Dungeon Magazine Annual: A 4th Edition D&D Compilation (D&D Supplement)

161 Pages·2010·38.15 MB·English

by  Chris Youngs

DUNGEON®M AGAZINE ANNUAL

The Best of D&D InsiderTM
CRED1TS

Design
Cover Illustration

Logan Bonner, Bruce R. Cordell, Brian R. James,
Steve Argyle

Ari Marmell, Mike Mearls, RobertJ. Schwalb,

Chris Sims, Rodney Thompson
Graphic Designers

Leon Cortez, Robert Jordan

Development

Mike Mearls, Stephen Radney-MacFarland,
Interior Illustrations

Peter Schaefer, Stephen Schubert, Chris Sims
Rob Alexander, Dave Allsop, Matt Cavotta,

Eric Deschamps, Empty Room Studios, Izzy,

Editing Mike Krahulik, Scott IKurtz, Ron Lemen, Damien M,

Miranda Horner William O'Connor, Wayne Reynolds,John Stanko,

Francis Tsai, Sam Wood, Ben Wootten

Additional Editing
Jennifer Clarke Wilkes Cartographer

Jason A. Engle, Kyle Hunter, Sean Macdonald, Mike Schley

Managing Ed iting
Torah Cottrill Publishing Production Specialist

Christopher Tardiff

Editor-in-Chief, Dun8eonTM magazine
Chris Youngs Prepress Manager

Jefferson Dunlap

Director of D&D R&D and Book Publishing
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Carmen Cheung

D&D Creative Manager
Christopher Perkins Production Manager

Cynda Callaway

Senior Art Director
Jon Schindehette Game rules based on the original DUNGEONS & DRAGONS'"'

