Chapter 1: The Collector Arrives

Chapter Summary

A pale, wealthy man who calls himself “the Collector” approaches the party one night, looking to hire them to obtain a few magic artifacts, then use those artifacts to capture specific undead quarry for his collection. He’ll pay a total of 1,000gp per party member once all quest objectives are complete. In addition to gold, he can also offer 1 finely forged writ of pardon for each character, which could be used to free the character from prosecution or jail for a future offense. (Each writ has an 80% chance to succeed, with a +5% chance in large cities.)

Once the quest is accepted, the Collector gives the party a set of five Pyramidion Stones that he previously acquired, and tells them where they can locate two more artifacts: a wand (Particle Wand) and an amulet (Cyclotronic Amulet), both of which are required to complete the quest.

The Collector requires the party to obtain and test the artifacts, then capture the required undead creatures. He provides the locations of the artifacts and undead creatures with a hand written note that summarizes the main quest details.

Payment won’t be made to the party until all quest objectives are completed, but the Collector may be persuaded to provide down payment of 100gp per party member. He will return to the party in 10 days to receive the delivery of artifacts and creatures in exchange for payment. He instructs the party to meet him after sunset at the crossroads on the eastern outskirts of Greenwood Village.

Introductions

At the start of the adventure, summarize the party’s current situation and whereabouts.

The Collector approaches the party with intent to hire them. He will only approach the party at night. (DM Only: He’s a vampire)

Late one evening, a tall man walking with a cane approaches the party. The man is wearing a luxurious fur coat, top hat, and sunglasses. As he speaks, there is a snake-like quality to his voice.

“Greetings, and good evening,” says the man. “Forgive my intrusion, and correct me if I’m wrong, but I’ve heard that your group is for hire, yes? I’ve heard you are quite the accomplished adventurers. Is that true?”

Allow the PCs to respond or ask for more details about the man.

The Collector asks the party to tell of a recent adventure to prove they are adventurers. He’d like to hear about if from their own lips.

“Share with me an anecdote of one of your recent adventures, yes?”

If the PCs ask “why?”, the Collector explains that he needs to hire professionals who are loyal and capable.

“I need to hire someone loyal and capable. Sure, I’ve heard talk of your exploits, but I want to hear about it from your own lips. Are you as skilled as I have heard?”

The Collector asks if he should take his gold elsewhere. (It’s a lot of money, and he’s true in his intentions to pay that much, provided the mission is completed.)

“No, you said? Then I suppose I shall take my gold elsewhere, yes?”

If the PCs still aren’t interested, the Collector walks off into the night, never to return.


Use the options below to progress the conversation.
  • He appears to be middle aged with jet black hair and pale skin.
  • He has an attractive face and thin build.
  • He does not appear to be carrying any weapons.
  • His clothing seems to indicate he has no shortage of wealth.
  • Perception (DC 5) He has a thin, slash-like scar on his left cheek.
  • Perception (DC 10) He has no visible limp or physical disability in spite of walking with a cane.
Who are you?
“For our purposes, you may refer to me as the ‘Collector’, yes?”
What is your name?
“My real name is unimportant, and, in my line of work it’s best to remain anonymous. You can just call me the Collector.”
What is your line of work?
“Well, I collect things of course. I collect wealth. I collect rare artifacts. In the context of the mission I have for you, I also collect creatures.”
Why do you dress opulently if you wish to remain anonymous?
“I suppose I’m a bit too bold for my own good. I certainly don’t wish to present myself as a lowly street urchin.”

The man becomes visibly agitated, and sternly says:

“I am prepared to pay a hefty sum of money for you to do a job for me, yes? If you are not interested, I will gladly move along.”

If the PCs double down on their disrespect, the Collector blurts out:

“1,000 gold pieces for each of you… would you like to hear more, or shall I leave?”


Once the PCs are ready to hear more about the mission, continue to the next section.

Mission Details

Mission Summary

The Collector summarizes the mission.

“I would like you to track down three creatures from specific locations. I’ll tell you exactly where you can find these creatures. I want you to capture them, and deliver them to me alive. Well… technically they aren’t alive. The creatures I want you to capture are undead, yes?”

“I’ve hired Scouts to travel the land in search of ghost stories and haunted places. When my Scouts bring me information that sounds promising, I visit the location myself to confirm what is true or not. I assure you, these undead creatures do exist.”

He scoffs as he adjusts his coat and hat. “I’m not the adventuring type, yes? I wouldn’t want to ‘get my hands dirty’ as the saying goes. But I’m willing to pay handsomely.”

“Ah, I’m glad you asked! Excellent question!”

Continue to the section Obtaining the Artifacts at the Dig Site, where the Collector will talk about artifacts that will aid the party in capturing undead.

“I want you to capture and deliver a banshee from a saloon, a ghost from a graveyard, and a spectral hound from an alley.”

For more details about the creatures, see the Creatures to Capture section. For more details about the Artifacts, see the Artifacts section.

