carpedavid
First Post
Final Round - Second Match: Zenld vs. CarpeDavid
Ingredients
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Bride of the Cyclops
Lizard-Riders
Holy Halberd
Amphitheatre
Error in Judgment
Ice Volcano
Celestial Wrestler
When Achilles drove the heathen lizard worshippers off of the frozen plains and founded our great city, he did so by the will of the gods. Blessed be Achilles; long may Achillea stand.
Background
Founded by the great general Achilles, the city of Achillea was built in the middle of the Frozen Plains, in the shadow of Mt. Pagos, a dormant ice volcano. To the west of the town are sacred hot springs, regarded as a gift from the gods in this arctic climate. There the Temple of Achilles stands, housing the flaming halberd that the city's founder used to lead his troops in battle against the lizard-riding barbarian clan known as the Icerunners.
Very recently, the Temple of Achilles was attacked, it's priests killed, and the halberd stolen. The city elders have accused Phaedrus, a cyclops who lives with his half-giant wife, Antigone, in a cabin west of the hot springs, of committing the crime. They have little evidence, but the attitude that all cyclopes are evil, dangerous creatures who like to eat gods-fearing cityfolk for breakfast is widespread. Most citizens of Achillea were aware of Phaedrus' presence, and figured that it was only a matter of time before something like this happened.
What the citizens of Achillea don't know is that the Icerunners are back, and are looking to reclaim the Frozen Plains. They are the ones who sacked the temple, and they believe that Achilles' sacred halberd may hold the key to unleashing the power of Mt. Pagos.
This adventure provides opportunities for investigation and role-playing, with some potential combat.
Hooks
There are a couple of ways for the PCs to get involved with this adventure:
Phaedrus - while most cyclopes are brutal, savage, man-eaters, not all are. Phaedrus was considered a weakling and an outcast by his tribe for favoring animal meat over the flesh of man, and exiled himself to the Frozen Plains upon reaching adulthood. He supports himself and his wife by hunting bison, which has brought him into conflict with the Achilleans. He favors areas of the plains that are considered prime, and the Achillean hunters have been growing resentful.
Antigone - the cyclops' wife. She is a robust half-giant of middle age. She has long, wavy, gray hair, a ruddy complexion, and appears to be in good health. She is always polite and talks about her husband's innocence with a deep sense of conviction.
Pausinias, Eryximachus, and Alcibiades - the elders of Achillea who believe that Phaedrus is the one who killed the priests. They have been resentful of his presence since his arrival, and have latched onto the raiding of the temple as a way to rid themselves of him. That there is neither physical evidence linking Phaedrus to the crime, nor any eyewitnesses has not dissuaded them from attempting to convict him.
Agamamnon - a hound archon 4th level monk who specializes in grappling. He was sent by his celestial superiors to find some way to retrieve the holy halberd from the heathen lizard-riders, and is currently scouting out their encampment in canine form. He cares little for Phaedrus' plight, for it is his belief that the natural order of things is that all cyclopes are inherently barbaric and evil.
The Icerunners
The Icerunners are a barbarian clan that was driven off of the Frozen Plains by the great general Achilles over one hundred years ago in an attempt to eliminate competition for the bison that roam the plains. They were seen as heathen savages for worshipping an ice dragon god known as Pagos, who they believed resided within the dormant volcano that shares his name.
The barbarians are primarily chaotic, but are not especially evil. They believe that the Frozen Plains are their homeland, and are seeking to get it back. They know, though, that they are too small in number to meet the Achilleans in battle, so they are seeking other ways to eliminate their presence.
Approximately three months ago, Kuno Icerunner, the clan's shaman, received a vision from their dragon god, in which he saw the great volcano bellowing ice and snow, burying Achillea. In this vision, he was directed to bring sacrifices to the volcano to awaken it. His brother, Fenris, the clan's leader, believed that the perfect sacrifice would be the Achilleans' most sacred holy relic, the halberd of Achilles.
The frost lizards used as mounts by the barbarians are perfectly suited to the environment. They are highly dexterous, and their large claws allow them to climb and maneuver even on very slick ice. After the Icerunners were driven off by Achilles, the Achilleans killed off the few lizards remaining on the Frozen Plains, believing them to be competition for bison meat.
Fenris Icerunner - a 6th level barbarian, Fenris wants to reclaim the Frozen Plains for his clan. When his brother received the vision, he selected 18 of his hardiest men to ride with him to Achillea. While he is chaotic in nature, he is not evil. He has no love for the Achilleans, though, and considers their deaths and the destruction of their city to be a just revenge.
