ebook img

Tomb of Annihilation (FG Rip) PDF

203 Pages·2017·17.09 MB·English
by  
Save to my drive
Quick download
Download
Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.

Preview Tomb of Annihilation (FG Rip)

Contents INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................................................. Contents 1 .................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 ....................................................................................................................................................................... StoryOverview 6 ............................................................................................................................................................................... RunningtheAdventure 6 ................................................................................................................................................................... Abbreviation..s................................................................................................................................................................................6 AdventureSummary ..............................................................................................................................................................7 DeathCurse .............................................................................................................................................................7 CharacterAdvancement 8 ........................................................................................................................................................................ StartingatHigherLevels 8 ................................................................................................................................................................ StartingtheAdventure 9 ........................................................................................................................................................................ SyndraSilvane’sCurse 9 .............................................................................................................................................................................. CharacterHooks 10 ...................................................................................................................................................................................... WelcometoChult 11 ............................................................................................................................................................................. Weather......................................................................................................................................................................................11 RacesofChult 12 ......................................................................................................................................................................... Chultans 12 ................................................................................................................................................................................................. Chapter1:PortNyanzaru 16 ......................................................................................................................................................................................... Arrival ..........................................................................................................................................................................16 SideQuests 17 ....................................................................................................................................................................................... LocationsintheCity 18 ....................................................................................................................................................................... OldCity ..............................................................................................................................................................................19 Merchants’W.a..r..d.........................................................................................................................................................................19 HarborWard ............................................................................................................................................................................21 MarketWard .......................................................................................................................................................................22 Malar’sThroat 23 ..................................................................................................................................................................................... TirykiAnchorage 23 ...................................................................................................................................................... CityDenizens 24 ....................................................................................................................................................................... Volothamp“Volo”Geddarm 24 ..................................................................................................................................................................... MerchantPrinces 24 ................................................................................................................................................................................ MerchantPrince’sVilla 26 ................................................................................................................................................................................ LowerLevel 27 ................................................................................................................................................ UpperLevel 27 ........................................................................................................................................................................ FactionsandTheirRepresentatives 28 ................................................................................................................................................................................ Emerald..E..n...c.l.a..v..e..........................................................................................................................................................................29 FlamingFist ...........................................................................................................................................................................29 Harpers .................................................................................................................................................................29 Lords’Alliance .................................................................................................................................................................29 OrderoftheGa.u...n..t.l.e..t..................................................................................................................................................................29 RedWizard...s..o..f..T...h..a..y...................................................................................................................................................................30 YtepkaSociety 30 ....................................................................................................................................................................................... Zhentarim 30 ................................................................................................................................................................ ThingstoDo 30 ......................................................................................................................................................................... BuyingaSpecia.l.I..t.e..m...................................................................................................................................................................30 DinosaurRacing ..............................................................................................................................................................31 FindingaGuide 32 .................................................................................................................................................................... GatheringInformation 34 ...................................................................................................................................................................... Chapter2:TheLandofChult 36 ........................................................................................................................................................................ TheExpeditionBegins 36 .................................................................................................................................................................................. TravelDistan..c..e..s.........................................................................................................................................................................36 Navigatio..n....................................................................................................................................................................................37 Dehydration ..................................................................................................................................................................37 Diseases 37 .............................................................................................................................................................................. RandomEncounters 38 ............................................................................................................................................................................. LocationsinChult 38 LocationsF-I 50 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................................................... LocationsJ-L............................................................................................................................................................................64 LocationsM-P............................................................................................................................................................................68 LocationsR-S 77 .............................................................................................................................................. LocationsV-Y 78 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... Chapter3:DwellersoftheForbiddenCity 86 ................................................................................................................................................................. Omu 86 ........................................................................................................................................................................ Approachingth.e...C..i.t.y...................................................................................................................................................................86 EnteringtheCity ...........................................................................................................................................................86 HistoryofOmu.........................................................................................................................................................................87 Legendofthe..N...i.n..e...G..o...d..s............................................................................................................................................................87 CityInhabi.t.a..n..t.s...........................................................................................................................................................................88 PuzzleCubes .....................................................................................................................................................89 Navigation ..................................................................................................................................................................89 RandomEncountersinOmu 91 .................................................................................................................................................... LocationsintheCity 91 .................................................................................................................................................................... Chapter4:FaneoftheNightSerpent 105 ...................................................................................................................................................................................... SchemesoftheYuan-ti 105 ................................................................................................................................................................................... RasNsi 105 ................................................................................................................................................................................... Fenthaza 105 ............................................................................................................................................................ GettingInside 106 .......................................................................................................................................................... InfiltratingtheTemple 106 .................................................................................................................................................................. CapturedbytheYuan-ti 106 ............................................................................................................................................................................. LocationsintheTemple 108 ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1.MainGate ....................................................................................................................................................................108 2.HallofW...a..r............................................................................................................................................................................110 3.HallofSerpents ............................................................................................................................................................110 4.Armory .............................................................................................................................................................110 