Hex 42

42. The Chantry of the Deepflame

On the mountainside here are the ruins of the Chantry. Two towers of radically different design and construction mark the obvious entrance. A bit higher up to the the East is another pile of ruins, a chaple or temple. Much higher up, to the West, is a somewhat hidden entrance to the ruins. If watched, goblinswill be seen coming and going through the small, eastern tower and possibly some griffons winging above the Eastern ruins.

TO FINISH: smaller outdoor map for chantry? Image

Hex 39

39. The Whispering Tree (North Hex):

A huge, twisted yew tree grows here, apart from any other trees in this clearing. When the wind blows, it sounds like a voice whispering indistinct and haunting words from the trunk of the tree.

The trunk is hollow.  High up in the branches (treat as a secret door unless someone climbs the tree searching for an entrance) is a hole in a V in the main trunk that provides access to the hollow trunk.

Inside, the hollow trunk is 3’ in diameter, but nearly smooth, running the full height of the tree (from the V to the ground is 30’, and an additional 22’ below ground beyond that). It is difficult climb inside the tree trunk (nearly impossible for non-thieves, so non-thieves fall through the trunk to the small chamber below, though the slight angle of the trunk slows the fall a bit, damage for a fall is 2d8. Thieves suffer -20% penalty for climb sheer surfaces because of the tight quarters inside the trunk.

Beneath the tree is a chamber, completely encased in the roots of the yew tree. The chamber is a sphere, about 11’ in diameter. Those who fall into the chamber are entangled by the roots (treat as entangle spell, DEX or lower on d20 extricate). Those who climb down into the chamber do not suffer such a fate. Hidden amid the roots of the tree are five Coffer Corpses which will emerge one every two rounds beginning two rounds after the first person enters the chamber. The second Coffer Corpse that emerges has a broadsword, the fourth Coffer Corpse has a magical shortword (Harishar, the Queen’s Blade a shortsword +2 that shines as a Light spell on command and detects evil). Buried among the roots are 343 gp, a silver chalice (with winged horsed engraved on the inside and angels in bas relief on the outside – worth 120 gp) and a leather pouch containing three rubies (worth 100gp, 200 gp, and 500 gp).

TO FINISH: Image

Hex 22

22. Burnt Forest

This hex, and several to the south (not labeled or shown on the map) burned in a fairly recent forest fire (2 years ago). Burnt tree trunks rise like blackened fingers reaching up toward the sky. The ground in these hexes is becoming overgrown with knee to waist-high saplings and grasses, flowers and brush. Still, there is little cover available in these hexes. Among the debris all throughout this area are hundreds of small creatures known as Ash Dwellers (see new creatures).

Ash Dwellers: AC 9; MV 120’; HD ¼; hp 2; THAC0 20; #AT 1; D 1; SA nil; SZ S; Int Animal; AL N; XP 32

There are a total of 142 Ash Dwellers in this area. To determine the number of Ash Dwellers in the vicinity of the PCs at any given time, roll 4 random dice and add the total.

See the monster description for what will provoke the Ash Dwellers. Typically, they will ignore other creatures unless threatened.

Also in this hex is a goblin deadfall trap. Among the burned out trunks of a copse of trees is a hidden tripwire which causes two logs to swing down, one from ahead, one from behind, slamming into any dwarf sized or larger creature(s) in the immediate vicinity. Tripwire tripper saves vs dragon breath at -5 to avoid the trap, those close by save vs dragon breath with no penalty to avoid the trap. Those hit by the trap are crushed between the two huge logs for 4d6 hp damage (1/2 of which is CON damage in DRRPG). Those who fail their save by only one take half damage. Those who fail their save with a roll of “1” are crushed by the logs and trapped between them, stabbed by a broken off branch. Carefully searching the area around the tripwire reveals the lower part of a deer leg, a (probably) human hand with a silver ring on it (engraved with the name Earis on the inside, grape leaves twined on the outside with three purple amethyst “grapes” set in it – worth 200 gp). 

Hex 26

26. Griffon Lair (Northern Hex)

A cliff rises above the lowlands here and on the cliff face are eight griffon nests. Each nest has a mated pair and is 75% likely to have either 1-2 eggs (spring) or 1-2 young (summer/fall). By winter, the young are driven off to establish their own griffon prides and territories. The young are AC 6, HD 2, Dam 1-2/1-2/1-8.

If they see horses, the griffons will swarm the horses, dragging them off to the nests to feed. Locals know about the griffons and typically use mules and oxen as beasts of burden in this region (hexes15,16,20,21,25,26,29,30 - the road is even known as Griffon Way). The griffons typically leave the road alone (as they have been on the receiving end of magic and weapons enough times to deter them), although the lone traveler may prove to be a temptation and the lure of horseflesh is irresistible to them.

