My friends, great treasure awaits at The Temple of

St. Rylan, deep in the Forest of Dawn. The Seven

Silver Spheres are long thought lost... but I found the
Seven Silver
clues proving their existence! I have researched the
paths as well, but sadly I am too old to traverse them
safely...
Spheres
So reads the letter from your late acquaintance
Marcos. All of you have received an identical
letter and map - dare you brave the forest trails
or the old road to reach the ruins of the temple?
And what will you find once the door opens?
An introductory adventure for Cairn, Seven
Silver Spheres is a short (2-3hr) point crawl
adventure.

An Introductory adventure for Cairn

By Martin Orchard

pointlessmonument.itch.io
And so it begins… In addition: Reaching the Temple: Credits
An annotated map (see player handout) is The party should be made aware of the Beyond the Porcelain Wall an overgrown Words, maps and design are copyright
passed to each member of the party during general situation in the world: courtyard lies in front of the temple itself. Martin Orchard, using Affinity
the reading of a will: The trees of the forest press in from all sides (affinity.serif.com) throughout with the
• The XVIth Emperor rules from a distant and the flagstones are cracked in many exception of the map, made using
My friends, great treasure awaits at The Temple Capital via his legions and functionaries. places. Animal trails cross from all Wonderdraft (wonderdraft.net).
of St. Rylan, deep in the Forest of Dawn. The directions. More adventures, games and tables by
Seven Silver Spheres are long thought lost... but I • For the last couple of generations, the
empire has experienced a notable decline. myself can be found at:
found the clues proving their existence. I have The temple itself is built into the cliff face, pointlessmonument.itch.io
researched the paths as well, but sadly I am too This is apparent in the player characters’ with the vestibule and doorway protruding
old to traverse them safely... everyday lives. out into the courtyard. Illustrations are public domain from the
following locations:
Marcos • Key positions go unfilled for months or The great iron doors of the temple will open
seasons, distant trade goods become hard oldbookillustrations.com
at dawn (6am) on the day of the equinox and
The players can decide who the late Marcos to find and military force is scarcer. close 24 hours later. It is not possible to open oldbookart.com
was to them - a friend, a mentor, a colleague, • Gold remains as useful as ever to allow for the doors by other means. A corridor with an This adventure is made for the roleplaying
a relative etc. There is no obligation for them both personal autonomy and security. elaborate mosaic depicting the holy life of game Cairn, by Yochai Gal. It can be found
each to choose the same relationship. St. Rylan lies beyond. at cairnrpg.com
Keen-eyed players will notice some other key And thus: Beyond, a great vaulted ceiling overlooks a
information provided by Marcos on the map: • The promise of great treasure is of large and impressive central space, with a Temple of St. Rylan,
tremendous interest to the party. finely-crafted tiled floor. Upon this surface, a built in a typical style
The door to the temple will only open on the ritual of great size and complexity has been
Spring or Autumn equinox. of the IIIrd Emperor,
• It is not clear what purpose the seven silver marked out with iron and copper etching. It some 400 years ago.
spheres have (other than being valuable), runs between seven pedestals on which only
Do not stray from the old road or the trails! only that Marcos spent considerable time five silver spheres remain.
determining their location.
On the far wall of the temple, besides a clean
• The party must time their journey well and but precise altar, a message is carved in an
not linger in the forest. old-fashioned script:
The party are assumed to have made their Welcome Travellers,
way to the fork (see begin here on the map)
where the forest trail leaves the old road to I am the last of the priests of St. Rylan. I beg of
the temple. you not to disturb the workings here nor the sacred
spheres upon their pedestals. They are all that
It is midday, two days before the Autumn keeps the shadow within the forest from creeping
Equinox. It is anticipated that they will need across this land, and the more that is taken from
to spend at least one night in the forest, and here, the more that the magic shall weaken.
likely another one at the temple.
Searching the empty pedestals reveals a note
The road in front of them is made up from Archmage Hann, dated 33 years ago,
of worn, overgrown flagstones. In promising that the two missing spheres will
some places saplings have pushed be returned as soon as his ‘very important
their way through and it is clear work’ is complete.
that it has seen little
traffic for many years. It is clear that the spheres themselves are not
only magical but also large (around 1 foot in
The trail through the diameter) and comprised of platinum as well
Forest of Dawn shows the as silver. Certainly valuable enough to ensure
movement of animals and entry to the upper echelons of society.
is overgrown with grass.
Nevertheless, there is a The various vestibules and antechambers
clear break between the leading off from the main room may still
trees, at least until the have some treasures (though low in value
party nears The Porcelain compared to the spheres). You will need to
Wall. sort through centuries of detritus and
wreckage to find them.
Rising Sun Tavern The Secret Well
• The ruins of a large wood and stone building lie here, a sign The Thing in the Tavern [12 HP] • A ruined village, no roofs remaining, lies outside the Creeping Ivy [6 HP]
depicting an orange sun lies on the ground. 14 STR, 14 DEX, 14 WIL, Porcelain Wall. 10 STR, 12 DEX, 8 WIL,
• The doorway leads to a rotting tavern, once full of pilgrims Bite with fangs (d10) • There is no gate here. The wall is sturdy, 20ft high and Poison tendrils (d8)
and other travellers. The cellar is intact. • Looks like a desiccated corpse, guarded by Porcelain Soldiers. • Appears as per a thick,
• From behind the warded and barred cellar door, a clear, but moves like a trained assassin • In the middle of the village lies a ruined well, covered in vibrant covering of ivy.
well-spoken voice offers treasures for its freedom. • Critical Hit: Drain blood (d6 creeping ivy (see right). • Critical Hit: Paralyse and
• The Thing in the Tavern has no treasure, and offers only a damage to STR) • Descending 50ft down the well reveals a damp passage drag down into well
head start and a cruel smile to those that free it. running beneath the wall.

