d20 Legion Publishing Critical Hits 13 - The Watching Woods.pdf - Legion Publishing - R5700

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Third Edition Core Books, published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

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INTRODUCTION

Greetings traveler and welcome to Critical Hits – a

series of electronic publications from Legion Publishing.

Each Critical Hit is a complete encounter that can be

dropped into any fantasy campaign with very little prepa-

ration needed by the DM. The encounters are little gems

of ideas built around a single situation, person, location,

creature or object that the players stumble across in their

travels. Each Critical Hit provides all the DM needs to use

the encounter. Whether used as a disposable diversion or

the springboard for adventure, Critical Hits give the over-

worked DM a break and the players some memorable

encounters that encourage creative role-playing. This

encounter can be added into any ongoing adventure set in

temperate forest or woodlands, ideally as part of the

characters’ journey. With minor alterations, almost any

terrain type can be accommodated. It is best suited for

adventurers with strong arms and strong stomachs.

V o l u m e 4 N o 1 - E n c o u n t e r L e v e l 5

T H E W A T C H I N G W O O D S

Published by

www.legionpublishing.co.uk

First Published 2003

C R E D I T S &

A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S

In The Watching Woods, the party find themselves

pitted against an enemy who is nowhere to be seen but

from whom there seems to be no escape. As with the other

Critical Hits, text inside a border should be read aloud to

the players (unless you have modified the setting, in

which case you’re on your own!). And so it begins…

Written by

Alistair Fairman

Editing

Simon Lucas & Matthew Harffy

Illustrations by

Robin Elliott

Typesetting and graphic design by Wildstar Digital Arts

Contact - info@wildstardigitalarts.co.uk

Author courtesy of Snake Eyes Studio

Contact - info@snakeeyesstudio.co.uk

THE CAMPSITE

The party is in an overgrown part of the forest. The

path is narrow and there is neither the space nor shelter

to camp.

Legion Publishing, Critical Hits, the Legion Publishing logo, Legionnaire,

and all related characters and elements are trademarks of Legion

Publishing.

Wildstar Digital Arts and its logo are trademarks of Wildstar Digital Arts.

Snake Eyes Studio and its logo are trademarks of Snake Eyes Studio.

It is getting late in the day. What sunlight can be seen

through the canopy of trees is getting lower and

longer. The path ahead can no longer be seen clearly.

To continue further this night would be foolishness.

'd20 System' and the 'd20 System' logo are trademarks of Wizards of

the Coast, Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc., and are used according to

the terms of the d20 System License version 4.0. A copy of this License

can be found at www.wizards.com/d20.

Designation of Product Identity

All material, other than material already considered Open Gaming

Content is considered Product Identity as described in Section 1(e) of

the Open Gaming License v1.0a. This includes but is not limited to

Critical Hits and all significant characters, names, creatures, spells,

events, plots, logos, trade dress, product names, product lines, places,

Reserved, except where otherwise noted. The use of another company's

trademark should not be construed as a challenge to that trademark.

Reproduction of non-Open Game Content from this work by any means

without the express written consent of Legion Publishing is prohibited.

A successful Search roll (DC 10) finds a clearing a little

way off of the path. A further successful Search roll (DC

20) also notices a number of boot marks heading towards

it. When approaching the clearing it can quickly be seen

that a campsite has already been set up there. There are

three tents, all placed around a central fire pit which now

lies cold. The site seems to be deserted.

Legion Publishing - Critical Hits

Volume 4 No 1 - EL 5

Any adventurers entering the camp hear a strained

voice cry out in Elven.

Spells Known (Rgr —/1): 1st - Alarm, Animal Friendship,

Delay Poison, Detect Animals or Plants, Detect Snares

and Pits, Entangle, Magic Fang, Pass without Trace, Read

Magic, Resist Elements, Speak with Animals, Summon

Nature’s Ally I.

Spells Prepared (Rgr —/1): 1st - Pass without Trace.

‘Who Goes?’

If no reply is given or no one can understand Elven the

next thing the players experience is an arrow fired at the

head of the first PC to enter the campsite. The shot is

unnervingly accurate and slams into a tree, inches from its

target. The miss was no accident; the warning is clear. The

archer cannot be seen and it can only be determined that

the arrow came from the trees on the outskirts of the camp.

