Heroes of the Table

A 5e‑style Dungeons & Dragons Adventure

“When words become weapons and silence is a tyrant’s shield, the bravest of heroes must learn to speak louder than any shout.” – A Sage of the Scribe’s Keep

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1. Premise

In the realm of Verdancia, a once‑free city‑state, a new Order—The Chorus—has risen from the ashes of an old war. The Chorus claims to bring “Unity Through Truth.” In reality they own every tavern’s hearth, every scribe’s quill, and every lantern that illuminates the streets. Their propaganda paints all dissenters as monsters and their enemies as tyrants.

The party is hired (or recruited) by a clandestine guild of Whispers—scholars, ex‑scribes, and artists who have seen the truth behind the Chorus’s glittering façade. The Whispers ask the adventurers to infiltrate the Chorus’s heart: the Palace of Echoes, where the regime broadcasts its decrees into every corner of Verdancia.

The party’s objective is simple: destroy the “Resonant Core” that amplifies the Chorus’s message.
But in doing so, they will confront the moral cost of truth vs. safety, and decide whether to let the city awaken on their own or force it with a blaze of rebellion.

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2. Setting Overview

Location	Description
Verdancia (City)	A bustling metropolis where every street corner is lit by lanterns that hum faintly—proof of the Chorus’s influence.
Whispers’ Hideout	A hidden library beneath the old cathedral, filled with forbidden tomes and coded messages.
Palace of Echoes	An imposing tower built of polished stone, topped with a gigantic crystal that channels sound across the city. Inside are recording chambers, a council chamber, and a labyrinthine archive.

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3. Key NPCs

Name	Role	Allegorical Significance
High Censor Mara	Leader of The Chorus	Symbolizes authoritarian propaganda; charismatic yet ruthless.
Archivist Thorne	Overseer of the Palace’s archives	Represents state‑controlled media, filtering information.
Elder Liora	Founder of Whispers	Embodies the quiet resistance—knowledge as a weapon.
Garrick “Spanner” Voss	Former Chorus engineer	Shows that even those inside the regime can betray it.

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4. Adventure Hook

The party receives a sealed parchment from Elder Liora, written in ink that seems to shift when observed from any angle. The message says:

“Our city breathes through the crystal of truth. If we silence it, Verdancia will breathe again. But the Chorus watches every word. Meet at the Lantern’s Edge tonight.”

The party must decide whether to accept the mission (and risk exposure) or ignore it and continue their usual quests.

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5. Adventure Structure

Act I – The Whispering Shadows

1. Investigation

• PCs explore Verdancia, gathering rumors about the Chorus’s “Broadcast Hall.”
• They may find a hidden Echo Token (a small crystal fragment) dropped by a Chorus courier.

1. Alliance with Whispers

• In the cathedral’s crypt, they meet Elder Liora and Garrick Voss.
• PCs learn that the Resonant Core is powered by an enchanted crystal that feeds on unfiltered speech (i.e., the city’s collective voices).

1. Gathering Intel

• PCs must infiltrate a Chorus tavern, use stealth or disguise to overhear the broadcast schedule and locate the Palace of Echoes’ access points.

Act II – The Hall of Hushed Words

1. The Infiltration

• Options: Sneak, Ruse, Forceful Entry (each with different consequences).
• PCs face Chorus sentries, automated “Echo‑Golems” that manifest as statues that speak lines from the Chorus’s propaganda.

1. Navigating the Archives

• The Palace is a maze of echoing corridors. Each room contains statues that recite propaganda. Attacking them triggers a “Propaganda Surge”—the PCs are forced to answer riddles or face a burst of sonic damage (1d6 per level).

1. The Council Chamber

• Here High Censor Mara and Archivist Thorne hold a live broadcast. They attempt to persuade the PCs via a Persuasion vs. Intimidation encounter.
• The PCs can disrupt the broadcast by destroying the “Transmission Nodes” or by using a “Counter‑Echo” spell (e.g., Silence, Phantasmal Force).

Act III – Shattering the Crystal

1. The Resonant Core

• A massive crystal sits in the center of the Palace’s highest chamber. It pulses with a faint hum that can be felt citywide.
• The core is protected by a Guardian Chorus—a swarm of Echo‑Elementals (statues animated by sound).

1. Destruction or Replacement?

• PCs may:
  1. Smash the crystal with brute force (requires a series of Strength checks + a critical hit to break it).
  2. Replace it with an Unfiltered Crystal given by Garrick, which amplifies true voices and turns the broadcast into a call for freedom.

