GM-SS One Shot Chapter 14: Accursed Apple Twists -

Our fourteenth downloadable GM-SS Dungeons and Dragons One Shot Adventure – another easy-to-follow introductory session!

Whether it’s for a one-shot adventure, starting a longer story, or just another day in your players’ lives, we hope this adventure module will inspire all you DMs and GMs out there. Our fourteenth adventure is meant for unexperienced or younger players. The story will take you through multi-layered investigation which will surely leave you with a sweet aftertaste. Enjoy!

Overview

RPG: D&D 5e
Number of players: 3 or less recommended
Recommended level: 1-3
Duration: very short (1-3 hours)
Difficulty: very easy
For your campaign: This adventure is meant for player without much experience playing D&D or in need of brushing up on the three main modes of play. However, it can also be easily used as a quick side-quest in your campaign.
This Adventure Module contains:
- The story for a single adventure, perfectly suited for new players
- A map of a small burial-mound dungeon
- Two NPC stat-blocks
- Stat block for a new deadly boss enemy
- A handful of riddles
- Several hand-drawn illustrations

The Story

Near the old dwarven road lies a tiny hamlet called Frohenfeld. Its not quite 40 inhabitants mostly make their living growing fruit. They are particularly proud of their cider, which has secured the village a decent income. Their business has been flourishing in recent years, thanks to exceptionally good harvests and steady demand. In good times like these the Frohenfeldians are regarded as friendly and open-hearted. However, there have been times, where the entire village was known for its fickle and calculating inhabitants. Usually, a place like this would never arouse the suspicion of the authorities. However, a few days ago one of the Archmage’s couriers vanished near the town on his way to the capital. Since he was carrying a priceless amulet, the Archmage’s agents immediately offered a bounty to anybody able to recover the lost artefact. Solving the case will therefore not only yield a princely reward, it will also grant some amount of political capital.

In this 1 – 3-hour adventure, a group of first to second level characters are sent to investigate the quiet Frohenfeld. Yet, what starts as an easy stroll through the countryside soon turns into a farce. A multi-layered intrigue which is bound to leave a sour aftertaste – or how the Frohenfeldians would put it: a truly “Accursed Apple Twist”!

Notes for the GM / DM

This adventure is useful to gauge which of the three modes of play (exploration, social encounters, battle) your party enjoys most – as it gives ample room to expend on each of these part during the adventure.
The plot is probably too familiar for veteran player – so it might need some additional preparation for such a party.
The length of this one-shot can be easily expanded, by having the players live in the village for a while and having them discover Frohenfeld’s secrets only gradually.