Lejendary Adventure Moon Slaves.pdf

Essentials

Moon Slaves

An Introductory Lejendary Adventure Game Module

no longer, and, bringing the vial to his lips, hastily swallowed the

contents.

The rage subsided immediately, before even the grotesque after-

taste had ed his senses. Arnold smiled a slow and satised smile

as he sank slowly into darkness.

“How long will he be out this time, Gady?” asked the tall

cloaked gure that emerged from the forest several moments later.

“About a day and a half, as you requested lord,” replied the

small fellow. “…and I have a name… it’s Bradford.”

“You are nothing but a small stinging insect to me, Gady,”

replied the tall, almost skeletally thin gure in its dark cloak.

“…and you would do well to remember that should I ever cease

to appreciate your sting, you will be exterminated with but a

moment’s thought. Now, bring your fellows and take this human

refuse to its chamber. There is work to be done this night.”

Arnold awoke in his room, knowing instinctively that some-

thing was wrong. He glanced at the window of his bedroom and

knew the answer to his unease. The moon shone fully through the

lattice of his unglazed window. Close to panic, his eyes swept the

room quickly, searching for an answer he knew he would not nd.

As he began to rise from the bed, however, his small friend’s voice

intruded from beside his pallet.

“Fear not, m’lord, I knew that the moon’s power would shorten

the respite offered by the elixir. I have prepared another, and have

it here for you.” A small vial was held in the outstretched hand of

Arnold’s strange benefactor.

Greedily, in terror, Arnold seized the vial, prised open its top,

and gulped down its contents in a swallow. With great relief he

felt his rage lessening, his surroundings blurring. As his senses

ed, however, he heard the small man relate a brief message.

“It is unfortunate that you managed to escape your quarters

before I was able to replenish your supply… but then… the best

laid plans….”

The forest glen was calm and tranquil, cool and inviting. Small

creatures occasionally scampered through the undergrowth, or

through the overhanging branches of the surrounding sycamores

and oaks. Arnold also came here in search of peace, but he

had been waiting nearly twenty minutes, and time, for him, was

running out.

The sun was now beginning to set. Arnold had scant minutes

before the change would occur, the change that would rob him of

his intellect, his memory, and his humanity. The transformation

that would cause him to become a creature of the hells, and that

would most probably damn his soul likewise. Where was that tiny

man? The sun now appeared as little more than a ruby crescent

upon the horizon.

“Nervous, m’lord?” came a small voice from the bushes to

Arnold’s right.

With a shudder of relief, Arnold saw his strange friend, a short

but sturdy man of only three feet in height. His dark tan skin and

green and brown clothing made him nearly imperceptible in the

gathering gloom. Arnold would never term him handsome, but he

now viewed this enigmatic little Alfar as his savior, and thanked

divine providence that he had arrived in time.

“Fear not, I have brought the elixir,” he nished, handing

Arnold a small opaque bottle. Arnold took the ask, but hesitated,

remembering the particularly vile taste of the potion within. In

that moment, however, he felt the rage begin within his breast, still

faint, but bringing the promise of terror to come. He hesitated

Forward to the Lejend

Master

Fear not, noble Lejend Master, Moon Slaves is not a typical

werewolf tale, and, in fact, it has little to do with werewolves. The

story of this adventure is one of intrigue, betrayal, and nefarious

activity. Within its bounds plots lie within plots, and very little

is as originally appears… but it is all nicely packaged so as to

be playable in one or two gaming sessions of three to four hours

each.

What follows is an explanation of that which is really occurring

in the little community of Simton, and this information should not

be relayed to the players of this adventure other than in piecemeal

fashion, and of course, only as they use their wits to discover the

truth. As the players ascertain the truth of the mystery, there will

be a need for hard blows and stealthy plans, but a well-rounded

group of Avatars will be required to properly solve the mystery of

Moon Slaves, and to rescue the town of Simton and its people.

For those starting campaigns, Simton lies on the southern bank

of the Danhood River, in the Monyar Forest, some 28 miles

southeast of Byvaci. It is normally a resting point for travelers and

merchants both on and off the Danhood that are headed towards

Lyris, Kossally, and the Kingdoms that border the eastern Middle

Seas, an area that prospers from the commerce of the slave trade.

