Beyond the Black Gate

Area 1-1 – Entrance

At the start of each round the lead PC must succeed on a DC 10 Luck check or be swept away by the waves, sucked into area 1-2. On a failed check, the second PC must also succeed on a like check or also be swept away. If the second PC is lost, the third must attempt a check, and so on, until one PC holds his place.

Area 1-2 – The Grotto

This grotto was used to interrogate and execute servants of the Horned King. The implements were used for torture and are ruined by rust.

A large lockbox stands hidden behind a sheet of stone drapery. Both the simple lock and the lid of the box are frozen with rust and must be broken open. Inside the lockbox are seven candles wrapped in oilskin, flint and steel, a moldy journal once used for recording confessions, and three ceremonial daggers. The lockbox can be found with a DC 13 Luck check, or a simple search by characters with infravision.

The iron maidens are similarly frozen with rust and must be broken open. Each contains the skeletal remains of a drowned witch. Opening the maidens causes the skeletons to move with the washing waves, but they pose no threat to the PCs.

The first skeleton wears a torc of gold wire twisted in the shape of a dragon. The torc grants a magical +2 bonus to AC to anyone fighting with a two-handed weapon. The second witch swallowed a copper ring prior to her death, and it rolls around on the base of the maiden. Wrought in the shape of a serpent, the copper ring grants a +2 bonus to arcane spell checks by a caster who has taken the Horned King as his patron.

Like the maidens and the lockbox, the iron gate barring passage from the grotto is rusted shut. The gate is also barred on the far side, and requires a DC 16 Strength check to break open.

PCs electing to break down the gate may notice a large silver rat watching from the far side of the gate. A familiar of the leader of the coven, the rat scampers back to area 1-6 to warn its mistress of the PCs’ arrival.

Cautious and stealthy PCs will notice the sound of keening chants from above and a flickering crimson light reflected from area 1-3.

Area 1-3 – Well of the Forsaken

The area description assumes the PCs enter from the sea caves. Judges should adjust the description accordingly if the party approaches from the chapel.

Ascending via the rotted planks is easily attempted; however, the planks give way beneath unlucky PCs (Luck check, DC 5), pitching the unfortunate souls into the piled bones below for 1d6 damage.

The bones belong to the bodies of monks and soldiers forced into the well and slaughtered by a horde of northern warriors led by witch-queens. Nearly all the arms and armor are ruined from rust, but a thorough search through the macabre collection reveals a long spear and shield.

Though seemingly untouched by rust, both the spear and shield are stained a dark crimson, as if perpetually drenched with blood. See New Magic (page 21) for details on both the Spear of Hrotti and the Shield of Saint Aethlstan

Area 1-4 – The Fallen Chapel

Area 1-5 – The Gathered Host

The animals are all familiars of the witches within the chapel. Intelligent, they do not seek to engage the party, but rather part before them, allowing the PCs to pass. If attacked, the familiars retreat into the ruins (area 1-6).

While all the familiars fight to the death for the mistresses, most can only distract PCs. Statistics are only provided for those that offer a threat. Slaying familiars inflicts havoc on the witches in area 1-6. For every familiar slain, reduce one witch’s hp to 5, and remove the witch’s ability to cast 2ndlevel spells.

Goat: Init +0; Atk gore +0 melee (1d4); AC 12; HD 1d5; hp 4; MV 30’; Act 1d20; SP immune to mind-affecting magic; SV Fort +2, Ref +1, Will +0; AL N.

Boar: Init +0; Atk gore +1 melee (1d6); AC 14; HD 2d8; hp 10; MV 30’; Act 1d20; SP immune to mind-affecting magic; SV Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +1; AL N.

Owl: Init +2; Atk talons +1 melee (1d3); AC 15; HD 1d5; hp 3; MV fly 45’; Act 1d20; SP immune to mind-affecting magic; SV Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +0; AL N.

Snake: Init +2; Atk bite +0 melee (1d3 + poison); AC 9; HD 1d3; hp 2; MV 15’; Act 1d20; SA poison (DC 15 Fort save or +1d12 dmg), immune to mind-affecting magic; SV Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +0; AL N.

Vulture: Init +1; Atk talons +2 melee (1d4); AC 14; HD 1d6; hp 5; MV fly 40’; Act 1d20; SP immune to mind-affecting magic; SV Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +0; AL N.

Area 1-6 – Witches’ Sabbat

Having successfully “summoned” the PCs, Baba Iaga is eager to bid them on her mission. Cackling with delight, the witch explains that she and her coven summoned the storm that brought the PCs to their shore, to serve her will.

(Note that if the party lost PCs or beloved henchmen to the wreck, the judge can substitute them in place of the captain and sailors.)

If the PCs listen to the witch’s entreaty, read on. Otherwise see To Arms!, below.

The witch’s chief threat remains unspoken. If the PCs do refuse the mission, the lives of the captain and his sailors are forfeit.

PCs drinking from the chalice are immediately overcome by darkness. They awaken in the Thrice-Tenth Kingdom, beginning in area 2-1.

To Arms! Should the PCs elect not to parlay, it is of little matter to the hag. Her sisters and their familiars all leap to Iaga’s defense, casting spells and fighting to the best of their abilities. Delighting in the bloodshed, Baba Iaga upends the cauldron, spilling the brew of oily ichors, boiled skulls, eyeballs, and tongues into the fire. A gout of searing steam fills the nave, obscuring all sight. When the steam clears, the PCs find themselves transported to the ThriceTenth Kingdom (area 2-1). The last thing the PCs hear is Baba Iaga crying out: “Bring me the Crown of the Horned King! Seize the crown and return in triumph!”

Baba Iaga: Init +3; Atk spells or dagger +2 melee (1d4+2); AC 15; HD 5d8; hp 23; MV 30’; Act 1d20 + 1d14; SP spellcasting (spell check +5, spells known: (level 1) cantrip, charm person, invoke patron/patron bond (Horned King), slaying strike (see page 20), sleep, (level 2) scare, scorching ray, (level 3) fly; SV Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +6; AL C.

The Twelve: Init +2; Atk spells or dagger +1 melee (1d4); AC 13; HD 3d4; hp 9 each; MV 30’; Act 1d20; SP spellcasting (spell check +3, spells known: (level 1) cantrip, invoke patron/patron bond (Horned King), slaying strike (see page 20), (level 2) detect invisible, scorching ray; SV Fort +1, Ref +2, Will +4; AL C.

The Thrice-Tenth Kingdom

Far-flung, across many worlds, the Thrice-Tenth Kingdom is a forbidding realm locked in the frigid grasp of eternal winter. The Horned King has surrendered his authority to the ice giant thane, and the clan of brutal giants reigns in what was once the king’s ancient fastness.

Neither judge nor players should mistake encounters with the ice giants to be “balanced.” With luck and teamwork, the PCs might triumph over one, two, or even three giants, but attempting to cut a red line of death through the clanhold is sure to result in the demise of heroes and hirelings alike. It is up to the players to judge the risk and reward of each encounter, for second chances are hard to come by.

The Thrice-Tenth Kingdom works weird changes on spells. Spells with a fire or heat descriptor (including mercurial magic) suffer a -4 spell check penalty. Conversely, those with an ice or cold component receive a +2 spell check bonus.

Finally, the powers of the Thrice-Tenth are jealous of their wards; foreign gods have no place here. While clerics will be able to regain spells, attempts to directly invoke patrons, gods, or other powers will fail.

Random Encounters

The ice-laden woodlands of the Thrice-Tenth Kingdom are perilous to wandering adventurers. The PCs are easily tracked, and the deep snow makes flight difficult or impossible. For every hour spent in the woods, roll 1d14. On a roll of 10 or greater, the PCs suffer a random encounter.

1d5 Woodland Encounter

1 Wolves (6): Init +1; Atk bite +3 melee (1d6+1); AC 15; HD 2d8+2; hp 13 each; MV 30’; Act 1d20; SV Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +0; AL N.

2 Giant Hunting Party (3): Init +1; Atk spear +5 melee (1d10+4) or +2 missile fire (1d10+4, range 40’); AC 15; HD 3d12+3; hp 28 each; MV 40’; Act 1d24; SP immune to cold; SV Fort +5, Ref +1, Will +1; AL C.

3 Great Stag: Init +1; Atk gore +2 melee (1d10+2); AC 14; HD 3d8+2; hp 18; MV 40’; Act 1d20; SV Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +1; AL N.

4 - 5 Blizzard: A storm rolls over the woods, dumping 1d5 feet of snow in a few hours. Sight is reduced to a mere 5 feet during the whiteout and attempts to navigate the storm require a DC 15 Intelligence check. Failure indicates the PCs have lost all bearings. PCs caught outside during the blizzard take 1d8 points of damage every hour, and must make a DC 13 Fortitude save or succumb to hypothermia. These threats can be countered with quick action (finding shelter, starting a fire, etc.).

Areas of the Map

Area 2-1 – The Black Gate

The standing stones are the notorious Black Gate—a portal between worlds. Stepping between the stones transports the PCs back to their home plane, just inside the ruined chapel (area 1-6).

