Ashen Forest Tales - The secrets of Ebon Noctua
This story will take place in the region of the Porskan Crater and will feature the ancient mine from early in Campaign 2. The cult of Ebon Noctua is still camped out in front of the mine and they are sending teams into the mine to use the summoning stones there to bring forth demons to serve the Dark One.
With information that the Dragon Crown resides inside that mine as well, Kazallar and the Fang of Vargraash also want to enter it to find the Crown. The team will be tasked with destroying the mine and sealing it off once more.
Mark's character is searching for a fiend who was spotted in the area. His skin prickles when the creature is near. Sometimes it even gives him a direction. The fiend is a demon ranger named Crevlar the Bone Taker. It hails from the Black Hells and was sent to kill Wes and anyone associated with our main campaign team. Also to just wreak havoc on the region and to sow death and destruction.
The Verdant Sigil will help Luke's character control his powers and will task Dan and Luke with finding the Ancient Mine and closing it down if need be.
Outline -
With information that the Dragon Crown resides inside that mine as well, Kazallar and the Fang of Vargraash also want to enter it to find the Crown. The team will be tasked with destroying the mine and sealing it off once more.
Mark's character is searching for a fiend who was spotted in the area. His skin prickles when the creature is near. Sometimes it even gives him a direction. The fiend is a demon ranger named Crevlar the Bone Taker. It hails from the Black Hells and was sent to kill Wes and anyone associated with our main campaign team. Also to just wreak havoc on the region and to sow death and destruction.
The Verdant Sigil will help Luke's character control his powers and will task Dan and Luke with finding the Ancient Mine and closing it down if need be.
Outline -
- Meet with the Verdant Sigil and Turnip Starbee
- Find and kill the Fiend Ranger (see stat block in world anvil)
- Find the Purpleheart Talisman
- Locate the Mine / Summoning table of Chabrazel / Temple of Dark Arts.
- Face Mark's father and the Fang of Vargraash
- Destroy the entrance to the mine or find some way to seal it off.
Plot points/Scenes
OUTLINE -
COUSINS-
Mark’s Aasimar Drowling is in the area to search for the Fiend Ranger. It’s a demon hybrid who escaped one of the hells and has moved onto the material plane. It’s possible that he was summoned by someone, but who? [DM Note: the cult of Ebon Noctua has been using the ancient mine to bring forth demons into the world. This will be Mark’s driving quest, to stop this summoning ceremony. The next Demon will be more difficult to stop, much more powerful.]
Aasimar / Drow - raised by Drow who told him that his mother was killed by his father. An Aasimar who was disgraced and wandered the earth. He met a Drow woman who was a spy working in the city of Stoneport.
Luke and Dan are Tieflings who grew up in a mixed community of Tieflings, Green Elves, and Firbolgs who had created a safe haven. In the area around Vela’Rus. The community was destroyed and many of the group were murdered. The first group blamed for the massacre is a militia group based in Porsk. The mines in the area are incredibly valuable and the Nuxhall family is getting more bold in trying to take them over.
The reality is that Mark’s father is leading a war band with a partner and slaughtering anyone in their path looking for an artifact of some kind. They will be the true villains.
Kazallar Relazan - A powerful Aasimar who laid with a drow woman 23 years ago. He abandoned the child and when her Drow family took up arms against him he killed his Drow wife in the battle.
He has teamed up with a Goliath man named Ragvar Hightower, the two of them now search for the Dragon Crown. A powerful artifact that will give them the power to control a dragon. We can use Vertagon Al Reshi as our resident Bronze dragon that will be in danger. They have a warband that they travel with who wear an armband with a sigil on it. The sigil is a fist with a dagger through it. They are leading the new Fang of Vargraash a main force of Gnolls who are under the command of Kazallar and Hightower. They also employ several human, half elven, and half orc mercenaries. They are paid well and like to show off their earnings. They often raid mining shipments and trade caravans to fund their operation.
We will bolt this on to the mine stuff from early in Campaign 2
Start in Vela Rus and have the characters meet up in one of the local taverns.
The Mining Camp of Clan Lockhouse
Outside of different creatures lurking in the woods we will have three main factions. The miners and merchants of Clan Lockhouse who now find themselves in a dangerous position between two warring factions. The fang of Vargraash with Mark’s Dad leading a powerful force of mercenaries. The Cult of Ebon Noctua who are searching the Mine for a way to summon forth a demon of great power to serve the dark One.
Daughters of Light show up to harass Dan’s Paladin and show that they are wary of Tiefling nature paladin.
The Verdant Sigil show up to tell the PC’s that it is important to stop the Fang from getting the Dragon Crown. They also warn of Luke’s burgeoning powers that threaten him and the natural order around him.
Sometimes have him roll on the Wild shape table.
He needs to find the Purpleheart Talisman to stabilize himself.
The member of the Verdant Sigil is a Harengon man named Turnip Starbee. He is originally from Ventenheim and a 3rd level Druid as well. When he feels the echos of power in Druidic Magic he begins to investigate.
The purple heart talisman is in the Same thieves hideout/Cave from the Messendria Quail rescue mission. We can use the same characters as well.
Aasimar / Drow - raised by Drow who told him that his mother was killed by his father. An Aasimar who was disgraced and wandered the earth. He met a Drow woman who was a spy working in the city of Stoneport.
Luke and Dan are Tieflings who grew up in a mixed community of Tieflings, Green Elves, and Firbolgs who had created a safe haven. In the area around Vela’Rus. The community was destroyed and many of the group were murdered. The first group blamed for the massacre is a militia group based in Porsk. The mines in the area are incredibly valuable and the Nuxhall family is getting more bold in trying to take them over.
The reality is that Mark’s father is leading a war band with a partner and slaughtering anyone in their path looking for an artifact of some kind. They will be the true villains.
Kazallar Relazan - A powerful Aasimar who laid with a drow woman 23 years ago. He abandoned the child and when her Drow family took up arms against him he killed his Drow wife in the battle.
He has teamed up with a Goliath man named Ragvar Hightower, the two of them now search for the Dragon Crown. A powerful artifact that will give them the power to control a dragon. We can use Vertagon Al Reshi as our resident Bronze dragon that will be in danger. They have a warband that they travel with who wear an armband with a sigil on it. The sigil is a fist with a dagger through it. They are leading the new Fang of Vargraash a main force of Gnolls who are under the command of Kazallar and Hightower. They also employ several human, half elven, and half orc mercenaries. They are paid well and like to show off their earnings. They often raid mining shipments and trade caravans to fund their operation.
We will bolt this on to the mine stuff from early in Campaign 2
Start in Vela Rus and have the characters meet up in one of the local taverns.
- Monsters Luke would like to meet:
- Goblins
- Ice Bats
- Owlbears vs.
- Bronze Dragon
- Green Dragon
- Fiend Ranger
- Ventilver Monkey
- Ogre
- Gnolls
The Mining Camp of Clan Lockhouse
Outside of different creatures lurking in the woods we will have three main factions. The miners and merchants of Clan Lockhouse who now find themselves in a dangerous position between two warring factions. The fang of Vargraash with Mark’s Dad leading a powerful force of mercenaries. The Cult of Ebon Noctua who are searching the Mine for a way to summon forth a demon of great power to serve the dark One.
Daughters of Light show up to harass Dan’s Paladin and show that they are wary of Tiefling nature paladin.
The Verdant Sigil show up to tell the PC’s that it is important to stop the Fang from getting the Dragon Crown. They also warn of Luke’s burgeoning powers that threaten him and the natural order around him.
Sometimes have him roll on the Wild shape table.
He needs to find the Purpleheart Talisman to stabilize himself.
The member of the Verdant Sigil is a Harengon man named Turnip Starbee. He is originally from Ventenheim and a 3rd level Druid as well. When he feels the echos of power in Druidic Magic he begins to investigate.
The purple heart talisman is in the Same thieves hideout/Cave from the Messendria Quail rescue mission. We can use the same characters as well.
