Steve Miller - Blood of Four Kings

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Blood of Four Kings

An AD&D® Game BIRTHRIGHT Adventure

Round One: Witch's Get

by Steve Miller & Dave Gross

ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, AD&D, and RPGA Network are registered trademarks of TSR,

intended for tournament use only and may not be reproduced without approval of the RPGA Network.

Blood of Four Kings Round One Page 2

This scenario is a standard RPGA® Network

tournament. A four-hour time block has been set aside

for this event. Begin by passing out the player

character sheets. Pass them out randomly, or

distribute them based on the players' preference of

class only—do not reveal gender or race. Instruct the

players to leave the character sheets face down until

you have read the introduction. Then, tell them to

study their character sheets, select spells, and notify

you when they are ready to begin the adventure.

It's a good idea to ask each player to put a name tag

in front of him or her. The tag should have the player's

name at the bottom, and the character's name at the

top. The actual playing time will be about three hours.

Make sure you use the last 20 to 30 minutes of the

event time block to have the players capsulize their

characters for each other and vote.

Standard RPGA Network voting procedures will be

used. Make sure you have finished voting before you

collect the players' voting sheets. This way you will

not be influenced by their votes and comments. The

players are free to use the game rules to learn about

equipment and weapons their characters are carrying.

DM Information

The BIRTHRIGHT campaign setting allows players to

take the parts of scions or regents, characters granted

powerful blood abilities which give them abilities

unknown to ordinary people. Also, special rules of the

setting allow for domain turns, actions which affect

all the people of a particular realm.

DMs and players need not be very familiar with the

BIRTHRIGHT setting to enjoy this scenario. Rounds

One and Two require no special DM knowledge

(brief but sufficient notes on the setting are provided,

and the PCs' blood abilities are described on the

character sheets). To run Round Three, however, the

DM must have access to a BIRTHRIGHT boxed set and

be familiar with the rules for domain turns and war

cards. In all rounds, the DM should have a copy of the

boxed set handy to share with the players, if they wish

to look up their special abilities or equipment.

The main part of this adventure is the infiltration of

Boden Keep. The PCs may explore only a fraction or

almost all of the keep in their search for Rowena's

child. Very quick and clever players may spend

relatively little time in this encounter, while others

may not finish it at all. Be sure to allow the players to

set their own pace; it is less important that they finish

than that they decide for themselves which areas to

explore and which to ignore.

For those who play the BIRTHRIGHT setting at home,

most of the events of this tournament fit into the

established history of Cerilia. In the three rounds of

the adventure, the wicked Rowena becomes the

awnshegh known as the White Witch, gaining more

power and evoking the curse of her own evil deeds.

The notable exception to Cerilian chronology is that

Raesa is the destined ruler of Dhoesone, replacing

Fhiele Dhoesone from the Ruins of Empire book in

the BIRTHRIGHT boxed set.

Adventure Background

One year ago, four regents fell victim to the schemes

of a beautiful young Rjuven woman, Rowena

Stormsdotter. But she had set foot upon the path of

dark power long before.

Even as a girl, Rowena dreamed of ruling her own

lands, and she encouraged her father to great

ambition. But when Rowena saw that her father was

unwilling to usurp the power held by his brother, the

jarl, the wrathful daughter persuaded a malleable

warrior of the clan to kill him. It was much easier than

she had imagined. But it brought her no closer to

ruling the northern clans.

Rowena grew more ambitious still. The blood of

kings ran in her family, but not strongly. Dedicating

herself to Karesha, the Winter Witch, Rowena

became an increasingly powerful and wicked

priestess. Assuming control of her father's keep, she

installed her own chapel and commissioned works of

art in honor of Karesha and Rowena herself. With

careful subterfuge, she created tentative alliances with

certain orog chieftains of the Blood Skull Barony.

And still it was not enough. It always came back to

the blood, the birthright of regents throughout Cerilia.

Increasing her power through bloodtheft was

dangerous at best, and Rowena was no warrior. At

last, a Rjuven magician under thrall of her charms

gave her the secret she needed. Through vile

enchantment and seduction, she could steal the

bloodline of a regent and invest that power in her

offspring. Through such a child, invested with the

blood of kings, she could rule the entire north.

Rowena found the magic she needed, prayed to

Karesha for success in her wicked endeavor, and then

sought out a powerful regent whose bloodline she

could steal. Under guise of diplomatic visits, she met

Blood of Four Kings Round One Page 3

and seduced not one, but four likely regents. Her

enchantments worked just as she had hoped. Three

months ago, she bore a child whom she named after

herself.

