"All of yer treasure...argh...belongs to us"
(Darokin Adventure: Pirates!)

DM Setup

This adventure is designed to be linked with other Phase I adventures in the Corruption of the Swords campaign. If not running the other adventures in this plot-line, minor modifications will allow this adventure to be played in any campaign.

Unknown to all, one of the Outer Beings is breaking free of its planar prison. It has spent centuries making preparations for this event. By manipulating one of the immortals themselves, the Outer Being has been able to set the stage for its escape. Its plan involves the corruption of the powerful artifacts known as the Swords of Wayland, as well as blood rituals on a scale that could not possibly be imagined by most, be they mortal or immortal. The PCs will be inexorably drawn into this webwork of insane schemes through four seemingly unrelated adventures. Ultimately, it will be up to them to put the pieces together before the Outer Being's dark prophecies come to pass, but the unknowable one has been planning its escape for a long time. Compassion, curiosity, fame, and fortune...all of the stuff that heroes are made of, will insure that wittingly or not, the PCs will play their part in the Outer Beings grand design.

PCs should enter this scenario after having completed adventures 1 through 3, and having gathered clues about one of the Swords or Wayland, Roc. This information will be what ultimately sets them on their path.

Phase I adventures are low level adventures designed to draw the PCs into this plot.

How to Involve PCs

There are several possible ways to involve the PCs in this adventure. Since this should be played as the culminating adventure in this series, it is recommended that all the other adventures be played through first. Each of the previous adventures should have lead ins to this one.

1. The PCs may hear about Attleson’s tale from some local villagers. They find Attleson’s grave, but no sword is contained there. [This is from adventure 1 Your Trusted Friend, the Necromancer]
2. The PCs meet up with some Corun merchants who tell them the tale of Attleson, and how he lost his sword (of course they leave out their own duplicity in the matter). [This is from adventure 2 The Starving Forest]
3. The PCs buy some of Attleson’s artifacts at an auction, but the sword is missing. They may hire a sage to find out where to look for it next. [This is from adventure 3 What Lurks in the Shadows]

Looking for Moana the Fair

The sword Roc has been changing possession for the last 500 years or so. The PCs may thus have a hard time tracking down its current whereabouts. There are, however, several avenues to pursue. Local populations where the sword passed through may tell stories of the famous weapon. Likewise many sages may know bits and pieces of its overall tale. Libraries and long lost scrolls might also be able to point the party in the right direction. See the history of Attleson (Appendix 1), and of Roc (in Appendix 2), for more information.

Eventually, clever PCs will be able to trace the sword’s path to Hadric Telmar, a Minrothad merchant prince who went missing 'a few years ago.' It seems that Hadric was also in search of a great treasure, that of a pirate who lived over 125 years ago, and who seems to have disappeared shortly after hiding her treasure. Hadric seems to have disappeared during his quest for that very same treasure.

Fortunately for the PCs, Hadric kept very detailed notes, and had at least one copy scribed for safekeeping. Unfortunately that copy was destroyed by something...leaving only a few readable scraps behind.

Moana the Fair’s treasure was never found, and nothing else is known of her.

Finding Moana the Beardless

While in a port town (either in Darokin or Irendi) the PCs happen to see a group of women talking with one another.

This is, of course, a coincidence. The Moana that the PCs have run into here is Moana the Beardless, a ruthless pirate who has followed in her ancestor’s footsteps. Whether or not the PCs decide to approach Moana, the wily pirate will soon notice that she is being watched. She quickly returns to her hideout on Alcove Island.

The PCs may have to scramble to find a ship willing to go after Moana. This is the only lead that they have, after all, and they shouldn’t let it get away. There are several merchantmen and a single clipper currently in port. The clipper, called “Sea Wind” is the only ship that really has a chance of catching up to Moana's and this should be readily apparent to the PCs. Convincing Captain Arktaen that it is in his best interest to intercept the dangerous pirate will be another matter entirely.