The snowy road is tracked with prints of hobnail boots. Each print is over 2 feet in length and nearly 7 inches wide. Hunters, woodsmen, and their ilk readily estimate that the tracks were left by giants over 16 feet tall.

Area 2-2 – Mendax the Mad

If the PCs approach the corpse, the ravens take to wing to lurk among nearby trees. The corpse belongs to an enormous black bear, its missing head brutally severed from the shoulders. Steam rises off the freshly killed corpse, even as droplets of blood freeze in the snow.

The massive bear was felled by terrible wounds, and a broken spear is still wedged in its chest. The broad-headed spearhead and shaft are giant-sized, nearly twice as large as a normal spear.

A small, dark-haired dwarf watches the PCs from a nearby tree, emerging from hiding only as the PCs begin to examine the corpse. Mendax the Mad once served as jester in the court of the Horned King but fled before the onslaught of giants. He seeks to win back his place at court but cares not whether he serves the ice giants or the Horned King.

After months hiding out in the woods, Mendax presents a strange sight: his once-colorful clothes are now stained black with soot, his beard is tangled and knotted with twigs, and his hands are blackened with charcoal and frostbite. His desperate, haunted eyes haven’t changed: the craven, nasty thing will eagerly backstab any friend if it might earn him the esteem of his master.

Mendax hails the PCs from safety. If not met with violence, he cautiously climbs down from the tree, moving like a beaten whelp waiting for the next blow.

The cagey dwarf baits his hook carefully, at first only begging the PCs to share a bit of bear meat. Mendax confirms that giants killed the bear, taking its head as a trophy. Then the dwarf volunteers his story, claiming to wish nothing but a slow death to the ice giants. He knows of a “secret” entrance to the Horned King’s citadel but warns the PCs of the mighty ice giant clan. If pressed, Mendax grudgingly agrees to take the PCs to the citadel and show them the hidden ice tunnels (area 2-3) but only if they will protect him from the fearsome ice giants.

Mendax’s true aim is subtler. He intends to play the PCs as his pawns, betraying them the moment they encounter giants. If the giants win, Mendax will have proved his worth and earned a place in their court. If the PCs carry the day, the Horned King will rise again and Mendax will return to his place at the right hand of the king.

If attacked, Mendax flees to the best of his ability, circling towards the citadel in the hopes of alerting the giants and winning their gratitude.

Treasure: If the PCs kill Mendax, they find little of worth on his corpse. The dwarf’s prize possession is a jeweled short sword and seven black-gold rings presented to him by the Horned King and worn in his beard. The sword is worth 130 gp for the large ruby set in its pommel; each ring bears the rune of the Horned King and is worth 10 gp.

Mendax the Mad: Init +3; Atk short sword +5 melee (1d6+2); AC 13; HD 3d10+3; hp 22; MV 20’; Act 1d20; SV Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +0; AL N.

Area 2-3 – The Ravine

If the PCs are traveling with Mendax, he leads them down into the ravine, confident in his memory of the ice caves. If the PCs are traveling without the aid of the dwarf, locating the caves requires expert tracking and some small bit of luck. Huntsmen, elves, bounty hunters, and other expert trackers note faint indications of the caves on a DC 15 Intelligence check.

Snow has drifted over the ravine; PCs entering the ice caves are forced to tunnel through the snow. Unknown to Mendax, the ravine lies directly in the path of a potential avalanche. Disturbing the snow risks triggering a snow slide of epic proportions.

Roll 1d20, modified by Luck, for every character pushing through to the ice cave. On a roll of 1-5, the character triggers an avalanche. The PCs hear a low rumble building to a deafening roar. One round later, thousands of tons of snow funnels down the ravine, sweeping along boulders, trees and any characters unfortunate enough to be caught in the ravine.

PCs have two choices: leap clear of the ravine (Agility, DC 10) or into the ice caves (Agility, DC 15). Failing either check leaves the PC to be swept away by the wall of crashing snow.

PCs caught in the avalanche must attempt three DC 12 Fortitude saves. For every failed save the PC takes 4d12 damage. Those that survive the avalanche are swept some 200 yards down the slope, where they can be pulled from packed snow; all others are never seen again.

The avalanche scours the snow from the ravine, revealing the narrow slit into the ice caves (area 3-7).

Citadel of the Horned King

Read or paraphrase the following as the PCs draw near the fortress of the Horned King:

As the PCs draw closer to the fastness, the absence of wildlife quickly becomes apparent. The snow is unmarked by animal tracks, and the air is silent and still. The sole evidence of life are the giant tracks leading in and out of the citadel, and a single crow, perched high atop a roof beam. The crow watches the PCs’ advance with a cocked head, caws twice, then flaps off into the woods.

Nearly all the rooms of the first floor are vaulted, rising to two stories in height. These pose no great difficulty to the giants, save having to duck beneath the tall, 10-foot doors. The exceptions are the secret doors and passageways; all are sized for tall humans. Giants forcing their way through the narrow corridors are reduced to one-third speed and suffer a -6 penalty to AC and attacks.

Giants of the ThriceTenth Kingdom

The fell giants that inhabit the Thrice-Tenth Kingdom are grim beasts. They seem born of the nightmares of northern skalds and the dour, silent forests the giants call home. Towering like great, snowbound pines, the giants reign from dark, crude citadels and high alpine ice caves. They gird themselves in frozen hides, battered shields, and bits of chain and plate looted from the corpses of their foes. They prefer to use ranged weapons to soften their foes before closing for violent—and inevitably brief—melee combat.

Contrary to many of their kin, ice giants’ cunning matches their brutish nature. Though seldom truly intelligent, the giants are crafty, deadly opponents in battle, coordinating tactics with other giants and utilizing terrain to their best advantage.

Unique among giant-kin, ice giants have a third eye set squarely in their foreheads. Sages recount an apocryphal tale in which the first of the ice giant thanes stole an eye from a weaker brother, simultaneously creating the races of both ice giants and cyclops. The veracity of the tale will likely never be known, but it is true that both ice giants and cyclops regard one another with undying enmity, flying into a violent rage whenever the other is encountered.

Random Encounters

Encounters within the fortress of the Horned King are frequent. For every 10 minutes spent within the fastness, roll 1d14; encounters occur on a roll of 10 or better. Battles lasting longer than 3 rounds risk drawing the notice of giants in adjacent chambers.

Note that no random encounters take place while the PCs are hidden within the secret corridors or in the dungeons beneath the citadel.

1d3 Fortress Encounter

1 Giantling: Init +0; Atk spiked club +4 melee (1d10+3); AC 14; HD 3d10+2; hp 18; MV 30’; Act 1d20; SP immune to cold; SV Fort +3, Ref +0, Will +1; AL C.

2 Giant Acolyte: Init +0; Atk spells or mace +4 melee (1d8+2); AC 15; HD 3d12; hp 20; MV 40’; Act 1d24; SP spellcasting (spell check +3, 1d4+4 first and 1d4+4 second level cleric spells), immune to cold; SV Fort +3, Ref +0, Will +3; AL C.

3 Giant Sentry: Init +1; Atk morningstar +5 melee (1d12+4) or spear +2 ranged (1d10+4); AC 15; HD 4d12+3; hp 28; MV 40’; Act 1d24; SP immune to cold, crit on 22+; SV Fort +5, Ref +1, Will +2; AL C.

Finally, many of the citadel’s chambers remain unoccupied by the giants. If the PCs take sufficient pains to disguise their tracks, they can shelter in these chambers, hidden from the eyes of the ice giants. Well-hidden PCs roll for random encounters once every 6 hours.

Areas of the Map

Area 3-1 – Gate House

If the PCs speak Giant, it is easy to discern the voices of two young ice giants within the gatehouse, teasing a third for his cowardice. Though the two larger giants are distracted, the third will immediately notice if the PCs try to cross the drawbridge.

Once aware of the PCs, the two larger giants force the third out onto the drawbridge and then drop the portcullis, daring the PCs (in Common tongue) to face their mightiest “champion.” The pair leaves their companion to fight on his own, laughing all the while.

The drawbridge is slick with frost, and it is a 45-foot fall to the base of the snowy ravine. The victim of any melee blow that inflicts 6 hp or more damage, must succeed on a DC 10 Reflex save or slip and fall from the drawbridge. PCs are permitted a second, DC 13 Reflex save to catch the lip of the bridge before falling to their doom. Due to their mass, giants do not need to attempt the check.

The defeat of the lone giant immediately sobers the pranksters. One takes three rounds to pull up the drawbridge, while the other stabs at any PCs caught between the drawbridge and portcullis. PCs leaping from the drawbridge onto the roof of the gatehouse can slide down the slick shingles, landing on the far side. Once the drawbridge is raised, the giants hammer on an enormous drum, alerting the citadel of attack, before retreating across the causeway to area 3-3.

Inside the gatehouse are 13 giant-sized javelins (treat as spears) and 3 broad-headed spears (treat as lances). A large sack hangs in one corner. Within are three legs of mutton, half a round of moldy cheese, and a large bottle of potent wine.

