Summary
The adventurers found themselves in Pitden during a major boxing match event, discussing their return to the Manticore Tower. This was the same tower they had visited months prior, where they had slain a Manticore named Vardoza who had been worshipped by Vardoza Cultists. As evening approached, they sent their thief to scout ahead, finding the tower apparently abandoned with significant battle damage and scorch marks from previous fires.
The party noticed smoke rising from the direction of the bridge where cultists had previously camped, and spotted a mysterious decaying lump in the grass. As they began their exploration of the five-story tower, they encountered Rock Grubs on the second floor, wisely choosing to avoid them by closing the door. In the nearby field, they observed creatures feeding on a manticore corpse, while the tower itself revealed fire-damaged rooms and evidence of past conflicts.
Upon reaching the top floor, they discovered an ethereal sight – the Elven Ghost sitting at a dressing table, brushing her hair. The spirit mistook Gremdar for her former betrothed, creating an unsettling atmosphere. They found a chest marked with a ‘T’ radiating magical energy, which contained a mirror, old clothes, and a mysterious magical vial.
When the party attempted to leave, the ghost turned hostile, but Gremdar successfully turned undead, forcing the spirit to dissipate. Their relief was short-lived, however, as bandits seized the opportunity to steal their donkey, Triple A. The ensuing combat resulted in the death of two Vardoza Cultists bearing Vardoza’s symbol, but their attempts to track the fleeing donkey proved futile, forcing them to spend the night in the tower.
The party later traveled to Runewick, a lumber town protected by a wooden palisade and uniquely decorated with mirrors on all buildings – a measure the locals claimed kept elves at bay. The town faced ongoing troubles with goblins, trolls, and orcs, and the loggers were being harassed by Forest Spirits, prompting an offer of 50 gold pieces to resolve the situation. The party successfully negotiated the sale of an elvish mirror to the Runewick Innkeeper for 100 gold pieces, learning of the town’s hostile history with elves due to aggressive logging practices.
The adventure concluded with discussions about Queen Lia the Bramble Queen’s elvish tomb southeast of a village, and concerns about Dunger’s Bog affecting Pitden’s water supply and fishing.
Scenes
Pre-Adventure Activities in Pitden
- Players place bets on a boxing match between an old veteran boxer, Tyke Myson, and young popular boxer, Pakke Jaul
- Odds are 3:1 in favor of the young boxer
- Several characters place bets with gold or for luck tokens
- Introduction of John Gremdar, a crusty old dwarven priest
- Introduction of Ember, a kobold wizard disguised as a halfling
- Introduction of Drew, human fighter described as an ‘amazing hero’
- Introduction of Jeffrey, a human wizard
- Darn Sackins, halfling thief, makes a return appearance
Manticore Tower Investigation
- Group decides to return to Manticore Tower
- Party approaches from the woods to avoid the bridge
- Darn Sackins the Thief volunteers to scout ahead invisibly
- Scout discovers smoke rising from bridge area and a mysterious decaying lump
- Party observes creatures feeding on manticore corpse in field
- Notice trail leading from corpse to rocky outcropping
- Determine tower is climbable through gaps
Tower Exploration
- Open door to find large Rock Grubs
- Cast sleep spell on the grubs
- Close door to avoid confrontation
- Find heavily scorched second floor with shattered glass
- Discover Vardoza’s former sleeping area
- Detect magical presence above
- Climb through damaged stairwell
- One character falls through weakened floor in plate mail
- Reach top level of tower
Elven Ghost Encounter
- Discover translucent Elven Ghost at dressing table
- Ghost mentions travelers planning to build farm
- Party finds mysterious trunk with ‘T’ initial
- Party finds and opens a chest in the tower
- Ghost appears and mistakes Gremdar for her betrothed from 50 years ago
- Discover mirror, old clothes, and magical vial in chest
- Find 10 gold coins in desk
- Ghost becomes hostile when party tries to leave
- Gremdar successfully turns undead
- Ghost dissipates through window
Vardoza Cultists Attack and Aftermath
- Vardoza Cultists steal party’s donkey Triple A
- Party shoots at cultists from tower windows
- Kill two cultists, four escape with injured donkey
- Donkey runs away after being accidentally shot
- Failed attempt to track donkey in darkness
- Party makes camp in tower overnight
- Morning discussion about killing cultists and next steps
Runewick Visit and Local Affairs
- Party arrives at Runewick and is questioned by guards
- Town is described as having mirrors covering all buildings
- Learn about Forest Spirits troubles attacking loggers
- Party sells elvish mirror to Runewick Innkeeper for 100 gold
- Innkeeper displays deep interest in the mirror
- Discussion about the mirror’s elvish origins
- Learn about Runewick’s conflict with elves over logging
- Discover town’s use of mirrors to ward off elves
- Offered 50 gold bounty to deal with Forest Spirits
- Discovery of information about Queen Lia the Bramble Queen’s tomb location
- Learning that villagers are unaware of the tomb’s existence
Environmental Issues and Rewards
- Revelation about Dunger’s Bog three days west of Pitden
- Discussion of contaminated water affecting fishing
- Town leaders downplaying the situation
- Distribution of 20 gold per adventurer for selling a mirror
- Additional distribution of 2 gold and 2 silver per person
- Discussion about keeping a vial that can be used as a one-shot light spell
Npcs
Queen Lia the Bramble Queen
A historical elvish figure whose tomb lies southeast of the village. Little is known about her except that her tomb was discovered months ago.
