Dragon Age Blood in Ferelden

Blood In Ferelden is copyright © 2010
Green Ronin Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
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DesiGn: Walt CieChanoWski, kevin kulP, t.s. luikart
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art DireCtion anD GraPhiC DesiGn: hal manGolD Cover art: tYshan CareY
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ChristoPhe sWal
Publisher: Chris Pramas
Green ronin staff: bill boDDen, steve kenson, Jon leitheusser, niCole linDroos,
hal manGolD, Chris Pramas, evan sass, marC sChmalz, anD Jeff tiDball
PlaYtesters: niCholas aGranoff, Joel allan, Josh auerbaCh, tYler CareY,
russell Carver, Walt CieChanoWski, helen CieChanoWski, miChael Colón, mark
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lYtle, anYa maesteroff, steven merrell, mitCh riGGer, anD Jason WalDen
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Welcome to Blood in Ferelden! This book contains three
full-length, ready-to-play adventures for the Dragon Age
tabletop roleplaying game based on BioWare’s Dragon
Age: Origins video game.
In Amber Rage the heroes survive a surprise attack
on a village fair and must journey, in the aftermath of
the attack, into the Korcari Wilds to fnd a key ingredi-
ent to the cure for the horrible disease that the attackers
brought with them.
In Where Eagles Lair the PCs are pressed into ser-
vice tracking down the kidnapped daughter of one of
Ferelden’s arls in the Frostback Mountains, where the
strange and savage Avvarian hillmen dwell.
Finally, in A Fragile Web the heroes must negotiate an
entirely different manner of challenge, where almost
nothing is as it seems, in dealing with a series of deadly
political intrigues in Fereldan’s capital city.
These three adventures are presented in a roughly appro-
priate order for the same group of PCs: Amber Rage is
recommended for 1st and 2nd level heroes and Where
Eagles Lair for 3rd and 4th level heroes. A Fragile Web
is intended for 4th and 5th level heroes, although see
the section The Long View on page 81 for some ideas
about how that adventure can be staged so that it wraps
entirely around one or more other adventures.
At the end of Blood in Ferelden, you’ll also fnd three
scenario seeds, each providing the basic skeleton of an
adventure that you can fesh out yourself.
To use the adventures in Blood in Ferelden you must have
a copy of the Dragon Age RPG Set 1. It’s likely available
in the same place you found this book.
Finally, be aware that only Dragon Age Game Masters
should read the material in Blood in Ferelden. If you are
likely to play a PC hero in any of these adventures, you
should stop reading now. Learning these stories’ secrets
in advance will only spoil your fun.
Each of the adventures in Blood in Ferelden is broken
down into parts and encounters to help you understand
the overall outlines of the action. Each part is collection
of related encounters. It begins with a broad description
of the part as a whole, sometimes continues with a sec-
tion describing the greater environs in which that part’s
encounters take place, and then presents each encounter.
Each adventure’s parts (as well as the encounters that
make up each part) are presented in the order in which
they’re likely to take place.
Each encounter presents a single challenge, or collection
of related challenges (such as a fght) that the PCs must
deal with or overcome. Each is classifed as an explora-
tion encounter, a roleplaying encounter, or a combat
encounter. Exploration encounters challenge the PCs to
use their skills and ingenuity to fnd things out about
the world and the story, roleplaying encounters let the
PCs interact with and infuence the NPCs who are part
of the adventure, and combat encounters involve battle
between the PCs and their foes. Although it’s possible to
(for example) roleplay in an exploration encounter, the
classifcation helps you know what to expect, and under-
stand how that encounter functions in the larger story.
Each encounter has sections of text formatted in dif-
ferent ways to help you fnd the information you need
right away while you’re at the game table.
Every encounter begins with a short summary of the
action. Next, most encounters have read-aloud text,
found in grey boxes. This text is usually composed so
that it can simply be read aloud to the players as that
encounter begins, but it’s better and more natural if you
paraphrase and embellish what’s written, using your
own words to communicate the information.
One word of caution: While the pre-written nature of
read-aloud text is helpful when encounters begin as
expected, it can be at odds with what’s otherwise obvi-
ous if the PCs approach a given encounter at a differ-
ent time, from a different direction (either literally or
fguratively), or in the company of different NPCs. A
given passage of read-aloud text will still give you clues
about the important pieces of information you should
communicate to the players, but you’ll have to tailor
the specifcs to match the circumstances.
After each encounter’s read-aloud text is the general
description of what you, the GM, need to know about
the encounter and how the action may unfold in play.
In most encounters, this includes specifc information
about tests the characters are likely to have to make.
Tests are formatted like this—“a TN 13 Willpower
(Courage) test” or “an opposed Dexterity (Stealth) vs.
Perception (Seeing) test”—to make it easier for you to
spot them in the text at a glance.
Some encounters have additional passages of read-
aloud text interspersed in the general description, to be
read if and when particular conditions are met. Treat
these the same way as the read-aloud text that begins
each encounter (save, obviously, that you only read
them when the relevant conditions apply).
Some encounters include a “Questions and Answers”
section. These are pairings of questions the PCs might
ask with answers the various NPCs in the encounter
might give. The questions and answers are presented in
the frst person, as those parties might ask and answer
them. As with read-aloud text, though, you are encour-
aged to adapt the phrasing to the situation. And of
course, the precise phrasing of the questions is included
only to help you locate the right information. Under no
circumstances should you insist that the players use
these phrasings or say these particular words.
Introduction
Introduction
3
BY WALT CIECHANOWSKI
Amber Rage is an adventure for four to six characters of
levels 1–2, although it is easily scalable for higher-level
parties. If you run a smaller group, with only two or
three players, you might want them to start this adven-
ture at level 2 or even level 3. Your heroes should have a
balanced mix of abilities to handle combat, exploration,
and roleplaying encounters.
This adventure presumes that the player characters are
at the beginning of their adventuring career and may
even hail from Sothmere, the village where the adven-
ture begins.
Adventure
Summary
In Amber Rage the PCs enjoy a village festival that
has been thrown in honor of a new fort that will be
built nearby. Unfortunately, the village is attacked
by Chasind stalkers who have been transformed into
mindless savages by a mythical disease known as the
amber rage. Though the PCs are able to fend off this
threat, a number of villagers (and perhaps one or more
PCs) are infected with the disease. Fortunately, a local
wise woman believes that she knows the recipe for a
cure, but it requires an extremely rare herb, shadow-
moss, that is only known to exist in a single grotto in the
Korcari Wilds. Worse, the cure must be applied within
three days or the infected forever become mindless
sociopaths.
The Rager raid was precipitated by the new Blight
that has appeared deep within the Korcari Wilds. This
spreading Blight has infected the nearby fora and
fauna and has forced some Chasind communities to
move further north. As the northern Wilds become
more crowded, some Chasind are starting to look to the
Hinterlands for new homes.
Chasind shamans, concerned that the new fort might
hinder this northward migration, organized a raid-
ing party on the day before this adventure begins to
halt its construction and wipe out nearby settlements.
Since Ferelden warriors tend to be heavily armored, the
Chasind coated their weapons with poison so that even
a scratch could fell an armored warrior. Unfortunately,
the ingredients were gathered in an area tainted by the
Blight. The resulting poison created the amber rage,
which infects anyone who contacts it or remains close
to it for too long. The frst raiding party fell to the amber
rage within hours and became “ragers.”
Amber Rage
4
Amber Rage
Many of these Ragers turned on their kin while others,
partially remembering their mission, continued onward
through the river-ford village of Wichford to Sothmere.
By the time they got there, they were mindless sav-
ages interested only in killing. While the PCs and resi-
dents of Sothmere deal with these ragers, the Chasind
themselves have been putting to death the shamans
responsible for the amber rage, and are currently hunt-
ing down their tainted brethren lest they eradicate the
entire Chasind culture.
The PCs travel into the Korcari Wilds to fnd the shad-
owmoss, encountering many dangers along the way.
While on this quest they must make a series of painful
moral choices and, when they return to Sothmere, they
will fnd that Ser Vilem, the fort commander, has set
his own plans into motion to deal with the amber rage,
threatening the very people that the PCs are coming to
save.
Ser Vilem was unhappy with Sothmere’s decision to
allow its infected villagers to live and sets a plan in
motion while the PCs are away. He sends a messenger
to the castle of Bann Karel Dusic the closest bann in the
region. Fortunately for Ser Vilem, a blackhaller (a royally
appointed arbiter) currently in Bann Dusic’s court owes
Ser Vilem’s father a favor. Ser Vilem sends a messenger
to bring this blackhaller, Ser Gelda, to Sothmere in order
to arbitrate in his favor and allow him to put the infected
villagers to death.
In the meantime, the second wave of ragers meets the
Wichford residents who are returning home from the
festival in Sothmere. Having survived the harrowing
attack at Sothmere, these Fereldans pepper the ragers
with arrows, killing them with minimal losses on their
own part.
On the third day after the initial attack, Ser Gelda
arrives and holds court (her arrival occurs prior to the
PCs’ arrival, whether early or late in the day). She lis-
tens to the arguments of Ser Vilem and Sheriff Milo, as
well as other testimony. She also observes the victims,
who are now ragers. She rules in favor of Ser Vilem.
Sheriff Milo pleads for mercy—his daugher is among
the afficted—and so rather than burn the victims alive,
Ser Gelda allows them a quicker death by throat slitting.
Just before the sentence is carried out, the PCs return.
ABLU1 1HE
AHBEP PAGE
The amber rage is a magical disease that ravaged what
is now Ferelden during the First Blight. The original
outbreak was believed to be a demonic experiment.
The current amber rage was created when Chasind sha-
mans, looking for a way to make their warriors more
effective against armored soldiers, accidentally used
herbs that had been tainted with a new Blight.
Amber rage increases an individual’s raw power at
the expense of his intellect; victims of the amber rage
become mindless savages bent on slaughtering anyone
in their path. A “rager,” as an infected humanoid is
called, is marked by deeply-jaundiced skin, large mus-
cles with bulging veins, wild eyes, and foam coming
from the mouth. A rager’s intelligence is on par with an
animal; one cannot reason with or interrogate a rager.
Ragers often attack areas familiar to them from their
former lives, or continue to carry out their fnal “pre-
rage” aims as best they can. If, for example, a Chasind
was ordered to help take a fort, then after his transfor-
mation he’d still make his way to the fort, but at a less
mindful pace and while attacking anyone in his way.
Once he got to the fort he’d still only be interested in
killing, and would stick around only long enough to
attack anyone in evidence before seeking food and
bloodshed elsewhere.
Ragers create others of their kind by transmitting
the malady to their victims. Normally, this occurs by
biting. A rager has a natural instinct to bite its victims.
A rager that does so transmits the disease with a 3 SP
stunt. A character can resist the amber rage, but this is
nigh-impossible; it requires passing a TN 21 Constitu-
tion (Stamina) test. Any humanoid can become a rager.
While wise ones speculate that animal ragers are pos-
sible, none have ever been seen.
An infected character’s skin becomes jaundiced and he
runs a light fever (–1 to all rolls). He also exudes a minor
version of a full rager’s odor, which can be detected
with a TN 15 Perception (Smelling) test. Untreated,
the character becomes a full-fedged rager within (3 +
Constitution) hours.
The current ragers have an even more potent version of
the amber rage, in the form of a liquid poison that they
use to coat their weapons. A weapon coated with the
amber poison is more potent than a rager’s bite, infect-
ing a victim with a stunt that costs only 1 SP. A rager
can also make a poisoned weapon by coating it with its
own blood. Such transmission costs 2 SP.
Fortunately, ragers have short lifespans. Due to their
murderous nature, most ragers are hunted and killed
within the frst few days of their existence. While ragers
do eat (usually raw fesh) they do not sleep nor ade-
quately protect themselves from the elements. Even if a
rager manages to avoid these hazards, his heart cannot
handle his enhanced metabolism for long and explodes
in 1d6+3 days. What makes ragers dangerous on a wide
scale is the fact that they can spread the amber rage
before they die.
The only known cure for the amber rage is a magical
brew that requires shadowmoss, an extremely rare
ingredient. In the past, creatures called fresprites taught
the Alamarri wise ones how to cure the amber rage
and provided them with shadowmoss. Human greed,
5
Amber Rage
however, led many Alamarri tribes to raid the fresprite
groves and steal the shadowmoss, thus also diminish-
ing the fresprite population. Over time, both the amber
rage and the shadowmoss fell into legend, and today
no one remembers the exact nature of the relationship
between the fresprites and the shadowmoss.
GE11ING 1HE
CHAPAC1EPS INVLLVEI
The simplest way to get the PCs involved is to connect
them to Sothmere, or the Hinterlands in general. If you
are using this adventure to start a Dragon Age campaign
then you can simply dictate that the PCs hail from Soth-
mere, or have relatives there. The Groundbreaking Fes-
tival provides an excuse for even well-traveled PCs to
return to Sothmere.
If the PCs have no ties to the Hinterlands, then they
simply happen upon the village in their travels, or are
otherwise intrigued when they hear word in nearby vil-
lages about the Groundbreaking Festival. In this case,
you might want to allow the PCs to spend a little more
time in Sothmere before the events of Amber Rage
begin, perhaps as much as a few days, in order to estab-
lish relationships with some of the villagers who will be
infected later.
If appropriate, you may also wish to re-introduce
friendly NPCs from the heroes’ previous adventures at
the Groundbreaking Festival.
In any case, you should ensure that the PCs have a
reason to care about the fate of the infected villagers of
Sothmere after the initial rager attack.
CHAPAC1EP IEA1H
Dragon Age is a dark fantasy game and player charac-
ter death is always a possibility. There are a number of
encounters in Amber Rage that present a real chance
for player death. There are also encounters, however,
that provide natural “jumping-in” points for replace-
ment characters.
Unless your PCs do something drastic during the
Groundbreaking Festival, the frst likely occasion for
PC death is the rager attack in Part 1: Welcome to Soth-
mere. Immediately thereafter, the PCs must struggle
with how to keep the infected villagers safe, as well as
pledge their aid to the quest. This is the perfect oppor-
tunity to introduce a new PC who has also lost a friend
or relative to the amber rage.
Introducing new PCs is a bit more diffcult during the
quest itself, but not overly so. The world of Thedas is
a dangerous place, and the lone survivor of a bandit
attack or a wayward traveler will desire safety in num-
bers, even if the PCs aren’t going in the right direction.
If you want to add an immediate motivator for a new
PC, you can rule that he begins the game infected and
needing the cure himself. Be careful with this approach;
such a PC might have a hard time convincing the group
to have him aboard without assurances.
ALLLVING 1HE !LAYEPS
1L CHLLSE
There are a number of decisions the players might make
that can alter the presumed course of this adventure.
This is to be expected and it’s better to end Amber Rage
prematurely then to railroad the players toward a pro-
scribed ending. There are hard choices to be made, and
the weight of those decisions will be lost if the players
feel that you forced them to turn left when they wanted
to turn right.
Also, what may at frst seem like a premature ending
to the adventure may actually just be a complication.
For example, even if the PCs decide to put Sothmere’s
infected villagers to the sword it doesn’t mean they can’t
still go on the quest. Even if the PCs are disinterested
in higher motivations, the Sheriff (or even Ser Vilem)
might offer the PCs money to undertake the quest. And
there’s always that second wave of ragers, if the frst
failed to motivate the players.
UNCLHlLP1ABLE
CLH!LICA1ILNS
In Dragon Age, not every decision leads to a happy
ending. Just as the players can determine the course of
the adventure through their PCs’ actions, you can alter
Amber Rage to make for an even darker game. Some
additional dark twists are listed here, but be aware that
if you choose to incorporate them you’ll have to change
some parts of the adventure (specifcally, Part 6: The
Final Leg of the Journey).
Bogdan’s Treachery
Bogdan’s side loses the vote about what should be
done with the infected villagers of Sothmere, but not by
much. It’s possible that he organizes a guerrilla raid on
the infected villagers’ barn and burns it to the ground
while the PCs are away. Whether he succeeds, and
how the NPCs react, will certainly have an impact on
the PCs’ return. Rather than arriving to see Ser Gelda
judging the infected villagers, the PCs instead may be
treated to the trial of Bogdan, with the barn conspicu-
ously missing from the landscape.
A Successful Second Wave
As events are planned, the Wichford festival-goers wipe
out the second wave of ragers. It is possible, however,
6
Amber Rage
that the ragers might take a different route by crossing
more diffcult terrain and attack Fort Sothmere, or Soth-
mere village itself.
If you decide that the second wave of ragers make it
to Sothmere then you’ll need to decide how well the
villagers were able to resist the second wave of attacks.
Did any major NPCs die in this attack? Which new vil-
lagers got infected? Were the original victims released
or put to the sword? Did the villagers reconsider keep-
ing infected villagers alive now that there’s a continu-
ing threat? Did Ser Vilem insist that all uninfected vil-
lagers come to the fort?
All for Naught
Old Stoyanka isn’t sure whether the recipe she has for
a cure will actually work. This is especially problem-
atic if the PCs try to compromise with the shadowmoss
(such as by leaving some in the cave for the fresprites,
or sharing some with Ser Vilja).
You can decide that the recipe simply doesn’t work
at all. Either Old Stoyanka’s recipe is bad, or the wise
woman is killed while the PCs are on the quest. While
the former choice is a bit cruel, it certainly puts the
“dark” in “dark fantasy.” Given the latter case, you
might allow a Chasind-speaking PC to fnd the recipe
for the cure in Old Stoyanka’s home and attempt to
make it himself. This would require an advanced TN
11 Cunning (Arcane Lore) test with a success threshold
of 15. Two failures ruin the brew.
The Lottery
Old Stoyanka needs the shadowmoss to brew a cure for
the infected villagers. Presumably, she’ll have enough
to cure the villagers from the frst wave as well as any
infected PCs. It’s up to you whether there’s enough left
for the infected Wulverton villagers, or a second wave
of infected Sothmere villagers. If the PCs only brought
some of the Shadowmoss from the grotto, then Old
Stoyanka may only be able to brew enough curatives
for a few of the infected. The PCs and the villagers will
have to decide who lives and who dies.
PART 1
Welcome to
Sothmere
The freemen of Sothmere have a hard life. Their ground
is less fertile than in other parts of Ferelden, their
growing season is short, and their craftsmen are few
in number. In addition, Sothmere’s proximity to the
Korcari Wilds makes it a dangerous place to live. There
are certainly easier lands to till, even for hardy South
Fereldens. So why live here?
The answer is bread. The farmers of Sothmere cultivate
felds of ryott, a protein-rich grain that is highly valued
throughout Ferelden. Ryott is notoriously diffcult to
grow and the valley where Sothmere is located is one of
the few areas in South Ferelden where ryott thrives.
Sothmere is nestled in a gentle valley between high
hills, taking advantage of a creek that fows through it
and peters out into a marsh to the southwest. (The creek
extends all the way to the Sudrand River during the
rainy summer season.) A temporary wooden fort built
atop a high hill to the south watches over Sothmere.
This wooden fort, dubbed “Fort Sothmere,” is manned
by a dozen soldiers and led by Ser Vilem, a brash young
knight.
Sothmere has recently been affected by the planned con-
struction of a stone fort to replace the wooden Fort Soth-
mere. Recently, Arl Voychek Neruda has been receiving
reports that Chasind stalker raids have been increas-
ing. Realizing that surrendering the ryott felds to the
Chasind would deprive him of a valuable resource, the
arl has decided to improve this military outpost. New
buildings are now being constructed to house the labor-
ers that will be needed to complete this task, and within
a few months the quiet village will likely be a thriving
town.
This has given the villagers of Sothmere cause for cel-
ebration and they are now hosting a Groundbreaking
Festival. Visitors and entertainers have come from all
over the region and pitched tents that now line the out-
skirts of the village. The festival has been planned as
Setting the Atmosphere
A village festival might seem out of place in a gritty dark fantasy adventure. Don’t worry; the weather has
conspired to give this colorful occasion a dark cast. The sky is a grey sheet of cloud with the occasional bolt
of lightning. A cold drizzle sprinkles the valley and makes the festival-goers sticky and uncomfortable. Light
winds also gust through the valley, chilling people in damp clothes and occasionally blowing light items to
the ground.
The drizzle and foot traffc have made the ground muddy. Boots and long skirts or pants are stained at the
ends, while those playing games are covered from head to toe in mud. Most villagers kick off their shoes and
roll up their pants to make the best of it, but the weather is certainly dampening the festivities.
7
Amber Rage
a three-day event that coincides with the start of the
planting season. Each day will be flled with entertain-
ments and feasts, with the actual groundbreaking cer-
emony scheduled to take place on the fnal day.
I 1HE GPLUNIBPEAKING
lES1IVAL
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs experience the Sothmere Groundbreak-
ing Festival and meet some of the notable
NPCs.
In spite of the grey sky having poured forth a
constant, cold drizzle since morning, the Soth-
mere valley is in the midst of a great celebra-
tion, which appears to be centered just outside
the village. The felds are covered with booths
and amusements as entertainers make their
way through the crowds to awe them with their
performances.
Would you prefer to explore the feld or the
booths frst?
Large booths and tables have been set up for crafts,
food, and games. Entertainers of all stripes wander
through the crowds, awing them with feats of juggling,
prestidigitation, music, and singing, or tempting them
with games of chance or more private entertainments.
Wine, mead, and ryott ale fow freely. All in all it’s a
festive occasion, marred only slightly by the weather
(see sidebar).
Visiting PCs have trouble fnding lodging, as Sothmere
has no inn. Usually, a visitor can fnd shelter as a villager’s
guest, but with the festival all spare rooms have occu-
pants. Unless the PCs have a friend or relative in Soth-
mere, they’ll have to pitch a tent or sleep under the stars.
This encounter allows the PCs to enjoy themselves and
perhaps partake in the games and merriments. A favor-
ite game is the “darkspawn smite,” in which competi-
tors throw axes at wooden boards painted with images
of darkspawn creatures. Other games include archery,
dueling (with wooden blades), knife-throwing, and
wrestling.
Games should be resolved as opposed tests. If the game
presumes many participants, any given character must
also beat TN 13 in order to win. For example, if two
PCs decide to play the darkspawn smite, then they both
make TN 13 Strength (Axes) tests. If neither of them
succeeds, then a third person wins the competition. If
they both succeed, then the PC with the highest suc-
cess (as refected by the dragon die’s measure of success
quality) wins the entire game.
8
Amber Rage
PCs join the congregation in the main tent for the day-
ending feast, but PCs who fnd themselves elsewhere in
the valley are still victims of the rager attack.
SHERIFF MILO KOVIC
In addition to his regional duty, Sheriff Milo is the bur-
gomaster of Sothmere. An elderly man, Sheriff Milo’s
right leg was badly injured in battle and never properly
healed. He walks with a limp and winces if he must use
it too often. Sheriff Milo is always eager to hear about
adventures and offers to purchase beer for any adven-
turer willing to relate a tale.
While it’s painful for him to move, the Sheriff under-
stands that he needs to be seen at this festival and can
generally be encountered among the stalls, frequently
stopping at any stall with an open stool where he can
sit while conversing with the vendor. He can also be
encountered “stalking” Ser Vilem, whom he hopes will
agree to court his daughter Wanda.
SHERIFF MILO KOVIC
Burgomaster of Sothmere and loving father.
Abilities (Focuses)
3 communicAtion (leAdership, persuAsion)
2 constitution
1 cunning (militAry lore)
3 dexterity (riding)
0 mAgic
1 perception
4 strength (heAvy blAdes, speArs)
2 WillpoWer (courAge)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
12 (7) 55 12 (14) 0 (10)
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
long sWord +6 2d6+4
tWo-hAnded speAr +6 2d6+4
Fist +3
1d3+4 (1d3+5
With gAuntlet)
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Dual Strike (3 SP) and Mighty Blow.
talents: Archery Style (Novice), Armor Training (Journey-
man), Two-Hander Style (Novice), and Weapon and Shield
Style (Journeyman)
WeaPon GrouPs: Axes, Brawling, Heavy Blades, and Spears.
*during the FestivAl sheriFF milo is unArmored.
use the stAts in pArentheses iF he is encountered lAter
While WeAring Armor And cArrying his shield.
equipment
heAvy plAte, long sWord, medium shield, And tWo-hAnded
speAr.
In addition to competitions, the festival has a number
of craft and food stalls. While spring in Sothmere is
only slightly warmer than winter, craftsmen attempt
to sell lighter clothes and new boots to festival-goers
while cooks are eager to sell the last of their preserved
foods while fresh meats are cooked from the frst hunts
of the season.
Entertainers also ply the festival-goers, amusing them
in the hopes of receiving a few silvers for their trou-
bles. Bards, dancers, jugglers, and illusionists (many
often existing in the same entertainer) wander the fair-
grounds to amuse children and adults alike. Prostitutes
entice festival-goers with the offer of warmth and com-
pany out of the drizzle. Games and merriments last
until nightfall, when a huge candlelight feast is served
and everyone staggers back to their homes or tents to
rest until morning.
There are a number of notable NPCs for the PCs to meet,
many of whom have ties to the rest of the adventure.
These NPCs can be encountered on the fairgrounds,
and notes on how a PC might meet them are provided
in the NPC descriptions in the following sections.
You can move on to the next encounter, Ragers!, once
your players have had enough time to enjoy the festi-
val. The rager attack can take place on any of the three
festival evenings. This next scene presumes that the
9
Amber Rage
WANDA KOVIC
Wanda is Sheriff Milo’s only child. The Sheriff had her
late in life and Wanda is only now entering woman-
hood. She is attractive and her slight build belies her
strong spirit, as Wanda has been taking care of Sheriff
Milo since her mother died several years ago. Sheriff
Milo wants to marry her off to a nobleman, specifcally
Ser Vilem, but Wanda quite likes life in Sothmere and
has no desire to leave.
Wanda likes to dance and can be encountered joining
other villagers in many of the folk dances being per-
formed in front of bands. She’s not particularly inter-
ested in Ser Vilem and may grab a PC to dance with her
if she suspects that her father is considering an intro-
duction.
OLD STOYANKA
Old Stoyanka is the wise woman of Sothmere. She
is an apostate with Chasind blood in her veins. Her
advanced age and the remoteness of Sothmere have left
her unmolested by the Templars, who have more chal-
lenging pursuits than to track down a bent, half-crazed
old woman whose “magical charms” are usually just
herbal remedies. Old Stoyanka has a harsh, grating
voice and is a bit hard of hearing.
During the festival Old Stoyanka is encountered lean-
ing on her walking stick, which is little more than a
badly gnarled branch, while observing a game or other
amusement. If a PC crosses her path, she makes a cryp-
tic but accurate comment about the PC, based on her
observation of him.
Old Stoyanka knows many hedge rituals that aren’t
listed here. You should feel free to give her a few strange
abilities to heighten her mystique.
OLEK THE CLOWN
Olek is a Dalish elf who travels with a small family of
entertainers. He has an odd appearance for an elf: his
ears are bigger than average and he has a mighty nose
to match. His arms and legs seem a bit too long for his
body and his hands and feet are slightly bigger than
they should be. This clumsy appearance belies his dex-
terous nature and Olek excels at entertaining the crowd
with his legerdemain. He also has sticky fngers but
generally only steals items of little value.
Olek may be encountered while entertaining. He may
choose a PC as an “assistant” for a particular magic
trick and perhaps lift a minor item from him.
WANDA KOVIC
Carefree—and eligible—young woman.
Abilities (Focuses)
2 communicAtion
0 constitution
1 cunning
2 dexterity (riding)
0 mAgic
3 perception
–1 strength
2 WillpoWer (courAge)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
12 33 12 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
short sWord +2 1d6+1 -
short boW +2 1d6+4 16/32 yArds
dAgger +2 1d6 -
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Defensive Stance and Rapid Reload.
talents: Archery Style (Novice), Armor Training (Novice),
and Single Weapon Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Light Blades, and Staves.
equipment
short sWord, dAgger, short boW, And 20 ArroWs.
OLD STOYANKA
Wise woman of Sothmere.
Abilities (Focuses)
2 communicAtion
–1 constitution
3 cunning (ArcAne lore, heAling, nAturAl lore)
–1 dexterity (stAves)
6 mAgic (ArcAne lAnce)
3 perception
–2 strength
4 WillpoWer (FAith)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
9 30 9 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
ArcAne lAnce +5 1d6+5 16 yArds
WAlking stick +1 1d6–2
dAgger –1 1d6–1 —
PoWers
spellpoWer: 16 mAnA points: 20
favoreD stunts: Mighty Spell, Skillful Casting.
talents: Linguistics (Old Chasind).
WeaPon GrouPs: Brawling, Staves.
Spells: Heal, Vulnerability Hex, Weakness.
stAFF, dAgger, mAny Fetishes, copious herbs, And strAnge
chArms.
10
Amber Rage
DIELZA THE DANCER
Exotic Dalish entertainer.
Abilities (Focuses)
5 communicAtion (perFormAnce, seduction)
3 constitution
1 cunning
5 dexterity (AcrobAtics)
0 mAgic
2 perception (empAthy)
1 strength
3 WillpoWer (courAge)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
16 40 16 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
dAgger +5 1d6+2
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Disarm.
talents: Contacts (Novice) and Music (Journeyman).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Light Blades, and Staves.
Class PoWers (roGue 1): Backstab, Rogue’s Armor
equipment
dAgger, bells, And tAmbourines
DIELZA THE DANCER
Dielza is a silky-voiced Dalish entertainer who per-
forms ancient elven dances and songs. She often works
in tandem with her brother Olek. Her shorter stature
and more attractive appearance give the mistaken
impression that she is the younger of the two. Dielza
is doing her part to preserve the elven heritage and
usually starts each song and dance with a quick anec-
dote about its history. While the South Ferelden have
little use for such stories, Dielza is beautiful enough
that they generally accept them as the price paid for a
performance.
Dielza tends to draw a crowd and may pull in a PC to
be the focus of one of her more exotic dances.
BOGDAN THE BLACKSMITH
Bogdan is the second most important man in Sothmere
behind Sheriff Milo. As the village blacksmith, Bogdan
ensures that the tools needed to cultivate the ryott are
in good supply as well as keeping the horses that take
the grain to markets properly shoed. Bogdan is a hard
man who holds a long-standing grudge against Sher-
iff Milo for marrying Magda, whom hecourted in his
youth. If given enough to drink, Bogdan might let slip
BOGDAN THE BLACKSMITH
Dour blacksmith of Sothmere.
Abilities (Focuses)
1 communicAtion (persuAsion)
2 constitution
3 cunning (engineering)
1 dexterity
–2 mAgic
2 perception
2 strength (bludgeons, intimidAtion)
0 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
11 30 11 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
mAul +4 1d6+5
tWo-hAnded sWord +2 3d6+2
dAgger +2 1d6+3
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Knock Prone and Mighty Blow.
talents: Single Weapon Style (Novice) and Two-Hander
Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bludgeons, Heavy Blades, and Light Blades.
equipment
mAul And dAgger. (bogdAn keeps his tWo-hAnded sWord
in his shop.)
OLEK THE CLOWN
“Clumsy” Dalish entertainer.
Abilities (Focuses)
4 communicAtion
1 constitution
1 cunning
6 dexterity (legerdemAin, light blAdes)
1 mAgic
2 perception
1 strength
3 WillpoWer (courAge)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
18 30 16 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
dAgger +8 1d6+2
Fist +6 1d3+1
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Defensive Stance and Pierce Armor (1 SP).
talents: Dual-Weapon Style (Novice), and Thievery (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Light Blades, and Staves.
Class PoWers (roGue 1): Backstab, Rogue’s Armor
equipment
dAggers (2), juggling bAlls, mArked cArds, And other
mAgic tricks
SER VILEM RICHTA
Proud young knight and commander of the con-
structions garrison.
Abilities (Focuses)
3 communicAtion (leAdership)
2 constitution (stAminA)
0 cunning (militAry lore)
3 dexterity (riding)
–1 mAgic
1 perception
4 strength (heAvy blAdes)
–1 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
8 35 8 10
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
long sWord +6 2d6+4 -
dAgger +3 1d6+5 -
crossboW +3 2d6+5 30/60 yArds
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Mighty Blow and Pierce Armor.
talents: Armor Training (Journeyman), Single Weapon
Style (Novice), Weapon and Shield Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Heavy Weapons, and
Spears.
equipment
heAvy plAte Armor, medium shield, long sWord, dAgger,
crossboW, And 20 bolts.
that he wouldn’t mind seeing some horror befall the
sheriff, as if losing his wife to disease was not enough.
Bogdan treats his own wife and children with indif-
ference.
During the festival, Bogdan hawks weapons he’s made
at a makeshift stall. In addition to mundane weapons
and items, Bogdan may also—at your option—have one
or two more expertly crafted weapons available for sale,
although he expects and commands high prices for high-
quality goods.
FIALA
Fiala is a hunter and an excellent archer. While she
keeps her long black curls tied behind her head, Fiala
has a natural beauty that shines anyway. She enjoys
the wilderness but sees little beyond her usual hunting
grounds in the Hinterlands.
Fiala is usually found at the archery games and calls
out any bow-wielding PC to compete against her. Fiala
enjoys a good challenge and offers to buy a drink to
anyone who can best her.
FIALA
Huntress and archer.
Abilities (Focuses)
1 communicAtion
3 constitution (stAminA)
1 cunning
5 dexterity (boWs, riding)
0 mAgic
3 perception
1 strength (climbing)
1 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
12 44 14 4
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
long boW +7 1d6+6 26/52 yArds
long sWord +5 2d6+1 -
dAgger +5 1d6+2 -
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Disarm and Rapid Reload.
talents: Archery Style (Novice), Armor Training (Novice),
Dual-Weapon Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Heavy Blades, and Light
Blades.
equipment
heAvy leAther Armor, longboW, 20 ArroWs, long sWord,
And dAgger.
11
Amber Rage
12
Amber Rage
SER VILEM RICHTA
Ser Vilem is a young knight who has been assigned to
lead Fort Sothmere during the construction of the new,
stone fort. Sheriff Milo has been trying to interest Ser
Vilem in courting his daughter, but Ser Vilem is actually
more enamored of Fiala. If one of the PCs is an attractive
woman, Ser Vilem may fall for her instead. This could
cause complications after the rager attack if any of these
women are infected, as Ser Vilem shows his true colors
when faced with a diffcult decision.
Ser Vilem can be encountered pining for Fiala (from a
distance) or engaged in conversation with Sheriff Milo.
Ser Vilem is not interested in losing fghts so will not
participate in duels unless properly goaded.
STROM KARSGARD
Strom is a dwarven merchant well-liked in the region.
He always offers the fnest dwarven goods at reason-
able prices and is usually willing to barter for a hot
meal, a good drink, and a warm bed. He dresses rather
plainly for a merchant, largely because—being born in
Orzammer—wearing jewels would be like adorning
himself with rocks. Strom enjoys the taste of ryott and
can often be seen snacking on a freshly baked roll.
Strom spends most of his time at food booths, especially
those that offer ryott bread as part of the fare.
2 PAGEPS!
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
Ragers attack the village and infect some of its
inhabitants. The PCs help defend the villagers.
You’ve assembled in the largest tent with sev-
eral dozen villagers for the evening feast. Sher-
iff Milo stands from his seat at the front table
and prepares to toast the festival. He raises his
mug and opens his mouth to speak, but pauses
at the sound of dogs barking in the distance.
He shakes his head and tries again, only to be
silenced by barking dogs a second time.
That’s when you start to hear screams.
Players making a TN 13 Perception (Hearing) test hear
screams of “Stalkers! They’re here!” before they react.
In any case, all of the revelers scatter for safety. As they
do so, some of the ragers invade the feasting area. Read
the following:
An axe tears through the tent wall behind Sher-
iff Milo and a barbaric human with unnaturally
yellow skin and bulging veins steps through
to menace the elderly Sheriff. Wanda grabs the
man’s arm and the barbarian snarls at her before
slashing her forearm with the dagger clenched
in his other hand. Frightened villagers push past
you, knocking into each other and scattering
food and drink everywhere.
Out of the corners of your eyes you see two
more jaundiced men dressed like Chasind enter
the tent from either side and attack diners as
they try to fee.
Will you fght, or fee?
These Chasind are different from others that the PCs
may have encountered, as they are infected with amber
rage. PCs making a TN 9 Cunning (Healing) test real-
ize that the Chasind suffer from some affiction. PCs
making a TN 13 Perception (Smelling) test smell
something unpleasant that intensifes as the ragers get
closer.
PCs who engage a rager in melee must make a TN 13
Constitution (Stamina) test or be shaken by the acrid
smell. Those who fail suffer a –1 penalty on attack rolls
against the ragers in melee combat. All PCs also suffer a
–1 penalty for fghting in the tent’s low light.
After being slashed, Wanda collapses to the foor. If a
PC examines her, a successful TN 9 Cunning (Healing)
test reveals that she has a fever and her skin is slightly
jaundiced around the knife wound. If the PC makes
a TN 15 Perception (Smelling) test he smells a slight
STROM KARSGARD
Respected Dwarven merchant.
Abilities (Focuses)
4 communicAtion (bArgAining, persuAsion)
2 constitution
3 cunning
0 dexterity
–2 mAgic
1 perception
2 strength (bludgeons)
2 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
8 28 10 3
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
mAce +4 2d6+2
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Knock Prone.
talents: Contacts (Journeyman) and Single Weapon Style
(Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Axes, Brawling, and Bludgeons.
equipment
light leAther Armor And mAce.
13
Amber Rage
RAGERS
Ragers are humanoids who have been infected
with the amber rage. Their skin is severely jaun-
diced and they have a rancid smell. Ragers oper-
ate solely by instinct. The weapons and armor
listed here are for Chasind ragers.
Abilities (Focuses)
–2 communicAtion
3 constitution
–2 cunning
3 dexterity
–2 mAgic
0 perception
6 strength
8 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
13 20 13 3
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bAttle Axe +6 2d6+6
dAgger +3 1d6+7
bite +3 1d3+6
PoWers
oDor: Ragers exude a potent odor. Those who engage a rager
in melee must pass a TN 13 Constitution (Stamina) test or
suffer a –1 penalty to attack rolls made against the ragers.
Poisonous bite: A rager that bites a victim may transmit
the amber rage with a 3 SP stunt. An infected character
quite quickly begins to exude an odor and his skin becomes
jaundiced. Untreated, the character becomes a rager within (3
+ Constitution) hours.
amber Poison: The initial wave of Chasind ragers carry
poisoned weapons. A weapon coated with the amber poison is
more potent than the bite, infecting a victim with a stunt that
costs only 1 SP. A rager can make a poisoned weapon by coat-
ing the weapon with its own blood, for a stunt costing 2 SP.
fiGht to the Death: Ragers may continue to act normally
while they are dying. They only stop when truly dead.
equipment
light leAther Armor, bAttle Axe, And short sWord.
variation of the acrid stench that emanates from the
ragers.
The ragers’ knives are coated with the mutated amber
poison. Characters who examine the daggers can make
a TN 9 Perception (Seeing) test to notice that the dagger
is coated with something, likely a poison. a TN 11 Cun-
ning (Natural Lore) test reveals that the poison is not of
a type known within Ferelden.
Ragers ooze a yellowish blood from their wounds. A
PC who has the chance to do an autopsy on the rager
(after the fght, obviously) and who makes a TN 15
Cunning (Healing) test notices that, in addition to
their blood being yellow, rager arteries and veins are
unnaturally expanded. An autopsy comes with some
risk, as touching rager blood can transmit the amber
rage. The amber rage is contracted if the character
touching the infected blood fails a TN 11 Cunning
(Healing) test.
There are other ragers in the valley in addition to those
that attacked the feasting tent. Use the following combat
vignettes as appropriate, taking into account the PCs’
ability to handle them. You can also create follow-up
combat encounters of your own.
The festival grounds provide interesting complica-
tions to combat encounters. PCs and ragers can hop up
onto tables to gain a bonus for high ground. Weapons
and cutlery abound at food stalls and game areas. Lit
torches on poles can make good improvised weapons.
Also remember to adjust the scene for lighting. Fight-
ing at night imposes a –2 penalty, while fghting near a
torch only imposes a –1 penalty. Given that the festival
was winding down, many of the torches have already
burned out, or are in danger of doing so (that is, a –1
penalty in round one can easily become a –2 penalty in
round two).
Frightened Villagers
Initially, the frightened villagers are nearly as great a
threat as the ragers. Afraid for their lives, many of the
villagers, visitors, entertainers, and vendors don’t care
whom they must shove or trample to save themselves.
Some villagers may even try to grab a PC’s weapon or
shield in order to use it themselves.
Stay of Execution
In a gritty setting like Thedas, a player may jump to the conclusion that an infected villager is a lost cause and
smite them in the heat of battle. As this would obviously pre-empt the roleplaying encounter following this
one, Old Stoyanka comes to the rescue. As the PC prepares to deal the deathblow, the wise-woman hobbles
over, hissing that there may be a way to cure the victim.
Old Stoyanka only offers this interjection once, and should the player disregard it she won’t intervene physi-
cally. You’ll need to alter the next encounter a bit to take into account that the victims were all executed during
the fght. It’s also possible that some unaffected villagers, such as Sheriff Milo, step in to protect a few of the
infected villagers from overzealous PCs.
14
Amber Rage
Once a few rounds of combat have commenced, most of
the villagers will have fed. Still, the occasional fright-
ened villager could re-enter the PCs’ area of focus, pur-
sued by a rager.
Dalish Trouble
You see a pair of Dalish entertainers—Olek
and Dielza—retreating from two ragers. Dielza
crawls toward the Dalish landship with a nasty
gash across her leg. Between her and the two
ragers stands Olek, no longer a clown but a
ferce defender, staving them off with a large
knife in each hand. Still, even with his impres-
sive display it is obvious that he is wounded
and tired.
Are you willing to help?
Olek is not trying to win. He’s simply trying to see his
sister to safety before succumbing to his wounds.
Once the PCs take over the fghting, Olek collapses to the
ground. He’s exhausted and at 2 Health, but he’ll sur-
vive. Any PC aiding Olek with a TN 11 Cunning (Heal-
ing) test learns that Olek has been poisoned. A successful
opposed Perception (Searching) vs. Dexterity (Leger-
demain) test reveals various trinkets in Olek’s pockets
and inside the lining of his coat. These are minor items
he’s taken from festival-goers. It’s possible that a few of
the PCs’ minor possessions are also present.
Strom’s Stand
“Get away from me, you flthy barbarians! I’ve
bested cave spiders larger than you!”
You see the dwarven merchant standing atop
his wagon with his mace, swinging wildly at a
jaundiced Chasind that is climbing the side of
the wagon in order to get to him. The dwarf
loses his balance on a particularly wide swing
and falls off the other side.
Will you engage the Chasind?
Unless the PCs intercept him, the rager runs around the
wagon to attack the fallen Strom. If the PCs engage the
rager then Strom joins the fght after two rounds, rub-
bing his sore and muddy posterior.
Devil’s Choice
You hear two young children screaming for
their parents. You spot them crouched beneath
a wagon that has sunk into one of the muddier
parts of the feld. Two Chasind kneel in the
mud and grasp at them, trying to pull them out
from under the wagon. One of the children, a
young girl, makes a break for it and scampers
out the back. One of the stalkers darts after her.
The young boy remains underneath, bawling as
the other Chasind’s hand gets closer. If you act
quickly, you might just have time to save one
of them.
But which one?
This is a gut-wrenching encounter, as one PC is asked
to choose who lives or dies. If you wish to mitigate the
consequences, present this vignette to more than one
hero, or after the choice is made, Fiala’s arrow or Ser
Vilem’s blade strikes true against the other rager before
the child is torn apart.
Gone Rogue
You see a young woman run up to a man who
looks to be a trapper.
“Oskar, you made it! Thank the Maker!”
Then the hunter turns to face her and she
screams. He raises his axe to smite her and you
notice that his arm is yellow.
On their way to Sothmere, the ragers encountered a trap-
per named Oskar, who had business in the nearby village
of Wulverton and was on his way to the festival. Although
he escaped, a rager bit him. He succumbed to the amber
rage and now fghts alongside the other ragers.
FRIGHTENED VILLAGERS
Revelers turned victims.
Abilities (Focuses)
1 communicAtion (AnimAl hAndling)
2 constitution
0 cunning
1 dexterity (riding)
0 mAgic
0 perception
1 strength
1 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
11 20 11 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
FArming
implement or
hAnd tool
+1 1d6+1
dAgger +3 1d6+2
equipment
dAgger, FArm implement, or hAnd tool.
15
Amber Rage
Oskar’s new condition is proof that the ragers can trans-
fer their disease to others and a TN 11 Cunning (Heal-
ing) test confrms this. If the PCs don’t succeed at this
test then one of the locals does by the time the afficted
are taken to the hall in the next encounter. If you choose
not to run this encounter, then an NPC, likely a soldier,
is responsible for dispatching Oskar and bringing the
information that the amber rage can be spread to the
Sheriff and Ser Vilem’s attention.
Use the rager stat block for Oskar. Aneta, the young
woman, belongs to one of Sothmere’s ryott farming
families. She has the same stats as the Frightened Vil-
lagers.
Familial Ties
If any of the PCs are from Sothmere or the surround-
ing region and have relatives here (or if you inserted
a well-liked NPC from a previous adventure), then a
rager attacks the relative or friend. Give the PC a chance
to save them, although by the time they can react, the
rager has already bitten the relative.
FORT SOLDIERS
There are currently a dozen soldiers stationed at the
Fort Sothmere and half of them are attending the festi-
val. Three soldiers were among the frst killed tonight
and the remaining three are rather overzealous. PCs
may fnd themselves arguing with a soldier to spare an
infected villager’s life.
FORT SOLDIERS
The Garrison of Fort Sothmere.
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion
2 constitution (stAminA)
0 cunning
2 dexterity (riding)
0 mAgic
0 perception
3 strength
1 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
9 35 14 7
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
long sWord +3 2d6+3 -
dAgger +2 1d6+4 -
2-hAnded speAr +3 2d6+3 -
crossboW +2 2d6+1 30/60 yArds
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Mighty Blow and Skirmish.
talents: Archery Style (Novice), Armor Training (Novice),
and Weapon and Shield Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Heavy Blades, and Spears.
equipment
heAvy mAil Armor, medium shield, long sWord, dAgger,
tWo-hAnded speAr, crossboW, And 20 bolts.
16
Amber Rage
Ser Vilem promises that the fort, while undermanned,
will help, and that any uninfected villagers are welcome
to spend the night within its walls.
Once the question of the infected villagers comes up,
however, things take a nasty turn. To Sheriff Milo’s
horror, Ser Vilem suggests the infected villagers be put
to death. Bogdan concurs. Old Stoyanka intervenes,
declaring that there is a way to cure them. This breaks
the discussion into two camps, those who wish to help
the infected and those who wish to slay them.
The opinions of the four major NPCs are provided here
so you can incorporate them into a discussion with the
PCs. If the players aren’t up for a debate, you have a
couple of options. You can simply inform the players
that, after a heated debate, either Sheriff Milo or Bogdan
(as you wish) wins the argument. Alternatively, you
can call on the PCs to make an advanced, opposed TN
13 Communication (Persuasion) test with a success
threshold of 15, with each party to the test racing to the
threshold and each roll eating up 30 minutes of time.
• sheriff milo: Sheriff Milo has a personal stake
in this debate, as siding with Bogdan means
executing his daughter. Beyond that, Sheriff Milo
has a strong personal code and wants to give the
infected villagers a chance. He has faith in Old
Stoyanka and knows that she would not make a
proposal without a decent chance of success.
• boGDan: Bogdan has a personal stake in the
debate as well; he wants to see Sheriff Milo suffer.
If the Sheriff loses his daughter, he might step
aside and allow Bogdan to become burgomaster
of Sothmere. Bogdan is also a realist; he doesn’t
believe in the ramblings of the old wise woman
and feels it best to protect the village now by
eliminating the incurable. If popular opinion shifts
to favor the Sheriff, Bogdan argues that at the very
least the infected elf be killed, given elves’ general
worthlessness.
• ser vilem: Ser Vilem is adamant that the infected
villagers be killed. While he can retreat to Fort
Sothmere, Ser Vilem won’t receive reinforcements
for at least a couple of days. The amber rage truly
frightens the knight and he fears that, walls or not,
the amber rage may infect him. If it weren’t for the
fact that Sheriff Milo outranks Ser Vilem in local
matters, Ser Vilem would forgo debate and simply
put the infected villagers to the sword.
• olD stoYanka: Old Stoyanka wants to save the
infected villagers. She believes she can brew a
cure from a recipe she recalls from old legend, and
that she has most of the necessary ingredients. All
that’s missing is shadowmoss, which only grows
in a particular hidden grotto in the mist-shrouded
forest in the Korcari Wilds. It’s over a day’s ride
from Sothmere. The afficted must drink the brew
The remaining three soldiers can also be useful allies if
you think the PCs need a bit more support when engag-
ing the ragers. The three soldiers are named Jonshee,
Lazlo, and Zoran.
ò JUS1 1L BE SUPE?
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The villagers decide what to do about their
infected fellows.
Sheriff Milo takes control of the situation once
the strange raiders have been killed, organizing
a bonfre for the bodies and instructing everyone,
both wounded and healthy, to congregate in the
town hall. Most visitors instead head for their
tents with the intent of moving on. It doesn’t
matter to them that the rain is getting heavier
now or that there may be more threats outside of
the valley; Sothmere is no longer safe.
Do you go to the town hall or pick up and leave?
Sheriff Milo clears one of the larger rooms in the meeting
hall (which doubles as his home) to tend the wounded.
The infected villagers all have fevers. It takes no test to
make an infected victim a bit more comfortable, but no
level of success at Cunning (Healing) helps a PC stop
or even slow the infection. Infected villagers include
Wanda Kovic, Olek the Clown, Lazlo (or another sol-
dier if Lazlo died), and perhaps one or more of the PCs’
relatives.
Once she has time to examine a rager’s poison, Old
Stoyanka discovers that it is tainted by the amber rage.
She cautions anyone against keeping any of the poison
and suggests the blades be burned clean. Any PC who
does keep a poisoned blade (or the poison itself) runs
the risk of contracting the affiction without even touch-
ing it.
Old Stoyanka visits the wounded as well, using her
Healing powers on the wounds and offering the poi-
soned ones a cup of a foul-smelling brew. This concoc-
tion slows the victims’ transformation into ragers.
In short order, Sheriff Milo opens the meeting and dis-
cusses how to protect the village from further attacks.
Afflicted PCs
One or more heroes may well be poisoned. This is
likely to color how that PC acts during this encoun-
ter, as well as how his companions decide to treat
him. Old Stoyanka’s brew staves off the effects of
the poison for a time, but infected PCs are slightly
jaundiced and have a hint of the acrid smell for the
rest of the adventure.
17
Amber Rage
within three days in order for it to work. When
Ser Vilem presses her, the wise woman admits the
recipe might not work, as it is only a legend.
If The Sheriff Wins
If the Sheriff’s side wins the argument then the infected
villagers have to be secured. Fort Sothmere is the obvi-
ous location, but Sheriff Milo believes that once the
villagers are in Ser Vilem’s possession he’ll slaughter
them. One of the ryott farmers, Anzhay, offers his barn,
provided that someone will offer to watch over the
infected villagers there. Old Stoyanka reiterates that her
brew should stave off the effects of the amber rage until
the shadowmoss can be collected.
Next is the question of who will gather the shadow-
moss. There aren’t many villagers who will risk going
to the Korcari Wilds and, in any event, they’re needed
here. The PCs are the obvious choice. If they don’t
volunteer, Sheriff Milo offers a gold piece each to any
takers (and this can be negotiated upwards by up to
50 more silver pieces with an opposed Communication
(Bargaining) test. Bogdan fumes and reiterates that if
the villagers are intent on going along with this mad
plan, they should at least kill the infected elf.
If the PCs agree to undertake the quest Old Stoyanka
promises to give them directions frst thing in the morn-
ing. For now, she suggests they get some sleep and let the
villagers handle their infected brethren. If a PC happens
to be infected, Old Stoyanka insists he be taken to the
barn for the night to keep everyone safe for the evening.
If Ser Vilem and Bogdan Win
If the more brutal side wins, the infected villagers are
taken outside, tied up, and run through by Ser Vilem’s
soldiers. Whether Sheriff Milo or any relatives make a
futile stand is up to you, although, as Bogdan hoped,
Sheriff Milo is so distraught that he resigns as burgo-
master.
Most of the villagers wind up unhappy with their deci-
sion, especially as they watch friends and loved ones
bleed to death before their eyes. Should they have to
make this decision a second time, it seems likely they’ll
vote the other way.
Even in the aftermath of the executions, Old Stoyanka
insists that the shadowmoss be collected in case there
are more ragers in the area. While no longer tied to a
timetable, the PCs’ quest is still crucial, as there could
be more attacks and more infected villagers nearly any
time. Bogdan, sensing a new opportunity for leadership,
now supports the quest.
Depending on when the PCs get underway, Ser Vilja
(see Part 6, 1. A Knight’s Final Stand) may beat them
to the shadowmoss. In this case, the roles switch; it is
the PCs who learn from the fresprites what happened,
and who must track down Ser Vilja to claim the shad-
owmoss for themselves.
4 AN ESCA!E
COMBAT ENCOUNTER: OPTIONAL)
An infected villager succumbs to the amber rage
and rampages among the innocents.
If the argument seems one-sided and you want to pro-
vide a motivating force against compassion, one or
more infected villagers turn rager before tasting Old
Stoyanka’s brew and burst free, attacking (and perhaps
slaying) other villagers before they can be subdued or
killed. (Alternately, you can assume that the brew is not
entirely reliable in staving off the effects of the rage.)
This is also a good encounter to use if one or more of the
PCs decide to help secure the infected villagers.
PART 2
Into the Wilds
This part of the adventure takes the PCs from Sothmere
and into the Korcari Wilds. They travel over the hills of
the Hinterlands and cross the Sudrand River at Wich-
ford, where the ragers who attacked Sothmere slew all
they found. Once there, the PCs must decide whether
to abandon the quest to help Sothmere against a second
wave of attacks or press on. Should they decide to con-
tinue, they learn a bit about what’s happened in the
Korcari Wilds from both friend and foe.
I 1HE JLUPNEY BEGINS
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs embark on a journey to fnd the cure for
the infected villagers.
Morning greets you with a hard rain. The rising
sun is just a dim haze over the valley, barely illu-
minating the chaos left from last night’s events.
Stalls are destroyed, tables are overturned, and
the ground is littered with trash. Village dogs
and birds pick through the refuse for discarded
food.
Old Stoyanka sits by a small fre in the center
of the feld facing the rising sun and chants in
an unfamiliar tongue. She tosses a handful of
something into the fre and it explodes into a
blue freball. With a slight smile, Old Stoyanka
grips her walking stick and pulls herself to her
feet. Moments later, a raven caws and alights on
her shoulder.
18
Amber Rage
PCs making a TN 13 Cunning (Arcane Lore) test real-
ize Old Stoyanka is performing an old Chasind animist
ritual. (If they can speak Chasind no test is required,
and they understand that she is praying to spirits for
guidance.)
Sheriff Milo and a few villagers approach the PCs with
provisions for the journey, including water, wine, and
sandwiches. He also gives the PCs a rough map of the
region. Strom is also present, thanking the PCs for
their aid (if they gave it) and offering them a fame-
less lantern (powered by a glowstone—see the Dragon
Age RPG Set 1 Game Master’s Guide, page 40) for their
quest.
Old Stoyanka walks up to the PCs with the raven still
perched on her shoulder.
The ancient wise woman looks at you with one
eye wide open and the other barely a squint. She
offers you two small bags and a large sack. One
of the small bags seems to be moving, while
the other emanates a vile stench. The large sack
seems to be empty.
“Follow the raven to fnd the grotto,” she
says. “This bag—” she holds up the moving one
“—contains its food. Make your camp where
the raven takes you. But keep your bearings; it
will lead you where you need to be, but it will
not lead you back.”
She then holds up the foul-smelling bag. “Once
you arrive at the campsite, dump this mixture
into boiling water. This will attract the fresprites.
They will lead you to the shadowmoss.
Finally, she indicates the large sack. “Fill this
completely with shadowmoss.”
In addition to the above, the old wise woman hands
each PC three salves. Each is a mixture made from vari-
ous herbs and butter packed into a beaver stomach.
When the stomach is pierced and the mixture spread
over a wound, this salve acts as a Lesser Healing Potion
(see the Dragon Age RPG Set 1 Game Master’s Guide,
page 40).
Old Stoyanka also gives each infected PC (if there are
any) three vials of her anti-rage concoction. Each dose
of this foul-smelling drink will—she hopes—continue
to prevent an infected PC from becoming a rager for
one day.
Questions and Answers
If the PCs have any sense, they should have questions.
The most common ones are given here, along with Old
Stoyanka’s responses. Improvise as necessary.
“hoW Will We knoW When the raven is finisheD leaDinG
us?”
You will know.
“What’s in the movinG baG?”
Carrion beetles. The raven must consume them alive to pro-
long the enchantment. One beetle each hour should be suf-
fcient.
“What is a firesPrite?”
Firesprites are ancient creatures from when the world was
very young. They were once plentiful in the Korcari Wilds,
singing songs of joy, but that time is long past. Over time
many fresprites were slain. There are only a few left, and
now their songs are sad. Those that remain protect the loca-
tion of the shadowmoss. It is said that their songs soothe its
guardian.
“hoW Do We tell the firesPrites What We neeD?”
You don’t. They will tire of you and return to the grotto.
Follow them there.
“What GuarDs the shaDoWmoss?”
An ancient creature—a powerful serpent—lives in the grotto
that contains the shadowmoss.
19
Amber Rage
“What Does shaDoWmoss look like?”
It is a mossy substance that glows a sickly green. It can only
thrive where the sun cannot reach.
“hoW Do We Gather the shaDoWmoss?”
In the obvious way. Just be sure the bag is full and tightly
packed. The brew may not work with a lesser amount.
“hoW muCh time Do We have?”
You must bring the shadowmoss to me before three sunsets pass.
Once the PCs have exhausted their questions, Old Stoy-
anka sends them on their way.
“Good luck!” she rasps, banging her walk-
ing stick against a large rock. The raven caws
and takes fight. “Follow the raven” she says,
pointing a bony fnger toward it. The raven fies
south, circling a bit as if waiting for you.
“Indeed!” Sheriff Milo says. He drops his
voice to a whisper as he steps in close. “Please…
Save my daughter.”
As the PCs leave, those making a TN 13 Perception
(Seeing) test catch Bogdan staring at them from the
front of his smithy, wearing an apron and holding a
hammer in his hand. He has a grim but satisfed expres-
sion on his face, as if happy that they’re leaving. Nod-
ding to himself, Bogdan glances up at the fort and then
turns back into his smithy.
2 1HE SHLP1ES1
IIS1ANCE BE1VEEN 1VL
!LIN1S
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The PCs must descend a severe bluff without
harming themselves or their mounts.
Sheets of rain now pound you as you crest a
fnal hill in the dim haze of the shrouded noon
sun. You can see the Sudrand River below and
the Korcari Wilds beyond. Unfortunately, the
hillside amounts to a steep bluff, and is littered
with loose rocks half-buried in the muck.
If a PC checks the map call for a TN 9 Cunning (Car-
tography) test. With a success the PC notices that
Wichford, a hamlet with a ford, lays about a half-mile
upriver. It’s impossible to see it from here, but riding
20
Amber Rage
west along the ridge should bring it in sight. Unfortu-
nately, the ridge at Wichford turns out to be as steep
as it is here, so the same tests to descend are required
either way.
Riding a horse down the hillside is tough. Riding a
resistant horse down the steep hill requires a TN 11
Communication (Animal Handling) test. Then, each
PC has to make an advanced TN 15 Dexterity (Riding)
test with a success threshold of 9. Failure means that
rider and horse tumble down the hill and take 1d6
points of damage for every 3 points by which the PC
fell short of the success threshold (minimum 1d6). A
successful TN 13 Dexterity (Acrobatics) test halves
the damage.
Dismounting and leading a horse down the hill is a
bit easier. No Communication (Animal Handling)
test is necessary, but each horse and PC must make
an advanced tn 13 DexteritY (ClimbinG) test with a
success threshold of 9. Failure here also results in 1d6
points of damage for every 3 points short (minimum
of 1d6).
PCs concerned about the return trip realize with a TN
9 Cunning (Navigation) test success that the horses
won’t be able to climb that bluff. A PC making a TN
9 Cunning (Cartography) test notes that the quickest
alternate route is to pass Wichford and follow the river
west until the valley opens up. The trip from Wichford
to Sothmere takes about a day on horseback.
Whether they descend the bluff where they frst encoun-
ter it or ride west to the vicinity of Wichford frst, the
ford at Wichford turns out to be the only decent place
to cross the river. The raven won’t follow them west to
the ford, but remains in the same area just across the
river until the heroes return. Offering the raven food
brings it temporarily back to hand, but it then returns to
its previous position on the other side of the river after
snacking on a tasty carrion beetle or two. The PCs must
cross the river at Wichford and then turn back east to
reunite with the raven.
ò 1HE VICHlLPI PUINS
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
Bloodcrows attack the PCs as they enter the
hamlet of Wichford.
Ahead lies Wichford. You’d expect the hamlet
to be bustling with activity as hunters and trap-
pers from the outer edges of the Korcari Wilds
use the small ferry in Wichford to travel from
one bank of the Sudrand to the other. Today,
though, there doesn’t seem to be any activity
beyond the rain feeding the puddles and a few
ravens fying through the city to pick at a litter
of human corpses.
Will you enter the hamlet?
Upon entering the hamlet (or with a TN 13 Perception
(Sight) test from afar) it becomes obvious that the ferry
raft is missing. When Wichford suffered its rager attack
a survivor cut the raft loose in the hopes that it would
stop more ragers from crossing.
The ten “ravens” in Wichford are actually bloodcrows,
and they attack as the PCs enter the hamlet. A success-
ful TN 13 Cunning (Natural Lore) test gives a bit of
warning, beforehand, that these birds are more than
they frst appear. For more information on bloodcrows,
see the Dragon Age RPG Set 1 Game Master’s Guide,
pages 62 and 63.
4 IAHNEI Il YLU IL…
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs meet a survivor of the Wichford attack .
Except for the pelting of rain against thatched
roofs, the hamlet of Wichford is eerily quiet. A
few scattered bodies litter the mud around the
buildings, slashed by blades and picked over by
the bloodcrows. Some buildings are tightly shut
while others have broken shutters and doors.
A Roguish Opportunity
Thedas is a harsh world, and it’s diffcult to fnd fault with any PCs who want to take advantage of the oppor-
tunity Wichford provides to do a little “shopping.” Wichford is a small hamlet, but it’s also a frontier town.
Hunting weapons and armor abound, and most residents have at least a few silver coins hidden away in
their homes. Beyond a few easy locks, the greatest enemy in this encounter is time. The clock is ticking on the
infected villagers and the PCs simply can’t afford to waste the day ransacking homes.
Looting a corpse takes one minute and nets 1d6 copper pieces and in most cases a weapon. There are 20
corpses strewn about the hamlet. Looting a home requires a TN 9 Dexterity (Lockpicking) test, a TN 13 Per-
ception (Searching) test, and 30 minutes. A house ransacked in this way nets 1d6 silver pieces multiplied by
the number on the dragon die of the Perception test.
21
Amber Rage
Will you tarry to investigate, or press on to
the ford?
Call for a TN 15 Perception (Tracking) test. Anyone
who succeeds notes that some of the footprints in the
mud indicate that humanoids came through this hamlet
from the river more recently than yesterday (when the
fghting took place), perhaps within the last few hours.
Anyone checking the bodies and making a TN 11 Com-
munication (Investigation) test realizes that the torn
and dismembered corpses have been partially eaten by
creatures with human-like teeth.
Call for a TN 9 Perception (Hearing) test from anyone
passing through Wichford. Those who succeed hear
the shutters of an upper story window open behind
them, followed by a thump from inside the building.
Josef the Cordwain lies on the second foor of his shop.
His left leg is shattered from a mace blow and he has
a vicious cut on his left arm. He heard the PCs arrive
and wanted to warn them (the “thump” was Josef fall-
ing out of his chair). If none of the PCs make the test,
Josef starts hollering for them to come see him, which
requires no test.
The cordwain shop is where leather is turned into shoes
and other goods. The frst foor smells like leather and
shoe polish. There is a trapdoor in the ceiling from which,
when opened, a staircase rises to the second foor (a
common feature of the Wichford two-story buildings as
protection against Chasind stalkers and other creatures
from the Korcari Wilds). Once the PCs pull down the
staircase they hear a man’s voice tell them that it’s okay
to come up.
The second foor is sparsely furnished and an
older man leans against the wall next to the
cracked-open window. Most of the color has
drained from his face and one lens of his spec-
tacles is cracked. His left pants leg has been
cut off and he has bandages wrapped around
a splint holding what remains of his knee. The
lower part of his right shirt sleeve is drenched in
blood and his skin has a jaundiced appearance.
A short sword lies next to him.
“You… You could not have come from Soth-
mere?” He asks.
How do you respond?
Call for a TN 15 Perception (Smelling) test. Anyone
who succeeds smells the familiar acrid stench of an
infected victim.
BLOOD CROW HUNGER DARKSPAWN
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion
–2 constitution (stAminA)
–2 cunning
3 dexterity (bite, steAlth)
–2 mAgic
2 perception (smelling)
–1 strength (intimidAtion)
0 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
5 (Fly 20) 10 13 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bite +5 1d6–1
poWers
blooD Drain stunt: For 3 stunt points, a bloodcrow can
strike and latch onto its target to drain blood from the victim.
The damage from the bloodcrow’s attack ignores armor.
eYe-strike stunt: For 2 stunt points, a bloodcrow can rake
or peck at its target’s eyes or other vulnerable spots. The target
suffers a –1 penalty on all tests until the end of its next turn.
favoreD stunts: Blood Drain, Eye Strike, Mighty Blow.
22
Amber Rage
Josef is confused. Since the Sudrand becomes impas-
sible downriver, Josef assumes that the PCs have come
from upriver, perhaps with the residents of Wichford
who attended the festival. Between the long ride—
Sothmere is almost a day’s ride from here, if you take
the road—and a likely engagement with the ragers, he
doesn’t understand how the PCs could have gotten to
Wichford so quickly.
If asked what happened in Wichford, Josef says that
the “maddened” Chasind came out of the misty forest
and slaughtered a group of trappers returning from a
morning hunt. Rudolf, the ferryman, cut the rope to
set the raft loose, but it was still easy for the ragers to
cross given the ford’s shallows. There were too many
of them, especially since some of Wichford’s residents
were away at the festival. The ragers killed everyone
they came across; Josef hid upstairs in his shop.
At some point, Josef fell asleep and awoke early this
morning. He came down from his second foor and
went outside only to be waylaid by Hanz, Wichford’s
carpenter, who had become a rager since yesterday’s
attack. He shattered Josef’s leg and would have killed
him had not Karl, a dying watchman, shot Hanz with
his crossbow. But as Hanz fell, he bit into Josef’s arm.
Josef dragged himself back to safety as he heard other
new ragers—former residents of Wichford now infected
with the horrible plague—stirring. After an hour or so,
this group of perhaps a dozen ragers left town, heading
northward in the general direction of the trail that even-
tually loops back east and heads for Sothmere.
While he believes the danger is past for now, Josef
realizes he’ll turn into one of those “yellow things”
soon. Given that, and the condition of his leg, he asks
one of the PCs to kill him. Josef is, in fact, on the verge
of turning into a rager. The PCs could offer him some
of Old Stoyanka’s brew to hold off the transformation,
but they have to make an opposed Communication
(Persuasion) vs. Willpower (Self-Discipline) test
with him to convince him to take it. If you’d like to
turn up the pressure on the PCs to make a decision,
Josef completes his transformation while they dither
and pounces on them with some reeking implement
of his trade.
In addition to this troubling request, Josef’s informa-
tion that there are more ragers heading for Sothmere is
also troubling. There’s simply no time to double back
and kill this second wave before gathering the shadow-
moss without condemning the already-infected villag-
ers. It’s also pretty obvious that the PCs won’t be able
to take the horses back up the ridge—it’s too steep—so
they can’t use the overland route they took when fol-
lowing the raven to intercept the ragers before they get
to Sothmere.
Whether the PCs decide to double back or move for-
ward is up to them. Should they choose to go back,
you’ll have to decide whether the returning Wichford
residents stop the ragers or, as suggested in Uncomfort-
able Complications, the second wave of ragers makes
it to Sothmere.
Josef’s shop can be looted just as the other Wichford
homes, save that no Dexterity (Lockpicking) test is nec-
essary to gain entry.
b CPLSSING 1HE BPIIGE
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The PCs must cross the Sudrand River.
The ford is perhaps 50 yards across, with a few
reeds jutting out of the water to indicate its
shallows. The ferry once followed a rope line
attached to either bank, but it’s been cut, and
each end trails listlessly in the current rather
than forming a single length over it. Walking a
horse across could prove treacherous, especially
without a guide knowledgeable about the high
and low points in the murky water.
How do you plan to cross the river?
Attempting to ride straight across the water is diffcult;
a PC must make an advanced TN 13 Dexterity (Riding)
test with a success threshold of 12 to properly cross the
water. A failure on any of these tests injures the horse
for 2d6 points of damage and forces the rider to make
a further TN 13 Dexterity (Riding) test to avoid being
thrown. A thrown rider takes 2d6 points of damage
and must then make an advanced TN 13 Constitution
(Swimming) test with a success threshold of 9 to make
it to the other side (his choice as to side). Each failure
at swimming results in another 1d6 points of damage
from hitting rocks and swallowing water. Swimming
characters must keep making tests until they reach the
success threshold or drown.
Alternately, one character can swim or walk across the
ford (as described above) and either repair the rope or
string a new one, allowing the rest of the PCs to use it
to lead their horses across. A PC who searches the town
can fnd a replacement rope of acceptable length with a
TN 11 Perception (Search) test. Devising appropriate
knotwork requires a simple TN 7 Cunning (Engineer-
ing) test (with a –3 penalty if the hero tries to do it while
swimming).
Once a rope has been strung, players receive a +3 bonus
to their Dexterity (Riding) and Constitution (Swim-
ming) tests to cross the river.
Once the PCs cross the river they need only follow it to
catch up with their raven. The rain is still pounding on
them as the raven leads them into the sinister Korcari
Wilds.
U A 1PA!!EP’S S1LPY
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs encounter a trapper who tells them
more about the recent strange happenings of the
Korcari Wilds.
You’ve been riding for three hours since crossing
the ford and you can see the hilly range ahead
that separates you from the forest. You also see
a wagon and a cooking fre where a large man
dressed in furs stokes the embers beneath roast-
ing meat. As you approach, two large dogs with
grey-and-white coats bark at you.
“Bog! Ipa! Be quiet!” the man says as he sees
you. “Welcome to my fre! I am happy to see
friendly faces once more!”
How do you respond?
This encounter takes place about three hours’ ride from
the ford. The rain has subsided, although the grey sheet
covering the sky suggests that this is a temporary situ-
ation.
Branik, a local trapper, has just come out of the Kor-
cari Wilds and is taking advantage of the break in the
weather to eat a meal before completing his journey to
Wichford.
Questions and Answers
If the PCs accept Branik’s hospitality, the raven perches
on the nearest tree to wait for them. Branik offers the PCs
some of his roasting meat and ryott beer. He explains
that he’s a trapper, as attested to by the many dead ani-
mals in his wagon. Once the PCs settle around the fre or
are otherwise ready to hear his tale, Branik relates what’s
been going on in the northern parts of the Korcari Wilds.
If the PCs tell him what happened in Wichford, Branik is
deeply upset. He considered Josef a friend.
“hoW has the traPPinG been?”
Too good. I’ve been trapping two or three times as many ani-
mals lately as I should be. The Chasind have been nervous.
They aren’t all stalkers, you know; most of them just want to
be left alone. But some of the more aggressive clans have been
moving north. Between the Chasind and the animals, it’s like
something deep in the Wilds is fushing them out.
“Do You knoW about the amber raGe?”
I know something’s wrong. I passed an abandoned Chasind
village this morning and saw stalkers running in the forest
nearby, hunting each other. One of them even attacked me,
although I pinned him to a tree trunk with my crossbow.
Wild and sickly all at once, he was. His weapon was coated
with some poison. I’ve got no room for poison in my line of
work; it ruins the meat.
BRANIK THE TRAPPER
Abilities & Focuses
communicAtion 2 (AnimAl hAndling); constitution 3
(stAminA); cunning 1 (nAturAl lore); mAgic 0; percep-
tion 4 (heAring, seeing); strength 5 (Axes, bludgeons);
WillpoWer (courAge).
WOFUN HOUND
Wofun Hounds resemble taller Ferelden shepherds
and have grey-white coats. While their intelligence
is on par with a mabari, wofun hounds are quick-
tempered and ignore commands in fghts.
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion
1 constitution (running)
–1 cunning
3 dexterity (bite)
–1 mAgic
2 perception (smelling, trAcking)
2 strength (jumping)
1 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
16 20 13 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bite +5 1d6+2
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Knock Prone and Skirmish.
23
Amber Rage
24
Amber Rage
towns of Ferelden. While sociable, Branik spends long
stretches of time without human companionship and
that suits him just fne. Branik dresses in furs and might
be mistaken for a Chasind from a distance, although his
accent marks him as nominally Ferelden.
BOG AND IPA, WOFUN HOUNDS
Bog and Ipa are Branik’s faithful hunting companions.
While he refers to them as dogs, each is actually a dog-
wolf hybrid known as a wofun hound, specially bred in
the Hinterlands.
Ï S1ALKEPS
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
A band of Chasind stalkers that were following
Branik intercept the PCs.
As the sun begins to sink, the rockiness of the
terrain gives way to a gentle slope that leads to
the outskirts of the mist-shrouded forest. A few
drops of rain fall onto your traveling clothes,
indicating that another storm is coming.
Something seems not quite right.
Just because some Chasind have become ragers doesn’t
mean that there aren’t also still bands of regular Chasind
stalkers around. One such group has been following
Branik’s wagon tracks. They have spotted the PCs and
now hide in the hills, waiting to ambush them.
Call for an opposed Perception (Seeing) vs. Dexter-
ity (Stealth) test. PCs who win spot the stalkers hiding
behind boulders above them and may attack normally
in the frst round; PCs who fail are surprised. The
stalkers rain arrows on the PCs before leaping down
and attacking hand-to-hand. PCs shooting at stalkers
behind boulders suffer a –2 penalty for the cover.
There are two stalkers for each PC. The stalkers fght until
half their number have fallen, after which the rest retreat
to their horses, which are grazing out of sight about 100
yards away, protected by another Chasind stalker.
If a stalker is captured, he can be persuaded to speak
with an opposed Communication (Persuasion) vs.
Willpower (Self-Discipline) test. The stalkers were
all part of an organized raid into the Hinterlands. The
shamans had said that the Korcari Wilds were becom-
ing too dangerous. But these stalkers believe their sha-
mans betrayed them. The poison the shamans crafted
to aid in the raids corrupted the minds and fesh of
those who used it. This group of stalkers decided to
abandon the horde and return to doing what they do
best. They discovered Branick’s tracks and decided to
overtake him. The PCs simply provided a tempting
new target.
“Do You Wish to Come With us?”
No, I think I’ll go to Wichford and see if any of the Wich-
forders returning from Sothmere have made it back.
“anY neWs of the trail aheaD of us?”
At some point you’ll need to leave your horses behind. The
marshes and swamps of the Wilds are too dangerous for riding.
“What shoulD We Do With our horses?”
Dosov is a Chasind village ahead that distills wildwine. It’s
just inside the forest in the direction you seem to be going.
They are a friendly people and you should be able to strike an
arrangement to stable your horses. Yell Zorya I warned you
not to drink the wine!
Branik gives the heroes directions to Dosov. It seems
to be close enough to the direction the raven is taking
them that they’ll have no trouble stopping there to
stable their horses.
BRANIK THE TRAPPER
Branik is a bear of a man, tall, stout, and hairy. His long
brown hair melds into his long mustache and beard,
making it appear as though he has a mane. He is far
more at home in the wilderness than in even the frontier
CHASIND STALKER
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion
2 constitution (stAminA)
1 cunning
3 dexterity (boWs, light blAdes, steAlth)
1 mAgic
3 perception (seArching, seeing, trAcking)
2 strength (climbing)
1 WillpoWer (morAle)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
13 20 13 (14 With shield) 3
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
short boW +5 1d6+4
short sWord +5 1d6+4
poWers
favoreD stunts: Pierce Armor and Skirmish.
talents: Archery Style (Journeyman), Armor Training
(Novice), and Scouting (Journeyman).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, and Light Blades.
equipment
light leAther, light shield, short boW, And short sWord.
25
Amber Rage
PART 3
Into the Forest
During this part of the adventure the PCs enter the
swampy forest and receive a little help at a Chasind vil-
lage. Pressing into the forest, they encounter a few perils
before arriving at the designated site and following Old
Stoyank’s directions to summon the fresprites.
Environs: The Marsh
Branik’s warning that horses will not be able to negoti-
ate the marshes off the safe paths proves accurate, and
the raven is not interested in following the trails in the
forest. It fies over soft marshland and murky swamps,
making it diffcult to ride or even lead horses without
wasting a lot of time.
Unless the PCs leave one of their number behind (a ft-
ting task for a character whose player misses a session
of play), they have three options. The frst is to take the
horses to Dosov and hope that their steeds are cared for.
The second is to leave the horses somewhere to graze and
hope that Chasind stalkers or other threats don’t harm
or steal them. Finally, the PCs could insist on taking the
horses along, which leads to other problems.
For every half hour that the PCs lead or ride their horses
through the marsh, each horse must make a TN 11 Dex-
terity test. On a failure, that horse suffers 1d6 damage.
A PC riding a horse that takes damage must make a TN
9 Dexterity (Riding) test or be thrown from the horse
and take 1d6 damage.
If the PCs get too frustrated, they can always double back
and visit Dosov. It just takes a TN 11 Cunning (Naviga-
tion) test or TN 7 Cunning (Cartography) test to fnd it
(assuming they learned its location from Branik).
I ILSLV VILLAGE
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs arrive at Dosov Village and receive the
hospitality afforded them.
As you enter the forest the ground becomes
increasingly marshy, and you fnally come to a
broad reach of open swampwater being pelted
with raindrops from the twilight sky. Some
distance away you see a small village made of
houses on stilts. Torches and lanterns bathe the
village in an eerie glow as the sunlight fails. A
couple of fat-bottomed boats stocked with bar-
rels cut through the swamp, heading toward the
village.
Will you approach the village?
Positioned between the Hinterlands and the rest of
the Korcari Wilds, Dosov has made a proftable busi-
ness of producing wildwine (which is not technically a
wine, but rather, a grain alcohol) from ryott. Wildwine
is much stronger than beer and is a favored beverage
among the Chasind in this region. The barrels in the
fat boats contain goods traded for the last supply of
wildwine shipped downriver to other Chasind com-
munities.
The village sits on stilts due to the instability of the
ground, as well as for protection. The homes are con-
nected by a series of planked walkways, from which a
watchman looks out for approaching strangers. Small
pens on the grounds furthest from the swamp contain
animals. Assuming that the PCs aren’t sneaking up to
the village, the watchman calls out and asks them their
business. If the PCs mention Branik and ask for Zorya,
the watchman calls for her.
After a few moments a woman appears on the
walkway. She is a naturally attractive woman
approaching middle age, with dark, braided
hair and a wide smile. She wears surprisingly
little and has a large snake draped around her
shoulders.
“I am Baba Zorya. Friends of Branik’s, are
you? What is your business in Dosov?”
How do you respond?
Should the PCs mention Branik’s advice (“Tell Zorya I
told you not to drink the wine!”), Zorya laughs and tells
them that Branik never did manage to acquire a taste
for wildwine.
If the PCs ask about the horses, Zorya invites them to
her abode, rather than “discussing our business out
here in the cold and rain.”
At her home, Zorya sits on what might be considered
a porch, an open part of her hut that faces the swamp.
She sits at a small table with a ceramic bottle of wild-
wine and two small cups. Her snake coils in her lap
and she invites one of the PCs to sit with her to “dis-
cuss business.” This involves consuming a few cups
of wildwine.
Legends of the Firesprites
Most Chasind know stories of the “little people
of the swamps,” which occasionally appear to
humans as tiny, glowing creatures. Some Chasind
have heard of “swamp lanterns,” made by impris-
oning a fresprite in a portable cage or lantern.
Unfortunately, no one knows what the fresprites
need to have in order to survive, so many fre-
sprites have died inside their lantern prisons.
26
DOSOV VILLAGERS
Restrained swamp-dwellers.
Abilities & Focuses
communicAtion 0; constitution 1 (drinking); cunning
0 (nAturAl lore); dexterity 0; mAgic –1; perception 2;
strength 1; WillpoWer 0.
Zorya is perfectly willing to stable the characters’
horses in return for something. As a Chasind, she deals
in barter and has little use for money. She deals aggres-
sively but fairly.
Conduct the negotiation as an opposed, advanced
Communication (Bargaining) test with a threshold of
9. If the PC bargaining (Zorya will only negotiate with
a single PC) reaches the threshold frst, goods worth
roughly must 60 sp must be bartered away. If Baba
Zorya reaches the threshold frst, this amount is more
like 100 sp. Feel free to adjust these amounts if one
party or the other does particularly well, or particularly
poorly. You should force the PCs to discuss actual items
they have for barter, rather than reducing the discus-
sion to a game of numbers.
The wildwine complicates the negotiations. After each
round of bargaining tests, everyone who is drinking
(which includes but is not necessarily limited to Zorya
and the negotiating PC) must make a TN 11 Constitu-
tion (Drinking) test. A character who fails passes out.
A character who succeeds accumulates a drunkenness
penalty to all further tests (including, especially, contin-
ued negotiations) based on their dragon die result:
Negotiantions with Zorya
result Drunkenness PenaltY
1 –3 to all tests
2–3 –2 to all tests
4–5 –1 to all tests
6 No penalty
If the PCs’ negotiator passes out a replacement must step
in. Zorya retains any progress toward the negotiation’s
success threshold, but the PC must start over from noth-
ing. If all of the PCs’ negotiators pass out, the negotiations
resume when one of them wakes up. If Zorya passes out,
the villagers stable the heroes’ horses for free.
Penalties arising from drunkenness abate at a rate of –1
per hour, or –2 per hour in any hour where the PC can
pass a TN 15 Constitution (Drinking) test. A passed out
character can be roused with a TN 13 Cunning (Heal-
ing) test. This test can be attempted once per hour. If
not roused, a passed-out character wakes up in 1d6 +
Constitution hours. Passed-out characters come to with
a –5 penalty to all tests, which wears off over time as
described above.
Amber Rage
27
Amber Rage
Assuming that a deal is struck, Zorya summons some
villagers to corral the horses. The PCs, presumably,
want to be on their way.
BABA ZORYA
Zorya is the leader of Dosov Village, hence her title
(“baba” means “female elder” in an old Chasind dia-
lect). She is a free spirit, and claims that she has no
husband or lover because she is married to Dosov.
Approaching middle age, Zorya is very attractive. She
braids her long black hair and is hardly ever seen with-
out Sasha, her snake.
DOSOV VILLAGERS
The villagers of Dosov are Chasind and hardier, shorter,
and stockier than Fereldans from the south. Most handle
their liquor well thanks to their constant exposure to
Dosov’s main export.
2 VHEN 1HE PAVEN S1L!S
lLYING
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The raven selects the spot where the PCs must make the
soup that attracts the fresprites.
As you make your way through calf-deep water
in the now-darkened marsh-forest, your clothes
soaked from the rain, you barely see the raven
land on a lone, dead tree sticking up from a
small hummock in the swamp water. The raven
turns and looks at you one last time before keel-
ing over out of the tree, dead as a stone.
This, clearly, is where you are to summon the
fresprites.
The PCs must boil water and dump the foul-smelling
mixture from Old Stoyanka into it. This requires gath-
ering wood and creating a fre. (Hopefully the PCs
thought to bring a kettle, although a helmet will do in a
pinch.) A PC making a TN 11 Cunning (Natural Lore)
test can scrounge up the necessary materials in 20 min-
utes or so.
BABA ZORYA
Free-spirited elder of Dosov village.
Abilities & Focuses
communicAtion 4 (AnimAl hAndling, bArgAining,
leAdership, persuAsion); constitution 5 (drinking);
cunning 2 (evAluAtion); dexterity 0; mAgic 0; perception
3 (empAthy); strength 2; WillpoWer 4 (selF-discipline).
SASHA
Sasha, a large male python, is Zorya’s protective
pet and companion
Abilities (Focuses)
–2 communicAtion
2 constitution
–1 cunning
4 dexterity (bite)
0 mAgic
2 perception (seeing)
5 strength (constrict)
1 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
18 15 14 1
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bite +4 1d3+5
PoWers
ConstriCtion: With a successful bite attack, Sasha coils him-
self around her victim. Every round after the frst attack, Sasha
can automatically constrict, causing 1d3+5 damage. Sasha
must then be removed with an advanced TN 7 Strength test
with a success threshold of 10. Each test takes one round.
sCales: Sasha’s scales give her an armor rating of 1.
favoreD stunts: Defensive Stance and Knock Prone.
Boiling the mixture produces a thick greenish broth that
resembles pea soup, as well as a noxious gas. Anyone
who wishes to avoid vomiting must make a TN 11 Con-
stitution (Stamina) test.
ò 1HE VPLNG SUHHLNS
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
The soup attracts an unwanted visitor before
the fresprites arrive.
The PCs’ presence and the scent of the soup attract a
giant swamp crab before the fresprites arrive. This crus-
tacean wants to snatch the pot and drink its contents.
Call for a TN 11 Perception (Seeing) test at –2 for
darkness. Anyone who succeeds notices a large object
moving toward the party beneath the swamp water.
The next round, the massive creature emerges crawls
up onto their hummock.
PCs making a TN 11 Perception (Empathy) test realize
the crab is after the soup.
There are a number of unpleasant factors in play in this
fght. All attacks and relevant tests suffer a –1 penalty
for darkness (even given the fre’s light). Attacks and
other physical tests made while standing in swamp
28
Amber Rage
water suffer a further –2 penalty. (These penalties do
not apply to the crab, of course.)
The crab can spend stunt points on behalf of the swampy
environment, as well as to grab and drink the stewpot:
Environmental Stunts
sP stunt
1 uneven GrounD: The PC stumbles on uneven
ground and suffers a –1 penalty (cumulative with
other environmental penalties) until he moves to a
different location.
3 GrasPinG root: The PC stumbles over a grasping
root and falls prone. Furthermore, he must make
a TN 9 Strength (Might) test for each item in his
hands to avoid dropping it. Finding a dropped object
in the water requires a TN 13 Perception (Searching)
test.
4 Dinner!: The crab grasps the stewpot in its claws,
tips it over, and leaps upon it, gobbling the
noxious liquid off the soft ground.
6 stuCk: As “Grasping Root,” above, but the PC
is also stuck in place until he makes a TN 15
Strength (Might) test to wrest himself free.
The PCs, however, also have one unusual option in this
fght:
Crab Fight Stunt
sP stunt
4 sever ClaW: The PC severs one of the swamp
crab’s claws, increasing the cost of the “Dinner!”
stunt to 6 SP (for one missing claw) or making it
impossible (for two missing claws). Upon losing
its second claw, the crab must make a TN 15
Willpower (Courage) test or fall back into the
dark marshes to nurse its wounds.
If the swamp crab devours the soup then the PCs’ jour-
ney is basically at an end. If you’re running a particu-
larly brutal campaign the quest is over. The PCs have
to return to Sothmere and deal with the repercussions.
On the other hand, if you’re feeling more generous, it’s
possible to salvage the situation by tossing the crab’s
stomach into the stewpot.
4 1HE CALL Ll 1HE
lIPES!PI1ES
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs attract the fresprites and follow them
to the grotto.
Dawn approaches. As you peer through the
retreating darkness of the swamp you see a
ficker of dull yellow light, followed by another,
and then another. Soon a dozen lights appear, all
moving closer to you. They swarm around the pot
and you can see that each looks like a tiny faxen
humanoid with humming insect-like wings. The
tiny creatures evaluate the pot and then, shak-
ing their heads sadly, they fy around each other
while singing a haunted melody that melds well
with the raindrops pelting the swamp.
The affecting song invades your ears.
Have the characters attempt a TN 13 Willpower (Self-
Discipline) test. PCs who fail the test are overcome
with grief and hopelessness. They believe the expedi-
tion is doomed, and that even if they do retrieve the
shadowmoss the price will be too terrible to fathom
(even though they have no idea what the price is).
PCs who try to interact with the fresprites fnd it frus-
trating. While the fresprites are curious about the PCs,
they aren’t particularly interested in anything the PCs
have. They aren’t impressed by shiny things; nor do
they touch any offered food.
After a few minutes, the fresprites head back from
whence they came. They continue to sing their haunted
songs, so PCs can follow them with either a TN 13 Per-
ception (Seeing) test or a TN 9 Perception (Hearing)
GIANT SWAMP CRAB
Giant swamp crabs are about twice the size of a
human. Their claws have about a 10-foot reach.
Abilities (Focuses)
–2 communicAtion
3 constitution
–1 cunning
2 dexterity
0 mAgic
1 perception (smelling)
5 strength
2 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
12 40 12 8
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
clAW +5 2d6+5
PoWers
harD shell: The swamp crab’s outer shell gives it an armor
rating of 8.
favoreD stunts: Skirmish (especially into the swampwater,
where the test penalty is –2!), Uneven Ground, and Grasping
Root.
29
Amber Rage
FIRESPRITE
The fresprites are an ancient, dying race of minute
proportions—about four inches tall. They are
humanoids with yellow skin and insect wings, and
close inspection reveals that they have compound
eyes, like a housefy. They also have two antennae.
Firesprites don’t wear clothes and their bodies ema-
nate a musty yellow glow. In spite of their humanoid
legs, fresprites don’t seem to walk, instead fying
everywhere. They prefer hovering to standing. They
also don’t seem to speak; instead they constantly
sing. Their songs affect the moods of those around
them; it isn’t clear whether this is intentional.
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion
–3 constitution
0 cunning
6 dexterity (Flight)
2 mAgic
3 perception
–4 strength
2 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
- (Fly 20) 10 16 0
PoWers
sonG: As a group, fresprites can communicate and infuence an
audience through song. Specifc effects are described in the text.
test (it’s much easier to hear them than spot them in the
daylight). Each successful test allows the PCs to roll once
toward an advanced TN 11 Dexterity (Acrobatics) test
with a success threshold of 9. Any PC who fails a test
falls out of the pursuit. A PC who achieves the threshold
arrives at the grotto (and can easily summon any of his
companions who were left behind by shouting and the
like). The story advances to The Grotto, on page 30.
The PCs must run to keep up with the fresprites. At
some point during the chase, the PCs encounter The
Asphalt Pit (see below). You might want to add a few
additional hazards during the run, such as low-hanging
tree branches or jutting roots, each requiring a success-
ful TN 11 Dexterity (Acrobatics) test to avoid taking
1d6 damage.
b 1HE AS!HAL1 !I1
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The PCs encounter a hidden asphalt pit while
following the fresprites.
At some point during the PCs’ pursuit of the fresprites,
the creatures fy over a section of the swamp that hides an
asphalt pit. PCs running toward the asphalt pit can make
a TN 13 Perception (Seeing) test to notice a large bubble
burst from the water. PCs who see the air bubble can deter-
mine what it means with a TN 13 Cunning (Natural Lore)
test, which enables them to avoid the hazard entirely.
PCs who don’t see the bubble or recognize the warning
run into the pit and may get trapped in the tarlike sub-
stance. PCs need to make a TN 11 Strength (Might) test
in order to pull themselves free and get back to safety.
Failure requires continued tests, once each round, with
the TN increasing by 2 each round until the fourth
round, when the PC is completely submerged and sub-
ject to drowning (2d6 points of damage per round).
Unaffected PCs can try to aid their sinking friends by
pulling them out. This can only be safely done from a
distance; a PC who wades in to grab a hand with his own
also gets trapped in the asphalt pit. A PC can fnd a suit-
able branch with a TN 9 Perception (Searching) test. For
each PC helping a trapped companion in this way, the
sinking PC receives a +2 bonus to his tests to escape.
PCs who aren’t trapped can navigate around the asphalt
pit with little trouble by making a TN 9 Cunning (Nat-
ural Lore) test to fnd safer ground. If skirting the pit or
saving their companions takes more than three rounds,
the PCs must make another TN 15 Perception (Seeing)
test or a TN 11 Perception (Hearing) test to re-orient
themselves to the receding fresprites.
30
Amber Rage
PART 4
Finding
the Cure
In this part of the adventure the PCs reach the grotto
and confront the guardian serpent. After vanquishing
the serpent, they discover the true nature of the shad-
owmoss and have a moral decision to make. Do they
take the shadowmoss on the chance that it might cure
the infected villagers even if it means condemning an
ancient race to extinction?
I 1HE GPL11L
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The PCs fnd the grotto and its hidden passage
to the caves where the shadowmoss and its
guardian reside.
You follow the hazy amber lights for nearly
an hour. At some point the rain stops, not that
you’re any drier for it. Finally, you press through
a thick patch of swamp bushes and emerge into
a grotto. The land is higher behind the grotto
and jutting rocks hang over a pool of greenish
water fed from above by a sporadic waterfall.
The fresprites have stopped here, fying in an
erratic pattern and continuing their wailing
dirge.
What will you do here?
PCs making a TN 9 Cunning (Engineering) test realize
that the rock outcroppings are remnants of a building.
Their weathered, cracked, and moss-covered state sug-
gests an ancient structure, pre-dating the Tevinter Impe-
rium and unlike any architectural style with which the
PC is familiar.
The fresprites’ song again touches the PCs’ emotions,
here. Any PC who fails a TN 13 Willpower (Self-Dis-
cipline) test suddenly feels as if they know this place.
It is the last outpost of an ancient, beautiful, and forgot-
ten civilization. The fresprite song is a testament to its
loss. These PCs don’t understand why they know this,
only that it’s true. (Those who succeed in the test are
unaffected.)
After a moment, the fresprites begin diving into the
pool. A PC making a TN 9 Perception (Seeing) test
realizes that no fresprite that dives re-emerges from the
pool. They must be going somewhere.
31
Amber Rage
tunnel entrance holes high on the walls, starting from
about 15 feet above the foor. There are no signs of shad-
owmoss here.
After a few moments, the guardian serpent pokes its
head out of one of the higher holes with a loud hiss and
glares down at the PCs. The fresprites scatter to the
walls, some of them entering the tunnels. The guardian
serpent slides down the wall and attacks.
The guardian serpent fghts to the death. If all of the
PCs jump back into the water and retreat, the serpent
follows them, although it is more concerned with
ensuring they leave than with killing them. Any PC
GUARDIAN SERPENT
The guardian serpent is a 40-foot-long greenish silver
snake-like serpent with a prehensile body and tiny
legs. It has two wicked horns on its head that it uses
to gore victims before swallowing them whole.
Abilities (Focuses)
–1 communicAtion
4 constitution (stAminA, sWimming)
0 cunning
6 dexterity (steAlth)
0 mAgic
3 perception (heAring, trAcking)
8 strength (climbing, constrict, gore)
2 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
22 50 16 5
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
gore +10 3d6+8
PoWers
sCales: The guardian serpent’s scales give it an armor rating
of 5.
ConstriCt: After a successful gore attack, the guardian
serpent may automatically coil itself around its victim
and constrict, suffocating him for 1d6+8 damage in each
subsequent round. The serpent can constrict up to two
human-sized victims at once in this way, and is free to
continue goring other targets in the meantime. A con-
stricted victim can wriggle free with an advanced TN 11
Strength (Might) test. Each roll requires a major action;
a success threshold of 10 is required to escape. Constricted
victims can also try to do other things (with the exception
of charging, running, or moving), but suffer a –3 penalty to
all actions, including attacking the serpent. A constricted
victim has a special stunt available, “Escape the Snake.”
Any number of stunt points can be spent at once to this
end, with each point spent contributing 1 point to the test
threshold to escape the constriction.
favoreD stunts: Skirmish (especially into the pool), Knock
Prone, and Lightning Attack.
The pool is about 11 feet deep and is actually an artifcial
pool, although its purpose is lost to history. The stone
is so weathered and overgrown that the pool appears
natural to casual observation. The bottom of the pool is
flled with ancient statuettes that have weathered into
jagged edges and sharp points. If a PC dives into the
pool call for a TN 11 Constitution (Swimming) test.
If the PC succeeds he takes no damage. Otherwise, he
suffers 1d6+3 points of damage as he’s cut and perhaps
impaled on these hidden dangers. A PC who specif-
cally discusses carefully entering the water makes the
same test, but is only subject to 1d6 points on a failure.
PCs probing the pool with a staff, polearm, or other
long object can discover this danger by making a TN 13
Perception (Searching) test. Heroes forewarned in this
way do not need to make tests and are not in danger of
sustaining damage.
It is diffcult to see under the murky water, but luckily
there are still fresprites entering the pool. A PC making
a TN 13 Perception (Seeing) test can follow a fresprite
to an underwater tunnel. A PC that fails this test can
still feel his way to and through the tunnel by making a
TN 15 Perception (Searching) test.
Once in the tunnel, the PCs swim through it. This
requires an advanced TN 9 Constitution (Swimming)
test with a success threshold of 9. For each failure the
PC takes 1d6 damage from inhaling water. Those who
pass the tunnel emerge in an underground cave.
2 lACING 1HE GUAPIIAN
SEP!EN1
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
The PCs face the guardian serpent in its home.
You break the surface of the water and fnd your-
self in a large cavern that is dimly lit by the dull
yellow light emanating from the dozens of fre-
sprites fying about the room, now singing a more
subdued melody. What seizes your immediate
attention is a giant coiled snake in the corner that
looks large enough to swallow you whole!
What now?
The “giant coiled snake” is actually the guardian ser-
pent’s molted skin. Anyone who makes a TN 11 Per-
ception (Seeing) test realizes this from the water. If a PC
climbs out of the pool to confront it then he’ll automati-
cally see it for what it is. A PC making a TN 11 Cunning
(Natural Lore) test realizes that the molted skin means
that the guardian snake must be even bigger.
The cave is about 50 feet in diameter, centered on a cir-
cular pool with a 10-foot radius. The ceiling of the cave
is about 30 feet high with many large (easily walkable)
32
Amber Rage
who turns back to face the guardian serpent is attacked
without mercy.
During the fght, any PC who makes a TN 9 Percep-
tion (Hearing) test notices that the fresprites’ song has
changed, becoming louder and more erratic. The fre-
sprites seem worried and agitated.
ò 1HE 1UNNELS
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The PCs explore a labyrinth of tunnels, moving
ever closer to the shadowmoss.
Once the guardian serpent has been vanquished, the
fresprites let out a screeching wail and disappear into
the tunnel mouths
The PCs must scale the walls to get to the entrance
holes. The walls are steep but natural (whatever the
architecture in the grotto, there seems to be none of that
in here); there are jutting rocks perfect for climbing. A
PC need only make a TN 11 Strength (Climbing) test
to climb up to a hole.
Once in a tunnel, most PCs have to crawl or squat to
move; only dwarves can easily walk without crouch-
ing. It’s pitch black in the twisting tunnels except for
the occasional dim glow of a fresprite. Even in the
dark, though, a PC can make his way by touch.
Navigating the tunnels is diffcult, as they wind all over.
However, a PC making a TN 11 Perception (Smelling)
test notices an unpleasant scent—identical to the one
given off by the boiling soup—wafting through the
tunnels. Following this scent enables the PC to fnd the
shadowmoss cavern (see Shadowmoss).
4 1HE !I1
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The PCs fnd the remnants of past intruders.
If the heroes specify that they’re taking one of the tun-
nels that passes the chamber labeled “The Pit” (see the
map on page 30), or if they don’t specify any of the
tunnels in particular and you feel like they deserve a
lucky break, use this encounter and read the text below.
Alternately, you can skip this encounter, the fortune
contained in this cave unfortunately missed by inop-
portune luck.
You emerge from the tunnel into a cave that is
more of a pit, dropping what your poor light
suggests might be as much as forty feet below
you. At the bottom you can see plenty of bones
and debris, but also remnants of clothing and
the faint glint of armor and weapons.
Are any of you willing to descend? And if so,
how?
Descending requires a TN 13 Dexterity (Acrobatics)
test (at –3 if the PC has no light source, –1 if he does
have a light source, and +2 if he lowers himself using a
rope). Anyone who fails slips and falls into the pit for
3d6 damage.
The bottom of the pit contains the bones and effects of
past intruders, some ancient and some recent. Search-
ing the pit requires a TN 11 Perception (Searching) test
at –1 with a light source and –3 without one. A success-
ful result’s dragon die determines what’s found, which
includes everything on the following table up to and
including the dragon die result.
Pit Treasure
DraGon Die
result
treasure founD
1–2 4d6 copper pieces
3 3d6 silver pieces
4 1d3 gold pieces
5 Crushed light mail armor in an ancient
Tevinter design. It can be banged back into
shape with a TN 11 Cunning (Engineering )
test and a day’s work with proper tools.
6 An ancient short sword of uncertain design
that is in perfect condition in spite of its
moldy scabbard. It is inlaid with forgotten
runes and adds +1 to attack and damage
rolls made with it.
Climbing back up out of the pit to the ledge that encir-
cles the chamber requires the same test that was made
to descend, with the same consequences of failure.
b SHAILVHLSS
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
After discovering that the shadowmoss is the
fresprites’ only source of sustenance, the PCs
must decide whether to let the fresprites die for
the sake of the infected villagers.
You enter a large chamber with several exits.
Firesprites fitter about, illuminating the room
in a dull yellow glow. A sickly green glow ema-
nating from a crusty substance lying in clumps
on the foor further illuminates the room. The
33
Amber Rage
smell here is overwhelming, an even more
intense version of the stench from the soup you
made to attract the fresprites.
Entering this room may induce nausea. PCs who fail a
TN 15 Constitution (Stamina) test vomit and cannot
force themselves to enter the room. PCs who succeed
may suffer a penalty to all tests while they remain,
depending on the result of their dragon die: 1–2 results
in a –2 penalty, 3–4 results in a –1 penalty, and those
fortunate enough to achieve 5–6 suffer no penalty.
A PC making a TN 9 Cunning (Natural Lore) test real-
izes that the shadowmoss is excrement; specifcally, it’s
the condensed excrement of the guardian serpent. With
a TN 9 Perception (Seeing) test, they further notice that
some of the fresprites are eating the shadowmoss’s
luminescent outer crust.
If one or more PCs enter the cavern, the fresprites begin
to sing a depressing, futile song. PCs who hear it must
make a TN 11 Willpower (Self-Discipline) test. Those
who succeed resist its effects. Those who fail suddenly
understand the relationship between the guardian ser-
pent and the fresprites, if they did not already.
The guardian serpent was more than just the protector of
the fresprites’s food, but also its creator. The guardian ser-
pent itself is a magical creation of the fresprites. When it
dies, one of the fresprite’s young becomes the next guard-
ian serpent. The PCs understand that there were once
many colonies of fresprites, each with its own guardian
serpent. Over the millennia, guardian serpents have been
destroyed and the fresprites that each supported along
with them. Now, only this single colony remains. The
shadowmoss left over when a guardian serpent dies is the
only thing that sustains the fresprites long enough for a
new guardian serpent to mature. If this shadowmoss is
taken away, then the PCs doom the fresprites to starva-
tion and extinction. As before, the PCs don’t understand
how they know this information, only that it’s true.
A PC who makes a TN 11 Perception (Seeing) test real-
izes that it’ll take the entire amount in this room to fll
the bag, and so the PCs must make a choice. Do they
doom the fresprites to save the villagers? Do they risk
taking less than all of the shadowmoss?
The fresprites don’t interfere with the heroes whatever
they choose, other than to sing a haunting, funereal
song if the PCs collect any shadowmoss at all.
Should the players complain about this horrible choice,
you might remind them that they entered the guardian
serpent’s lair with the intention of robbing it, and killed
it while it tried to protect its home. Slaying the guardian
serpent wasn’t necessary; Dragon Age provides rules
for knocking out a creature rather than killing it. The
heroes face this horrible choice in part because of their
own actions.
PART 5
The Journey Back
Having collected the shadowmoss—or not—the PCs
must fnd their way out of the Korcari Wilds and back
to Sothmere. This is more diffcult than the trip in, with
no enchanted raven to guide them.
I VHICH VAY?
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The PCs must fgure out how to go back the way they
came.
You emerge dripping from the pool in the grotto.
You’re pretty certain that it must be the morning
of the day after you left Sothmere, and it does
seem as though the sun has perhaps risen, since
the fog and haze that cover the land in a thick
blanket are more green than black.
Is it a trick of your eye, or a trick of the swamp
that everything looks different now than when
you disappeared into the caves? Which way did
you come from? Which way is the sun, anyway?
And which of your number will you rely on to
lead you back out of the Wilds?
Determining the way out of the Korcari Wilds requires
an advanced TN 13 Cunning (Navigation) test with a
success threshold of 15. Each roll represents about two
hours of travel as the PCs strike out, change course,
double back, and try to fgure out where they are in
the Maker-forsaken haze. After each roll, whether suc-
cessful or not, the PCs encounter something. Since the
PCs must accumulate 15 points on their dragon dice
to get out of the Wilds, they’ll defnitely have several
encounters, which are described in the sections that
follow. All are optional, and it is not necessary to use
them in order.
Many of these encounters involve Chasind attempts to
contain the rager threat before it destroys them.
2 VLLVES IN 1HE lLPES1
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
The PCs confront an animal that is almost myth.
As you make your way over the swampy
ground you hear splashing around you. There
are large wolves about, with matted brown fur
tinted green from moss, mold, or Maker-knows-
what. They snarl and attack!
While wolves have been hunted almost to extinction in
Ferelden, a few packs still thrive in the southern Kor-
cari Wilds. These wolves, like the Chasind, have been
driven north by the growing Blight. There are two
marsh wolves for each PC.
ò S!PING 1PA! (L!1ILNAL)
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The PCs face a trap meant for a rager.
Through a break in the bushes you see a grove
of trees nestled on a hummock. You notice the
glint of an axe and part of a humanoid dressed
like a Chasind stalker crouched among the foli-
age, waiting for something in the other direc-
tion.
What now?
What the PCs have espied is not actually a stalker, but a
dummy stuffed with swamp grass. A PC who succeeds
at a TN 17 Perception (Seeing) test realizes this. A PC
who specifcally asks whether the Chasind is moving
receives a +3 bonus to this test.
