8/13/2019 Dungeon Starter - The Slaughter Stone

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Impressions:

a storm howls at night along an old road surroundedby dangerous woods. Against the dusky sky lies theshadow of an ancient tower

A lantern burns in a window and begins to sway

an elderly ritualist petitions a character to return theslaughter stone to her for its destruction

a pack of desperately hungry wolves stalks out of the

woods

Straight-edged roads of cracked flagstone runbetween huge buildings of timber and stone.

Through a smashed door, a circle of mystic runesinscribed on the floor

Bookshelves line the walls and the tables are coveredwith open books, alchemical liquids and powders

Rickety scaffolding surrounding a gaping pit

the thunder of dozens of little feet pounding on thestone floors

a series of ruined stone steps and ornate columnssurrounds the ancient hot baths

witness a branding as the orcs brutalize and

interrogate goblins A shoddy wooden table and several chairs sit in the

middle a room between two sarcophagi

Goblin carcasses lie slumped in the chairs the corpseschewed and mangled

Wooden cages with crude latches holding snarlingwolves with scraps of fresh meat strewn about

A goblin in ill-fitting, but ornate robes browsesthrough tomes on a shelf, He rips a page from a bookand chants something quietly

A few large, reptilian scales litter the floor, and thebookcases have been pushed aside like a large beastmoved through

gouges from giant claws all around the corners of asecret stone alcove (now empty)

an ancient ruin shrouded by withered vines: atemple reduced to a foundation pit and half a dozenpillars among the stunted trees

Misshapen Kobold bodies are lashed along thecrumbling stone walls of the citadel. Thin strips ofleathery flesh cling to eyeless skulls.

The Slaughter StoneA Dungeon Starter adapted on the D&D 4e Module:The Slaying Stoneby Logan BonnerFor Sage LaTorra and Adam Koebels Dungeon World.2011 LaTorra&Koebel www.dungeon-world.com

Goblins have invaded ___________, once an artisan

jewel in the crown of __________, the fallen human

kingdom. Within its plundered ruins lie magical

treasures yet to be unearthed, including the last of the

Slaughter Stones - deadly relics from bygone warscreated by mystic artisans that could annihilate anyonewho attacked the town. Even now, evil orcs under theemploy of a warped Arcanist scour the ruins in search

of the stone, but they are not alone!

Campaign FrontThe Arcanist, __________Impending Doom: The Burnt Eyes' benefactor, has the

slaying stone brought to her and added to her collectionof magical miscellany and other ancient weapons ofevil bent.

Grim Portents:

The Arcanist watches with scrying on the happeningsin the town

The Stone falls into the hands of the Arcanist

The Arcanist unearths the secret of the SlaughterStone and forges another

Stakes:

Can the characters interrogate/influence the orcs todivulge their mission?

Could the town could serve as a home base for thecharacters in the future?

Can the characters find other clues that can lead themto her citadel?

How can her arcane defenses be overcome?

What elementals and other creatures defend her?

Front: The Slaughter StoneImpending Doom: The Burnt Eyes find the stone, andbring it to the Arcanist.Grim Portents:

The orcs intimidate the factions in the town as theyhunt for the slaughter stone.

The Orcs torture the hobgoblin leader.

The Orcs confront the dragon, to get the slaughterstone from her.

The Orcs return the stone to the Arcanist.

Stakes:

What kind of Dragon guards the stone?

The slaughter stone kills (once and once only), why?

Can the PCs convince the dragon to relinquish thestone?

Do the Burnt Eyes get the stone from the Dragon?

Which factions can be swayed by the PCs?

Cast:

The Dragon who Guards it

The Burnt Eye Orc Warband The Arcanist in the shadows

Front: The Kobold Uprising

Impending Doom: Kobolds have uncovered ancientmagical creations. They tinker with them until they getthem working again, to attack the goblins.Stakes:

Who will win control of the town?

What magical artifacts have the Kobolds uncovered?

Will the goblins come into direct conflict with theDragon?

Cast:

The ____________ Kobolds

The ____________ Goblins

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8/13/2019 Dungeon Starter - The Slaughter Stone

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Magic Artifact: The Slaughter StoneA character who picks up the item feels their handquake and see their veins glow red. The person whocarries the stone is filled with an impulse to kill. TheymustDefy Danger(WIS) to avoid using the stone tosmite their perceived enemies. When someone uses thestone, the air around the item grows hot and dry, and a

cloud of energy erupts from the ground around thetarget. The target's body deteriorates into ashy gravelsludge. Its purpose fulfilled, the stone cracks in half, itsrunes go dark, and it turns ice-cold.

