Chaos Scar - [Lvl 1] - The Brothers Gray.pdf - Przygody - IlMOD

A Chaos Scar Adventure

By Greg A. Vaughan

illustrations by Patrick McEvoy ✦ cartography by Sean Macdonald

“The Brothers Gray” is a short adventure for five 1st-level characters that takes place in the Chaos Scar, near the

King’s Wall. “The Brothers Gray” takes the PCs into the ruins of an abandoned mining outpost, where they must

contend with a trio of murderous half lings. If you’re not playing a Chaos Scar campaign, you can still use this

adventure by integrating it into any existing campaign situated near a wilderness area that had mining operations

at some point in the past.

For details on the Chaos Scar and its environs, read the Chaos Scar introduction and check out the map of the

entire valley.

November 2009 | DUNGEON 172

The Brothers Gray is a gang of cutthroats and

murderers led by a trio of villainous half ling

brothers—Finneus, Lambert, and Moseley Graybairn.

The depraved brothers prey upon those homesteads

and travelers that venture too near the valley of the

Chaos Scar. Survivors have been few and far between,

and an entire posse of guardsmen sent from a nearby

barony disappeared without a trace while following

the half lings’ trail toward the valley. (Whether these

disappearances were due to an ambush by Brothers

or other monsters wandering free of the valley is not

known.) Whatever the case, as long as the Brothers

Gray can strike targets with impunity and melt back

into the hostile wilderness, their depredations are

likely to continue.

The nearby constabulary is not the only group with

an interest in seeing the Brothers Gray gang perma-

nently disbanded. The success of the gang lies not

only in the bloodthirstiness of its members to ward

away intruders but in the security of their hideout.

Through intimidation, negotiation, and blind luck, the

gang has managed to forge a truce with other deni-

zens of the valley—most recently the half ling priestess

of Torog, Morga na —and locate an abandoned and

well-concealed mine from which they can plan their

raids and retreat back to rest and recuperate.

The Brothers Gray have lived in their mine strong-

hold for a couple of months now and have grown

confident in its secrecy and the dangers of the sur-

rounding area to ward off pursuers. As such, they

have become lax in their vigilance, and the party has

the opportunity to catch the majority of the gang off

guard. From there, the heroes can head into the old

mine structure and encounter two of the three half-

ling brothers. If the PCs are perceptive, they will note

that not all the gang members are present—one of the

brothers is missing—and will have the opportunity to

ambush the returning brother and his compatriots

when they arrive home from a scouting mission. If the

party doesn’t take precautions, though, then they find

themselves ambushed in turn.

Finally, the old mine works that the gang inhabits

provides opportunities for future exploration in the

form of an old, seemingly bottomless mine shaft and

a mysterious tunnel that departs from it as a secretly

cut drift.

“The Brothers Gray” takes place in the Chaos Scar.

You can use one of the hooks below to get the PCs

into the valley and to the mine works. These hooks

also come with a minor quest that, if completed, can

net the PCs some extra experience.

In the process of making a name for themselves in

the valley, the Brothers Gray haven’t made allies of

all their neighbors. In one case in particular, they

stepped on the toes of a local tribe of kobolds, the

Fireclaw Clan. The kobolds are a cowardly lot and

have been keeping an eye out for someone who might

help rid them of the Brothers Gray, who ambushed

and killed three of their weaker members. The ko-

bolds are now convinced the Brothers Gray are

very powerful and fear to cross them. If the heroes

have already defeated some foes in the Chaos Scar,

the kobolds send an emissary to ask for their aid in

defeating the brothers. The kobolds are hungry for

vengeance, and are willing to trade information about

points of interest deeper in the valley in exchange for

the heads of the brothers.

Quest XP: 100 XP for each half ling brother the

heroes slay.

The reason the nearby barony sent guards after the

brothers is more than just a general interest in pre-

serving the peace. The Brothers Gray ambushed a

merchant caravan leaving the barony just a few weeks

ago, and killed everyone traveling with the merchant.

November 2009 | DUNGEON 172

The merchant was actually a cousin to the baron, and

he wants his kinsman’s killers brought to justice. The

baron has put a bounty on the heads of the killers,

and will reward the PCs via an emissary if they show

proof that the deed is done.

Quest XP: 100 XP and 50 gp for each half ling

brother the heroes slay.

If the PCs do any research into the Brothers Gray,

they can uncover the following information with the

appropriate skill checks:

History (DC 10): The Brothers Gray gang is

notorious for its bloodthirsty and merciless raids on

isolated farmsteads and small groups of travelers.

They’re number anywhere from a half dozen to ten or

more, and it’s said they use an old mine works as their

base of operations.

History (DC 15): The Brothers Gray gang is

named for its leaders, half ling brothers named Gray-

bairn, orphaned from a troll raid on a distant village

years ago. They’re said to be completely insane—

overcome with bloodlust for their lost family and

friends whose deaths they blame on a nearby baron

who did not defend their village.

Streetwise (DC 10): No one is sure exactly how

many half ling brothers there are. Some say the gang

is nothing more than a single half ling using multiple

disguises, while others claim the band is led by twins.

