Scales of War - [Lvl 6] - The Lost Mines of Karak.pdf - Scales of War - Kitraida

“This is a mission for

heroes who have shown

their mettle in the

defense of others.

If the evidence you have

uncovered is true, the

Siege of Bordrin’s Watch

was but the ﬁ rst sortie

in a larger campaign,

against which Overlook

and Elsir Vale cannot

stand for long. I will tell

you of the Karak Lode,

and of lost wealth with

which we might defend

our land against the war

that is coming.”

The Lost Mines

of Karak

by Greg A. Vaughan

with James Larrison

illustrations by Wayne Reynolds,

Rob Alexander, and Ryan Barger

cartography by Mike Schley

October 2008 | DUNGEON 159

ber 2008 | DUNGEON 159

The Lost Mines of Karak

“The Lost Mines of Karak” is an adventure for five

6th-level characters. Characters should be midway

through 7th level by the adventure’s end. This

adventure is the sequel to “The Shadow Rift of the

Umbraforge” and the fourth part of the Scales of War

adventure path. However, with a little modification, it

can be played as a standalone adventure or integrated

into any existing wilderness campaign in an area

where a dwarven kingdom might once have stood.

Dwarves hold their secrets close, and their grip

is doubly tight where wealth is concerned. So it was

that Karak’s secrecy eventually became its downfall.

Under the pressure of monstrous marauders, famine,

and migrant human tribes, the dwarf kingdom of

Elsir Vale declined. As its resources were taxed past

the breaking point, the kingdom’s borders began to

contract until little more than the territory imme-

diately surrounding Overlook was left. In time,

sandstorms struck the southern wastes and the Karak

supply depot was abandoned. Soon, all contact with

the mine was lost, and the Karak Lode was consigned

to history.

wind of Bram’s discovery. They also encounter a wan-

derer named Mag Blackthorn, from whom they can

seek guidance through the treacherous wastes.

Beyond the Thornwaste, the PCs come to

Dunesend—a small village at the edge of the desert,

controlled by a cruel gnoll called the Warden. After

defeating the Warden and his allies, the PCs learn

that the village is held in thrall by a mysterious desert

despot calling herself Shephatiah, Queen of the

Drylands.

The Warden’s path through the desert follows a

forgotten track to Shephatiah’s lair in a lost mine—the

ADVENTURE

BACKGROUND

The city of Overlook stands at the base of the Stone-

home Mountains at the farthest western reaches of

the Elsir Vale. This age-old redoubt was the center of

the ancient dwarf-kingdom that once dominated the

vale, but which faded into obscurity generations ago.

Though little is remembered of this lost kingdom,

its folk ventured far and wide in their day. One dwarf

clan—the Ironfell—made forays in search of mineral

wealth in the deserts beyond the Thornwaste to the

southwest of Elsir Vale. There, they established a

mine they called the Karak Lode, after the first dwarf

of Clan Ironfell to fall in its defense.

Over long years, Karak became a legendary source

of wealth as its folk pulled rich deposits of gold, silver,

and other precious metals from beneath the desert

sands. A supply depot was established at the desert’s

edge to service the caravans traveling between the

mine and Elsir Vale, but the location of the Karak

Lode was kept a closely guarded secret. Only oath-

sworn members of Clan Ironfell ever made the final

leg of the journey across the sands.

ADVENTURE SYNOPSIS

QUESTS

“Lost Mines of Karak” offers the opportunity for

PCs to earn quest XP in a couple of places. Pro-

vided here is the list of quests, and their rewards,

in the adventure.

Major Quest—Lost Karak: The PCs undertake

an arduous journey across wasteland and desert

in an attempt to locate the lost mines of the

Karak Lode. They complete this quest upon their

successful return to Overlook, having secured

the mines against the depredations of Queen

Shephatiah and her followers.

Reward: 1,250 XP.

Minor Quest—Saving Dunesend: The folk

of the tiny village of Dunesend have become

unwitting vassals of the Queen of the Drylands.

By overcoming the immediate threat of Shepha-

tiah’s lieutenant (the Warden) and routing her

in Karak, the PCs free the village from further

threats and earn the gratitude of its people.

