d20 Legion Publishing Critical Hits 08 - All the Rage.pdf - Legion Publishing - R5700

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INTRODUCTION

Greetings traveler and welcome to Critical Hits – a

series of electronic releases from Legion Publishing. Each

Critical Hit is a complete encounter that can be dropped

into any fantasy campaign with very little preparation

needed by the DM. The encounters are little gems of ideas

built around a single situation, person, location, creature

or object that the players stumble across in their travels.

Each Critical Hit provides the DM with everything neces-

sary to use the encounter and the players with some mem-

orable encounters that encourage creative role-playing.

V o l u m e 2 N o 4 - E n c o u n t e r L e v e l 4

A L L T H E R A G E

Published by

All the Rage is set in any wooded terrain. As the PCs

are en route to whatever their destination may be, they

chance upon a bizarre scene. Some of the cutest charac-

ters ever to grace the pages of a Critical Hits encounter

are doing battle over a valuable crimson dye with myste-

rious properties! Can the players pick a side and settle the

dispute amicably, or will the whole glade be seeing red

before the day is out? As with the other Critical Hits, text

inside a border should be read aloud to the players.

www.legionpublishing.co.uk

First Published 2003

C R E D I T S &

A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S

Written by

Rob Clayton Jones

Editing

Robin Elliott & Simon Lucas

Cover Illustration

Matthew Harffy

Interior Illustration

Robin Elliott

IN THE PINK?

Typesetting and graphic design by Wildstar Digital Arts

Contact - info@wildstardigitalarts.co.uk

Author courtesy of Snake Eyes Studio

Contact - info@snakeeyesstudio.co.uk

The substance the Elves call Syndathil (in the common

tongue ‘Rage’) is a natural red dye created from giant

mushrooms which grow on magical soil. Sprites regard a

field of these crimson-capped mushrooms as highly desir-

able accommodation. Not only do the Mushrooms provide

housing, but the red dye also gives forest dwellers a source

of heating as the strange substance gives off heat when

rubbed. As can be imagined, fields of these giant mush-

rooms are extremely rare, making the dye a very expen-

sive commodity across the realms.

Legion Publishing, Critical Hits, the Legion Publishing logo, Legionnaire,

and all related characters and elements are trademarks of Legion

Publishing.

Wildstar Digital Arts and its logo are trademarks of Wildstar Digital Arts.

Snake Eyes Studio and its logo are trademarks of Snake Eyes Studio.

The PCs start this encounter in a dark, wooded area.

'd20 System' and the 'd20 System' logo are trademarks of Wizards of

the Coast, Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc., and are used according to

the terms of the d20 System License version 4.0. A copy of this License

can be found at www.wizards.com/d20.

Designation of Product Identity

All material, other than material already considered Open Gaming

Content is considered Product Identity as described in Section 1(e) of

the Open Gaming License v1.0a. This includes but is not limited to

Critical Hits and all significant characters, names, creatures, spells,

events, plots, logos, trade dress, product names, product lines, places,

Reserved, except where otherwise noted. The use of another company's

trademark should not be construed as a challenge to that trademark.

Reproduction of non-Open Game Content from this work by any means

without the express written consent of Legion Publishing is prohibited.

Your keen ears alert the group to the sound of a deep

and woeful lament. Amid the sorrowful singing, you can

now hear sobbing through the trees ahead.

Further investigation reveals a glade with a huge oak

at the center. Surrounding it are many withered giant

mushrooms with tiny doors and windows cut into them.

Legion Publishing - Critical Hits

Volume 2 No 4 - EL 4

Successful uses of detect magic or Spot check (DC16)

reveal a hiding community of Sprites. The tiny creatures

are alerted to the PCs presence and emerge sheepishly

from their 5’ tall withered houses.

THE STILE COUNCIL

The lead Sprite is named Fash. Provided the PCs are

not hostile towards his people, he comes forward and con-

verses with the good PCs. Those of evil alignment are

simply ignored.

Suddenly, as if from nowhere, there are twenty-one

pairs of tear-soaked eyes peering up at you, all in a

huddle. Appearing like tiny elves, with long pointy

ears; these folk are but 2’ tall and all have gossamer

wings. In dejected silence they hang their heads.

