Whack-A-Gnoll

Level 1

General Information

This is a free adventure for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. I have designed the adventure with the following intentions: ■ It can be used with 3 or less players. If used with 1 player, have a ​ DMPC​ (see below) accompany the player. ■ Each encounter includes directions for scaling based on party size. ■ Only DM Basic Rules (br) were used for selecting monsters.

Setting

Most of the adventure will take place within a cave system map. The pre-adventure activity can take place in any town with active mining tunnels nearby. ​ Example.​ The Westwall District of Nisridge is the home of dwarves and svirfneblin. Beyond their residences and trade market are tunnels currently being mined.

Background

A gnoll seeking shelter from recent storms has setup home in a deep cave. Miners from a nearby village have since managed to tap into this cave system and agitated the gnoll. For the last few weeks, the gnoll has taken to setting traps to run off the miners. He has also been stealing supplies to further impede the miners progress. The miners have had enough of the gnoll’s meddling. Now the foreman is seeking a few brave individuals enter the caves and get rid of that gnoll.

Plot Hooks

■ The player characters (PCs) may be approached directly by the foremen if he is aware of any reputation they have for removing “problems”. ■ The PCs could also see a “Help Wanted” sign posted at a tavern or community board that directs them to seek out the foreman about the job. ■ The PCs may be or were once workers in the mines and are aware of the problem and volunteer to take the job.

NPCs & Monsters

The Foreman​ : Foreman Minehelm is a gruff looking dwarf. He is very agitated by the hold ups caused by the gnoll. He will gladly pay 15gp to the crew that can remove or kill it. He will pay an extra 5gp if persuaded (​ Charisma:Persuasion DC 11​ ). The Gnoll​ : The gnoll is quite crafty and has set up several traps along the way. Once found and confronted, it will try to get away but will fight to the death if cornered. DMPC​ : When running this adventure with 1 player, some encounters may be too challenging. It is recommended in this situation that the DM build a character to aide the player to maintain balance. However, try not to “outshine” the player feels they are accomplishing the objective.

Cave System

The cave is very cool and damp. There are no lighting beyond 30 ft. of the cave entrance. There are 8 rooms in the cave. When entering one of the rooms, roll from the ​ Encounter Table.​ When in the hallways between rooms, roll from the ​ Trap Table.​ The gnoll’s Den is located in Room 6 (Lower Right Corner) of the cave.

  Credits:​ Cave System & Traps by ​ http://donjon.bin.sh/ 

Encounter Table (1d8)

1. Swarm of Bats (​ br45​ )​ (x1 for 2PCs. x2 for 3PC) 2. (1d6) ​ Scorpions (​ br43​ ) 3. The room is flooded. ​ Poisonous Snakes (​ br40​ )​ x3 are in the water. 4. Giant Wolf Spider (​ br29​ )​ (x1 for 2PCs. x2 for 3PC) 5. Giant Centipede (​ br23​ )​ (x1 for 2PCs. x2 for 3PC 6. (1d6) ​ Rats (​ br41​ ) 7. The room is filled with stolen mining tools and supplies. 8. A wooden platform hangs over a deep pit making it difficult to pass through the room

Trap Table

1. Net Trap:​ DC 15 to find, DC 15 to disable; affects all targets within a 10 ft. square area, DC 11 save or become restrained 2. Rune of Dread:​ DC 15 to find, DC 15 to disable; affects all targets within 10 ft., DC 10 save or become frightened for 1d4 rounds 3. Arrow Trap:​ DC 15 to find, DC 10 to disable; +3 to hit against one target, 1d8 piercing damage 4. Concealed Pit:​ DC 10 to find, DC 10 to disable; affects all targets entering a 10 ft. square area, DC 15 save or take 1d6 damage 5. Poison Gas Trap:​ DC 10 to find, DC 10 to disable; affects all targets within a 10 ft. square area, DC 15 save or take 2d4 poison damage 6. Reroll

FINAL ENCOUNTER: The gnoll

Monsters: ​ ​ Gnoll (​ br30​ ), Hyena (​ br33​ )​ (x2 for 3 players)​

​ . ■ PCs must succeed a ​ Dex:Stealth Check DC 12​ to avoid alerting the gnoll to their presence. On a success, they can surprise the gnoll. ■ With 2 PCs, exclude the hyenas. ■ The gnoll will try to escape given the opportunity.

Lessthan3 Adventures​ for Small D&D 5th Ed. Parties . ​ By Cenycal