Overview In this adventure, there is no DM. Players will create one, two, or three characters and form a 2nd level party. Sourcebooks are restricted to PHB 2024 and DMG 2024 only. Each player will then solo play through the adventure and post their results in this game thread. Considering that I loved playtesting the adventure solo and at least one player is also posting in the previous threa, I've decided to post all five Example Adventures from the new DMG, this adventure being #2. Good luck and PM me if you have any questions or suggestions on how to make things more fun.
Psudo-DM The role of the Pseudo-DM starts with managing the three top posts of this thread. Post #1 lists the campaign and character creation rules. Post #2 is the adventure outline with each encounter. Post #3 documents lore, locations, NPCs, Item Shops.
Running each Encounter As a DMless campaign, you will be the DM and the players. Start each encounter by choosing the type of approach that benefits the characters, then roll initiative, then start rolling for each character and each monster's actions. You can roll in the adventure log or us the forum dice roller. Once the encounter is over, you can search the area to find a "coin stash" equal to 25 copper pieces per XP earned. Tracking XP and gp this way will give you the opportunity to buy magic items at the shops.
Choose your Approach Default Approach: Choose a distance of 30, 35, 40, 50, or 60 feet from your target(s) and roll initiative. Stealth Approach: Roll Stealth to set a DC. Each monster rolls Perception against your DC. Then, roll initiative (surprised means disadvantage) Distance Approach: Roll Perception against the monsters’ Stealth DC (10+Stealth). Choose a range as far as 120 feet. Then, roll initiative. Creative Approach: Come up with something different, and we’ll figure it out!
Roll Initiative Roll initiative for your characters and any monsters.
Be the DM and the Characters A DMless campaign means that you are in charge of both your characters and the monsters. This means that you get to choose the monster's motivations and strategies. We encourage fairness and to respect the dice rolls. Some players will roll in the campaign logs and then post to the thread and others will use the forum dice roller. Feel free to choose, remember you are the DM.
Party Size Choose your party size of one character, two characters, or three characters. I'm open to the idea of four characters but these adventures aren't that hard and it's actually more fun to push the limits of play by reducing the party size, you also get more XP and GP with fewer characters.
PHB 2024 and DMG 2024 You can consider this as a "playtest" campaign. It's a place where players can test out their builds and experiment and learn the new rules.
Character Creation Starting with 300 XP at 2nd level (Alternatively, you can retain an exact XP amount from previous play) PHB 2024 and DMG 2024 rules only. 27 Point Buy Wealth, add background GP plus class GP or choose packages. Also add 90 gp on top of starting wealth. Crafting rules per PHB 2024 and DMG 2024
Posting You can find an example First Post #4 here For your first post, please include basic information for each character, a party or group name (if they have one), and an introduction to the characters.
First Character Name, Class, Origin Background, Origin Species, Optional info
Second Character Name, Class, Origin Background, Origin Species, Optional info
Third Character Name, Class, Origin Background, Origin Species, Optional info
Party name, group name, or organization name
A brief description of each character's background with specifics on how they met and formed a party.
Introduction Following the events of The Fouled Stream, your actions have not gone unnoticed. A dwarven messenger arrives, delivering a request for aid. “The mayor of Blackstone seeks your help,” he says, his voice earnest and urgent. “Please come at once. There’s trouble in the mines.” If you haven’t played The Fouled Stream, you might hail from one of the villages around the Free City of Greyhawk, be a resident of Greyhawk itself, or simply be passing through when the summons reaches you. However you’ve come to this call, the village of Blackstone is in need, and the mayor hopes you’ll be willing to lend your strength.
Meeting the Mayor of Blackstone You’re led into the modest town hall of Blackstone, its stone walls etched with dwarven craftsmanship and symbols of protection. Behind a sturdy oak table stands a dwarven woman with a commanding presence. Her gaze is sharp, and her stance exudes both strength and urgency.
She introduces herself with a nod. “I am Kristryd Splitanvil, mayor of Blackstone.” With that, she reaches into a small pouch and pulls out a dazzling cut topaz, nearly the size of her fist. She holds it up, the gem’s facets catching the light and casting golden reflections across the room.
“This beauty is worth five hundred gold pieces,” she says, her voice low but firm. “And it’s yours if you’re willing to venture into the mines and rid us of the horrors that now plague it.”
Kristryd glances towards the hall’s entrance as if expecting something to crawl through, then meets your gaze. “Dwarves digging too deep isn’t unheard of,” she admits, her tone serious. “But the miners believe they’ve broken into something far worse—a portal to the Underdark. And it’s not just superstition; we’ve seen the creatures it’s brought up from the depths. These are not threats we can handle on our own.”
Her expression is grim as she continues, “So, will you brave the darkness below to help us reclaim the mines?”
Descending Into the Mine The path to the mine is rugged, winding through steep hills and rocky terrain. You reach the top of a deep, gaping shaft. Ropes and pulleys dangle precariously, connected to a haphazardly constructed lift—wooden boards bolted together with iron and secured to a creaking mechanism above. The lift sways slightly, and you can see frayed edges on the ropes that hold it, as if it’s been pushed to its limits in recent days. A faint draft rises from below, carrying with it the scent of must and something foul, like decaying vegetation mixed with cold stone. The air grows colder and thicker as you descend, the sounds from above fading until there is only the grind of the lift and the darkness below.
Violet Fungi (Encounter 1) You haven’t ventured far from the lift when a strange sight stops you in your tracks. Along the cavern floor, clusters of deep violet mushrooms grow, their fleshy stalks twisted and pulsing faintly with an otherworldly glow. At first, they seem like any other fungi one might expect in the dark reaches of the earth—but then you notice them moving. The thick, tentacle-like stalks writhe and sway, reaching out in erratic motions that extend as far as ten feet.
