ATG Mission 7.8 The End of the Abyssal Knife
Previously On Liters of Tomorrow
Sailing to Ventenheim to find an ancient artifact known as the Hydellical Mechanoid the team had many adventures in Serpico city and the outlying regions. The team has been granted quarters in the great Sunriver Palace, guests of the Queen of the Kingdom of Crossing Sun and Stars. The Queen is Mew's Mother and has requested all of your help in hunting down the dangerous cult known as the Abyssal Knife. The cult is planning something underneath the city and needs to be stopped before they can summon forth another of their demons of destruction.
Yesterday most of you ventured forth from the castle after a well deserved night's sleep in warm beds. Cog left first to continue his research at the library. The rest of you shuffled out after some coffee, a light meal and some breakfast wine. Your new hire is a woman called Worius Yasmine, a former member of the Cult of the Abyssal Knife. You struck a deal with her to hunt down the cult in the city. At breakfast she demanded a disguise in case any assassins found her, Vom Fass using magical means created an illusory Wario mask to keep her identity hidden. After leaving the castle you walked into the great city of the Salt Steppe. In a wide open square the creature known as Shadowdrax fell out of a portal, damaged from blaster fire and smoking from the burns. Several TVA officers appeared around you with two lead investigators. One of which was the Gnome woman known as Tyll Bebo. They received orders to terminate Shadowdrax and the rest of you for time crimes but Tyll had a change of heart and switched sides in the moment. With her help you once more defeated the time cops and went on with the mission.
As you combed the city streets for signs of the cult you ran into another familiar face, that of the demigod Jalabraxis. After insulting the mortals on the team and inviting Blizzard Hops for a drink he was struck by Hops' hammer. In their last meeting Jalabraxis had tried to steal it and escape through a dimension door. The enraged Hops was interrupted however by the arrival of a huge mutated Rabbitfolk man known as Regeneaux. Jalabraxis used his illusions to make the entire team look just like him temporarily confusing the massive brute who attacked everyone! The team held off the powerful creature and kept it from destroying a good chunk of the city. Jalabraxis escaped and when his illusion fell the creature known as Reg left as well leaping into the air and disappearing. Finally the team was back on track hunting down the cultists. Yasmine spotted a Kenku runner named Drumnell who led you all to the Theater of the Unfurled Fan. The director of their new production took something from the little Kenku. As you infiltrated the building two sand assassins attacked you trying to stop you from entering a trap door in the floor. We return now to that moment...
Plot points/Scenes
[DM Note: Cog is researching not only the Hydellical Mechanoid but Bracers of Illusion. Need to place themsomewhere in the world. Most likely they are lost to time or destroyed but what the acolytes have discovered is an old wizard blueprint on how to recreate them.]
Cog's Day -
Cog you spent the day at the library deep in research with your hired acolytes. Unaware of the day's events wit the rest of the team you pore over ancient scrolls and dusty books looking for evidence of the bracers or your past or the hydellical mechanoid. At around 2 pm the acolyte known as Silent Guest approaches you and hands you several old documents. "According to my research it seems the bracers were destroyed over 250 years ago. On a more positive note we did find evidence from the artificer who helped to create them on his formulae and process." [DM Note: Hand him the print out.] In your head you hear a distress call from Mew over the communicator. She mentions a lead on the Abyssal Knife and the Unfurled Fan Theater, she wants you to make your way over their immediately. The theater is only a couple of blocks away and you excuse yourself from Silent Guest's presence and make your way out into the city. Roll a perception check [DC 16 to notice the Invisible Stalker about to strike!]
[DM Note: Karnak is attempting to enchant his staff of the woodland, there is a temple to Makalua’a in the city where he could get his first enchantment. Make him sacrifice a magic item to do this.]
The situation is as follows: Castenar Nitronus is being manipulated by the great demon lord known as Thegadronnan. The demon is using his mental influence to push Nitronus and the queen to greater forms of war and violence. Have a symbol or clue to expose Thegadronnan to the team. Maybe a maid's chambers or somewhere on the grounds. Note that if a player casts detect magic on anyone in the castle or the queen they will find traces of Enchantment magic though not necessarily a single spell or even a recognizable one. The demon known as Thegadronnan is using his power and magic to walk amongst them.
