The Delian Tomb

A First Level Adventure for First Time Players

This adventure was crafted from the "Running the Game" series on YouTube by Matt Colville.
This adventure is intended as a supplement to Matt's series,
so please take
the
time to watch his videos before you read and run this!

Additionally, special thanks to Kyle Capps for the map of the Delian Tomb!
 That's right, the second key NPC, Lars, The Blacksmith.
Overview The villagers all know Lars, he's well-loved, but none of them are
equipped to face the challenge of hunting down goblins.
This adventure begins in a small hamlet in the backwater of the
Lars will recognize a band of ratcatchers as quickly as anyone,
kingdom, it's a quiet place... most of the time.
and he won't hesitate to approach the adventurers to ask for their
Recently, there has been an in influx of goblins in the region and
help.
some of the foul creatures have even begun attacking the farms in
If your players aren't motivated, simply by their sense of justice
the outskirts of the village of Villane.
and duty, you can have Lars point out that their is a standing bounty
The Player Characters are all friends from a nearby village,
for goblin ears by order of the Duke.
traveling to Bedegar, in search of adventure.
Now is a good time to remind you, one of your best moves as a
It isn't long before they find themselves mixed up in the business
Dungeon Master is to simply ask the players, "What do you do?" —
of Goblins, persuing the daughter of the Blacksmith into the depths
this is a great opportunity to use that move!
of a long forgotten tomb.
Once Lars has convinced the adventurers to help, you can
This is their opportunity to prove themselves, and to rescue
continue on to Part 2 .
someone in need, if they can survive the perils of the Delian Tomb!

Part 1: You Start in a Tavern Part 2: Goblin Tracks

When the Player Characters arrive in Villane, the villagers The Smithy
recognize them as adventurers — Ratcatchers — the sort of people
Lars doesn't know where the goblins took his daughter, but he's
who will fight just about anything for a bit of coin. Just the sort of
confident that a competent adventurer can find tracks in the area
people Villane is in need of.
around his house.
At this point, all the Players have their Character Sheets, and
While Lars can offer this information to the players if they seem
you're ready to start playing. Read this next part aloud:
to be feeling stuck, you should give them the chance to propose
Dusk falls, and several travelers come to the Green Dragon searching the crime scene on their own.
You can simply narrate the journey from the Green Dragon Inn to
Inn for food, warmth, and a place to rest. A handful of
Lars' Smithy, describing the dirt road and the trees that dot the path.
villagers are here, eating, drinking, and talking about their Once you arrive at the Smithy, use your classic DM move and ask
day. One day is much the same as another in the hamlet of the players, "What do you do?".
Villane. But, looking at you, something tells these villagers You can even has Lars nudge them and ask, "do you see any
tracks?".
something will be different today.
Here is your first opportunity to ask the player searching for
Now would be a great time for you ask the Players to describe their tracks to make a Ability Check .
Characters. It's good for everyone to get an idea of who they are and The tracks are plentiful, and easy to spot, a character who
who their party is made up of, it will help you all get a bit more succeeds on a DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check recognizes that at
immersed in the story. least two goblins dragged something north, into the forest. "The
Once everyone has shared their Player Character, you can get the Boar Wood," Lars notes.
ball rolling again by introducing the first Non-Player Character,

Matt, the Serving Boy.