Now Rowena travels north to confront her uncle,

the jarl. She doesn't know that the wizard from whom

she learned the secret of magical bloodtheft also

learned the identities of her regent victims. All four of

them now meet in secret, planning to steal back the

child in whom their own bloodlines now live.

Player's Introduction

Kings Crossing

Chill wind whips your cloaks. The horses

stamp and puff in the cold. All around, the

white forest rolls beneath the twilight sky.

You stand between four hills, at the

intersection of two broad trails. Thus met, it

is time to plan your rescue of a child you

have never seen.

Four of you are regents, rulers of your own

domains. Landen is the Baron of Dhoesone;

Helmut, a merchant-lord of Brechtür; Adan

a Khinasi high priest; and Rainer a Rjuven

chieftain. Each of you has known the

seductive trickery of Rowena, daughter of a

Rjuven jarl, and wicked priestess of Karesha.

Joining you are two others, each with

different reasons for joining you. Ohlaak is a

Rjuven magician, freed from Rowena's

enchantments and eager to see her thwarted.

The youthful Jack Scarper followed Hubert

from Müden, thinking he would find

adventure. You need Ohlaak's knowledge of

Boden Keep, and it is too late to send Jack

away, so you must work together, kings and

commoners. for Rowena will return to her

keep at any time.

You must find a way into the keep, locate

Rowena's ill-gotten child, and steal away

before the witch returns. Otherwise, Rowena

will surely use the child's birthright to claim

all the lands of the north—and then,

inevitably, your own domains.

Encounter One

Blood Skull Raiders

From the crossroads, one trail winds through the

snowy hills to meet Boden Keep. The PCs can see for

miles to the north and east, but to the west and south

are thick forest. The keep is about eight miles away.

The PCs may choose to follow the path to Boden

Keep or to travel under the cover of the forest. Each

path has its disadvantages.

If they choose the road, the PCs travel more quickly,

but they are ambushed by a band of Blood Skull

orogs. If the PCs defeat the orogs, they may continue

to the Keep and arrive at the Keep under cover of

night. If, on the other hand the PCs choose to travel

the forest, they have a better chance of detecting the

orog ambush. They may attack or avoid the orogs,

then approach the Keep undetected. However, they

arrive the next morning, during daylight.

Traveling by Road

The road is little more than a broad trail

raised slightly above its shoulders, but the

wind has blown it clear of snowdrifts. To

either side, the forest stands silent and white.

Determine the PCs' traveling order. Any character

actively scouting the sides of the road may make a

Wisdom check (PCs with the tracking proficiency

gain a +4 bonus to this roll). Success indicates that

the PC notices recent tracks through the snow on one

side of the road, just under cover of the trees.

Examining the tracks reveals, on a successful tracking

check, that the tracks were made by six booted

humanoids, probably orogs. (One unit of the

ambushing raiders traveled carelessly close to the

road.)

If the PCs opt to leave the road, go to "Traveling by

Forest" below. Otherwise, they may journey half a

mile further before the orog ambush. If only one or

two characters scout ahead, the orogs wait until the

main group arrives before attacking.

Allow the PCs to roll for surprise, but impose a -3

penalty on all rolls. Those who are not surprised

detect sudden movement from the trees just before the

orogs fire their crossbows. These characters may act

in round one. If they shout a warning to the other PCs,

all of them may act in the first round. Otherwise, the

PCs may not roll initiative until round two of the

attack. In any event, the orogs attack first in the first

round. Go to "Orog Battle," below.

Traveling by Forest

Blood of Four Kings Round One Page 4

Despite the cover of the trees, the forest floor

is difficult to travel. Not only must you wind

through trees, but you must lead your horses

under the lower boughs and force your way

through heavy snowdrifts. But you are sure

you can't be seen from the road.

Any characters in the front rank, whether scouting or

not, may make a Wisdom check; those with tracking

make the check at a +4 bonus. Success indicates that

the PCs have discovered the tracks of a band of 13

orogs (identified on another successful tracking

check). Any character with tracking may make a brief

search of the area to discover another group of tracks,

bringing the total to 18 orogs. The tracks are parallel

to the road, and within one quarter mile they turn

toward it.

If the PCs avoid the orog tracks, go to Encounter

Two: Boden Keep. If they follow the tracks and

sneak up on the orogs, they discover the ambushers

watching the road a half mile further on. Any careful

attack by the PCs surprises the orogs (no roll

required).

Orog Battle

The orogs crouch on one side of the road, those with

crossbows ready to fire upon the road. If the PCs are

on the road, eight orogs fire their crossbows first; then

the other eight charge the PCs to attack in the same

round. On the second round, the crossbowmen join the

fray with their battle axes.

