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DGC13 Tales of Deceit
By Dan Hass
Contents
Adventure Summary .................................................................................................................. 2
Preparing the Adventure ............................................................................................................ 2
Running the Adventure .............................................................................................................. 2
Adventure Background .............................................................................................................. 3
Adventure Outline ...................................................................................................................... 3
Appendix 1: DM Maps ................................................................................................................ 4
Dimgaard ................................................................................................................................ 4
Credits
Jeremy Esch
Brandon Twyford
Fernando Olmedo (his work)
The War Store
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Editing
Contributor
Cover Art
Sponsor
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DGC13 Tales of Deceit
By Dan Hass
the episode that the DM should be familiar
Adventure Summary
with. These include Feats, Magic Items,
DGC13 Tales of Deceit is a Dungeons and
Rules within the PHB and DMG, MM
Dragons® 5th Edition adventure designed
entries, and Spells that are not a part of a
for 1-8 characters. It requires a Player’s
creature statblock in the MM. If the DM is
Handbook® (PHB), a Monster Manual®
already comfortable with each of the items
(MM), and a Dungeon Master's Guide®
listed, the only other preparation needed is
(DMG). The adventure is presented in four
the episode-specific plot items – contained
th
episodes/modules designed for 14 level
in the Adventure Background for the
PCs, however using the Party Strength
episode and the rose-colored sidebars
calculation (described in the Adjusting
within encounters, and to review the
Encounters sidebar below) the DM could
encounters for a few minutes beforehand.
present the adventure to PCs of different
Adjusting Encounters
levels.
It is set in the Dimgaard Campaign Setting
The encounters are scaled for 14th level
(the Dimgaard Campaign Guide is a free pdf
PCs. The DM may use Party Strength to
available at drivethrurpg.com), but could be
adjust for parties that aren’t 14th level. To
set in other campaigns. The Digital copies
calculate Party Strength, add the total
of the encounter maps are available here.
class levels of the PCs together and
divide by 14 rounding the results down.
Dimgaard Philosophy
For example, a party of two 11th level
Dimgaard’s primary principle is that D&D
PCs, a 12th level PC and a 14th level PC
should be an entertaining experience. In
has 48 total levels, so its party strength is
particular, it should be fun and interesting.
3 (48/14 = 3.4). When scaling the
The “best” D&D is a collaborative
encounter, a good estimate will be
storytelling event where the DM provides
treating it as if the party is composed of 3
the framework and supporting details,
14th level characters (rather than 4) as 3
while the players contribute by roleplaying
is the Party Strength.
the heroes (their characters) that results
in epic tales.
Running the Adventure
“Epic” implies that the heroes be
Each episode of DGC13 Tales of Deceit is
challenged and that success is a question
made up of about six encounters. An
to be decided by the heroes’ deeds and
encounter is “something significant that
choices. The Lord of the Rings is only an
happens” (on average an encounter should
epic because the reader doesn’t know
take 20 to 40 minutes of game time).
until the final pages if Frodo, Aragorn and
Generally, these will fall into two categories:
the rest will achieve their objectives or
roleplaying or combat. Often the decision as
die, fruitless, in their efforts.
to what type of encounter it will be is based
A great Dimgaard session (and really
on the PCs’ actions. Sometimes a combat
any D&D session) is where there is the
encounter may evolve into a roleplaying
finest line between success and failure
encounter when mistaken identities,
and the heroes just manage to win
misunderstandings, or action based on false
(occasionally, just surviving is “winning”).
assumptions are corrected, thus ending the
But for those narrowest of victories to
violence. Other times conversations,
have true meaning, they cannot be
interrogations, or negotiations can become
foregone conclusions, and likely there will
heated and erupt in violence changing a
be times when the PCs fail – Boromir
roleplaying encounter into a combat
comes to mind or Gandalf’s expedition to
encounter.
Isengard where he was captured.
Dimgaard gives the DM opportunities to
reward good roleplaying. Good roleplaying
Preparing the Adventure
can generally garner players an easier path
This presents a summary of the
to achieving the desired outcomes.
adventure. It gives the DM the big picture.
However, it takes stellar roleplaying to
The episodes can be prepared individually.
completely avoid combat. Dimgaard is a
Each should take only a few minutes
dark and violent place where opponents
preparation to be able to run.
with short tempers often find violence the
Each episode presents an Items for
most direct route to achieving their goals.
Review sidebar that lists specific items in
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DGC13 Tales of Deceit
By Dan Hass
The encounters in DGC13 Tales of Deceit
dwarves, etc. – often required great effort to
challenge PCs in different ways. The
bend towards cruelty, humans seemed to
combat encounters are expected to meet
have a natural inclination towards it – often
the definition of hard (DMG p.81), but
even turning their cruelty against each
additionally there are encounters to test the
other.
PCs ability to deal with diplomatic situations
A hag culture arose that grew with the
and pose difficult questions about their
expansion of humanity throughout
character’s morals.
Dimgaard. It is likely that hags aided the
humans in their efforts to subordinate other
Modification “Exploits”
races, as the cruelty involved in these
Technically each encounter uses a
efforts – wars, pogroms, campaigns to
medium XP budget per the encounter
deprive other races of resources – are the
building guidelines. And for many parties
sort of activities hags take delight in.
a medium encounter may turn out to
Less clear is exactly what role hags played
meet the definition of hard as PCs may
in the development of the One True Faith.
be built for roleplaying and the party may
Finally, the hag culture is being revealed.
not have optimized their tactics.
Modifications have been made to the
Adventure Outline
creatures which do not increase the
Here is a summary of the episodes.
calculated CR of the creature but do
DG60 Family Secrets. The daughter of a
increase the challenge of the creature.
minor noble who rules the town of
1
These are denoted with a . These are
Dawndenn begins to transform into a green
not intended to be used with all parties,
hag as she nears her thirteenth birthday.
nor does a DM need to use every
DG61 Lesser Children. The existence of
suggested modification. The DM should
hagspawn, the male progeny from the
gauge the effectiveness of the party and
sexual mating of a hag and a mortal male, is
decide which of these to use (keeping in
revealed.
mind the definition of hard encounters).
DG62 The Davenport Sisters. The PCs
have the opportunity to confront the most
Adventure Background
senior of the hags who claim the city of
Humans first migrated to Dimgaard over
Davenport as their territory. As the most
two thousand years ago. By coincidence,
influential of the hags, they can negotiate an
hags from the Feywild were also exploring
agreement on behalf of the hags.
Dimgaard at this time, having moved
DG63 Orphan-ish. Faced with the loss of
through a natural, permanent Fey Crossing
their mothers, the remaining hagspawn
near the current city of Davenport.
assemble into a rampaging mob. (This is
Hags found human culture to be almost
exacerbated and aided by agents of the
uniquely suited to their inclinations and
Tofarian Empire.)
abilities. While other cultures – elves,
Copyright 2016 Dan Hass Endeavors
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Appendix 1: DM Maps
DGC13 Tales of Deceit
By Dan Hass
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Dimgaard
Copyright 2016 Dan Hass Endeavors
® Referenced Trademark of Wizards of the Coast