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2 CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER
 Contents
The Troubled Vale x Location 8 x

Introduction................................................................................x Encounter 1....................................................................................... x

Overview.....................................................................................x
Running the Encounters...........................................................x
Encounter Challenge.................................................................x
Encounter Structure..................................................................x
Location 1 x
Encounter 1....................................................................................... x
Encounter 2...................................................................................... x
Encounter 3...................................................................................... x
Location 2 x
Encounter 1....................................................................................... x
Encounter 2...................................................................................... x
Encounter 3...................................................................................... x
Location 3 x
Encounter 1....................................................................................... x
Encounter 2...................................................................................... x
Encounter 3...................................................................................... x
Location 4 x
Encounter 1....................................................................................... x
Encounter 2...................................................................................... x
Encounter 3...................................................................................... x
Location 5 x
Encounter 2...................................................................................... x
Encounter 3...................................................................................... x
Location 9 x
Encounter 1....................................................................................... x
Encounter 2...................................................................................... x
Encounter 3...................................................................................... x
Location 10 x
Encounter 1....................................................................................... x
Encounter 2...................................................................................... x
Encounter 3...................................................................................... x
Location 11 x
Encounter 1....................................................................................... x
Encounter 2...................................................................................... x
Encounter 3...................................................................................... x
Location 12 x
Encounter 1....................................................................................... x
Encounter 2...................................................................................... x
Encounter 3...................................................................................... x

Encounter 1....................................................................................... x
Encounter 2...................................................................................... x
Encounter 3...................................................................................... x Credits
Location 6 x Lead Designer: Christian Zeuch
Encounter 1....................................................................................... x Main Authors: Christian Zeuch, Ricardo Andrade
Encounter 2...................................................................................... x Editor: Jack Weighill
Encounter 3...................................................................................... x
Art Direction: Anja Svare, Christian Zeuch
Location 7 x
Layout Artist: Anja Svare
Encounter 1....................................................................................... x Cover Art: Komarca
Encounter 2...................................................................................... x
Cartography: Christian Zeuch, Jeremy Kimberling
Encounter 3...................................................................................... x
Interior Art: trafa, 4K_Heaven, Dean Spencer, BuberArt

This work includes material taken from the System Reference Document 5.1 (“SRD 5.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC and available at
https://dnd.wizards.com/resources/systemsreference-document.
The SRD 5.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.
CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER 3
 Wyrm Lake
A looming menace hovers over a peaceful hamlet,
destabilizing an entire region and instilling fear in the
heart of the population. A wyrm has appeared in the
skies, flying around Mount Crimson.
4 CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER
The village mayor is concerned that the dragon’s
presence will permanently halt work in the silver
mines up on the mountain, potentially bankrupting
the entire village. However, the foreman of the mines
doesn’t believe it wise to negotiate with the dragon,
fearful that it may become enraged and attack the town.
Meanwhile, the town’s elder fears that a curse has been
placed upon the town by the dragon, as the village
healer, Eleonor, has been bedridden since its arrival.

Lifeden
Two centuries ago, a group of orcs came from the
Cold North, over Mount Crimson and down towards a
lake. This small group of outcasts were shunned by the
warmongering northern folk and came in search of a
kinder life. They put down roots on the lakeshore and
formed Lifeden, a village of peace.
The Foremothers—the eldest of the dissidents
who founded Lifeden—began it as a simple fishing
community for their fellow orcs who rejected the brutal
ways of the Cold North. Their community quickly
grew into a bustling village of travelers from all over,
creating a unique melting pot of differing cultures
and ideals. Halflings from the southern hills brought
agricultural expertise, elves from the western woods
brought medicinal expertise and fine art, while humans
from the eastern city states brought an eclectic blend of
commerce and cunning.
The lake from which the village was founded still
remains at its very center. Water flows down from
Mount Crimson, bringing fish and clear water, making
it a veritable fount of life to the budding community.
The villagers of Lifeden treat the lake as an almost
sacred place, and have built no structures on its
immediate edge. Children play on its banks and workers
fish its waters, but there are few in Lifeden that don’t
treat the lake with the utmost respect.
