The realms of humans, dwarves,

and elves are forever beset by a

rising tide of evil. Demons claw
at the planar firmament,
eager to spread destruction
across the cosmos. The dead stir
within their tombs, called forth by
wielders of shadow magic to slay
the living and recruit them into
their moldering legions.
Orcs, trolls, and giants descend
from mist-shrouded mountains
to maraud and pillage.
In the realms of the Feywild,
hags and dark fey plot to corrupt
and enslave the world.

The
on
Keep
Chaos Scar
the
By Mike Mearls
illustration by Craig J. Spearing
cartography by CrazyRed
TM & © 2010 Wizards of the Coast LLC All rights reserved. M a rc h 2 010 | D U N G E O N 176
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 The Keep on the Chaos Scar

Here and there, standing on the narrow edge antiquity. Yet, the keep’s craftsmanship is obviously RECENT EVENTS
between civilization and the hungry dark, stand a of dwarf manufacture. Most folk believe that Grim
few bastions of justice and law. Restwell Keep, so Eye enslaved the dwarves, but a few believe that free For several years, Restwell Keep served as the base
named by its current inhabitants, is one such edifice. dwarves originally built and used the keep. of operations for a band of evil adventurers known as
Founded ages ago by a long forgotten lord, Restwell That fact—that dwarves built Restwell Keep—is the Six Blades of Fortune. While the Blades fought
has kept a sentinel’s post over the Chaos Scar for time now unquestioned. No other race could build a stone monsters in the Chaos Scar, they also preyed on other,
out of mind. It has served as a hobgoblin warlord’s for- edifice that could last as long. Aside from wooden weaker adventuring bands, and even raided a few
tress, a bandit gang’s hideout, and now as an outpost structures inside the keep, nearly every stone struc- caravans. As they were content to keep their depreda-
of civilization in a monster-infested wilderness. ture remains from the original construction. The tions far from their base of operations, in time the
dwarves’ talent for stonework is also plainly evident in keep became a small outpost of civilization. Wander-
BACKGROUND the secret doors found in some chambers. Detectable ers, refugees, and other folk in search of a safe harbor
only by an expert dungeon explorer, secret chambers settled within the keep.
Based on conversations a visitor might overhear at the and passageways may exist beneath the keep that The Blades saw a benefit in the growing
Stumbling Giant, the residents of Restwell Keep rank have yet to be uncovered. ­community within their walls. They taxes they col-
arguing about the keep’s history right behind gossip lected paid the mercenaries who guarded the keep,
and ahead of the weather when it comes to topics Hidden Treasures and within five years, a small village stabilized
of conversation. Everyone agrees on the basic gist The keep’s other notable, past resident lends an added within its walls and became a center for adventur-
of its origin and most notable inhabitants, but those layer of intrigue to such rumors of hidden chambers. ers heading to the Chaos Scar. Despite the Blades’
agreements serve as little more than a common bat- The famed dwarf bandit Greysen Ramthane was nature, they believed the safe harbor and profit
tleground for long debates on the veracity of a legion a scourge of Nerath’s borders for many long years. offered by the keep was worth preserving.
of rumors and legends. He and his coterie of thieves looted untold wealth In time, though, the Blades’ criminal ways caught
The long list of the keep’s residents is a rambling from the empire. Eventually, Nerath dispatched a up with them. After stealing a holy icon of Erathis,
collection of heroic crusaders against the Chaos Scar, small army that tracked Greysen to the keep. After they were tracked to the keep and defeated by Lord
would-be dictators eager to carve a fiefdom out of the an extended siege, the soldiers stormed the keep Peridin Drysdale, a human paladin of Erathis. Lord
wilderness, and monsters seeking a defensible lair and slew the bandits to a man. But what happened Drysdale and his followers slew four of the Blades
(including, for a time, the blue dragon Fafnar). The next became the source of countless rumors and leg- and drove off the remaining two survivors. While he
keep has stood empty for years at a time, claimed by ends. The task force’s commanding officer, a half-orc had planned to leave the keep and its inhabitants to
wild animals, weeds, and little else. While the world named Bertak, claimed to find only a tiny portion their own devices, he saw that doing so would leave
around the keep shifts and changes, its walls abide. of Greysen’s stolen wealth within the keep. Stories the inhabitants vulnerable without the Blades’ protec-
claiming that Bertak and his cronies pocketed much tion. Assessing the threat posed by the Chaos Scar, he
Origin of the treasure persist to this day, but others believe decided to remain in the keep as its new ruler. The
The keep’s first known inhabitant was a hobgoblin that Greysen’s wealth is still hidden somewhere in the guards and administrators who ran the village under
king known as Grim Eye for the few carvings of his keep, protected by traps and mechanical guardians. the Blades’ rule are still in place, and Drysdale plans
scowling, angry visage found here and there in bas to organize expeditions into the Scar to defeat the evil
relief carvings above some doorways in the keep. that dwells there.
His true name and the stories of his deeds are lost to

