[Game Thread] Grand Finale-- The Invigilator's Lair

[bananabadger]

"Well," says Harrison once the meal has finished. As we harengons say: "The feast passes, the winter looms."

He stares at you with concern and perhaps a bit of pity. Though also admiration.

After leading you out of the kitchen, he walks you through a red-carpeted hallway, gilded in an outrageous tone of carrot-orange molding and trim. The colors clash hideously, and not only with themselves but with Harrison's troubled countenance.

Finally, the hallway ends in a door.

Harrison opens it and leads you to a stairway. It is a spiral, looping not only upward, but backward into itself. There is a direction, but no clear way forward.

"There used to be a time," Harrison sighs, "when there was one system. We all knew where the stairway went and the rules for walking on it. But now ... there is no clear system, and many ways. I think that is for the better, though it requires climbers who are deft navigators. "

He motions for you to enter and begin climbing, pressing a furry paw toward you and offering a stoic handshake. He is, of course, a hugger though, and quite willing to go in for those. He is, also of course, a crier. But he won't begin until he can no longer see your figures up there, somewhere in the climb.

And the climb is long. Arduous. It takes weeks.

But eventually you arrive in what must be the Invigilator's Lair.

What did you expect to find?

Was it this?

A stark, empty room. Cavernous in darkness and void of smell or sound.

But there comes a voice, and--perhaps to your surprise--it has a cheery tone: "Welcome! I am pleased and honored to see you!"

As it booms through the Lair, a light appears from above and shines on two wooden shields.

"These are yours, regardless of what happens next. Each of you will receive one of these--as you so deserve by your display of creativity and tenacity to this point."

 

Then darkness again, but a lingering smell of cherry wood.

"But one of you shall take the title and be offered a place in this mansion to encourage those who would seek the title in the coming year. One of you shall be named Iron DM 2024."

 

List of Iron DMs

Iron DM	Year	Winning System	Link to Winning Entry	Runner-Up	Link to Runner-Up Final Entry
RoBi	2007	D&D 3.5	Faces	Agwolf	The Star of Chaos
pfooti	2008	D&D 3.5	The City Eternal	Caveman	Desolation Denied
Malikane	2009	D&D 3.5	Rathyrian Black	withdraw	none
idilippy	2010	D&D 3.5	Forest of Madness	Moth	One Quiet Night
Melchior	2011	D&D 3.5	A Hippocratic Peace	Illya	A Cure for All Ills
Toba	2012	D&D 3.5	Sorrow in the Shadow of Scorn	Melchior	To Conquer Death
Bade	2013	D&D 3.5	Seasons of Rage	Aeternis	The War's Child
Ion2Atom	2014	D&D 3.5	A Dish Best Served Dead	Hippo	A Flickering Beacon
moozuba	2015	Pathfinder	Heart of Darkness	Rolzup	Those Who Shape
Inem	2016	Pathfinder	Frozen in Time	Rolzup	A Few Impossible Things
Inem	2017	Pathfinder	The Child Emperor	Khelbiros	The Curse of Skagos
Inem	2018	Pathfinder	Soul Surgery	Unko Talok	Hardened Hearts
Unko Talok	2019	Pathfinder	The Old Feud	Drager	Lover's Quarrel
Spoonybard	2020	D&D 5e	The End at the Beginning	Thaco	Dan's Labyrinth
Thaco	2021	D&D 5e	The Candymaker	LostCheerio	The Sunrise Pact
bananabadger	2022	FATE Core	The Jade Dragon	Auron3991	History Repeats
Strangemund	2023	Cypher / Numenera	The Hound's Crypt	jbear	Siblings of Death

There is a flourish of music. A Koshiro tune--though never performed until this moment.

"Now then, what is an Iron DM? It is someone who can begin with nothing--a blank screen, a blank page, a near-empty lair as we stand in now. And from that nothing, they create something ... something wonderful not to show how clever they are, nor to prove their power, but for others to immerse themselves in and enjoy. That is greatness. And you have done that so far, all of you. With only your mind and your inner talents, you have created so much."

A breeze. It clears away all scents and almost all memory.