Fash explains the reason for their woes: an evil Dryad

named Loxi. He describes the mundane qualities of Rage

and how the wicked Dryad wants the dye for her own

vanity. Fash thinks she is using the dye to stain her own,

dreary green garments to match her reddish hair as

autumn sets in!

This sorry bunch of Sprites is enough to upset all but

the hardest of hearts. All good aligned PCs must make a

Fortitude check (DC15) from the shock of seeing a miser-

able Sprite! Failure results in the PC taking memory loss

(as per spell – forgetting all skills, languages and class

abilities) for 1d4 days.

Fash then tells the characters about the magical

quality that the substance Rage has, which is akin to

dominate animalwhen fed to a willing being. As a result,

every morning a group of giant flying insects called

Jeekers allied to Loxi fly in and extract more Rage from

the Sprites’ houses leaving them in their current shriv-

elled state. One more morning and the insects will finally

kill the mushrooms for good!

Any hostility towards the Sprites results in immediate

action. Firstly the fey folk utilize their natural invisibili-

ty and head for their cache at the top of the oak tree.

Here (about 30’ up) in the boughs are 30 arrows of

memory loss, (as per spell). Using these arrows, the Sprites

deal no damage save for permanent memory loss as

described above. Once the PCs have had their memories

erased, the Sprites’ leader tells them they were about to

offer the tiny folk their assistance. This forces the PCs

into the rest of the encouter.

Fash then proposes one of two alternate courses of

action (he entertains no other suggestions, insisting that

any other course of action is ‘suicide!’).

1. Firstly, The Sprites have a small amount of Rage

left and have fashioned ten ‘Rocket-Arrows’, making

small but harmless glaring red explosions. These

arrows will act as a diversion, attracting the Jeekers

for long enough so the PCs may shoot them down!

Sprites (small fey) HD 1D6; 3 hp; Initiative +4 (Dex),

speed 20ft, fly 60ft (good) AC 16 (+1 Size, +4 Dex,

+1 natural), Attacks dagger +5 melee; or composite

short bow +6 ranged, Damage sting 1D4-2, 1D6. Face/

reach 5’ by 5’/5ft’. Special: spell-like abilities, 1/day-

confusion (by touch), dancing lights, detect chaos, detect

good, detect evil, detect law, detect thoughts, dispel

magic, entangle, permanent image (visual and auditory

elements only). Polymorph self. These abilities are as

8th-level sorcerer, (save DC13 + spell level). Special

qualities: SR 16, natural invisibility. Saves

fort+0,ref+6,will +4, Abilities Str 7, Dex 18, Con 11,

Int 16, Wis 15, Cha 16. Skills and feats: Bluff +7, Con

+4, Craft (any one) +7, Escape Artist +8, Heal +6,

Hide +12, Listen +8, Move Silently +8, Ride +8,

Search +9, Sense Motive +6, Spot+8.

Feats

Dodge, Point blank shot, Rapid shot weapon finesse

(dagger), Weapon focus (short bow).

CR 4, AL neutral good. TR 50% goods, 50% items.

2. Alternatively, the PCs loose the Rage from the

arrows into a pit not far west from the village (50

yards). Within the pit lies a Greeba. Dominated by the

Rage and obeying the PCs commands the slimy crea-

ture should eat any Jeekers flying in after the Rage!

A cover for the pit could be crafted out of wood and

leaves to disguise the pit from the flying fiends.

Fash then puts the two proposed options to a vote,

granting each PC a vote in this important council

meeting. Exactly 10 (50%) of the Sprites vote for each of

the two proposals (Fash is neutral). The PCs therefore

must decide on the course of action to be taken, using

their own votes. (PCs with over 2 skill ranks in Diplomacy

have an extra vote).

Legion Publishing - Critical Hits

Volume 2 No 4 - EL 4

After the votes have been cast, Fash announces the

result of the council.

