#keepontheborderlands

In the borderlands around Castellan Keep (a lonely stronghold in the Altan Tepes Mountains), whispers and tales abound. Below is a structured rumor web for B2: The Keep on the Borderlands set in Mystara, circa AC 1000. Each rumor is tagged by its source (e.g. who might tell it) with a tone matching that source’s personality and credibility. Every rumor has an assigned truth value – 🟢 True, 🟡 Mostly True, 🟠 Mixed (partly true), or 🔴 False – color-coded for the Dungeon Master. Also noted are possible unlock conditions (how players might hear the rumor) and the associated location or threat it pertains to (e.g. a specific cave level or wilderness area). The rumors interconnect across different NPCs and locations, so observant players can piece together valuable information from multiple clues.

Legend (Truth Rating): 🟢 True, 🟡 Mostly True, 🟠 Mixed/Partly True, 🔴 False – for DM reference only!

Tavern Tales

These rumors are commonly heard in the tavern or inn, coming from drunks, travelers, and locals swapping stories over ale. They tend to be exaggerated or dubious in credibility.

Tavern Drunk: “I seen it with me own eyes! The old ruined watchtower out east lights up with ghostly fire at midnight. The spirit of some long-dead cleric wanders there, wailing for revenge!” Truth: 🔴 False – (No real ghost inhabits the tower.) Unlock: Buy the drunk a few rounds at the One-Eyed Cat tavern and he’ll spin this tale unprompted. Location/Threat: Ruined Watchtower (Wilderness).

Gambling Trader: Leaning in conspiratorially after a lost bet, a peddler confides, “No one who’s dared those Caves of Chaos has ever come back alive. Not one! Place is a deathtrap, I tell ya.” Truth: 🔴 False – (A few adventurers have returned, or there’d be no rumors at all! It’s deadly but not unsurvivable.) Unlock: Hear this from a fretful merchant at the tavern after asking about the nearby wilderness. Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos (General).

Prankster Regular: A mischievous regular claims he knows some goblin-language. “If you get into trouble, just shout ‘Bree-Yark!’ – that’s goblin for ‘We surrender!’ They’ll give up!” he insists with a wink. Truth: 🔴 False – (In reality, “Bree-yark!” is a goblin battle-cry meaning “Hey, attack!” – this prank rumor could lure the unwary into a trap.) Unlock: Anyone asking how to parley with goblins hears this from a chuckling barfly. Location/Threat: Goblin tribes (Caves of Chaos).

Boastful Mercenary: A braggart ex-adventurer waves his hand expansively. “Treasure? Ha! I heard the southern caves are stacked floor-to-ceiling with piles of magic armor and weapons from fallen heroes. Enough to kit out an army!” Truth: 🔴 False – (No such hoard exists; this is a tall tale. Any gear found on monsters will be scant or broken.) Unlock: This rumor is tossed out to impress listeners after the merc has had a few too many drinks. Location/Threat: “Southern” Caves (Caves of Chaos) – rumor points vaguely to the lower caverns.

Nervous Peddler: A jittery peddler clutching his drink whispers, “They say every cave entrance is rigged with deadly traps. Pressure plates, falling rocks, the works. Step wrong and you’re done for before you even see a monster!” Truth: 🔴 False – (While a few caves have some traps or alarms, not every entrance is trapped. This is an exaggeration born of fear.) Unlock: The peddler shares this rumor if asked about safe travel – essentially discouraging any trip near the caves. Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos (Entrances).

Seasoned Caravan Guard: Over a meal, a guard who’s been around maps the air with his knife. “The humanoids each stake out their own caves in that ravine. Kobolds, goblins, orcs – each tribe keeps to its own lair. You won’t find mixed groups living together, at least not peacefully.” Truth: 🟢 True – (Each cave complex in the Caves of Chaos is dominated by a different creature tribe, as confirmed in scouts’ reports.) Unlock: This comes up in casual conversation with veteran guards or the barkeep when discussing the local monsters. Location/Threat: All Caves (Kobold lair, Goblin lair, Orc lairs, etc).