Reward: 250 XP.

After their successes in “Siege of Bordrin’s Watch”

and “Shadow Rift of the Umbraforge,” the PCs have

established something of a reputation for themselves

within Overlook. The party is introduced to a wealthy

dwarf named Bram Ironfell, a member of the Elsir

Consortium and scion of Clan Ironfell.

Bram takes the PCs into his confidence as he tells

them of the recent discovery of a parchment con-

nected to the shadar-kai arms dealer Sarshan. Bram

believes that the parchment details the location of the

Karak Lode—a mine belonging to his clan that has

been lost for generations. Bram hopes that if the mine

is found, its wealth can be used to defend Overlook

and the Elsir Vale against the brewing conf lict that

the PCs saw hints of in the Shadowfell.

Following the directions on the ancient scroll, the

party heads south past the Westdeep and into the dry

lands known as the Thornwaste. There, they are beset

by dwarf warriors from a rival clan who have caught

October 2008 | DUNGEON 159

ADVENTURE

The Lost Mines of Karak

Karak Lode. However, the PCs find the ancient dwar-

ven ruins occupied and defended by desert raiders

and foul subterranean creatures led by an evil dryad.

However, though the PCs make short work of the

queen and her followers, they can find no trace of the

mines.

As they wait out a sandstorm, the PCs find them-

selves beset by a band of cavern choker assassins led

by a troglodyte curse chanter. Only by retracing the

steps of these marauders do the characters locate the

previously hidden entrance to the mines. There, the

true Queen Shephatiah holds court.

Exploring the ancient dwarven caverns, the PCs

battle Shephatiah’s followers before confronting the

real Queen of the Drylands—a powerful naga. Having

discovered a rift linking the mines with the Elemental

Chaos, Shephatiah has made the Karak Lode her lair.

However, after defeating the naga and her servants,

the PCs uncover evidence that Karak’s wealth is now

controlled by an unknown group from another plane.

The PCs return to Overlook and recount their

findings to Bram Ironfell, who tells them he will leave

the mine sealed. However, the forces responsible for

shipping the mine’s wealth through the Elemental

Chaos have a long reach and dark plans.

side a rift leading to the Elemental Chaos. If you are

pressed for time before beginning the adventure, read

the adventure background and synopsis, “Part 1: The

Road to Karak,” “Through the Thornwaste,” and the

first two encounters. This gets the PCs caught up in

the adventure and into the village of Dunesend—an

action-packed first session of play.

Setup

This section of a tactical encounter provides you with

the basic parameters of the encounter. First, it pro-

vides a key to the monsters in the encounter so you

can locate them on the tactical map. Next, it provides

context or background information for the encounter.

The map of each encounter area indicates where the

monsters are located when the encounter begins. The

setup section also describes what the monsters are

doing and how they react when the PCs arrive.

What You Need to Play

This adventure contains everything you need to

play, including background information, setup,

and encounters (including tactical maps). Reading

through the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS 4th Edition rules

is your first best step to understanding and prepar-

ing to run the adventure. As mentioned above, read

through at least the opening sections and initial

encounters before starting. This review enables you

to become familiar with the material and the style of

presentation. The sections below describe the adven-

ture format.

Read Aloud Text

Read aloud text provides information detailing what

the characters can see and are aware of. You do

not have to read it word for word; feel free to para-

phrase and use your own words when describing this

information.

Use read aloud text wisely. It is written for the

most common approach to a particular situation, but

what your player characters do might require you to

alter the information in any number of ways.

Using Tactical Encounters

Each encounter includes several common elements.

Monster Statistics

Encounters include stat blocks for each monster type

present in the encounter. If more than one monster

of a particular kind is present, the stat block indicates

how many creatures can be found.

Encounter Level

Each tactical encounter assumes a group of five player

characters. An encounter of average difficulty is one

where the encounter level is equal to the level of the

party. Encounters that are 1 or 2 levels lower than the

party are easy encounters, while encounters that are a

higher level than the party are difficult encounters.

