Credits

Lead Designers: Mike Pisani, Colin Heffernan
Creative & Art Directors: Colin Heffernan, Mike Pisani,
Paige Ford, Ollo Clark
Project Manager: Paige Ford
Writing and Design: Kailey Bray, Ollo Clark, Dave
Coulson, Makenzie De Armas, Jeff Ellis, Paige Ford,
Jen Hazlewood, Colin Heffernan, Josh Knapp, Jessica
Marcrum, Lynne Meyer, Mike Pisani, William Richardson,
Bailey Sullivan
Editors: Brent Jans, T.K. Johnson, Dr. A Kelly Lane, David
Markiwsky, Ollo Clark
Proofreader: Ollo Clark
Menu Contributors: Dina Cimarusti, Justin Krause, Caleb
Lachance, Mike Popek
Graphic Designers: Colin Heffernan, Kate Smith
Cover Art: Natalia Tyczyńska, Trung Nguyen
Interior Illustrators: Matt Demino, Ognjen Sporin, Burak
Cicek, Kate Smith, Anderton Oliveira, Daniel Comerci,
Jack Holliday
Some artwork © 2015 Dean Spencer, used with permission.
All rights reserved.
Map Artists: Agustina Elizondo, Colin Heffernan, Jodie
Hendy, Khanjan Patel
Layout Design: Colin Heffernan, Kate Smith
Production Services: Panda Publishing
Extra Special Thanks: Jerry Callahan, Michelle Gonsiorek,
Sam Knapp, Michael Penick, Faires Sekiya, Xochitl Sekiya

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2 Introduction
You start in a tavern.
Despite the popular wisdom that most TTRPG campaigns begin this way, I’ve
yet to experience it for myself. By the time I joined the hobby it was already the
punchline to a joke, a lazy standard, a cliché that the TTRPG community had
outgrown. It seems, to me at least, that while the affection for a classic tavern has
never completely vanished, in many cases the mystery has rubbed away. Gone are
the ominous strangers dwelling in corners, the colourful townsfolk, the gossipy
barkeep feeding characters their next plot hook along with their meal.
More often, the tavern has become a checkpoint for players to simply regain
their hit points between the real stories and not worry about who’s going to take
first watch. From time to time, the game master will make a lamp-shaded reference
to the classic taverns of yore with a wink and a nudge, and the players in the know
will give an understanding chuckle before they all move on to something more
‘advanced’. And there’s nothing wrong with that, per se, but… it does feel like a
missed opportunity.
Properly applied, the tavern can be a game master’s secret weapon for engaging
players in the setting, without the need to hand over a tome of unfamiliar lore to
blank stares. The characters with which you populate a tavern can personify the
factions, ideologies, and struggles of your wider world, seamlessly drawing the
player party deeper into the mire of adventure and intrigue awaiting them. Matt
Colville once said, “the whole world comes to a tavern” and what’s more, a tavern
creates unavoidable proximity between the party and the NPCs who hold the keys
to unlocking their story.
But to me, the most valuable thing a tavern provides is a place where the players
and their characters merge. Just a little bit. A party of grizzled heroes, fresh from
their latest battle, and a group of nerdy friends, having escaped daily drudgery for a
few hours, all sit down together around a table and take a break. They become the
same. They share the same experience. Good company, good conversation, maybe
some food and a couple of drinks to relax.
The tavern is the place where our realm and that of our ongoing fantasy begin
to blend together, and the game we love – for a moment at least – becomes real.

- Dael Kingsmill

Introduction 3
 Contents
Foreword 3 Chapter 3: The Tales 68
Iconography System Guide.................................. 5 Dreet Undercobble......................................................75
Sirni the Chattersome Battleaxe .................................87
Chapter 1: The Tavern 6 Florence Neverbee ......................................................95
Tavern Map........................................................... 8 Sinessio Bravo ...........................................................105
Salora Yunderbo .......................................................121
Welcome to the Tavern.................................... 10
Luciana Witherwood.................................................135
Tavern Staff........................................................ 13 Arvad Quillforge ...................................................... 151
Tia & Mia...................................................................13 Kyra Truemoon ........................................................169
Flip Krongovsko .........................................................18 Sir Daywin Dontas ...................................................183
Nix .............................................................................20 Ogrel Grim Howl .....................................................197
Estabôn.......................................................................22 Muninn / Vincent Rews ...........................................209
Local Legends.................................................... 24 Izak Lot ....................................................................223
Aeverys .......................................................................24 Strychnine's Laboratory.............................................247
Eidolon .......................................................................27 Mist ..........................................................................259
Gump the Repulsive & Spaghetti................................31
Husky Fandango.........................................................33 Chapter 4: Player Options 270
Pub Games........................................................... 38 Backgrounds ..................................................... 272
Drinking Contest........................................................38 Fortune Teller............................................................272
Knife Throwing...........................................................39 Acrobat......................................................................273
Tavern Dice.................................................................39 Tent Master...............................................................274
Roll-A-Day..................................................................39 Clown.......................................................................275
Strength Test (High Striker)........................................41 Subclasses .......................................................... 276
Liar's Dice ..................................................................41 Owlbear Tamer ........................................................277
The Circus Gambit..................................................... 42 The Ink Devil ...........................................................281
Top Of the World Circus.................................. 44
Additional Magic Items 283
Chapter 2: Merchants & Player Stalls 52
Tracking Sheets 287
Merchant Stalls................................................ 53
Musical Instruments ..................................................53
General Goods / Fence................................................54
Animal Merchant .......................................................55
Potions........................................................................56
Armor and Shields.......................................................57
Weapons .....................................................................58
Ammunition ..............................................................59
Magical Clothing & Jewelry ......................................60
Scrolls / Forgeries .......................................................61
Blessings / Enchantments ...........................................61
Magical Weapons........................................................62
Magical Items..............................................................63
Player-Run Stalls............................................... 65

4 Introduction
Iconography System Guide icon legend
The iconography system in this book is designed to break
Squawk
up large blocks of text into more manageable segments, Dialogue to be read or paraphrased aloud.
which a GM can use to more efficiently run their game. Our Mechanic
intention is to better streamline the overhead a GM deals
An in-game mechanic or effect.
with, and make things easier to find while actively running
an adventure. This doesn't replace the need to read through Visual
an adventure ahead of time, but should allow you to more Visual descriptions to be read or paraphrased
quickly find vital information on the fly. aloud.
Each symbol represents a different type of information that
Trap
a GM would use to locate objects on a map, offer information
Any mechanical or magical trap.
to be read or paraphrased to players, find a combat encounter,
trap, loot, etc... Lock
Locked doors, windows, hatches, chests, etc.

Icons in use Loot

Each adventure contains icon blocks, indicating the purpose Any items of notable value.
of that particular block of text to the GM. Adventures with
maps have headlines that contain every type of icon that
Combat
appears in that room. If the icon is location-specific, it will Any combat encounter.
be marked on the map. Any mechanic, trap, lock, loot, Document
document, or secret door icons that appear more than once Any in-universe text, like journal entries,
on the map will be marked with an alphanumeric indicator book passages, scrolls, etc.
like 1A, 1B, etc... with the corresponding symbol.
In the example below, the map indicates that there is Secret door.
loot inside the chest and that the chest is locked, using the Any hidden door or passageway.
loot and lock symbols. The loot and any check related to the
lock is found in the corresponding text block example to
the right. This quickly tells us that the chest in room (3) is The Parents’ Bedroom 3
locked with a DC 12 Dexterity check using thieves’ tools
lock, and that the box contains a velvet bag filled with coins
and a necklace. The Witherwoods’ bedroom is moderately sized and well
kept, with a neatly made bed. There’s a chest at the end of
the bed, a washbasin, and a wardrobe.

The chest at the foot of the bed is locked, but it is a cheap,

simple one. A successful DC 12 Dexterity check using
thieves’ tools opens it easily. Inside the chest is a box with
coins, neatly sorted by value (with a total value of 800 gp)
and a velvet bag with a fine antique ruby necklace (worth
200 gp), which is a reasonable amount of valuables for a
local merchant family.

Lucy pokes her head around the doorframe.

“Well? Did you find any stuff, you know, to pay you? To
find them?”

Introduction 5
 Chapter 1
The Tavern | A Trip Away Inn

6 Chapter 1 | The Tavern A Trip Away Inn

Chapter 1 | The Tavern A Trip Away Inn 7
88 Chapter 1 | The Tavern A Trip Away Inn
Chapter 1 | The Tavern A Trip Away Inn 9
 Welcome to the Tavern
A Trip Away Inn is perched comfortably between two
large mountains. The weather-worn stairway invites you
towards the solid oak door and past the colorful merchant
tents, which offer everything from daily rations to mysterious
objects. These red and white circus-style canopies serve as
residences to travelling merchants hoping to make a few coins
before continuing on their way. To the right of the main
door are two circular knife-throwing targets, pock-marked
with a day's worth of blade impacts. A small painted sign
hangs above the doorway reading ‘A Trip Away Inn’ with a
humanoid foot balancing on a tightrope, above the lettering.
The white exterior walls are criss-crossed by decorative
wooden framing, and illuminated by the soft orange glow of
hanging lanterns swaying in the cool mountain breeze. The
triangular sloped roof leads to two circular towers, capped
in white paint. One has a streamer dangling from it and the
other resembles a clown’s hat.
A narrow stone path leads around the eastern side of the
tavern to a small wooden outhouse. Smoke billows out of a
crescent moon carved into the door, as crackles of purple and
green magical energy arc, like bolts of lightning, in the clouds.
At the rear of the tavern is a small, fenced-in seating area
with three tables. Lanterns staked into the ground bathe
the area in a flickering, warm orange glow. This area offers
a breathtaking view of the mountains. The entrance to a
domed wooden building is just east of the seating area. The
building is A Trip Away Inn’s bathhouse.
Not Just a Tavern
A tavern like A Trip Away Inn is more than just a simple
watering hole. Sometimes a location becomes much larger
than the sum of its parts, evolving into something more;
something that transcends the physical. It becomes a place
vibrant with energy and an intoxicating buzz, brought about
by more than just the spirits served within. It comes to offer
a rejuvenating energy, that eases your physical and mental
fatigue; a second home filled with an adopted family even
quirkier than your own. This is A Trip Away Inn.
The tavern sits on a crossroads between several towns: the
perfect place to settle in before the last leg of your journey,
yet close enough to attract townspeople from the outskirts of
each town as regulars. Locals mingle with travelers, and can
be found there on a near-nightly (and often daily) basis. As a
result of its location, it is the perfect place to trade contraband,
plan trade routes, and fence stolen goods, something that
the owner, Flip, takes a great pride in. The tavern also has a
reputation as a neutral ground for negotiations.
10 Chapter 1 | The Tavern A Trip Away Inn
Taproom 1
The taproom is a huge open room, with a warm hearth
at the center, atop which is mounted a chatty battleaxe
made from a strange red stone, spinning a tale to whoever
will listen. The warm dry air contrasts pleasantly with
the outside elements, and the scents of roasted meats and
fresh-baked bread mix with the woodsmoke of the fire.
Throughout the taproom are tables and booths, each with
a small red ball sitting in the center that illuminates when
tapped, summoning the closest server. A staircase on the
western wall of the taproom leads up to the second and
third floor, with the rentable rooms.
The bar is made of finely carved wood, depicting a
parade of owlbears, elephants, and manticores along its
front, with a clear coat of epoxy trapping multicolored
confetti between the surface and the wooden bartop.
Behind the bar, one can almost always find Flip (they/
them), the gnomish bartender. Three large casks take up
most of the wall behind the bar and, above Flip's head, a
small trapeze seems to swing on its own. Next to the casks
are shelves of multicolored bottles, as well as a large cup
with the word ‘Flip’ carved into it in gold letters.
Another odd feature of the tavern is that all of the glasses
seem to be enchanted. If someone knocks a glass off the
table it will immediately right itself, spilling as little as
possible, and slowly float to the ground. This is also true
of any glasses being knocked over on a table: as soon as
the smallest drop of the drink is about to spill, the cup
immediately returns to its sitting position, keeping as little
of its precious contents from spilling as possible.
Several tapestries hang on each wall, the most prominent
of which displays five gnomes, striking poses and wearing
frilly, vibrantly colored outfits (The Flying Krongovsko).
The rest show people flipping on trapezes, balancing on
tightropes, juggling flaming knives, and various fantastic
beasts dressed for the circus. Between each tapestry and
along the ceiling runs a series of ribbons in every color.
Multicolored paper lanterns cast a dim cascade of color
around the room, softly illuminating it with glowing
magical light.

A modest stage dominates the northeast corner of the
tavern. Traveling bards, as well as the occasional ambitious
musician, fill the tavern with enchanting tales of great
battles, lost love, and aspirations to greatness. Dangers
untold and hardships unnumbered play out in dulcet
melodies, bewitching the ale-soaked patrons as they feast
and drink their way into the twilight.
A high striker machine from the Top of the World Circus
tempts hearty travelers and adventurers to the northern
wall of the taproom. It beckons them with a siren song,
promising to prove to everyone in the taproom that they are
the strongest person there that night. Prides are broken and
bragging rights gained at this end of the taproom on a near
nightly basis.
Next to the high striker, the dull thud of blade impacting
wood can be heard regularly, as a wooden target receives
blow after blow. It’s not uncommon for patrons of the tavern
to wager drinks, coin, or more on the outcome of these
blade hurling competitions. Just be wary not to drunkenly
stumble in front of this target, or the board might not be
the only thing that leaves A Trip Away Inn covered in holes.
Kitchen 2
Inside this room, a kitchen staff of pixies dart around
between stoves magically enchanted with runes,
controlling the intensity of continual flame spells for each
of the burners. They carry pots and pans through the air,
preparing dishes and working the line, as Estabôn, the
dragonborn chef, oversees their work. Orders move out of
this well-run kitchen in a timely fashion, and seldom ever
back up for any reason. Estabôn's kitchen is the picture of
efficiency. One door leads to a small supply closet, filled
with shelves holding many of the grains and dried goods
used in the recipes.
Another steel door opens to a room, magically enchanted
by a spell that keeps the room refrigerated. Inside this room,
various meats and perishables fill over stuffed shelves. A
shelf-covered corner of the room glows with a soft, pulsating,
magical blue light, which completely freezes foodstuffs.
Back Room 3
The supply closet acts as a disguise for an entrance into Flip’s
back room. This room can only be accessed through the
kitchen, much to Estabôn’s dismay.
Inside the supply closet is an illusory wall, hiding a door
leading to a hallway, which ends in a stone door to the back
room, reserved for business dealings. This room is only
accessible to the patrons through negotiations with Flip, and
has been enchanted, at great cost to Flip, to prevent any sort
of scrying or access by unwanted parties. When a patron
chooses to rent the room, Flip will negotiate a price and
create a secret word that must be spoken to enter. Anyone
attempting to walk through the archway of the room without
uttering the passphrase will be met with a wall of force spell,
that can only be destroyed with a disintegrate spell. This wall
of force, however, has resistance to disintegration and 100 hp.
The back room is dominated by a circular oak conference
table, with six throne-like seats around it. Finely carved
into the outside edge of the table are dwarven runes that, if
translated, read, “a deal forged in darkness is still binding
in the light”. Along the walls, runes used to evoke the
enchantment pulse with a soft white glow, illuminating
the room like a ripple across still water. Light blue sparkles
float in the air, glowing dimly; a consequence of the magic
permeating the room. Looking around, one might say the
room resembles a carnival big top. The skull of an elephant
hangs prominently opposite the door.
It is up to the GM to negotiate any deal to access this room.
Flip is reasonable and can be tempted, but they normally
reserve this amenity for their more trusted patrons. Accessing
this room shows that Flip, on some level, trusts the party.
Bathhouse 4
Exotic and aromatic incense haze hangs in the interior of this
marble chamber; the smoke billowing out of burners, perched
atop marble tables against the northern and southern walls of
the room. Five small benches ring the interior walls around
the warm pool of water in the center. In the center of the pool,
a small platform rises out of the water; the stage for a statue
of a gleefully dancing faun playing a pan flute. A relaxing
series of tunes magically emanates from the faun's flute.
Chapter 1 | The Tavern A Trip Away Inn 11
 Outhouse 5
The Outhouse has a reputation for being “the cleanest place
to conduct your business”. That is, unless Strychnine is
visiting and using it as a makeshift laboratory. When it is not
otherwise occupied, the door is set with a trigger for a series
of prestidigitation spells, that clean the outhouse immediately
after use. A leather trash bag hangs from the wall, with a
small sign beneath it exclaiming:
‘DANGER!!! EXTRADIMENSIONAL SPACE
use at your own risk’
A warning that has, from time to time, caused travelers to
vanish without a trace. Closer inspection of the bag reveals
that it is actually a bag of devouring. Otherwise, it seems to
be your standard run of the mill outhouse.
Rooms for Rent 6
There are seven rentable rooms in the tavern on the second
floor, costing 1 gp a night or 5 gp per week. Each room is
decorated with posters of the carnival Flip was a member
of, and the trapeze act they belonged to: ‘The Flying
Krongovsko’ and their death-defying feats are advertised
all around this tavern. Each room has a lavish couch, with
overstuffed cushions in a deep red with golden frills, as
well as a small writing desk with ink and quill provided.
The desks are arranged against the wall just below the
window, with several pieces of complimentary parchment.
The parchment is, of course, designed to provide a magical
rubbing of each sheet in Flip’s office, so they can go over all
of the goings-on in the tavern at any given time (for safety,
of course). Flip also uses this to give off an air of mystery,
oftentimes having intimate insight into their patrons woes.
Each room also has a large queen-sized four-poster bed;
each post a spiraling pattern of dancing owlbears and
elephants, curving towards the striped canopy. The cushions
are filled with very fine down feathers, and are so comfortable
that a tired traveler will be fighting sleep from the moment
they’re enveloped.
12 Chapter 1 | The Tavern A Trip Away Inn
Flip’s Bedroom 7
This modestly decorated bedroom serves as Flip’s personal
quarters. Posters of The Flying Krongovsko cover the walls
in wooden frames. Pictures of Flip and various family
members practicing their trapeze act sit on the night stands.
On the writing desk in Flip’s room they proudly display The
Conch of Poseidon, a relic Flip acquired through a game of
liar’s dice while travelling with the circus. It is one of their
most treasured possessions.
Flip’s Office 8
This utilitarian office houses only a large desk that
dominates the center of the room. The sight of Flip behind
this massive slab of hardwood would almost be comical
if not for the Gnome’s charismatic glow. It’s in this room
that most of the tavern’s above board business takes place.
More lascivious dealings are reserved for Flip’s back room.
Locked away in a drawer requiring a successful DC 20
Dexterity check made with theives' tools is Flip’s Codex (see
Additional Magic Items pg. 284).
Tower 9
The tower of the tavern offers a breathtaking view of the
land surrounding A Trip Away Inn, as well as the tavern
grounds. Many travelers often retreat to the tower to reflect
and meditate, as they watch the revelry play out below
and around them. This quiet corner of the tavern has
an unspoken air of serenity. Few ever break the implicit
inference that this is a quiet place, and, if they do, they are
met by swift discipline from Flip or the twins.
 Tavern Staff
T ia & Mia (She/Her) & (She/Her)
Background
As a circus owner, you want to keep the mood light and
happy for everyone. So, what do you do when a disgruntled
visitor, or opportunistic thief, threatens to ruin the fun?
How do you have guards that aren't intimidating, and end
up causing the guests even more stress?
Your two problems have two answers, and they rhyme.
Tia and Mia started their lives at the circus aged twelve,
when they decided to pick the pocket of a man in a bright
red travelling cloak. No sooner had their little hands
touched purse strings than both of them were dangling two
feet in the air, from surprisingly strong hands.
Instead of punishment, however, their target-cum-captor
had something rather more imaginative in mind. The half-
elf twins were put to work as pickpocket hunters, earning
a commission for ne’er-do-wells removed and property
returned. Overnight, thievery at the Top of the World
Circus dropped to almost nothing. Almost nothing. The
sisters flourished in an environment where the proprietor
wanted problems dealt with swiftly, quietly, and with a
minimum of moral high ground.
The ‘Two-Timing Twins’ act was born after Mia pinned
a fleeing thief to a stall with a knife. From fifteen feet away.
Onlookers swore that there were at least three people in-
between. After that, the sisters became an audience magnet.
They could nail a silk handkerchief to a target from twenty
feet away, and pick an apple off a head from twenty-five.
Blades in their hands became weightless, poetic objects that
amazed and terrified in equal measure, and the best sign of
a show’s success was how wide a berth the sisters were given
in town the day after.
Very few people would describe the circus life as
monotonous, but eventually the twins tired of the long
wagon trips and the short breaks, not to mention the
litany of unknown cities, with unknown patrol routes and
unknown alleys. When Flip expressed an interest in building
a permanent home, Tia saw an opportunity. The sisters spent
some time sketching their dream tavern, and it turned out
that Flip enjoyed the numerous secret panels, stashes and
rooms that the dream included. The twins had accidentally
designed A Trip Away, and it’s very possible that no one
outside of those three truly knows the entire building.
Once the tavern was up and running, the mysterious
identical twins act could fall away, and each sister enjoyed
exploring their own path. Tia has started a small garden
out behind the inn, while Mia is more of a social figure
during her time off work. If she’s honest with herself, Mia
does occasionally miss the open road, but her sister has
quite literally put down roots, and there’s no chance that
she’d leave her behind. Besides, there are plenty of drunken
taverngoers to practice her skills on if she’s ever bored.
GM Tapestry Options:
Underworld
Tia & Mia started their lives as pickpockets and thieves, and
know a lot about the criminal elements of your world. The
local chapter of your thieves guild may even know of their
skills, and be happy to meet with them.
Elves
As half-elves, the twins sometimes encounter distrust from
their purer-blooded cousins. They harbor resentment for
an elf faction in your world, and are eager to help in any
mischief against them.
Chapter 1 | The Tavern A Trip Away Inn 13
14 Chapter 1 | The Tavern Staff
Tia Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach
5 ft. or range 40/80 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d4 + 5) piercing
Medium Humanoid (Half-Elf), neutral
damage.
Challenge 10 (5,900xp) | Initiative +5 | Prof. Bonus +5 Kick. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target: Hit 4 (1d6 + 1) bludgeoning damage. A target
armor class hit points speed hit with this attack must succeed on a DC 16 Strength
15 78 45 ft. saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target fails the
(studded leather) (12d8 + 24) save by 5 or more they are also stunned until the start of
Tia's next turn.
str dex con int wis cha
Reactions
12 (+1) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 16 (+3)
Takedown. After a failed melee attack targeting Tia,
Saving Throws Dex +10, Int +6 the attacker must succeed on a DC 17 Dexterity saving
Skills Acrobatics +10, Athletics +6, Perception +10, throw or be knocked prone.
Performance +7, Stealth +10
Legendary Actions
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 20
Tia can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options
Languages Common, Elvish, Thieves' Cant
below. Only one legendary action option can be used at
Sibling Synergy. Tia has advantage on an attack roll a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Tia
against a creature if Mia is within 5 feet of her and isn't regains spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.
incapacitated.
Alley-oop (1 action). At the end of Mia's turn Tia can
Assassinate. During Tia's first turn, she has advantage on move up to 30 ft. leaping into the air, she grabs a dagger
attack rolls against any creature that hasn't taken a turn. Any thrown by her sister, and slams it into a target within 5 ft
hit Tia scores against a surprised creature is a critical hit. of her. Make a dagger attack, and on a successful hit Tia
Sneak Attack. (1/round) Tia deals an extra 17 (5d6) deals damage normally but the target must succeed on a
damage when she hits a target with a weapon attack and has DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
advantage on the attack roll, or the target is within 5 ft. of Grapple (1 action). Tia chooses a target within 5 ft.
Mia, and Tia doesn't have disadvantage on the attack roll. of her. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Strength
Fey Ancestry. Tia has advantage on saving throws against saving throw or become grappled. A prone creature has
being charmed, and magic can’t put Tia to sleep. disadvantage on this saving throw.
Crucifix Choke (1 action). Tia chooses a target she is
Actions grappling and deals 3 (1d4 + 1) bludgeoning damage. Both
Multiattack. Tia makes three dagger attacks or two Tia and her target gain the prone condition and the target
dagger attacks and a kick. must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or
be knocked unconscious condition until the end of Tia's
next turn.

Chapter 1 | The Tavern Staff 15

 Mia Bonus Actions
Medium Humanoid (Half-Elf), neutral Charge. Mia moves at least 15 feet straight toward a
target and then hits it with her baton, the target takes 7
Challenge 10 (5,900xp) | Initiative +5 | Prof. Bonus +5 (2d6) bludgeoning damage and must succeed on a DC 14
Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
armor class hit points speed
15 78 45 ft. Reactions
(studded leather) (12d8 + 24)
Parry. Mia adds 3 to her AC against one melee attack that
would hit her. To do so, Mia must see the attacker and be
str dex con int wis cha wielding her baton.
12 (+1) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 18 (+4)
Legendary Actions
Saving Throws Dex +10, Int +6
Mia can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the
Skills Acrobatics +10, Athletics +6, Perception +9, options below. Only one legendary action option can be
Persuasion +9, Stealth +10 used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn.
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 19 Mia regains spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.
Languages Common, Elvish, Thieves' Cant Booster (1 action). At the end of Tia's turn Mia can move
Sibling Synergy. Mia has advantage on an attack roll up to 40 ft. without provoking an opportunity attack. She
against a creature if Tia is within 5 feet of her and isn't must pass through her sister's space within the first 20 ft.
incapacitated. of this movement. Tia tosses Mia into the air. Mia makes
a baton attack at advantage and deals an additional (1d8)
Fey Ancestry Mia has advantage on saving throws against bludgeoning damage on a successful attack roll.
being charmed, and magic can’t put Mia to sleep.
Eviscerate (1 action). Mia chooses a target within 5 ft. of
Actions her that Tia has grappled. She makes a knife attack against
the grappled creature adding 21 (6d6) slashing damage to a
Multiattack. Mia makes three dagger attacks or two successful attack.
dagger attacks and a baton attack.
Crucifix Choke (1 action). Mia chooses a target she is
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, grappling and deals 6 (1d4 + 4) bludgeoning damage. Both
reach 5 ft. or range 40/80 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d4 + 5) Mia and her target gain the prone condition and the target
piercing damage. must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or
Baton. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one be knocked unconscious until the end of Tia's next turn.
target: Hit 9 (1d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage. A target hit
with this attack must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution
saving throw or gain the stunned condition until the end
of their next turn.

16 Chapter 1 | The Tavern Staff

Chapter 1 | The Tavern Staff 17
 F lip Krongovsko (They/Them)
Background
‘Always remember- this is the life people run away to!’
Thus spake Bink Krongovsko, patriarch of the Flying
Krongovsko family, and it always made Flip, his middle
child, feel like the luckiest gnome alive. To be born into a life
of distilled excitement, and as part of circus royalty to boot?
Who could be luckier?
Young Flip would spend the wagon rides between shows
leafing through the battered scrapbooks that chronicled the
Krongovsko rise to fame: centuries of shows in the most
exotic, thrilling, and sometimes dangerous places in the
world. Their grandfather, father and mother had performed
for kings, beggars, and everyone in between. Flip loved to
pester their father with questions: which was the better show?
The one for Xarath the Mighty, the black dragon ruler of
the Pyrite Valley? Or the one for Lady Del’eaneth of the fey,
where both the performers and audience were blindfolded
the entire time? Bink would scratch at his chin, changing his
answer every time, and Flip would drink in every moment.
With the circus as your family, and the whole world as your
friend, life is a narcotic blend of color, laughter and the kind
of magic that even the most powerful wizards could never
harness. That pendulum-swing pause, where an entire crowd
holds its breath before erupting into applause, and all for you?
That’s a moment that religion doesn’t get close to. For the
longest time, Flip couldn’t dream of anything different.
When it eventually happened, Flip’s surprising departure
from the circus began with the tiniest, simplest idea: ‘what
if the circus wasn’t everything?’ The thought in itself wasn’t
earth-shattering but, looking around the campfire that
night, Flip suddenly realized that there wasn’t a single person
they could share it with. They couldn’t share it with the
Krongovsko, or the other acts; they were all in love with the
life. They couldn’t share it with any of that night’s audience-
no matter how friendly they were being- because they had no
idea what the life was like. Thus, a seed of doubt was planted:
‘if there’s no one to share your worries with, is that real
family? If you’re never alone, does that mean you always are?’
18 Chapter 1 | The Tavern Staff
Despite the realization, it took Flip a long time to pluck
up the courage to leave, and only then after several leaps of
faith. Flip eventually shared their thoughts with a few key
friends: Estabôn, the company cook, whom he suspected
would enjoy a kitchen more than a tent; Nix, a sprite whom
Flip had saved from dissection some years before, and who
was in their debt; and Tia & Mia, the knife-throwing twins,
who were always more comfortable knowing more than the
people around them. These four agreed to help the young
gnome build something of brick and mortar, rather than tent
pegs and canvas. That meant the only thing left to do was to
tell the Krongovsko.
Telling their father was the hardest. With Flip’s mother
and siblings, the reactions were a predictable mix of shock,
pleading, love and tears. Bink Krongovsko’s reaction was
worse: denial. ‘You’ll be back,’ he simply said, ‘you’ll take a
trip away, and realize you’ve never had it so good.’
So, Flip said goodbye to the circus. As the wagons rumbled
away, leaving Flip and their gang of deserters at a muddy
crossroads, they hung their head and cried for the first time.
Without a word, four hands- one clawed, one tiny, and two
identical- landed on their shoulders. In that moment, Flip
finally felt the meaning of family, and knew that their trip
away was going to be the best decision of their life.
GM Tapestry Options:
Bards
A circus-themed tavern has a way of attracting extroverts.
Flip is good friends with any famous bards or bardic
organizations in your local area, and some of them
occasionally play at A Trip Away.
Underworld
As someone who grew up in the circus and now runs a
tavern, Flip has had many opportunities to work with, or
learn about, the shadier local elements. As long as it won’t
come back to bite them, Flip has a lot of useful information
on your local thieves’ guild or criminal rumors.
Tithes
A business as successful as A Trip Away is of interest to a local
tax collector. An unfriendly local ruler in your world might
be pressuring Flip to make higher and higher payments.
Flip Bonus Actions
Small Humanoid (Gnome), neutral good Acrobat. Flip can use their bonus action to take the Dash
Challenge 8 (3,900xp) | Initiative +5 | Prof. Bonus +5 action without provoking an opportunity attack.

Reactions
armor class hit points speed
16 85 45 ft. Uncanny Dodge. Flip halves the damage that they take
(studded leather) (19d6 + 19) from an attack that hits them. Flip must be able to see the
attacker.
str dex con int wis cha Lightning Reflexes. After being attacked with a melee
12 (+1) 20 (+5) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 18 (+4) weapon, Flip may immediately make a counter-attack.

Saving Throws Dex +10, Cha +9 Legendary Actions

Skills Acrobatics +10, Athletics +8, Perception +6, Sleight
of Hand +10, Stealth +10
Condition Immunities Prone
Senses darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 19
Languages Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Draconic,
Dwarvish, Elvish, Infernal, Thieves' Cant
Evasion. If Flip is subjected to an effect that allows them
to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage,
Flip instead takes no damage if they succeed on the saving
throw, and only half damage if it fails.
Tightrope Walker. Flip is immune to being knocked prone.
Actions
Multiattack. Flip makes three attacks with their rapier.
Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) piercing damage.
Flip can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the
options below. Only one legendary action option can be
used at a time and only at the end of another creature's
turn. Flip regains spent legendary actions at the start of
their turn.
Aerial Assault (1 action). Flip throws themself into the
air, somersaulting and coming down with their rapier. They
can move up to 20 feet and make a melee weapon attack.
+10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) piercing
damage. Any opportunity attacks made against Flip during
their aerial assault are made at disadvantage.
Blinding Dust (1 action). Flip reaches into their pocket,
throwing a blinding dust into the eyes of an adjacent enemy.
The target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving
throw or they are blinded until the end of their next turn.
Chapter 1 | The Tavern Staff 19
 N ix the mixologist (He/Him)
Background
Having had to escape the Feywild under circumstances he is
still a little evasive about, Nix the sprite found himself, cold
and alone, among the dull browns and greys of the non-fey
world. Flitting his way out of the woods, Nix made his way
to the first collection of lights he came across; a particularly
grubby little hamlet named Sowbend. He found a home and
a use almost immediately, providing herbalism advice to the
local alchemist. The tinctures and philters he provided were
child’s play for even the dullest fey, but quite remarkable to
the crusty old apothecary, whose customers mostly ranged
from pig farmers to pig herders.
In a village as small and swinish as Sowbend, an iridescent
purple fairy dispensing magic potions gets noticed. One
night, while nursing a spoon of beer at The Jolly Hog, Nix
was snatched by a meaty hand, thrown into a birdcage, and
flung into the back of a cart. So began a three-day journey;
the cage bouncing around among sacks of bird feathers,
jars of teeth, and baskets of evil-smelling mushrooms. From
his captors’ conversation, Nix ascertained that he was to be
picked apart and sold as ingredients, for a hefty price.
On the third day, the cart stopped earlier than usual, and
a cloth was flung over Nix’s cage. Nix could make out the
muffled sounds of a crowd, as well as his captors arguing
about something. Sometime later, there were further sounds
of conversation: a third voice, bell-like and cheery, had joined
the gruffer two. After some time, Nix’s cage suddenly became
airborne, and there was the sound of the cart moving off. The
cloth was pulled away, and Nix was confronted with a mop
of blond hair and a pair of grinning brown eyes. ‘I think you
could do with a home,’ the figure beamed. In the background,
Nix could make out the most heart-swelling mix of music,
color and excitement that he had seen since the Feywild.
And so, Nix joined the circus. His rescuer’s name turned
out to be Flip Krongovsko, a noted tumbler. Flip had
apparently paid Nix’s captors- who had stopped to take in a
show before their delivery- double what they were going to
get for the sum of his parts. Try as he might, Nix could never
get Flip to explain their motivation, nor could he land any
offer of reimbursement, other than a dismissive acceptance
that he’d work off the debt in the show.
20 Chapter 1 | The Tavern Staff
And work in the show he certainly did. It turns out that a
small flying individual who can make themselves invisible is a
boon to a travelling circus. Whether he was setting props for
the next act, rebalancing a wobbly acrobat, or even once or
twice catching a misthrown knife, Nix soon proved himself
an invaluable asset.
If it weren’t for Flip, Nix might have stayed on the road
forever. However, one night after closing, the two of them
were sharing a drink on a haybale, watching the fire burn
low. Flip turned to him and spoke the eight words that led
Nix to turn in his costume the very next day: ‘I think I could
do with a home’.
Ever since then, Nix has served as the mixologist
extraordinaire at A Trip Away. Having been invisible for so
long, he now enjoys the spotlight he gets in the tavern, with
regulars cheering him whenever he appears from the kitchen,
a brightly colored new concoction clutched in both hands.
GM Tapestry Options:
Magic Merchant
The merchant that Nix escaped from was a neutral/evil magic
user in your world, and he bears a grudge. He’s been looking
for the gnome that stole his sprite.
Feywild
Nix was once a denizen of your Feywild court. He still knows
the secret back ways into that realm, and could help the
adventurers get where they need to go, providing information
on relevant lords, ladies, or points of interest. Fey NPCs in
your world might even recognize him.
Poisons
Decades of experimentation have taught Nix a lot about what
you can and can’t drink. He is able to identify the qualities
(or symptoms) of any mysterious poisons your adventurers
might come across.
Nix the mixologist Actions
Tiny Fey (Sprite), neutral good Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 40/160
ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage, and the
Challenge 5 (1,800xp) | Initiative +4 | Prof. Bonus +3 target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving
throw or become poisoned for 1 minute. If its saving throw
armor class hit points speed result is 5 or lower, the poisoned target falls unconscious
15 52 10 ft. for the same duration, or until it takes damage or another
(leather armor) (15d4 + 15) fly 55 ft. creature takes an action to shake it awake.
Explosive Potion (recharge 4-6). Ranged Weapon Attack:
str dex con int wis cha
+8 to hit, range 35 ft. Anyone in a 10 ft. square must
3 (-4) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take 10
Saving Throws Dex +7, Int +6 (1d10 + 5) fire damage and 5 (1d6 + 2) force damage, or
half as much on a successful save.
Skills History +6, Perception +6, Sleight of Hand +7,
Stealth +7 Bonus Actions
Condition Immunities Charmed
Heart Sight. Nix touches a creature and magically knows
Senses passive Perception 16 the creature's current emotional state. The target must
Languages Common, Elvish, Sylvan succeed on a DC 16 Charisma saving throw, Nix also
Speak with Beasts and Plants. Nix can communicate knows the creature's alignment. Celestials, fiends, and
with beasts and plants as if they shared a language. undead automatically fail the saving throw.

Magic Resistance. Nix has advantage on saving throws Invisibility. Nix magically turns invisible until he attacks
against spells and other magical effects. or casts a spell, or until his concentration ends (as if
concentrating on a spell). Any equipment Nix wears or
carries is invisible with him

Reactions
Uncanny Dodge. Nix halves the damage that he takes
from an attack that hits him. Nix must be able to see the
attacker.

Chapter 1 | The Tavern Staff 21

 E stabôn (He/Him)
Background
Years ago, in the Kingdom of Daluun, the court of King
Zylik Fenn VII was famous far and wide for its sumptuous
banquets. Foreign diplomats fought tooth-and-nail for
placements in Daluun, just so that they might sample the
delicacies available at the king’s table. The architect of these
peerless comestibles was High Ovenmæster Lakash, a red
dragonborn with a nose for cinnamons and vintage wines.
His was a life of fine music, silken robes, and rare fruits
under the desert moon. The king enjoyed the dragonborn’s
fiery temperament, and Lakash enjoyed the king’s kitchens
and cellars even more.
If it was ever said in Daluun that you can have too much
of a good thing, it was a phrase that had never been heard in
Lakash’s kitchen. The dragonborn’s appetites- both for foods
and status began to grow insatiable. Over time, Lakash’s
sub-ovenmæster started to notice inconsistencies around the
kitchen: fully stocked supplies of sugar paper and lavender
bread ran out sooner than expected; previously trustworthy
vendors of honeybroth and candied wasps would fail to
deliver, while swearing blind that their caravan had dropped
off the order that morning. At the same time, the High
Ovenmæster’s growing corpulence was coming to be a topic
of conversation in the lower pantries, although not a soul
dared to raise the matter.
One day, a banquet was thrown for the visiting Triplet
Princes of Ek, and the stage was set for an event that might
finally bring peace to the troubled region. The pièce-de-
résistance was a seven-tiered gateau, each layer a diorama of a
historical Ekish victory, exquisitely portrayed in ganache and
brûléed brandy.
However, at the moment the cake was wheeled out from a
back room and unveiled, the gathered crowd gasped in horror.
Large handfuls had been frantically clawed out of one side,
and the cake sagged- mutilated and meritless- to the floor.
The Triplet Princes left Daluun immediately, humiliated
and vowing comeuppance. King Zylik- enraged and
afraid- called out for his High Ovenmæster, but the red
dragonborn was nowhere to be found. Lakash was never
seen again, and Daluun slid backwards into a war that
would eventually last a generation.
22 Chapter 1 | The Tavern Staff
Three months and six hundred miles, after the Ekish
Affair, a rather gaunt red dragonborn, named Estabôn,
appeared at the tent flaps of The Top of the World Circus,
looking for work with no questions asked. The cost of those
non-questions turned out to be fish-gut duty, preparing
the daily owlbear slurry. Estabôn swallowed his pride- the
bitterest thing he’d ever tasted- and kept his head down.
After six months, during which time certain members of
the company found themselves inexplicably drawn to the
owlbear slop, he was moved up into company catering. This
decision was delightedly celebrated by all, until- one day- a
contortionist found herself unable to squeeze through her
hoop quite as easily as before. Some begrudging minor
adjustments were made to the company menu, and Estabôn’s
kitchen tent remained the center of morale.
When his friend, Flip, offered him the chance of a proper
kitchen, Estabôn couldn’t resist. Now, at A Trip Away, he
rules over his kitchen with the fire of a conductor, preparing
strangely exotic dishes that baffle and excite the grateful
patrons. He mysteriously won’t ever do cakes, though.
GM Tapestry Options:
Royalty
If there is a royal faction in your world, Estabôn has a
surprising amount of insider knowledge about it. Should one
of your nobles stop in at A Trip Away and get a glimpse of
him, they might know Estabôn by a different name.
Dragonborn
In Duluun, being a red dragonborn doesn’t carry the same
racial history that it does elsewhere. A dragonborn faction in
your world might not be willing to overlook his coloring.
Gastronomy
Estabôn is always looking to top himself in the kitchen, and
will pay good money for unusual ingredients the adventurers
may gather. The fact that no one’s eaten it before doesn’t
mean it can’t be food!
Estabôn
Medium Humanoid (Dragonborn), neutral good

Challenge 6 (2,300xp) | Initiative +1 | Prof. Bonus +3

armor class hit points speed

11 45 30 ft.
(chef's coat) (6d8 + 18)

str dex con int wis cha

16 (+3) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 18 (+4)

Saving Throws Con +6, Cha +7

Skills Deception +7, History +4, Insight +5, Persuasion +7
Damage Resistances Fire
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Common, Draconic, Elvish

Actions
Frying Pan. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
Fire Breath. Ranged Attack: 15 ft. cone. Anyone caught
in the cone must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving
throw or take 13 (3d6 + 3) fire damage.

Chapter 1 | The Tavern Staff 23

A
everys (They/Them)
Character concept by: Xochitl Sekiya

When most people decide what to pack for a long journey

on foot, very few people prioritize forty pounds of books
over, say, food and clothing. Other travelers on the road
would often look askew at the small half-elf, huffing and
puffing their way up a hill, their backpack filled to the
seams with heavy tomes, but- to Aeverys- they were the
one thing always worth carrying.
It was therefore the easiest decision ever made when,
while stopping for a breather one day in a new village,
Aeverys paused outside a dusty bookshop with a ‘Premises
For Sale’ sign in the window. Ducking inside, they walked
among overladen shelves, running their fingers across
gilded spines, titled in all the languages of the world.
There was poetry, pamphlets, epics, epistles, books of
maps and recipes- everything that went into making
people people- preserved in pencilled, quilled, and
printed pages. Aeverys made an offer on the spot,
and- selling everything they owned that wasn’t
leatherbound- they moved into the attic room above
the shop. Breathing in the joyfully musty smell of
hundreds of books peacefully foxing away in the
half-light, they felt the most like themself they’d
ever been allowed to be.
It took two weeks for the first oddity to occur,
as Aeverys was looking through a box of donated
hobgoblin poetry for any of the classics. Bookshelves
have a way of deadening outdoor noise, so the sound of
a book falling to the floor- particularly in a customer-less
shop- is very loud indeed. Rounding the corner into the
‘dubious origins, various’ section, Aeverys found a single
book, open to a page somewhere near the back, lying in
the middle of the floor. Bending down, the writing was
in gnomish; a language they could sound out, but not
understand. Mouthing the words in a whisper, Aeverys
was suddenly knocked off their feet by a puff of purple
sparks. ‘Sorry about that,’ a voice said, ‘but now we can
meet properly’.
 Sitting up, Aeverys was confronted by a growing crowd of
nervous faces. Men, women and children- about two dozen
in all- emerged from above, below, and within shelves. All of
them looked tense, and all of them looked transparent.
‘Old Mr. Wichley didn’t care for us much,’ the little girl
who had first spoken up muttered, sheepishly, ‘but we’ve been
watching, and we think you might be different. Please don’t
scream, and we’ll explain-’
And explain they did. Aeverys thought it all very simple,
really. Books are compendia of hopes, fears, and dreams, all
preserved for time immemorial. Those who find themselves
similarly preserved, hovering in an immovable moment
between life and death, find themselves naturally drawn
to bookshops, like temples to perpetuation. Once there,
however, the books act as a kind of gravitational entity, and
the spirit can often find themselves unable to leave.
Necromancy has a lot of baggage as a school of magic but,
since that day, Aeverys has thrown themself into the art,
buying up every book they can find. While there is plenty
of magic for the violent dispersal or raising of the undead,
Aeverys doggedly continues the search for anything to help
ease the passing of their new friends. In the meantime, they
happily provide ghost transportation, clutching whichever
book the spirit is most anchored to, for any of those who wish
to re-experience the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
At A Trip Away, no one is sure how Flip and Aeverys
became so close. There are rumours involving a broken
pencil and a manticore, but the story changes every time and
neither of them is in a hurry to set the record straight. Every
few weeks, Flip and Nix put together a little circus show, and
one slight figure can always be depended upon to be there,
sat at a back table out of the light. With their willowy fingers
clasped in joy, they look just like any other guest. Only
someone who watched them for long enough would notice
them- laughing and whispering- pointing out particular
tricks to an empty chair. And besides, who brings a book to a
circus performance?
Meanwhile, back at the shop, a neat sign in the window
reads, ‘Books bought and sold. For help, ask within.’

Chapter 1 | The Tavern Local Legends 25

 Aeverys Reactions
Medium Humanoid (Half-Elf), neutral good Guardian Spirits. When Aeverys is attacked, one of their
ghost friends can manifest itself to absorb half the damage
Challenge 7 (2,900xp) | Initiative +1 | Prof. Bonus +3 of an incoming attack. The attacker must also succeed on
a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of
armor class hit points speed Aeverys. The creature can re-attempt the save at the end of
10 45 30 ft. their next turn.
(robes) (10d8)
Legendary Actions
str dex con int wis cha Aeverys can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the
10 (0) 12 (+1) 10 (0) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) options below. Only one legendary action option can be
used at a time and only at the end of another creature's
Saving Throws Int +8, Wis +5 turn. Aeverys regains spent legendary actions at the start of
Skills Arcana +8, Medicine +8, Perception +5, Religion +8 their turn.
Senses passive Perception 15 Draining Touch (1 action). Melee Weapon Attack:
Languages Common, Abyssal, Infernal, Celestial, Elvish +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 19 (4d6 + 5)
necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 16
Spellcasting | Save DC: 16 | Attack Bonus: +8 Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is
reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This
Aeverys is an 8th-level Intelligence-based spellcaster.
reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long rest. The
Action Spells target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to
Cantrips (at will): chill touch, true strike, fire bolt, light 0. A creature slain by this attack rises 24 hours later as a
1st level (1/day each): false life, inflict wounds, comprehend ghost, unless the creature is restored to life or its body is
languages, detect thoughts destroyed.
2nd level (1/day each): blindness/deafness, gentle repose, ray Possession (2 actions). One humanoid that Aeverys
of enfeeblement can see within 5 ft. of them must succeed on a DC
3rd level (1/day each): animate dead, bestow curse, revivify, 14 Charisma saving throw or be possessed by one of
speak with dead Aeverys' ghost friends; the target is incapacitated and loses
4th level (1/day each): blight, arcane eye control of its body. The ghost now controls the body but
doesn't deprive the target of awareness. The ghost can't
Actions be targeted by any attack spell, or other effect except ones
that turn undead and it retains its alignment, Intelligence,
Fire Bolt. Ranged Spell Attack: +8 to hit, range 120 ft.,
Wisdom, Charisma, and immunity to being charmed and
one target. Hit: 11 (2d10) fire damage.
frightened. It otherwise uses the possessed target's statistics,
Bonus Actions but doesn't gain access to the target's knowledge, Class
Features, or Proficiencies. The possession lasts until the
Commune with the Undead. Aeverys has an innate body drops to 0 hit points, or Aeverys chooses to possess a
connection to the undead. As a bonus action Aeverys can new target or end the possession. Aeverys can only use their
detect the type and location of any undead within a 60 ft. possession ability on one creature at a time.
radius of themself.

26 Chapter 1 | The Tavern Local Legends

E idolon (He/Him)
Character Concept by: Michael Penick
The figure known as Eidolon is not easily forgotten.
Nothing turns a quiet tavern drink into a formative
experience quite as much as a ghostly tiefling appearing
at your table in a whirl of shadow, his flaming eyes
staring through flesh and bone to the soul beneath.
However, when overturned stools have been righted
and spilled drinks re-ordered, the visitor quickly
proves himself to be kindly, soft-spoken, and his
story to be very, very necessary.
Many tieflings harbour understandable
resentment for the dirty looks they receive;
no one can help where they’re from. Some,
however, bring it on themselves, and the
Children of the Taloned Hand were one such
group. A joyously savage group of devil-kin
and acolytes, the sect made it their mission
to draw the desperate and the vain into
unknowing subjugation. The Children
would enter towns in ones or twos, offering
kindnesses and charity to those in need. Bit
by bit, their targets would learn of a powerful
benefactor, who would be only too willing to
assist their plight, in return for a small act of
fealty. A contract would be written up, and
the poor wretch would soon be committed
to infernal bondage, doomed to serve a
master or mistress of hell.
It was into this circle, amid the beating
of black drums and howls of supplication,
that a tiefling, Kaalžulak, was gifted to a
human mother from her lord below. Raised
in the lap of the cult, Kaalžulak learned
how freedom was suffering, and servitude
comfort. He grew up handsome, finding
his stature and amethyst skin a dependable
draw for the lonely or the deserted, and
his conquests led him further and
further afield, spreading the Children’s
influence far beyond their typical reach.
However, the longer he was away
from the daily prayers to the Crimson
Under, the more he missed the comfort of their certainty.
Turning back upon himself, he decided to return home
through the villages and towns he had visited, and- to his
horror- found nothing but despair and disaster in his wake.
Nowhere were there signs of solace or serenity, only tale
after tale of trickery, anguish and woe, all written in the fire
that flowed through his veins.
Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he scratched a few
unholy sigils of obeisance into the dirt, and bathed them
in the blood of his left hand. In a flash of purple flame,
a gateway opened before him, drawing him into the
impossibly large hall of the archdevil that had sired him.
Kaalžulak approached the colossal throne, the grinning
figure upon it wreathed in smoke and molten iron. He had
come to plead for explanations, but- witnessing the misery
of the thousand unfortunates that toiled around him- he
found he needed none. In a heartbroken rage, he drew
knives from his belt and flung himself forward.
The attempt was brave, but foolish, and Kaalžulak
found himself easily beaten back and back towards the
closing portal. Finally, he turned and leapt, but not fast
enough. With a fiery wink, the gate closed on Kaalžulak’s
outstretched arm. As he fell backward into flame, Kaalžulak
felt part of himself vanish, even as his body remained whole.
He had a brief vision of falling into wet woodland grass,
before losing consciousness.
Opening two pairs of eyes, Kaalžulak found himself
divided. The closing gate had sheared him in two and,
while his body remained in the hells, a whisper of his spirit
had returned to the Material Plane. Finding that neither
distance, nor walls, nor hunger, nor sleep troubled him, the
tiefling shade set out into the night to right the wrongs of
his lineage. The spectre now known as Eidolon- the only
ghost of someone yet living- visits those unwise or wretched
enough to make deals they cannot possibly understand,
helping them extricate themselves from certain doom. All
the while, far below, Kaalžulak sits cross-legged in fire,
attempting to extinguish hell, one ember at a time.
Chapter 1 | The Tavern Local Legends 27
28 Chapter 1 | The Tavern Local Legends

Eidolon
Medium Humanoid (Tiefling), lawful good
Challenge 11 (7,200xp) | Initiative +5 | Prof. Bonus +4
Daggers of Eidolon. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage
plus 8 (1d6 + 5) radiant damage. Damage from the daggers
is considered magical.

Bonus Actions
armor class hit points speed
17 102 45 ft. Shade Step. Eidolon vanishes in a puff of black smoke. He
(mithril half plate) (12d8 + 48) can teleport up to 30 ft., reappearing as the smoke appears
and becomes Eidolon’s solid form.
str dex con int wis cha Reactions
11 (0) 20 (+5) 18 (+4) 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 10 (0)
Infernal Rebuke. When Eidolon is damaged by a creature
Saving Throws Dex +9, Wis +5 within 60 ft. of him, the creature that damaged him is
surrounded by radiant flames. The creature must succeed on
Skills Acrobatics +9, Perception +5, Stealth +9, Survival +5
a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 9 (2d8) radiant
Damage Resistances Fire, Necrotic damage on a failed save, or half damage on a successful
Senses blindsight, darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15 save.
Languages Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Infernal Legendary Actions
Assassinate. During his first turn, Eidolon has advantage
Eidolon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the
on attack rolls against any creature that hasn’t taken a turn.
options below. Only one legendary action option can be
Any hit he scores against a surprised creature is a critical hit.
used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s
Evasion. If Eidolon is subjected to an effect that allows turn. Eidolon regains spent legendary actions at the start of
him to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half his turn.
damage, he instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the
Shadow Strike (1 action). Eidolon can teleport up to 30
saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
ft. and make two attacks with his daggers. These attacks do
Shade Strike. (1/round) After teleporting, Eidolon deals not invoke shade strike.
an extra 21 (6d6) damage when he hits a target with a
Repentance Gaze (2 actions). Eidolon stares into the
weapon attack and when Eidolon doesn’t have disadvantage
eyes of a creature within 5 ft. that can see him. His eyes
on the attack roll.
burn with hellfire and pierce deep into a creature's soul.
They must succeed on a DC 16 Charisma saving throw
Actions
or take 18 (4d8) psychic damage and gain the frightened
Multiattack. Eidolon makes two attacks with his daggers. condition, or half as much damage and no condition on a
successful one.

Chapter 1 | The Tavern Local Legends 29

30 Chapter 1 | The Tavern Local Legends
G ump the repulsive (They/Them)
& Spaghetti (He/Him)
Character Concept by: Jerry and Michelle Callahan
In Loving Memory of Spaghetti
“-honestly, it was a trick I’ve done a thousand times before.
I could do it with my eyes shut. I have done it with my
eyes shut! It just had to be her. You know what I always ask
myself? Why didn’t I pick the gnome? Gnomes are always
fun to-”
“Who are you talking to?”
“Not now! I’m telling it-”
“I want to see; gimme an eye! You never tell it right-”
“Stop it! Give me the mouth back, you just made me spill
our drink!”
People tend to move away from Gump at this point in
the story. The sight of a dirty-cloaked figure arguing
with themself in two different voices is enough to
make anyone remember a pressing engagement.
If they’re unlucky enough to glimpse the face
under the hood at the wrong moment, that
engagement often becomes a sprint.
It’s been seventy years since Gump the
Magnificent- devilishly handsome magician
extraordinaire- began what would turn out to
be his final show. It’s coincidentally been the
same amount of time since Fifi Duckhunter-
dwarven warrior and dog-lover- was taken
out by her friends to celebrate her impending
wedding. Unfortunately for Fifi, her tiefling
maid of honor had jealously made plans
with family members Down Below to ruin
the wedding. Even more unfortunately
for Fifi, Gump asked for a volunteer.
No one is entirely sure what happened
next, but it’s probably safe to assume that hellish
curses and magic shows don’t play well together.
No sooner had Gump closed Fifi inside the box and
pulled the ostentatious- and entirely unnecessary-
lever, than he felt his flesh suddenly boil and ripple, as
something kneaded his body like dough. He sagged
to the floor, as the audience cooed and applauded.
After a few moments, the pain subsided, and he
clambered back to his feet. ‘Ladies and gentlemen,
please remain calm, do not pani-‘
The collective scream was heard half a mile away.
When the last fleeing footsteps had died away, Gump
stumbled into his dressing room looked in the mirror. The
first shriek was in his own voice, but the second was a duet.
That’s when he mercifully blacked out.
When he came to, Gump was in a chair, a cup of tea in
one hand, the other gently stroking something furry and
slobbery. A firm but nervous voice said, ‘don’t panic or try
to move, I think I’ve got all the limbs’. Looking up into his
shaving mirror, Gump might have swallowed his tongue if
he had still been in control of it. A face- female, dwarven and
newly familiar- bobbed under the surface of his own features,
swimming in and out of focus. On the hand that touched
his new cheek, three of his fingers were stubby and strong.
The sound of happy panting drew his eye downwards. Sat at
his feet, head in his lap, was what appeared to be a rug with
a wagging tail. The voice in his head said, ‘that’s Spaghetti.
He’s a good boy. I think we need to talk.’
Gump’s punch took them both out through a window,
and into the street. A wrestling match is quite a thing to see
when it’s one apoplectic beggar apparently trying to pull his
own head off, and people were understandably giving Gump
a wide berth. With one hand attempting to stop Fifi kneeing
them both in the stomach, Gump reached out a hand for
a rock or brick to brain himself with. Instead, his grasping
fingers found a wet nose and a happy lick. Despite himself,
Gump stopped. Fifi stopped. Spaghetti kept licking. Despite
himself, Gump started laughing. Fifi started laughing.
Spaghetti kept licking. Everyone else politely edged away,
with one or two of them taking the opportunity to be quietly
sick in an alley.
Neither of them would say it was plain sailing from there,
but- through time and compromise the two settled into
an accord, taking turns to be in charge of their body. Fifi’s
dwarven longevity seems to have slowed Gump’s ageing, and
must have somehow spilled over Spaghetti, for the loyal carpet
still sits at their side, even now. They’ll bicker and quarrel, but
sharing a body brings with it a deeper sense of companionship
than any married couple could hope for. One still shouldn’t
look under the cowl when they’re switching, though.
Chapter 1 | The Tavern Local Legends 31
 Gump the Repulsive Potent Cantrips. Gump can add their spellcasting ability
modifier to the damage they deal with any cantrip.
Medium Humanoid, lawful good

Challenge 9 (5,000xp) | Initiative +1 | Prof. Bonus +4 Spellcasting | Save DC: 15 | Attack Bonus: +7
Gump is an 10th-level Intelligence based spellcaster.
armor class hit points speed
11 67 30 ft. Action Spells
(Robes) (9d8 + 27) Cantrips (at will): minor illusion, mage hand, dancing
lights, prestidigitation
str dex con int wis cha 1st level (1/day each): silent image, disguise self, unseen servant
18 (+4) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 2nd level (1/day each): magic aura, invisibility, magic mouth
3rd level (1/day each): major image, hypnotic pattern,
Saving Throws Int +8, Wis +6 greater invisibility
Skills Arcana +8, Investigation +8, Religion +8 4th level (1/day each): hallucinatory terrain, dimension door
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12 5th level (1/day each): creation, dream
Languages Common, Dwarvish, Common, plus one of Actions
your choice
Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
Shared Form. Because of Gump melding with Fifi they
one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage, or 13
are able to share their abilities. For any skill Gump is not
(2d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage if used with two hands.
proficient in, they can add half of their proficiency bonus
(2) to checks.
Reactions
Dwarven Resilience. Gump has advantage on saving
throws against poison, and they have resistance against Parry. Gump adds 2 to their AC against one melee attack
poison damage. that would hit them. To do so, Gump must see the attacker
Brave. Gump has advantage on saving throws against and be wielding a melee weapon.
being frightened.
Brute. A melee weapon deals one extra die of its damage
when Gump hits with it (included in the attack).

Spaghetti Keen Hearing and Smell. Spaghetti has advantage on

Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
Medium Beast, lawful good

Challenge 9 (5,000xp) | Initiative +2 | Prof. Bonus +4 Actions

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
armor class hit points speed target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage. If the target is
12 58 45 ft. a creature, it must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving
(9d8 + 18) throw or be knocked prone.

str dex con int wis cha

16 (+3) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 3 (-4) 12 (+1) 18 (+4)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +6

Skills Athletics +7, Perception +5, Performance +8
Senses passive Perception 15

32 Chapter 1 | The Tavern Local Legends

H usky Fandango (He/Him)
Character Concept by: Sam Knapp
The spotlight, the fireworks, the rapturous applause. None
of these things mark Lord Huxley Tango’s entrance into a
room nearly as much as he would like. In fact, any regulars
at A Trip Away tend to hastily pay their tabs, avoiding eye
contact, when the gaudily dressed rake stumbles through the
door. New arrivals, however, often find him entertaining,
and why wouldn’t they? The man seems honestly committed
to bonhomie, welcoming newcomers with a tip of the hat and
a round or two on him. His stories are adventure-filled and
witty, his flashing smile is both charming and disarming, and
his munificence at the tip jar seems unlimited.
It often only takes a second meeting, however, for Lord
Tango to be found out. Last night’s stories of a disgraced
royal lineage are replaced today by gritty pirate origins,
only to be further replaced again tomorrow by stories of
evil wizards, grateful lords, and deeds to sprawling estates.
Suddenly the drunkenness seems sadder, the flirting seems
lonelier, and the colourful jauntiness paper thin. Luckily for
Lord Tango, there are always new faces passing through.
Were Huxley inclined to tell the truth- and were anyone
inclined to listen- it would actually rank among his more
fantastical stories. The entity currently known as Lord
Huxley is actually a smuggler of great renown (he thinks)
named Husky Fandango, and his origins lie much further
away than even his stories suggest. Husky is from a realm
far beyond the dimmest stars, outside the purview of even
the greatest seers. That fact aside, if there’s one true aspect of
Lord Tango’s personality, it’s his mouth. Whether as Husky
or Huxley, a wagging tongue has gotten him- and a lot of
other people besides- into trouble for decades. Husky would
always rather talk his way out of a problem rather than shoot
at it, but you would be amazed at how easy it is to start a
galactic civil war, given too much drink and too loud a voice.
Eventually, after years of taking reckless job after reckless
job, Husky managed to run afoul of one of the most powerful
chronocrats of the Dymion System, who placed a king’s
ransom on the head of the loudmouth bootlegger. Pursued
across constellations, Husky flung his ship towards the most
innocuous sign of life he could, and eventually crash landed in
a cold, wet field, millions of miles from the nearest good time.
Pulling himself from his craft, Husky took stock of the
darkness, the chilliness, the stinging water falling out of the
sky, and the most boring plant life he’d ever seen. Spotting
a glow over a nearby hill, and hearing the distant sounds of
life, Husky trudged to the top and breathed a sigh of relief:
this place wasn’t boring, it was glorious. He looked down
at bipedal humanoids clad in multicoloured suits, dresses,
tabards, gowns and frocks. They danced and gambolled
between their brightly coloured red-and-white striped
buildings, some of them breaking out into fantastical displays
of skill, bravado and athleticism, seemingly at random, while
other locals burst out into rapturous applause at the sheer
joy of it all. Music- blaring, silly, and invigorating- filled the
air, and above it all hung a banner, proudly proclaiming the
name of this wonderful town: The Top of the World Circus.
Husky felt like he’d come home.
After a quick assessment, Husky projected a fanciful
outfit that was approximated to blend in with the crowd,
and strode into the light. That evening was a giddy whirl of
strange foods, stranger drinks and fantastical camaraderie
with total strangers. These people were so welcoming, so
carefree and so fun.
When Husky woke up in the street, head pounding, it
seemed that all the fun people had left. Returning to the
drinking establishment that had hosted the festivities, all
that remained were pallid, boringly dressed peons- servants
perhaps- but no matter. Husky nobly took on the mantle
of cheering them up, with a perfect re-enactment of the
libertine gregariousness from the night before. Strangely,
today, it didn’t work as well. His outfit didn’t seem to
impress, his japery drew confusion, and his carousing didn’t
get a single laugh. He’d have to practice more. There was fun
to be had here, he knew it, even if his stay must be short. He
had tracks to cover and a ship to rebuild; his hunters weren’t
going to sit around, twiddling their retractable thumbs.
Ever since then, operating under the nom de guerre of
Lord Huxley Tango, Husky has both wowed and made use
of the indigenous peoples- at least, those with a modicum
of talent- to find metals and minerals of suitable quality to
repair his craft. Hilariously, these people seem to place value
in base metals, such as silver, gold and platinum. This could
prove useful.
Chapter 1 | The Tavern Local Legends 33
34 Chapter 1 | The Tavern Local Legends
Husky Fandango Bonus Actions
Medium Humanoid, chaotic neutral Taunt. Husky targets one creature within 30 ft. If the
Challenge 11 (7,200xp) | Initiative +5 | Prof. Bonus +4 target can hear him, it must succeed on a DC 16 Charisma
saving throw or have disadvantage on ability checks,
attack rolls, and saving throws until the start of Husky’s
armor class hit points speed next turn.
18 65 30 ft.
(synthetic hyper- (10d8 + 10) Phase Shifter (recharge 5-6). Husky can teleport himself
weave) and anyone he is touching up to 60 ft.

str dex con int wis cha Reactions

11 (0) 20 (+5) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 10 (0) 18 (+4)
Arc Shield (recharge 5-6). A shield of electrical energy
Saving Throws Dex +10, Cha +9 envelops Husky. He gains a +5 bonus to his AC until the
start of his next turn. In addition any creature attacking
Skills Acrobatics +9, Deception +8, Performance +8,
him with a melee weapon takes 7 (1d8 + 3) lightning
Sleight of Hand +9
damage whether or not the attack succeeds.
Damage Resistances Cold, Fire
Senses passive Perception 10 Legendary Actions
Languages Common Husky can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the
options below. Only one legendary action option can be
Actions used at a time and only at the end of another creature's
Multiattack. Husky can make two Adamantine Cane turn. Husky regains spent legendary actions at the start of
Sword attacks or an Adamantine Cane Sword attack and his turn.
an Adamantine Knife attack. Concussion Charge (1 action). Husky fires a concussive
Adamantine Cane Sword. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 blast out of his Arc Generator. Ranged Weapon Attack.
to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing +9 to hit, range 40 ft., one target, 7 (2d6) bludgeoning
damage. damage and the creature must suceed on a DC 18
Adamantine Knives. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, Constitution saving throw or be knocked prone. Anyone
range 30 ft., Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) piercing damage. failing the save by 5 or more is also stunned.
Arc Generator (recharge 5-6). Ranged Weapon Attack: Bait and Switch (2 actions). Husky can use his phase
+10 to hit, range 20ft cone. Hit: 22 (3d10 + 5) lightning shifter to choose a target within 60 ft. and swap places
damage. with that target, as Husky teleports to their space and they
are teleported into his.

Chapter 1 | The Tavern Local Legends 35

 Starters
Roasted Almonds
This salty snack is seasoned to perfection with a delicate
blend of garlic, rosemary, and cloves mixed with slow-roasted
almonds.
Squash Galette with Sage Crust
This time-tested galette features a succulent combination
of squash and leeks from Flip’s personal garden, with fresh
sage, and gruyere cheese. This heavenly treat will melt in your
mouth.
Scorched Peppers with Red Dragon Romesco
Fresh shishito peppers from Flip’s garden, roasted in
dragonfire and served with a zesty romesco sauce.
Sweets
Buletteberry Breakfast Bundts
These sweet treats are the perfect indulgence to energize your
travels. Infused with the power of the mighty cockatrice
and shaped to resemble the carapace of the most fearsome
Bulette, this breakfast bundt gives you all the fuel you need
for your next adventure.
Passionfruit Tarts
This delectable tart is filled with a blend of passionfruit
and lemon, topped off with the expertly neutralized and
sweetened fluff of a white pudding.
Sweet Scones: Goodberry Lemon Thyme
These sweet scones are packed full of everyone’s favorite fruit.
Perfect to keep you full for a day of travel or to take along for
when you need it, these scones will rejuvenate you from the
first bite to the last.
36 Chapter 1 | The Tavern A Trip Away Inn
Mains
Foraged Mushroom Strata with Swiss Chard
This succulent strata is lovingly prepared with the finest
foraged mushrooms and greens from the forests surrounding
A Trip Away Inn. This savory treat is a guaranteed winner for
you and your friends!
Firebolt-Flamed Meatball Sub
This cantrip-baked sandwich will leave your mouth watering
with three juicy, sauce-smothered meatballs. Available with
dragonfire-toasted buns.
Dragon-Roasted Trout w/garlic Ginger Oil
River trout caught daily by local fisherman, slow roasted
by house chef Estabôn’s fiery breath, and drizzled with an
aromatic ginger oil.
Dandelion Green Grilled Cheese
Dandelion greens, picked from just outside our door, add
a delightfully herbal taste to our in-house dragon-smoked
Gouda. This sandwich is just the thing to fuel your mid-day
melee or evening escapades.
Foldable Zucchini Boat (vegan)
Inspired by the famed magical boat, this succulent gourd is
filled with an elegant combination of mushrooms, zucchini,
onion, and garlic, all sitting inside of the boat-like shell of the
hollowed out zucchini.
The Sword Swallower's Stew
This homemade stew is infused with flavor and is the perfect
way to warm yourself after a cold day of travel. Filled with
all the familiar tastes of a home cooked meal, it reminds you
that A Trip Away Inn is the perfect home away from home.
Drinks
Tiefling Contortionist
Like its namesake, this drink can be spry, bright, and bubbly
at first, but will sneak up on you the second you let your
guard down. The Tiefling Contortionist is an approachable
"Aperol Spritz" with a strong bourbon/amaro backbone and a
refreshing prosecco finish. Brunch with caution.
Vorpal Sword Swallower
The allure of danger is inherent in all sentient creatures, and is
paramount in circus production. The Vorpal Sword Swallower
comes at you initially as a shock to your system. The heat is
the first thing you notice as you take a sip, followed by the
reassuring citrus and fruity sweetness that prepares your
palate for its next gulp. You handled your first one well. Test
your limits by increasing the spice on round two.

Elven Aerialist
No one commands the open air of the Big Top quite like an
Beer
Elf. Dexterity, grace, and strength make them ideal aerialists, A Trip Away IPA
so a tweaked Aviation is the perfect beverage to enjoy the
show. We use floral and berry flavors to transport us to the Delectable notes of orange, melon, and grapefruit rasp on the
forests where the Elves learned to dance across the treetops front door and then kick it down with a crisp floral finish.
and hone their craft. Spirit forward, driven by citrus, with This refreshing IPA is perfect after a summer adventure.
nuanced and subtle flavors.
Circus Sour Ale
Dwarven Flip Whimsically flitting through a wheat field, traipsing over the
Dwarves can put 'em away. That's no question, but sometimes big top, and landing down at your table. This delightfully
these natural brewers need some added courage before taking sweet cherry sour is the perfect beverage to wash down a
the main stage. The Dwarven Flip adds a shot into a Dwarf's hearty lunch.
stout of choice, and the added egg gives them the protein
they need to last the whole show. It's velvety smooth and Curtain Call Pils
makes for a perfect dessert...or breakfast. This bohemian pilsner is typically enjoyed in large quantities.
For over three-hundred years this recipe has floated through
Flip’s Tent Topper the circus circuit to ease the tired workers after a long day of
A strange cast of characters is necessary for a good circus. entertainment. Clean taste and simple flavors.
Sometimes only the oddest of assortments can provide true
harmony. Flip’s Tent Topper brings together bold flavors Two Town Brown
from all over the realm and throws them into the same glass, Gather round the hearth and enjoy this hearty ale. Honey,
where they form something that feels strangely familiar. cinnamon, and ginger dance across your palate, as the leaves
Stirred and strong. begin to change colors before your very eyes.
Lycanthrope in the Lyra
When the full moon shines, a howling can be heard, as a Services
hirsute figure is seen suspended in a ring above the main
Room (Nightly) 1 gp
floor. Its origin is unknown, but it is captivating nonetheless.
The Lycanthrope in the Lyra takes lychee and anise flavors Room (Weekly) 5 gp
and draws you in from afar with toasted rosemary aromas. Natural Spring Bath House Fee 4 sp
Get close enough to enjoy, but respect the power of the beast. Natural Spring Bath House and Massage 1 gp
Messenger 3cp/mile
Roll-A-Day (see Pub games) 1 gp

Chapter 1 | The Tavern A Trip Away Inn 37

 Pub Games
Drinking Contest
A drinking contest lasts five rounds. Everyone rolls for
initiative and begins drinking. Each round, participants must
make a Constitution saving throw. A player wins if at any
point they are the last person still in the contest. In the case
of a tie, the remaining contestants must continue on using
the round 5 table until only one person is standing.

Round 1 Round 4
Con Save Result Con Save Result
You choke and begin vomiting. You are You black out for 30 seconds and are
1-10 1-16
knocked out of the contest. knocked out of the contest.
You’re starting to feel a bit queasy. You have You’re starting to feel a bit queasy. You have
11-12 disadvantage on your Constitution save next 17-20 disadvantage on your Constitution save next
round. round.
13-17 No effect. Is this water? You have advantage on your
21+
Is this water? You have advantage on your Constitution save for the next round.
18+
Constitution save for the next round.
Round 5
Round 2 Con Save Result
Con Save Result You black out for 30 seconds and are
1-18
You choke and begin vomiting. You are knocked out of the contest.
1-13
knocked out of the contest. 19+ You stay standing, no effect.
You’re starting to feel a bit queasy. You have Is this water? You have advantage on your
21+
14-15 disadvantage on your Constitution save next Constitution save for the next round.
round.
16-18 No effect. Any player that participated and suffered disadvantage for
three or more rounds should be considered incredibly drunk.
Is this water? You have advantage on your
19+
Constitution save for the next round. Drinking Contest Gambling
If you choose to gamble during a drinking contest,
Round 3 an amount of coin to be ante’d each round should be
Con Save Result established. In order to proceed from round to round, a
player must continue to ante up until they are eliminated.
You choke and begin vomiting. You are
1-15 Anyone participating in the drinking contest is free to leave
knocked out of the contest.
at any time.
You’re starting to feel a bit queasy. You have
16-17 disadvantage on your Constitution save next
round.
18-19 No effect.
Is this water? You have advantage on your
20+
Constitution save for the next round.

38 Chapter 1 | The Tavern Pub Games

Knife Throwing
Knife throwing lasts three rounds. All participants throw
three knives per round, as a ranged attack. Any character
proficient with knives can add their proficiency bonus. The
winner is determined by whoever scores the most points in
two out of three rounds.
Each round, any participant can spend points of their
ranged attack bonus to adjust the result of their roll and
increase or decrease the result of their throw by a number
equal to the amount spent.
For example if you have a ranged attack bonus of +5 and
roll an 18, you may spend 2 points to bump that to a 20. The
next knife thrown will be thrown with a ranged attack bonus
of +3. You can continue to do this until your ranged attack
bonus equals 0.

d20 Points
1 -5
2-5 1
6 - 15 2
16 - 17 5
18 -19 7
20 10
21+ -5

Knife Throwing Gambling

When gambling on knife throwing, characters can either
continue to ante up, round by round, or make a wager on the
overall winner of the competition.

Tavern Dice Roll-A-Day

• Each player rolls 6 dice and chooses the numbers they
want to keep on those dice, setting them aside.
• Roll the remaining dice, and again set aside as many as
you like.
• Roll the remaining dice and tally your score.
• The player with the highest total after the third round
wins. In the case of a tie, the remaining players repeat the
process against one another.
Tavern Dice Gambling
To gamble when playing tavern dice, players should ante
up using an agreed upon amount. Each consecutive round,
players can choose to pay the ante again to remain in the
game or fold. The winner takes the pot once all other players
are eliminated.
A Trip Away Inn seeds a small pot at 10 gp to start the Roll-
A-Day game. Anyone working, and most regulars, can tell
the players what the current pot is up to.
• Each player has one chance a day to pay only 1 gp and roll
4d6 for the pot.
• Required to win the pot is a predetermined combination
of the 4d6. It could be anything the GM chooses. If the
combination required is 4, 4, 2, 6 the player must roll two
4s, one 2, and one 6 to win the pot. It does not matter the
order rolled as long as the dice match.
• Once the pot is won, 10 gp is taken from the winnings to
seed the next pot and Flip encourages the winner to buy
the bar a round to avoid any bad luck.

Chapter 1 | The Tavern Pub Games 39

40 Chapter 1 | The Tavern A Trip Away Inn
Strength Test (High Striker) Liar's Dice
The high striker is a simple strength test, designed to show • Each player privately rolls 4d6, generally in a cup, hiding
off your physical prowess. Flip’s high striker has ‘Test Your the result from the other players.
Strength’ running up the height of the machine in yellow • Each player takes turns predicting the total quantity of
painted letters. A pad sits at the bottom, with a long-handled specific face values (numbers rolled on the dice) of all the
mallet leaned up next to it. Whenever someone hits the pad, other players at the table, with each consecutive player
a small glowing magical ball is bounced vertically by the either bidding a higher quantity of the same face, bidding
force, illuminating a series of numbers as it rises to its peak. any quantity on a higher face, or calling the bluff.
Anyone able to ring the bell at the top with their feat of
• Once a bluff is called, everyone reveals their dice.
strength is rewarded with one free drink.
• If the player who called the bluff is correct and the bidder
Magic and the High Striker is wrong about the number of dice, the bidder must
This high striker has been treated with a complex enchantment remove one die from their cup.
to attempt to dissuade cheating. Any spell cast on the striker • If the bidder is correct, the person who called their bluff
will be reflected back at the caster. If this spell deals damage must remove one die from their own cup instead.
it will be bounced back as a non-lethal concussive force, often • After the bid is called, the winner takes the pot. The next
strong enough to knock the caster to their feet. round now begins with one player down one die.
In order to take a swing on the high striker, one simply
has to slam the mallet down on the rubber pad as hard as
Example
they can. This requires a strength check. More seasoned or There are four players. Lord Léanin sees he has two 4s
cooler-headed individuals, however, realize that a high striker showing and bids there are four total 4s on the table. Dreet
doesn’t just require a hard hit, but a precise one. Anyone is the next player, and must either increase the number of
attempting to hit the high striker can therefore make a 4s she says she believes are on the table or guess a number
Wisdom check before swinging the mallet, to determine the of 5s or 6s showing. Dreet has rolled three 1s and one 5, so
best angle and point of impact. she bids there are two 5s. Bartleby is the third player and has
rolled two 2s, a 3, and a 6. Bartleby is daring, though, so she
Wisdom check Result bets there are three 6s. Izak is fourth, and has rolled three 1s
and a 6. He’s too anxious to call Bartleby’s bluff, knowing
1 - 10 No effect. there could be another 6 out there, so he must raise it. He
Advantage on your Strength check to bets there are four 6s. Dreet calls Izak’s bluff, the dice are
11 - 19
swing the hammer. revealed, and Izak is declared the liar. He removes one die
+5 to your Strength check when from his cup. As the winner, Dreet starts the next round.
20+
swinging the hammer.
Liar's Dice Gambling
Strength To gamble on liar’s dice, players can purchase a number of dice
Result
check from 1 to 5 on an agreed amount per die. All of the money
There is a "Wah Waaah" sound effect, spent to buy dice is put into the pot. At the end of the round,
1 and ghostly magical letters appear saying, before a new round begins, players can choose to fold and
“Is that all you’ve got?” take back half of the buy-in amount for each remaining die.
Magical letters appear saying,
2-5
“You’ve got the strength of a sentient shrub.”
Magical letters appear saying,
6 - 14
“Strong as an owlbear.”
Magical letters appear saying,
15 - 17
“Mighty as an ogre!!!!”
The lights begin pulsating and the sound
of a crowd cheers, as magical letters
18 - 24
appear, flashing
“As powerful as a dragon!!”
Confetti explodes and fireworks go
25+ off around the high striker, alerting
everyone in the tavern to your triumph.

Chapter 1 | The Tavern A Trip Away Inn 41

 The Circus Gambit
The Circus Gambit is a special race Flip holds every month.
Obstacle Time Added per Failure
The course is made of a series of different obstacles, each racer
competing one at a time for the best time. The beginning 1 6
of the obstacle course is sixty feet east of the bathhouse, 2 6
marked by two standing stones. Multicolored flags span
3 3
trees throughout the course. Magic is not outright forbidden
during the contest, but it is frowned upon. 4 6
The entry fee for the Circus Gambit is 50 gp. Flip takes 25 5 12
gp and the rest is put into a prize pool, given to the winner
Obstacle 1 - Rope Climb - 6 seconds
of the Gambit. Each month at least five locals try their hand
at winning, but are always bested by some of the travelling The first obstacle the racers meet is a 20 ft. wooden wall
adventurers. The current record holders are actually the twins, with a rope hanging from it. Climbing the wall requires a
Tia and Mia, both with a time of 1 minute and 14 seconds. successful DC 14 Strength (Athletics) check.
Obstacle 2 - Suspension Bridge - 48 seconds/12
Rules seconds
Each obstacle takes a minimum time to complete, listed The second obstacle the racer faces is a slatted suspension
with that obstacle. However GM’s can subtract additional bridge, spanning 60 ft. across and with the slats placed 6
time from each event for clever thinking. Each obstacle ft. apart. Choosing to carefully navigate across the bridge
also has a penalty amount, according to the chart below. A takes 48 seconds to move slowly from slat to slat. Crossing
character’s movement speed also plays into how quickly they the bridge quickly requires a successful DC 16 Dexterity
can complete the obstacle course. A racer should face every (Acrobatics) check. On a successful check, only add 12
obstacle, tracking the time it takes them to complete each one. seconds to your time. After five failed checks, they have
In order to determine how quickly you made your way stumbled their way across the bridge and proceed to the next
through the obstacle course, add together the following values: obstacle.
(Movement speed + sum of all obstacles + sum of all Obstacle 3 - Illusory Ladders - 6 Seconds
failures) - GM bonus points.
At the end of the bridge, the racer faces their third obstacle.
Five ladders lean against a ledge, leading up from the bridge
Movement Speed Time Added platform to a ledge 40 ft. above. Four of the five ladders are
illusory. The GM can choose a correct ladder and let the
25ft 48 character guess or use the chart below for anyone choosing to
30ft 40 guess. A detect magic spell quickly reveals the correct ladder.
35ft 34
40ft 30 Percent Chance of
Number of Ladders
Correct Guess
45ft 27
50ft 24 5 20%
55ft 22 4 25%
60ft 20 3 33%
65ft 18 2 50%
70ft 17
Obstacle 4 - Shifting Stones - 18 Seconds
75ft 16
As the racer reaches the top of the ladder, they’re faced with
80ft 15 their fourth obstacle: a long 90 ft. pool of water, with stones
85ft 14 appearing and disappearing at the surface. Any character
90ft 13 spending 6 seconds (added to your time) to observe the
pattern of the moving stones gains advantage on checks to
navigate their way across the pool. Running across the pool
requires a successful DC 16 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check.
Racers can fail this check up to five times before making it
to the other side.

42 Chapter 1 | The Tavern A Trip Away Inn

Obstacle 4 - Tightrope - 6 seconds
After crossing the pool, a small ramp leads up to the final
obstacle: a tightrope spanning a 30 ft. chasm. Trying to
jump across the chasm will result in one failure, as the
racer smashes into an invisible wall of force 6 ft. above the
tightrope. Crossing the tightrope requires a successful DC
18 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. Any character failing the
check falls safely onto a pad 60 ft. below, and must run back
to the top to attempt to cross again.

