to find guests willing to play cards and
gamble with him.
  Boscoe was once the attendant of the leader of
a major thieves’ guild. He came to the island to
escape the enemies of his former master, Malcom
Bottledon.
Gazebo Bay  |  EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II
Gazebo Bay Rates
Gazebo, per night (includes meals for 2) 10 gp
Meals for additional guests, per day 2 gp
Reef Tour, per person 1 gp
Kraken’s Reach Tour, per person 5 gp
Fishing Trip, per person 1 gp
Erni “Big E” Affleby
Big E is Gazebo Bay’s host. He is a rotund halfling
who loves people. Unless he is welcoming new
guests at Arrival Point, Big E is usually hanging
around the Grand Gazebo. Somehow, he always
knows exactly when new guests are coming, and
never misses a group.
  Big E and his wife, Nebi, are the senior staff
members of Gazebo Bay and run the day-to-day
operations of the resort.
Nebanine “Nebi” Affleby
Nebi runs the bar at the Grand Gazebo. She is
a friendly halfling, but is just as happy to let her
husband talk to guests while she busies herself
behind the bar. Nebi is the only halfling bartender,
and nimbly climbs on top of the bar to interact with
guests and serve drinks.
  Nebi is currently confounded because the bar’s
supply of Golden Mirage Rum, the resort’s signature
spirit, keeps going missing. Despite many searches
and questionings, she and Big E cannot figure out
who the thief is.
Wastler
Wastler is a half-elf scout who serves as Gazebo
Bay’s tour guide. Before the resort existed, Wastler
was a shipwrecked pirate who washed ashore
on the island. He lived on the island for decades,
befriending the dryads and treants that live on the
island. When Malcom Bottledon came to the island
to open a resort, Wastler decided to stay.
Whistlewaif
Whistlewaif is a young human serving girl about
14 years old. She has never been off the island,
and enjoys hearing stories of far-away places. Her
parents are also staff members, and they do not
permit her to attend the nightly dances. Recently,
Whistlewaif met Dobe Mottleton (see area 5d)
during breakfast and invited him to visit her at the
staff bungalows.
Yldris & Yeldin
These human twins are part of the cleaning staff.
They are also the best dancers on the island and
excellent instructors. For a free drink or two, they
will lead even the most awkward guests through
elegant dances with a semblance of grace.
  The siblings are eager to see Prince Cabernacle
leave the island (see area 5a) and will give free
dance lessons to anyone who gets the prince to
go. A character who spends 8 or more total hours
dancing with one of the twins gains advantage on
Charisma (Performance or Persuasion) checks that
involve dancing.
EN World
EN World
EN5IDER:
EN5IDER  The
Over | the Hamlet
Next HillofII
Significant Areas
1. Arrival Point
Wealthy vacationers use portals on the mainland to
get to Gazebo Bay. Anyone who arrives at Gazebo Bay
by portal appears on the western overlook. Visitors
are greeted by Big E. He explains the resort’s pricing
and services (see the sidebar “Gazebo Bay Rates”),
and he offers to have porters take prospective
guests’ luggage to a room, suggesting that the guest
jumps right off the cliff into the bay. In the water
below is a floating platform with several rowboats
moored to it, available for guests to paddle to the
beach after their leap into the bay.
  Just north of the overlook is a stone fire pit with
carved wooden benches arranged in a semi-circle
facing west. This overlook is the best place on the
island to sit and enjoy the sunset.
2. The Beach
Stretching the length of the bay, the beach is littered
with shade umbrellas, beach chairs, and brilliant
white sand. There are two beachball courts, and a
 