Kuno Icerunner - a 5th level cleric (Domains: Trickery and Chaos), Kuno received the vision from his ice dragon god. He is devoutly faithful, and believes that his deity is leading them back to their rightful homeland.
Encounters
Events
Resolution
Bride of the Cyclops - Antigone, contacts the PCs to defend her husband.
Lizard-Riders - the Icerunner barbarian tribe
Holy Halberd - the weapon of Achilles, important to the Icerunner's plans.
Amphitheatre - site of Phaedrus' trial
Error in Judgment - the bias against Phaedrus that results in his arrest
Ice Volcano - a threat to the city of Achillea
Celestial Wrestler - Agamemnon, sent to retrieve the holy halberd, which the PCs need to overturn Phaedrus' conviction
<HR align=left width="33%" SIZE=1>[1] Unearthed Arcana
Ingredients
-----------------
Bride of the Cyclops
Lizard-Riders
Holy Halberd
Amphitheatre
Error in Judgment
Ice Volcano
Celestial Wrestler
When Achilles drove the heathen lizard worshippers off of the frozen plains and founded our great city, he did so by the will of the gods. Blessed be Achilles; long may Achillea stand.
Pausinias - elder of Achillea
The Icerunners
An adventure for a group of 8 - 10th level characters.Background
Founded by the great general Achilles, the city of Achillea was built in the middle of the Frozen Plains, in the shadow of Mt. Pagos, a dormant ice volcano. To the west of the town are sacred hot springs, regarded as a gift from the gods in this arctic climate. There the Temple of Achilles stands, housing the flaming halberd that the city's founder used to lead his troops in battle against the lizard-riding barbarian clan known as the Icerunners.
Very recently, the Temple of Achilles was attacked, it's priests killed, and the halberd stolen. The city elders have accused Phaedrus, a cyclops who lives with his half-giant wife, Antigone, in a cabin west of the hot springs, of committing the crime. They have little evidence, but the attitude that all cyclopes are evil, dangerous creatures who like to eat gods-fearing cityfolk for breakfast is widespread. Most citizens of Achillea were aware of Phaedrus' presence, and figured that it was only a matter of time before something like this happened.
What the citizens of Achillea don't know is that the Icerunners are back, and are looking to reclaim the Frozen Plains. They are the ones who sacked the temple, and they believe that Achilles' sacred halberd may hold the key to unleashing the power of Mt. Pagos.
This adventure provides opportunities for investigation and role-playing, with some potential combat.
Hooks
There are a couple of ways for the PCs to get involved with this adventure:
- Antingone contacts PCs to investigate the wrongful conviction of her husband. She is convinced of his innocence, and maintains that he was with her at the time that the temple was attacked. If the PCs are champions of truth and justice, the thought of a wrongful conviction may be enough to spur them to action. Alternately, Antigone will offer payment in the form of bison pelts, which are valuable enough to barter in the Frozen Plains.
- The elders of Achillea are desperate to retrieve their holy relic. They may contact the PCs to track it down, and can offer a significant amount of gold for it. While they believe that Phaedrus committed the crime, they do not have any idea what he did with the halberd.
Phaedrus - while most cyclopes are brutal, savage, man-eaters, not all are. Phaedrus was considered a weakling and an outcast by his tribe for favoring animal meat over the flesh of man, and exiled himself to the Frozen Plains upon reaching adulthood. He supports himself and his wife by hunting bison, which has brought him into conflict with the Achilleans. He favors areas of the plains that are considered prime, and the Achillean hunters have been growing resentful.
Antigone - the cyclops' wife. She is a robust half-giant of middle age. She has long, wavy, gray hair, a ruddy complexion, and appears to be in good health. She is always polite and talks about her husband's innocence with a deep sense of conviction.
Pausinias, Eryximachus, and Alcibiades - the elders of Achillea who believe that Phaedrus is the one who killed the priests. They have been resentful of his presence since his arrival, and have latched onto the raiding of the temple as a way to rid themselves of him. That there is neither physical evidence linking Phaedrus to the crime, nor any eyewitnesses has not dissuaded them from attempting to convict him.
Agamamnon - a hound archon 4th level monk who specializes in grappling. He was sent by his celestial superiors to find some way to retrieve the holy halberd from the heathen lizard-riders, and is currently scouting out their encampment in canine form. He cares little for Phaedrus' plight, for it is his belief that the natural order of things is that all cyclopes are inherently barbaric and evil.
