THE GROUNDS 27G STORAGE ROOM.

27G STORAGE ROOM. 2 Gnolls are here.

2 Gnolls (AC 5; MV 9”; HD 2; hp 9 each; #AT 1; D Broad sword +1 to damage due to strength; XP 38 each)

Each gnoll has 1d8 of gold crescents, silver spanners, and copper pieces.

The room holds crates and barrels of food and water sufficient to last the gnoll tribe for about two weeks. There are also eight flasks of oil, 250 feet of rope, and a small tool chest with simple carpentry tools. The tool chest has a false bottom an hidden within are three base 100 gold crescent citrine gems and a solid gold egg holder (like for breakfast) worth 50 gold crescents.

The secret door pivots on a central axis. The gnolls are not aware of it.

THE GROUNDS 27F GUARD ROOM.

27F GUARD ROOM. Three gnoll males are stationed here.

3 Male Gnolls (AC 5; MV 9”; HD 2; hp 9 each; #AT 1; D Broad sword +1 to damage due to strength; XP 38 each)

Each gnoll has 1d8 of gold crescents, silver spanners, and copper pieces. They are guarding two prisoners, a bugbear and a elf, each manacled to the wall, with several other sets of unused manacles also present.

Magup the Bugbear (AC 5; MV 9”; HD 3+1; hp 19; #AT 1; D By weapon +1 due to strength; SA Surprise on a 1-3; XP 211)

Magup, dressed in baggy green and purple clothing, will call out to the party, as if they are old friends. He is ingratiatingly charming in his own dark way and if rescued will attempt to join the party. His goal is to lead the party to level three and a fight with the resident bugbears there, where he will turn on the party. If it clear that the party will not take him into their confidence, he will go his own way after 1d4 days.

Hunny Garzfelkers, Chaotic Good female wood elf Fighter (AC 6; MV 12"; F3; hp 20; #AT 1; D By Weapon Type +1 due to strength; S 17, I 8, W 7, D 18, C 16, Ch 17; XP 140)

Hunny has a rustic accent and speaks in quaint backwoods sayings “your look sadder than a tick on a dead dog”. She is so entertaining that the gnolls haven't eaten her yet.

THE GROUNDS 27E GNOLL CHIEFTAIN'S LAIR.

27E GNOLL CHIEFTAIN'S LAIR. A minotaur, 3 gnoll males, and 5 gnoll females reside here.

The minotaur is actually a gnoll, who wears a magic ring that gives him the appearance of a minotaur. He has used this deception to take control of the band. The displaced gnoll chieftain is one of the male gnolls in the room.

Minotaur (Gnoll) (AC 5; MV 9”; HD 2; hp 12; #AT 1; D Battle axe +1 to damage due to strength; XP 44)

Former Gnoll Chieftain (AC 4; MV 9”; HD 3; hp 16; #AT 1; D Spear +1 +2 to damage due to strength; XP 83)

2 Male Gnolls (AC 5; MV 9”; HD 2; hp 10 each; #AT 1; D Broad sword +1 to damage due to strength; XP 40 each)

5 Female Gnolls (AC 5; MV 9”; HD 1+1; hp 5 each; #AT 1; D Dagger; XP 30 each)

The Gnoll/Minotaur wears a set of silver leg greaves (80 gold crescents each) and a matching silver torc (120 gold crescents). His ring is gold and embossed with a bulls-head design. It is worth 300 gold crescents but gives any wearer the illusory appearance of a fierce minotaur. The former chieftain has a jade and silver medallion (150 gold crescents). Each male gnoll has 1d8 of gold crescents, silver spanners, and copper pieces. Females have 1d4 each of the same.

The furnishings of the room are in poor shape. Under an owlbear skull on a small table there is a tin holding 128 copper pieces, 69 silver spanners, and 57 gold crescents.

THE GROUNDS 27D GNOLL COMMON ROOM.

27D GNOLL COMMON ROOM. 7 male gnolls, 9 females, and 13 young, who do not fight, are here.

