THE

SPYMASTERS
PREDICAMENT

A wzl Adventure
 THE

SPYMASTERS
PREDICAMENT

AUTHOR
Johan Hedin

EDITOR
Johan Hedin

COVER ART
Johan Hedin

ILLUSTRATIONS - MAPS
Johan Hedin

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All other original content material in this work is copyright (2018) by Johan Hedin and published under the
community Content agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild

2
PREAMBLE
Dear Reader,
Thank you for looking to run this adventure,
which is the prequel to The Light at the End of
the Tunnel, also found on DMs Guild. It has been
a great experience creating this adventure with
a few NPCs I’ve grown pretty fond of. That being
said, please feel free to change the setting,
location, story, NPCs and their characteristics to
have better compatibility with the Player
characters and their storyline. The goal has not
been to create a one dimensional travel from
point A to B, but more of a sandbox giving the
prerequisites for you as a DM to take your
Players on a fun and challenging journey and a
great experience.
This adventure is suitable for both RP oriented
Players as well as combat styled Players as both
are valid approaches. The adventure is designed
for 4 level 3 characters but can easily be tuned
up and down by adding or subtracting NPCs in
the combat situations with multiple enemies.
Please feel free to contact me on twitter with
comments, criticism and tell me how your
Players did in the encounters at @wzl_TV.
On with the show!
Johan Hedin, January 21st 2018.
ADVENTURE BACKGROUND
Spymaster Felia Gasters is an up and coming
agent in Lord Hollward of Cormyr’s official
intelligence network; the Nighthawks. Being a
young, aspiring Spymaster, she went outside her
assignments and started her own investigations
in hope to make a big discovery to earn her a
promotion. Recently she was secretly working to
infiltrate a devious smuggler's organization
known in certain circuits as the Tunnel as they
were known to often smuggle illegal items
through various tunnels under the city.
During this after hours work, she stumbled
upon evidence that the Chief in Command of the
Nighthawks, sir Ian Gammling, is somehow
involved the Tunnel. She does not yet know the
nature of the aid, only that Sir Gammling is
probably involved due to his name being
mentioned in a note she intercepted from one of
the Tunnel courier boys who unfortunately had
to pay with his life to give up the correspondence.
Also mentioned in the note was a noblewoman,
Lady Claire Fennerhausen. As miss Gasters is
afraid that any fellow Nighthawk might betray
her if she would confide in them, she had to go
outside her organization for help in this sensitive
matter. To add leek on the salmon, there is a state
visit from the rulers of the neighbouring
Kingdom of Sambia in only three days and Lord
Hollward of Cormyr, the visitors and the nation
itself will be most exposed during the gala to be
held for the visitors. Felia decided that this Lady
Claire must be investigated and has gathered
some intel on her.
In fact, sir Ian Gammling is on the payroll of the
Tunnel with the agreement that he will not
investigate them and see through the fingers if
any Tunnel activity is exposed. During a dinner
with Lord Hollward, the Lord disclosed to Sir Ian,
his plans to increase the efforts on lowering
organized crime in the city of Suzail, particularly
to eradicate the notorious Tunnel. After Ian
reported this to the head of the Tunnel, they
decided that they had to dispose of Lord Hollward
before he would bring them all down.
3
 The note which ms Gasters received reads “The
package has been delivered by Gammling to
Fennerhausen. The hit will be going down as
planned.”
ADVENTURE OVERVIEW
The adventure starts at Spymaster Felia Gasters
chosen rendezvous point, in Backstrider Alley,
close to Panrocks Bazaar in the town of Suzail in
lord Hollwards kingdom of Cormyr. Felia will
brief the Players of the scheme she wants to
uncover. Right as she is done, a Tunnel affeliate
in disguise who is on to Felia will interrupt the
briefing and the the party will either have to
avoid being seen or end the life of the interloper.
The first part of Felias mission is to infiltrate
Lady Claire Fennerhausen’s house and find any
evidence linking Sir Ian to the Tunnel and
preferably to do so unnoticed. The way the Party
decides to enter the house and retrieve the
evidence is completely up to the Party. Upon
gathering the evidence, a vial of poison with a
written instruction signed by Ian on how to
murder Lord Hollward, the Party shall meet up
with Felia close to Ian’s mansion the next day.
Upon waiting for Felia for a very long time, the
Party finds out that Felia was kidnapped by grey
cloaked men. These men were Nighthawks,
corrupted by Sir Ian Gammling and Felia is now
being kept prisoner in his residence - Skyform
Manor.
The adventure concludes with either
Gammling dead or arrested, or with the Party
members having turned sides and joined Sir Ian
Gammling and the Tunnel having executed Felia
Gasters as their first assignment.
4
ADVENTURE HOOKS
Of course you need to involve your Players
characters in the adventure in a way that suits
their personalities and storylines, but here are a
few options:
Friend in need - One of the party members is a
childhood friend of Felia Gasters. Felia has sent a
courier with a letter to this member that reads:
“Dear <name>, I know it has been a long time,
but dire times require dire measures. I need
someone whom I can trust to aid me in what I
believe is the most important mission in my life. I
have always been able to trust you, as you me. I
beg of you to gather your most trustworthy
companions and meet me in Backstrider Alley, in
Suzail on the break of dawn on the first day of
Mirtul. Keep a low profile and do not get into any
trouble when you enter Suzail. I will of course
reward you, and your allies for your efforts.
Your Friend - Felia”
Leap of faith - The Party travels through Suzail
and is sitting at the Barley, Barrels and Brew inn.
From nowhere, a grey cloaked woman sits down
and starts talking to them in a fast but firm pace.
“From all the customers at this establishment,
you seem like the most trustworthy and fit for a
task I must ask of you. I don’t have much time, I
need to keep moving. I am Felia Gasters,
Spymaster for the Nighthawks, in the service of
Lord Hollward of Cormyr. Meet me in Backstrider
Alley at Panrock’s Bazaar, tomorrow morning at
sunrise, before the marketplace opens. I will
make it worth your trouble.” As fast as she
showed up, she almost melts into the shadows
and disappears through the main entrance.
ACT ONE - THE BRIEFING
The Players find themselves crouching behind
a stack of crates in Backstrider Alley, waiting for
Spymaster Felia Gasters who appears to be late.
Ambiance: An early, low sun casts long
shadows out on the square. It is early spring and
the air is chilly at this time of day. The City is
