A Goldsteil Festival
c. 100 ADW
Before leaving Kdor, Guildmaster Teyla Coalmaker invites the adventurers to represent Grand's Guild in the city's annual Festival of Rebirth at Kdor, a celebration of Kdor's reconstruction and the rise of the Goldsteil family. The highlight is The Gauntlet, a contest of martial, mechanical, and magical prowess with strict rules: no magic on others (only yourself), stealth is encouraged, and the only way to lose is to be knocked out. The competition includes puzzles, stealth challenges, skill challenges, and a final combat footrace. First place earns a special item and the Medallion of the Gauntlet, second and third walk away with gold, and all competitors earn prestige in Kdor's eyes. After the festival, Teyla teleports the party to Evenfell to investigate troubles with the city's guild.
Referenced In
This module is referenced by the following lore entries:
Factions and Organizations
- Goldsteil FamilyThe ruling family of Kdor, all of whom are bugbears and rogues. They preside over the annual Festival of Rebirth and The Gauntlet competition in Kdor. The current ruler is Rich Goldsteil the 4th. The family rose to power following Kdor's reconstruction, and the festival celebrates both the city's rebuilding and their rise.
Legendary Characters
- CrenA wiry tiefling proprietor of The Black Pouch shop at the Festival of Rebirth in Kdor. He always seems to vanish and reappear, though he is not a magic user, just very stealthy.
- Dora GoldspoonA stout dwarven cook with arms like tree trunks and a laugh like a war horn. She runs The Goldspoon Grill at the Festival of Rebirth in Kdor, serving spiced sausages, yeti-melt stew, gilded flatcakes, iceberry wine, and coalcrust skewers.
- Grik-yakA goblin proprietor of No Tea shop at the Festival of Rebirth in Kdor. He sells drinks from around the world. Just no Tea. Never Tea.
- Guildmaster Teyla CoalmakerA proud and energetic dwarf with dark hair, keen dark eyes, and a mechanical monocle. She wears an oil-streaked apron and silver-laced red armor and has a prosthetic robotic arm. She is the Overseer of Kdor's Adventurers Guild and believes in second chances, but not thirds. She likes using mechanical metaphors and is known to be a fast talker. Always has a backup plan.
- Marda HillsmenA halfling proprietor of Glint & Glitter shop at the Festival of Rebirth in Kdor. She has twelve rings on each hand and never stops to breathe while speaking.
- Rich Goldsteil the 4thThe current ruler of Kdor and a very roguish-looking bugbear. He is a member of the Goldsteil family, which presides over the annual Festival of Rebirth and The Gauntlet competition in Kdor.
Legendary Items & Artifacts
- Epic Bottled BombWhen thrown at a point that you can see within 60 feet of you, this volatile liquid explodes. Each creature within 30 feet of the explosion must make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw, taking 20d6 force damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
- Frostspoon MedalAwarded to winners of the Frostspoon Contest at the Festival of Rebirth in Kdor. Grants advantage on one Constitution save of your choice (single use).
- HomegrownWhen poured over a surface that is at least a 50-foot-square area and isn't obstructed by obstacles (such as trees or boulders), this pungent liquid begins to quickly foam and expand. After 1 minute, a newly formed and furnished home of moderate size appears in the space.
- Medallion of the GauntletA special medallion awarded to first place winners of The Gauntlet competition at the Festival of Rebirth in Kdor. Presented by Rich Goldsteil the 4th, the current ruler of Kdor.
- Unified MightWhen consumed, this potion produces a burning sensation that fills your body, leaving you with newfound intellectual and physical strength. For the next hour, two ability scores of your choice increase to 25.
- Ups-A-DaisyWhen poured over a creature or object, this creamy elixir instantly awakens the target, as if by the Awaken spell. The awakened creature remains charmed by you for 24 hours.
Locations
- KdorA snow-covered nation located to the northeast of Kingdom Grand, known for its gleaming white-and-gold spire. It is one of the major nations connected to Kingdom Grand via teleportation gates in the century after the Dead Wars. Ruled by the Goldsteil family. The city hosts an annual Festival of Rebirth, celebrating Kdor's reconstruction and the rise of the Goldsteil family. The highlight of the festival is The Gauntlet, a multi-stage challenge course that tests martial, mechanical, and magical prowess. The rules are strict: no magic on others (only yourself), stealth is encouraged, and the only way to lose is to be knocked out. The competition includes puzzles, stealth challenges, skill challenges, and a final combat footrace. Only the top three teams receive prizes, with first place earning a special item and the Medallion of the Gauntlet. The festival features various shops, food stalls, and entertainment, with gold and white banners decorating the streets.