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 Dungeons&.Dragons
Advanced

The
op tine DaLes
by Jim Batlevt
Table of Contents
file
Welcome to the Dales! 2 3. A Wizanft's Ttzeasune 18
Randal's Disasten 2 4. Tnue Calling IP
Good Fontune 3 5. In Hen Hands 23
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On the Road to the Tomb 8 G. Tneascme Path 23

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A. Menchanf Canaoan 8 7. Watchful Eyes 24

B. Shnine to Tonm 9 The Scoond of the Dales 2S
C. Kobold Ambush 1O Conclusion 2S
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D. At Death's DOOR 11 Encountens Appendix

E. SeRpentsbnidge 12 FonesC Nea« ShadocodaLe
F. Regal Roost 12 Ooenland in the Dagger* Hills 28
G. Giant's Cnau> 13 On the Nonthnide SO
Shnaevyn's Tomb IS On the Tethyaman Tnail 31
1. Enfnance 16 Monsten: Ffnesfan 32.
2. WannioR Hall 1Z

Cneoits
Design: Jim Butler • Editing: Allison Lassieur • Interior Art: Elizabeth Danforth
Typesetting: Nancy J. Kerkstra • Cover Art: Bruce Eagle • Cartography: Rob Lazzaretti
Production: Dee Barnett
Playtesters: Clay Cundy, Robby Duncan, Eran Edwards, Leonard McGillis, Deneen Olsen, and Deb Turner.

TSR, Inc. TSR Ltd.

201 Sheridan Springs Rd. 120 Church End,
Lake Geneva, Cherry Hinton
Wl 53147 Cambridge CB1 3LB
U.S.A. United Kingdom

ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, DUNGEON MASTER, and FORGOTTEN REALMS are registered trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. The TSR logo and
PLANESCAPE are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. All TSR characters, character names, and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks owned by TSR. This is a work
of fiction. Any semblance to any real person, living or dead, is strictly coincidental. Random House and its affiliate companies have worldwide distribution rights in the book
trade for English language products of TSR, Inc. Distributed to the book and hobby trade in the United Kingdom by TSR, Ltd. Distributed to the toy and hobby trade by
regional distributors. This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or other unauthorized use of the material or artwork
herein is prohibited without the express written permission of TSR, Inc. Copyright ©1995 TSR, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

9484XXX1501 ISBN 1-56076-848-7

 WeLcome to
tine DaLesI
he Sword of the Dales is a FORGOTTEN REALMS® adventure for
three to six characters of 1st through 4th level. Although
this is a relatively nonlethal adventure, it is by no means

\"
easy. It sets characters upon a twofold quest: to recover an
ancient sword and to rescue Randal Morn, rebel leader of
Daggerdale. Powerful magic and puzzling riddles challenge the PCs to use
their wits as well as their strengths to achieve their goals. Teamwork is vital
for success.
As with all adventures, the DM should be thoroughly familiar with the
file
module before play begins. Since this is the first part of a trilogy, the DM may
wish to weave this scenario into elements of an existing campaign. This
allows the characters to gain experience before going through parts two and
le

three of the trilogy, The Secret of Spiderhaunt and The Return of Randal Mom.
Inside various chambers of Shraevyn's tomb are open-ended mini-quests
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the DM can expand upon. Whether it be hunting down a long-missing