The largest of the giants wears a jeweled hoop in his septum. Removing the hoop is grisly work; the hoop is worth 150 gp.

Giantling Guards (3): Init +0; Atk +4 spear (1d10+4) or thrown spear +4 missile fire (1d10+4, range 30’); AC 10; HD 4d10+2; hp 34, 28, 24; MV 40’; Act 1d24; SP immune to cold, crit on 22+; SV Fort +6, Ref -1, Will +4; AL C.

Area 3-2 – Refuse Chamber

The door to this chamber must be forced open, requiring a successful DC 20 Strength check. (Multiple attempts are appropriate and up to two PCs can aid an ally.)

The lazy giants use the chamber for all their waste. The result is a disgusting mix of bones, rotten meat, excrement, and dead bodies in piles rising nearly 4 feet from the floor.

The pile of waste is riddled with plague rats. Opening the door sends the rats fleeing to their nests beneath the pile, but disturbing the pile causes the rats to swarm.

A veritable tide of mottled black fur erupts from within the mound, covering the invading PC in a matter of moments. Every round, make a single attack roll against any PC within the chamber—for every point equal to or above the PC’s AC, the rats inflict 1d4 damage. Further, each round the PC must make a DC 15 Strength check or be borne down to the ground by the weight of dozens of rats. Every PC suffering damage from a plague rat must make a DC 15 Fortitude save at the end of the encounter or contract a disease at the judge’s pleasure.

At the rear of the chamber is a secret door, concealed from view by the mounds of waste (DC 12 to locate). Adventurers entering the chamber and ascending the mound readily see the door, but opening it requires digging a clearing out of the waste or smashing down the door.

Plague Rats (100+): Init +3; Atk bite +5 (see above); AC 10; HD 1d4; hp 2 each; MV 25’; Act 1d20; SV Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +0; AL N.

Area 3-3 – Mead Hall

If the giants have raised the alarm, allies from 3-4b and 3-4d will have coordinated an ambush (see below). If the giants haven’t been alerted, the scene is as described, with three giants sleeping off the night’s revels. A thief, dwarf, or warrior striking a sleeping giant automatically scores a critical hit. However, if the crit fails to kill the giant, it jumps up with a roar and a shout, awakening its fellows.

Ambush: If the giants are alerted to the PCs, the encounter is radically altered. The three giants are only feigning sleep. They wait for the PCs to come within reach, then seize the adventurers on a successful to hit roll and hurl them into the fire pit. PCs cast into the flames take 1d6 damage and are set aflame, taking an additional 1d6 damage per round until the flames are extinguished.

At the sound of combat, two giants (from area 3-4d) enter through the northeast doors, and two giants (from area 3-4b) enter from the west arches.

In the heat of the battle, the giants offer the PCs one chance at surrender, eager to offer more sacrifices up to the White Worm.

“Sleeping” Giants (3): Init +1; Atk morningstar +5 melee (1d12+4); AC 10; HD 4d12+3; hp 35, 34, 31; MV 40’; Act 1d24; SP immune to cold, crit on 22+; SV Fort +5, Ref +0, Will +3; AL C.

Area 3-4a through Area 3-4d are nearly identical; the judge is encouraged to add nuances distinguishing one from the next. Each houses two to four giants, many of which appear elsewhere in the adventure. Distinctions between both occupants and their belongings are listed below.

• Area 3-4a: Three giants, the gatehouse guards, reside here. The young giantlings have no treasure.

• Area 3-4b: Two giants, brothers, are found here, unless answering the call to defend area 3-3. They have amassed a collection of weapons, which stand in the corners of the chamber. PCs can find nearly any weapon, but most are of poor to average quality. The sole exceptions are three simple axes, with silver-gray heads and polished oaken handles: three of the fabled Throwing Axes of Narn (see page 21).

• Area 3-4c: Three giants reside here. Incorrigible drinkers and gamblers, they are “asleep” in area 3-3. Three bottles of potent wine hang in a rawhide sack beside the door. A set of bone dice rests atop the stool, beside the current pot: 7 uncut gems ranging in value from 100 to 600 gp.

• Area 3-4d: Four giants reside in these cramped quarters. Two are found here (unless answering the call to area 3-3), while the two others are found in area 3-5, preparing offerings for the White Worm.

Giants (4): Init +1; Atk morningstar +5 melee (1d12+4) or spear +2 missile fire (1d10+4, range 40’); AC 15; HD 4d12+3; hp 37, 35, 32, 30; MV 40’; Act 1d24; SP immune to cold, crit on 22+; SV Fort +5, Ref +0, Will +3; AL C.

Area 3-5 – Frozen Offerings

The giants are in the process of mummifying living captives, before presenting them as offerings to the White Worm (in area 3-6). The giants fight to escape the PCs, hoping to alert the rest of the fortress.

The seven captives are a mix of races, all former servants of the Horned King. The judge can use this opportunity to substitute in a new PC or to provide additional hirelings. Freed from their bonds, the captives willingly join the PCs against the giants in a desperate bid to free their master. As NPCs, each captive has a mere 1d12 hp.

An inspection of the chamber reveals several rolls of white cotton, inscribed with runes exalting a creature/god re-

ferred to as the “White Worm.” A large jar adjacent to the worktable contains several pounds of azure pigment. Mixed with wine or water, the pigment grants a +2 spell check bonus to spells involving runes or sigils. The jar contains sufficient pigment for 5 applications.

Giant Acolytes (2): Init +0; Atk spells or mace +4 melee (1d8+2); AC 13; HD 4d12; hp 29, 27; MV 40’; Act 1d24; SP spellcasting (spell check +3, 1d4+4 first and 1d4+4 second level cleric spells), immune to cold; SV Fort +3, Ref +0, Will +3; AL C.

Area 3-6 – Shrine of the White Worm

This shrine represents the giant’s efforts to birth the Hyperborean Wyrm, better known in the chronicles of madness and terror as the White Worm. The life-forces of the living mummies fuel the icy flames that burn the foul incense. The smoke of the incense, in turn, gives rise to the weird, glowing mists, creating the poisonous, otherworldly atmosphere necessary to coerce the egg into hatching.

The mummies are all frozen solid. Removing the icy wraps reveals faces locked in the grasp of terror. Removing all the mummies from the chamber causes the icy blue flames to shrink and die. The mists slowly fade and the white egg cracks, leaking a sickly green yolk.

PCs venturing into the chamber must succeed on a DC 15 Reflex save or come into contact with the foul mists. A failed save causes instant frostbite for 1d6 damage. Any PC daring to rush at the egg before the mists abate risks his life: ten tendrils of mist take form, striking at the PC from either side. On a successful hit, a tendril grapples the PC, inflicting damage and freezing him in place. A tendril can be escaped with a DC 15 Strength check.

Whether cracked by violence, defeating the mists or removing the frozen mummies, the yolk of the White Worm is an incredibly potent substance. Daubing one’s skin with yolk sears a white pentagram into the skin; additional effects depend on placement:

Forehead: +1 Intelligence, +1 Personality Chest: +1 Strength, +1 Stamina Palm: +1 Agility, +1 Luck

Cautious wizards, thieves, and sages will know that mortal flesh can only safely come into contact with the yolk once (75% chance of knowing this legend). If a second daubing is attempted, the PC must succeed on a DC 20 Fortitude save or instantly die, his blood frozen in his veins. If a PC is daubed a third time, the Fortitude save increases to DC 30.

Mists of the North Wind (10 tendrils): Init +3; Atk tendril +3 melee (1d6 plus grapple); AC 15; HD 1d16; hp 9 each; MV 40’; Act 1d20; SP grapple, immune to cold and charm effects; SV Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +5; AL C.

Area 3-10 – The Ice-Mirrored Hall

The bewildering chamber is the result of hundreds of stalactites and stone draperies covered in slick ice. The entire chamber—ceiling, floor, and walls—is layered in ice, creating a maddening cavern of mirrors.

Pools of water litter the chamber and are indistinguishable from the ice-covered floor. The pools are not frozen solid; if weighted with more than 100 pounds, the surface ice breaks, spilling the PCs into the icy waters below. The pools range from 6 to 11 feet in depth (1d5+6). Escape from a pool is readily accomplished with an ally on the shore; selfrescue can be accomplished with a DC 12 Strength check. Characters suffer a -2 penalty to Stamina and Strength for each round spent in the icy waters. Those reduced to 5 or less Stamina or Strength slip beneath the icy waters and begin to drown. The stat damage is healed at the rate of one point, per stat, per half hour spent near a heat source.

Lokim, an aging ice giant warrior, lurks within the shadowed recesses of the chamber. Blind, the giant suffers a penalty to hit (already figured into his stats) but otherwise suffers none of the chamber’s debilitating visual effects (see below). The giant has memorized the chamber and cannot be lured into the pools.

Judge’s Notes: Without reliable visual references, PCs can find it exceedingly difficult to navigate the chamber’s weird environs. Judges are encouraged to track the heroes’ progress on the map, asking the players to call out left or right at junctures.