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While Drysdale’s battle with the Blades never The outer bailey is home to the bulk of the keep’s Those adventurers granted access to the keep are
involved the common folk or even the bulk of the civilian residents, most of whom settled here during escorted by guards to the entry yard beyond the gate-
mercenary guards, the transition to his rule has the rule of the Six Blades of Fortune. Crowded with house. Fallek, the corporal of the watch, and Syradon,
caused some friction. The Blades were content to give small buildings, this area hosts an inn, a tavern, a a scribe, meet them there along with a contingent of
the folk of Restwell Keep free reign of the place, as bank, and other businesses, along with private apart- four guards. Visitors must escort their horses to the
long as they kept out of the Blades’ business. Drys- ments for long-term visitors to the keep. A small stables, while all weapons other than daggers must be
dale’s approach, while far from tyrannical, is more marketplace serves the merchants and farmers who turned over to Fallek for safe keeping.
involved. He plans to turn the keep into a bastion of visit the keep to sell their wares, though the ever- Fallek: The corporal of the guard is a male human
Erathis, much to the disgust of the freebooters, adven- present threat of monsters from the Chaos Scar (and warrior clad in plate mail, shield, sword, and dagger.
turers, and merchants who populate the place. They the presence of the Crossroads black market business) His black, long hair is turning gray, and a scar runs
find his morality tiresome and his intent on meddling prevents Restwell from becoming a thriving hub of across his right cheek. Over 40 years old, he has seen
in the Chaos Scar alarming. He has irked those of commerce. Still, the locals make enough profit from a number of battles and considers his post here some-
the keep’s many inhabitants who pay little mind to adventurers and the treasures they recover from thing of a retirement. Grouchy and pushy, he’d rather
religion. Those who are of a religious mindset tend to the Scar to maintain a healthy living. The folk of the be sitting and relaxing than dealing with visitors, but
favor Avandra, whose love of freedom stands in stark keep are by no means wealthy, but neither are they he has a soft spot for a pretty face or a tough, battle-
contrast to Drysdale’s push for order and civilization. destitute. scarred veteran. If he takes a liking to a newcomer,
he gives them directions around the keep and might
LOCATIONS 1. Main Gate even take a particularly lovely visitor for a tour. Oth-
Two 30-foot-tall towers flank the 20-foot-tall gate- erwise, he tries to get visitors out of his hair as quickly
Restwell Keep consists of an outer wall with an house that watches over the keep’s entrance. A as possible.
interior bisected into northern and southern ends drawbridge, usually raised, spans the 40-foot-deep Syradon: This male human wears typical work-
by an inner wall, called the inner bailey and outer crevasse that surrounds the keep and leads into the man’s clothes and carries a battered leather book
bailey respectively. The inner bailey is home to Lord gatehouse and the keep beyond. he uses to record visitors’ names and any weapons
Drysdale and his coterie of soldiers and advisors. A host of daunting obstacles greets anything that left with Fallek. He wears a holy symbol of Ioun on a
He dwells within a small fortress, the keep’s final attempts to storm the gate. Guards armed with bows silver chain, but usually conceals it beneath his shirt.
line of defense, nestled against the northern wall. and crossbows watch the entrance from the towers At a young age, he received a strange blessing from
A large, open area between the fortress and the above, a portcullis provides an additional barrier Ioun. He has perfect recall of everything he sees and
interior wall hosts a parade ground and stables for against intruders, and arrow slits in the gatehouse hears, but will lose this gift if he ever speaks a word.
Drysdale’s cavalry. allow the guards to fire at creatures that make it past Instead, he commits the history of Restwell Keep, as
the drawbridge. he witnesses it, to his book.
Visitors to the keep must first provide names, pro- Syradon loves to hear stories of distant places.
fessions, and business in the keep to the guards. Only His quiet, unassuming nature causes other folk to
after hearing satisfactory answers do the guards lower underestimate him, and he keeps his gift of memory
the drawbridge. Security is a matter of life and death a secret. Strangers to the keep tend to think of him as
here. Flippant responses draw stony silence and a deaf and dumb, and he has overheard many interest-
tightly shut drawbridge. ing stories not meant for his ears.

