Attributes
Featured NPCs142-niko-northen142-nina142-amos142-addot
Chapter Number2
Narrative Chapter Number2
TitleGood, Bad, Evil
Primary Location142-no-name-village
Dm NotesThe climate shift (heat wave to bitter winter) mirrors the tonal shift in the campaign. Addot's madness arc is Sean's character's primary personal story — it should be reinforced consistently. Nina is described as 'afraid she made a mistake' — she is not evil, just loyal to Niko. The accusation of killing the defenders is a roleplaying pressure point; the real killers were Lezmara's undead. The Dark Lady pronoun inconsistency in the notes (he/she) is the DM's notes being loose — Lezmara is female throughout.
Detailed NarrativeThe morning after the undead attack, village survivors accuse the newcomers of killing their defenders. PCs bitten by zombies must make DC 14 Fort saves the next day (zombie disease). The late-summer heat wave is turning toward bitter northern winter as days pass. Addot (Sean's character) begins experiencing vivid flashback visions of families being split apart and slaughtered — he feels vindicated in his belief that an undead horde is building, but is haunted by the family he abandoned back home. Following the drag-marks and tracks of bodies taken during the attack, the party travels through the forest and reaches Niko Northen's farmstead. Nina — a woman Niko brought back from the dead — meets them at the door: she explains that Niko is remorseful, and that the hasted zombies were a mistake (they were not meant to attack the living). Inside, Niko explains that there are two undead factions forming in the area, but one is all-powerful. He is trying to help the people fight the evil that is growing. He describes Lezmara (calling her 'she' and 'the creature in the mountains'): she has search-and-destroy groups roaming the forests, and any town this close has been destroyed before. He has been gathering strength to protect the village. He asks the party to find a book — an ancient private collection of the worst death magic — in the caves of the Twisted Crown Peaks. The caves are a blend of Hesh, Dwarf, and Elf construction. There is a place deep in the caves that can cause a collapse. He also warns of the Darakhul — intelligent undead in separate caves in the mountain who have taken some survivors. He can pay 500 GP and provides significant equipment.
SummaryThe party faces accusations of killing No Name Village's defenders. Addot begins his descent into madness, replaying visions of families being slaughtered. The party tracks the bodies taken by the undead through the forest, eventually leading them to Niko Northen's farm. Nina warns them that Niko is remorseful about the hasted zombie attack. Niko reveals the true threat: Lezmara, who hides in the Twisted Crown Peaks, commands search-and-destroy undead groups, and seeks an ancient private collection of death magic. He asks the party to find the book in the caves. He also warns of the Darakhul — intelligent undead in other caves who have likely taken some of the party's people.
Campaignnorthfringe-exodus-of-trayalon-post-portal-and-northfringe-origin
Locations142-no-name-village142-northfringe
Rewards500 GP (Niko's payment for the cave mission)Heavy Shield +1Scimitar +1Staff +13x Ring of Protection +1Amulet of Natural Armor +1Breastplate +1Lamellar +1Mithral Chain Shirt +1Light Crossbow +1Long Bow +1Bracers of Armor (+2)Robe of BonesRing of Feather FallRing of JumpingVarious potions (Barkskin, Misdirection, Jump, Cure Moderate Wounds, Cure Light Wounds x2, Bull's Strength, Protect from Law, Shield of Faith, Resist Cold)
Player Characters109-freespirit-bastion109-duncan-sarkrana109-solomon109-danger-dave-rubblefield141-finn-gallund141-harfur141-trankle141-artemon-tretcord141-peter-gallund142-addot142-faellost-the-vengeful142-captain-mace-williams