Blooming Shadows

511SuBlSh

The party arrived in Morrowell during the lively Festival of Botanica, a celebration of unique and healthy plants competing to be added to the druids’ prestigious gardens. Among the vibrant displays, one peculiar plant, owned by Colter Danier, drew both awe and suspicion due to its tropical appearance and rapid growth. Though cleared of cheating by the druids, Colter faced growing hostility, especially after the fiery Jiggo Greenthumb accused him of foul play and later mysteriously disappeared. Further investigations by the party revealed eerie drag marks leading to vanished villagers, with no traces of a struggle, deepening the mystery and unease in the village.

As night fell, the true threat emerged—the carnivorous plants infesting the village with their questing vines, spreading a sweet, intoxicating aroma and golden pollen. At the heart was Colter’s towering plant, now fully bloomed and surrounded by smaller, menacing blooms. The party fought bravely against the invasive flora, countering their powerful vines and overwhelming scent with teamwork and skill. In a decisive blow, they severed the main vine of Colter’s plant, causing the sinister infestation to wither. Though victorious, the party was left to reflect on the near-disaster that could have overtaken the village.

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PDF adventure – Blooming Shadows

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Relics of the Dark

510SuReDa

The party reached Khumric, a city that defied their low expectations after a bleak journey through the Marsh of Despair. Once notorious, Khumric now buzzes with life, bustling with adventurers who explore the dangerous locales of the Marsh, Demongate, and Windhollow peaks. They navigate through vibrant markets and inns, surrounded by merchants selling items called Relics from three dungeon like locales that surrounded the town.The people of this town had adapted and grown, offering all manner of services for adventurers as the market was in delving through the dungeons, crypts and caverns of the three locales. The town thrived on the constant flow of treasure hunters delving into ancient crypts and treacherous caverns.

However, ominous news awaits them. A series of warnings on a central billboard reveal that no adventuring parties have returned from recent expeditions to the Demongate or the Crypt at the heart of the Marsh. A sudden vacancy at a local inn implies a high rate of missing adventurers. As the party contemplates their next steps, a wounded warrior announces a wyrm threat in Windhollow, seeking assistance to rescue survivors. The adventurers must engage with the Delver’s Guild to uncover the cause of these escalating dangers.

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The party encountered Eulric Darkstone, the imposing leader of the Delver’s Guild, whose body was marked by extensive runic scars and embedded with the disc-relics made of silver, gold, and bronze. Eulric, a descendant of the heroes who defeated the three ancient evils around Khumric, exuded a powerful aura as his relics activated. Despite his unsettling presence and a faint metallic whine in his voice, he delivered crucial information about the crypts, the Demongate, and the wyrms, dismissing them as the sources of the recent disturbances. Eulric’s silver hair framed his frown as he expressed surprise at not sensing the party’s arrival, something he normally could do due to his relic-given connection to the land.

Realizing that the true threat was concealed within Khumric itself, Eulric deduced that an ancient power was hiding the evil among them. As the guild members hastily documented his revelations, Eulric appealed to the party for assistance, asking them to investigate the town for any signs of hidden malevolence. He emphasized that their unique nature made them the best hope for uncovering the source of the trouble and preventing further loss of life. The party now faced the daunting task of uncovering the concealed threat within the very heart of Khumric.

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After leaving the Delvers Guild Hall, the party noticed an argument between a gate guard and a dwarf adventurer regarding missing adventurers. The dwarf claimed that his men had left through the Windhollow Peaks gate, but the guard insisted they hadn’t. The party approached the guard, who explained that records of departures and returns were kept to inform loved ones of lost adventurers. Due to recent issues, the town had closed the gates to prevent further casualties. The guard said the records showed no one had left, despite the dwarf’s insistence. Upon investigating further, the party discovered a clue that the same messenger had requested aid today and last week, suggesting a lead to the missing adventurers.

While searching for the messenger, the party encountered a man who claimed to have seen them earlier and needed their help. He offered a way out of the city past the guards to save the missing adventurers. Trusting him as their best lead, they followed him to a relic shop emitting a strong magical aura. Inside, they found hundreds of foul-resonating relics. As the man interacted with the shop owner, the sound of a shutting door indicated danger. The party realized they might uncover the source of the missing rescuers in the impending fight for survival.

