Drawing is mine, modelled on Lydos' pot |
My B2 Campaign is underway! This post continues on from my Cave of the Creepers (revising the Kobold Caves), this time updating the Orc Caves (B & C).
- Again, my updates take as much inspiration from Professor Dungeon Master's videos (Orcs & Bandits) as they do from the original module.
- Dyson has some upgraded maps that I referenced while making my version.
- I've tried to keep the maps and room contents similar in spirit to their original versions, but I've added a few connections to make the dungeons loopier.
In my versions, I've replaced the orcs in Cave B with Brugor (because I can't get enough of beastmen) and those in Cave C with a rebel faction, opposed to the imperial rule imposed by the governor, Lord Kostritz at the Gulworth Keep.
Burrow of the Brugor
The brugor in Cave B, have gathered under the iron hoof of Borghast, a ram-headed adept of Baphomet from the frozen chaos wastes. He came to the Caves of Chaos about a year ago, drawn by the malignant energies of the fallen star that created this ravine and the psychic shadow of the chaos rituals being performed in this area. Since arriving he has been assembling an army of his descendants to invade the soft human lands.
- Borghast supervises the cultivation of an alchemically potent fungus (grown on the living bodies of sedated humans) which he trades to the rebels in Cave C for liquor, salt & molasses imported from the human towns.
- The brugor are gathering strength & stockpiling resources by raiding local farms and ambushing foresters. They will bypass the Keep and attack the town of Hommlet in one month.
Map Key:
- Entry: I've kept the classic wall of severed-heads gimmick, with one head being a watchman spying from Area A.
- Areas 7 & 8: Guardrooms. Will respond & attempt encirclement if alerted.
- Area 9: A major hall, equipped with big, crude tables.
- Many human bodies being cured into hams. Provisions for the impending invasion.
- Several donkeys present. Pregnant with brugor children. When"Speak With Animals" is inevitably used by the party's druid, they'll proclaim how great it is being with the brugor.
- Area 10: Barracks: A dozen brugor. Likely very drunk. Slow to respond to alerts in other rooms.
- Raised planters filled with bones: growing Corpse Shrooms. These mushrooms restore 1hp & impart memories of the dead if consumed.
- Area 11: Fungal Vault: Fluorescent orange fungus grows on sedated humans.
- This fungus is the active ingredient in the infamous "God Talk" drug and is useful for producing "Enlarge" & "Haste" potions. It is a vital trade good for the Brugor. d12 Jars of finished product (worth 200GP each) are stored in the closet at Area B.
- Area 12: Borghast's Chambers:
- Borghast is clad in chainmail and has a war-axe from his past adventures.
- A locked iron chest contains his treasures: 200GP in mixed coins, a potion of healing and a scroll of fireball that Borghast can't read, but knows is valuable.
- The niche in the NW corner of his lair is a shrine to Baphomet, goat-headed demon of vengeance.
- Behind a dingy tapestry, there's a crudely hidden door into Area 13
- Area 13: This secret room is where Borghast meets with Janus, leader of the rebel faction in Cave C to exchange his fluorescent fungus for rotgut.
- Contains several cases of Rothko's Rotgut and 2 jars of fungus worth 200gp each to a wizard or alchemist
- Janus believes that by supplying the brugor with alcohol she's blunting their danger to the region.
There is an organized resistance to the imperial authority enforced from Gulworth Keep. An important cell, under the command of Janus, has taken up residence in the Caves of Chaos. While not entirely aligned with the goals of the Chaos Cultists controlling the valley, they use the other denizens as cover from the authorities and trade partners to acquire important resources.
- Janus has an agreement with Borghast (in Cave B) to buy alchemically potent fungus, which she sells on to the rogue wizard Hieronymus Tulgar for a staggering profit. This is becoming an important funding source for the movement.
- Janus is also working with the Hillmen warriors in Cave F. She has brokered a deal to provide them with steel weapons in exchange for a large shipment of Warpstone mined from Cave D. I'll get to caves D, E & F in a future post.
- Warpstone is the primary component in the gunpowder the rebels are manufacturing elsewhere (at the Smoke House, another dungeon I'm working on).
- Frontal assaults on the Redoubt are likely to be very bloody. Janus' fighters are well armed with swords, pistols and grenades.
- The fighters wear Zorro-style masks.
Map Key:
- The Entrance is rigged with a trip wire that will trigger an alarm bell.
- Area 13: A large wardrobe hides the entrance from this side, the hidden room can be accessed via a moving panel in the back.
- Areas 14 & 15: The living quarters of the rebels. Fighters from these locations will respond to any alarm.
- Area A on the map denotes a black powder claymore set up to fire down the hallway. It is triggered by a pull string from Area 15.
- If assaulted, fighters in Area 15 will bar the door. While 2 defend, the rest will circle around via the northern passage to flank the attackers.
- Area 16: The quarters of Janus
- Janus is a tall red-headed woman. She'll be armed with a pair of pistols and an epee. She wears a large gold belt buckle worth 100GP.
- The antechamber to her room, contains a large locked wardrobe containing 1000GP worth of warpstone ore, 3 jars of orange fungus and a potion of Enlarge Self. Next to the wardrobe, two large crates contain 40 machetes.
- In her chamber, Janus has a writing desk containing written correspondence:
- Letter from Hieronymus Tulgar regarding his purchase of fungus
- Letter from a senior Rebel officer approving the exchange of machetes for warpstone.
- Letter from a Druid in Hommlet, expressing interest in further discussion of "matters of mutual concern"
- Several inflammatory pamphlets & a political manifesto.
- Additionally she has: Ivory bracelet (100GP), a 100GP gem in the pommel of her sword, 50 ancient platinum coins, fancy copper bowl (50gp).
- If combat seems to be going poorly, she will retreat via the secret door to area 13 to fight another day.
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