The Sister Stones Porcelain Gatehouse

• In shadow regardless of the • A grey stone wall cuts off the
time of day, a pair of menhirs head of the forested valley.
with a trail between them. • It takes its name from the
• Passing between the stones porcelain sentries which have
conjures images of moments guarded it for centuries.
where you were angry or cruel • A gatehouse is visible, the doors
to others, make a WIL save to having long collapsed. It is
avoid 1d4 damage to WIL trapped (see below).
• Passing outside the stones is • The wall is climbable, but
like forcing your way through crossing the battlements will
invisible chest-high mud. Make cause the sentries to attack.
a STR save to move forward. • Otherwise they will not attack,
• If you are able to clamber over but will change guard position
the stones, there is no barrier periodically, making for an eerie
other than the climb. spectacle.
Gatehouse Arrow Trap
• Left hand wall has numerous
holes, floor has pressure plates.
Old Ford • Arrows do d8 > d6 > d4 > 0
• An old but serviceable rowboat damage as they are depleted over
lies on the near shore. four attacks.
• As you start to cross, the river
spirit will greet you. 1d6 Porcelain Soldiers [6 HP]
• The spirit answers questions, 12 STR, 6 DEX, 12 WIL,
but only when you are in the Tarnished bronze polearms (d8)
middle of the river. • Stand sentry atop the wall
• It requires effort to keep pace with white, smooth porcelain
with the current. faces. They are partially covered
• There is a sudden waterfall in moss and lichen.
downstream around a bend.

Great Oak Cursed Oak [12 HP]