Chapter 1 | The Tavern A Trip Away Inn 43

44
45
 The Circus Comes to Town
As you get closer to A Trip Away, there are the sights and
sounds of industry. A caravan of brightly colored carts and
wagons has created a semi-circle behind the tavern, and a
team of roustabouts are hard at work. On the ground is a vast
canvas, lying loosely in wrinkled folds of red and white, and
culminating in a small, pitched tent of the same colors at the
center. As you watch, teams of workers hoist four enormous
wooden posts to standing positions, until they tower eighty
feet into the sky. As you squint, you can make out four small
figures, who stand up from where they had been sitting
among a system of pulleys at the top of each post. Each figure
is clutching a rope and, at a prearranged signal, they leap
backwards and begin to abseil down the posts, disappearing
through holes in the canvas as it rises to meet them. All of a
sudden, the small tent in the middle is the mountain’s peak
of a glorious red-and-white big top.. You spot Tia and Mia
among the crowd of workers, and Nix is sat on a barrel with
a small mug of steaming tea, watching the business.
The Flying Krongovsko
The Flying Krongovsko are living legends on the carnival
circuit. Three generations of gnome tumblers have delighted
audiences across the world and, if Bink’s stories are to be
believed, once or twice beyond it. It’s a dual point of pride
that they never use a net and haven’t had an accident in 200
years, and even that was more the earthquake’s fault than
theirs. Krongovsko is both the singular and plural term for
the family members.
With this pedigree, it was even more astounding to the
family that Flip chose to leave. The clan seems to have each
made peace with it in their own way, but the issue has never
been totally resolved.
Bink has grudgingly accepted, if not forgiven, the fact
that Flip is the first ever Krongovsko to leave the circus. His
passive-aggression seems to have mostly manifested in the
assumption that A Trip Away is essentially a family-owned
establishment, and Flip accepts this as the cost of peace.
When the circus is in town, four of the rooms in A Trip Away
will be occupied by the four family members. He’s also not
happy with the Krongovsko banner above the bar, seeing it as
a suggestion that they’re all washed up, rather than just Flip.
46 Chapter 1 | The Tavern Top of the World Circus
Bink Krongovsko, Flip’s father (He/Him)
The choreographer and base of the group, his barrel chest and
age belie a nimbleness that has never waned in his hundred-
plus years in the circus. Gnomes aging as they do, he has seen
other acts rise and fall, but the Krongovsko have persevered,
cementing his belief that it is both a pride and a duty to
continue the act. With the heart of a traditionalist but the
mind of a crowd-pleaser, he has managed to keep the Flying
Krongovsko current and exciting through the years.
Bink has grudgingly accepted- if not forgiven- the fact
that Flip is the first ever Krongovsko to leave the circus. His
passive-aggression seems to have mostly manifested in the
assumption that A Trip Away is essentially a family-owned
establishment, and Flip accepts this as the cost of peace.
When the circus is in town, four of the rooms in A Trip Away
will be occupied by the four family members. He’s also not
happy with the Krongovsko banner above the bar, seeing it as
a suggestion that they’re all washed up, rather than just Flip.
Bixi Krongovsko, Flip’s mother (She/Her)
Born into a mining family, Bixi’s future looked to be
centuries of diligent engineering deep below ground. While
out on an inventory trip one day, she happened to see the
circus roll through town. The young gnome felt a pull she
had never felt before and, on impulse, hopped into the cart
carrying the big top, hiding herself away among its stripey
folds. When she was discovered, she convinced the owner
to make her useful, and ended up designing many of the
lighting apparatuses that are still in use to this day. During
that time, she met and apprenticed under a young Bink
Krongovsko, eventually marrying him and becoming a
member of the famous family.
Given her own life before the circus, Bixi is perhaps the
most incredulous at Flip’s decision, though she is also the
most tight-lipped on the subject. She loves her child very
much, but can’t help but see Flip’s rejection of the circus as
rejection of family.
Trip Krongovsko, Flip’s older brother (He/Him)
Trip’s personality lends itself to excess: if some is good, more
is better. If people are drinking, he’ll drink double; if people
are telling stories, he’ll listen all night; if there’s anything
to be climbed, he’s already on top of it. His attention waxes
and wanes with each new excitement that comes along, and-
coupled with the sense of invulnerability that comes with
trapeze work- it’s had him in trouble more than once.
 Trip understands how Flip’s temperament led them away
from the circus and doesn’t begrudge it, while he himself is a
willing addict to the touring life. He always loves the first day
at A Trip Away, meeting the new locals and seeing what Flip
has done with the place, but is moody and wanderlust-y by
day three. Ever itchy to move on, he is currently pushing for
the Top of the World to travel farther and farther afield into
wilder and wilder territory. If the players mention a far-flung
region they’ve visited, there may be a familiar striped tent
next time they pass by.
Pippi Krongovsko, Flip’s younger sister (She/Her)
The youngest of the Krongovsko, Pippi has never sustained
so much as a bruise in the family’s act. Whip-thin but built
of steel cables, her small frame is that of an athlete in peak
physical condition. Currently the brains of the business, she
has proven herself the shrewdest hands to hold the purse
strings, and always keeps a close eye on Trip’s spending habits
when he’s in town.
Pippi misses Flip dearly, and wishes they would re-join the
act, purely so they could be a family again. If anyone could
persuade them to come back on the road, it would be Pippi,
but her love for Flip prevents her from trying to change
their mind.
Chapter 1 | The Tavern
Other members of the Top of the World:
Flora (She/Her)
Tiefling contortionist, 19. Note: Flora is also the illusionist
for the big top show and Trip’s ‘Guess his Weight’ stand.
Flora joined the circus after the Trip Away gang left, and
thinks of them with slight awe. If they players are visibly
friendly with the tavern staff, she will share the following
rumors she’s heard over the years:
• The night they left, exactly half of that evening’s takings
disappeared as well. Captain Pratt has always assumed it
was Tia & Mia, but has never been able to prove it.
• The loss of Estabôn’s cooking was a major blow to morale.
Years ago, Captain Pratt heard rumors of a dragonborn
chef going on the run from a royal court hundreds of
miles away, but kept it to himself. Ever since Estabôn left,
he’s been sharing his suspicions with everyone.
• She believes Bink Krongovsko is privately devastated that
Flip left, and misses his child dearly. She thinks he treats
A Trip Away like a family business as a way to pretend Flip
never left.
Captain Antipholus Pratt (He/Him), Human, Ringmaster, 60s.
Liara (She/Her), Wood-Elf, Tattooed Wonder, 20s.
Delton (He/Him), Human, Strongman and Werewolf, 40s.
Milik (She/Her), Human, Owlbear Tamer, 30s.
Coot, Hoot and Holler, Owlbears.
Top of the World Circus 47
 Circus Ground Attractions
Entrance and Gifts Kiosk, operated by Flora ‘Granny Suzie’, operated by Pippi Krongovsko

At the entrance to the circus grounds is a wooden kiosk A grinning gnome girl calls out in a bright, tinkly voice:
displaying food, drink and circus-related tchotchkes. The "Hag ever turn your old ma into a newt? Curse you to
smell of roasted nuts and grilled poultry hangs over the only walk backwards? Come get your own back! Wipe
collection of engraved wooden signs, copper cups and that smirk off Granny Suzie’s warty face! Break her pipe
miniature big top tents. A pale, almost chalk-white tiefling and win a prize!"
girl, her eyes a pupil-less silver, stands up as you approach
and holds out a hand, expectantly, for the price of entry. A small bench, with a basket of sticks, is set up twenty
feet away from a small three-sided gazebo. Inside, you can
make out a wooden cut-out of a sneering hag’s face mounted
Item Price on a post, a mocking leer painted under a beaky nose.
Protruding from the mouth is a clay pipe.
Wine 4 sp
Beer 5 cp
For 5 cp, the contestant is given three one-foot-long
Chicken Leg 2 cp
wooden sticks. The aim of the game is to underarm throw
Vegetable Soup 1 cp the sticks and break the clay pipe. A winning throw garners
Bag of hot nuts 1 cp 3 free drinks tokens. If successful, Pippi will replace the pipe
Copper mug, engraved with either: from a box of them behind the stall.
'Top of the World Circus' A successful DC 18 Dexterity check will hit the face but
4 sp not break the pipe, a successful DC 20 Dexterity check will
'The Flying Krongovsko'
or 'Coot, Hoot, and Holler' break the pipe.
Wooden wall plaques, with: Pippi will be all too happy to talk to the adventurers if
'Top of the World' and an outline of the big top 2 sp they say that they’re friends with Flip, and will share the
burned into them. following information:
Snowglobes with miniature big tops inside. 2 sp • For some reason, Trip Krongovsko assumes that A Trip
Brass paperweights in the shape of the big top. 1 gp Away Inn is named after him, and Flip has never had the
heart to correct him.
Tabletop trapeze toys 5 sp
• Flip has a pathological fear of rabbits that they keep very
6 x 8" Woodcut prints of each peforming artist: quiet about. Years ago, Pippi bought a stuffed rabbit at a
Captain Pratt in a rakish pose; fair, tied it to a string, and would drag it across Flip’s bed at
Flora in a backbend with her toes touching the night to scare them. To this day, Flip believes that rabbits
top of her head; are strangely drawn to them. Pippi still owns the rabbit.
Liara with a mysterious shadow behind her; 2 cp • When Pippi was very young, whenever she was upset or
Delton balancing Hoot and Holler on each hand; angry, she would find that her toys would magically come
Milik riding Coot; to life around her, delighting her with a floating game of
All three owlbears together; make-believe. It was only after Nix left the circus that
A pyramid of all the Krongovsko, including Flip. Pippi learned sprites can turn invisible.

48 Chapter 1 | The Tavern Top of the World Circus

‘Feed the Owlbears’, operated by Milik
A dark-skinned woman with a kindly smile lounges outside
a temporary enclosure, inside which three bizarre creatures
mill about, two of them smaller than the third. Their
hulking frames are a mix of fur and feathers, and even the
smaller two must weigh 200lb. A sign in gaudy lettering
reads ‘Coot, Hoot and Holler: feed the world’s most
talented owlbears. A copper a rat’.
For 1 cp, the adventurers can throw a dead rat to one of
the owlbears. Unofficially, Milik will take a payment of 10 sp
to go into the enclosure with the adventurers to let them pet
the beasts. All three owlbears are incredibly tame, but know
the hustle is to look fierce. They will not respond hostilely to
anything short of obvious aggression towards them or Milik.
Milik has been with the Top of the World since before Flip
left, and remembers the whole gang fondly. If asked about
the staff members of A Trip Away, she will reveal some or all
of the following:
• Flip once confided in her that they set Nix free because they
sensed another lonely soul. Flip has never told this to Nix.
• Tia and Mia like to play tough, but they both have a real
soft spot for animals. More than once, Milik would find
them at night, curled up asleep with Coot.
• During lean times, Estabôn once or twice served roadkill,
intended for the owlbears, to the company.
‘Guess his weight’, operated by Trip Krongovsko
As you stand next to a booth with a colorful sign reading
‘Guess his weight and win the pot!’, a curtain is drawn back
from a booth to reveal an elderly dwarf, in full plate armor,
standing next to an oversized set of scales.
Contestants are asked to guess his weight within 5lb for 5
cp. The prize is the pot: a brass bucket filled with that day’s
failed guesses.
A successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check suggests
that a dwarf that stocky, with that much armour on, should
weigh ~215lb. A successful DC 20+ Wisdom (Perception)
check suggests that the dwarf weighs 223lb.
A successful DC 18 Wisdom (Insight) check or detect
magic spell will reveal that this dwarf is an illusion (if the
illusion is dispelled, the individual is revealed to be Trip
Krongovsko himself).
Whatever weight is guessed, the dwarf adds labeled metal
plates to one side, before climbing onto the other. Trip
weighs 42lb.
Chapter 1 | The Tavern
If the correct answer is somehow attained, a grinning Trip
will give the contestants the pot, amounting to 15 gp and
asks them to keep the trick to themselves.
If identified, and if the adventurers ask about A Trip Away,
Trip will cheerily share the following:
• The tavern is named after him, because he is Flip’s
favourite sibling.
• Tia and Mia confided in him that they were princesses in
disguise who joined the circus to escape arranged marriages.
• One time, a foreign-looking audience member spotted
Estabôn, and started pointing and shouting excitedly
at him in a language that Trip didn’t understand. Trip
watched Estabôn hurry the man away to a private corner
and push a bag of money into his hand. Trip didn’t see the
man again for the rest of the show.
‘The Tattooed Wonder’, operated by Liara
In an open-sided caravan covered in fantastical artwork, a
slim, muscular elven woman sits at a table. Her silk gown
has been custom-made to reveal as much as possible of
a full-body tattoo of a three-headed serpent, inked in a
manner reminiscent of scrimshaw. The body winds its way
up from her left ankle, up her leg and coils around her
torso. The body then splits into three necks, two of them
winding themselves down her arms, and the third up and
around her neck. Two of the heads sit in the palms of her
hands, while the third stares out from her face, its right eye
sitting over her left, giving it an uncanny appearance of life.
For a fee of 8 gp Liara promises to give you the tattoo of
your dreams. After hearing the desired design, she will sit
with the customer at her table:
The elf takes each of your hands in hers, palm to palm, and
looks deep into your eyes, concentrating. She blinks, and
her left eye suddenly has the slitted pupil of a snake, as you
feel a sudden stabbing pain in each hand. You jerk away in
time to see four small puncture marks- two in the palm of
each hand- fade away, as the tattoo emerges on your skin,
exactly as you had pictured it.
Liara knew all of the Trip Away staff well when they were
part of the circus, but will not be drawn on details about them,
saying that nothing can really be trusted as true in the circus.
Top of the World Circus 49
 The Big Top Show
‘Antipholus Pratt’s
Top of the World Circus Presents…’
GM’s note: The tone of the circus is cheery family
entertainment, and the ringmaster’s tone and banter are
lovingly hacky. This is an example of a typical big top
performance at the Top of the World Circus.
The circus tent is 100 feet in diameter and 80 feet high. The
central ring is 42 feet in diameter. It has capacity for 400
audience in seating on three sides; the fourth is taken up by
two food stands either side of a tent flap to backstage.
The show itself takes place an hour after sunset each night.
The audience is invited inside with the booming of a gong,
arranging themselves shoulder-to-shoulder on long wooden
benches around a central ring.
Suddenly, the lights in the tent go out, and a hushed,
excited silence falls. In the middle of the ring, two small
figures, their faces hooded, bring forward a brazier, and-
without ceremony- light a small fire. They exit, leaving the
crackling flames the only sight and sound in the ring.
There is a slow tapping sound, and a shrunken old man
in a shabby robe shuffles forward, a wobbling cane clicking
on the ground as he walks. He stands in front of the brazier,
his dull grey beard and eyebrows underlit by the wafting
firelight. He coughs, and begins to speak in a reedy voice:
“Ahem. Ladies and and and gentlemen...”
A voice rings out from backstage:
“Speak up!”
The old man pauses, coughs harder, and starts again:
“Ahem, ahem...ladies and gentle-“
“Ye gods man, speak up!”
The old man girds himself in the tiny glow of the fire, and
tries one more time:
“Ahem...a-HEM...AHEEEE-LLLLLLOOOOO LAYDEEZ
N’ GENTLEMEN!”
The man flings his arms wide, as firebrands explode into
light all around the tent! The old man vanishes, and in his
place is a portly, red-faced, red-coated figure in a polished
black top hat (Captain Pratt). One foot is an open-toed
sandal, which doesn’t match the other polished black boot.
The cane has become a red-and-white striped riding crop, and
he beams as he spins to take in the now-cheering crowd.
“Wunnnnnnnnderful to see you, less so to smell you! We
look forward to this show all year- we always love coming to
[he makes a show of reading something off of his white glove]
A Trip Away Inn! Bloomin’ right it’s a Trip Away: it took us a
year to get back!”
50 Chapter 1 | The Tavern Top of the World Circus
This gets a happy and obligatory groan from the audience,
which he takes in stride.
“So sorry to deceive you with that-there-visual-trickery-back-
then. I hope we haven’t got off on the wrong foot”.
He points at his sandled foot, does a large double-take,
and it changes to a matching black boot, for which he looks
relieved.
“There we are then. I am your ringmaster for the evening,
Captain Antipholus Pratt, and from now on, everything you
see will be real, I guarantee- you came here for magic, not
ILLUSION!”
Amid the laugh that follows, a blonde gnome (Trip) in
brightly colored pantaloons emerges from the back flap of the
tent, juggling flaming knives on the back of a snarling young
copper dragon, riding clockwise around the ring.
Captain Pratt looks suitably irritated:
“Here, I said everything would be real-“
He points the riding crop at the creature, there is the flash
of a dispel magic spell, and the gnome is now sat astride a
small fat pony, juggling apples.
As this happens, a second gnome (Pippi) comes out of the
back flap, anti-clockwise, juggling apples on the back of a
unicorn. Captain Pratt looks comically furious:
“You wretched gnomes! I promised these good people
reality-”
There is a second flash of dispel magic, and now the gnome
is actually juggling flaming swords on the shoulders of a
slavering werewolf. The two beasts and their riders pass by
each other and, as they do, the sword juggler stabs each apple
out of the air, and both ride out again to raucous applause.
Captain Pratt feigns alarm:
“Blimey, where did that ‘orrible beast come from? Am I
paying to feed that thing? Oh no- all of you are- splendid
then!”
He whips his hat off and drinks in the laughter:
“Folks we’ve got a fine show for you this evening; the
finest you’ll ever see in this tent, that’s a promise! Enjoy
yourselves, help yourselves to refreshments outside the tent,
but please don’t feed the gnomes, you’ll only encourage
them. WELCOME! TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD
CIRCUS!”
After that, the acts come thick and fast- whirling,
spinning, gasp-inducing acts of daredevilry and skill. There
is the strongman (Delton) who lifts an increasingly tall
pyramid of cannonballs, before getting bored, climbing into
the audience, and lifting benches of squealing circus-goers.
There is the tattooed elf girl (Liara) with golden-green eyes,
who performs a beautiful aerial silks routine, while her
shadow performs an eerie dance all of its own. There is the again. To finish, each gnome finds themselves on a high-
team of equestrians, who gallop at incredible speeds around wire above the crowd. One by one, they hop onto shoulders,
the ring, performing trick mounts and dismounts. There until there is a swaying gnome totem pole hovering above the
is the tiefling girl (Flora) who contorts herself, unscathed, audience. The thick-set gnome at the bottom puts two fingers
through a labyrinth of burning wires, before being loaded to his mouth and whistles. The strongman, down below,
into a large slingshot and fired by the strongman through loads something into the slingshot, and fires it up towards
increasingly small hoops, held by gnomes up among the roof the tower. With pinpoint accuracy, the payload flops onto the
supports of the tent. topmost shoulders, revealing itself to be a dummy gnome- a
A highlight for everyone is the owlbear tamer (Milik). scarecrow with straw-blonde hair, big button eyes, and a
In the full make-up of a clown, she performs a skit where goofy grin a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Insight) check
she goes about menial tasks- sweeping the ring, repainting suggests this is meant to be Flip]. The show’s gong booms
the tent poles, chatting with audience members- all while again, and the gnomes all pose for rapturous applause, before
apparently oblivious to a roaring, murderous owlbear behind dismounting.
her. The beast throws bites and swipes that would remove Captain Pratt once again assumes the center of the ring:
a head, only for the clown to duck to tie her shoelace at the “Laydeez n’ gentleman. What an evening we’ve had! You’re
right moment. The whole act is a terrifyingly choreographed the greatest crowd I’ve ever seen, and I promise you I say that
dance, that the 1200lb creature sells just as well as its tamer. every night. If you’ve enjoyed the show, tell your friends;
As a finale, the tamer turns to face the tent flap, seemingly if you haven’t, keep it to yourself. My name once again is
completely helpless at last. The owlbear raises itself to its full Captain Antipholus Pratt: from the bottom of my heart, and
height behind her, as she lets out a jaunty whistle towards the Top of the World, THANK YOU!”
backstage. At the signal, four furry figures, balance-walking
on oversized colorful balls, emerge from the flap. Two of He pulls out another small object and slams it into the
them are owlbear cubs, while the other two are clearly brazier. At once, the whole tent is filled with a thick cloud of
gnomes in comically bad owlbear cub costumes. All four red and white, caramel-flavored smoke, which- as it slowly
begin to circle the ring, as the adult owlbear does a very good clears- reveals an empty ring.
impression of confusion, before leaving the ring in a huff, to
the delight of the audience.
At last, Captain Pratt announces the final act of the night.
A rectangular canister is fitted at an angle over the central
brazier in the ring. Captain Pratt pulls a small white stone
from his pocket and, with a flourish, drops it in. With a hiss,
a bright beam of pale green light illuminates the roof of the
big top, as the other lights are extinguished.
A small figure (Pippi) slowly descends on a thin streamer
from a hole in the very point of the tent. She rotates gently, as
a drumbeat builds, then- without warning- she drops like a
stone towards the ground. There is barely enough time for the
audience to scream when, mere feet from the floor of the tent,
she is snatched out of the air by a second gnome on a trapeze
(Bixi). However, mere moments after that life-saving catch,
the trapeze snaps, and both gnomes arc towards a portion of
the audience, who scrabble to get out of the way, before both
gnomes are again caught by two more on two other trapezes
(Bink and Trip). So continues an act that only ever seems
seconds away from disaster, as tiny tumblers rebalance, catch
themselves and others, before experiencing a mishap and
falling back to certain injury or death, only to be swept up

Chapter 1 | The Tavern Top of the World Circus 51

 Chapter 2

Merchants & Player Stalls

 Merchant Stalls

A Trip Away Inn's Merchants Random Merchant

A Trip Away Inn is a temporary home to many traveling
D12
merchants. There are four tent stalls that Flip keeps
reserved to rent to these travelers. They can be vendors of
your creation or any of the following merchants, designed
to come and go as you please. The inventories provided
are just a suggestion, as well as the quantities of items the
merchants are carrying. Feel free to adjust the prices and
quantities of available goods, as well as adding or removing
items from the shop inventories. If you use the dice rolls
to determine shop inventory, any negative numbers are
considered out of stock. All stock inventories are meant to
refresh each time a merchant returns to A Trip Away Inn.
Merchant
1 Phileas Lackett (musical instruments) pg. 53
2 Englebert Proudfoot (general goods/fence) pg. 54
3 Gnull (animal merchant) pg. 55
4 Loveck Haverstock (potions) pg. 56
5 Hasha Issi (armor and shields) pg. 57
6 Kitaela Kragblade (weapons) pg. 58
7 Hasha Atkar (ammunition) pg. 59
8 Ma Motwicke (magical clothing & jewelry) pg. 60
9 Brother Beleric (blessings) pg. 61
10 Willor (scrolls/forgeries) pg. 61
11 The Broker (magical weapons) pg. 62
12 Amara Balfil (magical items) pg. 63

Merchants

Musical Instruments Item Stock Price

Phileas Lackett (He/Him) • Gnome Flute 1d6 2 gp
Drum 1d4 6 gp
Phileas is a romantic and a craftsman. Flappable and prone
to weeping, the young gnome can hardly bear to part with Horn 1d4 6 gp
his creations, all of which he has named. He is a terrible Bagpipes 1d4 8 gp
salesman, and will increasingly raise the price on any stringed Dulcimer 1d8 25 gp
instrument the characters are interested in, in the hope Lyre 1d4 25 gp
that they will lose interest. He occasionally stocks brass or
percussion instruments- against his better taste and judgment- Lute 1d4 30 gp
and will let them go very easily, not even bothering to haggle. Viol 1d6 30 gp
Once or twice, to no one’s greater surprise than his own, he Pipes of Haunting 1 1,000 gp
has created a magical instrument, although he has absolutely Pipes of the Sewers 1 1,000 gp
no idea how, and no conceivable way of replicating it.
Chime of Opening 1 3,000 gp
Discount Horn of Blasting 1 8,000 gp
If a character can convince Phileas to let them test a Hypnotic Viol 1 5,000 gp
stringed instrument, and succeeds on a DC 18 Charisma Lute of the Trickster 1 6,000 gp
(Performance) check, a joyfully sobbing Phileas will gift Conch of Poseidon 1 1,000 pp
them the instrument for a single coin of their choosing.

Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls 53

 Englebert is a part of your local or regional thieves guild
and can have frequent contact with the guild members. If
any of the characters is a member of the guild, Engelbert
can easily pass on jobs or communications from the guild
to the characters.

Item Stock Price

Torch 1d10 1 cp
Piton 1d12 + 3 1 cp
Signal Whistle 1d4 5 cp
Flask of Oil 1d10 + 1 1 sp
Ball bearings (bag of 1d12 1 gp
1,000)
Bag of 20 Caltrops 1d6 1 gp
50' of Hemp Rope 1d8 1 gp
General Goods/Fence Grappling hook 1d4 2 gp
Hooded lantern 1d10 5gp
Englebert Proudfoot (He/Him) • Halfling
Hunting trap 1d12 5 gp
Englebert poses his business as a sort of general store, but it’s 50' of Silk Rope 1d4 10 gp
quickly apparent to any characters that can read the subtly Potion of healing 1d6 50 gp
placed thieves' cant around his shop that he’s willing to deal
with goods that may have been stolen from their owners. Flask of Alchemist’s Fire 1d6 50 gp
Englebert looks much younger than his ninety years. For Vial of Antitoxin 1d8 50 gp
a time he lived a life of adventure, ransacking tombs and *Bag of Holding 1 500 gp
time-forgotten structures. His aversion to danger eventually *Boots of Elvenkind 1 650 gp
led him down his current mercantile path. However, his
sticky fingered tendencies have led to a business that’s not *Immovable rod 1 700 gp
entirely on the up and up. Englebert is eager to deal with Spyglass 1d8 1,000 gp
any sort of adventuring type, longing for stories that remind *Bag of Beans 1 6,000 gp
him of his youth and the adrenaline rush of the unknown. *Elven Chain 1 6,000 gp

Discount *Exclusive Item (Englebert only makes these items

Any character that can subtly signal to Englebert that they known to fellow thieves)
are a fellow thief will receive a 10% discount on any goods
in his store. In addition, Englebert will be willing to buy
obviously stolen items with no questions asked, and will
also sell any of his exclusive items.

Tapestry Option

54 Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls

Animal Merchant Animal Stock Price

Gnull (They/Them) • Half-Orc Bat (common) 1d4 4 cp

Cat 1d4 3 sp
Gnull is intimidating at first glance. His hulking, muted Dog 1d4 3 sp
green muscles ripple out of a leather jerkin that struggles to
Badger 1d4 - 2 8 sp
stay clasped. His well-kept hair is tied back into a raven-black
topknot. The intimidating first impression falls away quickly, Weasel 1d4 - 2 8 sp
however, with casual observation. Gnull handles each of Goat 1d4 4 gp
the animals that have found their way into his care with the Vulture 1d4 - 3 5 gp
gentlest loving touch. He sees himself more as a caretaker
Flying Snake 1d4 - 2 10 gp
and matchmaker than a merchant, taking the placement of
every creature in his care as seriously as if he were finding a Raven 1d4 - 3 12 gp
home for his own child. As such, he can be particular about Eagle 1d4 - 2 23 gp
who he’s willing to sell one of his little beasties to. Most Owl 1d4 - 2 25 gp
of the animals in Gnull’s care find themselves there due to
Boar 1d4 - 2 30 gp
some unfortunate circumstance that left them injured or
abandoned. He carefully rehabilitates the creatures and finds Baboon 1d4 - 3 40 gp
them suitable caretakers. In doing so, Gnull also teaches the Panther 1d4 - 2 100 gp
creatures in his care basic commands in Common, to help Bear (Black) 1d4 - 3 150 gp
ease the transition to their new caretaker.
Giant Spider 1d4 - 3 200 gp
Discount *Owlbear Cub 1d4 - 1 200 gp
Tiger 1d4 - 4 250 gp
Any characters with a natural affinity for nature will have
an easier time dealing with Gnull. If he detects a mutual Lion 1d4 - 3 300 gp
respect for the natural world, he is likely to offer up to a 25% Bear (Brown) 1d4 - 3 325 gp
discount on any of his stock. Dire Wolf 1d4 - 3 500 gp

*Gnull will only part with an owlbear cub if the recipient is suitably capable of training it, as they can be
extremely dangerous to someone who isn't proficient in this particular sort of animal handling.

Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls 55

 Potions
Loveck Haverstock (He/Him) • Gnome Mystery Potion Effects
Loveck Haverstock is a gnome adept at brewing all manner
of potions. He travels near and far, collecting ingredients Minor Effect
to brew anything from simple healing potions to potions d6 Effect (all effects last 1 hour)
capable of allowing you to breathe underwater. His
wanderlust keeps him from setting up shop in any location 1 You gain the overwhelming stench of onion.
for too long, and he will often move on from a place after Two inches of fluffy, white and black fur sprouts
only a day or two. He is erratic and scatterbrained, often 2 out across your whole body, making you resemble
jumping from one point of conversation to the next, rapidly, a panda.
and expecting you to keep up. He loves to hear suggestions You gain the ability to float 1 foot above the
of places to travel next, especially if there are new or rare 3
ground, and have a floating speed of 30 feet.
ingredients for him to try in his potions. If he happens to
Your eyes turn a deep purple, and you gain the
be at the tavern when the circus is there, he’ll often stay and
4 ability to see in non-magical darkness for 40 feet
follow them as they leave, insisting that traveling with them
as though it were dim light.
for a time is always quite profitable. He also has a small
pseudodragon pet, named Aeris, that constantly flitters from Your hair turns white, and anything you touch is
his shoulder to different perches around his merchant tent. 5 covered in a thin layer of frost. Your skin becomes
He and Strychnine do not get along, and he will often move extremely cold to the touch.
along quickly if she’s currently visiting the tavern. Anytime you try to talk, others hear nothing
6 but gibberish, but as far as you can tell you are
Discount speaking clearly,
If a character can appeal to Loveck’s wanderlust, and show
that they too are travelers and love life on the road, he will
offer a 10% discount on the prices of all potions. Major Effect
d6 Effect (all effects last 1 hour)
Item Stock Price
You lose 1d6 Strength, and your body withers and
*Mystery Potion 1d4 50 gp 1
thins.
Potion of Healing 2d6 50 gp You grow a set of antennae at the top of your head
Potion of Climbing 1d8 75 gp 2
and can take one additional reaction per round.
Potion of Greater Healing 1d10 + 3 275 gp You can use your reaction to absorb any 3rd-level
Potion of Water Breathing 2d4 300 gp 3 spell or below that targets only you. On your next
Potion of Animal Friendship 1d4 400 gp turn you cast that spell as an action.
Potion of Fire Resistance 2d4 1,500 gp You gain the ability to see through any obstacle
20 feet thick or less. You can see through multiple
Potion of Cold Resistance 2d4 1,500 gp 4
walls until the combined thickness equals more
Potion of Gaseous Form 1d4 2,300 gp than 20 feet.
Potion of Giant Strength 1d4 2,500 gp Your hair begins to flow as if a gust of wind is
Potion of Heroism 1d6 2,500 gp 5 constantly blowing, and you can use your reaction
Potion of Superior Healing 1d4 + 3 2,700 gp to cast the gust of wind spell.
Potion of Clairvoyance 1d4 3,000 gp You attract a swarm of ravens that are under
your command as soon as you step outside. They
Potion of Growth 1d4 3,000 gp 6 are drawn to you and use the swarm of ravens
Potion of Diminution 1d4 3,000 gp stat block. If the swarm is reduced to 0 hp they
Potion of Mind Reading 1d4 3,000 gp are killed.
Potion of Flying 1d4 5,000 gp *The mystery potion is Loveck’s daily experimental brew.
Potion of Speed 1d4 - 1 5,000 gp He is willing to sell it at cost, as long as you promise to
Potion of Supreme Healing 1d4 2,000 pp report any effects that you experience from imbibing the
Potion of Invisibility 1d4 2,000 pp potion. Each potion has one minor and one major effect.

56 Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls

Armor and Shields Item Stock Price (Master
Crafted Price)
Hasha Issi (She/Her) • Dragonborn
Padded 1d4 5 gp
Hasha is a silver dragonborn with an affinity for metal. She Leather 1d4 10 gp
is proud but not boastful, and her armor reflects that. There Hide 1d4 10 gp
is a beauty to her work that shows how she imparts her full
Shield 1d4 10 gp (500 gp)
attention to each piece. Most of her plate and shields have
simple yet beautiful patterned linework, and some pieces Studded Leather 1d4 45 gp (4,000 gp)
even employ a Damascus steel patterning: a swirling almost Ring Mail 1d4 30 gp (4,100 gp)
hypnotic, amalgamation of metals. She is direct and to the Chain Shirt 1d4 50 gp (4,100 gp)
point when dealing with customers, offering her wares at the
Scale Mail 1d4 50 gp (4,100 gp)
proposed price and mostly unwilling to bargain. Any items
purchased will be prepared for the recipient with a mirror- Chain Mail 1d4 75 gp (4,100 gp)
like shine before being handed over. The key to her heart, Splint Mail 1d4 200 gp (4,300 gp)
however, is to request a commission. Hasha can offer any of Breastplate 1d4 400 gp (4,500 gp)
her offered armors at a master-crafted level.
Half Plate 1d4 750 gp (5,000 gp)
Plate 1d4 1,500 gp (6,500 gp)
Discount
Hasha will offer a discount of 10% on any item if a character
can convince her that they have a true appreciation for the
craft of smithing.

Master-Crafted Armor
A master-crafted item is non-magical but is considered a +1
version of itself. Master-crafted items each take 3 days to make.

Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls 57

 Item Stock Price (Master
Crafted Price)
Sling Bullets (Bag of 20) 1d10 + 2 4 cp
Sling 1d4 1 sp (1 gp)
Greatclub 1d4 2 sp (2 gp)
Javelin 1d4 5 sp (1 gp)
Arrow (quiver of 20) 1d10 + 10 1 gp
Crossbow Bolt (quiver of 1d10 + 10 1 gp
20)
Spear 1d4 1 gp (5 gp)
Dagger 1d4 2 gp (4 gp)
Whip 1d4 2 gp (10 gp)
Handaxe 1d4 5 gp (15 gp)
Mace 1d4 5 gp (10 gp)
War Pick 1d4 5 gp (20 gp)

Weapons Battleaxe 1d4 10 gp (30 gp)

Maul 1d4 10 gp (30 gp)
Kitaela Kragblade (She/Her) • Dwarf Shortsword 1d4 10 gp (25 gp)
Longsword 1d4 15 gp (80 gp)
Kitaela is a jovial, personable character. Her long red braids
flail wildly as she works the forge. She is pale by dwarven Warhammer 1d4 15 gp (45 gp)
standards, which makes her red hair even more fiery. Her Halberd 1d4 20 gp (55 gp)
mother was a smith, and her mother’s mother was a smith, Light Crossbow 1d4 25 gp (60 gp)
so she inevitably fell into the family business. She spent
Shortbow 1d4 25 gp (60 gp)
several years working for a far away empress as the empire's
chief bladesmith, but the pageantry she was expected to Rapier 1d4 25 gp (60 gp)
keep up as a part of that job was more than she could bear. Scimitar 1d4 25 gp (60 gp)
Since then it’s been a life on the road, seeing new places Greataxe 1d4 30 gp (70 gp)
and people, and making friends everywhere she goes. She
Heavy Crossbow 1d4 50 gp (110 gp)
is happy to spend her evenings drinking in the tavern,
listening to Sirni’s tall tales, or challenging the Two- Longbow 1d4 50 gp (110 gp)
Timing Twins to a knife-throwing contest. Kitaela will take Greatsword 1d4 50 gp (110 gp)
commission work, offering master-crafted versions of any Hand Crossbow 1d4 75 gp (310 gp)
weapon she has on sale.

58 Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls

 Item Stock Price
Sling Bullet (Bag of 20) 1d10 + 10 4 cp
Arrow (Quiver of 20) 1d10 + 10 1 gp
Bolt (Quiver of 20) 1d10 + 10 1 gp
Flame Sling Bullet (5) 1d6 + 2 20 gp
Flame Arrow (5) 1d6 + 2 25 gp
Flame Bolt (5) 1d6 + 2 25 gp
Cold Sling Bullet (5) 1d6 + 2 20 gp
Cold Arrow (5) 1d6 + 2 25 gp
Cold Bolt (5) 1d6 + 2 25 gp
Acid Sling Bullet (5) 1d6 + 2 20 gp
Acid Arrow (5) 1d6 + 2 25 gp
Acid Bolt (5) 1d6 + 2 25 gp
Slow Sling Bullet (5) 1d6 + 2 70 gp
Slow Arrow (5) 1d6 + 2 75 gp
Slow Bolt (5) 1d6 + 1 75 gp
Grease Sling Bullet (5) 1d4 + 1 125 gp
Ammunition Grease Arrow (5) 1d4 + 1 150 gp
Hasha Atkar (She/Her) • Dragonborn Grease Bolt (5) 1d4 + 1 150 gp
Efficient Quiver 1d4 3,000 gp
Hasha Atkar is the younger, hot-blooded sister of Hasha
Issi, the armorer. Her silver skin is slightly lighter than *Arrow of Slaying (Commissioned) 4,000 pp
her sister’s, and Issi has a whole head on her in height. *Bolt of Slaying (Commissioned) 4,000 pp
After a childhood and adolescence in her sister’s shadow,
Atkar has made it her mission to outsmart her sister, and *Any commissioned bolt or arrow of slaying takes 5 days
now devises stronger and more devious ammunition, to complete.
specifically intended to outwit her sister’s designs. She
cannot bear to be in the same marketplace as Issi, and the Flame Arrow/Bolt/Bullet:
sisters will never have a stall set up at the same time. The On a successful hit add 1d4 fire damage.
competition is entirely one sided, and Issi accepts it with a Cold Arrow/Bolt/Bullet:
patience that Atkar finds utterly infuriating. Atkar can also On a successful hit add 1d4 cold damage.
be commissioned to construct arrows or bolts of slaying, Acid Arrow/Bolt/Bullet:
though this process will take time. On a successful hit add 1d4 acid damage.
Grease Arrow/Bolt/Bullet:
Discount When this arrow impacts a surface, slick grease covers the
If a character is visibly wearing an item crafted by Hasha ground in a 10-foot square, centered on the impact, and
Issi, Hasha Atkar will offer them a 25% discount if she can turns it into difficult terrain for the duration. When the
hold and study the item, looking for weak points to exploit. grease appears, each creature standing in the radius must
succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone.
A creature that enters the area or ends its turn there must
also succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or fall
prone. This grease is flammable.
Slow Arrow/Bolt:
Any creature hit with this arrow/bolt has their movement
reduced by half until the end of their next turn.

Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls 59

 Magical Clothing & Jewelry Item Stock Price

Ma Motwicke (She/Her) • Halfling Ring of Warmth 1 500 gp

Ring of Telekinesis 1 1,000 pp
With a face that is more smile lines than features, and so Cloak of Protection 2 1,000 gp
tiny that she is often mistaken for a gnome, Maggy ‘Ma’
Motwicke is a local legend. An unrivaled seamstress, Ma Boots of Striding and Springing 1 1,200 gp
Motwicke has provided suits, gowns, coats and cloaks for Cloak of Elvenkind 2 1,200 gp
half the local nobility over the past century, but also has a Robe of Useful Items 1 1,200 gp
soft spot for those in need. Many is the pauper’s wedding Boots of Speed 1 1,400 gp
where a bride or groom, stepping out for the first time, has
amazed onlookers with a magnificent ensemble- fitted to Brooch of Shielding 1 1,500 gp
perfection- that mysteriously appeared on their doorstep Slippers of Spider Climbing 2 1,500 gp
overnight. Rather uncannily, Ma always delivers what people Boots of Levitation 1 2,000 gp
need, rather than what they want. She has the somewhat Ring of Evasion 1 2,000 gp
maddening habit of entirely ignoring any design requests,
no matter how much they were agreed upon to begin with. Cloak of Displacement 1 4,000 gp
The item she produces will unerringly be more remarkable Ring of Spell Storing 1 5,000 gp
and flattering than the one proposed, and no one ever leaves Necklace of Adaptation 1 5,000 gp
unhappy, even if they feel like they want to. Amulet of Health 1 6,000 gp
Ring of Protection 1 8,000 gp
Discount
Robe of Eyes 1 1,000 pp
Ma Motwicke sees something in people that even they don’t,
Robe of Stars 1 3,000 pp
and will tailor her offerings accordingly. If a character asks
for a specific piece, she will kindly respond that it’s not what
they really need, and instead offer them a 20% discount on a
different, specific item.

60 Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls

Scrolls/Forgeries Blessings/Enchantments
Willor (She/Her) • Human Brother Beleric (He/Him) • Human
Willor is a bookworm, with a love of the written word. She Brother Beleric is the beardy and unkempt priest of a local
has full alopecia and wears thick round glasses that she temple, and appears to be perennially hungover. His drinking,
doesn’t need, in order to appear more bookish and harmless profanity, and general lack of any kind of reverence might
to customers. Outwardly, she is an eclectic and eccentric well be the reason why he has been posted to A Trip Away-
seller of books and magical scrolls, and waxes lyrical on far outside any major conurbation and unable to do any
random trivia. She is, in fact, an incredibly accomplished damage- doling out minor blessings in return for donations.
forger, and makes most of her money from fake spell scrolls. His faith is rock solid, however, and he would argue that it is
If a detect magic spell is used in her presence to ascertain politics he has no time for, not piety. Being stationed outside
that a scroll is non-magical, she will confidently explain A Trip Away has its perks, and he has a respect bordering on
that the scroll doesn’t become magical until the spell is veneration for Nix’s abilities behind the bar.
spoken, requiring a DC 20 Wisdom (Insight) check to be
discovered. All of her books, however, are genuine; she would Discount
never sink to falsifying such beautiful objects. Brother Beleric is extremely canny, and able to spot swindlers
a mile off. If the characters speak to him honestly and
Imitation Scrolls upstandingly, or there is a truly religious member of the
Willor forges many of her scrolls to cut down on her costs. party, he will offer a 10% discount. Conversely, if anyone
Any scroll purchased at her stall has a 75% chance of being tries to flatter or swindle him, his prices double.
a forgery, in which case it has no magical effect upon use.
Simple Blessing
Discount
A simple blessing gives a character inspiration. A creature
If at any point Willor is caught out, she will offer a 25% may only have one simple blessing at a time.
discount on the original scroll that she copied, in order to
keep the characters from blowing her secret, and will make Tapestry Option
sure to only sell legitimate scrolls to the party from then on.
After this point, she will also offer her services as a Brother Beleric is a member of your local religious sect.
master forger. He has great respect for the head of the organization, but
considers everyone else involved a bunch of fools. He will
Tapestry Option happily tell the characters anything they want to know, as
long as it doesn’t endanger the sect.
Willor can easily sell any magical or lore books pertaining to
your campaign setting, as she is extremely well traveled. Item Stock Price
Item Stock Price Holy Water (flask) 2d10 + 5 25 gp
Scroll Case 3d10 1 gp Simple Blessing Unlimited 30 gp
Blank Spellbook 1d10 50 gp Enhance Ability 2/day 500 gp
1st-level spell scroll 1d8 + 3 125 gp Daylight 3/day 1,000 gp
2nd-level spell scroll 1d8 + 1 300 gp *Hallow 1/day 3,000 gp
3rd-level spell scroll 1d6 + 1 600 gp *Guards and Wards 2/day 4,000 gp
4th-level spell scroll 1d4 + 1 2,000 gp Protection from Energy 2/day 4,000 gp
5th-level spell scroll 1d4 2,600 gp Protection from Evil 2/day 4,000 gp
6th-level spell scroll 1d4 - 1 2,000 pp Heroes’ Feast 1/day 5,000 gp
7th-level spell scroll 1d4 - 2 2,500 pp Reincarnate 1/day 7,000 gp
8th-level spell scroll 1d4 - 2 3,000 pp Necklace of Prayer Beads 2 8,000 gp
9th-level spell scroll 1d4 - 2 4,000 pp Raise Dead 1/day 8,000 gp
*Forged Document Unlimited 1,500 gp Resurrection 1/day 1,000 pp

*Willor will only offer forgery services if her forged scrolls *Characters can hire Brother Beleric to travel to a
are revealed. location to cast this spell.

Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls 61

 Magical Weapons
The Broker (Various)
Each time the stall is visited, the merchant will be a different
individual, of any race or gender. Each time, the figure wears
nondescript yet neat and well-made gray clothing, and- if
asked- will only identify themselves as the Broker. They
are polite but frugal in their conversation, and any obvious
prying or hostility may well result in being ushered away by
the pair of hobgoblin guards who are a constant feature of
the stall. If anyone in A Trip Away is asked about them, they
have no further knowledge about the Broker(s), other than
that they pay well and behave themselves. They always set up
the stall before dawn, and only leave once night falls. Flip is
aware that a cart drops them off and picks them up, but has
no interest in following them or causing trouble.

Discount
If the characters have brought renown upon themselves
within 50 miles of A Trip Away, the Broker will know
them by name. They make a one-time-only offer of a 30%
discount, saying that it is a gift from someone who recognizes
strength when they see it.

Tapestry Option
The Broker is a title assumed by the agents of a local
underworld figure, who could be the head of any criminal Item
faction in your world. Identify a magical weapon
(Acts as the identify spell
but they can only identify
weapons.)
Javelin of Lightning
+1 Weapon (any)
+2 Weapon (any)
Dagger of Venom
Berserker Axe
Dragon Slayer Longsword
Frost Brand Shortsword
Scimitar of Sharpness
Oathbow
Dancing Sword, Scimitar
Flame Tongue Spear
Mace of Disruption
Stock Price
Unlimited 50 gp
1d4 1,000 gp
1d4 - 1 1,000 gp + price
of the weapon
1d4 - 1 6,000 gp + price
of the weapon
1 6,000 gp
1 1,500 pp
1 2,000 pp
1 5,000 pp
1 5,000 pp
1 5,000 pp
1 5,000 pp
1 6,500 gp
1 9,000 gp

*Any of the +1,+2, or +3 items can be replaced with

any weapons of your choice.

62 Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls

Magical Items
Amara Balfil (She/Her) • High Elf
Amara is high-born and she lets you know it. She is
immediately suspicious of any character shabbily dressed,
as she is paranoid about thieves. She tries to keep her eye
on everything, regardless of the fact that Tia and Mia
themselves keep a keener eye on all the merchant tents. She
loves collecting magical items from a number of vendors in
the different cities she frequents. She suffers the occasional
trip to A Trip Away Inn, finding that the tavern can provide
customers with the coin necessary to deal with her. She
is lavishly clothed in a brightly colored dress, and wears
gemmed rings and a gaudy necklace she is also very protective
of. All her jewelry appear to be quite expensive.

Discount
Amara will offer a meager 5% discount to any character that
can prove to her that they are also high-born.

Item Stock Price (Master

Cast identify spell on an 3/day
item.
Dust of Sneezing and
Choking
Dust of Dryness
Gem of Brightness
Deck of Illusions
Bead of Force (single bead)
Feather Token (Anchor)
Feather Token (Bird)
Feather Token (Fan)
Feather Token (Swan Boat)
Feather Token (Tree)
Feather Token (Whip)
Dimensional Shackles
Chime of Opening 1d4 - 2
Handy Haversack
Folding Boat
Gem of Seeing
Rope of Entanglement
Crystal Ball
Crafted Price)
60 gp
1d4 250 gp
1d4 325 gp
2 500 gp
2 800 gp
1d6 1,500 gp
1 2,000 gp
1 2,000 gp
1 2,000 gp
1 2,000 gp
1 2,000 gp
1 2,000 gp
1d4 2,500 gp
3,000 gp
1 3,000 gp
1 6,000 gp
1 8,000 gp
1 1,000 pp
1 5,000 pp

Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls 63

 Poison Dealer
Strychnine (She/Her) • Tiefling
After the adventurers have helped Strychnine, she will open Necromancer
her shop to them. Anytime she is visiting the tavern she will
Aeverys (They/Them) • Half-Elf
have potions available for sale, based on the chart below.
Strychnine can also be negotiated with and commissioned to If the players are able to gain Aevery’s trust, they are willing
create potions for the party, based on the GM’s preference. to open their library and necromantic knowledge to the party.
We suggest any extremely rare potions sell for at least
15,000gp. Item Stock Price

Item Quantity Price/Dose Scroll Case 1d10 + 3 1 gp

Blank Spellbook 1d10 + 4 50 gp
Assassin’s blood 1d6 150 gp
Scroll of Animate Dead 1d4 125 gp
Truth Serum 1d6 150 gp
Scroll of False Life 1d4 125 gp
Crawler Mucus 1d4 + 2 200 gp
Scroll of Blindness/Deafness 1d4 + 1 300 gp
Drow Poison 1d4 + 2 200 gp
Scroll of Gentle Repose 1d4 300 gp
Serpent Venom 1d4 + 2 200 gp
Scroll of Revivify 1d4 - 1 600 gp
Malice 1d4 250 gp
Scroll of Speak with Dead 1d4 + 1 600 gp
Pale Tincture 1d4 250 gp
Scroll of Contagion 1d4 2,600 gp
Corpse Eater 1d4 250 gp
Scroll of Raise Dead 1d4 - 1 2,600 gp
Essence of Ether 1d4 300 gp
Scroll of Circle of Death 1d4 - 1 2,000 pp
Oil of Taggit 1d4 400 gp
Scroll of Create Undead 1d4 - 1 2,000 pp
Burnt othur fumes 1d4 500 gp
Scroll of Eyebite 1d4 - 2 2,000 pp
Living Death 1d4 600 gp
Scroll of Finger of Death 1d4 - 2 2,500 pp
Torpor 1d4 600 gp
Scroll of Clone 1d4 - 3 3,000 pp
Calming Cantor 1d4 800 gp
Wyvern Poison 1d4 1,200 gp
Midnight Tears 1d4 1,500 gp
Mark of the Arbiter 1d4 - 1 1,500 gp
Purple Worm Poison 1d4 - 1 2,000 gp

64 Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls

 Player-run Stalls

So You Want to Start a Business Flip's Distributor/Magic Item Prices

One of the opportunities offered to players at A Trip Away Flip will allow you access to their distributor once a week to
Inn is the chance to open their own business. Flip is willing fill out your shop inventory. However if they discover that
to rent a tent to the party, as long as they make good on the you are taking any of the items for yourself at cost, they will
rent payments in a timely manner. They’ll also provide a no longer offer this service. You can order any items from the
vendor, intended to allow them to fill out the stock of their chart below at the discounted cost, and set a price for these
shop, but as the GM it will be your responsibility to help the items no higher than 100% of their listed cost. You must list
players fill the shop, with other items from throughout your items in your shop inventory in ascending order based on price.
game world. Ultimately, the maximum price the players can
If the party is selling items they’ve found, the GM will
reasonably expect to receive from an item is up to the GM.
determine a maximum price for the item to be sold. Magic
In addition, this shop offers plenty of opportunities for role items’ maximum price is determined by their rarity.
play. Feel free to use this location as a jumping off point for
dramatic events or adventure prompts. You could have your Maximum Magic Item Prices
villain burn the stall to the ground and make an example of your
shopkeeper, or maybe your shopkeeper runs off with all of the Rarity Maximum Price
player’s gold to pay the ransom for a kidnapped spouse or child. Common 250 gp
Uncommon 500 gp
How it works
Rare 5,000 gp
To run a shop at A Trip Away Inn you will need a few things
to get started: a place to sell your goods; items to sell; and Very Rare 5,000 gp
someone to sell them. Legendary 50,000 gp

Rental Fee Flip’s Distributor*

Flip will rent a single stall to the party based on their level.
Flip collects this payment on the first day of the week. Item Cost (Discount Cost)
Renting a stall also grants you access to Flip’s secret meeting Abacus 3 gp (1 gp)
room, offering you a place for negotiations or any bargaining Chain (10 ft.) 8 gp (2 gp)
that may need to be done. If at any point you cannot pay
for your stall, you can keep your items but must find a place Amulet 10 gp (3gp)
to store them. The tents, of course, are for paying vendors Rod (Arcane Focus) 15 gp (8 gp)
only. Flip can collect your rental fee from your shopkeeper Crystal (Arcane Focus) 20 gp (5 gp)
using your profits, or you can choose to leave the shopkeeper Fine Clothes 25 gp (7gp)
enough money to pay the upkeep.
Orb (Arcane Focus) 30 gp (40 gp)
Party Level Stall Rental Price / Week Component Pouch 35 gp (12 gp)
1-4 250 gp Ring Mail 40 gp (15 gp)
5-10 500 gp Blank Spellbook 50 gp (18 gp)
11-16 750 gp Studded Leather Armor 55 gp (23 gp)
17-20 1000 gp Antitoxin 60 gp (25 gp)
1.5 lbs of gold 75 gp (35 gp)
Shop Stock Chain Mail 85 gp (38 gp)
Player-run stalls are made up of a stock of items you either buy, Magnifying Glass 110 gp (50 gp)
acquire, or craft. Fill your shop with 20 different items of your
Splint Mail 210 gp (100gp)
choice, which creates a table to roll on whenever you make
a sale. You must offer 20 different items at the beginning of 1 lb of Platinum 600 gp (225 gp)
each week, but each item can have a quantity of up to 5. Your Sextant 700 gp (300 gp)
shopkeeper can order new items in your absence to keep the Spyglass 1,200 gp (500 gp)
shop running, using either your profits or money you’ve left for
them to continue re-stocking. This allows you to choose items *These items are a suggestion, and the GM can add or
to restock your shop if you haven’t returned to A Trip Away Inn. remove items on offer through Flip’s vendor at any time.

Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls 65

 NPC Shopkeepers
You will need to hire someone to run the shop while you are off adventuring. Different shopkeepers offer different bonuses to
potential profits and losses. The chart below offers a number of different archetypes to choose from. The players may change their
shopkeeper at the start of each week, but that will require an awkward talk with the shopkeeper you’re firing. All shopkeepers
must be paid at the beginning of each week, or they will refuse to continue working in your shop. Each shopkeeper costs 30 gp a
week, and offers a boon and a bane.

npc shopkeepers
Customer Mishap
Shopkeeper Boon Bane
Die Die
You may choose to re-roll up to 3 dice
The Charismatic Add 1 to the result of your first 2 rolls
that do not result in either a sale or a D12 D12
Keeper on the mishap table.
mishap.
You must re-roll 1 of your successful
Your sales are successful on a result of
The Watcher sales. It remains successful only on a D8 D8
4, 5, or 6.
result of 5 or 6.
Your shopkeeper’s kind nature allows
them to head off most problems before The first full-priced sale you make is
The Good Heart D10 D12
they happen. You can re-roll up to 2 always made at half your listed price.
results of 1 in your dice pool.
Your shopkeeper’s tendency to continue
Multiply your weekly customers by 5 rambling to try to force a sale can
The Fast Talker D10 D10
instead of 4. become off-putting. You only make a
sale on a result of 6 in your dice pool.
If an item is out of stock, you instead
2 results of 5 on your sales dice are
The Upseller sell the next most expensive item D10 D12
discarded.
rather than the cheaper item.

66 Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls

Weekly Profit Die Roll
Once a week you will determine how successful your shop
1-2
has been. At the end of each week in which your shop
is open, you will assemble a dice pool representing your
customers for the week, determine how many sales you’ve 3-4
made, and wether there were any mishaps along the way. The
party must return to the shop to pick up their profits. The
shopkeeper will keep the money until you return.
Determining successful sales
To determine how many sales you make in a week, you must
assemble a dice pool of d6s. The number of dice you roll is
determined by rolling your shopkeeper’s customer die and
multiplying the result by 4.
Once you have assembled your dice pool, roll your d6s. A
result of 5 or 6 counts as a sale. Each result of 1 requires you
to roll once on the mishap table. You must roll all of your
mishaps before rolling for sales.
Making a Sale
A result of 5 or 6 in your dice pool counts as a successful sale.
For every successful sale, roll once with a d20 on your shop
inventory, gaining an amount of gold equal to the price you
set. You then subtract 1 from the quantity of that item. If
there are no more of that item left, you move down the shop
inventory towards the cheapest item, until you reach the next
item that is still in stock. If there are no items below, then
move up to the next item in your stock list, headed towards
the most expensive.
Mishaps
A result of 1 on any of the dice in your dice pool requires
you to make a roll on the mishap table. Which die you roll
when rolling on this table is determined by the shopkeeper
you have employed in your shop that week. The result of each
mishap is determined by the table below.
Special Events
During a week in which the Circus Gambit is being run your
shop starts the week with 5 successful sales. In a week in
which the circus has come to town, your shop starts with
10 successful sales. A GM can choose to add successful sales
during events of their own creation.
Mishap
Roll one of your successful sales, but instead
of a d20 roll a d12.
Roll one of your successful sales, but instead
of a d20 roll a d10.
Roll one of your successful sales, but instead
5
of a d20 roll a d8.
Roll one of your successful sales, but instead
6
of a d20 roll a d6.
Roll one of your successful sales, but instead
7
of a d20 roll a d4.
Damaged item. Roll one of your successful
8 sale dice and sell the item for 25% of the
requested price.
Swindled by a customer. Roll one of your
9 successful sale dice. Your shopkeeper sells the
item for 50% of the requested price.
On second thought. Reroll one of your
10 successful sales, only making the sale on a
result of 6.
A random item is stolen. Roll a d20 and
follow the rules for a sale, but do not gain
11
any gold and remove one from the quantity
of that item.
Your most expensive item left in stock is
12 stolen. Remove 1 from the quantity of the
most expensive item remaining.
Chapter 2 | Merchants & Player Stalls 67
 Chapter 3

The Tales
 Tavern Rumors

Dreet Undercobble | Level 1-2

d4 Rumors
1 The kobold band that plays at A Trip Away Inn is from a clan that lives in the sewers of one of the surrounding towns.
2 Dreet has a plan to open some sort of tavern, run by her Undercobble clan.
3 The kobolds have been overheard talking about "guts" on occasion, which causes some patrons to eye them warily.
4 The kobolds are not to be trusted; if they keep hanging around like this they must be plotting something.

Sirni the Chattersome Battleaxe | Level 2-3

d4 Rumors
1 Sirni was put in Flip’s charge at the wish of a dying elf.
2 Sirni has been lost in thought recently, and much less chattersome than they normally are.
3 A red dragonborn was spotted not too far from the tavern, wielding a spear made from a similar material to Sirni.
4 Nix won Sirni in a game of cards from a dwarf enchanter.

Florence Neverbee | Level 3-4

d4 Rumors
A fisherman saw Florence conversing closely with someone by the edge of the river, but Florence and the mystery
1
person skittered off before the fisherman could see who it was.
Florence’s tutor was complaining in town that Florence has been distracted during her lessons, and has even snuck out
2
of a few of them.
3 A villager saw Florence slinking out of the jewelers with a small jewelry box that she quickly shoved into her bag.
At the Scaldris home, one of the footmen told the scullery maid, who told the milkman, that Rian and her parents
4
got into a huge row. They couldn’t manage to hear what it was about before the butler shooed them away.

Sinessio Bravo | Level 5

d4 Rumors
There is an overgrown tower, of fine dwarvish make, hidden in the woods just outside of town. Folks say the tower
1
once belonged to a powerful mage who mysteriously vanished.
Sinessio once infiltrated a baron’s armory, stole his armor, had it altered, and re-sold it to him for twice what he paid
2
for it to begin with.
He was able to move two-thirds of a red dragon’s hoard out from underneath her without waking her up, leaving an
3
IOU written on a piece of parchment for the dragon to find when she awoke.
He sold a forged contract for his soul to a devil who, upon signing, forfeited all of his properties and assets to one
4 Sinessio Bravo, and was contracted for one free resurrection, per year, henceforth in perpetuity, until the devil is
smote or ceases to exist on any plane of existence.

Salora Yunderbo | Level 5

d4 Rumors
Runt's a magician with a blade, and supposedly killed her own father because he was going to sell her to some mining
1
operation.
2 The Arbiters are what you make of them. You can make them out to be heroes, or just paid killers.
3 "There's an invisible hatch into the river; my friend said they tripped over it the other day."
A strange new forked contraption has been seen on the river barges, skimming the waters surface. It appears to be
4
designed to fish out small packages tied to bobbers.
Chapter 3 | The Tales 69
 Luciana Witherwood | Level 5-6
d4 Rumors
People have been going missing in the woods, then stumbling out hours later looking as though they’ve been there for
1
days.
2 "Have you seen Wendy? She’s been glowing bright blue after eating some berries she found somewhere around town."
3 "This tankard bought from the Witherwoods has strange properties... they might be doctoring their wares somehow."
"The merchants that came through town were selling some suspicious looking items... pretty sure the Witherwoods
4
bought something."

Arvad Quillforge | Level 5-6

d4 Rumors
Someone has been peddling a cure for bad luck that does not work, but instead turns people into frogs. (Note: this is
1
in relation to the third item in the travel incidents table in the section “A Walk in the Woods.”).
2 Lord Cornelius McGregor in Astera has a tattoo of himself on his butt.
A thief has stolen all of the underwear off someone’s clothesline. (Note: the thief in question was Leta Silverfoot. She
3
was hired by someone to retrieve a pair of cursed underwear. Things got complicated.)
There is a living member of the Scholars of the Awakened Mind, who has secretly been trying to indoctrinate the
4
town’s children (this cult is first mentioned in Old Ghosts).

Kyra Truemoon | Level 6-7

d4 Rumors
The forest surrounding Ardelean Castle is home to a dangerous hag (not currently true; many, many years ago, the
first Lord Ardelean gained his reputation- and a boon for himself and his worthy descendants- by defeating a hag and
1
coming to the aid of the clan of sprites who lived there. However, the haunting presence of the late Dowager Amara
Ardelean seems to have revived the rumors of a hag).
2 Kyra Truemoon is descended from a long line of people gifted with a talent for divination.
Kyra is really a hag in disguise. She spends her time in the tavern looking for foolish adventurers to lure to her castle so
3
she can steal their souls.
4 Kyra is the court diviner for a local lord and lady. She doesn’t often come into the tavern but she seems harmless enough.

Sir Daywin Dontas | Level 6-7

d4 Rumors
The Spears are actually high-end fences for anything you can imagine. No one gets into the hold easily, but those who
1
have says it’s full of rare wines, artwork, gems, and gold enough to take over a kingdom.
2 Sir Daywin actually wears his eyepatch over his good eye. He says it’s the best way he can offer a fair fight.
The Spears heard that there was a shapeshifter hiding out in a village several hours from A Trip Away, preying on
women and children. The villagers didn’t know which house it was staying in, so the Spears razed the entire village to the
3
ground. (If asked about this rumor, Sir Daywin would say the idea was a waste of good building-work. Now burning
all the people…)
Someone heard of a Spear that broke an ankle while out on a mission in a dangerous forest. Not wanting to lose time,
4 her fellow Spears left her where she fell. Three weeks later they returned the same way, and found her where they’d left
her, surrounded by the half-eaten-carcasses of eight giant bears.

70 Chapter 3 | The Tales

 Ogrel Grimhowl | Level 7
d4 Rumors
Someone new has been helping out Estabôn with cleaning up the kitchen and watching over the bathhouse. The
1
figure is tall, smells like a wet dog, and wears a heavy cloak.
A vicious band of gnolls have been seen around the area, raiding farms and attacking travelers. They sneak around
2
under the cover of night, and strike hard and fast before retreating. They’re cruel bandits!
A mighty warrior was captured by a warlock and placed under a terrible curse. The curse transforms the warrior into a
3
baby rabbit whenever he picks up a sword. The warrior now wanders the land, trying to find a cure.
Anyone finding a tattered patch showing a wolf howling at a black moon is cursed, and the next time they draw a
4 weapon, their hand is going to wither and fall off. The patches have been found around the area recently, but no one
knows where they are coming from.

Muninn / Vincent Rews | Level 7-8

d4 Rumors
The monthly supply caravan has not arrived from King’s Hold. They were expected two weeks ago but it never
1
arrived, though delays from them are common due to their remoteness.
2 The locals who live far outside of town have reported hearing more wolves in the King’s Wood as of late.
3 The cleanliness of a Trip Away Inn must be slipping, because patrons recall seeing birds flying around in the rafters!
4 A local dwarf was recently removed from the inn, as he went ballistic on the staff after finding a feather in his ale.

Izak Lot | Level 9-10

d4 Rumors
1 There is an old gold mine nearby. The gates to the lower levels are known to be locked and the top floor has been looted.
2 "Be wary of a magician who peddles gold trinkets in the woods near the old gold mine."
3 The shady goblin in the corner, mumbling to a rusty crystal ball, has a job for anyone willing.
4 The old gold mine is said to have been reputable in its day, but now is dormant and supposedly haunted.

Strychnine | Level 10-11

d4 Rumors
If you need a potent poison, look for the tiefling that takes over the outhouse on occasion, but she won't sell to just
1
anyone.
2 There are the remains of an arcane laboratory in the northwest mountain ranges.
Strychnine has sent several groups of adventurers into the mountain ranges to the northwest, but none of them have
3
ever returned.
4 Strychnine never stays at the tavern long, but always returns. Maybe she's hiding something.

Mist | Level 12-13

d4 Rumors
1 Lord Leanin has a fantastic second home high up in the snowy mountains. Strangely, no one has seen him ski.
2 "Lord Leanin’s home is entirely staffed by kobolds!"
3 A powerful noble is coming to town. Word is, she’s hunting someone.
"I saw Lord Leanin sneeze the other day and his face changed! Just for a second, it was gray as ash! It was the strangest
4
thing! He looked at me like I was making up stories when I brought it up, though."

Chapter 3 | The Tales 71

 Adventure Quick Reference

NPC Quick Reference Table

Names Appearance Occupation Race Personality Points Level

A skinny kobold with dull reddish-
Honorary
black skin. She wears scraps of
Dreet Dwarf Bard,
leather armour and fur, has a
Undercobble necklace of feathers, and wears Third Glorious
Kobold Enthusiastic, naïve, and loyal. 1-2
Lamplighter for
(She/Her) a battered metal pot as a helmet
the Undercobble
from which a pair of wooden
Clan
‘antlers’ sprout.

Sirni Excitable, but prone to deep

A battleaxe made from a single
Storyteller Construct melancholy. A show-off and 2-3
(They/Them) piece of unknown red metal alloy.
braggart.
Florence Heiress to
Neverbee Curly brown hair, dark brown skin, the Neverbee
Halfling Calm, collected, and genial. 3-4
broad nose. Honey
(She/Her) Company
Sinessio has straw-like grey hair
Sinessio spilling over his shoulders and a
Bravo Cocksure, scheming, and
tight Van Dyke beard groomed Thief Human 5
prideful.
(He/Him) excellently against his wrinkled
face.
Tidy but with a look of adventure
Salora Ex-member of
about her, Salora has long black Slightly charming and fiercely
Yunderbo the Arbiter's Gnome 5
dreadlocked hair with plenty of independent.
(She/Her) Guild
jewelry and a fierce disposition.
Precocious, mischievous, and
Luciana adventurous. Deeply resentful
Witherwood Seven years old, with curly brown and suspicious of anyone
Child Human 5-6
hair and hazel eyes. who would put a stop to her
(She/Her) woodland wanderings and send
her to school.
Arvad Dramatic and seemingly
Quillforge He is wearing fine silks, has a long, egotistical, though easily
Poet Dwarf 5-6
braided beard, and a feathered cap. flustered. Hides his insecurities
(He/Him) behind swagger and bravado.

Kyra An attractive woman in her late Kind and generous, always

Diviner in
Truemoon 20s. Long black hair and gray eyes. ready to help others in need.
service to House Human 6-7
Of a soft, moderate build, standing Radiates a quiet self-confidence.
(She/Her) Ardelean
a little over five and a half feet tall. Adept at keeping secrets.

Sir Daywin An ageing warrior at 65 years old.

Spear of Gruff, unforgiving, and
Dontas Daywin is thick set, has grey hair,
Yult, Aboleth Human cunning. A predator who feels 6-7
a beard, only one eye, and stands
(He/Him) Devotee betrayed.
about 6 feet tall.

72 Chapter 3 | The Tales

 NPC Quick Reference Table

Names Appearance Occupation Race Personality Points Level

Ogrel Ogrel has gray-green fur, long limbs,

Grimhowl a savage countenance, keeps three Proud, nervous, anxious, pitiful,
Former Raider Gnoll 7
grisly “war trophies” on his belt, and and prone to anger.
(He/Him) carries no weapon.
Muninn/
Large Black Crow. Bird / Friendly and inquisitive. /
Vincent Rews Bird / Baker 7-8
Thin, Tall, Brown Hair, Large Beard Human Cowardly, yet determined.
(He/Him)
He has dark green skin and large
eyes: one red and one covered in Tends to ramble in a raspy
Izak Lot cataracts. Piercing-covered ears stick Warlock, voice. If confused, will consult
out from beneath an enormous hat. Scam Artist, Goblin his crystal doorknob for 9-10
(He/Him) Izak wears threadbare travelling Smuggler answers, posing as a seer. Often
clothes and a broken pair of goggles unintentionally rude.
around his neck.
Middle-aged, with splotchy green Potion and
Strychnine Poison Maker Cold and calculated, with a
skin and horns like a musk ox.
Tiefling shrewd eye for business. Doesn’t 11-12
(She/Her) Wears simple robes laden with
trust easily.
colorful alchemical reagents.

As a doppelganger, Mist is rarely Assumes the personality of

seen in their own form but can take whomever they impersonate.
Mist the form of anyone. Doppel- Confident, generous, and
Gambler gregarious as Lord Léanin 12-13
(They/Them) Mist first appears in the guise of ganger Eiriander. Otherwise anxious,
Lord Léanin Eiriander, the male insecure, and quick to make a
high elf form of a local silver dragon. poor bargain.

Chapter 3 | The Tales 73

74 Chapter 3 | The Tales Dreet Undercobble
D reet UnderCobble (She/Her)
Written by: Jen Hazelwood
Adventure Level: 1-2 | Players: 3-5
Content Warnings: Racism, Discrimination, Double-crossing
Kobold • Honorary Dwarf Bard • Third Glorious
Lamplighter for the Undercobble Clan
Enthusiastic, naïve, and loyal.
A skinny kobold with dull reddish-black skin. She wears
scraps of leather armour and fur, has a necklace of feathers,
and wears a battered metal pot as a helmet from which a pair
of wooden ‘antlers’ sprout.
C lan Undercobble resides beneath the small city of Astera,
helping the denizens living above dig tunnels for their
sewers and perform other distasteful jobs. Of late, Clan
Undercobble harbours aspirations to move into a surface level
building of their own, which they plan to turn into a kobold
tavern they plan to call ‘puB’. To this end, they have sent
Dreet out to A Trip Away Inn in the hopes of finding willing
adventurers to help secure the location.
Background
The Undercobble Clan are a small tribe of kobolds, who were
discovered living in the sewers beneath Astera some years
ago. Initially mistrusted, they worked to better their relations
with the townsfolk (to varying degrees of success) by tackling
the dirty work others shied away from. They have become the
unofficial ‘janitors’ of Astera—keepers of the sewers, sweepers
of roads and chimneys, and removers of rubbish. They
complete their tasks cheerfully enough, happy to cement
their foothold on the world above.
Clan Undercobble is ruled by three elder kobolds,
venerated for their wisdom and cunning. A year after the
clan’s sanitation efforts won them some regard in Astera, the
elders finalized the Glorius Undercobble Tribe Scheme (or
G.U.T.S). The goal was simple: continue to make themselves
invaluable to the town, ingratiate themselves with the people
of Astera, and secure property above ground, thus beginning
their true integration into the surface world.
The elders believe that life is better above ground, and
that, as Overcobbles, they will have opportunities to further
kobold advancement that Undercobbles could not have.
One kobold was appointed by the elders of the clan as
their diplomatic outreach, charged with being the face of
the Undercobbles, their chief liaison with the town above.
Their job was to spread the word of the kobolds’ intentions,
essentially to light the way for other kobolds to reach the
surface world. Thus, the title of Glorious Lamplighter was
born. The first Glorious Lamplighter was Nettle, a kobold who
found the world above so enchanting that she joined a group
of adventurers and was last seen happily leaving Astera with
them on a wagon. The second kobold to be elevated was Snitt,
though his increasingly dour demeanor saw him stripped of
the title. The Third, and most recent, kobold to hold the title
of Glorious Lamplighter is Dreet.
Tavern Behavior
A small group of kobolds is a strange sight in A Trip Away
Inn, but a double-take will confirm it. They have an underfed
look about them, and are dressed in ragged bits of leather
and scraps of chainmail, that hang off them like leaves on
a weeping willow. The unlikely band (for that is what their
battered instruments mark them as) are in good spirits,
chittering and chirping near-ceaselessly to one another in
Draconic. From time to time, a dreadfully out of tune chord
will sound, heralding the beginning of a song. Immediately,
patrons across the inn hurry out of their seats and drop copper
pieces in a little can, set out in front of the kobolds. When the
clatter of coins hitting the tin has died away, so too has the
music, if such a word can be used to describe what the kobolds
are doing to those instruments, and the kobolds happily tuck
away their spoils. It becomes quickly apparent that they are
being paid not to play.
Any Dragonborn adventurers should expect to leave any
semblance of peace at the door, as the kobolds clamour to
‘help’ them in any and all ways possible within the tavern.
Hook
Dreet Undercobble, a representative of the Undercobble clan
native to the sewers and underways of Astera, has gathered a
band of kobolds and travelled to A Trip Away Inn, to find a
hearty band of adventurers to solve an injustice done to her clan.
Clan Undercobble has aspirations to own a business (a drinking
house named puB), but their purchase of brewing equipment
has gone awry. A dwarf by the name of Banor, swindled the
clan out of their equipment, by promising them the goods and
then reneging on their deal. The dwarf took their money and
purchased the equipment for them at a discount but then never
turned it over, hoping to sell it to someone else at a profit.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Dreet Undercobble 75
 Part 1: Of Under and Over Cobbles
GM’s note: This Adventure is split into two parts. Part
1: Of Under and Over Cobbles is intended for adventurers
levels 1-2. Part 2: No G.U.T.S, No Glory is intended for
adventurers level 3-4.
When in the tavern, Dreet and her group of kobolds are
generally in good spirits, but from time to time slip into a
malaise. They wail about being double-crossed and taken
advantage of, wringing their hands and speaking mournfully
about their stolen futures, and how they will never become
‘Overcobbles’.
The donations of the tavern’s patrons stop most of the
kobolds’ songs. However, the one song the patrons are not
able to stop with coin is the ‘Lament of Cobbles’, a dreadful
dirge sung by Dreet, while her fellows accompany her on
their dented and tarnished instruments. It cannot be stressed
enough how terrible the song is, from conception to execution:
“A terrible day happened only last week
So terrible that Dreet hardly can speak,
We gave all our money so we could be free,
But they stole it away and laughed “Ha ha” at me.
We needed a wagon piled so high with stuff
So, we can make beer but, my friends, this is rough
It never arrived and when Dreet went to see
They said “Go away” and they threw things at me.”
Once the song ends, the patrons sigh in thanks, while the
kobolds fall over each other in a heap, sobbing in a pitiful
display. It is a sorry sight, but they recover quickly.
This all changes when the kobolds notice the adventurers,
especially if they’re travelling with any dragonborn in the
party. Rather than sobbing, the kobolds become excitable
and enthusiastic.
Dreet initiates a huddle with her fellows, whispering
rapidly in draconic while sending what she thinks are
surreptitious glances over in the adventurers’ direction. Any
adventurers who speak Draconic may be able to overhear
snippets of conversation, consisting of, “-looks very good, very
strong-” , “-ask them, ask them-” and “-nobody else can do
it-”. If the adventurers do not approach the kobolds on their
own, Dreet will sidle over, adjusting the overlarge, metal pot
helmet on her head, from which a pair of branches styled as
horns sprout, and tug one of their sleeves.
76 Chapter 3 | The Tales Dreet Undercobble
When one of the adventurers acknowledges Dreet, she
implores them:
“Excuse me! Excuse me, great adventurers! I am Dreet, of
Clan Undercobble, Third and Best Glorious Lamplighter,
Honorary Dwarf and exceptional bard. Undercobble clan
needs your help! We can pay. Money. Or rabbits. You
like?”
Dreet will flash a little pouch of shining silver and gold,
before snatching it back and tucking it away.
“Clan Undercobble wants to become Clan Overcobble,
see? See? We have a plan, a great plan, we thought
about it for seventeen weeks. We did market research.
That is when we go into the market and shout ideas and
whichever idea gets the least things thrown at us, we do
that one.”
An adventurer who makes a successful DC 10
Intelligence (History) check will know that Clan
Undercobble is tolerated locally because of their helpfulness,
digging out sewer tunnels and controlling the rat population.
They are remarkably benevolent for kobolds and, while the
elders stay beneath, they send their younglings to the surface
to try and integrate with the locals. Most people endure their
presence but it has been a bumpy introduction, and many
townsfolk keep a stock of turned vegetables to throw at them
when they become too irritating.
Dreet Continues:
“The plan is p- u – capital B, puB! Good plan, yes?
Kobold puB. Everybody likes beer, so we will make the
best beer and everyone will come. That was plan, but plan
is broken now. Oh, it was terrible, terrible! We paid a
dwarf to bring us a wagon of things to make beer with
and he took our money but the wagon never came! When
Dreet went to say, ‘ hey, where is wagon?’ he yelled very
loud and threw an old turnip and said to never come back
or he would drop Dreet in the river!”
Dreet wrings her hands and looks wretched. Flip, the
barkeep, sends amused looks in the adventurers’ direction, and
if any of the adventurers ask what they think of the kobold
puB, they laugh and reply that they aren’t worried about
losing business, but wish the kobold's success in their venture.
Whether the adventurers inquire about the details of Dreet’s
plight or not, she continues:
“The dwarf is called Banor, he is, um... what is word?
Not with other people. Unaffiliated, yes. Just people, no
guild or clan trouble, okay? No trouble for adventurers.
Please ask for Dreet’s wagon. We will write many songs
about you.”
Dreet offers the adventurers 200gp and directs them
towards a house in a rundown area near the edge of Astera,
where the dwarf and his associates stay.
With the offer made, Dreet squints at the party, stroking
her scaly chin.
“First we must check, though. Dreet did not check the
dwarf and the dwarf was bad. Come, come here to my
friends. Play something, yes? Play song. Pick instrument.”
Dreet turns big eyes up at the party and waves them toward
her kobold band, urging them to take up the instruments for
themselves. There is a choice of a lute, a set of panpipes or a
flute, all in various states of disrepair, though the adventurers
may use their own instruments if they have them.
One or more adventurers must make a DC 12 Charisma
(Performance) check to decide Dreet’s reaction towards the
party. If more than one adventurer takes up the challenge,
add the results of their rolls together.
Failure: On a failure, given the kobolds clearly have very
little knowledge about what makes for good music in the
traditional sense, Dreet will simply nod sagely and pat the
player on their hand.
“You are very good, very good. Almost as good as kobolds.
But not quite, so Dreet will come with you. If big
adventurers are going, it will be okay. Stay behind, be
very good, very useful, yes? Music soothes bad dog, is that
right? But also stops arterial bleeding sometimes. Dreet
can heal very nice, very good. Okay, I come. Not to talk to
Banor though, he will drop Dreet in the river. Too scared
of him, okay?”
Success: On a success, Dreet’s eyes grow as wide as dinner
plates and she gasps at the performer, the picture of utter
and immediate hero-worship.
“How did you do this thing? I cannot believe it, oh my
goodness, you are the best bard I have ever heard, you are
the master bard. Dreet will come with you, yes, yes. If
master bard is going, it will be okay. Stay behind, be very
good, very useful. You teach Dreet and I come along. Not
to talk to Banor though, he will drop Dreet in the river.
Too scared of him, okay? And Dreet can heal very nice,
very good! Helpful!”
Regardless of the outcome, Dreet slings her lute over
her shoulder on a frayed leather strap, and accompanies
the adventurers. She acts as a healer, but will not fight for
reasons she deems personal, and suggests that, if the kobolds
possessed one or two proficient fighters, they would have
been able to deal with Banor themselves. Any adventurer of
medium or large size is in danger of having her climb up on
them, to cling onto their backs like a satchel.
Wagon Wheels Keep on Turning
With Dreet in tow, chattering endlessly, the adventurers set
out from A Trip Away on a 4 day journey to Astera. Once
the adventurers are admitted into Astera, the little kobold
is welcomed surprisingly warmly by the guards at the gate,
who ask after the wagon and show unfeigned sympathy for
Dreet’s plight. It seems that, despite the behaviour of some
individuals in Astera, most of the city are appreciative of the
Undercobble kobolds and the work they do.
Dreet directs the adventurers to an area of shabby, rundown
buildings on the outskirts of the city. A table, scattered
with empty beer bottles and old cigar stubs, is set up
outside one of the buildings with an open door. The closer
the adventurers get to the house, the more agitated Dreet
becomes, trying her best to hide behind the party’s legs, or
crawl up on someone’s back.
A human male of middle age, with a salt and pepper beard
and a permanent scowl, thumps out of the house and sits
at the table. The man looks suspiciously at the adventurers,
inquiring what they want. If the adventurers immediately
ask for Banor, the man insists nobody by that name is
present, but a successful DC 12 Insight (Wisdom) check
will determine this to be a lie. If pressed, the man shrugs
and cantankerously asks what the party plans to do about it.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Dreet Undercobble 77
 “Maybe he’s here, maybe he ain’t. What’s it to you, eh?
Don’t think I can’t see that snivellin’ little runt back
there, neither. What’s she told you? Can’t trust a kobold,
everyone knows that.”
A successful DC 12 Charisma (Intimidation or
Persuasion) check encourages the man to go and get Banor
from the house. On a failure, he feigns ignorance on the
matter (much to Dreet’s fury) and insists the kobold must be
thinking of someone else. He only ‘regains’ his memory when
bribed with at least 10gp, and will fetch Banor.
If the adventurers are unwilling to pay the bribe, they can
sneak around the back of the house with a successful DC 10
Dexterity (Stealth) check.
A successful DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check while at the
back of the house reveals the following:
• Banor can be seen through a window, counting profit
predictions in a shabby dining room.
• The wagon of brewing supplies promised to Dreet is
tucked out of sight amongst a copse of thick, high bushes
behind the building, covered only by thick cloth.
The adventurers can pull the wagon away from the
building, without anyone noticing, if they succeed on an
additional DC 12 Dexterity (Stealth) check. On a failure,
or if the adventurers engage in combat with the guard at the
front of the house, they draw the attention of Banor, who
emerges bellowing about the racket and triggering a fight.
Leave it to the Law?
Dreet’s arrival is surprisingly pleasant, despite the
circumstances she has found herself in. The adventurers may
notice that both the guards and the majority of the townsfolk
are sympathetic to the kobold’s plight, and so the adventurers
may simply wish to report the location of the wagon to the
guards, and have them deal with it. If they do so, the guards
are quick to react; Banor is taken to the stocks in the town,
and the kobold receives the goods owed to her, complete
with a little pony. Fortunately, this won’t change Dreet’s
admiration of the adventurers much.
Banor (He/Him) is bristling with irritation and looks
as though he has seen better days. He wears a tarnished
breastplate and forest-green leathers, has beady black eyes
and an impressive beard, flecked with remnants of his last
meal. He is not happy to see the adventurers, and less happy
still to be looking at Dreet again, something he complains
about loudly.
78 Chapter 3 | The Tales Dreet Undercobble
“WHAT? What is it now? Lies and slander, I tell you.
Don’t know what this is about, but I know it’s definitely
lies and slander. I don’t have a problem with you lot, you
look a good sort, but mind the company you keep though.”
For her part, Dreet goes completely silent and does her best
to bury her way into someone’s pack, shivering with fear.
The dwarf admits to taking the kobold’s money and
keeping the wagon for himself. He is nonchalant about it,
claiming that no one wants kobolds on the surface, and
certainly not in a tavern, where ‘polite society’ might have
to see them. Hearing this, Dreet turns mournful, trilling
sorrowfully from her hiding place.
“Fine, you know what? I’ ll admit it, we only did what
anyone else would do. Have they told you what they’re
planning? A kobold tavern! They’re bad enough scrabbling
around under the city like rats, let alone up top and
parading where anyone can see ‘em. Yeah, we took the
money and we kept the wagon, it was the least we could
do to protect the integrity of this fine place. It’s tough for
everyone right now.”
“Listen, we’re going to sell the wagon and the stuff in it.
This isn’t worth your time, but I can make it profitable for
you to walk away. Leave this be, and we’ ll give you half
of what we make from the sale. Can’t say fairer than that,
eh?”
If the party agrees to Banor’s deal, they will receive 150gp,
and Dreet will gather her kobold brethren and return to her
clan. While the patrons of A Trip Away Inn will be grateful
for the absence of their abysmal music, they will comment
often about missing the rambunctious energy of the little
creatures. This will end the adventure.
If the adventurers refuse Banor’s deal, he calls out to his
two human co-conspirators, and demands the party leave
the area at once, threatening violence. A DC 14 Charisma
(Intimidation or Persuasion) check can convince Banor
to back down, otherwise the adventurers will be forced to
fight Banor (bandit captain) and his 2 thugs.

