Hero Wars
Issaries, Inc. |
Gringle's PawnshopBy Greg Stafford, converted to Hero Wars by Tim Ellis.
Convertors Note:- This adventure was originally part of Apple Lane in 1978. I haven't included any of the village or villager information in this conversion. Apple lane is a small village on a well travelled road, several days from the nearest large town. GRINGLE'S PAWNSHOP (Two Stories)The second story is much smaller than the first. There also is rumoured to be a basement. A bleak building, the structure has only one window (on the second story), and only two doors. The front (public) door opens into the barren Business Room, where Gringle evaluates goods to be sold and listens to descriptions of something someone wants to purchase. Gringle the Pawnbroker lives here. He worships Issaries, God of Trade, and claims that the shop is a temple to that deity. Gringle is rumoured to be a priest of Issaries, and this seems to be true. The Pawnbroker is widely known for his skill in evaluating goods, and also for his fast talk and skilful purchasing. Gringle loves to haggle. His stock is extensive: If he does not have exactly the item someone wants, he will have something similar. He is an old man, balding, with one eye that twitches. Though proud and aloof, he is no Scrooge. He likes to swap war stories in the Tin Inn, and is unfailingly polite, except to rude people. He tries to avoid fights, but defends his home like a bear with cubs. Quackjohn is the only person to regularly be in Gringle's Pawnshop in other than the business room. (some friends, like the sheriff, are allowed in the kitchen, dining and living rooms.) Quackjohn is a Duck, Gringle's devoted manservant, likeable and chatty. He sings when drunk, is a superb cook, and never questions his master's ways. He has worked with Gringle since they settled in Apple Lane some 37 years before.MEETING GRINGLEIn the Tin Inn, a few farmers nurse ale and chat. Here and there a dusty traveller sits alone. A rowdy group, members of an impromptu caravan formed for safe travelling, jokes and laughs in a corner. Unusually, the owner of the local pawnshop, Gringle by name, moves from table to table, buying drinks and talking, going wherever likely fighters or Adventurers sit. He is figuring out who among them seem interested in hiring out for a fight. The locals know Gringle, and any tavern servant will tell questioners that Gringle is rumoured to be a priest. Some say he has a magic staff which can kill even without Gringle's control. Others speculate on the immense riches supposed to be laying within his shop. After choosing his possible hirelings, the pawnbroker assembles them (unless they already sit at one table) and explains his problem.GRINGLE'S PROBLEMSeveral days before, an adventurer had sold some exotic items to Gringle. Particularly interesting was a crystal fetish in the shape of a fang. The man said he had taken it from a band of Baboons during a fight, and that he had to kill most of the adult Baboons before the fighting stopped. Since it was his business to buy and sell, Gringle bought this and other trinkets. But yesterday two Baboons had come to his shop and demanded their family heirloom be returned. Finally understanding their shrieks, he offered to sell the crystal to them, but the scurrilous creatures did not have the price he asked. One leapt toward the transaction window and attempted to overcome the pawnbroker with a minor spirit, but Quackjohn, (Gringle's manservant) skewered the ruffian with a crossbow quarrel before harm was done. The Baboons fled, cursing, vowing to return with friends and take back the crystal by force.The price is largely immaterial - although it should be too high for the Characters to afford, should they choose to enquire - a minimum cost of 10w.., although Gringle will originally ask for more NEGOTIATING WITH GRINGLEBy divination Gringle knows the Baboons plan to attack tonight, and he wants several Adventurers to guard his house. He stuffily states that a man of his power and prestige has ritual obligations which can not be laid aside for a mundane Baboon raid, and so he cannot take part in the defence of his house. (In fact, tavern-goers will assure the Adventurers that Gringle has made monthly ceremonial retreats since coming to Apple Lane; some will even say he is a Lycanthrope.) If Gringle is pressed for more information, he will say that divination shows that only eight to ten Baboons will attack, and that this corroborates the original Adventurer's story. Though demanding an oath from the players not to steal, as well as other minor agreements, Gringle will pay well for protection: 10 Lunars for each fighter, between this time and sunup tomorrow, and 5 more Lunars for every dead Baboon.I've left these values in Lunars rather than converting them to Wealth - unless the Characters are extremely poor, the amount of money Gringle is offering is not going to significantly increase their Wealth rating, however well they haggle! Spending a Hero Point at the end of the adventure will allow a character to raise their wealth by one. I'd alternatively allow characters to temporarily augment their wealth by two (three if they successfully haggle) for the purpose of buying stuff off Gringle at the end of the adventure (this augment would not count against the one mundane augmentation allowed) Since Gringle loves to haggle, these terms can be modified. He will not pay more than 10 Lunars per fighter, but he will go as high as 10 Lunars for each Baboon, and will additionally pay up to 10 Lunars for each room - other than the public, fitting and negotiation rooms - which has not been ransacked by sun-up tomorrow. If an adventurer dies, the survivors divide up his or her payment. The Adventurers keep all booty recovered from dead robbers. Gringle will even agree to provide Healing for each survivor (if needed) at sun-up The healing Gringle will provide will be to remove one hurt from each adventurer, and provide them with as much liquor as they can drink for the rest of that day. However, Adventurers will have to hide and guard the fetish themselves (it can go in any unlocked room or closet). If the Baboons take back the fetish, the adventurers receive no payment. Finally he will let the guards set traps and allow them to lock any unlocked doors. There is time to set a maximum of three traps, which the characters must disarm and remove come morning... If the players agree (If they don't there's no adventure!), then Gringle immediately takes them to his pawnshop, where they will enter regions never seen by any of the townspeople. Tonight is Full Moon, when all Lycanthropes emerge. Gringle warns the players not to leave the house for any reason.
THE ROBBERSABOUT THE BABOONSGringle's divination was correct as far as it went. Eight Baboons are coming to raid, and only one, Khochaz, is well equipped to fight. The rest, despite some light magical skills, are no better than angry peasants armed with sticks and stones. As reported, the good warriors were killed by the Adventurer who stole the crystal and sold it to Gringle. The Baboons are not interested in taking anything except their heirloom, if they can find it. If they can not find the fang, they will withdraw and take only what their leaders tell them to take, or take food. The family has no interest in ransom or quarter, and will kill anyone in their way. If the leaders are both killed then the Baboons will panic and run, grabbing treasure if convenient. Important: because of their affinity to the crystal they seek, the Baboons all have a +5 increase for their Search ability for the Crystal fetish onlyKOCHAZ is a competent warrior. He uses a shield, owns some armour, and knows some basic magic. He takes special pride in his helmet. Kochaz is the family head and son of the former chief Baboon, and of Barzeek, the other fully adult member of the tribe. Kochaz now must protect the tribe, and his burden is new and heavy upon him. He will not risk the lives of his family needlessly or carelessly, and will leave behind the fetish if need be to save his family. Yet he is vengeful and lusts after the fang, as do the rest of his family. Thus they go forward with the attack, knowing only danger brings rewards, desiring to reclaim the heirloom of their clan and salvage the family pride. The relation between the chieftain and his followers is important. The others will follow prescribed orders, as laid out here, unless superseded by their commander. But if they see or learn that he is dead, they will lose all morale and flee or surrender. They will fight to save their captain as much as he to save them, but they will obey his orders first. BARZEEK is the mother of Kochaz, and First Female of the family. She is an old Baboon, clever and wily, with an iron hand of command over the others, her children and grandchildren. Without Kochaz they will obey her, but she obeys her son now. He does not misuse her abilities, which are most powerful in magical support. Her senses are keener than her sons, for sensing ambush, etc. She would prefer not to melee if possible. There are six younger Baboons, two slightly combat-trained and four younger males and females. BAZOO is the second-best warrior. She also knows some Baboon magic which she casts before battle. DOZAK is young and inexperienced, but knows something of the mace. He is better at claw and tooth, and will grapple if he misses twice with his mace. BEEKOR, KORLAK, and BORBAN are young adolescent Baboons, capable of most natural abilities but little else. They have captured the families preferred "Harm at Distance" spirits and have trained in their use with the rest of the family. KAREEK is a very young Baboon, more of a liability than a help. Since he cannot be left alone in hostile territory, he comes along and helps in the diversion. He knows no magic. The family has learned one basic tactic, massed fire, for two weapons. Either Kochaz or Barzeek can call out a target and weapon, and the clan will follow by slinging or