The author would like to remind readers that they are not responsible for loss or theft of their bodies during the course of this adventure. Additionally, they are not responsible for any sudden fear of puppets which may result from completing this adventure.
Art Credits
Creepy Doll - Matt Stewart
Forest - Jung Park
One-Eyed Scarecrow - Dave Kendall
Woodland Sleuth - Tomasz Jedruszek
Town Gossipmonger - John Stanko
Cloistered Youth - Igor Kieryluk
Scrounged Scythe - Jason Felix
Marauder's Axe - Mitchell Malloy
Introduction
Puppet Play is a Tier 1 adventure placed on the plane of Innistrad for the Shattered Planes campaign or any group wishing to adventure in Innistrad. It is set for characters at Level 3. For these adventures, the DM will need the Dungeon Master’s Guide, Monster Manual, and Player’s Handbook. They will also need at least the Plane Shift: Innistrad document available on dmsguild.com. For added material, the book Art of Magic: The Gathering: Innistrad or the online document Planeswalker's Guide to Innistrad is suggested for more information about Innistrad itself. Additionally, there may be creatures and/or items from other D&D modules and supplements. Each item from these documents will be accompanied by an abbreviation. The list of abbreviations are below. Not all abbreviations will be used.
Abbreviations
DMG = Dungeon Master’s Guide
MM = Monster Manual
VGM = Volo’s Guide to Monsters
SCAG = Sword Coast Adventurers Guide
HDG = Hoard of the Dragon Queen
ROT = Rise of Tiamat
POTA = Princes of the Apocalypse
OTA = Out of the Abyss
COS = Curse of Strahd
SKT = Storm King’s Thunder
TYP = Tales from the Yawning Portal
TOA = Tomb of Annihilation
XGE = Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
MTF = Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes
GGR = Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica
Puppet Play
The village of Pinewall, located in the Wittal Parish of Gavony, is a woodworking village. Although not home to the skilled tradesmen like others, it did boast a fine selection of processed timber. The workers themselves were tough and capable with an axe, a trait which led to many cathars being born there.
Baltasar Lorenz did not fit the typical mold of Pinewall. He found his gifts in intricate details, making eye-catching works of art. The housewives of the village loved his work, especially the ones he’d carve into the living trees around their homes to ward off vampires. Children especially loved him because of the wonderful dolls, marionettes, and other toys he’d build and sell to their families.
Despite his obvious skill which would have served him well in larger towns or cities, in Pinewall it was seen as next to useless. Small in stature and clumsy with a heavy axe, Baltasar was often mocked by other men for being unable to be a lumberjack or a cathar like so many of his childhood friends or brothers did. While admired for his skill, not many of the women showed interest in him as a potential husband either, lacking the traditional means of providing for a spouse or children. With only a few of his works being bought at a time, he lacked the funds to even relocate and find his fortune. He was truly stuck in Pinewall.
His fortunes abruptly changed when he witnessed what seemed like a falling star land outside the village. Sheer luck allowed him to find it first, discovering a fragment of the Tablet of Planes. Its ethereal light drew his focus and he swiftly collected it.
Bringing it back to his workshop, he placed the stone nearby and continued his work, basking in its light. After his usual hours of creating another marionette, he was shocked when the pretty toy stood up and began dancing without strings.
At first fearful, but then curious, Baltasar made another toy, and then another. Each one of his dolls all got up and began dancing and playing across his workshop. He had brought his creations to life!
Feeling he found his chance for success, he crafted more such toys and presented them to the children. The adoring children gasped and cheered when the dolls began to dance with each other and play with the children. Soon the children were eager to each have a living doll of their own.
The adults were less than pleased. A priest of Avacyn quickly condemned Baltasar as a bitterheart, a witch, and had the local cathars throw him in the jail for later interrogation. His toys were ordered destroyed. The children cried in protest, but they went ignored, often as many childish outcries are.
Baltasaur was infuriated, his breaking point reached at long last. Disrespected, mocked, and ignored because he didn’t fit the mold of Pinewall, he had enough and cursed the village for mocking him and his art. For disrespecting his abilities simply because he didn’t fit in, and then having the gall to treat him as a monster when he discovered a gift of magic.
The dolls reacted to his rage, as did the tablet shard which attuned to him. That night, the dolls went on the attack, striking back with whatever blades and other weapons they could find. Men and women fell before the dolls revealed their worst power: they could steal the bodies of the adults.
The adults were routed, the dead hidden while the stolen bodies went about daily rituals the people usually did, although without any of the skill or talent the original hosts did.
Baltasar was released, much to the children’s delight who were none the wiser. He now ruled the village, but also knew that he had to keep his head down lest any travelers hear what may have happened. Fortunately, he’s happy to rest on his laurels and run the village his way.
Unbeknownst to him, letters from those who moved away from Pinewall to their families have gone unanswered, making them nervous. In Innistrad, unanswered letters could mean more than just a delayed response. Concerned groups are starting to look, making it a matter of time before Baltasar’s rule comes crashing down…
…and he has a village of innocents it will crush first.
Adventure Hooks
The takeover of Pinewall was silent and with the location of the village, there is not much traffic heading there. This makes it likely that no one will know what happened there. The characters will need a reason to go Pinewall. The DM can create their own, or use and/or modify some of the adventure hooks below.
Falling Star
Rumors of the falling star has reached many ears and some wish to seek it out for a potential profit. Pinewall is nearby and they may know where it is.
Messenger Failed
One of the characters has a friend or family member who lives in Pinewall. They kept in good contact, but suddenly the messages stopped. Worried, the character and their comrades head out to see what may be wrong.
Fragment Chase
The fragment of the Tablet of Planes which the characters possess has divined Pinewall as a place where a fragment has appeared. Time is of the essence to reclaim it before the magic of the fragment causes mayhem.
Wicker Men
A panicked porter comes from Pinewall saying that his men were attacked by wicker men after they slipped into the woods to try and collect branches of trees for warding off vampires. He begs for help to exterminate the threat.