Varseldorf
|  Gazebo Bay
small tiki bar so that guests don’t need to walk back
to the Grand Gazebo for refreshments.
3. The Grand Gazebo
This is the “main house” of the resort. It is a huge,
two-story, open air building. The main floor has
tables and a 24-hour bar. A fruit and delicacy laden
buffet is present from dawn till mid-afternoon, and
after dusk a 5-course meal is served every night.
  The second story has hammocks strung all day
long, but after dinner they are taken down and the
space is converted into a dance floor. Most staff
members are present and participate in the dance.
Almost all the staff are expert dancers and happily
mingle with guests.
4. The Kitchen
A stone pathway leads from the Grand Gazebo to
the kitchen. Any guests that find themselves in
the kitchen are immediately tasked with sampling
whatever pastries are being prepared for dinner. In
addition, Chef Boscoe has quite a sweet tooth, and
he is happy to share his stash of hard candies with
visitors.
5. Gazebos
Each gazebo is a large, open air structure with an
open porch facing the bay and a sleeping area with
white silk curtains that can be let down for privacy.
In the sleeping area are several plush sleeping mats,
piles of pillows, and plenty of fluffy towels. A small
bird attends each gazebo and will carry written
messages back to the Grand Gazebo. Behind each
gazebo is a spring-fed shower enclosed by flowering
hedges.
5a. Prince Cabernacle
Prince Cabernacle (a noble) has been staying at
Gazebo Bay for over a month. Self-indulgent and
spoiled rotten, he treats the staff poorly and is only
kind to other guests as long as they are entertaining
or useful. In particular, Prince Cabernacle earned
the ire of Yldris, who can barely tolerate his cloying
dances. The Prince spends most of his days on
the beach, but joins the dance each night, to the
Gazebo Bay  |  EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II
dismay of the staff and other guests. Unfortunately,
the prince is a friend of Malcom Bottledon, and
none of the staff dare kick him out.
  The Prince will only leave Gazebo Bay if he is
convinced that the island and its guests are beneath
his station. A DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check will
allow a character to reach this conclusion.
5b. The Prince’s Staff
Prince Cabernacle has a bungalow to himself,
but he has also brought his closest servants with
him. Although he claims this a treat for them, the
servants find themselves publicly berated if they
are needed by their master and are unavailable.
Thus, these 5 servants have spent the last month
following their lord around, nervously trying
to have fun while remaining within earshot of
Cabernacle at all times.
  The servants are Barton, Fredik, Bethany, Dawe,
and Jacki. All five are commoners.
5c. Gurni Brassbreath
Gurni Brassbreath, a dwarf guard, recently forged
a suit of armor for his clan chief. The armor was
such a masterpiece that the chief granted Gurni
a ten-day vacation, paid from the clan treasury.
Gurni loves his work, but he is thrilled to have a
vacation. He is earnestly making the best of it: he
wakes up early each morning to swim, partakes in
an enormous breakfast, then takes a long nap under
his bright yellow parasol. Gurni attends the dance
each night, and will happily dance with anyone.
He’s not very good, but he’s incredibly enthusiastic,
and the staff love him.
5d. The Mottletons
Harvy and Meesa have been saving pennies for
months to visit Gazebo Bay. They brought their
children, Dobe, Perti, and Bud. Harvy is a scribe
and Meesa works at a bakery. All the Mottletons
are commoners.
  The Mottleton parents are distraught by the
attitude of their eldest, Dobe, who has been sulky
about visiting the beach each day. Dobe is smitten
with the young serving lass Wistlewaif. He has
spoken with her during breakfast, but hasn’t been
able to visit her when she’s not working because his
parents are forcing him to play at the beach each day.
5e. Eselnidor and His Cousins
These three elven nobles are celebrating Eselnidor’s
betrothal and upcoming wedding. Vaselnidor
and Aerdinous, Eselnidor’s cousins, decided that
Eselnidor was not properly spending his final
weeks of bachelorhood and kidnapped their cousin.
The duo is forcing Eselnidor to celebrate “properly.”
Vaselnidor and Aerdinous have been living it up,
spending most of the time drunk, and flirting with
the staff. Eselnidor, on the other hand, is miserable.
He does not know if his betrothed knows where he
is (she doesn’t) and is worried that his cousins will
not get him back in time for his wedding.
5f. Mirial Webbler
Mirial (human noble) is the daughter of an
influential merchant. She is an aspiring poet on a
creative retreat. She sleeps through most of the day,
waking up in time to watch the sunset from Arrival
Point. Then she drinks until the dance ends and
writes in her gazebo until sunrise.
5g. Available Gazebo
These gazebos are not currently occupied.
6. Orchard
Southeast of the Grand Gazebo lies two acres of
orchard, where several types of fruit trees bear
ripe fruit at all times. The orchard is tended by six
dryads—often seen moving through the trees from
a distance, they rarely interact with guests.
  A dryad will talk to a character who succeeds on
a DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check. Characters
with proficiency in Nature have advantage on this
check.
7. Staff Bungalows
Four longhouses, each with five single-room
dwellings, are the homes of most of the resort
EN World
EN World
EN5IDER:
EN5IDER  The
Over | the Hamlet
Next HillofII
staff. There is a communal wash house and a spring
where the staff wash clothing. Dozens of children
run around the area and a handful of friendly dogs
lounge in the shade.
8. The North Cove
The stream running from the staff bungalows meets
the ocean here. Several long canoes are stored on
the small beach in this cove. For 1 gp per person,
Waster will take guests on an all-day fishing trip
that departs from the North Cove.
9. The Manor
On the southern bluff of the north cove is the
manor house. It is usually empty, but when Malcom
Bottledon is present, this massive structure is his
home.
10. Jungle
The dense forest that covers the island is relatively
safe to explore. There are many crystalclaw
monkeys, but no major predators live on the
island. The island is protected by a pair of treants
who sleep most of the day but wander through the
trees at night. If a guest causes trouble in the jungle,
one of the treants will intercept the interloper and
escort them back to the Grand Gazebo.
11. Kraken’s Reach
This rocky peak towers above the island. The
spray from Leviathan Falls ensures that there is
almost always a rainbow haloing the spire. The
ocean beneath the falls is very deep, and whales
frequently breach to play in the cascade.
  For 1 gp per person, Wastler will lead groups
of guests up the reach. It takes about two hours
to climb to the top and guests are allowed to leap
into the waterfall, plunging into the ocean below. If
they choose to leap, a boat will pick them up at the
base of the falls and bring them back to the resort
via the North Cove.
  Characters who leap from Kraken’s Reach gain
inspiration and feel euphoric for the rest of the day.
 