unleashing the "Harm at Distance" spirits at the named target. They are not trained in close-order battle techniques, and would prefer not to melee but will fight close ordered if necessary. ABOUT THE OUTLAW GANGGringle's divination was correct as far as it went, but it did not go far enough. Gringle did not ask to see if there would be anyone besides the Baboons attacking. Unfortunately, and to the great surprise of the defending Adventurers, the Baboons have accepted the aid of a small gang of robbers from the nearby country. They are called Xarban's Gang, after their leader. The gang includes Xarban (a beaked dragonewt), a centaur, two crested dragonewts, and a duck.XARBAN FIOLAREEN is an outlawed beaked (Warrior) dragonewt, a fairly skilful fighter with good combat spells. He never runs from a fair fight, and will bravely try to save the lives and limbs of his friends. Yet Xarban is an outlawed dragonewt, condemned to the life of a normal mortal. When he dies, Xarban will not be reborn in his home nest, and the outlaw mourns the loss and fears the consequences. Therefore, when Xarban reaches 3 or less action points and can not escape, he will surrender immediately and be taken prisoner. PELOII and NORAMII are two lesser outlaws from Xarban's nest. Both are crested (scout) dragonewts, relative novices at fighting, and scantily armoured. Peloii is better with his sling, while Noramii is a surprise with his Utuma (shortsword). BIGLAUGH BIGCLUB is the centaur's name, and though he is not smart, he is a good fighter, unafraid of anything that looks like he can kill it or knock it over. He uses a two-handed lance in the open, but he prefers the mace in close quarters. Biglaugh attacks with both weapon and hooves each melee round. PINFEATHER the duck is expert at various thiefly skills. He does not fight well or much if he and Xarban can help it, but he does not hesitate in a pinch. Pinfeather loyally serves the gang, and has real friendship with Xarban and Biglaugh. THE ATTACKTHE BABOON ATTACKKochaz has won his gamble that Gringle's inevitable divinations have been incomplete. The player-defenders must not learn about the outlaw gang until they see Biglaugh Bigclub crash through the kitchen door. The Baboon chieftain also hopes that the outlaws will divert pursuit if the attack succeeds. If his allies can plunder freely, Kochaz hopes Gringle will pursue them rather than the Baboons, who ought to take only one fetish. Kochaz knows he must open the attack to prove his intentions and honesty to Xarban before the outlaws will act, therefore the Baboons must open the attack. In general, the Baboons will create diversions at the front door and the second story window, and break in through the tiled roof. After their action has begun, the outlaws will batter down the kitchen door and enter there. Kareek and Borban, the weakest Baboons, will create a diversion at the window, smashing at it with their clubs to try to break the shutters. If they smash the shutters, they will throw in torches, but not enter. Kochaz and Barzeek will at first stand guard and be reinforcements besides the window. Dozak and Bazoo will inspect the tile roof of the pawnshop, searching for weak spots buy smashing their clubs against the tiles. Roll 1d10 (a d20/2) each turn to randomly establish the roof section (see the top diagram of the floorplan) being searched. As can be seen, the boundaries of the roof sections coincide with the interior room/hallway layout, but that ordinarily the sections include more than one room. The referee must determine into which room of the section the Baboons break. Dozak and Bazoo will find the weakest point after 5 - 9 attempts (roll a d20/4 + 4). Each turn prior to their discovery of the weakest point will be spent by them (and by Kochaz and Bareek) striding noisily about the roof, whacking at it with their clubs. Once finding it, they will smash at the weakened tile with two-handed heavy maces. The group will have bashed a hole into the pawnshop after 1-5 actions (d20/4). The hole created will be two metres across, big enough to sling stones or shoot arrows through, toss in torches or throw spells.Kochaz and Barzeek will also pound at the roof hole unless and until they see defenders, at which they will sling stones rather than hurl torches. When events seem right, all will leap into the room with Kochaz leading, Bazoo next, and the others as called. Barzeek will be last. Two per action can swing down through the hold by clutching the edge of the roof, keeping enough control to avoid any fire as they fall. The Baboons will attempt to clear the room, search for hidden items, check the door for traps and ambush, then push into the next room with the same program: torches, slings and melee. They will reserve their multiple spirits for a good shot or an emergency. Captured Baboons will not lead the players to the clan treasure. Only Kochaz or Barzeek can use that to ransom other family members, or to be ransomed by the family if both are captured.
