Staring Down a Barrel

Handling Explosions

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Gunpowder Barrels. Fire causes it to explode, dealing 7d6 fire damage within 10 ft. of the barrel. DC 12 DEX save for half.   Chain Reactions. When a barrel or mimic explodes, all others within 10 ft. ignite. Each explosion may trigger another.

Gunpowder Plot

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The Copperbottoms were moving the gunpowder barrels into their hideout when a mimic attacked. In a panic, one of them opened fire, igniting the barrels. The explosion tore through everything, leaving the bandits scorched and scrambling for survival as more mimics lurk among the remaining barrels.     Encounter. 1x Bandit Captain, 1x Bandit per character, and 3x Gunpowder Mimics remain. The Captain has a shotgun and two bandits carry revolvers. The bandits have each taken 1d6 fire damage and are Deafened. While spooked, they are outlaws and will fight anyone who comes near. More explosions will occur.  

Note: The function of this encounter is to demonstrate the danger and range of both the gunpowder barrels and mimics.

• 2x Gunpowder Barrels are still intact to begin.
• Bandits carrying guns have 1x ammo refill each.
• Chain reactions may occur. Position accordingly.
• Two Copperbottoms have died among the wreckage.

Loot. See Rewards. The firearms are damaged, requiring repairs. One of the initial dead had a burnt, unusable spell scroll. DC 10 Arcana reveals that the spell was Word of Recall.  

Stop the Outlaws

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Dusty Mulligan
L/N Male, Orc Ex-Lawmaster   Dusty is a drunk, but the closest thing to authority in the area. He has been staking out the Copperbottoms and gives directions to their hideout. He’ll hand over the town coffers if the characters can find info on what is going on and the source of the gunpowder.

Copperbottom Hideout

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A repurposed border fort, now a trapped Copperbottom hideout.    

• Alarms. All doors are covered by the Alarm spell. DC 13 Perception reveals there is wire on the door frames. DC 5 Arcana knows silver wire is Alarm’s spell component.
• Doors. All doors are locked, DC 15. Barricades are behind exterior doors, making them more difficult to force.
• Glyphs of Warding. There are 2x Explosive Runes - Acid glyphs. One is on the door to the smoking lounge leading to Clue #1. One is on the coffer containing Clue #2.

  Clues

1. Maps. Labeled with current Copperbottom operations.
2. Grieves Info. Destroyed if glyph triggers. Details on Grieves and his past. Indicates he is being extorted.

  Encounter. If alarms are triggered the Copperbottoms return to secure their hideout using the spell Word of Recall, appearing where they wish. 1x Wereboar, 1x Bandit Cleric (Orc Eye of Gruumsh), and 3x Bandits. They fight to kill. See Rewards.

The Gunpowder Mines

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Grieves
C/N Male, Gnome Wizard

The Copperbottoms trapped him here, using him to make gunpowder. A foreman’s office has been converted into his workshop, cluttered with burnt notes and stacks of powder. Grieves has decided to blow up the mines.   Encounter. 1x Grieves (Mage) & 2x Gunpowder Mimics. Grieves may be reasoned with if he understands the characters aren’t Copperbottoms, but by the time they arrive, he has already hit the self-destruct button. How much time characters have to escape depends on this interaction. Make the danger clear.

Explosion Escape Sequence

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Characters must reach the exit before the blast overtakes them. Follow Initiative order. Choose when the explosion begins for the most dramatic effect, likely by round 3 or 4. Panic is good.   Run. The escape is tracked by 10 squares, each 30 ft. The exit is 300 ft. away. The explosion starts by moving 1 square per round, accelerating and adding +1 square to its movement each round.   Hazards & Challenges

• Sticky Barrel. A gunpowder mimic tries to Grapple.
• Falling Debris. DEX Save DC 13 or be knocked Prone.
• Smoke. CON Save DC 14. No Dash action next round.
• Splitting Path. One is clear, the other blocked, lose 30 ft.
• Fire Surge. The fire progresses +1 square.

  If caught in the blast: 8d6 fire damage, DC 15 DEX Save for half and be buried in rubble within the mine. A buried creature is Restrained and Blinded, requiring a DC 20 STR check. A trapped creature takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage per minute until freed.

Rewards

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Copperbottoms. Bandit gear & 3d10 gp each. Bandits in the first encounter have 1x shotgun and 2x revolvers, all damaged.   Town Coffers. Dusty currently has access to 300 gold.   Copperbottom Hideout. 3x Acid (vial) & Thieves’ Tools  

If Copperbottoms Return. Bandit gear, 3d10 gp each, 2x Word of Recall spell scrolls, & holy symbol

 

Firearms

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Shotgun. 2d8 piercing, range 30/90, reload 2 shots, two-handed   Revolver. 2d8 piercing, range 40/120, reload 6 shots

Spells

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Alarm (Mental). Until the spell ends, an alarm alerts you whenever a Tiny or larger creature touches or enters the warded area. When you cast the spell, you can designate creatures that won't set off the alarm. The mental alarm alerts you with a ping in your mind if you are within 1 mile of the warded area.   Glyph of Warding: Explosive Runes - Acid. When triggered, the glyph erupts with magical energy in a 20-foot-radius Sphere centered on the glyph. Each creature in the area makes a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 5d8 Acid damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.  

Grieves

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Chaotic Neutral Male, Gnome Wizard   Seeking a fresh start, Grieves came to the Copper Settlements when Forhold Prison closed. After years of incarceration, he wanted a place where the law wouldn’t reach. Ironically, the Copperbottoms then trapped him in a terrible arrangement, using him to make gunpowder. He hasn’t seen daylight since.   Roleplaying Grieves
Personality Trait. “I’ve been cooped up for so long that my genius has wandered into the absurd.”
Ideal. “Freedom. Being locked away is hell on Dromaria.”
Bond. “Working on the arcane is a Calling I love.”
Flaw. “I’m desperate and have begun to spiral.”

GM Advice

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• Characters should quickly learn to identify threats and manage space before situations worsen. As designed, reckless actions will lead to character death. Be cautious.
• Barrels on the maps don’t automatically mean they are explosive. Place barrels and mimics as desired for effect.
• Surprise if the characters do not realize Word of Recall.

Gunpowder Mimic

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