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After the man that attacked them was now unconscious after preventing them from going down a staircase, the party realized that the stairs led to a cellar rather than an escape route. As they descended into a dark room surrounded by stone walls, they heard sounds indicating something deeper beyond. The trap was sprung as the door clicked shut behind them, locking them in. The party in their attempted escape discovered a loose stone in the wall, revealing four dwarves who had been missing. These dwarves, along with others who had vanished from various delves, were found in the caves, driven mad, barely fed, and obsessively talking about relics that could save the town by harnessing their power.

Realizing the dire situation, the party knew that attempting to escape through the locked door was futile for now. They were trapped in the cellar, waiting for their ambushers to check on them, which could provide an opportunity to escape. The party understood the gravity of their predicament and the need to find a way back to freedom while uncovering the mystery behind the missing dwarves and the dangerous relics.

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The party waited until the door was open before they sprung their own ambush. In the panic the door became jammed and a clear way out of the cellar was found. But there was more than just the bloodied man this time as the house swarmed with people with the same zealous eyes as the man that attacked them.

As the cultists swarmed the party, their leader performed a ritual by slamming two relics together, causing a gruesome scene as blood and bodies were drawn toward her. Chanting to the shadow in the relics, the cultists’ remains merged into a mass of energy and refuse, forming a large demonic figure studded with relics. The room began to collapse as the monstrous entity emerged, staring at the adventurers with a menacing presence.

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PDF adventure – Relics of the Dark

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The Displaced Lord

509SuDiLo

The adventurers had journeyed to Nevarl and had found themselves in the Penitent’s Larder, a lively and boisterous tavern that belied its name. The tavern keeper, Goya, a formidable goliath, enforced the rules with an iron fist. As she stood behind the bar, cleaning large carving knives, she chatted amiably with the party, who had booked a room for a night or two. Their conversation was filled with tales of their adventures, and Goya eagerly joined in, asking questions that revealed her keen interest in their exploits.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted as a faint cry for help reached their ears. The room fell silent, and the adventurers turned their attention to the door. A man burst in, his tunic torn and covered in mud and vomit, with claw marks raking his back. He collapsed, pleading for help. The party rushed outside to investigate, finding only barrels rolling down the road and indistinct footprints. Returning to the now-empty tavern, they discovered Goya nursing a broken lip and the man bleeding from new cuts. He warned them of a demon that grew angry when his shirt was removed, but despite their best efforts, the party found no evidence of a lurking demon.

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The party watched the nervous man, who introduced himself as Joe Smith, anxiously eat his meal. He explained that every time he removed his shirt, he was attacked by an unseen demon with horns, a hog-like nose, tusks, and claws capable of slicing through dragon scales. Despite their efforts, the party couldn’t detect any curse or determine the source of the faint magic surrounding him. Each attempt to remove the shirt resulted in Joe being attacked, leaving him bruised and bloodied.

Determined to uncover Joe’s identity, the party left him in Goya’s care and searched the markets of Nevarl. They found no record of Joe Smith, raising doubts about his existence. However, they observed a strange interaction between a well dressed young woman putting up pieces of parchment on a notice board before her house guardsmen tore them down and burned them, one briefly revealing Joe’s face on a well-dressed man. With no other leads, the party realized that finding Joe’s true identity required pursuing the wealthy or influential individuals behind the expensive sketches.

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The party stood at the entrance of a narrow, cobblestone street that wound through the bustling Nevarl markets. Tall buildings of stone and timber lined the street, their upper stories jutting out and adorned with signs and clothes. One sign read ‘Draodir,’ a famous dwarven tavern known for its strong spirits and ale. Barrels and crates were scattered along the sides, and warm lanterns cast an inviting light, despite the lurking figures.

The air carried the scent of baked goods, likely from a nearby shop. In the distance, the street led to an archway with the towering spires of a grand castle beyond. With Joe in tow, the party was determined to reach the manor where his family waited, reunite him with his daughter, and hopefully break the curse affecting his mind.