Themes
Vela'Rus
Black Lung Bar - Your classic deadwood style frontier tavern built with dark espresso colored poplar. It is a workers bar and after six pm is filled with an assortment of sweaty, soot ridden, heavy drinkers. The owner is a dwarven man named Totten Woodshaver and he has a thick black beard and a bald head. His main bartender is a thick shouldered bald human man with a large handlebar moustache called Ivor Knott. Unfortunately for our strange band of soon to be companions they have chosen this bar instead of the more friendly Aroki Tavern, which often caters to travelers. Start Here:
Brennbloods you walk into the tavern cold and tired after walking through the grasslands north of here for two straight days. You barely read the sign that hangs in front of the tavern which has fading paint and is darkened with dirt and grit. You saw the warmth coming from within and the cheery orange lights from the windows. The important thing is that there was food inside, you have had little to eat except hard tack and crickets from the road. Dan you are probably hungrier than Luke who somehow always seems to be finding a ripe berry on a vine even though it has been dormant for the winter months. As you enter the bar you find it teeming with people. Humans, Half elves, dwarves, even some Halfling.
They are dressed like mine workers and they chat boisterously and drink from ceramic flagons.
Luke and Dan roll perception checks as you walk in.
So far it seems like most of the crowd is ignoring you. On a success they see a hooded figure in the corner Strider style. He has a plate of food in front of him that he has barely touched and a pint of ale. Mark would you describe what your character is doing ,if anything, in the corner?
In the rafters of the tavern hidden away amongst the rising smoke two fairies sit by a miniature table enjoying a feast. After a few minutes of ordering some food and trying to stay low profile you feel the eyes of some of the patrons on you. Mark you are the first to see several figures begin to eye your strange group. They all wear similar black leather arm bands bearing the mark of a row of fangs over an eye. The seem to be mostly humans, a half elven man and a half orc.
They have stolen fresh berries and a hunk of seared salmon, more than enough food for three meals.
Black Lung Bar - Your classic deadwood style frontier tavern built with dark espresso colored poplar. It is a workers bar and after six pm is filled with an assortment of sweaty, soot ridden, heavy drinkers. The owner is a dwarven man named Totten Woodshaver and he has a thick black beard and a bald head. His main bartender is a thick shouldered bald human man with a large handlebar moustache called Ivor Knott. Unfortunately for our strange band of soon to be companions they have chosen this bar instead of the more friendly Aroki Tavern, which often caters to travelers. Start Here:
Brennbloods you walk into the tavern cold and tired after walking through the grasslands north of here for two straight days. You barely read the sign that hangs in front of the tavern which has fading paint and is darkened with dirt and grit. You saw the warmth coming from within and the cheery orange lights from the windows. The important thing is that there was food inside, you have had little to eat except hard tack and crickets from the road. Dan you are probably hungrier than Luke who somehow always seems to be finding a ripe berry on a vine even though it has been dormant for the winter months. As you enter the bar you find it teeming with people. Humans, Half elves, dwarves, even some Halfling.
They are dressed like mine workers and they chat boisterously and drink from ceramic flagons.
Luke and Dan roll perception checks as you walk in.
So far it seems like most of the crowd is ignoring you. On a success they see a hooded figure in the corner Strider style. He has a plate of food in front of him that he has barely touched and a pint of ale. Mark would you describe what your character is doing ,if anything, in the corner?
In the rafters of the tavern hidden away amongst the rising smoke two fairies sit by a miniature table enjoying a feast. After a few minutes of ordering some food and trying to stay low profile you feel the eyes of some of the patrons on you. Mark you are the first to see several figures begin to eye your strange group. They all wear similar black leather arm bands bearing the mark of a row of fangs over an eye. The seem to be mostly humans, a half elven man and a half orc.
They have stolen fresh berries and a hunk of seared salmon, more than enough food for three meals.
Structure
Exposition
BEGIN HERE:
Western Constellation Min
Yusuf and the mine engineer begin to fill you in on the discovery of the strange new mine almost a year ago. An opening was spotted in the northern section of the crater that was considered to be barren. All of the ore was said to be removed from that area over a century ago. Then an opening was spotted by human led team under the auspices of a local mining company called Silverhand. In mere days the operation was quickly taken over by the powerful East Tellenheim Company. The governor of Vela'Rus himself, Kethlan Chevelle, was said to have swept in and provided the papers of Acquisition.
The goblin steps in confidently and says "But it wasn't a mine, you see, my clan snuck in not long after that. It was an ancient dark temple left there undisturbed for a long time. My cousin Delvin made it out that day when many others did not. He swears he looked in to one of the Hells itself before he fled in fear!"
Yusuf says "Let's not get overly hyperbolic, we don't know what's in there and this cult could just be a bunch of people down on their luck looking for bread and beer. When the ETC is involved it's usually about profits not a bunch of dark magic and demons. There is a camp a mile east of the cult owned by Clan Lockhouse. It's in front of one of our mines that may intersect with tunnels in that region."
The engineer agrees "That's right I've charter several secure tunnels that veer west that could connect with a way in to this supposed temple. If they are there I'll find it. I suggest we head to camp blue hammer so we can grab some equipment. It's fairly secure with some walls and fortification. We can grab some lunch there and make preparations."
You all follow Yusuf and the engineer down the forest trails and eventually you stand on the edge of the great Porskan Crater. Much like the majesty of the Grand Canyon you look down the walls of the crater and realize how big it is. The sun's rays shine down through a bank of clouds and white and blue flocks of birds whirl down the crater walls granting the view a real cinematic quaility.
Roll some perception checks. [on a DC 16 success they can see the sparkle of green in the distance to the south. A flash of leathery green wings and an echo of a roar just barely can be heard over the wind. Thurlis Stem mutters under his breath, "Kestlerender, as if we don't have enough problems today."
Conflict
The Cult of Ebon Devoted Noctua
[DM Note: This cult is dedicated to the Dark One himself. They currently serve Lord Vedemire Dark Horse as he is a chose one. Dark Horse and Istencia Greencloak have created an army of Krullocs and will use them to further his own ends. Using alchemy, magic and artificer ingenuity they are creating mutant chimerae using living and dead tissue. The creatures are very powerful and take basic instruction but are dumb enough not to ask too many questions. Deep in the back chamber of the mine is a huge open space. Here is an ancient summoning table. It stands in front of several misshapen rings of black onyx. In the center of the table a circlet is affixed in a vertical position. It acts as a summoning focus. It also happens to be the fabled Dragon Crown. Said to allow the wielded the ability to control a dragon with one's mind. ]
Oxela Namuria. Completely devoted to Lord Dark Horse she has dedicated her cult to his service, hoping to release the Dark One from his prison.
Porter Arcwell - Enforcer, A goliath man and a 8th level fighter. He loves Oxela deeply and has devoted his life to her service.
Governor Chevelle from Vela'Rus - A human man who is also a high ranking officer of the East Tellenheim Company. He is a major bank roller for this chapter of the cult. He has wire rim spectacles and wears a dark red coat.
Istencia Greencloak - A green elven woman and a brilliant artificer. She is working directly with Lord Dark Horse to create the Krullocs. Mutated creatures that can be created with enough blood and sinew from different creatures.
[DM Note: This cult is dedicated to the Dark One himself. They currently serve Lord Vedemire Dark Horse as he is a chose one. Dark Horse and Istencia Greencloak have created an army of Krullocs and will use them to further his own ends. Using alchemy, magic and artificer ingenuity they are creating mutant chimerae using living and dead tissue. The creatures are very powerful and take basic instruction but are dumb enough not to ask too many questions. Deep in the back chamber of the mine is a huge open space. Here is an ancient summoning table. It stands in front of several misshapen rings of black onyx. In the center of the table a circlet is affixed in a vertical position. It acts as a summoning focus. It also happens to be the fabled Dragon Crown. Said to allow the wielded the ability to control a dragon with one's mind. ]
Oxela Namuria. Completely devoted to Lord Dark Horse she has dedicated her cult to his service, hoping to release the Dark One from his prison.
Porter Arcwell - Enforcer, A goliath man and a 8th level fighter. He loves Oxela deeply and has devoted his life to her service.
Governor Chevelle from Vela'Rus - A human man who is also a high ranking officer of the East Tellenheim Company. He is a major bank roller for this chapter of the cult. He has wire rim spectacles and wears a dark red coat.