The nests contain a mixture of bones, debris, bits of clothing and broken weapons and armor. Thorough searching turns up 6023 cp,  181 sp, and the following potions: Potion of Flying, Philter of Love, Potion of Animal Control - Avians.

Special Encounters Part 3 - 22-30

General Encounter Chart

1-8      NPC
9-16    Mundane Encounter
17-19  Dangerous Encounter
20       Special Encounter

Special Encounters Part 3 (22-30)
I may add stats for the creatures encountered, or I may simply add them to the Appendix: New Creatures. None of the Spectres who appear as Special Encounters are associated with the Spectre who haunts the Mountains or the Spectre of King Hargeth.

Roll 3d10

22. The Frog King

When encountered, the Frog King simply appears to be an overly large frog, perched on an odd black stone. This large frog, however, can talk. Given the chance, he will introduce himself as King Bertram of the Grand Wood. His "kingdom" is whatever he can see and his subjects are whoever or whatever is before him. He will treat an encountered party as if they were his vassals.

If threatened, King Bertram can summon the Seven Brothers of the Wind, minor wind elementals (4 HD) which wink into existence within one round and are under the Frog King's command for 7 rounds, one Brother returning to the Elemental Plane of Air each round. The Frog King can summon the Brothers once per day.

23. The Night Claw

This Faerie Cat prowls the Highlands. It's disposition varies depending on the time of day. In the morning (sunrise to noon), the Claw is friendly and playful, in the afternoon (noon to sunset) the Claw is haughty and standoffish. In the night (sunset to sunrise), the Claw is a malevolent predator, attacking mortal beings, human or animal, without pause.

The Night Claw can blink 4 times per day and hide in shadows and move silently with 90% success. Once the Night Claw kills its prey, it keens over the corpse, wailing loudly. If attacked during the keening, the Night Claw runs off but stalks its attacker, seeking an opportune time to attack.

24. Foren and Dymer
When encountered, two men are seen sitting on a tree branch, talking with each other. They are having an animated conversation about the High King. Foren (on the left) hates the High King and believes that the Clans should rule themselves. He sees no need for a High King, seeing the position as simply a drain on the Clans' resources with no benefit given to the people. Dymer (on the right) argues that under the High King, the people of the Highlands are finally united, finally at peace, the King's patrols keep that peace. Dymer points out that the recent Goblin War took its toll on the Highlands but it would have been much worse without the High King.

If not molested, Foren and Dymer will continue arguing, ignoring any other beings in the area. If interrupted or attacked, the two will leap off the branch and attack. These are Hostile Spirits, two very angry men who were killed near here 250 years ago. Hostile Spirits simply exist to fight, either physically or verbally. They will not relent until dispatched, and even then, they reform the following day unless their physical remains are completely destroyed. The bodies are buried at the base of the tree where the two spirits are first found.

25. Little Children Lost

A few yards in the distance is the sound of children's voices, singing, laughing, playing. When approached they all giggle and clap their hands together and run toward the party, singing a song about eternal summer and playing and laughing.

These are Song Spirits, Faeries who seek to charm living beings into a state of eternal pleasure. Each round the children sing their song, every mortal being who hears it must save vs. spells or succumb to their special charm person ability. A charmed person finds themselves transported to a realm of great pleasure, whatever the mortal being's greatest pleasure is. The reality is that the charmed mortals simply fall to the ground, catatonic for 4d6 hours.  Song Spirits simply desire to spread joy and pleasure (even if it illusory) and have no conception of the danger they put mortals in: falling under charm in the middle of a stream, for example, or the exposure to weather and predators their charmed victims experience.

The Song Spirits will flee if threatened and always move on whenever all their victims fall under charm (or seem to, they can be tricked easily). Song Spirits are not violent or aggressive in any way.

26. The Seven Brothers (and their True Forms)

Seven Brothers

Seven men, all dressed in identical clothing, all bearing heavy sacks on their backs lumber through the region. Six of the brothers have bushy black beards while the seventh is clean shaven, looking to be the youngest. If approached, the Seven Brothers will stop for a rest. Only the unshaved brother will speak when encountered. The bearded brothers watch every move the unshaved brother makes and all six of the bearded brothers seem to work in concert, as if they anticipate one another's movements.

The True Form of the Seven Brothers

If the unshaved brother is threatened, the six bearded brothers begin speaking in unison, threatening whoever or whatever threatens the unshaved brother. In combat, the six brothers work as a perfectly timed unit while the unshaved brother acts very independently of the other six.