Unbeknownst to Arnold, a small and vicious group of Ulfs

is operating in the area, culling the merchant trafc as it passes

The Role Playing Game

through Simton of a portion of its passing travelers, and selling

these unfortunates into slavery downriver. They hide the missing

merchants behind the rumors of a local werewolf, and have set up

poor Arnold to play the patsy for their crimes.

Arnold believes that he is a vicious murdering werewolf, unable

to control his animal desires. He relies on a small male Alfar,

a “Gnome”, that rst explained his memory lapses to him in a

manner that he could understand. The little “Gnome” has no name

that Arnold is aware of, but he brings him a strong drug that

nullies the beast within his breast at the rising of the full moon.

What Arnold does not realize is that the “Gnome” has been

drugging him from the beginning, rst by placing a drug inducing

rage and hallucinations in his food clandestinely, and later by

offering Arnold another drug as a means for escaping his supposed

lycanthropy. Several livestock murders were staged in order to

cement Arnold’s belief in his own guilt, and Arnold is slipped

a dose of the rst drug, then sent into comatose slumber by

administration of the second, any time that the Ulfs wish more of

the travelers through Simton to “all prey to the werewolf”.

This ruse has the inhabitants of Simton looking for an answer

to their werewolf problem, and leaves them oblivious to the slave

smuggling ring of the Ulfs.

Not all of the townspeople are innocent either, but we shall

explore the full cast of players in this nefarious charade as our

adventure develops. It is recommended that the Lejend Master

read through the entire adventure before play, and the he familiar-

ize himself with all of the various Non-Avatar Characters before

they are encountered by the players as the tableau unfolds.

Items written in bold face type should be read aloud to the

players. Text that is written in standard script is for the eyes of

the Lejend Master alone.

thorp proffered itself just as you began to tire, and so you nd

yourself seated at the local tavern (The Savory Swine) enjoying a

ne if moderate supper as the day draws towards its close. It is

slightly more than an hour before sunset.

The tavern is a modest one, with good if uninspiring wine,

and usually serving an evening repast of a hearty stew made from

wild game, with fresh herbs, roots, and mushrooms with plenty of

crusty bread to go with it. Several townspeople sit at tables near

you, talking in low and friendly tones, and three young lads run

from table to table replenishing food and wine. A short and stout

woman stands behind the tavern’s counter with a stern but friendly

face, and what could only be her husband makes an occasional

appearance from a backroom that, by the smell of it, is the kitchen.

The only cloud hanging over this otherwise typically rustic scene

is a single customer that sits alone in the corner, obviously miser-

able over his untouched plate of food.

The patrons at The Savory Swine, it being named for the

excellent roast wild boar it often serves to customers, are several,

both local folk and travelers stopping here along their way. hey

are here described in some detail hereafter so that when they are

approached by anyone in the Avatar party the Lejend Master will

have information at hand:

Sylvester Mulhaven: Health 45, Precision 50, Speed 9; Abili-

ties: Commerce 50, Evaluation 40, Pantology 30, Pretense 30,

Weapons 20. Attack: Long dagger at 30 Weapons score for 1-20

Harm; Defense: 3 for half cloth garment.

