Rotted Bridge

A location for Mausritter

by Mateusz C.
 Rotted Bridge
During one of many journeys through the Duchy of
the Ashen Lake, a group of brave mouse adventurers
encountered an unexpected obstacle – the bridge,
made of an old rotted tree that has fallen over the
river, is now blocked by knights of lord Buckthorne.
Turning back, unfortunately, is not an option.

This location and its short adventure utilizes Mausritter rules and setting created by Isaac Williams and is also heavily inspired by
great content created by the game community. Despite that fact the adventure could be easily hacked and work with other OSR
systems. The challenge and the difficulty level the adventure presents to the PCs is easily adjustable – stats for adversaries are
intentionally not included. This location comes with two maps – one labeled and included in this document, one unlabeled and
available as a separate file.

„Rotted Bridge” is an independent non-commercial production by Mateusz C. and is not affiliated with Losing Games. It is published under the Mausritter Third
Party Licence. Mausritter is copyright Losing Games. Front cover image copyright Doug Winder. Image on page 7 copyright Mikael Wang. Location map was
prepared in Dungeon Scrawl owned by ProbableTrain. Feel free to contact me at: mateusz.czerwinski@interia.pl or discord Mateusz#4504.
1
 Rotted Bridge
Location map
and brief introduction to adventure
The Duchy of the Ashen Lake is a vast, geographically diverse
and dangerous land, populated by many hostile species and
rival factions. Travelling across its territories requires unusual
courage and only few mice have enough grit and
determination to live (short, most of the time) life of an
adventurer.
Every mouse rogue and raider has to ocassionally cross the
Riband River – its cold and fast-moving waters cut the Duchy
in half. Relatively the safest way across is the Rotted Bridge –
an old, partially hollowed tree that many years before has
fallen over the waterway.

FACTIONS taking part in this adventure:

❖ Knights of lord Buckthorne – the mouse lord himself is
driven by his vaulting ambition, desire for power and
unbridled greed. He is constantly pushing new taxes and
demands new tributes. This time he decided to take
control over the bridge (linked to his territory) and
demand impossible toll.
❖ Razor Ratz gang – one of leading crime organizations
ruling underground life in the Duchy. Working for the cat
lord Behemoth, they are conflicted with lord Buckthorne.
❖ Faeries – half-mythical creatures with unclear agenda.
Some say they would prefer be left alone and practice
their spooky magic.
❖ The Plank Walkers – guild of river rat merchants. Happy to
work with anyone who is willing to sell cheaply and buy
dearly. Only mentioned in this adventure.
2
 Adventure hooks LEVEL 1
PCs are on their way to/from adventure – due to high
1 water level all other river crossings are flooded
The bridge is an old rotted tree
PCs’ family/tribe member requires urgent assistance on
2 the other side of the bridge
trunk connecting two banks of
Ridband River. In normal
PCs were to meet with important quest giver. He’s gone circumstances folks of the Duchy
3 missing in the bridge area
use the upper surface of the
PCs have to deliver a newly found cure for serious desease huge trunk to easily get across.
4 to their fellow settlement on the other side of the bridge
On a regular day it’s not a really
PCs are on the quest to sabotage malevolent endevours of crowded place – up to a dozen
5 lord Buckthorne
travellers can be met here,
PCs were quested by their village elders to get in touch crossing the bridge in both
6 with Razor Rats gang leader in oder to negotiate a directions.
temporary truce with cat lord Behemoth
1. BRIDGE ENTRANCE
Rumours
Long and riddled roots are
Information to be provided by NPCs during PCs’ journey to the location or on site
at any given moment
leading from a ground level to
Lord Buckthorne has found a new way to torment local the main bridge section
1 folks – pushing extremely costly bridge toll.
hundreds (mouse) feet above.
2
Lord Buckthorne is always turning the blind eye on Razor
Rats activities. Is he doing some dirty business with them?
After reaching the top of the
tree trunk PCs encounter a vast
Folks from this area have spotted traces of some strange number of travellers (mice,
3 magical happenings. But no one has seen any wizards for a shrews, frogs, etc.) crowding in
very long time. the first section of the bridge.
4
Ferocious beast are said to be eating the bridge inside out. Some of them are camping here,
And everyone who gets in their way. looks like for couple of days
Razor Rats must have a hideout in this area. Some have already. Some are resigned,
5 seen them supplying The Plank Walkers guild with black some are agitated and no one
market stuff in the harbor below the bridge. seems to appreciate the
„If only faeries were real! Could anyone else be powerful situation – there is a hold up,
6 and cunning enough to defy lord Buckthorne?...” and hardly anyone gets across.
