Ravenloft Reborn: Night of the Walking Dead Conversion

CREDITS Adventure Designer: Kerry Jordan Cover Illustrator: Tithi Luadthong/Shutterstock.com Interior Illustrators: Alexas_Fotos, J.W. Champney, drbjr, Steve Ellis, David Griffith, Kerry Jordan, Lucio Parrillo, Wayne Reynolds, Brian Snoddy, and Bruno Werneck Playtesters: Jeremy Bronaugh, Matt Couch, Drew Devine, “Surly” Pete Heddles, Zeb Lemon, and Rusty Stewart

Document History Version Date Notes 1.10 October 1, 2020 Added Afterword section 1.00 October 1, 2020 Dungeon Masters Guild release 0.10 March 30, 2020 Initial draft

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Cover artwork by Tithi Luadthong, used under license from Shutterstock.com. Ravenloft Logo by Gordon McAlpin used under license. raven-crow-night-creepy-darkness-988218 by Alexas_Fotos used under CC0 Creative Commons License. Ghoul by David Griffith, Necropolitan Human Wizard by Wayne Reynods, and Undead Lair by Bruno Werneck provided by DMs Guild Creator Resource - Undead Art 2. Croc Bludgeoner by drbjr used with permission. Swamp by J.W. Champney in Public Domain. Vile Encounter by Steve Ellis provided by DMs Guild Creator Resource – Adventurers Art. Crypt Thing by Brian Snoddy provided by DMs Guild Creator Resource - Undead Art 2. Salt Mummy by Lucio Parrillo provided by DMs Guild Creator Resource - Undead Art 2. Page background altered for use and based on image by getgg, used under license from Shutterstock.com.

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This guide shows how to pronounce many of the non-English names that appear in the adventure. Name Pronunciation Description Aimee Bordell e-MAY BOR-dell Carpenter’s daughter in Marais d’Tarascon Andre Bordell AN-drey BOR-dell Carpenter’s son in Marais d’Tarascon Anton Misroi awn-TON MIHZ-roy Domain lord of Souragne and Lord of the Dead Beatrix BEE-uh-trihks Full Moon Inn barmaid in Marais d’Tarascon Blanche blaonsh Full Moon Inn barmaid in Marais d’Tarascon Bouki boo-KEY Good-natured rabbit loa with low intelligence Carloni CARR-lon-ee Vistani son of Scarengi and Ryana Charlotte Bordell SHAR-lote BOR-dell Carpenter’s daughter in Marais d’Tarascon Colin CO-line Blacksmith’s missing son and Tarascon servant Constable Gremin kohn-STAH-bleh greh-MAHN Constable of Marais d’Tarascon Daegon DAY-gin Family name referenced in Hyskosa’s prophacy Dementlieu DAY-mon-lyoo Civilized domain ruled by lord-governor Marcel Guignol Deruno DAIR-ru-no Dwarven owner of the general store in Marais d’Tarascon Dilaver DEE-la-ver Vistani child of Carloni Dreux Bordell drew BOR-dell Carpenter’s son in Marais d’Tarascon Duncan d’Lute DUN-kon duh-LOOT Merchant visiting Marais d’Tarascon Fiora fiyao-RAH Old woman in Marais d’Tarascon Francois FROHN-swa Villager who died at the Full Moon Inn in Marais d’Tarascon Garridan GAR-ree-dan Vistani child of Carloni Henrietta Bascolm aon-riy-EHTA BAS-cum Full Moon Inn proprietor in Marais d’Tarascon Hogarth OH-garth Field worker who died in Marais d’Tarascon Hyskosa is-CO-sah Vistani seer Inajira in-ah-JEER-ah Arcanoloth mentioned in Hyskosa’s prophecy Jacqueline Bordell ZHAC-lyn BOR-dell Carpenter’s daughter in Marais d’Tarascon Jazeel Toreng ZHA-zeel TOR-eng Recently deceased villager in Marais d’Tarascon Jean Tarascon ZHAWN TAIR-ah-scon Plantation owner in Marais d’Tarascon Jerald Bascolm ZHER-rald BAS-cum Full Moon Inn proprietor in Marais d’Tarascon Jeremiah d'Gris ZHER-ee-myah duh-GREE Recently deceased villager in Marais d’Tarascon Jordi ZHOR-dee Blacksmith in Marais d’Tarascon Katha CATH-a Full Moon Inn barmaid in Marais d’Tarascon Kizz kiz Deceased wife of Dilaver Lady Grissim la-dee GRIS-eem Missing villager in Marais d’Tarascon Leon LEE-on Captain and friend of Marcel Tarascon Letiche LET-ick Crocodilian loa of gluttony and hunger Lillin Bascolm LEE-lehn BAS-cum Head barmaid at the Full Moon Inn in Marais d’Tarascon Loa LOW-ah Nature spirits of Souragne Louise d'Cann loo-EEZ deh-KAHN Baker in Marais d’Tarascon Luc Tarascon louk TAIR-ah-scon Insane plantation owner in Marais d’Tarascon Maison d’Sablet me-ZON duh-sab-LAY Swamp in Souragne Marais d’Tarascon MAH-rey duh-TAIR-ah-scon Village in Souragne Marcel Tarascon MAAR-cel TAIR-ah-scon Deceased plantation owner in Marais d’Tarascon Marcus Bordell MAR-cus BOR-dell Carpenter of Marais d’Tarascon MartineSample Bordell MAHR-teen BOR-dell Carpenter’s daughter in Marais d’Tarasconfile Mordu mohr-DYU Conspiracy theorist in Marais d’Tarascon

