tsr09497 - AD&D - Ra.. - Property Is Theft!

Once the heroes decide it is in their best interest to investigate Vincenzo's cryptic remark, even a few cursory questions to
the townspeople or tourists will reveal that Vulpwood is directly to the north of the city. Townsfolk will also advise the
heroes against traveling Vulpwood after dark, and only with great caution during the day. The wilds beyond the city walls
are infested with wandering wolves, wild dogs, and werewolves from neighboring Verbrek, and the deep ravines are home
to will o' wisps and jermlaine.
The Dungeon Master should stage at least one hostile encounter in the wilds before the heroes reach the Vistani. Compared
to the forest, the House of Mists was a minor test of courage. The DM may run the following encounter with Leyla's ghost,
or, if the DM decided to conclude the plot involving Leyla with Chapter One, any random encounter may be substituted.
The Ghost's Attach
The heroes come upon a lone vardo, and the heroes (including Raul) hears the sound of a baby crying behind it; if Nikko
still lives, the infant begins to cry as well. The vardo appears identical to Raul's, which the party presumably abandoned on
Dead Man's Perch in Chapter Two. If the heroes does not investigate, Raul approaches the vardo himself. Beyond it, is a
campsite stands the ornate iron bassinet that was Nikko's cradle. Leyla is stands beside it, fully manifested in physical form.
Unlike Chapter One, she appears as a solid human Vistana, although she now radiates supernatural fear like any ghost.
Aside from Leyla, the remainder of the campsite, including the vardo, cradle, and crying are illusions.
Leyla walks menacingly at the Chosen character, ignoring Raul and the rest of the party, her eyes blazing with evil fury.
Unless the heroes makes a saving throw vs. spells, they flee in panic for 2-12 rounds. If Leyla touches the character once
with her paralytic grasp, the victim must make an insanity check (another saving throw is needed in order to resist the
paralysis). The ghost can be harmed by magical or Vistani-forged weapons. Raul helps the party drive off the ghost, slashing
at the undead with his scimitar. Leyla pursues the Chosen until reduced to zero hit points or the victim fails an insanity
check. The ghost then slowly dissolves with a gleeful laughter, along with her illusions.
If the party is helpless in the face of the ghost (i.e., they have no magical weapons or Raul), the DM can arrange a lastminute
rescue by Vincenzo from the nearby Zarovan camp, since the ghost flees at the sound of the barker's approach.
Alternatively, fleeing heroes may run straight into the Zarovan camp, where they are safe from Leyla's tricks and illusions.
Leyla (3rd-Magnitude Ghost): INT Ave (11); AL CE; AC -2 or 4; MV 9; HD 8; hp 45; THACO 15; #AT 1;
Dmg: 1-6; SA: Paralyzing touch (2d4 rounds), insanity, fear aura (2-12 rounds), accelerated aging (5d4 years);
SD: harmed only by magical or Vistani-forged weapons; standard undead immunities; auditory and visual
illusions; SZ M; ML Special; XP 5,000.
Night with the Zarovan
As the heroes end the encounter with Leyla (through flight or otherwise), night falls over the forest with frightening speed,
as if the day has been sucked into oblivion. However, in a small clearing, blanketed in moonlight, they come upon a circle of
vardos that stand like a fortress against the night creatures of the forest. The heroes arrive are welcomed by Vincenzo, still
wearing his flashy red vest. An elderly woman named Eva stands beside him, attired in dark flowing dress with a parrotgreen
shawl wrapped around her sturdy shoulders. The Vistana introduces herself as the raunie, or female leader, and invite
them to join their campfire circle with the rest of their tribe and assuring them of their safety from the ghost. In the shelter of
the fire, the heroes are given mugs of fragrant tea by other Vistani to warm their hearts and wash away the last traces of
ghost-fear.
At some point, the Dungeon Master should call for intelligence checks from the heroes. Success means they notice Raul's
vardo among the others at the camp, somehow transported from Dead Man's Perch. Raul is startled and grows cautious at