Chasind rager-hunters designed this trap to snag ragers
from most directions, and there are several spring traps
set around the grove. PCs who think to look and pass a
TN 15 Dexterity (Traps) test spot a trip wire. If a char-
acter approaches and trips a wire, then the trap hits
him and a second PC close to him for 2d6 damage each.
A PC who makes a TN 11 Dexterity (Acrobatics) test
takes half damage.
There is a chance that a screaming PC may attract a
Chasind rager-hunter party, effectively bringing the
next encounter, Rager-Hunters, to the PCs. Any char-
acter harmed by a trap must make a TN 13 Willpower
(Self-Discipline) test or cry out loudly enough that the
rager-hunters hear him.
The rager-hunters stealthily arrive at the scene, expecting
to fnd a rager. Whether they parley or attack depends on
how the PCs act. See the next encounter for details.
4 PAGEP-HUN1EPS
ROLEPLAYING AND/OR COMBAT ENCOUNTER
A band of rager-hunters ambush the PCs to
learn what they know.
After the Chasind realized their poison was tainted
they immediately took steps to contain the amber rage.
The shamans responsible were put to death and the rest
of the poison destroyed. Chasind rager-hunter parties
were organized to hunt down the ragers while Chasind
villagers fed to purged areas.
MARSH WOLF
Marsh wolves are large wolves that have adapted
to swamp life. They have wickedly sharp claws to
grip loose soil and are excellent swimmers.
Abilities (Focuses)
–1 communicAtion
3 constitution (running, sWimming)
–1 cunning
4 dexterity (bite)
–1 mAgic
2 perception (smelling, trAcking)
3 strength (jumping)
1 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
17 25 14 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bite +6 1d6+5
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Knock Prone and Mighty Blow.
rakinG ClaWs: A marsh wolf can follow up a successful bite
attack with a rake as a special stunt costing 2 SP. Raking
claws must be used against a single target with a +3 attack
roll and 1d6+5 damage.
34
Amber Rage
35
Amber Rage
ing, though, so any unspotted rager-hunters attempt
to sneak-attack at least one of the PCs and hold them
hostage to force the others to stop fghting. If this hap-
pens, the rager-hunters lose their +2 Communication
and Willpower advantage.
b EH!1Y VILLAGE
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
The PCs are attacked by a blight owl at an
abandoned village.
You approach a village of houses on stilts over
the edge of a swampy lake. The village appears
deserted and piles of ash smolder on its out-
skirts. A giant owl is perched on one of the
buildings. It has black feathers and large, blood
red eyes. It hoots and hisses, its beak segment-
ing into four parts, revealing many rows of
jagged teeth inside. The hiss becomes a shriek
as it leaps toward you, vicious talons extended.
Roll for initiative.
This was one of the frst villages overrun by ragers.
There were four at frst, but they claimed six victims
In this encounter, a party of rager-hunters are lying
low in a marshy region, waiting to ambush any ragers
that cross their path. When the PCs come through, the
rager-hunters lie in wait until they have the PCs sur-
rounded, hoping to have the opportunity to interrogate
these foreigners and fnd out what they know.
Spotting the ambush before walking into it requires an
opposed Perception (Seeing or Hearing) vs Dexter-
ity (Stealth) test. Roll only once for the entire party of
Chasind. The rager-hungers have a +2 bonus on their
roll given how long they’ve had to set up. There is one
rager-hunter per PC.
The Chasind are more interested in interrogating
the PCs than killing them. If they managed to sur-
round the PCs before being noticed, about half of the
rager-hunters appear (the rest remain in hiding) and
demand that the heroes drop their weapons, although
the Chasind don’t consider this a necessary condition
to a parley. They do point out that they only need to
speak to one of the PCs, so if the others must die frst,
then so be it. While set in their ambush positions the
Chasind rager-hunters are both supremely confdent
and have a signifcant advantage, and so add +2 to all
Communication and Willpower tests while that condi-
tion persists.
Assuming negotiations rather than immediate combat,
the Chasind ask questions like these:
have You enCountereD anY of the maD fiGhters?
have anY of You been bitten bY these maDmen? (this,
askeD With a Great Deal of susPiCion.)
hoW far has the maDness sPreaD? even to the northern
hills? (bY “northern hills,” theY mean the ferelDen
hinterlanDs.)
Call for opposed Communication (Bargaining, Decep-
tion, and/or Persuasion) tests as appropriate. Alter-
nately, you may forego tests and simply roleplay the
discussion and negotiation.
The Chasind are very concerned to hear that the amber
rage has spread into the Hinterlands, if the PCs reveal
that it has. They’re very interested to hear that there may
be a cure, or that the heroes have a brew that staves off
encroaching madness.
Once the Chasind are satisfed that they’ve learned all
they can, they may be tempted to kill the PCs on gen-
eral principles. They’re doubly tempted if any of the
heroes admit to either being infected or having been
bitten. The PCs, of course, may manage to cut a deal
of some kind, and perhaps even negotiate for informa-
tion or guidance as to how to exit the Wilds. How this
encounter plays out is up to you and the players.
Obviously, if the PCs notice the ambush before it
is sprung combat may break out before a word is
spoken. The rager-hunters are still interested in talk-
CHASIND RAGER-HUNTERS
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion
2 constitution (stAminA)
2 cunning (nAturAl lore, nAvigAtion)
3 dexterity (boWs, light blAdes, steAlth, trAps)
0 mAgic
3 perception (seArching, seeing, trAcking)
3 strength (heAvy blAdes)
1 WillpoWer (morAle)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
13 25 13 3
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
bAstArd sWord +5 2d6+4 —
long boW +5 1d6+6 26/52 yArds
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Mighty Blow and Skirmish.
talents: Archery Style (Journeyman), Scouting (Journey-
man), and Single Weapon (Journeyman).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Heavy Blades, Light
Blades, and Spears.
equipment
light leAther Armor, long sWord, speAr, long boW, And
20 ArroWs.
36
Amber Rage
KORCARI CROCODILE
Korcari crocodiles are about 10 feet long with
vicious jaws. These crocodiles have acquired a
taste for human fesh after feeding on unwary
Chasind.
Abilities (Focuses)
–1 communicAtion
2 constitution (sWimming)
–1 cunning
4 dexterity (steAlth)
0 mAgic
2 perception (seeing)
6 strength (bite)
1 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
7 25 14 3
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bite +8 1d6+6
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Mighty Blow.
touGh hiDe: A crocodile has a tough hide that gives it an
armor rating of 3.
before they were defeated. The villagers decided to
move to a safer place after burning the bodies.
A blight owl (or owls—there is one for each three PCs)
has moved into the village, picking at the cooked scraps
in the ash piles. The owl fghts to the death. After the
battle it plans to feast on fresh corpses.
U CPLCLIILES
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
Crocodiles attack the PCs in the swamp.
Your path takes you through a swampier section
of the Wilds. You feel uneasy here, as if you’re
being watched.
Call for a TN 13 Perception (Seeing) test.
The crocodiles swim and crawl toward the PCs just
below the surface of the water. PCs who make the test
notice the crocodiles’ eyes coming toward them. If the
PCs fail, then the crocodiles get close enough to attack
without warning. There is one crocodile for each PC.
They are hungry but not blindly so; if two or more croc-
odiles are defeated then the others slide back intothe
waters and depart to look for easier prey.
BLIGHT OWL
A giant owl tainted and warped by the Blight.
Abilities (Focuses)
–1 communicAtion
0 constitution
–1 cunning
4 dexterity (bite)
0 mAgic
7 perception (seeing)
6 strength (tAlon)
3 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
6 40 17 1
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bite +6 2d6+6
tAlon +8 1d6+6
PoWers
favoreD stunt: Mighty Blow.
hiDe: A Blight owl has tough skin, giving it an armor rating of 1.
37
Amber Rage
Ï 1PA!!EI PAGEP
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
A rager has fallen into a Chasind trap and has
made a surprise for anyone that approaches.
You hear screams ahead. They sound human,
but you don’t see anyone.
There is an open pit ahead. This trap was covered with
leaves and a rager fell in. One of the rager’s legs was
broken in the fall, and was punctured by the spikes at
the bottom of the pit. The wounded rager has used his
dagger to fashion small darts coated with his poison to
throw at anyone who sneaks a peek down at him. From
his position, the rager gets a –2 on his attack roll.
In spite of a potential surprise attack, the PCs are in no
immediate danger given that the rager cannot leave
the pit.
b S1ALKING 1HE S1ALKEPS
COMBAT AND/OR ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs learn the truth about the ragers from
an unlikely source.
This is the PCs’ last encounter in the Wilds. Use it after
they fnally meet or beat their navigation threshold.
You believe you may have fnally reached the
edge of the Wilds, but just as you break through
the tree line you notice a lone rider galloping
in your general direction. Perhaps “rider” is too
strong a word; this Chasind is slumped against
his horse and guides the reins with one hand.
His other arm hangs limply at his side. He
notices you and pulls up, shouting across the
distance to your party:
“Please! You must stop them!”
This is Gyera, a Chasind rager-hunter whose small
party was ambushed by two ragers. He was heavily
wounded, but managed to escape while his compan-
ions were cut down. Gyera realizes that the ragers are
making meals of his friends and implores the PCs to
slay the ragers before they infect anyone else. A TN 11
Cunning (Healing) test indicates that Gyera has not
contracted the amber rage himself. Gyera’s stats are the
same as those of the rager-hunters in Rager-Hunters on
page 35, save that he is down to 7 Health.
Should the PCs seek out the ragers, they are only about
a hundred yards away.
As you make your way through the bushes you
come upon a macabre sight. Two Chasind lie
dead and dismembered as two ragers cut away
bits of their fesh with their blades and chomp
them down with wicked teeth.
Unless surprised, the ragers immediately drop their
grisly meal and attack the PCs. They have the same sta-
tistics as other ragers (see Ragers! on page 12) and they
fght to the death.
After the fght, Gyera is willing to fll in any missing
pieces of the rager puzzle (the amber rage’s origin, how
it is spread, and so on) for the PCs. He believes that
most of the ragers south of the river have been killed.
These last two took his party by surprise.
U PE1UPN 1L ILSLV
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs collect their horses.
If the PCs left their horses in Dosov village, they are
likely to want to collect them. They discover that their
mounts have been well cared for. Baba Zorya is happy
to see them and is curious whether they found what
they were looking for. She gifts them a bottle of wild-
wine to keep them warm on the journey home.
Sustaining Drama and Varying Beats on the Journey Back
There’s a danger that the heroes’ encounters after they recover the Shadowmoss (or fail to do so) will become
repetitive and anti-climactic if handled without a sense for continuing the drama. Since one of the most criti-
cal questions of the scenario has already been answered—“Will the PCs get what they need?”—it becomes
important to re-focus the drama on unanswered questions like “Will the PCs make it back in time?” To do that,
emphasize the way that each scene of delay, each attempt to navigate, affects the heroes’ eventual success or
failure.
However, a related danger is that all of the swamp encounters, and even those that take place after the swamp
has been left behind, will strike the same chord of delay and inconvenience. Any story that hits the same notes
over and over again becomes boring by repetition, so make sure you vary the tenor—positive vs. negative—of
the successive encounters you introduce while the PCs are traveling back to Sothmere.
38
Amber Rage
SER VILJA WULVERTON
An honorable knight turned reluctant bandit.
Abilities (Focuses)
2 communicAtion
3 constitution (stAminA)
1 cunning (militAry lore)
4 dexterity (riding)
0 mAgic
1 perception
4 strength (heAvy blAdes)
2 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
11 39 16 7
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
long sWord +6 2d6+4 —
dAgger +4 1d6+5 —
crossboW +1 2d6+2 30/60 yArds
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Disarm and Mighty Blow.
talents: Armor Training (Novice), Single Weapon Style
(Novice), and Weapon and Shield Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Heavy Blades, and Light
Blades.
equipment
heAvy mAil Armor, medium shield, long sWord, dAgger,
crossboW, And 20 bolts.
If the PC asks why the knight’s companions are hiding,
Ser Vilja apologizes for the deception and waves his
allies out. Ser Vilja knows that it is never wise to let the
Chasind stalkers know one’s true strength and he had no
idea whether the PCs would respect his call to parley.
Ser Vilja Wulverton is the knight and burgomaster of
Wulverton. A relatively young man, he’s already known
hardship, his own father having fallen to the frequent
Avvarian raids against his village.
Ragers attacked his village this morning, infected his
wife and son and killed his other son. In all, ten people
in Wulverton are infected. His own village wise man
told him how to seek the shadowmoss, which he did.
Unfortunately, when he summoned the fresprites, the
vision he received during their wailing song made him
understand that the shadowmoss was gone, probably
forever, and that it was leaving the forest. He even saw
the faces of those who took it—the PCs. He decided to
intercept them before it was too late.
Ser Vilja means to save his kin or die trying. If the PCs
won’t hand the shadowmoss over, he regrets that he’ll have
to fght them. A PC making a TN 9 Perception (Empathy)
test realizes that Ser Vilja is tortured over this decision. He
Alternately, if the PCs lost their horses in the swamp,
they may want to buy new mounts in Dosov. In that
case, they must negotiate with Baba Zorya as in Dosov
Village on page 26. If a PC wins the negotiation, riding
horses cost the regular price in barter (120 sp). If Zorya
wins, they cost half again as much (180 sp).
Otherwise, skip this encounter.
PART 6
The Final Leg
In this fnal part of the adventure the PCs must return to
Sothmere and confront Ser Vilem, surviving an ambush
and overturning a blackhaller’s decision. This may result
in a trial by combat between one of the PCs and Ser Vilem.
First, however, they must face another hard moral choice.
I A KNIGH1’S lINAL S1ANI
ROLEPLAYING AND/OR COMBAT ENCOUNTER
The PCs confront another party who went after
the shadowmoss for the same reason they did.
As you approach the rocky hills between the
forest and the Sudrand River, dark clouds once
again roll over the sky. A light rain showers
you as a lightning bolt reveals a lone horseman
perched atop the frst hill.
Do you approach?
A PC making a TN 13 Perception (Seeing) test (at –1
due to the rain) can make out the colors and standards
of Ser Vilja Wulver. A TN 13 Cunning (Heraldry) test
reveals that the knight wears the crest of the riverside
village of Wulverton, a day’s ride to the west.
Suspicious PCs may look around to see if the knight
is truly alone. Make an opposed Perception (Seeing)
vs. Dexterity (Stealth) test between Vilja’s companions
and the PCs. The PCs suffer a –1 penalty for the rain
and Vilja’s companions receive a +1 bonus for having
had plenty of time to prepare.
Regardless, the knight rides down the hill as if to meet
the PCs, but stops short and raises his sword, holding
it out and down. A PC making a TN 9 Communication
(Etiquette) test realizes that he expects one PC to ride
out to meet him. Assuming that a PC rides forth, Vilja
makes his request.
The tired knight looks at you with grim deter-
mination. “With regret I must ask you to hand
over the shadowmoss. If you do so willingly,
then you may leave without bloodshed.”
39
Amber Rage
DOBREELA THE GIFTED
Dobreela is apprenticed to Maximilian, the wise man of
Wulverton. She has quite a challenge; Maximilian is one
of the afficted. She is an attractive young raven-haired
woman but barely more than a girl. She doesn’t like this
plan any more than Ser Vilja, but follows his lead (she is
a bit smitten with him, in spite of the circumstances).
2 PE1UPN 1L VICHlLPI
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs return to Wichford and meet Strom,
who warms them of Ser Vilem’s plan.
A hard rain falls and lightning fashes as you
head toward the river. You see many small
lights ahead: Wichford lies ahead.
The Wichforders who were away have returned home
to bury their dead and restore order. The ferry has
been fxed and the local inn is open for business. In
fact, Strom Karsgard happens to be staying there and
is smoking a pipe on the porch as he sees the PCs.
has always been an honorable soldier and now has been
reduced by circumstance to be a common brigand.
This scene can play out in many different ways. You
should roleplay these interactions, rather than reducing
any of them to a test. Press each side to make choices,
rather than die rolls.
Ser Vilja is assisted by Dobreela, and one Wulverton
volunteer for each PC. Should Ser Vilja’s determination
waiver, then Dobreela or one of the volunteers might
start the fght anyway.
In a fght against the PCs, Ser Vilja pulls his killing
blows, but he has not instructed his companions to do
the same. Each companion fghts as his conscience and
the PCs’ behavior requires.
If the fght ends and Ser Vilja is still standing, he makes
sure the PCs know they’ve consigned his family to
death. He weeps openly.
If Ser Vilja and his men manage to overpower the PCs
and take the shadowmoss, they ride for Wulverton
with all speed. Overtaking Ser Vilja’s party requires an
opposed Cunning (Navigation) test.
DOBREELA THE GIFTED
Apprentice to the wise man of Wulverton.
Abilities (Focuses)
1 communicAtion
0 constitution
2 cunning (heAling, nAturAl lore)
2 dexterity
4 mAgic
0 perception
1 strength
3 WillpoWer (selF-discipline)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
12 23 12 3
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
ArcAne lAnce — 1d6+4 16 yArds
quArterstAFF +2 1d6+2 —
PoWers
sPellPoWer: 14 mana: 18
favoreD stunts: Mighty Spell.
talents: Chirurgy (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Brawling and Staves.
sPells: Heal, Weakness, and Winter’s Grasp (note that her
armor causes one point of strain when Dobreela casts).
equipment
light leAther Armor, quArterstAFF, dAgger, And WAnd.
WULVERTON VOLUNTEERS
Wulverton has no standing militia, but most of its
villagers know how to handle themselves in a fght.
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion
2 constitution (stAminA)
0 cunning
1 dexterity
0 mAgic
1 perception
2
strength (Axes, bludgeons,
or heAvy blAdes As AppropriAte)
2 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
9 15 13 5
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
bAttle Axe, mAce,
or long sWord
+4 2d6+2 —
crossboW +1 2d6+2 30/60 yArds
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Skirmish.
talents: Armor Training (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Axes, Bludgeons, Bows, Brawling, and
Heavy Blades.
equipment
light mAil Armor, medium shield, crossboW, 20 bolts, And
A bAttle Axe, mAce, or long sWord.
40
Amber Rage
He implores them to get out of the terrible weather and
offers to pay for their meal and lodgings, as it would be
ludicrous for them to press on in this weather.
If the PCs feel that time is of the essence and they want
to brave the weather, then Strom still gives them the fol-
lowing information. It just won’t be over a hearty fsh
stew and ryott beer.
Strom tells them that Ser Vilem sent for a blackhaller
the day after the PCs left, and that the blackhaller is
expected some time on the third day. Sheriff Milo
seemed certain that the blackhaller would wait at least
until the PCs arrived with the shadowmoss before ren-
dering a decision, but Strom doesn’t trust Ser Vilem.
ò A HESSAGE
lPLH SEP VILEH
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
Ser Vilem hedges his bets; his loyal soldiers
ambush the PCs en route to Sothmere.
The rain shows little sign of letting up as you
wind your away around the Sudrand riverbank
to get to the low-lying path to Sothmere. You
soon see a band of armored horsemen riding
toward you. They fy the colors of Arl Neruda,
Ser Vilem’s liege-lord.
While Ser Vilem has a blackhaller in his pocket he’d
rather stack the deck further in his favor. He’s created
a unit out of his most loyal soldiers and assigned them
to intercept the PCs if they manage to pass through
Wichford. Their instructions are to kill the PCs, burn
the bodies, and dispose of any shadowmoss in their
possession. There is one soldier per PC.
A soldier named Kristof leads the band. He asks the PCs
if they have located the shadowmoss. He tells them that
they are patrolling the area for any further attacks. If
asked about the second wave of ragers, Kristof informs
the PCs that they never made it to Sothmere.
Suspicious PCs can make an opposed Perception (Empa-
thy) vs Communication (Deception) test. If Kristof is
found out, he and his men draw their swords and attack.
If the PCs aren’t suspicious, the soldiers let them pass,
then turn and shoot them in the back with their cross-
bows. They intend to run down any survivors with
hooves and swords.
If this fght takes place at night, all combat tests are
penalized by –3 due to the darkness and hard rain. If in
the morning, then the hard rain causes only a –2 penalty.
Use the fort soldier stats from Ragers! on page 15. Their
names are Antal, Bozek, Cheslov, Kristof, and Tivadar.
(Use only the names you need; you can also use named
soldiers the PCs may have met earlier, to make this
treachery sting that much more.)
4 1HE PEHAINS Ll 1HE
SECLNI VAVE
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The PCs discover what happened to the second
wave of ragers to head north from Wichford.
Off to the side of the path you see a line of swords,
four in all, stuck into the ground. On the other
side of the path is a large pile of ash in which at
least a dozen charred weapons are half-buried.
This is where the residents of Wichford returning from
the Groundbreaking Festival met the second wave of
ragers. The residents were prepared to fght and pep-
pered the ragers with arrows as they charged. Still, they
could not put down all of the ragers before they were
upon them, and four Wichforders lost their lives. Their
bodies were burned with the ragers, lest they spread
the disease themselves.
b 1L !PEVEN1 A BUPNING
ROLEPLAYING AND/OR COMBAT ENCOUNTER
The PCs return to Sothmere just as the infected
villagers are about to be executed.
Only a couple days ago, Sothmere was the site of a
festive party. Now, it is a funeral pyre; many pyres,
in fact. As you approach you can see fort soldiers
tying the infected villagers to poles with piles of
branches at their feet. Most of the infected villag-
ers crying or screaming. You see Bogdan offer a
large dagger to Ser Vilem, who stands smugly
beside a woman wearing a blackhaller’s robe.
Will you allow this to stand?
As Strom told them, an arbiter has come to Sothmere
and it’s obvious that she’s sided with Ser Vilem. The
infected villagers are to be executed and their bodies
burned to destroy this horrible disease. Bogdan has
helpfully sharpened a blade so that the victims’ throats
will be cleanly slit. The wood is dry; it has been taken
from winter piles and mingled with barn straw. Sheriff
Milo sits on the ground, his head in his hands as he
sobs. Old Stoyanka stands at a distance, her bent body
leaning against her walking stick.
If the PCs have the shadowmoss, it is enough to make
the blackhaller pause. Sir Vilem is against any delay in
meting out the planned “justice,” though, and makes
the argument the sentence has been handed down and
that’s that. It comes down to an opposed Communica-
tion (Persuasion) test between the PCs and Vilem. If
the PCs win, Gelda is willing to allow Old Stoyanka a
few hours to brew her cure in hopes it will help. If not,
though, preparations for the burning continue.
As a separate matter (although it may well occur before
the matter of the execution is decided), if the PCs accuse
Ser Vilem of being behind an ambush against them, he
haughtily demands satisfaction. Ser Gelda is in a mood
to grant it. If the PCs present additional evidence, such
as one of the ambushers willing to speak out against Ser
Vilem, then Ser Vilem demands satisfaction from the
soldier frst. Simply narrate Ser Vilem easily dispatch-
ing the soldier. Alternatively, if the soldier is badly
wounded, Ser Gelda allows the soldier to designate one
of his PC captors as a champion.
If Ser Vilem is bested in trial by combat, the PCs get a +3
bonus to opposed Persuasion tests against Vilem, even so
far as being able to make a new opposed test to convince
Ser Gelda to wait until after Old Stoyanka has tried to
cure the villagers before making good on the execution.
If the PCs ride in and attack, or resort to combat after nego-
tiations break down, they’re likely to be slaughtered. Ser
Vilem’s forces have been reinforced by Bann Dusic (who
sent ten soldiers) and Ser Gelda’s personal guard of four.
The remainder of Ser Vilem’s unit (nine minus those lost
in A Message From Ser Vilem) are at the fort. They PCs’
only real hope if they choose this option is to rally the vil-
lagers with a TN 15 Cunning (Persuasion) test.
If the PCs do attack, Ser Gelda attempts to stop them
with an appeal to reason. If the PCs cut her down, they
commit themselves to a fght to the death and the TN
for persuading the villagers to help them goes up to
17—no one wants to be involved in the death of a black-
haller, no matter the circumstances.
Statistics for Ser Gelda and her guard are provided
below. The bann’s reinforcements have the same statis-
tics as Ser Vilem’s fort soldiers.
SER GELDA CERMAC
Ser Gelda is a hardened woman (the Fereldan knightly
honorifc “Ser” applies equally to men and women) in
her mid-forties who is still attractive in spite of a wicked
scar down the left side of her face from an attack that
left one eye blind—a wound delivered by someone
who disagreed with one of her arbitrations. She keeps
this eye covered with a simple eye patch. Ordinarily,
Ser Gelda is a fair arbiter and would have waited for
the PCs to arrive before rendering a decision. Unfortu-
nately, Ser Gelda owes Ser Vilem’s father a favor from
long ago, and as such she has grudgingly sided with
Ser Vilem, even though she has her doubts. She simply
wants to repay her debt and ride away from Sothmere.
41
Amber Rage
42
Amber Rage
THE ARBITER’S GUARD
Ser Gelda’s bodyguard.
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion
2 constitution (stAminA)
0 cunning (militAry lore)
2 dexterity (riding)
0 mAgic
0 perception
4 strength (heAvy blAdes)
2 WillpoWer (courAge)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
8 45 14 8
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk
roll
DamaGe ranGe
bAstArd sWord +6 2d6+5
dAgger +2 1d6+5
2 hAnded speAr +4 2d6+4
crossboW +2 2d6+1 30/60 yArds
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Mighty Blow and Skirmish.
talents: Armor Training (Journeyman), Weapon and Shield
Style (Novice), Two-Hander Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Heavy Blades, and
Spears.
equipment
light plAte Armor, medium shield, bAstArd sWord, dAgger,
tWo hAnded speAr, crossboW, And 20 bolts.
THE ARBITER’S GUARD
Ser Gelda’s guardsmen are defensive fghters, more
concerned with protecting the arbiter than with press-
ing any advantage. Only if Ser Gelda is killed do they
fght without mercy, realizing that they have failed in
their duty and must now salvage what honor they can
in her memory.
U 1HE CUPE
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
Old Stoyanka brews her cure.
If the PCs managed to both return with the full quantity of
shadowmoss and also prevent Ser Vilem from putting the
infected villagers to death, Amber Rage ends thusly:
Old Stolyanka takes the sack of shadowmoss
from you, opens it, and clucks at its contents,
oblivious to or inured against its smell. She dis-
appears for some hours into her home, from
which prayers and incantations can be heard
When she emerges, it is with a wooden trough
and a ladle. The infected who remain have been
assembled, and the wise woman approaches
them with a curative that everyone hopes will
cure their condition.
Whether it works is up to you. If it does, the yellowed
skin of the infected starts clearing up. If not, then the
infected soon descend into irrevocable madness and
become ragers. In either case, a deal is a deal, and if
terms were made, Sheriff Milo honors them.
If the potion cures Wanda, the PCs have a new ally in
Sheriff Milo. He intends to petition the bann to appoint
an appropriate PC as Ser Vilem’s replacement (unless
all such characters absolutely refuse to accept the posi-
tion), and he’s also still interested in fnding Wanda a
good husband. Depending upon how things work out,
they may also have an ally in Ser Gelda. It’s unlikely
that either Ser Vilem or Bogdan will wish the PCs well,
in the end, and could be a source of recurring headaches
for the heroes.
SER GELDA CERMAC
Arbiter.
Abilities (Focuses)
6 communicAtion (persuAsion)
2 constitution
5
cunning (culturAl lore, historicAl lore,
militAry lore, Writing)
1 dexterity (light blAdes)
0 mAgic
–1 perception
2 strength (bludgeons)
3 WillpoWer (selF-discipline)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
8 55 11 7
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
mAce +4 2d6+2
dAgger +3 1d6+3
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Defensive Stance and Disarm.
talents: Armor Training (Novice), Contacts (Journeyman),
Linguistics (Novice, Read Ancient Tevene), Lore (Novice),
Single Weapon Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bludgeons, Brawling, and Light Blades.
equipment
heAvy mAil Armor, mAce, And dAgger.
43
Where Eagles Lair
BY T.S. LUIKART
Love, they say, can move mountains, but
whether to topple them over or raise them
up is seldom mentioned. The young and passionately in
love would say no obstacle cannot be surmounted, no
divide cannot be crossed, and that even the vast chasm
between Fereldans and Avvarians can be bridged, if you
stay true to your heart. Pity that the rest of the world
doesn’t always share such optimism.
Where Eagles Lair is an adventure for four to six hardy
characters ranging from 3rd to 4th level, who must
journey high into the Frostback Mountains to retrieve
the kidnapped daughter of a nobleman, or at the least
ensure her father’s vengeance. Along the way, they
must deal extensively with the Avvarian hillspeople,
who are not fond of Fereldans at the best of times, as
well as the many predators of the Frostbacks, the effects
of the biting cold, and the fact that Izot Wulff wasn’t
actually even kidnapped… at least, not at frst.
Where Eagles Lair also contains a great deal of informa-
tion about the Avvars, the Fereldans’ bitter kinfolk who
were forced into the Frostbacks centuries ago, which will
be useful for both running this adventure and setting fur-
ther ones in the west of Ferelden. If you have Avvarian
PCs in your group, you might wish to let their players
read Appendix 1: About Avvars, in order to know more
about the culture their characters come from.
It Was All Going
So Well”
The tale behind Where Eagles Lair truly begins four
years ago, in the midst of a warm summer that had
wrapped the West Hills Arling in a gentle embrace. An
arling is the Fereldan equivalent of a border county, and
the arls that rule them are some of the most powerful
nobles in Ferelden, eclipsed in power only by the teyrn
and the king. The West Hills Arling lies to the north of
Lake Calenhad and borders the Frostback Mountains,
which means Arl Gallagher Wulff has spent the bulk of
his life fghting Avvars nearly every winter. Arl Wulff
and his family are well loved in Ferelden for both their
bold nature and their many kindnesses to the people
of the West Hills. That fateful year, a few days into
Bloomingtide, the ffth month of the Fereldan calen-
dar, a dwarven caravan passed through the West Hills
on its way into the south of Ferelden’s interior. As is
always wise when traveling in Ferelden, they had hired
an assortment of guards, the youngest of whom was a
handsome Avvar whose full proper name was Azur Ar
Brosna O Redhold.
44
Where Eagles Lair
Young Azur was afficted with a serious case of wan-
derlust and so was willing to subject himself to the
myriad blasphemies of the lowlanders. What Azur did
not expect was to come to the rescue of a young teenage
woman who was being assaulted by a pack of blight
wolves. He certainly didn’t anticipate the same to not
only fail to thank him for his assistance, but to instead
berate him for interfering. The amused Avvar solemnly
apologized for failing to allow the young woman to
become the blight wolves’ noon meal and headed
back to his caravan duties. Long before Azur had even
returned to his caravan, Izot Wulff, the young woman,
who was the arl’s fourth child and second daughter,
had decided that she would marry him one day.
Years passed, as they do, each one seeing Azur travel
back and forth from the Frostbacks accompanying cara-
vans as they moved through the West Hills Arling. It
was no accident that the Avvar made a point to travel in
eastbound caravans, for a certain daring young woman
was not often far from his thoughts. With each passage
the two met for a few all-too-brief days, until at last, Izot
was old enough that Azur deemed the time had come
to steal her away properly. Izot, for her part, felt she had
to spend a ridiculous amount of effort convincing Azur
that to simply announce to the arl of the West Hills that
he—an Avvar—intended to steal his daughter in order
to marry her was a very bad idea. Azur fnally agreed
they could tell her father a month or so after they were
married. The young lovers made plans to steal and be
stolen the next spring.
Azur chose a day when winter had barely loosed its
grip on the Frostbacks to slip down into the West
Hills and claim his bride, accompanied by two of his
friends. Izot dutifully struggled for a few moments
before accompanying her beloved back to his moun-
tainous home.
Alas for love, on the journey back to Redhold Azur and
Izot’s plans went horribly askew. Their small party
was waylaid by a dangerous pack of Avvar hunters
led by the vicious Balan Ar Malad. Running into the
cruel band was the worst of luck, for with the coming
of spring the Avvars had been preparing to retreat to
their holding in the eastern Frostbacks. Balan killed
Azur’s friend Sollus, and beat Azur himself sense-
less, stopping just short of his death only because
the moment before his head was staved in, Balan’s
second-in-command, a far more even-tempered man
named Torin, recognized Azur as the nephew of Thane
Owyne of Redhold and stayed Balan’s fatal blow. For
her part, Izot killed one man and wounded two others
in the skirmish. Rather than killing the lowlander girl,
which would’ve normally been Balan’s response, he
was impressed by her ferce nature and decided to
bring her along with him for future “sport.” Balan
and his men departed with a struggling Izot in tow,
headed deep into the mountains.
Staging
The plot of Where Eagles Lair requires that the PCs be
traveling within the West Hills Arling in the very early
spring as the adventure begins. The default assumption
is that they are a well-regarded group of adventurers,
or something similar such as a competent band of mer-
cenaries or caravan guards, who would be willing to
journey into the Frostbacks to retrieve Arl Wulff’s kid-
napped daughter, or at the least, discover her fate. Even
though the arl is hard-pressed for men, he certainly
wouldn’t be willing to send anyone less than compe-
tent into the mountains after his beloved daughter.
Because Where Eagles Lair is intended for experienced
characters it probably shouldn’t be the frst challenge
your group of adventurers takes on. This is also a good
idea because the more familiar your players (and their
characters) are with Ferelden’s culture, the more jarring
the contrast they’ll experience as they learn to deal with
the Avvarian hillspeople. If, however, they already know
about Avvars, perhaps from playing Dragon Age: Ori-
gins, you may consider starting them off as residents of
the West Hills Arling. This might even justify lower-level
characters becoming involved, as ferce loyalty to his
house among the PCs may sway the arl’s heart against his
better judgment. A lower-level party should absolutely
have at least one character with the Tracking focus.
If you are using Where Eagles Lair as part of a long-
term campaign, it is an excellent idea to introduce a
few of the PCs to the NPCs of this adventure prior to
running it. If the characters already know and like Arl
Wulff, or have previously met Izot, they are likely to be
far more motivated than coin can compel.
The exact timing for the beginning of the story is inten-
tionally fexible; it begins at the end of winter, a few
days into spring, which generally falls within the frst
week or two of Guardian. The important points are that
the season has just turned and Izot Wulff has been miss-
ing for only a few days.
Even though the arl and his men believe Avvars kid-
napped his daughter, the arl is still willing to hire an
Avvar or two for this task if any of the PCs is one. Why?
Because Arl Wulff knows the Avvarian people all too
well: they are a fractious and quarrelsome lot who
turn on each other nearly as readily as upon outsiders.
Indeed, it might just be that an Avvar is necessary to
catch an Avvar in the Frostbacks.
HAKEP’S BPEA1H
BU1 I1’S CLLI
The bulk of this story takes place in the Frostback
Mountain range, a series of forbidding peaks on the
western border of Ferelden. The dwarves of the king-
45
Where Eagles Lair
dom of Orzammar, which lies under the roots of the
Frostbacks, call them the Frozen Teeth, and with good
reason. The bulk of the range is forever snowcapped,
with only a single route, Gherlen’s Pass, considered
safe for year-round travel. Travelers to the Frostbacks
very early in the spring, such as the PCs, experience a
constant biting chill that will not lessen until the short
and brisk summer comes to the heights. They should
count their blessings; winter is far worse. During this
adventure, the following rules apply in the mountains:
• Whenever a non-Avvar character is forced to
swiftly engage in any strenuous physical activity,
such as when attacked, they must succeed at a
TN 11 Constitution (Stamina) test against the
numbing effects of the constant cold or suffer a
–2 penalty to all physical tests for three rounds as
they warm up. If they have at least a minute to
specially prepare for the task at hand by rubbing
their hands, stamping their feet, and so forth, they
automatically pass the test. Avvars have a cultural
+2 modifer to succeed at this test.
• Sheathed metal weapons, such as those from
the Light and Heavy Blades Groups, frequently
stick within their scabbards due to frost, which is
one of the reasons Avvars favor axes and spears.
Whenever a character has to ready their sword
quickly, such as when ambushed, they have to
make a TN 11 Strength (Might) test when they
use the Ready minor action to draw their weapon
free of its sheath. If they succeed their blade clears
its scabbard as normal, but if they fail then it is
stuck fast and they must either use another action
to try again or choose a different course.
• With great plumes of visible breath constantly
rising into the air and the crunch of snow
underfoot, remaining unnoticed is exceedingly
diffcult in the Frostbacks. All Dexterity (Stealth)
tests suffer a –2 penalty.
AIVEN1UPE SUHHAPY
Izot Wulff, the daughter of Arl Gallagher Wulff of the
West Hills Arling, has apparently been kidnapped right
out of her father’s home, although the circumstances sur-
rounding her disappearance are unusual and not charac-
teristic of a typical Avvar raid into Ferelden. The Player
Characters are summoned by the arl and hired to go into
the Frostback Mountains to either retrieve his daughter
or discover her fate. While the arl would rather send a
trusted bann or some other such agent, roving bands of
darkspawn have recently been spotted in the West Hills
and he has no men to spare, even for his child.
As they travel up into the cold foothills of the Frost-
backs, the PCs come upon the remains of an unusual
battle site from which two distinct sets of tracks lead.
On one hand is the trail of Azur, Izot’s love, being
dragged toward the Avvarian settlement Redhold by
his friend Martain. On the other is trail of Balad’s band
of hunters, headed west. After an encounter with the
local wildlife, the characters discover a true horror: a
feld of dead Avvars of all ages, slain by darkspawn.
From there the characters’ decisions dictate much of
what occurs. The Avvars of Redhold need assistance
against the darkspawn until their bands of hunters
return, although they surely don’t expect lowlanders
to help them. The injured Azur wishes to go after Izot,
but his uncle, Thane Owyne, has other plans. If they are
willing to help their cultural enemies, the PCs may just
gain allies against the cruel Balan, but a wicked fght
against darkspawn is in the offng frst.
Balan’s trail leads the PCs on a grueling slog into the
high mountains where a fateful fght over a crumbling
ice bridge awaits, as does the possibility of having to
traverse a haunted pass that no Avvar will dare risk. If
the PCs are bold, diplomatic, and cunning, they may at
last bring the brutal Balan to heel and rescue Izot Wulff.
If not, a cold death awaits them amidst the icy peaks of
the Frozen Teeth.
Many Roads
Large portions of how events play out in Where Eagles
Lair depend upon the choices that the PCs make. Whole
encounters are unlikely to occur if they avoid certain
paths or refuse to deal with the Avvars in any non-
violent fashion. That’s okay. Flexibility is truly the key
here. It may be that the PCs charge up into the moun-
tains, completely bypassing Redhold as they swiftly
forge after Balan. If such is the case, they may just end
up coming back down from the heights in search of
Azur’s fate at the newly rescued Izot’s insistence.
Optional
Subplots
As usual for a Dragon Age adventure, the following sub-
plots can be included to complicate the main plotline as
you see ft. All are entirely separate of the main story,
and if you choose not to use them it will not adversely
affect the adventure.
HY SIS1EP’S KEE!EP
Izot has a number of siblings who love her, but one
little brother in particular all but worships his big sister.
Berchan Wulff is a few months shy of 12 years old, but
for what he lacks in age, he has courage in abundance.
Izot’s kidnapping has left Berchan devastated, and he
all but demanded his father let him go after her. The arl
was torn between cuffng his youngest upside the head
and hugging him close.
BERCHAN WOLF
Headstrong 11-year-old son of an arl.
Abilities & Focuses
Abilities And Focuses: communicAtion 0 (deception);
constitution 1, cunning 1 (nAturAl lore), dexterity 0,
mAgic 0, perception 1, strength –3, WillpoWer –2
haps Berchan rides into their camp one evening, bold
as brass, a day or two before they meet up with Balan
and his men. Obviously, the characters cannot lose one
of the arl’s children while searching for another. One
thing is certain: The Avvars will under no circumstances
accept responsibility for the boy. In fact, they argue that
his ability to track the PCs into the wilderness should
earn him a place in their hunting party! Berchan is not,
in fact, a non-combatant; he is, after all, an arl’s son.
Unless they physically drag him down out of the Frost-
backs and back to his father’s manor, the party will not
be rid of him until his sister is found.
If you use this subplot, you must also decide to what
extent Berchan is deluded about his own capabilities.
On one hand, you can decide to make him entirely
impotent, in which case use the non-combatant statis-
tics at left. This option places a higher burden on the
heroes, but has the danger of becoming comical. On
the other hand, you may introduce him as the proud,
capable, and intensely loyal (but in-over-his-head)
brother. This option has the greater potential to be
wrenchingly emotional. If you choose it, Berchan uses
the same statistics as Izot, found on p. 77.
VE’PE NL1 ALLNE
The Avvars are a famously fractious people, so much
so that in their long history with Ferelden, a number of
raids into the lowlands have fallen apart due to infght-
ing between the members of various clans and their
respective holds. There are presently blood feuds raging
between several Avvar clans that have literally been
going on for a century or more, their original causes in
many cases forgotten. Even when the Avvars are aware
of what started the fght, explaining to incredulous
lowlanders how they’ve been battling another clan for
decades because a misbegotten whoreson once rejected
their great-great-great-grandmother tries the patience
of even the most tolerant hillsman, and so they seldom
bother.
Given that Avvars like to nurse their grudges, and given
that one Visant Ar Norig O Stormhold prides himself
on being a proper Avvar, Visant and a small hunting
party of similarly minded fellows have traveled north
in order to enact revenge for a wide variety of injustices
they can’t be bothered to recount. Visant absolutely
Berchan has been sent to the arl’s winter manor with
specifc instructions to stay put till his father says other-
wise. Several guards have been selected to keep an eye
on him in rotation, as he is a clever boy. Too clever, in
fact, for his guards. Berchan already has a plan worked
out by which he intends to slip out of the manor and
head off into the Frostbacks after his sister. When the
PCs pass through, no matter how competent they may
seem, nothing convinces him that they cannot use his
help. But that said, Berchan is smart enough to know
that if he approaches the PCs openly they would surely
turn down his offer of assistance. He does make a point
of introducing himself to the PCs while they are inspect-
ing the manor grounds, though. Then, Berchan waits
until the adventurers are a day ahead before setting off
after them. He is a child of the West Hills and has had
many skilled tutors; he easily tracks the characters into
the mountains.
Berchan arrives at whatever opportune—or inoppor-
tune—moment. Perhaps, for example, an amused
Thane Owyne announces to the PCs that they have a
“visitor” some time after they arrive in Redhold. Or, if
the PCs bypass the Avvarian settlement entirely, per-
46
Where Eagles Lair
47
Where Eagles Lair
detests the blackguard Balan, but then again, he isn’t
particularly fond on anyone from the no-account clans
of Redhold.
Visant and his band are a wild card that you can play
if events aren’t proving “interesting” enough. Visant is
out for a little excitement, a chance to loot, and a share
of glory. There are any number of points when the hot-
blooded son of Norig and his men could show up, and
they may choose to help or hinder the PCs, possibly
even changing their minds during the course of the
adventure.
Visant and his men have the stats of Avvarian Hunt-
ers from the Game Master’s Guide, with Visant having
a 1-point increase in Cunning and a 2-point increase in
Willpower.
PART 1
A Father’s Heart
The adventure begins with the PCs emerging from the
Smoking Crow, a tavern in the small West Hills town of
Elmridge, having just fnished escorting a caravan or
performing some other such task. A herald sent by Arl
Wulff approaches them and proceeds to escort them to
the arl, who is encamped nearby. The arl hires the party
to go into the Frostbacks and retrieve his daughter, or
at least bring back news of her fate. After some inves-
tigation at the arl’s manor, the characters head into the
foothills of the Frostbacks.
Environs:
Elmridge in the West Hills
In Ferelden, the West Hills Arling is thought of as the
dangerous frontier, too close by far to the Avvarian hill-
speople and the implied threat of Orlais beyond. The
land is heavily forested, with trees stretching as far
as the eye can see toward the looming, snow-capped
mountains in the west. The roads through the region
are few and muddy, though many have permanent,
deep ruts from the numerous caravan wagons passing
east toward the Bannorn.
Spring has just barely come and broad ranges of the
hills are still covered with a thin layer of snow. Muddy
whitish piles still line the roadsides and the air is brisk.
Elmridge is more a staging ground then an actual
town, a place travelers stay at for a brief time before
moving on to wherever it is they actually intend to
go. The bulk of the settlement’s buildings are wood
or canvas, with stone being reserved for a small and
solitary chantry. Most of the establishments cater to
traveling folk; taverns, stores, equipment, and weap-
ons are in abundance. The proximity to Orzammar
makes dwarf-wrought goods surprisingly easy to fnd
for such a small town.
I A SUHHLNS
IN 1HE S!PING
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
A herald approaches the PCs with a summons
from the local arl.
You’ve just fnished feasting at the Smoking
Crow, a tavern serving the fnest breakfast in
the town of Elmridge, a small staging ground
of sorts for merchant caravans and pilgrims
passing through the West Hills Arling. Over
your meal, various ideas about your group’s
next plans were discussed. With winter barely
having passed into spring, work may be scarce
for the next few months.
As you talk among yourselves, a man in elegant
furs barrels around a corner nearby on a horse. As
he sees your group, pleased recognition crosses
his face, though none of you recognize him. He
dismounts and approaches your group.
“I am Odras, herald of Arl Gallagher Wulff.
The arl requests your presence with all possible
speed. If you are willing, I’m to bring you to
him at once.”
48
Where Eagles Lair
Even if the PCs have not met the arl before, as one of
the most powerful nobles in Ferelden, they have cer-
tainly heard of him. Arl Wulff has a sterling reputation
throughout the west of Ferelden as a valiant man who
cares about his people and takes his duties seriously.
Obviously, if they’ve had dealings with the arl in the past,
they would have met Odras previously—you should
adjust the encounter’s introduction accordingly.
Odras is persuasive and eloquent. He is aware, in part,
of what the arl wishes to speak with the PCs about but
refuses to discuss it with the group in advance, saying
that it is a private matter and it isn’t his place to speak
of it. Odras is, however, clearly upset about something;
he has known Izot since her birth and knows that she is
missing, her fate uncertain.
If your players are suspicious, they may wish to know
if Odras is telling the truth, why he seems distressed,
and how he recognized them. Allow them to make
Perception (Empathy) or Communication (Investiga-
tion) tests if they wish and secretly roll a few dice of
your own in pretend opposition, as there is no true
contest. Odras is the herald of Arl Wulff; a TN 7 Cun-
ning (Heraldry) test identifes the mountain-and-stag-
antler crest of the West Hills Arling upon his doublet.
There is no way to know why he is upset as he does not
speak of it, though it seems evident to the PCs in retro-
spect if they accompany him. Odras recognized them
because as a group of successful traveling adventur-
ers, they have been described to him in the past. If that
isn’t an accurate description of the PCs, then the arl
has been discreetly asking after likely men and they
were described as probable candidates for the quest
he has in mind. If asked why time is a factor, Odras
notes that the arl is soon to leave the area on a pressing
martial expedition.
Because of the nature of the nobility of Ferelden, the
PCs are not being forcibly summoned into the arl’s
presence by armed guards, as would be the case in
many of Thedas’s other countries. The characters can
certainly say they aren’t interested and send Odras on
his way. While he does his level best to convince them,
if they truly cannot be swayed, he eventually shakes his
head and rides off. So much for Where Eagles Lair for
your group of PCs. In the late summer or early fall, they
ultimately hear news from the west that Izot Wulff was
kidnapped and killed in the Frostbacks, or, if you feel
THE ARL’S HERALD
Odras, Fereldan freeman and herald of Arl Wulff
for over 20 years.
Abilities & Focuses
communicAtion 3 (etiquette, persuAsion); constitution –1;
cunning 2 (herAldry); dexterity 0; mAgic –1; perception 2
(seArching); strength –2; WillpoWer 1 (selF-discipline).
like twisting the knife, maybe they hear that she was
kidnapped and rescued by a daring group of adventur-
ers who now enjoy riches and fame throughout western
Ferelden.
Presuming the PCs agree to hear what the arl has to say,
this encounter draws to a close as Odras brings them to
the arl’s encampment, just outside Elmridge.
2 1HE APL’S IILEHHA
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs are ushered into the presence of Arl
Wulff, who has a hazardous proposal for them.
He wishes them to journey into the Frostback
Mountains and bring back his daughter, or
word of her fate.
Odras leads you to a clearing south of Elmridge
where a large force of men, perhaps a hundred
strong, is bivouacked. There is anticipation in
the air; clearly a fght is in the offng. The herald
dismounts and, gesturing for you to follow him,
approaches a large tent on a small hill.
The inside of the tent proves austere, the
only furniture a makeshift bed and a number
of simple wooden chairs set about a large table.
Maps cover the canvas walls. A massive man in
ornately engraved plate armor that stands at the
center of it all. Piercing eyes appraise you as you
enter the arl’s presence, for surely this man is he.
”Greetings,” rumbles the giant, “I am Gal-
lagher Wulff, protector of the West Hills Arling.
I— I, ahh…” He falls silent, clearly overcome
with emotion. His massive hands clench and
unclench. “I need your help. One of my daugh-
ters… My daughter Izot has been kidnapped.
Taken into the Frostbacks by Avvars.”
This encounter is a discussion of the circumstances sur-
rounding Izot’s kidnapping. Odras remains unobtru-
sively in the corner, occasionally flling in a detail for
the distracted arl. In truth, Wulff has all but given his
daughter up for dead. He is aware Avvars seldom make
prisoners of lowlanders for long. From what he knows
of how the Avvarians usually treat lowlander women,
he almost hopes she is dead.
During the conversation, the arl relates the following
points:
• Izot has been missing for four days.
• Izot’s torn cloak was found outside of the arl’s
winter manor. Boot prints were found near the cloak
and in a nearby snowdrift, the trail heading west.
• The arl gave orders for the site of the apparent
kidnapping to remain undisturbed until his agents
49
Where Eagles Lair
can inspect it. The arl has not seen it himself; he was
already on the road when his daughter was taken.
• Avvars typically only raid in the winter. That said,
spring has barely come.
• Izot turned 18 two months ago. She is a beautiful
blonde girl with grey eyes. As an arl’s daughter,
she is combat-trained.
Questions & Answers
Arl Wulff answers the following questions in a manner
similar to what is conveyed here.
“You must have manY men of Your oWn, WhY Do You
neeD us?”
I need every man in my service and then some. A massive
force of darkspawn has been raiding the countryside, and
whole villages have been put to the sword and worse. I ride
against them within the hour—an arl’s duty. But the father’s
heart within me demands that I do something. That is why
you are here.
“for that matter, WhY us?”
Your reputations precede you. A small force can travel
quickly and draw less attention from the hillsmen.
“Won’t the avvars trY to ransom Your DauGhter?”
They may not know she is my daughter, as she would never
tell them. If they found out that she was an arl’s daughter,
they would probably kill her for the glory, sacrifcing her to
their pagan gods. In any case, ransom isn’t their way.
“Where Do You think she miGht have been taken?”
The Avvarian clans live in stone-walled villages they call
“holds.” I know of only two holds within a week’s travel of
my manor to the east. One is northwards, but my scouts say
those savages are feuding with another hold even further
to the north, and are unable to spare warriors for raiding.
Closer, there lies a hold four or fve days into the Frostbacks
beyond the edge of the West Hills. If my daughter is to be
found, my best guess is that it will be in this closest hold.
“Do You believe she is still alive?”
Whether she is or not, I would know what became of my
daughter. If you cannot bring her back, then proof of her
ARL GALLAGHER WULFF
Lord of the West Hills Arling and grieving father.
Abilities & Focuses
communicAtion 2 (etiquette, leAdership); constitution 3
(drinking); cunning 2 (historicAl lore, militAry lore);
dexterity 1 (riding); mAgic –1; perception 0; strength
5 (bludgeons, heAvy blAde, might); WillpoWer 3 (selF-
discipline).
death will suffce, though her killer’s head would be even
more welcome.
“We are more than sliGhtlY outnumbereD. aren’t We
likelY to be slauGhtereD bY the avvars out of hanD?”
Once again, that is why a small band is best. The Avvarians
only make war in the winter, something to do with their gods.
Since it is now spring, they won’t attack a small force out of
hand, whereas a larger one would surely oblige them to fght
regardless of the season. They have honor, of a sort. If you keep
your wits about you, you should be able to treat with them.
“What’s in it for us?”
If you agree to do this thing, I will equip you and give you
sturdy horses if you need them. For word of her death and the
proof of her demise, I’ll give you a hundred pieces of silver
each. If you bring my daughter alive from those mountains,
each of you will have two sovereigns and I will not soon forget
such a service to my house.
The arl is unwilling to haggle; he has made his offer and
it is a fairly generous one. Knowing large forces of dark-
spawn are roaming the countryside may motivate the
group to take a holiday into the Frostbacks. If the PCs
are willing, the arl shakes their hands, gravely thanking
them individually. He gestures to his herald, notes that
“Odras will see to you,” and turns back to his maps.
