Aspengrotto and the Gloaming Hold

A missing Countess, a council with dark ambitions, faerie meddling, and an ancient structure below the branches—Aspengrotto is teeming with secrets, and something is stirring beneath its roots.

Built upon ancient fae bargains, the township of Aspengrotto has thrived for generations, but the Countess has not been seen in a season, and the Regent Council ruling in her absence tightens their grip. Deep below a township weaved within the aspens lies the Gloaming Hold, a hidden stronghold filled with fae magic, forgotten treasures, and old, dangerous pacts. Will your players uncover the truth behind the Countess’ vanishing, or fall prey to the shadows lurking below?

A Dark Secret at Aspengrotto and the Gloaming Hold is an adventure site for 2-6 players. This A5 pamphlet is designed for Mausritter and can be used as a one-shot or as a hex in an ongoing hexcrawl campaign.

Included in the download:

• Aspengrotto & Gloaming Hold Adventure Pamphlet
• Aspengrotto GM Guidebook: A companion document offering deeper lore, GM tips, and connections to the Principality of Lord Razortalon. It also provides tools to adapt the adventure to your setting or hex-crawl.

This adventure features:

• A detailed town woven into the trees, with key locations like the library, Gathering Glade, and the Watch Tower.
• Rumor table to build intrigue within the town.
• A table of multiple secret entrances throughout the town, providing varied ways to access the dungeon.
• Gloaming Hold, a dungeon beneath the roots of the aspens, filled with fae-runed chambers, spectral echoes, and council secrets.
• Political intrigue surrounding the Regent Council, the fae’s manipulation, and the missing Countess, with scattered journal entries providing clues (GM guidebook).
• Dangerous enemies, from living statues guarding the Hold, to Marwolaeth, the undead pigeon patrolling the depths.
• Hidden exits, secret passages, treasure and traps.

Ways to use this:

• As a deadly one-shot dungeon dive, perfect for testing your players' wits and stealth.
• As part of The Adventures Continue game jam hexcrawl. Aspengrotto can work as the key loacation in Birchgrove (hex 8 in the Principality of Lord Razortalon).
• Use the GM Guidebook to adapt and convert Aspengrotto into an expanded version of Oaksgrove in The Earldom of Ek. The setting ties directly into themes of fae unbinding and fae manipulation, allowing you to expand its lore into your existing hexcrawl.
• As a tie in adventure compatible with items and characters from A Skink, a Spirit, a Skeleton, and a Sword

Credits

Written and illustrated by Ian "Shui" Schuepbach

Edited and laid out by Matt from ManaDawn

Fonts used: 

Blush Asliring by BrandSemut

Arca Majora by Alfredo Marco Pradil

License

"A Dark Secret at Aspengrotto and the Gloaming Hold" is an independent production by Shui  and is not affiliated with Losing Games. It is published under the Mausritter Third Party License.

Mausritter is copyright Losing Games.