The Order of the Risen Star is a peaceful monastic commune whose members dwell within a small chapel upon the crest of the Hartsblood Hills. Its priests often descend into the surrounding valleys to tend to the villages there and perform last rites and burials as needed.

A recent earthquake has opened a passage to a series of uncharted caverns beneath the Order's vaults. The brothers dispatched to explore their depths have not been seen nor heard from in a week's time, so the Order must seek aid from outside its walls.

The characters may be either locals or travelers passing through the area. Any of the following adventure hooks may be used to draw them into the depths of the Hartsblood Hills:

Regardless of which adventure hook you used to bring the characters here, the adventure begins with their arrival at the Monastery of the Risen Star. The Order's complex is both small and spartan, made up only of the worship chapel, a few communal bunkhouses, the abbot's chambers, a library, a supply room and kitchen, and the crypt.

The abbot welcomes the group in the chapel and imparts the following details through conversation:

The abbot asks that the adventurers enter the caverns, find his missing brothers, and rescue them if they are still alive. In addition, he would like the lost bodies and items from the crypt returned for reinterment. Finally, he is very worried about the dangers that these new developments may present for the Order, so he requests that the heroes scout out any present or future threats below.

As a reward for these services, the abbot is willing to bestow upon each member of the party a gift of 100 gp as well as a magical item blessed by his god (a benevolent deity appropriate to your campaign).

Once the player characters agree to undertake the task, the abbot asks one of his acolytes to lead them down to the crypt.

The crypt is a network of dimly lit tunnels carved into the hillside beneath the monastery. Rows upon rows of coffins fill hollows within the walls. The deepest passage is near-collapsed, with a gaping pit, 10 feet wide by 20 feet long, at its terminus. The tombs there are in ruins, and several caskets are missing.

The walls of the pit extend downward only about 30 feet before tapering out to form the ceiling of a natural cavern. From there, it is a 100 foot drop into the next room (Area 2). Climb checks to descend safely into the cavern are at DC 15 for the pit and cavern walls, and DC 25 for the cavern ceiling.

Have each character make a Listen check (DC 22) upon reaching the cavern below the crypt. If you're feeling particularly sneaky, you may wish to roll the checks yourself and keep the results secret. These check results determine whether the characters are aware of what waits in ambush for them here. . . .

In Episode One of The Hallowed Hills, we presented an introduction to the adventure, several plot hooks the DM could use to bring the characters into the action, and the entryway to the cavern complex.

No one knew there was a cavern complex beneath the Monastery of the Risen Star until an earthquake opened a passage to it. In the last episode, the adventurers made their way into the first of the caverns. The story resumes as they begin the first leg of their search for the Order's missing brothers.

Read the following aloud to the players:

Because of the uneven surface of this cavern, anyone who attempts to traverse it quickly or perform any sort of acrobatic maneuvers must make a Balance Check (DC 15). Failure by a margin of less than 5 means that the character has stumbled and is incapable of movement for 1 round. Failure by 5 or more indicates that the character has lost his or her footing and fallen prone.

Creatures: Some of the more malevolent spirits from the tomb above have taken on unlife, now that the accident has freed them from the restrictions imposed by their funeral rites. Four ghouls lie in wait behind a rocky outcropping near the southern face of the cavern. Although they are perfectly hidden, one or more of the adventurers may hear their movements. A successful Listen check (DC 22) reveals the ambush before it occurs.

Ghouls (4): hp 20, 18, 14, 9.

Tactics: The ghouls wait until the party is particularly vulnerable, preferentially attacking either a lone character or a small group. Splitting the party to explore the debris or entering the cavern one-by-one from the crypt above incites an immediate attack; otherwise, the ghouls wait until the characters have either spread out a bit or are about to leave before striking.

The creatures attack in an intelligent, coordinated fashion, singling out a non-elf opponent first if possible and attacking as a group, flanking when feasible. Once their victim is paralyzed, they move on to the next target. Only after all the party members are paralyzed or unconscious will they try to finish off any characters.

Treasure: Beyond the recoverable coinage, which totals out to 47 gp, 146 sp, and 257 cp, the only items of note are a religious statuette of pure silver (worth 105 gp) and a gold ring with a jade inset (worth 90 gp). The remaining goods are of standard quality; the DM should choose appropriate items from the equipment list in the Players Handbook.

Though this passageway through the rock is only 5 feet wide, its walls seemingly extend upward forever. In fact, however, they come to a halt at the cavern's top, some 60 feet overhead. The characters must make their way through these cramped quarters single-file for 110 feet before the tunnel opens into Area 4.

Creatures: A swarm of stirges is perched near the top of the tunnel. These creatures descend upon the characters from overhead as soon as the party reaches the midway point of the passage.

