HARVEST OF OATHS

By Stephen Chenault
Conversion: JASON VEY
Editor: LIBBIE OAKS
Front Cover: JASON WALTON Interior Art: PETER BRADLEY
Art Direction/ Cartography: PETER BRADLEY

1818 North Taylor, #143, Little Rock, AR, 72207

email: troll@trolllord.com
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www.castlesandcrusades.com

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Harvest of Oaths is designed for 3-5 characters in the mid- NOTE: The encounter in the previous adventure, Upon
level range. It takes place in the Darkenfold Forest. It begins at the Powder River, may have set the party at odds with the
the confluence of the two rivers, the Powder and the Mistbane, Green Wizard, however they should not be pitted against
follows the northern bank of the latter into the deeper forest that formidable foe, for he is very powerful. This battle should
and ends at the Lake of Nunt. The journey starts at Bent’s be saved for a later day. For more information on the Green
Trading Post. Wizard, see below.

This adventure combines over-land travel from the Trading Post,

it involves challenges both combat and role playing. It is not a ABOUT THE DARKENFOLD
traditional adventure module that consists of one dungeon or one The Darkenfold Forest is a remnant of the ancient and vast
goal, but rather consists of a series of short adventures, which Ethvold, a forest which spanned across the southern reaches
in turn offer the enterprising Castle Keeper the opportunity for of the Valley of Kayomar, from the Rhodope Mountains in the
numerous side treks and adventures of their own design. It is easy west to the Ardeen River in the east. It ran from the sea in the
to port into any game, and sections can be played or skipped over south to the Wilds of Gottland in the north. Little remains now
as needed. Though set in the official Castles & Crusades® world but for two sprawling woodlands separated by the Danua River.
of Aihrde, however, it is a complete stand alone adventure or The Eldwood, to the east, holds the heart of the Ethvold of old,
can be used as a series of encounters. It can be adapted to any but the Darkenfold, upon the west, holds its dark memories.
homebrew or other outside, published setting. As with Upon the The Darkenfold is an evil wood, possessed of its own wild
Powder River, Harvest of Oaths consists of numerous, short- abandon and home to many creatures of ill intent. Those who
encounter areas. live there know that the trees and the soil hold memories of
their past glory and do not forget the axes of men, orcs, dwarves,
INTRODUCTION and goblins that have plundered them of their wealth and life.

The adventure begins either on the banks of the river, in a canoe The Darkenfold is divided into regions. The most trafficked are
or at Bent’s Trading Post, whichever fits best for the Castle the Uplands where the town of Ends Meet stands. The Troll
Keeper. The Trading Post is a quiet refuge in the wilderness, Glades to the east are wild and deep. The Millorian in the
home to two retired adventurers, that allows for resupply and south and east and the Downs to the south mark the southern
rest. How and why the characters leave the Post is entirely up to boundaries. But, through it all, lays the River Basin.
them and circumstance, but the adventure carries them south
into the River Basin country. The River Basin is a long, narrow stretch of river country
carved out of the Darkenfold by the Mistbane River. It begins
roughly where the Watchita River feeds into the Mistbane and
OVERLAND ADVENTURE ends with the confluence of the Powder and Mistbane Rivers.
An over-land adventure is far less scripted than a dungeon or The river marks the southern boundaries, and the Inigg Gorge
city encounter. Rooting the evil out of a dungeon is simple, the northern. It is a wild country and home to all manner of
offering the most basic of struggles. Over-land is another animal creatures. It is said to be the haunt of the Og Aust god, Let, that
entirely. It pits the characters against all manner of hazards, from mighty stag, a lord of the ancient Ethvold and consort of the Val
the mundane to the extraordinary. A great deal of fun can be Eahrakun Tefnut. Few come here but those who desire peace,
pulled from the day to day arrangements. Marching orders are quiet, or refuge, or to be forgotten. It is dangerous and aside
constantly adjusted, dangers lurk everywhere. Night watches from the river, there is no easy avenue to civilization. There are
are, themselves, an adventure. no roads, towns, or villages . . . at least not ones that offer hope.
While running Harvest of Oaths, the Castle Keeper can hop The Mistbane River serves as the only easy avenue of egress to
from encounter area to encounter area with a simple “a few days this portion of the Darkenfold. Stalwart adventurers, traders,
later and you come to a path.” Or, they can travel the path less and travelers make their way along its slow moving course,
known and plunge into a day to day journey, where wandering seeking to travel from Ends Meet in the west to Haverstraw in
monsters become a real item of threat and can shift and guide the east, or seeking a quick way into the heart of the forest to try
the adventure into new avenues the CK may never have their hand at plundering its wealth in ancient treasures.
considered. It is strongly recommended that the CK follow this
latter course, marking time and distance on a sheet of paper, The trees in the River Basin are much like the other regions of
rolling encounters, requiring the players to explain how they the Darkenfold. Old oaks and beech, short, averaging about 60
travel, their watches, how they cross streams swollen with rain, feet high dominate the rolling valleys. Their wide, mountainous
set up camp, their marching order, and whatever other smaller canopies carry one into the other, and all blot out the sun and
items of note we all must struggle with while outdoors in the moon and keep the forest in a perpetual shadow. Beneath the
wild world. Here, a simple river crossing becomes a challenge canopies, what little light filters down, lances a soil enriched
and an adventure in and of itself. with thousands of years of deadfall, giving birth to a carpet of
thick mosses and broad leafed plants that grow along a forest
Over-land is the best type of adventure, because the variables, floor, rent almost impassable by tree roots, and tangle with long
from weather, to terrain to wandering monsters and planned creeping, black-veined vines.
encounters are almost countless.

2 5TH EDITION ADVENTURE

There are many trails that wind their way through the deep For more on the mists, the banshees that inhabit them, and the
woods, but most of these are animal tracks and do not offer healing power of the willows, see the adventure Shades of Mist.
travelers easy passage. They crisscross the country, many leading
to the river itself, or to any number of small streams and ponds. GETTING STARTED
Other roads, more often used by the knowledgeable lie in the
Harvest of Oaths begins in and around Bent’s Trading Post.
multitude of creeks and small streams that wander their way
The characters are set to cross the Darkenfold for any number
through the wood before they end their babbling course, falling
of reasons of the CK’s or their own choosing. Here are a few
into the deep, green river.
sample reasons to explore the Darkenfold’s River Basin.
ABOUT THE MISTBANE 1) The Darkenfold is known for its rich history, where
The Mistbane River, or the Blue Creek, has its headwaters in dwarves built ancient roads and men cities of gold. Here they
the distant Rhodope Mountains, where it begins as little more worshipped the Val Eahrakun with magic and wealth. The
than a trickle. It tumbles and flows, following many courses danger is great, but the promise of treasure greater.
through the Shelves of the Mist, where it gains more strength
2) The characters are hired by the owners of Bent’s Trading
from tributaries and earns its river name. It breaks free of
Post to carry a letter to Ends Meet. The letter can be one
those hills just north and east of the small town of Petersboro.
of simple greetings, or one more complex, explaining the
The river widens here and slows its pace considerably, before
growing powers of the Green Wizard.
it drifts down beneath the eves of the Darkenfold where it
continues its southern journey. The river is slow, ranges from 3) Picking up from Upon the Powder River the characters
80-120 feet wide, and is rather deep except in the few fords that are pursuing several of the Green Wizard’s underlings.
interrupt its travel. Heavy fog reduces visibility considerably Whether they find them or not, dead or alive, is entirely up
and accompanies the Mistbane’s flow. Considered by many of to the Castle Keeper.
the locals to be dangerous, they avoid the fog at all costs. They
speak of tales of ghosts who snatch the unwary from their roosts 4) The PCs hear from someone at Bent’s Trading Post of an
and carry them to the seas beyond. old abandoned watch tower that lies upon the southern bank
of the Mistbane River. It is reputedly the haunt of a wood
The river continues its course through the Darkenfold by spirit that none has mastered and hold a treasure that any
turning sharply west in the Millorian, where the Watchita River would desire.
joins its course. Here, the Mistbane, strengthened in its flow
and widened to about 160 feet, passes into the River Basin TRAVELING THE RIVER
country, and on past the Downs, an even more dank and deadly
portion of the Darkenfold. At last it flows into the Danau River There are several options for following the course of the Powder
near Haverstraw and the sandy beaches of Lawn. or Mistbane Rivers. One can go on either bank, or one can
float down the river. Consult the appropriate rules to determine
The banks of the river sport many wonderfully tall and full-bodied travel speeds. There are plenty of canoes at Bent’s Trading Post
willow trees. These trees often reside on small grassy knolls at for sale or trade. Older canoes go for half the cost of that listed
the water’s edge, allowing their branches and leaves to brush the in the Players Handbook.
water. They are vaguely-sentient relatives of the older sentient
trees and treants. These willows serve the river as guardians of The confluence of the two rivers is roughly 20 miles from Bent’s
sorts, offering refuge from the river or the forest, or both. Trading Post.

HARVEST OF OATHS 3
By Boat
and forth between their master’s castle and the Post.
Travel downstream by boat is relatively easy. The wide, deep
water makes passage fast. Traveling at a normal speed, the WALK WATER CREEK
boat can cover about 20 miles per day. This takes into account
running into sand bars, and other normal stops and starts on a The Walk Water slips into the Powder from the west. Its
river. If the conditions are right, the characters can move much headwaters lie in the upper reaches of the Bolan Drops, a
faster, up to 36 miles per day. stretch of the River Basin dominated by moss covered boulders,
tangled grasses, large flat rocks jutting from the forest floor at
one angle or the other, and the usual spread of oak trees with a
By Land
heavy dose of sycamore growing throughout.
Traveling the banks of the Powder River overland is much more
difficult. On trails or paths it is normal, but off trail it can be The creek is shallow, rarely over a few inches deep, with a bed
arduous. The country is old, broken, and filled with natural marked by smooth, round stones and sand. Sprinkled amidst the
obstacles. These obstacles include fallen trees, deep ditches, normal brown and gray rocks are bright green stones, prized in
huge thorn patches, creeks, etc. These hazards are not encounter the far east for their beauty and magical qualities. When damp
areas, but do serve to slow the party down. The Castle Keeper and held in the light they become luminescent and cast back a
should make the party aware of the difficulty and why their pale, greenish light. The captured light remains in the stone half
movement is so slow. For example “The bramble catches on the as long as the stone was exposed to outside light source.
shoulder strap of your pack and as you step forward it jerks the
strap back, twists the pack around your torso and nearly pulls The Walk Water is long, stretching about 40 miles up into the
you off your feet.” That and similar descriptions make the trek River Basin country. The forest grows thick overhead, often
through the forest all the more real. hanging down to within 3 or 4 feet of the water. Travel on the
creek, by foot, is more difficult than in the forest that surrounds,
When on a trail, covering 15-16 miles a day is normal, assuming for the overhanging branches and the loose rock.
an average walking speed of roughly 3 mph, and 8 hours of travel
time with about 2 hours for meals and rest scattered throughout It is rumored to harbor gold in the sandy soil that flanks the
the day. On rougher terrain where trails haven’t been blazed, creek and lies beneath the water.
making 10 miles is a good day. If you don’t want to track whether For this reason it is the haunt of an old dwarf, Craigsbone by
the heroes are on difficult terrain or smooth, simply roll 4d4 to name. He has tramped much of the Powder River country,
see how many miles the party makes on any given day’s travel; on both banks and has settled into panning the Walk Water.
this should give a fair average. The trails leading out from He works closely with another dwarf, a cousin of his, Beric
Bent’s are few, and those that do exist are narrow. There is one Woodeneye (see Upon the Powder River), though Craigsbone
southern trail that the Green Wizard’s people use to move back rarely leaves the Walk Water.