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2. Towers light catapult. Ten warriors, whether drawn from the 2a. Bailiff’s Tower
watch or the guard of the inner bailey, live in bar- Perched at the keep’s southeast corner, this tower
In addition to the towers that f lank the gatehouse,
racks on the third f loor. The first and second f loors replaces the typical storage chambers found on the
seven others fortify the keep’s walls. Four towers
have chambers for the storage of food, water, arrows, first two floors with personal space for the bailiff,
connected to the inner bailey are manned by war-
and other supplies. A few of the towers also house Kendon, and the scribe Syradon (see area 1). Offices
riors who serve Lord Drysdale, while the rest are
officers of the watch and guard, as noted in their for both can be found on the first floor, and their pri-
staffed with the mercenary warriors of the outer
descriptions below. vate apartments are on the second floor.
bailey’s watch. Each tower is 30 feet tall, crowned
by battlements, and equipped with a ballista and a Kendon Longstrider: A veteran warrior who
once served the Blades, Kendon is in charge of the
outer bailey. He commands the guard, serves as a
mediator between Lord Drysdale and the folk of the
outer bailey, and collects taxes from adventurers
and merchants. Nearly 60 years old, he keeps his
gray hair cut short and his long moustache carefully
waxed and trimmed.
Kendon is genuinely concerned by Lord Drysdale’s
2
rule. While he acknowledges the paladin’s good
2 intentions, he preferred the rule of the Blades. True,
2 14c
the Blades were criminals, but they left the people
11
14d of the keep alone and avoided arousing the ire of
the Chaos Scar’s monsters. Rumors abound that all
2b
9
14a
14
folk in the keep must soon convert to the worship of
10
7b Erathis, that Drysdale plans to press everyone into
8 an army he plans to march into the Scar, and that
13 14b
6 the keep will soon become little more than a military
7a
12
2
base for Drysdale’s crusade.
7 5 While these rumors are untrue, Drysdale’s aloof
7 nature and Benwick’s machinations (see area 7b)
7 4 3 keep such stories alive. Kendon has also fallen under
2 Benwick’s sway. At the priest’s urging, he has made
contact with the surviving Blades. They are eager to
avenge themselves against Lord Drysdale, and if the
1
2a situation becomes dire enough, Kendon might betray
the keep’s lord.

