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What is The Howling Gorge 5E?
The Howling Gorge is a 5E adventure that offers a blend of challenges and storytelling and is perfect for a session or two (depending on the PCs and your playtime). Set in the Ironspike Mountains, it will take players from the village of Galespire up treacherous mountain paths to retrieve a legendary blade, rumored to control the weather, from the gorge to calm the restless spirit of Warlord Garumn and prevent a catastrophic storm.
The Starting Point: Galespire Village
The adventure kicks off in the village square, with Elder Morwen briefing the players about the increasing supernatural disturbances and the legend of Garumn's blade. This scene sets the mood and gives players all the information they need to embark on their quest.
The Key Points
Trekking the Ironspike Mountains
- Players will face natural obstacles like steep climbs, icy patches, and narrow ledges. They must use their Athletics checks to conquer the rough terrain and Acrobatics to maintain balance on precarious paths.
- A band of goblins has set up an ambush. This can be a combat encounter or a chance for diplomatic characters to shine by negotiating passage or enlisting the goblins' help.
Navigational Puzzles
- Players must choose their path wisely through the mountains using Survival checks to find the safest route. Incorrect choices could lead to delays, additional hazards like rockslides, or getting lost in thick fog.
The Gorge and Garumn's Cave
-The gorge itself presents eerie, spirit-related challenges. Expect to test the players' resolve with creepy phenomena and attacks by spectral minions.
- The cave holding the blade is sealed and requires solving a rune puzzle to enter.
Retrieving the Blade
- Inside the cave, the blade is encased in magical ice, necessitating clever thinking or magical intervention to retrieve it without damage.
Pacifying the Spirit
- With the blade in hand, they must confront Garumn's spirit. This can lead to a climactic battle, a tense negotiation, or using the blade's power to show mastery over the storms, based on the players' approach.
Then, the Return to Galespire
- The characters return to the village and perform a ritual to permanently bind the storm's power to the blade (depending on their choices). Of course, they are celebrated as saviors.
The Howling Gorge is designed to be compact and fit into a single session (or two) but doesn't skimp on depth or excitement. It's a great way to challenge new and experienced players with combat, diplomacy, and problem-solving. Get ready for a memorable session as your players race against time to avert a storm of supernatural origins!
Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ericbleney/the-howling-...
Rick
- [+] Dice rolls
