C A M P A I G N S

LEGACY OF THE GREEN REGENT™

EXTERMINATION
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Adventure Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Adventure Start: Waylaid Before Twilight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Tracking the Goblinoids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Holes in the Ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
River Cave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Beyond the River Cave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Concluding the Adventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Adventure Illustrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

By Stephen Radney-M
MacFarland
Illustrations: David Esbrí and Sam Wood
Cartography: Dorwin Cooper
Playtesters: Jason Bulmahn, David Christ, R.E. Dalrymple, Troy Daniels, Lisa Gordon, John Grant, Chris Lindsay, Matt Lovell,
Sarah Brunner, Jeff Simpson, and Michael Tedin.

With special thanks to the WINTER FANTASY and Ben Con 2003 players for a couple of great games and interesting solutions.
And mostly importantly to Sky, for her near infinite patience.

Sources for this work include the following: Defenders of the Faith, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Arms and Equipment Guide, the FORGOTTEN
REALMS Campaign Setting, The North FORGOTTEN REALMS ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS 2nd Edition box set, Volo’s Guide to The
North.

Based on the original DUNGEONS & DRAGONS rules created by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson and the new DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game designed by Jonathan
Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich Baker, and Peter Adkison.

This WIZARD OF THE COAST game product contains no Open Game Content. This work may be reproduced for personal use or in its entirety for use at RPGA-sanc-
tioned events. To learn more about the Open Gaming License and the d20 SYSTEM License, please visit www.wizards.com/d20.

This is an official RPGA® play document for the RPGA. To find out more about the RPGA and to learn more on how you can sanction and run DUNGEONS &
DRAGONS game events of all sizes, visit our website at www.wizards.com/rpga.

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 EXTERMINATION

INTRODUCTION information for you to paraphrase or read aloud when appropri-

ate. Sidebars contain important information for you, including
This adventure is optimized for 1st-level characters. This means special instructions on running the adventure. Information on
that it is primarily designed and balanced for a group of four or nonplayer characters (NPCs) and monsters appear in abbreviated
five 1st-level characters. If your group deviates from this size and form in the adventure text. Full information on nonplayer char-
strength, each encounter features a section titled Scaling the acters and monsters will either be given in an appendix of this
Encounter, so that you, the Dungeon Master (DM), can create a adventure or can be found in the Monster Manual or FORGOTTEN
more balanced encounter. If REALMS Campaign Setting.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS MINIATURES there are only four or five PCs At the end of this adventure you’ll find an RPGA Table
in your group, and all are of the Tracking sheet. If you are playing this adventure as part of an
To run this adventure it’s recommend you
same character level, it is pretty RPGA-sanctioned event, you need to complete it (instruction are
have the following miniatures:
easy to use this section: just use given just prior to the sheet) and return it to your senior
the level entry that corresponds Gamemaster (see below for more details).
From the Harbringer™ set: with the PCs’ levels. For groups
1 Halfling Veteran (number 6/80) to repre- of mixed levels and groups with
sent Blaz Merrymar six PCs, first determine the
3 Goblin Sneaks (number 42/80) average character level of the RPGA-S
SANCTIONED PLAY
5 Wolves (number 31/80) to represent the group then add a +1 modifier
Most likely you ordered this adventure as part of an RPGA event
lighting rats) for groups with six players. from the RPGA website (www.wizards.com/rpga), but you may
Treat that value as the level of have received a copy of it from other means. In order to play this
From the Dragoneye™ set: the group. Use your DM’s dis- adventure as part of the LEGACY OF THE GREEN REGENT campaign,
1 Bugbear (number 46/60) cretion, though. If the PCs are a worldwide ongoing D&D campaign, you must sanction it as
5 Goblin Skirmishers (number 41/60) or having too hard or too easy of a part of an RPGA event. This event could be as elaborate as a big
Goblin Warriors (number 42/60) time, feel free to increase or convention, or a simple as a group of friends meeting at their
1 Wererat (number 41/60) for Hekkut the decrease the level of challenge. DM’s house.
Molted The goal is to challenge the In order to sanction the event you must be at least an RPGA
PCs, not overwhelm or even Herald-level Gamemaster. The person who sanctions it is called
The goblins (called as Goblin Scout, and underwhelm them. The most the senior gamemasters, and is in charge of making sure the
Goblin Trooper), and bugbear (called enjoyable D&D games are the event is runs, and is reported in a timely manner. The person
Bugbear Trooper) were also miniatures of ones where failure and death who runs this game is called the table DM (or usually just DM).
the CHAINMAIL line. While these miniatures are a possibility, but success and Sometimes (and almost all the time in the case of home events)
require assembly and come unpainted, they reward are attainable through the senior gamemaster is also the DM. You don’t have to be a
could also be used. When the new daring and smart play. Herald-level Gamemaster to run this adventure if you are not the
Dungeons & Dragons was released in 2000, Note: If you are plan- Senior GM, but being one also makes you eligible to sign up for
Wizards of the Coast also produces a line of ning on playing this adventure, RPGA DM Rewards, and when you do, running this adventure
metal miniatures. One of those miniatures stop reading now. If you read will earn you points toward your reward goals. The RPGA DM
farther than this paragraph Rewards program starts in the later part of 2003.
was a dire rat atop a chest. If you have
you’ll know too much about its By sanctioning and then reporting this adventure you
access to those, you could use them for the
challenges, which kills the fun. accomplish a few things. First, it allows the PCs that participate
lightning rats in the River Cave. If not, quite
Also, if you are planning on in this adventure accumulate experience points (XP) and gold
a few other companies that produce minia-
playing this adventure at an pieces (gp) to advance their LEGACY OF THE GREEN REGENT char-
tures make Small rats. The fire beetle has no RPGA-sanctioned event, read-
acter. Second, the RPGA bases future adventures on what the
real miniature equivalent that Wizards of the ing beyond this point makes
majority of PCs do in past ones; PCs actions, shape the direction
Coast produces, but you could easily use a you ineligible to do so.
of the campaign. And lastly, players and DMs gain rewards for
glass counter, or a small plastic bug toy to
sanctioned play if they have signed up for the DUNGEONS &
represent it.
DRAGONS PLAYER REWARDS and the DUNGEON MASTER Rewards,
PREPARATION respectively. This adventure is worth four points for each pro-
gram.
As DM you need a copy of the three revised edition (also called This adventure retires from RPGA-sanctioned play on
version 3.5) core D&D rulebooks to play this adventure. They are December 31, 2003.
the Player’s Handbook, the Dungeon Master’s Guide, and the Monster If you are looking for more information in regards to LEGACY
Manual. It is also recommended that you have the FORGOTTEN OF THE GREEN REGENT character creation and development,
REALMS Campaign Setting book, but it is not necessary. You’ll also RPGA event sanctioning, and both the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
need a set of polyhedral dice, and something to use as the battle Player Rewards and the DUNGEON MASTER Rewards programs,
grid (a vinyl or laminated grid usually works best, so you can use see the RPGA website (). In case you don’t have immediate access
2 wet-erase markers to draw battle grid features), and enough to the web to download the character generation rules, six of our
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS miniatures to represent combatants on fastplay characters are provided in statistic block form at the end
the battle grids. of the adventure.
Throughout the adventure, shaded boxes provide player
 EXTERMINATION

ADVENTURE BACKGROUND ADVENTURE SUMMARY

For decades the Hark, a feared wererat bandit lord, has harassed Extermination is at its heart a site-based dungeon crawl with some
caravans and wayfarers traveling the roads and river between twists. The adventure starts with an event on the open road that
Loudwater and Secomber. Their fearless and cunning hit-and- the PCs can react to. Their reaction will eventually lead them on
run raids are legendary among those who traveling the corridor, a hunt for the offending goblinoids, and will end with the PCs
but thankfully sporadic. Trading coster owners typically refer to confronting the threat.
losses they suffer at his hands as the “Hark’s Tax”, and are often This adventure is an introduction to the campaign and some
resigned to consider it a cost of business in the area. of the hazards of the wild Delimbiyr Crescent (what locals call
Lately the attacks have been more daring, more successful, the lower Delimbiyr Valley). It also introduces a major villain of
and frighteningly more common. But there is an even great dan- the area—the Hark—and gives the PCs a chance to find out
ger to travelers of this region: the Hark is looking to expand his some of his plans for the region. The adventure begins with the
hunting ground. PCs happening upon Hekkut’s goblinoid thugs assaulting Blaz
With the help of an agreement made with some Underdark Marrymar, the patron of the now nearly decimated Marrymar
powers, the Hark has safely traverse the secret underground pas- family from Shining Falls. During that encounter the PCs have a
sages below the Delimbiyr Vale and set up new bases far from his chance to save Blaz from a surely grizzly death at the hands of the
typical haunts. One of those new outposts is within striking malicious goblin Skar and his pet bugbear, Gvrag. If they do save
range of the road between Loudwater and the insular strongheart Blaz, the temperamental halfling emotionally beseeches the PCs
halfling village of Shining Falls. For the last month his lieutenant to do him and his family a great favor and make sure the goblin
in the area, a hobgoblin wererat wizard named Hekkut the scourge is utterly destroyed.
Molted, has been using goblinoid bandits to attack halflings trav- If the PCs are unable to save Blaz, the request to track down
eling between the two settlements. and rid the area of these goblins comes from other sources. Blaz’s
daughter makes a similar request when the PCs bring the body
back to Shining Falls. Alternatively, the PCs may return to
Loudwater. Back in town Gauntlet Harazos Thelbrimm hires the
PCs to return and “clear the road” of goblinoids.
From there, the PCs should have little trouble tracking the
goblins back to their lair. Hekkut’s thugs aren’t exactly the
sharpest swords in the armory. The problem is storming their
lair.
Once the PCs finagle a way into the entrance of the main
complex, they will have to face Hekkut’s defenses—some fast
and furious rats, goblins, and some tricky traps—before facing
the wererat himself. In the end the characters will either be able
to defeat the wizard or he will escape through a specially pre-
pared escape tunnel into the Underdark. Either way, if the
PCs have made it this far, they should be able to recover
some of the Marrymars’ goods, and find out some
information about the Hark’s plans in this region.

ADVENTURE HOOKS
The adventure starts with an encounter on
the road between Loudwater and Shining
Falls. Just what the PCs are doing there, is up
to you and your group. If you are not familiar
with the group you are about to run, have
each player introduce their character to you
and the other adventurers. For their descrip-
tion, try to glean which hook would suit
them best. The LEGACY OF THE GREEN REGENT
campaign uses DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
Campaign Cards. Some of these cards grant
special characters, either of a nonstandard
races, or from outside of the typical region of 3
play. Three of the more exotic Campaign
Cards are Scion of the Green Regent, Agent
of the Red Fellowship, and Orc of the High
 EXTERMINATION

Forest. The first two grant membership into rival regional adven- for the campaign (no XP, gold gained, or even character death) it
turing companies, while the last grants play of an orc character. gives you a good opportunity to customize the adventure, and
One of the hooks gives reasons for having one of these special give your players a unique experience. Appendix 4: Shining Falls
characters on the road between the two settlements. Players can has enough adventure hooks and background items for you to
get Campaign Cards through the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS PLAYER flesh something out if the characters pursue employment there.
REWARD program. More information about that program and the Just don’t have them find the dwarven complex—there are plans
cards can be found on the RPGA website (). for that down the line. If nothing tickles you in Shining Falls,
you can use the Fools Finger hook as your side trek’s basis, hav-
•The PCs have heard that the Gauntlet of Shining Falls ing them brave the red dragon’s hunting ground. But while it
is hiring adventurers to check out some caves under may be fun to scare them with a dragon sighting or two, encoun-
the water fall that gives the town its name. Constant tering her would be deadly. They’ll get to tangle with her later in
rumors abound that an ancient dwarven complex built the campaign.
by Iirikos Stonesholders has an entrance somewhere
in those caves. Many have tried to find them over the
centuries, but with little luck. Mercenary characters or
those more interested in accumulating treasure should
TROUBLESHOOTING THE
be hooked by this ultimately false start. ADVENTURE
Reequipping characters: If you are playing this adventure as part
•Due to the orc migrations from the High Forest to
of the LEGACY OF THE GREEN REGENT campaign, players come to
points east (called the Gray Migrations by locals)
their event with their characters fully equipped based on their
Scions of the Green Regent, Agents of the Red
current level and gold piece value. They can reequip their char-
Fellowship, as well as some paladins and rangers (and
acter when they are in a town by spending their coin on hand
even some good-aligned orcs of the High Forest) have
(CoH). They can even increase their CoH by selling items for
recently taken upon themselves to patrol the road
half their listed value.
between Loudwater and Shining Falls. While much of
Loudwater is a small city with a 15,000 gp limit. This means
the migrations have been nonviolent, there have been
that characters can find items worth 15,000 gp or less for sale
notable exceptions. Groups consisting with heroic and
within the city. LEGACY OF THE GREEN REGENT characters also
honor-bound characters should need little more cox-
have a gp limit on which items they can buy based on their level.
ing.
While it is possible to find items for sale in Loudwater, there are
few shops that sell items “over the counter.” As the PCs go up in
• Trappers and halfling outriders returning from the
level, their prestige grows and opportunities to purchase more
upper Delimbiyr Vale tell tales of a young red dragon
powerful items become available. 1st-level characters can only
hunting on the northern faces of the Greypeak
purchase items found in the Player’s Handbook. Characters that
Mountains. While few of the young adventurers in
are 2nd-level and higher can purchase Player’s Handbook items
Loudwater would dream of tackling with even the
and legal magic items. At 2nd-level the gp limit is 450 gp, while
youngest red, their is a tavern wager that brings many
the 3rd level gp limit is 1,350 gp and the 4th-level gp limit is 2,700
adventurer into its territory. Also on those mountains
gp.
north face, about a three day hike from Shining Falls,
If they look for a map, the PCs may also a map of the area
leans a great crumbling obelisk of unknown origin the
between Loudwater and Shining falls for 25 gp. Use the map on
locals call Fools Finger. The rock of this obelisk radiat-
the inside cover as a handout for the map.
ed with a cool emanation and a rosy red color. Hendris
In events where you have a limited session time, you will
Teinel, he patron of the Scarlet Shield has promised
want to put a limit on at-the-table equipment purchasing. No
any adventurer bring back a souvenir from this monu-
more than 15 minutes should be spent for this activity during a
ment—a piece of the magical rock no smaller than his
normal four-hour or five-hour session, and even then some
own big toe (which is rather large as far as big toes
groups may not finish the adventure.
go)—wins free dinners nightly. Hendris carves the
Gather Information: Information is sometimes power, and
magic stone into shield shapes, and sells them to mer-
PCs may want to do some carousing before they leave the City of
chants heading to Waterdeep, where they are the rave
Grottos. The following are things they can find out. For more
of nobles and adventurers who use it to cool and illu-
roleplaying intensive groups, feel free to add news from charac-
minate their drinks. While the food is rather bland, a
ter hooks your didn’t use or even your own bits of rumor and
guaranteed meal ticket has motivated a lot of adven-
strange stories. Not every bit of information a PC hears in a tav-
turers to take the trek. Many even return. More adven-
ern is true or relevant (this includes the information given
turous and whimsy groups will enjoy this hook that
below).
gets them traveling up the road toward Shining Falls.
Orcs of the High Forest are greeted with general suspicion
4 (and sometimes overt fear and hatred) within the City of
If you are not playing this adventure as part of a four-hour or five-
Loudwater (see Appendix 3). Orcs of the High Forest under try-
hour session at an event, but as part of a home game, you may
ing to Gather Information in Loudwater suffer a –10 penalty to
want to play out a small adventure in the town of Shining Falls of
the check (as well as any Diplomacy check they may have to
your own design. While the side adventure would not be tracked
 EXTERMINATION

