HIGH ROCK HILL

AN ADVENTURE FOR RUNEQUEST: ROLEPLAYING IN

Sample file

CREDITS

Thanks to all involved in developing this wonderful world and game system. Thanks to the people encouraging me the publish this scenario. Also, thanks to my play-testers.

RuneQuest is a Trademark of and is used with their permission via the OBS Community Content program. For more information please visit ’s website: www.chaosium.com

Bastian Haefner ©. v. 1.0 May 2021 The Chaosium and RuneQuest Logos are used under license. Sample file

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ABOUT THE ADVENTURE High Rock Hill is an adventure written for 2-5 adventurers with low-mid skill level and takes 1-2 sessions to complete. The adventure provides an opportunity to introduce adventurers to important people from the city of Clearwine and its surroundings. It offers, among other things, room for political drama and hopefully some interesting combat situations.

Events set off in Clearwine, after Queen Kallyr Starbrow died and Sartarite tribes are divided about her predecessor. However, with minor changes by the gamemaster, this connection can be disregarded, and the adventure can take place at any time after the Dragonrise.

Adventurers can be of various backgrounds, but some proximity to Clearwine and a certain degree of reputation on the adventurers’ side makes things easier.

This adventure does not require any supplements, except the Runequest: Roleplaying in Glorantha Rulebook and the Glorantha Bestiary. Additional offers information about Clearwine, its people and politics can be found in the Gamemasters Screen Pack.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Summary 4 Plot Synopsis 4 Background 4 Adrulf and his plan 4 The Elven Connection 5 Player Entry 5 The Property 6 Festival Guests 7 Inside the Building 8 The Partying Storm Bull 8 The interrupting Attack 9 Aftermath 9 Speaking with Adrulf 9 Another Call for Help 10 Investigation 10 Late Revenge 11 The Escape Tunnel 11 Justice? 12 Adrulf 12 Stats 13 Notes from Playtesting 14 Sample file

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Since his longing for power and status still won’t settle, his next goal is to become a member in the ring of advisers to Queen Leika of Clearwine. SUMMARY Surely the ring can’t consist of Orlanth and Ernalda The noble, and Eurmali Rune Priest Adrulf Puus intends worshippers alone, and a talkative, influential person like to get a seat in the ring of advisors of Queen Leika, by he is, would be a good advisor for the Queen. However, secretively poisoning one of the current members and the ring, that usually consists out of seven members from then taking their place. different backgrounds and families, currently is fully He organized a distraction that would lead attention or occupied and, no new applicants are of need. unwanted suspicion away from him and which could Acknowledging that, Adrulf plans to increase his odds possibly have major implications for Sartarite politics. by ruthlessly poisoning a current member of the ring – However, he did not account for a third party he had Vareema Lehmstark1. Adrulf thinks that she has the antagonized in the past and which interferes at – for him- followers least likely to trace things back to him. She is the worst possible moment. two years from retirement and familywise, the only Adventurers find themselves between conflict and person she has left is her son. conspiracy. Can they prevent conflict between tribes, and will they be able to save the poisoned ring member in Adrulf hosts a harvest festival of Clearwine grapes to get time? an opportunity to invite important people from the area, including his victim, Vareema. To him, the harvest festival serves three purposes: PLOT SYNOPSIS • connect with some Clearwine representatives The adventurers attend a harvest festival near Clearwine. • get the opportunity to poison Vareema Ceremony is held and rumors are exchanged. Everything • distract suspicion away from him goes well until uninvited guests show up intending to wreak havoc upon the property. The cover up Adrulf conspired with marginalized members of the Right after things have settled for a bit, the adventurers Sambari tribe, to stage a light, “false-flag” attack on his learn that a fellow guest at the festival, and a member of property. The Colymars recently had their difficulties with the Queens’ ring of advisors in Clearwine was poisoned. the Sambari, or… at least lots of Clearwine citizens falsely The adventurers are called to Clearwine for questioning. think that’s the case, because Adrulf was able to implant the thought in their heads during conversations. After some investigation, evidence traces back to one With a rare Eurmali illusory Rune Spell he disguised possible perpetrator. Before confronting the suspect, one himself as the Humakti military leader of the Loceami, the 2 way or another, some unforeseen things get in the way. ruling Wilmirsk tribe, named Nerwal Greffward . He approached Yarwa Skyclark, a local hunter, and told her that he’s looking for someone who has the guts and brains to execute a special, secret mission without asking BACKGROUND too many questions. He would need someone to stage a light attack on a famous vineyard with the goal to scare not to kill. “Nerwal” suggested Yarwa to gather a few men ADRULF AND HIS PLAN and attack the property when there is a festival with lots Adrulf Puus is a noble, Rune Priest of Eurmal and Initiate of important people. In return she was offered a great of Issaries. In his early years, he travelled around reward when she comes back. Pass, traded, made friends and even more enemies. After one undetermined characteristic event, he became more 1or another position of a high rank in Clearwine if that and more invested in the worship of Eurmal – the suits you better. It could be Asborn Triceborn, for trickster god. With some honest trading and some more example. trickery, he grew a wealthy and influential man over time. 2 picking a disguise of that status, leads to a more Adrulf purchased a vineyard on High Rock Hill, just “political” adventure. If you don’t want to get into this outside of Clearwine to start a high qualitative wine kind of stuff, pick another reason or change the false business which now is flourishing. On his trips selling employer to someone else, e.g., someone jealous of wine to Clearwine residents, he made himself quite a Adrulf. name. Some say it was the best wine they’d ever had and If Kallyr is dead at this time, there are already tensions surely, that Adrulf and his wine are blessed by Flamal. To between Sartarite tribes because every tribe hopes to them, he gives himself as a wise and peaceful Issaries provide a new King. Adrulf knows that he could increase Samplethese tensions and that thisfile would provide him a better merchant. In his conversations with the citizens, he recently spreads malevolent misinformation about the cover. Sambari tribe to set the mood for his cover-up.

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