Arminius Kalis and the Unfurled Fan Theater -
Arminius Kalis was one of the most famous bard's, playwrights, and actor in all of Penthaheim. That was over 30 years ago however and many of talents and plays are considered old fashioned by today's standards. He used to travel with a troupe of actors and musicians all over Tanaheim called the Rainbow Prism. Many of the party can roll history checks to see if they remember any of this from their childhood with the exception of Vom Fass and Cog who most certainly would not. Any who succeed on a DC 15 or above would remember their parent or guardian taking them to a concert or play with Kalis as the lead. With his star dimming and work drying up Arminius was easy prey for the Abyssal Knife cult who plied him with promises of a return to fame as long as he played along and offered them cover when they needed it. It is possible to speak with Kalis to convince him to help or give up secrets.
You stand above the trapped door in the floor of the offices of the Unfurled Fan Theater. A tiefling man approaches you with a paper bag in his hand and he reaches into it. As his eyes lift they widen as he takes in the scene in front of him. "By the Horns of Agar! What is going on here?" He almost screeches as his eyes dart amongst your weapons. The only evidence of your battle against the sand assassins is the sand itself which lies in clumps amongst your feet. "Are you here to kill me? I'm just the director of this play I didn't write it!" [DM Note: Arminius will try to pretend he doesn't know what is going on but he most certainly is protecting the cult. With the right persuasion he can be fooled or forced into telling secrets. If cornered though he is a powerful warlock and may try to eldritch blast his way out of the situation and run into the city. He does have Misty Escape which allows for an invisible teleport up to 60 feet. Maybe the roof if he can. Beguiling defense allows him to reflect charm spells and he has a version of illusory terrain.]
The unfurled Fan theater is a famous building in all of Ventenheim and has a long history of being one of only two theaters to get all of the famous acts from Penthaheim and even the Forest realms to appear and perform. Currently they are doing five nights a week of the new musical play known as "the Wings of Winter's Breath". The acting troupe known as Stone's Throw is working jointly with several local tabaxi performers to put on the show. Arminius Kalis is the director and is using his personal chambers to allow the abyssal knife down into the sewer tunnels that lay beneath the theater and under the library. The Kenku man Drumnell is a gopher essentially, moving throughout the city gathering supplies and garnering little notice. Worius Yasmine would notice him though, she is well versed on how the cult works.
Caliendia Gloss and the Nimble Cheetah Inn
Caliendia Gloss is a tall attractive human woman with black curly hair and a need for the finer things in life. She has rented an expensive room from the Nimble Cheetah inn and is keeping tabs on supplies for the ceremony. She is enjoying every minute of comfort she can get before the great calamity. Even though she is a partaker in opulence she craves power more and is very much looking forward to acquiring a great amount of it soon. Not just her warlock powers from her patron but also a large kingdom to rule. Maybe this one after the stinking tabaxi and commoners are wiped out. She wears hair dye in her graying hair so that it stays shiny and black. Usually she uses illusions but she is trying to stay under the radar here.
Cordecep and the Winter's Eclipse Barony
Cordecep is a cleric of Lamborginus or at least he claims to be. His power now derives from Chon Urdero their great master. He is spending his time until the ritual is completed convincing the Winter's Eclipse Baron and Baroness to join their order. He doesn't quite believe that Culdred will pull this off and is instead doing what he always does. Creating wealth for their order by sucking up to the rich and powerful.
Abyssal Knife cultists in the city currently:
Several cultists are moving supplies into the great chamber. They may not be aware that the players have entered behind them. Allow the players to do what they will with the cultists. The Cultists are speaking in low tones but not whispering. They move large pieces of meat into crates as well as dozens of trinkets to be used as gifts for whatever they are summoning. Currently you see 5 cultists in red robes, mostly human but their is a halfling and elf amongst them. The sewer itself is made of light colored stone and has several archways in between the junctions to maintain stability. A wet slime seems to permeate most of the surfaces except high up on the walls. Waste enters the sewer by pipes made of clay and metal. These pipes branch off from larger trenches or tunnels that, in some instances, are large enough to accommodate a boat or a cart. When there is a walkway or cartway in a sewer tunnel, waste travels alongside in an open or covered floor trench. When volumes are low, passages remain unobstructed. However, when volumes are high or during heavy rains, sewage can flood the system or back it up. The Sewage is steered toward a discharge point, There is a tunnel that heads out to the sea. In the trenches are small green gelatinous creatures, cousins to the large cubes you have seen before. They are used to ingest and process larger pieces of waste like fat bergs or even dead bodies.