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The party managed to sneak in through the servants quarters into the manor. They avoided the sounds of people while in the house and headed deeper into the manor. There are guards posted outside of a large room but they manage to prevent a near disaster where a maid of the manor recognised Joe as Donnovan. Confirming their suspicions the maid led them to the hall where Lady Straken and her daughter, Kendral Straken were waiting.

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PDF adventure – The Displaced Lord

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Storm Born

508SuStBo

A fierce storm drove the party into the village of Askir, offering them shelter from the biting cold and rain. The village’s tavern, Jotund’s Boot, provided warmth, food, and spiced ale. Despite the welcoming atmosphere, a palpable tension filled the air, asvillagers cast anxious glances toward the windows.

The party soon learned that Askir was under siege by a mysterious wolf-like creature that struck without warning, leaving only lifeless bodies in its wake. Attempts to trap or kill the beast had failed, and hope among the villagers had dwindled. However, a survivor had returned with vital information about the creature’s lair.

As morning broke, the storm’s fury had temporarily subsided. The village elder, a weary and desperate man, summoned the party, pleading for their help to stop the creature and save the village. The elder revealed that the survivor had mentioned a landslide and a cave to the east in the valley wall, where the creature might be hiding. The adventurers, feeling the weight of the village’s hope upon them, agreed to take on the perilous mission.

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As the party rushed back to Jotund’s Boot, a young teen intercepted them with urgent news that Welk Tanner had woken up. The party hurried to the leatherworking hut, where they found Welk breathing shallowly but awake, his face marked by the encounter. He recounted his harrowing experience of being hunted by a creature that moved like a wolf but was much larger and spoke in a human voice, taunting him and calling him by name. Welk described how the creature’s attacks left him dizzy, possibly from poison, and how he ultimately managed to stab it in the eye with a splintered bone before fleeing.

Welk’s story left the party with more questions than answers, revealing that the creature was intelligent, malicious, and personally tied to the villagers. The village elder, recognizing the importance of Welk’s information, cautioned the party to tread carefully, knowing the creature was not what it seemed. Despite the elder’s advice, the party knew they needed to act swiftly, even though they would ideally seek more information. Determined to protect Askir and uncover the truth, they prepared for the dangerous journey ahead, feeling the weight of unease settle over them as they left Welk’s hut.

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The morning brought a brief lull in the storm but also another gruesome discovery: Welk Tanner’s body, nearly cut in half, was found despite the healer’s claim of not hearing anything during the night. The room was in chaos, the window shattered, and gore covered the healer’s tunic. With the village in panic, the elder had the healer locked away until the party could find and kill the beast. As the party ventured into the woods, a sense of dread followed them, and they soon arrived at a cave reeking of blood and death, its entrance adorned with ice like fangs.

Inside the cave, the party discovered a scene of horror: bones and broken bodies littered the ground, and an oppressive energy radiated from a twisted altar covered in glowing runes. As they approached, a hulking, twisted wolf-like creature emerged from the shadows, followed by the village elder. The elder revealed his true intentions, explaining how he had orchestrated the events to lure fresh victims to the village. His sinister plan was now clear, and the party realized they had to confront not only the creature but the malevolent elder wielding dark magic.

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PDF adventure – Storm Born

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The Vipers Crown

507SuViCr

As the party ventured towards the kingdom of Arelia ruled by Queen Emera and King Leon, the picturesque streets showcased a society where the citizens were well-fed and healthy. Cheerful guards, ever ready to assist, exemplified the kingdom’s utopian charm. Children played and studied under the watchful eyes of their guardians, painting a scene of tranquillity. However, as the party decided to call it a day and head toward their inn, the Royal Fillet, the atmosphere shifted. Ahead of them several royal guards stood around a man who stood and talked with a beautiful woman. Unlike their friendly city guard counterparts, these warriors were resolute and unwelcoming.

As they drew near one guard approached them quickly, directing them to a different route. However, they were quickly overruled as a summons by the prince interrupted the hasty conversation. The prince enhanced pleasantries and seemed proud of the kingdom his family had created. However the mood changed drastically. ‘However to support this we have to accept charitable donations from all visitors to the kingdom, a tithe of one tenth. It’s only fair that if you’re enjoying yourself and if you wish to see the children of this land flourish that you contribute to their health.’