githyanki weapon or roaming the streets in the City of Doors, intrigue and
excitement await PCs who are clever, strong, and above all, levelheaded.
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Randal's Disaster
^fU-v undreds of years ago the mage-lord Shraevyn, knowing he was dying,
JL, 1 created a sword of tremendous power. Upon his death the powerful
blade disappeared, and no one knew what became of this sword. Most
believed it remained hidden in his secret annex when he died. This hideaway
had been lost in history—until now.
Lord Randal Morn, a local rebel leader who battles against the Zhentarim
occupation, recently learned that the crypt had been accidentally discovered.
He immediately pulled together a search party and rushed to the tomb to
recover the weapon. After he successfully retrieved the sword, Zhentarim
forces attacked his band outside Shraevyn's compound. A bloody fight
ensued, and Randal's party pummeled the Zhents into retreat.
Then events at the tomb turned to terror. Randal and his group were mys-
teriously attacked, and the rebels—including Randal himself—vanished.
Only one of his men escaped alive. Ariton, the lone Dalesman survivor, stag-
gered to Elminster's tower to seek help, and Lhaeo, Elminster's scribe, lis-
tened to the man's story. Elminster had apparently gone plane-hopping again,
so the scribe decided to round up some recruits and send them to rescue
Randal Morn.
 What Lhaeo does not know is that another crea- guards (2nd-level fighters) arrives in 1-3 rounds. Even
ture now calls the sword her own. Gothyl was a wiz- if the PCs manage to silence a merchant before he
ardess of tremendous power who sought to achieve cries for help, there is a good chance that another
lichdom some 150 years past. The process failed, and merchant summons the guards.
she was changed into her current form, a powerful If a battle is prolonged or the guards call for help,
arch-shadow. two priests from the temple of Chauntea arrive in Id4
Gothyl is looking for some hearty adventurers to rounds. These priests (P3 and P4) immediately cast a
take her to long-lost ruins, and she's using the sword hold person on each of the characters. From there, PCs
as a lure to get them. Seeing the success of Randal can expect to be brought before the rulers of Shadow-
and his crew against the terrors of the tomb, she dale, Lord Mourngrym and Lady Shaerl Rowanman-
emerged from the sword itself, captured Randal, and tle. The exact punishment is left up to the DM.
killed all in his party. Her powers and abilities are Of course, most adventurers are not going to attack
detailed in The Secret of Spiderhaunt, as she is only an the merchants, so their dealings in Shadowdale are
observer in this module. fairly routine.
All the PCs should end up at the Old Skull Inn,
which is the only lodging in town. It is known for its
GoodFontune
file
lively atmosphere, courteous service, and exceptional
food and mead. It should be nearing twilight when
haracters should begin in Shadowdale, searching the PCs enter the inn to get a warm meal and rooms
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for an opportunity to become legendary adven- for the night.

turers. Some may decide to visit Elminster, while
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Laughing and singing can be heard from within

others might scour the city for the hint of a grand
the inn as you approach. Lanterns pour yellow
adventure. For detailed information regarding pools of light around the three-story building, illu-
Shadowdale, refer to the revised FORGOTTEN REALMS®
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minating the structure's stone and plank construc-

