WH2.1 – Stolen Herd

Intro/Boxed Text:

• Brenn Two-Ox, Oxenford’s cattleman, curses aloud: “My herd’s gone! Hoofprints lead north into the hills. Without ‘em, the village starves and the Duke’s caravans will lack teams. I’ll pay well if you bring them back alive.”
• Quest Giver (NPC): Brenn Two-Ox, weathered Flan cattleman.

Obstacle & Objective:

PCs follow tracks to a raider camp. Must retrieve herd or defeat raiders. At higher tiers, gnolls/orcs drive the oxen into caves as offerings to their god.

Scaling Encounters:

• Lv 1: 3 Wolves + 3 Goblins.
• Lv 2: 6 Gnolls.
• Lv 3: Gnoll Pack Lord + 6 Gnolls.
• Lv 4: Orc Eye of Gruumsh + 4 Orcs + 2 Dire Wolves.

• Gnoll (CR 1/2) – AC 15, HP 22, Spear +4 (1d6+2).
• Gnoll Pack Lord (CR 2) – AC 15, HP 49, Multiattack.
• Orc (CR 1/2) – AC 13, HP 15, Greataxe +5 (1d12+3).
• Orc Eye of Gruumsh (CR 2) – AC 16, HP 45, Spear +5 (1d6+3), Spellcasting.

Skill Challenge (optional):

• PCs may use Animal Handling (DC 12) to calm panicked oxen, otherwise stampede (1d6 bludgeoning in 10-ft line).

Reward:

• 25 gp each, ox-cart, and fresh supplies.
• At higher tiers, Brenn gifts Oxhide Armor (AC +1 hide armor).