The PCs will have to work fast in order to convince the captain. There are three things that might help to set Captain Arktaen’s mind at ease. Filling his purse with gold (and it will take quite a lot of gold to fill it), hiring extra hands as marines to combat the pirates they will be facing, or hiring some of the other merchantmen as support vessels. It will take Moana 2 to 3 hours to round up her crew and set sail. If she has more than a 2 hour head start on the PCs, they will never catch up to her.

If they follow the pirate, Moana is ready. She is suspicious of the PCs and has already made plans to evade them before she gets to Alcove Island's secret cove. If the PCs are on any type of vessel other than a “pirate hunter”, Moana assumes that they are adventurers who stumbled upon the story of Moana the Fair’s treasure (it’s happened before). In this case she prepares her lair for visitors. Otherwise she might assume that the PCs are simply pirate hunters. This might catch her off guard later on.

Moana has made it appear that her ship has been attacked in order to lull her pursuers into a false sense of security. She uses this ploy on occasion to gain the advantage of surprise. Clever or observant PCs will notice that the sails have been furled and are not damaged in any way. Nor is any other part of the ship.

It will take the 3 rounds for the Sea Wind to reach Moana’s ship. Unknown to the Sea Wind or her crew there is also another ship in these foggy waters. Moana has managed to contact an allied pirate vessel and they are setting an ambush for the Sea Wind. Moana and her crew will act as the bait. 2 rounds after the Sea Wind’s crew (and the PCs) board her vessel, Moana will give the signal to attack.

It will take the second pirate vessel another 4 rounds to approach Moana’s ship. Each round the crewman in the Sea Wind’s crows nest (or one of the PCs) may make a spot check to determine if the vessel can be seen. Captain Arktaen will realize that he is outmatched as soon as the second pirate vessel is spotted, and will try to disengage and run if possible.

If the Sea Wind cannot disengage in time, and the pirates win, the PCs will be taken prisoner and brought to her secret base on Alcove Island. If this is the case, then Moana the Beardless will make the PCs an offer they can't refuse (possibly holding one of their party captive to ensure their cooperation). Move to the section entitled "Working for Moana."

If the Sea Wind (and the PCs) manage to escape Moana's trap, Captain Arktaen will put ashore on Alcove island. Repairs will be made as soon as possible, and the captain will set off. No amount of gold will convince him to continue the hunt for Moana after her little trap has been sprung.

Move to the section entitled "Dealing with Dak."

Working for Moana

Moana is well known by Dak, as well as the port authorities, and so is most of her crew. She has no desire to be seen in town, and even if she did, there is no way for her to get close enough to Dak in order to steal the figurehead. Instead she has decided to send the PCs in to do the job for her.

The PCs may try to escape from the pirate’s hidden base. Moana may in fact “arrange” for this to happen, especially if she suspects that the PCs will never follow her orders. The easiest way to do this is for one of Moana’s female crew members to “take a liking” to one of the male PCs. That crew member will help the party escape, and will also be in a position to betray them later on. In this case Moana will also arrange for the party to stumble across the portions of the figurehead that she has in her possession, with the hope that the PCs will be able to reunite them and learn the location of the treasure.

The pirate, Niadell, has the guards take the single PC back to her private quarters. After dismissing the guards, she begins to make her advances. She is very careful not to let the PC get a hold of her dagger while they “play,” and she is not afraid to “play rough” if the PC puts up a fight. Give the character some time to suggest plans of escape with Niadell. If the PC does not think of making these suggestions, Niadell will provide an opening.

The PC should have no trouble convincing Niadell to help them escape (this is what she has been sent to do, after all). Of course, Niadell won’t promise to help based on the PCs good looks alone. She will demand some service of them in return, just to keep up appearances.

Let the PCs work out whatever plan for escape that they want. Niadell will agree to help them with it, as long as they also agree to take her with them. If none of the PCs think of taking Moana’s figurehead pieces, Niadell will suggest it.

Once the party makes their escape, Moana plans to follow them to Dak’s place, and then attack at the most opportune time. Go to the section labeled “Pirate’s Hideout” in order to play through the escape.

Dealing with Dak (on Alcove Island)

Dak is an ex-pirate who now owns a legitimate sea business (legitimate in the sense that he sets up fake treasure hunts for tourists). He owns a small shack on the side of the dock in which he lives, and also does business. He has decorated his shack so that it provides lots of "atmosphere" for his customers. Many of his employees look like the stereotypical pirate, and can always be found nearby.

1. The Dock : This dock appears to be a fairly old construction. It is long and rickety, and tends to sway slightly whenever anyone walks upon it. There are typically two small sailing vessels moored off the dock, one to each side. Both vessels are owned by Dak and used for his business (of shipping paying customers out to explore underwater wreckages). Their crews can either be found on board, or at many of the nearby taverns.
2. Dak’s Shack : This Ramshackled building at the foot of the dock, appears to be falling apart from the outside, but is actually quite sturdy. If at least one of the two sailing vessels is moored at the dock, the lights are on inside the shack, and Dak is open for business. After dark, or when both ships are out to sea, the shack is dark and locked up tight. Dak has had many magical wards placed on his abode in order to discourage would-be thieves. Many of them are very nasty...and quite leathal.
   1. The Front Room: Furnishings in this room are sparse. There is a single desk on the far wall that faces the door. Two other chairs are situated in front of that. Behind the desk hangs the partial wooden figurehead with the likeness of a beautiful, but stern, woman. If the party enters Dak's shack during normal business hours he will smile at them broadly and invite them to sit down.

      Two burly lizardfolk lining the entryway give you cold, reptilian stares as you enter the place, but the grizzled man at the other end of the room more than makes up for their lack of enthusiasm at seeing you. "Welcome to Dak's. The place to be if ya seek adventure and gold. I be Dak, you be takin' a seat!" Dak bellows as the party enters his abode. Behind him, hanging on the wall is the figure of a blond, stern-faced woman. As you move toward Dak and the chairs he has offered it almost seems that her hard wooden eyes follow you across the room.

   2. The figurehead on the wall behind the desk is in fact the cursed form of Moana the Fair. Long ago she was turned into a wooden statue by an evil mage who wanted to know the location of her treasure. She is cursed to remain in this form until she reveals the location to someone, but she will not do that until the figurehead is made whole once again.
   3. The Back Room : The door to this room is always locked during business hours. It's furnishings are only slightly better than the other room. In one corner is a small bed, and in the other is a desk and small closet. The chair for the desk appears to be an old iron chest stood up on one end. Dak has a few personal possessions in here, but nothing of real value. Valuable items are all stored elsewhere (buried in some obscure location, no doubt).

Moana the Fair hates Dak, but does speak with him about the treasure on occasion, and has even made him a deal. She is tired of being trapped in this form, and believes that she could defeat Dak once she is free. Moana has told Dak that if he can restore the figurehead, she will reveal the location of the treasure. Dak in turn knows that Moana the Beardless has three of the figurehead fragments. He also knows the location of her hidden base, but is not able to enter it in order to retrieve the pieces.

If the PCs have come to Dak for his help in finding Moana the Beardless he will make a deal with them.

If asked why he wants the figurehead fragments Dak will tell the players the truth. He figures that they are the best chance he has to ever get his hands on the other three fragments.

Patient PCs may wait until both sailing vessels have left port before they try to enter Dak's house. After they get past his wards, the party will have to face Dak's two lizardmen guards (the only two who are constantly guarding the shack - and the figurehead). As soon as the figurehead sees the PCs she will begin to cheer them on. Assuming the PCs defeat the guards, Moana will make them the same deal that she made Dak. She knows that Moana the Beardless possesses three of the fragments, but is not sure where Dak keeps the last one. The PCs will have to devise some way to get that information from the once pirate.

Lizardfolk (2): CR 1; Medium-Sized Humanoid (Aquatic, Reptilian); HD 2d8+2; hp 13, 12; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15 (+5 natural); Attacks 2 claws +2 melee, bite +0 melee (claw 1d4+1, bite 1d4); AL N; SV Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +0; Str 13, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 9, Wis 10, Cha 10.
Skills: Balance +4, Jump +7, Swim +9.
Feats: Multiattack.

