🗺️🎲⚔️ One-Shot Adventure: The Haunting of Hollowmere Manor

 

By Charlie Stayton, Behind the Die

Adventure Hook:

The town of Hollowmere is plagued by eerie wails echoing from the long-abandoned Hollowmere Manor. Locals claim the ghost of Lord Edric Hollowmere roams its halls, forever searching for his lost love. However, something more sinister lurks within—an undead fiend manipulating the legend for its own dark purposes.

The town’s mayor offers 100 gold pieces per adventurer to investigate the manor and put an end to the haunting.

Exploration & Encounter:

Upon entering the manor, the party discovers signs of past rituals and dark necromantic magic. Ghostly figures flicker in the shadows, but they are mere illusions. The real threat is Maldrith the Hollowed, a Wight who has bound Lord Edric’s spirit in an ancient ritual.

As the adventurers reach the manor’s grand ballroom, Maldrith rises from his throne of bones, flanked by two Specters—twisted echoes of Lord Edric’s lost soul.

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Main Enemy: Maldrith the Hollowed (Wight)

Medium Undead, Lawful Evil

• Armor Class: 14 (natural armor)

• Hit Points: 45 (6d8+18)

• Speed: 30 ft.

STR 14 (+2) | DEX 14 (+2) | CON 16 (+3) | INT 11 (+0) | WIS 13 (+1) | CHA 15 (+2)

Resistances: Necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren’t silvered
Immunities: Poison
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 11
Languages: Common, Infernal

Actions:

• Multiattack. Maldrith makes two melee attacks.

• Life Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken.

• Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) slashing damage or 8 (1d12 + 2) if used with two hands.

Legendary Action (1/Turn):

• Shadow Step. As a bonus action, Maldrith can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space he can see in dim light or darkness.

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Additional Enemies: 2 Specters

• Armor Class: 12

• Hit Points: 22 each

• Speed: 0 ft., fly 50 ft. (hover)

• Damage Resistances: Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, Thunder; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

• Condition Immunities: Charmed, Exhaustion, Grappled, Paralyzed, Poisoned, Prone, Restrained, Unconscious

• Actions: Life Drain (same as Maldrith)

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Treasure & Rewards

• XP Rewards: 2,200 XP total (split among the party)

• Gold: 250 gp in assorted coins and jewelry found in the manor’s vault.

• Magical Item: Ring of the Haunted Soul – Once per day, the wearer can cast Misty Step as a reaction when reduced to half hit points or lower.

Conclusion:

Defeating Maldrith releases Lord Edric’s soul, granting the players his blessing—a temporary +1 bonus to all saving throws for 24 hours. The town of Hollowmere celebrates their heroes, and the manor is finally at peace… for now.