Anyone else get twitchy and itchy at the mention of fleas? Nasty little buggars. They were my inspiration for a nasty monster called a “Giant Skitter” for my D&D 5E game. See below for the stat block.
One-on-one these monsters are pretty easy to kill. It’s the fact that more of them keep coming that almost got a TPK before the group figured out their fire vulnerability. This encounter was for 5 level 3 characters, though we ended up being down one character. Fortunately it wasn’t the character with healing abilities.
a Giant Skitter (okay, really it’s a flea rebranded as a Giant Skitter)
My Giant Skitter stat block can be found in the homebrew monsters on D&D Beyond.
The adventuring group encountered three Dire Wolves at the foot of this trail.
I needed an encounter map for the D&D 5E game that, due to COVID-19 and players’ locations, I’m running over the internet. I created this using the drawing options available on the Google jamboard app. Thought it turned out pretty good considering I was drawing it with a mouse. I mean … you can tell it’s a path and a mountain, right?
Using Google’s jamboard for a combat encounter. The background grid options was useful for establishing 5-foot spaces. The players were able to move their character initials around to indicate movement. I used different colored shapes to indicate the Dire Wolves.
I am starting a new D&D 5E campaign that will include some new players. I thought this would be a good opportunity to share some gaming tips.
Have fun. This is a game.
Love your character. Get into the story. But remember at the end of the day, this is a game. We are all coming together to have a good time. Sometimes the most fun comes from unexpected failures. Embrace them and make them work for your story!
Don’t be a dick.
Respect your fellow players and your game master. Find ways to work with your teammates and the story. While I as the GM might joke about plotting players’ demise, ultimately, I want to see you win. You are the heroes of this story.
Evil Player Characters Suck
Generally, I am not going to concern myself with your character’s alignment. I may inadvertently roll my eyes in exasperation at some character decisions because … Hey, I am human … despite what some may suggest! That being said, I have rarely seen an evil character that has been fun to have in a D&D party. Cruelty for cruelty sake is what the bad guys do. Buuuut … if you have a clever idea for a character concept, talk to me.
Do not hate the GM. Hate the fictional villains!
My job as a game master is to challenge the party and give you an exciting world to explore. We are writing this epic story together. I am on your side, even when you decimate my Big Bad in one round. I may cry a little on the inside, but if you are all happy dancing, then it was worth it.
Actions have consequences.
Whether you help the old lady cross the street or backstab the beggar boy, the people and the environment will react accordingly. For example, reputations can affect how NPCs help with information gathering or the cost of goods.
It is okay to run away.
Sometimes there will be adversaries that will kick your ass if you try to take them head on. Hiding, running away, negotiation, or surrender are all possible alternatives. Not all the bad guys are going to be level-appropriate combat encounters. Sometimes you may have to come back later and get revenge.
The GM will make mistakes.
Yup. I won’t always make the right call on a rule. I am going to TRY not stop the flow of the game by looking up rules, as I have in the past. I will try to make a reasonable, fair call at the time. In the same regard, I ask that players not argue about the rules during the game. Let’s talk about it afterwards!
The GM will make mistakes but can improve with help!
If you feel that I am not being consistent or fair or am playing favorites, talk to me about it after the game. I might not ever realize it until someone (gently) points it out to me. Also, sometimes my memory is shit and I legitimately won’t remember something.
I had this post ready to go sometime last year, but had been waiting for my other group of players to finish the campaign before I posted the rest of Fizzle’s Diaries. And then I promptly forgot all about it, even after the other campaign was completed. So here it is … much delayed! … but here! (There will be a total of 8 chapters when it’s all said and done.)
From the ongoing saga of Fizzle’s and his hired companions. written by Fiznarthian Ooglenook (played David Pettit) Featured image (Under A Violet Moon by MegziePegzie)
Chapter 6
Game Day 6/1/2019
Riddle Relief
We continue forward with our hooded lantern and flame, flame as light. We see cobblestone floors and natural cave walls. We come to a wall with relief carving on it, it is a 3×3 grid depicting different creatures.
I pull out my copy of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. (Oops wrong story). There is a riddle on the wall as well.
Skip the maze and the flames Secret doors one two will get you through To open the way and survive this day the relief most unique blood doth seek Fear not my tread to end thy dread Wrong cave dweller choose their wrath doth arouse to strike down the weak they only warning seek
-inscribed on the wall of the cave
Tholin investigates the reliefs and notices that all of the reliefs except the Harpy are covered in a thin layer of dust (rolled a nat 20). Kromnak cuts his hand and pushes the Harpy relief. His blood is drawn to the mouth and the wings flutter, a click is heard, and a door opens.
Crossing the Hallway is the Hardest Part!
Through the open door we hear the sound of stone grinding. It sounds a lot like the rolling boulders we heard earlier. That doesn’t bode well for us. As we look through the door, we see a large boulder roll by. This must be the other end of the corridor they were rolling down. One rolls by about every 6 seconds. Across the corridor, I spot a door ajar. We decide to cross to the door and go in. Kromnak runs across with ease. Tholin just barely makes it too. I’m laughing at Tholin’s clumsiness, and trip and fall on my face. Kromnak (ever heroic) runs back and grabs me but is laughing so hard at him he gets hit by a boulder. So I end up back on the original side of the passage. I, now, try to save Kromnak and fails miserably (Rolled a 1). Now Tholin saves my fallen gnome body and we are both back on the original side of the passageway. Boulders are still zipping by and rolling over Kromnak’s. He seems to have trouble getting his feet beneath him. Tholin and I try cross together and make it! Kromnak manages to crawl out of the way of the next boulder and joins us.
Ends the “rough” exterior of the dungeon.
The exterior section of the Dungeon of the Mad Molvei
Into The Interior Dungeon
Passing through the door we enter a tunnel and see on the left a smooth man-made wall. To the right is a natural cave wall. The tunnel leads east. We follow it along the smooth wall. The tunnel ends abruptly, but there is a narrow passage continuing around the corner. We squeeze through and continue on. Following along the continuing smooth wall we come to a door. Tholin checks it for traps and Fizzle runs into it when he tries to open it and its locked.
Tholin unlocks it and we all enter a man-made
10×15-foot room. We look around. To the left on the same wall as the door we
came through is another door. The floor is cobblestone and very clean. Tholin
checks the door for traps and gives the all clear. Kromnak opens it and looks
in. He sees a hallway that ends at a corner. We continue. Around the corner the
hallway continues, as do we. We come to another corner that turns right. I,
Kromnak, and Tholin continue in that order. Around the corner we find a human
body wearing adventurer’s gear. Looks like he died with a smile, weird. We
relieve him of any useful objects that he was selfishly hoarding. We find:
Scroll of chill touch – Kromnak
2 red potions of greater healing (4d4+4) –
Fizzle
Scroll disguise self – Kromnak
Potion of climbing – Kromnak
Bag of holding – Fizzle (Fizzle also puts the
healing potions in it)
Scroll of enlarge and reduce – Tholin
Mithral chain shirt (13dex 8lbs) – goes in the
bag too
Long Sword – magik +1 – Tholin
Hall of Desires
Rounding the next corner…
I see a baby dragon, which I have always wanted.
Kromnak sees his beautiful moon bride.
Tholin sees a pile of gold and jewels.
Unknown to us, we are seeing what we desire
the most. We also see that the others are trying to take it from us! (GM
note: The group unanimously failed their saves for the first 3 rounds. The
Charisma save DC started at 15 and went up 1 each round.)
Tholin thinks Kromnak is stealing his
treasure, so Tholin attacks him with his sword. Kromnak see Fizzle with his
beautiful moon bride and tries to intimidate the gnome away from his lady. (Nat
20)
No one takes my baby dragon! Kromnak is
hurting my dragon! I pull out my mace and whack him on the head really hard!
Kromnak sees Flippy (The barbarian calls me Flippy, I don’t know why.) with his
beautiful moon bride and goes after me with “Flame,Flame”. Fortunately for
Fizzle he misses.
I swing and misses Kromnak with my mace.
Tholin knocks out Kromnak and takes my dragon, gerrr. I get out the big guns
know and summon my Pooh (spiritual weapon)! Tholin is in for it now…
it’s a hit! Ha-Haa! Take that you dragon thief! Tholin hits me with his sword.
Then he comes to his senses and realizes it is all an illusion.
(GM Note: This was at the top of 4th round
and the save DC was up to 18. At this point, I was positive it was going to be
a TPK. But we were all laughing so hard I think it wouldn’t have been so bad.)
I take another swing at Tholin with Pooh and
miss. Tholin counters and knocks Fizzle out. He ties us up and gives us each a
greater healing potion. We are still under the influence of this cursed space
and struggle to get loose and attack. Tholin drags us down and around the next
corner out of range of the illusion’s influence.
Tholin, being the only one to successfully
resist the spell, goes back and collects our dropped sword and mace. We
continue down the hall and up to the stairs.
Dora the Door
I am suddenly frozen with an unnatural fear.
Kromnak noticing Flippy has stopped comes back and snaps me back to my
senses.
(GM Note: This was the Hall of Fear that
required a Wisdom saving throw. Failing this simply incapacitates a person.
Only Fizzle failed the save but rolled a 19 on the follow-up.)
Meanwhile, Tholin finds the stairs ahead are
trapped and will turn into a slide if sprung. He disarms the trap without
breaking a sweat (Rolled 25 for disarm). At the top of the stairs is a 25×15
room. To the west and north are doors. Checking for traps reveal nothing.
Opening the door on the west wall reveals stairs down. In the back of the room
is a cupboard with linens, blankets, plates, cups, and other household items.
We discover a blue bubbly Potion of Heroism (1hr 10hp). [Goes in the bag of
holding.]
The door on the north wall leads to a softly
lit room is softly with a cobblestone floor patterned with numbers in a grid. Across
the room on the opposite corner is a door. Tholin deduces that there is a path
across if you step only on the prime numbers. Kromnak just barrels straight
across the room. We find stepping off the primes gets you zapped. Kromnack gets
zapped a lot. We make it across to find a door. Tholin checks it and find the
doorknob hot. We back up a little and Tholin opens it with Mage Hand.
We hear a “Tee hee hee! That tickles!” as the door swings open. There is a face
in the other (front) side of the door that greets us.
There is a 10×10 platform on the other side.
Lower down is lava and flame. There are some ropes and cross beams to help, but
it is very hard to cross. You’d have to be very agile or lucky to make it
across! Kromnak is especially persuasive and gets the door to tell us about the
room beyond. She is there to let the survivors out if any make it. She tells us
the man with the pointy ears usually just floats across. Well we can’t do that!
We give the door the name Dora and decide to take it with us. Kromnak removes
the hinges and straps the door to his back.
Looking back the way we came, we see a door we
missed hidden behind the open door that we came in through. We cross back to it
(stepping on those prime number spots) and open it to find a 15-foot hall with
a door on the right. Here we decide to take a short rest here.
From the ongoing saga of Fizzle’s and his hired companions. written by Fiznarthian Ooglenook (played David Pettit) Featured image (screen capture from the film “Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom”)
Chapter 5
Game Day 3/23/2019
Pits of despair continue
We come across yet another trap door in the floor. As we are discussing what to do, Kromnak ties a rope to me, says, “let’s test it!” and pushes me onto the trapdoor. The trap springs and I dropped into the trap. I’m beginning to wonder whose side Kromnak is on. Tholin catches me on the rope and pulls me out. Checking the ceiling for anything useful and finding nothing, it’s decided that Fizzle should jump across. Jumping, I just barely make it, but twist an ankle on landing and fall back in (Rolled a 1). Once again Kromnak and Tholin grab the rope but not before I get stuck on a poison spike in the pit. Now instead of rescuing me they concentrate on how to cross the trap safely! I’m going to hire better help next time. (Will Fizzle survive? Tune in next paragraph on this same Bat channel.)
Kromnak tries sticking a javelin with a rope tied to it into the ceiling. It sticks but only a little, and when they test it, it dislodges, and they pull it back. Next they try throwing it all the way across. It sticks into the floor. They test pull it and it stays put.
Meanwhile back in the pit trap Fizzle is slowing sliding down onto the poison spike. “Help?”
Back up top Tholin makes it across on the rope to the other side of the trap. As Tholin starts looking for a way to disarm the trap, Kromnak remembers to pull me up with the rope tied to me. I’m saved!
Tholin finds a trick stone in the floor that disarms the trap. The trap closes with a click and we can cross (after Kromnak test with me again)!
Finding a crate, we break them open and find some vials with red potion in them. Looks like healing potions. Kromnak gives me one that he has tasted, but it does nothing of course since he tasted it. Barbarians ugh. I take one of the other vials and heal up some. We find 3 more vials in a second crate. Green underwater breathing potions (1hr). We continue.
Boulder bowling
Coming to a convex passage with a smooth groove in the center bearing left we see to the right a small ledge up a ways with a large boulder held back by a net. We can hear wind coming around the bolder and I see something blink up there behind it. We decide to investigate before going down the passage. Tholin attempts to climb up to the ledge; he gets to it but can’t find purchase to get up on it. He tries standing on Kromnak’s shoulders, as Tholin puts his head above the edge of the ledge something releases the net! The bolder plunges down and Tholin and Kromnak barely get out of the way in time. The boulder rolls off down the passageway in the groove and disappears. Another boulder rolls off the ledge 12 seconds later. I think we started something!
In the gap between boulders Tholin boosts Kromnak up. He sees, over the edge of the ledge using his lit sword, a short passage with gears and a bolder lifting up at the end. Also a small alcove in the passage to the left with some sort of mechanical attendant. He jabs the attendant with his sword and jumps down out of the oncoming boulders way. After the boulder has passed Kromnak goes up and into the passage grabbing the mechanical attendant and throwing him in the way of the next bolder, which flattens it, while Kromnak is safe in the alcove.
Back below Tholin hears something skittering behind him. He throws a firebolt at whatever it is, scoring a hit.
Up top Kromnak smashes the control panel he has found in the alcove with his axe and the gears stop moving. Now a small squarish boxy thing crawls up out of the boulder delivery hole on spidery mechanical legs. It looks as if it is for repairing things. It doesn’t quite know what to do about Kromnak so it tries to poke him. It fails. Kromnak swings and slides the repair drone in half with his sword. Hearing the commotion below he jumps down.
Meanwhile Tholin and Fizzle have been fighting 3 more mechanical scouts. As Kromnak jumps down they are just finishing dispatching the last one. The floor starts to rumble, messing with the boulder machinery seems to have started a major breakdown. As we look for a way out, Fizzle spys a small gap. Running over to it is turns out to be a small passage. We take it the commotion.
The spider swarm
The passage zig-zags all over the place. Towards the end there is a lot of dust and cobwebs. I sign the wall with my chalk, ‘Fizzle was here’. We come out into a cavern with lots of cobwebs, many concentrated towards the back behind something large with glowing eyes. We think its a huge spider and attack! Tholin Firebolts the concentration of cobwebs we think is a nest, while I shoot it between the eyes and Kromnak slices it with his flaming sword. CLANG. Its metal, but Kromnak and I continue attaching. Tholin realizes it’s only a statue of a spider. He thinks it may be a distraction. We all consider this as I take the green eye jewels from the statue – after all – it doesn’t need them.
Spiders start dropping from the ceiling. Lots of spiders! Everyone is wounded, but I am overwhelmed and knocked out. Tholin gives me a healing potion and I regain my wits and cast sacred flames on myself in order to target the swarm of spiders crawling all over me. I succeed in killing some. They don’t like flames. Kromnak squishes many with the side of his axe blade. The swarm is down to half strength. I cast sacred flame on the spiders mobbing Tholin, but hurt him as well. Tholin is out. Kromnak continues squishing spiders on himself and knocks himself out. He’s down too! But, all the spiders are dead. I casts healing word on Tholin and cure wounds on Kromnak. Good thing I’m a cleric. With all of us conscious again, we take a rest.
From the ongoing saga of Fizzle’s and his hired companions. written by Fiznarthian Ooglenook (played David Pettit) Featured image (screen capture from Elder Scrolls)
Chapter 4
Game Day 2/23/2019
After our short rest, Tholin looks for any hidden ways to move forward. Finding none we decide to distract the fish and make a break for the far shore. Throwing some armor into the lake on the side we came from, we see the fish congregating around that area. We hastily head for the far shore as fast as we can. (Athletic Rolls: Fizzle – 15, Kromnak – 14, and Tholin – 2.) Kromnak and Fizzle make it, but Tholin gets only about half way when the fish catch up to him and attack! He gets chewed on, which spurs him on to an outstanding effort, and he makes it to the North shore to join us. He does have to use a potion to heal when he arrives.
Kromnak lights a torch while Tholin and Fizzle take a look around. Tholin finds something shiny and metallic in the sand. It looks a little like a cog from some machine. We find nothing else so we continue down the passage, keeping left; Tholin looking for traps, Fizzle, then Kromnak following. We soon come to another wall of darkness. We handle this one the same as the last patch of darkness with Fizzle exploring ahead on a rope.
Moving forward by touch, Fizzle feels the floor transition from soft sand to flagstone. Someone has improved the floor in this section of cave. He briefly hears a click and whirring coming from the left ahead, but nothing further comes of it. Soon he comes out into another cavern that’s about 60’x40’. There is some light now from glowing moss on the walls. He ties the rope to a handy 40lb bolder and gives the rope the prearranged 2 (3 for help) tug signal for the others to join him. The rope and rock immediately disappear back into the darkness!?! Kromnak finding a rock on the rope instead of Fizzle and thinks he has disappeared. Tholin convinces him the tugs were the signal to follow. Fizzle can’t figure out what’s taking them so long. Tholin and Kromnak start after Fizzle, Tholin following the left wall as Fizzle did. Kromnak doesn’t know his left from his right and follows along the right hand wall. Tholin joins Fizzle, but Kromnak goes off in a long circle following the right hand wall and ends up back where he started. “It’s magic! They are gone.” He continues on around the loop again. Finally after another time around he hears Fizzle and Tholin yelling to follow the wall with his “wiper” (left) hand and he joins them.
