For many years a solitary hermit has haunted this area of the forest, becoming progressively wilder and crazier and more dangerous. His home is in a huge hollow oak, the entrance to the hollow concealed by a thick bush. Inside is a mound of leaves and a couple of pieces of crude furniture. Even his cup and plate are handmade of wood and are of no value. (There is a small chest buried under a few inches of dirt under the leaves of the Mad Hermit’s “bed”. In this container are 31 gold pieces, 164 silver pieces, a potion of Invisibility, and a dagger +1.) The hermit also has a “pet”, a mountain lion, which lurks on a limb of the oak, ready to spring upon any unwary intruder. (This creature will always get first attack.)
Original B2 statistics
Mad Hermit: (3rd level thief, AC 4 due to leather armor, ring of protection +1 and Dexterity 17, hp 15, #AT 1 at + 2, D 3-8, ML 10.) The hermit has a 30% chance to move silently and a 20% chance to hide in shadows. His madness gives him a +2 bonus to hit and a +2 bonus on damage (thus the bonus for striking from behind is + 6 to hit, and double normal damage + 2 points). He carries no treasure (other than the ring he wears!).
Original B2 statistics
Mountain Lion: AC 6, HD 3 + 2, hp 15, #AT 3, D 1-3/1-3/1-6, MV (50’) Save F 2, ML 8. (This creature will always attack first in each round. If it leaps down upon an opponent, it gains +2 to hit on each of its attacks that combat round. Usually it will first attack by jumping, and then it will stay on the ground and fight normally. If it is not engaged in combat during any round, however, it will take the opportunity to leap into a tree and then spring down on the next round.)
(The DM may choose to have the Mad Hermit approach the group on friendly terms, claiming to be a holy man seeking goodness in nature - perhaps he actually believes that at times. He will suddenly turn on the group when the opportunity presents itself, striking from behind, and calling his ferocious “pet” to his aid.)
Source: B2, PDF page 14. Original mechanics retained.
Original Basic D&D statistics — B2
| Armor Class (descending) | 4 due to leather armor, ring of protection +1 and Dexterity 17 |
|---|---|
| Hit Points | 15 |
| Attacks | 1 at + 2 |
| Damage | 3-8 |
| Morale | 10 |
Mad Hermit: (3rd level thief, AC 4 due to leather armor, ring of protection +1 and Dexterity 17, hp 15, #AT 1 at + 2, D 3-8, ML 10.) The hermit has a 30% chance to move silently and a 20% chance to hide in shadows. His madness gives him a +2 bonus to hit and a +2 bonus on damage (thus the bonus for striking from behind is + 6 to hit, and double normal damage + 2 points). He carries no treasure (other than the ring he wears!).
Source: 4 — The Mad Hermit; Original B2 statistics. Unlisted statistics have not been invented.
Original Basic D&D statistics — B2
| Armor Class (descending) | 6 |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice | 3 + 2 |
| Hit Points | 15 |
| Attacks | 3 |
| Damage | 1-3/1-3/1-6 |
| Movement per round | 50’ |
| Save As | F 2 |
| Morale | 8 |
Mountain Lion: AC 6, HD 3 + 2, hp 15, #AT 3, D 1-3/1-3/1-6, MV (50’) Save F 2, ML 8. (This creature will always attack first in each round. If it leaps down upon an opponent, it gains +2 to hit on each of its attacks that combat round. Usually it will first attack by jumping, and then it will stay on the ground and fight normally. If it is not engaged in combat during any round, however, it will take the opportunity to leap into a tree and then spring down on the next round.)
Source: 4 — The Mad Hermit; Original B2 statistics. Unlisted statistics have not been invented.
Cache · One treasure bundle. Item amounts below describe its contents.
| Item | Amount | Source value / price | Location / condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold pieces | 31 | — | Buried chest |
| Silver pieces | 164 | — | Same chest |
| Potion of invisibility | 1 | Not stated | Same chest |
| Dagger +1 | 1 | Not stated | Same chest |
Source: B2, wilderness area 4, PDF page(s) 14. Original narrative retained. Unstated prices and mechanics remain unspecified.
Carried · One treasure bundle. Item amounts below describe its contents.
| Item | Amount | Source value / price | Location / condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ring of protection +1 | 1 | Not stated | Worn by hermit |
Source: B2, wilderness area 4, PDF page(s) 14. Original narrative retained. Unstated prices and mechanics remain unspecified.