Overarching Plot
One year ago, the townsfolk of Lifeden were awoken by
the thunderous roar of a mysterious dragon flying up
toward the mountain from the lake, sending out waves
of icy breath as it went. The dragon has since settled
on Mount Crimson, causing a rising fear in the village
that has culminated in many of its denizens fleeing
southward, fearful of the dragon’s wrath. Many who
flee south whisper of “Wyrm Lake” and the terrifying
dragon that resides there.
Eager to maintain the village’s hard-earned peace
and stability, Lifeden’s leadership is looking for brave
adventurers to help them converse with the dragon and
find out what it wants.
Unbeknownst to the people, however, the dragon is
protecting them from a far greater threat: old enemies
from the Cold North.
In truth, the dragon looming over Lifeden is a
powerful illusion cast and sustained by Eleonor, the
elvish healer that has tended to the sick in the village
for two centuries now. She rejoices in the achievements
of the Foremothers and sees Lifeden as a near-perfect
community that must be protected.
She once made her lair on Mount Crimson, living
in solace for nearly three-hundred years before the
Foremothers and their followers arrived. She saw their
growing society and decided to aid them more directly,
taking on the guise of Eleonor and living amongst them
as their healer.
The joy she found living among the people of Lifeden
had made her careless. Without her realizing, the
marauders of the Cold North have united under a single
banner, forming a vicious horde. Lusting for blood and
conquest, the Famished Ones march south, ready to
claim the world for themselves.
Just before it was too late, Eleonor ran away from
the community and flew to defend Mount Crimson.
Unfortunately, her lair had already been invaded.
Scouts from the horde occupied the cave, and when she
returned from fighting the horde, their strike left her
severely wounded.
She now lays bedridden at her home in Lifeden, all
the while sustaining an illusory image of herself flying
about the mountain and warding off the encroaching
horde. While focusing on this illusion, she cannot heal,
leaving the village entirely defenseless.
Looming Menace
The following section can help you tie all four
encounters together into a complete adventure, as
opposed to standalone encounters. While you can run
the encounters independently, all these encounters are
directly tied to the plot.
Marauders of the Cold North
United under a single banner, under the dreadful grasp
of a cruel warlord, the ten tribes of orcs and goblinoids
from the Cold North have gathered under the united
banner of the Famished Ones.
Their leader, Akhbar, the White Dread, has
convinced the tribes to venture over Mount
Crimson, claiming the bountiful lands and food of the
southern peoples.
The bulk of the army is composed of orcs, but goblins
and hobgoblins are present among the tribes. They
have heard of the “cowards and weaklings that have
settled in the south sun” and wish to “take what is
rightfully theirs.”
The scouts of the Famished Ones ride worgs into
combat, while their rank-and-file soldiers are left to
trudge on-foot. The elite warriors of their armies,
known as the Fat Ones, are orcs that have partially
flayed themselves and covered the exposed muscle
with spined, icy armor. The Fat Ones earn their right
to greater rations through their sheer brutality in the
field of combat.
CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER 5
6 CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER
Adventure Hooks
Find below a few ways to involve the party with the
encounters, sending them Lifeden’s way.
• Lenna (LG human knight, she/her), the guard
captain of a small settlement, requires the party’s
help as she’s short on staff. She asks the party to
investigate reports of orcs and goblinoid raiding
northern encampments. She has a budget for 100 gp
for this assignment.
• An academic learns of a mystical dragon that has
appeared in the nearby mountains. Gorgio (NG
goblin mage, he/they) offers the party a spell scroll of
magic missiles and a potion of healing in exchange for
further information.
Famished Ones
A united horde of orcs, goblins, and hobgoblins, the
Famished Ones seek revenge against the “weak” lands to
the south, and to crush the Foremother “cowards” that
fled the Cold North years ago. Certain members of the
Famished Ones seek to learn more about the sacred lake
where the Foremothers settled.
To determine the lineage of a Famished One, choose
one from the options below or roll on the Famished
One Lineage table. The lineage selected determines
some of the famished one’s actions.
Famished One Lineage
d6 Lineage
1-2 Goblin
3-4 Hobgoblin
5-6 Orc
Minions
Minions are weak creatures designed to give a more cinematic
heroism to combat, allowing even lower-level characters to
cut down foes in a single strike, without needing for more
complex tracking from the DM.
Minions have 1 hit point and are instantly killed if reduced to
0 hit points, unless a creature chooses to attack nonlethally,
or to knock them out. Additionally, if the minion is subjected
to an effect that allows it to make a saving throw to take only
half damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the
saving throw.