Boisterous Dwarf Prospector: A dwarf at the bar thumps his mug and laughs, “Those big hairy bugbears? Bah, they’re yellow-bellies when they face a dwarf! Mark my words, they won’t dare cross steel with good Dwarven folk underground.” Truth: 🔴 False – (Bugbears have no particular fear of dwarves; this rumor springs from the dwarf’s bravado.) Unlock: Heard if the party includes a dwarf or chats with the prospector about fighting humanoids. Location/Threat: Bugbear Lair (Caves of Chaos, upper caves).

Traveling Merchant: A spice trader passing through lowers his voice. “The last supply caravan from Kelvin never made it here. Bandits or monsters got them on the Duke’s Road. I’m heading back downstream by boat – safer than the roads these days.” Truth: 🟢 True – (A caravan did vanish en route to Castellan Keep, likely ambushed by humanoids or Iron Ring brigands – a real concern for the keep’s supplies.) Unlock: Any inquiry about recent news or trade routes prompts this rumor from merchants or teamsters. Location/Threat: Road to Castellan Keep (Borderland wilderness).

Garrison Gossip

The keep’s soldiers, scouts, and officials share these rumors. These tend to be more credible, though still colored by individual experiences. Soldiers know the lay of the land and have encountered the dangers firsthand.

Wounded Mercenary: A battered sellsword resting in the gatehouse advises the party, “Listen... I barely got out alive. Stick to the lower caves at first – the ones near the ravine floor. The higher up you go, the meaner the monsters. We went too deep too fast.” He winces. “Lost good men up there.” Truth: 🟢 True – (The caves closest to the ground are inhabited by weaker creatures like kobolds and goblins, while stronger foes occupy higher caves. This is sound advice for low-level adventurers.) Unlock: Gained by speaking to the mercenary who barely survived an expedition (perhaps found recovering in the infirmary or guard barracks). Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos – Lower Caves (Kobolds, Goblins) vs. Upper Caves (Bugbears, Temple, etc.).

Patrol Scout: A scout fresh from a foray reports to the gate captain with wide eyes: “We found huge footprints and gnawed bones not far from a cave entrance – too big for any orc. And the goblin tracks around them... it’s like the little blighters are traveling with a giant!” He grimaces. “Odds are there’s an ogre out there helping the cave tribes.” Truth: 🟢 True – (An ogre does lurk in the caves and sometimes works with the goblins. Scouts have evidence of its presence.) Unlock: Learned by asking the Castellan’s scouts about recent patrol findings, or tracking signs outside the caves. Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos – Ogre’s den (mid-level cave).

Gate Guard: One veteran guard mentions an old trick: “When we fought ’em last year, torches and fire scared those bugbears off. They hate open flame.” He pats a flask of oil at his belt. “So stock up on oil – burn the brutes out.” Truth: 🔴 False – (Bugbears are not especially afraid of fire. This particular guard misread a past encounter; relying on this alone could be a mistake.) Unlock: The guard shares this tip readily with rookie adventurers while chatting on watch duty. Location/Threat: Bugbear Lair (Caves of Chaos, upper caves).

Sergeant of the Watch: The grizzled sergeant notes, “We’ve seen evidence that the monsters in those caves fight each other as much as they fight us. In fact, our spies confirm there’s more than one orc clan – two different tribes of orcs that hate each other’s guts. If you’re clever, you might turn them against each other.” Truth: 🟢 True – (Multiple humanoid factions inhabit the caves and do not get along, notably two rival orc tribes. Infighting among the caves’ denizens is real and can be exploited.) Unlock: This comes out in a briefing from the keep’s watch officers or by impressing the sergeant with the party’s tactical savvy. Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos – Orc Tunnels (two separate orc lairs).

Night Sentry: A shaken night-watch sentry tells of a strange occurrence: “Three nights ago, on the new moon, I saw a faint red glow in the eastern sky – right where the ravine would be. Then I heard… chanting. Eerie, echoing chants carried on the wind. Only for a minute, then it went silent.” He swallows. “Something unholy is going on out there at night.” Truth: 🟢 True – (There are indeed evil rituals happening at the Caves of Chaos – the cultists perform dark ceremonies in the shrine of Evil Chaos, producing lights and sounds that can sometimes be noticed from afar.) Unlock: The sentry shares this with anyone asking if he’s seen anything unusual on his watch, or if the PCs are on night watch themselves. Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos – Inner Temple of Evil (deep caves).