For overcoming an encounter, a group earns the

XP value noted beside the encounter level. This

amount should be divided by the number of group

members, and an equal amount should be awarded to

each character.

PREPARING FOR

ADVENTURE

Tactics

This entry describes special actions the monsters take

to defeat the adventurers. Sometimes this means the

monsters take advantage of special features of the

area or make use of special powers or equipment.

“Lost Mines of Karak” takes the PCs across the arid

badlands known as the Thornwaste, then into the

desert beyond in search of the Karak Lode. On their

journey of exploration, the PCs find themselves under

assault by Queen Shephatiah’s forces aboveground

and below, culminating in a deadly showdown along-

October 2008 | DUNGEON 159

PREPARING FOR

The Lost Mines of Karak

Map

Each encounter includes a map keyed with the initial

locations of each monster. The map also indicates the

location of any special features of the area.

Treasure Preparation

As with the previous installments of the Scales of

War adventure path, this adventure makes use of

the parcel system of treasure rewards described in

the Dungeon Master’s Guide . The characters should

accumulate 14 parcels by the end of the adventure.

You can supply these treasures in whatever way you

wish, but the following sidebar presents the most

likely areas to feature treasure. During your prepara-

tion, assign parcels from those that follow to the areas

in the spaces provided. Use the players’ wish lists to

come up with magic items for the first six parcels.

PART 1:

THE ROAD TO KARAK

The adventure begins in the city of Overlook, where

the PCs were left at the end of “Shadow Rift of the

Umbraforge.” However, if the PCs have traveled

elsewhere since the end of that adventure, the initial

setup below can take place in Brindol or any other

settlement between Elsir Vale and the mountains.

Features of the Area

This section describes special features noted on the

map. If the location has items or areas of interest with

which the characters can interact, those features are

described here. Look here to see if a door is out of the

ordinary, if an altar has a secret compartment, or if

the area includes treasure.

Sarshan’s Plots

As a result of saving the city not once but twice, the

PCs have become well known in Overlook. This

notoriety sees them approached by Kalad, the dwarf

paladin they rescued in “Siege of Bordrin’s Watch.” In

the aftermath of the thwarted raid, Kalad has taken

up a position as a sergeant in the Overlook watch. It

is official business that brings him to the PCs, where

he asks them to meet with a member of the Elsir Con-

sortium (see “Siege of Bordrin’s Watch,” page 19). If

Kalad did not survive the previous adventure, some

other emissary of the guard seeks the party out.

At a time of the PCs’ choosing, Kalad escorts them

to a private room in an upscale Elftown tavern. There,

he introduces them to a well-dressed dwarf wearing

the rich robes of a successful merchant, his golden

beard braided with silver bands.

TREASURE PARCELS

Parcel A: _________________________________ , Clan Rivals.

Parcel B: ________________________________ , The Warden.

Parcel C: ________________________________ , The Warden.

Parcel D: _______________________________ , Desert Patrol.

Parcel E: __________________________________ , Courtyard.

Parcel F: ____________________________________ , Area 10.

Parcel G: _________________________________ , Guard Hall.

Parcel H: __________________________________, Great Hall.

Parcel I: ___________________________________, Great Hall.

Parcel J: ______________________________________, Crypts.

Parcel K: ______________________________ , Mine Entrance.

Parcel L: ________________________________ , Chaos Mines.

Parcel M: ____________________________ , Queen’s Retinue.

Parcel N: ____________________________ , Queen’s Retinue.

Based on the guidelines in the Dungeon Master’s Guide , the following parcels can go in the spaces above. Rely on the wish lists your

players gave you for the first four parcels.

Parcel 1: Magic item, level 10

Parcel 2: Magic item, level 9

Parcel 3: Magic item, level 9

Parcel 4: Magic item, level 8

Parcel 5: Magic item, level 7

Parcel 6: Magic item, level 7

Parcel 7: Two 250 gp art objects + 500 gp

Parcel 8: 900 gp

Parcel 9: Four 100 gp gems + 400 gp

Parcel 10: One 250 gp art object + two potions of healing + 250 gp

Parcel 11: 600 gp

Parcel 12: Three 100 gp gems

Parcel 13: One potion of healing + two 100 gp gems + 50 gp

Parcel 14: Two potions of healing + 100 gp

“Greetings, Heroes of Overlook. I am Bram Ironfell of the

Clan Ironfell and representative of the Elsir Consortium.

