DC-POA-EBAL-TT1 Bru in Trouble 3 Tenuous Ally of the Other

Adventure Primer This adventure is designed for three to seven TALLSHADOW came out of nowhere with the 5th to 10th-level characters and is optimized winning liquor, a vodka he called Frostshaker for five characters with an average party level because of its tendency to induce seizures if (APL) of 6. Characters outside this level range over-consumed. What he at first considered to cannot participate in this adventure. be a flaw turned out to be a selling point, as the This adventure occurs in Icewind Dale and is hard-drinking folk of Ten Towns challenged each written under the guidelines of the Adventurers other in drinking games that ended with the League Season 10 Plague of Ancients loser going into convulsions on the floor. Dungeoncraft program. This year Bru’s back with a new drink, a The residents of bleak and deadly Icewind Dale tribute to the liquors of distant, tropical Chult. sometimes need to blow off steam, and they Mezro’s Calamity, or MezCal for short, even has a appreciate any excuse for a drinking contest. worm in the bottle. Bru has partnered with a When three rival distillers gather to show off reclusive alchemist who has figured out how to their wares at a small tavern in Goodmead, the make arctic cave larvae look and taste like the festivities quickly spiral out of control into theft real thing, and has even imbued them with the and murder. Heroes who can hold their liquor psychedelic essence of distilled luck. are called upon to solve the crime. Unbeknownst to Bru, however, he has also implanted Slaad eggs in the worms, and the Background consequences of that hidden plot will be the main action in Episode Two of this trilogy. Years ago the Mead Cartel in the town of Good The two warlocks hate each other with a Mead decided to expand their offerings to hard passion, but the one thing they agree on is that liquor. They sponsored homegrown distillers to Bru is a nuisance. They each want to do him in, come up with locally made spirits that could but ideally they’d like to do it in a way that also under-sell the imported whiskeys and vodkas ruins their rival warlock. BRU is, however, a that many residents of Ten Towns prefer to little more formidable than they bargained for. mead. Every year they hold a Contest of Spirits He is in fact a retired Master Thief and renegade to determine which brand they will promote Firbolg who has been on the run from a most heavily. It’s a business deal, but most folk secretive group of mages associated with the consider the event an excuse for a drinking Red Wizards, ever since he stole an unusual orb contest, all the more welcome in these days of that they were studying. He had no idea how relentlessly frigid twilight. dangerous it was when he was hired to steal it, For some time now the contest has come down but after his employer turned up dead he did his to two main rivals: ALARICE FROST-TOUCHED, best to disappear. His few remaining friends in and MAGNUS FLINTMARROW. These two very the Firbolg community helped him escape to a different distillers regularly produce sublime druidic enclave in Icewind Dale, which to them is liquors enhanced by subtle magic. In fact, essentially the equivalent of being sent to ALARICE is a Warlock of the Archfey serving Siberia. Because their sanctuary is protected the Lord of Frost, and MAGNUS is a Warlock of from scrying or other divination spells, he hid the Great Old One serving a star-spawned the orb there and intended to lay low. It didn’t nightmare being. Both use their charmed liquors take long for him to get bored with the simple to spread the influence of their patrons through life, though, and he figured out how to use the Ten Towns and they are in fierce competition druidic sanctuary to produce ingredients for with one another. No one knows about this tropical liquors. In part because of his newfound more sinister competition that lies behind the fame, Bru’s enemies will eventually catch up Contest of Spirits.Sample with him, and that will be the main action of file Last year a newcomer in town threw his hat Episode Three of this trilogy. into the ring. BRUGMANSIA “BRU”

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. DC-POA-EBAL-TT1 Bru in Trouble 3 tenuous ally of the other. The fact that Bru’s Overview alchemist is secretly implanting the Slaad eggs This adventure’s story is spread over three main will not have an impact on this game or parts and takes approximately 4 hours to play. characters playing other mods outside of this trilogy, but it will be central to part Two of the • Call to Action: Drunk and Disorderly. The trilogy, “Mezro’s Calamity.” characters gather in a bar in Good Mead for the Contest of Spirits. At least some of them are Adventure Hooks there to see the elusive Brugmansia “Bru” Tallshadow, because he either owes them Adventure Hook 1, Bru Must Pay: Bru owes money or they owe him a favor. The drinking money or some other reparation to the contest devolves into a brawl due to a conflict character(s). He will attempt to convince them orchestrated by Alarice Frost-Touched, who that the only way he can pay up is if his business uses the confusion to charm Bru’s bodyguard survives, so he needs their help. Kell Algondottir and make her steal his sled- load of MezCal. When the dust settles Bru Adventure Hook 2, A Favor Owed: Bru has realizes they are missing and implores the helped the character(s) in the past, and they feel party to find them. they owe him their help in return.