Injured Footman: A young soldier nursing a swamp-fever cough recounts an ambush: “Our patrol swung south by the marsh… big mistake. Lizard-men came out of nowhere from the bog, jabbin’ with spears. We lost two men and barely escaped.” He points to a crude black scale he kept. “They’re out there in the fens, no doubt.” Truth: 🟢 True – (Lizardfolk inhabit the nearby marshlands and have attacked travelers. The keep’s garrison is aware of this threat.) Unlock: Gained by speaking with soldiers in the infirmary or barracks, especially if players ask about dangers beyond the caves. Location/Threat: Moors and Marshes (Wilderness south of the Keep – Lizardman bands).

Temple Whispers

Rumors from the Chapel of the Church of Karameikos and other faithful. The local clergy and devout pilgrims share insights with a religious or superstitious tinge. These tend to be serious and many are accurate, though colored by faith.

Concerned Curate: The keep’s resident priest (a Patriarch of the Church of Karameikos) confides in hushed tones, “An unnatural darkness is gathering in the wilds.” He’s noticed ill omens – sacred candles guttering out, livestock born with deformities – and believes a great evil presence is emanating from the caves. “I sense the hand of Chaos at work,” he warns solemnly. Truth: 🟢 True – (There is a growing evil – the Chaos cult – corrupting the area. The Curate’s divine intuition is correct.) Unlock: Received if the party seeks a blessing or asks the priest about dangers; he will share his spiritual foreboding and perhaps urge them to investigate. Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos (General Evil Presence) – especially the evil temple within.

Veteran Acolyte: A junior priest cautions the adventurers, “If you come upon any foul altars or unholy shrines in your travels, beware! Such altars of Chaos are often cursed or trapped to smite the unwary. Desecrations of the Immortals carry peril – we lost a friar once to a devilish altar trap.” Truth: 🟢 True – (The evil shrine in the caves is indeed protected by dark magic and traps; meddling with it can be very dangerous. This is solid advice.) Unlock: The acolyte offers this warning if the party mentions the possibility of finding cult altars or asks about handling profane artifacts. Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos – Temple of Evil Chaos (altar & idols).

Watchful Novice: A nervous young novice at the chapel whispers to a friendly PC cleric, “I… I shouldn’t speak ill, but I’ve seen Brother Vlad slipping out after midnight.” He refers to one of the assistant priests. “He never says where he goes. And one morning I swear I saw mud on his robes and a strange symbol on his pendant… Please, just be careful.” Truth: 🟢 True – (One of the Keep’s clergy is indeed an agent of the Chaos cult, spying for or aiding the caves. The novice’s suspicions are well-founded.) Unlock: Earned if a party member gains the trust of the chapel staff or inquires about any odd behavior among the faithful. The novice only shares this if he feels the PCs are trustworthy. Location/Threat: Inside the Keep (potential betrayal within the party’s safe haven).

Church Archivist: The chapel’s scribe recalls an old tale: years ago a heroic cleric of Karameikos perished battling evil in the caves. His sacred Wand of Light was lost somewhere in that cursed ravine. The Church would dearly reward its retrieval. “If you find a silver-etched wand with a sunburst,” he urges, “bring it to me – it’s a holy relic of our order.” Truth: 🟡 Mostly True – (A wand was indeed lost in the caves, though it may not be exactly as described or intact. DMs can place a suitable magic wand as treasure to fulfill this rumor.) Unlock: This rumor surfaces if the players consult the chapel for historical info or mention seeking magical aid; the archivist shares it as both a quest and a point of lore. Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos (any – DM’s choice) – rumored to be in a monster hoard or on a fallen adventurer’s skeleton.

