D20 adventure: Rude Awakening (Level 1 adventure for a party of 1 to 4) Part 1

Posted by: Jason Silverain / Category: , ,



For a Dungeon Master a premade adventure can be a useful aid, whether it is to experiment with a new system, introducing new players to the game, attempting a fresh challenge or simply saving time that can be used elsewhere.

However premade adventures like any supplement can be a mixed bag with some been unbalanced, poorly written or just plain expensive but there are a few that shine through.  
Wizards of the Coast has released a large number of free premade adventures on their website for 3rd edition, 3.5 and 4th edition however due to some problems with their archives many of the links for the 3rd and 3.5 edition adventures no longer work. While in the future I intend to post my own up to date links to obtain these adventures I've noticed there is a lack of easily found player made adventures available, so I have decided to create several of my own.   

The adventure I will be posting today will be rather sparse in it background simply to ensure it is an easy fit into the DM's chosen setting and make it easy to analyse if someone wishes to de-construct a concept from a encounter. However I do intend to full write this out into a PDF adventure with a large amount of back story and further adventure hooks.

The adventure I am posting today is titled Rude Awakening and was originally designed to be a solo adventure that rewarded create and intelligent solutions but there is no reason it could not be used for a small party, while the back story of this adventure traditionally begins with with the Player Characters been capture by been drugged by a group of hunter/bandits it could be used with any low level adventure where the party has been captured with minimal tweaks.

Like many publications by WOTC's or 3rd party writers italic paragraphs will sections to be read out to the players with alterations if needed while regular text is information for the Dungeon Master.

Rude Awakening

Prologue

The Party for their various reasons either as a group or individuals have been travelling with a merchant by the name of Samuel Jakes along a winding route through several villages as he sells his wares and gathers new stock, during the stay at the last visited village Samuels current wares are primarily kegs of various sizes of the local Mulled Cider.
 Due to the long trips between towns and Samuel's reluctance to eat into profits (Literally in several cases) it has been two weeks of travelling rations and hard tack for the players and the pair of guards that accompany Samuel. The final destination that Samuel and players are travelling to should be a centre of trade such as a large market town or port whichever is more suitable for your setting.

For the last two weeks you all have been travelling with a merchant by the name of Samuel Jakes through several of the local villages, while the old merchant is cheerful and talkative company his somewhat tight fisted habits and desire to travel quickly to make his deadlines mean that you've been force to subside mostly on bland travelling rations and water, having little time to stay in a tavern during your trips through the local villages as you all travel on to you final destination. 
The dust of the road and the summer heat been bad enough, the urge to drink is almost made worst by the fact that Samuels latest cargo is several kegs of Mulled Cider, though as you follow the long roads that wind around the ancient forests turning a corner the smell of horse and oxen fills the summer air almost shifting the stale taste of hard tack from your throats.

A number of wagons queue along the road as their owners a group of most likely local farmers and merchants gather round arguing loudly and aggressively with a pair of road wardens at a small hut and wooden barricade made of several logs tied together into a cross shape.  

The players may wish to intervene and anyone approaching will over hear that the argument is about an increase in road tax for wagons which is apparently triple the normal cost, some players may suspect that this might be the road wardens attempting to overcharge the farmers but they are only partly right. (The taxes have increased by a large amount though the road wardens have added a few extra silver on top.)

This is an ideal location for the party to buy any last minute items from the merchants and perhaps perform easy Gather Information or Knowledge (Local) checks about the area to see why the price may have increased so drastically. If your unsure for a reason to give to your players then the two simplest are "to fund extra patrols to flush out bandits" or "to repair a section of the causeway."

Anyone threatening violence will find themselves been ridiculed by both the guards and the farmers for their foolishness, while the wagon owners are angry they are not willing to attack the local guards for doing their job. However if the player(s) continue then one of the road warden will ring his hand bell summoning the other 8 currently on break in the guard hut, if this still doesn't deter the players then the farmers and merchants will fee back to their wagons while the fighting commences and I recommend using Simon Newman's Experienced Guardsman for statistics of the ten Road Wardens.
If this combat does occur unfortunately this adventure will be heavily altered for it to continue but my recommendation are:
  • If they win then in the panic as the wagon owners (including Samuel ) attempt to flee, one of the bandits disguised as a forester approaches them warning them that another Road Warden patrol is returning shortly and he can guide them into the forest to escape. If they question why he is helping them he lies saying the Road Wardens killed his brother.
  • If they lose they are released later that evening from the crude wooden cells behind the hut by the bandit disguised as a forester who gives them the same reasons as above.

