Storm King's Thunder Retro-Conversion - pt. 2 (SPOILERS)

Elves to the Rescue!

Rond Arrowhome, Elf Swordsman: AC 4 (chain & shield); MV 9”; F 3; hp 19; #At 1 longbow or 1 longsword; Dmg 1-6or 1-8. 10 Arrows +1.

7 Elven Warriors: AC 4 (chain & shield); MV 9”; F 2; hp 13, 13, 12, 10, 8, 7, 6; #At 1 longbow or 1 longsword; Dmg 1-6 or 1-8.

Dripping Caves

It makes no sense that the guards at the castle know there are survivors in the Dripping Caves all this time, but don’t think to mention it until the PCs reach 3rd level. I would have one survivor escape with this news as soon as a third PC reaches 2nd level and between forays to Quasqueton.

1A. Ledges

There is a 4 in 6 chance of safely climbing to the ledges.

5 goblins: AC 7 (leather); MV 9”; HD 1-1; hp 7, 6, 5, 3, 1; #At 1 short bow or 1 spear; Dmg 1-6.

1B. Hot Mud Bath

1 ogre: AC 5 (leather & shield); MV 9”; HD 4+1; hp 19; #At 1 club; Dmg 1-10.

1C. Stalagmite Forest

1 ogre: AC 5 (leather & cover); MV 9”; HD 4+1; hp 18; #At 1 javelin or 1 club; Dmg 1-8 or 1-10.

2. Goblin Warrens

Instead of specifying “weak” goblins, noncombatants should be referred to as young goblins. Even young goblins should still be feral and dangerous, not cowering to elicit pity.

2A. Sleeping Caves

2 goblins: AC 6 (leather & shield); MV 9”; HD 1-1; hp 6, 3; #At 1 spear; Dmg 1-6.

12 young goblins: AC 9; MV 12”; HD 1/2; hp 2 x6, 1 x6; #At 1 bite + claw; Dmg 1.

3A. The Blob

I didn’t expect to have to Nerf any encounters in this module, but this one is just too ridiculous for levels 1-2 (or even 3!). Now it would be--

1 ochre jelly: AC 8; MV 3”; HD 5; hp 23; #At 1 blow; Dmg 2-12; SA immune to weapons and lightning.

3B. Water Supply

There is a 5 in 6 chance of identifying the mushrooms as poisonous (come on, they’re green!). The mushrooms do not do poison damage; anyone eating one saves vs. Poison at +4 or is out of action from stomach pains for 1-6 hours.

4. Bats and Prisoners

Being caught in the bat swarm does 1-2 points of damage per person.

This isn’t Planescape; there would be no tieflings in Nightstone, so Destiny Agganor is now an elf. She’s a naughty elf, which is why she worships Asmodeus. And of course she imposes this on her son -- she’s evil!

6. Underground Stream

There is a 3 in 6 chance per 30 minutes of encountering 1 goblin or 2 young goblins here (see 2A for stats).

7. Natural Chimney

There is a 3 in 6 chance for anyone not in armor heavier than leather to climb the chimney.

2 goblins (see 2A for stats).

8. Hark’s Hoard

There is a 2 in 6 chance of finding the concealed entrance, and then a 2 in 6 chance per attempt of moving the boulder (on a 6, I’d have it roll back over a foot for 1 point of damage!).

The lock on the chest should be a real lock, but one that thieves have double chance of unlocking. The chest contains: 174 cp, 110 sp, 24 gp, a matching pair of electrum candlesticks worth 50 gp (for the pair), a case of decorative thieves’ tools worth 50 gp (for the set), a wood and gold holy symbol worth 50 gp, a potion, and a spell scroll.

9. Boss Hark’s Cave

Boss Hark, Goblin Chief: AC 2 (plate & shield); MV 3”; HD 4; hp 17; #At 1 broadsword; Dmg 1-8.

3 goblins sub-leaders: AC 4 (chain & shield); MV 6”; HD 1; hp 5, 3, 2; #At 1 short sword; Dmg 1-6.

5 goblins: AC 6 (leather & shield); MV 9”; HD 1-1; hp 7, 5, 4, 3, 2; #At 1 mace; Dmg 1-6.

7 giant rats: AC 7; MV 12”; HD 1/2; hp 3 x2, 2 x3, 1 x2; #At 1 bite; Dmg 1-3.

Dealing with Hark

The PCs shouldn’t need to negotiate with Hark because he and his troops are pretty wimpy (even with their numbers boosted!). Again, there’s no way this mini-dungeon would level anyone up -- at best, everyone is going to get about 800 xp out of here.

So it’s back to Quasqueton. And then, after that, maybe the first two levels of The Caverns of Thracia. By then, at least three members of the party should be 5th level. In all, the campaign has taken 16 months of weekly sessions. Now, it’s finally time for Chapter 2.