Can I get you anything to eat? To drink? Where are you from, Ability Checks
where are you going? Not many ratcatchers coming through Villane When you ask a player to make an ability check, they
these days. roll a d20 and add the
relevant ability modifier.
In the above instance, a character searching for
This is your opportunity to help the players get immersed in the tracks would roll a Wisdom (Survival) check set to a
world, feel free to embelish Matt with personality! Take a moment Difficulty Class of your choosing.
to describe what he looks like, how he moves, what he's doing as he If the total equals or exceeds the DC, the ability
approaches. check is
a success—the creature overcomes the
While Matt is off fixing whatever the PCs have ordered, and the challenge at hand.
Otherwise, it’s a failure, which
characters have had a chance to get to know each other and the means the character
or monster makes no progress
toward the objective or
makes progress combined with
NPCs, something has to happen...
a setback determined
by the DM.
A large man, wearing a black leather apron over linen shirt Remember these common DCs as a rule of thumb,
you can choose any number for your challenge.
and woolen pants bursts in the door. He smells of sulfur and
carries a heavy hammer. Difficulty DC
Easy 10
"They got Bess", he says, "they got my girl!" Moderate 15
Goblins have kidnapped the Blacksmith's daughter! Hard 20
 The adventurers have tracked the goblins through the forest and
discovered their hideout. The hideout appears to be an ancient ruin,
Random Encounters
an old structure infested by the goblins recently.
The world of Dungeons & Dragons is bursting with
monsters and villains!
Whenever an adventurer sets out from the lawful Goblin Patrol
lands of civilization, they risk being set upon by agents Just beyond the reach of the Boar Wood, a clearing stretches out
of ill intent.
before low sprawling hills. In the distance the stonework of the
Any time the players stop to rest outside of a
tomb is just barely visible between the sparse trees and rolling hills.
civilized area, you can use a Random Encounter table
to keep them on their toes. Any players who decide to monitor the hilltop before
If the players feel like they can stop and rest any time approaching will spot two goblins patrolling the area.
they're wounded, or low on spell slots -- they will. This is a good time to check if the Player Characters are sneaking
This behavior will grind everything to a halt, and one as they make their approach.
of your main jobs as a DM is to keep the game moving! Feel free to ask your players a leading question like, "Are you
trying to avoid being seen?", to which they will almost always say,
"Yes!". Reminding the players to be cautious this way will help
The Boar Wood reinforce the verisimilitude of the game world.
If any of the adventurers are spotted, the goblins will ready their
The Boar Wood is a large expanse of forest, inhabited mostly by
bows and will not be surprised when the combat begins.
boar — as the name suggests. The locals hunt here frequently, and it
is free of goblins. If the goblins went this way, they must have a After the first round, every time a goblin takes a turn, check to
hideout somewhere beyond the Boar Wood . see if they have taken any damage. If they have taken damage, or
The journey to the other side of the forest is going to take a bit their buddy was slain, the goblin will retreat to warn its brethren
inside the tomb.
longer than what they can cover in a single day, the adventurers will
be required to spend the night. Until the goblin is either dead, or inside, they will spend their
movement retreating and their action firing arrows back at the
This is a great opportunity to remind the players that the
wilderness is a dangerous place, your goal here is to make the adventurers.
players take watch in middle of the forest and feel wary, wondering If the goblin patrol survives long enough, you might have him
if something is going to attack them in the middle of the night! shout a warning to the goblins guarding the entrance of the tomb. If
this happens, the Player Characters are in range to see that the
You travel deep into the Boar Wood, tracking the trail left by guards leave their posts to retreat into the tomb. The guards have
gone to alert the others of the danger coming their way.
the goblins long in the night. The darkness has become too
great to navigate the forest any further, and so you find a

small clearing and set up camp.

Determining Surprise
Ask the players to decide who will take first watch, and ask that
player to roll a d12 .
Before you begin a combat encounter, you must first
determine who, if anyone, is Surprised.
Random Encounters in the Boar Wood If anyone was attempting to be sneaky, prior to the
encounter, have them roll a Dexterity (Stealth) Ability
d12 Encounter Check against a DC set by Passive Perception (10 + the
1-10 - Wisdom Modifier) each creature on the opposing side.
11 - A creature actively searching for another creature
will roll a Wisdom (Perception) check against the
12 A wild boar comes to investigate (non-combat) Dexterity (Stealth) roll of the other creature.
If neither side attempts to be stealthy, they notice
While you could choose to throw something hostile at the each other at the same time.
players, the goal here is to get them to the tomb as quickly as A surprised creature cannot take an action or move
possible, but rolling dice is fun and it tells the players that on their first turn. They cannot take a reaction until
something could happen. after their first turn ends.
So, excepting the curious boar who may have come by to sniff For complete details regarding the ins and outs of
around the camp, the evening passes uneventfully. combat, refer to Chapter 9 of the Player's Handbook!
Once outside the forest, after an hour or two of travel, the
adventurers will see their destination in the distance.