If, on the other hand, the PCs enter the house after business hours, they will have to battle Dak and his two lizardmen guards. After two rounds of battle one of Dak's other men will check up on his captain and sound an alarm. Every two rounds thereafter another 5 of Dak's men will come down form one of the ships. There are 25 men in total who will come to Dak's aid. If the PCs manage to defeat Dak the figurehead is theirs for the taking. Moana the Fair will make the same offer to the PCs that she did to Dak. However, she does not know the location of her second arm. Dak and his two lizardman guards are the only ones with that information.

Dak, human Ftr3: CR 3; Medium Humanoid (5 ft. 11 in. tall); HD 3d10; hp 28; Init +1 (Dex); Spd 30 ft.; AC 14 (+3 armor, +1 Dex); Atks +6 melee (2d4+4/crit 18-20/x2); AL CN; SV Fort +5, Ref +2, Will +0; Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 12.
Skills: Climb +9, Jump +9, Swim +8.
Feats: Endurance, Improved Unarmed Strike, Power Attack, Cleave, Focus (Falchion)
Possessions: Leather armor, flachion.

Guards, human Ftr1(25): CR 1; Medium Humanoid (5 ft. 10 in. tall); HD 1d10; hp 5-10; Init +3 (Dex); Spd 30 ft.; AC 15 (+2 armor, +3 Dex); Atks +3 ranged (1d8/crit 19-20/x2 crossbow, 1d6/crit 19-20/x2 short sword); SA sneak attack; AL LE; SV Fort +0, Ref +5, Will -1; Str 11, Dex 17, Con 11, Int 15, Wis 8, Cha 14.
Skills: Climb +9, Jump +9, Swim +8.
Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot
Possessions: Leather armor, crossbow, short sword.

The PC's actions will determine how Dak deals with them. He may tell them the whole story of the figurehead (which he knows…the figurehead talks to him after all), or he may decide to keep it a secret. Either way he will give them directions to Moana’s cave, and tell them to bring back the missing pieces of the figurehead (it is missing its arms and legs).

Pirate's Hideout

If Moana is aware that the PCs are treasure hunters and are looking for Moana the Fair’s treasure, then she will have a surprise waiting for them. The PCs should be able to break into Moana’s lair and steal the figurehead pieces without too much trouble. They’ll meet token resistance, but Moana and the majority of her crew are nowhere to be found. You see, Moana also knows about the figurehead, but hasn’t been able to get close enough to Dak in order to take the main piece. She figures that she will let the PCs do that work for her.

If on the other hand, she believes that the PCs are merely pirate hunters, the security at her base will not be lax. She will be on full alert, and will not hesitate to kill the PCs, and anyone acompanying them. [See Secret Cove map for more details]

1. Hidden Cove : The hidden cove is a well kept secret for the pirates of Alcove island. Many know of its existence, but few know of its true location. Many different pirate organizations share this little cove, and Moana the Beardless is just one of them. She and her crew lay claim to this little section.
2. Makeshift Prison Cell : This filthy cave serves as Moana's makeshift prison. There is little more than a rusty grate bolted to the entrance. Moana uses this cave to keep prisoners that she intends to ransom, or slaves that she intends to sell off. If there are prisoners in the cell, there will always be from 2 to 5 guards outside, otherwise the area will be empty.
3. Moana’s Chambers : This room has been hewn out of solid rock, and serves as Moana's private quarters. She keeps few things of value here, preferring to hide her treasure somewhere less obvious. She does however have three pieces of the magical figurehead stored in a secret compartment underneath her bed.
4. Guard Post : These guard posts are scattered throughout Moana's little complex. They are manned at all times by 4 guards (even when Moana is out at sea). [Use the stats for Dak's Guards above.]
5. Back Way Out : This small passageway is known only to Moana and a handfull of her most trusted lieutenants. She keeps it open as a last minute escape route just in case her base is overrun by a competing pirate band, or the authorities.