make) While both Scions of the Green Regent and Agent of the
Red Fellowship gain a +2 circumstance bonus.
ADVENTURE START: WAYLAID
DC 10 BEFORE TWILIGHT (EL 3)
Thelbrimm’s Nine (one of the patrols that protect
This encounter takes place on a lightly wooded stretch of road
Loudwater’s eastern environs) reported that five fami-
between Loudwater and Shining Falls, just shy of a campsite in
lies were killed when orcs destroyed their homestead
the Tanglefork Woods typically used by folks traveling between
east of Orlbar. The orcs didn’t even steal anything; they
the two settlements. If one of the PCs bought the map from
just killed everyone for the fun of it.
Fefgrin (see Troubleshooting the Adventure), they’ll notice the
DC 15
campsite on the map.
A Shining Falls halfling merchant has lost all of his
This encounter begins in the hour before twilight, usually
sons, and some of his nephews to the orc raiders. The
just before the PCs plan on pushing to Tanglefork, or find and
teller had a drink with the melancholy halfling two
alternative place to camp. It starts with the PCs hearing the fol-
nights prior at another tavern, but an ale haze obscures
lowing sounds coming from up the road, just over a wooded
more of the conversation.
knoll.
DC 20
Otar, the new Green Regent didn’t actually flee into A panicked voice yells: “No! No! You damned goblin bastard
the High Forest, he and a few other orcs guard the city keep that away from me!” A chorus of malicious cackling and a
secretly, camping in the daylight to escape attention. deep, ominous bellow follow the cries.
Others claim that he is hiding only because he plans to
attack and sack Loudwater.
What the PCs hear is the goblin Skar and his companions tortur-
DC 25
ing poor Blaz Merrymar. The PCs have to act fast. If they tarry
A young woman emphatically insists she saw a giant
(take more than a couple of minutes to make up their mind about
rat swimming in the harbor. The rodent climbed up on
approaching the commotion), Skar kills his captive and the PCs
a boat and then stood on two legs. Some of the Hark’s
have no chance of saving Blaz.
brood is in the city!
Combat Setup: When the PCs declare that they travel over
Playing the Fool: Sometimes even the best groups can feel
the wooded knoll to investigate, set up the battle grid. The spaces
stalled, or find themselves stuck at a dead end due to the whim of
marked “X” on your battle grid are the default spaces where a
the dice, lack of sleep on the player’s part, or just a strange lack of
group of six PCs would be if they follow the road and stuck
inspiration. In the LEGACY OF THE GREEN REGENT campaign there
together. Place the PCs on the southern edge of the battle grid
is a strange NPC that you can use as a plot pusher. His name is
based on their stated approach, and then roll initiative. Read or
Jekris the Mad.
paraphrase the following to the PCs. The following read-aloud
Sometimes called Jekris the Luckturner, or the Happy Fool,
text assumes the PCs have normal vision, so adjust for low-light
Jekris is more mystic force than person. Dressed in soiled peas-
and darkvision.
ants robes, this gaunt, frazzled, and almost toothless old man
mostly babbles inanely, mixed in with the occasional helpful In the day’s dying light, it is hard to pick out details. Ahead on the
advice. He has a habit of opening secret doors by stumbling on road, just in front of what looks like a tipped-over handcart
their trigger, finding clues and tracks seemly accidentally, and there’re what appears to be three figures. A larger hulking
then disappearing in to thin airs, sometimes walking into walls or humanoid shape, stooped and menacing, holds a smaller halfling-
off cliffs without a trace. Most of all, he helps move adventurers like figure, who is twisting and contorting away from a torches
into toward the right direction when they are stymied. flame, held by another small figure—that figure looks as if it
Don’t overuse Jekris, or players will find his arrival silly, could be a goblin. The torch wielding humanoid and his larger
obnoxious, or boring. He is tool of last resort. If using Jekris does- accomplice howl with delight at their captive’s discomfort.
n’t mesh with your own personal DM style, then you don’t have
to use him. That said, he is not a totally random NPC, PCs are
You can also use Illustration 1 to help describe the scene.
going to encounter him later in the campaign in different roles.
Skar is goblin holding the torch to the halfling. The large
Jekris never remembers people he has met before. Even even
hulking figure is Gvrag, Skar’s pet bugbear thug. He has the
the most experienced tracker can never find him when he or she
halfling, Blaz, in a pretty firm grip.
wants too, but he seems to find people at fortuitous times, and
Battle Grid Features: Contour Lines: A square with a contour
usually for the better.
line is considered difficult terrain. That is each square counts as
Everyone in Loudwater, Shinning Falls, and Orlbar has at
two squares (10 feet) of movement, and each diagonal move
least heard story of Jekris. Some people believe that he is some
counts as 2 squares (15 feet), just as 2 diagonal moves do.
sort of strange manifestation of Tymora, while others believe that
Trees: A creature standing in the same square as a tree enjoys
he is a spirit of some strange Netherese wizards (explaining his
a small amount of cover, gaining a +2 bonus to Armor Class and a
strange accent) that forever walks the Delimbiyr Crescent.
+1 bonus on Reflex saves.
Rocks: The rocks on the battle grid neither hamper move-
5
ment nor provide cover.
NPC: The patzon of the almost decimated Merrymar clan of
Shining Falls’s stronghearts, Blaz is in dire straits. Already suffer-
 EXTERMINATION

trated at the events that have transpired. In the past month he

Battle Grid 1: Waylaid has lost four sons, and three nephews to what he thought were
orc raids (due to the rumors of orcs of the High Forest attacking
some farmsteads on their trek east), but now he is sure it was
cart these goblinoids who were behind the deaths. Early in the attack
he heard Skar comment: “this half-man has looser skin than the
Gv g
others. We must be getting to the bottom of the barrel.” Followed
g Sk by “the boss will be pleased.” As he relays this information to the
PCs he becomes even more and more angry, and insist that if the
PCs are heroes they’ll track down this leader and rid the road of
this terrible scourge, demanding that they exterminate the lot,
and recover his kin and their cargo. While he starts his pleas to
the PCs with demands and anger, Blaz notices if the PCs are put
off by his bloodthirsty tone, and calms his argument in order to
win the characters to his side. For more mercenary groups, he
eventually offers a reward for taking out the bandits, but only as
a last resort. He would much rather appeal to senses of heroism
and outrage over savage attacks by goblinoids. He has already lost
much of his family and livelihood to these raids, and it will take
time to raise monetary reward. Even after he offers a reward, he
is hesitant to settle on a sum until the deed is done. If the PCs
press, he reluctantly offers 50 gp each, but only if the PCs exter-
minate the threat, and retrieve what is left of his goods.
If Blaz dies, the PCs have to piece together the attack’s back-
story from other sources. Alternate ways to find out the backsto-
ry, and put PCs on the track of Hekkut’s goblinoid raiders are
found in both Appendix 3: Shining Falls, and Appendix 4:
Loudwater and Gauntlet Harazos Thelbrimm.
x x If the PCs are able to capture and question any of the gobli-
x x noids, they have the opportunity gain some details about what
x x they are up against. Of course the goblins can proved the PCs
ing blows from the malicious Skar, one more blow will render with all sorts of information including the location of their lair,
him unconscious. Gvrag eventually tosses him aside to join the the number of goblins guarding the lair, that they’re are led by a
fight (see Tactics, below), but until then halfling does serve as hobgoblin wererat wizard, and even that their master is about to
soft cover to Gvrag (+4 bonus to AC, no bonus to Reflex saves). take a long trip back to the Hark’s lair to get reinforcement, but
Blaz Merrymar: male strongheart halfling Exp2: hp 4 (cur- the getting this information will prove difficult. All of the gobli-
rent 1); AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 1; Chr 14; Bluff +8, noids are deathly terrified of being infected with lycanthropy.
Diplomacy +6. While they respect and fear Hekkut and his powers, it is believed
Creatures: by most goblins that those inflicted with the magical disease will
Gvrag the Bugbear: hp 16; see Monster Manual. not be able to join the armies of Maglubiyet (or join the furious
Skar: male goblin War1/Rog1: hp 11; see Appendix 1. ambushes of Hruggek in Gvrag’s case) in the afterlife—and los-
Goblins (2): hp 4, 3; see Monster Manual. ing that chance means no afterlife at all for these goblinoids. And
Tactics: The goblinoids (and especially Skar) react with they are very certain if Hekkut is not able to infect them, their
cheerful violence to the approach of the PCs. The two goblins in disloyalty will earn the ire of the Hark, and have no doubt that
the brush pepper approaching PCs with crossbow bolts and not- wererat will go out of his way to infect traitors. The ability to
so-witty taunts in Goblin. Skar, a psychotic and gutsy goblin, fight on in the afterlife is a very important thing to the goblinoids
drops the torch and readies to follow the bugbear’s lead. Gvrag, at of this region. Because of this, even with the threat of death, PCs
the sight of fresh foes, tosses Blaz (a standard action doing 1d6 will have a hard time intimidating the goblinoids into giving
points of nonlethal damage to Blaz) and moves forward to join information (–2 penalty to the PCs’ Intimidate check if they
melee. Skar and Gvrag don’t flee, even when the chips are attempt this), and Diplomacy gets them nowhere. A charm person
down—they’re just too downright ornery to know when to quit. spell will may help yield better results. An opposed Charisma
The other goblins do flee when the PCs best their leader and his check is required to get a charmed goblin or Gvrag to yield the
muscle. information.
Development: What happens next is dependent on actions When the PCs are ready to follow the trail of the goblinoids,
during the combat. If the PCs are able to save Blaz, then he’ll have go to Tracking the Goblinoids, below.
6 definite opinions on what they should do next. If the halfling
died in the encounter, the PCs have more options, but have more
chances to stray from the events this adventure entails.
After he is revived and healed, Blaz is visibly angry and frus-
 EXTERMINATION

SCALING THE ENCOUNTER Groef Feythrin

If the PCs are having a hard time finding the tracks, this
2ND-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 4) encounter may help them find the right direction. It involves a
Add two more goblins to the encounter (hp 5, 3). grig prince (called a groef in the local Sylvan dialect) who knows
all about the goblinoid raiders in the area, having played pranks
3RD-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 5) on them a time or two, but he’ll not let the information go with-
Increase the goblins as above, and add two levels of Rogue to Skar out a price. He isn’t looking for gold, gems, or magic (although he
(see Appendix 1; hp 23). will freely take any that the PCs wish to give him, and without
any remorse); the PCs must pay by way of entertainment.
4TH-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 6) If the PCs need the help, read or paraphrase the following
when you see fit.
Add 4 goblins to the encounter (for a total of six; hp 5, 4, 4, 3) add
three levels of rogue to Skar (see Appendix 1; hp 28), and two lev- Someone is playing a fiddle. It started sweetly and softly on a
els of barbarian to Gvrag (see Appendix 1; hp 40). gentle breeze, so slight that you almost thought it was the wind
playing tricks on your ears. But now you can clearly hear the
melody of a whimsy jig coming from a small stand of birch.