If the unshaved brother is killed, the other six fall over dead as well.

Inside the huge, heavy sacks are the brothers' true forms: four foot tall, deep green demonic creatures: Changeling Imps. If a bag is opened, the imp will leap out as the bag envelops the Brother and becomes a hump on the back of the Changeling Imp. The Imps are aggressive and unpleasant, attacking without provocation and hurling insults at every opportunity. When one imp is released, all seven will reveal themselves and attack. If killed, the Changeling Imps will be forced back to the Outer Darkness, but they leave behind the seven sacks. A humanoid being can cover him or herself with the sack (jump in it, as it were) and project the image of one of seven brothers as a disguise.

27. The Seedoak

This mythical tree is never found in the same place twice. Some believe that it doesn't really exist in this reality at all but is a bit of heaven that sometimes touches the mortal realm or some kind of Faerie tree. Regardless of its origin, whenever the Seedoak is encountered, the locals rejoice at the blessing that it bestows.

The Seedoak has strange, elongated fruit hanging from the branches (and no acorns). A mortal being can pluck a single fruit from the tree. Once a fruit has been taken, the mortal creature can see no other fruit on the tree, even though a moment  before it was loaded with hundreds of these odd fruits.

A Seedoak fruit is filled with some kind of seeds. Most of these are normal seeds, wheat, barley, apple seeds, etc. which are extremely hearty and yeild up to a hundred fold per seed if planted. 5% (or 1-in-20) of the fruits contain magical seeds.

Seedoak Magical Seeds
Roll d6. Each fruit contains 1d10 magic seeds.
1. Giant Beanstalk seeds
2. Fireseeds
3. Seeds of Knowledge (eating one grants +1 to Intelligence for 24 hours, save vs.poison negates)
4. Seeds of Wisdom (eating one grants +1 to Wisdom for 24 hours, save vs. poison negates)
5. Seeds of Discord (eating one causes eater to become aggressive and angry, save vs. poison negates)
6. Dragon's Teeth (sowing these seeds causes a warrior to sprout up from the ground 1 turn after sown - Warrior is F1, 8hp, armed with magically hardened wooden chainmail and weapons which have the same characteristics as normal items. The warrior serves the sower for 24 hours or until killed, after which it collapses into a heap of rotted leaves).

28. The Brute

This hooded creature roams the Highlands challenging mortal beings to a wrestling match. When encountered, the Brute will call out the strongest looking person before him, challenging the person to a wrestling match, the stakes being permission to pass through the area. If ignored, the Brute will grab the arm of a person and throw him or her to the ground yelling, "I will not be ignored."

A simple way to simulate wrestling would be strength checks. Roll d20 and add strength (the Brute's strength is 18), highest wins the round. Best three of five wins the match.

If the Brute wins or loses, he claps his opponent on the back and laughs, "Good match. You are a worthy opponent." He then stalks off into the distance.

If the Brute's hood is pulled off, there is no head under it, but the hood itself is the Brute's head. If the hood is removed, the Brute will evaporate into a puff of black smoke, leaving behind the hood (which functions as a bag of holding, but has to be wrestled open every time).

29. The Crow
An extra-large crow (not giant, just big for its kind) perches high in a tree, cawing loudly at any passersby. Caught in the branches at the crow's feet is a ring with 3 keys on it. The keyring is not immediately evident from the ground. If the bird is left unmolested, it will grab the keyring and fly off (d8 for direction: 1=North, 2=Northeast, 3=East, etc.). The crow will fly erratically, giving it an additional bonus of 2 to its Armor Class if anyone targets the flying bird.

If the bird is attacked in any way (arrow, rock, spell, etc.), the bird will fly off without the keyring as listed above (direction and bonus for erratic flying).

The 3 keys on the keyring are magical, they are the King's Keys. One key is iron, one key is brass and one key is silver-plated brass. Each key will work only in a lock of the same metal: iron with iron, brass with brass. The third key will actually work on brass or silver. A King's key will unlock the first lock that the key of the proper type of metal it is used on. That particular key will be forever linked to that particular lock.

King's Keys were created by the Mage King of Aerias three hundred years ago after he had been held prisoner by a rival king for nearly a decade. The Mage King fabricated hundreds of these keys from a variety of metals and secreted them throughout his kingdom. He always carried a dozen or so on his person so he could release himself from any bondage he was put in. The keys are rare, scattered throughout the Midlands, deeply coveted by assassins and thieves.