Famished One
Small or Medium Humanoid (Goblinoid or Orc), Typically Evil
—
Armor Class 15 (hide armor)
Hit Points 1 (minion)
Speed 30 ft
—
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
15 (+2) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 10 (­+0) 11 (+0) 10 (+0)
—
Saving Throws Str +4, Wis +2
Skills Athletics + 4, Survival +2, Perception +2
Damage Resistances cold
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Common, Goblin, Orc
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
—
Actions
Melee Weapon. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing
damage. If the target is a creature, the attack has the following
additional effects:
Goblin. The famished one can immediately move up to half its
speed into another space within 5 feet of the target without
provoking opportunity attacks.
Hobgoblin. The target takes an extra 3 (1d6) damage from
the attack.
Orc. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw
or become frightened of the famished one until the end of its
next turn.
Ranged Weapon. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach
80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.
Bonus Actions
Aggressive (Orc Only). The famished one moves up to its
speed toward a hostile creature that it can see.
Boost Morale (Hobgoblin Only). The famished one shouts
words of tactical guidance to an allied creature within 60 feet of
it that can hear it. Whenever the target makes an attack roll or
saving throw before the end of its next turn, it rolls a d4 and adds
the number rolled to that attack roll or saving throw.
Nimble Escape (Goblin Only). The famished one takes the
Disengage or Hide action.
CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER 7
 The Arrival
Encounter Level: 1st-2nd
Encounter Type: Combat, Social
Encounter Overview: The party spots a group of
roving marauders taking a hostage
Encounter Location: Any mountain near a lake
Background
The party comes across a group of Famished Ones
scouting around near Lifeden. They’re gathering intel
on the village in order to better plan their attack. In
order to obtain accurate information, they’ve abducted a
local hunter for interrogation.
The Encounter
The party approaches the valley where Lifeden is
located. Read or paraphrase:
As you travel north, a distant mountain dominates more
and more of your view. Flying about the mountain in a
series of spirally patterns is an terrifyingly-enormous
serpentine dragon.
Ahead of you, shouting voices can be heard. Instinct
draws your eyes to the sound, where you see an orcish
man, gagged and bound at the wrists, rushing out onto
the road. When he sees you, he lets out a muffled
cry for help, the request crystal clear in his eyes. Hot
on his heels, armed orcish and goblinoid warriors
chase after him.
8 CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER
The man is called Derk (NG orc scout, he/him),
a hunter from Lifeden, and his captors are 1d4 + 4
famished ones.
If freed, Derk thanks the party and asks them to
accompany him to his village, Lifeden, where he’ll
tell the authorities of the party’s deeds, making sure a
reward is put forth for them.
Famished One Infighting
The Famished Ones, while united by a shared goal, are
starving, angry, and largely hate one another. Representing
this can be as simple as Famished One warriors shoving or
shouting at one another. The characters may wish to take
advantage of this in order to sow conflict among the enemies.
In order to do so, a character must use this action to
provoke a Famished One that they can see within 60 feet
of them. If the Famished One can see and hear them, the
character must make a Charisma (Deception, Intimidation,
or Persuasion) check. The target must then make a Wisdom
saving throw, the DC of which is equal to the result of the
character’s Charisma check. On a failure, the Famished One is
momentarily distracted, either in confusion or contemplation
at the character’s words and becomes incapacitated until the
end of its next turn. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, it
uses its action on its next turn to attack one of its allies. At
this point, the Famished Ones may all become hostile to one
another (DM’s discretion).
Note that hobgoblins can be rather dangerous, mainly against
1st-level characters, so feel free to limit their appearance to
one or two per fight.
CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER 9
 Lifeden is half an hour from where the party found
Derk. Once they get into the vale, read or paraphrase:
A beautiful lake stretches out before you, surrounded
by bountiful vegetation, green grass, and lush berry
bushes. Around the lake is a small village, idyllically
placed in this rich, natural landscape.
The serpentine dragon still circles overhead, casting an
unnerving shadow over the otherwise-pristine vista.
Derk takes the party to the mayor’s home, and calls
for Oghmeya (NG orc, she/they), who leads the
hamlet. Derk explains what happened and Oghmeya is
extremely grateful, offering the party 50 gp for having
helped the hunter. She invites the party to stay for the
night as honored guest of Lifeden, providing them with
free food and accommodations.