In the final chamber beneath the library a great battle awaits. Culdred and his upper echelon of cultists have prepared for any interference by summoning two elemental guardians to protect the ceremony. The chamber underneath the library is enormous, arched ceilings raise up to 100 feet and the center column and all of the walls and floor are just covered in runic symbols, magical circles, and ritual spell writing. At least four cultists are doing these rituals at all times to prepare for the great coming. Once the players enter this chamber they will have six rounds to stop Culdred from completing the ritual. If they fail the great beast will be summoned. A Kaiju sized demon from the abyss that will walk through the chamber and into the city above wreaking havoc.
The Final Battle
In the Chamber of Lost Lore, an continually-illuminated room that allowed those with permission to commune with long-deceased scholars and sages, The Cult has drawn their symbols and rune summonings. The walls and floor are covered in chalk lines and glowing ink that make up intricate interlocking circles all filled with hundreds of runes and pictographs. Each set faintly glows giving the chamber a strange lighting of phosphorescent turquoise which abuts the red and orange of the torches and lanterns. As you all enter the chamber you can feel the energy of the room, hairs stand on end, or metal skin dances with static arcane energy. Ancient medallions of some dragon like creatures over 25 feet wide stand on the floor and walls evidence of whatever culture carved this space a millenia ago. On the far side of the chamber from you three clerics continue their work. Clad in red robes, each one furiously works to complete the complex ritual writings. All except one, he stands with his back to you and with the slightest tilt of his head, he feels your presence. He slowly turns and looks at you. An attractive Tiefling man pulls back his head and smiles. [DM Note: A DC 15 History check by most but Cog and Shadowdrax reveals that this is a famous actor from the 2950's named Jerrol Flint.]
"You have all traveled halfway around the world hunting me and my organization. Your whole purpose to stop us is folly, you should embrace the promises we make. To think you all have devoted your entire professional lives to my destruction and now here you are about to die." He turns to the other clerics and says "Finish the ritual, we have prepared for this. Release the protectors now."
"It's too late my nemeses, though we have all been locked in a dangerous game of cat and mouse for the last year, each focusing all of our resources and guile towards one another it is I who will be the victor. Your sole quest of ending the Abyssal Knife will be your DOOM!" At this point he unleashes the powerful elementals they have crafter for this purpose. The Abyssal Fire guardian and the Abyssal Ice Guardian. The other clerics feverishly pick up their pace to finish the ritual. ROll Initiative and the players now have exactly six rounds to stop the ritual from summoning the great beast. The players may take any steps they need to determine how much time they have.
Cog's Day -
Cog you spent the day at the library deep in research with your hired acolytes. Unaware of the day's events wit the rest of the team you pore over ancient scrolls and dusty books looking for evidence of the bracers or your past or the hydellical mechanoid. At around 2 pm the acolyte known as Silent Guest approaches you and hands you several old documents. "According to my research it seems the bracers were destroyed over 250 years ago. On a more positive note we did find evidence from the artificer who helped to create them on his formulae and process." [DM Note: Hand him the print out.] In your head you hear a distress call from Mew over the communicator. She mentions a lead on the Abyssal Knife and the Unfurled Fan Theater, she wants you to make your way over their immediately. The theater is only a couple of blocks away and you excuse yourself from Silent Guest's presence and make your way out into the city. Roll a perception check [DC 16 to notice the Invisible Stalker about to strike!]
[DM Note: Karnak is attempting to enchant his staff of the woodland, there is a temple to Makalua’a in the city where he could get his first enchantment. Make him sacrifice a magic item to do this.]
The situation is as follows: Castenar Nitronus is being manipulated by the great demon lord known as Thegadronnan. The demon is using his mental influence to push Nitronus and the queen to greater forms of war and violence. Have a symbol or clue to expose Thegadronnan to the team. Maybe a maid's chambers or somewhere on the grounds. Note that if a player casts detect magic on anyone in the castle or the queen they will find traces of Enchantment magic though not necessarily a single spell or even a recognizable one. The demon known as Thegadronnan is using his power and magic to walk amongst them.
