h an d lers aren ’t p resen t to k eep th em u n der con trol. If T h e in teriors o f the b u lly w u g s’ huts are the com plete
set lo o s e , th ey m o s t lik ely ro m p a w ay in to th e sw a m p . o p p o s it e o f t h e li z a r d f o l k ’s lo n g h o u s e s : w e t , filth y, s l o p
If th e goa l is to have the liza rds ram pag e th rou gh the pily m a d e , a n d re e k in g . T h e flo o r s a re n ’t ju s t d a m p ;
ca m p , s o m e o n e n e e d s to rile th em u p first. P o k in g th em t h e y ’r e c h u r n e d in t o m u d p its u p t o 2 f e e t d e e p , s o t h e
th rou g h th e s to ck a d e w a ll w ith s p e a rs w ill d o the trick. b u lly w u g s ca n rest fro g lik e in m u d up to th eir ey eba lls.
T h ey have n o sen se o f privacy or p erson a l sp a ce. At
3. L o n g h o u s e s night, th ey c ro w d in a top o n e a n oth er until e v ery on e is
sq u e e z e d . B u lly w u g s a re n ’t a s s ig n e d to a n y p a r ticu la r
T h e liz a r d fo lk w a rr io r s live in th e se lo n g h o u s e s . huts. T h ey sleep in w h ich ev er is m ost con ven ien t w h en
th e y g r o w tire d , s o it’s c o m m o n f o r s o m e h u ts t o b e
T h e lo n g h o u ses are m ad e from reeds bou nd into long, p a c k e d at n igh t w h ile oth e rs sit co m p le te ly em pty.
th ick b u n d les an d b en t in to u p sid e- d o w n , U- sh ap ed ribs.
T h e sp aces b etw een th e ribs are latticed and th atch ed E ig h t giant frogs h o p r a n d o m ly a m o n g th e h u ts o r sit
w i t h m o r e r e e d s . Ea c h l o n g h o u s e h a s a s i n g l e , w o v e n
d o o r in th e cen t er o f o n e end w all. T h e co n st r u ct io n silen tly in th e p o o ls o f sta n d in g w ater. T h e s e crea tu re s
tech n iq u e u sed in th e lo n g h o u ses is in g en io u s. w e r e r a ise d fro m ta d p o le s b y th e b u lly w u g s a n d d o n ’t
both er th em , but th ey attack a n yon e else w h o ca relessly
T h e lizard folk m ay b e tech n olog ica lly ba ck w ard, but w a n d e rs w ith in re a ch o f th eir 1 5 -foot-lon g ton g u es.
they are m a sters o f th eir en viron m en t. T h ey sh o w the
sa m e b u ild in g talent in th eir trap s a n d sn a res. 5. M o a t
In sid e, lo n g h o u s e s a re ro o m y a n d w e ll ven tilated. T h e m u d dy w ater lappin g again st the ca stle w a lls is
T h e grou n d is cov ered w ith reed m ats, and the interior in d istin gu ish a b le at a gla n ce fro m th e p u d d le s a n d h ip -
is d ry a n d airy. G e a r h a n g s fr o m p e g s o n th e w a lls to d e e p w a te r s ta n d in g th r o u g h o u t th e a re a , b u t it h id e s a
k e e p it o ff th e g r o u n d . L iz a r d fo lk a r e e s p e c ia lly c a r e fu l m oat. P ortion s o f the m oat aroun d the sou th w est tow er
w ith th eir n ew , steel w e a p o n s, w h ich ru st q u ick ly w h en h a v e fille d in to g r o u n d level, b u t e ls e w h e r e it is 3 0 to
e x p o s e d to d a m p n ess . T h e y fill s m a ll ston e ov en s w ith 4 0 feet w id e a nd up to 15 feet d eep . T h e ca u sew a y (1A )
coa ls for heat. T h ere are n o op en fireplaces; the dan ger a rch es ov er th e m oat, provid in g a visu al clu e that th e
from spark s is too great. w a te r m a y b e d e e p e r th a n it a p p e a r s. A n y o n e s p la sh
in g a rou n d in the m oa t a ttracts th e a ttention o f six
E a ch o f th e s e lo n g h o u s e s c o u ld h o u s e tw en ty-five
lizardfolk com fortably, and m ore w ith so m e cro w d crocodiles.
ing . W h e n R e z m ir first n eg otia ted w ith th e liza rd folk ,
th ey inten ded to m ove the en tire village h ere, and 6. M a i n Ga t e
b uilt a cco rd in g ly . A s m or e b u lly w u g s a ls o flo ck e d to
th e ca stle a n d th e rea l situ ation b e ca m e app aren t, the T h is is th e o n ly e n tra n ce in to th e ca stle th a t’s u sed .
w a rrio rs in stru cted th eir fa m ilies to stay beh in d. T h u s, W h e n th e ca stle w a s built, a p a ir o f stou t w o o d e n g ates
th ey have far m ore lon g h ou se sp a ce at th e ca stle than and an iron p o rtcu llis clo s e d o ff this 12-foot-w ide,
th ey n eed. C h aracters o b serv in g th e area from h idin g 10-foot-h igh gatew ay. T h e gates are n ever clo se d ; they
a n d ju d g in g so le ly fro m th e lo n g h o u s e s w o u ld estim ate n o w s a g o n t h e ir h in g e s s o b a d ly th a t it’s n o t w o r t h th e
co n s e rv a tiv e ly that o v e r a h u n d r e d liz a r d fo lk live at effort o f leverin g th em into p la ce fo r any re a s o n sh ort
th e ca s tle . T h e y w o n ’t co u n t a n y w h e re n e a r that m a n y o f a n im m in e n t a ttack . T h e p o r tc u llis is rig g e d s o it c a n
liz a rd fo lk in th e clea rin g . S n a p ja w ca n ex p la in th e d is b e d rop p ed w ith a h ard yan k on a lever (located on the
c r e p a n c y , i f h e ’s a r o u n d . u p p e r le v e l, a r e a 2 A ), b u t s in c e it w a s la s t te s te d , th e
m ech a n ism h as ru sted to the poin t w h ere the gate w ill
4. H u t s d ro p o n ly 3 feet, th en ja m in p la ce .
T h e b u lly w u g s live in h uts, w h ic h a re cr u d e ly built. In sid e Ca st l e N a er y t a r
A dozen o r m ore h uts are placed h ap h az ard ly on the T h e c a s t l e ’s e x t e r io r w a lls a v e r a g e 1 0 fe e t t h ic k . I n t e r io r
b o g g y g r o u n d . Ea c h is s h a p e d lik e a s l i g h t l y f l a t t e n e d w a lls are a lso ston e but on ly about 1 or 2 feet thick.
d o m e. Th e d o o rw ays are op en , but a low, sh o rt tu n n el
fo rces a creat u re to craw l in to th e h u t. T h ey are m ad e M ost o f th e stru ctu res in sid e th e ca stle are m ore than
o f reed s w o ven th ro u g h a lattice, w it h a g en ero u s layer o n e story tall. In th e d escrip tio n s, a rea s a re id en tified
o f m u d , g rass, an d d u n g sm eared o ver t h e w h o le th in g . b y floor, th en letter, s o a rea 1L is o n th e g rou n d floor, 2 L
M u d , sw am p w ater, and m u ck slops b etw een th e huts and th e s e c o n d floor, a n d s o on. If an a rea d o e sn ’t h ave an
even flo w s in an d o u t o f th e low , o p en d o o rw ays. e n tr y fo r a flo o r, th e n it d o e s n ’t e x is t o n th a t flo o r.
Gr o u n d Fl o o r
1A . B a r b i c a n
T h e b a rb ica n is th e p rim a ry d efen siv e p osition for the
c a s tle . It is g u a r d e d r o u n d -t h e - c lo c k b y te n bullywugs
a n d 1d6 giant frogs. U n le s s a fig h t o r o th e r d is t u r
b a n ce h as h a p p en ed som ew h ere, th ese gu a rd s are at
lo w a lertn ess.
S lop p y m u d cov ers the ston e floor o f this large 1C. O u t e r W a r d
ch a m ber. P la n k s have b e e n laid fro m the gatew ay to
the ca u sew ay en tra n ce to create a 10-foot-w ide raised T h e grou n d h ere w a s o n ce h ard-p ack ed earth , but the
b o a r d w a lk fo r th e cu ltists, w h o d o n ’t e n jo y w a lk in g a rea in front o f th e b a rra ck s (area 1G) h as b e e n ch u rn ed
th rou g h m u d the w a y b u lly w u gs do. T h e slip p ery m u d into m u d b y fla pp in g b u lly w u g feet. A t any p a rticu la r
m a k e s e v ery w h ere o ff th e p la n k s d ifficu lt terra in for
ch ara cters. A few tables have b een th row n togeth er from t im e , t h e r e a r e 1d 6 - 1 bullywugs a n d 1d 6 - 1 lizard
pla n k s laid a cro ss barrels, w ith cru dely m a de b en ch es folk p r e s e n t in th e o u te r w a r d . L iz a r d f o lk a r e lik e ly to b e
for seats. T h e tables and b en ch es are n early as m u ddy
a s th e floor. w o rk in g (tra in in g th eir gian t liza rds), w h ile b u lly w u g s
m igh t b e loafin g or givin g ord ers to th e lizardfolk .
T h e b a r b ica n h a s n o w in d o w s o r a r r o w slits at g ro u n d
level. D u rin g d a y tim e , b rig h t ligh t is w ith in 2 0 fe e t o f th e 1D. I n n e r W a r d
op en gatew ay and the op en d oorw a y to the causew ay.
E v ery w h e re else, oil la m p s ca st o n ly d im ligh t (b e c a u s e O riginally, th e p a ssa g e b e tw e e n th e ou ter a n d in n er
the bu lly w u gs n ever clea n them ). w a rd s cou ld b e clo se d o ff w ith h eavy w o o d e n gates,
b u t th e y h a v e lo n g s in c e fa lle n a p a rt a n d h a v e n ’t b e e n
S ta irs lead up to area 2A .
r e p la c e d . T h e in n e r w a r d is p a t r o lle d b y t h r e e guard
1B. C a u s e w a y drakes at a ll h o u rs o f th e day. T h e y a tta ck a n y o n e th e y
T h is 1 8 0 -fo ot ca u se w a y cr o s s e s th e m oa t a n d lea d s to d o n ’t r e c o g n iz e o r w h o isn ’t a c c o m p a n ie d b y s o m e o n e
th e c a s tle ’s o u te r w a rd . It h a s n o r o o f s o d e fe n d e rs o n they recogn ize.
the u pper flo or o f the ba rb ica n (area 2A ) ca n lau n ch
a rrow s into attack ers crow d ed on to the cau sew ay. A 1E. N o r t h w e s t T o w e r
sm all defen sive bu lge alon g the ea st w a ll o f the ca u se
w a y is n ever m a n n ed. T h e d o o r to th is tow er h a s b e e n torn o ff its h in g e s and
lie s o n th e g ro u n d . O rigin ally, a w o o d e n flo o r w a s at
g r o u n d lev e l w ith a p it b e n e a th it fo r c o n fin in g p r is o n
ers. T h e w o o d e n floor is com pletely rotted away, and th e
pit h a s b e e n filled n e a rly to g r o u n d level w ith g a rb a g e
and mud.
Th ere m u st h ave b een a w o o d en flo o r in th is to w er w h en 1G. L o w e r B a r r a c k s
it w as b u ilt, to co ver th e d u n g eo n p it b en eat h it. N o w T h i s la r g e s t r u c t u r e w a s b u ilt t o h o u s e t h e c a s t l e ’s g a r
rison . P h a rb lex and h is h an d -pick ed circle o f bu lly w u g
th e flo o r is g o n e an d th e d u n g eo n h as b een t u r n ed in to to u g h s h a s ta k e n it o ver. P h a rb le x is s e ld o m h e re, bu t
a garbage pit and latrin e filled w ith fou l- sm ellin g w aste d u r in g th e d ay, t w e lv e bullywugs lo u n g e in t h e s q u a lo r .
an d sw am p w at er to ju st a few feet b elo w th e level o f T h at n u m b e r d o u b le s at night.
If ch a racters w a lk into the b arra ck s du rin g daytim e,
th e d o o rw ay. T h e flo o r ab o ve is b ad ly ro tted and large
re a d th e tex t b e lo w a lou d . If th ey sn e a k in or en ter in the
p o r t io n s h ave co llap sed . T h r o u g h th e g ap in g h o les in m id d le o f th e night, adju st a n d p a ra p h ra se a ccord in g ly .
th e seco n d flo o r, yo u can see t h at th e th ird flo o r is still in Tw elve b u llyw u gs eye you su sp icio u sly fro m a roo m th at
m ig h t h ave b een a tid y b arrack s on ce. N o w it is largely
g o o d co n d it io n . Bu t to reach th e st o n e st airs t h at circle em p t y o f fu rn itu re, m u ch o f th e flo o r is ch u r n ed in to m u d ,
an d th e stin k o f b u llyw u g s p erm eat es ever yth in g .
u p w ard aro u n d t h e o u t er w all, yo u m u st cro ss 10 feet o f
If the b u llyw u gs a ssu m e the ch a ra cters are cu ltists, they
in d escrib ab le m u ck . tolerate their p re se n ce h ere o n the lo w e st floor o f the
b a r ra c k s. T h e y w o n ’t a llo w a n y o n e u p sta irs, a n d th e y
T h e p it is h o m e to a n otyugh th a t c o n s u m e s m u c h o f w o n ’t ta k e o rd e r s fr o m s o m e o n e th e y d o n ’t k n o w a n d
r e c o g n iz e . If a fight b re a k s o u t in th is a re a, b u lly w u g s
t h e c a s t l e ’s g a r b a g e . W h e n c h a r a c t e r s a r r iv e , it is s itt in g from the u p per level (area 2G ) leap into the battle from
q u ietly s u b m e r g e d in th e m u ck , m a k in g it u n d e te cta b le th e sta ircase on th e third rou nd.
u n le ss ch a ra cters stir the fou l-sm ellin g stu ff w ith poles.
If s o m e o n e steps into th e m u ck or lea ps to th e steps, T h ree m u d-spattered ch ests are sh ov ed into the sh el
th e oty u g h la s h es ou t w ith its ten ta cles. A g rap p led tered s p a ce beh in d th e staircase. T h ese con ta in m u ch o f
ch a ra c te r is d ra g g e d into th e pit w h e r e , a lo n g w ith all the b u lly w u gs’ accu m u la ted pay. D ralm orrer B orn gray
the h aza rd s o f b ein g savaged b y an otyu gh , there is pays th em w ith articles o f loote d treasu re that he d eem s
th e a d d e d d a n g e r o f d ro w n in g . It’s sa fe to a ss u m e that to o ch ea p o r ta ck y to in clu d e in th e h o a rd b e in g a ccu m u
ch a ra cters en terin g this tow er w ill take a b ig gulp o f lated for Tiam at. T h e ch ests con ta in h u n dred s o f item s
cle a n a ir first, b u t th e o ty u g h ’s a tta ck m igh t k n o c k th e m a de fro m co p p e r a n d tin an d that in corp ora te sm all or
w in d ou t o f them . A llow the attack ed ch a ra cter to m ake d a m a ged sem ip recio u s ston es. T h e th ree ch ests co m
a C on stitu tion sa v in g th ro w w ith a D C eq ua l to 5 plus b in ed con ta in 3 0 ,0 0 0 cp, 5 0 0 sp, and je w e lry (cop p er
t h e d a m a g e c a u s e d b y th e o t y u g h ’s t e n ta c le a tta c k . A a n d tin w ith o rn a m e n ta l or s e m ip re cio u s ston es) w or th
su ccessfu l savin g th row m ea n s the ch a ra cter h as a lu n g a n oth er 3 5 0 gp, fo r a total va lu e o f 7 0 0 gp. T h e ir total
fu l o f air w h en d ra gged into the m u ck and ca n h old his w eigh t is over 5 0 0 p o u n d s: 3 0 5 p o u n d s o f c o in s p lu s
or h er breath for a n u m ber o f m in u tes equ al to 1 + h is an oth er 2 0 0 p ou n d s o f jew elry.
o r h er C on stitu tion m od ifier, w ith a m in im u m o f 3 0 s e c
o n d s ( 5 r o u n d s ) . F a ilu r e m e a n s t h e c h a r a c t e r ’s lu n g s a r e B u ried a m o n g all th e c o p p e r a n d tin in on e ch es t is a
em pty, a n d th e ch a ra cte r fa lls u n co n s cio u s at the en d
o f h is o r h er turn a fter a n u m b e r o f ro u n d s eq u a l to the s m a l l m a h o g a n y b o x c o n t a i n i n g t w o potions of healing
c h a r a c t e r ’s C o n s t itu tio n m o d ifi e r u n le s s t h e c h a r a c t e r a n d o n e v ia l o f oil of etherealness, o v e r lo o k e d b y t h e
b r e a k s f r e e f r o m th e o t y u g h ’s g r a s p b e fo r e th e n . S e e th e
cultists du rin g sortin g.
s u f f o c a t in g r u l e s in t h e Player’s Handbook.
1H . F o r g e a n d A r m o r y
1F . S t a b l e s
N a e ry ta r’s b u ild e r s s e t u p th is s tru ctu re fo r th e b la ck
T h e fittest, m o s t fe ro c io u s o f th e gian t liza rd s are sm ith s w h o w o u ld b u ild a nd m a in ta in th e a rm o r a nd
h o u s e d h e re in stea d o f in th e o p e n sto c k a d e (a rea 2), to w e a p o n s n e e d e d b y t h e c a s t le ’s d e fe n d e r s .
p rotect th em again st the bitin g an d cla w in g that g o e s
on in th e c o m m o n e n clo su re. T h e s e liz a rd s a re u se d as A large forge d o m in ates th e cen ter o f th is ch am b er, w h ich
rid in g m ou n ts b y liz a r d folk on lo n g p a trols. T h e stalls, is p leasan t ly w arm th an k s to a b ed o f co als g lo w in g d u lly
orig in a lly b uilt for h o rs e s , h av e b ee n e n la rg ed to a c c o m in th e fo rg e. Half- a- d ozen liz ard f o lk are w o r k in g ar o u n d
th e forg e, b u t th ey d o n ’t seem to be acco m p lish in g
m o d a t e t h e b e a s t s (e ig h t giant lizards). T h e n o r m a l ly m u ch . O t h er acco u t erm en t s o f th e b lack sm it h ’s tr ad e are
scattered th ro ug h th e roo m , and m an y very p oo rly m ade
leth a rg ic crea tu res g r o w a gitated w h e n stra n g ers en ter m etal it em s are h eap ed in th e n o r t h w est co rn er.
the stab les. If ch a ra cte rs lin ger fo r m o re th a n a m inute,
tw o o f th e liza rd s start la s h in g th e w a lls w ith th eir tails. A few m on th s ago, D ralm orrer B orn gray d ecid ed to put
T h e oth ers p ick up the ru ck u s in sh ort ord er s o that the forge b ack into operation . H e d esp ises P h arblex
w ith in tw o m in u tes, all a re th ra sh in g at th e w a lls and and the b u lly w u gs, and he w ou ld prefer to deal solely
w ith the lizardfolk if they cou ld ov ercom e the g loom
b e llo w in g . T h e c o m m o t io n d r a w s f o u r lizardfolk w h o that h as grip p ed the trib e s in ce P h a rb lex m u rd ered
are the giant liza rd s’ h an dlers. T h e lizard folk have a
ca lm in g in flu en ce on the giant lizards, but if they are
in terfered w ith, the disqu ieted liza rds sm ash th rou gh
th eir stalls and attack anyth in g in the stables.
A ladder in th e sou th east co rn e r o f th e sta bles grants
a c c e s s to a loft a b ove the stab les.
th eir sh am a n . B orn gray th ought m asterin g a cra ft as (In vestig ation ) ch eck . O n ly R e zm ir a n d a fe w o f the
a d v a n ced as m eta lw ork in g w o u ld instill th e liza rd folk liz a r d fo lk (in clu d in g S n a p ja w ) w h o w e r e in v olv ed in
w ith a ren ew ed sen se o f pride. H e m igh t b e right, but ca rv in g the statue k n o w abou t the dagger.
s o far, th e liza rd fo lk h av e s h o w n little a ptitu de for th e
craft. T h ey d o, h ow ever, en joy b a s k in g in th e w a rm th o f T h e cu ltists venerate T iam at but d o n ot w orsh ip her,
the forge, and they have learn ed to take excellen t ca re o f s o the ch a pel is seld om u sed for an yth in g that cou ld
th eir n e w w e a p o n s e v e n if th e y c a n ’t m a n u fa ctu re m o r e . b e co n sid e re d a relig iou s o b se rv a n ce or m ass. Instead,
ind ividu al cu ltists o r sm a ll gro u p s s o m e tim e s retire
T h e s ix lizardfolk in th e fo r g e r o o m w o n ’t a tta ck h ere for quiet reflection on h o w th e w orld w ill su ffer
w h en the Q u een o f D ra g on s rises.
u n le s s th e y a re a n ta g o n ize d first. T h e y a re tryin g to m a k e
an iron sp e a r p oin t from scra p s o f ru in ed arm or, but their 1 M . St o r e r o o m
effort is p ro d u cin g so m eth in g m ore like a sh ovel than a
blad e. T h ey listen attentively if ch a ra cters offer a d vice but A ll th e trash fro m th e ch a p e l— b ro k e n s to o ls , rotted altar
s h o w n o s i g n o f c o m p r e h e n d i n g w h a t t h e y ’r e t o ld . cloth s, co rro d e d ico n s—w a s d u m ped in this ro o m w h en
th e c u lt is t s t o o k o v e r . T h e r e ’s n o t h in g o f v a lu e h e r e .
1I. L i z a r d f o l k R e a d y R o o m
1N . R e c t o r y
T h e tw e lv e lizardfolk s e le c te d b y D r a lm o r r e r B o r n g r a y
T h is w a s o r ig in a lly t h e c a s t le p r i e s t ’s liv in g q u a r t e r s ,
to serve as h is back u p gu ards u se this n orth east tow er a n d it in c lu d e d m a n y s tu r d y s to r a g e c a b in e ts fo r v e s t
as th eir ba rra ck s. T h is ch a m b er is th eir daytim e ready m en ts and religiou s paraph ern alia. A ll the cabin ets
room . W h en th ey are n ot drillin g w ith their w ea p on s,
th e lizardfolk sp en d th eir tim e in this cham ber, ga m w e r e h a c k e d o p e n a n d lo o te d lo n g a g o . F o u r dragon
b ling, exercisin g, a n d tellin g sto ries o f h a p p ier tim es. claws (s e e a p p e n d i x B ) m o v e d in t o t h is c h a m b e r a n d
B orn gray m a in tain s this force as in su ra n ce against
treach ery by P h a rb lex and the b u llyw u gs. tu r n e d it in to th e ir liv in g q u a r te r s. T h e y te n d th e lib ra ry
in a rea 1N .
L ik e g u a rd s e lsew h e re in the ca stle, th o se in this
ro o m a ssu m e that stra n gers are n ew ly arrived cultists 1O. A r c h e r ’ s G a l l e r y
u n le ss they have rea son to th in k oth erw ise (seein g
stra n gers w ith w ea p on s drippin g b lood from recen t T h is lon g gallery ov erlo ok s the ca u sew a y th rou gh a rrow
co m b a t w o u ld b e o n e s u ch re a s o n ). T h e y w o n ’t a tta ck s lits. In c a s e o f a n a tta ck , a r c h e r s c o u ld m a n it. T h e cu lt
u n le s s p ro v o k e d , bu t th e y w o n ’t let a n y o n e g o u p sta irs o r is ts d o n ’t u s e it f o r a n y th in g , a n d a s i d e fr o m c o b w e b s , it
in t o a r e a s 1J a n d 1K w i t h o u t a n e x c e l l e n t r e a s o n , e it h e r . is em pty.
1J. L i z a r d f o l k S l e e p i n g R o o m 1P. K i t c h e n
T h e ten dom in a n t lizard folk gu a rds rest in this cham ber, M eals for the cu ltists are p rep ared in this k itchen by a
b e c a u s e it g e ts m o r e w a r m th fr o m th e fo r g e (a re a 1 H )
th an area 1K d oes. T h ey sle ep on reed pallets that are d w a r f c h e f a n d h is tw o h u m a n h e lp e r s (commoners).
sp rea d a cro ss the flo or in n o apparent pattern, and each T h e c h e f is a dwarf n a m e d T h a rm T h a rm zid . If g iven
k e e p s m e a g e r b e lo n g in g s b en ea th h is “b e d .” D esp ite
th e la c k o f o rd e r , th e r o o m is c le a n a n d d ry. It is e m p ty th e ch a n ce , h e co m p la in s b itterly a b ou t th e la c k o f
in gredien ts h ere for g o o d m eals. E veryth in g h e receiv es
d u r in g th e day, b u t te n lizardfolk s le e p h e r e at n ig h t. co m e s fro m the lizardfolk h u nters and gath erers, w h o se
n o tio n s a b ou t w h at is a n d isn ’t e d ib le d o n ’t m e s h w e ll
1K . L i z a r d f o l k S l e e p i n g R o o m w it h T h a r m z i d ’s .
T en liz a rd folk g u a rd s sle e p in th is ch a m b er. T h ey are 1Q . G r e a t H a l l
t h e le s s d o m in a n t h a l f o f B o r n g r a y ’s liz a r d f o l k g u a r d s ,
c o n s ig n e d to th is s le e p in g c h a m b e r b e c a u s e it g e ts le s s T h e cultists eat their m ea ls and con d u ct m ost o f th eir
w a r m t h f r o m t h e f o r g e ( a r e a 1 H ) t h a n a r e a 1J d o e s . b u s in e s s in th is h igh , w id e h all. T h e ea stern en d o f the
T h ey sle ep o n re ed p allets that are sp read a cro s s the h all is u sed for d in in g an d so cia lizin g . T h e w estern h alf
flo or in n o apparent pattern, and ea ch k eep s m ea ger is w h e re con tra b a n d h a u led in fro m th e C arn ath R o a d
b e lo n g in g s b en ea th h is “b e d .” D e sp ite the la ck o f order, h ou se is in sp ected , clean ed , sorted , and rep a ck ed b efo re
th e r o o m is c le a n a n d dry. It is e m p ty d u rin g th e day, bu t be in g ca rrie d d ow n to the porta l ben ea th the sou th w est
tow er. T h e ta b les in that h a lf o f th e h a ll a re co v e re d
te n lizardfolk s le e p h e r e at n ig h t. w ith v a lu a bles. T h e sou th w e st co r n e r o f the ro o m is
a m ak esh ift ca rp en try sh op, w h ere cu ltists bu ild n ew
1L. C h a p e l ch e sts a n d b o x e s to h o ld th e plu n der. If ch a ra cte rs have
a ch a n ce to pa w th rou gh th e piles and k eep w hat they
O ver the yea rs, this ch a pel h as b e e n con secra ted to sev find, th ey get 4 5 0 gp, 5 2 0 sp, 8 0 pp, 2 2 s e m ip re c io u s
era l d ifferen t d eities, d ep e n d in g on w h o ru led th e ca stle. s to n es (5 x 3 5 g p , 6 x 4 5 gp, 6 x 5 5 gp, 4 x 6 5 gp, 1 x 8 0
N o w it is a s h rin e to T ia m a t, a d o r n e d w ith a h a n d s o m e
w o o d e n statue o f th e d ra gon q u e en cra fted b y liza rd folk . g p ), a n d a potion ofgreater healing. A lte r n a tiv e ly , y o u
T h e w ork m an sh ip is su rp risin gly g ood , th ou gh m ost o f
T ia m a t ’s v i s a g e s b e a r a s t r o n g e r r e s e m b la n c e t o liz a r d ca n crea te y o u r o w n exp ert-level h oard.
folk than to d ra gon s. A h idden com pa rtm en t ben eath L o o tin g w o n ’t b e p ossib le, h ow ever, as lo n g as any
T i a m a t ’s b l a c k d r a g o n h e a d c o n t a i n s a dagger of venom. cu ltists a re alive. D u rin g th e day, th ere w ill a lw a ys b e
It c a n b e fo u n d w ith a s u c c e s s fu l D C 15 In te llig e n c e tw e lv e cultists (o f in itia te ra n k ) w o r k in g in th e G r e a t
H a ll a n d fo u r dragonclaws ( s e e a p p e n d ix B ) k e e p in g
a n e ye o n th em . M o s t o f th e cu ltists a re h u m a n , but all in th e se ch a m b e rs a re h is clo th e s a n d h is travelin g
the ch a ra cter ra ces are represen ted . T h e p recise m ix sp e llb o o k , w h ich is lo ck e d in sid e a b o x o f silver-in la id
d o e s n ’t m atter. red w ood . T h e lock ca n b e o p e n e d w ith a su cce ssfu l D C
15 D ex terity ch eck , but if th e roll is less than 20, the
If th e re is a n y d istu rb a n ce in th e G rea t H all, e v e ry o n e tam perin g sets o ff a m a gica l w a rd w ith the sa m e effect
w ith in h e a r in g re s p o n d s to th e h u e a n d cry. C u ltists in
the sou th w est tow er an d guard d ra k es fro m the in ner a s a Melf’s acid arrow s p e l l ; t h e a c i d a r r o w l a u n c h e s at
w a rd s h o w up at the start o f th e th ird rou n d , a nd any
b u lly w u g s o r liz a rd fo lk in the ou ter w a rd re s p o n d at the th e ch a ra cter w h o o p e n e d th e b o x a nd ca u s e s 4 d 6 a cid
b eg in n in g o f the fou rth rou nd. d am a ge im m edia tely plus an oth er 4 d 6 acid dam age
a t t h e e n d o f th e c h a r a c t e r ’s n e x t tu r n . T h e d a m a g e
A t n ig h t, tw o guard drakes (s e e a p p e n d ix B ) s le e p is h alved if the ch a ra cter m a k es a su cce ssfu l D C 15
in th e G r e a t H a ll w h ile a th ird guard drake p a tr o ls th e D exterity savin g throw . O p en in g th e b o x w ith th e k ey
d is a rm s th e trap a utom atica lly; J os ca rrie s th e k ey o n a
h all and th e in n er w a rd. E ven asleep, th e guard dra k es strin g a ro u n d h is n eck .
a re at n orm a l a le rtn ess.
Se c o n d F l o o r
1R . So u t h w e s t T o w e r
A n t ec h a m ber 2A. U p p e r B a r b ic a n
S w a m p w ater se e p s into this ch a m b er th rou g h a cra ck A lth o u g h it is m u c h c le a n e r th a n th e lo w e r le v e l, th e
in the fou n dation to p o o l in ch es d eep on the sa g gin g u p p er level o f the b a rb ica n is still a m e ss. M uddy,
sto n e flo o r a n d fill th e a ir w ith a clo y in g , m o ld y stin k . w eb b ed footprin ts o f b u lly w u gs trail up and d ow n the
T h e cu ltists laid a w alk w a y o f plan k s a cro ss the floor so sta irs a n d fan ou t a c r o s s th e floor. T h is a re a is sta ffe d by
they ca n w a lk b etw een the tw o d oorw a y s w ith ou t soa k
in g th e ir feet. T h is c h a m b e r isn ’t u s e d fo r a n y th in g o th e r n in e bullywugs d a y a n d n ig h t, b u t at n ig h t, t h e y t e n d to
tha n a p a ss a g e b e tw e e n a rea s 1Q a n d 1R .
sleep on w atch.