Searching this cavern we find some large scratches in the wall about 10’ up. We continue on.
Tholin in the lead spots a trap in the floor of the passage we are following. It’s a trap door the full width of the passage and about 20’ across. On the far side about 3’ up the wall is a dry patch of brown moss or algae. Maybe its a switch. Before they can discuss it, Kromnak says “lets throw “Flippy” across!” and does. Fizzle yells “Nooo…” and flies gracefully end over end across the 20 feet and slams into the wall face first. Sliding down in a heap he takes 5 points of damage. Tholin and Kromnak jump across after. (With no damage.) It turns out the moss covers a button that disables the trap door. Fizzle recovers, muttering something about barbarians under his breath. The party continues on.
Spiked pit trap
Next we come into a cavern with small alcoves to the left and right. We each check one, finding nothing but algae on the walls, which reaches out and grabs Kromnak and Fizzle. “Not my wiping hand!” cries Kromnak. Tholin attempts to hack the stuff off Kromnak. but it is resistant to hacking. Kromnak tries his flame sword, which is very effective at burning the stuff up. Seeing this I use Sacred Flame and manage to make a dent in mine. Tholin and Kromnak both shoot it with bow and crossbow and it expires. All free again, we move on.
Tholin finds another trap in the passageway. This one is only 12 feet across. Tholin jumps it and Kromnak tosses me. Kromnak carefully trips the trap to see what happens. The trap door opens onto a 30 foot pit with spikes at the bottom. He jumped it easily and Tholin pushes the button to safe the trap and we continue on down a wider corridor into another chamber. Finding more algae creatures we kill them and settle in for a long rest.
During my watch I hear a noise which turns out to be a mechanical bronze scout on the ceiling. It drops down and attacks us. Tholin swings at it with his rapier and gives it a good hit. I cast spiritual weapon and manifest a large yellow bear in a red jumper (a Pooh Bear), but Pooh misses his swing. Pooh looks very cross. I cast enhance on Kromnak to give him more strength. He takes a mighty swing with his great axe. Whack! Tholin misses with a fire bolt and I manage to miss with both my crossbow and Pooh Bear. Then Kromnak hits it with his flaming sword and Tholin finishes it off with fire bolt. I cast cure wounds on Tholin and we finish our rest.
After resting we move on further. Tholin finds yet another trap! Tying a rope to himself as previously, Tholin jumps across only to land on a second trap door which springs open! He falls but we catch him with the rope, saving him from certain doom. Pulling him up with the rope Tholin manages to get up on the narrow section between the two traps. Fizzle spots the disarm switch on the far wall, but it’s too far to jump across both gaps and Tholin can’t get a running to jump from the narrow 1 foot section of floor he is on. We are discussing trying to shoot the button when Fizzle, having seen Tholin use magic before wonders if he can do “Mage hand”. He can, and uses it to push the disarm button and both traps lock shut. We all move across and are free to continue on.
From the ongoing saga of Fizzle’s and his hired companions. written by Fiznarthian Ooglenook (played David Pettit) Featured image Ghost town by IIDanmrack
Chapter 3
Game day 2/23/2019
The next morning we eat some more of Kromnak’s goat, and prepare for our day. This morning Kromnak manages to actually get up and stay on one of the horses. He names his horse, Horse. Fizzle and Tholin share the other horse, Matilda, with Fizzle driving.
We approach the ruins of Amara midafternoon. Tholin’s keen eyes discern possible movement on some of the ruined towers of Amara, so we vear to the west (inland) to some light tree cover. There we leave the horses in a small clearing with plenty of grass to eat and Kromnak picks some wild garlic (which turns out to be dandelions) to ward off vampires. We move closer to the tree line to observe the ruins and take cover behind the trees, except for Kromnak whos idea of hiding is to pose as a tree. Fizzle convinces him to actually hide behind a tree, where he amuses himself playing with his flame sword <sigh>.
The Ruins of Amara (I drew this map in August 2018 and have been wanting use it in game ever since.)
It is about 50 yards from the trees to the broken city wall. Tree cover is sparse near the ruins and the trees appear more and more dead and petrified the closer to the walls you get. We can’t see much from cover so we decide to send Tholin in closer for a look, as he is better at stealth than Kromnak or Fizzle. After Tholin leaves Fizzle tries to get the concept of patience and waiting quietly across to Kromnak with some limited success. At least he puts out his sword.
Tholin gets right up to the wall without being seen. He peaks around a gap in the wall and has a good view of the northern section of the ruins. He sees several groups (2-5) of ghosts roaming about in no discernible pattern. They don’t ever pass outside the walls, leading to the conclusion that the walls might be a barrier to them. Returning to us, he passes on what he has learned. We decide to wait until nightfall to make our entry to the ruins, hoping to avoid detection. We take a short rest.
When night arrives Tholin dons the Circlet of Protection. We stealthily make our way to the walls of Amara. Before entering we peak around the gap in the wall and make sure the coast is clear. It is. Tholin uses the circlet to cast protection on each of us which will last 10 minutes. We hope this is enough time to make it to the path down the cliff that the old man told us about. Based on the map we have and the old man’s story we think the path down the cliff should be somewhere near the top of the cliff overlooking the only cove depicted, which is near the northern part of the ruins. This is why we chose to enter at this northern gape in the wall.
Red line shows the adventurers’ path taken through the Ruins of Amara
Avoiding that ghost we see another group approaching and move down the row and into the end house before they spot us. Leaving Kromnak Mor to watch the door, Tholin and I look around for anything that might be of use to us. All I find is a rusty knife in the kitchen, but Tholin finds a book of some kind and, in the bedroom of the house, a ghost of a girl child. We all join him and Kromnak is able to persuade her to help us in return for the book Tholin found. She guides us across through another broken down house to the cliff edge, avoiding more ghosts along the way. There we find the beginning of a steep narrow path down the cliff. Kromnak sends our ghost guide home and I cast some healing on Kromnak whose interaction with the ghost cost some health.
We tie ourselves together to minimize the danger of one of us falling and begin our descent. Fizzle in the lead and Kromnak anchoring the end. We make it down uneventfully. We make our way through some boulders (it’s a tight squeeze for Kromnak). Tholin leads us as we sneak across the cove to a large boulder near where we think the entrance to the caves is, Tholin having heard some voices. We decide to have Tholin use the Chime of Opening to open the entrance to the cavern as we don’t know exactly where it is. (This uses up one of our five uses.) The guards mistake the opening for their leader coming back, so we take them by surprise! (Also this might confirm the leader is out.)
We take out the guards. Ha. Thought I was going to describe it, didn’t ya. Well I will. Tholin and I keep to cover and take shots with my crossbow and his bow while Kromnak goes in with a frontal assault. He manages to miss every blow while taking every shot the two guards can dish out. I plug one of the guards full of bolts and Tholin fills the other with arrows. Then Tholin moves in and finishes both of them with his sword. Kromnak is a pin cushion and down, so we use one of Kromnak’s healing potions on him and he comes around.
We enter the cavern which funnels down to a 3 foot diameter hole in the rear wall about two feet off the floor. It is completely black and we cannot see inside. When Kromnak sticks his lit sword into it the light disappears. The same thing happens when I try a torch. There is some kind of dark enchantment on the hole. Tying a rope to myself, I crawl into the hole and head straight back. Coming to the end of my rope without coming out of the darkness, I go back and tie on another length. Heading back in I stay to the right this time, and eventually emerge from the darkness into a cavern lit by glowing moss or something. The cavern contains a lake with a waterfall and an island. The only way forward seems to be through the lake.
David Pettit’s sketch of the waterfall cavern
Kromnak, of course, immediately jumps into the lake and starts swimming for the island. Tholin and I look around a little first before jumping in and spy a ledge we want to check on. We swim to that, but have a little trouble climbing the wall up to the ledge. We are soon surrounded by quipper fish, which want to eat us. We climb the wall! On the ledge we find bones all arranged neatly by type, creepy, but nothing else. Kromnak having reached the island and found neatly arranged weapons and armor, throws us a rope, attached to a javelin.
Kromnak, of course, immediately jumps into the lake and starts swimming for the island. Tholin and I look around a little first before jumping in and spy a ledge we want to check on. We swim to that, but have a little trouble climbing the wall up to the ledge. We are soon surrounded by quipper fish, which want to eat us. We climb the wall! On the ledge we find bones all arranged neatly by type, creepy, but nothing else. Kromnak having reached the island and found neatly arranged weapons and armor, throws us a rope, attached to a javelin.
I try to cross hand over hand on the rope and slip. The quippers close in, and Tholin throws me another rope. Climbing back out with the help of the rope h, I manage to make it across on the second try, taking the end of the second rope with me. Tholin ties the second rope around himself and crosses over too. Now we are all on the island. Kromnak throws a spear at the waterfall to see if its open behind it. It is not. We take a short rest.
The following notes are from an exchange of text messages between myself (GM) and David Pettit (Fizzle) as a pre-game setup.
D&D Game Notes by David Pettit
Chapter 0
1/11/2019
GM: You hadn’t been in M’Ka long (couple months), when your idol/mentor Master Foswith asked you to travel to Goremont to fetch a recently discovered map of the Ruins of Amara and the hidden tunnels below.
A vision suggested that there was trouble brewing to the south and that something about the Ruins of Amara might hold the key to turning the tide of great darkness.
Do you take the trip?
Fizzle: … Oh ya. Yes I have to get the map I love maps.
GM: Eager to put your new found holy powers to practice in the real world, you head out on your solo journey. “Real world” meaning outside the temple.
Fizzle: … Haha I got that.
GM: In the temple it’s been holy scriptures, cleaning, sleeping, eating. Perhaps not as exciting as you had envisioned?
Fizzle:… But the library was great.
… Latrine duty sucked.
GM: You didn’t have near the amount of free time you’d hoped for to read all those books. Practicing those cantrips over and over was exhausting. And then to have to clean the latrines …
It’s a good thing you’re such a positive, optimistic gnome.
Would your gnome ride a pony? Or walk? Or cart?
Anyway, your trip to Goremont was long, but uneventful. Goremont is probably the largest and noisiest city you’ve ever been in.
Do you do anything in Goremont aside from your assigned task?
This is also the first time you’ve seen people like full orcs, tieflings, goliaths, hobgoblins, and other such politely walking the streets and carrying on business with humans, dwarfs, gnomes, and halflings.
Fizzle:… Well am I rich enough for a pony?
GM: Would be on loan from the temple.
Fizzle: … I’d want to look around. You know, see the local library. Maybe take the underground haunted tour.
GM: They’d also provide you with a small stipend for meals.
Fizzle: … Oh ok a pony then.
… Good I get hungry.
GM: Sadly Goremont does not have a library nor a university. The closest you’d get would be the shelf of books/scrolls in the small Temple of Pelor.
Fizzle: … Oh well ok. I’ll look at those.
GM: You play tourist for a few days, taking in all the new exciting sights of this border harbor town. Sadly, at some point in your wanderings about the city you lose all your gold.
Fizzle: … I’ll have to see if I can get an advance from the local temple.
GM: The reading material in the small temple is mostly observations/notes on the different races of Glorte and Heshtia. (Neighboring countries) A couple of stories involving the mating habits of dragons that read more like bard tales.
Also some tombs on medicine, herbs, and non-divine healing methods
The small temple is sadly lacking in coin.
They’re happy to offer you lodging and share their food with you while you visit.
Fizzle: … Well that’s good. Maybe I can sell a chess set.
GM: You can certainly try. Did you character start with one?
Fizzle: … I bought one and I could craft one. It’s my hobbie.
GM: It takes you awhile to find someone interested in buying this strange game of yours, but the figures are pretty and will look nice on their mother’s mantle. They offer you 5 silver for the set.
Normally I’d have you roll a crafting skill and a diplomacy for negotiation, but this is all pregame.
Fizzle: … Ok was that a good price?
I better get the map and skedaddle before anything else get stolen.
GM: That’s half a gold. Your new to big city living. Do you think it’s a good price?
Fizzle: … They cost 1 gold normally.
Fine
😛
LOL
GM: Congrats. You’ve sold a chess set and have funds.
Fizzle: …Whoo hoo. I’m a success!
GM: Map and info dump in hand (to be provided later), you and your pony travel back to M’Ka. It’s as uneventful as the trip up.
The citizens of Amara had been harassed by a decidedly evil dragon that was destroying their crops and livestock and demanding they pay tribute. Even giving into the extorsion, the dragon continued to pillage the town and the surrounding area. The townsfolk went to a nice, friendly elder dragon and asked if it would be so kind as to remove the dragon from their lives. The nice dragon was welcome to all the treasure that the evil dragon had extorted from them.
There was an epic battle between the two dragons. Magic flew. Breathes of fire and acid spewed. Buildings were hurled at the enemy. By the time the battle was done, the village was in ruins and the entire population was dead. The spirits of these dead villagers haunt the ruins to this day, demanding to know why their savior failed them.
Fizzle: … Go me. Happy Gnome!
Travelled through Obsidian (Lower level human upper gnome) on the way back to M’ka.
When fighting a battle with harpies in a forest, sometimes you have to get creative with those trees and nests!
November 2018 – Added backstory below photos.
View of the battle map from above
Full view of the battle grid with the “trees” I used for the harpy battle. Tress included upsided down vases, plastic cubs, a California raisin, and some fish tank tree decorations.
The field is set! The harpies are ready to defend their nest with the stolen children. Will our heros save the day?
The harpy nest with the kidnapped kids in the nest (the seashell), surrounded by harpies on the ledge (saucer),
Backstory
These notes are being added in November, 3 months after the game occurred. My game notes aren’t great, so some of the details are a little fuzzy.
Our band of adventurers were camped beside the free road when a band of 5 harpies swooped in and tried to steal all of their shiny goods. The harpies only managed to grab a couple of things before being chased off by the party, but not before losing one of their number.
The next day they arrive in the town of M’Ka. The town has netting strewn between the buildings, covering the streets of the small town. They soon discover that in the last 6 months harpies have grabbed 6 young children off the streets of M’Ka. The townsfolk have not been able to find where the children were taken or if they are still alive. Two of the kidnapped children are the mayor’s.
The mayor, Winnie Soolfulright, convinced the town to raise a “king’s ransom” in gold (12,000g) to pay the Keepers of Balance to rescue the children. The Keepers of Balance declined to take the job. The mayor offers to give the players the coin if they can bring back the kidnapped children. Our gallant heroes leap at the chance!
Lost Children of M’ka:
Istaak Alfrenridge (8)
Anise (6) and Kayla Pennywise (4)
the twins Herman (5) and Shaila Soolfulright (5) – mayor’s kids
Golfree Thompson (3)
The next morning the cleric (Annabelle), the sorceress (Kethra), and the ranger (Aphodel) head east, in the direction they saw the harpies fly after the initial encounter on the roadside. They arrive in the small, ocean-side town of Ol’shire. The people there claim to know nothing of harpies, though it’s clear that some are lying.
The good folks of Ol’shire made a bargain with the harpies. The harpies would protect the town from the marauding pirates that had been troubling the town as well as not bother town and the town would keep people away from the harpies’ nests.
Harpies have a difficult time bringing their eggs term, often forgetting to keep the eggs warm when they left the nests to search for food or treasures or whatever drove these cursed beasts. So the harpies stole the youngest, easy-to-control children to warm the eggs while they incubated.
Our suspicious group leaves Ol’shire under the stealth of night and travels north along the coastline. They find several abandoned harpy nests along the way. Eventually they come to an area that shows signs of recent harpy activity.
They set up a trap near a grove of trees: a camp fire with shiny cursed armor, gems and a backpack filled with rocks as lures. Then they find climb the nearby trees and wait for the trap to spring. Much waiting occurs. It’s windy. One of the team almost gets blown off the tree branch they’re hiding on/clinging to.
The harpies approach, singing their songs. All but one of the adventuring group is able to resist the hypnotic pull. Battle ensues. With the use of sacred flame, scorching ray, and magic missiles the harpies once more run away before they can be captured or killed.
The team tracks the harpies back to their active nests. There are between 20-30 harpies making their home there. Our heroes don’t do a great job of hiding.
A harpy lands near where they are hidden and offers parlay. Offers to give these adventurer’s “shinnies” to go away. They have 3 eggs that are almost ready to hatch. They can have the kidnapped children back once they hatch in about a month. While intrigued by the offer of “shinnies”, which they learn are coins and magic items, they are not in favor of leaving the children with the harpies. The cleric offers to keep the eggs warm herself it they will release the M’ka children. The harpy doesn’t trust that the cleric would stay put or leave the eggs unharmed and declines the offer.
Negotiations break down. As a fight becomes imminent and terrified of being destroyed by these hardened killers, many of the harpies fly away, carrying as much of their loot as they can on the way. The polygamous group whose eggs these belong to stay.
At the same time as this chaos occurs, an old friend – Barbang, the dwarf fighter – is transported from Berlstrum to this battleground in thanks for aiding a hag. A battle between the remaining 7 harpies and the 4 adventures ensue. Five of the seven harpies are killed. The surviving two harpies grab the 3 eggs and one of the children and make their escape.
