Session 51

Recap

• Convo with Jormek/ Crimson Scale and some new-found animosity.
• Split party for shopping and for animal/carriage recovery
• The farm

Plot Points

• Supplies
• Travel
• Overnight stay at Brindlewood

Willowshade

On the outskirts of the farmland at the edge of the CApital city of Danu of Danu, Willowshade is a small, thriving settlement known for its harmony with nature and strong sense of community. The village centers around an old windmill, its broad wooden sails a local landmark and the centerpiece of a beloved harvest festival tradition. Each year, laughter echoes through the air as villagers compete to see who can cling to the spinning sails the longest—a test of strength, balance, and good humor.

The settlement itself is busy but unhurried. Everyone always seems to have something to do—carrying woven baskets of herbs, tending to animals, or mending fences—but no one is ever in a rush. Cooperation is a way of life here, with neighbors readily lending hands and sharing tools, food, and stories without hesitation.

A striking feature of Willowshade is the abundance of willow-animal statues, scattered throughout gardens, pathways, and gathering spaces. Crafted from twisted branches and vines, these graceful effigies depict creatures both real and mythical, said to honor the forest god Cernos, guardian of wild places and the turning seasons.

At the heart of the village is a massive glass-domed grove, sheltering a majestic tree thought to be a sacred conduit of nature's blessings. It serves as a communal space for gatherings, ceremonies, and quiet reflection.

Come evening, the settlement gathers around a large communal fire. Folk songs echo through the crisp air, carried by the sounds of wooden panpipes, recorders, fiddles, and lutes. Tales are told, mead is passed around, and the gentle clatter of carving knives or the rhythm of weaving can often be heard in the background. Some shape bowls or spoons, others whittle small animals or figures to give as gifts or offerings.

The surrounding fields are dotted with Shetland ponies and donkeys, sturdy shire horses, and herds of oxen, cattle, sheep, and goats. Shepherds and their loyal dogs tend the flocks across the nearby meadows. Large, manmade ponds teem with aquatic life, while a clear-running river offers excellent salmon fishing and a place for children to splash in summer months.

Willowshade is more than a village—it's a way of living, a harmony between people, animals, and the natural world that draws visitors, pilgrims, and adventurers alike. Many come for a night and stay for a season.

Brindleharrow

Overview

• Population: ~65 (mostly humans, with a few halflings and half-elves)
• Location: Nestled in a foggy river valley at the edge of the Brindlewood, 3 days’ ride from the nearest town.
• Primary Industry: Farming, charcoal burning, and herbal remedies from the forest.
• Notable Feature: An old, ivy-covered stone well in the village square said to predate the hamlet.

Atmosphere & Description

Brindleharrow is a quiet, insular hamlet tucked between the misty banks of the Droslin River and the looming Brindlewood. Moss creeps up the low stone fences, and the air carries the scent of wet earth and pine. Weathered cottages cluster around a central square, where a crumbling well surrounded by protective runes hints at the hamlet’s deeper history.

Most villagers are wary of strangers and tend to speak in hushed tones, especially after dark. There’s a sense that something unseen lingers in the woods, watching.

Key Locations

• The Hollow Oak Inn: A squat timber building with creaky floors and a warm hearth. Run by Dreska Marrow, a widowed ex-adventurer who offers stew and stories to those who’ll listen.
• Father Yoric’s Shrine: A modest open-air shrine to Caernon. Father Yoric, a gentle half-elf druid, also acts as a local healer and herbalist.
• The Crooked Smithy: A halfling-run forge. Jonrik Pettle is talkative and cheerfully grim about “old things that oughta stay buried.”
• The Well of Binding: A moss-covered, rune-etched stone well, sealed by a heavy grate. The oldest structure in the village. It hums faintly at night, if you listen close.

Plot Hook: “The Binding Weakens”

The party arrives in Brindleharrow just as the villagers are shaken by a recent death: Maera Tilver, a respected herbalist, was found torn apart near the sealed well. Though the official word is “wild animals,” Father Yoric knows it was something worse—clawed wounds, not bite marks. Something was let loose.

Villagers report hearing scraping sounds beneath the earth near the well and seeing pale eyes watching from the treeline at night. Dreska quietly asks the party to investigate before panic spreads.

Overnight Encounter: “The Buried Horror”

Encounter:

• A Gravebound Wretch (use Ghoul stats, but with a burrowing speed and resistance to nonmagical weapons) has crawled from the well.
• It is a remnant of a long-dead cultist buried alive centuries ago when the well was sealed to entomb their cursed dead.
• The creature attacks the nearest target but pauses when near a player who bears a holy symbol or speaks a prayer (hinting at deeper history).

Complication:

• Two more are stirring—if not stopped, they’ll emerge the following night.
• The runes sealing the well are failing, possibly due to recent deforestation or a villager tampering with them.

Investigation Clues

• Maera’s Journal contains notes about faint chanting she heard near the well at dusk.
• Yoric recalls that the well was once a holy site, then later used to bury plague victims—or so the legend goes.
• Jonrik recently sold old tools to a traveling scholar who “asked too many questions about the well.”

Resolution Options

• The party can re-seal the well using druidic or divine magic and proper rituals (Father Yoric can help).
• Alternatively, they may descend into the dried-up well to locate the source of the corruption: the remains of a blood cult buried beneath the village.
• If left alone, the undead will continue to emerge nightly, growing stronger and spreading fear.

