The Four Seasons of Jivaldi


Scene Three : Fall


Blue Troll

v1.0/1995 - v1.5/1996 - v2.0/1999

Spring Summer 1 Summer 2 Fall
Winter Dolmor Esperia (DM's map) Esperia (player's map)
NPCs Ruins of Greytower Parchment & Tiles Deities


The Harvest Festival

In the beginning of fall the villagers celebrates the harvest season and the new wine. There is a big celebration in the village during two consecutive days. The first day is a big food & drink party, it's also the kid's day. On the second day there is a fishing contest in the lake and also a very popular arrow shooting contest on the main place, the festival finishes with a costumed party (mardi gras kind of thing).

Jivaldi loves to participate to the costumed party and she doesn't seem to notice that she makes most of the males drool by the way she dresses. Vorax will try to bland in the crowd during the costumed party, this could help him a lot to approach her.

The days preceding the celebration, most of the women are cooking and preparing a lot of food. The new wine is bottled and will be ready for everyone.

During the first day the characters can do whatever they want, eat and drink and have fun. There is a lot of kids playing around diffferent games, and can win prizes like wooden toys or pastries. There is a food eating contest in the park and a drinking one in the Noble Vine Inn, the DM should decide what can be win at those. A few people from Tormaris and Laria come to Dolmor for that festival, there is a few bards coming in with songs and tales, hoping to make a few coins during their stay.

A Bow for an Arrow

During the second day of the celebration, if some of the characters are interested, there is an arrow shooting contest. The winner of the contest have the choice between a composite short or long bow. Since the winner is always Cristopher (the bowyer/fletcher who makes the bows) he refuses the prize each time, the villagers are hoping for more challenge if any of the pc's should participate in the contest.

For the shooting contest there is two categorie, short bows and long bows. An archer cannot participate in both categories. At least 6 archers + pc's (if any) will participate in each categories. Each archer can shoot 3 arrows per round of qualification. There is 2 rounds of qualifications and one final. After the first round the 4 best scorers are kept (additionnal arrows will be shot if any ties) and the 2 best scorers are kept for the final.

The archers must hit wooden targets fixed on sheaves of hay at different distances: short range on the first round, medium range on the second and long range on the final. At short range there is no to hit penalty, medium range is at -2 and long range is at -5. Do not forget to take in consideration the dexterity bonuses when using missile weapons. Put Christopher in the category that includes a pc (if any). If there is pc's in both categories, put him with the best of both. A target is composed of 4 circles: Large, medium, small and bullseye. Each have a different value.

The targets have an armor class of 8. Each time an archer hits, roll another d20 (Location Roll) and add the difference by which the archer previously hit the target. Then look for the result on the first column, where he hit on second column and how many points are given on third column.

Ex: Gultar, thac0 19, shoots his first arrow at short range and rolls a 16. He successsfuly hits the target (ac 8) since he needed a 11 to hit the target. So he successfuly hit the target by 5 (16 - 11 = 5) and rolls another d20+5 for the location roll. He rolls a 9 for a total of 14 (9 + 5 = 14) and hits the medium circle for 3 points, the crowd is pleased. Any amount that will exceed 19 is NOT a bullseye unless it was hit on a natural 20 on the initial to hit roll.

Ex: Christopher, thac0 14, shoots his first arrow at medium range (-2) and rolls a 20. With the range penalty it is as if the target was now ac6 instead of ac8 so he successfuly hits by 12 since he needed a 8 to hit the target (20 - 8 = 12). He rolls for location and gets a 13 for a total that exceeds 20 (25), since he rolled a natural 20 on his initial roll, it's a bullseye...the crowd goes crazy. Even with a 1 he would have hit the large circle for one point (1 + 12 = 13) because his shooting was too good to miss.

