Dungeon Mastery

Setting:

The encounter begins in a tiny village named Willowbrook, nestled by a serene river with quaint cottages and a small central square. The village is known for its peaceful ambiance and its friendly, hardworking inhabitants. This could be the starting point for the party’s first adventure together, perhaps meeting at the local inn, The Restful Willow, where they overhear rumors of trouble brewing nearby.

Encounter Hook:

The village head, Mayor Edith Mosswood, approaches the adventurers with a problem. Several livestock have gone missing over the past few nights, and villagers are growing fearful. Tracks leading from the pastures disappear into the nearby woods, but no one has dared to investigate further. The mayor suspects it might be wolves, but others whisper of goblins or something worse.

Objective:

Investigate the missing livestock and return with a solution to ensure the village’s safety.

Encounter Details:

• Investigation Phase: The party can speak to various villagers, including the farmer whose livestock were taken. They can make Intelligence (Investigation) or Wisdom (Survival) checks to examine the tracks, leading them to discover clues such as broken fences, wolf prints, and some oddly small humanoid footprints (DC 12). Following the tracks requires a successful Wisdom (Survival) check (DC 10) that leads into the nearby woods.
• Ambush in the Woods: As they venture into the woods, the party stumbles upon a clearing with more signs of struggle and a pack of Dire Rats (2) and Goblins (3), who have been stealing livestock for food. The creatures are currently arguing over their latest catch. If the party approaches stealthily, they may gain a surprise round. Otherwise, the goblins will turn hostile once they spot the adventurers.

Combat:

• Enemies: 2 Dire Rats and 3 Goblins
• Encounter Level: Designed for 1st-level characters, making it a moderate challenge.

Resolution:

After defeating the goblins and dire rats, the party can find the remains of some livestock and small treasures stolen from the village, including a few coins and a basic magical item such as a Potion of Healing. Returning the evidence to Mayor Mosswood will earn the adventurers the gratitude of the villagers, a small reward of 10 gold pieces each, and potentially an offer of future work.

Further Adventure Hooks:

1. Goblins in the Woods: The goblins were part of a larger tribe camped deeper in the forest, suggesting a more significant threat to Willowbrook and its surrounding areas.
2. A Strange Idol: Among the goblins’ belongings is a crude idol depicting a mysterious deity, hinting at darker forces at play.
3. The Cave of Secrets: One goblin, if captured, reveals that their tribe serves a “master” living in a nearby cave, rumored to be a powerful and dangerous creature.

This encounter serves as a gentle introduction to combat, investigation, and role-playing opportunities for a group of new adventurers, setting the stage for a broader campaign that unfolds with the uncovering of the deeper threats around Willowbrook.