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CCC-ALMOG-03 TALES03-01 - Claws of Fury v1.0
CCC-ALMOG-03 TALES03-01 - Claws of Fury v1.0
Claws of Fury
The frontier city of Hawksroost has seen a lot in the past few weeks, but the claims that the people have seen a skel-
eton dragon flying overhead at dusk are unsubstantiated. The hunt for the rumored creature is on, but is the creature
what the people claim it is? Or is something else getting the people of Hawksroost all worked up?
AL SPADER
Author
Created for: Salt Lake Gaming Con 2018
Adventure Code: CCC-ALMOG-03 TALES03-01
Optimized For: APL 13
Version: 1.00
Product Manager: David Morris
Development and Editing: Derek Gray, Dave Knighton, David Morris
Produced by: Mount Ogden Gaming Company
Art and Cartography: Dean Spencer (Glyph), Dyson Logos (Map),
all other art is cc0 licensed art courtesy of Pixabay
Layout and Design: Shani Knighton at Raven and Moon Co.
Organized Play: Chris Lindsay
D&D Adventurers League Wizards Team: Adam Lee, Chris Lindsay, Mike Mearls, Matt Sernett
D&D Adventurers League Administrators: Robert Adducci, Bill Benham, Travis Woodall, Claire Hoffman, Greg Marks,
Alan Patrick
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, the dragon ampersand, Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Master’s Guide, D&D Adventurers League, all other Wizards of the Coast
product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries. All characters and their distinctive likenesses are property of Wizards of the Coast. This material is
protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of Wizards of
the Coast.
©2017 Wizards of the Coast LLC, PO Box 707, Renton, WA 98057-0707, USA. Manufactured by Hasbro SA, Rue Emile-Boéchat 31, 2800 Delémont, CH. Represented by Hasbro Europe, 4 The Square, Stockley Park,
Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB11 1ET, UK.
2
Before Play at the Table
Introduction
Before you start play, consider the following:
Welcome to Claws of Fury, a D&D Adventurers League™
• Read through the adventure, taking notes of
adventure, part of the official D&D Adventurers League™
anything you’d like to highlight or remind
organized play system and the SALT storyline season.
yourself of while running the adventure, such as a way
The adventure takes place in the frontier town of you’d like to portray an NPC or a tactic you’d like to use
Hawksroost and the nearby Glumpen Swamp. This area in a combat. Familiarize yourself with the adventure’s
is situated northwest of the Great Grey Land of Thar. appendices and handouts.
This adventure is designed for three to seven 11th- • Gather any resources you’d like to use to aid you
16th level characters and is optimized for five in running this adventure—such as notecards, a DM
characters with an average party level (APL) of 13. screen, miniatures, and battlemaps.
Characters outside this level range cannot participate in
• Ask the players to provide you with relevant
this adventure.
character information, such as name, race, class, and
level; passive Wisdom (Perception), and
Adjusting This Adventure
anything specified as notable by the adventure (such as
This adventure provides suggestions in making backgrounds, traits, flaws, etc.)
adjustments for smaller or larger groups, characters of
higher or lower levels, and characters that are otherwise
a bit more powerful than the adventure is optimized for. Playing the Dungeon Master
You’re not bound to these adjustments; they’re here for You have the most important role—facilitating the
your convenience. enjoyment of the game for the players. You provide
the narrative and bring the words on these pages to
To figure out whether you should consider adjusting life.
the adventure, add up the total levels of all the To facilitate this, keep in mind the following:
characters and divide the total by the number of
characters (rounding .5 or greater up; .4 or less down). You’re Empowered. Make decisions about how
This is the group’s APL. To approximate the party the group interacts with the adventure; adjusting or
improvising is encouraged, so long as you maintain
strength for the adventure, consult the following table. the adventure’s spirit. This doesn’t allow you to
Determining Party Strength implement house rules or change those of the
Adventurers League, however; they should be
Party Composition Strength consistent in this regard.