TRACKING THE GOBLINOIDS If the PCs investigate, they’ll have a hard time finding the source
of the music at first (Spot against Feythrin’s Hide, or pinpoint by
For the adventure to continue, the PCs have to be able to find the
Listen [DC 15]), but the grig prince makes himself known before
path to Hekkut’s lair. This may be tricky. If there is a ranger, or
the PCs give up the search. He is hiding in the some of the
someone with the Track feat among the PCs, running this
branches of the largest birch, some 8 feet or so above the ground.
encounter is easy—just let them roll and hopefully find the
tracks. Without these, or in cases where the botch the checks, Greetings peasants. You are very lucky big folk, for you are in
making this happens takes a little more creativity. The following the presence of royalty. I am Groef Feythrin, and I am here to be
are three ways in which the PCs can do this, only one of which entertained by you. Do your best, or I will not think well of you.
involves the use of the Track feat. Also note that Appendix 3:
Loudwater has an alternate way for PCs to find the lair.
Feythrin converses with the PCs in very coy and elusive
ways. He only answers direct questions, and then only
Here’re the Tracks!
in the most irritating ways. He honestly enjoys frus-
By far the easiest way for PCs to find Hekkut’s lair is
trating larger folk. He finds the comical way that
to track Skar and company’s trail back to the Holes
they bellow as stomp about when angry. But it is
In the Ground (see below). The hole is 15 miles
going to take more than this cheep thrill to get
away, thus requiring 15 Survival checks after the
him to spill the location of the goblin cave. What
tracks are found. Within 5 miles, the PCs get
he really wants is for a PC or PCs to sing a happy
their first chance to spot the crows detailed in
song or perform some bit of comedy for him.
Black Bird, and Blue-leafed Trees, below.
Only when his is thoroughly delighted or
The area is dominated by soft ground
humored will he give the PCs directions to the
(Survival or Search base DC 9; note: playing
blue-leaf stand and the goblin cave.
this adventure at higher than optimized lev-
It takes a Perform (sing or comedy) (DC 15)
els lower this DC more because the PCs are
to persuade Feythrin to give the PCs the direc-
tracking more goblinoids), but the PCs attempt to
tions. Feel free to give up to a +4 circumstance
track directly after the battle they must do so in moon-
bonus for good roleplaying if players go the extra
light or moonlightlike conditions (+3 to the DC) and if they do
mile in describing their actions (but only if they
it in the morning the DC goes up (+1) due to time past since the
make you laugh!). PCs who during the course of
goblins and Gvrag made the tracks. In the former cases, it takes
early conversations have either insulted Feythrin or
someone with the Track feat to find and follow the tracks unless
asked the question “what is a groef” suffers a –2 penalty to the
the PCs play this adventure with characters higher than it is opti-
check, though a proper amount of groveling after will cancel the
mized. A PC can Search for the tracks, using the same DCs as
penalty. Keep in mind that Perform can be attempted untrained,
above for Survival, but if they are found, that PC is not able to fol-
and that each failed attempt by a PC increases the DC by 2.
low them.
Once he is amused, he gives the PCs the directions to the
If Blaz is still alive, the PCs can question him as to where the
blue-leaf stand, plays a little jig with his fiddle (PC must make a
goblins’ attack originated. His information leads the PCs to some
DC 12 Will save or be affected as though by Otto’s irresistible dance
clear tracking clues, which gives the characters a +2 circumstance
for a round) before Feythrin goes invisible, and makes his escape.
bonus to the above-mentioned Survival and Search checks.
NPCs: Greoef Feythrin does not engage the PCs in combat
If the PCs lack the Track skill, or constantly botch their 7
unless he is forced, and even then will use his spell like abilities
checks, but trudge on into the wilderness in an attempt to find
(entangle, and invisibly) and the powers of his fiddle to escape as
goblins, throw them a bone in the guise of a grig prince.
quickly as possible. If the PCs drive him off, he does not return.
Groef Feythrin: male grig Rog4: hp 21; Spd 20 ft., fly 40 ft.
 EXTERMINATION

(poor); AC 20, touch 18, flat-footed 14; Dex 20, Cha 16; Bluff + 7, (Track DC 20) gleans that no less than 20 goblins have attended
Escape Artist +13, Hide+18, Listen +10, Move Silently +10, Sense “festivities” here at one time. A Search of the bones (DC 10) dis-
Motive +7; Feythrin does carry a grig fiddle—see Monster covers that there are a number of halfling remains in the pit,
Manual. along with a few humans, about a dozen goblins, a couple orcs,
and that of a single ogre Hekkut and his goblinoids were fortu-
Black Birds and Blue-lleafed Trees nate enough to defeat a few nights ago when it stumbled upon
As the PCs get closer (within 5 miles) to the goblin lair, they have their cave. The goblin remains in the pit were those lost in the
a chance to Spot (DC 10) a large cluster of battle with the fierce giant.
crows in the distance. If they Spot the Treasure: If the PCs take the time for a more detailed search
BLUELEAF TREES (DC 20; a normal check takes 20 minutes, if the PCs take 20 it
crows, and decide to check them out,
Recognizable by the eerie, gleaming they will no longer need to succeed at takes several hours to find it, see the Consequences for Delay
blue color of their many-pointed leaves, Track checks to find the source of the sidebar) there is a chance that they will find a simple bone scroll
blueleafs (not “blueleaves”) grow close goblinoid raiders. Each mile closed case that contains a divine scroll of remove curse.
together in thick stands, reaching 40 reduces the check by 5, so three mile
feet in height but rarely attaining thick from the blue-leaf stand it is impossible TRAPPED HOLE (EL 1)
trunks. not to see the large murder of crows This hole serves as a conduit to the makeshift raft launch area at
Blueleaf wood is durable, and the unless the PC is blind or unconscious. the river. A simple but rather ingenious little trap guards the
sap and crushed leaves yield a vivid blue The crows are obviously attracted hole. It’s designed not only to “soften” intruders, but also to warn
dye much favored in local cloakmaking. to something inside a stand of blueleaf the goblins watching the river from the Shooting Gallery (see
When the leaves or wood is burnt it trees straddling a large and deep gulch. A River Cave, below). When the PCs reach the hole, read or para-
yields beautiful leaping blue flames. Knowledge (nature) check DC 10 reveals phrase the following:
Local bards and tale-tellers use such that crows only congregate like this if
flames as mood lighting during sad or there is a fairly plentiful food (carrion) In the center of this clearing is a hole crowned with large,
source in the area. If the PCs investigate, smooth river stones. The walls of the pit are rough and riddled
particularly songs and stories.
see Holes in the Ground. with roots and rocks. The earthen floor is at least 10-foot drop
from the hole's entrance, probably more.

A Search or Track (DC 13) check on the area around the hole
HOLES IN THE GROUND reveals that goblins have gone in an out in the past days.
Within the stand of blueleafs there are a few areas of interest. The Searching the hole may reveal (DC 15) the uppermost hidden
first is the site of bonfires and a kill hole—a place where the gob- handholds made of dark iron. They are hard to spot because they
lins discard the bones and unconsumed remains of their prey, have been shaped to blend in with the blueleaf roots that tangle
the site that is attracting the crows. The second is the trapped about the hole’s walls. These handholds are used by the gobli-
hole that leads to the raft at the edge of the fast-moving, nameless noids to descend the hole without setting off the trap. If the PCs
river that adjacent to the stand and the goblin caves. The last is find the first handholds, and the others down farther the hole
the river itself, and the makeshift launch area for the goblin raft. (Search DC 12), they can traverse the hole safely without setting
For a general description of the stand’s interior, read or para- off the trap.
phrase the following when the PCs enter. Trap: If the PCs don’t find the hidden handholds, and care-
lessly enter the hole, they set off the trap at the place marked
The blue-leaf trees are so think here, and the air is stuffy, as the with an “X” on your battle grid. The walls of the hole are made of
canopy traps the moisture thrown up by the fast-moving river. a mud façade that hide loose rocks, sand, and sacks of chalk.
The noise coming from the rapids drowns out all other noise, Tripping the trap, unleashes the jumble in a choking, rumbling
except for the occasional squawk of crows. A game path winds it mass atop those in the hole.
ways into the woods, coming to a fork directly in front of an Rolling Rock Trap: CR 1; mechanical; location trigger;
unusually thick and seemingly out-of-place oak. manual reset; Atk +10 melee (2d6, rock); Search DC 20; Disable
Device DC 22.
When the trap is tripped, the sacks of chalk have a secondary
Kill Hole effect: alarming the goblin sentries in the Shooting Gallery (see
This is where the mass of crows the PCs spotted from afar con- River Cave area 3) that intruders are coming. See that area
gregate. The goblins use this area to cook and devour large meals description for further details.
while performing rituals and sacrifices to Maglubiyet. Currently Development: Traveling down the pit is not the only way to
it is abandoned, though it does give some clues to the havoc that reach the raft landing at the river (see area 3, below). Climbing or
the goblinoids have been inflicting as of late. repelling down the cliff face is a perfectly reasonable way of get-
The hole is almost five foot deep, and littered with hundreds ting to the landing. Like setting off the trap in the hole, climbing
if not thousands of bones. Most are of deer and other local fauna, down also automatically alerts the goblins in the Shooting
8 Gallery of the PCs’, approach.
but even at a glace the PCs will notice humanoid skulls
Development: PCs looking for tracks in the area find many
without even needing to succeed at a check. Further examination
 EXTERMINATION

not entirely exact, after all the goblins have two holes they can
fire from and may shift back and forth to get a good shot, they are
good enough for the purposes of running the encounter.
When the PCs are fired on, they automatically spot the goblins
(use Illustration 3).
Once the PC are beyond the point where the goblins can
shoot at them, they can take 10 on their rolls to control the raft,
which is most circumstance will be ample control their progress.
There are of course other ways to get to the river caves, and
inventive players will attempt all sorts of ways to scout the area and
attempt the river caves. So be on guard, and allow PCs to find their
own solutions using their own particular mix of skills and spells.

RIVER CAVE
The following features are true unless otherwise noted in a spe-
cific area description.
Walls and Floors: The walls of the River cave are mostly of
hard and packed mix of sand, clay and stone, crudely constructed
beams rafters and constraints made of lashed logs add extra sup-
port here and there. Disrupting these supports does not cause
immediate cave-ins, but their lack cause some after the next win-
ter’s thaw. Corridors are only 8 feet high, while chambers usual-
ly climb to 10 to 12 feet. The climb DC for the walls is 15. The
floors of the complex are made of the same material, and are dot-
ted with potholes, puddles, and slick spots. The condition of the
floor adds 2 to the DC of Balance and Tumble
The Raft (EL Variable) checks. DELAY CONSEQUENCES
Light: Almost all of the caves are dark
Beyond the trap or down the cliff, the PCs find a landing. On the Tarrying carries consequences that man-
with no natural lighting; its denizens have
landing, tied to the shore by a 10-foot length of hemp rope, is a ifest in the final encounter. Once the PC
darkvision and don’t get many visitor. Keep
rickety raft used by the goblinoid to travel up and down the river.
in mind that light traveling down a corridor encounter the goblinoid assault on Blaz
A stout pole, usually used by Gvag to push the raft alone, lies atop they have two full days to reach the
will alert creatures of intruder approach.
the raft.
Smell and Atmosphere: Most of the com- caves and encounter Hekkut the Molted.
Use Illustration 2 to describe this scene.
plex smells earthy, and in many places the air If they take longer, the wererat is gone;
Development: Most PCs are going to use the raft to traverse
is heavy and stale, but still completely breath- well on his way to the Dungeon of the
the river. Appendix x gives basic vehicle rules for controlling the
able. The chief exceptions are area 1 and 3, Hark via the twist and turns of a region
raft.
both of which have openings to the river, of the Underdark known as the
Rickety Raft: Large vehicle; Profession (sailor), or Wisdom
where breezes blow in wet fresh air. Illithidszilt-Ervvaut or the Flayers’
+0(DC 15). Spd 20 ft. (nautical good); Overall AC 1; Overall hp 40
Stairs: The stairs of the complex are made Corridors.
(harness 5); Ram 4d6; Face 10 ft. by 15 ft.; Crew 1.
of the same materials as the walls. Jammed
If the check fails by more than 10 points, the raft capsizes. All
logs provide extra support for each stair. All
the PCs must succeed a Reflex save (DC 14) or they are swept
are gradual stairs, and don’t affect movement, but creatures that
down the river, and then must resort to Swim checks (DC 15) to
attack a foe below them gain a +1 bonus on attack rolls from
navigate the rapids.
being on higher ground.
All of this is complicated by the fact that the goblins in the
shooting gallery likely become aware of he PCs progress toward
their cave and start firing bolts. If the PCs set off the rolling rock 1. Lair of the Lightning Rats (EL 2)
trap in the hole, or repelled down the cliff, the goblins are imme- Successful rafters guide the vessel to the sandy shore of this cave.
diately aware that the PCs are heading toward the cave, and begin Some members of the regional species of dire rats guard the
firing bolts as soon as possible. If the trap was bypassed and the place.
PCs traversed the tunnel to reach the landing, the goblins must
Water from the rough water laps loudly on the sand and gravel
succeed a Spot check (DC 12) to Spot the PCs. Make the check
covered entry to this cave. The rock and soil walls reach deeper
each round that the PCs are within the goblins firing window. If
into the cliff, narrowing as they go. At least a few smaller caves
they just see the raft moving toward the cave normally, they are 9
line the cavern’s walls, each no more than a couple feet in diam-
lax in their attention, assuming the Skar and Gvag have returned.
eter. They look as if some burrowing thing created them.
You battle grid illustrates the ranges that the goblins can fire,
and even illustrates the probable range zones. While these are
Trapped Hole