Deadly Encounter Tuning: Gravebound Wretch & Minions

Encounter Setup (Deadly - CR ~7)

• 1× Gravebound Wretch (CR 4, elite undead controller-type)
• 2× Corpse Rakers (CR 2 custom ghoulish minions – fast, aggressive attackers)
• Fog of Dread: Lightly obscured area (heavily limits ranged options), creates a tight, close-quarters fight.

Total Effective XP:

• Gravebound Wretch (1,100 XP)
• Corpse Rakers ×2 (450 XP each = 900 XP)
• Multiplied by 1.5 (3 monsters) = 3,000 XP adjusted
• Deadly threshold for 4 level 5 PCs = ~2,800 XP ➡️ This is a high-end deadly fight.

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Gravebound Wretch (Homebrew Undead)

The Gravebound Wretch is a malevolent undead, bound to the earth and driven by a deep-seated hatred for the living.​5th Edition SRD

Medium Undead, Neutral Evil

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Armor Class: 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points: 99 (18d8 + 18)

Speed: 30 ft., burrow 30 ft.​kassoon.dreamhosters.com+45th Edition SRD+4d20PFSRD+4

STR 18 (+4)

DEX 13 (+1)

CON 12 (+1)

INT 11 (+0)

WIS 12 (+1)

CHA 17 (+3)​5th Edition SRD+1d20PFSRD+1

Saving Throws: Dex +3, Wis +3, Cha +5

Skills: Acrobatics +3, Intimidate +7, Perception +5, Religion +4, Stealth +3

Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15

Languages: Common

Challenge: CR 4 (1,100 XP)​5th Edition SRD+2d20PFSRD+2limfaleather+2kassoon.dreamhosters.com+55th Edition SRD+5d20PFSRD+5

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Traits

• Tied to the Grave: The Gravebound Wretch cannot venture more than 1,000 feet from the spot where its body is buried.​5th Edition SRD+1d20PFSRD+1
• Vulnerable to Consecration: Whenever the Gravebound Wretch starts its turn within the area of a hallow effect or a magic circle, it must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the start of its next turn.​5th Edition SRD+1d20PFSRD+1

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Actions

• Multiattack: The Gravebound Wretch makes two attacks with its claws.​5th Edition SRD
• Claws: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage, and the target must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or become diseased. A creature diseased in this way is considered to have a Charisma score of 1 and has disadvantage on Charisma checks and saving throws. The diseased creature must make another Constitution saving throw at the end of each long rest, noting failures and successes. Three accumulated successes end the disease, while three accumulated failures send the creature into a weeklong coma, after which they awaken with their Charisma score restored.​5th Edition SRD
• Dig Grave: The Gravebound Wretch can open up a 10-foot cubic pit in the earth, under a single creature within 30 feet. That creature must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw, falling into the pit on a failure. The pit remains for 1 hour unless filled.​5th Edition SRD+1d20PFSRD+1

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Reactions

• Bury Alive: The Gravebound Wretch can bury a creature that has fallen into a pit it created. Any creatures restrained inside the pit are buried and begin to suffocate. A restrained creature can use their action to attempt to break free with a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check, both with a DC of 15. Otherwise, an ally can use their action to attempt to free a trapped creature with a Strength (Athletics) check with a DC of 16.​5th Edition SR

💀 Corpse Raker (Custom Minion)

Medium Undead, Chaotic Evil

AC: 13

HP: 45 (6d8 + 18)

Speed: 40 ft., climb 20 ft.

STR 14 | DEX 16 | CON 16

INT 6 | WIS 10 | CHA 6

Damage Resistances: Necrotic, Cold

Condition Immunities: Poisoned, Charmed

Senses: Darkvision 60 ft.

Languages: understands Common but cannot speak

CR: 2 (450 XP)

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Traits:

• Pack Tactics: Gains advantage on attack rolls if an ally is within 5 feet of the target.
• Grave Leaper: Can jump up to 20 feet as part of a Dash or Attack.

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Actions:

Raking Claws: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, 1d10+3 slashing damage. Target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Grave Spasm (Recharge 5–6):

All creatures within 10 feet must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed until the end of their next turn (undead twitch and surge, releasing a necrotic pulse).

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🌫️ Environmental Effect: Fog of Dread

At night, unnatural fog blankets Brindleharrow’s square:

• Lightly obscured: Creatures have disadvantage on Perception checks relying on sight.
• All Wisdom (Perception) and ranged attack rolls beyond 10 ft. are made at disadvantage.
• Undead have advantage on Stealth and saving throws against being turned.

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🧙‍♀️ Optional Mechanic: Faltering Runes

• At initiative 10 each round, the weakened Binding Runes around the well flare.
• Each creature within 10 feet of the well must make a DC 14 Wisdom save or take 2d6 psychic damage (nightmare echoes).
• A PC proficient in Arcana or Religion may spend an action on their turn to reinforce a rune with a DC 15 check. Three successes neutralize the pulses.

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🧩 Tactical Tips

• Corpse Rakers rush the casters or ranged characters.
• Gravebound Wretch uses Dig Grave to isolate a party member, then closes the gap.
• PCs may split focus between defending townsfolk and fighting.

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📘 Victory Conditions:

• Slay the Gravebound Wretch and its minions.
• OR survive long enough (5 rounds) for the villagers (led by Father Yoric) to complete a ritual that re-seals the well.