Within Deaths Gaze Pathfinder Version

justin reynolds (order #5301881)

“The moon cast a little light but the flames lit up the night” -Ash by Murder by Death

Well now, I cannot believe it’s been almost two years since I originally released this adventure hoping to plant the seed for bigger and better things to come. As of this writing, Within Death’s Gaze has been downloaded a total of 545 times and, with this updated version I am sure it will continue. What makes this version different is, in my opinion, it’s cleaner and on par with the other products I’ve released. Some editing, redesign, new art , MAPS! and most of all, it comes in two flavors: 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rules. I did this originally as a 4E adventure (it was rejected from Dungeon magazine, which prompted me to open Blackbyrne in the first place!) but since then I have crossed over to dual publishing and it’s been a really great experience. Also, I am offering this through the Print on Demand program, which is new for me this year and also been will received. However, the PoD is not free, but it is at cost so the value is still there for you. I hope you enjoy this updated adventure as much as you did the original and, as always, ENJOY! Sincerely, Jeff Gupton Owner Blackbyrne Publishing


Written and Created by Jeff Gupton Cover Art: Aaron Acevedo- Savage Mogo Stock Art Inside Art: LPJ Designs Stock Art Inside Art : D. Rodimus MacDonkulous, Esq Logo: D. Rodimus MacDonkulous, Esq Playtesters: Nate Cunningham, Kristy and Justin Eden, James Cookman, Darin MacDougall, Sarah Daily I’d like to re-dedicate this to all the people who stood by me when I first began, telling me not to quit and supporting me in all that I’ve done since.

Pathfinder is a registered trademark of Paizo Publishing, LLC, and the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Compatibility Logo are trademarks of Paizo Publishing, LLC, and are used under the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Compatibility License. See http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/compatibility for more information on the compatibility license. Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc. System Reference Document. Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, based on material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook. Copyright 2009, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: Jason Bulmahn, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, and Skip Williams. The Book of Experimental Might. Copyright 2008, Monte J. Cook. All rights reserved. Tome of Horrors. Copyright 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Authors: Scott Greene, with Clark Peterson, Erica Balsley, Kevin Baase, Casey Christofferson, Lance Hawvermale, Travis Hawvermale, Patrick Lawinger, and Bill Webb; Based on original content from TSR. Withing death’’s Gaze, The Age of Lords, the Blackbyrne Publishing logos and all intellectual property not belonging to Paizo Publishing are exclusively owned by Blackbyrne Publishing 2011


Blackbyrne is now a haven of vampires, under the control of Shiola, a self-cursed vampire. Shiola, spurned by the man (vampire) she thought loved her, Many years ago, the town of Blackbyrne was a has cursed herself to a life of undeath beyond that of a thriving lumber community, harvesting, milling and mere vampire. Using a variation of the ritual to make replenishing timber from the surrounding forest. The oneself a lich, Shiola has imbedded a locket townsfolk only took what they needed and gave back (containing the pictures of her and her love) with the threefold avoiding the wrath of protective druid power to re-spawn her should she ever be defeated. guardians. This was until Shiola strolled into town and The locket is well hidden and its location is up to you, weaved her seductive web of death…. the GM, should you decide to make Shiola a recurring villain. Shiola spent years roaming the area looking BP-0 Within Death’s Gaze is a mini-adventure for a place to settle in when she came across the sleepy for 4-6 players of 5th level compatible with Pathfinder town of Blackbyrne. Disgusted by the close knit and Roleplaying Game ™ . It can be used as a stand-alone relatively happy community, she chose to taint and corrupt the town, turning the villagers into her spawn. adventure, or as part of a larger campaign. There are The village still appears to stand as it had prior to also 1” square battle maps suitable for printing and using with miniatures located at the back of the book. Shiola’s arrival, but this is only a ruse. Upon closer You will need the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core inspection, each building has been gutted and turned to lairs for the spawn and thralls. Heavy curtains block Rulebook and Pathfinder Beastiary supplement book the windows and tar seals the roof so that no amount to successfully run this adventure.


