First Disbelieve this is an 5e Adventure. It can easily be adapted to any OSR. I have ran this for Blue Hack, OSE, and Microlite 74 in the past. The encounters are simple and the puzzles not to complex. Lots of hints abound.
I like to run this with Katarina the Witch as a Neutral or Neutral Good Alignment 5th Level MU. She has a job for the PC's. Due to her receiving bad treatment from heroes in the past. She has devised a test for our players to complete first. This will be followed by a 2nd Test Quest against her rival Charani the Dark Druid. If successful at both quest she will surrender a map to the PC's. This map is for the Adventure The Lost Cache of Father Tomas by John Turcotte. It is inside Footprints #5 - which is free here on Dragonsfoot https://www.dragonsfoot.org/files/pdf/FootprintsNo5.pdf
Along with the map to the ruins of Father Tomas's Temple she will tell the players about the Chalice and Treasure. If she really trust them? She will tell the PC's the real reason the Berserkers raided the temple.
The real reason is far up to the North. Way deep in the Cold Lands lives an Unseelie Fae Baroness. She has learned that what the humans thought was just another Monstrance Holy Relic is actually a stolen Fae Magic Staff of Oberon. She hired the Berserkers to recover it for the Unseelie Court. However they never found the Cache of Father Tomas.
A few months ago Katrina learned the Unseelie Fae hired a famous Treasure Hunter to go snooping around for it. They are sure it is there somewhere. Katrina is sure if the Unseelie get this staff they will commit great attrocities and evil. Thus she has devised her test to find worthy heroes to secure it.
Katrina tells the PC's her Order of Witches has contact with High Nobles in the Seelie Court. If it is brought back they can all begin working to seal the staff away. The PC's can have everything else in the Cache. Yes even the Chalice of Father Tomas.
So to Sum it all Up We have 3 Adventures here perfect for starting a campaign.
- The Witch of Underwillow
- The Witch Katarina sends them off to cut down Charani the Dark Druid's Tree. Located somewhere deep in a swamp. (Charani 5hd Druid or Witch - Alignment Nuetral Evil) - Treat as a Lair Hunt - Guarded by various birds.
- The Lost Cache of Father Tomas
****Tips for running The Witch of Underwillow - drop lots of hints that the child is not real. You may have to practically tell the PC's.
****Katarina makes a great patron as a spell caster levels ahead of the players. She can provide weak potions, scrolls, and other fun items to the PC's. Potentially she could become the master for the party's MU's. Even offering membership into her order.
PS - The fun does not stop with completing the missions. The players are going to potentialy kill a powerful evil druid. Then they will gain the attention of the Unseelie Court. Not to mention rumors may end up at the camps of the Berserkers. Let's not forget they may potentially end up on the wrong side of a famous Treasure Hunter.
Tips for The Lost Cache of Father Tomas on a roll of 1-2 on a d6 Gregory sends a message to the Treasure Hunter that was here a few months ago. I would say 50% chance that Illinois Jones (7hd Thief) decides he needs to make an appearance if that happens.
Turn the Zombie Guardian on pg 7 to a Coffer Corpse hiding in a wooden box. - under geas to guard the false vault by Father Tomas.
The Kampfult on pg 8 - raise the HD to 3+1 - Monster Manual II pg 78
Most of all
HAVE FUN!