3
2. PILE OF DEBRIS
Enormous pile of debris is rising
high above the crowd. Closer
inspection reveals that it’s a
mixture of old lumber and all
kinds of trash produced by new
bridge occupants. After PCs
realize that crossing the bridge
the regular way is impossible
(Area 3) rat NPC will reveal a
secret entrance to lower levels
which is hidden in this debris.
The entrance ladder leads
straight to Level 3, through a
tunnel cut in rotting wood.
3. CHECKPOINT
Newly built toll checkpoint
reinforced with 3d6 mouse
knights of lord Buckthorne – the
reason for the hold up on the
bridge. Everyone who pays 2d6 x
current number of pips in PCs’
possession is welcome to get
across. No way to slip past the
guards, no way to make a
successful WIL save. After a few
moments of helplessness and
inaction PCs are discretely
accosted by a sneaky-looking rat
who emerged from the crowd.
His tattoos, jewelry and crooked
hat are a dead giveaway – he’s a
Razor Rats gang member. He
says he could help you – his
friends down below might show
you alternative way across, but
they could need your assistance
with a certain issue at hand. He
reveals no more, if PCs are
interested he shows them a
hatch and a ladder down,
hidden in the pile of debris.
4. BRIDGE EXIT
The regular exit to be seen past
the checkpoint guards, on the
far end of the bridge.
LEVEL 3
This level is accessed by a ladder
leading here directly from Level
1. It is a vast area in a hollowed
section of a rotted tree trunk,
adapted for a retreat and a
hideout for all kinds of shady
fellows. Inspecting barrels and
crates gives 1-in-6 chance of
finding random bric-a-brac.
 5. TAPHOUSE and now he can offer them
tools, both mouse and human
made (see Mausritter rules book
Sleazy, dark and dirty joint full of for list of tools and prices). Only
shady-looking patrons: rats, after PCs buy goods for more
shrews, moles and one or two than 50 pips total, he will offer
toads. Roll d6 to establish their to sell his rare stock for special
general attitude towards PCs customers (see Mausritter rules
and corresponding chances of book for list of trinkets, price for
d6 patrons starting a fight with each is 40 pips). Only after PCs
PCs every second turn of buy goods for more than 100
exploration on Level 3. pips total, he will offer to
arrange a 50% discount for the
Taphouse patrons’ attitude services provided by the
and its consequences barkeep. The barkeep and the
owner of this watering hole is an
Chance of a old, one-eyed hamster. If PCs
Attitude d6
fight buy any amount of liqour or
snacks he will engage in a
Fight every conversation and reveal that for
Hostile 6 second round
the right price he can let PCs
Wary 4-5 4/5-in-6
use the taphouse delivery
Neutral 3 3-in-6 entrance to exit to the other
bank of the river. His price is half
Friendly 2 2-in-6
the toll required by the knights
Helpful 1 1-in-6 at the checkpoint. This could be
One of the patrons, a giant
reduced by 50% if merchant
arranges the discount. With a
Sunda rat, is a travelling
successful WIL save it could be
merchant who is a freaquently
reduced by another 20%. If the
visiting this area to restock his
WIL save fails the barkeep will
supplies with unusual trinkets
treat PCs negotiations as an
sold by Razor Rats and now also
insult and will call out to partons
by lord Buckthorne’s knights. He
to deal with you (a fight breaks
is willing to sell his goods to PCs
4 out).
Third individual encountered in
the taphouse is a high ranking
member of Razor Rats gang,
nicknamed Capo. At first he will
discretely observe PCs and allow
other encounters to befall.
Finally Capo approches and
offers a free of charge way out
to the other side of the bridge,
if PCs help getting their gang
leader, Biggie Rascal, out of the
arrest (located on Level 2 and
run by Buchthorne’s knights). If
inquired, Capo confesses that
Razor Rats cannot afford to get
caught trying to break free
Biggie Rascal – it would severely
damage delicate equilibrium
between Razor Rats and lord
Buckthorne. He also declares
that PCs will be allowed to keep
all the treasure they find on
their way to the exit. If the quest
is accepted Capo will guide PCs
to Area 7.
6. DELIVERY ENTRANCE
Possible exit to the other bank
of the river. Initially hidden
behind a stack of crates, if
inspected turns out to be
guarded by d6+1 taphouse
bouncers (hamsters and guinea
pigs). They only give way if the
barkeep has been paid off. In
case of a fight there is 2-in-6
chance they will call for d6
backup of tamhouse patrons.