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Name Pronunciation Description Nadine nah-DEEN Blacksmith’s wife in Marais d’Tarascon Oerth oyth Home world of Anton Misroi Pierot PIER-o Cemetery caretaker in Marais d’Tarascon Pierre Tarascon pee-ERR TAIR-ah-scon Founder of Marais d’Tarascon Port d’Elhour por duh-el-YUAR Port town in Souragne Renee REY-ney Full Moon Inn barmaid in Marais d’Tarascon Ryana RIE-yan-uh Vistani matriarch Scarengi SKAR-en-gee Vistani patriarch Shaman Brucian shah-MUHN bru-SEE-on Religious leader in Marais d’Tarascon Souragne soo-RAW-nya Island swamp domain ruled by Anton Misroi Tarokka TAERO-ka Deck of cards used by Vistani to tell the future Tekla TEK-la Vistani child of Carloni Teresa tay-REHZ-a Fiora’s missing daughter and Tarascon servant Tomas Levi toh-MAHS lay-VEE Tailor in Marais d’Tarascon Tristepas TRIST-pa Major trade road in Souragne Valana VAH-lan-ah Vistani seer Vistana vih-STAHN-ah Singular of Vistani Vistani vih-STAHN-ee Mysterious wanderers and peddlers

Sample file

Page 4 of 31 Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. Ravenloft Reborn: Night of the Walking Dead Conversion INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Night of the Walking Dead Conversion from the TABLE OF CONTENTS RAVENLOFT REBORN product line. This Introduction ...... 5 conversion updates the ADVANCED DUNGEONS Preparation ...... 5 & DRAGONS RAVENLOFT RQ1 Night of the Conversion ...... 6 Walking Dead adventure to the game’s 5th Part I: The Swamp ...... 6 edition. It requires the original adventure Part II: Marais d’Tarascon ...... 7 to play. The Night of the Walking Dead Part III: Lair of the Zombie Lord ...... 14 Conversion is designed for the same character Afterword ...... 16 range as the original adventure: four to six Appendix A: The Demiplane of 1st-3rd level characters. Dread ...... 17 Grand Conjunction ...... 17 The Mists ...... 17 Preparation People ...... 17 The Dungeon Master should be familiar with Sunlight ...... 18 this document and the Night of the Walking Altered Magic ...... 18 Dead adventure before play begins. The Horror and Madness ...... 18 unusual facets of adventuring in Ravenloft Corruption ...... 19 (and specifically the island domain of Appendix B: Souragne...... 21 Souragne) are defined in Appendix A and Society ...... 21 Appendix B. Appendix C describes the magic The Lord...... 22 items available in this adventure. Appendix D Appendix C: Magic Items ...... 24 lists game statistics for the NPCs and Appendix D: Creatures ...... 25 creatures encountered. Appendix E is an Appendix E: Scroll of Hyskosa ...... 31 updated handout of the Hyskosa scroll for the players. If you are not the Dungeon Master, • ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS RAVENLOFT read no further. Domains of Dread (campaign setting) Game Resources • ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS RAVENLOFT Monstrous Compendium Appendices I & II To run this adventure, you should have the (creature and NPC statistics) following resources available: • ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS RAVENLOFT • ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS RAVENLOFT Realm of Terror (campaign setting) RQ1 Night of the Walking Dead (original • “Beyond Sasserine” in Dragon #349 (world adventure) origin) • D&D Basic Rules or Player’s Handbook • DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Campaign Setting (rules of game play) RAVENLOFT • Dungeon Master’s Guide (optional • RAVENLOFT Dance of the Dead (novel) suggestions for the Dungeon Master) Additionally, the material in this document is Name Convention based on a myriad of sources beyond the ones The name of a creature or NPC when it first listed above. These sources are not needed to appears in an encounter is emphasized with play the adventure, but may be of interest: bold text. The name of a magic item or spell is Sampleitalicized. file