On a successful Intimidation or Persuasion check: “Ye
gods, this is more trouble than it’s worth. Fine, take
the damn thing, just take it and go! You’ ll only have
yourselves to blame if we’re up to our eyeballs in kobold
dung by next month.”
If the party engages in combat, 3 town guards jog up just
as the fight ends. Dreet throws herself to the ground in an
impressive display of grovelling, imploring the guards for
mercy. They seem vaguely bemused by her display, gently
set her back on her feet, explain they were aware of the issue
between Banor and the kobolds, and were actively on the
lookout for the wagon. Should the adventurers point out that
the wagon is behind the house, the guards turn red-faced and
admit they didn’t think even Banor would be brazen enough
to keep it at his home. The guards drag the unconscious (or
dead) men away.
If the adventurers search Banor’s house, a successful DC 12
Intelligence (Investigation) check uncovers the following:
• Six bottles of sour wine
• 51gp
• 67sp
• 15cp
• A lucky dusty rabbit’s foot (Appendix B)
• A broken dog collar
• A silver ring worth 15gp
Dreet is overjoyed at the return of the wagon, and
celebrates with a suitably terrible song that, while tuneless,
certainly paints the party in a heroic light. She continues
praising them all the way back to A Trip Away, where, upon
hearing of their success, the kobolds take up the song until
enough coin clatters into their tin to shut them up.
“Dreet knew it! Dreet knew you were the best of
adventurers, there is greatness swimming all around you
like fishes. We will write songs of your fishy heroism and
everyone will know. Thank you, thank you!”
Dreet hands over the bag of money she displayed before,
consisting of 100 gp, names the adventurers heroes of the
Undercobble Clan, and inquires if the adventurers are interested
in assisting further with the creation of puB. She promises to
let the adventurers know in a few days, and the party can either
assist other patrons of A Trip Away Inn, or pass the three
days Dreet needs to gather up the materials for her next task.
Part 2: No G.U.T.S, No Glory!
After Dreet contacts the adventurers, asking them to meet
her at A Trip Away, the adventurers stumble upon Dreet
improvising a song about them, with the accompaniment of
her fellows. Their racket can be heard throughout the inn,
and at least fifty feet beyond its walls.
The kobolds are so enthusiastic in their hero-worship that
their silence cannot be bought during the song, causing minor
grumbles from the rest of the patrons of A Trip Away. At the
conclusion of the dreadful musical number, Dreet gathers up
several rolls of raggedy parchment in her skinny arms and
clatters over to the adventurers. She scatters the parchment
across the table, rolling out a few scrolls, using tankards to
anchor the corners. She gestures at the drawings scrawled
upon parchment as though they were great works of art.
The drawings comprise of:
• A building with a swinging sign outside that reads “puB,”
• A bar-top complete with flagons.
• A suspiciously familiar looking kobold band (one wearing
a helmet adorned with sticks).
• Twenty chickens of varying sizes.
Gesturing wildly towards her illustrations, Dreet conveys the
following information to the adventurers:
• The Kobolds purchased a building in town, sight unseen.
• They plan to turn the building they purchased into puB.
• This is all part of their tribe’s plan, G.U.T.S. (Glorius
Undercobble Tribe Scheme), a scheme to better integrate
kobolds into surface society.
• They’ve scrimped and saved and sold things dear to the
tribe, in order to make the lofty investment.
• When they visited the location, after money had changed
hands, they discovered the basement is infested with rats.
• They are willing to pay the adventurers to take care of
their rat problem.
If the party acquiesces to Dreet’s request she will happily
follow them out of A Trip Away and direct them back to
Astera. When they’ve arrived, Dreet leads them to a shabby,
abandoned building the kobolds hope will one day become
their tavern.
It is a squat structure, sitting just off the thoroughfare, a
little way from the market. It seems as though it was once
an inn, but has fallen into disrepair. Old flower boxes have
grown thick with weeds, the shutters on the windows have
warped so that they no longer close, while others hang
from their hinges. A fat ginger cat sits on a grime-covered
window sill, squinting suspiciously at the adventurers and
flicking its tail.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Dreet Undercobble 79

Dreet is overjoyed to see puB again, clasping her hands
together and looking at it as though it were a palace.
“Here, see! Here is puB, beautiful puB. Maybe cat has
eaten all the rats, yes? We go in, brave adventurers check.”
The inside of puB is in no better condition than the outside.
It appears as though a cursory attempt at cleaning has been
made. Several crates have been piled in one corner, and
water has been spilled across the floor with overturned mop
buckets. Bolts of fabric lean up near several of the windows,
along with boxes stacked to make a makeshift stair system
to reach the windows. Ribbons of clean floor swirl through
the dust, ending at a fallen broom that seems to have been
dropped in haste.
Dreet makes it clear that she will stay above, in the tavern’s
tap room, and will not, under any circumstances, be delving
further below or fighting.
“Maybe if heroes get hurt, they can run back up the
stairs and Dreet can help with very nice and very helpful
healing songs. But not go down, nope, never go down, not
until rats are gone.”
Dreet points across to where a bench has been pushed in
front of a door, behind the dusty bar. One of the kobolds
has written something in chalk on the wood:
“DON’T RATS
OPEN INSIDE”
Dreet scratches her head.
“ ‘Don’t rats open inside?’ Silly kobolds. Okay, please be to
make sure all the basement has no more rats in it. If you
find anything down there you can keep, but these boxes
upstairs are Undercobble Clan things, okay? If you find
chickens down there, maybe we can keep? You take the
rest.”
Clearing away the bench and pushing open the basement
door leads the adventurers to a dusty set of stairs, leading
down. There are scratch marks on the walls and covering
the back of the door.
80 Chapter 3 | The Tales Dreet Undercobble
The Landing 1
The stairway opens up to a room in disarray. Wooden
crates are scattered about the room, their lids pried open.
One crate has been tipped on its side, spilling broken wine
bottles across the floor. The kobolds made it into this room
before being disturbed by the rats and fleeing.
An investigation of the boxes (no check required) uncovers the
following:
• A pile of dirty rags (15 cp)
• A cloth doll (9 sp)
• A broken potion bottle (no value)
• A topaz necklace (10 gp)
• Jars of stale cooking spices (18 cp)
• A copper necklace (14 sp)
There isn’t anything else of note in the first room, save for
another door, slightly ajar, leading further into the basement.
A successful DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check at the
door reveals the sound of squeaking and scrabbling inside the
next room.
A successful DC 10 Dexterity (Stealth) check will allow
the adventurers to open the door silently and surprise the rats
in the next room.
Rat Nest 2
Like the previous room, the room beyond is grimy, disused
and filled with degraded crates. The smell of wet fur is
heavy in the air, bringing with it the heat of animals in an
enclosed space.
Inside is a swarm of hungry rats and a creature the size
of a wolf, a grotesque Rat King, thick segmented tails
fused together into one giant mass, as bodies squabble
and fight over bones that have already been picked clean.
Mounds of smaller, dead rats are piled in the corners, some
bearing strange, yellow-white pustules on their backs. Any
adventurer who can communicate with the rats may learn
that they are ravenously hungry, and are ready to attack
anything, including the adventurers, for food.
These crates are empty: any food that might once have
been within has been consumed by the rats long ago.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Dreet Undercobble 81

Any player who wishes to examine the rat corpses piled
in the corners of the room can make a DC 12 Intelligence
(Nature) check. On a success, they determine that the
yellow-white pustules on their backs are large spider eggs. A
roll of 14 or higher will provide the additional information
that these eggs are freshly laid, fragile, and easy to destroy.
A successful DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence
(Investigation) check reveals the body of an unfortunate
adventurer, covered in webs and old, broken spider eggs,
who suffered the same fate as many of the rats. Searching the
body yields 4 potions of healing and one salvageable torch.
Spider Nest 3
This room is larger than the two which came before, with
a doorway beyond it that appears to be partially ajar. The
high ceilings disappear into shadow above, and portions
of both the floor and walls are covered with sticky grey
spiderwebs. There are clumps and clusters of spider eggs in
this room, hanging in slick sacs and growing on rat corpses,
giant and small alike.
Alerted by the commotion of the adventurers encounter
with the rats, the 2 giant spiders in the next room crawl
to the ceiling to lay an ambush for the adventurers. A
successful DC 16 Wisdom (Perception) check at the door
alerts the adventurers to the presence of the spiders.
If the adventurers enter the room unnoticed, they can
attempt to navigate through the room without alerting the
spiders with a successful DC 14 Dexterity (Acrobatics)
check to avoid the webbing, which counts as difficult terrain.
On a failure, they become tangled in the webbing and alert
the spiders. If the adventurers trigger the spiders’ web sense,
they can attempt to quickly cross through the webbing,
and make it to the next room to avoid combat. To escape
the room, each adventurer must succeed on a Strength
(Athletics) check, adding the results of each roll together.
The total must be greater than 18 for a success.
82 Chapter 3 | The Tales Dreet Undercobble
Dry Goods Storage Room 4
The next room is surprisingly dry, well-kept and spacious.
While it is bare of furniture, it appears to be full of neatly
stacked crates in the far corners. Hiding in one of the crates
in the left corner is Snitt, a kobold, who has been cowering
to avoid the fighting beyond his doorway.
Snitt (he/him) is larger than the average kobold, but not
by much. He has a skittish, sly demeanor and eyes that dart
and shift around the room as he speaks, as if always looking
for a way out. He’s wearing tattered clothes that were once
fine, with a gold chain holding an oddly shaped onyx charm
around his partially revealed chest.
Like the rats and the bodies the players might have
discovered before, Snitt appears to be infected with spider
eggs.
A successful DC 12 Wisdom (Perception or Insight)
check reveals that Snitt is actually wearing the eggs.
A successful DC 16 Wisdom (Insight) check or DC 12
Intelligence (Nature) check reveals that Snitt’s necklace
is actually what keeps the spiders docile to him. If an
adventurer steals the necklace from Snitt, it is revealed to
be a string of spider eggs without any magical qualities. A
combination of wearing the eggs and stringing them around
his neck has fooled them into thinking he is a very ugly,
malformed spider. An adventurer who holds the necklace is
considered friendly by the spiders (unless they are attacked).
Deprived of his necklace, Snitt immediately surrenders,
begging for his life.
“Where did you come from? I have been hiding here
for two days, snuck past the spiders but they sniffed
me out when I went past and I had to stay in here.
Who sent you?”
At any mention of Dreet, Snitt becomes grouchy and
stamps his feet.
“HAH! That little thief! I was Glorious Lamplighter first,
me! Silly Dreet and her silly ideas, turning the elders
against me, stealing my position! I came here to find a way
to deal with the infestation but now you have stolen that
from me, too! Unless-
-Unless you tell clan elders that Snitt did this? Yes, you
tell elders Snitt saved puB, and Snitt will be Glorious
Lamplighter again. Do this.”

If the adventurers are opposed to his demands, Snitt attempts
to wheedle and bribe them to see things his way. A successful
DC 13 Wisdom (Insight) check reveals that Snitt has no
intentions of making good on his promises, and intends to
abandon the adventurers once they help him restore his position.
“What did she give you? Chickens? Money? Snitt has
money too. Snitt will pay you as much as Dreet offered if
you tell her the building is overrun. You could not do the
job, there will be no saving puB for Dreet, no. Or, tell
her you fixed it, tell her to come here alone to inspect. I
will wait for her here, take back job, tell elders the spiders
caught silly Dreet. You choose. You do this.”
If the adventurers refuse to help Snitt regain his position, he
attacks, commanding 2 giant spiders, who have waited in
hiding in a nest of webs on the right side of the room. Snitt
is a coward, who would much rather his pets do the dirty
work in combat for him, but he is not afraid of attacking
any adventurers he thinks are weak or close to death.
If the adventurers defeat Snitt in combat and grant him
the mercy he grovels for, they can escort him to the ground
level to face Dreet, where she commands him to report
to the Undercobble elders for judgement, or flee the town
and never return. Snitt will leave without divulging his
intentions, but Dreet assures the party that he will likely
present himself for chastisement.
“Do not worry, brave adventurers. It will turn out
okay. Look at what happened today, yes? This morning,
Undercobble had no puB. Now, thanks to you, we will
be Overcobbles! We go back to A Trip Away, tell other
kobolds. Best of news. Best of heroes.”
At Dreet’s return, and the news of puB’s cleansing of rats and
spiders, the kobolds are beside themselves with joy, dancing,
shouting and jumping on tables. Some patrons shoo them
away, while others humour them, knowing that with their own
tavern ready to move into, the kobolds will likely abandon
this one and- crucially- take their instruments with them.
Dreet invites the party to come to puB’s grand opening
and hands over their reward: a pouch containing 203 gp,
4sp, 19cp and a handful of bottle caps that have clearly
been thrown into the kobold’s offering tin at some point,
under the correct presumption that anything that made the
requisite clatter sound would shut them up.
Conclusion
Once it has been restored enough to warrant an opening, PuB
opens for business, with lovingly repaired windowpanes and
polished cobbles. It draws a steady stream of tourists, who
stop by to sample the spiced kobold ale and their ‘artistic’
(they mean ‘artisanal’) roast chicken sandwiches. Given its
modest success, puB is far more likely to be tolerated than
shunned, and any party venturing into Astera, upon asking
for tavern recommendations, will find puB a novel addition to
any discerning townsperson’s list of endorsements.
The fat ginger cat remains a staple of the establishment,
eventually being named ‘PleB’ by Dreet.
If the adventurers have been kind to Dreet, when they
meet her at puB, she presents them with a little tarnished
coin that always lands on tails. Dreet is convinced that means
the coin is highly magical, though it is obviously merely
weighted. Additionally, if the adventurers have befriended
her, she gives each of them a chicken, cooked to perfection,
the highest of kobold honours.
If, at any point during or following the adventure, the
party has picked up on the kobold’s love of chickens enough
to feel moved to buy them some chickens as a gift, cooked or
otherwise, Dreet will throw up her arms in praise and thank
them profusely.
“My friends! My brave, kind, strong friends! Oh, thank
you, you are truly magnanimous and a friend to all
kobolds. As Glorious Lamplighter, it is within my power
to bestow on all of you, the very good and important title
of ‘Almost-Cobble!’ You will always be welcome among
my people, and oh, you should tell other kobolds you meet,
maybe, then they will like you too!”
Appendix A: Magic Items
Lucky Dusty Rabbit’s Foot
Wonderous item, uncommon
This worn rabbit’s foot is fluffy with several decade’s worth
of rock dust. The foot has two charges and regains all
expended charges at dawn.
While holding this item, you can use an action to expend
one of its charges to cast the jump spell.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Dreet Undercobble 83
 Appendix B: Stat Blocks
Snitt Dreet UnderCobble
Small Humanoid (Kobold), neutral evil Small Humanoid (Kobold), chaotic good

Challenge: 1 (200xp) | Initiative: +2 | Prof. Bonus: +2 Challenge: 1 (200xp) | Initiative: +2 | Prof. Bonus: +2

armor class hit points speed armor class hit points speed
14 27 14 18 30 ft.
30 ft. (studded leather) (4d6 + 4)
(rags and shield) (4d6 + 12)

str dex con int wis cha str dex con int wis cha
9 (-1) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 10 (0) 8 (-1) 8 (-1) 11 (+1) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (0) 13 (+1) 14 (+2)

Senses darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 9
Languages Common, Draconic
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, Snitt has
disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception)
checks that rely on sight.
Pack Tactics. Snitt has advantage on an attack roll against
a creature if at least one of Snitt’s allies is within 5 feet of
the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Actions
Multiattack. Snitt makes two melee attacks.
Short Spear. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage.
Sling. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 30/120 ft.,
one target. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) bludgeoning damage
Low Blow (Recharge 5-6). Snitt makes a cheap shot
against a creature he can see within 5 feet of him. The target
must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or
become incapacitated until the end of Snitt’s next turn.
Saving Throws Dex +4, Wis +3
Skills Acrobatics +4, Perception +3, Performance +4
Senses darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Draconic
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, Dreet has
disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception)
checks that rely on sight.
Spellcasting | Save DC: 12 | Attack Bonus: +4
Dreet is a 4th-level Charisma based spellcaster.
Action Spells
Cantrips (at will): mage hand, minor illusion, vicious mockery
1st level (1/day each): cure wounds, faerie fire, hideous
laughter, sleep
2nd level (1/day each): lesser restoration, enhance ability
Bonus Action Spells
1st level 1/day: healing word
Actions
Song of Rest. Dreet can perform a song while taking a
short rest. Any ally who hears this song regains an extra
1d6 hit points if it spends any Hit Dice to regain hit points
at the end of that rest. Dreet can confer this benefit on
herself as well.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range
80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 +2) piercing damage.

Author’s Notes/Acknowledgments
Of Under and Over Cobbles is designed to be an interesting, comedic introduction to the world. Jen would like
to thank Deekin Scalesinger for being the original kobold bard. She would also like to tip her hat to Sam, without
whom the Undercobbles would never have had their chance to become Overs.

Author Bio
Jen spends most of her time in a single room staring at a screen, trying to trick worlds out of her head. If not
there, she can be found playing Dungeons & Dragons or shouting on Twitter under the handle @moxieswagger
84 Chapter 3 | The Tales Dreet Undercobble
Rat King A Rat King is a horrendous monstrosity, that comes
Medium Monstrosity, chaotic neutral into existence when hundreds of rats are living on top
of one another. Sometimes, a stray bit of residual magic
Challenge 5 (1,800xp) | Initiative: +3 | Prof. Bonus: +2 can lead to the rat’s tails fusing together. Once this
process has begun, the creature continues to absorb
armor class hit points speed more of its kind, becoming ever more horrendous.
14 59
25 ft.
(natural) (6d10 + 24)

str dex con int wis cha

14 (+2) 16 (+3) 18 (+4) 10 (0) 15 (+2) 10 (0)

Saving Throws Con +7

Damage Vulnerabilities fire, acid
Senses darkvision 60ft. passive Perception 12
Proficiency Bonus +3
Putrid Cloud. The Rat King is surrounded by a 10 ft.
radius of nauseating gas. Each creature that is completely
within the cloud at the start of their turn must succeed on
a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the
creature spends its turn retching and reeling and gains the Swarm of Hungry Rats
incapacitated condition. The incapacitated creature can make Large swarm of Tiny Beasts, unaligned
the save again at the start of their next turn. Creatures that
don’t need to breathe or are immune to poison automatically Challenge 3 (700xp) | Initiative: +4 | Prof. Bonus: +2
succeed on this saving throw. Any creature that has passed
the saving throw is immune to its effects for 24 hours. armor class hit points speed
14 26
Watcher in the Dark. The Rat King has advantage on 40 ft.
natural (4d10 + 4)
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight and smell.
From Whence You Came. If the Rat King is reduced to
str dex con int wis cha
20 hit points it splits into 2 Swarm of Hungry Rats and
becomes frightened of all enemies, gaining the frightened 9 (-1) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 3 (-4) 10 (0) 3 (-4)
condition. They will spend their turn trying to flee but will Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, grappled,
fight if there is no escape. paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned
Actions Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Multiattack. The Rat King makes three bite attacks. Senses darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 10
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Blood Frenzy. The swarm has advantage on melee attack
target. Hit: 9 (3d4 + 2) piercing damage. rolls against any creature that doesn’t have all its hit points.
Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature’s space
Lair Actions and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any
opening large enough for a Tiny rat. The swarm can’t
On initiative count 12 (losing initiative ties), the Rat King
regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.
takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects; the
Rat King can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row: Keen Smell. The swarm has advantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Summon Swarm (Recharge 6). The Rat King summons
two Swarms of Hungry Rats. The swarms will all appear next
round, at initiative count 15 (losing initiative ties).
Actions
Assimilate Swarm. Any swarm within 5 ft. of The Rat Bites. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 0 ft., one
King is consumed, with the Rat King regaining hit points creature in the swarm’s space. Hit: 14 (3d6 + 4) piercing
equal to the hit points of the consumed swarm. damage, or 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage if the swarm has
half of its hit points or fewer.
Frenzy. Rat King gains advantage on its next attack roll.

Chapter 3 | The Tales Dreet Undercobble 85

86 Chapter 3 | The Tales Sirni The Chattersome Battleaxe
S irni the Chattersome Battleaxe (They/Them)
Written by: Jeff Ellis
Adventure Level: 2-3 | Players: 3-4
Content Warnings: Emotional Abuse, Alcoholism, Gambling
Construct • Storyteller
Excitable, but prone to deep melancholy. A show-off and
braggart.
A battleaxe made from a single piece of unknown red metal.
E veryone at the tavern knows a different story about how
the sentient battleaxe over the hearth arrived at A Trip
Away, and who it was that brought them here. However, the
party is about to learn the truth behind Sirni’s arrival at the
tavern and the creator who abandoned them.
The party will travel with Sirni through the southern
grasslands to the town of Lakehead, where Sirni hopes
to finally hear the other side of a story that has secretly
haunted them for years now. Characters will confront Sirni’s
selfish and cruel creator, but not until after they’ve run off
the young black dragon wyrmling who has trapped the
adventurer in its lair.
Background
Some say a dying elf placed the all-red battleaxe at Flip’s feet
and begged them to shelter the construct. Others swear that
Nix won the battleaxe from a traveling dwarf enchanter in
a game of cards. A scant few regulars whisper of a night in
autumn when the Two-Timing Twins dug up an ancient
battleaxe, made from a single piece of metal, from behind the
inn. These are, of course, all tall tales that Sirni (seer-NEE)
the Chattersome Battleaxe has spread about their own origins.
In truth, Sirni is a picky, quarrelsome chatterbox, whose
creator and former master left them with Flip years ago. No
one hears the same story twice from Sirni, whether it’s about
their fabled history or the previous day’s weather; they love
to talk. It is on a busy night at A Trip Away that Flip calls
Sirni’s sudden silence to the party’s attention. The battleaxe
has barely said so much as a word for the past two days and
Flip is worried.
Chapter 3 | The Tales
Made newly aware of their former master’s presence
in the area, Sirni has been lost in thought, and stricken
silent with anxiety. When the characters ask after the
battleaxe’s silence, they inform them that a few passersby
mentioned an old red dragonborn, matching the
description of Sirni’s former master, was seen in the town
of Lakehead, wielding a magic spear made from a single
piece of red metal. Sirni wants answers regarding their
abandonment and to know more about this new magic
weapon. They request that the characters take them to
meet this red dragonborn immediately.
Tavern Behavior
Sirni is a bright red battleaxe, crafted from a single piece
of unknown metal, who has been at the tavern for decades
now. They are displayed over the hearth where they share
their many stories with anyone who will listen. Every story
features Sirni in some way, be it as the protagonist, the
magic battleaxe in distress, or the magic weapon that grants
the hero the means to defeat the villain. All of these stories
are exaggerations of Sirni’s actual adventures with their
former master.
Hook
While speaking with Flip, the proprietor draws the
characters’ attention to the taproom. Sirni is oddly quiet. In
fact, Flip points out, the usually verbose battleaxe has hardly
said a word over the past couple of days. Ever since a pair of
travelers blew through from the south, Sirni hasn’t shared a
single story. If the characters can cheer up the battleaxe, Flip
says, there’s a free round of drinks in it for them.
Sirni The Chattersome Battleaxe 87
 Sirni’s Silence
Arriving at A Trip Away on a busy night, the characters are
met with the sounds of patrons talking amongst themselves,
Lord Huxley Tango is juggling some bottles of wine while
tapping out a rhythm on an odd looking castanet, and
the dull roar of a fire on the hearth. Notable to any tavern
regulars is the absence of one shrill, high-pitched voice;
Sirni, the magic battleaxe displayed above the hearth, isn’t
sharing any of their usual stories.
A bright red battleaxe made from one single piece of
unknown metal, Sirni spends every night at A Trip Away
regaling anyone who listens with bombastic exaggerations of
their misspent youth. Tonight, however, the battleaxe is silent.
Characters who have met Sirni previously may speak
with them, but they must succeed on a DC 14 Charisma
(Persuasion) check to get the battleaxe to respond.
Characters who share a thrilling story of heroics convince
Sirni to share whats bothering them. Speaking with Flip
about the battleaxe’s worrisome silence reduces the DC of
Charisma (Persuasion) check to 9.
If the party shares a story and still fails their check, Sirni
takes pity on them and shares their story anyway, but the
party’s future Charisma (Persuasion and Intimidation) checks
to interact with Sirni are made with disadvantage.
If they have not met with Sirni before, or if they fail their
skill check, Flip calls them over to the bar.
Flip is concerned about Sirni’s health (if a battleaxe can
be healthy) and offers the party a free round of drinks if
they can get the magic weapon to open up about what’s
bothering them. To help loosen the battleaxe’s metaphorical
tongue, Flip mentions that Sirni can’t resist a good story, and
will likely open up if the characters share a tale from their
adventures with the construct.
GM’s note: This adventure has a narrative-heavy ending
between two NPCs that might be a bit awkward to play
out by yourself, if you don’t have a headstrong group who
like to insert their characters into everyone’s business.
If that is the case, consider offering the role(s) of Rolinar or
Sirni to your players and playing it out with them. They can
learn everything they need to know for their part from the
appropriate sidebar content, detailing the two NPC’s stories.
88 Chapter 3 | The Tales Sirni The Chattersome Battleaxe
Master and Creator
Sirni shares the story of their most recent woes in much the
same way that a massive, stove-in barrel shares wine. When
the battleaxe finally relents to the party’s persuasions:
There is no change in the bright red battleaxe’s physicality,
but a sharp voice fills the tavern. Heads turn to regard the
magic weapon with surprise. Those in the know gather
around the fire.
“Oh, if you really must know, I suppose I would be cruel
not to relent! In fact, let everyone know my misery and
woe. Share my displeasure with the criminal Rolinar the
Sanguine far and wide!
“What displeasure, you ask? What displeasure?!
“Sit now, and listen. This is a tale truer than true. This is
the real story of how I came to be so prominently displayed
above this fine hearth. This is the story of how Sirni
Sharpwit entered this taproom, a trip away from victory,
and was abandoned!
“This is the story of how Sirni the True Friend became
Sirni the Discarded.”
Having gathered most of the patrons to listen to their tale,
Sirni begins to recount their tale:
Nearly three decades ago, Rolinar the Sanguine came to A
Trip Away in a dire mood. He picked fights with everyone
and was nearly thrown out several times, but for the placating
of his sole companion, a sentient battleaxe named Sirni.
The construct loved Rolinar like a father and was used to
covering for his poor attitude. So, when Rolinar bet Sirni on
a game of cards that night, the battleaxe was heartbroken.
Deep in a game and deep in his cups, Rolinar was
dazzled by the riches on the table and bet what wasn’t his
to wager: the life of his longtime companion and creation,
Sirni. Flip wouldn’t have it and told Rolinar that, once the
construct was given life, they were no longer an object to be
wagered. Rolinar roared and bellowed that Sirni was his to
do with as he pleased. The game was ended then and there
and Rolinar was wrestled back to his room to sleep it off.
Before opening the taproom the next morning, Flip
found Sirni embedded in the bar top and Rolinar nowhere
to be found. From what Sirni remembers of the night,
the dragonborn didn’t say a word. He simply gathered his
effects late in the night, as though they were skipping town,
only to stick Sirni in the bar top and tell the battleaxe not to
look for him. The dragonborn didn’t look back.

At the end of their monologue, Sirni requests the party
take them south to the town of Lakehead, where Rolinar the
Sanguine was last seen. If they agree, the battleaxe gives them
50 pp of the savings it has accrued working as an entertainer
at A Trip Away. Sirni adds they can take whatever they like
from Rolinar, but he must be left alive.
Traveling To Lakehead
The town of Lakehead is roughly four days south of A Trip
Away, traveling on foot at a normal pace. Between the tavern
and the town are several miles of open hilly plains, until
they come to the shore of Falcam Lake. The main highway
through these plains is poorly kept, but well-traveled by
people in both directions. Though there is little-to-no official
protection along this road, travelers are known to band
together against brigands and monsters alike.
Before leaving the tavern, Flip provisions the party with
five days worth of rations and fills their waterskins. They
offer the characters their promised round of drinks, but
says that it’ll be waiting for them if they’d prefer to hold
off until their quest is complete.
Sirni picks the character with the most martial prowess
and demands to travel with them, saying that they
are bound to have a lot of fun together (See Sirni the
Chattersome Battleaxe in “Appendix A: Magic Items” for
more information.) It is up to you to determine which of the
characters Sirni considers the most effective axe-wielder. This
could be based on their Strength score, their character class,
or their background.
Chapter 3 | The Tales
Putting the Battle in Battleaxe
South of A Trip Away, the road opens up onto a plain that
sprawls for miles down to the forested periphery of falcam
Lake. The height and unchanging amber of the grass bely
the depths and peaks of the rolling hills. You can chart
every breeze’s trajectory by the way it presses through the
grass, and the effect is nearly hypnotic. If you could find a
moment away from Sirni’s many anecdotes, you might even
think of this place as peaceful.
Maybe it’s a good thing, then, that Sirni is so boisterous.
While on their way to Lakehead, the party must do
everything in their power to keep Sirni from broadcasting
the characters’ location with their loud proclamations.
Every question or statement warrants a verbose recounting
of a time that Sirni was in a similar situation, and how
they had to use their clever wit and sharp blade to
resolve it. When Sirni recounts a tale during travel, the
inciting character must succeed on a DC 10 Charisma
(Intimidation or Persuasion) check to silence the
battleaxe. Each time that a character fails to silence
Sirni, add one goblin to the following encounter, up to a
maximum of three additional goblins.
During one such boisterous retelling of an adventure,
Sirni draws the attention of a goblin scouting party. Two
goblins riding worgs crest the nearest hilltop, hollering and
gnashing their teeth. It is immediately clear that they are
not interested in negotiating.
Throughout the ensuing fight, Sirni shouts various
challenges and quips at the goblins. They laugh a hearty laugh
with each successful attack their wielder makes with them.
The goblins know nothing about Rolinar, but a successful
DC 10 Charisma (Intimidation) check convinces any
captured goblins to describe the black dragon their clan
chased into the Lakehead territory not too long ago. They
vastly exaggerate the dragon’s size and ferocity.
Sirni The Chattersome Battleaxe 89
 Watched Waters
Arriving in Lakehead, the characters find that the town
is somber, and very few people walk the streets. All of the
town’s fishing boats are docked, and the surface of the lake
remains still and quiet. The boats and some of the fishers are
scarred with acid burns. Townsfolk direct anyone who asks
about the lack of activity or the acid burns to Dockmaster
Odelia Linn (oh-DEE-lee-UH lin), who can be found at her
office on the docks.
Aside from the dockmaster’s office, Lakehead also has a
tavern, a general store, and a blacksmith. Prices are high,
with the docks shut down and everyone in town concerned
for their future.
A Town in Hiding
In a small building at the southern edge of the docks, the
party meets with Dockmaster Odelia Linn (she/her).
Odelia is a stern and brusque female halfling with a
short crop of red hair, and whose skin is burnt and cracked
from years spent out in the sun. She doesn’t share the same
superstitious paranoia as the rest of the townsfolk, and is only
interested in speaking with the party if they can help her
resolve her current situation.
For nearly a month, people have reported sightings of a
black dragon roaming the area. Scouts tracked the creature
to a southern ruin along the shore of the lake. Based on the
supposed size of the dragon, Odelia suspects it is a wyrmling,
but she has gathered a bounty and offers it to anyone willing
to brave the danger.
A red dragonborn by the name of Rolinar the Sanguine
took the job five days ago and hasn’t been seen since. Odelia
acknowledges that he could have fled with the forward
payment but, shortly after Rolinar set out from Lakehead, the
black dragon wyrmling took flight over Falcam Lake, raining
acid down on all of the town’s fishing boats in a fit of rage.
She is certain that the adventurer did nothing but enrage the
creature before he was killed.
Now the town’s fishers refuse to go out onto the lake
until the wyrmling is dealt with, but Odelia’s purse strings
are tight, with Rolinar having already been paid half of the
bounty and no fish coming into the market. If the characters
agree to assault the black dragon wyrmling’s lair in the elf
ruins at Old Clifftop, the dockmaster can pay them 75 gp
each. Odelia mentions that the 150 gp she paid Rolinar is
likely on his corpse.
Sirni is not satisfied with a secondhand account of their
creator’s demise. They insist that the party seeks out the
dragon’s lair and confirms Rolinar’s fate.
90 Chapter 3 | The Tales Sirni The Chattersome Battleaxe
Old Clifftop
The ruins at Old Clifftop are a few miles southeast, along
the shore and up the hill. The vegetation around the ruin is
thick and twisted, making for difficult terrain, and a thick
fog of foul air rolls down the hill away from the ruin, filling
the party’s mouths with the vile tang of decay.
Characters who make a successful DC 12 Intelligence
(Nature) check recognize that the corruption of the
environment is due to the dragon’s unnatural presence, and it
will only get stronger and spread wider as the monster ages.
The crumbling stone pillars and small collapsed stone
buildings are the remnants of a long gone society of elves
who watched over the lake. A successful DC 10 Intelligence
(History or Investigation) check reveals that the buildings
were originally built, in part with some natural magic that
weaved roots and vines into the structures. Despite having
stood the test of time, the plants that were so pivotal to
their foundations have begun to rot and die in the dragon’s
presence, and the ruins are crumbling.
The party’s arrival at the ruins goes unnoticed. Nothing
skitters, no dust stirs. Except for the stench, the morose
mood of the ruins feels eerily similar to that of Lakehead. An
hour’s search of the place’s many stone structures reveals a
large tunnel, leading down into the earth through the floor of
what must have been a mausoleum.
Down In the Dragon’s Depths
The tunnel inside the mausoleum is only wide enough for
one medium-sized creature to pass through at a time, or two
small-sized creatures side-by-side. It is clear that this tunnel
was dug by large claws and powerful muscles. As the party
ventures deeper into the earth, the smell of decay gets thicker
and more pungent.
After 150 feet, the tunnel connects to a natural cavern
that slopes down into a large shallow pool of fetid water.
Phosphorescent mushrooms shed dim light out to a radius
of 30 feet, and creatures slinking around the darker patches
gain advantage on Stealth checks.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Sirni The Chattersome Battleaxe 91
 Immediately upon entering the cavern, the party is made
aware that this must be the wyrmling’s lair by the many
rotting bodies littering the floor, ranging from large beasts to
the occasional humanoid, all of which appear to be melted
by acid. A successful DC 10 Intelligence (Investigation)
check reveals that the number of bodies increases as the
characters get closer to the pool. Characters who succeed on
the check by 5 or more can hear sloshing in the water as if
something is moving around in the shallow water.
The Dragon and the Dragonborn
As the party approaches the lip of the pool:
Across the shimmer of the water’s dimly lit surface you
spy it—a night-black wyrmling pacing the length of the
opposite end of the pool, its attention on something tucked
inside of a crevice in the wall. As you watch, the monster
rears up on its hind legs and spreads its wings wide,
blocking your view as it belches a deluge of bright green
acid into the crevice. When it lowers its wings, the stone
beyond hisses as the acid burns away at it.
With its back turned and its attention captured, the party
must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity (Stealth) check to
cross the pool without drawing the dragon’s attention.
Moving through the shallow water counts as difficult terrain
and Dexterity (Stealth) checks to sneak through the pool are
made with disadvantage. Having just used its Acid Breath
action on its hidden quarry, the black dragon wyrmling
needs to recharge before it can use that feature again.
If alerted, the wyrmling attacks. It is cruel by nature and
targets the character with the fewest hit points, even going
so far as to stand over unconscious characters to prevent
their allies from getting to them. If the wyrmling is reduced
to fewer than 17 hit points it flees the cavern, but the
ceilings are too low, and the tunnel is too small, for it to fly
until it reaches the surface.
Without proof of the wyrmling’s death, the party will have
a hard time proving their success to Dockmaster Odelia and
earning their reward.
Rolinar the Nearly Dead
After the black dragon wyrmling dies or escapes, Rolinar
the Sanguine (he/him) crawls from the acid-splashed crevice
in the cavern’s back wall. He is a bulky red dragonborn,
armored in heavy leather and burned all over by acid. It is
clear by the paler red of his scales and the weariness of his
92 Chapter 3 | The Tales Sirni The Chattersome Battleaxe
tendrils that he is a very old dragonborn. Leaning on it like a
walking staff, Rolinar carries with him a magic spear called
Atreya the Silent Point (uh-TRAY-uh), crafted from a single
piece of the same red metal that Sirni is made of.
The dragonborn doesn’t seem in the mood to talk after
his harrowing experience, but the sight of Sirni shocks
him, and the battleaxe has plenty to say to their creator and
former master. Characters who ask after Rolinar’s health are
interrupted by an angry Sirni who demands that they leave
the dragonborn to suffer until he answers their questions.
Whether they heal him or not, Rolinar asks that they at least
exit this foul place if they want to hear his story.
Characters must succeed on a DC 14 Charisma
(Intimidation or Persuasion) check to convince Rolinar to
tell his tale immediately, or else he limps away up the tunnel
to Old Clifftop, where the characters can find him resting on
a broken stone pillar and looking out across Falcam Lake.
Rolinar’s Story
Rolinar shares his story without grandeur, in the cold, blunt
tones of a cruel old soul who is very nearly dead. He grows
angrier the more he speaks of Sirni and that night at the
tavern. His disdain for the construct has only grown stronger
during their years apart.
After leaving A Trip Away, Rolinar was furious with the
battleaxe. He considered Sirni a failed creation and a shoddy
investment. He set out from the tavern to the faraway lands
of his home, where he went to work on a new creation—a
quieter creation.
In the confines of an ancient forge, Rolinar toiled for
weeks on crafting a spear as sharp and powerful as Sirni, but
this time blessedly quiet. Sentience, Rolinar realized, was a
mistake. What good was a weapon that disagreed with him
at every turn? What point was there in a companion who
couldn’t drink with him and who only ever complained?
And so, from the same red metal from which he crafted
Sirni, and with the same magical sharpness, he made Atreya
the Silent Point.
Since then, he has been adventuring as usual and drinking
his fill without any nuisance badgering him about when
“enough is enough.” He’d always hated Sirni and his only
regret about abandoning the battleaxe was that he didn’t do
it sooner.
Development
Sirni won’t agree to pay the characters their 50 pp without
getting all of Rolinar’s story.
Conclusion
Appendix A: Magic Items
Furious over Rolinar’s cruelty and appalled at the mockery of
Atreya’s creation, Sirni tells the characters they are ready to
leave. It is unlikely that the dragonborn will make it back to
Lakehead on his own, after days of surviving off of cave mold
and quaffing health potions while trapped inside of a crevasse.
If the characters haven’t healed him already, Rolinar offers
them the 150 gp that Odelia paid him up front for a potion
of healing. If the gold isn’t enough, he offers them the ring of
acid resistance that saved his life. He would sooner take his
chances limping back to town than give up his only weapon,
which serves to rankle Sirni even more.
Should the characters attempt or threaten to kill Rolinar, he
puts up a fight,. If the party refused to heal him, he has only 2
hit points. Rolinar uses the Berserker stat block and is attuned
to Atreya the Silent Point (see “Appendix: Magic Items”).
Sirni is eager to get home to A Trip Away but, as soon
as the party is back on the road, the battleaxe sinks into
a somber silence. Arriving at the tavern, Sirni says just
enough to secure the party’s reward before returning to their
thoughts, displayed above the hearth once more.
A few days after the party’s return, Sirni is back to their
usual self, and telling exaggerated stories of their adventures
in Lakehead and their great battle against the vile black
dragon of Falcam Lake. Sirni is friendly enough to the
characters, but if they agreed not to heal Rolinar or they
killed him, Sirni cherishes their friendship and agrees to
travel with them, if invited.
Rewards
However they deal with Rolinar, the characters can return
to Dockmaster Odelia Linn in Lakehead. If they have any
proof that the black dragon wyrmling is dead she gives them
the 75 gp each that she agreed upon. Characters who make a
successful DC 12 Charisma (Persuasion) check to haggle
for more money can get 150 gp each, but the expense will
leave Lakehead destitute. With no proof of the wyrmling’s
death, Odelia refuses to pay them anything until they can
prove the monster is dead.
Upon returning to A Trip Away, Flip pays the party their
50 pp from Sirni’s account, as agreed upon. If they haven’t
yet taken Flip up on their offer of a free round of drinks,
it still stands, and the gnome is dying to know what really
happened at Lakehead.
Authors Bio
Jeff Ellis (He/Him) is a writer, editor, and designer of tabletop roleplaying games living in Seattle,
Washington. He thinks that the real sentient magic battleaxes are the friends that we make along
the way and he hopes you’re drinking enough water.
Atreya the Silent Point
Weapon (spear), rare (requires attunement)
This spear was crafted from a single piece of unknown
red metal by the adventurer Rolinar the Sanguine as a
replacement for his previous weapon, the sentient magic
battleaxe, Sirni the Chattersome Battleaxe.
You have a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made
with this magic spear, and a +1 bonus to AC while
wielding it.
Sirni "The Chattersome Battleaxe"
Weapon (battleaxe), very rare (requires attunement)
Forged from a single piece of an unknown red metal
by an adventurer named Rolinar the Sanguine, Sirni
the Chattersome Battleaxe was the dragonborn’s only
companion for decades, before they were unceremoniously
abandoned at the tavern, A Trip Away.
You have a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made
with this magic battleaxe, and a +1 bonus to AC while
wielding it.
Personality
Upon meeting the battleaxe, most people suspect that
Sirni was created with only one volume: loud. While this
isn’t true, the sentient weapon is certainly boisterous and
difficult to silence.
The battleaxe loves to exaggerate the many adventures
that they have been on, turning every molehill into a
mountain and every lizard into a heroically thwarted
dragon. In fact, the only tale they seem reluctant to
share is the true story of their creation, choosing instead
to fabricate a new origin story whenever someone asks
about their past.
93
94 Chapter 3 | The Tales Florence Neverbee
F lorence Neverbee (She/Her)
Written by: Paige Ford
Adventure Level: 3-4 | Players: 4-5
Content Warnings: Abduction
Halfling • Heiress to the Neverbee Honey
Company
Calm, collected, and genial.
Florence has curly brown hair, dark brown skin, and a
broad nose.
T wo women, hindered by the rift between their families
but bolstered by their love for one another, decide to
elope. Meant to meet at the local Inn, one doesn’t show,
leaving the other to think their plan has been discovered. She
beseeches the party to discover what happened to her love,
and they are sent on an adventure of breaking-and-entering,
navigating a hedge maze, and a race to save true love.
Background
Two years prior, Florence sneaked out of her economics
tutoring session at the Neverbee estate to clear her head.
The stress of life was blinding her as she walked along
the riverbank; she tripped and toppled into the water.
Floundering and spitting out water, howling laughter greeted
her,, as a helping hand appeared. Rian (Ree-Ann) Scaldris,
the heir to the Scaldris Mining Company and someone she
had only ever seen at a distance, reached out to her.
That day at the river, where both were trying to process their
futures, intertwined them forever. Ever since then, Florence
and Rian passed secret letters via their personal attendants.
Realizing they weren’t so different in feeling the stress of being
the heir to family businesses, a friendship took root.
Over the next two years, through sharing each other’s
joys, fears, tears and laughter, those feelings of friendship
blossomed into romantic ones. The saying “opposites attract”
manifested in this couple; while Florence was calm and
cheerful, Rian was boisterous and quick to action. Agreeing
to a clandestine meeting by the river, each intended to share
their newfound feelings.
At the river, Florence was once again stumbling, but this
time over her words. With Florence’s heart beating like a
hummingbird’s wings, Rian stated her own love for Florence.
Their joy was quickly clouded as they knew what they faced;
their families’ long-standing feud.
No one knows what started the rift between the Neverbee
and Scaldris families. There are various rumors about how
the rift between the families started, two examples being:
• Florence thought it was because, during the time of her
great-great-grandfather, Ash Neverbee, the noise from an
explosion related to the Scaldris' mining scared off the
bees for a whole month.
• Rian was told one of her great-grandmothers was at a
garden party and swatted a bee, thinking it was a fly.
Petunia Neverbee, Florence’s great-grandmother, fainted
at the sight.
Florence’s family, the Neverbees, have a history of druidic
talents. Working together with the bees, the Neverbee Honey
Company harvests various types of high-quality honey,
which they sell raw or make into mead. The Neverbees
believe life should flow like honey; slow and steady. Easily
upset when balance is disturbed and preferring life au
naturel, the Neverbees tend to turn their noses up at those
leading a less organic life. Their home speaks little of their
fortune, made of living roots and surrounded by wildflowers,
uninhibited trees, and a babbling brook.
Near opposites to the Neverbees, the Scaldrises have an
eye for ore. Explosive force is needed to extract the precious
minerals from the earth, and the Scaldris family treats life the
same way. Boisterous, they live life large and have little care
for anyone else’s opinions. A prosperous business, the Scaldris
Mining Company employs many, and is generous with their
bonuses. “What good is money if you don’t spend it?” is a
common phrase within the Scaldris household, showcased by
their opulent home. Encased within a mortared stone wall is
a well-kept rose garden, hedge maze and sandstone manor.
Knowing their families would fight the match, Florence
and Rian decided to expedite the process by running away
together. Their families might be stubborn, but they loved
their daughters. Rian and Florence didn't know how long
it would take for their families to get over their marriage,
but they were confident their parent’s love for them would
outweigh their petty grievances with each other.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Florence Neverbee 95
 Tavern Behavior
Florence is found sitting on a barstool with built-in,
collapsible steps for those of her stature. Swirling her mead,
she frequently looks back at the door, as though she’s
waiting for someone. Not a customer of A Trip Away Inn,
her appearance isn’t familiar to the regulars, but her name
is known by the locals, as she is the heiress of the Neverbee
Honey Company.
Hook
A character with a Passive Perception of 12 notices a
painfully anxious halfling, craning their neck to look at the
door. If actively taking in the current clientele of A Trip
Away Inn, a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check
or DC 10 Intelligence (Investigation) check notices the
anxious halfing.
Florence Neverbee
Upon entering A Trip Away Inn, dark brown curls bounce
as a head whips around. Not who they were expecting,
shoulders slump as the head, belonging to a Halfling, turns
back and releases a sigh. Resting their head on one of their
hands, the halfling swirls their drink in front of them, their
foot bouncing off the chair leg of their bar stool.
If approached, Florence startles and turns. Flustered
by the strangers, she stumbles over her words trying to
introduce herself under a fake name, Torrance Eversneeze. A
successful DC 12 Wisdom (Insight) check recognizes the
lie and Florence’s distress. A successful DC 14 Charisma
(Persuasion) check and gentle confirmations crack
Florence’s tenuous facade, or a successful DC 10 Charisma
(Intimidation) check causes Florence to burst into tears.
96 Chapter 3 | The Tales Florence Neverbee
Either way, the truth spills from Florence and she tells the
party:
• Her real name, Florence Neverbee.
• She was here to meet with Rian Scaldris, the love of her life.
• Rian (She/Her) is heiress to the Scaldris Mining Company.
• The Neverbee and Scaldris families have been feuding for
as long as the clandestine couple have been alive. Refer
to the adventure Background for the different reasons
Florence & Rian believe the feud started.
• Rian and Florence were planning on running away together.
• If asked, Florence tells the story of how Rian and she met.
Refer to the adventure Background for the story.
Florence is worried that the Scaldris family found out about
their plan to run away together, and have done something
to stop Rian from meeting Florence at A Trip Away Inn. If
it’s suggested Rian changed her mind, Florence vehemently
shakes her head and knows Rian wouldn’t do that to her.
Knowing the Scaldris family and staff would recognize her,
Florence beseeches the party to sneak in and find out what
happened. Florence brought the essentials, motioning to her
bag, but she could give them some of the gold she saved up
for Rian and herself. Florence has brought a total of 1,000 gp
but if pressed for more, she’s brought a gold ring with a large
fire opal (worth 1,000 gp). Florence intended for the ring to
be Rian’s wedding ring, but parts with it if she must.
If the party agrees to help Florence, she’ll instruct them in
sneaking into the Scaldris estate the way she remembers her
personal attendant describing:
Three-quarters clockwise from the gate there is a pitch-
black stone in the mortared stone wall. Climb over at that
point and the party will find themselves in the gardens.
Pass through a hedge maze and there will be a balcony one
floor up, with a trellis of ivy below it. This is the balcony of
Rian’s quarters. The party must climb up and talk to Rian or
Maritza Vapos, Rian’s personal attendant.
Development
After accepting the mission, the party must go to the Scaldris
estate to figure out what kept Rian from going to A Trip
Away Inn.
97
 The Scaldris Estate
Following Florence’s directions to the Scaldris estate and the
recalled method to sneak in, the party spots the pitch-black
stone within the masonry of the outer wall.
Climbing the ten foot tall wall reveals an opulent sight to
behold. A light-gray sandstone manor, topped with patterned
iron parapets, stands before them. Little is seen beyond its
stained-glass windows with scenes of satyrs, dryads, and pixies
depicted upon them. A lush rose garden filled with pink, red
and orange blooms forms a sunset during the day, and a hedge
maze, tall enough for a Dragonborn to get lost within, lies
between them and a balcony seen in the distance. A successful
DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check notices slight movement
from the Scaldris Estate Gardener (see appendix A: Stat
Blocks), bent low behind one of the larger rose bushes.
If the party fails the Wisdom (Perception) check to notice
the gardener, they must make a conscious effort to be quiet
and succeed on a DC 16 Group Dexterity (Stealth) check
to sneak to the hedge maze. If the party succeeded on the
check to notice the gardener, then a DC 13 Group Dexterity
(Stealth) check is needed to sneak to the hedge maze.
If the gardener notices the party, they may try to deceive
the gardener by telling him they are here on business and
must succeed on a DC 14 Group Charisma (Deception)
check to convince them. If the Group Charisma (Deception)
check is failed, or another method is attempted and failed,
the gardener calls for help. The call for help alerts the two
Scaldris Estate Guards (see appendix A: Stat Blocks) listed
within the ‘Hedge Maze (5)’ section.
If the party succeeds in not alerting the gardener, or if they
deceive or incapacitate the gardener, they enter the hedge maze.
The Hedge Maze
The hedge maze has an entrance from the rose garden and
another on the opposite side. There are six features and areas
of effect.
Area of Effect 1
While passing this point a cheery voice is heard, which is
one of the ravens from the ravens’ cage mimicking someone
sending them off.
Ravens: “Off you go! Thank you! Fly safe! Fly safe!”
98 Chapter 3 | The Tales Florence Neverbee
A successful DC 10 Wisdom (Insight) check recognizes
it’s something imitating a humanoid. Pinpointing the
voice’s origin requires a successful DC 10 passive Wisdom
(Perception) check or to walk around the appropriate corner
and spot the raven’s cage (2).
The Ravens Cage 2
Turning around the corner reveals a cage with three ravens.
Sitting in the shaded part of the cage, the ravens hop forward
and start excitedly chattering louder upon seeing anyone.
Ravens: “Off you go! Thank you! Fly safe! Fly safe!”
Below the cage is a lidded box labeled “Outgoing” with a
sealed scroll inside. If unrolled, it reads:
Rusteus,
Thank you again for agreeing on such short notice. When
the dust has settled, I’ll send further gold for her allowance.
Your loving sister,
Sienna
These are the Scaldris’s messenger ravens and the letter
from Rian’s mother to her brother, who agreed to let Rian
stay with him for the foreseeable future.
If retrieving a raven from the cage, a successful DC 12
Wisdom (Animal Handling) check keeps the raven from
screeching. Otherwise, the raven’s loud screech alerts the
guards (5) that there is someone within the hedge maze who
might catch them slacking off.
The Reflection Pool 3
A shallow rectangular pool lined with black pebbles; the
mirror image of the party is reflected on its surface. Towards
one end of the pool is a bench with a book and empty wine-
marked goblet on it. Further inspection reveals it’s:
• The Feast of the Wendigo by Arvad Quillforge, if this
module is run before the Arvad Quillforge module.
• Sword’s Edge: Lesser Known Histories, Mysteries, and
Witcheries of Melterra by Eddawyn Therafyl, if this
module is run after the Arvad Quillforge module.
The Scaldris Estate Guards 4 & 5
While passing this point (4), a successful DC 14 Wisdom
(Perception) check reveals the muffled sound of sloshing
liquid and mumbling. This is the guards (5), who have snuck
away from duty for a quick nip of whiskey.
The guards are attempting to be stealthy themselves
and are on the lookout for anyone who could catch them;
the GM should have the party roll individual Dexterity
(Stealth) checks versus the Scaldris Estate Guard’s Wisdom
(Perception) checks.
These two Scaldris Estate Guards are slacking on the job.
Unless alerted to the adventurers by any of the previously
described means, they’ll leave in 10 minutes and go back to
patrolling the grounds. If they enter combat:
Scaldris Estate Guards’ Combat Motive: The guard’s
behaviors are determined by whether they have been alerted
to the party’s presence. If alerted at any point, they’ll
investigate the noises they hear. If engaged in combat, the
Scaldris Estate Guards call for backup on their turn during
the second round. During the fourth round or 2 minutes
after combat has ended, whichever comes first, two more
guards show up.
The Statues 6
An arrangement of statues depicting active miners stands in
an alcove. The five statues are made of white marble with grey
veins, and are of various heights, due to the races depicted.
From east to west, there are: a dragonborn, a gnome, a
human, an elf, and a dwarf.
The dwarf is the sole statue not actively mining, standing
proudly with a pickaxe over their shoulder and a large
ruby (5000 gp) in their hand. The rocks they are “mining”
are made of black marble with white veins, and have tiny
emeralds, sapphires, and opals embedded into them (worth
1,000 gp total). All of the gems are removable with a
successful DC 16 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check, and
a tool to pry them out, and a DC 16 Dexterity (Stealth)
check to not alert the Scaldris Estate Guards (D2). If
proficient with and using the Jeweler’s Tools, add the
adventurer’s proficiency bonus to the Sleight of Hand check.
Past the hedge maze, the balcony juts from the manor 10
feet away, with the balcony’s railing 16 feet above a trellis of
ivy that leads up to the balcony. Curtains block the party’s
view of the room, but sniffling is heard from behind them.
Rian’s Chambers
Maritza Vapos (she/her), a female dwarf and Rian’s personal
attendant, wipes tears from her eyes. She sits on the four-
poster rosewood bed under a gauzy red canopy, feet resting
on the chest at the bed’s end. A mahogany roll-top desk sits,
top down, opposite the balcony. By the door to the room, a
small rosewood vanity stands, its edges encrusted in gold leaf.
Using her handkerchief, Maritza daintily blots at the fallen
tears in her braided, strawberry blond beard, before blowing
her nose with a loud honk, akin to an elephant’s trumpet.
The room around her is decorated with dark wood
furniture and bold red and orange fabrics.
If approached from the balcony, she squeaks in fright
and jumps to her feet. A successful DC 15 Charisma
(Persuasion) check calms Maritza enough that she’ll ask
who the party are. When she knows Florence has sent them,
Maritza pauses for a moment before bursting into tears again.
Through the tears, Maritza sputters out that Rian has been
sent away. After calming Maritza down via gentle words or
tough love, she’ll relay what happened to Rian:
• Rian’s mother, Sienna Scaldris (she/her), found Florence’s
letters.
• Sienna and Rian’s father, Ferram Scaldris (he/him),
confronted Rian.
• Rian told them the truth and about the plan to run away.
• Sienna and Ferram forced Rian to travel to her uncle
Rusty’s (he/him) estate far away, hoping the distance would
clear her head of such a foul match.
Maritza has an idea of where Rian’s uncle’s estate is.
Having left that morning, the retinue would be unreachable
via the road, but Maritza informs the party of a shortcut
through the woods near one of the Scaldris mines. They
might be able to catch up to the party, or even cut them
off, but the area the shortcut is in is known for dangerous
conditions and creatures.
The party must decide if they are going to relay the info to
Florence or head straight after Rian.
Development
With the new information, the party must race after the
retinue keeping Rian captive.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Florence Neverbee 99
 Rescuing Rian
Going Back for Florence
At A Trip Away Inn, Florence dons the thousand-yard
stare, resting on her hand. Flip slides another mead towards
Florence, but she doesn’t notice as it flies past. Just after it
slides off the bar, the mug immediately rights itself and falls
to the floor without spilling a drop.
When approached, she turns to the party with a fragile
glimmer of hope in her eyes and fists her hands in front of
her mouth.
Upon learning that Rian had been spirited away, she hops
down from her barstool and rushes to the door. Turning back
to the party, she speaks:
"What are we waiting for! We need to hurry! Which way
do we go?”
Shortcut
Departing from the road and cutting through the woods
for a mile, the party reaches a small clearing before a rocky
mountain pass.
Unbeknown to them, this is the territory of an aggressive
sounder of boars. Two giant boars and five boars reside
here and attack other creatures on sight. An adventurer
must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom (Perception) check or
a DC 14 Wisdom (Survival) check to notice the markings
on the trees and tracks from the boars. If the check is failed,
or if the party is not going through the woods stealthily, the
boars are alerted to the presence of the party and attack.
Past the clearing, the woods thin out as the grade increases.
The way forward funnels into a narrow pass between the base
of two mountains. Going forward, the party must walk in a
single line, and the pass is considered difficult terrain.
Flanked by treacherous rock walls as they move forward,
a successful DC 16 Wisdom (Perception) check notices
a small stream of pebbles filter down from above them.
This area is prone to rockslides; if the party does not move
carefully, rocks may tumble down upon them.
If the check failed, then an echoing crack is heard above
them: rocks begin to crash around them. Each party
member must succeed on two DC 14 Dexterity saving
throws to avoid being bludgeoned by the falling rocks.
Each failure incurs 1d8 bludgeoning damage. If the party
knows of the danger, they must succeed on a DC 14 Group
Dexterity check to navigate the rocky pass or face the
falling rocks as well.
100 Chapter 3 | The Tales Florence Neverbee
The narrow pass ends in a rock wall. The party members
must succeed on a DC 14 Strength (Athletics) check to
climb up or be assisted by other party members. At the top,
the party stands on a flat area ending in a rocky decline,
jagged rocks jutting out like a bared maw.
At this vantage point, the party only sees sections of the
road; its visibility has been hindered by the terrain around
them.
On the road, a retinue travels about a mile away from
where the rocky decline ends. Details are hard to spot as it
passes in and out of their vision, but accompanying riders
can be seen. The party has the chance to cut them off if they
hurry down the rocky decline.
Rushing down the 120 foot long decline from the bluff
without falling and rolling requires two successful DC 14
Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks. Failing the first check will
auto-fail the second, and incurs 1d8 slashing damage from
the sharp rocks and 1d8 bludgeoning from rolling down
the incline. Succeeding on the first check and failing on the
second incurs 1d4 slashing damage from the sharp rocks and
1d4 bludgeoning from rolling down the rocky incline.
Upon making it down the rocky incline alive, the party
has the chance to set up an ambush or blockade if they
desire. Alternatively, they may rush toward the retinue. If
doing the former, the party has 10 minutes to execute their
plan. If rushing towards the retinue, they could make it there
in half the time.
The Retinue
A nondescript coach, bearing neither crest nor flags, travels
down the road. Nothing is notable about this carriage, except
for the eight Scaldris Estate Guards accompanying it. The
Scaldris insignia of a glowing red ruby is covered by their
cloaks, and the guards are attempting to be incognito, since
they’re aiding an abduction. Inside the coach is a restrained
and gagged Rian, as well as the Captain of the guards.
Seven of the guards are on horseback and are split up as
follows: one in the front, two in the back and two on each
side of the carriage. The eighth guard is driving the carriage.
If attacked without explanation, the guards assume the
party are common bandits and fight back. Continue to the
“Fighting the Guards” section if so.
If the adventurers approach the party and mention Rian,
the guards tense up and call for their captain: the guards
don’t know why Rian is being spirited away, but are loyal
to their captain and follow her orders. Muffled yells are
briefly heard from within as the captain steps out of the
carriage door. The captain (she/her) is a female dwarf with
thick, salt-and-pepper hair, neatly plaited beard, and a long
scar that runs diagonally across her face. The Scaldris’ red
ruby insignia is emblazoned on her armor; she has been the
captain of the Scaldris estate guards since before Rian was
born. Respected by the mining community at large and
the guards she leads, she’s fiercely loyal to the Scaldrises, as
they’ve always treated her like family. If trying to free Rian
peacefully, go to the “Persuading the Captain” section.
Persuading the Captain
The Captain knows Rian is being sent away to keep her from
running off with Florence Neverbee. The captain never quite
understood the issue between the Scaldris and Neverbee
families, and considers the feud to be mostly fueled by gossip
and misunderstanding. When she was appointed the captain
about a hundred years ago, she was told the feud started
when the Neverbees refused to ask the bees to keep away
from a mine entrance. A specific berry the bees loved grew
there, but the frequent stinging the miners received pushed
them to the point of bug spray, a nonmagical spray that
deters bees but accidentally killed some of them.
The captain thinks Rian’s parents were being rash
in sending Rian away. In the captain’s eyes, this will
distance Rian and Florence from their families, not each
other. Understanding the chaos that their love brings, she
empathizes with Sienna and Ferram but is displeased with
being a part of this abduction. Having been a part of Rian’s
life since she was born, she’s torn between being loyal to the
people she owes her career to and the person she watched
grow from an impetuous tyke to fierce adult, with her own
wants and needs.
A successful DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check recognizes
the unease the captain is carrying. If attempting to convince
the captain to release Rian, a successful DC 16 Charisma
(Persuasion) check convinces the captain to release them.
The check is downgraded to a DC 14 if Florence is there, as
the captain feels guiltier looking at Florence’s hopeful face.
If the Charisma (Persuasion) check failed, continue to the
“Fighting the Guards” section. If the Charisma (Persuasion)
check succeeds, read or paraphrase the following:
Knowing what they’re doing is wrong, the captain’s
shoulders slump as she lowers her sword. Going back into
the carriage, rustling is heard, a wallop and cursing from
the captain and, presumably, Rian. The captain steps
out, blood streaming from her broken nose, followed by a
dwarven woman.
Between a copper faux hawk and long beaded braid,
dark brown eyes take in the sight before them, as they step
down. Rubbing her previously restrained wrists, Rian walks
towards the party. Refer to the appropriate section “Florence
isn’t Present” or “Florence is Present” with “Post-Fight or
Persuasion” to continue.
Fighting the Guards
Whether fighting the guards after failing to convince the
captain or fighting outright, the eight guards and captain
fight in formation around the carriage.
Tactics: If the retinue is attacked without explanation but
Florence is present, they’ll recognize Florence. The guards
defend themselves but don’t attack, as they tell the party to
stay their weapons and call for their captain. The captain
steps out as mentioned above, and the party has a chance
to persuade her. If failing to do so or deciding against it,
the captain and her guards fight to incapacitate the party
but spare them their lives. The captain spares their lives in
any scenario where she knows they are here to free Rian.
If the retinue is attacked without explanation and
Florence isn’t present, they’ll assume bandits are attacking
and fight to the death to protect Rian. If Rian is freed and
sees the captain and the guards murdered, she’ll try to
hold together her emotions, as she lifts each of their bodies
into the coach and closes the door, after fetching the small
trunk. If asked, Rian explains she knew the captain and
her guards well, and this isn’t the way their lives should
have ended. Putting them in the coach is to keep the
animals away until they are found and buried.
Author’s Notes/Acknowledgments
Inspired by Romeo and Juliet, I wanted to write a piece
where the couple has the chance to live happily ever after.
With the help of a motley crew of adventurers, of course.
Author Bio
Paige Ford is a freelance tabletop gaming writer who
enjoys playing tabletop games, running games as a Game
Master, and adventures with her partner and Humphrey,
who is Napoleon reincarnated as a 14 lb dog.
101
 Post-Fight or Persuasion
Florence isn’t Present
Rian steps out of the carriage and looks around for Florence.
Not seeing her, she heads straight to the party and asks if
Florence sent them. With confirmation, Rian goes back to
the carriage and pulls out a small trunk. Hopping on one of
the guard’s ponies and attaching the trunk behind her, she
tells the party to hurry; Rian has a date to make. Continue to
“Back at A Trip Away Inn” if the party agrees to take Rian to
Florence at the tavern.
Florence is Present
Rian steps out of the carriage and scans for Florence. Finding
her, Rian visibly relaxes, and she pauses for a moment before
heading straight for Florence. A foot-and-a-half taller than
Florence’s three feet, Rian bends down and picks her up for a
long kiss. Entirely lost in themselves, the kiss goes on for longer
than expected. Crickets chirp, as anyone who is watching may
be wondering if they’re ever going to come up for air.
After their kiss, Rian turns to the party, still holding
Florence’s hand:
Rian: "We have a day before I was supposed to arrive at
my uncle’s but Florence…"
Florence: "When I’m not back by nightfall they’ ll find my
note. We need to leave as soon as possible."
If the carriage is still intact, they take the carriage and
literally ride into the sunset. Otherwise, there are ponies that
can be taken from the guards. Before they depart, they’ll thank
the party and give any rewards agreed upon ahead of time, as
well as the gold that was sent with Rian in the carriage.
From the carriage, Rian retrieves a small trunk, pulls out an
exquisite bottle of wine (200 gp), a coin purse with 500 gp,
and a brooch of shielding from it, and hands it to the party.
“The wine was meant for my uncle, this is the spending
money they sent with me, and the brooch, well, my mother
is overprotective. It’s a brooch of shielding; you might have
more use for it.”
Helping Florence into the carriage seat, Rian steps up but
turns back towards the party:
102 Chapter 3 | The Tales Florence Neverbee
"One day, the Neverbee Honey Co. and Scaldris Mining
Company will have a joint venture. You should stop by to
see us when it happens."
With a wink and a salute, Rian grabs the reins and, with
a flick of the wrist, Florence and Rian are off. Florence turns
back and waves until they’re out of sight. Continue to the
“Conclusion” section.
Back at A Trip Away Inn
Riding up to the A Trip Away Inn, Rian yells Florence’s
name. Bringing her pony to a halt, she hops down and heads
for the inn, but is met part way by Florence who has run
out the front door. Within a heartbeat, Florence is in Rian’s
arms and a kiss for the ages has begun. The initial ruckus has
brought many to the front windows of the inn, their noses
smushed against the glass.
After a few moments and questions, remarks from the Inn
cut across the silence:
Nix: "Can they breathe like that?”
Mia & Tia: [wolf whistles and hooting]
Arvad: [nose sighs, wistfully, fogging the glass]
Dreet: [Atop a Kobold pyramid] “That halfing lost
something in that dwarf ’s mouth. Clap to encourage
them!” The other kobolds start to clap, causing the
pyramid to crash.
Kobold 2: “Keep looking!”
Kobold 3: “It’s in there somewhere!”
Breaking apart, both flushed and out of breath, Florence
stares into Rian’s eyes for a moment before turning towards
the party:
“We have to leave, quickly. When I’m not at dinner, my
parents will check on me and find the note I left them.
Thank you. We owe you everything."
Rian goes to the small trunk and pulls out an exquisite
bottle of wine (200 gp), a coin purse with 500 gp, and
brooch of shielding from it and hands it to the party:
“The wine was meant for my uncle, this is the spending Florence Neverbee
Small Humanoid (Halfling), lawful good
money they sent with me, and the brooch, well, my mother
is overprotective. It’s a brooch of shielding; you might have Challenge 1/4 (50xp) | Initiative: +3 | Prof. Bonus: +2
more use for it.”
With that, Rian helps Florence onto a pony and mounts her armor class hit points speed
own. Florence turns towards the party: 15 9
30 ft.
breast plate (2d6 + 1)
“One day, our families will understand. Maybe we’ ll even
celebrate solstices together. We’ ll have to ban all honey and
str dex con int wis cha
mining talk, but at least we’ ll be together.”
11 (0) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 16 (+3)

With another wave, Florence and Rian snap their reins Saving Throws Dex +3, Cha +5
and are off. Riding into the sunset, anyone who is watching Skills Deception +5, Insight +4, Nature +5
sees Rian reach out and hold Florence’s hand as they ride off. Senses passive Perception 12
Languages Common, Halfling
Proficiency Bonus +2
Conclusion Actions
If Florence and Rian are successful in running off together, Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
they come back in a month, married. Their families target. Hit: 5 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage.
begrudgingly accept the couple, but it takes a few fiery
family functions till it settles down.
Per the Game Master’s discretion, Florence, Rian, the
Scaldris family, and the Neverbee family may be used as Scaldris Estate Gardener
connections later in the party’s adventures. Small Humanoid (Dwarf), any alignment
Rewards Challenge 1/8 (15xp) | Initiative: +0 | Prof. Bonus: +2
For helping the couple run off together, the party has the
potential of gaining: armor class hit points speed
• Up to 1,500 GP. 10 16
30 ft.
(2d10 + 4)
• A fire opal engagement ring (1,000 GP) .
• A large ruby and smaller gemstones (5,000 GP and
str dex con int wis cha
1,000 GP).
13 (+1) 11 (0) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 11 (0) 11 (0)
• A bottle of wine (200 GP).
• A brooch of shielding. Skills Nature +3
Senses passive Perception 10
Appendix A: Stat Blocks Languages Common, Dwarvish
Proficiency Bonus +2
The Captain. Uses the Knight stat block with the
following changes: In addition to Common, the Captain Actions
knows Dwarvish.
Golden Shears. Melee Weapon Attack +3 to hit, reach 5
Maritza Vapos. Uses the Commoner stat block.
ft., one creature. Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) slashing damage.
Rian Scaldris. Uses the Noble stat block.
Scaldris Estate Guards. Uses the Thug stat block with the
following changes: wears a breast plate instead of leather
armor bringing their AC to 14. In addition to Common, the
Scaldris Estate Guards know Dwarvish.

Chapter 3 | The Tales Florence Neverbee 103

104 Chapter 3 | The Tales Sinessio Bravo
S inessio Bravo (He/Him)
Written by: Michael Pisani
Adventure Level: 5 | Players: 4-6
Content Warnings: Alcoholism
Human • Thief
Cocksure, scheming, and prideful.
Sinessio has well-maintained grey hair spilling over his
shoulders and a tight Van Dyke beard, groomed excellently
against his wrinkled face.
A t the behest of a man claiming to be 50 years younger
than he appears and begging to be returned to his
natural age, adventurers must infiltrate a forgotten tower.
Filled with artifacts of the past and research long forgotten,
the only way to unravel its secrets is to find the cause of the
phenomena and end it. Time, however, is not a constant
in this place, and as such the rules we’re accustomed to no
longer apply.
Background
An elven wizard by the name of Aredali Luthyra (she/
her) erected the tower over two hundred and fifty years ago.
The location was kept secret from everyone but the dozen
or so dwarves she hired to build the tower. She used the
location as a testing facility and research laboratory for what
she considered to be potentially catastrophic spell effects.
Spending a decade there, she experimented with all manner
of spells and enchantments, inventing one or two spells of her
own, and altering several others. After several successes, she
decided to try her hand at time manipulation, something few
wizards ever dare, out of fear of upsetting the lawful order of
the natural world.
Unbeknownst to Aredali, her regular supplier of spell
components had filled an order of precious gemstones
with strikingly convincing imitations. This unforeseen
miscalculation caused her first attempt at time manipulation
to fail catastrophically, freezing her in stasis, and sending
out waves of time-altering energy, affecting the entire tower.
Luckily, Aredali had the forethought to create an anti-magic
shell around the outside of the tower, containing the effect
to the interior.
Sinessio was contacted by an old friend named Dumin
(he/him), a dwarf living near A Trip Away Inn. After recently
losing his father, Dumin uncovered records of a forgotten
wizard’s tower, potentially full of valuable artifacts, in the
region. After going over a purchase order Dumin found,
Sinessio was able to track down the location of the tower.
What he found inside changed him forever, or so he thinks.
He found his way in and easily disabled the magical locks
barring his entry, working his way through several rooms.
As time went on, he began to feel more and more exhausted,
until finally passed a mirror on the wall. Catching his own
reflection, he began to panic. It wasn’t until he ran outside
and began examining himself that he fully understood what
had happened: he had aged nearly half a century.
If the party questions Sinessio, he reveals his whole story
to the group and sends them to Dumin, to help find the
location of the tower. He begs the adventurers to find a way
to reverse what has happened to him. Within the tower the
players find the proper components to finish the spell and
end the stasis effect on Aredali, freeing her.
Tavern Behavior
Sinessio sits at the bar, drinking heavily. As soon as one
drink is finished, he orders another. Coin doesn’t seem to be
a problem for this man. He can be heard boasting about his
many exploits as a famous thief, and seems resentful of the
patrons for their inability to recognize him. His frustration
and despair seem almost desperate.
Hook
If Sinessio can get the attention of the adventurers he will
desperately beg them to enter the tower, to search for a way to
reverse his aging. He has more than enough coin to spare, and
may even be willing to part with his prized magical stiletto.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Sinessio Bravo 105
 Where Does the time Go?
The tavern is alive with the excited chatter of the patrons.
Drinks flow steadily from the bar, both delivered to the tables
and across the bar top. At the bar, Flip moves back and forth,
making quick conversation and taking drink orders, as Nix
quickly mixes up any cocktails requested. Servers move to the
tables and booths, delivering food and drink as glowing orbs
brighten and dim on tabletops. A Trip Away is alive tonight,
but one man’s sour mood sticks out like a sore thumb.
Sinessio Bravo
Seated at the bar is a shriveled old man. His well-maintained
gray hair spills over his shoulders and a tight Van Dyke beard
is groomed expertly against his wrinkled face. Suffocating
despair wafts off him like week-old dung, as he drowns his
sorrow in the tavern’s most expensive wine. He swills it like a
cheap whisky, swallowing almost the entire goblet in a single
gulp, and then desperately vies for Flip’s attention to order
another. If the adventurers take notice, Flip shoots them a
knowing glance and rolls his eyes at the exasperated cry of
“Don’t you know who I am?” escaping the old man’s tightly
stretched lips. Flip replies, “Yes, Mr. Bravo, of course I do,” as
they walk away.
Mr. Bravo wears skin-tight leather armor and a black cloak
with crimson trim draped over his shoulders. His belt holds
a beautifully crafted stiletto with a dragon head handle.
Strapped around each thigh is a holster containing three
throwing knives, and a hand crossbow hangs from his
belt, finely crafted out of ash and stained black. He wears
gauntlets of black steel, adorned with runic carvings, and a
blood-red jewel just above the palm. Mr. Bravo has the look
of a thief, and a successful one at that.
A successful DC 10 Intelligence (History) check allows
the adventurers to recall the name. Sinessio Bravo (he/him) is
a famed thief, known for his ability to infiltrate even the most
dangerously guarded locations with ease. He prides himself
on his ability to spend a day celebrating near his latest heist,
always slipping away before the local authority or mark can
apprehend him. His reputation precedes him wherever he
goes. Sinessio should be a man in his mid-thirties, but the
human sitting at the bar swilling drink after drink, drunkenly
proclaiming his fame, appears to be in his late eighties.
If left to his own devices, Sinessio continues trying to
bend the ear of any patron that gets close to him, frustrated
that no one will believe him, as he regales the bar with all
manner of tales of his most epic heists. Some feign interest,
some humor him, others shove the drunk aside and proceed
with their business.
106 Chapter 3 | The Tales Sinessio Bravo
Rumors about Sinessio
• He once infiltrated a baron’s armory, stole his armor, had
it altered and re-sold it to him for twice what he paid for it
to begin with.
• He was able to move two-thirds of a red dragon’s hoard
out from underneath her without waking her up, and left
an IOU written on a piece of parchment for the dragon to
find when she awoke.
• He once stole a king’s crown from the king while dancing
with his daughter at a solstice ball. (Some say he also stole
the princess’ heart).
• He sold a forged contract for his soul to a devil who, upon
signing, forfeited all of his properties and assets to one
Sinessio Bravo, and also included one free resurrection per
year henceforth in perpetuity, until the devil is smote or
ceases to exist on any plane of existence.
An Offer and a Plea
Sinessio is clearly inebriated when he is approached. He
slurs his words and desperation plays on his wrinkled face.
He has the look of a man who has lost everything. Noticing
the party and their armaments, he begins taking measure of
the group, considering their capabilities. Satisfied with what
he sees (he is desperate after all), he quickly begins trying
to garner their attention. If they approach, he offers to buy
them a drink and supper if they move to one of the booths to
hear his tale.
Sinessio slides into one of the booths in a corner and taps
the orb, igniting it to call over a server. If the party takes a
seat a server approaches, and Sinessio takes it upon himself
to make a food and drink order for the party without their
input. He seems to have more than enough coin. He makes
small talk until the server leaves with the orders, then
launches into his tale.
"I know that you all may have your apprehensions, but
I assure you: I am in fact Sinessio Bravo, the thief of
legend. I’m sure you’ve all heard of me, and if you haven’t
yet I assure you that you will. I came to town because I
received a tip from a friend I do business with, from time
to time. His father recently passed away and, while going
through his estate, he found something strange: records
and schematics for an extravagant tower, to be built in
the woods just outside of this tavern. The odd thing is
that no one, to his knowledge, ever mentioned this tower.
Deciding to see for himself, he ventured into the woods
and there it was, overtaken and wasting away. Naturally,
he immediately thought of me."

