Ruins of Quinstead

Step into the exciting, new realms of Gamer's Group Publications and experience fantasy role playing at its finest.  The Ruins of Quinstead is the first in a series of fantasy role playing adventures produced by Gamer's Group Publications and is designed to be placed into an existing campaign setting.  The Ruins of Quinstead is an OSR adventure module for character levels 1 to 12.  This 1st printing of the Ruins of Quinstead was originally released as a limited print in 1994.

BACKGROUND:

Over 100 years ago the castle Quinstead was constructed.  The castle was built for "Gordax the Terrible" by over 200 Dwarven slaves.  Legends say that Gordax led a powerful army that overthrew a huge dwarven mountain.  The resistance was quickly crushed, and the army claimed a treasure valued at over 100,000 gold coins; not to mention hundreds of suits of fine dwarven armor.

Boltak, the leader of the army, kept the armor, weapons, and a small amount of the treasure, while Gordax kept the remaining treasure and claimed hundreds of dwarven slaves.

Named after his wife Quiniver, the Quinstead castle took several years to construct.  After its completion, Gordax and Quiniver kept pretty much to themselves, visiting no one, and having few visitors, not much was heard from them for some 25 years.

Then, rumors tell that one spring morning Gordax went out to inspect the crops.  When he returned, he found that his beloved Quiniver had hanged herself.  Some say it was suicide, but others say it was the wrath of a powerful being from the lower planes.  What happened next is unclear.  Gordax released all his slaves and servants, pulled the drawbridge, and was never heard from again.

For some 50 years the castle stood dormant.  But then, strange things began to happen.  Townsfolk began to disappear, screams and moans could be heard echoing from the castle at night, and strange winged creatures could be seen flying about the castle in the moonlight.

News of the hauntings was sent by messenger to one of the area’s most powerful nobles.  Soon, an army equipped with ballista, catapults, and other siege equipment laid war against the castle.  It was quickly reduced to broken masses of crumpled walls.  The hauntings stopped and things returned to normal.

Then one day, a group of the town’s leaders decided to inspect the ruins.  When they did, they discovered only a few small structures still intact.  They also found a service entrance along the west side of the castle.  This entrance was left untouched by the noble's siege.  Upon this discovery, the town's leaders decided to have some of the town's most respected adventures enter the ruins and report their find.

Soon, a party of twelve was assembled and went into the ruins.  For two weeks the town waited, but received no answer, then the last survivor came out of the ruins.  He told stories of horrid creatures attacking in great numbers and of an arena where the servants of good are forced to do battle with one another.

Hearing this news the town's leaders decided to have the town's most experienced blacksmith construct a huge padlock and chain to lock Quinstead's service entrance forever.

Recently, a band of adventurers passing by the ruins has reported that someone or something is rebuilding the castle.  This has the leaders somewhat worried.  Does this pose a threat to the community?

What happened to the treasure of Gordax?  Perhaps, a strong party of adventurers could answer these questions if they could enter and survive the "RUINS OF QUINSTEAD".

This 1st printing of the Ruins of Quinstead 46 page module includes:

• Three complete dungeon levels with over 70 rooms to explore.
• Two new monsters (The Thantos and Garznik the demon).
• Several new spells and magic items.