THE OUTLAW ATTACKTheir attack opens by bashing in the kitchen door in 1d10+2 actions. When the door nearly breaks, the centaur will finish the task. When the door splinters the centaur enters first. In the first action Biglaugh can parry to the left (the shield side) and attack or weapon parry to the right. For his second, he will push into the room and will be able to attack with his hooves as well.When the centaur enters, the two crested dragonewts will step around the edges of the door and engage any foes with missile fire if possible, or will seemingly retreat to lure pursuers outside, then counter charge them. If foes step outside, both Pinfeather and Xarban will engage them. If the crested dragonewts yell for help or find a clear room, then Xarban will enter to fight, after augmenting with his Strong (and Dragon Might if time permits). The gang will clear a room, search it and go on to the next room. Biglaugh's hooves can shatter any door in the place in 1d10 actions.If an attack fails, then Xarban will attempt to heal the centaur first, but not the dragonewts who can (and are expected to) skirmish. If they can hold off the players, then Biglaugh will try again (he is not very smart).If Xarban is captured, he will surrender and take his captors to the gang's treasure, hidden three kilometres from Apple Lane. Xarban will swear to Humakt about this, and can be trusted to deliver. Xarban will demand to be let go after revealing his treasure trove, which totals 2361 Lunars. The outlaws have nothing to lose by killing people or robbing them. They search those they slay and search the rooms they clear. The gang wants loot, and will make safe a room so that Pinfeather can come in and get the best of it. The outlaws want to take as much as possible and care nothing about the aims or goals of the Baboons.GRINGLE AND QUACKJOHN IN DEFENCEAs rumoured, Gringle's pawnshop is a temple. Gringle is a devotee and priest of Issaries, the God of Roads, Travel, Trade, and Communication. Normally Gringle could count on his spells and his god for help against thieves. However, Gringle's magic doesn't always work right on some days because of previous misdeeds which he will not talk about. On those days, if he expects minor trouble, he will hire adventurers to aid him. On other days Gringle and his temple forces will defend, they will use the following general tactics. First, Eighty-Eyes, Gringle's Temple Daimon, will alert him to the approach of strangers, including invisible people. While under attack the spirit will also look to the safety of the building by putting out fires and repairing damaged sections with magic. Gringle will naturally use his Bless Market feat to aid him, (Acts as a handicap to those trying to disrupt the market). Additionally , Gringle will actively aid in the fight. He not necessarily try to kill them all if he can avoid it, but he will try and incapacitate and capture them. Then Dronlan (The Sheriff) will hold them to wait for the king's justice. Gringle and Quackjohn will both be armoured and armed, if possible, but will always be ready to meet the invaders at their point of entry. When the first two people show (if they can wait that long), both Gringle and Quackjohn will fire to kill. Then Gringle will demand they surrender by laying down. If they stand or move forward, then Quackjohn will fire his second crossbow (kept loaded by his side) and retreat behind Gringle to await another convenient shot. Gringle will use his Confuse Person feat if possible. If necessary he will ignite something and summon a small fire daimon to finish things quickly. He will not toy with the thieves. He will rely upon Quackjohn to guard his rear. In melee he will try to stand in a doorway and use his iron-shod staff with his Strong Staff feat. His secondary weapon is the Broadsword. He will also use the gargoyle, mentioned below, as needed. Remember that while it cannot fly in the house, it can launch itself in a fast glide across a room. Remember too, that Gringle is a well known and well liked member of the community. If others noticed that there was trouble, the local militia would be mustered. The militia includes all those citizens of Apple Lane listed as having arms and armour. The first to respond will always be the Sheriff and the weaponmasters and horsemasters, all of whom are skilled fighters. The others will come if they must, but are quite reluctant to