If the characters need horses, Odras leads them to
a camp staging area where he acquires some riding
horses for them. Characters without the Dexterity
(Riding) focus can ride horses, but they are incapable of
doing anything fancier than hanging on and certainly
cannot fght from the saddle. Odras provides sets of
mountain garb if the PCs need them. Other basic gear
is easily obtained in camp, along with several weeks
“We’ve Got an Avvar Right Here…”
The arl blunts his references to “heathen gods”
if there is an Avvar PC in the tent. A TN 11 Cun-
ning (Cultural Lore) test reveals that the god
who demands Avvars fght in the winter might
be Haakon Wintersbreath, the Lord of Winter and
Master of Battle. Technically, he doesn’t demand
that Avvars fght only in the winter; rather, the
Avvars do so to use the winter cold against their
enemies. See Appendix 1: About Avvars at the
end of this adventure for more details. The same
test also makes it clear that Avvars absolutely will
not raid into Ferelden without cover of a snow-
storm, and there hasn’t been one of those in weeks.
All that said, the various Avvarian clans have
widely different traditions, and an Avvar PC may
not have any idea why some particular group of
Avvars might have been willing to come into the
lowlands so late in the season.
of trail provisions. Odras hands the character he deems
to be in charge of the PCs a letter that identifes them
as agents of Arl Wulff and requests that the steward of
the arl’s winter manor extend them every courtesy. He
also passes over a rough map of the West Hills Arling
along with instructions on how to fnd the arl’s winter
manor. Odras tells them to return to the manor after
they leave the Frostbacks, noting that the steward will
know how to get word to the arl swiftly. Then he bids
them Maker’s speed and sends them on their way.
If the PCs are unwilling, then just as at the end of the frst
encounter, this adventure passes them by. The Arl curtly
dismisses them and doesn’t bother to watch them go.
ò VHA1 1HE
HANLP CAN 1ELL
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The PCs investigate the grounds of the arl’s
winter manor and get some clues as to what
may have occurred.
Three days of hard riding bring you to Arl
Wulff’s hall, a solid fortress on the edge of the
West Hills Arling, more stone keep then winter
manor. It is after dark when you arrive, but
at frst light the arl’s steward, a man named
Konwal, personally leads you to the site where
Izot was kidnapped.
The morning air is crisp and bitter cold. The
Frostbacks reach up into the clouds, spanning
the whole of the western horizon for as far as
you can see in either direction. Konwal leads
you a mere bowshot from the manor’s walls to
a clearing in the woods where a few small fags
have been thrust into the ground, encircling a
large area of churned, muddy snow.
There are a mass of overlapping boot prints and churned
up mud in the fagged-off area, making it diffcult to see
anything particularly useful in the spot near where the
cloak was found. A clever PC who decides to climb up
into a tree to get a look down on the scene from above
gets a +2 modifer on any applicable Perception tests.
Any character can search the site by making a TN 15
Perception (Tracking) test. A successful test provides
information according to the result of the dragon die.
An unsuccessful test means nothing can be discerned
from the churned, muddy snow.
Winter Manor Investigation
DraGon Die information
1–2 There are many marks going nowhere
throughout the area, as though someone
deliberately walked about to give the
impression that there were many people
present. In fact, you estimate no more than
three or four people made these tracks.
3–4 Someone was hauled backwards out of
the clearing, boot heels dragging, but only
for about ten feet or so before they were
released.
5–6 Despite the evident struggle, not a single
drop of blood was spilled anywhere in
the clearing, nor can you fnd any in the
surrounding area.
Any PC who specifcally announces that he is searching
the surrounding wooded area may make a TN 11 Per-
ception (Searching) test. Success brings the character
into a cluster of conifers some 20 yards removed from
the fagged-off clearing, drawn by something strange:
a symbol has been cut into the bark of a large pine
there. (One of Azur’s friends decided to pass the time
they spent waiting for Izot to “wander” past by carv-
ing.) A successful TN 11 Cunning (Cultural Lore) test
identifes the symbol as a stylized version of the sign
for Korth, the Mountain Father, head of the Avvar pan-
theon. Searching around the conifers eventually reveals
partially obscured prints hidden under branches, which
may have been placed to conceal them. Characters pass-
50
Where Eagles Lair
51
Where Eagles Lair
ing a TN 9 Perception (Tracking) test can tell that at
least three men waited, presumably concealed, within
the clearing for several hours.
Konwal points out the snowdrift where the departing
boot prints were found, and then partially withdraws
to let the PCs inspect the scene uninterrupted, though
he answers any questions they have to the best of his
ability.
The snowdrift is some 30 yards away from the clear-
ing. Characters succeeding at a TN 13 Cunning (Cul-
tural Lore) test know that Avvars frequently use tree
branches to wipe out their prints in the snow if they are
attempting to be stealthy. However, it doesn’t take an
expert to tell that someone made an obvious attempt
to obscure these prints, although the effort was clearly
rushed, as sets in several places were only partially cov-
ered and some were missed altogether. Konwal is cer-
tain guards were patrolling nearby since the manor has
been on alert since word of the darkspawn attacks, but
the patrols don’t come out so far.
Konwal tells the characters they are welcome to question
the manor staff. They are all visibly worried about Izot
and she is clearly beloved, which may allay fears the PCs
may harbor about her disappearance being an inside job.
Her torn cloak was found early in the morning, not long
after frst light eight days before. If the PCs ask to see the
cloak, Konwal produces it. It is a sturdy winter garment,
and the tear is ragged, suggesting that it was pulled apart
rather than cut. There is no blood on it.
If the PCs think to ask whether anyone has noticed
anything unusual since Izot’s disappearance, someone
hesitantly notes that the ripped cloak is indeed one of
Izot’s, but her favorite cloak—a far grander and warmer
garment—is inexplicably missing. Also absent is an
ornate short sword, a gift from her father, implying that
Izot was armed (which was not uncommon whenever
she was outside of the manor walls).
Questions about Izot’s temperament give the PCs the
general impression that she was a kind but spirited girl.
“Very much the Arl’s daughter,” is the general consen-
sus. “She has his eyes, you know.”
PESLLU1ILN Ll !AP1 I
By the end of Part 1, the PCs should be absolutely clear
on what is expected of them: journey into the Frost-
backs and retrieve Izot Wulff or news of her fate with
physical proof thereof. If the so-called “adventurers”
are absolutely determined not to take on this task, there
isn’t much you can do about it. They may argue that it
is suicide to go into the Frostbacks on the slight chance
that they’ll fnd the young woman alive, and while that
is a debatable point, what is not arguable is that such a
quest is a noble one and there is a fair amount of lucre
involved.
The characters should have learned a bit about Avvars,
and know that they should be looking for a stone-
walled village known as a “hold.” As to the object of
their quest, they are likely suspicious that all is not
what it seems. There are discrepancies between what
they’ve been told about the bold young Izot and what
they’ve actually found. The fact that the “struggle”
during her disappearance looked both staged and
bloodless will certainly arouse doubt, especially since
it has been made clear to them that she is capable
of defending herself. The presence of Avvars out of
season is also very odd.
Given that Romeo & Juliet is one of the most famous of
all love stories, your players may well be giving one
another knowing glances about the plot as Part 1: A
Father’s Heart draws to a close. That’s okay—the story
is about to take an unexpected turn.
If you are using the optional subplot My Sister’s
Keeper, make certain Berchan introduces himself to the
PCs while they are at the manor, so that when he shows
up later they know who he is.
PART 2
Into the
Frostbacks
In this part, the characters journey up into the moun-
tains where they meet the local wildlife when one of
the dangerous predators indigenous to the Frostbacks
decides to welcome them properly to the heights. Soon
thereafter, carrion birds lead them to the site of Izot’s
second abduction. Two trails lead away from the scene,
but both soon lead the characters to the same grisly
sight: a feld strewn with corpses butchered by dark-
spawn, not all of who have moved on…
Environs: The Frozen Teeth
The Frostback Mountains have had a place in Ferelden’s
history for untold centuries. They are the natural bar-
rier that made both the Tevinter and the Orlesian occu-
pations ultimately fail as well as the nearly unassailable
stronghold that allows the Avvars to continue to plague
their estranged kin. The dwarves of Orzammar call
the Frostbacks the “Frozen Teeth” in typically cynical
THE ARL’S STEWARD
Konwal, Fereldan freeman and steward of Arl Wulff.
Abilities & Focuses
communicAtion 2 (bArgAining, etiquette); constitution 0;
cunning 3 (heAling, musicAl lore); dexterity 1; mAgic
–2; perception 0; strength 1; WillpoWer 2 (morAle).
52
Where Eagles Lair
dwarven fashion, because their many dangers chew up
and spit out the unwary.
The heights of the Frostbacks are treeless masses of rock
and year-round ice. They are frequently shrouded in cold
mists and can generate snowstorms out of season, some-
times even at the height of summer. Whether wreathed
in fog or easily discerned, the peaks constantly loom over
travelers, continually visible above the trees.
The middle and lower slopes are heavily forested with
coniferous trees: larch, fr, spruce, and a great deal of
pine. Nestled among the evergreens are a few solitary
broadleaves such as birch, rowan, willow, and aspen. The
ground is covered with an assortment of mosses clinging
to rocks and the trees themselves. Few plants other than
a variety of lichens and some of the hardier mosses can
grow in the soil of the forest foor, which is highly acidic.
The middle and lower slopes are frequently wet, but the
water is often frozen, leaving patches of snow on the
ground for eight months of most years. In late spring
and through the summer, the air becomes warm and
humid. The farmers among the Avvars take swift advan-
tage of the brief planting season by moving down from
their stone-walled holds and into the foothills to grow
crops, which they tend in nomadic fashion as they herd
their focks of goats and keep wary of lowlanders.
Many rodent species live in the Frostbacks: marmots,
hares, squirrels, and countless mice scurry about. Lynxes,
foxes, weasels, and predatory birds feed on the rodents.
Raptors such as eagles, owls, and hardier falcons are
common, and the Avvars have a special relationship with
them. Herds of elk, deer, mountain goats, and the occa-
sional moose wander through the woods. What travel-
ers have to really watch out for, though, are the larger
predator species that do not fear men: crag wolves, wild
brontos, cavern bears, red lions, and dragons.
I LUNCH 1IHE
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
As the characters ride into the foothills they are
attacked by one of the Frostbacks’ infamous
predators: a red lion.
For two days since leaving the arl’s manor
you’ve traveled steadily westward and up into
the foothills of the Frostback range. There have
occasionally been signs of what you believe to
be your quarry—a small party of four or maybe
fve passed this way within the last week.
The forest is thick about you. In a day, or
two at the most, you’ll have to leave the horses
behind. Despite the coming of spring the air is
bitterly cold, and your breath swirls visibly in
the afternoon air.
You’ve stopped to get your bearings, con-
sider the sparse trail, and perhaps have a bite
to eat. The forest is alive with birdcalls and the
sounds of rodents scuttling through the under-
brush. Even so, occasionally it all goes still…
A red lion, one of the Frostbacks’ most dangerous
natural predators, has been stalking the adventurers
through the foothills, waiting for the chance to strike. It
has been a long winter, so the beast is both hungry and
bold, although red lions are incredibly dangerous at the
best of times.
Have the PCs attempt an opposed Perception (Hearing
or Seeing) vs. Dexterity (Stealth) test against the red
lion as it slips through the underbrush a mere 20 yards
downwind of them. Red lions are famous for their near-
supernatural ability to move without making even a
whisper of sound. The red lion gets a +9 to its roll from
its Dexterity 7 and Stealth focus. While it would nor-
mally get an additional +2 due to its pelt’s camoufage, it
also has a –2 penalty due to the cold (review the section
Maker’s Breath But It’s Cold for further details, several
of which are likely to affect the PCs during this encoun-
ter). Additionally, the red lion gets a re-roll if it fails to
beat the PCs, due to its Journeyman Scouting talent.
Presuming the lion wins the test (which is very likely) con-
tinue the encounter as if nothing bad has occurred. Start
describing a boot print that the character with the best Per-
ception has discovered, or some other such feature of the
terrain they’ve happened upon as if that was what they
were making the test for. The beast is more than clever
enough to wait until the characters are distracted or scat-
tered before attacking. If one PC leaves the group or looks
otherwise vulnerable, the cunning predator strikes.
The red lion attacks at a stunning rush, seeking to swiftly
break its prey’s neck and drag the body off at hideous
speed to feed elsewhere. If the lion won the Stealth test,
the frst attack is at +3 as it catches the target completely
unaware, for a +12 on the Bite attack against a shield-
less Defense. Roll initiative for the following round,
remembering possible cold problems.
During the fght, emphasize the lion’s unnatural speed.
It moves at a near blur, attacking from different direc-
tions, dodging behind trees only to double back and
charge out unexpectedly. The beast concentrates on
bringing down its chosen prey until it has lost 30 Health,
and then fees. While the lion is fghting, the horses are
likely to completely panic. If they were not secured, the
PCs must spend time rounding them up to prevent them
from feeing down the mountainside, possibly with one
or more breaking limbs on the uneven terrain.
If the red lion managed to signifcantly hurt its chosen
prey before being driven off, it doesn’t go far. Instead,
it begins stalking the group from a distance, staying far
53
Where Eagles Lair
enough away that they won’t spot it readily. Sometime
during the night, it returns to fnish what it started,
creeping into camp as quietly as possible.
If the creature manages to kill its target, it drags the
meat off or retreats, expecting the rest of the group to
eventually leave the body behind (as Avvars would do).
Otherwise, it reacts as above, following from a distance
until an opportunity arises.
If the PCs manage to win the opposed test to spot
the creature, they either hear its approach or catch a
glimpse of the big cat slipping through the trees. This
gives them a chance to prepare so that they are ready
for it when it fnally rushes into camp. A TN 11 Cun-
ning (Natural Lore) test reveals the information in the
following section on red lions, as well as the fact that
they are notorious for not giving up easily.
RED LION
One of the famed predators of the Frostbacks,
red lions are massive felines capable of bringing
down cavern bears. They have no fear of the vari-
ous tool-using species, consuming them as readily
as anything else they can catch in the mountains.
Red lions are usually longer than ten feet and typi-
cally weigh well over 600 pounds. Their pelts are a
luxurious russet with grey-and-black striping, and
are greatly prized by the dwarves of Orzammar.
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion
5 constitution (stAminA)
2 cunning
7 dexterity (bite, initiAtive, steAlth)
–1 mAgic
3 perception (seeing, smelling)
6 strength (clAWs, jumping)
2 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
15 50 17 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bite +9 2d6+6
clAWs +8 1d6+6
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Legendary Jaws and Seize the Initiative.
leGenDarY JaWs stunt: A red lion’s bite can crush steel.
As a special stunt costing 3 SP, a red lion’s bite causes an
additional 2d6 damage.
talents: Scouting (Journeyman).
Pelt: If a red lion is killed without signifcant damage to its hide
(if more than half of its Health is dealt by weapons that generally
bludgeon or impale rather than cutting) then its pelt can be sold
for a price in the neighborhood of 30 sp to dwarf traders.
2 1VL 1PAILS IIVEPGEI
IN A VLLI
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The PCs discover the remains of a fght and
a series of strange burials. Worse, their path
splits before them with little indication of
which course is the right one.
The faint trail you’ve been following since leav-
ing the West Hills has come to a sudden end.
Scattered about a small clearing are the remains
of what looks to have been a vicious fght. The
moss is still stained with blood, though you esti-
mate a week has passed since the struggle.
There are tracks of all sorts in the mud here
and what look to be several sacks split open
amid the rocks.
Where do you search frst?
There is a lot of information to be found in the blood-
soaked clearing, but it will take time and effort to pull
it all together.
54
Where Eagles Lair
First, here is a summary of what occurred on that fate-
ful day, so you understand it correctly. The young
lovers, giddy at fnally being together and knowing
they were a mere day and half from Redhold, were
far less cautious than they should have been, and
their party walked into an ambush. Balan’s men
caught them close to unaware and swiftly surrounded
them. While Balan’s hunters had the upper hand,
they were unprepared for the fght which followed,
having underestimated their targets’ ferceness and
the fghting skill of the lowlander girl, whom they had
assumed was a mere “prize” from a late-season raid.
Two of Balan’s men were killed and fve were wounded
in the fght. In turn, Balan killed Azur’s young friend
Sollus and beat Azur himself badly. After Balan’s
second, Torin, identifed Azur as Thane Owyne’s
nephew, even the nasty-tempered Balan knew that
some gesture had to be made to avoid a blood feud
with Redhold. Besides, the fght had been a prop-
erly exhilarating one; all present had fought with
passion—even, surprisingly enough, the lowlander
girl—and Haakon Wintersbreath would be displeased
if this wasn’t acknowledged by Balan’s treatment of
the dead.
So Balan ordered a full burial ceremony to be per-
formed on the spot, declaring that all who had fallen
would be “offered to the Lady” with all due cere-
mony. Rather than cremate or bury valiant warriors,
Avvars dismember their bodies and offer them to the
carrion birds of the mountains. Not only is their fesh
rendered down to small pieces for ease of consump-
tion, their bones are powdered and placed in small
leather sacks so the birds can devour all. (See Appen-
dix 1: About Avvars for more details about the Avvar
goddess of death, the Lady of the Skies.)
With the burial ceremony completed, Balan claimed
Izot as his prize. Leaving the last member of the lovers’
party, Martain, to tend the still-unconscious Azur,
Balan and his men headed west, dragging a struggling
Izot with them. Martain rested for a day, tending Azur
as best he could, and then set out for Redhold, hauling
his semiconscious and feverishly ranting friend with
him.
The Avvarian air burial has obviously left a great
deal of evidence in the clearing, though fguring out
exactly what they are looking at could be tricky for
the adventurers. The sheer amount of blood spilled
in the clearing tells anyone making a successful TN
7 Cunning (Healing) test that multiple bodies must
have been cut to pieces to leave such traces. However,
those succeeding at the test also note how precise the
greater amount of the stains are, being concentrated in
one portion of the clearing (which is where the bodies
were rendered).
The Blood-Soaked Clearing
DraGon Die information
1 There was obviously a big fght in the
clearing. A group of ten or more ambushed a
group of four or fve.
2 At least two—probably more—were killed
in the fght. Several others were wounded.
3-4 One of the members of the smaller group
was either a woman or an elf. You can tell
from the size and shape of the boot marks,
as well as the depth of the depressions they
left in the soil.
5 Two distinct groups left the area after the
battle; one was headed directly west, the
other west-southwest. A small group,
perhaps only two or three, took shelter in
the trees nearby for a night.
6 The west-heading group was the larger
group, though they made a point of
walking in each others’ footsteps to help
conceal their numbers, a common hunter’s
trick. One of the members of the smaller
group (headed west-southwest) was
clearly stumbling when he left the clearing,
moving only with the support of one of his
comrades.
55
Where Eagles Lair
Inspecting the remains of the sacks reveals only that
they were crudely stitched leather bags that give no
indication of what they held. A TN 13 Perception
(Searching) test reveals one still-full sack wrapped
about the lower branches of a nearby tree. It con-
tains what appears to be a grainy meal, soaked with
blood. It is, of course, ground bone. A TN 9 Perception
(Searching) test fnds a stone with a slight depression
in it with a round, bloodstained, and scratched rock
nearby: the pestle used to grind the bone.
Avvars seldom speak of their burial practices to low-
landers. It takes a TN 17 Cunning (Cultural Lore) test
for a non-Avvar to recall stories of “air burials” among
the barbarian hillsmen. If they have successfully dis-
cerned what is within the intact sack, the PCs get a
+3 bonus on this test. This is one of the spots in the
adventure where having an Avvar in the party makes
a big difference, for an Avvar automatically realizes
that one or more offerings to the Lady occurred in the
clearing. Anyone aware of the practice will know that
Avvars would hardly ever apply the ceremony to the
corpse of a lowlander.
A TN 11 Perception (Tracking) test reveals much of
what occurred in the clearing depending on the result
of the dragon die. Consult The Blood Soaked Clear-
ing table for results. A high number reveals whatever
is listed, plus everything below it. Multiple characters
can search, resulting in more information.
If all of the PCs fail their Tracking tests, they fgure out
only that there was a large fght and several groups left
the clearing going in different directions—presumably
westward—but all trails are soon lost amid the mossy
undergrowth of the forest.
While they have little specifc information, the char-
acters should have an idea that the Avvar settlement
Redhold is to the west-southwest of their present posi-
tion. It would not be hard to conclude that the smaller
of the two groups left the clearing in that village’s
direction.
After the characters have examined the clearing, the
character with the highest Perception notices some-
thing unusual away to the west, perhaps a half-day’s
travel away: a massive fock of carrion birds, perhaps
a hundred or more, circling on the wind.
At the end of this encounter, the PCs appear to have
some choices before them, but unless they turn around
and head back down the mountain, all the obvious
courses lead to the next encounter, Part 2: 3. A Grisly
Discovery. Both trails eventually pass through the
bloody highland felds of the following encounter,
which also lies between the characters and Redhold.
But of course neither the adventurers nor their players
have any idea of these facts, so make sure they decide
on a course of action before moving on to the next
encounter, and run it accordingly.
ò A GPISLY IISCLVEPY
COMBAT AND EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The characters discover a scene of foul slaugh-
ter: a large group of Avvarian farmers—men,
women, children, and even their goats—have
been butchered, their bodies left to rot. Inves-
tigation reveals that darkspawn were the cul-
prits, and that they haven’t left the area…
You smell it long before you fnd the source, a
whiff of decay cutting through the clean moun-
tain air. As you emerge from the treeline at the
edge of a series of highland felds, you witness
a feld of bodies, covering the earth, stretching
into the distant mist all along the hillsides for as
far as you can see.
Men, women, children, and even their goats
have been butchered and left to rot. Carrion
birds in the dozens, rodents in the hundreds,
and insects in the thousands feed on the dead.
The sound of the feeding echoes along the stony
reaches of the Frostbacks.
What will you do?
Casually walking among massacred men, women, and
children—not to mention inspecting their bodies—is
not a task to be undertaken lightly by even the stout-
est of hearts. The adventurers, being made of relatively
stern stuff, can start looking among the corpses for clues
to what occurred here without any tests, but it takes a
TN 11 Willpower (Self-Discipline) test to summon the
resolve to start turning over the vermin-infested bodies
in search of a head with blonde hair and grey eyes. A
half-hour of dedicated searching reveals that Izot is not
among the dead.
Casual inspection of the corpses reveals their clothes
to be simple, resembling those of Fereldan freeholders,
though warmer. Very few weapons of any kind are evi-
dent, though there are clearly some picks, shovels, and
various other tools such as farmers would use. It is clear
that many of the folk in the clearing were cut down as
they ran, especially the children.
A number of different tests can determine how long
the bodies have been lying on the hillside. A TN 11
Cunning (Healing, Military Lore, or Natural Lore)
test reveals that the corpses have lain in the felds for
approximately three days. Their decomposition has
slowed due to the cold, making the stench far less than
it might otherwise be, but the carrion feeders of the
mountains are still having a feld day.
A successful TN 9 Perception (Searching) test reveals
a scene that may well send a chill up the characters’
spines: not only were the poor farmers slaughtered,
their cadavers were mocked. The character with the
56
Where Eagles Lair
highest dragon die result among successful Perception
tests fnds a rocky outcropping where a child’s body has
been propped up with crude spears. A goat’s head has
been set in place of the child’s with a rictus forced onto
its lips with rough stitching made of sinew. Ropes fas-
tened about the limbs reveal the whole to be some kind
of twisted marionette. Simple symbols painted in blood
adorn the rocks near the scene, and there are broken
weapons made of an unidentifable tarnished metal
around one of the rocks nearby. A TN 15 Cunning (His-
torical Lore or Cultural Lore) test suggests that this is
something darkspawn—and not Avvars—would do.
Whether the characters fgure this out is irrelevant;
they’re about to get a massive hint in the form of a
party of genlocks, who are coming back through the
area to inspect their handiwork. No test is required
to hear them coming, as they aren’t bothering to use
stealth in any way, so secure are they in their victory
and their belief that they’re the only ones nearby.
While genlocks detest being out during daylight—
which causes them to hurry more, and pay less atten-
tion to their surroundings —they are not foolish. If the
PCs have greatly altered the obvious appearance of
the felds, such as by piling up the bodies, the genlocks
soon notice and investigate the situation with weap-
ons drawn.
The party can easily set up an ambush of some sort and
catch the genlocks unawares. There are many places
to hide, with likely rocks and trees in abundance. Char-
acters with iron wills can hide amid the corpses after
making a TN 11 Willpower (Self-Discipline) test. This
grants a +3 modifer to attack rolls made during the frst
round of combat, as the superstitious genlocks assume
the dead have arisen to enact revenge on their killers.
The PCs may wish to hide entirely in the hopes that the
genlocks will simply pass by. However, the characters’
horses soon draw the genlocks’ attention as—already
nervous form the reek of the corpses—they shy away
from the repugnant-smelling darkspawn and force the
situation.
There are two more genlocks than PCs. They wander
out of the mist at the northern, forested edge of the
feld into the late afternoon sun, preceded a minute or
so by their deep and gravelly voices. They are excep-
tionally pale, even for their kind, and they’ve daubed
their skin with bloody symbols. They are the advance
scouts of a far larger group, though that is not imme-
diately evident.
If the PCs do not attack within the frst minute after
the genlocks walk onto the feld, one of them starts
snuffing the air and muttering to its fellows. Stage an
opposed Dexterity (Stealth) vs. Perception (Smell-
ing) test, which the genlock rolls at +4. If it succeeds, it
starts walking directly toward one of the hidden PCs,
pausing occasionally to sniff at the air. The characters
have one round to act before their fellow adventurer is
57
Where Eagles Lair
discovered. If the genlock fails, it goes back to looting
bodies for meat with its fellows.
Once the battle has begun, the genlocks fght in pairs
where possible. They throw their axes, or other things
(see their special stunts, below), before drawing their
battle axes and charging into melee.
The genlocks have little on them of any value and the
characters should be rightfully wary of touching dark-
spawn. After the fght, the answer to the question of
who killed the farmers is patently obvious. However,
it’s equally clear that the relatively small band of gen-
locks they just fought cannot have killed so many
people on its own. An easy search in the forest to the
north reveals that a large force, more than 50, marched
that direction within the last week.
It takes two hours of searching dedicated to a TN 15 Per-
ception (Tracking) test to fnd tracks leading away from
the felds that are clearly not those of the darkspawn.
One trail, perhaps a week old, heads westward, up fur-
ther into the mountains. This is the trail of Balan and his
men. Another trail, this one evincing the shuffing drag
marks of one traveler helping another (Martain hauling
Azur), passes through the far western end of the felds
and heads off to the southwest, toward Redhold.
While one or more of the PCs are scouting for tracks,
the others must make a TN 13 Perception (Seeing) test.
There are still a large number of carrion feeders about,
though the bulk of the birds keep away from the PCs.
The exception is a small owl that a character with a suc-
cessful test gets the oddest notion about. The bird is a
small raptor, not much bigger than two hands placed
atop one another, with bright golden-green eyes. Any
character making a successful test slowly concludes
that the little owl has been watching the party. A TN 9
Cunning (Natural Lore) test can identify it as a whip-
per owl, a strictly nocturnal bird. Not only has it been
up during the daylight for several hours, it hasn’t been
partaking in the carrion. If the PCs become hostile, such
as by throwing rocks or preparing to shoot at it, the owl
disappears into the trees. If, however, one or more PCs
indicate that they are going to watch it for awhile, it
fuffs its feathers, makes eye contact with them, and
winks at the watching (and probably astonished) PC
before fying off to the southwest. They’ll meet him
again in Part 3: Welcome to Redhold. If a PC asks, a
successful TN 7 Cunning (Arcane Lore) test suggests
that while there are supposedly mages who can shift
shape, they aren’t supposed to be able to get so small.
As the sun fnally sets behind the Frostbacks, a steady
stream of smoke becomes visible off to the southwest…
PESLLU1ILN Ll !AP1 2
Part 2: Into the Frostbacks draws to a close with the
PCs facing a tough decision: follow the diffcult trail of
a party that may or may not include their quarry west,
deeper into the Frostbacks, or take the more certain
but potentially dangerous course that seems to lead to
Redhold, the fortress whose name Arl Wulff did not
know but which he believed was the most likely place
Izot would be found. If the adventurers have failed to
uncover enough clues, they may not even be able to
consider going directly after Balan’s hunters, which
may ultimately be for the best, story-wise. If they have,
though, and they’re determined to head west into the
Frostbacks, skip directly to Part 5: The Deadly Heights.
The PCs must leave their horses behind, as their mounts
will simply not be able to traverse the densely forested,
mossy, stone-littered middle slopes of the Frostbacks
without inevitably breaking a leg.
Experienced adventurers should have defeated all of
the foes offered by this chapter, though there may be
some wounded among them. If one of the PCs has
died, Redhold can serve as an excellent source for a
replacement.
GENLOCKS
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion
2 constitution (running)
1 cunning (militAry lore)
1 dexterity (brAWling)
2 mAgic
2 perception (smelling)
3 strength (Axes, intimidAtion)
2 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
6 22 13 (11*) 7
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bAttle Axe +5 2d6+3
throWing Axe +5 1d6+4
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Mighty Blow and Sling Gore.
slinG Gore stunt: A special 3 SP stunt for this fght. With an
evil laugh, the genlock scoops up and lobs a mass of entrails, or
perhaps a child’s head, at a nearby target. The following round,
the genlock gets a +2 bonus on attack rolls against the disgusted
foe. This can only work once against any given target.
maGiC resistanCe: A genlock gets a +2 bonus on ability
tests to resist the effects of spells and other magical attacks.
talents: Armor Training (Journeyman) and Weapon and
Shield Style (Apprentice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Axes, Brawling, and Bludgeons.
*Without shield
equipment
bAttle Axe, heAvy mAil, medium shield, And throWing Axe.
58
Where Eagles Lair
PART 3
Welcome to
Redhold
In this part, the PCs are introduced to the Avvarian
settlement of Redhold, which has suffered a great loss
but remains in terrible danger. The Avvars live in a sub-
sistence society and the brutal murder of the majority
of their farmers is a loss from which the folk of Red-
hold may not be able to recover. However, they may
not even have a chance to try, because the bulk of their
hunters are still away, fnishing their last winter hunts,
and the darkspawn intend to fnish what they started
sooner rather than later.
Whether the characters can feel any sympathy for their
people’s traditional enemies remains to be seen.
Environs: Redhold
A typical Avvarian settlement of the Frostbacks, Redhold is
effectively a stone fortress sitting with its back to the sheer
granite sides of a mountain. Most of the buildings visible
from outside the walls are made of stone, with wood only
an afterthought as a construction material. The forest has
been cut back a hundred yards from the high rock walls
that surround the village, leaving a hillside covered with
moss and the frst hints of spring fowers.
Presuming the PCs secure access and the thane’s hos-
pitality in the following encounter, they are allowed to
travel about the settlement without guards. There aren’t
shops in the town, as such; the Avvarian culture is com-
munal and trade is based on barter. Still, as guests of
the thane, the PCs can expect their gear to be mended
without charge and provisions made available to them,
though supplies are scare.
I 1HE VILES Ll 1HE 1HANE
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs approach Redhold and must negotiate for
safe passage with the hold’s leader, Thane Owyne,
who knows a fair amount more than he lets on.
Following the faint traces of the trail heading
west and the hints of smoke on the horizon for
half a day leads you to a wide mountain plateau
where the trees abruptly end some 100 yards
from an imposing stone wall. The Avvarian vil-
lage before you resembles a fortress. Two mas-
sive, iron-shod wooden gates block what seems
to be the only way in.
What will you do?
Obviously, knowing Avvarian customs at this juncture
would be very useful. An Avvar takes the test at TN
9; all others must make a TN 13 Cunning (Cultural
Lore) test to determine the best course of action. Suc-
cess means that a character properly considers that,
with the slaughter of their people, the Avvars are
undoubtedly on war footing, meaning that they’ll
be even more suspicious of outsiders than normal.
Strangers should approach with weapons held out,
clearly visible, at a distance. However, only a fool
enters an Avvarian hold without securing an agree-
ment of hospitality from its thane (which is the proper
title of the leader of an Avvar clan). Since “clan” and
“hold” are virtually synonymous among the Avvars,
a clan’s thane is also the hold’s master. A hospitality
agreement typically means that the thane regards the
visitors as family, and that any injury to them would
be a direct insult to him and by extension his entire
clan. Failure to secure such an agreement means that
members of the clan could choose to attack visitors at
their whim.
It is important to know that the Avvars do not consider
a bit of friendly brawling or a variety of other minor con-
frontations to test a warrior’s mettle to be “attacks,” per
se. Characters can and should anticipate such while stay-
ing in a hold. The Avvars also allow their guests to retain
small blades, such as knives and short swords, as these are
“I’m Going To Sneak In!”
During the daytime, a stealthy entrance to Red-
hold is completely impossible, but PCs being PCs,
one or more of them may take it into their heads
that they should give it a try. Since the Avvars
are on edge at the moment (to say the least!) they
assume that anyone who slips into their village
without announcing himself is up to no good.
Still, if a player insists on their character trying,
make an opposed Perception (Seeing) vs. Dexter-
ity (Stealth) test. The Avvarian watchmen have
a +3 with their Perception and Seeing Focus, and
receive a +4 bonus for the complete lack of cover
on the plateau for a total of +7 to their roll. At least
three lookouts’ Perception rolls must be defeated
to gain entry to the hold. A guard who spies an
interloper immediately raises an alarm. Further-
more, since they are presently terribly frightened
and expecting darkspawn, they shoot a lot of long-
bow arrows frst and don’t bother to ask questions
at all, until inspecting the corpse some time later.
A character who makes it to the wall undetected
must make a TN 17 Strength (Climbing) test to
scale it. Failure leaves them scraped up at the base
of the wall. Success means they’ve slipped into
Redhold unnoticed. Now what, genius?
59
Where Eagles Lair
considered little more than dinner utensils. The Avvars
likewise have no interest in taking the PCs’ armor.
As the characters leave the safety of the treeline, horns
blow from several of the watchtowers along the wall.
If the PCs are not clearly holding their weapons out,
a couple of longbow shafts appear, thrumming, in the
ground in front of them when they come within about
40 yards from the gates. If they are following the proper
customs, on the other hand, they’re allowed to enter
well within bow range. As they approach, they notice
a half-dozen or more archers on the walls with notched
arrows watching them keenly.
As you reach a spot some 25 yards from the gates,
a strong voice rings out, “That’s far enough, low-
landers!” A solid man in his 50s with silvery hair
held back by a metal circlet appears atop the wall
near the gate. The man considers you all briefy
before dryly noting, “We generally don’t accept
tourists till Drakonis at the earliest,” to faint laugh-
ter from several of the others along the walls.
“I am Thane Owyne of Redhold. Who are you
and what brings you here?”
What follows is a roleplaying negotiation between
Thane Owyne and the PCs, but there is far more going
on here than the characters know. Thane Owyne Ar
Rainne O Redhold knows quite a bit more about the
adventurers than he lets on, yet doesn’t know a number
of vital facts, and doubts others that he has been told.
Thane Owyne is the head of his clan and a shrewd man.
He is a good thane and until very recently, his people
had no cause to doubt his leadership, but things change.
As an Avvarian thane, he is directly responsible for his
people; by Avvarian customs the slaughter of the farm-
ers was his fault. Most Fereldans—and your players,
no doubt—would be hard-pressed to fnd fault with
Owyne, for how could he have known about the dark-
spawn? Nevertheless, the Avvars are a people driven
by omen and superstition. According to their beliefs, a
hold suffers troubles because one or more of their many
gods is offended, or something is wrong with their
sacred animal (see Appendix 1: About Avvars), and
when bad times occur, it is the thane who is supposed
to set things to rights.
So here we have Thane Owyne, sick with grief over
the brutal murder of the majority of Redhold’s farm-
ers and their children, the bulk of whom were directly
related to him by blood or marriage. The fact that he
60
Where Eagles Lair
sent three of Redhold’s hunting bands out relatively
late in the season is also weighing on his conscience—
not that they would have been able to save the farm-
ers, but his scouts believe that the darkspawn have not
gone far, and will soon return to a hold whose warriors
are away. To make matters worse, the thane’s nephew,
Azur, who always seemed to have a decent head on
his shoulders, has gotten it into his fool skull to fall
for some lowlander girl, whom he promptly lost to
the vicious bastard Balan, getting himself grievously
injured in the process and making him near useless for
the coming fght with the darkspawn. Owyne knows,
further, that there are always rivals within the clan cir-
cling, for weakness among the Avvars is seldom toler-
ated. The beset thane knows that if he doesn’t soon
reverse his fortunes by appeasing the gods, he’ll be
deposed.
When Avvars are deeply troubled, they seek the advice
of shamans, the interpreters of their gods’ will. Red-
hold’s shaman is a wily fellow named Elorn, a devoted
disciple of Imhar the Clever, an Avvarian deity known
for unorthodox solutions. Elorn was able to tell his
thane that one possible answer to his problems and
prayers was likely to walk up to the gates of Redhold
before the week was out.
This is what Owyne knows, along with how he knows
it, followed by what he doesn’t know:
He knows which PCs are lowlanders, as this is glaringly
obvious to Avvarian eyes. He is also fairly shrewd at
guessing professions, so just by studying the characters
and their individual equipment, he has a fairly decent
idea of which ones are warriors, rogues, and mages.
He knows they’re skilled combatants given that they
dispatched a genlock band that outnumbered them. He
knows this because Elorn told him about it in detail.
He knows they must be on some kind of quest. This he
knows by deduction. Redhold is off the beaten path;
lowlander travelers simply do not randomly show up
at his hold, and the PCs look neither incompetent nor
lost.
He knew in advance that the PCs were coming to Red-
hold because Elorn told him so last night.
THANE OWYNE AR RAINNE
Thane of Redhold, whose circlet sits upon a trou-
bled brow.
Abilities & Focuses
communicAtion 3 (AnimAl hAndling, leAdership,
persuAsion); constitution 3 (drinking); cunning 4
(historicAl lore, religious lore); dexterity 2 (boWs);
mAgic –1; perception 1; strength 2 (Axes); WillpoWer 4
(selF-discipline).
He doesn’t know what—or in this case, whom—the
PCs are after. Azur hasn’t told him who Izot is, or more
importantly, who her father is. It hasn’t yet occurred
to the thane that the characters’ appearance might be
connected to his nephew’s unfortunate choices of late,
though that may change rapidly depending on what
the characters say.
He has no idea why they are on their quest. Few among
the Avvars have the ability to compel a group of com-
petent warriors to travel so far and into such danger
for something as simple as a missing girl. The fact
that someone might do so for mere wealth is almost
completely outside their way of thinking. Deep debts
of honor, perhaps, or truly exquisite arms from the
dwarves maybe, but not coins.
He doesn’t know they’ve killed a red lion, which is
an accomplishment of enormous signifcance to the
Avvars. “Redhold” isn’t named after blood; the red lion
is the clan’s sacred beast.
Keep Thane Owyne’s motivations in mind as you role-
play him. As far as he’s concerned, the gods themselves
have sent the PCs to help his people, not that he would
expect the heathen lowlanders to accept or believe that
for a second, so he certainly isn’t going to mention it.
But in point of fact, he also has his doubts. He has abso-
lutely no idea why the gods would choose lowland-
ers to be a tool for his clan’s deliverance. Although,
when Imhar is involved in such matters, oddity is to
be expected.
Owyne wants to let the characters into Redhold to fnd
out more about them before he fgures out a way to talk
these doubtless blasphemous lowlanders into helping
him win a near-hopeless fght against the darkspawn,
in order to preserve his people long enough for the
hold’s overdue hunting bands to return.
Of immediate signifcance to the thane and his people
is either mention of the red lion the party encountered,
or actually having its pelt on one of their horses. Thane
Owyne does not hesitate to ask about the circumstances
surrounding it. Regardless of the PCs’ explanation, all
of the people of Redhold consider the party’s recent
brush with a red lion—whether they killed it or not—to
be of great signifcance.
If the PCs ask after a lowlander girl with blonde hair
and grey eyes, the thane instantly knows that they are
interested in his nephew’s missing wench. It also alerts
Azur, as Martain is on the wall listening, and promptly
brings the news to his friend that lowlanders are in the
highlands searching for Izot.
Let the conversation fow naturally, but don’t let on
that the thane is seeking any decent excuse to extend
his hospitality to the PCs. If the characters mention the
red lion or if its pelt is seen, a great deal of murmuring
occurs along the wall and the thane looks about at his
people with a signifcantly raised brow. Having slain
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Where Eagles Lair
LOWENNA AN AENOR
Avvar woman, the Thane’s neice, and grieving sister.
Abilities & Focuses
communicAtion 2 (AnimAl hAndling, etiquette);
constitution 1; cunning 2 (culturAl lore, nAturAl
lore); dexterity 0; mAgic –1; perception 1 (empAthy);
strength 0; WillpoWer 1 (FAith).
Thane Owyne didn’t choose Lowenna randomly as the
PCs’ liaison, but judged her to have the best combina-
tion of traits to appeal to the PCs. While Lowenna is
certainly not a spy, the PCs would be fools to think that
anything of interest they mention in her presence won’t
make its way to the thane’s ears.
Lowenna could be a very useful ally. While she would
never betray her people, she is open-minded for an
Avvar. She happily explains the nuances of her culture
and beliefs if asked, which could help keep the PCs
out of trouble during their stay. Having lost her hus-
band several years previously, she could also serve as a
romantic interest.
After the PCs have had a chance to settle in for an
hour or so, chatting with their local guide if they are so
inclined, a small boy runs up and whispers hurriedly to
Lowenna. She looks visibly surprised before nodding
slowly and sending him off.
“It seems that Elorn wants to have a look at
you. We should go quickly, it is not wise to keep
a shaman waiting.”
Lowenna shakes her head to any further questions,
making a sideways slashing negating motion with her
hand and answering only:
“I do not know what he wants. He is Redhold’s
shaman, a priest of the true gods.” She smiles
mischievously as she says this. “Come, it is not
that far.”
Lowenna leads the PCs to the center of the town,
toward the open feld the thane skirted when they frst
passed through the settlement. A character who suc-
cessfully makes a TN13 Perception (Seeing) test along
the way notes that Redhold seems empty. Many of the
buildings stand vacant. Though the bitter cold of early
spring has not lessened, few of the heating and cook-
ing vents of the buildings have smoke rising from them.
Even accounting for the dead farmer families, it is clear
that there are not a lot of folk about.
As the characters weave between the buildings, make
note of the various people the PCs do see: a woman
the genlocks or prevented further desecration to the
bodies of the farmers also immediately raises the char-
acters in the Avvars’ esteem.
Regardless, the encounter should see the negotiations
settled and the PCs entering Redhold to enjoy the
thane’s hospitality for three days, the standard time
allotted in these matters. If the characters really mess
the talks up to the point that the thane cannot salvage
them, he assumes Elorn was wrong and tells them to
be gone. A few long shafts in the sod should encour-
age them to move on. Azur likely approaches the PCs
at their encampment a day or two later. Skip straight to
Part 5: The Deadly Heights. This course likely leads to
the destruction of Redhold before the week is out, with
other nasty repercussions for the PCs later on.
If the negotiation goes well, the encounter comes to a
close with the big gates of the hold opening to usher the
characters inside.
2 !L1EN1IAL ALLIES
ROLEPLAYING & EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The PCs see more of Redhold and are intro-
duced to several important individuals, includ-
ing Redhold’s shaman and his clever owl.
Redhold doesn’t have streets—at least, not as you
understand the term. Flattened mossy ground
flls the spaces between solid long houses, the
bulk made of stone and all scattered about at
random. The thane guides you past a large cen-
tral feld before turning you over to one of his
many relatives, citing duties elsewhere, but not
before telling you he would like to speak with
you again before your stay is done.
The thane turns the characters over to Lowenna, a
handsome woman with auburn hair who looks to be
in her late thirties. She guides them to a house near the
mountain’s face, telling them it is provided for their use
during their stay. If anyone asks her along the way, she
explains what purposes the various buildings serve,
but otherwise, she speaks tersely. A TN 13 Perception
(Empathy) test suggests that she is upset, but not at the
PCs. Her brother’s family lies among the slain farmers.
She not only mourns their deaths, but is also distressed
that the thane has not allowed the people to go and give
the dead proper Avvarian burials.
If the characters determine that they aren’t the cause of
Lowenna’s mood, they can attempt to draw her out of
her bleak disposition. If they do, she’s surprised and
somewhat bemused that lowlanders would bother to
care about her sorrows. While she doesn’t reveal her
mind, or exactly why she is upset, she does warm up
and makes an effort to be friendlier. In point of fact,
62
Where Eagles Lair
ELORN
The Avvar shaman of Redhold with an odd sense
of humor.
Abilities (Focuses)
3 communicAtion (AnimAl hAndling)
–1 constitution
2 cunning (ArcAne lore, heAling, nAturAl
lore)
0 dexterity
4 mAgic (spirit)
3 perception
–2 strength
2 WillpoWer (selF-discipline)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
10 30 10 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
ArcAne
lAnce
+4 1d6+4 16 yArds
horned stAFF +0 1d6–1 —
PoWers
sPellPoWer: 14 (16 for Spirit Magic) mana: 36
favoreD stunts: Mighty Spell and Imposing Spell.
talents: Animal Training (Journeyman), Lore (Apprentice),
and Spirit Magic (Journeyman).
WeaPon GrouPs: Brawling and Staves.
sPells: Arcane Bolt, Flame Blast, Heal, Mind Blast, and
Spell Shield.
the laDY’s eYes: Elorn knows a ritual that allows him to look
through the eyes of any raptor within a number of miles equal to
fve times his Magic. He cannot command them in any way, he
can simply see what they see, making a clever avian highly useful.
equipment
horned stAFF And clever oWl nAmed sisiliA.
sewing some sort of garment, a young boy herding a
couple of recalcitrant goats, a man whetting a blade.
The PCs should soon realize that everyone they see
is almost invariably either elderly—in their sixties at
least—or very young. Few look to be warriors.
As the characters reach the central feld, they notice a
tall circle of carved stones around what looks to be a
large pit. Far more striking, though, is the man who
stands beside the pit. He has a slender frame with coal
black hair, and is wrapped in robes of brilliant white
fur. Two curving antlers connected to some sort of brac-
ing within his robes stretch up and over his shoulders.
The antlers are covered in intricate carvings depicting
heroes and battles from the Avvars’ history. A small and
sleepy whipper owl sits in the crook of one of the ant-
lers and a young goat is leashed near his feet. Lowenna
waves the PCs on, excusing herself to make further
arrangements for their stay. The shaman grins as the
characters approach.
“Welcome. As you may have already guessed, I
am Elorn and the sleepy one here is Sisilia.”
If any of the characters noticed the owl after their battle
with the genlocks and was winked at, Elorn adds “…
whom I believe you’ve already met,” addressed to that
character.
The PCs have been invited to speak with the shaman so
he can gauge their spirit. No matter what his gods have
told him, there is a difference between the promises of
the spirit world and the reality of the material world, so
he wants to determine for himself whether the PCs have
the courage to stand against what he knows is coming
and to discover what it will take to get the characters to
stay when the time comes.
This encounter should consist of straightforward role-
playing between Elorn and the PCs. Whether or not the
characters mentioned their encounter with the genlocks
to the other Avvars, Elorn brings it up now by casually
noting that they fought well. How does he know? The
same way he knew they were coming to Redhold: He has
a spell that allows him to look through the eyes of rap-
tors. Sisilia is his favorite spy because she is very smart.
He doesn’t spell this out, though he may imply it.
Elorn may also ask questions like these, in order to get
a sense of the PCs’ mettle and essence:
“WhY leave Your Comfortable loWlanDs? are You more
suiteD to Peril than rePose?”
“tell me of the Creatures You have besteD, the villains
You have DefeateD, the ChallenGes You have faCeD.”
“tell me this: hoW Do You measure the DifferenCe
betWeen a brave man anD a fool?”
Shaman Means Mage?
The characters may not immediately assume that a
shaman can do magic. After all, Chantry priestesses
can’t. Once they fgure it out though, a mage PC
may have a serious problem dealing with an Avvar
shaman due to the fact that he is certainly apostate
and perhaps malefcar. This makes for good role-
playing. Elorn is not malefcar, though he knows
some spells that would likely terrify a faithful
Circle Mage—Avvars regard the spirits of the Fade
very differently than Fereldans do. The shamans of
the Avvars have rites that invite spirits into their
bodies for a time, but even so have no more desire
to become abominations than do other mages, and
so their rituals are specifcally designed to force the
spirits back out as well.
63
Where Eagles Lair
If the party contains Circle magi or others with ties to
the Chantry, you may wish to improvise a quick spell
or ritual on Elorn’s part that uses spirit magic to look
into the heart of one or more of the PCs who inter-
est him most. Elorn naturally declines to reveal any-
thing he learns, but this apostate magic may provoke
an interesting exchange, which may also provide the
shaman with valuable intelligence about the charac-
ters.
At some point during the conversation, the PCs hear a
distinct rumble come up from out of the pit behind the
shaman. If Elorn is aware of the PCs’ encounter with
the red lion, he notes aloud, “Vron is angry. Perhaps he
senses you slew his kin,” before casually booting the
young goat into the pit. Otherwise, he says, “Vron is
restless today. I suppose we all are,” before punting the
kid. The characters hear the goat bleat fearfully, then
a roar that shakes the stones about the pit, then a wet
tearing sound.
Vron is Redhold’s sacred animal, a savage red lion kept
in a deep pit and fed live prey to keep him wild. A char-
acter making a TN 11 Cunning (Cultural Lore) test
knows that this is a standard Avvarian practice. Sacri-
fcing prisoners to the beast is also a standard Avvar
practice. If the characters ask about the creature, Elorn’s
only comment is a slight smile coupled with a cryptic,
“As Vron goes, so go we all.”
After the conversation has run its course, Elorn thanks
the PCs for coming and excuses himself. He recom-
mends that if they like spirits—beverages, that is—the
characters would do well to try the brew at a nearby
longhouse that he points out.
The characters are thus left to their own devices for a
time. The map shows the general layout of the hold. The
longhouse Elorn pointed out is a hunter’s lodge where an
old alewife ladles out cups of delicious, but strong, cold
ale. Everyone the PCs meet is gruffy polite, but not talk-
ative. If the characters need any basic mending of their
equipment done, there are crafters who can help them.
Redhold’s smith is out in a hunting party, so characters
who need metal weapons repaired are out of luck.
In the evening, the hunter’s lodge flls up with some
of the few warriors left in town. If your PCs are feel-
ing restless, a “friendly” brawl with the locals might be
order. They are certainly willing to throw down over
any number of slights, or even just to prove their worth,
once the ale is fowing. Note that no one carries weap-
ons within the hunter’s lodge. It is all fsticuffs and
hurled tankards. Use the standard stats for Avvarian
hunters from Part 4: The Come in the Night.
If a fght does break out, make certain the last thing the
characters can recall is sitting and drinking even more
with the men they just fought, while the Avvars sing
one of their many winter songs. With that, this encoun-
ter ends.
ò AZUP AP BPLSNA
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
Izot’s injured lover sounds out the PCs for an
alliance.
Though the sun shines brightly, your second
day in Redhold feels as bitterly cold as the
frst. As you sit, drinking a warm tea Lowenna
claims will stave off the chill, you hear a stifed
groan as a man comes around the corner of a
nearby building and heads toward you. As he
approaches closer, you can see that he walks
with a limp, yellow-green bruises surround
his eyes, and beneath his cloak his right arm is
wrapped in bandages.
“I am Azur Ar Brosna. May I speak with you?”
Presuming the PCs agree, Azur settles himself with a
grunt. If Lowenna is present, he smiles and nods to her,
but then jerks his head to the side. She takes the hint
and gracefully withdraws.
What will Azur discuss with the PCs? That depends on
what they’ve openly let on so far. Azur is no fool, and
even if the characters have lied about why they are in
the mountains or managed to somehow not discuss it,
he’s suspicious. Then again, unless the PCs are hope-
64
Where Eagles Lair
lessly dense, Azur’s injuries are likely to make them
equally wary of him.
If the PCs have been honest about the fact that they are
looking for a young lowlander woman, Azur goes with
the best of lies: an edited version of the truth. He tells
the characters that a sadistic Avvar hunter named Balan
Ar Malad and his band recently kidnapped a young
woman and took her west into the Frostbacks. Azur
explains that his people are unlikely to help anyone
recover a kidnapped lowlander; however, as he has
served as a caravan guard and is more sympathetic
to lowlanders than his fellow Avvars, he is willing to
guide them to Balan’s lair for a fair portion of whatever
reward they hope to claim.
The character who does the most speaking for the party
can make an opposed Communication (Investigation)
vs. Communication (Deception) test against Azur, who
gets a +3 bonus since he is telling the truth, just omitting
a few pertinent facts, for a total of +5 to his roll. If the PC
wins, he knows that Azur is not being entirely truthful,
though believe his offer is genuine. If Azur wins, the PCs
end up with the impression that Azur is out for revenge
against Balan but he doesn’t care about the girl one way
or another. If the test-winning PC accuses Azur of lying,
he hotly denies having lied in anything he said, challeng-
ing them to ask anyone in the village about Balan and
suggesting they seek him out once they see reason. He
then departs, grumbling about ungrateful lowlanders.
Azur is willing to leave Redhold as soon as the PCs are
ready. He suggests all speed, since delaying will soon
make some of the mountain passes nearly impossible
to cross. He suggests the PCs head out without him,
promising to catch up within hours. To give the PCs a
chance to avoid the tragedy that will result from this, let
them make TN 11 Perception (Empathy) tests. Success
suggests that Azur seems a little too eager to leave at
once, which should send them searching for the cause.
Even if it doesn’t, Owyne may fnd out that the PCs are
preparing to leave and approach them with his offer
(see Part 3: 4. The Thane’s Bargain) earlier than he had
otherwise planned, his hand forced.