"So we begin from nothing, only ourselves. And so this final task asks you to create something that will stand the test of time ... using nothing ... but yourselves. These are your ingredients: 1) Something that is not a fish 2) a false type of cloth 3) an iron signet 4) 3,991 enlightened ones 5) a god among us 6) a long-bladed dagger and 7) a warty amphibian. That is the essential information. The rest, as they say, is the small print. Good luck. And know, no matter what you do this week, you already have my admiration and respect. You are honored guests, and always will be."

The Small Print OR Instructions for the Grande Finale You are to write ANYTHING--it could be a monster description, an encounter, an adventure, a world setting ... ANYTHING--using the seven given ingredients. From the ingredients, you should designate 5 as main ingredients and 2 as bonus ingredients. Choose wisely, for the main ingredients are worth more in the scoring. All rules found here are to be followed. The guidelines for the Judges' scoring can be found here. The entry is to be no longer than 3,000 words, which includes *everything* visible on the post. Judges are instructed to stop reading at that word count limit, or to deduct points if you go over. The use of a spell check and word counter is highly recommended. Please make a simple post in this thread when you first read it, to let the judges know have seen it, and that you are on board. It doesn't have to be anything more than "read!", or something like that, though roleplaying it is also perfectly acceptable! Do not edit this post after making it; when it comes time to post your entry, do that in a second, separate post. You have until the timer runs out (Dec. 8th midnight central us time) to complete and submit your entry (in a new post; don't edit your first post!). It is not expected that you use all this time - the extra time has been given to ensure that, no matter what your timezone, your schedule, your sleep habits, your work or student life, or emergencies that could crop up, you should have ample time to complete your entry. You should post your entry into this thread within the generous timeframe, and ensure it is secreted (to the above judges) and spoilerbuttoned. Once posted, your entry may be edited up to the cut-off time. But once the deadline arrives, your entry will be locked and you will be unable to alter it.

[psuedenim]

 