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This section describes DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Scaling the Encounter 5th edition updates to the Night of the Walking 1st Level 2nd Level 3rd Level Dead adventure. Updates are presented under 2 crocodiles 3 crocodiles 5 crocodiles the headings also found in the original adventure. If an update is not required, then The Giant Frogs the heading is not listed. In addition to required updated encounter information, Giant Frogs. Roll a Dexterity (Stealth) optional game play recommendations are check for the giant frogs and compare the found under sidebars. result to each character’s passive Wisdom (Perception) to determine surprise. Old Boat. A character who searches the Part I: The Swamp reeds and succeeds on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check finds the old boat. The Starting the Adventure chest found inside contains water-logged food, clothes, and a potion of poison resistance. The NOT STARTING IN THE SWAMP potion is sealed in a gourd marked with As an alternate start for this adventure, the arcane symbols. With a successful DC 15 characters arrive on a ship taken by the Mists Intelligence (Arcana) check, a character can to Port d’Elhour. Once there, they are hired as interpret the symbols and determine the type guards by the merchant, Duncan d’Lute (see of the potion. the 1. Full Moon Inn entry under The Village). On the way to Marais d’Tarascon, they are Scaling the Encounter waylaid by desperate bandits. Afterwards, they 1st Level 2nd Level 3rd Level encounter the Vistani (adjust The Vistani Camp 3 giant frogs 6 giant frogs 8 giant frogs encounter as necessary) and then Luc Tarascon wandering the road (see The Floating House A GIFT FROM THE LORD OF THE DEAD encounter). Instead of searching for the boat, the boat can Scaling the Encounter be found bloodstained and floating toward the 1st Level 2nd Level 3rd Level characters. It is a gift from the domain lord, 5 bandits 2 bandits 3 bandits Anton Misroi. Misroi is concerned about what is 2 thugs 1 bandit happening in Marais d’Tarascon. He loses captain control of any zombies he sends to the area. The party has proven themselves capable by STARTING WITHOUT A RAFT defeating the crocodiles and frogs. He hopes that they handle the problem in the town, but Characters may arrive in Souragne without a does not want to show weakness by asking for boat or raft. The first swamp encounter with help. the crocodiles describes a natural collection point for fallen logs in the swamp. The party can use these logs to build a simple raft. The Vistani Camp Carloni. Carloni has two sons (Dilaver, age The Crocodile 6, and Garridan, age 9) and a daughter (Tekla, Crocodiles. To pose more of a challenge, age 8). The name of his deceased wife is Kizz. the number of crocodiles has been increased. Vistani. Game statistics for the four adult A character with a passive Wisdom Vistani appear in Appendex D under Vistana (perception) score of 15 or higher detects the (the singular form of Vistani). crocodilesSample amongst the logs. If undetected, the file crocodiles surprise the party.

