A Quandary of Raiders | Free Adventure for D&D and PF2e

This short adventure presents the characters with a side quest featuring a typical bandit raid on a merchant caravan. While the inciting event appears mundane on the surface, this is a trap designed to lull characters into complacency. If they act in haste before realizing the truth of the situation, the moral repercussions may haunt their characters.

The characters may have heard rumors of the Alrinth Raiders’ activity in the vicinity while visiting nearby towns and gone out to track the bandits down. Alternatively, they can stumble upon the inciting raid while it is in progress.

The sweet tang of fresh grass wafts on the breeze as it rustles through the long stalks along the road, stirred by an oncoming storm. The wind carries the damp scent of must from the fallen leaves in the forest beyond the rock wall, as well as the cries of alarm and fear. Two wagons block the road, and a third has careened into a tree. A trio of thieves rifle through the crashed vehicle as two bowmen aim arrows at the caravanners cowering behind the middle wagon.

 Roleplaying Notes.

·         Upon noticing the characters, the berserker orders the thugs to make their escape into the woods with the stolen goods. They both flee to the east and disappear into the trees.

·         He then drags one of the nobles out from behind the wagon, shouting to the characters, “Stay back! No one needs to die this day unless you interfere.” The characters can confirm the honesty of his statement with a DC 14 Wisdom (Insight) check, as he does not want to harm anyone unless there is no choice.

·         The berserker will attempt to negotiate the release of hostages to buy time for the thugs to escape further into the woods. He will offer to release the captives one by one if the characters succeed on a DC 10 Charisma (Intimidation or Persuasion) check.

·         After they release one captive, the scouts will attempt to slip away unnoticed; the berserker will likewise prepare to run as well.

·         If a battle begins while there is a hostage, the berserker will push the hostage to safety.

Encounter Notes.

·         The berserker approaches the nearest character and focuses his attacks on them. He will only resort to attacking recklessly if reduced to half health.

·         Each of the scouts will target other characters with their bows and remain out of range. If the characters approach, they will fall back to a safe distance.

·         While the thugs prioritize escaping, the berserker will fight to the death to allow them to flee. The scouts will retreat if injured or if the berserker is slain.

Roleplaying Notes.

·         After the battle, the merchants express their thanks to the characters for saving them, although they have minimal reward to offer since the raiders stole their belongings.

·         If asked about the bandits, they explain that the Alrinth Raiders are a new group of bandits plaguing the region. The guards in all of the nearby settlements have a reward of 300 gp for anyone who can stop them.

·         If asked about the direction of the bandit trail, the merchants estimate that Mount Galdor is in that direction.

A small clearing interrupts the grove of trees nestled at the base of a gully. Several tents encircle a small campfire sheltered beneath an awning to protect it from the storm. Multiple wagons with damage to their wheels and axles stand sentinel around the camp, and several figures barely illuminated by the fire go about their evening tasks.

 Roleplaying Notes.

·         The Alrinth Raiders have not set a watch at the camp due to inexperience.

·         The Raiders are eager to avoid bloodshed but are unwilling to surrender unless the characters succeed on a DC 17 Charisma (Intimidation or Persuasion) check or if the characters agree to assist them. If they threaten any of the raiders’ lives, they will fight to defend themselves.

·         If asked why they resorted to this lifestyle, the acolyte (Elder Garron) explains that a barbed devil attacked their village and trapped its citizens in a demiplane. Their only hope to free the villagers is to deliver treasure to this devil, and Elder Garron specifically requires his people to avoid killing innocents at all costs.

Encounter Notes.

·         The acolyte focuses on providing healing and support to the other raiders.

·         Both thugs move as a group to attack in hand-to-hand combat, targeting anyone who gets close enough to threaten their compatriots.

·         The scout targets any spellcasting characters and will rush in to defend the acolyte in melee combat if threatened.

·         If the characters defeat half of the raiders, the remaining outlaws will attempt to flee or surrender.

This short adventure presents the characters with a side quest featuring a typical bandit raid on a merchant caravan. While the inciting event appears mundane on the surface, this is a trap designed to lull characters into complacency. If they act in haste before realizing the truth of the situation, the moral repercussions may haunt their characters.

The characters may have heard rumors of the Alrinth Raiders’ activity in the vicinity while visiting nearby towns and gone out to track the bandits down. Alternatively, they can stumble upon the inciting raid while it is in progress.

The sweet tang of fresh grass wafts on the breeze as it rustles through the long stalks along the road, stirred by an oncoming storm. The wind carries the damp scent of must from the fallen leaves in the forest beyond the rock wall, as well as the cries of alarm and fear. Two wagons block the road, and a third has careened into a tree. A trio of thieves rifle through the crashed vehicle as two bowmen aim arrows at the caravanners cowering behind the middle wagon.

 Roleplaying Notes.

·         Upon noticing the characters, the bandit orders the others to make their escape into the woods with the stolen goods. They flee to the east and disappear into the trees.

·         He then drags one of the nobles out from behind the wagon, shouting to the characters, “Stay back! No one needs to die this day unless you interfere.” The characters can confirm the honesty of his statement with a DC 15 Perception check, as he does not want to harm anyone unless there is no choice.

·         The bandit will attempt to negotiate the release of hostages to buy time for the others to escape further into the woods. He will offer to release the captives one by one if the characters succeed on a DC 18 Diplomacy or Intimidation check.

·         After they release one captive, the ruffian will attempt to slip away unnoticed; the ogre will likewise prepare to run as well.

·         If a battle begins while there is a hostage, the bandit will push the hostage to safety.

Encounter Notes.

·         The ogre approaches the nearest character and focuses his attacks on them.

·         The bandit will target other characters with his sling and remain out of range. If the characters approach, he will fall back to a safe distance.

Roleplaying Notes.

·         After the battle, the merchants express their thanks to the characters for saving them, although they have minimal reward to offer since the raiders stole their belongings.

·         If asked about the bandits, they explain that the Alrinth Raiders are a new group of bandits plaguing the region. The guards in all of the nearby settlements have a reward of 30 gp for anyone who can stop them.

·         If asked about the direction of the bandit trail, the merchants estimate that Mount Galdor is in that direction.

A small clearing interrupts the grove of trees nestled at the base of a gully. Several tents encircle a small campfire sheltered beneath an awning to protect it from the storm. Multiple wagons with damage to their wheels and axles stand sentinel around the camp, and several figures barely illuminated by the fire go about their evening tasks.

 Roleplaying Notes.

·         The Alrinth Raiders have not set a watch at the camp due to inexperience.

·         The Raiders are eager to avoid bloodshed but are unwilling to surrender unless the characters succeed on a DC 20 Diplomacy or Intimidation check or if the characters agree to assist them. If they threaten any of the raiders’ lives, they will fight to defend themselves.

·         If asked why they resorted to this lifestyle, the prophet (Elder Garron) explains that a barbed devil attacked their village and trapped its citizens in a demiplane. Their only hope to free the villagers is to deliver treasure to this devil, and Elder Garron specifically requires his people to avoid killing innocents at all costs.

Encounter Notes.

·         The prophet focuses on providing healing and support to the other raiders.

·         Both bandits move as a group to attack in hand-to-hand combat, targeting anyone who gets close enough to threaten their compatriots.

·         The ruffian targets any spellcasting characters and will rush in to defend the prophet in melee combat if threatened.

·         If the characters defeat half of the raiders, the remaining outlaws will attempt to flee or surrender.