GM's Miscellany: Village Backdrops III (5e)
5e
Undead: The remains of previous attempts to tame the Blackhills dot the landscape, crumbling ruins housing extraplanar beings who outlasted their bargains with desperate colonists seeking to survive. Adventurers and bandits arrive regularly at the Blackhills, some seeking to loot these ancient ruins, others searching for caves where they can hide ill-gained loot from the pursuit of justice. These makeshift shelters house the living, protecting them from the dangers in the area … but also sometimes the dead, some of which rise again in undead fury at their failure to endure the region's hardships.
Incorporeal Undead: ?
Bound Undead: ?
Ghost: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Alternatively, living creatures may be killed within the sphere in a horrible enough manner to produce a ghost.
Maegar's Spere Artifact.
Ghost of a Young Man: ?
Eadith, Human Ghost, Spirit: Several years ago, Adalbert Gall—a brewer—came to Lady Cross with his daughter, Eadith, a beautiful girl coming of age with a bewitching smile and mischievous eyes. Within a day all the young lads were vying for her attention. She, however, had eyes for only one: Pepin—the son of Jarrson the tavern owner with whom her father sought to trade spirit recipes. Late at night, while the men discussed business in the taproom, the two lovers sneaked into the cellars to conduct business of their own.
Struggles of two different kinds broke out at the same time; as the lovers fell to the floor so did the two brewers, fighting over the valuable recipes that each held. With dreams of wealth and prestige dancing before his eyes, Jarrson attacked Adalbert and struck him a fateful blow to the head with a heavy pitcher. He then dragged the heavy body down to the cellar to hide his treachery only to interrupt the youngsters in their passionate embrace.
Feigning innocence, he blamed the attack on Eadith and accused her of witchery and of beguiling his son. He dragged the screaming girl into the village square where a vengeful mob quickly formed, enraged at the attack on their friend. Eadith was tied to a large oak tree and burned whilst the frenzied mob watched. Even now, her burnt skeleton still adorns the tree, which has now gained the name “The Sorrow Tree”.
Blackened and split, this huge oak sits on the eastern side of the main road. Here was chained and burnt Eadith. The tree was split in two by a lightning bolt hurled to the ground from a sudden storm that appeared as she died. This was seen as proof that Eadith was a witch.
Most villagers don’t go near the tree until Lady’s Day when small candles are lit and twists of heather and flowers are placed around its base. Eadith’s spirit (NG female human ghost) yet lingers amid her bones.
Pepin, Human Ghost: Several years ago, Adalbert Gall—a brewer—came to Lady Cross with his daughter, Eadith, a beautiful girl coming of age with a bewitching smile and mischievous eyes. Within a day all the young lads were vying for her attention. She, however, had eyes for only one: Pepin—the son of Jarrson the tavern owner with whom her father sought to trade spirit recipes. Late at night, while the men discussed business in the taproom, the two lovers sneaked into the cellars to conduct business of their own.
Struggles of two different kinds broke out at the same time; as the lovers fell to the floor so did the two brewers, fighting over the valuable recipes that each held. With dreams of wealth and prestige dancing before his eyes, Jarrson attacked Adalbert and struck him a fateful blow to the head with a heavy pitcher. He then dragged the heavy body down to the cellar to hide his treachery only to interrupt the youngsters in their passionate embrace.
Feigning innocence, he blamed the attack on Eadith and accused her of witchery and of beguiling his son. He dragged the screaming girl into the village square where a vengeful mob quickly formed, enraged at the attack on their friend. Eadith was tied to a large oak tree and burned whilst the frenzied mob watched. Even now, her burnt skeleton still adorns the tree, which has now gained the name “The Sorrow Tree”.
Hoping things would return to normal, Jarrson prospered using the stolen recipes whilst his son slowly descended into madness over the guilt from the deaths. One year later, as the village celebrated a successful harvest, Pepin hung himself from a tree overhanging the mill pond.
Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Ghostly Farmer: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Fleeting Ghost: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Ghostly Cat: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Ghostly Merchant: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Ghostly Traveller: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Ghostly Semi-Feral Dog: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Ghost of Laewas: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Spectre: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Spectral Pig: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Spectral Robin: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Lilia, Ghost: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Maegar Balerium, Maegar the Mage, Human Ghost Mage: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Weak Shade: If faced with evidence of their strange situation, the ghost either ignores it entirely, rationalizes the event, or laughs it off. Should the evidence become irrefutable, the ghost’s denial temporarily breaks. It disappears into mist or transforms into weak shade and attacks. In either case, it reforms the next day with no memory of what has transpired.
Hanma Burrow, Halfling Ghost: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Burrow Triplet, Young Halfling Ghost: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Kielbo Burrow, Halfling Ghost: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Raewin Chaethyrnan, Elf Ghost: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Helgen Chaethyrnan, Human Ghost: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Alyse Brage, Human Ghost: Within Fourtowers’ dusty halls, Maegar obsessed over a discovery to bring his family to prominence once again. He set about crafting an arcane relic, a weapon which could be used to quickly and cleanly decimate a population.
As he neared completion of the artefact, Maegar reached new heights of paranoia. He rarely left Fourtower and festooned the twisting corridors with traps and bound undead which remain to this day. But, through capricious luck or divine inspiration, Maegar created an artefact far beyond his power. On an unassuming day in summer, during a routine test, the sphere ruptured. The negative energies released instantly killed Maegar and all other living things within several miles.
Lich: ?
Skeleton: ?
Spirit: ?
Absinthe Morrel, The Silent Queen, Her Grace the Silent Queen, The Slumbering Captain, Human Spellcasting Vampire: ?
Vampire: ?
Zombie: In his final months, Maegar installed arcane traps and even raised handfuls of zombies to protect him in his work.
MAEGAR’ S SPHERE
Artifact
Aura necromancy; Weight 1,000 lbs.
Maegar’s sphere is an eight-foot-tall, dwarven crafted bronze sphere. Its shell is ritualistically marked by obsidian, lead and bones, all covered in rough arcane runes. A quarter of the sphere can be slid open to reveal a hollow interior.
Before it can be used, the sphere must be filled with 20 HD of incorporeal undead. The spirits must be destroyed, controlled, or otherwise defeated adjacent to the sphere for their energy to charge the weapon. Alternatively, living creatures may be killed within the sphere in a horrible enough manner to produce a ghost.
When the sphere is filled, it immediately emits a pulse of 6d6 necrotic damage within a three-mile radius (DC 25 Constitution halves).
Each midnight, and whenever a spirit is added to the sphere, the artefact has a 5% chance of prematurely activating, dealing 3d6 necrotic damage to all creatures within a three-mile radius (DC 25 Constitution halves).
When the sphere activates, the spirits within are utterly destroyed. Creatures slain by this negative energy have a higher than average chance of becoming ghosts who cannot move on until the sphere is destroyed.
Destruction: If Maegar’s spirit is caught within the sphere, it prematurely activates before disintegrating into ash.
