Nine-Tenths of the Law - Dungeon Magazine 26

Twenty years ago the Ptolus City Watch backed up by some heavy hitters, assaulted a law breaking wizard in his lair outside the city. It was believed that he died, and to be certain the Watch burned his body. Flash forward to the present.

This miscreant used the spell Magic Jar to escape permanent death. A group of delvers hoping to find and loot whatever treasures were left behind, broke in and found the wizard's vault. It was guarded by a golem and while a battle raged, the wizard, hidden nearby in the gem used for the spell, jumped into a member of the party taking over.

The wizard, now in a fighter's body, wakes up without memory of what happened after swapping from the gem into the body. The fighter's companions left him outside the city with a note explaining that he is a werewolf.

Things progress with the wizard gathering more of his hidden treasure and trying to get cured of lycanthropy while also preparing for revenge on the city and the officials responsible for the raid on his lair.

In the course of things the party gets hired by the priest that was trying to cure the lycanthropy when the werewolf broke free, killed a couple temple slaves, and took off. The priest wants him captured so he can remove the curse. There's a reward of course. 

Note: The priest and his temple own slaves. In Ptolus owning slaves is legal. Buying and Selling them is illegal. Mistreatment of slaves is illegal. Kidnapping is illegal. This may be an issue for some characters. There are slavers in the city that PCs can take their anger out on.

Our evil wizard is also looking for his now missing gem which has the fighter's soul in it, and finds out it has been placed in a museum and is about to go on display. He fails his first attempt and the PCs get alerted that he's after something in the museum. The idea is that they'll confront him there, and who doesn't like a good fight in a museum.

Adding a museum to Ptolus is a great idea even if it's a strange one. This one comes complete with some very weird displays, which you can certainly add to, and the glowing gem the miscreant is trying to steal. It is unlikely for this side-show of a museum to be in Oldtown, so I suggest either Midtown or North Market.

Eventually it is possible that the wizard, either cured of lycanthropy or not, gets away and the party has to track him to his new lair beneath the Warrens. A lair complete with sewage, alligators, a rolling trap, and things the wizard conjured forth from a bag of magic beans. 

Being fond of combining interesting hazards with monsters, the Brown Mold combined with an Ice Lizard suits my tastes for something to challenge the player characters. (For those unfamiliar, Brown Mold sucks in heat and makes the surrounding area cold enough to cause damage to things that aren't resistant to extreme cold. Bringing stuff like torches that give off a lot of heat makes the mold grow, getting more dangerous.)

Oh, yeah, the adventure writer seems to think it's a good idea for the wizard to unleash a lightning bolt from a wand in a cramped, small lair. That'll end well for everyone!

There you have it. Nothing special, but interesting enough for a mention.

Campaign Diary - The Moon Cave

Location - The Moon Cave, 10 miles northeast of the town. Little Plains, a town halfway between Ptolus, Slune, and almost equidistant from Dorhinthas in the south of the empire.

Party in Play

Rae - Elf. Fighter 1/ Wizard 4.  One of the original members of the party that originated in the town of Little Plains. She is somewhat of a strategist and creative tactician always looking for an edge when the situation gets dicey.

Wulfe - Elf. Fighter 1/ Wizard 4. Originally from a small town north of Ptolus near the Moonsilver Forest, he wandered westward to satisfy his curiosity about the frontier areas of the empire. Joining the group early in their adventuring career he has been a steadfast companion and effective in any dangerous situation. He wields Cheval, a Faery forged longsword known for occasional bursts of radiant energy.

Korved - Human. Cleric 4. An itinerant priest, he arrived in Little Plains hoping to come to grips with his recent experiences. He had joined the Gaen faith at a young age and over time found his thinking more in line with her masculine aspect Hannan. The non-violent and amicable split in the church was his signal to explore the world.

Sparky - Human. Fighter 4. She's a force to be reckoned with in a toe to toe fight. Recent life as a sword for hire had led to some less than respectable jobs and little in the way of pay. Joining an adventuring group seemed a wise choice.