Your reputations precede you, and for your actions, you

have my personal thanks in addition to that of the city. I

have a tale I wish to share with you, over dinner and drinks

of course.”

October 2008 | DUNGEON 159

PART 1:

The Lost Mines of Karak

the name of Clan Ironfell. I had never seen this parchment

before. However, at the watch’s request, I undertook a bit

of research into my family’s archives. If what I discovered

there holds true, this parchment holds the directions to the

Karak Lode.”

Bram Ironfell’s Secret

The parchment is genuine, but there is more to Bram

Ironfell’s story than he lets on. For more than a year,

the dwarf has been one of Sarshan’s agents in the city,

using his position on the Elsir Consortium to aid the

shadar-kai’s operations.

Bram’s story of how the directions to Karak were

found in one of Sarshan’s warehouses is the truth.

However, it was the dwarf who originally sent them

to Sarshan after discovering them in a cache of family

records months before. Bram was in the process of

seeking the shadar-kai’s aid in locating and clearing

out the mine. With Sarshan’s operations shut down,

the dwarf now needs a new set of agents to find the

Karak Lode and overcome whatever defenses might

be found there.

The PCs can make Sense Motive checks against

Bram, but the dwarf ’s stated intention in using the

wealth of the mines to defend Overlook and Elsir

Vale is entirely truthful. If the PCs have previously

heard of the consortium’s secret plots to replace the

ruling council with a hand-picked body loyal to the

merchants’ own interests, Kalad confirms that Bram

is known to be opposed to that group. (In truth, the

canny dwarf opposes them because he plans to one

day rule the council single-handedly.)

Kalad is familiar with the Ironfell clan and

vouches for Bram’s good character. However, his

duties with the watch prevent him from accompany-

ing the party on their mission.

Although Bram Ironfell obviously has a personal

stake in the search for the lost mines, he downplays

his own self-interest. If the information the PCs dis-

covered in “Shadow Rift of the Umbraforge” has not

yet become common knowledge in Overlook, Bram

has already guessed correctly that the siege of Bor-

drin’s Watch represents a larger threat to Elsir Vale.

Bram relates the information found in the “Adventure

Background” section, which you can read or para-

phrase as you see fit. Then read the following.

“Discovering what became of my kin would end a sad

chapter in Ironfell history, but that is not my primary

motive in seeking your aid. If the Karak Lode can be found,

its wealth offers the means to shore up the defenses of

Overlook and the Elsir Vale. However, it is anyone’s guess

what manner of creatures might lair there, or what defenses

the last of the clan left to guard the mines. This is not a job

for the city watch, I fear.”

Bram offers the PCs 1,000 gp (half in gold, half in

gems) as an upfront payment for undertaking the

search for the Karak Lode. In addition, the PCs can

claim any other treasure they recover along the way.

Following the directions to the Karak Lode, the

PCs first head south across the Thornwaste that

stretches between Elsir Vale and the Stonehome

Mountains. (On the area map in “Rescue at Riven-

roar,” the Thornwaste is the area directly west of the

Wyvernwatch Mountains.) A four-day journey takes

the PCs to a location Bram believes was once the

ancient supply depot for the mines. From there, the

PCs must head south into the heart of the desert.

“The location of the Karak Lode was known to few even

within the clan, and it was thought that all who had such

knowledge were lost when the mines were reclaimed by

the desert. Even within the clan, Karak is all but forgotten.

However, recent events might change that.

“The destruction of Sarshan’s operations in Overlook

saw the shadar-kai’s many warehouses and transit

points raided. In one of those raids, the watch uncovered

documents connected to Sarshan’s operations, including

an ancient fragment of parchment. On it was written a

list of landmarks and bearings for a journey, along with

October 2008 | DUNGEON 159

Scales of War - [Lvl 6] - The Lost Mines of Karak.pdf

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