Zhentarim 1 - Hatred Surfacing
Zhentarim 1 - Hatred Surfacing
https://www.gmbinder.com/documents/print/-LUQ-TjZTrrKOBv8Eg2b 1/7
21/02/2019 Zhentarim 1 - Hatred Surfacing | GM Binder
Start the skill challenge by asking each player to describe
Hatred Surfacing how their character tries to igure out where the murderer
will strike next. Are they trying to learn how the irst
Below is a more elaborate take on the irst Zhentarim faction murders happened? What taverns are there in the Dock Ward
mission found in Chapter 2: Trollskull Alley, where the party – and which one looks like a likely spot for the next murder?
is asked to investigate a string of murders in the Dock Ward. They can be as vague ("I ask around to learn more about the
Dock Ward's taverns") or as speci ic ("I read last week's
The Mission broadsheets to learn more about the irst murder") as they
want, as long as a skill check can be assigned to the action.
You can have Davil Starsong give the party this mission the
Second, ask how much gold they spend performing the
irst time they meet with him to join up with the Zhentarim
action (on bribes, hirecoaches, materials, etc.). This
(as described in Chapter 2: Trollskull Alley). If they have
determines the DC for the skill check – spending less than 1
already joined, you can have Davil send a winged snake at
gp on an activity puts the DC at 15, 1 gp or more brings the
any point of your choosing, with a note that reads: "Got a job
DC to 13, and spending 10 gp or more makes the DC 10. If
for you. Meet me at the Portal. Bring your friends. DS."
you think a DC is too high or too low for what a character is
When the party meets with Davil, he'll tell them:
trying to do, don't be afraid to change the DC or give a
character advantage/disadvantage as you see it.
"Someone is killing elf and half-elf sailors in the Dock Ward Here are examples of actions and matching skill checks:
– three bodies so far, each decapitated by a blade in the
Asking around (factions, tavern patrons, the Watch,
dead of night. Look into it, will you? Methinks the City
etc.). Charisma (Any) or Intelligence (Investigation).
Watch could use a little help. Do a good job, and I'll make Looking around (for elves and half-elves, good
sure there's some gold in it for you." ambush spots, etc.). Wisdom (Insight or Perception).
Recalling or researching information (broadsheets,
As the mission is described in Chapter 2, the characters only libraries etc.). Intelligence (History or Investigation).
need to hang out in the Dock Ward for three nights before
Success. On page 6 of this document, you'll ind a sheet of
they spot a drunken half-elf, who leads them straight to the
'Clues and Information' relating to the murders and the
murderer, Soluun Xibrindas. While this is certainly quick and
taverns of the Dock Ward. On a successful check, the
easy, it doesn't do much to activate the party.
character learns a piece of information – either the piece of
On the following pages, we'll instead split the mission into information that best its the question they've asked (if
three phases: a skill challenge to igure out where Soluun they've asked a speci ic question), or a piece of information
Xibrindas will strike next, a skill challenge to lay a trap for chosen at random, if their intentions were vague. You can cut
him, and inally a face-to-face encounter with the murderous these out and hand them to your players as they learn
dark elf. To set things in motion, you can have Davil also give information, or simply read them to your players. For easy
the party the following information: reference, you can also use the 'Dock Ward Taverns' table
below, which summarizes the speci ics of each tavern.
"Far as I've heard, the first murder happened a week ago Failure. A failed check doesn't necessarily mean that it
near The Sleeping Wench, the second only three days ago was impossible for a character to ind the information. Often
near The Bloody Fist, and the third just last night near The it just means that they wasted time and gold trying – failing
to convince a guard to give them the report on the irst
Thirsty Sailor. If I were a betting man, I'd wager another body
murder, getting lost while looking for a speci ic tavern, and so
will show up soon – and once again near a dockside tavern.
on. As such, a character can attempt the same skill check
Don't know the taverns well enough to say if there's a multiple times, at the cost of more gold and time. As a rough
pattern, but if you can figure out which tavern the murderers guideline, each attempt at learning more about one of the
chooses next, you might be able to lay a trap for them." three murders or broad information about all the Dock
Ward's taverns takes around half a day (information on the
left column of page 6), while attempting to learn the speci ics
Keep in mind that this is a tough challenge – a drow
of a single tavern shouldn't take more than an hour or two
gunslinger is no joke – so have Davil Starsong strongly urge
(information on the right column of page 6).
