BLOOD AND FOG

Heavy mists have plagued the area around Phlan for weeks, even after the reported death of
Vorgansharax, the Maimed Virulence. People have been disappearing in those deadly fogs, and
now dead bodies are turning up. A D&D Adventurer’s League adventure set in the Quivering
Forest.

A 4-hour Adventure for 5th – 10th Level Characters

ALAN PATRICK
Adventure Designer
Adventure Code: CCC-UCon01

Development, Editing, and Cartography: Alan Patrick

Organized Play: Chris Lindsay
D&D Adventurers League Wizards Team: Adam Lee, Chris Lindsay, Mike Mearls, Matt Sernett
D&D Adventurers League Administrators: Robert Adducci, Bill Benham, Travis Woodall, Claire Hoffman, Greg Marks,
Alan Patrick
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, the dragon ampersand, Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Master’s Guide, D&D Adventurers League, all other Wizards
of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries. All characters and their distinctive likenesses are property of Wizards of the
Coast. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the
express written permission of Wizards of the Coast.
©2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC, PO Box 707, Renton, WA 98057-0707, USA. Manufactured by Hasbro SA, Rue Emile-Boéchat 31, 2800 Delémont, CH. Represented by Hasbro Europe, 4 The Square,
Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB11 1ET, UK.
Introduction http://www.dndadventurersleague.org/
Welcome to Blood and Fog, a D&D Adventurers

Preparing the Adventure

League™ adventure, part of the official D&D
Adventurers League™ organized play system. This
adventure takes place after the events of DDEP4 Before you show up to Dungeon Master this
Reclamation of Phlan. adventure for a group of players, you should do the
This adventure is designed for 5th through 10th following to prepare.
level characters, and is optimized for five 7th-
level characters. Characters outside this level  Make sure to have a copy of the most current
ranges cannot participate in this adventure. version of the D&D Basic Rules or the Player’s
This adventure takes place outside of Phlan, and Handbook.
all activity is inside the Quivering Forest. Knowledge  Read through the adventure, taking notes of
of the Ravenloft campaign settings and the Curse of anything you’d like to highlight or remind yourself
Strahd adventures (specifically DDAL04-02 The while running the adventure, such as a way you’d
Beast) is quite helpful but not required. like to portray an NPC or a tactic you’d like to use
in a combat.
 Get familiar with the monster statistics in the
The D&D Adventurers Appendix.
 Gather together any resources you’d like to use to
League aid you in running this adventure--such as
This adventure is official for D&D Adventurers notecards, a DM screen, miniatures, and
League play. The D&D Adventurers League is the battlemaps.
official organized play system for DUNGEONS &  If you know the composition of the group
DRAGONS®. Players can create characters and beforehand, you can make adjustments as noted
participate in any adventure allowed as a part of the throughout the adventure.
D&D Adventurers League. As they adventure,
players track their characters’ experience, treasure,
and other rewards, and can take those characters
Before Play at the Table
through other adventures that will continue their Ask the players to provide you with relevant
story. character information:
If you’re running this adventure as a part of a  Character name and level
store event or at certain conventions, you’ll need a  Character race and class
DCI number. This number is your official Wizards of  Passive Wisdom (Perception)—the most common
the Coast organized play identifier. If you don’t have passive ability check
a number, you can obtain one at a store event. Check
 Anything notable as specified by the adventure
with your organizer for details.
(such as backgrounds, traits, flaws, etc.)
D&D Adventurers League play is broken up into
storyline seasons. When players create characters, Players that have characters outside the adventure’s
they attach those characters to a storyline season, level range cannot participate in the adventure
which determines what rules they’re allowed to use with those characters. Players with ineligible
to create and advance their characters. Players can characters can make a new 1st-level character or use
continue to play their characters after the storyline a pregenerated character. Players can play an
season has finished, possibly participating in a adventure they previously played or ran as a
second or third storyline with those same Dungeon Master, but not with the same character.
characters. A character’s level is the only limitation Ensure that each player has an official adventure
for adventure play. A player cannot use a character logsheet for his or her character (if not, get one from
of a level higher or lower than the level range of a the organizer). The player fills out the adventure
D&D Adventurers League adventure. name, session number, date, and your name and DCI
For more information on playing, running games number. In addition, the player also fills in the
as a Dungeon Master, and organizing games for the starting values for experience, gold, downtime,
D&D Adventurers League, please visit the D&D renown, and number of permanent magic items. He
Adventurers League home at: or she fill in the other values and write notes at the

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 1

conclusion of the session. Each player is responsible Determining Party Strength
for maintaining an accurate logsheet. Party Composition Party Strength
If you have time, you can do a quick scan of a 3-4 characters, APL less than Very weak
player’s character sheet to ensure that nothing looks 3-4 characters, APL equivalent Weak
out of order. If you see magic items of very high 3-4 characters, APL greater than Average
rarities or strange arrays of ability scores, you can 5 characters, APL less than Weak
ask players to provide documentation for the
5 characters, APL equivalent Average
irregularities. If they cannot, feel free to restrict item
5 characters, APL greater than Strong
use or ask them to use a standard ability score array.
6-7 characters, APL less than Average
Point players to the D&D Adventurers League Player’s
Guide for reference. 6-7 characters, APL equivalent Strong
If players wish to spend downtime days and it’s 6-7 characters, APL greater than Very strong
the beginning of an adventure or episode, they can
declare their activity and spend the days now. Average party strength indicates no recommended
Alternatively, they can do so at the end of the adjustments to the adventure. Each sidebar may or
adventure or episode. Players should select their may not offer suggestions for certain party
characters’ spells and other daily options prior to strengths. If a particular recommendation is not
the start of the adventure, unless the adventure offered for your group, you don’t have to make
specifies otherwise. Feel free to reread the adjustments.
adventure description to help give players hints
about what they might face.
Running the Adventure
As the Dungeon Master of the session, you have the
Adjusting the Adventure most important role in facilitating the enjoyment of
Throughout this adventure, sidebars provide the game for the players. You help guide the
information to assist you in making adjustments for narrative and bring the words on these pages to life.
smaller or larger groups and characters of higher or The outcome of a fun game session often creates
lower levels than the adventure is optimized for. stories that live well beyond the play at the table.
This is typically used exclusively for combat Always follow this golden rule when you DM for a
encounters. group:
You may adjust the adventure beyond the
guidelines given in the adventure, or for other Make decisions and adjudications that enhance
reasons. For example, if you’re playing with a group the fun of the adventure when possible.
of inexperienced players, you might want to make
the adventure a little easier; for very experienced To reinforce this golden rule, keep in mind the
players, you might want to make it a little harder. following:
Therefore, five categories of party strength have  You are empowered to make adjustments to the
been created for you to use as a guide. Use these as a adventure and make decisions about how the
guide, and feel free to use a different adjustment group interacts with the world of this adventure.
during the adventure if the recommended party Doing so is especially important and applicable
strength feels off for the group. outside of combat, but feel free to adjust the
This adventure is optimized for a party of five adventure for groups that are having too easy or
characters of level 7. To figure out whether you too hard of a time.
need to adjust the adventure, do the following:  Don’t make the adventure too easy or too difficult
 Add up the total levels of all the characters. for a group. Never being challenged makes for a
 Divide the total by the number of characters. boring game and being overwhelmed makes for a
 Round fractions of .5 or greater up; round frustrating one. Gauge the experience of the
fractions of less than .5 down. players (not the characters) with the game, try to
feel out (or ask) what they like in a game, and
You’ve now determined the average party level attempt to give each of them the experience
(APL) for the adventure. To figure out the party they’re after when they play D&D. Give everyone a
strength for the adventure, consult the following chance to shine.
table.