fight. They are more likely to hole up in the Inn if big trouble comes to town.THE GARGOYLE IN ROOM 3Statue B can be activated by Gringle's command. It is a gargoyle although Gringle will not tell the Adventurers about it. Despite his previous warning, nothing will happen if they touch either statue.Referees should use the gargoyle as a plot device to keep some balance in play. If the hired guards are getting badly beaten, Gringle can call the statue to help them, or if they start helping the thieves, Gringle will certainly hit the Adventurers with it. In general, Gringle does not want to use or endanger the gargoyle. He is rather fond of it. It has served him well and costs little to maintain.STATISTICSBABOONS(See Anaxial's Roster P135)The Baboon band have the following general abilities, except as noted below in the individual sections. Agile 15, Climb 2w, Move Silently 16, Search 16, Run Fast 12, Spirit Combat 18, Close Combat 18, Ranged Combat 13Weapons - Bite ^1, Sling ^3, Club ^2Magic. All the Baboons except Kareek have captured "Harm at Distance" spirits as Might 12 fetishes. The Crystal fetish holds a fully integrated "Strong Jaws" Spirit with a might of 13w, should they recover it. KOCHAZMale Baboon LeaderClose Combat 1w, Ranged Combat 17, Strong 17, Search 18 Armour and Weapons: Kochaz owns a shield, a helmet, and a leather vest for a defence rank ^2, and a short spear ^3 Magic: Kochaz additionally has a one use "Run Fast" Fetish, Might 14 BARZEEKBaboon MatriarchSmall 8, Spirit Combat 5w, Search 1w, Sense Ambush 14, Close Combat 16 Magic: Barzeek has a 3 x Day Might 17 "Healing" Fetish, a 2 x day Might 14 "Harm at a Distance" Fetish, and a one use Might 12 "Spirit Fighting" Spirit (provides support when fighting spirits or resisting Spirit powered magic) DOZAKMale BaboonStrong 15 BAZOOFemale BaboonSmall 10 Bazoo has a Spear ^3, a Shield for a defence ^1, and a one use "Fighting" spirit Might 14 BEEKORFemale BaboonSmall 10 KORLAKFemale BaboonSmall 10 BORBANMale BaboonStrong 15 KAREEKYoung Male BaboonSmall 12, Close Combat 12, Spirit Combat 10, Ranged Combat 10 Kareek has no magic XARBAN'S GANGXARBAN FIOLAREENMale Warrior Dragonewt (AR p162)Close Combat 15w (Klanth ^4), Large 15, Tough 5w, Strong 15, Acute Hearing 5w, Move Silently 10w, Dodge Attack 5w, First Aid 17 Armoured Hide ^5 Dragon Magic: Xarban can perform the following abilities Dragon Might 15. Can be used to augment Xarban's Tough, Strong or Large abilities Scorn Wound 5w. Xarban can use this to negate the penalties for any wounds or hurts he takes. He can attempt to use it on others, but takes a -10 improvisation ability in this case. PINFEATHERMale Duck (AR p138)Nimble 15, Small 14, Close Combat 12 (Shortsword ^2), Ranged Combat 17 (Thrown Dagger ^1), Move Quietly 15, Hide 15, Find Traps 17, Remove Traps 15, Pick Lock 17, Evaluate 17 BIGLAUGH BIGCLUBMale Centaur (AR p136)Large 5w, Strong 2w, Agile12, Close Combat 2w, Ranged Combat 2w Bow ^3, Lance ^4, Heavy Mace^4, Hoof ^1 If charging with his lance, Biglaugh will augment with his large for a +4 edge When in close combat with his Mace, Biglaugh will also attack with his hooves - treat this as an automatic +2 Bonus (generated from his large) to his close combat PELOIIMale Dragonewt Scout (AR p162)Close Combat 15 (Utuma ^2), Agile 15, Dodge Attack 15, Ranged Combat 17 (sling ^3), Small 20, Scouting 18) NORAMIIMale Dragonewt Scout (AR p162)Close Combat 2w (Utuma ^2), Agile 15, Dodge Attack 15, Ranged Combat 15 (sling ^3), Small 20, Scouting 18) GRINGLE AND FRIENDSGRINGLEHuman Male
Devotee of Issaries (Garzeen subcult) 10w Gringle knows the following feats learned from minor hero cults: Confuse Person 2w, Strong Staff 17 Gringle has also traded with a fire cultist (using a Goldentongue priest as an intermediary) for a single use of "Summon Urzani" (Fire Daimon). Abilities: Identify Jewels 2w, Gauge Value 15w, Bargain 2w2, Lie 17w, Play Chess 17, Play Snooker 14, Relationship to Apple Lane 17, Close Combat (Quarterstaff, Spear & Shield, Broadsword & Shield) 5w, Ranged Combat (Crossbow 17) QUACKJOHNMale Duck (AR p138)Initiate of Issaries/Garzeen 18, Small 14, Boastful 14, Sing off key 14, Cooking 2w2, Play Chess 14, Play Snooker 18, Close Combat (Short sword) 17, Ranged Combat (Crossbow) 2w GARGOYLEMale Gargoyle (AR p103)Sit Motionless 10w, Look Like Statue 2w, Strong 2w, Glide across Room 12Close Combat (Claws) 15w1 Armour: Stone skin ^10 |