rules created by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and the

later editions by David "Zebu Cook (2nd Edition);Jonathan

Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Richard Baker, and Peter

Adkison (3rd Edition); and Rob Heinsoo, Andy Collins, and

James Wyatt (4th Edition).
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DUNGEON MAGAZINE ANNUAL
It's a new world for the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS'" game. "Throne ofthe Stone-Skinned King," by
Print and digital content live side by side. Magazines Logan Bonner. Dun8eon #166: page 60. The Scales
and game supplements are complemented by a suite ofWar adventure selected for this compilation is for
ofelectronic tools intended to enhance the play expe­ 15th-level characters, the heart ofthe paragon tier.
rience ofplayers and DMs alike. And we're releasing Logan takes the heroes into the insanity of a fomo­
the book you hold in your hands: our second D&D rian king's lair in the Feywild, where they must also
Insider~ compilation. contend with the most insidious ofthreats: Tiamat's
This supplement contains adventure material shapeshifting green dragon exarch. A combination
from Dun8eon® magazine, our digital magazine that oftense negotiation and thrilling combat, this adven­
provides DMs with monthly support content. Inside ture was also the first place where we revealed that
this book, you'll find a total of five adventures span­ Tiamat was the tiber-threat ofScales ofWar.
ning two campaign settings and over twenty levels "Storm Tower," by Christopher Perkins. Dun­
of play. Although Dun8eon also includes articles, 8eon #166: page 111. What compilation ofDun8eon
we stuck to adventures here for a couple ofreasons. adventures would be complete without a contribution
First ofall. the selection window for this book (from from Dun8eon's most prolific author? This 3rd-level
the launch of4th Edition through September 2009) adventure is also unique because it was originally run
ended just before the first Dun8eon feature article for the power-gaming quartet ofScott Kurtz (from
appeared. More importantly, while Dun8eon is the PvP), Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins (of Penny
home ofall things DM-related, we know that first and Arcade), and Wil Wheaton. The adventure also fea­
foremost, this magazine is still the ultimate home tures the amazing illustrations of Mike Krahulik.
for DUNGEONS & DRAGONS adventures. We wanted to "Heart of the Forbidden Forge," by Luke
recognize that here. Johnson. Dun8eon #167: page 129. An EBEHRON
As I looked at each ofthe adventures we published adventure for 7th-level characters caps off the Dun­
in our first year plus, I realized what a tough job it 8eonAnnuai. Two words: warforged dragon. When
would be to narrow my choices to a mere 160 pages. Luke first proposed this, I remember visiting the desk
My first selections resulted in almost 400 pages of ofDesign Manager James Wyatt. "Can we do this?" I
adventures, and I had to come up with a way to narrow asked. "A warforged dragon?" His face lit up, and his
the field: I wanted an adventure from each tier of play. answer should be apparent by now. Perhaps the most
I wanted at least one adventure from each ofour two innovative villain in the book is ready to rock the
currently published campaign settings, EBEHHON@a nd world ofany adventurers who get in its way. Even if
the FORGOTTEN REALMS®. Finally, I wanted something you don't usually play in the EBERRON setting, I think
from the Scales ofvVar adventure path. you'll find this adventure as fun as they come.
At the end ofthe day, after my managing editor Honorable mentions go out to a few other adven­
gently informed me that I couldn't double the size of tures that we couldn't shoehorn into this book.
the book, we put together the following list. "Haven ofthe Bitter Glass" (http://www.wizards.
"Menace of the Icy Spire," by Sean Molley, com/d nd/Article.aspx?x=d nd/d uadp/2009Ma rch)
Dun8eon #159: page 4. Our first adventure takes and "Rescue at Rivenroar" (http://www.wizards.
place in the FORGOTTEN REALMS and challenges 2nd­ comlDnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/duadp/20080711)
level characters. Set near Loudwater, the sample town were both outstanding Scales ofWar adventures from
presented in the FORGOTTEN REALMS Campai8n Guide, Dun8eon's first year, and "Last Breath ofAshenport"
it features everything that makes a short, low-level (http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/
dungeon crawl memorable. You have classic monsters duad/20080729) proved that a little Lovecraftian
(goblins with a twist), an unexpected villain, and horror in your game makes for an amazing experi­
some fun noncombat challenges to handle. ence at the table.
"Winter of the Witch," by Stephen Radney­ It's a privilege to work on the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS.
MacFarland. Dun8eon #161: page 23. We follow game each day, and a privilege to continue to have the
our lowest-level adventure with our highest, for 22nd­ fires ofmy imagination stoked by such great adven­
level characters. This is the only epic adventure you'll tures each month. I hope you find the offerings in this
find in this supplement, and one ofonly a handful supplement to be as inspirational in your games as I
we've produced so far. But even in hadn't wanted to do, and that you visit us at D&D Insider to see all the
include an epic adventure in this product, I would other adventures and articles we have, ready to make
still have picked "Winter ofthe Witch." Wayne Reyn· your game as exciting as possible.
olds' art, combined with the terror inspired by the
Witch herself, makes for (no pun intended) a chilling -Chris Youngs
experience.
CE 0 HE
An adventurefor 2nd-level characters
by Sean Molley
illu~frati{lm by Hob \/t!.\llnlil'r. lkn \\'oot/w alld HUrl Lelllni • ClIrttlwaphJ b) Kyle llunter
BACKGROUND