The newly abandoned nests are in huge old trees bent over the tall Briarstone cliffs. The tree with the children is surrounded at the base by a large water pit, placing the edge of land 25 feet from the trunk of the tree. The children warn the rescuers that there is a giant snake hiding in the water at the base of the tree. With the aid of several Ropes of Climbing, a Potion of Giant Strength, and some great climbing skill, they are able to get the 5 remaining children safely down from the nest without waking the giant snake. They are filthy, malnourish, and dehydrated, but otherwise unharmed. Anise Pennywise is the one that was carried away.
There is much happiness, rejoicing, and celebration upon the return of the 5 children to M’ka. They swear that they will find and bring back Anise. They also swear amongst themselves to find those shiny coins and treasures the harpy alluded to during the negotiations.
THE FOLLOWING BLOG POST IS PART 20 OF MY CAMPAIGN, DREADSTORMS LOST, FOR THE DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS 5TH EDITION GAME. THESE BLOGS ARE INTENDED FOR OTHER GAME MASTERS WHO MIGHT WANT TO USE THIS CAMPAIGN SETTING AND THE SCENARIOS TO INSPIRE THEIR OWN ROLE PLAYING GAMES. (FREE FOR NONCOMMERCIAL REUSE.)
Notes:
The tricky part about Dreadstorms Lost campaign is the timeline. Once the ritual spell is started, it will increase in intensity each day. At each dawn the life draining wave kills more creatures toand reanimates them at dusk. The Will of Orcus Undead instinctively attack in hordes.
Depending on the party’s actions, like long or short rests, will decide where there are when a plague waves will happens.
Kazel is set up and has begun casting the ritual spell, Will of Orcus, several hours before sunrise.
First plague wave!
At dawn, those awake feel an odd moment of fatigue (*Life Drain). It quickly passes. Everyone needs to save vs the Life Drain, awake or asleep.
*Life Drain [Day 1]: CON save 5
-1 to Max HP on a failed save. If HP reduced to 0 by fatigue wave, target dies and rises as zombie 12 hrs later. Otherwise, a LONG REST restores max HP.
Note: You can only have one long rest ever 24 hours.
Dead Bugs
The first wave is fairly week and mostly effects insects: flies, caterpillars, small spiders, grasshoppers, moths, bees, and the like.
On a Perception of 16, an especially observant character will notice that there are no bugs buzzing/crawling/creeping about inside the town. There are dead bugs everywhere once a person starts looking. No live bugs within the wave radius area.
The wave has a radius effect centered around Kazel. His hidden lair underneath Berlstrum is roughly located under building #96 on the town map. This initial radius encompasses the Champions’ manor and a large portion of the town center. (See map below.)
Area of effect of the first wave of the Will of Orcus Plague in Berlstrum
At Dusk/Sunset on Day 1
Dead bugs rise in swarms, attacking any viable meat source in immediate area.
Zombie Bug Swarm
Based on Swarm of Insects (5E Monster Manual pg 338) with a plague zombie template.
Hit Points 40
Movement 20ft, fly 30
Undead Template: +1 STR, +2 CON, -6 INT, -4 WIS, -4 CHA, Undead Fortitude, Poison immunity (damage type and condition)
*Life Drain: *If HP reduced to 0 by infected, target rises as zombie the following dusk; if not dead, LONG REST recovers lost max HP
Actions
Attack. Bites +3 to hit (swarm moves into target’s space). Hit 4d4 HP + Life Drain (DC7 Con or -1 to Hit Point Max ), 2d4 + Life Drain if half swarm
Day 2 of Casting the Will of Orcus – Small animals
Hidden underneath Berlstrum in his impregnable lair, Kazel continues casting the ritual spell, Will of Orcus. If the party is outside of the effected area (like on the farms), they do not need to make the CON save.
Second Plague Wave!
At dawn, those awake feel a moment of fatigue (*Life Drain) that lasts for 6 seconds. Everyone save vs the Life Drain, awake or asleep.
*Life Drain [Day 2]:CON save 6
-2 to maximum HP on a failed save. If HP is reduced to 0 by the wave, target dies and rises as zombie 12 hrs later. A LONG REST restores max HP.
Note: You can only have 1 long rest ever 24 hours.
Small Animals Drop Like Flies
The second wave effects small animals: rats, mice, cats, gophers, etc. The area of effect extends farther than it did yesterday.
On a Perception of 15, someone spots a dead rat (or other area-appropriate critter). Once they start looking, rats, mice, cats, squirrels and other smaller animals have all dropped dead. They very weak or ill people are also effected.
Blue circle shows the area of effect from the second plague wave, overlapping the red circle from day 1.
At Dusk/Sunset on Day 2
Day 3 – Casting the Will of Orcus – medium size animals
At dawn, 24 seconds of fatigue (4 rounds); small children, medium size animals like dogs, deer, wolves, and giant rats (ROUs) are effected by the wave (some make their saves; most don’t).
On a Perception 12, spot a dead cat. Once they start looking and asking around, dogs, wolves, giant rats, and small children were affected when the wave hit. (A small percent made their saves.)
The radius effect continues to grow, centered around Kazel’s location. The area of dead extends outside of the city wall a ways, extending further out than the day before.
Third plague wave!
At dawn, those awake feel a moment of fatigue (*Life Drain) that lasts for 24 seconds (4 rounds). Everyone saves vs the Life Drain, awake or asleep.
*Life Drain [Day 3]: CON save 8
-2 to Max HP each round (4 rounds) on a failed save. If HP reduced to 0 by fatigue wave, target dies and rises as zombie 12 hrs later. Otherwise, a LONG REST restores max HP.
Note: You can only have one long rest ever 24 hours.
People of Berlsturm react poorly to 3rd plague wave and the death of their children and pets…
Mobs
Scared, irrational packs of Berlstrum citizens roam through the town. Houses and business have been set on fire. Some on purpose by those hoping to stop the plague. If they see someone they recognize as a Protector, they will likely become demanding and/or violent.
A Swarming Mob of Angry Villagers
AC 10 The Mob consists of 50 individuals; each successful hit on the mob removes one person from the mob
Movement
Speed Normal 20; Frenzied 40
Surround: The mob will attempt to surround the target(s) of their ire. To avoid being engulfed by the mob, make a DC 15 DEX saving throw. On a successful save, target avoids being surrounded. The mob gains no swarming benefits. If mob succeeds in surrounding a target, they have advantage on attack rolls against their target(s) and +4 to hit. There must be at least 3 villagers in order to surround a target. Divide the total number of remaining mob with the number of opponents. If there were 27 members of the mob still active, the most targets they can attack is 9.
Action
MultiAttack. The full mob of 50 makes 4 attacks on each enemy within range, +1 to hit unless they have successfully surrounded a target, then +4 to hit with advantage. Each successful hit from the swarm does 1 HP subdual damage. If the mob makes all 4 attacks in the round, their damage is doubled. If the mob is brought below half its numbers, it only makes 2 attacks.
The mob can split up to attack multiple targets (at least 3 villagers per victim, but will try to herd everyone to the same spot.
Herd. If the mob successfully surrounds a target, the mob can force an opponent up to half the mob’s movement in any direction as a bonus action. STR save 15 to resist being push.
(Subdual) Knocking a Creature Out – Player’s Handbook, page 198,
Sometimes an attacker wants to incapacitate a foe, rather than deal a killing blow. When an attacker reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack, the attacker can knock the creature out. The attacker can make this choice the instant the damage is dealt. The creature falls unconscious and is stable.
The mob flows like water. Image that the swarm takes up 50 squares on a battle map. The mob can move through each other’s space to gain the best spot to surround and attack all targets. And because there are so many of them, they do not provoke attacks of opportunities when leaving a threatened square, unless the whole mob is frightened away.
1-10 people subdued = 25% chance of the mob becoming frightened, causing the mob to breaking up and become individuals fleeing
11-20 people subdued = 50% chance of the mob becoming frightened
21-30 people subdued = 80% chance of the mob becoming frightened
31-or more people subdued = 100% chance of the mob becoming frightened
Area effects on the mob, like cone of cold or fireball, will insta-kill the number of villagers equal to the squares the spell affects. Example a 15ft radius = 6 squares on battlemap = 6 dead villagers. (To help, this is an image of common spell shapes.)If an area affect is used on the crowd, they will instantly go into Frenzied Mob state.
Frenzied Mob of Terrified Villagers
If a member of the mob is killed (instead of knocked unconscious), there is a percentage chance that the mob will go into a frenzy. If an area effect takes out a bunch of them at once, they go into a frenzy.
If enough villagers are killed in individual combat, there is a chance that the mob will frenzy.
1-10 villagers in mob killed = 25% chance of frenzy
11-20 villagers in mob killed = 50% chance of frenzy
21-30 villagers in mob killed = 80% chance of frenzy
31-or more villagers in mob killed = 100% chance of frenzy
Frenzy Attack: The frenzied mob makes 6 attacks on each target within range. Each successful attack does 2HP damage and is no longer subdual. If all 6 frenzied attacks hit, damage is doubled. A frenzied mob will keep attacking until each target within range is dead.
One-one-one with someone in the mob
An individual seperated from the mob has 0 bonus to all saves.
Action
Attack. -1 to hit. A successful hit does 1 HP subdual damage.
The Mob consists of 50 individuals; each successful hit on the mob removes one person from the mob
A Swarming Mob of Angry Villagers
Speed Normal 25; Frenzied 35
Surround: The mob will attempt to surround the target(s) of their ire. To avoid being engulfed by the mob, make a DC 15 DEX saving throw. On a successful save, target avoids being surrounded. The mob gains no swarming benefits. If mob succeeds in surrounding a target, they gain a +4 to hit. Target is flat footed (loses DEX bonus on AC). And yes, that is a holdover from 3.5 edition.
Attack: The full mob of 50 makes 6 attacks on each target within range, -1 to hit unless they have successfully surround a target, then +4. Each successful hit from the swarm does 1 HP subdual damage. If the mob makes 6 successful attacks in the round, their damage is doubled. If the mob is brought to half its numbers, it only makes 3 attacks.
(Subdual) Knocking a Creature Out – Player’s Handbook, page 198,
Sometimes an attacker wants to incapacitate a foe, rather than deal a killing blow. When an attacker reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack, the attacker can knock the creature out. The attacker can make this choice the instant the damage is dealt. The creature falls unconscious and is stable.
The mob flows like water. Image that the swarm takes up 50 squares on a battle map. The mob can move through each others spaces to gain the best attack spot to surround all targets. And because there are so many of them, they do not provoke attacks of opportunities when leaving a threatened square, unless the whole mob is running away.
1-10 people subdued = 25% chance of becoming frightened, cause the mob to breaking up and individuals to flee
11-20 people killed = 50% chance of frenzy
21-30 people killed = 80% chance of frenzy
31-20 people killed = 100% chance of frenzy
Area effects on the mob, like cone of cold or fireball, will kill the number of squares the spell affects. Example a 15ft radius = 6 squares on battlemap = 6 dead villagers. If an area affect is used on the crowd, they will instantly go into Frenzied Mob state. (To help, this is an image of common spell shapes.)
Frenzied Mob of Terrified Villagers
If a member of the mob is killed (instead of knocked unconscious), there is a percentage chance that the mob will go into a frenzy. If an area effect takes out a bunch of them at once, they go into a frenzy.
1-10 people killed = 25% chance of frenzy
11-20 people killed = 50% chance of frenzy
21-30 people killed = 80% chance of frenzy
31-20 people killed = 100% chance of frenzy
Frenzy Attack: Each successful attack does 2HP damage and is no longer subdual. If all 6 frenzied attacks hit, they still do double damage. A frenzied will mob keep attacking until each target within range is dead.
Activities at Specific Locations During the Rioting
Town Hall
The mayor and several of the council are barricaded inside the town hall building (#82). Outside hundreds of people are yelling and throwing rocks at the building, angry that the town leaders closed the gates, trapping them all inside and demanding that gates be opened to escape this cursed town.
Inside Town Hall is:
Mayor Cobblekeep (Halfling)
Tomo* (1/2 Elf Druid, Aphodel’s mentor) has been wounded, but is currently stable.
Hammond* (Human, Farmer)
Mostrad (Human, Katrine Cafe #52)
Other Council members
Wabae (Human, Cleric Acolyte, runs Medical Aid) is at Sure Luke’s Pub with her nephew Serifo. Her sister Mamet is dead after her boarding house was set on fire by the angry mob. She went back in to save a tenant. Wabae was unable to heal her burns. Wabae is doing what she can for the wounded holing up in Sure Luke’s.
Agosta Amagoste (Dragonborn)* and Xendric (dwarf) are helping to guard the library from looters.
R’dsché is at his church (#37), trying to keep the people seeking sanctuary calm and safe.
Grant Tan (1/2 Orc ) had his Survival Gear store overrun by frantic citizens. A fight broke out. While trying to break it up, he was stabbed to death.
*It is assumed that Amagoste, Hammond, and Tomo were successfully escorted back to the city by the party (#12 – Going to the Farm)
City Gates
The gates won’t open. Someone sabotaged the mechanisms! (In one game, a player ran a warlock with a fiend pact. The fiend was, of course, tied to Orcus. The warlock was given a solo mission to secretly sabotaging the city gates.)
Individuals are being crushed against the gate by the mob trying to get out. Some are trying to break down the gates, but so far have had no luck.
Churches
A large percentage of the population have gone to the churches (#6, #7, #8, #37) for protection and divine aid. All of the churches are packed to the max and have been forced to bar their doors from anymore coming in.
Council member R’dsché (Elf, Cleric) is at church #37 trying to keep the people there calm.
Docks/Harbor
Others in the town have tried to leave by the sea. The warf has only one ship remaining, which is completely engulfed in flames. Many ships have crashed upon the rocks in the harbor without a proper harbor guide. The harbor is full of wreckage and floating bodies. All the blood and fresh meat has attracted large water predators. Not to mention getting the Sea Hag’s sharks all excited.
The City Wall
Some citizens are trying to climb over the wall with their possessions on their backs. Not everyone makes the climb successfully.
Dragon’s Rest Inn
Somone started a rumor that the plague was coming from a rich visitor staying at the Dragon’s Rest Inn (#45). A mob stormed over there with torches, set the place on fire, and killed any who tried to escape the building. Some of the inn’s guest tried leaving by climbing down the cliff side, only to plummet to their deaths.
The mob has been roaming the city, setting fire to buildings they suspect might have plague barers.
Library of Esoteria
Many of the casters and scholarly types have set up a perimeter around the Library of Esoteria (#44), defending the building and its precious contents from crazed mobs and looters.
The council members Agosta Amagoste and Xendric are helping to guard the library from looters.
Champions’ Manor
A large group of people (~300) are gathered throughout the lower level of the champions’ manor (#122), waiting anxiously for the champions to return – in the dining hall, the gallery, the meeting hall, hallways, kitchen.
There’s an argument going on between 2 groups at the base of the stairs in the back. One arguing to search the upstairs area for something to protect themselves with and the other arguing that it would be disrespectful to invade the Champions’ private quarters.
Some people have heard that their is a secret door in the Champions’ manor and break into the building searching for the way out. Will the group help them leave Berlstrum via the secret door(s)? At some point, the scared citizens will find the back door leading into the forest. The hinges have been twisted, making it impossible to completely close.
Some of those fleeing carry wrapped bundles which you suspect are dead children or pets.
*Gruber is oddly intelligent, articulate, and social for a mimic. He’s been desperately bored and lonely being stuck in the treasure room with skeletons and 2 other “standard” mimics who don’t speak at all. He’s eager to make friends and have someone to talk to. Desperate. to. Talk.
*Gruber was raised by a wizard who recognized the unusual intelligence in this mimic and taught him to speak and read in several languages (never figured out how to write with that psuedopod). Gruber helped the wizard with his research and spell preparations. (Bard Lore levels) Unfortunately the wizard met a bad end when one of his deals with a demon became known to the local heroes.
*He hates Kazel. Kazel tricked Gruber, promising him an important part on his team guarding their treasure. Then literally stabbed him in the back with the magically enchanted blade attached to the wall anchor. No matter how Gruber changed his shape, he couldn’t dislodge the blade.
*Through smell, can sense demonic/devilish entities (they smell like cilantro)
*Has an extensive knowledge of furniture, boxes, and trunk designs and art styles
*A bit of a coward, but can fight if it has pressed
Proficiencies Saving Throws Con +4
Arcana +7, Deception +6, History +5, Persuasion +1, Religion +5, Stealth +4
ACTIONS BitesMelee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft Hit: 1d8+2 piercing + (1d8 acid) Range: 5 ft
PsuedopodMelee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft Hit: 1d8+2 bludgeoning. If the mimic is in object form, the target is subjected to the Adhesive trait (grappled)
SPECIAL, GENERAL MIMICS
Shapechanger. The mimic can use its action to polymorph into an object or back into its true, amorphous form. Its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn ‘t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
Adhesive (Object Form Only). The mimic adheres to anything that touches it. A Huge or smaller creature adhered to the mimic is also grappled by it (escape DC 13). Ability checks made to escape this grapple have disadvantage.
False Appearance (Object Form Only). While the mimic remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from an ordinary object.
Grappler. The mimic has advantage on attack rolls against any creature grappled by it.
Mimics in General:
Mimics are shapeshifting predators able to take on the form of inanimate objects to lure creatures to their doom. In dungeons, these cunning creatures most often take the form of doors and chests, having learned that such forms attract a steady stream of prey.