awake and the sound of traders shouting out
their deals and goods on the Bazaar is just
around the corner. “Dried peaches, fresh out of
Chult!” “Get yer hammers here! Get two and get
a bag of nails for free!” “Clams! Clams! Get them
while they are fresh!”. The occasional squeaking
is heard from passing carts. The alley itself is 6
feet wide, dim lighted and there are lots of
empty stacked crates from the surrounding
shops to hide behind. The surrounding
buildings are 3 stories high and there are small
balconies on both sides on the second and third
floors but no windows. There is a distinct, nasty
smell from drunkards having emptied their
bladders out of sight in the alley.
Give the players a turn to do something while
they wait for Felia, being it investigation, hiding
from a potential ambush or whatever they come
up with. An Investigation or Perception check
will show:
DC 6, The boxes you are hiding behind are
empty and used to contain various exotic fruits.
DC 10, There are two doors further into the
alley, one to the left and one to the right. (These
are detailed further down).
DC 16, On the low side of the wall behind the
party is a secret door, covered by a wooden
board. Behind the door is a dark passageway.
All of the sudden, a female figure appear at the
entrance of the alley. The figure looks quickly in
all directions before it swiftly moves into
Backstrider Alley. Coming closer, the Party can
see that this cloak covered figure is peering into
the alley as if looking for something, or
someone. The figure is Spymaster Felia Gasters
and she will quietly call out the name of her
contact within the Party.
Roleplaying Felia Gasters - Felia is dressed in a
bright grey cloak that covers her studded leather
armor. Her hair is almost as grey as the cloak
despite her young age of 25. She has pale skin and
intense bright eyes. She is a tough Spymaster, not
afraid to pull out a hidden dagger and slice up a
foe if need be. Though, she almost never lets
down her corky smile. She has worked for the
Nighthawks since she was eleven years old and
her highest wish is to one day be crowned Chief in
Command. Her belief that the Nighthawks stands
for honor and justice is threatened by the fact
that their Chief in Command might be corrupted
and she most definitely have to find out if this is
true or not.
Felia Quote: “I’d insult you, but then I’ll have to
explain it afterwards so never mind, let’s take
this outside instead.”
Felia is still hesitant to share the information
she has retrieved with the party even though she
has decided to do so. She will confirm the identity
and trustworthiness of all party members before
starting the briefing of her mission. She is
somewhat nervous about mentioning Sir
Gammlings name at first, but once it is out there,
she spills the whole story although constantly
underlining the danger she is putting herself into
just by talking to the Party regarding this. Felia
knows the following:
● She is late to the rendezvous because she
felt she was being followed, but is certain
she shook them off.
● Felia will tell the Party about the Tunnel
and that she intercepted a note while
working on her own.
● Felia can show the Party the note she stole
from the Tunnel courier boy. (She will not
tell the party she murdered the boy for
the note unless they can persuade her to
do so on a DC 18.)
5
 ● There rulers of the neighbouring
kingdom of Sambia are visiting in three
days and everyone are on high alert. The
bond between the nations are very
important for the prosperity of both
countries. There will be a grand
reception, with dinner and dancing.
Whatever this “hit” is about, that might
be the target. “For the sake of our nation,
we must act quickly!”
● The Chief in Command for the
Nighthawks, Sir Ian Gammling lives in
Skyform Manor, east of town. He has
been with the Nighthawks his whole life
and does not have many years left until it
would be considered honorable to retire
from his post.
● Sir Gammling enjoys riding in the
mountains east of town and keeps a
stable with priced horses.
● Sir Ian Gammling is rather close with
Lord Hollward of Cormyr and has been
invited to numerous dinner parties at
the Halls.
● Lady Claire Fennerhausen is the late wife
of Duke Adam Fennerhausen. She was
born Claire Tanner, grew up in a rough
neighbourhood and it is rumored that
she worked as a rogue assassin before
she met the Duke. She now resides alone
in a big house on Jouster Street not far
from Panrock’s Bazaar. The Duke Adam
Fennerhausen died in a drowning
accident at his summer resident with
only Lady Claire as witness.
● Lady Claire is popular with the common
folk in town due to her soup kitchen,
where they serve soul for free to the
poor.
● Lady Claire is rather fond of a specific
brand of wine called “Rainharts Valley”.
(Upon asked, she knows that this brand
is sold in one of the Wine and Cheese
shops at Panrocks Bazaar).
6
● There is an entrance to the cellar of Lady
Claire’s house from the backyard on the
west side. Only the servants use this
entrance.
● She suggests that they should investigate
Lady Claire first since going directly to Sir
Ian would be too dangerous without more
information. Should the Chief in
Command be innocent, there is no need to
bother him and risk being arrested.
Felias mission to the Party is to retrieve
information on what involvement Sir Ian
Gammling has with the Tunnel, and preferably to
do so without being caught. They shall bring
physical evidence for her to investigate and
possibly use it to report her Chief in Command.
Although, she would prefer them not to find
anything, hence limiting the suspicion towards
Sir Ian. She has no problem with any Tunnel
scum losing its life, although, no civilians must
be harmed. She offers 50 gold pieces to each
member of the party if they succeed which is her
life savings. They shall meet her by a large
withered oak tree outside the city’s east gate
close to Ian’s manor, by sunrise the following
day.
What Felia does not know, and what the Players
might have guessed, she was followed to the
rendezvous point. The follower is a scout from
the Tunnel who was growing suspicious of her
talking to his crew members and is about to link
her to the disappearing of one of the courier boys.
As he wants to have a final look at her face to
verify that it is really her before he calls for
backup, he will walk nonchalant through the
alley. Give the Players enough time to gather
wanted information from Felia and then
paraphrase the following.
As you are being briefed by the Spymaster,
another figure casually enters the alley.
Strutting between the boxes, this male character
approaches your location. Felia whispers “We
must not be seen!”
 Give the Players an opportunity to act. Felia
will stand still and ready to make a move if need
be. Her training has taught her to slow down
her pulse in order to reduce the sound from her
heart beats and breathing. She will