1. Final Showdown

• As the crystal shatters or is replaced, High Censor Mara attempts a last stand—she channels a “Siren’s Call” that summons a Massive Echo‑Dragon (CR 10).
• The PCs must decide whether to fight the dragon or use the chaos to escape.

Epilogue – The City Awakes

• If the core is destroyed, the Chorus’s broadcasts cease; people begin to question what they heard for years.
• If replaced, Verdancia’s citizens receive a message of unity and freedom—sparking a movement that may last beyond this adventure.

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6. Mechanics & Balancing

Encounter Tables

Encounter	CR	Notes
Echo‑Golem (statue)	1/2	Attacks with “Whisper” cantrip; can be silenced.
Guardian Chorus swarm	3	Requires area control spells (Hold Person, Web).
High Censor Mara	4	Uses Charm Person + Suggestion to manipulate PCs.
Echo‑Dragon (if Mara survives)	10	Acts as a final boss; can be mitigated by silencing the core first.

Magic Items

• Echo Token – Grants advantage on Persuasion checks against Chorus members.
• Crystal of Unfiltered Speech – Once activated, grants Speak with Animals to all PCs for 1 hour (representing free speech).

Role‑Playing Hooks

• Chorus propaganda includes a “Song of Unity” that is actually a lullaby. PCs can learn it and use it to subdue enemies.
• The Whisper guild’s archive contains forbidden scrolls—the PCs may find ancient truths that could help or hurt Verdancia.

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7. Themes & Moral Questions

1. Truth vs. Safety – Is it better to expose the truth immediately, even if it causes chaos? Or to let society evolve organically?
2. Control of Information – How does a regime use media to shape reality?
3. Responsibility of Power – The PCs wield the power to silence or amplify voices; what is their duty?

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8. Optional Variants

Variant	What It Changes
No‑Silence Mode	All Echo‑Golems can’t be silenced; PCs must rely on combat alone.
Time Pressure	The Chorus plans a “Final Broadcast” in 24 hours, forcing the party to act quickly.
Political Fallout	If the PCs succeed, some citizens may turn against them fearing unrest; role‑play the aftermath.

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9. Conclusion

“The Echoing Halls” offers an engaging blend of combat, stealth, and moral choice. It encourages players to think critically about how information shapes society while still delivering classic D&D fun. Whether you’re a DM looking for a rich narrative or a group ready to challenge the status quo, this adventure invites you to wield words as your most powerful weapon.

Roll to speak.

Adventure Overview

A once-peaceful town named Pitt faces an imminent threat from a cult that has awakened an ancient evil beneath the mountains. The party of four adventurers must uncover the conspiracy, fight mounting dangers, and ultimately face their own inner demons as they try to save the town.

The Party

• Thorne Ironheart – Dwarven Paladin of Redemption, haunted by a past failure to save his mining clan
• Lyrissa Nightshade – Elven Wizard with ambitious plans and a secret connection to forbidden magic
• Grimjaw – Half-Orc Barbarian seeking to prove himself worthy after being exiled from his tribe
• Finch – Human Rogue with ties to a thieves’ guild and a penchant for acquiring items that don’t belong to him

Act 1: Smoke on the Horizon

The adventure begins as the party arrives in Pitt, a mining town nestled at the foot of the Obsidian Mountains. The town’s mayor, Aldrich Stonefellow, has posted notices throughout the region seeking brave adventurers to investigate strange occurrences: livestock disappearing, miners reporting eerie whispers in the deepest tunnels, and bizarre lights seen at night on the mountainside.

Key Encounters:

• The Desperate Mayor – Aldrich offers a substantial reward and explains that several townsfolk have now gone missing
• The Abandoned Mine – Investigation reveals cultist symbols and signs of recent activity
• First Blood – The party confronts cultists performing a ritual, preventing them from completing it

During these early adventures, seeds of discord begin to sprout within the party. Lyrissa becomes fascinated with the cult’s ancient texts they recover. Finch pockets a strange amulet without telling the others. Thorne’s righteous approach clashes with Grimjaw’s brutal efficiency.

Act 2: The Rising Darkness

As the party delves deeper into the mystery, they discover the Crimson Dawn cult plans to awaken an ancient entity called “The Hunger Below” that has been imprisoned beneath the mountains for millennia. The cult believes this entity will grant them immense power.

Key Encounters:

• The Corrupted Forest – Wildlife transformed by dark energies attack as the party tracks cultists
• The Temple Ruins – Ancient underground complex where the party disrupts a major ritual but tensions flare when Lyrissa wants to study the dark altar rather than destroy it
• The Traitor Revealed – A respected town elder is exposed as the cult’s leader, but escapes during a confrontation where Finch’s hesitation (protecting a former guild contact) allows the escape

By this point, the party’s internal conflicts are becoming more pronounced. Thorne suspects Lyrissa’s growing interest in forbidden knowledge. Grimjaw and Finch argue constantly about tactics. The town of Pitt begins to show signs of corruption – crops withering, water turning brackish, and citizens becoming ill with a mysterious malady.

