frandallfarmer
Explorer
I recently ran this module - using the Dwarven Forge Cavern Kickstarter tiles. If you've been following the Forsite Irregulars, we're out of a 1 year play haitus and you should pick up the thread here: https://the-forsite-irregulars.obsidianportal.com/adventure-log/no-rest-for-the-weary
For the rest of you, I'm just cross posting just the entire module run here (an excerpt of the full post at https://the-forsite-irregulars.obsidianportal.com/posts/dead-in-the-eye)
[h=2]Dead in the Eye[/h]Shute waited at the stables, and was the one who first encountered the expected messenger – he rode it on a depleted horse…“We’ve got a Beholder trapped in a cave, and we’ve been told you can help! Mount up and follow me…”
[h=3]Encounter 1: Black Blockade[/h]Following the cliff, they eventually come to a rise near a cave lower in the face…
They meet with Araka Logan of the Black Arrows who’ve been tracking Omaranthax, a Beholder that has been wreaking havoc, killing hurdreds in search of – and then stealing – hadrum (distilled dragon’s blood.) For what purpose is currently unknown. She quips “It’s a little strange we were able to trap it here – there was plenty of open space to make an escape. No matter, it’s a mistake we were keen to exploit. Unfortunately, our attacks have, so far been rebuffed. We’ve heard you have some experience with this kind of threat and might help us.”
Araka continues: “We need to understand why Omaranthax is stealing the hadrum, and so have these special manacles. If you can attach them when the creature is weak, then slay it, it will capture his spirit for an hour so that we can question it using a Speak with Dead ritual. Unfortunately, our cleric was slain in the last raid, so that seems useless.”
“M’lady – mayhap I shall assist? The ritual is ken to me. Parlay with the spirit through me.” It’s Shriaz? Yup. Turns out he’s a ritual caster (the Sisters at Asherton restored him completely, it seems.)
Araka: “Excellent. Here’s the Manacles. We’ll provide you all cover as you enter the cave…”
As our heroes approach the cave mouth, the barriers are temporarily moved aside. “Accursed Beholders –how many must we face ? … and this time without one of our mages? We must take care” cautions Edryd.
[h=3]Encounter 2: Storming the Cave[/h]The first chamber was large and full nooks and crannies with strange malformed creatures laying in wait, and large swatches of strange luminous mushrooms that had various deleterious effects.
The heroes’ experience allowed for a quick and easy victory over these minions from the Far Realm.
Edryd: "I think the ‘shrooms show where Omaranthax has been… If we follow them, we’ll find the creature for sure!:
[h=3]Encounter 3: Far Maze[/h]Next they encounter a twisty maze of passages…
… all alike.
Fortunately, Shute knows about traps like these and quickly makes the rooms look un-alike by dropping objects.
[h=3]Encounter 4: Black Arrow Found[/h]After leaving the maze, they again pick up the trail of distorted mushrooms, and arrive in a huge chamber with stalagmites and stalagtites – near one of them is a LOT of blood, and a pile of loot.
“That’s not a stalagmite, it’s a creature – watch out, it’s got really long tentacles.”
This observation wakes the Cave Roper. “WHO GOES THERE AND WHY SHOULDN’T I EAT YOU LIKE THE LASTONES?”
Shute is quick to recognize that the Roper’s loot piles are carefully arranged, like someone who appreciates the finer things – she pipes up “We’re just passing through, chasing that nasty Beholder and it’s minions. If you let us go, I’ll give you this wonderful valuable fur rug – it’s about the right size for a wrap for you.”
The beholder reaches all the way across the room (50’!) and snatches it from Shute’s arms. It then wraps it around itself, making a loud noise that must be Roper purring. “IF YOU KILL THOSE THINGS, I WILL LET YOUGO BACK TOO.”
So they start hiking across the room…
… only to find a single Black Arrow surviving. “We want this one to go back now, can she go back?” “MMMMHMMMM” So the party sends the rescued Black Arrow back to report to Araka. “If we should fail, the way is clear to Omaranthax. We will attach the manacles if we can.”
