Quote from Yamana_Eajii >>

Missing Fireworks

A One-Shot for Characters of 1st-3rd Level

This encounter is designed for play in Middle Earth, as based on J.R.R. Tolkien's series of novels, Peter Jackson's film series, or any other incarnation of story.  This can take place at the start, middle of, or end of a campaign, and it can even be run as a one-shot or adapted to suit other worlds, such as the Forgotten Realms or Greyhawk.  It does not include key characters, such as Gandalf the Grey, though a DM may choose to include them should they so choose. 

Disclaimer: This adventure, as natural for something based off the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, somewhat is related to stereotypes of "Asian Folk" in the Orcs portrayed here.  As these are offensive and inaccurate, we disagree with the portrayals of "squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, with wide mouths and slant eyes: in fact degraded and repulsive versions of the (to Europeans) least lovely Mongol-types" and the negative connotations of Orcs given.  However, to appease the lore, we have opted to keep these hideous clichés and racist ideals within, though we heartily recommend you have a serious talk with your players before and after-hand about the wrong portrayal of Orcs here.  To those affected by this racist dialogue, we apologize no end, as it does not reflect our views, only those of the nature of Middle Earth, and perhaps by extent J.R.R. Tolkien himself.

Social Encounter: Getting the Quest

This encounter begins in the Shire, on the eve of a festival of Yule, when a shipment of fireworks (inspired by none other than Gandalf the Grey) are discovered missing after crossing the Buckleberry Ferry into Buckland.  The characters are likely civilians (hobbits or halflings) who either live in or are passing through the district, and some may be related to more notable halfling adventurers, such as the Took clan or even the Brandybucks. They are all confronted by Melonrock Brandybuck, a self-employed "Mayor of Festivities", who gives them the following message, whether orally or through letters.

A cart filled with fireworks from the South Farthing have disappeared.  They were intended for the Yuletide Celebrations on Buck Hill a week from now, and without them spirits may be dampened significantly.  As I, Melonrock Brandybuck, am the Mayor of Festivities in these parts, I am assembling a team of highly trained, brave, and adventurous individuals (being you) to find these missing fireworks and return them to Brandy Hall before the week's end, lest the holidays be ruined!  You will be payed for your services in a month of free food and drink, supplied directly from me at Brandy Hall.  

Should the characters accept this call to duty, they are given a map of the Shire similar to the one found here, a large red cross indicating that the shipment went missing within a kilometer of the Buckland ferry.  The characters are very strongly suggested to investigate the case sooner rather than later by Melonrock, who seems adamant that the fireworks will be the one thing that the whole event hinges on.  

Exploration Encounter: Finding the Cart

Once the characters have crossed to the other side of the Buckleberry Ferry (there is a toll of 1 cp per head to cross, or a DC 13 Strength (Athletics) check to swim it), have each of them make their choice of an Intelligence (Investigation) check, or a Wisdom (Survival) check, the DC of which is 15.  On a successful check, the characters manage to determine the cart was taken off Northward, and that it is missing one of its wheels.  They can follow the tracks, which lead towards Stock.  They eventually find the cart broken, lying in a ditch.  The halfling drivers are dead, sprawled in the mud, and the ponies pulling the cart seem to have bolted. The cart is covered in scratches.  The cart is still filled with fireworks.

Combat Encounter: Yule Cat Attack!

The characters arriving at the cart awakens the Yule Cat hiding in the shrubbery near the bank of the river.  It uses dire wolf statistics, and is specifically hostile towards characters with old clothes, patches on their clothing, or travelers cloaks.  When this encounter occurs, read or paraphrase the following:

From the shrubbery near the banks, a large cat emerges.  As tall as any horse and as sinister as a winter wolf, the cat stares at you, before pouncing.

The characters should find the combat with the Yule Cat somewhat difficult.  Reward ingenious thinking, such as using the fireworks in the cart as a weapon, with inspiration.  When the Yule Cat is reduced below 10 hit points, it attempts to flee away, never to return.

Social Encounter: Yuletide Festival

When the characters return to Buckland with the fireworks, Mellonrock is pleased to see them.  However, they admit they never actually thought the characters would return and the promise of "a month of free food and drink" was inaccurate.  They concede to giving the characters some beer of their own devising (a foul, potent concoction that tastes as much like alcoholic blood as it does drink) and a free attendance of the festival (which was free attendance anyway).  Mellonrock attempts to leave as soon as conveniently possible, either trading or stealing the fireworks as suits him.

 

 Awesome! That melonrock dude is one sketchy hobbit. 

Man…Do I need discord to do this?

a, a tolkenite appears!

Bap

this is not how you treat an elf, where's my hobbit guards when I need them? they're canonicly powerful

Quote from Gradiusguy1245 >>

Man…Do I need discord to do this?

 Maybe. Now that we're a club surely your parents won't object?

Quote from Svarn_wildheart >>

a, a tolkenite appears!

 Hello welcome to the club. You get the Hobbit title, please put it in your sig, and join our Discord it's awesome.

Bap.

What’s your favorite um…how to say it? I don’t know what the word is but like the eagles or beorn. Side characters that help the main group. In LotR or the Hobbit. Also got a word for that? Bap.