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VISITORS FORETOLD 1. Horseman. This card represents the past. Even the children are aware that the Vistani Death begets death, and one death led to are waiting on the characters. They drew many more. Hold dearly to life or you, too, figures of the characters (based on overheard may be lost. descriptions) in the sand near the fire. These 2. Broken One. This card tells us of one who drawings can be seen by observant characters. knows what the tarokka hides, but in the You know the characters and are hopefully able knowing, he has lost himself. My heart weeps to create a handout of the drawings for the for this poor soul. players. Since the drawings are crude and 3. Evoker. Your future is entwined with this made by children, no artistic skill is required. card. A great event is unfolding, one that may In fact, it is better if the drawings leave some change the lands we know, and you will play doubt whether they truly depict the characters. a part. But the future is too cloudy to know (In a play-test, I drew stick figures of a tree- whether that part is great or small. man, an old man with a beard and cane, a 4. Healer (inverted). And here fate reveals a dragon man with horns and wings, an archer, a pirate with a parrot, and a thick figure to potential ally, a healer, yet the card is represent a druid, a veteran dwarf, a inverted! The healer has either done great dragonborn, a ranger, a barbarian with the harm in the past or will do so in the future… pirate background, and a shadow sorcerer.) 5. Necromancer. This card represents one who opposes you and all who live. The dead will FORTUNE-TELLING WITH THE TAROKKA walk with the coming storm and it is this one Valana can interpret the cards from a tarokka who commands them! deck instead of casting runes if you have one available (or use a regular deck of playing cards as suggested under the Using Regular Playing The Floating House Cards sidebar in chapter 1 of Curse of Strahd). Luc Tarascon. Luc has the game statistics In this instance, the high and low decks are combined into one deck. Before the game, of a neutral commoner. separate the cards listed below from the others. When it is time for Valana to tell the party’s fortune, ask the player of the character with Part II: Marais d’Tarascon “the strongest will” to shuffle the deck and then ask any other players to “twine their fates with The Village the tarokka” by cutting the deck. When the deck is returned, cut the deck yourself, secretly Charisma Checks. Gaining personal place the cards removed previously on the top, information about the community from the and deal the cards to the positions depicted. villagers requires a successful DC 13 Charisma (Persuasion) check. This check is made with disadvantage if the villager is not a merchant. Additionally, there is a large divide between social classes in Souragne; the aristocracy maintains complete and brutal control. A character with the noble background gains advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks when dealing with commoners. Laws of the Land. All Souragniens fear the attention of the Lord of the Dead. Since he Sampleabhors arcane magic, any filedisplays of such magic are met with fear and aversion if not

Page 7 of 31 Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. Ravenloft Reborn: Night of the Walking Dead Conversion CONVERSION out-right anger. Additionally, all dead bodies • No one has entered the Old Cemetery in living are property of the Lord of the Dead. A dead memory. (This is only mentioned if the body must remain in state for four days before villager is asked about the Old Cemetery.) burial in case the Lord has need of it. However, The following table replaces the adventure’s so many deceased villagers have reanimated clue table: that the people are willing to risk the Lord’s 1. Nine “sudden” deaths have occurred in the wrath by quickly burying the dead. last three weeks. (True. This is Marcel's Villagers. Unless otherwise specified, all work.) villagers have the same game statistics as 2. Of the nine who died suddenly, seven were buried in sealed coffins, and two escaped commoners. into the night as zombies. (True.) 3. Six villagers are missing. (True. This is REACTIONS TO THE CHARACTERS Jean’s doing.) Thanks to a resident dwarf (Deruno), the 4. Red licorice pieces were found along with villagers are not shocked by the appearance of articles belonging to four of the missing dwarves, elves, gnomes, or halflings, but other people. (True. This is Jean's work.) races are unknown. In particular, dragonborn are assumed to be loa (spirits of nature) related 5. Lady Grissom was last seen walking her to Letiche, the evil crocodilian loa of gluttony poodle amongst the willows behind the inn and hunger. The villagers fear such characters before she went missing. (False.) unless reassured. 6. Besides licorice, there is always lots of During play, it is possible for the characters blood at the scene of a murder or to continuously fail Charisma (Persuasion) disappearance. (True.) checks and be treated poorly by the villagers. 7. Three weeks ago, Hogarth the field worker This poor treatment leaves the party without fell dead, quickly decayed, and rose as a reason to assist the beleaguered town. You zombie. (True.) should limit failures to 2/3 of the checks, 8. Just over three weeks ago, Marcel Tarascon allowing an automatic success on the third died. Some say he was killed by the Charisma (Persuasion) check. undead, too. (True.) VILLAGER CLUES 9. Jean Tarascon has taken full control of the All villagers know the following information. A family plantation. (True.) character can learn the following with a 10. If Marcel Tarascon was given a funeral, successful Charisma (Persuasion) check none of the villagers attended. (True.) without rolling on the adventure’s clue table: 11. Blood cultists are murdering people to gain • Over half a dozen people have died suddenly control of the dead. (False.) in the last three weeks and a similar number are missing. 12. Constable Gremin became a drunk after his • Those who die suddenly eventually rise as son’s death. (True.) zombies. 13. The constable's son was the second to die, • Constable Gremin’s son is one of those who simply falling to the ground inexplicably. died suddenly. His name was Nicolas. (True.) • Signs of struggle and large amounts of blood 14. The Vistani told Old Fiora that the night of have been found around town, presumably the dead was fast approaching. (True. The related to the missing people. night is nigh.) • Shaman Brucian assured everyone that the 15. Shaman Brucian secretly worships the Lord Lord of the Dead is not responsible for the of the Dead. How else does he know the sudden deaths so those who die may be Lord’s will? (False.) buried (breaking the law of the land). • Two weeks ago, Jean Tarascon sent all field 16. The night Marcel Tarascon died, villagers Sampleworkers home until the crisis is over. saw his brother, Jean, carryfile him to the church. (True.)