[h=3]Encounter 5: Tunnel Ambush[/h]Next up is a very wide tunnel, but it’s clear which way the Beholder went…
But they can’t resist looking down the other exit, where they find…
an Ambush (with the party split!)
It was tricky fighting on two fronts, but it was beter than getting bottle-necked in the cave…
After the battle is over, they hear a crazed deep voice coming from the next chamber…
[h=3]Encounter 6: Transformation & Finale[/h]As expected, they enounter a Beholder. “Omaranthax, I presume?” Nostalgio quips.
The party faces four Beholders and experiences true fear, so the drop their in-hand weapons.
Abruptly…
Then Edryd begins to sense that the Beholder is using telepathy, but not to reach him – but the Titan! And whispers to Shute (“It’s talking to your titan!”)
The new floaters drift in the direction of the disarmed party…
—
… and too late they see the truth that these are not true Beholders – something they learn as Omaranthax lets loose with several eye-stalk beams destroying the Gas Spores at the perfect time to shower everyone with glowing spores.
Most were infected. With something – but those infected don’t know what.
Battle breaks out with the minions and Omaranthax in earnest. Beams and bodies everywhere!
When Shute hits Omaranthax with a successful back-stab…
The Beholder seems to be focusing attacks on everyone except Shute and Edryd who are moving to avoid collateral damage to some effect. When Edryd blasts it…
Done! If they can only take it down, they’ll have it’s spirit for questioning.
The cave in stops as a large section of the cave ceiling falls and crushes the creature.
“What in the Seven Hells what THAT all about?” asked Aquero. Shiraz replies: “Mayhap the parley will give answers…”
Now they have Omaranthax’s spirit joined to the Manacles, what questions will they ask? Will there be any left after the Araka of the Black Arrows is finished? How will what they learn affect their future?
What was all that crazy talk about anyway? Who was it talking to? What Dragon war? What were we infected with?
And how is Duggan doing? Is he still alive? Has Stonefang been released and destroyed Cleoragard
[h=3]Build Notes[/h]
Follow all my rich-terrain sessions at https://the-forsite-irregulars.obsidianportal.com
For the rest of you, I'm just cross posting just the entire module run here (an excerpt of the full post at https://the-forsite-irregulars.obsidianportal.com/posts/dead-in-the-eye)
[h=2]Dead in the Eye[/h]Shute waited at the stables, and was the one who first encountered the expected messenger – he rode it on a depleted horse…“We’ve got a Beholder trapped in a cave, and we’ve been told you can help! Mount up and follow me…”
[h=3]Encounter 1: Black Blockade[/h]Following the cliff, they eventually come to a rise near a cave lower in the face…
Araka continues: “We need to understand why Omaranthax is stealing the hadrum, and so have these special manacles. If you can attach them when the creature is weak, then slay it, it will capture his spirit for an hour so that we can question it using a Speak with Dead ritual. Unfortunately, our cleric was slain in the last raid, so that seems useless.”
“M’lady – mayhap I shall assist? The ritual is ken to me. Parlay with the spirit through me.” It’s Shriaz? Yup. Turns out he’s a ritual caster (the Sisters at Asherton restored him completely, it seems.)
Araka: “Excellent. Here’s the Manacles. We’ll provide you all cover as you enter the cave…”
As our heroes approach the cave mouth, the barriers are temporarily moved aside. “Accursed Beholders –how many must we face ? … and this time without one of our mages? We must take care” cautions Edryd.
[h=3]Encounter 2: Storming the Cave[/h]The first chamber was large and full nooks and crannies with strange malformed creatures laying in wait, and large swatches of strange luminous mushrooms that had various deleterious effects.
Edryd: "I think the ‘shrooms show where Omaranthax has been… If we follow them, we’ll find the creature for sure!:
[h=3]Encounter 3: Far Maze[/h]Next they encounter a twisty maze of passages…
[h=3]Encounter 4: Black Arrow Found[/h]After leaving the maze, they again pick up the trail of distorted mushrooms, and arrive in a huge chamber with stalagmites and stalagtites – near one of them is a LOT of blood, and a pile of loot.