5.Fenthaza’s.Q...u..a..r..t.e..r..s.............................................................................................................................................................111 6.SacrificialCha..m....b..e..r...............................................................................................................................................................111 7.EvilOracl.e..............................................................................................................................................................................112 8.Prisoner..P...i.t.s..........................................................................................................................................................................112 9.TheFane .....................................................................................................................................................................113 10.Harem .....................................................................................................................................................................113 11.ThroneRoo..m........................................................................................................................................................................114 13.RasNsi’sLair ................................................................................................................................................................115 13.Storeroom.............................................................................................................................................................................115 14.VenomDisti.l.l.e..r..y.................................................................................................................................................................115 15.Snake.P...i.t.............................................................................................................................................................................116 16.BloodBaths ......................................................................................................................................................................116 17.Sauna .......................................................................................................................................................................116 18.Yuan-tiNests ...........................................................................................................................................................117 19.SlaveGrotto.......................................................................................................................................................................117 20.Underground..R..i.v..e..r.............................................................................................................................................................117 21.Hydra’sLair .................................................................................................................................................................117 22.FungiCavern 118 ......................................................................................................................................................... 23.SecretEntrance 118 ........................................................................................................................................................................ Chapter5:TomboftheNineGods 119 ...................................................................................................................................................................... HistoryoftheTomb 119 ........................................................................................................................................................... RiseoftheTomb 119 ......................................................................................................................................................................... NourishingtheAtropal 119 ..................................................................................................................................................................... ExploringtheTomb 119 .................................................................................................................................................................... GeneralFeatures.....................................................................................................................................................................120 TombInhabitants.....................................................................................................................................................................120 FabledTreasures .....................................................................................................................................................121 SpellRestrictions 121 .................................................................................................................................................. ReplacingDeadCharacters 122 .............................................................................................................................................................. SpiritsoftheNineTricksterGods 122 SpiritualInhabitation 123 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................ LeavingaHost ............................................................................................................................................................123 FightingOveraHost 123 ....................................................................................................................................................................... RoleplayingtheSpirits 123 ............................................................................................................................................................. Level1:RottenHalls 123 ............................................................................................................................................................ 1.Acererak’sWar..n..i.n..g..............................................................................................................................................................124 2.GalleryofTrick..s..t.e..r..s.............................................................................................................................................................124 3.FalseEntrance ................................................................................................................................................................124 4.TrueEntrance ...................................................................................................................................................................125 5.TrappedCorrido..r..................................................................................................................................................................126 6.CrystalWindow ...............................................................................................................................................................127 7.GrandStaircase....................................................................................................................................................................127 8.MagicalAttraction................................................................................................................................................................127 