TROUBLE AT

MOSSBEARD MILL
FOUR TO FIVE 2ND-LEVEL CHARACTERS
 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL
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2 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL

Trouble at Mossbeard Mill
Trouble at Mossbeard Mill is an introductory adventure
for the Tales of the Valiant roleplaying game. Rules for
the game, including monster stats, can be found in Tales
of the Valiant Alpha Release. (See Appendix for additional
adventure-specific rules.)
This adventure is suitable for a party of four to five
2nd‑level characters, though it can be adjusted to
accommodate more or fewer players. While many of
the encounters in this module can be resolved through
combat, they have not all been balanced to the capabilities
of a party of the suggested level. Shrewd use of PCs’
social, exploratory, and investigative skills is required to
successfully navigate the many challenges herein. At the
end of the adventure, the players should reach 4th level.
ADVENTURE BACKGROUND
Long ago, the fabled treant Mossbeard planted the vast
forests of the north before traveling into the Labyrinth.
The trees, his children, grew mighty, undisturbed until
the Northcord Expedition mapped the northern reaches
of the world, and 90 years ago, the town of Moonbright
was founded at the confluence of the Northcord and
Saber Rivers.
Moonbright has become a hub of commerce at the
edge of the civilized world, attracting the attention of
merchants, traders, and scoundrels.
ADVENTURE SUMMARY
This adventure consists of three distinct parts in which the
party faces challenges and consequences that help to flesh
out the region and build relationships with the locals.
Part 1: Moldering Matters. Arriving in Moonbright, the
PCs are tasked with eliminating the unexpected kobold
presence in the forest. On investigation, they should
learn that the kobolds are suffering from a plague called
scalemolder and can help find a certain curative sap. But
harvesting it will have unintended consequences.
TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL 3

RUNNING INVESTIGATIVE ADVENTURES
In more investigative adventures, like this one, the PCs
uncover clues and unravel mysteries. Because these
clues are often vital, hiding them behind ability checks
can impede the flow of the investigation since one bad
roll might mean the players miss something critical,
entirely derailing the adventure. How the players
analyze the clues and use them to solve the mystery
matters much more than discovering the clues in the
first place. So consider freely offering at least the most
basic clues when PCs are at the right locations and
asking the appropriate questions.
Part 2: Missing Pieces. Upon returning to the region,
Mossbeard recoils from the rampant logging in his forest.
The PCs have a chance to broker peace, and disaster strikes
at the city docks.
Part 3: Death Comes Creeping. With the death of the oaken
sentinel, the undead once kept at bay are free to roam, and
their leader launches an attack on the vulnerable town.
ASHER & VARINA NORTHCORD (HE/HIM & SHE/HER, SMALLFOLK/GNOME FARMERS )
Rutabaga farmers outside of the river town of
Moonbright. Asher is bald but has a bright red mustache.
Varina wears her light brown curls in a bright-red
kerchief. Both wear functional brown clothes that hide the
dirt and grime.
Found initially in their farmhouse near Moonbright
(not on map).
Personality Traits: Kind and caring. Varina is bubbly
while Asher is droll.
Bonds: Moonbright. Both love the town their
forebears founded and could never envision leaving.
Flaws: Need for coin. While wealthy in spirit, the
family is not well-to-do, and the wedding further
stretches their meager finances.
Wants: To grow old and see many grandchildren.
Talking to Asher and Varina: Asher and Varina freely
relate the following:
• As members of the town’s founding families, they
are personally involved in the preparations for the
upcoming festival, assisting Coridon, the priest at
the temple.
• Many friends, including the tavern’s former owners,
have left Moonbright of late.
4 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL
USING THIS ADVENTURE
This adventure is not designed to be read as a story but
rather to help you build a story with your players. Every
effort has been made to make this document easy to use
in play—without hours of preparation beforehand and
without getting in the way of your preferred style of delivery.
Text that looks like this is meant to convey the PCs' initial
impressions of an area or creature. Feel free to build on
these descriptions.
Text that looks like this is meant to be read aloud to the players.
Also, monsters, like owlbears, are presented in bold as
are NPCs, like druids. Full statistics for them are in Tales
of the Valiant Alpha Release. Item values are called out as
follows: (100 gp), where pp = platinum pieces, gp = gold
pieces, sp = silver pieces, and cp = copper pieces. And ability
scores are truncated to the first three letters: for example,
Charisma = CHA.
Example Ability Check. Purple-spotted mushrooms grow
in clusters: DC 10 INT (Nature) to know they are bitter but
edible. This indicates that a PC’s roll must meet or exceed
• The local woodcutters recently opened a lodge
across the river from town.
• The tavern was recently purchased by a former
adventurer who renamed it Dragon’s Thirst Tavern.
• There are rumors of kobolds stalking the forests
around Moonbright. This has spooked merchants
and barge captains passing through. Mayor Yara
Ranit is interested in hiring adventurers to put the
issue to rest.
• They apologize for the grimy state of their
farmhouse. Smoke from the previous year’s
wildfires still coats their home, and they haven’t
been able to fix all the damage.
Alternatively, if you don’t want Asher and Varina to
trigger the call to action:
• The PCs have come to Moonbright in search of
work. Their contact is Yara Ranit, Moonbright’s
new mayor.
• The PCs served as guards on Captain Eder Bleven’s
barge, heading east along the Saber River. The barge
will be docked in Moonbright for three days before
continuing north, providing the time for the PCs to
get caught up in the town’s affairs.
10 on an Intelligence (Nature) check to know the noted
information. If there is a consequence for failing an ability
check, beyond not succeeding, the callout for the check will
note what it is.
Example Saving Throw. PCs that drink river water risk an
upset stomach: DC 13 CON save or poisoned for an hour.
This indicates that a PC’s save must meet or exceed 13 in
order to prevent becoming poisoned for an hour.
FACTIONS AND KEY PLAYERS
Several factions are present in this adventure, each working
toward their own agendas, and they are summarized here:
• Ghouls. Formerly trapped belowground by an oaken
sentinel, the newly freed undead have plans within
plans that ultimately lead to an attack on Moonbright.
• Kobold Tribe. Suffering from scalemolder, the
kobolds search for a cure promised to be found near
Moonbright.
• Laevis. The green hag is especially protective of the
woodlands along the Northcord River and will not
tolerate perceived transgressions.
• Moonbright’s Mayor. Yara Ranit is focused on
protecting Moonbright’s status as trade hub for the
region. She often hires adventurers to resolve whatever
issues might crawl in from the wilds.
• Mossbeard. The ancient treant has returned from his
long travels to punish those who dare ravage his forest.
• Twin Doppelgangers. The con artists and murderers
profit wildly from stealing identities of Moonbright
residents. The arrival of the ghouls changes the timing
of their schemes.
CALL TO ACTION
Asher and Varina Northcord invite the PCs to the wedding
of their daughter, Favienne, which will occur after the
upcoming Harvest Festival.
PART 1: MOLDERING MATTERS
The PCs come to Moonbright and meet its many colorful
residents. In the neighboring woods, they likely encounter
the kobolds who have been especially active lately. Instead
of finding dangerous monsters though, the PCs discover
the kobolds are suffering from a deadly malady, and
they can help the kobolds by locating a sap with curative
properties, allowing the kobolds to return to their home.
MOONBRIGHT
After hours of the quiet and solitude of travel along the
forest‑bounded Saber River, a small settlement appears on
the horizon.
The town of Moonbright (see Areas 1–6) is located at the
intersection of the Northcord and Saber Rivers:
• Founded by dragonborn rangers and gnomish
cartographers almost a century ago.
• Large human population now, but still a diverse
community where all are welcome.
• Relatively small town with most citizens living in small
cabins or in farmhouses outside of town.
• Serves as a hub of trade in the harsh north.
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Each fall, Moonbright gathers for a day to give thanks for
the season’s bounty and to praise the gods that ensure the
town’s prosperity:
• Food and drink are shared with all, regardless of
station.
• No single deity is worshipped. Townsfolk may give
thanks to the god of nature, the god of trade, or the god
of luck—sometimes all in the same psalm.
• Will take place in two weeks, and anywhere the PCs
look, the town is busy with preparation. Roll 1d8 and
consult the Preparing for the Harvest Festival table
for potential interactions to scatter throughout their
visit, perhaps as scene starters to inspire roleplaying.
PREPARING FOR THE HARVEST FESTIVAL
d8 Festival Preparation
1 A gold-scaled dragonborn breathes fire into one of
several metal pits that celebrants will use to keep warm
during the chilly festival night.
2 A local ranger feeds the wild turkeys that will be cooked
and served to celebrants.
3 Children don colorful garb for the festival’s costume
contest.
4 Locals bake delicacies for the festival’s pie-throwing
competition.
5 Locals hang garlands between their home and the
warehouse across the street.
6 Teenagers carve religious iconography into large
pumpkins.
7 Three halflings and a beastkin dig out the pit for the
festival’s climactic tug-of-war competition.
8 While erecting a podium in the marketplace, a dwarf
scurries away to get a footstool for shorter speakers.
TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL 5
 MOSSBEARD’S INFLUENCE
Legends say that Moonbright was founded near the home
of Mossbeard, an ancient and mighty treant from days of
yore. The fabled figure influences their customs to this day:
• Merchants collect moss, weaving it into strong sacks to
carry locally grown vegetables to faraway urban ports in
the south.
• Moonbright avoided lumber trade for decades until
enterprising woodcutters started logging in secret. After
a year without incident, the woodcutters revealed their
secret and have continued the practice openly since.
• Mossbeard had a pronounced mossy beard. A similar
fuzzy moss grows—and is cultivated and valued for
decoration and other creative purposes—on local oak
and ash trees.
• Several local landmarks bear the treant’s name—most
famously, the mill outside of town owned by the
Molliner family.
RESOURCES AND TRADE
Moonbright is surrounded by abundant natural resources,
which drive local industry and trade:
• Farmers sell cabbages, leeks, and root vegetables
that thrive in this climate.
• Merchants use the moss
collected from the
woods to fashion
strong sacks to
support trade.
MOSSBEARD
While most believe Mossbeard to be a local legend
invented to frighten children, the treant is very real. Long
ago, he planted oaken sentinels to guard his domain
before venturing out into distant lands to cultivate new
forestland. All but one of these protectors have since
died, and Mossbeard will return with a vengeance in Part
2 of this adventure.
6 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL
• Trade comes to Moonbright from barges that travel the
Northcord and Saber Rivers. Additional trade arrives
via ox and wagon through Moonbright’s three gates:
two over bridges that lead to the opposite bank of the
river and the third farther down the coast.
• Woodcutters harvest raw lumber while woodcarvers
fashion furniture, bowls, and utensils from timber.
Most structures in town not marked on the map are the
homes for Moonbright’s merchants. PCs may also interact
with NPCs in the areas detailed below.
Area 1: Docks
Old wood warped with water and age. Dock workers singing
shanties.
Aged docks bob in the water as the boat approaches the shore.
A half dozen strapping workers wait patiently as the barge
is secured. Though the workers remain busy, loading and
unloading cargo, there are fewer boats moored to the docks than
might be expected.
For many, Moonbright’s docks are their first sight of
the town. Stevedores unload barges of the trade goods
meant for the community before reloading the boats
with the bounty of the north, which is then stored in the
warehouses nearby. Most visitors to Moonbright enter
through the docks.
Area 2: Moonbright Marketplace
Colorful painted booths. Shouts and haggling.
Several stalls line an open promenade just a few steps from the
docks, filled with all manner of trinkets. Merchants hawk their
goods and haggle with potential customers. Families make
purchases in preparation for an upcoming festival.
Mere feet from the docks is Moonbright’s small
marketplace, which has several stalls where vendors can
peddle their wares. Barge captains, sailors, and other
visitors spend coin on trinkets for loved ones back home:
• Merchants and sailors are concerned about reports of
kobolds outside town: DC 10 INT (Investigation) or
WIS (Perception) check. Most are reluctant to make
future trips to Moonbright and are hoping the mayor
can do something about this threat.
Purchase Goods. PCs can purchase any adventuring gear
that costs 25 gp or less (see Tales of the Valiant Alpha Release).
No one sells armor or weapons, though PCs can stock up
on arrows and bolts.
 After perusing the market for 30 minutes, the PCs note Area 3: Dragon’s Thirst Tavern
something for sale that catches their eye. Roll 1d8 and
consult the Marketplace Trinkets table. (These might be Run-down but heavily frequented. Hub of activity. Always a
common magic items, at GM’s discretion.) good time.

