d20 Expeditious Retreat Press 1 on 1 Adventures 09 - Legacy of Darkness.pdf - Expeditious Retreat Press - R5700

1 on 1 Adventures #9

Legacy of Darkness

By Creighton Broadhurst

1 on 1 Adventures #9: Legacy of Darkness

Sehvain Malual is renowned for his work in necromancy, using the dark art to destroy

the undead pestilence polluting the world. However every warrior must hang his

proverbial sword and retiring from adventuring life, the wizened elf settled down in

a nearby town purchasing a small townhouse. Here, he would inally ind the peace

he so craved, or such he hoped before he found The Black Lexicon . What dark intent

consumes Sehvain’s time is anyone’s guess, but only the PC can uncover the Legacy

of Darkness.

An adventure designed for 1 GM and

1 player (Level 8-10 Wizard)

WWW.XRPSHOP.CITYMAX.COM

This module includes 20 adventure-packed pages, complete with locations and maps,

forming a ready-made adventure. It has been crafted for one player and one GM so even

the smallest gaming group has adventures suitable to their needs with minimal preparation

time. With some minor scaling, Legacy of Darkness is suitable for use with four 6th level

player characters.

If you enjoy this module, look for future releases in the One on One Adventures line from

Expeditious Retreat Press

One on One Adventures #9

Legacy of Darkness

by Creighton Broadhurst

An Adventure for One Wizard Level 8-10

CREDITS

Author: Creighton Broadhurst

Playtesters: James Ewins, Andy Glenn, and Andrew Lewis.

Cover Artist: David Esbri

Interior Artist: Claudio Pozas

Cartography: Suzi Yee

Editing and Layout: Suzi Yee

Introduction...............................................................................2

Adventure Background............................................................2

Scaling The Adventure.............................................................2

Adventure Synopsis .................................................................3

Character Hooks........................................................................3

Timeline......................................................................................3

Arriving At Sehvain’s...............................................................4

Features Of The Townhouse ...................................................4

Sehvain’s Manorhouse:............................................................4

H13: Sehvain’s Suite .........................................................8

H14: Servant’s Quarters...................................................8

H 15: Storage Areas...........................................................8

The Dark Crypts........................................................................8

Features Of The Dark Crypts ..........................................8

C1: The Dark Stair ............................................................9

C2: Chamber Of Veneration............................................9

C3: The Deep Crypts (El 5) ............................................10

C4: Incarceration Of The Damned (El Variable/0)....11

C5: Dark Library..............................................................12

C6: Dark Gate (El 6)........................................................13

Conclusion ...............................................................................15

Dramantis Persona..................................................................15

Gregor: Sehvain’s Manservant......................................15

Sehvain .............................................................................15

Other Staff........................................................................16

Guests ...............................................................................16

Sample Character: Aelmah Dhothus....................................17

Map of Sehvain’s House ........................................................18

Map of The Dark Crypts........................................................19

Open Game License Version 1.0a.........................................20

H1: Hallway.......................................................................4

H2: Reception Room.........................................................5

H3: Dining Room..............................................................5

H4: Library Room .............................................................5

H5: Kitchen ........................................................................6

H7: Cellar............................................................................6

H6: Storeroom....................................................................6

H8: Servant’s Stair.............................................................6

H9: Garden (El 5)...............................................................6

H10: Upper Hallway.........................................................7

H11: Guest Bedroom.........................................................7

H12: Gregor’s Chamber ...................................................7

INTRODUCTION

This adventure takes place in a town or city and can be

dropped into a DM’s home campaign with little or no effort.

The adventure is designed speciically for a wizard character.

As such, the encounters encourage the use of a wizard’s

skills and abilities. Characters with ranks in Concentration,

Decipher Script, Knowledge (any), and Spellcraft will have

many opportunities to utilize their skills. Sorcerers could

also participate in this adventure but would probably need

to purchase scrolls and potions to make up for their reduced

spellcasting options.

The Black Lexicon also contains the bound spirit of a

necromancer from an elder age. Named Antharumer, he failed

in his bid to attain lichdon, slain during the inal moments of the

necessary ceremony his spirit led to the nearest item of power:

The Black Lexicon . There he languished for many centuries until

Sehvain recovered the book. Since then, Antharumer has been

slowly corrupting Sehvain, whispering black dreams of power

and rightful destiny into the half-elf’s mind. These whisperings

have awoken in Sehvain an obsession with ancient texts and

such like, Antharumer fostering the belief that the secrets of

ancient and awesome power over life and death were within

Sehvain’s grasp. Such was his compulsion that for a time,

Sehvain even sought and purchased several such books from

local guilds and collectors.