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2b. Captain’s Tower Stumbling Giant (area 11). Rumors abound that, 3. Stables
The second floor of this tower serves as the private with his skill at stonework, he found a long-forgotten Stables are available here for the characters to keep
chambers of the captain of the watch, the dwarf secret chamber filled with the treasures of Greysen their horses, mules, and other mounts. Space on the
Gorn Hammerfall. Gorn serves as the bailiff ’s Ramthane. The truth is far worse. Gorn is Ramthane’s roof is set aside for the occasional flying mount. The
second-in-command. last, living heir. He came to the keep long ago to find stables cost 2 sp per day per mount. A staff of six, all
Gorn Hammerfall: Gorn was elevated to the the hidden treasures and only recently unearthed a human, takes care of the mounts.
captain’s post for his skill in siegecraft and engineer- trap-filled cache directly beneath his tower. He recov-
ing. He is responsible for maintaining the catapults ered a small amount of the treasure, but several traps 4. Warehouse
and ballistae that protect the keep. In his free time, and mechanical guardians—and even more treasure— Merchants and travelers with wagons filled with
he works to restore the keep’s original stonework and remain untouched. goods keep their wares here while they remain in the
fortify its already formidable defenses. Unfortunately, Gorn chose to disclose his discov- keep. Fallek (area 1) has the key to the large, iron pad-
Gorn has recently come into some money, ery only to the priest Benwick. Gorn worried that lock used to secure the warehouse’s entrance.
although almost no one is aware of where or how. natives to the keep and anyone close to Lord Drysdale
He wears a jeweled ring and loves to gamble at the would insist on a share of the treasure. Benwick, as 5. Smithy
an outsider who intends to stay for but a short while This 20-foot-tall tower doubles as an interior redoubt,
longer, could be more easily bought off. Once he as the battlements on its roof allow archers to fire
leaves, Gorn believes his secret will be safe. Unfor- down upon intruders that manage to breach the outer
STATISTICS FOR KEEP tunately, Benwick insisted on a detailed tour of the bailey. The first floor is a smithy. While the smith,
keep’s defenses as part of the agreement to keep his Bergen, typically crafts horseshoes and other goods,
RESIDENTS
silence, which the dwarf actually found flattering. As he is also a skilled weapon- and armorsmith. He and
Very few of the Keep’s residents are likely to pose a a result, Benwick has learned much that could prove his family dwell in quarters on the second floor.
threat to the characters. That said, if the characters useful should the followers of Zehir he works for need Bergen: This slender, slight male human looks
do start a fight inside the keep, it’s likely to be with to besiege Restwell Keep at a future date. more like a scholar than a smith. A devotee of Mora-
Benwick or his acolytes, and will shortly thereafter The treasure horde beneath the tower is defended din, he relies on his knowledge of metals rather than
be likely to include the keep’s guards. by traps and homunculi, and totals 1,000 gp in coins brute strength. He particularly loves a challenge, and
Use the snaketongue celebrant (Monster Manual, and gems. Gorn has recovered 200 gp worth of trea- he has a great knowledge of dwarven rituals and lore.
page 273) for Benwick, but drop Benwick’s level to sure. When the time is right, Gorn and Benwick plan If given enough residuum, he can make any magical
8. This will reduce his attack and defense numbers to delve into the place to seize the rest. If Benwick can weapon or armor of up to level 10, subject to the DM’s
by 3 each, and all his damage by 1. manage it, he plans to kill the dwarf, take the treasure permission.
Use the snaketongue warriors (Monster Manual, for himself, and conceal what he has learned of the
page 272) for Benwick’s acolytes. keep’s defenses. Gorn’s secrecy has worked against 6. Provisioner and Trader
Use the human guards (Monster Manual, page 162) him once more, as nobody suspects the two are These two buildings serve as the center of trade
for the typical town guard. linked as anything more than casual acquaintances. within the outer bailey. The eastern building houses
the provisioner Grelda, an elderly human woman
who deals in herbs, food, and other perishable goods.
She does much of her business with the few farmers
and homesteaders who live near the keep.