If surprised, the crossbow-wielding orogs fire the

first round they can act. Note that if the PCs charge

into the orogs, the crossbowmen have a chance to hit

orogs in melee with the PCs (50/50% chance if firing

at a PC fighting one orog). This danger does not

prevent the orogs from firing on the first round of

combat.

If not surprised, the orogs must check morale only

after suffering six or more casualties. If the PCs

turned the tables and attacked the orogs, however, the

monsters must check morale normally (see DMG/69).

Orogs (16): Int High; AL NE; AC 3; MV 9; HD 3;

hp 14 each; THAC0 17; #AT 1; Dmg 1d8+2, battle

axe or 1d8+1, crossbow; SA +2 to damage; SZ M;

ML 13.

Rogga (orog war-chief): Int High; AL NE; AC 3;

MV 9; HD 6; hp 30; THAC0 15; #AT 1; Dmg 1d8+4,

battle axe; SA +4 to damage; SZ M; ML 14.

Note: Crossbows in the BIRTHRIGHT campaign have

the special power to ignore two levels of AC derived

from armor at medium range, five levels at short

range. Thus, a character of AC 5 wearing chain mail

is considered AC 7 at medium range, AC 10 at short

range. AC adjustments due to magic or Dexterity are

not affected this way.

The Blood Skull orogs wear red war paint in an X-

shape crossing between their eyes. The chieftain

boasts more elaborate face paint depicting a blood-red

skull outlined in white. All of the raiders wear gray or

white furs (mostly wolf or bear) over their banded

mail. Aside from their weapons, they carry only a few

personal fetishes, dried rations, and weak wine.

Captured orogs are defiant but very willing to trade

information for freedom. Half of them (determine

randomly of those captured) speak Anuirean or

Rjuven (50% chance of either) in addition to their

native tongue. Unfortunately, they know only a few

things valuable to the PCs. Any PC who makes a

convincing threat or promise (Charisma check at a -2

penalty, but also with a bonus of +1 to +4 for

exceptional roleplaying) can gain one of the following

pieces of information for each question:

• The orogs learned that blooded humans would be

traveling to Boden Keep and hoped to capture them

for ransom. They do not the source of their

information, but they know it was from outside their

clan.

• The orog chief (who will not volunteer this

information himself, if captured) had hoped to execute

one of the blooded men himself, to gain his blood

power. The orogs do not understand that one must be

blooded in order to perform bloodtheft. Any PC who

asks about this will know the orogs can't steal their

bloodlines.

• While the orogs have nothing to do with Rowena or

the jarl, they do know that Rowena has sent messages

to the orog chieftains. There is no formal alliance, but

clearly she is not above dealing with them.

• Rowena is said to be traveling north, to Castle

Mandal. Otherwise, the orogs would likely not

provoke her by coming so close to her own keep. In

her absence, the soldiers in the Keep are much more

likely to be lax in their patrols.

Blood of Four Kings Round One Page 5

What Rowena is doing in Mandal, the orogs do not

know.

• Not far from here, the orogs captured an Anuirean

caravan last month. It carried riches from one of the

southern lands (Avanil in Anuire, but these orogs

don't know that). All the members of the caravan were

slain or captured, the goods taken to the orog

stronghold.

What the orogs don't know is that Rowena has been

importing goods from Anuire with money taken from

her father's treasury. She is preparing Boden Keep for

her expected overthrow of her uncle's holdings.

Encounter Two

Boden Keep

Boden Keep is the second most impressive stronghold

in the lands which will soon be known as the Realm

of the White Witch. Only Castle Mandel is more

impressive. Most Rjuven strongholds are wooden

fortresses and fortified longhouses. But Boden Keep

shows obvious signs of Anuirean and Brechtur

influence in both architecture and material

(predominantly stone).

The main building has three levels, but only the first

two are completed and mapped. The third level is

under vigorous renovation (refurbishing guest and

living chambers), and it does not yet include access to

the Great Tower. (If the PCs insist on exploring this

level, use the map for Level One and ad-lib the room

descriptions.)

Patrols

If the PCs explore the third level, they encounter one

of the patrols described below. Further, if the PCs

abandon stealth and simply attack the keep, killing

everyone they find, setting fires or using spells of

mass destruction, or committing similarly blatant acts,

one unit of elite guards arrives to attack the PCs each

turn. There are a total of 10 such units in the keep.

Elite troops patrol the keep irregularly (discipline

has fallen considerably in Rowena's absence). They

never appear in the keyed areas unless pursuing the

PCs or otherwise noted. Each time the heroes stray

from the keyed areas, another patrol appears.