Archers 1 & 2 - Thac0 19
Archers 3 & 4 - Thac0 18
Archer 5 - Thac0 17
Archer 6 - Thac0 16 OR Christopher - Thac0 14

Target Localisation Table

Location Roll

Location Hit

Location Value
1-5 Total miss, crowd laughing 0
6 - 9 Outside Target, crowd disappointed 0
10 - 13 Large Circle, crowd applauding 1
14 - 16 Medium Circle, crowd cheering 3
17 - 19 Small Circle, crowd yelling 5
20 Bullseye, hysterical crowd 10

Archers

Name
Thac0 First Round
S/M/L
Second Round
S/M/L
Final Round
S/M/L
Total
Gultar 19      
Lorrin 19      
Werren 18      
Anstrel 18      
Kirko 17      
Brennan 16      
Christopher 14      

The Belle and the Wolf (part two)

In the evening, after the shooting contest, a lot of people are working on the lake platform for the costumed party. Flowers, ribbons and lanterns are hanged all around the platform in many beautiful bright colors. Torches are being placed around the lake and even the small boat is being decorated. They are setting the place for at least 50 guests, there will be enough wine and food for everyone. The bal starts at 21:00 and should go on past midnight. From time to time there is a militia of 4 guards passing by. During the bal there will be 2 guards in very clean shiny armour at the platform bridge (most are level 0). There is 4 bards playing music on the platform. Jivaldi will arrive in a few minutes wearing a magnificient apple green dress, light like silk. She wears a very long grass green scarf and a crown of flowers in her head, all the males around lose their false teeth and drops their jaws on the floor. Jivaldi walks happily to Quentin (red like a tomato) and she kisses him on the cheek (now crimson red like blood). Quentin is wearing a very beautiful leather suit with an overcoat made from tree leaves and wool. He is also wearing a light helmet ornate with twigs and dried fruits.

A few minutes before 21:00 there is already many people wearing costumes and masks gathering around the lake and on the platform. Most of them are wearing animal costumes or masks, no wolves by the way. Vorax will be there a bit later and it's only around 23:30 that he will take action, he will be hiding in the woods, south of the lake platform. He will be in company of his new friend Dexter the werewolf and one single wolf. If the characters ask the DM, the full moon was 5 days ago.

Here's what Vorax will do in a chronological order during the costumed party. He is hoping that many of the people will be too drunk to do anything, even the characters or the militia. Do not go too fast each time there is an event, give around 10 seconds to the characters to react, if they are too slow...too bad for them and the villagers will panic.

Time After Time

23:35

One guard comes to one of the character (the one wearing Silveredge preferably) that some wolves have been seen close to the horse stables next to Robin's house. The guard, not wanting any panic from the villagers still partying, will bring the character away to inform him. He says that a couple of guards are already there to look for the wolves. He does suggest that one (or more) of the pc should go inspect the place with the guards.

If any of the pc's goes to the stables there will be no wolves around anymore. 2 guards are still there looking around but they didn't find anything but are sure some wolves have been seen by them (they haven't drink). It could be very dangerous to go in the woods in that darkness to look for them. Any pc's who went to the stables will not be back yet for the next event.

23:40

While some attention as been brought to the stables, another guard at the lake goes to a pc to tell him that the wolves now have been seen behind the cemetary by another guard. Again this will be told away from the platform and the people dancing. If someone goes to the cemetary, there will be no more wolves again and no visible tracks (too dark). While there is an inspection at the cemetary, those at the stables are back at the lake (if they decided to come back).

23:45

Some of the people at the lake sems to be getting nervous, maybe someone heard about the wolves walking around the village. Some starts interrogating Zak, the mayor and ask if they can leave the party and go home. Already, a few of them leave the bal and the atmosphere is now a bit tense.

23:48

Those who went to the cemetary ae now back (if they decided to come back). They will notice that some people left and that there is less happy faces around.

23:50

Two of the people who left maybe 3 minutes ago are coming back running and yelling. They yell that they saw 2 wolves walking next to the vineyards, and being afraid they cam back here for protection. The villagers still on the platform starts to panic a bit and they all want to leave and go home.

Suddenly one guard yells that he can see 2 wolves near the mayor's home, so immediately Zak sends the guard there. Now the people and the bards are leaving the platform to go hide in their homes or at the temple (or the inn). Jivaldi tries to calm them down but unsuccessfuly, Quentin stays with her. When the guards get to the mayor's home it's not 2 wolves they see but 4 and they attack. The combat takes place next to the food shop (Melissa) under the trees. There is 3 guards right now against the 4 wolves, 2 other guards will get there 2 rounds later.

