So I've been drooling over the Old School Essentials, for a minute now. I mean yes its just B/X, and I literally have the Rules Cyclopedia next to me. But OSE is calling to me like a siren. Maybe its the good reviews and positive energy I'm picking up on from online. Maybe its the flavor of a book set, that makes me think of the old boxed set goodness. Maybe its the idea of classic style from the past. Maybe the idea of a robust chassis that can be bent, fold, and manipulated into what ever I want. Maybe its that all the classic goodness has been better organized. (Most D&D books are not renowned for their organization) But its not really any of that. You want to know what it is?
They look really cool, and I want them. Silly, dumb but true.
So this of course has sent me down the rabbit hole of thinking about B/X, and settings. Dolmenwood that Necrotic Gnome is working on looks fantastic. So I've been assembling ideas for a setting of my own. I'm going to try to post some of it here. Share my imagination, excitement and madness.
(Full disclosure, this is an adventure I've run and posted here before. But I think makes a good starting point. The adventure has been slightly revised.)
This adventure is written with first level characters in mind. Now this can start any way the GM sees fit. Perhaps the characters start in the traditional fashion, meeting and joining up together in the tavern. Or perhaps they are already a group, riding into town after a long journey through the wilderness. Regardless, the hamlet should be a pleasant respite from the dreary wilderness.
The sleepy little farming hamlet of Septure is located in the Dywylled Forest, along the Carp river. Build atop the ruins of a town destroyed hundreds of years ago in the great purge. The only remaining feature of the previous town is part of ancient the sewers. The hamlet consists of a tavern, blacksmith, and gristmill. Regardless where the characters go. Be it the tavern, blacksmith, or gristmill the locals of Septure are filled with rumors.
The Wolf's Head tavern is a small, dark slat board building. The lower floor consists of the public room, and bar. The upstairs contains three rooms for rent. Run by Markus an ornery man of ill disposition, and body. His only employee is Sofia, a pretty girl with an empty head.
Typically a few farmers can be found here in the evening. Hard working folk of generally good disposition. Artimus the town drunk can be found here all day. Drunk, friendly, spindly, and mostly reliable, he is always looking to make some coin to pay his bar tab.
Tavern Rumors
(Roll 1d8 twice per character, except for Thieves, and Halflings which roll three times.)
- Those dunderheads Sven and Ollie were hired to set traps in the sewer to catch those imaginary rats. No one's seen them in a couple days. They took that money and left. Grigore from the gristmill was a fool for hiring those louts.
- I'm worried about Sven and Ollie. They've been down in the sewers for days.
- Grigore's wife has been sneaking about with Victor the Blacksmith. A reckoning is bound to come.
- Markus hasn't always been such a jerk. His attitude turned sour when his daughter left the hamlet with that devil may care rogue.
- Have you heard about the village Twr Diafol? People have gone missing.
- Sven and Ollie have been playing tricks on people down by the river, and now that idiot Grigore is paying them to prank. A pack of fools they all are.
- Something evil has crept into the sewers. I don't know what, but I can hear it, feel it.
- Something's not been right with Grigore at the mill for a while now.
The Blacksmith
The Blacksmith shop is a collection of small stone buildings. Run by Victor, a mountain of a man. With a heart bigger than the tallest oak. He offers a range of common iron wares. (No weapons, besides a wood axe) Glad to engage in conversation. Unless it turns toward the miller's wife. He is then very quiet.
Blacksmith Rumors
(Roll 1d4 once per character, except for Thieves, and Halflings which roll twice.)
(Roll 1d4 once per character, except for Thieves, and Halflings which roll twice.)
- No one's seen Sven and Ollie since they went into the sewers. I'm worried about them.
- Something's wrong with Grigore the miller. He hasn't been himself in a couple of months.
- Markus wasn't always the sourpuss he is. It wasn't till his daughter ran away with that thieving vagabond.
- Fisherman have said something big is stealing their bait, and wrecking their nets.
The Gristmill
The gristmill is run by Grigore. A haggard man, that visibly appears to have a lot on his mind. The gristmill is run by Grigore and his wife. A black haired petite woman, that would be a looker if it wasn't for the large bruise on her face. Gregore will be friendly with the characters. Becoming slightly aggressive if asked about his wife, or the blacksmith. She will not speak, save for simple yes or no answers. He will ask if the characters have seen Sven and Ollie. Inquiring if can hire them to go into the sewers to find them. Strange sounds have come from the sewers, and a few of the towns folks animals have gone missing. So Swen and Ollie were hired to go down into the sewers and set traps. They have been down there two days. Grigore fears for their safety. Grigore would like to hire the group, a stout assembly of adventurers, to go into the sewers, find out what's down there and hopefully rescue Swen and Ollie. He doesn't expect the characters to do this out of the goodness in their hearts. He is offering a hundred gold pieces. Plus, anything they find in the sewers they can keep. (Remember these are first level characters, so one hundred gold pieces, even divided is big money.)