Street Preacher: In the market square, a fiery-eyed itinerant preacher (a follower of the Church of Traladara visiting town) delivers a warning to all who’ll listen: “Open your eyes! The forces of Darkness gather in the hills! The monsters are uniting under a sorcerer of Chaos – a dark priest of Orcus, perhaps – preparing to unleash doom upon us!” He urges brave souls to strike first in the name of the Immortals. Truth: 🟢 True – (There is a concerted effort uniting the humanoid tribes, though it’s led by an evil priest of Chaos rather than a known demon prince. The essence of his warning is accurate, if a bit hyperbolic.) Unlock: Simply pass through the market on a busy day; the preacher’s proclamation can be heard openly. The party might also get this from the Curate in a more measured tone, minus the demon name-dropping. Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos – Evil Cult Leadership (the cult leader orchestrating the alliances).

Underworld Whisperings

Here are rumors from shady characters – smugglers, rogues, and those who operate in the shadows. These tidbits often involve illicit dealings and can reveal the darker truths behind the scenes. Some are surprisingly accurate (criminals have their ears to the ground), while others might be deceptive.

Rogue for Hire: A scruffy rogue nursing a black eye murmurs over his ale, “Heard a fat merchant’s been locked up by those cave monsters. Goblins nabbed him, and he’s promising anyone who frees him a king’s ransom.”** He snorts. “Assuming he’s still alive to pay up.” Truth: 🟢 True – (At least one merchant caravan leader is indeed held prisoner in the caves, and he has hinted at rich rewards for rescue. The promise is genuine, though the “ransom” may be modest by adventurer standards.) Unlock: Gain this from a freelance thief or fence in the tavern back-room, especially if the party asks about profitable opportunities. Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos – Goblin or Hobgoblin Lair (where captives are kept).

Black-Marketeer: A sly trader in the keep’s market quietly shares a secret, for a price: “Not all monsters need to raid for steel and arrows… Some get it delivered.” He nods toward the well-to-do weapon shop. “Certain merchants here secretly trade with the humanoids – sell ’em weapons, get paid in stolen loot. It’s bad for business if adventurers like you wipe out their ‘customers.’” Truth: 🟠 Mixed – (There are rumors that the keep’s ironmongers or traders might be selling arms to humanoids for profit. It’s possible one unscrupulous shopkeeper is in league with the monsters, but this is not confirmed fact. If the DM wishes, the keep’s trader or smith could indeed be colluding with the Caves, explaining how the monsters replenish gear.) Unlock: This comes out if the party frequents the black market or interrogates a captured bandit/smuggler. Bribing a fence or catching someone red-handed could reveal this shady arrangement. Location/Threat: Inside the Keep / Caves of Chaos – (human conspirators enabling monster raids).

Captured Bandit: Under a bit of “friendly persuasion,” a captured outlaw spills his story: “I once ran goods for the Iron Ring… Last month they paid me to haul two wagons of ‘supplies’ out near those caves. Met some hooded priest and his pet brutes in the woods.” He shudders. “I didn’t ask questions – but I swear they were buying slaves. Gods forgive me.” Truth: 🟢 True – (The Iron Ring slaver network and the Chaos cult have a sinister arrangement. Prisoners from raids (including that missing caravan) are being delivered to the cult/monsters as slaves or sacrifices. This bandit’s confession is genuine.) Unlock: Learn this by capturing a bandit or low-level Iron Ring member alive and pressing for answers. Alternatively, a PC with underworld contacts can hear whispers of “strangers buying flesh out by Castellan.” Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos – Temple & Bugbear Lair. (The bugbears and cult benefit from slave deliveries – indeed, bugbears trade human captives to a monstrous ally deeper in the caves.)

Superstitious Thief: A thief who barely escaped the caves shares a frightening tale: “There’s something else in there, deeper than the goblins and orcs... A wizard or demon that strikes from the shadows.” He insists his old crew was wiped out by magic. “Flames roared out of the darkness, men dying left and right – we bolted. I tell ya, some powerful spellcaster lurks in that cursed lair and kills anyone who gets too far in.” Truth: 🔴 False – (There isn’t an all-powerful warlock blasting intruders with fireballs – this rumor likely sprang from the thief misinterpreting a trap or the Evil Priest’s spells. While the cult leader is dangerous, he’s no archmage. Nonetheless, the rumor will frighten novice adventurers.) Unlock: The thief shares this with anyone asking why he quit adventuring. Players who prod about “what’s guarding the treasure” in the caves will get this ominous (if inflated) warning. Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos – Inner Caves (Temple complex).