MARKETPLACE TRINKETS
A freshly painted sign hangs outside a weathered establishment.
d8 Trinket Cost
The sounds of laughter and merriment spill from the door each
1 Box of purple chalk 5 gp
time it opens—as does the smell of a rich, hearty stew.
2 Egg of an unknown origin 5 gp
3 White napkin that is miraculously spotless 5 gp
The Dragon’s Thirst Tavern is the only establishment in
each morning
Moonbright where someone can get a cold ale, a warm stew,
4 Ring that will always point north when asked 10 gp
and a clean bed. It was one of the first structures built in
5 Tiara from an ancient empire 10 gp Moonbright and is long overdue for a facelift. Patrons are
6 Yellow potion that glows bright at sunset 25 gp typically either sailors, waiting for their barges to be loaded,
7 Spellbook where the author inscribed half 50 gp or longshoremen on their lunch breaks. Most play cards or
of each formula other games of chance while they await their food and drink.
8 Baby wolf 100 gp

TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL 7

 Rumors. The following details can be learned while
mingling with the patrons, DC 10 CHA (Persuasion)
check, in order:
• Most folks assumed the Perelbachers would leave the
tavern to their daughter Ebrill when they retired, but
they sold it to Potro Rayune, an adventurer passing
through town with perhaps more coin than sense.
• The Perelbachers retired to a city in the south. No one
in Moonbright has seen or heard from them since.
• After renaming the tavern, Potro began tending bar and
developing new recipes based on what he learned during
his adventuring days, in an effort to expand the menu.
• Ebrill continues to work at the tavern, as few other
opportunities exist for her.
NPCs. See also NPCs in the Appendix for more
information on Ebrill and Potro.
Area 4: Ecumenical Temple
Somber reverence. Whispered prayers. Community harmony.
Three stained-glass windows distinguish Moonbright’s temple
from the neighboring homes. Inside, its walls bear iconography
from diverse faiths. Worshippers pray to their gods and leave
small offerings on shrines covered with burning candles.
Moonbright isn't large enough to support a house of
worship for any one faith, so they dedicated one building to
the worship of all gods:
• The temple is run by Coridon Myrickleaf.
• PCs easily find shrines to all the common faiths of the
land (as well as the Dreaming God, whose holy symbol
is a serpent with a third eye).
NPCs. See also NPCs in the Appendix for more
information on Coridon.
Area 5: Woodcutters’ Retreat
Smell of sweat, sawdust, and ale. Loud boasts and joking.
Boisterous, good-natured fun.
Across the river, log cabins sit behind a wooden fence, behind
which erupts laughter as off-work lumberjacks cook, drink, and
play games of skill with axes.
On the eastern bank of the river, a woodcutters’
cooperative harvests lumber from the mighty oak forests. If
the PCs enter or rap on the front gate, Bartos the foreman
greets them and offers seats outside the quieter of the
cabins where they can chat and learn the following:
• The cooperative works in three shifts. Each spends two
weeks laboring in the woods and one week relaxing in
the retreat.
• The woodcutters used to rent houses in Moonbright
but recently built these cabins.
NPCs. See also NPCs in the Appendix for more
information on Bartos.
Area 6: Mayor’s Home
Humble but tidy log home. Immaculate landscaping.
Well-appointed polished oak rooms.
The town’s flag flutters in the breeze from banner poles on a
relatively small log home. The well-manicured moonberry
bushes around the house speak to a meticulous, patient owner.
A heavy wooden door is propped open in a welcoming gesture.
People freely come and go.

When entering through the front door, the PCs are

RETIRING FROM MOONBRIGHT greeted by a well-dressed woman who is reviewing various
At this point, attentive players might recognize ledgers behind a desk. She kindly but curtly introduces
retirement as a recurring motif. herself as Mayor Yara Ranit and asks the PCs to sit down
Life in Moonbright is difficult and rarely forgiving to its and discuss their travel to Moonbright.
residents. All must bow to age, and it’s not uncommon
NPCs. See also NPCs in the Appendix for more
for residents to retire south.
information on Yara.
In most cases, the last rounds of “retirements” have
been instigated by the doppelgangers impersonating
Emar and Lodar Molliner. After murdering the hapless
residents, one of the doppelgangers spends time
impersonating the victim, selling property quickly before
booking passage south to retire.
The doppelgangers’ scheme is further explained in Part
2 of the adventure.

8 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL

Area 7: Mossbeard Mill • To intuit that something seems off about the miller: DC
16 WIS (Insight) check.
Moss-covered trees. Babbling water. Creaking water wheel.
Emar and Lodar Molliner receive a fuller description
in Part 2 where they have a bigger part to play in the
A narrow wooden bridge crosses a stream, and on the opposite unraveling of the mysteries of this adventure.
bank, a wooden millwheel churns out an even, grinding
rhythm from the side of a sturdy stone mill. The heavy moss that OTHER AREA FARMS
blankets the old trees hushes the sound of industry.
Logged clearings. Small fields on gently rolling hills. Stables
filled with hay.
At the prompting of the mayor, the PCs may seek out
Mossbeard Mill (see Area 7). The mill was built around the
In occasional clearings in the woods surrounding Moonbright,
founding of the town, outside its walls off the Saber River
where the millwheel would consistently turn: small farms dot the land. Farming is never an easy job, but
lately, things have been harder than usual, and the folks here are
• Five generations of the Molliner family have run the
happy to see visitors who might lend a helping hand.
mill, and to their chagrin, locals have always just called
it Mossbeard Mill, seemingly for the moss that grows
on the trees around it, thicker than elsewhere: DC 13 While traveling through the region around Moonbright,
CHA (Persuasion) check in town. the PCs may periodically come across various farmsteads.
If they choose to check on the farmers, roll 1d6 and consult
• Several ancient trees grow on the hilltop behind the
the Farmsteads Near Moonbright table.
mill. To notice that the largest tree’s branches look like
four arms raised high and ready to strike: DC 15 WIS
OUT IN THE WOODS
(Insight) check.
Emar Molliner. A short, balding human man in a green Traveling a few miles from Moonbright, the woods are alive
shirt and brown pants walks out of the mill to take a drink with kobold activity. Seemingly, it’s not a question of where to
of water as the PCs approach. He introduces himself as find them, but where to begin.
Emar Molliner, one of the brothers who runs the mill. The
PCs can learn the following from Emar: The kobolds in this area are all part of the same tribe
• If asked about the kobolds, he intimates that he’s suffering from the disease scalemolder (see Appendix), a
unconcerned with the threat they pose. “Kobolds don’t plague that turns their scales green.
care much for bread,” he quips before excusing himself
back inside.

FARMSTEADS NEAR MOONBRIGHT

d6 Farmstead
1 Chana Petir is an old halfling farmer who grows cabbage and turnips. One of her fences was knocked over by heavy winds, and
she can’t rebuild it on her own: DC 12 STR (Athletics) to rebuild fence in an hour. A grateful Chana offers to feed the PCs her
dumplings in cabbage broth, which is rich and delicious.
2 Hasu Bratticevulk is a dwarven adventurer who is trying his hand at farming kale and radicchio. He fears no kobold, but the
yields from his fields have significantly decreased over the latest season: DC 12 INT (Nature) determines that Hasu hasn’t been
properly rotating his crops.
3 Payla Kukurt is a tiefling farmer who grows carrots and parsnips. She believes that kobolds have broken into her root cellar and
stolen much of her harvested crop: DC 12 INT (Nature) determines that rats have infested Payla’s root cellar, and traps should
resolve the issue in about a week.
4 Schulz Asterlae is a half-elf farmer who grows artichoke and endive. He fears that the kobolds have developed a taste for his
crops: DC 12 INT (Nature) determines that gophers (or other mostly innocuous creature at GM’s discretion) have been eating
his crops.
5 Standish Vacalo is a human farmer who grows cauliflower and kohlrabi. He also keeps a dairy cow, Bess, whose milk went sour
because of repeated encounters with kobolds: DC 12 WIS (Animal Handling) calms the creature, and her milk returns to normal
in a few days.
6 Walz Bocina is a dwarven farmer who grows collards and leeks. One of their sheep escaped through the front gate. Walz
fixed the latch, but they don’t have time to track down the lost sheep: DC 12 WIS (Survival) check finds the lamb lounging at a
nearby pond. If offered food, it returns with the PCs without struggle.

TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL 9

 Observations. The following details can be learned while KOBOLD PATROLS
interacting with the kobolds, DC 10 CHA (Persuasion)
Dimly lit woods. Feeling of being watched. Hissed whispers
check, in order:
and clinking weapons.
• The disease is both painful and deadly, and
approximately one quarter of the tribe has already
Beneath the thick canopy of the forest’s old growth, the sun
perished from it.
barely reaches the ground. Here and there, clear evidence of the
• The kobold chieftain, Shov’rakh, consulted with a passage of creatures can be found. Reptilian claw prints, odd
hobgoblin oracle who divined that the cure could sigils etched in tree trunks, shed green scales—all point to the
be found in the sap of an ancient “guardian tree”
presence of kobolds.
somewhere around Moonbright.
• The kobolds have been unable to locate the tree, and the
As the plague spreads through the tribe, the chieftain
chieftain has sent out more and more patrols in an ever-
Shov’rakh drafts any able-bodied kobolds into patrols to
expanding net in hopes of locating the cure.
locate the guardian tree prophesied to be the source of a
cure. These kobolds scour the dimly lit forest half the day
until they are too tired to continue. As further evidence
of their desperation, they’ve even begun exploring the
brightly lit areas.

10 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL

 RANDOM KOBOLD ENCOUNTER
d6 Encounter
1 Three kobolds round a corner, yipping in a rough Draconic. They throw down their daggers and flee in the opposite direction.
2 The PCs stumble into a hanging net trap (see Appendix). Whether or not the trap catches anyone, four kobolds watching
from atop a mossy boulder nearby screech in Draconic before making a quick escape.
3 Four tired kobolds sleep in a clearing. A fifth kobold is dead, its corpse leaning against a tree. Its oxidized scales have cracked
off its arms and legs. The PCs can inspect the body if they don’t awaken the sleeping kobolds. It’s immediately apparent the
dead kobold was not killed violently: DC 15 WIS (Medicine) check reveals the coloration as a sign of scalemolder, a disease that
affects kobolds (see Appendix).
4 Six kobolds sit in nearby trees, eating cured rat and berries from burlap pouches. If startled, they fall off their branches and
flee immediately.
5 Five kobolds and one kobold sorcerer (use kobold with 21 HP, CHA +3, and can cast burning hands) have their backs to the
PCs while they point at some trees in the woods. If the PCs don’t do anything, this patrol moves along without noticing them.
6 A kobold hatchling nuzzles their deceased parent whose green scales seem to have cracked off. Upon noticing the PCs, it
toddles over to them for comfort: DC 15 WIS (Medicine) check reveals the coloration as a sign of scalemolder, a disease that
affects kobolds (see Appendix). The hatchling is currently unaffected by the disease. (This is Luna, sister of Cliff from the
kobold camp.)

Tracking the Kobold Tribe. While traveling through the • The kobolds are searching for something in the woods.
woods, the PCs come across signs of the kobold patrols: DC • The kobolds are suffering from some sickness or
18 WIS (Survival) check (three successes or GM’s discretion) plague that is killing them.
to follow them and track down the tribe. If they fail one of
The PCs might reasonably conclude that they could
these checks by 5 or more, roll 1d6 and consult the Random
promise to help the kobolds find whatever it is they’re
Kobold Encounter table as they meet kobolds.
searching for in exchange for their departure from the
Encountering a Kobold Patrol. When the PCs stumble
region. The PCs might even be bold enough to approach
upon a kobold patrol, make it clear to the players that
the tribe with this solution.
the kobolds appear sickly, their scales crusty and green.
Additionally, despite none of the kobolds speaking
Common, except the kobold sorcerer, it’s obvious that the
kobolds don’t want a fight, and they will flee at the first
opportunity. If the PCs don’t press a fight, the encounters CONVINCING CLIFF
should be very brief. Should the PCs explain their plan to Cliff, the kobold
After an Encounter. If an encounter ends with the kobolds might bring it to the chief, but this is Cliff’s first chance
fleeing, the PCs take a cumulative +1 to future WIS to confront the hated “big folk.” Depending on the PCs’
(Survival) checks to track down the tribe. If an encounter approach, convincing Cliff might be an easy or hard task.
ends with the PCs slaying the kobolds, the DC to convince If the PCs Killed Any Kobolds in the Woods. By
the kobold enforcer Cliff to speak with the chieftain making three DC 14 CHA (Deception) checks before three
increases by 2 (maximum DC 22). failures, the PCs convince Cliff of their good intentions.
Increase the DC by 2 for each kobold encounter where
KOBOLD CAMP they attacked any kobolds (maximum DC 22). If they
fail, Cliff will escort the PCs to the chief, but they must
Deeper into the forest, the kobolds have gathered in a broad surrender their weapons, shields, and spellcasting focuses.
clearing that appears to have been logged long ago. Most of the If the PCs Didn’t Kill Any Kobolds in the Woods. By
kobolds look too ill to put up much of a fight. making three DC 12 CHA (Persuasion) checks before three
failures, the PCs convince Cliff of their good intentions. If
Approximately 300 kobolds currently mill about in a they fail, Cliff will escort the PCs to the chief, but they must
makeshift camp in a broad clearing. Many are in various surrender their weapons, shields and spellcasting focuses.
stages of the scalemolder that afflicts the tribe. If the PCs Are Caring for the Kobold Hatchling They
By this point, the PCs should recognize the following Found. Cliff automatically believes the PCs, and any hatred
information: instantly washes away because they’ve safely returned
• The kobolds are not looking to trouble the town. their hatchling sister Luna.

TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL 11


OAKEN SENTINEL
This ancient tree was planted by Mossbeard long before
he left the region. The tree was planted near an entrance
to the Underworld and was instructed to protect the
surface from any undead that might emerge to threaten
the nascent woodlands. It ignores all living creatures in its
reach. (Should any undead creature approach within 100
feet of the tree while it still lives, the tree animates as a
treant, see Appendix, and attacks the undead.)
Once its sap is harvested, the oaken sentinel dies.
Without the protector, undead creep to the surface. This
kickstarts the events in Part 2 of this adventure.
Any attempt at communication with the kobolds will
have them directed toward Cliff, the tribe’s enforcer, one of
the few of the tribe that knows Common. Cliff will decide
when and if to consult with the chief.
NPCs. See also NPCs in the Appendix for more
information on Cliff the Enforcer and Chief Shov’rakh.
FINDING THE SAP
Asking around town or a bit of deduction leads to the trail
of the restorative sap, the only hope to cure the kobolds. The
PCs can return to Moonbright to ask about a “four‑armed
tree,” or the PCs may have already seen it for themselves on
the hill behind Mossbeard Mill:
• A merchant at the tavern recalls that there’s a tree that
matches this description on the hill behind Mossbeard
Mill: DC 15 INT (Investigation) check. On a failure, the
merchant’s memory can be jogged with 5 gp.
• The PCs can also ask any farmers they might have
helped from the Farmsteads Near Moonbright table,
who can provide the location of this local landmark,
sending the PCs off with a basket of fresh produce and
a baked good.
Harvesting Process. Upon reaching the mill, the PCs find
that the Molliner brothers aren’t home. They can freely
climb the hill behind the mill and approach the four-armed
tree, known locally as the oaken sentinel:
• To harvest five gallons of the sap: DC 15 INT (Nature)
check. On a failure, they instead are only able to harvest
three gallons.
MILESTONE
After providing the kobolds with the cure would be a good
place to level up to 3rd level if using milestone leveling.
12 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL
Healing the Tribe. Upon returning to the tribe, the
kobold healers begin to distill the sap into a medicine and
distribute it to the 300 surviving kobolds:
• Each gallon of sap collected cures 60 kobolds. Chief
Shov’rakh may need to decide who lives and who dies
and will sacrifice himself so another may live.
• No matter whether Shov’rakh lives or dies, the kobolds
honor the chieftain’s agreement. The PCs receive 100
gp in assorted gems and the “wizard’s ring,” which is a
ring of deceiver’s warning (see Appendix).
Approximately one week after the tribe departs, Mayor
Ranit honors her promise to pay the PCs for ridding the
town of the kobolds. Knowing that the PCs brokered a deal
with the tribe, she warns them that they’re responsible if
the kobolds subsequently return to the area.
PART 2: MISSING PIECES
After obtaining the curative sap from the oaken sentinel,
and likely resting in Moonbright, the PCs soon learn of
three new dilemmas facing the town:
• Missing Woodcutters. Farther from town, the
woodcutters’ camp has been ransacked by a hulking
plant creature, which carried away most of the
woodcutters. The PCs have the opportunity to negotiate
the safe release of the prisoners.
• Runaway Barge. An abandoned, scorched barge slams
into Moonbright’s docks, launching stevedores and
merchants into the river. The mayor hires the PCs to
investigate, during which they cross paths with a green
hag.
• Secret Impostors. Favienne Northcord visits the PCs
because her parents have gone missing. The PCs have
the opportunity to solve a longstanding town mystery
before the ghouls make their play.
The PCs can complete the first two quests in any order,
but the third encounter should occur after the first two
since it leads directly into Part 3 of the adventure.
MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE
The oaken sentinel behind the mill was the last of the
protectors planted by Mossbeard before he left to travel
distant lands, and by harvesting its sap, the PCs have
killed it. Sensing the death of this last sentinel, Mossbeard
returns and attacks the woodcutters’ camp, leveling the
buildings and carrying away many of the woodcutters.
A few woodcutters escaped, including Barzyli, and their
fate will be revealed in Part 3.
PRESENTING THE QUEST
Having returned to Moonbright, the PCs may learn of the
ransacking of the woodcutters’ camp from either of two
sources:
• Dragon’s Thirst Tavern. Ebrill is worried sick about her
boyfriend, Barzyli. He didn’t return when he promised,
and now none of the woodcutters will talk to her. She
has seen Bartos, the woodcutter foreman, in town and
believes he knows what happened to Barzyli.
• Mayor’s Office. While settling their debts, Yara asks the
PCs if they’re interested in more work. She explains
that she saw Bartos in town, uncharacteristically shaky.
But he refused to tell her what had happened, saying he
would only talk to “those adventurers who just floated
into town.”
FROM HERE . . .
Woodcutters’ retreat (see Area 5), across the river to meet
with Bartos.
WOODCUTTERS’ RETREAT
Glum. Quiet. The fun and life of this place has evaporated.
Laughter once erupted from the cabins across the river. Now the
scene is silent as dejected woodcutters gather their things.
The woodcutters’ retreat is now a somber and melancholic
place. As the PCs approach, Bartos is shouting at another
woodcutter who is leaving with his meager belongings tied
in a bindle over his shoulder. Other woodcutters look on as
they pack their tools and effects.
Talking to Bartos. Bartos freely relates the following:
• Bartos discovered the camp flattened. No bodies were
found, and Bartos assumes the worst.
• He reluctantly ordered the remaining woodcutters back
to Moonbright.
• Offers 100 gp for investigating or 300 gp if the PCs can
find and save any survivors. Provides directions to the
ruined woodcutters’ camp.
FROM HERE . . .
Ruined woodcutters’ camp (not on map), off in the woods
east of the retreat.
HARBINGER OF FUTURE EVENTS
Six woodcutters, including Barzyli, fled Mossbeard’s
rampage. Reaching the Northcord, they encountered
ghouls, who slew all but Barzyli, who was in turn seriously
wounded and knocked unconscious during the encounter.
The ghouls’ leader, Honus, animated the dead as zombies.
Already significantly wounded, Barzyli managed to feign
his own unlife, blending in with his deceased comrades.
The PCs are unable to locate the woodcutters in this part
of the adventure. Barzyli and the five zombies re-enter
Moonbright in Part 3.
RUINED WOODCUTTERS’ CAMP
Obliterated cabin. Splintered wood. Upturned soil.
The structures that once marked the woodcutters’ camp are
utterly destroyed. Flinders of the buildings and fences are
scattered, smashed into the wet, upturned earth. Not even the
birds are chirping.
Three hours east of Moonbright, the woodcutters’ camp is
just as Bartos described it—absolutely razed:
• Blood stains the scattered debris. The blood seems to
be less than might be expected: DC 14 WIS (Medicine)
check. A positive sign that maybe everyone hasn’t been
slaughtered.
• Ground littered with cracked and shattered lumber.
Only skeletal corners and crossbeams are left standing.
Something massive attacked the woodcutters’ camp:
DC 12 INT (Nature) check.
• Violently tilled earth. Something has been uprooted
from the earth: DC 14 INT (Nature) check.
FROM HERE . . .
Mossbeard’s clearing (not on map), following droplets of
blood or faint barefoot prints in the upturned soil, leading
north away from the camp.
MOSSBEARD’S CLEARING
Logging site. Stacked wood. Anger of the forest.
The trail from the woodcutters’ camp leads across muddy soil
and burnt undergrowth to a clearing with a massive, gnarled
tree, surrounded by dozens of stumps. Unconscious loggers are
slumped against the tree’s roots.
Mossbeard (use treant stats as needed), currently rooted
and immobile and appearing as nothing more than a
TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL 13