Oghmeya’s home also serves at the village hall.
Located at the central square, this building—inlaid
with hundreds of beautiful, hand-carved patterns—
represents the multitude of cultures present in Lifeden
in its architecture. The stonemasonry is dwarvish, the
glasswork is elvish, the engravings are orcish motifs,
and it’s surrounded by traditional halfling gardenwork.
There are no doors at the city hall, only archways,
representing the village’s openness through literal
interpretation.. The community prides itself on its
manner of government, in which every citizen has
a say and can directly influence the decision making
of its governing body, without the need of external
representation..
The town’s square is a vibrant and colorful place.
Dominating the square is a market that, even in these
difficult times, is ever-full of merchants from all over,
putting even some cities to shame. Other buildings in
the square include the village hall, the miner’s union,
the Lakeview inn, and a small public library. At the
center of the square is a tall statue, depicting four orcish
women, the first of the Foremothers.
After a few hours in Lifeden, the party is approached
by one or more of the town’s main figures to ask for
their help (see below). You can also use the hooks below
if the party comes in contact with these NPCs.
10 CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER
• Oghmeya (NG orc, she/they) asks the party to
parley with the dragon, offering the characters 500
gp as a reward if they can return with information
on the dragon and what it wants.
• Ronsborn(LG halfling priest, he/him), one of the
main village elders, believes that the dragon has
placed a curse on the town, pointing to Eleonor, the
village healer’s sickness as evidence to it. He asks
the party to check on Eleonor and collect whatever
information they can find on the curse so that he can
try to convince people to flee Lifeden. As a reward,
he offers the party a potion of heroism and a family
heirloom worth 250 gp.
• Qwentoth (LN dwarf commoner, he/him) head of
the miner’s union, is concerned that approaching
the dragon is a risk that cannot be taken and tries to
bribe the party with 300 gp to corroborate the elder’s
belief that it’s safer to abandon the village.
Regardless, the party is directed to Eleonor’s home,
so she can treat any of the characters’ injuries, or help
prepare them for the mission ahead.
Outcomes
Some of the possible outcomes of this encounter are
listed below:
• The party ignores Derk’s plea for help.
• The group helps Derk but don’t go to Lifeden.
• The characters help Derk and meet the mayor, but
they don’t get further involved with the village’s
business.
• The characters help Derk and meet the mayor,
before getting involved with the village’s troubles.
Rewards
If the party saves Derk, award them XP equal to a
Hard encounter.

The Ambush
Encounter Level: 1st-2nd
Encounter Type: Combat, Social
Encounter Overview: The party heads towards
Eleonor’s home and has the opportunity to save her
from an attack
Encounter Location: Eleonor’s home
Background
In order to give them an edge in their assault on
Lifeden, the Famished Ones sent one of their captains
to kill the village healer. Ughorloth has been lurking
near her home, waiting for the best moment to strike.
The Encounter
Once the party approaches the house, read or
paraphrase:
Eleonor’s house rests at the end of a stone pier,
surrounded by wave-shaped stones. It’s a cozy, two-
story home with a roof of blue-slate tiles. Gulls circle
the house, occasionally perching atop the roof. White
smoke wafts up from a chimney, accompanied by a
delicious cooking smell.
Hiding within the rocks near the house is Ughorloth,
who watches Eleonor’s movements for several hours.
Roll a Dexterity (Stealth) check for him. Once the party
is within 30 feet of the house, a character may be able
to spot the orc if their passive Perception allows it. If
spotted by the party, Ughorloth engages (see “Fighting
Ughorloth” below).
Otherwise, the party is received by Eleonor. Any
character with passive Insight of 13 or more notices
that she seems unwell. If asked, she says that it’s just
a passing cold and she’ll likely be fine soon. This is a
lie. Characters can determine as such with a successful
DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check. In her weakened
state, Eleonor uses the statistics of an acolyte and
can cast healing magic where needed. If pressed, she
politely but firmly states that her personal health is
a private matter and that she’s like them to drop the
subject. Unless they’re outwardly rude to her, Eleonor
offers to share a meal with the characters: a hearty
chicken soup, seasoned with fine spices, paired with a
vintage red wine.
Eleonor can share most of Lifeden’s background with
the party, telling its tale with a passion that betrays
her love of the village. She will not reveal her draconic
nature to the characters now, as she isn’t sure that she
can trust them.