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Emerging from the storage room, the party is confronted by a dimly lit hall, its opulence palpable despite the lingering scent of blood. Muted chandeliers cast dancing shadows on the intricate wood panelling and ornate carvings, which tell tales of the castle’s royalty. The luxurious red carpet underfoot, remembered from their earlier stumble, offers a stark contrast to their recent peril. Cushioned chairs line the walls, inviting rest, though the sense of looming danger prevails.

As the party surveys the hall, they notice several doors leading to other rooms and hear faint noises, likely from Princess Ramiera’s men, indicating their ordeal is far from over.

Still suffering from snake venom, the party encountered a woman emerging from the shadows. She taunted them, saying Princess Ramiera would be disappointed they survived and warned that no help was coming, as Ramiera had started the dance. Soon, others dressed in dark clothes, the same people seen with Ramiera earlier, emerged from the other rooms, ready for a fight. One of them roared about ensuring Ramiera’s plans came to fruition and charged at the party, forcing them into a life-threatening battle once again.

As the battle reaches is climax Tuille rushes forward having heard the commotion and watches the party as they are attacked. She sees to the parties wounds and urges them to come report to their majesties.

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The party burst into the hall once again causing the music to stop. As guests look at the stage of them, being led by royal guards the audience begins to gossip – believing them thieves or worse. As Tuille stands before the king, queen and prince she reports what she found, the other guards intercepting Ramiera as she was heading towards the door to leave.

The party explain, with the help of one of the surviving men of the princess, that Ramiera skillfully manipulated the nobles of Arelia to advance her plan of becoming the kingdom’s princess and redirecting its wealth to strengthen her homeland, Del’tursh, ultimately leaving Arelia vulnerable to conquest.

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PDF adventure – The Vipers Crown

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Dangerous Game

506SuDaGa

The party trudged behind the overly eager hunters, whose fervor for a dragon hunt was palpable, as they meticulously examined every inch of the path. The party’s task was clear: escort the hunters and ensure their safety. Despite the hunters’ overzealous nature, their vigilance paid off when they discovered a blood smear resembling a humanoid – potentially an orc or hobgoblin – handprint on a tree. This discovery invigorated the hunters, and their expert tracking skills soon outpaced the party, leading them through the forest’s labyrinth of trees, rocks, and brush. Signs of distress became more prominent until they stumbled upon a gruesome scene: a blood-soaked section of moss and lichen where a human lay, gored and lifeless.

The horrifying discovery of Linden, a fellow hunter, and his apprentice’s mangled body hanging from a tree, brought the party to a chilling realization. The hunters, initially caught up in listing potential monstrous culprits, missed the tell-tale signs of foul play. The party, however, noticed the sabotaged weapons and the strange marks on the victims’ necks, indicative of poison and treachery. This was no ordinary monster attack; something far more sinister was afoot. Determined to uncover the truth, the party resolved to take this grave matter to the village council.

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The walk back was tense as the hunters that were retrieved were sullen as they carried one of their own back to the village. None of them looked overly upset or concerned though over the loss of their brethren. When asked, one of them shrugged.

‘This happens from time to time, normally it’s a new hunter not someone as skilled as Linden. It must have been quite the fight to bring him and Rake down though.’ he said almost wistfully at the thought of the fight.

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The council quickly grasped the party’s suspicions of murder when they were summoned. Aaron, the master hunter of Omelga, pointed out the fierce rivalry in the competition to crown the master hunter. Wisteria, an elder and herbalist, noted that the poison on the dart was commonly used among hunters. Olly and Pete suggested enlisting other hunters to help find the culprits. After a brief deliberation, Wisteria addressed the group, ready to take action.

‘These young hunters being our bate and you the hunters of the most deadly of creatures, monster hunters?’

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Olly and Pete rush to bring back the Council who appear both shocked and appalled at what was revealed. Most of their hunters involved in people-hunting as a sport is not something that they were considering as an option – yet here before them scattered across the ground were the bodies to prove it.

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PDF adventure – Dangerous Game

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Realm Slayer

505SuReSl

The party, hired by the Temple of Helm to retrieve stolen medical goods, returned successfully, earning the admiration of the clerics at the temple entrance. As they deliver the goods, they are greeted by Tyson, the high cleric. He expresses his gratitude and begins to ask about their encounter with the bandits. However, their attention was soon drawn to two suspicious individuals sneaking into Tyson’s quarters. Acting swiftly, the party confronted the intruders, apprehending two of the three thieves after a brief skirmish.