Elite Guard (5): AL LN; AC 7; HD 2; hp 12;

THAC0 19; #AT 1; Dmg 1d8; SZ M (6′ tall); MV 12;

ML 16; long sword, studded leather armor, blue

woolen cloak.

Commander: AL LE; AC 4; HD 6; hp 30; THAC0

14; #AT 1; Dmg 1d8+1; SZ M (6′ tall); MV 12; ML

16; long sword +1*, chain mail, shield, blue woolen

cloak.

* Note: The first commander encountered wields a

long sword +1, flameblade. Subsequent encounters

are with commanders wielding nonmagical long

swords +1.

Approaching the Keep

After traveling through the narrow mountain

pass, the path winds around an outcropping,

and you find yourself traveling along the

edge of a precipice, vertical cliffs on your

left, and a thousand foot drop-off to your

right. This precarious path snakes around

another outcropping, and you find yourself

looking at an awesome sight.

A quarter of a mile away stands a

formidable keep. Isolated from the rest of the

rugged hills, it rises from a pillar of rock

amid a sudden chasm. A small fortification

stands balanced on the edge of the path you

are following, guarding the arched stone

bridge that leads to the keep's imposing

gatehouse.

Entering the Keep

Upon approaching Boden Keep, the PCs must decide

whether to enter by stealth or subterfuge. Those who

attempt to enter by force may quickly find themselves

facing many soldiers and an alerted keep. In any

event, if they leave their horses outside, the beasts

remain unharmed for six hours. After that time, a pack

of wolves discovers them and attacks, killing and

devouring them all. The PCs may lose their means of

quick escape if they leave their horses for long.

Bluffing: The PCs may attempt to bluff their way past

the gate (see area 2) or scale the keep walls. Scaling

the walls requires the PCs first to cross the chasm

which acts as a moat to Boden Keep. The chasm is

30′ wide at its narrowest, but 60′ anywhere away

from the front of the keep.

Climbing: A PC with the mountaineering skill could

lead the others down the outer wall of the chasm, then

back up the interior wall. The chasm walls are

Blood of Four Kings Round One Page 6

slippery and rough with ledges. One climbing check is

required to descend the outer wall, one to climb the

inner wall, and a third to scale the keep wall itself (a

rough, dry surface). Those that fail their checks

descending or ascending the chasm suffer 3d6

damage. Those failing a climb up the keep wall itself

suffer 6d6 damage. Remember that PCs who rope

themselves together may save each other a fall, but

may also be pulled down after the first PC falls (see

PHB/122).

Regardless of the results of the climbing checks,

assume any character that fails once does not fail a

subsequent roll (one fall per customer).

Alarm

Since Rowena is away at Castle Mandal, the guard

has become quite lax. Unless the PCs attempt a

frontal assault or create exceptional havoc within the

keep, they may move with relative freedom.

At night, the PCs can move through the courtyard

unseen, as long as they do not cause a commotion.

During the day, they may be spotted by one of the

elite guards who patrol the outer walls (50%

chance/turn if the PCs are not disguised as guards or

servants; 10% chance/turn if disguised). Guards at

first question the PCs. Clever role-playing and a

successful Charisma check can allow the PCs to bluff

their way past the first patrol that stops them. Later

encounters with the patrols leads to arrest or

confrontation.

Once inside the building itself, the PCs are

discovered only if they make much noise or

investigate the unmapped areas.

Level One

As the heroes approach the bridge towers, soldiers

(see area 4) peer down at them with curiosity and

suspicion. They do not fire at the PCs unless ordered

to do so, or unless the PCs are actively hostile.

1. West Watchtower. This is a combination storage

room and sleeping quarters. There are three spare

heavy crossbows, 48 quarrels, five spare cloaks, 10

days worth of iron rations, and an unmade bed with a

lumpy straw mattress. This room is accessible only

from area 19 on the Level Two map.

2. East Watchtower. An arrow slit overlooks the

path, and a sturdy, ironbound door enters the tower,

right by the bridge. If the heroes attempt to bluff their

way into the keep, they must deal with the first

guardsman at this point.

A slightly overweight, tired-looking soldier

emerges from the tower as you approach.

You see the jarl's hammer-and-axe emblem

upon his tabard. He wears old chain mail and

a hardened leather helm with nose guard. He

seems guarded, but not hostile.

"What is your business in Boden Keep?"

he asks. His voice is tired and resigned.

