‘The Dottore’s Handbook of Poison & Disease,’ ‘Magical and Mechanical Prosthetics,’ and More

SideQuests

Welcome adventurers to Oneshots of The Winters, Volume 3 of the SideQuests Oneshots series! You’ve explored the lush forests of Oneshots of The Wilds, you’ve woven strange tales with stranger folk in Oneshots of The City—now, get ready for the harshest colds and most brutal climates one can imagine as your players head North for a new collection of adventures!

Oneshots of The Winters are adventures that fit right in as your players make their way through extreme cold biomes, icy tombs, and other locations on the fringes of civilization. From a Frost Giant’s Fortress, to the Ice King’s Tomb, to being trapped in an inn with a murderous doppelganger, there’s something for everyone in this newest collection of SideQuests! (Of course, you can run these outside of the cold as well).

Magical and Mechanical Prosthetics for 5E

In the boundless worlds of fantasy, magic often serves as the answer to all ailments. It can heal terrible wounds, cure afflictions, and even restore life itself. Yet, for all its miraculous potential, magic is not always available to everyone. Whether due to a lack of access, the prohibitive cost of skilled spellcasters, or the unique properties of a curse or injury that defies magical remedy, there are times when even the arcane falls short. In such moments, innovation and craftsmanship step forward, filling the void where magic cannot tread.

Prosthetics in a fantasy setting are not merely replacements for what was lost—they are an art form, a testament to the ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness of the many races and cultures of the world. From the intricate, vine-woven designs of the elves to the robust, rune-carved mechanisms of the dwarves, each prosthetic tells a story. These devices are not only functional but often represent the values, aesthetics, and technological prowess of their creators.

For adventurers, warriors, and common folk alike, prosthetics are more than tools. They are a means of reclaiming agency, of overcoming physical limitations to continue pursuing one’s purpose. Some wear them as badges of honor, symbols of resilience in the face of adversity. Others see them as opportunities for transformation, choosing enhancements that go beyond mere replication to unlock new possibilities. Wings to soar above the battlefield, spider-like legs to traverse impossible terrain, or an arm infused with elemental magic to strike with unparalleled force—prosthetics are as varied as the individuals who wield them.

Storming the Pirate Stronghold

Welcome to “Storming the Pirate Stronghold,” a thrilling adventure for 5e designed for level 6 players but easily adjustable for lower or higher levels. Embark on a daring quest to rescue abducted souls from the clutches of notorious pirates and reclaim a powerful stolen artifact. With intense battles on the high seas and within a hidden pirate stronghold, this adventure promises your players both danger and untold treasure!

The journey begins with an invitation from a well-respected noble. Desperate and fearful, he reveals the need for a trusted group to retrieve a stolen family heirloom and rescue those taken during a brutal pirate raid. The culprits are the “Bloody Fiends,” a ruthless band of pirates whose growing power has struck fear into the region. Fearing for his life, the noble cannot trust the authorities and turns instead to the exceptional skills of the party, pleading for their discretion and offering great rewards for their success.

Taking on this quest will challenge players with combat on both land and sea. Strategic planning will be key, as the party’s choices shape the difficulty of the encounters ahead. Prepare for an epic test of courage, wit, and strength as you infiltrate the pirates’ secret stronghold and face the Bloody Fiends head-on!

The Dottore’s Handbook of Poison & Disease

Within this book, you will discover a world of deadly sickness and a plethora of toxins to make you wary of the natural world around you. Can you survive a setting where such afflictions exist? Are you clever enough to turn such afflictions against your enemies?

The Dottore has come forth with a compendium you can use to introduce new poisons and diseases into your setting, with details regarding transmission of disease, how it affects your character, and how to survive it. The poisons within come with details of its creation, what you’ll need to brew one, and how they may be used in encounters.

Best of all, discover a system of categorizing these threats, and how to create your own afflictions to introduce into your own games. Discover how poison and disease can be used in a way that is not only impactful to a campaign, but also a viable tool in your Dungeon Master’s Toolkit.

Vendors of the Vale

Players love a good shopping session, but what do you do when you are far away from the nearest city and the local frontier town isn’t going to have a magic shop that will sell the characters what they need? Or a library to research the next plot hook? Or even someone who might know about this weird fish they caught? This book contains 30 different vendors that can be found away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. Each vendor features a description, a backstory, a plot hook, and a list of items that they sell. Some of these plot hooks may lead to a small adventure, and I’ve included three of those in the book complete with maps and stat blocks.

Inside you will find:

• 30 different vendors with descriptions, backstories, plot hooks and a list of items they sell.
• 3 short adventures to go with the plot hooks all featuring scalable encounters.
• 240+ items to add to your games
• 30+ creatures for your party to encounter
• 14 maps to go with the plot hooks and adventures, each of these are available in PNG, VTT and Print and Play.