3-4 characters, APL less than Very weak Challenge Your Players. Gauge the experience
3-4 characters, APL equivalent Weak level of your players (not the characters), try to
feel out (or ask) what they like in a game, and
3-4 characters, APL greater than Average
attempt to deliver the experience they’re after.
5 characters, APL less than Weak
Everyone should have the opportunity to shine.
5 characters, APL equivalent Average
Keep the Adventure Moving. When the game
5 characters, APL greater than Strong starts to get bogged down, feel free to provide hints
6-7 characters, APL less than Average and clues to your players so they can attempt to
solve puzzles, engage in combat, and role-play
6-7 characters, APL equivalent Strong interactions without getting too frustrated over a
6-7 characters, APL greater than Very strong lack of information. This gives players “little
victories” for figuring out good choices from clues.
Some encounters may include a sidebar that offers Watch for stalling—play loses momentum when
suggestions for certain party strengths. If a particular this happens. At the same time, make sure that the
recommendation is not offered or appropriate for your players don’t finish too early; provide them with a
group, you don’t have to make adjustments. full play experience.
3
Location and NPC Summary
Adventure Primer The following NPCs and locations feature prominently in this adventure.
Olo (OH-low) Olo is a middle-aged tortle who survived a brutal attack
“You certainly usually find some- by a skeletal roc. He is adventurous and knows the Glumpen Swamp like
thing, if you look, but it is not al- the back of his shell.
ways quite the something you were Velvet (VEL-vit): An adult black dragon dracolich who has been trying
after.” ―J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit to bring his family back from the dead.
Ames Dowsey (AYMZ DOW-zee): Sergeant of the Hawksroost militia.
Though he only has a handful of people under him he takes his position
Adventure Background seriously. Ames hailed from Hillsfar and was once a Red Plume.
The dreaded black dragon Velvet has been a menace Ludron (LUHD-run): A female tortle who survived the roc attack in
around the Moonsea for a long time. Several months ago Glumpen swamp by burying herself in the mud. She knows where the
a brave group of adventurers attempted to slay him in bird skeletons came from.
his lair. Unexpectedly, upon his death, Velvet
transformed into the most terrifying of all dragons, a Adventure Overview
dracolich.
Ames Dowsey has asked adventurers near and far to
In the months since Velvet change, he hasn’t been participate in a hunt for the ages.
heard from or seen by anyone around the Moonsea. The Introduction. The Monster On Our Heel
people of the region had thought he left the area for (10 Minutes)
richer grounds.
The party meets with Ames Dowsey about the hunt for
In reality, Velvet didn’t go far. He returned to a former a dracolich. Here they meet Olo who will be their guide
lair in Glumpen swamp where his mate and children through the swamp.
were slain by an adventuring party. Using his newly Part 1. An Unexpected Discovery (60 Minutes)
found lich powers, Velvet attempt to bring his family
back to life but, instead, the ritual turned them into The party makes their way to the tortle village known
foul undead echoes of their former selves. Now, furious as the Crook. Here the party discovers the monsters
behind the destruction of the Crook – two skeletal rocs.
with his failure, Velvet is seeking to become even more
The party then finds another survivor from the horrific
powerful to fill the void in his dark her where his family attack. She knows where the rocs came from and offer
once resided. to take the parties there.
A week ago a tortle named Olo stumbled into Part 2. Spirits of the Past (50 Minutes)
Hawksroost with gashes across it body claiming that a
flying skeleton attacked its village in Glumpen Swamp. The party finds an old, partially submerged graveyard of
As far as he knew, Olo was the only survivor. This story sorts. Exploring the grave markers, the party discovers
quickly turned into rumors that a dracolich known as this used to be an ogre burial ground from the days of
old. The party is then attacked by the ancient dead of
Velvet has been seen over the town of Hawksroost. Olo
the ogre empire raised by necromantic energy.