Sinessio imparts further information on the party if asked:
• He found the tower easily with the guidance of the work
order.
• The tower itself is mostly overgrown, covered in vines and
vegetation.
• The interior seemed like it hadn’t been disturbed, but was
clean and well cared for.
• The tower itself had a magical lock, which he disabled.
• The foyer was filled with beautiful elven art.
• As he moved from the first to the second floor, his body
began to ache.
• A mirror on the stairs revealed that he had somehow been
aged a number of years.
• He fled immediately, and went directly to the tavern,
where he has been here since.
Sinessio suggests that the dwarf who tipped him off about
the tower may have more information in his father’s records.
His name is Dumin Stonehammer, and he lives in a hovel
just a mile or so from the tavern. He warns them that Dumin
will more than likely need to be “inspired” to give up such
valuable information, and suggests that a cask of the tavern’s
finest ale might help grease the wheels.
He begs the group to help him, offering up 500 gp each
now, with another 500 gp each if they can return him to his
real age. If that isn’t enough, he can be persuaded to give up
his prized stiletto, Doomguard (see Appendix A: Magic Items).
He needs them to find a way to reverse what he hopes is an
enchantment affecting him.
Characters with a Passive Perception of 16 or higher
notice a table near their booth containing a group of 5 gruff
and hardened mercenaries. This is Arri (she/her) and the
Black Wake Company, listening in on their conversation
with Sinessio.
A Fine Ale and A Stout Dwarf
Roleplaying Dumin Stonehammer: Dumin is a gruff
dwarf. At one point Dumin was an optimist, with lofty
aspirations of following in his father’s architectural
footsteps. Those dreams have since faded, as he has
resigned himself to the fact that he just doesn’t have the
eye for design that his father had. These days, Dumin
commands a small company of dwarven craftsmen, and
works mostly on building small hovels and workshops for
nearby townsfolk and farmers. His despair has also led to
a bit of a drinking problem. He doesn’t seem to be able to
get through a day without having a few drinks anymore.
Dumin Stonehammer lives near the forest in a single-storey
stone building, with shuttered windows and a strong oak
door, carved with dwarven runes. Just to the east of his
home is a small workshop with small windows, through
which a red-bearded male dwarf with a mohawk can be
seen, planing a piece of a felled cherrywood tree.
Dumin is a proud dwarf, who is doing the best he can
under his current circumstances. He’s been handling his
father’s estate while trying to maintain his business. He’s doing
everything he can to avoid having to work in the Scaldris
mines. As the party enters the workshop, he lays down a pencil
next to a set of plans he’s been working on. His drafting table
is immaculate, and the plans seem to be of a small home. He
looks up and, upon noticing the party, invites them in.
He greets the party with a quick, “what can I do for ya?”
before crossing his muscular arms over his barrel chest. He
declares it is time for his mid-morning ale anyway, and pours
a mug from his in-workshop cask. If the party is interested,
he pours them ale as well.
Dumin has the records for the tower in the workshop, but
he holds out for some form of payment. Dumin will give up
the work order for no less than 1,000 gp or a fine cask of ale.
However, if it is the ale that is used to bribe him, he insists
they participate in a drinking contest (see drinking contest
rules in Pub Games section) before any business commences.
It is time for afternoon drinks, after all.
107

The work order has the cost laid out for an eight-month
tower build. It details the dimensions of each room, and
there are sketches for the tower’s exterior and floor plan.
There are notes written in Common scribbled in the margins.
A successful DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) check
reveals one interesting detail: there seems to have been an
extra charge for some type of dwarven runic ornamentation.
There is a crude sketch of the runes to be used, as well as
their location.
A successful DC 13 Intelligence (Arcana) check on the
runes reveals that they are one component of a containment
spell. The way they are set out on the diagram suggests that
they would contain all magical effects within the walls of
the tower, all the way to the top.
Development
After he hands them the work order, Dumin notices a small
group of humans approaching the workshop. Characters with
a Passive Perception of 14 or higher notice the group as well.
He looks at the party, and takes a long draw from his mug
(even if he just woke up) before asking, “ friends of yours?” He
then quickly begins refilling his flagon.
Having overheard the conversation at the tavern, a group
of mercenaries decides to come investigate for themselves.
They are the Black Wake Company, a local mercenary
organization, who are residing predominantly in an outpost
hidden in the mountains outside of town.
108
An Unexpected Visit
A woman in her fortie’s, steps forward. Her face bears the
scars of many a hard-fought battle, her calloused hands
tighten until her knuckles whiten around her weathered
battleaxe. This woman is no stranger to conflict; she
embraces it.
The woman, Arri (she/her), stands poised for battle but entreats
the party. She knows that every battle could mean her life;
better to avoid conflict altogether if possible. She attempts to
intimidate the group into giving up the location of the tower:
“We overheard ya talkin’ at the tavern. We’ve come to
unburden you. We’ ll be havin’ the location of that tower
now, and you can go home in one piece.”
• Arri does not jump to fight. She’s open to negotiation,
but ultimately wants either the location of the tower or
something equivalent to the treasures she believes can be
found there.
• Arri’s mercenaries are ready to fight, but not die, for a lead
that may or may not pan out.
• If any mercenaries escape, they warn the rest of the Black
Wake Company of what transpired.
• If no mercenaries escape, the Black Wake eventually
investigates what happened and question Dumin, learning
the location of the tower.
There are five of them in total: all human, all well armed.
Arri, 3 spies, and 2 bandit captains. They do not attack
immediately, but aren’t afraid to make a show of force.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Sinessio Bravo 109
 The Tower in the Forest
Using Dumin’s work order makes the tower easy to find.
Following the directions that have been laid out leads to an
overgrown path into the forest. Eventually, a monolithic form
reveals itself to the party.
The tower has been swallowed by the forest in the years it’s
been left vacant, but the intricate beauty of the dwarven
design stands defiantly against the vines trying to penetrate
the well-crafted exterior. This is a strong stone, dwarven
stone, shaped to perfection by the hands of a master
craftsman. The tower itself is constructed of a polished gray
marble, muted by the grime of hundreds of years, snaking
to its peak 40 feet above, culminating in what appears to be
a clear crystal pyramid.
Off the back of the tower is a wooden structure with two
large doors facing the north. These doors appear to be large
enough to pull a horse-drawn cart through. They are sturdy
oak, and have stood the test of the elements. The runes
ornamenting the tower are carved into the oaken structure.
Outside the Entrance 1
The door to the tower has been left wide open. The recent
rain has caused the ground to soften to a muddy mess. The
interior of the doorway gives a glimpse of an immaculately
kept foyer, illuminated by lanterns containing a soft, rapidly
flickering orange flame.
A successful DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check reveals the
apparent tracks of an owlbear cub. The Survival check also
reveals muddy footprints making their way into the tower
and vanishing just inside.
Hobbling just along the tree line is Gronmar (he/him),
wicker basket in hand. He is an old druid, with one long
white braid hanging from his head, and ancient rags draped
over his large frame. He has bloodshot eyes and smells of
fresh pine. He notices the party and, while picking various
plants from the ground, mutters a word of warning:
“Wouldn’t go in there if I were you. Very, very dangerous
if you aren’t properly prepared."
Gronmar can impart some information to the party:
• Time passes differently inside the tower.
• He suspects some sort of accident led to the phenomenon
inside.
110 Chapter 3 | The Tales Sinessio Bravo
• He’s known of the tower for some time, and has briefly
investigated the magical effects.
• Feeling it might come in handy, he’s created several
talismans (Talisman of the Steadfast Root, see Appendix
A: Magic Items) capable of suppressing the time-altering
effects of the interior.
• He warns that the trinkets are quite fragile, and that
anyone wearing a talisman should take care not to allow it
to be broken.
• In exchange for the help, Gronmar expects that his future
drinks will be taken care of, when the party sees him in
the tavern.
Foyer 2
Any hero that is not anchored will begin to rapidly age.
The effect is most concentrated in this room, aging anyone
staying here 1 year for every 1 minute they spend within it.
The duration for all spells becomes instantaneous
in this room: the spell happens so rapidly it is almost
imperceptible. Creatures in this room who are not anchored
will not even be able to see anchored creatures,as they
will appear and leave the room too quickly. If unanchored
creatures look out the door, they see the sun rapidly rising
and setting, creating a flickering effect.
The foyer is beautiful. The smooth marble of the walls is
festooned with paintings and tapestries. The artwork is elvish
in nature, and the tapestries depict a sprawling landscape
of a keep, built into the side of a snowy mountain peak.
The paintings seem to be of various female elves, all bearing
enough similarities to possibly be part of the same lineage.
A staircase made of carved ash wood leads up (6),
following the curvature of the room to the next floor. The
handrail is carved to resemble a small log covered in vines.
Every few seconds a streak of something flies by, sweeping
up any debris on the floor.
A finely upholstered couch, with ornamentally carved
armrests and wooden frame, sits underneath the tapestry.
The two end tables feature long pewter dragon necks
growing out of the table surfaces, lanterns clutched between
their teeth. One is painted bronze and one gold. The
lanterns contain a swiftly flickering continual flame.
Moving too fast for the party to see, an enchanted broom
continually sweeps dust, keeping the room clean. It avoids
touching the heroes, but they can feel it fly past them if they
are anchored.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Sinessio Bravo 111
 Kitchen 3 Storeroom 5

All spell durations are halved in this room. Any creature not All spell durations are halved in this room. Any creature not
anchored takes actions as if they have been affected by the anchored takes actions as if they have been affected by the
haste spell and gains an additional reaction. haste spell and gains an additional reaction.

The kitchen is a mess: pots and pans have been knocked
off the stone counters and litter the floor. The stove has
an overturned pot on it, with the wooden spit smashed to
pieces. The door to the west is splintered open and cold air
whistles through, calling attention to the soft blue glow
spilling through the doorway. From a door to the south, a
broom and dustpan almost materialize from nowhere and
begin very quickly sweeping up the mess.
Cold Storage 4
All spell durations are halved in this room. Any creature not
anchored takes actions as if they have been affected by the
haste spell and gains an additional reaction.
Shelves line the walls of this storeroom with all manner
of spell components. Any plants have long since rotted
away, but bones and preserved jars still sit on the shelves.
Some of the shelves have collapsed under the weight of the
components on the aged wood.
A successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check
reveals a small 1 foot lockbox, with a padlock holding
it shut. The key can be found in area 8. The lock can be
picked with a successful DC 18 Thieves’ Tools check.
The box contains: 2 moonstones worth 50gp each, 4 citrines
worth 50gp each, a pearl worth 500gp, and 3 diamonds.
Only one of the diamonds is real and worth 1000 gp. The
other two are made of glass and essentially valueless.
The true diamond can be identified with a successful DC
17 Intelligence (Investigation) check.

The temperature in this room is cold enough to preserve

meat. The runic enchantments on the walls emit a cold blue
glow and cool air flows off of them. Shelves line the walls
here with dusty remnants of oats and grains. Remnants of
disintegrated meat that rotted away centuries ago hangs
from dulled hooks.

Digging through a disintegrating burlap sack in the corner

of the room is a full-grown and starving owlbear. Confused,
scared and hungry, it attacks the party as soon as it notices
them. The owlbear acts as if it’s had haste cast on it.

112 Chapter 3 | The Tales Sinessio Bravo


Dining Room 6
Time passes slowly in this room. All spell durations are
doubled. Any creature not anchored here takes an action
only on even-numbered rounds and loses their reaction.
The dining chamber contains an 30 by 5 foot table
surrounded by four chairs. The chairs are intricately carved
with lion heads on the armrests. Fine silver and expensive
china are set out for four people in front of the chairs. The
linen napkins bear a crest: a white lotus over a seven-pointed
gold star. The broom, upon entering this room, slows and
begins sweeping. Feather dusters float, almost as if in slow
motion, tending to the table, chairs and shelves.
The silver and china on the tables and in the cabinets are
worth 300 gp.
Bedroom 7
Time passes slowly in this room. All spell
durations are doubled. Any creature
not anchored here takes an action
only on even-numbered rounds and
loses their reaction.
The bedroom is immaculate.
The large four-poster bed takes
up the center of the room.
Each post corkscrews up into a
spindly peak. A bookshelf lines
the south wall, following the
curvature of the tower. A set of
stairs, with familiar vine-covered
handrails on the east wall, leads up
to the workshop (8). A nightstand
sits next to the southern edge of the
headboard with a copper dragon lantern
illuminaing the room, its light flickering in
slow motion. A copy of The Deliciously Dark
Dwarf by Magnus Victorian Albreight Erikson
III lays next to the bed.
The drawer is protected by a 6th-level glyph of warding
set to explode if the drawer is opened. The glyph deals 40
(8d8) fire damage in a 15 foot radius sphere. It requires a
successful DC 18 Intelligence (Investigation) check to
find the rune, or a detect magic spell. Because time is slowed
here, if the rune is triggered, a wave of flame explodes out in
slow motion, the radius expanding 10 feet per round, until
it reaches a 30 foot radius. A character must succeed on a
DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take 8d8 fire damage,
or no damage on a successful save.
Inside of the nightstand is Aredali’s Spellbook (see
Appendix A: Items). The spellbook contains a description
for several spells Aredali is currently working on,. The most
notable spell is inscribed just under time stop and is titled
time reverse. Next to the book is a small gold ring with a
strange sapphire jewel. It is a Ring of Telekinetic Bond
(see Appendix A: Items).
Chapter 3 | The Tales Sinessio Bravo 113
 Development
When the party reaches the workshop (8),
Arri and 2 Spies, members of the Black
Wake company find their way to the tower (If
the party killed Arri then the group is led by
a Black Wake Champion). They enter the
first room and age 10 years as they make
their way to the second floor. They start to
quickly make their way through the second
floor and towards the workshop. Confused
and angry, they start looking for the party
and an explanation. Any characters with a
Passive Perception of 13 or higher will hear
the group approaching. Otherwise they will
surprise the party in the workshop.

Workshop 8

Time passes slowly in this room. All spell durations are

doubled. Any creature not anchored here takes an action
only on even-numbered rounds and loses their reaction.
The workshop is filled with beakers and bottles, although
some of the liquids have long since turned to sludge. Along
the southern wall is a large curved desk, laden with many
papers and books. In the center of the desk is an open journal
containing several entries. There is a large bookshelf taking
up almost the whole eastern wall, curving with the tower.
The workshop is filled with measuring tools, scales, sand
timers, and mechanisms completely foreign to the party.
(8C)
A successful DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation) check
allows the party to find 3 potions of greater healing in a desk
drawer, next to a small key. (This key opens the lockbox in 5.)
(8B)
In the center of the room is a small lever that, when pulled,
will levitate anyone standing within the 10 by 10 foot cube
to a matching lever on the next floor.
(8A)
Aredali’s Journal
They all told me it couldn’t be done. The forces of law
would never allow it. They scoffed at me, and said that I
had allowed my aspirations to overtake my judgement. I
was beginning to believe them, but my research has proven
fruitful. Time, you see, is like a stream: it is compelled to
travel in one direction, the path of least resistance. With
the right incantation, we’ve learned that the flow can
be momentarily frozen. I believe that, with the proper
understanding, it can also be reversed.
I’ve nearly completed work on the incantation. Many
years of study have led me to this point. Magic of this
type is seldom experimented with, but I believe all my
calculations are correct. If my components are pure, I
should be able to reverse time up to six seconds. Enough
time to undo a single mistake.
I’ve placed an order for the components I need. I’m so close
now I can hardly contain my excitement. A spell like this
will make me one of the most famous wizards in all the
realm, I’m sure of it.
The shipment of components arrived today. Everything
appears to be in order, as far as I can tell. The only thing
that gives me caution is that diamond. It doesn’t seem to
have the clarity I’m accustomed to. No matter though,
I’m too close now to wait any longer. I will attempt to cast
the spell in the test chamber tonight. I’m on the cusp of a
discovery that will make Aredali Luthyra a household name.

114 Chapter 3 | The Tales Sinessio Bravo

Chapter 3 | The Tales Sinessio Bravo 115

Test Chamber 9
Time passes slowly in this room. All spell durations are
doubled. Any creature not anchored here takes an action
only on even-numbered rounds and loses their reaction.
As you’re is levitated up into the test chamber, you phase
through the floor, revealing a young female elf, hovering
in the middle of the room and radiating magical energy
in waves. The room is a hexagonal chamber constructed
of clear quartz. The containment runes are drawn up each
vertical of the hexagon. The crystal pyramids to a pointed
peak. The magical energy radiates out, hits the crystal walls,
and ricochets down into the keep through the floor.
On the floor of the test chamber is a half-burned-away
piece of glass, cut in the shape of a diamond. It lies just
under the feet of the levitating elf, who is holding an
hourglass, frozen in time.
116 Chapter 3 | The Tales Sinessio Bravo
Aredali, although frozen, has maintained her
awareness. She has been trying desperately
over the last two hundred years to reason a
way out of her predicament. She spends
most of her time in an elven trance
to maintain her sanity, however the
breach of the tower by Sinessio caught
her attention. Since then she’s been
actively listening for more interlopers.
Although she cannot communicate
directly with the party, any form of
telepathic communication will be successful.
If contacted, Aredali will immediately and
emphatically exclaim that she knows how to
end the stasis and stop the out-of-control spell.
She imparts several pieces of information as quickly
as she can:
• The spell went haywire because she was sold a fake
diamond. The incorrect spell component trapped her, and
started sending waves of time-altering energy out through
the tower.
• The tower’s anti-magic enchantments have kept the spell
contained within the walls of the tower.
• The storeroom contains a lockbox in the southwest corner,
holding several precious gems including the diamond
needed to complete the incantation.
• The key to the lockbox can be found in the drawer of her
desk inside the workshop (8).
• Her spellbook, containing the components needed and
the incantation, can be found in her bedroom (7) inside
of her nightstand. The drawer is protected by a glyph
of warding, and she tells them the words needed to
deactivate the rune: 'Averte debilito'.
Aredali can be freed if the party finds the diamond in the
lockbox, or supplies their own, completing the ritual. If
they attempt the ritual using a fake diamond, the character
attempting the ritual also becomes frozen in time until the
spell is completed properly. A non-spellcaster can attempt
the ritual if they are proficient in Arcana and succeed on a
DC 16 Intelligence (Arcana) check. Otherwise the spell
fails, and they are immediately aged by five years.
If the players have not determined the true diamond, and
are just guessing by using one of the three, they have a 33%
chance of choosing correctly.
What Used to Be
As the spell explodes out through the group, time seems
to reverse for six seconds. There is a pause and then a
blinding flash of violet light. Magical energy explodes out
through the tower, before falling silent. The hourglass hits
the ground, shatters, and sprays sand everywhere. Aredali
collapses to the ground in a heap of robes and rests there for
a moment, before slowly regaining consciousness. She looks
up, tears streaming down her face. She takes a moment
before addressing the party:
“I have been trapped in that state for almost two hundred
years. I had almost completely given up hope until I heard
that man enter my tower. Who do I have to thank for this?”
Aredali is happy to help Sinessio, urging the group to
follow her into her workshop. She begins pulling books off of
her shelves and throwing them on her desk.
• She says she needs to recover before she can cure Sinessio.
• She is happy to explain what the purpose of the tower was
and why she built it.
• She insists that the spell is too dangerous and must be
destroyed. She asks the party if they have a copy of the
spell, before ripping the page from her spellbook and
uttering a spell, setting the paper ablaze.
• She hopes to rejoin the community and mentions the
dwarf that helped build her tower.
• If the party tells her about Dumin she insists on meeting
him. She has some repairs she’d like to hire him to complete.
• She wants to meet Sinessio immediately.
• Consider allowing Aredali to notice differences that have
passed in the history of your campaign setting over the
200 years she was trapped.
Aredali accompanies the group to the tavern if they are
headed that way. She introduces herself to Sinessio straight
away, offering her thanks. She is not sure she can restore him
to his original age, but she vows to try. She even offers to
allow him to stay in her tower while she works to reverse the
spell. She also buys a round for the entire bar and, as Sinessio
eyes her full coin purse, a wry smile plays across his face.
True to his word, Sinessio offers his payment to the party
before beginning to explain to Aredali how famous he is.
Aredali and Sinessio will continue to frequent A Trip Away
Inn and, from this moment forward, can often be found in a
corner booth sharing a romantic candlelit meal.
Rewards
• Sinessio’s 1,000 gp payment. Half before and half after.
• Sinessio’s dagger, Doomguard.
Appendix A: Magic Items
Talisman of the
Steadfast Root
Amulet, rare
While wearing this amulet the bearer is immune to all
time altering effects including, but not limited to, time
stop and time reverse. A creature wearing this talisman is
considered anchored.
The talisman is quite fragile. If at any time the bearer is
knocked prone, falls, or takes any force, or bludgeoning
damage, they must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving
throw. On a failure the amulet takes 1d4 points of damage.
The amulet has 6 hp before it is shattered and destroyed.
Aredali’s Spellbook
Level 7. forcecage, reverse gravity, teleport
Level 8. antimagic field, maze, control weather
Level 9. time stop, time reverse
Time Reverse
(9th level Conjuration)
Casting Time: Reaction
Range: 60 ft.
Components: V (retrorsum converti), M (A diamond
worth 1,000 gp, a pinch of sand)
Duration: Instantaneous
Class: Wizard
Reciting this spell will turn back time exactly six seconds,
enough time to correct a single mistake. It can be used
to allow yourself or an ally to succeed on a saving throw,
ability check, attack, or action that has just failed, or
to attempt that action in a different way even if it has
already passed.
The diamond is consumed upon completion of the spell.
You may be able to achieve something outside the text of the
spell. State your intention to your GM, to interpret your
intention as they see fit.
Ring of Telepathic Bond
Ring, very rare (requires attunement)
This ring has 4 charges and regains 1d4 charges at dawn.
If the ring reaches 0 charges it crumbles to dust and is
destroyed. While wearing this ring, you can expend one
charge to cast the telepathic bond spell as a bonus action.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Sinessio Bravo 117
 Magic Items (Continued)
Doomguard
Weapon (dagger), rare
You gain a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with
this magic weapon.
This dagger has 3 charges and regains 1d4 - 1 charges at
dawn. You can expend a charge and use your reaction to
cast the shield spell while holding this dagger.

Appendix B: Stat Blocks

Arri (Black Wake Company) Black Wake Champion

Medium Humanoid (Human), neutral Medium Humanoid (Orc), neutral evil

Challenge 3 (700 XP) | Initiative: +2 | Prof. Bonus: +2 Challenge 4 (1,100 XP) | Initiative: +1 | Prof. Bonus: +3

armor class hit points speed armor class hit points speed
13 36 30 ft. 16 68 30 ft.
(hide armor) (4d8 + 18) (chain mail) (8d8 + 32)

str dex con int wis cha str dex con int wis cha
16 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 9 (-1) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 10 (0) 10 (0) 16 (+3)

Saving Throws Dex +6
Skills Intimidation +4, Perception +4
Senses passive Perception 14
Languages Common
Actions
Multiattack. Arri attacks twice with her longsword.
Longsword (Poisoned Blade). Melee Weapon Versatile
Attack: +5 to hit, Reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3)
slashing damage and 3 (1d6) poison damage.
Reactions
Compelled Duel. (3/day) As a bonus action one creature
Arri can see within 20 ft. must succeed on a DC 14
Wisdom saving throw. On a failure the target must attack
Arri on their next turn.
Mobile. Arri can use her bonus action to disengage.
Saving Throws Str +6, Con +6, Wis +2
Skills Intimidation +5
Senses darkvision 60 ft.
Languages Common, Orc
Brave. The Black Wake Champion has advantage on
saving throws against being frightened.
Actions
Multiattack. The Black Wake Champion makes two
attacks with its greataxe.
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 10 (1d12 + 4) slashing damage.
Reactions
Parry. The Black Wake Champion adds 3 to its AC against
one melee attack that would hit it. To do so, the Black
Wake Champion must see the attacker and be wielding a
melee weapon.
Relentless. (1/day) If the Black Wake Champion takes
16 damage or less that would reduce it to 0 hit points, it is
reduced to 1 hit point instead.

118 Chapter 3 | The Tales Sinessio Bravo

 Sinessio Bravo Actions
Medium Humanoid (Human), lawful neutral Multiattack. Sinessio makes two attacks with his rapier
and one with Doomguard.
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) | Initiative: +4 | Prof. Bonus: +3
Doomguard. Melee Weapon Attack +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
armor class hit points speed one target. Hit: 8 (1d4 + 6) magical piercing damage.
16 52 30 ft. Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
(studded leather) (8d8 + 16) target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range
str dex con int wis cha
80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
11 (0) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 14 (+2)
Bonus Actions
Saving Throws Dex +7, Int +4, Cha +5
Cunning Action. Sinessio can take the Dash, Disengage,
Skills Acrobatics +7, Athletics +3, Perception +3, Sleight
or Hide action.
of Hand +7, Stealth +7
Dagger Flourish. Sinessio chooses one creature within 5 ft.
Senses passive Perception 16
That creature must succeed on a DC 16 Charisma saving
Languages Common, Druidic, Dwarvish, Elvish, Sylvan, throw. On a failed saving throw, all attacks Sinessio makes
Thieves' Cant against that target are made at advantage until the start of
Proficiency Bonus +3 his next turn.
Evasion. If Sinessio is subjected to an effect that allows
him to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half Reactions
damage, Sinessio instead takes no damage if he succeeds on Uncanny Dodge. Sinessio halves the damage that he
the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails. takes from an attack that hits him. He must be able to see
Sneak Attack (1/round). Sinessio deals an extra 14 (4d6) the attacker.
damage when he hits a target with a weapon attack and has Doomguard. Sinessio can expend one of his dagger's 3
advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 charges to cast the shield spell as a reaction. He gains a +5
feet of an ally that isn’t incapacitated, and Sinessio doesn’t bonus to AC until the start of his next turn.
have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Author Bio
Mike was instilled with a spirit for storytelling at a young age by his father. Tales of the codfish monster guarding the small creek
next to his house, or how his father fought off Dracula at the base of Vlad Tepes’ castle were par for the course in his home. A family
vacation turned treasure hunt, complete with a map in a bottle, swords, and a bountiful treasure chest buried in the sand behind
their vacation rental, orchestrated by his family, solidified an unending thirst for fantastical adventure. This coupled with a family
eager to encourage creativity and exploration were the perfect primers for his interest in tabletop gaming and roleplaying games.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Sinessio Bravo 119
120 Chapter 3 | The Tales The Arbiters
S alora Yunderbo (She/Her)
Written by: Colin Heffernan
Adventure Level: 5 | Players: 3-5
Content Warnings: Deception, Murder, Slavery, Suicide, Alcoholism
Gnome • Ex-Arbiter
Slightly charming and fiercely independent.
Tidy but with a look of adventure about her, Salora has long
black dreadlocked hair, with plenty of jewelry and a fierce
disposition.
T he Arbiters, a well-respected guild of freelance assassins,
have operated in the shadows for quite some time,
unmolested. The party is thrust into the middle of the
Arbiters’ operations when Salora, a gnomish patron of A
Trip Away Inn, suddenly drops dead, and a group of hooded
patrons suspiciously leave the tavern.
Background
The Arbiters are a lawful neutral organization that attempts
to keep the order of the land. The general populace approves
of the presence of the Arbiters, seeing the organization as
vigilantes attempting to keep the peace. The higher members
of society pretend the Arbiters do not exist, until they are
either a problem or the solution.
They wear uniforms with different colored cloaks
indicating rank, each embroidered with a lily of the valley
on the hood. The lily of the valley is a beautiful but fatal
flower that grows within the region, and is a key ingredient
in their signature poison, the Mark of the Arbiter. Anyone
can bring a potential contract to the Arbiters, in hopes that
they will kill, threaten, or otherwise convince the target to
stop whatever wrongdoing is occurring. The targets known as
marks, go through a process of assessment through the ranks
of the guild, to determine if the mark is worth their time
and, more importantly, is guilty of the accused crime. Each
Arbiter carries an Arbiters’ Bible, a guide used to identify
appropriate targets and keep a ledger of previous marks.
Rillian “Runt” Nassari (she/her), a middle-aged half-
orc, is known for being slow to trust but open minded.
Runt, an exile of her tribe, chose to embrace the childhood
nickname given by her orc father, Kengu Hrusk. The
Arbiters found Runt years ago, fleeing her village after being
accused of killing Kengu. The Arbiters ruled the killing just,
after discovering that her father was a known slave trader.
Subsequently, the Arbiters offered Runt a home. She quickly
excelled within the ranks of the Arbiters, and attained the
rank of Crimson Cloak.
Salora Yunderbo (she/her) was once a Green Cloak
Arbiter. During her initiation, her master, Runt, deemed
Salora unfit to join the ranks of the Slate Cloaks. Had
Runt been given the opportunity, she would have explained
that Salora’s lack of patience is what led to the decision
to delay her advancement. Salora immediately flew into
a rage and erupted in a verbal tirade, damning Runt and
the organization. She vowed to enact revenge upon Runt
for ruining her life. Several months later, Salora has been
spending her days drinking at A Trip Away Inn.
For the last two months, a criminal organization led by
former Crimson Cloak Cillian Clíodhna (he/him). has
been operating in the vicinity of A Trip Away Inn. Cillian
was stripped of his rank and thrown out of the guild, after a
series of his cases were revealed to have been a front for his
own enrichment. He had been orchestrating contracts and
passing judgement on innocents, later emptying their coffers.
Since his expulsion and subsequent disappearance, he’s begun
manufacturing copies of the “Calming Cantor and “Mark of
the Arbiter” poisons (see Appendix B: The Arbiters) , each of
which leaves distinct marks under the eyes of the deceased.
To negatively shift the public opinion of the Arbiters, Cillian
has been hiring cheap mercenaries to kill using these poisons,
purposefully leaving poisoned bodies of innocent people
throughout the area, where they can be easily found. Cillian’s
spies have revealed to him that Runt has been tasked with the
duty of locating where the poisons are being produced.
Most recently, the Arbiters have assigned Runt to the task
of discovering who is behind the recent killings, as well as
where they are getting their poison, and then eliminating
the problem.
Tavern Behavior
Salora is always good for a story, and as such is often
surrounded by other intoxicated patrons. She will refill a
drink as soon as she finishes one, and moves on to the next
tale quickly. She is quick to anger if any of her tall tales are
called into question, and will snap back, sometimes violently,
if challenged on her beliefs or accolades.
Chapter 3 | The Tales The Arbiters 121
 Hook
After the party settles in, their attention is drawn to the
center of the dining area where a disheveled, energetic and
raucous gnome, by the name of Salora, prepares to make a
boisterous toast. She is heavily intoxicated and seems to want
to get something off her chest, inhibitions be damned.
What of the Arbiters?
Flip is feverishly tending the bar on a crowded night. Figures
of all shapes and sizes, clad in adventuring gear, converge
upon the inn for respite and revelry. Patrons of the inn are
celebrating, mourning, plotting, and enjoying everything
the colorful tavern has to offer. Nix is flying about the room,
mixing drinks and tossing them carelessly on the ground
near his recipients. Just as the swirling cocktails are headed
for disaster, the cups right themselves at the last second,
followed by a cheer from the recipient’s table.
Runt sits at a table with four other characters wearing
cloaks identical to hers in cut, but colored brown. Several
patrons glance nervously in Runt’s direction and, despite the
tavern being busy, no patron sits near her. Runt seems to be
more interested in a small book set in front of her than her
drink or compatriots.
Salora recognized Runt the moment she stepped in the
Tavern. Already drunk and angry, she is thrown off kilter by
her former master’s presence. She decides in that moment to
enact her revenge on Runt, taking the vial of Mark of the
Arbiter that she kept from her time in the guild. She quietly
empties the vial into her own drink before making her toast,
knowing full well that, if she dies tonight by the Arbiter’s
signature poison, Runt will surely be blamed and she’ll finally
have her revenge.
Amidst the din, Salora stands on a chair clutching the
massive arm of a half-orc above her head. With her long
black dreadlocks spilling from her shoulders and tinkling
with jewelry, a falchion at her hip, and a mug sloshing in
her hand, Salora begins to preach:
“Attention all scoundrels, criminals, and ill-willers in
here, consider yourself warned, because I’ d like to make a
toast to the Arbiters and the best boss I’ve ever had!”
122 Chapter 3 | The Tales The Arbiters
Runt performatively throws up a glass as Salora passes, and
clinks her mug against Salora’s. As beer slops over the mugs,
Salora continues ranting and raving about the might of the
Arbiters and how they are the champions of the realm.
She approaches you, offering up her mug for a cheers,
then grabs a chair, and sits down.
She begins drunkenly rambling, confiding in the party
that she believes her life is in danger. She launches into a
story of her contempt for the Arbiters, her unjust expulsion,
and continues to drunkenly ramble about the following
information:
• She was bothered by the moral ambiguity of the Arbiters’
killings.
• She believes, ultimately, that they only operate for money.
• She mentions that a local family was recently slain by the
Arbiters.
• The Arbiters’ poisons leave marks around the victims’ eyes
as evidence of their involvement.
• She used to be an apprentice of a Arbiter named Runt, and
trained to be a Arbiter herself.
• Runt stripped her of her chance to become an Arbiter and
threw her out on the streets.
• She hopes one day to get revenge on her former master for
ruining her life.
Salora’s Plight
As Salora speaks to the party, she grows more and more
pale and sickly. Succeeding on an DC 16 Intelligence
(Medicine) check allows a character to realize the clear signs
of poisoning. Eventually, during the conversation or after
leaving the party’s table, Salora begins to act wildly, drawing
her sword and swinging it deftly at an unseen foe. Slurring
her words far more than her drunken state would cause, she
suddenly slumps over, falling to the ground. Most patrons
pay no attention, thinking she’s merely passed out drunk
again, until either the party or Flip checks the body and
declares that Salora is, in fact, dead.
Petals in the Wind
This causes the tavern to erupt, with patrons drunkenly
debating whether this is murder. Could the Arbiters have
something to do with this? During the commotion, Runt
and her apprentices try to slip out. Succeeding on DC 14
Wisdom (Perception) check or any passive Perception of
14 or higher will notice the group exiting the tavern.

Sirni the boisterous, high-pitched battleaxe, screeches from
above the bar, “WHAAAAAAAAAM, just like that, justice
has been served!” as Flip is rapidly escorting Mia and Tia to
help with the body, as well as offering everyone a free round.
Flip gazes up at the party and tells them they’ll take the body
back to their meeting room, for now. If they need to examine
the body, Flip will keep her there until arrangements can be
made. Flip isn’t sure who is responsible, but their money is
the Arbiters that were here tonight, pointing over to the now
empty table.
If the party chooses to gather information from around
the tavern, some patrons can be convinced to give up the
following information:
• According to Salora’s drunken ramblings, the group of
hooded figures that had been seated at the corner table
were a group of Arbiters, including Runt, Salora’s former
master.
• The hooded figures were seen making their way down the
main road away from the tavern.
• Salora seemed bothered by the hooded group in the
corner. She could not keep her eyes off them from the
moment they entered the tavern.
• The Arbiters aren’t to be crossed, and can be an incredibly
dangerous organization with a strong political sway.
• A family was found dead near the tavern recently with odd
markings around their eyes.
• Other instances of poisoning have been rumored around A
Trip Away Inn in the last few months.
• Passing a DC 16 Intelligence (Investigation) check
locates an empty vial under a table in the corner, with a
small amount of a clear liquid still left in it. (Strychnine
can confirm that the remaining liquid is in fact Mark of
the Arbiter)
If the party examines Salora’s body they can determine the
following information.
• Salora has strange discoloration around her eyes.
• In Salora’s belongings there is a green cloak, like the cloaks
the group with Runt were wearing, with one difference:
the hood is torn off.
The Rundown
Runt and her group are easy to track; they seem to have made
no effort to hide their travel. If the party follows the tracks
left by the Arbiters, they eventually approach a small loading
ramp beside the river. Runt and her four apprentices are near
the ramp, readying a river barge.
If the party goes undetected and uninterrupted, Runt
continues with her mission, launching the barge out onto the
river and heading downstream.
If approached, Runt and her apprentices do not fight the
party. Runt attempts to explain that she had nothing to do
with Salora’s death, the sadness for her fallen pupil apparent
on her face. The party can easily see two vials around her
neck, a clear vial (mark of the arbiter) and a jet-black vial
(calming cantor). She’s willing to talk to the party, and will
offer up the following information:
• Runt and her accomplices were dispatched to the area to
find out why people both dead and alive, were turning up
bearing a similar bruising under the eyes to the mark of
the Arbiters.
• She was at the tavern investigating Salora’s possible
involvement and, to her dismay, only found a drunk: a
shell of her former pupil. She had hoped to speak with
Salora that night, before the events played out, to explain
the entirety of her expulsion from the Arbiters, and to
warn her that her constant criticism of the guild could lead
to her death.
• She claims that they have discerned the deaths
and interrogations of the innocents are the work of
mercenaries, manufacturing low quality copies of Arbiter
poisons. Runt thought Salora may have been involved, but
she clearly is not.
• The poison copies are less potent versions of the Arbiter
poisons according to Runt.
• She has her suspicions about another Crimson Cloak
(Cillian), who disappeared about six months ago, along
with his apprentices.
• Runt knows that the mercenaries have a base somewhere
along the river. However, she is concerned that she is ill-
equipped to deal with the mercenary group, and fears for
the lives of her apprentices.
• She wants to enlist the party if they are willing. She has
1000 gp (half up front and half upon completion) to offer,
and would prefer not to risk the lives of her apprentices. If
the party agrees to help, she will order the apprentices to
stay behind and wait for her return.
• She has also been offered 500 pp to put an end to the
manufacturing of the fake poisons, and is willing to split
this 50/50 with the party if they help.
Chapter 3 | The Tales The Arbiters 123
 If the party is still uncertain and pushes back on her claims,
Runt offers to take the Calming Cantor to prove to the
adventurers that she is telling the truth. Nothing about her
changes, except the effects of Calming Cantor (see Appendix B:
The Arbiters).
If the party decides to attack Runt and succeeds in killing her:
• Runt is carrying a map on her, showing an X over a
section of the river that she suspects is the entrance to the
mercenary base.
• The only name in Runt’s journal that isn’t crossed out
is Cillian Clíodhna’s, with “treason, murder, imitating
Arbiters, unsanctioned poisoning” next to his name.
• Four Slate Cloaks begin tracking the party. If the party stays
in one place for more than 10 hours before investigating
Cillian Clíodhna’s lair, the Slate Cloaks sneak up on them,
providing the opportunity for another encounter.
Into the River
On the ramp is a river barge. Runt shows the party a map,
depicting the river with an X on it. She believes the entrance
to the mercenary base is somewhere in the vicinity. She
climbs aboard and prepares to launch the barge.
“I’ d wager this entrance is being watched. Especially at
night. That’s when they move their product up and down
the river. I’ve tried to quietly skirt the entrance to discern
its whereabouts, but it’s time I go have a knock on the
front door, I think.”
After a couple of hours of travel, another river barge
nearly identical to the party’s boat except for a small cabin
towards the back, appears 200 feet ahead. This barge is filled
with Cillian’s mercenaries, and is picking up packages of
poisons from Cillian's cavern. If they see the party coming
down the river, they will attack as soon as they are in range.
The barge is heading slowly upriver, with a strange device
on the front that appears to be a sort of forked catch designed
to skim the water, and haul up any bobbers that appear.
Any party member that succeeds on a DC 18 Wisdom
(Perception) check notices a single strange wooden bobber,
floating just below the surface in front of the boat. A
successful DC 17 Wisdom (Perception) check also shows
the six visible occupants aboard, pulling this bobber up with
the catch and stowing the small package.
124 Chapter 3 | The Tales The Arbiters
Inside the package attached to the bobber is five poisons,
two vials of cillian's living death, three vials of cillian's
calming cantor, and one cillian's mark of the arbiter.
As the party passes, the mercenary barge attempts to
ram and board the party’s barge. Succeeding on a DC 15
Wisdom (Perception) check allows a character to anticipate
this maneuver, giving them a chance to veer out of the way.
Fake Merchants: There are 5 bandits, and 2 Slate Cloaks
aboard the vessel. One of the Slate Cloak’s is hiding in
the cabin and is not visible at first. The two Slate Cloaks
have their hoods torn off. One torn-hood Slate Cloak
named Eloise (half-elf, she/her) attempts to remain hidden
in the cabin until the fight is over. She attempts to flee
immediately upon being discovered.
If the party takes any of the mercenaries alive and
interrogates them, a successful DC 14 Charisma
(Intimidation or Persuasion) check will convince the
captured merc to offer to help gain entrance to the hideout, if
they’re allowed to leave unharmed. The interrogation can also
reveal the following information:
• They’re working for a man by the name of Cillian Clíodhna
• “Cillian told us to kill you! [pointing to Runt]”
• “Cillian had two more Slate Cloaks converted, I didn’t
know them well.”
• “I think he has gnomes reproducing the poisons in the
factory. Our job is just supposed to be pickup and delivery.”
• This batch of poison was being sold to a group of nobles. If
the party searches the mercenaries barge, they find:
The captured mercenary will lead the party to the
southern shore and ladder entrance. If the party doesn’t
release the mercenary, they will attempt to escape at the first
opportunity and find a way to warn the other mercenaries in
the base of the party’s presence.
A ladder to the entrance of the cavern sits on the riverbank
about 10 feet inland. Without the help of one of the
captured mercenaries the party will need to search the river
for tracks. Succeeding on a DC 12 Wisdom (Survival)
check will find a set of tracks, leading to ground around
the hatch that is well worn by foot travel, with a strange
stone cairn in the center of the trampled grass. The ladder
is covered by a reinforced wooden hatch, with a simple
bronze sigil containing a small ruby worth 100 gp. This is
a glyph protecting the hatch using hallucinatory terrain.
The hallucinatory terrain creates the illusion of the cairn.
Attempting to touch or upset the cairn reveals the hatch.
Chapter 3 | The Tales The Arbiters 125
 Cillian’s Cavern
Climbing down the ladder below the hidden hatch, is a
long dark underground corridor, 10 feet wide and 6 feet in
height, built of carved stone. Thick mosses hang low from
the ceiling, loud rushing water is heard down the corridor,
and a strange acrid odor lingers in the air. In this corridor
there is only one entrance to the actual factory, and the
party sloshes through a foot of water in the damp passage,
until they eventually approach a stone door. Most of the
hideout is well lit, with fire lanterns along the hallways.
Entrance 1 A walls, flood water into the whirlpool, causing the spin. A
The hallway ascends very slightly out of the standing water
to a door 10 feet wide and 6 feet tall. It appears to be one
solid stone slab, that slides into the cavern wall on the left.
A small bowl, built into the floor, rises 4 feet from the
floor in front of the door. The bowl has a Lily of the Valley
carved into its interior.
Door Trap: In the track of the sliding door, on the left-
hand side, hang several glass vials filled with green liquid
that, when broken, release a noxious gas that does 1d6+1
poison damage, per round, in a 20 foot radius.
Pouring any poison into the bowl causes the vials
containing the gas mixture to rise out of the path of the
door, until the door is closed again. Only a drop is needed.
• Any attempt to force or break the door will shatter the
poison vials, triggering the door trap.
• If any party member has prayed to their respective god
for safe passage through this cavern system, the bandit
responsible for changing the vials has forgotten to do so.
• If the adventurers succeed on a DC 16 Intelligence
(Investigation) check when examining the contraption,
they notice several glimmers in the crack where the door
would slide, resembling the bubbling of several glass vials.
• There is a lit torch protruding out of the wall next to the
door. If a party member succeeds on a DC 15 Wisdom
(Perception) check, they realize that it is a lever. Pulling
the lever causes the door to slide open. If the glass vials
have not been raised they will shatter, triggering the
door trap.
126 Chapter 3 | The Tales The Arbiters
Whirlpool Room 1
You enter a large room, about 40 feet across and 50
feet wide, illuminated in a blue/green hue from the
phosphorescent moss on the northern wall, supplying the
room with a dazzling display of light. The group enters
on a 5 foot ledge that drops 40 feet into a loud, rushing
whirlpool of swirling, greenish-blue water. The whirlpool
is a 35 foot by 50 foot rectangle in the center of the room.
Across this gap is a 10 foot wide outcrop at the north end of
the pool room.
An acidic smell wafts aggressively into your noses. Two
large pipes, protruding from the south and east cavern
drain seemingly pumps the water out somewhere, like a
large bathtub, as the water never rises.
A bandit can be heard patrolling the hallway near
the eastern outcropping and will occasionally enter the
room, dumping a package with a bobber attached into the
whirlpool. The package swirls a few times around, then gets
sucked into the whirlpool and disappears.
If alerted, the bandit runs back down the hallway and
returns with four more bandits from the barracks, plus a
cult fanatic after two rounds.
A closer look at the moss on the northern wall reveals that
the moss seems particularly strong and thick in this room,
making it easily climbable. Climbing across the north side
wall requires a successful DC 14 Strength (Athletics) check.
Anyone falling into the water can attempt to swim
past the whirlpool. This requires succeeding on a DC 14
Strength (Athletics) check. Any character drawn into the
whirlpool takes 1d4 bludgeoning damage, and can attempt
the check a second time on their next turn. Failing a second
check results in a character suffering 1d6 bludgeoning
damage and being sucked into the whirlpool, which ejects
them into the river near the entrance hatch.
An Alternate Route 1 B
On the south side of the room the moss thins a bit. Any
player with a successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation)
check can see a 5 by 5 foot opening in the floor, with the
rotted remains of a ladder. The floor is 30-feet below and the
passage is shrouded in total darkness. This passage leads to
the eastern half of the whirlpool room.
Staircase to the Lab 2
(2A)
The door to this room is shorter than normal, standing
at only about 4 feet tall. In front of the door is a pressure
plate, noticeable with a successful DC 15 Intelligence
(Investigation) check. A successful DC 15 Dexterity
(Sleight of Hand) check allows a character to disarm the trap.
Pressure Plate: Any creature size small or larger will trigger
the plate when they stand on it, causing a quiet ‘click’ noise.
If the trap is triggered, the party hears hissing, as gas begins
to fill the room. The gas immediately fills the 5 foot square
in front of the door, and continues to spread an additional
5 feet into each open space adjacent to it every round. The
gas will not ascend the stairs and can be disabled with a
successful DC 13 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) Check.
Once the mechanism is disabled, it takes 4 rounds for the
gas to fully dissipate. At the beginning of each turn, if any
character is standing in the gas, they must succeed on a DC
16 Constitution saving throw or take 1d6 poison damage.
Poison Lab 3
Passing through the tiny door you see ten tables, filled with
identical chemistry equipment. The room is sweltering
and smells of an acrid mix of chemicals. Around the room
gnomes are shackled to tables working tirelessly. The gnome
in the back of the room is shackled with a lengthened chain
to collect the vials from the other tables and send them in
boxes down the conveyor belt in the back of the room.
If the trap (2A) is triggered, the gnomes beg the party to
unshackle them before the poison kills them. A key found
hanging in the barracks (5) unlocks the gnomes’ shackles.
A successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check allows a
character to break the shackles from the table. The conveyor
belt (3A) at the far end of the poison lab leads into room
(8). If the party is friendly with the gnomes, and attempts
to bargain with them for their freedom, they will describe
room (8) in detail, and tell the party about a secret door (8D)
leading to a hidden tunnel exit. They know about this secret
exit because they helped Cillian construct it.
(3A) Next to the belt are stacks of empty crates, waiting
to be filled. On the belt is a cart large enough to hold one of
the crates, sitting on a track that ends here but seems to lead
into another room (8). A lever is next to the belt. If pulled
it will send the cart down the track to be unloaded by the
crane at (8A).
The gnomes have no attachment to the mercenaries, and
have been forced to work in the lab making the poison. They
are easily convinced to help the party, but don’t have much
information that is helpful to the group, as they’ve been
shackled here for most of their time in the hideout.
Store Room 4
Heading down the stairs, in a small store room containing
some failed poison experiments, there is a broken wooden
cask with 5 poison darts at the bottom of it. The storeroom
is filled with dried meats and berries, miscellaneous tools,
and cleaning utensils. A successful DC 16 Intelligence
(Investigation) check reveals a dilapidated box, covered in
cobwebs, with a discarded twig inside. The twig is a Wand
of Web.
Barracks 5
Through the doorway you see a sparsely decorated room
with 6 beds, with a footlocker at each. A woman sits on the
edge of her bed, facing away from the door, polishing a set
of gauntlets, as three other humanoid figures lay sleeping.
The four creatures in this room are bandits. Hanging on
the wall in the barracks is a key for the shackled gnomes in
the chemistry lab (3). The key can be seen from outside the
doorway.
If any of the bandits notice the adventurers they will attack.
Mess Hall 6
The tables in this quiet mess hall are in various states of
uncleanliness. Spilled ale and bits of food litter three of
the tables, while a fourth table seems to have been freshly
cleaned.
Passing a DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals a small
gnome huddled under one of the tables. When confronted,
Gip (he/him), a young gnome, explains that it is his job to
clean the tables. He hides when anyone enters the room
because the mercenaries don’t like to look at him. If the party
is kind to Gip, he will warn them of the moat and invisible
bridge in room (7). He also says the door will be guarded, as
it is the entrance to the bottling and storage area (8) of the
factory. He also mentions that the boss keeps his desk there.
Chapter 3 | The Tales The Arbiters 127
 Pool Hall 7
As the din of the whirlpool fades, you enter a dimly lit
corridor illuminated by a familiar phosphorescent glow
emanating from a deep pool of water. The pool spans the
length of the hallway. On the far side of the pool sit two
crudely fashioned, heavy wooden doors. In front of the
doors, two humanoid figures talk to one another.
The glow in the room is from the moss just under the surface
of the water. The pool is 300-feet deep. In front of the doors
stand two bandits talk to one another. Extending across
the pool in the center is a 5 foot wide invisible bridge. A
successful DC 18 Wisdom (Perception) check allows a
character to notice that a few ceiling drips seem to splash
just before they hit the water along the center of the moat,
suggesting that the bridge is present. A detect magic also
reveals the invisible bridge.
Cillian’s Office 8
A few gnomes hustle around, boxing, and labeling various
vials and household goods. The whirring of a mechanical
crane takes crates off a conveyor belt and places them below
for the gnomes to sort. An imposing figure, flanked by two
familiar looking cloaked figures, sits behind a desk rapt in
a ledger. You see a well-used, once possibly lavish looking
greataxe leaning against the desk.
This room is used to bottle and package the poisons. The
tinctures are lowered down by the crane (8A) onto the
packing table (8B). From here they are packaged, sorted and
placed over into storage by the door (8C).
(8B) Five gnomes sort, seal, package and- in some cases-
mix the poisons into other bottles, which appear to be labeled
as household remedies. Finally, some are boxed and carried
over to storage (8C), while others are tied with bobbers and
sent out the front door with a bandit, to be thrown into
the whirlpool in room (1). If a fight breaks out, the sorting
gnomes try to escape via the main door.
There is a staircase here, leading up to the conveyor
belt. Below the catwalk a crane (8A) raises and lowers
crates of corked poison vials automatically whenever a cart
arrives, taking the crate from the cart and placing it on
the lower level (the crane has 35HP and can be operated
by Cillian’s voice to grab unsuspecting creatures). After the
crate is deposited, the crane returns to its original position,
prompting the empty cart to be sent back to (3A). The whole
operation takes 2 rounds. If the gnomes in room (3) are still
working, they send a crate every 5-10 minutes.
128 Chapter 3 | The Tales The Arbiters
Near the desk below the conveyor belt, Cillian Clíodhna
(he/him) oversees the operation. He is dressed in rich black
studded leathers, with an exceptionally clean look. He leans
on a large, lavishly decorated battleaxe pondering something
near his desk. Two Slate Cloaks stand, monitoring the
manufacturing. They act as sentries, ensuring the gnomes
keep working, and guard Cillian. On his desk is a letter with
a broken wax seal. The letter reads:
Cillian,
These lands are ripe for the taking. The populace has
swelled one hundred times since summer, and only seems
to grow exponentially. The agents of Braburn are prepared,
and currently seek any potential political opponents. The
election will be a landslide and, as first ruler of these lands,
you will be able to write the laws yourself! What better a
place to command, than a city rich with sellswords! There is
much work to do.
Recently, I’ve heard murmurs of distaste growing for the
Arbiters; many just need a reason. Self-righteous pigs with
their petty rules and restrictions. Once this new shipment
is delivered, the Arbiters will throw their cloaks in the river
and begin begging in the streets, if they’re not hanged first!
-Amelle
Cillian will attempt to reason with the party if they do not
immediately attack:
• He offers the party double the payment Runt/the Arbiters
are paying, plus the opportunity to join his enterprise,
promising them a bright future.
• He calls Runt, the Arbiters, and their Silver Cloak leaders
an antiquated group of lowly mercenaries, begging for
scraps.
• He says the Arbiters underpay and rely on bravado for
recruitment.
• He accuses the Arbiters of being unfit to decide who lives
and who dies.
At any mention of the Silver Cloaks or the leaders of the
Arbiters, Runt interrupts saying:
“You? Kill a Silver Cloak? You’re halfway decent with
that axe, but a Silver Cloak?”
If the party refuses to make a deal with Cillian, he will
fight until he has 10 hit points left and then attempt to
escape through the secret exit (8D).

Next to the storage area is a secret door (8D). Any
character searching the wall can find it by passing a
DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation) check. They have
advantage on the check if any gnome explains the location
of the exit to them.
(8C) This storage stockpile is curiously filled with bottles
labeled as mundane items. Several crates are labeled for
different shops and homesteads in the area. Towards the
top of the pile is a large crate labeled ‘A Trip Away Inn’. If
the party cracks the top off the crate, they find a number
of different liquor and wine bottles. These bottles contain
a mixture of whatever drink the label says and the Mark of
the Arbiter’s poison. The same is true of any of the crates the
party may open.
Conclusion
Siding with Runt
After Cillian has been killed or subdued, the party is offered
a trial for the Arbiters by Runt. Considering the adventuring
party played a key role in saving the Arbiters’ reputation,
Runt offers an apprenticeship in the guild and any money she
agreed to pay.
Siding with Cillian
After Runt has been killed or subdued, Cillian stays true
to his word, and offers double the promised sum without
question. He asks the party to help distribute the remaining
poisons to the locals, and shows the party a crate filled with
liquor and wine bottles that he instructs you to deliver to A
Trip Away Inn. He promises to be in contact soon.
Rewards
If the party has assisted Runt during the final battle: 1000
gp and they each can join the Arbiters as an apprentice
Green Cloak. She also gives the party two Arbiters Bible's
with a smile and says, "I never gave you these." The party
also can find an additional Arbiter's Bible on Cillian.
If the party has assisted Cillian during the final battle:
double the agreed upon bounty (1000 x 2 gp), plus 50 pp for
each dead Arbiter.
Appendix A: Magic Items
Cillian's Calming Cantor
Poison, Rare
This black liquid smells of burnt grass and is used to
elicit a confession. The poison causes the eyes to become
bloodshot and a light purple bruising forms below the eye
that fades after 1 hours.
Duration: 1 minute per dose.
Any creature ingesting this liquid must succeed on a
DC 12 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save,
a creature can’t speak a deliberate lie while under the
poison’s effect but they are aware of this effect.
Cillian's Mark of the Arbiter
Poison, Rare
This clear, odorless liquid is designed to kill efficiently and
quietly, it causes the eyes of the dead or living victim to
become bloodshot and a light purple bruising forms below
the eye that fades after 12 hours.
Duration: 1 minute.
Anyone ingesting a single dose of the Fake Mark of the
Arbiter must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving
throw or suffer 4 (1d6 + 1) poison damage at the start of
each of their turns.
Cillian's Living Death
Poison, Rare
Yellow in color and smelling of old fruit, this poison is
designed to suspend a creature in a deathlike state. It
causes the eyes of the victim to become bloodshot and a
light purple bruising forms below the eye that fades after
12 hours. It is designed to make the victim appear as if
they have been poisoned by the Mark of the Arbiter poison.
Duration: 24 hours.
Any creature given a dose of Fake Living Death must
succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or gain
the unconscious condition after 2 minutes. The recipient
seems dead by all standard measures. Succeeding on
a DC 12 Wisdom (Medicine) check determines the
creature is still alive. 1 hour after ingesting the poison
the bruising dissipates and the character regains
consciousness. Any healing spell will instantly remove all
effects of this poison.
Chapter 3 | The Tales The Arbiters 129
 Appendix B: The Arbiters
Arbiter Colors (Hierarchy)
Apprentices (not yet called a Arbiter) are mainly
Green restricted to research and menial spying roles.
Cloaks Many of these Green Cloaks are ultimately
deemed an ill fit for the Arbiters.
The soldiers of the Arbiters, and the largest
Slate number of members, are ranked as Slate
Cloaks Cloaks. Usually acting as sentries, backup, or
taking direct orders from a Crimson Cloak.
These captains are sometimes in charge
of training or dealing with more difficult
missions. They control a set of Arbiters within
Crimson
a geographic area, and hold the second highest
Cloaks
rank. Each Crimson Cloak receives access
to one vial of the Living Death poison upon
graduation for careful, considerate use.
The leaders, usually well-guarded but extremely
Silver dangerous, even by themselves. It is believed
Cloaks that these 12 individuals control the entire
guild, but some suspect that number is larger.
Arbiters’ Bible
Book, Rare (requires attunement)
A book capable of communication via written script. Used
for bounties, marks, descriptions, and instructions. A Lily
of the Valley is ironed into the leather cover.
When attuned to this book, you can send a message to
any other Arbiter’s bible, by writing a message and signing
the recipient’s name. The message then appears in the
recipient’s book.
130 Chapter 3 | The Tales The Arbiters
Calming Cantor
Poison, Rare
This viscous, black, odorless liquid is contained in one
of two vials worn around the neck of all sworn Arbiters.
Normally used to elicit a confession, the poison causes
the eyes to become bloodshot and a dark purple bruising
forms below the eye that fades after 12 hours.
Duration: 1 hour per dose.
Any creature ingesting this liquid must succeed on a
DC 20 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save,
a creature can’t speak a deliberate lie while under the
poison’s effect but they are aware of this effect.
Mark of the Arbiter
Poison, Rare
This crystal clear, odorless liquid is one of two vials worn
around the neck of all sworn Arbiters. Designed to kill
efficiently and quietly, it causes the eyes of the dead or
living victim to become bloodshot and a dark purple
bruising forms below the eye that fades after 12 hours.
The guild’s symbol is derived from this poison, the key
ingredient of which is the Lily of the Valley.
Duration: 2 minutes.
Anyone ingesting a single dose of the Mark of the
Arbiter must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving
throw or suffer 7 (1d10 + 2) poison damage at the start of
each of their turns.
Living Death
Poison, Rare
Smelling faintly of fermented fruit and having a light
golden color, this poison is designed to suspend a creature
in a faux, deathlike state, lowering the victims heart rate to
a near imperceptible level. It causes the eyes of the victim
to become bloodshot and a dark purple bruising forms
below the eye that fades after 12 hours. It is designed to
make the victim appear as if they have been poisoned by
the Mark of the Arbiter poison.
Duration: 24 hours.
Any creature given a dose of living death must succeed
on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or gain the
unconscious condition after 2 minutes. The recipient
seems dead by all standard measures. Succeeding on
a DC 20 Wisdom (Medicine) check determines the
creature is still alive. Healing spells will not revive the
recipient as they are not actually dead. 24 hours after
ingesting the poison the bruising dissipates and the
character regains consciousness.
Appendix C: Stat Blocks
Green Cloak River Barge
Medium Humanoid (any race), neutral Large Vehicle (40 ft. by 10 ft.)

Challenge 1 (200 XP) | Initiative: +2 | Prof. Bonus: +2 Initiative -1

armor class hit points speed armor class hit points speed
13 27 30 ft. 12 70 20 ft.
leather armor (6d8) (water)

str dex con int wis cha str dex con int wis cha
10 (0) 15 (+2) 10 (0) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 10 (0) 14 (+1) 8 (-1) 11 (0) 0 0 0

Saving Throws Dex +4, Int +3 Creature Capacity 2 crew, 6 passengers

Skills Investigation +3, Sleight of Hand +4, Stealth +4
Senses passive Perception 1
Languages Common, Thieves’ Cant
Time to Shine. If the Green Cloak is fighting adjacent
to a higher ranking Arbiter, they gain resistance to
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.
Cargo Capacity 1 ton
Travel Pace 3.5 miles per hour (84 miles per day)
Damage Immunities poison, psychic
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened,
exhaustion, frightened, incapacitated, paralyzed, petrified,
poisoned, prone, stunned, unconscious

Actions
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Hand Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range
30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Actions
Move. The river barge moves using two sets of oars. If it has
a full crew (2), on it’s turn, the river barge can move up to
its max speed, with one 45-degree turn. The ship can only
move 10 ft. with one set of oars and 0 ft. without oars.

Bonus Actions
Run. On each of its turns the Green Cloak can use a bonus
action to dash.

Author’s Notes/Acknowledgments
Inspiration was all over the place for this adventure. I enjoy a structured good vs evil tale that one can bite into.

Author Bio
Colin works in film/TV and as a designer at Escape Plan Games. Colin hopes to make game designing and
publishing a full-time occupation in the future. He also enjoys hours of uninterrupted video games, is an avid
sim racer (iracing mainly), and appreciates a heavy dose of nature to recharge whenever possible.

131
 Appendix C: Stat Blocks (continued)
Slate Cloak Rillian "Runt" Nassari
Medium Humanoid (any race), neutral Medium Humanoid (Half-Orc), lawful good

Challenge 2 (450 XP) | Initiative: +3 | Prof. Bonus: +2 Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) | Initiative: +2 | Prof. Bonus: +3

armor class hit points speed armor class hit points speed
14 45 30 ft. 18 55 30 ft.
leather armor (7d8 + 14) breastplate and shield (10d8 + 10)

str dex con int wis cha str dex con int wis cha
12 (+1) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 20 (+5) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 13 (+1) 8 (-1)

Saving Throws Dex +5, Int +3
Skills Acrobatics +5, Deception +3, Perception +3, Stealth +5
Damage Resistances Poison
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Thieves’ Cant, plus one other
language.
Evasion. If the Slate Cloak is subjected to an effect that
allows them to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only
half damage, the Slate Cloak instead takes no damage if
they succeed on the saving throw, and only half damage if
they fails.
For the Guild. If the Slate Cloak is fighting adjacent to
an ally that is a member or former member of the Arbiters,
they gain a +1 bonus to their AC.
Actions
Multiattack. The Slate Cloak makes two melee attacks
with its shortsword.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 80/320
ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Arbiter Poison Darts (Recharge 6). Ranged Weapon
Attack: +5 to hit, range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 3
(1d6) piercing damage. Target must succeed on a DC 17
Constitution saving throw. On a failed save the target’s
movement speed is halved, they have disadvantage on
Dexterity saving throws and can not use their reaction
until the start of their next turn.
Saving Throws Str +8, Con +4
Skills Acrobatics +5, Athletics +8, Intimidation +2,
Investigation +4, Stealth +5, Survival +4
Damage Resistances Poison
Senses darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common, Orc, Gnomish, Thieves’ Cant
For the Guild. If Runt is fighting adjacent to an ally that
is a member or former member of the Arbiters, she gains a
+1 bonus to her AC.
Relentless Endurance. (1/day) If Runt is reduced to 0 hit
points but not killed, she can drop to 1 hit point instead.
Think Twice. (1/day) Runt gains advantage on an
intimidation check once per day.
Actions
Multiattack. Runt makes two melee attacks with her
morningstar.
Morning Star. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) piercing damage.
Hand Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range
30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Bonus Actions
Vicious Charge. Runt moves 10 ft. and throws herself
violently into a target, knocking them back 10ft., dealing
2d8 bludgeoning damage. The target must succeed on a
DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked Prone.

132 Chapter 3 | The Tales The Arbiters

Cillian Clíodhna Reactions
Medium Humanoid (Human), lawful evil I Don’t Think So. Range 20 ft. When a creature declares
a melee attack against one of Cillian’s allies, Cillian may
Challenge 6 (2,000 XP) | Initiative: +2 | Prof. Bonus: +3 use his reaction to throw a hammer. On a failed DC 15
Strength saving throw the creature is disarmed, and the
armor class hit points speed weapon is tossed 5ft. away in the opposite direction to
17 82 30 ft. Cillian.
(studded leather) (11d8 + 33)
Lair Actions
str dex con int wis cha Cillian's office (8) is considered his lair. On initiative
18 (+4) 20 (+4) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 9 (-1) 13 (+1) count 20 (losing initiative ties), Cillian takes a lair action
to cause one of the following effects; Cillian can’t use the
Saving Throws Str +7, Con +6 same effect two rounds in a row:
Skills Athletics +7, Persuasion +4 Crane Trap. If a character is within 15 ft. of the crane
Damage Resistances Poison it can attempt to restrain any creature. The target must
Senses passive Perception 9 succeed on a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or becomes
restrained. At the beginning of their turn, they can
Languages Common, Gnomish, Dwarvish, Thieves’ Cant
attempt to break free with a successful DC 16 Strength
Actions check. The crane has 35 hit points and stops functioning if
it is destroyed.
Multiattack. Cillian makes two attacks with his
greataxe, or one greataxe attack and Tactical Positioning. One Way Out. A massive stone slab with 200 hit points
falls into place in front of the north entrance.
Tactical Positioning. Cillian attempts to shove a target
10ft. in any direction. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Flash bang. If Cillian is within 5 ft. of his desk he can hit
Strength saving throw, or be re-positioned. a button. In an instant, a compartment on the front of his
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one desk opens and explodes with a brilliant flash.
target. Hit: 10 (1d12 + 4) slashing damage. Each creature within a 30 ft. cone, originating from
Throwing Hammers. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, his desk, and facing north must succeed on a DC 15
range 20/40 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) bludgeoning Constitution saving throw, or be blinded for one round.
damage. If a creature fails the save by 5 or more, they are blinded
for two rounds. Any creatures with darkvision have
Bonus Actions disadvantage on the saving throw.

Enraged. (1/day) Cillian can enter a rage, lasting 3

rounds. While enraged, Cillian has advantage on Strength
checks, saving throws, and melee weapon attacks. While
enraged, Cillian has resistance to piercing, slashing, and
bludgeoning damage.

Chapter 3 | The Tales The Arbiters 133

134
L uciana Witherwood (She/Her)
Written by: Kailey Bray
Adventure Level: 5-6 | Players: 4-5
Content Warnings: Danger to Children, Spiders
Human • Child
Precocious, mischievous, and adventurous. Deeply resentful and suspicious of anyone who would put a stop to her woodland
wanderings and send her to school.
Seven years old, with curly brown hair and hazel eyes.
S even-year-old Luciana Witherwood has a problem. She
made a wish in the heat of the moment and now her
parents are missing! Like her favorite storybook heroes, she’s
headed to the tavern to find a team to help with her quest and
reverse her mistake. However, Lucy doesn’t know that her new
fairy friend, Kyvan, overheard her arguing with her parents
about going to the village school. He helpfully solved her
problem by spiriting them off to his house in the Fey Realm.
She’ll need a sharp group of adventurers to find their way to
the Fey Realm, brave Kyvan’s traps, and rescue her family.
Background
Adele and Cedric Witherwood love their little girl,
Luciana, dearly, and have nurtured her independent,
adventurous spirit. Their merchant business often occupies
their time, so they appreciate her ability to entertain
herself. However, they’re not the only ones to admire
Lucy’s clever curiosity. Kyvan Mak’lysdir (he/they), a
lonely fey child with a love for pranks, has developed a
friendship with Lucy. When the looming threat of the
village school threatens to ruin their fun, he decides to take
matters into his own hands, and take the offending adults
out of the equation. If Mr. and Mrs. Witherwood are
locked away in the Fey Realm, they can’t make Lucy go to
school, and she can go on adventures with him forever.
Lucy, unaware of Kyvan’s machinations, thinks that her
parents’ disappearance is her doing; the fault of a wish she
made in the heat of an argument. After three days of sitting
at home and waiting for them to return, she realizes she
needs some help. Taking a cue from her favorite bedtime
stories, she heads over to the nearby tavern to find a party
of adventurers for hire. Flip, the proprietor of A Trip Away
Tavern, is concerned at the disappearance of the local couple,
but far too busy to drop everything for a quest. They give
Lucy a seat at the bar, under their watchful eye, and offer to
help vet potential adventurers, as long as she behaves herself.
Tavern Behavior
When the adventurers walk into the tavern, they’ll find
little Lucy being escorted from the back room by an
uncharacteristically stern Flip. Lucy will sullenly sit at the bar
for a moment, kicking her feet and ignoring the bowl of ice
cream they set in front of her. After a moment, she’ll notice
the group and stride over to them to ask for their help.
Hook
Little Lucy Witherwood wished that her parents would
disappear...and they did! Now she needs help to figure
out exactly how to reverse the wish and bring them back.
She doesn’t have any money, but she’s sure her parents will
reward anyone who helps her on their safe return.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Lucianna Witherwood 135
 Luciana Witherwood
The atmosphere in A Trip Away Tavern is as warm and
welcoming as ever; just beginning to bustle with the
evening rush. As you settle into your booth, you notice
a small scuffle break out from the direction of the supply
closet. A colorfully dressed gnome sternly leads a young girl
back into the main taproom.
Flip, the gnome, points emphatically at a stool at the bar.
They observe the girl for a moment, then set a small bowl in
front of her. It’s filled with Estabôn’s special ice cream. The
girl stabs a spoon in it dejectedly, kicks her legs against the
tall stool, and casts wide hazel eyes around the tavern. She
immediately notices you watching. Abandoning the dessert,
she marches over to your booth.
“Are you adventurers?”
At the group’s confirmation, the child introduces herself as
Lucy Witherwood. She’s seven years old and barely taller
than the gnome behind the bar, but her springy brown curls
add a few inches to her diminutive stature. She’s wearing a
well-made dress that’s clearly been lovingly mended. There
are still some shadows of dirt and stains on her knees and
sleeves, the marks of a bold and curious child.
She’s been camped out at the tavern all day, trying to find
an adventuring party to help her, but no one will listen.
“Mama always said to be careful in the tavern, because
there are warriors and thieves and dangerous people, but
sometimes they tell stories and I can listen if I’m good,
and quiet, and nice. And, in the stories, they’re brave and
they find treasure and they save merchants and princesses
and one time a lost rabbit. Do you find lost things?”
Lucy goes on to tell the group that her parents have been
missing for three days. She woke up one morning, and they
were nowhere to be found. She went into the woods to play
like she always does. After a few hours she’d usually hear her
mother or father calling for her to come home, but that day
the calls never came.
136 Chapter 3 | The Tales Lucianna Witherwood
And that is when she realized that she’d made a terrible
mistake. The previous night, she and her parents had yet
another fight about her beginning classes at the village
school, and she had wished that they would disappear. And
then, they did. She needs help to reverse whatever magic she
cast accidentally and bring her parents back. Just because she
is mad at them for talking about school all the time, doesn’t
mean she wants them gone forever. Besides, the cookies have
run out and she can’t find any more clean dresses.
Lucy knows from her stories that adventurers usually need
payment for any kind of quest.
“Mama and Papa have lots of stuff at our house. Fancy
stuff. They’ ll probably give it to you when they get back.
But not anything in my room, that’s my stuff. You
wouldn’t like it.”
She invites the adventurers back to her house to look
for clues. If the adventurers agree, she begins to lead them
toward the door. If they need more convincing, she takes
them over to the bar to get Flip’s help to persuade them.
Whether the party just decides to go with Lucy, or she
brings in Flip, they need to convince Flip that they have
Lucy’s best interests at heart. If they can persuade them by
succeeding on a DC 13 Charisma (Persuasion) check of
their genuine interest in helping Lucy, Flip offers them a
favor in exchange for their help. With Flip’s blessing, Lucy
leads the group out of the tavern toward her home.
If the party asks any of the staff about Lucy, they can share
any or all of the following:
• Lucy is a wonderful girl, but headstrong, and a little
difficult to manage if she doesn’t get her way.
• She’s extremely reluctant to go to school. Rumor has it that
she’s even made dark threats to anyone who would make
her go (dark being a relative term; mostly they involve
transformation into frogs or similarly slimy creatures).
• Lately she’s been very keen on a new friend of hers. Most
people think he is imaginary. She won’t tell anyone their
name.
• Flip and a few others have attempted to track down the
Witherwoods, but they haven’t found anything. Maybe
they missed something at the house, or Lucy isn’t telling
the full story.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Lucianna Witherwood 137
 The Witherwood Home
The Witherwood home is a short walk through town. It’s
one of the simple but well-tended cottages on the edge
of the village, backing up into the surrounding forest.
There appears to be only one other house near enough to
be called a neighbor, with windows still illuminated by
lamplight. The Witherwoods’ home looks fairly similar to
the neighbors’, but the windows are dark. As you get closer,
you can see the door is painted a cheery yellow, and brightly
colored flowers bloom in window boxes.
Lucy clumsily unlocks the door with a key that she pulls
from her pocket. The inside is as charming as the outside,
with vibrant paintings hung on the walls, and whimsically
shaped pottery knick-knacks gathering dust on little shelves
and side tables. There is a small kitchen, with a wood-
burning stove that clearly hasn’t been touched for a while. It
very much looks like a space that a child has run rampant in
for a few days. There are toys strewn about the cozy sitting
area by the fire, the table has a little earthenware plate on
it covered in cookie crumbs, and the salt cellar has tipped
over. After giving them a moment to look around, Lucy
points them in the direction of her parents’ room, just off
the kitchen. If the party would like to stop and make a
more intensive search of the main house before moving into
the bedrooms, she waits impatiently.
If the party attempts to circumvent Lucy and enter the
house on their own, they find the door sealed with a
magical lock. Any attempts to break in attract the attention
of Elodie Tailor, the next-door neighbor, who rushes over
and triggers the “Elodie Tailor” section of the adventure.
The Kitchen 1
A search of the kitchen shows a mostly empty pantry. A sack
of flour and some root vegetables are untouched, but there is
a ceramic cookie jar that has been reduced to crumbs, and
a few apples in the fruit bowl, one of which has a few bites
taken out of it. They have an enchanted icebox that is bare
but for a bottle of milk. A successful DC 13 Intelligence
(Investigation) check reveals that the contents of the salt
cellar and sugar bowl have been switched and the milk has
gone sour. A successful DC 18 Intelligence (Investigation)
or Wisdom (Nature) check further reveals that there
is something very strange about the fruit and, when the
adventurers cut into one, they find the juicy segments of an
orange inside, not the flesh of an apple. Lucy’s eyes widen at
this discovery, but she staunchly denies that she has any idea
about what is going on.
138 Chapter 3 | The Tales Lucianna Witherwood
Lucy’s Bedroom 2
The room is small, but comfortably furnished with shelves
full of books and toys, a little table adorned with a ceramic
tea set, and a beautifully carved bed covered with a
colorful quilt.
Lucy is very resistant to anyone entering her bedroom,
insisting that any clues are in her parents’ room, not hers. If
the adventurers choose to go in anyway, she shadows them
closely, very protective of her treasures.
A successful DC 13 (Intelligence) Investigation check
reveals that one of the stools at the table is broken. One of its
legs has been cut through, so that if any weight is put on it, it
would immediately break. A successful DC 18 Intelligence
(Investigation) or (Arcana) check further reveals a small
muddy footprint on the windowsill, too small to be Lucy’s.
Any questions about the damage or the footprint only inspire
apparent confusion from Lucy.
If the party thinks that Lucy knows more about the clues
(the salt/sugar swap, the footprint, the damaged stool, etc)
than she is letting on, they can make a DC 15 (Wisdom)
Insight check. A success confirms that she is hiding
something. A successful DC 12 (Charisma) Persuasion
or Intimidation check convinces Lucy to reveal the
information she knows about Kyvan, as described in the
“Elodie Tailor” section.
The Parents’ Bedroom 3
The Witherwoods’ bedroom is moderately sized and well
kept, with a neatly made bed. There’s a chest at the end of
the bed, a washbasin, and a wardrobe. One corner appears
to be dedicated to paperwork or bookkeeping of some kind:
there’s a desk stacked with books and writing utensils, and a
pair of slightly bent eyeglasses hanging off an oil lamp.
A search of the room reveals the ordinary possessions
of ordinary people. Clothes, books, toiletries and the like.
The desk has a few letters from family members from
the next village over, a kind note from Elodie Tailor, the
village schoolteacher, offering to help with Lucy, and a
ledger chronicling the finances of the Witherwoods' home
and merchant business. They sell pottery mostly; dishes
and knick-knacks like the ones you saw in the main room.
Nothing seems particularly suspicious or out of place.
The chest at the foot of the bed is locked, but it is a cheap,
simple one. A successful DC 12 Dexterity check using
thieves’ tools opens it easily. Inside the chest is a box with
coins, neatly sorted by value (with a total value of 800 gp)
and a velvet bag with a fine antique ruby necklace (worth
200 gp), which is a reasonable amount of valuables for a
local merchant family.
Lucy pokes her head around the doorframe.
“Well? Did you find any stuff, you know, to pay you? To
find them?”
The party may choose to say yes and claim any of the items
of value they found, or choose to wait to negotiate with the
Witherwoods when they are found (or both). After the house
has been sufficiently investigated, the party hears a knock at
the door.
Development
After gathering as much information as they can from the
house itself, the adventurers need to venture further out to fill
in the rest of the mystery of the Witherwoods’ disappearance.
Perhaps the visitor at the door can help.
The Search
The person at the door is Elodie Tailor, the Witherwoods’
next-door neighbor. She saw the lights in the windows and
rushed over, thinking that they had finally returned. Elodie
is a kindly-looking female half-elf of middle age, with salt-
and-pepper hair and round glasses. After the party explains
their presence, she introduces herself and invites them to chat
further in her home.
Elodie Tailor
Elodie’s home is as comfortable as the Witherwoods’. She
goes straight for the cookie jar and brings treats to everyone,
especially Lucy. Lucy, for her part, is uncharacteristically
sullen and suspicious. If the party found the letter from
Elodie in the Witherwoods’ desk, they know that she runs
the village school, which would explain Lucy’s ire. If the
party tried to enter the Witherwoods’ home without Lucy,
they now find Lucy here with Elodie who picked the girl up
from the tavern before nightfall.
Noticing the tension caused by the child, Elodie apologizes:
“So sorry, friends. I’m afraid Lucy isn’t entirely pleased
with me lately. She thinks it’s my fault that her parents
want to send her to school. I haven’t quite been able to
convince her otherwise. I don’t know why they would have
left her alone, it’s very unlike them. They’re good, loving,
devoted parents, truly. I can’t think of a reason for them to
have disappeared like this.”
After a moment, Elodie summons a very fat orange cat
named Chester from the back bedroom and asks Lucy to
give him some exercise. With the child occupied by the very
uncooperative feline by the fire, Elodie draws the party aside.
“Have you spoken to Lucy about her walks in the forest?
Sometimes she comes back... a little odd. She’ ll be giddy
and strange, with new toys and trinkets that her parents
have never seen before. If anyone asks about them, she’ ll
say she got them from a friend.”
If the players ask Lucy about this friend, she immediately
becomes uncomfortable and evasive. She is not supposed to
tell grown-ups about Kyvan; he said to keep it secret or she
can’t play with him anymore. However, Kyvan is the one
who told her that sometimes wishes come true, if you really
mean them. Maybe he knows where people go when they get
wished away. She offers to go find him, but it needs to be in
the morning, as she has never seen him after dark.
If the party is unable to convince Lucy to tell them about
Kyvan, they notice her sneaking out early the next morning to
go and meet with Kyvan, to tell them about her new friends.
The party is easily able to follow Lucy through the woods
with the same optional checks as described in “The Woods”.
In either case, Elodie offers up her cozy sitting room as
a place to spend the evening. She even helps Lucy build a
blanket fort and snuggle up with Chester the cat. She also
warns the party to be careful if their search leads them into
the woods; some people think there might be an entrance to
the Fey Realm in there somewhere.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Lucianna Witherwood 139
 The Woods
After a night’s rest, Lucy is ready to take the party out into
the woods to look for Kyvan (or they can follow her). If
the players would like to help Lucy search, they’re welcome
to make DC 12 Wisdom (Perception), Intelligence
(Investigation) or Wisdom (Survival) checks to see if they
can spot Kyvan themselves.
Each successful check reveals one of the following, all leading
in a meandering path towards the thickest part of the woods:
• Berry bushes adorned with lightly glowing blue berries.
These are delicious, but turn the consumer’s skin blue until
the next long rest.
• Delicate fuchsia flowers that, when touched, jingle
together like bells.
• Patches of four-leaf clovers that, upon further inspection,
are the exact size and shape of small footprints.
A successful DC 15 Intelligence/Wisdom
(Investigation/Perception/Survival) check also reveals:
Two rowan boughs intertwined overhead. If an adventurer
noticed the boughs, they can warn their fellow party
members to steer clear. If not, as soon as two adventurers
pass below it, they find themselves slamming into each other,
their hair hopelessly tangled together. It requires a successful
DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check to free them,
otherwise, the two party members need to be cut apart.
These woods are a liminal space and littered with
inconveniences left behind by Kyvan. The GM should feel
free to add even more pranks if they'd like the party to get
an idea of the kind of creature that they’re dealing with.
Anything goes; from tripping over loose shoelaces and
holes appearing in pockets, to stumbling into spiderwebs or
beehives. Whatever GMs think that a puckish creature like
him would find entertaining.
140 Chapter 3 | The Tales Lucianna Witherwood
After some time navigating the landscape, following the
strange and frustrating trail left for them by Kyvan, the
party finds themselves in a small clearing. At the center of
the clearing is a perfect circle of red and white mushrooms
and, in the center of that, three trees: an oak, an ash, and
a hawthorn. Sitting in the oak tree is what appears to be a
seven-year-old boy.
Kyvan
The boy (Kyvan Mak’lysdir, he/they) drops from the
tree onto the ground with unsettling lightness, smiling in
welcome. His bright red hair pops against his olive skin and
rough barkcloth clothing. He is barefoot, and it is difficult
to tell the color of his eyes, as though they change a little
every time anyone takes a closer look. He seems cheerful,
but erratic, as though his moods could change at any
moment.
Lucy runs over to embrace her friend enthusiastically.
They hug her back, then step away.
“You’ve been gone forever! Did you like the present I got
for you? I heard your wish! Now you can come play with
me every day and you don’t have to go to school! But who
are these people? You promised, no grown-ups!”
He turns his attention to the party. If any of them were
affected by the fey traps in the woods (the berries, pool, or
rowan boughs, especially), he teases them about it.
“Did you like those games? Do you want to play more?
Grown-ups don’t usually like the games, but Lucy likes to
play games with me. Do you want to play?”
If the party chooses to go along with them and agree to
play a game, they grin and grab Lucy’s hand from within
the faerie circle.
“Hooray! Hide and Seek! You’re it!”
And with a snap of his fingers, a pool of water appears
in the center of the fairy ring, and he and Lucy sink into it
without a trace.
If the party refuses to play, or tries to question him about
the Witherwoods, Kyvan becomes angry.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Lucianna Witherwood 141

“I knew it. I knew grown-ups aren’t good at games.
Lucy never should have told you about me. You’re just
going to make her go away and go to school. Well, she’s
my friend and I say she doesn’t have to go to school if she
doesn’t want to! We’re going somewhere that doesn’t have
any school and we can just play all day and you’re not
invited.”
And with a snap of his fingers, the mushroom circle fills
with water, and he and Lucy disappear into it with a splash.
The clearing goes quiet; all that remains is the still pool set in
the center of the mushroom circle.
The Pool
Anyone who looks into the pool sees that their reflection
is moving independently from them, with a distinctly
mischievous expression.
With a successful DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check, a
party member can notice that the reflections in the pool seem
identical at first, but there are subtle differences: clothes worn
backwards, buttons misbuttoned, a missing tooth, a shaved
eyebrow, a silly moustache, a colored streak of hair, etc. (or
anything that might make the characters look a little more
ridiculous; the possibilities are endless and can be tailored to
the party).
Once the party has discovered these differences, they
must match themselves to their reflections. After they have
made the adjustments to become identical, the reflections
reach toward them, palms open in invitation. One of them
holds a small, smooth stone (see Appendix A: Magic Items)
with a perfectly round hole through it. As soon as one of the
adventurers takes the stone, or takes their reflection’s hand,
they are pulled into the pool and through a portal into the
Fey Realm, following Kyvan and Lucy.
After the adventurers are through to the other side, the
identify spell or peering through the hole in the stone, allows
them to understand the stone’s powers. Otherwise, the party
is welcome to experiment with the stone, and the GM can
reveal the stone’s powers as they see fit. If no one chooses to
take the stone, the most perceptive party member finds it in
their pocket as soon as they cross into the Fey Realm.
Development
After a day of searching, the party has finally found the
reason for the Witherwoods’ disappearance. Unfortunately,
the reason is a powerful fey prankster, and now they’ve taken
Lucy too. The party needs to exercise caution as they follow
him onto his home turf. There’s no guessing what surprises
Kyvan has left for them.
142 Chapter 3 | The Tales Lucianna Witherwood
Kyvan’s House
The Fountain Room 4
You’re pulled through the pool, and there’s a moment of
darkness. Then you break through the surface, but find
yourselves in a very different place than you were before.
The sky above you is now a cloudy glass ceiling, the pool
of a marble fountain, overgrown with moss. It is still filled
with water, but much shallower now; you can stand up fully
and it only reaches to your ankles or so. Even though you’ve
just been dragged through water, you feel completely dry.
The pool has taken the adventurers into the Fey Realm.
Specifically, it deposits them directly into Kyvan’s home. He
has built the portal into a large stone fountain on the first floor.
The fountain is surrounded by winding stone paths,
blooming flowers, and potted trees. The ceiling is
impossibly high, mostly glass, displaying a cloudless, sunny
sky above. It extends down to create a wall of windows
to the east, allowing the daylight to spill into the space.
The room itself is humid and warm, and it feels like a
greenhouse or a conservatory. There are three doorways
set into the northern, western, and southeastern walls.
The doors to the north and west walls are closed, and the
doorway to the southeast is an open archway that leads to a
sweeping staircase.
As the adventurers step out of the fountain, they need to
succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure,
they step directly into a large pair of boots with squeaky
wheels attached to the soles. The boots cannot be removed
by normal means, but something like dispel magic or the
universal solvent frees the character from them. While
wearing the boots, the adventurer has disadvantage on all
Dexterity checks and saving throws.
If anyone in the party chooses to examine the space
before stepping out of the fountain, a successful DC 13
Intelligence (Investigation) or Wisdom (Perception)
check alerts them to the presence of the trapped boots, and
they can avoid them.
Once the party has stepped out of the fountain, they are
free to investigate the rest of the room.
The door on the western wall is sturdy, wooden, and locked.
Any player with a passive Perception of 10 or higher
notices a faint warm scent of baking cookies. Should anyone
choose to investigate the door further, party members
who succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation)
check notice that the door is trapped. A successful DC 12
Dexterity check using thieves' tools is enough to disarm
and unlock the door. If anyone attempts to unlock the door
without disarming the trap, the door opens easily, but a
burst of fire erupts through the doorway, dealing 3d6 fire
damage to anyone within a 5 foot radius.
The Conservatory 5
The conservatory is filled with strange plants of all shapes,
sizes, and colors. As the adventurers explore the space, they
notice something strange. There is a huge red and white
spotted toadstool, surrounded by a small cluster of six delicate
looking trees. It is almost as tall as a human and noticeably
drab amidst the bold plants and flowers surrounding it.
Resting on top is what looks to be a paper doll.
If an adventurer uses the power of the seeing stone to
examine the doll or the toadstool, they see that both are
magical. The power and role of the doll is unclear, but the
toadstool is clearly a shrieker hidden by illusion magic.
Using the stone also reveals the dryads hidden around the
toadstool.
The doll looks to be an adult human woman with curly
brown hair just like Lucy’s. If anyone picks up the doll,
the shrieker begins emitting unearthly screams and howls.
Alerted by the chaos, the six trees surrounding the shrieker
begin to stir and awaken into dryads, who immediately
attack the party.
A look through the seeing stone confirms that there is much
more to the doll than meets the eye, perhaps this is what
Kyvan meant by “hide and seek”. Any further investigation
of the doll (either with identify, detect magic, or a successful
DC 15 Arcana check) reveals a quiet, steady heartbeat and
the presence of powerful transmutation magic, possibly
a modified polymorph spell or a curse. Any attempts to
dispel or remove the magic on the doll are unsuccessful,
suggesting that the effects are anchored somewhere else in
the house, either in an object or Kyvan himself.
After the dryads and shrieker have been defeated, the
adventurers can investigate the doll further. Upon closer
inspection, it does look remarkably like an older version of
Lucy. The woman is fair skinned and freckled, with masses
of curly brown hair. She is wearing a clay-stained apron to
protect her simple dress, and her eyes seem to be moving.
There appear to be no other objects of interest than the
shrieker, the dryads, and the doll in this room. The party can
choose to try one of the doors or go up the staircase.
If the adventurers attempt to enter through the door in the
Conservatory, they need to pick the lock with a successful
DC 15 (Dexterity) check using thieves’ tools. Once the
lock is picked, the door opens to reveal a stairway leading
downward.
The Kitchen 6
Inside, they find the kitchen, or rather a child’s fever
dream ideal of what a kitchen should be. Pots and wooden
spoons move about on their own, mixing together a huge
variety of sweet treats. Trays of cookies, cakes, and pies pull
themselves endlessly from the oven and deposit themselves
on a table already groaning under the weight of countless
pastries. A dumbwaiter is set into the western wall by the
stove, the door slightly ajar.
In addition to the baked goods piled on the table, there
is also a small bottle of a clear liquid, smelling strongly of
alcohol. An identify spell, either cast by a player or through
the seeing stone, reveals this liquid to be universal solvent.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Lucianna Witherwood 143
 Dessert Effects
If anyone would like to take a closer look at the food, they
are able to tell fairly quickly that the treats, while they smell
delicious, contain magical properties. An identify spell,
a successful DC 13 Intelligence (Arcana) check, or, if
someone is feeling bold, taking a bite reveals the effect of
the treat. Roll on the Dessert Effects table to determine the
magical enhancement added to the dessert. For undesirable
dessert effects, a successful DC 15 Constitution save
allows the adventurer to resist the effect. All dessert effects
(except for the potion of healing) last for 1 hour, unless
ended by lesser restoration or something similar.
d8 Effects
1 The adventurer is poisoned.
The adventurer is transformed into a goat under the
2 the missing step on the main stairway (8). If the adventurers
effects of the polymorph spell.
3 The adventurer is under the effects of the slow spell.
4 The adventurer is reduced by one size.
5 The adventurer is enlarged by one size.
6 The adventurer is under the effects of the haste spell.
The adventurer is under the effects of the invisibility
7
spell.
The adventure receives the effects of a potion of
8
healing.
Down the dumbwaiter chute: If anyone inspects the
dumbwaiter, they find that the door opens easily, and the
inside is big enough to fit a medium sized creature. The
floor, however, is a powerful illusion (programmed illusion).
Any creature that attempts to enter the dumbwaiter
immediately falls 10 feet into the basement. A successful
DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check or the seeing
stone reveals the trap.
The dumbwaiter shaft is technically an available pathway
to the 2nd floor (9) as well. If the party would like to try to
climb (or fly) up or down, they absolutely can, but climbing
requires a successful DC 20 Athletics or Acrobatics check.
144 Chapter 3 | The Tales Lucianna Witherwood
The Basement 7
The basement is cool, quiet, and not very large. It is an
approximately 30 foot-square room. The space is dominated
by a wall of tanks, cages, and enclosures, all of varying size.
Each one has a different kind of creature inside: fish, small
rodents, reptiles, even insects. The room is filled with dim
light, which comes from these tanks. Each one is equipped
with a small crystal globe,, emitting both light and heat.
The only other objects in the room are an armchair draped
with a blanket, and a small bookshelf. There is a stairway
directly across from the dumbwaiter, leading upwards.
The basement has several entrances: through the door off
the conservatory (5) and down the basement stairs, down
the dumbwaiter chute in the kitchen (6), or down through
fell in through the main stairway (8), they end up at
the back of the room, through a hole in the ceiling that
immediately closes.
The stairs to the basement are thin and rickety. They’re also
spread with a thin layer of sovereign glue. A successful DC
18 Intelligence (Investigation) check reveals the trap.
The adventurers need to either find a way down the stairs
without touching them or use the universal solvent from the
kitchen (2) to clear a path.
If they haven’t yet obtained the universal solvent, they
can search the house for it. If the party is already in the
basement (either by dumbwaiter or the missing stair) they
can attempt to climb back up the dumbwaiter chute into the
kitchen (3), which requires a successful DC 20 (Strength)
Athletics or (Dexterity) Acrobatics check. If the party
becomes completely stuck and does not possess the universal
solvent, having them lose shoes or socks can be an effective
consequence of sticking to the stairs.
Any character who investigates the tanks finds them full of
ordinary creatures, but the bookshelf, oddly enough, is filled
with blank volumes, and the blanket on the armchair is a
cloaker in disguise.