automatically pass stealth checks if behind full
cover.
If the Players decide not to act and they are in
plain sight or they do not pass their stealth
check if hidden, paraphrase the following:
The man, from what he is wearing appears to
be a merchant. He walks by, turns his tanned,
bolding head to look at you and says with a
smile: “I must be lost, is this the way to Quill
street?”
The scout (bandit) who is working for the
Tunnel will try to get a good look at the Players
and Felias faces and then leave the scene to
bring back up and return with 6-8 Tunnel
bandits in black capes who are waiting in a shed
nearby shortly thereafter. If seen, Felia will
immediately suspect that the man is bad news
and will suggest swift disposing of him. If the
Players capture him, he will rather give his life
than to spill any information regarding the
Tunnel or the intercepted note. Felia will
identify him as a member of the Tunnel by
pulling up his sleeve and reveal a tattoo of a lit
candle on his lower arm. If the scout realizes
that he is not going to escape, he will do his out
most to end his own life rather than to face jail
or torture. If attacked, he will produce his
dagger, make one attempt to damage a player
before trying to make his escape out through
Panrock’s Bazaar or Jouster street, whichever is
closest.
If the players try to escape being seen, they
have the following options:
● Somehow pass the scout and exit at
Panrocks Bazaar. Here the Players can
blend in with the crowd of Bazaar
visitors between the stands and enjoy
advantage on stealth checks.
● Get out the alley on the other side, to
Jouster street. This street is rather empty
of people, with a line of almond trees
separating the two lanes and residential
houses on both sides. (This is the street
where Lady Claire lives, ca 200 yards from
Backstrider Alley)
● Enter the left door in the alley. This door is
locked and leads to a dark kitchen of an
inn which is currently empty. The lock can
be picked at DC 10 and the door will burst
open on a DC 10 Strength check. Once in
the kitchen, they can continue through
the dining area out to Panrocks Bazaar,
see option 1.
● Enter the right door in the alley. This is
unlocked and enters the hall of a
residential house. Two siblings, a boy and
a girl are playing in the hall and says that
mom and dad are not home and that the
Players should come back another time. If
asked, they tell the players that there is a
door on the front of the house. The door
leads to Jouster street, see option 2.
● The secret passageway behind a wooden
board where the Players were standing at
first. There are a set of stairs leading
down ca 30 feet below ground to a damp
cavity with a few half rotten bedrolls
which seemingly is used by homeless for
night shelter. The cavity is however a
dead end.
Development - Either the players managed to
hide from the scout, disposed of the Scout, or
they have vanquished the Bandits he brought as
backup. Now the Players have gotten the
assignment to investigate Lady Claire’s house on
Jouster street. They must bring back physical
evidence linking sir Ian to the Tunnel for Felia to
investigate. Felia Gasters will not attend any
investigations in Suzail since her face is too
known among the Tunnel people due to her
investigation.
Treasure - The first Tunnel scout has a bag of 20
silver in his pocket and a handwritten note in
very poor handwriting and many spelling errors
from his girlfriend that reads: “I mis jou alreddy
my swet honney pie. Se jou tonite! - Yur Carla”
7
 ACT TWO - THE HOUSE ON
JOUSTER STREET
How the Players want to approach investigating
Lady Claire’s house is up to them. The key is to
find the vial of poison with attached note.
Lady Claire’s house is a nobles residence. It is a
two storey house with the front facing Jouster
street. A stone stair leads up to the main
entrance of this bright plastered stone house. 5
feet high, doored, wooden fences on each side of
the house covers small alleys that lead to the
back yard. The 30x60 feet back yard includes a
small cherry tree garden with a pagoda for
entertaining guests, beautiful potted flowers
and a small shed where the gardener keeps his
gardening tools. Besides the double doors
entering the first floor of the house, there is also
a secluded storm door entering the basement
from here.
The first floor (A) contains the kitchen, the
dining hall, the main entrance hall and stairs
leading down to the basement and another stair
up to the second floor.
The second (B) floor contain Lady Claire’s bed
chambers, her office and a grand library with a
well filled spirits cabinet.
The Basement (C) can be entered from the
storm door in the backyard or the stairs from
inside the house. The basement contain a large
storage room and two bedrooms for the
permanent servants. In the storage room, four
members (three bandits and one bandit captain)
from the Tunnel are posted, all wearing black
cloaks. They guard a secret entrance to an
adjacent room. Not expecting too much trouble,
and being quite bored, they sit around a table
playing cards. If the players are eavesdropping
in on their conversation, they will hear the
following:
8
“... and that Gammling prick was so
embarrassed about our presence, he made us go
out the back door! We we all got sick from
walking home all wet after that swim. That
bastard…”
The floor down to the basement is thick and the
Tunnel crew will not hear any noise from
upstairs. The entrance to the distribution center
is a hatch behind a bookshelf can be found on a
successful Intelligence (Investigation) DC 16
check. The bandits and the bandit captain named
Janoush Drarr will not discuss anything with any
intruder and will attack immediately is they
notice anything. Upon being decimated and
captured the survivors will let the players know
the following if threatened:
● They work for the Tunnel.
● They know Ian Gammling is on the payroll
of the Tunnel, but wouldn’t dare testify on
that because it would be a death sentence
to rat against the Tunnel.
● They will show the Players the secret
entrance to the Distribution Center if
asked about why they are in Lady Claire's
basement.
The Distribution Center (C) is where the illegal,
intoxicating herbs are being stored and
distributed by the Tunnel. From this room there
are also a heavy door leading to one of the
organizations smuggling tunnels. The door can
be barred from both the inside and the outside. A
small halfling Tunnel worker (commoner) is
sitting in the herb room weighing and separating
even amounts in small pouches. The halfling’s
name is Pesca and knows nothing about the
planned murder of Lord Hollward. However, he
will spill the following if threatened in any way;
● He works for the Tunnel.
● The Tunnel uses Lady Fennerhausen’s
basement as a safehouse and distribution
center for their illegal substances. The
herbs are delivered through the tunnels
and he does not know from where they
come.
C

