DM Encounter Guide: The Horn-Toll of Blackstone Pass
Dan KellyWhy Use This Encounter?
You get a clean, punchy “road encounter” that feels very D&D without being generic: a hard choke-point, a clear objective (get through / bargain / fight), and a scary escalation button (the berserk minotaur). It’s also perfect for miniatures because you can stage the trio as disciplined hunters while the berserker is a living problem the party knows is about to be released.
Encounter Setup
A narrow mountain pass has become impassable unless travellers pay the “horn-toll”: a tribute of food, livestock, weapons, or coin. Three minotaurs have built a crude barricade from broken standing stones and wagon wreckage. Behind it, something huge snorts and drags iron along rock.
These aren’t random monsters. They’re organised. They’ve learned that most caravans panic at horns and hooves… and panic pays.
Minotaur Forces
- 3 Minotaurs: The “Hornwardens” — disciplined enforcers who hold the choke-point and focus targets down.
- 1 Berserk Minotaur: The “Red Horn” — chained, muzzled, and barely controlled. It gets unleashed when negotiations fail or the wardens start losing.
Tactical Fun
The trio fight like bouncers at a very violent pub: they shove, block, and corner. The berserker is the other kind of bouncer: the one they only call when someone throws a chair.
Key moment: the party sees the chain and hears it tightening. The players will feel the timer even if you never say “timer”.
Rewards
Besides standard loot, the hornwardens keep a trophy-hoard of helms, weapons, and trinkets taken as toll. They also carry a carved obsidian token that marks “paid travellers” — useful later if the party needs safe passage again… or wants to impersonate someone who paid.
INTRODUCTION
As the party rounds a bend, the pass narrows to a throat of black stone. Ahead, a barricade of shattered monoliths and wagon wrecks blocks the way, decorated with hanging helms and split shields like grisly windchimes.
Three hulking, bull-headed figures stand guard. One raises a heavy greataxe, not quite threatening yet — more like a professional reminding you the door policy exists.
Behind them, something massive shifts in the shadows.
Boxed Text (read aloud)
“A horned figure steps forward and points the head of its axe at your packs, then at the road behind you, then back at your packs again — very slowly, like you’re the one being difficult.
A deep voice rumbles in broken Common: ‘Horn-toll. Pay… or bleed.’
From behind the barricade comes the scrape of iron on stone, followed by a wet, angry snort.”
Hornwarden Demands
Choose one (or roll 1d4):
- Coin toll: 50 gp per character (or equivalent valuables).
- Steel toll: one martial weapon per character (they love “shiny bite-sticks”).
- Food toll: rations equal to 3 days for the whole party (or a pack animal).
- Favour toll: “Bring us the map-man from the next caravan” (hooks a follow-up).
They will bargain, but they won’t be nice about it.
Encounter Development
Phase 1: The Toll
If the party talks, the hornwardens posture and test confidence.
- If the party pays: they’re allowed through, but watched closely.
- If the party stalls: one hornwarden steps into the choke-point and taps the chain-post behind the barricade, as a warning.
- If the party threatens / refuses / tries to bypass: combat begins.
Phase 2: The Choke-Point Fight
The three minotaurs try to keep the party inside the narrow pass where movement is limited. They focus on:
- The most armoured target (to prove a point), or
- The one holding obvious valuables / a shiny magic item (because minotaurs have eyes too).
Phase 3: Release the Red Horn
When any of the following happens, the berserk minotaur is unleashed:
- One hornwarden drops to half HP, or
- Two hornwardens are down, or
- The party deals a big “alpha strike” in round 1 (the wardens panic and pull the lever).
A hornwarden uses an action to yank a crude winch. The chain clatters loose.
Tactical Note: Terrain & Simple Mechanics
Battlefield Dressing (mini-friendly)
- Barricade (difficult terrain to climb; half cover behind it)
- Choke-point (10–15 ft wide)
- Loose scree along the edges (counts as difficult terrain)
- Chain-post & winch (set piece for the berserker release)
Optional Simple Hazard: Falling Scree (easy to run)
When the berserker charges for the first time, the impact loosens rocks:
-
Each creature within 10 ft of a cliff wall makes a DC 12 Dexterity save or takes 2d6 bludgeoning and is knocked prone.
(One and done — no tracking ongoing nonsense.)