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 2

 Be mindful of pacing, and keep the game session
moving along appropriately. Watch for stalling,
Spellcasting Services
since play loses momentum when this happens. At Any settlement the size of a town or larger can
the same time, make sure that the players don’t provide some spellcasting services. Characters need
finish too early; provide them with a full play to be able to travel to the settlement to obtain these
experience. Try to be aware of running long or services. Alternatively, if the party finishes an
short. Adjust the pacing accordingly adventure, the characters can be assumed to return
 Read-aloud text is just a suggestion; feel free to to the settlement closest to the adventure location.
modify the text as you see fit, especially when Spell services generally available include healing
dialogue is present. and recovery spells, as well as information-gathering
spells. Other spell services might be available as
 Give the players appropriate hints so they can
make informed choices about how to proceed. specified in the adventure. An organization
Players should be given clues and hints when providing spellcasting services can provide no more
than three spells per day total, unless otherwise
appropriate so they can tackle puzzles, combat,
noted.
and interactions without getting frustrated over
lack of information. Doing so helps to encourage
immersion in the adventure and gives players
Spellcasting Services
“little victories” for figuring out good choices from Any settlement the size of a town or larger can
clues. provide some spellcasting services. Characters need
to be able to travel to the settlement to obtain these
In short, being the DM isn’t about following the
services.
adventure’s text word-for-word; it’s about
Spell services generally available include healing
facilitating a fun, challenging game environment for
and recovery spells, as well as information-gathering
the players. The Dungeon Master’s Guide™ has more
spells. Other spell services might be available as
information on the art of running a D&D game.
specified in the adventure. The number of spells
Downtime and Lifestyle available to be cast as a service is limited to a
maximum of three per day total, unless otherwise
At the beginning of each play session, players must noted.
declare whether or not they are spending any days
of downtime. The player records the downtime Spellcasting Services
spent on the adventure logsheet. The following Spell Cost
options are available to players during downtime Cure wounds (1st level) 10 gp
(see the D&D basic rules or the D&D Adventurers Identify 20 gp
League Player’s Guide for more information): Lesser restoration 40 gp
 Catching up Prayer of healing (2nd level) 40 gp
 Crafting (exception: multiple characters cannot Remove curse 90 gp
commit to crafting a single item) Speak with dead 90 gp
 Practicing a profession Divination 210 gp
 Recuperating Greater restoration 450 gp
 Spellcasting services Raise dead 1,250 gp
 Training Resurrection* 3,000 gp
True Resurrection* 50,000 gp
Other downtime options might be available during
adventures or unlocked through play, including
*These spells require an additional expenditure of
faction-specific activities.
In addition, whenever a character spends downtime days (150 for resurrection and 350 for true
downtime days, that character also spends the resurrection). This cost can be reduced by 50 days for
requisite expense for his or her lifestyle. Costs are each faction rank above 1 that the character possesses.
per day, so a character that spends ten days of This downtime is spent in community service for the
downtime also spends ten days of expenses church that provided the spell in question. The Acolyte
maintaining his or her lifestyle. Some downtime Background feature does NOT reduce the gp or
activities help with lifestyle expenses or add lifestyle downtime cost for either of these spells.
expenses.

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 3

Acolyte Background would like the character to be returned to life, the
party can take the body back to civilization and use
A character possessing the acolyte background requesting the dead character’s funds to pay for a raise dead
spellcasting services at a temple of his or her faith may
spell. A raise dead spell cast in this manner costs the
request one spell per day from the Spellcasting Services table
character 1,250 gp.
for free. The only cost paid for the spell is the base price for
the consumed material component, if any.
Character’s Party Pays for Raise Dead. As above,
The only active temple is Phlan now is dedicated to except that some or all of the 1,250 gp for the raise
Kelemvor. As such, only acolytes that worship Kelemvor are dead spell is paid for by the party at the end of the
eligible to receive the benefit of this background in this session. Other characters are under no obligation to
adventure. spend their funds to bring back a dead party
member.
Character Disease, Death, and Faction Charity. Faction Charity is not available in
this adventure, as the Faction Charity only affects
Recovery characters of levels 1 to 4.
Sometimes bad things happen, and characters get
poisoned, diseased, or are killed. Since you might not
have the same characters return from session to Background
session, here are the rules when bad things happen The Mists of Barovia have been plucking trophies
to characters. from Faerun for many years, and many cultures have
developed legends and myths about those Dark
Disease, Poison, and Other Debilitating Powers. For one ancient fey race, these Mists were
Effects brought to the world by “the Bloodlord”, and while
A character still affected by diseases, poisons, and they were unable to record much about him what
other similar effects at the conclusion of an little they did record was chilling.
adventure can spend downtime days recuperating Deep inside the Quivering Forest is a collection of
until such time as he or she resolves the effect to its standing stones. These stones are now formed in the
conclusion (see the recuperating activity in the D&D shape of a humanoid effigy, but once held the carved
Basic Rules). and recorded story of these ancient people. Some of
If a character doesn’t resolve the effect between the carvings that yet survive show the forming of the
sessions, that character begins the next session still Mists over Phlan and the taking of the city by the
affected by the debilitating effect. Maimed Virulence, Vorgansharax, as happened in
recent months.
Death Prior to the arrival of the Mists, though, the Forest
was protected by powerful fey enchantments and
A character who is killed during the course of the
contracts. But when the Mists receded and the hag
adventure has a few options at the end of the session
Jeny Greenteeth disappeared, many of the
(or whenever arriving back in civilization) if no one
protections she created disappeared as well. Now
in the adventuring party has immediate access to a
the Forest has been invaded by gnolls, and many of
raise dead or revivify spell, or similar magic. A
the remaining fey creatures are upset by the
character subject to a raise dead spell is affected
presence of these foul beasts.
negatively until all long rests have been completed
The gnolls have legends of their own, and upon
during an adventure. Alternatively, each downtime
finding the standing stones have discovered that
day spent after raise dead reduces the penalty to
their own stories of the Bloodlord are now
attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks by 1, in
corroborated. They now seek to perform a series of
addition to any other benefits the downtime activity
significant blood sacrifices as they hope to bring the
might provide.
Bloodlord into Faerun.
Create a New 1st-Level Character. If the dead
character is unwilling or unable to exercise any of
the other options, the player creates a new Overview
character. The new character does not have any The characters begin their day patrolling the trade
items or rewards possessed by the dead character. road outside of Phlan, and as their shift comes to a
Dead Character Pays for Raise Dead. If the close they become involved in a gnoll assault on
character’s body is recoverable (it’s not missing any three humans. Though the humans all die, they can
vital organs and is mostly whole) and the player track the gnolls through the Quivering Forest. A

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 4

number of fey creatures are not pleased with the
characters traipsing through their homes and have
enacted powerful enchantments to keep them out.
The gnolls are discovered to be looking for a way
to bring “the Bloodlord” into the world. This being
seems to be powerful and ancient, as evidence of this
creature is later discovered on a standing stone in
the heart of the wood.
A powerful gnoll and his demonic ally attack the
party to keep knowledge of the other sacrifices
secret and safe from prying eyes. Screaming about
“the Bloodlord”, the gnoll wades into battle…

Adventure Hooks
This adventure does not require many specific story
hooks and can easily be inserted into other long-
running adventures:
Characters that have escaped from Barovia:
The Mists that took you to Barovia are still present
around Phlan. While not as thick, dead bodies are
beginning to show up – all drained of their blood and
their hearts removed.
Faction duties: The various factions of the world
are all keenly interested in the activities around
Phlan. Your faction head has assigned you to guard
duty outside the town, but has also told you to be on
your toes as curious events are still unfolding. Be
vigilant, be safe! This hook works best when this
adventure is run as an interlude between other
regularly-scheduled game days.
Already in Phlan: Nearly two dozen people have
been reported missing over the last several weeks.
Bounties are posted for the successful return of each
of them. They were all last known to be leaving the
town on day trips outside the walls, with many
heading towards the general vicinity of the
Quivering Forest.