30. Procession of the Twelve Widows

Heard through the mist is the sound of keening pipes and a dirge drum. Fading in and out of sight is a procession: three musicians leading twelve women dressed in heavy black mourning wear. Three small figures attend the twelfth woman, carrying the train of her dress. Bringing up the rear of the procession is what appears to be a tall, gaunt priest.

This macabre procession wanders the Highlands on dark nights, usually glimpsed from a distance as no one who has encountered the Procession directly has survived.

All the figures are non-corporeal undead.

The musicians are Soulless Jongleurs, undead musicians whose songs affect the very soul of mortal listeners. The musicians play The Lament of the Dark Night, a tune that causes Hopelessness (as per the 8^th level MU Spell Symbol of Hoplessness). Saves vs. the Hopelessness caused by the music are dependent on the distance of the listener from the musicians: normal save at 120’ or greater, 120’-80’ save -2, 80’-40’ save -4, 40’-5’ save -8.

The first eleven widows are Mourning Dames, undead widows who wander the mortal realms in search of their dead husbands. The gaze of a Mourning Dame causes Fear (per the spell, as if cast by a 12^th level spellcaster), the touch of a Mourning Dame is withering (causing 1-8 hp damage and aging the target 1 year per hp damage inflicted).

The twelfth widow is a Noble Mourning Dame, a more powerful apparition, and the only one of the group with a voice and the remains of a mortal intelligence. The Noble Mourning Dame, whose name in life was Mistress Annabet, has the abilities of a Mourning Dame. In addition, her voice acts as a Suggestion spell (as if cast by a 10^th level spellcaster) and she can create the effects of Phatasmal Force twice per day.

The priest is a Spectre, whose name in life was Azgarod Zoth, has bound to this procession by some long-forgotten demon prince.

The “attacks” of the undead are primarily sound based (except for the withering touch of the Mourning Dames and the Spectre’s touch), so deaf creatures, or those affected by a Silence spell, are not affected.

Hex 38

38. Shemaras Ring (Southeastern Hex)

In this small glade is a ring of moss covered stones, about 2-4’ high, rounded and well weathered.  This is a Shemaras Ring, a gate to the Faerie Realm.  Offering a sheep or a goat will summon a faerie (typically a sprite) who will escort the party to the Faerie Realm. A star flower with a phase-door or passwall spell cast on it will also grant access to the Faerie Realm.

In the center of the circle is a very worn stone with runes etched into it.  The runes say (in an ancient tongue), “For the Woodland Heart, A Gift Is Given, From the Woodland Heart, A Blessing Received.”  Leaving an appropriate offering on the stone will cause good/neutral aligned parties to receive the equivalent of a Bless spell for 24 hours. Leaving an inappropriate offering (something not worthy somehow) causes nothing to happen. Leaving the Ring without leaving behind some kind of offering to the Faerie summons 5-20 invisible sprites who will try to use their sleep poisoned arrows to stop the party, exact a fair offering from them, tie them up and leave them somewhere unfortunate (DM discretion. perhaps outsided the Gnome King's hall, or random location select hex by rolling 2d20).  If one or more sprites is killed, they will flee back to Faerie, gather reinforcements (more sprites, brownies, pixies, nixies, etc), and bring much trouble to the party (they will become a constant nuisance until the party makes amends or may try to kill the party if the party’s actions warranted such an action.).

SPRITES (5d4): AC 6; MV 90’/180’; MC: B; HD 1; hp 1-8; THAC0 19; #AT 1; D by wpn; SA Invisibility, Detect Good/Evil; SD Move Silently, -4 to-hit when invisible; SZ S; Int Very; AL N; XP 80+1/hp

TO FINISH: Image

NOTE: The Faerie Realm is a huge undertaking that I probably won't ever get to, though I'd like to...

Hex 33

33. Hargeth’s Folly

Along the road here is the remains of a great wall that Hargeth (see hex 32) attempted to erect from the mountains to the north, through the forest, south to the great river, creating a barrier to keep the chaos of the wildlands to the east at bay and establish a foothold for the civilized lands to the east, safely behind this 20 mile long wall. This was to be the great northern gate of the East Barrier Wall. Most of the wall was not constructed before Hargeth’s death, but the ruin of the monumental gate stands today as a testament to the king’s far-reaching dreams. The main road runs through the center of the gatehouse. Vines have overgrown parts of the wall and towers, but all are in relatively good repair. Careful observation of the gatehouse will reveal some signs of recent repair to the stonework.

Brand on the cow

A wayward cow has claimed this area as her home. The current occupant of the Gatehouse has thus far ignored her presence, hoping her true owner doesn’t think he has stolen her, but if she stays around for the two more weeks without anyone claiming her, he will build a small paddock for her and keep her. (The cow actually wandered over forty miles through the forest from Hope Cross – if the PCs have been to Hope Cross, there’s a chance that they have seen the mark on the cow and have some idea who the true owners are).

