[All Patrons] Dungeons & Lairs #1 - Forest Ruins (An Adventure for 1st-Level Characters) with the Reclusive Cartographer and James' RPG Art
🕑 Added 2024-08-22 14:35:19 +0000 UTCSo you plan to go to the old ruins in the Ironbark Forest? That place has been abandoned for as long as anyone can remember. No one knows what happened to the people who lived there. Some say they just vanished, though others whisper of darker things. Most folks avoid it, what with the strange noises and all.
To get there, take the old bridge to the north of town, though watch your step; it’s not as strong as it once was, and bandits tend to block it from time to time. From there, the ruins are only five miles eastward.
It is a strange place, to be sure. Some say they have heard whispers from the old well. Gods only know what is down there.
If you’re willing to brave it, I won’t stop you. Just… be careful. I’ve got a bad feeling about ruins.

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Adventure Level
This Fifth Edition/Black Flag Roleplaying-compatible adventure is designed for three to five players with an average party level (APL) of 1. However, you may scale the adventure to fit parties of 2nd to 10th level using the Encounter and Treasure tables included throughout the document.
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Download Options
Download the adventure and a free version of the ruins map using the Attachments below.
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Creative Team
This adventure was brought to you by:
Writing/Design DMDave
Cartography The Reclusive Cartographer
Illustrations James' RPG Art, Shutterstock
Additional Assistance Aubrey Moore
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Collaborators
I big shoutout to my collaborators for this adventure.

James' RPG Art makes animated scenes to help players visualise environments and add immersion and tone to your games.
He has created over 300 scenes from official WotC adventures and many unique locations that are often found in a D&D adventure.
He releases 4 new locations each month for his patrons.
Check out James' RPG Art.
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Here you will find maps for Encounters, Dungeons, Settlements and whole Regions; everything you will ever need.
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Comments
DM Dave
Yeah, it’s designed to be a side quest/random encounter. Reclusive cartographer has a map that goes with it that puts a whole cavern system under it reachable via the well. 🤘
Mark Kubo
I ran this as a level 1 one-shot and overall, it went well. When I read through it, the ending needed some beefing up and better closure. I'm sure it would be fine as a side quest where new loose threads can be introduced, but it just felt incomplete for a one shot. I used the bandit hook and added a battle with a bandit boss and minions who were traveling back to the ruins as the party was leaving it.
DM Dave
This is volume 2. 🤘
Victor Kuechler
Apologies if I missed the memo. This Lair is #1, but in my collection, #1 is Skeleton Tomb. Is this a new series from A1 to B1? Or did I miss something?