Arminius Kalis and the Unfurled Fan Theater -
Arminius Kalis was one of the most famous bard's, playwrights, and actor in all of Penthaheim. That was over 30 years ago however and many of talents and plays are considered old fashioned by today's standards. He used to travel with a troupe of actors and musicians all over Tanaheim called the Rainbow Prism. Many of the party can roll history checks to see if they remember any of this from their childhood with the exception of Vom Fass and Cog who most certainly would not. Any who succeed on a DC 15 or above would remember their parent or guardian taking them to a concert or play with Kalis as the lead. With his star dimming and work drying up Arminius was easy prey for the Abyssal Knife cult who plied him with promises of a return to fame as long as he played along and offered them cover when they needed it. It is possible to speak with Kalis to convince him to help or give up secrets.
You stand above the trapped door in the floor of the offices of the Unfurled Fan Theater. A tiefling man approaches you with a paper bag in his hand and he reaches into it. As his eyes lift they widen as he takes in the scene in front of him. "By the Horns of Agar! What is going on here?" He almost screeches as his eyes dart amongst your weapons. The only evidence of your battle against the sand assassins is the sand itself which lies in clumps amongst your feet. "Are you here to kill me? I'm just the director of this play I didn't write it!" [DM Note: Arminius will try to pretend he doesn't know what is going on but he most certainly is protecting the cult. With the right persuasion he can be fooled or forced into telling secrets. If cornered though he is a powerful warlock and may try to eldritch blast his way out of the situation and run into the city. He does have Misty Escape which allows for an invisible teleport up to 60 feet. Maybe the roof if he can. Beguiling defense allows him to reflect charm spells and he has a version of illusory terrain.]
The unfurled Fan theater is a famous building in all of Ventenheim and has a long history of being one of only two theaters to get all of the famous acts from Penthaheim and even the Forest realms to appear and perform. Currently they are doing five nights a week of the new musical play known as "the Wings of Winter's Breath". The acting troupe known as Stone's Throw is working jointly with several local tabaxi performers to put on the show. Arminius Kalis is the director and is using his personal chambers to allow the abyssal knife down into the sewer tunnels that lay beneath the theater and under the library. The Kenku man Drumnell is a gopher essentially, moving throughout the city gathering supplies and garnering little notice. Worius Yasmine would notice him though, she is well versed on how the cult works.
Caliendia Gloss and the Nimble Cheetah Inn
Caliendia Gloss is a tall attractive human woman with black curly hair and a need for the finer things in life. She has rented an expensive room from the Nimble Cheetah inn and is keeping tabs on supplies for the ceremony. She is enjoying every minute of comfort she can get before the great calamity. Even though she is a partaker in opulence she craves power more and is very much looking forward to acquiring a great amount of it soon. Not just her warlock powers from her patron but also a large kingdom to rule. Maybe this one after the stinking tabaxi and commoners are wiped out. She wears hair dye in her graying hair so that it stays shiny and black. Usually she uses illusions but she is trying to stay under the radar here.
Cordecep and the Winter's Eclipse Barony
Cordecep is a cleric of Lamborginus or at least he claims to be. His power now derives from Chon Urdero their great master. He is spending his time until the ritual is completed convincing the Winter's Eclipse Baron and Baroness to join their order. He doesn't quite believe that Culdred will pull this off and is instead doing what he always does. Creating wealth for their order by sucking up to the rich and powerful.
Abyssal Knife cultists in the city currently:
- Erelmil Galathaniel is a 80 year old male half-elf Assassin
- Caliendia Gloss -human female Warlock
- Fulgen - Halfling Rogue, could be sent as assassin
- Cordecep - Human Cleric
- Culdred - A 160 year old Tiefling warlock Head of the Cult
- Purg Dami Oh - female Dragon Born Cleric, second in command
Several cultists are moving supplies into the great chamber. They may not be aware that the players have entered behind them. Allow the players to do what they will with the cultists. The Cultists are speaking in low tones but not whispering. They move large pieces of meat into crates as well as dozens of trinkets to be used as gifts for whatever they are summoning. Currently you see 5 cultists in red robes, mostly human but their is a halfling and elf amongst them. The sewer itself is made of light colored stone and has several archways in between the junctions to maintain stability. A wet slime seems to permeate most of the surfaces except high up on the walls. Waste enters the sewer by pipes made of clay and metal. These pipes branch off from larger trenches or tunnels that, in some instances, are large enough to accommodate a boat or a cart. When there is a walkway or cartway in a sewer tunnel, waste travels alongside in an open or covered floor trench. When volumes are low, passages remain unobstructed. However, when volumes are high or during heavy rains, sewage can flood the system or back it up. The Sewage is steered toward a discharge point, There is a tunnel that heads out to the sea. In the trenches are small green gelatinous creatures, cousins to the large cubes you have seen before. They are used to ingest and process larger pieces of waste like fat bergs or even dead bodies.