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The western half is given over to the trader, Bosco collectors in the larger towns to the south. He aggres- might then try to ally with them on an expedition to
Heldam. Bosco is an overweight human who is eager sively approaches adventurers new to the keep in the Chaos Scar. There, he would attempt to betray
to expand his business in the area. He deals almost hopes of buying such items from them. He can be and slay them.
exclusively with adventurers, and can offer almost a handy source of adventures, as he regularly sends Benwick’s long-term plans are simple. A grow-
any mundane good of up to 100 gp at a 10% markup. messages to and from the civilized lands. He might ing contingent of lizardfolk dedicated to Zehir
Bosco and Grelda have something of a rivalry. seek out adventurers to find traces of a missing cara- gather near the keep. He plans on remaining here
Grelda has lived in the keep her entire life, and her van, commission the search for a specific type of gem for another few months, sowing discord and finding
shop has passed from one generation to the next. or item, and so forth. converts to his cause. When the time is right, he will
Bosco is a newcomer, an opportunist hoping to make return, rally the converts, and strike in the dead of
a killing selling gear to adventurers who venture into 7b. Traveling Priest the night as the lizardfolk launch their attack. With
the Chaos Scar. Their shops’ proximity makes shout- The itinerant priest Benwick, along with his two aco- any luck, he can seize the keep and convert it to a bas-
ing matches and arguments between the two a daily lytes, dwells here. Benwick has hosted many of the tion of Zehir in one blood-soaked night.
occurrence, leaving their befuddled customers caught important people of the outer bailey here, serving fine With this bastion in hand, Benwick plans to slowly
in the middle. Grelda has begun to import adventur- food and drink while discussing matters of Restwell expand his influence outward, gathering recruits
ing gear to muscle in on Bosco’s business, and she Keep and the Chaos Scar. He is charming, with a from the Chaos Scar and setting his sights on nearby
offers her goods without his markup. For his part, moon face, twinkling eyes, and round belly that cast settlements. With enough territory under his control,
Bosco has started speaking with Millen Silvereye at him as a mirthful friar. He plays up this act with per- he can found a kingdom dedicated to Zehir where the
the Crossroads about a possible business arrangement fect charm, using humor and self-deprecation to win yuan-ti and their allies can flourish.
that might allow Bosco to act as the tiefling’s agent his way into the trust of the outer bailey’s residents.
and partner in Restwell Keep. The folk of the keep believe that he is a priest of Seha- 8. Loan Bank
nine dedicated to wandering the land in search of The loan bank is an important part of the keep’s
7. Private Apartments new experiences. In truth, he is an adept of Zehir who nascent economy. The banker, Ferdinand Ronnik, is a
A number of buildings within the outer bailey serve seeks to overthrow the keep and claim it as a fortress retired human adventurer who decided to pursue his
as private apartments. Adventurers, travelers, and for the snake cult. fortune by taking an economic, rather than physical,
merchants that visit the keep can rent an apartment Benwick: The evil priest represents perhaps the risk. He can loan up to 200 gp at a time, with a 10%
at a rate of 10 gp per week. Most of the apartments gravest, most immediate threat to the keep’s secu- interest rate per week. Any loan requires collateral
consist of a bedroom, a sitting room, and a storage rity. He plans to slowly convert the folk of the outer worth at least the full value of the loan.
area, but a pair of larger ones have two stories, com- bailey to the worship of Zehir, primarily by playing Ferdinand Ronnik: An ex-thief who made a
plete kitchens, and two additional bedrooms. Both of on their anger toward Lord Drysdale. The most small fortune by looting a temple to Zehir, Ferdinand
the larger apartments are occupied, while the rest are ardent among them, those whose anger and hatred is short, slim, and wiry. He keeps a neatly trimmed
currently empty. show the most promise, will be inducted into the goatee and has black hair. Benwick knows of Ferdi-
inner cult. When the time comes, the rest will be nand’s robbery and hopes to avenge the loss by either
7a. Jewel Merchant’s either enslaved or slain. murdering Ferdinand or framing him for some crime
Apartment Benwick is utterly charming. He takes great pains against the keep. His current plan is to stoke unrest
The jewel merchant Quint Spiregleam dwells here. to maintain his cover, and if the party is alert or oth- in the keep by planting letters to an unnamed, evil
The young gnome is eager to buy up jewels and art erwise suspicious, he gives them a wide berth. If they power in the Chaos Scar, along with maps of the
objects recovered by adventurers and sell them to appear to pose a significant threat to his efforts, he keep’s defenses, on Ferdinand shortly before alerting

