The Haunting of The Playground
Khalista captured an Oni named Kijo. Kijo attempted to steal the Glaive of
Luring that resides in the temple of Khalista. She was unsuccessful. Khalista
promised to spare Kijo's life if she agreed to serve her. Kijo agreed, but
secretly planned to escape. Khalista, suspecting Kijo's intentions,
sent her to the Playground. What once was a pleasant rock park for
the children, turned into Kijo's feeding ground. The Oni would disguise
herself with magic, wander about the hamlets and villages as a child, and challenge
other children to venture to the Playground with as many friends as they could gather.
Once a group of children were lured to the Playground, Kijo would change herself
into an odd looking character in a top hat, with long arms and big hands
that would amuse the children. Once the children were comfortable, Kijo would
isolate and consume the children one by one, until all were eaten. The more children
Kijo consumed, the stronger she became. The missing children became a mystery
to the villagers near The Front Gate, but, because of Kijo's intelligent deceptiveness,
most suspected that is was one of the priests of the Church of Peotor, and no adult suspected
that their beloved Playground was the source of the disappearances. The children
knew. They would often hear the giggles and laughter of other children coming from
the Playground, but no child was ever found, and among those that went looking for their
friends, none ever returned. Eventually, the children began to avoid the Playground,
and became suspicious of those that advocated going there. Kijo's reign of terror
continued until the coming of the Seventh Dark Crusade.
The Playground Map
Legend
Boulder - Large rock formations that children can climb on.
Giant Gem - Pillars of gems set as memorials for heroes of old.
Saguaro Cactus - cactus trees east of the Playground.
Joshua Tree - Large desert tree east off the saguaro cactus.
The Playground Adventure
The Playground is a large rock park located 130' southwest of The Front Gate. It is filled with large rock formations, caves, and tunnels. There are several large boulders that children can climb on, and many smaller rocks that can be used for hiding or playing games. There are pillars of giant gems set there by heroes of the past. The Playground is a popular spot for children to play, but the children suspect a boogeyman lurks among the rocks. Many children avoid the Playground at night, fearing the ghostly presence that is said to haunt the area. Though they have complained to many adults, none have taken the children's fears seriously. Will you heed the adults who say there is nothing to fear, or will you listen to the children and investigate the Playground at night to uncover the truth?
Dungeon Masters
The oni is a wicked and wily creature that can be a formidable foe for adventurers. She has been haunting both Mtumbshi village and Moja hamlet for years. She hates the pious priests of Peotor, especially those who work closely with children She has cast suspicion and doubt on to several of the innocent priests of Peotor, causing some villagers to openly accuse them of having murdered their children. The oni's cunning and deceptive nature will use every trick in the book to lure adventurers into her clutches. Be wary of her illusions and disguises, as she will stop at nothing to sate her hunger for children. During the day, the oni will never reveal her true nature, but at night, her vanity and pride will often cause her to slip up and reveal clues to her true identity. Use these clues to your advantage, and help the adventurers uncover the truth behind the haunting of The Playground.