All together or broken up into two waves Wave 1, 4x Violet Fungus CR 1/4 (50 XP each) Wave 2, 1x Rust Monster CR 1/2 (100 XP) Violet Fungi Rewards (300 XP, coin stash 75 gp)
Spider Swarm (Encounter 2) As you make your way down the narrow, winding corridor, the air becomes cooler and dense with a dusty stillness. The faint scent of mold lingers, and the dim light reveals cobwebs stretching across the walls and ceiling, growing thicker as you proceed. Suddenly, you feel something brush against your ankle—a skittering sensation that sends a chill up your spine. Looking down, you catch a glimpse of small, dark shapes scuttling over your boots, their numbers growing rapidly. Before you can react, spiders begin pouring out from cracks in the walls and from beneath loose stones, forming a shifting, churning carpet around your feet.
All together or broken up into three waves Wave 1, 1x Swarm of Insects CR 1/2 (100 XP) Wave 2, 1x Swarm of Insects CR 1/2 (100 XP) Wave 3, 1x Giant Spider CR 1 (200 XP) Spider Swarm Rewards (400 XP, coin stash 100 gp)
Piercers (Encounter 3) After navigating several silent, empty chambers, the oppressive stillness starts to feel almost peaceful. The air is heavy, but for the first time since descending into the mine, there’s no sign of writhing fungus or skittering creatures. Just quiet. Then, without warning, you hear a faint, ominous rustling overhead. A moment later, the stalactites above start to move, their pointed tips shifting slightly before plummeting down toward you with terrifying speed.
All together or broken up into four waves Wave 1, 1x Piercer CR 1/2 (100 XP) Wave 2, 1x Piercer CR 1/2 (100 XP) Wave 3, 1x Piercer CR 1/2 (100 XP) Wave 4, 1x Darkmantle CR 1/2 (100 XP) Piercers Rewards (400 XP, coin stash 100 gp)
Hazards of the Underdark (Encounter 4) The path leads you into a wide, shadowy chamber, and the faint glow of your light source—whether torch, lantern, or the gray hues of darkvision—reveals little more than rocky walls and scattered rubble. Everything appears still and ordinary, the silence of the Underdark wrapping around you like a heavy shroud.
Upon entering this room, each character must attempt a Perception Check DC 15. Roll initiative and resolve this hazard using initiative rounds. Each character that passes the Perception DC 15 sees the hazard and avoids stepping on it. Failure means that your character must immediately attempt a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take (2d10) Poison damage. Having been poisoned this way, you have the Poisoned condition for 1 minute. At the start of each of its turns take (1d10) Poison damage. At the end of each of its turns reattempt to save to end the effect. Hazards of the Underdark Rewards (No XP or GP awarded)
Sounds of Terror A chilling sound begins to drift through the shafts around you—a faint clacking and scraping, echoing from somewhere unseen. The noise is unsettling, bouncing off the stone walls and making it difficult to pinpoint its source. It grows louder, each clack and scrape sending a shiver down your spine, as though unseen claws are dragging against the very bones of the earth. Glancing at the walls, you notice fresh gouges carved into the stone, long and jagged, as if something with sharp, powerful limbs has been crawling through these tunnels.
Consider taking a short rest or returning to the surface for a long rest after this encounter. If you are playing in a party of 1 or 2 then you probably have reached 900 XP. Consider leveling up to 3rd level before continuing to the next encounter.
The Last Drift (Encounter 5) The tunnel grows narrower and darker as you make your way forward, scattered with abandoned tools—pickaxes, hammers, shovels—all lying where they were dropped in haste. It’s clear now that you’re nearing the end of the mine, and the air feels heavy with a sense of foreboding. As you peer down the dim tunnel, something seems wrong with your vision. The walls and floor look strangely distorted, like you’re looking through a thick, transparent film. But then you realize: this isn’t a trick of the light—there’s something there.
1x Gelatinous Cube CR 2 (450 XP) The Last Drift Rewards (450 XP, coin stash 112 gp 5 sp)
Hook Horror (Encounter 6) The faint scraping and clacking sounds return, echoing through the mine’s tunnels like an eerie whisper. You follow the noise, each step growing heavier with the feeling that something primal and dangerous is close. The sound intensifies as you reach the end of a narrow tunnel, where a dim glow from your light reveals a horrific shape hunched in the shadows.
Skill Check Insight DC 13 and Perception DC 11 If a character passes both skill checks then you know that the hooked horror is trapped on this side of rubble that is blocking the way back to the Underdark. If you can sense this with Insight and spot the opening to the other side of the rubble then you can avoid this encounter and earn 0 XP. Treating this encounter as a combat is really only meant for players looking for a challenge. If your party fails the skill check, consider giving it to them as moving the rubble will allow the Hooked Horror to escape without a combat. 1x Hook Horror CR 3 (700 XP each) Hooked Horror Rewards (700 XP, coin stash 175 gp)
Underdark Connection As long as the mine is clear of monsters, the party is successful and has completed this adventure. Each character gains a bonus 200 XP and 50 gp Ascending to Blackstone With the last echoes of battle fading in the dark tunnels behind you, you make your way back through the mine, the air feeling lighter with each step upward. As you reach the lift and ascend, the cold, damp atmosphere of the mine gives way to the crisp, open air of the surface. The light is blinding for a moment after the dimness of the mine, and the sights and sounds of Blackstone feel almost like a dream. Waiting for you at the mine’s entrance is Mayor Kristryd Splitanvil, flanked by a small crowd of dwarves, their faces lined with both worry and hope. As you approach, Kristryd steps forward, her face breaking into a broad smile. In her hand, she holds the gleaming topaz—a beautiful stone, reflecting golden light from its expertly cut facets. “Ye did it!” she exclaims, her voice rich with gratitude. “The mines are safe again, thanks to your bravery. Blackstone owes you a great debt.”
