In the Downfall Forest, treasure awaits…

However, this treasure is not gold or gems, but

feathers. The softest and gentlest in the land.

A Fistful
Worth a small fortune to the nobility.

After all, a good night’s sleep is priceless, surely?

And there is a lot that people are willing to do

for priceless things. Even if it means braving
mud, mushrooms and malevolent trees.
of Feathers
To say nothing of the owners of the feathers of
course…
A point crawl adventure for Cairn
By Martin Orchard

pointlessmonument.itch.io
And so it begins… In addition: normally. Any subsequent feathers are
considered separate, bulky items.
Relic: Reciprocal Mushrooms, 2 uses.
Communicate psychically with whoever
A decree from the court of King Leopold II: You (or the party as a whole) may have Each slot of feathers successfully returned to shares a meal to which these have been
further motivations of your own (Roll d6). the royal palace is worth 4d10 GP. added, lasts for 1 day.
“His highness desires the softest and most Feathers sold to an intermediary merchant Relic: Willow Honey, 3 uses. Share your
comfortable bed in all the land. Such that he may Progression within the Mattress (likely to be cut with other feathers of lower senses with whoever last held the honey
be well rested and refreshed to strategize on The 1 Makers and Taxidermists Guild ("en quality) are worth 4d6 GP per slot. close to them.
Numerous Perils Afflicting The Kingdom” stuffen, lucre")

It is well known across the land that the very

softest and warmest of feathers are those 2 A desire to raise an arboreal goose
chick as your companion/mount.
shed from the giant arboreal goose within
the Downfall Forest.
3 To secure additional feathers to make
beds for the nobility (who will surely
want to emulate the king’s style and
taste).

4 To study the Downfall Forest and its

many natural glades and swamps.

