Dungeon Mastery

Setting: The encounter takes place along a small, winding trail through a dense forest. Sunlight filters through the trees, casting dancing shadows along the path. The adventurers, having just met or formed their group, are traveling along this trail toward a nearby village where they heard rumors of work for able-bodied adventurers.

Encounter Hook: As the adventurers round a bend, they spot a rickety wagon lying at an awkward angle off the trail. The wagon looks abandoned, with its wheels stuck in the mud, and there’s no sign of the driver or any passengers. Scattered goods, barrels, and crates lie around the area. A nearby overturned box has a strange emblem (of a golden hippogriff) carved into it—something that might catch the players’ attention.

Objective: Investigate the abandoned wagon, discovering what happened and deciding what to do next.

Encounter Details:

• Investigating the Wagon: A search of the wagon reveals claw marks, torn canvas, and a few scattered footprints leading deeper into the forest. The emblem on the box is a faintly glowing rune (Arcana check DC 10 reveals it is connected to minor illusion or enchantment magic).
• Ambush: Just as the adventurers investigate, a group of Twig Blights (5) emerge from the forest underbrush, drawn by the magic residue from the wagon. They attack the party, believing them to be a threat. The Blights are hostile and fight until destroyed.
• Combat:
  • Enemies: 5 Twig Blights
  • Encounter Level: Suitable for 1st-level characters (easy to moderate challenge).

Aftermath:

• Survivors: If the adventurers explore further into the forest (with a successful Wisdom [Survival] check DC 10), they may find a badly wounded merchant hiding behind a tree. The merchant tells them he was transporting magical goods when something attacked his wagon. He asks the adventurers to help him recover the wagon and return the goods to the nearby village for a small reward.
• Loot: Among the scattered crates, the adventurers can find basic supplies, some coins (5 gold pieces), and a simple enchanted item such as a Potion of Healing or a Scroll of Minor Illusion.

Further Adventure Hooks:

1. The Rune’s Mystery: The rune on the box indicates a greater plot involving enchanted or cursed goods, leading the party to investigate more mysterious shipments or a nearby magical anomaly. The network of magic item trading between towns/cities seems to be under attack. Merchant caravans have been ransacked over the last few months. The ability to trade and ship in magic items has ground to a halt and is starting to affect the availability of magic in more distant outposts.
2. The Merchant’s Plea: The merchant mentions that his wagon was part of a caravan heading toward the village, but he lost contact with the rest of the group. The adventurers could be tasked with finding the other wagons or protecting future shipments.
3. Forest Threat: The Twig Blights’ presence hints at something darker stirring in the forest, which could be a fey creature or druid gone rogue, prompting the adventurers to return to investigate.

This encounter offers a light introduction to combat, investigation, and NPC interaction. It can also set up a broader storyline tied to the mysterious rune and magical goods.