In the final chamber beneath the library a great battle awaits. Culdred and his upper echelon of cultists have prepared for any interference by summoning two elemental guardians to protect the ceremony. The chamber underneath the library is enormous, arched ceilings raise up to 100 feet and the center column and all of the walls and floor are just covered in runic symbols, magical circles, and ritual spell writing. At least four cultists are doing these rituals at all times to prepare for the great coming. Once the players enter this chamber they will have six rounds to stop Culdred from completing the ritual. If they fail the great beast will be summoned. A Kaiju sized demon from the abyss that will walk through the chamber and into the city above wreaking havoc.
The Final Battle
In the Chamber of Lost Lore, an continually-illuminated room that allowed those with permission to commune with long-deceased scholars and sages, The Cult has drawn their symbols and rune summonings. The walls and floor are covered in chalk lines and glowing ink that make up intricate interlocking circles all filled with hundreds of runes and pictographs. Each set faintly glows giving the chamber a strange lighting of phosphorescent turquoise which abuts the red and orange of the torches and lanterns. As you all enter the chamber you can feel the energy of the room, hairs stand on end, or metal skin dances with static arcane energy. Ancient medallions of some dragon like creatures over 25 feet wide stand on the floor and walls evidence of whatever culture carved this space a millenia ago. On the far side of the chamber from you three clerics continue their work. Clad in red robes, each one furiously works to complete the complex ritual writings. All except one, he stands with his back to you and with the slightest tilt of his head, he feels your presence. He slowly turns and looks at you. An attractive Tiefling man pulls back his head and smiles. [DM Note: A DC 15 History check by most but Cog and Shadowdrax reveals that this is a famous actor from the 2950's named Jerrol Flint.]
"You have all traveled halfway around the world hunting me and my organization. Your whole purpose to stop us is folly, you should embrace the promises we make. To think you all have devoted your entire professional lives to my destruction and now here you are about to die." He turns to the other clerics and says "Finish the ritual, we have prepared for this. Release the protectors now."
"It's too late my nemeses, though we have all been locked in a dangerous game of cat and mouse for the last year, each focusing all of our resources and guile towards one another it is I who will be the victor. Your sole quest of ending the Abyssal Knife will be your DOOM!" At this point he unleashes the powerful elementals they have crafter for this purpose. The Abyssal Fire guardian and the Abyssal Ice Guardian. The other clerics feverishly pick up their pace to finish the ritual. ROll Initiative and the players now have exactly six rounds to stop the ritual from summoning the great beast. The players may take any steps they need to determine how much time they have.
Themes
The Assassination of the Queen
Create a scenario as the group returns to the castle after dispatching the Abyssal Knife. The queen is giving a speech in the square surrounded by hundreds of Tabaxi. A sniper on a rooftop utilizes several distractions like the dark knight joker scene. Using a specialized bow the killer takes aim at the queen's head. What does Mew do in this situation? Make it either a member of the Tungsten Splinter or maybe a hire from one of the trade companies.
Battered, bloody and exhausted after your fight with the abyssal knife you drag yourselves out of the underground and begin the walk through the city back to the Sunriver Castle. You walk past shops and houses and notice several have closed early and many citizens are walking quickly through the streets to the square under the Kettleclaw Tower. You follow along behind and find yourselves once more in the wide city plaza where you fought with the TVA and Reg. The entire plaza is ringed with people and a tall constructed stage stands in the middle. As you look closer you see several regiments of the Tabaxi Military standing in formation at the base of the 15 foot stage. Their tan and black matching uniforms stand out amongst the crowd of normally brightly hued tabaxi attire. A huge banner with the kingdom's crest hangs behind the podium, and several royal servants hustle up and down the stage getting it ready. After a few moments the Queen herself takes the stage, her voice magically enchanted to be increased in volume. She begins a prepared speech "For many cycles around the sun and under the two moons our people have lived under threat. Threats from the Minotaurs and other dangerous races of this land, threat from the Trade Companies who continue to destabilize commerce and peace on our continent. Threats from the great Houses of Penthos and their Navies and power. Well today we take out first steps into the promise of safety and reunification. Today I will lead us to the promised peace and forever garden that our people have always aspired to. The forever garden and promise of respite have forever been what we have looked forward to in the afterlife. That place that we all strive to attain, but I say we can attain this now and on this plane of reality and in our lifetime. You have only to trust my leadership and the power granted to me by the sun itself and all of the gods of nature." Mew as this speech drones on you get a small buzzing in your head.