Imitative Predators. Mimics can alter their outward texture to resemble wood, stone, and other basic materials, and they have evolved to assume the appearance of objects that other creatures are likely to come into contact with. A mimic in its altered form is nearly unrecognizable until potential prey blunders into its reach, whereupon the monster sprouts pseudopods and attacks. When it changes shape, a mimic excretes an adhesive that helps it seize prey and weapons that touch it. The adhesive is absorbed when the mimic assumes its amorphous form and on parts the mimic uses to move itself.
Cunning Hunters. Mimics live and hunt alone, though they occasionally share their feeding grounds with other creatures. Although most mimics have only predatory intelligence, a rare few evolve greater cunning and the ability to carry on simple conversations in Common or Undercommon. Such mimics might allow safe passage through their domains or provide useful information in exchange for food.
To follow is some of the rambling, babbling dialogue of Gruber’s that happened while the group was resting, but had freed him in exchange for aid in finding Kazel:
So what’s your home like? Is it a castle? Is it nearby? How long will it take us to get there once you’ve done here? Is it dry? I am SO TIRED of being wet! Will I be inside a room? Out of the rain and snow, ya know, but still be able to see the sun and clouds?
This is going to be great! ::Changes shape to match one of the boxes, but with fancy flourishes:: Yup! For all those inconvenient enemies you need gotten rid of, I’m your Gruber!
Tap. Tap. Tap.
I am SOOOO hungry. Are you sure you couldn’t spare that squishy one over there? ::Waves his psuedopod at mage:: He doesn’t look very useful. If there’s a fight, I’ll be much more help with food in my belly!
So you know, I need my food alive when I eat it. And to keep me at top fighting condition, I should eat at least one humanoid a week. But the occasional kobold or giant rodent or whatever for snacks is great too. Oh! But water creatures make me sick. Some sort of fish allergy, I guess.
::Changes shape again, this time to a large metal box with padlocks all over it::
Do you have dogs at your place? Or other pets? There was this time when my wizard made me stay in the barn. He got mad when I ate the dogs, but they kept trying to pee on me! I’m supposed to just stand there and and let those mangy beasts soil my beautiful self?!
One time this thing that was all eyes and mouth came wandering in here. I thought maybe with all those mouths that at least one of them could hold a decent conversation, but no … all they did was make horrible noises and slime up the floor. Wish the flood trap would have washed that nasty thing away!
Do you have a favorite style of container? A fancy urn or big vase or gold-leafed trunk? I have done some really beautiful artwork with myself, if I do say so myself! Which I DO!
Ya know, Kazel use to keep all of us right in front of his hidey-hole, but got tired of moving us around every time he wanted inside. He was so pleased with himself when he finished that stupid flood trap. Took him years.
So … food? …
Kazel’s old adventuring buddies used to capture critters and bring them here all the time. Then they’d brag about the good old days while chasing them around the tunnels, killing them. When Foreshot found out, she was so mad that she blew up a tunnel from the forest in just to keep them from smuggling more down here.
Once the group is ready to go, Gruber spouts hundreds of tiny legs underneath his carriage and starts shuffling off. Gruber is not a fast walker, and with his starving state, moves even slower than usual (10 ft). He does keep up a constant patter of chatter when you walk. And even if you tell him to be quiet, he’ll start up again after a few moments.
THE FOLLOWING BLOG POST IS PART 19 OF THE DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS 5TH EDITION CAMPAIGN, DREADSTORMS LOST. THESE BLOGS ARE INTENDED FOR OTHER GAME MASTERS WHO MIGHT WANT TO USE THIS CAMPAIGN SETTING AND THE SCENARIOS TO INSPIRE THEIR OWN ROLE PLAYING GAMES. (FREE FOR NONCOMMERCIAL REUSE.)
Notes:
Between the skeletons and the flood trap, the treasure room can be deadly. But now our adventures have survived and enjoy the looting the many boxes of loot. Muwhahahaha. Did they really think it would be so easy?!
Gruber, The Mimic
Gruber has become a favorite NPC for my second role playing group. They’ve made him part of their team and have found ways to cart him around regardless of the terrain and challenges of smuggling a talkative, curious monstrosity through civilized lands. It kinda warms my cold game master heart to see how they’ve taken to him … it’ll be so much fun when I destroy him … muwhahahaha! … I mean that I would in no way use the groups affection for this silly mimic to manipulate and/or cause them distress … now stop reading this if you’re one of my players.
Once the waters of the trap have receded, the rest of the trap resets itself: the trap door closing, the barriers to the hallways lowering back into their hidden pockets. If the party does not stop the trap from completely resetting, it will start again if someone touches one of the boxes of treasure. It’s likely that at least one member of the party is standing on one of the boxes.
A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana, Dungeoneering, or Traps) DC 15 to realize if the party needs to stop the trap from resetting, or it will start again as soon as someone touches one of the boxes.
Flood Trap Rune (all treasure boxes)
DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) or Dispel Magic (DC 19) to disarm each Flood Trap rune on each box of treasure. There are 20 boxes. For each successful Intelligence (Arcana) check, the DC is lowered by 2 for the next box. Another party member with proficiency in Arcana can assist them in this check, thus giving them advantage on the roll.
In additions to the rune for the Flood Trap, many of the boxes also have a secondary trap, either magical or mechanical.
Most of these containers have standard locks on them along with the traps. Some of the locks are higher quality or in better shape than others.
Treasure #1 – A small 8 inch x 5 inch chest with delicate floral engravings
TRAP
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Trigger 2. When chest is opened/destroyed, the trap activates.
Effect.Arcane Trap: Magic Missile; 3d4 +3 force damage on nearest target.
Countermeasures. A DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check spots the magic missile rune. A DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) check made within 5 feet of the chest disables the trap, but a check result of 10 or less triggers it. A successful dispel magic (DC 19) cast on the chest destroys the trap.
Lock. Open Lock: DC 20 / Break DC 25 STR
Loot.
RING OF SPELL STORING Rare, requires attunement (DMG 192) Bronze Ring with a small, square reflective gem surrounded by delicate gold filigree;
When found, spells held: a Darkvision (2nd), Shield (1)
RING OF FEATHER FALLING Rare, requires attunement (DMG 191) Silver ring with small feathers engraved on it
RING OF RESISTANCE (FORCE) Rare, requires attunement (DMG 192) A gold ring with sapphire gem, you have resistance FORCE while wearing this ring.
Treasure #2 – 4 foot cube wooden crate
Trap
MIMIC – “Dense” – See 5th Edition Monster Manual page 220 for Mimic stats.
(Dense is the nickname Gruber has given this mimic)
Touching Treasure #2 will not set off the Flood Trap.
If this box is touched before the Flood Trap is activated, the disguised mimic will attack.
If this mimic is touched during the Flood Trap activities, it will wait until the water is under 2 feet before attacking any nearby targets.
If the mimic is used as an anchor during the Flood Trap draining sequence, its adhesive trait will give the player advantage on the save.
There is a large spike drilled into the mimic’s backside anchoring it to the wall. This gives the mimic a 10′ range of movement while chained to the wall. (Detect Magic will detect a magical aura around the spike in the back.) Where the chain attaches to the wall seems to have had stone grown around it and it’s impossible to see where the actual anchor is.
Treasure #3 – wooden crate with water stains
TRAP
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Lock. Open Lock: DC 10 / Break DC 15 STR
Loot.
Kazel’s Experimental Potions
4 Potion of healing (2d4+2)
4 Potion of climbing
3 Potion of greater healing
1 Potion of fire breath
5 Potion of resistance
2 Radiant
1 Acid
1 Poison
1 Psychic
2 Potion of Heroism
1 Potion of animal friendship
1 Potion of growth
4 Potion of water breathing
1 Keoghtom’s ointment (4 doses) DMG 179
Roll percentile when using an experimental potions or ointment:
01 – Explosion (1d10 force within 5’)
02-08 – Effect doubled
09-15 – Effect halved
16 – Permanent Effect (negative)
17-25 – Opposite
26-40 – Normal
41-67 – Effect random person or spot
68-71 – Random odd effect related to spell
72-91 – Effects caster & nearest ally (same amount)
92-99 – Nothing happens
100 – Permanent Effect (positive)
Treasure #4 – 3-½ foot tall mahogany barrel
TRAP
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Lock. Open Lock: DC 10 / Break DC 15 STR
Loot.
CRATE OF AMMUNITION
7d10 Bolts +1
7d10 Arrows +1
Treasure #6 – medium-sized, cherrywood chest with rounded lid
TRAP
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Trigger 2. Anyone attempting to pick or open the lock triggers the trap.
Effect.Mechanical Blades Each Medium or larger creature within 5-foot-wide of the chest must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 4d6 slashing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Countermeasures. A DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check reveals scrape marks and blood stains along the rim of the box. A DC 15 Dexterity check made with thieves’ tools disables the lever.
Lock. Open Lock: DC 10 / Break DC 15 STR
Loot.
ROBE OF USEFUL ITEMS Wondrous item, uncommon (DMG 195)
This robe has cloth patches of various shapes and colors covering it.
The robe has the following patches:
Dagger [1]
Bullseye lantern (filled and lit) [2]
10-foot pole [1]
Hempen rope (50 feet, coiled) [1]
Wooden ladder [1]
Potions of healing [4] (2d4+2)
Rowboat [1]
Treasure #7 – 3-½ foot tall mahogany barrel leaking water through small cracks
TRAP
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Lock. Open Lock: DC 10 / Break DC 15 STR
Loot.
What might have once been a crate full of scrolls are now nothing but mushy pulp.
Treasure #8 – A long, narrow box, 8 feet x 1 foot
TRAP
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Trigger 2. Anyone attempting to pick or open the lock triggers the trap. A tiny, poisoned needle is hidden in the lock.
Effect.Mechanical Poison Needle The triggering individual must make a DC 20 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 4d6 poison damage and is poisoned for 10 minutes. While poisoned in this way, the creature is paralyzed. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and isn’t poisoned.
Countermeasures. A DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals the needle, but only if a character inspects the lock up close. A DC 20 Dexterity check made with thieves’ tools disables the needle, but a check result of 10 or less triggers the trap.
Lock. Open Lock: DC 15 / Break DC 20 STR
Loot.
ROD OF MIGHTY DIVINITY Rare, requires attunement (DMG 197*) 2 foot long gold rod with sunburst motif at the top, requires attunement by cleric, druid or paladin (*similar to DMG 197-Rod of the Pact Keeper). While you hold the Rod of Mighty Divinity, you gain a +1 bonus to spell attack rolls and to the saving throws DCs of your divine spells. In addition, you can regain one paladin or cleric spell slot as an action while holding this rod. You can’t use this property again until you finish a long rest.
Treasure #9 – An elegant silver box
TRAP
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Lock. Open Lock: DC 10 / Break DC 15 STR
Loot.
Brittle paper packets are stuffed around a statue. Many of the packets have disintegrated and no longer usable.
Note saying, “Congratulations on your union!“
DUST OF DISAPPEARANCE 6 SMALL BLUE PACKETS Wondrous item, uncommon (DMG 166)
33 copper coins
An 18″ tall statue of 3 goats in suggestive positions, weighs 50 pounds, has hidden mechanism to activate motion
Note, Gruber is the key to the group finding Kazel and stopping him from finishing the ritual. He knows where the best spot is to get into Kazel’s hidden lair and what they need to get inside.
Touching Treasure #11 will not set off the Flood Trap.
If this box is touched before the Flood Trap is activated, this disguised mimic does nothing, unless the party seems like the sort that might set him free. If they give the impression of 1) being anti-Kazel or 2) the sort that can be negotiated with, then he’ll try to give them “helpful” suggestions and/or negotiate his release.
If the mimic is used as an anchor during the Flood Trap draining sequence, its adhesive trait will give the player advantage on the save versus being pulled into the drain.
There is a large spike drilled into the Gruber the Mimic’s backside anchoring it to the wall. This gives the mimic a 10′ range of movement while chained to the wall. (Detect Magic will detect a magical aura around the spike in the back.) Where the chain attaches to the wall, stone stone seems to have grown around it and is impossible to see where the actual anchor is.
Pulling the barbed spike out of the Gruber will cause damage (3d6+4). The chain can be broken (AC 20, HP 20), but Gruber will walk slower if the spike remains in his back. (Normal 15ft – 5ft).
Gruber is an oddly intelligent, articulate, and social for a mimic. He’s been desperately bored and lonely being stuck in this room with skeletons and 2 other “standard” mimics who don’t speak at all. He’s eager to make friends and have someone to talk to. Desperate. to. Talk.
Things Gruber, the Mimic might say, while chained to the wall:
Whoa! Whoa! You don’t need to kill me. I can be helpful!
Goblins sweaty gonads!
I’m soooo hungry!
Bloody Baylor! (Gruber is quite fond of cursing. For more inspiration, check out my In-Game Cursing post.)
Whaaaat?! … I’m starving! Can’t you spare one? That guy doesn’t seem very useful.
I’ve been stuck down here for years!! Decades! I don’ know … a long bloody time!
Blech! All these undead nasties! Foul tasking and not at all filling.
Treasure #12 – 4 ft long, metal box
TRAP
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Trigger 2. When the seal between the lid and the is broken
Effect.Arcane Trap: Sleep; When activated, this trap casts a sleep centered on the metal box using a 5th level spell slot.
Countermeasures. A DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals the small rune on the underside of the lid lip. A DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) check made within 5 feet of the box disables the trap, but a check result of 10 or less triggers it. A successful dispel magic (DC 15) cast on box destroys the trap.
Lock. Open Lock: DC 20 / Break DC 25 STR
Loot.
GREATSWORD +3 (THE BLADE OF AUCKMAR THE DROW) Weapon (great sword), Very Rare, requires attunement
The dark gray blade has silver sigils running up both sides and a silver hilt carved with the likeness of a screaming face
You gain a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon.
Devour Soul. Whenever you use it to reduce a creature to 0 hit points, the sword slays the creature and devours its soul, unless it is a construct or an undead or a fiend. The creature whose soul has been devoured by the Blade of Auckmar can be restored to life only by a wish spell.
As long as you keep the greatsword in hand, after it devours a soul, the Blade of Auckmar grants you temporary hit points equal to the slain creature’s hit point maximum. These hit points fade after 24 hours, when exposed to sunlight, or the greatsword is no longer being held in hand.
*As long as these temporary hit points last and you keep the greatsword in hand, you have advantage on attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks.
Curse. If you hit an undead or fiend with this weapon, you take 1d10 necrotic damage and the target regains 1d10 hit points. If this necrotic damage reduces you to 0 hit points, the Blade of Auckmar devours your soul.
Treasure #13 – Large steamer trunk
TRAP
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Trigger 2. When the seal between the lid and the is broken
Effect.Arcane Trap; Acid Splash A bubble of acid explodes from the steamer trunk. Each Medium or larger creature within 5 feet of the chest must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 5d6 acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Countermeasures. A DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check finds runes, but only if a character inspects the trunk up close. A DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) check made within 5 feet of the box disables the trap, but a check result of 10 or less triggers it. A successful dispel magic (DC 15) cast on the trunk destroys the trap.
Lock. Open Lock: DC 20 / Break DC 25 STR
Loot.
DRAGON SCALE MAIL, GREEN Armor (scale male), very rare, requires attunement (DMG 165)
Green scale mail armor, supple and lightweight
SHIELD +1 (SHIELD OF MISSILE ATTRACTION) Armor (shield), rare, requires attunement (DMG 200)
Dark gray shield with web-like silver lines
Cursed
Treasure #14 – Average looking chest
TRAP
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Trigger 2. When the chest is opened without the password spoken aloud (Gloryhound Omega)
Effect.Arcane Trap: Summon Poltergeist; When activated, this trap summons a poltergeist (DMG 278) that immediately attacks the individual that triggered the trap.
Countermeasures. A DC 22 Wisdom (Perception) check finds the small rune disguised as embellishment on one of the knobs. A DC 22 Intelligence (Arcana) check made within 5 feet of the box disables the trap, but a check result of 10 or less triggers it. A successful dispel magic (DC 14) cast on chest destroys the trap.
Lock. Open Lock: DC 25 / Break DC 30 STR
Loot.
MEZMERIZER’S STONE, locked (DC 15) inside a small black box Wondrous item, very rare
A hypnotically beautiful kaleidoscope gem. Upon sight, everyone must make a Wisdom save DC 16. On a failed save, you become hypnotized (charmed) for the duration. While entranced by this stone, you are incapacitated and have 0 speed. Effect ends when stone is out of sight. Each time it’s used, there is a 25% chance it will fail. Once used, even a failed attempt, it can’t be used again until the next dawn.
SENDING STONES – 1 PAIR, inside a small wooden box Wondrous item, uncommon (DMG 199)
Treasure #15 – Crate
TRAP
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
LOCK none
LOOT
15 feet of rusty chain
Treasure #16 – Chest
TRAP
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Trigger 2. Anyone attempting to pick or open the lock triggers the trap.
Effect.Arcane Trap: Black Tentacles;Squirming, ebony tentacles fill a 20-foot square centered on the chest. Any creatures within the affected area for the first time or starts its turn there, the creature must succeed on a dexterity saving throw 17 or take 3d6 bludgeoning damage and be restrained by the tentacles until the spell ends. A creature that starts its turn in the area and is already restrained by the tentacles takes 3d6 bludgeoning damage. These tentacles turn the ground in the area into difficult terrain. A creature restrained by the tentacles can use its action to make a strength or dexterity check (its choice) against DC 17. On a success, it frees itself.