If the PCs agree to Azur’s suggested course of action they
may save Izot from Balan, but Redhold is doomed to fall
to the darkspawn. See the Aftermath section for a discus-
sion of the possible repercussions. As for this encounter,
draw it to a close and skip to Part 5: The Deadly Heights,
with Azur leading the PCs into the highlands. If the PCs
counsel patience or wish to wait the full three days, the
Thane’s offer to the PCs in the following encounter is
likely to throw off his nephew’s plans.
If the PCs have kept their purpose for being in the
mountains from the Avvars, Azur attempts to fush it
out. In this case, the opposed Communication (Investi-
gation) vs. Communication (Deception) test has Azur
trying to uncover the PCs’ intentions. If he succeeds, he
gets enough out of them to know they’re looking for
someone and asks, “You’re looking for that girl, the one
Balan took, aren’t you?” He proceeds to lie his way into
the surprised PCs’ good graces, offering to lead them
to her. If he fails he grows despondent and soon with-
draws. He may well set off to rescue Izot on his own.
If you are using the subplot My Sister’s Keeper, this is
a good day for Berchan show up looking for the PCs.
4 1HE 1HANE’S BAPGAIN
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs meet with Thane Owyne, who bargains
with them to help him save his people.
You have been invited to the thane’s hall for an
evening feast. His house is no more ornate than
the other buildings in Redhold on the outside,
but the wood of the interior is engraved with
beautiful forest scenes, and some of the furni-
ture boasts actual upholstery. The table is laden
AZUR AR BROSNA
Handsome young Avvar caravan guard and
nephew of Thane Owyne of Redhold.
Abilities (Focuses)
2 communicAtion
1 constitution (stAminA)
1 cunning (militAry lore)
2 dexterity
0 mAgic
1 perception
3 strength (Axes, climbing, intimidAtion)
3 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
12 42 14 (12*) 3
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
long boW +2 1d6+3 26/52 yArds
bAttle Axe +5 2d6+3
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Mighty Blow and Skirmish.
talents: Archery Style (Apprentice), Armor Training (Ap-
prentice), and Weapon and Shield Style (Apprentice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Axes, Bows, Brawling, and Spears.
*Without shielD
equipment
bAttle Axe, light leAther, long boW, And medium
shield.
65
Where Eagles Lair
with sumptuous food and considering the will
with which the Avvars around you eat, you sus-
pect it is the most they’ve had in some time.
As you fnish your meal, Thane Owyne
approaches you and asks, “Will you join me?
There are matters I should like to discuss.”
The time has come for the thane to make his pitch and
he knows full well it had better be a good one. The end
of the thane’s hall is split into several rooms—a rarity
among Avvar longhouses that the PCs have seen so
far—and the thane leads them into one of them, a study
of sorts. There is a small fre pit for heat in the center of
the room, with low-slung chairs around it.
The thane has gathered every bit of information he can
get on the characters from the frst time Elorn’s avian
spies spotted them until this moment. He has had
agents in town keeping an eye on Azur, so he knows his
nephew has spoken to the party. Even if the characters
have not yet confrmed that they are in the Frostbacks
searching for the girl Azur lost, Owyne suspects it. How
he frames his proposition depends on what exactly that
he knows about the PCs and their purpose for being in
the mountains.
The thane does not bring up Azur in relation to Izot.
If the characters eventually ask, Owyne confrms that
Azur has frequently traveled as a guard into the low-
lands, but says little else about his nephew.
During the conversation, Owyne communicates the fol-
lowing points, some of which the PCs already know in
part:
• A lowlander girl was recently taken west into the
Frostbacks by the Avvar outcast Balan Ar Malad
and his band of hunters.
• As of two days ago, the young woman was still
alive and seemingly unharmed.
• Balan is, by all accounts, a vicious piece of work.
He belongs to no hold and has no family that will
claim him.
• Balan has retreated to his western holdings for the
rest of the year, till winter comes again. Owyne
states bluntly that a non-Avvar has no chance of
fnding where Balan lairs, and that even an Avvar
would need to know exactly where to look to have
a chance.
• Redhold is home to a group of hunters who have
dealt with Balan before.
• With the season turning, several bands of hunters
are due back at Redhold within a few days,
including the ones who know where Balan lairs.
And here the thane takes a deep breath and gives the
PCs his real news, along with his bargain:
“Our hunters will not return in time to save my
people from what is coming. Elorn says a large
force of night-gangers—darkspawn—are amass-
ing in the lowlands near Redhold. He is never
wrong. If he says they are coming, then they are
coming, and soon. We have lost so many already
that we barely have enough to hold the walls.
I need your weapons, lowlanders. I need your
courage. Stand with us. Stand for three nights
against the darkness and I will send hunters to
lead you straight to Balan’s lair and help you
retrieve the girl if that is your wish.”
The thane stands suddenly and walks back
into the shadows of the room, returning with a
long, cloth-wrapped bundle.
“I have no gold, nor riches dug from the earth
to offer you. I have no power in the world beyond
Redhold… But I have this.” The cloth falls away to
reveal a beautiful long sword. As the thane holds
it aloft, a silver fre ignites and fickers along the
blade, throwing back the shadows of the room.
“Her name is Aamor Fin. I cannot tell you what
battles she has fought in, nor whence she comes.
But she is old, lowlanders. Old as the bones of
Korth’s mountains, old as the days when our peo-
ple—yours and mine—stood together as Alama-
rri. Stand with us again and she is yours.”
66
Where Eagles Lair
The thane truly has nothing else to offer. If the PCs reject
his bargain, he nods, as this is what he truly expects,
and informs them that as an honorable host, he must
suggest then they leave Redhold at once and fee north-
west, for darkspawn scouts have already been spotted
nearby. He dismisses them with a curt nod; they will
never look upon him again.
If the PCs agree to stay, the thane thanks them for their
courage, admitting that he doesn’t know if he would
be able to make the same choice if it was lowland-
ers asking him to defend their home, but he hopes he
would. Once the PCs have sworn an oath to stay until
Redhold’s hunters return or three nights have passed,
Owyne hands over Aamor Fin, stating, “May she serve
you well.”
The encounter draws to a close with the thane calling
together his few remaining war leaders to discuss battle
plans—either with the PCs, or as they depart.
PESLLU1ILN Ll !AP1 ò
If the PCs never get into Redhold, you may skip Part
3: Welcome to Redhold and Part 4: They Come in the
Night. Even an attempt to enter the settlement, though,
alerts Azur to the characters’ presence and he can easily
approach them in the forest the next day with a version
of the story he uses in Part 3: 3. Azur Ar Brosna on page
64. You may wish to improvise an encounter in which
the PCs and Azur are attacked by outlying darkspawn
scouts before moving on to Part 5: The Deadly Heights.
That Elorn is an apostate mage may not sit well with a
Circle mage PC, but you can rightfully point out that
the Avvars have had shamans for centuries, which both
Chantry and Circle have studiously ignored for all that
time, mainly because it isn’t worthwhile to do anything
about it. An apostate PC might ask to train with Elorn.
Elorn would be willing to teach a respectful apostate
a lot of interesting lore about spirits, but would never
take a non-Avvar as an apprentice shaman.
Unscrupulous PCs might be tempted to take Aamor Fin
from Thane Owyne and then make a run for it later that
night. This is the main reason the thane exacts an oath
from them before passing over the ancient blade. If the
PCs take the blade in bad faith and run for it, let them;
Elorn and the spirit allies of Redhold curse—literally—
the false heroes for their blasphemous treachery. Depend-
ing on what sort of oaths they took, appropriate curses
might include wounds that cannot be healed, weapons
that become impossibly heavy during critical fghts, and
courage that fags and unmans them at critical moments.
Removing such curses should require diffcult quests,
such as assisting other Avvars against their enemies.
In addition, after such treachery Aamor Fin fades to a
dull pewter and loses all bonuses, becoming a plain long
sword till appropriate penance has been carried out.
PART 4
They Come in
the Night
In this part, the PCs help the Avvars of Redhold defend
their home against a small army of darkspawn that attacks
under cover of darkness. Unbeknownst to the characters,
they only have to hold on for one night until reinforce-
ments arrive—but it is going to be a long night indeed.
I !PE!APING lLP
HAAKLN’S IANCE
EXPLORATION AND ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs have a chance to inspect Redhold’s prepara-
tions for the upcoming battle, talk with the Avvars
they know, and hear some early scouting reports on
what is to come.
The morning sees preparations for battle through-
out Redhold. A group of teens fetch long shafts
alongside a pair of men sharpening arrowheads.
Others reinforce shields and tighten the leather
grips of spears. Among the Avvars there is a
sense of muted anticipation and even excitement,
rather than fear, about the upcoming battle.
What do you want to do?
This is a chance for the PCs to look around the hold
with an eye to its defense, as well as an opportunity for
them to make their own preparations. It serves to create
anticipation for the battle to come.
The stone outer wall is made of mortared granite, heav-
ily reinforced. A TN 9 Cunning (Engineering or Mili-
tary Lore) test suggests that it would take a potent siege
engine to breach one of the walls. Through the main
gates or over the top of the wall are both far more likely
means of entry into the hold.
The Avvars have lined the walkways along the wall
with clusters of arrows, within ready reach of archers.
Aamor Fin
Aamor Fin is a beautiful, ancient, lyrium-laced
long sword of unknown providence. Her silver
fame shines in darkness, but cannot ignite fam-
mable objects and gives off no heat. Her wielder
receives a bonus +2 to attack rolls and causes
2d6+4 base damage, plus Strength.
Sometimes, very softly, she sings.
67
Where Eagles Lair
Every fve paces, a massive brazier flled with wood has
been secured with chain. The walkway near the top of
the wall behind the parapet is about 2 yards wide and
made of reinforced wood, with stone buttresses and
wall-stairs along its length.
Iron rods, each with a single attached hoop to hold
stands of arrows, are sunk into the ground some 15
yards inside the wall all along its length, at 10-yard
intervals, to allow warriors on the ground to fre over
the wall if there are enough enemies to warrant it.
Barrels of water from snowmelt are gathered near the
buildings closest to the wall should any fres start, but
the Avvarian preference for slanted stone roofs makes
it diffcult for enemies to set their dwellings ablaze.
After the characters have had a chance to inspect the
battle preparations, they may seek out the various
Avvars they know.
Characters asking after Lowenna are directed to one of
the hold’s aviaries, where they fnd her tending a pair
of russet-feathered eagles. She explains that the Avvars
have long used eagles as scouts and hunting compan-
ions, not unlike Fereldans and their dogs. Numerous
Avvars, including Lowenna, are skilled falconers, a
talent they are taught as children. She notes that the
eagles are restless. Their typical prey has fed the area
around Redhold, a bad sign.
Lowenna answers any of the characters’ questions that
she can, though she doesn’t know a great deal of Avvar
fghting techniques, other than noting that non-combat-
ants such as herself tend the wounded away from the
wall. The last time Redhold was actually besieged she
was only a small girl and it was a rival clan of Avvars
that assaulted them.
Characters seeking Elorn will be hard-pressed to fnd
him unless they ask Lowenna. Other Avvars simply
state that they don’t know where the shaman is, though
they have no doubt that he prepares for the coming
struggle by speaking with the gods. Lowenna tells the
characters to seek him at the grand shrine, which she
can describe to them.
The shrine is easy to fnd, being the most ornate build-
ing in Redhold and the only one with signifcant deco-
ration. Carved poles covered in symbols stand at each
of the shrine’s corners. A worked silver bas-relief is
mounted at the front of the shrine. It depicts a mas-
sive man sitting in a chiseled throne, with a large bear
lounging at his feet. An armored warrior with a pair of
twined axes stands to his right and a woman wrapped
in a cloak of feathers that obscures all but her eyes
stands to his left.
Elorn sits upon a stool, leaning against one of the
shrine’s pillars, a vacant expression on his face. Sisilia
isn’t present (she is off spying for her master). If the PCs
strike up a conversation with the shaman, he answers
in a distant voice. At some point he stops responding to
the characters and whispers:
Oh, ho. More than just the runts. Hurlocks
among them. I see no ogres though, thank you
Mountain Father. Tonight, I think. Yes, tonight.
Ahh, a scout returns. Who? Uaraig. Good man.
Elorn snaps out of his trance and speaks clearly then,
declaring that he must make some preparations before
consulting with the thane. He suggests that the charac-
ters head to the thane’s house as well, as there will be
news that will interest them shortly.
If the characters do not seek out Elorn, word spreads
around the hold after midday that a scout has returned
with news about the night-gangers.
The PCs fnd the returned scout at Thane Owyne’s
longhouse along with several of the thane’s war lead-
ers, including Azur and his friend Martain. The thane
welcomes the characters, offering them ale before turn-
ing to the scout Uaraig, a lean man clad in leather, and
asking him to repeat his tidings for the PCs’ beneft.
The scout touches on the following points, and clarifes
if any of the characters requests him to:
• There are somewhere between a 150 and 200
night-gangers (darkspawn) encamped deep in the
forest a few hours’ journey to the southeast. It is
diffcult to tell their exact numbers due to both the
terrain and the fact that they stay within the mists,
beneath the densest thickets.
• Some 40 or so are big muscular ones, the rest are of
the smaller, squat kind.
• They have a terrible beast with them, a vast
roaring creature the scout never saw clearly.
Bringing the Fight to the Enemy
It isn’t outside the realm of possibility that the PCs will want to leave Redhold to scout the enemy, or even
infict a bit of damage in advance of the enemy host’s arrival. Given an enemy that numbers in the hundreds,
this is a foolhardy course, and any Avvar who gets wind of such a plan says so without reservation.
If the players persist, use the statistics presented in Part 4: 2. The Fight for Redhold and don’t feel too badly
about killing the party for idiots if they don’t turn tail and run when faced with such an overwhelming enemy
in the feld.
68
Where Eagles Lair
GENLOCKS
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion
2 constitution (running)
1 cunning (militAry lore)
1 dexterity (brAWling)
2 mAgic
2 perception (smelling)
3 strength (Axes, intimidAtion)
2 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
6 22 13 (11*) 7
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bAttle Axe +5 2d6+3
throWing Axe +5 1d6+4
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Mighty Blow and Sling Gore.
slinG Gore stunt: A special 3 SP stunt for this fght. With an
evil laugh, the genlock scoops up and lobs a mass of entrails, or
perhaps a child’s head, at a nearby target. The following round,
the genlock gets a +2 bonus on attack rolls against the disgusted
foe. This can only work once against any given target.
maGiC resistanCe: A genlock gets a +2 bonus on ability
tests to resist the effects of spells and other magical attacks.
talents: Armor Training (Journeyman) and Weapon and
Shield Style (Apprentice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Axes, Brawling, and Bludgeons.
*Without shield
equipment
bAttle Axe, heAvy mAil, medium shield, And throWing Axe.
2 1HE lIGH1
lLP PEIHLLI
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
The PCs fght for their lives against a horde of
darkspawn intent on overrunning Redhold and
putting all to the sword.
The day’s remaining hours each last an eter-
nity. It is almost a relief when harsh horns blare
from the forest, calling you to the wall at last. As
twilight falls, a horde of twisted and armored
forms marches out of the trees, snarling and
growling.
As the sky darkens, the fell creatures begin
beating their weapons against their shields,
slowly at frst, but more swiftly as the light
fades. As night sweeps over the hold, the dark-
spawn roar a wordless battle cry and charge!
So begins the fght for Redhold. The darkspawn have
every intention of destroying the hold within a single
night. But while the genlocks are very familiar with
siege tactics, the same factors that thwart Fereldans
from attacking Avvar holds are at play here. The cold of
the Frostbacks has made crafting siege equipment dif-
fcult, to say nothing of moving it through the densely-
wooded terrain.
Thus, the darkspawn army has simply brought heavy
ladders with hooked ends to grip the wall’s top, as well
as dozens of grappling hooks with pre-knotted ropes to
ease climbing.
This fght isn’t truly about the Avvars of Redhold; it’s
about the courage and tenacity of the PCs. As you run
the combat, much of the battle should fade into the
background, a panorama against which the smaller
melees with which the PCs are directly involved play
out. Roll dice periodically and describe images that
stand out from the overall fght—a genlock impaled by
spears wielded by young girls, a warrior cleaved in half
by a hurlock blade—but it is the PCs’ actions that hold
the line, or fail to.
The combat has three overall phases, each of which
must be endured if the PCs or Avvars are to see the
dawn. Advancing from one phase to the next involves
killing enough darkspawn to move on. The kills that
count are those that happen on and within the wall.
Shooting arrows into the random mass of besieging
darkspawn, or blasting spells into their midst, while
useful in a general sense, does nothing to advance the
characters to the next phase.
Several unique stunts are available to the PCs in the
course of the siege:
• They don’t have any heavy siege engines.
• The name “hurlocks” is supplied by one of the
surrounding men in reference to the “big ones.”
The only point that all the warriors present agree on
is that when an attack comes, it will come in the night.
The thane notes with a grim smile that Redhold pres-
ently boasts around 50 warriors, not counting the
PCs. “Despite the season, Haakon will be pleased, no
doubt.”
If the PCs are unfamiliar with darkspawn other than
genlocks, which are the most common of the dark-
spawn, several of the Avvars present have fought hur-
locks. They all vividly remember the berserk fury of the
taller darkspawn and the horrible, mortal wounds dealt
by their wicked, two-handed blades.
By the end of this encounter, the PCs should have a
decent idea of what is coming, and know that the odds
are against them. After the battle discussions wind to a
close, Thane Owyne suggests that all present get some
rest before nightfall.
69
Where Eagles Lair
HURLOCK
The heavy shock troops who besiege Redhold are
particularly pale, with crude symbols painted in
blood on their armor.
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion
3 constitution (stAminA)
1 cunning
2 dexterity (brAWling)
1 mAgic
2 perception (smelling)
4 strength (heAvy blAdes, intimidAtion)
3 WillpoWer (courAge, morAle)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
8 30 12 8
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk
roll
DamaGe ranGe
gAuntlet +4 1d3+5
short boW +2 1d6+5 16/32 yArds
2-hAnded sWord +6 3d6+4
PoWers
berserk strike: A hurlock can perform the Dual Strike stunt
for 3 SP instead of the usual 4 when wielding a melee weapon.
favoreD stunts: Dual Strike and Mighty Blow. Maargach’s
handlers also use Skirmish to force foes into the bereskarn’s
lethal reach.
talents: Armor Training (Journeyman), Two-Hander Style
(Apprentice), and Weapon and Shield Style (Apprentice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, and Heavy Blades.
equipment
light plAte, short boW, And tWo-hAnded sWord.
Siege Stunts
sP stunt
3 the laDY’s furY: One of the Avvars’ magnifcent
eagles rips into the eyes of the darkspawn assaulting
you. The darkspawn takes 1d6 penetrating damage
and his Defense is halved (round down) against
your next attack.
4 toPPle: You push your opponent back over the wall,
hurtling him into his brethren below. He takes 2d6
penetrating damage from the fall and from smashing
into his armored fellows. (Skirmish can be used to
push an enemy up against the parapet, but not over it.)
5 Call the rain: With a gesture, you direct the wrath
of your Avvar archer allies on the ground behind the
wall. The darkspawn you are fghting is riddled with
arrows, automatically killing a single humanoid
opponent or perforating up to three opponents near
you for 3d6 damage apiece.
The darkspawn’s tactics are simple—they seek to
overcome the defenders of Redhold by sheer strength
of numbers. As they reach the wall, they throw up
grappling hooks and ladders all along its length. The
number and type of darkspawn assaulting the wall
varies between the three phases as noted in the follow-
ing sections.
Characters fghting around the brilliant fres along the
wall have no penalties. If forced to fght away from the
wall, they suffer a –2 penalty for combat at night unless
they bring a torch or other light source with them. (The
darkspawn do not suffer this penalty.) When the PCs
attack darkspawn attempting to come over the wall,
they have a +1 bonus for higher ground. Finally, remem-
ber attack bonuses for outnumbering a defender, +1 for
2 to 1, and +2 for 3 or more to 1.
Phase 1: Testing
the Defenses
In the frst phase of the attack, the
hurlocks hold back and see what the
“runts” can do. They also take the
opportunity to study the defenders
and try to pick out leaders, cham-
pions, and magic-wielders. Assume
that wherever the characters happen
to be, 1d6+2 genlocks try climbing
over the top of the wall every third
round. It takes a major action to
climb over the top of the wall and
shield use is impossible, so they are
always vulnerable for at least one
round, more if they get pressed back.
PCs can use a major action to throw
ladders or grappling hooks back off
the walls. Either requires a TN 13
Strength (Might) test. Toppling a ladder reduces the
next wave of genlocks by two, tossing back a rope by
one, but no amount of this activity can reduce any wave
below two enemies.
As the genlocks make it over the wall, they try to gang
up on individual characters. The PCs have to kill a
number of genlocks equal to three times the number of
PCs (so four PCs means 12 genlocks) before a retreat is
sounded and the darkspawn fall back.
The characters can take a breather before the next
phase.
Phase 2: A Brutal Assault
Less than 20 minutes after the frst phase ends, the
second begins as a wave of the massive, elite hurlocks
charge the wall. They come over the wall near the PCs
at a rate of 1d6 every two rounds. Unlike the gen-
locks, the hurlocks fght for several rounds—typically
three—before leaping off the wall and into Redhold
proper to butcher whatever non-combatants they run
into. The characters are then faced with the diffcult
choice of staying on the wall to engage those still pour-
ing over the wall, or hunting down those who’ve run
into town. Characters can attack the hurlocks’ ladders
and ropes as before, with the same target numbers and
effects.
One time during this phase, if any PC is about to be
killed, a blast of arcane energy blows a hurlock back-
wards off the wall. Elorn materializes out of the shad-
ows and nods to the PC he assisted before disappearing
down the wall to help elsewhere.
The PCs have to kill a number of hurlocks equal to
three times the number of PCs before the attackers once
more withdraw. As the hurlocks depart, the darkspawn
horde draws back from the wall, retreating to the edge
of the dark woods. The characters can take a breather
before the fnal phase unless some hurlocks got past
them, in which case they may be called upon to hunt
down the infltrators.
Phase 3: Enter Maargach
An hour after the second phase the characters are roused
by guttural chanting from the darkspawn. The PCs can
soon discern what sounds like a name being howled
over and over again in two syllables: “Maaaaar…”
(pause) “Gaaaach!” Then a bestial roar literally shakes
the stones of Redhold.
MAARGACH THE BERESKARN
An enormous, blight-tainted bear.
Abilities (Focuses)
–2 communicAtion
8 constitution (running, stAminA)
–2 cunning
3 dexterity (bite)
–1 mAgic
3 perception (smelling, tAsting, trAcking)
8 strength (clAWs, intimidAtion, might)
3 WillpoWer (morAle)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
13 75 13 4
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bite +5 1d6+8
clAWs +10 2d6+8
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Knock Prone (1 SP), Quick Bite, and
Thunderous Bellow.
quiCk bite stunt: The bereskarn can follow a successful
claw attack with a Quick Bite as a special stunt costing 2 SP.
This bite attack must be taken against the same target as the
original attack. Doubles on the bite attack roll does not gener-
ate more stunt points.
thunDerous belloW: For 3 SP Maargach can force fear
into even the sternest spirit. All who hear must make a TN10
Willpower (Courage or Self-Discipline) test or be unable to
attack Maargach the following round, though they can defend
themselves as normal.
touGh hiDe: The bony spines of a bereskarn give the crea-
ture an AR of 4.
70
Where Eagles Lair
71
Where Eagles Lair
Then a nightmare walks out of the darkness, a titanic
blight-tainted bear, one of the infamous bereskarn. At
least 15 feet long, the twisted bear-thing is covered
in bone spines, and its skin sags loosely on its heavy
frame. Five muscular hurlocks hold razored chains
attached to its limbs, and drag/prod it toward the
gates of Redhold. The rest of the darkspawn horde
pulls back swiftly for obvious reasons: The characters
can clearly see a genlock that doesn’t move quite fast
enough seized by Maargach and pulped with alarm-
ing ease.
It becomes clear that the darkspawn did bring a siege
engine of sorts, as Maargach slams into the front gates
and they groan with the impact. It takes Maargach
eight rounds of continuous pounding to breach the
gates of Redhold. If he is successful, the rest of the
darkspawn horde pours into Redhold and the cause
is lost. Arrows and spells are not enough to stop the
bereskarn in time, and Maargach’s very existence is
of such continuous pain that be barely notices distrac-
tions like being set on fre, so it is up to the PCs to slay
the beast.
Fortunately, other than Maargach’s hurlock handlers,
the rest of the darkspawn have pulled back to let the
monster do his work. The PCs can either climb down,
or have the Avvars open the gates so they can charge
the beast.
Maargach’s handlers are wary of him, as he hates them
even more than he hates all other life, if such a thing
is possible. They eschew weapons, each keeping one
hand on his guide chains while smashing opponents
with their gauntleted fsts.
With Maargach’s death, a great victory cry that shakes
the night surges from the Avvars. The superstitious
darkspawn fall back, convinced that the omens are
against them this night. Hopefully, the PCs have all
lived to fght another day.
The three phases of the night constitute a vicious battle;
it is not at all unlikely that one or more PCs will fall
defending Redhold. If you want to run a less fatal game,
emphasize the assistance of the Avvars. If you think it
will add depth to the story later on, Azur has a hand in
saving one or more PCs. While the majority of the war-
riors are busy fghting along the wall, those below can
take up bows or hurl spears. Elorn can provide more
direct assistance, or perhaps his spirit allies step in and
lend a hand. In the end, though, the brunt of the heroics
should be left to the PCs.
Whose Song Is Sung
Some deeds are remembered long after memory of all else has faded. The courage to stand against a dark-
spawn horde alongside a people not one’s own creates a story that lingers. Characters who survive the siege of
Redhold may one day be approached by one of the legendary Grey Wardens with an offer…
ò 1HE HUN1EPS PE1UPN
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
Redhold’s truant warriors return at last, allow-
ing the PCs to move on.
It has been quiet since the fall of the tainted bear
and the retreat of the darkspawn. Not long after
sunrise, a great hue and cry surges along the
wall. Soon every Avvar is cheering wildly—the
hunters have returned!
A force of Avvarian hunters at least 60 strong comes
running over the plateau before the hold, returning
home. A few carry large packs, while most are traveling
light. Eagles swoop over the wall, settling on perches
above the stone buildings of Redhold.
The hunters are led by Thane Owyne’s son Treon. The
returning group is composed of several different bands
that gathered together in the mountains to the west
instead of returning directly to the hold when scouts
told them of the siege. As the hunters slip through the
gates and begin circulating among their people, grief-
stricken cries ring out, for this is the frst they’ve heard
of the massacre of the farming families, all of whom are
friends or blood relations.
Upon hearing the tale of all that has transpired, Treon
immediately asks to meet the characters. Treon is a
big man and bears his father’s stamp; he looks like a
younger version of the thane. He visibly gives the PCs
an open, frank appraisal, but there is no hostility in his
gaze. “Lowlanders, if you killed that beast, I have no
desire to cross blades with you now or ever.”
After consulting with his father, Treon agrees to fnd
guides for the PCs and asks how soon they wish to
leave. He realizes they may wish to rest after the long
night, but feels compelled to point out that if the dark-
spawn return in force the characters could be stuck for
quite a while. The thane releases them to go, saying that
they’ve more than lived up to their vow already and
besides, Redhold’s hunters have returned. If they need
extra healing, Elorn offers his skills both practical and
magical.
The purpose of this encounter is to get the PCs under-
way to Balan’s lair. While the Avvars sincerely appreci-
ate the characters’ assistance, there is a clear undertone
of, “Our warriors are back now, lowlanders, you should
probably go…” in their conversations with the PCs.
72
Where Eagles Lair
Presuming the characters take the hint, the grateful
Avvars provide them with rations and some very useful
knowledge for dealing with Balan. Several of the hunt-
ers, including Treon, offer up opinions on Balan’s band,
the most useful tidbits including the following:
• Balan’s men are a practical lot, but they fear their
sadistic leader.
• Balan’s second-in-command, a hunter named
Torin, is a far more reasonable man and more
likely to listen to reason.
• Under no circumstances can anything Balan
says be trusted; he is an oath-breaker. He is also
arrogant and easily angered.
• The only reasonable route to Balan’s lair must take
the PCs a day’s journey to the northeast, to and over
an ice bridge that will not be there much longer.
Treon introduces the PCs to a trio of hunters, Attus,
Cathal, and Virome, who have agreed to take them to
Balan’s lair. Attus and Virome are quiet, sturdy sorts
with dark hair. Cathal is a rangy blonde woman with
a swift smile, who is slightly more talkative then her
taciturn companions. All three pledge to take the char-
acters as far as they can, agreeing to help fght if such
is necessary as well. Depending on his interactions
with the group, Azur may or may not volunteer at this
point to come along with the party. If he doesn’t leave
Redhold with the group for whatever reason, he tracks
them after they leave, following a few hours behind.
Attus, Cathal, and Virome have stats equivalent to a
standard Avvarian Hunter.
The Avvars who the PCs have come to know say their
goodbyes, promising to ask the gods to confer their
blessings on the PCs, despite their shortcomings in
being lowlanders. With that, it is time to move on.
PESLLU1ILN Ll !AP1 4
The biggest diffculty with Part 4: They Come in the Night
is living through it. The fght for Redhold is intentionally
nasty; PCs who survive it (and their players) should have
a genuine sense of accomplishment. Of course, it could
go horribly wrong. Avoid reducing the number of ene-
mies the characters have to defeat, instead throttling the
rate at which they scale the wall, which should allow the
PCs to gang up on them more effectively.
Maargach is obviously a terror. If the PCs are willingly
going toe-to-toe with the bereskarn, but aren’t quite
managing to do enough damage to put him down, con-
sider the potential for the great beast to begin fearing
the PCs more than his handlers once he has taken 40
or so points of damage. In this case, he eventually goes
berserk in his desire to fee from the characters, maul-
ing one or two hurlocks in a desperate retreat from their
attacks.
PART 5
The Deadly
Heights
This part sees the PCs high into the Frostbacks, their
quarry in sight at last. How the characters approach
these events is highly conditional on what has occurred
so far. If they headed directly west after Part 2: 3. A
Grisly Discovery, they lack much knowledge about the
situation, and can’t even be certain that Izot is with the
group they’re tracking—or whether she’s even alive.
For such PCs, the frst encounter is likely a huge battle
(since they missed out on the one at Redhold) instead
of a negotiation.
If the PCs went to Redhold, then whether they helped
the Avvars or not dictates all of the following: whether
Azur is with them or following after them; whether the
Avvarian hunters Attus, Cathal, and Virome are guid-
ing them or not; and what they know about Balan Ar
Malad and his men.
Environs: The Ice Bridge
The heights of the Frostbacks are famous for one of their
recurring phenomena: ice bridges. These odd ice for-
mations stretch between different peaks, allowing oth-
erwise impossible travel. There are a number that occur
in the same places year after year, but many are unpre-
dictable at best. Ice bridges form in the early winter
each year and crumble in the spring, falling away to
smash into the valleys below.
I 1HE ICE BPIIGE
ROLEPLAYING AND COMBAT ENCOUNTER
The PCs confront Balan Ar Malad and his men along
the ice bridge that leads to his lair.
You have traveled high into the Frostbacks.
Here, a vast span of ice stretches out from the
peak in front of you, off toward a mountain pla-
teau some 50 yards away, across a gaping black
chasm. The ice bridge shines in the springtime
sun; rivulets of water drip from hundreds of ici-
cles hanging from its underside. The ice creaks
incessantly and, alarmingly, large chunks occa-
sionally fall off.
If the characters came directly from the east, then they
have followed the winding trail of Balan and his hunt-
ers, and they’re about to be ambushed. If they’re coming
from Redhold, then most likely either Azur or the trio
of Avvarian hunters is leading them. If that is the case,
73
Where Eagles Lair
they’ve been warned
that Balan will have
scouts watching the
pass until the bridge
crumbles, which
looks to be within a
day or two at most,
or far quicker if
something encour-
ages it to break.
Coming
Directly
From the
East
Unaware charac-
ters need to make
an opposed Percep-
tion (Seeing) vs.
Dexterity (Stealth)
test, which Balan’s
men roll at a total of
–1 (Dexterity 1, no Stealth Focus, and –2 for the cold),
making it likely that the PCs will spot them. If not, Bal-
an’s men announce themselves with aimed arrows as
the characters approach the ice bridge. There are three
hunters hidden in the spots indicated on the map. After
fring, they immediately sound a horn, calling for their
fellows and their leader.
It takes four rounds (a minute) for Balan to arrive. Until
he does, his men seek to keep the characters away from
the bridge. Presuming the PCs don’t charge forward
and slaughter his men, Balan demands to know who
the characters are and what they want when he arrives.
If the characters have proceeded to kill his men before
his arrival, he orders his men to destroy the bridge.
Talking to Balan is a matter of roleplaying, but it is all
but impossible to convince him to give up the girl, as
he has fallen in love with Izot. Well, “love” may not be
the word, truly. Balan wants Izot to want him, so she
has not been taken by force as of yet. She is on the far
side of the ice bridge, out of sight, along with the bulk
of Balan’s men including his second, Torin. If Balan sees
Azur, he laughs at him, calling out, “You bring lowland-
ers to fnish what you cannot? Shame on you, boy.”
A group that hasn’t spent this adventure learning about
Avvars is unlikely to bring any conversation with Balan
to a “successful” conclusion, and in the end, Balan
orders the bridge destroyed.
It takes four men wielding two-handed axes four rounds
of chopping to crack the ice bridge to the point that it
begins fracturing, after which it shatters completely
over an additional two rounds. In other words, from
the moment Balan orders the bridge destroyed, anyone
wishing to cross has six rounds to get from one side to
the other, or they’ll plummet to their death if they are
still on it. Killing one or more of the axe-wielders may
or may not slow the process.
Running at high speed across the slick ice bridge
requires a TN 13 Dexterity (Acrobatics) test; failure
means a round is spent sprawling on the ice. PCs can
feel free to incorporate a charge action into their run-
ning if they wish to and have a target.
Balan’s band consists of a number of Avvarian hunters
equal to fve times the number of PCs, plus himself and
Torin. Several of them keep an eye on Izot at all times,
as they know she is a threat. As long as Balan is alive,
his men do not give in. They fear their brutal leader too
much to stop fghting, no matter how dangerous the
PCs seem. If the PCs bring down Balan, Torin imme-
diately calls for a parley. He happily rids himself of the
girl with little encouragement. Izot happily leaves with
the PCs, especially if they mention the arl, but only after
demanding her sword back from the Avvars.
If the Avvars topple the ice bridge before the PCs can
get across, the following encounter presents their last
chance to rescue Izot.
Coming From Redhold
If the characters have been guided to the ice bridge by
the Avvars from Redhold, Cathal (or possibly Azur)
has been explaining Avvarian customs while they were
journeying. She suggests that one of the PCs challenge
Balan to a duel. All they have to do is claim that the
young woman is their kin (or the equivalent) and then
insult Balan’s mother or his manhood. Normally this
wouldn’t work given that the PCs are lowlanders, but
74
Where Eagles Lair
with what they did for Redhold and the defeat of the
bereskarn, Cathal and her fellows will speak for them,
forcing Balan to accept the challenge or lose serious face
in front of his men.
If the PCs agree with Cathal’s idea, Attus calls out their
presence to the waiting hunters, demanding that Balan
show himself. Again, the encounter is one for roleplay-
ing, but in this case the stakes are different. The chosen
PC must battle Balan alone. Balan demands a fght on top
of the ice bridge itself. Drive the drama of this confronta-
tion home, because such duels are rare: a life-or-death
struggle at the top of the Frostbacks along a crumbling
ice bridge is not an experience to be readily forgotten.
Describe the combatants’ steaming breath, the cracking
bridge around them, the cold that freezes their sweat, the
cry of a russet eagle soaring overhead to its cliff lair…
If the PCs left Redhold to its fate they are either travel-
ing on their own, in which case things proceed as if they
had come directly from the east, or they are traveling
with Azur, in which case he suggests a similar strata-
gem to Cathal’s and plays his fnal card: he tells the PCs
that Izot is his wife, and that a claim to be fghting to
retrieve her for her husband would be the truth. The
duel with Balan proceeds similarly.
If the PC wins, Izot is freed. If the PC loses, the rest
of the group must decide what to do. Let the fallen
PC’s player control the characters’ allies for the rest of
the encounter. If the PCs choose to attack after losing
the duel, Balan orders the ice bridge destroyed. Any
Avvarians with the characters fght however the PCs
wish them to, though none are willing to suicidally
dive onto a crumbling ice bridge.
If the encounter ends and the characters have failed to
retrieve Izot, continue to Part 5: 2. Muirne’s Pass. Oth-
erwise, move on to The Aftermath.
2 HUIPNE’S !ASS
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
The PCs’ last hope for retrieving Izot is to dar-
ingly travel through a haunted pass the Avvars
consider cursed.
As the ice bridge crumbles away, the PCs are prob-
ably under the impression that their chances of rescu-
ing the girl were shattered with the bridge. Normally,
they would probably be right; however, there is one
more way.
If the PCs came from Redhold with the trio of hunters,
their Avvar guides begin a heated discussion. While
clearly not happy about it, Cathal approaches the PC
and offers them one last way to claim Izot if they truly
75
Where Eagles Lair
same tale, but in his love for Izot, fails to mention that
the pass is forbidden to Avvars, and declares that he
will lead them through it.
If the PCs refuse to take the haunted pass, Izot Wulff is
lost to them. If Azur is present, he presses on alone—
they never see him again. Depending on the choices
they’ve made along the way, if they’ve never been
to Redhold, you may direct them there, rearranging
events so they arrive before the darkspawn and partic-
ipate in the hold’s defense. Otherwise, they can travel
back to Arl Wulff’s winter manor and leave a message
that his daughter is lost. If Berchan happens to be
wish to get to her, but she states fatly that it is far more
dangerous than a thousand Balans:
There is a pass, forbidden to us—to Avvars…
Long ago, a priestess of the Lady of the Skies
dwelled near here, tending the Lady’s eagles.
Blasphemous men, fallen Avvars, raped and
killed her. She cursed them as she died. They
haunt the pass still. If you take Muirne’s Pass
we cannot follow you, lowlanders, but I tell
you this: If you survive that road you can walk
into Balan’s camp and demand what you will,
and not a soul among them will lift a fnger to
stop you, no matter how he rages. Otherwise,
the girl is lost. It would take weeks to get to
Gherlen’s Pass, and weeks more to return.
Balan will be in Orlais by then, or far to the
south.
Muirne’s Pass is not far. Will you risk it?
If the PCs have been on their own so far, Azur chooses
this time to make himself known, and approaches them
with his own version of the above story. He relates the
BALAN AR MALAD
The vicious leader of an Avvarian hunter band.
Abilities (Focuses)
1 communicAtion (AnimAl hAndling)
3 constitution (drinking, stAminA)
1 cunning (militAry lore)
2 dexterity (initiAtive, steAlth)
0 mAgic
1 perception (seeing, trAcking)
4 strength (Axes, climbing, might)
3 WillpoWer (morAle)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
9 48 14 (12*) 5
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bAttle Axe +6 2d6+4
throWing Axe +7 1d6+6
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Skirmish and Pierce Armor.
talents: Animal Training (Journeyman), Armor Training
(Apprentice), Thrown Weapons Style (Journeyman), and
Weapon and Shield Style (Apprentice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Axes, Bows, Brawling, and Spears.
*Without shield
equipment
bAttle Axe, light mAil, medium shield, And throWing
Axes.
SHADE
Abilities (Focuses)
–2 communicAtion
0 constitution
0 cunning
5 dexterity (steAlth)
4 mAgic
1 perception
–3 strength
4 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
15 30 15 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
drAining touch +5 1d6+4 penetrAting
poWers
DraininG aura: A shade can perform the special Draining
Aura stunt for 4 SP. All enemies within 4 yards take 1d6 pen-
etrating damage as the shade sucks their life essence.
DraininG touCh: The touch of a shade drains the target of
life energy. It inficts 1d6 + Magic penetrating damage.
favoreD stunts: Draining Aura and Lightning Attack.
inCorPoreal: Shades are incorporeal, having a tenuous
existence in the mortal world. They ignore the effects of terrain.
Normally only magical attacks (spells or hits from magical
weapons) can harm them, other attacks passing through their
forms without effect. A character attacking a shade can perform
a special stunt called Spirit Bane for 3 SP. The character then
inficts normal weapon damage but substitutes Magic for
Strength. A character with Magic 2 and a long sword using the
Spirit Bane stunt, for example, would infict 2d6+2 damage.
“Whoa, whoa—I’m an Avvar!”
If one or more of the PCs is an Avvar, Cathal
explains that Avvars from Redhold slew Muirne,
and that the PCs should be fne…
76
Where Eagles Lair
back into the shadows without a fght. Otherwise, the
shades attack until one of them has been destroyed, and
then they fee back into the surrounding shadows. They
do not molest the PCs again, even when they come back
through the pass, which a character making a TN11
Cunning (Arcane Lore) test can predict.
Balan’s camp is not far away now.
ò AVVAPS & SU!EPS1I1ILN
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
The PCs walk into Balan Ar Malad’s camp and
retrieve Izot Wulff at last.
As you walk up out of the forest, the frst look-
out’s cry dies on his lips as he recognizes you.
He averts his eyes from your party and steps
away, his hands raised far above his weapons in
a clear sign of submission. He points wordlessly
at a copse of trees nearby.
As the PCs pass into Balan’s camp, the hardened Avvars
turn as pale as the surrounding snows. Most avert their
eyes and several turn away. Balan gapes at the charac-
ters in horrifed shock. No one says anything for a long,
long moment until a tall man with an eagle on his arm,
Torin, looks at the lead PC and says, “Take the girl and
be gone, lowlanders.”
Balan snarls in rage at his second, draws his axe, and
attacks. None of his men help him; indeed, they avert
their gazes. If the PCs don’t manage to kill him in two
rounds, Izot runs him through from behind.
None of the Avvars watch as the PCs leave with Izot in
tow.
PESLLU1ILN Ll !AP1 b
If the characters never went to Redhold, Part 5: The
Deadly Heights is likely to be a big battle against
forces they know little about, so use Azur to fll them
in, at least in part. If they did go to Redhold, they have
a lot of advantages against the challenges that await
them.
If a PC loses the duel with Balan, remember that it takes
a few rounds for a fallen character to die. Perhaps after
Balan’s fatal blow, he walks away, laughing, allowing
another PC to swiftly drag the body off the ice bridge
and work on frst aid.
The fght against the shades can be nasty if the PCs
lack magic weapons. A mage can really shine in that
fght. Read the “Incorporeal” power description care-
fully and describe the Spirit Bane stunt to your players
so they know they have a fghting chance even if they
don’t have Aamor Fin or other enchanted weapons.
with them, he is inconsolable and must be dragged
bodily out of the mountains.
If the PCs agree to take Muirne’s Pass, it is less than
an hour away. Even in the bright spring sunlight it is a
dark crevasse, flled with evergreens that have betrayed
their names by being a disturbing shade of grey. Light
falls resentfully through rare holes between the trees’
overlaced branches. The Avvars leave the PCs at the
entrance to the pass, giving them instructions on how
to get to Balan’s camp on the far side, and informing
them that they will wait a half a day for their return.
Azur cannot bring himself to go into the pass if his
fellow Avvars are present to witness his blasphemy.
The spirits of cursed Avvars do indeed haunt Muirne’s
Pass. A number of Shades equal to half the number of
PCs (rounded down) attack the party midway through
the pass. The dark forms appear as distorted versions
of armored warriors, twisted out of human propor-
tions in disturbing ways. They slip out of the shadows
of the trees and attempt to drain off the characters’ life
force.
If the PCs have Aamor Fin with them, they don’t have
to fght at all. The second she leaves her sheath, the
shades cringe away from her silvery light and slip
77
Where Eagles Lair
The Aftermath
Reunited at last, the young lovers rush to embrace one
another.
Now what? There are no set encounters for wrapping
up this adventure because of the many variations that
could have occurred in getting to this point. Much
depends on what the PCs have done so far, and on their
relationship with Azur.
If the PCs came straight from the east and managed to
claim Izot, Azur suggests they go to Redhold before
passing down into the West Hills. Obviously, in such
a case the PCs may be suspicious of the Avvar, but
it’s a tricky situation because Izot wants to go with
him. Clearly, the PCs will know that there was a lot
more to the story than they were told. If Azur con-
vinces the characters to journey to Redhold, you can
retune Parts 3 and 4 so the characters can experience
the darkspawn siege. Instead of the thane bribing
them to stay, though, you could have Izot insist, or
have the darkspawn catch them unawares, forcing
the issue.
If the PCs passed through Redhold but Azur convinced
them to leave early, the journey back is grim indeed.
IZOT WULFF
Bold young daughter of Arl Gallagher Wulff.
Abilities (Focuses)
1 communicAtion
1 constitution
2 cunning
1 dexterity (light blAdes)
0 mAgic
2 perception
1 strength
4 WillpoWer (courAge)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
11 33 11 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
short boW +1 1d6+1 16/32 yArds
short sWord +4 1d6+3
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Seize the Initiative
talents: Archery Style (Apprentice), Armor Training (Ap-
prentice), and Single Weapon (Apprentice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Light Blades, and Spears.
equipment
iF circumstAnces AlloW, izot Arms And Armors herselF As
necessAry. her short sWord is An elegAntly-crAFted giFt
From her FAther, grAnting A +1 bonus to AttAck rolls.
Dark fres blanket the southeast forest around Redhold;
a concerned Azur soon becomes horrifed as he discov-
ers that his hold has been obliterated by the darkspawn.
Perhaps one of the returning bands of Avvarian hunters
catches them as they travel west, forcing the heartsick
Azur to either betray his people or his intended bride.
If the PCs saved Redhold, Azur still tries to convince
them to pass back by on their way to the east, though he
realizes they must keep a sharp eye out for darkspawn.
In any event, Azur and Izot offer full confessions to
honorable, heroic PCs asking for their help. A wise PC
might note that having the nephew of a thane mar-
ried to the second daughter of an arl whose arling bor-
ders the mountains is not a bad match. Indeed, Thane
Owyne already thinks better of lowlanders due to the
PCs’ heroism, and will be considerably happier with
Azur if he learns how well he has chosen his bride.
If the PCs have an antagonistic relationship with Azur,
the story plays out more grimly. After all they’ve gone
through, the characters surely intend to return Izot to
the arl, whether she wants to go or not. If Azur is not an
ally of the PCs, he tries to steal her away from them. If
Azur is killed in front of Izot, she will not rest until she
kills the PC responsible, and then herself…
TORIN
Second-in-command of Balan Ar Malad’s band of
hunters; far more even-tempered than his boss.
Abilities (Focuses)
2 communicAtion (AnimAl hAndling)
2 constitution (drinking, stAminA)
2 cunning
1 dexterity
0 mAgic
1 perception (seeing, trAcking)
2 strength (Axes, climbing)
2 WillpoWer (morAle)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
9 35 11 5
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
bAttle Axe +4 2d6+2
long boW +1 1d6+5 26/52 yArds
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Mighty Blow and Skirmish.
talents: Animal Training (Journeyman), Armor Training
(Apprentice), Unarmed Style (Apprentice), and Weapon and
Shield Style (Apprentice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Axes, Bows, Brawling, and Spears.
equipment
bAttle Axe, light mAil, long boW, And medium shield.
78
Where Eagles Lair
However the PCs manage it, when they return Izot, or
proof of what’s become of her, to Arl Wulff’s winter
manor, they fnd the arl waiting for them. He keeps
his word and throws in one extra sovereign for each
PC if you used My Sister’s Keeper and they managed
to haul Berchan through the wilderness and home
again intact. The arl is skeptical about Azur and fat-
out furious if told that the Avvar was the reason Izot
fell into this situation in the frst place. Persuasive PCs
might help the arl calm down and see the potential
advantages in the marriage of one of his kin to the
local Avvar clan.
About Avvars
The majority of the Avvarian people live in subsistence conditions, with the greater part of their days spent
gathering the necessities of survival with little time given over to activities without an immediate practical
application. Ornamentation is rare among Avvar-made goods that aren’t religious in nature. They prefer well-
made items that endure the Frostbacks’ extreme weather.
The Avvars have a decent relationship with the dwarven kingdom of Orzammar. The Avvars trade furs,
goat milk, and free passage rights for dwarf traders (allowing them to travel over the Frostbacks in peace) in
exchange for arms and armor. The dwarves regard the Avvars as a useful deterrent against both Ferelden and
Orlesian ambitions.
AVVAPIAN HLLIS ANI HAPPIAGE
Since each Avvar hold is made up of several extended family clans, Avvars often have to marry outside their hold
to avoid their relatives. This is seen as a good thing, for it brings in new blood and extends the ties among Avvars.
Avvar men go about securing brides by kidnapping them. This is partially arranged in advance by approaching
the elders of the target clan and announcing one’s intention. Failure to do so can lead to a blood feud.
Once permission has been given, a warrior is expected to prove his skill by slipping into the hold and remov-
ing his new bride. A warrior who is caught on his frst try can expect a severe beating, but nothing worse. If he
is caught again on the second try, though, he is likely to become lunch for the clan’s sacred animal. Avvarian
men may approach a lady directly if they wish to secure her agreement (or assistance), and some Avvar women
make it known that they desire a specifc man.
Avvars are expected to put loyalty to hold before blood. Even a kidnapped bride is expected to renounce her
former ties and cleave to her new clan. Indeed, her old clan and family are forever after slightly suspicious of
her, even if she was taken against her will.
AVVAPIAN PELIGILN
It is nearly impossible to speak of the Avvarian people without speaking of their beliefs. Faith is the vibrant
cornerstone of their existence, flling their harsh lives with sacred implications, for the Avvars believe as the
Alamarri once did: The gods live in all things. Wind from an unexpected direction, birds fying in unusual pat-
terns, a sudden silence amidst the high peaks in the spring—these are nothing but chance to a lowlander, but
are messages from the gods to an Avvar.
The Avvars believe without question that their gods have protected them and kept them strong, for do they
not thrive despite their numerous enemies? Wise lowlanders avoid pointing out that the hillsmen have been
pushed into some of the most inhospitable terrain in all of Thedas. In truth, the Avvars love the Frostbacks and
would only take offense at the thought that they were “forced” into the mountains.
The Avvars have a complex pantheon, which includes both nature spirits and legendary mortals who have ascended
to the heavens. This is further complicated by the fact that the pantheon varies somewhat from hold to hold, as
every clan has its own sacred tales and heroes; however, all Avvars agree on the three greatest gods. These are Korth
the Mountain Father, Haakon Wintersbreath, and the Lady of the Skies. Imhar the Clever and the Great Bear Sigfost
are also revered is most communities.
KLP1H 1HE HLUN1AIN lA1HEP
Eldest and strongest, the foundation upon which all is built, Korth is the god of mountains and caves, lord of
the Frostbacks. Through the Mountain Father’s benevolence, the Avvars are provided with everything they
might need, though it is unwise to tempt his wrath by demanding more than one’s rightful due. It is Korth who
sends game to needy hunters, leads goatherds to lush felds, and approves of a hold’s sacred animal. The
79
Where Eagles Lair
About Avvars
majority of Avvarians believe that Korth has always been; that he is as aged as the foundations of his moun-
tains. Only in the ancient Frosthold do they sing otherwise. Their Winter Song, sung only during Wintersend,
may be the oldest known to any Avvar. It tells that Korth was once a man, a hunter without peer, who led his
people into the mountains when the world was young.
HAAKLN VIN1EPSBPEA1H
Korth’s frstborn son Haakon is the Lord of Winter, master of the twin, biting colds of ice and steel. The Win-
tersbreath is the god of arms and battle, for to the Avvars winter and war are near synonymous. It is cold that
protects the Avvarians from their enemies, it is cold that they use as a weapon against the lowlanders when
they raid from the mountains, and cold is the fear they wish to inspire in the faithless. Haakon is not simply a
deity to be worshiped; he is the fearsome, icy killer young Avvars aspire to become.
1HE LAIY Ll 1HE SKIES
After the mountains beneath, only the skies above are as sacred to the Avvars. The Mistress of Birds is their
patroness and protector; her focks assist the Avvars in keeping a lookout for their many foes. Birds are the
agents of the Lady, bringers of omens and foretellers of woe. Deceased Avvars are “offered to the Lady” in a
solemn ceremony that Fereldan scholars refer to as an “air burial.” Rather than being cremated or buried, their
bodies are completely dismembered and offered to the carrion birds of the mountains. Flesh, organs, and even
bones are powdered so the avians can consume all that remains and carry it off to the Lady’s realm. Thus, the
Lady of the Skies is also the Avvars’ goddess of death.
IHHAP 1HE CLEVEP
Tales of Imhar have brought cheer to the Avvars on many a cold night, for his is the way of the trickster, and
they delight in stories of his cunning. A slight man of infnite jest and vicious wit, Imhar’s mockery cuts deeper
than any blade. Imhar’s greatest feat was arguably the single-handed rout of a mighty horde of demons after
an evil seductress tricked him into facing them weaponless. He retreated, making them think that he was
a coward and feeing. When they fnally caught up with him in a narrow mountain pass, Imhar’s laughter
defeated them by causing an avalanche.