Treasure
Roll or choose:
- A pouch of mixed coin (party-appropriate amount)
- 3d4 trade bars (copper/silver ingots)
- One uncommon magic item taken as toll (party-appropriate)
- The Obsidian Toll-Token: proof you “paid” the hornwardens (advantage on social checks with their allied raiders; or lets you pass once without paying if shown boldly)
Roleplaying Guidance: “Kargan the Hornwarden” (spokesminotaur)
Appearance
One horn is capped in brass. The other is scarred and cracked near the base. He wears a torn cloak that used to be a caravan banner.
Voice & Manner
Low, controlled, and oddly patient — like he’s explaining something obvious to a child who’s determined to touch a hot stove.
Quotes
- “Pay. Pass. Live. Simple.”
- “You talk brave. Brave bleeds same.”
- “Red Horn wants out. Don’t make me let him play.”
Key Info
- Kargan prefers toll-taking over killing; killing is messy and reduces future profits.
- He respects strength only if it’s disciplined.
- If the party retreats, he doesn’t chase far — he wants the pass, not a heroic death.
Quick 5e-Compatible Profiles (simple, table-ready)
Hornwarden Minotaur (x3)
Use a standard minotaur baseline, but give them one identity tweak so they feel like a unit:
- Choke-Point Bullies. If a hornwarden hits with a melee attack on its turn, it can force the target to make a DC 13 Strength save or be pushed 5 ft. (Keeps the pass-control vibe without being fiddly.)
Berserk Minotaur: “Red Horn” (x1)
A tougher bruiser with less control:
- Reckless Fury. At the start of its turn, Red Horn can gain advantage on melee attacks until the start of its next turn, but attack rolls against it have advantage until then.
- Unstoppable Charge (1/turn). If it moves at least 15 ft straight toward a creature and then hits with a melee attack, the target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength save or be knocked prone.
Level 5 Version
Designed for: 4 PCs at level 5 (hard/deadly depending on resources and terrain)
Hornwarden Minotaur (Level 5)
Large monstrosity, chaotic neutral
AC 14 (natural armour)
HP 76 (9d10 + 27)
Speed 40 ft.
STR 18 (+4) | DEX 11 (+0) | CON 16 (+3) | INT 6 (-2) | WIS 16 (+3) | CHA 9 (-1)
Skills Perception +5, Intimidation +1
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Abyssal, understands Common but speaks it poorly
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Choke-Point Bullies. Once per turn, when the hornwarden hits with a melee attack, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be pushed 5 ft.
Charge. If the hornwarden moves at least 10 ft straight towards a target and then hits it with a Gore attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 9 (2d8) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 10 ft and knocked prone.
Actions
Multiattack. The hornwarden makes two attacks: one with its Greataxe and one with its Gore, or two Greataxe attacks.
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d12 + 4) slashing.
Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing.
Red Horn, Berserk Minotaur (Level 5)
Large monstrosity, chaotic evil
AC 14 (natural armour)
HP 115 (10d10 + 60)
Speed 40 ft.
STR 20 (+5) | DEX 11 (+0) | CON 22 (+6) | INT 5 (-3) | WIS 12 (+1) | CHA 8 (-1)
Saving Throws Str +8, Con +9
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages understands Abyssal, does not speak
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Reckless Fury. At the start of its turn, Red Horn can gain advantage on melee attack rolls until the start of its next turn, but attack rolls against it have advantage until then.
Unstoppable Charge (1/turn). If Red Horn moves at least 15 ft straight towards a creature and then hits it with a melee attack, the target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Actions
Multiattack. Red Horn makes three attacks: two Greataxe attacks and one Gore attack.
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 5) slashing.
Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) piercing.
Level 10 Version
Designed for: 4 PCs at level 10 (hard, especially with chokepoint terrain)
Hornwarden Minotaur (Level 10)
Large monstrosity, chaotic neutral
AC 16 (natural armour)
HP 152 (16d10 + 64)
Speed 40 ft.
STR 20 (+5) | DEX 12 (+1) | CON 18 (+4) | INT 7 (-2) | WIS 16 (+3) | CHA 10 (+0)
Saving Throws Str +9, Con +8
Skills Perception +7, Intimidation +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 17
Languages Abyssal, Common (broken)
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
Choke-Point Bullies (Improved). Once per turn on a hit with a melee attack, the target must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be pushed 10 ft. If the target hits a solid object or another creature, it takes 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage and stops.
Tactical Discipline. The hornwarden has advantage on saving throws against being frightened. While within 10 ft of another hornwarden, it also has advantage on Strength checks/saves to resist being moved or knocked prone.