Melee combat proves as challenging as navigation. PCs are presented with a bewildering number of potential targets. On a successful melee attack, the attacker must also roll 1d12; a 9 or better indicates he hit his intended target, and on an 8 or less he strikes a reflection.

The icy chamber makes it nearly impossible for PCs to use ranged weapons or spells effectively. As per above, ranged attacks must succeed on a roll of 11 or 12 on 1d12 to score a hit.

Once a “true” target is located, it may be attacked without penalty. However, if the target moves more than 10 feet from its original location, the guessing game begins again. Lokim is aware of this tactic and stays in constant motion, striving to avoid dead ends where he can be cornered.

Finally, while the confounding maze of mirrors is enjoyable for combat, players need not be subjected to the PCs’ frustration more than once. If there are no threats lurking in the maze, assume that it takes PCs 10+d16 minutes to navigate the chamber their second time through.

Lokim, the Blind: Init +2; Atk broadsword +4 melee (1d12+4) or spear +4 melee (dmg 1d10+4); AC 15; HD 5d12+4; hp 47; MV 40’; Act 1d24 + 1d20; SP crit on 22+, immune to cold; SV Fort +6, Ref +0, Will +5; AL C.

Area 3-7 – The Crystal Caves

A frozen river runs through the chamber, culminating in a 20-foot frozen waterfall at the head of the cavern. Only expert climbers can ascend the iced-over waterfall unaided (climb, DC 15) but once a rope is affixed, their companions may follow. Less skilled climbers can ascend the waterfall with the aid of pitons or spikes.

A trio of giant ice toads lurk silently atop the waterfall, lying in wait for the first climber. Once their position is given away, the toads leap down onto the remaining PCs.

Driven by hunger, the toads focus on smaller targets (dwarves, elves, or halflings), swallowing their target on a successful attack roll of 17 or better. Once swallowed, a target must make a DC 15 Fortitude save every round or be frozen solid. Finally, a successful bite from an ice-ridden maw numbs the target for 1 round (-1 die to action dice and spell checks, -2 AC).

The toads have no treasure, but a search of the adjoining chambers reveals the mutilated corpse of an ice giant. The corpse is blackened with decay and is missing an arm (which was gnawed off by the toads). If the PCs hack open the giant’s frozen neck pouch, they find 6 polished blue opals worth 150 gp each.

Ice Toads (3): Init +0; Atk bite +4 melee (1d10+3 plus chill); AC 15; HD 2d12+4; hp 20, 19, 17; MV 35’; Act 1d20; SP swallow on 17+, chill (-1 die to action dice and -2 AC for 1 round); SV Fort +4, Ref +0, Will +2; AL C.

Area 3-8 – Warrens of the Wild Hunt

The gate is barred but not locked from the outside. Within are the hounds of the Wild Hunt: twenty-three ferocious black hounds, each the size of a lion, with massive jaws and enormous fangs. Intelligent supernatural beings, the hounds live to hunt, and only follow orders made by the wearer of the Horned Crown. Released from their cage, the hounds run down giant and PC alike with feral, snarling abandon.

In battle, the hounds fight as a pack. One or more hounds latch onto a foe with a successful attack roll, reducing the target’s AC by -2 per hound and reducing the target’s speed by -10 per hound, bearing the victim to the ground. The other hounds attack the disabled target with vicious, tearing bites. Escaping the jaws of a hound requires a Strength check of DC 15 + 1 per hound attached.

Any slain hound is reborn in the warrens on the next full moon.

There is no treasure within the warrens, but the largest of the hounds wears an iron collar studded with rubies (worth 230 gp).

Black Hounds (23): Init +4; Atk bite +4 melee (1d8+4); AC 15; HD 3d8; hp 15 each; MV 45’; Act 1d20; SP pack tactics (-2 AC, -10’ for each successful bite attack against same foe; DC 15 + 1 per hound Str to escape); SV Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +2; AL C.

Area 3-9 – Provisions

The giants use this ice cave to store their provisions, namely sheep and elves of the Thrice-Tenth Kingdom. All have been brutally clubbed to death.

In their thoughtlessness, the giants have also concealed a hidden door at the rear of the chamber. The giants are utterly ignorant of its existence.

Area 3-11 – Gallery of the Wild Hunt

Asmundr, the ice giant thane, is lurking in the rear of the chamber, along with his “pet” polar bear.

Hearing the battle in area 3-10, the ice giant thane has hurriedly collected the Horned King’s most valuable treasures into a great fur sack, casting the rest aside. The giant silently commands the bear to attack the PCs, and then attempts to break past the PCs in melee. (Note that even if the thane eludes the PCs, he is not immune to the visual effects of area 3-10.)

Treasure: In his great sack, the thane carries 3,000 gp in jewelry, 6 large gems worth 500 gp each, a great silver torc (100 gp), the skull of a white dragon, a baldric threaded with platinum and displaying a warhammer (1,500 gp), a ceremonial broad sword inlaid with rubies and emeralds (750 gp), a lance chased with silver (150 gp), and a recurve bow carved from oak and backed with dragon bone. The bow can only be strung or drawn by PCs with 17+ Strength but grants a +5 damage bonus and has triple normal range.

Scattered about the floor of the chamber are a number of skulls, hides, and pelts. While many have nothing more than sentimental value to the Horned King, thorough PCs discover the hide of an enormous lion and the skin of a black dragon.

Asmundr, the Ice Giant thane: Init +3; Atk greatsword +5 melee (1d16+5) or spear +4 missile fire (dmg 1d10+5, range 40’); AC 18; HD 6d12+5; hp 58; MV 40’; Act 1d24 + 1d16; SP crit on 21+, immune to cold; SV Fort +7, Ref +2, Will +6; AL C.

Polar Bear: Init +0; Atk bite +4 melee (2d8+3); AC 16; HD 4d12+6; hp 38; MV 35’; Act 2d20; SP on 17 + maul for 1d16 additional damage; SV Fort +6, Ref +0, Will +2; AL N.

Area 3-12 – Throne of the Horned King

Once the uncontested master of the Thrice-Tenth Kingdom, the Horned King is nothing more than a shadow of his former majesty. The hunter-king’s skin is stretched tight across his frail bones, a drinking horn hangs limply in one hand, and his haunted eyes see naught but the dancing giantess. The Horned King is utterly numb to the world, and the giantess and salamander seek to ensure that nothing disturbs his reverie.

The white salamander moves swiftly to the attack, dragging its slithering belly across the cold stone floor to attack the PCs. The salamander joins battle by spewing an icy cone at the PCs—the cone is 30 feet in length and 20 feet wide at its apex. Any PC caught within the cone’s area of effect must succeed on a DC 15 Reflex save or take 2d12 dmg and be stunned for 1 round. The following round, the salamander closes with any surviving spellcasters, relying on the giantess to handle the balance of the party. The salamander has can use its breath one more time for the rest of the encounter.

The giantess dances before her attackers, weaving a mesmerizing vision of veils, pale blue flesh, and flashing silver bangles. Any PC (of either gender) gazing upon the giantess must succeed on a DC 13 Will save or be transfixed by her otherworldly beauty. Bewitched PCs can take no action save to defend themselves. Each round thereafter the PC can attempt to throw off the enchantment by attempting the Will save.

Should the giantess deign to bestow a kiss upon the PC, the target must succeed on a DC 17 Fortitude save or be transformed into ice. The giantess must succeed on an attack against the target’s AC to hit, unless the target is willing or transfixed by her wicked dance. Pausing to kiss a target permits every other transfixed character the chance to make another Will save to break the trance.

If the foul, vampiric salamander is dealt more than 20 hp damage, it reverts to its true form: Faustfvor the Seething. The giant seer fights the PCs to the best of his ability, but abandons the Horned King if reduced to 20 hp or less. He flees with the lovely giantess in tow, rallying any other sur-

viving giants. Failing this, they retreat into the wilderness, returning to their clanhold.

The Horned King: Once a great warrior of terrifying mien, the Horned King presents no threat to the PCs. With Faustfvor and the giantess gone, the king stirs from his long, dreamless stupor. The gaunt king struggles to rouse himself, leaning on his greatsword to stand.

The Horned King staggers towards the PCs, and the howl of a hundred wolfhounds fills the air. Raising the greatsword high, the king hisses through desiccated lips, “The pack bays. They call for blood! Call forth the hunt!”

A single strike, with intent to inflict harm, is sufficient to slay the master of the Wild Hunt. As the lifeless body falls, the Horned Crown rolls across the floor. A thunderous crack sunders the air, shaking the entire castle, as the crown separates from the Horned King’s brow. Any surviving giants in the citadel hurry to the throne room to investigate the king’s death.

If the PCs elect not to strike the King, he calls for the PCs to kneel. One by one, the Horned King knights kneeling PCs in his service, granting each a permanent bonus of 1d3 Luck points. As the last of the kneeling PCs is knighted, the surviving giants rush into the chamber, even as the Horned King vanishes from sight.