Varseldorf
|  Gazebo Bay
12. The Reef
The reef blocks the surf, keeping the waters of
Gazebo Bay calm and crystal clear. For a fee of 1 gp
per person, Wastler will paddle a group of guests
out to the reef and provide each with a potion that,
four 1 hour, gives the drinker a swim speed of 50
feet and the ability to see underwater. The reef is
home to some of the most dazzling fish and sea
creatures in the world. Guests exploring the reef
who succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom (Perception)
check might find an oyster containing a pearl
worth 100 gp.
  Although sharks are often seen on the far side of
the reef, they rarely cross the reef into the bay.
e

Gazebo Bay  |  EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II

Over the Next Hill

Roak
CreEK
O ver the Next Hill is a

multi-author series that

focuses on small settlements

you can drop into a campaign

with minimal preparation. Each

article in the series presents

several detailed NPCs, points

of interest, and loose plot

hooks that can be developed

during play. This installment of

the series details Roak Creek,

a community of artists and

musicians built in a small forest

writing GM Lent
clearing. color art Xanditz
maps Michael McCarthy
editing James J. Haeck
layout Eric Life-Putnam

EN World
EN World
EN5IDER:
EN5IDER  The
Over| the Hamlet
Next ofII 
Hill Varseldorf
|  Roak Creek
Overview
Not far from the bustle of civilization, nestled in a
picturesque clearing in a thick wood, is the town of
Roak Creek. Created decades ago by the eccentric
Lord Childe, Roak Creek is an artist community for
those who wish to pursue their creative endeavors
amongst like-minded individuals, though anyone
who has an appreciation for the arts is welcome.
Located by the creek of the same name, this town
boasts an amphitheater, an inviting inn, and a
library featuring works from some of the greatest
artists and writers in the land.
  What no one knows is that Lord Childe made an
enemy of the devious night hag, Auntie Mudwillow.
He stole her heartstone, the black gem that allows
her to become ethereal. While she eventually killed
him, he never divulged where he hid her heartstone,
and she has searched for it ever since.
Geography
Roak Creek’s temperate climate brings more pleasant
days than bad, even during the winter. The town is
located in a clearing of oaks and maples alongside
the creek after which it is named. Travelers will
hear Roak Creek well before they lay eyes on it as
the wind carries the sounds of musical instruments
or a cheering audience to anyone approaching.
Wildlife avoids the noisy community, though the
birds seem to take the musical cacophony as more
of a challenge than anything else.
Roak Creek  |  EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II
  While the land is fertile, and many of the houses
have small gardens on the property, most of the
town’s food is imported from local villages or cities.
Anyone who dips a toe into the creek will realize
it is too fast to safely swim in for all but the best
swimmers, and the ice is thin in the winter.
Significant NPCs
Ril Sonagio
(male half-elf bard)
This middle-aged half-elf has sharp features, a
well-trimmed goatee, and multiple gold hoops
in his ears. Ril has served as the town’s Master
of Ceremonies—essentially the town mayor—for
nearly two decades. He settled in Roak Creek after
a youth filled with adventure, and seeks out visiting
adventurers to swap stories with.
  His excitement and passion for the arts is
contagious, and he’s turned more than one tone-
deaf fighter or barbarian into a novice bard. He
knows everyone in the town by name, and is a
very shrewd gambler. More than one group of
adventurers has left Roak Creek with light pockets
after playing a few games of chance with Ril.
Zerial
(female high elf noble)
Zerial moved to Roak Creek at the request of the
previous head librarian upon his deathbed. They
were old friends, though Zerial will not mention
how they knew one another, only that she owed
him a debt and considers curating his collection
her fulfillment of that. It’s difficult to tell how old
she is as her elven features hide any signs of age.
She carries herself with dignity and reserve. If you
need to find a buyer for a manuscript of ancient