If the party talk about the situations with Lifeden’s
leaders, she has the following to say:
• If the party mention Oghmeya’s desire for them
to venture into the mountains to speak with the
dragon, Eleonor tries to dissuade them, making
mention of the dangerous wildlife that lives up on
the mountains, including a nest of rocs that can “get
very territorial at this time of year.”.
• If the party mentions Ronsborn or Qwentoth’s
desire to abandon Lifeden, she grows extremely
concerned at the prospect and implores them not to
listen.
CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER 11
12 CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER
 If asked about the dragon, she says that she doesn’t
know its purpose. She believes that the dragon
is watching over Lifeden, since it likely would’ve
attacked otherwise.
Once Ughorloth realizes that the party isn’t going
away anytime soon, he gets impatient and barges in,
rushing to complete his mission.
Fighting Ughorloth
If the fight starts outside, Ughorloth (LE fat one (see
below), he/him) is cocky enough to fight even though
he’s outnumbered. However, if he starts his turn
missing half or more of his hit points, he moves into the
house and attempts to take Eleonor hostage. If the fight
starts inside, Ughorloth immediately attempts to take
Eleonor hostage.
In response to the hostage attempt, Eleonor casts
sanctuary on herself, taking a knee in silent prayer. If
any character is reduced to 0 hit points, she casts cure
wounds on them if she can. Eleonor has disadvantage
on death saving throws and if it’s reduced to 0 hit
points, she instantly fails a death saving throw. If
Eleonor dies, the dragon illusion ends.
Developments
If captured and interrogated, Ughorloth doesn’t disclose
any useful information unless a character succeeds on a
DC 15 Charisma (Deception or Intimidation) check, in
which he gloats about how the Famished Ones will raze
Lifeden to the ground.
Once Ughorloth has either been killed or securely
captured, Eleonor takes them aside and reveals the
truth. She reveals that she needs an artifact from her
lair, the bloodgem to restore her health so that she can
face down the incoming Famished One army and begs
for their aid. They don’t have much time before one of
the town leaders convinces the populace to abandon Outcomes
Lifeden. She also shares her true name with the party: Some of the possible outcomes of this encounter are
Laeklyffara. listed below:
Eleonor gives the party two potions of healing and a
spell scroll of cure wounds to aid them in their journey.
She explain gives the party the secret word to deactivate
the bloodgem’s defenses: Araffykeal.
If the party didn’t go Eleonor’s house, Ughorloth takes
Eleonor from her home and up towards the mountain.
A village-goer, Mazlor (CG orc commoner, she/her)
spots this kidnapping and rushes to inform Oghmeya,
who begs the characters to help Eleonor.
Rewards
If the party saves Eleonor, award them XP equal to a
Hard encounter.
Fat One
Medium Humanoid (Orc), Typically Evil
—
Armor Class 15 (bone armor, shield)
Hit Points 39 (6d8 + 12)
Speed 30 ft
—
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
17 (+3) 12 (+1) 15 (+2) 12 (­+1) 13 (+1) 12 (+1)
—
Saving Throws Str +5, Wis +3
Skills Athletics +5, Survival +3, Perception +3
Damage Resistances cold
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Orc
Challenge 1 (200 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
—
Hulking Body. The fat one has advantage on Strength checks
and Strength saving throws.
Spiked Armor. At the start of each of its turns, the fat one deals
3 (1d6) piercing damage to any creature it is grappling.
Actions
Multiattack. The fat one makes two Bone Blade attacks. It
can replace one of these attacks with an attempt to grapple
a creature.
Bone Blade. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage. If the target is a
creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or
become frightened of the fat one until the end of its next turn.
Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 80/320
ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage.
Bonus Actions
Aggressive. The fat one moves up to its speed toward a hostile
creature that it can see.
• The party doesn’t go to Eleonor’s house and she is
captured.
• The group stops Ughorloth and fights him, killing or
capturing him.
• The characters interact with Eleonor before
Ughorloth attacks them.
• The party learns about the truth and decides to help
the dragon.
• The party learns about the truth and decides to leave
Lifeden.
CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER 13
 The Retrieval
Encounter Level: 1st-2nd
Encounter Type: Combat, Exploration
Encounter Overview: The party ventures to Mount
Crimson to retrieve the Bloodgem for Laeklyffara,
so that she can drive the Famished Ones back to
the Cold North.