"Menace ofthe Icy Spire" is a DUNGEONS & DRAG'
ONS'" adventure for five characters of2nd level. The
adventure is set in the FORGOTTEN REALMS® setting About 30 years ago, a dwarfwarlock named Draig­
near the town ofLoud water in the Gray Vale. This
durroch came to the Gray Vale. Draigdurroch
adventure is designed to work well with the sample
was part ofa cabal ofwarlocks, and his particular
adventures found in Chapter 1 of the FORGOTTEN research dealt with the creation of new types of
REAI.MSflJ Campaign Guide. In particular, this adventure e1dritch pacts. He believed that the Dire Wood
makes an excellent sequel to Barrow ofthe Ogre King"',
contained a particularly potent source ofuntapped
which introduces Loudwater and the surrounding
energy-the remains ofa failed deity. Thousands of
area along with several NPCs who would make ideal
years before the Spell plague, a Netherese city called
patrons for sending the PCs on this adventure. How­
Karse stood in the area, and the demigod Karsus was
ever, it is not necessary for the characters to have
its patron. Karsus tried and failed to ascend to full
visited Loudwater previously.
godhood, dying in the process, and his city (along
with the rest ofthe ancient Empire ofNetheril) fell
Menace of the Icy Spire
not long thereafter. Draigdurroch's research sug­ the Dire Wood. Rumors even tell of blizzards in Mid­
gested that the petrified remains ofKarsus yet lie summer! Some claim it is the work ofevil faeries, but
beneath the forest's heart. Draigdurroch hoped that the town's leaders believe that a more likely source of
he could tap into the latent energy that Karsus had the problem is Draigdurroch Tower. No one has seen
accumulated and use it to power his new pact. The or heard from Draigdurroch in 30 years, and the
dwarfwarlock built a tower about a mile outside the tower's cursed history is well known. The PCs find
Dire Wood and began his experiments in earnest. a reasonably detailed map of the area and set out to
Draigdurroch's hunch turned out to be correct. investigate the tower.
A powerful nexus of magical energy is beneath the The adventurers' first challenge is the magically
heart ofthe Dire Wood. However, the fey spirits that altered weather. The ice warriors have manipulated
dwell within the Dire Wood have long been aware the magic of the fey gemstone and have created a
ofhow dangerous the remnants ofKarsus could be if powerful snowstorm to shroud the area around the
the demigod's power fell into the wrong hands. They tower. The PCs must overcome a skill challenge
have appointed themselves as guardians to ensure to navigate the treacherous wintry hazards. Their
that no one tampers with the failed deity's resting success or failure in this challenge determines
place. When Draigdurroch's efforts began to bear whether they are in a favorable position when they
fruit and the dwarf warlock drew upon the latent are ambushed by goblins during a break in the
echoes ofKarsus's power to form a dark pact, the fey storm. These goblins have been frost-touched by
approached him and warned him to cease his med­ the corrupted fey magic, giving them some unusual
dling. The warlock was confident in his powers and cha racteristics.
ignored the warning. For his temerity, the fey pun­ After defeating the frost goblins and overcoming
ished him. Draigdurroch was imprisoned within the the storm, the PCs arrive at the tower, which is a
Feywild and his tower was sealed in a block ofmagic three-story structure carved with images ofdemons
ice as a warning to others. The fey set a powerful and devils (in honor ofDraigdurroch's original infer­
gemstone holding a spirit ofwinter to act as the key­ nal pact). The cocoon ofice is still intact, so the PCs
stone holding the icy barrier. need to find a way to break through before they can
The ritual enacted by the fey was designed to enter the tower. When they do, however, they trigger
have a limited area ofeffect-Draigdurroch's tower some of the tower's original defenses, and some of the
was encased in ice, but the surrounding lands were carvings and statues animate and attack.