draconic poetry, or want to study the artistic
stylings of the fey, Zerial can help you. But those
who peruse her collection merely to find hidden
treasures rather than appreciate its artistic merits
are promptly shown the exit. She rarely leaves the
library, and her few trips out into town are the
subject of gossip for the rest of the week.
Derwyn Vielle
(male human commoner)
Derwyn looks like the sort of man who hasn’t
smiled in a long time. His hands are calloused from
his life-long work of crafting musical instruments,
a trade he has pursued for the last fifty years. His
skin is tanned and weathered, his head bald, and
his back a bit bowed. Derwyn moved to Roak Creek
a decade ago after his daughter, who would have
succeeded him in the family business, died. He
spends much of his time in his shop, practicing his
trade, though he’ll often watch performances in
the Amphitheater if they’re using his instruments.
He recently acquired a pet raven, and has become
more withdrawn than usual since.
Holly Petrar
(female human acolyte)
This optimistic young woman runs the Crimson
Lyre with her wife, Terza. She has bouncy reddish-
brown hair and freckles to match. She is a devotee
to the god of poetry and song, and met Terza when
the tiefling bard spent a few nights at the temple
where she trained. She followed Terza to Roak
Creek, where Ril oversaw their nuptials. Holly
runs the Inn, being the better cook, and leaves the
general store to Terza. She often brings Derwyn
food, and she considers him a good friend.
Terza Petrar
(female tiefling bard)
“Aggressively energetic” is how most describe their
first encounter with Terza, the tiefling co-proprietor
of the Crimson Lyre. Her solid gold eyes stand out
against her dark skin and hair. She wears short
sleeves to reveal the stylized tattoos on her arms
and along her tail. Terza can often be heard playing
one of her many instruments while minding the
general store section attached to their inn. She is
also a friendly rival of Ril’s, and they can be found
playing cards together at the inn once the sun
has gone down. She’s noticed Derwyn’s change in
behavior, and knowing how close her wife is to the
old man, is interested in what might have caused it.
She’s been discreetly keeping an eye on him.
EN World
EN World
EN5IDER:
EN5IDER  The
Over| the Hamlet
Next
Anderst Brushpot
(male halfing commoner)
A down-to-earth, middle-aged halfling, Anderst
owns the Brushpot Resident Houses where long-
term visitors to the town can rent rooms for months
at a time. He is good friends with Ril, though he no
longer plays cards with the half-elf in the interest of
preserving that friendship. He gets along well with
most everyone in Roak Creek save Zerial ever since
she refused an invitation to dinner shortly after she
first arrived. He holds the culinary arts above all
others, and has a taste for fine dining. He lives on
the bottom floor of his western-most house, where
he keeps a large vegetable patch.
Significant Areas
1. Roak Amphitheater
The pride of Roak Creek is its outdoor amphitheater.
The north-facing stage measures 40 feet across and
3 feet high. Seating forms a semi-circle around
the stage and rises upward toward the open sky.
Awnings can be pulled over the top in case of rain
or snow. It can seat 500 people, but only a major
production attracts that many. There is standing
room in front of the stage and boxes for important
visitors, and two private dressing rooms and storage
space in the back. The theater was built by the
town’s founder, Lord Childe, though he died before
its completion. It is here that he hid the heartstone
of the night hag known as Auntie Mudwillow. Ril
manages the stage’s schedule and the small crew
tasked with its cleaning and upkeep.
2. The Library
This narrow, three-story house was converted into
a library a few decades ago by its previous owner.
It houses a large collection of poems, music, and
art pieces, many of which are first editions or rare.
Zerial keeps a set of rooms on the first floor. The
rest of the first floor is dedicated to poetry and other
writings, and also has a quiet area for studying.
The second floor holds the music and visual arts
collections. Its shelves are filled with ballads and
ofII 
Hill Varseldorf
|  Roak Creek