Eventually, however, his funds ran low and he began to

trade rare and ancient magical items so that he could continue

his research. Using a network of former companions, teachers,

apprentices, and others he uncovered many ancient objects of

power, selling them to the highest bidder. So apathetic had

Sehvain become, he did not care to what end the items he sold

furthered. (As the adventure begins, Sehvain has sold most of

his books to fund his research.)

This trade brought Sehvain to the attention of Gregor,

an acolyte of the Death God who correctly suspected that

Sehvain’s house stood on the site of an old temple. He

murdered Sehvain’s previous manservant and took his place,

quickly discovering the ruins in the garden.

While relaxing in the house’s garden at Gregor’s behest,

Sehvain uncovered several partially ruined walls scribed with

strange symbols. His research, and Antharumer’s whisperings,

quickly led to the discovery of an extensive network of

catacombs beneath the house. Exploration ensued. Sehvain

slowly cleared much of the catacombs and as Antharumer’s

inluence over him grew, Sehvain spent more and more time

below ground searching the catacombs for Antharumer knew

this place of old and hinted of dark mysteries and a powerful

gate hidden in the deepest reaches of the place. Eventually,

Sehvain discovered the ancient ceremonial gate of the Death

God in the very lowest portions of the tunnels. At one time,

the gate acted as a one-way portal to the Death God’s domain

ADVENTURE BACKGROUND

The half-elf wizard Sehvain Malual was an oddity among

the elves with whom he grew up. While almost all his fellow

students learned traditional elven magical arts, he turned

to the dark art of necromancy. Sehvain was no traditional

necromancer, however; his heart and goals were pure. He

sought to use the power of death to destroy the undead

pestilence polluting the world.

While young and idealistic, he zealously used his

abilities for just that purpose. As he grew older, however, the

seemingly endless battles, searching, and travelling wore him

down. Eventually he became apathetic, even inured against

the suffering, damnation, and death he so often encountered.

One day, about a century ago, he simply gave up. Retiring

from adventuring life, he settled down in a nearby town

purchasing a small townhouse. Here, he inally found the

peace he so craved.

At irst, he chronicled his exploits and catalogued the vast

library of ancient writings and spellbooks he had recovered

during his adventures. Because he had spent so much of his

career ighting undead, he had explored many ancient tombs,

catacombs, and dungeons. Consequently, he had discovered

a goodly amount of ancient texts and writings over which he

incessantly pored. One of these tomes, The Black Lexicon , held

many dark and ancient secrets pertaining to the necromantic

arts. As well as extensive notes on undead of all forms, the book

includes a detailed process for making a lich’s phylactery.

Scaling the Adventure

Legacy of Darkness is designed to challenge a single character of 8th-10th level. However, you can easily run the

adventure for a group of 6th-level characters by making minor changes and preparations before play.

For a Single Character of 11th – 13th level: To run Legacy of Darkness with characters of these levels, consider making

the following changes:

• Advance the lions to 8 HD for an 11th-level PC adding an additional lion for each additional level of the PC.

• Give the wight in area C3 one level of ighter, for every level the PC is above 9th-level.

• Advance Gregor by one level for every level the PC is above 9th-level alternating levels of ighter with cleric.

• Advance Sehvain by one level, for every level the PC is above 9th-level and equip him appropriately. Do not

allow him access to spells or magic items that can end the ight if the PC fails one saving throw.

• For an 11th-level character, make the animated statues Large instead of Medium. For every level the PC has

beyond 11th, add two additional statues. Expand the scaffolding to 10 ft. wide so that the statues are not

squeezing during combat.

For Multiple Characters: For a group of 6th-level characters, consider making the following changes:

• Add additional beds to one or more of the guest rooms

• Add an additional wight to area C3, for every three members of the party.

• Add an additional animated devil statue, for every three members of the party.

• Advance Gregor by one level for every two members of the party, alternating levels of ighter with cleric.

• Advance Sehvain by one level of wizard, for every two members of the party

• If Manator inds the secret door for the PCs on day two he does not offer to participate in exploring the

catacombs.

but is now dormant. Sehvain, prompted by Antharumer,

immediately began researching the gate and its abilities,

believing that its powers could, in some way, be harnessed

to produce other affects. Antharumer, of course, hopes that

this research will culminate in Sehvain inding a way to set

him free from the book that has for so long held him prisoner.

Sehvain, so morally bankrupt has he become, desires the

power of the gate so that he can dominate and control access

to the Death God’s realm.

plot. What is important, however, is that within the letter

Coralain asks to borrow several of Sehvain’s ancient texts.

The PC is charged with getting Sehvain’s agreement and then

transporting the books safely back to his patron.

• The PC could be seeking some kind of information

that Sehvain, with his extensive library and knowledge, is well

placed to provide. The PC could be acting on his own behalf or

for a client.

• The PC could be acting as a broker for a friend or

client who wishes to secure a certain rare magical item.

