Lights of Darkness

A 2-3 hour adventure for three to four 3rd -4th level characters

Introduction: Strange lights appear in the sky to the west. Is it a

portent of doom?

by Kristjan Matthiasson

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 Lights of Darkness.
DM’s Background
This adventure is a sequel to “A Source of
Secrets” the first adventure of the Valley of
Kyros trilogy, which is also available in the
DM Guild store. It can be played as an
independent adventure by setting the
scenario for the players.
The Valley of Kyros.
The Valley of Kyros is a small valley that is
enclosed by mountains on all sides except
the east. There are two roads that lead from
the valley, one goes to Chara which is a
modest town and the other goes to Fort Crim
which is a military stronghold.
In the valley there are three settlements. The
largest, Mud Creek, has a population of about
50 people and is detailed in appendix A.
Should the players have played through the
Mud Creek trilogy or the DM uses the “A
Source of Secrets” backstory they have a
residence there for their services so far.
The other two settlements are Stonepass
and Wood’s End. Stonepass is a small
farming hamlet and Wood’s End is a small
lumberjack settlement.
At the northern mountain range a
stronghold is being built to hold back a
possible orc invasion. The players have had
dealings with captain Darion that is leading
the construction of the stronghold.
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A river runs thought the valley forming
Littlelake, an average lake with some fishing
being possible.
Deeper in the valley are the main locations
for this trilogy. South of the forest is the
location of Saarith’s old tower. Directly
north from that location are the ruins where
the order known as the Kyros had their
home and near the east border is an ancient
tower which is the setting for the final
chapter of this trilogy. There is also an old
burial mound in the valley that can be the
location of a dungeon crawling side-quest.
Should the players wish to explore these
places out of order (as they usually do) they
will not find anything of note there at that
point in the timeline.
While the valley has a mild climate the
adventures in this trilogy take part during
winter and the players should take proper
precautions.
Part 1 – Strange lights
A week after the events of “A Source of
Secrets” the players are wakened by an odd
sensation and a commotion coming from the
outside. If the players don’t go outside to see
what the commotion is, someone will bang
on the door and ask them to come outside.
When outside the players will see a purple-
ish beam of light rising from the ground
some distance to the west. The players also
feel a pulsating sensation that resonates
with fluctuations of the light. Soon after they
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exit the building priestess
approaches them and speaks.
I get a strong sense of darkness and
evil from that light. This is no doubt
the work of Saarith or his minions.
He has certainly discovered the
recovery of his orb and now tries to
steal it back.
I have learned that the orb is a key
element of restoring Saariths old lair
to its former strength. I have also
learned that to destroy the orb, it
must be thrown into a pool of lava
and the closest one is located in a
dungeon underneath the old tower
to the far east.
I beg of you to go investigate the
source of the light and if possible
destroy it.
Should you fail I fear that the valley
may be overrun by the forces of
Saarith, allowing him to reclaim the
orb and reveal himself to the world
at the fullness of his power.
As the players are leaving the village mage
hurries up to them and gives them a small
crystal. He explains that the crystal contains
radiant magic which, when used, will
enchant every weapon within 100 feet
adding an extra 1d6 radiant damage to every
hit for 10 rounds of combat. He cautions
them to use it only in dire need as the crystal
holds one charge and cannot be recharged.
Should the players have given the village
mage the silvered shard in “The
Quarrelsome Quarry” the village mage will
also hand over +1 weapon of the DM’s choice
for their service in retrieving the silver
shard. He thanks them again and wishes
them good luck. If asked about the light, he
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Feliana will say that it has undertones of
necromancy so the players could meet
undead adversaries.
Just as the village mage leaves mayor
Garland hurries to them and speaks.
God speed my friends.
No doubt you will prevail, but please
hurry back. A company of horsemen
has been dispatched to Mud Creek
to assist with the destruction of
Saariths orb.
They should arrive in two days and
will clear the path to the old tower
of any hostiles. They are however
not equipped to deal with eldritch
matters such as this fearful light so
you will also be needed for the quest
to destroy the orb.
Good luck my friends.
Part 2 – Following the light.
The players can easily follow the light to its
source, which is the old ruins that are
located next to the river east of Mud Creek.
There is a light cover of snow on the ground
and a calm wind so the players should not
have any major problems in traveling to the
ruins.
On their journey they will be ambushed by a
group of four skeletons that suddenly burst
from the ground.
The ambush occurs in a clearing mid-way
towards the ruins. While this will surprise
the players, the skeletons need a complete
round to rise from the ground and attack.
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They rise up all at one side of the players or
around them at the DM’s discretion.
The skeletons themselves have no valuables,
but should the players look into the ground
from where they came they will find 24gp
total.
As they near the source of the light, the
pulsating feeling strengthens and they start
hearing a low noise. When they climb a small
hill they see the ruins and in the center the
source of the light.
Part 3 – The ruins.
The ruins used to be a small town encircled
by a stone wall. The players can see from
their vantage point a few possible entrances
into the ruins, yet there are three to four
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undead beings lurking about at each
entrance.
These are zombies that are located at
positions a), b) and c) on the map.
The zombies have no treasure.
The source of the light is in the center of
town market d)
As the player near the ruins they notice that
the sound from the light source is somewhat
loud at this point and will most likely drown
out combat sounds.
No matter from which direction the players
try to enter the ruin they will always have to
get past one of the guard groups. They can of
course attempt to sneak past.
As the players enter the ruins they see
crumbling houses and the scent of corrupt
flesh assails them. If they go exploring in the
buildings they will find nothing of value, only
death and decay
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At the center of town the players come upon (This would be an excellent time to use the
a pedestal which contains a black orb that mages crystal)
gives forth the strange light.