5 Competition with a rival for royal

notice and patronage.
And thus: Credits
6 To complete part one of a complex plot
that will culminate in the Rewards Words, maps and design are by Martin
• The value of such feathers has increased assassination of the King within his
greatly. In addition to specific rewards noted in the Orchard, using Affinity (affinity.serif.com)
own bedchamber. various encounters and points of interest, throughout with the exception of the map,
the following treasures may be given out as made using Wonderdraft (wonderdraft.net).
• Avian seers and even the Falcon-wise are
much in demand to determine whether the Warden sees fit.
the feathers are genuine. Spell: Goose Hiss. A loud hiss echoes More adventures, games and tables by
throughout the area whenever enemies are myself can be found at:
• Many think to try their luck and skill in near, lasts for 4 hours. pointlessmonument.itch.io
obtaining the feathers.
Spell: Summon Waterfowl. An assortment of
ducks, coots and normal-sized geese appear Illustrations are public domain from the
• Such groups have becomes known as to do your bidding for 1 hour. following locations:
‘Feather Hunters’.
Spell: Flushing Dog. A spectral spaniel oldbookillustrations.com
You have all travelled to charges away from you in a 250ft line. Any openclipart.org
the village of birds (or land animals smaller than a cat) will oldbookart.com
Ganderlook (Point A) in flee upwards, climbing as needed.
order to venture deep
within the Downfall This adventure is made for the roleplaying
Forest to The Vast game Cairn, by Yochai Gal. It can be found
White Elms (Point I) at cairnrpg.com
where the geese make
their nests and raise
their young. There you
will gather as many Relic: Pleasant Breadcrumbs, 3 uses. Lure a
feathers as you can and bird to you and keep it docile for 1 minute.
attempt to return to Relic: Feather and Wax Wings, 3 charges.
safety. Allows 10 minutes of flight whilst flapping
madly. Recharge: Drop from 200ft or higher.
Points of Interest Within this space the following can be
observed:
There will be at least one rival group of
feather hunters active in the area and
The Warden should also choose or roll 1-3
times to determine any twists that are in
G: Bumblebee Lake • The animated remains of various forest known to the party (Roll d6) play. (Roll d6)
A lake approximately half a mile in diameter, animals and humans tend to the fungus.
in the centre of which sits a small island. • Leaves are brought from elsewhere and
1
‘Captain’ Darkwater’s Crew. Tamriel
Darkwater was on a boat once and
1 Roll an additional group of feather
hunters. This group has a particular
composted in gigantic, sweet-smelling
The island contains only one species of a piles. didn’t care for it. This has not grudge against the party, stemming
tree, a weeping willow with bright yellow prevented him from styling himself as from an incident in their shared past.
blooms. This tree is encountered nowhere • The Collective attempts to communicate a temporarily land-bound pirate
else in the forest. by projecting images into the minds of captain and leading a group known for
visitors. its high risk approach. 2 Roll an additional group of feather
hunters. This group is three days
When the wind blows, clouds of dark yellow The Collective is curious about the outside
pollen may be seen to spread from the ahead of the party, and thus likely
world, and will ask questions in return for The Quarells. Rowan and Phillipe encountered deeper into the forest
willows to the lakeside. passage. Its communications will show prior 2 Quarell are known for their skills with and/or on their return.
Any creature which inhales the pollen will be knowledge of the party, as it has spores the bow and the intensity of their
charmed and compelled to swim to the throughout the forest and swamp, all arguments. This has not prevented
island. Player characters should make a WIL connected to the same network. them from leading a successful group 3 The flock of Giant Arboreal Geese (see
Point I) are days away from beginning
save. Many creatures drown on the way due If the fungus is attacked it appears not to of hunters and trappers, although it their annual migration South. This
to cold and exhaustion, whilst those that respond. It is however extremely resilient, does restrict them from reaching their will reduce the difficulty of raiding the
survive die of starvation, albeit painlessly. gigantic in size and emits enervating spores full potential. nest themselves, but the likelihood of
The remains of previous humanoid visitors as a defence mechanism. Every 10 minutes of random encounters increases as other
chopping fungus adds 1 fatigue.
are on the island, or have washed up on its 3 Pigley’s Band. Farmers thrown off
their land after a dispute with the local
scavengers move in.
shore. They are difficult to see from the
landowner. Gerrant Pigley continues The Eukaryotic Collective (see Point
perimeter of the lake. A successful
expedition can recover 4d6 GP in assorted to lead them, promising that utopia is 4 H) wish to send an ambassador to
possessions for every 15 minutes spent on just around the corner if they King Leopold’s Court, and hence
the island. (meaning Pigley himself, in his role as require a mobile host. They claim that
treasurer) can accumulate sufficient the process is painless and reversible,
The only creatures apparently unaffected are wealth to buy their own farm. but the intentions of the ambassador
the multiple swarms of bumblebees that dot are unclear.
the trees around the water. The honey of The Red Maiden’s Troupe. Penelope
these creatures can reduce the effect of the 4 Grant is known for her vibrant scarlet An unusually dry spell of weather is
pollen, especially if smeared around the nose hair, commanding voice and attention 5 now followed by thunderstorms. In
and mouth, rather than ingested. to detail. This is extends to publicising addition to random encounters, there
her group of otherwise unremarkable is a 2-in-6 chance per day that
mercenaries, the better to impress lightning strikes close to the party,
strangers. starting a forest fire. After one week
I: The Vast White Elms (or two strikes) the weather returns to
The tallest and palest trees in the forest are Tosswater Terry and his Flying normal.
all elms. This ancient grove has been the 5 Dragoons. Terry has had many jobs,
roosting spot of the Giant Arboreal Goose but it was a role as regimental The dampness of the forest is worse
for hundreds, if not thousands of years. historian for the XV Legion that 6 than usual. Thick fog occludes all the
inspired him to form the Dragoons. usual path, and plays tricks on the
Unlike their smaller cousins, they nest in the Recruiting chiefly from those who mind for usually reliable navigation
middle branches of these huge trees, wish they led a more exciting life, he techniques. The fog lifts after ten days,
typically 60ft from ground level. Each mated encourages them to create fictitious but until then the party have an
H: Eukaryotic Collective pair of geese will produce 2-3 goslings every accounts of their success. increased chance to become lost and
5-8 years.
Within an overshadowed section of the may even go in circles.
forest a great mass of fungus has been slowly Up to 1d6 slots of feathers may be found by The Grey Ravens. Miserable and
growing for generations. searching the forest floor beneath the nests.
Additional feathers may be found by braving
6 sickly, they march under the banner of
It takes the form of banks of cream-coloured a stuffed raven nailed to a board. It
the climb to an empty nest. Nests that are has seen better days, as has much of
shelf fungi on the sides of trees, forming a occupied are almost unbeatable, since a
canopy of its own at head height above the their equipment and clothing.
goose will defend its young to the death.
forest floor.
One slot of feathers may be carried
Navigation Huskamolt Swamp (1d6) that has formed on it. It is attached to a
skeletal wrist protruding from the muck.
Others show the Giant Arboreal Geese as the
epitome of strength and size (pictured next
• Circles indicate locations (points). Stranglevine Tree [12 HP, 1 armour] The party may survey and dig for more to a normal goose for scale).