THE WAY OF VIOLENCE

If the party attempt to attack or are at all hostile at

this point another arrow is fired at the lead member of

the party, this time intended to kill. The voice then falls

silent. No trace of the source can be found. The figure is

the elven ranger Thauvial Goldblossom. He fires one shot

as the party approaches before casting pass without trace

to aid his escape.

The shout is repeated this time in the Common tongue.

The caller is extremely nervous and wants to know why the

party is here. A successful Charisma check (DC 10) can con-

vince the archer of the party's good intentions. The voice

is obviously frightened but the PCs are not the source of

this fear. A tinge of relief can be heard in the voice.

The now empty campsite can be searched. Each tent

contains the following items:

Add +1 to this check if there are any Elves or Half-

Elves in the party. Also add +1 to the test if the reply is

given in Elven.

2 days provisions

2 backpacks

2 Sleeping rolls

10 arrows

2 daggers

2 canteens

A pouch containing 2-10 gp

A good search roll (DC15) also uncovers a hidden

scroll written in Elven.

The encounter can go one of two ways from here. If

the party decides to find out more about the nervous

camper they are likely to get all the information he has

to offer in The Way of Peace, below. If they are keen to

put the archer to the sword and loot the campsite, read

on. They may regret not finding out what the elf has to

tell them.

Thauvial Goldblossom: Male Elf, High Rgr4; Medium

Humanoid ; HD 4d10-4 (Ranger); hp 30; Init +4; Spd

30; AC 17; Atk +6 base melee, +8 base ranged; +7

(1d8+2, Longsword, Masterwork); +9 (1d8+1, Mighty

composite longbow +1, Masterwork); SQ: Elven traits

(Ex), Immunity: Sleep (Ex), Low-light vision (Ex); RF: +2

Will bonus to Enchantment spells; AL NG; SV Fort +3,

Ref +5, Will +2; STR 14, DEX 18, CON 9, INT 10, WIS

12, CHA 8.

Possessions:

Weapons: Longsword, Masterwork; Mighty composite longbow

+1, Masterwork; Dagger, Masterwork; Arrows (20).

Armor: Studded leather, Masterwork.

Magic: Wondrous: Cloak of elvenkind (+10 hide);

Wondrous: Boots of elvenkind (+10 move silently).

Skills:

Hide+10, Listen+3, Move Silently+10, Search+2,

Spot+12, Wilderness Lore+8.

Feats:

Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Track.

It reads:

Friend Thauvial,

I call on you in this time of great urgency. At long last

we have some trace of the beast that has been plagu-

ing us for so long. A human druid has sensed a demonic

presence in the woods. This must be our tormentor. No

natural creature would act in this manner.

This druid’s name is Amrick he is elf-friend and long

known to me. He is bearer of this message. I implore

you to go with this man and end our miseries once and

for all.

We have all lost too many of our young to this fiend.

These desecrations cannot continue.

I have sent five of my guard to aid you in your quest.

I wish you every success and may the blessings of

Corellon Larethian go with you.

Lord Protector Fronwyn

Legion Publishing - Critical Hits

Volume 4 No 1 - EL 5

Of course this is only of any use if anyone in the party

can read Elven. If the scroll cannot be read or translated

by any means the PCs are left with a scroll of pretty gib-

berish (the penmanship is exquisite).

Thauvial explains through the glittering firelight that

he is the last remaining member of a war band sent from

MoonSpring. They had been sent to hunt down a beast

that has been preying on their city.

If the party chose to pursue a violent confrontation,

miss out The Way of Peace below and move on to the con-

frontation with the horror in the woods. Brutish parties

don’t get the shaggy dog story and don’t deserve to be

too prepared for what is to come…

“Little is known about the creature as none have seen

it, but for many months it has targeted the young of

MoonSpring, my home. An infernal howling that shreds

the nerves of all who hear it heralds each attack, but

before we can locate it or muster a defense, the

attack is over. Those attacked simply vanish. Their

bodies are never found. The day after an attack a…”

his voice breaks and a shadow of pain passes over his

face, “a… ‘token’ is left for the community to find.”

THE WAY OF PEACE

Once a parley has taken place a figure drops gracefully

from a nearby tree and comes into view.