9.MagicFount.a..i.n......................................................................................................................................................................128 10.Obo’laka’sTom..b.................................................................................................................................................................128 11.GasPocket.........................................................................................................................................................................129 12.TrappedChe..s.t.....................................................................................................................................................................129 13.StoneSkull ...................................................................................................................................................................129 14.Moa’sTomb ....................................................................................................................................................129 16.Wongo’sTomb ..............................................................................................................................................130 17.Undergro...u..n..d...W....a..t.e..r..f.a..l.l.....................................................................................................................................................131 Level2:Dungeo.n...o..f..D..e..c..e..p..t..i.o..n................................................................................................................................................131 18.DevilPit .........................................................................................................................................................................131 19.GravityRing......................................................................................................................................................................131 20.FalseTomb ................................................................................................................................................................133 21.ZombieDoor.....................................................................................................................................................................133 22.Papazotl’sTomb ..............................................................................................................................................................133 23.BottledGenie.......................................................................................................................................................................134 24.Nangnang’sTom...b...............................................................................................................................................................135 25.ScryingPool .............................................................................................................................................135 26.SpiralStaircase.................................................................................................................................................................135 27.ForgeoftheTombDwa.r..v..e..s..............................................................................................................................................136 28.Withers’sOf..f.i.c..e..................................................................................................................................................................137 Level3:Vaultof..R...e..f.l.e..c.t..i.o..n.......................................................................................................................................................138 29.JackalMask .....................................................................................................................................................................138 30.IronBarrier ..........................................................................................................................................................138 31.ReflectedHall .....................................................................................................................................................138 32.RotatingC..r..a..w...l.w...a..y..s............................................................................................................................................................140 33.Chamberof.O...p..p..o..s..i.t.i..o..n......................................................................................................................................................140 34.Peephole ...........................................................................................................................................................141 35.I’jin’sTomb ...................................................................................................................................................141 36.ChamberofRespite .......................................................................................................................................................142 37.WindsofP..a..n..d...e..m...o..n..i.u...m......................................................................................................................................................142 38.RevolvingRoomTrap ..................................................................................................................................................143 39.GolemPit ................................................................................................................................................................144 40.CurseoftheGold.e..n...S..k..u...l.l..................................................................................................................................................144 41.TombGuard.i.a..n..s.................................................................................................................................................................145 42.Kubazan’sTomb ........................................................................................................................................................145 43.VeilsofFear 146 .......................................................................................................................................................... 44.VaultoftheBeholder 146 ........................................................................................................................................................... Level4:ChambersofHorror 147 .......................................................................................................................................................................... 