cannot corroborate these claims as his only recollection
was being slashed with “talons the size of his arm” and Part 3. The Tharkul Catacombs (70 Minutes)
he doesn’t even know what a dracolich is. The party explores a vast, muddy catacomb beneath the
With all the hoopla, the town has offered a reward to graveyard. Here they avoid traps and learn more about
any adventurers who are brave enough to hunt down the history of the ogre kingdoms that formally ruled
over Thar.
the dracolich known as Velvet. There is a lesser reward
for finding any information that proves something or Part 4. Home Sweet Home (50 Minutes)
someone else is behind the attack on the tortle village The party winds up in a cavern that was carved into
and the skeletal creatures flying over Hawksroost. the side of the catacombs. Here they discover stone-
like dragon eggs and an old black dragon skeleton. The
skeleton and eggs animate as the party investigate and
eventually Velvet shows up to protect his family.
Adventure Hooks
Calling All Adventurers! Hawksroost has become well
known as a haven for adventurers. The wild of Thar and
the dungeon below make the town an alluring place for
adventurers. The Word is, they even pay for hunting
down monsters.
4
Sergeant Ames looks up from the map as Olo tells him
Introduction: you are here for the hunt. He gives you the following
information:
The Monster On Our Heels • For the last month, citizens of Hawksroost have seen
a flying skeletal creature at dusk and at dawn high
Estimated Duration: 20 minutes overhead.
• With all the adventurers coming through the town,
The town of Hawksroost is filled with excited young adventurers going rumors spread like mad. One such rumor was that a
shop to shop as they prepare for one job or another. As you make your black dragon known as Velvet had become a dracolich.
way to the militia guardhouse for your job, you see the bizarre sight of a
tortle standing outside of the building. • Of course, with the rumors flying, one thing led to
another, and now people think that skeletal beast is
With dust covering its aging shell the tortle sees you and waves. Three
massive scars run down his face and neck. “You looking to deal with the
Velvet.
beast? Come on in and we will get started.” • I want you guys to hunt down this creature, kill it, and
put an end to these ridiculous dracolich rumors!
Allow the players to go around the table and
• A week ago, Olo here, stumbled into town bleeding
introduce themselves as well as what other
and half dead.
characters would see when looking at them (What
weapons are visible, what type of armor they are At this point, Olo gives the following information.
wearing, etc.). • My village in the swamp was attacked by a flying skel-
eton, killing everyone except me as far as I know.
The tortle introduces himself as Olo and escorts you inside to a war • I didn’t see anything except claws the size of my torso.
room with a map of the region etched into the clay floor.
• When I came to, the village was destroyed. I can show
The captain of the guard notices you as you enter and rushes over, you how to get there.
“Hello there, I am Sergeant Ames and I am happy you decided to take
this job, most of our adventurers are fairly new and not as experienced
Ames then offers the characters 2,000 gp each for
as you clearly are! Come, sit and have a drink.” He escorts you to a small
table on the side of the giant Moonsea region map. slaying the monster and bringing its skull back to
Hawksroost.
Roleplaying Olo
Olo is an aging tortle hunter. He has provided his small village with food
for many years. As such, Olo feels sullen as he believes he let down his
people when the flying skeleton monster attacked. Olo knows about the
swamp but isn’t clear about how it has changed with Velvet’s presence.
Quote:” I wish there was more I could’ve done for them.”
When the party is ready, they can go shopping in
Hawksroost and then move on to Part 1 An Unexpected
Discovery.
5
The Tortle Village
Part 1. An Unexpected
Discovery Numerous various-sized mud domes appear in the distance. Olo says to
you, “There is my village. We used to call it Mudrut, but with a popula-
tion of twenty-five, it barely deserved a name.”