4 5TH EDITION ADVENTURE

Craigsbone is old, roughly 400 years old, but he has long since stone sits in the bend, the very end of Bolan Drops that begin far
forgotten his age and his given name. He well remembers the to the north. The water forced between these two stone walls
Winter Dark, the Long Centuries, and is well traveled, though becomes violent as it spills into the Mistbane. But for its part
in truth the world has changed much since his youth, so much the Mistbane consumes the Powder’s flow, taming its mad rush.
of his information from the outside world is not terribly useful.
He is friendly enough to strangers, unless he feels threatened in Travelers on the Powder are often propelled onto the Mistbane,
some way. slowing roughly at the river’s center. Here they turn their craft
east and to civilization or west, into the heart of the forest.
He has lived in the forest for close to 70 years and is in tune
with its normal rhythms. He is fast to pick up on strange sounds, THE ROPE BRIDGE
animal behavior, smells, and anything that might break the
A rope bridge exists east of the confluence and stretches from
norm. For this reason, sneaking around him, hiding in shadows,
the north bank of the Mistbane to the south. It consists of one
etc. are difficult (DC 25). He speaks a variety of languages and
lower rope to walk upon and two upper ropes to offer balance.
knows a bit about the forest. He has many friends in the forest,
Crossing it takes some skill. It requires four successful dexterity
most notably the Eschl.
checks (DC 15 each) to get across. If one check is failed the
Crigsborne is chaotic good. He carries a magical +2 battle axe, individual falls into the river below with all the unfortunate
wears a +1 chain shirt, a +1 shield and has a +2 ring of pro- consequences such a swim may or may not include.
tection. He also carries a ring of invisibility. There is no reason
The river confluence is a favored hunting ground for perytons
the characters should fight him. If it is necessary to stat him out,
who come from the distant Rhodope Mountains to hunt people.
treat him as a 7th level fighter with abilities Str 16 Dex 15 Con
They linger on the southern bank, just west of the confluence,
12 Int 10 Wis 10 Cha 13.
where they can see any creatures coming down or up the
Craigsbone travels with an enormous backpack full of all Mistbane, as well as those coming down from the Powder. It
manner of gear and equipment. gives them the perfect vantage to spy anyone attempting to
cross the Powder on the Rope Bridge.
If the party befriends Craigsbone, he welcomes them to his
camp, which is a few hundred yards west of the Powder beneath The perytons are perched along a low tree line and are somewhat
a large overhang of a rock. He offers advice freely. These are visible from the river and the north shore. Upon a successful
some of the tidbits he offers: Wisdom (perception) check (DC 15), they are spotted, though
making out that they are anything other than a few deer, however
ABOUT THE MISTBANE: Be wary of that river, the mists that requires a DC 17 check. Alternately, a Wisdom (survival) check
float its surface are haunted and the open water brings the at DC 13 may offer a better chance of both seeing the creatures
attention of unwanted predators. If in trouble, or doubt, seek and determining that they are not deer.
for the safety of the willow trees.
The perytons have recently killed a human, a druid from the
ABOUT THE CONFLUENCE: It’s too open and there are too Green Wizard’s motley crew, but are still on the lookout for
many predators. Be wary. more, both to eat and bring back alive to their mates in the far
off mountains.
GREEN WIZARD: He’s a bastard and a slaver. Avoid him at all
costs or you’ll end up in the pits. The Castle Keeper should determine how many perytons there
are based on the size of the party.
THE WATCH TOWER: It’s a strange place, haunted by some
foul tempered spirit that is somehow connected to the Green PERYTON (CE Medium Monstrosity) HP 51 (HD 5d8+15),
Wizard, though he’ll never go the tower nor send his men. AC 17, Spd 30ft/60ft (fly). Str 17 Dex 16 Con 17 Int 11
Wis 14 Cha 12. Perception 16(+3). Stealth +5. Gore +5
CONCERNING TRAVEL IN THE DARKENFOLD: Use the (1d8+3); Talons +5 (2d4+3). SA Darkvision 60ft, Immune
rivers for roads, it’s the best way to get around, but be careful of to bludgeoning, slashing, stabbing from nonmagical weapons,
the giant gar, they feed on almost anything that hits the water. Multiattack (gore, talons), Flyby (doesn’t provoke opportunity
attacks), Improved critical (18-20), vicious dive (if it dives at
THE LAKE OF NUNT: There is a wizard that dwells there,
least 30 feet, it gains advantage on its gore attack), shadow
Drusus by name. He is of the order of the Umbrian wizards,
mimicry (its shadow looks like that of a normal man, and it
though he claims to have left those people and dwells now in
smells like a normal man to those with the scent ability).*
peace. He is not all that he seems, I cannot figure out what, but
something is amiss with him. *This version of the Peryton is different than that in the core 5e
Monster Guide, which is not currently open content; instead,
WHERE RIVERS MEET we offer this alternate that has been adapted from other OGL
sources for the purposes of including a stat block here. This ver-
The Powder River narrows just before it meets the Mistbane. sion is still a Challenge 2 (450 XP) creature. GMs who prefer
On the eastern bank of the River a low bluff, some 30 feet high, to use the core version, however, should feel free to do so.
of porous rock hems the river in, and on the west bank a gigantic

HARVEST OF OATHS 5
6 5TH EDITION ADVENTURE
TREASURE: The perytons slew and have half eaten a druid. trail itself peters off into the loamy grass, but is replaced
His body lies in the brush on the south bank where the perytons by a broad creek that meanders its way through, passing
originally were. He is wearing +1 leather armor (the perytons through the valley before it veers west just before the
have eaten around this, washing it in the gore of their kill), trail, on its leisurely way to the river beyond. Above it
a potion of superior healing, 42gp in assorted coin, four sets of all, on the eastern ridge stands a lonesome tower. Tall
iron manacles with slave colors. The druid’s clothes are an and gaunt, its gray stone seems out of place in the sea of
utter ruin, but his high hard boots are in good shape. A golden greens, the grasses and trees beyond. Vines crawl up its
armband lies in the muck and blood next him. It sports a carved flanks, clinging to the stone and carpeting its lower hall
image of a sickle upon it. in green before they slip into its dark windows.

The tower itself is about 60 feet high and sits upon the eastern
THE GREEN WIZARD
ridge overlooking the valley. The area around the tower is
The symbol of the sickle is that of the Green Wizard, feared and devoid of large vegetation. There are no trees in the immediate
hated by the denizens of the River Basin. The Green Wizard vicinity, only some shrubs and bushes. The tree line picks up
dwells further east upon the south bank of the Mistbane River. about 100 yards east of the tower on the ridge. Long ago there
He reportedly dwells in a castle, one that floats upon the air, and was a low wall at the tree line that blocked the forest from the
from there operates a bustling slave trade. His minions search tower itself, but that has fallen over and lies beneath the deep
the forest for antiquities, and pay for the endeavor by capturing green grasses.
the unwary and the native eschl (the wild humans that live in
the Darkenfold) and selling them into slavery in the east. There is a 30% chance that a hill giant, who dwells nearby, is
in the valley hunting, fishing or just wandering about. If he is,
RIVER BANK ROAD he is easy enough to notice as he pokes along the creek bed,
as he’s huge, and isn’t trying to be particularly stealthy. If, for
On the south bank of the Mistbane is the River Bank Road. some reason, he wanders into the valley while the party is at the
It is a road in name only. It runs from the castle of the Green tower, or they do not notice him when they first enter, he comes
Wizard, about 5 miles east of the confluence, to about a quarter to the tower if there is any noise.
of a mile west of the confluence. There it ends. It is about 15
feet wide, open and allows for quick and easy passage for its Though no forest spirit haunts the area, the tower is not
whole length. completely unoccupied. Some years ago a nefarious thief and
rogue, escaping the hangman’s noose in the town of Haverstraw,
Close to the Wizard’s tower, within a half mile or so, the road is fled up the Mistbane. By chance, he stumbled on Peckinsaw’s
watched by his minions. Trail and followed it into the forest, fleeing his pursuers, who,
unbeknownst to him, had long since given up the chase. He
THE PECKINSAW TRAIL found the watchtower and took up residence in it. It wasn’t long
There is one spur off the road, a few hundred yards west of the before he discovered the hill giant and settled into the tower
confluence, near where the perytons feed and the Rope Bridge. with no better guard he could imagine.
It is fairly easy to find, noticeable from the River Bank Road or
Soon thereafter, while chopping wood, he was bitten by a
the river itself. It leads south to a long low valley over which an
forest adder and died. His bones lie scattered about the wood
abandoned watchtower looms. The valley is a natural road into
pile where he was eaten by wolves. His belongings remained
the southern country below. The trail winds into it, emerging at
hidden in the tower, watched over by the one creature he
the southern end of the valley and leading into the Two Dogs
River County and the Downs. trusted to guard them: a mimic.

It is about a half day’s walk from the river to the watchtower. THE GROUNDS
The grounds are barren as noted. There is a well, a small
THE WATCHTOWER hobbled together cart, and a stack of wood neatly arranged.
The watchtower was built on a rise, on the northern end of Though there are no tracks about, the wood in the wood pile is
a north-south running valley. Long years ago the valley was only a month old. The well has a bucket and pulley rigged over
occupied by settlers, who planted crops and ran some livestock it allowing for use.
there. They built the watchtower as a place of refuge, but also
as a sign of strength. Though they have long since vanished, WELL: The well has good, clean, fresh water in it, and the pulley
and the valley returned to its natural state, the watchtower and system allows for easy extraction. The waterline is 50 feet down.
some few of their houses remain.
CART: The cart’s axle is broken and it is unusable.
The trail gives way to a broad, open valley flanked by two
WOOD PILE: The wood is fairly dry and burns nicely. An upright
ridges and covered in a deep, rich grass. The ridges to
the east and west rise suddenly, breaking free of the deep stump sits next to the wood pile. There is a key on it. The key
grass of the valley to push the forest floor up and arrest is to the tower door.
the approach of the Darkenfold, like a castle’s walls. The

HARVEST OF OATHS 7
 checks in finding the ring, for it alerts them to the idea of other
items in the grass.

THE TOWER KEYS: Sitting on the upright stump near the

woodpile is a large iron key. It opens the tower door.

THE DOOR: The door is locked, but it can be picked on a

successful Dexterity (thieves’ tools) check at DC 14. The door
itself is fairly stout, made of seasoned wood and bound with
iron. Regardless, it is old and can be kicked in with a successful
strength check (DC 17) or destroyed if 20 points of damage is
delivered to it.

THE TOWER
The tower consists of three floors and a roof. It is round, 60 feet
in diameter and owing to the vines that cover its flanks, relatively
easy to climb with a DC 12 Strength (Athletics) check.

FIRST FLOOR
The door opens to a dark, windowless room. The air is stuffy
but not unbelievably so. The rogue rarely used this floor, only
passing through it. There are bits and pieces of broken furniture
piled up along the walls, and some tattered pieces of clothing as
well. The broken haft of a halberd leans against the stair.

Steps lead up to an opening in the floor above the second floor.

SECOND FLOOR
The room is relatively clean, with three open windows, though
some attempt at hanging curtains over them is clear for any
to see.

The rogue bedded down here. His pack and weapons lean
against the wall and his sleeping mat, a bed of grasses, and
blankets lies on the floor where he left it. Next to the bedding is
a bottle of wine and two goblets. The wine is still good, if a little
sweet. It is marked with the town symbol of Haverstraw. The
goblets are empty, though worth about 5gp apiece. The pack
has clothes in it, neatly folded, flint and steel, a whetstone,
and a coil of rope 50 feet long with grapple. There is a set of
magical thieves tools in there as well, which grant +1 to ability
checks to use the kit. There is a short bow, 12 arrows and a
thick-bladed knife by the pack.

THE BONES: Not far from the tree line, just east of the tower, THIRD FLOOR
lie the rogue’s bones. They are scattered about in the grass. His This floor is much like the second, with three windows, though
axe remains stuck in a log that he had been chopping upon. the windows are not covered. It is open, and the air fresh and
His clothing is long gone, but on his hand is a magical ring of clean.
regeneration. If a detailed search of the area is made it is found
on a successful DC 15 Wisdom (perception) check or a DC 13 Here lies the heart of the rogue’s treasure, the item he stole
Intelligence (Investigation) check. If the search is casual the that raised the town of Haverstraw against him. Hidden
check uses the Passive Perception scores of the PCs instead. If a beneath a pile of debris is a trunk, and within it the fruit of
detect magic is cast on the area, the ring is easy enough to find. his skills. However the trunk, and the debris, is not what it
seems. It’s a mimic, set here by the rogue to guard his treasure
There is a battle axe in the grass as well. It lies not far from and paid in flesh for its service. It has remained here even
the hand; if it is found first (DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) or after his demise, waiting patiently for its next meal. Though
Intelligence (Investigation)), the searchers have a +2 to their the mimic suspects the rogue is dead (for he would not have

8 5TH EDITION ADVENTURE

left his treasure), he fears traveling in the open, and so has the chimney before it is cleaned causes the nests to quickly
remained in the tower. catch fire. This in turn heats the old mud mortar, cracks it,
which causes chunks of the chimney to start coming down. If
Anyone approaching the debris will discover what appears to this is not contained, the fire spreads to the wooden walls and
be an old footlocker in among the junk. Upon examining the within a few rounds (2d4) the house catches fire. If allowed to
footlocker (checking to see if it’s locked or trapped, for example) spread the whole house will burn, filling the sky with a huge
will deliver a shock: the PC is stuck, and attacked by the object, black cloud of smoke and signaling to the nearby hill giant that
which is, in fact, a mimic! Any PC with a Passive Perception something is on the ridge.
score of 15 or higher may notice some subtle twitch or other
“off” detail that could warn them and allow a Dexterity save There is a well here with drinkable water, though no way to get
(DC 13) to avoid touching it in time. The creature launches it. The water is about 50 feet down the well.
an attack if it thinks it can get an easy meal. If not, it will seek
to bargain with the party, for unlike normal mimics, this one THE GIANT'S VALLEY
has been taught to speak by its former friend and master. Its
The valley is about a mile wide and several miles long. A creek
words are halting and in broken Vulgate, but understandable. It
wanders through it, until it tumbles into the Mistbane to the
bargains for food, as it has sat for a long while without eating. It
north. The valley itself is sparsely forested, with only a few copses
does not know much, as the rogue brought it to the valley, but it
of tress here and there. It is, by and large, dominated by open,
does know of the hill giant and it does know that in all the many
grassy slopes. It is a favored grazing spot for any large number of
months they were here not a soul came to the tower.
forest herbivores, from elk to deer. It attracts predators too, the
MIMIC (N Medium Monstrosity) HP 58 (HD 9d8+18), AC most notable a hill giant.
12, Spd 15ft. Str 17 Dex 12 Con 15 Int 5 Wis 13 Cha 8.
The giant lives on the western ridge about a mile down the
Perception 11(+1). Stealth +5. Pseudopod +5 (1d8+3), bite
valley, he wanders down to the tower end about once every 2
+5 (1d8+3, plus 1d8 acid). SA Darkvision 60ft, shapechang-
or 3 days. He usually comes to fill his water flasks, hunt, and
er (polymorph as an action; equipment doesn’t polymorph;
lounge in the sun. He is extremely foul tempered and of an
reverts to true form if dies), Adhesive (adhere to anything it
altogether evil disposition. If he spies people entering or moving
touches; grapples huge or smaller—escape DC 13/disadvan-
through the valley he attacks them.
tage), False appearance (when object form indistinguishable
from other objects), Grappler (advantage on attack rolls vs. He has no lair, carrying his worldly goods on his back. He lives
creatures it grapples). in a bed of rushes, beneath an old oak tree.
TREASURE: Beneath the mimic is a small bag. Inside is a stone NOTE: Any loud noises at the tower attracts his attention and
and 45pp. Ingrained upon the stone are five names. The names he comes to investigate.
are as follows: Drusus, Utz Two Souls, Teadora, Telma and
Ferenck. The stone itself belongs to the town of Haverstraw GIANT, HILL (CE Huge Giant) HP 105 (HD 10d12+40),
and bound the oathtakers from exacting vengeance upon them AC, 13 Spd 40ft. Str 21 Dex 8 Con 19 Int 5 Wis 9 Cha 6. Per-
for deeds beyond the understanding of the mimic or even the ception 12 (+2). Greatclub +8 (3d8+5). Rock +8 (3d10+5,
rogue. Oath stones are deadly to violate, but only if held by the 60/240ft) SA Multiattack (2 greatclub).
one or ones who exacted the oath.
The giant carries a large bag with him everywhere he goes. It is
TOP FLOOR filled with rotten meat, roots, a bundle of dark stained blankets,
a stone dagger, and a golden circlet worth 500gp. The circlet
This floor is home to only a few nesting birds, but gives a is clearly of Ethrum make and old, dating from the time of the
wondrous view of the whole valley and even a bend in the reign of the Tarvish emperors.
Mistbane River to the north.