songs while the walls are covered with canvases.
The most valuable items are kept locked away on
the third floor, to which Zerial has the only key.
Tales of hidden treasures and lost empires, the
origins of ancient villains and returning evil, can
all be found here.
3. Crimson Lyre
Run by Holly and Terza Petrar, this two-story
building is one of the largest in Roak Creek. They
have enough beds for twenty people, an expansive
bar, and hearty meals at fair prices. Attached to
the inn and accessible from its common room is
a small general store. They stock common goods
such as rations or rope, but they also have a full
selection of artisan tools kits. Behind the inn is a
stable for boarding horses and other animals.
Roak Creek  |  EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II
4. Brushpot Resident Houses
These four houses located around
town are owned by Anderst
Brushpot. Each has a small garden
with vegetables and herbs, as
well as a set of outdoor tables and
chairs where the residents of each
house can often be found enjoying
the weather or talking about a
recent performance. For those
who do not want to be kept up all
night by the residents practicing
music or reciting soliloquys, it is
recommended they stay at the
Crimson Lyre.
5. Derwyn’s Workshop
The workshop is a plain, single-
story building with a bedroom
and small kitchen in the back. On
display are expertly crafted musical
instruments for sale. While not
enchanted, Derwyn’s instruments
are of superior quality. If a creature
using it to make a Charisma
(Performance) check is proficient
in the Performance skill, it adds its
proficiency bonus to the check twice. Derwyn can
be found working on his next instrument under the
shade of a tall oak tree, his raven on his shoulder.
6. Ril Sonagio’s Home
This large, two-story building traditionally belongs
to the Master of Ceremonies and functions both as
his home and the town hall. A balcony encircles
the second floor, overlooking the green where a
statue of the town’s founder stands. Much of the
first floor is a large ballroom. It’s extravagantly
decorated, lit by three chandeliers and a giant
fireplace. The wood paneling is carved with scenes
from famous heroic tales, though hidden amongst
them Lord Childe recorded his conflict with Auntie
Mudwillow and clues that point to where he hid her
heartstone.
Rumors and Plot Hooks
Level 1-4 (1d6)
1. Hearing about Roak Creek’s reputation as
a haven for superb performers, one of the
Archfey has “requested” the town put on
a show to entertain him and his court. An
elven warlock named Herzelle arrives a few
days ahead of the Archfey’s party to ensure
that all preparations proceed as planned. He
expects there to be fine dining, a play written
specifically for his Lord’s visit, and a wild
after-party.
2. The annual Roak Creek Arts Festival, a
week-long celebration that culminates with
a competition, has just begun. One of the
competitors is a sculptor whose statues are
eerily lifelike; he is a medusa in disguise.
3. An artist is found dead in front of one of his
canvases. The scene he painted is identified
as one of the levels of the abyss. And the devil
that once stood in the middle of the painting
is no longer there.
EN World
EN World
EN5IDER:
EN5IDER  The
Over| the Hamlet
Next
4. Ever since he found his new raven, Derwyn
Vielle has been acting strangely. The lights
in his workshop are on well after dark and he
refuses to tell anyone what he is working on.
His pet raven is actually an imp in disguise,
urging him to make cursed instruments.
5. The Roak Creek Library holds the last copy
of a song containing clues to the location of a
lost ruin. But Zerial doesn’t like adventurers
and suspects their only interest in her
collection is finding treasure. What she
doesn’t know is that Anderst Brushpot once
owned the house that became the library, and
knows of a secret way inside.
6. Silence descends upon Roak Creek one
morning as everyone in the town has
suddenly lost their voice. This curse is the
work of Auntie Mudwillow, and she will lift it
if her heartstone is returned. She is, of course,
lying. e
ofII 
Hill Varseldorf
|  Roak Creek
 Over the Next Hill
STONEWATCH
LIGHTHOUSE
O ver the Next Hill is a

