While whiling away near Redcliffe, the adventurers meet a city elf who calls on their help to solve a mystery. His master, the Mayor of the small town of Terin, has disappeared and a strange and dark presence now hangs over his town. With a prominent wedding soon to happen, can the adventurers figure out the mystery of Terin and of the small, wooden box adorned with carved oleanders?
The Oleander Maw is a Dragon Age RPG introductory adventure for four to five characters of levels 1-2. It features a mix of exploration, roleplaying and combat encounters including fights against bandits, a ghostly farmhouse, a crafty escape from jail and a confrontation against a supernatural entity that preys on deep mortal desires.
Written by: John M. Shade
Additional Material by: Daniel M. Perez
Download:
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The Oleander Maw (PDF; 361 KB)
Editor’s Note: I had come across The Oleander Maw based on a couple of recommendations on the Dragon Age forums as I was looking for a short adventure suitable for a 4-hour one-shot. Shortly after the launch of this website, John contacted me with a submission, a short adventure that turned out to be the sequel to The Oleander Maw. Based on my own reading of his first adventure, and the good words I had read about it from other players, I asked John if we could run both parts, to which he graciously agreed.
This version of The Oleander Maw is a bit different from any other version you may encounter online. In cleaning up the layout for ease of use, I both edited the adventure and ended up, with John’s blessings, tightening a few scenes as well as expanding others to feature more of the unique elements of the Dragon Age RPG. We both feel this new version of The Oleander Maw presents a more complete introduction to the roleplaying game and sets the characters up for either a fun one-off adventure or the start of a new campaign. The length of the adventure also makes it ideal to run in a standard 4-hour convention slot, which should be a boon to Game Masters seeking to show the Dragon Age RPG to new players.
We both hope you enjoy The Oleander Maw. If you run it for your home or convention group, please let us know how it goes (NO SPOILERS!) in the comments below.
Feb 14, 2011 @ 18:48:45
Very cool. I’ve been looking for a one-shot I can run at an upcoming convention; this might do nicely. Downloading now!
Feb 14, 2011 @ 23:37:52
Yep, I was thinking of you and JJ Lanza; you both had asked me for the same kind of con-friendly adventure, so I’m happy that we were able to make that happen. Do let us know how it goes if/when you run it!
Feb 14, 2011 @ 22:14:54
Although I have not read all of it yet, it looks really good. Unfortunately the restriction on spoilers prevents me from commenting further on the adventure itself. However I do want to thank you for your contribution to the community.
JesterOC
Feb 15, 2011 @ 09:34:20
If you have any questions specifically about the adventure, please feel free to email us at dragonageoracle [at] gmail.
I’m trying to find a way to discuss spoilers, so hang tight.
Feb 15, 2011 @ 09:19:42
I’ve been grabbing all the content I can for dragon age to play with my group. We’re about halfway through Amber Rage and loving it. I think this would be a good escape campaign to lighten the mood after they finish our current adventure, if they survive.
Feb 15, 2011 @ 09:32:02
I love how you read this adventure and thought “lighten the mood.” Makes me wonder what kind of time your party’s having with Amber Rage!
Glad you’re enjoying our work.
Sep 28, 2011 @ 01:55:30
I have a question about the adventure. How can I explain how the girl is continuing with the wedding after her father was found mauled? Is it common knowledge he is dead? Am I missing something?
Sep 28, 2011 @ 09:45:09
I probably could have done a better job explaining that part. Sorry about that. Basicly the only one that knows Fadella’s father is dead is Lindel (and the main villain). He fled the village under cover of night thinking the village was under attack from darkspawn or other creatures (from seeing the claw/teeth marks on his master), and went to find help in the way of adventurers.
Fadella’s father is dead in the servant’s quarters, but no one has searched for him yet since it has only been a day or so, and Fadella herself is so enamored with Casden to notice.
Sep 28, 2011 @ 10:18:41
Okay, that makes more sense. Thanks.
I guess in ferelden, fathers don’t give away their daughters.
Sep 28, 2011 @ 10:45:38
Heh, yeah, I don’t think I foresaw that detail when writing it, but figured the villain’s aura of manipulation would do enough to explain away any doubt the wedding guests had on the proceedings. But it’s a lot like saying, ‘hey it’s just magic, accept it’; something I hate to rely on if I don’t have to.
Apr 09, 2013 @ 16:28:00
Okay I’m obviously really late to the party and we’re starting a Dragon Age campaign. I’m using this adventure as the “prologue” to the campaign to explain how the PCs came together.
Are y’all planning on releasing any new adventures like this or follow-ups with Udrik?
Apr 09, 2013 @ 16:36:41
There is a sequel written, but since I am now in nursing school, I haven’t had a chance to edit and lay it out for release. Good thing is I will be done now in May, so hopefully this summer it will see the light of day. Thanks!