7 Male Gnolls (AC 5; MV 9”; HD 2; hp 9 each; #AT 1; D By weapon +1 to damage due to strength; XP 38 each)

9 Female Gnolls (AC 5; MV 9”; HD 1+1; hp 5 each; #AT 1; D Dagger +1 to damage due to strength; XP 30 each)

Each male gnoll has 1d8 each of gold crescents, silver spanners, and copper pieces. Females will have 1d4 of each. 4 of the male gnolls have spears and the rest have broad swords.

If the battle is going against the gnolls the young and females will flee, possibly through the secret door, taking their chances with the cockatrice.

The room holds an assortment of ill-used furniture. A tarnished shield hangs on the wall, as a decoration. It is actually a normal-sized shield +1.

THE GROUNDS 27C GNOLL LAIR ENTRY CAVE.

27C GNOLL LAIR ENTRY CAVE. At all times four gnolls guard this area.

4 Gnolls (AC 5; MV 9”; HD 2; hp 9 each; #AT 1; D broad sword +1 to damage due to strength or long bow; XP 38 each)

The gnolls each have a long bow and there is a small barrel of 145 arrows. If there is a loud noise in the gulch, they will be alerted and will pelt arrows at intruders from the cave mouth, in which case they will have 25% cover (AC 3). Each gnoll has 1d8 each of gold crescents, silver spanners, and copper pieces.

The room is clearly worked stone and distinct from the cave entrance.

THE GROUNDS 27B BACK ROOM.

27B BACK ROOM. This room is clearly worked stone, not cave. It holds the statue of an ogre with a huge head. There is a large wooden chest against the east wall and a small pedestal holding a large rock of green mineral with purple veins.

The rock is cursed. Touching it requires a save vs spells at -6 or the victim's head will grow to three times normal size and intelligence will be halved (round up). This curse requires a remove curse spell by at least an tenth level spellcaster to reverse.

The statue is of an unlucky ogre who inhabited this lair and who was afflicted with the curse before being stoned by the cockatrice. The treasure was his and consists of 350 gold crescents, 818 silver spanners, and an unlabeled potion of invisibility (clear, odorless, tasteless) in a rock crystal vial worth 50 gold crescents. Hidden in a secret panel in the lid are 5 arrows +1 wrapped in the smelly leather of a owlbear.

The secret door is a sliding type and can be opened by application of force to its pivot.

THE GROUNDS 27A COCKATRICE DEN.

27A COCKATRICE DEN. This cave smells of rank carrion and is the home to a cockatrice with an unusually large head and small brain, which rests on a nest in the northern part of the cave.

Big Head Cockatrice (AC 6; MV 6”/18; HD 5; hp 24; #AT 1 beak; D 1-6; SA Touch turns to stone; XP 435)

If aroused, the cockatrice will lumber forward dragging its huge head along. Because its head is so large and unwieldy, it's beak attack is at -2 on to hit rolls. Its nest holds three large eggs. The eggs are viable and if kept warm will hatch a basilisk, a cockatrice, and a giant chicken, respectively. The giant chicken will have the stats of an axe beak upon reaching maturity in 10 months and will be as loyal as a trained dog.

THE GROUNDS 27 GRUESOME GULCH.

27 GRUESOME GULCH. The floor of this hollow is host to dead grass and sickly looking weeds. A long dried out stream gives easy footing. It slopes towards the north with elevation level provided on the map. These should be taken in context of a gradual slope, not a series of step-like ledges. After this gradual rise, there is a steep vertical like the rest of the surroundings of The Grounds. Five caves are present at various elevations along the sloping portion.

THE GROUNDS 26K GREEN SAP TREE.

26K GREEN SAP TREE. The sap of this tree, if processed properly by Fluxley Randritter or Noam Floan, can be distilled into a potion which acts like a potion of healing. Up to one such potion can be produced per week.

THE GROUNDS 26J FLOWERING TREE.

26J FLOWERING TREE. This huge tree has many gigantic pink flowers. At the level of the village there is an opening that leads to tunnels that reach up to the upper branches of the tree. A pair of giant owls, which tolerate the presence of the gnome lookouts, nest in the upper reaches.

