GM Note: Any stats listed are generic on purpose, allowing you to use this adventure with whatever version of the game you are playing with. Simply reference your appropriate books for full stats.

Adventure Note: This adventure is designed for 4-5 PCs level 6-8. Deviation from this may require modification on your part as the GM.

Adventure Background: The Arbolin Tree can be found in any typical forest of your choosing. The tree has a canopy more than 200ft across, with a series of platforms roughly one hundred and fifty feet in the air. Rope plank bridges connect each platform, and circle the trunk at this elevation. The adventure hook works best if the party is weary and hungry, but feel free to modify to fit your desires.

When the party nears the tree, they will see an elf, Talif, standing on the ground near the lift that leads to area 1. He appears late middle aged, stands with a pompous and haughty attitude, but also has an aura of depression and fatigue about him. He sighs in frustration/fatigue often. He will greet the party and invite them for hospitality. (Talif: Cleric 9, AL: LN, S: 12 D: 13 C: 9 I: 14 W: 16 Ch: 16, wears robes and carries no weapons).

When he leads the party upward, he will try to lead them on a tour counter clockwise, trying to avoid area 4. If any PC tries to go that way, he will try his best to persuade them otherwise with whatever excuse he feels needed (Save DC: hard).

When he gets to area 8, he will mention that this is a vacant house and offers it to the players as theirs for as long as they want. Observant PCs (Save DC: medium) will get a feeling of unease here, and notice that the other elves they see on the platforms avoid direct eye contact and won’t engage in conversation. Only Talif will talk. If a hard perception DC check is made, the PC will notice there are no combat weapons anywhere.

Plot Twist: Talif and his elves have an ancient pact with demons, who have promised to provide food and protection for his clan as long as they sacrifice one elf each year. Faced with immediate eradication of the clan back then, they agreed. An agreement Talif upholds to this day. Due to the slow birth rate of elves, his clan is dwindling, and he’s looking for replacements. He is not evil, and firmly believes that he must do whatever it takes to save his people. The entire clan is conditioned to accept this as their lot in life, as they know no different.

Scale: 1 sq = 10ft

1: LiftA 5’ wide lift is connected to a set of pulleys that raise and lower it to the ground and the platform above. The lift can hold 500 pounds on each trip. A pile of bones is on the main platform, but are indistinguishable unless a PC does a nature check at a hard difficulty, since they are broken in pieces. They are elven bones, but Talif will say they are animal bones from a recent feast.

2: HutA family of five elves live in this hut. The children are very young. Originally there were five children, but two of them had been sacrificed in the past.

3: HutA widower lives alone in this hut. His entire family had been sacrificed at some point.

4: BodyA body of one of the elves lies here, waiting to be taken by the demon. Examination of the body will reveal it seems as if he were murdered or executed, as a single slash is across his neck.

5: HutA family of three elves lives in this hut. There are two adult men, and one woman--a man, his wife, and brother.

6: Great HallThis large house is where all the elves gather to eat and discuss clan issues. A cook stove and kitchen utensils along with other basic cooking implements are here.

7: HutAnother family lives here: a man, his wife, her sister, and three children.

8: Empty hutThis building is eerily empty, and contains four beds. Talif offers this to the party and encourages them to stay, even using spells to help convince them if necessary.

9: BathroomA trap door in this hut is used for the elves to use as a lavatory.

10: SuppliesHere are the various crates and barrels of the elves supplies. They are brought every month by the demons as long as the sacrifices are made.

DemonsThe demons that are haunting the elves vary depending on the edition you are using. They will arrive at midnight that night to steal away the body. Unless every PC is asleep at midnight, they will feel a deep sense of dread, and feel a cloud of shadow fall over the tree. They will then hear a horrible slobbering noise and scratches from area 4. If confronted, Talif will just sit there and look resigned, not partaking in any action, either to help the PCs fight, or to help the demons.

Edition Demon

1e/2e Type III, 1ea

3e Babau, 2ea

5e Shadow demon, 2ea

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