Treasure: The walls of the throne room are decorated with the heads and pelts of dozens of creatures, ranging from the exotic to the mundane. The six finest pelts are worth 1d3 x 1,000 gp each but are cumbersome to transport. Additionally, astute wizards and clerics can glean 7,000 gp worth of exotic spell components from the trophies adorning the walls.

Faustfvor (salamander form): Init +3; Atk bite +4 melee (1d12+4); AC 15; HD 6d12+10; hp 54 (special); MV 40’; Act 1d24; SP changes to giant form (different stat block, below) after taking 20 points of damage, breath weapon 2/day, immune to cold, crit on 20+; SV Fort +6, Ref +0, Will +6; AL C.

Faustfvor the Seething (giant form): Init +3; Atk spells or spiked mace +2 melee (1d10+3); AC 13; HD 6d12+10; hp 54; MV 40’; Act 1d24; SP crit on 21+, spellcasting (spell check +5, all first, second and third level cleric spells), immune to cold; SV Fort +6, Ref +0, Will +6; AL C

Vefreyja, the Ice Giant’s Daughter: Init +2; Atk fist +2 melee (1d6+2); AC 14; HD 4d12+3; hp 34; MV 40’; Act 1d24; SP freezing kiss, immune to cold, mesmerizing dance; SV Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +3; AL C.

Conclusion

PCs fleeing the citadel are quickly overtaken by surviving giants. Escape requires quick thinking and creativity as much as flashing blades. The giants do everything in their power to stop the PCs and recapture the Horned Crown.

Arriving in the clearing (area 2-1) the PCs discover the Black Gate glowing with a weird phosphorescence. Seething violet mists drift about the clearing; the mists part for the PCs but quickly reform to obscure the sight of any pursuers.

Stepping through the gate transports PCs back to their home world. PCs tumble through darkness to emerge inside the chapel (area 1-6). All of the witches and their familiars have left, save for the dread Baba Iaga.

The wicked crone demands the Horned Crown. If the PCs refuse or simply don’t have the crown, she howls with fury, swearing revenge. The hag transforms herself into a raven and flies into the dark night. An illusion lifts, revealing the witches’ hostages to be dead, having drowned in the shipwreck.

If the PCs present Baba Iaga with the crown, she thanks them for their service, and presents each with a gift wrapped in rags, drawn from within the folds of her dark robes. The judge should roll on the following table or select a gift best suited for each PC.

1d12 Baba Iaga’s Gifts

1 The gold-plated skull of an arch-wizard. Placed atop a staff, the skull permits wizards or elves to cast spells through the skull, increasing the caster’s action die by one step. Only one spell can be cast through the skull per round.

2 Five arrows tied together with quill pen and ink stone. Inking an arrow with the name of its target grants the archer a +4 bonus to hit, inflicting an automatic critical hit.

3 A heavy bronze torc. When worn by a warrior or dwarf, the torc grants the wearer a DC 15 Fortitude save against any critical hits.

4 The signet ring marking the PC as the ruler of a fiefdom. The location and size of the fief should be decided by the judge.

5 A dagger bearing the PC’s family crest. Wielded by a spellcaster, the dagger grants a +3 bonus to spell checks when coated with the blood of an enemy. After attempting a spell, the blood.

6 A +2 shield emblazoned with the holy symbol sacred to a cleric’s or warrior’s faith. When carried into battle, the shield grants +2 to all saving throws.

7 A simple whetstone capable of producing incredibly sharp blades. Any blade sharpened by the stone inflicts an additional die of damage on its first hit. (A blade’s razor edge is quickly lost, but can be regained with another sharpening.)

8 A treasure map leading to an artifact coveted by the PC. The map calls out, obliquely, threats and dangers.

9 A ring with a cat’s eye jewel. The ring grants the PC “nine lives.” Any time the PC is slain, a life is used up and the PC is discovered (by allies or foes) to be unconscious but alive with 1d16 hp. After all nine lives are spent, and the PC dies a tenth time, his soul is forever lost to the Cat Lord.

10 A dragon egg.

11 A silken tabard emblazoned with the PC’s coat of arms. Worn openly, the tabard grants the PC a +2 Personality bonus and ensures that up to 50 henchmen or hirelings need never check for morale so long as they are in sight of the PC.

12 A scroll case. Bound within, on the skins of humanoids, are three spells of the judge’s choosing.

Regrettably, even presenting the hag with the Horned Crown does not restore the sailors to life. Having presented the PCs with her gifts, the hag transforms into a raven and wings off into the darkness.

thirsty blade must be renewed with fresh

THE HORNED KING

The Horned King rules from the Thrice-Tenth Kingdom, venturing across the multiverse on his Wild Hunts. A solemn and grim lord, he delights only in the hunt, testing his martial prowess against the deadliest foes. A patron of the old ways, the Horned King bestows his blessing upon heathen witches, barbarian shamans, and warriors that exalt the wild savage hidden within.

Invoke Patron check results:

12-13 Hounds bay on the shrill wind, striking fear into the hearts of the hunted. One target within the caster’s sight must make a DC 12 Will save or succumb to paralyzing terror. If the target fails the save, it cowers in the shadows, too terrified to move. Unintelligent creatures flee for their lives. The effect lasts 1d6 rounds or until the creature is forced into action (such as by being attacked or threatened).

14-17 The wolfish demeanor of the predator overtakes the caster, infusing his soul with the spirit of the Wild Hunt. The caster can unerringly track creatures (Luck check, DC 5) through the most harrowing of conditions for 24 hours (or until the power is dismissed). Henchmen are unnerved, suffering a -2 morale penalty for the duration of the effect.

18-19 A long, haunting howl fills the air, followed by driving wind. The caster knows the location and most direct route to one living target within 50 miles. (The caster is not inherently aware of perils in the path.) If the caster reaches the target within 24 hours, the target suffers a -2 penalty to AC and saves for the duration of the encounter.

20-23 The Horned King sends six hounds to assist the caster. They appear from a cloud of darksome soot or billowing snow. They remain for 2d6 rounds, before vanishing back to the Thrice-Tenth Kingdom. Hound: Init +4; Atk bite +4 melee (dmg 1d8+4); AC 15; HD 3d8; hp 15; MV 45’; Act 1d20; SV Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +4; AL C.

24-27 The caster and his allies are chilled by a driving wind, and the howls of hounds erupt all around. All enemies within 50’ must make a DC 15 Will save or succumb to paralyzing terror. Targets failing the save cower in the shadows, too terrified to move. Unintelligent creatures flee. The effect lasts 1d6 turns or until a creature is forced into action (such as by being attacked or threatened).

28-29 Spear of the Horned King. A shimmering spear appears in the caster’s hand; the silvery tip of the spear is marked with the sigil of the Horned King. If the spear does not taste blood before the next moonrise, it vanishes. If the spear is used in battle (either melee or ranged combat as a javelin) the target must attempt a DC 20 Will save or be struck instantly and permanently dead. This ability is available only once in a caster’s lifetime. If this result is rolled again, the result is treated as 24-27, above.

30-31 Crown of the Horned King. A scintillating aura rings the caster’s brow, sparkling gray and silver. During the span of the next 24 hours, the caster has the ability to summon up to 1d20+10 hounds to serve his will. If sent on the hunt, the hounds can track any being across the multiverse, finding their prey within 1d12 rounds. The hounds remain 24 hours before vanishing back to the Thrice-Tenth Kingdom. Hound: Init +4; Atk bite +4 melee (dmg 1d8+4); AC 15; HD 3d8; hp 15 each; MV 45’; Act 1d20; SV Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +4; AL C. This ability is available only once in a caster’s lifetime. If this result is rolled again, the caster may choose the Spear of the Horned King (as above) if it is available; otherwise, the Horned King is unable to assist the caster.

32+ Mark of the Horned King. The caster places the mark of the Horned King upon a target within sight. On the next moonrise, the target receives a DC 25 Will save. On a failed save, the Horned King and his hounds appear and carry away the target. This ability is available only once in a caster’s lifetime. If this result is rolled again in the future, the caster may choose the Crown of the Horned King or Spear of the Horned King (as above) if either is available; otherwise, the Horned King is unable to assist the caster.

Patron Taint: the horned king

When patron taint is indicated for the Horned King, roll 1d6 on the table below. When a wizard has acquired all six taints at all levels of effect, there is no need to continue rolling any more.

Roll Result

1 The caster is overtaken by the call of the hunt. If a foe retreats, the PC must make a DC 10 Will save. On a failed save, the caster gives chase for 1d7 rounds. The second time this corruption is rolled, the Will save DC increases to 15.

2 The caster takes on the attributes of the Horned King’s minions. The first instance results in wide antlers, then a thick coat of fur, then a elongated muzzle, and finally fangs and claws.

3 Only the strong survive in the Thrice-Tenth Kingdom, and the caster cannot tolerate weakness among his pack. If, after a combat, a fellow character hovers at 1 hp or is unconscious, the caster is overcome by the powerful desire to finish off his ally (DC 10 Will save, or slay downed character).