Act 3: The Final Descent

With time running out, the party must venture into the heart of the mountain to stop the cult’s final ritual. However, their own internal conflicts have reached a breaking point.

Key Encounters:

• The Fractured Party – A major argument breaks out when Lyrissa is caught translating forbidden texts and admits she believes some of the cult’s power could be harnessed for good
• The Endless Descent – As they journey deeper, each character faces spectral manifestations of their greatest fears and failures, further driving wedges between them
• The Heart of Darkness – The final chamber where the cult prepares to break the final seal

The Tragic Finale

In the final confrontation, the party initially works together brilliantly against overwhelming odds. They defeat the cult leader and seem poised for victory, standing before the ancient seal that holds The Hunger Below.

But then disaster strikes from within:

• Lyrissa, corrupted by her research, attempts to harness the energy of the seal rather than reinforce it
• Finch reveals he’s been working as a double agent, having made a deal with cult remnants to secure his own future
• Thorne and Grimjaw turn on each other in the chaos – the paladin believing the barbarian’s rage is being influenced by the entity, while Grimjaw sees only the dwarf’s judgmental righteousness

As they fight amongst themselves, the weakened seal shatters. The Hunger Below begins to awaken. In a moment of clarity, the party realizes what they’ve done and makes a desperate last stand together, but it’s too late. They fall one by one as darkness erupts from the broken seal.

The adventure ends with the entity’s influence spreading from Pitt across the countryside, as the four heroes who might have stopped it lie defeated – not primarily by the cult or the ancient evil, but by their own inability to overcome their personal demons and maintain their unity when it mattered most.

Epilogue

Weeks later, a new party of adventurers hears rumors of a town called Pitt that has fallen to darkness, and of four heroes who ventured there, never to return. The cycle begins anew, with the stakes even higher and the entity now partially awakened…

<aside> DM Note: Throughout this adventure, emphasize how the party’s internal conflicts mirror external threats. Each character’s flaws should be understandable and even sympathetic, making their eventual failure all the more tragic. The adventure should feel like it could have succeeded if only they had overcome their personal struggles.

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Level: 10+ (designed for a solo or duo high-powered character)
Tone: Intense, cerebral, and reality-bending
Setting: A collapsing demi-plane built from forgotten knowledge and unstable magic

Adventure Summary: The Archive Eternal, Vexxar’s patron, has been infected by a paradox: a forbidden tome known as the Codex of Unmaking has been read—and now reality itself is unraveling. The Archive is fracturing into impossible geometries, and its knowledge is bleeding into the multiverse, threatening to overwrite existence with pure contradiction. Vexxar is summoned not just as a warlock, but as the Archive’s last line of defense. He must enter the Fractured Stacks, navigate impossible logic puzzles, battle corrupted knowledge-spirits, and confront the Codex itself—an entity that knows everything Vexxar has ever doubted.

Key Locations:

• The Index of Infinity – A spiraling tower of books where time loops and pages whisper secrets
• The Librarian’s Wake – A battlefield of fallen archivists and rogue spells, haunted by memory echoes
• The Paradox Vault – A chamber where logic breaks down; spells may reverse, duplicate, or fail spectacularly
• The Codex Core – A swirling singularity of ink and thought, where the final confrontation awaits

Major Challenges:

1. The Puzzle of the Unwritten Page – A riddle that changes every time it’s answered incorrectly. Requires Vexxar to use Book of Ancient Secrets and Legend Lore creatively. Failure causes a temporary rewrite of his backstory or abilities
2. The Duel of Doubt – Vexxar must fight a mirror version of himself: same stats, same spells, but with crueler intent. The doppelgänger knows his tactics and mocks his every move. Winning requires outsmarting, not overpowering
3. The Cascade of Contradictions – A magical storm where spells behave unpredictably: Counterspell might amplify instead of cancel, Eldritch Blast may heal instead of harm. Vexxar must adapt quickly and use the chaos to his advantage
4. The Codex of Unmaking – A sentient book that speaks in paradoxes and tempts Vexxar with forbidden truths. Offers him ultimate knowledge—at the cost of his identity. Final choice: destroy it, bind it, or become its new author

Themes and Moral Dilemmas:

• What is the cost of knowing too much?
• Can truth exist without contradiction?
• Is identity defined by memory, power, or choice?
• Would you sacrifice your mind to save the world?