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Kendon of the “plot” to destroy the keep. With Ferdi- 11. The Stumbling Giant for fear that they may overindulge in alcohol and
nand out of the way, Benwick can then sponsor one In contrast to the cheap, crude accommodations at embarrass themselves. Here, in the social heart of the
of his minions to take the banker’s place, giving him the Travelers Inn, the Stumbling Giant is the social keep, their absence speaks volumes.
another way to bring the keep under his thumb. center of the outer bailey. Unfortunately, it is also a Most folk of the outer bailey can be found here
sign of the growing rift within the keep. Under direct at least once a week, gathered over mugs of Mother
9. Fountain Square orders of Lord Drysdale, the warriors of the inner Aran’s Stout and swapping tales, spreading gossip,
A large fountain stands in the middle of this cobble- bailey are not allowed to enter the Stumbling Giant and arguing about the topic of the day. A huge fire-
stone square. During holidays and at harvest time,
farmers and tradesmen from throughout the region
gather here to sell their wares. Merchants from dis-
tant lands also set up shop here while they dwell
within the keep, offering goods from across the
region. The square is also a popular meeting place for
adventurers, and many gather here to swap tales of
the Chaos Scar, sell magic items, or seek out compan-
ions for expeditions.
The fountain is one of the most important land-
marks in the keep. It has never run dry, and as far as
anyone can tell, it is a magical source of unlimited
water.

10. Travelers Inn

This long, low structure has five small, private rooms
for rent and a large common room that can fit up to
a dozen guests. A private room sleeps four and costs
1 gp per night, while a night in the common room
costs 1 sp.
Nerrin Silverhand: The innkeeper, a human
named Nerrin Silverhand, is cheap, greedy, and
easily angered. The beds are old, broken down, and
shoddy, while the blankets are full of holes. He has
a bad reputation for allowing the fires in the inn to
die down before midnight, leaving guests to resort to
their own gear to remain warm. He guards the stock
of firewood like a snarling dragon, but will gladly add
a log to the fire if paid a few silver.

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place heats the common room, while a few booths The Saruun mages have a sinister reputation in myriad of powers and effects. Thus, they send adven-
offer space for private discussions. town, but thus far they have yet to engage in any turers forth to return with samples of beasts, earth,
Mother Aran: Following in the footsteps of her actions remotely damaging to the keep. They pay a water, shards, and so on. A teleportation circle hidden
parents and their parents before her, Mother Aran hefty tax to Lord Drysdale, and at times have sup- in the cellars of the guildhouse allows for quick trans-
runs a tight ship at the Stumbling Giant. Her secret plied him with magical items useful for defending the portation to and from the order’s headquarters in the
family recipes for both food and drink have kept resi- keep. Still, the mages keep to themselves. Drysdale’s Seven-Pillared Hall.
dents and visitors to the keep well fed for many years. detractors point to their presence in the outer bailey
Generous and friendly, she sees herself as a grand- as another sign that the paladin cares only for his own 13. Chapel of Avandra
mother to all who come into her tavern. business. After all, if he likes the mages so much, he For many years, the chapel to Avandra was the spiri-
Mother Aran serves to keep the folk of the keep could take them and their mysterious affairs into the tual center of the keep. Before Lord Drysdale’s arrival,
unified, despite their differences. She sees no evil inner bailey. and even before the Blades claimed this place, the folk
intent in Lord Drysdale’s actions and is one of his Citirian: This wizard wears a silver mask and of the keep paid respect to the goddess of freedom and
biggest supporters in the outer bailey. If anything hap- long, sky blue robes. He speaks in a tone barely louder adventure. Many of the people who settled in the keep
pened to her, the keep would be thrown into chaos than a whisper, while his similarly clad assistants were outcasts, wanderers, and refugees. They saw this
and suspicion. have never been known to speak. place as a safe harbor in a chaotic world.
If Citirian hears news of treasures brought out of That spirit of independence and adventure still
12. Saruun Guildhouse the Chaos Scar by adventurers, he dispatches one of thrives here, though Lord Drysdale’s more regi-
Hailing from the distant Seven-Pillared Hall, a settle- his assistants with a note inviting the adventurers to mented, orderly methods grate against the inhabitants
ment founded amid the dungeons of Thunderspire in dinner at the guildhouse. He lavishes his guests with of the outer bailey. The high priestess of Avandra, the
the Nentir Vale, the mages of Saruun are a secretive excellent food and at the end of the meal, makes an half-elf Chendera, is one of Drysdale’s loudest critics.
order of wizards that combines arcane knowledge offer to buy whatever item or object the explorers The chapel consists of a long stone building. Its
with trade and business acumen. The mages are found. These offers are usually 10% above the item’s interior consists of a single open chamber. A statue of
renowned for seeking trade with creatures of distant market price, but sometimes he offers far, far more Avandra, in her halfling form, stands at the far end of
or dangerous realms. None can guess at their ultimate than the baseline price. the structure. Most of the time, adventurers and other
goals, but their trade posts deal in rare, exotic, and At other times, Citirian uses a similar method to folk come here to offer sacrifices to Avandra and
profitable goods. commission expeditions to specific areas of the Scar. beseech her for good luck.
The guildhouse is a two-story building. The lower Such commissions are seen as easy money, as the During holy days, most notably the last day of the
floor features offices for the master of the guildhouse, mage usually asks only for samples of soil, plants, and year, the chapel becomes the center of activity in the
a mage named Citirian, and his two assistants. Four other mundane features from the Scar. outer bailey. Games of chance, most notably dice,
human mercenaries serve as guards, while a large, Citirian’s true secret is far less sinister than the take place in the chapel. Those who seek to curry
brass construct called a bronze warder stands guard folk of the keep suspect. In truth, a rotating series of Avandra’s favor for the year gamble away 10% of their
outside the guildhouse. At night, the warder walks a mages take on the role of Citirian, depending upon profits from the past year, sharing their good fortune
silent path around the place. the needs of their research. The mages have taken a in hopes of enticing more of it to come to them. The
The second floor has quarters for the mages, the keen interest in the Scar and wish to study it. They less fortunate attend in hopes of gaining Avandra’s
mercenaries, and a few spare rooms for visitors to the are especially interested in Chaos Shards—fragments attention and garnering better luck.
guildhouse. of the fractured meteor that purportedly have a