ADVENTURE SYNOPSIS

The PC arrives at Sehvain’s townhouse and is admitted

by Gregor, Sehvain’s manservant and assistant, after a

short discussion. The PC learns that Sehvain is currently

unavailable and will likely remain that way for several days.

Grudgingly, Gregor allows the PC to remain, even providing

him with a bedchamber.

The PC can explore the house and much of the grounds if

he wishes or can wander about the town (as the DM sees it).

The PC can also explore the public parts of the house – library,

drawing room, garden, and so on. The PC may also meet one or

more of the other guests currently waiting to see Sehvain.

Eventually, Gregor summons the PC to dinner. The other

guests also attend and the PC can learn more about why they

wait for Sehvain. If the PC explores the gardens after dinner, the

guardian lions attack them. During the night, mufled screams

from downstairs wake the PC. If he investigates, he inds no

signs of wrongdoing. If questioned, Manator reveal that he has

not heard such screaming before. Much later, a particularly

alert PC may hear someone softly walk past his chamber door

muttering to himself. (This is Sehvain returning to bed).

The next morning the PCs discovers that Morrim has left.

Sehvain is again missing, embroiled in his research. Later in

the day, the PC hears mufled thuds and rumblings seemingly

from underground.

Sehvain attends dinner on the second day of the PC’s

visit. He is uncommunicative and distant, excusing himself

early. That night, the PC hears Gregor creeping about the

house. If he follows the manservant, he discovers the secret

door leading to the catacombs. Exploring the catacombs, the

PC battles a number of foul creatures, including skeletons

and a wight, and makes a number of disturbing discoveries

before inally discovering Sehvain’s dark library. Beyond the

library, the PC discovers the oldest part of the catacombs and

an ancient ceremonial prayer gate which Sehvain is trying

to reactivate. After defeating Sehvain and the gate’s inal

guardians the PC can retrieve Sehvain’s notes and uncover his

slow descent into madness and darkness.

TIMELINE

This section presents a suggested timeline of events for

this adventure. Use these notes to guide play. PC action, or

inaction, however, will likely modify the course of events.

Day 1: The PC arrives at Sehvain’s house and is admitted

by Gregor. Gregor monitors the PC for the rest of the day,

making sure he does not enter the private areas of the house

and so on. The other guests may make an appearance if the

DM deems appropriate. Sehvain joins his guests for dinner but

retires early, avoiding or delecting questions of note. Morrim

enjoys dinner but Manator is obviously agitated and ill at ease.

During the night, mufled screams from downstairs wake

the PC. If he investigates, he inds no signs of wrongdoing.

Manator also investigates and, if questioned, reveals that

has not have not heard such screaming before. Much later,

a particularly alert PC may hear Sehvain softly walk past his

chamber door muttering to himself.

Day 2: The PC is left to his own devices during the day

but Gregor is always hovering nearby. He dismisses the PC’s

questions about the strange sounds in the night, afirming

that it was simply a mugging on the street outside (or some

such event). In the afternoon, the PC hears mufled thuds and

rumblings seemingly coming from underground. Sehvain

attends dinner but is uncommunicative and distant, excusing

himself early. That night, the PC hears Gregor creeping about

the house. If he follows the manservant, he discovers the secret

door leading to the catacombs.

Troubleshooting: If the PC does not ind the secret door to

the catacombs, either by inding it himself or by seeing Gregor

use it, Manator inds it after dinner on day two who reveals

his discovery to the PC. (If the PC is particularly unsuited for

combat, Manator accompanies him). Gregor overhears this

conversation and follows anyone descending the stairs. He

awaits them on the stair, ambushing anyone emerging from

the catacombs.

If the PC has to break off his exploration of the Dark

Crypts for more than three hours, but slew Gregor before

retiring, Sehvain discovers his manservant’s corpse and lays

a trap for the intruder. When the PC inally confronts him, he

is fully prepared having cast all the spells listed in the Combat

Preparation section of his stat block.

Going to Town: This adventure takes place in a town

and as such the PC can access more resources than if he was

exploring a wilderness or dungeon area. In particular, he

can seek aid and healing from nearby temples. For example,

a PC faring badly against the wight in area C3 of the Dark

Crypts who visits a nearby temple and reveals the presence

of the catacombs and the undead will be healed for free. (This

includes a single casting of restoration – required to remove

any negative levels gained in battle against the wight). Do not

allow the PC to abuse this access; a single visit to the temple

is ine but repeat visits after every battle quickly irks the

incumbent priests.

CHARACTER HOOKS

There are many reasons why a character could visit Sehvain’s

townhouse. Central to the adventure plot, however, is that

the character be able to spend several days poking around

Sehvain’s townhouse.

• The PC and Sehvain belong to the same wizard guild.

Several of the guild’s ruling council, old friends of Sehvain’s,

have grown alarmed at his withdrawal from public life. Thus,

they have sent the PC to check on his general wellbeing and

state of mind.

