In Pursuit of the Slayer

"In Pursuit of the Slayer" is a 12-page BECMI adventure for character levels 6-9 by Carl Sargent, published in Dungeon #15 (January/February, 1989).

"In Pursuit of the Slayer" in Dungeon #15 (Jan/Feb 1989).  Illustration by Bob Giadrosich.

The PCs are in a race against time to track down and identify a mysterious killer, before an army of undead warriors can be raised.

The scenario is playable in a single session.

About the Author:

Carl Sargent has just finished a third fantasy gamebook, for 1989 publication.  He has also published a book on the tarot and is currently working on a 160-page fantasy RPG scenario book, other game products and articles, and one or two other writing projects.  Carl reports he has to repaint the letters E, R, I, O, and H on his word processor keyboard as they have disappeared with use.

Dungeon #15 (Jan/Feb 1989)

Sargent's first published D&D adventure was "A Matter of Pride" in White Dwarf #91 (July, 1987), designed for character levels 3-5.

He also wrote B11 "King's Festival" (Jun 1989) and B12 "Queen's Harvest" (Nov 1989), as well as DDA3 "Eye of Traldar" (1991) set within the Grand Duchy of Karameikos.

Other contributions to the BECMI/Known World line included PC2 "Top Ballista" (Nov 1989) and GAZ13 "The Shadow Elves" (1990; with Gary Thomas).

Sargent is perhaps best known for "From the Ashes" (1992) and "Night Below: An Underdark Campaign" (1995) for AD&D 2e.

*          *          *

Sargent vanished from the RPG industry in 1995 (see "The Mysterious Disappearance of Carl Sargent").  He passed away in 2018.*

*see "A Personal Tribute to Carl Sargent" by Rik Rose

Location:

The adventure takes place during summer in a "temperate area of farms, plains, and light forests",

A specific location within the Lands and Environs of the D&D Wilderness is not given.

New Monsters:

Grey Philosopher.  Illustration by Bob Giadrosich.

4 monsters from AC9: Creature Catalogue are used:

Gakarak (previously appearing in DA3; DA4); Grey Philosopher; Possession; Sacrol (from M2 "Maze of the Riddling Minotaur"; previously appearing in X9)*

*note the Sacrol is indicated with an asterisk in M2, indicating that silver, magic, or special weapons are needed to fight the creature (Cook/Marsh pg. X27).  It's stated in X9 on pg. 22 that "When in combat with the sacrol, a magic weapon is needed to hit." although this is not explicitly stated in the creature description in AC9

Staff of Shrivening:

A highly evil staff +2 which strikes victims for 2-12 +2 hp damage (2-12 +4 hp damage against a Lawful opponent).  On any hit, the victim must Save vs. Spells or be affected by one of the following effects (roll 1d6): paralysis for one turn (1-3), mummy rot (4-5), energy drain (6).  If a natural 20 is rolled, the victim is drained of two experience levels (as if hit by a spectre).

The staff also has powers of summoning and controlling undead, but these are determined in part by how, where, and by whom it is used.