The Black Tentacles remain until the trap is disarmed.
Countermeasures. A DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check finds runes, but only if a character inspects the trunk up close. A DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) check made within 5 feet of the box disables the trap, but a check result of 10 or less triggers it. A successful dispel magic (DC 17) cast on the lock destroys the trap.
Lock. Open Lock: DC 25 / Break DC 30 STR
Loot.
HORN OF BLASTING Wondrous item, rare (DMG 174)
Brass blowing horn with a repeating wave pattern
Treasure #17 – Large Trunk
TRAP
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Trigger 2. Anyone attempting to pick or open the lock triggers the trap.
Effect.Trap … TBD
Countermeasures. TBD …
Lock. Open Lock: DC 25 / Break DC 30 STR
Loot.
PLATE ARMOR-BLUE (OF VULNERABILITY) Armor (plate), very rare, requires attunement (DMG ??)
Blue-tinged Plate Armor with Gold edging, AC 18, Stealth Disadvantage, 65lb, rare, requires attunement
Silver-Colored Plate Armor (DEMON ARMOR) Armor (plate), very rare, requires attunement (DMG ??)
sliver with curved spikes coming out of the forearms/gauntlets and shoulders/spauldings), AC 19, Stealth Disadvantage, very rare requires attunemen
While wearing this armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC, and you can understand and speak Abyssal.
Treasure #18 – Small Trunk
TRAP
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Trigger 2. Anyone attempting to pick or open the lock triggers the trap.
Effect.Poison Needles; DC 20 Investigate; DC 15 DEX w/Thieves tools to disarm; Activated: 1 piercing damage and 2d10 poison. DC 15 Con or be poisoned for an hour (disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks).
Countermeasures. A DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) …
Lock. Open Lock: DC 15 / Break DC 20 STR
Loot.
SUPERIOR ELVEN CHAIN
Woven Gold & White Chain Shirt armor, AC 15 + DEX mod (Max 2), 20lb, requires attunement
You gain a +2 bonus to AC while you wear this armor. You are considered proficient with this armor even if you lack proficiency with medium armor.
Treasure #19 – boring wooden crate
Trap
MIMIC – “Denser” – See 5th Edition Monster Manual page 220 for Mimic stats.
(Dense is the nickname Gruber has given this mimic)
Touching Treasure #18 will not set off the Flood Trap.
If this box is touched before the Flood Trap is activated, the disguised mimic will attack.
If this mimic is touched during the Flood Trap activities, it will wait until the water is under 2 feet before attacking any nearby targets.
If the mimic is used as an anchor during the Flood Trap draining sequence, its adhesive trait will give the player advantage on the save.
There is a large spike drilled into the mimic’s backside anchoring it to the wall. This gives the mimic a 10′ range of movement while chained to the wall. (Detect Magic will detect a magical aura around the spike in the back.) Where the chain attaches to the wall seems to have had stone grown around it and it’s impossible to see where the actual anchor is.
Treasure #20 – Sturdy, wooden trunk with silver-colored rams head handles
Trigger 1. When chest is touched, the Flood Trap sequence is activated. See Flood Trap Rune above for details.
Trigger 2. When the lid is opened or destroyed.
Effect.Arcane Trap; Bigsby’s Fist (PHB 218) at 6th level is activated. AC 20, HP 80
The fist will attack the nearest creature within 5 feet of the chest (not including the mimics). +8 Hit, 6d8+8 force damage. If no one approaches the chest, the fist will remain on guard until defeated or dispelled (DC 16)
Countermeasures. A DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check finds runes, but only if a character inspects the trunk up close. A DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) check made within 5 feet of the box disables the trap, but a check result of 10 or less triggers it. A successful dispel magic (DC 16) cast on the lock destroys the trap.
Lock. Open Lock: DC 20 / Break DC 20 STR
Loot.
DWARVEN THROWER Weapon (warhammer), very rare, requires attunement by a dwarf (DMG 167)
Beautifully balanced, burnished gold color with dwarven runes on the sides of the hammer)
THE FOLLOWING BLOG POST IS PART 18 OF THE DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS 5TH EDITION CAMPAIGN, DREADSTORMS LOST. THESE BLOGS ARE INTENDED FOR OTHER GAME MASTERS WHO MIGHT WANT TO USE THIS CAMPAIGN SETTING AND THE SCENARIOS TO INSPIRE THEIR OWN ROLE PLAYING GAMES. (FREE FOR NONCOMMERCIAL REUSE.)
Notes:
Ideally, Room #8 will be the final room the team enters in this dungeon crawl and they’ve had a chance to do some leveling. The treasure room is brutal and will easily kill the unprepared or unlucky.
This is the space that Kazel spent many hours over many years creating to protect the various magical items that the Deadly Omega 6 gathered during their adventuring day. Kazel also stored some of his experiments with potions, scrolls, and items down here that he didn’t want to leave were they might hurt Foreshot.
Room 8 DOES NOT contain Kazel, but does have the means for them to be able to find the hidden pocket lair. If they free Gruber the Mimic, he will tell the what they need and show them where the best spot to enter is.
Map of the Berlstrum Belly Dungeon
Berlstrum Belly Review
Dungeon Walls: Sharp briarstone rock make up the walls and ceiling. The crystals are so sharp that one has to be cautious not to cut themselves on the walls. 1d6 piercing damage if pushed/knocked into the wall or ceiling.
Dungeon Floor: Consists of smooth, black shiny stone. When running on the surface, there’s a chance of falling prone (DEX DC 11) due to the slippery surface. Pushes and slides go twice normal distance.
Illumination: Dark. No natural light available.
Treasure Room #8
Battle Map: Treasure Room #8
Battle Map: Treasure Room #8 mid flood trap
My cat checks out the battle map and adjusts placement
My cat deciding where to start his mayhem on my battle map
Battle Map: Treasure Room #8
Battle Map: Second run through of Treasure Room (different group)
The Treasure Room is divided into four parts:
Part 1: The Skeleton mob encounter
Part 2: Treasure room trap information (to aid in the Skill Challenge)
Part 3: The treasure room trap encounter/skill challenge telling what happens each round when the trap springs
Part 4:Information for Part 4 will be on the next post.
– description of the treasure and their traps and content
– mixed within these 20 boxes are 3 mimics, one of which is potential ally to the party.
– Gruber the Mimic is a character unto himself; some backstory and some colorful dialogue
Part 1: Skeleton Mob
Bones! So many bones. A large cavernous space has piles of bones, abandoned shields, and weapons scattered throughout. (The skulls look humanoid.) Along the south wall is a large assortment of chests, barrels, and crates (20 total).
Scattered throughout the room are piles of bones. If any bones are touched, all of the skeletons assemble and attack. There are 10-25 skeletons (adjust for party size and strength) in this room.
If any of the treasure is disturbed/touched during the battle, the trap sequence will also be activated.
If any of the party get close enough to the 2 hostile mimics, they will attack, unless the flood trap is going
Warrior Skeletons
See 5th Edition Monster Manual page 273 for stats.
LOOT
Rusty weapons and pieces moldy armor
Part 2: Treasure Room Trap Information
Flood Flusher Trap
If any of the treasure is touched inside this room, even by magical means, it will start the flood trap sequence. If the players manage to discover the trap before setting it off, they will have a much better chance of surviving the trap.
Ability/Combat Challenge
Objective: Either survive the trap, if triggered, or figure out how to defeat the trap and access the treasure
Each successful ability check or hit is 100 XP into a group pool. Fails are -100 from the group pool. Natural 20s count as 200 XP. Natural 1s count as -200 XP. The group pool experience is divided equally among the surviving party members
A player can also choose to pass on their turn or assist another. Either counts as a 0 XP gain/loss. An assist gives the other player a +3 bonus on their next action.
You can NOT use the same ability or attack twice in a row and you can not use the same skill as the person before you.
Note: Clues to give the players are included below. The player does need to say that they are looking at the specific area/thing to receive that relevant clue. If there are no additional details to gather within that DC range or lower, it is a failed check. If they haven’t gained the necessary knowledge yet (ie you can’t dismantle a trap if you haven’t found it yet), use information from a lower DC or give them a useful related hint.
Room details and possible abilities suggestions for the skill challenge by difficulty level
FLOOD: refers to actions/abilities to do while the flood part of the trap is occuring TREASURE: is information regarding the heavily trapped pile of boxes, chests, and crates full of loot against the far wall SUMMON MONSTER: Refers to the sequence in the trap that summons a Water Weird BARRICADE TRAP: Information on the part of the trap that blocks the two exits and traps the water inside the room
DC 10-14
Acrobatics (DEX) ___FLOOD: Move at full speed without falling down when water starts pouring down (only applies when water is ~2 feet or less)
___FLOOD: Balance on top of a treasure chest (dry, above the waterline)
Athletics (STR)
___FLOOD: Toss the end of a rope or chain to a party member through the water
Arcana (INT) ___TREASURE: You find a small glyph of warding on one of the treasure chests
___TREASURE: Casting Detect Magic on the pile of treasure, there is a LOT of magic blips over all of the boxes ___SUMMON MONSTER: The rune on the wall is a magic trigger
___The rune on the ceiling is a magic trigger (Blinding Light spell will activate this spell, triggering the barricade doors)
Dexterity
___FLOOD: Catch the end of a rope or chain tossed to you by a party member
Dungineering (INT) ___BARRICADE TRAP: A small vertical line on the wall in the passageway into the room is smoother than the surrounding wall
History (INT) ___Kazel was famous for studying and defeating famous dungeon traps during his adventuring days
Investigate (INT)
___The various chests, barrels, and crates are secured using rusty chains and worn ropes looped onto u-bars in the sharp Briarstone walls ___There are 1d4 ropes and 1d4 chains attached to the wall behind the pile of treasure that do not currently have anything attached to them. Length varies from 5-20 feet.
Perception (WIS):
___FLOOD: The ceiling of the cavern has an unusual undulating pattern, varying from 10 to 11 ft in height.
___SUMMON MONSTER: You spot a symbol carved into the on the Briarstone wall. An impressive feat considering the how easily the briarstone crystals shatter
___FLOOD: You spot a symbol on the ceiling
DC 15-20
Acrobatics ___FLOOD: Move at full speed without falling down when water starts pouring down (only applies when water is around 2 feet or less)
___FLOOD: Balance on top of one of a box of treasure (with water present)
Arcana (INT) ___Casting Detect Magic and studying the walls will reveal several small magical symbols worked into briarstone crystals on the wall. They are not all the same.
___Casting Detect Magic and studying the ceiling ___TREASURE: Symbol on the treasure chest is a Glyph of Warding that will set off the Blinding Light spell
___TREASURE: Casting Detect Magic on the pile of treasure, the Glyph of Warding (Blinding Light spell) seems to be on all of the boxes
Athletics (STR) ___BARRICADE TRAP: Jam something into the wall to stop the door from sealing from completing its
___FLOOD: When the water is pouring in or out, be an anchor to keep one of your party in place or out of the water
Dungineering (INT) ___BARRICADE TRAP: You spot scratches on the floor that run from wall to wall in a straight line that suggest stones rubbing together
___TRAP DOOR TO CHUTE: There is a hair-line seam in the floor in the southeast corner
History (INT)
___Kazel and Foreshot have lived in Berlstrum for over 10 years. Rumor has it that their old adventuring buddies would visit and they would all disappear for days and weeks at time
Perception (WIS) ___TREASURE/MIMICS: Looking at all of the treasures tied to the wall, three of them are secured differently, with large spikes drilled into the backside. They do not look the same.
___SUMMON MONSTER: The same symbol is carved into the Briarstone wall at a 4 foot height in four spots
___FLOOD: The upper wave in the undulating ceiling has 6 inch holes every foot.
History (INT)
___Kazel once bragged to a bard that with enough time and resources, he could create the most diabolical of traps. He knew how the greedy minds of adventurers works, since he was one himself!
DC 21-25
Arcana (Int) ___FLOOD: The four glyphs carved into the Briarstone wall at a 4 foot height around the entire room will activate when it is immersed in water and summon a monster (Water Weird) Dispel Magic DC 17 ___All of the treasure chests seem to have a Glyph of Warding (Blinding Light) Glyphs won’t activate until one of the secured treasures is disturbed. Each of the chests/boxes/ crates/barrels has a matching glyph hidden somewhere on its surface. Each glyph will set off the same trap sequence. The trap resets after running full cycle. Dispel Magic DC 17 ___TREASURE/MIMICS: One of the three treasure chests with large spikes drilled into the backside has elaborate, stylish markings. They are a like a child’s copy of the Glyph of Warding and other runes spotted around the room. (Gruber, the Mimic likes to embellish and be creative with his self-decoration.)
___The rune on the ceiling is a magic trigger; a Blinding Light spell will activate this spell, which in turn triggers the barricade doors – Dispel Magic DC 17
Dungineering (INT)
___BARRICADE TRAP: There are Barrier Trap in both passageways. There’s no obvious mechanical trigger. It’s most likely activated by magic.
___TRAP DOOR TO CHUTE: The hair-line seam in the floor in the southeast corner is a trap door that will open downward, into a large chute. It would take a very strong force to push the door open.
Disarm Trap / Thieves Tools ___BARRICADE TRAP: Dismantle one of the barricades before it triggers
Perception (WIS)
___TREASURE/MIMICS: Looking at all of the treasures tied to the wall, the two of the three with large spikes drilled into the backside do not have any magical symbols. The third one has markings, but they are more elaborate and stylish looking.
Strength
___SLIDE TRAP: Force open the trap door to the chute
Dungineering (INT) ___SLIDE TRAP: The trap door will open downwards into a large slide. It would take a lot of pressure to open. Like a room full of
___SLIDE TRAP: Based on our current location, the slide probably spits out into the middle of the Thornbreaker waterfall and into the Forlorn Bay.
___BARRICADE TRAP: The Barricade Trap contacting the floor triggers the mechanical gears to open the flood gates. The widgets and gadgets that work the trap are up in the ceiling above the cavern.
DC 26-30
Arcana (INT) ___The glyphs on the treasure set off chain reactions, started by touching the treasure. Touching treasure sets off Blinding Light, which triggers the Barriers, which starts the water coming in. When the water reaches the glyphs at 4 feet high, a creature is summoned. When the water reaches the ceiling, the trap door in the SE corner opens. Targeting dispel magic on each glyph will keep the sequence from starting.
Strength
___SLIDE TRAP: Keep the trap door to the chute open after forcing it open
___BARRICADE TRAP: Break/move barricades after they are locked in place
DC 31-40
Investigate (INT)
___You know the password sequence to stop the entire trap from going off. You are Kazel. Shouldn’t you be casting a ritual right now?
Part 3: The Encounter
If the trap is set off, the trap sequence is initiated, beginning with the blinding light
GLYPH OF WARDING (BLINDING LIGHT) goes off; A pulse of brilliant light blinds all those within 30 feet; DC 16 CON, save ends.
Immediately following the flash of light, you hear a voice say, “Fuck! Not again!” [Gruber, the Mimic]
ROLL INITIATIVE
Trap goes at the top of each round; note the Mimics mixed in with the treasure won’t attack during the flood trap, but will as soon as it’s over.
Round 1 –BARRICADE TRAP activates; Smooth obsidian stone slabs shoot upwards from their well camouflaged nooks in the floor, blocking the passageway at either entrance
DC 14 Reflex save to avoid being crushed: ATK +10 melee (3d6); if standing on one
Jamming the door opposed DC 25 STR check
DC 30 STR to break/move barrier once up
Round 2 – FLOODING ROOM TRAP activates; from numerous 6 inch holes hidden in the upper waves of the ceiling, water gushes out, quickly filling the room. The columns of water make visibility and movement difficult. As the water pours down, the already slippery floor becomes almost impossible to navigate;
DC 15 Ability Check (DEX/ Acrobatics/ Athletics) to move or fall prone;
DC 10 Ability Check (DEX/ Acrobatics/ Athletics) to stand still or fall prone
Round 3 – Water continues pouring in and is 1-1/2 feet deep at the beginning of round.
Round 4 – Water continues pouring in and is 3 feet deep at the beginning of round.
Round 5 – Water continues pouring in and is 4-1/2 feet deep at the beginning of round.
Water Weird is summoned; a spout of water erupts in the center of the room. [Attacks this round.] NOTE: Water Weird is INVISIBLE when fully immersed
Holding breath if under 5 feet tall; disadvantaged with attacks
Water Weird
See 5th Edition Monster Manual page 299 for stats.
LOOT
none
Round 6 – Water continues pouring in and is 6 feet deep at the beginning of round.
if under 6-1/2 ft tall; disadvantaged on attacks
Round 7 – Water continues pouring in and is 8 feet deep at the beginning of round.
Most will have disadvantaged on attacks at this point
Round 8 – Water continues pouring in and is at 9-1/2 feet deep at the beginning of round.
Round 9 – Water reaches the top of the undulating ceiling. It continues pouring in.
Round 10 – Water pressure builds and forces the Trap Door to swing down into the chute below
A perception 15 might hear the mechanical gears clicking near the southeast corner.
TRAP SLIDE DOOR opens.
The trap door is located in the southeast corner of the room. The “hinge” side is along the wall and the door goes down into the chute. The door is 20 feet wide at the base and tapers to a rounded triangle pointed towards the room.
All the water in the room, along with the anything not tied down gets flushed down the long chute.
Round 11 – Water continues pouring in from the ceiling and rushing out the trap door.