Charge. If it moves at least 10 ft straight towards a target and hits with Gore, the target takes an extra 13 (3d8) piercing damage and must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be pushed 10 ft and knocked prone.
Actions
Multiattack. The hornwarden makes three attacks: two Greataxe attacks and one Gore attack.
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 5) slashing.
Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing.
Reaction
Bodycheck. When a creature the hornwarden can see enters its reach, the hornwarden makes one Gore attack against that creature. On a hit, the creature’s speed becomes 0 for the rest of the turn.
Red Horn, Berserk Minotaur (Level 10)
Large monstrosity, chaotic evil
AC 16 (natural armour)
HP 230 (20d10 + 120)
Speed 40 ft.
STR 23 (+6) | DEX 12 (+1) | CON 22 (+6) | INT 5 (-3) | WIS 13 (+1) | CHA 9 (-1)
Saving Throws Str +11, Con +11, Wis +6
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages understands Abyssal, does not speak
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)
Reckless Fury. As per level 5.
Unstoppable Charge (1/turn). If it moves 15 ft straight and hits, DC 17 Strength save or knocked prone.
Relentless Rage (1/turn). If Red Horn is reduced to 0 HP, it instead drops to 1 HP unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit.
Actions
Multiattack. Red Horn makes four attacks: three Greataxe attacks and one Gore attack.
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (2d12 + 7) slashing.
Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing.
Bonus Action
Bellow of Ruin (Recharge 5–6). Creatures of Red Horn’s choice within 15 ft that can hear it must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of their next turn.
Level 15 Version
Designed for: 4 PCs at level 15 (hard/deadly, especially if the berserker is released early)
Hornwarden Minotaur (Level 15)
Large monstrosity, chaotic neutral
AC 18 (natural armour)
HP 225 (18d10 + 126)
Speed 40 ft.
STR 23 (+6) | DEX 14 (+2) | CON 22 (+6) | INT 8 (-1) | WIS 17 (+3) | CHA 11 (+0)
Saving Throws Str +12, Con +12, Wis +9
Skills Perception +9, Intimidation +6
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 19
Languages Abyssal, Common
Challenge 12 (8,400 XP)
Choke-Point Bullies (Elite). Once per turn on a melee hit: DC 18 Strength save or be pushed 10 ft and knocked prone. If the target can’t be pushed, it takes 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage instead.
Tactical Discipline (Aura). While within 15 ft of another hornwarden, each hornwarden gains +2 AC and advantage on all saving throws against being charmed or frightened.
Charge. If it moves 10 ft straight and hits with Gore, extra 18 (4d8) piercing damage; DC 18 Strength save or be pushed 10 ft and knocked prone.
Actions
Multiattack. The hornwarden makes three attacks.
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 23 (2d12 + 10) slashing.
Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d12 + 6) piercing.
Reaction
Punish the Gap. When a creature within 5 ft of the hornwarden misses it with a melee attack, the hornwarden makes one Greataxe attack against that creature.
Red Horn, Berserk Minotaur (Level 15)
Large monstrosity, chaotic evil
AC 18 (natural armour)
HP 345 (30d10 + 180)
Speed 40 ft.
STR 26 (+8) | DEX 14 (+2) | CON 22 (+6) | INT 5 (-3) | WIS 14 (+2) | CHA 10 (+0)
Saving Throws Str +15, Con +13, Wis +9
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages understands Abyssal, does not speak
Challenge 16 (15,000 XP)
Reckless Fury. As per level 5.
Unstoppable Charge (1/turn). If it moves 15 ft straight and hits, DC 19 Strength save or knocked prone.
Relentless Rage (2/turn). As per level 10, but can trigger twice per round (still not against radiant/crit).
Siegebreaker. Red Horn deals double damage to objects and structures.
Actions
Multiattack. Red Horn makes five attacks: four Greataxe attacks and one Gore attack.
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 26 (2d12 + 13) slashing.
Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (2d12 + 8) piercing.
Bonus Action
Bellow of Ruin (Recharge 4–6). Creatures of choice within 20 ft that can hear it must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.
Quick DM Dial (so you can tune on the fly)
If you find the fight running too hot:
- Reduce Hornwarden multiattack by 1 attack for that tier, or
- Delay the Red Horn release by 1–2 rounds, or
- Have Red Horn spend its first turn breaking free / roaring rather than full attacking.
If you want it nastier:
- Release Red Horn immediately when the first hornwarden takes a big hit, and/or
- Put the party in difficult terrain (scree) while the minotaurs have clear lanes.
WANT TO BUY THE MINOTAURS?