Part 4 – The pedestal of dark light.

As the players approach the pedestal the

pitch of the sound changes suddenly and the
light bends over the ruins forming an
entrapping dome. The sound stops and a dry
dusky voice is heard.

I was beginning to worry about you.

My friend here thought you would not

dare to enter the ruins, but I expected
otherwise.

It will be mildly entertaining to observe

this confrontation, but quite pointless as
you are now trapped.

Enjoy your stay, even if it is very short.

At that moment a person exits one of the
houses and starts casting a spell. And the
ground starts shacking.
The spell cast is darkness that envelopes the
players. When the players exit the spell
radius the person is gone. And they see two
huge zombies rising from the ground.
The ogre zombies take 4 rounds to exit the
ground. Assuming the players use one
round to exit the darkness spell they have 3
rounds to react to the hostiles. Should the
players attack before the ogres are out of the
ground they get an advantage on the attack.
As soon as the Ogre zombies are free of the
ground they attack the first player they see.
This battle might tax the players hard.
Should you feel they are underprepared for
the battle you can make adjustments to the
ogre zombies hp or damage accordingly.
The ogre zombies have a small gem in the
hilt of their weapons worth 15gp each.
Part 5 – Trapped.
Having survived the battle the players are
still trapped inside the dome. If the players
search the dome they won’t find the
necromancer anywhere. Yet somehow he
seems to have managed to escape.
The house which the necromancer exited
has a basement that contains a secret door
by which the players can exit the dome. If the
players search the house they will find the

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basement easily enough. A successful DC 15
perception (wisdom) check will reveal the
Saarith: You fool.
location of a secret door that leads to a small
dungeon. You were to remain, insure their
deaths and recover my orb. Instead
you plan your escape, leaving the
The entrance tunnel undead to do your work.

This is a tight, man made tunnel that leads Necromancer: But master …..
about 500 yards to the east. There are signs
of recent movements through the tunnels. Saarith: Be silent. You have a chance
Near the end of the tunnel there is a closed to redeem yourself. Our enemies
door to their right. As the reach the door approach, they have not only
they can also see a small cave open up ahead survived but also escaped due to
of them your stupidity. Kill them and bring
the orb or do not return.
The sideroom
The image in the air then vanishes as the
This room contains two small chests and a
necromancer quickly turns his attention to
few barrels. The barrels contain nothing of
the players and prepares for battle. He does
note, rotten food, some sand and a
however not strike first and seems hesitant
collection of bones.
to fight the players.
The chests contain the following
The players can fight the necromancer or
try to talk him out of fighting. A successful
Chest 1: 125gp and 375sp
DC18 persuasion check will convince the
necromancer to rethink his loyalties. Should
Chest 2: A necklace worth 125gp, a ring
the players explain that they do not have
worth 50gp and an ornate dagger. The
the orb a successful DC13 check will be
dagger is a dagger +1.
enough.
The exit cave

This is a sizable cavern that has a small

opening in the other end. The ground is
somewhat flat but muddy.

As they enter the cave they see the

necromancer talking with an apparition in
the cave. If the players wait and listen they
will hear the following conversation.

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 see a group of horsemen with priestess
Feliana in the front approaching.

When they arrive Feliana speaks:

Greetings.

I see you have escaped the dome. Come

with us to the camp and rest for a
couple of days.

The reinforcements from the capital

have arrived and are clearing the area of
any hostiles.

You are however still needed to destroy

Saariths orb. We head for the old tower
after two days to finish this business.

Should the necromancer leave the players he Come now and get some deserved rest.
will exit the cave and vanish into the night,
never to be seen again. The priestess then lends them horses and
takes them to the army camp where the
If the players fight the necromancer and win players each gets their own tent to rest and
they will find on his body spell components recuperate.
worth 200gp, a pouch with 30gp and a
Driftglobe
Part 7 – In the end.
Part 6 – leaving the cave
After this adventure the players each get 400
As the players exit the caves they hear the experience points. They also get 1850
thunder of hooves approaching. Soon they experience points which are divided equally
between them.

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Appendix A: The village of Mud Creek and maps

1. Mayor Garland’s home. 4. Empty house, offered to PC’s.

2. The wizards tower 5. The Muddy Tavern

3. The sawmill and blacksmiths 6. A small marketplace

home
7. The shrine of Chauntea

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Mud Creek is a village with about 50 people living there. It is located at the outskirts of civilization
so the folks there are hardy, no-nonsense pioneer type people. The village has a single tavern, a
mayor, a small four men militia, a sawmill, a blacksmith, a single shrine dedicated to Chautea and
a village mage. There is also a windmill close by and a few farmsteads in the area.

The village mage has a small library which he will allow any player mage to use for research for a
small fee (2gp /day).

Priestess Feliana, cleric of Chauntea can heal the players for a donation of a few gold pieces.

The blacksmith will allow the players to use his forge if they were helpful in this or previous
adventures.

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Ruins of Kyros

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