Streetwise (DC 15): The half lings are actually

a trio, but they lead a group of other bandits, who

follow them thanks to the profitability of the brothers’

attacks—and because the half lings have cowed the

rest of their band through their sheer ferocity.

As mentioned, Morgana from “Den of the Slave-

Takers” ( Dungeon #171) might have fled here if the

PCs failed to capture or kill her after playing that

adventure. If that’s the case, you can use her in “The

Brothers Gray” in a couple of interesting places.

If the heroes are trouncing the brothers in encoun-

ter G2, Morgana could be concealed in the upper

level of the mine works near the massive winch.

Otherwise, perhaps Morgana accompanied Mose-

ley. This makes an already difficult encounter (due to

Moseley’s level) much more treacherous, so do this

only with an experienced or well-rested group.

“The Brothers Gray” uses the treasure parcel system

described in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. The PCs

should gain a total of three treasure parcels in this

adventure. Listed below are the most likely places to

find parcels and what those treasure parcels might

consist of. The magic items should come from the

players’ wish lists.

Parcel 1: Bandit Encampment

200 gp

Parcel 2: Upper Works

100-gp gem and 200 sp

Parcel 3: Homecoming

Magic item, level 5

When the heroes are ready to begin, read the

following aloud:

The Brothers Gray have terrorized the region for the last

time. In the distance, and still within sight of the King’s

Wall, you see the rundown remains of a mine complex—

exactly as described. This must be it.

November 2009 | DUNGEON 172

4 Human Rabble (R)

Level 2 Minion

Goblin Sharpshooter (G)

Level 2 Artillery

Medium natural humanoid

XP 31

Small natural humanoid

XP 125

Initiative +1 Senses Perception +1

HP 1 ; a missed attack never damages a minion.

AC 15; Fortitude 13, Reflex 11, Will 11, see also mob rule

Speed 6

Club (standard; at-will) ✦ Weapon

+6 vs. AC; 4 damage.

Mob Rule

The human rabble gains a +2 power bonus to all defenses

while at least two other human rabble are within 5

squares of it.

Alignment Evil

Initiative +5

Senses Perception +2; low-light vision

Encounter Level 1 (550 XP)

HP 31; Bloodied 15

AC 16; Fortitude 12, Reflex 14, Will 11

Speed 6; see also goblin tactics

Short Sword (standard; at-will) ✦ Weapon

+6 vs. AC; 1d6 + 2 damage.

Hand Crossbow (standard; at-will) ✦ Weapon

Ranged 10/20; +9 vs. AC; 1d6 + 4 damage

Sniper

When a goblin sharpshooter makes a ranged attack from

hiding and misses, it is still considered to be hiding.

Combat Advantage

The goblin sharpshooter deals an extra 1d6 damage

against any target it has combat advantage against.

Goblin Tactics (Immediate reaction, when missed by a melee

attack; at-will)

The goblin shifts 1 square.

Alignment Evil Languages Common, Goblin

Skills Stealth +12, Thievery +12

Str 14 (+3) Dex 18 (+5) Wis 13 (+2)

Con 13 (+2) Int 8 (+0) Cha 8 (+0)

Equipment leather armor, short sword, hand crossbow with

20 bolts, pocket flask of whiskey

1 human bandit (B)

4 human rabble (R)

1 goblin sharpshooter (G)

Once the PCs have learned the location of the mine

encampment of the Brothers Gray gang, they can seek

out the bandits. How the party approaches is up to the

players, but the following description assumes that

the PCs approach after nightfall when the bandits are

least active and that they take measures to be stealthy

Languages Common

Str 14 (+2)

Dex 10 (+1)

Wis 10 (+1)

Con 12 (+1)

Int 9 (–1)

Cha 11 (+ 0)

Equipment club

in their approach. If they choose to do otherwise,

modify the description accordingly.

While the bandits in the camp are not particularly

alert, the goblin sharpshooter atop the mine’s roof is.

His passive Perception check is 12. If the PCs beat

that with their Stealth checks, they can approach the

camp unnoticed all the way to the edge of the map.

The bandits in the camp are not alert and can be

easily surprised.

The adventurers cannot initially see the human

bandit, the human rabble by the stream, or the goblin

sharpshooter.

Human Bandit (B)

Level 2 Skirmisher

Medium natural humanoid

XP 125

Initiative +6

Senses Perception +1

HP 37; Bloodied 18

AC 16; Fortitude 12, Reflex 14, Will 12

Speed 6

Mace (standard; at-will) ✦ Weapon

+4 vs. AC; 1d8 + 1 damage, and the human bandit shifts 1

square.

Dagger (standard; at-will) ✦ Weapon

Ranged 5/10; +6 vs. AC; 1d4 + 3 damage.

Dazing Strike (standard; encounter) ✦ Weapon

Requires mace; +4 vs. AC; 1d8 + 1 damage, the target is

dazed until the end of the human bandit’s next turn, and

the human bandit shifts 1 square.

Combat Advantage

The human bandit deals an extra 1d6 damage on melee

and ranged attacks against any target it has combat

advantage against.