The Icerunners
The Icerunners are a barbarian clan that was driven off of the Frozen Plains by the great general Achilles over one hundred years ago in an attempt to eliminate competition for the bison that roam the plains. They were seen as heathen savages for worshipping an ice dragon god known as Pagos, who they believed resided within the dormant volcano that shares his name.
The barbarians are primarily chaotic, but are not especially evil. They believe that the Frozen Plains are their homeland, and are seeking to get it back. They know, though, that they are too small in number to meet the Achilleans in battle, so they are seeking other ways to eliminate their presence.
Approximately three months ago, Kuno Icerunner, the clan's shaman, received a vision from their dragon god, in which he saw the great volcano bellowing ice and snow, burying Achillea. In this vision, he was directed to bring sacrifices to the volcano to awaken it. His brother, Fenris, the clan's leader, believed that the perfect sacrifice would be the Achilleans' most sacred holy relic, the halberd of Achilles.
The frost lizards used as mounts by the barbarians are perfectly suited to the environment. They are highly dexterous, and their large claws allow them to climb and maneuver even on very slick ice. After the Icerunners were driven off by Achilles, the Achilleans killed off the few lizards remaining on the Frozen Plains, believing them to be competition for bison meat.
Fenris Icerunner - a 6th level barbarian, Fenris wants to reclaim the Frozen Plains for his clan. When his brother received the vision, he selected 18 of his hardiest men to ride with him to Achillea. While he is chaotic in nature, he is not evil. He has no love for the Achilleans, though, and considers their deaths and the destruction of their city to be a just revenge.
Kuno Icerunner - a 5th level cleric (Domains: Trickery and Chaos), Kuno received the vision from his ice dragon god. He is devoutly faithful, and believes that his deity is leading them back to their rightful homeland.
Encounters
- Temple of Achilles - Located a half-hour's walk from the edge of the city, the temple is built over hot springs deemed sacred by the Achilleans. The scene inside is anything but sacred, though. Blood coats the walls and bubbles in the springs, while the scent of copper hangs thick in the air. The interior has been extensively damaged, and most of the holy iconography has been destroyed or defaced.
A nervous, nearly shell-shocked young adept, who was in the city at the time of the attack, and was the one to discover the carnage, is busily preparing the remains of the 6 other priests for burial. If the PCs inquire, he will let them examine the bodies, and will point out that they appear to have been partially eaten, which he felt pointed to the cyclops. A successful Knowledge (Nature) or Survival check (DC 25) will reveal that the bite marks were not made by a humanoid, but by a lizard of some sort.
If the PCs examine the temple for more clues, a successful search check will reveal animal droppings. A Knowledge (Nature) or Survival check (DC 25) will identify them as coming from a frost lizard. A Knowledge (Local) or Bardic Knowledge (DC 15) check will reveal that frost lizards haven't been seen in the Frozen Planes since the Icerunners were driven out.
The Icerunners are very good at covering their tracks, but a successful tracking roll will indicate that some tracks lead in the direction of Mt. Pagos. Treat the area around the temple as firm ground for the purposes of a tracking roll. Additionally, the 12 barbarians ride large frost lizards, but are good at concealing their tracks (+4 to total DC).
As a final note, Kuno, the Icerunner cleric, cast a nondetection spell on the halberd as soon as it was captured, foiling any attempt at diving its location.
- The Agora - Located next to the amphitheater in the center of the city, the agora is an open-air marketplace where the citizens of Achillea spend the majority of their free time. Not only do people shop here, they gather for meetings, socialize, and spend time playing games. Talking with the citizens of Achillea will reveal that the majority believes that Phaedrus is guilty of the crimes.
If the PCs spend a significant amount of time, however, they will come across some people who are willing to give Phaedrus the benefit of the doubt (about 15 per day spent). With a successful diplomacy check (DC 20), they will agree to attend the trial. By gathering enough open-minded citizens (approximately 20), they will increase the chances of Phaedrus being acquitted (see the events section below).
- Mt. Pagos - the mountain is a dangerous place for those not accustomed to extreme conditions. In addition to the possibility of hypothermia and frostbite, avalanches, deep crevices, and high winds all pose a very real danger. While any PCs who adventure regularly in the Frozen Plains should be prepared for cold weather, the temperature extremes encountered on the mountain are quite a bit beyond the norm. Survival checks should be required to avoid succumbing to the cold weather.