Campaign Setting boxed set. tion. A wooden sign, hanging from a metal rod
The DM should discourage the PCs from trying to above the main doors, proudly proclaims this
see Elminster, since it is unnecessary for this adven- establishment to be The Old Skull Inn.
ture. If any PCs decide to approach Elminster's Tower, Inside, the taproom is alive with activity. Most
they find the door locked tight. A sign reads: of the tables are filled with customers, and bar-
"Researching important matters. Please return later. maids wind between them, carrying trays of
steaming food. In one corner an older woman
Thank you in advance for your consideration in not
plucks a lyre and softly croons an ancient ballad.
knocking." No matter how persistent or loud they are, A few patrons sit nearby, trying in vain to hear
no one answers the door. the concert.
The DM should encourage the PCs to equip them- You recognize some of the people here; several
selves while in Shadowdale rather than wasting time merchants sitting near the door raise their mugs in
exploring the city. Local merchants sell all the tools friendly greeting as you enter. You've seen others
of the adventuring trade—for a price. Most every- during your walks through town, and you suspect a
thing can be purchased for the prices listed in the few are adventurers like yourselves—no doubt
Placer's Handbook, but a few unscrupulous merchants looking for some spark of excitement or hint of
mystery to set them on their way.
inflate the cost of their wares as much as 50 percent.
An empty table in the southeast corner looks
Characters who decide to take what they want and large enough to accommodate your entire group.
worry about the consequences later (meaning they One of the employees waves you over to the table
steal their supplies) find themselves in serious trouble. and calls out that he'll be there in a few minutes
The proprietors look after each other and alert the to take your orders. You and your group settle
local law of the theft. A squad of 12 Shadowdale comfortably in the large wooden chairs and wait.
It takes Turko, the waiter and cook at the Old Skull, for his ability to manage Elminster's time. Virtually
about five to ten minutes before he gets to the party. any person who requests an audience with the famous
When he finally arrives, he promptly points out mage gets the dubious privilege of inching his or her
tonight's specials. He has only good things to say way through the mountains of paperwork provided by
about everything on the menu and feels that he has to the scribe. Lhaeo has also been described as "the man
explain each meal's outstanding qualities. Phrases like with more excuses about Elminster's absences than a
"Roasted with special herbs until the flavor dances druid's got herbal tea recipes." He speaks with a slight
upon the surface" and "Salad so crisp you'd think it lisp while in public, which gives him a slightly comi-
was grown in the bowl just for you" are attached to cal air. Most of the time he jovially plays along with
each food's description. If the characters aren't hun- this perception of him.
gry, he'll be quite disheartened. After taking every- This evening is different, however. Lhaeo is pre-
one's order, he disappears through a door on the far pared to deal with the PCs on a thoroughly profes-
wall of the room. sional level. He's decided to entrust the future of
Owner Jhaele Silvermane is tending the bar. She Daggerdale to novice adventurers, and he knows it's a
moves from table to table, refilling mugs and taking big risk. He takes this task very seriously and does not
orders. Observant PCs notice that she disappears into speak with a lisp if he feels it could interfere with the
file
the kitchen frequently. A few moments later she party's perception of the graveness of his proposal.
emerges, Turko in her wake. Only then does he make
his rounds. Apparently, it's a constant battle for
A tall, middle-aged human male with wire-framed
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Jhaele to keep orders coming out of the kitchen, since

glasses enters the inn. He is well built and healthy,
Turko seems to be too preoccupied with improving his
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with shaggy hair and a short goatee. A satchel

latest culinary masterpieces to bother with serving bulging with scrolls and parchments is flung over
customers. his left shoulder. Strapped securely over his right
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A man stands at the bar, apparently comfortable shoulder is a sword sheathed in a tooled leather
with the surrounding chaos. This is Durman Hilesta, scabbard.
the Skull's resident carpenter and bouncer. In case of The man's eyes dart intently around the room,
trouble, he'll be the first to approach the offending obviously looking for something or someone.
parties. Other Skull employees include Bardag Shutlu Abruptly, his gaze falls upon your table, and a
(stablemaster) and Dora Leen and Sasha Baddja smile crosses his face. Making his way across the
(chambermaids). For more information concerning room in confident strides, he approaches your
group.
them, refer to the Shadowdale supplement in the
When he reaches you, he says "Greetings,
FORGOTTEN REALMS boxed set.
adventurers. I bring you news of an urgent matter
Accommodations range from 2 sp per night for a that requires immediate attention." His voice is
common room to 5 gp per night for one of the nicer deep and clear, and for a moment his words don't
suites. The inn has three rooms that are sumptuously register. Then it begins to sink in: This could be
appointed, but Jhaele does not rent these out to just an opportunity for a real assignment. Glancing
anyone. Those who manage either to convince her of about the room and noting the stares that fol-
their integrity or perform some service for the inn can lowed him to your table, he quietly continues,
rent one for 10 gp per night. A PC who performs an "May I have a seat so we can discuss this further?"
outstanding deed, such as saving a life or preventing
some wizard from casting a destructive spell, is offered Lhaeo is a polite and intelligent man. If PCs are
the room free for one week. obnoxious or belligerent, he leaves; they should have
After the meal, or just before the characters decide another opportunity to speak to him in the morning
to retire for the evening, the scribe Lhaeo shows up to when their senses have returned. If they are friendly
talk with the party. Lhaeo is renowned in Shadowdale and agree to speak to him, read the following: