Sidequest: Troll Stew

Another monster focused sidequest, featuring our two campsites map from a couple days ago:

Background Info: As soon as dusk hit, a group of trolls raided a campsite and carried off a group of campers. The PCs arrive at the same campsite less than an hour later.

Getting the PCs Involved:

• The PCs are simply passing through. They spot the easy to follow trail from the unoccupied campsite.
• The party was already hunting this group of trolls when they stumble on the campsite.

Encounters:

• The trail is easy to follow–the trolls weren’t worried about being followed.  However, some woodland predator(s) are attracted by the commotion and attack the party while they are focused on the troll tracks!
• A friendly nature creature (such as a treant or dryad) observes the PCs as they continue to track the trolls.
• The trolls are getting ready to put their stew together just outside the cave entrance.  The captured campers are in cages.
• An observant PC may notice the trolls’ last dinner was one of the following: a behir, blink dog, cloaker, otyugh, etc.  This will give the party a clue of what extra powers the trolls may have.
• If troll appendages are severed, those pieces can attack.
• The trolls or their appendages have special powers based on the trolls last meal: behir = lightning breath or constriction; blink dog = teleport; cloaker= fly or fearful moan; otyugh = tentacles replace arms; etc.  This can make those severed appendages more effective.
• The nature creature may step in to help, if needed.

Follow-Up Adventure Ideas:

• The party gains the favor of the nature creature who observed them eliminate the trolls.
• The campers owe the party a debt.  Perhaps some will sign on as hirelings, or do them a favor when they are back in town.

Other Possible Creatures: Bugbears, Grimlocks, Giants, Kobolds