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 5

Feasting Hounds Adjusting the Encounter
Here are recommendations for adjusting this combat
encounter. These are not cumulative.
Expected Duration: 45 minutes
 Very weak or weak party: no changes
This adventure tales place entirely within the  Strong party or very strong party: add one gnoll pack lord
Quivering Forest, north of Phlan. If the characters
wish to depart the Forest and enter the city, they Tactics
may do so – but there is no guidance in this The gnoll Fangs of Yeenoghu are in the throes of
adventure for those events. blood ecstasy from their recent kills. The characters
interrupted the gnolls as they feasted on the hearts
You Can’t Spell “Slaughter”… of their victims, and they fight recklessly. If the gnoll
As the city of Phlan rebuilds, the characters have pack lord is present, it will hang back and pepper
been tasked by their factions with patrolling the the characters with arrows while using its Incite
outskirts of the city to secure the trade road. While Rampage ability as often as possible. The Fangs fight
this sounds mundane, things take a turn in short to the death, but the pack lord is smart enough to
order. flee if combat goes against the gnolls.

The open field to the north of Phlan is chill as the late- Development
morning fog recedes back into the Moonsea. Recent events After combat has concluded, the characters can
in that city have rocked it to its core but the people are investigate the bodies.
resilient and are rebounding at an incredible rate. You’ve
Wisdom (Medicine) DC 12: the humans have
multiple bite marks and claw wounds, and have had
been tasked with securing the northern trade road and while
their hearts removed (likely by the gnolls). They
the last few days have been quiet it appears that today will
were probably alive when this was done.
be a different story. Intelligence (Investigation) DC 16: the gnolls all
Off to the north, near the edge of the Quivering Forest, a have severely matted fur and are riddled with lice;
tremendous howl tears through the air and is immediately this is uncommon for gnolls as they typically take
followed by a scream that is cut short. You can spot pride in their hides, often decorating with small
movement just inside the tree line. skulls and other trophies. The also bear a brand on
the back of their necks: a three-headed flail.
The tree line is several hundred feet away, and the Intelligence (Arcana or Religion) DC 14: once
characters can see several shapes: some look the characters have discovered the brand, they can
humanoid, and some look canine, but they all appear determine that this marks the gnolls as devotees of
to be fighting. Yeenoghu, the demon prince of gnolls. While not a
Once the characters get to the tree line, they can true deity, Yeenoghu is tremendously powerful and
see the following: his followers are often more fanatic than truly
faithful.
The carnage in the trees is staggering. Two men have been
Once the characters have had a few moments with
torn apart and it looks like their chests have been punched
the bodies, they can hear a sound in the nearby
clean through, and three bloody humanoid forms glare brush.
hungrily at you. They all have a canine head, and all are
expelling bloody froth from their mouths. … Without “Laughter”
With a roar, they leap in your direction with their weapons
raised!
Huddled in the brush nearby is a grievously wounded young
woman. Clothed in scraps of clothing that at one time were
Three gnoll fangs of Yeenoghu are attacking the likely of great value, she shows evidence of torture.
characters, having just finished off two scouts from Numerous bite marks and scratches cover her flesh, and her
the city of Phlan. eyes glint with madness. She is giggling to herself, and as you
draw close these giggles become a full-on raucous laugh.

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 6

This young lady is Maerion Thistledove, but she is no
condition to communicate unless the characters
have some way to restore her mind and sanity.
Thankfully, a calm emotions spell will suppress her
madness and a lesser restoration spell is sufficient to
cure it. Without these spells (or something more
powerful) she is unable to communicate – even
telepathically, her mind is as jumble of madness and
rage. Her body is another story, however; she is not
a hardy adventurer and she has experienced many
grievous injuries. Even with magical healing her
body cannot sustain itself and she will die within 5
minutes of the characters discovering her.
If the characters can restore her sanity, she can
share the following:
 She and her brothers were waylaid on the road by
the gnolls
 They were captured three days ago and held in
tiny, cramped cages.
 The gnolls have captured several other people and
alternate between torturing these people and
simply eating them. There does not appear to be a
pattern to this activity.
 The cages are near the standing stones, deeper
into the woods. “Follow the white gravel”, she
whispers.
 The dead men here were her brothers; they broke
out of their cages and were running to Phlan when
they were attacked.
Treasure
After Maerion dies, the characters can take her
necklace if they like. It is a fine silver chain with a set
of clasped hands in place of a pendant; religious
characters may recognize this as the sign of Ilmater.
It is worth 250 gp.

Advancing the Adventure

It is not difficult to find the white gravel that
Maerion described. If she died before she could
share this information, a DC 10 Wisdom (Survival)
check allows the characters to identify the gnoll
tracks as coming from deeper in the woods, and a DC
14 Wisdom (Perception) check allows the characters
to hear the whooping call of a gnoll warband further
inside the forest.
Advance to Part 2: The Fey Wood.

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 7

Part 2. The Fey Wood Munchings and Crunchings
(combat encounter)
Expected Duration: 30 minutes for combat The stone path winds between the towering trees of
encounters, 15 minutes for non-combat encounters the old growth part of the Quivering Forest. The
shadows grow long, and in time any character with a
The Quivering Forest has long been a bastion of fey passive Perception of at least 14 can hear the low
power. The elves of Greenhall once called this place growling and snapping sounds of a large creature
home, though when the Mists of Barovia came finishing a meal. Behind an enormous oak tree is a
through (at the same time as Vorgansharax, the shoosuva, a demon that looks like a cross between a
Maimed Virulence was attacked in Phlan) the elves hyena and a scorpion and is covered in white fur. It
disappeared, along with a powerful hag named Jeny is munching happily on a recent kill: an elf.
Greenteeth. Without these two forces, the remaining
denizens of the Forest are acting without guidance – Adjusting the Encounter
and the region is more dangerous than ever. Here are recommendations for adjusting this combat
encounter. These are not cumulative.
Modular Adventures
 Very weak or weak party: any creature that acts before
There are more encounters detailed here than a standard the shoosuva in the first round has advantage on their
group of players will have time for. The intention of this attack roll
concept is to either roll randomly or simply choose from the
 Very strong party: the shoosuva has advantage on its
following:
attack rolls during the first round of combat against
creatures that it beats in initiative
 1 encounter from: Munchings and Crunchings or The
Bloodlord?
 2 non-combat encounters from: The Road So Far, Fey
Tactics
Enchantments, Cuddle Pile The shoosuva is vicious but not very smart. It will
 A Blight Upon the Land attack for the first two rounds, but will attempt to
 The Shuffling Dead run away during the third round. If it does, it rejoins
the flind at the gnoll camp later in the adventure.
These encounters can occur in any order, but The Shuffling
Dead should be the last encounter before the characters Treasure
arrive at The Cairn Stones. A suggested path through the The elf was carrying a potion of greater healing, and
Quivering Forest is: no longer has a use for it.