As you break through the treeline, you briefly spot a small form
moving about the hilltop ahead of you.

As the players emerge from the Boar Wood, they spot the
movement of a goblin patrol.
It's time to ask them once again, "What do you do?".

Part 3: Out of the Woods

 At the bottom of the stairs, a dim light illuminates a large room
Part 4: The Delian Tomb littered with moldy bedrolls and goblins!
The number of goblins in this room should be equal to 1+ the
Long ago, when the Caelian empire ruled, a knight by the name of number of Player Characters. Additionally, if the players
Delius founded the Delian Order and together they devoted their managed to sneak past the goblin patrol without ever alerting them,
lives to the fight against Maglubiyet. This is their resting place, long they too will join the fight after the first round of combat.
forgotten. If the players have managed to deal with both the patrol and the
Today, the goblins who have infested the tomb are preparing to guards, without allowing them to retreat into the tomb to warn the
desecrate the site with a human sacrafice. It is their intent to others — the players have the opportunity to catch these goblins by
consecrate the tomb in the name of Maglubiyet. surprise.
If, on the other hand, both sides are aware of the other, be
1. Entrance prepared for the players to try some out of the box thinking. They
may not want to venture into a den of goblins, they may instead try
Two goblins stand guard before the sundered, stone doors of the
to flush them out. Be prepared for anything. Let the players
tomb. (Unless of course, they have been warned by the patrol!) .
experiment. In fact, encourage it!
As the Player Characters approach the guards, it would be a good
Once the goblins are dealt with, take a moment to describe the
idea to ask them once again if they are attempting to be sneaky. If
room.
they are, ask them to roll a Stealth Check against the goblin guards'
Passive Perception. The brazier at the center of this room gently illuminates the
It's also possible for the Player Characters to simply use the
walls. On one side, a detailed carving depicts a company of
geometry of the ruins to sneak up on the unwitting guards, easily
gaining a Surprise Round when they initiate the combat. knights fighting back a torrent of monsters, perhaps even
On the goblins' first turn of combat, they will both attempt to goblins!
retreat inside. The presence of the adventurers tells them that the
patrol was killed, and they aren't going to stand around awaiting that On the other wall, there is an inscription, it reads:
"I swear
same fate! to fight chaos in all of its forms, to uphold order, by honor of
my word"
2. Offering Room
The next room lies beyond a twisting corridor that fades into
After the adventurers have dispatched the goblin guards, they
darkness beyond the light of of brazier. Halfway down the corridor,
descend into the tomb itself. Remember to describe the the tomb
just before the turn, there lies a pressure plate trap.
using as many senses as seem reasonable to you.

It's very dark as you move down the steps and into the tomb, 3. Pressure Plate Trap
the musty air cools by the step. You can hear faint, rhythmic A character who succeeds on a DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check
chatter echoing up from the heart of the structure. will notice the trap, the faint light of the brazier just barely catching
the raised bit of floor. If a character then succeeds on a DC 10
The goblins have begun their ritual, the distant chatter is the Dexterity check
                                          