Victory Conditions:

• Success: Vexxar stabilizes the Archive, sealing the Codex and preserving reality
• Bittersweet: He succeeds, but loses a part of himself—memories, powers, or even his name
• Failure: The Codex rewrites reality. Vexxar becomes a myth, a footnote in a book no one remembers

Recommended Level: 6–8
Tone: Whimsical, Heartfelt, and Comedic
Setting: A quirky village caught between magical light and mischievous shadow

Adventure Summary:
The party arrives in the peculiar village of Eiren’s Hollow, where the sun never quite sets and the shadows have minds of their own. The villagers are preparing for the annual Festival of Flickers, a celebration of balance between light and dark. But this year, the magical Lantern of Eiren is sputtering, and the shadows are getting cheeky—stealing pies, swapping signs, and whispering embarrassing secrets. The party is asked to help restore balance before the festival is ruined and the village is plunged into eternal twilight. Along the way, they’ll meet eccentric locals, solve magical mishaps, and uncover a deeper truth about the nature of light, shadow, and the choices that shape us.

Key Locations:

• The Lantern Plaza – Center of town, where the magical lantern glows (and occasionally hiccups).
• The Giggling Glade – A forest where shadows play pranks and trees tell jokes.
• The Upside-Down Inn – A gravity-defying tavern run by a retired acrobat and her talking goat.
• The Reflecting Pool – A mystical pond that shows your “inner self,” often with comedic exaggeration.
• The Shadow’s Lounge – A cozy, candlelit realm where shadows sip tea and gossip about mortals.

Colorful Characters:

• Mayor Tiddlewhip – A gnome with a monocle and a deep fear of ducks.
• Glimmer & Gloom – Twin spirits of light and shadow who bicker like siblings but secretly care for each other.
• Sir Pompous the Third – A talking suit of armor who insists on narrating everything dramatically.
• The Shadow of Regret – A misunderstood shadow creature who just wants to be invited to the party.

Encounters and Hijinks:

• Pie Heist – Track down a gang of shadow gremlins who’ve stolen the festival’s grand custard tart.
• Moral Maze – Navigate a hedge maze where each turn presents a silly but meaningful choice (e.g., save a kitten or a cake?).
• Shadow Swap – The party’s shadows come to life and impersonate them—poorly.
• Finale: The Great Flicker-Off – A magical talent show judged by Glimmer and Gloom to determine the fate of the lantern.

Themes (Wrapped in Humor):

• Light and shadow are both necessary for a full life.
• Mistakes and regrets are part of growing.
• Laughter and humor can be a form of wisdom.
• Even shadows deserve a little love.

Recommended Levels: 5–8
Genre: Surreal Dungeon Crawl / Mystery
Tone: Whimsical, Weird, and Occasionally Dark
Setting: Inside a Bag of Holding

Adventure Hook:
The party is approached by a frantic wizard named Thistlewhim Bramblecloak. He accidentally dropped a priceless magical artifact into his Bag of Holding—then dropped the bag into a portable hole. The resulting planar mishap caused the bag to implode, creating a rift into a bizarre extradimensional space. The only way to retrieve the artifact (and escape) is to enter the bag through the rift and navigate the strange world inside.

The Pouchlands:
The interior of the Bag of Holding has become a warped pocket dimension. It is a surreal, semi-sentient labyrinth made from the contents of countless bags over the centuries.

• Gravity is inconsistent and changes direction.
• Time flows unpredictably.
• Some items have developed sentience.
• A mysterious entity called “The Custodian” maintains order within the bag.

Major Locations:

1. The Zipper Gate – The entry point, guarded by a paranoid mimic that believes it is a zipper.
2. The Coinfall – A desert of gold coins, ruled by a cartel of dust mephits.
3. The Forgotten Shelf – A library of lost scrolls and books, watched over by a sentient quill.
4. The Sock Swamp – A bog of mismatched socks and laundry golems.
5. The Vault of Echoes – A chamber where magical echoes replay past conversations and secrets.
6. The Core Stitch – The unstable heart of the bag, where the artifact is suspended in a gravity storm.

Encounters and Challenges:

• Puzzle locks made from magical items.
• Combat with animated objects, rogue elementals, and scavenger creatures.
• Roleplay with sentient items (e.g., a depressed umbrella or a power-hungry belt).
• Environmental hazards like shifting gravity, memory fog, and mimicry.

Objectives:

• Navigate the surreal interior.
• Retrieve the lost artifact (e.g., the Chrono Prism).
• Escape before the bag collapses or is consumed by the void.

