TEXT:  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  ADVENTURE: 
  BASEMENT O RATS 
   
  ENCOUNTERS: FIVE 
  DIFFICULTY: EASY 
  DURATION: 30 MINUTES 
   
  DESIGNED AND MAPPED  
  BY  
  JUSTIN HALLIDAY 
   
  
   
  Hero Kids Adventure – Basement O Rats 
  Justin Halliday 
  Page 2 
  Hero Kids Adventure 
  This adventure requires a copy of the Hero Kids RPG to 
  play.  The core game and this adventure include: 
  • Hero Cards for each player  
  • Monster Cards for the unique monsters in this 
  adventure (king rat) and the standard Hero Kids 
  monsters (giant rats) 
  • Print-outs of the encounter maps 
  • Stand-up minis for the heroes and monsters 
  Additionally, these extra materials are required: 
  • Six-sided dice (d6s) 
  • Pencil and eraser 
  Background 
  You all live in the same village, Rivenshore, which is 
  nestled in a tight valley beneath a towering mountain.  A 
  river runs past the village and flows into a small bay. 
  Rivenshore would be a beautiful place to live, if it weren’t 
  beset by an endless series of calamities. 
  Adventure Overview 
  This five-encounter adventure takes place in the 
  basement and caves beneath the town’s tavern. 
  The hero kids start the adventure having dinner at the 
  tavern.  When the tavern’s muck-boy is carried off by 
  oversized rats, the hero kids spring into action to get him 
  back. 
  Adventure Intro 
  Today’s trouble starts in mundane circumstances – dinner 
  at the Block and Tackle, which is the village’s tavern.  The 
  meal is interrupted by a shriek of alarm from the 
  innkeeper’s wife. 
  You are enjoying your weekly family feast at the Block 
  and Tackle tavern after a hard day of training. 
  “HELP, HELP!” 
  Everyone in the tavern stops eating and drinking as 
  Maeve, the innkeeper’s wife, bursts into the dining room 
  from the basement. 
  “Rats, RATS, ENORMOUS RATS” and then, “and 
  they’ve taken Roger!” 
  You know Roger, he’s Maeve’s son and he helps out in the 
  tavern. 
  “They’ve taken him down their hidey hole.  Please, get 
  down there and get him back for me!” 
  There’s a moment of silence as everyone looks to you.  
  Your parents encourage you. 
  “I hope you’re ready for your first adventure.” 
  
   
  Hero Kids Adventure – Basement O Rats 
  Justin Halliday 
  Page 3 
  Encounter 1: Basement Full-O’ Rats 
  The first encounter occurs in the tavern’s basement.  The 
  heroes start on the stairs and fight their way to the hole 
  in the floor in the bottom-left corner of the map. 
  Map 
   
  Encounter Intro 
  Following the adventure intro, the heroes are poised to 
  head to the basement to rescue Roger: 
  You put down your cutlery, pick up your weapons and 
  equipment, then follow Maeve to the entrance to the 
  tavern’s basement. 
  The stairs descend into the dimly lit basement.  You 
  immediately smell the putrid stink of rats, and then you 
  hear the patter of their unusually large paws. 
  At the bottom of the stairs you see flashes of movement.  
  Huge rats scurry between the stacked barrels and sacks of 
  grain that are stored in the tavern’s basement. 
  Encounter Features 
  The main area of the basement has two stacks of barrels 
  that cannot be climbed over or shot through (with ranged 
  or magic attacks).  The second room has a narrow path 
  that forces the players to think about the position of 
  their heroes. 
  Ability Tests 
  The heroes can perform these ability tests: 
  • Intelligence (Perception) test at difficulty 4 to hear 
  Roger’s shouts in the distance. 
  • Intelligence (Knowledge) test at difficulty 5 to know 
  that the basement is often overrun by rats (but not 
  usually this big). 
  