Encounter Location: Mount Crimson
14 CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER
Background
Laeklyffara sensed danger over Mount Crimson and
was right to do so. In her fight against the Famished
Ones, she was able to kill many of their warriors, but
was wounded by arrow-fire in the process. Then when
she retreated to her lair, she found that it had already
been taken by a forward raiding party. The battle that
broke out in Laekyffara’s lair left her severely wounded,
forcing her to abandon the mountain.
Now, the Famished Ones have taken the lair and
made it their base of operation, filling it with tents,
palisades, supplies, and ballistas. When Laeklyffara
summoned the illusion over the mountain, the raiders
assumed it was another dragon as it was much larger
than the one they fought. They have been holed up in
the mountain lair ever since, waiting for an opportunity
to face down the dragon, before marching down into
Lifeden in the valley below.
The Encounter
Mount Crimson is less than an hour away from Lifeden
at a normal pace. The land in between is composed of
grass, bushes, woods, and rocks, with a few streams.
Wildlife can easily be spotted drinking water from the
stream or eating berries from bushes.
If the party spent a night at Lifeden and decided to go to
Mount Crimson at dawn/early morning, roll a die. On
an odd result, the party is attacked by 1d3 worgs which
were released to scout the area and gather food.
If the party got the truth from Laeklyffara, they
don’t need any checks to find the lair’s entrance, as she
will explain how to find it. Otherwise, the party must
succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check to find it.
On a failure, the characters spend hours searching for
it and are attacked by 1d4 + 1 famished ones during
their search.
The entrance to the lair is guarded by two
famished ones.
A character with a passive Perception score of 15 or
higher notices that there are a number of loose rocks
and stones above the cavern entrance. The rocks can be
dislodged with a well-placed ranged attack (AC 18), or
by a creature sneaking around the side of the entrance
and climbing up the rock face with a successful DC
13 Strength (Athletics) check. If a creature fails either
of these rolls, the guards are alerted. If the rocks are
dislodged without the guards’ notice, the guards must
each succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or be
killed by the falling debris.
If the characters are spotted, one of them rushes into
the lair to warn the rest while the other one slides a
movable palide to block the entrance, using ranged
attacks from behind three-quarters cover. If the runner
reaches the central cavern, the camp will enter high
alert, posting 2d12 famished ones at the gate.
The Lair
The entrance leads to a natural tunnel that stretches on
for 500 feet before ending in an enormous cavern. Read
of paraphrase:
The tunnel opens up in a massive chamber packed
with tents, palisades, crates, firecamps, flags, and
a cacophony of noise, as the chatter of well over a
hundred Famished Ones rings throughout. A large
opening in the roof above allows for natural light
to illuminate part of the cavern, with iron braziers
illuminating the rest.
The Famished One base is garrisoned by 10d12 + 80
famished ones from ten different tribes. The leader
of each tribe uses the statistics of a bandit captain.
Clearly, a head on confrontation is not an option
for the party.
The Bloodgem
Wondrous Item, Legendary (Requires Attunement)
This mystical gemstone was enchanted by the silver dragon,
Laeklyffara as a means to heal the deathly sick. The gem
carries the properties below:
Warm Light. The bloodgem shed bright light in a 20-foot
radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet. Any creature
within bright light produced by the gemstone has resistance
to cold damage.
Make Me Whole Again. If you spend 1 minute touching the
gemstone, you gain the following benefits:
• You gain the benefits of a long rest.
• Any effect that is causing you to be blinded, charmed,
deafened, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, or
poisoned ends.
• Any effect that reduces one or more of your ability scores
and/or your hit point maximum ends.
• Any curse or disease afflicting you ends.
• Any severed body members (fingers, legs, tails, and so
on), if any, are restored.
Once used, this property cannot be used again for 7 days.
Protective Measures. When you speak the gem’s command
word as an action while within 30 feet of it, it becomes
warded until you speak the command word in this manner
again. While this magic persists, the gemstone cannot be
moved and the first time a creature touches the gem on a
turn, it takes 35 (10d6) fire damage.
