Pelts For XP - Hex Collection 3

An exposed nunatak dominates this hex. The flat-topped mountain appears uninhabited, but careful observation discovers the remains of a trail leading up its side. The paving stones have been looted and its been obscured with brush, but this old Serpentman road is still traversible.

Hidden behind a permanent casting of Hallucinatory Terrain is the entrance to a mountainside temple; pillared portico with a bronze gate and small iron bell. The doors depict Sweetsting, a regional subset of the Liberator that exalts honeywine. The grinning bee man embraces Grain Goddess, who rests a sickle against the god's neck whilst his priapic stinger presses into her chubby belly.

Similarly, the four supporting columns resemble large-bosomed thriae armed with bows. Ring the bell and this quartet of Caryatid Columns (OSE Adv) spring to life. They demand to know visitors' intentions, claiming to be capable of detecting falsehoods (which is a lie). The bee women try to discern if anyone is working for the Druid Mafia. If satisfied they're not finks, they unlock the door.

The refurbished snake temple is run by the Orc Rhodomel (5th Level Neutral Cleric) and his eight Acolytes (OSE). The drunken greenmen left behind their life of war to run a bootlegging operation, brewing magical honeywine and bottled miracles that flaunt the mafia's potion monopoly.

If convinced they're on the level, Rhodomel offers travellers spare stone cells to sleep in free of charge, so long as they help out around the temple. He also sells the following brews:

• Sack Mead. Sweet, strong and incredibly popular among locals, add +1 to Reaction Rolls if you offer a drink. 10 GP for a kylix, 50 GP for a jug and 250 GP for an amphora.

• Killer Bee Honeywine. Heals D4 HP and casts Protection From Evil on the drinker. Save vs Poison if you drink consecutively, else you take a cumulative -1 penalty on all D20 rolls until you sober up after D6 Turns. 100 GP per dose.

• Potions of Cure Light Wounds, Light (makes the drinker's skin glow), Remove Fear and Resist Cold. 300 GP per dose.

• Potions of Bless, Resist Fire and Speak With Animals. 600 GP per dose.

If they like the players, the orcs give them a large shipment of honeywine to smuggle into Southfur and deliver to Madam Anastasia's brothel. If successful, Rhodomel gives them a 25% discount on potions and his Thrysus, a +2 Mace that forces those hit to Save vs Spells or be affected by Confusion.

Lee Mitchelson

This hex of forested groves and wildflower fields is home to a colony of giant bees. The hive is spread across the hex, containing a total of twenty eight Killer Bees (OSE), along with the Queen Bee and her four bodyguards (stats as Giant Wasp, OSE Adv).

The colony typically has twenty pints of honey, worth 250 GP each (5,000 GP total). Eating an entire pint heals D4 HP. Thieves can roll Move Silently to steal a single pint. The clerics of Sweetsting use thick armour and intoxicating incense to harvest honey with impunity. If they find out someone destroyed the hive, they bar them from their temple.

By u/Raindoghero

This hex of dry grass and scattered trees has a smattering of Serpentman ruins, the largest being the remains of a long-destroyed blockhouse. The rubble is home to the Buzzing Barony, a microstate of recently awakened Robber Flies (OSE). The insects have no idea why they're suddenly sentient, but they're trying to make the most of it.

There's eleven lumpen bugs, led by the fiercely expansionist Robber Baron and his four Fly Knights (stats as Lawful-aligned Harpies, but only the Baron can Charm). The feudal warlord wears a Brooch of Shielding and +1 Spear of Flame he looted from the ruins. His rump state is constantly attacked by Weretoads trying to eat his subjects, so the magic weapon is integral for fending them off.

The flies have 2,000 SP in Ophidian Denariis (crudely restamped with big flies to make them legal tender) and 2,800 GP worth of old snake jewellery. The Baron wears 1,000 GP, his knights wear 250 GP each. The remaining 800 GP is scattered throughout the ruins.

The Barony is abuzz with activity, preparing for an invasion of the Killer Bee hive. The Robber Baron intends to capture the Queen Bee and marry her, bringing the bees to heel. He hopes by selling their honey he can buy silver weapons and secure his realm against the hated lycanthrope invader.