If the players enter the inn, as opposed to getting drenched, Daveroth greets them half-heartedly and asks them if they are the “caravan”, wanting to know why they are so late. This is all part of the ruse, The Red Tooth and Claw Inn is the lure for Daveroth will play dumb and act as if the players are wayward adventurers and a key element in Shiola’s the current caravan there to trade for milled timber web. It has accommodations for up to 8 people in the knowing full well that Shiola’s magic has drawn the upstairs rooms and a sitting room with a maximum capacity of 20. Each room is 5’x 7’ and has room for a players off course and into the village. If the players try and play this up, make them conduct Bluff Skill small bed and barely enough room to stand up, checks DC 17, but no matter what their roll is, preventing player’s from doubling up. Daveroth knows they are lying and will pretend not to When the players arrive, it is night time and a notice. Daveroth will offer the players rooms upstairs medium rain has begun, hinting at the stronger storm and servings from the pot of stew currently on the fire. on its way. Read or paraphrase the following text: If the players let Daveroth know they are not the caravan, he will offer them use of the rooms upstairs As the rain begins to thicken and the skies saying “I’m closing up, the caravan is too damn late, darken, the smell of a chimney draws your attention. let them sleep in the stables!” In either case, Daveroth Following the smoke you come across a small village will wait up until the players are done eating and show set deep in the forest. As you walk among the old them upstairs to their rooms. Each room has locking timber buildings, you notice all is quiet and no lights doors and in most cases the players should feel secure can be seen. As you enter the town square, you see a in their rooms and not need a “watch” schedule. If they lonely light ahead of you and the source of the chose to set up a watch, alter the following encounter chimney smoke. A sign above the door displays the as you see fit. picture of a red claw and the words “Red Tooth and Claw Inn”. Through the window you see a lone man, tending the fires and stirring a cauldron. oof sunlight will enter the lairs. The only building that has not become a lair is the Red Tooth and Claw Inn.

Daveroth is the original owner of the Inn, Shiola allowed him to remain human to keep watch over Blackbyrne during the day. Daveroth knows Shiola cannot be destroyed (but does not know about the locket or where it’s hidden) so he dares not cross her for fear of spending the rest of his life looking over his shoulder. In return, Daveroth is allowed to keep whatever treasure is taken from the victims that wander into the village.


S1-E1- They are everywhere CR 5+ XP 1,200-1,400 Daveroth CR 2 12-16 Blackbyrne Vampire Spawn CR 1/8

If the players investigate the inn they discover the following:

-The back door is barred from both sides (Strength DC 25 to break) If the door is opened, it leads to a narrow alley that winds back around the side of the in and into Setup- As the players are resting in their rooms, the the town square. evil of this town begins to seep out and take advantage -The basement contains old and very spoiled food, as of their vulnerability. Read or paraphrase the well as no way out following: -Daveroth is nowhere to be found. A loud thunderclap wakes you from a sound sleep, or was it something more. As your eyes adjust, a If the players make a run for it, use the map for the flash of lightning illuminates the room and in an town square and read or paraphrase the following: instant you see you are not alone. Before you can Your nerves are rattled and you think it’s time to check react, the figure in front of you pounces and attacks! out. You make your way down the stairs by way of the fading firelight, all the lanterns have been snuffed and Daveroth is nowhere to be seen. Opening the door Tactics- The first wave of Spawn use their “Deadly (any door) you look out onto the village and through Pounce” as their Surprise Round action. They will the dense rain you can see several moving shapes fight until destroyed due to the control Shiola has over blocking your path. them. Only use one Spawn for each player, adjusting The vampires will do their best to surround the players up or down as needed. Even after the first of the and overwhelm them. Daveroth, now in armor and Spawn are destroyed, maintain initiative order, with armed, will fight to the death knowing that failure the remaining Spawn, Thralls and Daveroth laying in means dying at Shiola’s hand instead once she rewait outside the Inn At this point the players have two spawns in 30 days. options: fortify themselves inside the Inn or make a run for it.


Should they choose to fortify themselves; the encounter takes place inside the inn. The Spawn will use their Mist Form to get past any fortification and easily enter the inn, taking up strategic places around the players. Daveroth and two spawn confront any players trying to leave through the front door and the remaining thrall and spawn will take on anyone leaving through the back. After 2 rounds, if no one has attempted to leave, the remainder of the monsters, Daveroth included enter the inn. Daveroth will enter through the front door having one of the spawn clear the way.

If the players are in the inn, that should be the building struck, escalating the danger of staying inside. If the fight is outside, then pick an adjacent building to the square and set it ablaze. For each round the players remain inside the burning building, add a cumulative -1 to their attacks due to the thick level of smoke. Area Features: Illumination- Inside the inn, the glow of the fire will provide half the light of a torch. Outside the inn, unless the players have a light source, there is no illumination other than the lightning, until the fire starts and begins to light up the area. Heavy rain is pounding straight down, diminishing vision to two squares normal, up to 4 squares blurred and beyond that vision is blocked

In either scenario, one key event happens. On the second round of combat, at the top of the initiative, lightning strikes a nearby tree, setting it on fire and causing it to fall on one of the structures close by, which in turn sets the building on fire. The fire spreads in a Burst 4 every round, despite the rain, due to the Terrain- The floor in the Inn is considered normal age of the timber used in the buildings. This fire will terrain. The wet cobblestones in the town square are spread to adjacent buildings as the rounds progress, also considered normal terrain. including the top of initiative in S1-E2.


