Fantasy Ireland Adventure: Keeper Hill-The Delegates Redoubt

KEEPER HILL

A Fantasy Core and D&D 5^th Edition Fantasy Ireland Adventure

© Jerry Harris 2016

Published here as Open Game Content.

(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Playtest Rules.)

Fantasy Ireland Index

Keeper Hill Index

Residence Level Index

The Delegates’ Redoubt

2 XP for clearing this encounter

This area was originally mostly office spaces that were then converted to temporary housing.  This section was mostly unused by Billy and the Goblins.  It became lodging for the visiting delegates and their entourages.  During the undead invasion, the lords were able to hold off the attack with the area blocked off.  Thwarted, the undead encircled them to wait them out (which is a tactic the undead are good at). 

The siege was lessened as troops were drawn off to ambush the Character group.  After a violent discussion, several of the delegates and their servants broke out and made for the exit.  You already know what happened there.  Soon after the breakout, a wave of Wights overran those remaining.  (Talk about a lousy conference.  This was not worth the trip.)  Depending on how you’re playing it, the Characters may hear the last of the battle, or they will just come in after the massacre.  (Or maybe the Characters avoid this area altogether, in which case, they could be fighting them on the way back out of the complex.)

5)—4 Kobold-Zombies (see Converted undead section) are playing dead, guarding the area.  These were Mungo the Ogre’s subjects.  They were used as a distraction, so that he could try to escape.  Attacking them alerts the rest of the undead in the area, otherwise they might be caught by surprise.  Once any attack begins, the various undead forces in the area will coordinate to attempt to flank the attackers from behind.

6)—This is a staging area for newly raised Zombies.  Right now they’re just milling around, awaiting orders.  There are 4 Orc-Zombies (same as regular Zombies) and 3 Rakshasa-Zombies (Cat-men).   

7)—Here are 4 Tengu-Zombies (Bird-men), also playing dead like the Kobold-Zombies. 

8)—The corridor is a meat market of undead bodies, which are mostly (and thankfully) not playing dead; they are dead.  Right now, there are 2 Wights attempting to raise the apparently lifeless body of Sid the Troll (described in the next post).  In attendance are two raised lords: Lord Den-Zombie the Minotaur and Lady Grey Moon-Zombie, a grey Rakshasa Cat-woman with a white tail and neon blue eyes (yes, you need to read that description to the Players and for a reason).  The Wights will waste another rd trying to raise Sid, but Den will charge right in, followed immediately by Grey Moon.  As soon as the Wights turn to attack, Sid is going to get up and hit them from behind (yep, he was playing possum too.  Turnabout is fair play.  The undead won’t be able to kill the regenerating humanoid unless they energy drain him.)  

9)—At some point late in the fight, another grey Cat-woman with a white tail and neon blue eyes will exit this office.  Billy and Sid will immediately recognize her as Lady Grey Moon and will be confused by the situation, but will call to her to fight nonetheless.  If there’s an opening or a weak point in the undead attack, this Grey Moon will make for it and attempt to make a break for it.  (This is, of course, the Doppelganger.  It had managed to hide during the final attack and is now using the chaos to try to escape.)  Billy will chase after the Doppelganger, if able, or direct someone else to.  He’s just developed a nasty suspicion. 

After the Battle

From here, any number of things could happen.  If the Doppelganger escapes, the Doppelganger could likely fairly easily impersonate a Goblin or Grimlock and get out of the hill.  If caught, the Doppelganger will maintain that It is Lady Grey Moon.  Billy will want to know why she sabotaged his meeting by letting loose the undead.  It will say that the Zombie Grey Moon was actually the Doppelganger, impersonating her.  The Doppelganger must have snuck in with her entourage. 

Meanwhile, Sid the Troll is furious with Billy (somewhat rightly so) and demands compensation.  Billy has a solution.  Surely there can’t be too many more undead left, and no one knows what’s in the next level, but it appears to have been a royal residence.  “Do you think there might be some riches there?”  With the prospect of unspoiled riches on the Noble Level, Sid volunteers to investigate for a share of the loot.  Billy volunteers Grey Moon, who accepts the offer, under some distress.  If he’s not with the group, Billy calls for Sam the Gargoyle to be brought in as well, suspecting that this endeavor isn’t going to be that easy. 

For the Characters, Billy has this motivation.  The ward that was keeping the undead in the Noble Level has been broken.  There’s still probably dangerous undead up there, which are almost certainly going to come out and attack.  If they’re not stopped now, they’re going to get out of Keeper Hill.  Plus, the Characters will be in line some treasure themselves.   

Everyone is in line for at least another short rest.  If they attempt a long rest, a small force of Ghouls (x4) should attack as a probe, but quickly retreat with any losses.