A quiet butler requests to take their
The Heroes’ Ball
A Windmill Slam Games Halloween Short
by Joran Heimering
Act 1. The Invitation. In celebration
of All Hallows Eve the party is invited
to Sir Gregory “the knife” Brandholm’s
masked ball. A week before the
festivities the party receives a letter.
The wax seal is shaped like a skull, and
when broken, it emits ghoulish laughter
(a simple illusion). The note reads:
The time of the year is upon us!
A frightful time, a delightful time.
I’ve food and drink fit for kings,
As well as many ghoulish things.
Meet me at my estate at eight,
Wear a mask and don’t be late!
Yours,
Sir Greg Brandholm
After reading the letter, the party
should have ample opportunity to
prepare for the celebration. They may
be interested in purchasing costumes or
wish to learn more about their host and
his home. Sir Gregory:
• Is known for finding several ruins
that were feared lost
• Is a retired human adventurer, a
bachelor, in his late fifties
• Is a friend or favorite uncle of an
adventurer
• Was recently crushed to death and
was resurrected by a cleric (who
may also be a party friend)
• ‘s estate, called Holmhurst by the
locals, is a modest property at the
edge of town
Act 2. Arrival. The party arrives at
the estate and find it strangely quiet.
There are no decorations outside, no
servants, and no other guests - nothing
to indicate that a ball is to take place
here. Very alert, or very suspicious,
adventurers may note the clinging of
shovels coming from the garden behind
the house. Here the staff is busy digging
graves: one for each of the heroes,
and one for Sir Greg himself. When
questioned about this, they claim it is
an All Hallow’s jest, concocted by their
host.
an experience quite unlike anything he
weapons and leads them to a small had ever felt and he instantly realized
dining room. Sir Greg is awaiting the
guests from behind a small organ in
the corner, which blares ominous
music. When the servant announces
their presence, the music comes to an
unceremonious halt mid-note, as their
host whips his head around to greet
them. He seems particularly eager to
see the party and is apologetic about
the poor turnout. He blames it on
another celebration on the opposite
side of town. “No foul, though,” Sir Greg
smiles, “I was most looking forward to
seeing you anyway. Please make yourself
comfortable.” Greg’s reaction to the
party’s arrival seems earnest, although
his excuse as to why they are the only
guests is a poorly masked falsehood.
He then invites the party to join them
around the dinner table: a small, boxy
wooden object, covered in a thick
tablecloth. There are just enough chairs
to accommodate the party and Sir
Greg - it seems far-fetched that he has
been preparing for additional guests.
Although very subtle, careful inspection
reveals that the table indeed seems to
be some sort of covered chest.
Act 3. A Grave Discussion. The food on
the table is perfectly cooked, expensive,
and quite pleasant. The first hour, Sir
Gregory seems polite, amiable, and
eager to learn about the party’s recent
adventures.
After the main course, Sir Gregory
seems determined to steer the
conversation to his own recent brush
with death. Initially, he proudly reveals
how he had single-handedly held off the
giant for minutes until he stumbled and
was defeated in several, bone-crushing
blows. Jokingly at first, he mentions a
white light at the end of a tunnel. Death,
to him, was like floating in a warm milk
bath, free from earthly concerns. It was
that he had to share this revelation with
the party. He confesses that he misses
the Beyond, and often chokes himself
with a belt to achieve a sensation that
is somewhat comparable to it. A part
of him admits that he often curses the
cleric that coaxed his soul back into
his body. As desserts are served, the
tension in the room should be palpable.
Act 4. Dessert. Glasses of bright red
wine are served: an expensive elven
dessert drink to lighten the mood and
lift the spirit. Curiously enough, the
drinks were prepared in the kitchen,
and not poured out in front of the
guests. Of course, all drinks are laced
with a powerful and deadly poison.
Sir Greg urges all his guests to raise
their glass and to drink to the Beyond
and the greatest adventure. If any of
the party members seem suspicious,
he offers to switch glasses with them,
while he feigns insult at their mistrust.
After the toast he downs his glass,
eagerly waiting for the party to do the
same. A creepy smile settles on his
face, as he sighs that he is grateful to
show them the Beyond and that their
journey will begin soon. He then pulls
away the heavy tablecloth, revealing
a wooden coffin with a glass top in
which the cleric that saved his life
previously lies cut to pieces. If any of
the party refuses to drink the wine
or try to save themselves, Sir Greg
attempts to comfort them. He repeats
how their death will be pleasant, like
gently napping on a summer’s day, and
that they should just allow themselves
to float away. If any of them fight, Greg
does not defend himself.
Part 5. Catharsis. In moments, the
poison starts to take effect. Sir Greg’s
legs buckle and he slumps to the floor,
an maniacal grin still plastered to his
face. Party members who have drunk
the wine suffer the same fate. The
serving staff has been instructed to
dispose of any surviving heroes by hand
and bury the corpses in the garden.
Whether they are loyal enough to their
master to proceed and what happens
afterwards is up to you to decide. It is
unlikely that our heroes will walk away
from the ball the same people as they
were.