• Diamonds indicate travel time in

1 15 STR, 5 DEX, 6 WIL,
Lashing vines (d8 blast)
valuables (Warden can roll as many times as A character who performs a feat of strength
seems sensible for the time/effort invested). (succeed on a STR roll) on or near the altar
days. • Cannot move, but indistinguishable Roll 1d8: will gain a boon (two extra inventory slots
from nearby plants for the next week).
• A general rule in the forest is that the • Critical: Pick up and pull victim into Disturb 2d6 skeletons, nothing but
bones and fury Those that fail gain a point of fatigue.
trees grow larger and older the deeper foliage
you go. It is therefore difficult to become 2 Hole collapse (lose 1d3 STR unless
completely lost. 1d3 Swamp Kraken [7 HP]
2 12 STR, 15 DEX, 6 WIL,
allies can quickly dig you out)

• The Warden can rule whether a party Tentacles (d8 dual) 3 Stone suddenly shifts (roll DEX to
reaches the precise destination they are • As an action, can spray putrid slime avoid 1d6 damage)
aiming for, or arrives somewhere else. • Critical: drags target below surface 4 Disturb 1d6 skeletons, each with 2d6
2d4 Rival Feather Hunters[4 HP] GP in broken weapons and grave
Random Encounters 3 11 STR, 11 DEX, 11 WIL, goods
Assorted cheap weaponry (d6) 5 Jade goose statuette worth 10 GP
• Encounters occur on a 2-in-6, rolled
once per day, or twice if the party is
• Hate the swamp 6 Clay pot containing 6d6 GP
F: The Lilac Meadow
• Greedy for loot A large, natural meadow with no trees. There
creating a disturbance (for example if
foraging). 7 Spell: Featherfall. 50 lbs of feathers are many scattered lilac bushes and a pair of
Marsh Gas [N/A]
4 Explodes (d10 blast)
drops on the target, vanishes after 10
minutes.
small springs with water pools.
• Re-roll duplicate encounters if they do • Can be ignited by a naked flame Grazing sheep are visible amongst the
not make narrative sense. • Flames will glow blue for 2d12 8 Relic: Golden Egg, 2 charges. Charm a bushes. They have the appearance of normal
seconds before ignition. target who understands the value of sheep but seem to be around the size of cats.
• Additional rewards for party members gold. Recharge: Eat one hundred Approximately 30ft from the treeline, a ring
can be found at the end of this
adventure. 5 Villager Remains [N/A]
Corpse hides a small scorpion (d4)
boiled eggs. of small white mushrooms hiding amongst
the grass marks the boundary of a fey circle.
• Pouch with 2d6 GP Ancient Skeleton[5 HP]
9 STR, 9 DEX, 9 WIL, Crossing the circle during the day traps the
• Gold wedding trespasser until moonlight next shines upon
band inscribed with Bony hands/broken weapons (d6)
• Does not roll for morale the meadow. It also reveals the illusory
the name ‘Emily’, lensing magic at work, as the sheep are in
worth 15GP. • Understands only ancient language
fact the size of small elephants (and roughly
as dangerous).
Ways to escape the circle early include:
• Being carried by (or clinging to) a giant
sheep (who are not affected by the
circle).
• Answering the fey riddle correctly
(audible as a whisper that grows louder
the more you try to escape)
E: Stemwright Stones • “Runs like water, pale like the moon, when
you’re born you’ll see it soon!” (Answer:
A circle of vertical menhirs around a central, Milk)
horizontal altar. All the stones are huge and
heavy.
There are carvings on the inner surface of
the stones (facing towards the altar)
Some depict feats of strength carried out by
worshippers here (rolling boulders,
wrestling, human pyramids, breaking rocks
with their bare hands).
Points of Interest and forest dwellers alike. This material is
known as quickmud. Signs of its presence: 6 Lost Treasure Chest [N/A]
• Well-made of foreign wood, and
Old Growth (1d6)
A: Ganderlook Village • Utterly smooth, consistent surface. locked.
1
Giant Arboreal Goose[13 HP]
• Contains 5d6 GP. If you roll a 12 STR, 15 DEX, 11 WIL,
Until recent developments occurred, this • Trails that end suddenly. double it also contains a spell, or a relic Great beak (d10)
was a poor but stable community subsisting • Fruit and berries that are seemingly on a triple (see Rewards). • Has become separated from the
on fishing and a little tree-felling. Since the accessible but remain unpicked. flock and is unhappy about it
royal decree, an influx of coin from the
feather hunters has divided opinion. Disturbing the surface tension of the mud
will cause it to collapse beneath you. The
New Forest (1d6) • Sufficiently powerful to cause
damage by accident or in panic.