9
 ● Lady Fennerhousen sometimes come
down to the Distribution Center with
soup for those who work here, although,
she does not say much.
The Tunnel (C) - It is not meant for the Party to
enter the Tunnel and the heavy door is barred
from inside the Tunnel.
Bed Chambers (B) - Here stands a magnificent
bed with a nightstand on each side, a large
dresser and all walls are covered in dark
draperies. In Lady Claire’s nightstand a glass
vial can be found with a transparent liquid
inside together with a note written with poor
handwriting that reads:
“For plan A: Pour into Hollward’s drink. 5
minutes after drinking, his stomach will inflate
immensely, pushing the air out from his lungs.
He will suffocate shortly thereafter. - I.G”
This note is written by Ian Gammling himself
and upon reading the note, Felia will recognize
the handwriting.
Office (B) - This room is filled with books,
ledgers, quills and pens. On a mahogany desk,
the Players will find an invitation to the
reception held by Lord Hollward of Cormyr
during the visit of rulers of neighbouring
Kingdom of Sambia held on the night 3 days
from the start of this Adventure.
Entry during day
● If anyone knocks the front door, a short
servant dressed in yellow clothing will
open the door and enquire the business
of their visit. He will only bring the
visitors to the office upstairs to see Lady
Claire if they have an appointment or if
they succeed on a Wisdom (deception)
DC 15 check. If the Players come
disguised or have a very creative lie on
why they want to meet with Lady Claire,
give them advantage on the roll. He will
then ask the Visitors to wait in the office
and go down to get Lady Claire which
takes 5 minutes.
10
● If anyone were to peer into the backyard,
Lady Claire will be having some noble
guests in the pagoda. They are socially
important guests and have nothing to do
with the Tunnel.
● Looking into the window of the kitchen
will see servants preparing a light meal
for guests.
● The main entrance and the storm doors to
the cellars require a successful DC 15
Dexterity (sleight of hand) check or a DC
10 strength (athletics) check to open. The
back doors however, stand open but
require one to sneak by the garden guests
and servants (commoners) to enter.
● Inside, for each room on the first floor,
roll a d12, on a 1-4, any intruder will
encounter a servant (commoner) working
the household. In the kitchen there are
two servants and there are no servants
upstairs on the second floor. Servants are
preoccupied with their task at hand and
can be sneaked by with a dexterity
(stealth) check. If the check is not
succeeded, the servant will be chocked to
find strangers in the house and after one
round of turns he/she will call for help,
alarming the whole house, including the
Tunnel crew in the basement.
● If the actions of the Players are loud, for
instance if they break in a door or a
window, roll a DC 12 perception check for
any servant in an adjacent room. On a
success, the servant will enter the Players
room and check what is happening.
Entry after sundown
● All doors are locked and require a DC 15
Dexterity (sleight of hand) check or a DC
10 strength (athletics) check to open.
● If anyone would knock on the front door,
after a long while there will be a voice on
the other side of the door telling the
knockers to go away or the voice will call
on the city guards.
 ● If the peace is not disturbed, two
servants will be asleep in the each of the
bed chambers in the basement.
● Lady Claire Fennerhausen is asleep in
her Bed Chambers. She uses a scroll of
Alarm on her door every night which
gives her a mental ping to wake her up if
someone were to touch the door. She
keeps her armor under her nightgown
and her daggers nearby, ready to attack.
Lady Claire Fennerhausen - is the widow of
Duke Alling Fennerhausen who died several
years ago in a drowning accident at the couple’s
summer house. What is not known is that it was
Claire who murdered him after he found out
that she had not left her old life behind. Lady
Claire grew up on the poor side of town. Her
father taught her to steal, while her brothers
taught her to fight. Over the years she became a
powerful rogue, and never got caught whilst
earning money from theft and an occasional
shiv.
She left the streets behind after falling in love
with the Duke who vowed her after seeing her
absolute beauty from his cart on the streets of
Suzail. He was intrigued by her wits stunning
looks and to his family’s disgrace he took her
hand in marriage. After they married, Lady
Claire gained access to new channels and
contacts in the city’s more noble levels. She
organized a soup kitchen that offered free food
for the poor. Though, the soup kitchen was only
a facade for sales of illegal intoxicating herbs
she obtained from the Tunnel.
After the Dukes passing, she constructed a
safehouse for them in in her basement and helps
them further with the distribution of the herbs
which now can be brought into her basement
through one of the smuggling tunnels. With the
heritage from the Duke, and the large
commission she gets for the distribution, she is
a very wealthy woman.
If the Players encounter her during the day,
she is very uninterested and will quickly dismiss
them unless they come with a profitable business
proposal. If questioned, she will deny any
affiliation with Ian Gammling and the Tunnel if
the Players have not found the Distribution
Center in the Basement. If the Players try to
intimidate her, she will intimidate them back,
saying that she has the house full of guards,
asking for them to leave. If she encounters them
sneaking through the house either by day or by
night she will immediatly attack the Players.
Roleplaying Lady Claire Fennerhausen She is
quick on the tongue and insults practically
everyone she talks to. Often, she comes up with a
demeaning nickname for others, picking up on
obvious flaws that the other person is insecure
about. For example, if anyone is tall, she’d call
them Long John Cloudscraper and if she
encounters a skinny person it would be Twiggy
See Through.
Quote: “Go back there you giant nosed dimwit,
and get me what is mine already!”
Development - The Players shall have found the
vial with attached note from Ian Gammling
which they are to bring to Felia who can
recognize the handwriting.
If the players also have found the Distribution
Centre for intoxicating herbs, the can report it to
Felia at the conclusion of the adventure and gain
extra experience.
Treasure - Lady Claire holds a vial of corrosive
poison she uses on her daggers with enough to
cover 2 daggers once. The poison will add the
following effect on a successful hit: The target
must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw,
taking 2d6 poison damage on a failed save, or
half as much damage on a
successful one.
There is no gold in the house, she stores that in