This is the middle-aged, rather pinch-faced and sour-looking

man that runs the local General Store. His plump form and expen-

sive garments silk show that he is quite wealthy, and Sylvester

is never averse to showing that off in public, making a habit of

so doing whenever possible. If questioned or engaged in conversa-

tion, he knows of the local werewolf tales, and believes them

wholeheartedly, insofar as anyone asking is concerned. In truth,

Sylvester works with the local Ulfs, providing them intelligence as

to the arrival of merchant caravans in Simton. Sylvester will do

his utmost to cast suspicion on Arnold, the miserable customer

that sits alone in the corner of the tavern, claiming that the only

reason the town does not drive Arnold from the village is because

Introduction to the Players

It is late afternoon on a typical sunny summer day as you travel

southeast through the Archduchy of Temare. The road has been

smooth and broad, and you have not hurried your pace, for no

urgency drives you towards your destination. A small but inviting

Essentials

there is scant proof of his supposed guilt. If pressed on the

matter of why he does not see justice done on behalf of the

town, perhaps confronting the “werewolf” personally, Sylvester

will claim cowardice. Sylvester will offer to give the Avatar party

some incredible deals at his general store, and will be particularly

nosey as to the Abilities and Orders of the Avatar party, asking

pointed questions in that regard if given the chance. Sylvester’s

servant, a small man with tan skin, will say nothing if questioned

or greeted by the Avatars, instead looking towards Sylvester for

direction. Sylvester will reply on his behalf that, “Wily doesn’t

say much, do you Willy?” Avatars that make a (-15% bonus to

the roll) check against Learning, Rustic, Scrutiny, Urbane, or other

applicable (LM’s discretion) Ability will note that the servant is

either a Dunnie, or at least partially of Dunnie blood.

but has been invited to dinner by Sylvester , who is paying for the

meal. (She normally eats privately). Leah lives in an isolated cot-

tage the forest outside of Simton, although she visits regularly for

supplies and to barter the rare herbs she gleans from the Monyar

Forest. She will agree to accompany the Avatar party, for a fee of

$200 per day, should they decide to investigate the rumored lair

of the brown bears. Larl will be quite upset should she make this

offer, for he fancies Leah, and he will make his displeasure known

loudly, be looking for a st-ght.

She carries a short bow, a quiver of 12 arrows, and a dagger.

Leah wears custom leather armor that provides her with 6 points of

armor protection but does not slow her Speed.

Leah knows the following extraordinary activations: Disrupt

Power, Unexplained Noise, Cloak In Shadows, and Flame Gout.

Arnold Slocum: Health 20, Precision 25, Speed 11; Abilities:

Pantology 50, Rustic 40, Hunt 30, Weapons 25; Attack: Heavy

knife for 3-20 at score 25; Defense: 0.

This is the miserable man sitting alone in the corner and not

eating. He normally has rather handsome features, but now he

is drawn and worried. Avatars will nd him to be meek and

withdrawn, saying little about himself other than that he carves

wooden gures and toys for the children of the area in order to

make his living. Arnold is fearful of confessing his supposed

guilt as a werewolf, as the normal means for expiating a werewolf

involves a public burning at the stake. If pressed for information,

Arnold will politely excuse himself and make his way to his own

home as rapidly as possible, barring the door from within.

Granger Helverson: Health 65, Precision 58, Speed 13; Abil-

ities: Hunt 58, Weapons 50, Archery 44, Rustic 38, Ranging

17, Pantology 40. Attack: Strong bow for 3-20 +4 at score 74

close range, 64 medium, 54 otherwise, axe for 4-20 at score 55;

Defense: 8 for full leather armor.

This average-sized man in his late 30s with leathery complex-

ion and rugged face is a full member of the Forester Order (he

knows the Order’s recognition signs) that runs the local Livery and

Cart Repair. He is an honest fellow of simple wants, hardworking

and forthright in his views. He is suspicious of Arnold, and

believes that indeed he might be a werewolf, but is hesitant of

accusing the man unfairly. Granger lost two mules to the depreda-

tions of the “werewolf” however, and is certain, as a Forester, that

no natural beast killed his stock. As no attacks have been directed

at the animals in his care for some time, however, he is loath to

pursue the matter further. His shop is full of carts and wheels

for repair at this time (business is good) and he has little time for

anything else.

He dislikes Sylvester, thinking him crude, pretentious, and

grandiose. Sitting with him is a merchant who regularly visits this

tiny community, Silver Masterson, and two of his guards.

Larl and Phillip Edmunds: Health 54 and 50, Precision 50

and 53, Speed 12 and 13; Abilities: Archery 50 and 55, Hunt 50

and 45, Ranging 35 and 30, Rustic 30, Weapons 30, Unarmed

Combat 20 each; Attack: Crossbow for 3-20 +5 at score 68 and

73 close range, belt axe for 2-20 at score 42—when attacking

unarmed; 3 x hand for 1-4 +4 or 2 x foot for 1-6 +4; Defense: 2

for Unarmed Combat Ability.