Any character who can speak with animals can attempt
to communicate with the creatures in the room, who
then warn the party of the hidden threat. Otherwise, it
requires the seeing stone or a successful DC 12 Wisdom
(Perception) check to spot it.
If the party wants to head directly for the stairs, they need to
pass the armchair in the center of the room. If they are aware
of the cloaker they can attempt to stealth past it, otherwise,
as soon as they get within 5 feet, the cloaker attacks.
After the cloaker is defeated or avoided, the adventurers
can head up the stairs. If they entered the basement through
the dumbwaiter or the main stairway (8), they still need to
succeed on the, DC 15 (Intelligence) Investigation check, to
notice the sovereign glue trap. They can then disarm it with the
universal solvent from the kitchen (6), try to climb back up the
dumbwaiter chute, or fly or levitate over the stairs, up to the
door to the conservatory (5). If they have not yet encountered
the door, it is barred from the inside. They can easily throw
back the bolt and open the door.
The Main Stairway 8
The spiral marble stairs are wide and sweeping: the perfect
backdrop for making a dramatic entrance. They’re also
heavily trapped. A successful DC 12 Wisdom (Perception)
or Intelligence (Investigation) check alerts the adventurers
to the following dangers. They can also use the seeing stone to
reveal the traps more easily, if they think of it.
(8A)
The Tripwire. A fine tripwire over the first step releases a
rope from the ceiling, the heavy iron bucket on the other
end slams into the first character to trip the wire, dealing
2d6 bludgeoning damage and covering them in glittering
pink paint. A successful DC 10 Dexterity saving throw
reduces the damage by half. If the party notices the trap,
a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check
disarms it. On a failure, the trap is triggered.
(8B)
The Disappearing Step. Just before the top step is an
illusory step. Anyone who steps on the stair finds themselves
falling down into a portal, depositing them in the basement
(7). The stair is easily avoided: a successful DC 8 Dexterity
(Acrobatics) check allows the characters to jump over it, if
they know it is there.
Kyvan’s Room 9
On the second floor, is a door with an elaborate brass
handle, stamped with a letter K. The door swings open
easily, and through it is a plush child’s bedroom, filled with
strange mechanical toys that whir quietly, fantastically
illustrated books, and richly embroidered linens. A
canopied four poster bed dominates most of the space, and
a beautifully carved wardrobe stands in the far corner. The
window looks out onto the sunny grounds outside, but it is
magically sealed and unable to be opened.
The wardrobe is locked, but instead of a keyhole, there
appears to be a small slot.
A successful DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) or
Wisdom (Perception) check reveals the following:
• Closer investigation reveals that the slot in the wardrobe is
actually a coin slot.
• There is a small, empty pouch beneath the pillow on the
bed.
• There is a large, plain box tucked under the bed. It is
closed, but not locked.
The wardrobe and the pouch are connected. The party
needs to place a tooth in the pouch and cover it with a
pillow. This could be one of their teeth or one from their
inventory. The species doesn’t matter. After lifting the
pillow, they find that the tooth has been replaced by a
silver coin, which fits perfectly in the slot in the wardrobe
and unlocks the door. If the adventurers have trouble
establishing the connection, they can find a book on the
bedside table chronicling the adventures of a fey called the
Tooth Fairy, who visits children’s homes at night, to take
away their lost baby teeth in exchange for a silver coin.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Lucianna Witherwood 145
146 Chapter 3 | The Tales Lucianna Witherwood
The box, when opened, reveals another paper doll. This one is
an adult human man, wearing glasses. His eyes are the exact
shape and color of Lucy’s: this must be her father. However,
as soon as an adventurer tries to take the doll, the box
transforms into The Monster Under the Bed (see Appendix
B: Stat Blocks). Similar to a mimic, it hides in its innocuous
box form until someone gets within biting distance. If the
party thinks to examine the box with the seeing stone before
getting too close, it warns them of the danger. They still
need to defeat the monster to save the doll.
To increase the difficulty of the encounter, the GM can
have shadows appear from beneath the bed as well and join
the fight.
Once the monster is defeated, the party can retrieve the
doll and open the wardrobe. If the party attempts to open the
wardrobe first, as they open the door, a large, plain box (The
Monster Under the Bed) slides out from under the bed and
pops open, revealing the paper doll. When someone moves to
retrieve the doll, the monster attacks.
As the coin slides into place, there is an audible click, and
the doors release outward. Inside the wardrobe hang various
kinds of children’s clothing in bright colors and patterns, but
there is something strange about them. After a moment, the
clothing rustles, as though stirred by a breeze-coming from
inside. You think you hear faint laughter, and singing from
deep within. Clearly this wardrobe is more than it seems.
The party can use the seeing stone or a successful DC 10
Intelligence (Investigation) or Wisdom (Perception) check
to spot the hidden pathway through the wardrobe to the secret
room, or they can simply venture inside to find themselves
walking through it. The further they move into the wardrobe,
the darker it gets inside, but after a few moments, they see
candlelight shining through the cracks of one last door.
The door to the secret room is unlocked and not trapped.
Kyvan is expecting them.
The Secret Room 10
The final door opens into a small warm room, well-lit by
dozens of candles. Kyvan is sitting cross-legged on the rug,
playing with an elaborate dollhouse. It looks identical to the
house the adventurers have been in this whole time.
“You’ve found me! You’re not very good at Hide and Seek
are you? It’s been forever... right Lucy?”
There is one final paper doll in Kyvan’s hand. This one is
very familiar. It is a seven-year-old girl with curly brown hair.
Any attempts to take the Lucy doll back by force result in
Kyvan becoming aggressive. He won’t part with his friend
easily. The party can attempt to negotiate with him instead,
and he makes the following demands:
• He and Lucy get to play games all day and she doesn’t
have to go to school.
• Lucy comes to live at his house instead of her house.
• The adventurers have to stay here too, so that they have
new dolls to play with.
If the party refuses any of these conditions, Kyvan’s
expression sours.
“You aren’t being funny anymore, I think you need to
leave us alone”
Kyvan waves a hand at one of the lanterns hanging from the
ceiling, and a glowing orb pops out of it and moves towards
the adventurers. He then snaps his fingers and vanishes.
The will-o’-wisp immediately passes through the closest
party member, using its Incorporeal Movement to deal
1d10 force damage. It then continues to defend Kyvan until
destroyed. If Kyvan Mak’lysdir (see Appendix B: Stat
Blocks) is directly attacked, they shapeshift into their Giant
Spider Form and attack the party themself.
When Kyvan is reduced below 20 hp, they attempt to
bargain with the party again.
After the encounter has ended Kyvan puts on their best
sad face, and apologizes profusely for taking the game too
far. As a sign of good faith, he returns the Witherwoods to
their human forms and asks Lucy very nicely if she will still
come play with him again some time. He even offers her the
dollhouse to play with as a peace offering.
A successful DC 13 (Wisdom) Insight check reveals that
Kyvan is being mostly honest, but there is a slight catch to the
dollhouse. Like its life-size counterpart, it is a portal to the Fey
Realm, and gives him access to the Material Plane whenever
he likes. If anyone calls him out on that hidden quality, he’ll
grin sheepishly, and wave a hand over it. A quick look through
the seeing stone or a successful DC 10 Intelligence (Arcana)
check will confirm that the portal is closed.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Lucianna Witherwood 147

Lucy, barely shaken by her ordeal, looks to her parents for
a moment, then back to Kyvan with an impish grin.
“You’ve been bad, Kyvan. And you know what bad kids
have to do? They have to learn how to be better...at school.”
Kyvan looks appropriately scandalized, but, with a quick
look at the crowd around him, agrees to accompany Lucy to
the village school. And even to behave themself...mostly.
The Witherwoods, for their part, seem to take the idea of
a fey student in stride. They embrace Lucy tightly, incredibly
relieved to be safe and together once again.
If the party renders Kyvan unconscious, he shrinks down
into a paper doll version of himself. Anyone holding the
paper doll gains a +1 to AC and the Lucky Feat, but there
will always be the chance that Kyvan figures out how to free
himself and exact his revenge. As soon as he is unconscious,
the spell on the dolls is broken, and Lucy and her parents
return to their physical forms.
Development
Once Kyvan has been defeated or bargained with, a stairway
appears in the center of the room, leading down to the
fountain room (4). The party and the Witherwoods simply
need to descend the staircase and step into the fountain, and
they return to the Material Plane.
Conclusion
The portal returns the party to the fairy circle in the woods.
The Witherwoods, overjoyed to be home, invite everyone out
to A Trip Away Inn to celebrate their homecoming.
Depending on what the party decided about
compensation earlier in the adventure, they are welcome
to broach the subject of payment on the way to the tavern.
If asked, the Witherwoods immediately offer their entire
savings of 800 gp as a reward for their rescue. They also
offer Mrs. Witherwood’s ruby necklace. It has been in her
family for generations, and her grandmother always said it
had some kind of magical power, but if it does, they haven’t
figured it out yet. The GM can decide the magic in this
necklace that is appropriate for the party, or use it as a hook
for a future adventure.
As the tavern comes into view, Elodie Tailor rushes over from
the square, relieved to see the Witherwoods safe and sound.
Tia, lounging just outside the entrance, smiles and beckons the
party inside, where they can recount their latest adventure
over rounds of free drinks and Estabôn’s famous desserts.
Appendix A: Magic Items
Seeing Stone
Magical stone, unique
A small smooth stone with a hole through the center.
While looking through it, a creature obtains Truesight. It
allows them to see in normal and magical darkness, reveal
invisible or illusory items or creatures, and offers a glimpse
into the Ethereal Plane, all up to 120 feet.
The seeing stone also has 4 charges which can be used to
cast the identify spell. It regains 1d4 charges at dawn.

Author’s Notes/Acknowledgments
Many thanks to the Tavern Tales Team for having me on, and to the Curse and the Coven for all the moral support and
sounding board group chats, y’all rock.

Author Bio
Kailey Bray is a Juilliard-trained actor, writer, and producer. She is the creator and DM for Damsels, Dice, and Everything
Nice, the Princess RPG parody. In addition to Damsels, she’s the Executive Producer of Tabletop Content at Pixel Circus,
a producer at Hyper RPG, and the Community Manager for AMC’s official Walking Dead Twitch Channel. You can find
her weekly as a player on the comedy D&D show Failed Save, and she’s also been featured on Amazon Prime’s Sneaky Pete,
Buzzfeed, Hyper RPG, Jasper’s Game Day, and the Dungeons and Dragons Twitch Channel. As a producer, she’s one of the
minds behind DnD In a Jet and Travels with Hyper. You can also hear her voice as The Seventh Sister in Jedi Challenges and
Tussa Pawsnettle in The Lost Scout: A Tale of Redwall. Her original adventure, A Vital Vintage, is available now on DMsGuild.
(Twitter: @hapabarbarian, @thepixelcircus)
148
Appendix B: Stat Blocks
Kyvan Mak’lysdir The Monster Under the Bed
Small fey, chaotic neutral Medium monstrosity (shapeshifter), neutral

Challenge 6 (2,300 XP) | Initiative: +2 | Prof. Bonus: +3 Challenge 7 (2,900 XP) | Initiative: 0 | Prof. Bonus: +3

armor class hit points speed armor class hit points speed
15 108 25 ft. 17 78 15 ft.
(+2 leather armor) (17d6 + 34) (natural armor) (12d8 + 24)

str dex con int wis cha str dex con int wis cha
11 (0) 15 (+2) 15 (+2) 13 (+1) 17 (+3) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 10 (0) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 17 (+3) 16 (+3)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Wis +6 Saving Throws Cha +6

Skills Acrobatics +5, Perception +6, Persuasion +5,
Stealth +5
Senses darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Sylvan
Fey Ancestry. Kyvan has advantage on saving throws
against being charmed, and magic can’t put them to sleep.
Spellcasting | Save DC: 15 | Attack Bonus: +6
Kyvan is a 10th-level Wisdom based spellcaster.
Action Spells
Cantrip (at will): guidance, mending, produce flame
1st Level (1/day each): charm person, faerie fire, thunderwave
2nd Level (1/day each): spike growth, moonbeam, hold person
3rd Level (1/day each): dispel magic, sleet storm
4th level (1/day each): polymorph, stoneskin
5th Level (1/day each): antilife shell, insect plague
Bonus Action Spells
Cantrip (at will): shillelagh
Actions
Multiattack. Kyvan can make three attacks per round.
Blowdart (modified). Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
Range 25/100ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing
damage. On a successful hit, the target must succeed on a
DC 18 Constitution save or take 7 (2d6) poison damage
on a failed save or half as much on a successful one.
Giant Spider Form. (1/day) Kyvan can polymorph
into a Giant Spider. While in spider form, he retains his
Wisdom, Intelligence, and Constitution, but his AC,
movement modes, Strength, and Dexterity are replaced
by those of a giant spider, and he gains its special senses,
proficiencies, traits, actions, and reactions.
Skills Deception +6, Perception +6, Stealth +3, Insight +6
Damage Vulnerabilities Radiant
Damage Resistances Resistant to any nonmagical attacks
Senses darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 13
Actions
Multiattack. The Monster can make three attacks per
round. Two Pseudopod attacks and one Bite attack.
Pseudopod. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 18 (2d10 +8) bludgeoning damage. On a
successful hit, target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength
saving throw or be grappled.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 13 (1d10 +8) piercing damage plus 3 (1d6)
psychic damage.
Nightmare Pulse. (Recharge on 5-6): The Monster
lets out a blast of psychic energy in a 30 ft. cube. Each
creature in that area must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom
saving throw. Each creature takes 28 (4d10 + 8) psychic
damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful
one. Additionally, any creature that fails the save is
frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving
throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on
itself on a success.
Rewards
Any trip to the Fey Realm is rife with opportunity for
treasure. In addition to the Witherwoods’ 800 gp and a favor
from Flip, the adventurers also have an opportunity to claim
the following magic items:
• The Seeing Stone
• fey desserts
• universal solvent
• ruby necklace (200 gp, potentially magical)

Chapter 3 | The Tales Lucianna Witherwood 149

150 Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge
A rvad Quillforge (He/Him)
Written by: Bailey Sullivan
Adventure Level: 5-6 | Players: 3-6
Content Warnings: Murder, Home Invasion

Dwarf • Poet
Dramatic and seemingly egotistical, though easily flustered. Hides his insecurities behind swagger and bravado.
He is wearing fine silks, has a long braided beard, and a feathered cap.

T he party finds a downtrodden dwarf, a poet named

Arvad, suffering from what appears to be a severe case
of writer’s block. Arvad informs them that his beloved
muse never arrived at the inn where she’d promised to
meet him. He urgently needs to find her, as she’s the
main source of his inspiration and there’s an important
performance scheduled the following week. However, the
muse is not quite what she seems, and the clock is ticking,
as the party gets lost in an adventure trying to recover the
muse in time for the performance.
Background
To the average passerby, Arvad appears egotistical, but in
truth he’s desperately trying to hide the fact that he owes
his success to a ghostwriter. He set out from home vowing
to become the greatest poet that ever lived, but after being
laughed out of several fine establishments and down to
his last copper, he decided to team up with the ghost of
the high elf Eddawyn Therafyl (She/Her), who, being
incorporeal, could not perform her own poems. Arvad
became more successful than he initially anticipated, and
now he doesn’t know how to drop the lie. He has told no
one the truth, and refers to Eddawyn as his muse.
Tavern Behavior
Arvad can be found settled into a corner booth, with several
empty glasses on his table and a pile of scrunched up balls of
paper. He’s extremely agitated and fidgety; he’s clearly having
trouble concentrating.
If asked, the bar staff or any of the regulars will tell
players that Arvad has spent the last week anxiously pacing
around the tavern, drinking heavily, and boasting loudly
about how great his next epic saga will be. Flip, in particular,
is somewhat skeptical about Arvad’s claims, but Arvad
continues to purchase some of the finest meads and wines
that the tavern has to offer- and tips well, too- so they has no
complaints to make about the eccentric dwarf.
Hook
The players are brought into the adventure when Arvad begs
one of the party members to give him feedback on a section
of his saga.

Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge 151

 The Poet & The Muse
The Poet
A sea of grubby adventurers in hoods and leathers, with
dried blood speckling their boots and greasy fingers ripping
into roasted meats, fills the tavern. Above it all, a delicate
silver plume, tucked into a hat atop the head of a 75-year-
old dwarven bard, Arvad Quillforge, quivers in the corner.
Brocaded purple silks drape over his stout frame, gemstones
glitter in the braids of his long auburn beard, and a quill is
gripped tightly in his surprisingly delicate, well manicured
hand. He sighs, forlornly, over a piece of blank parchment.
Arvad begins to write, but it’s not long before he shakes
his head and scrunches up the paper, adding it to the pile
of rejects. This happens several more times, and Arvad’s
expression begins to shift from despair to red-faced rage.
His knuckles whiten around his quill, as he violently stabs
out words onto the page. Then, Arvad’s fury reaches a
crescendo when, in a sudden moment of a passion, he cries
out and sweeps an avalanche of papers onto the ground.
“Terrible! It’s all terrible!” he cries, before breaking
down into sobs.
Flustered after having lost his cool, Arvad leaps out of his
chair and hastily collects the papers whilst wiping away tears.
“Don’t look at those! Avert thine eyes!” he snaps at
anyone nearby, before reining in his emotions and settling
into an air of calm and polite smiles. “I apologize for my
distasteful outburst…it’s just that, usually, my writing
comes so naturally to me… excuse me, would you mind
giving me feedback on this stanza?”
Something about the party caught Arvad’s eye, and he
approaches to beg them to critique his poetry, or at least help
him with his problem. If the party offers to listen, he clears
his throat and uncrumples a ball of paper.
“Listen, ye, to my tale cautionary about a dish most cursed
and deeply foul. A soup of-”
Arvad lets out a groan and re-crumples the paper.
“Gods be damned, it’s already stupid! Listen, you have to
understand, I’m usually so much better at this.”
“I’m certain that you recognize me. I am the widely
renowned poet, Arvad Quillforge. Alas, my beloved
muse, my dear Eddawyn, has not replied to my letters
in quite some time. It’s rather unlike her, and I am
deeply concerned about her well-being. As you can see,
my writing is not coming as easily to me as I would have
liked. My inspiration has been smothered by worries…”
152 Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge
Arvad goes on to explain that he has been invited to
perform the first section of his saga (currently untitled) at The
Royal Astera theater at sundown in a week from now. If the
performance goes well, it could very likely help him find a
wealthy patron. He’s heard that the wealthy Sienna Scaldris
(she/her) might be interested in his work, and he’d very much
like to impress her.
He asks that the party go to Eddawyn’s home in the woods
to check on her, as he doesn’t want to leave the inn in case
she sends him a message in the meantime, but he promises
the party the entirety of the profits -500 gp- from the
performance, if they manage to find her in time. Preserving
his reputation and finding his muse are more important to
him than the money. He draws a rough map for them to
Eddawyn’s home, about half a day’s walk away, and asks
them to leave the next morning at the latest.
A Walk in the Woods
The walk to Eddawyn’s home is about half a day’s walk away
through the woods. The map that Arvad has drawn, although
rough, is clear enough. The party must travel an eastward
path, then follow along a nearby river, and finally use natural
landmarks, including an odd rock formation and an unusual
circle of trees, to guide them toward their goal.
As the party walks, the GM may roll as many times
as they’d like on the following table for potential travel
incidents that the party may encounter.
d4 Potential Travel Incidents
The party finds an overturned cart, with a human
1 skeleton and a shipment of honey from The
Neverbee Honey Company.
The party gets lost. Roll 1d8 to determine how many
2
hours they are delayed.
The party finds a set of clothing, laid meticulously
on the rocks near the river, but no one is in sight.
3 In the pockets of the pants is a letter (“Pa's Letter” )
and a recipe for “Magic Tater Soup”. See Appendix A:
Handouts.
A bridge has collapsed over a 20 foot-deep ravine,
forcing the party to cross over a slippery fallen log
instead. Adventurers crossing the log must succeed
4
on a DC 12 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. On a
failed check, they take 2d6 bludgeoning damage
and must climb out of the ravine.
If the party met no delays in their travels, they will arrive
at the spot that Arvad had marked on the map six hours
after they set out. If the party was delayed, they may take
the opportunity to set up camp before continuing on in the
morning.
A stone cottage tucked between the gnarled trunks of
old oak trees. From a distance it appears quaint, even
downright cozy, but further investigation reveals it to have
been long abandoned. What used to be a garden is a tangle
of weeds and wildflowers, and several of the windows
have been shattered into threatening shards of jagged
glass. Vines of deep red roses twist up the walls of the
cottage, climbing through the open windows and poking
through holes in the thatched roof, nearly covering it in
some places. An overturned wheelbarrow and some rusty
gardening supplies are strewn about, as if whoever once
cared for the house left abruptly.
The door of the cottage is made of cracked and rotting
wood, and is barely hanging onto its rusting hinges. If the
party attempts to open the door, they will find it unlocked.
The Muse
As the ghost of Eddawyn Therafyl (She/Her) hears the party
approaching, she shifts to the Ethereal Plane, sinks beneath
the floorboards, and tries to figure out why they have come.
The interior of the cottage consists of a single room, lit by
pools of sunlight shining through the thorny, vine-tangled
holes in the roof. A bed, nightstand, chest, and wardrobe
stand in one corner, and a black kettle, overhanging a cold
fireplace full of ashes, stands on the opposite wall. Near the
bed, the wood is stained a dark hue.
A small cupboard contains some plates and cutlery, but
there’s not a crumb to be found in the house. It appears as
though its inhabitant has survived off the consumption of
knowledge alone, because the walls of the entire cottage are
covered with heavily laden bookshelves.
Near the door is a small table piled with papers, vials
of ink, and several blank books waiting to be filled. One
open vial drips ink down its side. Beside it rests a piece of
parchment with a quill lying on top of it. The ink on the
parchment is still wet, and reads, “Dear Ar-” before cutting
off. Tiny rodent footprints in the ink dash across the page
and lead off the table, wandering towards the bookshelf
before disappearing completely.
If the party chooses to investigate the dark hued stain, a
successful DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) check reveals
that the stain is blood that’s been scrubbed off the floor.
The chest at the foot of the bed is locked. The lock can
be picked by making a successful DC 15 Dexterity
check with thieves’ tools, or using a key found in the
nightstand. Inside of the chest is the skeleton of an elf and
a bloodstained green dress.
A successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check
reveals that, although the books bear the names of many
different authors, the bindings of many of the books are
emblazoned with a tiny rose insignia. One of these books
is entitled The Feast of the Wendigo by Arvad Quillforge.
Between the books scampers a little mouse, Reginald (he/him).
GM’s note: The insignia is Eddawyn’s calling card for
books that she had ghostwritten. The Feast of the Wendigo
was written by Eddawyn and inspired by rumors she’d
heard of the Wendigo in the woods.
After the party has taken a moment to explore, the ghost
of the high elf Eddawyn Therafyl reveals herself.
A female high-elf lifts herself through the floorboards
and appears at the table. Her dark hair floats in a curly
halo around her, and she’s dressed in a simple shawl. The
moment that she appears, Reginald darts out from the
bookshelf and dives into her lap, curling up comfortably.
Eddawyn glares at the party. The mouse does too.
“Who are you, and why are you in my house?”
Eddawyn has very little patience for rude and entitled
guests, but she holds out hope that the party might be able to
help her. Depending on the party’s response, the GM might
have the party roll a DC 12 Charisma (Persuasion) check
(or higher, if the party is particularly floundering) to gain her
trust. If the party fails, she will attempt to kick the party out
of her house unless they can explain their presence.
If the party explains that Arvad sent them, Eddawyn rolls
her eyes.
“I’m not his muse, like he tells everyone. I’m his ghostwriter.
And while I hate to keep Arvad waiting, an urgent matter
has come up that has taken the entirety of my attention.
I have no choice but to attend to this matter before I can
help him with his saga. Although, if you assist me in this,
I might be able to return to helping Arvad sooner.”
Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge 153
 Eddawyn explains to the party that she was murdered several years
ago. A halfling thief, wearing a cloak and a scarf over her face, broke
into her house to steal her most prized possession: a book that she
had been working on for the entirety of a decade, entitled Sword’s
Edge: Lesser Known Histories, Mysteries, and Witcheries of Melterra.
The thief was startled to see Eddawyn home, and more surprised
when Eddawyn took the opportunity to cast burning hands at the
intruder. Unfortunately, the thief was too quick, dodged out of the
way of the spell, and slipped a dagger through Eddawyn’s rib cage.
The next thing that Eddawyn knew, she was hovering over her own
body, lying in a pool of blood, and her book was missing. Her ghost
has been bound to the interior of the house ever since.
Eddawyn thought that discovering her murderer and recovering
her work would be impossible, until the thief reappeared three
weeks ago at Eddawyn’s home. Eddawyn shifted to the Ethereal
Plane and hid, watching and trying to gain more information on
the thief. The thief burst through the door [specified earlier] and
set to rifling through the bookshelves in search of something. She
looked panicked, flinging Eddawyn’s prized books to the floor in a
boorish manner that made Eddawyn shudder. It was too much for
the elf to bear, so she brought her ghostly powers to bear on the thief
(horrifying visage), frightening the thief off.
Eddawyn’s familiar, a little brown mouse, followed the thief out of
the cottage and through the woods, before the thief jumped into the
water of a large pond and vanished beneath the surface.
Eddawyn implores the party to help her. She promises that, if they
help her to recover her book, make it known to the world, and seek
vengeance on her killer, she can get back to helping Arvad with his
poem. Not only that, but they can rake in the profits from the sales
of the book in her absence if they want, and her soul can perhaps
finally be at peace.
If the party agrees to help Eddawyn, she allows her familiar,
Reginald, to lead the party to where he had last seen the thief.

154 Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge

Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge 155
156 Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge
Old Ghosts
Reginald leads the party through the woods to a curtain of
willow trees. Pulling back the vines reveals a large, slightly
murky pond, covered in lily pads, leading into a stone
grotto. Over the pond, two will-o-wisps flicker. The sound
of croaking toads reverberates throughout the area.
The pond has a diameter of 100 feet, and extends into a
grotto with 20 foot high stone walls. At the northern end
of the grotto, 10 feet from the wall, there are two rocks that
are 5 feet wide. The westernmost rock is protruding 1 foot
out of the water and the easternmost stone protrudes 3 feet
out of the water.
Reginald waits expectantly at the edge of the pond, pacing
around while the party investigates.
The hatch to the thief’s den is at the far end of the grotto,
on the northern side of the easternmost rock. The hatch is
painted grey to match the rock, but can be spotted by those
in the rear of the grotto with a successful DC 10 Wisdom
(Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check.
Reginald can also help bring the party members to the
general area of the hatch if he is brought along.
GM’s note: The thief uses Slippers of Spider Climbing to
access the hatch, sneaking along the ceiling of the grotto and
dropping down on top of the rock that contains the hatch.
From the southern bank of the pond, a successful DC 10
Wisdom (Perception) check reveals that there’s something
causing unusual waves in the water. Rolling 12 or higher
reveals that the disturbance is caused by merrow.
The following chart should be used to determine how
many merrow are in the water.
Party Size # of Merrow
3 1
4 2
5 3
6 4
A sunken rowboat sits at the bottom of the pond.
Adventurers can locate the rowboat with a successful
DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) check. Near the
rowboat is the deteriorated skull of an adult human with
a knife wedged into it, and a small locked chest that can
be unlocked with a successful DC 15 Dexterity check
using thieves’ tools. The chest contains a scroll in a sealed
container and the Burden Bearer's Dagger (see Appendix B:
Magic Items). On the hilt of the dagger is a sigil of a cracked
skull with plants growing out of it.
The scroll is a letter dated 75 years ago (see "Margery's
letter" in Appendix A: Handouts). Adventurers who succeed
on a DC 15 Intelligence (History) check recognize the
name of the Scholars of the Awakened Mind, power-hungry
necromancers, notorious for the chaos and bloodshed
that they caused. The group was eventually eradicated by
dedicated adventurers and growing hostilities within the group
itself. They were last seen about 50 years ago.
Once the party discovers the wooden hatch, they find that
it opens easily when pulled, dropping a ladder into the water.
The ladder allows the party to climb into a tunnel carved into
the rock.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge 157
158 Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge
The Den
This is the den of Leta Silverfoot (she/her), the halfling
rogue. It was once the gathering place of a band group of
necromancers called the Scholars of the Awakened Mind.
Leta Silverfoot
Leta Silverfoot is a well-regarded thief in the area. She is
heavily tattooed, heavily scarred, and wears a sort of dashing
half-smile. She takes every opportunity to make a joke, even
if it’s not quite appropriate. It can’t quite be said that she has
swagger, as she’s much too heavy-handed for that, but there’s
something about her that is charming. She’s honest, for a
thief, and has an air of sincerity about her. Additionally, she
is almost tragically optimistic and will do anything for those
she considers to be a friend.
The Slide 1
The hatch opens, revealing a rocky slide, slick with mud.
The tunnel is a bit short for any creatures medium or larger,
necessitating that they lie down in order to make it down
the tunnel. Additionally, there is also a rope that follows
the length of the tunnel. The tunnel twists and turns a few
times, but for the adventurers who chose to slide down, the
ride is surprisingly smooth.
Those who don’t use the rope for guidance going down the
slide must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, or
crash into a wall or their comrades on the way down.
The Foyer 2
Torches flicker around a circular stone room, about 30
feet in diameter. The room is barren other than a horribly
cluttered desk, upon which is a ledger, scattered pieces
of grease-stained paper, and a half-eaten roasted chicken
sitting directly on the desk. Additionally, there is a dark
green wooden door, which appears to be wedged closed by
a chandelier that has fallen from the ceiling, scattering half-
burned candles across the floor. The rusty chain that held
up the chandelier has given way. From behind the door, a
light knocking can be heard.
If ignored, the knocking gets louder and louder, until it’s
banging. If the door is opened, a goblin bursts forth and begins
to run in circles around the room. This is Edgar (he/him).
Edgar has been entrusted with the key to the rest of the
den, and it’s his job to record the names of everyone who
enters, and get permission from Leta if they’re not on the list.
Edgar keeps the key around his neck and protects it dearly.
Leta pays Edgar well for his work and he’s content with his
job, although he’s not above bribery, and can be persuaded to
allow the party through without violence.
If the party does not immediately subdue Edgar, he calms
down after a moment and looks the party over, glowering at
them.
Despite being somewhat rough around the edges, Edgar is
extremely excitable and frankly a bit lonely, being an outsider
to his own community. If the party is aggressive towards him,
he will try to de-escalate the situation, but he will fight as a last
resort. He is particularly responsive to entreaties of friendship,
as he’s been quite lonely, and has been down here for a while.
“You shall not pass without my permission!”
In one of Edgar’s pockets is a note (see "Edgar’s Reminder"
in Appendix A: Handouts). If the party befriends him, Edgar
wants to help the party, but he does not want to fail at his
guard duties. Therefore, he dramatically fakes dropping the
note from his pocket, directing the party’s attention to it. If
the party asks what it’s about, he pretends not to know what
they’re talking about.
Edgar mutters that he’d gotten stuck inside of the tunnel
behind him, as he calmly walks to the ledger and asks the
party members their names, checking them against a list on
the cluttered desk. He shakes his head sadly in response to
any names that the party gives him, and tells them that they
have to come back after making an appointment.
A successful DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals
that there are no names written in the ledger at all.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge 159
 The Catacombs 3
The door Edgar was trapped behind swings open to reveal a
small entranceway leading to a dark, dank catacomb, where
hundreds, if not thousands, of humanoid bones line the
walls of the 10 foot-wide, 150 foot-long hallway. The door
locks behind the party upon closing.
Many of the bones have different numbers and letters
painted on them in red. There is a black stone pedestal in the
entryway, containing a note and a large basin. Inscribed on
the stone is an image of a cracked skull with flowers growing
out of it, similar to the one on the hilt of the dagger that the
party may have found earlier. The only light in the room
comes from two torches near the edge of the pedestal.
To solve Edgar’s riddle, the party members must remove the
bones with the letters to spell “SNAKE,” and place them in
the basin. If the party members touch the incorrect bones,
a skeleton pulls itself together from the bones at the other
end of the wall. With every mistake made, the number of
skeletons generated doubles, maxing out at 16 skeletons.
In addition, any sound louder than quiet speech made
after passing the entryway will be considered a mistake, and
triggers the formation of more skeletons.
When the party makes it to the end of the hall, they find
a stone door (AC 17, HP 27). If they solved the riddle, they
hear a click as the door is unlocked. If they did not solve
the riddle, the door remains magically locked, although the
magic can be dispelled or the door can be broken.
The skeletons return to their homes in the wall as soon as
the party crosses into the next room.
Leta’s Living Room 4
This is a relatively ordinary dwelling, despite it being
underground. The home contains a bookshelf and chest, a
small kitchen and a seating area.
160 Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge
The chest is a mimic, a remnant of the mages who used to
live here, that Leta likes to keep around. The mimic will
attack anyone attempting to tamper with or open the chest.
The door to the west leads to her bedroom.
Having heard the party members approaching, Leta
Silverfoot (see Appendix C: Stat Blocks) is hiding in a
hidden panel in the wall of the main room (4), and can
be found with a successful Intelligence (Investigation)
check, opposed by Leta’s stealth.
Leta watches them to see what they might be after, and will
eventually attempt to make a sneak attack, to hold one of
the party members hostage for information.
If Leta is killed or incapacitated, the party finds the
Sword’s Edge manuscript, with a circled section detailing
the above information, along with Leta’s notes (see "Sword’s
Edge" in Appendix A: Handouts). Leta also has the slippers of
spider climbing.
If Leta is questioned by the party, or figures out that they
have come on the behalf of Eddawyn, she explains that she’d
been hired to steal Eddawyn’s book, Sword’s Edge, by an
unnamed contact. She didn’t intend on killing Eddawyn, but
her source had told her that she wouldn’t be home, and she was
thrown off by Eddawyn’s presence. Leta is ashamed to admit
that she got scared, and it’s been haunting her ever since.
After reading the book herself, Leta discovered that her
unnamed client who had commissioned her to steal the book
likely had dangerous motives, on a larger scale than she’d
initially suspected. Among other things, the book suggested
that the nobleman, Lord Cornelius McGregor (he/him) of
Astera, might have been using a Rod of Rulership, as it dove
into local history, and noted the strange behavior among
almost everyone who surrounded him. Leta returned to
Eddawyn’s home the second time to see if she could find
more evidence to support Eddawyn’s findings, swallowing
her guilt in returning to the home, but she didn’t find
anything before she was scared away.

Leta’s Bedroom 5
This simple bedroom shows signs of recent use. The soft glow
of the oil lamp on the north wall seems to have recently been
filled, and the blankets on the bed have been thrown aside
haphazardly. A small half filled glass of water sits on the
overturned crate, a makeshift nightstand. A dresser stands
against the South wall of the room.
Development
Adventurers with a passive Perception of 10 or higher
hear footsteps approaching. After a moment, a scout
and two thugs appear at the door. The scout and thugs
work for Lord Cornelius McGregor and have tracked the
party’s footsteps from Eddawyn’s cottage to the den, after
camping out near the cottage in an attempt to gain more
information. They’re ruthless, and have come here for the
book and to silence anyone who might know anything
about its contents.
If Leta has been treated reasonably by the party, she will help
the party to fight the attackers, otherwise she will do her best
to protect her own life and the stolen book, Sword’s Edge.
After the scout and the thugs have been taken care of, if
Leta’s still alive she will offer to assist the party, hoping to
make reparations for her past deeds. She has the key to the
door leading to the catacomb they came in, and they’re free
to go with the book in tow.
In the scout’s pocket is an intercepted letter from Arvad,
addressed to Eddawyn (see "Arvad’s Letter" in Appendix A:
Handouts).
A Patron’s Dues
Eddawyn’s Cottage
When the party returns to Eddawyn, she’s thrilled to see
they’re carrying her book.
If Leta has joined the party, Eddawyn is initially upset to
see her there, but can be persuaded to accept Leta’s presence.
Eddawyn agrees to begin working on the excerpt from the
Saga, although she makes a request of the party. She needs
them to report back to Arvad to inform him that she’ll have
the work ready for him in time for the performance, but that
it will be delivered to the Royal Astera Theater, as she won’t
have time to get it to A Trip Away Inn.
More importantly, she also would like either the party or
Arvad to announce the book at The Royal Astera Theater,
after Arvad concludes his performance.
She thanks the party sincerely, tells them that, because of
them, her soul will soon be at peace, and entrusts the book
back to them.
Back to A Trip Away
When the party returns to A Trip Away Inn, they find Arvad in
almost the exact same spot that they’d left him in, except much
more drunk. He’s slurring his words and is covered in ink.
When the party reports back Eddawyn’s promise to
work on the saga, he cries happy tears and hugs the party
members gratefully.
If the party brings it up, Arvad may admit to the party
that he knew that Eddawyn was a ghost, but he didn’t want
to scare them off the journey. He does his best to keep the
party quiet about the fact that he has a ghostwriter.
If asked, Arvad will have heard of Lord Cornelius
McGregor. In fact, if Sienna Scaldris (his would-be patron)
won’t have him, Arvad hoped to court Lord Cornelius as a
patron, hearing that he was wealthy and a fan of the theater.
If asked, several other people at the tavern recognize the
lord’s name, but no one seems to know much about him.
At this point, the party has the opportunity to enjoy some
time at the tavern. The performance is scheduled to occur in
the next 3 days, so they have some time for some r&r before
leaving in the morning, if they travel by horse.
Arvad asks the party if they would like to join him in his
carriage to Astera for the performance. If they take him up
on it, they’re treated to a cushy ride, although they’ll have to
stomach Arvad’s boasting for the entirety of the trip.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge 161
162 Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge
The Royal Astera Theater
The Royal Astera Theater is a large, lush hall that only the
wealthiest patrons attend. There are intricate carvings of fey
creatures in the wood paneling, and the stage is framed by
luxurious red velvet curtains.
If the party asks around, they discover that Lord Cornelius
McGregor (uses the noble stat block) has a private box seat,
overlooking the stage. Lord Cornelius’ hair is slicked back,
he has a pointed beard, and he’s dressed in red silks. He’s
surrounded by servants and has the Rod of Rulership in his
possession.
When Arvad arrives, he finds a package waiting for him
containing his saga. However, his face falls upon opening it.
The segment entitled “A Centaur’s Dream,” has been water
damaged. It can be found in Appendix A: Handouts. He begs
the party to help him fix the segment, claiming that the epic
won’t make sense without it.
The party may each write a line or two, or they can make a
DC 14 Charisma (Performance) check. Anyone who writes
their own line gets an automatic success. The party earns
800 gp, deducting 50 gp for each failure, and deducting an
additional 100 gp if less than half of the party succeeded.
Keep note of this number for the party’s potential earnings at
the end of the night.
Just as the party finishes writing, the lights flicker. It’s time
for Arvad to go on.
The audience is highly responsive, depending on the
success of the party’s writing efforts. A bad segment can ruin
the mood of a performance.
After Arvad finishes presenting the saga, the party may
present Eddawyn’s book as they see fit. However, as they
walk out to do so, Lord Cornelius McGregor stands and calls
out to the audience.
“Excellent performance. Charming, truly. These scoundrels
have come here to disturb the order of Astera. That little
book that they’re peddling is nothing but lies, dangerous
lies. They have colluded with those conspiring to have me
murdered. Martin, release my pet(s). Kill the lot of them
and burn that book. This show is just getting good.”
A hatch opens in the ceiling, and either two or three red
dragon wyrmlings fly out, depending on party size. As the
wyrmlings descend, most of the patrons run away, apart from
several of Lord Cornelius’ guards, who charge the party.
The following chart should be used to determine how many
enemies the party will face:
Party Size # of Wyrmlings # of Guards
3 2 2
4 2 7
5 3 2
6 3 7
Tactics: During the fight, Arvad stands his ground,
attempting to dodge attackers, but not fighting himself.
He attempts to inspire the party through his poetry, using
Bardic Inspiration on his turn in combat.
Lord Cornelius McGregor cowers and attempts to use the
Rod of Rulership on the party members if the situation
allows, but will run away after he realizes that the party
can put up a fight.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge 163
 Conclusion
After the fight, the party sits in the blood-soaked theater.
Arvad looks around, pale faced, and mutters, “well, I’m
glad that I went with a red velvet vest. Can’t see the
blood!”
Seeing that the commotion has died down, the curious
audience filters back into the theater. The town receives
the party warmly for bringing down the dragon(s), but are
shocked at Lord Cornelius for having brought violence into
their theater in the first place. If the party explains that he’d
been using a Rod of Rulership on them, the townsfolk thank
them most graciously for their intervention, cheer for the
great poet, whom they believe has slain a dragon, and cheer
for his friends.
If the party chooses to, they have another chance to
show off Eddawyn’s book. At this point, Sienna Scaldris
approaches Arvad, saying that she’s very interested in his
work, and that she loved the entirety of his performance. She
intends to offer to sponsor him, but Arvad stops her.
With a shaky voice, Arvad says that he has a confession
to make. He tells the city that he’s been working with a
ghostwriter, Eddawyn Therafyl, and that she truly deserves the
credit for all of his work. He’s embarrassed, but also appears
relieved. He says that he’ll have to take some writing lessons,
and he publicly thanks his new friends for all of their help.
Sienna thanks Arvad for his honesty and tells him that, if
he ever performs again, in an honest fashion, she’d be happy
to give him another chance. He helped make their town a
safer place, after all.
Rewards
Despite Arvad’s confession, he still was paid by the Royal
Astera Theater, and gives the party their earnings in the
amount determined by their earlier skill check.
On Lord Cornelius McGregor, the party may find the rod
of rulership and an emerald ring (valued at 1000 gp).
They’re lauded as heroes in Astera, and they’re offered free
drink and a place to stay for the night.

Author’s Acknowledgments
This one’s for Joey, my muse, who is definitely not a ghost.

Author Bio
Bailey is a Chicago-area nerd with a penchant for dumplings and an undying love for the cat that is in charge
of her household. When she’s not writing or playing tabletop games with friends, she can be found singing and
playing her ukulele, reading, or wandering around the small scraps of nature that Chicago has to offer.

164
Appendix A: Handouts
Magic Tater Soup
Ingredients:
• 5 taters, peeled and chopped up into little baby tater
cubes.
• Chopped up root vegetables. Anything you want that
you can find whilst riflin’ through gardens will do. After
much experimentin’ I find that I’m partial to 1 onion, 3
carrots (peeled), and 1 or 2 stalks of celery.
• Salt. Pepper. Whatever else you have that makes things
taste good.
• 1/3rd cup butter.
• ⅓ cup flour.
• about 30 ounces of broth of a chicken, made from the
bones of a chicken slaughtered under a full moon.
• 2 ½ cups fresh cows’ milk. Preferably still warm from the
cow to keep the magic nice an’ potent.
• ½ cup heavy cream.
• 2 hairs of a fey creature (I find this is more edible when
chopped extremely finely. I don’t wanna be coughin’ up
hairballs.)
Steps:
1. Whilst walkin’ in a circle ‘round yer pot and chanting
the words, “Magic Tater Soup,” put the taters, vegetables,
broth and seasonings into said pot.
2. Whilst still chanting, bring everythin’ to a boil, and leave
it cookin’ til the taters are mushy. It’ll take about twenty
minutes. But don’t stop chantin’ yet, ‘cause while the
taters are boilin’ there’s other stuff to do.
3. Melt the butter in a pan and add the flour. Whip it
around with whatever whisking utensil you may have. A
coupla twigs oughta do.
4. Add the milk to the pan and stir as it thickens a bit.
5. Once the taters are cooked, mix everything together in
the pot, including the heavy cream.
6. Stop chanting. Close your eyes. Slowly stir in the fey
hairs, thinking of things that warm your heart.
7. Open your eyes and eat the entire pot within one day.
Leave not a drop in the pot.
Consuming magic tater soup causes a creature to be
transformed into a frog with the lucky feat using the effects
of a True Polymorph spell. The effects last for 12 hours or
until the magic is somehow dispelled.
Pa’s Letter
Dear Timmy,
Yer Ma told me that you were gettin’ yerself into all sorts
of trouble these days and that you’ve been ‘specially prone
to bad luck. First it was hemorrhoids, and then it was the
ladies, and then it was the incident at the well that I dare
not repeat. Jus’ all kindsa bad luck that you’ve been havin’.
So I took it upon mineself to get to readin’ about how
one might go about curin’ bad luck, but they don’t really
sell those kinds of books to the general public, or at least
not if you don’t have much coin to spare. So I did my
best sneakin’ and creepin’ and I tried to slither through a
window of a wizard but accidentally flopped like a fish, so I
woke the wizard and just had to grab one of the first books I
saw before gettin’ fireballed out of the abode.
But yer lucky yer Pa is so smart, ‘cause even though the
book wasn’t exactly what I was lookin’ for, I used what I
learned in the book and mine own smarts to come up with
this recipe, just for you. I worked real hard on it, and I
know that if you jus’ tried it, things might turn around for
you real soon. Don’t taste too bad, neither.
In the meantime, you take care, son. Stay away from
criminals and lawmen and you’ll be jus’ fine.
Love ya kid, Pa
Margery’s Letter
To the Esteemed Rowenna Danforth,
We have received the invitation from the Scholars of the
Awakened Mind with great honor. When my daughter saw
the dagger on her windowsill with your note, she wept; not
for fear, but out of relief. It has been a poor year for crops in
our village, and the customary donation would be a great
boon to our people. Therefore, my daughter would like to
humbly accept your gracious invitation.
I send this message with her to deliver to you, after I’ve
left her at the entrance that you’ve directed us to. I will
advise you that, at times, she lets her fear overcome her, and
her emotions get confused. If she gives you any pushback, I
promise you that it’s not her true emotions speaking. She has
told me many times before that, in her heart, she wants to be
the sacrifice, and if she says otherwise, rest assured that she
doesn’t mean it.
Once again, I must thank you. Dutifully yours,
Margery Thanfeldt
Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge 165
 Appendix A: Handouts (continued)
Edgar’s Reminder
Dear Edgar,
Thank you so much for your help as my receptionist and
guard. You’ve always been an excellent employee, and I’m
sorry to hear that you’ve been having trouble remembering
the password. The incident with the skeletons was
unfortunate, and for that I apologize.
While it wouldn’t do to spell out the password in case of
prying eyes, I wrote you a little hint below to help jog your
memory.
Sincerely, L.S.
I built my home on corrupted grounds
left abandoned for the ages.
The walls you see are a bit spellbound,
bones of necromancer mages.
Among the bones is a secret word
that I have hidden just for you.
The door through the hall will set you free-
if you’ve the answer, you’ ll get through.
Below’s the riddle, and do your best,
For there’s a chance that you may die.
Think carefully, for I do suggest
you let sleeping skeletons lie.
“I have no shoes, but several feet.
A mouth but remain most quiet.
I have a fork but no spoon to eat
my favorite items from my diet.
What Am I?”
166 Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge
Sword’s Edge
An Excerpt from Sword’s Edge: Lesser Known Histories,
Mysteries, and Witcheries of Melterra:
“... Another notable example is that of Lord Cornelius
McGregor. While he’s always been a man of charm
and influence in Astera as the lord of a sizeable estate, a
particular pattern of events has lead me to believe that
he has been unlawfully manipulating citizens for his
own personal gain. I find it highly likely that he has been
abusing a magical item, most likely a rod of rulership.
Many people in Astera have suffered for it, as he seems to be
manipulating even government heads, and it appears that
much brutality has occurred because of him.”
Beneath it, in Leta’s handwriting is scrawled:
Employer/McGregor Connection?? Need more info. on
McGregor/ how to stop
Arvad’s Letter
To my Dearest Eddawyn,
I hope that you are doing well. It concerns me greatly that
you have not provided me with the manuscript on time, as
it’s rather unlike you. This is a very big performance coming
up at The Royal Astera Theatre and I believe that we might
have a patron if we do well! I understand that you may be
busy, truly, but I think that you want this as much as I do.
Please send word to A Trip Away Inn as soon as you can.
Sincerely, Arvad Quillforge
A Centaur’s Dream
Through fields of ____ and ______ of ________
Night has come to _____ Oh, taste the _______
___________________
gods and beasts and _____, all have ___________
________________, _______________
The blood! The blood! Rivers of blood, all________
And then I wake, a ladder set before me
eternally bound to this dungeon hell
for a centaur’s greatest weakness is a ladder.
Appendix B: Magic Items Appendix C: Stat Blocks (continued)
Burden Bearer’s Dagger Leta Silverfoot
Weapon (dagger), rare
Small humanoid (halfling), neutral neutral
The dagger is a magic item, initially intended to be used
for live sacrifices by a necromancer cult, the Scholars of the Challenge 1/8 (25 XP) | Initiative: +3 | Prof. Bonus: +2
Awakened Mind. Anyone who is injured by this dagger
must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw, or be armor class hit points speed
charmed for one round, feeling a deep sense of calm and a 14 65 25 ft.
lack of willingness to fight back. On a successful save, the (leather armor) (10d10 + 10)
dagger will not affect the target again.
str dex con int wis cha
12 (+1) 17 (+3) 13 (+1) 8 (-1) 13 (+1) 11 (0)

Saving Throws Dex +5, Int +1

Appendix C: Stat Blocks Skills Acrobatics +5, Stealth +5, Sleight of Hand +5
Condition Resistances advantage on saving throws vs.
Arvad Quillforge being frightened
Medium humanoid (dwarf), neutral good Senses Darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 11
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP) | Initiative: +2 | Prof. Bonus: +2 Languages Common
Sneak Attack (1/round). Leta can deal an extra 4d6
armor class hit points speed damage to one creature she hits with an attack with a
12 22 25 ft. finesse or ranged weapon if she has advantage on the
(robes) (4d6 + 8) attack roll. Leta doesn’t need advantage on the attack roll
if another enemy of the target is within 5 ft. of it, or if that
str dex con int wis cha
enemy is incapacitated and you don’t have disadvantage on
the attack roll.
12 (+1) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 8 (-1) 15 (+2)
Evasion. When Leta is subjected to an effect that allows
Saving Throws Dex +4, Cha +4 her to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half
Skills Acrobatics +4, Performance +4 damage, she instead takes no damage if she succeeds on the
saving throw, and only half damage if she fails.
Damage Resistances poison (dwarven resilience)
Senses Darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 9 Actions
Languages Common, Dwarvish
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
Song of Rest. If Arvad or any friendly creatures who can Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing damage.
hear his performance regain hit points at the end of a
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach
short rest by spending one or more Hit Dice, each of those
150/600 ft., Hit: 7 (1d8+3) piercing damage.
creatures regains an extra 1d6 hit points.

Actions Bonus Actions

Cunning Action. Leta can take a bonus action on each of
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach
her turns to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
5 ft, or range 20/60 ft., Hit: 3 (1d4+1) piercing damage.

Bonus Actions Reactions

Uncanny Dodge. When an attacker that Leta can see hits
Bardic Inspiration. (2/day) A creature (other than Arvad)
her with an attack, she can use her reaction to halve the
within 60 ft. that can hear Arvad gains an inspiration die
attack’s damage against her.
(1d6). For 10 minutes, the creature can add it to one ability
check, attack roll, or saving throw. This can be added after
seeing the roll, but before knowing the outcome.

Chapter 3 | The Tales Arvad Quillforge 167

168 Chapter 3 | The Tales Kyra Truemoon
K yra Truemoon (She/Her)
Written by: Lynne M. Meyer
Adventure Level: 6-7 | Players: 3-5
Content Warnings: Emotional Abuse, Paranormal Activity
Human • Diviner in service to House Ardelean.
Kind and generous, always ready to help others in need. Radiates a quiet self-confidence. Adept at keeping secrets.
An attractive woman in her late 20s. Long black hair and gray eyes. Of a soft, moderate build, standing a little over
five-and-a-half feet tall.
D eep in the forest, a castle has been overtaken by evil. The
resident dowager, bitterly jealous of her daughter, has
slowly poisoned the mind of her son-in-law, turning his heart
cold as stone. Life in the castle became miserable for all who
lived there, including a young diviner and the steward, who
watched, heartbroken, as the warm, good-hearted daughter
was subjected to scorn and indifference. The trio fell in
love. When the dowager died they planned their escape, but
the mother’s jealousy and bitterness proved more powerful
than the grave. Now, two of the three are trapped inside,
imprisoned by a terrifying spirit and the man corrupted by its
influence. The diviner begs the adventurers to save her loves
before it’s too late, and to put the spirit to rest.
Background
Nestled in the forests to the west of the tavern stands Castle
Ardelean. Five years ago, Lord Ardelean died, leaving
behind Lady Amara Ardelean, and their daughter, Ileana.
Resenting her husband’s death, and unwilling to see her
daughter subsequently leave her through marriage, Lady
Ardelean arranged for Ileana to marry one of her late
husband’s knights, Sir Blake, a man of good standing but
little fortune. All too grateful to his new mother-in-law, Sir
Blake readily agreed to make Castle Ardelean the couple’s
home. The marriage was happy enough at first, with Ileana
and Sir Blake finding friendship and physical pleasure in
each other. However, Lady Ardelean resented her daughter’s
deepening contentment, her heart more consumed by envy
and hatred with the passage of each day. But there was more.
For generations, the worthy descendants of House Ardelean
have been blessed with magical gifts, fueled by a pact made
between Andrei Ardelean and a clan of grateful sprites.
Consumed by jealousy, Lady Ardelean strove to suppress
Ileana’s awakening and freedom, making her son-in-law an
accomplice by corrupting his once-pure heart. Even after
Lady Ardelean’s death, Sir Blake remains cold and callous
towards his former beloved.
Kyra watched helplessly as Ileana was subjected to scorn,
indifference, and cruelty by her mother and husband, and
her own heart broke. So, too, did the good heart of the castle
steward, Sir Cefin. The three of them fell in love. When the
Dowager Ardelean died, it looked as though the time was
right for them at last. Sir Cefin confronted Sir Blake, but
Dowager Ardelean’s spirit came to Sir Blake’s aid; even in
death refusing her daughter happiness.
In the fray, Ileana disappeared from her chambers; Sir
Cefin was subdued and thrown in the castle dungeon, where
still he lies, injured. Kyra knows he’s alive but weakening.
Ileana is alive, but she’s not sure where. Not all of her sending
spells seem to make it through to her, and scrying reveals
nothing.
Thanks to Kyra’s powers of divination, she knows which
band of heroes she’s waiting to see arrive at the tavern. She
believes they are the ones called to defeat the evil plaguing
Castle Ardelean.
Tavern Behavior
Clad in fine robes in shades of blue, black, and silver, Kyra
sips a drink, her black hair draped over her shoulders.
She appears tired and concerned, but her gray eyes watch
everything keenly. Her presence in the tavern is hard to
miss, even though she sits quietly in one corner. She’s chosen
a table large enough for many, despite being alone. When
patrons other than the party ask to borrow one of the chairs,
she politely declines, saying she’s awaiting friends.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Kyra Truemoon 169

Hook
If the adventurers approach her, Kyra seems unsurprised
to see them. It is the first time she visibly relaxes, as
if something she has been awaiting has come to pass.
“Greetings, friends. I’m so glad you’ve arrived. There’s no time
to waste. Sit, and I will tell you all you need to know.”
If they don’t approach her, Kyra taps the small red ball on
her table, and hands her server a note. A few moments later,
one of the Two Timing Twins brings the note to the party,
along with a round of drinks. Written in gracious hand, the
note reads: “Greetings, friends. I’m so glad you’ve arrived. There’s
no time to waste. Come and I will tell you all you need to know.”
Dramatis Personae
Dowager Amara Ardelean (CE female human ghost, she/
her): late wife of Lord Codrin Ardelean, and mother to
Ileana. Once the epitome of elegance, but always somewhat
aloof even at her best. After her husband’s death, her
loneliness, jealousy, and bitterness made her cruel.
Sir Blake Barrett (CE male human veteran, he/him):
knight, formerly in service to Lord Codrin Ardelean, now
married to Lady Ileana. In his early thirties he’s tall, lean
but strong, with short black hair a thin mustache, and a
trimmed beard that frames his narrow jawline. His piercing
blue eyes bespeak the coldness of his soul. With the death
of the Dowager Ardelean, he and Ileana are the new lord
and lady of Castle Ardelean.
Sir Cefin Connolly (NG male human knight, he/him):
steward of Castle Ardelean. Of approximate age to Sir
Blake, he’s tall, strong, and solidly built, and wears his
long, auburn hair pulled into a neat ponytail. His beard
and mustache are slightly more pronounced than Sir
Blake’s. While undeniably a gentleman in appearance and
demeanor, those who look upon him know, without a
doubt, that he is more than capable in a fight. His blue eyes
miss little. In love with Ileana Barrett and Kyra Truemoon.
Lady Ileana Ardelean Barrett (NG female human sprite
sorcerer, she/her - see included stat block): daughter of the
late Lord and Lady Ardelean, and unhappy wife to Sir
Blake. Through Kyra, she recently learned of the magical
legacy she carries as a scion of House Ardelean. In her mid-
twenties, she’s slightly shorter than average in height, with
an athletic, medium build, curious green eyes, and platinum
blonde hair in a bob cut, that hints at the free spirit she
tries desperately to retain, in spite of her circumstances. In
love with Kyra Truemoon and Cefin Connolly.
170 Chapter 3 | The Tales Kyra Truemoon
In the Shadow of the Cursed
The party learns of a haunted castle in a forest, and people
in need of rescue from it. The adventurers soon discover that
getting to Castle Ardelean won’t be as easy as they think.
The Diviner’s Plea
From her bag, she pulls a round object, wrapped in soft
cloth, and a metal stand which she places on the table. As
you watch, she unwraps the bundle to reveal a crystal ball,
which she rests gently on the stand. She looks at you in
earnest. “My name is Kyra Truemoon. Until a few days
ago, I was in the employ of the lord and lady of Castle
Ardelean, located in the forest to the west. It was once
a beautiful place, home to an ancient and good family.
But now it is in the grip of evil, and I need your help.” A
tear begins to form in her eye. She stiffens her resolve, and
continues, motioning to the crystal ball before her. “I’m
a diviner. The late Dowager Ardelean hired me because
I have the ability to see what others cannot. My curse is
that, although I can see, I do not have the power to save
the ones I love.”
In addition to the information provided in the Adventure
Background, Kyra conveys the following:
• Castle Ardelean is approximately two days away by foot.
Getting there requires going deep into the forest.
• Ileana is descended from a long line of sorcerers on her
father’s side, but only discovered this recently, when
she began showing signs of magical ability. Kyra found
timeworn journals in the castle library, which told the
story of how the first Ardelean, by defeating a green hag
in the forest, earned the unending respect of a clan of
sprites who also made the forest their home. For his aid,
they granted a boon to him, as well as to all in his line to
come who were of good and pure heart. Kyra brought this
information to Ileana.
• Kyra also found reference to a powerful staff, passed down
through the Ardelean line, and discovered where Dowager
Ardelean had hidden it. However, before she could bring
it to Ileana, Kyra had to make her escape. She placed the
staff in a chest in her own chambers, guarded by an arcane
lock. Only a rightful scion of House Ardelean can open it.
Kyra offers each member of the party virtually all she
has - 200 gp each, in coin and gems, as well as her services
as a diviner once in the future, at a time of their choosing
- to rescue Lady Ileana and Sir Cefin, and put the spirit of
Dowager Ardelean to rest. If the party accepts, she tells them
where to find the dungeon, as well as Lady Ileana’s chambers.
She advises them to find Ileana first, because she can help.
Into the Woods
Travel through the forested lands surrounding Castle
Ardelean begins smoothly. However, as the party draws closer
to its destination, hidden dangers are revealed.
A day into your travel, you’re deep into the thick, verdant
forest. The trip has gone smoothly, and the heady scent of
evergreens and earth both invigorates and soothes your
spirits. But now, as you continue forward, you begin to
notice more knobby roots underfoot. The breeze shifts, and
from somewhere - you’re not sure where - comes the smell
of rotting wood; fallen branches decaying in a still pond
nearby. Night is falling soon.
GM’s note: The wendigo from Muninn/Vincent Rews’ tale
can also be found in these woods. Whether running this
adventure before or after that one, the creepiness of this
setting can be added to by hinting at the presence of these
other beings and their activities.
Once night falls, and the party has either made camp or - if
they choose to press on through the night - paused for a break:
The forest, so welcoming by day, seems less so now. You’re
grateful for the warmth and light of your fire (if the party
has elected to light one), though somehow the flickering of
the flames makes the night more ominous, as you think
of your task ahead. An owl’s cry carries on the wind, as it
weaves through the trees.
When the last stirge falls:
From among the trees, you hear the distant sound of voices.
Small lights pierce the darkness.
On a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check,
characters hear the voices but cannot discern what is being
said; on a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check,
they hear what sounds like a small party of travelers in
distress.
If the characters call out to the source of the voices, they
get no response.
Characters who succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom (Insight)
check realize that this is a trap. On a DC 15 Intelligence
(Arcana) or (Religion) check, characters discern they are
about to encounter will o’ wisps unless they take steps to
avoid them.
Four will o’ wisps have targeted the party, attempting
to lure them away from the clearing and into the thick of
the trees.
Tactics: If one or more of the characters gets within range to
potentially identify the will o’ wisps as mere balls of light,
or if the characters refuse to go investigate the mysterious
sounds and light seeming to come from amongst the
trees, choosing instead to remain by the campfire, the will
o’ wisps use their Invisibility ability before attacking.

Development
Emerging from the forest, the party finally sees Castle
On a successful DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check, the Ardelean.
characters hear the snapping of a twig and the flutter of
wings unseen. Suddenly, five stirges burst from the trees
and move to attack the party.
Tactics: On a successful attack, each stirge latches onto
its target and uses its Blood Drain ability. On a missed
attack, it flies up and attempts to stay out of the reach of
its target until the stirge’s next turn, when it tries to attack
again. The swarm continues to attack until all of them
have been defeated.

Chapter 3 | The Tales Kyra Truemoon 171

172 Chapter 3 | The Tales Kyra Truemoon
The Court of the Forsaken Bride
Castle Ardelean is every bit the place of beauty that Kyra
described, but looks can be deceiving.
Boundary Stones
Castle Ardelean towers above the tree line, its elaborate
stonework a striking contrast to the greenery surrounding it.
At once delicate and intimidating, its pointed arches, large
windows, and ornate, fantastical sculptures give this place
an otherworldly feel. A river flows below the long, narrow
stone bridge which leads to the only entrance. No guards
appear to be on watch; no staff can be seen on the grounds.
An unnatural quiet seems to have descended on this place.
The bridge is 65 feet long and 10 feet wide. As soon as
the characters move within 60 feet of the castle, Dowager
Ardelean’s ghost sees them but does not attack until they
attempt to enter the building. Instead she alerts her allies,
three gargoyles, who perch 30 feet above on the castle
exterior’s front wall.
Tactics: The gargoyles, delighted by new prey, study the
characters as the party moves closer to the castle. They first
target any spellcasters or good-aligned party members.
Whether the characters defeat the gargoyles and continue
on toward the gate, or try to evade the gargoyles and enter
the castle by another means, as soon as one or more of the
characters touch the castle walls, they are confronted by
Dowager Ardelean’s ghost. Dowager Ardelean uses the
ghost stat block. She moves through the door or wall to
appear in front of the character. She uses her Horrifying
Visage action on each of the characters to attempt to scare
them away, then disappears again into the castle.
Unseen Servants
A castle that’s been home to generations of spellcasters might
have a few alarm systems, especially if an angry ghost has
anything to say about it.
The Ghost of Dowager Ardelean
At the core of her evil is an unresolved loneliness, an anger
at being abandoned by her husband when he died. She
was alone and miserable, and her daughter's happiness and
prospects for a wonderful future were too much to bear.
Characters with high Charisma or Wisdom may take an
empathetic approach toward this ghost. Getting through
to her is difficult - if she’s present with the characters, she’s
sure to be attacking unless actively prevented from doing
so by a spell or other means - but it is possible. On a DC
25 Charisma (Persuasion) check, characters might, for
example, help her resolve her anger, or convince her to move
on to the afterlife and reunite with her husband.
If that fails, on a successful DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana)
or (Religion) check a character realizes that there is still one
more option: An exorcism.
GM’s note: exorcisms can be attempted by characters
with at least one level in Cleric, Warlock, Paladin or
Druid. Allow other classes at your discretion, if you feel
that a character has a reasonable basis from which to draw
experience dealing with the spiritual realm.
Exorcisms are complicated. Setting up for the ritual
requires an hour of in-game time and three successful DC
15 Intelligence (Arcana) or (Religion) checks; these
need not be successive. If three failures occur prior to
three successes, the setup is flawed and will not work. The
process must begin anew, costing an additional hour of
in-game time. Once the ritual components are ready, the
character conducting the exorcism must bind the Dowager
Ardelean’s spirit. Doing so requires three successful DC 15
Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration
on the ritual; they need not be successive. If three failures
occur prior to three successes, the spirit is not bound.
GM’s note: in between binding attempts, roll for the
Dowager Ardelean. On Initiative 20 she attempts to possess
the exorcist.
Give this battle between the ghost and the exorcist more
drama and excitement for the other characters by adding in
elements that affect other aspects of the scene. For example:
• Furniture might turn over or fly across the room
• Holy symbols catch fire
• Windows shatter
• Curtains or tapestries billow in a sudden wind
Have other characters assist with the exorcist’s
concentration by countering these effects (putting out fires,
for example).
If the exorcism fails, this part of the party’s quest task goes
unresolved until Kyra can find a way to try again.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Kyra Truemoon 173
174 Chapter 3 | The Tales Kyra Truemoon

The Grand Hall 1
Colorful banners and tapestries adorn the walls of the
grand hall, candles in tall stands and ornate sconces
provide illumination, and richly detailed rugs soften the
stone floor beneath your feet - and yet each of you feels a
chill. Ardelean history is on proud display here. Centuries-
old suits of armor line both sides of the hall, for visitors
to admire. A pair of swords belonging to the first Lord
Ardelean are mounted high on the center of the wall to
your right, along with an ornate plaque detailing his many
accomplishments. On the opposite wall is a large portrait
of the late Lord Codrin Ardelean. Underneath it, you see
what appears to be a makeshift altar covered in lit votive
candles. Dowager Ardelean’s portrait is to the left. To the
right, where once a third portrait might have hung, you
see only an empty space. Making your way into the castle,
you’re surprised to see no guards around. In fact, the entire
building seems understaffed and quiet. The sickly scent of
perfume suddenly fills the air. From a staircase at the end of
the grand hall, you hear the echoing of footsteps followed
by a bit of tense conversation, too faint to make out clearly.
The grand hall is 40 feet long by 30 feet wide. Within it there
are six suits of animated armor: four on the wall to the
west, and two flanking a pair of (loosely) mounted flying
swords. A rug of smothering is in the center of the floor.
From the grand hall, characters can choose to look for
Lady Ileana, which means going up the staircase where they
heard the footsteps, or head below to free Sir Cefin.
As soon as the party takes a step in either direction, the
unseen Dowager Ardelean directs the creatures to attack.
After the animated objects are defeated the Dowager
Ardelean remains hidden and follows the party.
GM’s note: The animated armor, rug of smothering, and
flying swords are used here to suggest Dowager Ardelean’s
angry defense of the castle. A ghost’s Possession ability
wouldn’t normally allow it to possess non-humanoid
creatures, but for the sake of flavor, have fun making
the characters feel as though they are under attack by a
haunted house. When in actuality it is Dowager Ardelean
throwing objects and trying to frighten the characters.
Development
If they remember Kyra’s advice, the party should try to find
Lady Ileana first. If they choose otherwise, adjust the order of
the next section accordingly.
Rise of the Scion
Banished Hearts
The race is on for the party to find and free Lady Ileana and
Sir Cefin, and somehow to put the Dowager Ardelean to rest,
before Sir Blake can stop it from happening.
Lady Ileana and Sir Blake haven’t shared a bedchamber in
two years; though they remain on the same floor, Sir Blake
made sure to move her to a room as far from his as possible.
The last that Kyra or Sir Cefin saw of Lady Ileana, she had been
hurled into her bedchamber by Sir Blake and locked inside.
Upstairs Hallways 2
With Kyra’s directions the room is easy to find; getting to
it is another matter. The spiral corner staircase opens into
two long, narrow hallways. The two bedchambers are on
opposing corners from one another. Turning south leads to
Lady Ileana’s (6); turning north leads to Sir Blake’s (3).
(2A)
From the top of the staircase, characters making a successful
DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check notice that just
outside of Lady Ileana’s bedchamber (6), a fragile glass
orb is precariously perched on a pedestal; on a successful
DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) check, characters
realize that strong enough vibrations can cause the orb to
fall and shatter. Casting detect magic reveals that the orb is
emanating a conjuration aura.
Combat, running, or other activities cause the orb to fall.
Shattering the orb triggers the web spell.
Countermeasures: casting dispel magic is the easiest way
to disarm the trap, but a spell or other effect to protect
the orb from shattering, such as feather fall, also works.
Likewise, a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of
Hand) check allows a character to remove the orb
without breaking it.
(2B)
Once past the trap (2A), characters come upon the
locked door. Picking the lock requires a successful DC 15
Dexterity check using thieves' tools, it is strangely easier
than the characters expect.
Sir Blake’s Bedroom 3
On a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check,
the characters hear Sir Blake moving around near his
bedchamber. They must move quietly and quickly before he,
or Dowager Ardelean, interrupt their attempts.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Kyra Truemoon 175
 Dowager Ardelean’s Room 4 Kyra’s Bedroom 5
The Dowager Ardelean’s former bedchamber is to the west This small, well kept bedroom belonged to Kyra Truemoon.
of Sir Blake’s, away from Lady Ileana’s. Characters who
explore her chamber and succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence
(Investigation) check gain advantage on Wisdom (Insight) A large wooden treasure chest at the foot of the bed. The
checks to understand how to put her spirit to rest. arcane lock clasp glows with a gentle blue light. The chest is
under the effects of an arcane lock spell and will only open
for Kyra Truemoon or Lady Ileana.
The door to her room is worn, damaged from repeated The chest contains The Ancestral Staff of House Ardelean.
slamming. The interior shows evidence of a woman in
mourning: A once-fine dress, seemingly untouched but out
of fashion, hangs on display; on the writing desk is a locket,
opened to reveal a small portrait of a young couple on their
wedding day. The woman in the portrait wears a dress
identical to the one hanging along the wall. Also on the
desk is a journal, in which the Dowager Ardelean chronicled
her increasing loneliness and resentment. Smashed on the
floor is the missing portrait of Lady Ileana and Sir Blake.

176 Chapter 3 | The Tales Kyra Truemoon

Lady Illeana’s Bedroom 6
Entering the room, you see no sign of Lady Ileana. It’s
definitely her bedchamber - most of her things are still
visible in it - but the room seems unoccupied.
Casting detect magic on the room reveals a major source
of magic is present, and it’s coming from the four-foot-tall
mirror along the far wall.
This is a mirror of life trapping. When characters are
in the room, make note of who looks in the direction of -
and especially directly at - the mirror. If Sir Blake arrives
and activates it, characters looking in the mirror risk being
trapped in it.
If players are at a loss as to what to do, a successful DC 15
Intelligence check provides a moment of insight, based on
Kyra’s clues: Lady Ileana is probably still alive, was last seen
entering this room but not leaving it, and can sometimes
be reached via sending but not scrying. She may be trapped
on another plane! They can try calling Lady Ileana’s name
and see if she responds. If they do this within 5 feet of the
mirror, Lady Ileana appears as an image on the mirror’s
surface; she and the characters can then communicate
normally. Lady Ileana explains that she heard her husband
speak a strange word, and the next thing she knew she was
trapped in this space. Other staff who tried to come to her
aid were trapped with her.
There are twelve cells in the mirror; Ileana and the staff
trapped with her fill ten of them. While they remain in the
mirror, there is enough room to trap up to two members
of the party. If the mirror traps a creature while all of the
cells are occupied, the mirror frees one trapped creature at
random to accommodate the new prisoner. Sir Blake knows
this, and despite the risk of freeing Ileana attempts to save
himself by trapping as many of the characters as he can.
If Sir Blake traps more than two members of the party, roll
a d10 to see who is freed from the mirror:
1. Laundry maid (commoner)
2 - 4. Chamber maid (commoner)
5. Lady-in-waiting (noble)
6. Butler (noble)
7. Page (commoner)
8. Watchman (guard)
9. Watchman (guard)
10. Lady Ileana
Characters succeeding on a DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana)
check recognize the mirror for what it is, and realize that
freeing Ileana and the others from the mirror requires either
speaking the correct command word or shattering it; on a
DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) check, a character also knows
the command word to release those trapped inside: “salvo”.
Upon inspection of the mirror, a DC 15 Intelligence
(Investigation) check reveals the word 'salvo' written in
elaborate script, disguised as part of the decorative border on
the mirror’s edge.
Sir Blake remains close enough to be in danger of
discovering the party; the characters must move quickly and
quietly. On a successful group stealth check versus Sir Blake’s
DC 12 passive Perception, they remain undetected for 10
minutes, at which point Sir Blake comes within range.
If the characters take too long in Ileana’s room, or if they
shatter the mirror of life trapping to free Ileana, Sir Blake
(veteran) discovers them and attacks.
Tactics: Stealthy and cunning, Sir Blake’s first action
is to activate the mirror by saying its command word,
“Naeledra!” [neel-ed-ra] - the Ardelean surname
backwards - to try and trap as many members of the party
as possible, before they can do him damage.
His love for his wife long ago replaced by scorn, Sir Blake
fights to the death to keep the position and prestige
this marriage grants him; if Ileana is found alive, and
the truth about him is revealed, he knows he’ll lose
everything. The ring of mind shielding he wears, invisibly,
has allowed his corrupted heart and thoughts to escape
detection. However, faced with witnesses who are not
beholden to him, he has become desperate.
The Dowager Ardelean’s ghost assists him in his fight
as long as she can, or until he drops. If she is above 0 hit
points when Sir Blake falls dead or unconscious, she flees
to another part of the castle.
GM’s note: if the characters free Lady Ileana at any time
during this encounter, they should remember to tell her
about the staff hidden in Kyra’s room. Lady Ileana is the
only one who can open the arcane lock easily and retrieve
the weapon. If they forget, have Lady Ileana tell the party
that Kyra (by way of sending) informed her that she left
something for her, and dash down the hall to get it.
If the fight is going badly for the characters, Lady Ileana
can then return and assist.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Kyra Truemoon 177
178 Chapter 3 | The Tales Kyra Truemoon
Knight Terrors
In the lowest level of Castle Ardelean, Sir Cefin lies injured
in a holding cell.
Following Kyra’s instructions, you quickly find your way
through the winding stairways and hallways to the dungeon
below the castle. Sir Cefin, you’re sure, is behind one of
these locked doors (10). There are torches on either side, and
a small crystal above the keyhole.
Dungeon Keeper’s Office 7
The stone stairway leading to the dungeon opens to a small
office and processing area with a long wooden desk at the
base. The room seems to have been unused for many years
and has fallen into disrepair. A locked door (7A) to the
South opens into the dungeon’s cell block.
(7A)
This is a Teleportation Trap. Any creature that touches the
door must succeed on a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw or be
teleported into the same dungeon and cell as Sir Cefin (10).
Casting detect magic reveals that the door is emanating
an aura of conjuration magic from its surface. Casting dispel
magic (DC 10) destroys the trap.
Picking the lock of this door is relatively easy with a
successful DC 15 (Thieves’ Tools) check, and for a good
reason.
Dungeon Hallway 8
The door opens, and you see before you a dimly lit hallway
full of holding cells.
(8A)
The door to Sir Cefin’s cell (10) is locked (DC 20) and
trapped with a Motion Sensing Trap. When the eye sees
movement within its periphery range 5 feet on either side of
the 1 foot eye), 12 poison arrows fire from the openings in
the wall.
On a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check
characters see next to the door, an enchanted eyeball
watching the hallway in front of Sir Cefin’s Cell; on either
side of it appear to be stone slabs of a similar height. On a
DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check, characters also see a
series of small openings in the wall, and near the entrance
to the room a mechanism of some kind.
Effect: +5 to hit against one target, 10 (2d10) piercing
damage and 10 (2d10) poison damage.
Countermeasures: casting detect magic reveals an aura of
divination magic on the eye. A successful dispel magic (DC
14) cast on the eye disables the trap. Plugging the arrow
holes with cloth or other material prevents them from
firing. Disengaging the mechanism without a key requires
a successful DC 20 Dexterity check using thieves’ tools;
doing so causes the stone slabs to close over the eye.
Empty Cells 9
Each of these cells shows sign of use at some point, but are
now unoccupied.
Sir Cefin’s Cell 10
Sir Cefin is here, injured, weakened, and wearing manacles
requiring a successful DC 20 Dexterity check with thieves'
tools to unlock, but still alert enough to be surprised to see
anyone other than a guard enter. He stands, and tries to
take a closer look at you. “Wait!” he calls out. “Don’t move.
Look.” He motions. “To your right.”
Rites of Passage
If Dowager Ardelean has not somehow already been
destroyed or forced to permanently flee, her spirit is still in
the castle and must be dealt with.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Kyra Truemoon 179
 Conclusion
Sprite Sorcerer Restoration
If Ileana is free and Blake is alive, castle guards, seeing that If any members of the party aged as a consequence of
Ileana is alive and hearing her testimony, take Blake into the Dowager Ardelean’s Horrifying Visage ability, Lady
custody. While putting manacles on him, the ring of mind Ileana uses her pendant of restoration to reverse the effect
shielding is discovered. on as many characters as time and circumstances allow.
If Ileana is free and Amara is put to rest or exorcised, the This intricately detailed antique gold pendant looks like a
happy trio reunite at the now-peaceful Castle Ardelean, ready dragonfly, and is enameled in bright colors. The two large
to make new lives together. eyes of the dragonfly look like gemstones, but upon magical
inspection are revealed to be beads of favor, as would be
If Amara is still not at peace, she continues to haunt found on a necklace of prayer beads.
the castle. Ileana, if freed, re-establishes herself in a new
location until Amara is gone, making a new and happy life
with her loves. Appendix A: Stat Blocks
If Ileana has not been freed but Blake is dead, and Amara
is put to rest or exorcised, Kyra returns to Castle Ardelean
and eventually discovers the key to freeing Ileana from the Kyra Truemoon
mirror. The three lovers then live happily in Castle Ardelean. Medium humanoid (human), lawful good
If Ileana has not been freed, Blake is alive, Amara Challenge 6 (2,300 XP) | Initiative: +1 | Prof. Bonus: +3
continues to haunt the castle, but Cefin has been rescued,
Cefin and Kyra try again to mount a rescue of their love. armor class hit points speed
11 36 30 ft.
Rewards (robes) (8d8)

Monsters XP
str dex con int wis cha
Stirge (5) 25 each
10 (0) 12 (+1) 10 (0) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 14 (+2)
Will o’ Wisp (4) 450 each
Ghost (1) 1,100 Saving Throws Int +6, Wis +5
Gargoyle (4) 450 each Skills Arcana +6, History +6, Investigation +6, Religion +6
Flying Sword (2) 50 each Senses passive Perception 12
Animated Armor (6) 200 each Languages Common, Elvish
Rug of Smothering (1) 450 Proficiency Bonus +3
Freeing Ileana from the mirror of life Potent Cantrips. Kyra Truemoon can add her spellcasting
2,000 ability modifier to the damage she deals with any cantrip.
trapping
Veteran 700
Spellcasting | Save DC: 14 | Attack Bonus: +6
Freeing Sir Cefin 2,000
Kyra Truemoon is a 7th-level Intelligence based spellcaster.
Exorcism of Dowager Ardelean’s Ghost 3,000
Action Spells
• ring of mind shielding Cantrips (at will): fire bolt, light, mage hand, minor illusion
• 200 gp (per character) in assorted gems and coin 1st level (1/day each): burning hands, sleep
2nd level (1/day each): detect thoughts, invisibility
Truemoon Boon 3rd level (1/day each): clairvoyance, sending
4th level (1/day): divination
If the party successfully rescues both Lady Ileana and Sir
Cefin, Kyra grants each character in the party this boon, Reaction Spells
granting each of them one use of her services as a diviner, at a 1st level (2/day): shield
time of their choosing.
Actions
Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) bludgeoning damage, or 5
(1d8 + 1) bludgeoning damage if used with two hands.