Celestia - Elf. Fighter 1/ Wizard 2. A bold and confident adventurer, she puts forward an unfearful countenance. A recent addition to the group Celestia is making herself at home as if she were there all along despite lacking the experience of the other members.

Jill - Human. Fighter 3. A sell sword by trade, she has recently been down on her luck and in need of work. Hired to deliver a bag of coins to this group she ended up joining as a means of escaping from the butt end of the empire. Capable with sword and bow Jill is a good fit for the team.

Jackalope - Human. Fighter 3. A stranger in Little Plains that arrived about the time the wolf attacks began. Staying at the Brown Dog, Jackalope approached the party after overhearing their intent to go north. Volunteering additional information about the wolf problem, the party agreed that an extra sword arm might be in order.

Having had the curse of lycanthropy lifted from both Elena and her son Deek, the party began discussing what to do about Klayn the werewolf and his remaining pack of wolves. The party considered splitting up with some going northeast and some remaining behind to stand guard, but that was quickly ruled out. The decision was made to go in force and to take Deek and Widow Penik along.

Two notes were left behind so that anyone coming out to check on them would know of their plans and to come rescue them should something go wrong.

The first note read "Headed NE to Moon Cave to eliminate the rest of the wolf pack. If we do not return by Earthday please take this envelope to Tabish at the Temple of Aldinach. Deek is with us."

Within the envelope was a bracelet worth 150 gold pieces and this additional note "Our party of 9 headed NE to the Moon Cave. If you are reading this, we may need your help. Please instruct the Silver Blades to 'capture, not kill'. Enclosed is a payment for your help."

Everything settled, they set out with their small army of skeletons in tow. Their five hour journey was calm and uninterrupted. 

Finding themselves outside the Moon Cave, by a fast flowing stream they made their way carefully along the bank and over a large fallen log across the water. It was now that they could see through the trees and vegetation the grand elven ruins and a tall glowing crystal monolith. The elves in the party realized they were entering a scared site.

Crashing to the ground, no longer animate, nine of the undead ceased to be anything other than disconnected bone fragments. Wulfe quickly returned across the log bridge and ordered the remainder to back away from the glade and await orders. He then cast Levitation on one and waded through the stream pulling it with him like a child might do with a balloon. It wouldn't be long before he re-entered the protected area and the tenth skeleton crashed to the ground.

Making their way through dense foliage and fallen columns, the party edged nearer the cave mouth from which the stream flowed. Korved took up a position that allowed him to see a short distance into the cave thanks to light emanating from a source within. 

Korved spoke up. "Klayn! We know you're in there. We've come to talk."

At first some growling of the wolves within the cave could be heard, and eventually Klayn himself replied. "Well, what are you here to talk about?"

"We can remove your curse", Korved explained, "We can give you your old life back."

Klayn paused. "What if I don't want my old life back? What then?"

The party were taking up vantage points closer to the entrance as the exchange continued.

"Come out and we'll talk about it peacefully."

"I'm not coming out there. You put your weapons down and come in here. Then we can talk peacefully."

"We're not putting down our weapons."

"Fine, then you put down that damned sword of yours."

Korved realized that not having spoken to Klayn the previous night it was not his voice that got him recognized as bearing the magic sword, so the werewolf must have line of sight to him. Korved changed the subject. "Alena Penik and her son Deek are here."

"Where's the rest of her family that we came for?"

This confused and worried Korved who had no knowledge of Widow Penik's other children. He wondered if there might be more werewolves to worry about. Turning to Alana, "Other family? Are they werewolves?"

Aggravated by what she saw as a stupid conclusion, Alena snapped at the cleric, "My daughters, Sroka and Clelia, and no, numbnuts."

While discussion continued Celestia grew bored with the inaction of her companions. Putting down her weapons she waded into the rushing water and entered the Moon Cave. "I'm coming in, unarmed." Secreted behind her back was a silver tipped arrow, and she was confident that she could use her magic to defend herself if confronted.

Flabbergasted, the group hesitated, fearing for their obviously deranged young elf friend. She continued inward, allowing herself to become aware of her surroundings. Two wolves were not far away, one behind the other tall crystal monolith inside, and another about 40 feet to her right.