Giant Owl (AC 6; MV 3”/18”; HD 4; hp 19, 16; #AT 2 talons and 1 beak; D 2-8/2-8/2-5; SA Surprise on a 1-5; XP 226, 214)

There are three giant owlets in the nest. Among the branches and twigs there is a bone scroll case holding a scroll with the magic-user spells hold monster and Bigby's clenched fist.

THE GROUNDS 26I GIGANTIC TREANT.

26I GIGANTIC TREANT. This is a ancient treant that has been sleeping for millennia. It will not wake up unless someone does more than 50 points of damage from fire or a physical attacks in one round. It has an AC of -5, 1000 hit points, and can do 10-100 points of damage with a hit.

THE GROUNDS 26H SPELLING BEE HIVE.

26H SPELLING BEE HIVE. In the upper branches, about forty feet above the gnome village is a hive of spelling bees. The bees have a good relationship with the tree gnomes and share their honey.

17 Spelling Bees (AC 5; MV 3”/15”; HD 1+1; hp 1x3, 2x4, 2x5, 4x6, 2x7, 3x8, 3x9; #AT 1 sting; D 1-6; SA Spell use; XP 65+2/hp)

Each bee can cast 1d4 magic user spells of either level 1 or 2 once per day. Determine spells randomly, varying day by day.

THE GROUNDS 26G DRYAD TREE.

26G DRYAD TREE. This tree is the home of Nenome dryad and her baby dryad Cyline.

Nenome (AC 9; MV 12”; HD 2; hp 16; #AT 1; D Dagger; SA Charm; SD Dimension Door; MR 50%; XP 153)

Nenome is aware of the tree gnomes and allows them to make use of the tree. She will not try to capture males while her child is still so young. The lower portions of the tree hold a palace with dozens of rooms. Nenome has a treasure of 254 gold crescents and 7 rubies (250 gold crescent base value). The upper portion of the tree is hollow at the level of the gnome village with pathways up to the upper branches where tree gnomes can keep an eye on the surroundings.

THE GROUNDS 26F SUPPLY HUT.

26F SUPPLY HUT. The tree gnomes keep the following their food, craft, and trade items. The food consists of honey, nuts, and dried fruit sufficient for the entire village for one season. The craft goods including baskets, boxes, and an especially large supply of strong rope. There is also modest amounts of tree gnome-sized clothing and decorative trinkets made from bird feathers.

The tree gnomes have a small supply of useful items they may share with the party, should they prove friendly and show their worth by defeating menaces in the Grounds. These items are of no use to the gnomes, but may prove valuable to the party:

A large shield +1 decorated with the white legs on black field Triskelion design

On set of man-sized splint mail +2

A labeled potion of levitation (green with purple flecks, bitter, smells of burnt toast)

THE GROUNDS 26E CAPTAIN'S HUT.

26E CAPTAIN'S HUT. The captain of the gnome militia and chief bodyguard to the king lives here.

Chopley Middlesmythe, Neutral Good male tree gnome Fighter (AC 7; MV 6”@12"; F4; hp 38; #AT 1; D Hand axe +3 to damage due to strength; S 18/43, I 8, W 13, D 11, C 18, Ch 8; XP 280)

Chopley is absolutely dedicated to the safety of the village first and foremost. He has a crush on Ariel Floan and has saved up 85 gold crescents and 312 silver spanners in hopes he can support her when he proposes to her. He keeps this wealth in a bag under an upside down bucket in his bedroom.

THE GROUNDS 26D ILLUSIONIST'S HUT.

26D ILLUSIONIST'S HUT. This hut is the home of the resident spellcaster.