The Mining Town of Blackstone Nestled within the rugged hills and stony outcrops of the Cairn Hills, Blackstone is a dwarven mining town steeped in tradition and resilience. The town is compact but well-fortified, with sturdy stone buildings that blend seamlessly with the surrounding rock. Built by skilled dwarven hands, the structures are as much a part of the earth as the hills themselves, each stone placed with precision and care. Blackstone is known for its extensive mines, rich with veins of valuable minerals, and particularly renowned for its precious gemstones, especially topaz. The dwarves here are not only miners but also master gem-cutters, who take great pride in their craft, transforming raw gems into treasures that rival the finest works in the Free City of Greyhawk. The surrounding Cairn Hills also yield high-quality ores, making Blackstone a key supplier to the smithies and markets of Greyhawk and beyond. The shops here are stocked with both common and uncommon magical items as well as mundane supplies.
Kristryd Splitanvil The embodiment of the spirit of Blackstone itself. She’s a leader who stands shoulder-to-shoulder with her people, unafraid to face the same grit and toil of mining life. Her pride in Blackstone runs deep, and she commands respect not through wealth or privilege, but through the trust she’s built with the townsfolk over years of hard, honest work. Her fair-minded approach and dwarven resilience have made her not just a mayor, but a pillar of the community.
Gitra, Warlock, Acolyte, Goliath, Fire Giant Ancestry
Gwen, Druid, Scribe, Elf, Wood Elf lineage
Kindred is the name the party goes by. Some know them as "The Sisters"
When Gwen and Poe reunited in the Free City of Greyhawk, distant cousin, but close enough to be sisters. They picked up a tagalong warlock named Gitra who can't take a hint. Now they have a registered name for their party, "Kindred" but the towns folk know them as "The Sisters" even though they are distant cousins. Still, when they show up with a flaming Goliath, covered in tattoos and toting Pact Magic, some people ask twice if they got the right group. Still, Gitra has helped out these two elves time and time again so he's earned a spot on the team, even if he's loud, obnoxious, rude, and sometimes has bad etiquette, they still tolerate him and they always have his back.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Following the events of The Fouled Stream, The Kindred are called to Blackstone at the request of the mayor. They meet Kristryd Splitanvil and agree to clear out the mine. Using the ropes and pulleys they descend not knowing exactly what's in store for them.
Wave 1 (Round 1) Gwen hold Poe and Gitra back, "Let's snipe these creatures." Gwen longbow, Attack: 10 Damage: 7 Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 24 Damage: 11 Poe uses the help action to grant advantage to Gwen
Wave 1 (Round 2) Gwen hold Poe and Gitra back, "Let's snipe these creatures." Gwen longbow, Attack: 13 Damage: 5 Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 16 Damage: 5 Poe uses the help action to grant advantage to Gwen
Wave 1 (Round 3) Gwen hold Poe and Gitra back, "Let's snipe these creatures." Gwen longbow, Attack: 15 Damage: 4 Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 7 Damage: 9 Poe uses the help action to grant advantage to Gwen
Wave 1 (Round 4) Gwen hold Poe and Gitra back, "Let's snipe these creatures." Gwen longbow, Attack: 13 Damage: 8 Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 18 Damage: 7 Poe uses the help action to grant advantage to Gwen
Wave 1 (Round 1) Gwen hold Poe and Gitra back, "Let's snipe these creatures." Gwen longbow, Attack: 22 Damage: 11 Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 18 Damage: 13 Poe uses the help action to grant advantage to Gwen
Gwen hits VF1 and it takes 11 damage. VF1 (7/18) Gitra hits VF2 and it takes 13 damage. VF2 (5/18)
Wave 1 (Round 2) Gwen longbow, Attack: 13 Damage: 8 Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 18 Damage: 7 Poe uses the help action to grant advantage to Gwen
Gwen hits VF1 and it takes 8 damage. VF1 (-1/18) Gitra hits VF2 and it takes 7 damage. VF2 (-2/18)
Wave 1 (Round 3) Gwen longbow, Attack: 17 Damage: 5 Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 23 Damage: 12 Poe uses the help action to grant advantage to Gwen
Gwen hits VF3 and it takes 5 damage. VF3 (13/18) Gitra hits VF2 and it takes 12 damage. VF4 (6/18)
Wave 1 (Round 4) Gwen longbow, Attack: 15 Damage: 10 Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 11 Damage: 7 Poe uses the help action to grant advantage to Gwen
Gwen hits VF3 and it takes 10 damage. VF1 (3/18) Gitra hits VF4 and it takes 7 damage. VF1 (-2/18)
Wave 1 (Round 5) Gwen longbow, Attack: 24 Damage: 4 Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 7 Damage: 12 Poe uses the help action to grant advantage to Gwen
Gwen hits RM1 for 7 damage. RM1 (20/27) RM1 bites Poe for 6 damage. Poe (11/17) Gitra misses Poe cries out in pain, "This thing is really gross. Get off me, you bug!" Poe misses then crits for 11 damage. RM1 (9/27) Poe's flurry also hits for 6 damage. RM1 (3/27)
Gwen misses, RM1 misses, Gitra finishes RM1 off with 7 damage.
Gitra will channel healing word through a pact slot to heal Poe 7. The party sits down to take a short rest. Poe regains her monk's focus and Gitra regains his pact slots. Gwen searches around for her arrows at DC 11 for each arrow shot (20, 11, 2, 1, 12, 8, 20)
Violet Fungi and Rust Monster Rewards 300 XP (100 XP eac) coin stash 75 gp (25 gp each)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
After resting they move to the next chamber. Gitra speaks up, "Hey Sis, why not letting me take lead for a change?" Poe looks at Gitra sideways, "I'm not your sister and for that matter Gwen and I are cousins not sisters. But if you want to take lead, be my guest."
Gwen hits SW1 for 5 damage. SW1 (17/22) Gitra hits SW1 for 5 damage. SW1 (12/22) Poe misses twice and hits once for 9 bludgeoning. Due to resistance deals only 4 damage. SW1 (8/22) SW1 misses
Gwen hits for 8 damage and it dies. Gwen (17/17), Gitra (17/17, 12 temps), Poe (17/17), SW2 (22/22) Gitra misses Poe flurries again, this time all three hit for 7, 7, 9 and dealing half damage of 3, 3, 4, total 10. SW2 (12/22) SW2 misses
Gwen hits SW2 for 10 damage. SW2 (2/22) Gitra misses Poe is out of focus so only hits twice for 5, 6, due to resistance becomes 2, 3, total 5 damage, killing SW2.