Alignment Evil Languages Common

Skills Stealth +9, Streetwise +7, Thievery +9

Str 12 (+2) Dex 17 (+4) Wis 11 (+1)

Con 13 (+2) Int 10 (+1) Cha 12 (+2)

Equipment leather armor, mace, 4 daggers

Perception Check

DC 10: A precariously leaning outhouse stands at the base

of the cli not far from the ore shed.

DC 15: The footfalls of a lone individual can be heard

walking back from the nearby stream.

As the adventurers reach the edge of the woods

at the base of the canyon wall, read:

Firelight ﬂickers through the trees ahead. Built against the

side of the canyon is a ramshackle mining operation, its

head frame and hoist house built onto a wide ledge above

and formerly powered by a water wheel in a stream-fed

pool. Rickety stairs climb the outside of this structure. At

its base a group of bedrolls have been laid out around a

campﬁre. Three rough-looking men lounge about and talk

among themselves.

DC 22: A single, small ﬁgure, clothed in black, sits high

atop the framework tower above the mine house. It is

almost invisible against the night-dark sky.

The three human rabble at the main camp are likely

to be surprised by the attack of the PCs. They are

cowardly but know a hangman’s noose awaits them

if brought back to civilization in custody and fight

with a desperate ferocity, using mob rule as much

November 2009 | DUNGEON 172

the Graybairn brothers within. A DC 20 Perception

check is necessary to hear this telltale alarm from out-

side the mine building. He then makes sniper attacks,

using Stealth to stay hidden on the head frame and

maintain combat advantage after successful hits. The

sharpshooter does not call down to his allies below,

selfishly choosing to maintain his own element of sur-

prise rather than give the humans a chance to react.

Escarpment and Waterfalls: The sides of the

canyon are steep and rocky. The first escarpment is

15 feet high. The second, atop which the hoist house

and waterwheel sit, is 10 feet high (a 25-foot drop

to the west of the mine). The last escarpment is 20

feet high. They can be scaled with a DC 15 Athletics

check. Attempting to scale them through the water-

falls requires a DC 25 Athletics check, but the falling

water provides concealment to those doing so.

Bedroll: The brigands sleep on filthy bedrolls.

They have no effect on movement.

Mine Buildings: These are constructed of time-

silvered, vertical wooden planks—some missing

altogether. Climbing these walls requires a DC 25

Athletics check. The roof is made of wooden shingles

and sloped at a nearly 45-degree angle, requiring a

DC 10 Acrobatics or Athletics check to move across

at normal speed. Doors are wooden and have a Break

DC of 16, AC 5, Fortitude 10, Ref lex 5, and 20 hp.

They can be barred from within.

Waterwheel and Gears: This assembly has been

frozen in place with rust and corrosion. Climbing the

waterwheel requires a DC 10 Athletics check. The

gear enters the hoist house through a hole, cut to size,

in the plank wall.

Head Frame: The lower course of this

framework—10 feet high—is composed of horizontal

planks and requires a DC 15 Athletics check to

climb. Above that, the remaining 20 feet of its height

is composed of heavy crossbeams bolted together

and requires only a DC 5 Athletics check to climb.

Anyone positioned among these timbers has cover (–2

to attack rolls). Chains dangle from the pulleys at the

peak of the head frame and can be scrambled down

with a DC 10 Athletics check.

As long as the human bandit and goblin sharpshooter

live, the human rabble continue to fight. If both are

killed, the rabble attempt to scatter into the benighted

woods to find happier hunting grounds.

as possible. If not also surprised, the human rabble

coming back from the stream with a bucket of water

immediately charges in to join his comrades.

The human bandit is indisposed in the outhouse

and doesn’t join the battle until the third round. He

attempts to use Stealth to sneak into the trees and

throw daggers from concealment to gain combat

advantage. He charges in to use dazing strike against

a badly wounded foe or a spellcaster that hangs back

and isn’t as well defended.

The goblin sharpshooter sits atop the head frame

sipping whisky from a tin cup. Upon spotting the

PCs or when the attack begins, he drops it among

the girders and braces of the head frames where it

clatters all the way down the mine shaft alerting

"#$%

Illumination: Bright light within 10 squares

around the campfire. Dim light elsewhere (quarter

moon waxing).

Trees: Squares containing trees are difficult ter-

rain and provide concealment to anyone standing in

them. A tree’s trunk provides cover (–2 to attack rolls)

to anyone standing adjacent to it.

Stream and Pond: The stream is 2 feet deep, and

each square is difficult terrain. It is ice cold. The pond

is shallow (5 feet deep) within 5 feet of the bank and

deep (10 feet deep) beyond that. Creatures in the water

gain cover (–2 to attack rolls) except against submerged

enemies. Fighting in the water imposes a –2 penalty to

attack rolls except with spears and crossbows.

Shallow water squares are difficult terrain. Crea-

tures in deep water require an Athletics skill check to

move, and powers that have the fire keyword take a –2

penalty to attack rolls. A creature that moves from an

area of shallow water into a deep water square ends its

movement in that square unless already swimming.

November 2009 | DUNGEON 172

Chaos Scar - [Lvl 1] - The Brothers Gray.pdf

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