45.GargoyleGuard.i.a..n..s............................................................................................................................................................148 46.LizardDen ..............................................................................................................................................................149 47.ElementalCell.s...................................................................................................................................................................149 48.Shagambi’sTomb .....................................................................................................................................................150 49.MazeofDeath......................................................................................................................................................................151 50.MirrorofLife.T..r..a..p..p..i.n...g......................................................................................................................................................152 51.GhastlyDoor .....................................................................................................................................................153 52.ThroneRoom.....................................................................................................................................................................153 53.CryptoftheS.u..n...Q...u..e..e..n.......................................................................................................................................................154 54.RollingDoom .............................................................................................................................................................155 55.Unkh’sTo..m...b........................................................................................................................................................................155 56.GrandfatherClock 157 57.Oubliette 157 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................................................... Level5:GearsofHate 157 ......................................................................................................................................................................... 58.CogofRot .......................................................................................................................................................................158 59.CogofAcid .....................................................................................................................................................................158 60.CogofBlood ...............................................................................................................................................................158 61.ControlRoom ................................................................................................................................................................159 62.StoneJuggernaut .........................................................................................................................................................160 63.Gas-FilledRoom ............................................................................................................................................................162 64.BaseoftheWaterfa..l.l..........................................................................................................................................................162 65.UndergroundLake ............................................................................................................................................162 66.DoorofDevo.u..r.i..n..g..............................................................................................................................................................163 67.HalloftheGolde.n...M...a..s..t.o..d...o..n.............................................................................................................................................163 68.HallofDecay ...............................................................................................................................................................165 69.MechanusChain ............................................................................................................................................165 70.ArmillarySphere ....................................................................................................................................................166 Level6:CradleoftheDe..a..t.h...G...o..d.............................................................................................................................................166 71.LairoftheSewnSis..t..e..r.s......................................................................................................................................................167 72.TrialoftheTriangle .........................................................................................................................................................170 73.TrialoftheSquare ..........................................................................................................................................................170 74.TrialofthePentagon...........................................................................................................................................................170 75.TrialoftheHexagon.........................................................................................................................................................171 76.TrialoftheOct.a..g..o..n.............................................................................................................................................................171 77.DeathGod’sNu..r.s..e..r..y..........................................................................................................................................................172 78.ChapelofHa..t.e.....................................................................................................................................................................174 79.HallofFin.a..l.i.t.y.....................................................................................................................................................................174 80.RedLibrary 175 ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 81.EbonPool 176 ......................................................................................................................................................................... Conclusion 176 ............................................................................................................................................................................ LostTreasures ..................................................................................................................................................176 Syndra’sFa.t.e.............................................................................................................................................................................177 Artus...a..n..d...t.h...e..R...i.n..g...o..f..W....i.n..t..e..r..................................................................................................................................................177 Dragonbait ...............................................................................................................................................................177 Omu ...............................................................................................................................................................177 RedWizardsofTh..a..y.................................................................................................................................................................177 AcereraktheEternal 177 ..................................................................................................................................................... MoreAdventures 177 ......................................................................................................................................................................... AppendixA:CharacterBackgrounds 