MOSSBEARD
If at all needed for Mossbeard, use the stats for a
treant (see Appendix). However, he is a unique
force of nature and cannot be killed. If the party starts
attacking Mossbeard, consider implying that their
efforts have no impact and that perhaps a different
course of action is required.
massive tree in the center of the clearing, recovers his
expended energy before determining the woodcutters’
punishment for logging his woods:
• 10 invisible sprites protect the slumbering Mossbeard
and the captured loggers. Half of the sprites have the
following attack: Elemental Shortbow. Ranged Weapon
Attack: +6 to hit, range 40/160 ft., one target. Hit: 1
piercing damage and 4 (1d8) fire, cold, acid or thunder
damage (sprite’s choice).
• Recently logged. Stacks of freshly cut timber in the
northeastern corner of the clearing: DC 10 INT
(Nature) or WIS (Perception) check.
• The tree in the center of the clearing is no mere tree:
DC 14 INT (Nature) check.
The sprites swarm around Mossbeard, using the treant’s
mighty trunk as cover. They will attack the PCs before
turning invisible the following round. This cycle continues
until either the start of a turn with five or fewer surviving
sprites or when the PCs have all fallen unconscious. At this
point, a furious Mossbeard awakens, along with the 10
woodcutter captives, and demands attention:
• Barzyli is not among the prisoners: DC 12 INT
(Investigation) or WIS (Perception) check.
• Mossbeard is emotional but would rather talk than
fight (which is good because he would destroy the
PCs). He will defend himself though, and if pushed
to his breaking point, he might even lash out (GM’s
discretion), at which point the PCs’ only option is to
flee—perhaps awaiting cooler heads after enough time.
EMPTY BARGE
One afternoon, an unmanned barge slams into
Moonbright’s docks, launching stevedores into the river.
14 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL
CRASH AND BURN
Sweltering hot autumn day in Moonbright. Hustle and bustle.
Dock workers drip with sweat as they hoist crates from ships.
Business at the marketplace booms, despite the heat. Townsfolk
swap news with visitors and carry out their day-to-day tasks.
The PCs attend to their own business in town (see Areas
1–6), unaware that disaster is about to strike. Ask what
the PCs are up to on this boiling-hot day in a town where
they’ve become increasingly popular, taking a special note
of any PCs that are at the docks or the marketplace and
of any NPCs they are interacting with. PCs closer to the
docks will be able to respond to the unfolding disaster more
quickly, and NPCs nearby are at risk:
• To notice an unmanned barge cruising toward the docks,
too fast to stop: DC 13 WIS (Perception) check. To then
alert folks nearby: DC 15 CHA (Persuasion) check.
If the PCs alerted people around the docks, only three fall
into the water and begin to drown when the barge crashes.
Otherwise, six fall in and begin to drown. The encounter
ends if the PCs rescue all those drowning or after 12 rounds
have passed from the start of the encounter:
• Any drowning victims not saved at the end of 12
rounds die.
• Getting from the marketplace to the docks takes 2
rounds. Getting from anywhere else in Moonbright to
the docks takes 5 rounds.
• PCs must dive into the river to save those drowning: DC
15 Strength (Athletics) check, taking 2 rounds, saves one
victim. Rope grants advantage on check but requires 5
rounds to prepare.
In the aftermath, the PCs can investigate the barge, solidly
wedged into the docks:
• Below deck, three metal cages lie open. They are large
enough for a Medium creature, and the locks appear to
have melted away, which may also explain the charring
everywhere below deck.
• There are claw marks on the deck, which look to be
recent: DC 12 INT (Investigation) or WIS (Perception).
To identify the claw marks as consistent with a large
canid: DC 14 INT (Nature) check.
• There are no creatures, alive or dead, on the ship.
• Most of the crews’ belongings are still on the barge.
Notably, the PCs find a map of the Western Wilds, and
there is a large red X on it, marked “Nargoth.”
Presenting the Quest. Mayor Yara Ranit waits for the PCs
to conclude their inspection of the barge before inviting
them back to her office. She politely asks for their findings,
MOSSBEARD (HE/HIM, LEGENDARY TREANT AND LABYRINTH WALKER )

Massive and gnarled. Slow, monotonous voice. Concluding Negotiations. What happens next depends
Unstoppable force of nature. on how convincing the PCs were:

Found initially in Mossbeard’s clearing (not on map).
Personality Traits: Direct, deliberate, unforgiving.
Bonds: The forest. An epoch ago, Mossbeard planted
every progenitor tree in this region, and he still guards it
like a grandfather.
Flaws: Refuses to acknowledge just how long he’s
been away from the area.
Wants: To stop the creatures from logging and
destroying his offspring.
• If Mossbeard is convinced, he deputizes the
“younger lineages” of the region with protecting the
forest and releases the woodcutters to the PCs.
• If Mossbeard is not quite convinced, he reluctantly
releases the woodcutters to the PCs. However,
Mossbeard promises that he will visit this
“Moonbright” and speak with their “leader” about
restitution for his friends—just as soon as he’s done
resting his eyes.

Talking to Mossbeard: Mossbeard freely relates the Resolution. The PCs return to Moonbright with the
following: surviving woodcutters. Bartos is elated that most of his
comrades have returned and makes good on his promise
• He captured the woodcutters and carried them back
to pay the PCs. However, Ebrill is distraught that Barzyli
here to the scene of their crimes.
is still missing, even if she puts on a brave face.
• He was not napping. Rather, he was resting his eyes
while contemplating the appropriate punishment
for the woodcutters.
• He would much rather crush each PC for attacking
his sprite allies, but he recognizes that more
humanoids are bound to investigate, and he has
grown weary of squashing bugs.
• He’s returned because the last of his arboreal
guardians has perished. He no longer remembers
what the guardians were protecting against.
• Upon returning, this clearing of fallen trees was
the first thing he encountered. He tracked the
woodcutters down and razed their home in revenge.
Negotiating with Mossbeard. The PCs must negotiate
with Mossbeard for the woodcutters’ freedom. Keep the
following in mind during any negotiations:
• Intimidation does not work on Mossbeard, and he
does not take kindly to idle threats from folks who
don’t even reach his knothole.
• Mossbeard wants to know what is happening in
his woods. Useful information will go a long way in
persuading him to show mercy.
• Mossbeard will patiently listen to any proposals to
engage in sustainable logging practices aimed at
reducing thick foliage instead of clear cutting.
• The woodcutters will promise anything to ensure
their freedom, but if they promise to give up their
trade, it’s a lie.

TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL 15


RAISING THE STAKES: WHO FELL IN?
Most likely, the stevedores fell into the water since they
are regularly in this area. To make this encounter more
meaningful, include one or more of the NPCs that the
PCs were speaking with at the start of the scene.
so she can formulate a plan of action. After hearing their
report, Yara freely explains the following:
• She wants the PCs to investigate the fate of the captain
and crew. She offers to pay the PCs 750 gp for the
task, which is the estimated value of the barge she’s
impounded, minus the cost to repair the docks.
• The incident is not good for Moonbright’s commerce.
She is concerned that the barge was attacked. The
barge, which was expected (captained by an elf named
16 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL
Blanquard Urhanroot), came from the south on the
Northcord River.
• The mayor can arrange for the loan of mules to make
travel easier.
Area 8: Sandy Bank
Sandy shore. Animal prints. Entrance to enchanted woods.
A deep gouge in the sandy beach is slowly being washed away by
the lapping river. A natural archway in the woods beyond seems
to beckon any who look upon it.
The imprint of a barge that ran aground scars the eastern
bank of the Northcord River (see Area 8):
• Animal prints surround the imprint of the barge:
DC 10 WIS (Survival) check. To identify the prints
as unnaturally large wolf or bear prints: DC 14 INT
(Nature) check.
 LAEVIS (THEY/THEM, GREEN HAG )

Auburn hair. Teakwood nails. Dress knit from leaves and flower
blossoms.

Found typically in the fey circle (see Area 12).

Personality Traits: Aloof, cunning, magical.
Bonds: Creatures of the forest. Laevis has claimed this region
of woodlands to be under their protection.
Flaws: They can be overzealous in protecting the region, which
can lead to rash decisions.
Wants: To protect the woodlands around the fey circle.
Talking to Laevis: Laevis freely relates the following:
• Laevis couldn’t have the barge polluting their view of the
river, so their animal friends pushed it back into the river
once it was cleared.
• Laevis views the fey circle as their home on both the Material
Plane and in the Summer Lands.
• They plotted with their woodland friends to stop the barge
from smuggling hell hounds north through their territory.
But the fiends escaped while Laevis’s allies overwhelmed the
crew, pulling them from the boat.
• Laevis is stuck between a rock and a hard place since they
may need to barter the “criminals” (sailors and barge captain)
in order to get support in eliminating the hell hounds.
• Once they recognize the PCs’ strength and principles, Laevis
makes an offer: if the PCs can kill the hell hounds, then
Laevis will release the sailors and the captain. They demand
some trophy or other proof of success from the PCs before
releasing the crew.

FROM HERE . . . ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

Enter the faerie trail (see Areas 9–11) through the natural
archway.
Area 9–11: Faerie Trail
Scattered stone circles. Luminous moths. Virulent life.
These woods are unlike anything else around Moonbright.
The leaves explode with hues of lavender, pink, and turquoise.
Occasionally, the dense woods open onto clearings marked by
loose stone circles.
As the PCs proceed through Areas 9–11, they encounter
animal allies of the green hag. Roll 1d6 for each of the
three areas and consult the Animal Encounters table (or
determine alternative Beast adversaries). These creatures
are not under Laevis’s direct control but are allied and have
common goals.
d6 Animal Allies
1 A swarm of rats attacks each PC, who must succeed on
a DC 12 DEX save or have all that PC’s rations eaten.
2 Five giant rats assail the PCs’ ankles.
3 Six scorpions sting the PCs as they hurry down the path.
The scorpions flee as soon as they’re attacked.
4 Three golden mastiffs chase the PCs. The mastiffs try to
wrestle the PCs to the ground for Laevis.
5 Two dozen ravens caw at the PCs from nearby trees.
Each PC that can hear the ravens must succeed on a DC
11 WIS save or take 4 (1d8) psychic damage.
6 Two wolves block the path leading farther into the
woods while two more wolves block the path behind. If
the PCs reach for their weapons, the wolves attack.
FROM HERE . . .
Follow the path to the fey circle (see Area 12).

TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL 17

 Area 12: Fey Circle
Swirling winds. Untamed wilds. Old, nameless magic.
Trees and standing stones line an oblong clearing. A crumpled
figure lies tied to the base of each stone.
In the fey circle, the 11 missing sailors and the barge
captain have been bound to trees and standing stones with
purple-leaved vines. At the center, the green hag Laevis
(see Appendix) is visibly distraught and wringing their
hands. They are pacing around the circle, discussing aloud
their plans to solve some problem of their own making.
Tactics. Laevis would rather talk than fight with the PCs,
but they will defend their home. There might be additional
animal allies, or stragglers from previous encounters, that
assist Laevis should hostilities flare (GM’s discretion).
LET SLIP THE HOUNDS OF HELL
Stink of sulfur. Drifting ash. Burnt timber.
The smell of smoke mixes with the acrid stench of sulfur as the
woods give way to a smoldering clearing.
The PCs track two of the three missing hell hounds to a
broad clearing created by wildfires:
• To get the jump on the hell hounds: DC 20 WIS
(Survival) check. On a failure, the PCs arrive at the
clearing, but the hell hounds catch the PCs by surprise.
• After dispatching the first two hell hounds, the PCs
can’t locate the third and must return to the fey circle
only partially successful.
HARBINGER OF FUTURE EVENTS
The barge captain Blanquard Urhanroot was promised
a small fortune if he could deliver three hell hounds.
The recipient of the fiends are cultists who believe they
located the Lost Tomb of Nargoth.
Despite Laevis’s best efforts, all three hell hounds
escaped the barge. Two swam to the eastern shore
of the Northcord River while the third swam to the
western shore. The third hell hound was captured and
infected by the ghouls, who have imprisoned it closer
to Moonbright.
The PCs are unable to locate the third hell hound in
this part of the adventure. However, the infected fiend
makes its way to Moonbright in Part 3.
18 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL
Resolution. Because the PCs are unable to return the third
hell hound, Laevis is not bound to honor their end of the
agreement. However, while the PCs were hunting hell
hounds, the fey spoke with the sailors, who were deathly
afraid of their cargo, so Laevis is willing to release the crew,
provided the greedy captain faces justice for trafficking in
dangerous fiends.
Returning to Moonbright, Mayor Ranit pays the PCs
for this work using assorted gems. While not excited at
the prospect of punishing a barge captain, the mayor
acknowledges it’s both bad luck and in poor taste to flout
the fey. She arranges for transport to the south, so the elf
captain can face punishment.
MISSING FARMERS
Favienne Northcord visits the PCs at the Dragon’s Thirst
Tavern. She is concerned because her parents have been
missing for the past few days and have missed several
appointments for wedding preparations. She hopes that
the PCs can help find them.
While the PCs have been busy, the preparations for the
harvest festival are approaching a fever pitch. At the same
time, local vendors have been preparing for the wedding
of the Northcord and Pumpernickel children. The PCs are
likely to be surprised when Favienne Northcord asks to
meet them at the tavern.
NPCs. See also NPCs in the Appendix for more
information on Favienne.
FALSE MILLERS
The PCs have no difficulty reaching Mossbeard Mill (see
Area 7) since they likely visited earlier in the adventure.
This time, they find both Molliner brothers on the property
and can question them.
Doppelgangers. The brothers are actually doppelgangers
(see Appendix), and their schemes have involved getting
to know farmers and merchants to the point that they can
imperceptibly impersonate them. Once comfortable with
their marks, they kill them and dispose of the bodies. The
doppelgangers then impersonate their victims, selling off
possessions and land before “retiring” to warmer locales.
Emar and Lodar have grown quite wealthy with this
scheme—most recently having sold the Dragon’s Thirst
Tavern to Potro Rayune for quite the fee.
Following the death of the oaken sentinel in Part 1,
Honus and his minions first surfaced and targeted
Mossbeard Mill. As both sides were posturing to fight, the
doppelgangers realized that the ghouls could help dispose
of bodies and promised to provide the ghouls with meat in
exchange for protection—and the ghast agreed. The ghouls
expected their first payment today, which has shrunk the
window for the doppelgangers to learn their victims’ ticks.
 The Deception Unravels. If a PC is wearing the ring of
deceiver’s warning (see Appendix), the stone turns red when
the doppelgangers are nearby. PCs with passive Perception
scores of 12 or higher notice this change as it happens.
Upon realizing that the jig is up, one of the doppelgangers
quips, “Well, it was good while it lasted.” They pull out
their daggers and revert to their true forms, looking to
silence the PCs permanently:
• After dispatching the doppelgangers, the PCs are free to
search the mill, where they find a chest filled with 2,000
gp: DC 12 INT (Investigation) or WIS (Perception)
check. Many Moonbright residents, like Ebrill and
Potro, have a legitimate claim to this wealth.
• Long ago, the doppelgangers agreed that they would
not let themselves be captured by the authorities—so
they will fight to the death.
A LIGHT DESSERT
Having located the doppelgangers’ wealth, the PCs still
need to find the doppelgangers’ latest victims. With a
successful DC 12 INT (Investigation) check, the PCs locate
the unconscious bodies of Asher and Varina in the thickets
along the river in Area 7.
PCs who make successful DC 17 WIS (Perception) checks
also notice two ghouls wading toward the shore.
FROM HERE . . .
The PCs should return to Moonbright with all due haste.
Start Part 3 immediately.

EMAR MOLLINER AND LODAR MOLLINER Emar claims that she might be inside. He goes out
(BOTH HE/HIM, DOPPELGANGER CON ARTISTS ) back, and “Varina” returns about a minute later
wearing her jacket. To notice that Varina’s voice is too
The individuals who present themselves as Emar and
high, she is too tall, and she is wearing Emar’s boots:
Lodar Molliner are not the beloved sons of the Molliner
DC 13 WIS (Perception) check. (If instead pushed
family. Instead, they are doppelgangers who stumbled
to impersonate Asher, Lodar has similar issues: his
across Mossbeard Mill. The doppelgangers spent a season
voice is too low, he looks more like a halfling, and he’s
disguised as workers before killing Emar and Lodar along
wearing Lodar’s boots.)
with their father Rikar. They have spent the last three
years impersonating the brothers in Moonbright.