Wave 3 (Round 4) Gwen shillelagh, Attack: 21 Damage: 8 force damage Gitra casts true strike, Attack: 20 Damage: 6 radiant damage Poe unarmed1, Attack: 14 Damage: 8, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.) Poe bonus, unarmed2, Attack: 9 Damage: 6, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.) SW1 targets Gitra, bite Attack: 16 Damage: 5, on hit Constitution Save DC 11 or take 12 on save half.
Gwen hits GS1 for 8 damage. GS1 (18/26) Gitra hits GS1 for 6 damage. GS1 (12/26) Poe hits once for 8 damage. GS1 (4/26) SW1 bites Gitra for 5 damage. Gitra Constitution Save DC 11 vs 6 Gitra reaction casts [spell]hellish rebuke[/roll] dealing 12 fire damage. SW1 Dexterity Save DC 13 vs 19
Wave 3 (Round 5) Gwen shillelagh, Attack: 6 Damage: 7 force damage Gitra casts true strike, Attack: 25 Damage: 13 radiant damage Poe unarmed1, Attack: 14 Damage: 8, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.) Poe bonus, unarmed2, Attack: 16 Damage: 8, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.) SW1 targets Gitra, bite Attack: 6 Damage: 10, on hit Constitution Save DC 11 or take 12 on save half.
Gitra took 5 from bite and 12 from poison damage. Gitra (12/17, 0/12 temps) Gitra will crit the giant spider for 13 damage and end the combat.
Gitra casts healing word from a pact slot for 7 on himself and then casts false life several times 7, 12, 9, 11 Poe and Gitra take a short rest while Gwen searches the area Perception 23, Investigation 17
Spider Swarm and Giant Spider Rewards 400 XP (133 XP) coin stash 100 gp (33 gp 3 sp 3 cp)
OOC: I totally messed up with the Violet Fungi encounter. When I saw the multiattack 1d4, I wanted to avoid filling the forum with 16 attacks and choosing the ones that were rolled, sluffing the rest. Then I thought we should attack at range, although the fugus do have a movement of 5 feet, so I should have simulated kite strategy or area of effect or just went into melee. I didn't even give the characters perception or insight checks but I should have. Lastly, I used the help action but that only worked when the helper is adjacent to the target so that was invalid. All around, I think having four slow moving fungus with 1d4 is a headache of a combat and should be handled any way you can to expedite it's end.
Hazards of the Underdark (Encounter 4) Gitra 22, Gwen 13, Poe 20
Initiative Order: Gitra, Poe, Gwen
Round 1 Gitra Perception Check DC 15 vs 13 Gwen Perception Check DC 15 vs 18 Poe Perception Check DC 15 vs 8
For each character that fails this check, they must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 11 Poison damage and have the Poisoned condition for 1 minute.
Round 1 Gitra Perception Check DC 15 vs 13 Gwen Perception Check DC 15 vs 18 Poe Perception Check DC 15 vs 8
For each character that fails this check, they must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 11 Poison damage and have the Poisoned condition for 1 minute.
Gitra takes 10 damage from temps and 1 real damage. Gitra (16/17) Gitra casts false life on himself 7 and attempts to save against poison Constitution DC 15 vs 17
Poe takes all 11 of the damage. Poe (6/17) Poe attempts to save against poison Constitution DC 15 vs 7
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Miner Difficulties (Adventure Example DMG 2024)
Overview
In this adventure, there is no DM. Players will create one, two, or three characters and form a 2nd level party. Sourcebooks are restricted to PHB 2024 and DMG 2024 only. Each player will then solo play through the adventure and post their results in this game thread. Considering that I loved playtesting the adventure solo and at least one player is also posting in the previous threa, I've decided to post all five Example Adventures from the new DMG, this adventure being #2. Good luck and PM me if you have any questions or suggestions on how to make things more fun.
Psudo-DM
The role of the Pseudo-DM starts with managing the three top posts of this thread. Post #1 lists the campaign and character creation rules. Post #2 is the adventure outline with each encounter. Post #3 documents lore, locations, NPCs, Item Shops.
Running each Encounter
As a DMless campaign, you will be the DM and the players. Start each encounter by choosing the type of approach that benefits the characters, then roll initiative, then start rolling for each character and each monster's actions. You can roll in the adventure log or us the forum dice roller. Once the encounter is over, you can search the area to find a "coin stash" equal to 25 copper pieces per XP earned. Tracking XP and gp this way will give you the opportunity to buy magic items at the shops.
Choose your Approach
Default Approach: Choose a distance of 30, 35, 40, 50, or 60 feet from your target(s) and roll initiative.
Stealth Approach: Roll Stealth to set a DC. Each monster rolls Perception against your DC. Then, roll initiative (surprised means disadvantage)
Distance Approach: Roll Perception against the monsters’ Stealth DC (10+Stealth). Choose a range as far as 120 feet. Then, roll initiative.
Creative Approach: Come up with something different, and we’ll figure it out!
Roll Initiative
Roll initiative for your characters and any monsters.
Be the DM and the Characters
A DMless campaign means that you are in charge of both your characters and the monsters. This means that you get to choose the monster's motivations and strategies. We encourage fairness and to respect the dice rolls. Some players will roll in the campaign logs and then post to the thread and others will use the forum dice roller. Feel free to choose, remember you are the DM.
Party Size
Choose your party size of one character, two characters, or three characters. I'm open to the idea of four characters but these adventures aren't that hard and it's actually more fun to push the limits of play by reducing the party size, you also get more XP and GP with fewer characters.
PHB 2024 and DMG 2024
You can consider this as a "playtest" campaign. It's a place where players can test out their builds and experiment and learn the new rules.
Character Creation
Starting with 300 XP at 2nd level (Alternatively, you can retain an exact XP amount from previous play)
PHB 2024 and DMG 2024 rules only.
27 Point Buy
Wealth, add background GP plus class GP or choose packages. Also add 90 gp on top of starting wealth.
Crafting rules per PHB 2024 and DMG 2024
Posting
You can find an example First Post #4 here
For your first post, please include basic information for each character, a party or group name (if they have one), and an introduction to the characters.
PM me if you need a join link.
Miner Difficulties
Introduction
Following the events of The Fouled Stream, your actions have not gone unnoticed. A dwarven messenger arrives, delivering a request for aid. “The mayor of Blackstone seeks your help,” he says, his voice earnest and urgent. “Please come at once. There’s trouble in the mines.” If you haven’t played The Fouled Stream, you might hail from one of the villages around the Free City of Greyhawk, be a resident of Greyhawk itself, or simply be passing through when the summons reaches you. However you’ve come to this call, the village of Blackstone is in need, and the mayor hopes you’ll be willing to lend your strength.
Meeting the Mayor of Blackstone
You’re led into the modest town hall of Blackstone, its stone walls etched with dwarven craftsmanship and symbols of protection. Behind a sturdy oak table stands a dwarven woman with a commanding presence. Her gaze is sharp, and her stance exudes both strength and urgency.
She introduces herself with a nod. “I am Kristryd Splitanvil, mayor of Blackstone.” With that, she reaches into a small pouch and pulls out a dazzling cut topaz, nearly the size of her fist. She holds it up, the gem’s facets catching the light and casting golden reflections across the room.
“This beauty is worth five hundred gold pieces,” she says, her voice low but firm. “And it’s yours if you’re willing to venture into the mines and rid us of the horrors that now plague it.”
Kristryd glances towards the hall’s entrance as if expecting something to crawl through, then meets your gaze. “Dwarves digging too deep isn’t unheard of,” she admits, her tone serious. “But the miners believe they’ve broken into something far worse—a portal to the Underdark. And it’s not just superstition; we’ve seen the creatures it’s brought up from the depths. These are not threats we can handle on our own.”
Her expression is grim as she continues, “So, will you brave the darkness below to help us reclaim the mines?”
Descending Into the Mine
The path to the mine is rugged, winding through steep hills and rocky terrain. You reach the top of a deep, gaping shaft. Ropes and pulleys dangle precariously, connected to a haphazardly constructed lift—wooden boards bolted together with iron and secured to a creaking mechanism above. The lift sways slightly, and you can see frayed edges on the ropes that hold it, as if it’s been pushed to its limits in recent days. A faint draft rises from below, carrying with it the scent of must and something foul, like decaying vegetation mixed with cold stone. The air grows colder and thicker as you descend, the sounds from above fading until there is only the grind of the lift and the darkness below.
You haven’t ventured far from the lift when a strange sight stops you in your tracks. Along the cavern floor, clusters of deep violet mushrooms grow, their fleshy stalks twisted and pulsing faintly with an otherworldly glow. At first, they seem like any other fungi one might expect in the dark reaches of the earth—but then you notice them moving. The thick, tentacle-like stalks writhe and sway, reaching out in erratic motions that extend as far as ten feet.
Wave 1, 4x Violet Fungus CR 1/4 (50 XP each)
Wave 2, 1x Rust Monster CR 1/2 (100 XP)
Violet Fungi Rewards (300 XP, coin stash 75 gp)
As you make your way down the narrow, winding corridor, the air becomes cooler and dense with a dusty stillness. The faint scent of mold lingers, and the dim light reveals cobwebs stretching across the walls and ceiling, growing thicker as you proceed. Suddenly, you feel something brush against your ankle—a skittering sensation that sends a chill up your spine. Looking down, you catch a glimpse of small, dark shapes scuttling over your boots, their numbers growing rapidly. Before you can react, spiders begin pouring out from cracks in the walls and from beneath loose stones, forming a shifting, churning carpet around your feet.
Wave 1, 1x Swarm of Insects CR 1/2 (100 XP)
Wave 2, 1x Swarm of Insects CR 1/2 (100 XP)
Wave 3, 1x Giant Spider CR 1 (200 XP)
Spider Swarm Rewards (400 XP, coin stash 100 gp)
After navigating several silent, empty chambers, the oppressive stillness starts to feel almost peaceful. The air is heavy, but for the first time since descending into the mine, there’s no sign of writhing fungus or skittering creatures. Just quiet. Then, without warning, you hear a faint, ominous rustling overhead. A moment later, the stalactites above start to move, their pointed tips shifting slightly before plummeting down toward you with terrifying speed.
Wave 1, 1x Piercer CR 1/2 (100 XP)
Wave 2, 1x Piercer CR 1/2 (100 XP)
Wave 3, 1x Piercer CR 1/2 (100 XP)
Wave 4, 1x Darkmantle CR 1/2 (100 XP)
Piercers Rewards (400 XP, coin stash 100 gp)
The path leads you into a wide, shadowy chamber, and the faint glow of your light source—whether torch, lantern, or the gray hues of darkvision—reveals little more than rocky walls and scattered rubble. Everything appears still and ordinary, the silence of the Underdark wrapping around you like a heavy shroud.
Roll initiative and resolve this hazard using initiative rounds.
Each character that passes the Perception DC 15 sees the hazard and avoids stepping on it.
Failure means that your character must immediately attempt a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take (2d10) Poison damage.
Having been poisoned this way, you have the Poisoned condition for 1 minute. At the start of each of its turns take (1d10) Poison damage. At the end of each of its turns reattempt to save to end the effect.
Hazards of the Underdark Rewards (No XP or GP awarded)
A chilling sound begins to drift through the shafts around you—a faint clacking and scraping, echoing from somewhere unseen. The noise is unsettling, bouncing off the stone walls and making it difficult to pinpoint its source. It grows louder, each clack and scrape sending a shiver down your spine, as though unseen claws are dragging against the very bones of the earth. Glancing at the walls, you notice fresh gouges carved into the stone, long and jagged, as if something with sharp, powerful limbs has been crawling through these tunnels.
The tunnel grows narrower and darker as you make your way forward, scattered with abandoned tools—pickaxes, hammers, shovels—all lying where they were dropped in haste. It’s clear now that you’re nearing the end of the mine, and the air feels heavy with a sense of foreboding. As you peer down the dim tunnel, something seems wrong with your vision. The walls and floor look strangely distorted, like you’re looking through a thick, transparent film. But then you realize: this isn’t a trick of the light—there’s something there.
The Last Drift Rewards (450 XP, coin stash 112 gp 5 sp)
The faint scraping and clacking sounds return, echoing through the mine’s tunnels like an eerie whisper. You follow the noise, each step growing heavier with the feeling that something primal and dangerous is close. The sound intensifies as you reach the end of a narrow tunnel, where a dim glow from your light reveals a horrific shape hunched in the shadows.
If a character passes both skill checks then you know that the hooked horror is trapped on this side of rubble that is blocking the way back to the Underdark.
If you can sense this with Insight and spot the opening to the other side of the rubble then you can avoid this encounter and earn 0 XP.
Treating this encounter as a combat is really only meant for players looking for a challenge. If your party fails the skill check, consider giving it to them as moving the rubble will allow the Hooked Horror to escape without a combat.
1x Hook Horror CR 3 (700 XP each)
Hooked Horror Rewards (700 XP, coin stash 175 gp)
Underdark Connection
As long as the mine is clear of monsters, the party is successful and has completed this adventure. Each character gains a bonus 200 XP and 50 gp
Ascending to Blackstone
With the last echoes of battle fading in the dark tunnels behind you, you make your way back through the mine, the air feeling lighter with each step upward. As you reach the lift and ascend, the cold, damp atmosphere of the mine gives way to the crisp, open air of the surface. The light is blinding for a moment after the dimness of the mine, and the sights and sounds of Blackstone feel almost like a dream. Waiting for you at the mine’s entrance is Mayor Kristryd Splitanvil, flanked by a small crowd of dwarves, their faces lined with both worry and hope. As you approach, Kristryd steps forward, her face breaking into a broad smile. In her hand, she holds the gleaming topaz—a beautiful stone, reflecting golden light from its expertly cut facets. “Ye did it!” she exclaims, her voice rich with gratitude. “The mines are safe again, thanks to your bravery. Blackstone owes you a great debt.”
The Mining Town of Blackstone
Nestled within the rugged hills and stony outcrops of the Cairn Hills, Blackstone is a dwarven mining town steeped in tradition and resilience. The town is compact but well-fortified, with sturdy stone buildings that blend seamlessly with the surrounding rock. Built by skilled dwarven hands, the structures are as much a part of the earth as the hills themselves, each stone placed with precision and care. Blackstone is known for its extensive mines, rich with veins of valuable minerals, and particularly renowned for its precious gemstones, especially topaz. The dwarves here are not only miners but also master gem-cutters, who take great pride in their craft, transforming raw gems into treasures that rival the finest works in the Free City of Greyhawk. The surrounding Cairn Hills also yield high-quality ores, making Blackstone a key supplier to the smithies and markets of Greyhawk and beyond. The shops here are stocked with both common and uncommon magical items as well as mundane supplies.
Kristryd Splitanvil
The embodiment of the spirit of Blackstone itself. She’s a leader who stands shoulder-to-shoulder with her people, unafraid to face the same grit and toil of mining life. Her pride in Blackstone runs deep, and she commands respect not through wealth or privilege, but through the trust she’s built with the townsfolk over years of hard, honest work. Her fair-minded approach and dwarven resilience have made her not just a mayor, but a pillar of the community.
When Gwen and Poe reunited in the Free City of Greyhawk, distant cousin, but close enough to be sisters. They picked up a tagalong warlock named Gitra who can't take a hint. Now they have a registered name for their party, "Kindred" but the towns folk know them as "The Sisters" even though they are distant cousins. Still, when they show up with a flaming Goliath, covered in tattoos and toting Pact Magic, some people ask twice if they got the right group. Still, Gitra has helped out these two elves time and time again so he's earned a spot on the team, even if he's loud, obnoxious, rude, and sometimes has bad etiquette, they still tolerate him and they always have his back.
Following the events of The Fouled Stream, The Kindred are called to Blackstone at the request of the mayor. They meet Kristryd Splitanvil and agree to clear out the mine. Using the ropes and pulleys they descend not knowing exactly what's in store for them.
Violet Fungi (Encounter 1)
Gwen init 17, Gitra init 22, Poe init 16, violet fungus VF1 init 3, violet fungus VF2 init 8, violet fungus VF3 init 11, violet fungus VF4 init 15
Wave 1 (Round 1)
Gwen hold Poe and Gitra back, "Let's snipe these creatures."
Gwen longbow, Attack: 10 Damage: 7
Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 24 Damage: 11
Poe uses the help action to grant advantage to Gwen
Wave 1 (Round 2)
Gwen hold Poe and Gitra back, "Let's snipe these creatures."
Gwen longbow, Attack: 13 Damage: 5
Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 16 Damage: 5
Poe uses the help action to grant advantage to Gwen
Wave 1 (Round 3)
Gwen hold Poe and Gitra back, "Let's snipe these creatures."
Gwen longbow, Attack: 15 Damage: 4
Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 7 Damage: 9
Poe uses the help action to grant advantage to Gwen
Wave 1 (Round 4)
Gwen hold Poe and Gitra back, "Let's snipe these creatures."