If the PCs are not deterred by the elements, they may eventually locate and reach the Icerunner encampment halfway up the far side of the mountain (tracking, spot, and listen checks will aid in revealing their location). Kuno, Fenris, and 18 1st-3rd level barbarians have made their camp on a relatively flat part of the mountain.
Combat on the frozen mountainside is dangerous, and Balance checks will be required to avoid falling, and sliding 2d10 feet down the slope. Additionally, the snow reduces normal movement by 1/2. When mounted on their frost lizards, the barbarians are immune to these dangers, making them formidable opponents. They will take full advantage of their increased mobility.
If the PCs attack, Agamamnon will join in on their side. Assuming that the PCs win, the incantation that the Icerunners are performing will be interrupted, and the halberd will be easily located, as it had a prominent place in the ceremony. However, Agamamnon will insist that he take the halberd for safe keeping, since it obviously cannot be trusted to the hands of mortals.
He will be quite inflexible in this demand, and, depending on how the DM views alignment, may even physically prevent the PCs from leaving with it. If forced to this point, he will use nonleathal damage to subdue the PCs, rather than kill them. If the DM weights the "good" portion of the hound archon's alignment as greater than the lawful side, and the PCs show some form of good faith, he may be persuaded to accompany them with the halberd to Phaedrus' trial.
Events
- The Amphitheater - Under Achillean law, any humanoid accused of a crime must be publicly tried by the citizens of Achillea. Trials are held in the city's amphitheater, and most attract a very large crowd. Any citizen is eligible to attend and cast their vote on the accused's guilt.
The format of the trial is fairly simple: the defendant's accusers make a speech to the assembled crowd, where they lay out their case. Up to three individuals may contribute speeches, which in this case are Pausinias, Eryximachus, and Alcibiades. They will play upon the crowd's fear of cyclopes and even make mention that Phaedrus hunts "their" bison, arguing that this shows that he has a history of "stealing" from the town. They will present no motive for the attack on the temple, nor for the theft of the halberd, nor will they make any suggestion as to where the halberd is now.
The accused then gets to make a speech in his defense. Phaedrus will simply stand up and say, "I did not do it." The defendant may then have up to three other people make speeches in his defense. Antigone will make an impassioned speech in defense of her husband's character, which does little to persuade the crowd. At this point, the PCs have a chance to intercede on Phaedrus' behalf.
If they have found and successfully retrieved the halberd, they can present their evidence. While the citizens of Achillea hate the cyclops, they hate the Icerunners more, and will vote to free Phaedrus.
If they have not found or retrieved the halberd, the PCs may attempt to influence the attitude of the crowd with a diplomacy check. Treat the crowd's initial attitude as hostile. If the PCs have spent significant time interacting with people in the Agora, treat the crowd's initial attitude as unfriendly. In either case, the PCs will need to sway the crowd to a friendly attitude to get them to free Phaedrus.
If the crowd declares Phaedrus guilty, he will be executed after three days. If the PCs manage to find the halberd before then, Achillean law dictates that Phaedrus will be granted a new trial. If they don't, then his execution will rendered irrelevant by the eruption of Mt. Pagos.
- Tremors - The Icerunners are conducting a week-long incantation[1] with Kuno as the primary caster and the halberd of Achilles as the material component. As the incantation progresses, Mt. Pagos will begin to show signs of activity. Phaedrus' trial takes place on day 4 of the incantation. If the incantation is taken to completion, the volcano will erupt, sending an avalanche of snow and ice roaring down the slopes toward Achillea. Within 2 minutes, the city will be buried under the snow, and any survivors will have to avoid the boulder-sized chunks of ice and razor sharp sleet that will follow.
Resolution
- The PCs recover the halberd and present it to the court. This should result in the acquittal of the cyclops.
- The PCs recover the halberd and Agamamnon takes it back to the outer planes. In this case, the PCs must attempt to persuade the citizens not to convict Phaedrus.
- The Icerunners complete their ritual and offer the halberd as a sacrifice to Mt. Pagos. The volcano erupts and buries the town.
Bride of the Cyclops - Antigone, contacts the PCs to defend her husband.
Lizard-Riders - the Icerunner barbarian tribe
Holy Halberd - the weapon of Achilles, important to the Icerunner's plans.
Amphitheatre - site of Phaedrus' trial
Error in Judgment - the bias against Phaedrus that results in his arrest
Ice Volcano - a threat to the city of Achillea
Celestial Wrestler - Agamemnon, sent to retrieve the holy halberd, which the PCs need to overturn Phaedrus' conviction
<HR align=left width="33%" SIZE=1>[1] Unearthed Arcana