Found typically at Mossbeard Mill (see Area 7), either

one or both of them.
Personality Traits: Confident, trustable, deceitful.
Bonds: Each other. The doppelgangers always have
each other’s backs.
Flaws: Overconfident. After three years, the
doppelgangers don’t fear the consequences of
their actions.
Wants: To bilk Moonbright for every copper
it’s worth.
Talking to Emar and Lodar: Emar and Lodar
tell the following lies:
• Emar and Lodar claim to be very busy with
preparations for the harvest festival—hanging
garlands, sewing costumes, preparing firepits.
To recall that the brothers haven’t been seen in
town for days: DC 13 WIS (Insight) check.
• If asked about Asher and Varina, Lodar claims
the gnomes haven’t been around in a while. To
notice Emar is wearing Varina’s distinctive
handkerchief: DC 13 WIS (Perception)
check. If asked about the handkerchief,

TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL 19

 PART 3: DEATH COMES CREEPING
Returning to Moonbright, the PCs find the town under
assault by zombies, rats, ghouls, and a hell hound. Honus
captures the mayor and takes her back to the mill.

ASSAULT ON MOONBRIGHT

In the approach to Moonbright, the gates are visibly ajar.

Frightened cries erupt from the docks, the marketplace—even
the temple.

Honus, the necrophage ghast, had centuries to

plot and scheme while imprisoned under the hill
behind Mossbeard Mill. Finally freed, the ghouls
gorged on local fish, animals, and anyone foolish
enough to cross their path. But now it’s time to
feast on Moonbright (see Areas 1–6).
The first three encounters can occur in any
order, but the Cloaked Ghouls encounter
should happen last.

WOODCUTTER ZOMBIES
Six figures stagger through town over the bridge spanning
the Saber River: five are zombies (the animated missing
woodcutters from Part 2), and the sixth is Barzyli,
friend to Bartos Rey and partner to the waitress Ebrill
Perelbacher. All stagger into Moonbright:
• Barzyli, the woodcutter, is wounded and only has 1
hit point. He has survived by impersonating a zombie
for the last several days. To realize Barzyli is still alive:
DC 13 INT (Religion), WIS (Medicine), or DC 15 WIS
(Perception) check.
INFECTED HELL HOUND
Honus expended no small effort in capturing the third hell
hound that escaped the empty barge, and it is currently
infected by ghoul hunger (see ghoul stats). The hell hound is
currently attacking merchants in the marketplace.
SWARMING RATS
A disguised ghoul tossed canvas sacks full of rats into the
temple before heading off to the tavern. There are currently
four swarms of rats infesting the temple:
• Coridon is ineffectually trying to deal with the
situation. A swarm flees if it starts its turn with 10 hit
points or fewer.
CLOAKED GHOULS
After infiltrating Moonbright, four ghouls met at the
Dragon’s Thirst Tavern, where they were greeted by the
frantic barking of Potro’s dog Spiedie. No one heeded
the dog’s warning though, and Potro eventually locked
Spiedie upstairs.
While the zombies, rats, and hell hound terrorize the
rest of the town, the ghouls are biding their time for what
seems the right moment, and then they throw off their
capes and dine on the patrons:
• If the PCs are not faring well in a fight here, Potro
(veteran) enters the fray with his trusty longsword.
• Searching the ghouls’ bodies, the PCs find a folded-up
sheet of paper in one of their pockets that instructs
them to attack Moonbright and bring bodies back to
the mill—presumably Mossbeard Mill.
FROM HERE . . .
Follow the ghouls’ trail back to Mossbeard Mill (see
Showdown at Mossbeard Mill).
SHOWDOWN AT MOSSBEARD MILL
Upon exiting the tavern, Bartos Rey approaches the PCs,
axe in hand. He confirms the threats around Moonbright
are largely quieted. However, a woodcutter saw someone
on horseback with the tied-up mayor, riding over the
bridge toward Mossbeard Mill (see Area 7).

20 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL

BOSS FIGHT

Crawling with undead. Rotten flesh. Churning river.
As boots clop over the small footbridge, a husky voice calls
out: “Adventurers! You will not deny me what I am owed!”
Hungering eyes turn in unison.
MAKING IT PERSONAL: CAPTIVES
The ghoul has captured the mayor and absconded to the
mill to provide Honus with some additional leverage over
Moonbright’s defenders. If the players never connected
with the mayor, feel free to substitute another NPC that
would have a greater impact.

The necrophage ghast (see Appendix, can also cast the

animate dead ritual once per day), Honus, has summoned
his remaining forces back to Mossbeard Mill. With his plan
to overrun Moonbright failed, he is regrouping with the
intention of infecting the mayor.
Honus has two ghouls and six zombies at his disposal.
These restless undead hunger, and Mayor Ranit is to be the
meal. She is imprisoned inside the millhouse.
CONCLUDING THE ADVENTURE
Despite recent events, the harvest festival goes off as
planned—and the PCs are now guests of honor. Because
of their recent brush with death, Moonbright’s residents
celebrate more joyously than they have in decades.
Mossbeard in the Bark. If the PCs failed to completely
persuade Mossbeard in Part 2, the treant visits
Moonbright during the harvest festival. After the shock
and subsequent novelty wear off, he drinks an entire barrel
of brown ale to calm everyone’s nerves. Later, Mossbeard is
seen talking with the mayor about how Moonbright might
replace his arboreal protectors.
Marriage Is What Brings Us Together. Three days after
the harvest festival, Favienne and Chevel are married in the
marketplace in the presence of all their parents, friends, and
protectors. The food and dancing are excellent.
After the woodcutter recovers, Ebrill and Barzyli decide to
tie the knot a few weeks later. The intimate ceremony is held
in the temple, and the PCs are among the select few invited.
Tavern Troubles. Upon learning of the doppelgangers’
scheme and the true fate of the Perelbachers, Potro is filled
with remorse, and after the wedding, Potro promises Ebrill
half the tavern in a business partnership. Ebrill agrees on
the condition that they rename it.
Where to Next? The PCs might now follow the map
towards the X to discover what “Nargoth” has to offer.
Otherwise, they might commission a barge south toward
more civilized lands or blaze north into the wilds.

HONUS (HE/HIM, NECROPHAGE GHAST )

Half-elf in life. Emaciated. Centuries-old decaying

flesh barely clinging to bones. Shriveled eyes
devoid of mercy.

Found typically at Mossbeard Mill (see Area 7).

Personality Traits: Cruel, insatiable, vengeful.
Bonds: None. A thousand years of
imprisonment have broken all bonds.
Flaws: Famished. Honus spent an epoch
trapped under an oaken sentinel where he
couldn’t eat. He is making up for lost time, often
snacking on corpses before animating their flesh.
Wants: To kill his enemies, eat their flesh, and
raise their corpses.
Talking to Honus: Honus doesn’t talk with
the PCs—this is not the time for small talk.
However, he will taunt the PCs occasionally,
reminding them that he has their mayor.

TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL 21

 Appendix
Game rules required for running this adventure and not
found in Tales of the Valiant Alpha Release can be found here.
DISEASES & HAZARDS
The world past those comforting doors is not always on
your side. There will be obstacles on your journey, and you
must be prepared.
Scalemolder
Disease
An infectious disease transmitted via touch that only
affects adult kobolds. Those infected develop a green
coating on their scales and an intolerable itchiness. As the
disease progresses, the coating covers the entirety of their
body and causes the victim to scratch themselves raw. In its
final stages, the kobold’s scales fall off and slowly turn to
dust, revealing the raw flesh below.
Trigger: A fully grown kobold comes in contact with
another creature that is infected with or carries scalemolder.
Effects: When an infected target starts a long rest, it
must succeed on a DC 15 CON save or gain one level of
exhaustion. With a CON save of 9 or less, the creature
instead gains two levels of exhaustion.
Resolution: Scalemolder can only be cured by salves
prepared from the sap of oaken sentinels.
22 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL
MAGIC ITEMS
Many are the treasures you’ll find along your journeys.
Snatch them up and guard them close, for they might
someday save your life.
Ring of Deceiver’s Warning
Ring, Common
This copper ring is set with a round stone of blue quartz.
While you wear the ring, the stone's color changes to red if
a creature with the Shapechanger tag comes within 30 feet
of you.
MONSTERS
The world is filled with an amazing assortment of
creatures, both magical and mundane. So confrontation is
inevitable, whether through hostility or misunderstanding.
Know your world and you will know yourself.
Doppelganger CR 3
Medium Monstrosity (Shapechanger)
Armor Class 14
Hit Points 80
Speed 30 ft.
Perception 13 Stealth 16
Immune charmed
Senses darkvision 60 ft.
Languages Common, telepathy 60 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
+0 +4 +2 +0 +3 +4
Convincing Mimicry (Humanoid Form Only). The
doppelganger can mimic any Humanoid’s body and voice
it has seen and heard nearly perfectly. A creature very
familiar with the individual Humanoid the doppelganger is
pretending to be can tell the doppelganger is an imitation
with a successful DC 20 WIS (Insight) check.
Revealed Intentions. While reading a creature’s mind, the
doppelganger has advantage on CHA checks against the
creature, knows the creature’s current mood, and knows if
the creature speaks a lie. In addition, the doppelganger has
advantage on attack rolls against the creature.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The doppelganger makes two Slam or Psychic
Bolt attacks.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Psychic Bolt. Ranged Spell Attack: +4 to hit, range 60 ft., one
target. Hit: 13 (2d10 + 2) psychic damage.
 Green Hag CR 3
Medium Fey
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 76
Speed 30 ft.
Perception 14 Stealth 13
Resistant Fey Resilience
Senses darkvision 60 ft.
Languages Common, Sylvan

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

+4 +1 +3 +1 +2 +6

Amphibious. The hag can breathe air and water.

Fey Resilience. The hag is resistant to the charmed and
unconscious conditions.
Mimicry. The hag can mimic animal sounds and humanoid
voices. A creature that hears the sounds can tell they are
imitations with a successful DC 14 WIS (Insight) check.
Speak with Beasts. The hag can communicate with Beasts as
if they shared a language.

