Faded from Reality | Free Adventure for D&D and PF2e
PF2e conversion by Zac Chaney
Cartography by Sir Vicke
In Faded from Reality, a level 5 adventure, the characters investigate the Derry Farmstead, where seasonal boundaries have broken down and eerie stillness hangs over a seemingly untouched orchard. Signs of magical collapse, a blood-soaked farmhouse, and a yawning dimensional portal lead to a confrontation with skaedwan—flesh-wearing aberrations from another realm. Clues suggest that Mayor Zildra Poe may have unintentionally caused the rift during a previous visit. This exploration-heavy mystery blends planar horror with investigative roleplay, and its unresolved portal hints at deeper troubles tied to the ongoing magical instability in the region.
Faded from Reality - D&D 5e
Below are the details you need to run this adventure. However, the game master is encouraged to customize it slightly for their group and ongoing campaign. Consider questions such as the following:
· Where will this adventure take place in your world?
· Should you change any of the location names to make them better fit your campaign setting?
· Should you increase or decrease the loot, including adding or removing magic items?
· Should you adjust any of the encounters to better fit the power level of your players and their characters?
Game Master Notes
Level. This adventure is designed for a group of four to six level-five characters.
Creatures. This adventure features the following creatures: skaedwan*.
*These creatures can be found in Guardians of Wealth and Unimaginable Horrors in this issue of Lair Magazine.
Resting. It’s not expected that the party will need to take any rests in this adventure.
Seasonal Divide
A brisk, wintry chill clings to the air along the road, causing one’s every breath to steam. A dirt path marked by wagon ruts curves through some trees toward a farm off the highway. While grass is frosted and dying along the main road, a clear divide of verdant grass and the warmth of midsummer encircles the distant farmhouse and its surroundings.
Unnatural Line. A character can learn with a DC 14 Intelligence (Nature) check that the growth on the other side of the line appears closer to autumn’s end, whereas the rest of the world is entering winter.
Magical Origin. A character can discern with a DC 13 Intelligence (Arcana) check that unnatural magic may be causing this effect, but they can tell little more from this distance.
An Eerie Mystery
Apples lay strewn across the hills beneath the two tall trees, the woody giants laden to bursting with even more fruit. The large wood house stands like a lone sentinel amidst the farmstead, its frosted glass panes further obscured by the still curtains inside. A large corral in the back features a lone horse lying beneath a crimson awning, its eyes glazed and staring. The air tastes stale, and despite the fallen fruit and lifeless animal, no insects buzz in the stillness.
Magical Suppositions. A character attempting to ascertain if magic is the cause of the situation can make a DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check. On a success, they can discern no specific magical influence; however, if they roll 5 or more above the DC, they also learn that extra-dimensional elements or an unusual effect of the magic collapses may be causing the lack of rot.
Ripe Apples. A character studying the apples can attempt a DC 14 Intelligence (Nature) check to realize that the fruit is untouched by insects or rot. A success that exceeds the DC by 5 or more also reveals that the apple-picking season ended four weeks ago, and there should be no ripe fruit on the trees.
Tracks. Characters looking for tracks may attempt a DC 12 Wisdom (Survival) check. On a success, they may determine that there are no tracks to or from the property.
Slain Horse. A DC 17 Wisdom (Medicine) check to investigate the dead horse reveals the creature died from electrical surges from within its body.
Packed Crates. The characters can discover the partial remains of a banner hidden amidst the crates with a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check. It reads in two lines: “Derry Farmstead Welc—Madam May—” with the remainder of its words and letters lost. Originally, it read, “Derry Farmstead Welcomes Madam Mayor Zildra!”
Locked Farmhouse. Frosted glass and the curtains inside obscure the farmhouse windows. The door in the northeastern corner of the building is locked, but a lock pick will open it with a DC 14 Dexterity (Thieves’ Tools) check.
From the Abyss
An empty easel, its cherry wood frame splattered with paint, waits alongside a table with paints and brushes spread across it. Shelves laden with additional art supplies hang on the far wall. A large square rug, its red material soaked bright crimson with blood, spans the center of the room. The blood streaks across the floorboards lead to a gaping chasm of infinite darkness broken only by pinpricks of light.
Dimensional Portal. The southern floorboards open to reveal a void-like portal gleaming with distant stars. A character that succeeds on a DC 13 Intelligence (Arcana) check gets the feeling that they should avoid falling into it at all costs.