ABANDONED VILLAGE
HAVERSTRAW
Trade from the kingdom of Kayomar follows the Danau River
The village sits on the edge of the woods about a quarter of a
which skirts the Darkenfold and tumbles down into Lake
mile south of the tower. It consists of four abandoned houses
Volkstagg at the small town of Crossed Fork. Beyond the lake,
and a large communal barn. There is little left here but ruins.
the river becomes impassable. Because of this, goods shipped
The roof of the barn is completely fallen in leaving a mangled
down-river have traditionally been offloaded near the Red Mud
pile of splintered timbers and molded grasses.
River and ported to the Oth River, and carried on to the Bay
Of the houses, two are burned out by fire and a third suffered of Lothian. Haverstraw was built on the banks of the Oth to
the wrath of a fallen tree that has virtually bisected it. The accommodate this traffic.
fourth is largely intact with a decent roof and walls. Its door
At first it was a simple portage site. A few log structures, a
is gone, though to where, none can say, but inside, it is in
tavern and inn, the Bend Back, and several piers. Raids from
reasonable shape and the fireplace is intact and usable. The
the Darkenfold led the pioneers to build a wall. More people
chimney however is clogged with bird nests. Any fire lit in
settled as trade grew, and the town began to sprawl out. The

HARVEST OF OATHS 9
Maedrumaust Mountains supplied the young town with stone over the Congress. The Congress votes on all issues from taxes,
for their houses and cobbles for their streets. Soon, the town to war, to street repair to prices of commodities. The justiciar
was walled and watched over by stone towers. In order to keep delivers sentences and judgments in all criminal cases that do
back the Darkenfold, a low wall was built, the Running Wall. It not involve members of the Congress. Those cases are settled
stretched the length of the portage, from the town to the Danau by simple majority vote.
River, some 14 miles long. It stood 10 feet high and 5 wide.
MILITARY: Haverstraw has a strong economy that allows
During the Winter Dark, Haverstraw became a military them to field an unusually large fighting force, which they
outpost, one of several meant to hem in the Darkenfold. It was need because of their proximity to the Darkenfold. Generally
occupied mostly by men, but by some orcs and ungern as well there are 300 men and women under arms here. These are
(ungern do not figure into this particular module; their stats, if foot soldiers, with pikes, steel hauberks and helms. These are
needed or desired, can be found in the A2: Slag Heap module, augmented by about 20 light horse cavalry. These consist of the
or in the forthcoming Fifth Edition Monsters & Treasure of sons and daughters of the Congress; members are equipped as
Aihrde). When the Long Centuries ended, the garrison fled, their individual purses allow. In times of war, the town hires
many into the Darkenfold itself, to avoid being executed by mercenary soldiers to flesh out their ranks, whose numbers
the knights of Kayomar who were everywhere rooting out range from 3-500, depending on their need.
the evil of Aufstrag. The locals however gathered together,
declared themselves independent of any overlords and created ECONOMY: Haverstraw benefits from the southern trade that
the Congress of Notables. comes down the mighty Danau River from Kayomar. Because
the river becomes impassible at the Valley of the All Father, river
The town has since thrived, cornering trade from Kayomar and traffic stops where the Red Mud River enters the Danau. There
taxing anything that passes through the portage. The taxes are it is ported to Haverstraw, loaded back on boats and sent down
not unreasonable, so traffic continues to flow. But their wealth the Oth River and on to the sea. Haverstraw enjoys the revenue
has put them in direct conflict with the other towns of the Oth in the guise of boat and transport fees, taxes on movable goods,
River Valley, particularly Smythe and Hopkinsville. Several etc. It also has a small, but thriving slave market. As one of the
wars between the city-states have seen Haverstraw generally border towns they also enjoy the wealth that is plundered from
pitted against Hopkinsville and Smythe, but joined by the the Darkenfold by those able to bring it out.
fiercely independent people of Pettigrew, Crossed Fork and New
Edinburg, though the alliances are known to shift. RELIGION: The Congress makes regular sacrifices to the river
goddess, Tefnut, though there are a number of temples in the
The town consists mostly of stone buildings with slate shingles town to Ore-Tsar, Ealor, and other gods. The worship of the Og
and cobbled streets. There are four gates entering Haverstraw, Aust, the old Gods of the Darkenfold, has recently spread to the
all of which close one hour after the sun sets. The walls, 20 feet town, brought by proselytizing clerics from that wood.
high, are punctuated by 40 foot high watchtowers. The streets
LANGUAGE: The Vulgate is the common language spoken here
are well lit at night and patrolled.
and throughout the region.
The main tavern and inn remains the Bent Back, but others
MAJOR GUILDS: The trade guilds are heavily represented
thrive as well. The smaller Portage Way plays host to porters,
here. The Cult of the Swords, as well as many mercenaries, find
bargemen, and the like. The Underrime is a small dive that
a home in the ever turbulent Oth River Valley. Muddles Inc.
attracts nefarious characters and is generally a place to sell stolen
too thrives here.
goods. A halfling tavern, the Skull’s Cup, is more a gambling
house than ought else, rough, but with good food and drink. The town recently ran into trouble with the wizard Drusus
and the Four Magi. These Umbrians, magi from Aufstrag,
TOTAL POPULATION: 3000+
attempted to seize control of the town, for what purpose few
Human: 2600 +/- could guess. They succeeded for a very short while, but they
were overthrown and jailed. Many feared killing them as it was
Gnomes: 100 +/- believed that the wizard’s spirit might linger and haunt the
town. They were eventually forced to give their blood to an
Halflings: 150 +/- oath stone and then driven from the town. Several fled into the
Darkenfold (see below).
Dwarf: 50 +/-

Elf: 100 +/- DRUSUS AND THE FOUR MAGI

As a child, Drusus joined the Paths of Umbra. At the time, upon
GOVERNMENT: The town is ruled by a governing body of the eve of the Winter Dark Wars, that sect enjoyed immense
magistrates chosen from the merchant houses. The body is power. In his homeland, in the Punj, the Umbrian wizards ruled
called the Congress of Notables. The Congress consists of the supreme. There, he was schooled and joined the ranks of the
leading tradesmen, guilds and other mercantile bodies in the initiates that were bound for the tower of Aufstrag. But this was
town. It usually has about 15 sitting members of which one, the even as Dolgan and the goblin Agmaur rose in rebellion, and
justiciar, is chosen each year and given administrative powers the Trench Wars began. Thus, he found himself in the grueling

10 5TH EDITION ADVENTURE

battles being waged beneath Aufstrag, which saw so many die hewed off his hands and feet. They paraded him through the
and began the Winter Dark Wars. He proved himself clever and town, and the people rose against the magi. In a series of brutal
able to command men, and his mastery of the sorcerous arts battles over many weeks the magi were rooted out, their demon
were extraordinary. allies slain and their treasures taken. The magi themselves were
bound and placed in irons.
For this reason, after the Trench Wars, he was sent to Anglamay
to help quell the growing unrest. In the city of Fiume he fought But all feared to slay them, for killing a black priest of Aufstrag
street battles, first with northern raiders and then with citizens. would surely bring a curse upon the town. So it was determined
He was instrumental in keeping order there, but soon after was that the wizards would be bound by an oath stone, to never
shunted to the south where he served a variety of posts and return to Haverstraw or to knowingly molest any of her people
rolls. His record was exemplary, and he fought well and hard, upon pain of judgment and death. All feared the oath stones,
but the tides of history were against him. His people and the for these are made in the shadow of Corthain, and his word is
Winter Dark Wars ended in the banishment of his god and the judgment and law.
destruction of his order. Those like him who survived, scattered
to the four winds. They were a hunted people, and they lived So Drusus was bound to it and his magi as well. When freed, the
in fear, for if they were found in almost any of the realms, they sisters fled north. Utz fled to the Darkenfold where it is believed
were burned at the stake. he was slain in Green Lonesome by the halflings. Ferenck, mad
as a hatter, was driven out, and he crawled away. It is said that
At that time Drusus found himself in the town of Freiburg. His he resides in Hopkinsville, completely insane, begging on the
order outlawed, he went into hiding. He could not easily book streets. But Drusus took what power he could away with him and
passage on any ship and the east was aflame in war so he sought vanished into the Darkenfold, where those in the know report he
to disguise himself. He lived for a time, passing as a merchant dwells still, upon the Lake of Nunt in the River Basin country.
in the town, but eventually he was found out and fled into the
Gelderland where he lived for many years. He rose to power The oath stone remained in Haverstraw for many years, until
amongst the Othine orcs and lay claim over them as their chief a thief stole it and took it into the wilderness, where he died,
Shaman and a lord of Aufstrag. They served him willingly and, bitten by a poisoned adder. But few know of this, for the town
to this day, see him as a chief servant of Unklar. fathers put a new stone in its place, to fool others, so that the
rumor of it missing, would not leave the town. For it is feared
He built a tower and housed it with wicked sorceries. He that if the Umbrians found out, that they would return and visit
mastered some few of the Blood Runes and lengthened his life their vengeance on the town.
by many years. He summoned creatures from the Wretched
Plains and sought allies to bring back his dread master. But the ABOUT THE OATH STONE
Gelderland proved too wild, and her people were never strong
enough and he failed in all his attempts. It was here that he The players should have found the oath stone in the Watch Tower.
learned of the Darkenfold and that many of his master’s people On it are carved the five names of the five Umbrian wizards. If
(the servants of Unklar) fled to that dark place to hide from the an identify spell is cast upon it, the spell reveals what the stone is,
many hunters of the world. He heard too of a series of powerful but not the story behind it. The names on the stone are bound to
towns, that lay south and east of that wood, that were ruled by it in some manner.
no lords and these soon occupied his mind.
If the characters encountered Craigsbone the dwarf, they
He gathered four of his followers, Umbrians like himself, and may have heard the name Drusus and know that he dwells
set off for the Oth River Valley. There was Utz of Two Souls, upon the shores of Lake Nunt, otherwise the stone is a simple
called thus for he had eyes of two different colors, and his magical stone.
friend Ferenck. The two sisters, Teadora and Telma, powerful
Umbrians bound to each other, followed him as well. HAVERSTRAW AND THE OATH STONE
If perchance the characters determine the oath stone came
In a few short months, Drusus and his four magi found
from Haverstraw and return it to the town, there is a substantial
themselves in the town of Haverstraw. There, they set about
reward, 5000gp and several very grateful townsfolk.
their foul purpose. Slowly, they ingratiated themselves with the
Merchants. They cajoled, bribed, blackmailed, and murdered
to gain a say in the Congress of Notables. They convinced the RETURNING TO THE RIVER
Congress to include wizards in their ranks so that all five soon The characters should leave the tower and return to the
had a vote. Drusus was made justiciar for life and the Umbrians Mistbane River at this point. However they maneuvered across
found themselves in control of the rapidly growing Haverstraw. the river previously, whether on the Rope Bridge or via canoe,
they find the river a bit more hospitable. Presumably they have
But as in all things he tried, Drusus was on the losing side. A slain or scattered the perytons. Now they find a small riverboat
young warrior (the son of a boat merchant seeking to avenge anchored in the center of the Mistbane, and a lone fisherman
his murdered parents) gathered a band of stalwarts about him casting a line.
and set about overthrowing Drusus and the magi. Ferenck they
caught in the practice of the black arts and after taking him,