Locations: Remember that when you draw the map,that leaving blanks is the key to playing to find outwhat happens, leave some things you dont know.The Jagged Mouth(City Gate)The goblins have built a rickety palisade, The oncegreat gates guarded by traps and pets

The Kobold Warrens(Slum District)Crumbling huts and tattered tents fiIl this area. Traps

and confusion abound.The Kindling Supplies(Magical Library)Many of its waIls have tumbled down. A goblinspellcaster scours the ruins

The Houses of Revelry(The Temples)The goblins go here to dance, chant, and offersacrifices to their twisted gods. The remnants of holyshrines still rest here amongst the filth.The Looting Grounds(The Trade District)kobolds have scavenged every little scrap they couldA Burned Tavern(The Green Oak)The inn's namesake tree stands near it, charred andapparently dead. Goblin graffiti decorates the trunk.

Monster Pens(Keeps Stables)The goblins keep monstrous beasts in the stables thenobility once maintained.

Ruined Hot Springs(Baths)Tumbled pillars surround hot springs, a dragon hasmade her lair here, digging around the stone baths.Goblin Mansion(Ruined Keep)This building now bears cracks, gouges, and obscenedecorations after years of goblin occupancy.

Questions to ask Characters

Who was born in the waning town and spent theirearly years there? Have you seen the town since itwas overrun by monsters? If you recover a belovedpersonal item from the ruins of mark 5xp

Who has sworn to bring down tyrants both powerfuland petty? Would you rather fight for the victims or

empower them to fight for themselves? If you helppeople escape from oppressive control or overpowertheir tyrants mark 5xp.

Who has unending enmity toward the disgustingcreatures of the goblin family? If you remove goblinsfrom power mark 5xp.

Who has taken it upon themselves to purify holysites, polluted by the presence of evil amongst theruins? If you consecrate anew a holy place that hasbeen desecrated or destroyed, mark 5xp.

Who is fascinated by antiquity and the magical arts,dreaming of finding and collecting ancient enchanteditems? For each magic item or other arcane creation

you record, catalog or collect, mark 1xp.

Danger: A Dragon - LVL 7, 40 HP, 5 Armor, 25damage (bite, claw, tail smash, breath weapon)

Impulse: To be rid of the responsibility of the stone,give it up to a trustworthy bearer and be left alone.Description : This impetuous dragon took up residenceunderground in the hot spring, digging a lair andcurrently possesses the slaughter stone.

Question their worthiness

Block access to her lair through minions, traps ormagic

Take to wing and rain destruction (wipe out abuilding) with her breath weapon from above

Danger: The __________ Kobolds

Impulse: gain a place in the world through violenceand trickeryDescription : The kobolds have taken over an old slum,setting up traps throughout the narrow alleys.Kobolds - Level 1, 3 HP, 2 damage (spears)

Lay an ambush

Retreat and prepare for a rematchDanger: The Burnt Eyes (gang sized)Impulse: to search for the stone through intimidation.Description : They Brand an eye into the face of theirvictimsOrc Warchief - Lvl 5, 15 HP, 3 Armor, 12 damage(wicked magic sword)Instinct: To find the Slaughter Stone and rule with an

iron fist

Torture to get informationOrc Bloodwarrior - Lvl 4, 9 HP, 2 Armor, 8 damage(hatchets and blades)Instinct: To follow orders

Danger: The __________ Goblins (Warband sized)Impulse: Hurt anybody who intrudes into the town.Description : the goblins rule over the town and theyflourish within its crumbled walls.Goblins - Lvl 1, 5 HP, 1 Armor, 3 damage (swords/spears)

Sound the alarm

Attack with poisoned weaponsGoblin Orkaster Lvl 2, 6 HP, 1 Armor, 4 damage(acid orb)

Cast a goblin magic or looted spell

Contact a powerful being

Offer a DealGoblin Champion Lvl 2, 10 HP, 2 Armor, 5 damage(ornate sword)

Make a bloody show of forceHobGoblin Chief, mounted on a Drake Lvl 4, 9 HP, 3Armor, 6 damage (fine mace / javelins)

Mounted charge driving foes back

Overtake, surround, or cutoff slower creatures

Attack from a place of advantage

Command goblins into battleFire Drake - Lvl 4, 10HP, 2 Armor, 5 damage (claws)Instinct: To follow commands

Rend clothes or soft armor to shreds with claws

Tear hard armor from its wearer

Charge them