not supposed to be affected. Unfortunately, such a Inside the tower, the PCs discover that everything
powerful spell cannot go unnoticed forever. Draig­ is perfectly preserved, as if the warlock had just
durroch's tower contains several small rifts to the stepped out an hour ago. Frost covers every surface,
Elemental Chaos that he had created as part of his but the furnishings and contents ofthe tower are
arcane research. Recently, a group ofice warriors intact. The ice warriors attack from all sides in a run­
discovered one ofthese rifts, drawn by the strength of ning battle that spans two floors of the tower. The
the cold energy emanating from the gemstone. They PCs must deal not only with the main group of war­
have taken up residence in Draigdurroch's tower, riors inside the tower, but also with reinforcements
finding it a most hospitable environment thanks to that are coming from the Elemental Chaos through
the perpetual layer of ice. The warriors have begun small rifts in the fireplaces.
to modify the ritual that the fey created, increasing Once the warriors have been dealt with, the PCs
its power and spreading the effects of the magic frost can ascend to Draigdurroch's study, where they find
over a larger area. Ifthey are not stopped, a perma­ his research notes and rituals, along with a trap that
nent winter will come to the entire Gray Vale. he left to protect his belongings from intruders. Here
they discover the truth about the warlock's efforts to
ADVENTURE SYNOPSIS tap into the power ofthe failed deity Karsus. This pro­
vides a way for you to introduce the dark pact warlock
(from the FORGOITEN REALMS(~ Player's Guide) to your
This adventure occurs after Midsummer but before
campaign, ifyou are so inclined. The PCs can also
the end ofHighs un . Over the last several weeks,
Jearn that Draigdurroch was part ofa larger cabal of
temperatures in the Gray Vale have been dropping to
warlocks, so his research might not have ended when
levels that would not normally occur until after High­
the fey cursed him and sealed the tower.
harvesttide. The area has not become too dangerous
At the top ofthe tower, the PCs discover the true
for travelers yet, but from all indications, winter is
source of the unnatural weather. The ritual of winter
coming several months early. If that occurs, the crops
is feeding on itself and growing more powerful by the
will freeze and die before they are ready to be har­
day. The only way to stop it is to destroy the gemstone
vested, putting the entire area's food supply at risk.
that acts as the focus for the ritual. However, when
The PCs can find little information in Loudwater.
the adventurers attempt to interfere with the gem­
However, local woodsfolk report that the cold temper­
stone, its guardian creature emerges and attacks.
atures appear to be more pronounced in the area of
Menace of the Icy Spire
ADVENTURE: HOOKS from afar have borne little fruit. Despite that, he has
ascertained that a powerful magical aura definitely
The adventure assumes that the PCs are either
emanates from an area near the Dire Wood. Like
based in Loudwater or have come to the town for
Lady Moonfire, Curuvar is interested in Draigdur­
some reason. The primary hook is that the PCs are
roch Tower and asks the PCs to bring him anything
asked to investigate the unnatural weather before it
they discover that might pertain to the warlock's
becomes a serious problem. The PCs might already
arcane research.
be known to some or all the prominent citizens of
Loudwater, but even ifthis is their first visit to the "By Mystra's lost spell, I'm certain that the tower must
town, they are still the obvious choice to investigate be connected to this somehow. Nobody knows what that
the early onset ofwinter. For more information about dwarfDrai8durroch was researchin8 or what tri88ered
Loudwater, see Chapter One of the FORGOTTEN REALMS the calamity that encased his tower in 11U18ic ice, but any
Campaign Guide. time powerful 11U18ic is involved, these events have a way
The local farmers are petitioning Lady Moonfire, ofspiralin8 out ofcontrol It appears the Dire Wood is
