Endless Night: Kitchen, Galley, Larder

ENDLESS NIGHT

A Fantasy Core Adventure

© Jerry Harris 2014

Published here as Open Game Content.

(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Index.)

Adventure Overview Index

First Floor Index

Kitchen, Galley, Larder

Description: These areas are very clean and functional, though not very ornate or decorative.  There are ovens, cabinets, a large work table, and a couple of large sinks.  When the battle begins, these areas will suddenly expand to double-size to accommodate all of the combatants.  Bright sunshine comes through the open windows.  There is a Service Door to the side.  If opened, it exposes naked, insanity-inducing Astral Plane outside.  DC 12 Will Save or driven catatonic for 1 turn.  Those saving are immune to this effect thereafter.

Status: These areas are locked to the characters until they do a favor for either the Elves or the Goblins, and then they open the doors for them.

Inhabitants: A bunch of pissed off Elves or Goblins and their commanders.

Objective: Ideally, taking out the Fey commander will disperse the rest of the troops in a rout.  However, the group will have to wade through a bunch of underlings to do it.  Award 2 XP.

Carter’s Introduction (before the doors are opened): “Meow.  You can get into the Servant Areas of the house, if you do the Elves or the Goblins a favor.  Meow.” 

Carter’s Introduction (after entering): “Meow.  I think you’ve made some enemies getting here.  (Battle horn sounds down the hall.)  Meow!”  (Scampers off quickly.)

This is the main battle on the First Floor.  Whether the characters pissed off the Goblins to get the Elves’ help to get here, or vice-versa, here the aggrieved party comes after them for revenge.  Whichever servant door the characters come through, the other side will come at them from the other. 

There are several conditions of battle.  The Fey wish to kill or capture the party (and then kill them).  If they can take a captured character into the Larder, they’re gone.  If the Goblin captain is killed or the Elf noble is reduced to 5 or less hp (he’ll personally retreat), the rest of the troops must make a DC 18 Will Sv the next rd or they will be routed.  If the number of Fey is reduced below 50%, they will call for the reinforcements, who will come out of the Larder, as long as their commander is still present.

If the characters helped the Ghoul servant in the Guest Bath, he’ll lock the Larder door and keep the reinforcements from appearing.  If the characters helped the Gillman in the Guest Bath, the Kitchen water pipes will suddenly erupt and the water will shut the Larder door as well.  The Fey must make a DC 18 Will Sv or retreat in either case.  If the reinforcements arrive and the total number of Fey are again reduced below half, it’s the same Will Sv.

If either Fey group manages to kill or capture at least one character and then go below half in numbers or lose their leader, they’ll automatically retreat.  A captured character is dragged into the Larder and unfortunately is as good as dead.  (A quick show trial and execution.)  The Larder will only appear as a food pantry to the characters.  (The Fey are able to use it as an Astral portal.)  Activate a replacement character.

In the worst case scenario, somehow the characters have managed to offend both groups of Fey.  The adventure wasn’t written to accommodate it, but never underestimate player ingenuity.  The servant doors will still be open.  Put in both captains and half the initial number of troops, but leave the reinforcements the same. 

After the battle, Carter should put in an appearance.  “Meow.  You’re almost done with the First Floor.  You just need to get into the Cellar now.  Meow.”