"Who are you?" Klayn asked.

"I'm Celestia, I came to talk. My friends are a bunch of chickens. They are outside armed for a fight. I want to settle things without violence." The elf moved sideways to her left along a shelf of rocks, keeping her back to the cave wall. 

"That's an elf name. I've never met a crazy elf. Until today." Klayn moved to where he had a good view of the intruder. Taking up a longbow, he knocked a magic arrow and took aim, muttering "Pincushion."

The remainder of the team waded into the cave mouth intent on protecting their companion and taking the fight to the werewolf and his pack. The pack began growling loudly.

Klayn smiled as he loosed the enspelled arrow. Shattering on the stone beside Celestia's head, the arrow delivered its spell cargo. Hundreds of dimly glowing red needles covered Celestia, head to toe.

Terrain is a combination of Dwarven Forge, Paizo Flipmats, and a water tile made by a source in France whose name I have forgotten. Oh, and a big rock provided by my niece,

Campaign Diary - Bad Moon Rising

Location - Little Plains, a town halfway between Ptolus, Slune, and almost equidistant from Dorhinthas in the south of the empire.

Party in Play

Rae - Elf. Fighter 1/ Wizard 4.  One of the original members of the party that originated in the town of Little Plains. She is somewhat of a strategist and creative tactician always looking for an edge when the situation gets dicey.

Wulfe - Elf. Fighter 1/ Wizard 4. Originally from a small town north of Ptolus near the Moonsilver Forest, he wandered westward to satisfy his curiosity about the frontier areas of the empire. Joining the group early in their adventuring career he has been a steadfast companion and effective in any dangerous situation. He wields Cheval, a Faery forged longsword known for occasional bursts of radiant energy.

Korved - Human. Cleric 4. An itinerant priest, he arrived in Little Plains hoping to come to grips with his recent experiences. He had joined the Gaen faith at a young age and over time found his thinking more in line with her masculine aspect Hannan. The non-violent and amicable split in the church was his signal to explore the world.

Sparky - Human. Fighter 4. She's a force to be reckoned with in a toe to toe fight. Recent life as a sword for hire had led to some less than respectable jobs and little in the way of pay. Joining an adventuring group seemed a wise choice.

Celestia - Elf. Fighter 1/ Wizard 2. A bold and confident adventurer, she puts forward an unfearful countenance. A recent addition to the group Celestia is making herself at home as if she were there all along despite lacking the experience of the other members.

Jill - Human. Fighter 3. A sell sword by trade, she has recently been down on her luck and in need of work. Hired to deliver a bag of coins to this group she ended up joining as a means of escaping from the butt end of the empire. Capable with sword and bow Jill is a good fit for the team.

Jackalope - Human. Fighter 3. A stranger in Little Plains that arrived about the time the wolf attacks began. Staying at the Brown Dog, Jackalope approached the party after overhearing their intent to go north. Volunteering additional information about the wolf problem, the party agreed that an extra sword arm might be in order.

Jackalope had listened to the group last night before everyone called it a night. She decided the best time to approach them and ask to join up would be after they woke up, but before they settled in for breakfast. She had information that might prove helpful and another sword arm in events such as these is unlikely to be turned away. 

Rising early, Jackalope made her way to a small table in the cramped tavern room and waited. It wasn't long before the adventurers filed in, still sleepy and hungry. She introduced herself and began sharing what she knew. "I've been north three times so far. The wolfpack is large, maybe 20 strong, and some are larger than normal. They seem to be sending out pairs to scout during the day. If you're going there I would like to join you."

After some questioning it was revealed she had arrived around the time the wolf attacks started. This caught the attention of the more cautious members of the party, but was not enough to dissuade them from agreeing to take her along.

During breakfast they discussed a plan of approach. Wulfe, Sparky and Korved would head west out of town to gather the skeleton horde and head north avoiding notice to bring the horde to bear on the invading wolves. Meanwhile Rae would lead Jill, Celestia, and Jackalope directly up the north road to the farm. If only things were that easy.