4 Following a victorious battle, the caster must make offerings to his grim patron. The caster is driven to make an altar, totem, or marker of some sort, adorned with the grisly remains of the vanquished. This is unique to each servitor of the Horned King, and can vary from a simple head impaled upon a staff, to bloody offerings burnt atop a pyre. There is a slim chance (1% per caster level) that the Horned King is pleased by the offering, granting his servant a +1 bonus to Luck. If the caster should fail to make an offering, there is a similar chance (1% per caster level) that the Horned King is displeased, withdrawing his patronage until the caster can make worthy amends.

5 The caster is driven to care for his entire adventuring party (now regarded as a pack). Any attack on a fellow PC, henchman, or hireling is treated as an attack on the caster. The caster employs whatever force needed to eliminate the threat.

6 The caster refuses to accept the authority of any party member who has not bested him in combat. The battle need not be to the death but the caster is driven to use every tool at his disposal in an effort to win. If the caster is defeated, he will follow the new pack leader to the very gates of Hades, but if the caster wins the bout, he assumes leadership of the pack.

Patron Spells: HORNED KING

The Horned King grants three unique spells, as follows. Only the first is described in this volume.

Slaying strike

Level: 1 (Horned King) Range: Touch (one melee weapon)

General Invoking the malefic Wild Hunt, you dedicate a chosen weapon to the slaying of a specific creature, your quarry. You must have personal knowledge of the quarry but do not need a physical trace; mere knowledge is enough. If the chosen weapon is used against another target before striking the quarry, the enchantment is discharged, without effect. If the caster attacks his quarry and misses, the spell is not discharged. Unless noted otherwise, the indicated weapon can only be wielded by the caster. A caster may possess only one such weapon at a time.

Manifestation Roll 1d4: (1) an apparition of the Horned King appears before the caster, blessing the chosen weapon; (2) dozens of silent phantom black hounds rush past the caster, disappearing in pursuit of his quarry; (3) a mournful horn sounds in the distance; (4) a horned crown appears on the caster’s brow as he assumes a grim and ominous mien.

1 Lost, failure, and patron taint.

2-11 Lost. Failure.

12-13 The caster’s next strike to the quarry inflicts an additional 1d3 + caster level damage. If the caster fails to strike the target within 3 rounds or before the quarry is slain, the spell discharges on the caster, inflicting 1 point of damage.

14-17 The caster’s next strike to the quarry inflicts an additional 2d5 + caster level damage, and the quarry’s actions suffer a -2 penalty until the end of the next round. If the caster fails to strike the target with the enchanted weapon within 5 rounds or before the quarry is slain, the spell discharges on the caster, inflicting 1 point of damage.

18-19 The caster’s next strike to the quarry inflicts an additional 3d8 + caster level damage, and the quarry is knocked prone. If the caster fails to strike the target with the enchanted weapon within the next hour or before the quarry is slain, the spell discharges on the caster, inflicting 1 point of damage.

20-23 The caster’s next strike to the quarry inflicts an additional 4d10 + caster level damage, and the quarry loses its next action. If the caster fails to strike the target with the enchanted weapon within the next day, or if the quarry is slain, the spell discharges on the caster, inflicting 1 point of damage.

24-27 The caster’s strike to the quarry inflicts an additional 5d12 + caster level damage. Additionally, the quarry loses its actions next round. If the caster fails to strike the target with the enchanted weapon in the next day or before the quarry is slain, the spell discharges on the caster, inflicting 1 points of damage.

28-29 The caster’s next strike to the quarry inflicts an additional 6d14 + caster level damage. Additionally, the quarry is struck unconscious for 1d3 rounds (divine, un-dead, and powerful extraplanar beings are immune to this effect). If the caster fails to strike the target with the enchanted weapon in the next week or before the quarry is slain, the spell discharges on the caster, inflicting 1d4 points of damage.

30-31 The caster’s next strike to the quarry inflicts an additional 6d20 + caster level damage. Additionally, the quarry falls into an unconscious stasis, and cannot be roused for 1d100 years (divine, un-dead, and powerful extraplanar beings are immune to this effect). If the caster fails to strike the target with the enchanted weapon in the next year or if the quarry is slain, the spell discharges on the caster, inflicting 1d8 points of damage and leaving the caster in an unconscious stasis from which he cannot be roused for 1d10 weeks.

32+ The caster charges a melee weapon with the slaying strike. This weapon may be wielded by a character other than the caster. The weapon’s next strike to the quarry slays the target. If the weapon fails to strike the target in the next 100 years or before the quarry is slain, the spell discharges, slaying the caster and any character possessing the enchanted weapon.

Duration: Varies Casting time: 1 round Save: Varies

New Magic

The Horned Crown: A simple iron crown, adorned with tall, bone-white antlers, marking the wearer as the master of the Wild Hunt. Once per month the wearer of the crown must stalk and slay creatures equal in HD to his level. If this requirement is not fulfilled, the crown loses its powers until donned by another potential king.

The crown grants the wearer a terrifying mien and a +3 bonus to his Personality score. If a PC wills it, the mere sight of his visage forces NPCs to attempt morale checks. The wearer can track creatures without fail and is granted 45’ movement.

Additionally, the crown permits the PC to cross into alternate prime material planes once per 12 hours. When crossing planes, the Horned King may be accompanied by up to 20 additional creatures.

Once per month, the wearer of the crown can summon and command 1d16+7 black hounds. Summoned hounds follow their master for up to 24 hours or until dismissed.

Finally, the wearer of the Horned Crown is immortal unless slain in the Thrice-Tenth Kingdom. Otherwise, if reduced to 0 hp, the wearer vanishes, reappearing in the Thrice-Tenth Kingdom on the rise of the next full moon.

Spear of Hrotti: This broad-headed spear glows a faint, electric blue. Wielded against creatures of chaotic alignment, the spear grants a +3 bonus to hit and damage and inflicts critical hits on a roll of 17 or better. Once, and only once, the spear can transform into a black thunderbolt, inflicting 6d6 damage to all targets within a 20’ radius.

Shield of Saint Aethlstan: The Shield of Saint Aethlstan grants a +2 bonus to both AC and Will saves. Additionally, the wielder is rendered immune to charm or similar enchantments. Once per owner, and only once per owner, the shield can intercede, preventing an attack. This power can be declared after the attack’s damage and any critical effects are resolved. Finally, this power can be used to prevent an attack on another within 5 feet. Either use of the power destroys the shield’s enchantment.

Throwing Axes of Narn: The legendary collection of throwing axes of the axmen of Narn, potentially numbering nine in all. The more axes brought together, the more powerful

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the collection grows. The axes grant unerring accuracy, permitting attacks on targets that might otherwise seem impossible. If a target’s AC is already lower than indicated by the collected axes, use the lower (worse) AC.

If three axes are held, targets are treated as AC 20 (or lower). The wielder may hurl two axes per round, inflicting 1d8 + Str bonus per axe.

If five axes are held, targets are treated as AC 15 (or lower). The wielder may hurl three axes per round, inflicting 1d10 + Str bonus per axe.

If all nine axes are held, targets are treated as AC 10 (or lower). The wielder may hurl three axes per round, inflicting 1d12 + Str bonus per axe.

Note that thrown axes do not return and must be retrieved. Thus, as the axe-thrower hurls his missiles, he sees their powers diminished.

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Crash of the Sky People

By Terry Olson • Editor: Rev. Dak J. Ultimak • Cartographer: Steve Crompton • Artist: Chad Sergesketter • Playtesters: David Baity, Jen Brinkman, Mark Collins, John Cooper, William Ferry, Jeff Goad, Thom Hall, Kristi, Matt, Emily Mundy, Rich Mundy, Stephen Newton, Phil, Maxwell Spann, John Stolp, Big Troy Tucker

This is an adventure for 4-8 level 3 PCs. It is designed to be run within four hours, and introduces a bit of “science fantasy” into the judge’s setting. The adventure features robots, rubbery constructs, a gravity-ball court, and a sky joust that rewards the victor with their own metallic wings!

Background

The infamous winged sky-pirates from the planet Tahlmohl have crashed! Their ship was blasted in two by a defending craft, and the “bow” half has fallen near the PCs. The pilots died, but not before activating a distress beacon that extends a green column of light into the sky. Some of the ship’s robots and constructs survived the crash, and they wait to be rescued by those Tahlmohlians that will surely answer the beacon’s call. In the meantime, who knows what alien riches sit in the wreckage, waiting to be plundered?

Encounter Table

1 C Guardian robots (5 or more)

2 T Bridge door

3 C Guardian robots (5 or more)

4 C/P Ybmug Technicians (5 or more)

5A, 5B P Change gravity to acquire stun gun

5C C Gravity-ball robots (4)

6 C Sky Joust!

7 C/P Interrogator bot, combination vault

Introduction

The ship is sufficiently cooled from reentry by the time the party arrives. There are two easily-accessible entrances, areas 1 and 3. If PCs manage to climb the ship’s curved side (DC 15 climb sheer surfaces about 20’), they find two large doors on the roof above area 6; these are practically impossible to open by mundane means. Although the ship’s outside is mangled, much of its interior was protected by internal force fields, and shows little evidence of external trauma.