the civic leader ofLoudwater, and Brother Griffon, drawin8 a lot ofattention these days. Even ifthe tower
the head ofthe temple ofSilva nus, to find out what's isn't the source ofthe problem, perhapsYOIl canfind a due
going on. Evil magic was suspected, as it usually amon8 the warlock's notes or possessions. It's hi8h time
is in these sorts ofcases, which led to the involve· someone investi8ated all the ancient secrets in this area ."
ment of Curuvar the Brazen, Loudwater's resident
wizard. Any or all these three could ask or hire the Brother Griffon: The head ofthe local temple ofSil­
PCs to help. vanus, Brother Griffon is a stout human ofUthgardt
Lady Moonfire: As Loudwater's civic leader, the descent. Although winter is a natural part ofthe cycle
half-elf Lady Moonfire is responsible for the town's ofthe seasons and therefore not bad in and ofitself,
protection. She has been getting an earful from the its early arrival is clearly a perversion ofthe natural
local farmers, who are concerned about the early order and as such it is ofgrave concern to the Forest
onset ofwinter. Ifthe harvest fails, then the entire Father. The balance between the seasons must be
Gray Vale will have a lean winter. preserved. Brother Griffon can introduce the PCs
to either Lady Moonfire or Curuvar the Brazen, if
Read the following:
necessary.
"We would be inyour debt ifyoufind the source ofthis Rumors and Stories: The PCs could get involved
unnatural winter,"says Lady Moonfire. "ifconditions in Loudwater's troubles through any ofthe various
continue as they have, the crops will die in thefields and local residents who have encountered the effects
Loudwater's next Deadwinter Day will be a lot more than ofthe unnatural weather. An evening spent in the
symbolic. I su88est you start by investi8atin8 Drai8durroch Green Tankard yields all sorts of rumors and wild
Tower, near the Dire Wood. Considerin8 the tower's speculation. Fanners are worried about their crops,
history, I can't Ima8ine this cold is a coincidence. I'm sure which might freeze in the fields before the harvest
that CUTUvar can tellyou more. Honestly, thirty years is comes in; woodsfolk tell stories offreak snowstorms
far too Ions to wait-someone should explore that tower occurring in the middle ofthe day and then vanish­
anyway. I'm sure it will be a 8rand adventure!" ing as if they were never there; hunters spread tales
ofstrange, blue-skinned goblins lurking around
Because she is a warlock, Lady Moonfire has long the outskirts ofthe Dire Wood. Everyone has a pet
been interested in Draigdurroch Tower for her own theory about what or who is behind the problems, but
purposes. She knows everything in the Adventure mainly, the common folk are just worried.
Background up to the pOint where Draigdurroch Travel Interrupted: Ifthe PCs have no ties to
disappeared. She did not know the dwarfperson­ Loudwater and you just want to use the tower as a
ally, but he was reputed to own quite a collection of stand-alone adventure site, you could consider start­
magic tomes. Thus, in addition to hiring the PCs to ing the adventure with the PCs traveling through the
determine ifthe tower is indeed the source ofthe Gray Vale on unrelated business, when suddenly they
early winter, Lady Moonfire also asks them to bring are struck by the powerful magic blizzard. Because
her any ritual books or other magic tomes that they ofthe corrupted fey magic, every attempt that the
discover. PCs make to free themselves ofthe storm leads them
Curuvar the Brazen: Loudwater's resident around in circles, back toward Draigdurroch Tower.
wizard is a middle-aged human who is normally The only way for the PCs to escape the trap they are
suspicious ofstrangers. However, Curuvar is under caught in is to make their way to the tower and find
a lot ofpressure to do something about the change out what is causing the unnatural weather.
in the weather, since it is presumed to be caused by
evil magic. He is not the adventuring type, and his
own efforts to discover the source ofthe problem
Menace of the ley Spir e
JOURNEY TO