multi-author series

focuses on small settlements you

that

can drop into a campaign with

minimal preparation. Each article in

the series presents several detailed

NPCs, points of interest, and loose

plot hooks that can be developed

during play. This installment of

the series details Stonewatch, an

enchanted lighthouse engulfed in

shadowy mists by the spirits of an

ancient foe. In this mini-adventure

location suited for characters of

writing GM Lent 4th–5th level, the characters may

color art Xanditz
maps Michael McCarthy encounter a disguised necromancer,
editing James J. Haeck
layout Eric Life-Putnam a loyal knight, and a dark secret.

Stonewatch Lighthouse  |  EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II

Overview
The valley around Stonewatch has been cursed
and enshrouded in permanent gloom. Only a few
hardy souls remain, led by the sentinel knight, Ser
Kaplan—trying to ascertain the true nature of the
fog and how to remove it.
  Unknown to them, the mist appeared because
of a growing rift between the physical and spirit
worlds. Although this opening has been safely
sealed for over a hundred years, a powerful
necromancer recently succeeded in reopening it
by infiltrating the lighthouse and corrupting its
sacred flame. Everyone near Stonewatch is now
in imminent danger, as the necromancer is on the
verge of bringing a flood of vengeful spirits back
into the mortal realm.
Geography
Stonewatch rises up from a rocky bluff at the mouth
of Sova Valley, holding its flame aloft as a warning
to all who see it. With each passing day, the mist
around its base grows thicker and more oppressive.
The aging lighthouse is the only structure tall
enough to still reach above the rising mist and its
flames continue to shine clearly for miles in any
direction.
Significant NPCs
Adiss Losch (a.k.a. Daevin)
Adiss Losch is a plump and cheerful human mage
whose appearance belies his obsession with
necromancy. Losch takes great pains to conceal his
work and his allegiances. His congenial demeanor
has been carefully rehearsed to deflect unwanted
scrutiny.
  Dedicated to the renewal of his sect, the Herex
Eye, Losch has come to Stonewatch in the guise
of a scholar named Daevin and plays the part
enthusiastically. Despite “Daevin’s” mild demeanor,
Losch is committed to his plan with deadly earnest.
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Adventure Thread
Each night, Losch secretly descends into the
burial chamber beneath Stonewatch to perform
sacrilegious rites and harvest a corrupting,
necromantic residue. He then feeds this ooze
into the lighthouse’s flames each night, where it
slowly poisons the tower’s protective wards and
strengthens the spirits that stir outside.
Ser Kaplan
Ser Kaplan is a human knight and a lifelong servant
of the Order of the Living Light—the knighthood
that originally built Stonewatch over a century ago.
He has already given his best years to his order but
remains willing to serve and now stands vigil over
the lighthouse and its sacred flame.
Adventure Hook
Ser Kaplan accepted Daevin into Stonewatch a few
months ago, just before the mists appeared. The
scholar presented a formal Writ of Appointment
authorizing his stay the lighthouse. Ser Kaplan
firmly believes Daevin’s orders to be authentic, but
if the Writ of Appointment could be proven false,
it would expose the scholar as both a fraud and
infiltrator.
Groundskeeper Oggon
This hobbled half-orc commoner is the
hardworking groundskeeper for Stonewatch. He
lost his left foot at a young age, but has adapted to
the loss and moves quite confidently with a false
boot and slight limp.
  Although Oggon typically performs tasks around
the lighthouse, he now spends most of his time
worriedly watching the fog.
Adventure Hook
As the mists continue to thicken, Oggon grows
increasingly alarmed. He rambles about
experiencing strange events while performing
his nighttime duties in the lighthouse, including
hearing strange sounds echoing up the stairwell
and feeling an unnatural coldness around the
lighthouse’s pyre.
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 Stonewatch Lighthouse and Environs
7
3 1
6
Significant Areas
1. Abandoned Village
The small village near the base of Stonewatch has
been heavily obscured by a fogbank that seems to
writhe and shift as if alive. In stark contrast, the
village’s buildings are still and dark, without any
signs of life.
  Although its buildings have been abandoned
by fleeing villagers, six shifting shadows and one
specter lurk within the corners and eaves of the
buildings. They remain hidden unless attacked but
can be spotted with a DC17 Perception check.
Partially unearthed in the soil beneath the
spirits are the remains of a long-dead Herex Eye