Obtaining the Artifacts at the Dig Site

The Collector informs the party about artifacts that must be located to complete the mission.

“I have knowledge of three ancient magical artifacts. One set of artifacts are already in my possession: a set of pyramid-shaped stones. I’d like you to retrieve two other artifacts: an amulet and a wand, yes? Together, these three artifacts will help you complete your mission. Now, unfortunately I cannot tell you how to use these artifacts, because I simply don’t have that information. But the existence of the artifacts and their effectiveness for this particular quest is virtually undisputed.”

The artifacts can be found at an archaeological dig site 1/2 day march north of Greenwood Village.

The Collector doesn’t know the precise location of the artifacts within the dig site but can tell the party the following details:

  • One artifact is a wand (DM only: Particle Wand).
  • One artifact is an amulet (DM only: Cyclotronic Amulet).
  • The artifacts already in the possession of the Collector is a set of five pyramid shaped stones (DM only: Pyramidion Stones).
  • Knowledge of the artifacts was passed down through legends and stories about a magical set of items that were crafted by humans from another plane of existence. The legend said these artifacts could help rid the world of ghosts and spirits.
  • The dig site is managed by an archeologist and two assistants (DM only: commoners).
  • The dig site is guarded by watchmen (DM only: see the Watchman Table).
  • The dig site is active during the day, and everyone camps on location at night.
  • The dig site is 10 miles north of Greenwood Village (roughly 1/2 day march), in the wooded hills.

The Collector offers a suggestion.

“You might consider reconnoitering the dig site during the day while the sun shines, then return at night to steal the artifacts while everyone is asleep, yes?”

DM Only: The Cyclotronic Amulets are located in a lock box inside the Archeologist’s tent. The Particle Wands are buried in the dig site a few feet below the surface, amidst a dragon’s claw that is currently being excavated. The Collector is not aware of these details, nor does he know there are 5 amulets and 3 wands.

Creatures to Capture

After the artifacts are found, they party should use them to achieve the following:

  1. Capture a spectral hound from an alley in Greenwood Village.
  2. Capture a banshee from the Wood Spike Saloon on the outskirts of Greenwood Village.
  3. Capture a ghost from the Greenwood Cemetery.

Payment & Objectives

The Collector offers 1,000gp for each party member, and one finely forged “writ of pardon” for each party memmber, to be paid in a lump sum after all objectives have been completed. (The writ of pardon can free a charcters from prosecution or jail time. Each write has an 80% chance of success, +5% chance in big cities.)

  1. Locate all the artifacts at the Archeological Dig site in the woods north of Greenwood Village.
  2. Test the artifacts to learn how to use them by capturing a creature in the sewers below Greenwood Village.
  3. Capture a spectral hound from an alley in Greenwood Village.
  4. Capture a banshee from the Wood Spike Saloon on the outskirts of Greenwood Village.
  5. Capture a ghost from the Greenwood Cemetery.
  6. Meet the Collector in 10 days, after sunset, at the crossroads on the eastern outskirts of Greenwood Village. Deliver the artifacts and captured creatures to receive your reward.

The Collector will allow the party to either keep the artifacts, or get paid with gold and writs of pardon, but not both. They can choose which payment they take at the end of the mission.

Persuasion (DC 12): The Collector agrees to 100gp down payment per party member, subtracted from the agreed upon amount.

One Last Detail

The Collector warns the party about “competitors” who may pose a threat to the mission. He tells the party these “competitors” may hire bounty hunters to stop him. In reality, the bounty hunters were hired by the nearby city of Westdale to track down a murderer who killed a warmflanks (the Collector). The Collector does not divulge any of these true details.

“One last thing, and this is VERY important, yes?”, the Collector says. “During your mission, you may come across bounty hunters looking for information about me. These bounty hunters will have been hired by my competitors. They wish to stop me from completing my collection. They may question you, or they may even try to stop you from completing your quest. You cannot let them stand in your way. You are to tell them nothing about me or the quest. Refuse their questions, and do whatever is necessary to complete the mission.

The Collector becomes visibly angry. He doesn’t care what methods the PCs use, as long as it can’t be tracked back to him. He doesn’t want any details of how they complete job so long as they complete it.

“We certainly do not need to speak of your methods, yes? I’m paying you for discreetness. Your methods are your own and have no bearing on me, so long as your activities cannot be tracked back to me.”

The Collector won’t divulge information.

“Oh, come now, you don’t think I’d be stupid enough to give away the identities of my competitors, do you?”

If the PCs press further, the Collector doubles down and will not give up info about his “competitors”.

“I’m sorry, but I will not divulge their identities. Even though they are my competitors, I still have a small measure of respect for them, and I don’t want to get my hands dirty. My compensation is more than fair, yes? Take it, or leave it.”


Once the PCs come to an agreement with the Collector, he walks off into the night. If the PCs try to follow him, eventually a thin mist appears and the Collector slips away in the blink of an eye.

Continue to the next Chapter.

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