Lorn met the farm bound party just outside of Little Plains. The farmer had married Sroka, Widow Penik's eldest daughter when the widow had wandered north a five years ago and not returned. It was presumed that she had died, a victim of wolves. All they found of her was part of her blue shawl amid some blood and many wolf tracks. Of the four party members taking the north road, only Rae was familiar to Lorn.

"You're back! I'm so glad to see you! Deek is missing, he hasn't been back here since the wolf attacks started. He usually comes home from your farm every evening, but, well, please find him." The conversation was a rapid back and forth with assurances that they would do everything that they could to see the 12 year old home safely. 

Along the way farmers could be seen bringing their livestock out into small corrals close to their barns. Everyone was afraid to let them out on larger fields for fear the wolves would prey on them as they had done, so often in the recent week. 

To the west Sparky, Korved and Wulfe weren't much surprised that there were now 27 undead present with three arriving just as they reached the two dozen from the night before. It was hoped that nobody would observe their small army of undead just 1500 yards from town. Korved despised that these things existed, and everyone worried about the questions they had no good way to explain without revealing the presence of the Crystal of Calling to potential bad actors. It was urgent to get these skeletons north as quickly as possible.

The Crystal of Calling was becoming even more of a problem when close to civilization. Graveyards were proving a ready source of corpses to animate and bring forth. Already existent undead proved even easier for the artifact to draw to its presence. So far the party had been lucky that they had only seen skeletons and zombies, unintelligent undead, as these would stop when close by and wait for commands. The situation might not be the same for higher forms of thinking undead. After-all they had taken it from intelligent ghasts and ghouls that were gathering their own army of abominations. What the crystal might do in a city full of graves had not yet occurred to them.

On approach to the farm Rae became more concerned at the sight of 4 wolf pelts nailed to the side of the barn. Close to the house the party encountered the Silver Blades who had come here three days earlier. Beyond them in the field was a smoldering burned area, two charred wolf bodies at the center.

"I don't suppose any of you thought to bring along coffee did you?" Daris the halfling Silver Blade piped up as the party approached. They had been awake for most of the past three days and were exhausted from their around the clock vigil and fighting off wolves. 

Rae had never really trusted the Silver Blades, though she had no real reason for the mistrust. Perhaps it was their penchant for dark clothing and having been distant on their return from the south. They had lost three of their party on that trip, maybe that explained the attitude, but something had not sat right in Rae's mind even in other encounters with them. 

Fertik leaned heavily on his staff, his eyes sunken and dark. The wizard was clearly very fatigued. "We're happy to see some relief." Gesturing over his shoulder at the burned area, "Sorry about your field."

Rae shrugged off the matter of the charred ground. "That's ok. Do you know where Deek is?"

Daris pointed to the root cellar doors. "Sorry about the lock, but we needed some place to keep him safe. Deek was bitten by a wolf three days ago. The wolf could have killed him, but instead ran off. We left rations and water for him. The doors are now sealed with a board through the handles. That should secure him for a short time."

"Do you think it was a werewolf?" Rae's concern was growing.

Fertik's shoulders slumped. "The way this pack is behaving, the possibility is real. We've seen similar things before and we chose not to take chances with the boy. You may need magic or silvered weapons if a werewolf is involved."

Harak shrugged. It was the first indication that the big warrior was even awake, standing there silent and unmoving. 

With that the Silver Blades excused themselves and headed to town. 

After a brief discussion it was decided that Jill and Jackalope would take Celestia's sword and head to town to try and have their swords coated with silver. Meanwhile Celestia and Rae would see what they could learn about Deek's condition and what he might need.

Knocking on the cellar doors Rae called down to Deek. "Are you ok down there?"

"My arm hurts and I'm hungry." came the reply. "When can I come up?"

A series of questions determined that his wound had healed completely, but his arm was still sore. He had also consumed all of the rations and water left for him and had resorted to eating all of the mice that resided in the root cellar.

With careful consideration Celestia removed the board holding the doors closed and Rae handed down a full waterskin with a promise of food later. Then they resealed the doors.

Wulfe, Sparky, and Korved had begun trekking north with their army of undead following.