At the end of each party member’s turn, they need to make an Saving Throw to see if they are pushed by the water current down the chute:
Standing or Prone, without anchor – DC 20 STRENGTH SAVE On a failed save creature is pulled 20 feet towards the trap door.
Holding onto something – DC 15 STRENGTH SAVE A player can grab hold of rope or chain that’s already attached to the wall behind the treasure or create their own anchor. On a failed save creature is pulled 20 feet towards the trap door.
If they are holding on with one hand, they can only attack with the free hand.
Use Rope or Chain – DC 20 DEXTERITY Securing yourself or helping someone else is an action. If securing oneself with a rope or chain, make a DEX ability check to determine if it will hold. Once successfully secured, you no longer need to save and can aid other party members.
Mimics (3): If one of the players manages by random chance to stand on or grab hold of one of the mimics in its object form, they will become adhered to the mimic through it’s natural Adhesive trait. (See MM220) The escape DC for the mimic adhesive is 13, which is NOT as strong as the current, but they do gain Advantage on the Holding onto Something save. If arms are stuck to the mimic, it will make using the hands to secure a rope or chain difficulty, giving them a Disadvantage on Use Rope.
On a Failed Save, a person is pushed towards/down the chute.
The slide shoots out near the bottom of the Berlstrum waterfall (about 50 feet from waterline). It’s a DC 25 STR check to stop sliding mid-chute with the water and random debris rushing past you.
Hitting the waterfall and slamming into the turbulent water causes 5d10 bludgeoning damage; Athletics DC 15 for half
Once flushed out of the chute and into the bay, swim check
[insert your own on-the-fly water adventure here]
Round 12 – Water continues to rush out the trap door, the pull towards the drain increasing each round. Incoming water stops.
Standing or Prone, without anchor – DC 22 STR/Athletics
Holding onto Rope or Chain anchor – DC 17 STR/Athletics
Use Rope or Chain – DC 22 DEX;
Round 13 – Water swirls faster and stronger as it drains.
Water drops to 8 feet deep.
Standing or Prone, without anchor – DC 22 STR/Athletics
Holding onto Rope or Chain anchor – DC 17 STR/Athletics
Use Rope or Chain – DC 22 DEX; If securing oneself with a rope or chain, make a DEX check to determine if the knot will hold. Once successfully secured, a save is longer need to save and they can aid other party members.
Round 14 – Water swirls and drains.
Water drops to 6 feet deep.
Standing or Prone, without anchor – DC 24 STR/Athletics
Holding onto Rope or Chain anchor – DC 19 STR/Athletics
Use Rope or Chain – DC 24 DEX
Round 15 – Water swirls and drains.
Water drops to 4 feet deep.
Standing or Prone, without anchor – DC 26 STR save
Holding onto Rope or Chain anchor – DC 21 STR save
Use Rope or Chain – DC 26 DEX
Round 16 –– Water swirls and drains.
Water drops to 2 feet deep.
Standing or Prone, without anchor – DC 28 STR save
Holding onto Rope or Chain anchor – DC 15 STR save
Mimics (2): At this point, if any of the party members are on or near one of the 2 hostile mimics, it will attack.
(The 3rd Mimic) Gruber the Mimic is not very brave and will try to negotiate his freedom. He is starving, so the temptation to eat a rude adventurer is strong. He is also starving for conversation, as the other 2 mimics don’t really talk. At all. Ever.
Round 17 – Water is completely drained from the room. A Gust of Wind (spell PHB 249) blows through the room, chasing the last of the water out and quick-drying the whole room
DC 17 Strength saving throw or be knocked back 15 feet towards the open trap door
Round 18 – Once water completely drains, the trap door/ramp slams shut, the barriers open, and the entire trap resets … unless someone blocks the trap from resetting.
THE FOLLOWING BLOG POST IS PART 17 OF THE DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS 5TH EDITION CAMPAIGN, DREADSTORMS LOST. THESE BLOGS ARE INTENDED FOR OTHER GAME MASTERS WHO MIGHT WANT TO USE THIS CAMPAIGN SETTING AND THE SCENARIOS TO INSPIRE THEIR OWN ROLE PLAYING GAMES. (FREE FOR NONCOMMERCIAL REUSE.)
Notes:
I’m repeating the same info at the top off all the Berlstrum Belly Dungeon posts for ease of finding the information.
Map of the Berlstrum Belly Dungeon
Berlstrum Belly Review
Dungeon Walls: Sharp briarstone rock make up the walls and ceiling. The crystals are so sharp that one has to be cautious not to cut themselves on the walls. 1d6 piercing damage if pushed/knocked into the wall or ceiling.
Dungeon Floor: Consists of smooth, black shiny stone. When running on the surface, there’s a chance of falling prone (DEX DC 11) due to the slippery surface. Pushes and slides go twice normal distance.
Illumination: Dark. No natural light available.
Room #4
(T)Proximity Trap: Magic Missile, TRAP is at entrance from Amagoste’s Farm
Perception DC 22 to detect the runes etched into the briarstone at the mouth of the cave, advantage on perception if the person spotted a previous Magic Missile trap. Disarm DC 20
Triggers when a creature enters its 20ft radius; 3 magic missiles (1d4+4 damage) will go to the 3 closest targets within 20 ft.
3 Small Earth Briarstone Elementals
A toppled, broken statue lies in the center. Someone has scrawled “The walls listen” on the statue. 3 Small Earth Briarstone Elementals pop out of the walls & floors behind the intruders
Depending on where the players move around in this space, it is possible that they’ll confront all 6 small earth elementals in the same fight.
Room #4b
3 Small Earth Briarstone Elementals
Unlit candles are scattered across the floor, near the north entrance. A rusted chain lies in the southwest corner. 3 Small Earth Briarstone Elementals pop out of the walls & floors behind the intruders
Small Briarstone Earth Elemental
Small elemental, neutral
These are “baby” earth elementals made up of Briarstone. They are small size creatures, move slower than the adults, only have one attack per round, and less hits points.
The sharp briarstone rock adds 1d4 piercing damage in addition to the bludgeoning from their slam attacks
Armor Class 17 Hit Points 3d10+4 Speed 20 ft, burrow 25 ft.
STR 20 (+5), DEX 8 (-1), CON 18 (+4), INT 5 (-3), WIS 10 (0), CHA 5 (-3)
Slam Attack Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10ft, one creature Hit: 1d6+5 bludgeoning + 1d4 slashing
SPECIAL
Earth Glide. See 5th Edition Monster Manual page 124
Siege Monster. See 5th Edition Monster Manual page 124
Room #4
(T) Proximity Trap: Magic Missile, TRAP is at entrance from Amagoste’s Farm
LOOT
None unless you count the stray candles, rusty chain, or broken statue
Room #5
2 Undead Chimeras
On either side of the cavern, two skeletal figures stand, each a confusing mish-mash of bones. 3 animal skulls [lion, dragon, ram] seem to be attached to a large frame of bones. And what were once possibly wings stick out from the back. A bony tail raps around it’s legs, a serpent skull at the tip.
As you step within sight of the 2 creatures, 6 skulls simultaneously rotate in your direction. You image that the skeletal faces smile at you in menacing anticipation.
Chimera Undead
Large undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 19 Hit Points 95 / 80 Speed 30 ft
STR 19 (+4), DEX 11 (0), CON 18 (+4), INT 3 (-4), WIS 6 (-2), CHA 5 (-3)
Dragon Head Bite Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft, one creature (The undead Chimera does not have fire breath.) Hit: 2d6 + 4 piercing
Ram Head Horns Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft, one creature Hit: 1d6 +4 bludgeoning
Lion’s Claws Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5ft, one creature Hit: 1d6 + 2 slashing
SPECIAL
No Life Drain. Though this creature is undead, it was undead before the Eye of Orcus ritual began, so it does not have the Life Drain ability.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the undead to 0 hit points, it must make a CON saving throw with a DC of 5 + damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, the undead drops to 1 hit point instead.
LOOT
Within a a disintegrating leather pouch is 120 gold.
In the area to the upper right of #5 is the remains of Chimera nest, full of non-magical armor, rusty weapons, random clothing and the like. Amidst this mess is the leather pouch with the gold. For those who search diligently, they might also find the petrified remains of large egg shell of some sort.
Room #6
2 Minotaurs
Blocking the passage stand two large, man-like creatures with heads like bulls. If the party decides to go around the minotaurs, they will let them. Their job is to stop anyone from entering area #8. They’re the strong, silent (trapped there with a geas) type. They will not answer questions.
If they seeing the party advancing towards them, the 2 creatures roar a savage battle cry and charge!
Minotaur
See 5th Edition Monster Manual page 223 for stats.
CURSE OF THE MINOTAUR
Whoever slays the minotaur (KILLING BLOW) must succeed on a DC 10 Charisma saving throw or become transformed (as the polymorph spell–PHB 266) into a minotaur (MM 223). Creature retains its intelligence and ability to speak. At the end of each long rest, the polymorphed creature can repeat the saving throw. On a successful saving throw, the creature returns to its true form. After three failed saving throws. the transformation can be undone only by a remove curse spell or similar magic.
LOOT
2 Greataxes
Large, battered leather armor
Coin: 67 gold
1 Potion of Frost Giant Strength (1 hour-Str 23)
1 Potion of Superior Healing (8d4+8) – If a Minotaur has a chance to take use this potion, they will
Room #7 & 7b
Troglodyte Clan
A clan of Troglodytes makes their home here. The Troglodytes will remain hidden until the party passes, then try to surround and ambush them.
Water seeps between briarstone shards, creating in an opaque, narrow stream between the wall and the path (5-10 feet wide). If one were to enter the stream, they would find it surprisingly deep (10-20 feet), and the bottom lined with skulls and shards of bones and unidentifiable garbage. Occasionally the stream widens into small pools that smell strongly of mold and stagnation. Overpowering the mold is the reek of oily, rotten meat and offal.
The ground has a gradual slope down and the ceiling gets higher. By the time the party gets to the spot between area 7 and 7b, the ceiling is 40 feet from the floor.
A croak of a toad is heard up ahead.
The troglodytes will stay hidden until the party passes through the choke point into the 7b area.
Between a column of rock and the stream is a a large pile of junk (10 feet high and 10 feet diameter), with many sharp, rusty metal bits pointing upwards. Immediately above the pile is a hole in the ceiling. This is the entrance from the Library.
*Library Entrance
The secret access to the tunnel leading into Berlstrum’s Belly is through the library’s restricted section. The restricted section has an area effect on it that bars anyone not of a good alignment from entering. If on friendly terms with Norttle, he’ll open the way for them. (Norttle can also be helpful in aiding party members with research in his library.)
If Norttle is not available to help, the party will need to unlock the door to the restricted area (DC 20) and find the hidden entrance. Spotting the hidden mechanism to slide the bookshelf open is a DC 25 Investigation. Locking or trapping the mechanism is at the GM’s discretion.
Through the sliding door is a spiral staircase that leads down into the tunnel. It takes about 1-1/2 hours to walk (normal speed) from the library entrance to the opening above the Troglodyte area (7B). There is a 5 foot shelf that encircles half the hole. It’s a 30 foot drop from the edge of the hole to the top of the large pile of pointy bits.
If a character falls onto the pile, they’d take 3d6 bludgeoning and 2d6 piercing damage. Climbing down a rope (DC 10) is a possible option, but they’d need to make an Acrobatics check (DC 15) to swing clear of the junk pile .
Whether they come from inside the Belly or from the Library entrance, the troglodytes will remain hidden until they can ambush the group.
Troglodytes
See 5th Edition Monster Manual page 290 for stats.
LOOT
Submersed in the water is a moldy crate that falls apart when moved. Inside are:
1d6 Greater Healing Potions (4d4+4)
1d10 Healing Potions (2d4+2);
and broken shards of destroyed vials
In the pile of jagged “treasures” beneath the chimney
Weapons; note these weapons have a 60% chance of shattering under any sort of usage:
1d10 rusty, broken greatswords
1d12 rusty, chipped short swords
1d20 spears with broken shafts
1d10 rusty hand axes with slimy handles
1d10 rusty, chipped scimitars
A moldy wizard’s diary of failed magical experiments
Blessed holy salt in a small, gray leather bag
A small jade frog with silver eyes; once per week, the owner can stroke its back and cause a light rain shower
A 2 in. x 2 in. metal box that, when opened, plays an acoustic version of the popular bard song, “Heroes of the Morn”
A spear made of a fusion of Briarstone and Terrunium metal that flies back to the owner’s hands once thrown: Weapon (spear), Rare (requires attunement) 1d6+2 piercing, versatile, weight 1 lb, range (30/120)
THE FOLLOWING BLOG POST IS PART 16 OF THE DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS 5TH EDITION CAMPAIGN, DREADSTORMS LOST. THESE BLOGS ARE INTENDED FOR OTHER GAME MASTERS WHO MIGHT WANT TO USE THIS CAMPAIGN SETTING AND THE SCENARIOS TO INSPIRE THEIR OWN ROLE PLAYING GAMES. (FREE FOR NONCOMMERCIAL REUSE.)
Notes:
It is recommended that the party be 4th level before starting this dungeon and have at least 4 party members, especially a rogue to help with traps. I’ve included monster stat blocks for the ones that are non-standard and not in the Monster Manual.
Sometimes characters die or players want to run something different. In the middle of a dungeon crawl that can be a bit of a challenge. At the bottom of this page is some flavor text I wrote up for bringing in the new character while the party was in Berlstrum’s Belly.
Map of the Berlstrum Belly Dungeon
Berlstrum Belly Review
Dungeon Walls: Sharp briarstone rock make up the walls and ceiling. The crystals are so sharp that one has to be cautious not to cut themselves on the walls. 1d6 piercing damage if pushed/knocked into the wall or ceiling.
Dungeon Floor: Consists of smooth, black shiny stone. When running on the surface, there’s a chance of falling prone (DEX DC 11) due to the slippery surface. Pushes and slides go twice normal distance.
Illumination: Dark. No natural light available.
TRAP: Entrance from Champions’ Manor
(T)Proximity Trap: Magic Missile
Perception DC 22 to detect the runes etched into the briarstone at the mouth of the cave, advantage on perception if the person spotted a previous Magic Missile trap. Disarm DC 20
Triggers when a creature enters its 20ft radius; 3 magic missiles (1d4+4 damage) will go to the 3 closest targets within 20 ft.
Room #1
Wyvern Zombie
A large creature on its 2 scaley legs approaches, dragging one of its twisted broken leathery wings behind it. The stub of a tail angrily whips back and forth. From its lizard-like head, scaly flesh hangs, baring the bone beneath. Ribs and other bones peak through obvious mortal injuries along its side. Mindlessly, the creature charges towards your group, emitting a low throaty hiss.
Wyvern Zombie
Large undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 20 Hit Points 105 Speed 30 ft
STR 20 (+5), DEX 6 (-2), CON 16 (+3), INT 5 (-3), WIS 12 (+1), CHA 4 (-3)
Multiattack 2 attacks per round (Any combo of two of the below)
Bite Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10ft, one creature Hit: 2d6 + 4 piercing
Claws Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft, one creature Hit: 2d8 slashing
Stinger Stub (the tail no longer has the poisonous stinger, but still does bludgeoning damage as the zombie wyvern instinctively tries to poison its prey) Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10ft, one creature Hit: 1d6+4 bludgeoning
SPECIAL
No Life Drain. Though this creature is undead, it was undead before the Eye of Orcus ritual began, so it does not have the Life Drain ability.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the undead to 0 hit points, it must make a CON saving throw with a DC of 5 + damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, the undead drops to 1 hit point instead.
LOOT
Amid a nest of bones and other bits of unidentifiable junk you find, wrapped in burlap bundles:
(3d10+5) +2 arrows
(3d10+5) +2 bolts
Room #2
TRAP: Proximity Trap: Symbol of Fear
Perception 20 to detect;
Disarm DC 18
Triggers when a creature enters the traps 20ft radius; On a failed WIS DC 15, targets see a vision of their greatest fears and drops whatever they are holding (weapons) and become frightened. Must use dash action (double movement) to move away by safest route possible, unless there’s nowhere to run.
Once out of site of the trap, effect ends or if in combat, at the end of each turn, target can make another WIS save throw to end effect.
The trap is intended to cause at least one person to run into the next area (to the South) in fear, driving them into the Gibbering Mouthers territory. Once the gibbering mouthers see someone, they will start chattering.
2 Gibbering Mouthers
The Gibbering Mouthers will only start their horrible wailing after they’ve spotted a potential addition to their collection.
The two amorphous masses of mouths and eyes ooze slowly forward towards their victims. The cacophonous gibbering from the many mouths murmuring and chattering, wailing and crying – in shrill voices and deep voices – is maddening (DC 10 Wisdom saving throw). The monsters are only silenced when they flows over their victim and absorbs the living flesh.
Gibbering Mouthers
See 5th Edition Monster Manual page 157 for Gibbering Mouther stats.
LOOT
A pair of undigested legs list against the nearby wall (farthest South). The feet are still wearing some surprising nice looking boot.
Note: The number of ghouls is totally up to how many you think the party can handle, be challenged by, but not out-right slaughtered.
As you round the corner, a cloying scent coats the back of your throat, burns, and immediately prompts your gag reflex. Rotten meat. Feces. Death. You desperately fight the urge to vomit. A mound of dead bodies takes up a large amount of space in this cavern. Looking up you can see an opening to a shaft above the pile. Crawling over the pile of corpses are emaciated humanoid creatures with putrid grey skin. Their razor-sharp fangs tear into the flesh of the corpses, their long lashing tongues seeking the most succulent morsels. Their fingers and toes end in sharp, black claws. They seem focused on their feast, occasionally breaking into squabbles between themselves over a choice bite.
