Conan Unchained

Contributed by: Alex Johnson ([email protected]). This is a 3E conversion of the 1st Edition "CB1:
Conan Unchained" adventure by TSR, Inc. Note that the conversion is intended for Alex's own Hyborian
rules and may not be balanced for the other Conan 3E versions. You will need the original module to make
use of this conversion; it is still available from used-book sellers and online stores.

"In an age long ago, there existed a hero - Conan. With fiery will, he slashed his
name across the ancient lands of Hyboria.
It was a time when bravery, trickery, and magic decided men's fates, and a steel
sword could make the difference between life and death. For the daring, strong,
and clever, there were fortunes to find and lands to rule.
Travel back to this with Conan and his companions, Juma, Valeria, and Nestor.
Travel back to defeat the dark horrors of his land!" -- CB1: Conan Unchained
Introduction
This revision of the module should be run for 4
characters at 7th level. The party needs to be
mercenaries for the Turanian army before these
events can take place.

In the Hyborian world there are spell restrictions

and there may not be clerics or druids in the party.
The PCs should not possess any magic items other
than potions and scrolls. 7th level characters get
only 1,900gp each to spend on initial equipment
and supplies. Note that magic items cost 10x
normal to a character without the feat or spells
required to create the item.

There is about 27,519 XP in this adventure which is

about 6,879 XP each (about enough to reach 8th
level).

Plot Encounter #1: At

War (EL 9)
Detecting the dark cloud in time should be handled
by a Spot check (DC 15, DC 17 in camp). When
engulfed by the cloud, characters must make a Will save (DC 17) or be affected by a Fear spell. The
shadows within the cloud are normal shadows with average statistics (see MM page 161). Due to
the dark cloud, the shadows are more difficult to spot. Treat them as having a permanent Blur
spell on them (20% concealment) but make them corporeal so that characters can wound them.

Plot Encounter #2: The Free Companions (EL

7)
Recommended music: Conan the Barbarian, track 2
(Riddle of Steel/Riders of Doom)

Riders (32) are each Ftr2.

Note: To remain standing after being roped requires

a Strength check, DC 20. Success indicates the rider,
and not the PC, is knocked down. Once securely tied,
it takes a Strength check DC 23 to break the bonds.

Note:
When a
character
performs
an act
that could potentially free him and gain him support,
that character must make a Charisma check, DC
10. If he fails, each further check gets a +2
circumstance modifier (cumulative). The
character may not get more than 10 supporters
 without the Leadership feat. If the hetman is challenged without enough support, he will quit if
the PC makes a Charisma check DC 20 (+2 circumstance bonus for the Leadership feat).

Tarlas Constantius (Hetman), Male Human Ftr 6: +9/+3 melee, hp 57, init +1, AC 16, saves
+9/+3/+4, Str 17, Dex 12, Con 18, Int 15, Wis 14, Cha 15, feats: expertise, dodge, mobility, spring
attack, whirlwind attack, power attack, mounted combat, trample. Possessions: chainmail,
longsword, dagger.

Karaz Chaam (Lieutenant), Male Human Barbarian 7: +9/+4/+5 melee (two-handed), hp 74,
init –1, AC 9, saves +9/+1/+1, Str 19, Dex 8, Con 18, Int 7, Wis 9, Cha 10, feats: cleave, improved
bull rush, power attack, two-weapon fighting. Abilities: rage*2, uncanny dodge (Dex bonus to AC,
can’t be flanked). Possessions: longsword, light mace.

Rossim the Beardless, Male Human Ftr4/Rog2: +5 melee or +4 missile, hp 41, init +5, AC 15,
saves +6/+5/+3, Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 15, Cha 14, feats: run, mounted combat, ride-
by attack, spirited charge, improved initiative, expertise, improved disarm. Abilities: sneak attack
+1d6, evasion. Possessions: scale mail, scimitar, shortspear.

1. Turanian Attack (EL 5)

Turanian soldiers are each War2.

Turanian officer is War10.

Note: If any character becomes suspicious, allow a Spot check, DC 10, to notice something is not
right with the horses. Talking the hetman into freeing one’s companions requires a Charisma
check, DC 15.

3. The Braggart (EL 9)

Durmas, Bbn5: +9 melee, hp 41, init +1, AC 11, saves +6/+2/+0, Str 19, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 8, Wis 8,
Cha 8, feats: improved unarmed strike, combat reflexes, dodge. Abilities: rage*2, uncanny dodge
(Dex bonus to AC, can’t be flanked).

Note: The character may choose to use unarmed strikes or grappling in this combat. Durmas will
grapple (see PHB page 137). To find out if the character is surprised when Durmas returns a
second time, roll a Listen check DC 10.

7. The Raiders Leave (EL 5)

Merchants are Exp1.

Guards are War3.

Mercenary leaders are War10.

Stygian Illusionist, Ill4: +2 melee, hp 14, AC 10, saves +1/+1/+4, feats: scribe scroll, literacy,
dodge, skill focus (intimidate), extend spell. Spells (4+1/4+1/2+1): prestidigitation, mending,
ghost sound, dancing lights, daze; change self, color spray, expeditious retreat, hypnotism, silent
image; invisibility, misdirection, whispering wind.

Note: If the PCs do not join the raid, there should be no experience for this encounter.
 8. Snuffling In The Dark (EL 6)

If the characters are prisoners, they encounter a Brown Bear with average stats (see MM page
193). Because the party is chained and without equipment, this is a higher EL than normal.

If the characters are free, then they encounter a Gargoyle with average stats plus speaks
Turanian (see MM page 94). To decide if the characters are caught flat-footed, have them roll a
Spot check DC 20. The party is expected to defeat the gargoyle in this scenario (most likely
without magic weapons) due to their greater power and freedom.

Daggers in the Night (EL 5)

Vardan, Rog5: +3 melee, hp 17, init +7, AC 13, saves +1/+7/+1, feats: improved initiative, dodge,
quick draw. Abilities: evasion, uncanny dodge, sneak attack +3d6. Possessions: scimitar (dosed
with greenblood oil, see DMG page 80).

Note: To determine if the characters are surprised, have them roll a Listen check DC 20 (DC 25 if
asleep).

Plot Encounter #3: The Woman in Need (EL 7)

Costhiras is an Ari1.

An Invisible Stalker with average stats (see MM page 123) takes Costhiras. It should not be
defeated by the party, nor should it engage them longer than necessary to steal the woman. If the
party does not prevent the stalker from taking Costhiras they should get no experience.

The Red Brotherhood

Bor’aqh Sharaq, Ftr7: +13/+8 melee or ranged, hp 69, init +4, AC 14, saves +9/+6/+3, Str 17, Dex
18, Con 18, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 13, feats: power attack, cleave, sunder, weapon focus (hand-blade),
weapon specialization (hand-blade), toughness, expertise, improved trip. Possessions: horned
 helm, hand-blade (treat as masterwork longsword, can be fired as hand hurled weapon with range
increment 10’, full round action to reload).

Zorias the Kushite, Ftr4: +8 melee, hp 27, init +0, AC 12, saves +5/+1/+1, Str 16, Dex 11, Con 13,
Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 13, feats: combat reflexes, leadership, toughness, weapon focus (longsword),
weapon specialization (longsword), power attack. Possessions: leather armor, longsword.

Red Brotherhood are each War2.

Encounters at Sea

Consider the solo rowing a forced march requiring a Fort save DC 14 (see PHB page 143). On the
third day, the character must make a Profession (Sailor) DC 10 check to sense the boat about to
rock. On the fourth day, the extra shift rowing forces the PC to fail his Fort save for that day’s
forced march. The half rations starting on the fifth day imposes a –2 hunger penalty to all skill
checks and saving throws until the rations return to normal. On the seventh day, a Spot check DC
20 can be made to see Bor’aqh about to throw the dagger.

Piracy

Slaves are Com1 wielding clubs.

Mercenaries, passengers, and marines are War3.

The Turanian Captain is a War10.