her bank safe. There is however a pouch of gems
worth 50 gp in a hidden desk in her office that
can be found on a successful DC 15 Intelligence
(investigation) check.
11
 ACT THREE - THE LOST
NIGHTHAWK
The Withered Oak - The withered oak tree is
just outside of town, beyond the eastern gate
also known as the Sambia gate as this road leads
to the neighbouring kingdom of Sambia. The 20
feet high city wall is surrounding the entire city
of Suzail with strategically placed guard towers
to be able to keep eyes on approaching enemies.
The oak is large, 6 feet in diameter, leafless,
completely white and stands not far from one of
the guard towers. The surroundings are grass
fields kept short by grazing goats. There is not
much to find cover behind here except for the
tree itself, on the palisade of the wall and in the
tower. The tower is occupied by two guards
(veterans) that has been taking the night watch
and are soon to be relieved. The sun is rising in
the east, creating a black shadow copy of the oak
on the city wall.
Felia will not show up as she has already been
kidnapped by four corrupted Nighthawks and
taken to Ian Gammlings mansion, Skyform
Manor, not far from here. The two guards saw
the kidnapping and will gladly share this
knowledge since they believe that it was a
proper arrest conducted by members of the
honorable Nighthawks. If the party shows them
the note and tell them about Lady Claire they
will laugh at them, completely dismissing these
commons and their conspiracy theories saying
that they should leave the investigation to the
professionals, to the Nighthawks.
The guards would never believe that the Chief
in Command of the Nighthawks could ever be
corrupted by the lowly Tunnel organization.
When they mention the Nighthawks their eyes
tinder like childrens when talking about their
idols. If the Players try to persuade or intimidate
the guards, their tones will harden and threats
of arrests will eventually come.
12
Skyform Manor
Exterior (A) - The Skyform Manor is located on a
50 feet high cliff over Vael River Valley with the
river Vael running below, half the mansion is
built with the walls as an extension to the cliff
and the front holds a beautiful, well trimmed
garden which is surrounded by a 6 feet high iron
fence. Some parts of the fence is covered by well
kept rose bushes. The road up to the Manor is
winding upwards through a pine forest and leads
up to a locked gate. The lock requires a successful
DC 15 Dexterity (sleight of hand) to open and it is
not possible to push through with force that of
only humanoid power.
Within the fence is a well kept garden of rose
bushes, elegantly trimmed juniper trees of
varying sizes and imported red pine trees. A
small mountain stream pours through the
garden, forms a waterfall glittering in the sun
down the cliff and ends in river Vael below. On a
tiny island in front of the main entrance to the
manor is a wooden statue of a sitting hawk,
watching over the garden. The manor itself is a
large one storey building with terrace on the
roof, overlooking the valley on the backside. A
pack of 3 trained wolves wander around the
gardens and will sense the smell of anyone
entering, triggering an immediate attack. Any
howling, loud growling or other noticeable wolf
sounds will alert the two Nighthawks posted on
the roof terrace. If this happens, the deployment
of the residents of the manor will shift, see
Alerted Deployment below.
Right next to the manor there is a stable with sir
Ian’s most priced merrs. From left to right the
names of these fine horses read: Gallwind,
Frewund, Daunty, Laak and Sýren. Connected to
the stables is the residence of the young stable
boy named Gustaf who takes care of the dirty
chores in the stables. Gustaf is mostly seen in and
around the stables, mocking droppings, cleaning
and feeding the horses. He is strictly forbidden
from riding the horses and if he would be caught
doing so, he would be thrown down the cliff in a
heartbeat. Even so, Gustaf is well paid and is
loyal to Ian. If captured and interrogated,
Gustaf will tell the following on a successful
Charisma (intimidation) (DC 10) check:
● There has been a lot of visitors lately by
people in dark cloaks.
● This morning, 4 Nighthawks brought in
a fifth Nighthawk with a sack on her
head. She was very foul mouthed and
screaming a lot of bad words. They took
her inside the house, probably to the
interrogation room in the basement.
● Sir Ian often rides with guests along a
mountain train that starts down the road
that leads up to the manor.
● Sir Ian has a big brute as a bodyguard, a
Half Ogre named Cliff Rolf.
At the bottom of the Vael River Valley (D),
under the surface of the slow flowing river just
by the end of the waterfall is a secret tunnel to
an exit from the manor, in case of emergency.
To get down to the river, one could dive 50 feet
down into the 30 feet wide river from the cliff or
spend an hour walking along the cliff to find a
suitable place to climb down.
D
The submerged tunnel is 10 feet long and ends in
a cavity above water. No natural lights reaches
the cavity which is roughly 10 by 10 feet and 6 feet
high. A crude wooden ladder goes up into a 5 by 5
feet wide hole, 40 feet up to the basement of
Skyward Manor. The ladder ends 6 feet from the
cavity floor and not in range from any walls. In
the middle of the ladder is a hidden trap. If one
would put pressure on a bar marked with red
paint on the left end, arrows sprout out from
holes in the walls 2 feet below, and 2 feet above
the bar causing 1d10 + 2 piercing damage. Once
activated, it cannot trigger again. The trap can be
noticed on a successful DC 15 wisdom
(perception) or Intelligence (investigation) check
in the vicinity of the trap. The ladder ends with a
wooden hatch that opens upwards and require a
successful DC 10 strength check to open from
below.
Inside the manor - There are three entrances to
the manor, the main door, the entrance to the
basement via the ladder from the valley and a
door on the roof terrace. The entrance floor
consists of the hall, office, dining room with a
view of the valley and Gammlings private
chamber. The basement holds the kitchen, a
storage room, the interrogation room and the
living quarters for the only two servants in the
household, Klement the cook and Holly the maid.
The roof terrace (C) - is furnished for social
gatherings and is surrounded by an iron railing.
From here there is a stunning view of River Vael
Valley. Two Nighthawks are posted here who will
react to wolf howls, loud growling and other
wolfy sounds by running down the stairs and
alert the other residents of Skyward Manor who
will act as per alerted deployment, see below.
They will hear shouting and turbulence in the
hall below them on a successful wisdom
(perception) DC 10 check. In such case, the will
run down the stairs and join the fray.
13
 B C

