Ghosts of the Greenwood

Adventure Briefing

Mortimer Greenwood has a problem that requires discretion. The Greenwood Estate is haunted by family ghosts who make his life miserable. Recently Uncle Nathan has taken the form of a poltergeist and is wreaking havoc. Mort needs to perform a ritual to calm his uncle down and could use guards. Before he can, items need retrieving from the ballroom, a place Mort cannot go. There is good money in it for those who help.

Level Range: 1-2
Connected People: Mortimer Greenwood
Locations: Greenwood Estate, Shelter Lake
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Greenwood Family Legacy

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Despite their standing within Shelter Lake, the Greenwood family has a long history of suspicion, and Mortimer is no exception. While some claim they are cursed, others believe they practice dark magic. No matter the truth, Mortimer remains a fixture of the town, seen at night walking along the lake shore.
Mortimer is the last of his family line and unwed, leaving questions about the future of the Greenwood legacy.

Mortimer Greenwood

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A sallow man, a little past his prime, Mortimer stands hunched and tired. His pale skin and white hair are in contrast to his brightly colored disheveled clothes.
Personality Trait. "I hear enough voices, I have little desire to listen to more."
Ideal. "Continue the Greenwood family prosperity."
Bond. "My ancestors are a constant, ceaseless nuisance, and avoiding their displeasure influences most of my decisions."
Flaw. "I prefer the company of spirits over the living.”

Greenwood Ghosts

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Parents Lyle & Doris Greenwood, Grandma Ethel, Uncle Nathan
The Greenwood ghosts are constantly disappointed with Mortimer and his continued bachelorhood. As retaliation, they delight in tormenting their relatives, either with pestering pranks or taunting words, their laughter echoing through the halls. Nathan has become malicious in his pestering.

Uncle Nate
Nate has the stats of a Poltergeist. He loves to cause chaos, and if he sees an opportunity to do a little extra he will.
Read Aloud.

A vaporous figure with glowing yellow eyes is surrounded by an aura of dark energy. The most unsettling part about the ghost is its wide row of grinning teeth.

The Ballroom

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The room has 15-foot high ceilings and is 30 x 20 feet. The curtains are closed and there is no light.
Mortimer's parents have recently moved Uncle Nate’s bones and urn into the room to inconvenience Mortimer, so they have hidden them. The bone is on a beam in the ceiling (DC 14) and the urn is in a closet, inside a chest (DC 16) The room has suits of armor that Nathan will animate one by one till it is vacated. Use Animated Armor stats. The armor will not leave the room.
Read Aloud.

This once elegant ballroom is covered in cobwebs, untouched by living hands. Suits of armor stand vigilant and a grand piano rests to the side. Dusty curtains are drawn closed.

Ritual Room

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Mort needs Uncle Nathan’s urn and familial bone from within the ballroom. Once those items are acquired the ritual can begin in the crypt below. Mortimer will provide a pair of Spectracles, which will allow one character to see Nathan. He will light the candles.
Read Aloud.

In the lower corner of the basement is a room that smells of old incense, filled with unlit candles. In the center is an ornately carved table made of stone.

The room has 10-foot high ceilings and is 15 x 20 feet. Mortimer will perform the ritual at the center. Uncle Nathan will disrupt. Arcane (DC 15). The ritual magic is used for channeling energy.
Mortimer needs 10 rounds to complete the ritual. He has 20 hp and is immune to the frightened condition.
Uncle Nathan will use candles to light characters and Mort on fire as a bonus action. Creatures take 1d6 fire damage at the end of their turn unless put out (action).
If Uncle Nathan touches the bone, he may cast the spell Fear (WIS DC 13).

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Rewards

Spectracles, 150 gp each up to a total of 500 gp.

Spectracles

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Wondrous item, uncommon

Spectracles are custom-made glasses designed to see ghosts.
As an action you may activate the spectracles, gaining the benefits of See Invisibility for 1 minute. The glasses may be used once per day and recharge at dawn.

Estate Info

• The ghosts always come back, it is part of the house.
• Uncle Nathan died of a prank gone wrong.
• Mortimer cannot enter the ballroom due to magic.
• The ghosts are all invisible unless they choose not to be.

Read Aloud (Outside).

The green-wooded estate is surrounded by trimmed hedges. Curtains are askew, window panes missing. It feels off-putting for such a nice place.

Read Aloud (Inside).

The inside is beautiful, with inlaid craftsmanship on the unique greenwood.

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Maps & Tokens

Mortimer

Uncle Nathan

Lyle

Doris

Ethel

Animated Armor

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Written by Chuck and Drew

Background art on this page is acquired and altered through Public Domain

Entry for Spooktober 2024

Answering: "Otherworldly"

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