Plot Encounter #4: The Citadel of Bhir-Vedi

Arriving at the Coast (EL 7)

A Scry check DC 20 will tell the characters they are being watched. Either Bor’aqh or the Red
Brotherhood will attack sometime while on the beach. The Brotherhood is superstitious and
heavy use of magic will cause them to hesitate or flee.

Sunset (EL 7)
The Guardians are Huge Animated Objects with average stats and hardness 8 (see MM page
17). Pushing a boulder over the cliffs requires a Strength check DC 20 (but the strongest character
can be assisted, see PHB page 62).

The Path to the Citadel (EL 6)

Moving off the paths reduces speed to ½. Cliffs can be climbed, requiring a Climb skill check DC
15. Falling from a cliff results in a fall of 1d8*10 feet. Crossing rough ground causes 1d6 damage
per hex crossed. At night the party is attacked by a Minotaur and 10 Stirges, each with
maximum hit points (60 and 10, see MM pages 137 and 173, respectively). Encountered
separately, the stirges are found in swarms of 6, but the EL for getting through to the citadel will
always be the same.

The Tower of Bhir-Vedi

It is possible to climb the tower, but it is very difficult, requiring a Climb check DC 25).
Encounters from here on seem to be below the level of the party but remember there is no chance
to rest and the party has no healers and few supporting magic items.

1. The Snake Pit (EL 5)

A Giant Constrictor Snake with maximum hit points (99, see MM page 201) sleeps here. An
opposed Move Silently/Listen roll is needed (-2 on the snake's listen for being asleep).

2. Storeroom (EL 3)

A semi-intelligent Dire Ape with maximum hit points (50, see MM page 193) guards the tower.

3. Pit Trap (EL 2)

 Pit Trap (40 ft deep): CR 2; no attack roll necessary (4d6); Reflex save (DC 20) avoids; Search
(DC 20); Disable Device (DC 20). The pit drops into room 1 and immediately awakens the snake
there.

4. Laboratory

This room has a canister of gray lotus powder. It

should be treated like Insanity Mist (see DMG page
80). If the characters are captured, their
equipment is placed here.

5. Bhir-Vedi’s Chamber

There is a harmless trap on the door (Search DC

20; Disable Device DC 20) which if triggered
causes a bell to ring, alerting the wizard.

6. Cells

If Costhiras is here, her cell is locked with an

average lock (Break DC 20; Pick Lock DC 25).

7. Purple Lotus Trap (EL 4)

Gas Trap: CR 4; no attack roll necessary; Reflex

save (DC 21) avoids; Search (DC 21); Disable
Device (DC 25); Rock crystal walls (Hardness 0;
144 hp).

Note: Bhir-Vedi will leave the characters trapped until they appear to have succumbed to the
purple lotus gas (treat as Insanity Mist, see DMG page 80). Each round they will be exposed to the
gas. The only hope is that someone can break through the four foot walls or a character escaped
under the falling wall. Otherwise they will be trapped for the conclusion of this adventure.
Breaking a manacle requires a Strength check DC 24. The party’s equipment will have been
removed to the laboratory before they regain consciousness.

8. The Ritual Chamber (EL 7)

Bhir-Vedi, Con7: +2 melee, hp 10†, init +2, AC 12, saves +1/+4/+5, Str 8, Dex 13, Con 9, Int 18, Wis
10, Cha 7, feats: brew potion, combat casting, literacy, scribe scroll, spell focus (conjuration,
necromancy, transmutation). Possessions: Rod of Wyzarim† (+100 hp, 1d4 damage). Spells:
(5/6/5/4/3) daze, detect magic, mage hand*, ray of frost*, read magic; charm person, mage
armor*, ray of enfeeblement*, shield, shocking grasp*, unseen servant*; bull strength*, levitate*
(2), summon monster II* (2); fly*, sepia snake sigil*, tongues, vampiric touch*; charm monster,
fear*, summon monster IV*. *spell focus

Note: If the ritual is interrupted and the tower collapses, the creature that emerges to kill Bhir-
Vedi is a Frost Worm. It is not interested in the party.