Operation Market Garden Adventure A Quarrel and Fable encounter for 3 or more players. Intro The Nemesis from the prior incident has caused an uproar with the minor gods and upset the balance of minor powers. Three other gods have been dispatched to restore the original three and as its not in their 'domain' they have decided to employ some mortals to assist. Its a tavern, a market square or perhaps even a jail where this adventure begins. for the Players You are approached by three strangers, strange strangers by all accounts. You would judge them to be a Grocer, a Confectioner and an Oil Lantern maker given the profession relevant trinkets and badges they wear as well as an item each one carries. An aura of quite and calm surrounds you, a sense of small powers being exercised. A whiff of cabbage, sweet cabbage and a glimmer of a warming glow. A fatty burning stench adding a delicate ambience to the cabbage. Time seems to slow and you can't help but pay attention as the Grocer speaks "I am THE grocer and what have you done! The lower Pantheons are in a heightened state of agitation. The Butcher, Baker and Candlestick maker have been replaced by some odious dolt that wears the mantle of all three. Well!" "Chaoz" mutters the Confectioner with an obvious accent that feels familiar but you cant quite place it, "Ze odour of war is in ze air! But you mortalz, ze icing on ze cake of chez Dolts deztruktion. HA!" and they twirl an end of a spiffy moustache. The one with the lit Lantern, even in the daytime, nods as the Grocer continues "Its time to right this wrong and set the divine order back. The other minor gods have appointed us to right this madness and you have just the right experience to be our Champions. You will help us restore the Butcher, Baker and Candlestick maker!" Beginnings Refuse to help The Players can refuse and the Minor Gods have no plan in place if that occurs. Carry on with something else or have these gods badger and interfere with them for a little while. Ultimately they are gods and might be up for a bit of extortion, bribery or kidnapping. Vague promises of rewards, favours and maybe a good word to those a bit higher up the echelon could persuade the players. Agreed, coerced or forced Well done (however accomplished). for the Players The one with the Lantern opens its hood even further, the intensity all encompassing and blinding, accompanied by a low wailing from the other two gods. After a brief moment the light drops and you find yourself on top of a curved grey metallic object bobbing in a sparkly sea that spreads to every horizon. You are very definitely committed now and the three Gods enter a circular opening and descend inside what you learn to be an astral submersible the 'Guilded Prancer'. The minor gods have set up home here for the extent of the journey judging by the three stalls that are arranged as though in a small market row. Minor Gods The Minor Gods need to have their home set up in a fixed location to be of any use. In the Astral sea this is either on the Guilded Prancer or some other area of solidity. The adventure notes where this happens but if you happen to end up elsewhere note this limitation on their utility. If a Player approaches them near their home they will act like a shopkeep and try and interest them in their wares, even bartering but any payments will reappear back on the Players soon after. The stall items are infinitely replenished. The Bonus home items are there for those Players that want additional interactions and skill challenges. Have the minor god talk obliquely about it to the other gods, look a little suspicious on occasion or show signs of secret use via odours, stains etc. Note: The more epicurean characters will quickly realise the opportunity for a delicious rustic dining experience Grocer Red cheeked, friendly, chatty. Wears a long white coat stained with fruit juice with a carrot in the chest pocket. Home: A small stand or cart offering a variety of fresh seasonal produce, mostly vegetables. Confectioner Well kept, twirly moustache, intense gaze. Foreign accent, wears a chefs hat. Conjures a rustic baton at will to enhance any point being made. Home: A glass display cabinet with fancy filigree that matches the elegance of the sweet pastries within along with some more usual breads. Oil Lantern maker Down to earth, quiet, greasy hair, dirty smudges. Wears a leather apron, raised glasses and always holds a vial or a lantern that changes with every interaction. Home: A large table with attached apothecary shelving offering a selection of lanterns and a range of oils. Some of these oils are actually edible. Bonus: Confectioner Oil Lantern Maker Grocer Chantilly Cream Vinaigrette Stinking Bishop - stinky pink rind, mild and herby interior. Liver Pate Olive Oil Stichleton Blue - creamy and tangy Creme Anglais Moonshine Ticklemore Dome - refreshing light tang Grass fed butter Pressed fruit juice Tunworth Cream - oozy with hints of mushroom and cabbage Berry Jam Nut Oil Yarg Block - creamy, crumbly, wrapped in wild garlic Nemesis (Butcher, Baker and Candlestick maker) Aloof, egotistical, overly confident. Appears as a variation of a butcher, baker and/or candlestick maker. Home: none, this minor god is too smug to have anything but their astral Bastion. Powers: not relevant Guilded Prancer A submersible in the shape of a whale made by the minor Guild gods ergo the name the Guilded Prancer. Basically a cargo vessel, its interior is one large hold with some dressing for mortal shapes such as seats, table, refreshments and a privy. Made from a material