Estimated Duration: 60 minutes
Olo points to some trees to the east of Mudrut and says, “Those bro-
Trudging through the thick, muddy swamp taxes your muscles and sens- ken trees show where the beast came from. The creature slaughtered
es. The scent of decay permeates your noses and many insects irritate everyone. Some people even screamed that there were two of them,
your skin. Olo, while a knowledgeable guide seems to become more and but I think they were just panicking as their friends and families were
more demoralized the closer you get to his village. After about an hour slaughtered.”
of travel, Olo looks to you and says, “Good news, about fifteen more
minutes and we are there!” Allow the characters to explore the small village. Peo-
ple’s belongings are strewn about the swamp that the
General Features mud domes are built into. Tortle bodies litter the ground
Terrain: The mud ranges from inches to several feet deep. There is and domes. Olo becomes more sullen and even begins to
solid earth “islands” throughout the swamp. weep when he sees the bodies.
Light: Bright, afternoon sunlight.
• A DC 16 Wisdom (Medicine) check reveals that most
Smells and Sounds: The scents of decomposing plants and the
incessant humming and buzzing of insects. of the bodies have been slashed with three claws on
one side and a fourth on the other side. At one edge
As the party makes their way across an actual dry piece
of each of the slash marks there are puncture wounds
of land, anyone touching the ground falls into quicksand. giving the appearance that something pierced them
Trap: Quicksand and then tore their way through. A DC 16 Wisdom
What appears to be solid land separates around the players sucking (Nature) check reveals similar wounds are found on
them downward. rodents when captured by birds of prey.
Detection and Disabling. A DC 22 Wisdom (Nature) check or a DC 25 • Characters can attempt a DC 16 Intelligence (In-
Wisdom (Perception) check. vestigation) check. If they succeed, they find a large,
Triggering. Walking on the solid ground. three-foot-long feather that looks like it has been
detached for some time.
Effect. Creatures must succeed on a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or
become restrained. Have the table roll initiative. If a character is • A DC 16 Wisdom (Perception) check reveals a large
restrained by the quicksand they must succeed on a DC 20 Strength piece of bone is sticking out of some mud. Pulling the
saving throw or sink below their heads and must begin holding their
breath. Characters not stuck in the quicksand may attempt a DC 20 bone out reveals a nearly six-foot long claw. A DC 16
Strength (Athletics) check to pull someone out. If they fail in pulling the Wisdom (Nature) check reveals this claw looks more
person out, they must succeed on a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or fall like a bird talon.
in themselves.
After the party has had sufficient time to explore the
village, 2 Roc Skeletons attack!
Once all players have gotten out of the quicksand, pro-
ceed to the tortle village.
6
Adjusting this Encounter The party should notice that Olo has become a lot
Here are some suggestions for adjusting this encounter, according to more talkative with Ludron there. Olo is concerned
your group. These are not cumulative. about Ludron’s health however and will contin-
• Very Weak: Remove 1 Roc Skeleton uously ask the party to check on her and to try
• Weak: The Roc Skeletons have Turn Resistance instead of Turn healing her. A DC 18 Wisdom (Medicine) check
Immunity reveals that Ludron’s physical injuries could use a
• Strong: The Roc Skeletons have 325 hit points healing spell to close them up but her mental inju-
• Very Strong: Add 1 Roc Skeleton
ries are more extensive than any healing can fix. A
Greater Restoration can remove the PTSD.
You hear movement coming from outside the village. As you look at
where the sound came from, you see a young female tortle staring at
you. Olo stands up, a huge smile stretching across his face. “Ludron!
Ludron, you survived? I thought everyone was dead!” The girl stares
blankly back and says in an eerie monotone voice, “Yes, I followed them
home.”
7
Adjusting this Encounter
Part 2. Spirits of the Past Here are some suggestions for adjusting this encounter, according to
your group. These are not cumulative.
Estimated Duration: 60 minutes
• Very Weak: Replace 2 Orc Vampires with 2 Orc Greater Zombies
The sun starts to dip in the sky when Ludron points silently at a plot of • Weak: Replace 1 Orc Vampire with 1 Orc Greater Zombie
the swamp. Small stones stick out of the mud all around the plot but
dominating your view are two massive nests that are made out of dead • Strong: Add 1 Ogre Mummy Lord
trees and branches. Between the two nests are the tops of two pillars
• Very Strong: Add 1 Ogre Mummy Lord and 1 Orc Vampire,
and a stone structure.