t
rren
Cu BATTLE GRID 2:
RIVER AND CAVES
(Arrows on Stairs point down)
Raft

k
-4 At

6
k
-2 At

t t

3 4

tk
-2 A
 EXTERMINATION

PCs searching the area (Search, DC 5; characters with Track can The smell comes from the deathsbreath mushrooms growing in
use Survival) notice a number of humanoid tracks, and large (as the chambers many niches and corners, and goblin waste (gob-
in dire) rat tracks. Most of the humanoid tracks tread deeper into lins are not the most sanitary of creatures). Found primarily in
the cave, while the rat tracks lead to the smaller caves along the the High Moors, the mushrooms are goblinoid delicacy, the
walls of the cave. The smaller caves are the hiding places for its mushrooms are poisonous if ingested by others (Knowledge
guardians. The rat guardians of the chamber attack any PC Nature DC 15 to know about the typical habitat of the mush-
approaching those smaller caves or exploring deeper within cave rooms and where they are from). The mushrooms are only dan-
complex. (Show the players Illustration 4, just prior to their gerous if eaten (Fort save DC 10, or become nauseated for 2d10
attack.) Hekkut and the goblins use these creatures like other minutes).
races use dogs to guard their lair. These rats even produce a sur- Creatures: Most of what’s left of Hekkut’s goblin forces
prisingly loud, sharp bark as they bite, which may bring the dwells in this chamber among their favorite food (other than
denizens of the Goblin Lair (see area 2, below) to investigate. meat). When the lighting rats in area 1 start to bark, make a
Creatures: The guardians of the lair are lightning rats, a more Listen check for the goblins (one check and four aid another
rural species of dire rat native to the Delimbiyr Crescent and the attempts DC 10). If successful, the goblins investigate the noise.
Greyvale. The rats are leaner and quicker than normal dire rats If not, they are found in this chamber. If the goblins from the
(Knowledge [nature] DC 10 to recognize that they are not normal Shooting Gallery have warned them, they are actively listening
dire rats, DC 15 to recognize them as lightning rats, grant a +4 cir- (taking 10 on their Listen check) and automatically hear the
cumstance bonus to local characters), strange bark of the lightning rat.
Lightning Rats (5): hp 8, 5, 2, 2, 1; see Appendix 4. Goblins (5): hp 9, 7, 5, 4, 2; see Monster Manual.
Tactics: The rats are shrewd combatants, using their speed Tactics: Goblin tactics are pretty scattershot. Without a clear
and Spring Attack to attack, and then duck back into the smaller leader they tend not to coordinate their attacks at all. These gob-
caves, which grant cover (+4 to AC, +2 bonus on Reflex saves in lins are far less organized than they would be if Skar were around,
certain situations). but do tend to throw at least one javelin to soften an enemy
Development: Other than egress from this chamber to deep- before entering into melee.
er in the River Cave, the only other development is if the light- Treasure: Hidden behind a group of slimy mushrooms the
ning rat barking attracts goblins from area 2. They arrive after five PCs may find (Search DC 10) a large pouch with a vial of
rounds of combat with the rats. alchemist fire, and five tindertwigs.

SCALING THE ENCOUNTER SCALING THE ENCOUNTER

2ND-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 3) 2ND-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 3)
Add three more lighting rats to the encounter (hp 9, 5, 4). Add three more goblins to the encounter (hp 8, 4, 3).

3RD-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 4) 3RD-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 4)

6 advanced (Small 3 HD) lighting rats (see Appendix 1; hp 21, 21, Add three more goblins (hp 8, 4, 3) and a bugbear (hp 24; see
20, 17, 14, 13). Monster Manual) to the encounter.

4TH-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 5) 4TH-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 5)

5 advanced (Medium 6 HD) lighting rats (see Appendix 1; hp 46, Add three bugbears to the encounter (hp 24, 17, 15; see Monster
44, 34, 34, 24). Manual).

2. Goblin Lair (EL 2) 3. Shooting Gallery (EL 1)

Hekkut’s goblins use this area as a communal lair. Before the This chambers serves as the primary defense against foes coming
PC enter this chamber, they can smell it. A strong pungent down the river to the cave. Two goblins are always here watching
smell like that of rotting leaves (or worse) emanates down the and waiting to plug intruders. They are more than willing to turn
corridors from this chamber. The following read aloud text their crossbows on sneaky PCs who catch them here unawares.
assumes that the goblins are encountered in this chamber, and Other than the two shooting holes the only thing of interest
for some reason didn’t investigate lightning rat barking com- here is the goblins’ spare ammo (see Treasure).
ing from area 1. If the PCs have already encountered the gob- Usually before the PCs even reach this locale, most likely the
lins, don’t use the second paragraph. PCs will have encountered these two goblins from the river. See
the battle grid for the shooting area and range markers. PCs
shooting the goblins from the raft, not only have to deal with the
Clumped within this smelly room there is the abundance
range (20 ft. up, and as many feet) but the motion of the raft (-2
of large speckled mushrooms that grow along the walls of
penalty to attack rolls), and the fact that the holes grant improved
the chamber. But more dangerous are the many goblins
cover (+8 bonus to AC, +4 bonus on Reflex saves). 11
residing here.
Creatures: These two goblins are extremely dedicated to their
sniper posts, a trait rather atypical of their kind.
Goblins (2): hp 6, 4; see Monster Manual.
 EXTERMINATION

These goblins are armed with light crossbows (+3 range;

1d6/19-20) instead of javelins.
SCALING THE ENCOUNTER
Development: After these goblins are done shooting at tar- 2ND-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 1)
gets coming down the river, they will warn the goblins in area 2 Increase the to three giant fire beetles (hp 8, 5, 3).
and Hekkut of the invaders. Then take positions on the passage-
way leading to the gallery, hoping to sneak up on PCs as they pass 3RD-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 2)
(or allow the goblins from area 1 to flank invaders positions if the
Swap giant fire beetle to a single giant bombardier beetle pro-
PCs choose to explore in the gallery’s direction.
tecting a nest (hp 11; see Monster Manual).
Treasure: in a small depression on the western wall of the
gallery lies a few bundles of spare bolts. There are 30 bolts usable
in light crossbows for Small creatures. Among them are five bolts 4TH-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 3)
with alchemical silver tips (1d6-1 damage). Swap giant fire beetle to a cluster of two giant bombardier beetles
protecting a nest (hp 13, 11; see Monster Manual).

SCALING THE ENCOUNTER 5. Whistling Trap (EL 1)

2ND-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 2) Paranoid to the extreme, Hekkut guards his lair with a nasty dart
The goblins are advanced goblins Rog1 (hp 6, 5; see Appendix 1). trap. The battle grid shows the trip location in darker gray (for
3rd-level and high characters the trip location stays the same, but
the area affected increases to the two squares directly behind
3RD-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 3) [west] of the trip locations). Once the PC hits the trip location,
One of the goblins is an advanced goblins Rog1 (hp 6; see the darts fire.
Appendix 1), the other is a goblin Rog2 (hp 13; see Appendix 1). Trap: The dart trap also lets out a shrill whistling sound, cre-
ated by hollows in the darts. This has the extra affect of warning
4TH-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 4) Hekkut of arriving visitors.
Both goblins are advanced goblin Rog2 (hp 13, 11; see Appendix Fusillade of Darts: CR 1; mechanical; location trigger;
1). manual reset; Atk +10 ranged (1d4+1, dart); multiple targets (fires
1d4 darts at each target in two adjacent 5-ft. squares); Search DC
4. STORAGE CAVE (EL 0 OR 1/3) 14; Disable Device DC 20.
This chamber holds the loot stolen by the goblin raids, which
will be carted back as tribute once Hekkut gathers reinforce- SCALING THE ENCOUNTER
ments from the Dungeon of the Hark.
2ND-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 2)
Small wooden kegs, and grain sacks, cloth bags, bundles of Fusillade of Darts: CR 2; mechanical; location trigger;
cloth, rolls of rugs, and small crates are strewn about in the cave. manual reset; Atk +10 ranged (1d4+1, dart); multiple targets (fires
1d4+1 darts at each target in two adjacent 5-ft. squares); Search
Everything stolen from the Merrymars and others that the gobli- DC 15; Disable Device DC 20.
noids did not eat, use, or destroy is gathered in this room. It is not
organized at all, and will take time to organize and inventory, not 3RD-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 3)
to mention move. Fusillade of Darts: CR 3; mechanical; location trigger;
Creature: Disturbing the rolls of blankets, provokes the ire of manual reset; Atk +10 ranged (1d4+1, dart); multiple targets (fires
a resting giant fire beetle resting under them. The beetle attacks 1d4+1 darts at each target in a 10-ft.-by-10-ft. area); Search DC 17;
and then attempts to escape. Disable Device DC 20.
Giant Fire Beetle: hp 5; see Monster Manual.
Treasure: The various items here could be sold for a fair
4TH-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 4)
amount of coin (150 gp per PC), but it will take time to find buy-
Fusillade of Darts: CR 4; mechanical; location trigger;
ers and doing so may attract the attention of the Merrymar clan
manual reset; Atk +10 ranged (1d4+1, dart); multiple targets (fires
and allied Shining Falls strongheart halfling families, which
1d6 darts at each target in a 10-ft.-by-10-ft. area); Search DC 17;
ruins any chance of receiving a reward from them later at the
Disable Device DC 20.
very least. If the PCs Search the piles they may find (Search DC
15) a silvered short sword, a weapon once carried by one of Blaz’s
sons, but doing so takes time, which may have repercussions (see 6. Lair of the Wererat (EL 4)
below). Much of what the PCs encounter here is dependent on past
Development: If the PCs take too much time here, it increas- actions. Irrespective of that, much of the physical makeup of the
es the chance that Hekkut will make his escape. For instance, if room will not change. When PCs see the room, read or para-
they decide to camp here, he definitely flees in the interim, or if phrase the following:
12 the PCs spend time to do a quick inventory or search for items The rough walls of this cave are decorated with many strange
that can help them, there is a 50% chance that the wererat makes glyphs and pictographs along the walls. Many are of a blocky
his escape while they do, even if it is under the normal two day savage design, but some are as elegant as a wizard’s script. The
window—Hekkut hears them and decides to make a run for it.
 EXTERMINATION

chamber is illuminated by a statue, part rat-totem, and part dec-

orative brazier, that spits its smokeless flame into the air.

If the PCs took less than two days for the PCs to get here, then
Hekkut the Molten is still here. Add the following the following.

Toward the back of the cavern, suspended from the ceiling is a

complicated set of ropes and pulleys ending in a net holding a
large rock pile over a hole. A rope snakes down into the hole
from the rigging. Obviously pulling the rope causeS the rocks to
fall, burying the hole.
By the hole is a ratman, or rather some mix between a giant
rat and a hobgoblin, dressed in moth-eaten robes and adorned
with numerous pouches—probably spell component pouches.
He is armed with a quarterstaff.

Use Illustration 5 to describe that scene. If they took more than

two days, he has escaped. Use the following instead.

Toward the back of the cavern, there is a pile of rocks on

the floor. They look as though they are filling a large hole
in the ground.

This chamber has been used by Hakkut the Molten, a hobgoblin

wererat brood-servant of the Hark, as lair and base of operations
for the past month. Hakkut made the strange markings that clut-
ter the walls of the cave. The hobgoblin lycanthrope suffers from
a mental illness—part attention deficiency and part compul- spell), and attempt to flee down the hole. It will take a standard
sion—that causes him to scribble notes about his life on the walls action on his part to pull the rock pile down on the hole, but
of his living quarters. They are in the Goblin language, but rather when he does, his escape is ensured. It will take 1d4 days of dig-
than using the Dwarven alphabet, he uses a pictogram code of his ging to clear the rocks from the hole enough to even attempt to
own creation, and that only he knows. follow Hakkut.
If the PCs took less than two days from their confrontation If the PC don’t trip that trap, they have a chance of getting a
with Skar to reach this place, Hakkut is still here preparing for jump on Hakkut. While he still flees into the hole as soon as he
the Underdark trek to the Dungeon of the Hark some hundred is physically able, he lacks the power-up suite, and forgoes the
miles south and east by the crow flies. He is returning to report spell attack unless it is clearly in his immediate advantage not to.
on his progress, and to obtain reinforcements. The ogre that Development: Inquisitive PC will be curious about the
stumbled into the cave complex a tenday ago has decimated his strange scribbling on the wall. A comprehend languages or a suc-
forces, and hopes that the Hark will grace him with more goblins cessful Decipher Script check (DC 20) allows a PC to read
to command. Over his planned egress is a rigged pile of good-size Hekkut’s strange script. Hekkuts notes talk recounts many
rocks and boulders. The stones are set up in such a way that when things such as he and the goblins trek from the Hark’s strong-
a creature pulls on a length of rope leading from the pile down hold in the High Moor through the illithid-infested corridors of
the hole the rocks fall on the hole. the Underdark, to these caves. Reading on the PCs will find that
PCs that took more than two days to get here only find the the Hark has made a deal with the mind flayers that allows his
writing on the wall, Hakkut’s rat-shaped totem, and the pile of agents to move through areas they control in the local under
rocks blocking the passage to the Underdark. earth, and that the wererat bandit lord is hoping to expand his
Creature: Hekkut can be a cunning opponent, but he is also a territory into the very heart of the trade corridor between Llork
coward. His main goal is to escape, even if he is captured. If and Secomber, with a desire to strike at Loudwater itself. If the
escape is impossible, he would rather die than betray his mas- script is deciphered give each player a copy of this adventure’s
ter—he fears the Hark more than death. story object: Hekkut’s Strange Script. Story objects are handouts
Hekkut: Male hobgoblin wererat Wiz2; hp 19; see that players can take as record of important information gained
Appendix 1. in the adventure. The front of the story object is a picture of
Power-uup suite: Spd 70 ft.; SV Fort +7, Ref +9, Will +4. Hekkut’s pictographs on the wall of his cave; the back contains
Tactics: If the PCs set off the whistling dart trap, Hakkut has the translation and information gained.
enough time to pack his belongings (some dried meat, water, The script also tells that he and his goblinoid are indeed
spell components, sticks of charcoal, and his spell book), and cast responsible for all the attacks on the poor Marrymars, as well as 13
at least a couple of preparatory spells (resistance and expeditious other travelers between Loudwater and Shining Falls.
retreat) before the PCs enter the chamber. From there, Hakkut
launches what he hopes is a debilitating attack (usually a sleep
 EXTERMINATION

