0102 Giant Frogs (EL 5): Two monstrous giant frogs (see the ToH) hide near a narrow dirt path passing through the forest. The dirt path is easiest route through the thick forest, making it ideal for ambushes. The giant frogs avoid large parties of creatures, attacking only those at the rear of a traveling party. They remain hidden in the underbrush until a target is close enough to attack with their sticky tongues and then they retreat deep into the forest to digest their swallowed victim.
0103 Citadel of Air (Citadel): Conventional; AL N; Tech Level: 4; 40 gp limit; Assets 90 gp; Population 45 (Able bodied men: 10); integrated (human 37%, half-elf 20%, elf 18%, halfling 10%, gnome 7%, others 8%). Authority Figure: Krogen, male Tharbrian N Rog9. Important Characters: Galise, female half-elf N Exp4 (runs the Happy Harpy); Prosperia, female wood elf CE Ftr6 (second in command); Bull Finch, male Tharbrian LE Ftr5 (security chief); Goremik Harfoot, male Halfling N Rog4 (game master); Hairy Gunn, male Tharbrian N Ftr4 (wrestling champion)
Once the stronghold of a powerful wizard, this tower has been taken by a group of bandits. Adjacent to the tower is a small collection of buildings where the lumberjacks of Dier (Map 7, hex 5102) and the trappers of Gadorsalt (Map 7, hex 4904) often go for a night of drinking and fun. Krogen established a gambling house in the largest building seeking to attract new recruits. Much of the tower has been looted over the last fifteen years but the dungeon below was barricaded after the group’s sorceress staggered upstairs covered with acidic slime. A pack of wardogs are chained near the tower entrance.
0108 ACTUN (Small Town): Conventional; AL LG; Tech Level: 5; 800 gp limit; Assets 43,600 gp; Population 1,744 (Able bodied men: 436); mixed (elf 75%, human 14%, half-elf 5%, halfling 3%, others 4%); Resources: Market. Authority Figure: Redon the Enchanted, male grey elf NG Ftr11. Important Characters: Lutheia, female elf CG Clr13 (high priestess of Cilborith); Sir Sandar, male half-elf NG Rgr6 (spokesmen for Actun's human and half-elf population).
Actun is home for the majority of the elves in this region of the Wilderlands. It is an ancient city predating the foundation of Antil, the City State, and Viridstan. Actun rulers use elven lore and magic to keep the region free of control from either Viridstan or the City State. The Narith dominates the city. It is one of the holiest groves dedicated to the elven god Cilborith. It is rumored that the heart of the grove co-exists with Cilborith's realm in the outer planes. The high priest and priestess traditionally anoint the King of Actun who rules in Cilborith's name. The current ruler is King Redon who has reigned for over three hundred years.
0110 Giant Weasels (EL 9): Rocky terrain along the river banks conceals the numerous burrows of a large colony of 12 dire weasels. The river is a watering ground for a large number of animals, providing plenty of prey to support the large colony. The weasels usually split into teams of 4-6 and ambush animals that come to the river to drink. While they do not actively hunt armed humanoids, these creatures are extremely territorial and gather together to attack anyone approaching their burrows.
0112 Mordog the Mad (EL 9): A blackened crevasse over a mile long scores the earth here. No plants grow within, and every fifty feet or so along its length there is a thick scattering of dark dust, the harsh residue of coal fires. Characters with the Track feat may make a Spot check (DC 11) to note very large footprints here and there in the dusty leavings about the chasm. There is no need to find or follow a trail, however, as adventurers spending any significant time in the vicinity of the crevice will be assaulted by Mordog the Mad, a crazed hill giant wearing greasy leathers and covered head to toe in black dust. Despite his limited mentality Mordog is cunning, and will use ranged or hand-to-hand attacks and his rage and improved bull rush as appropriate, the latter to push enemies into the canyon. If he catches a party exploring below he will pelt them with rocks from above and then move to a covered position near the closest path up to assault them when they leave.
Mordog the Mad, Hill Giant, Bbn2: CR 9; SZ L Giant; HD 12d8+2d12+ 84; hp 170; Init +1; Spd 50 ft.; AC 22 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +9 natural, +3 armor); Atk +18/+13 melee (2d6+15, huge greatclub), or +12/+7 ranged (2d6+10, rocks); Reach 10 ft.; SA rage 1/day, rock throwing; SQ rock catching, uncanny dodge (Dex bonus to AC); AL CE; SV Fort +17, Ref +3, Will +2; Str 30, Dex 12, Con 22, Int 6, Wis 6, Cha 15.
Skills: Climb +12, Jump +12, Spot +2, Wilderness Lore +2. Feats: Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (greatclub).
Possessions: Huge greatclub, large hide armor, giant’s bag with 5 rocks, coal and coal dust, bones, rocks, and a large chunk of unrefined copper worth 150 cp.
0114 Quitzit (Hamlet): conventional; AL CG; Civ Level: 1; Tech Level: 4; 100 gp limit; Assets 1,413gp; Population 452 (Able bodied men: 113); integrated (half-elf 37% human 20% elf 18% dwarf 10% halfling 7% other 8%); Resources: Silver; Authority Figure(s): Ilialetus, female Alryan NG Wiz5; Important Characters: Manus, male elf CG Wiz4 (King Roden's representative on the hamlet's council); Gezon, male dwarf LG (head of the silver mines). Angthor Mag, Tharbrian male NG War7 (leader of the militia).
The headland Quitzit is located on is riddled with rich veins of silver. The mines have been in almost continuous operation for over three thousand years. It is due to the silver that the mines produce that Actun is able to remain independent of the major powers. A loose council of the miners and local farmers runs the mines and the hamlet. Two hundred years ago, the humans and half-elves of the hamlet revolted and deposed their arrogant elven governor. King Redon granted Quitzit the right of self-rule provided the silver continued to flow. The elves are allowed to appoint a representative to the council. The production has steadily increased. Everyone is pleased with the new arrangement except for Cilan the deposed governor. Ilialetus was elected twenty years ago. She is well-liked but not known for her ability to come to a quick decision.
0206 Giant Beetles (EL 8): Dead antelope and zebras left behind by a recent stampede along the river provide food to a group of 4 giant bombardier beetles. The beetles viciously defend their food by attacking any creature approaching them. A spray of acid usually sends other carrion-seeking animals far away, if this doesn’t work the beetles attack in force either driving interlopers off or killing them.
0210 Castle Silvan (Castle and Village): conventional; AL CN; Civ Level: 5; Tech Level: 4; 200 gp limit; Assets 1,625 gp; Population 521 (Able bodied men: 130); isolated (elf 96%, other 4%); Resources: Castle; Authority Figure(s): Cilan the Fair, male grey elf CN Ftr8 (Baron); Important Characters: Tani, female elf CG Clr6 (priestess of Cilborith, concerned about the growing darkness in Cilan and his followers); Falgerith, male grey elf CN Pal5 (Cilborith Knight).
Castle Silvan is the bulwark of the southern defense for Actun. It also guards the trail that caravans use to ship silver between Quitzit and Actun. Lord Cilan was once governor of Quitzit and was deposed in a revolt. He is arrogant even for an elf and condescending to non-elves. After King Redon made peace with the miners he appointed Cilan lord of Castle Silvan. Since then, Cilan has grown to hate human and non-elves and has gathered a growing number of followers. The King is growing concerned about the rising power of Cilan and sent Tani to assess the situation at Castle Silvan.