Tyson took the captured thieves for questioning, suspecting they were after a Dark Shard, a fragment of a cursed blade housed within the temple. With the third thief still at large, Tyson requested the party’s assistance once more. He asked them to work with the city guard to uncover the thieves’ intentions and locate the missing thief, believing this would shed light on the cult’s nefarious plans. The party agreed, ready to face the challenges ahead and protect the temple and the city from further threats.

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The party arrived at the bustling City Watch headquarters, ready to follow up on their next job from Tyson. They pushed through the large double doors, greeted by the sight of guards bustling about with discussions of recent crimes and patrol routes. Captain Elara Stote, a seasoned and stern-looking guard captain, listened intently to their description of the thieves. She pointed to a wall covered in squares of parchment, noting reports of suspicious activity in the old warehouse district, a known criminal hideout.

Within minutes, Captain Elara assigned a squad of seasoned guards and one overly confident new recruit to accompany the party. As they navigated the cramped streets, the guards pulled long brown cloaks over their tunics to blend in with the crowd. Questioning locals, they gathered information about a recent sighting of a cloaked figure entering an abandoned warehouse, a notorious haven for illicit activities. Approaching the warehouse cautiously, they noted signs of recent traffic and prepared to enter. Inside, they discovered dark symbols and an altar, revealing a hidden passage that led to a series of underground tunnels.

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PDF adventure – Realm Slayer

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Murder at Mouler’s Peak

504SuMuMoPe

The man sits before them and looks nervously at the party before smiling at the girl next to him, his daughter, before talking more. ‘Thanks for seeing us, I know that adventurers of your reputation would be quite busy as it is and I promised my late wife that I would do the best for her daughter.’ he said, smiling at the girl. ‘Feli is all I have left of her late mother and I need to get her away from the city so she can avoid the bad arranged marriage to a fiendish man.’ he said at the party. ‘I just need her escorted to Moulder’s Peak, a little fort in the mountains, a day’s travel. Feli can show you the way as her uncle will be waiting for her there to take her where she can’t be found.’ he hesitated as he debated whether he should say something, ‘She may be followed though. The man in question is known to send thugs after people who stood against them. I am happy to pay for danger money to ensure she gets there safely in the rare case that she is followed.’ he says tentatively but it’s obvious he is hiding something.

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The party left the main road from Kestel, heading east towards the fort at Mouler’s Peak. Their mission was to escort Feli, their employer’s daughter, to her uncle at the fort, escaping an unwanted marriage. Feli, a quiet but intelligent companion, proved valuable as they navigated through the city and onto the open road. Along the way, they caught glimpses of men following them, prompting the party to choose a less-travelled back road through fearsome woods, where only the city guard dared venture.

During their journey, Feli hunted small game to sustain them, and around a concealed campfire, she revealed her troubling past. Betrothed to a ruthless gang leader to settle her mother’s debts, Feli’s voice was cold and she shivered as she spoke of the danger she fled. After thanking the party and retiring for the night, the group remained on high alert, sensing the eyes of a predator upon them. The next morning, they discovered deep tracks of a large beast near their camp, realizing the importance of heightened vigilance as they continued their perilous journey towards Mouler’s Peak.

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PDF adventure – Murder at Mouler’s Peak

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Rotting Fields

503SuRoFi

The party travels to Temal, a small farming village known for its unique Mallow water, and they witness a heated argument between the locals. Simon, a farmer, accuses a boy named Roy Jameson of vandalizing crops, but Mayor Tibs insists they need proof before taking any action. The village guard, in chain and leather armour, steps forward, and the argument escalates until Simon and his group storm off.

The Mayor approaches the adventurers and requests their help to discreetly investigate the vandalism. He explains that with the harvest moon approaching, the Mallow crops are being damaged, and Simon believes Roy is responsible. The Mayor emphasizes the importance of resolving the issue before it leads to unnecessary harm or unwarranted justice.

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The party has spent a bit of the day asking around the village with little lead apart from Roy’s feud with Simon and a few other historical spats and cases where unproven vandalism claims have been made over the years.
Captain Garet, the primary guard of Temal, meets the party at the Tipsy Daisy Tavern, showing signs of stress. He explains that blood feuds have plagued Temal since the Mallow crop was first harvested, as it’s the only place the plants grow. Garet reveals that Roy Jameson, who loves Simon’s daughter Sara, sought her hand in marriage, which enraged Simon. Since then, Sara has been kept under close watch.

The next morning, the party is alerted by commotion outside and finds a woman accusing Simon of destroying her Mallow plant. Simon denies it, blaming Roy instead. Captain Garet intervenes, and the woman shows the party where she found a uniform worn by Simon’s farm hands. The clothes are filthy and surrounded by ash-like dust, radiating evil, malign magic. The party discovers a finger near the clothes that disintegrates into dust which is touched. The man did not disappear into thin air after all.

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The party plunges into the fog-filled fields, their senses assaulted by the cloying sweet scent of the Mallow plants mingling with the putrid stench of the undead. The thick, cactus-like Mallow plants obscure their view, creating shadowy figures as they navigate through the uneven terrain, dotted with large holes where zombies have clawed their way out of shallow graves. In the distance, a woman’s voice calls out, filled with fear, pain, and panic, urging them to break through the undead barring their path.

As they move deeper into the fields, shambling figures emerge from the fog, their rotting forms barely visible until they’re almost upon the party. Weapons drawn, the adventurers engage the zombies in fierce combat. The fog swirls around them, occasionally revealing glimpses of the eerie scene, zombies tearing at Mallow plants, limbs and viscera falling to the ground.

The clash of steel against decayed flesh and the groans of the undead fill the air. Amidst the chaos, the party hears the woman’s voice again, closer this time, calling for help as the sound of flight and battle can be heard. With every few heart beats the party cut down the zombies, making their way towards the source of the anguished cries. 

Then there is something else cutting down zombies, a large putrid revenant that defends a woman, Sara Tode – Simon’s daughter. As she looks weakly at the party the revenant rushes at the party to defend its creator.

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PDF adventure – Rotting Fields

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The Cooks Conundrum

502SuCoCo

The traveling caravan had been journeying together for weeks, and the party huddled around a campfire, enjoying a simple but hearty stew. As they gazed upon the mountains to the north, they noticed a flickering speck of light amidst the trees. Initially mistaken for a campfire, the light’s purple flashes set it apart. The caravan’s cook, Sebastian, notorious for his unappetizing cooking but rich storytelling, warned them about the Yuzalef Cauldron. He spun a tale about the cauldron’s purple lights, said to attract curious souls and fortune seekers, and its rumored ability to burn souls to create a cursed broth. Despite its dark reputation, some believed the cauldron’s broth had miraculous healing properties. However, those who sought it were never heard from again, leaving the truth about the Yuzalef Cauldron shrouded in mystery.

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As the party huddled around the dwindling campfire late into the night, the silence became unnaturally oppressive. Their draft horse had ceased its usual noises, and only distant sounds from the mountains disturbed the quiet. Suddenly, a muffled call for help came from the wagon. Rushing to investigate, they found Glenn, the caravaner, injured and disoriented. He revealed that Sebastian had taken the horse to search for the Yuzalef Cauldron, prompting the party to hastily pack up and pursue him.

Entering the ominous forest, shadows deepened as they moved further from the campfire. The path grew treacherous, littered with roots and rocks, as the trees closed in around them. Guided by a faint purple light, they encountered unsettling rustling sounds and patches of fresh blood, hinting at potential danger. The tension grew as they pressed on, hyper-aware of their surroundings. Strange, glowing mushrooms illuminated their path as the purple light strengthened, leading them up the mountainside toward an uncertain fate.

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As they reached the base of the mountains they became aware further of the danger surrounding them. Soon the predators revealed themselves with a frightful call that made them sound more canine than they were. Large mountain cats that lived nearly exclusively in the mountain range climbed down from trees, stalked through bushes and even a large female with a large mane like tuft of fur jumped down from rocks at the base of the mountain.

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PDF adventure – The Cooks Conundrum

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