Retrieving the Gem
The bloodgem (see below) is located at the center of the
camp, and is being studied by a few shamans. The gem’s
protective magic has already killed several Famished
Ones and now they’re trying to better understand the
stone. The bloodgem can clearly be seen all throughout
the cave. Once the gem is retrieved, skip to “The
Escape”. Note that if the camp is on alert, most of the
approaches below won’t work.
Additionally, the bloodgem is protected by powerful
warding magic which devastates any creature who
touches it. This magic can only be quelled by speaking
the gem’s command word. If the characters learned
the truth from Laeklyffara in “The Ambush,” they will
already know the command word: Araffykeal. If they
didn’t, they will first have to rescue the dragon before
retrieving the gem (see Saving Eleonor).
CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER 15
16 CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER

Stealth
Unless one of the entrance guards manage to warn the
camp of the party’s presence, none of the Famished
Ones expect any guests and a stealthy approach can
be attempted. Reaching the bloodgem requires three
successful DC 12 group Dexterity (Stealth) checks. For
each failure, the DC for the next check increases by 1.
Once the party acrue’s three failed saving throws and
for each failed saving throw thereafter, each failure
also causes the party alerts 1d4 - 1 famished ones. If
any of these alerted famished ones remain conscious at
the start of their turn in the second round of combat,
they immediately use their action to shout and holler,
alerting the entire camp (see “Alerting the Camp”).
Upon reaching three successed, the party gets close to
the gem, which is guarded by two druids).
Sow Discord
The party can attempt to trigger internal conflict
among the enemy ranks. Below are some examples on
how to do this. Any character with passive Perception
12 or more notices the difference between the tribes,
and once they know how to differentiate them, they
can use this information in their favor. Triggering
the conflict requires a successful DC 15 Charisma
(Deception) check, followed by one of the examples
below, or some other sensible means.
• Disguised as an orc, goblin, or hobgoblin, and
speaking the appropriate language (Goblin or
Orcish), a character warns one tribe of an imminent
betrayal from another clan.
• Take the corpse of a Famished One and mark the kill
with the symbol of one of the other tribes.
• Using the message spell or similar magic and
speaking the appropriate languages (Goblin or
Orcish) to spread rumors about an uprising against
the leadership.
Once discord has been successfully sowed, it takes
10 minutes for it to manifest, as the various tribes
begin shouting, brawling, and in some cases outright
attacking each other. In this case, the party gains
advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to move
throughout the camp.
Distraction
The party can attempt to distract the camp through
multiple means, but the most likely options are either:
setting fires, or releasing the hungry worgs. Either
of these things can be done with a successful DC 12
group Dexterity (Stealth) check, which draws the
attention of the entire camp, granting them advantage
on subsequent Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to move
throughout the camp. On a failure, the party alerts 1d4
- 1 famished ones. If any of these alerted famished
ones remain conscious at the start of their turn in the
second round of combat, they immediately use their
action to shout and holler, alerting the entire camp (see
“Alerting the Camp”).
Alerting the Camp
The camp can be alerted in one of two ways, each with
their own outcome:
Alerting the Gate Guards. If the gate guards
successfully alert the camp, see Security Increase.
In the Belly of the Beast. If the camp is alerted of
the party’s presence while they are inside the camp, skip
to “The Escape.” If the party makes no efforts to flee,
they will almost certainly be surrounded and killed.
Security Increase. The first time the camp is alerted,
the leaders send a detachment of 2d6 + 6 famished
ones to the gate. If they can, they send at least one
famished one who can recognise the characters on
sight. These guards remain at their post for 8 hours,
before returning to the camp, being replaced by two
new famished one guards. If the characters have rescued
Eleonor (see below) or have stolen the bloodgem, the
leadership skip this step and straight onto high alert.
If the camp is alerted a second time, the camp goes
on high alert and stays that way for 4 days. During this
time, the gate is guarded by 2d6 + 2 famished ones, with
scouting parties of 1d4 famished ones patrolling the
mountainside, looking for intruders.
Saving Eleonor
If Eleonor was kidnapped by Ughorloth during “The
Ambush”, she has been brought to the camp and is
being held in one of the leaders’ tents. Any character
with passive Perception 14 or more hears the occasional
screams of Eleonor, who is being tortured for
information on the bloodgem.