180 Chapter 3 | The Tales Kyra Truemoon

 Appendix B: Magic Items
Ileana Ardelean Barret, sprite sorcerer Ancestral Staff of House Ardelean
Medium humanoid (human), neutral good Staff, rare (requires attunement by a Bard, Cleric, Druid,
Sorcerer, Warlock, or Wizard)
Challenge 2 (450 XP) | Initiative: 0 | Prof. Bonus: +2
This staff has 10 charges and regains 1d6 + 4 expended
charges daily at dawn. If you expend the last charge, roll a
armor class hit points speed d20. On a 1 or a 2 the staff crumbles to dust.
10 65 30 ft.
(10d10 + 10) Spells. While holding the staff, you can use an action to
expend some of its charges to cast one of the following spells
from it, using your spell save DC: giant insect (4 charges)
str dex con int wis cha
insect plague (5 charges), or conjure swarm (5 charges)
10 (0) 10 (0) 13 (+1) 10 (0) 14 (+2) 11 (0)
Insect Cloud. While holding the staff, you can use an
Saving Throws Con +3, Cha +2 action and expend 1 charge to cause a swarm of harmless
Skills Insight +4, Nature +2 flying insects to spread out in a 30 foot radius from you.
The insects remain for 10 minutes, making the area heavily
Senses passive Perception 12 obscured for creatures other than you. The swarm moves
Languages Common, Sylvan with you, remaining centered on you. A wind of at least 10
miles per hour disperses the swarm and ends the effect.
Spellcasting | Save DC: 12 | Attack Bonus: +4
Ileana is a 1st-level Wisdom based spellcaster. Sprite
sorcerers share much in common with druids, though they
do not have access to the Druidic language. As a sprite
sorcerer, Ileana has the following spells prepared:
Action Spells
Cantrips (at will): druidcraft, message, poison spray, true strike
1st level (1/day each): detect evil and good, detect poison and
disease, sleep
Bonus Action Spells
Cantrips (at will): shillelagh

Actions
Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage, 4 (1d8)
bludgeoning damage if wielded with two hands, or 6 (1d8
+2) bludgeoning damage with shillelagh.
Ancestral Weapon. Ileana’s quarterstaff is the Ancestral
Staff of House Ardelean.
Author Bio
Bisexual interfaith and diversity educator and activist Lynne
M. Meyer holds a Master of Theological Studies from
Harvard Divinity School, and a Master of Jewish Studies
from Spertus Institute. An advocate for inclusivity in gaming,
Lynne brings her professional background to her work as a
game designer. She is best known as a writer and editor for
the acclaimed Uncaged anthology, a collection of myth-and-
folklore-themed adventures written for Dungeons & Dragons
5th Edition. Lynne is a chronic illness warrior, devotee of
Hekate, and lover of cats and good coffee. Connect with
Lynne on Twitter at @Lynne_M_Meyer
Author’s Notes & Acknowledgments
There’s a part of me in both Ileana and Kyra. I’m no stranger
to emotional abuse at the hands of those who were supposed
to love and care for me, and I know well what it’s like to
desperately want to come to the aid of those I love who are
being subjected to such cruelty. And though it hurts to admit
it, sometimes - like the Dowager Ardelean - I’ve been trapped
in a prison built of my own pain and hurt and lashed out at
others unjustly. As easy as it would be to say that Dowager
Ardelean is evil, to do so would be inaccurate. Her actions
by the end of her life, and in the afterlife, may be described
as such, but her story is a reminder of the dangers that come
with pain unaddressed. Sir Blake is a cautionary example of
love forfeited in the name of fear and greed. The romance
of Lady Ileana, Kyra, and Sir Cefin exemplifies the best that
love, in whatever form it may take, can inspire in us.
My deep gratitude to blogger Rocinante, of the blog THE
LAST DAY DAWNED, for providing incredibly helpful rules
for haunting, possession, and exorcism.

181
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182 The Tales3Sir
Chapter Daywin
| The Tales Sir Daywin
S ir Daywin Dontas (He/Him)
Written by: Ollo Clark
Adventure Level: 6-7 | Players: 3-5
Content Warnings: Kidnapping, Drowning, Enslavement
Human • Spear of Yult • Aboleth Devotee
Gruff, unforgiving, and cunning. A predator who feels
betrayed.
An ageing warrior at 65 years old. Daywin is thick set, has
grey hair, a beard, only one eye, and stands about six feet tall.
S ir Daywin Dontas, the last of the warrior-priests known as
the Spears of Yult, is seeking fighters of worth to help him
purge his old home of the great evil that befell it. The gruff
old paladin is harsh but fair, and those who pass his test are
promised dignity, respect, and the chance to acquire a reward
befitting those who restore the honor of Yult.
Unbeknownst to the players, however, Sir Daywin’s faith
has been thoroughly shattered by an incomprehensible lie he
uncovered, deep beneath the hold of his order. He returned
to the surface, brutally slaying every devotee of Yult along
the way. He staggered bloodily into the daylight, his fervor
corrupted and his faith thrown to the void. He has stalked
the lands since, playing the holy warrior, the shame of his fall
buried beneath feelings of betrayal. He lures the strong and
the good back to the hold to honor his new master.
Background
Hundreds of years ago, an unknown group battled a large
and ancient aboleth that had found its way through from
some other plane of existence. Discovering their might and
magic were not enough to permanently kill the entity, they
found a way to sever its mind from its body, trapping its
essence in a crystal orb and encasing its body in a diamond
cocoon, like a fly in amber. They walled off the chamber,
entombing the aboleth’s trapped body and mind, in the
hopes that it would be forgotten. To further this end, they
created a fictitious order of warriors, the Spears of Yult, and
built them a hold above the aboleth’s jail, recruiting the
most zealous and discipline-hungry knights they could find
as unwitting guard-dogs. Meanwhile, the aboleth floated in
darkness and silence, the orb entrapping its essence mere feet
from its useless body. For hundreds of years it plotted, fueled
by rage, determined to take vengeance.
Over the years the secret faded into history, preserved only
by a carefully selected line of wardens, who would keep an
extra special watch over their charges. Never very popular,
the Spears of Yult remained a small cohort only ever sixteen
Spears and a warden in the Paleroot Woods, not too far from
A Trip Away. Three months ago they all disappeared, and
word spread that something dreadful had befallen the hold.
Three months ago, Sir Daywin Dontas was chosen by
the ageing Warden Erwyn to succeed him. Erwyn took
him into his confidence about the true origins of the order
and the entrance to the prison below. The warden chose
poorly, however, and Sir Daywin’s pride and zealotry became
overwhelmed by rage and betrayal. Descending into the
tomb that night, he discovered evidence of the long-ago
battle: magic-scorched walls, the preserved corpse of the
gigantic aboleth, and what appeared to be a crystal ball on a
plinth. When he touched it, however, a voice spoke to him-
the voice of the aboleth. Eons old and centuries imprisoned,
it exploited the rigidity of Sir Daywin’s resolve. Over many
visits the aboleth persuaded him of the irresistible, inevitable
power of its kind, and the insult to the Spears that their
ignorance represented. At some point, Daywin brought
another Spear, a volatile young half-orc named Bharol, into
his confidence and the aboleth’s tutelage. Finally, in one
night of slaughter he and Bharol cut down the rest of the
Spears, most in their sleep. They arranged their bodies down
in the chamber in poses of mock supplication, and have since
lured adventurers to the hold, killing them and adding them
to the “congregation.”
Bharol grew up an angry half-orc urchin boy, constantly
getting into trouble for brawling in the streets of his
hometown. It was there that the previous warden, Erwyn,
discovered him on a conscription mission, and convinced him
of his potential as a Spear. It took many years, but Bharol
learned to calm his mind and harden his body, turning
himself into a keen weapon and fanatical monk of Yult.
Upon his introduction to the orb, the aboleth fanned the
flames of his dormant rage against those who had tied his
life to a fiction. Together, Bharol and Daywin murdered
the Spears, and have spent the months since gathering
'congregants'. Like Daywin, he feels betrayed by the order, in
particular because of the work and faith it took to overcome
his nature. Like Daywin he is not charmed, but a willing
acolyte of the emptiness between stars.
Chapter 3The
| The
Tales
Tales
Sir Sir
Daywin
Daywin 183
183

Tavern Behavior
Sir Daywin’s honest appearance and Yult-learned dedication
present a convincing image of the fervent holy warrior. He
does not intend to stay long when the players meet him,
and only occasionally passes through the tavern when he
has to, finding the patrons distasteful. He is an intelligent,
accomplished old fighter, whose training has fostered the soul
of a zealot.
Sir Daywin’s vengeance is entirely rational to him and he
is a calm, measured predator. To any insight checks, he seems
balanced and confident, bordering on aloof. Importantly,
he is not a slave of the aboleth, but rather a proud, damaged
warrior reduced to an angry nihilist by what he sees as the
wasting of his life.
He does not appreciate jokes or sarcasm at his expense, or
at the expense of the Spears, but will respect any principled
stand, almost regardless of the stand’s motivation. He is curt
and to the point, and if he displays a sense of humour it is
a grim one. He has no time for grey areas or tricksters, and
any impish or chaotic PCs may well butt heads with him.
While Daywin is alive, he will become extremely hostile if
anyone tries to wield a Yult spear, claiming it an insult to the
memory of his brothers and sisters.
Hook
Daywin is on the lookout for worthy supplicants to add to
the aboleth’s morbid congregation. If the adventurers are
visibly capable (touting magic items, large of stature, etc.), or
if they make any impressive displays of martial ability, he will
initiate contact. If approached, he is gruff and slightly aloof.
Whether he or the characters first show interest, he will not
take them into his confidence without a display of strength: a
duel with him.
Alternatively, if the characters are in possession of the
Grim Howl patch from Ogrel's adventure, he will recognize
it. He will tell them that they were clearly fated to help him,
as several creatures wearing that patch are now at the hold. In
this case, he will not require a duel.
184
184 The Tales3Sir
Chapter Daywin
| The Tales Sir Daywin
Are Ye Worthy?
As you approach the door to the tavern, someone else
exits…backwards and through the air, accompanied by a
cry from inside of, “Not bloody worthy!”
A young half-elf picks himself up and hurries off down the
road, wiping blood from his nose. “I wouldn’t want to help the
bastard anyway, mean old prick!” If persuaded to talk more,
he will say that there’s a rough old type in the bar looking
for warriors. “Careful though, he’s quicker than he looks.”
Inside, all eyes are turned to an aging human male, clad
in plate armor, sitting back down at his corner table and
taking a swig from his large tankard. An old but lethal-
looking ranseur (hilted spear) is propped in the corner
but close at hand. Finishing his drink, he calmly surveys
the room and motions to the bar staff for a refill. The Trip
Away staff have only seen him once or twice before, but
asking around, there’s a chance someone recognizes the
spear-head symbol on his battered armor.
If the half-elf is stopped, this is Lars (he/him), a clean-squire-
type in leather armor. His pride has been hurt, and he’ll say
that he’s fine.
First Contact
Sir Daywin will be highly dismissive of the group, particularly
if they claim no knowledge of the Spears. A successful DC
15 Intelligence (History or Religion) check will grant some
background, or the patrons of the inn may be able to give the
party some or all of the following information:
The Spears of Yult were created as a severe, ascetic order
of warriors: a mix of fighters, monks, and paladins. Yult, the
demi-god they venerate, was a wandering, unrelenting force
for order in the world before his godhood: a tall thin human
man from farming stock, who wielded a pitchfork to confront
injustice wherever he found it. The Spears were taught that
he was not a god of pity or gentleness, and therefore did not
dole out holy magic or visitation. Justice should be meted
out without the need for a celestial reward. The cleric-less
Spears, therefore, served him blindly, their lack of connection
with their god raised to a point of pride. The heraldry of the
Spears is a golden ranseur head, similar to a fleur-de-lis, on a
light grey background.
If the party can get Sir Daywin talking, he gives some or
all of the following information:
• The Spears brought order to chaos and light to dark places.
• The Spears’ approach was hard and unyielding, making
gentler communities nervous.
• Yult taught that evil doesn’t hold back, so the Spears
shouldn’t either.

• They were dismissive of divine magic, seeing it as inferior
to personal will and physical prowess.
• A few months ago, Daywin was named warden of the
order and set out on a conscription mission.
• After a couple of weeks, he returned to find the Spears
dead and the hold overrun with scavengers.
The Duel
If the players decide they want to help Daywin, they must
first prove their worthiness. He will challenge the heartiest
warrior in the party to a duel outside. It will take a successful
DC 20 Charisma (Persuasion) check to convince him
of the party’s worthiness without a duel. If his cup is
investigated, or if Flip is asked, Daywin is drinking water.
Daywin is looking for those worthy enough to help him
take back the hold, but is generally unimpressed by the
denizens of A Trip Away Inn.
Sir Daywin downs his mug, stands up, and barges past you
out of the inn. Once outside, he uses the butt of his spear
to trace a roughly 20 foot diameter circle in the dirt. “You
leave the circle, you forfeit. Don’t hold back. I won’t.”
Sir Daywin is on the prowl and has done this before. This
early on, it takes a successful DC 25 Wisdom (Insight)
check to realize that anything is amiss. Despite his bold
words he will hold back in the fight, in order not to show
his whole hand.
He does genuinely wish for worthy supplicants, though.
If he wins the fight, he pronounces the character unworthy,
suggesting they find him again when they’re stronger.
Tactics: Daywin will not use magic, will not dodge,
and will surrender when he reaches two-thirds health,
pretending he is much more hurt than he is.
He will also pay close attention during the fight (and in
any other combats alongside the party) to better spot any
weaknesses he can exploit when the time is right. He will
target healers first, and later tell Bharol to attack the most
powerful spellcaster.
Other occupants of the tavern will absolutely want to
watch this, creating a circle of onlookers.
Development
If they win the duel or otherwise convince him, Sir Daywin acts
begrudgingly impressed and says he’ll lead the party to the hold.
Clearing the Hold
The hold is now populated with any scavengers, treasure
hunters, or dark-dwelling creatures that have found their
way down into the caverns and have touched the aboleth orb,
allowing the aboleth to take control. All the gnolls present
are wearing the insignia of the Grim Howl Pack: a howling
wolf's head, set against a black moon. GMs should feel free
to add any common local monsters.
The Journey
Sir Daywin will ride his warhorse, Hammer, on the journey
and does not allow another passenger; “If you’re tired, you
should have brought your own horse.”
If they ask him about himself, he grudgingly shares some or
all of the following information:
• He was born into a noble family in Wyndarbor, but always
envied the common life
• His father and brother were fat layabouts and the subject
of local ridicule
• When he was fifteen, a pair of Spears came through town,
and he realized his destiny
• At the hold, he swore the Iron Oath to Yult
• He’s been cracking villainous skulls ever since, some fifty
years now
After a while, Sir Daywin suddenly turns his horse off the
road. What at first appears to be a random path through gaps
between trees, eventually turns out to be a barely perceptible
track, weaving vaguely west. He doesn’t look back once, and
you all have to jog to keep up, squeezing through trunks,
scratched by thorns and branches. After journeying for a
while, along the side of the road is the dead body of an Ettin.
You suddenly hear the buzzing of flies, followed closely by
the stench of putrefaction. Face down in the grass is the
decomposing body of a huge humanoid creature, naked
apart from a few furs and strings of bones. Scavengers and
rot have taken most of the flesh from the flanks and legs,
exposing oversized bones beneath. Looking closer, you
see the backs of two heads atop the shoulders, a mass of
bloodied hair running down its back. The haft of a familiar
Yult spear protrudes from underneath it.
Rolling the creature over, you see that it has a death grip
on a now-headless humanoid body, in a similar state of
decay. The body wears rotting grey robes, with a symbol
matching that on Daywin’s tabard.
A successful DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation) or
Wisdom (Healing) check will reveal the Ettin has been
dead for two to three months.
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Sir Daywin claims no knowledge of this, expressing
outrage that a brother Spear should come to such an end,
and gratefully accept the spear to return it to the hold. GM's
Note: later on, during The Tomb, he will throw this spear to
Bharol and say “turns out we missed one”, as Bharol snaps the
spear across his knee, adding it to the pile.)
After an hour or two, the path snakes between two small
chalk cliffs, suddenly opening out to reveal the hold.
The Hold Steps 1
The building before you is tall, narrow, and near white,
built from large, well-chiseled stone blocks, each at least 3
feet in diameter. A single pair of narrow doors- a good 18
feet high and meeting like a sword-point at the top- barely
wide enough for a two people, are set into the monolithic
front wall.
A circular glass window with a simple spoke pattern,
about 10 feet in diameter, is set above the doors. A series of
steps as wide as the building itself lead up to the entrance.
The rest of the building is unadorned. Towards the back
you make out further annexes and out-buildings, with one
narrow tower in the northeast corner.
As you approach, four small figures, halfway up the
steps, turn and gibber in alarm. Dropping the sacks they
were carrying, the goblins take off into the woods, as Sir
Daywin bellows:
“Bloody vermin! You’re not fit to dirty those steps!”
He turns to you:
“Start clearing the hold- I’ ll be back when I’m done with
these cockroaches!”
With that, he digs his heels into Hammer and charges after
them into the forest.
There are two ways into the hold: through the front door,
or around the back through the kitchen (7).
Development
Once the dining hall (6) or the main hall (2) has been cleared
and the rooms are empty, Sir Daywin will quietly return to
the hold and sit in either the warden’s chair in the dining
hall, or on the ground at the foot of the Yult statue with his
back to it in the main hall, waiting for the adventurers to
pass or fail the test. If the players can take him unawares by
succeeding on a DC 18 Dexterity (Stealth) check, they
will find him with three goblin heads, his posture hunched
and strange, muttering to himself under his breath. If they
approach him, he immediately straightens, and expresses
impatience with how long they’re taking.
The Main Hall 2
The ceilings are over 40 feet high, sloping up into gloomy
vaulting composed of unadorned dark wood. The eastern
wall is lined with weapon racks, with straw dummies
stacked in the corner to right of the door. There is a
balcony along the western side, containing bookshelves
along its expanse. A cage-clad ladder leads up to this
balcony at its southernmost point.
There are tall narrow windows on the eastern and western
walls allowing the sun to stream through. There do not seem
to be any tables or chairs, but the floor has islands of stone
blocks of various heights, presumably for training purposes.
The northern end is dominated by a 20 foot-high statue
of Yult. The statue is of a gaunt man, robed, poised with a
pitchfork upraised to skewer those standing before him. A
thin face, with a long beard and a visage equal parts noble
and disdainful, peers downwards. The plinth is simple
stone, with the single word 'Persist' is carved into it.
As you enter, several figures, outlined in the motes of dust
that gleam in the sunlight, all turn their heads at the sound
of the creaking doors, and immediately, as one, ready
themselves for combat. Two gnolls, their fur standing on
end, bare their teeth; a male centaur rears up in rage, and a
female bandit captain calls up to a bandit crossbowman
in the library, who takes aim along his weapon.
The enemies throughout the hold will fight seamlessly as
a team, even if they wouldn’t out in the world normally.
The Library 3
Up on this 5 foot wide mezzanine sits the library of the
Spears. There are two small reading tables at either end with
stools, pots of ink, and quills. The books are kept in mesh
cages set into stone shelves, and look to be of all kinds of
ages and conditions.
Most of the books are books on martial prowess: weapon
arts; fencing treatises; manuals on guerrilla tactics; as well
as histories of common foes- hobgoblins, orcs, fey folk- and
their common strengths and weaknesses.
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(3A)
There is one book, written in Common, detailing
the history of the Spears of Yult. A successful DC 12
Intelligence (Investigation) check also will reveal a spell
book embossed with the Spear Symbol, containing the
spells daylight, glyph of warding, and stone skin.
The majority of the cages open creakily, except for one
shelf at the far northern end that is locked. The lock is an
intricate bronze-looking creation: large, heavy and ancient.
The hinges on the cable-wire door are invisible from the
outside, making prying the door open impossible.
(3B)
This lock can be unlocked with the warden’s key which is
being carried by Sir Daywin, although he will not give it up
willingly. He will also not allow the lock to be picked in his
presence, telling the adventurers to be more respectful. A
successful DC 18 Dexterity check using thieves’ tools will
unlock the casement. In it are dozens and dozens of plain-
wrapped, calfskin books.
There is also one diamond wall (see Appendix A: Magic
Items) spell scroll, held in a decaying leather cuff, that looks
so ancient and fragile it might fall apart at any moment.
Written on the cuff in Elvish are the words “I pray we chose
wisely”.
Player must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity check to
safely handle the document. Failure means the scroll
crumbles to dust, becoming illegible.
As you flick through the calf-skin journals, each page is
covered in single-line entries, each dated once a week, going
back centuries. Initially the writing is in a form of high
Elvish, elegant, ornate and archaic. After a while, the writing
passes into Common, changing hand every few books. The
entries never vary, repeating the same, simple phrase:
“No deterioration”.
The Corridors 4
The two northern doors of the main hall lead into the hold’s
central corridor. There are two doors to the north; one leads
into the dining hall (6), the other into the kitchen (7). At the
far western end of the corridor is the dormitory (5); at the far
eastern end is the door to the warden’s quarters.
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Dormitory 5
This room is long, low, and pitch black. When the players
create light or if a character has darkvision:
When the light comes up you see ten meagre beds along
the walls, each with a wooden trunk at its foot. There are
empty spear racks halfway down each wall. There are no
windows, but sconces for torches are set into the walls.
A grick clings to the wall above the doorway, with a second
grick at the far northern end of the room. Both will attempt
to stay hidden until the best opportunity for an ambush. If
the party moves into the room, the grick thrall above the
doorway will try to position itself behind them. A passive
Perception of 16 or higher will detect the movement.
A bandit stands in the middle of the room, his back to the
adventurers, but turns to face them if they make noise.
Any investigation of the beds will discover bloodstains in
seven of the ten. Two trunks are completely empty. The rest
each contain a wooden bowl, a wooden cup, a simple but
efficient knife, simple underclothes, and cloaks. Three of the
chests contain pieces of armour, similar to Daywin's. 188
Dining Hall 6
This room is clearly a dining hall, with the taste of old soot
hanging in the air. By the light of one high window on the
western wall you see a long, heavy oaken table. Each bench
down the sides is one long oak trunk, with the sides roughly
squared. The chair at the head of the table is the only ornate
furniture so far in the entire building: a high-backed chair,
the top of which has been skillfully carved into three Yult
spear heads. There is a large, empty stone fireplace on the
north side of the room. There are pools of dried blood across
the floor, one of the benches, and across the table.
On the table is a ewer of Yult (see Appendix A: Magic Items).
Three figures detach themselves from the shadows. A gnoll,
clad in tattered rags, a human bandit, and looming over
them both, a bugbear. Not a single one speaks a word as
they all raise their weapons.
The Kitchen 7
Through this door is a simple but large kitchen. Stone
ovens flank a huge cooking pot hanging over a long-dead
fire. Shelves hold seventeen sets of simple clay plates, bowls
and mugs. A door at the back of the room swings on its
hinges in the breeze.
The Warden’s Quarters 8
At the eastern end of the corridor is a simple wooden door with
the now-familiar spear of Yult carved into it. Through the door
is a narrow spiral staircase, leading up to another, identical,
door. At the base of the stairs is a smaller version of the statue
of Yult, which serves as the secret entrance to the tomb.
A successful DC 25 Intelligence (Investigation) check will
discover a button in the 'i' of the word 'Persist', which causes
the statue to swing back, revealing a staircase down to the
tomb area. If the characters discover this before the hold is
cleared, Sir Daywin will appear behind them, congratulate
them, and lead the way down. Move directly to The Tomb.
A successful DC 20 Dexterity check using thieves’ tools or
the warden’s key will unlock the door.
There is a dried pool of dark blood halfway up the stairs,
trailing back under the door. If Sir Daywin is present, he refuses
to open the door, stating that it is his own private quarters as
the warden, and if the door is locked, it stands to reason that
no one has made it inside. A successful DC 18 Charisma
(Persuasion) check will convince him to begrudgingly open
the door, but he demands the party touch nothing.
Inside, this room is spartan, containing only a single bed
roll, a single empty spear rack, and a bookcase. The books
include weapons manuals, guerrilla tactics, books on local
politics, and a history of Yult. There is a dried pool of blood
on the floor.
A successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check
will reveal a secret hatch in the ceiling, and a metal-capped
ladder that slides down. Up the ladders is a small oubliette,
with room only for a locked chest, a stool, and a table with a
burned-down candle on it.
A successful DC 10 Dexterity check using thieves’ tools
will unlock the chest. Inside are two journals.
The oldest of the two journals from the chest is crudely
wrapped in animal hide, while the more recent is bound in
calfskin and matches those in the library, half full of entries
stating, “No deterioration”.
Inside the older volume, the Elvish writing describes
how, many centuries ago, members of a local community
suddenly turned on their friends and families, drowning
several of them in the nearby river. Similar events would
dog the village for months, until the seers of the village
became aware of a presence deep beneath them. Searching,
they discovered an aboleth’s lair, and commenced a battle
that would last for days, costing many lives. Eventually,
they were able to draw the aid of a powerful mage who
constructed a weapon for them, severing the immortal
aboleth’s presence in this world.
The cavern was drained, blocked off from their
waterways, and a keep built above the entrance, populated
with the finest warriors they could muster. As time went
on, though, time and time again individuals felt the pull of
their curiosity, falling under the thrall of the aboleth and
having to be cut down. The elders were horrified to learn
the aboleth was not as powerless as they had hoped. It was
decided, therefore, that the truest guards would be totally
oblivious of their role. Thus the Spears of Yult were devised
as an unquestioning, uncompromising order. Their existence
would serve to keep all from uncovering what lurked below.
The Gardens 9
Emerging behind the hold, you find what appears to be an
abandoned vegetable garden. Neat rectangles of raked earth
are overgrown, as unharvested vegetables begin to spread,
wither, or die. To the north you can see a modest potting
shed made of rough planks, and standing between you and
it is a female centaur, her long auburn hair flowing around
her, as she turns a dreamy expression to you, and begins to
stamp at the ground.
The centaur attacks, without pause for talk or compromise.
If investigated, the shed contains basics gardening supplies.
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Development
When the hold is cleared and the players find Sir Daywin, he
will smile broadly:
"Fine work, my acolytes, fine work. You deserve this place.
Come then, and look upon your reward."
Sir Daywin will then move with eerie speed to the statue at the
base of the warden's stairs, activate the trapdoor, and descend
quickly into the darkness below, telling them to follow.
The Tomb
A staircase of much older, cruder craftsmanship than the
rest of the hold descends unevenly, taking several left and
right turns along the way. You can hear Sir Daywin’s hurried
footsteps getting further away from you, until they abruptly
stop echoing. Continuing down the staircase for what seems
like several minutes, you suddenly emerge into a cavernous
chamber, lit by four iron braziers spaced around the room.
This space is a shock after the order and familiarity of the
world above. The cave walls, which should be local granite,
are a shiny jet black, appearing as if they once flowed and
hardened, like volcanic glass. The cavern is about 120 feet
across, and your eye is immediately drawn to a colossal,
twisted corpse, roughly sixteen feet high, suspended in a
transparent, glasslike substance melded to the cave wall. On
closer inspection the substance is pure, flawless diamond.
The skin of the desiccated creature is tight across the
skeleton, revealing in detail an uncomfortable mix of bone
and cartilage. Each of the many limbs appears to be a type
of specialized tail or tentacle with fins, hooks, and suckers
visible in odd places. The head and torso are gargantuan,
the gaping, circular mouth revealing row upon row of
snaggled teeth. Three empty eye sockets are visible, one on
top of the other, above the mouth.
In front of the body is a short plinth, that looks like it has
been pulled up out of the rock itself. Floating gently above
it is a black sphere, about six inches in diameter.
There is a dirty bedroll and some basic supplies in one
corner of the cavern, where Bharol has been camped.
In a double-semi-circle in front of the plinth, around
twenty-five to thirty figures kneel, unmoving in postures
of supplication. A successful DC 12 Wisdom (Perception)
check will reveal they are all dead, with a few wearing
hastily or partially donned armour, marked with the
symbol of the Spears. A successful DC 12 Intelligence
(Investigation) check reveals that each unarmoured victim
was stabbed though the chest with a ranseur, while the
others display various combat wounds. All of the Spears
are here, as well as what are clearly the remains of other
adventuring parties that Daywin and Bharol lured here.
Scattered around them are the broken and twisted remains
of Yult ranseurs, completely unusable.
The kneeling figure in the middle of the front row is
actually Bharol, and he will stand up as the party enters the
chamber. At this point, Daywin speaks:
[To Bharol] “Bharol, my brother, we have further
supplicants who have proven themselves worthy.”
[To the party] “Easy now, boys and girls- I know it’s
a shock, but don’t resist now. We can make it quick.
Believe me, you have shown yourselves worthy of a speedy
unshackling. You should be relieved; this is nothing to
what is coming. We’ve been lied to. All of us. All of you.
The gods are nothing. Yult is nothing. This reality is a
candle, and They are the wind. The only sane thing to do
now is bow down.”
“And this?” He gestures to the body and the orb. “The
indecency! The arrogance! One might as well try and hold
back the tide with a piece of sacking. Now, will you be
wise, or will you be cowards?”
The Final Battle
If the players refuse to submit then Daywin and Bharol will
attack. The aboleth doesn’t join the fight directly but can
still use it’s Enslave ability action and will take lair actions.
Since Daywin and Bharol are not slaves, it may be possible
for a charismatic character to persuade one of them of the
error of their ways with three successive DC 25 Charisma
(Persuasion) checks. If this is accomplished, the persuaded
enemy will experience a tidal wave of horror and grief and
immediately try to put a knife through their own eye, killing
themselves instantly unless stopped. Throughout the battle,
Daywin will occasionally try to make them submit with
some or all of the following information:
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 • “The gods would have us think we are but flies to them,
but compared to what is outside- what is coming- it is the
gods that are the flies!”
• “There’s only shadow coming, and They wear the darkness
like a cloak. The sooner we give ourselves to Them, the
sooner it can all be over.”
• “Persist? There is no persisting against what is out there,
what will come for all of this.”
At half health:
“Why are you still resisting? Don’t you see? Those stairs-
they weren’t dug downwards, they were built upwards.
The hold, all of it, began with this. There is no Yult. We
weren’t warriors, we were guard dogs, fools that they
handed spears to and told we mattered. Every single
warden has known, and none of them breathed a word.
The Spears of Yult are no more noble than the idiot
mastiff you chain up to keep foxes away from the chicken
coop. Fifty years they took from me! Fifty years I could
have been doing good, instead of being used to feebly deny
the inevitable. Submit! Submit to the ageless!”
Tactics: If possible, Daywin and Bharol will force members
of the party to make contact with the orb, at which point
the aboleth can attempt its Enslave action.
If the body of the aboleth is somehow accessed (through the
use of a disintegrate spell or a +2 magical weapon):
The body of the aboleth has dried out, losing its mucous
layer and the ability to render slaves water-breathers.
However, if a creature becomes charmed after touching the
orb, and it has access to a volume of water (or for example,
the create or destroy water spell), the aboleth orders the
charmed individual to apply water to its body, allowing the
mucous layer to reform. If given the chance, the aboleth
will direct a creature to create as much water as possible,
flooding the cavern so it can spread its mucous cloud. Its
plan is to have this water in place, before pushing its slaves
to free it from the orb by destroying it.
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If a member of the party does make contact, the voice of
the aboleth resounds in their head in their native language:
“Another little one. How lucky you are. Most of your
kind live their brief lives and never hear the voices from
before the stars. Make the most of the honor We bestow
upon you: etch your place in history by destroying this
glittering prison- this blasphemous insult- and We will
grant you powers and knowledge from before the gods
first drew breath.”
The orb can only be destroyed by a disintegrate spell or a +2
magic weapon. If the character does not or cannot destroy
the orb:
“Foolish worm. Your race touches the world so lightly,
how could We expect any more of you. Take us to one
with a shred of power, that We may not be disappointed
again. In the meantime, demonstrate your penance…”
At this point, the Player Character must succeed on a DC
14 Wisdom save, or make one weapon attack against
themselves.
If the orb is destroyed:
“Clever little mayfly. Perhaps We may return for you. For
now, know this…”
At this point, the PC has a sudden flash of memory about
something valuable of the GM’s choosing. Suggestions
include:
• The location of a buried treasure.
• Secret information about an NPC already known to the
party (secret identity, scheme etc.)
• Information about a religious institution or deity of
interest to the party.
• A spell that a wizard might be able to use.
• Valuable history about a known location or entity.
If the orb is destroyed, the aboleth returns to the Plane
of Water to grow a new body. If this happens during the
fight, Sir Daywin loses his will and ceases fighting, but
Bharol fights unless convinced to stop with Charisma
(Persuasion) checks, as above.

The Aboleth’s Tactics & Lair Actions
During the fight, the aboleth will use it’s Enslave ability
action and the following lair actions:
Glimpse of Inevitability. The aboleth attempts to project
an insanity-inducing image into its enemies’ minds. All party
members must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On
a fail, they find themselves floating in the darkness of space,
the distant starlight revealing thousands upon thousands of
aboleths, all floating, waiting. When the image fades, the
character is paralyzed. They can repeat the saving throw at
the beginning of each of their turns.
Summon Thrall. If any thralls remain alive in the hold, the
aboleth will summon them to aid in the fight.
Drowning Sensation. All party members must make a DC
15 Wisdom saving throw. On a fail, the cavern appears
to be flooded with water suddenly. The PC will drop the
weapon they are holding and attempt to swim to the surface,
using all of their movement to reach and try to climb the
nearest wall. They are considered frightened, and can repeat
the saving throw at the beginning of each of their turns.
Conclusion
As long as the orb remains intact, Daywin and Bharol will
fight to the death. Once they are defeated, the party can
decide to leave the orb where it is, or bring it with them for
some other purpose. The hold is a very capable base, and no
one else will claim ownership.
If the aboleth has managed to charm a player character, the
first thing it will do is invite them to destroy the orb with a
disintegrate spell or a +2 magic weapon. If that is not possible,
the aboleth will set the player on a mission to find someone
who can, promising to aid them along the way.
Appendix A: Magic Items
Diamond Wall Spell Scroll
9th Level Transmutation.
(Wizards, Druids, Bards)
Casting time: 1 action
Components: V, S, M (1 Diamond worth 10,000 Gold)
Duration: (Concentration) 1 Minute
You pull at the very fabric of the air around you,
converting a 40 foot cubed area into solid diamond. Any
objects in that space becomes encased.
A creature caught within the 40 ft. cube must succeed
on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw If the saving
throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is instantly encased
in diamond. Otherwise, a creature that fails the save
begins to begin encased and is restrained. The restrained
creature must repeat the saving throw at the end of its next
turn, becoming fully encased on a failure or ending the
effect on a success. The diamond prison remains even after
the spell has ended.
The diamond encasing can be destroyed, however a
shatter spell is too weak to affect it; a disintegrate spell,
or a +2 magical weapon or higher is needed to do any
damage to it. Each 5 foot by 5 foot cube has an AC of 26
and 25 hit points before it shatters into irregular shards of
now worthless diamond.
Yult Spear
Weapon (ranseur), very rare
The eponymous spears of Yult, are balanced, deadly
weapons, with a cross-guard below the long blade, wielded
with deadly force by the order.
Melee weapon, simple, finesse, reach 5 ft.: You gain a +2
bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this weapon.
The spear does 1d8 piercing damage and has the ‘versatile
(1d10)’ property.
The spear’s cross guard allows for parrying: the wielder
can use their reaction to gain a +2 to its AC against one
melee attack that would hit it. To do so, the wielder must
be able to see the attacker.
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 Appendix A: Magic Items (continued) Appendix B: Stat Blocks
Ewer of Yult Bharol
Wondrous item, unique Medium humanoid (half-orc), lawful neutral
The ewer of Yult is an unadorned pewter jug. On the
underside is engraved in common, “If you’ d have it cleaner, Challenge 8 (3,900) | Initiative: +3 | Prof. Bonus: +3
earn it.” Each day the ewer can create four gallons of dirty,
bitter-tasting gutter water. Any creature drinking the armor class hit points speed
untreated water must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution 16 65 40 ft.
save or become sick for 1d4 days. While sick, the creature (Unarmored Defense) (10d8 + 20)
will not be able to take a long rest. The water produced
is not magical, and can be cleaned by boiling or with the str dex con int wis cha
appropriate spells. 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 15 (+2) 8 (-1) 16 (+3) 6 (-2)

Saving Throws Str +5, Dex +6

Aboleth Orb
Wondrous item, artifact (requires attunement)
The orb that contains the mind of this ancient aboleth
is about 6 inches in diameter, its sides cut into strange,
irregular facets, so black as to almost give off no reflection.
No matter what heat is applied to it, it is constantly cold
to the touch, and seems to weigh a good 20lb when held,
although when stowed, it seems no heavier than 3lb.
While attuned to the orb, you can use an action to try
and connect with the aboleth contained within. You must
succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw, or become
charmed by the aboleth. All the rules of the aboleth’s
Enslave ability then apply.
Eons’ Knowledge: Aboleths’ knowledge is genetically
shared, meaning each aboleth has access to millennia of
memories and learning. While attuned to the orb, you can
use an action to grant any Intelligence (Arcana, History,
Nature, Religion) checks a +15 bonus.
Destroying the Orb: Normal physical or magical damage
will do no damage to the orb, but a disintegrate spell or a
stike from a +2 magical weapon will turn it to dust. The
essence of the aboleth will be returned to its plane of origin,
free to enter a new body, and perhaps seek revenge.
Skills Acrobatics +6, Perception +6
Senses darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Orcish
Actions
Multiattack. Bharol attacks twice with his Yult spear, or
once with his Yult spear and once with unarmed strike.
Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach
5ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d6 + 6) magical bludgeoning
damage.
Yult Spear. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) piercing damage.
Bonus Actions
Flurry of Blows. (2/day) Immediately after Bharol takes
the Attack action on his turn, he can make two unarmed
strikes as a bonus action.
Stunning Strike. (1/day) When Bharol hits another
creature with a melee weapon attack, he can attempt a
stunning strike. The target must succeed on a DC 14
Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end
of their next turn.
Patient Defense. (1/day) Bharol can take the Dodge
action as a bonus action on his turn.
Step of the Wind. (1/day) Bharol can take the Disengage
or Dash action as a bonus action on his turn, and his
jump distance is doubled for the turn.

Author Acknowledgments
I'd like to dedicate this story to Guy, for not letting me not play Dnd.

Author Bio
Ollo Clark is a writer, actor, and DM from London. He studied English literature at Oxford University, and
is now learning about sunlight in Los Angeles. He has two cats and one wife.

194
194 The Tales3Sir
Chapter Daywin
| The Tales Sir Daywin
Sir Daywin Dontas Actions
Medium humanoid (human), lawful neutral Multiattack. Sir Daywin attacks twice with his Yult spear,
or once with his Yult spear and once with his dagger.
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP) | Initiative: +2 | Prof. Bonus: +3
Yult Spear. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) piercing damage.
armor class hit points speed
18 82 30 ft. Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft., one
(plate armor) (9d10 + 25) target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
Sacred Weapon. (1/day) Sir Daywin can imbue one weapon
str dex con int wis cha that he is holding with positive energy. For 1 minute, he
18 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 11 (0) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) adds his Charisma modifier (+3) to attack rolls made with
that weapon. The weapon also emits bright light in a 20 ft.
Saving Throws Str +6, Con +6 radius and dim light 20 ft. beyond that. If the weapon is not
Skills Athletics +6, Deception +10, Religion +3, Perception +5 already magical, it becomes magical for the duration.
Senses passive Perception 15
Reactions
Languages Common, Dwarven, Orcish
Parry. Sir Daywin can use his reaction to gain a +2 to his
Zealous Devotion. Sir Daywin has advantage on saving AC for one melee attack that would hit him. To do so, he
throws against being charmed or frightened. must be able to see the attacker.
Spellcasting | Save DC: 14 | Attack Bonus: +6 Equipment
Sir Daywin is a 6th-level Charisma based spellcaster. Warden’s door key, Yult spear, purse of money (36 gp),
Action Spells Yult-embossed plate armour.
1st level (1/day each): command, detect magic, detect poison
and disease
2nd level (1/day): aid
Bonus Action Spells
1st level (1/day): shield of faith
2nd level (2/day): branding smite

Chapter 3The
| The
Tales
Tales
Sir Sir
Daywin
Daywin 195
195
196
O grel Grim Howl (He/Him)
Written by: Dave Coulson
Adventure Level: 7 | Players: 3-6
Content Warnings: Bullying, Violence, Implied Cannibalism
Gnoll • Former Raider
Proud, nervous, anxious, pitiful, and prone to anger.
Ogrel has gray-green fur, long limbs, a savage countenance,
keeps three grisly “war trophies” on his belt, and carries no
weapon.
O grel is a cursed gnoll. He was once a member of a savage
gnoll warband, the Grim Howl Pack, but they picked
on the wrong decrepit wagon in the mountains one fateful
night. The wagon belonged to a powerful warlock who
destroyed most of the gnolls. The warlock left Ogrel alive, but
cursed him: until the gnoll found “strength in forgiveness,”
he would be transformed into the image of weakness held in
the gnoll’s mind.
Ogrel needs help. The characters are drawn to the
cursed gnoll when an altercation forces Ogrel to pick up a
weapon, transforming him into a scrawny human teenager.
Alternatively, they may need information Ogrel possesses
to complete an unrelated task. In his raiding days, the gnoll
traveled a great deal and saw a lot of things, but in his current
state he has little to offer.
The cursed gnoll explains his situation in a pitiful, whining
tone. He’s given up on any chance of finding “strength in
forgiveness,” whatever that means, so the characters are going
to need to prod him a bit to get him talking. The keys to
lifting the curse are found in the gnoll’s three glory trophies;
grisly mementos from battles fought in the past. He must
make amends for each of them in order to lift the curse.
The three trophies include a drow’s severed hand, the talon
of a mighty eagle, and the beard from a dwarven berserker.
Each one requires a short journey. The drow’s hand must
be returned to its body and then buried, which requires
negotiating with undead drow in a cavern complex; the eagle
talon must be sanctified by a druid of the mountains who
watches over the area; and the beard must be given over to
the dwarven berserker’s only remaining family, his sister, an
adventurer captured by a clan of brutal ogres.
Does Ogrel find “strength in forgiveness” and lift the curse
with the help of the characters?
Chapter 3 | The Tales Ogrel Grim Howl 197
 Background
Until recently, Ogrel was a proud member of the Grim
Howl Pack, a gang of gnolls renowned for their savagery
and butchery. They raided, pillaged, and stole at their
leisure, though they were careful to avoid large or obviously
dangerous foes. The Grim Howl Pack were bullies of the
worst sort, who only fought when they clearly had superior
odds, and retreated in the face of strong opposition.
About a month ago, the Grim Howl Pack came upon the
wagon of a traveler in the mountains being pulled by a pair
of old, decrepit horses. The wagon was ancient, but there was
the smell of riches about the whole thing. The gnolls jumped
the wagon, killed the horses, and burst inside to confront the
occupant, only to learn that the owner was an aged warlock
with his full magical faculties intact. The warlock blasted the
gnolls, destroying most of the Grim Howl Pack in an instant,
and scattering the rest.
Ogrel turned to flee but the warlock’s magic stopped him.
As punishment for his atrocities, the warlock called upon
his patron to curse the gnoll. If he ever held a weapon or
unsheathed his claws, he would transform into the image of
weakness in the gnoll’s mind: a gangly human teenager, weak
and awkward. The only way to break the curse was to learn
“strength in forgiveness.” Ogrel needed to atone for the three
grisly trophies he carried, though this detail is currently lost
on the gnoll.
Ogrel fled the warlock’s wagon. For several weeks he
tried to hunt and kill, but each time he used a weapon, or
his fearsome claws the transformation took hold. He could
not understand what he needed to accomplish: he had true
strength in his arms, in his gnoll form! Despondent and near
starving, he eventually came upon A Trip Away Inn where
Flip took pity on him.
His warband raided farms and villages in the surrounding
area under the cover of night, when they would encounter
the least amount of resistance, and they targeted travelers in
the more desolate stretches within a week’s journey of the
crossroads. Ogrel knew of Flip and the inn by reputation, and
the gnoll’s leader met up with contacts at A Trip Away Inn on
occasion over the years.
After his fellow gnolls were defeated and the curse befell
him, Ogrel felt he had nowhere else to turn. He survived for
a few weeks, scavenging where he could, as the question of
how to lift the curse afflicting him gnawed at his soul. He has
no idea what to do to learn “strength in forgiveness”, and his
faltering attempts at striking up conversation with others in
the taproom have been met with confused stares.
198 Chapter 3 | The Tales Ogrel Grim Howl
Tavern Behavior
Ogrel has been coming regularly to A Trip Away Inn
over the past few weeks, and Flip has taken pity upon the
wretched gnoll. Ogrel has done a few odd jobs for Estabôn,
mainly taking out the trash, and in exchange he’s earned
food enough to keep him from starving. Still, the work is
degrading, and Ogrel resents doing it, but his pride refuses
to let him take charity. He spends his days and nights in
the back of the tavern, near the bathhouse, too afraid of
triggering his curse in the common areas. It suits Flip as well,
who knows the presence of a gnoll may upset some patrons.
Ogrel tends to do his work at night, hauling garbage out
with a heavy cloak draped over his bestial, lanky frame. When
he’s not sulking around the trash, he’s sitting by himself
behind the bathhouse, nervously holding a mug of cheap ale,
while staring out from the shadowed cowl of his cloak.
Hook
The characters find themselves in A Trip Away Inn, perhaps
enjoying a rest after a long day’s travel or already on the
lookout for adventure. The inn’s taproom sees a wide variety
of travelers, due to its location along a popular crossroad, and
adventurers pass through regularly. Flip keeps an eye out for
trouble, and they have a bad feeling tonight about the gnoll
out back. Conveniently, a patron recently found a strange
patch on the road to an old monastery (The Yult Hold from
Sir Daywin's adventure), dropping it off with the gnome for
identification.
In response to this bad feeling, Flip calls the characters
over to the bar. They toss them a roughly constructed badge,
depicting a howling wolf’s head set against a black moon. The
badge represents the Grim Howl Pack, and Flip thinks it has
something to do with Ogrel, the gnoll out back. They ask the
characters to take it over to Ogrel to see what he knows about
it, and to see if they can help the gnoll. Flip doesn’t know the
details of Ogrel’s curse, but they recognize him as someone in
need of help.
When the characters arrive, Ogrel is just returning from
taking out the trash, a chore he performs for Estabôn in
exchange for meager scraps and drink. A drunken band
from the Black Wake, a local mercenary company, have just
relieved themselves and are deciding to have some “fun” with
the lanky gnoll.
Gnoll’s Lament
Night has fallen and, during the quiet of the outside evening,
Ogrel returns to his spot behind the tavern after hauling
out the garbage. He stinks of both rubbish and destitution,
drawing the attention of some thugs from the Black Wake,
a band of local mercenaries. Drunk and overconfident, they
confront the gnoll, pushing him down. In a flash of instinct,
Ogrel bears his claws, triggering the curse, transforming him
into a scrawny human teenager.
The mercenaries laugh, and the characters have a chance to
intervene to help save face for the cursed gnoll. Afterwards,
Ogrel tells his story to the party. He swallows his pride
and begs for help. With a little bit of knowledge and
investigation, the characters can pick out the likely path to
the gnoll’s redemption.
The raucous sounds of A Trip Away Inn’s taproom are
muffled and subdued out behind the building. Stacks
of crates, empty barrels, and the bathhouse sit in quiet
solitude here; a quiet suddenly shattered by a burst of harsh,
drunken laughter. From behind the bathhouse, a lanky,
cloaked figure staggers and collapses on the ground, where
he has evidently been tripped by a band of young brawlers
coming into view. Their faces are red with alcohol and
cruelty, and the leader pulls the hood back from the fallen
figure to reveal a gnoll beneath. “What’s the matter, dog?”
the cruel man slurs, loudly, “cat got your tongue?”
The gnoll’s face twist into a snarl and, before the party
can take any action, he stands up with surprising speed
and spreads his hands in a menacing gesture, his claws
extending. In that moment the curse takes over, and the
gnoll is wracked with pain as his body contorts, twists, and
pops, transforming him into a scrawny human teenager,
with pockmarked skin and a mop of shaggy gray-green hair.
The man is Nails Jarter, a rising star in the Black Wake.
He and his fellows have had too much to drink, and they’ve
settled on petty cruelty for entertainment.
At this point, Nails and his fellow mercenaries (5 thugs)
stare in shock, before bursting out into laughter. In his
teenage form, Ogrel looks around the area frantically before
finding the party. His eyes are pleading, as Nails pushes the
teenager down to the ground.
The characters can intervene at this point by whatever
means they have at their disposal. The situation can be
calmed without violence if the characters succeed on a
group DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check; any character
attempting to placate Nails through flattery gains advantage
on the check. The thugs are all bark and no bite so, if
presented with a well-armed party of adventurers threatening
violence, they back down immediately, muttering under their
breath about having all the fun taken out of the night.
Curse of Forgiveness
Once Nails and his fellows are dealt with, Ogrel slinks over
to the pary in his teenage form. He mutters a thank you as
the curse subsides, transforming him back into a gnoll. Ogrel
is desperate for a solution, and he hopes the characters have
the means to help him. If shown the badge from Flip, Ogrel
immediately recognizes it as belonging to the Grim Howl
Pack, and he shows his own in response. He wasn’t the only
one to survive the warlock’s attack but he is still surprised to
see it showing up now.
If they show any interest in hearing his story or figuring
out how to help, Ogrel reveals the following information:
• He was part of the Grim Howl Pack, a band of gnoll
raiders, until he and his fellow gnolls attacked a
ramshackle wagon in the mountains. The wagon belonged
to a powerful warlock, who killed most of the other gnolls
but spared Ogrel, putting him under a terrible curse.
• Anytime Ogrel picks up a weapon or unsheathes his claws,
he transforms into a scrawny human, weak and frail. He
doesn’t have the strength to hold a weapon in that form,
and shortly after he drops the weapon he transforms back
into a gnoll.
• The warlock said that the only way to break the curse was
to find “strength in forgiveness.” Ogrel has no idea what
that means.
While they talk, the characters notice Ogrel
absentmindedly playing with one of the grisly trophies
attached to his belt (a severed drow hand, an eagle talon, or
a dwarven beard braid). If asked about them, Ogrel proudly
declares that the three items are his most prized possessions,
trophies from great battles where he claimed victory over his
opponent. His pride over the items is unabashed.
Anyone proficient in Arcana or Religion makes the
connection between the trophies and the wording of the curse,
specifically around the “strength in forgiveness” caveat. Ogrel
doesn’t want to believe it if confronted, but his desire to remove
the curse is stronger. If no characters are proficient with these
skills, Flip or another inn patron can be consulted to help
make the connection between the curse and the trophies.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Ogrel Grim Howl 199
 The Gnoll’s Trophies
If the characters are interested in helping Ogrel lift his curse
and find “strength in forgiveness,” the gnoll is grateful for
their assistance. Clerics, warlocks, and characters proficient
in Arcana or Religion recognize some elements common in
forgiveness curses, and the best course of action is to repent
by laying to rest the memento of the deceased. Ogrel has
three key trophies on him, treasured reminders of moments
of his own glory, but they actually represent his cruelty, spite,
and cowardice. They must be put to rest.
He offers the following information about each of the three
trophies he carries.
• The drow hand was taken when the Grim Howl Pack
ambushed a drow patrol in a series of tunnels in the forest.
The tunnels are part of what’s known as the Spider Caves,
and the gnolls managed to kill all of the drow before they
could even scream for help. Ogrel and his fellows left the
dead because of the spiders in the area, but he can lead
them back to its location easily enough (Dead Drow Tell
No Tales).
• The eagle talon was removed from a giant eagle that Ogrel
managed to kill single-handedly. He and his fellow gnolls
found an eagles nest full of eggs in the mountains and,
when the mother returned, Ogrel defeated the beast. The
nest was in Gray Neck Ridge (Where Eagles Dare).
• The dwarven beard braid is Ogrel’s most recent trophy. It
was taken from a dwarven berserker who managed to take
down a few members of the Grim Howl Pack before Ogrel
and the survivors defeated him. The gnolls fed the body to
a pack of wolves before moving on. Ogrel does not know
the identity of the dwarf (Beard for Sister Serra).
Two of the three destinations are known to Ogrel (the Spider
Caves and Gray Neck Ridge), but the dwarven braid is going
to require a bit of investigation.
Beard of Battlegut
Ogrel didn’t even get a name for the dwarven berserker who
attacked the Grim Howl Pack months ago, and they carved
up the dwarf’s body for trophies, feeding the rest to wolves.
To find out more about its owner, the characters are going to
need to ask around the taproom.
The best sources of information here are Flip and Arvad
Quillforge, the dwarven poet. Both recognize the distinct
braiding on the beard as belonging to Sarge Battlegut,
a dwarf berserker bounty hunter. Sarge was cruel but
competent, and well-known for taking on targets much
larger than himself and getting away. He hasn’t been seen
around the crossroads for a few months, perfectly lining up
with Ogrel’s story in terms of timing, and he matches the
description to the letter.
200 Chapter 3 | The Tales Ogrel Grim Howl
Arvad and Flip both know Sarge has a sister, Serra
Battlegut (she/her), who is much more even-tempered than
her brother. Serra has a little cottage that she shares with an
adventuring friend of hers, an elf illusionist named Raddle
(they/them), just a short distance away from A Trip Away Inn.
Arvad knows the location and, as long as the characters are
not looking to bring trouble, he lets them know where to find
Serra’s cabin.
Development
Once the characters have learned the details of the three
trophies, they can set out from A Trip Away Inn with Ogrel
to help him find “strength in forgiveness.” Based on their
current location, the closest location is the Spider Caves,
followed by Gray Neck Ridge, and then the cottage of Serra
Battlegut, so the adventure is presented in that order.
Dead Drow Tell No Tales
About a year ago, the Grim Howl Pack picked up a tip about
a hidden treasure cache in a series of caves in the darkest part
of a nearby forest. Greedily, the gnolls went out in search
of the treasure, fighting their way through many voracious
spiders as they traveled. According to Ogrel, they eventually
came upon a cavern, filled with skull-shaped mushrooms,
occupied by a band of armed drow. The Grim Howl Pack
attacked with surprise, killing all of the drow, and Ogrel slew
the leader with a powerful backstab.
In truth, these drow were tending the mushrooms to feed
their families. The rare skull mushrooms grow near spider
nests close to the surface, and are highly prized as potent
resources for underground-dwelling creatures. They are
edible, last for months without spoiling, and can be used as
currency in some areas. The drow believed their mushroom
cave a secret, until the gnolls fell upon them.
Ogrel knows very little of this. He remembers there was no
treasure, but the Grim Howl Pack took great pride in their
achievement of killing the notorious drow, who are famed for
their skill with weapons. If pressed, Ogrel recalls the skull-
shaped mushrooms in the caves but the gnolls left them alone.
A character proficient with Nature recognizes the description
as skulltop mushrooms, a rare and valuable breed of
mushroom, known to grow around spider nests underground.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Ogrel Grim Howl 201
 Spider Caves
The journey to the heart of the forest where the caves are
located takes about two days, and can be as eventful as
the GM needs it to be. The forest itself is unnamed and
unremarkable, save for the number of spiders crawling
around its center.
Finding the cave entrance with Ogrel’s assistance is
straightforward, however. Spiders of all kinds crawl around
the cavern opening, mostly small but some as large as dogs.
Ogrel recalls the path well enough.
The journey through the caves is slow going, consid0ering
the number of web-choked passages blocking the path.
Using fire is the quickest method to make progress, though
burning webs attracts the attention of giant spiders during
the Spiteful Dead encounter below. If they avoid fire, and
instead hack at the webs with swords and other weapons,
they arrive unmolested and giant spiders do not join the
confrontation with the drow ghosts.
Unquiet Dead
The cave where Ogrel and his fellow gnolls killed the drow
is a broad open area, marked by several stalagmites along the
ground.
The web-choked tunnel opens up into a larger cave, roughly
50 feet across with a low-hanging ceiling about 10 feet
high. Several stalagmites rise up from rocky patches in the
otherwise loose soil of the ground, with some stalagmites
connecting up with the stone ceiling above. Around the
base of each stalagmite cluster unusual pale mushrooms.
Each mushroom is about the size of a hand and shaped
like a grim, jawless skull, with eyes and nostrils appearing
naturally on the cap. The sickly smell of death and rot
hangs heavy in the air.
As the characters look around the cave, they see no other
exits leading out. A moment later, a low moan fills the room
as the spectral forms of the murdered drow return to unlife,
due to the unjust means of their death. These drow were just
farmers, and even in their undead state they do not pose a
direct threat to the characters.
202 Chapter 3 | The Tales Ogrel Grim Howl
The interaction with the four drow ghosts is designed
as a social encounter. Minstra (she/her) is the leader of the
drow ghosts and language may be a barrier to overcome, so
the first step for the characters is to try and understand what
the ghosts are saying. If no characters speak Undercommon,
or have the magical ability to understand, Minstra knows
enough Common to convey their basic feelings. The drow
were simple farmers who tended the mushrooms, and
they were only looking out for their families. They kept to
themselves, living simple lives, and did not bother anyone.
Upon hearing this, Ogrel begins to make some
connections. The drow were not clad in armor and carried
only a handful of weapons between them, certainly not living
up to their infamous reputation as merciless killers. Ogrel
is stunned to hear the story of how the drow were simply
mushroom farmers.
If the characters used fire to burn the webs in the tunnel on
their way to the mushroom cave, when the drow ghosts rise
up, the characters are attacked from behind. A pack of six
giant spiders move to attack the party who burned their
webs and invaded their nests.
Development
Once the drow tell their story, Ogrel has a decision to make,
but he is still hesitant to part with his trophy. There’s no
ritual or spell necessary, but he must return the hand of the
slain drow to its owner in order to earn forgiveness, and then
bury the hand in the ground. He needs some convincing.
The characters must succeed on a group DC 16 Charisma
(Persuasion) check to convince Ogrel to give up the item
willingly. Consider granting advantage on the check if the
players roleplayed the scene with the drow well.
Characters can make a DC 18 Intelligence (Religion)
check to recall basic funerary rites for drow, and performing
them puts the creatures at ease, regardless of Ogrel’s action.
Where Eagles Dare
Giant eagles are majestic creatures living in remote wilderness
areas. Many serve as guardians of their territory, watching
out for wrongdoing and swiftly meting out punishment to
creatures performing evil acts. Gray Neck Ridge is a popular
nesting spot for giant eagles. They often nest in ancestral
locations, laying their eggs, watching over them, and tending
to the young before seeking further hunting grounds.
Dahlia was just such an eagle. She came to to her family’s
heritage nest in Gray Neck Ridge with her mate, and together
they had a clutch of three eggs to watch over. However, her
mate was killed when a band of raiders attacked the ridge,
hoping to claim the valuable eggs for their own. The raiders
were repelled but the eagles took heavy losses.
The Grim Howl Pack heard of the attack and snuck
in afterwards, to claim what spoils they could find. They
managed to arrive at Dahlia’s nest while she was away, and
the gnolls greedily took all three eggs. Dahlia returned and,
in the ensuing battle, Ogrel managed to kill the giant eagle
with a savage blow. They claimed the eggs and Ogrel cut off
one of the eagle’s talons as a trophy.
In the year since, Gray Neck Ridge has become home to
a peaceful halfling druid named Pruni Greenhand (she/
her). She has watched over the giant eagle nests as a silent
guardian, helping to keep marauders away from the valuable
eggs, while doing her best to remain out of sight from the
eagles themselves so as not to disturb them.
In order for Ogrel to make amends for his giant eagle talon
trophy, he must reach Dahlia’s ancestral nest in Gray Neck
Ridge and lay the talon down, while sincerely asking for
forgiveness. Along the way, they have a chance to stop a band
of poachers from killing giant eagles, and in doing so they
can earn the respect of Pruni Greenhand.

Gray Neck Ridge Trail

Ogrel remembers the location and events surrounding his
eagle talon very vividly – it was a proud moment for him
as a gnoll warrior, taking down a giant eagle in combat. He
knows the area, Gray Neck Ridge, is popular with giant
eagles and contains a large number of nests, and that he
and his fellow raiders attacked the place only after another
marauder band winnowed out the eagle ranks. The journey to
Gray Neck Ridge is roughly two days journey from the spider
caves and about three days total from A Trip Away Inn.

The ridge is a low jagged line of mountains, with a rushing

river cutting through its center. The rocky ridge juts out
from the sparsely forested landscape, with a series of trails
winding up and around the peaks above the river. Giant
eagles fly overhead regularly.

Chapter 3 | The Tales Ogrel Grim Howl 203

 Ogrel recalls a secret path that skirts around the opposite
end of the ridge, where the eagles do not patrol regularly.
Unfortunately, it’s also a secret because it’s treacherous.
Following Ogrel’s directions, the characters must each
make two DC 15 ability checks. The ability checks can be
anything of the following, but a character cannot roll the
same ability check twice.
• Dexterity (Acrobatics), Intelligence (Nature), Strength
(Athletics), Wisdom (Perception)
On a failure, the character suffers 10 (3d6) damage of your
choice: falling rocks (bludgeoning damage), jagged rocks
(slashing damage), or nasty thorn bushes (piercing damage).
Each check is made over the course of two hours, so it takes a
total of four hours for the party to approach their destination.
There is precious little shelter to be found on Ogrel’s trail, and
the party must proceed single file or risk falling off the edge.
The Poachers and the Druid
The characters are not the only ones climbing Gray Neck
Ridge. Along their way, if the characters succeed on a DC
16 Wisdom (Survival) check to identify fresh, booted
humanoid tracks. The tracks belong to a band of cruel
wererat poachers intent on stealing giant eagle eggs.
After traveling for four hours on the trail, the characters
finally catch up to the poachers.
Six wererats stand on a broad ledge ahead of the party, the
body of a fallen giant eagle on the ground in front of them.
Two of the wererat poachers are hunched over the dead eagle,
preparing to quickly harvest the valuable parts, while three
others watch the skies and the sixth watches the trail ahead.
They are not paying attention to the trail behind them.
The wererats are on high alert: they’ve just killed a giant
eagle and are wary of its mate.
The characters arrive on the scene at the same time as the
giant eagle’s mate arrives. This happens to be the last living
ancestor of Dahlia herself. She and her mate were coming to
reclaim their ancestral nest for the season, for the first time
since Dahlia was killed by Ogrel. The giant eagle attacks
the poachers but it’s clear she’s outmatched and, when the
party approaches, the wererats turn their attention towards
them as the larger threat.
The wererat poachers fight until reduced to 1/4 hit points,
at which point they try to flee. When the first poacher tries
to flee, Ogrel tries to stop them but the curse takes over,
transforming him into a scrawny human teenager.
204 Chapter 3 | The Tales Ogrel Grim Howl
During the battle, Pruni Greehand watches the characters
from a hidden vantage point (DC 18 Wisdom (Perception)
check to see her in combat). After the combat, she strides
forward on top of an earth elemental. She is a female halfling
with long mud-caked brown hair, wearing a simple faded-
green tunic. Pruni wields no weapons, but it’s clear she
directs the actions of the earth elemental she rides.
Pruni calls out to the characters, asking them in short,
clipped sentences what business brings them to Gray Neck
Ridge. Her eyes are narrowed constantly on Ogrel, who
averts his gaze and shuffles nervously under her scrutiny. If
prompted by the characters, Ogrel announces he’s looking
to return the eagle talon to its rightful home. In response,
Pruni announces she knows what the gnoll is talking about
(she refuses to call him anything other than “the gnoll” and
rarely addresses him directly), and that the giant eagle Dahlia’s
family has been devastated since the cowardly attack. In fact,
the giant eagle being attacked by the wererats was Dahlia’s last
living ancestor, come to reclaim the nesting ground.
It’s obvious to the characters that Pruni does not trust
the gnoll, and Ogrel has no real chance of getting past the
earth elemental on his own. If the characters intervene on his
behalf, Pruni listens to the story; she witnessed Ogrel’s curse
firsthand during the battle with the poachers.
The interaction with Pruni is designed to show how
difficult Ogrel’s journey is going to be, but for his own part
the gnoll doesn’t back down. The halfling druid needs to
reconcile what she knows the gnoll did with his desire to
make amends and, while she sees the curse, she also senses
a deeper journey for Ogrel. Or at least she sees it with the
characters’ help, as Ogrel is a poor conversationalist.
Assuming the characters did not lie about Ogrel’s story and
they stopped the wererat poachers, Pruni decides to help the
gnoll. After they leave the talon in the nest, she consecrates it,
putting them at rest.
Development
After the confrontation with Pruni, the party and Ogrel can
continue to the giant eagle nest on Gray Neck Ridge where
the gnoll claimed the talon after the kill. The nest is about 10
feet across and built with hundreds upon hundreds of sticks,
twigs, logs, and other forest detritus, mostly very old. It
hasn’t been used since Dahlia was killed, however.
Ogrel gives up the talon by adding it to the nest. There
isn’t much else to do in this situation, so he eagerly agrees to
leave the area as quickly as possible, with his eyes on the sky
for giant eagle attacks. An hour later, when Pruni consecrates
the talon, Ogrel feels a sudden surge of confidence. He stands
up straighter, feels more pride in himself, and the majestic cry
of an eagle cuts through the air from some unseen source.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Ogrel Grim Howl 205
 Beard for Sister Serra
Ogrel’s beard braid trophy came from a dwarven berserker
who attacked the Grim Howl Pack a few months ago, while
the gnolls were hunting in the wilderness. The dwarf had a
mane of wild white hair and wore no armor, instead relying
on his incredibly thick skin and battle prowess. Ogrel recalls
the dwarf had tattoos on his chest and back, though he
doesn’t remember their exact pattern.
The dwarf attacked swiftly, and killed several members
of the Grim Howl Pack before finally falling to the blades
of the rest. Ogrel didn’t land the killing blow, but since he
partook in the battle which saw several gnolls die, he was
allowed by gnoll custom to claim a trophy. He cut off a braid
of the dwarf ’s beard.
The dwarf was named Sarge Battlegut. He was a bounty
hunter known for bringing in humanoid prey, and he always
worked alone. Some merchant prince put a bounty on the
Grim Howl Pack in the past and Sarge was looking to claim
it. He underestimated the gnolls, however, and paid the
ultimate price. The only way for Ogrel to ask for forgiveness
for this act is to verbally ask it of the dwarf’s only living kin:
his sister, Serra Battlegut.
Serra Battlegut and her brother were both known around
A Trip Away Inn as adventuring wanderers, though Sarge was
always a bit more hotheaded than Serra. Unfortunately, Serra
was just recently captured by a group of savage ogres, and
Ogrel and the party must move quickly to rescue her from
the ogre brutes of Clan Meat.
Shattered Cottage
The journey to the small cottage from Gray Neck Ridge is
short, less than a day, but regardless of how long it takes them
the party arrives too late to stop Clan Meat from raiding the
place and taking Serra to their camp.
This simple single-storey wooden building, with a stone
chimney and large windows, has been reduced to little more
than a pile of shattered timber. Large boulders lie strewn
about, and much of the cottage’s destruction seems to have
come from large humanoid hands – ogre hands.
As the party searches the rubble, they can make a Wisdom
(Perception) check. Whoever rolls highest hears a faint
cough coming from beneath a pile of broken planks.
Lifting it reveals Raddle (they/them), a bald, thin-faced
elf, covered in bruises and cuts. Raddle coughs up blood and
cowers for a moment, fearing the party are the ogres returned
to pick up them up, but when the truth becomes clear they
break down crying. In between sobs, Raddle explains a band
of brutal ogres called Clan Meat came just a few hours ago,
demolished the cottage, and took Serra. Raddle was spared
206 Chapter 3 | The Tales Ogrel Grim Howl
because of a simple illusion, but their magic was not strong
enough to keep Serra safe. The elf begs the characters to
rescue Serra before the ogres devour her!
Ogrel knows about Clan Meat. They are a brutal family
of savage ogres living in the nearby hills with a reputation
for reckless, senseless violence. The gnolls always gave them a
wide berth, and no one really knows just how many of them
live up in the caves. They have a reputation for inhuman
appetites, and they are known to eat captives alive.
Savage Ogres of Clan Meat
The ogres leave clear tracks leading away from Serra’s cottage,
and following them brings the party directly to a small camp
on the edge of the forest.
Sheltered by a large rock in the foothills sit seven ogres,
each covered in scars. Even for ogres these are ugly brutes.
They are all members of Clan Meat, and they are currently
arguing over who gets to eat the dwarf first.
The dwarf, Serra Battlegut, is barely conscious and tied
to a spit roasting over a fire. She is bound to the pole with
metal chains, which grow hotter as the flames lick around
her. Desperation, anger, and sorrow are etched on her face.
As soon as any of the ogres notice the adventurers they will
attack.
During the ensuing melee, Ogrel finds a chance to prove
himself in battle. He knows the reputation of Clan Meat,
and seeing the party face up to these brutal, cruel ogres
stirs something heroic in him. He picks up a discarded club
from the ground, transforming into a scrawny teenager
(commoner), but manages to rush forward and attack an
ogre. This could provide a moment’s distraction if the party
is having a tough time with the combat, or it could simply
give advantage to the party member in most need of it. Serra
Battlegut witnesses the heroic act, and it forms the culminating
moment of Ogrel’s journey to find “strength in forgiveness.”
Development
Once the ogres are defeated, Serra can be rescued with ease.
She coughs, catching her breath and thanking the characters,
and is quite curious about the gnoll who transformed into a
human. If presented with Ogrel’s story honestly, and if Sarge
Battlegut’s beard braid is given over with a sincere apology by
Ogrel, Serra accepts it with a nod. She sighs and then offers
her forgiveness to the gnoll.
Conclusion
Appendix A: Stat Blocks
In order to lift the curse and gain “strength in forgiveness,”
Ogrel must complete the three tasks and atone for his Ogrel grim Howl
cowardly past acts. It’s a tough road, and certainly not one Medium humanoid (gnoll), neutral
he could make without the help of the characters. Is he
successful? Has he proven himself, not only in the eyes of the Challenge 5 (1,800 xp) | Initiative: +3 | Prof. Bonus: +3
curse but in the eyes of the characters?
If he managed to complete the three atonement tasks, the armor class hit points speed
curse is lifted. He remains a gnoll but he is changed for the 15 (+2 shield) 46 30 ft.
better, and he’s seen where cowardly cruelty gets him. (hide armor) (7d8 + 14)
What’s next for Ogrel Grim Howl? Perhaps he takes up
adventuring with Serra Battlegut and Raddle. Certainly, str dex con int wis cha
Clan Meat is still out there, so that may prove an effective 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 8 (-1) 10 (0) 10 (0)
challenge for the newly minted trio. They can always call
Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +5
upon the characters to help as well.
Skills Acrobatics +6, Athletics +6, Intimidation +3,
Rewards Survival +3
The best reward for the adventure is the friendship of a Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
gnoll raider who has decided to turn his life around. Ogrel Languages Common, Gnoll
roamed the land for several years, and he knows many hidden Curse. If Ogrel is still under the effects of the curse, anytime
places and secret nooks in the surrounding region. The more he attempts to attack he is transformed into a human
practical reward comes from the spoils of Ogrel’s previous teenager. He must then use the Commoner stat block.
raids. He never felt he could accept it on his own after the
curse befell him, and if the curse is lifted he now feels he has Actions
a new road to travel.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
creature. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
The Grim Howl Pack treasure is buried in a chest in the Battleaxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
forest beneath a gnarled, broken oak tree. Inside, the chest one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage.
contains the following: 14 shards of onyx each worth 50 gp;
2,000 gp in loose coins; a chime of opening; a cloak of the Bonus Actions
manta ray; and a necklace of fireballs (5 beads). Rampage. When Ogrel reduces a creature to 0 hit points
with a melee attack on his turn, he can take a bonus action
to move up to half his speed and make a bite attack.

Author Bio
Dave Coulson is a freelance game designer with credited submissions in Paizo’s Dungeon magazine, Knights of the Dinner
Table Magazine, Wizards of the Coast’s Adventurers League organized play campaign, and Kobold Press’ Tome of Beasts.
He has written extensively about the planes of the multiverse, along with adventures in an old-school style, under his own
design studio, Cut to the Chase Games. He currently resides in Minnesota, confined to a home office, forced to look out
onto the world through panes of glass or computer monitors - like so many others in the midst of a global pandemic!

Chapter 3 | The Tales Ogrel Grim Howl 207

208 Chapter 3 | The Tales Muninn
M uninn / Vincent rews (He/Him)
Written by: William Richardson
Adventure Level: 7-8 | Players: 3-5
Content Warnings: Birds, Gore, Murder, Nudity, Psychological Trauma
Muninn Vincent Rews
Bird • Crow Human • Baker
Friendly and inquisitive. Cowardly, yet determined.
Large black crow. Thin, tall, brown hair, large beard.
T he crow that lives in the rafters of the inn goes
unnoticed by most patrons. However, after some
investigation, the bird seems to be more than it appears. The
bird is a polymorphed man by the name of Vincent Rews,
who was sent out in desperation when his town was besieged
by a supernatural threat from its own past.
Background
The crow that lives in the rafters of the inn is actually a man
by the name of Vincent Rews, from the town of King’s Hold.
Vincent was turned into a crow as punishment for stealing
food and important magical scrolls from the town, as well as
attempting to escape. As a crow, the townspeople used him to
attempt to send a message, asking for help from anyone who
received it.
The town is currently besieged by a wendigo (see Appendix
B: Stat Blocks) and the townspeople are on their last legs.
Anyone who attempts to leave the town, escaping through
the dense forest to the main road, is hunted down and killed.
The wendigo has the magical ability to control the weather
and trap its prey in a extra dimensional space, from which
there is no escape. Worse still, the wendigo can turn its prey
into thralls, to assist in hunting down others, as well as to act
as a food source, for the wendigo hungers for human flesh.
The wendigo is an old sorcerer by the name of Sycorax.
Legend holds that he was a powerful magic user, who lived
in King’s Hold when the town was founded. He was a
beloved figure in the town, and used his magic to help people
or defend the community. One day, he decided he had to
leave, and bestowed powerful gifts on the elders of the town.
Sycorax retreated deep into the woods with other like-minded
sorcerers, to study and master the ability to create and control
extra dimensional spaces. His experiments went well for
a while, but eventually Sycorax made a mistake, trapping
himself and his apprentices in a barren extra dimensional
space. Unable to free themselves, the group survived in
civility for many years, but eventually devolved into madness
and murder. Corrupted by cannibalism and dark magic,
Sycorax survived but slowly and painfully transformed, over
the course of his lengthy imprisonment, into the form of a
wendigo. Finally, after 180 years, Sycorax was able to break
the spell which imprisoned him, and was returned to the
forest near King’s Hold. In his corrupted state, Sycorax now
terrorizes the town he once loved. Only one person in King’s
Hold is alive from when Sycorax disappeared: Madra the
Elder holds the secrets to what is happening to the town, and
may know a way to save it.
Tavern Behavior
Most adventures might miss the large crow that lives in
the rafters of the inn. Occasionally it will caw, but that is
drowned out by the noise of the guests during busy hours.
Once a day, Flip will feed worms to the bird at the bar,
usually after closing time.
Hook
If the players are inside the inn during a quiet hour, they may
hear the crow caw from the rafters. They may also witness
Flip feed him after hours. Whichever way they discover the
bird, investigation will yield interesting results.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Muninn 209
 The Crow in the Rafters
A Trip Away Inn sees plenty of guests. Most cycle in and out,
only staying for a drink or for the night. A few call the inn
home, but one of them is a bit more secretive than others. A
crow spends most of its time perched in the rafters, unnoticed,
heard only when the inn is quiet. It gets fed by Flip every
night, after the bar winds down. No one claims ownership of
it, and even Flip doesn’t know where it came from.
If the characters are unable to come up with a theory on
what is going on with Muninn, Flip offers some advice. A
local druid by the name of Gromnar, happens to be drinking
in the tavern at the moment, and could help.
Meeting Gromnar

Meeting Muninn Sitting at the bar alone is an aging, surly half-orc, drinking
a muted yellow cocktail. Occasionally, a server approaches
Unlike other NPCs in A Trip Away Inn Muninn the crow
but is quickly dismissed with a grunt.
hides from sight for most of the day. On a successful DC 16
Wisdom (Perception) check, a player will notice a shadow
moving high in the rafters of the inn. Alternatively, they can Gromnar (he/him), is a large, elderly, and disgruntled
witness Flip feeding the bird towards the end of their shift at half-orc druid with a bit of an attitude, especially when
around four in the morning. Either way, characters can ask interrupted while drinking. A successful DC 13 Charisma
anyone about the bird and all will direct them to Flip. (Persuasion or Intimidation) check gains his cooperation.
Characters may also offer to buy him his favorite drink, a
If the party asks Flip about the bird they will become
Gromnar’s Garden, which is an herbal tea infused with forest
embarrassed and say the following:
mushrooms and spiked with aged elderflower liqueur. If
Gromnar approaches the party to offer aid, he will ask for the
drink as a form of payment.
“Ahh, you’ve seen him haven’t you? He really is a beautiful
However, Gromnar agrees to help, he asks to see the bird
bird. I named him Muninn since he’s so keen on people,
in question. Once he gets his hand on Muninn he will study
and seems to be a bit smarter than your average crow.
him for a while, speaking to him softly throughout.
Not really sure how he got in here but, the first time I
was able to see him up close, I noticed he had a broken
wing. Patched him up nice, but once he healed he refused Suddenly, the crow locks eyes with Gromnar. Gromnar says,
to leave. We thought for a while he was a guest’s pet, or
“Stand back, give me some space.”
some wizard-folk’s familiar, but he’s been around so long.
Either way, someone's gotta feed him. So, I always find He grabs the bird gently by it’s head and begins whispering
some nice worms on my way to work and serve him some in it’s ear in orcish.
up every night, before I leave. He seems to like them and Muninn begins to caw loudly, violently flapping his wings
has taken a liking to me. Stays quiet up there and seems as the caws slowly shift into a human voice exclaiming,
comfy. Nobody seems to mind. If you wanna meet him I “Help!”
can call him down for ya?” In an explosion of feathers, the bird vanishes and a naked
human male appears in it’s place. He crumples to the floor
Whether the bird is called down by Flip or coaxed down in fetal position repeating “Help.” over and over again.
by other means, Muninn will descend from the rafters and
land near the characters. At first glance, Muninn seems
to be a normal crow. He is strangely comfortable around Meeting Vincent
people, and allows himself to be touched and fed. During
The crow is actually Vincent Rews (he/him), a human
this close contact, characters will notice a small piece of red
commoner. A successful DC 12 Wisdom (Medicine) check
string around his right leg. A successful DC 12 Intelligence
reveals that Vincent is injured and weak. He needs to regain 10
(Investigation) check reveals the string is most commonly
points of healing, or a long rest, in order to become coherent
used on messenger birds, though Muninn’s message appears
and alert. Until then he is drowsy, hard to understand, and
to be missing. A successful DC 14 Intelligence (Nature)
unable to walk. Flip offers a room for him to rest in and some
check will discover that Muninn’s eyes are a bright shade of
clothes to cover up. Gromnar will mention that it is likely
jade green, as opposed to the dark brown or blue of a normal
that Vincent’s memory is fragmented. This effect is made
crow. Finally, if anyone attempts to use speak with animals,
worse by being polymorphed for an extended period of time.
Muninn will answer no questions but simply repeat the word
Because he doesn’t know the duration of Vincent’s change, he
“HELP”, endlessly.
cannot guess how long his memory will be affected for.