HARVEST OF OATHS 11
ETHAN THE BOATSWAIN HEADING UPSTREAM
Ethan has been plying the waters of the Darkenfold for many If the party heads up river, avoiding the Bolan Drops and the
years. He trades goods he buys in Petersboro and Haverstraw trail, they quickly run into a fog bank, thick with banshees. For
with whomsoever he encounters on the river. His boat is well more information on the Mistbane and the banshees refer to the
stocked with most supplies travelers would need: food, beer, adventure module Shades of Mist.
packs, clothes, rope, etc. When he spies a potential customer,
he uses his ring of detect alignment, determines their disposition BOLAN DROPS
and treats them accordingly.
As is known, the Darkenfold is divided into two distinct
Ethan engages the party, offering them wares from his store if geographic regions. The Northern Plateau consists of the
they need or to ferry them over the river (if needed). He offers Upplands, Troll Glade, and the Powder River Country. The
to join them for a meal as well (no matter what time of day it is) Southern Plateau consists of the Millorian in the west and the
but does not wish to do it on the south bank of the river, as it is Downs in the east, both comprising the heart of the Darkenfold.
too dangerous due to the proximity of the Green Wizard. It is not always easy to tell where one begins and the other ends
as the forest floor is broken by many lesser features. Alice’s
Ethan is neutral He carries a +2 longsword, a heavy crossbow
Bluff divides the two in the west, but the bluff is only 25-30
and a +2 mace. He wears elven chain beneath his cloak and
miles long. The line however travels from the Bluff east to the
carries a +2 ring of protection and a ring of detect alignment.
Hollow, curves south to the long line of hills known as Mount
He speaks vulgate (common), elf, dwarf, eschl and several
Judy and the Inigg Gorge. These last mark the northern fence
halfling dialects fluently.
of the River Basin country, a low, flat region that stretches from
Ethan is not intended as an antagonist, but if for some reason Mount Judy to the Mistbane, known as the Wingnut Bottoms
the PCs attack him or it is otherwise necessary to stat him out, or Wingnut Bottomlands.
Ethan has the abilities of a 14th level ranger and 15d8 hit dice
The Bolan Drops are part of this country. They are distinctive in
with abilities Str 18 Dex 18 Con 14 Int 12 Wis 14 Cha 9.
the River Basin from the Wingnut because, where that region is
Just about anything from the equipment list, except arms and flat, the Bolan Drops are not. The Drops are a series of ridges,
armor, is in his boat. He does carry plenty of arrows and bolts. each higher the further north one goes. The ridges themselves
Ethan is particularly talkative and answers questions put to him are roughly 40-60 miles long and run east-west, however, there
as honestly as he can. are multiple shorter ridges that fan out north and south and
along all points of the compass after that, making the entire
OATH STONE: He knows the story of Haverstraw, though not country one of broken hills and ridges with a general line of
that the stone was stolen. If shown the Oath stone, he is truly march on an east/west axis.
surprised and amazed and recommends that the party venture
to Haverstraw and return it. However he has this to say, “Such The ridges are cut and splintered by a host of deep gulches,
an artifact is a powerful tool. If it were to fall into the wrong hands, carved out of the land by years of rain and run off. Near the
it could mean death for the people of that river town.” top, along the ridge lines the gulches are filled with tangled
scrub, brush and small, dried up trees that eke a living out of
If asked, he explains that he is heading down river, he was only the sparse soil. Deeper in the gulches where the sun struggles to
waiting for the perytons to scatter. After, he intends to head up reach there are older trees, far older trees. These well-watered
the Powder in order to avoid the unusually thick mist that has treants feed on the rich soil and the water and grow fat, their
gathered just west on the Mistbane. girth at times a dozen feet or more. Their canopies are broad
and thick and hang low to the ground. Oak vines thrive here,
“Don’t go that way,” he explains. “Get off the river for awhile. Those crawling across the ground and coiling around the base of the
mists are dangerous. They are, filled with the lost spirits of elves old forest giants.
denied the Stone Fields of the dead. They are damned. No. You need
to head up into the Bolan Drops on the north bank, strike out on Travel in the gulches is a little easier, the ground is soft and
Reacher’s Trail, and bypass the river and the mists. The trail, though water plentiful, but anyone passing through feels the ominous
dangerous, is easy to navigate and will land you on the edge of the presence of the trees.
Wingnut Bottom Lands many miles to the west.”
CREATURES IN THE DROPS
He supplies directions to Reacher’s Trail but mentions that the
country is hunted by a number of creatures, including bugbears. Roll regular wandering monsters for the overland journey.
He has this to say specifically: Consult the chart at the end of this adventure.

“It is an old part of the wood and little traveled but for the eschl, the Regardless of what is or is not encountered, the nights here are
wild men. Be on your guard, for the forest is more aware than you filled with strange noises and lights. Some of these are normal
know. It is thoughtful and in places filled with resentment, for the insects and other creatures that creep and crawl about the
earth was once crowded with the voices of the trees when the Ethvold wood, but some will be will o’ wisps. These are unforgiving and
was young, and the forest here blames any and all for the loss.” altogether dangerous.

12 5TH EDITION ADVENTURE

MOVEMENT IN THE DROPS intertwine a dozen feet or more above the path, making
Travel in the Bolan Drops is difficult unless one follows perfect arches. It seems a tunnel, sculpted in the trees by
Reacher’s Trail that snakes along a central ridge line for some unknown hands. Its a path that offers passage through
40 miles. Leaving the hilltops finds one in thick, inhospitable the forest.
environs. It’s a three to four day journey from the beginning of Reacher’s
If one follows Reacher’s Trail, movement is about 15 miles a Trail to where it ends in the Wingnut Bottomlands in the west.
day. If one enters the gulches movement is effectively halved. The journey is relatively easy, as the path is free of the normal
twisted roots and oak vines that plague so many parts of the
Once one leaves the trail, the forest becomes hostile and a wood. In fact the stone of the hills has worn through in many
danger in and of itself. places making travel down right easy. The trail is well watered
as a number of small streams bubble up on its course, tumbling
down below. Several are built up, rough walls of rock a few
THE LIVING FOREST
inches high, set by unknown hands, to pool the water.
The forest is vaguely aware of the world around it. The roots of
many of these trees are old and deep in the ground, and they Roll wandering monsters as normal, but the travel itself is free of
weave in and around one another in countless knots. They the normal plagues of moving through thick forest.
speak with each other through their roots and through the soil.
They know vaguely what is passing on over them and when Though the path continues beneath the arched trees for its
creatures they are not used to pass over them, particularly two- entire length it is possible to leave it. The trees do not grow so
legged creatures, the forest wakens. When it does it tends to close together that they prevent anyone from slipping off the
bend its will to the land, shifting the contours of the land with trail. However, those that do, soon find it difficult to locate the
their many roots, pushing here and pulling there, just enough to trail again, for the Bolan Drops are haunted by deadly fey and,
cause confusion and misdirect unwary travelers. as in many places in the Darkenfold, the forest itself is alive.

Within the wood, the trees are able to darken the forest within WILL O' WISPS: The trail is haunted by will-o-wisps. They
4 rounds, by turning their leaves inward and down. When they creep up from the gulches and lure victims into the darker forest
do this, it causes a slight creaking noise, and the light fails, where old, twisted oak live, treants of a foul disposition. There
dimming noticeably. When this happens all visibility drops to a the wisps slay their victims and devour them as is their wont.
few dozen feet. Beyond that it is completely dark and only those Within one day of entering Reacher’s Trail at least one will o’
who can see underground can see through the forest. wisp spies the party and begins following them.
The trees darken areas to push and drive victims forward and WILL O' WISP (CE Tiny Undead) HP 22 (HD 9d4), AC
down into the deep gulches where the old treants live. 19, Spd 50ft (fly). Str 1 Dex 28 Con 10 Int 13 Wis 14 Cha 11.
They also shape the land so that anyone attempting to track Perception 12(+2). Shock +4 (2d8 lightning). SA Darkvision
or find a trail must make a successful Wisdom (survival) check 120ft, Immune lightning, poison, exhaustion, grappled, para-
with a base DC 14. For every turn that has passed after leaving lyzed, poisoned, prone, restrained, unconscious, resist acid, cold,
Reacher’s Trail, increase the DC by 1, to a maximum of 25. fire, necrotic, thunder, and bludgeoning, piercing and slashing
from nonmagical; Invisibility (as an action; until consume life,
Once lost in the Drops the trees leave it to the will o’ wisps attacks, or loses concentration); consume life (bonus action: one
and treants to finish off victims. Consult the 5e Game Master’s creature at 0 hp must succeed at DC 10 Constitution save or
Guide concerning becoming lost. die; if it fails the Will-o-wisp regains 3d6 hp); ephemeral (can’t
carry or wear anything); Incorporeal movement (move through
REACHER'S TRAIL EAST END objects and creatures as difficult terrain; 1d10 damage if ends
turn in an object); Variable illumination (sheds bright light in
Leaving the north bank of the Mistbane, one follows Mander 5-20ft. radius at will, and dim light for the same distance be-
Creek up into the Bolan Drops. After a day’s travel the creek yond. Bonus action to alter the radius).
vanishes beneath the flat slope of a hill. Reacher’s Trail begins
at the top of that hill. TREANT (CG Huge Plant) HP 138 (HD 12d12+60),
AC 16, Spd 30ft. Str 23 Dex 8 Con 21 Int 12 Wis 16 Cha
The trail itself is long, crossing almost 40 miles of woodland. 12. Perception 13(+3). 2 Slam +10 (3d6+6) or Rock +10
It is unpaved, consisting of a broad dirt path beneath the (4d10+6; 60ft/180ft). SA false appearance, dmg x2 struc-
intertwining arched branches of the trees. tures/objects, animate trees 1/day.
As you climb up the steep slope of the hill the tree line
gives way to an open glade. On either side of the glade REACHER'S TRAIL WEST END
the trees pick back up as they crowd the edge of the The trail ends abruptly, giving way to a wide open slope that
glade. On the western edge a path opens up. Here the slides gently down into the forest again. From the trailhead here
trees are pushed back in ordered ranks of two columns one can see west for some miles, looking over the treetops. The
that wall in the path. Their branches grow on high and shadow of the Rhodope Mountains loom in the distance, and

HARVEST OF OATHS 13
the rise of the land to the north is noticeable. In the south, The Bottoms are open and going here is easier than in other
perhaps a mile away, is a large cut in the tree line, clearly a river sections of the wood. Elsewhere tree roots cling to the earth
of some size. It is the Mistbane. like gnarled fingers, coiled in and out of the ground, creating
many pitfalls and snares for the unwary; here however, the wet
earth allows the maples to sink deep and their roots are rarely
THE BOTTOMS exposed, creating a largely flat expanse of bottom land. The
Reacher’s Trail’s west end lies just north of the Mistbane, on aforementioned grass and moss creates an almost comfortable
the edge of the Wingnut Bottomland. Travel in the Bottoms is ground cover.
markedly different than in the Bolan Drops.
Despite this, the Bottoms are home to many thick-leaved
bushes, berries and thorny vines. These grow wild and deep in
WINGNUT BOTTOMLAND
the spring and summer, dying off in the fall. They are generally
The Wingnut Bottomland, or the Bottoms for short, extends thin stalked and do little to impede movement, though they do
from the Bolan Drops in the east, to the Lake of Nunt in the restrict visibility due to their large leaves.
west. It abuts the Inigg Gorge and Thistle Ridge in the north
and the Mistbane River in the south. As its name indicates, it The Bottoms are not without their dangers however. Many
is a low lying area that is as much a swampland as it is a forest. fallen trees have submerged in the soil, tripping up those who
The ground, as well as the flora, is very different in the Bottoms move too fast and feeding a fierce species of tusked boar. But the
than elsewhere in the Darkenfold. ground is the real enemy, for the wet earth plays host to small
grass-covered ponds, sink holes, quick sand and mud pits. Many
The ground in the Bottoms is moist and rich in nutrients. It plays fall afoul of these water traps and are consumed by the Bottoms,
host to a wide variety of mosses, grasses and smaller wetland their flesh adding to the soil’s thick nutrients.
shrubs. The moss in particular grows everywhere, carpeting the
ground, crawling up the boles of trees, and hanging in wads from TRAVEL: Travel is somewhat faster in the Bottoms. On a good
the branches overhead. Silver maples dominate the Bottoms, day 15 miles is possible. Of course if the region is flooded, as
spread out generously, allow easy passage between them. These frequently happens, travel is much slower, about 5 miles a day,
tall, silver-white trees, with high canopies and bright green often through water several inches to a foot deep.
leaves grow throughout, thriving on the ample water and rich
earth. Only a few of the forest’s more dour trees, the oaks, grow VISIBILITY: During the spring and summer months, visibility
in the Bottoms, and most of these lie in the north, along the is broken by the thick brush. Anyone attempting to hide in
edge of Thistle Ridge. There the oaks represent an old stand of the warmer months gains advantage to all stealth checks. All
trees and are very large and deep rooted. Wisdom (perception) checks suffer disadvantage.

14 5TH EDITION ADVENTURE

TERRAIN ENCOUNTERS rarely show themselves to humans. They have some dealings
with the wood elves of the Millorian, further to the south.
There are no permanent paths or trails in the Bottoms. The
forest is open and does little to restrict the movement of animals, They are a primitive people, looking upon iron and steel, and
but beyond that the constant floods wash away any paths that any metal as magic, and rarely use it. They prefer the stone axe,
do form. This creates an unusual danger in the Bottoms, for it spear, bow, and blow gun to anything offered to them. Those who
is easy to stumble into a pitfall, mud pit or other such wetland do master metals do so by shaping it into wild and exotic forms
danger, here referred to as quicksand. or use it to decorate their bodies. They are skilled hunters and
able to move through the forests with ease. They do not however
For every 5 miles of terrain covered, roll a d6. If a one is rolled,
hold either sex less or greater than the other, and women fight
the characters stumble across or into a hidden bog.
along men and children as well, after only a few years.
Any quicksand encountered requires a DC 12 Wisdom
The Eschl wear little in the way clothing and armor, preferring
(survival) check by the lead member or members of the party,
to decorate their bodies with magical tattoos, magical arm bands
assuming the heroes are moving carefully. If the heroes are
(usually of some type of metal as noted above), earrings, and
rushing through the Bottoms or not paying heed to the dangers
rings upon their tusks. Their most prominent feature is their
around them, the check is made at disadvantage A failed save
hair, which they cut, grease with bear oil, and shape in many
means the advance members of the party fall into the quicksand
wild forms. It is a hairstyle that often marks a band.
and immediately begin sinking. A successful save means they
notice the quicksand before they stumble into it.
HOLY LAND
PITFALL/QUICKSAND As noted the Eschl look upon the Bottoms as holy land. Here,
they say, dwells the Great Stag, Let, the god of Hope and securer
If one falls into quicksand, they begin sinking immediately. To
of men on Aihrde. Also, Nunt, the god of death lies in the lake
stay afloat they must make a successful Dexterity save (DC 15).
of the same name. The Eschl come here to hunt the wild boar
To escape from the bog they must make a successful DC 15
and the bovine that dwell in the deeper portions of the forest
Strength (athletics) check. If successful, they pull themselves
as a rite of passage to adulthood. These are holy animals to the
free. For each round they remain in the quicksand the DC both
Eschl and are not hunted, but on special occasions. They do
to remain afloat and to escape increases by 1, until they slip
not generally allow others to freely hunt the bovine or the boars
beneath the quicksand in 6-12 rounds, at which point they
in the Bottoms and if they find someone doing so, they often
begin to suffocate (see the Fifth Edition Player’s Handbook for
attack them, to punish them for their sins. Though, at times,
rules on suffocation).
they treat with the interlopers and demand payment in one
form or the other.
ENCOUNTERS
Roll normal encounters in the Bottoms. Any deer or other More information on the Eschl will be found in the forthcoming
herbivores should be considered wild boar or the large wild Fifth Edition Monsters & Treasure of Aihrde.
cattle that populate the Bottoms. The land is sacred to the
native eschl. THE ESCHL CHILD
This encounter should occur at least 15 miles into the Bottoms.
THE ESCHL
Illpah is a child of the Eschl. She is young, six years old, but
The Bottoms are home to several bands of the Eschl. These wild was gifted with ‘the sight’ by Nunt and she can see onto the
men dwell in small groups throughout the Darkenfold, but the Arc of the Time and to the Endless Pools (see the Codex of
Bottoms are holy to them. Here, the many bands often come to Aihrde). She is a holy child to her people, but recently she and
trade goods, seek spouses, worship the Og Aust, exchange news, her mother have become separated from their band and have
and muster for war. wandered alone in the Bottoms for several days. Her mother was
only recently killed by a giant boar. Illpah stands by, watching
They are a strange people, humanoids who dwell in the stone
the beast devour her mother.
age. They are secretive, tribal and little inclined to trade with
peoples outside their species. They are ruled by chieftains and The underbrush gives way and you spy a wide clearing
shamans, and pay homage to the Og Aust, particularly Let, the beneath the mighty bole of a gigantic maple tree. The
Stag, but also Heth, Nunt and Kekki. They use magic in almost ground here is slightly elevated and seems to avoid the
all that they do, from making weapons to growing crops and normal flooding the region most certainly suffers. Leaf
rely upon the Og Aust for much of it. Those who are strong rise fall covers much of the ground, making it unusually
to the top of the bands, and are able to guide, manipulate, or barren of grass, so that the sandy soil of the earth is
overpower their fellows. exposed. Standing in the clearing is a young child,
perhaps six years old. The child is dark skinned, with
The Eschl have suffered at the hands of slavers for many long
long black hair. Beyond her, lying on the ground, is the
years, scooped up when young and carted off to the east, most
body of a woman. Next to her is a long spear, broken in
recently to Haverstraw upon the Danau River and for this reason
half. Feeding upon the corpse is a gigantic boar.