 Cuddle Pile (non-combat) The Bloodlord? (combat

 The Bloodlord?
 Fey Enchantments (non-combat)
encounter)
 A Blight Upon the Land (non-combat) The characters can make out the sounds of a fast-
 The Shuffling Dead paced, high-pitched conversation in the near vicinity.
 The Cairn Stones The voices are unmistakably sylvan in origin and
very likely fey; a successful DC 14 Intelligence
Be careful when choosing a path for the characters as D&D (Nature) check reveals that a quickling and a
Adventurers League adventures must adhere to specific darkling are arguing in Sylvan about whether they
experience guidelines. Characters should receive appropriate should trust “the dogs”. After a few moments, a deep,
rewards for their efforts and although we cannot exceed the gravelly voice speaks – though its voice is intermixed
maximum experience point reward, we also cannot justify with small yips like that of a dog. A successful DC 14
awarding them less than the posted minimum! Intelligence (Nature) check reveals this to be a gnoll;
in its native language it is asking the fey if they
Furthermore, the combat encounters are highly adjustable.
“understand that [he] can hear them”.
Feel free to keep the layout simple if you battle maps, and
you can always include interesting terrain effects like mud, As their conversation unfolds, details of prisoner
fallen logs, and so on to keep things fresh for your players! sacrifice begin to flow. The fey are not in favor, as
There are no combat maps provided for these initial this is the demesne of Jeny Greenteeth and although
encounters. she is temporarily absent, she will bring swift
retribution to those that violate the “old

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 8

agreements”. The gnoll’s rebuttal is simple: “She’s Peering into the upcoming clearing, the characters
not here. We are. We will bring forth the bloodlord!” can easily see a group of five gnoll witherlings and
If the characters have not already initiated combat two gnoll Fangs of Yeenoghu.
by the time this is uttered, one of the quicklings
spots them and screams out a tinny, high-pitched Adjusting the Encounter
warning to its allies. Here are recommendations for adjusting this combat
encounter. These are not cumulative.
Adjusting the Encounter  Very weak or weak party: no changes
Here are recommendations for adjusting this combat  Very strong party: the gnoll witherlings gain the pack
encounter. These are not cumulative. tactics feature; they have advantage on any melee combat
 Very weak or weak party: remove one of the quicklings rolls they make if one or more of their allies is adjacent to
 Very strong party: the quicklings have advantage on their their target.
initiative checks
Tactics
Tactics The gnoll witherlings are very close to mindless
The gnoll Fang of Yeenoghu is independent and and will attack any non-gnoll until instructed
will attempt to put the fey creatures between itself otherwise.
and the characters if possible, but is a savage The gnoll Fangs of Yeenoghu are vile and delight
combatant. in tormenting their opponents. They yip with glee
The two quicklings scurry about and attempt to and fling spittle around in a sort-of frantic dance as
harry spellcasters or ranged attackers that make a they fight.
show of trying to stay out of combat. They rely on
their high speed and armor class and are not afraid Treasure
to provoke an attack of opportunity if needed. The gnolls carry a pouch with 50 gp and a journal
The darkling elder is bonded to the yeth hound, written in Abyssal. The journal is point of view of
and will command it to use its bay ability as often as another gnoll, likely a wizard or powerful cleric of
possible. The elder will place darkness on the most Yeenoghu, and details its research into “the
threatening melee combatant at its first opportunity. Bloodlord”. This creature apparently exists
somewhere outside of Faerun and sometimes sends
Treasure its agents – “the Mists” – into the world to grab new
The gnoll was carrying a potion of greater healing, victims. It is the theory of the journal’s author that a
and has no apparent use for it now. If the gnoll was massive blood sacrifice will entice the Bloodlord to
captured and the characters question it, it only come to Faerun and take physical form.
speaks in Gnoll to them. Its cowardice wins out with
marginal threats (as it was just bested in combat) The Road So Far (non-combat
and it blurts out “The bloodlord will return! The
bloodlord sent the mist!”
encounter)
The Quivering Forest has long been the home of
The Shuffling Dead (combat various fey beings, and they protect their homes
with potent spells and enchantments that are
encounter) incredibly hard for non-fey to detect. As the
The white gravel path leads further into the characters follow the white gravel path, read or
Quivering Forest, and eventually the crunching of paraphrase the following:
stones beneath the feet of the characters becomes
intermingled with the crunching of stones under the The path has been winding and twisted, but the section
feet of someone – something – else. If the characters before you just seems to go on forever with no end in sight.
stop and listen, they can make determine that a large
group is nearby but they do not seem to be paying
The characters begin to see the same trees over and
attention; the yipping of gnolls in their native tongue
over, as if they are walking in circles – but the path
indicates that they are making fun of the “stupids”
itself is straight. If they leave the path, non-fey
instead.
characters immediately lose sight of the path and
their allies on the path immediately lose sight of

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 9

them. The path in this part is enchanted so that only
fey creatures can advance safely. Any character that
leaves the path can find their way back in an hour
with a successful DC 12 Wisdom (Survival) check;
failing this check means that the character has Fey Enchantments (non-combat
become terribly lost and only returns to their allies encounter)
after four hours of effort as they find themselves
back at the edge of the forest (where the adventure DM’s Note:
began); a successful Wisdom (Survival) DC 14 check
This encounter is unlikely to be a rewarding or interesting
reduces the amount of time by half.. one if the characters all have high Wisdom saving throw
For characters that choose to stay on the path and bonuses, resistance to hold person, or if the party is
investigate their circumstances, consult the comprised of all fey characters.
following or create your own options:
The gravel path eventually leads the characters into
 Wisdom (Insight) DC 10: the surrounding a large clearing:
landscape is repeating, but the rocks beneath your
feet are not; this indicates that you are still A pleasant bit of light shines into the clearing ahead. You can
traveling forward but powerful enchantments are detect the lightly sweet smell of flowers in bloom. The space
clouding your perceptions
to either side of the path is full of brambles and briars; it
 Intelligence (Arcana) DC 12: the air surrounding
appears that your path is explicitly forward.
the path has a definite enchantment laid upon it; it
is old fey magic. Casting antimagic aura or dispel
magic (DC 18) will disrupt the enchantment and Any fey characters may proceed through the clearing
allow the characters to proceed unimpeded. without issue, but non-fey creatures are affected by
 Intelligence (History) DC 12: the fey creatures a hold person spell (DC 18; lasts for one hour) when
that populate the Quivering Forest enjoy riddles they get near the center of the clearing. Any
and puzzles. If the characters have already character that succeeds on their saving throw is
succeeded on an Arcana or Insight check, they may targeted a second time; succeeding a second time
realize that by closing their eyes or walking allows them to pass through this area without
backwards they may be able to ‘trick’ the trouble. Any character that has previously earned
enchantment. In truth, doing either of these allows the favor of Jeny Greenteeth in a previous adventure
the enchantment to dissolve for the characters so automatically succeeds on this saving throw.
that they can proceed forward. Characters that are affected by the hold person
spell are then able to hear a whispered message in a
After the characters figure out how to escape from liltingly-accented Common telepathic message:
the path, they face another challenge: the white
gravel path descends into a ravine. The ravine has no “You must keep this after you give it away, but it has no
light and much like the path is enchanted by the inherent value. What am I?”
native fey. Characters that use darkvision can follow
the path without issue, but using any form of light
The correct answer to this is “your word”. Only one
(magic or otherwise) causes the air to be sucked out
character needs to answer this correctly, though as
of the ravine; creatures holding or using a light
they are all held in place they should be answering
source begin to suffocate until the light source is
this by passing a note to you and not discussing it
extinguished. A stone outside the ravine bears a
verbally unless the characters are otherwise
symbol of an eye with a large “X” over it; any
telepathically linked. If the players are struggling
character that closes their eyes and proceeds
with this, allow them an Intelligence check before
forward can move without issue (even if they have a
giving them a hint.
light source in effect, so long as they keep their eyes
Once they solve this riddle, another message is
closed). A DC 14 Wisdom (Insight) check may give
telepathically given to them:
the characters some hint that keeping their eyes
closed may be key here.
Leaving the path to walk around the ravine has the
same effect as earlier: non-fey creatures become lost
very quickly.