using thieves' tools, they
chanting of a goblin shaman. can

disable the trap without

                                                                       
triggering it.
This can also be attempted with any bladed weapon, but the check is Near the cage where Bess was being held, there is a large nest of
made at disadvantage. blankets where the bugbear slept. The nest is littered with a few
Additionally, if there are any Small sized Player Characters dozen gold pieces and gemstones worth 2d20 + 10 gp.
(Halfings, Gnomes) they won't trigger the trap. The statue of Delius has an inscription at the base, it reads:
Any other creature who steps on the pressure plate will trigger the
trap, causing a scythe to sweep down from the ceiling. The If you are to keep this, you must first give it to me.
character who triggered the trap must succeed a on a DC 15
If any character speaks, "I give my word" — or anything in the
Dexterity saving throw or suffer 1d8 slashing damage.
spirit of that — the secret door leading to the tomb will open!
Once the trap has either been disabled, or triggered it is exhausted
and will not be
triggered again.
5. Tomb of the Delian Order
4. Hall of the Oathkeeper The true resting place of the Delian Order, hidden away behind the
Hall of the Oathkeeper. Inside, there are six sarcophagi bearing the

resemblances of their knights they hold. As well as a much larger,

Dominated by a giant stone statue of a knight, raised up on a more elaborately carved sarcophagus at the center, bearing the form
dais, standing tall with their sword point down between their of Lord Delius.
feet. Each of the sarcophagi have the names of their occupants etched
at their feet. There is a journal, mostly rotted away, laying atop
A thick haze billows up from a makeshift altar in the center Delius' sarcophagus.
It is written in Common, and what can be read explains the origin
of the room where a goblin adorned with jewelery and
of the Delian Order and their purpose.
warpaint chants rhythmically while they rock back and forth.
There are also a number of potions of healing scattered about
the tomb, left as offerings to the Order long ago.
Behind the goblin, a young girl quietly whimpers, head in
If any character attempts to open a sarcophagi, they will disturb
her hands, from a small cage near the foot of the statue. the spirits of the Delian Order. Righteous skeletons will emerge
from the sarcophagi, eager to expel the desecrators from their tomb.
What was once the sacred chamber consecrated by the Delian Order
One exception being, in the event that the character who attempts
on behalf of Lord Delius has been desecrated by the goblins.
to open a sarcophagi is a Paladin who has sworn the Delian Oath,
Along with the goblin shaman the leader of this band of
for they are a member of the Delian Order. The treasures are theirs
miscreants resides here, a bugbear.
by holy right!

Each sarcophagi holds chainmail, as well as a longsword, and a

shield bearing the Coat of Arms of the Delian Order.

Delius' sarcophagus hold chainmail, and a shield bearing the

Delian crest, as well as the Golbin Slayer Longsword.

The Goblin Slayer Longsword has the same properties as a

standard longsword, but it does an extra 1d6 damage to Goblinoids

(goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears!).

Master of the Dungeon

Remember that the world your players are exploring is

ultimately crafted by you. If you feel that things are

going too easily, or too difficultly, you can add or

remove enemies, or tweak them to better fit the tone

and pace you're aiming for.

Perhaps the party has been lucky, or smart, and they

are entering the final room with plenty of health and

spell slots, you can throw an extra goblin lackey into

the Hall of the Oathkeeper!

Maybe they've had a rough time, it's perfectly alright

for you to suggest they take a short rest in one of the

rooms they've already cleared.
This is the first time the players have encountered a clever enemy,
the bugbear is not driven by fear like his goblin toadies. It will fight
tactically, it might even have a potion of healing!
Once the monsters have been slain, and Bess has been helped out
from the cage, the players will likely wish to search the room.
The makeshift altar is covered with bits of charcoal, cork, sulfur,
and other spellcasting materials. Amidst these accoutrements there
are two potions of healing.
Monster Stat Blocks Goblin
The monsters appearing in the adventure are listed here. Small humanoid, neutral evil

Armor Class 15
Bugbear Hit Points 7
Speed 30 ft.
Medium humanoid, chaotic evil

Armor Class 16 STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

Hit Points 27 8 (-1) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 8 (-1) 8 (-1)
Speed 30 ft.
Skills Stealth +6
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Languages Common, Goblin
15 (+2) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 8 (-1) 11 (+0) 9 (-1) Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)

Skills Stealth +6, Survival +2

Senses darkvision Actions
Languages Common, Goblin Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
Challenge 1 (200 XP) one target. Hit: 5 slashing damage

Brute. When the bugbear hits with a melee weapon Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range
attack, the attack deals one extra die of the weapon's 80ft./320 ft., one targe. Hit: 5 piercing damage
damage to the target
(included below). Goblins are black-hearted, gather in overwhelming
numbers, and crave power, which they abuse.
Surprise Attack. If the bugbear surprises a creature and
hits it with an attack during the first round of combat,
the target takes an extra 7 (2d6) damage from the attack.