Note: The dead bodies are pretty fresh. Most look like the sort of scum that had been attacking Berlstrum the last couple of days. This hole is a handy place for the people of Berlstrum to toss dead bodies. Tossing them into the sea would draw in all sort of horrible monsters!
Ghouls
See 5th Edition Monster Manual page 148 for Ghoul stats.
LOOT
Searching through the pile of corpses nets you, well not much really. The bodies were pretty well looted before being tossed down the chute:
2 Onxy Gems (50g each)
Chalcedony Gem (50g)
Bringing in a character mid dungeon crawl
One of my players needed to bring in a new character while the group was in the middle of this dungeon crawl. This is description I used to bring him in. It was a bit of a gamble. If the party had decided they didn’t want to mess with the ghouls, this new character probably wouldn’t have gotten very far.
Ghoul Chow
You slowly become aware of your surroundings. It’s impossibly dark. You blink several times. Nothing. You try to move your head to look around. It won’t budge.
You feel weight pressing down on you from every direction, making it impossible to move and difficult to breath. You’re not sure you want to breath anyway. What little air you can get has a dense, cloying scent that coats the back of your throat, burns, and immediately prompts your gag reflex. Rotten meat. Feces. You desperately fight the urge to vomit. The weight pushing on your chest gets worse.
You think you might have passed out for a bit. It’s hard to tell. You manage to breathe through the stench, barely. Your noise feels tickled by hairs.
You wiggle your fingers and toes just to make sure you still have them. Check. You try to move, to shift, to lessen the weight pressing down on you. To scratch your nose. Anything! Something sharp pokes painfully into your back. A burning sting across your shoulder is followed by the metallic smell of your fresh blood added to the nauseating brew.
A horrific noise, a monstrous howl of hunger muffled by soft tissue. You listen intently. If you could get enough air, dare you cry for help? You hear scrabbling, tearing, more guttural bellows. The weight shifts, presses down on you harder. The hot searing pain of something sharp pushes farther into the flesh of your shoulder.
Wait! Is that the sound of battle?
Before this, the last thing you remember:
Heading back from Castleview, you were almost home when you came upon a rough group of travelers. They asked you if you knew where the champions’ home was. Tired and really just wanting to go to sleep, you nevertheless offered to take them there. And then it all gets kind of hazy.
THE FOLLOWING BLOG POST IS PART 15 OF THE DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS 5TH EDITION CAMPAIGN, DREADSTORMS LOST. THESE BLOGS ARE INTENDED FOR OTHER GAME MASTERS WHO MIGHT WANT TO USE THIS CAMPAIGN SETTING AND THE SCENARIOS TO INSPIRE THEIR OWN ROLE PLAYING GAMES. (FREE FOR NONCOMMERCIAL REUSE.)
Notes:
It’s time for a dungeon crawl! A classic in any Dungeons and Dragons adventure … searching for traps … getting lost in the labyrinth of tunnels … slogging through monsters to find a treasure or save the kingdom. Ah, good times!
The original dungeon was generated by donjon Random Dungeon Generator, but modified for my own nefarious purposes. I confess to having a great time just making the random dungeons with this generator. I find it inspires me with ideas, a lot like my hand-drawn ones without the doodling.
Searching for the Champions
Some of the following depends on what the players have discovered and discussed with Mayor Cobblekeep. If the group has been playing it close to the chest and not told him anything, he will have no reason to trust them nor give them aid. If they’ve been open with their information and shown him that they are actively trying to save the city and find the champions, then he will tell them …
Berlstrum has a hidden labyrinth of tunnels below the town, called Berlstrum’s Belly. It is a deadly place, full of monsters and traps. Only a few know where all of the secret doors are to the belly (including the mayor, council members, and the champions). The mayor suspects something may have happened to the champions down there and asks the adventurers if they would be willing search the Belly for them?
If they are agreeable, the mayor will provide them with:
a map of Berlstrum’s Belly (see below)
4 bullseye lanterns
A teleport stone (small, red pebble), which will bring the person holding the stone and anyone touching the user back to Berlstrum’s Town Hall. It’s a single use item. He only has one.
2d4+1 Potions of Healing (common)
Map for the Players
Game master map is at the bottom of the page.
Map of Berlstrum’s Belly provided to players by Mayor Cobblekeep; Cartography accuracy is not accuracy.
The kitchen has cupboards and prep surfaces along most of the walls. Under the window to the east is a heavy slab cutting table. Much of the kitchen was trashed by the looters; doors hanging of the cupboards, foodstuffs tossed onto the floor, shelves emptied, broken jars, cookware, and plates mixed in with the rotting food.
To find the trap door from the kitchen down into the cellar without aid from the Mayor is an Investigation DC 12 if actively looking for it. With the Mayors guidance, the group is directed to move the cutting table to the middle of the room, find the rope inside the cupboard next to the other window, and pull on the rope.
Like the rest of the ground floor of the manor, the floor of the kitchen is made up of large, smooth gray stone. The trap door proves to be a false cover matching the gray stone, but made of lighter material. Pulling the rope inside one of the cupboards causes the trap door to open upward (unless someone happens to be standing it). The hinge is well oiled and opens soundlessly. A ladder leads down into the cellar.
Cellar
The Cellar underneath the Kitchen in the Champions’ Manor
The cellar is 15 ft x 15 ft with a 10 ft high ceiling. It seems mostly undisturbed and not used in a while. It’s dusty and smells of damp mildew. Old boxes and barrels take up much of the space.
A compulsive search of the boxes and barrels (Because what adventurer can resist searching boxes and barrels?) will find:
1d4 glass jars of pickled mixed vegetables
1d4 glass jars containing weird clumps of hair floating in pickling fluid
1d4 glass vials filled with nail clippings floating in liquid (Not potions of Giant Strength)
A small bag full of animal teeth of varying sizes
A silver spoon with an “S” engraved on the handle
A bottle of cheap red wine
A petrified rat
A glass jar containing lard with a label that read, “Goblin Go-Go Grease”
See Dungeon Master’s Guide pgs 160-161 for other random trinkets ideas.
Trap Door to the Belly
Spotting the trap door in the floor of the cellar is a DC 20 Perception. If a successful Perception spots the outline of the trap door, it still won’t budge without hitting the trigger mechanism.
It is an Investigation DC 20 to find the hidden mechanism to opens the trap door in the cellar without directions from the mayor. If the mayor told you where to look, but is not present, it’s an Investigation DC 10. If the mayor is there, he’ll point directly to the spot.
The trigger looks like a smudge of dirt amidst other smudges of dirt in the ceiling o (which is 10 ft high), but the smudge is shaped like a skull. Pushing on the spot reveals a well-hidden trap door on the floor that lifts up and out, revealing stairs down into the dark, dark tunnels.
The stairs descend about 15 feet before leveling out to the floor of the tunnel. At the bottom of the stairs in a lever that closes/opens the door to the cellar.
Do the players leave the door from the kitchen to the pantry open?
Do they leave the door down from the cellar open.
Down into the belly
After 20 feet, there is no light source. It’s very dark.
The narrow tunnel of rough conglomerate stone twists and turns, doubling back upon itself many times, always at a slight downward slop. The width of the tunnel varies from 6 feet to 2 feet. The height is usually around 8 feet, but occasionally goes down to under 5, slowing down the larger party members. There are no side passages or hidden doors are found. The air grows moist the longer they hike down.
The rough stone becomes interlaced with ribbons of the sharp briarstone rock the farther down you go. After 30 minutes of walking, the walls and ceilings are completely composed of briarstone. The floor becomes smooth like black glass.
Briarstone, the Rock
Briarstone is an opaque black rock formation with small, jagged crystal protrusions resembling thorns. When the brittle rock shatters, it creates more jagged protrusions.
At one point it becomes necessary to squeeze through a narrow section of the tunnel. It’s a DEX DC 11 to avoid getting cut by the briarstone. On a failed roll, take 1d6 piercing damage.
It takes an hour of walking before you come to a “entrance” shown on the map. The entrance from the Champions’ Manor is the higher one on the left side of the map.
Berlstrum Belly Overview
Dungeon Walls: Sharp briarstone rock make up the walls and ceiling. The crystals are so sharp that one has to be cautious not to cut themselves on the walls. 1d6 piercing damage if pushed/knocked into the wall or ceiling.
Dungeon Floor: Consists of smooth, black shiny stone. When running on the surface, there’s a chance of falling prone (DEX DC 11) due to the slippery surface. Pushes and slides go twice normal distance.
Illumination: Dark. No natural light available.
Map for the Game Master
Map for the Game Master with encounter numbers and trap locations.
There’s a lot of information to parse out for this dungeon (cavern/labyrinth/whatever you want to call it). So like any proper evil overlord, I’ll provide that information on the next installment.
THE FOLLOWING BLOG POST IS PART 14 OF THE DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS 5TH EDITION CAMPAIGN, DREADSTORMS LOST. THESE BLOGS ARE INTENDED FOR OTHER GAME MASTERS WHO MIGHT WANT TO USE THIS CAMPAIGN SETTING AND THE SCENARIOS TO INSPIRE THEIR OWN ROLE PLAYING GAMES. (FREE FOR NONCOMMERCIAL REUSE.)
Notes:
The tricky part about Dreadstorms Lost campaign is the timeline. Once the ritual spell is started, it will increase in intensity each day. At each dawn the life draining wave kills more creatures to reanimates them at dusk. The Will of Orcus Undead instinctively attack in hordes.
Depending on the party’s actions, like long or short rests, will decide where there are when a plague waves will happens.
Day 2 of Casting the Will of Orcus
Hidden underneath Berlstrum in his impregnable lair, Kazel continues casting the ritual spell, Will of Orcus. If the party is outside of the effected area (like on the farms), they do not need to make the CON save.
Second Plague Wave!
At dawn, those awake feel a moment of fatigue (*Life Drain) that lasts for 6 seconds. Everyone save vs the Life Drain, awake or asleep.
*Life Drain [Day 2]:CON save 6
-2 to maximum HP on a failed save. If HP is reduced to 0 by the wave, target dies and rises as zombie 12 hrs later. A LONG REST restores max HP.
Note: You can only have 1 long rest ever 24 hours.
Small Animals Drop Like Flies
The second wave effects small animals: rats, mice, cats, gophers, etc. The area of effect extends farther than it did yesterday.
On a Perception of 15, someone spots a dead rat (or other area-appropriate critter). Once they start looking, rats, mice, cats, squirrels and other smaller animals have all dropped dead. They very weak or ill people are also effected.
Blue circle shows the area of effect from the second plague wave, overlapping the red circle from day 1.
The mayor requests that the remaining protectors attend the council meeting (including the party) at 10 that morning at the Town Hall (#82 on the map)
(Assuming that our adventurers were successful at escorting the council members back) The mayor thank the group for the dangers they faced in getting Tomo, Amagoste, and Hammond back to town.
Other topics of discussion during the meeting;
What has happened to the Champions? Do the adventurers have any clues? (possibly from search the Champions’ Manor)
Why is Berlstrum under attack from so many hooligans all at once?
What caused the animal deaths?
Are all these somehow connected?
What information will the party share with the council?
The Mayor and the Council discuss the problems with the bandits and the small animal corpses. After some debate, the council agrees to send word to the capital that they need assistance from the royal military.
Optional Skill Challenge: Re-kill the Rats!
My groups decided that they wanted to gather all things that died at dawn and destroy the bodies before they could become zombies. If your group decides the same:
Gather & Destroy the Dead Bodies: DC 15
There are approximately 5,000 small undead animals around Berlstrum (1 swarm = 500 undead critters). For each successful skill check, 1 swarm of small animal corpses is destroyed. For each failed check, that will be a swarm that becomes active at dusk.
Depending on the number of people in your party, it can simplify things to have double the amount of swarms as players, so each player gets 2 shots at destroying a swarm: 5 players x 2 swarms each = 10 swarms total. Increase the number of swarms per player depending on the level of challenge you want to give the players.
Describe how your character uses a skill to help destroy the critter corpses You can NOT use the same skill twice in a row and you can NOT use the same skill as the person before you. Examples of skills used:
Insight: What will it take to convince to the townfolk to focus on this problem instead of the stray thugs roaming their town or repairing the damage to their properties?
Persuade/Diplomacy: Convince the townfolk to work together to gather the dead and pile them in the streets
Deception: No need to panic. Everything will be just fine. We have everything under control
Nature: Find the areas where rats would be most likely to congregate.
Intimidate: You WILL go into the cistern and toss out the dead rats. I don’t care if it smells bad. Get it done.
Perception: Search for corpses under the walk-way bridges
Investigate: Track the rat droppings to their hidden nest
Athletics: Climb to the roofs of the buildings looking for critters that might have been higher up (ie: cats)
At Dusk the Tiny Dead Gather
Anywhere near the radius of the 2nd plague wave that occurred at dawn, will see the small undead animals gathering and attacking the nearest source of “meat” in immediate area.
Zombie Small-Animal Swarm
AC 12 Hit Points 56 Speed 30 ft, climb 20 ft.
STR 14 (+2), DEX 14 (+2), CON 11 (0), INT 1 (-5), WIS 7 (-2), CHA 2 (-5)
ACTIONS BitesMelee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit Hit: 4d6 piercing + Life Drain; 2d6 + Life Drain if only half the swarm remains
SPECIAL
Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a tiny insect. The swarm can’t regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.
Life Drain. DC 6 CON or lose 2 hit point to maximum hit point total. If HP reduced to 0 by infected, target rises as zombie the following dusk; if not dead, LONG REST recovers lost max HP
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the zombie swarm to 0 hit points, it must make a CON saving throw with a DC of 5 + damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, the zombie drops to 1 hit point instead.
The following blog post is Part 12 of the Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition campaign, Dreadstorms Lost. These blogs are intended for other game masters who might want to use this campaign setting and the scenarios to inspire their own role playing games. (Free for noncommercial reuse.)
Notes:
Nothing to see here. Move along!
Tasks for Heroes
Mayor Cobblekeep stays with the relative safety of the party (hopefully he survived) until morning. The mayor heads back into town to organize the rest of the protectors into cleaning the riff-raff out off his town, repairing the damage, and dealing with the dead. He also needs to gather the council together to discuss their next course of action.
There are two tasks the mayor asks of the party:
The most pressing task is escorting the Council Members who live on farms outside the city walls back to Berlstrum, Amagoste and Hammond. The mayor informs the party that, “There are patrols along the top of the city wall. Since the gates are down, signal one of the patrols and they’ll lower the rope ladder for you to leave.” (If they discovered the secret doors in the champions’ manor, the mayor will emphasize how important it is not to reveal the locations of the secret doors to anyone!)
He also requests that the players to find the champions and bring them back or try to figure out what happened to the champions. Once they have all the council gathered, the group can let the council know what they’ve learned.
Heading to the Farms
Amagoste’s Farm House
Amagoste’s Farm with invading Ogre’s and Orcs
The path to the Amagoste Farm is several hours through the forest. As you get closer to the farmhouse, the trees becoming more sparse and spread out. Behind the house is the open pole barn and flat farmland usually filled growing crops. There are several orcs on guard outside the farmhouse. (See image above. Feel free to adjust orc numbers based on the level of challenge appropriate for the party.)
The faded tan farmhouse has a large porch spreading 60 feet across the entire front of the house, overhung by a sloping roof. The porch has wooden railings and 3 steps up. A smaller 15 ft x 8 ft porch with steeper steps leads to the backdoor.
Inside the house two ogres are loudly arguing in the living room. They are blaming each other for not finding the people that live here. They were told these people are important to the town and they’d know where the treasure was. Orcs are rifling through the other rooms, looking for loot and trying on the clothes.
The players can choose to fight the orcs and ogres or stealth around to try to find the Amagoste family.
4 ORCS outside, and inside the house 4 more ORCS & 2 OGRES (See 5th Edition Monster Manual page 246 for general orc stats and 237 for ogres)
Finding the Amagoste’s
The pole barn contains several piles of hay, the largest pile in the upper left corner. No animals are currently inside. A successful search [Investigation 15] will find the trap door hidden under the hay. Opening the hatch reveals a small underground bunker with the two Amagoste tiefling adults and their 2 small children. Agosta Amagoste (one of the council members you’ve been sent to escort back) will not leave the safety of the bunker with her children and husband until the invaders are no longer a threat.
Not wanting to spend money buying figures for the game, I printed out the image of the ogre and taped it to a pill bottle that took up 2×2 square space.
Onto Gwantomo’s Farm
As the group approaches through the woods, they can hear the sounds of battle coming from Gwantomo’s home. It is unlikely that anyone will notice them in the trees since everyone is in the midst of fighting (don’t roll a 1 on stealth).
The group spots Tomo (Gwantomo) and Hammond (the other 2 Council members that need escorted back to town) are on the roof of the farmhouse, fending off ogres, orcs, and thugs. They look exhausted and barely keeping the attackers at bay. They are suffering severe exhaustion and will take a break from fighting as soon as the attackers focus their energy on someone else, ie the players.
There are many dead bodies around the house, friends and foe alike. Behind the farmhouse, the barn (closed walls, unlike the pole barn at Amagoste’s place) is on fire. Same layout at Amagoste’s Farm.
Note:
For this encounter, the number of Orcs, Ogres, and Thugs still standing really depends on the game masters perception of what the party can handle at this point. If the party needs some extra muscle, the info for the dwarf fighter, Moregore, is below. As a suggestion, the encounter might have:
1 Ogres
3 Orcs
2 Thugs
If the party survives the encounter, there is a potentially a lot of great (starter) loot to be found amidst all the dead. Loot for this encounter is in the next installment.