Possible Twist Endings:

• The artifact is sentient and refuses to leave.
• The Custodian offers the party a place in the Bag’s eternal order.
• The Bag is a prison for a forgotten god, and removing the artifact weakens its seal.

Introduction:

The party finds themselves in the bustling town of Whimsyville, known for its eccentric inhabitants and peculiar happenings. They are tasked with retrieving the Wand of Whimsy, a powerful artifact that can bring joy and laughter to the land. However, their journey is constantly interrupted along the way…

Main Quest: Retrieve the Wand of Whimsy

The Wand of Whimsy is said to be hidden in the depths of the Enchanted Forest, guarded by the mischievous fairy, Fizzlebop. The party must navigate through the forest and convince Fizzlebop to give them the wand.

Minor Quest 1: The Lost Kitten

As the party enters the forest, they encounter a distraught child named Lily, who has lost her kitten, Mr. Fluffykins. Lily begs the party to help her find her beloved pet. The party must search the forest, encountering various creatures and obstacles along the way.

Minor Quest 2: The Broken Bridge

After finding Mr. Fluffykins, the party continues their journey but soon comes across a broken bridge. A group of goblins offers to repair the bridge in exchange for help with their own problem: a giant spider has taken over their cave. The party must defeat the spider and help the goblins.

Minor Quest 3: The Missing Merchant

With the bridge repaired, the party moves forward but is soon stopped by a frantic merchant named Bartholomew, who has lost his cart of goods. He pleads with the party to help him retrieve his cart from a band of thieves. The party must track down the thieves and recover the merchant’s goods.

Minor Quest 4: The Singing Stones

As the party nears the location of the Wand of Whimsy, they stumble upon a group of singing stones that have been cursed to sing non-stop. The stones beg the party to lift the curse. The party must find the source of the curse and dispel it.

Final Encounter: Fizzlebop’s Challenge

After completing the minor quests, the party finally reaches Fizzlebop. The mischievous fairy challenges them to a series of riddles and games to prove their worthiness. If the party succeeds, Fizzlebop grants them the Wand of Whimsy.

Conclusion:

With the Wand of Whimsy in hand, the party returns to Whimsyville, where they are celebrated as heroes. The town is filled with joy and laughter, thanks to their efforts. Just as the party begins to bask in their success, they hear a loud crash from the nearby marketplace.

A frantic shopkeeper rushes over, explaining that a mischievous imp has stolen a magical artifact and is causing chaos. The party is asked to help retrieve the artifact and restore order. As they chase after the imp, they encounter a series of unexpected challenges and distractions, leading them on yet another adventure…

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🎭 Tone:

Heartfelt, nostalgic, chaotic good vibes. Think Guardians of the Galaxy meets The Legend of Vox Machina, with emotional depth buried beneath years of sarcasm, old inside jokes, and chaotic combat.

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🧭 Campaign Premise:

Years ago, the four of you were legendary adventurers—a party known across the realm as The Dawn’s Leftovers (don’t ask who came up with the name—there was mead involved). You saved kingdoms, slayed beasts, and even rode a wyvern once. Then, one by one, you drifted apart.

Now, ten years later, an ancient evil has stirred once more… and your old party leader is dead.

A mysterious letter arrives for each of you, bearing the seal of your fallen friend. It reads:

“If you’re reading this, I’m dead. Which is rude of me, I know. But I need you four together again. There’s something coming—something I couldn’t stop. You might be the only ones who can. One last adventure for the old crew?”

So, naturally… you show up late, hungover, underprepared—and ready for chaos.

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🧙‍♂️ The Party (suggested archetypes, customizable):

1. The Washed-Up Paladin – Now runs a vineyard. Hasn’t lifted a sword in 7 years. Still believes in justice. Sort of.
2. The Reformed Rogue – Owns a bakery. Accidentally married into nobility. Absolutely does not want to be here.
3. The Wild Sorcerer – Went full hermit and now talks to rocks. May or may not be possessed by something.
4. The Bard-Turned-Parent – Settled down, had kids, and writes children’s books. Their lute has been repurposed as a wall decoration.

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🗺️ Act I – The Reunion

• The group reunites in a ruined tavern (their old haunt, “The Split Wand”) that’s been boarded up for years.
• A magically trapped message from the dead friend plays in ghostly form, warning them of a dark power returning: The Maelthrix, an entity sealed long ago beneath the ruins of their very first dungeon.
• Optional: A ridiculous tavern brawl breaks out with a rival adventuring party who thinks they’re the new hotness.
• Cue reluctant team-up, clunky reconnections, passive-aggressive banter, and rediscovery of abilities (“Wait… did you forget how to rage?”).