This guard, one Daen, was once the keep's weapons

master, but he has been demoted to this position by

the new guard captain, who wanted a more familiar

face in that position. He is quite demoralized and will

accept any reasonable story or proof the heroes offer

at face value, then wave them across the bridge.

While he is gullible, he remains loyal to the keep (if

not especially the guard captain or Rowena), and

bribes will not persuade him. If threatened or

attacked, Daen sounds the alarm. Within three rounds,

two elite guard units arrive to aid him (see above). If

those units are defeated, another such unit finds the

PCs each turn until the PCs can get inside the main

building or otherwise hide themselves.

If the heroes quiz him, they get no useful

information from him except that Rowena should

return soon (presumably to meet the PCs, if that is

part of their story). He chatters about the quality of

swords and weapons, as well as the fairness of the old

guard captain and caprice of the new, but he has not

been paying enough attention to events in the keep to

tell the heroes anything about the child or Rowena's

new henchmen.

The room beyond the door is a combination office

and sitting room. A small desk contains paper, ink,

and a quill. There is a small oil lamp that is always

burning (it is, in fact, a lamp of infinite burning,

EM/642). A comfortable armchair stands near the

door, with a bastard sword, rapier, and sharpening

tools nearby. The bar that can be used to seal the door

stands behind the chair. An arrow slit lets inhabitants

of the room look out onto the path. A ladder leads up

to the next level.

On the wall by the door is a lever. Pulling this lever

causes the bridge to the keep to collapse into the

gorge.

Blood of Four Kings Round One Page 7

3. West Gatehouse. This area can only be reached by

climbing the ladder from area 21 on the Level Two

map. There are two warriors armed with heavy

crossbows in this room. Should an alarm be sounded,

the crossbowmen take turns either firing at any

trapped characters in the gatehouse, or firing on the

bridge.

Aside from the men posted here, this room contains

a table and two chairs. On the table are three ivory

dice, 4 gp, and 7 sp. Under the table is an unlocked

box of 100 quarrels. Two candles burn in holders on

the wall, yet they are not consumed by the flame.

They are enchanted, but once they are removed from

their holders, the enchantment is ruined.

Crossbowmen (2): AL LN; AC 8 (leather); HD 1;

hp 6 each; THAC0 20; #AT 1; Dmg 1d8+1 crossbow,

1d8 long sword; MV 12; ML 9.

4. East Gatehouse. This area can be reached only by

climbing the ladder from area 22 on the Level Two

map. There are two warriors armed with heavy

crossbows in this room. Should an alarm be sounded,

and the gate and portcullises gate have been lowered

by the guards in Area 19 on Map Two, they take turns

firing at any trapped characters in the gatehouse or

firing on the bridge.

Aside from the men posted here, this room contains

a table and two chairs. On the table is an illuminated

book containing third-rate love poems. It is worth 100

gp. Under the table is an unlocked box containing 100

quarrels. Two candles burn in holders on the wall, yet

they do not seems to be consumed by the flame. They

are enchanted, but once they are removed from their

holders, the enchantment is ruined.

Crossbowmen (2): AL LN; AC 8 (leather); HD 1;

hp 6 each; THAC0 20; #AT 1; Dmg 1d8+1 crossbow,

1d8 long sword; ML 9.

5. Courtyard. As noted previously, the PCs can

move across the courtyard unseen at night. During the

day, they can move through the courtyard

unchallenged only if they entered via the main gate or

are disguised as guards or servants of the keep.

A broad road of cobblestones leads from the

gatehouse to the main gate of the citadel

within. Arrow slits surround the entrance,

and the great doors themselves are firmly

reinforced with iron. You see new

construction left unfinished upon the walls:

fanciful carvings, gargoyles with frosty

beards, and a very new statue of an elegant

woman in a long dress and cloak.

To the right and left of the cobbled road,

the ground is churned mud covered with a

light sprinkling of snow. You see the ragged

border where the workers stopped laying

stones for winter.

To the west stands a square, solid-looking

building. Near the base of its walls are tiny

barred windows.

On the east side of the courtyard you see a

low building with a thatched roof. A wide set

of double doors leads to the main building,

while a narrow wooden door leads to a

smaller attached structure.

Those who have met Rowena before (everyone but

Jack) recognize the new statue as her likeness. Any

character commenting on the new construction can

make a Wisdom check to realize that Rowena must be

planning to return from her meeting with the jarl as a

much more important figure—perhaps even the ruler

of the domain.

If the heroes are let in by the gate guards, then they

may cross the courtyard without event. If they enter

areas 6–9, however, a group of the elite guard arrive

within one turn to escort them to the main building.

The exception is that if the PCs have brought their

horses, they are permitted to leave them at the stables

without interference.