7. ESCAPE TUNNEL
Initially hidden behind a stack of
barrels. If inspected indepen-
dently or guided here by Capo,
the wall behind the barrels
reveals a secret tunnel leading
upwords and cut in the rotted
wood. The tunel leads to Area 8.
15. RAZOR RAT SENTRY
A simple table with two Razor
Rats sitting behind it and having
relaxed conversation. At first
sight inconspicous, if carefully
observed it turns out to be well
enforced and equiped sentry
post. PCs can hear hidden,
additional guards lurking in the
dark corners and behind the
barrels. The largest barrel stack
hides a hatch and (a broke in
half) ladder leading down to
Level 4. Guards give way only if
the Biggie Rascal quest is
fulfilled.
 opening it requires a lockpick, Avery find her own way out. If and gagged rat on one of the
LEVEL 2 some other improvised tool + released, faerie mentions that bunk beds. This is Biggie Rascal
DEX save or a STR save made by guards captured her when she and he urges you to release him.
at least 2 PCs. If opened by sheer was trying to cross the bride in If released and escorted down
A vast area in a hollowed section force there is 2-in-6 chance of disguise. She was on a quest to to save haven of Level 3, Razor
of a rotted tree trunk, adapted alarming 2 guards. If that deliver an unusual crystal to Basil Rats will allow PCs to proceed to
by Buckthorne’s knights for an happens don’t roll for random the Earless (no more details bridge exit on Level 4 (through
arrest, guard quarters and a encounters for the next 4 turns revealed), when Buckthorne’s Area 15). Capo and Biggie will
storehouse for impounded of exploration. knights captured her and give PCs a vague warning about
goods. The only official way in is confiscated the crystal. She says a threat lurking on Level 4 –
through the ladder (Area 11)
leading down from Level 1.
9. HOLDING CELL 2 she is way to weak to finish her their former headquarter and
assignment, but if you find the strongroom (now abandoned
Random encounters: every crystal and deliver it to the because of the mentioned
second turn of exploration in Doors are locked, a muffled wizard, you should be greatly threat). If inquired about the
any area of this level there is mumbling can be heard from rewarded. Faerie is unarmed and crystal Capo will reluctantly
1-in-6 chance of 2 patrolling the inside. Opening the doors – useless in a battle unless her admit that they might have
guards. like in Area 7 or by fighting any impounded wand is found (in recently redeemed a good of
guard and acquiring the master Area 13), but thanks to her that sort from Buckthorne’s
8. HOLDING CELL 1 key to all doors on this level, sharpened senses and non- knights and stashed it
except for Area 14. combat magic skills, PCs can be somewhere on Level 4.
Accessed directly by a tunnel Inside the cell there is a chained foreworn of any partolling
from Area 7. Getting inside and gagged faerie on one of the guards and made invisible if 11. GUARD POST
requires breaking through bunk beds. If talked to the faerie standing perfectly still.
cracked wood in the holding (named Avery) askes about a
cell’s floor. There is a 1-in-6 mouse wizard Basil The Earless. 10. HOLDING CELL 3 Area where Buckthorne’s knight
are on a duty of guarding
chance of making noise that will As soon as she realizes that PCs
cause 2 guards to patrol the were not sent by the wizard to holding cells. Small table with
Doors are locked, a muffled couple of chairs and a ladder
corridors outside the cell (they her rescue, Avery cuts this mumbling can be heard from
will not enter the cell though). If thread and reveals no more of leading up to Level 1. If the area
the inside. Opening the doors – is empty guards may come
that happens don’t roll for the subject. Instead she offers to like in Area 7 or by fighting
random encounters for the next provide information on valuable down the ladder, as a random
treasure in exchange for random guards and acquiring encounter.
4 turns of exploration. the master key to all doors on
The cell is empty – few bunk releasing her. If PCs do so, they this level, except for Area 14.
beds, some iron manacles on the may choose to invite the faerie Inside the cell there is a chained
floor. Doors are locked – to be a party member or let
5
 12. GUARDS QUARTERS
Area where Buckthorne’s knights
rest and spend time when not
on duty. Large dining table with
messy dishes on it, simple
wooden chairs, several beds and
couple of barrels. There is a 4-
in-6 chance of d3 guards
sleeping there, or 2-in-6 chance
of d3 guards sitting at the table.
Should PCs lose the fight, instead
of being killed they are chained
and thrown into holding cell 1
(Area 8), without the guards
detecting the entrance to the
tunnel.