THE QUESTS

THE TOWER
While on this adventure, the PCs can try to fulfill
two quests_ The minor one could be accomplished
as the PCs seek to fulfill the major one regarding the
Although nobody now living in town has ever been to
the tower, many have a good idea ofits approximate weather issue.
Major Quest-Fix the Weather
location, about a mile east ofthe edge ofthe Dire
Discover the source of the unnatural early onset of
Wood. It's less than a day's travel to reach the tower
winter and remove it so that the seasons return to
from Loudwater, so the PCs should not need to make
normal. Lady Moonfire rewards the PCs with 500
camp along the way. However, given the situation,
gp on behalf of the grateful citizens of Loudwater for
they might want to prepare for cold weather. Loud·
completing this quest.
water has a general store and an apothecary who can
Reward: 625 XP and 500 gpo
supply all the basics. The PCs might also think to
Minor Quest- Find Draigdurroch's Research
cast the Endure Elements ritual on themselves, or ask
Bring Draigdurroch's ritual books and his research
either Lady Moonfire or Curuvar the Brazen to cast it
notes to either Lady Moonfire or Curuvar the Brazen.
for them.
Either NPC is willing to pay up to 100 gp for these
items.
)1. THE B LIZZARD
Reward: 125 XP per character, plus 100 gp per
As the PCs depart Loudwater, read the item retrieved.
following:
The Gray Vale is beautiful in the late summer, althou8h a
pronounced chill in the air even durin8 what should be the
hottest part ofthe day indicates that somethin8 is definitely Primary Skills: Acrobatics, Arcana, Athletics,
amiss with the weather. TheJirst few hours ofyourjourney History, InSight, Nature, Perception.
pass unevenifully, but as you travel throu8h tlle forest, the Acrobatics (DC 10): A character helps guide the
temperature drops steadily. A sharp wind carries with it the party over hazards such as icy patches ofground and
promise of winter, even thou8h the leaves have not be8un through sudden gusts ofwind that would otherwise
their annual autumn chan8e. knock party members offtheir feet. A failure with
More time passes, until finally you catch si8ht of this skill costs the character 1 healing surge.
the stark whitewood ofthe albino trees that mark the Arcana (DC 15): The character senses the direction
boundary ofthe Dire Wood.Drai8durroch Tower should be from which the arcane energy powering the storm
within afew miles of here. However, none ofthe landmarks flows and can work backward from the flows of
indicated on your map are visible for reference. The magic to get a sense ofthe tower's location. The first
horizon is shrouded by a blanket of solid white. A cold f08 time a character earns a success with this skill, he or
appears to issuefrom dIe very heart of the dark forest and she also recognizes the fey nature of the magiC, which
snowfl akes be8in to fall from the steel-8ray sky. The way opens up the use of the InSight skill (see below).
ahead is qUickly obscured, as is the way you havejust come. Athletics (DC 10): A character helps force a way
through the storm using brute strength-breaking
a path through a snow drift, moving fallen trees or
THE BUZZARD
jumping over them, and so forth. A failure with this
The storm's intensity continues to rise minute by
skill costs the character 1 healing surge.
minute until the PCs are caught in the middle ofa
History (DC 10): A character recalls a speCific
blizzard. To find their way through the driving snow,
detail about the location ofDraigdurroch Tower or
they must succeed On a skil1 challenge.
discovers a unique landmark that helps orient the
The PCs must survive the harsh conditions while
group and guides them along the right track. Only 1
staying on the right path to reach Draigdurroch
success can be gained in this way.
Tower. They use their skills and knowledge to choose
[nsiBht (DC 10): This skill cannot be used until it
the right direction and protect themselves against the
has been unlocked by a successful Arcana check.
storm's hazards.
Because this storm is partially the result offey magic,
Because the storm is in some sense attacking the
some ofits effects are illusory. A character who suc­
characters as they travel, this challenge proceeds
ceeds on an Insight check recognizes some of these
in hours. Each PC must make an Endurance check
illusions and can help the group avoid traveling in
every hour, and each PC can also attempt one other
circles, prevent them from choosing paths that look
check each hour.
safe but are dangerous, and so forth.
Level: 2 (XP 375)
Complexity: 3 (requires 8 successes before 3
failures).
Menace of the Icy Spire
Nature (DC 5): A character relies on knowledge of additional healing surges, and they emerge in a favor­
the area, an ability to study terrain, an innate sense of able position before the goblin ambush.
direction, and wilderness survival skills to help lead Failure: Ifcharacters earn 3 failures, they survive
the group through the blizzard. the storm, but each character loses 2 healing surges
Perception (DC 15): A character relies on keen to represent the beating he or she takes from the
senses to look for safe paths, avoid hazards, spot gaps blizzard, and the characters are in an unfavorable
in the swirling storm, and otherwise help guide the position when the goblins attack.
group through the storm.
Secondary Skills: Endurance, Heal.
DEVELOPMENT
Endurance (DC 10): Every character must attempt
an Endurance check every turn (representing 1 hour As the unnatural blizzard subsides, the PCs can
of exposure to the storm) to resist the chill winds and see that the area surrounding the tower for several
other hazards ofthe blizzard. This gives no successes miles is covered with ice and snow, a preview ofthe
toward the skill challenge. Failure means the char­ fate that awaits the rest of the Gray Vale. Visibility is
acter loses a healing surge, but it does not count as a limited, but they can make out a stark gray silhou­
failure in the overall challenge. Characters who are ette on the horizon some distance away. They still
protected by the Endure Elements ritual or who have have a few hou rs ofdaylight left, and even if they lost
innate cold resistance gain a +5 bonus to these checks healing surges to the blizzard and decide to make
(they are not immune, because some ofthe cold is camp, it's clear that doing so is risky, since another,
magical). Success means the character tolerates the stronger storm could come along at any moment. The
weather conditions. best course ofaction is to proceed to the tower. (If
Heal (DC 10): The character helps another char· they turn back to Loudwater at any point, they have
acter deal with the extreme weather conditions. A to overcome another blizzard the next time they try
character who has not attempted to use another skill to retrace their steps to the tower, and each storm's
(other than Endurance) during a turn can attempt intensity is greater than the last one: Increase the
a Heal check if another character fails a skill check DCs ofall the skill checks by 1.)
that would cause the loss ofa healing surge. If the
Heal check is successful, the other character does not FROST GOBLIN AMBUSH

lose a healing surge, but that character's failure still
counts against the overall skill challenge ifit would
Although the ice warriors have manipulated the
otherwise have counted against the skill challenge.
original ritual, the fundamental magic creating these
The Heal check does not count as either a success or a
unnatural snowstorms is still that of the Feywild, and
failure in the overall challenge.
as such it works in unexpected and mysterious ways.
Success: If the characters earn 8 successes, they
A few days ago, a tribe oflocal goblins was caught
find their way through the storm without losing any
in one of the sudden blizzards. Although many of
WR1T1NG FOR ORGAN1ZED PLAY

