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MonkeyDM

Where the bodies are Buried

An adventure for 5e designed for 3-6 level 4 characters,
for use with the 5th Edition ruleset.

Product Identity: The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined in the Open Game License
version 1.0a, Section 1(e), and are not Open Content: All trademarks, registered trademarks, proper names (characters,
deities, etc.), dialogue, plots, storylines, locations, characters, artwork, and trade dress. (Elements that have previously
been designated as Open Game Content or are in the public domain are not included in this declaration.)

Open Content: Except for material designated as Product Identity (see above), the game mechanics of this MonkeyDM
game product are Open Game Content, as defined in the Open Gaming License version 1.0a Section 1(d). No portion
of this work other than the material designated as Open Game Content may be reproduced in any form without
written permission.

Where the bodies are buried published by MonkeyDM under the Open Game License version 1.0a. Copyright 2021
MonkeyDM Publishing. All Rights Reserved

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 ● A Past Connection. The party is connected to the
Note tragedy, as the original team that was sent to cover it
This adventure is meant to have a tint of horror. As is up or something else. Now, in their dreams, they see
often the case, horror doesn’t work unless the creature/ visions of the villagers. Thus, they’ve come to the
threat is reasonably scary to the players. To ensure the Archbishop for aid.
party is scared by the villain, keep it hidden for as long
as possible. Make them doubt its true nature and
origin. Also, because horror requires the party to be at
a disadvantage, the encounters are set up so that the
Chapter 1.
party has to use their brains, not just their brawn, to
defeat their enemy. Fighting head-on might not always
The Archbishop
In which the party meets a haunted man.
be the best way of doing things.

Background Chapter 1.1. The Bishop

A year ago, under a full moon, the Cathedral of Eternal

Before starting the adventure, ask each party
Sun received a magical message from Chaplain Alunis, a
member to let you know their alignment. It will
minister in a quaint rural community. He begged for
influence later mechanics in the adventure.
aid, saying that he felt a curse had descended upon his
village, Hackern. The leader of his faith and head of the
Cathedral of Eternal Sun, Archbishop Doladren, denied
Alunis any help, believing the accusations of curses
were false. Then, but a week later, Alunis and the entire Read this:
village were dead. Doladren, fearing that he would face ‘You have moved towards the capital as fast as your legs could
dire consequences, hid the evidence of being carry you, but even so, you could not reach it before the sunset.
contacted and called the village's destruction a tragedy. That is, although not problematic, somewhat haunting. Since
He even sent holy men to dispatch the villager’s bodies your first contact with the Archbishop, you have even begun
and burn any evidence they might find that linked feeling unsafe. The hairs down the back of your necks often
back to the Cathedral’s lack of action. raise themselves, and you must manage your feelings. And yet,
now you’ve made it. You are at the gates of the Cathedral of
Eternal Sun, but there’s no sun to speak of, yet another cloudy
Now, a year later, under a full moon, the ghosts of the
night. The Archbishop Doladren assured you he’d be waiting for
past awaken. If they are not laid to rest, Archbishop all of you through the night, so you need only knock on the door
Doladren will learn that there are fates far worse than to make it inside. Before that, however, you take a deep breath
death. and gaze at your companions. Are you all ready?’

Plot Hooks If you are playing this adventure as a one-shot or if this

is the first time the party has met, this is the perfect
The adventure has 3 possible plot hooks, none of which time for them to introduce themselves. Have each
alter the main plot of the adventure. Simply choose party member describe their appearance, abilities, and
which one fits your party best: relationships with each other. Have they just met, or
have they been together for longer? Once that’s
● Call for Aid. The party is somewhat known as a happened, you can proceed.
band of helpful adventurers, leading to Archbishop
Doladren sending them a magical message/a letter Read this:
begging for their aid, thus leading to them coming to ‘You knock on the massive gothic door frame, only to be
the Cathedral. greeted by an unlikely experience. The moon, almost on cue,
reveals itself from behind the clouds and shines directly on you,
● A Mystical Calling. One party member is beckoning you to look above.’
connected to the divine/the otherworldly. In their
dreams, a figure calls out, bringing them to the
Cathedral. When the party sees this, they must make a DC 14
Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, they begin to feel
as if the moon is watching them. They gain 1 point of
Dread.

