d20 Legion Publishing Critical Hits 15 - Beast of Blackwall Canyon.pdf - Legion Publishing - R5700

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LEG1015

L E G 1 0 1 5

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.

The Beast of Blackwall Canyon fits easily into any

overland wilderness trek, providing a short, violent dis-

traction for your players.

V o l u m e 4 N o 3 - E n c o u n t e r L e v e l 9

B E A S T O F B L A C K W A L L

C A N Y O N

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

Written by

Simon Lucas

Editing

Robin Elliott & Kirsty Crabb

Illustrations

Robin Elliott

Arriving at the foot of a mighty mountain range, the

last stop is a small temple to the Lady Agatha, Guardian

of Travelers. The priests of the Lady Agatha organize car-

avans to travel through the treacherous Blackwall Canyon

- the quickest and safest route through the mountain

range. It is several days' journey through the narrow file

and something sinister lies in it; something that preys on

travelers. Large groups can usually fight off attack, but

before the priests of the Lady Agatha opened their

temple, few survived the journey through Blackwall

Canyon. Can the party defend the caravan and make their

way through the dark passage in the mountains, or will

the mysterious 'Angels' of Blackwall claim yet more souls?

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!).

Typesetting

Kirsty Crabb

Typesetting and graphic design by Wildstar Digital Arts

Contact - info@wildstardigitalarts.co.uk

Author courtesy of Snake Eyes Studio

Contact - info@snakeeyesstudio.co.uk

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.

THE LONG ROAD

'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 week on the trail is a hard journey in this terrain

and climate. As the countryside became more arid,

you had to tighten your belts and start to conserve

both rations and water. After four days of nothing

but the barest minimum required to survive, even

hardened adventurers like yourselves are beginning to

weaken. So the wisp of smoke rising far ahead is a

welcome sight; some kind of civilization at last!

Legion Publishing - Critical Hits

Volume 4 No 3 - EL 9

In the middle of the day, the temperature hits 95°, so

heat becomes a problem. Characters moving in the midday

heat must make a Fortitude saving throw each hour (DC

15, +1 for each previous check) or sustain 1d4 points of

subdual damage. Characters wearing heavy clothing or

armor of any sort have a -4 penalty to their saves. If ren-

dered unconscious through the accumulation of subdual

damage, the character begins to take normal damage at

the same rate.

FELLOW TRAVELERS

In the main hall of the temple, the smell of hot

cooked food tempts your nostrils. It seems an age

since you last ate well. All around the room sit groups

of travelers, a motley crew, all wearing the same

simple gray robes that you have been given. The meal

is served and accompanied with copious quantities of

fortified red wine; a specialty of the monks. After

the meal, the groups break up and start to mingle

around the room. The mood in the dining room

becomes jolly as tales from the road are swapped

over many cups of wine.

A character with Wilderness Lore can make a check

(DC15) to gain +2 on all Fortitude saves against the heat

while moving up to one-half the character's overland

speed, or gain +4 if stationary. The character may grant

the same bonus to one other character for every 1 point

by which the check result exceeds 15.

Ashu: Male Human Ftr3; Medium Humanoid ; HD 3d10+6

(Fighter); hp 30; Init +1; Spd 30; AC 13; Atk +7 base

melee, +4 base ranged; +9 (1d8+4, Longsword,

Masterwork); +5 (1d8, Longbow, Masterwork); AL N; SV

Fort +5, Ref +2, Will +1; STR 18, DEX 12, CON 14,

INT 14, WIS 10, CHA 9.

Possessions:

Weapons: Longsword, Masterwork; Longbow, Masterwork.

Armor: Leather.

Skills:

Climb+10, Handle Animal+5, Hide+4, Ride+7, Use

Rope+3, Wilderness Lore+1.

Feats:

Expertise, Point Blank Shot, Quick Draw, Toughness,

Weapon Focus: Longsword.

THE HOUSE OF OUR LADY

As you approach the small stone building, you notice

the simple construction of the building belies the

pleasing layout. As you gaze upon the long, low main

structure and the several smaller out-buildings, you

feel the weariness lift from you and are soothed by

the way every part of the outpost complements the

others. Several figures in long gray robes move

between the various buildings. As you come nearer,

one figure - an ageing man with a long white beard -

notices your approach, shading his eyes with one hand

he walks toward you with the other outstretched in

greeting.

Typical Caravan Guard (5): Male Human War1; Medium

Humanoid ; HD 1d8 (Warrior); hp 11; Init -1; Spd 30; AC

11; Atk +3 base melee, +0 base ranged; +3 (1d8+2,

Longsword); AL N; SV Fort +2, Ref -1, Will -1; STR 14,

DEX 9, CON 10, INT 15, WIS 8, CHA 13

Possessions:

Weapons: Longsword.