If the PCs arrived over the wall or via other means,

they may cross the courtyard without being seen only

if they take precautions (i.e., running quietly along the

walls, hiding in shadows, moving under cover of

night). The guards are so relaxed in the absence of

Rowena that they are not watching the courtyard so

much as the road leading to the keep.

6. Quartermaster's Room. There are two bunk beds

along the north wall of this room. A desk stands in the

middle of the room, an oil lamp resting atop it (lit if

the PCs enter between nightfall and midnight). The

desk contains supply records for the keep, an ink well,

and a quill.

At first glance, there is nothing of interest to the

heroes. A character with the administration and

read/write nonweapon proficiencies can, by

examining the records for one turn, uncover some

interesting information. One item is uncovered for

Blood of Four Kings Round One Page 8

each additional round spent searching after the initial

discovery:

• Orders for a cradle and other items needed for a

young child to be crafted and delivered to the keep. A

brief note suggests that the items were received and

moved to the top of the Great Tower.

• Cryptic notations which suggest that Boden Keep

has had commerce with orogi tribes in the Blood Skull

Barony.

• More notes, this time suggesting that Rowena hired

two groups of assassins from Brechtur within the past

year. Payment for the first group was deferred to the

second—apparently because the first failed.

• Documents confirming the order and delivery of

specially prepared glass from Alamie, a duchy in

Anuire. Anyone with the spellcraft proficiency may

make a successful proficiency check to determine that

the glass was manufactured in such a way as to allow

it to be enchanted.

During the day, there is a 50% chance that the

keep's Quartermaster is in this room working on the

books. If bribed or threatened (50 gp minimum bribe,

or successful Charisma check), he tells the heroes that

the child is being kept on the top floor of the Great

Tower, but that many guardians keep watch over her.

He does not know the nature of the guardians, but he

does know that there is a woman who rides a griffon

stays in the room with the child. He also knows that

the woman and the guard captain each have magical

rings they use to control the griffon.

If threatened or otherwise persuaded, Marson

promises not to alert the guards to the PCs presence.

He is frightened enough that he is telling the truth.

Sammel, on the other hand, alerts the guard one turn

after the PCs leave, unless the PCs bind and gag him.

If Sammel alerts the guard, the PCs encounter one

unit of the elite guard two rounds later.

After midnight, the Quartermaster sleeps in one of

the bunks, a soldier sleeping in the other.

Marson (Quartermaster): AL LN; AC 8 (Dex

bonus); HD 3; hp 24; THAC0 18; #AT 1; Dmg 1d4

dagger; MV 12; ML 8.

Sammel (keep soldier): AL N; AC 10; HD 1; hp 6;

THAC0 20; #AT 1; Dmg 1d4 dagger, or 1d8 long

sword; MV 12; ML 9.

7. Harness Room. This room has tack and harness

and saddles for 10 horses. It is all of the finest quality.

(The 10 horses are the property of the commanders of

Rowena's Bodyguard.)

In one corner of the room is a pile of filthy blankets

and furs. At night, Jan the stableboy sleeps here. If the

PCs enter this room during the day, Jan is in area 7.

Among the bedding is a small rag doll that is as filthy

as the blankets.

8. Stables. This room smells strongly of horses and

oats. There are 10 horses in here, some whinnying,

some stomping. A wiry, rag-clad boy of 15 years is

sweeping dung out of one of the stalls if the PCs enter

during the day. The residents of the keep have named

the boy Jan, one of the few words to which he

responds.

As soon as a PC speaks to Jan, he turns and stares

at them, sky-blue eyes staring out from under tangled

bangs. When a PC speaks to him a second time, Jan's

face twists into an expression of animal rage, and

with a howl he attacks the speaker.

Jan is a feral child discovered by the Quartermaster

in nearby mountains. All efforts to civilize him have

failed, although his affinity with horses and ability to

perform simple tasks has made him useful. Only the

Quartermaster can approach him safely.

Jan is the equivalent of a 1st-level fighter, but he

receives two attacks per round (one punch and one

bite). The only way to subdue him, short of knocking

him unconscious, or killing him (and killing an

unarmed child—no matter how violent and frightening

his behavior—is not heroic) is for a ranger to attempt

to calm him, using his affinity for wild animals. (The

DM should play up Jan's savagery to allow the player

to realize this is possible.) If the player roleplays well,

the boy calm down after one more round of attacks. If

the player doesn't roleplay well, give the wild boy a

saving throw vs. rods. Success indicates the boy

continues to attack; failure indicates that he calms

down.