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 10

“I have rivers without water, forests without trees, The animals appear to be stuck in more ways than one. Some
mountains without rocks and towns without houses. What of them look like they have had their tails tied together,
am I?” others look like some kind of foul liquid has cemented them
to their neighbor.
The correct answer to this is “a map”. The characters
should use the same tactics to solve this riddle. The characters can attempt to rescue the animals. A
When they solve it, the entire party receives a third DC 14 Dexterity check can begin to unravel the
and final message, this time in a gurgling voice like creatures, and only a single character at a time can
that of a drunken and sinister old woman: attempt to untangle the pile. Creative usage of spells
(for example, casting sleep or grease on the pile)
“You have answered my riddles dearie, but know that I am grants advantage on that skill check. Characters may
still watching you. You should be kind enough to come visit also wish to make a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check
me when you are done playing in the mud, you know. I have to identify the state of the creatures; they are all
cookies!” injured, exhausted, and dehydrated but will survive
so long as they can go their separate ways soon. An
Intelligence (Nature) check at DC 10 identifies the
The voice carries a sinister undertone despite the “foul liquid” as a mix of excrement and mud that has
superficially cheery message. Any character that has hardened to a nearly cement-like rigidity.
previously interacted with the hag Jeny Greenteeth If the characters succeed on their Dexterity check
immediately recognizes her voice and can assume three times, they can free the beasts. If they fail a
that this clearing is but one of her many traps and check by 5 or more, they take 3 (1d6) points of
protections laid upon the Quivering Forest. piercing damage as the panicked animals bite the
Characters that have not previously met Jeny can characters. They can attempt this Dexterity check as
immediately understand the tone of Jeny’s voice but often as they like.
may not realize who they just heard. Once the animals are free, most of them scamper
Jeny’s hut used to stand near this clearing, but was away. However, one fox remains on the path and
transported away when the Mists came through this yips at the characters in thanks. If the characters
place. She is no longer in the Forgotten Realms, follow it, it leads them a few hundred yards ahead
though she can be found in Barovia now (refer to the and paws at a large piece of wood before
DDAL04 series of adventures). The messages that disappearing into the Forest. Beneath the wood is a
occur here are merely long-standing enchantments carefully-wrapped parcel containing a pair of silver
that she placed, and she is not present at this time. earrings worth 100 gp. Additionally, any character
that directly participated in freeing the animals has
Cuddle Pile (non-combat advantage on their next saving throw during this
encounter) adventure.
In the near distance the characters can see a curious
thing: a group of woodland creatures seems to have
A Blight Upon The Land (non-
gotten tangled together. combat encounter)
Across the path ahead are strewn multiple bodies, all
Some thirty feet ahead of you is a large pile of writhing in various states of decomposition.
animals. They are emitting shrill cries of pain and anguish and
seem to be stuck together. In the pile you can see rats, a fox, As you round a bend in the path and clear a large copse of
a rabbit, a coyote, a few snakes, and more. maple trees, you spy a pile of bodies lying on the path ahead.
Most of them are tiny fey creatures like quicklings and
The characters can skirt around the pile of animals, darklings, but a few humans and elves can be seen. They
but should they choose to interact with them they have all been exsanguinated and have had their hearts
should see the following: removed.

Each of the bodies has a pair of holes in their neck,

and a DC 16 Wisdom (Medicine) check confirms that
these holes were made by tubes and needles – not

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 11

teeth. Without this check, the characters are likely to
assume that the creatures here were killed by a
vampire.
Characters that examine the area may make a DC
14 Intelligence (Investigation) check. On a success,
they see that all the vegetation around the bodies
has died. Characters that are investigating the bodies
should also make a DC 12 Wisdom (Insight) check;
on a success, they can feel something watching their
movements.
A large, greasy-looking raven is perched in a
nearby tree and is watching the characters with
pointed interest. If the characters spot the bird (it is
hiding and requires a Perception check of 16 or
higher), it screeches loudly and flaps its huge wings,
escaping immediately. As it leaves it drops a gold
coin from its mouth. This coin is only worth 1 gp, but
is emblazoned with a raven on one side and the
noble-looking man in formal dress on the other.
Characters that have played of the Curse of Strahd
adventures aside from DDAL04-01 immediately
recognize the coin as being from Barovia. The coin is
constantly cold to the touch but pulses and thumps
like a heartbeat in the pocket of its carrier.

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 12

Part 3. The Cairn Stones
As you take in the environment, one of the prisoners calls
out to you. “HELP! They’ll be back soon – you have to get us
Expected Duration: 75 minutes out of here!”
The characters have discovered the location of the
gnoll camp, and have the opportunity to rescue the
The gnolls have made camp here among the massive
remaining prisoners! stone effigies. Numerous boxes are scattered around
the clearing and six prisoners yet live, shackled to
General Features the large stones. Some of the boxes hold useless,
The features listed here are present for the entire broken goods while others hold the refuse of past
facility. meals – likely other former captives. The camp is
Light. This part of the forest has a very dense untended for the moment.
canopy and is considered dim light. The prisoners are held by low quality chains (AC
Temperature. The temperature here is much 13, 20 hp). The characters may attack the chains or,
colder than the rest. Frost covers the stones and the if a character is using a set of thieves’ tools, release
vegetation crunches underfoot, but does not impose the locks with a successful DC 12 Dexterity check.
disadvantage on stealth checks. Once the first prisoner is released or one minute
has passed, the flind and her allies return to camp
The Cairn Stones & the End of the and calls them out!
Path
Adjusting the Encounter
As the characters progress deeper into the Quivering
Forest, they begin to notice small bundles of sticks. Here are recommendations for adjusting this combat
encounter. These are not cumulative.
As they walk further, the bundles take a more
humanoid shape and grow in size, the largest of  Very weak or weak party: the flind arrives at the
them being about twelve inches from top to bottom, beginning of the second round of combat
and all of them are hanging from tree branches.
The prisoners all have an AC of 8 and 3 hit points. All attacks
After two miles of this, they come to a clearing.
against them have advantage and even once freed are unable
Lashed to a stand of trees are four very large
to defend themselves due to their abuse at the hands
humanoid effigies. Standing almost fifteen feet tall,
(paws?) of the gnolls.
they are quite an imposing sight. A DC 10
Intelligence (Religion) check shows that these The flind is immune to the curse of her berserker flail, as it
effigies are clearly dedicated to some deity or force, was a divine gift (possibly from Yeenoghu, or perhaps the
but it is not clear to whom. Blood Lord).