Tomo (Gwantomo) – is forest druid who’s primary occupation is farming. He’s a 1/2 Elf male and a member of the Berlsturm city council. He has a wolf companion named Oscar. When the group arrives Oscar is trapped in the (burning) barn.
Hammond, a human male, is a farmer and a retired fighter. He sometimes mentors protectors in training interested in becoming fighters. He is serves as a stand-in council member.
Moregore, dwarf fighter [optional NPC melee fighter; originally mentioned as an NPC at the beginning of Guard Tower duty, but can be used here instead or in addition to] – Moregore was heading to Berlstrum to visit his cousin, Caemtar-the Tanner (included on NPC list) when he spotted the group of Ogres and Orcs heading towards the farmhouse. He followed them to find out what they were up to. Saw the ogres and orcs join their buddies in battle against Tomo and Hammond and decided to jumped in to help.
Battle at Amagoste’s Farmhome – To save money, I use whatever cheap toys I have available to represent the monsters, like figures from the Zombies!!! and pirate actions figures.
MOREGORE GRAYFIST IRONBREAKER
Moregore grew up in and has a large, extended family in Berlstrum. Morgorn and Mortengort are his cousins and also good fighters who would go looking for Moregore if he disappeared.
FIGHTER 2 ♦ Dwarf, Medium humanoid (mountain dwarf), neutral
STR 20 (+5) ♦ DEX 18 (+4) ♦ CON 16 (+3) ♦ INT 10 (+0) ♦ WIS 10 (+0) ♦ CHA 8 (-1)
Armor Class 17 Hit Points 24 Speed 25 ft. Passive Perception 14 Initiative +4
The following blog post is Part 11 of the Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition campaign, Dreadstorms Lost. These blogs are intended for other game masters who might want to use this campaign setting and the scenarios to inspire their own role playing games. (Free for noncommercial reuse.)
Notes:
All right. I hear the cries of suffering and agony. “Give us some stuff to kill! More bad guys, less talk.”
We begin this next bit assuming that the party has gotten a long rest. It is the next morning after the initial influx of scumbags attacking the town. Players are assumed to be 2nd level. Adjust challenges as needed.
At Dawn they Don’t Cometh
Kazel has set up and begun casting the ritual spell, Will of Orcus, several hours before sunrise.
First plague wave!
At dawn, those awake feel an odd moment of fatigue (*Life Drain). It quickly passes. Everyone needs to save vs the Life Drain, awake or asleep.
*Life Drain [Day 1]: CON save 5
-1 to Max HP on a failed save. If HP reduced to 0 by fatigue wave, target dies and rises as zombie 12 hrs later. Otherwise, a LONG REST restores max HP.
Note: You can only have one long rest ever 24 hours.
Dead Bugs
The first wave is fairly week and mostly effects insects: flies, caterpillars, small spiders, grasshoppers, moths, bees, and the like.
On a Perception of 16, an especially observant character will notice that there are no bugs buzzing/crawling/creeping about inside the town. There are dead bugs everywhere once a person starts looking. No live bugs within the wave radius area.
The wave has a radius effect centered around Kazel. His hidden lair underneath Berlstrum is roughly located under building #96 on the town map. This initial radius encompasses the Champions’ manor and a large portion of the town center. (See map below.)
Area of effect of the first wave of the Will of Orcus Plague in Berlstrum
If the players rested in the 2nd floor or tower of the champions’ manor, they will be safe from random bandit attacks.
Tasks for Heroes
Mayor Cobblekeep stayed with the relative safety of the party (hopefully he survived) until morning. The mayor heads back into town to organize the rest of the protectors into cleaning the low-lives out off his town and repairing the damage and dealing with the dead. He also needs to gather the council together to discuss their next course of action.
There are two tasks the mayor asks of the party:
The most pressing task is escorting the two Council Members who live on farms outside the city walls back to Berlstrum, Amagoste and Hammond. The mayor informs the party that, “There are patrols along the top of the city wall. Since the gates are down, signal one of the patrols and they’ll lower the rope ladder for you to leave.” (If they discovered the secret doors in the champions’ manor, the mayor will emphasize how important it is not to reveal the locations of the secret doors to anyone!)
He also requests that the players try to figure out what happened to the champions and hopefully find them and bring them back. Once they have all the council gathered, the group can let the council know what they’ve learned.
Thugs
Before the group can head out on their missions, they find Captain Scallion and his two henchmen waiting for our crew to emerge Captain Scallion is frustrated at their inability to search the tower and wants inside NOW! Which due to the protection spell on the tower, isn’t going to happen.
Captain Scallion is a Bandit Captain with 3 melee attacks and the Parry Reaction:+2 AC on one attack. (See 5th Edition Monster Manual pg 344 for stats)
His two henchmen use the Tribal Warrior template on page 350 of the 5th Edition Monster Manual.
At Dusk they Cometh
Anywhere near the radius of the plague wave that occurred 12 hours earlier (at dawn), will see swarms of insects gathering and attacking. The dead bugs rise in swarms and attack the nearest source of “meat” in immediate area.
Zombie Bug Swarm
AC 10 Hit Points 32 Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.
STR 4 (-4), DEX 7 (-2), CON 12 (+1), INT 1 (-5), WIS 3 (-4), CHA 1 (-5)
ACTIONS BitesMelee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit (swarm moves into target’s space) Hit: 4d4 HP piercing + Life Drain (DC7 Con or -1 to Hit Point Max ), or 2d4 + Life Drain if only half the swarm remains
SPECIAL
Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a tiny insect. The swarm can’t regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.
Life Drain. DC 7 CON or lose 1 hit point to maximum hit point total. If HP reduced to 0 by infected, target rises as zombie the following dusk; if not dead, LONG REST recovers lost max HP
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the zombie swarm to 0 hit points, it must make a CON saving throw with a DC of 5 + damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, the zombie drops to 1 hit point instead.
The following blog post is Part 8 of the Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition campaign, Dreadstorms Lost. These blogs are intended for other game masters who might want to use this campaign setting and the scenarios to inspire their own role playing games. (Free for noncommercial reuse.)
Notes:
GROUND FLOOR OF CHAMPIONS’ MANOR
The lower level of the manor has been trashed. Bandits and townfolk alike have been tearing through the house looking for treasure; broken furniture, artwork torn from the wall, holes dug with pickaxes into the stone floors and walls; books, glasses, mementos and broken and crushed the floors. Signs of bloody fights are everywhere. Both bandit and townsfolk are among the half dozen dead scattered throughout the lower level.
Hidden runes provide permanent “protection from evil and evil intent” in the private areas of second floor and the wizard tower. There may have been some looters that made it passed the wards, but the 2nd floor is in reasonable unmolested. Note, any player that has an evil alignment will not be able to go up the stairs or enter the wizard tower in the middle of the courtyard.
As trainees in the Protector program, the players would have spent some time in the the public spaces: meeting room, dining hall, library, and office. It is doubtful that they would have been in the tower, kitchen/pantry, mudroom, or stables. The stables and the other exterior backdoor are secret egress outside the city walls. When Kazel had been asked how they got outside of the city gates and with the horses, Kazel would wriggle his fingers and eyebrows and say “Magic!”
Due to the various strewn about debris, all rooms are on the lower level are Hindering Terrain (half movement).
If your players need the occasional combat to spice things up, feel free to toss in a random encounter or two of bandits looting in the lower rooms or beating on a townfolk, demanding to be led to treasure.
A. Exterior of the Manor
[PERCP 10] Shrubs and flowerbeds pulled
[PERCP 12] Many holes of varying sizes dug in the
[INV 12] The body of a townfolk (Corchel) with his throat slit has been shoved into one of the holes
[INV 14] Signs of fighting, blood splatters, a broken shovel, arrows (d6), a rusty knife laying in the dirt
B. Entryway
Space is hindering terrain due to debris hazards.
The front door is hanging by one hinge, the lock brutishly smashed
Across foyer (20′) is the door to courtyard -also left open
To the left is entryway leading to the Meeting Hall room where Protector Meetings took place
To the right is the opening to a general pre-meal gathering area
[PERCP 10] Broken shards from shattered vases and artwork litter the floor
Carpet rolled up and pushed off to the side
Holes in the wall, large chunks chipped out of the stone floor
[INV 10] Muddy foot prints and dark, liquidy smears stain the floor (blood) – Some of the blood has been there for days, some is more recent
[INV 15] The mayor’s bowler hat lays flattened in the corner (he loved that hat!)
C. Quadrangle/Inner Courtyard/ Inner Ward
A round tower dominates the middle of the courtyard
There is a well-maintained path between the foyer door and the door to the south
[PERCP 10] Holes of varying depths dug in the grass. Shrubs and flowerbeds pulled up.
[PERCP 10] Door to on opposite side of courtyard -Library (E)- has been left open
Several dead bodies from recent fighting. One or two you might recognize as One or two you recognize as townsfolk – [WIS/Medicine 10] Bodies haven’t been dead more than a day
[INV 15] Trail of blood leads from the library door to tower
[WIS/Medicine/Surival 12] The blood is at least 3-4 days
D. Meeting Hall [Left of Entryway]
Space is hindering terrain due to debris hazards.
Podium knocked over
Benches smashed
Artwork tossed on floor, shredded
Door on southwest wall to hallway
Hallway 20′ long, right turn 12′ to door
Door on east wall
E. Library, Public
Space is hindering terrain due to debris hazards.
Book pulled from shelves, tossed everywhere
Cabinets pulled from walls, pushed over
Carpets shoved off to the side, smashed furniture
Door to courtyard left open (north wall)
Door on west wall
[PERCP 18] Book of Level 1 Illusion Spells
F. Office, Public
Space is hindering terrain due to debris hazards.
Carpets rolled up and furniture knocked over
Desk rifled through, drawers pulled from slots; dumped out
[PERCP 15] Secret Door to the stable left cracked open
G. Private stable
Protection from Evil/Evil Intent
Via Secret door from Office-Looks like storage for horse feed & riding
Smells like a stable – hay and horse shit; There’s a couple bales of hay and dried horse shit here
[PERCP 12: (+2 bonus if already spotted trail in courtyard] trail to pool of dried blood; possibly a heavily bleeding body had rested here
[WIS/Medicine/Surival 12] The blood is at least 3-4 days
[PERCP 13]: Wards over doorway on stable [INT/Arcana/Religion DC 12] to identify as Protection from Evil/Evil Intent permanency spell; bloody hand print on the back of the door (stable side)
[PERCP 15]: Barn door to outside-hidden; pops back and slides to the side, blends into the wall
[PERCP 20]: A well-hidden small door blends into the wall to the rear stairwell; there’s a spot to push to trigger the door to swing open (into the stables)
H. Mudroom/Stairs
Protection from Evil/Evil Intent
Door to the outside (and outside the city wall) next to stairs – Not visible from outside; no outside [PERCP 22] from the exterior there is a hidden latch to open door
You feel a slight resistance/tingle as you move up the stairs; evil alignment/bad guys are not able to go up stairs
Door/exterior wall: There are a few trees are within 20′ of the The dense forest starts about 100′ from the door.
[PERCP 12] Outside along the tree-line, to the North, you spot a body slumped against a tree. It’s hard to immediately identify who it is. Up close, you recognize Clemens, Foreshot’s apprentice. Based on the huge gaping hole in his chest, you’d say he’s very dead.
[WIS/Medicine 12] He’s been dead at least 3 Some of the bruising on his face seems older than that.
[INT/Arcana 15] Cause of death was a close- range explosion.
[PERCP 20] Wards on walls leading up stairs. [INT/Arcana/Religion DC 12] to identify as Protection from Evil/Evil Intent permanency spell
I. Kitchen
Space is hindering terrain due to debris hazards.
Broken jars, plates, glasses
[PERCP 15] Trap door to cellar
Cellar is mostly undisturbed, though obviously not used in a while. It’s dusty and smells of damp mildew.
[INVG 20 will find a mechanism in the ceiling that reveals a well-hidden trap door on the floor that lifts up and out. Revealing stairs down into dark, dark tunnels. Note this is the entrance to and the beginning of a dungeon crawl. If the players report back to the mayor before heading down, he’ll give them a map of the Berlstrum Underbelly, lanterns, and some possibly some minor healing potions. More on this in a future installment!]
[INVG 16] 2 bottles of wine, unbroken
[INVG 20] Bottle of expensive rum hidden under the cutting block
J. Apprentice Clemens’ Bedroom
Space is hindering terrain due to debris hazards.
Mattress shoved over against the wall, stuffing ripped out
Papers crumbled up on the floor (notes on different animal tracks; how to identify scat; which berries to eat on the trail, list of items to pack for trail)
Broken long bow
Some random male garments of low quality
[PERCP 15] +4 bonus if actively looking out window; You spot a body slumped against a tree. It’s hard to identify the body from this angle and distance.
[INVG 15] Moving the shredded mattress, you find a loose stone hiding a small nook carved into the floor. Inside is a 5 gold and a thin, ratty book worn with age and bearing the rather grim title of “Gratimortus”.
Skimming through the book reveals many disturbing sketches, arcane symbols, and neat, cramped elaborate script in a confusing mix of Common and Draconic. It will take time to decipher the book (couple of hours with Arcane proficiency).
Upon closer inspection, you suspect this is only the front half of the book.
Images from the pages and the text will be provided in blog post #10 – The Gratimortus – Dreadstorms Lost [not yet posted]
K. Pantry
Space is hindering terrain due to debris hazards.
Shelves ripped off of the walls
A few sacks of grain ripped open
Some nice table lines tossed to the side
[PERCP 16] Mixed in with a pile of grain on the floor is a Ring of Protection +1
L. Dining Hall
Space is hindering terrain due to debris hazards.
Tables and benches pilled against one of the windows;
Sideboard tables shoved to the middle of the room
More attempts to put holes in the walls and flooring
M. Gallery – Wide hallway/gathering area [Right of Entryway]
Open space used for indoor combat practice. Some broken vases.
2nd Floor
Ground Floor
Roof
WIZARD TOWER
Protection from Evil/Evil Intent
Ground Level of Tower
You feel a slight tingle through the doorway, bad guys are not able to enter [INT/Arcana/Religion DC 12] Protection form Evil ruins around the door
A high ceiling space (12′) with stairs on the spiraling up wall to the right up to the next Barrels and crates stored under the stairs.
[Arcana 5] Seems mostly storage for magic components
[PERCP 12; (+4 bonus if already spotted blood)] Some blood smears on the hand rail going up the stairs
Second Floor of Tower
Shelves reaching 14′ high cover every available wall space and are filled with books
A ritual circle is permanently etched into the floor of the
A couple of comfortable reading chairs
A trunk with some smelly, grubby robes
It’s messy, things moved around, but not carelessly
A few sheets of paper with hastily scrawled notes; handwriting is
Sample books in library if searched:
Identifying aquatic creatures,
guide for spell uses of herbs,
how to harvest basilic blood;
[PERCP 15] *A small book smeared with bloody fingerprints, Gratismortus-Book of the Iredeemevile; back pages ripped off – Difficult to read, will take hours to translate the scrawled notes.
[PERCP 18] Book of Ritual Spells: TBD
ladder leads up to trapdoor
Top Tower Level
Parapet (a narrow wall built along the outer edge) with crenelations (like a crown)
Can see most of the town of Burlstrum and the city wall from
SECOND FLOOR OF CHAMPIONS’ MANOR
N. Solar
an open landing at the top of the stairs with long narow windows on the western wall; single large window to the north, southwest, and
Open, quiet conversation area.
Cozy conversation knook in the southwest corner.
Door northeast corner and southeast corner
O. Guest bedroom
Tidy, neatly made bed, dresser (empty), wardrobe (empty), some random knick-nacks on shelves.
Door on east wall
P. Private library
Personal interest books/animal studies/fiction/erotica- books not intended for public use
Papers on the desk organized in neat piles: various trainee reviews, notes on schedules, journal with dates and times of sightings of animal and monsters in the outlining area – handwriting is small, neatly written
Q. Hallway
one window on north (see courtyard) and 2 windows along the south; 35′ long
R. Private dining
A nice table with seating for six
S. Private indoor practice area
Door to balcony on the east wall
T. Balcony
Overhangs the front entrance of the manor
U. Hallway
Two doors on the north wall, a window directly across from the second door
V. Baby room
A room beautifuly set up for a baby with nappies stacked on the dresser, toys sitting neatly on shelves, basinet at the foot of the perfectly made cradle
A door in the northwest corner leads to the master bedroom next door
[INT 10] As far as you know, Foreshot and Kazel have no child. Nor have you heard of Foreshot being pregnant. How could they have kept this a secret? Why?
[PERCP 12] There is no smell you’d associate with a baby
W. Master Bedroom
A large, unmade bed dominates the On side of the room is tidy, with the pants, shirts, et all put away inside a dresser. On the other side robes looks like they were half-heartedly tossed in the direction of the wardrobe.
X. Alchemist room, potion making
Door in northwest corner leads to the solar (with the stairs)
Empty vials, shelves full of unidentifiable ingredients in unlabled jars
[PERCP 12] Based on the un-dusty spots, several containers have recently been removed
[PERCP 15] Amidst all the random jars and vials, you recognize 3 Healing Potions (2d4+2)
Warrior Skeletons
Wyvern Zombie
Zombie Small-Animal Swarm
Zombie Bug Swarm
Designer Geek 