14
 The basement hallway (B) - is where the the
hatch from the secret entrance is located, under
a carpet. It can be found on a successful DC 12
Intelligence (investigation) check. The walls are
rough stone, but clean and thoughtfully
illuminated by braziers in the corners. The room
is 20 by 30 feet, the ceiling height is 10 feet and
the floor is paved marble. The only furnitures
are a small sofa and a couple of chairs around a
table.
At the table sits Cliff Rolf, a well dressed Half
Ogre and contemplates the shape of a circle
(“how can anything be so … round?”) unless the
Alerted Deployment is triggered. If anyone
enters the room, he will be angry. On his first
move, he will open the hatch in the floor and the
following turns he will attempt to throw Party
members down the hole. All the time loudly
explaining “You not belong up here!”.
The Kitchen (B) - is clean, well organized and
contain all the equipment one would need to
create a minor feast for up to 20 guests.
The interrogation room (B) is where Felia
Gasters is kept unless the Alerted Deployment is
triggered. The iron door is locked is has a
barred window which constitutes the only light
source for the room. To open the door one would
require a key or a successful DC 22 dexterity
(sleight of hand) check. The room is sparsely
decorated with only a table with two chairs.
Felia is lying halfway up a wall as her hands are
chained to the middle of it and she look quite
beaten up and bruised with blood dripping from
her mouth and nose.
The servants quarters (B) are simple but tidy.
Each room contains a bed, a dresser and a
bookshelf with various personal items. Klement
and Holly are secretly having a romance and
spends most of their sparse free time in
Klements room, talking, playing simple games
and drinking tea.
The storage room (B) is well organized and
contain plenty of conserved and dried
vegetables, dried and salted meat, sausages,
bags of flour, jugs of spirits, wine bottles, and a
stuffed goat head.
The dining room (A) - This large room has a
panoramic view out over the valley through
windows. A large table with hand carved
ornaments is the centerpiece with large paintings
of various battles, important people and
memorable events cover the walls. Unless the
wolves triggered the alerted deployment, two
Nighthawks are situated at the table, having a
conversation about “that stupid girl Felia, who
had to put her nose where it shouldn’t be”.
Sir Ian Gammling’s private quarters (A) have
exquisite furniture in deep red, blue and gold.
The walls are covered in expensive paintings and
even the tapestry look to be worth a fortune.
There is a grand bed, a large dresser and a bear
skin in front of an impressive fireplace.
Sir Ian Gammling’s study (A) has lengths upon
lengths of bookshelves filled with paper rolls,
books and various memorabilia; medals,
trinkets, a jar containing two eyeballs, a wooden
wand, a horse shoe and a large dragon scale.
Maps of the surrounding are and the city of
Suzail cover the walls. A there is a tidy and well
organized desk with various notebooks and
dossiers facing a large window overlooking the
valley. This is where Gammling is situated unless
the wolfs triggered the alerted deployment. Sir
Ian Gammling holds in his pocket, the key to the
interrogation room. A successful DC 10
intelligence (investigation) check will reveal that
writing in the notebooks on the desk has the
same handwriting as on the note found together
with the vial of poison at Lady Claire’s house.
Sir Ian Gammling has been with the
Nighthawks since he was very young in the
footsteps of his father. Starting with simple
errands he worked his way up (some say with the
help of his father, but he had in fact nothing to do
with it), all the way to the top. Somewhere along
the road, he learned that no matter how many he
imprisoned, how many crime syndicates he broke
down, evil and greed would find its way. The
governmental funding the Nighthawks would
receive were
15
 never based on the actual needs but more on
what was the current political hot potato. These
insights made Ian give up on the values of the
Nighthawks and now he only work for his own
personal gain, gold and power.
Roleplaying Sir Ian Gammling
The elderly, short cut, white haired Ian is
wearing an elegant, black suit made by
exquisite fabric. In his breast pocket is a golden