Once the PCs have escaped the hideout with the figurehead pieces, they should head back to Dak’s place. If they have not encountered Dak yet, run the section entitled “Dealing with Dak,” otherwise move on the next section, entitled “Retrieving the Treasure.”

Retrieving the Treasure

Although Dak keeps the figurehead’s torso in his shack for all to see, he has hidden the left arm at one of his underwater treasure hunting sites. Once the PCs have managed to aquire the other pieces from Moana the Beardless, Dak will pack them all up on one of his sailing vessels and head out to one of his treasure hunting sites. Both of his lizardman guards, as well as half his men (12), will acompany him on this journey. The Lizardmen guards will keep a close eye on the figurehead pieces, as well as the PCs.

Once the ship reaches its destination (several small coral islands) Dak will explain to the PCs that he has hidden the last piece at one of his underwater sites. He has equipment stored on board that will equip several people for undersea exploration. Not all of the gear is the same, and Dak will graciously allow the PCs first choice of the equipment. Dak has the following devices: 3 rings of water breathing, a helm of air, and a bulky gnomish apparatus. Dak himself has an extra ring of water breathing, but will not mention this to the PCs.

Dak is telling the truth about the ointment. But only a half truth. This particular sunken ship is the home of a rather large octopus. Dak has had some local alchemist brew up a concoction that the sea creature finds unpalatable. Usually after grabbing someone covered with the stuff, the octopus slinks away in disgust. Most of Daks customers find this experience very exciting. The ointment only works on octopi (no other sea creatures seem to be affected by it), and unfortunatley for the PCs, Dak hasn't really given them ointment that works. Since the ointment is purely chemical in nature (and not magical) the PCs will have no way of knowing this before they encounter Dak’s little pet down below.

Two rounds after Dak and the PCs have gone overboard to search for the treasure, the two lizardmen will follow them. They are excellent swimmers and can hold their breaths for hours on end. They will attack anyone but Dak who comes up with the last piece of the figurehead. [See the Sunken Ship map for details]

1. Sunken Ship : This old ship hull has probably been rotting here for more that 50 years. Barnacles and corals cover the exterior, and other sea life abounds as well. There is a large hole in the side of the hull where the ship must have crashed into one of the nearby reefs.
2. Fake Treasure : The floor of the old galley is littered with sand and bones, but occasionally the glimmer from some baubles can be seen. These are mostly worthless trinkets that have been placed around the ship in order for Dak's customers to find. Every once in a while a gold or silver coin can also be seen. Dak won't mind if the PCs tarry to pick up a few of the stray pieces. It will give him extra time to slip into area 3 and grab the figurehead fragment.
3. Octopus Lair : A portion of the ship's interior walls have collapsed creating what appears to be a cavern made of old timbers.

   Dak heads straight toward the area, motioning you to follow him. Once you get close enough, he smiles, sticks his hand down into a dark opening, and pulls out a wooden arm. Smiling even wider, Dak grabs the arm by its shoulder, and jabs it back down into the hole. A writhing mass of mottled red tentacles nearly knocks him over. The creature, a very large specimen of octopus, wraps its long arms around Dak...but only for a moment. The creature slides off of Dak as it comes into view completely. You realize that Dak's ointment must have discouraged the beast from attacking him.

   Still enraged, the octopus will jet toward the party. Two of its tentacles will shoot out and grab two different PCs.

   As the creature’s grip tightens, you realize that it is not going to let you go as easily as it did Dak. The wily old sea dog once again reaches back into the dark crevase and retrieves the figurehead fragment. With a motion of tipping his hat to you, Dak swims toward the surface.

   Octopus (1): CR 3; Medium-Sized Animal (Aquatic); HD 4d8; hp 17; Init +3 (Dex); Spd 20 ft. swim 30 ft.; AC 15 (+3 Dex +2 natural); Attacks 8 arms +5 melee, bite +3 melee (Arms 0, bite 1d3); SA Improved grab; SQ Ink cloud, jet; AL N; SV Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +1; Str 12, Dex 17, Con 11, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 3.
   Skills: Hide +15, Listen +5, Spot +5
   Feats: Weapon Finesse (arms, bite).
4. This is a small hole in the roof of the cabin that Dak will use to escape. Observant PCs may have noticed it during their descent (DC15 Spot check).