However if the party does not resort to violence and return to the wagon Samuel will not wait for long and motioning for the party to follow leads them back around the corner where he reveals an old crossroad marker hidden in the long grass and the remains of a trail.   

Turning the oxen away from the main road and down the overgrown remains of the nearly hidden pathway Samuel pipes up when he sees the curious looks you give him "Don't worry, don't worry there's an old road that passes through here and while it gets a bit overgrown this time of year its perfectly safe. It should lessen the trip by a few days too so soon we will be resting in proper beds."  
However for all of Samuels smiles and reassurances he cannot hide the faint shuffling of unease and nervous glances of the guards accompanying him as the wagon moves into the shade of the canopy.

Inform the party as they travel through forest that the vegetation rather dense and overgrown with the dis-repaired trail slowing progress as the trail occasionally has to cleared for the ox drawn wagon.

If the players wish to make Survival checks allow them to do so, results for decent rolls could be helping the wagon progress faster or manage to collect berries or capture a rabbit or pheasant. While these checks will not have a long term effect it gives the players a feeling of control and interaction within the setting.

Knowledge checks however do give chance to learn more about the area.

Knowledge (Local, History, Geography): The Road/Faham
DC 10 : The road the group now travels down was once one of the many roads that ran through the forest, all of them connecting with the town of Faham. However once the town was destroy approximately 120 years ago they fell into disrepair from lack of use. 

DC 15 : Faham had a mostly human population of 600, and there was partially know for its central market which was built around the statue of a fox which was apparently there before the town itself. It was governed by a council of elders, known as the Synod of Eleven made up of prominent citizens and the founding families. Its destruction is not well documented but it is believed to have been caused by orc invaders.

(Local and History only) DC 20 : The White Ember tribe was the orc tribe responsible for destroying Faham however it is said that that the orcs were provoked by the actions of one of the council who had attempted to break a trade agreement with them by hiring mercenaries to destroy the tribe without consulting the rest of the council. When the council of Faham refused to hand him over to the tribal leaders not believing them the tribe attacked burning the town to the ground but mostly dying in the attack. Today the burnt out ruins are often home to bandits and monsters

Knowledge (Local, Nature): The Forest
DC 10 : This large forest is well know for its game but there are also many tales of monsters and bandits within it.

DC 15 : It is said old magic permeates the forest and dire beasts are common and animals breed much faster than normal in great numbers but this attracts not only hunters from the local villages but goblins, orcs and gnolls hunters and raider bands.

(Nature Only) DC 20 : Due to its magic and size several rare herbs such as Sleepweed grow in great number within the forest and mages and healers often buy dried herb stocks gather from
these woods.

Finally with dusk approaching the party reaches a fork in the trail and an old way stone:

Breaking into a small clearing the trail almost resembles a proper road here with several patches of mossy cobbles visible through the grass. A lone weathered way stone seemingly untouched by the plant life around it points with twin arrows to the north underneath which faded runes give hint of further information, looking northwards you can see the where a road must of once stood by the clear parting of the trees for quite a distance even with the fading light as dusk approaches .

Anyone can attempt to read the way stone but all they can decipher is a pair of symbols pointing down the path forking off the main trail representing two different locations, the first location one days travel away and another at 3 days travel distance. A Decipher Script check at DC 14 will determine these symbols represent a Guard House as the location a days travel away and the second location been Faham.

With the way stone investigated and night approaching the guards recommend this is where the group should camp for the evening:

Gazing up a the darkening sky Samuels two guards discuss amongst themselves in a quiet voice before calling over to you all "Perhaps we should begin making shelter before we lose all light, I doubt we will find better place to camp on the trail." Frowning for a moment Samuel nods in agreement before looking your way to see if you agree. 

Hopefully the party agrees but in either case once the party gives its answer further down the trail a group of five roughly clothed men with green and brown cloaks step from the foliage carrying a dead boar strapped to a stake

Suddenly further down the trail there is a rustle of dried leaves and a quiet sound of cursing a small group of men step from the tree line joining the path all wearing thick cloaks of faded greens or browns lined with fur, a pair of men carrying a stake between them hefting it on their shoulders adjusting the weight as the large slain boar tied to it sways as they walk. Turning to head up the path towards you the men freeze as they see your group the remaining three men instinctively notching their bows though not drawing them as they study you.