Smuggler Boss: A cagey smuggler, after enough coin changes hands, divulges a profitable yet deadly lead: “They say a crazy old hermit roams the forests north of here, lives in a giant hollow tree. Mad as a hatter, but he’s got chests of gold hidden away.” The smuggler grins darkly. “Course, folks who go looking either don’t find him… or don’t come back. Rumor is he feeds anyone he catches to his ‘pets.’ Still, that gold…” Truth: 🟢 True – (The “mad hermit” is real and extremely dangerous, living in an old oak with a ferocious pet mountain lion. He does have a stash of coins and a magic dagger, which is why this rumor circulates. But seeking him out is life-threatening.) Unlock: Get this tip from underworld contacts looking for treasure off the beaten path. The smuggler might trade the information for a share of any loot recovered, or as a reward if the party does a favor. Location/Threat: Northern Forest (Wilderness) – Mad Hermit’s Oak.

Wilderness Lore

Rumors from hunters, villagers, and wilderness travelers of the surrounding region. These often carry kernels of truth about local non-cave threats and regional history. Locals speak in folktales and cautionary legends, which can help foreshadow encounters or lure the bold into side quests.

Old Woodsman: A grizzled Traladaran hunter warns: “Stray too far in them northern woods and you’ll cross paths with the Mad Hermit. Lives out there alone, talks to beasts, and will gut you for stepping on his flowers. We found a couple of his victims – throat slashed ear to ear.”** He spits. “Stay well clear of that one.” Truth: 🟢 True – (The “mad hermit” is very real and violently territorial. Locals have indeed found bodies of those who got too close. This warning is entirely accurate.) Unlock: Any chat with hunters or woodcutters about the deep forest will elicit this grim warning. The woodsman emphasizes the danger to discourage curious youngsters from wandering off. Location/Threat: Deep Forest (North of the Keep) – Mad Hermit Encounter.

Trapper’s Tale: A fur trapper tells of a traveling elf who passed through last spring. “Nice fellow, headed into the moors east of here chasing some legend. He vanished in the marshes without a trace,” the trapper sighs. “Shame – the swamp just swallowed him up. Some say the marsh lights lured him to doom.” Truth: 🟢 True – (At least one elf adventurer disappeared in the Moor Fen. His ultimate fate is unknown, but he never returned. There are eerie lights (will-o’-wisps or just swamp gas) in the marsh that give the area a deadly reputation.) Unlock: Learned by speaking with trappers or the keep’s stablemaster (the elf bought a mule that was later found riderless). This rumor often surfaces as a general “those marshes aren’t safe” anecdote. Location/Threat: Great Marsh (Wilderness) – possible hazards like quicksand, will-o’-wisps, or lurking lizardfolk.

Forest Folklore: A superstitious Traladaran villager shares an old rhyme: “If you get lost in the hills, the night has teeth. Beware the Eater of Men, lurking beneath.” He explains that locals believe a man-eating beast prowls the labyrinthine ravines. “It’s why we don’t go beyond the old hill forts. People who wander off the paths… don’t come back.” Truth: 🟢 True – (“Eater of Men” indeed refers to a real menace: the Minotaur dwelling in the caves’ labyrinth. The legend is essentially true – those who get lost in the caves or hills often end up as this creature’s meal. The villagers have personified it as a single boogeyman.) Unlock: Any local guide or peasant elder might recite this warning if the party asks about going off-trail or deep into the hills. It’s often told to children to keep them from wandering. Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos – Labyrinth (Minotaur’s Lair).

Mountaineer Guide: A hardy mountaineer who has traveled the Altan Tepes Mountains mentions a stark caution: “High up beyond the pass, I glimpsed a Frost Giant on a distant peak. Big as a watchtower, pale as death. They usually keep to their own, but mark me – they’re out there.” He taps his axe nervously. “That’s why the Duke built this fort here, to watch for ’em.” Truth: 🟢 True – (Frost giants are known to inhabit the remote altitudes north of Karameikos. Castellan Keep indeed keeps an eye on possible giant incursions and invasions from the north/east. While the giants haven’t attacked, the sighting is very plausible.) Unlock: This comes from hiring a mountain guide or chatting with the Castellan’s ranger. It underscores that even beyond the humanoid caves, greater dangers loom in the wilds. Location/Threat: Altan Tepes High Mountains (far wilderness – Frost Giant territory).