PCs returning to the surface will notice that there are two ships waiting for them instead of one. One of the vessels (Dak's) is slowly sinking into the sea, thick clouds of black smoke rising from its decks. Moana the Beardless and her crew have been watching Dak and the PCs from afar, and have chosen this time to attack them. PCs who swim toward the other vessel will be helped aboard by a pair of strong, but feminine, deck hands. Those who wish to stay hidden in the sea will soon be beset upon by a pack of ravenous sharks who have taken notice of the sea battle above them (and several of Dak's dead or wounded crewmen who have been abandoned overboard).

Sharks (5): CR 1; Medium-Sized Animal (Aquatic); HD 3d8+3; hp 12, 14, 14, 15, 16; Init +2 (Dex); Spd 60 ft.; AC 15 (+2 Dex +3 natural); Attacks Bite +4 melee(Bite 1d6+1); SQ keen scent; AL N; SV Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +2; Str 13, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2.
Skills: Listen +7, Spot +7
Feats: Weapon Finesse (bite).

Dak and the PCs will be bound and gagged before Moana the Beardless replaces the final figurehead fragment, making he cursed ancestor whole again. Once the figurehead is restored, Moana the Fair recites the location of her buried treasure, and then comes back to life. Moana the Beardless wastes little time. The sets sail for the island where the lost treasure is hidden.

The Sword Wraith

Let a single character make either a Reflex, or a Move Silently, check to determine if they can obtain the dagger without alerting one of the pirates. If they get the dagger, they may begin to cut their bonds. Only one PC will be able to free himself before the two pirates notice. If their attempt fails, the pirates return and begin to beat them. Read the following during either outcome.

The remaining pirate has no more interest in the PCs. She will try to make her way back to the row boat and head out to meet her ship.

The flasks are healing potions, and should help the PCs recover from their previous encounters. There should be enough flasks so that each character is able to heal 1d6 to 2d6 points of damage, but as the DM you may feel the need to allow them to heal more.

The sandy tracks are easy to follow. They lead you to a small crevice in the rock outcropping you saw from the beach. The crevice opens up into a large cave from which you hear screams of terror. Entering the cave you see the kelp covered figure quickly dispatch two of the female pirates. The other pirates back off, but cannot go far before their backs are against the wall. The lone figure in the center of the room turns its head from side to side, as if scanning for something particular. Suddenly it lunges to the left, making its way toward Moana the Fair.

Moana the Beardless has lost her desire for the treasure (at this particular moment), and has no desire to help her ancestor, or to share whatever fate may befall her. At this time the only thing on her mind (and that of her crew) is to escape. She will push past the PCs if she can, or fight them if she must in order to leave the cave and return to her ship. Attentive PCs should be allowed to make a Will check in order to surmise that the creature is not intent on Moana the Fair at all, but rather on a stoney gray protrusion (shaped very much like a sword) which is jutting out from the wall of the cave. This is the sword Roc, and it is the goal that the Sword Wraith has been seeking.

The party may try to race for the sword themselves. Assuming that the PCs react quickly (and don't bother with Moana the Beardless as she tries to leave) allow them to make an opposed Reflex check against the Sword Wraith, and one another, to see who reaches the sword first. If the one of the PCs manages to grab it, the Sword Wraith will focus its attention on him, and won't rest until it is in possession of the sword. If the Sword Wraith manages to grab the sword first, or if it is able to wrest it from one of the PCs, then it will make its way back toward the beach. If the party does not hinder its movement, the Sword Wraith will ignore them. Otherwise it will try to destroy them. [For more details see the Treasure Trove map.]