Tower of Zephyros

Zephyros, Cloud Giant Sorcerer: AC 0 (+2 from Staff); MV 15”; HD 12+8; hp 58; #At 1 Staff +2; Dmg 6-36+2; SA hurl rocks for 2-24 dmg, spells; SD surprised on a 1, spells. Spells: Charm Person, Read Languages, Magic Missile, Sleep; Continual Light, ESP, Levitate, Mirror Image; Lightning Bolt, Protection from Normal Missiles, Slow; Confusion, Plant Growth; Contact Higher Plane.  Armed with a Staff of Power (13 charges).  

Then, because any experienced DM knows that single opponents -- no matter what their power level -- can get overwhelmed by sheer numbers with better dice rolls, Zephyros is going to need some back-up in case the PCs see that staff and get greedy. I would give him two non-adult cloud giants (maybe his children, or young cousins) for company.

2 young cloud giants: AC 5; MV 14”; HD 6; hp 29, 28; #At 1 morningstar; Dmg 2-16; SA hurl rocks for 1-12 dmg.

I would come up with activities for the PCs to do on the flying cloud island rather than just wait for wandering encounters. This might include:

1. The giants like to play bowling and challenge the PCs to a contest (with different sized pins, of course!).
2. Zephyros has lost something and needs the PCs to help search his island for it.
3. The young cousins have made dinner with some spoiled food today and someone gets sick from it.
4. The giants are trying to domesticate the griffins on the island and encourage the PCs to try going for a ride on one (very dangerous, with lots of potential falling damage!).

Day 3: The Howling Hatred

7 cultists: AC 2 (plate & shield); C 2; hp 10, 9, 8, 8, 7, 6, 5; #At 1 flail; Dmg 1-6; SA spells (Cause Light Wounds x2, Putrefy Food & Water x1, Detect Magic x1, Detect Good x1, Protection from Good x1, Darkness x1).

2 cult fanatics: AC 3 (Plate +1 & shield x1, plate & Shield +1 x1); MV 6” x1, 9” x1; C 5; hp 19, 18; #At 1 Serpent Staff x1, 1 Flail +1 x1; Dmg 1-6+1; Spells: (Cure Light Wounds, Protection from Good; Bless Hold Person) x1, (Cure Light Wounds, Detect Magic; Hold Person, Silence 15’ Radius) x1.

9 giant vultures: AC 7; MV 9”/18”; HD 2; hp 11, 10 x2, 9 x3, 8 x2, 7; #At 1 bite; Dmg 1-8.

1 invisible stalker: AC 3; MV 12”; HD 8; hp 37; #At 1 strike; Dmg 4-16.

In addition to the bag of 10 pinches of pixie dust, I would have the cultists show up with 1,000 gp in bribe money that the PCs might get, because they’ll need that for XP.

Storm King's Thunder Retro-Conversion - pt. 1 (SPOILERS)

Storm King’s Thunder

Retro-converted to OD&D

(Includes spoilers)

I’ll be using a combination of the original three booklets and the Greyhawk Supplement (1974-mid-1975).

The main problem with retro-converting from “5E” is that the new version has this ridiculous notion that you should level up after fighting just a few goblins and taking their paltry treasure. If awarding XP only for treasure gained -- as most interpret the OD&D rules -- then no one can level up by the point the adventure says they should be 2nd level. If awarding 100 xp per Hit Die of monster, as some interpret the OD&D rules, then a thief is halfway to 2nd level and a cleric is close to that -- and that is assuming only four characters. I’m increase the number of goblins encountered and double treasure, and it still won’t be enough to level anyone.   

Nightstone

I would put Nightstone on a peninsula (maybe the castle can stay on an island) with twice as many buildings. The current map looks like a tiny hamlet, and as such would not have a castle and temple with it. 

Players should not expect such a cakewalk as to encounter these goblins separately; these are starting locations for goblins and they will rush to join any nearby fight they can hear or see.

1. Drawbridge

There is a 3 in 6 chance of spotting the tracks. 

2D. East Tower

2 goblins: AC 7 (leather); MV 9”; HD 1-1; hp 3, 2; #At 1 morningstar; Dmg 1-8. In addition to the locket, the goblins guard a sack of 25 gp.

2E. West Tower

3 goblins: AC 6 (leather & shield); MV 9”; HD 1-1; hp 3, 3, 1; #At 1 spear; Dmg 1-6. In addition to the perfume, one of them has a sack of 16 gp.

3. Square

2 dire wolves: AC 7; MV 15”; HD 3+3; hp 18, 10; #At 1 bite; Dmg 1-8. 

4C. Southwell Farm

There wouldn’t actually be any farms on an island this tiny, so this is just an aviary where the village’s roosters are/were kept. 

3 goblins: AC 6 (leather & shield); MV 9”; HD 1-1; hp 3, 2, 1; #At 1 short sword; Dmg 1-6. The ring is actually worth 300 gp.

4E. Summerhawk Residence

The hidey-hole is found as a concealed door. The pouch also contains 2 gems worth 10 gp each.

4F. Agannor Residence

Only thieves have a chance of unlocking the front door, but any class has a 2 in 6 chance of getting through the shutters (one try per PC). There is also a locked box containing 75 gp.