Once the players manage to dispatch all the combatants, give them a moment to catch their breath and heal up a bit (but not leave the square before Shiola reveals herself. Note that the fire is getting worse, and the rain is diminishing allowing for increased vision. S1-E2- Playtime CR 5 XP 1,600 Shiola CR 5 Setup- Once the players have caught their breath and healed a moment, but before they attempt to leave the square, read or paraphrase the following:

combat at all costs, but once confronted face to face, she will use Stunning Caress to weaken and Dominate her foe. Shiola knows she cannot die and laughs once she is reduced to ashes. If you wish to make her a recurring villain, now is the time to hint to her coming back with her parting words. Area Features: Illumination- The nearby fire provides a suitable light source.The rain has lessened since Encounter #1, allowing normal vision again. Terrain- The cobblestones are considered normal terrain, despite the rain.

Treasure- GM’s discretion as to what treasure is found stashed by Daveroth in the basement of the inn Even as the rain comes down around you and over (provided it didn’t burn to the ground) or in another the crackle of the flames, you hear girlish laughter location of your choice. As said before, the location of ring out in the night. “You have destroyed my Shiola’s locket is entirely up to you. If the players children, for that you will be punished. But no worry, I search the buildings before the fire takes them, the find will rebuild my family again, starting with YOU!” a lone, hand written journal describing the events leading up to the writer’s turning and the suspicious Tactics- Shiola remains in the shadows of a nearby disappearances of townsfolk over a 4 day period. Be as roof top (preferably the inn if it’s not on fire) and uses specific or generic as you like. Mist Form or a standard move to get all the players within range of her Lover’s Lament. Provided she can keep her distance, she will use her Tempting Gaze attacks to dominate various players causing them to make basic attacks on their allies. Shiola avoids melee


REPRINT THIS PAGE FOR QUICK REFERENCE IN FUTURE ENCOUNTERS Shiola CR 5 XP-1,600 Lovelorn Vampire CE- Medium Human (undead) Senses- Darkvision 60ft. Perception +6 Init- +2 Defense: AC-22, Touch-20, Flat-footed-18 (+4 magic armor, +4 natural, +4 Dex) hp: 45(6d6+30) Fort- +0 /Wil-+3 /Ref-+6 Offense: Speed- 30 ft (fly 60 ft Mist Form) Melee Bite +7 (1d4+3) Special Attacks: Stunning Caress Tempting Glance 3/day Lover’s Lament 3/day Statistics: Str-16, Dex-18, Con-, Int- 16, Wis-16, Cha-22 BAB-+4, CMB-+7, CMD- +21 Feats- Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes Skills- Stealth+10, Bluff +12, Languages- Common Racial Modifiers +6 Stealth, +6 Bluff, +4 Natural Armor Ecology: Environment- Any Organization- Group (3 or more) Daveroth Treasure- +2 Leather armor CR 2 XP-600 Special Abilities: CE- Medium Human Mist Form: Shiola may transform into a mist for up to Senses- Perception +2 Init- +5Defense: five minutes and can dismiss this at any time. AC-14, Touch-11, Flat-footed-13 (+1 shield,+2 armor, Stunning Carress: In place of a melee attack, Shiola +1 Dex) may use Stunning Caress. Will Save DC 17 or subject hp: 15(3d8+2) Fort- +3 /Wil-+1 /Ref-+1 is Dominated and takes 1d8 psychic damage. Offense: Tempting Glance: Range 30 feet, Will Save DC 17 or Speed- 30 feet the subject is Dominated. Melee- Heavy Mace +7(1d8+4) Lover’s Lament Shiola sings a lovelorn song about Statistics: heartbreak and loss that possesses unbelievable power Str-18, Dex-12, Con-16, Int- 14, Wis-12, Cha-16 Range Close (35 feet) BAB-+3, CMB-+7, CMD- +18 Area 20 ft. radius spread Feats- Skill Focus (Bluff), Improved Initiative Saving Throw Fort DC 16 Skills- Stealth +5, Bluff +10, Perception +2 4d6 Sonic damage and creatures are Deafoned. Languages- Common Ecology: Environment- Any Organization- solitary Treasure- Leather armor, Maul, Light Wooden Shield Blackbyrne Vampire Spawn CR 1/8 XP-50 CE- Medium Human (undead) Senses- Perception +6 Darkvision 60ft Init- +4 Defense: AC-16, Touch-14, Flat-footed-12 (+2 natural) hp: 3(1d8-2) Fort- +0 /Wil- +1 /Ref-+4 Immune: undead traits Weaknesses: vampire weaknesses Offense: Speed- 30 ft (fly 30 ft-Mist Form) Melee- Vampiric Bite +3(1d4) Statistics: Str-16, Dex-18, Con-, Int-, Wis-12, Cha 18 BAB-0, CMB-+3, CMD- +15 Skills- Stealth +8, Perception +6 Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth, +4 Perception, +2 Natural Armor LanguagesEcology: Environment- Any Organization- Group (3 or more) Special Abilities Mist Form- 1/day The vampire spawn may transform into a mist for up to five minutes and can dismiss this at any time.

Initiative: P1__ P2__ P3__ P4__ P5__ P6__ / BVS__ BVT__ D__ S__ justin reynolds (order #5301881)

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Within Deaths Gaze Pathfinder Version

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