Gwen longbow, Attack: 13 Damage: 8
Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 18 Damage: 7
Poe uses the help action to grant advantage to Gwen
Initiative Order: VF3 15, Gwen 13, Gitra 6, Poe 5, VF4 3, VF2 -1, VF1 -2
Gwen hits VF1 and it takes 11 damage. VF1 (7/18)
Gitra hits VF2 and it takes 13 damage. VF2 (5/18)
Gwen hits VF1 and it takes 8 damage. VF1 (-1/18)
Gitra hits VF2 and it takes 7 damage. VF2 (-2/18)
Gwen hits VF3 and it takes 5 damage. VF3 (13/18)
Gitra hits VF2 and it takes 12 damage. VF4 (6/18)
Gwen hits VF3 and it takes 10 damage. VF1 (3/18)
Gitra hits VF4 and it takes 7 damage. VF1 (-2/18)
Wave 1 (Round 5)
Gwen longbow, Attack: 24 Damage: 4
Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 7 Damage: 12
Poe uses the help action to grant advantage to Gwen
Suddenly a Rust Monster wanders into the room and attacks
Initiative Order: Gwen 13, Gitra 6, Poe 5, Rust Monster RM1 init 10
Wave 2 (Round 1)
RM1 targets Poe, bite Attack: 22 Damage: 6
Gwen longbow, Attack: 23 Damage: 7
Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 8 Damage: 8
Poe unarmed1, Attack: 13 Damage: 8
Poe bonus flurry of blows, unarmed2, Attack: 25 Damage: 11
Poe unarmed3, Attack: 19 Damage: 6
Wave 2 (Round 2)
RM1 targets Poe, bite Attack: 13 Damage: 9
Gwen longbow, Attack: 10 Damage: 6
Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 18 Damage: 7
Poe unarmed1, Attack: 12 Damage: 9
Poe bonus flurry of blows, unarmed2, Attack: 11 Damage: 9
Poe unarmed3, Attack: 23 Damage: 7
Gwen (17/17), RM1 (27/27), Gitra (17/17, Fiendish Vigor 9), Poe (17/17)
Gwen hits RM1 for 7 damage. RM1 (20/27)
RM1 bites Poe for 6 damage. Poe (11/17)
Gitra misses
Poe cries out in pain, "This thing is really gross. Get off me, you bug!"
Poe misses then crits for 11 damage. RM1 (9/27)
Poe's flurry also hits for 6 damage. RM1 (3/27)
Gwen misses, RM1 misses, Gitra finishes RM1 off with 7 damage.
Gitra will channel healing word through a pact slot to heal Poe 7. The party sits down to take a short rest. Poe regains her monk's focus and Gitra regains his pact slots. Gwen searches around for her arrows at DC 11 for each arrow shot (20, 11, 2, 1, 12, 8, 20)
Violet Fungi and Rust Monster Rewards
300 XP (100 XP eac)
coin stash 75 gp (25 gp each)
After resting they move to the next chamber. Gitra speaks up, "Hey Sis, why not letting me take lead for a change?" Poe looks at Gitra sideways, "I'm not your sister and for that matter Gwen and I are cousins not sisters. But if you want to take lead, be my guest."
Spider Swarm (Encounter 2)
Gwen init 6, Gitra init 20, Poe init 20, swarm of insects SW1 init 18, swarm of insects SW2 init 12, giant spider GS1 init 4
Wave 1 (Round 1)
SW1 targets Gitra, bite Attack: 6 Damage: 11
Gwen casts shillelagh, Attack: 9 Damage: 4 force damage
Gitra casts true strike, Attack: 9 Damage: 8 radiant damage
Poe unarmed1, Attack: 16 Damage: 9, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.)
Poe bonus flurry, unarmed2, Attack: 11 Damage: 9, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.)
Poe unarmed3, Attack: 10 Damage: 5, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.)
Wave 1 (Round 2)
SW1 targets Gitra, bite Attack: 19 Damage: 13
Gwen casts shillelagh, Attack: 8 Damage: 11 force damage
Gitra casts true strike, Attack: 7 Damage: 13 radiant damage
Poe unarmed1, Attack: 7 Damage: 8, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.)
Poe bonus flurry, unarmed2, Attack: 25 Damage: 14, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.)
Poe unarmed3, Attack: 16 Damage: 6, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.)
Wave 1 (Round 3)
SW1 targets Gitra, bite Attack: 14 Damage: 10
Gwen casts shillelagh, Attack: 16 Damage: 8 force damage
Gitra casts true strike, Attack: 18 Damage: 11 radiant damage
Poe unarmed1, Attack: 17 Damage: 8, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.)
Poe bonus flurry, unarmed2, Attack: 21 Damage: 8, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.)
Poe unarmed3, Attack: 14 Damage: 8, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.)
Gwen (17/17), Gitra (17/17, 12 temps), Poe (17/17), SW1 (22/22)
Gwen hits SW1 for 5 damage. SW1 (17/22)
Gitra hits SW1 for 5 damage. SW1 (12/22)
Poe misses twice and hits once for 9 bludgeoning. Due to resistance deals only 4 damage. SW1 (8/22)
SW1 misses
Gwen hits for 8 damage and it dies.
Gwen (17/17), Gitra (17/17, 12 temps), Poe (17/17), SW2 (22/22)
Gitra misses
Poe flurries again, this time all three hit for 7, 7, 9 and dealing half damage of 3, 3, 4, total 10. SW2 (12/22)
SW2 misses
Gwen hits SW2 for 10 damage. SW2 (2/22)
Gitra misses
Poe is out of focus so only hits twice for 5, 6, due to resistance becomes 2, 3, total 5 damage, killing SW2.
Suddenly a giant spider enters the room
Gwen (17/17), Gitra (17/17, 12 temps), Poe (17/17), GS1 (26/26)
Wave 3 (Round 4)
Gwen shillelagh, Attack: 17 Damage: 8 force damage
Gitra casts true strike, Attack: 18 Damage: 8 radiant damage
Poe unarmed1, Attack: 25 Damage: 11, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.)
Poe bonus, unarmed2, Attack: 20 Damage: 7, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.)
SW1 targets Gitra, bite Attack: 6 Damage: 7, on hit Constitution Save DC 11 or take 8 on save half.
Wave 3 (Round 5)
Gwen shillelagh, Attack: 24 Damage: 6 force damage
Gitra casts true strike, Attack: 13 Damage: 5 radiant damage
Poe unarmed1, Attack: 14 Damage: 5, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.)
Poe bonus, unarmed2, Attack: 9 Damage: 7, bludgeoning half (Unable to parse dice roll.)