Farmstead Gossip: At a nearby hamlet, a distraught mother begs for help: “My daughter, my sweet Ysel, was taken by goblins two nights past!” Villagers corroborate that a band of goblins raided the farm under cover of darkness, and the young girl is missing. They implore adventurers to rescue her, believing she’s held alive in the caves. Truth: 🔴 False – (Unfortunately, this hope is misplaced. The goblins did raid the farm, but the “maiden” was not taken alive – she was likely killed or never existed at all (this rumor may just be local legend echoing the classic damsel-in-distress trope). In the canonical B2 module, no captive girl is actually in the caves.) Unlock: Hear this plea if the party visits a farming village or speaks to refugees at the keep’s gate. It’s a classic call to heroism that many adventurers would feel compelled to investigate. Location/Threat: Caves of Chaos – Goblin Lairs.

Skeptical Ranger: A rugged ranger scoffs at the tavern ghost stories. “I camped in that old ruined tower last month to get out of the rain,” he says, sipping ale. “No ghosts, no baleful fires. Just a colony of bats in the rafters. Place is empty as a beggar’s pantry.” He smirks toward the drunk telling the ghost tale. “Don’t lose sleep over it.” Truth: 🟢 True – (The ruined watchtower is indeed not haunted. At most, it shelters bats or the occasional bandit, but no supernatural forces. This directly contradicts the drunkard’s false ghost rumor.) Unlock: The party can learn this by consulting the local ranger or any hunter who’s taken shelter there. If they seem interested in investigating the tower, a knowledgeable NPC will share this down-to-earth account. Location/Threat: Ruined Watchtower (Wilderness) – an old abandoned guard tower, no ghosts present.

DM’s Notes: Using the Rumor Web

Foreshadowing & Connecting Clues: The above rumor web is designed to gradually foreshadow major encounters in B2: Keep on the Borderlands and enrich the Mystara setting. Key truths are hinted at from multiple angles. For example, scattered reports of missing travelers, “slaves” being traded, and the ominous “Eater of Men” legend all converge to foreshadow the bugbears’ alliance with the Minotaur in the caves (the bugbears pay the Minotaur in human captives to help defend their lair). By hearing different NPCs talk – a bandit mentioning slave deliveries, a soldier noting missing caravans, a villager lamenting a kidnapped loved one – players can piece together that something (or someone) is capturing people alive, which is indeed the case. Likewise, multiple orc tribes are mentioned by both soldiers and traders, preparing the party for divided factions they can exploit. The cult’s presence is heavily implied through the Curate’s concerns, the night sentry’s report of chanting, and the preacher’s warning, so the players will not be blindsided when they discover the evil shrine. Use these overlaps to validate important information: if two or three different sources hint at the same thing (e.g. an ogre ally, or an evil priest in the caves), players will feel more confident that those particular rumors are true and crucial.

Varied Tone & Credibility: Each source’s tone provides a clue to the rumor’s reliability. A drunken braggart or superstitious peasant might spout fanciful tales (many of them False), whereas a seasoned scout or devout priest is more likely to convey True information. This lets the players weigh rumors by their source. You can role-play each NPC’s personality – the ramblings of a tavern drunk should sound obviously embellished, while the matter-of-fact report of a scout or the solemn warning of a cleric will carry more weight. For instance, players may rightfully doubt Old Ned the drunk’s ghost story, but give credence to the Curate’s feeling of evil. Encourage the party to seek multiple perspectives: if they hear a wild rumor, allow them to find another NPC who might confirm or debunk it. (We built in a direct contradiction: the drunk insists the tower is haunted, but the ranger flatly denies it – such discrepancies make the players investigate and decide which source to trust.)