Blood. A DC 14 Wisdom (Medicine) check on the blood reveals it is still wet.
Painter’s Art. A painting beside a set of painter’s tools depicts a halfling woman clad in red sitting at a dining table. A DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check on the back reveals the words “Dinner with Madam Mayor” faintly written on the back.
Accouterment Shelves. The shelves contain a myriad of painting supplies, canvases, and books. If a character studies the books with a DC 16 Intelligence (Investigation) check, they can find one is the journal of young Jane Derry; it contains entries on the following:
· The damaging effects of magic collapses on the harvest;
· A letter from the mayor of Farandole requesting to visit;
· Painting a banner the night before the mayor’s arrival;
· The mayor’s visit four weeks ago, and how Mayor Zildra requested some time alone in the farmhouse to pray after viewing the damage from a recent magic collapse. When Zildra emerged, she looked sad and confused but enjoyed the evening with the family before departing;
· A final entry dated four weeks ago about painting the mayor’s portrait.
Aberrations Arrival. Once characters have investigated the farmhouse, three skaedwan emerge from the depths of the portal.
Encounter Notes.
· The skaedwan position themselves to trap the characters inside the farmhouse so they cannot escape.
· Any skaedwan that can position itself in shadows attempts to hide and ambush its targets with melee attacks.
· If reduced to less than 15 hit points, a skaedwan will attempt to escape through the portal.
Conclusion
With the skaedwan eliminated or driven away, a sense of foreboding calm settles over the farmstead. Although the portal’s maw remains open, the worst of the danger appears to be past. However, the unsettling scene and the mayor of Farandole’s potential involvement should raise concerns, motivating the characters to investigate further.
Point of Interest: Derry Farmstead
Derry Farmstead
Farmstead
Creatures. The only living creatures present are those in the adventure.
Description. Derry Farmstead is a well-regarded apple supplier for Farandole and the surrounding villages. Grocers who stock these delectable fruits consider them the best they have ever enjoyed, and the Derry brand can afford to charge a premium for this.
However, the magic collapses have wreaked havoc on the farm. One in particular spawned a wildfire that consumed several of their trees before they could contain the blaze. The family has enough coin to weather this unnatural storm, but this event raises concerns over the potential economic ramifications the unnatural occurrences bring with them.
Discoveries. By piecing together the clues around the farmstead, the characters can discover that an extra-dimensional portal is the cause. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that Mayor Zildra may be connected to or at least responsible for what happened at the farmstead, as she was one of the last visitors more than four weeks ago.
Faded from Reality - PF2e
Below are the details you need to run this adventure. However, the game master is encouraged to customize it slightly for their group and ongoing campaign. Consider questions such as the following:
· Where will this adventure take place in your world?
· Should you change any of the location names to make them better fit your campaign setting?
· Should you increase or decrease the loot, including adding or removing magic items?
· Should you adjust any of the encounters to better fit the power level of your players and their characters?
Game Master Notes
Level. This adventure is designed for a group of four level-five characters.
Creatures. This adventure features the following creatures: skaedwan*.
*These creatures can be found in Guardians of Wealth and Unimaginable Horrors in this issue of Lair Magazine.
Adventure Difficulty. The party can expect to encounter one low encounters in this adventure.
Seasonal Divide
A brisk, wintry chill clings to the air along the road, causing one’s every breath to steam. A dirt path marked by wagon ruts curves through some trees toward a farm off the highway. While grass is frosted and dying along the main road, a clear divide of verdant grass and the warmth of midsummer encircles the distant farmhouse and its surroundings.
Unnatural Line. A character can learn with a DC 21 Nature check that the growth on the other side of the line appears closer to autumn’s end, whereas the rest of the world is entering winter.
Magical Origin. A character can discern with a DC 21 Arcana check that unnatural magic may be causing this effect, but they can tell little more from this distance.
An Eerie Mystery
Apples lay strewn across the hills beneath the two tall trees, the woody giants laden to bursting with even more fruit. The large wood house stands like a lone sentinel amidst the farmstead, its frosted glass panes further obscured by the still curtains inside. A large corral in the back features a lone horse lying beneath a crimson awning, its eyes glazed and staring. The air tastes stale, and despite the fallen fruit and lifeless animal, no insects buzz in the stillness.