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Chendera: Short for a half-elf, with striking, long 14a. Inner Gatehouse 14b. Inner Courtyard
black hair, Chendera sees to the outer bailey’s spiri- The inner gatehouse is much like a miniature fortress This large, grassy field serves as a parade ground for
tual health. She spends much time at the Stumbling perched in the middle of the keep. Should invaders Drysdale’s forces. His men train here during the day,
Giant, and is usually found there or in the chapel. She breach the outer bailey, the inner gatehouse serves as working through weapon and formation drills to the
sees Lord Drysdale as an intruder and conqueror who another line of defense. It consists of an outer, south- tune of drummers and pipers.
is no better than the Blades. She is the one respon- ern wall that is 15 feet tall. The northern wall rises
sible for spreading rumors of forced conversions to to 30 feet in height. This arrangement allows archers 14c. Stables
the worship of Erathis. She and the others faithful perched along both the northern and southern walls Lord Drysdale plans on building up a formidable cav-
of Avandra have dubbed Drysdale and his followers to fire upon enemies that enter the outer bailey. alry force. He has built stables in the western side of
“empire builders,” more intent on their unfeasible A passage connecting the inner and outer baileys the inner courtyard, though they are only about half
crusades than in managing the day-to-day needs of runs through the middle of the gatehouse. Two heavy filled at this time.
the keep. doors, one on each end, are kept closed most of the
While Chendera has a good heart, at the root of time. It slopes steeply upward, while arrow slits along 14d. Fortress
her discontent is her fear of losing control of the keep. the passage allow the defenders to take a heavy toll on This heavily fortified structure is the final line of
She worked long and hard to mold the keep into its an attacking force. defense for the keep. Its towers reach 60 feet in
current form, and she would be crushed if it became The first floor of the gatehouse is an armory, while height, while the main door to this place is crafted of
an armed camp of Erathis worshipers. She responds the second floor consists of barracks. solid iron. The first floor consists of a great hall where
to Drysdale with anger and discontent in hopes of Garrick Blackoak: The sergeant of the guard, Lord Drysdale hosts meetings and feasts, along with
convincing him to keep his attentions focused on the Garrick is a tough veteran of many battles against evil. kitchens and living quarters for servants.
inner bailey. He is absolutely loyal to Lord Drysdale. His temper, The second floor has a number of private quarters,
Unfortunately for the keep, Chendera has fallen however, has proven his undoing. In the early days including several spare chambers for visitors.
in with Benwick. The priest provides a sympathetic of Drysdale’s rule, Garrick and his men frequented The third floor hosts Lord Drysdale’s private
ear, and his advice to her has only deepened the rift the Stumbling Giant. With his quick temper, Garrick quarters, along with the chambers of his second in
between the inner and outer bailey. He hopes to use touched off several brawls after overhearing insults command, the captain of the guard Elessan, and a
her as a driving force to sunder the keep’s social order. against Lord Drysdale and his men. Since then, Gar- small temple to Erathis.
rick has suffered a miserable reputation among the The outer towers attached to the fortress, while
14. The Inner Bailey people of the keep, and Drysdale’s men are rarely impressive from a distance, serve a basic, defensive
The inner bailey is the seat of Lord Drysdale’s power. allowed free access to the outer bailey as a result. function. The guards assigned to the fortress have
It is divided into several areas, described below. Garrick usually questions those who seek entrance quarters there.
to the inner bailey. Rude and easily angered, he rarely A grand cellar beneath the fortress holds emer-
allows quick or direct access. At best, Garrick might gency reserves of food, weapons, and other supplies.
dispatch a messenger to Lord Drysdale to set up a If necessary, the keep can hold out for three months
meeting at a later date. without outside support.