HARVEST OF OATHS 15
 BOAR (Unaligned Medium Beast) HP 11 (HD 2d8+2), AC able to run as fast as any adult, but for only half the time. She
11, Spd 40ft. Str 13 Dex 11 Con 12 Int 2 Wis 9 Cha 5. Percep- speaks her own language. She has an inherent ability to detect
tion 9(-1). Tusk +3 (1d6+1). SA Charge (if moves at least anyone’s alignment at will. She can also see into other planes
20ft and hits with tusk, victim takes 1d6 extra damage and must and as a result can, once per week, contact other planes as per
make DC 11 Strength save or fall prone), Relentless (Recharge the spell. The planes she can contact are limited to the Wretched
long or short rest; if damage of 7 or less would reduce to 0 hp, Plains, Endless Pools, and Stone Fields. When contacting other
instead boar is reduced to 1 hp). planes she is communicating with the god Heth.

The boar does not immediately attack. Being a temperamental Illpah belongs to the Manute people, a small band of about 80
beast it slew Illpah’s mother for no other reason than to show men, women and children. They are presently in the vicinity,
its dominance. It is not actually feeding on the corpse, it only several miles from the tragic scene. They are unaware of the
appears to be doing so. It is continuing to gore the body however, mother and child’s absence.
and is slowly disemboweling it.
Illpah is small, about 3 feet high with long, black hair. Her eyes
If anyone comes within 20 feet of the boar, it attacks, rushing to are bright green, an unusual trait in her people. Her skin is dark
gore its opponents. olive color, bordering on brown. She is a comely child, though
rarely smiles or laughs. Humor in the child is so rare that it
During any battle with the boar Illpah does not run away, nor terrifies her people when she does laugh.
does she cower. She fully expects to be slain by the boar and join
her mother on the Arc of Time so, if a battle erupts, she ignores ILLPAH'S FATE: Illpah has no idea where her people are. If
it and she moves to prepare her mother for the afterlife. asked she waves vaguely in a westerly direction. They are, in
fact, north of her, working their way toward Thistle Ridge and
AVOIDING THE ENCOUNTER If the party avoids the child the Bolan Drops. A ranger in the party can attempt to back-
and boar and moves on, the girl remains near her mother’s body. track the child. They can pick up her and her mother’s trail on a
The boar does not kill her, but eventually grows tired of the successful Wisdom (survival) check (DC 15). Keeping the trail
body and moves on, and by nightfall the girl will have become is not easy, however. The eschl are known for their abilities to
the victim of another vicious beast, such as a nakal dragon. move and hide in the forest. Every three hours a fresh tracking
check must be made. Failure means the trail is lost. If there is
RESCUING THE CHILD: Illpah evinces no surprise upon seeing
no hero with proficiency in survival in the party, they can only
the party. She doesn’t move or speak until the boar is engaged.
guess at the direction the eschl have traveled.
Once the party attacks, the child walks over to the body of her
mother and begins preparing her for her journey. She lays her The band is presently about 10 miles north and west, though
out, rolling her over on her back, straightening her legs, and the trail leads any trackers on a wild circuitous route that covers
placing her arms at her sides. She collects thorns from the brush almost 12 miles of forest, requiring roughly 15 hours of travel
and pins her mother’s eyes open. All the while, she speaks to her and five tracking checks.
in soft tones. If any can understand her speech she is reassuring
her mother with the following words: If anyone in the party offers to take the child, she joins the party
and follows them wherever they go, whether after her people or
“Momma, have no fear for I have set you right in the world and you with the party on their adventures.
will not walk with broken step. Momma, have no fear for I have put
your arms to rest and Nunt may not grab you. Momma, have no fear If told to stay and she is abandoned, she remains behind. She
for I have pinned your eyes open and Nunt will not deceive you with does not look or act disappointed, only watches intently as the
his lies. Momma, have no fear for Heth will take you and guide you party leaves. If she is left behind, as noted above, a nakal dragon
upon the River of Erde.” attacks and kills her at dusk.

If anyone engages the child, she speaks to them in clear, concise ILLPAH RETURNED TO HER PEOPLE: If the party manages
tones. However she only speaks the eschl tongue. Unless to take the child back to her people by back-tracking her trail,
someone in the party speaks eschl, a comprehend languages is they first encounter a band of warriors who begin to flank them.
cast, or the party has some other means of interpreting the The warriors are seen on a Wisdom (perception) check (DC
child’s language, they cannot understand her, nor she them. 17). If they see the girl, they shout to her by name, without
coming out. Illpah then communicates that the people are kind
If she is engaged while she is preparing her mother’s body, Illpah and bringing her back.
stops, holds up her hand and speaks in her own tongue asking
the party to stop. She then continues her work. When she is At this point one of the chieftains emerges and engages the
done, she walks away from the body and sits down. She will party. Upon learning of their good intentions he’ll offer them
follow the party if she is asked or appropriate non-threatening food and rest with the band, inviting them to their camp. There
gestures are made for her to do so. She has no fear of them if the party is surrounded by the tribe, who come out to see the
they are good, otherwise she refuses to go. strangers that have rescued Illpah.

Illpah is chaotic good, with the statistics of a commoner, except The path you are on gives way to a wide-open space
as follows: She has no weapons, nor any skills to fight. She is beneath the trees. A stream tumbles through the camp

16 5TH EDITION ADVENTURE

 of lean-tos and rough built yurts. The wild looking
people come from all over, climbing out of hammocks,
out of yurts, and from the surrounding forest. The light
plays on their skin, casting them in a dark green. They
are largely naked, wearing arm and leg bands, and are
covered with tattoos. Their hair stands out above all
else, being shaved clean on the scalp but for a long shock
of hair, braided or hanging loose that starts above the
left ear and drops to the shoulder or below. They carry
a variety of weapons, mostly stone age tools. They are
grinning and friendly.

The eschl welcome the strangers and feed them a wide variety
of roots, fruits, berries and cooked meats. They continually
thank them for returning Illpah to their band and offer to tattoo
the party with bands markings. Anyone who accepts the tattoo
gains proficiency in the survival and nature skills, permanently,
from its magic. Those already proficient in these skills add
double their proficiency bonus on all ability checks that use
them in the future.

The eschl allow the party to stay with them as long as they like,
but they are moving west, toward the Bolan Drops in the next
few days.

ILLPAH AS A COMPANION: Illpah joins the party if offered,

and she is not returned to her people. She is quiet, makes no
disturbances, obeys almost any command (so long as it doesn’t
cause her any harm) and follows directions as best she can with
the limited forms of communication available. THE CROOKED HOUSE
She is a quick study and is able to pick up languages rapidly. After Some years past a witch, Merovina by name, settled upon the far
a month of being with the party she is able to communicate with western edge of the Wingnut Bottoms. There she found a large
almost anyone in the Vulgate or Common speech. oak, the bole of its stem almost 20 feet across, dwelling upon
the banks of a stream. Merovina drew her power from water
Once she can communicate she does not hide her abilities, and with this she wooed the tree, waking it from a long slumber
explaining to anyone curious that she is a holy child and has the and she disabused the creature of any wholesome thoughts it
Sight of Heth and is able to talk to the dead. She uses her ability had, though in truth, it had precious few of those. Woken, the
to contact other planes if requested. tree grumbled its discontent, but she cared not, and continued
to woo it. At last it opened to her and she convinced the tree
She stays with the party, treating them as her new band, as long to divert a stream of water that passed nearby, forcing the water
as they will have her. to pass beneath it, so that in time it hollowed out a large chasm
beneath the tree itself.
THE PATH AHEAD: If at any point Illpah is asked about the
forest ahead she imparts what information she knows. She has With this done she convinced the old forest man to divert the
little practical knowledge beyond gathering roots and berries. creek once more, so that the water flowed around the tree and
Though she traveled extensively, as is the want of her band, back on its natural path. The ground dried in a few days and the
she doesn’t have a clear layout of the land, being aware of the tree rumbled in anger, threatening to pull the earth back to him
Mistbane and the Bottoms a little. However she warns them and cover his naked limbs. But she promised to make all right,
about the Lake of Nunt if she is able. for what she had, was what she intended.
“The Lake of Nunt lies beyond the point of the northern ridge but With roots for walls and the bole for her roof, Merovina made
before the small river and you must not go there. It is a black place a home. She raised slabs of stone up to fill the gaps in her walls
where Nunt dwells, sleeping in the mud of the river. It houses the evil and set a window, if a bit lopsided, to overlook where the creek
that resides in his belly. To drink the water of the lake is madness. To tumbled around the house and back into its normal course.
fish the lake is death. Do not go to the Lake of Nunt.” Within she packed the dirt of the floor tight to the ground
and spoke words of holding upon it so that her floor was solid
Despite her own warning, she will follow the party if they and allowed no insect or errant root entry. She built a hearth
continue on to the Lake of Nunt and the Low River Country. of stone and set an old chimney in it, but made it so that the
smoke of her fire passed beneath the ground and came out of

HARVEST OF OATHS 17
the earth 20 feet beyond the dome of the tree. She built a bed of Merovina has hung here for the better part of a year. Any and
thrush leaves and limbs, a table from a large slab of stone and in all who have seen her, have left her to her fate, not knowing
time decorated the wall with shelves and cupboards. On these what strange happenstance led her to this fate. Her flesh is not
she lined her poultices, salves, potions and elixirs. decayed, though the wounds are raw, as if they were recently
made. Her clothes however, show the signs of age.
There Merovina lived for many years, her only company, the
dark hearted tree that was her home. Anyone who approaches her notices that she is breathing, if
only barely, upon a successful Wisdom (medicine) check (DC
Merovina had two great joys. The first was to fish. She enjoyed 12) or DC 15 Wisdom (perception). She cannot speak, but if
fishing upon the banks of the Mistbane River and the small she is spoken to, she opens her eyes and attempts to plead with
creeks and ponds around her forest domicile. But more than them, through facial expressions and arm gestures, to cut her
this, she loved to lure people to her home, lull them into down.
senselessness with charms or poultices, and devour their souls.
She buried their lifeless bodies in the mossy ground around her Without her voice she has no ability to use her spell-like abilities.
house, calling on them when and if she desired, for amusement She is able to mask her alignment however, and unless a dispel
or protection. magic is cast upon her any attempt to discover her alignment
reveals only that she is neutral.
It was this latter action that led to her end. After poisoning a
young halfling up from the deep south, she invited the wrath of MEROVINA, GREEN HAG (NE Medium Fey) HP 82 (HD
his people. Finding her fishing upon the banks of the Mistbane 11d8+33), AC 17, Spd 30ft. Str 18 Dex 12 Con 16 Int 13
they peppered her with arrows from afar. She tried to flee but, Wis 14 Cha 14. Perception 15(+5). Arcana +3, Deception
finding this impossible, she turned to fight. This proved fruitless +4, Perception +5, Stealth +3. Claws +6 (2d8+4), Wild
and they fell upon her with axe and sword. After she was shape (as druid; giant eel shape only); Illusory appearance
subdued, they took out her tongue, cut off her hands and feet (Look like another creature of her general size and humanoid
and fed it all to the giant gar that hunt that mighty river. They shape. The illusion ends with bonus action or if she dies. The
then strung her up in a tree, hanging over the slow-moving changes don’t to hold up to physical inspection or with DC 20
water for all to see. Intelligence (Investigation) check), Invisible passage (invisibil-
ity as per spell at will as action). SA Amphibious, innate spell
FINDING THE CROOKED HOUSE casting (Cha, save DC 12, at will: Dancing lights, minor illu-
sion, vicious mockery), mimicry (animal sounds and humanoid
The Crooked House lies about 2 miles north of the Mistbane
voices. DC 14 Wisdom (Insight) check reveals imitations)
upon the western edge of the Wingnut Bottoms. The trail that
leads from one to the other is not difficult to see. Merovina used As noted, Merovina is not dead. She is very much alive and
it for years, passing from one spot to the next. The characters, desires to be cut loose and hit the water beneath her, alter into
passing through the Wingnut country, should stumble upon the a giant eel, go deep into the water and heal herself. If she is
trail. They can go north to the house, or south to the river. If cut down she attempts to make for the water, acting as if she
they go south see The Hanging Tree below, if they go north, see is thirsty. As soon as she touches the water, she alters form and
Merovina’s House. wiggles her way into the river. She is very large, about 9 feet long
and roughly 100 pounds of pure muscle.
Either way the journey is easy and without mishap.
MEROVINA, GREEN HAG (as giant eel) HP 11 (HD
THE HANGING TREE 2d8+2), AC 14, Spd 30ft, 30ft (swim). Str 10 Dex 18 Con
The path opens up onto a river bank a few feet above the 13 Int 13 Wis 14 Cha 14. Perception 15(+5). Arcana +3,
Mistbane. The bank is dominated by a large tree, whose Deception +4, Perception +5, Stealth +6. Bite +6 (1d8). SA
branches extend over the river. Merovina hangs from this tree. Slippery skin (advantage on checks to escape a grapple; oppo-
She is not dead, only seems so. nents have disadvantage to grapple); Quick riposte (as a reac-
tion, may make a bite attack).
The path gives way to a wide, open bank, overlooking
the lethargic waters of the Mistbane. The burbling river Anyone can attempt to stop her but doing so after she assumes
laps the pebble strewn shore and the feet of a massive eel form is difficult and any grapple checks are made at
quaking aspen, whose silver white bark and dark green disadvantage due to her slippery skin. This results in a wicked
leaves stand in contrast to all the forest green around it. bite. Anyone holding her must make a strength check each
But it is not the aspen’s bark that draws your attention, round to keep her from the water.
but rather the lonesome body that hangs from the tree.
Once in the water she goes deep, sinking into the mud and heals
A woman, shorn of her feet and hands, hangs from a
herself. She waits until her rescuers leave to return to her house,
branch, just over the shore. Her bloody stumps are
but regardless, her embarrassment at being seen strung up is too
naked and raw, her face torn in a grimace of pain. There
much for her to handle so that she tracks the characters down
seems little decay about her, though her clothes are
and attempts to kill them if she can.
ragged and worn.