SCALING THE ENCOUNTER The warning is sincere. If the PCs decide to trudge on, a pair of
mindflayers soon attacks them. A couple of rounds later, their
2ND-LEVEL CHARACTERS (EL 5) lives are complete.
Advance Hekkut to 3rd-level (hp 17; Power-up Suite—Spd 70 ft.; Creatures: These two cold-blooded killers will not even
Fort +9, Ref +11, Will +7) see Appendix 1. approach the PCs. They will incapacitate them from afar, and
feast at their leisure.
3RD-LEVEL AND 4TH-LEVEL CHARACTERS CHARACTERS (EL 6) Mind Flayers (2): hp 50, 44; see Monster Manual.
Advance Hekkut to 4rd-level (hp 27; Power-up Suite—Spd 70 ft.;
Fort +9, Ref +11, Will +8) see Appendix 1.
CONCLUDING THE
ADVENTURE
BEYOND THE RIVER
The end of this adventure is fairly straightforward. The PCs will
CAVE (EL VARIABLE) either eliminate the goblinoid threat to the area and find out
some of the Hark’s plans and methods in the region or they will
If the PC defeat Hekkut before he can scramble down the hole, not.
or they insist on taking the time to uncover the passageway, it PCs who save Blaz and recovered his family’s goods, the
will become clear that down is not the place to go. First, the PCs halflings of Shinning Falls treat the PCs like the heroes they are,
have to climb the almost 80-foot decent (Climb DC 25, reduced gorging them with vast banquets and lavishing them with plush
to DC 5 if the PC use a rope) to the passages of the Flayer’s (if small) quarters for the days they stay in the village.
Corridors. And even when they reach the first horizontal pas-
sageways, they are greeted by confusing honeycomb of passages Adventure Consequences
that require a daily Survival checks (DC 15) just to keep from get-
Characters that died during the adventure can get a raise dead
ting lost.
spell cast on them by Prior Athosar from the Houses of Morning
Eventually, after a day and a half of wandering around in the
in Loudwater. This costs 1,000 gp of gold piece debt (that is a
Underdark, some creepy hunters attack the party.
1,000 gp taken from EV permanently), which can be split
Creatures: Pair of danger gricks utilizes the confusing pas-
between multiple PCs. If this happens, you will also have to
sages of the Flayer’s Corridors to trap the PCs in a dead end.
deduct as many experience points to put the character at the mid
Beware, this is a very dangerous encounter that has a good
point of the next lowest level. Of course, this can't be split
chance of decimating the PCs, but such are the hazards of walk-
between multiple PCs.
ing in the Underdark.
If a character contracts lycanthropy he or she is cured free of
Gricks (2): 6, 9; see Monster Manual.
charge in either Loudwater or Shining Falls. Wererats are not tol-
On the off chance that the PCs come away from the
erated in the region. If the PC refuses, then the character is
encounter with the gricks and want to continue exploring the
immediately retired (treat as a character death), due to the align-
Underdark, they get one more hint, and then it’s time for the big
ment shift that will no doubt occur on the next full moon.
guns…or big tentacles as the case may be.
Not far from where the PCs encountered the gricks, they
discover the following.
ADVENTURE QUESTIONS
In the middle of a long echoing corridor stands a large many-
sided obelisk that twists upward like a wicked, crooked finger DUNGEONS & DRAGONS CAMPAIGNS (of which LEGACY OF THE
of some infernal abomination. GREEN REGENT is that program’s first offering) tracks character
progress digitally. At the adventure you report what the charac-
ters did, by answering a number of questions. The answers to
The obelisk is an Underdark waymarker, informing travelers
those questions are tallied, and determine not only what happens
they are entering the territory of the illithid. Approaching the
in the campaign, but also the experience points (XP) and gold
waymarker the PCs see the obelisk has six sides, each decorated
piece value increase each character gains.
with images of mind flayers feeding on a different kind of crea-
At the end of this adventure you’ll find and RPGA Session
ture. One has them feeding on a drow, one has them feeding on
Tracking form, tailored for this adventure. On the section titled
an orc, another a human, another an ogre, the next a derro, and
“Adventure Questions” fill in the bubble that corresponds to the
the last some infernal creature. Each has the following message
best answer for the questions below.
written in a language corresponding with their prey (drow—
Many times the questions ask whether or not PCs defeated
Undercommon; orc—Orc; human—Common; ogre—Giant;
an encounter. Defeating doesn’t necessarily mean killing all ene-
derro—Dwarven; infernal creature—Infernal).
mies, but many times such an event suffices as defeating an
Lesser beings--let it be known that one step farther and you are encounter. Sometimes PCs merely bypass an encounter.
14 ours. This is not a warning; it's an invitation. Join us, and we'll Through luck or circumstance a group of PCs can avoid encoun-
complete your life. ters unscathed. Does bypassing an encounter earn the XP that
defeating it would? No. The reward for getting past an encounter
without actually interacting with it is having extra resources to
 EXTERMINATION

bear in the next encounter. Where is the line? You are going to 4. Did the PCs encounter the whistling dart trap and defeat
have to make that decision, because you are the DM. Hekkut?
For traps, PCs get experience points just for encountering a. Yes they encountered the whistling dart trap and
them, whether or not they have been disabled. defeated Hekkut
The maximum reward available for this adventure is 550 XP b. Not quite. Yes they encountered the whistling dart
and 300 gp. trap, but Hekkut escaped.
c. No. Yes they encountered the whistling dart trap, but
1. Did the PCs defeat the goblinoids and save Blaz Marrymar dur- Hekkut defeated the PCs.
ing Waylaid before Twilight? d. No. They didn’t encounter the whistling dart trap, nor
a. Yes. They defeated goblins and saved Blaz. did they encounter Hekkut.
b. Not quite. They defeated the goblins but were not able
to save Blaz. He died in the encounter. 5. Rate the group’s roleplaying.
c. Not quite. They didn’t defeat the goblins but were able a. Fantastic. Everyone had interesting and engaging
to save Blaz. characters the interacted with the adventure in very
d. No. They neither defeated the goblins nor saved Blaz. fun ways.
b. Good. Most everyone had interesting and engaging
2. Did the PCs encounter the Trapped Hole and navigate the character that interacted with the adventure in very
river? fun ways.
a. Yes. They encountered the trap and successfully c. Okay. There was some roleplaying.
navigated the river? d. None. They treated the adventure only as a set of
b. Not quite. They encountered the trap, but bypassed the objectives. There was no roleplaying.
river.
c. Not quite. They bypassed the trap, but navigated the
river.
d. No. They never encountered or bypassed both.

3. Did the PCs defeat the lighting rats and goblins in the River
Caves?
a. Yes. They defeated the lightning rats and the goblins.
b. Not quite. They defeated the lightning rats but didn’t
defeat the goblins.
c. Not quite. They didn’t defeat the lighting rats but did
defeat the goblins.
d. No. They neither defeated the lighting rats nor the
goblins.

15
 APPENDIX 1

APPENDIX 1: NPC AND Skills and Feats: Climb +9, Move Silently +7, Swim +8; Power
Attack, Weapon Focus (morningstar).
MONSTER STATS Languages: Common, Goblin (illiterate).
Rage (Ex): 1/day—hp 50; AC 16, touch 10, flat-flooted 16;
Adventure Start: Waylaid at Twilight Grp +11; Atk +13 melee (1d8+7, masterwork morningstar), or +6
Skar: male goblin War1/Rog1; CR 2; Small humanoid (gobli- ranged (1d6+7, javelin); Full Atk +13 melee (1d8+7, masterwork
noid); HD1d8+1d6+4; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 14, flat- morningstar), or +6 ranged (1d6+7, javelin); Fort +9; Will +4;
footed 14; Base Atk +1; Grp –3; Atk +3 melee (1d6, masterwork Climb +11; lasts 7 rounds, then fatigued (-2 penalty to Strength, -
morningstar), or +5 ranged (1d6/19-20, light crossbow); Full Atk 2 penalty to Dexterity, can’t charge or run).
+3 melee (1d6, masterwork morningstar), or +5 ranged (1d6/19- Possessions: 3 javelins, leather armor, light wooden shield,
20, light crossbow); SQ Sneak attack +1d6; SQ darkvision 60 ft., masterwork morningstar, potion of cure light wounds.
goblin traits, trapfinding; AL NE; SV Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +0; Str
11, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 6.
River Cave
Skills and Feats: Climb +4, Escape Artist +5, Hide +5,
Intimidate +3, Profession (sailor) +4, Swim +4; Point Blank Shot. 1. LAIR OF THE LIGHTNING RATS
Languages: Common, Goblin, Orc. Advanced Lightning Rats (EL 4 version): CR ½; Small animal;
Possessions: light crossbow, 10 bolts, masterwork morningstar, HD 3d8+3; Init +3; Spd 40 ft., climb 20 ft.; AC 15, touch 14, flat-
studded leather armor. footed 12; Base Atk +2; Grp –2; Atk +6 melee (1d4 plus 1 sonic,
bite); Full attack +6 melee (1d4 plus 1 sonic); SA Sonic bark; SQ
Skar (EL 5 version): male goblin War1/Rog3: CR 4; Small Low-light vision, scent; AL N; SV Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +4; Str 10,
humanoid (goblinoid); HD1d8+3d6+8; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 18, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 1, Wis 12, Chr 4.
touch 15, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +3; Grp –1; Atk +5 melee (1d6, Skills and Feats: Climb +12, Hide +8, Listen +4, Move Silently
masterwork morningstar), or +9 ranged (1d6/19-20,masterwork +4, Spot +4, Swim +12; Alertness, Spring Attack, Weapon
light crossbow); Full Atk +5 melee (1d6, masterwork morn- Finesse, Weapon Focus (bite).
ingstar), or +9 ranged (1d6/19-20, masterwork light crossbow); Sonic Bite (Ex): In combat their bites are accompanies by
SQ Sneak attack +2d6; SQ darkvision 60 ft., evasion, goblin traits, loud sonic barks, which does a point of sonic damage (the dam-
trap sense +1, trapfinding; AL NE; SV Fort +5 , Ref +7, Will +1 ; age is already in the statistic block), and also inform others in the
Str 11, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 6. area (or goblin keepers) that trouble is afoot.
Skills and Feats: Climb +7, Escape Artist +9, Hide +9,
Intimidate +5, Profession (sailor) +6, Swim +7; Point Blank Shot, Advanced Lightning Rats (EL 5 version): CR 1; Medium ani-
Precise Shot. mal; HD 6d8+15; Init +3; Spd 40 ft., climb 20 ft.; AC 14, touch 13,
Languages: Common, Goblin, Orc. flat-footed 11; Base Atk +4; Grp +4; Atk +7 melee (1d6+3 plus 1d3
Possessions: masterwork light crossbow, 10 bolts, masterwork sonic, bite); Full Atk +7 melee (1d6+3 plus 1d3 sonic); SA Sonic
morningstar, potion of cure light wounds, studded leather armor. bark; SQ Low-light vision, scent; AL N; SV Fort +6, Ref +8, Will
+6; Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 1, Wis 12, Chr 4.
Skar (EL 6 version): male goblin War1/Rog4: CR 5; Small Skills and Feats: Climb +13, Hide +5, Listen +3, Move Silently
humanoid (goblinoid); HD1d8+4d6+10; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 19, +4, Spot +4, Swim +13; Alertness, Spring Attack, Toughness,
touch 15, flat-footed 19; Base Atk +4; Grp +0; Atk +6 melee (1d6, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (bite).
morningstar), or +10 ranged (1d6/19-20,masterwork light cross- Sonic Bite (Ex): In combat their bites are accompanies by
bow); Full Atk +6 melee (1d6, morningstar), or +10 ranged loud sonic barks, which does 1d3 points of sonic damage (the
(1d6/19-20, masterwork light crossbow); SA Sneak attack +2d6; damage is already in the statistic block), and also inform others in
SQ darkvision 60 ft., evasion, goblin traits, trap sense +1, trapfind- the area (or goblin keepers) that trouble is afoot
ing, uncanny dodge; AL NE; SV Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +1; Str 11,
Dex 18, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 6. 3. SHOOTING GALLERY
Skills and Feats: Climb +8, Escape Artist +10, Hide +10,
Advanced Goblin: male goblin Rog1; CR 1; Small humanoid
Intimidate +6, Profession (sailor) +7, Swim +8, Tumble +7.
(goblinoid); HD 1d6+2; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 16, touch 14, flat-
Languages: Common, Goblin, Orc.
footed 13; Base Atk +0; Grp –4; Atk +0 melee (1d6, morningstar)
Possessions: +1 studded leather armor, masterwork light cross-
or +3 ranged (1d6/19-20, light crossbow); Full Atk +0 melee (1d6,
bow, 10 bolts, masterwork morningstar, potion of cure light wounds.
morningstar) or +4 ranged (1d6/19-20, light crossbow); SA +1d6
sneak attack; SQ Darkvision 60 ft., trapfinding; AL NE; SV Fort
Gvrag (EL 6 version): male bugbear Bbn2: CR 3; Medium
+2, Ref +5, Will +0; Str 10, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 6.
humanoid (goblinoid); HD3d8+2d12+15; Init +2; Spd 40 ft.; AC
Skills and Feats: Balance +7, Climb +4, Escape Artist +7, Hide
18, touch 12, flat-footed 18; Base Atk +4; Grp +9 ; Atk +11 melee
+7, Move Silently +7, Spot +4, Swim +4, Tumble +7; Weapon
(1d8+5, masterwork morningstar), or +6 ranged (1d6+5, javelin);
Focus (light crossbow).
Full Atk +11 melee (1d8+5, masterwork morningstar), or +6
Possessions: Leather armor, morningstar, light crossbow, 10
16 ranged (1d6+5, javelin); SA rage; SQ bugbear traits, darkvision 60
bolts.
ft., fast movement, illiteracy, scent, uncanny dodge; AL CE; SV
Fort +7, Ref +5 , Will +2 ; Str 20, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 8, Wis 12,
Advanced Goblin: male goblin Rog2; CR 1; Small humanoid
Cha 8.
(goblinoid); HD 2d6+4; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 16, touch 14, flat-
 APPENDIX 1

