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“Auntie Knows Best”- Out of The Box D&D Encounters #7

Introduction:

This entire encounter is all about any and all complications. It is intended as a set-up for other encounters or adventures, or as a way to advise a villain of the actions of the party. It is, in effect, a valid reason for a villain to know what the party is up to and where they might be. It removes any accusations of metagaming that might be directed at a DM. This can often lead to arguments and upset the table. A Hag Eye (see below) is the perfect tool to put into the hands of a party when itself is disguised as something else, like a locket, ring or other jewelry. All it takes is a little greed or the use of a Detect Magic spell (or even better, the party forgetting they have it) and you have the set-up to a whole series of encounters, adventures, or even a campaign.

I hope you enjoy…Out of The Box D&D Encounters #7 – “Auntie Knows Best”

Environment: Wilderness/Swamp or “Dark” Forest
Suggested Level: Any

While attempting to cross a twisting an treacherous path through a misty swamp  or other foreboding terrain) the players will discover  the skeletal remains of a traveler nearly obscured in the twisting swamp grass on the side of their path. It’s belongings are corroded and rotted beyond repair or worth, but it still clings to a single item in it’s hand…a  necklace on a fine gold chain with what looks like a glass eye in a gold filigree. (Optionally this could be any type of worn jewelry, and the “eye” portion could be altered through magic to appear to be false, or that of an animal)

This is a “Hag Eye” belonging to a Green Hag named “Auntie Treeshadow”. The remains were once one of her many victims, forced to perform act after act to try and save a loved one from her manipulations. Should one of these poor souls die in the swamp during one of these tasks, she always takes the time to “bury”  the body close the path so that the eye will be discovered again. Through it, she can see their actions based on the eye’s capabilities, and so leads them into her service…and likely doom, unless they can be the first to outwit her.
While they carry it, she will send them notes, letters and other messages to encourage them to take on her objectives. She will always seek to better her “sisters” in her coven through these actions, and uses the unwitting so that she cannot be blamed for these actions.
She may even approach the party, always under an illusory form. She has been known to be both a “quest giver” for something and as the “recipient”, both under different illusory forms – simply for her own entertainment.

This Hag Eye could even be part of a loot grab that the party is involved in. what if a former possessor of the Hag Eye failed Aunti Treeshadow in a task, and she lead him to his doom? The Hag Eye becomes easier to take this way, because it will be paired with other treasures like coins, other jewelry, and the like.

The intent for this encounter is less as a combat encounter and more of a way to set up change, or manipulate existing encounters on the fly. “Auntie Treeshadow” always has a way of manipulating others to her own ends, and will choose discretion over combat whenever possible. For an immortal fey, there’s always tomorrow.

Monsters:

Auntie Treeshadow (1): Green Hag as per Monster Manual p.177…but actually any Hag might be used given the nature, level or location of your setting and campaign.

Hag Eye – (Monster Manual, p. 175)

Complications:

The longer the party carries this Hag Eye, the more Auntie Treeshadow will learn about them. Because of the illusory powers most Hags have, this will allow her to interact with the party in person, tracking them through the use of the Hag Eye. Further, she could play the part of multiple persons through illusion, further confounding and manipulating the party into a massive fall from grace. It is completely plausible that she could be matron whom asks for help, the damsel in distress they have to rescue, and the mystic int he woods they need to seek advice from. All the while, Aunti Treeshadow will be watching the party, determining their weaknesses, following their movements, learning about their loved ones, and manipulating things so that they act in her best interests.

Consider as well that this Hag may not even be the arch villain. What if she is also under the thumb of an even more powerful villain, and the Hag Eye is the means for this even more powerful foe to track the party through his Hag servant? There’s always a bigger foe…and with that bigger foe comes bigger risks and rewards.

It should be noted that I have used this encounter, and with great success. The party I DM’ed found the body and the necklace, along with scattered coins. They took it all and had it as part of their treasure stash. The player who did the accounting even forgot to mention the “eye” on the necklace. When the treasure was divided, it was simply called “a necklace”, and it stayed int he party for several sessions before I called it in. It became my way to link them with another NPC, set-up the kidnapping of a relative of one of the characters, and acts as their “cellphone” when the brokering NPC needs to direct the party to the next challenge.

Never underestimate the greed and complacency of players.

It is my hope that you find “Auntie Knows Best” very useful, and I hope it leads to greater adventures.