pocket watch engraved with the Nighthawk
symbol, a token of 30 years of service. If a Player
asks him a question, he will always gaze upon
that Player for a good time, stroking his goatee,
as if evaluating his or her motives before
answering. Sir Ian will be impressed by the
courage and skills of the Party to have been able
to have exposed him and will offer them a job
within the Tunnel if there is an opportunity to
do so. Should the Players accept, he will order
the execution of Felia Gasters as their first
assignment and pay them 150 gold pieces each
for it. If the party manage to isolate him and
bring him to merely few hit points left, he will
accept his fate, kneel and bend his neck, saying
“You have bested me, make it quick. Make sure
the horses are taken care of”.
Alerted Deployment (A) - If the residents of
Skyform Manor is alerted by the wolves in the
garden, they will collect Felia from the
interrogation room and bring her up to the roof
terrace. Sir Ian will hold her tied and bruised
body leaning over the railing and Cliff Rolf will
be standing by his side. The Nighthawks will
stand by the door from which the stairs come up
to and ambush anyone exiting it. While there is
a battle between the Nighthawks and the
Players, Ian and Cliff will stand idly by,
expecting the Nighthawks to win. If the
Nighthawks are discarded of, Ian will smirk and
say:
“Well done, well done my dear guests. I’d
applaud you if I had my hands free, but as you
see, they are occupied being the difference
between life and death for your dear friend
16
here. She has been a very naughty girl, this Felia,
and it is such a shame. You on the other hand,
have shown both bravery and skill to have come
this far. What would you say about joining my
cause? You’d be very, very well paid for your
services. Of course, if you refuse my very
generous offer, poor Felia here, will have an
accident. And oh, didn’t I mention, my employer,
Lord Hollward of Cormyr is scheduled to arrive
very soon, to discuss some safety arrangements
for the reception tomorrow. I’m sure he is not
coming alone you know.” With one hand, he
brings up his pocket watch and takes a glance at
it and says “Ah, the time is neigh. He is so
punctual you know, the King. So, what will it be,
friends? Death, imprisonment, or an exciting life
filled with adventure and gold?”
If questioned he will reveal the entire plot of
murdering the King due to his decision to
increase the efforts to vanquish the Tunnel
organization, meanwhile boasting about his
power of being able to execute such an operation.
If attacked and the Players do not do anything in
order to save Felia, on his first turn Sir Ian
Gammling will push Felia over the railing and she
falls to her imminent death. If anyone is close to
the edge of the terrace on Cliff’s turn, he will try
and throw them down (he will succeed to do so on
a successful Strength (athletics) check against
that Players Strength value.
The threat of Lord Hollward arriving soon is a
bluff that can be called on a successful DC 20
wisdom (insight) check. Sir Ian is a trained spy
and very hard to read.
Treasure - Sir Ian Gammlings pocket watch, the
Nighthawks Timekeeper, is a magical item that
gives the wearer +1 wisdom. The corrupted
Nighthawks hold an accumulated amount of 50
gold on their persons.
There is only 200 gold in the manor, in the desk
in Ian Gammlings study. The rest of his wealth is
elsewhere and tied up in expensive paintings and
other collectors items.
CONCLUSION
Joining the Tunnel - If the players do join the
Tunnel, reward the 150g each for the execution
of Felia and split 3000 xp between the party
members. Ian will ask the Party to stay in town
and wait for further instructions. The next
evening, Lord Hollward is murdered during the
reception through although the common belief
is that he choked on a piece of dessert and
suffocated to death. Ther hair to the throne is
Lord Hollward’s only daughter, Patricia
Hollward who is a mere 14 years of age.
lunatics or arrested, suspected for the murder of
Ian. Award the Party 4000 xp for defeating Ian,
saving Lord Hollward from being assassinated
but no gold.
If the Party found the secret Distribution Center
in Lady Claire’s basement and reports it, they add
an extra 1000 shared xp for that discovery. The
Nighthawks are on a too tight budget to award
any gold for aiding the organization.

