My players are going to be crossing The Old Hills on their way somewhere. I'm trying to come up with a short non-combat encounter or event or obstacle, and I'm looking for some ideas.
I guess I should first ask if there is any background info about this region from WotC I should consider or source for ideas? I don't think there is, but it's worth asking. Assuming there is not...
I imagine the Old Hills to be where a civilized race first settled in the Nentir Vale. They started by building small subsistence farms and communities. But in some kind of tragic disaster, the people were completely wiped out by a plague. The lands are now said to be tainted by the pall of so much death even now, hundreds of years later.
The idea I'm working on is that they might accidentally fall into an old crypt where the plague victims were buried. I don't want it to be the start of a long adventure, just a stumbling block to get in the way of the journey they're already on. I don't want to make it a full dungeon to explore. And again, I'd prefer it to be non-combat. So no hostile ghosts or spectres. Though sad/lonely/wronged spirits might be an option. I need some kind of a puzzle, or physical challenge beyond just climbing back out of the hole. Or, even better, some tempting treasure to lure them to stay, instead of just climbing back out of the hole.
I'm also looking for a disease that one or more of them might get infected with that could have been the plague, or a mutation thereof. That would then encourage them to speed to their next destination to get medical help. They're a level 3 party.
Ideas/thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks!
I guess I should first ask if there is any background info about this region from WotC I should consider or source for ideas? I don't think there is, but it's worth asking. Assuming there is not...
I imagine the Old Hills to be where a civilized race first settled in the Nentir Vale. They started by building small subsistence farms and communities. But in some kind of tragic disaster, the people were completely wiped out by a plague. The lands are now said to be tainted by the pall of so much death even now, hundreds of years later.
The idea I'm working on is that they might accidentally fall into an old crypt where the plague victims were buried. I don't want it to be the start of a long adventure, just a stumbling block to get in the way of the journey they're already on. I don't want to make it a full dungeon to explore. And again, I'd prefer it to be non-combat. So no hostile ghosts or spectres. Though sad/lonely/wronged spirits might be an option. I need some kind of a puzzle, or physical challenge beyond just climbing back out of the hole. Or, even better, some tempting treasure to lure them to stay, instead of just climbing back out of the hole.
I'm also looking for a disease that one or more of them might get infected with that could have been the plague, or a mutation thereof. That would then encourage them to speed to their next destination to get medical help. They're a level 3 party.
Ideas/thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks!