Session 33

Recap

• You concluded your investigations of the hags, and in Bigpool
• Keph and Djinn concluded their training and you all made your way to Sylvania.
• On arrival you needed to bathe for the tree, check in with the local temple and one of you had an interesting conversation.. you were asked why one of your party was back so soon and after only two days!
• Checked in at The Jasper Otter, met your... contact for the area and why the message hadn't gotten back to Jormak
• Slept, and bumped into Asé, who referred to Zanotah as Atri

Sylvania

Market Square

It's market day

### D&D One-Shot: Shadows Over the Market

**Adventure Level:** 3-5  

**Setting:** A bustling market town, known for its diverse stalls and vibrant atmosphere.  

#### Hook

As the sun rises over the town of Eldergrove, its market square fills with merchants and townsfolk. Amidst the colorful stalls, a series of strange events unfold: livestock goes missing, merchants report strange shadows flitting between stalls, and townspeople whisper about a cult that has recently been seen lurking in the outskirts.

The players, drawn by the town’s charm or perhaps hired to investigate, soon discover that a cult of shadowy figures, known as the Cult of the Black Sun, is planning a dark ritual during the market’s busiest day.

#### Objective

Uncover the cult's plot, stop the ritual, and save the town.

### Adventure Outline

#### 1. **Arrival at the Market**

- **Description:** The players enter the market, filled with sights, sounds, and smells. Merchants call out to potential customers, children play, and townsfolk gossip.

- **Encounters:**

  - **Skill Challenge:** The players can gather information by interacting with various merchants and townspeople (Persuasion, Investigation, Insight checks). Success reveals rumors about the cult and sightings of cloaked figures.

#### 2. **Cult Investigation**

- **Lead Up:** Players hear about a merchant who claimed to have seen a strange gathering near the old well on the outskirts of town.  

- **Encounters:**

  - **Encounter with Cultists:** As the players investigate, they are ambushed by cultists disguised as market patrons. A short combat ensues.

  - **Clue:** Upon defeating the cultists, players find a note detailing a ritual meant to summon a dark entity at the peak of the market day.

#### 3. **The Old Well**

- **Setting:** The old well is overgrown and eerie, surrounded by whispers of the past.

- **Investigate:** Players can search for clues around the well (Perception, Investigation).

- **Encounter:**

  - **Cult Ritual:** Players find cultists preparing for the ritual. They can choose to attack or devise a stealthy plan to disrupt them.

  - **Cult Leader:** The cult's leader, a charismatic figure named Thalos, uses spells to protect himself. Defeating him is key to stopping the ritual.

#### 4. **Stopping the Ritual**

- **Timing:** The players must act quickly; if they delay, the ritual will summon a shadow creature (use a Shadow or Darkling stat block).

- **Combat:** The players face the remaining cultists and the summoned shadow creature in a frantic battle.

- **Consequences:** If they fail, the creature wreaks havoc on the market, causing panic and chaos.

#### 5. **Resolution**

- **Aftermath:** If the players succeed, they save the market. The townsfolk cheer and thank them, offering rewards and a festival in their honor.

- **Possible Hooks:** As the market returns to normalcy, a mysterious figure slips away into the crowd, hinting at a larger conspiracy.

### NPCs

- **Market Merchants:** Colorful characters that provide information and side quests.

- **Thalos, Cult Leader:** A charismatic figure, motivated by a desire for power through darkness.

- **Town Mayor:** Offers rewards and seeks the players’ help in restoring peace.

### Conclusion

This one-shot blends exploration, investigation, and combat, allowing players to engage with the market's vibrant atmosphere while unraveling a sinister plot. Adjust the encounters and details to fit your party's style and preferences!

Tavern - The Jasper Otter

Spa - Soulspring Retreat

Combat

Asé:

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/npc-s/npcs-cr-6/sundering-axe-dwarf-barbarian/