"Stand down princess, Just stay out of our way and our problems will be over. We kill the Queen." A female voice echoes in your ear using a message spell. [DM Note: Have Mew roll an Intelligence Check DC 14. On a success She picks up two traces of mental images from the sender. Fourth Floor and the image of Hen of the Flock (Hen) - A former aide to the queen she escaped the city after being blamed for theft despite any evidence.] "We have a high powered bow in position, we just need one shot."
As the party looks around at nearby buildings close enough for an arrow shot there are three that fit the bill. [1] A Brownstone with three windows on each floor overlooking the plaza. It has a flat roof made of turquoise clay shingles. [2] A tall manor house owned by the proprietor of the Moka Rang tavern. It has two windows on the fourth floor and an angled roof made of orange shakes. [3] The tall four story department store building known as Opaque Clemency. It is a light grey concrete building with many gold decorative elements and a dark grey roof. Each of these buildings has a shadowy figure that can barely be seen in the sunlight of late afternoon. Soulsight reveals that currently each of these sites has glowing orb of tabaxi soul in them.
[1] The room in the Brownstone. [DM Note: this building has a trap being set by the tabaxi known as Rat Catcher Rake. He has placed several mannequins in the windows and placed a tripwire by the door. The mannequins are also trapped in case someone comes in through the window! If broken the room fills with a paralyzing gas released from several vials surrounding the door. A player may make a DC 18 Dex save to avoid and a DC 17 Con Save if they breathe any of the gas. A fail will cause the muscles to freeze up and paralyze the player for 1 minute. Long enough for the authorities to get there and blame them. If nothing else Rat Catcher Rake will attack the players and keep them busy.] The building has an old staircase made of dark polished wood that leads up to the fourth floor. It is a fairly thin tall building very similar to a downtown brooklyn building. The room inside is furnished with out of date furniture covered in old cloth and several trunks of old clothes. an investigation check reveals 150 gp worth of old jewels.
[2] The Manor House. [This house has the sniper who is a paid assassin from COBRA. A high elf from the forest lands known as Endil Staurik. An incredibly adept assassin and archer, See attached character file.] The room on the fourth floor is accessible by picking the lock on the back door of the manor or picking one of the locks on the windows.
[3] The Department Store - Several Spiral staircase take shoppers up to the upper floors. The fourth Floor is a storage area and is mostly a 200x100 foot attic space. Hundreds of wooden crates and chests are strewn about the floor in large piles. Three large windows line the Northwest wall which faces out over the plaza. Mannequins have been placed in front of each of the windows to give the appearance of someone standing there. Surrounding each mannequin are magical rune traps placed on the floor each one triggered by touch. If triggered a player must make a DC 16 con save or be paralyzed for one minute. This house has a tabaxi named Humble Mirror who has staged all of this. He is a member of the Tungsten Splinter and was in Serpico.
Fallout after the action -
IF the queen is saved then Mew must decide what to do with the other members of the Tungsten Splinter. The Queen and her advisor's will recommend a public execution possibly a hanging or magical version that is just as horrifying and deadly. The Queen will demand Mew and her crew capture the remaining members still in they city and hold a quick mock trial. [DM Note: The Tabaxi Known as Cloaking Dagger was a double agent all along and may present himself as such during this meeting. He can help identify the other members of the seditious group.
IF the queen is killed this opens up all manner of opportunity. Does Mew take the throne? The tabaxi known as Crescent Moon reveals himself to be an agent of the high ranking Minister known as Velvet Grass. He immediately takes the stage and tries to calm the mass of people and explain that the Queen had been ensorceled and was not in her right mind. "Please be calm! The Queen was being controlled by a demon! I know it to be true!" Here the players will be forced to be intermediaries between the military leaders and the Tungsten Splinter and the two high ranking Viziers, Castenar Nitronus and Ice on the Lake. Castenar Nitronus is also being influenced by the demon known as Thegadronnan. The players may try to find this out and his mark will be all over them. If an enchantment is lifted they may be able to discern that Thegadronnan has been masquerading as a maid known as Bright Card (Bright) - Tabaxi woman, maid. She may be in the crowd for some reason observing all of this.
