Area W4 — Trader Encounter

Version A: The Post-Ambush Rescue (XP Boost Path)

The Scene: The wagon sits abandoned off the road, one wheel splintered and crates tumbled into the mud. Two bandit corpses lie face-down near the hitch: one is heavily melted and smoking from acid burns, while the second has a deep, square iron fist indentation smashed into its crushed helm. Towering over the wreckage is an 8-foot-tall, ironclad construct—an Iron Automaton (Creature 5)—its internal vents hissing as it stands guard in a defensive loop.

Hiding behind a tree nearby, the frightened travelling trader, Oswin, calls out to the party. He explains that bandits from down the road (Area W1) ambushed his wagon. In a panic, he activated his cargo—a dormant Iron Automaton—which crushed two attackers and forced the rest to retreat. However, the fleeing bandits dragged off his traveling partner and driver, Marta, taking her back toward their camp at Area W1.

Tactical Encounter / Skill Check

• Calming or Bypassing the Automaton: The Iron Automaton is currently active and treats anyone approaching the wagon as hostile unless Oswin gives it a command. An adjacent PC can attempt a DC 20 Crafting check or DC 22 Arcana check to recognize its control glyphs and reset it to a dormant state without fighting it. Otherwise, if attacked or approached aggressively, run combat using the Iron Automaton stat block.
• Sidequest Hook: Rescue Marta (Area W1): Oswin begs the party to track the surviving bandits back to Area W1 and rescue Marta.

Rewards & Payment

If the party pacifies the automaton and rescues Marta from the bandits, Oswin rewards them with:

• Coinage: 60 gp in trade scrip and silver coins.
• Consumable Reward: 1× Potion of Healing (Lesser).
• Scroll Reward: 1× Scroll of Gentle Repose (Rank 2 Divine).
• Magical Item: 1× Crying Angel Pendant (Item 3).

Version B: Pre-Ambush Commerce (Standard Path)

The Scene: Oswin and Marta are parked safely at the clearing, resting their horses. A large, reinforced wooden crate sits heavily in the back of their covered wagon, covered under a canvas tarp (housing a dormant, unactivated Iron Automaton, invisible to casual glances).

Dynamic Scenarios

1. The PCs trigger/cleared the Ambush (Area W1) & warn the trader:

If the PCs defeated the bandits at Area W1 or warned Oswin about the trap ahead, he is deeply grateful. He offers his entire inventory of adventuring gear, scrolls, and potions at a 20% discount, and provides a rumor about the standing stones near the Ossuary entrance (Area W5).

2. The PCs cleared Area W1 & declare the road safe:

Oswin thanks the party for securing the path, granting them a free minor healing potion or a bundle of 10 silver-tipped arrows as a token of gratitude while offering standard trade prices.

3. The PCs missed Area W1 & ignore the bandits:

This functions as a standard roadside commerce interaction. Oswin sells standard goods at full price. After the party departs, Oswin’s wagon will eventually roll into Area W1 and trigger the ambush off-screen unless the PCs intervene later.

Trader Inventory (Oswin's Wares)

• Consumables: Minor Healing Potion (4 gp), Lesser Antidote (3 gp), Rations (5 cp / day).
• Scrolls: Scroll of Heal [Rank 1] (4 gp), Scroll of Disrupt Undead [Rank 1] (4 gp).
• Gear: Healer's Toolkit (5 gp), Crowbar (5 sp), Torches (1 cp each), 10-foot Pole (2 cp).