Unless otherwise mentioned, the ship’s areas are artificially lit with glowing ceilings, and doors slide open when touched.

Area 1 – Bridge Entry

The “humanoids” are robots from the ship guarding this entrance to the wreckage. They allow PCs one round (10 seconds) to flee, and attack those that do not comply. They lack diplomacy programming, so attempts to parley are difficult (DC 15 Personality check). During melee, PCs may notice a switch on the backs of the robots’ necks (one Luck check per melee combatant). Flipping a switch disables its robot (mighty deed of arms, DC 15 pick pocket, or AC 18 for those without the previous two options). For larger parties, have one robot for each PC.

Guardian Robots (5 or more): Init +2; Atk bash +2 melee (1d6) or chest ray +2 missile fire (1d4, range 60’) or rocket fists +1 missile fire (1d10+2 special, range 30’); AC 13; HD 3d8; hp 17, 14, 13, 11, 10; MV 30’; Act 1d20; SP rocket fists (once per encounter may shoot fists as single projectile, but may not bash attack for rest of encounter), immune to mental effects, vulnerability (switch on back of neck); SV Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +1; AL N.

Climbing to the bridge is easy (DC 7) because of the wreckage. However, climbers must make a DC 10 Reflex save or suffer 1 hp of damage from sharp metal.

Area 2 – Bridge

This chamber’s door is trapped, so PCs must contend with it first if they approach from inside the ship (see below).

The four Tahlmohlians tried to land the ship safely, but it was too damaged to do so. Each body has 3d6 Tahlmohlian triangular electrum coins (worth 10 gp each). A searching PC who passes a Luck check finds a strange key on one of the bodies; this fits the weapon rack’s lock in area 5B.

The stone pyramid (the crew’s “good luck” charm) is unidentifiable. If the person touching it knows how to cast arcane spells, the stone turns from gray to blue; otherwise it turns red when handled. PCs may note that the pyramid swings back in forth in precise 1 second intervals, like a

frictionless pendulum. So, in addition to detecting wizards, the pyramid is an accurate timing device.

The door is trapped. Thieves inspecting the door note that two fingerprint-sized portions are frequently used, and, thanks to the wreckage, a wire is visible along the door’s top edge (DC 12 find trap). The trap is disabled by pressing on the door’s two worn spots (one finger each), or by cutting the wire (DC 12 disable trap). Pressing on the door in any other manner electrocutes the victim for 2d3 shock damage. The trap remains armed unless the wire is cut.

Area 3 – Easy Entry

These robots guard the breached hallway, and have the same disable switch as those in area 1. As opposed to area 1, they give no warning shots. For larger parties, have one robot for each PC.

Guardian Robots (5 or more): Init +2; Atk bash +2 melee (1d6) or chest ray +2 missile fire (1d4, range 60’) or rocket fists +1 missile fire (1d10+2 special, range 30’); AC 13; HD 3d8; hp 17, 14, 13, 11, 10; MV 30’; Act 1d20; SP rocket fists (once per encounter may shoot fists as single projectile, but may not bash attack for rest of encounter), immune to mental effects, vulnerability (switch on back of neck); SV Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +1; AL N.

Area 4 – Engineering Room

These creatures are Ybmugs, intelligent synthetic constructs created by the Tahlmohls. They’re celebrating because they’ve just created a containment field around the engine’s nuclear fuel cell (see below). The Ybmugs prefer that the PCs flee, so they give the PCs one round to exit the chamber, or attempt to parlay – otherwise they attack. They understand common but cannot speak it (a comprehend languages spell check of 20 allows the caster to speak the Ybmug language). They try to convince the party that the ship will self-destruct. Role-playing judges are reminded that each Ybmug (initially) has only one arm.

The constructs can be a significant combat challenge due to their amulets. Each amulet begins with one charge, but when an Ybmug dies, its amulet’s charge transfers to the closest amulet worn by a living Ybmug. As an amulet gains more charge, its bearer grows larger and gains additional arms (and attacks). Parties that follow the gang-up-on-single-enemy strategy will find the battle becoming more and more difficult as remaining opponents grow in power. The easiest way to defeat them is to remove/destroy their amulets before killing them; this is accomplished with a suc-

cessful mighty deed against the creature, or by striking the amulet directly (AC 17 with 1 hp). If an amulet is removed with a killing blow (such as a deed) then the charge transfer does not occur. Without an amulet, an Ybmug reverts to 1-charge form. Note below that 1-charge or amuletless Ybmugs have a d14 action die. For larger parties, have one Ybmug for each PC.

Ybmug Technicians (5 or more): Init +0; Atk special; AC special; HD special; hp special; MV 30’; Act special; SP charged stats (stats depend on amulet’s charges, see table below), death throe (amulet’s charge transfers to closest amulet worn by living Ybmug, completely healing it, making it larger, and giving it one more arm); SV special; AL N.

Charges Stat Changes

1 4’ tall; Atk rubber arm +1 melee (1d4+1); AC 11; HD 1d8; hp 5 each; Act 1d14; SV Fort +1, Ref +1, Will +1.

2 6’ tall; Atk rubber arm +2 melee (1d4+2); AC 12; HD 2d8; hp 10 each; Act 2d16; SV Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +2.

3 8’ tall; Atk rubber arm +3 melee (1d4+3); AC 13; HD 3d8; hp 15 each; Act 3d20; SV Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +3.

4 10’ tall; Atk rubber arm +4 melee (1d4+4, range 10’); AC 14; HD 4d8; hp 20 each; Act 4d24; SP crits on 20 and 24; SV Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +4.

5 12’ tall; Atk rubber arm +5 melee (1d4+5, range 15’); AC 15; HD 5d8; hp 25 each; Act 5d30; SP crits on 20, 24, and 30; SV Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +5.

PCs looking through floor’s window see a pulsing black sphere (the nuclear fuel cell) surrounded by a glowing yellow shell of energy (the containment field). Moving the lever to the up position removes the containment field and stops the audible hum. Moving the lever back down restores the field and hum. The panels’ controls (besides the lever) have been disabled, so using them has no effect. If the field is disabled when the ship implodes, the nuclear fuel detonates and destroys the region (see conclusion). Otherwise, the field teleports the cell safely away (the judge may decide where) when the ship self-destructs.

Intact amulets are worth 50 gp each, though wizards versed in gem-magic will pay 10 times as much for them.

Area 5A – Ball-Gravity Control

The control panel changes direction of the ball-gravity in the training room (area 5B). Imagine the cubic room as a 6-sided die; the die’s faces correspond to the room’s sides.

1: West wall with audience window

2: Floor entry and belt rack (down)

3: South wall with ball portal

4: North wall with ball portal

5: Ceiling with weapon locker (up)

6: East wall with control room window

7: Randomly chosen from 1-6

Pressing the button beneath a certain number of pips lights that button and directs the training room’s ball-gravity toward the corresponding surface. For example, pressing the 1-pip button changes ball-gravity so that it is directed towards the west wall, rather than the floor. Only the ball and those wearing gravity-belts (see area 5B) are affected by ball-gravity, otherwise gravity is directed to the floor. As the ball-gravity changes, PCs looking through the window see the ball slide along the floor to an adjacent wall, or “fall” from the floor to the ceiling.

Area 5B – Training Room

The judge may modify the description’s last sentence if PCs have changed the ball-gravity (see area 5A).

Here winged warriors train and compete, sometimes with weapons, and sometimes playing gravity-ball in two teams of four. Throwing the silver sphere through a portal rings a buzzer, updates the scoreboard in area 5C, and makes the ball appear in the center of the current “floor.” The portals only work for the ball. As mentioned in area 5A, once a PC wears a belt, she becomes subject to the current ballgravity. PCs that “fall” along a surface to an adjacent one must make a DC 14 Reflex save or take 1d6 damage. PCs that fall to the opposite surface (e.g., ceiling to floor) take 3d6 damage (given the room’s dimensions, gravity is a tad stronger than what PCs are used to). Climbing the chamber’s smooth surfaces is extremely difficult (DC 20).

The rack on the ceiling is locked (DC 14 pick lock, or use key from area 2); it holds 4 longswords, 4 maces, and a stun gun. When retrieved, the gun has 3d4 + PC’s Luck modifier shots remaining. Although it’s simple to use (point and squeeze the trigger), it’s unfamiliar; treat it as a trained weapon but with a -1d attack penalty, e.g., d16 attack rather than d20. Victims suffer 1d8 shock damage, and must pass a DC 16 Will save or be stunned helpless for 1d3 rounds. Range is 60’/120’/180’.

Area 5C – Audience Chamber

The judge may modify the following “Each shows the number zero” if the PCs have scored (see area 5B).

The automatons guard the audience chamber and its secret stash (see below), though the ship’s crew often challenges them to a gravity-ball match (their cup-shaped hands are ideal for the game). During melee, PCs may note that these robots have a switch in a recessed chamber in the left armpit (one Luck check per melee combatant). Flipping a switch disables its robot (mighty deed of arms, DC 15 pick pocket, or AC 18 for those without the previous two options).