Stirges (6): hp 7, 6, 5, 5, 4, 2.

Read the following aloud to the players when they enter Area 4:

Although the fungi cluttering the center of the room and the roots hanging from above tend to obscure vision in the cavern, the PCs may still notice something peculiar as they enter this room. Have each player make a Spot check (DC 21). Success reveals two bodies lying facedown near the center of the cluster. Their simple black robes mark them as members of the Order. . . .

In Episode Two of The Hallowed Hills, the party entered a mysterious set of caverns seeking three members of the Order who had gone missing after setting out to explore the caverns. Now, as the adventurers enter a new cave filled with strange vegetation, they may already have noticed two bodies lying still at its center.

This roughly oval-shaped cavern is 40 feet wide by 60 feet long. The exit at the south leads to Area 5; the one at the west leads back to Area 3. A rockslide in the eastern wall has covered another possible exit, but the severity of the collapse is such that it would take days of excavation to reopen it.

Creatures: Three shriekers and a violet fungus are positioned in a square patch at the center of the room, with the violet fungus occupying the northeastern corner of the patch. The bodies lie in the midst of these creatures. If the PCs approach to investigate, the noise from the shriekers alerts the orcs in Area 5 to the arrival of visitors.

Shriekers: hp 20, 13, 10.

Violet Fungus: hp 16.

Examining the Bodies: Once they have dealt with the fungi, the PCs can examine the corpses. These two extremely pale young men were the acolytes who accompanied Brother Durham down here. Both are dead, slain by the violet fungus. They carry basic cave exploration gear, leather armor, and maces, but nothing else of value.

A successful Heal check (DC 15) on either corpse reveals something very peculiar about these bodies -- namely that they have been completely drained of blood, which explains their unusual pallor. Depending upon the party's experience with violet fungi in the past, they may or may not be aware that such a phenomenon is somewhat out of place in these surroundings.

Leaving the Room: Once the characters move to the southern exit, a successful Wilderness Lore check (DC 18) made by any character with the Track feat reveals that a small band of humanoids recently passed through this area, emerging from the now-sealed eastern entrance and leaving through the tunnel to the south.

Creatures: It's been a long few weeks for Homzahk and his scouting patrol from the Crookedtusk tribe. The orc adept was leading an expedition through these caverns when the earthquake sealed them in here. The orcs hope to reopen the tunnel in Area 4 that leads to their home caves in the near future, but another power has coerced them to stand guard here until commanded otherwise. Though resentful of the situation, the orcs have lost enough of their brethren to this creature to know that further resistance is likely wasted, so long as they are trapped here. Their fear and fury regarding their situation is so great that they refuse parley with anyone who approaches.

Orcs (6): 7, 6, 4, 4, 3, 2.

Homzahk: Male Crookedtusk orc Adp 4; CR 4; Medium-size humanoid (orc); hp 24; Init +4; Spd. 20 ft.; AC 10 (touch 10, flat-footed 10); Atk +6 melee (1d6+4/crit x2, masterwork club); or +2 ranged (1d6+3/crit x2, javelin); SQ darkvision 60 ft., light sensitivity; AL CE; SV Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +6; Str 16, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 11, Wis 15, Cha 10.

Skills and Feats: Alchemy +4, Concentration +5, Knowledge (religion) +2, Wilderness Lore +7; Combat Casting, Improved Initiative.

Adept Spells Prepared (3/3/1): 0 -- ghost sound, guidance (2); 1st -- burning hands, cause fear, sleep; 2nd -- mirror image.

Possessions: Masterwork club, ruby worth 100 gp, potion of invisibility, potion of cure moderate wounds.

Tactics: If alerted by the shriekers in Area 4, the orcs split their forces, posting Homzahk and a few others in the northern reaches of the room behind stalagmite cover. The others remain at the back of the cavern beyond the chasm so that they can lay down a hail of javelins when needed. Their objective is to split the party's forces and then flank their opponents. Homzahk and his rear guard can then attack the archers and spellcasters remaining on one side of the chasm while the troops on the other side deal with any fighters who cross for melee. They also attempt to bull rush anyone who leaps over the chasm, hoping to knock such a foolish opponent into the breach.

After the characters dispatch the Crookedtusk tribesmen, they can turn their attention to the boulder in the room's rear. Beyond it lies the darkened passage that will lead them to the final truth about Brother Durham's fate. . . .

Miguel Duran endured a great deal of pain and humiliation in Skip Williams’ after-work game when he first arrived at WotC several months ago. He insists that this adventure is a by-product of the fond memories those nights carved into his subconscious. By day, Miguel is the Promotions Coordinator for the Dungeons & Dragons Game. By night, he practices writing and consistently forgets to call his mom and dad. (Hi Mom! Hi Dad!)