Locating Eleonor’s exact position requires a DC 13
Wisdom (Survival) check, followed by a successful
DC 12 group Dexterity (Stealth) check to reach her,
or two if the Survival check failed. If any of these
Dexterity (Stealth) checks fail, the party alert 1d4 - 1
famished ones. If any of these alerted famished ones
remain conscious at the start of their turn in the second
round of combat, they immediately use their action
to shout and holler, alerting the entire camp (see
“Alerting the Camp”).
Inside the tent, Eleonor is being tortured by a fat one
and a druid. Once the two torturers are dispatched, the
characters can easily untie Eleonor. If she hasn’t already,
Eleonor tells the characters that she needs the bloodgem,
and asks them to either bring her to it, or bring it to
her, whichever they prefer.
CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER 17
 Once Eleonor uses the bloodgem to restore herself to
full health, she tells the characters to be ready to flee the
encampment. Read or paraphrase:
Eleonor begins to transform, growing in size, silver
scales replacing her skin, wings sprouting from her
back, an enormous, draconic form replacing her
humanoid appearance. As her presence becomes
apparent, screams echo out all across the camp.
Any character with passive Perception 13 or more
hears orders being shouted in Orc and Goblin: “Quick,
to the ballistas!” There are 3 ballistas mounted on
elevated rocks (marked as BL on the map), each manned
by three famished ones. If not dealt with, Laeklyffara’s
job becomes much harder.
The dragon flies to the tunnel and positions herself
there, allowing only the characters to pass through.
Laeklyffara is an adult silver dragon, and she uses her
Cold Breath whenever it’s ready, as long as it won’t hit
the characters, and attacks with her Bite, Claws, Tail,
and Wings while her Breath Weapon is recharging.
Most famished ones try to escape. However, those
operating the ballista focus their attacks on Laeklyffara.
The ballista is a Large object with AC 14, 40 hit points,
and immunity to poison and psychic damage. It needs to
be loaded and aimed before firing, each of which takes
an action. Enough famished ones man each ballista that
they can fire once per round.
Ballista Bolt. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 300/900 ft.,
one target. Hit: 22 (4d10) piercing damage.
Moving within the camp during the dragon attack is
chaotic, but enemies are trying to escape, so they aren’t
worried about the party unless the characters attack
them, in which case they defend themselves.
If the party flees the scene, Laeklyffara suffers once
again great wounds and has to wait a week before
using the bloodgem again. If the party helps her with
the ballistas, she rewards them with 500 gp, a cloak of
protection, and four potions of healing.
The Escape
If the party takes the bloodgem after disabling its
protective measures, the characters will need to flee,
as their presence will become evident very quickly. To
escape and reach the tunnel, the party needs to succeed
in three group skill checks. The exact skill is left up to
each player to determine; it could be Athletics to shove
past the enemies, Acrobatics to dodge past them, or
Deception to trick enemies and divert their attention,
whatever makes sense for the moment. Once each
player decides which skill their character will use, have
them roll the check, starting at DC 13. For each failure,
the DC for the next check increases by 1. Upon accruing
18 CHAPTER | SUBCHAPTER
three failures, the party gets surrounded and a random
character takes 1d6 + 2 slashing damage.
Once the party accrues three successes, they reach
the tunnels, which they need to follow to reach the
mountain base once again. The famished ones stop
chasing them at this point.
Developments
If the party gives the bloodgem to Laeklyffara, she uses
it to regain her strength and returns to her through the
opening in the roof to end the Famished Ones for good.
If the characters steal the bloodgem, their betrayal
angers Laeklyffaragreatly and she becomes their enemy,
tracking the party to retrieve the magic item.
If Eleonor had been taken and the party managed to
save her, she becomes their ally.
In regards to Lifeden, Laeklyffara asks the party not to
mention the truth of her draconic form to anyone, but
if they do, the leaders of the village can be convinced of
the dragon’s good intention, since she destroyed a great
menace they didn’t have any clue existed. The evidence
from her lair is enough to prove that.
Outcomes
Some of the possible outcomes of this encounter are
listed below:
• The party uses one or more of the approaches like
stealth, sowing discord, or distractions, to grab the
bloodgem and escape.
• The party fails to be discrete and alerts the camp
• The characters save Eleonor and help her with the
ballistas
• The characters save Eleonor and escape the camp
Rewards
If the party saves Eleonor, award them XP equal to a
Medium encounter. If they help her with the ballistas,
award them XP equal to a Medium encounter. If the
party uses any means to support their stealth approach,
award them XP equal to a Medium encounter.