Actions Goblin Shaman

Morningstar. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 Small humanoid, neutral evil
ft., one target. Hit: 11 piercing damage.
Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, Armor Class 15
reach 5 ft. or range 30 ft. - 120 ft., one target. Hit: 5 Hit Points 7
piercing damage, or 9 piercing damage in melee. Speed 30 ft.
Bugbears are cruel and unruly humanoids that live to
bully the weak and dislike being bossed around. Despite STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
their intimidating builds, bugbears move with surprising
8 (-1) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 8 (-1)
stealth and are fond of setting ambushes.
Skills Stealth +6
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages Common, Goblin
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)

Spellcasting. The Goblin Shaman is a 1st level spell

caster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC
11, +3 to hit with spell attacks).
Cantrips (at-will): light, mending, sacred flame
1st
level(2 slots): healing word, shield of faith

Actions
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, one target.
Hit: 5 slashing damage
Goblins Shamans are much the same as their brethren,
though they have a knack for spellcasting, which they
use to strike fear into their lesser counterparts as a
means to gain status.
 Magic Items
Skeleton
Medium undead, lawful evil & Other Treasures
The items appearing in the adventure are listed here.
Armor Class 13 (armor scraps)
Hit Points 13
Speed 30 ft. Weapons
Longsword
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Weapon, uncommon
The preferred weapon of a martial swordsman.
The longsword offers versatility in combat, benefiting from either
10 (+0) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 6 (-2) 8 (-1) 5 (-3)
two-handed fighting or the use of a shield.
Damage: 1d8 Slashing
Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning
Damage Immunities poison Properties: Versatile (1d10)
Condition Immunities poisoned Weight: 3 lb.
Senses darkvision 60 ft.
Languages understands languages it knew in life but
cannot speak
Armor
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP) Chain Mail
Armor, uncommon

Actions Made of interlocking metal rings, chain mail includes a layer of

quilted fabric worn underneath
the mail to prevent chafing and to
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., cushion the impact of blows. The suit includes gauntlets.
one target. Hit: 5 piercing damage. Armor Class: 16
Stealth: Disadvantage
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range
80ft./320 ft., one target. Hit: 5 piercing damage Weight: 55 lb.

Assemblages of bones animated by dark magic, Shield

skeletons heed the summons of those who create them Armor, uncommon
or rise of their own accord in places saturated with A shield is made from wood or metal and is carried in one hand.
deathly magic. Wielding a shield increases your Armor Class by 2. You can benefit
from only one shield at a time.
Armor Class: +2

Weight: 6 lb.

Darkvision
Many creatures in the worlds of D&D, especially those
Magic Items
that dwell underground, have darkvision. Potion of Healing
Within a specified range, a creature with darkvision Potion, common
can see in darkness as if the darkness were dim light, so When you drink this potion, you regain 2d4 + 2 hit points.
areas of darkness are only lightly obscured as far as that
creature is concerned. Goblin Slayer Longsword
However, the creature can’t discern color in Magic weapon, rare
darkness, only shades of gray.
This is the weapon of Lord Delius, founder of the Delian Order.
His weapon is blessed with a righteous fire that burns the flesh of
Maglubiyet's children.
Damage: 1d8 Slashing + 1d6 to Goblinoids
Properties: Versatile (1d10) + 1d6 to Goblinoids
Weight: 3 lb.
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