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🧩 Act II – The Old Dungeon, Revisited

• The dungeon they once cleared has been repurposed as a luxury wine cellar/spa.
• Unfortunately, the Maelthrix’s prison is cracking beneath it.
• Infiltrating the spa involves a ridiculous disguise montage, awkward run-ins with old flames, and at least one fight in a mud bath.
• Dungeon mechanics reflect the group’s history—puzzles themed around their old exploits, traps they once disabled (now rearmed), and jokes only they understand.
• The ghost of their dead friend shows up to offer sarcastic help and/or throw shade.

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🧨 Act III – The Final Battle

• The Maelthrix has begun to merge with the spa’s very expensive magical infrastructure, leading to a glorious boss fight in a collapsing, cursed wellness resort.
• Combat features chaotic magic effects caused by spa-themed enchantments: aromatherapy healing clouds, enchanted hot stones dealing fire damage, and sauna-induced hallucinations.
• Optional: Mid-fight, one PC’s kid (now secretly an adventurer) shows up and helps, leading to a classic “I learned it by watching you!” moment.

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💌 Epilogue – After the Dust Settles

• Do the friends stay together? Open a tavern? Ride into the sunset? Or go back to being awkwardly estranged again?
• The final scenes give room for closure, redemption, forgiveness… and probably one last food fight at the friend’s wake.

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🧰 Themes You Can Explore:

• Found family & reconciliation
• Regret and aging
• The weirdness of returning to who you used to be
• How the world moves on… but the bond remains

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🃏 Hijinks Table (Roll 1d6):

d6	Hijink
1	Someone accidentally drinks a Potion of Truth in the middle of an argument. Chaos.
2	Two party members get magically handcuffed together. For 24 hours.
3	The rogue’s noble spouse shows up unannounced. They brought the in-laws.
4	An NPC from the past appears… and they have very different memories of an old adventure.
5	A rival adventuring party tries to sabotage you with glitter bombs and bad poetry.
6	A cursed object causes one of you to swap personalities with another. You must roleplay accordingly.

Overview:

The adventurers arrive in the small, rundown town of Stonewell Hollow, a once-prosperous mining town that has fallen into decline after the mines dried up. The town’s remaining residents are disheartened and on the verge of leaving. The party sees an opportunity to breathe life back into the town by building a pub and restaurant, turning it into a hub of community and commerce. However, the process isn’t as simple as it seems. Challenges arise in the form of hostile locals, magical complications, rival business owners, and even supernatural threats.

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Part 1: Arrival in Stonewell Hollow

The adventurers come to Stonewell Hollow for various reasons: a call for help from the mayor, rumors of untapped potential in the area, or simply passing through. They find:

• The Town’s Condition: A dilapidated town square, empty buildings, and a handful of villagers scraping by.
• The People: Key NPCs include:
  • Mayor Selda Wrynn (Neutral Good Human): A hopeful but overworked leader trying to keep the town alive.
  • Grumble Ironspit (Neutral Dwarf Blacksmith): A grumpy smith who hasn’t sold a single tool in months.
  • Marnie Thistlepot (Chaotic Good Halfling): A cheerful baker who dreams of a bustling town once more.

Selda proposes the adventurers take over the abandoned tavern, known as The Rusty Tankard, to turn it into something new. The mayor promises free use of the building if the adventurers help restore it and pay the town a portion of future profits.

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Part 2: Restoring the Rusty Tankard

The adventurers must work to renovate the tavern, gather supplies, and build its reputation. This phase can include skill challenges, roleplaying, and combat encounters.

Challenges to Overcome:

1. Renovation Trouble:
   • The tavern is falling apart, requiring the party to use skills like Carpenter’s Tools, Masonry, or Arcana to fix structural damage.
   • A swarm of giant rats has taken up residence in the basement and must be dealt with.
2. Sourcing Ingredients:
   • The adventurers must find quality food and drink. This leads to side quests like:
     • Convincing the reclusive Gnarlroot Druids in the forest to part with their enchanted honey.
     • Hunting down a rogue boar that has been eating local crops, whose meat could make for a legendary dish.
     • Bargaining with the Stonehill Brewery, which is run by a stubborn dwarf who won’t sell unless he’s impressed by the adventurers’ vision.
3. Rival Sabotage:
   • A traveling merchant named Paxlin Vayne (Lawful Neutral Tiefling) has set up a competing ale cart and doesn’t want a permanent pub stealing her customers. She hires thugs or uses her own underhanded tactics (poisoning supplies, spreading rumors) to undermine the adventurers.
4. Spirits of the Past:
   • The Rusty Tankard is haunted by the ghost of its former owner, Bartholomew Cragg. He’s harmless but annoyingly critical, offering sarcastic commentary on their efforts unless they complete his “unfinished business” (e.g., recovering a family heirloom or resolving an old debt).