Jan has no useful information, and he can't really

communicate with the heroes (although a speak with

animals spell reveals that he is happy living here with

the Quartermaster and the horses and Snuffy (the rag

doll). If treated reasonably well, the boy reports the

PCs to no one (except Marson, that evening, and

Marson will not relay the report for another day).

Jan (feral boy): AL CN; AC 6 (Dex bonus); HD 1;

Blood of Four Kings Round One Page 9

hp 8; THAC0 20; #AT 2; Dmg 1d2 punch, 1d3 bite;

MV 12; ML 13.

9. Gaol. This is the keep's prison, which includes a

small office, four cells on the ground floor, and two

large cells in the dungeon. It is presently empty and

could serve as a hiding place for the PCs if they enter

it without being seen. Likewise, if the PCs are

captured or subdued by the guards, this is where they

are locked after being disarmed.

A thief character can pick the cell locks at normal

chances from outside with thief's picks. With an

improvised tool, a thief suffers a -20% penalty.

Main Building

Across the cobblestone courtyard, a three-

story stone building rises, its roof level with

the keep's walls. From the rear of the

building, a round tower rises an additional

fifty feet. The front of the building is adorned

with new construction: frost-bearded

gargoyles, and reliefs featuring the visage of

a beautiful woman. A wide set of doors, set

back from the courtyard and flanked by

gargoyles, leads into the building.

The long, narrow mouths of the gargoyles by the

front doors (two on either side) conceal the arrow slits

from areas 11. The crossbowmen within do not fire on

heroes who have not caused any trouble in courtyard

or at the gatehouse. Any attempts to pick the front

door during daylight, however, are met with a shouted

warning and then crossbow fire, as anything short of

knocking arouses the guards' suspicion. The warriors

each have one heavy crossbow and one light

crossbow. The first shots are with the heavy

crossbows, after which they change to the light

crossbows. Each crossbowman has 15 quarrels.

Crossbowmen (2): AL LN; AC 8 (leather); HD 1;

hp 6 each; THAC0 20; #AT 1; Dmg 1d8+1 crossbow,

1d8 long sword; MV 12; ML 9.

10. Greeting Hall.

The floor of this room features an old but

stunning mosaic depicting the clash of a

fierce Rjuven army with savage orog raiders.

A more recently-completed mosaic rises up

the rounded back wall of the entry hall,

where an elegant woman stands in a pillar of

blue-white light. Above her, on the vaulted

ceiling of the hall, a fantastic image of the

ice-goddess Karesha peers down at you.

When the heroes knock on the door, it is opened

from within by one of two guards, who escort them to

see the captain of the guard in area 15. The guards do

not allow the PCs to go anywhere else; such are their

orders.

These guards wear not the hammer-and-axe tabard

of the jarl, but the image of an icy white rose upon a

pale blue field. This is the emblem of Rowena, who

plans to return from Mandal having slain her uncle

and usurped his throne. Any character with the

heraldry proficiency can make a successful check to

realize the significance of the new tabards.

Each guard has keys to the front doors. Any combat

in the entry halls alerts the crossbowmen in areas 11,

who summon the main guard contingents in areas 12.

Guards (2): AL LE; AC 8 (leather); HD 1; hp 6

each; THAC0 20; #AT 1; Dmg 1d8 long sword; MV

12; ML 10.

11. Bowman Posts. Each of these small rooms are

accessible only from Areas 12. Each room contains a

table, a chair, and a case of crossbow quills. The

single crossbowman in each chamber behaves as

detailed above.

12. Barracks. These rooms are combination guard

quarters and mess halls. Bunk beds and weapon racks

line the walls, while the centers of the rooms are taken

up by tables and chairs. At the foot of each bed stands

two chests. Each chest contains a spare tabard (all

new, and all with Rowena's emblem), ordinary

clothes, and 36 gp. At any given time, each room

contains 10 warriors who are awake and 10 warriors

who are sleeping in the bunk beds.

Any guard interrogated can tell characters of the

mechanism for defending the gatehouse (areas 21 &

22), the defensive corridor (area 23), as well as relay

the rumor that there is a special prisoner held at the

top of the tower. This prisoner is guarded by one of

the Rowena's new lieutenants, one of two women who

ride a griffon. The new guard captain can be found in

area 16. The stairs in area 12b rise to area 29.

13. Kitchen. This well-equipped kitchen contains an

immense fireplace that is always ablaze with magical

Blood of Four Kings Round One Page 10

fire. Several cooks are always in here, preparing

meals.

The cooks immediately give in to any threats,

revealing to the characters that the woman guarding

the prisoner in the top tower needs all her meals

specially prepared because she eats no meat.