Mechanic - Dread

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This is the perfect point to introduce this adventure’s Once the party has made their saving throws, any party
specific mechanic. It’s called Dread. member proficient in the Nature skill may make a DC
Dread is a fear-esque mechanic that slowly takes its toll 15 Intelligence (Nature) check. On a success, they’ll
on the party over time. I know I’ve already developed realize that this is the third or fourth night in a row
madness mechanics, but since this is more fear than with a full moon.
eldritch-horror madness, I’ve made it into a different
design. Then, once their investigation of the moon ends, the
door will crack open with a creek. Inside, looking
Dread grows over time, based on checks and saving through with a troubled gaze is Archbishop Doladren.
throws. When a party member gets their first point of
Dread, they are considered on edge. When a party
member is on edge, they suffer no effects.
Upon getting a second point of Dread, they become
paranoid. When they are paranoid, characters might Archbishop Doladren (priest)
react in one of two ways. Make them roll a d20:
Information: The Archbishop is a deeply
● On a roll of 1-10, inform them that they now have haunted man of human origin, with large bags
an uncontrollable urge to investigate things. This will beneath his eyes and a slim face, despite his
prove dangerous in the adventure, as many locations otherwise large frame. He seems troubled by
and objects are traps or sources of more Dread. the things happening around him, but he tries
to hide it. His clothes looked unwashed, and
● On a roll of 11-20, they will vehemently oppose his hair uncombed. He’s clearly let himself go.
the exploration and investigation of occult-looking
objects and locations.

Upon getting a third point of Dread, the characters are As the party makes it within the Cathedral, bring them
considered frightened of the occult. While on maps 2, to map 1 and introduce them to the Archbishop. He’ll
3, and 4, they are always under the frightened welcome them by saying he feared they might never
condition, but their speed is doubled. reach him. He’ll ask about the journey and try to divert
attention from how distressed and fearful he is. During
A point of Dread can be removed via the ceremony, his discussion with the party, any party member may
lesser restoration or calm emotions spells, or via finding attempt a DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check, revealing
clues that influence Dread. Those clues will specify how panicked he is on a success.
their effect on dread.
With pleasantries out of the way, he will ask the party
to join him at his desk (area 2), where he has something
There are other madness type systems (like the to show them. As they move there, any party member
one coming to Steinhardt’s Guide to the with a passive Perception above 16 will notice a
Eldritch Hunt). This is just one I’ve created with shadowy figure move, then disappear, almost as if it
the goal to be simple and self-contained for was never there. When they look for it again, it’s no
this adventure. It alters the play experience just longer there. All party members who noticed the figure
enough to make this adventure work in a fun will have to succeed a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or
new ways. gain 1 point of Dread.

Then, the party will arrive at area 1, where they see a

lengthy piece of parchment sprawled onto the table.
With tears in his eyes, Doladren will ask a party
member to read it (preferably a cleric or paladin.

When a party member decides to read it, read this:

‘Your eyes quickly scan over the parchment. You can see the
writing get more and more scrawly. Someone has slowly been
losing their mind, or at the very least their patience while
writing all of this. It begins with the following words:
“Archbishop, it is with the utmost fear that I begin writing you
this. My town is tearing at the seams, and I am powerless to
stop it. I beg of thee to aid me, but I understand you might not