• Part 2: Missing Moonshine. The party tracks Adventure Hook 3, Right Time, Wrong Place: the stolen dog sled out to the woods, where The characters were hoping for a relaxing they find it broken down by the side of the afternoon of inebriation but that was disrupted road. A set of tracks leads off into the trees, but by Bru’s enemies… now those enemies must pay this is a false trail left by Alarice’s ally Birilan for ruining the adventurers’ day off. Icewalker. The party will either discover the deception orchestrated by Alarice Frost- Touched, who has stolen Bru’s liquor and led Content Advisory his bodyguard into Magnus’ clutches. Alternatively, they might follow the false trail This adventure contains descriptions of and and be sucked through a mind-bending portal mechanical impacts of intoxication; it might not to the lair of Magnus Flintmarrow, who has be appropriate for younger players who have not captured Bru’s bodyguard and plans to yet reached the legal age for imaginary sacrifice her to his star-spawned patron. inebriation. There is also a fair amount of mind control, which may not be enjoyable for every • Part 3: Dangerous Distillations. If the party kind of player. As with any adventure, be sure has fallen for Alarice’s scheme, they will find your players are interested in playing a game in their way to Magnus’ lair and save Bru’s which their characters’ clarity of mind may be bodyguard Kell Algondottir (Story Objective altered. Players can have a lot of creative fun B, rescuing Kell),but will not find the missing with these themes but they can be difficult for liquor. If they discover her plot, they can some people and this adventure is not attempt to recover the liquor from the Ghost appropriate for all players. House in the woods where she has hidden it Player Engagement with Mind Control: (Story Objective A, finding the missing There are several points during this adventure at moonshine), and may still be able to rescue which a villain can surreptitiously charm a Bru’s bodyguard before Magnus sacrifices her. character. It might be good to discuss with players before the game how they can play this • Outcome and Set-up for subsequent episodes for a good story, which might be difficult for in the Sampletrilogy: Depending on who they defeat, players overly focused on “wi filenning,” but could the characters will make an enemy of at least also be an opportunity for them to try being a one of the warlock patrons and possibly a little more flexible in their roleplaying.

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. DC-POA-EBAL-TT1 Bru in Trouble 4 It is neither appropriate to most of the charm and think of them as allies, friends, or otherwise effects nor any fun for a player when the DM highly admirable people. A charmed character simply controls the charmed character’s actions, won’t take actions against the person who so the player should be given guidelines about charmed them, but they are also unlikely to turn the influence they’re under and encouraged to violently on their friends. act accordingly. Lines may need to be drawn if In some cases an enemy may be capable of they are trying to do something a charmed casting Dominate Person, in which case the character would not be able to do, like taking character can be forced to take specific actions. actions that directly oppose the interests of the This is a more intense and dangerous form of person who charmed them. Similarly, other mind control and should be taken more players might need to make insight checks to seriously. If a spell like Dominate Person is cast determine whether another player’s character is during combat, it can help to roll a die to charmed, but otherwise encouraged to play it as determine which character the controlled PC if the character is acting of their own free will. attacks, in order to minimize any hard feelings Charm vs Dominate: In most cases the villains between players. and their allies will simply be using charm effects similar to the Charm Person spell that make a character favorably disposed to them,

Sample file

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. DC-POA-EBAL-TT1 Bru in Trouble 5 Adventure Flowchart This section provides a basic understanding of not only the flow of the adventure, but also the outline of the different paths that your players may take in reaching their stated objective.