necromancer, now little more than a few bones.
Pipes of haunting crafted out of delicate elven finger
bones lie among the remains. The pipes blend into
the soil and bones but can be located with detect
magic or a successful DC 15 Perception check.
Stonewatch Lighthouse  |  EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II
2
2. Groundskeeper’s Lodge
Oggon, the lighthouse’s groundskeeper, lives and
works out of this broad, wooden building. He is a
gruff and suspicious half-orc, but warms up quickly
to visitors who treat him kindly.
Oggon maintains Stonewatch and the surrounding
lands. He is a very competent laborer, handyman,
craftsman, and jack-of-all-trades, able to perform
almost any type of common service required by
visitors.
3. Lighthouse Exterior
Stonewatch is an imposing sight, looming high
overhead, despite its mold-blackened and weather-
worn stones.
At the lighthouse’s base are a pair of thick, oaken
double doors reinforced by iron bars, each with
a heavy metal clapper that can be used to send a
thudding knock reverberating throughout the tower.
The lock on the doors can be picked by making a
successful DC 15 Dexterity check with thieves’ tools,
or broken down by making a successful DC 18
Strength check, though the noise alerts Ser Kaplan
within.
Day or night, Ser Kaplan answers a knock at the
door, greeting visitors and urging them to come in
and take shelter despite being clearly worried about
the mists outside. He shares that Daevin joined the
lighthouse just before the mist first appeared, and
that he has been hoping for other visitors to arrive
and help as well.
4. Lighthouse Interior, Ground Floor
The inside of the lighthouse is much smaller than
its walls suggest. Off to one side, several chairs have
been arranged around the warm glow of a log fire.
The chamber is dominated by a central column
with a spiral staircase wrapping around it, leading
into darkness both above and below.
This room serves as the basic living quarters for
the lighthouse, functioning as a combination of
kitchen, eating area, and supply room.
Adventure Hook
Ser Kaplan keeps a few personal effects inside an
unlocked chest, including the Writ of Appointment
that Daevin presented upon arriving at Stonewatch
three months ago. This document is an excellent
forgery, but bears the false signature of Ser Jorom—a
knight who actually died long ago. Records of this
knight’s passing exist in the lighthouse’s library
(area 6) and, if found, reveal Daevin’s orders to be
fake.
5. Lighthouse Interior, Second Floor
(Sleeping Quarters)
The lighthouse’s second story is much like its first,
with a round, open chamber broken up only by a
central stairwell that continues to lead upwards
into the tower above. A modest sleeping area has
been arranged in the back for the tower’s two
residents.
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Adventure Hook
A small, iron box is concealed within the folds of
Daevin’s bedding. Its latch has been sealed with an
arcane lock, and breaking the arcane lock triggers
a poison needle trap. Inside, a necromantic tome
contains step-by-step instructions for Daevin’s
dark rituals. One of Daevin’s illusions disguises
it as an innocuous textbook, but this illusion can
be detected with detect magic or seen through
if a character makes a successful DC 17 Wisdom
(Perception) check.
6. Lighthouse Interior, Third Floor
(Library)
Low roof beams and several rows of shelves give
this floor a somewhat cramped atmosphere.
Stacked parchment and books are everywhere,
filling the shelves and spilling across tables. A pair
of lanterns are suspended from chains between the
roof beams, brightly illuminating the chamber.
Daevin spends most of his time here, reviewing the
writings of Stonewatch’s former stewards. Much of
this is a pantomime, though, as he has no genuine
interest in the writings of the knighthood.
Adventure Hook
Searching the library yields a journal excerpt
containing a firsthand account of the historical
defeat of Herex Eye necromancers over one
hundred years ago. Perceptive readers will note
that the author of this excerpt was “Ser Jorom,”
whom Daevin also spitefully used as the signatory
on his recently forged Writ of Appointment.
7. L
 ighthouse Interior, Fourth Floor
(Upper Platform)
The lighthouse’s uppermost platform overlooks the
entire fog-choked valley.
  Dominating the center of the platform is a
massive metal furnace, several feet tall and about
twice as broad, along with a carefully stacked pile
of firewood.
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Twice each day, at midday and midnight, Daevin
brings up a load of firewood, stacks it next to
the furnace, and then quickly applies corrupting
ooze to the entire pile. Characters may notice