ACTIONS
Multiattack. The hag makes two Claw or Torment attacks.
If two attacks hit one creature, the target must succeed on
a DC 14 WIS save or be overwhelmed with pain and have
disadvantage on attack rolls until the end of its next turn.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage.
Torment. Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, range 60 ft., one
target. Hit: 14 (3d6 + 4) psychic damage.

BONUS ACTIONS
Change Shape. The doppelganger transforms into a Small
or Medium Humanoid it has seen or back into its true
form, which is Monstrosity. Its statistics, other than its size
and speed, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is
wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true
form if it dies.
Read Thoughts. The doppelganger magically reads the
surface thoughts—what is foremost in the mind at the
moment—of one creature within 60 feet of it. The effect can
penetrate barriers, but 3 feet of wood or dirt, 2 feet of stone,
2 inches of metal, or a thin sheet of lead blocks it. While the
target is in range, the doppelganger can continue reading
the target’s thoughts until its concentration is broken (as
if concentrating on a spell) or it uses Read Thoughts on a
different target.
MODIFYING MONSTERS
The monsters here are presented in advance of the release
of Monster Vault—and though they may still change, they
are presented as currently intended for that release. Two
of them, the green hag and the treant, are intended to
be non-combat encounters in this adventure, Trouble at
Mossbeard Mill, but it’s of course not always possible to
avoid combat, hence their inclusion. However, both have
the ability to summon other creatures that are beyond the
scope of this adventure (and simply haven’t been finalized
for publication yet). So should combat erupt unexpectedly
for these creatures, feel free to substitute with Beasts from
Tales of the Valiant Alpha Release:
• For the green hag’s Poisonous Allies, replace the listed
creatures with 2 wolves or 2d4 mastiffs or giant rats.
• For the treant’s Animate Trees, replace the listed
creatures with 2d4 wolves or 2d6 ravens.

TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL 23

 Poisonous Allies (1/Day). The hag magically calls 1 giant
spider, 2 giant poisonous snakes, or 2d4 poisonous snakes.
The creatures arrive in 1d4 rounds, acting as allies of the hag
and obeying its spoken commands. The creatures remain for
1 hour, until the hag dies, or until the hag dismisses them as
a bonus action.
Invisible Passage. The hag magically turns invisible until
it attacks or casts a spell, or until its concentration ends
(as if concentrating on a spell). While invisible, it leaves no
physical evidence of its passage and can be tracked only by
magic. Any equipment it wears or carries is also invisible.
Spellcasting. The hag casts one of the following spells,
requiring no material components and using CHA as the
spellcasting ability (spell save DC 14).
At will: dancing lights, minor illusion
1/day: bestow curse
BONUS ACTIONS
Illusory Appearance. The hag covers itself and anything it
is wearing or carrying with a magical illusion that makes it
look like another creature of its general size and humanoid
shape. The illusion ends if the hag takes a bonus action to
end it or if it dies.
The changes wrought by this effect fail to hold up to
physical inspection. For example, the hag could appear to
have smooth skin, but someone touching it would feel its
rough flesh. Otherwise, a creature must take an action to
visually inspect the illusion and succeed on a DC 20 INT
(Investigation) check to discern that the hag is disguised.
Necrophage Ghast CR 4
Medium Undead
Armor Class 16 (Arcane Infusion)
Hit Points 75
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
Perception 10 Stealth 13
Resistant necrotic
Immune charmed | Undead Resilience
Senses darkvision 60 ft.
Languages Common
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
+0 +2 +2 +6 +0 −1
Arcane Infusion. While the ghast is conscious and wearing
no armor and wielding no shield, it adds its INT modifier to
its AC (included above).
Hungry Dead Nature. The ghast doesn’t require air or sleep.
In addition, it must consume at least 2 pounds of raw meat
every 24 hours, or it loses its immunity to exhaustion and
risks starvation until it does so. While it has any levels of
exhaustion from starvation, the ghast can’t remove levels of
exhaustion until it consumes at least 4 pounds of raw meat.
Necrophage Stench. A creature that starts its turn within
30 feet of the ghast must succeed on a DC 14 CON save
or have disadvantage on all saves against spells cast by
the ghast for 1 minute. If a creature’s save is successful or
24 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL
the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the ghast’s
Necrophage Stench for the next 24 hours.
Spider Climb. The ghast can climb difficult surfaces,
including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make
an ability check.
Turning Defiance. The ghast and any ghouls within 30
feet of it have advantage on saves against effects that turn
undead.
Undead Resilience. The ghast is immune to poison damage,
to exhaustion, and to the poisoned condition.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The ghast makes one Bite attack and two Claw
attacks, or it makes three Arcane Blast attacks. It can replace
one Bite attack or two Arcane Blast attacks with a use of
Spellcasting.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) force damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage. If the target is a
creature that isn’t a Construct or Undead, it must succeed on
a DC 14 CON save or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target
can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending
the effect on itself on a success.
Arcane Blast. Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, range 120 ft.,
one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) force damage.
Spellcasting. The ghast casts one of the following spells,
requiring no material components and using INT as the
spellcasting ability (spell save DC 14).
Cantrips (at will): guidance, mage hand, prestidigitation
3/day each: command, charm person, hold person,
ray of enfeeblement
1/day each: fear, invisibility (self only)
Treant CR 9
Huge Plant
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 185
Speed 30 ft.
Perception 17 Stealth 9
Vulnerable fire
Resistant bludgeoning, piercing | Plant Resilience
Senses tremorsense 30 ft.
Languages Common, Druidic, Elvish, Sylvan
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
+6 −1 +9 +1 +7 +1
False Appearance. While the treant remains motionless, it is
indistinguishable from a normal tree.
Plant Resilience. The treant is resistant to exhaustion and to
the paralyzed, petrified, and unconscious conditions.
Siege Monster. The treant deals double damage to objects
and structures.
Speak with Plants. The treant can communicate with Plants
and nonmagical plants as if they shared a language.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The treant makes three Slam attacks, or it makes
two Throw Rock attacks. If two Slam attacks hit one creature,
the target must succeed on a DC 17 STR save or be knocked
prone.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 22 (4d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage.
Throw Rock. Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, range
60/180 ft., one target. Hit: 33 (5d10 + 6) bludgeoning
damage.
Animate Trees (1/Day). The treant magically animates 2
trees or 2d6 shrubs it can see within 60 feet of it. The trees
use the statistics of an awakened tree, and the shrubs use
the statistics of an awakened shrub. The animated plants act
NPCS
Oh, the characters you’ll meet along the way. Whatever happens, they will certainly make your life more interesting.
CLIFF (THEY/THEM, KOBOLD ENFORCER )
Young leader. Stands half a head taller than most
other kobolds. Wields a woodcutter's hand axe.
Suffering from the early symptoms of scalemolder.
Found typically in the kobold camp (not on map).
Personality Traits: Firm, powerful, doting.
Bonds: Their hatchling sister, Luna. Their mother
took Luna into the woods when she became too ill,
and Cliff is worried sick about her fate. (Luna is the
hatchling in the Random Kobold Encounter table.)
CHIEF SHOV’RAKH (THEY/THEM, KOBOLD CHIEF )
Short. Classy clothing and a regal headdress crafted by
an elven tailor once rescued by the tribe. Extremely itchy
and tired, in the final throes of scalemolder.
Found exclusively in the kobold camp (not on map).
Personality Traits: Pragmatic, protective, resourceful.
Bonds: Faith in the Great Grand-Dragon,
the tribe’s patron deity.
Flaws: Distrusts the big people who aren’t elves.
Wants: A cure for the tribe.
Talking to the Chief: Shov’rakh freely relates
the following:
• About a month ago, the first tribe member
contracted scalemolder (see Appendix). This spread
throughout the tribe quickly, and nearly a quarter of
the tribe has already perished from it.
as allies of the treant, obeying its spoken commands. The
plants remain for 1 hour, until the treant dies, or until the
treant dismisses them as a bonus action.
BONUS ACTIONS
Halt Intruders. The treant calls to the roots beneath up to
two creatures it can see within 30 feet of it. Each target must
succeed on a DC 17 STR save or be restrained by roots until
the end of its next turn. The treant can target only creatures
in contact with the ground and can’t target creatures in
contact with a manufactured floor, such as the wooden floor
of a building.
Flaws: Slow to admit they’re wrong.
Wants: To hear the big people admit that they caused
the plague.
Talking to Cliff: As Chief Shov’rakh’s nephew, they
learned to speak Common from a young age. Along with
five other kobolds, Cliff confronts the PCs. They demand
the PCs explain their intentions. They are visibly armed
but haven’t drawn their weapons.
• Two weeks ago, Shov’rakh visited a hobgoblin
oracle who divined from rat entrails that the cure
could be found in the sap of an ancient guardian
tree near Moonbright with “four arms attacking.”
Despite their best efforts, the kobolds have been
unable to find the tree. Shov’rakh can offer the
tribe’s remaining wealth (100 gp in assorted
gems and a “wizard’s ring”) if the PCs find the
sap. Furthermore, Shov’rakh promises that if the
PCs bring them the sap, the tribe will leave the
Moonbright region as soon as they’re healthy
enough to travel.
TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL 25
 BARTOS REY (HE/HIM, WOODCUTTER FOREMAN )
Young, yet leathery. Double-breasted red shirt
with brown suspenders and matching pants. Sips a
sweet‑smelling liqueur from a copper flask.
Found typically at the woodcutters’ retreat (see Area 5).
Personality Traits: Resourceful, methodical,
overconfident.
Bonds: The woodcutter cooperative. Bartos has
worked as a woodcutter for other operations but never
one that shared the profits among the workers. This
breeds loyalty among the workers.
Flaws: Bartos downplays the threats in the forests,
instead believing in the axes of the woodcutters.
CORIDON MYRICKLEAF
(THEY/THEM, ELF ACOLYTE )
Brown ecclesiastical garb. Acolyte of the Dreaming
God, a neutral god of plants, growth, and life. Intent
listener, waiting for the speaker to finish before offering
sage advice about the perceived problem.
Found typically dealing with something at the local
temple (see Area 4).
Personality Traits: Independent, objective,
principled.
Bonds: Their spouse in the faraway elven lands, who
has supported Coridon’s mission in Moonbright from
afar for the last decade.
EBRILL PERELBACHER
(SHE/HER, HUMAN WAITRESS )
Two bright-red pigtails. Green jumper with a white
blouse. Sleeves rolled up. Darts between tables while
balancing trays of soup, brimming flagons, and slices of
apple pie.
Found typically serving patrons at the Dragon’s Thirst
Tavern (see Area 3).
Personality Traits: Chipper, clever, earnest.
Bonds: Her clientele. Ebrill spent her whole life in the
tavern and relishes bringing joy to this outpost town.
Flaws: Bitter that her parents sold the tavern without
telling her.
26 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL
Wants: To recruit another shift of woodcutters.
Talking to Bartos: Bartos freely relates the following:
• Bartos offers any PCs who look strong enough the
chance to work on the new shift he’s recruiting.
• He dismisses concerns about the kobolds: “The
scalyfolk aren’t foolish enough to cross the
woodcutters.”
• He’s excited for the harvest festival since all the
woodcutters will return to Moonbright. His cousin
Barzyli will have time to spend with the sweetheart
he’s tried to keep secret from them.
Flaws: They are often frustrated with Moonbright’s
provincial attitude.
Wants: The harvest festival to go off without a hitch.
Talking to Coridon: Coridon freely relates the
following:
• They are aware of the perceived kobold threat around
town, but they preach tolerance and caution against
rash judgements.
• They ask—nay, beg—the PCs to volunteer with
harvest festival preparations.
• They support the temple by selling their homebrewed
healing potions. They are also knowledgeable in
the arcane arts and can help in identifying items or
learning spells.
Wants: To earn enough coin to buy a share of the
tavern.
Talking to Ebrill: Ebrill freely relates the following:
• Her boyfriend, Barzyli, is a woodcutter who lives
across the river. He’s currently working inland but
returns next week for some rest and relaxation.
• Her parents sold the tavern shortly after visiting the
old Mossbeard Mill.
• The stew is an old family recipe dating back to the
founding of the town. But it’s increasingly difficult
to source the venison.
 FAVIENNE NORTHCORD
(SHE/HER, SMALLFOLK/GNOME BRIDE -TO-BE )
Yellow dress and brown boots. Braided blonde hair.
Engaged to Chevel Pumpernickel, the baker's son.
Found initially in their farmhouse near Moonbright
(not on map).
Personality Traits: Bubbly, sensitive, orderly.
Bonds: Chevel. The gnomes were childhood
sweethearts and are finally getting married after he
finished his baker’s apprenticeship.
Flaws: High-strung. Favienne has planned most of
the wedding, and she’s on her last nerve.
Wants: For her wedding to go off without a hitch.
Talking to Favienne: Favienne freely relates the
following:
• Favienne is the Northcords’ only child, and they are
looking forward to her wedding.
POTRO RAYUNE
(HE/HIM, HUMAN BARTENDER/EX-ADVENTURER )
Yellow flannel shirt with blue striping. Thinning black hair
and a tight goatee. Greets everyone with a smile and a
drink. If asked nicely enough, he'll show his battle scars.
Found typically behind the bar of the Dragon’s Thirst
Tavern (see Area 3).
Personality Traits: Jovial, humble, haunted.
Bonds: Spiedie, his short, squat mutt, who seemingly
inherited all the worst traits of his forebears, often
begging for scraps from patrons.
Flaws: His temper flares easily.
Wants: To make an honest living, free of the constant
threat of death.
• Favienne’s parents aren’t anywhere on their rutabaga
farm, and they were last seen going to Mossbeard
Mill three days ago. No one has seen them since, and
she’s worried. She wants the PCs to find her parents,
wherever they may be.
• She doesn’t have anything to pay the PCs since so
much of the family’s funds are tied up in the wedding.
If Asher and Varina were the PCs’ call to action, she
appeals to their relationship with her parents. If the
PCs used another call to action, she offers an invitation
to her wedding reception.
• Unlike her in-laws-to-be, Asher and Varina are actually
involved with the wedding preparations. However,
they missed the last three meetings this week.
Talking to Potro: Potro freely relates the following:
• He was once an adventurer in service to the crown.
Though he plays it down, he fought skeletons,
goblins, otyughs—even a red dragon. He bears more
scars than he can show, and he retired after watching
too many friends die.
• In the past few weeks, fewer barge captains have
been stopping in Moonbright: DC 13 CHA
(Persuasion) check reveals that this has significantly
impacted business.
• The mayor is looking for adventurers to deal with
kobolds who moved in—but adventuring is for the
young.
• The woodcutters don’t carouse much in town now
that they have their retreat across the river: DC 13
CHA (Persuasion) check reveals that this hasn’t
impacted business much.
TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL 27
 YARA RANIT (SHE/HER, HUMAN MAYOR )