1: Drunk &

Disorderly

2: Missing Moonshine

2B: 2A: Ghost Cave House

3A 3B Magnus’ Alarice’s

Cellar House

Back to Bru with Kell and / or liquor

Sample file

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. DC-POA-EBAL-TT1 Bru in Trouble 6 Call to Action: Drunk & Disorderly Estimated Duration: 1 Hour, 30 minutes Overview: The Hidden Contest The Mead Cartel is sponsoring its annual Contest The events in The Melting Hart include three of Spirits and the three finalists have gathered at essential components: introducing the distillers The Melting Hart Pub, along with a crowd of and the drinks they have entered into this year’s hard-drinking fans. This contest determines Contest of Spirits, participating in and/or betting which new offering will take center stage in the on the drinking contest, and the brawl. The Cartel’s marketing and distribution efforts for brawl is orchestrated by Alarice as cover for the the next year, but it always devolves into a theft of Bru’s sled full of liquor by his charmed rowdy drinking contest. bodyguard. The characters may have come just to blow off The two warlocks are each trying to steam, or they may have come to see Brugmansia psychically charm the judges, who have become “Bru” Tallshadow, one of the finalists; he either susceptible to their magic after drinking their owes them or they owe him something (see offerings. They can do this without verbal or “How do you Know Bru?” sidebar). somatic components but may have intense looks on their faces that might be noticed by Setting Information perceptive/insightful characters. The charms are mostly cancelling each other out, so many of The Melting Hart Pub is a small establishment at the judges look a little dazed and confused from the edge of Good Mead. This town is settled the battle of wills taking place in their minds. mostly by Chultan and Chondathan immigrants. It is in fact because of this secret conflict Characters who explore the area will find the between the two warlocks that most of the much larger Mead Hall in the center of town, judges end up picking Bru’s entry, Mezro’s abuzz with the bees kept inside that make the Calamity, to be the winner, as a way to relieve honey. Near the shore of The Redwaters is the themselves of the conflicting internal pressures neglected Shrine of the Flaming Sword. Most of to pick one of the other two. If a character the dwellings in Good Mead are humble, but makes a very high insight check or casts detect several are larger houses and some are clearly magic, they may be able to discern that the both dwellings and businesses, including the judges are struggling with conflicting houses of the distillers who are participating in enchantments. They will not be able to tell who the contest. is casting the charms, however, because the For more information on Good Mead, see warlocks can do it without verbal or somatic Chapter 1 of Icewind Dale: Rime of the components if someone has had one of their Frostmaiden. drinks (see Liquor Effects, below). Call to Action The characters have gathered at The Melting The Melting Hart Hart for the Mead Cartel’s annual Contest of The Melting Hart is a small pub established by Spirits. Some or all of them have come here the Mead Cartel at the edge of town, to showcase looking for Brugmansia “Bru” Tallshadow, one locally produced hard liquors made by distillers of the distillers participating in the contest. The they’ve sponsored. It is named for an ice contest of spirits devolves into a drinking sculpture of a white stag’s head on a counter contest, which devolves into a brawl. In the behind the bar that is enchanted to reform itself midst of this chaos, Bru’s bodyguard goes once it melts. The water is caught in a basin and missing along with a sled full of his winning bottles of ale and liquor are kept cold by the liquor. Desperate to find his beloved bodyguard Sampleperpetually melting icewater; this is done for file and recover the shipment, he hires the show and convenience only since it is easy to characters to track them down.

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. DC-POA-EBAL-TT1 Bru in Trouble 7 chill anything in Icewind Dale just by putting it 3. Bru offered you a job weeks ago at a bar in Bryn outside. The bar is owned and operated by the Shander but never followed up. Mead Cartel; the manager is a Chultan human named Aaron who is officiating the contest. The 4. You were drinking with Bru and having a great time, other judges are members of the cartel and but he left suddenly, and you feel you owe him a prominent figures in town. round on you.

5. You met Bru briefly at a Goatball game and he gave Though the weather outside is as dark and frigid as you a good tip, which helped you place your bet on any mid-afternoon in Icewind Dale these days, it is the winning team. warm and bright inside The Melting Hart, a pub in the small town of Good Mead. There’s a fire in the 6. You are an aspiring spirit-maker and you’re hoping to hearth and the place is packed with people here to apprentice with Bru and his partner. celebrate the annual Contest of Spirits and sample the newest offerings of Good Mead’s distilleries. 7. Bru gave you or your friends/family a loan that came Behind the bar is an ice sculpture of a white stag, at exactly the right time. You haven’t yet been able melting into a basin and chilling about a dozen to pay him back. bottles. Many of the patrons are local Chultans but 8. Bru saved your life or the life of your friend/family there are people from all over Ten Towns here, as member out on the road between Good Mead and well as a number of Goliaths. Fans of Goatball may Easthaven, after you were left for dead by bandits. recognize some well-known players among them. Outside the bar three heavily laden dog sleds wait, ready to transport a full shipment of the The Contest of Spirits winning liquor to Bryn Shander. The bar is crowded, but you find an open seat at a table in The distiller who wins the contest will receive a the corner near the door. spell scroll of ceremony as a ceremonial reward but the real prize is free promotion and distribution of the winning liquor through the The characters share the only open table in the Mead Cartel’s extensive network in Ten Towns. bar. Give them an opportunity to describe There is no better way for a local distiller to get themselves and interact with each other before their product into every tavern and pub in the festivities get started. Icewind Dale, so the competition is fierce. Since at least some of them are here to see The Cartel and its associated distillers are here Bru, they might discuss how they know the for the business opportunities, but the crowd is distiller. mostly here for the drinking contest, since shots of the new liquors are at half price and there’s How Do You Know Bru? money to be made gambling on which of the The DM can ask players if and how they know Bru, and rough and tumble patrons can best hold their they can come up with something based on their liquor. backgrounds (but no one would know him from before he came to Ten Towns since his identity as Bru was created when he went into hiding here). Alternatively, Mead Cartel Judges: The bar manager and they can roll a d8 for one of the following options: master of ceremonies is Aaron (unarmored Chultan veteran), a retired Chultan battle- 1. Bru’s liquor poisoned your friend or relative, and you master who is now a senior member of the Mead want him to pay the cost of healing them. Cartel. A dignified and refined man in later mid- life, he has dark skin and eyes, graying hair, and