8
Tricks of the Trade
The swamp is difficult terrain for the purpose of movement during this
combat.
The Ogre Mummy Lord is wearing a Belt of Fire Giant Strength and
one of the orc vampires has necklace with a polished flint medallion
broken into the shape of a lightning bolt that could be worth some
money to a jeweler.
Treasure
XP Award
9
The door in the north wall is locked and won’t open
Part 3. The Tharkul Catacombs just like the one in the stairwell before. This time, how-
ever, there are no drawings on the door. The only way
Estimated Duration: 80 minutes to get the door to open is to strap the belt of fire giant
strength onto the unarmored
statue. Have fun with this. The party will
As you open the intricately carved door, you are greeted by humid air
that reeks of death. The room ahead is drowned in darkness. With the undoubtedly pillage the crypt for different armor pieces.
starlight at your back, you can faintly make out two large statues that
look like ogres clad in various forms of armor and weapons both in hand Feel free to have them make investigation or
and bound to their backs.
perception checks and give them pieces of armor like
gauntlets, helm, breastplate etc. with each
General Features
Terrain: The cavern is carved into packed earth and looks more like a success. Some characters may even go back up to the
wine cellar than a tomb. swamp to gather the maul headstones to arm the statue.
Light: Once away from the stairs down into the crypt, there is no Ultimately when full armored the party may
light.
figure out the belt fits the statue. If not, all the party
Smells and Sounds: A stale smell of death and the occasional to attempt DC 18 Wisdom (Insight) to figure it out, if
dripping of water.
they still don’t get it, have a payer notice that one of the
Tharkuls in the etchings on the walls is wearing the belt.
1. The Hall of Heroes
Characters that can see in the dark notice a large, Treasure
rectangular room that is about seventy feet long and
sixty feet wide. The walls of the room appear to be 1,500 gp
packed earth and peat with etchings throughout. A
massive double door rests in the northern wall.
2. The Wrath of Irauroth
If a party investigates the statues, they find they are
made out of polished granite. The statues are each The double doors lead into a circular room with a large pool in the
muscular ogres that appear to be preparing for war. One middle. Resting on the side of the pool are four large bowls. The walls of
statue even has an orc carved in that is strapping armor the room are etched with a massive picture that appears to start to the
onto the ogre. A DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check left of the door you came through and proceeds clockwise around the
reveals that one of the statues actually is unarmored room.
and has a look on its face like it is looking for its gear.
The ogre’s hand even looks like a weapon should be The scene depicts a massive black dragon breathing acid on an island
resting in it. city. The end of the picture shows the city exploding into the air as the
water beneath it erupts with steam.
Careful examination of the walls of this room
reveals that each wall depicts a great battle Characters may wish to attempt a DC 20 Intelligence
between ogres and enemies such as elves, humans, and (History) check to know that this city is the old ogre
even a huge black dragon. In every picture, a massive capitol of Tharniir.
ogre wields a hammer with lightning The pool is about three feet deep and is filled with
pouring off it. The ogre with the hammer on each wall what appears to be water but is actually acid. This can
seems to be a different character, wearing be identified with a DC 16 Wisdom (Nature) check.
Etched in the floor around the pool, written in giant
different armor and baring different tattoos. A DC 18 are the words “Only those brave enough to face the
Intelligence (History) check reveals that these are Wrath of Irauroth are worthy of becoming Tharkir”.
famous battles of the ancient ogre kingdoms. The leader The only way to progress further into this crypt is for a
of the ogres was referred to as the Tharkul and was character to fill a bowl with acid and pour it onto them-
known to wield a hammer that released lightning. selves. When they do, the characters take 21 (6d6) acid
Every fifteen feet or so, from floor to ceiling are 2 damage and see an open doorway to the north. Char-
alcoves dug into the wall. Laying in the alcoves are the acters who have not doused themselves with the acid
skeletons of ogres. A DC 18 Intelligence cannot see the door nor progress to the next chamber.