DMs who wish to go on to Phase II adventures, or simply to extend the adventures here, should read the following sections. This event will occur either when a PC grabs Roc from its resting place, or when a PC otherwise lays hands on it (when trying to wrest it from the Sword Wraith's grip for example). DMs may need to modify the description slightly according to the circumstances. Read this to all those PCs who did not grab the sword:

Read the following to the PC who grabs the sword:

The first vision is of course sent by Thanatos. He would rather corrupt the PCs than destroy them outright, and if he can tempt just one of them to join his side he will be very pleased with himself. Most likely Thanatos will just have to content himself with killing them. The second vision is a warning from Wayland. In fact Wayland may be using either the mysterious old man from "What Lurks in the Shadows" or Balri from "Your Trusted Friend, the Necromancer" as one of his mortal identities. Whether he is or not is left up to individual DMs, but these are the forms he chooses to use when speaking to the PCs during this encounter.

[Sword Wraith stats reproduced]

Victor Mauricio,Sword Wraith Ftr5: CR 7; Medium Humanoid (5 ft. 10 in. tall); HD 7d12; hp 42; Init +4; Spd 30 ft.; AC 14 (+4 natural); Atks +13 (+5 sword) melee, +5 ranged (1d6+5/crit 19-20/x2); SA sneak attack (+1d6); AL NE; SV Fort +6(+3 template, -2 curse), Ref +3(+2 template), Will +5(+4 template); Str 17, Dex 11, Con --, Int 9, Wis 11, Cha 6.
Skills: Climb +13 (+2 sword), Jump +11, Move Silently +6, Hide +6, Listen +6.
Feats: Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Sunder, Improved Unarmed Strike, Cleave, Great Cleave.
Possessions: None

This is the first Sword Wraith created by the cult and the first the PCs will meet. It is the animated body of Victor Mauricio, a 5th-level fighter from Darokin who found the sword during an adventure and used it until he was killed during his adventures. The Dark Petals Cult was then able to excavate his body and animate it. Victor wasn’t very experienced, so the Sword Wraith will have only the basic stats plus those of the sword Lohnibbog.

Along with the sword Roc, the PCs will find the following treasure (which Dak, if still alive, will demand his fair share of):

• Three locked chests containing a total of 1,200 cp, 560 sp, and 120 gp.
• An assortment of gems: 10x25gp, 4x50gp, 2x80gp, and 2x100gp.
• 10 rusted cutlasses, 7 small shields, 2 suits of serviceable chain mail, and assortment of decayed arrows.
• A stone idol of the Old Man of the Sea, weighing 85 lbs and worth 750 gp.
• An assortment of silver utensils and decorative pieces, weighing a total of 200 lbs, and worth 1,500 gp.

Aftermath

Getting off the island will be no trouble for the PCs (unless of course, you as the DM, wishes it). Moana the Beardless set sail from the island as soon as she could and will not bother the PCs again (for the rest of this adventure at least). Ierendi patrol vessels came upon the hulk of Dak's burned vessel and have been patrolling the waters in this area heavily ever since. The PCs will spot a vessel heading toward the island, and should be able to signal them easily by building a large fire. The patrol vessel will drop the party off at the nearest safe port city.

The PCs now have Oliver Attleson’s famous sword Roc. They will have to spend some time researching and experimenting with the sword in order to learn about its true powers. Once they discover its full powers, they will be able to track down the other Swords of Wayland. Of course, the Dark Petal Cult will have their own ideas about the swords and will be dogging the party’s steps all the way.

DM Note: The sword Roc is a very powerful weapon, and if the DM wishes to run simple adventures for a while, it might be just a little too powerful for his tastes. Naturally, the sword’s true powers won’t be available until the PCs discover how to ‘awaken’ the sword, but before that time the DM should carefully consider if he wants to allow the PCs to activate the sword at all. If not, he can simply prevent the PCs from discovering how to activate its powers, and it will remain a ‘mere’ broad sword +2.

See the Aftermath section for more ideas about where to take the campaign from here.

Copyright © 2001, John Calvin, Max Monas, and Jens Schnabel. Used by permission. All rights reserved.