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 The Keep on the Chaos Scar

Lord Drysdale: The ruler of the keep, Lord Drys- Elessan: Drysdale’s second in command is an elf About the Author
dale is a nearly 50-year-old human paladin of Erathis. cleric of Erathis. A kind and just man, Elessan pro- Mike Mearls is the Lead Designer for the Dungeons &
Dragons® roleplaying game. His recent credits include Play-
His iron gray hair and tanned, weathered skin point vides a useful foil to Drysdale’s militaristic nature. er’s Handbook® 3, Hammerfast™, and Primal Power™.
to many long years spent wandering the wilds in He understands the concerns of the folk of the outer
search of evil foes to defeat. In his old age, Drysdale bailey, and he sometimes moves among them dis-
has decided to settle down while continuing to do guised as a mercenary warrior. He distrusts the priest
what good he can. He sees the keep as a seed that, Benwick, but does not yet have any solid evidence of
with the right attention, can bloom into a gleaming his intentions.
bastion of civilization. He dreams of amassing enough Elessan is deeply troubled by the growing rift
warriors to draw settlers and merchants to the region. between the residents of the inner and outer bailey,
In time, he hopes to defeat the evil of the Chaos Scar but thus far he has yet to convince Lord Drysdale of
and turn the entire region into a civilized realm. the threat it poses. He worries that Drysdale will act
Drysdale’s key weakness lies in his long military too late to address the problem. He sometimes con-
experience. While an excellent warrior and a skilled tacts heroic adventurers via a messenger to arrange
tactician, he has little experience as a politician. The a meeting with them. He would love to set someone
concerns and worries of the folk of the outer bailey to spy upon Benwick, but he is worried that any open
strike him as mere complaints. If he could, he would move against the priest would only further the ten-
remove them from the keep and relocate them to sions within the keep. Ideally, a band of adventurers
a safer land. He cannot understand why such folk could insinuate themselves into Benwick’s favor to
would want to dwell in the shadow of the Chaos Scar. keep tabs on him.
Lord Drysdale keeps a keen eye out for promis-
ing adventurers. As part of his long-term strategy for
reclaiming the region, he wants information on the
Chaos Scar. Adventurers that defeat evil creatures
within the Scar earn his respect. If such adventur-
ers prove themselves over time, he eventually invites
them into the fortress for a banquet. He asks many
questions of his guests, carefully sizing them up
before extending support to them. He can offer a
place to stay in the fortress, command of some of
his soldiers on missions, and information he has
uncovered about the Chaos Scar to set them against
increasingly powerful enemies.

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