For 4-5 Players

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Introduction for Players - The Wrath of Ashardalon

For first time players, please read the Campaign Overview on this site's home page. Then, read the Introduction to the Ministry of Heroes.

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Note: this adventure requires access to all three box sets of Ashardalon, Ravenloft and Drizzt. Also, the story that follows does not conform to the official Forgotten Realms lore.

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Year: 3020, according to the Calendar of the Elves:

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Firestorm Peak is an active volcano in the Northern Mountain Range, a feature that defines the upper most boundary of the kingdom.  The Peak and other ancient volcanoes in the area have shaped the surrounding landscape. The countless miles of winding tunnels and caves, valleys and low gullies shaped by lava flows all provide a natural place for monsters to gather and dwell.  Beyond the mountains to the north are the Wildlands and no civilized peoples have settled there. 

 

Longbridge is the farthest military outpost to the north and has been a successful trading post for regional farmers and travelers to that part of the kingdom.  For the locals, the river is the real boundary as none of the Royal Guards patrol beyond that point.  Any settlers who cross the river are adventure seekers or fiercely independent people who must learn to protect themselves, for there is a known pass over the mountains that runs along the edge of Firestorm Peak, and some folks have reported seeing wandering monsters who came from the north. No one knows what evil lurks there and the locals will tell you that nothing good comes from that direction. Any traveler who sets out through the pass is either suspicious or crazy.  Most do not return.

 

Recent reports have reached the Royal Family about a Red Dragon who has moved into the active volcano and is gathering a number of Monster Soldiers as servants.  This is causing suspicion that the Dragon is planning some sort of attack on the kingdom.  If that wasn’t bad enough, one of the King’s seers has received visions in her dreams concerning another mysterious power working with the Dragon who is trying to create a portal to usher in more evil forces from another dimension.  This event will take place soon if something is not done to stop it.

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A group of Heroes have been called and given the mission to travel to Longbridge and find out more information as the Royal Guard prepares a sizable force of soldiers out of Zule.  If possible, make an early strike against these forces of evil to slow them down. After accepting the mission, the Heroes received the King's Seal and a budget of gold to use in Zule to gather needed items for the journey. Then they were instructed to depart in the morning to Longbridge and meet with the Captain of the Royal Guard at the local Garrison upon arrival...

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At Longbridge:

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When your party arrives at Longbridge, you notice a heavy guard presence on the road, just before entering the village. All of the guards seem on edge. You explain that you are on a mission from the Royal Family and validate your group by showing the guards one of the King's Seals.  Then they escort you immediately to the Garrison.

 

The Captain of the Guard greets you with a look of deep concern on his face.  As you give him a report of what you know about the situation, the information sent by the King's Seer concerning a portal opening soon from another dimension is news to the Captain.  At first he has no idea what sort of mysterious power may be at work, or where the portal may be opening. Then one Guard remembers suspicious reports many weeks ago, just before the Dragon showed up.  There were rumors of a new cult forming in the area, slowly gathering in members to offer worship to a strange god named Bellax.  However, the Royal Guard at Longbridge did not investigate, because the rumors said they were gathering far to the North West on the edge of the Mountains, and no patrols wander that far into the Misty Valley.  Then, when the Dragon arrived soon after, everyone forgot about it.

 

"Well", begins the Captain after hearing your report, "I'm afraid I have even more bad news to add to your report. Our situation has become more serious by the day. First of all, the presence of an Orc Camp along the trail from Longbridge to Firestorm Peak has been spotted, and an Orc Storm Shaman is there. This means a large force of Orcs are either in the area already, or are coming soon. The Shaman was also seen with a Rage Drake as its personal body guard.  It is imperative that we make an early strike against the Shaman to slow down the gathering of Orc Soldiers."

 

"But that is not the worst news. Just last night a raiding party came out of the woods, across the small foot bridge, and attacked a number of homes on the edge of the village.  The guards who were stationed there were killed and some of the villagers have been kidnapped and taken away! We tried to follow them into the forest, but a few hundred yards in, the trail simply vanished! Somehow, by some wickedness, they just disappeared, taking our villagers with them.  We can only imagine what horrors they are facing - they took men, women and children!"

 

"Please, you must help us  - find out whatever you can about our missing villagers.  Are they still alive?  Where did they take them?  Why take them as prisoners in the first place?  Our hope is that some may be saved.  But you must also strike soon against the Orc Shaman and not delay.  And now it seems you must also find out where this portal from another dimension is going to open and stop it before it happens!  And if any of us are left alive, we still have the problem of the Red Dragon occupying the volcano!  We cannot let it stay there, for who knows how many Monsters it will pull down from the Northern Wildlands? We must secure the kingdom!"

 

And the Captain places his hands over his eyes and falls silent.

 

"So where should we start?" your party of Heroes ask.

 

After a deep breath, he answers, "The only thing we know for sure is the location of the Orc Camp.  Maybe, by the mercy of the Most High, there will be some clues that can help us find our missing villagers..."

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Area Map

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