3.6 KiB
type
| type |
|---|
| reference |
Bandits & Wilderness Encounters
Old Salt Road Ambush
6 bandits and 1 bandit captain (CR 3 total). The bandits are mercenaries hired by the The Hand of Ruin to stop anyone investigating the missing caravan.
Setup
The ambush occurs at a narrow pass where the road cuts between two rocky hills. The bandits have overturned a merchant cart (from the missing caravan) as cover. Two bandits are hidden on each hill with light crossbows; the captain and two bandits block the road.
Treasure
- 120 gp in assorted coins
- Captain's orders (sealed with the Hand of Ruin spiral): "Intercept all traffic on the Old Salt Road for two weeks. Kill witnesses. Report to the mill."
- A The Silent College shipment manifest (partially burned) — identifies the missing cargo as "Council-Referred Artifacts, Reference Code: SC-7-Anchor." This is the first hint that the The Silent College knows about the seals.
DC 15 Investigation
The bandit captain's boots have red clay on the soles — the same clay found at the Old Mill outside Eastmarch. Leads the party toward Arc 1 - Heirs of Sundering#Hook 3: The Poisoned Well.
Thronewood Ambush
Used in Arc 2 - The Gilded War#Hook 8: Ambush at Thronewood.
Enemy Forces
- 12 cultists (spread in 3 squads of 4 along the convoy route)
- 2 cult fanatics (convoy escorts, mounted on warhorses)
- 1 bone devil (CR 9) summoned as heavy enforcer, bound to a ritual circle in the lead cart
- Bound adult copper dragon — Khalyraxis, the Verdant Wing (weakened, restrained in the rear cart by enchanted adamantine chains)
Convoy Route
The convoy moves along the Old Thronewood Road, a forest path wide enough for two carts. The bone devil's ritual circle is in the lead cart — if the circle is broken (AC 13, 20 HP, DC 14 Arcana), the devil is banished back to the Nine Hells.
Freeing Khalyraxis
- Chains: AC 19, 40 HP, DC 18 Thieves' Tools
- Weakened Dragon: While chained, she cannot act. Once freed, she uses her Slowing Gas breath weapon immediately (targeting enemies) and thanks the party.
- If she takes damage: The cultists are under orders to kill her if escape seems imminent. The bone devil will abandon other targets to attack her. Protect the dragon.
Treasure
- Verdant Wing Token — from Khalyraxis
- Cult orders: "Convoy 4 — Dragon Lord asset to Citadel of Sundering. Priority: Absolute. Do not allow asset to speak to anyone. Do not fail." Signed by High Pontiff Vosseth.
- Convoy pay chest: 2,400 gp
Random Wilderness Encounters (d8)
Used during travel between major locations.
| d8 | Encounter | CR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1d4+2 cultists + 1 cult fanatic | 3 | Hand of Ruin patrol; carries orders if searched |
| 2 | 2d4 bandits + 1 bandit captain | 3 | Standard road ambush |
| 3 | 1d4 elementals (random type) | 2-5 | Drawn by a nearby cracked seal |
| 4 | Crown Concordat patrol (6 guards + 1 knight) | 5 | Suspicious of travelers; DC 15 Persuasion to pass freely |
| 5 | Iron Concord mercenary group (4 veterans + 1 gladiator) | 7 | Neutral unless provoked; can be hired as temporary allies (500 gp/day) |
| 6 | Wandering druid (use druid stat block) | 2 | Verdant Circle Watcher; provides regional intel |
| 7 | 1 young dragon (random metallic or chromatic) | 6-9 | Curious or territorial; not necessarily hostile |
| 8 | Anomalous weather event — elemental storm, time loop, gravity flux | — | Environmental hazard; DC 15 Nature to navigate safely |