178 Anthropologist 178 INTRODUCTION Introduction S omethingevilistrappingthesoulsofthedead BeneaththecrackedandbrokenstreetsofOmuliesa anddraininglifefromallwhohavebeenraised secretyuan-titemplecalledtheFaneoftheNightSerpent, fromdeathbymagic.Thisworldwide“death whereRasNsiholdsswayandplotstobringabouttheendof curse”notonlypreventstheraisingofthedead theworld.OmuisalsohometotheTomboftheNineGods.As butalsocausescreaturesthatwerepreviously thecharactersexplorethismultileveldungeon,theyencounter raisedfromthedeadtowitheranddie.The thespiritsofOmu’strickstergodsandarepotentially sourceofthisdeathcurseliesinatrap-riddled inhabitedbythem.Eachgodembodiesadifferentalignment, tombhiddenbeneathalostcityinthedepths andanycharacterinhabitedbyonegainsaspecialpoweras ofavastjungle. wellasaflaw.Theninetrickstergodsdon’tgetalong,andthey TombofAnnihilationisaDungeons& trytopushoneanotheroutofthecharacters’bodies.Asthe Dragonsadventurethattakesplaceonthe godsfightovertheirlivinghosts,thecharactersmustdeal peninsulaofChultintheForgottenRealms.Chultisatropical withthedeadlytrapsandmonstersthatguardtheSoulmonger. wildernesscomposedmostlyofjungles,plateaus,impassable Venturingdeeperintothetomb,theyuncovercluesaboutthe mountains,andbelchingvolcanoes.Youcansubstitutea dungeon’sevilarchitect—thearchlichAcererak—andlearn differentjunglesetting,changinglocationnamesasneeded. thattheSoulmongerisfeedingsoulstoanundeadhorror AlternativeD&DsettingsincludetheAmedioJungleofOerth, calledanatropal.Onceitconsumesenoughsouls,theatropal theSavageCoastofMystara,thejunglesofXen’drikon willtransformintoanevilgod. Eberron,oracomparablesettingonyourhomecampaign DestroyingtheSoulmongerendsthedeathcurseaffecting world. theworld,whilekillingtheatropalincursthewrathof Thisadventureisdesignedtobeginwithapartyoffourto Acererak.Undernormalcircumstances,theenragedarchlich six1st-levelcharacters,whoshouldadvanceto11thlevelor wouldbefartoogreatafoeformortaladventurersto Story Overview higherbytheadventure’sconclusion. overcome,butwiththetrickstergodsofOmuontheirside,the Running the Adventure heroeshaveafightingchance. ThecharactersaredrawnintothestorybySyndraSilvane, aretiredadventurerandmerchantwho,yearsago,wasraised Torunthisadventure,youneedtheD&Dfiftheditioncore fromthedead.Now,she’switheringaway.Whenshe rulebooks(Player’sHandbook,DungeonMaster’sGuide, Textthatappearsinaboxlikethisismeanttoberead consultedpriests,Syndralearnedthattheafflictionwas andMonsterManual). aloudorparaphrasedfortheplayerswhentheir widespreadandthatnospellcouldcureit.Shespoketoher charactersfirstarriveatalocationorunderaspecific friendsamongtheHarpers,whodeterminedthesourceofthe circumstance,asdescribedinthetext. affliction:anungodlynecromanticdevicecalledthe Soulmonger.TheHarpersreceivedtheirintelligencefroma lich,buttheydon’tknowmuchabouttheSoulmongerother thanitsnameandgeneralwhereabouts.Adventurerswilling TheMonsterManualandVolo’sGuidetoMonsterscontain tohelpSyndramusttraveltoChult,alandofjunglesand statblocksformostofthecreaturesfoundinthisadventure. monsters,tofindtheSoulmongeranddestroyit. Youdon’tneedthelatterreferencetorunTombof UnknowntoSyndraandherallies,theSoulmongeris Annihilation,asallthenecessarystatblocksfromVolo’sGuide trappingthesoulsofthedeadanddeprivinglichesofthe toMonstersareincludedwiththenewmonstersinappendixD. meanstotrapsoulsintheirphylacteries.(TheSoulmonger Whenacreature’snameappearsinboldtype,that’sa snatchesupthesoulsbeforetheycanbetrappedelsewhere.) visualcuepointingyoutoitsstatblockintheMonsterManual. SzassTam,themostpowerfullichamongtheRedWizardsof IfastatblockappearsinappendixD,theadventure’stexttells Thay,hassentoperativestoChulttostealtheSoulmongeror, youso. failingthat,destroyit.LeadingtheThayanexpeditionisSzass Spellsandequipmentmentionedintheadventureare Tam’sdevotedlieutenant,ValindraShadowmantle.Valindra describedinthePlayer’sHandbook.Magicitemsaredescribed hasbeenwarnedthatadventurersmightcrossherpath,so intheDungeonMaster’sGuide,unlesstheadventure’stext she’spreparedforthem. dAirbecbtsryeouvtioaatniitoemn’ssdescriptioninappendixC. AlsolurkingintheheartofChultisRasNsi,amythic, villainousfigureamongChultans.RasNsiwasahuman paladinandaswornprotectorofthecityofMezro.He betrayedhisoathsandwasbanished.Ratherthanredeem Thefollowingabbreviationsareusedthroughoutthis himself,heraisedanundeadarmytoconquerMezro.The adventure: would-betyrantwasdefeatedandbanishedoncemore.Mezro waslaterdestroyedbytheSpellplague(orsoitseemed), hp=hitpoints gp=goldpiece(s) duringwhichRasNsilosthispowertocreateandcommand undead.HewithdrewtothecityofOmu,leavingthevestigesof LG=Lawfulgood CN=Chaoticneutral hisundeadarmytoroamuncheckedthroughoutthejungle. ThatwasnottheendofRasNsi,however.Bitteroverhisloss AC=ArmorClass ep=electrumpiece(s) ofpower,heforgedanalliancewiththeyuan-tilurkinginthe ruinsofOmuandunderwentaritualoftransformation, CG=Chaoticgood LE=Lawfulevil becomingayuan-timalison.Asayuan-ti,RasNsiimposedhis terriblewillontheevilsnakepeopleandbecametheirleader. INTRODUCTION DC=DifficultyClass sp=silverpiece(s) precioustime.Mostlyhelikestowatchthemsufferanddieas aresultoftheirmagicalpursuitsandfolly. NG=Neutralgood CE=Chaoticevil Althoughhehaslivedonmanyworldsandcrafted countlessdemiplanes,Acererakspendsmostofhistime XP=experiencepoints cp=copperpiece(s) buildingtombs.Hefillseachonewithtreasuretoattract powerfuladventurers.Hethenkillsthemoffinterrible LN=Lawfulneutral NE=Neutralevil fashion,usingdeadlytrapsandmonsterswhilebaitingand ridiculingthem.Theterrorheevokesscarstheirsouls,which pp=platinumpiece(s) NPC=nonplayer hetrapsinhisphylactery,thelocationofwhichisoneofthe character multiverse’sgreatestsecrets. N=Neutral Nottoolongagobyhumanstandards,Acererakfoundan Adventure Summary atropaladriftattheedgeoftheNegativePlaneandbuiltthe Soulmongertonourishittogodhood.Thelichchoseoneofhis tombs—specificallytheTomboftheNineGodsonToril—to serveastheatropal’snursery. Theadventureislikelytoplayoutasfollows. FormoreinformationonAcererak,includinghisstatistics, TheadventurersareteleportedtoPortNyanzaru,theonly seeappendixD. majorsettlementinChult.Afterexploringthecity(chapter1), Death Curse theyembarkonanexpeditionintothewildsofChult(chapter 2),eventuallyfindingtheruinedcityofOmu(chapter3).The charactersdon’tknowthatOmuistheirultimatedestination fromtheoutset;theymustfindcluesorevidencepointingin UnderstandinghowAcererak’sdeathcurseworksisvitalto thatdirection. runningtheadventuresmoothly. Inthisadventure,threecreaturesknowthatthecauseof TheSoulmongerwasactivated20daysagoandremains thedeathcurseliesinOmu:GrandfatherZitembeinPort activeuntilitisdestroyed.WhiletheSoulmongerisactive,the Nyanzaru,ValindraShadowmantleintheHeartofUbtao,and followingeffectsareinplay: SajaN’bazainOrolunga.SeveralcreaturesknowOmu’s Anyhumanoidontheplanetthathasbeenbroughtback location:theguidesEkuandSalidainPortNyanzaru,Valindra fromthedeadbeginstowasteaway.Itshitpointmaximumis ShadowmantleintheHeartofUbtao,theaarakocraofKir reducedby20(1foreachdaytheSoulmongerhasbeenactive) Sabal,ZalkoréofNangalore,SajaN’bazainOrolunga,andthe anddecreasesby1everymidnightuntiltheSoulmongeris reddragonTzindelorinWyrmheartMine.Ifthecharactersare destroyed.Ifahumanoid’shitpointmaximumdropsto0,it unabletolocateOmuorascertainthesourceofthedeath dies.Travelingtoanotherworldorplanedoesnothingtohalt curse,thefollowingadditionalcreaturesmightpossessthe thewastingeffectonceithasbegun. knowledgetheyseek,atyourdiscretion:Krr’ookin Ahumanoidwhosehitpointmaximumisreducedcan’t Dungrunglung,NephyrinFirefinger,NannyPu’puinMbala, increaseorrestoreit.Thisistruewhetherthecreature’shit