   
  Hero Kids Adventure – Basement O Rats 
  Justin Halliday 
  Page 4 
  Monsters 
  This encounter features giant rats, weak minions that use 
  melee attacks against the heroes. 
  1 Hero: 
  3 x Giant Rats  
   
    
  2 Heroes: 4 x Giant Rats 
   
   
    
  3 Heroes: 5 x Giant Rats 
   
   
   
   
   
  4 Heroes: 6 x Giant Rats 
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Use these health boxes to mark off damage: 
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
  Tactics 
  The rats are gorging themselves on food scraps and won’t 
  attack the heroes until they are attacked first.  Once a rat 
  is attacked, it and any other rats nearby attack the heroes. 
  Conclusion 
  Once all of the monsters are KO’d, read (or paraphrase) 
  this: 
  With a screech, the final rat falls to the ground and then 
  there is silence in the basement. 
  The silence is short-lived as you hear a distant call for 
  help.  The cry comes from the broken floorboards in the 
  south-west corner of the basement. 
  You look through the broken boards and see a rough dirt 
  tunnel underneath the tavern’s basement.  Surely it leads 
  to the rats’ den. 
  The heroes can take a short rest to remove damage. 
  Then hint or encourage them to continue down through 
  the hole in the boards down into the tunnel. 
  If you want to challenge the players, you can require the 
  heroes to use a rope (or some other improvised 
  equivalent) to climb down to the tunnel. 
  
   
  Hero Kids Adventure – Basement O Rats 
  Justin Halliday 
  Page 5 
  Encounter 2: Where Does This Cave Go! 
  The second encounter takes our heroes underground into 
  the caves and caverns beneath the town. 
  The heroes enter from the bottom-left, and the monsters 
  are not immediately visible. 
  Map 
   
  Encounter Intro 
  When the heroes enter this area, read this: 
  You carefully climb down into the tunnel beneath the 
  tavern.  The ground is hard-packed under your feet, and 
  the whole place smells like a giant rat’s toilet. 
  Large fungi grow from the walls and give off a soft blue 
  light that illuminates a narrow tunnel to your east. 
  Encounter Features 
  A tight tunnel leads from the heroes’ starting location 
  into a larger cave.  As the first hero enters the large room 
  they will see the first three rats. 
  There is a raised ledge at the far east of the large cave.  
  This ledge is about 10’ high, so the heroes need to come 
  up with a way of climbing up it to continue deeper into 
  the caves. 
  Additional rats can enter the fight from this ledge and 
  jump down onto the heroes. 
  Ability Tests 
  The heroes can perform an Intelligence (Tracking) test at 
  difficulty 4 to see rat tracks heading to the east. 
  
   
  Hero Kids Adventure – Basement O Rats 
  Justin Halliday 
  Page 6 
  Monsters 
  This encounter features more giant rats.  Feel free to add 
  more rats for extra challenge. 
  1 Hero: 
  2 x Giant Rats  
   
   
  2 Heroes: 3 x Giant Rats 
   
   
   
  3 Heroes: 4 x Giant Rats 
   
   
   
   
  4 Heroes: 5 x Giant Rats 
   
   
   
   
   
  Use these health boxes to mark off damage: 
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Extra Giant Rat 
   
   Extra Giant Rat 
   
  Tactics 
  All of these rats engage the heroes with melee attacks.  
  This should be an easy fight, but if things get crowded, 
  you can hold a few of the rats off until a couple of the 
  first ones have been KO’d.  The rats that start up on the 
  ledge can jump down to the lower level without penalty. 
  Conclusion 
  Once all of the rats are KO’d, read this: 
  The rats stop their shrieking as you finish off the last of 
  their number, but the place still stinks like a dirty sock. 
  You look up and see a high ledge on the east side of the 
  cave. 
  Again, the heroes can take a short rest here to remove 
  damage. 
  To escape this room the players need to work out a way 
  of getting their heroes up to the ledge.  Here are a few 
  ideas for you: 
  • An agile character climbs up the wall 
  • The heroes form a pyramid and lift someone up 
  • A hero throws their rope and climbs up 
  • A strong hero lifts (or throws) another hero 
  If you use an ability test, use a difficulty of 4. 
  