He talks long into the night in his restful, lilting voice

and during the telling of the tale divulges any or all of

the following information:

The figure is an Elf garbed in a deep green hooded

cloak; glimpses of a gold tunic can be seen between the

folds of the cloak. A sword hangs sheathed on his belt. An

immaculately crafted bow rests easily in his hands as he

strides towards you. While no longer a threat, an arrow is

still notched in this fine weapon and ready to fly at a

moments notice. He is now overjoyed to see everybody

and urges the party to settle with him here for the night.

He introduces himself as Thauvial Goldblossom a Ranger

from the city of MoonSpring.

Thauvial is unwilling or unable to describe what these

‘tokens’ are. He can only describe them as ‘an affront

to nature.’

A month had passed. More and more children were

being taken. Search parties were unable to find any

trace of the fiend when a druid managed to sense the

presence of a demonic creature close to the settle-

ment.

By now any remaining light is all but gone. Night is

but moments away. Any attempts at hunting will prove

unsuccessful. No large or small game can be found and a

good wilderness lore roll (DC20) will also notice that bird

song seems to be absent from this part of the forest.

Thauvial’s party of five warriors and the druid were

sent to track down and end the menace once and for

all. A deserted lair was found and the trail led away

from the city.

If any of the party is going hungry, Thauvial disap-

pears into one of the tents, emerging shortly after with

provisions, which he is happy to share. Once a fire is lit

and everyone is fed, Thauvial has a story to tell…

The trail led them to this place and then went cold.

That was two days ago.

FIRESIDE TALES

(MARSHMALLOWS NOT INCLUDED)

The howling started on the first night. They went to

investigate. The druid along with two of the warriors

was taken that night in the confusion. The following

night the same thing happened again. This time the

remaining warriors went to search for the beast while

Thauvial remained to guard the camp. They never

returned. Thauvial awoke to find another ‘token’.

This has since been buried.

It is a moonless night; the darkness clings to everything

like a cloak. The stars themselves seem to have been

put out. The only solace comes from the fire, its flames

a beacon providing safety from the encroaching dark-

ness. Thauvial looks at you through the dancing fire-

light, his once-elegant face now gaunt and drawn. It is

not clear whether the flitting tongues of flame cause

the shadows beneath his eyes. After a few moments

looking fretfully into the dark forest he leans closer,

giving you his full attention, and starts to speak.

After telling his tale Thauvial announces that he is

tired and going to sleep. He asks the party to watch over

the camp as the beast may return.

Legion Publishing - Critical Hits

Volume 4 No 1 - EL 5

"An almighty scream fills the air. It is everywhere and yet nowhere."

Two Howlers are positioned on each side of the camp cre-

ating an all-encompassing wall of noise.

THE DARKNESS AWAKES

The beast in question is in fact a demented Wild Elf

barbarian by the name of Loupos the Hunter. He and his

pack of demonic Howlers (which the druid sensed) are

fresh from terrorizing the Wood Elves in MoonSpring and

looking for new prey.

An almighty scream fills the air. It is everywhere and

yet nowhere. Surely no man or animal could make such

an infernal noise. Any chance for restful sleep has

gone and immediately you are alert and on your

guard. Yet the hideous sound is unrelenting and fills

your every pore, making your senses swirl.

His favorite tactic is to have the Howlers surround the

prey well out of sight and then live up to their name. The

sustained cacophony of these beasts disorientates all who

hear it and, while his victims are confused or terrified

Loupos can attack at his leisure. Loupos normally attacks

targets personally with the Howlers only being used to

misdirect and confuse. Like the best pack hunters, Loupos

ideally likes to separate and attack individual targets but

if faced with more he and his pack are more than willing

to strike.

All players will be affected by the screeching of the

Howlers unless somehow already deafened or unless they

thought to stop up their ears before retiring for the

night. Any of the PCs who were asleep will now most def-

initely have woken up. Characters left on watch have no

forewarning, as the Howlers have not come close enough

to the camp to be seen.

If Thauvial is with the party he stumbles out of his

tent, tense and wide-eyed, bow in hand.

At some point during the night the howling will start.

d20 Legion Publishing Critical Hits 13 - The Watching Woods.pdf

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