This adventure was written to serve a dual purpose. minutes of lead time before sitting down to play the
ObViously, it was written for Dun8eonllO magazine and game. Convention sessions also run on tight schedules,
needed to have broad appeal to any DM running a so you want to provide at least one adventure hook
game in the FORGOTTEN REALMS campaign setting. At that allows the PCs to jump right into the action and
the same time,l am deeply involved in the D&D Orga­ that doesn't assume the players have any background
nized Play programs offered by Wizards of the Coast, knowledge about the setting. The "Travel Interrupted"
as an administrator for the LIVING FORGOTTEN REALMS hook on page 6 offers a way to start this adventure
campaign (for more details, visit the Events page on the without any setup other than that the adventurers are
D&D webSite). So, I knew that Iwanted this adventure traveling through the Gray Vale when they get caught
to be easily adapted to the LFR campaign. Writing for in a freak snowstorm. Of course, many RPGA players
organized play changes the way you think about adven­ love roleplaylngjust as much if not more than combat,
ture deSign. In particular, you cannot assume that the so I prOVided other hooks to appeal to these types of
PCs will have any particular role or skill set covered. players, too.
Many times, the players are meeting one another for
-Sean Molley
the very first time at a convention with as little as 15
Menace of the I cy Spire
the goblins died, those who survived the storm were up the hills in a few places. but the terrain favors the
subtly altered, becoming frost·touched. Their skin goblins. Ifnone of the PCs succeeds on a Perception
gained a blue tint and they found themselves well check. the goblins gain a surprise round. The goblins
adapted to their new environment. are all crouching down and have the advantage of
As the PCs draw closer to the tower, they reach an elevation.
area where several hills come together with danger·
Perception Check
ous ice between them. This is an ideal spot for an
DC varies (active or passive, as appropriate;
ambush. and the frost goblins are waiting.
opposed by a goblin's Stealth check, and it has a
Tactical Encounter: "Frost Goblin Ambush."
+5 bonus): A80blin is crouchin8 down above you.
page 9.
Nature Check
FROST GOBLIN AMBUSH DC 16 (trained only): These 80blins appear different
from normal. Their blue skin is hi8hly unusual, and the
fact that they are not dressedfor the cold weather indicates
Encounter Level 3 (975 XP)
that they have somehow adapted to the unnatural winter.
They (Ire probably resistant to cold.
SETUP
When the goblins attack, read:
8 frost goblin cutters (C)
3 frost goblin sharpshooters (5) A mass of80blins leap up from the hills on both sides
ofyou. Most of them brandish javelins and crude short
1 frost goblin hexer (H)
swords, but a few ofthem wear better armor and carry
crossbows. From the hi8hest vanta8e point, another iJoblin
A group offrost·touched goblins has set up an
dad in robes waves a rod and makes arcane 8estures.
ambush in this location. Depending on how they
fared in the skill challenge, the PCs come into the
FEATURES OF THE AREA
area in a more or less favorable pOSition. If the PCs
succeeded on the challenge, they set up in the area Illumination: The light varies based on the time
marked "A" on the map. If the PCs failed the chal­ ofday.
lenge, they set up in the area marked "B" instead. Hills: The hills are at +10 foot and +20 foot eleva·
In addition, this encounter also includes an area of tion as indicated on the map. Ramps of packed snow
treacherous ice. lead up the sides of the hills in a few places; these are
The goblins are positioned at a higher elevation. considered normal terrain. A character can also try to
as shown on the map. Ramps ofpacked snow lead climb the sides ofthe hills. which are icy and slippery.
A successful DC 10 Athletics check allows a character
to climb at halfspeed (for example. it costs 4 squares
ofmovement to climb up the side ofa lO·foot·tall hill).
Ice Slick: The 4·by·4 square area indicated on the
map is hindering terrain. Characters moving through
this area are subjected to attacks by the treacherous
ice (see its statistics block for details). The goblins aU
have the ice walk ability and are not affected by the
treacherous ice.
Treasure: The goblins have a total of 50 gp among
them. along with two potions ofhealin8. The hexer car·
ries a +1 rod ofreavin8.
Treacherous Ice Levell Obstade
Haz,lrd XP 100
A sirek sheet oj ICe create) a hazardous obstacle.
Hazard: This sheet of ice fills 16 contiguous squares. turning
them into difficult terrain.
Perception
No check is necessary to notice the ice.
Additional Skill: Nature
+ DC 15: The character identifies the squares of treacherous ice.
Trigger
The ice attacks when a creature enters or begins its turn
in a square of treacherous ice. It also attacks when a
creature stands up in a square of treacherous ice.
Menace of the Icy Spire