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Part 3: The Grand Opening

Once the tavern is restored, the adventurers host a grand opening celebration. However, the event is interrupted by unforeseen challenges:

1. A Monster Attack:
   • A group of bandits or a nearby owlbear attacks during the festivities, seeking easy prey. The adventurers must protect the townsfolk and their new business.
2. Magical Mishaps:
   • A traveling mage offers to enchant the tavern sign or a key piece of décor, but the magic goes awry, causing humorous or dangerous effects (e.g., chairs come to life and start attacking).
3. Rival Returns:
   • Paxlin Vayne makes one last attempt to ruin the event, possibly by hiring mercenaries or framing the adventurers for a crime.

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Part 4: Growing the Business

If the adventurers succeed in the grand opening, the Rusty Tankard becomes a hit, drawing visitors and reviving Stonewell Hollow. This phase can include:

• Expanding the Menu: Finding rare ingredients like wyvern steaks, underdark mushrooms, or dragon’s blood wine.
• Attracting Notable Patrons: Hosting events for nobles, adventurers, or even dangerous individuals like vampires or crime lords.
• Protecting the Town: Rival factions or monsters might target the growing town for its newfound prosperity.

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Adventure Hooks for Continuation:

1. A Tavern Franchise: A wealthy investor offers to turn the Rusty Tankard into a franchise, but doing so would involve morally questionable decisions.
2. A Mysterious Patron: A cloaked figure frequently visits the tavern, leaving cryptic messages. Could they be an ally or a threat?
3. Dark Secrets of Stonewell Hollow: The prosperity of the town awakens an ancient curse tied to the mines, threatening everything the adventurers have built.

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Key Themes:

• Resourcefulness: Encouraging creative problem-solving to overcome challenges.
• Community: Building relationships with NPCs and making decisions that impact the town’s future.
• Humor and Heart: Balancing lighthearted moments (like crafting absurd menu items) with heartfelt connections to the townsfolk.

With The Tipsy Tankard Tavern Tale, the adventurers will create something lasting in the world, leaving behind a legacy that’s more than gold or glory.

Adventure Overview:

Welcome to Barovia: the land of mists, despair… and untapped business opportunities. Strahd von Zarovich may rule Barovia with an iron grip, but his dominance has left a vacuum in one crucial sector—corporate competition. Enter the players, representatives of an Acquisitions Incorporated franchise, tasked with setting up shop and expanding the AI brand in the land of perpetual dread.

Of course, Barovia is no ordinary business environment. Between Strahd’s tyranny, the ever-present undead, and the stubborn, fearful locals, the players must navigate deadly challenges as they build their business, turning a cursed land into a somewhat profitable one. However, their efforts inadvertently awaken an ancient, eldritch force that slumbers beneath the land, one that seeks to become the true CEO of Barovia.

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Adventure Hooks:

1. Corporate Directive: Omin Dran himself (or his proxy) tasks the franchise with expanding Acquisitions Incorporated into Barovia, explaining that the land’s isolation has resulted in a lack of magical item procurement, adventurer-related services, and fine franchising opportunities. “Nobody’s cracked this market,” Omin says, ominously, “because it’s cursed. That’s where you come in.”
2. Mysterious Client: A “potential client” (in reality, one of Strahd’s spies) contacts the party, offering them a chance to enter Barovia under the pretense of acquiring a rare artifact. In truth, Strahd allows the party in because he is intrigued by the concept of a “corporation” and wishes to see how it operates.
3. The Artifact: The franchise’s Head Office learns of a unique Barovian artifact, The Ledger of Eternal Contracts, said to grant its owner the ability to create unbreakable deals—even with extraplanar entities. Omin Dran insists on recovering this item to increase AI’s negotiating power. Unfortunately, the artifact is bound to an ancient force locked beneath Barovia, and freeing it could threaten the entire land.

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Setting: Corporate Expansion in Barovia

The players will explore Barovia as would-be entrepreneurs trying to establish an Acquisitions Incorporated franchise in a world devoid of hope, happiness, or customer satisfaction. The adventure focuses on both traditional exploration and Acquisitions Incorporated-style corporate antics, as the party tries to gain allies, procure resources, and avoid angering Strahd too much.