footed 13; Base Atk +1; Grp –3; Atk +1 melee (1d6, morningstar) familiar; AL LE; SV Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +6; Str 8, Dex 22, Con
or +3 ranged (1d6/19-20, light crossbow); Full Atk +0 melee (1d6, 16, Int 15, Wis 12, Cha 11.
morningstar) or +6 ranged (1d6/19-20, masterwork light cross- Skills and Feats: Climb +6, Concentration +9, Knowledge
bow); SA +1d6 sneak attack; SQ Darkvision 60 ft., trapfinding, (arcana) +8, Knowledge (nature) +8, Listen +3, Spellcraft +8, Spot
evaision; AL NE; SV Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +0; Str 10, Dex 17, Con +3, Swim +6; Improved Counterspell, Iron Will, Scribe Scroll.
14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 6. Languages: Common, Elvish, Goblin, Orc.
Skills and Feats: Balance +8, Climb +5, Escape Artist +8, Hide Possessions: quarterstaff, cloak of resistance (+1), spell component
+8, Move Silently +8, Spot +5, Swim +5, Tumble +8; Weapon pouch, arcane scroll of color spray.
Focus (light crossbow). Alternate form (Su): A wearerat can assume a bipedal hybrid
Possessions: Leather armor, morningstar, masterwork form or the form of a dire rat.
light crossbow, 10 bolts. Curse of Lycanthropy (Su): Any humanoid or giant hit by a
wererat’s bite attack in animal or hybrid form must succeed on a
6. LAIR OF THE WERERAT DC 15 Fortitude save or contract lycanthropy.
Hekkut, hybrid form (EL 4 version): male hobgoblin (wererat) Disease (Ex): Filth fever; bite, Fortitude DC 12, incubation
Wiz2: Medium humanoid (goblinoid, shapechanger): HD period 1d3 days, damage 1d3 Dex and 1d3 Con. The save DC is
2d4+1d8+9; Init +2; Spd 40 ft.; AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13; Constitution-based.
Base Atk +1; Grp –1; Atk –1 melee (1d6-1, quarterstaff), or –1 Familiar—Zuunt: Tiny animal; CR — ; HD 3d4; hp 11; Init
melee (1d6-1, bite); Full Atk –1 melee (1d6-1, bite) and –6 (1d4-1, +2, Spd 15 ft., climb 15 ft., swim 15 ft.; AC 15, touch 14, flat-foot-
2 claws); SA Curse of lycanthropy, disease; SQ Alternate form, rat ed 13; Base Atk +1; Grp –11; Atk +5 melee (1d3-4, bite); Full Atk
empathy, damage reduction 10/silver, darkvision 30 ft., scent, +5 melee (1d3-4, bite); Space/Reach 2-1.2 ft./0ft.; SQ Low-light
familiar; AL LE; SV Fort +6, Ref +8, Will +3; Str 8, Dex 22, Con 16, vision, scent, Alertness, improved evasion, share spells, empathic
Int 15, Wis 12, Cha 11. link, deliver touch spells; AL x; SV Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +3; Str 2,
Skills and Feats: Climb +6, Concentration +8, Knowledge Dex 15, Con 10, Int 7, Wis 12, Cha 2; Skills and Feats: Balance +10,
(arcana) +7, Knowledge (nature) +7, Listen +3, Spellcraft +7, Spot Climb +12, Hide +14, Move Silently +10, Swim +10; Run,
+3, Swim +6; Improved Counterspell, Scribe Scroll. Weapon Finesse.
Languages: Common, Elvish, Goblin, Orc. Rat empathy (Ex): Communicate with rats and dire rats, and
Possessions: quarterstaff, spell component pouch, arcane scroll +4 skill bonus on Charisma-based checks against rats and dire
of color spray. rats.
Alternate form (Su): A wearerat can assume a bipedal hybrid Spells prepared (4/3/2; DC = 12 + spell level): 0—acid splash,
form or the form of a dire rat. daze, finger of fatigue, resistance; 1st—magic missile, expeditious retreat,
Curse of Lycanthropy (Su): Any humanoid or giant hit by a sleep; 2nd—blur, web.
wererat’s bite attack in animal or hybrid form must succeed on a Spellbook: 0—all; 1st—alarm, color spray, expeditious retreat,
DC 15 Fortitude save or contract lycanthropy. magic missile, shield, sleep; 2nd—blur, daze monster, see invisibility,
Disease (Ex): Filth fever; bite, Fortitude DC 12, incubation web.
period 1d3 days, damage 1d3 Dex and 1d3 Con. The save DC is
Constitution-based. Hekkut, hybrid form (EL 6 version): male hobgoblin (wererat)
Familiar—Zuunt: Tiny animal; CR — ; HD 2d4; hp 8; Init Wiz4: Medium humanoid (goblinoid, shapechanger): HD
+2, Spd 15 ft., climb 15 ft., swim 15 ft.; AC 15, touch 14, flat-foot- 4d4+1d8+15; Init +2; Spd 40 ft.; AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13;
ed 13; Base Atk +1; Grp –11; Atk +5 melee (1d3-4, bite); Full Atk Base Atk +2; Grp +0; Atk +1 melee (1d6-1, quarterstaff), or +0
+5 melee (1d3-4, bite); Space/Reach 2-1.2 ft./0ft.; SQ Low-light melee (1d6-1, bite); Full Atk +0 melee (1d6-1, bite) and –5 (1d4-1,
vision, scent, Alertness, improved evasion, share spells, empathic 2 claws); SA Curse of lycanthropy, disease; SQ Alternate form, rat
link; AL x; SV Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +3; Str 2, Dex 15, Con 10, Int empathy, damage reduction 10/silver, darkvision 30 ft., scent,
6, Wis 12, Cha 2; Skills and Feats: Balance +10, Climb +12, Hide familiar; AL LE; SV Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +7; Str 8, Dex 22, Con
+14, Move Silently +10, Swim +10; Weapon Finesse. 16, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 11.
Rat empathy (Ex): Communicate with rats and dire rats, and Skills and Feats: Climb +6, Concentration +9, Knowledge
+4 skill bonus on Charisma-based checks against rats and dire (arcana) +9, Knowledge (nature) +9, Listen +1, Spellcraft +9, Spot
rats. +1, Swim +6; Improved Counterspell, Iron Will, Scribe Scroll.
Spells prepared (4/3; DC = 12 + spell level): 0—acid splash, daze, Languages: Common, Elvish, Goblin, Orc.
finger of fatigue, resistance; 1st—magic missile, expeditious retreat, sleep. Possessions: masterwork quarterstaff, cloak of resistance (+1),
Spellbook: 0—all; 1st—alarm, color spray, expeditious retreat, spell component pouch, arcane scroll of color spray, arcane scroll
magic missile, shield, sleep. of Melf’s acid arrow. .
Alternate form (Su): A wearerat can assume a bipedal hybrid
Hukkut, hybrid form (EL 5 version): male hobgoblin (wererat) form or the form of a dire rat.
Wiz3: Medium humanoid (goblinoid, shapechanger): HD Curse of Lycanthropy (Su): Any humanoid or giant hit by a
3d4+1d8+12; Init +2; Spd 40 ft.; AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13; wererat’s bite attack in animal or hybrid form must succeed on a
Base Atk +1; Grp –1; Atk –1 melee (1d6-1, quarterstaff), or –1 DC 15 Fortitude save or contract lycanthropy. 17
melee (1d6-1, bite); Full Atk –1 melee (1d6-1, bite) and –6 (1d4-1, Disease (Ex): Filth fever; bite, Fortitude DC 12, incubation
2 claws); SA Curse of lycanthropy, disease; SQ Alternate form, rat period 1d3 days, damage 1d3 Dex and 1d3 Con. The save DC is
empathy, damage reduction 10/silver, darkvision 30 ft., scent, Constitution-based.
 APPENDIX 1 AND 2

Familiar—Zuunt: Tiny animal; CR — ; HD 2d4; hp 13; Init

+2, Spd 15 ft., climb 15 ft., swim 15 ft.; AC 15, touch 14, flat-foot- A variant of the dire rat, Lightning rats are also omnivorous scav-
ed 13; Base Atk +2; Grp –10; Atk +6 melee (1d3-4, bite); Full Atk engers, but hunt in cleaner, healthy locales, and thus tend to lack
+6 melee (1d3-4, bite); Space/Reach 2-1.2 ft./0ft.; SQ Low-light the diseases of their cousins. Like dire rats, Lightning rats attack
vision, scent, Alertness, improved evasion, share spells, empathic to defend their nests and territories. Some goblins raise and train
link, deliver touch spells; AL x; SV Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +3; Str 2, Lightning rats to guard their lairs and outposts.
Dex 15, Con 10, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 2; Skills and Feats: Balance +10, Lightning rats can grow to be up to 41/2 feet long and weigh
Climb +12, Hide +14, Move Silently +10, Swim +10; Run, over 50 pounds, but tend to be longer and leaner than other dire
Weapon Finesse. rats, and from a distance can be confused with large otters.
Rat empathy (Ex): Communicate with rats and dire rats, and
+4 skill bonus on Charisma-based checks against rats and dire Combat
rats. Lightning rat packs attack with hit and run attacks, biting and
Spells prepared (4/4/3; DC = 13 + spell level): 0—acid splash, chewing with their sharp incisors.
daze, finger of fatigue, resistance; 1st—magic missile, expeditious retreat, Sonic Bite (Ex): In combat their bites are accompanies by
shield, sleep; 2nd—blur, daze monster, web. loud sonic barks, which do an extra bit of damage (1 point for
Spellbook: 0—all; 1st—alarm, color spray, disguise self, expeditious Small Lightning rats, and 1d3 points for Medium lighting rats),
retreat, magic missile, shield, sleep; 2nd—arcane lock, blur, daze mon- and also inform others in the area (or goblin keepers) that trou-
ster, see invisibility, web. ble is afoot.
Skills: Lightning rats have a +8 racial bonus on Swim checks.
Lightning rats have a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and
APPENDIX 2: NEW RULES can always choose to take 10 on climb checks, een if rushed or
threatened.
NEW MONSTER Lightning rats use their Dexterity modifiers for Climb and
LIGHTNING RATS Swim checks.
Small Animal
Hit Dice: 1d8+1 (5 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 40 ft. (8 SIMPLE VEHICLE RULES FOR THE RIVER RAFT
squares), climb 20 ft. The following rules are for adjudicating the raft’s movement
Armor Class: 15 (+1 down the river toward the goblin cave. They are based on the
size, +3 Dex, +1 natu- vehicle rules presented in the Dungeons & Dragons Arms and
ral), touch 14, flat- Equipment Guide. It is good to be familiar with these rules, and the
footed 12 basic rules for movement and action types before running the
Base Attack/Grapple: river encounter.
+0/-4
Attack: Bite +4 melee Reading the Stat Block
(1d4 + 1 point sonic dam- Size: The size of the vehicle, using the same size categories as
age) for creatures.
Full Attack: Bite +4 melee (1d4 + 1 Skill: Which skill governs control check, in the raft’s case
point sonic damage) Profession (sailor) or a Wisdom check (DC 15). The raft has spe-
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. cial aid another rules, which are detailed below (see Controlling
Special Attacks: Sonic Bark the Raft).
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent Spd: The raft’s maximum speed in a single move. In this
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +3 encounter the speed is irrespective of whether or not the raft is
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 4 being rowed or piloted. The speed of the current is the main
Skills: Climb +11, Hide +8, Listen +4, Move Silently +4, Spot +4, motivating factor for the raft’s speed. In case it is necessary, the
Swim +11 raft moves upstream at a Speed of 10 feet if successfully piloted
Feats: Alertness, Spring AttackB, Weapon FinesseB (with the control check DC increasing to 20).
Environment: Any The raft general takes a double move. The rafts maneuver-
Organization: Solitary, nest (3-12), or pack (11-20) ability, which is good, is noted in parentheses after the speed.
Challenge Rating: 1/3 The following are descriptions of the different nautical maneu-
Treasure: None verability ratings. The lesser maneuverability ratings are some-
Alignment: Always neutral times used if the raft goes out of control (see below).
Advancement: 2-3 HD (Small); 4-6 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment: —
18
This enormous rat looks bigger and more vicious than most dogs. It has
course, spiky fur, malevolent eyes, and a long, naked tail.
 APPENDIX 2

TABLE: 2—1: NATICAL MANEUVERABILITY functions normally.