18 5TH EDITION ADVENTURE

MEROVINA'S ESCAPE: If they do not cut her down she hangs the corner, a table, and hearth. Still, it is an alchemist’s dream.
there, but she makes note of their faces and will hunt them On the walls are her treasures, dozens of clay jars filled with all
down and kill them later. For, indeed, she does escape. The rain manner of potions and elixirs. There are 38 jars in all, each one
that falls (see below) causes the river to rise enough to touch containing a different substance. Roll 2d20 on the list below to
the stumps of her feet, allowing her to transform, break the determine the contents.
rope, and heal.
Each jar has 1-4 applications in it. Anyone subject to one
KILLING MEROVINA: She is difficult to kill, as the halflings application must make a successful Constitution save, if
found out. Water heals her. If she is hacked to pieces while required. Unless otherwise noted, the save is DC 13.
hanging in the tree she will eventually rise from the dead when
the water rises and touches her. To kill her, she must be burned TABLE 1: JAR CONTENTS
or buried in hallowed or consecrated ground. 2D20 Contents and results
2 Aconite, liquid – DC 15 constitution Save or become
MEROVINA'S HOUSE drowsy, all attribute checks are at disadvantage for
As noted, the house sits beneath the bole of a large tree deep 1d4 hours.
in the forest. A creek wanders around its flank, and the trail 3 Cowslip, salve - Helps one find what one is seeking,
snakes around to the small door set in the wall of stone and +1 on all search checks.
root.
4 Poisoned Ash, liquid - Save or suffer nausea, -2 on all
The trail ends upon the babble course of a small stream attribute checks.
that seems to tumble around the feet of a giant tree. The 5 Deerstongue paste - Consume to increase magic
tree itself sits astride a small house, its roots interlaced abilities for 1d4 rounds by one level.
with the roof and walls. A small, crooked window looks 6 Sticklewort, liquid - Save or fall into a deep sleep.
out over the creek and trail, shutters closed. A stone Sleep for 8 hours or until dispelled.
window ledge contains a single pot with a small crop of
mushrooms in it. On the other side of the narrow creek, 7 Bracken, dried leaves - Causes rain to fall if sprinkled
a stone path leads up to a disjointed door made of flat on a running creek.
boards. Several small pots of various nondescript plants 8 Arnica, cloves­- Repels any lesser undead for one
sit around the doorstep. hour.
9 Castor, dust - Grants user +1 against spells for 1d4
The door is unlocked.
rounds.
The plants in all the pots, inside and out are rare flowers and 10 Rotted Lime, salve - Smear on wounds to attract
weeds that serve as ingredients for poisons, unguents, tinctures flies. The flies clean the wound but lay larvae for
and potions of one shade or the other. A PC can determine disease (see sample diseases in the 5e Game Master’s
their species with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (survival) or Handbook).
Intelligence (nature) or (poisoner’s kit) check, and can harvest 11 Strophanthus, liquid - Causes heart palpitations. All
them, if desired. See the Jar Contents table below, or consult checks at -2 for 1d4 rounds.
the section on poisons in the 5e Game Master’s Guide for the
kinds of mixtures Merovina made with these plants. 12 Mountain Laurel, viscous liquid - Causes vomiting
and diarrhea. Incapacitates for 10 rounds.
If the door is opened by any other than Merovina the bodies of 13 Hemlock, salve - Causes paralysis for 6 rounds.
her victims begin to crawl up from their shallow, moss covered
14 Clematis, liquid - Burns the throat, causing coughing
graves. They attack any and all around them.
and thirst.
WIGHT (6-8) (NE Medium Undead) HP 45 (HD 6d8+18), 15 Glamorgyle - Causes one to fall into a light sleep for 4
AC 14, Spd 30ft. Str 15 Dex 14 Con 16 Int 10 Wis 13 Cha hours or until awakened.
15. Perception 13(+3), Stealth +4. Life Drain +4 (1d6+2 16 Cream Cheese
necrotic, plus DC 13 Con save or HP maximum reduced by
damage taken until victim finishes long rest. Death if max HP 17 Nightshade, small pills – DC 15 Constitution save.
= 0, and rises 24 hours later as a zombie); longsword +4 On success, fall into a deep sleep for 12 hours from
(1d8+2); longbow +4 (1d8+2, 150/600ft). SA Immune poi- which cannot be awakened, and have nightmarish
son, exhaustion; resist necrotic and bludgeoning, piercing and dreams. On failure, suffer 10d6 damage and be
slashing form nonmagical or non-silver attacks); Sunlight sensi- unconscious for 24 hours.
tivity (disadvantage on attacks and Wis (Perception) rolls based 18 Butter
on sight in sunlight). 19 Lovage, liquid - Calms recipient down. Save or be
affected as per the friends spell towards all people for
MEROVINA'S LAIR: The house is very small, only about 15’
1d4 hours.
x 15’. She has a small bed in the corner of sticks and leaves in

HARVEST OF OATHS 19
 20 Baneberry, berries – Save or suffer stomach cramps, BEYOND THE BOTTOMS
vomiting and diarrhea for one day. The Bottoms end just south of the Lake of Nunt. Here the
21 Hellebore, paste, or jelly - Causes melancholy and Low River Country begins. This is a dangerous place within
weakness, act as ray of enfeeblement unless successful the Darkenfold, sandwiched between the evil that resides in
save is made. the Lake of Nunt and the distant Gurthap Falls that mark the
22 Hops - For making beer. beginning of the Upplands.

23 Bryony, liquid - Causes one to fall asleep for 4-8 The character’s path should lead them out of the Bottoms and
rounds unless a successful save is made. into the Low River Country.
24 Yew, salve - Makes one itch and become nervous.
Disadvantage to all ability checks for 1d6 minutes THE HARVEST OF OATHS
unless a successful save is made.
The Wingnut Bottoms give way to a country slightly higher
25 Apple Jelly in elevation, the Low River Country and the Lake of Nunt.
26 Ivy, salve - Causes skin irritation for 2-4 days. All The lake is name for the god of death of the same name and
combat actions at -1 unless a successful save is made. some believe he dwells there still. However, its most irksome
27 Dropwort, liquid - Causes confusion as the spell of inhabitant is the wizard Drusus, the very same whose name lies
the same name unless a successful save is made. upon the oath stone.
28 White Poppy, liquid - Save or fall into a coma for 4-8
days. Can only be woken by remove curse or similar THE LOW RIVER COUNTRY
spell. The Low River Country includes a huge swath of forest that
29 Apple Butter begins at Gurthap Falls, follows the course of the Watchita River
to the Mistbane, angling bank north and east to Mount Judy and
30 Foxglove, small pills - Dissolves in liquid. Causes
the Hollow and back again to Gurthap Falls. The ground here
headaches and thirst unless a successful save is made.
rises only a scant dozen feet or so from the Wingnut Bottoms, but
31 Gelsemium, gas - Breathing it causes respiratory does so quite dramatically on the north-east axis to Mount Judy.
paralysis for 4 rounds. Victim cannot breathe and is
immobilized unless a successful save is made. The ground here rarely floods but does serve as something of
32 Copal, liquid - Makes one susceptible to charm. a watershed from the higher plateau to the north. In the rainy
Save or suffer disadvantage on all saves against season, the many creeks and streams swell, the depressions fill
enchantment effects for 24 hours. with water, and the whole area becomes a water-logged land
where travel for anything heavy is difficult. The rain and water
33 Clove, cloves - Makes someone of the preferred give birth to a plethora of plants, from trees to bushes, deep
gender seem desirable, trustworthy and kind unless grasses, clinging mosses and the like.
a successful save is made. Victim is charmed by the
next person of the preferred gender encountered. Travel in the Low River Country is slow, generally allowing one
34 Grape Jam to move 6 miles a day. If it rains the ground becomes soggy and
the bushes hang low, decreasing visibility and slowing movement
35 Gardenia, liquid - Removes the effects of minor
to 4 miles per day.
potions, elixirs and poultices.
36 Witch Hazel, paste - One drop on the tongue allows From Merovina’s lair to the Lake of Nunt should take several days.
user to know alignment as spell for the standard One of the region’s most ferocious predators is the iris dragon.
duration.
37 Paul’s Pot, thick liquid - Save or hallucinate for 24 WHEN IT RAINS
hours. All attacks, saves and ability checks are at Allow for a few days of travel into the Low River Country. The
disadvantage. characters should run normal encounters, a pack of iris dragons
38 Mugdart, liquid - Causes a curse to be placed upon if the CK is so inclined. The forest is thick and movement slow
the recipient, as the bestow curse spell. and difficult. Insects are constant and annoying, hounding the
characters at every term. On the third day it begins to rain.
Beyond the wights, there is nothing guarding her house. Anyone
taking the jars can easily abscond with them. However, while A gentle rain begins to fall. It is cool and serves to
many of them have magical effects, the exact mixtures of the scatter the insects who have been your ever constant
potions and poisons are as important to their function as the companions. The water is too light at first to cling to
magic, if not more so. As such, only an identify spell, or a DC 25 you, but rather rolls off of cloaks and packs. But soon
Intelligence (nature) or (poisoner’s kit) check can fully discern within half an hour it picks up, the rain begins to fall
the contents of each jar. steady and hard. Within a few minutes, the skies seem
to open up and the rain falls in torrents. Visibility is cut
in half, the ground turns viscous, clinging on with each