Zhentarim characters to bring their friends along for the job.
Dock Ward Taverns
Finding Soluun Xibrindas d10 Tavern Alley Open Late Elves
If the characters follow Davil's advice, they'll need to learn 1 The Sleeping Wench X X X
more about the irst three murders and the taverns in the
Dock Ward. Handle this like a skill challenge – one that works 2 The Bloody Fist X X X
a bit like a game of Cluedo. By asking the right questions and 3 The Thirsty Sailor X X X
succeeding on appropriate skill checks, the characters can
learn pieces of information, which together tells them:
4 Muleskull Tavern X X X
5 Selûne's Smile – – X
Each of the irst three murders happened late in the night
and in dark alleys near Dock Ward taverns frequented by 6 The Bearded Mermaid X – –
elves and half-elves. 7 The Hanged Man – X –
There are 10 taverns in the Dock Ward.
Only four of the 10 taverns it all the criteria: open late, 8 The Pickled Fisherman X – –
near a dark alley and popular with elves and half-elves. 9 Soaring Pegasus Tavern – X X
The murderer has already struck near three of these four
taverns, leaving only one: Muleskull Tavern on Ship Street. 10 The Skewered Dragon X X –
1
https://www.gmbinder.com/documents/print/-LUQ-TjZTrrKOBv8Eg2b 2/7
21/02/2019 Zhentarim 1 - Hatred Surfacing | GM Binder
While the players make their skill checks, note each success
Troubleshooting
and failure and use this information to describe what
This investigation-turned-skill-challenge isn't meant to be
happens. It's a good idea to end the skill challenge on a
particularly hard, it's just meant to get the players engaged.
Perception check, since that'll be the pivotal check in most
So be lenient with your players if they're having trouble
cases – and it's also a good check to ask for, if your players
iguring out which tavern is the right one, and stay open to
are running out of ideas. See 'Example: Laying a Trap' for
any innovative or creative solutions they might present, even
inspiration on how to run this skill challenge.
if it means skipping the entire skill challenge.
Once the skill challenge has been resolved, and the party
In the same vein, there doesn't need to be any 'real'
has hopefully successfully sprung their trap and surprised
consequences (except for wasted gold) if the party can't
Soluun Xibrindas in the middle of his gruesome act, you're
igure out that Muleskull Tavern is the target quickly enough
ready to run the party's encounter with the dark elf.
– the murderer only strikes when the party have found the
right tavern. If the party continues to set up ambushes at the
wrong taverns, either because they're just guessing or are Example: Laying a Trap
convinced they've found the right one, you can always move Here's a condensed example of how this skill challenge
things along by having Soluun Xibrindas strike at whichever
might play out at the table.
tavern the party has decided on, even if it doesn't exactly it
his usual modus operandi. DM: Okay, so you're trying to set up an ambush at Muleskull
Tavern. We'll run this as a skill challenge. Tell me what you're
Trapping Soluun Xibrindas doing and we'll figure out what skill check you make. The
When the party has gathered enough clues, they'll hopefully more successes, the better your trap. Who's first?
be able to deduct that Muleskull Tavern is where the Bard: Can I try to disguise myself as a drunken half-elf?
murderer is most likely to strike next. The cozy tavern lies on DM: Yes! You want to use Deception or Performance?
Ship Street close to the harbor and caters to elf and half-elf Bard: I'll take Deception. But hey, do I automatically succeed
sailors as one of the only places in Waterdeep that sells true
if I cast disguise self?