This Looks Familiar! Development

The flind is the commander of the gnoll camp and
This location is very similar to a location from DDAL04-02 The
is accompanied by two gnoll druids and a
Beast. The correlation is intentional; when the Mists of
leucrotta. The druids will attempt to entangle the
Barovia claimed sections of the Quivering Forest and brought
characters while the flind and leucrotta work
those chunks of land into Barovia, echoes of the land
remained in Faerun. This place still holds power and now that together to wear down combatants.
gnolls have claimed it, its purpose may be revealed in time. These creatures fight to the death.
Once the gnolls are defeated, the characters can
explore the camp. They find body parts from easily
two dozen people (mostly humans and elves), and
The white gravel has led you to this clearing deep inside the jars full of blood. They also find a leather-lined trunk
Quivering Forest. Several tall stones stand in the open space, that has been filled with extracted hearts; the smell
their features long since erased by the elements but still is foul but it confirms that the characters may
bearing a vaguely humanoid appearance. Between them can already be suspecting: the gnolls are seeking to
be seen a number of weather-worn stones, some of which perform a blood ritual to bring the Bloodlord into
have prisoners shackled to them – and evidence of the gnoll the world. The flind is carrying a journal that details
encampment. The stench of death and decay hangs heavy in
the needs of the ritual: three hundred victims, all
fresh, and that she would need to gorge on their
the air.
blood and hearts during the casting. It does not

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 13

indicate how far along this plan has gotten. A small
yipping noise can be heard beneath the pile of hearts Proceed to Conclusion when everyone is ready.
and scraps of ragged leather once this box has been
opened. This noise comes from a very small,
malnourished silver-furred wolf puppy. Any
character proficient in Nature automatically knows
that this puppy is indeed a wolf and is not part of the
gnoll clan (which typically appear more hyena-like).
It is too weak to walk, but will attempt to lick the
hands and face of any character that picks it up.

Treasure
The treasure here is not measured in gold pieces
alone, but also in knowledge. If the characters take
some time to examine the stones, they can begin to
piece together some history and learn more about
their significance. With some gentle scraping and
cleaning they can find a series of carvings that are
heavily damage by the elements and time; taking a
rubbing of these carvings and recording the location
of these stones is worth a significant amount to the
sages of the Library in Phlan.
The carvings show a castle, a massive dragon, and
some waving lines that represent wind or mist. With
a successful DC 10 Intelligence (History) check, the
characters can determine that these carvings tell of
the coming of the Mists to the city of Phlan – the
large dragon is Vorgansharax. Any character that
participated in DDEP4 Reclamation of Phlan
automatically succeeds on this check. Any character
that has met Strahd Von Zarovich in another
adventure recognizes his visage in another ancient
carving, which shows him atop a pile of dead bodies
wearing modern-styled armor.
Additionally, one of the flind’s flails is magical. It is
a berserker flail, and its details can be found at the
end of this adventure.

Advancing the Adventure

Once the characters have defeated the gnolls and
their allies, they can attempt to escape the Quivering
Forest with the remaining prisoners. The wolf puppy
can be retained by one of the characters if they so
desire.
If the characters have not yet had a sufficient
challenge (or too many of the prisoners have died),
feel free to add in a small encounter to ensure that
the characters achieve their experience goals and
have an appropriate challenge.
Some sample encounters:
 2 gnolls and 4 gnoll witherlings
 3 quicklings
 1 gnoll Fang of Yeenoghu and 4 gnolls

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 14

 The Carvings and Rubbings
Conclusion If the characters choose to share their discovery of
As the characters return to Phlan, they may have an the specific carvings deep inside the Quivering
entourage with them. If they rescued the prisoners, Forest with either their factions or with the Library
those poor souls are extremely thankful to be in Phlan, read or paraphrase the following:
returned to their city. If they rescued the small
puppy, they must decide what to do with it.
The evidence as discovered in the Quivering Forest is
Characters that participated in DDAL04-02 The
disturbing, to say the least. Between blood-crazed gnolls and
Beast recognize the puppy here as being the same
one from that adventure. However, it was insinuated the fact that someone somehow knew about the dragon’s
in that adventure that the puppy was a young assault on Phlan long before it ever happened, those cairn
trueblood werewolf – but there is really no way to stones represent something greater and older than Phlan
prove that fact in Phlan unless they can trigger a itself.
transformation. You can’t shake the feeling that you may well be the one
If the characters elect to keep the puppy, only one to explore that concept, and deep down you know that your
of them may do so. troubles are only just beginning.
Regardless of other decisions, the characters are
eligible to receive their payment for their work; their
faction supervisors arrange for a payment of 350 gp Would You Like to Know More?
to be delivered to them as thanks for their efforts in If the characters develop some way to communicate
dealing with the gnolls. with the puppy, it only knows its name – Emile
Vaduva. It is still very young. While the Vaduva clan
Surrender the Puppy in Phlan first appeared in DDAL04-02 The Beast, it is up to
future adventure designers and Dungeon Masters to
The playful puppy does not appear to be pleased with your determine if this puppy is indeed the same as the
choice to leave it here. It whines and makes big sad eyes at one in that adventure.
you, and the new owner simply scratches it behind the ears The sex of the puppy is up to the player to
while saying “There, there. You’re be a hunting dog in no determine.
time!”

Keep the Puppy:

Over the following days you can spend some time with the
puppy. Its features are decidedly wolf-like but it seems
friendly enough, and prefers to burrow into discarded shirts
and pants when sleeping. It almost looks like its growing over
night!

The puppy may become important in later

adventures, but for now it is merely a standard wolf
puppy. If one of the characters is willing to look after
it, it is a non-combat pet that sometimes brings
“presents” to its master – those presents are often
just bits of bone or sticks, but sometimes it may
bring back objects with inherent value. This is a
roleplay tool for its owner to experiment with and
has no true mechanical benefit. One character may
choose to keep the puppy; whomever does this earns
the “I’ve Got a Puppy!” story award.

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 15

Rewards Treasure Awards
Item Name GP value
Maerion’s silver necklace 250
Rubbing of carvings from stones 750
Experience Gnoll gold 50
Total up all combat experience earned for defeated Silver earrings 100
foes, and divide by the number of characters present Faction payment (per person) 350
in the combat. For non-combat experience, the
rewards are listed per character. Give all characters
in the party non-combat experience awards unless
Potion of Greater Healing
otherwise noted. Potion, uncommon
A description of this item can be found in the
Combat Awards Dungeon Master’s Guide.
Name of Foe XP per Foe
Flind 5,000 Berserker Flail
Druid 450 Weapon (flail), rare (requires attunement)
Leucrotta 700
Gnoll pack lord 450 This battered flail is notched and covered in a patina
Gnoll Fang of Yeenoghu 1,100 of rust and dried blood. While wielding this flail you
Gnoll Witherling 200 have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks made
Yeth Hound 1,100 to track humanoids. Due to your intense desire to
Quickling 200 retain the flail, it costs an extra 30 downtime days to
Shoosuva 3,900 trade away as you experience severe withdrawal
Darkling Elder 450 from its powers. A description of this item can be
found in the Dungeon Master’s Guide under the entry
‘berserker axe’.
Non-Combat Awards
Task or Accomplishment XP per Character
Bring puppy to Phlan 50 Permanent Magic Item Distribution
Each surviving prisoner 50 D&D Adventurers League has a system in place to determine
who is awarded permanent magic items at the end of a
The minimum total award for each character session. Each character’s logsheet contains a column to
participating in this adventure is 3,750 experience record permanent magic items for ease of reference.
points.  If all the players at the table agree on one character taking
The maximum total award for each character possession of a permanent magic item, that character gets
participating in this adventure is 5,000 experience the item.
points.  In the event that one or more characters indicate an
interest in possessing a permanent magic item, the
Treasure character that possesses the fewest permanent magic
The characters receive the following treasure, items gets the item. If there is a tie in the total number of
divided up amongst the party. Characters should permanent magic items owned by contesting characters,
attempt to divide treasure evenly whenever the item’s owner is determined randomly by the DM.
possible. Gold piece values listed for sellable gear are
calculated at their selling price, not their purchase Renown
price. All faction members gain one renown point for
Consumable magic items should be divided up completing this adventure.
however the group sees fit. If more than one
character is interested in a specific consumable Story Awards
magic item, the DM can determine who gets it I Got a Puppy! You chose to keep the wolf puppy
randomly should the group be unable to decide. that was trapped in the gnoll camp deep inside the
Permanent magic items are divided according to Quivering Forest. It is incredibly friendly and knows
a system. See the sidebar if the adventure awards a few tricks; sometimes it even brings you small
permanent magic items. presents like sticks, stones, or a dead animal. This

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 16

silver-haired wolf pup never howls at the moon, but
does love to play in the woods and wander through
heavy fogs whenever possible. This is a non-combat
pet and is intended for roleplay purposes only.