210 Chapter 3 | The Tales Muninn


Roleplaying Vincent: Vincent Rews was a baker in the
town of King’s Hold. At the height of the wendigo’s siege
of the town Vincent was caught stealing food and, worse,
powerful magical scrolls used to defend the town from the
wendigo. As punishment, Vincent was transformed into a
crow using one of the scrolls, and set free, with a message
asking for help to relieve the town. Vincent will remember
very little of this early on but, as the players spend more
time with him, he will begin to remember more and more.
Vincent will remain quiet about his unusual sentence and
tell a lie, saying he volunteered to be transformed. He will
only confess if pressed by the party after a successful DC
12 Wisdom (Insight) or DC 16 Charisma (Persuasion
or Intimidation check). Because of his transformation,
Vincent is skittish, cowardly, and quiet. His only goal is to
convince the party to save his village so he may atone for
his crimes.
Development
Once Vincent is either rested or healed he asks to speak to
the party.
“Mmmmy...my name is Vincent. Vincent Rews. I...I...I’m
from a town called King’s Hold. In the woods. It’s a
logging town. I was there. Then I remember flying, and
the treetops and feeling the sun. It was incredible. Then
I was falling, I saw the ground rushing towards me,
and pain. Then I was above that room down there. I
remember hearing voices, noises, and music. I remember
the worms. Those tasty worms...do you have any worms?
Sorry, it’s just I haven’t eaten real food since… wait…
How long have I been here?”
Either Flip or the party can tell Vincent he has spent two
months in the tavern as a crow. With this information
Vincent will begin to look panicked, and continue speaking:
“I remember now. My town! King’s Hold is under siege by
some...thing. You have to help! It was killing anyone who
left the village and it attacked mostly at night. It was…
taking people and doing horrible things to them. The
people sent me as a crow to send a message. It was the only
way to get past that thing. I must have been intercepted
somehow, lost the message, and ended up here. If it really
is the date you say then I’ve been gone for three months!
I don’t even know if anyone is still alive but you have to
help! Please!”
Vincent can tell the party the following information:
• There is a horned creature that resembles a man in the
woods outside of his town that kidnaps townsfolk.
• Sometimes the townsfolk come back to the walls of the
town but they are changed.
• When the creature is nearby, it starts to snow, regardless of
the temperature.
• The creature has a distinctive call: a deep, guttural howl that
seems to cool the air and send chills through anyone that
hears it.
Vincent will press the party until they agree to help. He
offers a meager 100 gp as payment, but says there are treasures
in King’s Hold worth more than gold. He speaks of the
spell scrolls left behind by Sycorax. If the party is successful,
Vincent is sure the town will offer them as payment.
Once the party agrees, Vincent demands to leave at once.
The trip will take one day by horse or three days on foot.
Vincent will not pester them if they take the time to gather
supplies for the trip; any other actions and he will insist that
they remain on task.
The Sea of Trees
The Journey to King’s Hold
The journey to King’s Hold takes three days on foot.
GM’s note: This chapter is designed to scare the party and
test Vincent’s nerve. You can choose to encounter; snow
circle, and stone cairns in any order on the journey to king’s
hold. The party should encounter the last leg just before
moving on to dusty scrolls and old stones.
Each evening of the journey the party will trigger the
night encounters in order.
The First Night
Whether traveling or camping, any character awake should
make a DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check. On a success,
the character hears an unusual howl far in the distance,
coming from the direction they intend to travel in. Vincent
will hear this howl, know it as the wendigo, and remain
awake for the remainder of the night, unless pacified.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Muninn 211
 The Second Night
Whether camping or traveling on the second night, a
group of 5 wendigo thralls (see Appendix B: Stat Blocks)
will attempt to surround the party and watch them from a
distance. A character on watch who makes a successful DC
15 Wisdom (Perception) check, or has Passive Perception
of 15 or higher, notices the thralls. The thralls keep their
distance if a character is left on watch but, if the party
shows any sign of noticing them, or tries to interact, they
immediately attack.
The King’s Forest
Before entering the King’s Forest, Vincent warns the party
that this is their last chance to turn back.
The path through the King’s Forest is narrow and dark,
flanked closely by dense trees on both sides. As you travel
down the road Vincent grows more and more nervous,
clutching his club ever tighter.
Any character with a passive Perception of 15 or higher
will notice that the party is being followed. About ten feet
into the treeline, two figures resembling elves with pale blue
skin and tattered clothes, keep their icy blue eyes locked on
the party. The figures are covered in infected wounds and
bite marks. They keep pace but make no attempt to get any
closer. These creatures are wenidgo thralls (see Appendix B:
Stat Blocks). They follow the party until they make camp, at
which point they disappear into the woods.
The 2 wendigo thralls only attack if approached.
If the characters examine the thrall bodies, a successful
DC 14 Intelligence (Nature or Medicine) check, will
notice the thralls wound’s are from some kind of animal
bite. Vincent also recognizes the bodies as townsfolk from
King’s Hold.
Snow Circle
As you continue to travel down the road through the woods
you’re met with a section of the forest that looks as though
it has been hit by a blizzard for several hours. The snow
covering the road is nearly a foot deep and wraps around
to either side of the road in what appears to be a circle.
The snow stops abruptly at the edges of the circle leaving
anything outside of it untouched by snowfall.
212 Chapter 3 | The Tales Muninn
This 150 foot radius circle of snow is left over from the
wendigo’s dimension of frost ability (see Appendix B: Stat
Blocks). A successful DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation)
check will reveal that the snow is in a perfect circle, with a
sharply defined edge. The snow covers the path, making it
difficult terrain, so the party will have to either trek through
it or trudge through the forest.
Characters exploring the snowy area find no tracks or signs
of life. On a successful DC 12 Intelligence (Nature) or DC
14 Wisdom (Perception) check, characters will notice the
air is deathly quiet and unnatural, and no animals are nearby.
Vincent has seen such circles in the forest and knows the
wendigo creates them, but doesn’t know why or how. Vincent
is nervous while inside the circle, and insists the party
continues onward.
Stone Cairns
The party encounters a carefully stacked cairn of large worn
and weathered stones. Carved on the base of the cairn are
five names: Sycorax, Lithen, Jon, Tella, and Helena. If asked,
Vincent recounts what he knows of Sycorax the sorcerer, who
almost 200 years ago was a protector of the village. He and
his apprentices disappeared, and this is a memorial to them.
The Wendigo Approaches
After a second encounter with the wendigo thralls, Vincent’s
nerves are totally shot. He panics and runs into the woods
towards king’s hold. If the party does not pursue him, or they
fail to catch him, the wendigo captures him turning him into
a wendigo thrall. The howls of the wendigo can be heard
after Vincent runs into the woods as if it is pursuing him.
The Last Leg
As you approach King’s Hold you encounter a macabre
sight. Dismembered, frostbitten corpses lay scattered on
the ground and in the trees overhead as if torn asunder by a
wild animal. Nearly melted patches of snow litter the area.
A successful DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation or
Medicine) check reveals the victims were attacked by a
creature of large size, torn apart by claws and teeth, and then
eaten. Because of their condition Vincent cannot identify
them, but he assumes they are from King’s Hold.
Dusty Scrolls and Old Stones
King’s Hold
A wide clearing opens up before you; a verdant meadow that
looks almost alien in the light of the setting sun, after the
seemingly eternal forest you just passed through. The path
before you leads your eyes to a large wooden fort, some 100
yards away. A 15 foot tall wooden wall surrounds the fort,
providing the appearance of safety. A large hall, elevated
on a hill, dominates thatched roofs of homes tucked within
the walls. A primitive gatehouse, in the wall faces you
across the meadow and, as you focus your eyes through the
snow beginning to fall, you see a man standing upon it. He
gestures at you aggressively, and you hear him yelling.
A successful DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check determines
the man is gesturing for them to come closer and is yelling
“come quickly!” Vincent will run towards the gates, urging the
party on. As the party draws near they see other heads pop up
on the battlements, and the gate begins to open. Once the party
reaches the gate, the guards will close it promptly behind them.
King’s Hold is a town in disarray. Garbage is strewn across
the street and the stink of sewage hangs heavy in the air.
Townsfolk brandishing an array of shabby weaponry begin
to trudge out of thatched huts looking malnourished and
sleep-deprived.
If the party tries to speak with any of the townsfolk, they
all tell the same story. The city has been under seige for weeks
by what they assume are undead minions of a horned creature
that can summon the snow. If pressed further, they direct the
adventurers to the longhouse and the village elder, Madra.
If Vincent is still with the party, anyone with a passive
Perception of 12 or higher, notices Vincent is being
uncharacteristically quiet, and the townsfolk who pass by
stare at him with a mixture of disbelief and anger.
Madra the Elder
The weathered doors and supports of the thatched-roof
longhouse mark it as one of the oldest structures in the
town. As you enter, wounded townsfolk encircle the low
embers of the central fire pit, moaning quietly or sitting in
silence. As you get closer, you notice the wounds appear to
be bite marks from some sort of animal.
An old woman leaning heavily on a gnarled wooden branch
with a large clump of moss on the end, beckons you away from
the townsfolk, towards a small alcove in a secluded corner.
The longhouse has stood for almost 400 years. The wounded
townsfolk are people who have survived wendigo attacks.
At just over 200 years, Madra the Elder (she/her), is a
female half-elf druid. She is old, even for a half elf. Her
five-foot-one-inch frame leans heavily on her walking stick.
She is adorned in typical druid vestments, and smells like
old pine. Madra spent her life in King’s Hold selling herbs
and remedies, never adventuring or getting in any danger.
She knows little of the world outside King’s Hold and the
surrounding wood, but is incredibly knowledgeable about
nature and the workings of the forest. Madra is wise, patient,
and tough. She remains calm, even when discussing the
wendigo, and will offer all the information she has.
Once the party is engaged with Madra she offers tea, and
pleads with the party for help. She can tell the party the
following information:
• Madra believes the wendigo is the long-lost sorcerer,
Sycorax. She will relate the history of Sycrorax if asked;
see the Adventure Background for details. She has kept her
theory to herself because Sycorax is seen as a hero by the
town, and she feels no one will believe her.
• Madra knows the fort Sycorax retreated to, long ago, has
somehow returned to its spot deep in the forest, after
disappearing 180 years ago. She saw it while searching for
medicinal plants, just before the wendigo started attacking
villagers four months ago.
• She believes the answer to stopping the wendigo lies
somewhere in that fort, and would like the party to
investigate.
• Madra suggests that if the party is going to the Old Fort,
they should travel during the day because the wendigo
hunts at night.
If Vincent is still with the party after they speak with
Madra, Vincent will speak up. If the party didn’t previously
learn the full story of his crimes, he will confess to it now,
asking Madra for forgiveness, insisting that he is a changed
man. If the party leaves Vincent to speak for himself, Madra
will simply reply, “We will see when this is all over.”
Development
If the party stays the night in King’s Hold. The next
morning, a light snowfall has covered the town; remnants
of the wendigo’s ability to control weather. The townsfolk
will offer what food they have to the party before they leave,
wishing them good luck.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Muninn 213
214 Chapter 3 | The Tales Muninn
The Old Fort
The party will not be attacked during the trip to the fort, and
they will arrive after a half day’s walk.
The ancient fort has almost completely succumb to the
unrelenting passage of time. Most of its wooden structures
have collapsed. A crumbling stone wall rings the fort and in
its center, a large stone keep stands defiantly among the ruins.
The stone keep appears to be the only habitable building. A
successful DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation) check reveals
the following:
• The exterior wall appears both worn by time and also
recently damaged by some force.
• Old materials, cloth, and clothing can be found scattered
all over the courtyard, although much of it seems very old.
• The residual static of a very powerful magic lingers here
and can be felt by any magic users in the party.
Inside the keep detritus is scattered everywhere. Moss grows
over everything, and grass pokes out between gaps in the
stones. In a pile at the far end of the main hall is a heap
of bones, covered in scraps of blood stained clothing. A
skeleton’s skull lies fractured among the carnage.
A successful DC 14 Intelligence (Medicine) check
reveals these bones have been feasted on, though they appear
to be a century old.
Near the outstretched hand of one of the skeletons is a
large tome locked with a simple lock. A successful DC 12
Dexterity check using thieves’ tools will pop the lock and
reveal Helena’s Journal (see Appendix C: Handouts).
Once the party finishes reading the journal, Helena’s Brand
(See Appendix A: Magic Items) is found easily under a stone
on the northwest wall of the keep. A successful DC 15
Intelligence (Arcana) check reveal sigils on the side that
act as a command word.
Development
Once the party has Helena’s Brand and has read the journal,
the sky darkens rapidly and snow begins to fall. If the party
leaves the fort, they see the sky has turned a dark crimson
and night has fallen. Snow falls, building to a blizzard. A
successful DC 16 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals the
wendigo sitting on the highest point of the broken wall and
12 wendigo thralls scattered around the keep surrounding
the party.
The Wendigo
Whether or not the party notices the wendigo and its 12
thralls. The wendigo lets out its psychic roar, turns invisible,
and the thralls attack the party.
Tactics: The party is now in the wendigo’s extra
dimensional space, which manifests as an intense blizzard
at night. See Appendix B: Stat Blocks for the wendigo’
abilities and Lair Actions.
The thralls attack the party immediately, while the
wendigo maneuvers to attack the most isolated character
from stealth. If the wendigo is seen, it attempts to retreat
and hide, waiting to strike when it sees an opening.
If half the thralls are killed, the wendigo reveals itself and
lets out another psychic roar. Once the wendigo is out of
the extra dimensional space, it can no longer take Lair
Actions and becomes incredibly aggressive.
Once the wendigo is defeated, it lets out one final roar. Any
thralls still living will collapse, no longer under the spell
of the wendigo, returning to their normal selves. Because
of their extensive wounds, these released thralls will need
healing or a long rest before they can be brought back to
King’s Hold.
If at any time during the fight if the wendigo is stamped
with Helena’s Brand, the extra dimensional space collapses,
releasing a massive magical explosion. Everyone in the extra
dimensional space must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving
throw. Those failing the save will take 20 points of force
damage, while a success halves this damage.
Sycorax’s wendigo form still has some of his possessions on
him. On his fingers are 100 gp worth of gold rings, and
around his neck is Sycorax’s opal necklace (see Appendix
A: Magic Items). The necklace allows the wearer to create a
extra dimensional space of their own, once a day.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Muninn 215
 Conclusion
When the party returns, they are greeted by townsfolk. If
they managed to save some of the thralls, the townsfolk will
gratefully lead them to the longhouse for care. Madra also
approaches the party and offers her thanks. She asks about
Sycorax, and if he was indeed the wendigo. The party may
offer the opal necklace or the tome as proof. She will insist
that the party keep his necklace and rings. She will also offer
the 100 gp initially offered by Vincent, as well as the rest of
the spell scrolls left by Sycorax: a scroll of fireball, a scroll of
globe of invulnerability, and a scroll of mass suggestion, all at
level 6.
If the party managed to convince Madra that Vincent
had changed, he will stay in King’s Hold and attempt to
help them rebuild. If your party was unsuccessful, then he
will request to leave with the party, saying he feels more
comfortable at A Trip Away.
Rewards
• scroll of fireball
• scroll of globe of invulnerability
• scroll of mass suggestion
• Helena’s Brand
• Sycorax’s Opal Necklace
• 100 gp and 100 gp worth of gold rings
216 Chapter 3 | The Tales Muninn
Appendix A: Magic Items
Sycorax’s Opal Necklace
Wonderous Item, rare, (requires attunement)
This stunning necklace features a pristine opal hung from
a master-crafted gold chain. The opal sits suspended in a
glass sphere.
When attuned to the necklace, the wearer can create
an extra dimensional space once per day. This ability
requires concentration, a failed concentration check ends
the effect. The dimension is a mirror image of the area
that it was created in, and can be no larger than a 150
foot radius sphere. The weather and time of day inside
the extra dimensional space is of the caster’s choosing.
The landscape loops infinitely inside the sphere. Any
creature(s) inside the sphere when the spell is cast will
be transported to the extra dimensional space. The
extra dimensional space lasts up to 24 hours and can be
dispelled at will by the caster.
Helena’s Brand
Weapon (spear), artifact
This three foot long metal spear is covered in sigils
written in Elvish. The weapon has 2 charges and regains
all expended charges at dawn. The command word,
'Flame', is written on the side. When spoken, the spear
expends a single charge, heating up to a glowing red
temperature, and will remain hot for 4 rounds. As an
action, a creature may attack with it. On a successful hit,
the target must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving
throw. On a failed save the target loses concentration on
all spells and is magically silenced for 1d4 rounds and is
stamped with Helena’s Brand.
Appendix B: Stat Blocks
Wendigo Thrall Vincent Rews
Medium humanoid (human), chaotic evil Medium humanoid (human), neutral good

Challenge 3 (700 XP) | Initiative: +1 | Prof. Bonus: +2 Challenge 0 (10 XP) | Initiative: +3 | Prof. Bonus: +2

armor class hit points speed armor class hit points speed
11 22 30 ft. 22
10 30 ft.
(natural) (4d8 + 4) (4d8 + 1)

str dex con int wis cha str dex con int wis cha
13 (+1) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 10 (0) 10 (0) 10 (0) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 9 (-1) 10 (+0) 14 (+2)

Senses Darkvision 120ft., passive Perception 17 Saving Throws Dex +3

Languages Common Skills Acrobatics +3, Survival +2
Senses passive Perception 10
Actions
Languages Common
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5ft., one
target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage and 4 (1d8) Actions
cold damage.
Club. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 2 (1d4) bludgeoning damage.

Muninn the Crow

Tiny Beast, unaligned

Challenge 0 (10 XP) | Initiative: +3 | Prof. Bonus: +2

armor class hit points speed

13 3 10 ft.
(1d4 - 1) fly 60 ft.

str dex con int wis cha

5 (-3) 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 2 (-4) 14 (+2) 6 (-2)

Skills Perception +4
Senses Darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 14
Keen Sight. Muninn has advantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Actions
Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 1 slashing damage.
*If Muninn is reduced to 0 hp he will revert to his human
form, Vincent Rews.

Chapter 3 | The Tales Muninn 217

 Wendigo Dimension of Frost. (1/day) The wendigo can use an action
Medium monstrosity, chaotic evil to create a 150 foot radius dome centered on the wendigo.
This dome is an extra dimensional space used to trap its prey.
Challenge: 13 (10,000xp) | Initiative: +5 | Prof. Bonus: +5 Any creature reaching the edge of the dome and walking
through will reappear on the opposite side, creating a loop
armor class hit points speed within the affected area. This dimension counts as the
15 112 60 ft. wendigo’s lair and allows the wendigo to take Lair Actions.
(natural) (15d8 + 45)
Reactions
str dex con int wis cha
Enthralling Stare (Recharge 6). When the wendigo is
18 (+4) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 10 (0) attacked, but before the attack is rolled, the wendigo can
attempt to corrupt the target’s mind. The creature must
Saving Throws Dex +10, Wis +6 succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw. On a
Skills Athletics +9, Intimidation +5, Perception +6 failed saved, the target becomes charmed. Any creature
Damage Immunities Cold charmed in this way can re-attempt the save at the end
of their turn or if they are attacked. Once a creature
Condition Immunities Charmed, Frightened
has passed the check, they are immune to the effects of
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing Enthralling Stare for 24 hours.
damage from non-magical sources
Senses Darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 16 The Dimension of Frost
Languages Common, Elvish Within the dimension of frost, the sky becomes dark and
Innate Spellcasting. (1/day each): invisibility, spider climb alien. The terrain quickly begins to accumulate a thick
blanket of snow, as a punishing blizzard pounds down
Natural Hunter. The wendigo has advantage on Dexterity endlessly. Only a successful attack from Helena’s Brand
(Stealth) checks when hiding in snow or dense foliage. while the magical effect is active, or the death of the
When inside its extra dimensional space, the wendigo can wendigo, can end this effect.
hide as a Bonus Action.
Supernatural Senses. The wendigo has advantage on Lair Actions
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell. On initiative 20 (losing ties) the wendigo may take 1 of the
following Lair Actions. The wendigo cannot take the same
Actions Lair Action two rounds in a row.
Multiattack. The wendigo makes three attacks, once with Ice Storm. range 40 ft., the wendigo brings down a torrent
its bite and twice with its claws. of icicles in a 10 ft. square. All creatures in the area of effect
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw. On a
Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage, 3 (1d6) cold damage. failed save, the creature takes 10 (3d6) piercing damage and 3
(1d6) cold damage. The damage is halved on a successful save.
Claw Slash. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5ft.,
Vanish into the Storm. Appearing to almost vanish into
one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage, 2 (1d4)
thin air, the wendigo may disengage from combat, move up
cold damage.
to 20 ft. away, and attempt to hide.
Psychic Roar (Recharge 6). The wendigo lets out a
bellowing roar. All creatures that are not enthralled by the Feast of Flesh. The Wendigo can attempt to feast on the
wendigo within a 50 ft. radius must succeed on a DC 16 flesh of a single creature within 20ft., leaping towards the
Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, they become target and attempting to pounce on it. Make an opposing
deafened for 1 round and gain the frightened condition. Strength check (ties go to the defender). If the wendigo
succeeds on this check, the target is knocked prone. The
wendigo may then immediately make a bite attack and gain
hit points equal to the damage of that attack.

218 Chapter 3 | The Tales Muninn

Chapter 3 | The Tales Muninn 219
 Appendix C: Handouts
Helena’s Journal
Day 1 – We have arrived at the ruined fort deep in the
King’s Forest. Sycorax, Jon, Lithen, and Tella have made
the main hall into a small dormitory and have made it feel
more like home. We are excited to get to work and master
the arts that Sycorax has dreamed of for so long.
*pages damaged or destroyed*
Day 20 – Jon has made the most wonderful stew out of the
supplies the townsfolk of King’s Hold have brought us. I
am delighted to have their support while we work out here
in solitude. Sycorax believes we can try to cast the first
spell tomorrow. I am eager to see if we can pull it off.
Day 21 – Success! We managed to duplicate our main
hall into an alternate dimension! Jon remained outside
and said we completely vanished from reality! We
only remained for a minute or two, but the effect was
unbelievable! We are thrilled and are working to try to
make the effect easier to control and more permanent.
*pages damaged or destroyed*
Day 53 – A strange but amazing breakthrough. Sycorax
made the spell more substantial and managed to capture
the entire fort and the surrounding area. We are ahead of
schedule and are making great strides. He did however
attempt this in the middle of the night while we slept so
no one was outside the effect as a safety measure (much to
Jon’s anger). But nonetheless we are doing well.
Day 67 – Something happened. Sycorax cast the spell and
we transported like normal but we cannot undo it. We’ve
tried many spells to correct it but we appear to be stuck.
Not to worry though. We can undo what we have done
and luckily the shipment of food and supplies from King’s
Hold arrived just yesterday.
Day 90 – We remain trapped. We have tried everything.
The forest just continues to loop. I went for a walk today
to clear my head. I walked the loop 100 times. I counted.
Author’s Notes/Acknowledgments
To Bailey, for listening to my synopsis of this module 400 times, and to Ruby who scratched my
arm and meowed while I typed this.
Author Bio
William Richardson is a nerd from Chicago, IL. When he isn’t working in the television industry, he
can be found playing RPGs and videogames, or listening to Metal.
220 Chapter 3 | The Tales Muninn
Helena’s Journal continued...
Day 115 – We are doing our best to work on the issue.
Sycorax is confident he can undo what he has done but
Jon and Tella doubt him. Lithen hasn’t stopped in days
and is beginning to show signs of mental strain. Everyone
is approaching their wits end.
*pages damaged or destroyed*
Day 365 – Normally this would be a red-letter day but
given the circumstances there is no cause to celebrate. 1
year I’ve been at this fort. 10 months we’ve been stuck.
Lithen talks to no one and mumbles to himself in the
corner. Jon and Tella sleep outside now and Sycorax has
completely taken over all attempts to free us. We are
almost out of food. What will we do? What will we do?
*pages damaged or destroyed*
Day 429 or 430 *who cares* - He’s done it. I thought he
would. Jon challenged him and He did it. Tella is still
screaming. She won’t stop. She won’t stop. I miss Lithen’s
jokes. I miss food.
*pages damaged or destroyed*
I’ve lost track of days - I refuse to give up. I know he’s
done what we agreed to never do. Jon’s body disappeared
from the main hall. And I cannot find Tella. His eyes are
darker than they were the other day. He sulks around like
a shadow and says nothing. I know what he has done.
I know. He is not a human anymore. I won’t be next. I
refuse to be next.
The Final Entry – I did it. I made a weapon to end this.
I hid it so he would not find it. In my secret spot in the
northwest corner of the main hall. It’s what Lithen was
working towards. I found it in his notes. I know He
ended Lithen because he figured out what he had to do
to get out of here and He wasn’t willing to do it but I am.
I will do it tonight. If I can find him. I haven’t seen him
in days but I can feel him near. Like he watches me and
I can’t see him. I will succeed. I will succeed. For Lithen.
For Tella, For Jon.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Muninn 221
222 Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot
I zak Lot (He/Him)
Written by: Joshua Knapp
Adventure Level: 9-10 | Players: 4-5
Content Warnings: Asphyxiation, Claustrophobia, Gore, Manipulation, Murder
Goblin • Warlock • Scam Artist • Smuggler
Tends to ramble in a raspy voice. If confused, will consult
his crystal doorknob for answers, posing as a seer. Often
unintentionally rude.
He has dark green skin and large eyes, one red and one
covered in a cataract. Piercing-covered ears stick out from
beneath an enormous hat. Izak wears threadbare traveling
clothes and a broken pair of goggles around his neck.
S eventy-five years ago, a methane gas leak killed all the
inhabitants of a famously wealthy gnomish mining
settlement. It is said that the mines were afterwards haunted
by a powerful evil that brought all the dead back to life. In
truth, a wizard named Alfor has been controlling the mines
using an undead workforce. By using a powerful artifact
called the Orb of Ith, Alfor has controlled the activity in the
mine remotely for seventy-five years using undead workers.
However, he has now accidentally lost control of his way
into the mines, and must find another way in. Izak Lot has
been sent by his patron to deliver a device to the depths of
the mines, to wrest control of the orb from Alfor. Izak seeks
adventurers willing to aid him in this task, falsely advertising
that this weapon will destroy the undead within the mines.
Background
The Pebblegold mines were known in their day as the
premier gold supplier of the northern hemisphere. Royalty,
nobles, and other potential investors would come to tour
their underground estate and see the famous “Gilded Gates
of Rutherford.” The former owner of the mine, Rutherford
Pebblegold, built the doors to conveniently display the
Pebblegolds’ prosperity while keeping out the uninvited.
Unknown to all but a handful of black-market investors, the
true wealth of the Pebblegold estate was not their gold. They
owned and operated a magic item factory in the deepest
depths of the mine. The factory was maintained by a wizard
in the employ of the Pebblegolds, known as Alfor Everyfor.
While digging in the gold mine, Rutherford and Alfor
discovered the ribbon spirits that lived deep underground
and created “source.” Source is a byproduct of ribbon spirits
coming in contact with raw metals. The spirits absorb the
impurities in the ore and replace them with a mineral form
of magical energy. Alfor and Rutherford used this infused
ore to forge powerful weapons and smuggled them to local
kingdoms, under the guise of the gold trade.
After a worker was swarmed and killed by spirits,
Rutherford and Alfor started using reanimated bodies of
those workers who died in the gold mine to obtain source.
Alfor designed a containment field to keep the undead
within range of the Orb of Ith, a powerful artifact he used to
control the creatures. Alfor got greedy and tried to expand
the mining operation, but the resulting gas leak disabled
the containment field and killed everyone inside the mine,
including Rutherford. Ever since, Alfor has been remotely
operating the Orb of Ith, which allows him to resurrect and
control all undead in a 10-mile radius to operate the factory.
Unfortunately, the orb has gone dormant and needs to be
manually recharged, but Alfor cannot get inside the mine.
A small cave-in has ruined his teleportation circle and he
must now re-enter through the front, but the undead will not
recognize him without the orb on his person. Recharging the
orb requires a ritual sacrifice of living people; a clear choice
would be to find a group of people looking to loot the mine.
Izak Lot, a lawful evil warlock, has traveled from the
distant city of Viventum on behalf of his patron, Grikthor
the Grim, to test a device that Grikthor developed. The
device is meant to transfer attunement of a magic item and,
subsequently, Grikthor sent it with Izak to hijack control of
the Orb of Ith. As he would rather not go inside the mines
himself, Izak went back to his favorite spot, A Trip Away Inn,
and is waiting to hire a group of adventurers to do it for him.
Izak tells the party that his device can disrupt a
necromancy spell being sustained by an artifact called the Orb
of Ith, kept in the Grand Workshop. He knows the device
does not actually do that and plans to act as if it misfired. He
wants adventurers to plant and activate the device, loot the
mine, and return to him at the inn for a payment.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot 223
 Tavern Behavior
Izak sits in a corner booth by himself, hunched over a table.
The few other patrons around seem to be giving him a wide
berth. Raspy whispers can be faintly heard coming from
his direction. He appears to be talking to a crystal ball in
his hands, but further inspection reveals he is speaking to a
doorknob. Izak seeks to invite the strongest but most naive
people in the room to come sit with him for a drink.
Hook
Izak invites capable-looking adventurers to join him, and
offers to pay them to go test his weapon and loot the gold
mine. Izak was given a large stipend at the beginning of his
journey, and can pay them handsomely in return for this favor.
A Drink with Izak
The inn always seems to be slow when Izak shows up. Only a
few patrons mill about the bar as Flip absent-mindedly dries a
tankard. There are only a few muffled conversations happening
but Izak sticks out, as he appears to be talking to himself.
Izak Lot
Seated in a corner booth is a stout and road-worn goblin.
His enormous pointed wizard hat covers his entire head,
save for the extensively pierced ears sticking out from under
the brim. He scans the room skeptically, as he whispers
into a crystal ball. His cataract-covered eye stands in stark
contrast to his other of deep crimson. If a character meets
his gaze, he flashes a toothy grin, taps the orb on his table to
summon the waitress, and motions for them to join him.
Underneath the layers of dirt accumulated from travel,
the leather armor Izak wears is actually well made. The
hole-riddled cloak and broken goggles around his neck add
to his dressed-down appearance, but the large traveling
pack next to him and the faint hum coming from his
walking stick make it clear that he is well equipped. His
outfit is cobbled together, but he carries himself like a
seasoned traveler.
A successful DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check identifies
the crystal ball as a doorknob. On a success, Izak also notices
the characters looking and attempts to hide the doorknob in
the sleeve of his cloak.
224 Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot
If the party ignores Izak’s invitation, he drops his hand
on the table and curses quietly in Goblin. He looks annoyed
but orders another drink, sits back, and waits for more
adventurers to walk into A Trip Away Inn or for the party to
engage with him. Should no more potential adventurers enter
the Inn, Izak may gesture for the party to come join him,
offering food and drink for the group.
Rumors about Izak
If the adventurers ask around A Trip Away Inn for
information about Izak, they may hear some of the following
rumors, in addition to those on the rumor table, from Flip or
other patrons around the inn:
• He once defeated some hostile cultists in the area by
throwing a large dining room table at them, during a
ritual feast.
• Common folk say that, if you stare at his cataract eye too
long, it’ll steal your sight and heal his eye.
• They say each earring he wears is filled with a different
poison he used to kill someone.
• He allegedly tried to sell a bag of cursed horse teeth to a
priest.
• It is said that he’s actually a fence for a thieves’ guild and
has many useful goods if you give him a password, but
nobody has been able to figure out the password.
• He has been known to send adventurer-types on
dangerous odd jobs, using money from his “investor.”
• He once saved a bunch of puppies from a pack of gnolls.
Izak’s Selling Inventory
• A large and varied collection of grubs, organized by
slipperiness - 50 gp each
• A bag of cursed horse teeth (he doesn’t mention they are
cursed. See Appendix A: Magic Items) - 30 cp
• A ring of protection +1 - 1,000 gp
• A grappling hook - 5 gp
Izak’s Contract and Offer
Once the party has engaged with Izak, he impatiently
bounces in his seat while orders are made, and goes into a
mobster-style monologue once the server leaves:
“Yes, yes! Bring company! Too cold, too wet to be drinking
alone. You call me Izak, I have dinner and a job for
some strong adventurers. I heard, nearby, a small army
of skeletons live in some tunnels in the mountain. A gold
mine would be more correct of me to say, overrun with
undead. The catch is, at the bottom of the mine is this
powerful artifact, the Orb of Ith. It keeps skeletons alive
for a real long time. I have a device I wanna test that
may be able to disrupt the orb, but I have other matters
to attend to. So what I propose is you go in, take whatever
you want, plant and activate my device, then get back
here so I can pay you."
Izak can provide the following information and objects to the
party:
• He has a hand-drawn map that he provides, which can
be used to reach the Pebblegolds' Cavern, but does not
outline the rest of the mine
• The people inside the mine died seventy-five years ago, due
to a gas leak of unknown origin
• The mine was a really big deal to local royalty in its day
• The family who owned the mine was the Pebblegolds, and
they were allegedly very wealthy
Before he hands over his device, he pulls out a piece of paper
and writes out the details of the job.
Izak’s Contract
“I, of sound mind and body, do hereby accept and agree
upon the following terms of employment:
Hired parties will enter the Pebblegold mines with a
supplied device, apply and activate said device on the
specified artifact (Orb of Ith) to the best of their abilities or
unto their demise, and return for payment.
No parties shall steal, maim, alter, or otherwise disturb
the device given to fulfill this contract.
Each party member may take anything they find inside
the area of operation, and in addition will receive payment
of 500 pp on successful execution of, and return from, this
contract.
Whichever party holds the device consents to the scrying
effect of the device, to ensure its safety for observation and
research of its potency in the interests of the employer.
Any activity deemed to be a breach of contract is grounds
for revoked payment and/or immediate termination.
We, the undersigned, do acknowledge and agree to these
terms,”
Izak is willing to negotiate the terms of the contract but
will not hand over the device until all the party members
have signed. The device he hands them looks like a circlet,
meant for a small head, with a button on the front. He also
offers to let adventurers borrow his workhorse, wagon, and
the aforementioned map to get to the entrance of the mine,
located thirty miles away.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot 225
 The Pebblegold Mines
The Entryway 1
The tree canopy ends with the road, at the base of a mountain
in a sun-kissed clearing. The day is made brighter by the light
reflecting off the two massive golden doors embedded in
the sheer cliff face. The likeness of Rutherford Pebblegold is
carved into the door, along with a speech bubble containing
a riddle written in Common. Standing in front of the gates, a
group of four gnomes eye you with curiosity.
Alfor is cordial with the party, and claims he is looking
for a hammer at the bottom of the mine that belonged to
his uncle, Rutherford. He offers to travel with the party
through the estate to the cavern entrance, suggesting this
may decrease the danger posed by the undead infestation. He
is clear that he doesn’t care what they take, as long as he can
have the hammer. If he travels with the party, he provides
subtle hints to lead them towards important items, such as
keys, that he needs to get through the security measures in
the mines. If the party refuses his aid, he will proceed into
the mine regardless, and use his scrolls of dimension door to
get ahead of the party.

Rutherford's Riddle
“I own the hour of dawn’s first hue
I lead the dusk when day is through
I bloom of rose, bright yellow, and white
I grow in veins deep out of sight
I am through which the lightning flows
I pay to kill one’s mortal foes
I’m loved and sought by young and old
My name in short is simply ____ ”
A poem was carved into the gates for Rutherford to display
his ridiculous wealth to those he invited in. The final word
of the poem (gold) must be spoken to open the gates. Once
spoken, a soft victory tune plays as the doors open.
Lift Room 2
A lift, wrought from gold with time-stained cushioned
seats,, stands on a small dais. The lever for operation sits in
the center.
Pulling the lever causes the lift to descend to the Reception
Room (3).
Reception Room 3
The receiving area of the lift gate was meant to welcome
wealthy investors. Desks, long covered in dust, sit ready to
receive guests. A sign above the exit door reads, “Welcome to
the Pebblegold Estate.”
Five skeletons sit in this room in their receptionist
uniforms, slumped over at their desks, waiting to attack.

The gnomes in front of the golden doors are actually Alfor

Everyfor and his three undead minions. They detected the
parties approach as they were returning from an outing, and
quickly disguised themselves as gnomish adventurers. The
minions are under the control of a create undead spell. An
adventurer can see through the illusion with a successful DC
16 Intelligence (Investigation) check.
Seeing an opportunity to feed the Orb of Ith, Alfor
introduces himself as Salem Pebblegold, but if at any point a
character sees through the illusion, or Alfor’s identity is given
up, he uses a scroll of dimension door to escape. Consult the
Alfor's Escape Tactics table in Appendix B: Stat Blocks.

226 Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot

Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot 227
228 Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot
The Pebblegold Estate
This cavern has 80 foot ceilings and contains buildings which
were the former business and living spaces of the Pebblegold
family. A gated fence, made from gold (9), stands shut at the
far end of the cavern, leading deeper into the mountain.
The Pebblegolds’ Cavern 4
This area used to have a farm for bioluminescent fungus,
used to light the walkways. The farm has now wildly
overgrown, and covered the buildings and cavern walls with
glowing fungus that provides the area with dim light.
The cavern space outside of the buildings smells heavily
of mildew and fungus. Clouds of spores fill the cavern,
which make the area lightly obscured, offering half cover to
anyone within the spores. On a successful DC 10 Wisdom
(Survival) or Intelligence (Nature) check, it is clear that
these spores are harmless. On a failure, it is unclear.
7 Fungal Growth Skeleton Mobs lie hidden in the
fungus, waiting to attack.
The Pebblegold Mansion
The gold that formerly covered the pillars of this enormous
and lavishly decorated mansion can still be seen in spots,
between the thick layers of fungi covering their surface.
Gnomish in stonework and sensibilities, the high-society
lifestyle of this former economic powerhouse is still
apparent. The large gold doors to the mansion stand ajar.
Main Living Space 5
A wide-open floor plan displays the dust-covered former
splendor of the Pebblegold family. Ornate dishware
and cutlery are set on a marble table, alongside gold
candlesticks, as if for a meal. The furniture and upholstery
have been ravaged by time and humid cave conditions.
There is a grandfather clock along the southern side of the
room, made entirely of gold.
(5A)
The ornate dishware, candelsticks, and cutlery are worth 50
gp for the set.
(5B)
A successful DC 17 Intelligence (Investigation) check of
the clock reveals a compartment behind the clock face with
a key to Rutherford’s Study (6 ).
(5C)
The door to Rutherford’s Study (6) is magically trapped
with an alarm spell. If the door is touched without using
the key, it emits an audible bell sound. The effect, though
harmless, is meant to alert nearby inhabitants or skeletons.
Rutherford’s Study 6
This room was once a jaw-dropping display of wealth, but is
now covered in spores and grayed with dust.
The remains of Rutherford Pebblegold sit slumped over his
desk, a signet ring on its finger with a crest in the shape of a
gate, and a scrap of paper crumpled in its hand which reads:
(6A)
“Keep Alfor from the Orb of Ith.”
A drawer in Rutherford’s desk contains a ledger of all the
names and dates of mine workers who have died, along with
a second entry which reads:
(6B)
“Repurposed.” The ledger also has two notes which read
“KingRutherford” (password to door panel in room 11), and
“Sourcemustflow” (password to console inside room 24).
(6C)
The signet ring on Rutherford’s finger is one of two keys to
room (14); the other signet ring key is located in room (17).
(6D)
A ring of keys lies next to the skeletal remains of Rutherford.
The ring contains: a platinum key (master key to the
mansion), a silver key (operates the lift down to the mines,
see area 11), and a golden key (unlocks the golden fence, 9).
Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot 229
 Accounting Office 7
Skeletal remains prop open the office doorway. Inside,
skeletons lie slumped over desks littered with notebooks and
office supplies, decorated with gold filigree. A large desk sits
empty on the dais.
10 Swarm Skeletons including the one in the doorway,
wait in place to attack.
On the largest desk, with the nameplate “Head Accountant
Tosscobble,” is a book containing the most recent
transactions of the gold mine, including one for a 10,000
gp diamond sold to Izak Lot. Inside a locked drawer in the
same desk are files containing sales for something called
"source." The price points of these purchases are far higher
than those of the gold mine.
Tosscobble was the head accountant, and is now one
of the swarm skeletons in this room. A successful DC 16
Intelligence (Investigation) check locates a signet ring with
a crest shaped like a gate in his boot (one of two keys for area
4, the other located in room 6 ).
Alfor’s Room 8
Through a simple wooden door, you see a plain but well-
furnished room.
The room once belonged to the wizard of House Pebblegold.
(8A)
One scroll of knock and one scroll of dimension door can be
found lying on a desk.
230 Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot
(8B)
There is a brass key sitting on an end table. The brass key
opens a lockbox stored under the bed.
(8C)
A successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check is
required to find the lockbox under the bed, containing the
journal of Alfor Everyfor. In it, an artifact called the Orb of
Ith is described as being able to create a field, over ten miles
in radius, that can resurrect and control the dead. It details
how a containment barrier was made, so that the field could
operate in a smaller radius, in the deep mines. The journal
also contains entries of Alfor’s day-to-day activities running
the source mine, as well as his growing dissatisfaction with
the owner’s business choices.
The Golden Fence 9
This fence has a locked gate. The key to open the gate is
on the keyring in Rutherford's Study (6). An individual
or group DC 18 Strength (Athletics) check is required to
break the gate down.
Mine Lift 10
In the middle of this room is an industrial lift with gold
accents. Inside the elevator is a panel requiring a key.
The key required to operate the lift is found in room (6).
Once activated, the lift descends to (11) in the gold mines.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot 231
 In Veins of Gold
The Gold Mines
The tunnels of the gold mine are in complete darkness,
are wet, and have pockets of methane to suffocate the
unsuspecting, or worse, explode.
In (11-13), if any character creates fire or a spark, roll a d10.
On a 5 or lower, the spark or flame causes an explosion
from the methane gas, which has the effect of a fireball spell
cast at 3rd level (DC 16).
Lift Room 11
The lift lands in a large room, 40 feet by 50 feet. The lift
doors open, and strewn about the floor are thousands of
bones in humanoid-like piles. On the eastern wall is a
mundane, iron pair of elevator-style double doors. A glass
control panel next to the door displays a gnomish script.
The screen reads, in Gnomish, “Input Password” (the
password can be found in the desk in room 6 ). If the party
does not have the password, the door can be pried open with
a successful DC 18 Strength (Athletics) check. Prying open
the door triggers the dart trap.
There are two puppetmaster spiders hiding on the ceiling
and enough bones on the ground to assemble twenty
skeletons.
Tactics: The puppetmaster spiders will wait until the
players enter the room, and then use their Create Skeletal
Puppet ability to assemble as many skeletons as they can,
before attacking the party.
A successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check lets any
character spot a small compartment hidden above the door.
This compartment contains a dart trap that will activate if
tampered with.
If the wrong password is entered on the door panel,
or the door is forced open, characters within a 20 foot
cone emanating from the door must succeed on a DC
16 Dexterity saving throw or be paralyzed for (1d4
+ 1) minutes, as a spray of darts fly from the hidden
compartment above the door. At the end of each round, the
target can attempt the saving throw again.
232 Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot
Minecart Depot 12
Through the iron door is a larger room with pickaxes,
helmets, chisels, and hammers hanging on the walls. On
the northern side of the room is a wide tunnel entrance,
with cart rails leading far into the distance. Six empty mine
carts sit on a rotating track, waiting to be deployed.
(12A)
The rotating track is operated by a lever which makes it
rotate either clockwise or anti-clockwise. Pulling the trigger
on the lever causes it to launch a cart at a movement speed
of 60 feet down the track.
Mine Tunnels 13
The main mine tunnel holding the track is 1000 feet long, 6
feet tall, and 10 feet wide. There are levers along the eastern
side of the track at each tunnel junction. The walls are made
of rough-hewn stone, with faint veins that give off a soft
glow of source.
Mining tunnels branch off the main tunnel every 10 feet,
and are each 500 feet long, 4 feet tall, and 3 feet wide, lined
with the same faint glowing veins.
The only sounds from the deep are rattling bones, as
well as the noise of heavy picks hitting wet stone in steady
rhythm. Skeletons labor in the under-earth blackness, dimly
lit by a soft glow from the veins running along the tunnel
walls as you move past. The heaviness of wet decay hangs in
the stale air, as the sheer gravity of earth looms above.
This area is where most skeletons present are at work in
the mine. There is a skeleton every 15 feet in the branching
tunnels, but they are pre-occupied with their work and will
not attack if they are left alone.
(13A)
Pulling one of these levers activates a brake that causes the
cart to stop 5 feet south of the lever pulled. If the lever is
pulled after the cart has passed, the brake has no effect.
 (13B)
At the end of the cart track is a pit, which the characters can This 20 foot by 15 foot half of the room is empty except
see coming. If they do not find a way to avoid the pit, they for the vents. These vents in the floor are activated by a red
must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check button and yellow button on the control panel in (15).
or take 3d6 bludgeoning damage, as they plummet into the
10 by 10 foot wide and 15 foot deep pit, the cart following Security Landing Zone 15
behind them. The walls of the pit are a smooth-cut stone;
This 20 foot by 15 foot room has one door leading to (16).
too smooth to climb without assistance.

(13C) There is a panel mounted on the center wall, with two

An illusion covers the door to room (14). Characters can
determine its nature by touching it or by succeeding on a
DC 16 Intelligence (Investigation) check.
This door is a solid stone barrier with two impressions in
the shape of gates in the center. It is unlocked by using a
signet ring in each impression, one belonging to Rutherford
and one from Tosscobble. (See rooms 6 and 7)
Security Entry Zone 14
This room, unlike the estate, is spotless. There also appears to
be a notable increase in technological prowess, judging by the
security measures.
Running the width and height of the room is a wall. The
top half is magically fortified tempered glass (AC 19, 120
HP) and the bottom is polished titanium.
buttons and two levers:
• Green lever – opens and closes an airtight door in the
wall gap, keeping (15) safe from knockout gas.
• Blue lever – raises and lowers the laser grid.
• Red button – fills (14) with knockout gas, which acts as
if a sleep spell (DC 16) had been cast in the center of the
room.
• Yellow button – activates fans to vent knockout gas
from (14).
Deep Mine Lift 16
This room is barren except for a lift operated by a signet ring.
When activated, the lift descends to the Deep Mines.

There is a single 5 foot gap in the wall, protected by a visible

laser grid. The laser grid takes up the entire 5 foot square of
the wall gap. Each laser acts as the spell disintegrate, cast at
6th level, except that any creature that touches the grid gets
no save.

Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot 233

234 Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot
Reaching the Source
The Deep Mines
The Deep Mines are Alfor’s main complex for research on
source and the ribbon spirits.
This area is brightly lit and the air is less stale. The surfaces
of the rooms have a metallic appearance.
At this depth underground, there are naturally occurring
ribbon spirits. They are 1 foot long, glowing, light blue
ribbon-like strands, that float through air and stone. These
spirits swarm to unenchanted metal, minerals, and organic
matter. Every wall, floor, door, and ceiling is covered by a
thick textile material that prevents ribbon spirits from freely
traveling through high-traffic areas.
In several rooms in the deep mines the party can find a
finely ground blue powder, known as source, that is mined
and refined for use in the creation of magic items.
Common Room 17
This plainly decorated room features an observation
window into what appears to be an airlock (18).
The door to (18) is magnetically sealed and requires a key to
open (The key is found in room 25).
Decontamination Chamber
This area is split into three parts, meant to prevent ribbon
spirits from entering “no suit” areas.
Entry Side 18
This sterile room is empty, except for the strange suits of
differing sizes hanging off the walls.
(18A)
This simple control panel has one lever. Pulling the lever
opens the northern door to (19) for 10 seconds. After 10
seconds, the door automatically closes, and the room fills
with mist for 30 seconds. After this the mist is sucked from
the room in an instant and the southern door in (19) opens
for 10 seconds.
(18B)
The suits hanging on the walls are containment suits. These
containment suits are made of a similar textile to the one
that covers the walls and doors. It comes with a helmet and
air tank. These suits repel the ribbon spirits if they try to
pass through someone wearing it. If an adventurer’s suit is
compromised, and they enter a room with ribbon spirits,
the spirits flock to the exposed area.
Scrub Room 19
As the doors close behind you, a strange mist begins
pouring out from the vents in the floor. The mist continues
pouring in until it limits your visibility.
The spirit scrub mist that fills the room prevents ribbon
spirits from passing through, but is otherwise harmless.
After 30 seconds, the southern doors automatically open
and remain open until one of the levers in (18) or (20) is
pulled again.
Containment Side 20
This simple control panel has one lever. Pulling the lever
opens the southern door to (19) for 10 seconds. After 10
seconds, the door automatically closes, and the room fills
with mist for 30 seconds. After this, the mist is sucked from
the room in an instant, and the northern door in room (19)
opens for 10 seconds.
Spirit Containment 21
Wispy, ribbon-like specters waft lazily in the air of this
circular chamber.
Long countertops line the walls with every kind of ore,
metal, or mineral available at this depth. A notebook lies on
the table next to the minerals.
This room is used to study the ribbon spirits.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot 235
 The notebook on the table details the ribbon spirits effect on
ore, metal, and minerals.
Any mineral or metal object coming in contact with
ribbon spirits is imbued with arcane energy.
Any contact with organic matter causes the matter to
become overloaded with arcane energy until it explodes.
Source Scrub Checkpoint 22
The source skeletons will continue doing their work unless
someone interferes, in which case they will attack.
There is both complete and incomplete jewelry in this room.
If anyone touches any of the jewelry, the skeletons attack.
There are 10 plain gold rings (20 gp each), 10 ruby rings (75
gp each), and 10 sapphire necklaces (100 gp each).

Lockers line the northern wall of this room, while an empty Research Lab 24
desk sits in the southeastern corner. Next to the eastern and
southern doors are pecuilar black boxes with card-sized slots
in each of them. Countertops and tables fill the room, covered in strangely
shaped glassware and small torches for heating them.
Hanging on a hook by the console is a key to room (25).
This used to be a locker room, for the living employees of the
Pebblegold mines to store their personal effects.

(22A)
There are ten source skeletons in this room. They are set on
Closed by combination locks, the lockers can be picked their tasks but attack any creature interfering in their work.
with a successful DC 13 Dexterity check using thieves'
tools. The lockers contain lab coats, safety gloves and
goggles, and researcher or jeweler ID badges. A jeweler’s Tunnel Airlock 25
badge opens the door to room (23) if inserted in the black
box to the side of door. A researcher’s badge opens the door
to (24) if inserted in the black box to the side of the door. Ten containment suits, of various sizes, hang on the wall of
this sterile prep room.
(22B)
The door to (23) is opened by slotting the jeweler’s badge The southern sealed door to (26) is opened by a button on
into the black box next to the door. the wall next to it. The door automatically closes after five
seconds.

(22C) Spirit Scrub 26

The door to (24) is opened by slotting the researcher's badge
into the black box next to the door.
This empty room is filled with a constant whirling mist,
lightly obscuring the room.
Jeweler’s Workshop 23
The southern sealed door to the source mines (27) is opened
by a button on the wall next to it, and after five seconds it
This room has an assembly line of countertops, covered in automatically closes. The door will only open if the other
specialized equipment for crafting jewelry and combining door is closed.
it with source. There are six source skeletons here,
each carrying out an assigned task in endless repetition,
assembling jewelry.

236 Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot

Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot 237
 The Source Mines 27
These tunnels are similar to those found in the gold mines.
There is one cart labeled for personnel transport and one for
minerals.
The main mine tunnel holding the tracks continues on
into the darkness. Side tunnels branch off from the main
tunnel, intermittently.
Hundreds of source skeletons work in the mines. There
is a skeleton every 15 feet in the branching tunnels. If a
creature approaches, attacks, or makes themselves known,
the skeletons within 30 feet attack (passive Perception 9).
This area is also populated by hundreds of ribbon spirits.
The Grand Workshop Entrance 28
A large doorway leads to the grand workshop. A large
marble arch emits a cloud of mist at the end of the tracks.
The mist is a spirit scrub, and allows carts entry to and exit from
the workshop without being followed by the ribbon spirits. The
cart landing attaches to a staircase leading down to (29).
The Storage Platform 29
Down the steps, you see that a massive platform is
suspended over a pond of viscous blue liquid. A hazy smoke
lightly obscures your vision and irritates your eyes. On
each corner of the platform, large vats are being filled with
blue liquid by chutes stemming from the walls. Each vat
is rigged, allowing it to tip forward and empty into a large
grate in front of it. In the center of the platform, up a small
set of stairs, sits a dark green orb connected to a pedestal.
Three staircases branch off east, south, and west to
different chambers, each guarded by an armored skeleton
standing at its base.
The liquid under the platform and in the vats is source.
238 Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot
(29A)
Ritual Circle. This circle is connected to the Orb of Ith
and takes up the entire perimeter of (29). Characters can
spot the subtle glow of runes with a successful DC 16
Wisdom (Perception) check. Creatures other than Alfor
that are inside the circle, when it is activated, must succeed
on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or take 1 point of
exhaustion, as the Orb of Ith saps their life-force.
Orb of Ith. The green orb sits plugged into a pedestal.
Other than a faint glow, it looks like a large emerald marble.
(29B)
Vats. Vats are being filled with source to be stored. When
a vat fills, it dumps its contents into the grate in front of it.
Any creature caught in the spill (any square touching the
grate) must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw
or roll on the Source Effect Table.
Each vat can only dump once during the encounter on
initiative count 1. When each vat dumps is determined by
the GM, but only one vat can be dumped per round.
If the party chooses to place Izak’s device, the circlet fits
perfectly around the center of the Orb of Ith. If the button
on the circlet is pressed, the orb turns a deep shade of
purple. Control has been transferred. Nothing else happens.
If Alfor is still alive, he flees, having lost control of the
undead. All undead remaining in the room stop their attack
on the party. A successful DC 25 Intelligence (Arcana)
check will allow a player to recognize that control of the
Orb has been transferred.
Alfor looks towards the party, “Your timing really couldn’t
have been better; I appreciate the help. Now I’ ll need you
to help me out one more time by sitting still.”

If Alfor stayed with the party the whole time, he runs to the
pedestal and activates the Orb of Ith. If he came here earlier,
he waits until all members of the party step into the circle to
activate it. If they do not enter, he attacks them until they
do, attempting to keep his distance as much as possible.
If Alfor still has his original three undead minions, he
directs them to attack the party and attempt to draw them
into the ritual circle. If he no longer has his three minions,
or when they die, he commands the three armored source
skeletons at the base of the stairs to come up and attack the
party. Armored source skeletons use the source skeleton stat
block in Appendix B: Stat Blocks but have AC 18.
The Refinery 30
This is where all ore, and gold is refined, mixed with source,
or smelted into usable bars.
There are 5 platinum ingots (2500 gp, 5lbs each), 20 gold
ingots (250 gp, 5lbs each), and 20 silver ingots used for
making jewelry (25 gp, 5lbs each).
The Forge 31
A huge open forge is equipped for all manner of smithing,
from horseshoes to battleaxes. Skeletons stand at each anvil
and bellows, awaiting orders.
There are twenty skeletons total, waiting to attack anyone
who tries to take any of the items inside the forge.
Two racks of +1 weapons of the GM’s choice are set around
the forge, as well as two sets of full plate armor, three sets of
half-plate armor and five sets of chainmail.
The Manufacturing Plant 32
Three countertops with different products line this space.
skeletons work in assembly lines applying source to enchant
mundane items like bags, brooms, robes, and tokens.
Thirty skeletons stand at the countertops, ten per counter.
Each skeleton focuses on their task assembling different
magical items. They will only attack if someone attempts to
interfere with their work.
(32A)
One counter holds three completed bags of holding.
(32B)
The second counter holds one cloak of displacement and one
robe of useful items.
(32C)
The third counter holds two feather tokens (anchor).
(32D)
The desk in the southwestern corner has two scrolls of
teleportation circle. One scroll describes a cave location
about a mile from the entrance of the mine, along with the
sigil sequence needed to transport there.
(32E)
Underneath a pile of rubble, there is a damaged teleportation
circle. Repairing the teleportation circle here will require a
successful DC 16 Intelligence (Arcana) check to find the
break in the runes and re-draw them.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot 239
 Conclusion
Izak is waiting at the inn. When the party returns, he gives
them the amount agreed upon in their contract. If characters
figured out his scheme, he will apologize for the deceit,
but otherwise will be dismissive about the severity of the
situation. If questioned about the effectiveness of his device,
he plays coy and acts as though it misfired, saying that he will
have to try again. Izak then finishes his drink and heads out
the door to report to Grikthor.
Appendix: A Magic Items
Orb of Ith
Wonderous Item, legendary, (requires attunement),
Attuned to Alfor Everyfor
Actions
Charging Circle. As an action, activate the Orb to send
out a 50x50ft sphere centered on the Orb.
Drain. As an action, the attuned user can activate the
Orb which pulls at a living creature’s life force. Creatures
in the radius of the Orb’s Charging Circle must succeed
on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or take 1 point
of exhaustion.
Animate Dead. As an action, the user may cast the
Animate Dead spell on any qualifying corpse within 10
miles. This effect lasts until the Orb loses charge.
Abilities
Control the Animated. When holding this item, the
user can actively control all undead raised with its
Animate Dead ability.
Charging Ritual. Once every 50 years, the Orb of Ith
must be charged with living souls. A person must die
within the Orb’s Charging Circle for it to gather the
soul. It takes 5 souls to fully charge.
Cursed Horse Teeth
Wondrous Item, uncommon, (requires attunement)
When you first attune to the cursed horse teeth, you must
succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or become
charmed by Grikthor the Grim as if by the geas spell cast
at 5th level and not requiring the creature to be within
sight of Grikthor.
240 Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot
Source Powder
Wondrous Item, rare
Source is highly unstable on its own, if it is jostled or
dropped roll on the “Source Effect” table.
1d100 Source Effect Table
You are at the center of a darkness spell for 1
1-10
minute.
Plants grow around you and you are restrained for
11-20
1 minute.
All of your hair permanently falls out. Only a spell
21-30
such as remove curse can end this effect.
For the next minute, any creature you touch takes
31-40
2d6 lightning damage.
A fireball explodes with you at the center. You and
each creature within 20 feet of you must succeed
41-50 on a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking
5d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much
damage on a successful one.
A puddle of grease appears where you are standing,
with a 10 foot radius. You and anyone within 10
51-60
feet of you must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity
check or fall prone.
You transform into a stone statue of yourself for
61-70 1 minute, during which time you are considered
petrified.
Make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw. If you
71-80 fail, you are transformed into a giant rabbit for 1
minute, as if by the polymorph spell.
81-90 You are invisible for 1 minute.
91-99 You immediately take 2d6 psychic damage.
100 Roll again twice on this table, ignoring further 100s.
Appendix: B Stat Blocks

Alfor Everyfor Actions

Small gnome wizard, lawful evil Activate the Orb. (3/day) Activate the Orb of Ith’s Drain
ability.
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP) | Initiative: +1 | Prof. Bonus: +4
Shock Baton. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to
hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d4 + 4) bludgeoning
armor class hit points speed
damage and 8 (1d8 + 4) lightning damage.
15 91 25 ft.
(14d6 + 42)
Lair Actions
str dex con int wis cha When fighting inside the Deep Mines, Alfor can use
Lair actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative
11 (+4) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 19 (+4) 17 (+3) 17 (+3)
ties), Alfor can take one lair action to cause one of the
Saving Throws Int +8, Wis +7 following effects; Alfor can’t use the same lair action two
rounds in a row.
Skills Arcana +8, Deception +7, History +8, Insight +7,
Perception +7, Stealth +5 The Jig is Up. Alfor activates a small explosive device
inside one of his 3 undead minions to suddenly and
Condition Immunites Orb of Ith Drain
violently kill them. An explosion centered on that
Senses Darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 17 creature has a 15ft. radius. Each character in that area
Languages Common, Gnomish, Elvish, Draconic, Dwarven must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or
take 22 (4d8 + 4) piercing damage, or half on a successful
Spellcasting | Save DC: 16 | Attack Bonus: +8 save. If characters do not save, their suit is pierced by the
exploding body and they no longer gain the benefits of
Alfor is a 12th-level Intelligence based spellcaster.
the suit’s protection.
Action Spells
Cantrips (at will): minor illusion, mage hand, Equipment
prestidigitation, acid splash, shocking grasp
Alfor has 2 scrolls of dimension door and 2 potions of
1st level (1/day each): detect magic, disguise self, magic missle
greater healing.
2nd level (1/day each): mirror image, invisibility
3rd level (1/day each): fireball, animate dead
4th level (1/day each): black tentacles, confusion
5th level (1/day each): wall of force, animate objects Alfor’s Escape Tactics
6th level (1/day each): disintegrate, create undead If Alfor’s true identity is discovered he will use his scroll of
Reaction Spells dimension door to escape to another room in the dungeon.
1st level (2/day): shield Discovered in room: Escapes to room:
3rd level (2/day): counterspell 1 - 13 15
14 - 16 25
17 - 28 29

Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot 241

 Ribbon Spirit Source Skeleton
Tiny Spirit, neutral Medium Undead, Lawful Evil

Challenge 1/2 (100 XP) | Initiative: +3 | Prof. Bonus: +2 Challenge 1 (200 XP) | Initiative: +2 | Prof. Bonus: +2

armor class hit points speed armor class hit points speed
15 11 0 ft. 13 13 30 ft.
(2d12 - 2) fly 50 ft. (armor scraps) (2d8 + 4)

str dex con int wis cha str dex con int wis cha
1 (-5) 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 2 (-4) 5 (-3) 1 (-5) 10 (0) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 6 (-2) 8 (-1) 5 (-3)

Saving Throws Dex +5 Skills Stealth +4, Perception +1

Damage Vulnerabilities Silver
Damage Immunities All non-magic, non-silver sources
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened,
frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Senses Blindsight 120 ft. (blind beyond this radius),
passive Perception 7
Arcane Imbuement. If Ribbon Spirits come into contact
with an object made of unenchanted metal it becomes
a +1 magic item, if they contact organic matter, the
organic matter becomes overloaded with arcane energy
and explodes as the moisture in the impacted area rapidly
evaporates. Effected creatures must succeed on a DC
16 Constitution saving throw or take 54 (12d8) force
damage, half as much damage on a successful save.
Damage Vulnerabilities Bludgeoning
Damage Immunities Poison, Non-magic sources of damage
Condition Immunities Exhausted, Poisoned
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages Understands all languages it spoke in life, but
cannot speak.
Imbued by Spirits. The Source Skeleton is imbued
with arcane energy by the Ribbon Spirits and therefore
immune to all non-magical sources of damage. All
damage dealt by source skeletons is considered magical.
Actions
Pickaxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 7 (2d6) magical piercing damage.

242 Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot

Undead Minion Fungal Growth Skeleton Swarm
Small Zombie, Lawful Evil Medium Undead, Lawful Evil

Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) | Initiative: +2 | Prof. Bonus: +3 Challenge 1 (200 XP) | Initiative: +2 | Prof. Bonus: +2

armor class hit points speed armor class hit points speed
16 85 30 ft. 13 65 30 ft.
(10d10 + 30) (10d8 + 20)

str dex con int wis cha str dex con int wis cha
16 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 10 (0) 16 (+3) 10 (0) 10 (0) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 6 (-2) 8 (-1) 5 (-3)

Saving Throws Dex +5 Skills Stealth +4, Perception +4

Skills Acrobatics +5, Perception +6
Damage Vulnerabilities Fire
Damage Immunities Cold, Poison
Condition Immunities Poisoned
Damage Resistances Piercing
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages Common, Gnomish
Actions
Multiattack. The minion makes two attacks with their axe.
Axe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, one target. Hit: 6
(1d6 + 3) slashing damage and 3 (1d6) poison damage.
Target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving
throw or be poisoned. The target can re-roll the save at
the end of their turn to end the condition. Any creature
passive the save is immune to this effect for 24 hours.
Reactions
Get Down Alfor!. (1/day) If the minion is within 30 ft.
of Alfor and he is being attacked with a spell or melee
attack, the undead minion can move up to 30ft. without
provoking an opportunity attack.
If the minion ends its movement adjacent to Alfor, it
receives the damage from that attack instead of Alfor.
Damage Vulnerabilities Bludgeoning
Damage Immunities Poison
Condition Immunities Exhausted, Poisoned
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Understands all languages it spoke in life, but
cannot speak.
Large Swarm. This swarm occupies a 10x10 square and
consists of 5 skeletons. It can’t regain hitpoints or gain
temporary hitpoints.
One With Spores. The Skeletons are covered in fungus
that gives off poisonous spores. Any creature that starts its
turn within 5ft. of the Fungal Growth Skeleton Swarm or
enters that area for the first time must succeed on a DC
14 Constitution saving throw or take 6 (1d12) poison
damage. Once you have passed the save you are immune
to the effects for 24 hours.
Actions
Multiattack. The Fungal Growth Skeleton Swarm makes
three Pickaxe attacks.
Pickaxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 7 (2d6) piercing damage.

Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot 243

 Puppet Master Spider Actions
Large Beast, Lawful Evil Multiattack. The Puppetmaster Spider can make two
attacks with any of its actions.
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP) | Initiative: +3 | Prof. Bonus: +3
Reel. The Puppetmaster Spider pulls a creature grappled
by a web skeleton up to 25 ft. straight toward it.
armor class hit points speed
14 84 30 ft. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
(13d10 + 13) creature. Hit: 22 (4d8 + 4) piercing damage, and the
target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving
throw, taking 20 (6d8) poison damage on a failed save,
str dex con int wis cha
or half as much damage on a successful one. If the poison
18 (+4) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 7 (-2) 16 (+3) 5 (-3)
damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target is
Skills Stealth +6, Perception +6 stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit
points, and is paralyzed while poisoned in this way. If the
Senses Blindsight 10ft., Darkvision 60ft., passive spider bites a grappled creature it destroys the webbing
Perception 16 holding the skeleton and the skeleton itself.
Puppeteer. The Puppetmaster Spider can have up to four Create Skeletal Puppet (Recharge 3-6). The spider fires
web covered skeletons at a time. Each skeleton can be its webbing at a pile of bones creating a single web skeleton.
attacked (AC 15; 10 hit points; immunity to poison and
Web Skeletons. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach
psychic damage). Destroying a skeleton deals no damage
50 ft., one creature. On a hit the creature is grappled. A
to the Puppetmaster Spider.
grappled creature can escape at the start of its turn with
Spider Climb. The spider can climb difficult surfaces, successful DC 15 Strength check. Until the grapple ends,
including upside down on ceilings, without needing to the target is under the effects of the Restrained condition,
make an ability check. and the Puppetmaster Spider can't use the same Skeleton
Web Sense. While in contact with a web, the spider on another target.
knows the exact location of any other creature in contact
with the same web.
Web Walker. The spider ignores movement restrictions
caused by webbing.

Swarm Skeleton Senses Blindsight 10ft., Passive Perception 9

Medium Undead, Lawful Evil Bone Swarm. When this creature re-animates, the body
bursts apart forming a skeleton made of swarming insects.
Challenge 2 (450 XP) | Initiative: +3 | Prof. Bonus: +2 The swarm can occupy another creature’s space and vice
versa. The swarm can move through any opening large
armor class hit points speed enough for a Tiny insect. The swarm can’t regain hit
12 32 20 ft. points or gain temporary hit points.
(5d8 + 10) climb 20 ft.
Actions
str dex con int wis cha Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, one target. Hit: 3
10 (0) 16 (+3) 15 (+2) 6 (-2) 8 (-1) 5 (-3) (1d6) bludgeoning damage and 6 (2d6) piercing damage.
Damage Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing
Condition Immunities Exhausted, Poisoned, Charmed,
Frightened, Grappled, Paralyzed, Petrified, Prone,
Restrained, Stunned

244 Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot

 Izak Lot Mind Servant. Izak can telepathically speak to his master
as long as they are on the same plane of existence. This
Small humanoid (goblin), lawful evil
mental link also makes him immune to effects that would
Challenge 13 (10,000 XP) | Initiative: +3 | Prof. Bonus: +5 charm, frighten, or allow a creature to read his mind.
Chosen One of Grikthor. Once per long rest, after taking
armor class hit points speed lethal damage Izak’s master resurrects him (as the spell cast
16 82 30 ft. at 7th level) once the threat that killed him is no longer
(Armor of Shadows) (15d8 + 15) present.

Actions
str dex con int wis cha
10 (0) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 10 (0) 16 (+3) 20 (+5) Elritch Blast (3 beams). Ranged Spell Attack: +10 to hit,
range 120 ft., Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) force damage.
Saving Throws Wis +8, Cha +10 Hand Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range
Skills Deception +10, Perception +8, Persuasion +10, 30/60 ft., one creature. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing damage
Investigation +5, Sleight of Hand +8
Condition Immunites Charmed, Frightened Reactions
Damage Resistances Psychic Nothing Personal Kid. (1/day) When a creature makes
Senses Darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 18 an attack against Izak, he can teleport up to 10 ft. to
an unoccupied space behind the attacker. The attack
Languages Common, Goblinoid, Deep Speech automatically misses.
Spellcasting | Save DC: 18 | Attack Bonus: +10 Legendary Actions
Izak is a 15th-level Charisma based spellcaster. Izak can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the
Action Spells options below. Only one legendary action can be used at
Cantrips (at will): eldritch blast, mage hand, minor illusion, a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Izak
prestidigitation regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
Warlock Invocations (at will): detect magic, alter self, arcane Search. Izak makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
eye, jump Caltrops. Izak throws caltrops on the ground to aid an
1st level (1/day each): charm person, mage armor escape.
2nd level (1/day each): invisibility, hold person, shatter
3rd level (1/day each): fly, remove curse Feint. Izak feints an attack and can move up to 30ft.
4th level (1/day each): banishment, dimension door without provoking an opportunity attack.
5th level (1/day each): scrying, enervation
Bonus Action Spells
1st level (1/day): expeditious retreat
2nd level (1/day): misty step
Reaction Spells
3rd level (2/day): counterspell

Author’s Notes/Acknowledgments
I don’t have much to say. I hope you have fun playing this module with a good group of people. That’s my
greatest wish for it.

Author Bio
Josh Knapp lives and works freelance out of Chicago. He has been playing D&D for ten years and GMing
for nine. When he’s not living at work, he enjoys running numerous games with his friends, as well as
drawing maps and juggling in his free time.

