Sample file ™

ARCHMAGE: THE LIGHTNING STATION Battle scenes for 4 to 6 5th-6th level characters

a adventure Sampleby Cal Moore file

13th age is a fantasy roleplaying game by Rob Heinsoo, , Lee Moyer, & Aaron McConnell

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 4 An Introduction to Battle Scenes 4 Structure of the Scenes 4 Get Battling! 5 Archmage: The Lightning Station The Lightning Station Story Openings 6 Alternate Icons 7 The Lightning Station Overview 7 Battle 1: The Lightning Fields 7 Lightning Elemental 9 Player Map 17 Gamemaster Map 19 Battle 2: A Giant Gnoll Problem 15 Cloud Giant Thane 11 Gnoll Shredder 12 Gnoll Fiendfletch 12 Gnoll Reaver 12 Hezrou (toad demon) 12 Player Map 23 GamemasterSample Map file 25 The Lightning Station Story Endings 14 Battle Scene Connections 14

3 13th age - Archmage: The Lightning Station INTRODUCTION AN STRUCTURE OF INTRODUCTION THE SCENES

TO BATTLE SCENES Each set of battle scenes contains the following sections.

This Battles Scenes Series contains battles for 13th Age GMs Level Range looking for both inspiration and for something solid to run in a The suggested level range for PCs facing the battle scene to have hurry. The battle scenes work well when you don’t have anything a challenging and fun battle. If the PCs’ level is higher or lower, prepared for a session, as the scaffolding for your personal you’ll need to adjust the enemy stats accordingly. Generally the campaign or as workable adventures in their own right. Each set scenes are keyed to groups of between 4 and 6 PCs. of battles is keyed to a particular icon, pitting the PCs against NPCs and enemies that are linked to that icon, or fall under that Introduction icon’s influence. This is the setup for the battle scenes to give you a sense of the We’ve released each scene as an individual PDFs such as this story. one. They are also collected in Icon themed books: Story Openings • High Magic and Low Cunning, features the Archmage, High We provide a handful of possible ways the PCs get involved with Druid, Orc Lord, Prince of Shadows, and the Three. the battle scenes. We fully expect GMs and players to be more • The Crown Commands, features the Dwarf King, Queen, creative and use connections that fit what’s going on in their Emperor and Lich King current campaign, but these are some default options using the • Fire and Faith, features the Crusader, Diabolist, Great Gold icons. Wyrm and Priestess Since these are iconic battles, each one is designed to be more Alternate Icons challenging than a normal battle (about 25% more difficult) so Just because the battle scenes are keyed to a specific icon doesn’t be warned. Some are double-strength battles, making them very mean you can’t rekey them to another icon to fit better into your difficult. If your players and their PCs are less battle-focused, you campaign. This short section gives tips for possible conversions. might need to reduce the enemies they face or give themSample larger file benefits for icon advantages. Overview Each scene in a set of battles has a storyline that links it to This section outlines the framework of the battle scenes to help the battles that come after, with the intent that a GM could take you understand the plot. It’s no substitute for reading the full the PCs from one full heal-up to the next using only the battles in scene, but it gets you started figuring out how to work the scene the set, but with room for GMs to expand upon the stories to fill into your game. multiple sessions of gameplay as needed. Or a GM can use only a battle or two that works with their current storyline, spreading Battles (2 to 4) them out as needed. Each set of battle scenes contains between two and four battles The book includes multiple ideas on how to get the PCs (some will be double-strength fights). Each battle has the into the battle scene story, and possible outcomes that result following sections. from their actions, but we expect GMs and players to have more Map: The map shows the terrain features, cover and the creative and personal solutions to form the “connective tissue” starting positions of the PCs and their foes. You can download between battle scenes and group-created adventures. full color version of the maps, and a version without the creature The battle scenes contain a mix of existing enemies from the tokens from the Pelgrane Press website, or get the complete set, core rulebook, 13th Age Bestiary, and 13 True Ways, as well as printed out, in The High Magic & Low Cunning Map Folio. plenty of new monsters to challenge the PCs. There’s a scattering Flavor Text: This text describes the scene for the PCs and of magic items inside too, some new and some from the core can either be read aloud to set the stage or used as extra detail to books or the Book of Loot. describe the setting as you like. When you decide to use one of these battle scenes, we suggest Location Description: This section provides more detail on giving it at least one read-through so you get the basic premise the scene location and general setup of the battle, including notes of the story and don’t miss any of the fun details, especially the about detecting enemies, ambushes, and NPC motivations. various terrain challenges that pop up in many battles. A read- Terrain & Traps: Every battle scene contains terrain that through will help whether you play it straight or adapt the scenes the PCs and their enemies will interact with. Some also include to fit your group and current storylines. obstacles, challenges, and traps that will test them as well. Note 4