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Message: <blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 5619773" data-attributes="member: 92511">Steel Dragons Match 2 EntryIngredientsIdeal LocationWitch's GardenOur Lady in WaitingSkeletal ConstructMisfortuneRiddle   This is a basic search and rescue for a low-level (1st-3rd) party in a fantasy setting (presumed at writing to be D&D, any edition, but hopefully applicable to your system of choice).  The hook is that one of the Duchess’ favored Ladies in Waiting has gone missing.  She was recently betrothed and given leave to search out a suitable location for her ideal wedding. The Lady in Waiting, Kathraine, was last seen en route to Traven Manor, a country estate of the recently widowed Lady Traven known to have extensive and beautiful gardens behind it. With the death of her husband, the kindly Widow Traven has turned the manor into something of an inn for traveling nobility and fame of her hospitality and the wonder of her grounds has grown quickly. Kathraine and her escort have not been heard from for weeks and the groom-to-be is getting nervous.  “Her Grace, the Duchess, wishes you to seek out our Lady in Waiting, Kathraine, and return her to us. You will, of course, be handsomely rewarded.” (DM’s discretion as to what is appropriately ‘handsome’ in your game)  On the journey to Traven Manor the party passes through a farming village en route (whether they stay the night or not) they can glean the following information from the locals (their opinion of the manor seems a bit at odds with that of the Duchess’ folk):  ·         Those who go to Traven only meet ill fates.  ·         The manor’s gardens are wondrous, containing many medicinal and magical herbs and plants.  ·         Skeletons have been seen roaming the hillsides between the village and manor.  ·         One drunkard in a tavern will whisper warnings to the party about the manor and advise against entering “the Witch’s Garden.” Those that do never return.  ·         People will recall the Lady and her escort of 2 men-at-arms passing through two weeks prior.  Either during the night or sometime in the following day, the party should have a battle with a suitably sized force of skeletons, some humanoid, some beasts.  Upon their arrival at the Manor, they will be met by Widow Traven with eager open arms and warm smiles. She will immediately recall Kathraine, “charming girl”, and claim that she had gone into the garden last week and not seen her since. She figured the young lady had simply returned to the duchess’ castle to make preparations for her wedding, as her escort had similarly “left.” The Widow Traven is a middle-aged woman is obvious distinction and apparent kindness. She does not detect as “evil” or “magic” if such means of detection are available/attempted.  Above the hearth in the main parlor, there is a portrait of the distinguished Lord Traven under which are inscribed some lines:  Lady Luck and Sister Fate   Sometimes love, showing hate,   Whilst one hand gives, the others take.   For thy boon, fortune’s bane sate.       If asked its meaning, Widow Traven explains it as a favorite saying of her husband’s house, “Not to take things for granted. Luck is fickle, you know, dearies. Enjoy the good things life gives you without begrudging the misfortunes that must come with them.”   She will gladly set the party up with rooms and give them reign of the house. Nothing out of the ordinary will be found in the manor. Servants will have little more information than the widow.  ·         The lady Kathraine was there for a few days and in general good humor.  ·         Her escorts seemed  loyal and dutiful men.  ·         She was last seen going into the garden, beyond the hedge maze, in a lovely gown of gold and silver.   ·         When she didn’t return at nightfall, her men went into the maze to find her. Then, it seemed, they all left (though noone actually saw them leave).  The tiered porches behind the house overlook fields of gardens stretched out before them, all enclosed by a wall surrounding the manor. Rows of brightly colored flowering plants, fruit trees, pools, sections for vegetables and various herbs (party members with arcane or herbalist knowledge will note several varieties of plant for potion-making and other magical uses). Widow Traven will happily instruct her gardener, Travis, to share reasonable amounts of those materials with anyone that asks (enough components for one potion, spell or ritual).  At a distance, there are rows of 7 foot high hedges, neatly trimmed that form a small maze. Beyond the hedges is seem a small domed structure that gleams white in the afternoon sun.   Asked about the structure, the widow and/or gardener will explain it is a gazebo set beside a shallow wading pool at the far end of the grounds. It’s been there since the manor was first constructed some 100 years ago. The widow will recall Lady Kathraine commenting that,  “she felt it sounded like the ideal location for her ceremony.” The widow will also explain that since her husband’s death, she hasn’t seen fit to have the grounds beyond the hedges tended much, never venturing that far herself.  Encounters for the garden grounds:  ·         Mischevious (but ultimately harmless) pixies among the flowers. “Unfortunate accidents” ensue such as swordbelts coming unbuckled, laces on shoes or dresses untied/tied together etc. If the pixies are discovered and communication possible, the fairies really don’t know anything about the Lady Kathraine. All humans look the same. They come. They go. Sometimes they don’t. They do know not to go beyond the hedges because of the “bad mojo”.  ·         Before entering the hedge maze, a fountain at the entrance swirls into a dark half and a light half (a yin-yang pattern) before turning either all dark or all light. Randomly generate a dark or light outcome for each party member (they all must pass it to enter).  ·         The maze itself is relatively simple (any generic maze pattern may be used). Perhaps a series of skill challenges for those systems that permit it. Anyone with tracking skill should have their normal chances of finding a trail (footsteps in the gravel path, a scrap of white fabric ripped off on a branch, etc.) to lead them through.  ·         Within the maze carnivorous plants attempt to entangle with vines and pull human or smaller sized creatures into their gaping maws. One plant is closed and does not attack. If opened, it reveals semi-digested human remains. Armor, sword and clothing have not been digested. The tabbard bares the crest of the duchess.   ·         Skeletons of songbirds and small woodland creatures are seen flitting through the hedges. If attacked, d20 creatures will swarm around the party and do minimal damage (1d2) with scratching, pecks and bites. They focus attacks on those with a “dark water” result from the fountain.  ·         Near the exit of the maze, the party finds an Undead/”half-exposed skeleton, half-zombie” Ogre wielding a particularly large spiked club and whip of thorny vine.   Beyond the maze is a path lined with purple rose bushes that leads across an overgrown yard to the reflecting pool with the gleaming white (even at night it seems to glow in the moonlight) gazebo of elegant arches and narrow spindles with a domed roof.  The flowers have a 25% chance per person of shooting forth spores that paralyze for d3 hours (or put to sleep or kill, DM’s discretion. Saving throws to avoid effects are applicable as your system allows.) This chance goes up to 50% for those who got a “dark water” result from the fountain.  Those succumbing to the flowers’ pollen are then targeted by vines that come forth from the undergrowth to drag the immobilized individuals off the path, through the bushes. They are caccooned by the vines to wither away.   Rescuing comrades from the vines and/or examining the overgrowth beyond the bushes will reveal the Lady’s second escort man-at-arms. The bones and remains of multiple other creatures (humanoid and animal) will also be discovered among the tall grasses.  A figure is seen standing within the gazebo. Closer inspection shows it wears a fine-looking white and yellow gown and veil. The figure will turn to face the approaching party, but will not answer them.  Very careful/close inspection of the gazebo will reveal it is not beautifully crafted wood or white-washed metal or stone but, in fact, constructed of bones.  Reaching the gazebo reveals the figure (Lady Kathraine) is a skeleton who will shrink back to force characters to come in the gazebo to reach her. The structure is approximately 15’ diameter.  As soon as a PC who received a “dark water” result from the fountain steps into the gazebo a force barrier forms around the structure. Other PCs can not enter and those within are trapped.   Lady Kathraine will now attack. Defeating Kathraine does not dispel the barrier. However, those killed by her in the gazebo will transform, in moments, into skeletal versions of themselves, abilities intact, and attempt to fight other non-skeletons. (Note: skeletal characters may pass through the barrier.)  Around the edge of the inside of the dome, the poem from the manor’s hearth is repeated. Each character within the structure will hear a thin ghostly voice ask,  “What is the bane that must be sated?”   The answer, naturally, is “Misfortune” (DM’s discretion to accept answers like “bad luck” or “ill fate” or anything along those lines.).  If answered correctly, the barrier disappears and the characters released. Anyone “skeleton-ized” that hasn’t been defeated returns to their normal selves…including Lady Kathraine if she hasn’t been destroyed.   If answered INcorrectly, the character who answered wrong is transformed into a skeleton and begins attacking his comrades.   Once the riddle has been properly answered the energy field drops and the PCs can take what steps they choose to destroy the structure. As long as noone steps into the gazebo again, it is fairly thin and brittle and can be hacked and bludgeoned into bits. Destruction of the gazebo will unanimate any of the skeletal creatures on the grounds.  Beginning to destroy the gazebo brings the gardener, Travis, out of hiding in the thick growth beyond the reflecting pool. Travis is an evil witch attempting to use the power of the gazebo to construct a skeleton army for his own use. He fights to the death to protect the magical gazebo. He can summon skeleton creatures (DM’s discretion for types) from the surrounding area to aid him. He has control over any skeleton-PCs. He also possesses a wand that can Charm 1 character per attack (he cannot charm and summon skeletons at the same time).  He will attempt to get charmed characters back into the gazebo (to start the trap all over again).   Returning to the manor, the Widow Traven is aghast about the goings-on in her gardens and the gazebo’s questionable origin.  She will (truthfully) disavow any knowledge of the magics or hazards and offer recompense for their services (DM’s discretion of appropriate sum), going so far as to ask the party to stay as her household guard (leading to possible future adventures from/for Traven Manor).  If Lady Kathraine is saved and returned to the Duchess’ court, the party receives their reward. Returning without her alive/intact will get them half the promised fee.  Thus ends the tale of Our Lady in Waiting’s Misfortune with the Riddle of the Witch’s Garden in her Ideal Location.  IngredientsIdeal Location: the Skeletal Construct of the gazebo, thought ideal by Our Lady in Waiting for her wedding, actually ideal as the source of evil power for the Witch’s Garden.Witch's Garden: the gardens of Traven Manor tended by the necro-maniacal Travis.Our Lady in Waiting: the Lady KathraineSkeletal Construct: the gazebo/Ideal Location, also the skeletal creatures the gazebo created.Misfortune: the answer to the Riddle, Our Lady in Waiting’s fate, and actual “bad luck” resulting from the pixies or fountain.Riddle: the riddle by the portrait repeated in the Ideal Location, also the riddle/mystery of Our Lady in Waiting’s whereabouts.</blockquote>

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