The Jeekers have only one purpose: to collect all the

Rage. The successful use of the rockets acts as surprise in

combat, allowing the PCs to take the initiative. After

this, any hostile action towards the Jeekers, causes them

to attack the PCs. They do not flee and, if they are

defeated, five more arrive within 1d4 hours from the Red

Tree (see below).

Fash the elder Sprite nods and agrees with your deci-

sion. “We are grateful for your help sirs, but our com-

munity is out of sorts and only I can offer my services

in these sorrowful times.”

With that, the Sprites fly up into the air singing your

praises as they vanish to safety.

A note about Rage

The substance is potent when inhaled, acting as the

3rd level enchantment dominate animal. Its potency

extends its range to 600 yards (rather than 100’+10’

per level as in the spell), and allows up to 10 creatures of

HD 3 or below to be enchanted!

COURSE 1 - IN THE

ROCKETS’ RED GLARE

This defensive strategy acts as a diversion from the

mushroom glade, keeping the flying insects in the air long

enough for them to be picked off by the PCs. Rage releas-

es heat when rubbed and, in order to get the rockets to

explode, the arrows must be rubbed before firing. The sac

containing the rare substance is attached to the shaft of

the arrow and starts to pulsate as the Rage begins to

agitate. The particles rub against each other getting

hotter and hotter until the sac bursts in a brilliant explo-

sion. Lots of heat and light results as the sizzling Rage

showers out of the burst.

Any creatures affected get a saving throw (Will

negates) as per the spell, however enchanted creatures are

under the influence of the first person to issue a command

and remain so until the controller loses consciousness, the

subject goes out of range or the effect is dispelled by

magic. If the PCs are exposed to the substance, treat as

dominate person 5th level spell with the same alterations

as described above. Each fresh exposure to the substance

triggers a new bout of domination, when an order is given

(this means that the PCs can control the Jeekers if they

give them orders after a Rage rockets bursts).

The Sprites use the rockets for celebrations rather

than defense but desperate times call for desperate

measures and they are hoping that, now the heroes are

here, distracting the Jeekers with the last of their Rage

will buy enough time for the PCs to kill all the creatures.

In order to get the Rage to burst, a Dexterity check

(DC10) is required. Success means the PC has rubbed the

sac just right to get the Rage ready to fire. Failure

results in the sac bursting in the character being show-

ered with Rage and suffering the effects of the potent

powder. For the rocket diversion to be successful, the PCs

must ‘hit’ the AC of the Jeekers with at least half of the

rockets. When the rockets have all been released the PCs

must watch and wait.

5 Jeekers (Medium sized vermin) HD 3d8; 13 hp;

Initiative +2 ( dex,), speed 20ft, fly 80ft (good), AC 14

(+2 Dex, +2 natural), Attacks sting+2 melee,

Damage sting 1d4 and poison, Face/reach 5’ by 5’ by 5’,

Special; poison DC13 initial damage 1d6 con, secondary

damage 1d6 con, vermin, saves fort+3,ref+3,will +2,

Abilities Str 11, Dex 14, Con 11, Int -, Wis 12, Cha 9,

Skills and feats Intuit direction +6, Spot +7, CR ½ .

AL neutral.

COURSE 2 - TOAD IN THE HOLE

If the council decided on this option, the PCs must

goad the Jeekers into a pit trap containing a Greeba, an

amphibian that greatly resembles a giant toad. The

Sprites tricked it into the (30’ deep) pit just days earlier.

Any PC with a Craft skill in any kind of weaving or trap

making may be able to make a light but secure lattice

cover for the pit (can be handled by 2 PCs) with a suc-

cessful Craft check (DC15) to hide the pit from the

Jeekers.

Loosing off the rockets you see the sky above you turn

crimson in a shower of fireworks and through their

warm glow come the Jeekers, giant winged insects

humming a warning tone. They jink and weave through

the bursts of Rage in a frenzy, attempting to collect

the substance on their legs by whirling and diving

through the cloud bursts.

Legion Publishing - Critical Hits

Volume 2 No 4 - EL 4

Pointing to the west, Fash tells the PCs that he can

lead them to the tree after they have dealt with the

Jeekers and the village is safe. When the PCs agree, he

leads them through the woods 500 yards west of the

village.