Good Average Poor 4 Raft must run right as soon as possible; thereafter
Turn 45°/30 ft. 45°/60 ft. 45°/120 ft. functions normally.
Maximum Turn 45° 45° 45° 5 Raft follows the current at maximum speed (no turning)
6 Raft can’t move this round
Turn is how much the raft can turn after covering the stated dis-
*Repairing the raft takes too much time without magic. The rock continues damag-
tance. Maximum turn is how much the raft can turn in one space. ing the raft until breaks apart into pieces of useless driftwood in a matter of 1d4 min-
Overall hp: How many hit points the raft has, the hardness is utes. Casting a mending spell repairs the raft and allows it to move onward down the
noted in parentheses. river under the pilot’s control.
Overall AC: The Armor Class of the vehicle as a whole.
Ram: The damage dealt by the raft it if rams another object at Out of Control Vehicles
maximum speed (see Collisions, below). Sometimes a pilot is incapacitated or relinquishes control of the
Face: The size of the vehicle, given as length by with for game raft (voluntarily or otherwise). If that happens the raft is out of
purposes (for use with the battle grid, the actual size of the vehi- control. On the pilot’s turn in the initiative order roll on Table
cle is smaller). 2—3 above to determine how the raft moves. Unless the result
Crew: How many people are required to operate the raft safe- indicates a turn, the raft continues to follow the current. An out
ly. The raft can only carry six characters safely, and cannot carry of control raft continues to roll on Table 2—3 every round until
mounts large than a riding dog (and then only in place of one of it comes to a stop from a result on the table or a collision (see
the character slots). Collisions, below).

Controlling the Raft Combat Actions on the Raft

One PC is designated as the driver. This denotes the person who Combat on the raft uses the normal rues described in Chapter 8
is directly responsible for the raft’s actions. Let the PCs decide of the Player’s Handbook. The raft has maneuverability, just as fly-
which PCs is the driver, but those with Profession (sailor) or a ing characters and creatures do, and have limitations on how
high Wisdom are the obvious choices. It takes either training or quickly it can turn.
a great deal of common sense and intuition to get the rickety raft Piloting the raft is a standard action. Characters not aiding
down the rapids. the pilot (aiding another is a standard action) can make attacks
For the PCs to keep the raft under control the driver must but suffer penalties since it is hard to fight aboard a raft moving
succeed at either a Profession (sailor) or Wisdom check each down rapids.
round (DC 15). Other characters may attempt to aid another (see Ranged attack: Ranged attacks made from the raft inure a –2
Chapter 4 of the Player’s Handbook), but the aid another check is penalty because the unstable movement on the rapids.
a Strength check rather than a Profession (sailor) or Wisdom As with mounted combat, PCs are assumed to make the
check, as those character are using whatever is available to help attack roll when the vehicle is at the midpoint of its movement
steady the progress of the raft on the rapids. This form of aid for that round.
another can be as simple as using their hands as paddles (-4 penal- Casting a Spell: Spellcaster aboard the raft must succeed at
ty to the aid another check), as smart as creating other poles from Concentration checks (DC 10 + spell level) to successful cast a
blueleaf branches, or as creative as using shield as paddles. If the spell.
driver’s check succeeds, the driver moves the raft on his or her Fighting Pilot: The raft’s pilot can voluntarily relinquish con-
turn in the initiative. If the check fails, roll on one of the follow- trol of the raft to make attacks or take another action. If this is
ing two tables, depending on the degree of failure. done, the raft goes out of control (see above) until the driver
spends a standard-action to bring the raft under control again.
TABLE 2—2: FAILED CONTROL CHECK (1-4
4 POINTS)
d6 Result Collision
1-2 Raft can’t move this round (it is stuck on a rock, or held If the PCs hit something with the raft (whether intentionally or
immobile by an eddy) by accident) at full speed, the collision deals the ram damage
3-5 Raft moves at half speed with the current only given in the raft’s statistics block. The raft takes an equal amount
6 Raft is considered on maneuverability rating worse of damage.
this round. Collision and Passengers: The pilot, crew, and passengers are
all vulnerable to damage in a collision. All aboard the raft that
TABLE 2—3: FAILED CONTROL CHECK (5+ POINTS) comes to a stop after a collision take 1d6 points of damage per 10
d6 Result feet of relative speed in the collision. A successful Reflex save
1 Raft is stuck on a rock, can’t move until repairs are (DC 20) halves the damage.
made* Leaving the Moving Raft: If a PC jumps or gets pushed on to
2 Raft is stuck in a strange current confluence, and turns land from the moving raft takes 1d6 points of damage per 10 feet
as often as possible in a random direction this round of speed (Reflex half DC 20). Regardless of the save result, such a 19
(use the Missing with a Thrown Weapon diagram on character is prone unless she succeed on a Tumble check (DC 15
Player’s Handbook page 158). +1 per 10 feet of speed).
3 Raft must turn left as soon as possible; thereafter
 APPENDIX 3

APPENDIX 3: LOUDWATER Rensha rulers.

Red Boar Inn: Owned but not operated by Deldron Rein, this
Loudwater (small city): Conventional; AL NG; 15,000 gp limit; inn is a popular meeting place for the human merchants and coster-
Assets 6,105,000 gp; Population 8,137; Integrated (3,010 human, master of Loudwater, and those who wish to be hired by them. In
1,627 half-elf, 1,465 elf, 814 halfling, 570 gnome, 407 dwarf, 244 the inn’s common room there is a large pillar used by the human
half-orc—does not include the entire adventuring community). community to communicate events and ideas. The pillar was made
Authority Figures: High Lord Kalahar Twohands (half-elf male from the remains of a giant oak that the Rein forefathers fell to
Ftr7/Wiz5/Eldrich Knight 2); Gauntlet Harazos Thelbrimm build the inn, an event still infamous to the elves.
(human male Ftr11), and Gauntlet Jaida Zerezeal (half-elf female The Merry Mer-She: At night, this place is a tumult of loud
Rgr8). music and frequent fights. It is not a place to relax or hold a con-
Typical Town Guard: When the folks of Loudwater are in trou- versation, but rather a place frequented by adventurers with too
ble, or they witness strange happenings, they yell for the guard. much coin to spend, and not enough “adventure” out of them.
Usually in 1d10 rounds, a group of them responds. The group The beer is watery, and the stronger stuff is potent.
typically consists of 2d6 guards lead by one fist (the Loudwater The Scarlet Shield: This dirty little tavern has poor furnishings,
name for sergeant). About 30% of the time they will come with and a lazy staff, but for some reason it is very popular with a num-
one of their spellcasting member (d%: 01 – 30 2nd-level sorcerer; ber of adventurers and warriors that serve under the gauntlets.
31-60 2nd-level evoker; 61-00 3rd-level cleric, usually of Helm, All Faith’s Altar: A large shrine open to the devout of all faiths
Torm, or the Red Knight. Use the NPC stats in the DUNGEON (with a few exceptions, like Bane, Cyric and
MASTER’s Guide for spellcaster’s statistics). Malar). Visiting clerics and pilgrims can
Guard: Human male or female War3; CR 2; Medium sleep here for no longer than a tenday.
humanoid (human); HD 3d8+3; hp 16 each; Init +0; Spd 20 ft.; The Houses of Morning: Three tem-
AC 16, touch 10, flat-footed 16; Base Atk +3, Grp +4; Atk +4 ples devoted to Lathander. One
melee (1d8+1/19-20, longsword), or +3 ranged (1d8/19-20, stands on the east side of town,
light crossbow); SV Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +2; Str 13, Dex 11, another at the west, and one sits
Con 12, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8. atop Loudwater Crag in High
Skills and Feats: Climb +1, Listen +1, Spot +1, Swim Town, not far from High Lord’s
–3; Alertness, Iron Will, Point-Blank Shot. Hall.
Possessions: Guard uniform (an electric blue tabard Velti’Enorethal: Not
with the triple, gold moons of Loudwater emblazoned really a temple (even though
on the front and back, over dark brown britches and it is devoted to the path of
blouse), chainmail, light wooden shield, longsword, Labelas Enoreth) or a school
light crossbow, 20 bolts. of the arcane arts, this place is
Fist (Loudwater Guard Sergeant): Human male more like a school of philoso-
or female Ftr4; CR 4; Medium humanoid (human); HD phy, where the sons and
4d10+8; hp 30; Init +1; Spd 20 ft.; AC 19, flat-footed 11, daughters of elven nobles, or
touch 18; Base Atk +4; Grp +7; Atk +8 melee (1d8+5/19- the friends of elven nobles are
20, masterwork longsword), or +5 ranged (1d8/19-20, saturated in elven traditions,
light crossbow); SV Fort +6. Ref +2, Will +4; Str 16, Dex 13, magic, religion and history
Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8. Gauntlet Harazos through years of patient study and
Skills and Feats: Climb +8, Listen +1, Spot +1, Swim +4; Thelbrimm practice.
Diehard, Endurance, Iron Will, Rapid Reload, Weapon Focus History: Most of the following
(longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword). information can be recalled or discovered
Possessions: Fist uniform (an white tabard with the triple, gold with a successful Knowledge (history) check (DC
moons of Loudwater emblazoned on the front and back, over 15).
dark brown britches and blouse), +1 chainmail, +1 light wooden According to the histories of the elven houses, Loudwater was
shield, masterwork longsword, light crossbow, 20 bolts, 5 alchem- founded when the first two elven houses settled here to create
ical silver bolts, potion of cure light wounds. the Velti-Enlorethal. While that institution and those two elven
City Description: Loudwater is a picturesque city where no two houses still stand, today Loudwater is primarily a human town,
vine-covered buildings look the same. The Delimbiyr River cuts the even though almost a quarter of town’s inhabitants are half-elf,
town in half. To its north is what the locals call High Town, or descended from the elves of Eaerlann.
sometimes Elf Town. Sitting above the river atop craggy highlands, Current Clack: These bits of information can be found out by a
High Town is a winding, organic jumble of merchant shops, qui- successful Gather Information check of the appropriate level. Orcs
eter taverns, some guild halls, and at is farther north end is the of the High Forest suffer a –10 penalty to these checks, while
home of the elven houses. The most prominent feature of High Scions of the Green Regent and Agents of the Red Fellowship gain
Town is High Lord’s Hall, which stands above the spot that the falls a +2 circumstance bonus. Typically this information is gathered at
that gave this town its name were once located. one of Loudwater’s taverns after spending a couple of gold pieces on
The south side of the city is Low Town. Low Town is the drinks. Other methods can yield similar results.
more human side of the town, while far more green and clean DC 10: An orc! Mielikki has chosen and orc as her Green
than most cities, the elves call it something that roughly trans- Regent. The world has gone mad I tell you.
lates to “ugly town”—at least that’s the nice translation. Low DC 15: I went in the basement and found it had been inun-
Town is home to warehouses, coster headquarters, rowdy tav- dated by a colony of rats. It is a bad tiding. With the Hark’s brood
erns, merchants, and workshops. out in force, and the rats coming into the city, old Augathra did-
The following are some further details on important locales n’t name this the Year of the Rat.
within the village: DC 25: A ranger I was talking to saw Zhents in the
20 High Lord’s Hall: A walled manor at the center of town, High Southwood. They were camped outside of Phantom’s Cloister,
Lord’s Hall was built during the Rensha Rule. It architecture has and traveled with stunted beastman thralls.
a strange mix of southern and elven influences. It is rumored that Getting Back on Track: If the PCs decide to go back to
crypts under the hall are haunted with the restless spirits of old Loudwater and report their findings, they eventually wind there
 APPENDIX 3 AND 4

