The Feast of the High Moon is near, and mercenary work across Faerun has dried up as everyone prepares for celebrations. The Feast of the Moon marks the start of the winter season, and is also a remembrance of things lost but not forgotten. Cities far and wide celebrate the Feast with unique traditions- some bizarre, some somber, and some macabre. You have heard of one such macabre festival in the farming village of Shadowtop- and you have decided to see it for yourself.
Shadowtop is a midsize Human settlement south of Hillsfar, on the border of the Cormanthyr forest. Their annual celebration revolves around the "March of the Dead", a horrific night of undead invasion more than 200 years ago. While the march itself is seldom talked about, the villagers began to make light of the invasion by dressing up as monstrosities and distributing treats to village children. Visitors to the village are encouraged to dress up as well, and are given hospitality for participating in the festivities.
As you make your way to Shadowtop, you encounter a number of like-minded individuals also heading to the festivities, and decide to form a small group (there is, after all, safety in numbers.) Your approach to the village is flanked by the great shadowtop trees for which the village is named- massive dark oaks with canopies that drown out light from the ground, keeping the forest floor clear of underbrush.
The sounds of screams and bright lights coming from the village seem very authentic- almost too authentic. Then you notice fires burning with an eerie purple glow... and the smells of blood and decay... and you hear the clash of steel. Either this is a VERY good reenactment, or something is terribly wrong...
Play this adventure! You will be sent on one of three paths to help save the people of Shadowtop. Sign-up and details are on our meetup website, www.meetup.com/njgamers/calendar/1157008...