Any Player who joins Ian and the Tunnel will

receive a black cloak and a tattoo of a candle on
the forearm. Their alignment will change to
neutral evil.

Defeating Sir Ian Gammling - Should the

Players succeed in defeating Sir Ian, the
outcome will be different depending on if they
managed to save Felia or not.

If Felia is saved, she can connect the

handwriting on the note to the one of Ians and
prove to Ians successor as Chief in Command of
the Nighthawks, together with her own
testimony of the kidnapping that Sir Ian
Gammling was indeed crooked. The Players will
be rewarded by Felia as promised, 50 gold pieces
each. They also earn a shared 5000 xp for
concluding the mission. The successor for the
post of Chief in Command of the Nighthawks,
Madame Denise Staar, will offer the Players an
honorable invitation of joining the Nighthawks.
If so, they will receive grey cloaks and the rank
of Private.

Should the Party defeat Ian Gammling but only

after he kills Felia Gasters, there is no proof
linking the Nighthawks to the Tunnel and a
later investigation of the Nighthawks will
conclude that their Chief in Command was
murdered in his house. The reception held at
Lord Hollwards castle occurs without the Lord
being assasinated. If the Party reaches out to the
Nighthawks, they will either be dismissed as

17
 CHARACTERS
NIGHTHAWK
Human Spy
Armor class 12
Hit Points 27
Speed 30 feet
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10(+0) 15(+2) 10(+0) 12(+1) 14(+2) 16(+3)
Skills Deception +5, Insight +4, Investigation +5,
Perception +6, Persuasion +5, Sleight of Hand
+4, Stealth +4.
Languages Common
Cunning action. On each of the Nighthawks
turns, they can use a bonus action to take the
Dash, Disengage or Hide action.
Sneak attack (1/turn). Nighthawks deals 2d6
extra damage when they hit a target with a
weapon attack and has advantage on the attack
roll when the target is within 5 feet from an ally
that isn’t incapacitated and the Nighthawk does
not have disadvantage on the attack roll.
Actions
Multiattack. Nighthawks makes two melee
attacks on their turn.
Shortsword. Melee weapon attack: +4 to hit,
range 5 feet, one target. Hit: 1d6+2 piercing
damage.
Light Crossbow. Ranged weapon attack: +4 to
hit, range 30/120, one target. Hit: 1d6+2 piercing
damage.
18
FELIA GASTERS
Human Spy
Armor class 12
Hit Points 27
Speed 30 feet
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10(+0) 15(+2) 10(+0) 12(+1) 14(+2) 16(+3)
Skills Deception +5, Insight +4, Investigation +5,
Perception +6, Persuasion +5, Sleight of Hand +4,
Stealth +4.
Languages Common
Cunning action. On each of her turns, Felia can
use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage or
Hide action.
Sneak attack (1/turn). Felia deals 2d6 extra
damage when she hits a target with a weapon
attack and has advantage on the attack roll when
the target is within 5 feet from an ally that isn’t
incapacitated and Felia does not have
disadvantage on the attack roll.
Actions
Multiattack. Felia makes two melee attacks on
her turn.
Dagger. Melee weapon attack: +4 to hit, range 5
feet, one target. Hit: 1d6+2 piercing damage.
Thrown dagger. Ranged weapon attack: +4 to
hit, range 30/60, one target. Hit: 1d6+2 piercing
damage.
LADY CLAIRE FENNERHAUSEN
Human Assasin
Armor Class 15 (studded leather)
Hit Points 42
Speed 30ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
11(+0) 16(+3) 14(+2) 11(+0) 16(+3) 10(+0)
Skills Acrobatics +7, Deception +4, Perception
+4, Stealth + 11
Damage Resistances poison
Senses passive Perception 14
Languages Thieves' cant, Common
Assassinate. During its first turn, the assassin
has advantage on attack rolls against any
creature that hasn't taken a turn. Any hit the
assassin scores against a surprised creature is a
critical hit.
Evasion. If the assassin is subjected to an effect
that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw
to take only half damage, the
assassin instead takes no damage if it succeeds
on the saving throw, and only half damage if it
fails.
Sneak Attack (1/Turn). The assassin deals an
extra 4d6 damage when it hits a target with a
weapon attack and has
advantage on the attack roll, or when the target
is within 5 feet of an ally of the assassin that isn't
incapacitated and the
assassin doesn't have disadvantage on the
attack roll.
Actions
Multiattack. Lady Claire makes two dagger
attacks.
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5
feet, one target. Hit: 1d6 + 3 piercing damage,
and the target must
make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking
2d6 poison damage on a failed save, or half as
much damage on a
successful one.
SIR IAN GAMMLING
Human
Armor class 10
Hit Points 18
Speed 30 feet
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10(+0) 18(+4) 10(+0) 12(+1) 14(+2) 18(+4)
Skills +6, Insight +6, Investigation +5, Perception
+6, Persuasion +5, Sleight of Hand +4, Stealth +6.
Languages Common
Precise strike. Ian is quick and knows exactly
where to strike to inflict maximum damage and
deals 4d8 extra damage when he hits a target
with a dagger attack.
Actions
Multiattack. Ian makes two melee attacks on his
turn.
Dagger. Melee weapon attack: +6 to hit, range 5
feet, one target. Hit: 1d6+2 piercing damage.
Thrown dagger. Ranged weapon attack: +4 to
hit, range 30/60, one target. Hit: 1d6+2 piercing
damage
Sparkle puffs. Ian can as a bonus action produce
these small magnesium filled fire crackers and
throw them up to 30 feet. Anyone within 10 feet of
the impact must make a successful constitution
check or be blinded until Ians next turn. Ian is
immune to the effect.
19
 CLIFF ROLF
Half Ogre
Armor Class 12 (hide armor)
Hit Points 30 (4d10 + 8)
Speed 30ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

17(+3) 10(+0) 14(+2) 7(-2) 9(-1) 18(+4)

Senses darkvision 60 feet, Passive Perception +9

Languages Common, Giant

Actions

Battleaxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach

5 ft., one target. Hit: 2d8 + 3 slashing damage, or
2d10
slashing damage if used with two hands.

20