1HE GPEA1 BEAP SIGlLS1
Wisest of all the mountain spirits and so large that the Mountain Father once mistook him for one of his
smaller peaks, Sigfost lounges at the foot of Korth’s throne. Characters seeking wisdom can challenge Sigfost
to fght for it, but the bones of the devoured and unworthy litter his vast den. Avvars hold bears to be sacred
and though they sometimes hunt them, great ceremony always accompanies such efforts. All Avvars judge
bereskarn to be blasphemous horrors. A very few Circle magi claim to have met Sigfost in the Fade; these are
invariably open-minded magi known to get along well with people from other cultures, and none of them will
discuss the experience lightly.
AVVAPIAN SHAHANS
The Avvars’ gods are more capricious than cruel, demanding appeasement for perceived sleights rather than
wantonly casting misfortune on their people from lofty heights. When Avvars suffer, it seldom occurs to them
to blame ill luck, but instead, to wonder which of the gods they have offended. If a warrior suffers a wound, he
is concerned that he may have slighted Haakon. If a hunting party returns empty-handed, their only thought
is to placate the Mountain Father; indeed, they will not go forth hunting once more until they have decided on
how to mollify Korth—there would be no point in it, as they would surely fail again.
When forced to consider complex spiritual matters, the Avvars turn to their shamans, the lore keepers of the
mountains. It is they who watch the migrations of birds seeking wisdom from the Lady, they who keep the old
songs and retain the knowledge of the proper rites to honor the gods and spirits of the mountains. The major-
ity of the Avvars’ shamans are powerful mages whose traditions stretch far back beyond the foundations of
the Circle of Magi. Neither the Chantry nor the Prophetess means anything to the Avvarians, and Templars are
not welcome in the Frostbacks. This is wise, as many of the shamans’ rituals would horrify the Chantry. Even
mild rites invite spirits to speak through the casters for a time, to say nothing of some of their more powerful
ceremonies. The Avvars are well aware that some spirits are reluctant to depart human hosts willingly, but they
have means of dealing with such recalcitrant entities.
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BY WALT CIECHANOWSKI
AND KEVIN KULP
A Fragile Web is an adventure of intrigue and politics
that takes place in Ferelden’s capital city of Denerim. In
it, the PCs investigate the machinations of a prominent
and popular noblewoman. They eventually learn that
one of her intrigues will lead to at least three murders,
and must decide how to thwart her—if the danger of
working against her is even worth the risk.
A Fragile Web is intended for a group of PCs of 4th-5th
level, with a reasonable mix of abilities to handle the
exploration, roleplaying, and combat portions of the
adventure. The Communication ability is important,
especially the Persuasion and Investigation focuses.
Perception (Empathy) also comes in handy.
If the characters in your campaign are lower than level
4, you may need to tailor the NPC statistics and test
TNs to account for your group’s power level.
how it begins
Not every good deed is done for its own reward.
Bann Nicola Baranti has grown famous in Denerim
for supporting the underdog and helping ease the
burdens of common citizens. Most people in the city
love her, and her fellow banns publicly respect both
her actions and the way she has managed to raise up
her family from ignoble roots. In private some feel she
is a bit too generous, but she’s so widely beloved that
to suggest as much out loud would bring a shower of
public scorn.
The PCs meet Bann Nicola after helping some of her
retainers defeat a group of insane cultists who are kid-
napping children. Bann Nicola has a long-standing
grudge against this cult and invites the PCs to her man-
sion for dinner. Impressed by the PCs’ capabilities, Bann
Nicola inquires as to their interest in accepting odd
tasks from her in the future. Whether the PCs accept or
decline to have her as their patron, she thanks them for
their service against the cult and bids them well.
Not long thereafter the worried and loyal servant of a
local knight approaches the PCs. The knight is being
blackmailed for an act that only the servant knew about,
but the servant denies having told anyone, and begs the
PCs to fnd out what has happened. Their investigation
leads the PCs to a small neighborhood chantry in Den-
erim known as Andraste’s Ear, which is the front line in
a massive intelligence-harvesting operation that leads
back to Bann Nicola.
A Fragile Web
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A Fragile Web
The PCs come to learn that Bann Nicola is obsessed
with self-aggrandizement and her own popularity. For
decades she has engaged in schemes that promote her
and her house without the slightest concern for even a
modicum of morality. The PCs discover that her cur-
rent crop of schemes includes exposing a rather harm-
less group of Orlesian sympathizers not because they
are particularly dangerous to Ferelden, but because
it will help her control the prices of imports, making
her wealthier while simultaneously earning her public
acclaim as a protector of the realm.
In the end, the PCs learn that Bann Nicola intends to
assassinate not only a bann and his daughter, but also
her own grandson, in order to frame one of the Orlesian
sympathizers for the crime, which will in turn allow
her to manipulate local markets and deliver to the king
an excuse to purge the Elven Alienage in Denerim. The
PCs must weigh Bann Nicola’s entirely real good works
against her Machiavellian schemes, and the turmoil that
would follow her fall against the stability of Denerim.
GE11ING 1HE
CHAPAC1EPS INVLLVEI
The PCs must be in Denerim at the start of the adven-
ture. They reason they are there doesn’t matter. Their
involvement in fghting the kidnappers of the Chantry
of the Stilled Tongue occurs spontaneously; they lit-
erally stumble onto these villains in the midst of evil
acts.
The PCs’ involvement in the main, investigative por-
tion of the adventure depends on whether they choose
to investigate the suspicious goings-on at Andraste’s
Ear, which ultimately lead them to learn about Bann
Nicola’s web of plots. If they don’t pursue that lead,
consult the Optional Subplots section, which details
many other intrigues with which she’s involved; any of
them can be used to point the PCs back to the spine of
A Fragile Web.
The Long View
One way—the best way, perhaps—to use A Fragile
Web is as a metaplot spanning other adventures. The
PCs may, for example, experience Part 1: The Chantry
of the Stilled Tongue, become clients of Bann Nicola’s
patronage in Part 2: A Warm Welcome, and then go
on one or many unrelated adventures at her direc-
tion, or on their own. For example, you might stage
The Dalish Curse (the adventure from the Dragon Age
RPG Set 1 Game Master’s Guide) and its sequel, A Bann
Too Many (packaged with the Dragon Age RPG Game
Master’s Kit) at this point, saying that Bann Nicola is
the one who sends the PCs to the Ruswold Valley to
aid Bann Trumhall. Bann Nicola might then send the
PCs to secure a contract for ryott (a favored grain in
her orphanage kitchens) and give you the opportunity
to use Amber Rage. In Where Eagles Lair Bann Nicola
would welcome the gratitude of an arl, especially one
with diplomatic relations with the Avvars. Eventu-
ally, as the PCs’ reputation as Nicola’s problem-solvers
spreads, they are approached by Ser Greta’s servant
Andiel and Part 3: A Betrayal of Trust begins.
With this option, the PCs become truly embroiled in
Bann Nicola’s machinations. Her eventual revelation as
a villain becomes an unexpected twist (and an infuriat-
ing one, given that the PCs have been helping her all
this time!). The PCs’ response to the situation becomes
a satisfying conclusion to a low-level Dragon Age cam-
paign.
Replacement PCs
In the event that a player character is killed in the course
of A Fragile Web, there are many credible places replace-
ment PCs can come from and many easy opportunities
to insert them into the unfolding adventure. Early in the
adventure, a relative of a child or parent murdered by
the Stilled Tongue cultists might want pitch in to ensure
that justice is done. A member of Bann Nicola’s house-
hold might want to join the party to advance their own
career (and, likely, to help Bann Nicola keep an eye on
her new clients). Later in the adventure, a noble being
blackmailed by Bann Nicola might catch wind that the
PCs are moving against her and propose an alliance.
Similarly, an agent of the king’s justice might get a whiff
of Bann Nicola’s crimes and ally with the PCs in order
to establish the truth. The bottom line is that while she’s
publicly beloved, Bann Nicola is not without enemies,
and these enemies are good sources of new player char-
acters in the event that they’re needed.
Background
A Fragile Web has a great deal going on behind the
scenes. The following sections provide background
information about the scenario’s various factions and
their intrigues, to give you a frm grounding.
HLUSE BAPAN1I
House Baranti has always been lead by matriarchs.
Nicola’s great-great-grandmother Catherine won great
acclaim and wealth fghting the initial Orlesian inva-
sion. Her prestige was such that when she settled in
Denerim she was granted a sizable estate. Catherine’s
daughter Dralla was raised with every luxury, and it
left her spoiled. By her mid-30s Dralla had become the
Grand Cleric in Denerim, but she was forced out with
the scandalous revelation that she hosted many lov-
ers—often at the same time—within the chantry itself.
The Orlesians had seized Felderen’s throne by now, and
Revered Mother Dralla’s many enemies both within
and outside the Chantry seized on the opportunity to
topple their rival and destroy her family’s reputation.
She earned the unenviable sobriquet “the Whore of
Denerim” before she was eventually assassinated by
enemies who were never brought to justice.
Dralla bore a daughter out of wedlock before her death.
Her daughter Nina was raised and then employed at
the notorious Denerim brothel the Pearl, completing the
family’s social fall and confrming her mother’s unfor-
tunate nickname. Nicola was born to Nina, her father
unknown, and was raised by the whores at the Pearl.
Unlike her mother, Nicola always evinced a ferce
pride. Research in her youth revealed that her family
still technically belonged to the Bannorn and was eli-
gible to hold lands, even though her mother had always
been told otherwise. Nicola kept this information to
herself as she matured. She made it a point to meet and
befriend the important people in the city, educating her-
self in the social graces of her betters and keeping her
background as much of a secret as possible. When she
was 15 years old she married one Ser Duniel, a wealthy
but savagely ugly knight from the south. He died three
years later of a sudden illness.
The newly wealthy Nicola set about rebuilding her
family in earnest, making a name for herself as a charm-
ing hostess and canny politician. She married again, this
time to the son of a bann with greater prestige but less
money than herself; he lasted fve years before he was
slain by bandits outside Denerim. Nicola’s public wrath
was stunning to behold; each and every one of the ban-
dits was brutally hunted and executed. A popular song
about her vengeance that was widely performed by the
capital city’s minstrels ensured public sympathy for her
plight. Nicola became a folk hero, and one of the most
popular and interesting nobles in the city. She publicly
dedicated herself to good works within Denerim, estab-
lishing orphanages and funding new chapels in areas
too poor to afford them.
Now a grandmother in her late 70s, Bann Nicola is
elderly but sharp as a dagger, frmly in charge of her
household and still dedicated to doing good works and
helping the unfortunate. Her reputation in Denerim is
nearly unassailable.
In truth, Bann Nicola is a conspirator extraordinaire, a
perfectionist whose plans are laid years in advance, who
considers every eventuality to block every possibility for
failure. She excels in setting her enemies against each
other while remaining above the fray, spinning conficts
between others into opportunities for House Baranti to
carry out public acts of largesse. She is utterly without
morals, but hungers for—and glories in—public love
and broad acclaim. She is essentially a psychopath whose
glittering madness is predicated upon ensuring that her
family’s good name is never sullied again.
Bann Nicola had only one son who survived childhood,
Tanner. Tanner and his wife Lina were killed while res-
cuing people from a burning home, leaving their young
son, Adric, to be raised by his grandmother. In truth,
Tanner and Lina had discovered just a few of Nicola’s
secrets and confronted her abut them, leaving her no
choice but to have them killed. As always, the “tragedy”
was engineered to refect glory onto House Baranti.
Bann Nicola’s death would cause chaos in Denerim.
Her vast library of secrets and the blackmail it allows
her to perpetrate does a great deal to stabilize the other-
wise independent-minded Bannorn. (Stability, after all,
is good for business.) If the leverage Bann Nicola exerts
were to suddenly fall away, many banns would turn on
each other to settle old scores.
1HE CHAN1PY Ll 1HE
S1ILLEI 1LNGUE
The Chantry of the Stilled Tongue is a maniac splinter
cult of the Maker’s Chantry led by an insane and cor-
rupt spirit that believes it can—through prophecy—
predict which children will eventually become sinners
and heretics. The cult gets its name from its response
to these predictions, which is to cut out the tongues
of these children. The cult’s motivating spirit has had
great success using its powers to warp the minds of its
followers to make such evil actions seem proper and
heroic.
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The cult has been quashed and resurrected a half-
dozen times in the past few decades as its motivating
spirit fnds new victims to possess. The spirit currently
calls itself Mother Brianna. She answered the pleas of
a young woman who was abused by her father and
ignored by her mother. The spirit helped her enact ven-
geance against her parents and then possessed her shat-
tered mind. Mother Brianna is forthcoming about her
nature as a spirit possessing a willing mortal, but she
claims to not be a demon. Instead, she claims to be one
of the noble spirits that inhabit the Fade but occasion-
ally fnd their way back to mortal lands. She is lying,
even to herself.
Unknown to the cultists, Bann Nicola made a bargain
with this spirit decades ago. When the spirit is moved
to return to the world of the living, it visits the bann in
her dreams. She then funds the cult’s resurgence. Bann
Nicola waits until public fear and outrage at the cult’s
crimes swell, then dispatches Baranti house guards to
stamp the risen cult out. The spirit sees its relation-
ship to Bann Nicola as a twisted competition wherein it
tries to claim as many victims as possible before being
stopped. The spirit fnds the rivalry entertaining, and
Bann Nicola recruits the best of the mute children out
of her orphanages to study the Maker’s teachings and
become secret-takers at Andraste’s Ear.
ANIPAS1E’S EAP
The spiritual heart of the Dregs, a working-class neigh-
borhood in Dererim, is a small chantry known as
Andraste’s Ear. After the old chapel burned down and
the neighborhood went without for almost two years,
Bann Nicola funded the construction of a new chantry
to serve the area. Andraste’s Ear attracts no parishioners
of note and receives very little funding from the greater
Chantry, but it serves the Dregs as a dearly appreciated
spiritual refuge.
The chantry is best known for—and receives its name
from—its local tradition of “Andraste’s Ear,” whereby
local parishioners salve their souls on a designated day
each week by unburdening themselves of all the acts
of evil they have committed or know about by telling
them in secret to the brothers and sisters of the chantry,
who are all mute. These secrets and confessions are
transcribed by the priests—since most of the parish-
ioners in the Dregs are not literate—and placed into
the locked Box of Cleansing Flame, a sacred container
at the front of the chapel. It is well-known that before
the next dawn the mother of the chantry burns every
note unread, finging the ash into the air, sending the
secrets into the wind for only Andraste’s spirit to hear.
Nearly every parishioner of Andraste’s Ear reports a
great and spiritual happiness at the act of confession,
a feeling that keeps them returning for weekly services
and makes them exceptionally loyal to this pillar of the
neighborhood.
Andraste’s Ear is run by Mother Gabriella, a diligent
and serious woman who is not herself mute but who
was raised at one of the Baranti orphanages. She is
assisted by three priests, also from the orphanages, who
are all mute survivors of the Stilled Tongue’s depraved
ceremonies of years past. They all take their jobs seri-
ously, and everyone who attends Andraste’s Ear has
complete and utter faith in their honesty and piety.
Staging Political Adventures
An adventure focused on espionage, intrigue, and politics is different from a more traditional monster-oriented
quest. A traditional adventure often has highly discrete encounter areas where monsters await the heroes. For
each encounter, the monsters’ goals and tactics are clear. The villain provides, frst and foremost, a physical or
magical challenge.
In comparison, a political adventure’s villain can be physically weak while simultaneously able to direct vast
power. In A Fragile Web, the antagonist is an elderly woman, but one who has the power to turn the entire
city of Denerim against the PCs if they’re foolish enough to oppose her openly. Once the PCs realize that
Bann Nicola is secretly behind many of their troubles, they may want to rampage in and kill her. Although
Dragon Age players are always free to make their own choices in whatever way they want—that’s the fun of
roleplaying!—it’s up to you to make sure they understand the likely fallout, and realize that, for example,
publicly discrediting Bann Nicola may be more effective.
As the PCs move through the encounters of A Fragile Web, think of Bann Nicola as the keystone in the arch of
Denerim’s social order; remove her and the city crumbles to the ground as damming secrets come to light about
very important people who don’t want their dirty laundry aired in public. No one, even Bann Nicola’s enemies,
wants that. Think of this adventure as a dance in which Bann Nicola carefully deploys her resources while the
PCs must fnd some way to thwart her on her own turf, by some means other than pulling out their swords.
The players are likely to be creative in approaching the challenges arrayed against them. Be prepared to allow
unusual plans. Carefully consider any idea the players come up with, thinking about how it will ripple out
through the city and how Bann Nicola would react. Then, proceed accordingly.
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A Fragile Web
In reality, of course, the burned scraps are blank, and
the written secrets fnd their way to Bann Nicola’s spy-
masters.
The mute brothers and sisters of the chapel were
selected for the role because of a propensity to follow
orders and not ask questions. Even so, and while they
are appreciative of the ways Bann Nicola has helped
them in their unfortunate lives, they are loyal to the
chantry and unaware of the betrayal of the secrets of
Andraste’s Ear.
Mother Gabriella is extremely pious, but was trapped
long ago. While serving as a sister at a different chantry
during the Orlesian occupation, she was ordered to
report to her superiors the secrets of certain troublesome
Fereldans—secrets that she had learned in confdence.
Young and impressionable, Gabriella did as commanded.
Most of those whom she betrayed, along with their fami-
lies, were tortured and slain. When Gabriella’s revered
mother assigned her to lead a chantry in the Dregs some
years later, Gabriella saw it as a sign from the Maker that
she would have an opportunity to cleanse her guilty
soul. But Mother Gabriella soon discovered that some-
one knew of her past indiscretions and expected her to
continue sharing her parishioners’ secrets. She is tortured
by her inability to escape this situation but doesn’t see
a way out, and believes that on the balance she’s doing
more good than harm in the Dregs.
The job of gathering secrets has been made far easier at
Andraste’s Ear by a magical Tevinter artifact present in
the chapel. This white stone statue in the shape of a cat
makes people genuinely happy when they tell secrets
near it. Bann Nicola paid a small fortune for the relic in
her youth, but it’s been worth every copper, as it keeps
locals returning week after week to unwittingly feed
what they know into Bann Nicola’s pipeline of espio-
nage.
1HE SLCIE1Y lLP
1HE PES1LPA1ILN Ll
IH!EPIAL PULE
Not everyone was happy with the end of Orlesian rule
in Ferelden. For three-quarters of an age enterprising
Orlesian nobles moved to Denerim to seek fame and
fortune, and became the heart of Denerim’s aristocracy.
When Meghren was overthrown many of these Orlesian
nobles were cut down by angry Fereldan mobs. Those
who survived the purge and remained in Denerim
were forced to swear fealty to King Maric. Although
forced to give back their lands, most were compensated
based on what King Maric felt was fair. Many of these
enriched but landless Orlesians remained in Denerim
and became merchants, altering their names to sound
more Fereldan.
A core of these Orlesian expatriates went on to form
the Society for the Restoration of Imperial Rule. While
nominally dedicated to the restoration of an Orlesian
king to Ferelden, in truth the Restorationists are more
of a social club. Its wealthy members have comfortable
lives and no wish to risk their comfort in revolution.
Still, the existence of the group is technically treason, so
the Restorationists are careful to remain hidden.
While most Restorationists have Fereldan names, each
member selects an Orlesian name to use for secret busi-
ness. Thus, Osgood the fshmonger might be known to
his secret confederates as “Guillaume.”
The Restorationists essentially control the merchants’
guild. Recently, their concerted efforts to keep their
profts high have resulted in higher street prices for
imported goods. While this has little effect on common-
ers, nobles have recently found the prices of luxuries
and bulk goods more expensive than they’d wish. Bann
Nicola is especially vexed by this situation, as maintain-
ing her espionage network is very expensive.
SEP BASIL 1HE BAS1API
Ser Basil is a Restorationist in his early 30s, the offspring
of an elf prostitute and an Orlesian bann named Luc.
When Basil was born, Bann Nicola offered to take care
of the noble’s impending scandal by fostering Basil into
one of her orphanages.
When Basil came of age, Bann Nicola told him of his her-
itage and arranged for him to serve an arl in Ferelden’s
outlands. He soon attained knighthood.
Now a noble, Ser Basil has returned to Denerim. Bann
Nicola’s spymaster Crannoch secretly helped him fnd
his way to the Restorationists. Ser Basil has proven to be
a dedicated and loyal member, choosing for himself the
Orlesian sobriquet “Xavier.” Crannoch further ensured
that Ser Basil learned that his father’s lands had been
given to a Fereldan bann named Gordon Curwen, after
Curwen slew Ser Basil’s father.
Bann Curwen has a daughter, Tanith. In the coming
days, Bann Nicola will throw a grand ball to announce
publicly Tanith’s engagement to Adric, who is Nicola’s
grandson and the scion of House Baranti.
Bann Nicola has invited Ser Basil to the event, knowing
that he wants to rectify his family’s dishonor by convinc-
ing Bann Curwen to offer Tanith’s hand to him. Ser Basil
will learn at the event that Tanith has been promised to
Adric instead, but Bann Nicola’s machinations will take
things one step further: She has hired an elven assassin
to kill Bann Curwen, Tanith, and even her own grandson
Adric. Her plan is that Ser Basil will discover the bodies
and then be implicated by his own squire—who is
secretly in Bann Nicola’s employ—as having both hired
the assassin (to eliminate Curwen and Adric) and killed
Tanith (upon her rejection of his offer of marriage).
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A Fragile Web
ADRIC BARANTI
Adric is Bann Nicola’s only grandson. An accomplished
warrior, he is also a handsome and charming woman-
izer who enjoys the role of local celebrity.
Adric is brighter than he appears, and has fgured out
just enough about his grandmother’s schemes to sus-
pect she was behind his parents’ deaths. He inherited
his grandmother’s cold ambition without her thirst
for popular acclaim. Although he has not yet moved
against Bann Nicola, he believes that day will come.
Ruthlessly opportunistic, he won’t hesitate to plunge
Denerim society into chaos if need be. He can either be
an ally or enemy to the PCs, depending on how they
handle him.
Adric isn’t thrilled with the marriage being arranged
for him (not that he has bothered to meet Tanith). He’s
BANDO
Bann Nicola’s social secretary.
Abilities & Focuses
communicAtion 5 (deception, etiquette, persuAsion);
constitution 2 (stAminA); cunning 3 (culturAl lore,
religious lore); dexterity 0; mAgic –2; perception 3
(empAthy); strength 2; WillpoWer 2 (selF-discipline).
In addition to eliminating a troublesome grandchild,
Bann Nicola hopes to throw ultimate blame for the
assassination plot on the Restorationists and the city
elves, inciting purges of both. The stature of her house
will increase (for having brought these foul machina-
tions to light) and she’ll get more control over com-
merce in Denerim in the bargain. Implicating elves
amounts to a handy bonus. Bann Nicola knows that
the king has been looking for a good excuse to purge
the Alienage, and she’s sure he’ll be grateful if she can
provide it.
Major NPCs
The following sections provide statistics and details on
the major NPCs.
BANN NICOLA BARANTI
Bann Nicola Baranti is a Fereldan woman in her 70s,
physically frail but exceptionally strong-willed. She
is absolutely charming and projects an image tanta-
mount to saintliness. While clearly proud, she culti-
vates a public sense of good humor, laughing at her
own foibles, that makes her easy to like. This is an act;
she invariably rages about perceived slights in private,
but she never lets her public mask slip. Bann Nicola is
terrifed of public humiliation, and so has built a social
armor of public goodwill.
Bann Nicola surrounds herself with individuals who are
charming and bright (to a point), but who are not partic-
ularly inquisitive—good conversationalists who won’t
pry, essentially. Her servants are kindlier and more
physically attractive than most in Denerim; she does not
tolerate cruelty in her guards or servants, and dismisses
anyone who could spoil her good reputation.
BANDO
Bando, Bann Nicola’s social secretary and advisor,
is a male dwarf who prefers not to discuss the rea-
sons he left Orzammar other than to say, “A lady was
involved.” He is fully loyal and fully within Bann Nic-
ola’s confdence. He is precise in his words and actions,
and notorious for successfully organizing social events
under crushing pressures of time and ego. Anyone who
wishes to speak to Bann Nicola must satisfy Bando frst.
BANN NICOLA BARANTI
Charming aristocrat and cunning mastermind.
Abilities & Focuses
communicAtion 8 (bArgAining, deception, persuAsion,
seduction); constitution –1; cunning 5 (culturAl lore);
dexterity 0; mAgic –1; perception 6 (empAthy); strength
–2; WillpoWer 0 (courAge, selF-discipline)
taken to venting his displeasure by faunting romantic
conquests in front of his grandmother.
CRANNOCH
Crannoch is Bann Nicola’s fanatically loyal senior spy-
master. A grizzled man in his 60s, Crannoch does not
appear personally in this adventure, as he is currently out
of Denerim in Orzammar, handling his mistress’s busi-
ness. Crannoch knows about, understands, and approves
of every secret scheme that Bann Nicola orchestrates.
Crannoch makes an excellent continuing nemesis for
the PCs if they take down Bann Nicola. Whether his
loyalty transfers to Adric in the event of Nicola’s death
or ouster remains to be seen.
MARISSA
Marissa is Bann Nicola’s junior spymaster. Another of
Bann Nicola’s orphans, Marissa was raised as Cran-
noch’s foster daughter. She is mousy but attractive, and
a Circle mage. While dangerous and cunning, she is not
as loyal to Bann Nicola as Crannoch is, and ultimately
ADRIC BARANTI
Womanizer, heir, and dilettante.
Abilities (Focuses)
4 communicAtion (deception, persuAsion)
3 constitution
2 cunning
4 dexterity (light blAdes, riding)
0 mAgic
1 perception
4 strength (heAvy blAdes)
1 WillpoWer (courAge)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
14 60 14 10
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bAstArd sWord +6 2d6+5
short sWord +6 1d6+6
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Dual Strike and Lightning Attack.
Class Powers (Warrior 5): Stunt Bonus (Dual Strike 3 SP).
talents: Armor Training (Journeyman), Dual Weapon
Style (Journeyman), Single Weapon Style (Novice), Thrown
Weapon Style (Novice), and Unarmed Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Heavy Blades, and Light
Blades.
equipment
heAvy plAte Armor, bAstArd sWord, And short sWord.
MARISSA
Junior spymaster and mage.
Abilities (Focuses)
2 communicAtion (deception)
1 constitution
3 cunning (ArcAne lore, historicAl lore)
4 dexterity (light blAdes)
4 mAgic (ArcAne lAnce)
2 perception
0 strength
3 WillpoWer (selF-discipline)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
14 36 14 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
ArcAne lAnce +8 1d6+6 16 yArds
short sWord +6 1d6+2 —
PoWers
sPellPoWer: 14 mana: 36
favoreD stunts: Mighty Blow and Pierce Armor.
Class PoWers (maGe 4): Arcane Lance and Spell Lance.
talents: Contacts (Journeyman), Linguistics (Novice–Orle-
sian), and Lore (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Brawling and Staves.
sPells: Flame Blast, Glyph of Paralysis, Rock Armor, Weak-
ness, and Winter’s Grasp.
equipment
WAnd, short sWord, And journAl oF conFessions (see Part
4: 5. the final ConneCtion).
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spread word of her fortuitous survival (not to mention
the heroism of her bodyguards).
Plague
Nearly 40 years ago, Bann Nicola’s agents poisoned the
wells in the Elven Alienage, then “researched” and pro-
vided a cure to the plague before more than a few hun-
dred had perished. The older elves remain appreciative
to this day for her kindness to them in their time of
need. Much of the Denerim real estate owned by Bann
Nicola was purchased for rock-bottom prices from city-
dwellers feeing the heinous disease.
Sinking Ships
Bann Nicola’s agents hire saboteurs to sink trade vessels
making port in Denerim’s harbor during storms with
some frequency. House Baranti sailors are frequently
nearby to rescue the survivors, and rescued sailors are
always put up in dockside Baranti property for free
until they are able to get back on their feet. The most
recent casualty was a ship called the Saltdagger, sunk to
the bottom of the harbor earlier this year.
offers up what she knows of Bann Nicola in exchange
for her life and (if she can manage it) the safety of her
lover, Lorraine, who is Ser Basil’s squire.
CAPTAIN BRAEDON
Captain Braedon is the head of Bann Nicola’s house
guard. He’s a solid man in his 40s, serious and char-
ismatic, honorable and solid, and prone to fury when
angered. Braedon is an extremely dangerous foe, and
fercely loyal to his mistress. He doesn’t know about
any of the bann’s blackmail schemes, but it wouldn’t
change his outlook much if he did—the relationships
among the nobility amount to strange business he’s
pleased not to understand or be personally involved
in. On the other hand, having proof of Bann Nicola’s
involvement in the Stilled Tongue cult’s perverse
activities would rouse his fury to the point that he
could probably be goaded into running his mis-
tress through…at which point he’d likely fall on his
sword for his own involvement—unwitting though it
was—in House Baranti’s recurring dance with the cult
in Denerim.
It’s conceivable that Braedon could die in Part 1: The
Chantry of the Stilled Tongue. If that happens, the
various roles he plays in later encounters fall to various
other associates and hirelings of Bann Nicola.
Optional
Subplots
Bann Nicola has been busy over the years, and the
number of intrigues she’s masterminded to make House
Baranti look good defes imagination. A sampling of past
plots is included below. Any of these can be brought into
A Fragile Web as an optional subplot, with their survi-
vors or injured parties asking the PCs for help to discover
the truth about what’s happened to them.
Fire
Denerim’s buildings are close-packed, and substantial
fres break out from time to time. Crannoch has paid
arsonists on more than one occasion to set such con-
fagrations, usually in slums or parts of the city owned
by those whose property Bann Nicola would like to
purchase. House Baranti guards are usually on hand to
help control the fre and usher innocents to safety, earn-
ing glory for her family. Bann Nicola’s enemies have
frequently been framed for these acts of arson.
Assassination
Being important enough to be a target of assassina-
tion is quite prestigious, and from time to time Bann
Nicola’s spymasters engineer a fake attempt on her life.
These take place in highly public areas, the better to
CAPTAIN BRAEDON
Noble head of the Baranti house guard.
Abilities (Focuses)
3 communicAtion (leAdership)
2 constitution (stAminA)
0 cunning (militAry lore)
3 dexterity (light blAdes, riding)
–1 mAgic
1 perception
5 strength (heAvy blAdes)
3 WillpoWer (courAge)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
13 40 15 10
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
long sWord +7 2d6+5
dAgger +5 1d6+6
crossboW +1 2d6+2 30/60 yArds
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Disarm and Defensive Stance.
Class PoWers (Warrior 4): Stunt Bonus (Dual Strike 3 SP).
talents: Armor Training (Journeyman), Single Weapon
Style (Novice), Weapon and Shield Style (Journeyman).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Heavy Blades, Light
Blades, and Spears.
equipment
heAvy plAte Armor, medium shield, long sWord, dAgger,
crossboW, And 20 bolts.
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A Fragile Web
Monsters
Whenever Bann Nicola feels her public adulation is
dropping she surreptitiously imports monsters from
elsewhere in Thedas and has them released in the city.
Her sponsored adventurers of the hour are dispatched
to hunt down the creatures before too many citizens are
slain. Past monsters have included giant spiders, Kor-
cari crocodiles, and a werewolf.
Banditry
Bann Nicola occasionally funds bandits who stop cara-
vans from bringing some particular good to Denerim.
She continues to provide her house’s stocks of that
type of good at reasonable prices as a charity, and sends
her guards out to destroy the bandits.
Feuds Among Nobles
Time and time again, Bann Nicola has found it convenient
to carefully set other noble houses to fghting against each
other through misinformation and whispered rumors.
Inevitably, both families are weakened, and come out of
the confict looking selfsh and petulant.
External Military Threats
Bann Nicola has funded foreign mercenaries to raid
Ferelden when she feels the king has allowed the
Troubleshooting PC Motivations
Adventures like A Fragile Web, which focus primarily on the intrigues between characters, are different from
adventures whose primary challenges are martial or physical. One of the critical differences is that often, a
small decision on the PCs’ part can be enough to derail your best-laid plans and send the game in an entirely
unforeseen direction. This is neither good nor bad; it simply is. And for the Dragon Age RPG to function as a
game where the PCs are pressed to make moral choices and live with the consequences, it must be.
There are at least two points in A Fragile Web that are particularly susceptible to the players making plot-
derailing choices such as these.
The frst is that the players may not be suffciently motivated by Ser Greta’s situation (or Andiel’s plight) to
become involved in the investigation of who is blackmailing Ser Greta. If they simply decline this mission, it
can seem like a roadblock thate brings the entire adventure to a standstill.
The second is that even upon discovering that Bann Nicola is involved in nefarious activities, the PCs may
simply not care, coming down on the side of their own fnancial expediency over any moral implications of
Bann Nicola’s questionable acts.
Both of these problems—and similar problems that may arise both in A Fragile Web or elsewhere in your
Dragon Age campaign—can be solved with either of two different general approaches.
The frst approach is to simply improvise logically from the situation at hand, going as far afeld from your
original plans as logic and drama require. If the PCs choose not to take up the job Andiel sets before them, so
what? Simply move on to the next thing, presenting them with some other adventure. If the PCs aren’t wor-
ried about Bann Nicola’s plans and plottings once they learn about them, so be it. That’s a fne time for you
to present them with a new mission to undertake on her behalf that’s even more unsavory than the last. The
advantage of this approach is that it plays to the strength of a tabletop roleplaying game, that anything the
players can imagine can happen, whether anyone thought of it in advance or not. The disadvantage is that it
can be unfulflling for players who’re used to the neat stories presented in flms and novels.
The second approach is to perform triage in order to re-orient events to the planned spineplot. As GM, you simply
fgure out the shortest route to getting the PCs back on track and dangle that in front of them until things are once
more moving in the direction you prefer. If the PCs don’t care about Andiel’s problem, perhaps they’d be more
motivated if Ser Greta herself came to them, offering more money or some political opportunity that you know
the heroesy covet. If the PCs aren’t alarmed that Bann Nicola is learning privy to the secrets of the Andraste’s
Ear confessionals, perhaps they’ll be more alarmed once they somehow learn that she’s planning to have Bann
Curwen killed. The advantage of this approach is that it best preserves the preparation you may have put into
reading this the adventure, or creating your own. The disadvantage is that it can make the players feel like they’re
being manipulated, which can harm the illusion that they’re the masters of their heroes’ characters’ fates.
Neither approach—improvisation or triage—is right for every GM, every group of players, every adventure,
or every situation. Sometimes a mix of the two strategies is most appropriate when solving a problem of Player
Character motivation. Simply be aware of both options, here in A Fragile Web as well as in your own political
adventures, and use each as seems appropriate.
89
A Fragile Web
national defenses to grow weak. While technically
treasonous, she views these as acts of great patriotism,
since the attacks ultimately lead to a strengthening of
Ferelden’s military and provide a common enemy for
Fereldans to detest. Her preferred foils in such affairs
are easily manipulated Orlesian hotheads.
PART 1
The Chantry
of the Stilled
Tongue
The adventure begins as the PCs are moving through
Denerim’s streets shortly before midnight on a misty
night. Mother Brianna has sent four groups of cultists
out into the city to return with kidnapped children and
fresh tongues. The PCs stumble upon one such group
with a kidnapped, tongueless boy in tow. After dealing
with these obvious malefactors, the heroes join forces
with Bann Nicola’s house guard to defeat the other
groups moving through the city. The PCs eventually
wind up at the cultists’ headquarters where they con-
front the cultists’ insane leader.
The primary goal of these encounters is to introduce
the PCs to House Baranti as friends and allies who seek
to do good in the city, and to give the PCs a reason to
meet Bann Nicola. It also provides a link between the
Chantry of the Stilled Tongue, the Baranti orphanages,
and the Andraste’s Ear chantry. This will be an impor-
tant set of connections for the PCs to understand later
in the adventure, when they begin to suspect that
House Baranti might actually be organizing and fund-
ing these cultists.
If any of the characters are from Denerim they may
already know the good reputation of Bann Nicola and
her house, and may even personally know some of her
guardsmen.
Environs: Denerim
Any given Fereldan city was likely once a lone fort or
castle where the region’s people could be gathered in
case of attack. Over decades and ages, though, build-
ings grow up outside these fortifcations as the dangers
of war recede. This has been the case with Denerim.
The core castle remains—and in fact, has grown into a
full-fedged fortress—while the city has grown rapidly
around it.
Today, most of the streets in Denerim are made of
packed dirt, with only the wealthier streets being fully
cobbled. Buildings have been laid down—and thus,
streets and alleys formed—haphazardly, according
to no common plan. At best, buildings are arranged
according to their functions. Inns and taverns are found
near the city’s gates; trade markets are surrounded by
shops, warehouses, and guild-houses; and in between
them all, houses are packed practically on top of one
another.
One’s social standing can be measured by how close
one lives to Fort Drakon, the highest edifce in Den-
erim. Near the fortress can be found noble estates,
wide parkways, beautiful chantries, and the homes of
merchant princes. Further down the hill, the Market
District is the heart of Denerim’s bustling trade. Den-
erim’s Poor Quarter, near the base of the hill, has been
accurately called a labyrinth, on top of being flthy
from both the mud in the roads and the lack of a
proper sewage system. The worst of the Poor Quarter
is the Elven Alienage, which is walled off from the rest
of the city.
By civilized standards Fereldan cities are anarchic,
and Denerim is no exception. The Fereldan penchant
for personal freedom engenders a laissez-faire attitude
towards law enforcement and public behavior in gen-
eral. The King’s Patrol is intended more to defend the
city and keep order rather than to enforce the laws,
though it has expanded into the latter role, to a certain
extent, over time. Even so, while the worst offenses are
put down, petty crimes are often ignored and the citi-
“Denerim, the capital of Ferelden, began as an outpost of the ancient Tevinter Imperium. Its
mages rose up a dark tower from the side of a mountain, a symbol of the Imperium’s power.
As the Imperium faded, the tower passed to the hands of the teyrns that ruled the region for
a millennium. Today that tower still stands as Fort Drakon, immediately recognizable to
any ship that approaches the rocky coast. The city that has sprung up around it has almost
been carved out of the side of the mountain it rests on, and during the Dragon Age, its
population has grown beyond the city’s ability to cope. The cramped districts, joined to each
other by a network of bridges, are built one almost on top of the other. The narrow streets
of the Lower Docks have an almost labyrinthine quality, and the walled-off Elven Alienage
is so overpopulated that several purges have been required to keep order in the last decade
alone.”
—From In PursuIt of Knowledge: the travels of a Chantry sCholar, by Brother Genitivi
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A Fragile Web
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A Fragile Web
A successful TN 9 Perception (Seeing) test makes it
clear that some awful trauma has befallen the carried
boy; blood still dribbles from his mouth.
If questioned, the burly man speaks for the group while
they edge around the PCs, clearly in a rush. They are
in a hurry to get back to their headquarters on Cooper
Street. Although not aware that they’re already being
pursued, they’re certainly aware that pursuit will be
forthcoming.
The burly man’s responses to religious questions are
dubious. (“We cleanse the unclean! We render that
heresy unspoken which cannot be unsaid! Out of our
way, lest the Maker’s wrath fall on you as well!”) A TN
9 Cunning (Religious Lore) test suggests that, doctrin-
ally speaking, these apparent kidnappers are on shaky
ground to say the least.
zenry left to their own recourses. Commerce is largely
unregulated as long as taxes are paid. Businesses such
as brothels and gambling halls are not only tolerated
but expected.
Environs: The Dregs
The Dregs, in which Part 1: The Chantry of the Stilled
Tongue takes place, is a working-class neighborhood
of servants and laborers in Denerim’s Poor Quarter,
located west of the Market District and north of the
River Drakon. Its streets are fat and food when it
rains.
The Dregs is safer than some Poor Quarter neighbor-
hoods because the locals do their best to keep out crimi-
nals and riff-raff, to keep their children and their homes
safe. In this regard, the Dregs has much in common
with the Elven Alienage: Its residents know and look
out for each other as long as they can do so without put-
ting themselves in danger. Even so, it isn’t uncommon
for locals to make a point of traveling in groups after
dark for safety’s sake, or for outsiders passing through
to hire armed escorts.
I CUL1IS1S IN 1HE HIS1
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
The PCs stumble into Stilled Tongue cultists
carrying a fresh victim, a young boy whose
tongue has been recently cut out.
It’s a cool and misty night in Denerim. All but
the nearest torches and lanterns are glowing
blobs of light hanging in midair. The city smells
like a wet dog.
In this kind of mist you can hear people
approaching long before you can see them. You’d
peg the half-dozen or so pairs of feet pounding
toward you in the darkness as guardsmen if it
weren’t for the horrible gurgling.
Five people emerge from the mist. All wear
off-white robes stained with blood. One carries
a child’s body over his shoulder.
The cultists are three men and two women. The child is
eight years old, unconscious, his tongue cut out of his
mouth moments before. Allow each PC to declare his
immediate response and take those actions into account
while the group of fve stops:
When they see you, the fve slow to a halt. “Go
about your business, strangers,” spits the burly
man carrying the child. “This is the Maker’s
work.”
Night Atmosphere
While the PCs are outdoors during Part 1: The
Chantry of the Stilled Tongue they are affected
by the dark misty conditions of this Denerim night.
They suffer a –2 penalty on most Perception tests,
as well as ranged attack rolls.
STILLED TONGUE CULTISTS
Misguided religious zealots.
Abilities (Focuses)
2 communicAtion
1 constitution
–1 cunning
3 dexterity (light blAdes)
0 mAgic
2 perception
3 strength
1 WillpoWer (courAge, selF-discipline)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
12 30 14 4
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
short sWord +5 1d6+5
dAgger +5 1d6+4
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Knock Prone (so they can fee the scene).
talents: Single Weapon Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Light Blades, and Staves.
equipment
loose robe over heAvy leAther Armor, dAgger, And short
sWord. their leAder (the one cArrying the boy) Also hAs
the boy’s tongue And A scrAp oF pAper With Four Addresses
on it, one oF Which is circled.
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A Fragile Web
If the heroes attack the cultists they draw their weapons
(and drop the boy) and fght to the death.
After the fght, a PC making a TN 7 Cunning (Heal-
ing) test discovers that the boy’s tongue has been cut
out with a knife. A heal action, or healing magic, stops
his bleeding and leaves him unconscious. Additional
healing magic wakes him and he immediately begins
to gurgle out horrifed screams.
Given an opportunity to refect (in other words, after
the fght), a PC who makes a TN 15 Cunning (Reli-
gious Lore) test recalls that a cult known as the Chantry
of the Stilled Tongue seems to surface in Denerim every
few years, no matter how effectively it was stamped out
the last time. Their modus operandi—as far as the suc-
cessful PC can recall—is to kidnap children and cut out
their tongues, usually murdering their parents in the
process. No one particularly understands the doctrine
behind their actions. The most common theory is that
the cult believes these children will one day speak here-
sies against the Maker. No one knows how the children
are selected.
As the PCs are trying to fgure out what to do next, more
footsteps are heard coming up the street. Moments
later, four men in heavy mail, carrying swords, appear
out of the mist, the emblem of House Baranti embla-
zoned on their shields.
2 1HE BAPAN1I GUAPI
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
House Baranti guardsmen arrive and enlist the
PCs’ aid in tracking down other cultists.
You hear their running feet before you see them,
and then four men in heavy mail, carrying
swords in hand, appear out of the mist. They
stop when they see the bodies, and one speaks:
“I’m Braedon, captain of Bann Nicola Baran-
ti’s house guard.” He indicates the corpses of
the cultists and continues: “We learned these
bastards were out again tonight. We weren’t fast
enough to stop the frst kidnapping. Thank the
Maker you dealt with this one.”
Braedon brandishes a piece of paper with four
addresses on it, similar to the one you just found.
“There are two more groups out there, and no
time. Who are you people? Can you help?”
Captain Braedon’s statistics are given in the Major
NPCs section. The statistics for his rank and fle guards-
men appear in this section. It requires only a TN 7 Cun-
ning (Heraldry) test to correctly identify the House
Baranti emblems on the guards’ shields.
93
A Fragile Web
A TN 9 Perception (Empathy) test suggests that Brae-
don is angry with himself, likely for having failed to
stop two kidnappings.
If interrogated, Braedon explains more about his suspi-
cion that these are cultists of the Chantry of the Stilled
Tongue, and offers the basic information about the cult
that the PCs may or may not have recalled based on
their test in the previous encounter.
Assuming that the PCs are willing to help track down
the remaining cultists, Braedon proposes a plan:
“There’re two more addresses. Take the one on
Tern Street. We’ll take Dogget Lane, and I’ll leave
one of my men to see to the boy.” He adds, under
his breath, regarding the boy: “We came from his
house. Parents murdered.” He grimaces.
“If we don’t see each other again tonight,
look for me tomorrow at Bann Nicola Baranti’s
manor. There’s a reward in it.” Without waiting
for your assent, Braedon and his men head out.
The address on Tern Street is in this same neighbor-
hood, about fve blocks away toward the river.
BARANTI GUARDSMEN
Professional soldiers in Bann Nicola’s employ
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion
2 constitution (stAminA)
0 cunning (militAry lore)
2 dexterity (boWs)
0 mAgic
0 perception
4 strength (heAvy blAdes)
1 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
12 40 14 7
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
long sWord +6 2d6+4
dAgger +2 1d6+3
crossboW +4 2d6+1 30/60 yArds
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Disarm and Skirmish.
talents: Archery Style (Novice), Armor Training (Novice),
and Weapon and Shield Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Heavy Blades, and Spears.
equipment
heAvy mAil Armor, medium shield, long sWord, dAgger,
crossboW, And 20 bolts.
ò 1EPN S1PEE1 CUL1IS1S
COMBAT ENCOUNTER
The PCs arrive at a kidnapping in progress.
If the PCs didn’t delay before coming to Tern Street,
they arrive while the cultists are inside the house and
the family is still alive. In that case, read this:
As you approach, nothing seems out of the ordi-
nary at the Tern Street house. The house is dark
inside save for a single dim light, probably from
a single candle. Make a Perception (Seeing or
Hearing) test.
Given any substantial delay, though, the heroes arrive
after the girl’s tongue has been cut out and after her
family has been slain. If that’s what happened:
As you approach the house on Tern Street, you
see that the front door is hanging open and the
house is dark. What do you do?
The basic timeline of events is as follows:
When the fve cultists arrived here (at about the same time
the PCs were talking to Braedon) a noisy entrance gave
the family enough time to lock themselves in the bedroom
of their small house, but it’s only a matter of time before
the cultists manage to break through the barricaded door.
If the PCs did not delay, they arrive as three cultists
are in the front room doing their best to break open the
door. One of their fellows is keeping watch in the alley
behind the house to prevent any escape through the
windows while the ffth—an apostate mage—prepares
to hurl an arcane bolt at the door.
The dim light is not a candle, but rather, the apostate’s
active Spell Wisp.
Cultist Kidnapping
DraGon
Die
sPotteD or hearD
1 You hear muffed shouting and screaming from
inside. Sounds like someone’s crying for help!
2–3 You can also hear thumping and cursing—like
someone’s trying to break down a door.
4–5 The light in the window doesn’t ficker like a
candle would. It looks like some kind of magic
to you. (On a further TN 13 Cunning (Arcane
Lore) test, the fact that the light is a Spell Wisp
can be ascertained.)
6 You see a shadow move across a wall near an
entrance to the alley that you’d guess runs
behind the house. There’s someone back there.
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A Fragile Web
Success at the TN 11 Perception (Seeing or Hearing)
test reveals information that depends on the dragon
die. If multiple PCs succeed at the Perception test,
spread the information on the Cultist Kidnapping
table, up to and including their best dragon die result
among them.
The four mundane cultists have the same stats as those
the heroes fought in Part 1: 1. Cultists in the Mist. The
apostate’s statistics are given below.
If they come under attack, the cultists fght back, to the
death. If an audible fght breaks out between the PCs
and the cultists inside the house, the back-alley cultist
circles around to the front, hoping to attack the heroes
from behind.
The girl targeted by the cultists is named Tessa. Neither
she nor her dockworker parents, Hother and Lania,
have any idea why they might have been singled out
for this attack. They’re a poor family of no particular
distinction, and they remain inside the barricaded
bedroom until killed by the cultists or coaxed forth by
PCs making a TN 11 Communication (Persuasion)
test. In the meantime, they continue screaming and
shouting for help.
The apostate has a note just like the one the PCs found
in the alley and Braedon had in his hand (save that the
Tern Street address is circled). Here, however, there’s
something else scribbled on the back:
Stilled Tongues Speak No Heresy! Bring to Mother
Brianna. End of Cooper Lane.
If the PCs dallied on their way to Tern Street and dis-
cover the house door hang-
ing open, they’re too late.
Hother and Lania lie dead
and Tessa is gone. You have
two options:
• You can allow the PCs
a TN 11 Perception
(Hearing) test to
catch the sound of
the cultists feeing
the scene with Tessa
over their shoulder;
pursuit presumably
ensues.
• Alternately, you can
simply allow the PCs
to fail. In that case,
the PCs meet Bann
Nicola (assuming that
they go to her manor
house either that
night or the next day)
under less
STILLED TONGUE APOSTATE
Abilities (Focuses)
1 communicAtion (deception)
0 constitution
2 cunning (nAturAl lore)
2 dexterity (stAves)
4 mAgic (ArcAne lAnce)
1 perception
–1 strength
3 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
12 25 12 4*
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
ArcAne
lAnce
+6 1d6+4 16 yArds
quArterstAFF +4 1d6 —
PoWers
sPellPoWer: 14 mana: 26 (18*)
favoreD stunts: Mighty Spell.
Class PoWers (maGe 2): Arcane Lance.
sPells: Arcane Bolt, Rock Armor, Spell Wisp, and Walking
Bomb.
talents: Chirurgy (Novice) and Lore (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Brawling and Staves.
*from roCk armor **AFter spell Wisp And rock Armor
equipment
quArterstAFF, dAgger, And WAnd.
95
A Fragile Web
than triumphant circumstances and learn that Brae-
don and the pair of guardsmen he took with him to
Cooper Lane still haven’t been heard from.
Assuming that the PCs fnd the note, they’re likely to
follow up on the Cooper Lane clue next.
4 1HE CHAN1PY Ll 1HE
S1ILLEI 1LNGUE
EXPLORATION AND COMBAT ENCOUNTER
The PCs enter the Stilled Tongue chantry and
confront mad Mother Brianna.
The headquarters of the Chantry of the Stilled Tongue
are in an abandoned building at the end of Cooper
Lane, at the northern end of the Dregs, right up against
the northern city wall.
Having defeated the cultists at Dogget Lane, Braedon
and the surviving Baranti guardsmen have beaten the
PCs to Cooper Lane. Unfortunately for them, they were
beaten unconscious and dragged upstairs to be sacri-
fced at the cult’s convenience.
When the PCs arrive:
From the outside, the building at the end of
Cooper Lane looks no different than those sur-
rounding it. It’s stone, backed right up to the
wall of the city, stands two stories tall, and has
but one door.
What’s your plan?
The following sections
describe the various cham-
bers and rooms shown on
the Chantry of the Stilled
Tongue map.
ENTRY
This room, lit by fickering
torches, is barely furnished.
The flthy foor is cov-
ered by nearly two dozen
straw pallets. Two cultists
wait here in anticipation
of returning kidnappers.
They’re a bit more combat-
worthy than the cultists
the heroes have fought to
this point, and having just
survived Braedon’s attack,
they’ve donned their armor
and have their weapons in
hand (which they wouldn’t
otherwise wear and carry
STILLED TONGUE MUSCLE
Unlike the rank-and-fle sent out to slaughter par-
ents and kidnap children, these cultists are trained
warriors.
Abilities (Focuses)
1 communicAtion
3 constitution (stAminA)
1 cunning
2 dexterity (light blAdes)
–1 mAgic
2 perception (heAring)
5 strength (Axes, climbing)
2 WillpoWer (selF-discipline)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
12 55 12 7
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
tWo-hAnded Axe +7 3d6+5
dAgger +4 1d6+6
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Dual Strike and Mighty Blow.
Class Powers (Warrior 5): Stunt Bonus (Dual Strike 3 SP).
talents: Armor Training (Journeyman), Single Weapon
Style (Novice), and Two-Hander Style (Journeyman).
WeaPon GrouPs: Axes, Bludgeons, Brawling, Heavy Blades,
and Light Blades.
equipment
heAvy mAil Armor, tWo-hAnded Axe, And dAgger.
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A Fragile Web
here) just in case. Their statistics are provided on this
page, at right. They fght to the death.
KITCHEN
This flthy room, lousy with insects and encrusted with
glop, is used as a communal kitchen.
PRAYER ROOM
This meditation room has a bare wooden foor and is
unlit. It is used by cultists to pray for wisdom; in truth,
the meditation practiced here makes it easier for Mother
Brianna to infuence their minds. A small crystal used
in meditation sits in the exact center of the room, and
is worth 90 sp.
COMMON ROOM
The Stilled Tongue cultists use this dingy room to sit,
talk, and pray. If the three dead cultists in the corner
and the uncongealed blood on the foor are any indica-
tion, there’s been a fght here recently. A TN 11 Percep-
tion (Seeing) test suggests that the patterns and quan-
tity of blood originated with more combatants than just
the three corpses that remain. (This is where Braedon
and his men fought the three dead cultists and the two
survivors from the entry.)