[DM NOTE: The situation is as follows: Castenar Nitronus is being manipulated by the great demon lord known as Thegadronnan. The demon is using his mental influence to push Nitronus and the queen to greater forms of war and violence. Have a symbol or clue to expose Thegadronnan to the team. Maybe a maid's chambers or somewhere on the grounds. Note that if a player casts detect magic on anyone in the castle or the queen they will find traces of Enchantment magic though not necessarily a single spell or even a recognizable one. The demon known as Thegadronnan is using his power and magic to walk amongst them. In the city of the Great Salt Steppe As you make your way from the chamber with your plan in place to begin the search in the city you walk through the hallways of the castle towards the front gate. Hops make a perception check [DM Note: DC 14, On a success "You notice a small symbol carved into the stone with a light hand. Most wouldn't have seen it at all. Make a history check or a religion check" DC 14. On a success "You think back to your training at the protectorate and the connection is made. A symbol to the great demon Thegadronnan, But what in the hells would it be doing here?"]
Structure
Exposition
The Oracle of Vellenox
[DM Note: The Adherents of Iron have found the Oracle. They are hoping it has the final clue to finding the divinity Well of Vellenox which is just southeast of the Quala Structure. If the players foil them before they activate the oracle they can severely hamper the Adherent efforts to kill Vellenox. If the players don't stop them in time the Adherents will get a final clue to the Divinity well and be on their way soon to kill the god. Maps are in the Ventenheim battle map folder.]
Brook leaves you with the information to get to the Oracle in one day's travel. The meeting of the two rivers Ullarin features a hidden temple just to the west. This is the Oracle of Vellenox. Inputting the map information into Karnac's map bracer allows you to use it as a compass to guide you in the right direction. He also provides you with topographical information to best travel with your riding lizards in the fastest way possible. As you set out once more into the humid jungle like forest the afternoon sun filters through the canopy above in a warm yellow dapple. You take a break around 2 for lunch and a bit of a rest. Stretching your legs and backs and rubbing your sore inner thighs. In the distance you see a large wide animalistic statue. It towers next to the trees around it and small streams flow underneath it. The jungle around it almost looks brighter and more colorful, more wildflowers dot the forest floor and dozens of brightly colored vines criss cross the lower side of the statue each studded with pink flowers. Frank the beetle crawls out onto Karnac's Shoulder and says "A forest statue dedicated to Oppapan, A great forest spirit. The legends say that when the continent is threatened he will rise and defend it. It is said he sleeps in the great tree."
[DM Note: The previous encounter with the adherents of Iron was as follows: “We are battalion 23 of the Adherents of Iron. This vessel has stolen property on it and we demand the return of our battle warforged number 313. This will be done promptly and no harm will come to your or your crew.” If Cog is on deck the commander paladin is dismissive and treats him as a droid. He purposefully avoids eye contact and always speaks to a human or dwarf that is present. “You warforged will not address me as anything other than master. You will return with us or be dismantled, any thoughts you are having to the contrary are a devil’s work and blasphemous. Silence yourself or I will do it for you.” If Hops is anywhere in view a Cleric will approach him angrily. “You there! How dare you wear that symbol heathen! Bow down before us and ask for forgiveness. Begin the prayer ritual immediately or I will strike you down.” He reaches out to grab the tabard on Hop’s chest and tear the cloth to shreds.]
As your lizards bob and move over rocky forest shelves the trees that surround you blur past. Your lizards slow and stop as you get to a large cliffside covered in lichen and moss, a small waterfall trickles down to the forest floor below. As you peer down you see a large clearing and a huge ziggurat in the center of it. Vines and brush grow all around it and on it almost obscuring the lower levels. In the center of the highest levels you see a few armored men flanked by familiar looking automatons. The press on something in the rocky face and a stairwell sinks down inside. Two of the armored men begin to descend into the structure.
[DM Note: Important members of the Adherents of Iron here] Inquisitor Catalonia Colonel Umbrant Major Gruppa Treinta Lieutenant Navis Ventera Adjutant Lieutenant Prancis Cleric soldier Richeliu Cleric Soldier Montello Automaton units 231/143/267
Plot type
Main Story
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