Regardless of when (or if) the heroes enter the

kitchen, the cooks are preparing a meal for the child's

guard. Masquerading as cooks or servants and

bringing food treated with a sleeping herb (which can

be acquired in area 17) to the guard is a good option

for the PCs.

If questioned without threats (successful Charisma

check, +2 if Jack implores them to help), the cooks

reveal that there are traps on the stairs leading up

through the Great Tower. They know which steps to

avoid on the first three levels, but not how to bypass

the wolf on level four. Each has a key to the door to

the Great Tower on Level One, as well as the door on

Level Three of the tower.

Astrid and Olga (cooks): AL N; AC 10; HD 1; hp

4 each; THAC0 20; #AT 1; Dmg 1d3 (rolling pin or

knife); ML 7.

14. Pantry. This room is a dry pantry, containing a

wide variety of nonperishable foodstuffs and fruits

and vegetables. Small barrels along one wall store

salted meat, including the very strange-tasting flesh of

the subterranean lizards raised by orogs. The

Captain's griffon has a taste for such fare.

15. Audience Hall. This hall is presently locked, as

Rowena is not in residence. The wall across from the

door is taken up by a large banner displaying her

personal coat of arms (the ice rose), as well as

representations of the various aspects of the deity she

worships. An ornate throne stands on a short pedestal

in front of the tapestry. Like the outer decorations, it

appears newly refurbished.

16. Captain's Office. This conference room has been

converted into a temporary office for the new guard

captain, who has been displaced by the commanders

of Rowena's Bodyguard (who have taken up residence

in the captain's suite on the Third Level of the keep.

Papers and weapons and uniforms are strewn about.

The Captain (her given name is Kallan, though no

one in the keep has ever called her anything but

"Captain") is a short, lightly muscled woman with

dark hair set in a pony tail. A scar runs from her right

temple, across the bridge of her nose, and down to the

left side of her jaw; if not for the scar, she would be

beautiful.

A priestess of Karesha, the Captain once enjoyed

Rowena's special favor. But lately the jarl's niece has

taken only her own counsel, and she has replaced or

demoted many of her previous confidants. The

Captain is unhappy that she has been displaced by the

officers of the bodyguard. Worse, while she has no

qualms about Rowena's plans to slay her uncle and

assume his power, she finds the whole business of the

child distasteful (knowing how Rowena got her). She

takes her frustration out on the PCs if they are brought

before her.

She dismisses the guard who brings the PCs to her

and, regardless of their story, subjects them to intense

questioning. The DM should ask the kind of double-

edged questions that might make the heroes think she

is onto their plan and plans to jail them (though, in

fact, she assumes at first that Rowena summoned

them here to be her pawns). The PCs should get the

distinct impression that she has no intention of letting

them leave the keep. Of course, the Captain is simply

venting her anger, and she ultimately agrees to allow

the PCs to remain in the Keep as long as they

maintain a reasonable-sounding story and do not

threaten her. If the PCs can retain their composure

throughout the encounter, the Captain dismisses them

without assigning a guard, assuming they will ask a

servant for quarters (on the third, unmapped level).

Should the heroes attack her, the Captain fights to

the death. She wears a chain shirt under her tunic and

wields a mace +1 (well-crafted and wicked-edged, but

nonmagical).

The most important magic item in the Captain's

possession is her ring of griffon control, carved in an

image of the creature it commands. Both Malena (see

The Great Tower) and the Captain have one of these

rings, and these are the items that allow them to ride

the griffon nesting on the roof of the Great Tower.

Kallan (The Captain): AL LE; AC 3 (chain shirt

and Dex bonus); P6; hp 28; THAC0 18; #AT 1; Dmg

1d6+1 footman's mace; MV 12; ML 17.

Powers: chill touch 1/day, +1 save vs. cold

Spells: command, cure light wounds, light, fear;

charm person, hold person, withdraw; dispel magic

17. Herb Garden. This is a garden where a wide

variety of herbs and spices are grown. Any heroes

with the herbalism proficiency also recognize several

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BloodofFourKingsAnAD&D®GameBIRTHRIGHTÔAdventureRoundOne:Witch'sGetbySteveMiller&DaveGrossADVANCEDDUNGEONS&DRAGONS,AD&D,andRPGANetworkareregisteredtrademarksofTSR,Inc.BIRTHRIGHTisatrademarkofTSR,Inc.Copyright1995.ALLRIGHTSRESERVED.Thisscenarioisintendedfortournamentuseonlyandmaynotbereproducedwithout...

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Steve Miller - Blood of Four Kings

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