23:53

While the mayor is sending guards to his home, Vorax casts a few spells (he is too far from Silveredge to be detected) on Dexter and the wolf. On the wolf he casts an Enlarge and on Dexter also an Enlarge and a Strenght. Vorax gave some of his clothes to Dexter to confuse the characters and the villagers.

It's now to be sure where everyone is, the characters and the guards. Maybe some pc's are still at the cemetary or helping the guards fighting the wolves next to the food shop. Now at least 25 people have left the party and there is maybe 15 more who are going to leave in the following minute.

23:55

After he is done casting spells, Vorax sends Dexter and the wolf to the platform (by the bridge) and try kidnapping Jivaldi. There is 19 rounds left on Dexter's Enlarge and 18 to the wolf's Enlarge. The Strenght is still good for almost 4 hours.

23:56

The rest of the people are now leaving the platform by the bridge at the same time Dexter and his wolf gets there. If the character wearing Silveredge is near the platform or the bridge, he will hear the sword humming as soon as Dexter enters the 25 feet radius of the detection, this could help preventing Dexter to cross the bridge if that character blocks him. If nobody is wearing Silveredge, they are in deep trouble. Read the following to Silveredge's wielder if he is close to the action:

The sword you brought back from the ruins suddenly starts to vibrate in your scabbard (if any) and you can also hear it humming softly. As you wonder what is happeneing, you draw the sword and it starts to glow lightly and it becomes very silvery and magnificient. The handle turns shiny blood red and three black gems also appears on the handle. Sparks lights up on the blade and with a sizzling sound you see a wolf head being carved on it. As you see the werewolf closing by with another wolf, the sword lights up even more.

So it's a sudden panic on the bridge, some people run away back to the platform and some other jump in the water. They are yelling, and pushing each other, a real stampede, the 3 guards left aren't able to control the crowd. Some of the people evn fall unconscious from the horror and panic. The enlarged wolf's goal is to keep the guards occupied while Dexter goes to the platform to pick up Jivaldi, if any of the pc's are in the way, Vorax from his hiding place will cast a Darkness on them, especially if there is a spellcaster. Vorax will stay away from the fight. The Darkness really should puzzle the characters since it was not coming from the werewolf.

Dexter the Werewolf
Ac: 5 Thac0: 14 (15)* Attacks: 1 Damage: 2d4+2 x 1.4*
Intelligence: 10 Size: Large Alignment: Lawful Evil Movement: 15
Moral: 15 HP: 22

Special:

1 - Can only be hit by magical or silver weapons

2 - +3 bonus on surprise rolls

 

*Thac0 and Damage raised because of Strenght and Enlarge spells.

Enlarged Wolf
Ac: 7 Thac0: 18 Attacks: 1 Damage: 1d4+1 x 1.4*
Intelligence: 6 Size: Medium* Alignment: Neutral Movement: 18
Moral: 12 HP: 15

Special:

1 - Save vs charms at +1

 

*Size and Damage raised because of Enlarge spell.

The pc's really need Silveredge to get rid of Dexter, the big wolf shouldn't be too much of a problem. 2 guards will be seriously wounded while fighting the wolves near the food shop but they killed 2 of them, the rest ran away. About 5 people will get minor injuries at the lake, mostly because of the panic. At that point the pc with Silveredge MUST be present, hoping he was already there when Dexter arrived. You should give an edge (if needed) to the pc's so they win this fight because only one weapon can afftect him and spells. You can include father Lehar in the fight to help the characters but he is better at healing than fighting. The end of the fight should be done on the platform, not the birdge. When the final blow is inflicted to Dexter, read the following:

As you hit the werewolf in the guts, a big flash of sparks erupts from the sword. Blood is dripping from the blade as you pull it out from the werewolf. He howls very loudly and starts walking backward holding his guts, he looks at you with some kind of pity in his eyes, he closes them and falls down on the fence surrounding the platform. With his immense size he breaks through the fence and falls down in the lake in a loud splash. You walk to the edge of the platform where he fell and look down, his body floating in the bloody water is going through some changes...changing shape. In less than a minute the werewolf takes the form of a human, a male...Dexter, the village's potter. In silence, he sinks down slowly. You have chills everywhere on your body as Silveredge stops shining and gets dull and grey, blood still dripping.