Initially wary the two groups exchange pleasantries from a distance (If the players don't attempt to attack, if they do Samuel will attempt to dissuade them) after which the passing "hunters" offer to share their days kill of fresh boar in exchange for a few silver, a keg of cider and some supplies for their camp as well as use of the camp fire for the evening. With the opportunity of a real meal Samuel with the minimum haggling eagerly accepts though he insists any left over meat shall go towards his own supplies.

As the hunters approach beginning to set up their own equipment the leader amongst them a tall thickset man his short cut blonde hair mixed with streaks of white greets you with a nod, though it is difficult to detach your gaze a large trio of scars from some great claw crossing across the left side of his face and neck. Beside him the shortest of the group smiles widely making him resemble a grinning youth as he give you a playful bow "Ah good to see some company, do you have any news of what's happening as of late I would love to hear what's been happening." His fellows roll their eyes as one lightly cuffs the cheerful hunter causing his hat to slip slightly revealing pointed ears.    

The party (been PC's and usually genre savvy) may be wary of the hunters, abilities such as detect evil will detect two (the ones carrying the boar) of the 5 hunters as evil though a player should be reminded that simply because someone pinged as evil this is not just cause to murder them to most people.

Anyone questioning the "hunters" on their knowledge of the local area will find while most of the hunters will give information up to a DC 15 results on the checks above, The two evil "hunters" seem unwilling to talk about the hunts and will instead complain of gnoll gangs in the area grabbing one or two of the other hunter groups to use as slaves. 
 Inquiring about the leaders scars will simply result in been told "They were given to me by the biggest creature I ever hunted and I'll speak no more of it." though several of his group are happy to join in with the party if they attempted to guess what it might be suggesting a troll or a dire bear.
A Knowledge (Nature) or the Heal check of DC : 18 will confirm whatever gave the scars must be at least bear size or larger.

The most talkative of the group is the young half elf who introduces the scarred leader of the group as Lewis (though that is just a pseudonym, his background and real name revealed next article.) and himself as Rewyn explaining to whoever is talking to him that Lewis dislikes talking due to his injury. While Rewyn is happy to speak at great lengths to the party most of it will be about hunting misadventures and tall tales he as heard and anyone listening to his throughout the evening may realise they still know nothing of detail about the hunters. 

The evening continues with a feast of boar flavoured by various herbs provided by the hunters and the hunters opening their small keg of mulled cider as the two groups trade stories and news.
These herbs are a mixture of  sleepweed and normal flavouring and preserving herbs but diced as they are it is not possible to tell them apart.
Allow the party to role fortitude saves but inform them it is for fatigue and alcohol (While all the PC's will fall unconscious this can be a fun way of determines who falls asleep first, anyone rolling a natural 20 however will find themselves beaten unconscious at the end of evening by the remaining hunters/bandits) more alert members of the group may realise they are becoming tired and sleepy far faster than normal but most will assume it is just the combination of the long trek and a proper meal with alcohol. The hunters try their best to keep up with the party but they know that more of their group will arrive and watch from the forest so if they pass out they won't have to worry too much.
When the last of the group finally passes out from the drugged meat the hunters load the unconscious merchant, guards and PC's onto the wagon driving it toward their camp.

FAQ about prologue: 

Isn't this just railroading the players?
While I have to agree unfortunately any adventure that requires a party to be captured usually needs to have some rail roading involved, while I dislike it I try my best to hide it when it is required and sometimes giving the illusion of choice is as important as having a choice.

Wouldn't elves be immune?
No, sleepweed is nonmagical drug and elves are only immune to magical sleep effects.

I have a player playing something immune to poison/doesn't eat?
Well the remaining hunters/bandits will attempt to ambush them with up to 10 additional bandits coming out of the forest to help.

My player can't be knocked unconscious/ dies at zero hitpoints?
Approach the player before the session and explain the plot requires the party been captured and if he wouldn't mind his character playing dead to follow the would be kidnappers and not to mention this to the party.
I've had my own Dungeon Master approach me like this several times and most times I've help think of am alternative solution or agreed to the DM's request. 