4G. Nesper Farm

Blik’s pouch has 23 sp in it instead.

4H. Xelbrin Residence

There is a locked box containing 64 gp and 17 sp instead of the pouch.

Temple (this is actually a shrine, not a temple. There’s no way a community this small could support a temple)

5B. Bedroom and Steeple

4 goblins: AC 6 (leather & shield); MV 9”; HD 1-1; hp 5, 3, 2, 1; #At 1 spear or 1 short sword; Dmg 1-6. A locked box holds 40 more gp.

6. Graveyards

This area needs more variety of foes to fight; I’m tossing in 5 skeletons here to give the cleric a chance to turn undead. AC 7; MV 6”; HD 1/2; hp 3, 2, 2, 1, 1; #At 1 club; Dmg 1-6.

6A. Nandar Crypt and Graveyard

Kudos to the writers for putting an unbeatable monster here; that’s very old school. Of course, a restriction needs to be put on the monster so it cannot leave this area so the PCs have a chance to run away and survive. It would also make old school sense to have Nandar interred with a silver dagger, perhaps one held in a jeweled scabbard worth 600 gp.

7B. Hayloft

2 goblins: AC 6 (leather & shield); MV 9”; HD 1-1; hp 2, 1; #At 1 pitchfork; Dmg 1-6.

8. Nightstone Inn

8A. Dining Room

There is a 4 in 6 chance of noticing the goblin is freshly killed.

8B. Kitchen and Pantry

2 goblins: AC 6 (leather & shield); MV 9”; HD 1-1; hp 5, 1; #At 1 short sword; Dmg 1-6. A small chest holds an additional 46 gp.

8F. Kella’s Bedroom

Kella Darkhope is a robber: AC 7 (leather); MV 12”; T 3; hp 9; #At 1 short sword or 1 light crossbow bolt; Dmg 1-6. SA backstab for x2 damage. She doesn’t have a flying snake on her arm; she has a poisonous snake (bite - save vs. poison or unable to do anything for 1-6 days) in a chest in her room, guarding 16 gp.

10. Windmill

4 goblins: AC 7 (leather); MV 9”; HD 1-1; hp 5, 5, 4, 3; #At 1 light crossbow or 1 broadsword; Dmg 1-6 or 1-8. They also have 16 sp between them.

11. Bridge

Jumping from one part of the bridge to the other has a 4 in 6 chance of success. Damage for missing is 1-6 points.

14. Nandar Keep

To keep the Keep from being overrun easily, it needs more surviving guards.

14A. Great Hall

8 veterans: AC 3 or 2 (plate, & shieldx4); MV 6”; F 1; hp 8, 6, 6, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3; #At 1 halberd or 1 long sword; Dmg 1-10 or 1-8.

The ring is worth 1,500 gp.  

14D. Upstairs Hall

I’m adding a warrior here: AC 2 (plate & shield); MV 6”; F 2; hp 10; #At 1 bastard sword; Dmg 1-8.

14E. Master Bedroom

The flying sword is a nonmagical trap that springs once. The chest contains an additional 1,175 gp, and the necklaces are worth 400 gp each.

Note: Lawful PCs should not get any XP for looting anywhere in town. If they did not loot, the guards offer them the 1,175 gp as a reward for slaying/capturing/running off all the goblins.

After Nightstone

As I said, there’s no chance of anyone leveling in this scenario -- but it does put them in a better position to adventure in a real dungeon, like, oh, say Quasqueton. They can use Nightstone as a base of operations to go In Search of the Unknown from. This works out even better for the “Special Events in Nightstone” since, as written, there was no reason for the PCs to stick around after killing off the handful of goblins originally here.   

Seven Snakes (encountered after someone hits 2nd level, NOT before their first “long rest.”

Xolkin Alassandar, swashbuckler: AC 1 (plate & Shield +1); F 5; hp 21; #At 1 Longsword +1; Dmg 1-8. SA Ring of Protection +1 and Potion of Invulnerability. His gold ring is worth 500 gp.

6 bandits: AC 4 (chain & shield); F 1; hp 8, 8, 4, 3, 2, 1; #At 1 short bow or 1 long sword; Dmg 1-6 or 1-8.  

After two of the PCs have leveled up:   

Ear Seekers

Gurrash, Orc War Chief: AC 1 (plate & Shield+1); HD 5; hp 30; #At 1 Morningstar +1; Dmg 2-9.

Norgra, Orc Eye of Gruumsh: AC 2 (plate & shield); Cl 2; hp 8; #At 1 morningstar; Dmg 1-8. SA spell - Cure Light Wounds.

20 orcs: AC 4 (chain & shield); HD 1; hp 8, 7 x5, 6 x2, 4 x2, 3 x5, 2, 1 x4; #At 1 heavy crossbow or 1 broadsword x6, 1 battle axe x7, 1 spear x6; Dmg 1-6 or 1-8 x6, 1-8 x7, 1-6 x7.