similar to granite but formed as though metal it can be considered near indestructible. It is unarmed and can only have its hatches locked from the inside. Near the front is a clear globe that shows the ship in its center and its surroundings up to any reasonable distance. It responds to voice commands with regards to navigation and prefers it if one person is nominated as Captain. The ship will explain this if it ever receives multiple commands from different people. The Captain can be changed by whatever means seem most appropriate or disruptive at the time. Note: Feel free to determine size and movement parameters but they are unnecessary for this adventure. Enlightened defence The aim is to have some ship fun with the ship and the Enlightened Ones. This section can end when you see fit and if there are any combatants still on board when you start The Bastion of the Nemesis have them carry on fighting in the Bastion and maybe add some reinforcements. for the Players After a short while the Minor Gods go quiet and then huddle together before the Lantern maker steps forth. "We near the Nemesis' bastion and it will be barricaded and defended" he says in his deep flat voice. He raises his lantern, opens the hood and illuminates the rear of the ships hold. The light reveals a host of ethereal bodies, floating legless. "We bring 4000 of our host". The Grocer moves over to them and seems to be doing some counting and picking and soon after brings 9 of them forward. "Ze hosts for the new Butcher, Baker and Candlestick" maker the Confectioner adds "Ze rest will azist you in taking the Baztion" Just then the Guilded Prancer sounds an alarm "Action stations" the gods call out in unison and the enlightened minds flow out onto the hull (except the chosen 9). "You can direct our powers from here" the Gods say as they move to their respective stalls. Glowing symbols appearing on the ships globe, an ominous shade of red. Ship Powers The ship can perform a minimum of 1 Command per turn with an extra Command for every 2 Players in the group. The Minor Gods provide some ships capability but it costs Enlightened Ones to use once the Command Points are fully expended. Power Description Effect Cost (AP / EO) Evasive Maneuvers Wild flying Ignore effect of one Enemy. SKILL test to not fall 1 / 100 Sprout Machinegun Spray of hard Sprouts 2+1D3 damage 1 / 200 Flour Bomb A sack of fine flour Delays 1D3 Enemy Groups for 1D3 turns 1 / 200 Tartpedo A baguette tipped with a tart flies out Destroys one Enemy Group 2 / 300 Oil Shell Artillery shell, explodes on contact. If used with Flour Bomb double damage or duration 1D3 damage for 2 turns 1 / 200 Enemies Skinned Deer Marauders Marauder ships come in groups of 2+1D3 this is the equivalent of STAMINA. 1 point of damage removes one enemy from the group once it reaches zero the group is destroyed. Aiming directly for the Players to board and fight on their way they can lay mines or fire rockets. Each ship will disgorge enough pirates to challenge the Players. Run multiple waves Marauder Stats SKILL: 6+1D3 STAMINA: 5+1D6 Attacks: 1 Weapon: Antler Spear Dice Roll 1 2 3 4 5 6 Damage 1 1 1 2 2 2 Armour: Tough Muscle and Sinew Dice Roll 1 2 3 4 5 6 Damage 1 1 1 1 1 2 Crepe Mines A cloud of floppy sticky crepes made with an explosive rising agent, visible for several turns. Destroys 1D3x100 Enlightened Ones. Shockwave damage to ALL Players of 1D2 (Armour applies) Candlestick Rockets Once launched they hit on the next turn. Destroys 1D4x100 Enlightened Ones. Shockwave damage to 1D3 Players of 1D2 (Armour ignored) Enlightened Ones They are the minds or souls of the Minor Gods faithful that have died and been chosen to hang out with their patron. As they are used they pass on to another after life sighing a content "OM". At the start the Players have 3991 Enlightened ones out of 4000 as the Minor Gods have reserved 9 for restoring 3 other minor gods. The Enlightened Ones are a resource that Players can use to buff their ROLLS at any point until the end of the adventure or fully expended. When Bonus Cost Before ROLL +1 50 Before ROLL +2 75 After ROLL +1 100 After ROLL +2 250 The Bastion of the Nemesis for the Players Ahead you see the Nemesis' Bastion getting closer, details resolving into what appears to be a walled garden and courtyard housing a small market. Closer still its just stalls of Butchery, Baker and Candlesticks with Astral forms or the professions raw materials. To one side is what appears to be a large banner or flag. The entire place surrounded by a globe of shimmery-ness. "Ze defensive aura iz up" declares the Confectioner. "I have made the Key" states the Lantern maker and from the rear of the ship the 9 remaining enlightened ones carry forth a huge Iron ring, bearing the signet of the Nemesis "Their past is their weakness." Surprisingly the front of the ship opens like a whale mouth and the ring is hurriedly carried out and crashed into the shimmery barrier - both fade away. The way clear the Minor Gods rush up and forwards the Nemesis doing the same and they begin a deadly dance of such speed its hard to follow. You hear the Nemesis call out "Release the CROAKEN!" and what you thought was a weirdly patterned banner drops to the floor and transforms into a huge warty toad - the Croaken. Aim of the Players The Players aim is to save the Croaken. If they lose a Minor God will rush to help them escape and return them to the Guilded Prancer. The Nemesis will restore the barrier and the quest to restore the Butcher, Baker and Candlestick maker has failed this time (see Aftermath - Failure). Allow