20 5TH EDITION ADVENTURE

 step so that in short order you cannot tell where the they came. Going back is next to impossible as the whole area
ground leaves off and your foot begins. is flooded for several hundred feet, and even finding the original
creek bed is difficult. Follow the above, saves are at disadvantage.
Unless the party takes shelter beneath a tent or magical device,
there is nowhere to hide. The forest here has few caves, and the They can still attempt 14 Mile Creek.
overhanging branches of trees do little to stop the downpour.
The characters are soaked to the bone within 15 minutes, STAYING STILL: In the area between the two creeks, the water
unless their gear is water resistant, and even then, eventually rises to about 2 feet but draws with it all the forest debris from
the water finds its way through, as it is always want to do. north of the party down into the flooded area. It is possible to
remain where they are, but they must make constant Dexterity
In this condition they come to the first of two creeks, the (acrobatics) checks to avoid falling down.
Turtleneck and 14 Mile Creek. They are actually very close to
the confluence of these two creeks, as they will soon find out. Require a check every 15 minutes. The DC is 12, plus 1 for each
hour that passes, up to a maximum of DC 20. If a character falls
TURTLENECK CREEK it is difficult to get back up (Dexterity (acrobatics) check at
most recent DC, at disadvantage).
Turtleneck Creek is easy enough to cross, being only a few feet
wide. However, any druid or ranger can tell with a successful Or they can climb trees and wait it all out. The creeks recede
DC 15 Wisdom (survival) check that its levels are rapidly rising, in about 24 hours.
and will be swollen any moment.
The rain stops in about 4 hours. The whole forest is a sodden
Assuming they cross the creek, they pass into a flat area that mess and depending upon the condition of the characters the
has signs of constant flooding. After crossing this area for 50 party may or may not be scattered all over the area.
feet or so the characters may notice that it has flooded before.
IRIS DRAGON: The aforementioned iris dragons are in the area
About 200 feet further in from Turtleneck lies 14 Mile Creek. and hunt the trees for stranded meals. Within a few hours they
have spied the characters, either forcing them to fight in the
14 MILE CREEK water or in the trees as best determined by them.
Normally only 3-4 feet wide, and 1-2 feet deep, 14 Mile Creek DRAGON, IRIS (ADULT) (N Medium Dragon) HP 45(HD
has risen with the fresh rainfall. It is now 12 feet wide and some 6d8+9), AC 15, Spd 20ft/80ft (fly). Str 15 Dex 18 Con 16
four feet deep. It tumbles in a maddeningly fast course as it Int 10 Wis 15 Cha 7. Perception 16(+6). Stealth +8, Sur-
heads south to join the Watchita River deep in the Low River. vival +6. Paralysis Breath (Recharge 5-6; 15ft cone, DC 15
Dex save or paralyzed; immunity to disease negates); Claw +6
CROSSING 14 MILE CREEK: Crossing the river is entirely
(1d8+3 and DC 15 or poisoned and incapacitated); Blood
possible. If they plunge in and attempt to cross without any
drain (incapacitated victim suffers 1d8 necrotic damage until
safeguards, allow each character two Dexterity saves (DC
dragon is attacked, drains 2x hit points in damage or victim
15). If they fail either one, they are swept off their feet and
dies). SA Advantage on stealth checks.
carried several hundred feet downstream when they are allowed
another save at the same DC to pull themselves out of the water.
Which bank they pull themselves out on is 50/50. The process APPROACHING THE LAKE
continues until they either escape or fail four checks, at which The characters are not far from the Lake of Nunt. In fact, 14
point they fail to escape the water. At this point they begin to Mile Creek begins in the lake. After the party crosses 14 Mile
drown (per the rules for suffocation). Their body eventually Creek, they find that a great deal of forest refuse has built up to
washes out to the Watchita where it washes ashore. the south. It is all natural, caused by the flood. It covers several
hundred meters.
Characters who tie themselves off to either side of the bank can
avoid the tragedy. Following the curve of the debris brings them to an uptick in
the land, a small hill crowned by a large jumble of rocks. They
FORD: There is a ford 7 miles north of the present crossing. cannot help but cross over this on their way either west, north
or south. Once on top they are able to see the land for many
FAILURE TO CROSS: If the characters try to wait it out or
miles around
spend too much time pondering their problem things will get
much more difficult. Both creeks rise above their flood stages The forest gives way beneath you as your path leads up
and soon spill into the area between them. It takes just shy to a small escarpment. The vantage allows you to see for
of an hour for the water to flood the area. It comes up from many miles. To the south the forest is unrelenting until
the confluence first, backing up over where the characters are it breaks for what can only be the Mistbane River. To
standing. Within a few more minutes a surge several inches the west, another river crosses your path, moving south,
deep washes over them from the direction of Turtleneck Creek. no doubt to enter the Mistbane at some point. To the
north, the forest is lighter. A range of hills in the far
In short both Creeks are forcing their hand either to flee north,
distance offers the first natural break. Some dozen or so
make it across 14 Mile Creek, or attempt a crossing back the way

HARVEST OF OATHS 21
 miles north from where you stand, there is a break in There, he built a cabin of sorts and a palisade around it. When
the forest. It gives way for many miles in all directions, the first flood came, he learned the hazards of the water and
indicating some large open area, whether a grassland, a built his second house upon stilts 15 feet above the ground.
lake, or human habitation is not easy to discern. Other houses followed until a small complex stood just off the
northeastern shore of the lake.
The lake is dominated by red maple trees. Upon a successful
Wisdom (survival) or Intelligence (nature) check (DC 15) any Thus Nunt found him. The god, woken from his long slumbers,
anyone with forest skills recognizes these trees, and knows that rose to the surface of the water and spoke with Drusus. The
they commonly grow along the banks of lakes and ponds. From wizard was amazed and fearful, for Nunt’s demeanor is cold and
this they can infer that the break is actually a lake. distant and he cares for little but his own melancholy. Drusus
called him Master and sought to glean knowledge from the god.
Assuming they travel north, continue on to the Lake of Nunt, But Nunt of the Val Eahrakun was not fooled by the wizard’s
if they plunge west, heading for the next river (which is, in fact, duplicity, and he knew his thoughts even before the wizard
the Watchita) refer to the adventure module Falls the Divide. spoke them. Unaware of this, Drusus believed that he had
snared the forest god in his web. Regardless, it amused Nunt
THE LAKE OF NUNT to give Drusus power. To this end he gave the wizard a book,
Incantations, Enchantments, Charms, and Spells As Collected by
In the long ago Days Before Days, Nunt came to Aihrde. His
Pappilion filled with spells for the wizard to begin again.
path was a lonesome one, for his mind was twisted with visions
of the River of Erde, which is the path the dead must travel. Thus Drusus began again. As time passed, however, his bitterness
His thoughts were lost in the gloaming of life. At some point, grew. He has thought long upon the poverty of his journey and
he came to the Ethvold and there, beneath the cold dark eaves places the blame on Haverstraw and all her people. It is there
of that vast forest he found a sanctuary. He settled beneath the that he wishes to return in order to put her people in bondage or
waters of the lake that now bears his name and took the guise beneath the earth in cold tombs. He believes his tomes and staff
of a large white fish. Settling upon the bottom of the lake, he remain there, in the town’s treasures. To this end, he sits upon
became a conduit from this world to the next. the banks of the lake and ponders. For without the oath stone,
he can do little in the way of revenge.
Or so the legends say.

What is known is that the Lake of Nunt lies deep in the Low CROSSING THE LAKE
River Country and is visited by few. The land about is dangerous, Drusus dwells in a cabin upon the northern shore of the lake.
prone to flooding and filled with all manner of predacious It is difficult to see from across the lake and will not be readily
beasts, dark hearted trees, and fae whose lust for distraction has available unless the characters approach across the lake or
led more than a few to their untimely deaths. around it. The lake itself is still and clear.
The lake itself is large, some 8 or 9 miles from east to west and The forest gives way, opening up to a large lake whose
half again the size from north to south. The waters are still, cool shores are hemmed in on all sides by the Darkenfold.
and deep, the center of the lake being roughly 420 feet from the It is wide and clearly deep, for the lake’s center turns
surface. Very little plant life grows along the lake’s edge, and a dark blue. Little disturbs the placid waters, and the
the pebbly beaches that surround it afford little purchase. The whole scene seems to belie the danger of the forest that
plants that do grow are devoured by fish before they become creeps up to the very water’s edge. A few crows, black
much more than a small shoot. For this reason the lake remains as night, take flight from the trees to your right and
the same size, year after year, swelling during the rainy season, sweep off, over the lake in a leisurely manner, cawing
and losing only a little during the dry. to one another as they go. Their flight draws your eyes
to a small column of white smoke that rises gently from
Few creatures find purchase here, a dozen types of fish, frogs, and
the far northern shore. It holds in a steady column until
turtles. Beyond that, the giant carp keep all at bay, devouring the
snatched by a wind high above the trees and carried
young of anything that attempts to settle in the lake itself. For
away to what adventures none may say.
this reason the lake offers good fishing for those brave enough to
eat fish from the lake where a god of death is purported to dwell. CANOE: Wherever the characters come out on the lake, they
find a large canoe tied off to a tree. It bobs in the water about 12
DRUSUS feet from shore. It was put here by the eschl, who come to the
After Drusus was driven from Haverstraw he wandered the lake to sacrifice to Nunt. Crossing out over the water the place
wastes of the Darkenfold, penniless, without his staff or any of their offerings in the lake, make their prayers and leave.
his ancient tomes. Like a dried leaf upon the water’s flow, he
There are paddles in the canoe. It sits 5 people, assuming there is
was carried first south and then west into the deeper reaches
not much in the way of armor and other very heavy equipment.
of the wood. What adventures he had he tells few, if any, but
Assuming the characters’ desire is to approach the cabin, they
at last he found himself upon the banks of the Lake of Nunt,
can cross the lake in the canoe, or walk around it as they see fit.
utterly penniless and alone.

22 5TH EDITION ADVENTURE

DRUSUS confesses that he belonged to the order in his youth, but left off
the worship of the Horned God after he fled into the wilderness.
Drusus spends much of his day upon the porch of his cabin,
Here, he explains he has found a new life, one in the service of
watching the lake and brooding upon his misfortunes. He is
Nunt the God of Death.
not averse to company for his is a lonely existence. He is bitter,
though, and always has his own plight in the back of his mind. “I have sworn off all the evil days of my youth and have pledged
For this reason, he is always searching out new opportunities, or myself to the quiet study of the River of Erde and the paths of the
at the very least, new information from any guests who stay with dead, for it will not be long before I partake of that journey. If ever
him, invited or otherwise. I am to find peace beyond this world, it must be in the Stone Fields
and not in the hell that is Aufstrag or the Wretched Plains beyond.”
A strange ensemble of buildings stands before you. The
largest of five sits atop tall stilts, almost in the tree line. Any ability to detect lies reveals that he is not being entirely
Other smaller buildings are on the ground. All are walled honest, some of what he says holds the germ of truth, but little
by a palisade, that is more a jumble of small trees and the else. He is still an Umbrian.
like, loosely bound together. The buildings, particularly
the large central one, are not well-built, though they TELEPATHY: If the invisibility ruse fails, he attempts again to
seem to do the job required. There appears to be no one cast telepathy during dinner. Drusus uses telepathy that acts as
about. a more powerful detect thoughts in order to glean any information
about the eastern wood, but particularly the oath stone or
Unless the party successfully sneaks up on the house, Drusus Haverstraw. This is an active spell and a wizard or illusionist
has spied them coming and cast invisibility upon himself. He may be able to detect what Drusus is doing. Upon a successful
waits for the party to arrive and uses telepathy to read their DC 17 Intelligence (arcana) they see that he is casting a spell. If
thoughts, finding out who they are, what they are doing, and they achieve DC 20, they determine what it is.
(more importantly) if they have come from Haverstraw and
plan to kill him or have heard of the stone. Once he is satisfied,
he waits for an opportune time to slip away, enters the forest,
THE OATH STONE
and then emerges with a kindly greeting. If he discovered the Getting possession of the oath stone is of paramount importance
stone, he casts locate object of find out who has it. to the magi. If he has it, then he can destroy it. If he does not,
then any time it is returned to Haverstraw it can destroy him.
If discovered in his invisible state he drops the spell and Though he could race to the town, hoping to get there before
confesses he was only taking defensive measures and being safe, the characters, he would always be in fear of it turning up and
which is part of the truth. destroying him.
If the party attacks him, Drusus defends himself. Otherwise, With this in mind Drusus is looking for any thoughts that might
he greets them in the Vulgate. He offers them hospitality if the conjure up the oath stone. If the party found the item in the
promise to bring news of the outside world. As noted below watchtower back on the Mistbane, then he will surely discover
Drusus has only a few spells, but three that he does have, something, even if they do not know what it is. If the party brings
and always has memorized, are invisibility, telepathy and locate it up, he listens politely. But in either case he is determined to
object; the former in order to know the minds of his visitors, get the item from the party.
the latter to find the oath stone if ever opportunity should
crop up. ASKED ABOUT THE STONE: If one of the party members
brings up the stone and asks why his name is upon it, Drusus
As soon as he makes his appearance, Drusus invites the party acts wounded, complaining of the bitterness of weak men.
to stay and dine with him. He produces a meal of fish, fruits, He tells that in Haverstraw a curse was set upon him and his
tubers, nuts, and an oddly bland beer he brews there upon the companions. It was punishment, he says, for he and his friends
lakeshore. A large, if rough-looking, table beneath the main had attempt to break the hold that the Council of Nobles had
cabin serves as the dining hall. During the meal he presses upon the people. If pressed he says it banished him and his
them, for any news of the outside world, particularly of the Oth comrades to a life of poverty and wretchedness . . . which is
River Valley and the town of Haverstraw. plain to see.
NOTE: Drusus is very clever and he intends to use telepathy REVEALING THE STONE: If he discovers it by telepathy, he
on all those present. In order to mask the spell, he speaks very does not reveal this to them, he only attempts to get them to
slowly and deliberately, with pauses between thoughts. He talk about any items they found on the way.
always makes eye contact. This is all done in order to mask his
need to concentrate on a target to read its mind. PAYING FOR IT: If this fails to get someone to mention the
stone, he’ll mention that he has been looking for a stone, which
With a successful Wisdom (perception) check (DC 13) it is bears his name on it, for many years and would pay handsomely
possible to see the tattoo of the Umbrians upon Drusus’ hand. for it. It has been lost, he recounts, somewhere in the forest, and
This reveals his origins to anyone familiar with the wizard it is a family heirloom. He will pay up to 2000gp for the stone,
guild, which is most everyone. If confronted about it, he freely for that is all he has in the world.