These two are local hunters and fur trappers that work the forest

to the north of town. One look at their woodsmen’s garb of brown

and green shows that. They do not believe that Arnold is guilty

and will claim that they no longer trap the woods to the south of

Simton as they have seen a family of huge brown bears prowling

just west of the road leading south. They are convinced that it is

the bears that are responsible for the murdered livestock and the

disappearance of traveling merchants. Arnold, they feel, is simply

too meek to defend himself against the accusations of some of

the other townsfolk. Should the Avatars ask the brothers to escort

them to the lair of the brown bears, the pair will politely refuse,

imparting that the courage required for such an act is beyond their

means. An Ilf also sits with the two trappers, a rather attractive

female Ilf.

Kurt Mannerheim: Health 44, Precision 38, Speed 10; Abilities:

Commerce 50, Weapons 65, Evaluation 40, Waterfaring 35, Phy-

sique 30, Scrutiny 25, Waylaying 20. Archery 10; Attack: Hand

catapult for 1-20 +1 at score 86 close range 66 otherwise, cutting

sword for 6-20 +3 at score 75; Defense: 9 for full leather armor.

This merchant is a big robust man of middle age who hails from

Itherland and is not a bad person at heart. He will reluctantly

admit to having supported himself through river piracy in his

youth, although he will immediately claim to have become a fully

legitimate businessman should this confession be wrung from him

either through persuasion of the copious application of free wine.

Kurt Mannerheim knows nothing of the werewolf rumors, but is

condent that he and his guards can protect his two-wagon caravan

from any threats the road might offer.

Leah Oveleaf: Health 55, Precision 42, Speed 13 (AEPs: 56);

Abilities: Enchantment 55, Arcana 45, Weapons 40, Hunt 35,

Stealth 30, Rustic 30, Pantology 25, Archery 20; Attack: Light

bow for 1-20 +2 at score 47 close range, 42 otherwise and long

dagger for 1-20 at score 52; Defense: 6 for full light leather armor.

This Alfar female clad in green and gray garb suitable for a

male, topped by russet-hued leather, is a highly attractive Ilf and a

Magician (11th) Rank member of the Mage Order. Leah is remark-

able in her intellectual capacity and the variety of her Abilities. She

believes neither the rumors of the brown bears or of a lycanthrope,

Guards Herman and Jurgen: Both have identical statistics:

Health 30, Precision 35, Speed 9; Attack: Crossbow for 3-20,

battle axe for 7-20 +2 Harm bonus for Physique Ability at score

40; Defense: 8 for full leather armor.

Tam and Sheila Bromsen: Health 30 and 28, Precision 20 and

18; Speed 9 and 11; Abilities: Commerce 30 each, Pantology 35

each, Physique 30 and 10, Rustic 40 each, Weapons 20 and 18.

Attack: Tam, club for 1-20 +4 at 20; Sheila long dagger 1-20 +1 at

score 28; Defense: Tam 4 for half cloth garment and Sheila 0.

These two individuals are the proprietors of the tavern. Tam and

Sheila are both of sturdy peasant stock, large boned and husky.

Both dress in rustic clothing, Tam in brown leather knee breeks

with an unbleached linen shirt, a red vest, with a leather apron

over them; Sheila wears a long blue skirt, unbleached linen blouse,

and a gray smock over those garments. They also believe that

Arnold is a werewolf, but he is also an old friend so they say

nothing incriminating. They state that they will not refuse to serve

Arnold, but that they have otherwise put some distance between

themselves and Arnold. They feel pity for, and to some extent fear

of, Arnold.

