Tomb of Annihilation (FG Rip) PDF
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 gainsthepowertodrawcharacterswhoareclosetodeath, 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 ThemaskedspeakerisSyndraSilvane.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 informationandrespondinginSilvane’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
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