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17. Shaman Brucian has gone into the swamp frequently since Marcel died. (True.) 1. Full Moon Inn 18. Hunters have seen a shack in the nearby Barmaids. The barmaids are Beatrix, swamp that is haunted by will-o’-wisps. Blanche, Katha, and Renee. Renee is the (False. They have only seen Luc Tarascon’s barmaid found dead on the second day. cabin.) Cost. The inn is modestly priced at 5 sp per 19. Scandalously, Jean Tarascon has been night (paid in advance). sneaking an unidentified woman into his townhouse late at night for the past few weeks. (True/False. Jean does not have a 2. Bakery lover but has been seen with a ghoul Candy. A pound of candy costs 2 cp. servant.) 20. Anyone attempting to leave town is turned 3. Carpenter back by zombies. The Lord of the Dead will not allow any to leave until the crisis is Bordell Family. Marcus’ wife is Catherine. over. (True. You may enter but not leave The sons are named Andre and Dreux. The town.) daughters are named Charlotte, Jacqueline, LEAVING MARAIS D’TARASCON Martine, and Aimee. The domain lord, Anton Misroi, is concerned about what is happening in the town. He loses 5. Constable’s Cottage control of any zombie he sends into the area Arrest. A character with a good argument and he does not understand why. He decided to convinces the constable not to arrest quarantine the town for the time being. troublesome characters with a successful DC If the characters attempt to leave before 13 Charisma (Persuasion) check with Marcel Tarascon is defeated, they are confronted by ten zombies. The zombies disadvantage. wheeze out the following words with one voice Constable Gremin. Game statistics for the (a new zombie takes over at every ellipsis): “The constable are found in Appendix D. A Lord of the Dead… has decided… to test the character interacting with Gremin and town… of Marais d’Tarascon… You cannot succeeding on a DC 13 Wisdom (Insight) rejoin… Souragne… until you have found… and check detects the constable’s grief over the punished… the one who has… displeased him.” loss of his son. A character experiencing this encounter for Gremin’s Son. The name of Constable the first time flees in panic unless he succeeds on a DC 12 Wisdom check. The zombies do not Gremin’s deceased son is Nicolas. speak further and do not allow anyone past. If Jail. A successful DC 10 Dexterity check engaged in combat, three new zombies join the with thieves’ tools unlocks the jail door. A battle every fourth turn. The zombies do not character forces open a locked door with a pursue anyone fleeing back to Marais successful DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check. A d’Tarascon. jailed character convinces the constable to release him and others with a successful DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check with Sampledisadvantage. file

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