Quest Line · Original Adventure · Pathfinder 2e
Level 3 · One-shot
The farming community of Millhaven and the Moonscar werewolf pack have maintained an uneasy truce for three years, but recent livestock killings threaten to ignite open war. The player characters must investigate the murders, navigate the fragile peace between humans and lycanthropes, and uncover a conspiracy that threatens both communities from within.
Players should understand this adventure involves investigating a mystery with social intrigue and potential combat. The werewolves are presented as intelligent beings capable of reason, not mindless monsters. Content warnings include: lycanthropy, body horror (transformations), animal death, and potential betrayal by NPCs. The adventure works best if at least one character has social skills (Diplomacy, Intimidation) and one has investigative abilities (Nature, Survival, Medicine).
Choose one approach based on your group:
The Plea for Help: Mayor Carwen of Millhaven hires the party as neutral investigators after tensions escalate. She needs outsiders without bias toward either humans or werewolves to discover the truth before vigilantes take matters into their own hands.
The Personal Connection: One PC receives a letter from a friend or family member in Millhaven begging for help. The town is on the brink of mob violence, and they fear innocents will die.
The Witnessed Attack: The party witnesses a livestock attack while traveling near Millhaven. They arrive just after the killing, finding unusual evidence that doesn't match typical werewolf behavior, drawing them into the investigation.
The adventure begins with the party arriving at the Thornberry farm on Millhaven's outskirts just after dawn. Three sheep lie dead in the pasture, their bodies torn apart. A crowd has gathered: angry farmers brandishing pitchforks and torches, Mayor Carwen attempting to maintain order, and surprisingly, two werewolves in human form standing near the fence line looking equally disturbed.
Farmer Thornberry accuses the werewolves of breaking the Compact—a formal treaty requiring the pack to hunt only in the deep woods and never harm Millhaven's livestock. The werewolves, Silverfoot and young Redmane, vehemently deny involvement, claiming they would never jeopardize the fragile peace their alpha died to establish.
Investigation Opportunities:
Examining the sheep with Medicine DC 18 or Nature DC 16 reveals the wounds appear deliberately savage, with more tearing than necessary for feeding. The attack pattern suggests rage rather than hunger.
Survival DC 17 to track prints reveals two sets: large wolf prints matching werewolf size, and smaller, unusual prints that circle the scene multiple times before disappearing toward town.
Perception DC 19 notices silver wolf hairs caught on the fence—but they're brittle and shed easily, unlike healthy werewolf fur. Characters with Nature training might recognize these appear artificially placed.
Social Approach:
Diplomacy checks to calm the crowd (DC 15) or speak with both sides reveals key information: the Compact has held for three years since Alpha Greymantle negotiated it before his death. The current alpha, Steelshadow, is young and some pack members resent bowing to human demands. Likewise, some farmers never accepted living near "monsters."
If players talk to Silverfoot privately (Diplomacy DC 14 to gain trust), she mentions that Redmane has been acting strangely—volunteering for patrol duties he used to avoid and making comments about "restoring pack pride."
Following either werewolf testimony or tracks leads the party to the Moonscar pack's den in the Thornwood—a network of caves in a rocky hillside. Here they meet Alpha Steelshadow, a scarred woman in her thirties who carries the weight of leadership uneasily.
Steelshadow is cooperative but defensive. She allows the party to question pack members and shares that maintaining the Compact has created division. Older pack members remember the constant hunting and fear before Greymantle's treaty. Younger wolves like Redmane never knew those times and see the restrictions as humiliating.
The Critical Choice:
While investigating, the party discovers Redmane is missing—he left the den last night and hasn't returned. They also find a hidden cache containing:
The party must decide:
Tracking Option: Survival DC 18 picks up Redmane's trail leading deeper into Thornwood, but also reveals a second set of human bootprints walking alongside him. Someone from Millhaven is involved.
Insight Checks (DC 16) during conversations reveal that Silverfoot seems genuinely shocked by the evidence against Redmane, but also hesitant, as though protecting someone else.
The climax depends on player choices but converges at the marked farm tonight, where the conspiracy unfolds:
The Conspiracy Revealed:
Redmane appears in wolf form, accompanied by Henrik, Mayor Carwen's adult son. Henrik carries a crossbow loaded with silver bolts. The pair have been staging attacks together—Redmane killing livestock to frame the pack for breaking the Compact, while Henrik plants evidence. Their goal: destroy the treaty. Redmane believes werewolves should be free to hunt anywhere, while Henrik wants to drive the "monsters" from the region entirely. Neither realizes they're being mutually manipulated.
Combat Encounter:
Redmane (Werewolf Form):
Henrik (Zealot):
Possible Resolutions:
Violent Conclusion: If the party simply defeats both conspirators, they can prove the plot to both communities. The Compact survives, but trust is damaged. Steelshadow exiles or executes Redmane according to pack law. Henrik faces Millhaven's justice.
Diplomatic Solution: With successful Diplomacy DC 20 checks (multiple attempts allowed), the party can talk down either or both conspirators, making them realize their mutual manipulation. This is easier if they've gathered all evidence and can prove each was being used by the other's prejudices. Both communities see mercy and justice balanced, strengthening the Compact.
Partial Success: If only one conspirator is captured or convinced, the other escapes into Thornwood. This creates a "loose end" hook—a fugitive who might return to cause trouble, but the immediate crisis is resolved. The Compact holds, barely.
Reinforcements: If the party involved Steelshadow or Mayor Carwen beforehand, they arrive with supporters mid-scene, forcing the party to prevent mob violence from either side while resolving the confrontation.
Mayor Carwen: Middle-aged leader of Millhaven, pragmatic and exhausted. Wants peace but struggles to control fearful constituents. Unaware of her son's involvement until the revelation devastates her.
Alpha Steelshadow: Young werewolf leader carrying her predecessor's legacy. Determined to honor Greymantle's vision despite pack dissent. Appears stern but is diplomatic and fair-minded.
Redmane: Hotblooded young werewolf who sees the Compact as shameful surrender. Genuinely believes werewolves should roam freely, making him vulnerable to Henrik's manipulation.
Henrik Carwen: The mayor's son, bitter about his mother's "appeasement" of monsters. Charismatic but driven by fear disguised as righteous anger. Doesn't realize Redmane plans to continue hunting after the Compact breaks.
Silverfoot: Elder werewolf warrior, loyal to Steelshadow. Serves as liaison to Millhaven. Suspects Redmane but struggles between pack loyalty and duty to the Compact.
Experience: Award full XP for a level 3 encounter, plus story awards for:
Treasure:
Story Rewards:
© Quest Line · Free for personal use at your table