Istencia Greencloak - A green elven woman and a brilliant artificer. She is working directly with Lord Dark Horse to create the Krullocs. Mutated creatures that can be created with enough blood and sinew from different creatures.
Rising Action
If anyone scouts the Western Constellation Mine:
"n the distance as you look down the massive cliff of the Porskan Crater you see a Mine entrance. Carved of massive granite slabs the ancient mine looks very intimidating. On the ground in front of the enormous rectangular entrance is an encampment of over 45 tents. Easily 150 figures move about the area below right in front of the huge opening. Dozens of cooking fires have large stew pots hanging over them and workers go about their daily routines. Several tanners rub drying leather, a blacksmith pounds a bar of metal, and several people drop piles of chopped wood near the fires. You see all manner of races move about both male and female. You notices some of them wear black robes with large hoods as they move about. Others seem to defer to them or take orders.
As you watch you see movement right by the entrance, several people move quickly and fearfully away even diving over baskets to get out of the way. A scaly creature that bears demonic features bounds out of the mine and take off towards the crater edge about a quarter mile from where you are. A human man gets caught in the way of the creature and he is trampled and shoved forcefully out of the way. He doesn't get up. The rest of the cult raises their arms up in the air in the direction of the creature and then bows down low. [DM Note: A history or religion check identifies it as an Abyssal Wretch, not as dangerous as the Fiend Ranger they fought days ago.]
Yusuf and the engineer offer to begin searching the mine tunnels if the rest of the team wants to scout ahead to the cult. At this point we need to bring in some of the Fang of Vargraash thugs to threaten the team. Maybe some Gnolls this time so that we can level them up to level five for the big battle.
"n the distance as you look down the massive cliff of the Porskan Crater you see a Mine entrance. Carved of massive granite slabs the ancient mine looks very intimidating. On the ground in front of the enormous rectangular entrance is an encampment of over 45 tents. Easily 150 figures move about the area below right in front of the huge opening. Dozens of cooking fires have large stew pots hanging over them and workers go about their daily routines. Several tanners rub drying leather, a blacksmith pounds a bar of metal, and several people drop piles of chopped wood near the fires. You see all manner of races move about both male and female. You notices some of them wear black robes with large hoods as they move about. Others seem to defer to them or take orders.
As you watch you see movement right by the entrance, several people move quickly and fearfully away even diving over baskets to get out of the way. A scaly creature that bears demonic features bounds out of the mine and take off towards the crater edge about a quarter mile from where you are. A human man gets caught in the way of the creature and he is trampled and shoved forcefully out of the way. He doesn't get up. The rest of the cult raises their arms up in the air in the direction of the creature and then bows down low. [DM Note: A history or religion check identifies it as an Abyssal Wretch, not as dangerous as the Fiend Ranger they fought days ago.]
Yusuf and the engineer offer to begin searching the mine tunnels if the rest of the team wants to scout ahead to the cult. At this point we need to bring in some of the Fang of Vargraash thugs to threaten the team. Maybe some Gnolls this time so that we can level them up to level five for the big battle.
Climax
Need locations for the Marid's Bones hideout
The location of the Vault
Maps: rooftop chase map
Marid's Bones Hideout map
Grey Compound
Underwharf maps
A dungeon map for the Vault
Monsters
Stats for Aarokocra fighters
and other thugs and guards.
Tokens for Roll 20
Mid game battle , arena? Have some of Barrowhorne's men set up a meeting at the arena at Shullush Prison. They promise an antidote or the key will be handed over. Ambush the party with an ogre Howdah and a troll.
Once Barrowhorne hears of our crew being both Tieflings and Aasimar he will go into a rage. This group threatens his precious vault more than any other. He will start sending out tougher assassins including monstrous ones.
Tannelmimic?
Final Battle
Magic items and potions available at shops:
- Potion of Animal Friendship - 25 gp
- Potion of Climbing - 50 gp
- Potion of Healing - 50 gp
- Potion of Greater Healing -150 gp
- Potion of water breathing - 120 gp
- Potion of Hill Giant Strength - 70 gp
- Potion of Enlarge - 100 gp
- Bag of Tricks - Barter or 150 gp
- Skyglider Shield -
Plot type
New Year's One Shot
Related Locations
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