BwayesO’tamuinthewreckoftheNarwhal,thesurvivorsof pointmaximumisreducedbytheSoulmongerorbysome theStarGoddessshipwreck,andRedWizardsunderValindra otherlife-drainingeffect,suchasthetouchofawight,wraith, Shadowmantle’scommand. orsimilarcreature. AstheadventurersexploreOmu,theyareeithercapturedby Ifahumanoiddiesanywhereontheplanet,itssoul yuan-tiorforcedtoconfrontthemintheirunderground becomestrappedinsidetheSoulmonger.Onlythedestruction temple(chapter4).Notfarfromtheyuan-titempleisthe oftheSoulmongercanfreethetrappedsoul. entrancetotheTomboftheNineGods(chapter5).The Anyspellthatbreatheslifeintothedead(including revivify,raisedead,resurrection,andtrueresurrection) Soulmongerliesdeepwithinthetomb,whichisriddledwith automaticallyfailsifcastonahumanoidwhosesouliseither puzzles,traps,monsters,andmagicalwards.Bestcase trappedintheSoulmongerorhasbeendevouredbythe scenario:theadventureconcludeswiththedestructionofthe atropal(see“SoulDevouring”below). Soulmongerandtheheroes’daringescapefromthetomb. TheSoulmongerdoesnotaffecttheworkingsofspeak Worstcasescenario:thecharacterssuccumbtotheevilof withdeadspellsorsimilarmagic.Thedeathcursehasno Acererak,andtheirsoulsaredevoured. eMffeecatotnGprreeixnisdtiengrghostsorspirits. WHO IS ACERERAK? TombofAnnihilationcanbeplayedaswritten,oryoucan Acererakisapowerfullichknownandfearedthroughout makeitevenmoredifficultbyrunningitasameatgrinder. themultiverse.Muchofhispastisforgotten,butancienttexts Thismodeofplayissuitableforexperiencedplayerswhohave assertthathecomesfromaworldcalledOerth. highlyoptimizedcharactersandwhodon’tmindputtingthose Acereraktravelstheplanesinsearchofartifacts.Whenhe charactersinjeopardyforthesakeofagoodchallenge.Itis findssomethingusefulorinteresting,helocksitaway. lessidealforplayerswhoareinexperiencedorgetanxiousat Althoughhe’spowerfulenoughtopursuegodhoodasother thethoughtoflosingtheircharacters. licheshavedone(Vecnabeingaprimeexample),Acererakhas Youmustchoosetoruntheadventureasameatgrinder nointerestinbeingagodorbeingworshiped.Heprefersto fromtheverybeginning.Inthismodeofplay,theSoulmonger createevilgodsandunleashthemonmortalsandimmortals gainsthepowertodrawcharacterswhoareclosetodeath, whoopposehim. andthefollowingruleapplies: Despitepassingupopportunitiesforgodhood,Acererak Adeathsavingthrowsucceedsonarollof15orhigher attractshisfairshareoffollowersandworshipers.Hedoesn’t (insteadof10orhigher).Thiseffectendswhenthe grantspells,nordoeshegivehisdevoteesmuchofhis FOOTER1 Soulmongerisdestroyed.Otherrulesconcerningdeath cityasaterrifyingplacesothatplayersfeelthetensionof SouslavDinegvthorouwrsirnemgainunchanged. wCahntiangrtaocgetttehrereAqduicvkaly,nbuctenomtteoonqtuickly. Thesoulofanyhumanoidthatdieswhilethedeathcurseis activebecomestrappedinsidetheSoulmonger.Thesoul Charactersbegintheadventureat1stlevelandgainXPby remainsthereuntilitisconsumedbytheatropalorthe defeatingmonsters.Aftereachgamesession,addupalltheXP Soulmongerisdestroyed. earnedanddistributeitevenlyamongthepartymembers.If OnceasoulbecomestrappedintheSoulmonger,it’sonlya thecharactersgainenoughXPtoadvancealevel,encourage matteroftimebeforetheatropaldevoursit.Youcan yourplayerstoleveluptheircharactersbeforethenext determinethestatusofatrappedsoulatdawnonanygiven session.Ideally,thecharactersshouldfallwithinthedesired daybysecretlyrollingad20.Onarollof2orhigher,thesoul levelrangeforeachchapteroftheadventure,asshowninthe remainstrappedintheSoulmonger,atleastuntilthenext SSuugggegsteedstCehadraCctehraLervaelcsttaebrle.Levels dawn.Arollof1indicatesthatthesoulwasdevouredbythe Chapter SuggestedLevel atropal.Acreaturewhosesoulisdevouredinthishorrific 1.PortNyanzaru 1standhigher mannercan’tbereturnedtolifebyanymeans,including divineintervention. 2.LandofChult 1st–6th IftheSoulmongerisdestroyedandyouhaven’tbeen 3.DwellersoftheForbidden 5th–8th trackingthestatusofaparticularsoultrappedwithin,graba City handfulofd20s—onedieforeachdaythesoulwas trapped—androllthemtogether.Ifyourolla1onanyofthe 4.FaneoftheNightSerpent 7th–9th dice,thesoulwasdevouredbeforeitcouldbesetfree. 5.TomboftheNineGods 9thandhigher Spellssuchascommuneanddivinationcanbeusedto determinewhetherasoulhasbeendevouredorwhetherit’s stilltrappedintheSoulmonger. YoucanslowtherateofadvancementbywithholdingXP, Howmanysoulsmusttheatropaldevourtobecomeagod? “banking”ituntilyou’rereadyforthepartytolevelup. Itcouldbethousandsormillions.Ultimatelyit’stheDM’scall, Conversely,youcanhastenleveladvancementbyawardingad butthedefaultassumptionisthatthisapotheosiscouldtake hocXPformakingdiscoveries,completinggoals,roleplaying mRoenptlhsaocreymeaersn. t Characters well,andsurvivingoravoidingdeadlytraps.Anysuchadhoc awardshouldbenomorethanwhatthecharacterswouldearn fordefeatingamonsterwithachallengeratingequaltotheir Thedeathcursemeansthat,forthemostpart,deadcharacters level.Forexample,afairadhocawardforapartyof2nd-level staydead.Ifacharacterdiesandthere’snoreasonablewayfor adventurerswouldbe450XP,whichiswhatthecharacters theplayertocontinueplayingthatcharacter,youcanhavethe wouldearnfordefeatingachallengerating2monster.Aswith playercreateanewcharacter.Areplacementcharactershould otherXPawards,theamountshouldbedividedevenlyamong bethesamelevelastherestoftheparty. allpartymembers. Chultattractsadventurersfromallovertheworld,and AstheDM,youcandispensewithXPtrackingandallow theactivationoftheSoulmongerdrawsevenmore characterstogainlevelsatwhateverpacesuitsyourcampaign, adventurersthanusualtoitsuntamedwilderness.Theplayer usingtheSuggestedCharacterLevelstableasyourguide. charactersareamongtheearliesttoarrive,butadventurers Chultisloadedwithfundistractions,alluringlocations, fromacrosstheglobebegintoconvergeinChultasthecrisis andopportunitiesforcharacterstoexplore.Consequently,it mounts.Itshouldnotbedifficulttointroducenewcharacters canbehardtogaugewhatlevelthecharacterswillbewhen toreplacethosewhohaveperished.Anewcharactermightbe theyarriveatadventurelocations.Again,lettheSuggested thelastsurvivingmemberofadoomedexpedition,aguide CharacterLevelstableguideyou.Forexample,ifthe whohaslivedinChultforyears,aloneexplorerseekingglory charactersare4thlevelandabouttostumbleintoOmu ortreasure,orsomeoneracingagainsttimetosavealoved (chapter3),youmightwanttosteertheminadifferent oneaffectedbythedeathcurse.Workwiththeplayertocome direction,throwrandomencountersatthemuntilthey’ve uTpiwcikthinasgtoCrylthoactmkakessense,giventhecircumstances. reached5thlevel,advancethemto5thlevelautomatically,or adjustencountersinOmutomakethethreatseasier tSotovaerrcotmine.g at Higher Levels TombofAnnihilationisatime-bombadventure.Inother words,timeisoftheessence.Thecharactersareunder pressuretofindanddestroytheSoulmongerquickly,since manylivesdependonit. Althoughtheadventureassumesthatthecharactersbeginat Timepressureaside,Chultisalandripewithadventure 1Ssttalervetli,nyogucaatns5tatrhtthLeemvoefflat5thlevelor9thlevelinstead. possibilities,andcharactersmightbedrawnbycuriosityor circumstancetolocationssuchasthegardenruinofNangalore, thedwarvenforgeofHrakhamar,orthepiratehavenofJahaka Charactersof5thlevelwillstillfindpartsofchapters1and2 Anchorage.Suchlocationspresentdangersthat,when challenging.Ifanencounterbecomestoomuchofacakewalk, overcome,preparethecharactersforgreaterthreatsawaiting youcanintroduceenemyreinforcements.HoldoffonXP theminOmu.IfthecharactersreachOmutoosoon,they awardsandleveladvancementuntilthecharactersreachOmu probablywon’tbehighenoughleveltosurvivethereforlong. inchapter3. WhenthecharactersmakeinquiriesaboutOmu,paintthelost FOOTER1 Starting at9th Level