Gristmill Rumors
The gristmill is run by Grigore. A haggard man, that visibly appears to have a lot on his mind. The gristmill is run by Grigore and his wife. A black haired petite woman, that would be a looker if it wasn't for the large bruise on her face. Gregore will be friendly with the characters. Becoming slightly aggressive if asked about his wife, or the blacksmith. She will not speak, save for simple yes or no answers. He will ask if the characters have seen Sven and Ollie. Inquiring if can hire them to go into the sewers to find them. Strange sounds have come from the sewers, and a few of the towns folks animals have gone missing. So Swen and Ollie were hired to go down into the sewers and set traps. They have been down there two days. Grigore fears for their safety. Grigore would like to hire the group, a stout assembly of adventurers, to go into the sewers, find out what's down there and hopefully rescue Swen and Ollie. He doesn't expect the characters to do this out of the goodness in their hearts. He is offering a hundred gold pieces. Plus, anything they find in the sewers they can keep. (Remember these are first level characters, so one hundred gold pieces, even divided is big money.)
Gristmill Rumors
(Roll 1d4 once per character, except for Thieves, and Halflings which roll twice.)
- Markus has been acting shadier than usual. I think he's stealing from customers as they sleep.
- Victor the blacksmith is a bad person. Don't let him fool you. Watch yourself around him.
- Sven and Ollie are good lads. Something's not right with them being away so long.
- Somethings stealing the fishermen's catches on the rivers.
If they accept Grigores offer to search the sewers he will guide them (when they are ready) to the sewer entrance at the river. Leading from the river into the sewer is a black iron bar gate. Grigore will go no farther than the gate. Inside, the sewer is built from simple grey stone blocks, with an arched ceiling. Moist and covered in moss and slime, it feels slippery to the touch. The center of each corridor is a 4 foot wide trench which the refuse flows in. Each side of the trench there is a three foot wide cobblestone walkway. Thru the trench flows murky, stinking water.
1. This tunnel contains foothold traps, spring loaded jaws--bear-trap style, well traps. 1d4 traps.
2. The catch basin, multiple clay pipes empty into this room. Where the tainted water collects and flows out. It's also the home to a group of 1d4 Devil Frogs. Searching the murky water will reveal 4d6 copper pieces.
3. This tunnel contains foothold traps, spring loaded jaws--bear-trap style, well traps. 1d2 traps.
4. This tunnel has a group of 1d4 Devil Frogs gathered here. As well as the well chewed on corpses of Sven and Ollie. If they search the bodies they will find a total of 12 gold pieces, and a sack with 2 traps.
5. This catch basin, is the lair of the Giant Devil Frogs. 1d4 Giant Devil Frogs can be found here. Searching the murky water will reveal 4d6 copper pieces, 2d6 electrum pieces, and a ruby worth 25 gold pieces.
When the water is entered there is a chance the character contracts a disease. Make a saving throw vs Poison. If the character fails, they have a 25% chance of dying in 1d6 days. Character loses 1d4 from all attributes, per day till death. Even if they are not on track for death, they need bed rest for the 1d6 days. Otherwise operating at 1d4 minus from all attributes till the days are up. A successful save means the character does not contract the disease. The spell Cure Disease will cure this infection.
AC: 7
HD: 1-1
Move: 90' (30")
Attacks: 1 Bite
Damage: 1d2
No. Appearing: 1d4Save As: Normal man
Morale: 5
Treasure Type: Nil
Intelligence: 2
Alignment: Neutral
XP: 2
These are huge red skinned frogs. Minimally 2' long, and weigh 10-15lbs. They do not have teeth. But the jaw bone protrudes through its gums. This jaw bone is serrated like a hacksaw blade. They are carnivorous, and very aggressive.
Devil Frog, Giant
AC: 12
HD: 2+2
Move: 90' (30")
Attacks: 1 Bite
Damage: 1d4
No. Appearing: 1d4Save As: F1
Morale: 6
Treasure Type: Nil
Intelligence: 2
Alignment: Neutral
XP: 25
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