{3,1} Sickening Caves DM

Description:

In the middle of a desert, standing out like a sore thumb, lies the City of Tears, a city that was supposed to be lost to the ages until it was recently dug up by a wandering band of adventurers. The City itself lies on top of the Sickening Caves, a subterranean network of interdimensional passageways that seem to bend the laws of space and time.

Lore Summary:

There are rumors that within the Caves lies some ancient deific power that heralds the End. Naturally, there are various forces that would love to get their hands on such powers, from this world and from other worlds as well. Factions have fought and died to maintain control of the City of Tears as it is the most apparent nexus to access the Caves.

By day, the City is abandoned, roamed only by hunters of the Court of Ravens or the priests of the Congregation, roaming the ruined town purging nests of undead and demons. By night, the City comes alive and is filled to the brim with unimaginable horrors and abominations. The vampires of the Sanguine Society maintain some semblance of order but the safety of visitors is never a high priority.

All of the factions in the city await groups of adventurers who will swear their allegiance to their cause or at the very least swear to not join the causes of their rivals. Deadlocked in a stalemate, they will do anything to get an upper hand. Anything.

Story Hooks:

• Exploration:The Caves are incredibly dangerous to delve into and there is no way to prepare for what you might find there. Cave expeditions should be done with utmost care as exposure to the Far Realms will not necessarily harm your body but cripple your mind. (DM Consultant: Ujaan)

• Faction Wars: The factions war with each other, but such war is rarely conducted in the open as an attack on one might leave you vulnerable to another. Thus, they must use subterfuge to undermine their rival’s efforts and they’ll need help to that end (DM Consultant: Ujaan)

• Aberattions: Almost all the factions are concerned with the growing population of aberrations within the City. They suspect the relation between the Caves and the Far Realms is to blame and are trying their best to quell it and they will pay for help with this. (DM Consultant: Ujaan)

• Illithid: There have been encounters with a mysterious Illithid arcanist with plans of his own. He seems to avoid conflict with adventurers but is more than happy to prey upon the helpless. He has various minions at his command including Oblex and other aberrations. (DM Consultant: Ujaan)

Environment: Desert

Landmarks: City Ruins, The Elreiven Mansion, Oasis Village, Temple of the Congregation, Nightwood Santorium, The Order Head Office
NPCs: Court of Ravens: Lucien Von Ark, Avarra
Congregation of Vasraelkan: Father Atticus(currently not in City), Priest Alexei, Paladin Nikolai
Ilmalexian Supremacy: Ilmalexia the Enlightened (currently not in City), Head Archivist Eryen Illithyl
Sanguine Society: The Elder (currently not in City), Sir Morden Elreiven, Lady Elvara Elreiven

Status: Explored Difficulty:Challenging (8/8) DM Location: Sickening Caves (DM: Ujaan)
Uncovered By:
Cillan Feredir, Gale, Groq-Gar, Nereil Thercys, Rhythm, Greldar of Refugee's