13. STOREHOUSE
Doors are locked, can be open
with w lockpick, improvised tool
+ DEX save, with a sheer force
(STR save of at least 2 PCs, but 1-
in-6 Chance of alarming the
guards) or with a master key
that is in possession of any
encountered guard.
Inside there are two large
cabinets with various goods
impounded by the guards – roll
for 4 bric-a-brac, 2 weapons and
armors and 2 trinkets from
6
Mausritter rules book. Apart
from that random loot there is
also Avery’s magic wand to be
discovered. If given to Avery she
can use it as a weapon (Magic
Missile and Fear spells effect). In
hands of PCs it has 4-in-6
chance to miscast and damage
the PC. Otherwise it will simply
do nothing. The wand could be
sold later on for 500 pips.
There is also a smaller room in
that area with unlocked doors –
a food storage with abundance
of rations and liquor to be
found in stacked barrels.
14. TREASURE ROOM
The only locked doors that
cannot be opened with the
master key – other methods still
apply. Inside there are two
treasure chests containing:
2 valuable treasure, 1 large
treasure and 2 unusual treasure.
LEVEL 4
A vast, bottom area in
hollowed section of a rotted
tree trunk. Accessed from Area
15, but the ladder leading here is
broken in the middle – getting
down without taking fall
damage requires DEX save or
using some equipment.
Former headquarter and
strongroom of Razor Rats gang.
Most rotted part of the bridge,
floor is unstable and ready to
break, many holes reveal rushing
river below. The overall
condition of this area is an effect
of wood decomposition and
devastation caused by
centipedes drilling holes and
tunnels in the wood.
Random encounters:
1) Every second turn of
exploration there is 2-in-6
chance of floor collapsing
beneath a random PC. Before
falling down into the river PC
grabs the edge and can make
STR save to pull oneself up.
Other PCs might help.
2) Every second turn of
exploration in any area of this
level there is 1-in-6 chance of a
centipede emerging from a
room or a wall tunel and
attacking PCs. Centipedes are
ferocious, mindless creatures
a attacked it will squeak and
that cannot be reasoned with.
16. STRONGROOM 1
One of recently devastated
vaults in a hastily abandoned
Razor Rats headquaters. Walls
on the outside and on the inside
have deep scratches and fangs
or claws marks. Doors, used to
heavy and reinforced, are now
crushed and force opened.
Inside there is a disembowled
body of a rat (corpses are few
days old) and a crystal
mentioned by Avery. It emits
faint, pulsating light, but
otherwise it does nothing.
17. COMMAND ROOM
Broken furniture, torn maps,
scattered papers and fragments
of corpses indicate the level of
surprise and damage done to
this place. In the outer wall
there are three tunnels gaping
ominously. There is a severely
wounded centipede sticking half
way out of one of the tunnels. It
will not engage PCs, but will try
to run deeper into the tunnel. If
attract 2 more centipedes
 emerging from other tunnels.
18. STRONGROOM 2
At the entrance to this room
there is a huge hole in the floor
– doors and a big wall fragment
are missing. Getting inside
requires DEX save or using some
equipment. Inside there is a
treasure chest containing
1 valuable treasure and 1 large
treasure.
19. EXIT TO HARBOR
A ladder is leading down to a
harbor owned and run by the
Plank Walkers guild of river rats.
There is a 3-in-6 chance that
guild’s boat is docked in the
harbor. If it isn’t harbor guards
will be suspicious of PCs
presence and send them off. If
the boat is docked harbor
guards will treat PCs as
merchants looking for a chance
to resupply or make a trade. PCs
can sell their goods or buy tools
(mouse and human made),
weapons and armour, light
sources or clothing (see
Mausritter rules book for gear
7 take damage.
list and prices). If PCs sell or buy
Rotted Bridge
for more than 250 pips total,
river merchants will offer them
lodging, food (regular prices)
and even transportation up the
river. If PCs engage in a
conversation with river rats they
will inquire PCs about the reason
for recent inactivity of Razor
Rats. They will hint that they are
anxiously waiting for the
promised delivery of rare,
blackmarket mechanical parts,
because the mouse wizard is
growing impatient. Although
reluctant at first, the Plank
Walkers will give directions to
the wizard’s tower, if PCs use
right negotiation tactic, bribe a
rat (at least 25 pips) or make a
WIL save.
20. BRIDGE EXIT
Exit through a short tunel and a
riddled root leading to the
other bank of the Ridband River.
The root is ending 20 (mouse)
feet above the ground and is
entwined with other roots
making it impossible to spot or
reenter from below. Jumping off
the root requires DEX save or
some equipment in order not to