Today's offering was our convention scenario for SkyCon 2018. The scenario was written for younger gamers with some combat challenges along with a lot of roleplaying opportunities. It is easy enough to drop into your own campaign for an entertaining little adventure.
Near the Southern end of the Border Hills between Gortelburg and Havendale is an area rumored to be the home of a Minotaur. Recent reports have begun to surface in Havendale of the surrounding farms and villages that a huge Minotaur has begun to disrupt life in the area. The governing board of Havendale has offered a bounty on the beast to anyone who can track it, kill it, and return proof of its demise. Quite a few parties of adventurers have taken up the task but none have returned for the reward.
While strolling through the streets of Kak you notice a pair of men laying in the alley. Upon closer inspection you notice that one of the dead men has a unique tattoo. Peering closer you notice that this man, dressed as a pirate, has a tattoo of an island with an “x” on it! Once this tattoo is discovered the PCs will need to locate a ship to head off on a treasure hunt. Finding a ship captain that is familiar with Xodus Isle will not be difficult but trusting the captain…well that’s a different story entirely.
With your adventurers growing up it only makes sense that their surroundings should also grow. Such is the case of Andju Village which is being controlled by the newly created Viscount of Andju, Sir Dimek of Rastinstein. Sir Dimek has launched an ambitious building project with the intent to make his village a trading powerhouse. This area can be utilized as a base of operations near the frontier and be a safe haven for a party of explorers.
Your party ventures towards the small town of Stoneridge to procure some of the ale reputed to be the finest in the area. As you near the community you meet a caravan group and learn of a problem ahead. A group of miscreants has been creating mayhem in Stoneridge and the party will discover that the brigands are in possession of a strange artifact and are seeking out the Temple of Theasn. Perhaps interviewing some of the captured warriors will reveal more information.
The small village of Angst in western Famore has a humanoid problem. A missive on the message totem is calling for help to dispatch these pesky raiders. It is believed that they are working out of the abandoned Opair Keep. Locals gasp in amazement as the locale is well known to be cursed!
Your fame has garnered you more attention than you can handle but a specific job opportunity is one that you cannot pass up on. Two nations have had a peaceful and lucrative trading agreement for years along with the city of Conifestatia. That has recently changed with the appearance of a Green Dragon taking up residence in the area. With your fame on the line, looks like you guys are going Dragon huntin'!
The jewel of the Duchy, the great city of Filbar can be utilized as a home base for adventurers or as a goal to go see. This city has over 130 points of interest and is the home to the Duke of Filbar. Rumor has it that if you can't find it in Filbar, it can't be found anywhere...short of artifacts that is! The walled city has decorative fountains and artisans of every kind. Mages can visit the towers of magic and multiple potion shops. The grand courtyard south of the castle is the home of festivals and carnivals every month. All in all, this city is large enough to provide residence or adventure to almost every adventurer. At 49 pages long there is plenty to explore!
The Holdfist Mountain range hosted many battles during the Troll Wars and during the dark years many villages, shrines, and castles were destroyed. When the fighting was over the villages were rebuilt so that farmers could resupply the duchy and the former strongholds were lost to the sands of time. One of these forgotten areas is the Church of Scakla and is said to be home to lost magical items...
Far2 – Discord at the Docks is a short adventure based in the city of Phoenix in Fartook. Similar to Far1, this adventure is for low/novice level players. The adventure begins as your ship docks in Phoenix and you and your group debark. The scenario was designed for five players and gives them a variety of small problems to tackle. The PCs were on a delivery mission but mistook a subject on the dock as the intended recipient. The true owner is not pleased at the foul up and demands the party fix it IMMEDIATELY. Part of the inspiration for GenCon 17’s adventure, this scenario gives a number of “inconsequential” encounters that bring depth to urban adventuring!
SQ3 – Hatadage Cult takes a group of initial adventurers on their first challenge. This short adventure allows a group of new or low level PCs hear news of a kidnapping from a nearby thorp. Role playing will be key to learning more about the disappearance before heading into the hills near some old ruins. This is the site of a group of cultists that have kidnapped the young woman and mean to use her in a sacrifice!
With rumors of disappearances running rampant in the area, your group comes into the small community of Morla Dale with more questions than answers. Several wanted posters during your journey have shown a criminal called Sukits the Butcher. Perhaps this strange individual is behind the abductions?
The first Filbar 5th Edition adventure is titled Jeopardy Caverns. This adventure can be used in the new D&D edition or the earlier editions as each stat block is presented. This introductory adventure pits a group of new adventurers ready to go out into the frontier to make a name for themselves. For the 5th Edition version this adventure can act as a gateway from new to 3rd or even 4th level for advancement and is set in an area of humanoid caves.
Penchant for Adventure – 5 takes a single PC and DM back to a popular ‘haunt’. With the normal group taking a little time off your PC hears of a gambling tourney in Penchant which coincides with the annual Reaping Festival. Give your player a chance to “howl at the moon” in this quick but dangerous adventure! Remember, Penchant is not for the faint of heart…but have no fear, the adventure is free so no risk in that regard.
For years the Verbeeg clan on Clover Island has lived peacefully with the human settlement of Corsair Bay. A peace treaty has remained in effect that both groups attested to and have lived by. Recently the annual tribute that is to be paid to the giants has not come and now the giants are preparing for battle. Can your party go and act as an envoy to the giants or will they choose to go to war against them?
Let’s face after multiple dungeon delves and wilderness encounters you just want to spend some of that hard won loot. If your party has been out in the wilderness a little too long the high walls of a frontier city is a welcome sight. Such is the case with the large community of Cedarwood in the Plains of Dorack. At 46 pages of locales if the PCs can’t find something interesting, they need a cure blindness spell!
After saving Earl Feva D'Auvay’s bacon at Curwood, the ruler has graciously offered his waterside retreat to the party. A few days of rest and relaxation will help you recover from the hazards the undead group caused. With servants waiting on you hand and foot you enjoy the easy life. A few days into your vacation the Earl’s new toy arrives, a glass bottomed boat. After taking it out for a quick spin you quickly discover that Crater Lake holds the ruins of an old city. It would appear that your vacation will give way to your curiosity…
With your last adventure complete you head to town to sell off loot, replenish supplies and to find a bard to tell your tale to so that your fame can increase. As the group goes their separate ways you are wandering through the muddy streets when a shriek is heard. You see a man stab a merchant and attempt to escape. With no time to gather your associates you call for your mount (or borrow one) and give pursuit! This scenario is a true solo meaning you don’t need a DM to officiate. It is suggested that a 4th level be used for “meatier” characters or 5th for those of less daunting stats.
This scenario puts a new but experienced adventure back into harm’s way. After arriving at the small community of Penchant for a festival, the PC quickly discovers that there is danger afoot! The citizens are reporting a bloodthirsty creature roaming the area threatening the festival. If this problem can be resolved a second and more dangerous challenge awaits them in a nearby cemetery. As with all adventures in the Penchant series it can be difficult and not for the faint of heart!
As a future hero, your master has given you one last task to complete before releasing you from your training - delivering a message. Knowing that you are about to start your career on your own is exciting and this task should be a simple one. A two day trip to congratulate Lord Siklos on the wedding of his daughter and you will control your own destiny. Little do you realize that something has gone terribly wrong at the ceremony! This adventure setting was designed for 1st/2nd Edition AD&D for the Filbar Campaign for a solo/low level adventurer and DM.