Armor: Leather.

Skills:

Bluff+3, Climb+4, Gather Information+2, Handle

Animal+5, Hide+1, Ride+3.

Feats:

Quick Draw, Toughness.

The priests of the order of the Lady Agatha are peace-

loving and friendly. They make their money transporting

travelers to and from through the difficult places in the

realms. The temple is surrounded by small fields which the

priests work hard to maintain using water generating

spells to keep the land arable. They buy the weakened

animals that most travelers arrive with and fatten them

up ready for sale to the next group that passes through.

With the fee for passage through the Canyon, the money

made on the sale of animals and the silver charms of the

Lady Agatha they try to sell to all who pass, the priests

make a comfortable living. The money is all transported to

the birthplace of the order, but the temple is clean and

well-kept.

Typical Passenger (number varies): Male Human Ari1;

Medium Humanoid ; HD 1d8+3 (Aristocrat); hp 8; Init

+1; Spd 30; AC 11; Atk +0 base melee, +1 base

ranged; AL N; SV Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +3; STR 11,

DEX 12, CON 16, INT 17, WIS 8, CHA 17

The characters are led into the main building where

they are offered cells (bare rooms with a rolled mattress

on the floor) and invited to refresh themselves before the

evening meal.

Legion Publishing - Critical Hits

Volume 4 No 3 - EL 9

Skills:

Appraise+7, Bluff+7, Diplomacy+7, Gather

Information+7, Knowledge (Politics)+7, Listen+1,

Spot+1.

Feats:

Alertness, Iron Will.

can about those who have volunteered to guard the

convoy on its perilous journey.

THE EXPEDITION

Shortly before dawn breaks, the sounds of the caravan

wake you. The clatter of packages being loaded onto

wagons mingles with the sounds of disgruntled animals

being organized into teams and hitched. As you start

to gather your belongings you hear the sounds of the

other travelers beginning to stir.

During the meal a venerable, wise-looking priest circu-

lates, speaking to each traveler or group in turn.

WORKING PASSAGE

For a donation to the temple, allowing the priests to

continue their good work, a traveler can join the next

caravan. Those particularly able to defend the caravans

are offered free passage in return for their services.

Until the next group is ready to leave, those waiting at

the temple are able to enjoy the free hospitality of the

Temple.

There are thirty people in the caravan in all (includ-

ing the PCs). Six guards, six priests, the player characters

and sufficient passengers to make the numbers up to

thirty. Keep track of how many people survive each day

as there is a limit to the amount of food and water every-

one can consume.

Priests of the Lady Agatha (6): Male Human Adp2;

Medium Humanoid ; HD 2d6 (Adept); hp 12; Init +2;

Spd 30; AC 12; Atk +3 base melee, +3 base ranged;

+3 (1d6+3, Quarterstaff); AL LG; SV Fort +0, Ref

+2, Will +4; STR 14, DEX 15, CON 11, INT 15, WIS 12,

CHA 14.

Possessions:

Weapons: Quarterstaff.

Skills:

Climb+3, Diplomacy+3, Handle Animal+5, Knowledge

(arcana)+4, Knowledge (Navigation)+3, Knowledge

(religion)+4, Use Rope+4, Wilderness Lore+6.

Feats:

Endurance, Toughness.

"I am Myarna, abbot of this temple. We have been

blessed by your presence and we invite you to accom-

pany our next caravan through Blackwall Canyon,

which leaves at sunrise." A ragged round of applause

ripples around the room. Myarna waits until the noise

dies down before continuing, "I know that some of

you have been here at the Temple of Our Lady for

many days; some of you for only a few hours. Those

of you not yet ready to travel are welcome to remain

here until prepared to leave. For those among you

happy to leave with the caravan tomorrow, the fee to

journey with us is 15gp. Any additional donation to

the work of the priests here that you wish to make

will, of course, be gratefully received."

Spells Known (Adp 3/2): 0 - Create Water, Cure Minor

Wounds, Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Guidance, Light,

Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Read Magic; 1st - Bless,

Burning Hands, Cause Fear, Command, Comprehend

Languages, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Chaos, Detect Evil,

Detect Good, Detect Law, Endure Elements, Obscuring

Mist, Protection from Chaos, Protection from Evil,

Protection from Good, Protection from Law, Sleep

Spells Prepared (Adp 3/2): 0 - Create Water, Cure Minor

Wounds x2; 1st - Bless, Cure Light Wounds

However, if the characters are reluctant to pay, there

is a way to avoid the costs and still benefit from the pro-

tection of the caravan.