Unlocking Rumors: Tie each rumor to a specific NPC, location, or trigger in-game. The module itself suggests keying certain rumors to particular NPCs (e.g. the barkeep might have one set of rumors if befriended, the blacksmith another). Use the “Unlock” suggestions above as a guide. For example, rumor of the ogre’s tracks comes from a patrol scout – the PCs might learn it by visiting the watchtower or talking to the patrol leader after a sortie. The players won’t get all 30 rumors at once; instead, decide which tidbits each NPC knows and let information flow naturally through conversation and downtime actions. Perhaps the party spends an evening carousing – you could give each PC a chance to pick up one or two rumors from different sources. The original B2 module recommended giving each player one rumor to start, some true and some false, and having others be discoverable through roleplay; you can distribute these in a similar spirit.

Planting Adventure Hooks: Many of these rumors double as adventure hooks that can motivate the PCs:

The merchant prisoner and kidnapped girl rumors appeal to the party’s heroic and monetary instincts (rescue missions with potential rewards). Even though the “fair maiden” is a false lead in canon, the belief that someone innocent needs saving can drive players straight into the Caves of Chaos. (If you prefer, you can make this rumor come true by actually placing a captive damsel in the caves under the cult’s thrall, as some DMs have done – Mystara lore is flexible on this point.)

The lost holy wand and hermit’s treasure rumors lure treasure-hungry parties to explore thoroughly. The wand rumor in particular ties into Mystaran lore by involving the Church of Karameikos – recovering a religious relic is a classic quest, and it gives cleric characters a personal stake.

The Iron Ring slaver connection is a hook that can extend the adventure beyond B2: it hints at the wider world (the scheming Black Eagle Barony and the Iron Ring slavers in Karameikos). PCs may become interested in following that thread, leading to future adventures against the Iron Ring or uncovering corruption in the Duchy.

The frost giant sighting is mostly atmospheric foreshadowing (to remind you as DM of the keep’s purpose per GAZ1), but if the campaign continues, it could plant seeds for higher-level play (“someday we might have to deal with giants in those peaks”). It also reinforces why the keep exists in Mystara’s geopolitical context – not just for the caves, but as a watchpost against bigger threats from Ylaruam or beyond.

Reconciling Rumor vs. Reality: As DM, be prepared to resolve what happens when the players act on false or mixed rumors. Generally, no rumor should completely derail the adventure – even false ones can lead to interesting outcomes or minor discoveries:

If the party wastes time searching the empty ruined tower for a ghost (thanks to the drunk’s tale), you can still make it an eventful detour: maybe they find the roost of some giant bats or a cache left by bandits who once camped there. Thus the trip isn’t entirely fruitless, and they learn the truth (no ghost) firsthand. It also validates the ranger’s counter-rumor, teaching them to vet sources next time.

For the “bugbears fear fire” rumor, if players rely on torches to intimidate bugbears and discover it doesn’t work, portray the bugbears’ mocking laughter as they press the attack. This can be a memorable lesson. Don’t punish the players too harshly; the rumor’s purpose is to sow a bit of chaos and keep them on their toes, not to TPK them. Perhaps the bugbears momentarily hesitate (giving a single round of surprise or positioning) but then roar with anger once they realize the flames won’t harm them. This way the rumor isn’t 100% useless – it gave a small edge – but ultimately is proven false.

The “Bree-Yark” trick is a classic from B2. If the party tries it, have it spectacularly backfire in a fun way: the goblins, hearing the alarm word “Bree-Yark,” might laughingly spring an ambush. It teaches players not to trust everything they hear, and creates a memorable anecdote. (If they learned the proper meaning later from, say, an interrogated goblin, they’ll realize some swindler at the keep set them up!)

Overlap false with truth: If one rumor is false but a related one is true, use the true event to clarify the false one’s origin. E.g., players might not find a “fair maiden” prisoner, but perhaps they do find tattered women’s clothing or a shallow grave in the caves – evidence that the goblins did capture someone (the farmer’s daughter or another victim) but she met a tragic end. This provides closure and a dose of realism (not every innocent gets saved in time), and it also underscores the brutality of the caves, aligning with the module’s tone.