the players some creativity and improvisation here with anything that might be related to butchery, baking and candlesticks e.g. Knives, lots of knives and meat cleavers - Lego for monster feet. Astral game - to confuse or attack. Flour bombs - burning and vision, maybe the Croaken has an allergy. Bread starters - sticky, stinky and prone to rapid expansion. Wax and wick - slippery, long burning, super strong and long. Bee hives - stinging swarms, sticky irresistible honey. Provisions of an appropriate nature can be found to restore 1D3 STAMINA. This is the Astral plane so feel free to smash up stalls etc with gay abandon. These are all ideas of the Nemesis and can reform as fast as you like Fight Phases Phase Details Ends 1 If swallowed spot Parasite (SKILL check) Croaken below 25% STAMINA 2 Parasite revealed. Croaken STAMINA reset Croaken below 25% STAMINA 3 Parasite enraged, starts pulsing. On alternate turns the Croaken gets 2 additional attacks Croaken killed 4 Parasite detaches, dissolves into a putrid mess. Croaken rises again, gives a mighty shake and leaps into the sky see Aftermath - Success Note: This is meant to play as an environmental hazard and puzzle as well as combat. The Players need to discover the parasite and destroy or get it away from the Toad. Croaken Stats SKILL: 7 STAMINA: 30 Attacks: # of Players - 1, minimum 1 Weapon: Foot swipe Dice Roll 1 2 3 4 5 6 Damage 1 1 1 2 2 2 On a hit you are knocked back out of melee range. Weapon: Sticky Tongue Dice Roll 1 2 3 4 5 6 Damage 1 1 1 1 1 2 On a hit roll on the next table. D6 Effect 1, 2 No effect 3, 4, 5 Stuck to the Tongue, dragged in and swallowed. 6 Stuck, Swallowed, Poisoned (1D3-1 dmg for 2 turns) If swallowed the players could lose an item, suffer 1D3 acid or crushing damage or disadvantage for 1D3 turns due to nausea. Weapon: Leap and Slam Dice Roll 1 2 3 4 5 6 Damage 1 2 2 3 3 3 On a hit you are winded (disadvantage for 2 turns) and dazed (miss a turn) Armour: Tough Skin Dice Roll 1 2 3 4 5 6 Damage 1 1 2 2 2 3 Parasite The Croaken is just an amiable giant toad but it has been taken over by a parasite planted by the Nemesis on purpose to create a guardian. Destroying or removing the parasite will free the Giant Toad which then attacks the Nemesis, tipping the balance of that fight. Non-combat options Something a player or players carry causes visible distress when swallowed. Something or things in combination harm the parasite and you can see it shrink e.g. Wax, Honey and Yeast directly applied work as an anti-parasitic cream. Tying a noose around the base of the parasite and trying to strangle it off or cauterise it. Note: If things start to drag on have an Enlightened one whisper a clue in a Players ear. Aftermath Failure Restoration of the original three Minor Gods has failed, all other Minor Gods are now disappointed in the Players and the Grocer, Confectioner and Lantern Maker. The Nemesis is now more aware of the Players again. Do with this as you wish. The Croaken has been awakened and if it was not rescued now has the Players scent. The Players will returned to a destination of their choosing on their plane of origin via the Guilded Prancer. Success If the Players prevail they are presented with a powerful artifact the God Maker. They can use this to bleed the Nemesis and whoever absorbs/consumes the blood takes on the power of the god. Unfortunately due to the Nemesis's fusion of three other gods the Butcher, Baker and Candlestick maker will never be fully restored, their domains forever mingled in however many other god forms take the blood. Its possible for the Players to take the blood too but there will be no immortality (unless they have done some kind of Ascension process). Just domain powers relating specifically to butchery, baking and candlestick manufacturing. Control will be difficult and like wishes subject to failures due to poor wording, misinterpretation etc. Blood loss will also diminish the powers and it can be clearly seen evaporating (back to the Astral) by the player. Further access to the Guilded Prancer is now available allowing fast travel across the Astral plane and other planes. God Maker Treat as an ordinary blunt weapon for anything but a God. Minor Gods can be treated as humans when it comes to exsanguination. Unbound A long bladed dagger, plain in appearance and oddly unbalanced, its edge dull. Whoever first grabs it by the hilt will find their palm cut and through their blood it they bound to the blade. for the Players One of the Minor Gods pulls out a long dull blade. "Who will act as the butcher, but not be the butcher?" It waits patiently till a player takes the blade by the hilt. Bound Those bound will be referred to as the God Maker by any creature native to the Astral plane. The person bound to the blade is the only one to see its Astral Aura, tightly swirling bands of astral energy as well as a fractal blade, the suggestion of near infinite sharpness. Sharp enough to cut a god and make it bleed its godly power. for the Players Once a player takes the blade by its hilt the God explains more "This blade can make a God bleed. Now bleed the Nemesis so that new Butcher, Baker and Candlestick maker can claim its godly power." The three forms in waiting step up expectantly. The Ingredients A god among us - pick one of the 4 Something that is not a fish - the Guilded Prancer 3,991 enlightened ones - power source A warty amphibian - the Croaken A long-bladed dagger - the God Maker blade An iron signet (bonus) - key to the Nemesis's astral domain A false type of cloth (bonus) - polymorphed Croaken