Far more fashionable than most in town. Brightly
colored dress and tasteful makeup.
Found typically administering to her mayoral duties
(see Area 6).
Personality Traits: Lyrical, patient, pragmatic.
Bonds: Ebrill Perelbacher. Yara sees much of herself in
the waitress, and she has paid special attention to the girl
since her parents’ surprise retirement.
Flaws: Around out-of-towners, Yara is prone to lament
Moonbright’s backwater tendencies.
Wants: To increase and safeguard Moonbright’s
prosperity—as this ensures her ongoing service.
Talking to Yara: Yara freely relates the following:
• Creeping kobolds concern her. Assuming the PCs
present themselves as adventurers, she suggests
they eliminate the threat. She offers 25 gp per PC to
resolve the problem. On pointing out the threat to
trade, a DC 13 CHA (Persuasion) check, she increases
the offer to 50 gp per PC.
• Given the recent kobold activity, she’s also willing to
cover three nights’ expenses at the Dragon’s Thirst
Tavern if the PCs check in on Mossbeard Mill and
the Molliner family. Rikar Molliner, the family’s
patriarch, retired to the south after 40 years running
the mill, and Yara isn’t convinced that his sons Emar
and Lodar know what they’re doing.
• She feigns excitement about the upcoming harvest
festival, which she feels is a waste of resources:
DC 15 WIS (Insight) check. She is truly excited for
Favienne’s wedding, which she will officiate.
• She once lived to the south but was enticed north to
be the town’s mayor.

TRAPS
The way is treacherous, and foes will try to bar your
passage. You would do well to understand what traps
might await you.

Hanging Net
Trap (Mechanical)
This trap uses a trip wire to hoist a 10-foot-by-10-foot
net and any creatures standing atop it into the air.
Trigger: A creature moves through the trap’s space,
tripping the wire.
Effects: When triggered, creatures standing in the
trap’s affected area must make a DC 15 DEX save or
become prone and restrained as the net hoists them,
dangling 10 feet in the air. Once triggered, a creature
can use their action to free themselves or a trapped
creature: DC 20 STR (Athletics) check to pull the
net apart, DC 20 DEX (Acrobatics) to slip out, or 5
slashing or fire damage dealt to the net (AC 10, 20 HP)
to destroy it.
Resolution: The trap can be avoided if spotted before
it is triggered: DC 10 WIS (Perception) check. The
trap can be disarmed before it is triggered: DC 15 DEX
check, disadvantage if made without thieves’ tools.

28 TROUBLE AT MOSSBEARD MILL

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BE BOLD. BE BRAVE. BE VALIANT!
Give your 5E game some very sharp teeth—with the
Kobold Press take on Black Flag Roleplaying!

The Tales of the Valiant RPG adds new talents,

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As an independent 5E game, it is open to everyone
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Join Kobold Press with a stunning

new take on 5E, coming in 2024!
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New SpellS & optionS
for LimitleSS
AdventureS!
Deep Magic Volume 1
Nothing but magic from start to finish! Deep Magic Volume 1 collects,
updates, tweaks, and expands on years of magic from Kobold Press with
more than 600 new and revised spells and other options, including the
Theurge base class, blending the arcane and the divine in one caster!

Deep Magic Volume 2

Deep Magic Volume 2 is a sequel to the spell-filled
Deep Magic Volume 1 and further expands on
that first volume. Volume 2 features over 400 new
spells, new subclasses, styles of spellcasting, magical
grimoires, adventure site locations and encounter
hooks that work with Deep Magic Arcane Map Tiles,
and the Witch base class, a spellcaster that communes
with and commands the spirits of the natural world!
These volumes are not just for wizards, warlocks, and

©2023 Open Design LLC. Kobold Press logo is a trademark of Open Design LLC.
sorcerers—or even just players! They expand options
for almost every spellcasting class and include plenty
of guidance throughout for Game Masters looking to
use magic and spells as character rewards, as storytelling
devices, and as villainous tools.

Deep Magic
Arcane Map Tiles
Unleash the power of magic in your tabletop games with
Deep Magic Arcane Map Tiles! Explore 24 beautifully illustrated
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enchanting elements. Create limitless adventure possibilities
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From mystical summoning circles to necrotic altars, the
magic is in your hands with Deep Magic Arcane Map Tiles!
 Tro v e
Op e n a
n d e rs !
o W
f o

Inside Vault of Magic, find a vast treasure trove

of enchanted items of every imaginable use—
more than 950 in all! There are plenty of armors,
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just for starters. From mirrors to masks, edibles
to earrings, and lanterns to lockets, it’s all here,
ready for your 5th Edition game.
This 240-page volume includes:
• More than 30 unique items developed by special guests, including
Patrick Rothfuss, Gail Simone, Deborah Ann Woll, and Luke Gygax
• Fabled items that grow in power as characters rise in levels
• New item themes, such as monster-inspired, clockwork, and apprentice wizards
• Hundreds of full-color illustrations
• Complete treasure-generation tables sorted by rarity

Amaze your players and spice up your 5th Edition campaign with
fresh, new enchanted items from Vault of Magic. It’ll turn that next
treasure hoard into something . . . wondrous!

©2022 Open Design LLC. Kobold Press logo is a trademark of Open Design LLC.