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 want to do that without all of the information. Because of that,
I am writing you as detailed an account as I can of all that has The party must go up to the organ (map 2) and
happened thus far…” As you read, you begin to hear the voice investigate it. On their way, they can also explore map
of the Archbishop: “This was a letter from Chaplain Alunis. 1.
However… it never got to me. It was found on his desk, inside
Hackern’s chapel, and brought to me. It’s been a year since all
of it, and I cannot help but feel his spirit has returned, corrupted Each party has its degree of agency and
and driven mad.” The Archbishop clasps his trembling hands curiosity. Some parties might require additional
together, looking at you intently. He is distraught.’ prompts, while others will only need you to
show them a map before they peek around into
every nook and cranny. That said, I encourage
Before going any further, check the alignment of the you to detail the surroundings to your heart’s
person who read the document. If they are of a good content. If you feel you might need to give your
alignment, they are fine. If they are of a non-good party more notes on what seems of interest for
alignment, they must succeed a DC 15 Wisdom them to check it out, do so. If not, simply let
saving throw or gain 1 point of Dread. them run rampant through the maps.
Then, the Archbishop will begin to panic. He’ll detail to
the party how this document goes on and slowly
descends into madness. Something corrupted the Areas of the Base Floor
priest. He will, however, avoid saying anything about
not sending aid to the Chaplain. The party can try to 1 - Desk
calm down the Archbishop with a DC 17 Charisma
Besides the document, there are also scribblings and
(Persuasion), (Deception), or (Intimidation) check. If
notes, but nothing of much interest. Any player that
he calmed down, the Archbishop will confess what he
reads the manuscript must also make a DC 15
did. If not calmed down, he will rush down to the
Wisdom saving throw or gain 1 point of Dread if they
statue at area 2 and begin praying for forgiveness. This
are of a non-good alignment.
will have an effect in the following chapters.

Once the party has succeeded or failed at calming

down the Archbishop, you may proceed to the next
chapter.

Chapter 1.2. The Organ

Once debriefed concerning Hackern, the Archbishop

will ask the party to remove the document and burn it.
He feels himself losing his mind with it, as it reminds
him of how he failed those people.

Then, all party members with a passive Perception

above 12 hear the distant sound of an organ. The
Archbishop will smirk and say,"Even now, from time to
time, I hear the organ playing and fear it might be the
Chaplain’s ghost.” He feels he is going mad, but,
unbeknownst to him, the party heard it too. Once the
party tells him they’ve also listened to the organ, he’ll
send them up to inspect it because he’s too afraid to do
it himself.

Maps by CzePeku:
Join their Patreon to access to multiple variations of this
map and more !

MAP 1

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2 - Statue of Atonement
Read this:
‘A beautiful, magnificent statue of the Goddess of Eternal Sun.
Her beauty envelops the room and gives you a sense of
purpose. It’s comforting and overpowering all the same.’

If a party member gets closer, their vision will begin to

blur, and they’ll see the statue cry a single tear from its
stone eye. If the party member is of a good alignment,
they may remove 1 point of Dread.
If they are of a non-good alignment, they must succeed
on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or gain 1 point of
Dread. In addition, they are afraid of liquids or the rest
of the adventure. They cannot drink or touch water or
drink potions.

Any party member can also make a DC 17 Intelligence

(Religion) check, revealing that this is often a sign of
great pain shown by the goddess in hopes of guiding
her children.

3 - Stairs
These lead to the next level (map 2).

4 - Choir Seats MAP 2

When a party member approaches the choir seats, they Maps by CzePeku:
will hear the crying of children in their ear. Join their Patreon to access to multiple variations of this
If they are of a lawful alignment, they must succeed on map and more !
a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or gain 1 point of
Dread. They can, however, also make a DC 15
Intelligence (Investigation) check. On a success, they
find a choir song with the following verses:
“When the moon whole for a week shines / There be no Any party member may make a DC 15 Intelligence
reason one divines / It is clear as is foretold / That a curse (Investigation) or (Arcana) check to inspect the
has taken hold.” organ. On a success, it’s been tampered with.
If they are of a non-lawful alignment and hear the
crying, until the end of the adventure, whenever they In addition, any party member on this map may make a
see the ghost of a child, they must spend their action DC 17 Wisdom (Perception) check to look on the
to sing as loud as they can. walls. On a success, they notice shadows of people that
are not there.

Areas of the Upper Floor Once all party members have turned their back on the
organ, A specter will play a note on it again. Then,
1 - Stairs proceed to the next chapter.
These lead back down to map 1.

2 - The Organ
Read this:
‘You approach the organ only to see no figure truly there. It is
untouched, at first glance, at least.’