[rhaiber]

 

The Isle of Gilleah
A DnD2024 Campaign for 5-7 (formerly) Beginner Players Lvl 4-7
Final Chapter: You’re Sure to Get a Smile From Seven Stranded Castaways Here On Gilleah Isle

Previously… The PCs were shipwrecked on the Lost Isle of Gilleah, an ancient mage-ocracy punished by the gods, where they were tempted with an offer of immortality … at the cost of being trapped on the island forever.

Chapter Overview It hardly seems right to refer to our intrepid adventurers as “beginner players” anymore, after everything they’ve been through. They’ve faced skills challenges, puzzles, boss-level combat, and social encounters. They’ve now developed the skills and sophistication to handle some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects that can set TTRPGs apart from other games. It’s time to learn that one of the most satisfying parts of a TTRPG is’t slaying monsters or collecting treasure, but completing a character arc. During Session Zero of this campaign, each player was prompted to develop a specific motive for their character to join the expeditions. It’s time to remind them what those motives were and offer them a path toward completing their goals. (DM Note: it may be helpful to use PMs or secret text for this. Players may choose to share their goals with the rest of the party, but each player should be allowed to decide how much to share, if anything) There’s a catch: some player’s objectives will be in direct opposition with others. This could lead to in-party conflict, one of the hardest things to pull off well in a TTRPG, which is why it is our final lesson for our formerly-beginner players.