Forest Spirits
Green, mossy shambling creatures size of a mound that attack loggers. Vulnerable to fire and can be driven back with torches.
Runewick Innkeeper
Mirror-obsessed innkeeper who purchases elvish mirror for 100 gold. Shows disdain for elves and pride in town’s logging operations.
Vardoza Cultists
Group of six bandits wearing gray-black cloaks with faces covered in ash and marked with the symbol of Vardoza. Stole the party’s donkey and were partially defeated.
Rock Grubs
Large worm-like creatures about 2-3 feet long and wrist-thick that devour flesh, found on the second floor of the tower.
Elven Ghost
Translucent female figure found at the top of the tower. Spirit of an elven woman who died with a hole through her torso, believes Gremdar to be her betrothed from 50 years ago. She appears peaceful initially, brushing her ethereal hair and staring out windows while reminiscing about travelers, but becomes hostile when the party tries to leave. Attempts to teach magical lessons.
Malmogg
Former leader of the manticore cultists, described as a berserker type who fled when Vardoza was killed. Current whereabouts unknown.
Vardoza
A deceased manticore who previously inhabited the tower and was worshipped by cultists. Known for eating merchants and travelers before being killed by the party.
Locations
Dunger’s Bog
A foul bog three days west of Pitden that is contaminating the water supply and affecting local fishing. The bog contains dead matter and vomit-like substances.
Runewick
A lumber town surrounded by wooden palisade, known for mirrors covering all buildings. Deals with frequent goblin and troll threats. Has strained relations with elves due to aggressive logging practices.
Elven Tower
Multi-story tower with at least 5 floors, containing abandoned rooms, including one with worms. Location of ghost encounter and subsequent camp site.
Field with Manticore Corpse
Open field where manticore crashed, now being consumed by creature-like beings leaving trails to rocky outcropping.
Manticore Tower
A 100-foot tall derelict tower with a 40-foot wide base, featuring battle damage, scorch marks, and hanging doors. Previously home to a manticore named Vardoza and his cultist followers.
Pitden
A town experiencing environmental issues due to the nearby Dunger’s Bog, affecting their water supply and fishing industry. City currently hosting a major boxing match, with festivities including puppet shows, cheerleaders, and special merchandise like boxer-themed ale cups.
Spells
Turn Undead
Successfully cast to banish the hostile Elven Ghost.
Detect Magic
Used multiple times to scan the tower, revealed magical presence above and identified magical nature of trunk and Elven Ghost.
Items
Light Vial
Magic item worn as necklace that can cast light once for one hour without requiring a roll.
Cultist Robes
Gray-black cloaks worn by the Vardoza Cultists, taken as loot after combat.
Silver Mirror
Finely crafted elvish hand mirror found in chest, matching the one held by Elven Ghost.
Mysterious Trunk
A wooden trunk with brass fittings and stylized ‘T’ initial, located in top floor of tower, radiates magical energy.
Boxer’s Brew Ale Cup
Special ceramic cup shaped like a boxer’s fist, sold in Pitden for twice the normal ale price during the boxing event.
Dubious Heroes 
Leave a comment