In Mystara’s context, perhaps the “maiden” rumor actually stems from older folklore – locals recalling the Traladaran legend of Princess Argenta or similar – which in AC 1000 has no basis at the Caves, but the peasants mix old tales with current events. Explaining it this way keeps Mystaran lore consistency while justifying the false rumor.

Maintaining Canon and Tone: All names and details given align with established Mystara canon circa AC 1000. We use Castellan Keep as the keep’s name (per GAZ1), and we reference the Church of Karameikos (the dominant Thyatian-founded church in Karameikos at this time) as being active in the keep. The presence of the Iron Ring slavers and the mention of Duke’s Road, Kelvin, Specularum etc., are nods to Mystara’s Grand Duchy of Karameikos settingosrgrimoire.blogspot.com. These rumors enrich B2 by grounding it in Mystara’s lore:

The keep’s garrison is indeed said to be on alert for invasions “from the north and east” (i.e. the hostile desert lands of Ylaruam or humanoid hordes) and for giant activity, so including the frost giant rumor and the general vigilance of the soldiers ties directly to that background. You might mention in narration that the keep’s banner or motto is “The Mountain Storm Battalion” – a detail from GAZ1 – to emphasize this context.

The Cult of Chaos in B2 can be linked to a Mystaran Immortal if desired (e.g. Orcus or the Entropic Immortal Leptar worshipped by local evil cults), though the module doesn’t require it. The preacher’s rant about Orcus is an example of how to hint at Immortal involvement without needing to confirm it. It gives Mystara-savvy players a hook (“Orcus? Here?!”) while being just one character’s interpretation of the evil.

The Church of Karameikos vs. Cult of Chaos dynamic adds depth: the Curate’s concern and the archivist’s quest make the adventure not just a monster bash but a clash of faiths (Law vs. Chaos) consistent with B2’s original theme. The Traladaran street preacher shows the ordinary folk’s perspective, possibly distrusting the new Thyatian church’s ability to handle the problem (“repent or the dark powers will get us!”), which can spur the party to act as true heroes – earning the trust of both cultures by dealing with the threat.

Resolving Contradictions: Finally, when two rumors conflict (like the ghost vs. no-ghost in the tower, or differing explanations for why monsters are gathering), use those moments to engage the players’ investigative side. They might decide to check the tower themselves or seek a third opinion. This is a feature, not a bug, of a rumor web – it forces players to make judgment calls. As DM, you can drop extra hints to guide them: for instance, if they specifically ask the Castellan or another authoritative NPC about a widely disputed rumor (“My lord, is there truly a ghost in that tower?”), that NPC can give a definitive answer (the Castellan might laugh and say his troops have bivouacked there many times, no ghost). In essence, let the characters’ actions validate the truth. Players will feel a sense of accomplishment when they unravel the truth behind a rumor through their own efforts, and it makes the world feel alive when different NPCs have different beliefs about the unknown.

Use this rumor web to enrich your Keep on the Borderlands campaign, maintaining internal consistency and Mystaran flavor. The keep and its borderlands will buzz with information – some useful, some misleading – and it’s up to the adventurers to navigate this web. Through these rumors, you can organically steer the party toward the most exciting parts of the module (and beyond), foreshadow deadly encounters so they can prepare, and immerse them in the lore of Karameikos as they uncover the truth behind each tale. Good adventuring!

Sources:

Gary Gygax, B2: The Keep on the Borderlands (TSR, 1979). Contains the original rumor table and module details.

Aaron Allston, GAZ1: The Grand Duchy of Karameikos (TSR, 1987). Places B2’s keep in Mystara as Castellan Keep, a remote garrison reachable only by riverboat, tasked with watching for invasions and giants in the Altan Tepes mountains.

Vaults of Pandius fan archives and Atlas of Mystara maps – for additional context on Castellan Keep’s location and role.

Roll20 Community Forums & Dragonsfoot – for common fan adaptations (e.g. identifying the cult’s Immortal and adding depth to keep NPCs, such as a hidden Chaos cultist among the clergy). These informed the approach to rumor sources and integrating Mystaran elements (Iron Ring, Traladaran lore).