RITUAL ROOM
The large upstairs room is bare of furniture, but almost
ffty mirrors line the walls, refecting the room’s interior
in a myriad of strange and disturbing angles. When the
PCs enter:
The upper foor is a single room, bare of furniture,
whose walls are lined with dozens—maybe even
hundreds—of mirrors of every shape and descrip-
tion. In the middle of the room stands a slim, beauti-
ful woman, slowly rotating in place, swaying back
and forth, admiring her many refections. Braedon
and two other unconscious Baranti guardsmen lie
at her feet. The woman turns toward you with an
angelic smile on her face.
“Welcome to the Chantry of the Stilled
Tongue, where the Maker’s chants are sung and
every blasphemy rooted out. Have you stilled
the tongues of the wicked? Have you brought
me my children?” Her eyes suddenly turn hard.
“Where is your offering?” she demands.
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A Fragile Web
If the PCs move to immediately attack, Mother Brianna
(for this is she) tries to treat with them. She wants them
to understand that she is a valorous spirit who does the
Maker’s work by rooting out the iniquitous and profane
before they can sin. If pressed, she offers to depart with-
out fghting. If they refuse, she plants her foot on Brae-
don’s neck and offers them his life in exchange for safe
conduct. Make sure you put Mother Brianna’s Charm
power (see her stat block, below) to the best possible use
when you conduct her interactions with the heroes.
Brianna’s offers to depart peaceably are legitimate, but
her insanity makes it diffcult for her to understand
when mortals are lying to her. That is to say, it’s easy
for the PCs to offer her safe conduct and then ambush
her, if they choose.
MOTHER BRIANNA
An unfortunate young woman possessed by an
insane spirit from the Fade.
Abilities (Focuses)
4 communicAtion
2 constitution
4 cunning (deception, seduction)
3 dexterity
6 mAgic
2 perception
5 strength
4 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
13 60 13 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
clAWs +5 1d6+5
PoWers
Charm: Mother Brianna is supernaturally persuasive. As
long as she can speak, each round she can make one oPPoseD
CommuniCation (seDuCtion) vs. WillPoWer (self-
DisCiPline) test against a single target, or one oPPoseD
CommuniCation (DeCePtion) vs. WillPoWer (self-
DisCiPline) test against all targets who can hear her. She
receives a further +2 bonus to the former type of test because
it allows her to concentrate her power against a single vic-
tim. Every PC whom Mother Brianna beats in a Deception
test may not attack her for a number of rounds equal to her
test’s dragon die. A PC whom she beats in a Seduction test
goes even further, defending her physically from attacks for
a similar number of rounds.
maGiC resistanCe: Mother Brianna gets a +3 on tests to
resist spells or other magical effects.
suPernatural ClaWs: Mother Brianna’s claws do penetrat-
ing damage.
equipment
none.
If the PCs kill Mother Brianna’s host body, its last words
are “…the Maker’s will be done.”
Braedon and the other guardsmen can be roused once
Mother Brianna is dead or has departed, assuming she
hasn’t slain them. They offer hearty thanks and invite
the PCs to meet Bann Nicola the next day, asking where
a formal invitation can be delivered before they hurry
off to make their report to the bann.
A locked chest on the far side of the room contains what
funds the cult possesses. A TN 13 Dexterity (Lock Pick-
ing) test or TN 15 Strength (Might) test are suffcient
get the thing open. Inside is a small pouch containing
1 gp and 55 sp, another pouch containing 113 cp, three
fasks containing lesser healing potions, and two fasks
containing lesser lyrium potions.
PART 2
A Warm Welcome
After hearing about the PCs’ endeavors against the
Stilled Tongue cultists, Bann Nicola wants to meet
them, to discern whether they are a threat or a potential
ally. She is certain that she has left no clues linking her
with the cult, but her longevity is testament to the fact
that it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Environs: Baranti Manor House
Bann Nicola lives in her Denerim manor house; a
competent steward sees to the needs of the farmers
and craftsmen under her theoretical protection in the
greater Bannorn.
Bann Nicola sees her home as a showcase for her class
and sophistication. She’s keenly aware that some of
Denerim’s upper crust might consider her family to
be social upstarts, so she overcompensates, striving to
decorate with taste, creating an imposing home that
reminds visitors of her status and wealth.
The house is situated near the royal palace in Denerim.
Its grounds are surrounded by an eight-foot-high stone
wall with an ornate iron gate. A guard barracks, stable,
and garden house (for the gardener and his supplies)
also sit on the property.
The main manor house consists of four foors. The base-
ment (not mapped) is where the servants live and per-
form menial tasks. There are two outside entrances to
the basement in the front and back of the house, and an
interior staircase allows servants to ascend and descend
to and from the main foor. The other unmapped area is
the attic, which is used for storage.
The two main foors of the manor are mapped (see p.
below) and largely self-explanatory. Guest rooms are
large and can be sub-divided with heavy curtains,
which also helps capture the heat from the freplaces.
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Bann Nicola prefers to sit in the library unless enter-
taining. Adric generally entertains his guests in his
bedroom. Bando is everywhere all at once, a whirlwind
force of household organization.
Unless staying with Bann Nicola, PCs arouse suspicion
if they wander off the main foor.
I A lLPHAL INVI1A1ILN
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs are formally invited to dine with Bann
Nicola.
You are going through your morning routine
when there is a knock on your door. You open
it on a well-dressed, short-haired woman who
carries herself deferentially.
“Good morning, milord(s), I am Sheila, a ser-
vant to Bann Nicola Baranti. May I present an
invitation to dine at Baranti Manor this evening,
in honor of your service to Denerim?”
She extends a fne parchment invitation,
sealed with wax.
The invitation is straightforward, hand-written in a fne
hand.
Sheila would like to return to her mistress with news
of whether the heroes are accepting the invitation, so
she deferentially—and indirectly, if possible—suggests
that the PCs should tell her whether they plan to come
before she leaves.
If she judges it proper based on the PCs’ attitudes
and appearance, Sheila politely offers—on the bann’s
behalf, of course—the services of a fne local tailor
to assemble appropriate dinner outfts. She doesn’t
press if they refuse or seem uninterested, but the
offer is genuine. She provides to any who wish it the
address of a tailor who provides clothing of quality
in just a few hours time, with the bill sent to Bann
Nicola. (At your discretion, the PCs may be pointed
to either Ragnar Traken’s shop, or that of his rival
Kenzie, as a complete coincidence. See Part 5: 2. The
Clothier.)
Before departing, Sheila asks if the PCs require a coach
to collect them in the evening, which she sees is sent if
they do.
If the PCs seek information about Bann Nicola’s reputa-
tion from whatever sources, a TN 11 Cunning (Inves-
tigation) test reveals that Bann Nicola is a woman of
stature known to personally reward those who act
heroically in service of Ferelden and its capital city.
Although some people consider Bann Nicola a snob
despite lowly origins, most locals have a high opinion
of her due to the good works she sponsors.
2 IINNEP VI1H 1HE BANN
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
Bann Nicola thanks the heroes for their ser-
vice to Denerim, and may offer to become their
patron.
Baranti Manor is a beautiful mansion with
manicured gardens just a stone’s throw from
Drakon Castle. While the building’s stone archi-
tecture marks it as one of the oldest mansions in
the city, you can see that many recent improve-
ments have also been made. It is certainly one of
the most elegant buildings on the street.
When the PCs arrive at Bann Nicola’s mansion, they are
treated as heroes regardless of their appearance. Brae-
don greets them at the door and ushers them up the
grand staircase to a lounge on the second foor whose
windows overlook Bann Nicola’s impressive gardens.
Bann Nicola enters the lounge and welcomes the
heroes just a few moments later, offering them drinks
and other refreshments. She’s genuinely appreciative
of their role in helping her guardsmen fght the cult-
ists, and truly interested in hearing their story of those
events as well as about their backgrounds and histo-
ries in general.
If the PCs don’t already know it, she shares a little
background on the Chantry of the Stilled Tongue: how
they reappear from time to time, and how she’s made
it a personal goal to wipe them out. She commiserates
over the sad fate of the poor children whom the cult has
orphaned and rendered mute, mentioning her chari-
table orphanages and the priestly training she has pro-
vided for past victims of the cult.
Captain Braedon, Bando, and Adric join the bann and
the PCs for dinner, which is served on the frst foor.
Adric is accompanied by a companion, Yolanda, the
perky young daughter of a Denerim merchant of whom
Bann Nicola is dismissive. Bann Nicola surmises (cor-
rectly) that Adric is simply trying to get a rise out of his
grandmother given his impending engagement.
Dinner is an excellent opportunity for the PCs to get to
know the important NPCs of A Fragile Web.
• Braedon is a bit sullen if Mother Brianna got away
on his account.
• Bando occasionally (but always in conversational
lulls) asks Bann Nicola questions regarding the
upcoming grand ball. With a TN 9 Perception
(Empathy) test, it is clear that these preparations
have the bulk of his attention at the moment.
• Adric is deferential to his grandmother, but
a PC who makes an opposed Perception
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A Fragile Web
(Empathy) vs. Communication (Deception) test
realizes that he’s humoring her, and that there’s
an undercurrent of annoyance—perhaps even
anger—in the things he says to and about her.
• Yolanda is well schooled and well mannered, but
her head is vacant of original thought.
Bann Nicola makes sure to mention some of the good
works she’s done for the city, although Bando is also
coached to bring up these subjects so the bann isn’t
constantly in the position of appearing vain by talking
about herself. In addition to the orphanages, it probably
comes up that Nicola was at the forefront of stabilizing
Denerim in the aftermath of the rebellion against the
Orlesians, has helped establish chantries and distribute
food in the Poor Quarter, and is beloved in the Elven
Alienage for past kindnesses to the elves. If asked how
she can afford all these charities and still live a life of
luxury, Bann Nicola notes that her example is infectious
among Denerim’s other banns, who also willingly con-
tribute to her charitable works. (In reality, she compels
their various fnancial sponsorships with blackmail.)
As a polite hostess (and because a large part of her
motivation in organizing the dinner is to gather intel-
ligence), Bann Nicola asks lots of questions of the PCs.
What have they accomplished? What are their hopes
and dreams? What brings them to Denerim? Would
they put their lives on the line for a belief or a cause?
How do they feel about helping fght the petty crime
that seems to always flls Denerim’s streets?
Bann Nicola invites any noble PCs to her grand ball.
Others might also receive invitations, if their status or
backgrounds would accrue glory to her by their pres-
ence.
At the end of a superb meal of expensive wine, roast
chicken, and spiced nug (a docile pig-rabbit from the
deep roads near Orzammar), Bann Nicola effusively
thanks the PCs one fnal time.
If her interactions with the PCs warrant it, she ends the
evening by proposing that she would be honored to spon-
sor their adventuring activities on an ongoing basis. In
exchange for seeing that their bills for lodging, stabling,
food, drink, and reasonable equipage are paid, she would
offer them certain missions that fall outside the capabili-
ties of her rank-and-fle guardsmen. (And by “offer,” she
clearly means that she would expect them to take on these
tasks without otherwise being paid for them.) See Bann
Nicola’s Patronage for additional information.
Whether the PCs accept or decline, Bann Nicola remains
friendly, wanting them to think of her as an ally in any
case. Even if the PCs turn her down, gossip spreads that
the heroes acted in Bann Nicola’s interest by helping defeat
the cult, and the PCs briefy fnd that even strangers in
Denerim’s taverns buy them drinks and thank them.
PART 3
A Betrayal
of Trust
Once the word gets out that the PCs are heroes, and
associated with Bann Nicola, they are approached by a
woman named Andiel, who is a servant of a Fereldan
knight called Ser Greta. Andiel has a problem with her
employer that she hopes the PCs can quietly solve. The
PCs’ investigations lead them to the chantry in the Dregs
known as Andraste’s Ear, and they eventually learn that
it’s a front for some kind of organized espionage. Further
investigation leads them back to Bann Nicola.
There is no direct causal connection between the activi-
ties of Part 1: The Chantry of the Stilled Tongue and
Part 2: A Warm Welcome on one hand, and the action
that begins with Part 3: A Betrayal of Trust on the other
hand. Although you can proceed directly from the
former to the latter, the scenario is not harmed—and
may actually work better, depending on how clever
your players are—if unrelated adventures transpire
between them. These could be adventures of your own
devising, set in Denerim or outside it. You could insert
Amber Rage or Where Eagles Lair here, or build up
any of the adventure seeds presented in this book.
SEP GPE1A
ANI BANN NICLLA
Ser Greta is a loyal Fereldan who once had a romantic
affair with a noble. This noble turned out to be an Orlesian
spy who attempted to assassinate Teryn Logain. Although
Bann Nicola’s Patronage
If the PCs accept Bann Nicola’s offer to sponsor their
activities, they fnd that the common bills they incur
in Denerim are quickly and effciently taken care of.
Her patronage opens doors nearly wherever the
PCs go, which is especially helpful for elves.
Further, the bann’s minstrels circulate gossip so that
all in Denerim eventually become aware that her
house is associated with the PCs and their heroism.
News of whatever successes the PCs achieve (espe-
cially if you insert additional adventures between
Part 2: A Warm Welcome and Part 3: A Betrayal
of Trust) spread quickly around Denerim, build-
ing the heroes’ reputation (and, by extension, Bann
Nicola’s reputation) with stunning speed. Con-
versely, the PCs are summoned and taken to task for
any failures or embarrassments—especially public
failures—with equal swiftness. Bann Nicola’s chief
concern, after all, is her good reputation.
society,” lest Teryn Logain be informed of her complic-
ity in the assassination attempt.
Ser Greta is furious with her servant, whom she assumes
somehow allowed this information to slip. Andiel offers
her life savings (267 sp, which she heartbreakingly
begins to count out for them on the spot) for the PCs’
assistance in clearing her name with her employer.
Questions and Answers
“WhY is ser Greta so WorrieD about her affair beCom-
inG PubliC?”
Ser Greta fears that her reputation would be ruined if it were
known that she was involved with a man who tried to assas-
sinate the king’s advisor.
“is it Possible that ser Greta or PhiliPPe tolD someone
of their affair?”
I’m absolutely certain that Ser Greta told no one, she’s so
ashamed. I suppose it’s possible that Philippe told someone, given
that Orlesian spies are involved. I’m no expert in intrigues.
“DiD You ever tell anYone ser Greta’s seCret?”
No!
(But, on a moment’s refection:)
Well… many months after the fact, years ago, I whispered
it—out of guilt at my own involvement!—to the mute brother
at the chapel of Andraste’s Ear were I make my weekly confes-
sion to the Maker. And I’m not ashamed to admit that get-
the spy was slain in the assassination attempt and no one
(other than Ser Greta’s servant Andiel) ever learned of
his affair with Ser Greta, Ser Greta has carried a crushing
burden of guilt ever since. To salve her conscience, she
goes out of her way to stand as a sentinel against Orlesian
infuences in Ferelden. This obviously puts her at odds
with the Restorationists, and she has recently spent con-
siderable time investigating their activities in Denerim.
She believes she has located the nexus of their local activ-
ity in the shop of popular clothier Ragnar Trakan.
Ser Greta is completely incorrect in her suspicions
about the role of Ragnar’s shop, but Ser Greta’s inves-
tigations are a problem for Bann Nicola, even so. If Ser
Greta goes public with her suspicions about the Res-
torationists before Bann Nicola’s plans come to frui-
tion, then Bann Nicola will lose the credit for outing
the society. Thus, Bann Nicola hopes to hold Ser Greta
at bay until after her grand ball, at which point she’ll
actively recruit the knight to help her guardsmen root
out the Orlesian traitors from their various hiding
places (not to mention browbeat them into acquiesc-
ing to her economic demands).
I 1HE VLPPIEI SEPVAN1
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
A worried servant comes to the PCs for help.
Set this scene in whatever location in Denerim makes
the most sense; it can happen literally anywhere.
(Although, if the PCs are staying at Bann Nicola’s manor
house while in the city, Andiel looks for an opportunity
outside those walls.)
An elderly woman approaches you. She wears the
plain clothes of a servant for a low-ranking person
of means, perhaps a knight or merchant. Her eyes
are downcast, her body language distressed.
“Please, good souls. I beg to speak a private
word with you.”
Once removed to some location of relative privacy,
Andiel explains that she is the personal maid for a
female knight named Ser Greta. Some years ago, Ser
Greta had an ill-considered affair with an Orlesian
named Philippe who turned out (quite unbeknownst to
Ser Greta) to be a spy and assassin. Philippe was slain by
Teryn Logain himself in a failed assassination attempt.
In the years since, Ser Greta has been especially dedi-
cated to defending Ferelden from Orlesian infltrators.
Only Greta, Philippe, and Andiel knew of Greta and
Philippe’s scandalous and embarrassing liaison. Nev-
ertheless, last week Ser Greta received an anonymous
note informing her that her indiscretion was known,
and that she must stop recent pursuits of “the Orlesian
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ting it off my chest made me feel better. My confessions there
always do.
“WeeklY Confession? Where is this ChaPel?”
I live in the Dregs. For more than a decade I’ve spoken the chant
at Andraste’s Ear. It’s a local custom that the mute brothers
and sisters there hear the confessions of their parishioners every
week. As far as I’m concerned, the Chantry would do well to
spread the custom across Ferelden. Ask any man or woman who
lives in the Dregs and fears the Maker, if you like. A confession
at Andraste’s Ear purges your soul of woe, it does.
“CoulD the brother Who hearD Your Confession have
betraYeD You?”
I wouldn’t believe that in a dozen lifetimes.
“Can We talk to ser Greta about this?”
Please don’t! She’s already furious. Even if you pretend that I
didn’t hire you, and haven’t told you her secret, she won’t believe
it. I’ll be dismissed for certain, and a pauper before long.
2 ANIPAS1E’S EAP
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs investigate the Dregs’s unusual chantry.
Andraste’s Ear is a small chantry surrounded—
protectively, almost—by the run-down homes
and buildings of the Dregs. The chapel is small
compared to nearly every other Chantry edifce
you’ve ever seen, but Andraste’s Ear is clean
and clearly well cared for.
Stepping inside, you see that the chantry is
vacant save for a few souls praying in the pews.
The silence is complete. As your eyes adjust, you
notice three priests you didn’t see right away—
two sisters and one brother of the faith—dili-
gently cleaning various areas of the chapel.
The chantry building is T-shaped. In the nave (the long
center section), pews in orderly ranks face a statue of
Andraste, posed passively, her head slightly tipped as
if listening. Bookshelves line the side walls, although
they bear few tomes or scrolls given that the popula-
tion of the Dregs is largely illiterate. Six confessional
booths, each with two doors (one for a brother or sister,
the other for a parishioner) are found in the eastern
transept. At the end of that transept a statuette in the
shape of a cat sits atop a rather plain pedestal. A TN 11
Cunning (Historical Lore) test dates it to the days of
the Tevinter in Ferelden. A TN 11 Cunning (Religious
Lore) test confrms that it’s a strange decoration for a
house of the Maker. A TN 13 Cunning (Evaluation)
test suggests that it might be the most valuable object
in the whole building, and probably worth more than
5 gold sovereigns. The opposite transept is blocked by
a wall and door; a TN 9 Cunning (Cultural Lore) test
suggests that the chantry’s mother probably has an
offce beyond it.
By tradition, only those incapable of speech may act
as confessors at Andraste’s Ear. Although symbolic, it
seems meaningful to the parishioners of the Dregs that
the brothers and sisters can never repeat secrets meant
only for Andraste’s ears.
The three mute brothers and sisters are cleaning the
chantry when the PCs arrive. They are not inquisitive,
and allow the PCs to poke around without interrup-
tion unless they do something outrageous or destruc-
tive. Nevertheless, each is willing to respond to any
questions put to them, writing out answers to queries
that cannot be answered with a gesture or a nod on
parchments they carry for the purpose. Any of them
can point the PCs to Mother Gabriella, the religious
leader here.
Attacked...by Thugs!
Part 3: A Betrayal of Trust and Part 4: Connecting the Dots have a lot of exploration and roleplaying encounters,
at the expense of opportunities for combat. Groups that prefer a lot of action may fnd their sword arms itching.
Given that Denerim is a dangerous place and that the PCs will be spending a fair amount of time in the neigh-
borhoods of the Poor Quarter, feel free to spice things up with random street crime if need be. This isn’t as
arbitrary as it might seem; criminals often look for victims among those who’re new to a given place (as PCs
visiting from greater Ferelden might appear).
You can use the Fereldan Brigand stat block for common muggers and thieves (see the Dragon Age Set 1 Game
Master’s Guide, page 30).
Confronting Ser Greta
The PCs may confront Ser Greta in spite of Andiel’s
pleas to the contrary. Such a meeting is described
in Part 5: 1. Meeting Ser Greta. If Ser Greta learns,
in whatever way, that Andiel has let Ser Greta’s
secret slip again (to the heroes), Ser Greta dis-
misses Andiel from her service.
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A Fragile Web
The local parishioners at prayer can communicate or
confrm the same general information about Andraste’s
Ear that’s presented in the Questions and Answers sec-
tion of the previous encounter.
Note that critical information about the chantry is con-
tained in the Andraste’s Ear background section on
page 83; make sure to re-familiarize yourself with it
before you run this encounter and the next.
THE MUTE CONFESSORS
The brothers and sisters of Andraste’s Ear—Graham,
Anna, and Serena—are all victims of the Stilled Tongue
cult, and each was raised in one of Bann Nicola’s
orphanages. All are literate. To those meeting them for
the frst time, they seem oddly docile.
ò HL1HEP GABPIELLA
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs learn the truth about the confessions
made at Andraste’s Ear.
You enter a modest offce where a pleasant-
looking woman, advancing in years, wears the
robes of a Chantry mother and sits behind a
rather fancy desk.
“Why has the Maker brought you here
today?” she asks.
Mother Gabriella is welcoming, happy to chat, and
more than willing to explain the unusual customs
of Andraste’s Ear. (Make
sure you review the
Andraste’s Ear back-
ground section on page
83). She lies to protect
her secret, of course.
Lacking the moral certi-
tude to break free of her
situation, she has come
to terms with the fact
that it makes a mockery
of her faith. She simply
burns her blank scraps
of paper every week
and prays that her sins
won’t condemn her to
an eternity of misery in
the Fade.
Her turpitude aside,
Mother Gabriella is
fundamentally a good
person, and the route
to discovering the truth
is to convince her that her transgressions of the con-
fessional’s secrecy are leading to concrete evils—the
blackmailing of Ser Greta, for one—that can be stopped
if she cooperates. Ideally, she’s ultimately convinced
by impassioned roleplaying between her and the PCs.
If the players seem reluctant to dig in and really try to
convince her, tip them off that there’s more to learn by
allowing a TN 13 Perception (Empathy) test to learn
from her body language that there’s something she’s
not telling them, something she’s ashamed of.
If it comes to it, boil the situation down to an advanced,
opposed Communication (Persuade) vs. Willpower
(Self-Discipline) test with a threshold of 10, where the
stakes are the truth of the matter. Even if the PCs ulti-
mately succeed, measure out the Mother’s revelations
among tearful rationalizations and long-winded justif-
cations.
Ironically, the infuence of the Tevinter cat makes
Mother Gabriella feel good the moment she fnally tells
the truth.
If the PCs learn the truth, Mother Gabriella is gravely
concerned about what they plan to do with their knowl-
THE MUTE CONFESSORS
Silent Brothers and Sisters of the faith.
Abilities & Focuses
communicAtion 2; constitution 1; cunning 3 (religious
lore, reseArch); dexterity 1; mAgic 0; perception 2 (empA-
thy); strength 0; WillpoWer 3.
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A Fragile Web
in a small rosewood box at the end of the weekly day of confes-
sion. I put the box in a barrel in the alley behind the chantry.
The box is always empty by frst light.
“WhY are You DoinG this?”
I received a message years ago that…that…past sins would
be revealed if I didn’t cooperate. That I might be murdered if
my crimes were revealed.
In the years before the Dragon Age, when I was a young
mother, I served the Maker in a chantry where many of the
nobles who resisted the Orlesian occupation prayed, and
where they met to plot their…activities. The Orlesians made
me think it was my duty to tell them what happened in these
meetings. What the banns of the resistance said, what they
plotted. I posed as one sympathetic to their cause, but I fun-
neled their secrets to the puppet king’s spies.
My compliance sowed the seeds of torture…of death…and
not just for the banns. For their families. Their children. How
can I allow those crimes to come to light, now?
“WhY WoulD anYone Care about the seCrets of the
PeoPle Who live in the DreGs?”
I don’t know. Perhaps because a poor chantry is an easy
target. Perhaps because I was already compromised. Perhaps
because the servants to the mighty actually know more than
the aristocracy.
(All of these reasons are true, incidentally.)
“What’s the storY behinD the tevinter Cat statuette?”
It was a gift from the chapel’s benefactor, Bann Nicola
Baranti. She built and maintains our chantry.
MOTHER GABRIELLA
Mother Gabriella is a solemn, serious woman. She hopes
to be made a reverend mother before too many more
years pass, but her small church receives little recogni-
tion or notice from the greater Chantry. In her heart, she
suspects the Maker may be punishing her for betray-
ing her parishioners’ trust. Nevertheless, she treats her
responsibilities seriously and considers herself lucky to
have found a place in life. Each night she confesses her
sins and secrets to Andraste and the Maker, and is flled
with corresponding happiness. It helps salve her guilt
for passing on the secrets, and helps her believe that she
is ultimately doing the Maker’s will.
edge, and tries to convince them that they should not
take any rash action that would undo all the good that
her chapel is able to do on a daily basis for the hard-
working commoners who live in the Dregs.
If the PCs destroy or steal the Tevinter statue, the con-
gregants are shocked that they no longer feel the same
rush of well-being and peace when they confess their
secrets. The community here ultimately falls into chaos
and confusion, with many coming to believe that
Andraste has turned her gaze from the Dregs. The neigh-
borhood is visibly worse for it in the weeks that follow,
and Mother Gabriella eventually takes her own life.
Questions and Answers
The answers provided below assume the PCs have used
enough leverage or made a successful test to persuade
Mother Gabriella to tell them the truth about what goes
on at Andraste’s Ear.
“have You been sharinG Your Parishioners’ Confes-
sions?”
I’m ashamed to admit it—so ashamed—but…yes. Yes. The
confessional parchments I burn are blank. I gather the real
confessions for someone else.
“Who Do You ColleCt the Confessions for? What Do
You Do With them?”
I don’t know where they go. I honestly don’t. I follow the
same routine every week: I gather all the slips and put them
MOTHER GABRIELLA
Remorseful superintendent of Andraste’s Ear.
Abilities & Focuses
communicAtion 4 (persuAsion); constitution 1 (stAminA);
cunning 2 (religious lore); dexterity 2; mAgic 1; percep-
tion 3; strength –2; WillpoWer 2 (FAith).
105
A Fragile Web
PART 4
Connecting the
Dots
Every confession made in Andraste’s Ear, from the triv-
ial to the jaw-dropping, is collected each week from the
barrel in the back alleyway by a courier named Hodin,
who delivers them to an elven fruit vendor named
Shayda, who in turn gives them to a servant of Bann
Nicola’s junior spymaster, Marissa.
In Part 4: Connecting the Dots, the PCs investigate and
surveil their way up this chain, following the current
week’s delivery, which likely leads to a confrontation
with Marissa.
You should decide, based on what seems like appropri-
ate pacing, how many days it will be between the time
the PCs learn from Mother Gabriella that the confessions
are re-routed each week and the next confession day. A
short interval will press the PCs to take quick action; a
longer delay will allow them more opportunities to plan.
If in doubt, opt for a shorter span than a longer one.
I S!L11ING 1HE CLUPIEP
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The PCs spot Hodin collecting the confessions
and follow him to the Market District.
After a long wait, you fnally see a disheveled
man make his way into the alley. There’s an
uneasiness in his step, as if he’s had too much to
drink. He wanders toward the barrel.
If the PCs are hidden, call for an opposed Dexterity
(Stealth) vs. Perception (Seeing) test. Hodin suffers a –2
penalty, having spent the night on drink and prostitutes.
If the PCs allow Hodin to perform his task, he upends
the contents of the rosewood box into a leather satchel,
dumps the box back into the barrel, takes a moment to
relieve himself against the back wall of the chantry, and
then ambles unsteadily toward the Market District.
If the PCs confront Hodin, he draws his sword to defend
himself, but doesn’t run. He knows that feeing won’t
do any good in the long run, given that the messages’
drop-spot has been discovered.
Hodin is far more afraid of his employer than he is of
the PCs, and receives a +3 bonus on tests to trick, intim-
idate, or persuade him to reveal anything about where
he delivers the messages or how he gets paid. In the
event that the PCs succeed in spite of this bonus, all
Hodin knows is that:
Confronting Bann Nicola
After learning the secrets of Andraste’s Ear, the PCs
may choose to either tell Bann Nicola what they
know, or confront her with half-founded suspicions
of her involvement in any number of crimes.
If they simply reveal the situation at Andraste’s
Ear to her she praises them for their smart think-
ing, promises to take over the investigation, and
sends them on an unrelated quest (of your inven-
tion) to the Fereldan Hinterlands where—with any
luck—they’ll die fghting some horrible demon.
She sends assassins after them, to give them an
additional kick in death’s general direction.
If they accuse her of being involved in wrongdoings
she dismisses their accusations out of hand, conf-
dent that she’s kept herself at arm’s length from
the crimes. She has the PCs thrown into the street,
and they discover that their names are slandered
up and down the hills of Denerim in the days and
weeks that follow. Hodin (see Part 4: 1. Spotting the
Courier) dies in a random act of street violence the
next day to further obscure any connection between
Bann Nicola and Andraste’s Ear.
HODIN
A pale-skinned layabout with a remarkable lack of
curiosity, a trait heartily encouraged by the sub-
stantial pay he receives weekly for a laughably
simple task.
Abilities (Focuses)
1 communicAtion (seduction)
2 constitution
1 cunning
–1 dexterity (riding)
0 mAgic
3 perception
2 strength (heAvy blAdes)
1 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
9 36 9 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
long sWord +4 2d6+2
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Pierce Armor.
talents: Single Weapon Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Brawling and Heavy Blades.
equipment
long sWord And leAther sAtchel.
• He delivers the messages to an elf who sells fruit
in the Market District. He doesn’t know her name.
• Three days after he delivers the messages each
week, a loaf of fresh bread is delivered to his
doorstep with his payment baked inside.
Hodin inherited this job from his deceased father, has
no idea who ultimately employs him, and doesn’t want
to know.
2 AN A!!LE A VEEK
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
Hodin drops the confession parchments with an
elven costermonger.
If the PCs confront Hodin instead of following him,
skip this encounter.
You follow the man who took the parchments
through the dawn’s early light to the Market
District. Even at this hour, the district is bus-
tling as fshermen and farmers stock their stalls.
The man walks straight for the cart of an elven
apple-seller just on her way out of the district’s
central square. Without looking at her he takes
an apple, drops the satchel, and ambles away
without paying for the fruit.
As he moves away, the woman picks up the
satchel and stuffs it into the shelf underneath the
cart. She’s about to take up the pushbar again
when four unkempt young men step up to the
cart. One asks the elf a question and reaches
out to stroke her hair. She shakes her head and
shrugs her head away from his touch.
“We’re not taking no for an answer today,”
one of the other men says, loud enough for you
to hear him clearly, and the four grab her. No
passerby apparently cares to intervene as the
four drag her into a nearby alley.
The costermonger is Shayda, an elven woman who sells
apples in the Elven Alienage.
The four men are simple hooligans who slept in an alley
last night, and, feeling moved to infict themselves on
someone, fnd Shayda a tempting target. Local preju-
dice leads passersby to ignore crimes against elves,
and unless the PCs intervene, Shayda is in for a terrible
experience. Clearly, this is a moral test for the heroes.
If human male PCs enter the alley, the men indelicately
offer them the opportunity to join their rape. Human
women may or may not be openly attacked depending
on whether they look like they can defend themselves.
Elves and dwarves are attacked with lethal force out
of hand. Shayda fghts in her own defense only once it
SHAYDA
A city elf with short hair who genuinely cares
about her people and uses the money paid by her
mysterious benefactor to improve their lot.
Abilities (Focuses)
3 communicAtion (bArgAining)
1 constitution
2 cunning
2 dexterity
0 mAgic
2 perception (seeing)
0 strength
1 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
14 30 12 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
dAgger +2 1d6+1
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Knock Prone and Skirmish.
WeaPon GrouPs: Brawling and Light Blades.
equipment
dAgger And Apple cArt.
106
A Fragile Web
107
A Fragile Web
looks like the PCs are going to beat the four men.
A TN 11 Cunning (Cultural Lore) test suggests that
killing Fereldan men in defense of an elf is against the
king’s law.
If rescued, Shayda is profoundly grateful. She laments
that she has nothing but apples to offer the PCs in
thanks. If questioned about the messages, Shayda
lowers her head:
“When I moved to the city, I was offered this
job by a man I haven’t seen since. It pays ten
silvers a week and all I have to do is deliver
a pouch. I use most of the money to help the
other elves.”
If the PCs continue to question her about the specif-
ics of her delivery, she reveals that someone meets her
on the way to the Alienage each week and offers to
buy seven apples for ten silver pieces. This is almost
always the same man, who dresses as a household
servant. Along with the apples, Shayda turns over the
pouch.
Shayda is willing to let the PCs follow her to watch the
hand-off, but insists they stay hidden, or at least remain
separate from her as she rolls her cart downhill toward
the Alienage.
If the PCs leave Shayda to the four men she emerges from
the alley some time later, bruised and weeping, and pushes
her cart downhill toward the Alienage through hot tears.
ò 1HE lINAL CLNNEC1ILN
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
Shayda hands over the satchel to the spymas-
ter’s servant.
A Fereldan man dressed in the simple clothing
of a household servant walks up to the apple
cart just as it is about to pass through the gate
into the Alienage. He and the elf exchange a
few words, and seven apples and the satchel
are exchanged for a small pouch that looks to
contain coin. The two of them part ways, the
servant heading back uphill toward the better
districts of the city.
The man is Roger, the servant who tends (and lives at)
the house where Marissa also lives and does the work of
research and intrigue assigned to her by Bann Nicola via
Crannoch. The house is in the southwestern part of the
city. Roger doesn’t head straight there, but instead makes
several stops for other foodstuffs on the way. (He doesn’t
receive any other unusual deliveries over the course of
his other errands, however.) It requires an opposed Dex-
terity (Stealth) vs. Perception (Seeing) test to follow
Roger without his notice. If Roger notices that he’s being
shadowed, he attempts to lose his pursuers without let-
ting on that he knows he’s being followed. If he can’t lose
the PCs, he ultimately heads for the house forewarned
that there’s something unusual going on.
If the PCs accost Roger, he protests ignorance of any-
thing and everything, claiming that he saw the satchel
and offered to buy it from the elf, who agreed and sold
it to him. He feigns annoyance to “discover” that it’s
full of paper (although in no event will he allow the PCs
to have or see the parchments).
One way or the other, Roger eventually returns to the
house where Marissa is waiting.
The servant takes a meandering path to a house
in the northeastern section of the city. The house
itself is nondescript, almost hidden, accessible
only through a small alley.
You see what looks to be a Mabari war dog
chomping on a large bone in the alley. The dog
briefy looks up at the servant as he passes
inside the house, then goes back to chewing on
the bone.
MARKET THUGS
Scum of the earth.
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion (persuAsion)
2 constitution
0 cunning (militAry lore)
2 dexterity (riding)
1 mAgic
0 perception
4 strength (heAvy blAdes)
2 WillpoWer (courAge)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
12 48 12 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
Fist +2 1d3+4
long sWord +6 2d6+4
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Disarm and Mighty Blow.
talents: Armor Training (Novice), Dual Weapon Style (Novice),
Single Weapon Style (Novice), and Unarmed Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Heavy Blades, and Light
Blades.
equipment
long sWord.
108
A Fragile Web
If the PCs approach the door to the house, the dog—
Ripper—stands up and snarls at them. If they ignore this
warning, he gives a full-fedged bark, fnally attacking
them if they persist in their approach. Ripper is trained
not to accept treats from strangers.
Inside the house, at Ripper’s warning, Marissa begins
gathering her things so she can quickly fee the house
via an underground tunnel if need be. If Roger was
accosted or knows he was followed and Marissa is thus
forewarned, Marissa fees immediately when Ripper
starts barking.
If Ripper continues to growl or bark, Roger emerges
from the house with a loaded crossbow in hand. He
orders Ripper to calm down, inquires what the PCs
want, and does his best to satisfy their curiosity and
send them on their way. Under no circumstances does
he allow them to enter the house.
If Roger comes to the conclusion that Marissa should
fee he loudly uses the phrase “down Trampstead
Lane” in conversation with the PCs. (She’s listening in,
and knows this signal.) A TN 15 Cunning (Cultural
Lore) test alerts an observant PC that there’s no such
street in Denerim.
Even if he can’t get rid of the PCs, Roger buys as much
time as he can for Marissa to escape. It takes her four
rounds from the time she decides to fee to bundle up
her things and reach the trapdoor in the house’s base-
ment, or two rounds if she was forewarned.
If the PCs manage to make it to the basement before
Marissa can get through the trapdoor, she prepares to
fght unless (or until) it’s clear that she’s going to be
RIPPER
Roger’s loyal and tenacious pet, a bit stronger than
the average Mabari.
Abilities (Focuses)
0 communicAtion
3 constitution (running)
0 cunning
5 dexterity (bite)
–3 mAgic
4 perception (smelling, trAcking)
4 strength (jumping)
3 WillpoWer (morAle)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
18 28 15 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bite +7 1d6+6
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Knock Prone and Mighty Blow.
ROGER, THE SPYMASTER’S SERVANT
An older man who enjoys a comfortable life tend-
ing to Marissa’s needs. He’s aware of the broad
outlines of his work on behalf of Bann Nicola and
is devoted to the task, honestly believing that Den-
erim is better for her presence.
Abilities (Focuses)
4 communicAtion (deception, etiquette, persuA-
sion)
1 constitution
3 cunning (culturAl lore)
2 dexterity (boWs)
0 mAgic
2 perception
1 strength
3 WillpoWer (selF-discipline)
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
12 21 12 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
crossboW +4 2d6+3
30/60
yArds
mAul +1 1d6+4
dAgger +2 1d6+2 —
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Rapid Reload and Lightning Attack.
WeaPon GrouPs: Bludgeons, Bows, Brawling, and Light
Blades.
equipment
crossboW, 20 bolts, mAul, And dAgger.
Aren’t We All on the Same Team?
If the PCs suspect that Bann Nicola is behind the scheme at Andraste’s Ear, and if they have also accepted her
patronage, they may simply announce their allegiance to the bann to Roger and expect to be admitted to the
spyhouse.
Although Bann Nicola would never share Crannoch or Marissa’s identities with the heroes, it’s possible that
a silver-tongue PC might be able to confuse or fast-talk Roger and Marissa into sharing more than they ought
to with them. In that case, Part 4: 5. The Junior Spymaster becomes a race for the PCs to fnd out as much as
they can before Marissa realizes that they’re working against her and clams up.
109
A Fragile Web
overwhelmed. Then, skip directly to Part 4: 5. The
Junior Spymaster.
If the PCs try to wait out Roger and Marissa, watch-
ing the place until someone leaves, they’re in for a
long wait. Marissa doesn’t go out much and Roger’s
just been shopping, so it will be 24 hours or more
until anything even remotely interesting happens.
Use your judgement, your knowledge of what the
various NPCs want and are trying to accomplish, and
improvise.
The Spyhouse
The spyhouse is a small home Crannoch purchased
long ago. It is a simple affair, only used by Marissa
and Roger. Decades ago, Crannoch pretended to be a
smuggler and arranged to use a warehouse near the
docks for contraband; he used this cover to construct
an underground tunnel between the spyhouse hide-
out and the warehouse. Bann Nicola has been active in
constructing a sewer system in this neighborhood as
a public work, enabling her to ensure that the tunnel
remained unmolested.
KITCHEN (1)
Contains the usual assortment of cooking implements,
as well as food purchased this morning and the day
before. A blanket in one corner is Ripper’s sleeping
spot. A wooden staircase leads to the second foor and
another staircase beneath it leads to the basement.
SERVANT’S ROOM (2)
This is Roger’s bedroom, containing a small bed
against one wall and a desk and chair against the
other. Roger has few belongings but is paid well for
his services: he has 3 sovereigns and 45 silvers stashed
in a hidden compartment of his desk. It takes a TN 15
Perception (Searching) test to fnd the compartment.
If the dragon die is 5 or better, the searcher also fnds
the trap that protects it. Defeating the trap requires a
TN 15 Dexterity (Traps) test. Opening the compart-
ment without defeating the trap releases a spray of
poison that does 4d6 penetrating damage and halves
the victim’s movement speed for an hour. However, a
fast-reacting PC can mitigate this damage with a TN
13 Dexterity (Initiative) test; if successful, the damage
is reduced by 1d6 for every 2 points on the dragon die,
and the target’s movement speed is not affected.
PARLOR (3)
The main room of the house, which would normally be
used for living space and entertaining guests, here acts
as an offce, dominated by a large wooden table cov-
ered in books and papers. Bookcases containing books
on a wide variety of topics line the walls. This is where
Marissa spends most of her time, gathering and pro-
cessing intelligence for Crannoch.
If Marissa escapes without the PCs becoming aware of
her presence, a TN 13 Perception (Searching) test here
makes it clear that this place is obviously a spyhole of
some kind, but a follow-up TN 15 Cunning (Investiga-
tion) test suggests that there’s a marked lack of the kind
of damning and sensitive information they might sus-
pect to fnd in such a place. This is, of course, because
Marissa has taken with her the rather weighty tome—
the journal of confessions—into which she transcribes
all of her information of note. (If Marissa didn’t get
away, both the journal and the satchel of confessional
parchments are still on the table.)
MARISSA’S BEDROOM (4)
This room contains a large bed, a nightstand with a
candlestick holder, a dresser with a mirror, and a closet.
A PC who makes a TN 11 Cunning (Investigation) test
notices that the clothing hung in the closet and folded
in the chest are of two sizes. The other set of clothing
belongs to Lorraine, Ser Basil’s squire; she and Marissa
are lovers.
A TN 15 Perception (Searching) test may reveal that
one of the cloaks in the closet is magical; a further TN
11 Cunning (Arcane Lore) test identifes it as a spider-
silk cloak (see the Dragon Age RPG Set 1 Game Master’s
uide, page 40). If Marissa has enough time to make a
clean escape, however, she takes this valuable item
with her.
The Journal of Confessions
One of Marissa’s chief tasks for Crannoch is receiving the confessional slips from Andraste’s Ear and then
recording, analyzing, and cross-referencing the information they contain into a series of journals of confession.
The confessional scraps themselves are burned in the spyhouse’s freplace as Marissa fnishes with them. In
this way, each month or so, a new volume of secrets is produced, which is given over to Crannoch, and Marissa
begins a fresh journal.
If the PCs come into possession of Marissa’s current journal, a TN 11 Cunning (Research) test identifes it for
what it is (although much additional time and many additional tests are necessary to assemble any kind of
organized glimpse of the whole tapestry of the Dregs’s secrets). This treasure could be of great use to less-than-
scrupulous PCs, and likewise contains all manner of adventure seeds for your campaign.
110
A Fragile Web
There is a footlocker beneath the bed. It’s unlocked, but
a glyph is painted on the inside. Anyone who opens
the locker without frst speaking the word “open” in
Ancient Tevene activates the glyph, which releases
a shade that attacks for fve rounds those attempting
to burgle the footlocker’s contents, at which time the
shade returns to the glyph and the chest snaps shut. If
the chest is re-opened, the shade springs forth again,
returned to full Health. The shade’s statistics can be
found in the Dragon Age RPG Set 1 Game Master’s Guide,
page 35. If the shade is killed, the glyph’s magic is dis-
pelled with it.
Inside the footlocker is a leather case flled with 6 sov-
ereigns, a pouch containing 200 silvers, a neat row of
four lesser lyrium potions, and a handmaiden’s neck-
lace and other assorted jewelry worth 4 sovereigns in
total.
BASEMENT (5)
The basement doubles as a pantry and wine cellar.
There are several barrels in one corner, one of which
is empty and covers the trapdoor. If Marissa has fed,
then this barrel is pushed aside, revealing the closed
trapdoor.
4 PUNNING
1HE GAUN1LE1
EXPLORATION AND COMBAT ENCOUNTER
In this encounter the PCs chase Marissa through the
underground tunnel between the spyhouse and ware-
house in hopes of catching her before she escapes out
the warehouse exit and disappears into the city. The
tunnel is seeded with traps designed to slow down
intruders, but some of these depend on Marissa being
able to set them. If she was rushed in her escape, she
may not have had time to set all—or any—of them.
TRAPDOOR SURPRISE (6)
The underside of the basement trapdoor has a magical
glyph painted on it. Any PC who opens the trapdoor
(which is not locked) triggers the glyph, which erupts
into a freball that engulfs the room and sets the tim-
bers ablaze. Anyone in the room takes 4d6 penetrating
damage, with a Dexterity (Acrobatics) test vs. Maris-
sa’s 14 spellpower halving the damage.
If Marissa was actively pursued when she descended
through the trapdoor, she did not set this trap and the
trapdoor is safe to open.
111
A Fragile Web
WHISPERING CIRCLE ROOM (7)
This is the room where Bann Nicola divines the loca-
tions of Mother Brianna’s victims. A large painted map
of Denerim takes up most of the foor. Before it, a small
magical summoning circle is painted, with a brazier
hanging above it. An aspergillum stained red with
dried blood and a jar of pickled tongues are stored
on a shelf. A PC making a TN 15 Cunning (Investi-
gation) or Perception (Searching) test notices blood
sprinkled on the map at the four houses where the
Stilled Tongue cultists struck in Part 1: The Chantry
of the Stilled Tongue.
GLYPHS OF PARALYSIS (8)
There is a glyph of paralysis on the foor in each of
these locations, intended to prevent those imprisoned
in the cell (location 9, below) from escaping should they
momentarily break free of their captors. These glyphs
are permanent, and so are active no matter how little
time Marissa had, but can be neutralized by speaking
the command word “pass” in Ancient Tevene. Their
spellpower is 16.
CELL (9)
This largish room, where nearly a dozen sets of arm-
and leg-irons are embedded in the stone walls, is used
to hold people whom Bann Nicola or Crannoch wish
to interrogate. Its great door hangs open, given that the
room is currently empty.
TORTURE CHAMBER (10)
This room is flled with implements of torture. A small
stove can be used to heat them when necessary. It
appears that the stove hasn’t been used for a week or
more.
GATE (11)
A heavy iron portcullis built into the tunnel’s ceiling
here is held up here by a rope tied off to an iron peg
in the wall on the warehouse side of the gate. It takes
almost no time at all for Marissa to release the portcul-
lis, which crashes down behind her, so the PCs fnd that
it has been lowered no matter how little time Marissa
had to make good her escape. To raise the exceedingly
heavy portcullis requires an advanced TN 15 Strength
(Might) test with a success threshold of 10. There is
room for up to three heroes to lift together.
WAREHOUSE TRAPDOOR (12)
This door opens into the “smuggler’s section” of the
warehouse, a long room that runs the length of the
building and whose door is hidden from the other side.
Once Marissa is through the trapdoor she topples a
heavy sack of four on top of it, kept handy for precisely
this purpose. It takes a TN 13 Strength (Might) test to
push the trapdoor open in this case.
b 1HE JUNILP S!YHAS1EP
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
This encounter takes place whenever the PCs capture
Marissa, whether in the spyhouse, the tunnel, the ware-
house, or the streets of Denerim. Given the variety
of possible circumstances for this encounter, it is not
herein described.
When captured, Marissa realizes that she is doomed no
matter what happens. If she doesn’t cooperate with the
PCs, they’ll kill or ruin her. If she does cooperate, Bann
Nicola will eventually fgure out that she was a weak
link and kill or ruin her. Her best hope, she decides, is
to do whatever she can to be free from the heroes so she
can take the frst ship out of Denerim and never look
back. Depending on what the PCs do, she likely decides
that answering their questions as accurately as possible
will be the best expedient. That, therefore, is what she
does.
The only additional motivation at play is Marissa’s love
for Lorraine. Marissa is already worried that Lorraine
may be in danger based on what Marissa knows about
Bann Nicola’s plot. Thus, Marissa quietly hopes that
Bann Nicola’s plot doesn’t succeed.
While Marissa is willing to give up her knowledge for
her freedom, she’s opines that it’s folly of the highest
order for the PCs to try to bring down Bann Nicola.
Bann Nicola knows too many secrets, and has bro-
kered too many deals over four decades, to fall. Even
her death would throw the city into chaos, as the banns
whose ambitions she holds in check through black-
mail would fnally act openly against one another.
Furthermore—and perhaps more importantly—Bann
Isn’t the Tunnel Evidence Against Bann Nicola?
After having run the gauntlet and perhaps seen the contents of the underground chambers, the heroes may feel
that they have enough evidence to move openly against Bann Nicola. If they do so, they discover that there
is precisely no solid evidence linking the bann’s household to the spyhouse, tunnel, and warehouse. What’s
more, several reliable witnesses step forward with evidence that Marissa and Roger have been in the employ
of Orlesian agents for many years. The pair of them are killed in a back alley by “loyal Fereldans” outraged by
this treachery against the king.
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A Fragile Web
Nicola has created and fostered a great many worth-
while projects and charities in the city. In the end, as far
as Marissa is concerned, her good outweighs her bad
and her death would dissolve both, given that Adric is
unlikely to continue his grandmother’s philanthropies
once he controls House Baranti.
If freed, Marissa is never seen in Denerim again.
Questions and Answers
Marissa answers questions truthfully, but she doesn’t
offer additional information unless it’s necessary to
secure her freedom. She’s not afraid of death; that will
fnd her either way.
“tell us about bann niCola’s Plan.”
Bann Nicola is hosting a grand ball. She has invited banns
and arls from all over Ferelden. At the ball, she’ll stage
an event that implicates the Restorationists in a treason-
ous plot. I don’t know the details, except that Ser Basil is
somehow involved, the plan will somehow give Bann Nicola
infuence with the Merchants’ Guild, and part of the blame
will fall on the city elves and give the king a reason to purge
the Alienage.
“Who are the restorationists?”
The Society for the Restoration of Imperial Rule. They’re a
group of Denerim merchants who trace their lineage to the
Orlesian aristocracy that once ruled Ferelden. They theoreti-
cally want to restore an Orlesian ruler to Ferelden, but we’ve
discovered they’re more a social club than anything. They
control the Merchant’s Guild, and they’ve been infating
local prices for certain goods recently. Bann Nicola wants to
break their economic control.
“WhY Do You Care Whether bann niCola’s Plan suC-
CeeDs?”
There is…someone…who I care about involved. She’s not
very important in the grand scheme of things, but Bann
Nicola would certainly sacrifce her to bring her plans to
fruition.
(If pressed, Marissa reveals that it’s Lorraine, Ser Basil’s
squire, and begs the PCs to ensure her safety.)
“hoW is bann niCola relateD to anDraste’s ear?”
Bann Nicola paid for the chantry to be built. She knew about
Mother Gabriella’s Orlesian indiscretions and used that
knowledge as leverage to secure her cooperation in stealing
the confessional secrets.
“WhY is bann niCola interesteD in the Confessional
seCrets?”
They are a steady stream of information she can use to manip-
ulate half the city.
“are You bann niCola’s sPYmaster?”
I am an apprentice of her true spymaster. I won’t name him,
and it doesn’t matter—he’s not in Denerim right now.
(If pressed: His name is Crannoch. He knows all of
Bann Nicola’s secrets, as far as I know. He’s completely
loyal, completely dedicated, completely her creature. If
she dies, he’ll ensure Denerim plunges into chaos.)
“hoW is bann niCola ConneCteD to the stilleD tonGue
Cult?”
Bann Nicola struck a deal with the spirit that controls the
cult decades ago. From time to time, as years pass, the bann
allows the spirit to feed on the children of Denerim as long
as some of them wind up in her orphanages. When things
have gone on long enough, Bann Nicola uses the map room to
hunt down the cult and banish the spirit until it comes time
to start the cycle again.
“Your librarY is susPiCiouslY bare of seCrets. Where Do
You store Your true reCorDs?”
There is a secret vault beneath Bann Nicola’s house where
everything is kept, so the bann can have easy access. It’s
located beneath her offce.
(This isn’t true, but Marissa doesn’t know that. She was
told the “truth” about the vault as a test of her loyalty.
See Part 5: 3. Crannoch’s Trap.)
PART 5
Tying Threads
Part 5: Tying Threads isn’t designed for you to run
encounter-by-encounter. Rather, it is a collection of three
encounters that allow the PCs to investigate loose ends, if
they wish, before Bann Nicola’s grand ball takes place:
• If the PCs visit Ser Greta, use 1. Meeting Ser Greta.
• Visiting Ser Greta may lead to further
investigation of the Restorationists in 2. The
Clothier.
• Finally, the PCs may attempt to investigate the
hidden library at Bann Nicola’s mansion, which is
described in 3. Crannoch’s Trap.
If the heroes don’t elect to follow up on any of these
leads (or haven’t learned enough to do so), skip ahead
to Part 6: The Grand Finale.
The PCs may try to interview Ser Basil after learning
about his involvement from Marissa. Their attempts to
track him down are futile; they eventually learn that he
is currently traveling outside Denerim. He returns just
in time to attend the grand ball.
Depending on how long it’s been since she’s heard from
them, Andiel may check up with the PCs in this time
frame to see how their investigation is coming.