Gravity-Ball Robots (4): Init +2; Atk cup-bash +2 melee (1d6) or blinding flash; AC 12; HD 3d8; hp 17, 14, 13, 10; MV 30’; Act 1d20; SP blinding flash (once per encounter, eye rays blind opponent; DC 14 Reflex save or -4 to attacks for 3 rounds), immune to mental effects, vulnerability (switch in left armpit); SV Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +1; AL N.

There is a secret door on the north wall (DC 15 Intelligence check) that hides an alcove where the “pot” for the next match’s winnings are kept. This alcove contains 50 Tahlmohlian triangular electrum coins (worth 10 gp each).

Area 6 – Sky Joust! The stairs ascend to a decked room with long scuff marks along the floor. A metal door is on the other side. Nearby, a large lever in the wall is pushed to its up position. The entire ceiling is comprised of two copper doors.

If the PCs pull the lever down, the doors in the ship’s roof open. Read the following.

These Tahlmohlian sky-pirates are investigating their comrades’ distress beacon. It should be obvious to the PCs that they have no hope of defeating the army that vastly outnumbers and outguns them (literally!). Consequently, stat blocks for the sky-pirates are not provided. If the party chooses to flee, the pirate’s gunmen wait one round, then target and kill 1 PC (choose randomly); they let the others escape. The best choice for the party is to joust for rights to the wreckage. Nazyd allows the party’s elected champion to use a spare skycycle (“handled flying vehicle”). He provides a laser-lance, and a shield if the champion lacks one. The skycycle follows telepathic commands and is easy for the PC to operate. However, Nazyd can mentally override the skycycle, should the champion use it beyond the contest’s scope.

Nedra: Init +3; Atk laser-lance +d4 melee (1d10+deed); AC 16; HD 3d12; hp 20; MV 30’; Act 1d20; SP d4 deed die for Sky Joust Deed table, crits use 1d14/III; SV Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +2; AL L.

Sky Joust Rules: Use the following rules to run a sky joust against the sky-pirates.

• Contestants perform successive passes until someone yields, falls unconscious, or dies.

• Initiative is rolled for each pass.

• Damage for the laser-lances is 1d10.

• Those trained with the lance or spear make a 1d20 attack per pass, with a +1 bonus to hit for each additional action die beyond the first, excluding off-hand attacks. Those untrained (thieves, wizards, etc.) use a d10 (merciful judges may increase this to a d14 for parties lacking someone with training).

• Dwarves may shield bash during the same pass as their lance attack.

• A skycycle flies with MV 60’, but can “charge” at MV 120’. A charging contestant must declare intent to charge at the beginning of the pass. He gains +2 to hit and does double damage, but his opponent gains +2d to hit him for that pass, regardless of initiative order.

• The judge is encouraged to use the Sky Joust Mighty Deed table (see following page).

• A contestant may cast a spell only during a pass, but suffers a -2d spell check penalty due to having to fly the skycycle.

• Although assisting a contestant is forbidden, a halfling’s Luck sharing is undetectable.

• (Optional): If three consecutive passes have no hits, then Nazyd “amplifies” laser-lances to provide a +1d attack bonus for both contestants.

If Nedra loses, Nazyd gives the champion the metallic wings she would have won. If the PCs have acted honorably, the leader warns them that wing self-installation can be fatal for those with weak constitutions. If the wings are placed against a shirtless PC’s back, they install themselves over three rounds. Each round, the PC must make a Fortitude save or take damage.

Round 1: DC 12 or 1d6 damage

Round 2: DC 14 or 2d6 damage

Round 3: DC 16 or 3d6 damage

A cleric assisting a round’s “surgery” bestows a +1d bonus to the PC’s saving throws, though that particular cleric may not do anything else (like lay on hands) for that round. Metallic wings are permanently attached. The PC’s backside is AC 11, but she may not wear any armor that covers her back. She flies at MV 20’, and may carry up to 300 pounds of additional weight at half speed.

If the party is victorious, then sky-pirate law dictates that Nazyd must relinquish the ship’s wreckage to them; he and his army leave the party to their looting. However, PCs may ask him questions about the vessel; he truthfully answers what he can (judge’s discretion). If the party’s champion is defeated, then Nazyd allows the PCs to leave in peace, as long as they immediately disembark and surrender any of the ship’s loot they’ve plundered. Alternatively, the victorious Nedra may demand that the party serve her for a certain period of time; this allows the judge to transport the party to new realms, devise “escape” adventures, etc.

Area 7 – Destroyed Jail

If the party mistakenly deactivated the fuel cell’s containment field (see area 4), the ship’s “voice” says, “WARNING! FUEL CELL CONTAINMENT FIELD MUST BE ACTIVATED!”

The computer AI has deemed that there is no chance for the ship’s inhabitants to be recovered. The ship implodes in 30 minutes of real time. The judge is encouraged to give the players audible updates every 5 minutes, “SELF DESTRUCT IN TWENTY-FIVE AERETH MINUTES.” This builds tension and makes the upcoming fight more frantic. Repeat the fuel cell warning if applicable. Players may com-

Sky Joust Mighty Deed Table

Deed Die Sky Joust Result

3 Shield destroyed! Opponent takes 1d4 additional damage and suffers -1 to AC for the rest of the passes. Magic shields receive a Fortitude save vs. DC equal to total damage done.

4 Wing Clip! Opponent’s wing or accelerator leg is damaged. He takes 1d6 additional damage and suffers a cumulative -1d to damage rolls for the rest of the passes.

5 Shoulder wound! Injure opponent’s lance arm for 1d8 additional damage. She suffers a cumulative -1d penalty to attack rolls for the rest of the passes.

6 Head wound! Gouge opponent’s head for 1d12 additional damage. He suffers cumulative -1d penalties to attack and damage rolls for the rest of the passes.

7+ Torso rip! Lance rips through opponent’s torso, doing 1d24 additional damage. She suffers cumulative -1d penalties to attack and damage rolls for the rest of the passes. She must also pass a DC 14 Fortitude save, or die.

plain that the countdown doesn’t make sense (e.g. a combat round is 10 seconds game time, but it takes a lot more real time to run a round); if this occurs, shrug and suggest that the ship’s timer may be broken, something may be altering the passage of time, etc.

If replacement PCs are needed, then some of the dead bodies in the crushed cells are not quite dead yet.

Unlike other robots, the interrogator bot does not have an off switch. However, if it takes electrical/shock damage, there is a 1% chance per point of damage that it deactivates due to a short circuit.

Interrogator Bot: Init +5; Atk buzz saw +4 melee (1d8, 10’ reach) or needle-gun +3 missile fire (1d4 plus hallucinogen) or pincher +4 melee (1d3 plus holding, 10’ reach) or stun gas (special); AC 16; HD 6d8; hp 43; MV 20’; Act 3d20; SP stun gas (once per encounter, DC 14 Fortitude save or fall helpless for 2 rounds, 20’ radius), hallucinogen (DC 12 Will save or -1d cumulative penalty to rolls for 1 hour), holding (victim grants bot +1d to attacks until released, DC 14 Strength check to break free), electric vulnerability (1% chance per point shock damage to short circuit and deactivate), immune to mental effects; SV Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +6; AL N.

The PCs may use torture tables as cover from the needle gun (-1d to hit).

The vault contains gear from prisoners; it is locked and almost impossible to pick (DC 35 pick lock), but may be opened with the correct combination. There are four dials aligned in a row, each with numbers 1, 2, and 3. The four dials start with each having a “1” in the up position. There are four rows of runes above the dials; the first row has two rune-words, the second has one rune-word, the third and fourth have three rune-words each. These are in the Tahlmohlian language (DC 13 read language for thieves, DC 12 spell check for comprehend languages). The runes say:

The correct combination is the number of rune-words per line, 2-1-3-3. (Kudos to those who recognize this Flash Gordon reference!) Because of the real-time countdown, players may be stressed when they deal with this puzzle, and may try random combinations without thinking. It takes one round (10 seconds) to try each combination; there are 81 possible combinations.

Inside the vault is a silvered two-handed sword, a suit of mithril half-plate armor, miscellaneous gear (roll six times on Table 3-4 in DCC RPG rulebook, p. 73), and four pouches of 50 gp each. The judge may wish to insert items from other worlds (e.g., DCC #84 Peril on the Purple Planet), and quest items or hooks at her discretion.

Conclusion

The ship implodes after the 30-minute countdown. The fastest way to escape is through area 6, sliding down the ship’s side. Each PC that takes this route suffers 1d6 falling damage. Otherwise, if there is time, the party can hastily retreat the way they came.

When the ship implodes, any PCs remaining inside are crushed to death. The implosion flings matter-dust for miles, leaving a 20’ cube of an immensely dense alloy. Due to its weight, it may sink into the ground. If the party deactivated the containment field of the fuel cell (see area 4), then there is a nuclear explosion that annihilates the region.