   
  Hero Kids Adventure – Basement O Rats 
  Justin Halliday 
  Page 7 
  Encounter 3: Underground Choices! 
  The third encounter features a fight and then a choice for 
  our heroes. 
  Here the heroes encounter more rats.  Once the rats are 
  defeated, the heroes can decide to continue to the north 
  or the south. 
  Map 
   
  Encounter Intro 
  When the heroes enter this area, read this: 
  The high ledge leads to short narrow tunnel which shortly 
  opens out into another large underground chamber.  You 
  see tunnel exits from the chamber to the north and south, 
  and a small dark hole in the north wall of the cave. 
  As you watch, a rat emerges from the hole, takes one look 
  at you and then charges towards you with a ferocious 
  shriek! 
  Encounter Features 
  The main feature of this area is the short rat-hole 
  between the cavern and the small cave in the north. 
  You can use this cave to bring rats into the fight, or even 
  to have rats run and hide from the heroes. 
  Ability Tests 
  The heroes can perform an Intelligence (Tracking) test at 
  difficulty 4 to see rat tracks heading to the north (this 
  will give them a hint that the rats’ den is to the north, not 
  the south). 
  
   
  Hero Kids Adventure – Basement O Rats 
  Justin Halliday 
  Page 8 
  Monsters 
  This encounter features more giant rats. Bring the extra 
  rats on from the north cave during the fight. 
  1 Hero: 
  2 x Giant Rats  
   
   
  2 Heroes: 3 x Giant Rats 
   
   
   
  3 Heroes: 4 x Giant Rats 
   
   
   
   
  4 Heroes: 6 x Giant Rats 
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Use these health boxes to mark off damage: 
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Extra Giant Rat 
   
   Extra Giant Rat 
   
  Tactics 
  All of these monsters engage the heroes with melee 
  attacks.  Even with the extra rats this should be an easy 
  fight, but if things get crowded, you can hold a few of the 
  rats off until a couple of the rats have been KO’d.  For 
  fun, you can run the rats in and out of the connecting rat-
  hole. 
  Conclusion 
  Once all of the monsters are KO’d, read this. 
  You dispatch the final rat and spend a few moments 
  investigating the caves.  You find that the rat hole connects 
  the small northern cave section with the main cavern. 
  The heroes can take a short rest to remove damage. 
  If the players investigate further, read this: 
  The horrid smell of rats is strong from the north, and from 
  the south you can hear the faint trickle of water. 
  When they’re ready, they can decide which way to go: 
  • South to Encounter 4: A Momentary Detour 
  • North to Encounter 5: Rat Den! 
  
   
  Hero Kids Adventure – Basement O Rats 
  Justin Halliday 
  Page 9 
  Encounter 4: A Momentary Detour! 
  This fourth encounter area is empty.  Feel free to keep it 
  empty, or to try something like this: 
  • There’s a monster in the water 
  • Old man Jenkins has been stuck down here for years 
  • The water is magical (refills potions, increases 
  strength, something else) 
  • The heroes see something sparkling at the bottom of 
  the pool; treasure, a potion, or some equipment 
  • The stalagmites contain the frozen figures of 
  monsters/commoners 
  Map 
   
  Encounter Intro 
  When the heroes enter this area, read this: 
  The rocky tunnel turns left and then right before opening 
  into a larger cavern. 
  The soft blue light from the fungi is reflected in the surface 
  of the pool of water, and the light dances and sparkles on 
  the roof of the cavern. 
  Encounter Features 
  This area has two main features, the pool of water and the 
  stalagmites in the middle of the cavern. 
  Ability Tests 
  Any ability tests that the players can perform are up to 
  you.  Maybe they need to be dexterous to pick up the 
  shiny thing from the bottom of the pool, or maybe a 
  giant tentacle grabs one of the heroes and tries to drag 
  him or her into the water. 
  If you employ an ability test, use the standard difficulty 
  targets: 
  • Easy: 4 
  • Normal: 5 
  • Hard: 6 
  