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A Fragile Web
SER GRETA
A minor noble of modest means who lives off rents
she collects from a pair of wharves her family
owns in Denerim. She is unmarried, and has no
children.
Abilities & Focuses
communicAtion 3 (leAdership); constitution 2; cunning
2 (culturAl lore, herAldry); dexterity 1 (riding); mAgic
0; perception 2 (empAthy); strength 1; WillpoWer 3
(courAge).
I HEE1ING SEP GPE1A
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs meet with Ser Greta, perhaps learning
about the Restorationists.
Ser Greta lives in a modest house not far from the Dregs,
where Andiel also lives and works; this information is
easy to come by, either by inquiring of Andiel or making
a TN 11 Communication (Investigation) test.
If the PCs speak to Ser Greta about her onetime lover
from Orlais, Ser Greta’s natural suspicion—given the
events of recent days—is to suspect that Andiel has let
her secret slip again. The PCs must make an opposed
Communication (Deception) vs. Perception (Empa-
thy) test to convince Ser Greta otherwise, if they wish
to do so. If Ser Greta does come to believe that Andiel
told the PCs of her embarrassing liaison, she dismisses
Andiel from her service.
If questioned about the Restorationists, Ser Greta
is forthright that she is interested in their activities.
Regardless of what the PCs do or don’t claim to know
about Ser Greta’s history, she is strident about her loy-
alty to the king of Ferelden, and emphatic that any
steadfast Fereldan would be interested in exposing the
activities of Orlesian spies in Denerim.
In order to spill what she knows, Ser Greta must be per-
suaded. This requires—at the very least—a compelling
reason for her to cooperate and an opposed Communica-
tion (Persuasion) vs. Willpower (Self-Discipline) test.
What, then, does Ser Greta know?
What Ser Greta thinks she knows is that an elven spy
from Orlais has been in regular contact with the Resto-
rationists in Denerim in recent months. Although this elf
does travel back and forth between Orlais and Denerim
frequently, he is, in actuality, the agent of a Denerim
clothier who pays the elf for reports of what garments
are currently fashionable in Orlais. The clothier pays
well for this timely information in order to maintain
his business selling couture to the nobility of Denerim
who favor such garments. Many of these clients happen
to be Restorationists, which is the source of Ser Greta’s
incorrect conclusion about the “nefarious triumvirate”
of elf, clothier, and Restorationists.
Ser Greta’s narrative goes something like this:
I have kept my eye on the merchants over the
years. Many of them originally came from Orlais,
you know. I learn about some crooked deal or busi-
ness practice from time to time, but I let them go.
Why expose myself to reveal such minor crimes?
But a few months ago, I noticed that a certain
elf who works on an Orlesian trade ship always
stops in at a particular clothier in the Market
District. And what’s more, a few of the more
suspicious merchants fock to the shop soon
after each of the elf’s visits. I am certain that
important information is being exchanged, but
… but I have yet to prove anything.
At your discretion, it may take another opposed test,
or more vigorous coercion, to convince Ser Greta to
provide the name of the clothier (Ragnar Traken) and
the names of the few of the merchants who visit him
whom Ser Greta believes are Restorationists. Virtually
all of the latter group are high-ranking members of the
Merchants’ Guild, are actually Restorationists, and are
among the circled names in the ledger on Bando’s desk
(see Scene 3: Crannoch’s Trap). Ser Greta does not
know the name of the elf, but does know that his ship,
the Sea Rose, recently left port and is not expected to
return for more than a week.
Ser Greta cannot be persuaded, in any event, to act
against Bann Nicola. Although she has no idea who’s
blackmailing her, she assumes—correctly—that any
bold action on her part that’s even remotely connected
with the Restorationists will ruin her.
2 1HE CLL1HIEP
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs meet Ragnar Traken, clothier extraor-
dinaire and possibly learn of his connection to
Adric.
Ragnar’s shop is on the east edge of the Market
District, not far from the merchant houses of
Denerim. As you approach the disarmingly
plain storefront, a well-dressed man and what
looks to be his bodyguard exit the building. A
well-dressed dwarf follows them out, exchang-
ing some fnal pleasantries as the noble enters
his carriage and commands the driver take him
home. The dwarf, you gather from their conver-
sation, is Ragnar.
114
A Fragile Web
fashion trends originate, and to report on them to
Ragnar, giving him a jump on the competition.
• When Ragnar receives a new fashion tip, he
immediately shares it with his merchant clients
to ensure that they fock to him, so they can
be among the frst to purchase some new and
fashionable item.
Some—many, perhaps—of Ragnar’s clients are, in fact,
Restorationists, but there’s no connection between he
and they save that he happens to provide a product
that they appreciate. At the end of the day, there is no
espionage here and Ser Greta has merely jumped to the
wrong conclusion.
ò CPANNLCH’S 1PA!
EXPLORATION AND COMBAT ENCOUNTER
The PCs enter the secret vault at Bann Nicola’s
manor.
For decades, Bann Nicola and Crannoch have used
the myth of a secret vault beneath Nicola’s offce as
both a loyalty test for allies and a trap for enemies,
leaking information about its existence and location to
ensnare the untrustworthy. The PCs most likely learn
of the vault from Marissa, who genuinely believes it
to exist.
If the heroes decided to try to gain entry to the vault,
the frst problem is getting into Bann Nicola’s offce.
Bann Nicola, Crannoch, and Bando are the only three
who have keys, and the door is always kept locked
when the room is unoccupied. Opening the door
requires either a TN 15 Dexterity (Lock Picking) test
or a TN 15 Strength (Might) test. The latter approach
obviously makes a great deal more noise than the
former.
Currently, the offce is cluttered with grand ball plan-
ning. Bando has been writing and rewriting a seating
chart and has made many notes on the proper forms of
address for those on the guest list. There is also a stack
of invitations to a luncheon celebrating the engagement
of one Lady Tanith Curwen to Ser Adric. Anyone who
makes a TN 11 Cunning (Cultural Lore or Heraldry)
test is pretty sure that no such engagement has, to date,
been announced. It seems clear that it must be some
part of the grand ball.
RAGNAR TRAKEN
Ragnar Traken is a surface dwarf with an eye
for fashion. His famboyant, boisterous style and
speech entertain his clientele and his knowledge of
current fashion trends makes his shop very popu-
lar. Ragnar is always impeccably dressed, has thin-
ning hair, and wears a goatee.
Abilities & Focuses
communicAtion 4 (bArgAining, deception, etiquette,
persuAsion); constitution 3 (drinking, stAminA); cunning
2 (culturAl lore, engineering, evAluAtion); dexterity 1;
mAgic 0; perception 3 (empAthy); strength 2; WillpoWer 3
(selF-discipline).
Ragnar’s shop is roughly divided into three parts: a
showroom, a dressing room, and a workshop. Stairs in
the workshop lead up to Ragnar’s living quarters and
down to the basement. Two armed men are on hand
to ensure Ragnar’s safety. They live in the basement.
Use the statistics for Captain Braedon; Ragnar hires
only the best.
Ragnar warmly welcomes anyone who enters his shop,
offering warm spiced wine (always brewing in the
workshop) and suggesting Nevarran coats, or perhaps
something with a Tevinter fair.
If it becomes obvious that the PCs are looking for infor-
mation, Ragnar defects accusations and implications.
He claims (truthfully) that he’s simply a merchant with
a very lucrative business. If the PCs threaten violence,
his bodyguards throw them out.
If the PCs succeed in an opposed Communication
(Persuasion) vs. Willpower (Self-Discipline) test,
they can learn the broad outlines of the true situation
from him:
• Ragnar is the premier clothier of Denerim’s
merchant families. Recently, however, he’s
received a serious challenge from a rival clothier,
Kenzie, whose shop can be found further down
the district. Kenzie stole quite a bit of business
from Ragnar last year when he introduced an
Antivan hat that became all the rage.
• To ensure such a thing would never happen again,
Ragnar hired Zek, a city elf, to go to Orlais, where
If Ser Greta is Wrong, Why Does Bann Nicola Care?
Bann Nicola learned, through her various networks, that Ser Greta was investigating the elf-clothier-Restora-
tionist triumvirate. Although Bann Nicola doesn’t (yet) know whether Ser Greta’s suspicions are correct (since
Crannoch is out of town, the investigation of some intelligence has had to wait), Bann Nicola can’t very have
Ser Greta exposing any Restorationist plots or plans—even if they turn out to be untrue—before her grand ball.
Therefore, Bann Nicola acted right away to make Ser Greta leave the matter alone.
115
A Fragile Web
There is one more interesting clue here. Bando has
a ledger of records on his desk that tracks household
expenses. A cursory review of the book reveals that
prices for certain imports have been rising of late, with
excuses penciled in from various merchants. Further,
certain merchants’ names have been circled. These are
merchants known to Bann Nicola to be Restoration-
ists. A PC making a TN 15 Cunning (Investigation)
test realizes that Bando is trying to determine which
merchants can be infuenced to lower their prices and
which simply need to be cleared out of Bann Nicola’s
way.
Upon searching for some entrance to the secret vault,
PCs making a TN 13 Perception (Searching) test dis-
cover a trapdoor beneath a rug in the southwest corner
of the room. The trapdoor opens on a short drop to a
wooden staircase that leads down into a basement
(which is separate and deeper than the main basement
given over to the housing and activities of the house-
hold servants).
The middle portion of the staircase has been rigged to
fall apart under any signifcant weight. A PC can get to
a point about ten feet above the foor below—just able
to see rows of bookshelves and two standing suits of
heavy plate armor—before it collapses.
On a TN 17 Dexterity (Traps) test, the PC hears telltale
creaking and leaps back just in time to avoid trigger-
ing the collapse. Otherwise, the trap is sprung and the
PC falls as the staircase collapses, suffering 2d6 points
of penetrating damage, which is halved if the PC can
make a TN 13 Dexterity (Acrobatics) test to arrest his
swift descent.
The trap is designed for solitary thieves. If a second PC
was closely following the frst, he must make a TN 11
Dexterity (Acrobatics) test to avoid falling, with the
same consequences as his fellow if he fails. If there were
no close followers, no other heroes must test to avoid
falling.
PCs who want to jump down into the vault after the
trap is sprung must simply make a TN 9 Dexterity
(Acrobatics) test. Even if they fail, they take only 1d6
points of penetrating damage.
A cursory check of the bookshelves confrms that the
PCs have been duped: each and every book is full only
of blank pages. But PCs in the vault have a more imme-
diate problem, as well: The two suits of armor animate
and attack anyone who enters the vault and fails to
recite a code phrase in Ancient Tevene. They attack
until destroyed, but cannot ascend the stairs.
It takes a TN 13 Strength (Climbing) test to climb up
out of the vault. Appropriate climbing equipment or
help from those still in the offce above gives a bonus
of up to +3 (depending on the equipment or circum-
stances) to such rolls.
Of key concern are both noise and time: Neither a col-
lapsing staircase nor a fght with animated armor are
particularly quiet activities, even in a stone sub-base-
ment. The PCs have 1d6+2 rounds after the frst loud
noise before someone comes to investigate, and only
1d6 rounds after that before the house guards arrive in
force (assuming that the frst investigator is not stopped
from summoning them).
PART 6
The Grand
Finale
The fnal part of A Fragile Web is the big event: Bann
Nicola’s grand ball. Depending on how the PCs have
progressed thus far, they might be honored guests or
unwelcome gatecrashers. In any event, they have to
decide whether they’ll allow Bann Nicola’s plans to go
forward at the expense of those who’ll be harmed, or
whether they’ll try to stop her and live with the atten-
dant dangers and fallout.
ANIMATED ARMOR
Heavy plate armor of dwarven make, purchased
long ago from an Orlesian noble in Denerim.
Abilities (Focuses)
–4 communicAtion
6 constitution (stAminA)
–2 cunning
2 dexterity
2 mAgic
0 perception
5 strength (might, heAvy blAdes)
5 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
5 70 12 10
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
tWo-hAnded
sWord
+7 3d6+5
gAuntlet +2 1d3+6
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Knock Prone and Mighty Blow.
sPell invulnerabilities: Lacking bodies of fesh and blood,
these suits of armor are simply immune to the effects of spells
that would require them to test their Willpower or Magic in
resistance. They are also unaffected by Walking Bomb.
equipment
heAvy plAte Armor And tWo-hAnded sWord.
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A Fragile Web
PUNNING 1HE
GPANI BALL
Part 6: The Grand Finale is divided into roughly sequen-
tial encounters, but much of its unfolding depends on
the PCs’ actions. Don’t be afraid to alter the encounters,
add new ones, or toss others out altogether if the heroes
go in different directions. What’s important is that you
have a good grasp of the intrigue and make sure that
events play out according to the various actors’ under-
lying motivations. The goal is to give the players a satis-
fying and sensible conclusion to the overall adventure,
not force them to play out each encounter as written.
The grand ball begins at twilight. The guest list is
impressive. While the king and queen aren’t present,
many knights, banns, and even a few visiting arls are
in attendance. A few wealthy or infuential common-
ers are also present, as are—of course—the servants,
squires, and attendants of those guests with the means
to employ them.
The sections that follow present an overview of what
the most important NPCs are up to as the grand ball
unfolds.
Bann Nicola
Bann Nicola spends the vast majority of her time at the
ball mingling with guests in the parlor. She relies on
Bando to keep the ball running. If Bando goes missing
due to the PCs’ actions, Bann Nicola realizes he’s miss-
ing within at most fve or ten minutes.
If things begin to go wrong, it’s conceivable that Bann
Nicola will call off the assassination for the time being,
to avoid undue attention to a situation spinning out of
control. She simply calls quietly for Rivka, speaks a pre-
arranged code phrase, and everything is put on hold.
Adric
Adric plays his assigned role, but is obviously unhappy
about it until he actually sees Tanith and realizes how
good-looking she is. At that point, he’s smitten.
If alerted to Ser Basil’s intentions, Adric may challenge
him to a duel. If he does, Bann Nicola attempts to avert
the event.
Captain Braedon
Captain Braedon serves as Bann Nicola’s escort for the
evening. The presence of so many important nobles
makes him nervous; he spends most of the evening
checking with his guards and ensuring that the manor
is secure.
Braedon is horrifed and embarrassed if there are
deaths, and throws himself into making things right
(which Bann Nicola is counting on). However, if Brae-
don learns too much, his essentially honorable nature
makes him an unpredictable wild card.
Bando
Bando spends the ball announcing guests and ensur-
ing that the wine fows, the cold buffet is full, and the
musicians continue to play. He is constantly in motion,
running between the kitchen and the parlor.
The Guests
Most noble guests remain in the parlor, although the
occasional knot of conversation spills into the main
hall or gardens. (The library and offce are kept locked
during the ball.)
The Curwens and Ser Basil remain in the parlor until
Part 6: 5. The Plot in Motion.
The Guests’ Servants
Servants of the noble guests remain in the foyer, out
of sight but easily accessible to their masters. Lorraine
remains among them until needed for her part in Part
6: 5. The Plot in Motion. Generally, only Bann Nicola’s
servants have the run of the house.
Rivka, the Assassin
Rivka joined the household staff a few days ago and
spends most of the ball acting like a regular servant,
running drinks to guests and reflling the buffet. Rivka
goes on with this until Part 6: 5. The Plot in Motion.
If the PCs think to investigate recently hired servants,
they can discover with a TN 13 Cunning (Investiga-
tion) test that fve such servants (one of whom is Rivka)
were hired by Bando in the last two weeks, in anticipa-
tion of the grand ball’s needs.
Hester
Hester is a trusted servant in Bann Nicola’s employ, and
the bann’s insurance policy should Lorraine for some
reason not perform her part. Should Lorraine not rush
to Captain Braedon with her false tale after Ser Basil
goes upstairs to discover the bodies of Bann Curwen,
Tanith, and Adric, then Hester does so instead. Only
Bann Nicola, Crannoch, and Bando know that Lorraine
has a backup. Other than having this duty, Hester acts
during the ball as would any of the other servants in
Bann Nicola’s employ.
1HE ASSASSINA1ILN !LL1
Be sure you have read and understand the outlines of
Bann Nicola’s plan as described in the section Ser Basil,
the Bastard on page 84. The outlines of the action—
assuming that the plot goes off as intended, which it
may well not—are as follows.
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A Fragile Web
At some point during the party, Ser Basil has strong
words with Bann Curwen in the parlor (see 2. Sins of
Fathers). Bann Nicola ensures that word of this confron-
tation spreads among the guests, embellishing (falsely)
that Ser Basil threatened the bann with physical harm if
Basil did not receive Tanith’s hand in marriage.
Later on, Bann Nicola sends Bann Curwen, Tanith,
and Adric up to the second-foor lounge to make fnal
arrangements before the public announcement of
Tanith and Adric’s engagement. She promises to join
them shortly.
When Curwen, Tanith, and Adric arrive upstairs, Rivka
poisons them, and they die. Rivka cuts Tanith’s throat
before stealing out of the room.
A message is passed to Ser Basil, ostensibly from Tanith,
asking him to meet her in the second foor lounge right
away. Basil heads immediately upstairs. Lorraine fol-
lows.
Ser Basil bursts into the lounge and discovers the three
dead bodies.
Lorraine screams from the second foor, runs downstairs,
and intercepts Captain Braedon, who happens to be
escorting Bann Nicola up to the lounge at that moment.
Lorraine tells Braedon, between gasps, that she saw Ser
Basil exchange words with a shady elf, and then saw
Basil enter the lounge, draw his dagger, and demand
that Tanith marry him. It was then that Lorraine saw
that Bann Curwen and Adric were already dead. (“Poi-
soned by that elf, I’m sure of it!”) Lorraine reports that
Tanith refused Basil’s demand, and that Ser Basil slit
her throat in anger.
Although Ser Basil obviously denies the whole of Lor-
raine’s story, additional evidence has been planted to
corroborate Lorraine’s story: a bloody dagger belong-
ing to Ser Basil, which Lorraine stole some days ago and
handed over to Marissa. This has been planted under a
couch in the lounge, there for anyone who looks to dis-
cover in the wake of the assassinations.
If all goes according to plan, Captain Braedon seizes
Basil and turns him over to the king’s authorities. A
blackhaller in debt to Bann Nicola interrogates Ser Basil
in the following hours and “discovers” that all of this
was part of a Restorationist plot hatched in cooperation
with certain city elves.
Basil is hung in the morning. The king assigns Bann
Nicola to investigate and purge the Restorationists
(which gives her the leverage she wants in Merchants’
Guild), while other banns are given a charter to purge
the Elven Alienage.
That is, that’s what happens if all goes according to plan.
I VELCLHE 1L
1HE GPANI BALL
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs attend the grand ball at Baranti
Manor.
Coaches arrive at Baranti Manor, dropping off
their noble passengers. Bann Nicola’s servants
help them through the spitting rain and into the
foyer. As they enter the parlor, Bando announces
them expertly to the assemblage.
Bann Nicola’s parlor is resplendent with
a roaring fre, quintet of fne musicians, and
an impeccable cold buffet that unrolls across
a half-dozen fne tables. Servants bustle con-
stantly to refll and redecorate its fne plates
and dishes, while others of their number cir-
culate exotic spirits and fne wines among the
nobility.
Bann Nicola greets each guest personally. Her
exquisite, dark green gown is staggering in its
opulence, very nearly rendering invisible the
impeccably dressed Captain Braedon, who is
her escort for the evening.
Depending on how and why the PCs are present, they
may either receive the same treatment as other honored
guests or be forced to keep a low profle.
Captain Braedon keeps his guardsmen nearby, but dis-
creetly so. Most are stationed in the main hall.
If the PCs are guests, allow them to mingle, especially if
they recognize some of the guests. If your future adven-
tures involve noble NPCs, this is a fne time to intro-
duce them.
PCs who mingle with the intention of gaining informa-
tion should make a TN 13 Communication (Investiga-
tion) test. Those who succeed learn information from
the following table, up to and including the result of
their dragon die. If multiple PCs succeed at such tests,
Recurring Roles
The grand ball is an excellent opportunity for you to reintroduce nobles from previous adventures, such as
Bann Karel Dusic, Ser Gelda, and Ser Vilem from Amber Rage, or Arl Gallagher Wulff, his daughter Izot, and
her Avar husband Azur from Where Eagles Lair. If Ser Gelda is present, the PCs might even consider enlisting
the blackhaller to aid their cause.
118
A Fragile Web
spread the information among them. If your future
adventures involve information that might be learned
at a social gathering such as this, sprinkle those clues
here as well.
Grand Ball Clues
DraGon Die information learneD
1–2 There have been many complaints
recently about the spiraling prices
of imported goods in Denerim. (The
PC who learns this is cornered by a
frustrated noble who can do nothing but
complain bitterly about how it has been
disastrous for his fortunes.)
3–4 Rumor has it that Tanith Curwen, the
daughter of Bann Gordon Curwen, will
be engaged this evening. There is wild
speculation—some of it even correct—
about to whom she will be engaged; each
PC hears something different.
5–6 The king has been looking for an excuse
to control the population of city elves
in Denerim lately. (The PC who learns
this hears it from a noble who is either
vehemently in favor of this, or violently
opposed to it.)
Bann Curwen and Tanith arrive about half an hour
into the grand ball. If the PCs have reason to pay more
attention to them than any other guests, you may wish
to introduce them with this:
Bann Gordon Curwen escorts his daughter into
the parlor after Bando’s expert introduction.
Although an imposing fgure, the old bann has
the stiff walk of an old soldier. Tanith is strik-
ing, a beautiful young fower with long, curly
red hair and a stunning gown that hugs her wil-
lowy curves.
A PC who makes a TN 13 Perception (Seeing or Empa-
thy) test notices a palpable change in Adric’s demeanor
at Tanith’s entrance. Whereas before her arrival he
was sullen and dour, he transforms in a heartbeat into
a breezy, agreeable young man. He rushes across the
room, almost beating his grandmother to greet the
pair.
Ser Basil is one of the last guests to arrive. Any PC who
pays attention notices that he asks Tanith to dance with
him. With a TN 15 Perception (Empathy) test, even a
PC who is not paying attention notices that Ser Basil
keeps a close eye on Tanith over the course of the eve-
ning no matter where the two of them happen to be.
2 SINS Ll lA1HEPS
EXPLORATION ENCOUNTER
The PCs overhear a heated exchange between
Bann Curwen and Ser Basil.
While the PCs are mingling, call for a TN 13 Perception
(Hearing) test among all those who are in the parlor.
PCs who succeed overhear the following exchange
between Bann Curwen and Ser Basil:
The venom in the man’s voice commands your
attention: “By all rights, your lands should be mine!”
Out of the corner of your eye—as discretion
requires—your see a man you recognize as Ser
Basil leaning into an exchange with Bann Gordon
Curwen. Basil continues: “I demand that you rec-
tify this crime by offering me Tanith’s hand, so I
may regain what rightfully belongs to me!”
“You would speak to me of rights?” Bann
Curwen retorts. “Your father’s lands were
stolen, given to him illegitimately, by an illegiti-
mate king. Although I suppose legitimacy is no
great concern of yours!”
Basil seethes, his face turning red, his hands
clenching in fsts. After a tense moment of angry
silence, he turns and marches away.
After this exchange, the rumors start.
Any mingling PC who makes a TN 13 Communication
(Investigation) test realizes that the facts of the story are
changing as it’s retold around the ball, with Ser Basil’s
part in the exchange sounding more and more menac-
ing with each retelling until most guests have come to
believe that Ser Basil threatened Bann Curwen with
direct and physical violence in the immediate future.
It takes a deliberate effort, as well as a TN 17 Commu-
nication (Investigation) test, to trace the escalations in
the tale to Bann Nicola herself.
What’s clear to everyone is that many guests are start-
ing to feel uncomfortable about Ser Basil.
ò CLNlPLN1ING BANIL
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs pump Bando for information.
If the PCs believe that Bando has useful knowledge,
they may take an opportunity during the ball to isolate
him and force him to talk. (If they don’t, you should
obviously skip this encounter.)
Bando is constantly in motion during the party, passing
in and out of various rooms around the manor. It is rela-
tively simple for one or more of the PCs to catch him
119
A Fragile Web
If the PCs succeed in their test, Lorraine reveals what she
knows about the intrigue: That she’s to follow Ser Basil
upstairs when he goes there, and that when the time
is right—she’s not sure exactly what that means, but
has the idea that it will involve dead bodies—she’s to
run and fnd Captain Braedon, and then loudly convey
the (false) tale of what she’s just seen. While Lorraine
suspects there is more to the plot than she knows, she
has allowed her love for Marissa to cloud her judgment.
Ultimately, she believes she is serving Ferelden by help-
ing root out the Restorationists.
If prodded for more information than that (“Is there
anything else we should know?”), she also remem-
bers that she turned over one of Ser Basil’s daggers to
Marissa a few days ago, when asked to do so.
Lorraine believes that when all has been said and done,
Bann Nicola will exonerate her of any wrongdoing and
offer her a position with House Baranti. If she comes to
alone at some point and force him to some even more
secluded corner. Bando is no combatant; if threatened
with violence he complies immediately with any and
all physical demands.
Getting Bando to talk is a different story. The PCs might
try any number of tactics, such as bargaining, persua-
sion, intimidation, or even seduction. These require
an advanced, opposed Communication (Bargaining,
Persuasion, or Seduction) or Strength (Intimidation)
vs. Willpower (Self-Discipline) test with a success
threshold of 10. Each test takes as much as ten minutes
of back-and-forth—negotiation, wheedling, wheeling-
and-dealing—and Bando receives a +3 bonus to his
rolls to represent his deep loyalty to Bann Nicola. The
PCs have their work cut out for them, although if they
ultimately succeed, Bann Nicola’s plot is laid bare to
them, since Bando knows everything.
The PCs can learn useful information from Bando short of
the whole kit and caboodle, though. Each time they meet
with success in an opposed test (short of the advanced
test’s master threshold, that is), Bando accidentally lets
one of the following bits of information slip:
• Bann Nicola intends to break the merchants’ hold
on the ports.
• Bann Nicola is somehow using Tanith Curwen to
further her goals.
• There will be an assassination, and it will implicate
the Restorationists.
• The assassination will also result in a purge of the
Elven Alienage.
Keep in mind that Bando and Bann Nicola are in fre-
quent contact during the ball. If Bando disappears for
any signifcant period of time, he’s inquired after, with
Braedon’s guardsmen dispatched to search for him if
he doesn’t turn up within a few minutes.
4 IN1EPVIEVING LLPPAINE
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
The PCs confront Lorraine about tonight’s events.
If the PCs learned from Marissa about Lorraine’s
involvement, they may want to speak with her.
Lorraine is diffcult to isolate, as she spends the ball in
a room crammed with other servants, retainers, and
squires. If the PCs come up with a clever plan to do so,
she can be convinced to speak freely with an opposed
Communication (Persuade) vs. Willpower (Self-Dis-
cipline) test. If the PCs manage to use their knowledge
of the love between Marissa and Lorraine to strengthen
their attempts, they receive a +2 bonus to their roll. If
Marissa has reason to be concerned about her physical
safety, the PCs receive a further +1 bonus.
LORRAINE
An attractive young woman with hair cut short in
a martial style. Lorraine was initially persuaded
to betray Ser Basil by Bann Nicola’s coin. She fell
in love with her handler Marissa—and Marissa
with her—in the natural fashion. The longer these
deceptions have continued the more conficted
Lorraine has become. This has manifested in a
morose demeanor of late.
Abilities (Focuses)
3 communicAtion
2 constitution (stAminA)
2 cunning
5 dexterity (riding, stAves)
0 mAgic
2 perception
1 strength
4 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
12 40 16 5
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe ranGe
morningstAr +7 1d6+4 -
dAgger +5 1d6+2 -
crossboW +5 2d6+3 30/60 yArds
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Mighty Blow and Pierce Armor.
talents: Armor Training (Novice), Single Weapon Style
(Novice), and Weapon and Shield Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Light Blades, and Staves.
equipment
light mAil Armor, medium shield, morningstAr, dAgger,
crossboW, And 20 bolts.
120
A Fragile Web
RIVKA THE ASSASSIN
An experienced elven assassin, currently disguised
as a Baranti household servant.
Abilities (Focuses)
4 communicAtion (deception, disguise)
2 constitution (running)
4 cunning
6 dexterity (initiAtive, light blAdes, steAlth)
0 mAgic
3 perception
3 strength
2 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
18 55 16 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
dAgger +8 1d6+4
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Disarm and Pierce Armor.
Class Powers (Rogue 5): Backstab, Bluff, Rogue’s Armor, and
Stunt Bonus (Pierce Armor for 1 SP).
talents: Scouting (Journeyman), Thievery (Journeyman),
Single Weapon Style (Novice), and Unarmed Style (Novice).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Light Blades, and Staves.
equipment
dAgger.
suspect that’s not going to happen (and, in point of fact,
it isn’t), or if she learns that Marissa has left Denerim, she
leaves the grand ball immediately, never to be seen again.
b 1HE !LL1 IN HL1ILN
ROLEPLAYING ENCOUNTER
Bann Nicola’s plan comes to fruition (unless
the PCs stop it!).
After another round of dancing, you notice Bann
Nicola speaking with Bann Curwen. Adric and
Tanith, fresh from a dance, join them.
After a few moments of conversation, Bann
Nicola gestures in the direction of the grand
staircase in the main hall. The other three—
Curwen, Adric, and Tanith—head that way,
conversing gaily as they go, while Bann Nicola
turns warmly to speak with another guest who’s
been waiting patiently for her attention.
Make a PerCePtion (seeinG) test.
Any PC who makes the TN 13 Perception (Seeing) test
notices the briefest of eye contact between Bann Nicola
and Rivka just as Bann Nicola turns away from Curwen,
Tanith, and Adric. Anyone thus alerted sees Rivka turn
to carry a decanter of wine on a silver platter up the
grand stairs, following the other three.
Unless stopped from doing so, Rivka enters the lounge
after Bann Curwen, Tanith, and Adric, and poisons
them. They die in just a few rounds without making
any noise or commotion that can be heard above the
musicians, who’ve coincidentally just begun a rather
spirited number. Rivka slices Tanith’s throat accord-
ing to the plan before stealing out one of the lounge’s
windows, sneaking through the gardens and over the
manor wall, and disappearing into the city.
If the PCs intercept Rivka, she attempts to salvage the
plot if she can or, failing that, tries to escape. If the
PCs try to convince her to fnger Bann Nicola, call for
an opposed Communication (Persuasion) vs. Will-
power (Self-Discipline) test, but don’t bother to keep
track of Rivka’s roll. Regardless of the result, Rivka
feigns willingness to go along with the PCs, but when
the time comes for any kind of public confession, she
SER BASIL
A ruggedly good-looking young knight whose
scars make him seem authentic, rather than disfg-
ured. He believes he’s destined for greatness, and
comes off as arrogant.
Abilities (Focuses)
2 communicAtion (persuAsion)
2 constitution (stAminA)
3 cunning (militAry lore)
3 dexterity (light blAdes, riding)
1 mAgic
1 perception
5 strength (heAvy blAdes)
2 WillpoWer
Combat ratinGs
sPeeD health Defense armor ratinG
13 60 13 0
attaCks
WeaPon attaCk roll DamaGe
bAstArd sWord +7 2d6+6
dAgger +5 1d6+6
PoWers
favoreD stunts: Defensive Stance and Mighty Blow.
talents: Armor Training (Journeyman), Dual Weapon Style
(Journeyman), and Weapon and Shield Style (Journeyman).
WeaPon GrouPs: Bows, Brawling, Heavy Blades, Light
Blades, and Spears.
equipment
bAstArd sWord And dAgger. (in A combAt situAtion he’d
WeAr heAvy plAte Armor And cArry A medium shield, but
these stAtistics reFlect him As he Attends the bAll.)
121
A Fragile Web
implicates Ser Basil instead, more or less according to
the original plan.
PCs who are still downstairs may make a TN 13 Per-
ception (Seeing) test to notice Bando handing a mes-
sage to a servant and whispering in his ear. The mes-
sage shortly makes its way to Ser Basil, who reads the
note and immediately heads for the main stairs.
Given a further TN 13 Perception (Seeing) test, the PCs
notice that Lorraine, who has been keeping an eye on
her master, sees this and follows him. (If the PCs are
explicitly keeping an eye on Lorraine, no test is needed
to notice this. If Lorraine has left the ball, Hester is the
one who follows Ser Basil.)
If the PCs have still not intervened, Bann Nicola and
Captain Braedon begin to ascend the grand staircase just
as Ser Basil arrives at the lounge. Lorraine’s scream rings
out just a moment later, precisely as the musicians fnish
their number. Lorraine descends the stairs, relates her
tale to Braedon, and chaos erupts. (Or, again, if Lorraine
is no longer present, Hester plays the role of witness.)
Captain Braedon calls for guardsmen and rushes upstairs
to apprehend a confused and hysterical Ser Basil. The
bloody dagger is found momentarily. If Lorraine is pres-
ent, she identifes it as Basil’s. The wheels of justice turn.
Obviously, the PCs’ actions could cause any of a thou-
sand variations on Bann Nicola’s plan. Whatever the
PCs decide to do, keep the various actors’ motivations
in mind, remember that this is the thrilling climax of the
adventure, and don’t be boring.
Aftermath
The loose ends of “A Fragile Web” can be tied up in a
multitude of ways, depending on what the PCs do, and
what they have done.
If Bann Nicola succeeds in the broad outlines of her
plot, she terrorizes Denerim’s merchant families over
a period of weeks while the king turns his loyal banns
loose on the Elven Alienage, which burns for days.
Sometime in this period, Lorraine is discovered to have
hung herself, presumably due to some guilt, regret,
or horror at what she witnessed. In reality, Rivka (or
some other assassin) has been dispatched to tie up Bann
Nicola’s loose ends.
If the PCs kill Bann Nicola or infuence someone else
to kill her, Adric takes her place as the leader of House
Baranti and Denerim’s nobility plunges into a period
of chaos as her stabilizing infuence disappears. House
Baranti’s various public works come to an end, and the
city is worse off for their lack.
If Bann Curwen survives and learns that he has the PCs
to thank, they’ve made a steadfast ally. If Tanith learns
the same, she becomes infatuated with the handsomest
PC hero—likely to Adric’s frustration.
If Bann Nicola’s network of espionage comes apart to
the extent that her agents stop picking up the confes-
sional slips that Mother Gabriella puts in the back-alley
barrel each week, the mother quietly thanks the Maker
and begins burning the real confessional slips each
week, leaving no one the wiser. She never reveals her
secret to anyone.
Perhaps the best results come about if Bann Nicola is
publicly discredited with evidence she can’t dispute or
make to disappear. In that event, although Adric still
inherits the house’s wealth (because the king strips
Nicola of her titles), her secret knowledge doesn’t go
away. And although relative peace prevails in Den-
erim—for the time being—the PCs have made an excep-
tionally dangerous adversary, not only of Bann Nicola,
but also of the wily and ingenious spymaster Crannoch.
Their plots of vengeance should provide fuel for many
future adventures.
Although less broadly important than what happens to
Bann Nicola, the PCs must eventually tell Andriel some-
thing. If she learns that her confessions were used against
her employer, she never goes near Andraste’s Ear again,
going so far as to move out of the neighborhood. Given
her loyalty to her employer, her relationship with Ser
Greta is repaired over time. She may even recommend
the PCs to Ser Greta in the future, in the event that Ser
Greta ever needs capable allies in her ongoing crusade to
thwart Orlesian infuence in Denerim.
122
The Sound
Sleep of the
Innocent
BY JEFF TIDBALL
One night as the characters sleep soundly in the inn of
a small city somewhere in Ferelden, their slumber is
interrupted by a gang of attackers sent to kill them in
the night.
The heroes’ immediate and obvious challenge is to
fght off the assault. But in the wake of the attack,
the PCs must also fgure out who tried to have them
killed, and why. And perhaps most importantly, what
they have to do to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Because whatever crimes the PCs may have commit-
ted in the past—real or imagined, mild or grievous—
they have nothing to do with the attack that begins
this adventure.
This adventure seed consists primarily of background
information that describes the backstory that led to the
attack and the parties involved. The adventure, then,
should arise organically from the motivations of the
parties and the way the battle plays out—who lives and
who dies.
BACKS1LPY
Bandits have plagued the main road north of the city
recently. They’re a relatively small group, but their
attacks have become bolder and more violent as they’ve
perfected their tactics.
A few days ago, the bandits attacked the merchant
wagon of a well-liked family—a father, mother, teenage
daughter, and young son—who travel a regional cir-
cuit selling wooden toys. The bandits killed the father
when he tried to stop them from raping the mother and
daughter. The violence escalated and they wound up
slaying the entire family.
Unknown to the bandits, the attack was witnessed by
an apostate mage. This mage wasn’t brave enough to
confront the villains, but used his magic after they had
gone to save the young boy’s life.
The mage intended to simply drop the boy with the
local sheriff and avoid further entanglements, but when
he arrived in town, he discovered that the sheriff was
away, not expected back for several days. He tried to
leave the boy with the local innkeeper, but unknown to
him, this was the worst thing he could have done.
The innkeeper is in league with the bandits; he feeds
them information about good targets in return for a cut
of the spoils. Business has been bad, and this is the only
way he’s been able to maintain his business.
The innkeeper fgured that a young boy’s testimony
about the bandits’ identities could be manipulated or
discounted, but wasn’t so sure about the mage. After
feigning sympathy and listening to the mage’s tale,
the innkeeper “revealed” that in a lucky coincidence,
a group of outsiders matching the mage’s description
of the bandits had taken rooms in the inn that very
night!
With the sheriff out of town and no standing force of
guards, the innkeeper volunteered to round up a group
of local men, paying them from his own pocket if need
be, to apprehend the sleeping “bandits.” He left the boy
in the mage’s increasingly nervous company to round
up such men.
Naturally, the innkeeper rode straight to the bandits’
camp and brought them back to the city under cover of
darkness, casting them—for the mage’s beneft—as the
posse he had raised.
The bandits were more than willing to participate in a
fght that would eliminate the witness to their deeds
(for they intended to make sure the apostate mage died,
“tragically,” in the fght against the PCs) as well as pro-
vide convenient scapegoats for their past acts of ban-
ditry.
1HE lIGH1
The attacking force consists of one bandit for each PC.
They should be tailored to match the PCs’ fghting abil-
ities. There is also a single local man of good reputa-
tion (but not particularly great intelligence) recruited
by the innkeeper and fed the same lies that were told
to the mage, so the sheriff will have a trusted local face
to question about the fght upon his return. Finally, the
band includes the apostate mage, told by the innkeeper
that he must provide the group with a positive identif-
cation of the “bandits.”
The PCs are awakened, ideally, by precautions of their
own design set in place to prevent exactly this kind of
attack. If the PCs don’t take such precautions, they’re
awakened, instead, when the none-too-bright local
recruit drops his sword while the attackers are sneak-
ing up on their room.
The bandits’ plan is to kill all of the PCs and knife the
apostate in the back while keeping the local sap con-
fused enough that he’ll simply verify the innkeeper’s
version of events when the time comes. (Ideally, they
hope he’ll be knocked out the window or bludgeoned
unconscious early in the fght, circumstances they’re
Appendix:
Adventure Seeds
123
Appendix: Adventure Seeds
perfectly prepared to help along.) The bandits have also
brought along one of the slain family’s wooden toys to
plant among the PCs’ gear, to cement their guilt.
The bandits—cowards by nature—do not fght to the
death.
Al1EP 1HE A11ACK
What happens after the attack depends on two factors:
who lived and who died, and what the PCs decide to
do. As GM, you will have to improvise—there’s no way
around it—depending on how these two unpredictable
factors turn out.
Two lists, provided below, will aid you. The frst is a list
of what each actor in this drama wants. The second is
a list of interesting things that might happen while the
PCs pursue answers. If the pace of play ever slows, just
search the latter list for the most appropriate event to
get things moving again.
What They Want
Here are the motivations and priorities of the NPCs,
assuming, of course, they survive the attack.
THE INNKEEPER
The innkeeper wants to preserve his reputation and his
business. He’d also like to preserve the bandits’ crimi-
nal enterprise, because (a) they can implicate him if he
turns on them, and (b) he needs his part of their pro-
ceeds to prop up the inn. When the attack on the PCs
goes south, he tries to pin things that can’t be ascribed
to coincidence on the mage (blaming him, for example,
for giving him bad descriptions of the bandits).
THE MAGE
If the apostate mage survives the attack, his highest pri-
ority is to escape the area before the Templars pursuing
him turn up.
THE BOY
The boy wants his family back. Since that’s not going to
happen, he’ll take any gesture of humanity or goodwill
that he can get. He doesn’t remember the attack clearly,
couldn’t identify the bandits to save his life, and is wide
open to manipulation by any and all of the various self-
interested parties.
THE BANDITS
The bandits want to avoid further encounters, get back
to their camp, and get on with the business of enrich-
ing themselves by ambushing the weak. Of course, they
can’t very well have the PCs hunting them, so they’ll
ally with the innkeeper as necessary in order to keep
local events on an even keel. However, if it comes to it,
they’d rather move on to other hunting grounds than
get into another dangerous melee or become embroiled
with the local sheriff or freemen.
THE PATSY
Strong and well-liked but not particularly bright,
this genial mooncalf wants to preserve—and per-
haps enhance—his reputation. He’s willing to be con-
vinced that things happened differently than he actu-
ally remembers them if the new story is plausible and
paints him heroically.
THE SHERIFF
When he returns, the sheriff wants to get to the bottom
of things. He’d be thrilled if the investigation also rid
him of the north road bandits.
What Could Happen
The following sections describe events that could tran-
spire if things slow down and you want to kick the
action forward.
THE SHERIFF RETURNS
Although not expected for several days, the sheriff
could return unexpectedly, his journey cut short by any
number of unpredictable factors.
A SECOND ATTACK
If the PCs are proving troublesome and the innkeeper
and bandits think they can get away with it, they might
try a second attack to clear the heroes out of their way
once and for all.
THE CHANTRY STEPS IN
Chantry Templars have been tracking the apostate
mage. Even if the apostate slips out of town, the Chantry
might take an interest in the ambush on the PCs since
their quarry apparently took part.
THE PCS ARE DETAINED
If the situation becomes too confusing, the local freemen
may decide to simply detain the PCs until the sheriff
returns. The locals don’t want to do anything irrevers-
ible, like meting out justice on their own. They just want
to preserve the situation for the rightful authorities.
THE BOY GOES MUTE
The young boy’s last few days have been well and
truly awful. He’ll literally be scarred forever, but his
psychological trauma could also manifest physically
in delayed muteness, which would render attempts to
understand his already confusing testimony that much
more diffcult.
124
Appendix: Adventure Seeds
PESLLU1ILN
The adventure’s ultimate resolution depends a great
deal on how much satisfaction the PCs require. As long
as they want to continue searching for answers, the
adventure continues, with the various villains continu-
ing to act in their own self-interest.
On the other hand, if the heroes simply want to move on
to move proftable enterprises, the bandits are unlikely
to pursue them out of town. In that case, though, keep
this cast of antagonists in your bag of tricks for future
use. If the PCs travel back through town, you’ll have
ready-made villains for future conficts.
All is Theft
BY DAVID HILL
This adventure is a light mystery and morality play
set in Denerim, in which the Player Characters learn
about a spree of robberies, investigate three crimes, and
ultimately confront those responsible. In the end, they
must make a choice about how to deal with a group of
criminals whose motives are purely held, if both inad-
visable and strange.
The three investigations can be brief, or crafted into
longer mini-adventures, depending on the characters,
their resources, and your interest as GM. They can be
presented in any order, and since any of them can give
the PCs enough clues to at least haphazardly pursue
the culprits, even a more action-oriented group should
have a reasonable chance at overall success.
Work for Hire
Three merchants in Denerim have suffered robberies of
late: a smith, a dealer in preserved foods, and a seller
of building materials. These were not small robber-
ies; all three merchants lost large volumes of product.
Each had been independently looking to hire agents to
recover their wares, but having learned of each other’s
misfortunes, they’re now collaborating to hire investi-
gators. Their offer is potentially quite lucrative: 10% of
the value of the goods recovered.
Lifted Arms
The frst crime scene is the smith’s workshop. The smith is
particularly disturbed by the theft because he slept through
the night it happened, and his bed is just upstairs from the
shop. The thieves stole dozens of items, and moving that
volume of metal without waking him should have been
impossible. And that’s where things get fshy: With a little
investigation, the PCs fnd a faint purplish-gray powder
around the smith’s bed. With a little knowledge, study, or
consultation, they realize it’s the product of a rare plant
that causes sleep. It doesn’t grow in Ferelden natively.
Ultimately, there’s only one merchant in Denerim who
deals in rare poisons, and he doesn’t advertise. With a
shakedown or bribe, the merchant reveals that the pur-
chaser of the drug in question wore a distinctive slen-
der black cloak with a faint shimmer, like coal. Magi-
cally inclined characters might identify this as a sign of
blood magic.
Dry Goods
The second scene is at the preserved foods dealer. He
deals in pickled fsh, dried fruits, and similar travel-
friendly foods. He’s no small-time businessman, and
manages caravans that deliver goods all over Thedas. In
an established campaign, the party probably knows him.
The oddity with this robbery is that while the dealer’s
goods are openly available for purchase at places of
little security all over Denerim—he operates stands,
stalls, and storefronts all over the city—the thief chose
to steal from the storehouse where not only are a smaller
portion of his products stashed, but there is better secu-
rity. He’s confdent that the culprit was his storehouse
guard, who hasn’t been seen since the crime.
The PCs can fnd the guard’s family relatively easily. His
wife and child aren’t particularly interested in speaking,
but the wife can be persuaded with a bit of coin. Her tale
is that her husband told her he’d be gone for a while, out
of town, but that when he returned, he’d come bearing
wealth that would change their meager lives for the better.
He couldn’t tell her how long he’d be gone. Given an effort
at kindness to her, the daughter might eventually reveal
that she happened to spot an elf outside their house, wait-
ing for her father, on the night when the PCs know the
robbery took place. The two of them left together; that was
the last night the guard was seen in town.
If the party deals with the wife particularly compas-
sionately, she might confde that she doesn’t trust her
husband much, these days. She says he’s been speaking
openly against the king in recent weeks.
Building the Case
The last crime scene is a lumberyard that was robbed of
enough material to build a number of solid homes. The
business owner reports that a number of his workers
have been missing since the theft.
Upon asking around, the characters can learn that
several heavy wagons were seen near the yard on the
night of the thefts. Further questions, further afeld,
may reveal that these same wagons left the city in the
middle of the night, heading west.
A few hours down that road, there are signs that heavy
wagons left the main road, heading into the woods. The
ruts made by their wheels end abruptly in a clearing
near a deep ravine where there’s a large circle of dead
underbrush burned into the ground.
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Through their own knowledge, research, or investiga-
tions, the PCs can learn that the burned circle suggests
the casting of a traveling ritual capable of transporting
a group, turning it into a bloody mist that can travel on
the wind.
Justice
The clues lead to a fortifed camp in the woods, on the
far side of the ravine. The camp is built of the stolen
lumber and other building materials, which have been
made into a makeshift fortress. About 40 men live here,
and a few women and children, all bearing and wear-
ing goods stolen from the smith. They have large stock-
piles of the stolen foodstuffs.
These malcontents are led by an elf who wears the black
cloak previously described. He neither confrms nor
denies any accusations the PCs level at him, nor offers
either explanation or excuses. He behaves civilly, but
has no love for the Fereldan king or power structures.
The elf’s ultimate goals should be determined based on
the needs of the long-term campaign, but revolve, gen-
erally, around forming an independent political power
base in Ferelden. His motives might fall anywhere on
from wanting a haven for enlightenment that stands
apart from the more brutish Fereldan aesthetic, to seek-
ing the overthrow of the nation of Ferelden.
The elf and his followers clearly will not survive a con-
frontation with the armed might of Denerim, so they
take what steps they can to convince the PCs to remain
quiet about their presence. Bribery is one clear possi-
bility. If pressed, and assuming that they can’t recruit
the PCs to their cause, they’re willing to match the mer-
chants’ offer of 10% of the value of the stolen goods.
If bribery fails, the elf makes it clear that he and his
followers are willing to die to protect their settlement,
and that if the PCs attack the place, or bring the force of
the king’s law to attack it, then the PCs will be directly
responsible for the deaths not only of those present, but
the resulting hardship that will befall their families.
Whatever set of decisions they make, the PCs will have
the opportunity to make long-term allies of either three
powerful merchants, or the elf’s commune.
The Pilgrimage
of Sister Stone
BY FILAMENA YOUNG
A ranking member of the Chantry needs able escorts on
an important Chantry matter. Simply put, a young priest
is about to make a special pilgrimage to a village on the
edge of the Korcari Wilds. It’s some kind of mercy mis-
sion, but the Chantry is vague on the details. The char-
acters are told that all they need to know is that it is their
job to escort the pilgrim along her path and keep her safe.
The pay is fair, and as such, hard to turn down.
But along the way, a series of strange events leads locals
to believe the pilgrim is a bona fde saint, spreading
miracles wherever she goes. The characters may have
their doubts, as the pilgrim clearly has no magical abili-
ties and most of the odd happenings could be explained
away mundanely. Even so, the rumors spread, and a
local arl hears the stories and decries heresy.
The characters must avoid the arl’s men while fnishing
the pilgrim’s work, which now draws supporters and
attackers alike. The characters must ultimately choose
between turning their charge over to the arl, or forcing
her to abandon her pilgrimage.
Hired
A Chantry Templar, a man of good standing and great
repute, approaches the characters. He’s looking to hire
them for a mission he cannot handle himself. He needs
them to meet a priest in Denerim and escort her, cross-
country, to the edge of the wilds.
Miracle of
the Fertile Harridan
As soon as their party starts out, the characters begin
to hear rumors about Sister Stone, the pilgrim in their
company. A merchant tells them a story about an older
woman desperate to have a son despite the death of
her husband. After praying to the Maker with Sister
Stone, the harridan became pregnant and nine months
later bore not one, but two healthy boys. Local women
say that Sister Stone’s intercession with the Maker can
make any woman fertile.
Where the
Water Runs Fresh
While passing the River Drakon, Sister Stone requests
the characters call on a farming community she has vis-
ited with in the past. They’re in dire straits, claiming
an apostate has cursed the part of the river from which
they irrigate their crops, which now kills even the fsh
that live there. The characters must handle the apostate.
In the meantime, Sister Stone prays by the river. When
the characters return, they fnd the river once again
running clean. The locals call it a miracle. Sister Stone
says it’s merely the Maker’s work.
The Field of Liars
Following the West Road, Sister Stone stops several times
to aid the sick. She takes her time in each case, leaving
the characters the opportunity to explore and adven-
ture while they wait on her, if they wish. The Sister has
now drawn the attention of Arl Broxton, the protector
of these lands, and he has sent spies to observe her for
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Appendix: Adventure Seeds
signs that she practices magic. One cloudy afternoon,
the pilgrim stops in the middle of the road along a feld,
saying that she has heard a noise of many men. After a
moment, the clouds part and a great gust of warm wind
blows the nearby grain nearly fat, revealing a group of
armed men who serve the arl approaching. The men lay
down their arms, calling the exposure of their ambush
the Maker’s work and converting to her cause.
A Gift of Doves
The pilgrim and the PCs arrive at a small town with
a large Chantry house. Diseased rats have beset the
local area, despoiling the food stores and making the
children ill. Sister Stone meets privately with the Rev-
erend Mother. When she emerges, she looks tired, and
a bit sad. The next day, among pomp and ceremony,
the Sister performs a miracle, telling the townspeople
that the Maker has already reached out to them and
that they should open their rat traps. When they do,
doves fy from the traps. Few who witnessed the releas-
ing of the doves doubt the authenticity of the event, and
yet the characters can’t shake the idea that it may have
been an elaborate ruse staged by the local church.
The Thwarted Power
The characters begin to hear that the arl is demanding
Sister Stone appear before him to be tried as a witch
and an apostate—no matter what the Chantry says.
The sister ignores these demands, continuing on her
pilgrimage undeterred, until the arl’s men round up 50
men, women, and children who believe she is divine,
accuses them of crimes against the Chantry, and prom-
ises to put one of them to death each day she fails to
appear. Sister Stone places the obvious choice into the
PCs hands. She is clearly fearful for her life and minis-
try, but has no wish to see innocents die. The characters
are free to act as they are moved by turning her over
to the arl, concealing her, spiriting her out of the area,
staging a rescue of the hostages, or whatever seems
best. Certain of these choices could serve as the seed of
an entire series of adventures.
The Breaking of Bonds
If the Sister winds up facing the arl, whether is cap-
tured or turned over, her fnal miracle transpires. As the
Sister is taken into custody, her bonds will not hold—
and in fact, the shackles of the 50 prisoners fall away as
well, and cannot be re-fastened. The arl dismisses this
as a trick of sympathetic guards. After all, his soldiers
have failed him before where the Sister is concerned. In
the end, the arl demands Sister Stone be put to death.
When he steps forward to strike the fatal blow himself,
his sword will not pierce her (but then, he’s an old man
with a shaking hand…). Before he can ready himself for
a second strike, the Sister takes in a deep breath, cries
out sweetly to the Maker, and falls dead of no appar-
ent cause. Witnesses call it her fnal miracle—ascension
to the Maker without pain of death—but there are still
many unanswered questions. No doubt that characters
will be asked about them for the rest of their lives as
living witnesses to the pilgrimage of Sister Stone.