D&D 4e

Keep on the Shadowfell

GM wapsii · 2 players

Realms, both wondrous and dire, border the world. One such realm is the Shadowfell. Although not inherently evil, the Shadowfell is fraught with dangers, and the barrier between worlds can be thin. Sometimes the darkness breaks into the light. Nearly two hundred years ago, a cult of the demon prince Orcus purposely created such a gap, connecting one of Orcus’s unholy Shadowfell sites to the world. Skeletons, zombies, and fouler creatures flooded through the rift into the light of day. The empire of Nerath dispatched legionnaires to eliminate the threat. The empire’s soldiers destroyed the undead, sealed the opening, and built a keep to watch over the location and contain the threat. This is the site known as the Keep on the Shadowfell. Decades of peace followed, and the village of Winterhaven arose within sight of the keep. Eventually, the great fort fell into ruins and its grand purpose forgotten. Today, it is seen as a harmless tumble of stone and wood. If only that were true.

4E Keep on the Shadowfell

Keep on the Shadowfell - Forum
Dungeons & Dragons 4e

Level: 1
Sources: Player's Handbooks 1, 2, and 3;
Abilities: 22 point buy
Alignment: Non-evil.

You may wish to use one of these hooks in your background.

The adventurer seeks news of their old friend and mentor, Douven Staul. The man who trained them for a life of adventure bade his friend farewell three months ago and headed for Winterhaven. Duven, a rabid explorer of old ruins, had found a map that revealed the location of a dragon's tomb not far from the village. He figured if a dragon was buried there, why not also its hoard?
The explorer should have returned some time ago, and his continuing absence bodes ill. The adventurer fears the worst and is determined to find out what happened to their mentor.
(Alternative: Douven's wife asks the adventurer to locate her missing husband.

Ruins of an Empire
Winterhaven grew up in the shadow of an old keep. Like other similar structures across the land, the keep fell into disrepair when the empire of Nerath crumbled a hundred years earlier. Winterhaven survives to this day, a modest point of light in a world that has grown darker and more dangerous.
A scholar named Parle Cranewing hired the adventurer to locate the old keep and map what remains of it, promising to pay 250 gp for a complete rendering. The adventurer readily agreed to explore the ruined fortress near Winterhaven. These ruins might contain the treasures and secrets of the vanished human empire. Determined to earn a reputation, as well as the scholar's gold, the adventurer heads out in search of adventure.

Ominous Signs
Marla of the Great Church, an earnest young priest of the good deity Pelor, contacted the adventurer. She had been studying the history and activity of various demon and death cults. According to Marla's research, witnesses saw a small group of death cultists traveling toward Winterhaven about a year ago. She has since learned that the head of this group is a dangerous and twisted priest named Kalarel. Marla fears that Kalarel has set up a secret cult in the area and is conducting unholy ceremonies. She asks the adventurer to travel to Winterhaven, determine if there is any death cult activity in the area, and, if so, to stamp it out.

Game Description:

Near the sleepy town of Winerhaven, a ruined keep overlooks a dormant gateway to the otherworldly realm known as the Shadowfell. Though this dark scar on the world had lain dormant for many years, an evil cleric of Orcus, Demon Prince of Undead, seeks to reopen the gate. The only thing preventing the forces of darkness from sweeping across the land is a determined band of heroes...

Game Description:

Realms, both wondrous and dire, border the world. One such realm is the Shadowfell. Although not inherently evil, the Shadowfell is fraught with dangers, and the barrier between worlds can be thin. Sometimes the darkness breaks into the light.
Nearly two hundred years ago, a cult of the demon prince Orcus purposely created such a gap, connecting one of Orcus’s unholy Shadowfell sites to the world. Skeletons, zombies, and fouler creatures flooded through the rift into the light of day. The empire of Nerath dispatched legionnaires to eliminate the threat. The empire’s soldiers destroyed the undead, sealed the opening, and built a keep to watch over the location and contain the threat. This is the site known as the Keep on the Shadowfell. Decades of peace followed, and the village of Winterhaven arose within sight of the keep. Eventually, the great fort fell into ruins and its grand purpose forgotten. Today, it is seen as a harmless tumble of stone and wood.
If only that were true.

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