A hedge wizard has taken up residence in the gatehouse with the (possibly unfortunately coincidental*) name of Hargeth. This Hargeth doesn’t know any of the history of this area, and will probably be a cause of confusion due to his name. He is an older man (in his 60s) which might lead PCs to believe he IS somehow the Hargeth of the region. He has only recently (six months ago) taken over the gatehouse – mostly. He has spent considerable time and effort making the left tower habitable and secure wherein he has set up his workshop and living quarters. He has tried to enter the central room and the right tower, but a ghost haunts those areas and is too great a challenge for him to overcome. He is content to live in the left tower, but would be extremely grateful to a party who rid his home of the nuisance (rewarding with spells, potions, etc and becoming an ally in the region).

Left Tower: 

First Level Living Chamber. The outer door is locked and trapped (if the key is not used a 40’ radius gas cloud – equivalent to sleep spell – issues forth – save vs spells to negate effect). Inside the windowless first level is a plain room with a small wooden table and four chairs, a few empty shelves, a broom and a mop and bucket. One corner holds a small table piled high with various foodstuffs. Beneath the small corner table are three sacks (one of flour, one of sugar, one of meal) and a small box (of potatoes). A small fireplace provides light, heat and functions as the stove. A small ladder/steep staircase climbs the far wall to the second story.  

Second Level Working Chamber. This chamber contains several tables with various strange apparatus, vials, beakers and the like. A stuffed owl stares down from the ceiling beside a stuffed goblin head. A real raven named Ralis serves as Hargeth’s familiar, but is a mute bird who prefers to remain still and silent and surprise “attack” unexpectedly by swooping down and grabbing at something shiny. A locked and barred wooden door leads to the central room above the road.

Hargeth brews potions and makes charms (in Daen Ral RPG, this is the primary function of hedge wizards). Since every hedge wizard uses his or her own formula to create such items, so the items in this work room are only of general use and interest to other mages. Hargeth can brew the potions or fabricate the charms listed in the rulebooks at double the gpv with an 80% chance of success. Doubling the price (paying four times the gpv listed in the rule books) gives a 95% chance of success. Potions/charms take 1week per 100 gpv to fabricate, though Hargeth may work on up to four at any given time. The DM may want to limit which potions and charms are available at which times (perhaps the proper ingredients are not in season or need to be found).

Hargeth, Level 7 Hedge Wizard

Central Room: This room, bridging the gap between the two towers of the gatehouse, is suspended 20’ over the road. The 15’x30’ room has doors on each end and large, glassless windows on the long walls. There is a 45% chance the ghost of Aras Mynar is in this room and will attack any creature on sight. The room is completely barren and the wooden floor is rotting. Each round spent in the room, everyone must make a save vs. dragon breath or fall through the floor (for 2d6 damage) to the ground below. If engaged in melee, the save is made at -2 per round.

Right Tower: 

First Floor. The door to this windowless level is barred from the inside. A small fireplace is along one wall and a small ladder/steep staircase climbs the far wall to the second story. There is a 45% chance that the ghost of Aras Mynar is in this room and will attack any creature on sight. 

Second Floor. This room is piled high with broken crockery and splintered wooden utensils. In the midst of the rubble are the skeletal remains of a man, wearing shreds of clothing, a ring, a dagger and a sword. All are ordinary items, not worth a significant amount, though the ring (a simple silver ring) is worth 30 sp. This is the corpse of Aras Mynar who was murdered here a long time ago. There is a 10% chance that the ghost of Aras Mynar is in this room and he will attack any creature on sight. 

If anyone gives the corpse a proper burial (with some form of blessing), the ghost will cease attacking, fade, and be at rest.

GHOST: AC 0 (8); MV 90’; HD 10; hp 10-80; THAC0 10; #AT 1; D Age 10-40 years; SA Age 10 years & panic, magic jar, ethereal vs. wpn & spells; Siz M; Int High; AL LE; XP 4050+14/hp.

* Hargeth can be played as a kind of bumbling, absent-minded alchemist who can provide adventuring parties with some rumors and the occassional potion or charm, or perhaps he has renamed himself Hargeth to hide his previous insidious identity, or perhaps he is the reincarnation of the so-called Hero King Hargeth, the Bold/the Fool, who is trying to reclaim his kingdom via the very means he used to originally establish his kingdom, legends not withstanding...

TO FINISH: Image, map (though may not be necessary, the image is pretty descriptive of the location...