This observation wakes the Cave Roper. “WHO GOES THERE AND WHY SHOULDN’T I EAT YOU LIKE THE LASTONES?”
Shute is quick to recognize that the Roper’s loot piles are carefully arranged, like someone who appreciates the finer things – she pipes up “We’re just passing through, chasing that nasty Beholder and it’s minions. If you let us go, I’ll give you this wonderful valuable fur rug – it’s about the right size for a wrap for you.”
The beholder reaches all the way across the room (50’!) and snatches it from Shute’s arms. It then wraps it around itself, making a loud noise that must be Roper purring. “IF YOU KILL THOSE THINGS, I WILL LET YOUGO BACK TOO.”
So they start hiking across the room…
[h=3]Encounter 5: Tunnel Ambush[/h]Next up is a very wide tunnel, but it’s clear which way the Beholder went…
“Have the little birdies finally come to peck out my eyes? Come my little chickadees! Come witness history in the making!”
“I see you made it right on schedule. Wait, one’s missing! Something’s changed!”
“Lay down your weapons and implements of power and you will live to see my transformation into the ultimate dragon killer.”
Suddenly…“Lay down your weapons and implements of power and you will live to see my transformation into the ultimate dragon killer.”
“Foul giant fowl! We’ll tear their wings off and roast their carcasses!”
Omaranthax looks down at the party (who hasn’t disarmed yet) with all his eyes…
“You still resist? So be it! Meet my little friends!”
Abruptly…
“It’s hidden somewhere they can’t find it!”
Pause
“I drank some of it! Can’t deny me that! Now I’ll be ready for the dragon war!”
“This guy’s insane” quips Aquero.
Then Edryd begins to sense that the Beholder is using telepathy, but not to reach him – but the Titan! And whispers to Shute (“It’s talking to your titan!”)
The new floaters drift in the direction of the disarmed party…
—
… and too late they see the truth that these are not true Beholders – something they learn as Omaranthax lets loose with several eye-stalk beams destroying the Gas Spores at the perfect time to shower everyone with glowing spores.
“Got you all! See! I did it! Didn’t suspect a thing!”
When Shute hits Omaranthax with a successful back-stab…
“OW! Wait! Who’s side are you on? Stop that!”
“No! Why are you doing that? Get with the plan!”
Shiraz climbs onto the back platform to leap on the Beholders backside and attach the Manacles at the right moment.
“Stop! I’m loyal! You can use me! I’ve foreseen it. Gaah! Can’t think!”
The Beholder panics and starts shooting at the roof, causing cave-ins. This harms everyone, but especially Ormaranthax.
“What in the Seven Hells what THAT all about?” asked Aquero. Shiraz replies: “Mayhap the parley will give answers…”
Now they have Omaranthax’s spirit joined to the Manacles, what questions will they ask? Will there be any left after the Araka of the Black Arrows is finished? How will what they learn affect their future?
What was all that crazy talk about anyway? Who was it talking to? What Dragon war? What were we infected with?
And how is Duggan doing? Is he still alive? Has Stonefang been released and destroyed Cleoragard
[h=3]Build Notes[/h]
- Module: Dead in the Eye by Wizard of the Coast
- Terrain
- Cavern Tiles: Cavern Tiles by Dwarven Forge
- Note: The tile layouts for this adventure are in a set on Flickr
- Cavern Tiles: Cavern Tiles by Dwarven Forge
- Paper Minis
- Roper: Cave Roper by eddnic of Mini Paper Models
- Omaranthax Beholder: Beholder by eddnic of Mini Paper Models
- - Texture modified using the “Dead in the Eye” module cover.
- Gas Spores/Beholders: EZ Dungeon: Expansion 11 by Fat Dragon Games (recolored)
- Props
- Barracades: Orc Camp: Barriers by World Works Games
- Mushrooms: Mines of the Moutain King by Fat Dragon Games (resized)
- Battle Markers
- World Works Games Battlepacks: Basics
Follow all my rich-terrain sessions at https://the-forsite-irregulars.obsidianportal.com