Silverymoon Bloodwine. At all hours of the day, at least half a
DM: No, but I'll give you advantage on the check.
dozen elves and half-elves are drinking within, under the
keen eye of the sharp-eyed proprietor Alhazin Meadowsong Bard: Sweet. I do that then. Rolls dice. That's a 21.
(female high elf commoner). Rogue: I'd like to hide in an alley near the tavern, keeping my
If the party decides to set up a trap for the murderer, either eyes open for anything suspicious.
by waiting for a likely target to leave the tavern (a dead- DM: That sounds like a Stealth or Perception check.
drunk half-elf named Heldar obliges an hour or so past Rogue: Stealth it is. Rolls dice. That's an 18.
midnight), or by using themselves as bait, you can once again Fighter: Can I use Athletics to climb one of the buildings
make it into a skill challenge. Ask the players to tell you how
overlooking the alley to get a better vantage point?
each character helps setting up the trap, what they are doing
DM: Go for it.
and what skill that action uses. Some examples are:
Fighter: Rolls dice. 16!
Acting as bait. Charisma (Deception or Performance). Cleric: I'm not sure how I can help... Maybe... Can I maybe
Looking for possible victims. Wisdom (Insight) or pray to Tymora, asking her to bless our plans with luck?
Intelligence (Investigation).
DM: Good idea! I like that. Let's call that a spellcasting
Staying unseen. Dexterity (Stealth).
ability check. So your Wisdom plus your Proficiency bonus.
Watching the tavern. Wisdom (Perception).
Cleric: Great! Rolls dice. Ah, not so great. 11. That's what
At your discretion, a character might perform more than one you get for worshipping the goddess of luck.
check, such as a character keeping watch outside the tavern DM: Ouch. Okay, you have three successes and one failure.
making both a Wisdom (Perception) check and a Dexterity
Let me get a Perception check from the Fighter and the
(Stealth) check. In total, ive successful DC 13 skill checks are
Rogue.
needed to complete the skill challenge. The number of
failures before reaching ive successes determines how well Fighter: Rolls dice. That's 17.
the trap works (see the 'Consequences of Failure' table). Rogue: Rolls dice. And I got a 14.
DM: Great! Okay, so here's what happens. The Bard
Consequences of Failure disguises himself as a drunken half-elf, stumbling out from
Failures Result Muleskull Tavern. Outside, the Fighter has climbed to the
The party spots Soluun Xibrindas before he top of one of the smaller buildings overlooking the alley, the
0
makes his move, giving them a surprise round. Rogue is hiding in the nearby shadows and the Cleric is
The party spots Soluun Xibrindas just as he posted at the opposite end of the alley. Close by, the Cleric's
1 prayers go unheard and he doesn't see the shadowy figure
makes his move, going straight to initiative.
that levitates down to the ground, as the Bard is halfway
The party spots Soluun Xibrindas after he makes
2 through the alley. The stealthy approach is, however,
his move, giving him a surprise round.
spotted seconds later by both the Rogue and the Fighter,
The party doesn't spot Soluun Xibrindas at all,
giving you all time to act just as a gleaming blade is poised
3 either scaring him away before anything
happens or arriving too late to stop the murder. to strike at our disguised drunk's neck. Roll initiative!
2
https://www.gmbinder.com/documents/print/-LUQ-TjZTrrKOBv8Eg2b 3/7
21/02/2019 Zhentarim 1 - Hatred Surfacing | GM Binder
3
https://www.gmbinder.com/documents/print/-LUQ-TjZTrrKOBv8Eg2b 4/7
21/02/2019 Zhentarim 1 - Hatred Surfacing | GM Binder
DM's Cheatsheet
The Mission Soluun Xibrindas
Davil tells the party someone has killed three elves and Medium humanoid (elf), neutral evil
half-elves in the Dock Ward in the last week.
Davil explains that the irst murder happened near The Armor Class 18 (studded leather, shield)
Sleeping Wench, the second murder happened near the Hit Points 84 (13d8 + 26)
Bloody Fist, and the third murder happened near the Speed 30 ft.
Thirsty Sailor, all within the last week.