Downtime
Each character receives ten downtime days at the
conclusion of this adventure.

DM Rewards
You receive 10 downtime days, 1,250 experience
points, and 650 gold pieces for running this
adventure.

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 17

Appendix: Magic Item and
whenever possible. This is a non-combat pet and is
intended for roleplay purposes only.

Story Award Handouts

Berserker Flail
Weapon (flail), rare (requires attunement)
This battered flail is notched and covered in a patina
of rust and dried blood. While wielding this flail you
have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks made
to track humanoids. Due to your intense desire to
retain the flail, it costs an extra 30 downtime days to
trade away as you experience severe withdrawal
from its powers. A description of this item can be
found in the Dungeon Master’s Guide under the entry
‘berserker axe’.
Description from Dungeon Master’s Guide (this
text may be updated in future errata): You gain a
+1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this
magic weapon. In addition, while you are attuned to
this weapon, your hit point maximum increases by 1
for each level you have attained.
Curse. This flail is cursed, and becoming attuned
to it extends the curse to you. As long as you remain
cursed, you are unwilling to part with the flail,
keeping it within reach at all times. You also have
disadvantage on attack rolls with weapons other
than this one, unless no foe is within 60 feet of you
that you can see or hear.
Whenever a hostile creature damages you while
the flail is in your possession, you must succeed on a
DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or go berserk. While
berserk, you must use your action each round to
attack the creature nearest to you with the flail. If
you can make extra attacks as part of the Attack
action, you use those extra attacks, moving to attack
the next nearest creature after you fell your current
target. If you have multiple possible targets, you
attack one at random. You are berserk until you start
your turn with no creatures within 60 feet of you
that you can see or hear.

I Got a Puppy!
You chose to keep the wolf puppy that was trapped
in the gnoll camp deep inside the Quivering Forest. It
is incredibly friendly and knows a few tricks;
sometimes it even brings you small presents like
sticks, stones, or a dead animal. This silver-haired
wolf pup never howls at the moon, but does love to
play in the woods and wander through heavy fogs

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 18

DM Appendix: Phlan,
Bloodlord to a young fey race on a world that would
come to be known as Faerun.
Though Strahd cannot enter Faerun and has no
Barovia, and the Mists idea that the people of that world have created
legends of his power, he knows that someday he will
find a champion to take his seat in Barovia so that he
The Mists might roam free… where ever that may take him.
When the massive green dragon Vorgansharax
assaulted Phlan (these events unfolded in the Phlan
Tyranny of Dragons season of D&D Adventurers
The town of Phlan has seen an excessive amount of
League play), it kicked off a series of events that
damage due to the dragon Vorgansharax’s attack.
haunt the Moonsea to this day. The atrocities that it
However, they are rebuilding and expect to live as
committed and the sheer glee that it exhibited
normal a life as possible as the years go on. Their
caught the attention of powers not of this world, and trade routes have been restored now that the dragon
those powers – the Dark Powers – sent the Mists to
and its minions have been driven out or destroyed –
Faerun.
but those that escaped may still terrorize the town in
Whomever or whatever controls the Mists is the coming years and decades.
unknown to sages, but this is not the first time that
The Mists of Barovia still linger here in some small
they have touched this world. Throughout Faerunian
part. They may not be taking prisoners now but the
history the Mists have claimed victims, often going
fog around the city certainly isn’t seasonally
hundreds of years between appearances. However,
appropriate, and is always bone-chillingly cold. Who
this does not prevent legends from forming.
knows what the future holds, but it almost certainly
Deep inside the Quivering Forest the fey lived
isn’t good.
undisturbed for many years. In one of their clearings
one of the fey races erected large stone effigies and
carved into them the pictograph-based language
they possessed. They transcribed the legend of the
Bloodlord and how this creature could control the
weather, taking his victims under the cover of
darkness and fog – even going so far as to
prophesize events that would occur long after this
fey creature died.
Carved into one of those stones is the attack that
the Maimed Virulence led upon Phlan. This carving
predates many of the written languages of the world,
and shows not only the victory of the bloated dragon
but also seemingly intimates that a powerful
creature would be released from those Mists as well.

Barovia
Barovia is the domain of Strahd Von Zarovich, a
powerful vampire and nobleman that has ruled for
centuries. The land that he governs is also his prison,
and although he strains to find escape, deep down he
is afraid that he will be here forever.
However, in his arrogance, Strahd will
occasionally send his trusted allies or powerful
minions through magical experiments. Sometimes
these experiments result in him being able to see
distant worlds but in some very rare circumstances
he can actually speak with the denizens of those
worlds – and in one particular case, he made such an
impression that he would become known as the

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 19

Appendix: NPC/Monster Druid
Medium humanoid (gnoll), neutral evil
Statistics Armor Class 11 (16 with barkskin)
Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5)
Darkling Elder Speed 30 ft.
Medium fey, chaotic neutral
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Armor Class 15 (studded leather armor) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 15 (+2) 11 (+0)
Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5)
Speed 30 ft. Skills Medicine +4, Nature +3, Perception +4
Senses passive Perception 14
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Languages Druidic plus any two languages
13 (+1) 17 (+3) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Rampage. When the gnoll reduces a creature to 0 hit
Skills Acrobatics +5, Deception +3, Perception +6, points with a melee attack on its turn, the gnoll can
Stealth +7 take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and
Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive make a bite attack.
Perception 16
Spellcasting. The druid is a 4th-level spellcaster. Its
Languages Elvish, Sylvan
spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 12, +4 to
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
hit with spell attacks). It has the following druid spells
Death Burn. When the darkling elder dies, magical light prepared:
flashes out from it in a 10-foot radius as its body and
possessions, other than metal or magic objects, burn to
Cantrips (at will): druidcraft, produce flame, shillelagh
ash. Any creature in that area must make a DC 11
1st level (4 slots): entangle, longstrider, speak with
Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the creature
animals, thunderwave
takes 7 (2d6) radiant damage and, if the creature can
2nd level (3 slots): animal messenger, barkskin
see the light, is blinded until the end of its next turn. If
the saving throw is successful, the creature takes half
Actions
the damage and isn’t blinded.
Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit (+4 to hit
Actions with shillelagh), reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d6)
Multiattack. The darkling elder makes two melee bludgeoning damage, or 4 (1d8) bludgeoning damage
attacks. with shillelagh or if wielded with two hands.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage. If the
darkling elder had advantage on the attack roll, the
attack deals an extra 10 (3d6) piercing damage.
Darkness (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). The
darkling elder casts darkness without any components.
Wisdom is its spellcasting ability.