Quote from legolasgreenleaf333 >>

Quote from Svarn_wildheart >>

a, a tolkenite appears!

 Hello welcome to the club. You get the Hobbit title, please put it in your sig, and join our Discord it's awesome.

 Bap. Thou is now part of the LotR Club (formerly cult). I am Sir Gradius, Top Maia. Pleased to meet thee. AaAa Bap.

Quote from Gradiusguy1245 >>

What’s your favorite um…how to say it? I don’t know what the word is but like the eagles or beorn. Side characters that help the main group. In LotR or the Hobbit. Also got a word for that? Bap.

 Tom Bombadil cause he’s so mysterious. Also Arwen and Eowyn: Arwen cause she’s what I would be like if I were an elf (plus Liv Tyler’s really pretty) and Eowyn cause she’s a brave warrior maiden who rides into battle and fights with a sword and still gets her boyfriend at the end.

Quote from Gradiusguy1245 >>

What’s your favorite um…how to say it? I don’t know what the word is but like the eagles or beorn. Side characters that help the main group. In LotR or the Hobbit. Also got a word for that? Bap.

 Hmmmm… Is Radaghast a side character? In the book he’s boring but in the movie he’s hilarious. 

Quote from legolasgreenleaf333 >>

Quote from Gradiusguy1245 >>

What’s your favorite um…how to say it? I don’t know what the word is but like the eagles or beorn. Side characters that help the main group. In LotR or the Hobbit. Also got a word for that? Bap.

 Hmmmm… Is Radaghast a side character? In the book he’s boring but in the movie he’s hilarious. 

 I think he is. And I also like Thranduil of Mirkwood because his people are fighting a constant siege against the evil around them and this makes them tougher than the elves of Lorien, who basically live in a woodland paradise. It’s like the difference between Heian Japan (Lorien) and Heike era Japan (Mirkwood).

Quote from PenelopeTheWeaver >>

Quote from legolasgreenleaf333 >>

Quote from Gradiusguy1245 >>

What’s your favorite um…how to say it? I don’t know what the word is but like the eagles or beorn. Side characters that help the main group. In LotR or the Hobbit. Also got a word for that? Bap.

 Hmmmm… Is Radaghast a side character? In the book he’s boring but in the movie he’s hilarious. 

 I think he is. And I also like Thranduil of Mirkwood because his people are fighting a constant siege against the evil around them and this makes them tougher than the elves of Lorien, who basically live in a woodland paradise. It’s like the difference between Heian Japan (Lorien) and Heike era Japan (Mirkwood).

 Oh Thranduil counts as a side character? In that case, he’s my favourite. Like seriously next to Legolas he’s my favourite. He’s so cool 😎

Quote from legolasgreenleaf333 >>

Quote from PenelopeTheWeaver >>

Quote from legolasgreenleaf333 >>

Quote from Gradiusguy1245 >>

What’s your favorite um…how to say it? I don’t know what the word is but like the eagles or beorn. Side characters that help the main group. In LotR or the Hobbit. Also got a word for that? Bap.

 Hmmmm… Is Radaghast a side character? In the book he’s boring but in the movie he’s hilarious. 

 I think he is. And I also like Thranduil of Mirkwood because his people are fighting a constant siege against the evil around them and this makes them tougher than the elves of Lorien, who basically live in a woodland paradise. It’s like the difference between Heian Japan (Lorien) and Heike era Japan (Mirkwood).

 Oh Thranduil counts as a side character? In that case, he’s my favourite. Like seriously next to Legolas he’s my favourite. He’s so cool 😎

 He really is 😊

Quote from PenelopeTheWeaver >>

Quote from legolasgreenleaf333 >>

Quote from PenelopeTheWeaver >>

Quote from legolasgreenleaf333 >>

Quote from Gradiusguy1245 >>

What’s your favorite um…how to say it? I don’t know what the word is but like the eagles or beorn. Side characters that help the main group. In LotR or the Hobbit. Also got a word for that? Bap.

 Hmmmm… Is Radaghast a side character? In the book he’s boring but in the movie he’s hilarious. 

 I think he is. And I also like Thranduil of Mirkwood because his people are fighting a constant siege against the evil around them and this makes them tougher than the elves of Lorien, who basically live in a woodland paradise. It’s like the difference between Heian Japan (Lorien) and Heike era Japan (Mirkwood).

 Oh Thranduil counts as a side character? In that case, he’s my favourite. Like seriously next to Legolas he’s my favourite. He’s so cool 😎

 He really is 😊

 Freezing. Bap.

The elk Thranduil rides in the BotFA movie was a horse named Moose.

Quote from Halfastbracegirdle >>

The elk Thranduil rides in the BotFA movie was a horse named Moose.

 I love that fact. 

Quote from legolasgreenleaf333 >>

Quote from Halfastbracegirdle >>

The elk Thranduil rides in the BotFA movie was a horse named Moose.

 I love that fact. 

 How 'bout a Moose named Horse? Or a Hoose named Morse? Bap

We did least favorite bad guy, how about favorite bad guy? That orc with the orc head on his head