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Update: Local network outages, The Battle Bunker opening and Steampunk picnic

Posted by: Jason Silverain / Category:



Unfortunately there has been some internet network outages in my area due to a fire in Nottingham, thankfully it seems that the worst of the disconnections is over and I'll be posting an update tonight if all goes well.

As for the weekend there is a new hobby shop in Lincoln called The Battle Bunker opening tomorrow which I hope to check out and a Steampunk picnic on the Sunday in the Arboretum from 12pm.


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The Lord Inquisitor: Warhammer 40K unoffical animation.

Posted by: Jason Silverain / Category: , ,


While I try to avoid minor "Look at this cool thing!" posts but this is something I thought was worth highlighting if just for its scale and ambition alone.

The Lord Inquisitor is an animated film that began as a short animated trailer created by just one man, a artist and modeller by the name of Erasmus Brosdau. Since then what originally was intended to be a eight minute clip has expanded into a full team project including Warhammer 40K authors and occasional help from employees of places like Crytek and Ubisoft with the final goal intended to be a forty minute movie.

This might be considered old news if you follow kotaku but just at the end of the June a new rather impressive trailer was released:



For more information on the trailer kotaku has an article or for more information on the entire "The Lord Inquisitor" project the official website is here.


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Events in July and updates regarding this months posts: Part 2

Posted by: Jason Silverain / Category: , ,


Carrying on from the last post here are more upcoming events this month:

4th-6th July: Summer Stabcon 2014:

                                                  (Picture source: Kevin and Games)

As usual it is been held at the Britannia Hotel, Dialstone Lane, Stockport. While the hotel itself has mixed reviews (increasingly negative in more recent years) the convention itself is consider one of the better cons in the UK.




For the LARPers amongst you Heroquest UK located at Candleston Castle Campsite in South Wales is holding an event, unfortunately past the basic description at this time I don't have much information but if anyone is planning on attending send me a message and I'll post an update.

25th-28th July: Continuum 2014:

Held at John Foster Hall, Leicester University Halls of Residence, Oadby, Leicester, UK. I've sadly no pictures for this one but the site itself is highly informative, while in the past most of the games have been Call of Cthulhu focused it looks like this trend is fading with this years game list.

For more event information in the UK there is a great source of regularly updated info here.

Finally in regards to the adventure I have been writing and intend to post, I plan to upload it in series of posts spread across the month for two reason: Firstly to avoid the article becoming a giant wall of text that is difficult to read and edit, secondly several of my play testers for the adventure have been away for a for a few days so it gives me time to finish play testing and making any alterations.


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Events in July and updates regarding this months posts: Part 1

Posted by: Jason Silverain / Category: ,



Happy July all, as I mentioned last month I have been writing a first level adventure for D&D 3.5 when I can between periods of illness. However I did find the time to get out and about a bit and was fortunate enough to spend a day in Lincoln attending the 1217 Battle of Lincoln fair, the various reenactors there were a extremely friendly bunch and they are hopefully intending to return next year.

Investigating if there were any other upcoming events in Lincoln I decided to have a look and to my surprise this month is rather busy in the town centre, so I've chosen three that should appeal to a variety of readers who might be visiting Lincoln over the next month:

05th – 06th July: RAF Waddington International Air Show: 08:00am – 19:30pm


Held annually this is the largest of the RAF air shows with the Red Arrows and Dambusters making their yearly appearance as well as other RAF units and a mixture of planes from across the world, even better is that all proceeds from the Air Show are donated to RAF and local charities each year.

12th July: Bailgate Busking Festival : 11:00am – 16:30pm


This a is a little unusual but if your in Lincoln on the day well worth experiencing if you can manage the walk up to the Cathedral, though it can be a little hit or miss depending on the weather and the buskers.

23rd July – 03rd August: Commonwealth Festival : 10:00am - 20:00pm


While I am not a sports fan and rarely watch the games I do wish to inform those that do that Lincoln will be setting up the Lincoln BIG Commonwealth Screen again in Cornhill Market, but please do remember drinks, suntan lotion and if you can something to provide shade. There were far too many people forgetting and getting sun burned last time, also from the 24th - 27th July there will be the Commonwealth Food fair selling exotic food from around the Commonwealth so if you want a kangaroo burger now is the time to get one.

Well it looks like this post is starting to get a bit large so I will post a second post with a few more roleplay specific events and some news soon.


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