Page 96 - Tales from the Yawning Portal

WHITE PLUME MOUNTAIN

HITE PLUME MOUNTAIN HAS ALWAYS White Plume Mountain has tentatively been identi-
been a subject of superstitiou awe fied as the "feathered mound" of the poem. The former
to the neighboring villagers. People owners of Wave, Whelm, and Blackrazor are outfitting
still travel many miles to gaze upon a group of intrepid heroes to take up the challenge. If
this natural wonder, though few will the adventurers can rescue the weapons from this false
approach it closely, as it is reputed to Keraptis (for who can believe it is really the magician
be the haunt of various demons and of legend, after thirteen hundred years?), the wealthy
devils. The occasional disappearance collectors have promised to grant them whatever they
of those who stray too close to the desire, if it is within their power to do so.
~.ume reinforces this belief.
Thirteen hundred years ago, the wizard Keraptis was RUNNING THE ADVENTURE
;,earching for a suitable haven where he could indulge
This version of White Plume Mountain is designed for
eccentricities without fear of interference. He visited
a group of 8th-level player characters. Your players will
"hite Plume Mountain, going closer than most dared
need both brains and brawn to successfully complete
o. and discovered the system of old lava-tubes that
their mission, as there are situations here which cannot
:ddle the cone and the underlying strata. With a little
be resolved by frontal assault. If your players are unused
reration, he thought, these would be perfect for his
to hack-proof dilemmas, they may find this adventure
urposes. The area already had a bad reputation, and
frustrating or even boring. But if your players are used
~e could think of a few ways to make it worse. So he dis-
to using their wits, they should find this an intriguing
ppeared below White Plume Mountain and vanished
balance of problems and action. Unless you are used
om the knowledge of the surface world.
to mastering lengthy adventures, it will probably take
Today, the once-feared name of Keraptis is not widely
more than one session for a party to investigate all three
· own even among learned scholars. Or it was not
branches of the dungeon. If this is the case, it would be
idely known, that is, until several weeks ago, when
-· ee highly valued magic weapons named Wave, best if the party were required to leave the dungeon and
reenter upon resumption of the game. If they stay in the
, h elm, and Blackrazor disappeared from the vaults of
nearest village (several miles away) they will be rela-
eir owners. Rewards were posted, servants hanged,
tively safe, but if they camp near White Plume Mountain
= :en the sanctuary of the thieves' guild was violated in
it would be a good idea to roll for random encounters.
· e frantic search for the priceless arms, but not even
a ingle clue was turned up until the weapons' former
ADVENTURE START
·ners each received a copy of the following note:
The party has arrived at White Plume Mountain, which
S earch ye far or search ye near
stands alone in a vast area of dismal moors and tan-
You'll find no trace of the three
gled thickets. They will probably arrange to leave their
Unless you follow instructions clear
horses and possessions either at the nearest village
For the weapons abide with me.
(about 5 miles from the mountain) or hidden in the Dead
. orth past forest, farm and furrow Gnoll's Eye Socket, a small natural cave in the side of
You must go to the feathered mound a hill about 2 miles from the Plume. There is really no
Then down away from the sun you'll burrow
Forget life, forget light, forget sound.
PLACING TH E ADVEN T URE
To rescue Wave, you must do battle White Plume Mountain is located in the Greyhawk cam-
With the Beast in the Boiling Bubble paign setting, in the northeastern part of the Shield Lands,
Crost cavern vast, where chain-links rattle near the Bandit Kingdoms and the Great Rift.
Lies Whelm, past water-spouts double. Here are suggestions for where you can place the moun·
tain in another world. Wherever you place it, the party may
Blackrazor yet remains to be won be required to journey to the vicinity through the wilder-
Underneath inverted ziggurat. ness. How they get there is up to you.
That garnered, think not that you're done Forgotten Realms. The mountain can be placed near
For now you'll find you are caught Mount Hotenow in the region of Neverwinter.
Dragon/once. Found near Neraka in the Khalkist Moun·
I care not, former owners brave tains, the mountain might be a place of interest not only to
What heroes you seek to hire. adventurers, but also to the armies ofTakhisis.
Though mighty, I'll make each one my slave Eberron. On the continent ofXen'Drik, the mountain
Or send him to the fire . could stand in the range known as the Fangs of Argarak.
. -\II the notes were signed with the symbol of Kera pt is.
CHAPTER 4 I WHITE PLUME MOUNTAIN
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