this tampering with a successful DC 13 Wisdom
(Perception) check, with a subsequent DC 15
Intelligence (Arcana) check also revealing that the
ooze has been created from defiled corpses.
8. Lighthouse Basement
(Living Light Memorial)
The staircase narrows as it descends, before finally
ending in this darkened, circular room. Faint
vestiges of light from above are the only illumination
here, barely revealing the vague outline of the room.
At one point, the spiral staircase continued further
downward, but passage has since been blocked
with a seal of heavy, inscribed stones. A successful
DC 15 Intelligence (Religion) check reveals the
markings to be religious symbols typically used to
denote sealed burial sites.
If the room is illuminated, it becomes obvious that
this chamber is a memorial, with several stone
busts and suits of armor displayed in alcoves along
the walls. One of the alcoves contains an animated
shield, an heirloom of the order, but Ser Kaplan
will only share the activation word with someone
who has proven their devotion. If the memorial
or sealed staircase are disturbed in any way, five
of the memorial’s old suits of armor stir to life as
animated armor and attempt to stop transgressors.
Adventure Hook
Perceptive players will notice scratch marks near
the back of one of the alcoves. If the armor in it
is moved aside, a loose stone can be jostled loose
from the back wall, concealing a crude tunnel that
Daevin dug down into the Crypt Memorial (area 9)
below.
Stonewatch Lighthouse  |  EN World EN5IDER: Over the Next Hill II
Excerpt: Journal of the First Steward
“Our detachment pursued the Herex Eye necromancers
relentlessly, hunting them to the very edge of the
distant Sova Valley before we were finally able to
corner the death cultists against the rocky coastline.
Despite our victory, the battle was only narrowly won,
and we paid a high price.
  “There, upon the still-bloody field of our victory,
our knights built the great lighthouse. We stacked
stone upon bloody stone, consecrating Stonewatch
as a memorial to the sacred flame before sealing it
with powerful wards against the return of the death
cultists.
  “Our order is now bound to guard Stonewatch,
maintaining an uninterrupted vigil over its sacred
flame through a succession of sentinels, each
replacing the one before at the time of their death.
The integrity of this succession is of the utmost
importance. I fear that if the flames should ever fade,
the spirits of the Herex Eye will slip back into this
world once more.”
— From the firsthand account of Ser Jorom,
Knight of the Living Light, and the First Steward
9. Lighthouse Sub-Basement
(Burial Chamber)
The tunnel opens up into an old and dusty tomb.
Although larger than the rooms above, this
chamber is full of stone burial coverings—many of
which have been clearly tampered with.
This chamber serves as the final resting place for
the knights who fell in battle against the Herex
Eye. Daevin spends each night here, performing
necromantic rituals on the crumbling bones of the
fallen knights to create a noxious ooze capable of
corrupting the Lighthouse’s sacred flame. Three
ghasts and five ghouls under his control now guard
the area against any intruders.
Refugees flee the encroaching fog that now surrounds Stonewatch Lighthouse
Resolution
Depending on what the player characters do,
there are a variety of ways in which the events in
Stonewatch might unfold:
• If the PCs do not intervene, Losch’s actions
continue unimpeded and Stonewatch’s sacred
flame is extinguished. The mist coalesces,
forming a shadowy gateway through which
dozens of Herex Eye spirits become reborn
as ghosts, flooding through the valley’s
settlements and claiming their long-awaited
vengeance.
• If Losch is confronted about being a
necromancer, he immediately drops his
“Daevin” act, and either flees or fights,
depending on who has the upper hand.
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» In a fight, Losch calls forth any remaining
undead within the crypt (area 9) to defend
him. Ser Kaplan will fight alongside the PCs.
» If Losch anticipates the attack, he ascends
to the upper platform (area 7) and summons
a corrupted fire elemental from the
furnace.
» If forced to flee, Losch regroups with other
members of the Herex Eye before returning
to become a recurring adversary.
Once Losch is defeated, Ser Kaplan scours the
surrounding lands to hunt down any remaining
Herex Eye and break their curse. Players that help
complete this quest are invited to become sworn
members of the Order of the Living Light, with
Stonewatch offered as a stronghold to use as they
see fit. e
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Open Game License Version 1.0a
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