HARVEST OF OATHS 23
FIGHTING FOR IT: He will not attack the party, deeming them APPENDIX A: NEW MONSTERS
too strong and his spells too weak, unless of course the party is
very weak. If he is attacked, he fights only so long as he thinks DRAGON, IRIS WYRM
he can win, otherwise he seeks to escape into the forest as
quickly as he can. The smallest of dragons, the iris wyrm is light green in color,
thin and lithe. Broad, leaf-like scales cover its long form; its
TRICKING THE PARTY: What he really wants to do is convince legs shaped like vines, and its head, long and thin is yellow. It
the party to go to Gurthap Falls and the castle that lies there. has small claws, used to cling to the sides of trees, branches, or
He mentions that it is filled with wealth, though probably much rocks. The iris dragon’s tail, long and thinning to a small taper,
danger as well. His hope is that they are all killed there, or at the serves a similar purpose. It has razor sharp teeth that deliver a
very least, weakened so he can slay them. stinging bite, but its real weapon is the dew claw it possesses on
each forward claw. This long appendage, several inches longer
NOTE: Gurthap Falls is covered in the adventure module C5 than its other claws, carries potent venom.
Falls the Divide.
SWAMP DWELLERS. Iris dragons dwell in tropic, sub-tropic
Drusus is lawful neutral. He has few worldly possessions. He jungles and temperate deciduous forests. They are very social,
carries a +2 dirk, his spell book “Incantations, Enchantments, pack oriented dragons, and travel in family groups of up to 10.
Charms and Spells as Collected by Pappilion,” four black pearls The creature is moderately intelligent, with the older ones able
worth 500gp, his clothing and other odds and ends. He does to speak elf, the vulgate, or any other tongue with which it has
keep locate object and detect thoughts memorized. If a battle does had long exposure. The dragon takes up residence near water
occur he should be rolled up as a 12th level wizard with ability or cave entrances, trails and the like; anywhere that creatures
scores Str 10 Dex 15 Con 14 Int 19 Wis 12 Cha 12. may stop to find food or shelter. They take shelter in the trees
and shrubs, disguising themselves as plants. When their prey
Spell’s in Drusus’ Book: 0: acid splash, blade ward, friends, enters the area, they wait for it to come within range of one of
mage hand, prestidigitation. 1st: burning hands, chromatic
orb, comprehend languages, disguise self, expeditious retreat,
floating disk, mage armor, magic missile, shield, unseen servant.
2nd: darkness, detect thoughts, invisibility, locate object, rope
trick, shatter, web. 3rd: gaseous form, hypnotic pattern, stinking
cloud, sending, water breathing 4th: arcane eye, locate creature,
phantasmal killer 5th: animate objects, cloudkill 6th: arcane
gate, eyebite.

CONTINUING THE ADVENTURE

What happens next depends upon too many variables. The
overland journey can resume, whether the party is going to
Gurthap Falls because of the magi or are just continuing their
overland trek, both which continue westerly, toward where the
rivers Watchita and Westerling tumble together at Gurthap
Falls. West of that lies the Pigs Trail and the village of Alice (C2
Shades of Mist) and north lies Greenbriar and Westerling River
Valley (C1 Mortality of Green).

24 5TH EDITION ADVENTURE

its forefeet; using the claw they attempt to nip the victim. They Paralysis Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales a
wait until the paralysis takes effect and then come into feed. If cloud of spores in a 15 foot cone. Anyone in the area must
discovered or disturbed the whole pack of them launch in a very make a Dexterity save (DC 15) or be infected by the spores
aggressive attack on any and all targets in the area. and paralyzed. Anyone immune to disease automatically
STEALTHY HUNTERS. The iris dragon is able to camouflage saves against the spores.
itself extraordinarily well. To the casual viewer the creature
looks more like a vine snaking up the side of a tree or rock than
THE IRIS DRAGON IN AIHRDE
a dragon. It moves slowly as well, using its ability to blend into
the environment to hide it from the creature it is stalking. They The iris dragon is a favorite of wizards and illusionists as they are
prey primarily on humans, demi-humans, and humanoids. They able to use the wyrms as guardians in and around their towers.
feed through tubular protrusion that lies beneath their tongue. In old Aenoch the practice of creating elaborate gardens of
When a victim is gassed or paralyzed the dragon settles on walkways, bridges, lawns, beds of flowers, etc. was common
them, the tube is driven into the victim and their blood drained. amongst the nobles; for a great while the fad of peopling those
gardens with the iris wyrm allowed the creature to spread into
The iris wyrm feeds on the paralyzed victim, so long as the victim
most of the Lands of Ursal and beyond. The creature suffered
is alive. If at any time the victim is viewed as dead by the iris
greatly during the long winter dark and their numbers dwindled.
wyrm it stops eating it. For instance, the monk’s ability to feign
death would stop the dragon from devouring the character. The people of Aufstrag saw the iris wyrm as a delicacy and
served the creature with mounds of butter and gravy in their
IRIS DRAGON (ADULT) great feasts. To this day the Aenochians are very partial to the
iris wyrm and the people of New Aenoch have revived the
Medium Dragon, Neutral practice of making gardens to house the iris wyrm and the small
Armor Class: 15 (Natural Armor) dragon’s numbers have increased, if only moderately.
Hit Points: 45 (6d8+9 HD)
Speed: 20ft / 80ft (fly) APPENDIX B: NEW MAGIC ITEMS
Str: Dex: Con: Int: Wis: Cha: OATH STONE
15 (+2) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 10 (0) 15 (+2) 7 (-2)
Wondrous Item, Rare (Requires Attunement)
Condition Immunities: Frightened, Paralyzed
Damage Resistance: Bludgeoning, piercing and slashing These stones are blessed by the god Burol. They must have been
from nonmagical weapons in a stone giant’s possession at some point and been purchased
or stolen from the giant. Anyone who binds themselves to the
Senses: Passive Perception 16 stone via an oath is bound to that oath or they will be cursed
Skills: Perception +6, Stealth +8, Survival +6 (see below).
Languages: Vulgate, draconic
Challenge: 3 (700 XP) To bind someone to an oath via an oath stone, the name of the
Special Qualities oath taker must be carved into the stone. The oath taker then
spits upon their name and covers it with their hand, saying the
Camouflage. They adapt colors to match its environment.
oath aloud. They are then bound to the stone, so long as the
The creature has advantage on all stealth checks.
stone remains in the hands of whoever administered the oath,
the oath giver.
Actions
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. For example, if a king wants to bind a duke to him, he carves
Hit: 7(1d8+3) slashing damage. The target must make a the duke’s name into the stone. The duke spits upon it, grasps
constitution save (DC 15) or be affected by the creature’s the stone and the recites the oath. The king takes the stone
poison. The poison causes the target to become incapacitated. and safeguards it. If he loses the stone, its magic is broken and
The target can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, cannot be restored until the stone is returned to him.
shaking off the effect and gaining immunity to the poison for Anyone cursed by breaking an oath to an oath stone ages 1 year
24 hours on a successful save. for every day they are alive until they die of old age. During
Blood Drain. If the dragon has incapacitated a target, it this time, they suffer disadvantage on all attacks, ability checks,
will try to feed. The dragon lands on the target, injecting its and saving throws. The only ways to reverse this curse are to
mouth tube into the victim and sucking out blood. The target take up the oath once more, or to be released from the oath
automatically takes 4(1d8) necrotic damage each round. The through the loss of the stone by its possessor, or through the
creature will keep drinking until attacked, its victim dies, stone’s destruction.
or it consumes twice its hit points in damage. If the dragon
consumes double its hit points in blood, it will immediately
stop draining blood and fly away to digest its meal.

HARVEST OF OATHS 25
Encounters are governed by region. Though the adventures in Shades of Mist are of mid-level range the Darkenfold is a forest
filled with limitless adventure possibilities.
TABLE 2: DARKENFOLD ENCOUNTER CHART
Encounter Upplands/Troll Glades Millorian/ Downs Powder Mistbane River Basin
Alligator - - 01-02 01-04
Allip* 1 1 - 05-06
Ankheg 2 - 02-03 -
Assassin Vine 3-5 2-3 04-06 07-10
Barghest, Devil* - 4 - 11-12
Basilisk 6 5 - -
Bear, brown 7-9 6-8 07-10 13-15
Behir 10 9 11-12 16-17
Blink Dog 11-13 10-11 - -
Boar 14-16 12-14 13-16 18-20
Centaur 17 15-16 17 -
Centipede, Giant 18-20 18-21
Chimera 21 17-18 22 21-22
Cockatrice 22-23 19-21 - -
Demi-Human 24-26 22-23 23-26 22-25
Dragon 27 24 27 26-28
Dryad 28-29 25-26 28-29 29-31
Ettercap 30-31 27-28 - -
Ettin 32 29-31 30-31 -
Frog, Giant 33-34 32-33 32-34 32-34
Fungus, Violet - 34 35-37 35-37
Giant 35-36 35-37 38-40 -
Gorgon 37 38 - -
Hag, Night 38 39 41 38-39
Harpy 39-40 40-41 42-43 40-42
Herd Animal 41-43 42-44 44-45 -
Human 44-46 45 46-49 43-46
Humanoid 47-49 46-48 50-51
Hydra - 49-51 - -
Jaculus 50 52-54 52-53 -
Lamia - 55 - -
Lammasu - 56-57 - -
Lion 51-53 58-60 54-55 47-49
Lizard Folk 54-55 61-63 - 50-53
Lycanthrope 56-57 64-65 56 54-56
Manticore 58-59 66-67 57-58 -
Naga, Dark 60-61 68 - -
Nymph 62-63 69 59 57-60

26 5TH EDITION ADVENTURE

Ogre 64-66 70-71 60-62 61-62
Owlbear 67-68 72-73 63-65 63-65
Pseudodragon 69 74 66 -
Satyr 70-71 75-76 67 -
Shambling Mound - - 68-69 66-68
Snake, Giant 72-74 77-78 70-71 69-72
Spider 75-76 79-80 72-75 -
Sprite 77-78 81-82 76 73-75
Stirge 79-80 83-84 77-79 76-78
Toad, Giant 81-83 85-86 80-82 79-81
Treant 84-85 87-88 83-84 82-84
Troll 86-88 89-90 85-87 -
Troll Lord (as Ogre with 89 91 88 -
Troll regeneration)
Undead 90-92 92 89-91 85-89
Unicorn 93 93 92 90-92
Will-O’-Wisp 94-95 94-95 93-94 93-94
Wolf 96-98 96-98 95-97 95-96
Wyvern 99-100 99-100 98-100 97-100
Dragon
Dragon, Copper 01-20 05-15 01-20 01-25
Dragon, Green 21-50 16-30 21-50 26-100
Dragon, Nakal* 51-99 31-89 51-99 -
Dragon, Red 100 90-100 100 -
Giant
Cloud - 01-10 - -
Hill 01-50 10-50 01-50 01-100
Stone 51-75 51-75 51-90 -
Fire 76-100 76-100 91-100 -
Demi-Human
Dwarf 01-25 01-05 01-25 01-05
Elf 26-30 06-60 26-30 06-35
Gnome 31-75 61-80 31-75 36-60
Halfling 76-100 81-100 76-100 61-100
Undead
Banshee - 01-10 - 01-100
Ghost 01-05 11-25 01-05 -
Skeletons 06-25 26-35 06-25 -
Shadow 26-35 36-45 26-35 -
Shadow Mastiff* 36-50 46-66 36-50 -
Wraith 51-75 67-87 51-75 -
Wight 76-100 88-100 76-100 -

HARVEST OF OATHS 27
28 5TH EDITION ADVENTURE
 OGL
This book is published under the Open Game License (OGL) version 1.0a by permission of Wizards of 8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the
the Coast, Inc. The Open Game Content appearing in this book is derived from the 3.0 System Reference work that you are distributing are Open Game Content.
Document, copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and the 5.1 System Reference Document, Copyright 9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may publish updated versions of this License.
2016 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. All contents, excluding the OGL, is property of and copyright 2018 Troll You may use any authorized version of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content
Lord Games. All Rights Reserved. originally distributed under any version of this License.
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abbreviations wherever they appear: Strength (Str), Dexterity (Dex), Constitution (Con), Intelligence
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line names, including 5th Edition Adventures, Aihrde, World of Aihrde, Shades of Mist, Lands of Ursal,
System Reference Document Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte
Darkenfold, Amazing Adventures, Castles & Crusades, Victorious: Steampunk Adventure in an Age of
Cook, Skip Williams, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
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any other trademark or registered trademark clearly identified as product identity by the owner of the Crawford, Chris Perkins, Rodney Thompson, Peter Lee, James Wyatt, Robert J. Schwalb, Bruce R. Cordell,
product identity, and which specifically excludes the open game content; (E) the story, storylines, plots, Chris Sims, and Steve Townshend, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
thematic elements, dialogue, incidents, language, depictions, likenesses, concepts, world and campaign System Reference Document Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte
descriptions, proper names of the characters, creatures, groups, spells, enchantments, personalities, teams, Cook, Skip Williams, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
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content above, as well as places, locations, settings, and environments and their descriptions and other
accompanying text, though not their stat blocks.
Fifth Edition Role Playing: Amazing Adventures, Copyright 2018,
Troll Lord Games; Author Jason Vey.
All text, artwork, and maps appearing in this book is property of and copyright 2018 Troll Lord Games. All
Rights Reserved. Castles & Crusades, C&C, Castle Keeper, Troll Lord Games, and the Castles & Crusades
and Troll Lord Games logos, and products published by Troll Lord Games are Trademarks of Troll Lord
Amazing Adventures, Limited Preview Printing, Copyright 2012, Troll
Games. All Rights Reserved. Lord Games; Author Jason Vey.
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a: The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and
is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc (“Wizards”). All Rights Reserved.
Amazing Adventures, 1st Printing, Copyright 2012, Troll Lord Games;
Author Jason Vey.
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Open Game Content; (b)”Derivative Material” means copyrighted material including derivative works
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Amazing Adventures, 2nd Printing, Copyright 2015, Troll Lord Games;
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be recast, transformed or adapted; (c) “Distribute” means to reproduce, license, rent, lease, sell, broadcast,
publicly display, transmit or otherwise distribute; (d)”Open Game Content” means the game mechanic Castles & Crusades: Players Handbook, Copyright 2005, Troll Lord
and includes the methods, procedures, processes and routines to the extent such content does not embody
the Product Identity and is an enhancement over the prior art and any additional content clearly identified Games; Authors Davis Chenault and Mac Golden.
as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means any work covered by this License, including trans-
lations and derivative works under copyright law, but specifically excludes Product Identity. (e) “Product Castles & Crusades: Players Handbook, 2nd Printing, Copyright 2006,
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facts; creatures characters; stories, storylines, plots, thematic elements, dialogue, incidents, language, art-
work, symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses, formats, poses, concepts, themes and graphic, photographic Castles & Crusades: Players Handbook, 3rd Printing, Copyright 2007,
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equipment, magical or supernatural abilities or effects, logos, symbols, or graphic designs; and any other
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to use, Distribute, copy, edit, format, modify, translate and otherwise create Derivative Material of Open Castles & Crusades: Players Handbook, 5th Printing, Copyright 2009,
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