The Haunted Mill

Level 1, 2-3 hours. Strange lights and moaning at the old mill are scaring the village. Free 5E compatible one-shot for new DMs.

Hook

The miller's daughter says her father vanished into the old mill three nights ago.

Scene 1: The village

Villagers tell rumors. A DC 10 Intelligence (History) check recalls that the mill was built over an old graveyard.

Scene 2: Mill ground floor

Four Giant Rats (CR 1/8) nest in the grain sacks. The miller's lantern is lying on the floor.

Scene 3: The cellar

Two Skeletons (CR 1/4) and a Zombie (CR 1/4) guard a broken tomb. The miller is tied up, alive. The undead fall still if the tomb's stone lid is put back.

Treasure

An old silver holy symbol (25 gp), 15 gp in coins and the miller's eternal gratitude: free bread for life.

Prep in 10 minutes

• Keep the conditions cheat sheet open for Prone, Grappled and Frightened.
• Roll a few backup names with the NPC name generator in case players talk to someone unexpected.
• Need more treasure? Use the loot generator.
• First time running a game? Do a quick session zero first.

More free one-shots

• The Goblin Toll Bridge
• Wolves of the Long Winter

DM tips

• Read each scene before the session and note monster stats from the SRD.
• Use the encounter calculator to adjust for your party size.
• Track initiative and HP in the DM Table or on paper.