3×3 NPC Quest Hooks

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Rasmus

Meet Dolan the kvetching Herald, Gerda the stern Halfling Chef and the traveling Tiefling merchant, Chan Zohlo. Three independent Non-Player Characters, ready to use in any D&D adventure or campaign.

Each NPC comes with three story ideas – or quest hooks – attached, with suggested levels spanning across the Heroic tier. The stat-blocks are limited to standard attacks, a home-grown “Gerda’s Earful” power, and links to D&DI (requires login) for standard powers. However none of these NPCs were designed to be enemies of the party, and are more likely to hire the heroes than attack them. In fact, you might say that the common theme here is “potential party patrons”.

This is also my first post of this type, so be gentle. I have more ideas than I know what to do with, so I figured I should share them! Enjoy.

Download: 3×3 NPC Hooks (pdf).

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Power Games in Guyarde

Posted on September 14, 2010 by Rasmus

In the company of former town guard, Deren the Dwarven rogue, the heroes set off towards Guyarde. In spite of some early hesitation about entering the home of the noble they had dispatched during the battle of Espoir. Not only that, but during the fighting they had mortally wounded the prince’s son too, leaving the township of Guyarde with no Guyarde left to rule it.

The town had a peak population of 650 people, though the recent fighting and a rise in violent crime following the prince’s death has brought the population down by a third. After having met Deren and his band of refugees, who had taken residence in a small cave, the heroes discovered that even his subjects were weary of the Guyarde prince and were not likely to seek revenge on their dead ruler’s behalf. Continue reading →

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The Beggar Bandits

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Rasmus


After a brief rest, the band of heroes set out towards Guyarde, not really knowing what to expect. Not too long ago, they themselves had dispatched with the ruling lord of Guyarde, when he and his allied Orcs had attacked Espoir. Now the prince and his son were both dead, and they were headed right towards their home town.

Several hours of riding later, nearing the time to set up camp, they spotted a group of rough-looking men on the road up ahead. They spotted a second group too, halfway hidden in the shadows from the nearby trees. As the party approached, a dwarf stepped up and ordered them to halt, declaring half-heartedly that this was a robbery, asking for their food.
Continue reading →

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Diary of a Lich

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Rasmus

Here is what the heroes found on the scrap piece of parchment in The Black Tomb. It is assumed that this was in fact written by the “lich” encountered inside the tomb itself.

It should be noted that Draven Blacksword the warlord, currently is on a personal quest to find out what happened to the family heirloom from which his last name is derived. His family is gone and he is convinced the sword holds the key to their fate.

The Eight combined their powers through some unholy ritual that seemed at once new and ancient. They used their magic to turn my own powers against me until I was nearly destroyed. Only then did they hold off, just enough that I could speak. That was when the Paladin stepped in. I knew he was different, I sensed the blackness of his soul as he spoke. For hours he asked me about secrets of old, about the Orcs that live nearby, about the looters and intruders that have come before. About ancient secrets of death. Yet he did not seem interested in attaining the eternal life, as I have. His destiny lay along a different, far more sinister path than mine. So I pleaded and bargained, as anyone would do when faced with such a powerful enemy. And I handed him the black blade, which had only recently come into my own possession. It was a good match. The magical blade took quickly to its new master, and the Paladin stuck to his word and let me live. I fear now that the damage is too deep. My tattered soul flickers now, having weathered the divine storm of the Eight. I curse you, Krogar Shadowsting, for leaving me in this pitiful condition. Were it not for the Essence of Death, I would have fallen prey to the ghouls. They would be delighted to gnaw my old bones after having served me for centuries, ungrateful and savage beasts that they are.

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Exit The Black Tomb

Posted on August 22, 2010 by Rasmus

Having defeated the evil cleric Malden, and gotten a bit of well-earned rest, the party decided to finish what they had begun and return to the tomb and finish their investigation. So far they had found very nothing there, to help them discover more about their enemy and find the secret temple of The Divine Order.

Further down they went, through the hole in the wall, where the finely carved out tomb became unfinished corridors. As they entered a roughly carved chamber, they encountered a group of Skeletons, soon joined by a couple of Boneshard Skeletons coming from the other side of the chamber. Making the fight difficult, was a layer of slime covering the center of the slightly rounded floor, and anyone standing or walking there could easily lose their balance. The group fought with tenacity and drive, and these bony opponents proved no match against the combined power of the heroes. Continue reading →

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Foo Yin’s Hairtie

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Rasmus
Foo Yin’s Hairtie
Interwoven golden strands forming an oddly elastic band. The legendary bard from the East, Foo-Yin, was known to pull this band out of his hair near the end of his performances, swooning the audience with his stunning looks as well as his great talent. Those closest by would swear they saw a faintly shimmering golden trail follow, as the hair-tie was pulled out – and that Foo-Yin’s glorious locks would wave gently for but a moment, as if carried by the softest of winds.
Level 3+
Item Slot: Head
Power (Daily): Minor action. Gain a +1 to your first charisma-based skill check before the end of your next turn.
At level 11: As above, but with a +3 modifier.
At level 21: As above, but with a +5 modifier.

I’d like to share a little more from behind the scenes. More people have started reading along (hi, everyone and thanks for reading), and some of them are gamers too, so why not share more than just the story? I’m going to start with Foo Yin’s Hairtie, the first homespun magic item I’ve put together for 4th edition D&D.

No, it’s not a fancy weapon or a mysterious orb. It’s a little golden band used to hold your hair up in a ponytail. And of course there’s a story that goes with it, beyond the one given in the flavor text. Continue reading →

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