way to the Eastenhall—the headquarters of Harazos Thelbrimm, town’s center. Most of the buildings are the stout one-story ram-
Gauntlet of the Easter Marches. Harazos has heard rumors of blers favored by northern stoutheart halflings, intermixed with
goblins raiding on the road between Loudwater and Shining some larger barns, grain silos, and even the intermittent elven
Falls, but currently lacks the soldiers to investigate. If the PCs are tree houses left here by the villages former inhabitants, which
willing, he hires them to find out more information about the some adventurous stouthearts have put to good use.
goblins, and exterminate the orange-skinned pests if necessary. Like Loudwater, the village is lush. Copses of birch, oaks, ash,
Harazos is a hardened veteran of many fights with goblinoids, and even some blueleafs dot the place. All dwarfed by a larger
and has no love for savage humanoids. group of woods on the Northwestern edge of town that houses a
holy grove: the Hearthcircle of Yondalla.
The following are some further details on important locales
APPENDIX 4: THE VILLAGE OF within the village:
Granite Tower: The oldest structure of Shining Falls, this
SHINING FALLS fortress is either ornately beautiful or a gaudy eyesore, depending
Shining Falls (village): Nonstandard; AL NG; 200 gp limit; on the tastes of the beholder. A single tower standing in the cen-
Assets 11,400 gp; Population 578; Isolated (halfling 540, human ter of a cramped walled courtyard (the wall was not built by the
38—does not include the entire adventuring community). tower’s architect, it was a later add-on) and a moat of clear and
Authority Figures: Gauntlet Deogol Fengrath (human male fresh water (of which no one knows the source), it has always
Wiz? [Most speculate Deogol is rather high level, since he has at served as the home of the ruler of Loudwater. Current inhabi-
least one shield guardian.]); Sheriff Vendal Viccstray (stoutheart tants include Gauntlet Deogol Fengrath, his family, and personal
halfling male War6); guard (who tend to be family or constructs). Deogol rules
Important Characters: Blaz Merrymar (stoutheart halfling Shining Falls with a light hand, preferring to practice his crafts
Exp2); Kellinda Harvertide (stoutheart halfing Clr5 [Yondalla]). and magic from the seclusion of the tower. He leaves most of his
Typical Town Guard: If trouble breaks out, the halflings of political duties to Sheriff Vendal Viccstray, who can be found in
Shining Falls make a lot of racket, which usually bring the town the town armory, a small squat tower on the south courtyard wall.
guard riding war dogs (see Monster Manual). A typical contingent The Ale and Rabbit: Named after the two items on its menu it’s
arrives in 2d4 rounds, and contains 4+1d4 guards and one ser- famous for, this building in one of the largest and tallest in town.
geant, all with mounts. The town has 40 guards and three ser- It not only caters to most of the population of Shining Falls, it is
geants. the last stop for explorers and trappers heading to points north.
Guard: Stoutheart halfing male or female War2; CR The food is fantastic, but tad single-minded, as rabbit is the main
1; Small humanoid (stoutheart halfing); HD 2d8+2; hp 11 each; meat of choice for most of the village’s halflings. The Ale and
Int +0; Spd 20 ft.; AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +2; Grp Rabbit is Shining Falls’s only inn. It also sports a number of baths.
–2; Atk +4 melee (1d6/19-20 longswords), or +5 ranged (1d3, Renting a bath costs 5 sp. Baths come free with an overnight stay
sling); SQ +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear; SV Fort within a private room (which is a little expensive at 3 gp), or at the
+5, Ref +2, Will +0); Str 11, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8. standard price with a stay in the large common room (5 sp).
Skills and Feats: Climb +0, Handle Animal +4, Hide +4; Merrymar’s Merchandise: This squat and long building
Jump +0, Listen +1, Move Silently +2, Ride +5, Spot +1; Alertness, featuring a placard depicting its owner’s smiling face is the only
Weapon focus (longsword). general merchandise store in the village, it’s owned by Blaz
Possessions: Guard uniform (a stripped yellow and green Merrymar, and run by his now-depleted family. His wife,
blouse, a green beret, and leather breaches), studded leather Rinyon, actually runs the day-to-day business of the store along
armor, light shield, Small longsword, Small sling, 10 bullets. with her and Blaz’s two daugeters, as Blaz gathers items to sell and
Guard Sergeant (either Hethat Deegrell, Jren (more often than not) investigates various get-rich-quick
Prencertal, or Nemmet Viccstray): Stoutheart halfling male schemes. Currently he is obsessed with helping Gauntlet
(Hethat and Nemmet) or female (Jren) War4; CR 3; Small Fengrath find the dwarven complex that’s rumored to lie in the
humanoid (stoutheart halfling); HD 4d8+4; hp 22 each; Int +0; caves behind the falls, an endeavor that Rinyon fines asinine at
Spd 20 ft.; AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 16; Base Atk +4; Grp +0; best. The Merrymar’s have exclusive deals with all the craftmen
Atk +7 melee (1d6/19-20 masterwork longswords), or +7 ranged in the town, that he and he only can sell merchandise to out-
(1d3, sling); SQ +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear; siders. It is an arrangement that works out nicely for all parities,
SV Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +1); Str 11, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 9, as Merrymar is a keen judge of character, and has a knack for
Cha 8. making sure that folks pay honest prices for goods (“you would-
Skills and Feats: Climb +0, Handle Animal +6, Hide +4; n’t be trying to swindle someone half your size would you?”) and
Jump +0, Listen +1, Move Silently +2, Ride +6, Spot +1; Alertness, takes only a reasonable commission from his kin folk.
Dodge, Weapon focus (longsword). Hearthcircle of Yondalla: This sacred grove is the center
Possessions: Guard sergeant uniform (a stripped yellow of worship for the village. It is no more than a verdant clearing in
and green blouse, a red beret, and leather breaches), studded the large woods, with a nearby cottage that houses Kellinda and
leather armor, +1 light shield, Small longsword, Small sling, 10 bul- her two young acolytes. The clerics can provide healing (up to 4
lets. cure light wounds only, cast by the acolytes, healing 1d8+1 hp) for
a donation of 10 gp per spell cast
Village Description: The village of Shining Falls has two pre- History: Most of the following information can be
dominate features. Directly in the center of the community recalled or discovered with a successful Knowledge (history)
stands a soaring (about 90 feet, with some 8 stories), octagonal check (DC 15).
tower constructed of granite. The aptly named Granite Tower is Shining Falls is a community as old as local legend. Rather the
decorated with ornate gargoyles, both of the absurd and Granite Tower, the oldest standing landmark of Shinning Falls, is
grotesque varieties, much in the style of the creatures that deco- as old as local legend. Almost as old are the tales of the many com-
rate Loudwater’s bridge. The other feature is the falls that give the munities that have sprung up around it over the centuries. 21
town its name. Standing almost 120 feet high, the Shining Falls It’s said that the famous Iirkos Stoneshoulder, who also built
are nothing short of stunning. the bridge over the Delimbiyr in Loudwater, built the Granite
The town roads are primarily concentric circles connected by Tower. The stonework of the two landmarks is similar, support-
sporadic spoke-roads jutting out from the Granite Tower, the ing the assertion. The Hegredathas, the region’s most famous writ-
 APPENDIX 4

ten history claims Iirkos built the tower for an Illuskan wizard gauntlet, and have thrived in their new home.
name Silifrey the Spraystrider. Many of Iirkos’s elven friends Current Clack: These bits of information can be found out by
asked him not to build the tower for the mage, as rumors abound a successful Gather Information check of the appropriate level.
that she dabbled in dark and dangerous arts. His friends were Like Loudwater, orcs of the High Forest suffer a –4 penalty to
puzzled when he ignored their pleas, and completed the towers these checks, and half-orcs suffer a –2 penalty. Typically this
quickly with the help of summoned elementals. Unknown to information is gathered at the Ale and Rabbit, after spending a
Silifrey, Iirkos placed wards on the structure so that if evil magic couple of gold pieces on drinks. Other methods can yield similar
were cast with its wall, they would come alive and slay the caster. results.
Silifrey lasted less than a month. DC 10: It’s true! In the last month or so Blaz Merrymar has
Since the tower’s erection, a number of communities have lost the majority of his young male relatives on the road to
sprung up around it. There have been at least two elf communi- Loudwater. Those orc are cold-blooded killers.
ties, and almost half-a-dozen human ones. All of these communi- DC 10: Gauntlet Deogol Fengrath is looking for adventurers
ties have one thing encountered: at one point or another, all most to find the rumored dwarven caves that are supposed to be
all of each town’s inhabitants disappeared under mysterious cir- behind the falls. He’s crazy! That story has been around longer
cumstance. than the Granite Tower, and no one has ever found them.
If there is a reason connecting all the disappearances, it’s DC 15: Some of the trappers coming back from up the river
unknown. Some fear the tower is cursed, even claiming that the claim to have come to blows with patrols of savage elves wander-
vengeful ghost of Silifrey is the reason for the disappearances ing the forest near the Dire Wood. They claim to serve a power
over the centuries. That she goes on a rampage every so often, they call the Forest King.
and the most melodramatic stories insist in secret passages under DC 25: Once, when I was inside the keep, I spotted a pale-
the tower lie catacombs filled with the skeletons of the disap- skinned dwarf-like creature skulking around. The thing was
peared. damn ugly, and had bulbous eyes with no irises or pupils. It
For well over the last century the Fengrath family has ruled mumbled to itself like a loon. None of the gauntlet’s guards
over Shining Falls. Originally the Fengraths were a family of seemed suppressed but its presence. I think it is some foul crea-
mercenaries hired to protect caravans coming and going ture summoned by Deogol’s magic.
between the elven colony of Thelthin’dul (just one of the former Getting Back on Track: If the PCs come to Shining Falls
names of Shining Falls) and Loudwater. They returned from because Blaz died in the ambush, they will be able to find out
Loudwater to find the inhabitance of the town gone. When the most of the backstory of the goblin raids from his wife, Rinyon.
few elves who accompanied them, refused ever to step foot on If they bring back the body, Rinyon insist they stay for the funer-
the site again, The Fengraths took up residence in the Granite al, and at least one PC to say something about Blaz, since they
Tower, and declared themselves rulers and owners of the were the last to see him. Through this all, Rinyon, and head-
town…a claim no one argued with. strong and confident woman, assumes that the PCs are planning
The current strongheart inhabitants scoff at the ghost stories. on destroying the goblin threat, and when she speaks at Blaz’s
They settled the site almost 90 years ago by invitation of Gauntlet funeral announces their “plans.”
Walenburh Fengrath, the great-grandmother of the current

22
 High Forest Shining
Falls

Tanglefork Woods

e r Delimbiyr
v

Ri
r eyflow
rG
ve
Loudwater Ri

Map of the area between Loudwater and Shining Falls

South Wood
Event Name:________________________________ Event Code: __________________________
(This number was given to the senior GM when the event was sanctioned).

SESSION TRACKING
LGR-1 Extermination
Adventure Title: __________________________ EXTER1GR
Adventure Code: _________________________

/ / : Give hour in military time standard (p.m. hours = GAMEMASTER

Date Played: Start Time: hour +12). Don’t record the exact minute the ses-
Month Day Year Hour Minute sion was played. Instead list the closest 30-minute GM Name: _____________________
interval the session was scheduled to start at (30
or 00).
A legal RPGA session has no less than four players, and no more than six players.

PLAYERS RPGA Number: May be less than a 10-digit number.

Player RPGA Character Character Complete the following information based

Name Number Played Status on the entire group’s play:
GP Debt _____________

1 May be less than a 10-digit number. Number

XP Drain ___________
Dead? Y
Adventure Questions
(see question in the adventure)

GP Debt _____________
1. a b c d

2 May be less than a 10-digit number. Number

XP Drain ___________
Dead? Y
2. a b c d
GP Debt _____________

3 May be less than a 10-digit number. Number

XP Drain ___________
Dead? Y
3. a b c d
GP Debt _____________

4 May be less than a 10-digit number. Number

XP Drain ___________
Dead? Y 4. a b c d
GP Debt _____________

5 May be less than a 10-digit number. Number

XP Drain___________
Dead? Y 5. a b c d

GP Debt _____________

6 May be less than a 10-digit number. Number

XP Drain ___________
Dead? Y RPGA and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS are trademarks of Wizards
of the Coast, Inc. © 2003 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

Event Name:________________________________ Event Code: __________________________

(This number was given to the senior GM when the event was sanctioned).

SESSION TRACKING
LGR-1 Extermination
Adventure Title: __________________________ EXTER1GR
Adventure Code: _________________________

/ / : Give hour in military time standard (p.m. hours = GAMEMASTER

Date Played: Start Time: hour +12). Don’t record the exact minute the ses-
Month Day Year Hour Minute sion was played. Instead list the closest 30-minute GM Name: _____________________
interval the session was scheduled to start at (30
or 00).
A legal RPGA session has no less than four players, and no more than six players.

PLAYERS RPGA Number: May be less than a 10-digit number.

Player RPGA Character Character Complete the following information based

Name Number Played Status on the entire group’s play:
GP Debt _____________

1 May be less than a 10-digit number. Number

XP Drain ___________
Dead? Y
Adventure Questions
(see question in the adventure)

GP Debt _____________
1. a b c d

2 May be less than a 10-digit number. Number

XP Drain ___________
Dead? Y
2. a b c d
GP Debt _____________

3 May be less than a 10-digit number. Number

XP Drain ___________
Dead? Y
3. a b c d
GP Debt _____________

4 May be less than a 10-digit number. Number

XP Drain ___________
Dead? Y 4. a b c d
GP Debt _____________

5 May be less than a 10-digit number. Number

XP Drain___________
Dead? Y 5. a b c d

GP Debt _____________

6 May be less than a 10-digit number. Number

XP Drain ___________
Dead? Y RPGA and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS are trademarks of Wizards
of the Coast, Inc. © 2003 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Illustration 1
Illustration 2
Illustration 3
Illustration 4
Illustration 5
 STORY OBJECT: Hekkut’s Strange Script
The wererat’s strange script tells the story that the Hark has allied himself with mindflayers and something called the Forest King
in a bid to expand his territory deeper into the Delimbiyr Crescent

STORY OBJECT: Hekkut’s Strange Script

The wererat’s strange script tells the story that the Hark has allied himself with mindflayers and something called the Forest King
in a bid to expand his territory deeper into the Delimbiyr Crescent