The only tavern is the Golden Goose, Warden should roll a d12 to determine the
although the only thing golden about it is the 1 Debris Elemental [10 HP, 1 armour]
1d3 Honey-Mad Bears [7 HP]
elderly retriever dog watching the procession
depth in feet before you touch solid ground.
Swinging from ropes, very wide rafts, stilts
14 STR, 7 DEX, 5 WIL,
Entropic wave (d8 blast) 2 12 STR, 11 DEX, 8 WIL,
of overconfident newcomers from his bed on • An agglomerated mass of stones, Teeth and claws (d8 dual)
the front porch. and building bridges or mats from nearby
vegetation are all local methods employed to pine needles, fallen branches and dirt. • Driven mad by honey rich in
Rumours cross quickmud. • Seeks a worthy master (who magical willow pollen (see Point G)
respects the forest and its history). • Currently experiencing the shared
Generate by rolling 1d6 (1 = false, 2-4 = partly senses of a swarm of bees
true, 5-6 = true) and rolling 1d20 to provide C: Fingerbend Ferry • Critical: Attempts to sting using tail
2d6 Forest Goblins [4 HP]
the subject (see table below). A single rusty iron chain crosses above the
River Egg. There are ruins of wooden
2 8 STR, 12 DEX, 8 WIL,
1d6 Rival Feather Hunters[6 HP,
1-4 Roll 1d6 on Huskamolt Swamp
encounters.
structures at either end.
Wooden spears (d6)
• Engaged in a raucous festival of fire
3 1 Armour]
Pulled up on the western bank, a decrepit, • Will trade magic for magic 13 STR, 13 DEX, 13 WIL,
5-8 Roll 1d6 on New Forest encounters. flat-bottomed ferry boat was clearly once Stolen weapons of fine quality (d10)
9-12 Roll 1d6 on Old Growth encounters. attached to the chain by some means. If not 1d8 Rival Feather Hunters[5 HP] • Eager to return home.
13 Method to escape quickmud (Point B)
repaired, it will have a slow leak. 3 12 STR, 12 DEX, 12 WIL, • They bear the weight of many
Within the water lurks Old One Eye, a Re-appropriated militia weapons (d8) feathers, and what they did to obtain
14 The danger of Old One Eye (Point C) crocodile of prodigious size. She will be • Paranoid of the forest’s secrets them.
disturbed by movement of the water, but can • Tired but determined
15 The rewards and risks of the collapsed perceive little beyond it. 4 2d6 Spore Servants[5 HP]
barrows (Point D) 10 STR,9 DEX, 6 WIL,
Old One Eye [9 HP] 4 2d6 Fairies [2 HP]
3 STR, 16 DEX, 16 WIL, Sticks and rocks (d6)
16 The history of the Stemwright Stone 15 STR, 10 DEX, 8 WIL, • Do not make morale rolls
Mighty bite (d10) • Know forest secrets.
Cult (Point E) • Can fly like a small bird. • Serve the ineffable whims of the
• Looks like an old log in the water Eukaryotic Collective (Point H)
17 The answer to the riddle of the Lilac • Critical: ‘Death roll’ - pulls victim • Will quickly spread word of harm
Meadow (Point F) against them, if any escape. • Critical: Return target to the
underwater and rolls on top of them collective for composting
18 A tale of the dangers implicit in Ripper Swarm [10 HP]
gathering honey from Bumblebee Lake
(Point G)
5 7 STR, 12 DEX, 5 WIL, 5 1d4 Giant Weasels [6 HP]
Bites and stings (d4 blast) 10 STR,13 DEX, 9 WIL,
• Will disperse if their hive (in an old Teeth and Claws (d8)
19 A whispered warning that the log) is destroyed. • Eager for goose eggs
Eukaryotic Collective can perceive you • Surprisingly intelligent
everywhere (Point H) • Will otherwise relentlessly pursue
the party for half a mile.
20 A secret song that will render the 6 Dead Goose [N/A]
Arboreal Geese temporarily peaceful Standing Stone[N/A] A bounty from above for all scavengers
and compliant (Point I) 6 An isolated, ancient place of power, that dwell within the forest.
depicting the richness and bounty of • May be plucked for feathers
B: Quickmud Expanse the forest via crude runes. • Will attract others whilst plucking
is underway
The River Egg’s course is unclear, diverging D: The Scattered Barrows • Is already cracked and can be
smashed. Whoever does so will gain a
through pools and small islands. Until recently, this was a series of burial single re-roll of any die for the next
True tree cover is intermittent, but tall banks mounds dug into the hillside. However, a month, but will earn the forest’s ire.
of reeds and misty weather keep horizon recent landslip has scattered them across a • Offering food at the altar will
blurry. wide area, mixing their contents with dirt duplicate it overnight.
Within this space, some sections of mud are and toppled trees.
particularly treachorous, and claim villagers A copper bracelet (5 GP) glints with the dew
A Map of the Downfall Forest