Your attention is now turned to Jivaldi, crying...and a few people still unconscious on the platform. The other guards are coming back, wounded. And your bones gets icy as you hear a deep powerful howl coming from the forest, you are too tired and stunned to run there...now...silence.

A furious Vorax goes back deep in the woods, he will be back.

Jivaldi still in tears and holding on to Quentin looks at you, she runs to the pc who killed Dexter and falls in his arms thanking him for what he did (she have no idea that Dexter was the werewolf, only those who saw him sank know). After a few minutes all the guards are there to bring the wounded to the temple, maybe father Lehar was already there to help in the fight. The unconscious people wakes up are are taken to their homes. The body of the wolves are burned while other guards try to bring back the werewolf's body on the surface. They will be shocked to see that it's Dexter the potter.

The next morning the people are still very upset and sad about what happened. The guards make sure there is nobody missing and that no wolves are seen close to the village. Everyone is very thankful to the pc's for their help, father Lehar will heal anyone who needs it, he will probably be doing that for the next week. He will also make sure that Dexter's body will get a proper burial in the cemetary.

Finally, the mayor is having a lot of problem at calming down the villagers. He is afraid that his people will want him out and being replaced with a more active mayor (that wouldn't change a thing). So he is doing the best he can and would give a better reward to the characters if they can end this. For the next 7 days, before the merchants gets in town, nothing interesting will happen. The mayor asks the villagers not to tell the merchants about the incidents or they will go away and Dolmor will lose a lot of money...business is business.

We Want You!

7 days later merchants starts to come into the village to buy the new wine and to sell some goods, there will be merchants coming in and out of the village for about 5 days. It's almost impossible that the merchants will no hear about the wolves and werewolf, some of them will be quite nervous since they already have problems sometimes with Goblins. Usually some of the guards are hired to travel with them to Laria, Blunt and Tormaris but with all that turmoil the mayor asked them to stay in Dolmor. So the merchants will probably make some offer to the characters, 10 silver pieces each to travel with them to Laria. They can raise to 20 each if the pc's are good at bargaining. The pc's are also fed throughout the trip, they need them until they reach Laria, from there they will hire other mercenaries.

If some of the pc's (or all) accept the offer they will be gone for about 2 weeks with the merchants. Nothing exciting will happen during that road trip. You could always have a minor goblin encounter but the merchants should win that fight easily.

Everything stays calm for the rest of the fall season, some villagers now think the werewolf thing is over. Some of them really think that Dexter was the one who was responsible for everything, father Lehar totaly rejects that idea, as most villagers do. Jivaldi got some news from her father, a dove was carrying a message for her, he will get home late. Foswel is wanted by the druidic community for some times, there is some problems going on between elves and goblins and they are afraid a small war will erupt. He is not telling where he is exactly.

For the rest of the season the pc's could help the hunters to get some gaming for the winter and they could also help the woodcutter to gather some wood for many of the homes. Father Lehar told the villagers that the next winter will be a rough one and they should be prepared to go through it.

End of fall - The characters should have gained a level each before starting the winter season. If not, you could have them play a short side adventure to have them gain enough experience. But nothing big and nothing that could change the current scenario in any means. And don't give them any other magical items or loads of cash. At the end of fall Jivaldi will invite the characters to a celebration that will take place later in the winter, the celebration is done by snow fearies, also named Oodiks.


On to the next season, winter.

The four seasons of Jivaldi, property of Blue Troll. 1995-99. Copyrights 1995, this document can be distributed freely over the internet with my approval.
This document cannot be sold to anyone for any price. All drawings were done by Blue Troll, monsters stats and any AD&D related rules or comments are the property of T$R. Available on Blue Troll's Netbooks Web Page and Troll.Saucybard.Com