2. Bru owes you money from gambling or from supplies wears clothes that are expensive and refined, you sold him. especially for Ten Towns.

Sample Another prominent judge is fileBaban (older Chultan woman, priest stats), who can attempt

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. DC-POA-EBAL-TT1 Bru in Trouble 8 to heal anyone badly wounded in the brawl that presenting STARFIRE WHISKEY, a reddish- breaks out during the drinking contest. If the brown whiskey in a sturdy rectangular bottle. characters are kind and respectful to her, she might be willing to give them a bottle of mead • Brugmansia “Bru” Tallshadow arrives a little she has enchanted as an elixir of health. The later than the others, rushing in just as the magic on this bottle is not permanent and will judge is announcing his name. He is a tall, expire after a day or so, so if it is not consumed slender human of indeterminate origin and age during this adventure it cannot be saved for with light brown skin, black hair and a well- future adventures and is not considered a trimmed beard sprinkled with gray, wearing consumable magic item reward for AL purposes. finely tooled leather armor. His offering today Drinking the potion will remove one level of is MEZRO’S CALAMITY, a genuine Chultan intoxication (see the Intoxication Effects table, Spirit made right here in Ten Towns, no more below). over-priced imports! It looks just like genuine The other judges are Cedric, Dawn, & Elmar MezCal, worm and all. The bottle is plain and (all humans of either Chultan or Chondathan simple and the label has a sketch of the lost origin with the noble stat block). city of Mezro’s steamy jungle skyline. Only Aaron will speak publicly during the Contest, but the characters might approach other judges during their investigation later. Intoxication Effects Have the Distillers come by the table to encourage the party to try their liquor and vote As the drinks are served and a drinking contest for them, to give the party a sense of each one’s is organized, explain to players the way character. drunkenness will work in this game. Give them Bru comes in late and talks to the party the Drinking Game Handout (Appendix F), which because he knows some of them (See “Bru and includes the Intoxication Table. Magical liquor Kell,” Below.) effects should only be described as they occur. The magical effects of the liquors on offer will The Contestants & Their Drinks have an impact on how the game unfolds, but • Alarice Frost-touched is a tall and slender alcohol is a powerful intoxicant all on its own, half-elven women with pale skin and jet black and there are consequences to excessive hair that covers her eyes in stylish bangs, drinking. wearing elegant black clothes with hints of If a character drinks to the point of silver. Her entry is GRAY GHOST ABSINTHE. intoxication, they will be affected by it for the It is a grayish-blue liquor with a slight, spooky next 8 hours or until after their next long rest. A glow. The long-necked bottle looks refined and character’s Constitution Modifier determines expensive. She insists it be served by pouring a how many drinks they can have before they shot and then adding water dripped over a begin to experience the deleterious effects of spoonful of crystalized honey, saying it is too Alcohol. Once they’ve had more than twice that strong and bitter to enjoy straight. To her number, they begin to experience states of chagrin, many of the grizzled warriors in the drunkenness similar to exhaustion. bar ignore this advice. If the CON modifier is zero, round up to 1. If it is a negative number, consider half a drink to be • Magnus Flintmarrow is a stout mountain the base multiplier. (e.g. a character with a CON dwarf with pockmarked skin and a wild look in of 8 has a -1 modifier so .5 of a drink is their base his eyes; over his work clothes he wears an old multiplier: after the first drink they’re at level 1 padded leather coat embossed with a symbol intoxication and have disadvantage on all ability that looks like a ball-shaped fist hitting a stick checks. The second drink brings them to level 3, figure who is double over; local characters Sampleetc.). Dwarves and other characters filewith poison might recognize this as the insignia of the resistance can double the number of drinks it Gutpunchers, his old Goatball team. He is takes to reach each level on this table.

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. DC-POA-EBAL-TT1 Bru in Trouble 9