Key Locations:

• Village of Barovia: The players can set up their corporate headquarters here, perhaps transforming an abandoned tavern into a Field Office of Franchising. The locals, however, are less than thrilled by their arrival.
• The Vistani Encampment: The Vistani are curious about the players’ corporate mission and may offer to “help” them expand in exchange for a cut of their profits.
• Castle Ravenloft: Strahd, ever the enigmatic host, watches the party’s progress with bemused interest. He may even invite them to a “corporate summit” in the castle to discuss “business synergy.” (Translation: he’s deciding whether to let them live or turn them into undead middle management.)
• The Shadow Vault: A newly revealed location in Barovia, hidden deep within the mists, where the artifact—the Ledger of Eternal Contracts—is kept. It is guarded by an ancient entity with its own ambitions.

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Key NPCs:

• Strahd von Zarovich: The vampire lord is fascinated by the concept of a corporate hierarchy. He may feign interest in the party’s franchise, testing their worthiness by sending them on increasingly dangerous “business challenges.”
• Madam Eva: The Vistani seer sees the players as fools meddling in forces they don’t understand. She offers cryptic advice about the Ledger of Eternal Contracts, warning them that “even the Devil Strahd is but a pawn to what you seek.”
• Seraphine Dran: A Head Office executive (and distant Dran relative) tasked with “evaluating” the franchise’s success. She appears in astral form to issue demands, berate the party, and threaten to revoke their charter if profits don’t meet projections.
• The Auditor: A mysterious, shadowy figure sent by Strahd to monitor the franchise’s progress. The players initially believe he is a local ally but later discover he is Strahd’s spy—or worse, a servant of the ancient force beneath Barovia.

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Act 1: Setting Up Shop

The adventure begins with the party arriving in Barovia through the mists, either via Vistani wagon or magical means. After a brief introduction to the oppressive land, they set up their franchise headquarters in the Village of Barovia. The players must:

1. Convince the Locals: The villagers are terrified of Strahd and hesitant to support any new venture. The players must use charm, intimidation, or creative solutions to gain their trust—or at least their business.
2. Secure Resources: Establishing a business in Barovia isn’t easy. The players must procure materials (likely requiring trips to dangerous locations), hire staff (probably undead or desperate peasants), and deal with competitors (a local necromancer running an “adventurer-for-hire” scam).
3. Avoid Strahd’s Wrath: As the party expands its influence, they draw the attention of Strahd. He may send agents to test their strength, sabotage their efforts, or simply invite them to Castle Ravenloft to “discuss terms.”

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Act 2: The Ledger of Eternal Contracts

As the party’s franchise grows, they uncover clues about the Ledger of Eternal Contracts—an artifact with the power to bind even the most powerful entities to its wielder’s will. Madam Eva warns them that while the Ledger could be a powerful asset for Acquisitions Incorporated, it is cursed and tied to an ancient force that Strahd himself fears.

Key Events:

• The Vistani’s Warning: The players must navigate tense negotiations with the Vistani, who hold vital information about the Ledger’s location but demand a steep price for their assistance.
• Strahd’s Games: Strahd offers to “partner” with the franchise, promising safety in exchange for access to the Ledger. However, his motives are far from altruistic, and any deal with him is fraught with peril.
• The Shadow Vault: The players discover the entrance to the Shadow Vault, a hidden dungeon filled with traps, puzzles, and shadowy creatures. At its heart lies the Ledger—and its guardian, an ancient, eldritch entity known as The Profiteer.

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Act 3: The Profiteer Awakens

The Profiteer, an ancient entity of greed and domination, was sealed away centuries ago by Strahd’s ancestors. It represents unchecked ambition, a dark reflection of Acquisitions Incorporated’s own corporate ethos. When the players take the Ledger, the Profiteer awakens, threatening to consume Barovia and the players’ franchise unless they can stop it.

Final Encounter:

• The Profiteer: A massive, shadowy figure with the ability to manifest corporate metaphors as physical attacks (e.g., “hostile takeover” grapples, “downsizing” necrotic blasts). The players must use both combat and clever tactics to bind the Profiteer back into the Ledger.
• Strahd’s Role: Strahd may intervene, either as an uneasy ally or an opportunistic foe, depending on how the players handled their earlier interactions with him.

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Conclusion:

• Success: The Profiteer is sealed, and the players return to their franchise with the Ledger. Acquisitions Incorporated praises their efforts, though Omin Dran warns them never to use the artifact without strict oversight.
• Failure: The Profiteer escapes, consuming the players, their franchise, and potentially Barovia itself. Strahd watches from afar, bemused but strangely impressed by the players’ audacity.

This adventure blends the dark, gothic horror of Curse of Strahd with the absurd, corporate humor of Acquisitions Incorporated, offering players a unique mix of high stakes and comedic roleplay.