Bridge of Saints 2d6 Forest Goblins [4 HP]
• A substantial dead oak tree stands in the middle 14 STR, 3 DEX, 12 WIL,
• A long stone bridge is visible in the distance, decorated with of a riverside swamp. Lashing branches (d8 blast)
statues and carvings of the faithful of Statera. 8 STR, 12 DEX, 8 WIL, • A solitary path leads directly past the tree, on its • Once a venerable titan of the
• In the foreground lies the grass-covered remains of a small Wooden spears (d6) own small island. forest, now a dark shape in the
village, now used to pitch goblin tents. • Superstitious in general, • When close, bones and feathers can be glimpsed midst of a swamp.
• A stone statue of St. Rylan lies in the centre of the encampment, and especially of the in the nooks of branches and trunk. • Vulnerable to fire, as it clings to
and has been defaced to depict Goblob, The Best Goblin. statue's power. • Crossing via the swamp will require caution to unnatural life (the wood is dead).
• The statue’s staff still shines with magical light, and can be • Engaged in a drunken avoid becoming trapped within its depths. The • Cannot hear, but senses all save
broken off to create a Stone Torch of St. Rylan (see relics). revelry and competition. antlers of two deer who met this fate are visible. the slightest movement.
Lore, Secrets & Rumours 3. Rare berries of the mosslope tree,
valuable to an alchemist.
Running the Journey:
(roll 1d6) 4. Stone bas relief of St. Rylan’s appearance
The Warden’s Map (see centre page)
provides guidance as to what the players will
1. St Rylan was a follower of Statera. to the reed gatherers of Welmore Fields. encounter at each location.
Goddess of balance, potters and vigilance
against evil. 5. Onyx fragment. Sword-sized with The Warden should draw freely from the
glimpses of swirling shadows within. tables below to provide information to
2. Worship of Statera has long declined players in response to their questions, in
and she is no longer part of the official 6. Ceremonial temple vestments. The cloth addition to clues and hints of what may
Imperial Pantheon. is tattered but the gold thread shines still. await them.
3. A great shadow has covered the Forest of
Dawn since ancient times. Once kept at
Relics (roll 1d6) Provide the players with enough information
to make a meaningful choice, and use the
bay by both human and animal sacrifice. 1. St. Rylan’s Stone Torch. 3 uses. Provides pressure of time and the threat of the forest
inextinguishable light for 4 hours. Recharge: to push them towards their destination
4. The Temple worshippers used their faith Bless in the Temple of St. Rylan. without over-thinking each move on the Symbol of St. Rylan (a potter’s wheel)
to render the shadow dormant, at least
2. Purple Goblin Berserker Mushrooms. 3 uses. map.
whilst the temple was active.
5. Archmage Hann of the Imperial Court
All attacks are enhanced for 2 rounds then However, should they decide to backtrack, Random Encounters
user takes 1 fatigue.
visited the temple 33 years ago for his own this is not to be discouraged or penalised.
Not only is it a valid strategy but it will also (roll 1d6)
purposes. This included trapping the Thing 3. Porcelain Mask. 2 uses. Your face perfectly
matches someone you have seen for 24 allow them to see more of the adventure! 1. A dead wolf, rotting with black mould.
in the Tavern.
hours. Recharge: Whoever you copied
6. The Empire’s decline started around this swears an oath of loyalty to you. Minor Loot (roll 1d6) 2. Shadow of a large humanoid keeping
pace in the trees.
time as well. It is unknown precisely which
came first. 4. Pebble of the Raging River. 3 uses. When 1. 1d6 rations worth of smoked river 3. Dead thicket of brambles forms the
hurled at the ground creates a 10ft cube of salmon. symbol of St. Rylan.
Treasures (roll 1d6) water at that spot. Recharge: Submerge in a
river for a year and a day.
2. 1d10 gold pieces old enough to carry 4. Small waystone that turns to track the
Statera’s visage.
1. Bronze torc and bracelets, many party’s movement.
centuries old. 5. Clay Cup of Statera. 3 uses. Drinking from 3. Copy of the scrawled teachings of
the cup allows you to sense evil up to 1 mile 5. 1d6 Forest Goblins (see map), on a spider
Goblob, the best goblin.
2. A finely crafted porcelain vase, away for 1 hour. Recharge: Create a new cup hunt.
miraculously intact. as well-crafted as this one. 4. Large, sharp tooth of a forest predator.
6. Dryad possessed by shadow (as per Great
6. Gauntlet of the Pilgrim. 3 uses. A target you 5. Bronze spear from a Porcelain Soldier. Oak but 8HP and mobile), screaming in
Hedera Sinister or ‘Creeping Ivy’ pain without a voice.
raise your palm to cannot approach closer
to you, although it can still attack. 6. Wooden symbol of St. Rylan

Spellbooks (roll 1d6)

1. Wheel of St. Rylan. Human or smaller
target spins rapidly for 1 minute. The Porcelain Wall, guarding the
2. Anger of the Forest. Target becomes approach to the Temple of St. Rylan
furious with rage towards closest non-
plant creature. Lasts 1 hour.
3. Brushwood Sneak. Your footsteps are
muffled for 8 hours.
4. Summon Wafers. A 5ft cube of bone dry
but nourishing flat bread appears.
5. Tavernkeeper’s Charade. A pile of coins or
gems doubles in size for 12 hours.
6. Shadow Jump. Caster teleports 50ft,
appearing in a puff of dark smoke.