A Hero's Tale is a 64-page adventure module for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition released in July 1996. It is a series of short adventures intended for four to six characters of varying levels from 1st to 10th.
- Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers for an adventure module.
Official synopsis[]
Behind every great hero is a story—a tale of brave deeds, cunning plans, self-sacrifice, and bold fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds. A Hero's Tale is a collection of nine short adventures, each slightly more challenging than the one before and suitable for any campaign world. Use them for a change of pace between larger quests or to sidetrack the heroes during major missions. Each adventure can stand alone, but if played in sequence they tell a connected, gradually unfolding tale of magic and chaos.
Content[]
Backstory[]
Long ago, a priestess of a god of order pulled a waning star from the heavens and forged a silver holy orb to fight the forces of chaos. Eventually, the archwizard Whathlin Dyr cast a spell to tear it from the world, but its effect was delayed since the orb had been buried in the foundations of a church. The archwizard never lived to see the spell take effect, but the effect remains.
Plot[]
The book is divided into nine one-shot adventures, intended either for use singly or in an ongoing campaign.
- Adventure One: Haggash's Secret is for 1st-3rd level characters. A kenku priest has tracked the waning star to the abbey.
- Adventure Two: Chain Gang is for 3rd-4th level characters. With the disappearance of the waning star, chaos afflicts the world, causing earthquakes. The PCs are ambushed and captured.
- Adventure Three: At the Races is for 4th-5th level characters. The PCs visit a giant stag beetle racetrack.
- Adventure Four: Web of Death is for 5th-6th level characters. The encroaching chaos has emboldened a pair of ettercaps.
- Adventure Five: Look of Love is for 5th-6th level characters. A medusa and her maedar mate struggle to deal with a grell incursion.
- Adventure Six: Frost and Thorn is for 6th-7th level characters. Chaos sparks a harsh winter, empowering a frost giant.
- Adventure Seven: The Mistake is for 7th-8th level characters. A vampire is kidnapped by spriggans.
- Adventure Eight: The Covey is for 8th-9th level characters. A community of aquatic elves has built their home on the site of an ancient castle inhabited by a covey of hags.
- Adventure Nine: The Abados is for 9th-10th level characters. The party travels to the Abados and recovers waning star.
Development and release[]
Development[]
The book was written by Monte Cook. Art was provided by Stephen A. Daniele, Jeff Easley, John T. Snyder and Arnie Swekel.
Release[]
A Hero's Tale was released by TSR in July 1996 for $12.95 US, $16.95 Canadian, or £7.99 UK.
On July 26, 2016, it was re-released in digital format. It is currently available on DriveThruRPG and Dungeon Masters Guild for $4.99.
Reception and influence[]
Critical reception[]
As of 2023, A Hero's Tale reached the rank of Silver seller on DriveThruRPG.
Influence on other works[]
External links[]
References[]