SW1 targets Gitra, bite Attack: 9 Damage: 9, on hit Constitution Save DC 11 or take 11 on save half.
Gwen hits GS1 for 8 damage. GS1 (18/26)
Gitra hits GS1 for 6 damage. GS1 (12/26)
Poe hits once for 8 damage. GS1 (4/26)
SW1 bites Gitra for 5 damage. Gitra Constitution Save DC 11 vs 6
Gitra reaction casts [spell]hellish rebuke[/roll] dealing 12 fire damage. SW1 Dexterity Save DC 13 vs 19
Gitra took 5 from bite and 12 from poison damage. Gitra (12/17, 0/12 temps)
Gitra will crit the giant spider for 13 damage and end the combat.
Gitra casts healing word from a pact slot for 7 on himself and then casts false life several times 7, 12, 9, 11
Poe and Gitra take a short rest while Gwen searches the area Perception 23, Investigation 17
Spider Swarm and Giant Spider Rewards
400 XP (133 XP)
coin stash 100 gp (33 gp 3 sp 3 cp)
OOC: I totally messed up with the Violet Fungi encounter. When I saw the multiattack 1d4, I wanted to avoid filling the forum with 16 attacks and choosing the ones that were rolled, sluffing the rest. Then I thought we should attack at range, although the fugus do have a movement of 5 feet, so I should have simulated kite strategy or area of effect or just went into melee. I didn't even give the characters perception or insight checks but I should have. Lastly, I used the help action but that only worked when the helper is adjacent to the target so that was invalid. All around, I think having four slow moving fungus with 1d4 is a headache of a combat and should be handled any way you can to expedite it's end.
Piercers (Encounter 3)
Gwen init 19, Gitra init 15, Poe init 4, piercer P1 init 9, P2 init 5, P3 init 4, Darkmantle DM1 init 17
Wave 1 (Round 1)
P1 targets Gitra, drop Attack: 20 Damage: 12, P1 takes half falling damage.
Gwen longbow, Attack: 14 Damage: 6
Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 20 Damage: 10
Poe readies an unarmed attack to hit a falling piercer, Attack: 19 Damage: 9
Wave 1 (Round 2)
Gwen drops her longbow and casts shillelagh, Attack: 16 Damage: 8
Gitra casts true strike, Attack: 16 Damage: 5
Poe unarmed1, Attack: 23 Damage: 6
Poe bonus unarmed2, Attack: 11 Damage: 6
Wave 2 (Round 3)
P1 targets Gitra, drop Attack: 4 Damage: 7, P1 takes half falling damage.
Gwen picks up the longbow, Attack: 18 Damage: 10
Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 17 Damage: 8
Poe readies an unarmed attack to hit a falling piercer, Attack: 8 Damage: 9
Wave 1 (Round 4)
Gwen drops her longbow and casts shillelagh, Attack: 19 Damage: 6
Gitra casts true strike, Attack: 13 Damage: 13
Poe unarmed1, Attack: 20 Damage: 5
Poe bonus unarmed2, Attack: 25 Damage: 6
Poe (17/17), Gwen (17/17), P1 (22/22), Gitra (17/17, 10 temps)
Gwen misses
Poe hits for 6 damage. P1 (16/22)
P1 falls taking half of 9 (4) falling damage. P1 (12/22)
Poe hits for 5, 9, total 14 damage. P1 dies.
Gwen shoots P2 for 4 damage. P2 (18/22)
P2 misses taking half of 5 (2) damage. P2 (16/22)
Gitra hits for 12 damage. P2 (4/22)
Poe misses
Gwen hits for 8 damage. P2 (8/22)
Gitra deals 6 damage. P2 (2/22)
Poe kills P2.
Gwen hits P3 for 5 damage.
Gitra misses
Wave 1 (Round 5)
Poe readies an unarmed attack to hit a falling piercer, Attack: 21 Damage: 6
Gwen picks up the longbow, Attack: 7 Damage: 5
Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 12 Damage: 11
P1 targets Gitra, drop Attack: 8 Damage: 9, P1 takes half falling damage.
Wave 1 (Round 6)
Poe readies an unarmed attack to hit a falling piercer, Attack: 23 Damage: 9
Gwen picks up the longbow, Attack: 25 Damage: 8
Gitra eldritch blast, Attack: 17 Damage: 5
P1 targets Gitra, drop Attack: 12 Damage: 11, P1 takes half falling damage.
P3 takes 6, 9, 8, 5, total 28 damage and dies.
Wave 4 (Round 7)
DM1 targets Gitra, medium creatures adv, crush Attack: 11 Damage: 4
Poe unarmed1, Attack: 12 Damage: 6
Poe bonus flurry unarmed2, Attack: 12 Damage: 8
Poe flurry unarmed3, Attack: 18 Damage: 6
Gwen shillelagh, Attack: 19 Damage: 8
Gitra casts true strike, Attack: 16 Damage: 8
DM1 misses
Poe hits for 7, 6, 5, total 18. DM1 (4/22)
Gwen deals 5 damage, and DM1 dies
The party received no damage due to low attack rolls, very lucky.
Piercers and Darkmantle Rewards
400 XP (133 XP each)
coin stash 100 gp (33 gp 3 sp 3 cp)
Hazards of the Underdark (Encounter 4)
Gitra 22, Gwen 13, Poe 20
Roll initiative and resolve this hazard using initiative rounds.
Round 1
Gitra Perception Check DC 15 vs 13
Gwen Perception Check DC 15 vs 18
Poe Perception Check DC 15 vs 8
Initiative Order: Gitra, Poe, Gwen
For each character that fails this check, they must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 11 Poison damage and have the Poisoned condition for 1 minute.
Gitra takes 10 damage from temps and 1 real damage. Gitra (16/17)
Gitra casts false life on himself 7 and attempts to save against poison Constitution DC 15 vs 17
Poe takes all 11 of the damage. Poe (6/17)
Poe attempts to save against poison Constitution DC 15 vs 7