"If any of you have special gifts to offer that may help

ease the passage of the caravan on this difficult

journey, please make yourselves known to one of the

brothers so we can discuss our requirements and your

suitability for the task. For individuals able and

willing to act as the guardians of this caravan in the

name of Our Lady Agatha, the fee is waived and you

travel with our thanks and Our Lady's blessing."

As the first rays of the sun spread over the landscape

the four covered wagons creak into motion as the

caravan starts out, single file on its trek through the

mountains. Four mounted travelers take up their posi-

tions; two out in front, two more bringing up the rear.

The fighter Ashu has been put in charge of the

defense of the caravan and busies himself finding all he

Legion Publishing - Critical Hits

Volume 4 No 3 - EL 9

In the center of the caravan, after the first two

wagons, are the pack animals, riding ponies and other

beasts, tethered together to prevent straying.

Following behind the second two covered wagons is a

pair of open-top wagons carrying food and water for

the beasts and travelers for the journey.

Mishap Chart

Result

Nothing Happens

Animal Mayhem

Natural Disaster

Slow Progress

Guard Trouble

The players must take up the positions Ashu has

assigned them in the caravan. If they have mounts, they

are free to ride; otherwise, they are on foot. If the

players have plenty of cash to spare, of course, they can

ride in the covered wagons. If this is the case, it is rec-

ommended that some tragedy befalls the wagon in which

the party is traveling so that they are forced to walk and

thereby take a more active part in the dangers yet to

come in the encounter.

Wagon Mishap

Nothing Happens

Unless you are an evil DM who wants to make life hard

for his players (in which case pick a different result), this

half day is uneventful; the PCs should be grateful.

Guard Trouble

The travelers selected to guard the caravan on the

journey are, for the most part, adventurers. As such they

have big egos which are easily bruised. On the trail with

strangers, noses are easily put out of joint. Maybe one of

the players is taunted for the shabbiness of his weapon.

Perhaps two NPC guards drop the shields and start brawl-

ing over some perceived sleight. Whatever the cause, ten-

sions are raised somewhat. If things aren't smoothed over,

this event happens every half day in addition to whatev-

er you roll on the mishap table. The injured parties blame

all other mishaps on each other.

Women, children, the elderly and those travelers

wealthy enough to pay the fee have seats in the

covered wagons. All the other adventurers march

follow alongside or behind. As the sun begins its climb

across the clear sky, the temple fades into the dis-

tance and the mountains loom threateningly ahead.

The caravan covers 16 miles per day and so it should

take 9 days to get through the canyon. At this speed the

first day's travel brings the caravan to the entrance to

the Canyon. Traveling in these conditions forces all char-

acters not riding in the luxury of the covered wagons to

make checks against the heat as described above. Anyone

succumbing to the heat is placed under the shelter of the

wagons and given small quantities of water until they

cool off. After the first day, the sun is blocked from view

and the party spends the rest of the encounter in the

chilly shade of the Canyon.

Animal Mayhem

The animals in the center of the caravan get spooked

and slip their tethers. The PCs and other guards must

attempt to round up the creatures before any of them

escape. There in excess of 20 beasts and each requires a

successful Handle Animal roll (DC15). An untrained char-

acter can use a Charisma check to handle and push

animals. Five priests also come to help, each with 5 ranks

in Handle Animal. If the guards and priests fail to contain

and calm the animals, the owner of one of the missing

beasts (perhaps a wealthy merchant riding in the comfort

of the covered wagons) takes great offense and holds the

PCs personally responsible. This results in greater tension

and opportunities for amusing role-playing as the mer-

chant inflates the value of the missing animals in hope of

an offer of compensation.

However, heat is not the only difficulty the characters

must face. In normal climates such as that experienced in

the canyon itself, medium-size characters need at least a

gallon of fluids and about a pound of decent food per day

to avoid starvation (small characters need half as much).

In the very hot climate experienced the first day, char-

acters need two or three times as much water to avoid

dehydration.

Each day of the journey is split into two halves: the

morning and the afternoon. For each half day of the

journey, the sections below give a text box to read to the

players. In addition, roll once on the Mishap Chart below

to spice the journey up a little.

Natural Disaster

If this happens before the caravan reaches the

canyon, it is a violent dust storm that kicks up suddenly

which reduces visibility to only a few feet and lasts for

hours. When it dies down again ones of the guards is

d20 Legion Publishing Critical Hits 15 - Beast of Blackwall Canyon.pdf

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