Davil suggests the party tries to igure out which tavern
the murderer will strike at next and lay a trap. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
13 (+1) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 13 (+1) 14 (+2)
Finding Soluun
Skill Challenge to ind the tavern Soluun will strike at.
Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +4, Wis +3
Ask each player what they want to discover, how they try
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +8
to discover it and assign a skill check to the action. Senses Darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 13
Ask each player how much gold they spend on the action. Languages Elvish, Undercommon
<1 GP = DC 15. >1 GP = DC 13. >10 GP = DC 10. Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
1st victim: half-elf isher Sigyrna by The Sleeping Wench.
2nd victim: unnamed elf sailor by The Bloody Fist. Boots of Elvenkind. Soluun is wearing boots of
3rd victim: half-elf dancer Star by The Thirsty Sailor. elvenkind granting him advantage on Dexterity
All the murders happened near taverns popular with (Stealth) checks made to move silently.
elves and half-elves, after midnight and in dark alleys (see
page 6 or use the table below for information on taverns). Fey Ancestry. Soluun has advantage on saving
throws against being charmed, and magic can’t
Dock Ward Taverns put Soluun to sleep.
d10 Tavern Alley Open Late Elves Gunslinger. Being within 5 feet of a hostile
creature or attacking at long range doesn’t impose
1 The Sleeping Wench X X X disadvantage on Soluun’s ranged attack rolls with
2 The Bloody Fist X X X a pistol. In addition, Soluun ignores half cover and
three-quarters cover when making ranged attacks
3 The Thirsty Sailor X X X with a pistol.
4 Muleskull Tavern X X X Innate Spellcasting. Soluun’s spellcasting ability is
5 Selûne's Smile – – X Charisma (spell save DC 12). He can innately cast
the following spells, requiring no material
6 The Bearded Mermaid X – – components:
7 The Hanged Man – X – At will: dancing lights
8 The Pickled Fisherman X – – 1/day each: darkness, faerie fire, levitate (self only)
9 Soaring Pegasus Tavern – X X Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, Soluun has
disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom
10 The Skewered Dragon X X – (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Conclusion
If the party is successful, Davil rewards each character
with 50 gp and each faction member gains 1 renown.
4
https://www.gmbinder.com/documents/print/-LUQ-TjZTrrKOBv8Eg2b 5/7
21/02/2019 Zhentarim 1 - Hatred Surfacing | GM Binder
Muleskull Tavern
The Third Murder A cozy tavern on Ship Street, run by female elf Alhazin
The third murder happened last night near The Thirsty Sailor Meadowsong, that attracts elves and half-elves with
on Fish Street. The victim was a young moon elf dancer Silverymoon Bloodwine, keeps late hours and is near a dark
named simply Star, who was one of The Thirsty Sailor's alley leading to the docks.
popular elf and half-elf dancers. His shift ended two bells
after midnight, and he was found dead in an alley soon after
by one of his coworkers. Selûne's Smile
A small tavern on Deepwater Street, run by male elf singer
Canthillon, who draws in elves with his serene singing, but
Dock Ward Taverns closes early and isn't near any alleys.
There are 10 taverns in the Dock Ward: The Sleeping
Wench, The Bloody Fist, The Thirsty Sailor, Muleskull Tavern,
Selûne's Smile, The Bearded Mermaid, The Hanged Man, The The Bearded Mermaid
Pickled Fisherman, Soaring Pegasus Tavern and The A rowdy tavern on The Way of the Dragon, run by a male
Skewered Dragon. shield dwarf Kyrril, which keeps late hours and is near allies,
but is more popular with dwarves than elves.
5
https://www.gmbinder.com/documents/print/-LUQ-TjZTrrKOBv8Eg2b 6/7
21/02/2019 Zhentarim 1 - Hatred Surfacing | GM Binder
A Valeur RPG
DM's Resource
This document was made with GM Binder.
Chapter 3: Fireball
https://www.gmbinder.com/documents/print/-LUQ-TjZTrrKOBv8Eg2b 7/7