Summary
The adventurers found themselves in the bustling city of Needle, carrying a mysterious golden wolf-shaped torque they had discovered on a goblin months earlier. Through their investigation and conversations with a local wine merchant, they learned the artifact belonged to the Wolf Family, former nobles who maintained a vineyard north of the city. Upon arriving at the Wolf Family Vineyard to return the item, they were immediately struck by an unsettling emptiness that permeated the grounds.
As they approached Master Wolf’s home, they discovered signs of forced entry and heard threatening voices from within. Inside, they encountered a group of orcs led by Ghazat, a fearsome orcish lycanthrope, who was in the midst of torturing an elderly couple. The party acted swiftly, with some members utilizing invisibility spells to gain the upper hand, while Squire Tuck landed a decisive blow on Ghazat with a silver warhammer, forcing him to retreat along with two of his orc followers. The remaining orcs surrendered and revealed crucial information about a dragon named Greeshak, an evil warlock called Ferazin, and their connections to dark dwarves who were forging weapons.
After rescuing Master Wolf and Lady Wolf, they learned that several servants had been taken prisoner and were being marched toward Stone Tooth. The return of the wolf-head torque brought both closure and grief to the Wolfs, as it had belonged to their son. The party wasted no time in pursuing the orcs who had taken the prisoners, cleverly setting up an ambush in Boggy Marsh. During the intense battle that followed, Squire Tuck was gravely wounded but was saved by his companions, and together they managed to defeat the orcs and free the captured servants.
The victorious return to the vineyard was met with warmth and gratitude from Lady Wolf. In recognition of their bravery, Master Wolf presented Tuck with a special chainmail armor from their family chest, and the party received bounty money for the orcs they had captured and slain. The celebration culminated in the local tavern, where their carousing led to a spirited brawl. Fortunately, Master Wolf’s timely intervention prevented them from being permanently barred from the establishment.
Scenes
Party Formation and Information Gathering
- Introduction of Squire Tuck – a fighter noble wearing a kilt
- Introduction of Jhaulk – a human ranger who is also a musician
- Introduction of Eldarin – a druid who studies plants
- Introduction of Godwin – an elf seeking fortune and mischief
- Party visits Wine Cellar in Needle
- Learn about the Wolf Family’s political history
- Discover that Master Wolf’s son Yuri Wolf left to seek fortune a year ago
- Learn about Grand Duke Alan du Cock who stripped the Wolf Family of their noble status
Discovery and Battle at Wolf Family Vineyard
- Party travels north from Needle
- Pass through extensive, well-maintained vineyards
- Arrive at Wolf Family Vineyard to find gates open and no people visible
- Find door hanging off hinges and living room in shambles
- Party splits up for tactical positioning
- Cast invisibility spell on Jhaulk
- Failed attempt to cast invisibility on Darren
- Discover Master Wolf and Lady Wolf tied to chairs
- Ghazat threatening victims and transforms into boar-like creature
- Tuck hits Ghazat with silver warhammer causing significant damage
- Ghazat flees after being hit with silver weapon
- Two orcs flee with their leader
- Two orcs surrender and reveal information about Greeshak and Ferazin
- Party frees Master Wolf and Lady Wolf
- Return of the wolf-head torque brings news of their son’s possible fate
- Learn that servants were taken prisoner and being marched to Stone Tooth
Rescue Mission in Boggy Marsh
- Party tracks the orcs through Boggy Marsh
- Set up ambush at dusk around 6pm
- Eldarin casts Sleep spell, incapacitating some orcs and villagers
- Tuck gets severely wounded in combat
- Jhaulk and Godwin make risky shots to save Tuck
- Party defeats orcs and frees the prisoners
Victory Celebration and Rewards
- Party returns to Wolf Family Vineyard with rescued workers
- Lady Wolf emotionally reunites with workers
- Lady Wolf hugs everyone except Jhaulk
- Master Wolf retrieves frost-covered magical chainmail +2 from family plot
- Master Wolf gifts the magical chainmail to Tuck
- Party receives 40 gold bounty for orcs
- Group goes carousing at tavern in Needle
- Start a brawl and get kicked out
- Master Wolf convinces villagers to let them back in
NPCs
Ferazin
An evil warlock described as being marred with acid burns who tortures orcs. Serves Greeshak and seeks revenge on those who abandoned him, targeting the New Moon Bay area.
Greeshak
A dragon residing in Stone Tooth mountain, apparently newly interested in the affairs of the region above ground.
Ghazat
An orc leader with gold-gilded tusks who reveals himself to be a lycanthrope. Serves Greeshak and leads raids in the area, including the attack on Wolf vineyard. Flees when struck with silver.
Grand Duke Alan du Cock
Current ruler who stripped the Wolf family of their noble status during a political shake-up.
Lady Wolf
Master Wolf’s wife who manages the vineyard workers. Shows great care for her workers while maintaining some distance from Jhaulk. Wears/wore a golden wolf-head torque matching one found on goblins. Grieving mother.
Margot Wolf
Master Wolf’s daughter who remains at the vineyard.
Yuri Wolf
Master Wolf’s son who left to seek his fortune about a year ago.
Master Wolf
Former noble and warrior, nearly sixty years old, who runs a vineyard north of Needle. Gave up noble rights to keep his wealth and life during a political shake-up. A generous man who helps maintain good relations with townspeople and gifted magical chainmail to allies. Recently attacked by orcs seeking his old arms and armor. Known as a former champion of the land with connections to the Rockford family.
Locations
Needle
City where the party begins their journey, located in New Moon Bay region. Contains the only tavern where the party causes trouble.
Wolf Family Vineyard
Large estate north of Needle owned by Master Wolf and his wife, featuring hundreds of acres of well-maintained grape vines, a large house with wraparound porch, storage facilities, coopery for barrel-making, and a family plot where ancestors are remembered. Recently raided by orcs, found ransacked with broken furniture and splintered wood.
Wine Cellar in Needle
Underground warehouse storing wine barrels, guarded facility where the party gathered information about the Wolf family.
Stone Tooth
A mountain to the west that serves as Greeshak’s lair, where Ghazat was reportedly gathering orcs.
Boggy Marsh
Difficult terrain where the final battle with the orcs took place, slowing down both the escaping orcs and the pursuing party.
Spells
Cure Wounds
Used by Eldarin to heal himself and later Tuck after the battle with the orcs.
Sleep
Cast by Eldarin multiple times during the battle, successfully incapacitating multiple orcs and some villagers in the bog.
Invisibility
Cast from a wand on Jhaulk, making him invisible for 10 rounds. A second attempt to cast it on Darren failed when the wand sputtered out.
Items
Chainmail +2
Magical armor covered in rime frost, formerly belonging to Master Wolf from his warrior days. Grants advantage on melee attacks once per day. Given to Tuck as a reward for their service.
Golden Wolf-Head Torque
A golden bracelet shaped like a wolf’s head, belonging to the Wolf Family’s son, found on goblins suggesting his possible fate.
Silver Warhammer
A weapon wielded by Tuck that proves especially effective against Ghazat, causing his flesh to burn upon contact.
Golden Wolf Torque
A golden bracelet shaped like a wolf’s head, found on a goblin in the Goblin Woods, belongs to the Wolf Family.
Dubious Heroes 
Leave a comment