The Necklace of Brisingamen

The history of the village of Stonehelm is known to many, and you are no exception. Having almost reached the peek of your professional career, you have decided to penetrate the village and snatch the necklace of Brisingamen from Loki's outstretched palms. Guided only by the notorious history of the village and the rumours you have picked up on your many travels, you must act swiftly, and succeed, lest the forces of good be crushed forever.

RUMOURS

The following information can be gleaned from sources on the journey to Stonehelm:

1. The villagers who dwell in Stonehelm act strangely and are ill-disposed towards strangers. Some are said to be under the control of Loki. (TRUE).

2. The farmers' harvest has been very poor of late. (TRUE)

3) The necklace of Brisingamen is rumoured to be guarded by the undying spirit of the high priest who once hid it. (TRUE)

4) The villagers obtain their water from a subterrean stream that flows beneath the village. (TRUE) This water is contaminated by a mild poison which destroys the brain and turns those drinking it senile within a week. (FALSE)

5) The mutilated body of a man was recently discovered in the woods to the north-east of the village. (TRUE)

6) Huge flying creatures have been seen circling the village at night, especially during the periods of the full moon. (FALSE)

THE LANDS AROUND STONEHELM

When the earthquake destroyed the village at the Battle of Stonehelm Keep, great fissures tore the land apart, swallowing all in their wake. One such crevice opened up directly beneath the keep, ripping the building apart and destroying more than half of it. What remains there today is just a mound of rubble. The land around the village also show signs of terrible scarring. The profile of the area is strange; the valley now appears as an open 'U' shape and demonstrates unusual qualities, such as the disappearance of the stream below the land down a naturally carved pothole some two miles north-east of the village. This stream runs under the village and emerges on the western slope of Stonehelm knoll. It is possible to enter the dungeon complex via the stream, but being fully subterranean and flowing for two miles before it enters the dungeon, the characters must use breathing apparatus or perish. The current is very strong, and any person hastily diving into the stream without taking any precautions will be swept away and drowned. The underground complex cannot be reached from the western stream exit. (The stream enters the dungeon at location 8, level 1.)

THE VILLAGE OF STONEHELM

1. Blacksmith. Bellar 'the stump' is a one legged, ex-mercenary soldier, now retired after the loss of his left leg at the knee. The proclaims that he lost it during one of his numerous heroic missions as spy/swashbuckler. However, it is common knowledge amongst the villagers that the wound was caused by an unfortunate encounter with a horse and cart after a heavy drinking session in the Stonehelm Inn. Due to his inebriated state at the time, however, he cannot remember exactly how the accident occurred, and therefore produces a different story each time he's asked!

   Bellar has a dwarven accomplice, Thrim, who continues the work while Bellar is not sober (which is often; if he is not drunk he is hungover and in an ugly mood). Neither dwarf is in league with Loki.

   Bellar the Stump: AC10; LVL5; HP35; Fighter; Dwarf; CG; STR:16; INT:8; WIS:7; DEX: 5; CON:15; CHA:8. Crutch (1d6 damage); +2 Dagger; 560gp, 65pp, XP 360.

   Thrim: AC8; LVL1; HP11; Fighter; Dwarf; CG; STR:15; INT:11; WIS:12; DEX:10; CON:16; CHA:9. Hammer; leather apron and leggings; 35gp, 60pp, XP 50.

   Both Thrim and Bellar attend church services. Both will aid the party in any way they can without endangering their lives.

2. General Store/Pawnshop. This shop is owned by Carwyn and Shoeba Atorin, two married, middle-aged humans who are in the service of Loki. The shop sells most types of provisions except fresh meats and dairy produce. General hardware is also stocked. The shop will buy almost anything for 10-40% its actual value and sell such items for their true worth. All other goods are sold at 150% of their value in the Players Handbook.

   Carwyn: AC8; LVL7; HP20; Illusionist; Human; CE; STR:10; INT17; WIS:15; DEX:16; CON:12; CHA:15. Black and red robes; Potion of Undead Control; Scroll of spectral force; +2 Dagger (+3 vs Good Beings); 750gp, 50pp. XP 1125.

   Spells: 1st level - gaze reflection, light, change self. 2nd level - mirror image, improved phantasmal force. 3rd level - paralysis, suggestion.

   Carwyn's dagger is a special weapon and has the following abilities: INT:15; EGO:10; CE; detect shifting rooms in 2" radius; detect good in 1" radius; speaks halfling, goblin, common and alignment tongue.

   Shoeba: AC4; LVL4; HP18; Thief; Human (female); CE; STR:10; INT:16; WIS:13; DEX:18; CON:11; CHA:16. Sling; 3 daggers; black leather armour, thieves tools; +2 Longsword; Boots of Elvenkind; 45sp, 35gp, 12pp, 2 pearls (100gp each). XP 220.

   Arron: AC1; LVL7; HP58; Fighter; Human; N; STR:17; INT:10; WIS:10; DEX:16; CON:15; CHA:10. Long composite bow; +2 Battle Axe; +2 Chain Mail; 22sp. XP 1030.

   Arron is a charmed fighter who acts as both bodyguard and servant to Carwyn and Shoeba. They, however, will claim that he is their cousin, who they are looking after.