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 Chapter 1.3. The Chapel Ghosts First, have the party choose one member to lead the
journey. That party member must make a DC 16
Wisdom (Survival) check. On a success, the party
Read this: must only roll once on the Ghost Encounter Table. On a
‘You hear a note ring through the air once more. Then, a voice
failure, they have to roll twice.
screams out in pain. Roll for initiative.’
Ghost Encounter Table
The party must now fight a specter and 6 shadows. If
the Archbishop has been calmed down, he’ll aid the D6 Encounters
party in the fight.
The party stumbles upon the cemetery, where a bunch of
Once the party has defeated all enemies, the 1 the villagers lies in a common hole after being found
Archbishop will revel that he is not going crazy but be dead. The party must fight 4 zombies.
saddened by the fact that there genuinely are ghosts The party makes it onto the main road, where the ghost
haunting him. He’ll ask the party to go forth towards 2 of a child is playing. If any party member makes noise,
the ruins of Hackern and find the root of this evil, its ghostly parent, a ghost, will attack the party.
whether it be a curse or something else, and thwart it.
The party goes through the forest, where long-dried
If they can do that, he’ll reward all of them handsomely. blood is splattered in a circle. All good-aligned players
To aid in their journey, he’ll give them a scroll of remove 3
must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or gain 1
curse and 1 potion of healing to aid in their journey. point of Dread.

With that, you may proceed to the next chapter. The party gets to the well, where a body is still hanging,
having hung himself inside the well. All party members
4
must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or gain 1
Chapter 2. point of Dread.
The party hears whispers leading them to a shed. The
The Ruined Chapel lock can be broken with a DC 13 Thieves’ Tools check.
5 Inside are the bodies of an adult and a child, hugging.
The adult has scratched out the words “vengeful” on the
In which the party reaches Hackern.
ground. There’s also a dagger of venom on the body.
Chapter 2.1. The Moonlight The party is guided by the sound of screams into a
partially-burnt house. They make it inside a home office,
Read this: where a ghost attempts to scare them. All party members
must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or gain 1
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‘You exit the cathedral only to look above and find the moon point of Dread. After that, they can investigate the office
staring right back at you, as round as a coin. It feels like a with a DC 16 Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence
watcher from above, detached yet filled with hatred. You’ll have (Investigation) check, they find a scroll of protection
to be wary of it, that’s for sure. But first, you must travel to the against good and evil.
ruins of Hackern and find the truth of what once rested there.’

After making it through the needed number of

The party members must make a DC 15 Wisdom encounters, the party will finally make it to the chapel.
saving throw or gain 1 point of Dread. Then, their Proceed to the next chapter.
journeyEvery party has its definition of what is truly
begins.
terrifying. As such, I encourage you to go about Chapter 2.2. The Ruin
and make however many horrifying encounters
you want. The party should pass through a few Read this:
of them before making it to the chapel. You
should keep in mind that these are a village's ‘You walk confidently until you finally reach the bottom of a
small hill. The Archbishop instructed you to take this path, and
ruins. It is broken down and filled with angry
now you are, looking up at the ruins of the chapel. You’re
ghosts. unsure as to what happened here… But something did. And you
must uncover the truth. The moon shines directly on the
broken-down tower. This was once the place of god.’

The party can now investigate map 3.

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 approaches, Alunis, undead werewolf, alongside 2
Areas of the Ruins specters, will reveal himself from hiding and attack the
party. They must roll initiative and defeat him before
1 - Graves 1 investigating the area. They can also hide and run, if
they wish to.
The party can approach these graves and
With Alunis defeated, the party can examine the area.
investigate them, but make sure they remember
A DC 16 Intelligence (Investigation) check will reveal
how Dread might affect them.
the crypt's entrance (map 4). If the party goes down
into the crypts, proceed to the next chapter.

On the graves, written in blood, is the following phrase:

“Death is forgiveness. My fate is worse.” Upon seeing
this, all party members must make a DC 17 Charisma
saving throw or take 4d6 psychic damage, as visions of
the chaplain’s life force themselves into their minds.
The party sees how he uncovered a truth beyond
comprehension, which lead to the death of the entire
village. What was it, though?

2 - Graves 2 Maps by CzePeku:

Join their Patreon to access to multiple variations of this
map and more !

The party can approach these graves and MAP 3

investigate them, but make sure they remember
how Dread might affect them.

On the graves, written in blood, is the following phrase:

“We cannot contain the true evil. The howling never
stops.” Upon seeing this, all party members must make
a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or take 3d8
thunder damage, as they hear a deafening howl. Is
there a wolf here?