(Investigation) check reveals that there are many The Tharkir
pieces of armor in the alcoves along with 1,500 gold The Tharkir were the elite bodyguards of the Tharkul, the king of the
pieces. ogres of Thar and any in their domain.
10
XP Award If the bell is cracked, when run it will still open the door,
but it too will explode. If it does, the party must make
Award each character who dumped acid on themselves a successful DC 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 18
without questioning it 1,000 XP. (4d8) slashing damage and 18 (4d8) bludgeoning
damage on a failed save or half as much on a successful
one.
3. The Hall of the Tharar
This short hallway has two alcoves carved into the right wall and one XP Award
massive alcove on the left. At the far end of the hall is another set of
double doors. Looking into the alcoves, you see piles of mud and holes
If the party successfully lowers the bell without cracking
that ascend up to the surface of the swamp. You are pretty sure this is
it, award each character 1,000 XP.
where the orcs and ogre that attacked you came from.
5. The Path of the Mighty
The door at the end of this hallway is unlocked and not
trapped. The walls of this hallway have been covered by slabs of basalt that is
polished in such a way that you can see your reflection. Glancing at the
4. Northkeep stone, you feel like you see a different, darker you looking back.
This room is designed to look like the parapets of a keep. Massive stone
This hallway is completely unadorned with the excep-
blocks line the walls and the walls are cleverly painted to looking like an
tion of the polished stone. The double door at the end of
invading army of orcs, goblins, and gnolls. The ceiling of the room arcs
the hall is also made from the same stone. These doors
fifty feet overhead. On the eastern parapet, a massive bell cared with
are not locked and open as if they are weightless.
runes adorns a tower high above the room. To the south, a set of double
doors look like the entrance to a castle. 6. The Test of Might
The characters may attempt a DC 24 Intelligence Walking into this room you see a massive, ornately carved door thirty
(History) check to recall that the layout of this room feet away. The walls and doors of the room are made out of the same
is similar to that of an old island fortress called North dark stone as the hallway you just exited. To your left a massive boulder
Keep. North Keep was always known for its intricately hovers in the air twenty feet of the floor and to your right sits four
forged bell that sounded like a choir when it was rung. It smaller boulders with a pile of rocks next to them.
was reportedly stolen when the keep was attacked by an
army of ogres. The door is carved to show a massive ogre’s helmeted
With a DC 16 Wisdom (Perception) check, the party head. Above the head, the words “Those that prove
finds a small drawer in one of the stones that have a their might will always rule.” are chiseled into the
piece of parchment in it. Drawn upon the parchment basalt.
is the image of an ogre with a maul in one hand and a A DC 17 Intelligence (Nature) check recognizes that
massive bell in the other. The bell is swinging toward an the four boulders on the right of the room are all exactly
army, its sound waves sending the enemies flying into the same mass though shaped a little differently and the
the air. rocks next to them look like they were once large boul-
The bell dangles fifty feet in the air by a thin rope der. Dwarves automatically succeed this check.
that the players can’t see from the floor. The bell weighs The floating boulder on the left side of the room is a
about 800 pounds. Climbing up to the bell requires a has nothing to do with the door. It radiates faint trans-
DC 18 Strength (Athletics) check. If the bell falls to the mutation magic. Any character with a Passive Percep-
ground, it cracks and doesn’t work properly. Ringing the tion of 20 or higher hears voices whispering to them
bell where it is hanging doesn’t open the door. Any from the stone in giant. If the character can understand
pressure placed on the bell causes the thin rope giant, they hear sentences about the rise of the ogre
holding it to break. If a party wishes to thread another kingdoms repeated over and over. Some of the sentenc-
rope through the hole, it requires a successful DC 17 es are:
Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check to do, otherwise the
bell falls. • “The Lost Tharkul shall return.”
• “Through their combined might, the savage nations
Carved into the wooden doors is the phrase “When will make the world tremble.”
the song of victory sounds, the Tharkir returns home.”
The door is locked and can only be opened if the bell • “The hammer has already been found.”
is removed and rung facing the door. When the party Feel free to make up other sentences talking about the
does this, the door explodes open with a small hallway Ogre Kingdom returning to power in Thar.
behind it.
11
The door is locked and will not open unless someone The Sarcophagus
displays great might. This requires a character to deal
30 damage to the rock in one attack. The rock has an The sarcophagus is easy enough to climb and get into
ac 5, 30 HP and a Damage Threshold of 30. The rock is with a DC 12 Strength (Athletics) check. Inside there
immune piercing, poison, psychic, and slashing damage. are many small pebbles and cracks in its sides. It is clear
However, the rock is VULNERABLE to all damage dealt that something was trying to punch its way out. A DC
by hammers, war picks, and mauls. Allow the party to 17 Intelligence (Investigation) check reveals a hidden
have some fun with this. If a party doesn’t piece together drawer beneath where the corpse’s head would like.
that the primary weapon of this Maulog or the Tharkuls Inside, there is a massive ruby worth about 1,000 gold
of past is a maul, you can give them insight or history pieces, a Potion of Supreme Healing, and a spell scroll of
checks to try and remember. Enhance Ability.
Once the rock is destroyed, the tomb of Maulog is
opened. The Hole in the Wall
The wall is smashed outward into a natural cavern. The
XP Award cavern has dozens of similar sized stones and an over-
If the party successfully breaks the rock on the first try, look ten feet above to the left. A stagnant pool of water
award each character 2,000 XP. lies across the room.
The stone from this wall is scorched on the edges and
7. The Tomb of Maulog shatters easily. A DC 18 Intelligence (Nature) check
reveals the edges of the rock have been changed to
The door opens to another polished basalt covered room. Writing in
fulgurites. This glass-like structure can only be created if
the giant language covers every inch of the walls, floor, and ceiling of
struck with lightning, When the party is ready to investi-
the room. The wall on the left side of the room is smashed, creating an
gate this room, move on to part 4: Home Sweet Home.
opening to another chamber beyond. A massive basalt tomb rises ten
feet into the air in front of you, its colossal lid smashed on the floor and Treasure
leaning against its base.
Potion of Supreme Healing, Ruby worth 1,000 GP, Scroll
If the party wishes to investigate the room, they may do of Enhance Ability.
so.
12
Allow the party to interact with Velvet as they wish.
Part 4. Home Sweet Home Ultimately he will ignore what they say and say the
following:
Estimated Duration: 40 minutes
“You are fools to defy my new power! My love, my children, rise and
This large, natural cavern has had its opening complete covered by the vanquish these grave robbers!” A green burst of energy burst from the
Maulog’s tomb. A black basalt wall stretches behind you as the stale dragon quickly covering the room. The dragon eggs around you twitch
scent of the cavern assaults you. The silence of this cave is striking. as shadows begin to claw their way out of their tombs. The head of Ebo-
ny dislocates from its body with a thunderous snap and hovers in the air
above you, an evil roar erupts from her mouth.
To the north, a ten-foot-tall cliff overlooks the room and to the south-
east is a large, unmoving pond. Large egg-shaped stones dot the floor,
taller than even the tallest gnome. Velvet is an Adult Black Dracolich, Ebony is a De-
milich, and the shadows are 8 Black Shadow Dragon
There is a good chance the characters will want to Wyrmlings.
investigate the room. The room’s ceiling is 60 feet up.
Adjusting this Encounter
Depending on how much time you have left, feel free to
let them look around. When you are ready, proceed to Here are some suggestions for adjusting this encounter, according to
your group. These are not cumulative.
combat.
• Very Weak: Remove 4 black shadow dragon wyrmlings, Replace 1
demilich with 1 adult skeletal black dragon.
The Eggs • Weak: Remove 4 black shadow dragon wyrmlings. The demilich
doesn’t have lair actions.
These large stones are clearly dragon eggs that have
been petrified in some way. If a character decides to • Average: The demilich doesn’t have lair actions
smash the stones, it makes a lot of racket and there are • Strong: Add 2 black shadow dragon wyrmlings, the wyrmlings are
dragon wyrmling skeletons inside. immune to turn undead.
• Very Strong: Add 4 black shadow dragon wyrmlings, the wyrmlings
are immune to turn undead.
The Pool
The pool of water barely moves when the players look Adult Skeletal Black Dragon Adjustments:
at it. The pool is pitch black but when viewed with a • Remove Legendary Actions
light or dark vision, a character can see that the pool • Remove Legendary Resistance
descends for twenty-five feet and then continues east
• Remove Legendary Actions
in a horizontal shaft. If a party member decides to
investigate where it goes, they swim underwater for • Acid breath recharges only on a 6
a thousand feet or so and then come out of a pool in • Add: Damage Vulnerabilities - Bludgeon
the Glumpen Swamp. They then look up at the gibbous • Add: Turn Immunity – The dragon is immune to the effects of turn
moon and see a massive skeletal dragon flying at them! undead.
The Cliff Some art objects and gems are all that remain of Ebo-
ny’s hoard. Even still, what remains is valued at 22,000
The cliff requires a DC 12 Strength (Athletics) check
gold pieces.
to climb. Atop the overlook is the bones of a large adult
dragon. A DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check reveals With Velvet “dead” and a potential new threat discov-
several crushed vertebrae as if they were bludgeoned ered, the party returns to Hawksroost to collect their
and that this is a female skeleton. A DC 15 Intelligence
reward.
(Arcana) check reveals this to be a black dragon.
The Encounter
The water from the pool explodes up into the cavern. A massive skeletal
dragon erupts into the air above you, its black scales and flesh dangle
from its skeleton. The creature’s voice echoes across the chamber,
causing your knees to shake, “Who dares disturb my beloved Ebony’s
slumber! How dare you desecrate her final resting place!”
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Rewards Consumable magic items should be divided up
however the group sees fit. If more than one character is
Make sure players note their rewards on their adventure
interested in a specific consumable magic item, the DM
log sheets. Give your name and DCI number (if applica-
can determine who gets it randomly should the group
ble) so players can record who ran the session.
be unable to decide.
Experience Permanent magic items are divided according to a
Total up all combat experience earned for defeated foes, system detailed in the D&D Adventurers League Dungeon
and divide by the number of characters present in the Master’s Guide.
combat. For non-combat experience, the rewards are
listed per character. Belt of Fire Giant Strength
Combat Awards Wonderous item, rare (requires attunement)
This item can be found in Player Handout 1.
Name of Foe XP Per Foe
Roc Skeleton 7,200 Scroll Grasping Vine
Ogre Mummy Lord 13,000 Scroll, rare
Orc Vampire 10,000 This item can be found in the Player’s Handbook.
Black Shadow Dragon Wyrmling 450
Adult Black Dracolich 11,500 Scroll of Enhance Ability
Scroll, uncommon
Adult Black Dragon Skeleton 11,500
This item can be found in the Player’s Handbook.
Demilich 20,000
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Appendix. Dramatis Personae
The following NPCs are featured prominently in this adventure:
Olo (OH-low): Olo is a middle aged tortle who survived a brutal attack by a roc skeleton. He is adven-
turous and knows the GlumpenSwamp like the back of his shell.
Velvet (VEL-vit): An adult black dragon dracolich who has been trying to bring his family back from the
dead.
Ames Dowsey (AYMZ DOW-zee): Sergent of the Hawksroos militia. Though he onls has a handful of
people under him, he takes his position seriously. Ames hails from Hillsfar and once was a Red Plume.
Ludron (LUHD-run): A femal tortle who survived the roc attack in Glumpen Swamp by burying herself
in mud. She knows where the bird skeletons came from.
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Appendix. Monster/NPC Statistics
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Appendix. The Ogre Catacombs
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Player Handout 1. Magic Item
During the course of this adventure, the characters may find the following permanent magic item:
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