Objectives Character Initial Motive Prompt Path to Resolution Ingredient The Sea Captain (fighter/paladin) “You need this job. You need the expedition to be successful. Explain why it is so important to you.” The benefactor who gathered the party for the expedition gave the Captain a specific task to complete: find a specimen of a prehistoric toad believed to be extinct and bring it back to them. (If this detail was not already established, then do so now by playing out a brief flashback scene). The benefactor hopes to use the Simulacrum spell to create enough copies of this specimen to populate a large park for the amusement of rich nobles - because nothing could ever go wrong when you make an entire amusement park filled with clones of prehistoric beasts … right? Now the party discovers that Princess Aevora-Thul keeps one of these creatures as a pet. Warty amphibian = “extinct” prehistoric species. (DM Note: this creature does not need to present a challenging combat, since the real challenge is getting it safely back to the mainland. You can make it a non-combat encounter entirely by using a Giant Toad statblock. OR, if your players really want more combat, switch this out for a Dragon Turtle Wyrmling stablock, or even a Froghemoth stablock) The First Mate (rogue) “The captain is more than a boss. They’re your best friend and you owe them your life. Describe what they did to earn your undying loyalty.” High Thalassarch Deivoros-Thul (Archmage leader of Gilleah) is aware of the Mate’s life debt to the Captain. If the First Mate did not offer this information willingly, Deivoros-Thul acquired it by using the Detect Thoughts spell. If the party is still in the city, Deivoros-Thul will try to speak to the First Mate privately. If that is not possible, he will communicate mentally with the Sending spell. Deivoros-Thul suggests the First Mate can repay his life-debt by secretly feeding a piece of the Forgotten One to the Captain, preserving his life. Something That is Not a Fish = Unlike the secret sauce in the previous chapter, which gradually granted near immortality over the course of multiple doses, the First Mate may only get one chance at this, so Dievoros-Thul has prepared a concentrated piece of the Forgotten One’s flesh and disguised it as a grilled fish. The Aristocrat (warlock) You made a pact with dark forces for wealth and power. Describe who/what you made this contract with and what they demand from you in return. The aristocrat’s warlock patron speaks to them in a dream. The patron wishes to ascend to godhood, taking the Forgotten One’s place in the pantheon. In order for that to happen, the aristocrat must assassinate the Forgotten One. long-bladed dagger= The aristocrat’s patron grants them a new pact weapon- a sinister looking magical dagger with the ability to slay a god. The Faithful Priest of a Forgotten God (cleric) ”You are a follower of the god who saved the Isle of Gilleah and was trapped there. You received a vision telling you to join this expedition. Describe how the vision came to you.” The priest receives another vision that makes all things clear. They have been summoned to this island by the forgotten one, charged with the mission to free the forgotten one from their captivity. god among us= The Forgotten One is severely weakened from their time in captivity by the Gilleans. In order to escape, they must be disguised and take the place of one of the PCs. The Traveling Performer (bard) ”You are a famous performer, but now you’re taking the show on the road. Who or what are you avoiding?” The performer hasn’t escaped what they were hiding from, only delayed it. Fortunately, Elsbeth "Bunny" Meadowlore- the harengon archivist held captive in the City of Gilleah- has an alternative to help the performer escape their past. False type of cloth= Dungarees of Disguise. This magic item functions as a Hat of Disguise, except that the duration of Disguise Self when cast using this item is until dispelled. Bunny will trade the Dungarees in return for help with her mission of stealing the secrets of Gilleah and bringing them to her benefactor. The Academic (wizard) ”You joined the expedition to research the lost civilization. What secrets do you hope to uncover?” The Academic discovers the Grand Library of Gilleah, but the secrets can only be accessed by a true citizen of Gilleah. The Academic must either submit to assimilation or convince another PC to do so.” 3,991 enlightened ones = instead of books made of paper and ink, the knowledge of Gilleah is stored within a colony of thousands of tiny pixies, living in a massive aviary. The pixies will only divulge their secrets to a true Gillean citizen, making it impossible to steal or transcribe the contents of the Library. The Wild-card (any class not listed above) ”You have a connection to one of the other PCs, whether they know it or not. Describe the nature of your relationship.” The Wild-Card discovers that they have ancestral ties to the people of Gilleah. Now they must choose what is more important: familial ties or their bond to the other PC(s). Iron signet= Princess Aevora-Thul is seen wearing an iron ring on a chain about her neck. On closer inspection, it is engraved with a sigil passed down to the Wild-Card by their maternal grandmother.

DM Note on In-Party Conflict: ”PVP” is often seen as a “dirty word” in TTRPGs, and yet dramatic tension between players can make for some of the most compelling stories. The catch is that it needs to be done right to avoid upsetting one another. Make sure to respect any lines and veils your players established during Session Zero. You may also want to drop hints that outright PVP combat is not necessarily the default strategy. While some of the objectives are mutually exclusive (the First Mate’s objective would trap the Captain on the island, while the Captain’s own objective requires them to return home; the Priest must restore their god to power, while the Aristocrat’s objective is to kill that same god), other objectives could actually work together (the Performer’s Dungarees of Disguise could help the god among us to escape; or if the First Mate succeeds in making the Captain a citizen of Gilleah, then the Captain could help the Academic to access the 3,991 enlightened ones, and that knowledge could help the Wild Card learn the truth of their past). Even those objectives that are in conflict with one another could be resolved through compromise or sacrifice: one PC could voluntarily give up their objective to help an ally achieve their own objective.

Why is this entry so short? Well DM, if you’ve trained your players well by now, it’s time to give them some agency and autonomy. The real challenge this chapter isn’t any monster or puzzle; it’s themselves. You need only present the objectives and complications to them, then sit back and let them do the rest. Just make sure they are aware of the stakes involved. While they are encouraged to make deals, compromises, and sacrifices; failing to achieve an objective should present real consequences for each character. For example, if the Aristocrat or the Priest fail at their objectives, they risk losing access to their class features. If the Performer fails at their objective, they will have to face the force they were hiding from.