The Lejend Master should allow the Avatars to converse with

the patrons at The Savory Swine for as long as they desire. Should

they choose to stay at the tavern that evening, their room will cost

$20 per person in the party to share a common room with enough

beds for all. Their evening will pass without event, although

they will nd the entire town locked up tightly once the sun has

set. (The Lejend Master may choose to allow them to explore the

buildings of the town that evening after sunset, but should adjust

the descriptions provided to account for the inhabitants, already

frightened by tales of werewolves, bears, and disappearing mer-

chants, to be somewhat restive, to say the least, when awakened

by surprise by uncalled for intrusion by the party. It is likely that

many will take violent offense to this intrusion, and should combat

follow home invasion, the party is likely to make outlaws of

themselves. Any Avatar with Chivalry Rustic, or Urbane, Ability

will automatically recognize this risk should clandestine nighttime

investigation be suggested by one of the players.) The Lejend

Master may then allow the Avatars to explore the town as they

wish the next morning. Actions outside of town will refer them to

the following encounters:

Should the party decide to proceed out of town, following the

road to the south, or should they choose to camp outside of the

tavern, proceed to encounter #1, An Ambush on the Road.

Should the party wish to investigate the brown bears, proceed to

encounter #2, The Giant Bear.

Should they travel north, inform them that such is the direction

from which they approached Simton....

actually a golden medal-

lion hanging on a leather

thong. The icon it dis-

plays is that of a raven

with a thunderbolt in its

claws above a reversed

“T” shape.

Should there be an

ecclesiast in the party,

or any with Arcana, Chiv-

alry, Learning, Pantology,

Theurgy, or Urbane Abil-

ity add:

It is obviously a holy

symbol of the Tenoric

Pantheon and the god

Thor.

Should an Avatar fur-

ther possess Evaluation or

Commerce add also:

It is actually a rather

cheap trinket, and is

plainly only gold plated. It’s value is in the realm of $20-$40.

The holy symbol may be easily retrieved from its resting place,

and will become signicant only when the Avatars later encounter

Wilhelm the Theurge later at the shrine of Thor. The Lejend

Master should thoroughly read the section on Wilhem, and the

shrine before proceeding, and only then proceed with the Introduc-

tion to the Players. Should the Avatars make inquiries in town, all

of the folk of Simton are familiar with Wilhelm, and the symbols

of his deity, and will direct the party to the shrine. Wilhelm is a

solitary man, and for the purposes of this adventure, will always

be found at the shrine of Thor unless the party convinces him to

help them.

Encounters in Simton

The Savory Swine Tavern

The occupants of this ne establishment have already been

described, and the Lejend Master and provided with Abilities and

statistics. As in all such cases, the Lejend Master is free to alter

such information at will. The tavern is a 2-story building of timber

and plaster set on a eldstone foundation. The personal apartment

of the owners, the kitchen, and common room with bar are located

on the ground oor, and boarding rooms (six) on the rst oor.

There are both a root and a wine cellar beneath the building.

Optional Encounter

As previously mentioned, smaller parties or those not particu-

larly well-equipped for this adventure, might require a bit of help

in order to defeat the plot of the Ulfs. At the Lejend Master’s

discretion, a Shrine to Thor may be added to this adventure.

The shrine has only two inhabitants, an Ecclesiastic Order Non-

Avatar Character dedicated Thor, and his faithful wolf-dog, Molin-

jir (Molly for short). Should the Lejend Master feel that the party

will require the assistance of these two, the following introductory

encounter should occur before the party actually reaches Simton,

when they are a mere 100 yards from the hamlet proper. Read

aloud the following description:

Your party is tired, and well prepared for the gentle ministra-

tions commonly found at the more rural taverns of this region. A

small hamlet lies before you, sporting just such a one. As you gaze

fondly at its worn oak clapboards, however, a glint of gold catches

your eye from a tree near the left side of the road.

If the Avatars proceed into Simton, return to the Introduction to

the Players, if they decide to investigate, continue:

As you approach the tree, you can see that the ‘glint’ is

Livery and Cart Repair

Should the Avatars arrive here during the day, they will nd two

riding horse, two draft horses, and three mules in the fenced area

of this establishment, and Granger Helverson working tirelessly

within on a heavy 4-wheeled merchants wain (he is putting a new

rear axle on it). The horses and mules may be purchased from

him as per the guidelines set out within the rules (price-wise). He

will deal in a friendly manner with the Avatars, but will be unable

to impart any further information than that which they might have

gleaned the previous evening at the tavern (although the Lejend

Master should impart this information at this time if the Avatars

failed to question him at the previously while at the tavern).

Grange is also tanning on the side of his building the hides of

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