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 20

Flind Gnoll Fang of Yeenoghu
Medium humanoid (gnoll), chaotic evil Medium humanoid (gnoll), chaotic evil
Armor Class 16 (chainmail) Armor Class 14 (hide armor)
Hit Points 127 (15d8 + 60) Hit Points 65 (10d8 + 20)
Speed 30 ft. Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
20 (+5) 10 (+0) 19 (+4) 11 (+0) 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 17 (+3) 15 (+2) 15 (+2) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 13 (+1)

Saving Throws Con +8, Wis +5 Saving Throws Con +4, Wis +2, Cha +3
Skills Intimidate +5, Perception +5 Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15 Languages Abyssal, Gnoll
Languages Gnoll, Abyssal Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP) Rampage. When the gnoll reduces a creature to 0 hit
Aura of Blood Thirst. If the flind isn’t incapacitated, any points with a melee attack on its turn, the gnoll can
creature with the Rampage trait can make a bite attack take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and
as a bonus action while within 10 feet of the flind. make a bite attack.

Actions Actions
Multiattack. The flind makes three attacks: one with Multiattack. The gnoll makes three attacks: one with
each of its different flail attacks or three with its its bite and two with its claws.
longbow. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Flail of Madness. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage, and the target
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) bludgeoning must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or
damage, and the target must make a DC 16 Wisdom take 7 (2d6) poison damage.
saving throw. On a failed save, the target must make a Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
melee attack against a random target within its reach target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage.
on its next turn. If it has no targets within its reach
even after moving, it loses its action on that turn.
Flail of Pain. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage,
plus 22 (4d10) psychic damage.
Flail of Paralysis. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) bludgeoning
damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 16
Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed until the end
of its next turn.
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range
150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d8) piercing damage.

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 21

Gnoll Pack Lord Gnoll Witherling
Medium humanoid (gnoll), chaotic evil Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 15 (chain shirt) Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
Hit Points 49 (9d8 + 9) Hit Points 11 (2d8 + 2)
Speed 30 ft. Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 8 (-1) 11 (+0) 9 (-1) 14 (+2) 8 (-1) 12 (+1) 5 (-3) 5 (-3) 5 (-3)

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 Damage Immunities poison

Languages Gnoll Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Challenge 2 (450 XP) Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 7
Rampage. When the gnoll reduces a creature to 0 hit Languages understands Gnoll but can’t speak
points with a melee attack on its turn, the gnoll can Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and Rampage. When the witherling reduces a creature to 0
make a bite attack. hit points with a melee attack on its turn, it can take a
bonus action to move up to half its speed and make a
Actions bite attack.
Multiattack. The gnoll makes two attacks, either with
Actions
its glaive or its longbow, and uses its Incite Rampage if
it can. Multiattack. The witherling makes two attacks: one
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one with its bite and one with its club, or two with its club.
target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Glaive. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) piercing damage. Club. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage.
150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing
Reactions
damage.
Incite Rampage (Recharge 5-6). One creature the gnoll Vengeful Strike. In response to a gnoll being reduced
can see within 30 feet of it can use its reaction to make to 0 hit points within 30 feet of the witherling, the
a melee attack if it can hear the gnoll and has the witherling makes a melee attack.
Rampage trait.

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 22

Leucrotta Quickling
Large monstrosity, chaotic evil Tiny fey, chaotic evil
Armor Class 14 (natural armor) Armor Class 16
Hit Points 67 (9d10 + 18) Hit Points 10 (3d4 + 3)
Speed 50 ft. Speed 120 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 9 (-1) 12 (+1) 6 (-2) 4 (-3) 23 (+6) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 7 (-2)

Skills Deception +2, Perception +3 Skills Acrobatics +8, Sleight of Hand +8, Stealth +8,
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13 Perception +5
Languages Abyssal, Gnoll Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Challenge 3 (700 XP) Languages Common, Sylvan
Keen Smell. The leucrotta has advantage on Wisdom Challenge 1 (200 XP)
(Perception) checks that rely on smell. Blurred Movement. Attack rolls against the quickling
Kicking Retreat. IF the leucrotta attacks with its have disadvantage unless the quickling is incapacitated
hooves, it can take the Disengage action as a bonus or restrained.
action. Evasion. If the quickling is subjected to an effect that
Mimicry. The leucrotta can mimic animal sounds and allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only
humanoid voices. A creature that hears the sounds can half damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds
tell they are imitations with a successful DC 14 Wisdom on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
(Insight) check.
Actions
Rampage. When the leucrotta reduces a creature to 0
hit points with a melee attack on its turn, it can take a Multiattack. The quickling makes three dagger attacks.
bonus action to move up to half its speed and make an Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
attack with its hooves. one target. Hit: 8 (1d4 + 6) piercing damage.

Actions
Multiattack. The leucrotta makes two attacks: one
with its bite and two with its hooves.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage. If the leucrotta
scores a critical hit, it rolls the damage dice three
times, instead of twice.
Hooves. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 23

Shoosuva Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing, and
Large fiend (demon), chaotic evil slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with
silvered weapons
Armor Class 14 (natural armor) Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened
Hit Points 110 (13d10 + 39) Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Speed 40 ft. Languages understands Common, Elvish, and Sylvan
but can’t speak
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 13 (+1) 17 (+3) 7 (-2) 14 (+2) 9 (-1)
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Keen Hearing and Smell. The yeth hound has
Saving Throws Dex +4, Con +6, Wis +5 advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on
Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, hearing or smell.
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks Sunlight Banishment. If the yeth hound starts its turn
Damage Immunities poison in sunlight, it is transported to the Ethereal Plane.
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, poisoned While sunlight shines on the spot from which it
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12 vanished, the hound must remain in the Deep Ethereal.
Languages Abyssal, Gnoll, telepathy 120 ft. After sunset, it returns to the Border Ethereal at the
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP) same spot, whereupon it typically sets out to find its
Rampage. When the it reduces a creature to 0 hit pack or its master. The hound is visible on the Material
points with a melee attack on its turn, the shoosuva Plane while it is in the Border Ethereal, and vice versa.
can take a bonus action to move up to half its speed Once it is adjacent to its master or a pack mate that is
and make a bite attack. on the Material Plane, a yeth hound in the Border
Ethereal can return to the Material Plane as an action.
Actions Telepathic Bond. While the yeth hound is on the same
Multiattack. The shoosuva makes two attacks: one plane of existence as its master, it can magically convey
with its bite and one with its tail stinger. what it senses to its master, and the two can
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one communicate telepathically with each other.
target. Hit: 26 (4d10 + 4) piercing damage.
Actions
Tail Stinger. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 15
ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage, and Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
the target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage, plus 14 (4d6)
throw or become poisoned. While poisoned, the target psychic damage if the target is frightened.
is also paralyzed. The target can repeat the saving Baleful Baying. The yeth hound bays magically. Every
throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect enemy within 300 feet of the hound that can hear it
on itself on a success. must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be
frightened until the end of the hound’s next turn or
until the hound is incapacitated. A frightened target
that starts its turn within 30 feet of the hound must
use all its movement on that turn to get as far from the
hound as possible, must finish the move before taking
Yeth Hound an action, and must take the most direct route, even if
Large fey, neutral evil hazards lie that way. A target that successfully saves is
immune to the baying of all yeth hounds for the next
Armor Class 14 (natural armor) 24 hours.
Hit Points 51 (6d10 + 18)
Speed 40 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

18 (+4) 17 (+3) 16 (+3) 5 (-3) 12 (+1) 7 (-2)

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 24

Map Appendix (Cairn Stones).

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CCC-UCon01 – Blood & Fog 25