The key in this plan is for the PCs to remain con-

cealed. The pit is in a small clearing 50 yards to the west

of the mushroom glade. In order not to be spotted by the

Jeekers as they fly overhead, the PCs must make success-

ful Hide checks (DC15).

For the plan to work, the PCs must then fire the

rockets at the pit ‘hit’ the pit (AC 14) with at least half

of the rockets. The Rage in the rockets must first be agi-

tated as above.

Merrily hovering before you, Fash gleefully points

through the thicket towards a giant red oak. Even the

bark is unnaturally reddish. Flying on ahead you try

to warn him but it is too late, Fash disappears into the

crimson canopy and you hear his muffled scream fol-

lowed by an ominous silence.

The shimmering red glow of the Rage fills the pit and

you watch the Jeekers divert from their determined

course above the treetops, down, diving straight

towards the hole.

Approaching the tree with caution is wise. Any PC

stepping within 10’ of the tree’s base is subject to entan-

glement from the now-enchanted grasses surrounding it

(treat as the 1st level spell entangle, Reflex saving throw

negates). The grass holds unwary PCs like tightly bound

laces, immobilizing their feet and legs only (unless they

are on all-fours!). An entangled PC suffers –2 to attacks,

-4 to dexterity and must make a concentration check

(DC15) or loses any spells she attempts to cast. Using a

full-round action to make a strength check or Escape

Artist (DC20) frees the PC. Any PC entering the 10’ grassy

perimeter around the tree automatically alerts the Dryad

Loxi.

If the PCs were off target, the insects attack them. If

the PCs were successful with their shots into the pit, the

Jeekers do not deviate from their course and head

straight into the Greeba’s hole.

Entering the pit clearing at this time gives a 10%

chance of inhaling the air containing wayward Rage (see

above for effects).

Assuming all goes to plan (a major assumption); the

PCs can watch the battle unfold between the giant crea-

tures. Taking potshots down into the pit at the trapped

Jeekers is allowed though hardly sporting!

Emerging as, if from nowhere, is a beautiful woman.

Her elf-like features are flushed in the autumnal air

and her leafy gown is red and brilliant.

Greeba HD 4d8; 18 hp; Initiative +3 (Dex), speed 30ft, AC

14 (-1 size, +1 Dex), Attacks bite+4 melee, Damage bite

1d6 and sticky tongue, Face/reach 5’ by 5’ by 5’, Special;

sticky tongue (Improved grab, constrict) Escape

artist/strength DC15 initial damage 1d4, secondary damage

squeeze 1d4, saves fort+4,ref+2,will +3, Abilities Str

11, Dex 12, Con 11, Int 1, Wis 14, Cha 4, Skills and feats,

hide +5, listen +5, spot +5, CR 2 AL neutral.

Soaking it in Rage has enhanced Loxi’s gown. Keeping

a readily available supply of this marvelous dye without

polluting the atmosphere requires the storage methods of

genius. By persuading the Jeekers to inject the Rage into

her tree, the Oak’s sap acts as a solvent, thus allowing

her to ‘bleed’ the tree at any time, without harming it.

THE RED TREE

Loxi is quite mad. Her once chaotic good alignment

has now been hijacked by insanity (as described by the

7th-level enchantment spell) that may only be cured by

the following spells: greater restoration, limited wish,

miracle or wish. She is tragically unaware that her quest

for fashion sense has decimated the entire community of

Sprites! If approached, she does not see reason and

attempts to charm the most powerful member of the

group (she may use this ability three times per day as a

4th level sorcerer. The target must succeed a Will saving

throw (DC15) or be charmed for 4 hours).

The role of Fash in all this is simple. He aids the PCs

whenever they require it although he will not do any-

thing intrinsically evil or cruel. Fash always tries to

confuse the Jeekers if they attack him, and then flees to

the boughs of the nearest tree.

Make sure Fash does not get killed in these initial

skirmishes.

If Fash is asked by the PCs as to the whereabouts of

the Dryad and her lair then the little Sprite laughs and

says ”It’s easy, find the red tree!”

d20 Legion Publishing Critical Hits 08 - All the Rage.pdf

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