X11: Saga of the Shadow Lord

X11 "Saga of the Shadow Lord" (1986) by Stephen Bourne is an epic, two-part D&D adventure for character levels 5-9.

X11 "Saga of the Shadow Lord" (1986) by Stephen Bourne.  Cover illustration by Keith Parkinson.

The PCs are commissioned by a local Thyatian agent to provide strategic assistance to the small realm of Wendar, one of the Empire's northern allies.

The adventure expands the Lands and Environs of the D&D Wilderness.  I ran this module for my friends, back in the day, and they really enjoyed it.

About the Author:

Bourne also wrote "Throne of Evil" (1984) for Mayfair Games, set in 12th century England.  His first work for TSR was module N3 "Destiny of Kings" (1986) for AD&D 1e (generic setting).

His other work for the BECMI line was X13 "Crown of Ancient Glory" (1987).

The Adventure:

At 64 pages, "Saga of the Shadow Lord" is double the length of previous modules, and contains two interconnected adventures:

Adventure One: Elvenstar

I. Highpass to Denagoth

II. Beyond the Mengul Mountains

III. On to Gereth Minar

IV. The Tower of Gereth Minar

Adventure Two: The Halls of Drax Tallen

V. To the Hills of Kevar

VI. The Great Forest of Geffron

VII. To the Halls of Drax Tallen

VIII. Epilogue

Location:

"Continental Overview of Wendar and Denagoth" as depicted in X11 "Saga of the Shadow Lord" (1986)

Wendar

Wendar is nestled within a large valley, wedged between the Mengul Mountains, the Principalities of Glantri, and the vast Northern Wildlands.  The large forests and plains covering the rich valley are the common dwellings of elves and human farmers that make up the Wendarian population.

The capital city marks the end of a long caravan route from the open city of Freiburg, in the Heldann Freeholds, and the Ethengar Khanate.  The trade route crosses the eastern forest of Wendar and the Kevar Hills before reaching the mountain pass to the Heldann Freeholds.

Wendar thrives due to the magic and good fortune of Elvenstar; a gem of rare beauty and great power older than the elves.

Denagoth

Dcnagolh is a bleak realm to the north of Wendar beyond an awesome barrier known as the Mengul Mountains.

The central portion of the country runs out into a large grassland area known as the Plains of Avien.  The barren lands to the north are thought to be beyond the knowing of man alive.  Within the Denagothian plateau itself there are grasslands, swamps, forests and marginally arable land.

Unevenly distributed throughout a few settlements, sundry farms and other habitats, the population is comprised of humans, ores, gnolls, goblins, and various other dark folk.  The orcish hordes (dominant in the army) have been culled from their camps in the Mengul Mountains.

Fan Expansions:

Cover to the unofficial Wendar fan gazetteer (2006).  Illustration by Jeffrey Kosh.

Comprehensive fan expansions of Wendar, Denagoth, and the Northern Wildlands can be found as part of the Idrisian Sphere on the Vaults of Pandius, here.

GazF1: "The Realm of Wendar" (2006)

GazF2: "The Denizens of Denagoth" (2006)

GazF3: "The Northern Wildlands" (2006)

Idris:

An evil goddess,* long revered by the human population of Denagoth, whose worship dates back to Essurian times.  Her symbol is the black dragon.

*referred to as a goddess, not an immortal, despite the module being released the same year as the D&D Immortals Set (1986)

New Monsters:

Skeletal Beast; Undead Chimera; Wraith Lord

Artifacts:

The Blackstick

A rod of undead rulership.  Also functions as a rod of undead slaying and resurrection.  A thing of untold evil and chaos.

The Elvenstar

A brilliant blue sapphire the size of a man's fist, able to amplify a magic-user’s spells 10 to 50 times their normal effect (range, area of effect, damage, etc).

Pregenerated Characters:

Allonrik (F6); Kavien (T7); Miridor Feadiel* (E6); Renia** (F7); Mirva (C6); Rannulf (M7); Dreago (D6); Sergeant Burrows (H7)

*a member of the Feadiel clan from CM7 "The Tree of Life" (1986)

**see Renia from X11/X13 as a pretender to the Thyatian throne

These fully-fleshed characters re-appear in X13 "Crown of Ancient Glory" with updated backstories, detailing notable events from X11 "Saga of the Shadow Lord".

Portraits for Allonrik, Kavien, Mirva, and Dreago are recycled from T1-4 "Temple of Elemental Evil" (1985); portraits for Renia and Rannulf are recycled from WG6 "Isle of the Ape" (1985).