hSayventhdermameSeitlatvSaynndrea’SsilvCanue’srrseseidence. Charactersof9thlevelwillsteamrollthroughchapters1and2, andthat’sfine.Spendlesstimeonencountersinthejungle, andsteerthecharacterstowardOmuasquicklyaspossible. Theparty’sbenefactorisaretiredadventurernamedSyndra Oncetheyarrive,runtheadventureasyounormallywould. Silvane.Beingawizardandmerchantofnosmallrepute,she Charactersatthislevelwillstillbechallengedbychapters3 hasmagictoexpeditetheparty’sjourneytoChultaswellas and4,particularlyifyouplaytheyuan-tiasintelligent treasurewithwhichtorewardcharactersfortheirassistance. adversaries.HoldoffonXPawardsandleveladvancement Whenyou’rereadyforthecharacterstomeetwithSyndra, untilthecharactersentertheTomboftheNineGodsin YouhavebeeninvitedtothehomeofSyndraSilvane,a Starting the Adventure read: chapter5. retiredadventurerandmerchant.Auniformedattendant leadsyouupagrandstaircasetothethirdfloor,then ushersyouintoawood-paneledroomwithafireplace, comfortablechairs,andaheavytablebearinggoblets Theadventure’sdefaultstartinglocationisthecityofBaldur’s andbottlesofwine.Thedarklypaneledwallsarehung GateontheSwordCoast,intheForgottenRealmssetting. withmapsandseacharts.Racks,shelves,andcabinets However,anylargesettlementwilldo.Possibilitiesfromother holdhundredsmorerolled-upmapsandcharts. D&DworldsincludetheFreeCityofGreyhawkonOerth,the cityofSpecularumonMystara,andthecityofSharnon Eberron. Apersonisseatedinanoverstuffedchairnearthefire. Togetthingsrolling,readorparaphrasethefollowing Youcan’tdiscernagender,becauseonlytheperson’s inFtroordtuhcetopraysttesxetvteorathledapylasy,ethrse:talkofthestreetsand heademergesfromunderaheavyblanketdrapedover tavernshasallbeenabouttheso-calleddeathcurse:a thechair,andanembroideredhoodandsilvermask wastingdiseaseafflictingeveryonewho’severbeen concealthewearer’sface.Eventheperson’sdry,raspy raisedfromthedead.Victimsgrowthinnerandweaker voiceprovidesnoclue.“Helpyourselvestowine,and eachday,slowlybutsteadilyslidingtowardthedeath seatyourselves,friends—IhopeImaycallyouthat.” theyoncedenied.Whentheyfinallysuccumb,theycan’t beraised—andneithercananyoneelse,regardlessof whetherthey’veeverreceivedthatmiracleinthepast. Templesandscholarsofdivinemagicareatalossto ThemaskedspeakerisSyndraSilvane.SheisaTethyrian explainacursethathasaffectedtheentireregion,and humanarchmage,withthesechanges: possiblytheentireworld.  SyndraislawfulneutralandspeaksCommon,Dwarvish, Elvish,andHalfling. Syndra’shitpointmaximumhasbeenreducedto79by theSoulmonger’sdeathcurse,anditdecreasesby1 Atthispoint,invitetheplayerstoexplainwhytheircharacters everymidnight.Ifherhitpointmaximumdropsto0, aretogether,howlongthey’vebeentogether,andwhatthey’ve Syndradiesandcan’tbebroughtbackfromthedead beendoing.Ifthecharactersdon’tknoweachother,youcan untilthedeathcursehasended(andifhersoulhasn’t FOOTER1 beendevoured).DestroyingtheSoulmongeristheonly Shadowmantle,andwereneverseenorheardfromagain.If waytohalttheattritionandrestoreherhitpoint thecharactersurgeSyndratoseekoutamoreexperienced RolmepaxliamyuimntgonSoyrmnadl.ra Silvane pTarrteyaofsaudrveenturers,sherepliesdryly,“Ialreadyhave.” Syndratellsthecharactersherstoryandmakesherrequest. Syndrapromiseseachcharacterarareoruncommonmagic Roleplaytheencounter,paraphrasingthefollowing item,delivereduponsuccessfulcompletionofherquest.(At informationandrespondinginSilvane’sdry,crackingvoiceto theendoftheadventure,eachplayercanchoosean thecharacters’questions: appropriateitem,subjecttoyourapproval.)Syndraalso “Iwasanadventureryearsago.Idiedonceandwas expectsthatthecharacterswillfindenoughtreasureinChult  raisedfromthedead.Ihavesinceclosedthedooronthat tomakethemasrichaskings. stageofmylife.” Ifthecharacterspressforcoinupfront,Syndragiveseach “Thedeathcurseyou’veheardabouthasstruckme.I cPhlaaraycteerrs5’0MgpatopdoeffrayCehxpuenlstesinPortNyanzaru. don’tknowhowmuchlongerI’lllastbeforeIperish.  Clericshavenohelptooffer.They’restymiedbywhatis happening.” Atthispoint,givetheplayersacopyofSyndraSilvane’s “MycontactsintheHarpershavelearnedthatthecause incompletemapofChult(seehandout1inappendixE). ofthedeathcurseisanecromanticartifactcalledthe Syndragladlyanswerstheirquestionstothebestofherability,  Soulmonger.Accordingtotheirsources,theSoulmonger butshedoesn’tknowmuchmoreaboutChultthanwhat’son issomewhereinChult.” themap.SheknowsPortNyanzaruwellenoughtoassure “Chultisapeninsularingedwithmountainsandchoked cThearlaectpeorsrthtaitnthgeytcoanCbuhyusulptpliesthere. withrainforests.Enormousreptiles,savagegoblins,and anarmyofundeadprowlitsjunglesandruins.Mapping theplacehasalwaysbeennighimpossible,andnothingis Intheinterestoftime,Syndraispreparedtouseateleport knownabouttheregion’scurrentgeographybeyonda spelltotransportherselfandtheheroestoPortNyanzaru.If fewmilesfromthecoas“Workingfromdozensofsea thecharactersagree,don’tbotherrollingtodeterminethe charts,logbooks,andexplorers’journals,Iassembled spell’saccuracy.Syndraknowsthecity’sHarborWardwell everythingknownaboutthecurrentstateofChultinto enoughtoarriveontarget.Shechoosesanoutdoorlocation  onemap.I’llprovideittoyouifyouundertakemy nearthedocksasherdestination.Whenthecharactersarrive mission.” iCnPhoratrNyaacnztareur,skHipotoothke“sArrival”sectioninchapter1. “Whenyou’rereadytodepart,IwillteleportusalltoPort Nyanzaru,theonlymajorsettlementinChult.I’vebeen thereseveraltimesbefore,sothere’slittlechanceof mishap.Oncethere,I’llstaywithafriendnamed AppendixApresentstwonewcharacterbackgroundsthat WakangaO’tamu.He’soneofsevenmerchantprinces playerscanselectwithyourconsent:theanthropologistand whorulethecity.” thearchaeologist.Inaddition,thePlayer’sHandbookandthe Syndrahasmisgivingsaboutsendinginexperienced SwordCoastAdventurer’sGuidecontainanumberof adventurersonsodangerousaquest,butsheisn’ttakingany characterbackgroundsthatarewellsuitedforthisadventure. chances.Shefailstomentionthatother,moreexperienced Ifyourplayersarehavingtroublefleshingouttheircharacters’ partiesofadventurershavebeensenttoChultalready.All backgrounds,sharetheideasfromtheCharacterHooksfor havedisappeared,andSyndrafearstheworst.Intruth,they Character Hooks for Select Backgrounds SelectBackgroundstablewiththem. fellvictimtotheperilsofChultorcrossedpathswithValindra Background Reference CharacterHook Player’sHandbook Templesarevexedbyawidespreadmagicalcursethatiscausing peopletowasteawaywhilealsopreventingthedeadfrombeingraised.An Acolyte expeditionaryforceisheadedtoChulttofindtheoriginofthecurse,and you’vedecidedtojoinit. Anthropologist AppendixA Awizard-merchantnamedSyndraSilvaneiswastingaway,andshehas hiredyoutojoinanexpeditiontoChulttofindacure.Syndrabelievesthat yourexpertisewillproveinvaluable,andyou’vewantedtostudythe culturesthere. Archaeologist AppendixA Youhavelearnedthatawizard-merchantisplanninganimportant expeditiontoChult—aplacefulloflostcitiesyou’reanxioustoexplore. Yourrequesttojointheexpeditionwasapproved. Charlatan Player’sHandbook Afterafewsuccessfulscams,you’vegottenintosometroublewith localauthoritiesandcriminalgangs.Youwereabouttomakearunforit whenyouheardarumorthatamerchantnamedSyndraSilvaneisoffering goodpayforanassignmentfarfromhome. Cloistered SwordCoast AterriblecurseissweepingacrossFaerûn,andadyingmerchantis Scholar Adventurer’sGuide gatheringadventurersforaboldmissiontodestroythesourceofthe FOOTER1

Description:
Syndra promises each character a rare or uncommon magic item, delivered upon . merchant princes who learned the art and craft of trading recognizes the sigil on the wall as the symbol of Dendar the Night Serpent devouring the world. Orvex. Ocrammas. During the attack, an explosion buried.
See more

The list of books you might like

Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.