• The PC could be delivering a letter or missive to

the reclusive wizard from one of his old childhood friends,

Coralain, a politically powerful elven wizard. Much of the

letter, full of trivia and suchlike, is not important to the

Gathering Information: A PC can learn more

information about Sehvain by either asking about town to

gather information or by making a successful Knowledge

(arcana) check. Provide the PC with the information gained

by the relevant check DC. A successful check also reveals all

knowledge revealed by a lesser check.

• DC 15 Gather Information or Knowledge (arcana):

The reclusive Sehvain is well known as a purveyor or ancient

and esoteric texts. Primarily he sells unwanted items he found

during his adventuring career. He has a network of contacts

in many far-off lands and for a fee uses them to buy and sell

other items.

• DC 20 Gather Information or Knowledge (arcana):

Sehvain normally deals in necromantic spellbooks and tomes

of the knowledge. He is a necromancer but is not evil. During

his adventuring career Sehvain used his powers to destroy,

not to create or control, undead.

• DC 30 Gather Information or Knowledge (arcana):

Sehvain has recently been making very discreet enquiries into

the early history of the town and in particularly the religious

practices at the time.

A PC can make these Knowledge (arcana) checks at any time

during the adventure, but if he wishes to gather information

about Sehvain, he must spend 1d4+1 hours in the local taverns

and hostelries and spend 5 gp on drinks and minor bribes.

ARRIVING AT SEHVAIN’S

When you and the player are ready, read:

FEATURES OF THE TOWNHOUSE

Sehvain’s townhouse stands adjacent to the street. At the rear,

a capacious walled garden provides leafy shade and areas

of cool relaxation. The townhouse has the following generic

features unless an encounter description speciies otherwise.

External Walls: The townhouse’s external walls are made

of dressed stone (2 ft. thick, hardness 8, hp 360; Break DC 45,

Climb DC 15).

Internal Walls: The internal walls (hardness 8, hp 90,

Break DC 35, Climb DC 25) of the townhouse are 1 ft. thick

External Doors: The front doors are made from oak and of

solid build (hardness 5, hp 20; Break DC 25, Open Locks DC 30).

Internal Doors: Internal doors are of good quality

(hardness 5, hp 15, Break DC 16). Guest rooms can be locked

(DC 25 Open Locks) as can Gregor’s and Sehvain’s rooms.

Doors to the public parts of the house do not lock.

Keys: Both Gregor and Sehvain have a full set of keys to

all the locks in the house. Gregor carries his keys with him.

Sehvain leaves his set in his room.

Shuttered Windows: All of the townhouse’s windows

(hardness 1, hp 1) have stout (hardness 5, hp 20) wooden

shutters. At night they are closed and barred (Break DC 23).

During the day most are lung open to admit light.

Sehvain’s two-storey townhouse stands in the prosperous

part of town and is lanked by other houses of similar

design and appearance. It is of sturdy stone construction

and has many windows, the shutters of which are thrown

open to admit the soft afternoon light.

The road is shady – several large oaks provide shade

over much of the thoroughfare – and there is little trafic

on this quiet, cobblestone street.

When the PC knocks on the door, he gets no response for

several minutes. Eventually, Gregor opens the door and in

lofty tones enquires as to the PC’s business. Initially, he is

very standofish and obstructive toward the PC. If the PC

persists, however, he eventually relents and allows the PC to

enter. Once the PC explains his business with Sehvain, Gregor

realizes that he will not be able to get rid of this (unwelcome)

visitor without arousing suspicion. Thus, Gregor allows him

to stay and wait with Sehvain’s other guests.

Gregor explains that Sehvain is engaged in some critical

research and that he cannot be disturbed at the moment.

Additionally, several other guests have also arrived seeking

his wisdom and knowledge. He emphasizes that Sehvain

often engages in long research and that two other petitioners

have already arrived. A DC 20 Sense Motive check reveals that

Gregor is holding something back.

Once Gregor has escorted the PC to his room on the

second loor, he leaves him alone claiming that he has many

chores to complete. The PC is free to wander about the public

parts of the house (in practice this means the irst loor and the

garden). Gregor councils the PC to stay out of the garden after

dark as several guardians patrol the area at night. (Gregor

does not tell the PC exactly what lurks in the garden; he enjoys

keeping the PC in the dark).

SEHVAIN’S MANORHOUSE

The irst loor is a public area, while the guest bedrooms and

Gregor’s bedroom are on the second loor. The third loor is

dedicated to Sehvain’s suite, while a modest attic houses the

servants as well as extra storage.

H1: Hallway

This wide, dark hallway has several doors opening off

from it. A smaller corridor pierces the right-hand wall

while ahead of you a staircase rises to the next loor.

d20 Expeditious Retreat Press 1 on 1 Adventures 09 - Legacy of Darkness.pdf

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