   
  Hero Kids Adventure – Basement O Rats 
  Justin Halliday 
  Page 10 
  Monsters 
  There may or may not be monsters here, so here are some 
  random boxes for damage! 
  Use these health boxes to mark off damage: 
   Mystery Monster 
   
   Mystery Monster 
   
   Mystery Monster 
   
   Mystery Monster 
   
   Mystery Monster 
   
   Mystery Monster 
   
  Tactics 
  Up to you really. 
  Conclusion 
  If the heroes have had a fight here, they can take a short 
  rest to remove damage. 
  Once the players are ready, they should head back to the 
  north, through the cavern of Encounter 3, and onwards 
  to Encounter 5: Rat Den! 
  
   
  Hero Kids Adventure – Basement O Rats 
  Justin Halliday 
  Page 11 
  Encounter 5: Rat Den! 
  The final encounter is the rats’ den. 
  This climactic battle sees the heroes defeat the rats and 
  their king rat and rescue Roger. 
  Map 
   
  Encounter Intro 
  When the heroes enter this area, read this: 
  The stench of rats is almost overwhelming as you push 
  further down the tunnel. 
  Ahead of you there is a low ledge, perhaps four feet high, 
  and another ledge further along. 
  You see mangy rats scurrying back and forth on the ledge 
  and you realize that you have entered their filthy den! 
  The rats suddenly slink backwards. 
  From behind them emerges a huge rat.  It stands up on its 
  hind legs, and wears a crude crown.  It points its scepter at 
  you hisses! 
  Encounter Features 
  The main features of this area 
  are the two ledges, which are 
  easily scaled (but cost 1 extra 
  square of movement), and the 
  rat holes in all of the walls.  
  The rats can move into these 
  holes and emerge out of any 
  other hole. 
  Ability Tests 
  The heroes can attempt an 
  Intelligence (Tracking) test at 
  difficulty 4 to see that the rat 
  holes are interconnected. 
   
  
   
  Hero Kids Adventure – Basement O Rats 
  Justin Halliday 
  Page 12 
  Monsters 
  This encounter features the king rat, plus one extra giant 
  rat for each hero.  
  1 Hero: 
  1 x King Rat 
  1 x Giant Rat 
   
   
  2 Heroes: 1 x King Rat 
  2 x Giant Rats 
   
   
   
  3 Heroes: 1 x King Rat 
  3 x Giant Rats 
   
   
   
   
  4 Heroes: 1 x King Rat 
  4 x Giant Rats 
   
   
   
   
   
  Use these health boxes to mark off damage: 
   King Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Giant Rat 
   
   Extra Giant Rat 
   
  Tactics 
  All of these rats (including the king rat) use melee attacks 
  against the heroes.  If they’ve got room, the rats can 
  retreat into the rat holes and emerge from any of the 
  other holes. 
  Conclusion 
  Once all of the monsters are KO’d, read this: 
  After an epic battle you finally strike down the king rat 
  and his horde of stinky vermin. 
  In the silence you hear muffled cries from one of the rat 
  holes.  You quickly investigate and find Roger hiding in 
  the hole.  He’s dirty and scared, but relieved to see you: 
  “Thanks!  I thought I was a goner for sure.  I’d got away 
  from those blighters and hid in the hole, but they woulda 
  got me out sooner or later if you hadn’t shown up to get 
  me out!” 
  He gives you a big hug, which you reluctantly accept 
  because he is pretty filthy. 
  “I reckon you deserve an extra serve of ice-cream for at 
  least a whole week!” 
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Hero Kids/Adventures/Hero Kids - Basement O' Rats-20200225.pdf