Fluxley Randritter, Chaotic Good female tree gnome Illusionist (AC 7; MV 6”@12”; I4; hp 12; #AT 1; D Dagger or dart; SA Spell use; S 7, I 17, W 12, D 17, C 10, Ch 14; XP 225)

First Level Illusionist Spells:

Darkness, Phantasmal Force, Wall of Fog

Second Level Illusionist Spells:

Blindness, Mirror Image

Fluxley has her spell components: split dried peas and some fleece. She has two plain silver rings (40 gold crescents each) and one fancy gold and platinum one (400 gold crescents). She has a hidden area in her hut where she keeps the village's communal treasure: 543 gold crescents, 632 silver spanners, 1231 copper pieces, two silver armbands worth 75 gold crescents each, and six potions of green tree sap (as potion of healing). She also has a scroll with hallucinatory terrain that she will use to hide the village in the event of an attack from an overwhelming force.

THE GROUNDS 26C KING'S HUT.

26C KING'S HUT. The king, Noam Hoan lives here along with his daughter, missing for the last week. She is captured by the Ghost Spiders and is in Room 9F. If she is rescued the chief will give a reward of a a signet ring that is a family heirloom and a potion. The ring is gold with an unusual blue and brown flecked stone (900 gold crescent value). Anyone who wears it can speak to birds. The potion is made from the green sap of the Green Sap Tree (26K) and is equivalent to a potion of healing.

The King's crown has also been stolen by Wandra Triskelion and it is located in Room 5O, If it is returned to him, he will give the gold crown he is wearing right now (1500 gold crescents) in return for the bird crown.

Noam Hoan, Chaotic Good male tree gnome Fighter (AC 7; MV 6”@12"; F5; hp 26; #AT 1; D Short sword +2 +1 to damage due to strength; S 16, I 13, W 17, D 10, C 14, Ch 16; XP 306)

THE GROUNDS 26B FAMILY HUT.

26B FAMILY HUT. Each of these buildings houses a family of 1-7 (2d4-1) adult tree gnomes and 0-7 (1d8-1) young tree gnomes. These buildings each contain multiple furnished rooms and everyday household items, but no treasure. There are very few metal goods (pots, pans, etc.), and those that do exist are treated as treasures.

Adult Tree Gnomes (AC 7; MV 6”@12”; HD 1; hp 5 each'; #AT 1; D Dagger; SD Save at 4 levels higher; XP 15 each)

THE GROUNDS 26A GREAT HUT.

26A GREAT HUT. This building serves as the meeting place and community center for the tree gnomes. It is a single room about thirty feet long and twenty feet high at its highest point, with the shape of a half-ovoid.

The inside is furnished with tables and benches made from the living branches of the trees, capable of holding double the whole population of the village. At the south end, there is a raised portion and master table for the chief, his family, and honored guests.

THE GROUNDS 26 TREE GNOME VILLAGE.

26 TREE GNOME VILLAGE. This clearing is home to a small group of tree gnomes. Their small village is built on a wooden platform about forty feet in the air and supported by five very large trees. The platform is not immediately obvious, although it casts a significant shadow on the area below, under which only very small plants live.

The gnomes have three lookouts each posted in the upper branches of Trees G and J, with a commanding view of the surrounding area, while themselves being all but undetectable unless characters declare they are searching the treetops. They are used to hostile monsters and humanoids and will not engage adventuring parties unless noticed and hailed first or unless the characters have rescued a tree gnome and are bringing them home. Treat the tree gnomes as very cautious but not hostile, unless attacked.

6 Tree Gnome Lookouts (AC 7; MV 6”@12”; HD 1; hp 5 each'; #AT 1; D Dagger or short bow; SD Save at 4 levels higher; XP 15 each)

Each lookout will have a dagger, a wooden shield, a short bow, and 20 arrows.

The village platform can be reached by the means of large rope ladders which the tree gnomes will lower for those they deem friendly. The platform and homes of the gnomes are made from the living branches of the trees. The branches are weaved together such a way that the footing is secure and there are no cracks in the floor, walls, or ceilings of the dwellings. The furniture and interior walls are also made of living tree branches. The trees are sentient and many generations ago worked together to build the village for their beloved tree gnomes.

The tree gnomes are wary of the Grounds, as it has become more dangerous without the stabilizing influence of the Triskelion family. They are eager to trade, however, especially for metal items and weapons. If the adventurers make allies of the tree gnomes, this can become a valuable home base for further exploration of the Grounds.