Chapter 3 | The Tales Izak Lot 245

246 Chapter 3 | The Tales Strychnine
S trychnine’s laboratory
Written by: Makenzie De Armas
Adventure Level: 11-12 | Players: 4-6
Content Warnings: Grief, Spousal Death
Tiefling • Potion & Poison Maker
Cold and calculating, with a shrewd eye for business.
Doesn’t trust easily.
Middle-aged, with splotchy green skin and horns like a musk
ox. Wears simple robes laden with colorful alchemical reagents.
S trychnine is well-known for her ability to brew deadly
poisons and potent magical potions—a talent she herself
does not take lightly. When the party of adventurers wish to
do business with her, she requests that they complete a simple
favor in order to prove their worthiness of her products:
retrieve a locket from a treasure hoard hidden in the caverns
of the northwest mountain ranges. However, as the party
pushes deeper into these caves, they begin to uncover the
ruins of an arcane laboratory and slowly piece together the
story of a grave tragedy from Strychnine’s past.
Background
Strychnine once lived in a private laboratory, squirreled away
in the northwestern mountain ranges with her husband,
a gnome tinkerer and arcanist named Foxglove (he/they).
While Strychnine tested various new alchemical concoctions,
Foxglove would venture to the far reaches of the world,
uncovering rare magical artifacts and new arcane reagents
for his wife’s experiments. Together, the pair made a name
for themselves as powerful mages, with requests from every
corner of the realm pouring in for their work.
Such a workload proved taxing for Strychnine’s laboratory,
though, and in an attempt to help his wife, Foxglove set
out to retrieve the legendary staff of the magi, which he
believed would amplify her power enough to keep up with
the demand for her work. However, this expedition proved
too treacherous for the gnome arcanist, and Foxglove died
from the injuries sustained during the quest. Desperate to
keep her husband with her, Strychnine attempted to bind his
soul to one of Foxglove’s experimental golems. The attempt
corrupted both the golem and Foxglove’s soul beyond
recognition, forcing Strychnine to evacuate her previous
home in those caves and seal away the golem using various
antimagic field enchantments.
(She/Her)
Now, Strychnine lives as a nomad, stopping by A Trip
Away Inn whenever she needs to craft more wares. In an
attempt to distance herself from the lingering grief and guilt
she feels about her husband’s passing and her subsequent
failure, she spins tales about a “dark witch” that lived in a
now-abandoned arcane laboratory in the mountain caves—
never revealing that she herself is that witch. Too afraid to
confront her mistake, she sends interested business partners
into the abandoned laboratory to retrieve some of the things
she left behind.
Successfully completing Strychnine’s quest grants
adventurers an ally who can craft various powerful
alchemical substances, which can serve as a strong incentive
for higher-tier adventuring parties looking for magic items
to buff their capabilities. Should interested parties attempt to
flirt with Strychnine, the tiefling is pansexual—but also still
deeply grieving the loss of her husband.
Tavern Behavior
Strychnine visits A Trip Away Inn about once a month for a
whole week, though it’s rare for her to ever actually set foot
inside the tavern proper. Instead, the tiefling potion maker
can usually be found camped in the outhouse during her
visits; alchemical flasks perched on the edge of the toilet bowl
and crucibles simmering over portable flames in the corner.
It's not the most dignified set-up, but with the convenient bag
of devouring by the door to dispose of the more volatile waste
products, the outhouse serves as a temporary laboratory for
her well enough. The faint sounds of muffled explosions, as
well as streams of multicolored smoke seeping under the door,
usually accompany Strychnine’s occupation of the outhouse.
Hook
Any character with a Passive Perception of 13 or higher
will immediately pick up on the explosions and vibrant
smoke rising from the outhouse that signal Strychnine’s
presence. Alternatively, other patrons in the tavern can direct
adventurers to Strychnine when someone mentions an interest
in magical consumables, like poisons or potions of healing.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Strychnine 247
 A Small Favor
As Strychnine bustles about the outhouse of A Trip Away
Inn, the characters meet the tiefling potion maker for the
first time. Intrigued by the party’s capabilities and cautiously
hopeful to find new clients, Strychnine offers the characters
a deal that, if accepted, would grant the characters access
to Strychnine’s stock, in exchange for completing a simple
retrieval quest.
Meeting Strychnine
Strychnine’s presence at A Trip Away Inn is hallmarked
by the faint explosions and multicolored smoke plumes
emanating from the outhouse. A successful DC 15
Intelligence (Arcana) check deduces that this smoke is not
an inherently dangerous substance, but rather a common
byproduct of alchemical creation. As they approach the
outhouse, characters may also hear Strychnine quietly
muttering recipes to herself.
The door to the outhouse is currently locked, but
Strychnine will answer if prompted:
“Give me a minute!” calls a voice from within the outhouse.
There is a faint shuffling sound before the door swings open,
revealing an imposing green tiefling. Thick horns like a
musk ox frame her face, and faint age lines crinkle at the
corners of her misty black eyes behind half-moon glasses.
Long strands of glass bottles, filled with various colored
substances, hang off her lean frame as she peers at you
impatiently. “I’m in the middle of brewing my next batch,”
she says, “so if you need something, make it quick.”
Strychnine fields any questions the adventurers may have in
an aloof but not unkind manner. When someone asks about
her wares, however, her attitude immediately becomes much
colder. She curtly explains that, due to the powerful nature of
her creations, she deals strictly in favors rather than money:
Her eyes narrow. “The things I brew are more than just
cordials you can buy for petty coin,” she says. “They are
powerful. Dangerous. Deadly. And I cannot risk such
creations falling into foolish hands.” With a sigh, the tiefling
straightens to her full height and adjusts her glasses. “If
you wish to do business with me, I will need a favor in turn.
Prove to me that you are worth my time.”
248 Chapter 3 | The Tales Strychnine
A successful DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check reveals that
Strychnine’s guarded demeanor is based in honest experience;
she has personally seen the consequences wrought by
inexperienced adventurers attempting to handle magic items
beyond their capabilities, and she does not wish to make that
same mistake again.
Just Doing Business
Should the characters express further interest in pursuing
business relations with Strychnine, the tiefling produces a
crumpled map of the surrounding area from a pocket, and
directs the party towards the northwestern mountain ranges
to retrieve a special locket:
“See that?” she asks, pointing to the crudely drawn
mountains just northwest of your location on her map.
“Rumor has it that a dark witch once took up residence in
those caves. She hoarded a wealth of magic items there, but
I’m particularly interested in recovering a certain locket
of hers. At first, it merely looks like a simple heart-shaped
trinket, with a cheap opal set in its front. But inside, the
locket contains a powerful arcane substance that I require for
my next potion recipe. Bring me this locket intact, and I will
gladly provide you whatever concoctions of mine you desire.”
If characters wish to examine the motives behind
Strychnine’s request, they can make a DC 15 Wisdom
(Insight) check. On a success, the characters detect no
malicious intent in Strychine’s words, but nonetheless sense
that the tiefling potion maker may be manipulating the truth
behind this locket’s importance. Any confrontation about
this, though, results in Strychnine threatening to rescind her
business offer.
Development
If the characters accept her quest, Strychnine gives the party
the map marking the location of the caves, and agrees to wait
at A Trip Away Inn until they return. Characters keen to
negotiate more can make a DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion)
check. On a success, Strychnine also gives each character a
potion of greater healing as a display of her trust.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Strychnine 249
 Caverns Below
After following Strychnine’s map to the northwestern
mountains, the characters descend into the mysterious
caverns. However, as they begin to piece together the puzzle
pieces of a tragedy, it soon becomes clear that Strychnine
hasn’t been entirely forthright with her story.
Entering the Caves 1
The party can easily follow Strychnine’s map to the specified
area in the northwestern mountains.
Patches of overgrown cobblestone line your path as you trek
deeper into the mountains, cold fog lingering around your
ankles the higher you climb. Following the markings on
Strychnine’s map, you approach a weathered stone archway,
though the path beyond seems to be blocked by a cave-in.
(1A)
The cave-in is actually the front door to the abode within
the caverns, cleverly disguised through illusory magic. A
successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check spots a
keyhole hidden among the crevices of the cave-in.
In addition to the illusory cave-in, the front door is
guarded by an arcane ward to prevent unwanted individuals
from forcing entry. The runes inscribed on the archway
that power this defense system can be found via a spell
like detect magic or with a successful DC 20 Intelligence
(Investigation) check.
Attempting to pick the lock requires a successful DC
18 Dexterity check using thieves’ tools, triggering the
arcane ward’s defenses on a failure. Alternatively, characters
may attempt to brute force their way through, requiring a
successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check. However,
using brute force triggers the arcane ward’s defenses
regardless of success or failure.
If the arcane ward’s defenses are triggered:
Three runes at the center of the archway suddenly explode
with brilliant green light. With a low growl, two misshapen
piles of mud beside the door start to shift, growing
in stature until they resemble something grotesquely
humanoid, with green eyes smoldering over gaping mouths.
250 Chapter 3 | The Tales Strychnine
Two clay golems arise to attack the party. Upon their
defeat, the arcane ward is dispelled, and the characters can
continue their attempts to break past the door (using the
same DCs as before) without any further interruption.
The passage beyond the door leads into the Library (2).
Tunnel Chute 1 B
Characters surveying the area for alternate means of entry
can make either a DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) or
Wisdom (Survival) check. On a success, the characters spot
a slightly worn trail in the nearby grass leading towards a
small tunnel chute into the caverns. The party can attempt to
enter either through the front door or the tunnel chute.
This small gap in the mountainside can fit a creature of
Small size or smaller. When Strychnine and Foxglove lived
together in these caves, Foxglove used this secret passage to
surprise his wife.
If a character uses the chute, they must succeed on a DC
15 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check or take 1d6 bludgeoning
damage from the fall. The chute leads into the living
quarters (3).
Library 2
The library serves as the primary hub of the cave system
residence. Stale air fills the room, thick layers of dust
collecting on the alternating rows of bookshelves and desks.
An open passageway in the northwest corner of the room
leads to the living quarters (3), and in the center of the
room sits a 10 foot diameter raised dais, with four rough-
hewn purple crystals at the cardinal points.
Dead Magic. The purple crystals ringing the central dais
nullify all magic within both the Library and the Living
Quarters, akin to the effects of an antimagic field. The
purpose of the crystals can be deduced with a successful
DC 14 Intelligence (Arcana) check.
Destroying all four crystals breaks their enchantments
and allows magic to return to these areas. Each crystal has
20 hit points and an AC 15. If hit with a melee attack, the
attacker must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw
or take 7 (2d6) force damage, as arcane energy backlashes
from the crystal.
Bookshelves
The various shelves in the library are jam-packed with various
books and scrolls. Characters looking for useful items can
make a DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) check. On a
success, roll 1d6 and consult the Bookshelf Discoveries Table.
Bookshelf Discoveries
d6 Discovery
1 A mimic that takes the form of a yellowing dust-
covered tome.
2 1d4 arcanist seminar pamphlets, signed by the
seminar’s featured speaker, each worth 5 gp.
3 A first edition collection of cheesy romance novels
by Magnus Victorian Albreight Erikson III worth a
total of 10d10 gp.
4 A spell scroll, containing one of the following spells:
dimension door, fabricate, or private sanctum.
5 A spell scroll, containing one of the following spells:
animate objects, modify memory, or wall of force.
6 One of the following books: a tome of clear thought,
a tome of leadership and influence, or a tome of
understanding.
Desks
Each desk is covered in a haphazard assortment of journals
and blueprints. Characters looking to parse through these
papers can make a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check
or a DC 17 Wisdom (Perception) check. On a success, the
character notices at least one of the following things:
• A leather-bound journal filled with half-finished potion
recipes, with the name “Strychnine” written in slanted
cursive on the inside cover.
• Crumpled blueprints for a specialized iron golem with
enchanted gem enhancements, the primary notations
in neat print scribbled over with panicked alterations in
slanted cursive.
• A card made of thick yellowed paper, with neat print that
reads, “Happy Anniversary, ‘Nine! Love, Foxglove”
• Three wrinkled sketches depicting, in order: a young
tiefling woman with horns like a musk ox sitting
pensively over a cauldron; a gnomish man with wild
curly hair on one knee in front of the same tiefling
woman; the tiefling woman and gnomish man standing
hand-in-hand beneath an archway of flowers.
• A necromancy book titled Forever with Us, with multiple
pages from the chapter regarding preserving the souls of
the deceased missing.
Dais 2 A
On closer inspection, the stone surface of the dais is inscribed
with long strings of arcane runes. Usually, the central dais
in the room houses a teleportation gate that transports those
who step through to the Laboratory on the secondary level.
However, this gate is currently inactive due to the purple
crystals creating a dead magic zone. A successful DC 13
Intelligence (Arcana) check deduces the purpose of the dais.
Once the crystals have been destroyed, the dais reactivates:
The runes inscribed all around the edge of the dais burn
with brilliant green energy, before flooding the stone with
light. In the haze now hovering over the dais, you can see
brief flickers of what looks like another cavern.
Stepping onto the dais transports a character to the
Laboratory (4).
Living Quarters 3
Attached to the Library via a narrow side passage, the Living
Quarters occupy a single room. A simple double bed with
rumpled grey sheets sits on one side of the room, opposite a
small kitchen set-up coated in a thick layer of dust.
Bed
The bed itself is built on top of a set of drawers, with a small
nightstand to the right.
Examining this area reveals that most of the drawers’
contents were hastily emptied a while ago, though a
successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check or
DC 18 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals a false bottom
in the nightstand that hides an empty ring of spell storing.
Kitchen
Similar to the area around the bed, it appears as though
most of the contents of this kitchen have been emptied a
while ago. Various sketches dot the walls: some depict only
a young tiefling woman with horns like a musk ox, sitting
thoughtfully with flowers in her hair, while others show that
same tiefling with a gnomish man with lush curly hair. A
successful DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check notices that
each sketch is signed in the bottom right corner with the
words, “For my love. From, Foxglove.”
Chapter 3 | The Tales Strychnine 251
252
Soulbound
As the adventurers descend into the unsealed laboratory,
they encounter the wreckage of Strychnine’s final failed
experiment, and must help make peace with a grave tragedy
to lay her beloved’s soul to rest at last.
The Laboratory 4
When you step onto the reactivated dais, you are teleported
onto a similar dias at the edge of a secondary cavern
where the laboratory is housed. This room is slightly larger
than the library, with a radius of about 30 feet and sharp
stalactites hanging about 90 feet above the ground. Between
broken stalagmites, overturned tables and misshapen arcane
equipment litter the area, amidst deep scorch marks gouged
into the ground. The dais remains active even after you step
away from it.
Disassembled stone and iron golems ring the edge of the
room. At the southern side of the cavern, directly opposite
of the dais, stands a particularly large golem crafted from
dull blue metal. Its gauntleted hands, each with three rubies
embedded in the wrist, hold a jagged longsword pointed
downwards, and a flickering iridescent opal sits embedded
in its chest. The golem seems inactive at the moment, as the
eyes of its fierce helm are devoid of any glow.
A successful DC 13 Wisdom (Perception) check catches a
small golden object clasped around the golem's neck.
Broken Equipment
Most of the remaining laboratory equipment left in the
cavern has been destroyed beyond salvageability, though a
successful DC 17 Intelligence (Investigation) check finds
1 potion of resistance and 1d4 potions of healing hidden in
the rubble.
Closer to the metal figure, scorched scraps of an expended
spell scroll are scattered on the ground. A successful DC 20
Intelligence (Arcana) check identifies this as a used wish
spell scroll.
Be Careful What You Wish For
When attempting to bind her husband’s soul to the golem,
Strychnine cast wish using a spell scroll (the remains of
which the characters find in the laboratory). However, the
spell went awry, warping Foxglove’s soul beyond recognition
and corrupting the golem. This resulted in Strychnine
sealing away the laboratory, using the dead magic crystals
found in the library, to prevent the golem from doing any
more damage.
As such, the golem emits a combined aura of conjuration
and transmutation magic, and if characters attempt to
release Fovglove’s soul from the golem using a spell like dispel
magic, it should be treated as dispelling a 9th-level spell.
The Golems
The corrupted arcanist golem (see Appendix B: Stat Blocks)
stands inactive at the far side of the room. As characters
approach, they notice a small golden heart-shaped object
hanging around its neck, with a small opal—matching the
gem in the golem’s chest—set in the front. Characters can
recognize this as the locket matching Strychnine’s description
without needing to make a check.
Attempting to remove the locket from the arcanist golem’s
neck requires a DC 25 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check.
On a success, a character is able to remove the locket from
the golem’s neck before it awakes. However, on a failure, the
golem awakes before the character can unclasp the locket,
gaining surprise on the characters.
A harsh metal creak suddenly grates in your ears, and
the eyes of the golem’s helm flare with pale spectral light.
From deep within the construct’s chest rumbles a shattered
man’s voice, “Y-You...You did this.” One heavy boot lurches
forward, then the other. “You BROKE me.” The sword in
its hands flips upright, and the gem at the center of its chest
begins to pulse. “I loved you. I trusted you. AND YOU
BROKE ME.”
Chapter 3 | The Tales Strychnine 253
 254
254
Throughout the encounter, Foxglove’s soul battles against
the corrupted magic binding him to the golem, which
results in Foxglove’s voice breaking through the golem
and glitching the construct’s enchantments—for better
or for worse. At the start of the arcanist golem’s turn, roll
1d6 and consult the Golem Glitch Table.
Golem Glitch Table
d6 Glitch
1 Purple lightning crackles around the golem’s neck,
and Foxglove yells, “Stop—hurting—them!” For the
next round, roll 1d4 and subtract the number rolled
from every melee attack roll the golem makes.
2 For a second, Foxglove’s voice warbles in pitch,
suddenly growing more robotic. “How could you
hurt me like this?” it asks. For the next round, roll
1d4 and add the number rolled to every melee attack
roll the golem makes.
3 Foxglove cries out, “This isn’t me! Stop!” For the
next round, the golem’s movement is halved.
4 Foxglove’s voice stutters. “Broken. Broken. Bro-
Broken.” The golem immediately recharges its
Arcane Blast.
5 The golem jerkily lashes out. “I trusted you. Stop—
STOP!” For the next round, the golem can make
one extra melee attack.
6 Foxglove yells, “Let me out! Please!” For the next
round, the golem makes one fewer melee attacks.
Since the dais remains active, characters may choose to
retreat without completing the encounter. However, if the
characters do choose to stay and defeat the corrupted golem,
proceed to “Letting Go.”
Letting Go
Reducing the corrupted arcanist golem to 0 hit points, or
successfully dispelling the wish spell binding the soul to the
golem, frees Foxglove and ends the encounter. When this
happens:
The golem shudders, then lurches to a stop, and the pale
glow starts to fade from its eyes, trickling down until it
forms the small spectral shape of a gnome standing in front
of you. Wild curly hair halos his face, and wide round
glasses sit in front of kind eyes. He smiles at you and says in
a soft voice, “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
If the characters have yet to retrieve the locket, add the
following:
He then steps forward and holds out his hand. Nestled in
his palm is the locket, glinting faintly in the soft light of his
form. “Tell her I forgive her.”
Foxglove’s soul shimmers for a moment before fading away—
at peace at last.
Characters may attempt to harvest some gems from the
defeated arcanist golem. Removing the arcane opal from
the golem’s chest requires a DC 18 Dexterity (Sleight of
Hand) check. On a success, the opal is removed from the
golem with its enchantment intact (see appendix A: Magic
Items); on a failure, the gem is still lifted from the chassis
but loses its enchantment, instead becoming a mundane
jewel worth 150 gp. The blood rubies are much smaller and
require a DC 22 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check to
remove them from the gauntlets, recovering 1d4+2 rubies
on a success (see appendix A: Magic Items).
Strychnine’s locket is shut with a complex puzzle lock that
requires a successful DC 30 Intelligence (Investigation)
check to open. Inside is a small sketch of Strychnine dancing
with the same gnome that arose from the chassis of the
golem, bright smiles on both their faces.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Strychnine 255
 Conclusion
Strychnine awaits the party inside A Trip Away Inn, nursing
a small tankard of ale. Their successful retrieval of her Arcane Opal
locket is met with extreme gratitude, and the tiefling potion Wondrous item, very rare
maker gladly adds the characters to her roster of clients. This fist-sized opal flickers with iridescent arcane light.
As an action on your turn, you can release a 15 foot cone
Returning the Locket of destructive magical energy outward from you. Each
When the characters give the locket to Strychnine: creature within the affected area must make a DC 19
Dexterity saving throw, taking 45 (10d8) damage on a
failure and half as much on a success. The type of damage
Strychnine’s cold black eyes immediately soften, and she is determined by rolling 1d10 and consulting the table
takes the locket from you with trembling hands. “Thank below. The opal recharges after a long or short rest.
you,” she whispers. Her weathered fingers move in practiced d10 Damage Type
patterns along the edge of the locket, and it swings open
with a faint click. Inside, you glimpse a small sketch of a 1 Acid
much younger Strychnine dancing happily with a gnomish 2 Cold
man. And, for the first time since you’ve met her, you see 3 Fire
the tiefling smile. 4 Radiant
5 Lighting
If pressed, Strychnine admits that she did initially warp the 6 Poison
truth about the locket and the caverns, but only because she
herself still couldn’t face what she had done in her foolish 7 Psychic
attempt to keep Foxglove with her. Now that the adventurers 8 Necrotic
have retrieved her beloved’s locket, she freely shares the 9 Force
full story of Foxglove’s tragedy with them, and admits her 10 Thunder
mistake in attempting to cheat death. Informing Strychnine
of her husband’s freedom from the golem (and his forgiveness
of his wife) brings joyful tears to her eyes.
Appendix B: Stat Blocks
Rewards
For a successful retrieval of her locket, Strychnine provides Strychnine
each character with either one vial of any poison or one rare Strychnine is a chaotic neutral Tiefling Archmage, with
potion of their choice. Strychnine also allows the characters the following changes:
to keep any magic items they recovered during their
exploration of the caverns. • Strychnine has darkvision out to 60 feet.
• In addition to the archmage’s existing damage
Appendix A: Magic Items resistances, Strychnine also has resistance to fire damage
and immunity to poison damage. She is also immune to
the poisoned condition.
Blood Rubies • Once per day, Strychnine can innately cast hellish rebuke
Wondrous item, very rare
at 2nd level. Charisma is her spellcasting ability for this
You can spend a long rest affixing one of these deep trait, and the spell deals poison damage instead of fire
red gemstones to a melee weapon of your choice. After, damage.
whenever you hit with this melee weapon, you can
immediately expend the blood ruby’s charge to deal an
extra 11 (3d6) force damage. A single melee weapon can
have up to three blood rubies affixed to it. Blood rubies
regain their expended charges after a long rest.

256 Chapter 3 | The Tales Strychnine

 Corrupted Arcanist Golem
Large construct, chaotic evil
Challenge: 16 (15,000xp) | Initiative: -1 | Prof. Bonus: +6
armor class hit points speed
20 210 30 ft.
(natural armor) (20d10 + 100)
str dex con int wis cha
24 (+7) 9 (-1) 20 (+5) 10 (0) 12 (+1) 16 (+3)
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison, psychic;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical
attacks that aren’t adamantine
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Senses Darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Common, Gnomish, Infernal
Immutable From. The golem is immune to any spell or
effect that would alter its form.
Magic Resistance. The golem has advantage on saving
throws against spells and other magical effects.
Magic Weapons. The golem’s weapon attacks are magical.
Blood Rubies (6/day). When the golem hits a creature with
a melee weapon attack, it can automatically expend a charge
from one of its blood rubies to deal an additional 11 (3d6)
force damage. The golem has six blood rubies total. Each
ruby has one charge, and once expended, a ruby can only
regain its charge via the golem’s arcane absorption feature.
Actions
Multiattack. The golem makes two melee attacks.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 20 (3d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage.
Sword. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one
target. Hit: 23 (3d10 + 7) slashing damage.
Arcane Blast. The golem releases a wave of arcane energy
in a 15 foot cone from the opal embedded in its chest.
Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 19
Dexterity saving throw or take 45 (10d8) damage, half
as much damage on a successful save. The damage type
is determined by rolling 1d10 (1: acid, 2: cold, 3: fire, 4:
radiant, 5: lightning, 6: poison, 7: psychic, 8: necrotic, 9:
force, 10: thunder).
Author’s Notes
Makenzie De Armas is an independent tabletop game designer and writer. Known for her work as co-designer of MCDM
Productions’ Kingdoms & Warfare and co-host of the podcast One On One: A D&D Duet Campaign, Makenzie also serves as
the lead writer for The Islands of Sina Una and appears in various streamed TTRPG campaigns on Scratticus Academy. You can
usually find her screaming into the void on Twitter at @MakenzieLaneDA.
Reactions
Arcane Absorbtion. When the golem is subjected to
damage from a spell, it can use its reaction to absorb that
magical energy to fuel itself. The golem takes no damage,
instead regaining a number of hit points equal to the
damage dealt. Additionally, when this feature is used, the
golem recharges 1d6 blood rubies.
Legendary Actions
The golem can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from
the options below. Only one legendary action option
can be used at a time, and only at the end of another
creature’s turn. The golem regains spent legendary actions
at the start of its turn.
Detect. The arcanist golem makes a Wisdom (Perception)
check.
Slam Attack. The arcanist golem makes a slam attack.
Command (costs 2 Actions). If the arcanist golem has
used a lair action to activate at least one allied golem, the
arcanist golem can command one allied golem to make a
single melee attack.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the golem
takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects.
The golem can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row:
Ceiling Collapse. Part of the ceiling collapses above
one creature that the golem can see within 120 feet of it.
The creature must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving
throw or take 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage and be
knocked prone and buried. The buried target is restrained
and unable to breathe or stand up. A creature can take
an action to make a DC 10 Strength check, ending the
buried state on a success.
Flare. A flare of light erupts in a 20 foot-sphere centered
on a point the golem can see. Each creature in that space
must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or
be blinded for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving
throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on
itself on a success.
Lightning. Lightning arcs from the arcanist golem’s
chest and strikes a stone golem at the edge of the room,
activating it. This golem acts on its own initiative,
protecting the arcanist golem as best it can.
257
258 Chapter 3 | The Tales Mist
M ist (They/Them)
Written by: Jessica Marcrum
Adventure Level: 12-13 | Players: 4-6
Content Warnings: Gambling, Identity Theft, Mind Control

Doppelganger • Gambler
Assumes the personality of whomever they impersonate. Confident, generous, and gregarious as Lord Léanin Eiriander.
Otherwise anxious, insecure, and quick to make a poor bargain.
As a doppelganger, Mist is rarely seen in their own form but can take the form of anyone.
Mist first appears in the guise of Lord Léanin Eiriander, the male high elf form of a local silver dragon.

T he adventurers are hired by the noble elf Lord Léanin

Eiriander, who is actually the doppelganger named
Mist in disguise, to help him move his massive fortune from
his forest home. Unbeknownst to Mist, Lord Léanin is the
disguise of the local silver dragon, who is less than thrilled
to return to his home mid-robbery. Pleading their case, Mist
begs the party and the dragon to assist them with their large
debt to an angry rakshasa. Silver dragons are known for their
wealth and forgiveness, but Mist’s fate is ultimately in the
party’s hands.
Background
Mist is their own worst enemy. They are constantly in debt,
but are convinced that their next scheme is all it takes to get
them back on their feet again. They are a wanted criminal
in several towns, though no one knows their true shape and
few know their name. Most recently, Mist cheated Ashira, a
rakshasa who wants retribution through money and blood.
Ashira has been tracking Mist, who believes that, if they
can accrue enough money, she will forgive the debt entirely.
Note that there is no real Lord Léanin Eiriander, at least not
in this part of the world. Lord Léanin is an invention of the
silver dragon, Mitusmons Risunix.
Tavern Behavior
Mist, in disguise as Lord Léanin, is drinking the finest wine
at the tavern and gambling with a lively group. They are
gambling unseemly amounts of coin, with no real regard for
how much they lose or gain. Mitusmons Risunix, the silver
dragon who appears as Lord Léanin, is a regular who rarely
gambles but does appreciate a fine wine, and is known to be
incredibly wealthy. Only Dreet and the ghost of Eddawyn
know Lord Léanin and Mitusmons Risunix are the same
creature, though many are aware of Mitusmons living
somewhere in the mountains. Dreet is in awe of Mitusmons
Risunix, and keeps his secret close.
Hook
Mist, in disguise as Lord Léanin, invites the party over for
a game of dice. If the party refuses, Mist arranges for fine
drinks to be sent to their table. Eventually, “Lord Léanin”
asks them to help him sell some of his priceless possessions to
cover his gambling debts. As payment, each member of the
party may take a favorite piece of art or weaponry from Lord
Léanin’s home.

Chapter 3 | The Tales Mist 259

 A Simple Job
Near the back of the tavern, an exquisitely dressed high elf
diverts a group of gamblers. He calls for another round, and
one of the twins rushes over with the finest wine A Trip Away
serves.
Dramatis Personae
Mist (they, them) Chaotic Neutral, doppelganger, currently
under the guise of Lord Léanin Eiriander. They do not
have Lord Léanin’s legendary resistance and can only cast
cantrips.
Lord Léanin Eiriander (he, him) Neutral Good, high elf
sorcerer (see Appendix: Stat Blocks), a wealthy and carefree
noble who lives in town, and is actually the silver dragon,
Mitusmons Risunix, in disguise.
Mitusmons Risunix (he, him) Neutral Good, adult silver
dragon (see Appendix: Stat Blocks), a kind and wealthy
dragon on vacation.
Ashira (she, her) Lawful Evil, rakshasa, a fiend with a
vendetta, assuming the form of a female human.
Bartleby (she, her) Lawful Neutral, kobold, head servant
of Lord Léanin’s home, knows Lord Léanin is actually
Mitusmons Risunix, highly attentive to detail.
A New Friend
The high elf introduces himself as Lord Léanin Eiriander,
and asks the party to join him for a round of drinks and a
game of Liar’s Dice (see Pub Games pg. 41). Lord Léanin
is casual with his money and friendly to everyone in the
tavern.
Mist frequently utilizes Read Thoughts when speaking with
the party, but is too anxious to use it when gambling against
hardened adventurers. Any adventurer currently having
their thoughts read by Mist makes Charisma (Persuasion,
Deception and Intimidation) and Wisdom (Insight and
Perception) checks against them at disadvantage.
260 Chapter 3 | The Tales Mist
If the adventurers turn down drinks, or do not join in the
game, Lord Léanin approaches them directly. Reading their
surface thoughts, he compliments them on something they
are particularly proud of, or insecure about. Adventurers
must succeed on a DC 25 Wisdom (Insight) check to
realize their thoughts are being read. Failure leads them to
believe Lord Léanin is merely highly perceptive.
After attempting to ingratiate himself with the party, Lord
Léanin asks them to assist him with a secret but important
task: to help him quickly sell several of his prized possessions.
He admits that he has several deep gambling debts and needs
a few extra sets of hands, ideally attached to those who can
maintain secrecy. Lord Léanin stresses the shame that would
befall his family if his debt was uncovered. The adventurers
must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom (Insight) check to
discern that his gambling debts are very real, but that there is
more to the story.
If pressed for more information, Lord Léanin reveals he
has several buyers lined up already, who have each sworn to
secrecy. Buyers include Izak Lott (magic items), Florence
Neverbee (jewelry), and Ciriloth Faelunn (weapons). If
adventurers choose to question any of them, all state they
have known Lord Léanin for a long time and he seems like
a kind, trustworthy elf. They’ve never known him to have
money problems before, but they know misfortune can
happen to anyone and they’ve learned not to pry. If the
adventurers speak to other patrons, and succeed on a DC 15
Charisma (Persuasion) check, they learn that other patrons
suspect they were recently cheated by Lord Léanin at Liar’s
Dice and Tavern Dice. They note that this is very out of
character for him.
Lord Léanin offers that, in return for their quick service
and discretion, each adventurer may take their favorite item
from his home. He offers to take them to his estate, providing
directions if they decline the offer to accompany him, and
notes that he has some unusual servants on hand to assist
with packing up.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Mist 261
 The Eiriander Estate
After traveling through the woods, the path turns to a
winding road lined with pines, widening to reveal exquisitely
manicured grounds with lush gardens and marble fountains.
Just beyond is an elegant manor, guarded by pines and
statuaries. Every window is brightly lit from the inside, and
movement is visible through the massive windows.
Packing Up
If the adventurers arrived with Lord Léanin, they are greeted
by six well-dressed kobolds wearing matching servants’
uniforms. The kobolds bow deeply to Lord Léanin as
Bartleby, an elegantly dressed kobold with a massive waxed
mustache, presents herself, saying everyone has been hard at
work since Lord Léanin left.
If the adventurers arrive unescorted, they are greeted at the
door by Bartleby, who invites them in and insists they begin
work immediately. Bartleby has no patience for dilly-dallying
and hands each character a bag, instructing them to begin by
packing the jewelry.
The house is massive and ornately furnished, with marble
staircases, diamond chandeliers, and gilded vases holding
exotic flowers. Kobolds are scurrying everywhere throwing
jewelry, sculptures, and luxurious clothing haphazardly into
sacks.
Adventurers with Passive Perception of 15 or higher
overhear several kobolds whispering to each other. If
confronted alongside Lord Léanin, they bow and share that
they are overjoyed to see his face. If confronted without Lord
Léanin, adventurers who succeed on a DC 15 Charisma
(Persuasion) check can convince them to share their
confusion regarding Lord Léanin’s sudden return. They
explain that he only recently departed for the mountains on
an extended trip.
Lord Léanin thanks the party for their assistance and
happily provides them with a tour of his home, noting
several priceless paintings, sculptures, and pieces of jewelry
he is willing to part with. He also points out several magic
items as possibilities for rewards (see Rewards section in
the conclusion). Characters who succeed on a DC 18
Intelligence (History) check realize that the information
Lord Léanin is sharing about the items in the house is
generally accurate, but he is getting the details wrong for
almost every item.
The doorframes are massive and the ceilings are absurdly
high in Lord Léanin’s home, though characters without
262 Chapter 3 | The Tales Mist
experience with immense wealth may believe this is
typical for nobility. Adventurers who succeed on a DC 18
Intelligence (History) check realize the rooms are larger
than is fashionable for even the most ostentatious nobles.
Adventurers who dawdle while packing receive a stern
talking-to from Bartleby, and must succeed on a DC 20
Wisdom (Insight) check to notice Bartleby is unnerved
beneath her steely exterior. Succeeding on a DC 18
Charisma (Persuasion) check, away from Lord Léanin
convinces her to express her concern regarding Lord Léanin’s
erratic behavior over the last several days. Succeeding on a
DC 22 Charisma (Persuasion) check convinces Bartleby to
share that she contacted Lord Léanin three days ago, using
sending, to ask about his sudden return. The fact that he
hasn’t mentioned it has her concerned for his wellbeing. If
pressed for further information, she reveals that, as a long-
time trusted servant of Lord Léanin’s, he taught her the spell
in case of emergencies.
If the adventurers continue to press the issue, proceed
immediately to: Honey, I’m Home.
The home takes several hours to pack, during which time
Lord Léanin repeats how appreciative he is for the assistance,
while reminding the adventurers that he is massively wealthy.
The entire manor with its armory, safe, art gallery, greenhouse,
and more is open to the party, as “everything must go.”
Bartleby is close at hand, sternly overseeing the proceedings.
Once several sacks are filled, proceed to: Honey, I’m Home.
Honey, I’m Home
The front door opens with a bang, and a second Lord Léanin
walks into the manor. He demands to know who the party is
and why they are robbing him. The Lord Léanin who hired
the party is nowhere to be found, but in the place where they
were last seen is a friendly tavern-goer of the GM’s choice,
who is familiar to the party, wearing Lord Léanin’s robes.
Mist, disguised as the tavern-goer, screams for help from
Lord Léanin, crying that the party kidnapped them, dressed
them up in Lord Léanin’s clothes, and planned to rob the
Lord as part of a sick game. Lord Léanin is highly dubious
but, if the party backs Mist’s claim, he is convinced. He
informs the adventurers that, if they release their captive and
return his treasures, he’ll forget the whole thing, as long as
they leave town immediately.
Adventurers who inform Lord Léanin of Mist’s deception
must succeed on a DC 10 Charisma (Persuasion) check
to convince him they meant no harm and were duped.
Characters who enlist Bartlebys’ assistance in convincing
Lord Léanin automatically succeed on this check. If she
hasn’t previously informed everyone, Bartleby proudly shares
she used sending to message Lord Léanin, informing him
something was wrong at home.
 Adventurers who succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence
(Arcana) check know that the person who hired them is a
doppelganger. If they fail this check, Lord Léanin shares his
suspicion that the person pretending to be a kidnapped friend
in his home is a doppelganger. He demands to know what
kind of idiot would rob a sorcerer.
Mist reveals their true name, but not their true shape, and
shares that they have a massive debt to a southern woman
named Ashira. Ashira is determined to get her money in
either blood or gold. Mist hoped that, by robbing a wealthy
elven noble, they could either pay her off or buy enough
powerful magic to ensure they stayed hidden. Adventurers
who succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom (Insight) check know
Mist is holding information back. If pressed, Mist admits
Ashira is more powerful than most sorcerers they’ve
encountered, and they regret scamming her. Adventurers
must succeed on a DC 20 Charisma (Persuasion or
Intimidation) check for Mist to reveal Ashira is a rakshasa.
If further pressed, Mist reveals they scammed Ashira by
reading her mind at multiple gambling games, eventually
bilking her out of 200,000 gp. She is less angry at the loss
of income than she is at being beaten at her own game,
as mental manipulation is a rakshasa’s prerogative. She
demanded the full amount, plus damages, for the public
humiliation this has caused her.
If Mist reveals Ashira’s true rakshasa nature, the real Lord
Léanin becomes notably angry and insists on intervening on
Mist’s behalf.
“Despicable creatures,” Lord Léanin hisses. “I’ve had dealings
with them in the past. Unpleasant dealings. And if one is
sniffing around here, then it serves everyone best if they’re
gotten rid of.”
He claps his hands and Bartleby orders the kobolds to begin
unpacking at once. Lord Léanin casts a disdainful eye at
Mist. “You’re a liar, a cheat, and a thief. However, what
threatens you is a far greater evil. I will help you.”
He cannot be swayed from this, going so far as to reveal
his full dragon form if the party insists he stay behind. If
Lord Léanin is unaware that Ashira is a rakshasa, he defers
to the party’s wishes as to how to handle Mist’s situation.
He argues that the party has been just as damaged by Mist’s
shenanigans as he was, though he first commands the
kobolds to begin unpacking his valuables and putting them
away. He offers to act as a mediator, but does not insist on
taking part unless Ashira is revealed to be a rakshasa.
If the adventurers attack or kill Mist at any point, Lord
Léanin demands they leave his home for acting violently.
Characters can loot a hastily scrawled note from Mist’s body
that reads, "Ashira is coming...the inn...have the coins...
TONIGHT."
Lord Léanin, actually Mitusmons Risunix in disguise, has
been living for centuries as a kindly high elf sorcerer. While
his kobold servants are aware of his true dragon form, he is
loathe to assume his draconic form in front of strangers. If
attacked, he fights as Lord Léanin Eiriander until reduced
to 170 hit points, at which point he assumes his draconic
form. If further reduced to 125 HP or fewer, Mitusmons
Risunix disengages, casts greater invisibility, and flies away
to escape.
If characters refuse to leave, Lord Léanin attacks, utilizing
legendary actions.
Debt Collection
The sun sets around A Trip Away Inn, and an elegant
carriage pulls up to the front. A femme-presenting human,
dressed in lush silks and velvets, daintily steps out of the
carriage, accompanied by four knights. Ashira has arrived.
There are at least 10 commoners in the bar as patrons,
and all take note of her presence. She radiates power and
elegance.
Intimidation checks made by the party only work if they
are accompanied by Lord Léanin. Due to her ability to read
minds, Ashira is aware Lord Léanin is a dragon in disguise
and has no desire to trifle with him. Otherwise, she finds
attempts to intimidate her hilarious. In case of combat, if
reduced to 55 HP or fewer, Ashira uses plane shift to flee.
Based on how the party decide to handle the situation, there
are multiple ways this encounter can go. Choose from one of
the following options: Fair Payment, A Friendly Discussion,
or Monster Fight.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Mist 263
 Fair Payment (1: Hand Mist Over)
Ashira is surprised that her prey is so easy to catch, but
grateful to the party for assistance. Licking her lips, she
assures the party that Mist has whatever is coming to them,
and offers them 5,000 gp (or equivalent at GM’s discretion)
apiece. If asked why, she explains that she isn’t nearly so
angry about the money as she is about the damage to her
reputation. She cannot allow someone to cheat her and live.
Ashira Revealed
If Lord Léanin is present, he immediately senses Ashira’s
fiendish presence and demands she say who she truly
is. Otherwise, adventurers must succeed on a DC 20
Intelligence (Arcana) check to discern that Ashira is hiding
her true nature as a rakshasa. Alternatively, they may make
a DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check to know there is more to
Ashira than meets the eye, followed by a DC 20 Charisma
(Persuasion or Intimidation) check to convince Ashira
to divulge her true nature. Ashira is reluctant to reveal her
true form as a rakshasa, but only because she doesn’t want to
cause a scene at the inn. She only becomes hostile in self-
defense, utilizing her knights as protection, and attempts to
turn party members against each other.
If Lord Léanin is present, he is furious at the presence
of a rakshasa in his territory. The party must succeed on a
DC 20 Charisma (Persuasion) check to prevent him from
attacking Ashira immediately. If this check fails, proceed to
Option 3: Monster Fight.
A Friendly Discussion (2: Bargain on Mist’s behalf)
Adventurers who agree to bargain with Ashira on Mist’s
behalf are accompanied by Mist in the shape of a previously
encountered tavern patron. If characters give 10 SP to Flip,
Mist is allowed to hide behind the bar instead. Lord Léanin
may be present or not, depending on the result of the
discussion in The Eiriander Estate.
Ashira is courteous to adventurers who approach her, and
reads their thoughts to determine who and where Mist is.
She maintains poise and composure during discussion with
the characters, seeing them as the simplest route to finding
Mist. She additionally offers the adventurers triple what Mist
offered to keep them safe, as a reward for handing Mist over
to her.
Characters who wish Ashira to leave Mist unharmed must
offer Ashira something better. This could include a year of
servitude, an unspoken promise to be fulfilled at a later date,
a child of great importance, royal peerage, or all happiness
experienced for the next five years (this can be a link to future
adventures).
If Lord Léanin is present, or adventurers wish to determine
Ashira’s true nature, refer to Ashira Revealed in Option One.
264 Chapter 3 | The Tales Mist
The Dragon and the Fiend
(Mitusmons Risunix revealed in Part Two)
Lord Léanin, now revealed as Mitusmons Risunix,
accompanies the characters and Mist to A Trip Away.
Mitusmons Risunix continues to wear his Lord Léanin
disguise and Mist disguises themself as a kobold servant.
Lord Léanin is openly hostile to Ashira upon meeting her,
cutting off any possibility for bargaining. He denounces her
as an evil creature and demands she leave his realm forever.
Ashira asks the party for help, stating she is a fellow injured
party of Mist’s shenanigans and, once she has them, she
will leave. Characters who succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom
(Insight) check see she is serious, but intends deadly harm
to Mist once she has them. The adventurers must succeed
on a DC 20 Charisma (Persuasion) check to prevent Lord
Léanin from attacking Ashira. If this check fails, Lord Léanin
commands the party to protect the tavern-goers from Ashira
and evacuate the tavern. Proceed to Option 3: Monster Fight.
Monster Fight (3)
Mitusmons Risunix and Ashira are determined to fight.
The party has several options:
1. Aid Mitusmons Risunix.
2. Aid Ashira.
3. Help Mist escape in the chaos.
4. Evacuate A Trip Away Inn.
Tactics: Mitusmons Risunix spends the first round of
combat in the form of Lord Léanin, in order to prevent a
panic in the tavern.
Ashira calls upon her knights for aid and utilizes dominate
person to force the adventurers to fight on her behalf. She
reveals her true form as soon as the fight begins.
Once Mitusmons Risunix and Ashira reveal their true
forms, all bar patrons panic and attempt to flee. Flip and
the staff rush to escort the patrons safely out of danger.
Characters wishing to aid them may act as guides, to
prevent their being crushed, frozen, or mind-controlled by
the combatants.
Mist, if not restricted, changes form to blend in with the
crowd and escape. Characters wishing to prevent their
escape must identify Mist by succeeding on a DC 15
Intelligence (Investigation) check at disadvantage, due
to the chaos.
If the adventurers let Mist escape, they offer the party an
IOU for letting them escape and promises to do them a
favor once they’re back on their feet again.

Dead Doppels Have Debts (Mist is dead)
Lord Léanin does not accompany the adventurers to A Trip
Away if he witnessed them kill Mist. Despite Mist being
dead at the adventurer’s hands, Ashira is still determined to
collect on Mist's debt. She deems their killers responsible.
She is irritated Mist is dead, remarking that she had plans
to get her money’s worth out of them. She asks what the
adventurers can do to appease her instead. Mist owed her
1000 gp, plus additional recompense for publicly humiliating
her, plus interest. Ashira is happy to take money or services
from the adventurers or the townsfolk in repayment for this
debt. The adventurers must succeed on a DC 18 Charisma
(Persuasion) check or roleplay exceptionally well to convince
her to accept 1500 gp or two very-rare-or-better magic items
in return. Otherwise, she demands political clout (this can be
a link to future adventures). Attempting to use Intimidation
on Ashira makes her laugh. She utilizes detect thoughts to
ensure bargaining goes her way.
To discern Ashira is a rakshasa, the adventurers must
succeed on a DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) check.
Succeeding on a DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check reveals
she is hiding something important about her nature. To force
Ashira to admit she is a rakshasa, characters must succeed
on a DC 20 Charisma (Persuasion) check or share their
knowledge from the previously met Arcana check.
If characters refuse to give Ashira anything as payment,
she turns hostile, calling upon her knights and casting
dominate person on the adventurers. As soon as combat
begins, Ashira reverts to her true form, which starts a panic
in the tavern. Characters wishing to aid tavern patrons
may act as guides to prevent their being mind-controlled or
injured by Ashira and her knights.
Development
Whether Mist, Lord Léanin, and Ashira live or died at the
inn, the matter of Mist’s debt has been settled in some fashion.
Conclusion
Due to the events in Part Three, adventurers may have gained
powerful enemies or allies in both Ashira and Mitusmons
Risunix. Mist, if alive, may need rescuing from Ashira or
may owe a great debt to the party. Because this can end so
many ways, here are a few options:
Mist given to ashira; everyone is alive.
Ashira views the characters as trustworthy and hints she may
call upon them in the future. Her power continues to grow.
She offers the party the cape of her trusted knights, implying
it, like herself, is more than it seems. Characters can identify
this cape as a Cape of the Mountebank.
Mitusmons Risunix, if aware of the party’s actions, is
disgusted at their willingness to deal with fiends. In the
future, he will be far less courteous.
Ashira agreed to a compromise;
everyone is alive
Mist gratefully offers characters an IOU for 2000 gp and a
promise to perform a great service, once they’re back on their
feet. Mitusmons Risunix is pleased to have foiled a fiend and
offers them each a prized object from his home (broom of
flying, deck of illusions, robe of stars, folding boat, or a magic
item of the GM's choice.). In addition, characters have earned
both the favor of a dragon and a rakshasa, which is no small
thing.
Mist dies before seeing ashira;
a compromise was met
Mitusmons Risunix is appalled at the party’s willingness to
resort to violence and comport so willingly with fiends. They
have earned the enmity of a dragon. Ashira finds them clever,
if rash, and may call upon them in the future for an odd job.
Ashira dies -or-
Mist escapes with the party’s help
Mist, if alive, is grateful to be free of their burden. They offer
the party an IOU for 2000 gp and a promise to perform a
great boon for them in the future. If Ashira is dead, a Pearl
of Power can be looted from her body, along with 500 gp.
The patrons of A Trip Away Inn, having seen Ashira’s
true form, either revere the party as heroes for helping them
evacuate the inn and escape a fiend, or curse the characters
for bringing a rakshasa to them. They are either granted free
room and board for a year or banned for a month.
Chapter 3 | The Tales Mist 265
 Mitusmons risunix dies Rewards
1000 gp and several random gems can be looted from
Mitusmons Risunix’s body in the form of Lord Léanin.
Action XP
If killed in draconic form, silver dragon scales may be Helping Mist Escape 1000
harvested.
Killing Mist 700
If killed in service to Ashira, she views the characters as
50 per person
trustworthy and hints she may call upon them in the future. Evacuating the Inn
evacuated
She offers the party the cape of her trusted knights, implying
it, like herself, is more than it seems. Characters can identify Killing Ashira 10,000
this cape as a Cape of the Mountebank. Bargaining with Ashira 12,000
Any patrons witnessing the death of Mitusmons Risunix Killing Ashira’s Knights 700
are horrified and afraid of the party. It will take a lot of gold
and convincing to get back in their good graces. The kobolds Befriending Mitusmons Risunix 13,000
running Lord Léanin’s house are hostile to the party and Killing Mitusmons Risunix 16,000
attack them on sight.

Mist dies and the party leaves town before Items Gold
Part Three IOU from Mist 500 gp from Ashira’s body
The characters now have a disappointed dragon and a 1000 gp from Lord Léanin’s
bloodthirsty rakshasa after them. Good luck. Cape of the Mountebank
body
Pearl of Power Gems from Lord Léanin’s body
Broom of Flying
Deck of Illusions
Robe of Stars
Folding Boat
Silver dragon scales

Author’s Notes/Acknowledgments
Thank you so much to Escape Plan Games for this wonderful opportunity and especially to Paige Ford for her
endless patience. Thank you to my coven and team tabaxi for keeping me going. Thank you to my wonderful
spouse and fluffy cats for all the love in the world. Particular thanks to the playtesters of this adventure: Andrew
Sinsheimer, Catherine Evans, D.W. Dagon, Julia Corrin, and Liz Gist. I appreciate you all more than you know.

Author Bio
Jessica Marcrum, also known as angrynerdgirl, is a social worker and adventure creator who dreams of crushing
the patriarchy and recycling the wealthy. A brain witch and social justice bard by day, she spends her evenings
creating games, supplements, and other TTRPG nonsense including the Book of Seasons, Uncaged Anthology,
Eat the Rich, and the College of Caterwauling. Find her and see amazing cat pictures @Miss_Jess03 on Twitter,
watch her stream at angrynerdgirl on Twitch, or learn more about her work at www.jessicamarcrumwrites.com.

266
Appendix: Stat Blocks
Lord Léanin Eiriander Spellcasting | Save DC: 16 | Attack Bonus: +9
(Mist’s polymorphed form) Lord Léanin Eiriander is a 10th-level Charisma based
Medium humanoid (high elf), neutral good spellcaster.
Action Spells
Challenge 15 (13,000 XP) | Initiative: +3 | Prof. Bonus: +4 Cantrips (at will): chill touch*, dancing lights, mage hand,
mending, prestidigitation, true strike
armor class hit points speed 1st level (4 slots): detect magic, mage armor, sleep
13 Robes 99 30 ft. 2nd level (3 slots): detect thoughts, knock
16 Mage armor (18d8 + 18) 3rd level (3 slots): dispel magic, hypnotic pattern, sleet storm*
4th level (3 slots): dimension door, ice storm*
str dex con int wis cha 5th level (2 slots): cone of cold*
10 (0) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 21 (+5) Elemental Affinity. Lord Léanin Eiriander adds his
Charisma modifier (+5) to damage for cold spells, marked
Saving Throws Con +5, Cha +9, advantage on saves with an asterix.
against being charmed Meta Magic (Recharge 3-6). Lord Léanin Eiriander can use
Resistances Cold this ability to modify a spell in one of the following ways:
Skills Arcana +7, History +7, Perception +11, Stealth +7 Empowered Spell. Lord Léanin Eiriander may re-roll up
Senses Darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 21 to 3 of a spell's damage dice.
Languages Common, Draconic, Elvish Heightened Spell. When Lord Léanin Eiriander casts a
spell that forces a creature to make a saving throw to resist
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Lord Léanin Eiriander
its effects, he may give one target of the spell disadvantage
fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
on its first saving throw made against his spell.
Change Shape. Lord Léanin Eiriander polymorphs into
Quickened Spell. Lord Léanin Eiriander may use a bonus
a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher
action to cast a spell with a casting time of 1 action.
than his own, or back into his true draconic form. He
reverts to his true form if he dies. Any equipment he is Actions
wearing or carrying is absorbed or worn by the new form
(the dragon's choice). In a new form, Lord Léanin Eiriander Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
retains his alignment, Hit Points, Hit Dice, ability to one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
speak, Proficiencies, Legendary Resistance, Lair Actions, Hand Crossbow. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +7
and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores, as well to hit, range 30/60 ft., one creature. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3)
as this action. His statistics and capabilities are otherwise piercing damage.
replaced by those of the new form, except any class features
or legendary actions of that form. Reactions
Trance. Lord Léanin Eiriander doesn’t require sleep. Bend Luck (Recharge 6). Lord Léanin Eiriander can add
Instead, he meditates deeply, semiconscious, for 4 hours a or subtract 1d4 to another creature's attack roll, ability
day. After resting in this way, he gains the same benefit that check, or saving throw after the roll, but before any of its
a human does from 8 hours of sleep. effects are realized.

Chapter 3 | The Tales Mist 267

 Mitusmons Risunix Paralyzing Breath. The dragon exhales paralyzing gas in
Huge dragon, lawful good a 60 foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on
a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for
Challenge 15 (13,000 XP) | Initiative: 0 | Prof. Bonus: +5 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end
of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
armor class hit points speed Change Shape. The dragon magically polymorphs into a
19 243 40 ft. humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating no higher
(natural armor) (18d12 + 126) fly 80 ft. than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true
form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is
str dex con int wis cha absorbed or borne by the new form (the dragon's choice).
27 (+8) 10 (0) 25 (+7) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 21 (+5) In a new form, the dragon retains its alignment, Hit
Points, Hit Dice, ability to speak, Proficiencies, Legendary
Saving Throws Dex +5, Con +12, Wis +6, Cha +10 Resistance, Lair Actions, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and
Resistances Cold Charisma scores, as well as this action. Its statistics and
Skills Arcana +8, History +8, Perception +11, Stealth +5 capabilities are otherwise replaced by those of the new form,
except any class features or legendary actions of that form.
Damage Immuninties Cold
Senses Blindsight 60 ft., Darkvision 120 ft., passive Lendary Actions
Perception 21 The dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the
Languages Common, Draconic options below. Only one legendary action option can be used
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The
saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Actions Tail Attack. The dragon makes a tail attack.
Multiattack. The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its
It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with wings. Each creature within 10 feet of the dragon must
its claws. succeed on a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw or take 15
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one (2d6 + 8) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.
target. Hit: 19 (2d10 +8) piercing damage. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 15 (2d6 +8) slashing damage.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one
target. Hit: 17 (2d8 +8) piercing damage.
Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dragon's choice
that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must
succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or become
frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving
throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on
itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or
the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon's
Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
Breath Weapons (Recharge 5-6). The dragon uses one of
the following breath weapons.
Cold Breath. The dragon exhales an icy blast in a 60
foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 20
Constitution saving throw, taking 58 (13d8) cold damage
on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

268 Chapter 3 | The Tales Mist

Chapter 3 | The Tales Mist 269
269
 Chapter 4

Player Options
Chapter 4 | Player Options: Backgrounds 271
 Fortune Teller
You have spent your life traveling with the circus as the d6 Ideal
resident fortune teller. You delight in the wonder-filled eyes
of patrons, as you make predictions about their future and Faith. I know what I have seen must be true: it is
1
offer insightful glimpses into their past. You love to make an my gift. (any)
extravagant performance, gazing into a crystal ball, laying Tradition. If there is a traditional way of doing
2
out tarot cards, or reading palms to make your predictions. things, I must adhere to that order. (lawful)
Predicting one’s future can be a heavy burden, but you know Freedom. My talents allow me to come and go as I
it’s just as much about the spectacle as it is the art itself. 3
please. Obligations are a distraction. (chaotic)
Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Performance. Mastery. I must refine my abilities to predict the
4
Languages: Two of your choice. future, no matter the cost. (evil)
Equipment: A non-magical crystal ball, a deck of tarot cards Live and Let Live. It is not up to me to pass
or a small bag of bones, a set of traveller’s clothes, and 5 gp. 5 judgement on my visions, only to communicate
what I have seen. (neutral)
Feature: Uncanny Insight Entertainer. My life is a show and I must keep
6
others entertained. (any)
You’ve spent years studying the hopes and desires of others.
This study offers you an almost otherworldly ability to read
people. As long as a creature is not hostile towards you, you d6 Bond
can make Wisdom (Insight) checks against that creature at
1 If I believe I can help, then I must.
advantage.
2 I will make sure my name inspires awe in others.
Suggested Characteristics 3 It is my duty to guide others to an ideal future.
Being a fortune teller takes a special sort of person. Whether My only true family is the one I made traveling with
their power is mystical or manufactured, their goal is always 4
the circus. I owe everything to them.
to offer insight into life beyond what is readily apparent. I am always learning, and everyone I meet has
5
something they can teach me.
d8 Personality Trait 6 What I have seen will come to pass; it must.
1 My gentle attentiveness offers a calming presence.
I take pleasure in offering others hope and d6 Flaw
2
excitement for the future.
My devotion to my craft has taught me to always
3 I have a part to play in the lives of those I encounter. 1 express my true opinion, even if that may be painful
I am used to constant travel, staying in one place for to hear.
4
too long makes me uneasy. If I am unsure about what I have seen I will lie, to
2
I can easily empathize with others, and hope that protect my reputation.
5
my guidance brings them comfort. My gift feels more like a curse which sometimes
3
6 The only way to be sure is to consult the bones. overwhelms me.
I believe in many possible futures; anything I predict 4 I would rather face exile than admit that I am wrong.
7
is not concrete until it has come to pass. Once I have made up my mind about a course of
5
If I am uncertain about the future, then answers can action I will not be swayed.
8
sometimes be found in the stars. If I can divine your heart’s desires, I will not hesitate
6
to use them to exploit you.

272 Chapter 4 | Player Options: Backgrounds

Acrobat
Acrobatics are an integral part of any circus act. Whether d6 Ideal
you have mastered the trapeze, aerial silks, acro dance, or
acrobalance, your mastery over your body is unmatched. You Independence. At the end of the day, only I am in
1
have traveled with the circus far and wide, displaying this control of my fate. (chaotic)
mastery and entertaining crowds of people far and wide. You Aspiration. I yearn for mastery of any skill I
2
have learned to suppress your fear, facing dangerous stunts learn. (any)
from heights that make others’ knees buckle; a trait that People. The awe of a crowd brings me ultimate
translates well to a life of adventure. 3
joy. (neutral)
Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Athletics. No Limits. Nothing can stop me from pushing
4
Languages: Two of your choice. beyond all expectations. (chaotic)
Equipment: A pouch full of chalk, a set of traveler’s clothes, Greed. I never turn down a chance to turn a profit
5
50 ft of hempen rope, and a pouch containing 10 gp. with my talents. (evil)
Inspiration. Perhaps seeing me can inspire others to
6
Feature: Fearless push their limits. (good)
As an acrobat, danger is part of the job. You often face
towering heights, death-defying stunts, and risks where one d6 Bond
small move could mean your death. Any fears you may have
I owe everything to the ringmaster who lifted me
had in the past have been numbed to a point that allows you 1
out of squalor and took me on the road with them.
to concentrate through even the deadliest of stunts. You gain
advantage on any saving throws against being frightened. I lost a loved one in a tragic accident. They are
2 remembered through our shared love of the
Suggested Characteristics acrobatic art.
Acrobats thrive on adrenaline: the greater the challenge, the Every time I perform for a crowd, I will give them
3
more intense the rush. They focus on keeping themselves in everything I have to give.
peak physical condition, as well as a devotion to continually I want to be known far and wide, no matter what it
pushing themselves to the limits of their capabilities. 4
costs me.
5 Persevering through pain only makes me stronger.
If something frightens me, I will face it and
d8 Personality Trait 6
persevere.
I have a mentor, whom I idolize and strive to be like
1
in every way possible.
d6 Flaw
I have a lust for attention; the bigger the crowd the
2 I purposely injured a fellow acrobat to further my
more impressive I can be. 1
career.
I’m following in my family’s footsteps and yearn to
3 My numbness to fear allows me to unquestioningly
impress them. 2
put others in danger.
I have to stay in peak physical condition.
4 Allowing my discipline to lapse could have grave I am weak to temptation and vices, especially a
3
consequences. night in the local tavern.
In my travels I have learned to fit in wherever I go, I obsessively pursue my goals, yearning for
5 4
adapting quickly to local cultures. perfection.
If I believe I’m capable, I will attempt any feat of I can never return home because of what I’ve done.
6 5
athleticism, especially if there is a wager involved. The circus offered me an escape.
I live life as if tomorrow will never come, because 6 I pass judgement quickly, and often unfairly.
7
the tiniest slip could end it all.
8 There is always a greater challenge for me to face.

Chapter 4 | Player Options: Backgrounds 273

 Tent Master
The life of a tent master is an unforgiving one. They are a d6 Ideal
necessary part of the circus, but never get a chance to enjoy
the spotlight. It’s their job to build the tents and maintain Creativity. There is no single correct way to go
1
them, repair games and rides, and handle any of the rigging about solving a problem. (chaotic)
that needs to be done for the acrobats. They often work Tradition. There is a way things are supposed to be
2
behind the scenes, even during live events, without ever done, and that’s how I’m going to do them. (lawful)
making their presence known. They live a simple, no- Sincerity. I am, what I am and I’m comfortable
nonsense life and take great pride in their work. 3
with that. (neutral)
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Stealth. Respect. I respect those that have come before and
Languages: One language of your choice. 4 every person has a role to play, none greater than
another. (good)
Tool Proficiency: Artisan’s tools.
Retribution. The wealthy should be made to
Equipment: A climber’s kit, a crowbar, 50 ft. hempen rope, 5
understand how hard life can be. (evil)
100 ft. silken rope.
6 Aspiration. I deserve a life better than this one.
Feature: Behind the Scenes
You are accustomed to working in the background, whether d6 Bond
that’s checking an acrobat's harness for safety, or making The show must go on, even if I have to sacrifice to
sure that the dunk tank is functioning properly. Your work 1
make it happen.
surrounds the patrons of the circus, but is almost never
I’ve learned from those before me, and I hope to
noticed. You have advantage on Stealth checks made when a 2
continue to grow my skills.
performance is happening within 50 feet of you.
It is my duty to keep things running and my
3
Suggested Characteristics companions safe.
Tent masters are used to a rugged life. They travel far and 4 I must accept responsibility for my failings.
live hard, scarcely noticed while working, but often the life 5 I would lay down my life for my circus family.
of any party. They are hardened by the physical demands of 6 My worth is proven by how hard I’m willing to work.
their work, but secretly love to lie down for the night with
aching muscles.
d6 Flaw
d8 Personality Trait 1 Once I start drinking, I find it hard to stop.
I don’t care how others perceive me, or if they 2 I put my work before my well-being.
1
perceive me at all. 3 If I’m wronged I will never trust you again.
The only way for a job to get done right is if I do it I’m jealous of anyone that can do a job better than
2 4
myself. I can.
I have no aspiration for greatness, just a desire to I’m very slow to trust others. Trust needs to be well
3 5
keep the show going. earned.
4 I’ve seen it all before and done it all twice. Sometimes my concentration on my tasks can blind
6
If there’s a problem that needs to be solved, I’m the me to the world around me.
5
one people come to.
If something has to be done, it needs to be done
6
safely.
If I’m presented with a problem I believe I can solve,
7
I will not rest until the task is complete.
If someone notices me working, I make a display of
8
how hard my work is.

274 Chapter 4 | Player Options: Backgrounds

Clown
Clowns are an integral part of the circus experience, d6 Ideal
entertaining crowds with singing, dancing, trick riding,
juggling and more. Their job is to elicit laughs and joy from Selflessness It is my duty to spread joy to others.
1
the crowd, sometimes at their own expense. The life of a (good)
clown is not easy, and the burden of others' joy can sometimes Sincerity. I put myself on display, for better or
2
weigh heavy. The best clowns persevere, and give everything worse. I am unapologetically me. (neutral)
they have to make sure others feel the joy they lack. Self Knowledge. Understanding who I am is the
3
Skill Proficiencies: Performance, Intimidation. key to unlocking others. (any)
Languages: One language of your choice. No Limitations. A good joke can come from
4
anything, even making fun of myself. (chaotic)
Tool Proficiency: Land vehicles.
Responsibility. It is up to me to understand
Equipment: A disguise kit, a set of traveler’s clothes, a horn, 5
boundaries and never cross them. (lawful)
a set of juggling pins, 5 gp.
Community. We can all be brought together by
6
laughter. (good)
Feature: Showstopper
When wearing your clown makeup and costume, you have
advantage on Intimidation checks. You bring joy to some, d6 Bond
but when you use your appearance to cause the contrary, you I learned from the best, and I aspire to be as great as
have an almost otherworldly presence. 1
they are one day.
Suggested Characteristics No one will ever discover why I had to leave home
2
so suddenly.
It takes a certain kind of person to be a clown. These raucous
comedians need to be comfortable with being the brunt of I will learn to feel the joy I’m able to share with
3
the joke, while also being ready to fire one back. They are others.
truly the backbone of any circus, keeping the patrons dazzled 4 I will never let anyone see the real me.
and distracted enough to have even the most hardened It is my duty to stand up for those that can’t stand
individuals entertained. It should be said, though, never cross 5
up for themselves.
a clown: they can be terrifying if wronged. When I wear my clown face I can be whoever I
6
choose to be.
d8 Personality Trait
I use comedy to ease tension, both others' and my d6 Flaw
1
own. 1 I’m quick to anger if someone doesn’t find me funny.
I use humor as a way of forming relationships and I secretly find joy in the fear some people have of
2 2
gaining acceptance. me.
I am always ready with a snappy comeback to any I’m sometimes oblivious to how hurtful my humor
3 3
insult. can be.
4 I can find a funny angle to any situation. 4 I use sarcasm to mask my aggression.
What I do is an art, and it is how I express myself to I require constant admiration and acknowledgment
5 5
the world. that I’m funny.
I have expert timing, whether it be with a joke, a 6 I paint on this smile to mask my frown.
6
witty retort, or introspection.
I am an extreme extrovert; the energy of a crowd
7
inspires me.
Sharing the spotlight is often key to putting on a
8
good show.

Chapter 4 | Player Options: Backgrounds 275

 Owlbear Tamer

T he Owlbear Tamer Ranger

To tame an owlbear takes a special kind of ranger.
Owlbears are considered to be one of the forest’s
most dangerous creatures, and many consider them
unnatural monstrosities. You are different, however. You see
that this is a beast like any other, and as such you can tame
its wild nature. The bond formed with an owlbear is one
that is lifelong and nigh unbreakable. When this creature
is bonded to you, it will fight to protect you with the very
essence of its being.
Owlbear Tamer Features
Ranger Level Feature
Monstrous Ward
At 3rd level, you magically bond with an owlbear cub. The
owlbear cub uses the game statistics in the stat block below.
These stats will be improved as you level up, and you will
always use the adjusted version of the stat block equivalent
to your ranger level, even if your companion dies and
you need to find a new owlbear. The owlbear obeys your
commands and takes its turn before or after your initiative;
you choose when initiative is rolled. If you are incapacitated,
the owlbear continues to act, but will attempt to fiercely
protect the you. It regains all hit points on a long rest and
can spend hit dice on a short rest. If the owlbear dies, you
must find a new owlbear cub, spending 8 hours bonding
with the creature.

3rd Monstrous Ward, Shared Vitality

Owlbear Cub
Growth Spurt (Yearling), Infused Medium Monstrosity, neutral
7th
Attacks
Initiative +1
Growth Spurt (Adolescence), Shared
11th armor class hit points speed
Initiative
10 + PB (-) 30 ft.
Improved Shared Vitality, Growth (natural armor)
15th Spurt (Adulthood), Coordinated
Attack str dex con int wis cha
14 (+2) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 3 (-4) 12 (+1) 14 (+2)

Hit Points = (Ranger Level) d10 + PB + (Con Bonus x

Ranger Level)
Saving Throws Con = (Con Bonus + PB), Str = (Str Bonus
+ PB)
Skills Athletics = (2 + PB), Perception = (1 + PB)
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception = (10 + Wis
bonus + PB)

Actions
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: + (2 + PB) to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: (1d10 + PB) piercing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: + (2 + PB) to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: (2d8 + PB) slashing damage.

*PB = Your Proficiency Bonus

Chapter 4 | Player Options: Subclasses 277

 Shared Vitality
Starting at 3rd level, as an action you can choose to spend
any number of hit dice to heal your owlbear a number of
hit points equal to the dice rolled, transferring your own
vitality into the creature through your touch.
Infused Attacks
Starting at 7th level, as a bonus action you can burn a hit
die, infusing your owlbear’s attacks with magical energy,
channeling your essence into the creature through your
touch. The owlbear’s attacks are considered magical for the
next minute.

Growth Spurt (Yearling)

Growth Spurt (Adolescent)
At 7th level, your owlbear grows into a yearling, gaining
10 feet of movement, its Strength and Constitution scores At 11th level, your owlbear grows into adolescence. Its
become 16, and it gains the Pack Tactics ability: the Strength and Constitution scores become 18, and its size
owlbear has advantage on an attack roll against a creature becomes large. It also gains Multiattack.
if the owlbear’s tamer is adjacent to it. In addition, you
also gain advantage on melee attacks when your owlbear is
adjacent to you.
Owlbear Adolescent
Large Monstrosity, neutral
Owlbear Yearling Initiative +1
Medium Monstrosity, neutral

Initiative +1 armor class hit points speed

10 + PB (-) 40 ft.
(natural armor)
armor class hit points speed
10 + PB (-) 40 ft.
(natural armor) str dex con int wis cha
18 (+4) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 3 (-4) 12 (+1) 14 (+2)
str dex con int wis cha
Hit Points = (Ranger Level) d10 + PB + (Con Bonus x
16 (+3) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 3 (-4) 12 (+1) 14 (+2)
Ranger Level)
Hit Points = (Ranger Level) d10 + PB + (Con Bonus x Saving Throws Con = (Con Bonus + PB), Str = (Str Bonus
Ranger Level) + PB)
Saving Throws Con = (Con Bonus + PB), Str = (Str Bonus Skills Athletics = (4 + PB), Perception = (1 + PB)
+ PB) Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception = (10 + Wis
Skills Athletics = (3 + PB), Perception = (1 + PB) bonus + PB)
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception = (10 + Wis Pack Tactics. The owlbear and tamer have advantage on
bonus + PB) attack rolls against a creature if they are adjacent to one
Pack Tactics. The owlbear and tamer have advantage on another.
attack rolls against a creature if they are adjacent to one
another. Actions
Multiattack. The owlbear makes two attacks: one with its
Actions beak and one with its claws.
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: + (3 + PB) to hit, reach 5 ft., Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: + (4 + PB) to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: (1d10 + PB) piercing damage. one target. Hit: (1d10 + PB) piercing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: + (3 + PB) to hit, reach 5 ft., Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: + (4 + PB) to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: (2d8 + PB) slashing damage. one target. Hit: (2d8 + PB) slashing damage.

*PB = Your Proficiency Bonus *PB = Your Proficiency Bonus

278 Chapter 4 | Player Options: Subclasses

Shared Initiative
Owlbear Adult
Starting at 11th level, your bond with your owlbear Large Monstrosity, neutral
becomes so strong that you can anticipate each other’s
moves and act as one. If you choose to do so, you share the Initiative +1
same initiative and act in tandem. If you are using your
owlbear as a mount you must share movement speed for the armor class hit points speed
round. 10 + PB (-) 40 ft.
(natural armor)

Improved Shared Vitality str dex con int wis cha

At 15th level, your bond has strengthened to the point that
you can quickly transfer your life essence to your owlbear.
You can now use the Shared Vitality ability as a bonus
action, and can now be cast at a range of 30 feet.
Growth Spurt (Adulthood)
At 15th level, your owlbear reaches its full strength and
durability. Its Strength score becomes 20 and it gains
resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.
In addition, its claw attack is replaced with: Claws. Melee
Weapon Attack: + (5 + your proficiency bonus); reach 5 ft.,
one target. (2d8 + your proficiency bonus); slashing damage
and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving
throw or become grappled and prone. Until this grapple
ends, the creature is restrained, and the owlbear cannot
attack another target.
Coordinated Attack
At 15th level, if you attack any creature that is restrained
by your owlbear, you can use your reaction to make any hit
from a melee or ranged attack a critical hit. You can use this
feature a number of times equal to your wisdom modifier.
You regain all uses of Coordinated Attack after completing
a long rest.
20 (+5) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 3 (-4) 12 (+1) 14 (+2)
Hit Points = (Ranger Level) d10 + PB + (Con Bonus x
Ranger Level)
Saving Throws Con = (Con Bonus + PB), Str = (Str Bonus
+ PB)
Skills Athletics = (5 + PB), Perception = (1 + PB)
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception = (10 + Wis
bonus + PB)
Pack Tactics. The owlbear and tamer have advantage on
attack rolls against a creature if they are adjacent to one
another.
Actions
Multiattack. The owlbear makes 2 attacks: one with its
beak and one with its claws.
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: + (5 + PB) to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: (1d10 + PB) piercing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: + (5 + PB) to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: (2d8 + PB) slashing damage and the target
must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or become
grappled and prone. Until this grapple ends, the creature is
restrained, and the owlbear cannot attack another target.

*PB = Your Proficiency Bonus

Chapter 4 | Player Options: Subclasses 279

T he Ink Devil Warlock Your patron is a devil composed entirely of ink. It thrives on
insight into beings on the primary plane, through the self-expression manifested in tattoos or through
the words that people attempt to make permanent with ink. It thirsts for a taste of the most wicked
temptations of the living. The powers that this devil manifests in you appear as tattoos that magically form on your
skin. Your skin itself becomes your arcane focus; your tattoos ignite with arcane energy as you cast spells. Any spell
you learn manifests itself as a tattoo on your body, and any spells you may change magically shift to a new form.

Expanded Spell List Ink Devil Features

Spell Level Spells Level Feature
1st color spray, grease 1st Eyes of the Scribe, Devilish Insight

2nd enhance ability, illusory script 6th Transmutable Mark

3rd glyph of warding, phantom steed 10th Spell Leech

4th black tentacles, death ward 14th Evoke Patron

5th teleportation circle, insect plague

Expanded Spell List

The ink devil lets you choose from an expanded list of spells when you learn a warlock spell. The spells added to the
list are featured in the table above.

Eyes of the Scribe Devilish Insight

Starting at 1st level, you gain the ability to read
anything you can touch that is penned in ink, even
if it is written in a language you do not understand.
In addition, you are able to tell the alignment of the
author at the moment it was penned.
Starting at 1st level, your connection to your patron
allows you to gain insight into others. Once per long
rest, you may touch a single creature. They must
succeed on a Charisma saving throw versus your
spell save DC. A willing creature can choose to fail
this check. Failing the check reveals a creature’s true
desire, even if it is unknown to them.

Chapter 4 | Player Options: Subclasses 281

 Transmutable Mark
Aspect of the Ink Devil
Starting at 6th level, you gain the ability to form new Large Fiend (Devil), lawful evil
tattoos at will. These new tattoos can emulate simple,
non-mechanical items and can be no larger than 1x1 feet Challenge 8 (3,900xp) | Initiative: +3 | Prof. Bonus: +3
(for example, a knife, key, or piton). This object can be an
exact replica of any other non-mechanical object you are armor class hit points speed
touching. You can pull these tattoos off your skin and into 16 65 30 ft.
reality, forming a solid object composed of swirling black (natural armor) (10d10 + 10)
ink. The object stays solid for 1 hour, before melting away
into a non-magical black ink, losing its form. You can use str dex con int wis cha
this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma 14 (+1) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 10 (+0) 18 (+4)
modifier (minimum of 1). Any weapons created in this way
are considered magical. After a long rest, any tattoo created Proficiency Bonus +3
with this feature fades away, and all expended uses are re- Saving Throws Con +4, Wis +3, Cha +7
gained.
Damage Resistances cold, bludgeoning, piercing, and
Spell Leech slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren’t silvered
Damage Immunities fire, poison
Starting at 10th level, as an action you may permanently
Condition Immunities poison
swap one of your known spells with another spell in either
a spellbook or on a scroll, as long as it was penned in ink. Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 10
When you use this feature, all of the ink used to pen that Languages Infernal, telepathy 120 ft.
spell is drawn off the page into your skin, forming itself as Devil’s Sight. Magical darkness doesn’t impede the devil’s
a tattoo on your body. Using this ability permanently erases darkvision.
it from where it was written. The spell you consume must
be equal to or lower than the highest level warlock spell Magic Resistance. The devil has advantage on saving
slot you have. You may never swap out spells from your throws against spells and other magical effects.
expanded spell list. Once you have used this feature you Liquid Form. The ink devil can move through a space
cannot use it again until you’ve completed a long rest. as small as 1 inch wide but must spend an extra foot of
movement for every foot moved this way.
Evoke Patron Aspects Aura. Any ink devil warlock within a 20 ft. radius
of the aspect of the ink devil has their spellcasting abilities
Starting at 14th level, as an action you can call an aspect enhanced, gaining a +2 to their spell attack bonus and spell
of your patron into existence, costing you one level of save DC.
exhaustion. You touch your hands to the floor, as ink flows
out of your body to form the creature. It acts of its own Actions
accord unless given specific commands. The aspect of the
ink devil melts away into a puddle of ink after 10 minutes. Multiattack. The ink devil makes two attacks with its
You cannot use this ability again until you have taken a claws.
long rest. Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 11 (2d8 +2) slashing damage plus 7 (3d4)
necrotic damage.
Spew Ink. Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, range 20/60 ft.,
one target. Hit: 14 (4d6) necrotic damage, and the target
must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be
poisoned until the end of its next turn.

Description
This aspect of the ink devil is a being of pure ink, shifting and glistening as it moves. The ink devil can solidify the edges of its
claws as a weapon, or fire off particles of itself, covering its target in a necrotic liquid. This creature, although a shadow of the ink
devil, is intelligent and conniving, always looking for the weakest foe to prey on first.

282
Additional Magic Items
 A Trip Away Inn Tablet
Wonderous item, uncommon
These small writing tablets contain 30 pieces of parchment
bound together with stitching that allows a sheet to be
easily pulled out and taken. The tablets look unassuming,
however anything written in it will appear in Flip's Codex
exactly as it is written or drawn.
284 Chapter 5 | Additional Magic Items
Flip's Codex
Wonderous item, artifact (requires attunement)
It is rumored that flip created this tome and its
accompanying tablets by reverse-engineering the magic of
one of the Arbiter's Bibles.
Anything written on one of the A Trip Away Inn Tablets
is magically transferred to Flip's codex provided the tablet
and the codex are on the same plane of existence. The
entry will appear with the date, time, and room number
associated with the pad. The writing appears in real-time
in the codex as the tablet is being written on and is an
exact replica of anything written or drawn on the tablet.
Lute of the Trickster
Wonderous item, very rare (requires attunement)
This intricately designed lute is made of a smooth wood
stained in a subtle green. The rose of the lute is a carving
of eight arrows pointing in different directions in a radial
pattern. Each peg on the pegboard is a small grinning man
with horns made of gold.
The Lute has 2 charges and regains 1 charge each day
at dawn. While playing this lute you may expend a charge
and become invisible, at the same time an exact illusory
duplicate of yourself replaces you. The illusion remains
for an hour but disappears if you attack or lose your
invisibility. You can see and hear through your illusion
while it exists. Although your illusion may continue to play
music you do not have to.
You can use your bonus action to control your illusion,
including allowing it to speak or change the music it is
playing.
Conch of Poseidon
Wonderous item, very rare (requires attunement)
This conch shell has been fashioned into a kind of horn instrument. The shell glows with a soft blue luminescence which
pulses along with the tune you play. When any of its charges are spent, the conch begins to crackle, with lightning crawling
across its surface as you play.
The conch has 4 charges and regains (1d4 - 1) charges at dawn. You may use your action to begin playing the horn.
While playing the horn you are considered to be concentrating; failing a concentration check interrupts your playing. Any
concentration checks made use charisma as your spellcasting modifier. You may expend a charge to cause one of the following
effects in a 150 ft. radius sphere, centered on a point up to 100 feet from you:
• Flood: You cause the water level of all standing water in the area to rise by as much as 20 feet. If the area includes a
shore, the flooding water spills over onto dry land.
If you choose an area in a large body of water, you instead create a 20-foot tall wave that travels from one side of the area to
the other and then crashes down. Any huge or smaller vehicles in the wave’s path are carried with it to the other side. Any
huge or smaller vehicles struck by the wave have a 25 percent chance of capsizing. The water level remains elevated until
you stop playing. If this effect produced a wave, the wave repeats on the start of your next turn while the flood effect lasts.
• (1 charge) Part Water: You cause water in the area to move apart and create a 5 ft. wide by 100 ft. long trench. The
trench extends across the spell’s area, and the separated water forms a wall to either side. The trench remains until you stop
playing. The water then slowly fills in the trench over the course of the next round until the normal water level is restored.
• (1 charge) Redirect Flow: You cause flowing water in the area to move in a direction you choose, even if the water has
to flow over obstacles, up walls, or in other unlikely directions. The water in the area moves as you direct it, but once it
moves beyond the spell’s area, it resumes its flow based on the terrain conditions. The water continues to move in the
direction you chose until you stop playing.
• (3 charges) Whirlpool: This effect requires a body of water at least 50 feet square and 25 feet deep. You cause a
whirlpool to form in the center of the area. The whirlpool forms a vortex that is 5 feet wide at the base, up to 50 feet
wide at the top, and 25 feet tall. Any creature or object in the water and within 25 feet of the vortex is pulled 10 feet
toward it. A creature can swim away from the vortex by making a Strength (Athletics) check against your spell save DC.
When a creature enters the vortex for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there, it must succeed on a DC 14 Strength
saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 2d8 bludgeoning damage and is caught in the vortex until the spell
ends. On a successful save, the creature takes half damage, and isn’t caught in the vortex. A creature caught in the vortex
can use its action to try to swim away from the vortex as described above, but has disadvantage on the Strength (Athletics)
check to do so.
The first time each turn that an object enters the vortex, the object takes 2d8 bludgeoning damage; this damage occurs
each round it remains in the vortex.
• (3 charges) Call Storm: You call a strong thunderstorm to manifest in the affected area. Storm clouds appear causing
the water to become violent, causing any area caught in the radius to be considered difficult terrain. As a bonus action,
you can call a lighting bolt down, striking a point within the storm. Any creature within a 5 foot radius of that point
must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 14 (2d10 + 3) lightning damage on a failed save, and half as much
damage on a successful one.

Chapter 5 | Additional Magic Items 285

 Hypnotic Viol
Wonderous item, rare
This unassuming-looking viol is imbued with the ability to
entrance those that listen to it. Carved out of a single piece
of oak, the viol is finely made but not extravagant, with
subtly inlaid runes on the fingerboard. When played, the
viol sends out waves of magical energy that can be focused
on a number of targets equal to your charisma modifier.
The Viol has 3 charges and regains (1d4 - 1) charges
daily at dawn. While performing with the Viol, you may
choose to make a performance check and expend one
charge, choosing a target or a number of targets equal to
your charisma modifier, and consult the table below.

Performance Effect
Check
The discordant melody laced with the
magic of the strings makes the targets of
the magic hostile towards you for (1d10
1
+ 4) minutes. They are not driven to
immediate violence, however they will
try to force you to stop playing.
The music from the viol acts as a calm
emotions spell on the target(s) rather than
2-10 affecting a radius. The target(s) must
succeed on a DC 14 Charisma save or be
affected by the spell.
The music from the viol causes a
charming effect on the target(s). The
target(s) must succeed on a DC 16
Charisma save or be charmed for 1 hour.
11-19 The charmed creature is enamored with
your musical talents, and is eager to
gain your notice. The target(s) remain
unaware of being charmed when the
effect has ended.
The music from the viol causes a hypnotic
effect on the target(s). Each target must
succeed on a DC 18 Charisma save or
become hypnotized by the music for
1d4 hours. A hypnotized creature acts
20+ normally but is susceptible to commands
you give to them. If any command they
are given will result directly in their
physical harm, they may make the check
again before following your command.

286 Chapter 5 | Additional Magic Items

 Tracking Sheets

Merchant-Run Stall Sheet

Shop Name Merchant’s Name

Shop Type Shop Discount

Additional Notes

Shop Inventory
Item Quantity Price Discount Price
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24

Chapter 5 | Tracking Sheets 287

 Player-Run Merchant Sheet

Shop Name Stall Rental Price Per Week

Shopkeeper’s Name Shopkeeper Archetype

Boon Bane Customer Die Mishap Die

Shop Inventory*: List your items from least to most expensive in ascending order.
Item Quantity Price Discount Price
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
*Note: You must offer 20 different items at the beginning of each week, but each item can have a quantity of up to 5.

288 Chapter 5 | Tracking Sheets

 Weekly Profit: Don’t forget to visit the shop each week to claim your profits!
Week Number of Number of Weekly Sales GP Running Total
Successful Sales Mishaps (-30 GP Shopkeeper Wages) GP
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Dice Pool

Successful Sales: resulting die of 5 or 6 Mishaps: resulting die of 1

Chapter 5 | Tracking Sheets 289

 A Special Thank You to our Early Bird Backers.
Aaronn McCoy, Adam Gilmour, Adam Deming, Adrian Money, Adrien Baudraz, Alex Teunis,
Alexander Erwin, Alexander Neumann, Alex Otis, Alexis Jeffries, Alex Stone, Allan, Alton C. Capps,
Alycia Icenroad, Amanda Swank, Amy Limpinyakul, Andrew Matthias, Anthony Markesino, April
George, Ashley, Augustus Whitaker, Austin Carroll, Benjamin Charlet, Benjamin Jeffery, Benjamin
Lindsey, Benjamin Speck, Benjamin Pisani, Bill Sindelar, Blake Roth, Bob Waters, Brandon A Reuter,
Brandon Ashcraft, Brandon Witmer, Breanna Deen, Brent Garripee, Brian Schultz, Brian Waltersdorff,
Caralyn Hosler, Chuck Moore, Chris Adams, Chris Black, Chris Haskins, Chris Prynoski, Christie
Standiford, Christopher Heck, CJ Kalleevig, Collier Gladin, Corinne Damsch, Buffy RipHagen,
Damian Adams, Daniel Pérez Fernández, Danny Awalt Jr., Danny Kiregbaum Laursen, Dave Johnson,
David Staggs, David Nix, David Tomita, David Waselko, Delana Gifford, Denelle Cimarusti, Dillon
Olney, Dina Cimarusti, Don Crawford, Donnie Noland, Doug “Dhomal” Raas, Drew Morales,
Edward Sanders, Ellen Gordon, Eric Alexander Michaels, Eric Lapointe, Erik Runge Madsen, Evan
Johnson, Gissela Baker, Gary Oak, Gayle Sauer, Hayden Roberts, Hillary Schrooten, HttPaladin,
James Churchill, James Juden, James Gryder, Jim Marko, James Tuttle, James Witten, Jared Nesi, Jason
Gabel, Jean-Francois Hamel, Jeff Bennett, Jeff Stoke, Jennifer Nielsen, Jesse Gilmour, Jess Kohler, Jim
Mack, Joe Bennett, Joe Tolitano, Joel Lajeunesse, John ‘Jake’ Enrique Lyde, John Hazouri, Jordan
Schreck, John Orleans, John Skinner Jr., John Valdez, John Zanath, Jonathan W. Kromrey, Joseph
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Ekstrom, Keith Huffmeier, Ken Perry, Kevin Freeman, Kevin Pagliarini, Kevin Peeters, Kevin Reginetz,
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Gionfriddo, Mike Graham, Michael Haley, Michael Schwab, Michael Spredemann, Michel Körfgen,
Mike Popek, Mirco Jöns, Mitchel Wilsen, Morgan Cook, Damian Phillips, Muriel Allen, Emily Finch,
Natalia, Nathaniel Bonifas, Nicky Ray Harris, Norma Kuhling, Paul Newnham, Paul P. Amrine,
Paul Shotwell, Patrick Dooley, Pete Wilcox,Peter Dorney, Phillip Fortner, Piergiorgio Tesini, Rachael
Goodier, Rachel Mahoney, Ralph Bennett, Ray Bensley, Rebecca Blake, Ric Mori, Rick Barry, Robert
Bellot, Rob Stegers ter Haar, Ze Doudou, Ryann Padilla, Sabino Padilla, Scott Moberly, Scott Olman,
Shelby Watkins, Simon Leslie, Sinja Melissa Spinger, Steffan-rene Cowan, Stephen Golubieski, Stephen
Stewart, Steve Capezza, Steve Fletcher, Steven Cairnduff, Tadek Nelson, Tamarack The Werewolf
Survivor, Terrance Marpoe, Theresa Bodach, Thimo Wilke, Thomas Dahmen, Thomas Petford,
Timothy Heller, Tom Dodson, Toni Tisch, Travis V. Tipton, Tristan Salazar, Paige Ford, Volodymyr
L. Revenok, Wade Gerald Sullivan, Weronika Dudek, William Crewe, William J. Hummel, William
Richardson, Zachary Alexander

290
Original Concept Art

291
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 This material is being released using the Open Gaming License Version 1.0a and you should read and understand the terms of
that license before using this material.
The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc ("Wizards").
All Rights Reserved.
1. Definitions: (a)"Contributors" means the copyright and/or trademark owners who have contributed Open Game Content; (b)"Derivative Material"
means copyrighted material including derivative works and translations (including into other computer languages), potation, modification, correction,
addition, extension, upgrade, improvement, compilation, abridgment or other form in which an existing work may be recast, transformed or adapted; (c)
"Distribute" means to reproduce, license, rent, lease, sell, broadcast, publicly display, transmit or otherwise distribute; (d)"Open Game Content" means the
game mechanic and includes the methods, procedures, processes and routines to the extent such content does not embody the Product Identity and is an
enhancement over the prior art and any additional content clearly identified as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means any work covered by this
License, including translations and derivative works under copyright law, but specifically excludes Product Identity. (e) "Product Identity" means product
and product line names, logos and identifying marks including trade dress; artifacts; creatures characters;
stories, storylines, plots, thematic elements, dialogue, incidents, language, artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses, formats, poses, concepts, themes
and graphic, photographic and other visual or audio representations; names and descriptions of characters, spells, enchantments, personalities, teams,
personas, likenesses and special abilities; places, locations, environments, creatures, equipment, magical or supernatural abilities or effects, logos, symbols,
or graphic designs; and any other trademark or registered trademark clearly identified as Product identity by the owner of the Product Identity, and which
specifically excludes the Open Game Content; (f) "Trademark" means the logos, names, mark, sign, motto, designs that are
used by a Contributor to identify itself or its products or the associated products contributed to the Open Game License by the Contributor (g) "Use","Used"
or "Using" means to use, Distribute, copy, edit, format, modify, translate and otherwise create Derivative Material of Open Game Content. (h) "You" or
"Your" means the licensee in terms of this agreement.
2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game Content that contains a notice indicating that the Open Game Content may only be Used under and
in terms of this License. You must affix such a notice to any Open Game Content that you Use. No terms may be added to or subtracted from this License
except as described by the License itself. No other terms or conditions may be applied to any Open Game Content distributed using this License.
3. Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License.
4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing to use this License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-­‐‑free, non-­‐‑
exclusive license with the exact terms of this License to Use, the Open Game Content.
5. Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing original material as Open Game Content, You represent that Your Contributions are
Your original creation and/or You have sufficient rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License.
6. Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this License to include the exact text of the COPYRIGHT
NOTICE of any Open Game Content You are copying, modifying or distributing, and You must add the title, the copyright date, and the copyright holder's
name to the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any original Open Game Content you Distribute.
7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product Identity, including as an indication as to compatibility, except as expressly licensed in another,
independent Agreement with the owner of each element of that Product Identity. You agree not to indicate compatibility or co-­‐‑adaptability with any
Trademark or Registered Trademark in conjunction with a work containing Open Game Content except as expressly licensed in another, independent
Agreement with the owner of such Trademark or Registered Trademark. The use of any Product Identity in Open Game Content does not constitute a
challenge to the ownership of that Product Identity. The owner of any Product Identity used in Open Game Content shall retain all rights, title and interest
in and to that Product Identity.
8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Game
Content.
9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may publish updated versions of this License. You may use any authorized version of this License
to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content originally distributed under any version of this License.
10. Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.
11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless You have written
permission from the Contributor to do so.
12. Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of the Open Game Content due
to statute, judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not Use any Open Game Material so affected.
13. Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of
becoming aware of the breach. All sublicenses shall survive the termination of this License.
14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it
enforceable.
15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, LLC.
Tome Of Beasts © 2016 Kobold Press
System Reference Document 5.1 Copyright 2016, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Chris Perkins, Rodney Thompson,
Peter Lee, James Wyatt, Robert J. Schwalb, Bruce R. Cordell, Chris Sims, and Steve Townshend, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave
Arneson.

END OF LICENSE

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