Magical Suppositions. A character attempting to ascertain if magic is the cause of the situation can make a DC 21 Arcana check. On a success, they can discern no specific magical influence; on a critical success, they also learn that extra-dimensional elements or an unusual effect of the magic collapses may be causing the lack of rot.
Ripe Apples. A character studying the apples can attempt a DC 21 Nature check to realize that the fruit is untouched by insects or rot. A critical success also reveals that the apple-picking season ended four weeks ago, and there should be no ripe fruit on the trees.
Tracks. Characters looking for tracks may attempt a DC 20 Survival check. On a success, they may determine that there are no tracks to or from the property.
Slain Horse. A DC 21 Medicine check to investigate the dead horse reveals the creature died from electrical surges from within its body.
Packed Crates. The characters can discover the partial remains of a banner hidden amidst the crates with a DC 21 Perception check. It reads in two lines: “Derry Farmstead Welc—Madam May—” with the remainder of its words and letters lost. Originally, it read, “Derry Farmstead Welcomes Madam Mayor Zildra!”
Locked Farmhouse. Frosted glass and the curtains inside obscure the farmhouse windows. The door in the northeastern corner of the building is locked, but a lock pick will open it with a DC 21 Thievery check.
From the Abyss Low 6
An empty easel, its cherry wood frame splattered with paint, waits alongside a table with paints and brushes spread across it. Shelves laden with additional art supplies hang on the far wall. A large square rug, its red material soaked bright crimson with blood, spans the center of the room. The blood streaks across the floorboards lead to a gaping chasm of infinite darkness broken only by pinpricks of light.
Dimensional Portal. The southern floorboards open to reveal a void-like portal gleaming with distant stars. A character that succeeds on a DC 20 Arcana check gets the feeling that they should avoid falling into it at all costs.
Blood. The blood is still wet and was only recently spilled.
Painter’s Art. A painting beside a set of painter’s tools depicts a halfling woman clad in red sitting at a dining table. A DC 21 Perception check on the back reveals the words “Dinner with Madam Mayor” faintly written on the back.
Accouterment Shelves. The shelves contain a myriad of painting supplies, canvases, and books. If a character studies the books and makes a DC 21 Society check, they can find one is the journal of young Jane Derry; it contains entries on the following:
· The damaging effects of magic collapses on the harvest;
· A letter from the mayor of Farandole requesting to visit;
· Painting a banner the night before the mayor’s arrival;
· The mayor’s visit four weeks ago, and how Mayor Zildra requested some time alone in the farmhouse to pray after viewing the damage from a recent magic collapse. When Zildra emerged, she looked sad and confused but enjoyed the evening with the family before departing;
· A final entry dated four weeks ago about painting the mayor’s portrait.
Aberrations Arrival. Once characters have investigated the farmhouse, three skaedwan emerge from the depths of the portal.
Encounter Notes.
· The skaedwan position themselves to trap the characters inside the farmhouse so they cannot escape.
· Any skaedwan that can position itself in shadows attempts to hide and ambush its targets with melee attacks.
· If reduced to less than 15 hit points, a skaedwan will attempt to escape through the portal.
Conclusion
With the skaedwan eliminated or driven away, a sense of foreboding calm settles over the farmstead. Although the portal’s maw remains open, the worst of the danger appears to be past. However, the unsettling scene and the mayor of Farandole’s potential involvement should raise concerns, motivating the characters to investigate further.
Point of Interest: Derry Farmstead
Derry Farmstead
Farmstead
Creatures. The only living creatures present are those in the adventure.
Description. Derry Farmstead is a well-regarded apple supplier for Farandole and the surrounding villages. Grocers who stock these delectable fruits consider them the best they have ever enjoyed, and the Derry brand can afford to charge a premium for this.
However, the magic collapses have wreaked havoc on the farm. One in particular spawned a wildfire that consumed several of their trees before they could contain the blaze. The family has enough coin to weather this unnatural storm, but this event raises concerns over the potential economic ramifications the unnatural occurrences bring with them.
Discoveries. By piecing together the clues around the farmstead, the characters can discover that an extra-dimensional portal is the cause. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that Mayor Zildra may be connected to or at least responsible for what happened at the farmstead, as she was one of the last visitors more than four weeks ago.
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