Beginning Book 4 of the ongoing Sorcerer-Kingmaker conversion, this book will be changing a little to reflect some more of Athas' themes, and the themes. The overall synopsis is the same, but some events will need to be altered.
This adventure should begin shortly after the PCs return from completing The Dusthold Disappearance, which means they should be around 9th-10th level. The original Kingmaker modules include rules for mass combat as of the next adventure (War of the River Kings), but it feels appropriate to introduce some elements here. This compares favourably to this 'tier' of 2nd edition, which was when players would start accumulating followers, armies and strongholds, and I like the feeling of having larger responsibilities than just personal heroics. Background: The 'Black Sisters' of the original module are replaced with the Loud Sisters of the Cult of Cold Malice, last encountered at the start of Sands Stained Red. They are a nihilistic cult who follow the power of elemental Rain, wishing to wash away the city-states and Sorcerer-Kings of the Tablelands to usher in a new age of thunder and flowing waters. They are outlawed and hunted in all of the city-states. The Loud Sisters raised their child to be a warrior, a champion of their cause, and to rule the barbarian slave-tribes of the wastes. Armag Twiceborn, as he has become known, is a peerless warrior and has been attuning to the ancient weapon of the Cleansing which was located within an ancient Dwarven ruin- Ovinrbaane, Enemy of All Enemies. The barbarian tribes' wars against House Drelev, and High Praetor Irovetus of Balic, are about to cause troubles for the PCs' nascent city-state, leading to House Drelev's attack on Siltford. This adventure begins with the PCs being contacted by Loy Rezbin, who they may have met some time earlier (in Sands Stained Red). He's impressed with their success, and wants to show how well Siltford, the town he has founded, is going. He'd like it to be a part of their territory, and is happy to render the appropriate tribute to them to make this happen. The village is now cozy and well-kept on the shores of the silt flow, with a few hundred comfortable inhabitants. Loy Rezbin is likeable, loyal, and down-to-earth, but concerned for the needs of his people. It is when the PCs arrive to visit that they meet Kisandra Numesti, a tough young woman dressed in the manner of the soldiers of House Drelev, who has been captured by Siltford's militia. She warns that House Drelev has sent an army of near a hundred mercenaries to take Siltford, as well as a few dozen barbarian warriors, and six of their elite half-giant Juggernauts, under the control of Ameon Trask, an unassuming-looking psion. This gives the PCs just enough time to mount a defence, letting them set archers, build barricades, use magical defenses, set snipers on rooftops, leave traps in the wastes to slow their attackers, dig trenches, or even to attract local wildlife to assist, and also to send for aid from their own lands, giving them access to some of their allies and troops to assist in the battle. Throwing back the siege will take some fighting- the mercenaries are skilled combatants, but not in any particular rush to accomplish their goals. The barbarians are powerful and fervent in their attacks, but lack the discipline of soldiers. The half-giants are dosed up on a combination of bloodvine extract and tamarisk sap, making them all but impervious to pain, and dreadful combatants. Half-Giant Juggernauts Large humanoid (half-giant), Neutral Armour Class: 14 (scale mail) Hit Points: 95 (10d10 + 40) Speed: 40ft. Str 20 (+5); Dex 12 (+1); Con 18 (+4); Int 8 (-1); Wis 9 (-1); Cha 8 (-1) Skills: Athletics +8, Intimidate +8 Senses passive Perception 9 Languages Common, Giant Challenge 6 (2,300 xp) Juggernaut Resilience. Once per round, a half-giant juggernaut has resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage against one attack. Actions Multiattack. The half-giant juggernaut makes three Wrist Razor attacks against the same or different targets. If the attacks are made against the one target, the attacks gain a +3 bonus to damage. Rampage. The half-giant juggernaut moves up to 50 feet, with resistance to damage against any opportunity attacks. All creatures or objects in the way must make a Dexterity save (DC 16) or take 16 (2d10+5) bludgeoning damage. Wrist Razor. Melee weapon attack; +8 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8+5) slashing damage. Overcoming the besieging troops will allow the PCs to investigate further, heading out towards Fort Drelev to find some answers about why Siltford was attacked. Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 11 December 2020. Comments are closed.
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AuthorI'm Luke. He/him pronouns. Archives
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