3 - Tower
If a party member climbs atop the tower, crows will
begin cawing at them, before attacking them. They
must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking
4d6 damage on a failure and being blinded for 1
mintue. On a success, they take half damage and are
not blinded.

From above the tower, if they are not blinded, the party
can see light of the moon beautifully reflect onto the
stained glass. The stained glass also has claw marks and
blood spattered on it. Something was strong enough to
knock this tower over.

4 - Ruins
As the party approaches the ruins, any party member
with a passive Perception above 15 can hear the
sound of snarling. As the first party member

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 Chapter 2.3. The Crypt Chapter 3.
As the party makes into the crypt, party members,
must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or gain 1
Broken Curse
point of Dread. Then, they may investigate the areas.
In which the party banishes the curse.

As the party investigates this area, keep track Chapter 3.1. The Finale
of their time. It will come in relevant because
they might end up surrounded by Alunis after
his body restores itself. Read this:
‘As you focus on the curse, you feel it finally let go. What
follows is the distant sound of a howl, louder than anything
you’ve heard before, despite you being underground. Whatever
Areas of the Crypt was left of Alunis up there howled from unlife, then… silence.
You feel an energy course through you, almost like a pulse of
thankfulness coming from the goddess herself. The curse is
dispelled.’
If the party is particularly healthy, don’t be
afraid to place some traps in the crypt.
The party can return to the Archbishop without facing
any peril. All’s well when it ends well. They’ve saved it
1 - Arrival Area all. The Archbishop rewards them all with 300 gold
each and sends them on their way.
The party arrives here.
The End.

2 - Broken Statue
Maps by CzePeku:
Any party member may pry open the wooden door Join their Patreon to access to multiple variations of this
with a DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check. Then, upon map and more !
opening the door, the party will gaze upon a statue that
was torn to shreds. All party members with at least 2 MAP 4
points of Dread must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom
saving throw or take 3d6 psychic damage, as visions of
Alunis losing his mind and destroying the statue cloud
their brains.

3 - Cursed Urn
Read this:
‘The unholy feeling within this crypt is overpowering.
Something inside here is evil. You’re just unsure as to what.
This doesn’t just hide the bodies of saints, but the curse itself.’

With a DC 16 Intelligence (Religion) check or a detect

evil and good spell, the party can notice the broken urn
as the source of the curse. They can remove the curse
in one of the following ways:

- a vial of holy water

- a prayer
- a scroll of remove curse
- a ceremony spell

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Appendix:

Alunis, Undead
Werewolf
Medium humanoid (zombie), chaotic evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points 67 (9d8 + 27)
Speed 40 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

17(+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 5 (-3) 12 (+1) 3 (-4)

Saving Throws Str +5

Skills Athletics +5, Perception +5, Stealth +4
Damage Resistances poison
Damage Immunities necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing damage from nonmagical weapons that aren't
silvered
Senses darkvision 90 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Common (can't speak in wolf form)
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP))

Keen Hearing and Smell. Alunis has advantage on

Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
Endless Curse. If the Alunis is killed, it regains all its hit
points in 1 minute unless its curse is broken or remove curse
spell is cast on him.

Actions
Multiattack. Alunis makes two attacks: one with its bite
and one with its claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage and 7 (2d6) necrotic
damage. If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed on a
DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with werewolf
lycanthropy.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
creature. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) slashing damage. If the target is a
creature with at least 1 point of Dread, it takes another 10
(4d4) points of damage and loses all points.
Create Specter. Alunis targets a humanoid within 10
feet of it that has been dead for no longer than 1 minute
and died violently. The target's spirit rises as a specter in the
space of its corpse or in the nearest unoccupied space. The
specter is under the Alunis' control. Alunis can have no more
than seven specters under its control at one time.

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 THANK YOU!
A big thank you to all of those who
follow and support me, without you I
couldn't have brought this project to
life.

Cover art by Warm Tail, used with

permission.

Maps created by CzePeku on Patreon.

And now onto the next project...

Cheers !

If you enjoyed this one-shot, you can A massive thank you to all my
join us on Patreon to access plenty of patrons!
other adventures ! As well as tons of
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GMs !

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