1S. Su b t e r r a n e a n E n t r a n c e T h is level o f the b arb ica n h as n o roof. H u n dreds o f
T h e p u d d le s in a re a 1 R d o n ’t e x te n d in to th is ch a m b e r, m elon -sized ston es are piled arou n d the battlem en ts for
but the sm ell d o e s. B e ca u se o f that, th e cu ltists u se this th row in g d ow n on the h ead s o f attackers. M any o f the
ch a m b er on ly as an a cce ssw a y to oth er areas. p iles h ave co lla p se d , a nd the b u lly w u gs a re to o la zy to
restack them .
T h e m ost im p orta n t fea tu re o f th is ch a m b e r is the
sta irca se that lead s d ow n to the ca vern s ben eath the T h e ca u sew ay is fu lly ex p o se d to a rch ers p osition ed
ca s tle . It s its d ir e ctly b e lo w th e s ta irs th at le a d u p to at the rear o f the barbica n , but the bu lly w u gs seld om
level tw o o f the tow er. T h ere is n o d oorw a y a cro ss either w a tch that d irection .
s e t o f s te p s . A d o o r in to a re a 1T is c lo s e d b u t n ot lo ck e d .
T h e m ain feature o f this area is a sign al dru m ca rv ed
1T . U n u s e d C h a m b e r fro m an en orm ou s h ollow log. T h is dru m ca n b e h eard
fo r m ile s w h e n it is b e a t e n v i g o r o u s ly . T h e b u l ly w u g s
T h is ch a m b er is w et and m oldy, th ou gh n ot flood ed . T h e se n d m a n y d ifferen t sig n a ls w ith th e d ru m : th ey ca n
c u ltis ts d o n ’t u s e it b e c a u s e o f th e d a m p n e s s , s o g ia n t recall patrols and fora gers to th e castle, w a k e up the
cen tip ed es have m ove d in an d m a de a nest. A n yon e w h o cam p, in dicate m ealtim es, a n n ou n ce ch a n g es o f the
op en s the d oor and enters the ch a m b er b e co m e s the guard, a nd sou n d a gen era l a larm if the ca stle ever co m e s
u nder attack. T h e dru m is h eard about six tim es on a typ
ta rg e t o f te n giant centipedes. ica l day, a nd everyon e w h o lives at the ca stle k n ow s the
m e a n in g s o f the differen t d ru m b e a ts. C h ara cters w o n ’t
If the ch a ra cters p o s e as rein forcem en ts sen t by the k n ow w hat they m ea n w ithout a sk in g som eon e.
cult, they are a ssig n ed this ch a m b er as th eir quarters.
T h e ir first ta sk is c le a rin g o u t th e ce n tip e d e s , ch in k in g 2E. R o t t e d F l o o r
le a k s, a n d g e n e r a lly m a k in g th e r o o m liva ble.
T h e s e c o n d level o f th e n o rth w e st to w e r is in b a d sh ap e.
1U . K e e p E n t r a n c e T h ere are large h oles w h ere the floorboa rd s have co m
pletely rotted aw ay or fallen into the m u ck b elow , a nd the
T h e en tran ce to the m ain k eep is raised th ree steps flo o r b o a r d s th a t r e m a in a r e u n lik e ly to s u p p o r t a h u m a n ’s
above the level o f the in n er w ard. A stout w o o d e n d o o r w eigh t. T h e b e a m s a re still strong, but they are slick w ith
in g o o d r e p a ir b a r s it, b u t th e d o o r is n e v e r lo c k e d o r fu n gus and m old. A su ccessfu l D C 10 D exterity (A crobat
barred under norm al circu m stan ces. ics) ch e ck is n eed ed to cr o s s the level on a b ea m w ith out
slipp in g and fallin g into the a w fu ln e ss o f area 1E.
T h is fron t ch a m b e r is a sm a ll v e rsion o f th e G reat
H all, w ith a fe w ta bles a nd b e n ch e s that a re s e ld om A c r o s s th e tow er, u p a g ain st the sou th w a ll, is a sin g le,
u sed . S p ira l sta irs lea d u p to th e s e c o n d floor. lock ed trunk. T h e lo ck ca n b e op en ed w ith a set o f
th ieves’ tools and a su cce ssfu l D C 10 D exterity ch eck .
1V . W e st G u e s t R o o m s T h e ch es t con ta in s 1 ,8 2 5 cp , 5 4 sp, a n d a p a ir o f ga rish
gold ea rrin gs that w ou ld b e w orth an oth er 10 gp if
N o rm a lly, th e s e r o o m s a re n ’t u s e d , bu t A z b a ra J os m elted. T h e ch es t w a s left b e h in d w h e n th e last ten an ts
o ccu p ie s th em currently. T h ey are rea son ab ly w a rm o f the ca stle departed, b ein g con sid ered n ot w orth the
a n d c o m fo r ta b le . J o s w ill b e h e re w h e n h e isn ’t co n s u lt effort to lu g d o w n th e stairs.
in g w ith R e z m ir in a rea 1U, 2N , or 3 L . J os k e e p s all o f
h is real va lu a b les w ith h im . T h e on ly th in gs h e leaves T h e ston e step s that w in d arou n d the ou ter w a ll co m e
to a sm all (approxim ately 3 feet w o m a n ’s d re s s in g ta ble o r n igh tsta n d . T h is is a p rivate
b y 3 feet) sto n e la n d in g, th en jo k e that D ra lm o rrer B o rn gra y fin ds q uietly h ila riou s.
con tin u e u pw ard to the third It’s a ll t h e s a m e to P h a r b le x , s in c e h e k n o w s n o t h in g o f
level. C h a ra cters a re sa fe from civilization or the fa sh ion s o f h u m an n ob lew om en .
fallin g as lon g as th ey stay on
the lan din g o r th e steps. 2H . A r s e n a l
A trapdoor closes off the top T h is ch a m b er w a s sto ck ed w ith arm or, w ea p on s, and
o f the stairs at the ceilin g. T h e h u n dreds o f a rrow s w h en the ca stle w a s aba n don ed.
d o o r is latch ed w ith a sim ple T h e m etal ru sted to dust, the a rrow s w a rp ed into u se
w o o d e n turn-button. T h e d oor lessn ess, and the leath er w a s ch ew ed aw ay by rats
also b ea rs a w a rn in g but, a n d oth e r v erm in . N o w th is ch a m b e r is th e u n officia l
b eca u se the w a rn in g w a s draw n h ea d q u a rters o f th e liz a r d folk in th e ca stle. N eith er the
in ch a lk n early a cen tu ry ago, b u lly w u gs n or the cu ltists ever co m e up h ere.
it is a ll b u t in v is ib le n o w . It c a n
b e n oticed w ith a su ccessfu l D C T h e a rse n a l ch a m b e r is the w a rm e st in th e ca stle,
20 W isd om (P ercep tion ) ch eck. th a n k s to h eat risin g fro m the forg e (area 1H ). T h e
A fter th e ch a lk m ark is n oticed , liz a r d fo lk that live in th e ca stle g a th e r h e re — u su a lly at
anyon e w h o rea ds D w a rvish n igh t—to d is cu s s th eir situ ation a n d w h a t th ey sh o u ld
c a n c o r r e c t ly in te rp re t it a s a d o. T h e d eba te is b e tw e e n a cce p tin g th eir fate a s low ly
w a rn in g that p ow erfu l u n dead se rv a n ts o f th e C ult o f th e D ra g o n , a ttack in g th e b u lly
resid e in the room beyon d. w u g s in a g lo riou s yet su icid a l a ssau lt, or b id in g their
A dven tu rers p la ced the ru ne tim e until they ca n a ttack w ith a ch a n ce o f w in n in g .
h ere d e ca d e s a go a fter ru n n in g
a fou l o f th e s p e cte rs in a rea 3E .
2F. St a b l e s L o f t
T h e loft a b ov e th e sta b les is
w h ere th e lizardfolk store
bu n d les o f cu t reed s to u se as
b e d d in g in th e stalls o f th e giant
lizards. O th er than reed s and a
fe w bats, n oth in g else is here.
2G . U pper
Ba r r a c k s
Pharblex Spattergoo (s e e
a ppen dix B) and h is p erson al
re t in u e o f te n bullywugs u s e
th is level o f the b a rra ck s as their
livin g q u a rters. N o on e else
h as any b u sin ess b ein g in this cham ber, inclu din g cult
ists. N ot even B orn g ra y o r R ez m ir h e rs e lf a re w e lco m e
h ere. T h e b u lly w u g s a re a lw a ys h ere at n igh t but on ly
tw o stan d gu ard over the treasu re ch est du rin g the day,
w h en P h a rb lex sp e n d s m o st o f h is tim e in the giant frog
h atchery ben eath the castle. T h ose tw o gu ards trust n o
on e, a nd o n e o f th em is eq u ip p ed w ith a h orn m a d e o f
cro co d ile b on e w ith w h ich to sou n d the alarm if trou ble
d e v e lop s .
L ik e a ll a re a s o c c u p ie d b y b u lly w u g s, th is ch a m b e r is
a m e ss. R e e d p allets, d irty b a sk ets, a n d a n im a l b o n e s
litter th e floor.
In the sou th east co rn e r o f the ro o m is a large, stu rdy
ch est, w ra p p ed in ch a in s and p a d lock ed. T h e lo ck can
b e pick ed w ith th ieves’ tools an d a su ccessfu l D C 12
D e x t e r it y c h e c k . I n s id e is P h a r b le x ’s s h a r e o f t h e b u l
ly w u g s ’ pay: silver a n d e le ctru m jew elry , h a n d m irrors ,
sh ell co m b s , h air p in s a nd b ro o ch e s w ith se m ip re cio u s
ston es, all w ith a total va lu e o f 1 ,3 76 gp. M os t o f th e
silver is b la ck from tarnish . In a civ ilized land, every on e
o f th ese item s is som eth in g that w ou ld b e fou n d on a
T h e l iz a r d f o l k ’s s t o c k p il e o f n e w w e a p o n s is h id d e n m a n y th e ore tica l w o r k s on altern ate reality, tim e, a nd
ben ea th sta ck s o f ru sted, rotten , cen tu ry-old arm s. Just d im en sio n a l travel. T h is co lle ctio n w o u ld b e a p rice le ss
a few m in u tes o f sea rch in g th rou gh the ju n k ca n turn a d d it io n t o a n y lib r a r y o r c o l l e c t o r in W a t e r d e e p i f it
up on e or tw o b u n d les o f sh arp, clea n b la des for short- cou ld b e rem ov ed fro m the ca stle b efore th e cu ltists
s w o rd s, d a gg ers, a n d s p e a rs , n eatly w ra p p e d in oilsk in . s p ir it it a w a y o r t h e b u lly w u g s s p o il it.
U n less th e lizardfolk are m eetin g, this ch a m b er u su T h e b o o k s and m a n u scrip ts are stored on w o o d e n
a lly is em pty. T h e liz a r d folk s e ld o m c o m e h ere w h en sh e lves b u ilt b y the cu ltists fro m sa lva ged lum ber.
th ey co u ld b e o b s e r v e d g ath erin g, to a void a ttra ctin g
s u sp ic io n o r m a k in g a n y o n e cu r io u s a b o u t w h a t’s in th e O n e dragonwing (s e e a p p e n d ix B ) a n d fo u r cultists
“u n u sed ” ro o m a bove the forge.
(initiates) sp en d m o st o f th eir tim e h ere, org a n izin g the
2 I , J, K . V a c a n t R o o m s books.
D ralm orrer B orn gray a ssig n ed the en tire n orth east 2 R K i t c h e n St o r a g e
tow er to the lizardfolk for th eir u se, but they sleep and
live m a in ly on th e g ro u n d floor. T h e s e co n d -flo o r r o o m s Item s that are n eed ed in th e k itch en (area 1P ) o c c a
con ta in n oth in g o f in terest o r value. sion a lly but not every day are stored h ere, a lon g w ith
n on p e ris h a b le fo o d s u ch a s c o o k in g oil, grain , ch e e s e ,
If ch a ra cters p o k e a rou n d in th is a rea, h ow ever, th o se w in e, a n d sa lted m eat.
w ith a p assive W isd o m (P ercep tion ) s co re o f 15 or
h igh er n otice that the d o o rs b etw een a rea s 2H , 2 I, and 2R . C u l t i s t s ’ Sl e e p i n g C h a m b e r
2 K o p e n a n d c lo s e s m o o th ly a nd sou n d lessly, unlik e
m ost oth er d oors in the castle, w h ich sq u ea k and squ eal T h e lo w e st-ra n k in g cu ltists sle e p h ere. A t n igh t, five
lou d ly on co rro d e d h in ges. T h e lizardfolk k eep th ese
d o o rs w e ll-o iled s o th ey ca n slip up to a rea 2 H in th e cultists a re p r e s e n t. O th e r w is e , th e c h a m b e r is e m p ty
dead o f night w ith ou t aw ak en in g any b u lly w u gs in the
b a rra ck s (a rea s 1G a n d 2G ). o f all b ut th eir ree d m a ttre s s e s a n d sim p le b e lo n g in g s
in w o o d e n tru n k s. A sm a ll ston e h ea rth in a rea 2 T p r o
A tra p d oor clo s e s o ff the top o f the stairs up to area 3I. v id es m ea g er w arm th .
T h e tr a p d o o r isn ’t lo ck e d , b u t a p a ir o f iro n s p ik e s h a s
b een h a m m ered b etw een the d oor an d the fram e. O p en 2T . C u l t i s t s ’ Sl e e p i n g C h a m b e r
in g the d o o r req u ires either a D C 10 S tren gth ch e ck or
ten m in utes spen t ca refu lly pry in g out the spik es. If the A t n ig h t, s e v e n dragonwings (s e e a p p e n d ix B ) s le e p
d oor is fo rce d an d n o on e is sta n d in g by read y to catch
the sp ik e s, they cla tter n oisily d o w n the steps. h ere. O th erw ise , th e ch a m b e r is em p ty o f all b ut th eir
re ed m a ttre sses a n d sim p le b e lo n g in g s in w o o d e n
I f c h a r a c t e r s a r e c a p t u r e d , t h e y a r e c o n f i n e d i n a r e a 2J. trunks. A sm all stone hearth k eeps the ch am ber w arm .
2L. O u t e r L i b r a r y 2U . D r a l m o r r e r B o r n g r a y ’s
Co mmo n Ro o m
D ralm orrer B orn gray h as con v erted the se co n d floor o f
th e ch a p e l into a library. T h is ch a m b e r at th e top o f th e T h e s e c o n d level o f th e k ee p is o cc u p ie d en tirely by
stairs con ta in s a few crates and ch ests o f b o o k s cu lled D ralm orrer B orn gray. T h is ch a m b er is a com bin ation
fr o m th e a r r iv in g tr e a s u r e th a t h a v e n ’t b e e n s o r t e d a n d sittin g r o o m a nd office, a n d a sm a ll h ea rth a lo n g the
ca ta lo g e d yet. O th e r w ise , it is em p ty. w estern w a ll p rovid es heat. A w ritin g desk , a large
p a d d e d chair, a n d a b e n ch a re d ra w n up n ea r the
2M . R e a d i n g R o o m h earth. O th erw ise , th e ro o m is la rgely em pty.
A sm a ll ta b le a n d tw o ch a ir s a re th e o n ly fu r n is h in g s in 2V, W . B o r n g r a y ’s Sl e e p i n g a n d
this cham ber. D r essin g Ro o ms
2N . L i b r a r y A r e a 2 V is B o r n g r a y ’s s le e p in g c h a m b e r , fu r n is h e d
w ith a b ed, a carp et-d ra p ed table w ith a w a sh b asin and
S in c e tr ea s u re first sta rted fu n n elin g th rou g h N aerytar, g room in g su pp lies (com b, bru sh , soap, sce n te d w aters),
D ralm orrer B orn gray h as p u lled out any b o o k s, p a rch and a stool. R u gs cov er m ost o f the floor. A raven in a
m en ts, ta blets, a n d oth er w ritten m a terial that in terested large ca g e sq u a w k s lou dly en ou gh to b e h eard in the
h im . H e k n o w s b e t te r th a n to c la im it a s h is o w n ; h e ou ter w a rd if a stran ger en ters the ch a m b er, and the
w i ll fo r w a r d t h e s e t r e a s u r e s to T ia m a t ’s h o a r d w h e n squ a w k in g aw ak en s and d ra w s the cu ltists and d ra gon
th e w o r k at C astle N a eryta r d ra w s to a c lo s e . U ntil then, w in gs from areas 2 R and 2 T to the tow er.
h e k e e p s the w ritten m a teria l at th e ca stle to stu d y a nd
to divert h im from the m iserab le su rrou n d in gs. R ezm ir B orn gray is seld om h ere ex cep t w h en sleepin g, im m e
k n ow s abou t the library and approv es o f u sin g th e b o o k s d iately b e fo r e retirin g , a nd im m ed ia tely a fter risin g.
this w ay, as lon g as they are delivered to th e W ell o f
D r a g o n s b e fo r e T ia m a t’s arrival. In a d d ition to th e e lf’s c lo th in g a n d p e rs o n a l e ffects,
a sm all stron g b ox is h idden ben ea th a lo o s e floorb oa rd
B o r n g r a y h a s a s s e m b le d a n im p r e s s iv e lib ra ry . It u n d er a rug. T h e h id in g p la ce is sp o tted a utom a tica lly
con ta in s over on e h u n dred b o o k s, qu a rtos, and m a n u if the ru g is m ov ed a n d m iss e d a u tom a tica lly if the ru g
scripts co v erin g the h istory o f the S w ord C oast, natural is left a lo n e . T h e s tr o n g b o x c o n ta in s B o r n g r a y ’s e m e r
ph ilosoph y , m a th em atics, astronom y, m a gic, and g en cy fu nds: 2 0 0 gp, 2 0 0 sp, and 10 p recio u s ston es
w orth 100 gp each . T h e lock ed b o x ca n b e op en ed w ith
a k e y fr o m B o r n g r a y ’s b e lt o r w it h a s e t o f t h ie v e s ’ t o o ls
and a su cce ssfu l D C 15 D exterity ch eck .
Th ir d Fl o o r 3 L . R e z m i r ’s O f f i c e
M an y o f th e to p m o st levels o f th e ca stle a re u n u se d by T h e th ird flo o r o f th e old ch a p el is co n v e rted to livin g
cu ltists. S o m e o f th em a re still h o m e to d a n g e ro u s c re a quarters for W y rm sp ea k er R ezm ir. N o on e else u ses
tu res that w ere sea led o ff in stead o f b ein g clea re d out. th ese ch a m b ers even w h en R ezm ir is aw ay from the
ca stle for ten days or m on th s at a stretch.
3E. Sp e c t e r s ’ Sa n c t u m
T h e fu r n is h in g s in all fo u r ch a m b e r s a re lavish — su r
S e v e r a l y e a rs a fter its b u ild e r a n d o rig in a l o w n e r a b a n prisin g ly so, com p a red to everyth in g else at the castle.
d on ed C astle N aerytar, the ca stle w a s re-occu p ied by an A ll o t h e r fu r n is h in g s w e r e b u ilt o n s ite , b u t R e z m i r ’s
a ll-fem ale s ch o o l o f a strolog ers ca lle d the A ca d em y o f co m e from the w ork sh op s o f th e fin est ca rp en ters and
S ta rg a z ers. A fe w y e a rs a fter th e a stro lo g e rs m ov e d in, u ph olsterers in F aeru n. T h ey w ere b rou gh t to th e ca stle
th ey w ere w ip ed out by th eir ow n leader. S everal o f the t h r o u g h t h e p o r t a l fr o m T a lis th e W h it e ’s l o d g e .
c a s tle ’s re sid e n ts w e r e m u rd e re d in th is to p m o s t r o o m
o f th e n o rth w est to w e r in p a rticu la rly h id e o u s fash ion . T h is fron t c h a m b e r s e r v e s R e z m ir a s a n o ffice . It c o n
tains a w ritin g desk , several sm aller ta bles stack ed w ith
T h e y a re still h e re in th e fo rm o f s ix specters h a u n tin g inven tories and rep orts, and fou r beau tifu l but u n com
fortable w o o d e n ch a irs. T w o m a tch ed on yx ca rv in gs o f
the ch a m b er. T h e y rest quietly, ig n o rin g ev ery th in g a nd b la ck d ra gon s flank th e top o f th e sta ircase. A seriou s
e v ery on e in th e ca stle, until s o m e o n e o p e n s th e trap c o lle cto r w o u ld p ay up to 3 ,0 0 0 g p fo r th e pair. T h ey a re
d o o r and en ters. th ree feet tall a n d w e ig h 4 0 0 p o u n d s a p iece .
T h e o p e n ch a m b e r con ta in s a large table and star A m o n g t h e p a p e r s o n t h e d e s k a r e R e z m i r ’s n o t e s
ch a rts in scroll ra ck s arou n d th e w alls. T h ree b od ies d e scrib in g the p o rta l b en ea th th e ca stle a n d h o w to
are sp ra w led on th e floor, red u ce d b y tim e to p o w d e ry o p e r a te it, in c lu d in g its c o m m a n d w o r d (“ D r a e z ir ").
b o n e s and dusty tatters o f cloth . A s s o o n as som e o n e
en ters the room , they rise as sp ecters and attack. T h ey 3 M . R e z m i r ’s Si t t i n g R o o m
p u rs u e a n y w h e re in th e ca stle , bu t th e y w o n ’t lea v e th e
ca stle . T h e y a tta ck o th e r liv in g c re a tu r e s if th e y c a n ’t T h is ch a m b e r is a sittin g roo m , co m fo rta b ly fu rn ish ed
get at th ose w h o d istu rb ed th eir rest, but they p refer the w ith u ph olstered ch a irs, pa d ded b en ch es, and tw o sm all
in tru ders ov er anyon e else. ca rp e t-d ra p e d ta b les. R e zm ir d o e s n ot en terta in gu ests,
s o th e ch a m b e r is n ev er u se d b y a n y on e but her.
M ost o f the pap er star ch a rts cru m ble into dust w h en
tou ch e d , but th ree a re still stu rd y en o u g h to b e ca r 3 N . R e z m i r ’s Sl e e p i n g C h a m b e r
ried away. O n e o f th ese w a s draw n on parch m en t, on e
scrib e d on a cla y d isc, a nd o n e etch ed on th inly rolled A large bed, tw o w a rd rob es, a sta n d in g m irror, and
cop p er. T h e su rvivin g ch a rts w ou ld fetch 7 0 0 gp ea ch a n a rm o r stan d w ith a s p a re su it o f s ca le m a il a rm o r
fro m a n a str o lo g e r in W a te rd e e p o r o th e r m a jo r city. d om in a te th e room . O n e o f the w a rd ro b e s is filled w ith
cloth in g. T h e other, w h o se d o o rs are p ain ted w ith a
3G. Un u s e d C h a m b e r d e p i c t io n o f a fiv e -h e a d e d d r a g o n , c o n t a i n s R e z m i r ’s
C ult o f the D r a g o n reg a lia — p u rp le r o b e s , clo a k s , m a n
O riginally, th is level o f th e b a r ra ck s w a s u s e d fo r stor
age and for train in g d u rin g severe w eath er. S everal t l e s , a n d m a n y i t e m s o f r a n k , b u t n o t t h e Black Dragon
fe n cin g d u m m ie s a nd ta rgets still stan d a ro u n d the Mask. B e c a u s e R e z m i r i s a h a l f - d r a g o n , it’s u n l ik e ly t h a t
ro om , but they w ill fall apart if put to h ard u se.
h e r c lo t h in g o r a r m o r w ill fit a n y o n e e lse .
3 H , I, J. Sp i d e r s ’ L a i r T h e w a rd ro b e co n ta in in g the cu lt rega lia is trap ped .
T h e to p leve l o f th e n o rth e a st to w e r is th e la ir o f five T h e trap can b e detected w ith a su cce ssfu l D C 20
W isd om (P ercep tion ) ch eck . O n ce spotted, the trap can
giant spiders. T h e y h u n t in th e s w a m p at n ig h t a n d
b e d i s a r m e d a u t o m a t i c a l l y b y u s i n g R e z m i r ’s insignia of
retu rn to the tow er to rest du rin g th e days, en terin g claws o r w i t h a s e t o f t h i e v e s ’ t o o l s a n d a s u c c e s s f u l D C
th rou g h a h o le in the ro of. T h e s p id e rs a re w ary, so
t h e y ’v e n e v e r b e e n s e e n c o m in g a n d g o in g . T h e liz a r d - 20 D ex terity ch eck . If th e w a rd rob e is op en ed w ith out
fo lk k n o w o f th e m bu t h a v e n ’t m e n tio n e d th e m to o th e rs. d isa rm in g the trap o r if th e D exterity ch e ck fails, the
trap g o e s off. V ia ls o f a cid ex p lod e, ca u sin g 2 5 (7 d 6 ) a cid
T h e ch a m b er is n ot h u n g w ith w eb s, but the crack ed d a m a g e to ev e ry on e in a rea 3N . D a m a g e is h alv ed w ith
a n d b o n e s o f m a n y a n im a ls (in clu d in g b u lly w u g s) litter a s u cce ssfu l D C 15 D exterity sav in g th row ; th e ch a ra c
th e floor. T h e sp id ers n es tle a m o n g th e d e e p sh a d ter w h o set o ff th e trap h a s d isa d va n ta ge on th e sa vin g
o w s b etw een ceilin g b ea m s, and they have advantage th row . A ll C ult o f th e D r a g o n item s in th e w a rd ro b e
on D ex terity (S tealth) ch e ck s w h ile h id d en in their are ru in ed by acid, as are m ost o f the fu rn ish in gs and
recesses. oth er o b je cts in the ro om , in clu d in g the d ra go n statuette
d escrib ed below .
A trap door is clo se d a cro ss the step s from a rea 2K
and ja m m e d shut w ith tw o iron sp ik es d riven be tw een O n e o f the fe w ea sily p orta b le item s o f va lu e in the
the d o o r an d the fram e. S e e the d escription o f area 2 K ro o m is a 2 -foot-tall statuette o f a b la ck d ra gon , m a d e
fo r n o te s abou t o p e n in g the d oor. T h e d o o r is sufficient from actual b la ck d ra gon sca les and cla w s, w ith ruby
to k eep th e sp id ers ou t o f th e lo w e r levels o f th e tow er, e y e s a n d d ia m o n d teeth . It is p e r c h e d a to p a h e a p o f
sin ce the sp id ers and the lizardfolk have an u n sp ok en trea su re co n s istin g o f a ctu a l g old a n d g e m s. Its value
u n d e r s t a n d in g t o le a v e e a c h o t h e r a lo n e . T h a t d o e s n ’t to a c o lle c t o r is 4 ,8 0 0 g p , a n d it w e ig h s o n ly 2 0 p o u n d s .
exten d to stran gers su ch as the ch aracters. R o u g h h a n d lin g w ill d a m a g e it, h o w e v e r , a n d r e d u c e its
v a lu e to ju st 1 ,2 0 0 gp.
3 0 . R e z m i r ’s Sa n c t u a r y is em p ty o f all but th eir reed
m a ttr e s s e s a n d b e lo n g in g s in
T h is ch a m b er is w h ere R ezm ir retires to ven erate w o o d e n tru nk s. A sm all ston e
T ia m a t privately. T h e r o o m is b a re . Its o n ly d e co r a tio n is hearth provides m eager w arm th.
a stylized d ep iction o f a five-h eaded dra gon risin g fro m a T h e d o o r to a rea 3 S is a lw a ys
v o lc a n o , p a in te d o n th e b a c k o f th e d o o r (w h e r e it w o n ’t kept closed but not lock ed.
b e s e e n u n le s s s o m e o n e c l o s e s t h e d o o r w h ile t h e y ’r e in
th is room ). T h e artist h ad on ly a few co lo rs to w ork w ith 3S. U n u s e d R o o m
a n d w a s n ot e s p e c ia lly ta len ted, but th e five h e a d s a re
re c o g n iz a b le as th e five ch rom a tic d ra g on s. A p ortion o f the r o o f and n orth
w e st w a ll h as co lla p se d in this
3P. K i t c h e n St o r a g e ch a m b e r, s o it isn ’t u s e d fo r
anything. T h e d o o r to area 3R
T h is ro o m con ta in s m ore k itch en storage, sim ila r to is a lw a y s k ept c lo s e d b ut n ot
a rea 2 R O n ly d ry g o o d s a re k ep t h e re — flour, sugar, lock ed.
dried fruits and veg etab les—to avoid the h a ssle s o f h au l
in g tu b s or b a r rels o f liq u id up th e stairs. 3T . C u l t i s t s ’ St u d y
3R. C u l t i s t s ’ Sl e e p i n g C h a m b e r T h e six cu ltists w h o sh are area
3 R u se this ch a m b er for study
M id dle-ra n k in g cu ltists have th e en tire top flo or o f the in g th eir sp ellb ook s and for
p ra cticin g th eir m a gica l craft.
to w e r fo r th e ir u s e . A t n ig h t, s ix dragonwings (s e e T h e ch a m b er is em pty ex cep t for
th ree stools, th ree w ritin g desk s,
app en dix B) are presen t. O th erw ise, th e ch a m b er and a b asin o f w ater.
3U . O b s e r v a t o r y
T h e Stargazers converted
the top level o f the k eep into
an a strolog ical observatory.
T h e m ost in terestin g device
t h e y i n s t a l l e d w a s a farseer of
Illusk—a t e l e s c o p e - l i k e c o n t r a p
tion that is u sefu l for o b serv in g
a n d stu d yin g h eaven ly b o d ie s
but w h ich ca n a lso b e u sed in a
m a n n e r s i m i l a r t o a n arcane eye
s p e l l . I n t h a t m o d e , t h e farseer
ca n v ie w a lo ca tio n w ith in fifty
m ile s o f it. T u n in g a n d fo c u s in g
the d ev ice this w a y ca lls for
a con sid erab le am ou n t o f sk ill and p ra ctice, and the
d e v ic e ’s d ila p id a t e d c o n d it io n m a k e s t h e p r o c e s s m o r e
d ifficu lt.
B oth R e z m ir a n d B o rn g ra y visit th is a rea freq u en tly to
s t u d y t h e farseer T h e e l f h a s h a d l i m i t e d s u c c e s s w i t h
it, b u t R e z m ir h a s m a s t e re d its u s e . O v e r th e p a s t yea r,
s h e u s e d t h e farseer t o s t u d y V o a r a g h a m a n t h a r i n t h e
d r a g o n ’s la ir. D u r in g t h o s e s p y in g s e s s i o n s , R e z m ir d is
c o v e r e d t h e d r a g o n ’s s e c r e t t w in .
T o protect th is area, R ezm ir en listed the serv ice o f
f o u r gargoyles. T h e y p e r c h d a y a n d n ig h t o n th e fo u r
c o r n e r s o f t h e k e e p ’s r o o f , w h e r e t h e y c a n b e s e e n f r o m
the grou nd and w h ere they can see through w in d ow s
into th e o b se rva tory. O n ly R e z m ir a nd B o rn gra y k n o w
th e g a rg oy les a re alive. If a n y on e en ters th e o b se rv a
tory w ith ou t b ein g a ccom p a n ie d b y on e o f the tw o cult
o ffi c e r s , th e g a r g o y l e s t e a r o p e n t h e o b s e r v a t o r y ’s fo u r
ceilin g h atch es and attack. T h is is the on ly intru sion
th e y re s p o n d to. T h e g a rg o y le s d o n ’t in te rfe re e lse w h e r e
w ith o u t d ir e c t o r d e r s fro m R e z m ir, a n d sh e w o n ’t g ive
s u c h a n o r d e r u n le s s it is th e d ir e s t o f e m e r g e n c ie s .
A ch a ra cter w h o in sp ects the con ten ts o f the
o b s e r v a t o r y r e c o g n i z e s t h e farseer ofIllusk w i t h a s u c T h e w a ter flo o d in g th e cen te r o f th e ch a m b e r is little
m o r e th a n a p u d d le ; it r e a c h e s a d e p th o f 1 fo o t n e a r th e
c e s s fu l D C 15 In tellig en ce (A rca n a ) ch e ck . A fter its true center. T h e w a ter is slightly acidic, but n ot en ou gh to
n a tu r e is a s c e r ta in e d , u s in g it to v ie w a d is ta n t lo c a tio n ca u se d a m a g e. T h e gap in the w a ll co n n e c tin g to a rea 2
req u ires a su cce ssfu l D C 15 In telligen ce (A rcan a) ch eck is on ly a bou t 3 feet h ig h a b ov e th e w ater, s o m o st ch a r
a n d a s u cce s s fu l D C 15 D exterity (S leigh t o f H an d) acters m ust crou ch to get through.
ch eck . If the In telligen ce ch e ck fails, the d e sire d loca tio n
c a n ’t b e fo u n d . If th e D e x te rity c h e c k fails, th e im a g e is 2. G r a y O o z e L a i r
too d istorted to con v ey any in form ation . If the D exterity
T h is c h a m b e r is th e la ir o f a gray ooze, t h o u g h n o n e o f
c h e c k r e s u l t i s 5 o r l e s s , a k e y p a r t o f t h e farseer b r e a k s
th e b u l ly w u g s o r c u lt is t s a r e a w a r e o f it. O c c a s i o n a l ly it
off, ren d erin g th e item in o p era b le. slith ers out o f its ch a m b e r a nd ea ts a g ian t frog ; th e rest
o f th e tim e , it s ta y s o u t o f sig h t. T h e o o z e m a tc h e s th e
W h e n c h a r a c t e r s f in d it, t h e farseer i s f o c u s e d o n su rrou n d in g ston e p erfectly and h as n oth in g but tim e
in w h ich to c a m o u fla g e itself. C o m p a r e th e o o z e ’s D e x
W a e r v a e r e n d o r ’s la ir. T h i s is a g o ld e n o p p o r t u n it y fo r terity (S tealth ) ch e c k to the ch a ra cte rs’ p a ssiv e W is d o m
c h a r a c t e r s t o le a r n V o a r a g h a m a n t h a r ’s s e c r e t . (P ercep tion ) s co re s to determ in e w h eth er on e or m ore
o f t h e m s p o t s it.
C h aracters m igh t try to take this item w h en they leave.
S e a rc h in g ch a ra cter s d o s e e th e glin t o f g em s b en ea th
T h e farseer i s b u l k y ( a p p r o x i m a t e l y 4 0 p o u n d s o f b r a s s , th e w ater at the east en d o f th e ch a m ber. F ish in g
th rou gh that area tu rn s up a h an dfu l o f fan cy and sem i
crystal, a n d w o o d ) a n d fra g ile (w ith cry sta l le n s e s for p re cio u s sto n e s w orth 1 ,8 0 0 gp (2 X 5 0 gp , 5 x 1 0 0 gp,
focu sin g an d delicate g ea rs in the tu n in g m ech an ism ). 2 0 0 gp, 4 0 0 gp, 6 0 0 gp). T h e g e m s ca m e fro m a less-
W o r s t o f a ll, it h a s s u ffe r e d a lm o s t t w o c e n tu r ie s o f th a n -d evoted cu ltist w h o th ro w s a fistful o f co in s and
n eg lect and ex p osu re. T h e least am ou n t o f rou gh h an oth er treasu re item s into area 2 every tim e h e gets th e
d lin g w ill s h a tte r its b rittle w o r k in g s a n d r u in it. A te a m ch a n ce . H is p la n is to c o m e b a ck to th e ca stle a fter the
o f b ra ss-sm ith s a n d s a g e s, w o rk in g patiently, m igh t b e cu lt lea v es a n d c o lle ct h is “retirem en t fu n d.” U n k n ow n
able to rem ove the d ev ice from C astle N aerytar intact, to h im , th e o o z e livin g in a rea 2 s c o o p s up th e item s
but adven turers w ork in g in h aste have n o ch a n ce. w h e n it p a s s e s t h r o u g h its lair. A ll th e it e m s e x c e p t th e
g e m s d is s o lv e in th e o o z e ’s b o d y . T h e s t o n e s fa s c in a t e
Ben ea t h t h e Ca st l e t h e c r e a t u r e ’s tin y b r a in , s o it “ s p its o u t ” t h e g e m s in
th e c o r n e r a n d c o lle c ts th em . T h e o o z e w o n ’t b o th e r
T h e ca vern s ben ea th C astle N aerytar are a ccessib le th o s e w h o en ter, lo o k a ro u n d , a n d lea v e. It fig h ts b a c k if
th rou g h a rea 1S . A t the top, the step s a re sm o o th and a tta c k e d , a n d it a tta c k s (p r o b a b ly w ith s u r p r is e ) a n y o n e
w ell m ade. A s they d escen d , they are rou gher, m ake w h o takes gem s.
severa l tu rn s, and d escen d about 20 feet to area 1 o f
th e d u n g eo n m a p. T h is su b terra n ea n a rea is la rgely th e 3. M u d R o o m
rea lm o f the bu llyw u g s, w h o b re ed giant fro g s in the
co ld lake. P h a rb lex sp en d s m ost o f h is tim e d ow n here, T h e flo o r o f th is r o o m is flo o d e d a fo o t d e ep w ith sticky,
as d o h is b ody g u ards and m any w ork ers. re ek in g m u d, m a k in g the w h o le ch a m b e r difficu lt ter
rain. B u lly w u g s roll in th is m u d, b oth b e ca u s e they
G e n e r a l Fe a t u r e s o f t h e Ga v e e n jo y it a n d fo r o b s c u r e c e r e m o n ia l p u r p o s e s m a n d a te d
E veryw h ere th e w a lls drip w ater an d the flo or is slick b y P h a r b le x . T w o bullywugs m a in ta in th e m u d at ju s t
w ith m oistu re. T h e tem peratu re is a steady 5 0 d egrees.
T h ere are n o d o o rs in the cavern s. th e co n siste n cy and depth the b u llyw u gs prefer. T h ey
d o n ’t le a p to th e a ttack w h e n ch a r a c te r s enter, bu t th e y
Ceilings. C a v e r n c e i l i n g s a r e 1 0 f e e t h i g h e x c e p t are h ostile and qu ick to anger.
w h ere n oted oth erw ise. T h e step s to the w est d escen d steeply 10 feet to area
4. A lip o f s to n e s a c r o s s th e top o f th e s tep s k e e p s m ost
Light. A r e a 1 i s b r i g h t ly lit b y l a n t e r n s . A l l o t h e r a r e a s o f the m u d from spillin g d ow n the steps, but en ou gh
slo p s o ver to m a k e the step s slipp ery. E very ch a ra cter
h a v e n o light. w h o w a lk s d ow n th ese step s m u st m ak e a su ccessfu l
D C 8 D exterity savin g th row to avoid tu m blin g into area
Sound. T h e c a v e r n s a r e fi ll e d w i t h t h e f a i n t s o u n d s 4. T h e fall ca u s e s 1d 4 b lu d g e on in g d a m a g e a nd m a k e s a
lot o f n oise.
o f drippin g w ater, scra tch in g roden ts, and scrab blin g
liza r d s. S o u n d d o e s n o t ca r r y w e ll; th e s o u n d o f a fight 4. C e n t i p e d e L a i r
travels into n e ig h b o rin g ch a m b e rs a n d a ttracts attention
if th e figh t lasts m or e th a n th re e rou n d s. T h is ch a m b e r is em pty, bu t s w a r m s o f ce n tip e d e s live
in n ich e s a nd a lco v e s lin in g th e w e ste rn w all. T h ey are
1. E n t r y C a v e r n frigh ten ed aw ay by torch es, but lan terns, ca n d les, and
T h e step s d ow n fro m the sou th w est tow er o f C astle light s p e l l s d o n ’t b o t h e r t h e m . T h e y a t t a c k a n y g r o u p th a t
N a eryta r sp ill ou t into th is ch a m b er. T h e ch a m b e r is
b rig h tly lit b y o n e lan te rn h a n g in g n e x t to th e e n tra n ce is n ’t c a r r y in g at le a s t o n e lit t o r c h . T h e r e a r e t w o swarm s
step s and an oth er h an gin g n ear the n orth w est op en in g of centipedes p e r p a r ty m e m b e r.
to a rea 9. T h e ch a m b e r is em pty. O n ly the so u n d o f d rip
p in g w a ter c o m e s fro m th e d ir ec tion o f a re a s 3 a n d 9.
S te p s to th e n orth w est d e s c e n d 5 feet to a rea 9.
S te p s to the sou th east a scen d 5 feet to a p a ssa g e that
d e sce n d s a ga in 5 feet to a rea 3. A se a rch for m ud dy
footp rin ts a ccom p a n ie d b y a su ccessfu l D C 10 W isd om
(P ercep tion ) ch e ck rev eals that o n ly b u lly w u gs u se the
sou th eastern p assag e, n ever cu ltists or lizardfolk .
5. E m p t y C h a m b e r th e left bra n ch lea d s to th e su rfa ce an d the right bran ch
exte n d s 5 0 feet to a d ea d -en d . In th e p itch b la ck n e ss , a
T h e step s to the w est d escen d 5 feet to area 6. sw im m er h as few cu es about w h ich tu n nel to follow . A
D C 15 In tellig en ce (In v estig a tion ) c h e c k rev ea ls w h ich
6. Fr o g L a k e tu n n el to follow .
P h a rb le x a nd th e b u lly w u g s ra ise giant fro g s in this M any bats a lso roost in th is cavern . T h ey ca n rea ch
w ater-filled cavern . T h e ce ilin g a rch es 3 0 feet overhead . the ou tside th rou gh n atural ch im n eys in the roof. T h e
T h e floor o f th e p o o l d rop s o ff su dd en ly from the sh ore, b a t s d o n ’t b o t h e r a n y o n e n o r m a lly , b u t i f a fig h t b r e a k s
w ith the w a ter varyin g from 10 to 15 feet d eep. ou t, th e y b e c o m e a g ita te d a n d fill th e air.
W h e n c h a r a c t e r s e n te r, a giant frog s its s till o n th e 7. F r o g L a n d i n g
isla n d a n d w a tch e s th em . M o st ch a ra cte rs c a n ’t s e e that W h e n th e y a re n ’t s w im m in g in th e u n d e rg ro u n d lak e,
far fro m the en tra n ce w ith torch es or lan terns. If the m o s t o f th e gian t fro g s in th e ca v ern sit o n th is r o c k y
ch a ra cters stick to the sh ore b etw een the east and n orth sh elf, o cc a s io n a lly sn a tch in g b a ts out o f th e air w ith
e n tra n ce s, th e fr o g d o e s n ’t rea ct. If s o m e o n e e n ters th e th eir lo n g ton gu es. T h e re ca n b e a s m a n y a s tw elve
w a ter or w a lk s ou t on to the p rom on tory, the frog croa k s
lou dly and splash es into the w ater. C h aracters h ea r giant frogs h e r e at a p a r t ic u la r t im e , p lu s u p t o fiv e
m ore croa k in g and at least a d ozen splash es from area bullywugs. T h e b u lly w u g s d o n ’t jo i n t h e fig h t i f th e
7. If th e y a re still in a re a 6 o r a re a 7 a fter 2 ro u n d s , th e y
giant fro g s a ttack ch a ra cte rs a s d e s c rib e d in th e a rea 6
a r e a t t a c k e d b y t w e lv e giant frogs. T h e f r o g s f o c u s t h e ir d e scrip tio n . In stea d , th e y d ive in to th e w a te r a n d w a tch
th e fight fro m th e ed g e o f th e ch a ra cte rs ’ ligh t. If th e
attack s on sm all ch a ra cters they ca n sw allow . giant fro g s lo o k lik ely to w in , th e b u lly w u g s jo in in. If the
F rogs m ove into and ou t o f this area by sw im m in g giant frog s lose , th e b u lly w u gs sw im for th e u n derw ater
ex it in th e so u th e a s t c o rn e r o f th e p o o l (se e a rea 6).
th rou g h a p a s s a g e that o p e n s b e lo w th e w a ter level in
the sou th east co rn e r o f the p ool. C h aracters can d edu ce B o n e s o f la rger a n im a ls b ro u gh t h ere b y th e b u lly
this fact if they w atch th e p o o l for 10 to 15 m in utes and w u g s a nd fed to th e fr o g s a ls o litter th e g rou n d . M ost
m ak e a su ccessfu l D C 12 In telligen ce (N atu re) ch eck . d istu rb in g o f all a re th ree se ts o f iro n s h a ck le s a n ch o re d
T h e p a ssa g e co n n e cts to w ater sou th o f the b u lly w u gs’ to th e ston e, w ith h u m a n , elf, d w arf, a n d h a lflin g b o n e s .
h uts ou tsid e th e castle. Its total length is 3 0 0 feet. A t 8 0
feet from th e en tra n ce in this p ool, the tun nel bran ch es;
8. T a d p o l e H a t c h e r y T h e c h e s t is n o t lo c k e d , b u t it is tr a p p e d . I f th e c h e s t
is m ov ed or if th e h asp is n ot o p en ed properly, six clay
G ian t fr o g ta d p o le s a re r a ise d in th is sm a ll p o o l until p o ts d ro p from co n c e a le d n ich e s in th e ceilin g . R oll a
th ey a re larg e e n o u g h to a void b e in g eaten b y th e adult d 6 to d ete rm in e h o w m a n y p ots sh atter on th e floor. T h e
fr o g s in a re a s 6 a n d 7. T h e ta d p o le s cu rre n tly in th is p o ts co n ta in fine p o w d e r co a te d w ith h a llu cin oge n ic
area are h arm less to characters. fro g p o is o n . E very crea tu re in the ch a m b e r that is n ei
ther a frog n or a b u lly w u g m ust m ak e a C on stitu tion
T h e p a s s a g e f r o m a r e a 6 is g u a r d e d b y t w o bullywugs s a v in g th ro w w ith a D C e q u a l to 11 + th e n u m b e r o f
p o ts that b rok e. A crea tu re that s u c c e e d s on the sav e is
to k eep adult fro g s out. T h e y h id e fro m en e m ie s in a rea u n a ffected . A crea tu re that fails the sa v in g th ro w s u c
6 if th e y ca n . T h e y ’ll fight if c o r n e r e d o r if a fight d e v e l cu m b s to th e h allu cin a tion that all oth er cre a tu re s in th e
o p s in a rea 6 and they se e a ch a n ce for victory. ch a m b e r h ave b e e n tra n sfo rm ed into n igh tm a rish , fro g
like m o n stro sitie s. W h ile a ffected , th e crea tu re ca n n ot
9. C r a n e take rea ction s and m u st roll a die at the start o f ea ch o f
its tu rn s. If th e d ie resu lt is o d d , th e cre a tu re m u st u se
T h e ledge dividin g a rea 9 from area 10 is a 1 5-foot drop. its a ctio n a n d all o f its a va ila ble m o v e m e n t to m o v e to
A w ood e n , cran k -p ow ered cra n e h as b een set up for area 6, en ter th e p ool, and rem ain u nderw ater. If the
low erin g heavy crates o f treasure d ow n to area 10. T h e d ie resu lt is even, th e h allu cin a tin g crea tu re a ttacks the
cr a n e e ffectiv e ly trip le s a ch a ra cte r’s S tr e n g th s c o r e n e a r e s t c r e a t u r e to it, t r e a t in g it a s h o s t ile . T h e e ffe c t
in term s o f h o w m u ch w eig h t ca n b e lifted. A w o o d e n lasts for 10 m inutes.
ladder is lash ed to the ledg e for clim b in g up and dow n .
T h e trap ca n b e spotted by s o m e o n e w h o in sp ects the
10 . M i s t y R o o m ch est or the ceilin g and su cce e d s on a D C 12 W isd om
(P ercep tion ) ch eck . U n brok en clay p ots ca n b e saved
M ist flow in g ou t o f area 2 an d th rou gh area 9 a ccu m u and u sed as p oison grenades. A pot has a 50 percent
lates h ere to a d epth o f 3 feet b efo re sp illin g into area 6 c h a n c e to b re a k o p e n an y tim e it’s th ro w n . B u lly w u g s
and dissipatin g. O th erw ise, the ch a m b er is em pty. a n d fro g s o f all k in d s a re im m u n e to th e p o is o n ’s e ffect.
11. F r o g Sh r i n e 13. T o t h e G r a y p e a k M o u n t a i n s
P h a rb lex tu rn ed th is area into a sh rin e to his distorted M is t f r o m a r e a 10 s e e p s in to th is r o o m a n d k e e p s it
n otio n s o f relig ion . N ich es in the w a lls a re filled w ith filled to a d ep th o f tw o to th re e feet. A sid e fro m th e m ist,
c a rv in g s o f fr o g s ra n g in g fr o m th e s iz e o f a fist to th e the ch a m b er a pp ea rs em pty.
s iz e o f a p u m p k in . L a rg er ca rv in g s sit o n th e floor.
C ru de ren d erin gs o f frog s are scratch ed into th e w alls It is n o t em p ty , h o w e v e r . A p e r m a n e n t te le p o r ta tio n
arou n d th e n ich es and co lo re d w ith chalk . c ir c le is c a r v e d in to th e flo o r , w h e r e it is o b s c u r e d b y th e
m ist. C h aracters w ith a p assive W isd o m (P ercep tion )
A n yon e w ith the In telligen ce (R elig ion ) sk ill r e co g sco re o f 10 or h ig h er sp ot the circle, w h ile d ispersin g
n iz e s ele m en ts in th es e d e sig n s ta k en from th e w orsh ip the m ist (u sin g a gust o f w in d spell, for exam ple) reveals
o f b oth G h au n adau r (g od o f slim es) and S h a r (g od d ess th e cir c le to all.
o f sh adow s), but n on e o f th ese elem en ts are u sed in a
ca n o n ic a l m a n ner. P h a rb le x u se d p ie c e s that h e sa w in T o travel th rou gh the gate, a co m m a n d w o rd m ust be
relig iou s ico n s that a rriv ed in trea su re sh ip m en ts, but sp ok e n a lou d (a w h isp e r w ill do). T h e co m m a n d w o rd
h e h a s n o u n d ersta n d in g o f th eir rea l m ea n in g . W ith a (“ D r a e z ir ”) c a n b e fo u n d o n a p a p e r o n R e z m ir ’s d e s k in
su ccessfu l D C 18 In telligen ce (R elig ion ) ch eck , a ch a r a rea 3 L or fro m D ra lm orrer B orn gra y if he fa ce s d efeat
a cter a ls o s e e s in d ica tion s that R a m e n o s is v en erated w ith n o esca p e. W h en the com m a n d w ord is spok en ,
h ere. R a m en o s is an an cien t entity n o w believed to b e e v e ry o n e a n d e v e r y th in g in sid e th e g a te’s cir c u m fe r e n c e
in a d eep slum ber. A s far as the ch a racter is aw are, is teleported to the corre sp o n d in g gate in the h un ting
R a m en os w a s a g od o f on e o f the an cien t crea tor ra ce s— lo d g e o f T a lis th e W h ite (se e e p is o d e 7). C astle N aeryta r
if it w a s e v e r a n y th in g m o r e th a n a le g e n d . J u d g in g fr o m and the G raypea k M ou n tain lod g e w ere co n stru cte d by
this ch am b er, w h oev er created this p la ce h as on ly the the sa m e reclu sive w izard, and this w a s h is m ea n s o f
sh a llo w es t k n o w le d g e a b ou t th e se en tities. tran sit b e tw e e n th e tw o.
U n less a distu rba n ce develop s elsew h ere in the Rew ar d s
ca v e rn s, th e m o s t lik ely p la ce to fin d P h a rb le x is h ere,
fo llo w e d b y a rea s 12 a n d 7 (in that ord er). W h er ev e r h e A w ard stan dard X P for defea ted foes. If y ou are u sin g
the m ile sto n e e x p e rie n ce ru le, th e ch a ra cters re a ch 6th
g o e s , Pharblex h a s te n bullywugs p r o te c tin g h im . level a fter activa ting th e gate.
12. P h a r b l e x ’s Sa n c t u m
P h a rb lex co m e s to this ch a m b er to con tem p late the
great m y steries o f the u n iv erse— o r s o h e tells h is fo l
low ers. T h is is the on ly p la ce P h a rb lex g o e s alon e. H is
b o d y g u a r d s w ait in a re a 10 o r 11 w h ile P h a rb le x “c o m
m u n es w ith the great p o w e rs.” T h e ch a m b e r co n ta in s a
m u d -cov ered ch air and rea d in g table, a b ox o f ca n dles,
and a w ood en chest.
E p i s o d e 7: H u n t i n g L o d g e
h aracters w h o follow W y rm sp ea k er R ezm ir or If th e p la ye rs d o n ’t re a lize that th e cu lt h o p e s to b rin g
T iam at to the R ea lm s, this ep isod e is the b est tim e for
C A zba ra Jos w ith the aid o f the teleportation circle that in form ation to b e revealed or con firm ed . A lth ou gh
i n C a s t l e N a e r y t a r ’s d u n g e o n a r e d e p o s i t e d h i g h T a lis w o n ’t m e n tio n a n y d e ta ils s u ch a s m a sk s o r su m -
in th e G re y p e a k M ou n ta in s. T h e ch a n g e in clim a te is m on in g s, the cu ltists sh are a gen eral b e lie f that the tim e
very stark; th e porta l and a n earby lod g e are buffeted by is r ig h t f o r T ia m a t ’s a rriv a l. T h e c h a r a c t e r s c a n fin d s e v
ch ill w in d s , a n d th e s u rro u n d in g co u n try s id e is h eavily era l clu es that e n co u ra g e th is b elief.
forested . T h e p ortal is on e o f several that predate the
C u lt o f th e D ra g o n , a n d it h e lp s th e cu lt le a d e rs g a th er Gen er a l Fea t u r es
over large d istan ces.
T h e lo d g e is b u ilt in a c o m fo r ta b le b ut ru stic style, an d
N ext to th e p orta l is a h u n tin g lod g e u se d b y a s u c g o o d ta p e strie s a n d s o m e h u n tin g trop h ie s fe s to o n its
ce s s io n o f lo ca l lord s ov er th e y ea rs. T h e lod g e is a r o o m s . T h e w o o d e n flo or s a re h eav ily s ca rr e d b y cla w s.
u sefu l an d cen tral m eetin g p la ce for h ig h -ran k in g cult A su cce ssfu l D C 2 0 In telligen ce (N ature) ch e ck reveals
ists, a m o n g th em a W e a r e r o f P u r p le k n o w n a s T a lis that th es e a re n ot the m a rk s o f n orm a l h un ting h ou n d s,
th e W h ite. bu t rath e r a m b u sh d ra k e s (s e e a p p e n d ix B ).
T a lis fe e ls s t r o n g ly th a t s h e b e lo n g s in S e v e r in ’s Ceilings. M o s t h u n t in g l o d g e c e i l i n g s a r e 8 f e e t h ig h .
“in n e r c ir c le ,” b u t S e v e r in d o e s n ’t tru st h e r a n d re ce n tly Light. T h e l o d g e i s n o t lit e x c e p t b y f i r e p l a c e s a n d c a n
app oin ted a d w a rf n a m ed V arram as h is w y rm sp ea k er
d les. T h e interior is dark w h en the shutters are closed .
in c h a r g e o f r e c o v e r in g t h e White Dragon Mask. T h e
a d ven tu rers m ee t T a lis a nd h er serva n ts, a n d th ey co u ld
en d up fig h tin g T a lis a n d h er c r e w in th e lod g e . T h e y
m ig h t a ls o b a rg a in a nd m a k e a d ea l w ith T alis, strik in g
again st th ose w h o o p p o s e h er a scen sion . If they d o the
latter, sh e h e lp s th e p a rty re a ch th e n e a rb y v illa g e o f
P a rn a st a n d a b o a rd S k yre a ch C astle (se e e p is o d e 8 )—
but n eg otiation s are fairly h aza rd ou s and m igh t easily
result in com ba t rath er than a deal.
Im po r t a n t N o n pl a yer T h r o u g h t h e Ga t e
Ch a r a c t er s
T h e gate fro m C astle N aerytar clo s e s as s o o n as the
T h e cu ltists w h o m eet in the lod g e co m e and g o arou n d party step s th rou gh . T h e gate ca n n ot b e reop en ed w ith
p la n n e d g a th e rin g s. A t th e m o m e n t, th in g s a re in a lull. out th e p rop er p assw ord .
T a l is D ar k p in e w o o d s ar e all ar o u n d o n t h e slo p es o f a
m o u n t ain valley; th e air is co ld an d fresh . Tw o an cien t
T a li s b e l i e v e s s h e i s t h e r i g h t f u l b e a r e r o f t h e White sto n es stan d to eit h er side o f you, and no m ore th an a
Dragon Mask, a n d th a t s h e w a s d e e p l y w r o n g e d w h e n b o w sh o t ah ead alo n g a p ath is a larg e h o u se, w it h st o n e
on th e g ro u n d floor, t im b ers ab ove. W it h in sig h t are m ore
cu s to d y o f th e m a sk w en t to h er h ated rival, th e d w a rf stan d in g stones.
V arram , a fo o lish crea tu re w h o m T a lis co n s id e r s insult
in g ly in c o m p e te n t a n d w o r th le s s . S h e ’s b e e n w a tch in g Pin e b r a n ch e s sh if t an d sw a y in a g u s t in g , f it f u l w in d . A
th e c u lt ’s h o a r d g r o w , a n d s h e h o p e s to s till m a k e h e r squ irrel ch itters and th en falls silen t.
m ov e to b e co m e a m a jor figu re w ith in th e cu lt h ierar
ch y— ce rta in ly sh e h a s a lot o f su p p ort a m o n g cu ltists. T h e p o r t a l s t a n d s b e t w e e n s t o n e m a r k e r s ( s e e a r e a 1).
R e z m ir O u t sid e t h e L o d g e
B e ca u s e th ey a re e n em ie s, R e z m ir d o e s n ot w a rn T a lis Th is an cien t b u ild in g has a w o o d and p laster u p p er flo o r
that attack ers m igh t b e co m in g th rou gh the porta l on o ver a field sto n e lo w er flo or: its sh u t tered w in d o w s are
h er h eels, but instead slips o ff to S k yrea ch C astle (see all clo sed . T h e r o o f is co m p le t ely o ver g ro w n w it h m o ss. A
e p is o d e 8 ) w ith th e intent o f lettin g th e a d v en tu rers si n g l e d o o r st a n d s sl ig h t ly o p e n . Sm o k e p o u r s f r o m o n e
d e s t r o y T a lis . I f t h e c h a r a c t e r s s le w R e z m ir , t h e l o d g e ’s o f th ree large ch im n eys.
relative la ck o f w a tch fu ln e s s is n ot su rp risin g .
T h e lo d g e sta n d s in a d ista n t w o o d la n d , a m o n g tall
If R ezm ir su rvived the earlier ep isod e, th e h alf-dragon p in e s a n d in ex cellen t h u n tin g territory. T h e b u ild in g
m ee ts w ith C a p ta in O th elstan in P a rn a st to receiv e a ca n b e a c c e s s e d th rou gh th e fron t d oor, k itchen d oor, the
full rep o rt on the statu s o f th e cu lt raid s a n d to in form sh uttered w in d o w s (D C 10 D exterity ch e ck or a shutter
the cap tain o f th e p o ssib le arrival o f adven tu rers. b angs), or a h ole in the m o ss-c o v e re d r o o f (ab ove area
T rack in g h er su ccessfu lly req u ires a D C 23 W isd o m 1 7 ) t h a t’s v is ib le f r o m t h e k e n n e l a n d s t a b le s . C lim b in g
(S u rv iv a l) ch ec k . If th e a d v en tu rers ig n o re th e lo d g e in up to the h ole requ ires a su ccessfu l D C 15 S tren gth
favor o f follow in g R ezm ir to P arn ast, skip to e p iso d e 8. (A thletics) ch eck .
T r e p s in t h e T r o l l T h e dra k e k en n el (area 2) an d w y v ern sta bles (area 3)
are ston e ou tbu ildin gs loca te d b eh in d th e lodg e, n ea r a
T h is fou r-a rm ed troll is a d e m on -w or sh ip er a n d a fanat w e ll a nd a w o o d p ile . In vestig atin g th e k en nel ro u s e s the
ica l h un ter o f b ig gam e: n oth in g p le a ses h im s o m u ch lou d h is sin g a n d p e cu lia r d e e p grow l o f d ra k es, a nd is
as b rin g in g b lo o d a nd b o n e s b a c k to fe e d h is a m b u sh o n e s u re w a y to g e t th e e n tire lo d g e ’s a tten tion .
d ra k es, o r th e d elig h tfu l te rro r o f h is m o re in telli
gent victim s. T repsin ca re s m ostly abou t com ba t and T h e r e ’s a ls o t h e p e r y t o n n e s t o n t h e r o o f (s e e a r e a 2 2 ),
m a yh em , but h e h a s fou n d that se rv in g the cu lt m a k e s directly a bove a rea 18.
c o m b a t a n d m a y h e m m o r e lik e ly . H e ’s v e r y d e v o t e d to
T a lis, a n d h e s e rv e s th e C ult o f th e D ra g on en th u sia sti O u t d o o r Pa t r o l
ca lly . H is fo u r a r m s ju s t m a k e it e a s ie r to cla w , rip , a n d
sh re d a n yth in g to o s lo w to e s c a p e h is rea ch . H e terrifies If th e party lin gers ou tside th e lod g e o r ex p lo res the
the k ob old s an d th e h u m an servan ts o f the lodge. w o o d s n e a rb y , it fin d s c o m p a n y . T h o s e w ith a p a s s iv e
W isd om (P ercep tion ) sco re o f 12 or high er are not sur
Cu l t Sig n s a n d Sig n a l s
p r is e d b y th e r u s h o f a g r o u p o f tw o trolls a n d th r e e
Th e Cu lt o f th e D rag o n uses several sign s an d co u ntersig n s ambush drakes (se e a p p e n d ix B ) that h a s b e e n w a n
am o n g its m em b ers, th e m o st co m m o n b eing h o ld ing the
h an d o u t w it h all five f in g er s ex ten d ed , w h ich t h ey call th e d e rin g th e a rea . T h e co m b a t a lerts T a lis that sh e h as
“ T iam at salu t e.” In ad d it io n , t h e p h r ases “A ll h ail T ia m a t !” an d c o m p a n y . T h e t r o lls s e r v e a s t h e l o d g e ’s b o u n c e r s , a n d
“ Th ey sh all rise!” are freq u ently used p ass p hrases. anyon e w h o is n ot e x p ected is eaten.
In ad d it io n t o t h eir sig n als, cu lt ist s o f t en w ear a five- co lored T r o l l Pu r s u it
b an d o r even u se red, blue, an d green st rip es as co d ed bits o f
clo t h in g . A f ew b an n ers sh o w in g cu lt in sig n ia also ex ist, b u t If th e party is fo rce d to retreat from th e lod ge, th e fou r
m o st o f th o se are b eing held in reserve for th e d ays w h en th e
d rag o n s rise t o tak e over. Un t il t h en , p ass p h r ases an d th e a r m e d troll T r e p s in (s e e a r e a 2 ) p u r s u e s t h e m a n d
salu te are th e reco g n itio n sig n als m o st used am o n g Cu lt o f
the Dragon m em bers. tries to brin g at least on e o f th em b a ck to the lo d g e for
question in g.
1. P o r t a l St o n e s T h e g ro o v e s a re D ra co n ic letters that sp e ll out w o rd s
in L o r o s s , th e la n g u a g e o f N eth eril. T h ey m en tion the
T h e m o ssy sto n es are old and w eath ered ; lich en co vers “s n o w y la n d s,” an “u n qu iet sw a m p o f m o u rn fu l cr o a k
m o st o f t h eir su r faces, b u t tr aces o f w h it e p ain t rem ain in ing ,” a n d th e la n d s o f th e “re d su n ,” b u t p ro v id e n o p la ce
a few o f th e grooves. n am es. O v er tim e, th e sto n es have b een u sed to reach
m a n y sites w ith in th e R ea lm s.
T h e m a g ica l gate to C astle N a ery ta r sits b e tw e e n a p air
o f m o s s -c o v e r e d stan d in g s to n e s v isib le fro m all th e 2 . H u n t in g K e n n e l
fron t ro o m s o f th e lodge. T h ree oth er p orta ls n ear the
lod g e stand b etw een sim ilar ston es, and the cultists T h e st o n e o u t b u ild in g h as a m o ssy r o o f an d no w in d o w s.
have re-tu n ed their d estin a tion s to suit their o w n ends. T h e solid oak d o o rs at eit h er en d are 9 feet tall; th e w h o le
O n e o f th em co n n e c ts to the distant n orth (w h ere T alis t h in g resem b les a sm all barn.
visits w h ite d ra g on a llies), o n e lea d s to a h eav ily g u a rd ed
ch a m b e r in T hay, a n d on e le a d s to th e d e sert o f M ul- O p e n i n g t h e d o o r r e q u i r e s a knock s p e l l o r a s u c c e s s
h ora n d, n e a r a b lu e d ra g o n lair.
fu l D C 2 0 S t r e n g t h c h e c k ; h a m m e r in g o n it b r in g s th e
T h e se add ition al p orta ls sh ou ld n ot b e a m a jor p art o f o c c u p a n t s o v e r to o p e n it, b u t th e y m ig h t b e a s u r p r is e .
th e adventure, but they ca n in trod u ce cultist n on player W h en the d oor op en s, read;
ch a ra cters co m in g to “do b u sin ess at the lo d g e ” if the
ch ara cters d ecid e to daw dle at the lod ge for m any days. Th e d o o r op en s and th e sm ell o f ro ttin g flesh w afts out.
A ctiva tin g any o f th e se p orta l sto n es is u n lik ely w ith ou t T h e creat u re ju st in sid e th e d o o r is a fou r- arm ed tro ll in a
th e l o r e a v a ila b le in d is t a n t lib r a r ie s o r in R a t h M o d a r ’s m u d d y cloak , h o ld in g the leash o f a sm all d rag o n . “ W h at
ch a m b e r s in S k y r e a c h C a s tle (s e e e p is o d e 8). yo u w a n t ?” it ask s. “ Sh o w t h e si g n ."
T h e fo u r -a r m e d troll, T r e p s in , is a s k in g f o r t h e c u l t ’s
re c o g n itio n s ig n a l. If th e ch a ra cte rs d o n ’t k n o w it o r ju s t
d o n ’t p ro v id e it, th e tro ll a tta ck s.
T h e k e n n e l co n ta in s s ix ambush drakes, w h ic h th e
cu ltists u se to tra ck a nd kill ga m e a nd in tru ders. T h e
dra k es ob ey T repsin as the lea d er o f th eir pack.
T r e p sin w e a rs a m o s s y a n d filthy ca p e that h e s o a k s
in w a ter from the w ell; th is p ro v id e s b oth g o o d c a m o u
flage a nd p artia l p rotectio n a gain st fire. T h e m u d d y ca p e
a llo w s h im to ig n ore th e first 10 p oin ts o f fire d a m a g e
fro m any attack or so u rce.
If the ch a racters investigate th e interior o f th e k en
n els, th e y fin d a d is tu rb in g altar.
At the back o f th e k en nels, th ree boar sp ears have been
lash ed to g et h er in a rou g h an d st ro n g tr ip o d . An an im al
carcass hangs from th e trip o d by a rope; p ro b ab ly a you n g
b o ar, t h o u g h t h e f lies m ak e it h ard t o t ell. Ben eat h it is a
b o w l cir cled by ru n es w r it t en in b lo o d .
T h e r u n e s a re w ritten in G iant. T re p sin is a fo llo w e r o f
th e d e m o n lord B a p h om et, lo rd o f h u n ters a n d sla yers.
T h e s t r a n g e a n d r u s t e d s p e a r -a lt a r h a s r o t t e d m e a t o n it
as a sa crifice to the d em on lord.
T r ea su r e
T repsin k eep s s o m e item s for h im self. T h e se in clu de six
erm in e p elts (1 0 0 g p ea ch ), th ree fox p elts (2 5 g p ea ch ),
and the p rize o f h is co llection : a full w in ter w o lf cloa k
(2 5 0 gp) w ith a m ith ra l cla sp in th e sh a p e o f a p a w u sed
to s e cu re the clo a k (7 5 0 gp).
T h e Fo u r - Ar m e d T r o l l T r ea su r e
T h e fre es ta n d in g suits o f elven a rm or a re w a rd e d w ith
So m e t i m e s w h e n a t r o l l l o s e s a l i m b , it r eg e n e r a t e s t w o freezin g ru n es that ca n b e d etected w ith a su ccessfu l
lim b s to rep lace th e o n e it lost. T h is can resu lt in tr o lls w ith D C 20 W is d o m (P ercep tion ) ch eck . A n y ch a ra cter that
to u ch e s on e o f th e su its o r p a s s e s b e tw e e n th em m u st
m u l t i p l e a r m s . A f o u r - a r m e d t r o l l u s e s t h e troll s t a t b l o ck , m a k e a D C 15 C onstitu tion savin g throw . O n a failed
sa v in g th row , th e ch a ra cte r ta k es 1d 12 co ld d a m a g e a nd
ex cep t t h at it is a Ch al len g e Rat in g 6 m o n st e r (2 ,3 0 0 X P) is restrain ed (frozen in p lace) for 1 m inute. T h e ch a ra c
an d h as t h e fo llo w in g act io n in st ead o f t h e t r o ll’s n o rm al ter m ay u se an action on h is or h er turn to m a k e a D C
M u ltiattack action: 15 S tren gth ch eck , en din g th e effect early on a su cce ss.
M ult iat t ack. T h e t r o l l a t t a c k s f i v e t i m e s , o n c e w i t h it s b i t e E a ch suit o f plate a rm o r is m o u n ted on a cru d e
w o o d e n sta n d v a g u ely s h a p ed lik e a h e a d le s s elf. A
an d fo u r t im es w ith its claw s. If tw o o r m o re claw s hit th e
sam e t arg et , t h e tro ll ren d s t h e t arg et , d ealin g an ex tra 2d6 f r e e z i n g r u n e c a n b e r e m o v e w i t h dispel magic ( D C 1 5 ),
slash in g d am ag e.
w h ereu p on the a rm or b e co m e s n on m ag ica l.
3. St a b l e s a n d W e l l
6 . T h r e e H o u n d s Pa r l o r
T h e sta bles som etim es h old a w y v ern or th ree, but they
a re em p ty at th e m om en t. T h e w ell h a s a h oist, a b ucket, T h e sto u t beam s o verh ead are stain ed black w ith sm ok e.
a n d c o l d w a te r, a n d it s e e m s to h a v e b e e n c a r v e d m a g i A co m fo rtab le tab le and ch airs, a sm all w ard ro b e, and suit
c a lly th r o u g h s to n e . It is o th e r w is e u n re m a r k a b le . o f d ull b lack ar m o r st an d in th e ro o m . A large t ap est r y
sh o w s th r ee h o u n d s d r ag g in g d o w n a w h it e b oar, an d it
L o d ge Gr o u n d Fl o o r sh im m ers w ith st ran g e ligh t.
T h e low er flo or h as heavy, m u d-sta in ed ca rp e ts a nd dark T h e b la c k a r m o r is a helmed horror b u ilt to s e r v e th e
w o o d e n w a lls. T h e se a re the co m m o n s p a ce s for v isitors
and for servants. C h aracters ca n enter the lod ge throu gh cult, and d isg u ise d by an illu sion to a p p ear as ord in a ry
the fron t door, the kitchen d oor, or a shuttered w in dow . a rm or. It d e te cts a s m a g ica l a n d a tta ck s if d is tu rb e d o r if
O p e n in g a s h u tte r w it h o u t a le r t in g th e l o d g e ’s o c c u p a n t s com m a n d ed to d o s o b y T alis or so m e o n e else w ea rin g
req u ires a s u cce ssfu l D C 12 D exterity (Stealth) ch eck . p u rp le C ult o f th e D ra g on ro b e s .
T h e lod ge is cu rren tly em pty o f m ost sen ior cultists T h e h e lm e d h o r r o r h a s a n Evard’s black tentacles
o th e r th a n T a lis, w h o is o n th e u p p e r flo o r (se e a re a 16).
S h e e x p e cts on ly fe llo w cu ltists a s visitors. M ost s e r s p e ll s to r e d in it. It is p r o g r a m m e d to c a s t th is s p e ll
van ts w ill e x p e ct that frien d ly v isitors a re h ere to s e e her. w h en co n fron te d b y th ree or m ore adversaries, and ca n
d o s o o n ly o n c e . (S e e th e h e lm e d h o r r o r ’s stat b lo c k fo r
4. C l o a k Ro o m a n d G u a r d Po st d e ta ils o n its S p e ll S to r in g trait.)
T h e en tryw ay is em p ty m ost o f th e tim e. T h e ta pestry is m a gica l and tra n sp orts th ose w h o step
th r o u g h it in to th e s u r r o u n d in g fo r e s t, a b o u t fiv e m ile s
j u s t in sid e th e fr o n t d o o r is a ch am b er w it h p eg s and fro m th e lo d g e . It o fte n p la c e s th e tra v ele rs n e a r a d eer,
b en ch es for clo ak s and bo ots. A set o f rusty sp ears rests m ou n ta in goat, or oth er w ild gam e.
in o n e co rn er, h eld in th e claw o f a sm all d rak e statu e.
T h e ta pestry w eig h s about 50 p ou n d s an d w ork s on ly
T h e g u a rd p o st to th e righ t o f th is en try w a y is u n o c c u w h e n it is h a n g in g o n a w a ll, te le p o rtin g cr e a t u r e s to
p ie d e x cep t w h en la rge g rou p s o f rival cu ltists gather. a r a n d o m lo c a tio n o u t to a r a n g e o f fiv e m ile s ; it d o e s
T w o s m a ll a r r o w s lits m a k e it e a s y to fir e in to th e e n try n ot w ork if p la ce d on the flo or like a ca rp et and lo se s
hall w ith th ree-qu a rters cover. its m a g ica l p r o p e r ty if d a m a g e d in a n y w ay. It is w o rth
2 ,5 0 0 g p , o r 4 0 0 g p if it l o s e s its te le p o r ta tio n p ro p e r ty .
5. Sm a l l H a l l
7. K i t c h e n
T h is cen tral h allw ay h as st airs, larg e w o o d en d o o rs, an d
a set o f f in e p lat e ar m o r . Fl an k in g t h e m ain e n t r a n c e are T h ere is a d oor ou t to the drak e k en n els (area 2) and
tw o freestan d in g suits o f elven plate arm o r, both coated w ell (area 3) h ere.
in ch ip p ed g reen p ain t. M an - siz ed d e m o n ic st atu es stan d
near th e base o f th e stairs. T h is sp acio u s k it ch en is a h ive o f activity. A larg e sto ve
ag ain st on e w all co n tain s a ro arin g fire w ith a b u b b lin g
T h e h eav y ca rp et n ear the en tryw ay is sta in ed w ith the st ew p o t an d sh an k s o f ven iso n su sp en d ed ab o ve it.
m u ddy b o o ts o f retu rn in g h unters. T h e tw o d em on ic St r i n g s o f o n io n s an d h e r b s c r i s s c r o s s t h e c e il in g lik e
statu es are gargoyles, and they attack creatu res that w e b s a b o v e c lu t t e r e d t a b le s . Pr e p a r i n g m e a ls ar e f o u r
enter th e hall w ith w ea p on s draw n . h u m an s: t w o m en an d t w o w o m en . All are w it h in ar m 's
reach o f b o ilin g w ater, cleavers, and k nives, and th eir
st ar es m ak e it q u it e c le ar t h e y d o n ’t lik e co m p an y.
T h e s e fo u r cultists a r e T a lis ’s s e r v a n ts . T h e y k n o w h o w 9. Ba s e m e n t
to c o o k , a nd th ey ca n put u p a fight. If a ttack ed , on e cult- T h e cellar is d am p an d sm ells lik e ap p les an d vin eg ar.
ist ru n s to the drak e k en n els (area 2) to fetch T repsin Bag s o f ap p les an d sack s o f p o t at o es lin e o n e w all. T h r ee
a n d h is d ra k es. T h o s e rein fo rce m en ts a rrive 3 ro u n d s p riso n ers are ch ain ed alo n g an o t h er w all: a d w ar f w ith
later. a ch o p p ed an d sin g ed b eard , an d tw o h u m an s— a m an
and a w o m an . T h e w o m an is w o u n d ed . T h eir ch ain s are
8 . Pa n t r y secu red to iron ring s, k eep in g th em ju st o u t o f reach o f
the food.
T h is p an t r y is w ell- st o ck ed w it h b ean s, b u tt er, sm o k ed
h am s, hard b iscu its, fresh ap p les, egg s, sack s o f flour, T h ey a re all s h a c k le d w ith iro n ch a in s a n d m a ln o u r
an d b arrels o f ale. T h e r e ’s en o u g h fo o d h ere to last a ish ed, and tw o o f the captives are clearly w h ip p ed and
lo n g w inter. beaten. T h e cu ltists ca ptu red th em and brou gh t th em to
the lod g e for interrogation.
A su cce ssfu l D C 18 In telligen ce (In vestigation ) ch eck
reveals a h ollow sp a ce u n der th e flo orb oa rd s that co n Craggnor the Dwarf. C r a g g n o r is a m e m b e r o f t h e
t a in s a s t r o n g b o x , i n s id e w h i c h is s t o r e d th e l o d g e ’s
fin e d in in g silver: 2 4 p la ce se ttin g s o f b u tter k n ife, so u p cu lt a n d a frien d o f th e d w a rf V a rra m th e W h ite , the
sp oon , fork, and d essert s p o o n — but n o k n ives. T h e cu ltist w h o m T alis h a tes a b ove all oth ers. S h e ca p tu red
s ilv e r is w o r th 3 0 0 g p a ll to ld , a n d it w e ig h s 5 0 p o u n d s . C ra g g n or h o p in g to le a rn a w e a k n e s s sh e ca n exp loit,
but s o far he h as resisted va riou s b ribes, en ch an tm en ts,
and ph y sical torm en ts. S h e in tends to try a m ore p o w
erfu l fo rm o f m in d -rea d in g a fter sh e ca n p ull togeth er
m aterials.
Miresella. T h i s y o u n g w o m a n f r o m B a l d u r ’s G a t e
ca m e to P a rn ast w ith a caravan , stu m bled u pon the
c u lt ’s d o i n g s h e r e , a n d w a s c a p t u r e d . S h e is t e r r ifie d o f
T alis, w h o c o m e s d o w n to b ea t h er a n d C ra gg n or from
tim e to tim e. S h e h as b ru ises and cuts alon g h er n eck 12 . K o b o l d S e r v a n t s
a n d s h o u ld e r. T r e a t h e r a s a h u m a n scout w ith ju s t 1 hit A fo u l o d o r p er m eat es th is u n fu rn ish ed ro o m , w h ich is
filled w it h m o re th an t w en t y k o b o ld s, h alf sleep in g an d
p o in t t o s ta r t. S h e ’s g r a t e fu l t o e s c a p e b u t n o t e a g e r to h alf awake.
tan gle w ith th e cu lt u n le ss h ealed and equ ipped.
T h e t w e n t y -fo u r kobold servants a r e t h e l o d g e ’s m a id s ,
Brother Caemon. T h i s h u m a n priest o f A m a u n a t o r
g ro o m s , s w e e p s, laundry, a n d c o o k s . T h ey w o rk p rim a r
h as n ot b een scou rg ed , beaten , en ch an ted, or oth erw ise ily at n igh t. T h e s e rv a n ts a vo id co m b a t, b u t th e y sp y o n
a b u se d , w h ich fra n k ly s e e m s to m a k e h im a little n er ev e ry v isitor a n d rep o rt b a c k to T a lis if th ey s e e a n y th in g
vou s. H e says h e arrived h ere from H illsfar to the east, su sp iciou s.
as part o f a p ilg rim age to a sh rin e on th e coa st, and this
is w h y T a lis s i n g l e d h im o u t fo r g o o d t r e a t m e n t— h e ’s 13. H u m a n S e r v a n t s
u n lik ely to k n o w a n yth in g u sefu l.
T h is roo m co n tain s th r ee b ed s and a sim p le w rit in g d esk .
B ro th er C a e m o n s u s p e c ts that T a lis is try in g to w in T h e roo m sm ells clean , an d th e flo o rb o ard s are sw ep t
h im o v er to th e cult, but h e a ls o fe a rs that T a lis p la n s to sp otless.
sa crifice h im as part o f a su m m on in g ritual and is tryin g
the “ca tch m o re flies w ith h o n e y ” a p p ro a ch to w in h is T h r e e h u m a n s e r v a n ts (commoners) s le e p h e r e w h e n
fr e e d o m . T a lis ’s k in d n e s s is e n t ir e ly fa ls e , b u t it m ig h t
c o n fu s e th e ch a ra cte rs a s a re d h e rrin g . C a e m o n d o e s n ’t t h e y a r e n o t w o r k i n g a s t h e l o d g e ’s w a it e r s a n d g r e e t e r s .
k n o w m u ch , a n d h e is a bit o f a k in d -h ea rted fool. T h e y w e r e h ir e d b y t h e l o d g e ’s p r io r o w n e r , o n e L o r d
M a rsten , a n o b le sla in b y th e cu lt. T h ey a re co n fin ed
10 . G u e s t C h a m b e r to th is ch a m b e r w h en n ot serv in g T alis. T h e s e rese n t
ful serv an ts are the ch ief butler G astyn, h ead m a id
T h is ro o m is d ark an d co ld . Fu rn ish in g s in clu d e a bed A rlaen ga, and form er ch ief hunter an d n ow ch ief g room
co vered w it h b lan k et s an d fu rs, a sm all d esk w it h an u n lit A n gra th W o o d w ise . T h ey resen t th e cu ltists, esp ecia lly
o il lam p ato p it, a w ash st an d , a ch am b er p o t , an d a b raz ier T rep sin the troll.
o f co als. T h e w in d o w is sh u t tered .
T h e h u m an servan ts avoid com bat, but they sp y on
T h is ro o m is ready for gu ests, but u n occu p ied . T h ere ev e ry visitor. A rla en g a is try in g to ingratiate h erself, a nd
are n o valu ables b eyon d b ed d in g, furs, and sim ilar sh e re p o rts b a c k to T a lis if sh e s e e s a n y th in g su s p icio u s.
item s.
T h e serv a n ts a re w illin g to tell the a d ven tu rers a bou t
11. W h i t e S t a g Pa r l o r th e troll in th e k en n els (area 2) a n d the ro o m w h er e the
w h o le cu lt c o m e s to p lot (area 20). T h ey a ls o k n o w that
T h is ro o m is w ar m an d co m f o r t ab le, w it h a large firep lace, the p eryton s ca n b e pla ca ted w ith fo o d (area 22), and
stu ffed leath er ch airs, and a tab le set w ith sm o ked that th e cu lt k e e p s a v a lu a ble b a n n er in th e lin en s (area
sau sag es and can d les. A tap estry d isp lays a m ag n ificen t 1 5 ). M o s t o f a ll, th o u g h , th e y s a y th e y ’v e s e e n “a c a s tle in
w h it e stag ab ove a valley, w it h a p air o f g reen d rag o n s the sk y n ea r P a rn a st.”
so arin g o verh ead and d eer, b oars, and h ed g eh o g s hid in g
am o n g th e leaves and trees b elow. 14 . B a t h
T h e w alls each have a tro p h y or tw o, in clu d in g tw o fine T h is s m a ll c h a m b e r h a s a la r g e b a th tu b in it. T h e lo w e r
m o u n t ain g o at h ead s, an elk ’s h ead w it h a 1 0- p oint rack, bath d ou b les as a lau n dry for th e servan ts to w a sh
a g ian t eag le’s h ead and talo n s, a m et allic b u ll’s h ead , lin en s, b e d d in g, a nd s o forth.
a g r if fo n ’s h ead an d fo r eclaw s, an d th e h ead o f a white-
fu rr ed b o ar w it h t u sk s as lo n g as d ag g ers. T h e ro o m 15. L i n e n s
seem s o th erw ise d eserted.
T h is ro o m is st ack ed w it h b lan k ets, sh eet s, var io u s an im al
T h e ta p estry h ere is w or th a b ou t 4 0 0 gp, but w e ig h s 4 0 fu rs, tab leclo t h s, flag s, b an n ers, an d rolled- u p rugs.
p o u n d s . T h e m e t a llic b u ll’s h e a d is a g o r g o n , a n d t h e t r o
p h ie s a re all real, th ou g h n ot es p e cia lly va lu a ble ex ce p t T h e r e ’s n o t h in g o f e x c e p t io n a l v a lu e h e r e , b u t o n e o f
a s cu r io s itie s . T h e g riffo n ’s h e a d d o e s co n ta in s o m e th e b a n n e rs h a s five s tr ip es c o lo r e d b la ck , blu e, g reen ,
red , a n d w h ite, resp ectively. T h e b a n n er is m ea n t to b e
t h in g u n u s u a l: a s t a s h o f t w o potions ofhealing. flow n on a lan ce or sp ea r as a sign a l w h en ap p roa ch in g
S k yrea ch C astle, to sh o w that the b e a re r is friendly. A n y
c a p t u r e d c u lt is t c a n e x p la i n th e b a n n e r ’s p u r p o s e .
L o d g e U pper Fl o o r Talis Surrenders. T a li s i s n o t a t o - t h e - d e a t h s o r t o f
T h e se co n d floor in clu d es sleep in g quarters for gu ests, villain ; sh e is a s u rv iv or a nd w illin g to su rre n d er a nd
the a rm ory, a fea st h a ll u se d for cult g a th erin g s, and a sk for m ercy. In d eed , sh e u se s h er riva lry a n d h er
T a lis ’s p riv a t e r o o m . recen t se tb a ck s w ith in the cu lt h iera rch y to paint h e rse lf
as a “d isgru n tled cu ltist” w h o is perh ap s n ot ea ger but
16 . T a l i s ’s H a l l w illin g to prov ide in form ation .
W h a t lo o k s to be a w ell- ap p o in ted ch am b er is filled w it h If the ch a ra cters a ccep t h er su rren der, sh e sh a res the
follow in g in form ation as lon g as the ch a ra cter q u estion
fu rn it u re an d can serve as a p lace to eat foo d or d iscu ss in g h er con tin u es to m a k e a seq u en ce o f su cce ssfu l D C
15 C h a rism a (P e rsu a sio n ) rolls. O n ce a roll is failed,
im p o r t an t m at t ers. T h r ee m en in th e ro o m w ear scale m ail sh e cla m s u p — at least until sh e is b rib ed , th reaten ed , o r
o ffe red o th e r in form a tion in ex ch a n g e.
an d carr y sw o r d s; a w o m an w ears ro b es o ver w h it e scale • T a lis id en tifies th e five le a d e rs o f th e cu lt as
m ail, and she holds a w an d set w ith a blue g em ston e. “ w y rm s p e a k e rs ,” ea ch o f w h o m h a s an affin ity for
a particu lar k in d o f ch rom a tic dra gon . T h e lead
“ W e l c o m e . I c o n s id e r yo u t o b e m y g u es t s. Pe r h a p s w e can e rs ’ n a m e s a re S e v e rin th e R ed , G a lv an th e B lu e,
N eron vain the G reen , R ezm ir th e B lack , an d V arram
d o b u sin ess.” the W h ite.
• S h e exp lain s the sig n ifica n ce o f the b an n er in a rea 15
T h is en cou n ter is th e cla ssic sce n e w h ere th e villain and reveals the va riou s cu lt sig n s an d sig n a ls (see the
exp lain s h erself if the players are w illin g to pau se. sid eb a r at the start o f the episode).
• If that is n ot su fficien t, sh e tells th em that th e cult
Talis the W hite is a d a n g e r o u s fo e . S h e s t a n d s b e h in d h a s an e n o rm o u s h oa rd o f va lu a b les in a flying ca stle
h id d e n n ea rb y— but n ot fo r long. If p re s se d for details,
h e r b o d y g u a r d s a n d u s e s a wand of winter ( s e e a p p e n T a lis rev ea ls th at ca stle b e lo n g s to a clo u d g ian t a llied
w ith th e cult. T h e castle, sh e says, is h id d en n e a r the
d ix C ). T a lis ’s b o d y g u a r d s in c lu d e t w o h u m a n veterans v illa g e o f P a r n a s t , w h ic h is u n d e r t h e c u lt ’s c o n t r o l.
n a m e d M a e lg o t a n d S o r v ic , a n d a dragonclaw (s e e • If all th at is n ot en ou g h , sh e tells th e party, in g lo w in g
and w orsh ip fu l ton es, that a great w h ite d ra gon in h a b
a p p e n d ix B ) n a m ed K u sph ia . If T a lis is sla in , th e v eter its th e ca stle. S h e refers to th e d ra g on a s “sn ow -w hite
an s su rren der, but K u sph ia figh ts to th e death to avenge G lazhael, the C lou d ch a ser, a h a n d som e d ra gon o f the
h er slain m istress. p u re n orth ern b re e d .” S h e s o u n d s like a fan a tic w h en
d iscu ssin g dragon k in d.
T a lis e x p e cts to m eet s o m e co -co n s p ira to rs at the • S h e d o e s n ’t k n o w m u c h a b o u t t h e R e d W iz a r d s b u t
lo d g e to d iscu ss va riou s m atters o f h er o w n a scen d a n cy reveals that a R ed W iza rd lia ison h as b e e n sen t
in th e ra n k s. If th e ch a ra cte rs ca n b e tu rn e d to h er t o h e lp a r r a n g e t h e h o a r d ’s t r a n s p o r t t o t h e c u l t ’s
advantage, sh e w ou ld m u ch rather sen d th em against h ea d q u a rters.
h e r rival th a n figh t th e m . A t th e s a m e tim e , s h e k n o w s • S h e m ig h t b e w illin g to tell th e p a rty th e cu lt a n d its
s h e c a n n o t b e s e e n a s d is lo y a l t o th e c u lt ’s in t e r e s ts . allies are b u ildin g an arm y in the S u n set M ou n tain s
fa r t o th e s o u th , in a n t ic ip a t io n o f T ia m a t ’s a rr iv a l.
Negotiating with Talis. T a lis i s w a r y o f t h e c h a r a c
R ew a r d s
ters but offe rs th em h osp itality to s e e w h eth er th ey R e g a r d l e s s o f t h e o u t c o m e o f t h e p a r t y ’s in t e r a c t i o n
m igh t b e u sefu l tools. A n o b se rv e r w ill n ote that sh e w ith T alis, th e ch a ra cte rs rea ch 7th level fo r d ea lin g
is p o lite b ut n ot w a rm . S h e s e e m s w a ry b ut is cle a rly w ith h er if y ou a re u sin g th e m ile ston e e x p e rie n ce ru le.
lo o k in g for som eth in g .
17. A r m o r y
• What Talis Wants. T a lis w a n t s t o m o v e u p in t h e
A g ap in g h o le in th e r o o f ex p o ses th is ar m o r y to th e
ra n k s b y ca u sin g h er riva ls to fail sp ectacu la rly.
elem en t s. Very few w eap o n s are sto red h ere at p resen t.
• What Talis Offers. S h e u r g e s t h e c h a r a c t e r s t o t h w a r t
Sh e l v e s t o t h e n o r t h l i e m o s t l y b a r e , a n d a p o o r l y
th e tra n sp ort o f a larg e trea su re h oa rd . C u ltists u n d er m ain t ain ed w eap o n rack st an d in g ag ain st th e sou th w all
R e z m ir ’s c o m m a n d a r e u s in g a c lo u d g ia n t ’s fly in g
ca stle to ex p ed ite th e d elivery. T a lis offers to h elp h o ld s th ree ru sty sp ears an d a frayed n et. N earb y is a
th e c h a r a c t e r s g e t a b o a r d S k y r e a c h C a s tle b e fo r e it
departs (see ep isod e 8) and p rovid es th em w ith a b a n closed cab in et.
n er (see area 15) and a u sefu l pass-p h ra se (“Tiam at,
o u r M oth e r an d S tren gth ”) that w ill a llo w th em to A sea rch o f th e sh elves and w ea p on ra ck yields a lon g-
rea ch the ca stle u n h arm ed . sw ord , a b o x o f 2 0 cro s s b o w bolts, a b o x o f 10 arrow s,
th ree spea rs, and a net. T h e ca bin et is u n lo ck ed and
• Accepting the Deal. I f t h e p a r t y a c c e p t s t h e d e a l, con ta in s tw o h eavy cro s sb o w s and tw o lon g b ow s.
T a lis p re fe rs to re m a in b e h in d s o that s h e c a n u se
h er m a g ic to ch e ck on th em from tim e to tim e. If th e
ch a ra cters in sist that sh e jo in th em , sh e a cq u ie sce s
but m igh t tu rn again st th em d ep en d in g o n h o w even ts
p la y out in S k y re a ch C a stle.
• Rejecting the Deal. R e f u s i n g T a l i s ’s g e n e r o u s o f f e r
trig g e rs a fight. T a lis sh ou ts fo r re in fo rce m e n ts, w h ich
brin g s the garg oyles from a rea 5, th e h elm ed h orror
from area 6, and the k ob old s fro m area 12 run ning,
a nd ev en y ells ou t th e w in d o w fo r T rep sin th e troll.
P u ll ou t all th e s to p s — a nd if th in g s g o badly, T a lis
clim b s ou t a w in d ow and flees into the w o o d s or
t h r o u g h a p o r t a l (s e e a r e a 1).
T r ea su r e 20. Q u e e n o f D r a g o n s C h a m b e r
O n e o f th e rusty sp ea rs is d ecora ted w ith inlaid m ithral
A ro arin g firep lace ch u rn s o u t h eat and light at o n e end o f
( 5 0 g p ), a n d a n o t h e r , n a m e d Dragongleam, i s e n c h a n t e d th is sp acio u s, 30- foot- high ch am b er, th e ceilin g o f w h ich
w i t h 1 0 c h a r g e s o f a daylight s p e l l f o r u s e in t w i li g h t is b u tt ressed by ten w o o d en p illars car ved as d rag o n s.
Five lar g e t a p e s t r ie s h an g a l o n g t h e w a l ls — t w o o n t h e
o r d ark fo re st u n d erb ru sh . T h e co m m a n d p h ra s e is w est w all flan k in g a doo r, tw o on th e east w all h an gin g
“ T ia m a t ’s e y e s s h in e ,” w r it t e n in D r a c o n ic r u n e s o n th e side by side, and a p articu larly grand on e d o m in atin g the
s p e a r ’s c r o s s g u a r d . sou th w all n ex t to th e firep lace.
18 . T a l i s ’ s B e d c h a m b e r
A n e n o r m o u s b ed is co vered in a so f t b u rg u n d y
b ed sp read , an d a fire crack les in th e firep lace, len d in g th e
ro o m w arm t h an d an at m o sp h ere o f co m f o rt .
T r ea su r e
T alis k eep s a lock ed ch est in this ro o m an d sh e ca rrie s
th e o n ly key. It ca n a ls o b e o p e n e d b y a c h a ra ct e r u s in g
th ieves’ tools w ith a su cce ssfu l D C 21 D exterity ch eck .
W h e n o p e n e d , lig h t s p i l l s o u t f r o m t h e +1 chain mail
w it h in it. T h e a r m o r ’s lig h t a ls o s h in e s o n th e c h e s t ’s
4 , 0 0 0 g p a n d a scroll of scorching ray.
T h e tw o v eteran s ca rry 2 0 gp ea ch , and K usph ia ca r
ries a sy m b ol o f the cu lt w ork ed in silver w orth 4 0 gp.
19 . B o d y g u a r d s ’ C h a m b e r
T h e sh u t t er s are o p en , allo w in g lig h t to sh in e in. Fo u r
u n m ad e beds line th e south w all, and o th er fu rn ish in g s
in clu d e a t ab le w ith fo u r ch airs and a w in e rack
co n tain in g a m u ltitu d e o f b ottles, m o st o f th em uncorked
and em pty.
T h e v etera n s w h o s erv e T a lis h a v e ta ken th e se
w ell-fu rn ish ed q u a rters fo r their ow n : th ey a re
M aelgot, S orv ic, and W e ssic the W izen ed .
W e s s ic , a h u m a n veteran o f s ix ty y e a r s ,
is re stin g h ere th e first tim e the c h a ra c
te r s s h o w up; th e o th e r s a re in a re a 16.
W e s s ic sle e p s in h is a rm o r a nd k e e p s
h is w ea p on stow ed u n der h is bed,
w ith in ea sy rea ch . If aw ak en ed, he
figh ts fiercely a n d sh ou ts lou d ly for
h elp; th is u su ally b rin g s T a lis a n d the
oth er guards, but not the T repsin the
tro ll o r th e lo d g e ’s h u m a n a n d k o b o ld
serv a n ts. If re d u ce d to h a lf h is hit p oin ts,
h e attem pts to surren der.
T r ea su r e
M ost o f the w in e b ottles are em pty, but the
tw elve full o n e s that rem ain are w orth 15 gp each.
In a d d ition , o n e o f th e em p ty b o ttle s co n ta in s a stolen
gold n eck lace w orth 250 gp.
O n c e a fea st h all, th is r o o m is n o w set a sid e fo r cu lt o f D e a d M en , the red d ra g on is n ea r W a terd eep , and
gath erin gs and is cu rren tly u n occu p ied . A set o f dou b le the green d ra gon is clea rly ra m p ag in g a m on g the H igh
d o o rs in th e n orth w a ll p u lls o p e n to reveal a ston e b al F orest elves, b a sed on th e m ou n ta in s in the b ack g rou n d.
co n y ov erlo ok in g the stables, k enn el, and w ell (see area s T iam at h erself is sh ow n w ith w hat are clea rly W ater-
2 a n d 3 fo r d etails). d e e p , N ev erw in ter, a n d B a ld u r ’s G a te in h e r cla w s.
Tapestries. F o u r o f t h e fiv e t a p e s t r i e s e a c h s h o w d r a g Secret Door. T h e o u t l i n e o f a h i d d e n d o o r c a n b e
o n s h unting, killin g, a n d fea stin g o n le sse r crea tu res, fou n d w ith a su cce ssfu l D C 2 0 W isd o m (P ercep tion )
w ith b lu e d ra g o n s a ttack in g a d e se rt ca ra va n , elv es s u c ch e ck . T h e d o o r o p e n s into th e trop h y r o o m (area 21).
cu m b in g to a g r e e n d ra g o n ’s g a s e o u s b rea th w e a p o n , a
red d ra gon b u rn in g d o w n w h at m igh t b e th e C astle W a rd 21. T r o p h y R o o m
o f W aterdeep, and a b la ck and w h ite d ragon circlin g over
a co ld sw a m p d otted w ith ru in s. E a ch is w o rth at least T h r ee o p en w in d o w s let in lig h t an d air; th e r o o m ’s w alls
5 0 0 gp to the right buyer, but each a lso w eig h s about 75 are ad o rn ed w ith stu ff ed an im al h ead s, in clu d in g a large
p ou n d s and is ex trem ely cu m b ersom e. 14- point stag , a m o u n t ain go at, a bear, t w o w in t er w o lves,
an d w h at can o n ly b e an an k h eg ’s h ead . Tw o t at t ered
T h e fifth ta p estry sh o w s T iam at, th e q u een o f evil b an n ers h an g fro m th e ceilin g , and t w o leath er ch air s an d
d ra g on s, in all h er glory, cr o w n e d in g old a n d silver, a nd a h an d fu l o f b raz iers co m p let e th e co m f o rt ab le parlor.
w o rk e d w ith g e m s to n e s a n d g old a nd silver th rea d . F u lly
3 5 fe e t w id e a n d 2 0 fe e t ta ll, it s h o w s T ia m a t c r u s h in g T h i s is v e r y m u c h a h u n t e r ’s b r a g g in g r o o m .
cities and su rrou n d ed by a dorin g follow ers. T h e tapestry
w e ig h s a bout 2 0 0 p o u n d s a n d is w orth 2 ,5 0 0 gp. S im p ly Secret Door. A s e c r e t d o o r c a n b e d i s c o v e r e d
rem ovin g the sem ip re cio u s ston es provides garnets,
agates, m oon ston es, and others w orth about 8 0 0 gp. b e tw e e n th e ea stern ta p e s trie s w ith a D C 2 0 In telli
g e n ce (Investigate) ch eck . T h e d o o r is cu n n in g ly h idden
C lo se ex am in ation o f the ta pestries an d a s u ccessfu l a m o n g t h e r o o m ’s w o o d e n p a n e ls , a n d p u lls o p e n to
D C 2 0 In telligen ce (H istory) ch e ck reveals th eir lo ca r e v e a l a re a 2 0 . It c a n a ls o b e d is c o v e r e d b y p u llin g o n
tion s in th e S w ord C oa st region . T h e blu e d ra gon s are the ed g e o f th e w o o d p an el b etw een the ta pestries.
attack in g a caravan cro ssin g th e d esert o f A n au roch ,
the w h ite and b la ck d ra gon s are circlin g a bove the M ere
22. Pe r y t o n Ro o s t
T h is larg e n est o n th e r o o f is m ad e o f w o ven stick s, leaves,
and feath ers in term in g led w ith th e sun- bleach ed bones o f
siz ab le an im als: d eer, bear, o r m o u n t ain g oat, p erh ap s.
T h e n e st a b u ts a c h im n e y that le a d s d o w n to T a lis’s
b ed ch a m b er (area 18) and b elo n g s to a m ated pair o f
perytons. S e v e r a l tim e s d u r in g th e day, th e p e r y to n s
le a v e t h e ir n e s t t o h u n t fo r f o o d . T h e r e ’s a 5 0 p e r c e n t
ch a n ce that th e n est is em p ty d u rin g th e day; at night,
both peryton s are roostin g here.
T h e p ery ton s a re allies o f th e cu lt and h ave a clea r
v ie w o f th e p o r ta ls in fr o n t o f th e lo d g e (a r e a 1). T h e y
ca n n ot se e the stab les or k en n els (areas 2 and 3) from
the nest.
Combat on the Rooftop. T h e n e s t p r o v i d e s r e a s o n
able traction and a g o o d p erch for the p eryton s, but the
s lo p e d r o o f is trick y to stan d on . A t th e start o f its turn
o r w h e n e v e r it ta k e s d a m a g e , a c r e a t u r e s t a n d in g o n th e
r o o f m u st su cce e d on a D C 10 D exterity sav in g throw .
O n a fa iled sa vin g th row , the crea tu re falls p ron e on
th e roof; if th e savin g th row fails by 5 or m ore, the crea
ture slip s and falls o ff th e roof, ta k in g 2 d6 b lu d geon in g
d am a ge and lan din g p ro n e on the grou nd.
T r ea su r e
T h e n est co n ta in s b o n e s, old bits o f a rm or, a p u n c
tu red h elm et, and oth er detritus. D ig g in g arou n d for 1
m in ute o r m o re a ls o rev ea ls tw o trea su re s: a n a ncien t
arrow-cat ching shield a n d a b a g o f t a r n i s h e d s ilv e r w a r e
w orth 100 gp.
T r a v e l i n g t o Pa r n a s t
If you a re u sin g th e m ile sto n e e x p e rie n ce ru le, the
ch a ra cte rs re a ch 7th level a fter cle a rin g out the h u n ting
lo d g e an d eith er defeatin g T alis o r forgin g a ten u ou s
a llia n ce w ith her.
Walking to Parnast. T h e v illa g e o f P a r n a s t a n d th e
ca stle is a five-m ile h ik e fro m th e lo d g e , o n the fa r sid e
o f th e m ou n ta in , th rou gh fores te d h ills, o ver lo g s and
r u s h in g c r e e k s , a n d a lo n g m u d d y tr a ils . It’s at le a s t a
h a lf d a y ’s w a lk .
Missing the Castle. I f t h e c h a r a c t e r s k ill T a lis a n d
all h er se rva n ts a n d g u a rd ia n s, th e re ’s n o o n e to tell th e
ch ara cters about S k yrea ch C astle, and the party m ay
w ell d elay to o lon g h ea lin g up o r investiga tin g the lod ge.
C o n s i d e r le a v in g a p a p e r t ra il in T a lis ’s p e r s o n a l e ffe c t s ,
o r h ave a v illa g e r (m o st v illa g e rs a re cu ltists) s h o w u p at
th e lo d g e w ith a d eliv ery o f fo o d a n d su pp lies.
Ep is o d e 8: C a s t l e in t h e C l o u d s
T h e cu lt h a s a cq u ired a frien d ly ro o s t in S k yrea ch 1. V i l l a g e o f Pa r n a s t
C astle, a flyin g fo rtre ss b uilt b y clo u d gian ts. T h is
ca stle is d ock ed n ear th e village o f P a rn ast and T h is sm all village is secretly u n der the con trol o f the
C ult o f th e D ra g o n . T h e cu ltists loa d a n d u n loa d g o o d s
gu a rded by m ists, m a gic, and m on sters. T h e fortress h e r e , a n d s o m e o f t h o s e g o o d s a r e s e n t to T a lis ’s h u n t
in g lo d g e (se e e p is o d e 7).
con ta in s m u ch o f the treasu re and valu ables that the
Th e villag e has a few dozen h o u ses and a sm all square,
cult h as loote d fro m the su rrou n d in g re g io n — treasu re w ith b uild in g s th at in clu d e a tavern , a stable, and a shrine.
In co n t r ast t o t h is ru st ic b u rg st an d s a m ig h t y ice cast le
that w ill b e a d d ed to a n even m o re m o n stro u s h oa rd at h alf h id d en in a fo g - sh ro u d ed ravin e: w alls st an d fo r t y feet
h igh, h u ge n arro w to w ers lo o m u p w ard — o n e o f b lu e ice,
th e W ell o f D ra g on s, w h e re th e cu lt p la n s to su m m on o n e cr u m b lin g — an d all o f it is b u ilt to a scale fo r g ian ts.
W isp s o f fo g h id e m u ch o f th e cast le’s d etail, b u t you see
forth Tiam at. tw o st atu es st an d in g ju st b efo re th e en o rm o u s gate.
B y th e tim e th e ch a ra cte rs a rrive in th e villag e, C u ltists p o s in g as v illa g ers a re u n frien d ly tow a rd v isi
tors, w h ile v illa g e rs u n d e r th e cu lt’s sw a y re m a in silen t
R e z m ir h a s a lrea d y a n n o u n ce d that the fo rtre ss m u st b e and w ith draw from visitors for fea r o f in cu rrin g the
cu lt’s w rath .
m a de read y for d epartu re. C h aracters sh ou ld have tim e
If the ch a ra cters d em an d to sp ea k w ith s o m e o n e
t o d e a l w it h T a lis a n d p o s s ib ly o t h e r c u lt is t s b e f o r e it
in c h a r g e , th e y a re d ir e c te d to Captain Othelstan
ta k es to th e sky.
(appen dix B ) but are a lso w a rn ed that he h as n o tim e or
T h e ch a ra cte rs m u st b e sm a rt in h o w th ey ta ck le p a tie n ce fo r d e a lin g w ith ou tla w s.
s to rm in g th e c a s tle — it’s cle a rly a w e ll-fo rtifie d p la ce .
T h e y a ls o c a n ’t w a it to o lo n g . If th e ch a ra cte rs tarry,
S k y re a ch C astle le a ves to p ick up m o re trea su re fro m
a n o th e r lair o f th e cu lt. T h e e x a ct m o m e n t w h e n it ta k es
fligh t is u p to y ou a s D M .
If T a lis is w ith th e party, sh e c a n u se h er ra n k a nd
in flu en ce to get th e ch a ra cters safely to S k y rea ch
C astle, but o n ce in sid e, sh e ca n n ot gu ara n tee their
sa fety a nd , in fact, tu rn s a g a in st th em at th e ea rliest
op p ortu n ity . C h a ra cte rs sh o u ld b e at o r n e a r level 8 b y
th e en d o f th is ep isod e.
Th e H el pf u l W h eel w r ig h t them : “T iam at, O ur M oth er an d S tren gth ” or “ H ail
B la goth k u s.”
W h ile th e villag e is full o f cu ltists an d th o se w h o co o p erate
w i t h t h em , n o t ev er y o n e is w i l l i n g t o t o l e r at e t h e c u l t ’s 2. T h e G o l d e n T a n k a r d
presence. O n e m an, Gu n d alin the Wh eelw rig h t, a hum an
m ale w h o m ak es w h eels an d fix es ax les f o r t h e m er ch an t s, A yello w tankard hang s o ver the d o o r o f th is ru stic
w o o d sfo lk , an d o thers, w an ts th e cu lt g on e. If th e ch aracters t avern . In sid e, t h o u g h , t h e p lace is sh o r t o n ch eer. All
loo k aro u n d fo r so m eo n e w h o is n o t a m em b er o f th e cult, c o n ver sat i o n st o p s an d all eyes t u r n in y o u r d ir e ct io n . A
t h ey m ig h t fin d h im at th e Go ld en T an k ar d (w h er e he says tall, h eavyset m an w ith en o rm o u s m u tto n ch o p sid eb u rn s
n o th in g ) or at his sm all sh o p on th e sq uare. H e often tries to s t e p s f o r w a r d a n d a s k s , “ W h a t c a n I g e t y o u t r a v e l e r s ?”
catch th eir eye, b u t he is terrified o f th e cu lt an d sp eak s o n ly
in a safe h aven w h er e he c a n ’t b e seen . H e k n o w s all o f t h e A visitor ca n b u y a m u g o f b eer for 3 cp or a m u g o f
in f o rm at io n in t h e “ Ru m o rs an d In f o r m at io n ” sect io n . s t r o n g m e a d f o r 1 s p . T h e r e ’s s a u s a g e o n t h e m e n u a s
w e ll as s te w ed ca b b a g e a n d h ea v y b la ck b re a d (4 c p for
Ru m o r s a n d In f o r m a t io n a p la te fu ll), b u t n o o n e v is its fo r t h e fin e d in in g . It’s ju s t
en ou gh to k eep a visitor g oin g a n oth er day, and n o m ore
L a b o re rs, p o rte rs, cra ftsfo lk , and cu ltists live and w o r k in tha n that.
th e v illage, and alth ou gh they are reluctan t to talk, they
can b e bribed, ch a rm ed, or talked arou n d w ith a s u cce ss I f th e ch a ra cte rs sit a n d o rd e r ale, w ell a n d g o o d .
ful D C 18 C h arism a (P ersu a sion ) ch e ck . T h e follow in g
bits o f in form a tion a re available, on e for e a ch s u cce s s ,
a nd sh ou ld b e d ole d out in the ord e r p resen ted b elow .
• T h e h ig h est-ran k in g m em
b er o f the cult to frequen t
P arn ast is th e h alf-dragon ,
W y rm sp ea k er R ezm ir. (If she
is still a live a n d free, R e z m ir
h a s g o n e into h id in g . N o on e
in the village k n ow s w h ere
sh e is, a lth ou g h they cla im
that S k yrea ch C astle is the
m o s t lik ely p la ce to fin d her.)
• R e z m ir ’s d e p u ty is a cu lt
veteran and d ra gon sou l
n a m e C a p ta in O th elstan . H e
c o m m a n d s th e cu lt fo rc e s
in P arn ast, and h e m on itors
all v isitors a n d m er ch a n d is e
p a ssin g th rou gh the village.
• T h e cu lt h a s co n tr o lle d
P arnast for m ore than a year,
a n d it b a s ic a lly b r o u g h t in a
com p a n y o f thugs to take over.
• S o m e villa gers w ere already
cu lt infiltrators, a nd oth ers
s ig n e d u p w h e n it b e c a m e
clea r that the cu ltists are rich
an d have a private arm y.
• T h e cu ltists k eep train ed
w y v e rn s in th e v illa g e stab les.
T h e cu ltists u se th em to reach
th e ca stle w h ile it is a ir b o rn e .
(N o on e in the village, in clu d
in g C ap tain O th elstan , k n ow s
w h e r e t h e c a s t le g o e s a ft e r it
le a v es P a rn a st.)
• C h aracters ca n a lso learn
on e o f tw o p ass-p h ra ses for
safely en terin g for th e castle
from G u n dalin or a n yon e w h o
b e co m e s a friendly h elper to
co m in g to hunt. A ll the servan ts are m ak in g th in gs ready
fo r th eir a rrival.” (T h is is p u re n o n se n s e , o f c o u r s e — h e
h as n o r o o m s oth er th a n h is ow n .) If the ch a ra cters ju st
w ait a m om en t, R a g g n a r say s he w ill offer th em h is o w n
ch a m b e r s, fo r a s te e p fe e o f 10 gp. “I’ll cle a r o u t a fe w
th in g s a n d it is a ll y o u r s .” T h is is a ls o a s ta llin g ta ctic,
th o u g h h e ’ll certa in ly ta k e th e m on ey.
B e ca u se th e cu ltists a re a b ou t to sh ip a ca stle full o f
tr e a su re fr o m th e v illa g e , th ey d e sp e r a te ly d o n ’t w a n t
th e ch a ra cte rs to fin d a n y th in g s u sp icio u s, su ch as
w a g o n s lo a d e d w ith c h e s ts (th e r e ’s n o r o o m to h id e a
caravan in a village th is sm all) or their w y v ern m ou n ts
in th e sta b le s (se e a re a 3). I f R a g g n a r c a n k e e p th e c h a r
acters eatin g an d d rin k in g and gossip in g , th en S k yreach
C astle ca n slip a w ay into th e sky.
T r ea su r e
T h e G o ld en T a n k a rd ta k es its n a m e fro m a m a g ic item
that R a g gn a r fou n d yea rs ago: a g olden stein de corated
w i t h d a n c i n g d w a r v e s a n d g r a i n p a t t e r n s . T h i s i s a tan
kard ofplenty. S p e a k i n g t h e c o m m a n d w o r d ( “ I l l e f a r n ” )
w h ile g ra sp in g the h a n d le fills the ta n k a rd w ith th ree
p in ts o f rich d w a rv en a le. T h is p o w e r c a n b e u s e d up to
th ree tim es p er day.
3. T h e St a b l e
“ I w ill sen d th e p o t b oy o u t to yo u in a m o m en t w it h th e T h e t w o big d o o r s lead in g in to th e st ab le are sealed , and
f in est availab le in m y h u m b le t aver n .” H e g o es to w ard th e th e place looks sh u ttered .
k it ch en , b ello w in g fo r a cask . If the ch a ra cters a sk a round, the villagers claim that the
stable w a s put out o f b u sin e ss so m e tim e ago. A n yon e lis
T h e ow n er is R a g g n a r R ed tooth , w h o s e e m s friendly ten ing ca refu lly h ea rs a b e llo w in g n oise, th ou g h (no ch e ck
en o u g h but s e cr e tly ta k es b rib e s from th e C ult o f th e
D ra gon . S tra n gers are n ever rea lly w e lco m e in his re q u ir ed ). T h e cu lt k e e p s tw o wyverns in th e sta b le;
tavern , b ut th ey g et s e rv ice w h ile h e in fo rm s C ap ta in
O th elstan b y sen d in g a m essen g er. R a g g n a r h as a v io som etim es, they u nleash a w y vern -sized roar.
C rack ed sh eep b o n e s and a few ox sk u lls cov er
len t p a s t a n d is tr e a te d a s a n u n a r m o r e d veteran (A C
th e sta b le floor. O th er tha n rid in g h a r n e s s e s for the
10). H e k e e p s h is w e a p o n s b e h in d th e bar. w y v ern s, th ere is n o treasu re h ere.
P r y in g in fo rm a tio n fr o m R a g g n a r a n d h is clie n te le is
W y v er n Rid in g a n d Ca s t l e Ca t c h in g
difficu lt. T h e v illa g ers w a n t to k ee p th e ch a ra cte rs o c c u
p ied, a nd th ey a sk fo r th em to tell ta les o f th eir jou rn ey , T h e w yver n s in t h e st ab le (ar ea 3) ar e tr ain ed t o carr y u p t o
they in qu ire abou t th e ch a ra cters’ fam ilies and w h ere t w o M e d i u m o r six Sm a l l r i d er s a t a t i m e . T h e d i f f i c u l t p ar t
they are from , and they qu ery h ow th e p arty got h ere. is g et t in g t h eir h ar n esses at tach ed so t h at rid ers d o n ’t fall
off, an d g ivin g th e p ro p er co m m an d s o n ce airb o rne.
If a sk e d a b o u t a p la ce to sle e p , R a g g n a r m a k e s it cle a r
that he isn ’t an in n k eep er: there are n o b e d s or ro om s, Any ch aracter can p u t th e h arn ess o n a w yvern w ith a
a n d even th e stab le is full. If a n y on e a sk s w hy, h e giv es su ccessf u l D C 10 Wisd o m (A n im al H an d lin g ) check .
h is u sual ex cu se: “L ord M arsten and h is en tou rage are If th e ch eck fails by 5 or m ore, th e w yvern stren u ou sly
o b jects and attack s th e ch aract er o n ce w ith its tail sting er
as a reactio n . Th e w yvern s ar en 't ch o o sy ab o u t w h o rides
th em , bu t co n vin cin g a w yvern to fly o r m o ve in a sp ecific
d irectio n req u ires an actio n to m ak e a D C 15 Wisd o m
(A n im al H an d lin g ) ch eck ; if t h e ch eck f ails, t h e w yver n
i g n o r e s t h e r i d e r ’s c o m m a n d s u n t i l t h e r i d e r ’s n ex t t u r n .
Aft er a rid er su cceed s o n tw o su ch ch eck s, th e w yvern goes
w h ere th e rid er w an ts fo r th e nex t hour, o r u n til it tak es
dam ag e or the rider d ism o u n ts.
Th e cast le is easily sp o tted , d ay o r night, o u t to a rang e o f
five m iles. Th e w yvern s are fast er th an th e cast le in flig h t,
an d t h ey can cat ch u p t o it.
Tim in g t h e D epa r t u r e 5. V il l a g e W e l l a n d Sq u a r e
H o w lo ng can th e ch aracters d aw d le? Th e q u estio n o f tim in g A w el l st an d s at t h e c e n t e r o f t h e vi ll ag e sq u a r e. Fo u r
is tricky, sin ce th e p arty m ig h t head st raig h t to t h e cast le an d
m i s s a lo t o f p o s s i b l e i n f o r m a t i o n a n d r o l e p l a y i n g in Pa r n as t . b u ild in g s su r ro u n d it: an em p t y sh rin e, a w h eelw r ig h t 's
So , Sk y r e a c h C a s t l e s h o u l d l e a v e w h e n e v e r it s e e m s m o s t shop, a tavern , and a stable.
d ram at ic to yo u as D M , b ut h ere are so m e t ip s t o h elp you
ch o o se th e b est m o m en t. T im b er m erchants, w ood sfolk , and oth ers h aggle over
the finer lu m b er h ere, a n d w a g o n s ca rry su p p lies. S e e
St or ming t he Cast le I mmediat ely. A g g r e s s i v e p l ay e r s can a rea s 2, 3, a n d 4 fo r m o re in fo rm a tion a bou t th e tavern,
th e stable, a n d the sh rin e.
a s s a i l t h e c a s t l e w h i l e i t ’s o n t h e g r o u n d . In a d d i t i o n t o
d ealin g w ith th e cast le's d efen ses, th ey m u st also co n ten d T h e w ell is 4 0 feet d eep , cold , and pure. F ive h u m an
w i t h r e i n f o r c e m e n t s f r o m Pa r n a s t . Su c h r e i n f o r c e m e n t s
guards lo ya l to th e C u lt o f th e D r a g o n k e e p a n e y e ou t
i n c l u d e Captain Othelstan, o n e veteran, six guards, an d t h r e e
dragonclaws. In a d d i t i o n , O t h e l s t a n a n d t h e v e t e r a n (h i s h e re at all tim e s, m a k in g s u re that v illa g e rs d o a s th e y
l i e u t e n a n t ) r i d e a p a i r o f wyverns (s e e a r e a 3 ). are told. If the gu a rds are con fron ted , on e ru n s to fetch
C a p ta in O th elsta n as th e v illa g e rs flee. O n ly th e w h e e l
D awdling and Rest ing. A n y p ar t y t h a t s p e n d s an h o u r o r w righ t G u n dalin stick s arou n d to w atch, and even he
d o e s s o fro m b eh in d a h eavy w o o d e n oxcart.
m o re in th e villag e ask in g q u estio n s, g et tin g a m eal o r rest,
or oth erw ise not getting aboard th e castle m ig h t m iss the Sk y r e a c h C a s t l e
b oat. T h e cast le leaves o n e h o u r after th e cu lt ists realize
th e villag e h as b een infiltrated . A fter th e cast le is g on e, th e E o n s ago, clou d gian ts built th is flying fo rtr ess to take
th eir a ncien t battle against d ra g on k in d into the sk ies. T h e
v i l l a g e r s d r o p al l p r e t e n s e o f f r i e n d l i n e s s a n d s e n d Captain s p irit o f a g ia n t e n a b le s it to fly— th is a n c ie n t b o n d d a te s
Othelstan (s e e a p p e n d i x B), o n e veteran, an d six guards back to the days w h en giants and dra gon s fought great
w ars. T h e bin din g kept dragon s from taking th ese castles
to at tem p t to cap t u r e th e in t ru d ers an d eit h er kill th em as fo r th eir o w n , a n d th e b o n d still h o ld s ce n tu rie s later.
sacrifices o r d rive th em o u t o f the village. O th elstan can also
T h e c u lt h a s s t r u c k a b a r g a in w it h t h e c a s t l e ’s o w n e r ,
c a l l f o r r e i n f o r c e m e n t s in t h e f o r m o f t h r e e dragonclaws, o n e a clou d giant n a m ed B lagoth k u s w h o h arbors n o par
o f w h o m t a k e s t h e t i m e t o r e l e a s e t h e t w o wyverns in t h e ticu lar h atred o f d ra go n k in d (or anything else, for that
m atter). T h e spirit o f h is d e ce a se d w ife, E sclarotta,
s t ab l e s (s e e ar e a 3 ). c o n t r o ls t h e c a s t l e ’s p r o p u ls io n a n d b u o y a n c y . T h e c u lt
ca n n o t a fford to a lien a te B la goth k u s, b e ca u s e th e c a s
Last Recourse. I f t h e c a s t l e f l i e s a w a y w i t h o u t t h e t le ’s s p ir it w ill n o t o b e y t h e m .
ch aract ers, Gu n d alin o r an o t h er villag er p red isp o sed to help S k y re a ch C a stle is ca rv e d fro m ice s o th ick a s to b e
th e p arty m ig h t p ro vid e assistan ce b efore Cap tain O th elstan op aq u e. T h e ice is as stron g and im pen etra ble as gran
and his retin u e arrive, su g g est in g th at the ch aract ers rush ite, th a n k s to a n cie n t clo u d g ia n t w iz a r d ry . T o w e rs a n d
to th e stables, m o u n t th e w yvern s, and take flight at once. w a lls su rro u n d a n ic e b e r g c o r e th a t’s b e e n h o llo w e d
Th e ch aract ers h ave a few rou n d s to reach th e stab les out to serv e a s th e lair o f a p o w e rfu l w h ite d ra gon a llied
b efo re O t h elst an h as th e b u ild in g su rro u n d ed an d d em an d s w ith the cult. T h e w h o le th in g ca n b e h id d en u n d er
th eir surrend er. a veil o f fo g and clou d, or set to m ove slow ly w ith the
w in d . S e e a rea 19 fo r details.
D ev el o pm en t s
T h e ch a ra cters ca n try to equip the w y vern s w ith h ar G e n e r a l Fe a t u r e s
n e s se s an d ride th em as aerial m ou n ts; see th e “W yv ern
R id in g a nd C astle C a tch in g” sid eb a r for d etails. If they T h e ca stle is ca rv ed fro m opaq u e ice m a gica lly rein
steal o n e o r b oth w y v er n s from u n d e r th e C ult o f th e forced to b e as h ard as ston e. W h ile on the grou n d, the
D r a g o n ’s n o s e , d iv id e 4 ,0 0 0 X P e v e n ly a m o n g th e c h a r ca stle rests in a w id e ravine on the ou tsk irts o f P arnast.
a cters— m ore than w hat they w ou ld receiv e for slayin g E v ery th in g in th e ra vin e is h eav ily o b s c u r e d b y fog , s o
the w yvern s. th e ch a ra cters ca n a pp roa ch the ca stle w ith ou t b ein g
s e e n b y its in h a bita n ts. U n til th e ca stle ta k es flight, cu lt
4. Sh r in e o f A x e s ists a nd gu a rd s fro m the villa ge d eliver w a g o n s la den
w it h s u p p lie s a n d t r e a s u r e to th e c a s t l e ’s m a in g a te ( s e e
T h is w o o d e n b u ild in g is a sh r in e f o r w o o d c u t t e r s, an d it a rea 6 fo r details).
co m b in es several god s u n d er on e roof. Ceilings. A l l c a s t l e c e i l i n g s a r e 3 0 f e e t t a ll t o a c c o m
A statue o f A n gh arradh , an o b scu re elven deity m o d a t e th e c lo u d g ia n ts w h o b u ilt it.
rep resen tin g sprin g, stan d s a m on g statues o f g od s
re p res e n tin g th e oth er s e a s o n s, n a m ely A u ril (w inter), Doors. A ll d o o r s i n t h e c a s t l e a r e m a d e o f 1 -f o o t - t h ic k
C h au n tea (su m m er), a nd M ielik k i (autum n). A n g-
h a r ra d h ’s sta tu e h a s b e e n d e fa ce d b y h a v in g h e r fa ce ice as h ard and tou gh as stone, but on ly h alf the w eigh t.
a n d h a n d s c h o p p e d aw ay. A d ea d sq u irr el h a s b e e n left T h e y a re fitted w ith iro n h in g e s a nd h a n d le s, a n d s ize d
at A u r il’s fee t. fo r gian ts. A n or m a l d o o r is 2 0 feet tall, 8 feet w id e, a nd
h as its h a n d le s situ a ted 10 feet a b ov e flo o r level.
T h e statue o f M ielik k i is n ot on ly fresh ly pain ted but
a ls o h as a set o f sm a ll cu p s, bits o f b rea d , a nd oth er
sm a ll s a crifice s at its feet.
Im p o r t a n t Wa l l s a n d Ae r ia l De f e n s e s
N o npl ayer Ch ar ac t er s T h e ca stle w a lls are ca rv ed fro m solid ice and p o ss e s s
S k yrea ch C a stle is h o m e to the clo u d gian t B la goth k u s, th e resilien cy and textu re o f ston e. T h e w a lls p rovid e a
a p a ir o f ston e gian ts n a m ed W ig lu f a n d H uld e (allies
o f th e clo u d giant), W y r m sp e a k e r R e z m ir o f th e C ult o f great defen se against attacks from the grou n d. W h ile
the D rag on , tw o R ed W iz a rd s o f T h ay (R ath M od a r and
A zba ra Jos), a vam pire n am ed S a n d esyl M orgia, and an th e ca stle is airborn e, the w a lls a lso k eep th ose w ithin
adult w h ite d ra g o n n a m ed G la zh a el th e C lou d ch a ser.
fro m fallin g to th eir deaths, and they b lo ck the w in d.
T h e s e a d v ersa rie s d o n ot en tirely tru st o n e a n oth er
a n d a re u n lik ely to p resen t a u n ified fron t a gain st the ogresBy Day. T h r e e stan d guard atop each gate tow er
ch a ra cters. In stead, th e gian ts fight to d efen d th eir
h om e, a n d th e cu ltists a n d d ra g on figh t to d efe n d th eir (see area 6B ). T h ey ca n sh ou t for rein forcem en ts, w h ich
treasu re. If th e ch a ra cte rs p lay th eir h an d w isely, this
la ck o f trust w ill b e th e v illa in s’ u n d oin g . T h e N P C s co m e fro m area s 9, 10, and 15. R ezm ir an d h er guard
h ave d o z e n s o f serva n ts, cu ltists, an d gu a rd s at th eir
d isp osa l. If m ore than on e o r tw o o f th ese turn up dead, d ra k e s (se e a rea 11) a rrive th ree ro u n d s later. T h e lo w e r
th e cu ltists se a rch th e ca stle for th e k illers.
co u rty a rd is cle a r o f fo g d u rin g daylight h ou rs.
N e g o t ia t in g w it h t h e C l o u d G ia n t
B la go th k u s th e clo u d giant is n ot a p a rticu la rly en th u A t Night. I n a d d it i o n t o t h e o g r e s s t a n d i n g w a t c h
sia stic su p p o rte r o f the C ult o f the D ra g on , but h e s e e s
it a s a w a y to s tir h is fe llo w g ia n ts o u t o f th e ir c o m p la (see a bove), the va m p ire S a n d es yl M org ia p a trols the
ce n cy and into action .
lo w e r cou rty a rd , w h ich is h eav ily o b s c u r e d b y th ick
B lagoth k u s th in k s gian ts have g row n soft, and th rash
in g s o m e d ra go n s w o u ld b e g o o d for gian tk in d. S o , he fo g at night, a n d th e u p p e r co u rty a rd , w h ich is lightly
p la ys a lo n g w ith th e cult, but o n th e sid e h e is ga th erin g
su pp ort a m on g gian ts, u rgin g th em to a ssu m e their o b sc u re d at n ight. A s lo n g a s the v a m p ire is o n p atrol,
righ tful p la ce as lord s o f the w orld. H e b elieves that the
rise o f T ia m a t a n d th e th rea t o f a d ra gon em p ire w ill cu ltists and k ob old s steer clea r o f the cou rtya rds.
sp u r th e g ian ts to u nite.
6A. Ga t ewa y a n d Go l ems
B la g o th k u s h a s n o c o n flic t w ith “ sm a ll fo lk .” H e ’ll
h ap p ily let th e p a rty k n o w that y e s, h is ca stle is A h eavy oak - an d - iron p o rt cu llis is d r aw n u p ju st b eh in d
tran sp ortin g a vast a m ou n t o f trea su re to th e W ell o f t h e d raw b r id g e. T w o life- siz ed st at u es o f 18- foot- tall clo u d
D ra g o n s, w h e re th e cu lt is ga th erin g its fo r c e s a n d g ian ts— on e m ale and o n e fem ale— stan d behin d the
a m a s s in g a h o a r d in a n t ic ip a t io n o f t h e T ia m a t ’s a rr iv a l p o rt cu llis, facin g each o th er w it h in th e co vered g atew ay.
(fro m w h e re h e d o e s n ’t k n ow ). If the ch a ra cters w a n t
to h elp h im figh t cu ltists, h e ’ll h a p p ily ta k e th em s o m e T h e w in ch es that ra ise and low er the draw bridge and
w h e r e m o r e in te re stin g u p n o rth , w h e r e h e ’s m a s s in g
h is o w n sm a ll a rm y to figh t th e d ra g o n s a fter th ey p o rtcu llis a re loca ted in th e n ea rb y gate tow ers; s e e a rea
have b e e n lu red ou t into the op en . T h is arm y is fu rth er
6 B fo r details.
d e t a ile d in The Rise of Tiamat.
T h e tw o statu es flan k in g th e p ortcu llis in side the
6. M a in G a t e
stone golems.g a te w a y a r e A nyone w h o p asses through
A lo w e r e d d r a w b r i d g e sp a n s a f o g g y m o a t . Be y o n d
th e d raw b rid g e is an o p en p o rt cu llis, and b eyo n d th e th e gatew ay w ith ou t sp ea k in g the co rre ct pass-p h ra se
p o r t cu llis is a co vered g atew ay lead in g to an o p en (“T iam at, O u r M oth er and S tren gth ” or “H ail B la goth
co u rt yard . Larg e fig u r es lo o m in th e g atew ay, b u t yo u k u s”) activates on e o f the golem s. If an oth er creatu re
can ’t q u it e m ak e th em out.
attem pts to p a ss th rou g h w ith ou t sp ea k in g the p ass-
P r io r to th e ca s tle ta k in g fligh t a n d le a v in g P a rn a st, the
cult m ov es a few w a g on s laden w ith treasu re ch ests p h rase, the se co n d golem an im a tes and attacks. O n ly a
an d su pplies into th e low er cou rty a rd an d u n loa ds them
ev ery h o u r o r tw o d u rin g daylight. A d v en tu rers w ith in clou d giant ca n com m a n d the go lem s to return to th eir
ea rsh ot o f the gate w h o listen closely ca n a lso h ear the
p a s s w o rd s p ok en a s ea ch ca rt p a s s e s by. p osts o n ce activated.
T h e su pply ca rts p rovid e a w ay for th e party to enter 6B. Ga t e To wer s
th e ca stle u n d etected . C u ltists hau l th e su p p lie s to th e
k itch en (area 15) and ca rry th e treasu re ch ests dow n to Th ese tw o gate to w ers are n ot th e sam e heigh t. T h e one
th e d ra g o n ’s m a in h o a rd ch a m b e r (a rea 2 5). to th e lef t o f t h e d raw b rid g e is 120 feet tall, w h ile th e o n e
to th e rig h t o f t h e d raw b rid g e is 80 feet tall.
ogresT h r e e stan d atop ea ch tow er. A lth ou gh the og res
a re e q u ip p e d w ith ja v e lin s, th e y ca n a ls o fire th e ir ja v e
lin s fro m a large ballista on the r o o f ea ch tow er.
To w e r Ro o f t o ps
It ta k e s o n e a c tio n to lo a d a n d fire a b a llis ta , a n d a b a l
lista ca n b e fired on ly o n c e in a g iv en rou n d . A n og re
firin g a ja ve lin fro m a b a llista m a k es th e follow in g
a ttack in stea d o f its re g u la r ja v e lin attack.
Javel i n . Ranged W eapon At t ack: + 7 t o h i t , r a n g e 1 2 0 f t ./ 4 8 0 f t . ,
o n e t ar g et . Hit: 14 (3 d 8 ) p ier cin g d am ag e.
E ach ballista h as A C 10, hp 50, an d im m u n ity to p oison
and p sy ch ic dam a ge.
To w e r In t e r io r s T h e p lace stin k s o f so m e k ind o f d ro p p in g s an d rotted
flesh . Crack ed b o n es co ver th e floor. Tw o w yver n s strid e
A large tra p d oor in the r o o f o f ea ch tow er ca n b e pulled in to view w ith t h eir fan g s b ared and tails lash in g .
op en to reveal a sta ircase o f ice that h u gs the tow er inte
r io r a n d s p ir a ls a ll t h e w a y d o w n to th e t o w e r ’s g r o u n d T h is o u tb u ild in g cu rre n tly h o ld s tw o wyverns tra in e d
floor, w h e r e th e re ’s a s in g le u n lo c k e d , g ia n t-size d d o o r
le a d in g to th e lo w e r co u rty a rd (area 7 ) o r th e cu ltist b a r as aerial m oun ts. H ow ever, they are h u ngry and attack
ra ck s (area 9). a n y o n e th e y d on 't re c o g n iz e .
T h e w in ch that ra ise s a nd lo w e rs th e d ra w b rid g e is Tr e a s u r e
loca ted on the grou n d floor o f the n orth ern tow er, w h ile
the w in ch for the p ortcu llis is lo ca te d in th e grou n d F o u r fin e w y v e rn b rid le s a re k ept h ere, e m b ellis h ed
w ith ja d e a n d w ith m ith ral bits (w orth 5 0 0 g p ea ch ).
f lo o r o f t h e o th e r . E a c h w i n c h is m a n n e d b y o n e ogre,
9. C u l t i s t B a r r a c k s
a n d e a ch o g r e h a s strict o rd e r s to g u a rd its w in c h an d
n ot leave its to w e r even if th e g en era l a la rm so u n d s. T h e b arra ck s sm ell o f u n w a sh ed b ed clo th es, and the
T u rn in g the cra n k on a w in ch is an action and requ ires ch a m b er con ta in s fou rteen fu r-covered b ed s, as w ell as
a su cce ssfu l D C 15 S tren gth ch eck , and ea ch a ction several ch ests o f cloth in g, a table and ch a irs, and oth er
spen t tu rn in g a cran k eith er h alf-raises or h alf-low ers sim p le fu rn ish in gs.
the draw bridge or portcu llis. (T w o a ction s are req u ired
to fu lly ra ise o r lo w e r eith er barrier.) A t a n y g iv e n tim e , te n dragonwings a re r e s tin g h e r e .
7. L o w e r C o u r t y a r d H a lf o f th em are sou n d asleep, w h ile the oth er h alf are
a w a k e but d o in g n oth in g overly stre n u ou s. T h e y d o n ot
T h e u p p e r cou rty a rd (area 16) p a rtially ov erh a n gs the roa m the ca stle u n le ss an alarm h as sou n d ed , they h ear
lo w e r co u rty a rd , h eld a loft b y g ig a n tic a rch e s o f ice. A t com ba t in the cou rtya rd, or the o g re s at the gate yell for
night, the lo w e r co u rty a rd is h eav ily o b s c u re d b y fo g to rein forcem en ts.
a h eigh t o f 4 0 feet— th e sa m e h eig h t a s th e w a lls that
e n c l o s e it. 10 . St o n e G i a n t s ’ C h a m b e r
Walls o f solid ice en clo se th is co u rtyar d . A n o t h er co u rtyard T w o 20-foot-tall, 8-foot-w id e arch w ays co n n e ct this
p ar t ially o ver h an g s t h is o n e. It is h eld alo ft by sw eep in g ch a m b er to th e low er cou rtya rd. A n y lou d d istu rb an ce
arch es o f ice th at so ar to a h eig h t o f o ver 100 feet. Doo rs in th e co u rty a rd alerts th e ston e gian ts that dw ell h ere.
o f scu lp ted ice fitted w it h iron h ing es lead to variou s
o u tb u ild in g s and m ain k eep on th e far sid e o f th e co u rtyar d In t h e m id d le o f t h i s f r o st - g laz ed r o o m st an d s a n in e- f o o t -
from the gate tow ers. t all t ab le o f car ved st o n e su r ro u n d ed by t h r ee g ian t- sized
ch airs, also carved fro m ston e. A fat iron cau ld ro n etch ed
A dd the follow in g if on e or m ore ch a ra cters s u cce e d on w ith ru n es rests u p o n th e tab le. O n th e flo o r in th e far
a D C 22 W isd om (P ercep tion ) ch eck: co rn er sits a large iron ch est.
H id d en in t h e sh ad o w s o f th e o ver h an g in g co u rt yard , If an alarm h a s n ot b e e n ra ised and the ston e gian ts are
acro ss fr o m th e m ain g ate, is an o p en in g in o n e w all th at present, add:
lead s to a sp iral st aircase m ad e o f scu lp ted ice.
A m ale sto n e gian t gazes into th e cau ld ro n w h ile a fem ale
C om ba t h ere alerts th e o g re s in a rea 6, th e cu ltists in sto n e g ian t sits n earby.
a rea 9, th e ston e g ia n ts in a rea 10, a n d th e k o b o ld s in
a re a 15. O n e o f th e cu ltists r u n s to a re a 11 a n d a le rts If the castle alarm s have n ot sou n d ed , the ch ara cters
R ezm ir, w h o arriv es w ith h er gu a rd d ra k es th ree gain a su rp rise rou nd.
r o u n d s later.
T h e t w o stone giants, W i g l o f a n d H u ld a , a r e g u e s t s
Spir a l St a ir c a s e
o f th e c lo u d g ia n t. T h e y a r e w o r r i e d th a t B la g o t h k u s ’s
A spiral sta ircase o f scu lp ted ice co n n e cts the u pper and a ttem pts to incite th e g ian ts in to a ctio n a g a in st the d ra g
lo w er cou rtya rd s, as w ell as the tu n n els le ad in g to the on s cou ld lead to devastatin g con se q u e n ce s, but they
m a in vault w h er e th e d ra g on lairs (area 2 5). T h e sta ir a re su p p ortiv e n o n e th ele ss. T h e y h av e a g re ed to help
c a s e ’s s p i r a l in g s t e p s a r e c o a t e d w it h c r u n c h y fr o s t a n d B la goth k u s rep a ir d a m a ge to th e ca stle a n d gla dly aid in
ca n n ot b e clim b e d quietly, n or a re th ey slipp ery . its d efen se.
8. St a b l e s P resently, W ig lo f is u sin g a m a g ic ca u ld ron (see
“T rea su re”) to p erform an a u gu ry ritual and h o p e s to
T h e d ou b le d o o r s to th e sta b le s a re 2 0 feet tall a nd a sc e r ta in th e m o s t lik e ly o u tc o m e o f B la g o th k u s’s alli
w id e , m a k in g it e a s y fo r th e w y v e r n s (s e e b e lo w ) to g et a n ce w ith th e C ult o f th e D ra g on , to eith er co n fir m or
in a n d out. a s s u a g e th e c lo u d g ia n t’s fe a r s th a t th e c u lt is p la n n in g
to b etra y h im . A n y a ttack la u n ch ed a gain st W ig lo f d is
r u p ts h is r itu a l a n d a n g e r s h i m g r e a tly . H u ld a is W i g l o f ’s
co m p a n io n a nd b o d y g u a r d , a n d a n y h o stility d ire cted at If R e z m ir is k illed , th e con ten ts o f th e iro n ch es t on
h er or W ig lo f is m et w ith brutal force. h er d esk teleport away, leavin g the ch est em pty.
T h e ston e giants k n o w that the flying ca stle is c o n T r ea su r e
trolled from a steerin g tow er (area 19) a ccessib le fro m R ezm ir ca rrie s k eys to this room , the lock on the ch est,
th e u pper cou rtya rd, and that on ly gian ts ca n gain en try a n d to th e s to re r o o m (a rea 13). In a d d ition , th e ch e st
to the tow er. h ere is lock ed and m a gica lly attuned to R ezm ir so that if
s h e d ie s, its con te n ts a re te le p o rte d to th e W e ll o f D r a g
T r ea su r e o n s and out o f h er slayers’ hands.
T h e ston e gian ts collect sm all-b u t-perfect gem ston es,
prim arily am eth ysts but a lso d ia m on ds, opals, rubies, T h e ch e s t’s p a d lo c k c a n b e p ic k e d u sin g th ie v e s ’ to o ls
and topaz. T h eir collection is s e cu re d by a m agica l w ith a s u cce ssfu l D C 20 D exterity ch eck . H ow ever, the
g lo b e o f fo rce in sid e an iron ch est, w h ich is six feet long, lo ck is rig g e d w ith a p o is o n n e e d le trap that triggers if
fo u r feet tall a n d w id e , a n d w e ig h s 5 0 0 p o u n d s. L iftin g the ch e ck fails b y 5 or m ore. T h e n ee d le ca n b e fou n d
th e h ea v y iro n lid re q u ires an a ction a nd a D C 12 w ith a su ccessfu l D C 20 Intelligen ce (Investigation)
Stren gth ch eck , and destroyin g the globe o f force ch eck and ca n b e disarm ed w ith a s u ccessfu l D C 15
D exterity ch eck . A creatu re triggerin g the n eedle trap or
r e q u i r e s a n antimagic shell o r a s u c c e s s f u l c a s t i n g failin g th e D exterity ch e ck by 5 or m ore is in jected w ith
o f dispel magic ( D C 1 6 ). T h e 3 2 g e m s a r e w o r t h 5 0 0 w y vern p o iso n and m ust m a k e a D C 13 C onstitution
savin g throw , takin g 24 (7d6) p oison dam a ge on a failed
gp ea ch , o r a total o f 1 6 ,0 0 0 gp. T h e iron ch est save, or h alf as m uch dam age on a su ccessfu l one.
a lso con ta in s the ston e gian ts’ m a son ry tools,
but th ey a re n either va lu a ble n o r u sa b le b y
sm aller creatu res.
T h e iron ca u ld ro n w eig h s 50
p o u n d s. W h e n filled w ith w a ter o r
s o m e oth er liquid, th e ca u ld ron
su bstitutes for the n orm a l m ate
rial co m p o n e n ts n e e d e d to ca st
t h e augury s p e l l . T h e c a u l d r o n is
w orth 25 gp.
D ev el o pm en t s
T h e ston e gia n ts a re relu cta n t
to sh a re any in form ation , but if
d efeated and eith er th rea ten ed or
bribed , they m ight coop erate.
11. R e z m i r ’s
Ch amber
T h e d o o r is a lw a ys lo ck e d
and R ezm ir h old s the
k e y . A knock s p e l l i s t h e
ea sies t w a y to get in, but a c h a ra c
ter ca n a lso u n lo ck the d o o r w ith a D C 25
D exterity ch e ck m a de u sin g th iev es’ tools. A ltern a
tively, k n o c k in g a n d sp in n in g a g o o d ya rn m igh t w o r k ;
cu ltists a n d se rv a n ts c o m e a nd g o at all h ou rs.
A large rug co vers th e icy flo o r ju st insid e th e d o o r o f this
1 0- foot- high ro o m , w h ich is lit by a b raz ier o f h o t co als. A
larg e b ed rest s in o n e co rn er, a d esk in an o t h er . Rest in g
ato p th e d esk is a h an d so m e, iro n - b an d ed ch est secu red
w ith a stu rd y pad lock.
U n less sh e is lu red e lse w h e re b y a gen era l a la rm ,
Rezmir (s e e a p p e n d ix B ) is h e re a lo n g w ith tw o loya l
guard drakes (a p p e n d ix B ).
T h e la r g e r u g in s id e o f th e d o o r is a c tu a lly a rug of
smothering. T h e r u g p a tie n tly w a its fo r a c r e a t u r e to
w a lk o n to it b e fo r e a tta ck in g . If th e y a re p re se n t, R e z m ir
an d h er d ra k es w ait for the ru g to attack an en em y
co m in g th rou gh the d o o r b efore sprin gin g into action.
T h e c h e s t c o n t a i n s th e Black Dragon M ask ( s e e a p p e n If h e is ou tm a tch ed , R a th M od a r tu rn s in v isib le, ca sts
d ix C ) a s w e ll a s R e z m ir ’s p rivate co lle c tio n o f g e m s, fly o n h im s e lf, to u ch e s th e d is a p p e a r in g w a ll, a n d le a p s
jew elry, and coin s. T h e gem s and je w e lr y in clu d es a set
o f m a tch ed p erid o t s to n e s on a g o ld ch a in (4 0 0 gp), a o ff th e la n d in g p la tform , leavin g A zb a ra J o s to fen d for
silv e r to rc w ith d ra g o n ’s h e a d s (2 0 0 gp), s ix m o o n s to n e s h im se lf. If th e g a rg o y le is still a live, it tr ie s to c o v e r
o f 50 gp each , and a set o f 20 lo o se pearls, w orth a total
o f 3 ,0 0 0 g p . T h e r e ’s a ls o 6 0 0 s p , 2 0 0 g p , a n d 5 0 p p . R a th ’s e s c a p e . H is fly s p e ll a n d d is a p p e a r in g trick m e a n
D ev el o pm en t s th at a n e s c a p e is v e r y likely.
If the ch a ra cters cap tu re R ezm ir, sh e re fu ses to c o o p
erate in a ny w ay. S h e p refers d ea th ov er su rren der, D ev el o pm en t s
If the ch a racters s p ea k to R ath M od a r o r h is associate,
p a r t i c u l a r l y i f h e r d e a t h m i g h t k e e p t h e Black Dragon A z b a ra J o s, th e y fin d that th e R e d W iz a r d re p u ta tion
M ask o u t o f h e r e n e m i e s ’ c l u t c h e s ( s e e a b o v e ) . R e z m i r for a rrog a n ce is true: the pair are h au ghty an d p rou d
o f th e ir sk ill, a n d th e y h av e little p a tie n ce fo r “ru ffian s,
is a tru e b eliever, a n d th e b e st that th e ch a ra cte rs ca n th u gs, a n d m e rce n a rie s se e k in g to stop the in ev itable.”
h o p e for is that th eir p riso n e r even tu ally sto p s b era tin g
an d insu ltin g them . “Y ou r ca u se is h op eless. M y frien d s R a t h M o d a r a n d h i s a s s o c i a t e f i g u r e p r o m i n e n t l y i n The
w ill d ev o u r y ou , a n d y ou r p itifu l little attem p ts to d en y Ri se of Tiamat . D e f e a t i n g o r k i l l i n g t h e m i s a s e r i o u s
th e m a je sty o f T ia m at w ill a m ou n t to n oth in g.”
b lo w t o t h e c u lt ’s a b ility t o s u m m o n T ia m a t.
12. R e d W i z a r d s ’ R o o m
T r ea su r e
T h e d o o r to this ch a m b er is u n lock ed .
R a t h M o d a r h a s a s c r o l l o f dimension door, a s c r o l l o f
H u n d red s o f h o rse sk u lls are n ailed to th e ceilin g an d feat her fall, a n d a s c r o ll o f fireball, a n d h e c a r r ie s a st aff
of fire.
co ver it en tirely. T h ick carp et s co ver th e icy flo o r, an d
A th orou g h sea rch o f th e ro o m yields several letters
d esk s, ch airs, and lect ern s are everyw h ere, so m e co vered to R ath M od a r from S everin , th e su prem e lead er o f the
C u lt o f th e D ra g o n . S e v e r in ’s le tte rs re v ea l th e d e p th s
w ith books and scro lls, oth ers w ith potion vials, bits o f o f th e c o n n e c tio n s b e tw e e n th e R e d W iz a r d s (at lea st
th o se frien dly to R ath M od ar) an d th e cult. T h e ch a r
m eat an d fur, an d o t h er th in g s. Fo u r h u lk in g g arg o yles a cters a ls o fin d oth er letters fro m T h a y rev ea lin g that
clearly so m e R ed W iz a rd s are n ot n early as k een on
st an d fro z en in t h e ro o m . th e cu lt’s p la n s. If th e ch a ra cte rs d e liv er th e s e letters to
L eosin E rlanthar, O n th arr F ru m e, or o n e o f their oth er
Rath Modar (s e e a p p e n d ix B ), a R e d W iz a r d o f T h a y con ta cts in org an iza tion s o p p o se d to the R ed W iza rd s
a n d th e C ult o f th e D ra g on , a w a rd th e p a rty 1 ,0 0 0 X P .
a llied w ith the C ult o f th e D ra g on , re sid e s h ere. U n le ss
R e s t i n g o n a l e c t e r n i s a b o o k t i tle d Beyond t he Iron
h e w a s k illed o r ca p tu re d p reviou sly, Azbara Jos (se e Gat es. W r i t t e n e n t i r e l y in I n f e r n a l, it d e s c r i b e s v a r i
appen dix B ) is a lso presen t. If b oth R ed W iza rd s are o u s fo rm s o f d evil s u m m on in g , bu t th e fin al ch a p ter
p rese n t, th e y a re in th e m id st o f a sch o la rly a rgu m e n t d e scrib e s the u se o f m a ssive su m m on in g s and the s a c
w h en the ch aracters arrive, but they clam up as soon as rifice o f h u n dred s o f sou ls to b rin g T iam at b od ily out
oth ers appear. If R ath M oda r is alon e, he is stan d in g at a o f th e N in e H ells a n d in to th e w orld . T h e d e ta ils o f th e
le cte r n , r e a d in g a b o o k (s e e “ T r e a s u r e ” ). ritu a l m a k e it c le a r th a t th is is s o m e th in g th at r e q u ir e s
en orm ou s p reparation and e x p e n se —but the actu al m a g
If A zba ra is absent, R ath M od a r m ight m istak e the ical form u la e and ch an ts are n ot given in this volu m e.
ch a ra cte rs for cu ltists. If th e ch a ra cte rs p la y a lo n g a nd N eith er th e b o o k n or th e oth er p a p ers h ere, h ow ever,
attem pt to gather in form ation fro m the R ed W iza rd , provide a tim etable for w h en the cult or th e R ed W iza rd s
ro le p la y it ou t. R a th is n o fo o l, a n d h e is a n e x p e r t at p la n to attem pt th e su m m on in g, n o r d o th ey m en tion the
seein g th rou g h illu sion s and d ece p tion s. H e a lso h as a sig n ifica n ce o f th e tre a su re that th e cu lt h a s a m a s se d .
h ealthy su sp icio n o f stran gers, esp ecia lly if the ch a ra c (R a th M od a r and A zb a ra Jo s ca n b oth attest that the
ters are w ou n d ed or in appropriately equ ipped. trea su re is to a p p e a se T ia m a t u p o n h er arrival.)
R a th M o d a r is h ere to h elp w a tch ov er th e vast trea 13. St o r e r o o m
su re b ein g tran sp orted to th e W ell o f D ra g on s and a lso
to plan for the su m m on in g o f T iam at; the n e ce ssa ry T h e d o o r is se cu re d and lock ed . A n y ch a racter w ith
in can tation s are com p lex and req u ire h u n dred s o f th iev e s’ to ols ca n attem pt a D C 17 D e x terity ch e c k to
s k il le d s p e llc a s t e r s . H e k n o w s th a t th e c u lt ’s u lt im a te u n lo c k it. R e z m ir a n d B la g o t h k u s c a r r y k ey s .
goa l is to fre e T iam at and ra ise h er tem ple from the
N in e H e lls , a n d R a t h ’s u ltim a te g o a l is t o u s e T ia m a t H u g e sid es o f beef, en tire h am h o ck s, an d en o rm o u s
and her d ra gon s to overth row S za ss Tam .
b arrels fill t h is ro o m , as d o h u n d red s o f cr at es. T h e p lace
T h e h o rse sk u lls o n the ceilin g are ghastly orn a m en ts
and nothing m ore. sm ells o f b urlap , w o o d , and salt.
T h ree o f the ga rgoyles are statues; th e fou rth is a T h is storeroom con ta in s a h u ge am ou n t o f food , th ou gh
a ll o f it i s o f a v e r a g e q u a lity . O t h e r th a n its n a t u r a l
liv in g gargoyle th a t s e r v e s R a t h M o d a r . refrigeration , this ro o m is n ot rem ark able.
Vanishing Wall o fIce. B e t w e e n t w o w i n d o w s is a
35-foot-lon g, 20-foot-h ig h section o f icy w a ll that va n
ish es for 1 m in ute w h en tou ch ed. B eyon d the w a ll is an
ou td oor la n d in g p latform .
14. G u e s t C h a m b e r ___________________ 17. H i g h B l u e T o w e r
T h is ro o m is com fo rta b ly fu rn ish ed for inh abitants o f T h is to w er o f p ale b lue ice is th e co lo r o f sky on a w in ter
h u m an size. day. Its few w in d o w s sh im m er lik e m irro red g lass o r cryst al.
Vanishing Wall o fIce. A la r g e s e c t i o n o f t h e ic y w a ll T h e d o o r to th is to w er is fitted w ith an iro n lo ck , a n d
B lag oth k u s ca rrie s th e on ly key. T h e lock ca n b e p ick ed
op p osite the d o o r v a n ish es for 1 m in ute w h en tou ch ed, w ith th ieves’ tools and a su cce ssfu l D C 15 D exterity
e x p o s in g th is ro o m to th e elem en ts. B ey on d th e w a ll is ch eck . T w o o g re s a rm ed w ith javelin s, rock s, and a bal-
a n o u td o o r la n d in g p latform . lista sta n d w a tch a top th is tow er. T h ey h av e lo n g c o ils o f
r o p e t h e y u s e t o c li m b u p a n d d o w n t h e t o w e r ’s e x te r io r .
15. K i t c h e n
T h e to w e r in terior is a h o llo w cy lin d er 9 0 feet high,
T h e scen e is p u re ch ao s: d o z en s o f k o b o ld s ch o p p in g , w ith ou t stairs or ladders to rea ch the top. A n y crea
m ix ing , carryin g sack s o f in g red ien ts, and st irrin g g reat ture in sid e th e tow er that sp ea k s th e co m m a n d w o rd
cau ld r o n s. It co u ld b e an alch em ical lab o r a k it ch en — “E scla ro tta ” is insta n tly te le p o rted to a rea 21.
w ith k o b o ld s coo k in g , it ’s a little hard to be sure.
D ev el o pm en t s
T w e n ty kobolds a r e h e r e , p r e p a r in g f o o d f o r t h e c a s t le ’s If th e tw o o g re s sta n d in g w atch atop this tow er b egin
firin g the b a llista o r d ro p p in g s o m e b ou ld ers, they get
o th er in h abitan ts. T h e k itch en is filled w ith h u g e sid es the attention o f the og re guards, cu ltists, and oth ers in
o f b e e f, en tire sh e ep , ch e sts fu ll o f d rie d fish a n d vast the m a in ca stle grou n d s and cou rty a rd fairly quickly.
am ou n ts o f b a con , on ion s, b ea n s, and s o forth . T h e a la rm is ra ise d a s s o o n a s any o g re yells.
R o o s t i n g o n a l e d g e a b o v e t h e fr a y is a griffon. T h e 18. C r u m b l in g T o w e r
c r e a t u r e is B la g o t h k u s ’s p e t, a n d it m a k e s s u r e th e T h is to w e r is a lm o s t 1 0 0 fee t h igh , but it is in s h o d d y
k o b o ld s b e h a v e th e m se lv e s. W h e n e v e r a figh t b re a k s repair. T h e re a re tw o e n tra n ces: a d o o r at th e b a se
ou t, o n e s h rie k fr o m a b o v e s n a p s th e k o b o ld s b a c k in o f th e tow er that ca n n ot b e o p e n e d (se e below ), and a
line. T h e griffon a lso protects the k ob old s if th ey com e w orkin g d oor con n ected to a cru m blin g ice b alcon y 75
u n der attack. fe e t a b o v e th e t o w e r ’s b a s e .
T r ea su r e This an cien t to w er seem s to be cru m b lin g . Th e w in d o w s
A th orou g h sea rch o f th e k itch en reveals sm a ll ch ests h ave b een sealed sh u t w it h ice, an d cr ack s h ave fo r m ed in
o f b la ck pepp er, cin n a m on , and n utm eg. E a ch o f th ese th e w alls and roo fcap . A b alcon y o f scu lp ted ice hug s on e
w eig h s 2 p ou n d s, but th eir con ten ts are w orth 130 gp sid e o f th e to w er, 75 f eet ab o ve th e to w er b ase.
to ta l.
T h is is th e t o w e r o f th e vampire S a n d e s y l M o r g ia , a
16. U p p e r C o u r t y a r d
m o o n e lf w h o jo in e d th e C ult o f th e D ra g o n lo n g b e fo re
T h e u p p e r cou rty a rd is the p rim a ry la n d in g site for sh e b e ca m e u n dea d. S h e is a m em b er o f the old guard
d ra gon s, w y vern s, and flying sp ellca sters w h en the an d w a s a rou n d lon g b e fo re S ev erin to o k over. G iven
th e ch a n ce, sh e talk s a bou t serv in g u n der S a m m a ste r
ca stle is a irb o rn e . D u rin g th e day, 2 d 6 ogres p r a c and k illin g d ra g on s to ra ise th em as d ra colich es, w h ich
sh e still co n s id e rs “th e tru e p ath .” S h e h ates th e n e w
tice th eir ja v e lin h u rlin g h ere. A t n igh t, the cou rty a rd cult lead ersh ip , but sh e is fo rce d b y circu m sta n ce to
is ligh tly o b s c u r e d b y fo g (to a h eig h t o f 3 0 feet) a nd w ork w ith them .
p a tro lle d b y th e v a m p ire , S a n d e s y l M o rg ia (s e e a re a 18).
S a n d e sy l is a ctive b y n ig h t on ly a n d p ro w ls b oth th e
Tall, slen d er t o w er s an d w alls o f ice en clo se a w in d sw ep t u pp er and low er cou rty a rd s in the night h ou rs, k eep in g
courtyard . a k een eye ou t for lon e og re gu a rds or oth ers w h o m igh t
p rovid e a m eal. W h en co n fron te d b y m ore en em ies than
C h aracters lan d in g h ere n eed to be p rep ared to either
s h o w a b a n n er o r tok en o f th e cu lt im m ed ia tely; oth s h e c a n h a n d le , s h e s u m m o n s tw o vampire spawn
erw ise, th e og res or va m p ire on w a tch w ill sou n d the
a la rm a n d a ttack th em . T h e o g r e s in a rea 2 0 in v estiga te (m oon elf con sorts) as rein forcem en ts. T h e se vam pire
any lou d d istu rb an ce in the cou rtyard. sp a w n lurk on the u p p e r flo o r o f th e tow e r.
D ev el o pm en t s T h e tow er is in d ire n eed o f repair. T h e cra ck ed and
If th e ch a ra cte rs a rrive in d is g u ise o r fast-talk th eir w a y cru m b le d ice p rov id es abundant h an d h old s, a llow in g
th rou gh the cou rtya rd, they are taken to m eet B la goth th e t o w e r ’s w a lls t o b e c l im b e d w it h a s u c c e s s fu l D C 10
k u s th e clou d giant (if ca u gh t b y th e ogres), o r R e z m ir (if S tren gth (A thletics) ch eck .
ca u g h t b y th e va m p ire).
T h e tow er o n ce h ad fou r levels w ith 2 0-foot-h ig h ce il
in g s; h ow ever, all but th e h ig h est level h ave h ad their
floors and ceilin gs shattered, and the staircase that on ce
cu rled up th e in sid e o f th e tow er, co n n e ctin g its v a riou s
levels, h as a lso b ee n d estroy ed . T h e g rou n d floo r is n ow tw o co n s o r ts . T h e co ffin co n ta in s grave dirt, but n o trea
p a ck ed w ith icy d eb ris to a d epth o f 2 0 feet, a nd this sure. A ice sta irca se h u gs on e w a ll, d escen d in g a fe w feet
debris prevents the grou n d-floor d oor from b ein g open ed. b efo re en d in g suddenly, 5 0 feet a bove the icy detritus
fillin g th e lo w e st level o f the tow er.
Balcony. T h e b e s t w a y i n t o t h e t o w e r is v ia t h e b a l c o n y .
19. St e e r i n g T o w e r
H o w e v e r , it h a s b e e n w e a k e n e d a n d b r e a k s a w a y if m o r e
th a n 1 5 0 p o u n d s o f w e ig h t is p la c e d o n it. T h e d o o r B la g oth k u s h a s s e cu re d the d o o r to th is to w er w ith an
lea d in g fro m the b a lcon y is u n lock ed a nd o p e n s into the
u pp er level that s e r v e s a s S a n d e sy l’s crypt. T h e r e are n o arcane lock. It c a n b e o p e n e d n o r m a l l y b y a g i a n t o r b y
w in d o w s o n th is level. a knock s p e l l . F o r e v e r y o n e e l s e , b r e a k i n g it d o w n i s
Sandesyl’s Crypt. S a n d e s y l ’s c o f f i n r e s t s i n t h e m i d d le larg ely im p o ssib le , b e c a u s e a D C 7 0 S tre n g th c h e c k is
requ ired.
o f t h e t o w e r ’s u p p e r lev e l, g u a r d e d d a y a n d n ig h t b y h e r
A staircase o f ice lead s from th e t o w er ’s g ro u n d flo o r to
a h ig h er ch am b er, th e w alls and ceilin g o f w h ich gleam
an d g litter: jew els are ever yw h er e in th e ro o m . Yo u see
glow in g m o o n sto n es, thum b - sized em erald s, sh in in g
silver y m it h r al w an d s, an d st r an g e sp h er es co ver ed in
tu rq u o ise and g old , as w ell as d o z en s o f co p p er levers and
g o ld en sp h eres em b ed d ed in th e w alls. A f t er a m o m en t ,
th e w alls th em selves seem to d isap pear, p ro vid in g a
p er f ect aer ial view in all d ir ect io n s, as if t h er e w er e no
castle and no clo u d stu ff aroun d. M o re than a dozen
g lo w in g w h ite ru n es w in k into ex istence, d riftin g ab o u t the
ro o m like sn o w flak es.
T h is is t h e c a s t l e ’s s t e e r in g c h a m b e r . W h e n n o o n e is
present, th e ca stle is u n der th e co n trol o f th e spirit o f
E sclarotta, w h o is b ou n d to th e fortress by p ow erfu l
m a g ic that ca n n ot b e dispelled. T ou ch in g on e o f the
g l o w i n g r u n e s i s s u e s a s p e c if ic c o m m a n d t o E s c la r o t t a ’s
spirit. A ch aracter w h o u n derstan d s D w a rv ish o r G iant
ca n interpret the co m m a n d ru n es.
C o m m a n d Ru n es
T h ere are eighteen com m a n d runes.
Alarm. A n o i s e a k i n t o a h o w l i n g w i n d a l e r t s a ll
n on -d ea fen ed crea tu res in the castle.
All-Clear. A n o i s e a k i n t o a l o u d w h i s p e r s i g n a l s a n
en d to danger.
Anchor. T h e c a s t l e h o l d s p o s i t i o n o n t h e g r o u n d o r
in th e air. T h e ca stle re m a in s sta tio n a ry d e sp ite w in d s ,
storm s, and so on.
Cast Off. T h e c a s t l e i s n o l o n g e r a n c h o r e d .
Drift. T h e c a s t l e d r i f t s o n t h e w i n d , e f fe c t i v e l y u n d e r
n o o n e ’s c o n t r o l.
Home. T h e c a s t l e r e t u r n s t o its p l a c e o f o r i g i n , in t h e
S p in e o f th e W orld (a co ld m ou n ta in ra n g e to th e n orth ).
North, South, East, and W e s t T h e c a s t l e m o v e s in
the sp ecifie d ca rd in a l direction . T ou ch in g tw o ru n es
sim u lta n e ou sly ca n m o v e th e ca stle in o th er d irectio n s;
for exa m p le, tou ch in g the n orth a n d east ru n es at th e
sa m e tim e m ov es the ca stle n ortheast.
Rise. T h e c a s t l e a s c e n d s a t a r a t e o f 1 0 f e e t p e r r o u n d .
Sink. T h e c a s t l e d e s c e n d s a t a r a t e o f 1 0 f e e t p e r
r o u n d . I f it c o m e s in to c o n ta c t w ith th e g r o u n d , it la n d s .
Spin. T h e c a s t l e r o t a t e s g e n t l y c l o c k w i s e , c o m p l e t i n g
on e full rotation in 1 m inute.
Widdershins. T h e c a s t l e r o t a t e s g e n t l y c o u n t e r c l o c k
w ise, com p letin g o n e full rotation in on e m inute.
Veil. F o g g y c l o u d s t u f f m a t e r i a l i z e s a r o u n d t h e D ev el o pm en t s
T h e ca stle m igh t crash , d ep en d in g o n the a ction s o f the
ca stle. A fter o n e m inu te, all crea tu res an d o b je cts in characters and various N P C s.
o u td o o r a re a s w ith in 1 0 0 feet o f th e ca stle a re h eavily
o b scu re d , an d all crea tu res an d o b je cts in in d o o r a re a s Crashed by Blagothkus. I f t h e c lo u d g ia n t is s la in ,
are ligh tly o b scu re d .
h is w ife ’s spirit in th e ste e rin g ch a m b e r is r e p la c e d b y
Unveil. F o g g y c l o u d s t u f f e n g u l f i n g t h e c a s t l e d i s s i h is spirit. E n raged , h e aven ges h is death by m ovin g the
c a s t le n o r th w a r d a n d th e n c o m m a n d in g it to c r a s h in th e
pates. Ligh tly o b scu re d area s b e co m e clea r in 1 roun d, S p in e o f th e W orld , n ear th e M ik lo s G lacier. M ore d etails
a n d h eav ily o b s c u re d a rea s b e c o m e ligh tly o b s c u r e d for
1 m in u te, th en b e c o m e clear. o f t h i s c r a s h a n d i ts c o n s e q u e n c e s a r e p r o v i d e d in The
Rise of Tiamat.
Storm. T h e c l o u d s a r o u n d t h e c a s t l e d a r k e n a n d
If th e d ra gon is slain and the cu ltists are rou ted, R ath
ch u rn , b e co m in g ru m b lin g th u n derclou ds over a p eriod M od a r gath ers any rem ain in g fo rce s allied w ith the cult
o f 1 m in u te. U ntil th en , th e ca lm ru n e ca n n ot b e a cti and slays B lagoth k u s, k n ow in g full w ell that the clou d
vated. O n ce the th u n d erclo u d s h ave fully form ed , th e g ian t’s d e a th w ill c a u s e th e ca stle to cr a s h (s e e a bove).
crea tu re that a ctiva ted th e sto rm ru n e ca n u se its a ctio n
w h ile stan din g in the steerin g ch a m b er to target on e R a t h M o d a r t h e n u s e s h is fly s p e l l t o e s c a p e .
cr e a tu re it c a n s e e w ith a lig h tn in g b olt. T h e b o lt h a s Characters Seize the Castle. I f t h e a d v e n t u r e r s
a ra n ge o f 1 ,0 0 0 feet a n d ca n ta rget on e crea tu re or
u n attend ed ob ject. A crea tu re targeted by the bolt m u st b efrien d B lag oth k u s and drive o ff the cu ltists and the
s u cce e d on a D C 14 D exterity savin g th row or take 22 d r a g o n , th e y m a y fly it a n y w h e r e , th o u g h th e y w ill c e r
(4 d 10) ligh tn in g d a m a ge. A n u n atten d ed ob je ct targeted ta in ly attract h o stile a tten tion fro m a ny d ra g on . If th ey
by the bolt sim p ly tak es the d am a ge (no sav in g throw ). a re still a b o a rd th e ca stle, R a th M od a r a n d the v a m p ire
d o th eir u tm ost to th w art them .
Calm. T h e t h u n d e r c l o u d s a r o u n d t h e c a s t l e a b a t e o v e r
If h e rem a in s in con tr ol o f the ca stle, B la goth k u s
a p eriod o f 1 m inute. D u rin g this tim e, th e sto rm ru n e d e cid e s to visit the gian ts. H e se n d s S k y r ea ch C astle
ca n n ot b e reactivated. n orth to n ea r the S p in e o f the W orld .
E sc l a r o t t a 20. O g r e Ba r r a c k s
A lth ou gh anyon e ca n trigger com m a n d ru n es, th e spirit
o f th e clou d giant E scla ro tta a ctu ally co n tro ls the ca stle R ea d the fo llow in g text if the ch a ra cters su rp rise this
and ca n “lo ck ou t” individu als w h o m isu se th e co m c h a m b e r ’s o c c u p a n t s .
m a n d ru n e s, effectively re n d e rin g th em u n a b le to trigger
the runes. Th is u n fu rn ish ed ch am b er co n tain s a hord e o f ogres
A n y ch a ra cter su cce e d in g on a D C 15 In telligen ce sleep in g on piles o f fur.
(A rcan a) ch e ck se n se s an in telligen ce at w ork , and on e
c a n a tte m p t t o c o m m u n i c a t e w it h E s c la r o t t a ’s s p irit U n less they are dra w n elsew h ere by an a larm or som e
s im p l y b y c a l li n g o u t t o it w h ile in s id e th e to w e r . S h e is
a k in d sou l, d istu rb ed by the cu ltists, dragon , w y vern s, o th e r d istu rb a n c e , tw e lv e ogres s le e p o n th e fu rs
and k ob old s in festin g h er beau tifu l castle, and she
lo n g s for in form a tion a b ou t w h a t h er h u sb a n d is u p to. h ea p ed abou t this oth erw ise featu reless stru ctu re.
R eq u ests m a de to h er s u cce e d w ith a D C 14 C h arism a
(P ersu a sion ). T h e p erson h as advantage on the ch eck T r ea su r e
if he or sh e sp ea k s G iant. If an yon e tries to w re ck the T h e o g r e s all k e ep sm a ll a m ou n ts o f g old a n d silv er in
ste erin g ch a m b er, E scla rotta trigg ers the alarm ru ne. p ou ch es, sa ck s, and ch ests. If the ch ara cters sp en d 30
m in u tes s e a rch in g th e b a rra ck s, th ey fin d 8 0 0 sp a nd
Blagothkus (s e e a p p e n d ix B ) a r r iv e s 3 r o u n d s la te r w ith 300 gp.
tw o ogres (h is s te w a rd s) in tow .
If on e m em b er o f th e p arty s u cce e d s at a D C 2 0 Intel
If B la g oth k u s d ie s a b o a rd th e ca stle, h is spirit lig e n ce (In vestig ate) ch e ck , h e o r sh e fin d s a sin g le p ale
r e p la c e s E sc la ro tta ’s, a n d h e c r a s h e s th e ca s tle to k e e p blu e sapp h ire w orth 5 0 0 gp w ed g ed into a crevice.
it fr o m fa llin g in to e n e m y h a n d s (s e e “ D e v e lo p m e n ts ”).
D ev el o pm en t s
T r ea su r e I f any o g re s a re taken p risoner, ch a rm ed , o r fast-talked,
If the ch a ra cters insist on tea rin g out the valuable con trol th e ch a ra cte rs le arn relatively little. T h e y s e rv e the clo u d
elem en ts, th ey ca n p ry lo o s e fistfuls o f em era ld s, tu r giant B la g oth k u s (w h o se w ife w a s slain so m e y ea rs ago),
q u oise , m oo n sto n es , a h u ge ch u n k o f ja d e, b its o f am ber, th ey k n ow that the clou d giant h a s severa l g u ests, inclu d
a n d larg e p ie c e s o f m ith ral, w orth 1 0 ,0 0 0 gp total. in g “duh w iza rd in red ro b e s” (R ath M odar), “duh dragon
lad y” (R ezm ir), a nd “a b ig w h ite d ra g on dat lives in duh
T h i s d e s t r o y s th e c a s t l e ’s a b ility to m o v e u n d e r p o w e r , ca v es ” (G lazh ael). G ettin g m ore th an th e b a s ic ru n d ow n
gen erate w ea th er effects, a n d s o on. T h e ca stle w ill drift takes a D C 19 C h arism a (P ersu asion ) ch eck for ea ch o f
o n p o w e r fu l w i n d s th a t c a r r y it n o r th w a r d , w h e r e it the follo w in g th ree a dd ition al item s:
u ltim a tely c r a s h e s o n th e M ik lo s G la cie r in th e S p in e o f • A v a m p ir e w a tc h e s th e S k y r e a c h C a s tle at n ig h t. It
the W orld M oun tains. R epa irin g the con trol m ech a n ism
re q u ire s a lo n g p e rio d o f ex trem ely difficu lt a n d e x p en som etim es feed s o n th e og res, to th eir ch agrin .
• T h e cu lt u s e s th e ca stle to visit im p orta n t sites w ith
s iv e w o r k , t h o u g h a wish s p e l l c o u l d a c c o m p l i s h it.
o u t ro a d s o r p o rta ls. T h e o g r e s d o n ’t re a lly k n o w
w h ere they are other than “the green forests” and
“that stretch o f the m o o r s ” and “the old m ou n ta in s.”
• T h e c a s t l e ’s m i s t s a n d n a v ig a t io n a r e a ll c o n t r o ll e d T h e w alls o f th is roo m are scu lp ted w it h icy m u rals
b y th e c lo u d g ia n t’s m a g ic . W ith o u t h im , th e ca s tle
w o n ’t fly. d ep ictin g clo u d giants rid in g g ian t birds. An en o rm o u s
T h e last p o in t is u n tru e, bu t it’s w h a t B la g o th k u s to ld h is bed w ith a h ead b o ard o f ice scu lp ted to resem b le clo u d s
og res, and they believe him .
d o m in at es th e ro o m . Bear fu rs ar e h eap ed u p o n t h e b ed ,
21. E s c l a r o t t a ’s T o m b
an d t w o lar g e w o o d e n c h e st s r est at t h e b e d ’s f o o t .
T h is icy cyst has no ob viou s m ea n s o f entry or egress.
H ow ever, a creatu re ca n teleport to this bu ried ch a m b er A b lue- sk in n ed g ian t sits on th e flo o r w it h his legs
v ia a re a 17.
cro ssed w h ile tw o o g r es co m b h is sn o w y w h it e hair. T h e
Yo u ap p ear in an o val cave car ved fr o m so lid g lacial ice,
w it h no p assag es lead in g o u t. T h e ceilin g is 30 f eet high g ian t ’s h u lk in g m o rn in g star lean s ag ain st th e bed w it h in
and lined w ith icicles, and bits o f broken ice su rro u n d a
m assive w h it e m ar b le sarco p h ag u s sit u at ed in th e m id d le ar m ’s reach.
o f th e flo o r. T h e lid o f th e sarco p h ag u s is scu lp ted in t o th e
lik en ess o f a f em ale g ian t w it h lo n g f lo w in g hair. Blagothkus (a p p e n d ix B ) a n d th e tw o ogres (h is
T h e sa rcop h a g u s is 2 0 feet long, 10 feet w ide, and 10 feet ste w a rd s) a re n ’t th e o n ly in h ab ita n ts o f th is r o o m . A s a
tall. D w a r v is h ru n e s ca rv e d into its b a s e sp e ll th e n a m e b on u s action on h is turn, B lagoth k u s ca n su m m on an
E S C L A R O T T A . T h e lid o f th e s a rco p h a g u s req u ires a
D C 3 0 S tren gth ch e ck to p u sh a side, a nd the b o n e s o f air elemental th a t’s b e e n m a g i c a lly b o u n d t o t h e r o o m .
B la g o t h k u s ’s d e c e a s e d c lo u d g ia n t w if e a re c o n t a in e d
w ith in . T h er e is n o trea su re b u ried w ith her. T h e e le m e n t a l f o ll o w s t h e g ia n t ’s c o m m a n d s b u t c a n n o t
le a v e th e r o o m . It r e m a in s u n til d is m is s e d b y its m a ste r.
A crea tu re in this tom b that sp e a k s the n a m e “ B la goth
k u s ” is in sta n tly te le p o r te d to th e g r o u n d flo o r o f a r e a 17. T h e d im -w itted o g re stew a rd s a re p o o r co n v ersa tio n
a lists, but B la g oth k u s u se s th em a s so u n d in g b oa rd s,
22. C l o u d G i a n t T o w er e x p re ss in g h is c o n c e r n s that th e C ult o f th e D ra g on
m igh t try to seize co n trol o f th e castle. T h e o g re s offer
T h is 70-foot-tall tow er h as a parapet rooftop , tw o n o advice. C lever ch a ra cters ca n s o w d isco rd by preyin g
u n lo c k e d d o o r s at g ro u n d level, a n d n o w in d o w s . T h e o n t h e g ia n t ’s f e a r s ( s e e “ N e g o t ia t in g w it h t h e C lo u d
to w e r in terior is split into tw o levels, ea ch w ith a 3 0 -foot- G ian t” n ear th e b eg in n in g o f the episode). A n a larm or
h igh ceilin g. A sta ircase o f ch isele d ice h u gs the interior th e ch a ra cte rs’ su d d en a p p e a ra n ce sta rtles h im , a n d h e
w a ll, co n n e c tin g b oth levels. re a ch es for h is w ea p on . If the ch a ra cters are preten din g
to b e cu ltists, B la g oth k u s is fu rio u s at th eir in tru sion but
U n less the ch a ra cters take strides to co n ce a l their d o e s n ot a ttack u n le ss th ey fu rth er p ro vok e h im . T h e
approach, the ogres on the ro o f spot them . og re s defen d th eir m a ster to the death.
T o w er Ro o f t o p T r ea su r e
T h r e e ogres g u a rd th e to w e r r o o fto p , w h ic h is fu rn ish e d T h e ch ests are u n lo ck ed an d loa d ed w ith silver and gold
w ith a b a llista . S e e a rea 6 B fo r d etails. c o in s (1 2 ,0 0 0 g p total). O n e o f th e ch e s ts a ls o con ta in s
G r o u n d Fl o o r a bag ofholding, a n d b a r s o f s o l i d g o l d ( 4 ,0 0 0 g p w o r t h )
A silver ch im e attach ed to the in side o f ea ch d o o r rin gs
w h e n e v e r th e d o o r is o p e n e d , a le rtin g th e t o w e r ’s a nd silver (a n oth er 4 ,0 0 0 gp).
inh abitants.
D ev el o pm en t s
A sta ircase h u gs the interior w a ll o f this ch am b er, If the ch ara cters su rren d er to B lagothkus, he asks
lea d in g up to a lan din g w ith a door. T h e ro o m itself a b ou t th eir n a m es, a lle gia n ce s, a n d p la n s. If th e ch a r
con ta in s stu rdy w o o d -ca rv e d fu rn ish in g s o f giant p ro a cte rs re p rese n t th e m selv es as e n e m ie s o f th e cult, the
portion s, in clu d in g a table su rrou n d ed b y fou r ch airs. giant says, “I ca n take ca re o f th em . B ut ju st in ca se,
T h e w a lls are scu lpted w ith ice m u rals d epictin g an y ou sh ou ld k n o w that th ey are entirely se rio u s about
a rm y o f hill, frost, fire, ston e, a n d clo u d gian ts. m a k in g d ra g on s a p ow er a lon g th e coa st again . C an
y ou im a g in e? T h e n erv e.” If th ey sw a y th e g ian t to their
F o u r ogres g u a rd th e lo w e r level. T h e y w e a r fa n cy side, h e lo ck s h im se lf in area 19 an d gu id es th e ca stle
n orth w a rd w h ile th e ch a ra cte rs d ea l w ith th e cu ltists
plu m ed h elm ets to sig n ify that th ey are m em b ers o f a n d t h e w h it e d r a g o n . B la g o t h k u s ’s u ltim a te d e s t in a t io n
B la g o th k u s’s “h o n o r g u a rd .” T h is s im p le re w a rd k e e p s
th e o g r e s alert a nd loyal, fo r th ey k n o w th e giant co u ld is d e s c r i b e d in The Rise of Tiamat.
give th eir h elm s a w ay to s o m e o n e else at a n y tim e.
If anyon e attem pts to w rest the ca stle from h im , B la g
U pper Fl o o r oth k u s g o e s to th e steerin g tow er an d tries to crash the
If th e o g r e s a b ove o r b e lo w h im so u n d the a la rm , B la g ca stle in the S p in e o f th e W orld ; s e e a rea 19 fo r d etails.
othkus can n ot be surprised. If B lag oth k u s is k illed, h is spirit tak es over the castle,
w ith the sa m e en d result.
23. G i a n t G u e s t C h a m b e r s
T h e se ro o m s are set aside for gian t-sized gu ests and
have fu rn ish in gs o f th e appropriate size.
Vanishing Wall o fIce. In e a c h r o o m , a la r g e s e c t i o n
o f the ou ter w a ll v a n ish es for 1 m inute w h en tou ch ed,
revealin g a icy lan din g platform . L on g ago, gian ts w ou ld
u se th e se p la tfo rm s to lan d th eir flyin g r o c m ou n ts.
24. Ser v an t B ar r ac k s as either servan ts (w h o b rin g h im fo o d ) or as en em ies
(w h o d o n ot b rin g h im food ). M ostly, G lazh ael is prou d
T w e n ty kobolds a re try in g to s le e p h e re o n d o z e n s to guard this treasu re for T iam at, h is m ost g loriou s and
p erfect qu een . H e rarely talk s to any cu ltists oth er than
o f sm a ll p ile s o f b e d d in g , fur, a n d cloth es . T h e y a re T a lis a n d is s u sp ic io u s o f R e z m ir a n d th e oth ers.
ex h a u ste d a n d ig n o re th e ch a ra cte rs u n le ss th ey a re in
great danger. T h ey have n o treasure. If the ch a ra cters sp ea k w ith G lazhael, h e resp on d s
w ith a p om p o u s s p e e ch abou t th e su periority o f d ra gon s
C h aracters qu estion in g the k ob old servan ts m ay m ak e over h u m an s, dw arves, and s o forth.
a D C 12 C h arism a (P ersu a sion ) ch eck . If th e ch a ra cters
are d ressed as cu ltists and are fairly con v in cin g, n o
ch e ck is requ ired.
E a ch s u c c e s s b rin g s on e o f th e follow in g bits o f in for
m a tion to light; th e first failu re b y a n y ch a ra cte r m e a n s
that the k ob o ld s unite in their terror o f the cultists and go
co m p letely silent. If q u estion ed further, th ey start s crea m
in g fo r help a nd b a b b lin g fo r m ercy : com p letely u seless.
• A n e lf v a m p ire liv e s in th e cr u m b lin g to w e r (a rea 18).
• B la goth ku s still sp ea k s to h is d ead w ife, a nd h er spirit
is th e c a s t le ’s p ilo t a n d p ro te c to r . I f th e g ia n t d ie s , all
the m a g ic o f th e castle w ill b e u n don e.
• T h e h u m a n d ra go n -cu lt p e o p le d o n ’t rea lly u n d e rsta n d
d ra g o n s th e w a y that k o b o ld s d o. D ra g o n s a re fine c r e a
tu res, but grum py. T h ey say the treasu re h ere is for the
q u een o f all d ra g on s, to k eep h er from b e in g grum py.
• A re d -ro b ed w iza rd is w ork in g w ith th e cultists, and
h is ro o m (area 12) is o ff lim its to all k ob olds.
• T h e w h ite d ra gon C lou d ch a ser lov es frozen m eat.
T o s s it in to th e c a v e r n (a r ea 2 5 ) a n d ru n !
25. M a i n Va u l t
T h e icy “c o r e ” o f th e ca stle is h o llo w e d ou t w ith tu n n els
that b re a k th e su rfa ce at m u ltip le p oin ts. T h e w h ite
dra gon , G lazh ael the C lou d ch a ser, en ters and leaves
via a w id e fu n n el-sh ap ed p assag ew ay that n arro w s as
it d ra w s c lo s e r to th e m a in vault, w h e r e th e C u lt o f th e
D ra g on sto re s its trea su re .
If the ch ara cters ex p lo re the tu nn els, rea d o r para-
p h ra se the follow in g:
T h e w alls o f b lu e ice are p artly tran sp aren t, revealin g
var io u s t h in g s em b ed d ed in t h e ice all ar o u n d , in clu d in g
co in s, h elm et s, livest o ck , a h an d fu l o f k o b o ld s, an d an
o g r e o r t w o . Fro st co at s t h e t u n n el flo o rs an d cr u n ch es
u n d erf o o t.
W h e n th e ch a ra cte rs rea ch th e m a in vault, read :
All tu n n els seem to lead to a cen tral co re— a g litterin g
cavern o f ice w ith jag g ed w alls and icicles th e size o f
st alact it es. T h is g ran d vau lt is sp lit in t o t w o levels: an
eg g - sh ap ed u p p er level w it h a sh eer led g e o verlo o k in g
a su nk en level 30 feet below , w h ere a m assive pile o f
tr easu re rest s b en eat h an icy g laz e. Clin g in g to th e ceilin g
ab o ve th e h o ard , w in g s tu ck ed in tig h t alo n g its sid es w it h
claw s g r ip p in g th e ice, is a h u g e w h it e d rag o n .
G la z h a e l is a n adult white dragon th a t is d o in g h is p a r t
to en su re th e rise o f T iam at, h o p e fu l that the q u e en o f
evil d ra g o n s w ill re w a rd h im w ith u n told p ow er. H e
is, h ow ev er, a bit on th e d im sid e, th in k in g o f v isitors
I f th e ch a ra cte r s flatter h im to a lu d ic ro u s d e g r e e , h e n ew p ow ers and n ew cou rage. T h in gs grow m uch
listen s to an y th in g that s o u n d s like faw n in g, servile, m ore d a n g erou s for the adv en tu rers as th ey s e e k help
h elp fu l o b e d ie n c e but o ffe rs n o th in g in return . H e w ill in stra n g e p la ce s , fro m th e S e a o f M o v in g Ic e to th e
g e n e ro u sly sp a re th e lives o f th o se w h o offer h im tribute depth s o f the S erp en t H ills. T h ey m igh t find a great
in the fo rm o f trea su re or fo o d . T h o s e w h o ch a lle n g e w e a p o n a m on g th e gian ts or u n cov er an u n ex p ecte d
h im b e co m e targets o f h is breath w ea pon . a lly w ith in th e cu lt itself.
W h e n figh tin g, G lazh a e l clin g s to th e ce ilin g w h e n e v e r U n less th e ch a ra cters p ress on, the Q u een o f D rag on s
p ossib le , u sin g h is b rea th w e a p on a nd F rig htful P re s m igh t yet estab lish h er p erson a l ru le over th e lan d s o f
e n ce to start. If th at d o e s n ’t s c a r e th e ch a ra cte rs off, h e lesser creatu res. T h e sta k es are h ig h w h en the gates to
m a k e s m elee a ttacks until h is b rea th w ea p o n rech a rg es. th e N in e H e lls o p e n , a n d s c a ly d o o m c o m e s o u t o f its
If d ro p p e d to fe w e r th an 4 0 hit p o in ts, h e flee s. H e ca n lair, fu ll o f fire a n d fa n g s.
navigate even th e n a rrow tu nn els b y tu ck in g in h is w in gs.
O n ce ou tside, he alerts the rest o f th e ca stle, sh ou ting T h e co n flict re a ch e s its a p ex at the W ell o f D ra g on s,
“ T h e y ’r e a fte r th e tr e a s u r e !” in D r a c o n ic . w h e re th e ch a ra cte rs a nd th eir h a rd -w on a llies fa ce
T ia m a t a n d h e r g re a te st m in io n s in a figh t to th e d eath !
C lever ch a ra cters ca n lu re the d ra gon into a n a rrow
tu n n e l w h e r e it is u n a b le to m a n e u v e r effectiv ely . U n d e r
s u ch c ir c u m s ta n c e s , th e d ra g o n h a s d isa d v a n ta g e o n its
m elee attacks.
T r ea su r e
W h e n th e ch a ra cte rs in v estiga te th e h oa rd , rea d :
T h e flo o r o f th e caver n is carp et ed in g o ld , silver, co p p er ,
an d jew els, all sealed u n d er a sh eet o f ice. D o z en s o f old
h u m an sk u lls an d b o n es are also fro z en in th e ice.
T h e tr e a s u re h o a r d is fr o z e n in ice , a n d it re q u ir e s
eith er se vera l fire sp e lls o r a lo n g w a it w ith b o n fire s to
m elt th e ice. T h e h oa rd in clu d es 5 0 0 ,0 0 0 cp , 1 0 0 ,0 0 0
sp, and 5 ,0 0 0 gp, a frozen ch est con ta in in g 8 0 0 pp and
21 sm a ll b lu e sa p p h ires w orth 3 0 0 gp ea ch , a froz en
potion ofgaseous form, a +1longsword, a +1longbow, +1
leat her armor, a n d bracers of defense.
D ev el o pm en t s
If the d ra g on is slain, th e cu ltists are en ra g ed a n d se e k
im m ed ia te ven ge a n ce. T h e m a jor cu lt players on S k y
rea ch C astle w ill call out the og re s, w a k e the vam pire,
and a sk the R e d W iz a rd s to find the intru ders. If the ch a r
a cters a re still a rou n d a fter th e d ra g on is slain, the entire
ca stle is on h ig h alert u ntil th ey a re fou n d a n d k illed.
Co n c l u d in g
t h e A d v en t u r e
T h e crash or ca ptu re o f S k yreach C astle m ark s th e end
o f H oard o f the Dragon Queen. I f y o u a r e u s in g t h e m i le
ston e e x p e rie n ce ru le, th e ch a ra cte rs re a ch 8th level for
c o m p l e t i n g th e a d v e n tu r e . B y u n c o v e r in g t h e c u lt ’s p la n s
and h ijack in g a h u ge h oard o f treasu re, th e ch a ra cters
h av e s lo w e d a n d d a m a g e d th e cu lt’s c h a n c e s o f s u c c e s s .
T h ey m ay a lso have slain or ca ptu red im portan t leaders
o f th e C ult o f th e D ra g on . B ut th ere is m u ch m o r e to
co m e . T h e cu lt m o v e s fo rw a rd w ith its p la n to fre e th eir
five-h eaded q u een out o f th e N in e H ells, an d th e m ere
lo ss o f w ealth w ill n ot stop the tru e fan atics.
The Ri se o f Tiamat e x p a n d s o n t h e f in a l d r iv e t o
d e str o y th e C u lt o f th e D ra g o n , a n d it r e q u ir e s g re at
A ppe n d ix A: Ba c k g r o u n d s
T h is app en dix provid es players w ith an ea sy w a y to 8. T h e d rag o n s d estro yed ever yth in g you h o ld dear. T h ey killed
yo u r fam ily and destro yed yo u r h om e. No w , w ith nothing
crea te ch a ra cters w ith com p ellin g ties to th e even ts o f b u t w h at yo u carr y on yo u r b ack an d a h o rrid scar o f th e n ear
fatal w o u n d s yo u su stain ed in th e at tack , yo u seek reven g e.
H oard of the Dragon Queen.
9. Yo u an d yo u r f a m ily w er e m e m b e r s o f t h e Cu lt o f t h e D r ag o n ,
Ba c k g r o u n d T em pl a t e u ntil yo u r rivals in th e cu lt arran g ed to w ip e yo u o u t. T h o u g h
th ey slau g h tered yo u r kin, yo u su rvived , b u t th ey th in k
B e lo w is a b a ck g ro u n d tem p la te th at a p p lie s to any yo u ’re d ead . N o w is yo u r ch an ce fo r ven g ean ce! Yo u r hit
b a ck g rou n d that you sele ct or create. Y ou ca n rep lace list c o n s is t s o f t h r ee n am es: a h u m an c u lt i s t n am ed Fr u l am
o r a u g m en t s o m e o r all o f th e o p tion s in y ou r ch o s e n M o n d at h , a half- orc n am ed Bo g Lu ck , an d a h alf- d rag on
b a ck g rou n d w ith on e or m ore o f th e elem en ts given n am e d Rez m ir . Yo u h ave ar r ived in G r e e n e s t , k n o w in g i t ’s
b e lo w . E a c h s e c tio n tells y o u w h e th e r it r e p la c e s o r a d d s n ex t o n th e cu lt ’s list o f targ ets.
to you r backgrou nd.
10. Yo u h ave a secret. Yo u o n ce w ere a g o ld d r ag o n w h o ser ved
T h e St o r y T h u s Fa r .. Bah am u t . Yo u w ere t o o p ro u d an d vain , to t h e p o in t t h at
Bah am u t d ecid ed to t each yo u a lesso n . Yo u h ave b een
A s th e C ult o f the D ra g o n h a s g ro w n b old er, its a ctio n s tr ap p ed in a w eak , h u m an o id bod y, w it h yo u r m em o r ies o f
h av e d ra w n atten tion . Y ou r ch a ra cte r h as stu m b le d into yo u r fo r m er life b u t a d im sh ad ow . You rem em b er on ly on e
th e C u lt’s s c h e m e in s o m e m a n n e r o r h a s a co n n e c tio n th in g w ith p erfect clar ity: Bah am u t ’s co m m an d to go in to th e
to dra go n s. T h e fo llow in g ta bles provid e y ou w ith b on d s w o rld an d p rove yo u r d evotio n to th e cau se o f g ood . If you
ta ilo re d to th is ca m p a ig n . U se th em in p la ce o f o r in p r o ve w o rt h y, o n yo u r d eat h yo u w ill retu rn to h is sid e in yo u r
addition to th e on es you sele cte d from (or crea ted for) true form .
you r background.
O pt io n a l Fea t u r es
Bo n d (d 10)
B e lo w are tw o op tion al featu res that y ou ca n c h o o s e
1. Le o s i n Er l a n t h a r , a w a n d e r i n g m o n k , o n c e s a v e d y o u r l i f e. in p la ce o f th e fea tu re n o rm a lly g ra n ted b y y o u r
H e ’s sen t u rg en t w o rd fo r yo u t o m eet h im in a sm all t o w n back g rou n d .
called Green est. Lo o k s like it ’s tim e to p ay o f f th at d eb t.
O p t io n a l F e a t u r e : C u l t o f t h e D r a g o n
2. W h e n an o rc raid d r o ve yo u r f am ily fr o m yo u r h o m e, t h e I n f il t r a t o r
p eo p le o f Gr een est to o k you in. A n yo n e w h o th reaten s Y ou h av e infiltrated th e ra n k s o f th e C ult o f th e D ra g on .
Gr een est is yo u r sw o rn en em y. H avin g spied on the org an ization for quite s o m e tim e,
y ou a re fa m ilia r w ith its in n e r w o rk in g s a nd cu stom s.
3. Ev e r y f i v e n i g h t s, y o u h av e a st r an g e s e q u e n c e o f a p o c a l y p t i c Y ou h av e a s e c o n d identity as an initiate o f the cult,
d ream s. T h e w o rld is d est ro yed by co ld , ch o k in g fu m es, e n o u g h o f a fa ca d e to b len d in a s a sim p le gru n t or
l i g h t n i n g s t o r m s , w a v e s o f a c i d , a n d h o r r i b l e f i r e . Ea c h s erv a n t.
tim e, th e d ream en d s w it h ten evil eyes g larin g at you from
th e d ark n ess. You feel a st ran g e co m p u lsio n to travel to O p t io n a l F e a t u r e : D r a g o n Sc h o l a r
G r e e n e s t . Pe r h a p s t h e a n s w e r t o t h e r id d le o f y o u r d r e am s Y ou have stu died d ra gon s and th eir lore for m an y years.
aw aits you there. Y ou ca n a u tom a tica lly id en tify lo ca tio n s b u ilt o r u s ed
by d ra gon s and ca n iden tify d ra gon eg g s and sca le s by
4. O n t h ar r Fru m e, a cru sad in g w ar r io r an d ch am p io n o f g o o d , sigh t. If y o u fail a n In te llig e n ce c h e c k to re c a ll lo re relat
is yo u r fr ien d an d m en to r. H e h as ask ed yo u to tr avel to ing to dragon s, you k n ow som eon e or som e b ook you
Gr een est in search o f ru m o rs o f in creasin g d rag o n activity. ca n con su lt for th e a n sw er u n less the D M ru les that the
lore is u n k n ow n .
5. Yo u h ave h ear d r u m o r s t h at yo u r clo se c h ild h o o d f r ien d , a
h alf- elf n am ed Talis, h as b een k id n ap p ed by a st ran g e gro up
o f d rag o n cu ltist s. Yo u r in vest ig atio n s in to th e cu lt h ave led
you to th e to w n o f Green est . You m u st save her!
6. Bein g t h e g r an d ch ild o f a r en o w n ed d rag o n slayer is u su ally
a goo d w ay to im press peo ple, but ju st last w eek a gang o f
ruffian s at tack yo u. Yo u b arely escap ed w it h yo u r life, but
as you fled, th e ruffian s told you th at th e Cu lt o f th e Drag on
n e ve r f o r g et s an d alw ays av en g es. Yo u ’re h o p in g t o lie lo w in
a sleep y little to w n called Gr een est u ntil th is b lo w s over.
7. O n h i s d e a t h b e d , y o u r f a t h e r c o n f e s s e d t h a t h e h a d b e c o m e
involved w ith a group called th e Cu lt o f the Drag on . They
p ai d h i m t o s m u g g l e g o o d s a c r o s s t h e Sw o r d C o a s t . W r a c k e d
by g u ilt, he b eg g ed you to in vest ig ate th e cu lt an d u n d o th e
evil h e m ay h ave h elp ed foster. H e u rg ed you to begin you r
search in a to w n called Gr een est.
A ppe n d ix B: Mo n st e r s
A mbush Dr ake A z b a r a Jo s
M edium dragon, unaligned M edium humanoid (human), lawful evil
Armor Class 13 (n a t u r a l a r m o r ) Armor Class 13 (1 6 w i t h m age armor)
Hit Points 2 2 (4 d 6 + 8 ) Hit Points 3 9 (6 d 8 + 12)
Speed 3 0 f t . Speed 3 0 f t .
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
13 (+ 1) 15 (+ 2) 14 (+ 2) 4 (- 3 ) 11 (+ 0 ) 6 (- 2 ) 9 (- 1 ) 16 (+ 3) 14 (+ 2 ) 16 (+ 3 ) 13 (+ 1) 11 (+ 0 )
Skills Pe r c e p t i o n + 4 , St e a l t h + 4 Saving Throws In t +5, W i s + 3
Damage Resistances p o i s o n Skills A r c a n a + 5 , D e c e p t i o n + 2 , In s i g h t + 3 , St e a l t h + 5
Senses d a r k v i s i o n 6 0 f t . , p a s s i v e Pe r c e p t i o n 14 Senses p a s s i v e Pe r c e p t i o n 11
Languages u n d e r s t a n d s D r a c o n i c b u t c a n ’ t s p e a k it Languages C o m m o n , D r a c o n i c , In f e r n a l , Pr i m o r d i a l , T h a y a n
Challenge 1/ 2 (1 0 0 X P) Challenge 4 (1 ,1 0 0 )
Pack Tact ics. T h e d r a k e h a s a d v a n t a g e o n an a t t a c k r o l l a g a i n s t Speci al Equipm ent . A z b a r a h as t w o s c r o l l s o f m age armor.
a cr eatu re if at least o n e o f th e d r ak e's allies is w it h in 5 feet o f Pot ent Cant rips. W h e n A z b a r a c a s t s an e v o c a t i o n c a n t r i p an d
t h e cr eat u re an d t h e ally isn ’t in cap acit at ed .
m isses, or th e targ et su cceed s on its saving throw , th e targ et
Sur pr ise At t ack. I f t h e d r a k e s u r p r i s e s a c r e a t u r e a n d h it s it still tak es h alf the can tr ip ’s d am ag e b ut suffers no o th er effect.
w it h an at t ack d u rin g t h e first ro u n d o f co m b at , t h e t arg et t ak es Scul pt Spells. W h e n A z b a r a c a s t s an e v o c a t i o n s p e l l t h a t
an ex tr a 7 (2 d 6 ) d a m ag e f r o m t h e at t ack .
affects o th er creat u res th at h e can see, h e can ch o o se a
A c t i o n s ______________________________________________ n u m b er o f th em eq u al to 1 + th e sp ell’s level to su cceed on
th eir saving th ro w s ag ain st th e spell. Th o se creatu res tak e no
Bit e. M elee W eapon At t ack: + 4 t o h i t , r e a c h 5 f t . , o n e t a r g e t . d am ag e if th ey w o u ld n o rm ally tak e h alf d am ag e fro m th e spell.
H it : 4 (1d 6 + 1) p i e r c i n g d a m a g e .
Spellcast ing. A z b a r a is a 6 t h - l ev el s p e l l c a s t e r t h a t u s e s
In t ellig en ce as h is sp e llc ast in g ab ilit y (sp ell save D C 13, + 5 to
h it w it h sp ell at tack s). A z b ar a h as th e fo llo w in g sp ells p rep ared
fr o m t h e w iz ard sp ell list:
C a n t r i p s (a t w i l l ): m age hand, prest idigit at ion, ray o f fr ost ,
shocking grasp
1 st l ev el (4 s l o t s ): f o g cloud, m agic missile, shield, t hunder wave
2 n d l ev el (3 s l o t s ): invisibilit y, mist y st ep, scor ching ray
3 r d l ev el (3 s l o t s ): count er spell, dispel m agic, fi r ebal l
A c t i o n s ______________________________________________
Dagger. M elee or Ranged W eapon At t ack: + 5 t o h i t , r e a ch 5 f t .
o r r a n g e d 2 0 f t . / 6 0 f t ., o n e t a r g e t . H it : 5 (1d 4 + 3 ) p i e r c i n g
dam ag e.
Bl a g o t h k u s A c t i o n s _____________________________________________
M ult iat t ack. O t h e l s t a n a t t a c k s t w i c e w i t h h i s f l ai l o r s p e a r , o r
H uge giant (cloud giant ), neut ral evil
m ak es t w o ran g ed at tack s w it h his sp ears.
Armor Class 17 (s p l i n t )
Hit Points 138 (1 2 d 12 + 6 0 ) Flail. M elee W eapon At t ack: +7 t o h i t , r e a ch 5 f t . , o n e t a r g e t .
Speed 40 ft. H it : 8 ( 1d 8 + 4 ) b l u d g eo n in g d am ag e.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Spear. M elee or Ranged W eapon At t ack: + 7 t o h i t , r e a c h 5 f t .
o r ran g ed 20 ft ./ 6 0 ft ., o n e t arg et . Hit: 7 (1d 6 + 4) p iercin g
2 6 (+ 8 ) 13 (+ 1) 2 0 (+ 5 ) 16 (+ 3 ) 15 (+ 2 ) 15 (+ 2 )
dam ag e.
Saving Throws C o n + 9, W i s + 6 , C h a + 6 Dr agoncl aw
Skills A r c a n a + 7, In s i g h t + 6 , In t i m i d a t i o n + 6 , Pe r c e p t i o n + 6
Senses p a s s i v e Pe r c e p t i o n 16 M edium humanoid (human), neut ral evil
Languages C o m m o n , D r a c o n i c , G i a n t
Challenge 9 (5 ,0 0 0 X P) Armor Class 14 (l e a t h e r a r m o r )
Hit Points 16 (3 d 8 + 3)
Keen Sm ell. Bl a g o t h k u s h as a d v a n t a g e o n W i s d o m (Pe r c e p t i o n ) Speed 3 0 f t .
ch eck s th at rely on sm ell. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
I nnat e Spellcast ing. Bl a g o t h k u s c a n i n n a t e l y c a s t t h e f o l l o w i n g 9 (- 1 ) 16 (+ 3 ) 13 (+ 1) 11 (+ 0 ) 10 (+ 0 ) 12 (+ 1)
s p e l l s (s p e l l s a v e D C 1 5 ), r e q u i r i n g n o m a t e r i a l c o m p o n e n t s : Saving Throws W i s + 2
Skills D e c e p t i o n + 3 , St e a l t h + 5
3 / d ay e a c h : f o g cloud, levit at e Senses p a s s i v e Pe r c e p t i o n 10
Languages C o m m o n , D r a c o n i c
Spellcast ing. Bl a g o t h k u s is a 5 t h - l e v e l s p e l l c a s t e r t h a t u se s Challenge 1 (2 0 0 X P)
In t ellig en ce as h is sp e llc ast in g ab ilit y (sp ell save D C 15, + 7 D ragon Fanat ic. T h e d r a g o n c l a w h as a d v a n t a g e o n s a v i n g
t o h it w it h sp ell a t t a c k s). Bl ag o t h k u s h as t h e f o l lo w i n g sp ells
p rep ared fr o m t h e w iz ard sp ell list: th ro w s ag ain st being ch arm ed o r frig hten ed. Wh ile the
d rag o n claw can see a dragon or higher- ranking Cult o f th e
C a n t r i p s (at w i l l ): light , m age hand, pr est idigit at ion D rag o n cu lt ist frien d ly to it, th e d r ag o n claw ig n o res th e eff ects
1 st l e v e l (4 s l o t s ): det ect m agic, ident ify, m agic missile, shield o f bein g ch arm ed or frig htened.
2 n d l ev el (3 s l o t s ): gust o f wind, mist y st ep, shat t er
3 r d l e v e l (2 s l o t s ): f l y, light ning bolt Fanat i cal Advant age. O n c e p e r t u r n , i f t h e d r a g o n c l a w m a k es
A c t i o n s ______________________________________________ a w eap o n at tack w ith ad van tag e o n th e at tack roll an d h its, it
M ult iat t ack. Bl a g o t h k u s a t t a c k s t w i c e w i t h h i s m o r n i n g s t a r . d eals an ex tr a 7 (2 d 6 ) d am ag e.
M orningst ar. M elee W eapon At t ack: + 1 0 t o h i t , r e a ch 1 0 f t ., o n e Pack Tact ics. T h e d r a g o n c l a w h as a d v a n t a g e o n an a t t a c k r o l l
t a r g e t . H it : 21 (3 d 8 + 8 ) p i e r c in g d am ag e .
ag ain st a creat u re i f at least o n e o f th e d r ag o n claw ’s allies is
w it h in 5 feet o f t h e cr eat u re an d t h e ally isn ’t in cap acit at ed .
C a p t a in O t h e l s t a n A c t i o n s ______________________________________________
M ult iat t ack. T h e d r a g o n c l a w a t t a c k s t w i c e w i t h i t s s c i m i t a r .
M edium humanoid (human), lawful evil
Scimit ar . M elee W eapon At t ack: + 5 t o h i t , r e a ch 5 f t ., o n e
Armor Class 19 (s p l i n t , s h i e l d ) t arg et . Hit: 6 (1d 6 + 3) slash in g d am ag e.
Hit Points 9 3 ( 11d 10 + 3 3 )
Speed 3 0 f t . D r a g o n w in g
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA A d r ag o n w in g u ses t h e d r ag o n claw st at b lo ck ex cep t t h at it
has d o u b le th e n o rm al h it p oin ts, d o u b le th e n o rm al hit dice,
19 (+ 4 ) 10 (+ 0 ) 16 (+ 3) 13 (+ 1) 14 (+ 2 ) 1 2 (+ 1) an d is C h al len g e Ra t in g 2 (4 5 0 X P). A m o r e d et ailed st at ist ics
Saving Throws St r + 7, C o n + 6 b l o c k f o r t h e d r a g o n w i n g w i l l a p p e a r in The Rise o f Tiamat .
Skills A t h l e t i c s + 7, In t i m i d a t i o n + 4 , Pe r c e p t i o n + 5 , Re l i g i o n + 4
Senses p a s s i v e Pe r c e p t i o n 15
Languages C o m m o n , D r a c o n i c , G i a n t
Challenge5 (1,800)
Act ion Surge (Recharges when Ot helst an Finishes a Shor t or
Long Rest ). O n h i s t u r n , O t h e l s t a n c a n t a k e o n e a d d i t i o n a l
action .
Tiam at ’s Blessing o f Ret ribut ion. W h e n O t h e l s t a n t a k e s
d am ag e th at red u ces him to 0 hit p o in ts, he im m ed iately
reg ain s 20 hit p o in ts. If he h as 20 h it p o in ts o r few er at th e end
o f his n ex t tu r n , he dies.
D r al mo r r e r Bo r n g r a y
M edium humanoid (high-elf), neut ral evil
Armor Class 16 (s t u d d e d l e a t h e r a r m o r ,
sh ield )
Hit Points 5 2 (7 d 10 + 14)
Speed 3 0 f t .
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+ 4 ) 14 (+ 2) 14 (+ 2 ) 16 (+ 3) 1 0 (+ 0 ) 8 (- 1 )
Saving Throws St r + 6 , C o n + 4
Skills A r c a n a + 5 , D e c e p t i o n + 1, In s i g h t + 2 , Pe r c e p t i o n + 2,
Relig io n + 5
Senses d a r k v i s i o n 6 0 f t . , p a s s i v e Pe r c e p t i o n 12
Languages C o m m o n , Bu l l y w u g , D r a c o n i c , El v i s h , G o b l i n ,
Sy l v a n
Challenge 3 (7 0 0 X P)
Fey Ancest ry. D r a l m o r r e r h a s a d v a n t a g e o n s a v i n g t h r o w s
ag ain st b ein g ch ar m ed , an d m ag ic c a n ’t p u t h im t o sleep .
Spell cast ing. D r a l m o r r e r is a 7 t h - l ev el s p e l l c a s t e r t h a t u se s
In t ellig en ce as h is sp e llc ast in g ab ilit y (sp ell save D C 13, + 5
to h it w it h sp ell at tack s). D r alm o r r er h as th e fo llo w in g sp ells
p rep ared fr o m t h e w iz ar d sp ell list:
C a n t r i p s (a t w i l l ) :fi r e bolt , prest idigit at ion, shocking grasp
1 st l ev el (4 s l o t s ): longst rider, m agic missile, shield, t hunder wave
2 n d l e v el (2 s l o t s ): m agic weapon, mist y st ep
War M agic. W h e n D r a l m o r r e r u s e s h i s a c t i o n t o c a s t a c a n t r i p ,
he can also tak e a bo n u s action to m ake one w eap o n attack.
W eapon Bond. Pr o v i d e d h i s l o n g s w o r d is o n t h e s a m e p l a n e ,
D ralm o rrer can tak e a b o n u s actio n to t elep o rt it to h is h an d .
A c t i o n s _____________________________________________
M ult iat t ack. D r a l m o r r e r a t t a c k s t w i c e , e i t h e r w i t h h i s
lo n g sw o rd o r d ag ger.
Longsword. M elee W eapon At t ack: + 6 t o h i t , r e a ch 5 f t ., o n e
t arg et . Hit: 8 (1d 8 + 4) slash in g d am ag e.
Dagger. M elee or Ranged W eapon At t ack: + 6 t o h i t , r e a ch 5 f t .
o r r a n g e d 2 0 f t . / 6 0 f t . , o n e t a r g e t . H it : 6 (1d 4 + 4 ) p i e r c i n g
dam ag e.
Fr u l a m M o n d a t h Spell cast ing. Fr u l a m is a 5 t h - l ev el s p e l l c a s t e r t h a t u s e s W i s d o m
M edium humanoid (human), lawful evil as h er sp e llc ast in g ab ilit y (sp ell save D C 14, + 6 t o h it w it h sp ell
at t ac k s). Fr u lam h as t h e f o l lo w i n g sp el ls p r e p ar ed f r o m t h e
Armor Class 16 (c h a i n m a i l ) cleric sp ell list:
Hit Points 4 4 (8 d 8 + 8 )
Speed 3 0 f t . C a n t r i p s (a t w i l l ): light , sacr edf l am e, t haum at ur gy
1 st l ev el (4 s l o t s ): com m and, cure wounds, healing word,
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
sanct uar y
14 (+ 2 ) 10 (+ 0 ) 13 (+ 1) 11 (+ 0 )18(+ 4 ) 15 (+ 2) 2 n d l ev el (3 s l o t s ): calm em ot ions, hold per son, spir i t ual weapon
Saving Throws W i s + 6 , C h a + 4 3 r d l ev el (2 s l o t s ): mass healing word, spirit guar dians
Skills D e c e p t i o n + 4 , H i s t o r y + 2 , Re l i g i o n + 2
Senses p a s s i v e Pe r c e p t i o n 14 A c t i o n s ______________________________________________
Languages C o m m o n , D r a c o n i c , In f e r n a l M ult iat t ack. Fr u l a m a t t a c k s t w i c e w i t h h e r h al b er d .
Challenge 2 (4 5 0 X P)
H alber d. M elee W eapon At t ack: + 5 t o h i t , r e a c h 1 0 f t . , o n e
t arg et . Hit: 7 (1d 10 + 2) b lu d g eo n in g d am ag e.
Guar d Dr ake La n g d e d r o sa Cy a n w r a t h
M edium dragon, unaligned M edium humanoid (half-dragon), lawful evil
Armor Class 14 (n a t u r a l a r m o r ) Armor Class 17 (s p l i n t )
Hit Points 52 (7 d 8 + 21) Hit Points 5 7 (6 d 12 + 18)
Speed 3 0 f t .
Sp e e d 3 0 f t .
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+ 3 ) 11 (+ 0 ) 16 (+ 3) 4 (- 3 ) 10 (+ 0 ) 7 (- 2 ) 19 (+ 4 ) 13 (+ 1) 16 (+ 3) 10 (+ 0 ) 14 (+ 2 ) 12 (+ 1)
Skills Pe r c e p t i o n + 2 Saving Throws St r + 6 , C o n + 5
Damage Resistances l i g h t n i n g Skills A t h l e t i c s + 6 , In t i m i d a t i o n + 3 , Pe r c e p t i o n + 4
Senses d a r k v i s i o n 6 0 f t ., p a s s i v e Pe r c e p t i o n 12 Damage Resistances l i g h t n i n g
Languages u n d e r s t a n d s D r a c o n i c b u t c a n ’ t s p e a k it Senses b l i n d s i g h t 10 f t ., d a r k v i s i o n 6 0 f t ., p a s s i v e Pe r c e p t i o n 14
Challenge 2 (4 5 0 X P) Languages C o m m o n , D r a c o n i c
Challenge 4 (1 ,1 0 0 X P)
A c t i o n s ____________________________________ Act ion Surge (Recharges when Langdedrosa Finishes a Shor t or
Long Rest ). O n h i s t u r n , L a n g d e d r o s a c a n t a k e o n e a d d i t i o n a l
M ult iat t ack. T h e d r ak e a t t a c k s t w i c e , o n c e w i t h i t s b i t e an d
action .
o n ce w it h its tail.
I m pr oved Crit ical. L a n g d e d r o s a ’ s w e a p o n a t t a c k s s c o r e a
Bit e. M elee W eapon At t ack: + 5 t o h i t , r e a c h 5 f t . , o n e t a r g e t .
H it : 7 ( 1d 8 + 3) p i er c in g d am ag e. cr it ical h it o n a roll o f 19 o r 20.
Tail. M elee W eapon At t ack: + 5 t o h i t , r e a c h 5 f t . , o n e t a r g e t . H it : A c t i o n s ____________________________________
6 (1d 6 + 3 ) b l u d g e o n i n g d a m a g e . M ult iat t ack. L a n g d e d r o s a a t t a c k s t w i c e , e i t h e r w i t h h i s
Ja m n a G l e a m s i l v e r g reatsw ord o r spear.
Small humanoid (gnome), neut ral Great sword. M elee W eapon At t ack: + 6 t o h it , r e a c h 5 f t ., o n e
t a r g e t . H it : 11 (2 d 6 + 4 ) s l a s h i n g d a m a g e .
Armor Class 15 (l e a t h e r a r m o r )
Hit Points 22 (4d6 + 8) Spear . M elee or Ranged W eapon At t ack: + 6 t o h i t , r e a ch 5 f t .
Speed 2 5 f t . o r ran g ed 20 ft ./ 6 0 ft ., o n e t arg et . Hit: 7 (1d 6 + 4) p iercin g
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA dam ag e.
8 (- 1 ) 17 (+ 3) 14 (+ 2 ) 15 (+ 2 ) 10 (+ 0 ) 12 (+ 1) Light ning Breat h (Recharge 5-6 ) . L a n g d e d r o s a b r e a t h e s
Saving Throws D ex + 5, In t + 4 l i g h t n i n g in a 3 0 - f o o t l i n e t h a t is 5 f e e t w i d e . Ea c h c r e a t u r e
Skills A c r o b a t i c s + 5 , D e c e p t i o n + 3 , I n s i g h t + 2 , Pe r c e p t i o n + 4 , in t h e lin e m u s t m ak e a D C 13 D e x t e r i t y sa vi n g t h r o w , t ak in g
22 (4 d 10) lig h t n in g d am ag e o n a f ailed save, o r h a lf as m u ch
Pe r s u a s i o n + 3, St e a l t h + 7 d am ag e on a su ccessful one.
Senses d a r k v i s i o n 6 0 f t ., p a s s i v e Pe r c e p t i o n 14 Ph a r b l e x Sp a t t e r g o o
Languages C o m m o n , G n o m i s h , G o b l i n , Sy l v a n
Challenge 1 (2 0 0 X P) M edium humanoid (bullywug), chaot ic evil
Cunning Act ion. Ja m n a c a n t a k e a b o n u s a c t i o n t o t a k e t h e Armor Class 15 (s t u d d e d l e a t h e r a r m o r , s h i e l d )
Hit Points 59 (7 d 8 + 2 8 )
Dash, D isen gage, or H id e action. Speed 2 0 f t . , s w i m 4 0 f t .
Gnom e Cunning. Ja m n a h a s a d v a n t a g e o n In t e l l i g e n c e , STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Wisd o m , and Ch arism a savin g th ro w s ag ain st m agic. 15 (+ 2 ) 12 (+ 1) 18 (+ 4 ) 11 (+ 0 ) 16 (+ 3 ) 7 (- 2 )
Spellcast ing. Ja m n a is a 4 t h - l ev el s p e l l c a s t e r t h a t u s e s Saving Throws St r + 4 , C o n + 6
Skills Pe r c e p t i o n + 5 , Re l i g i o n + 2 , St e a l t h + 3
In t ellig en ce as h er sp ellc ast i n g ab ilit y (sp ell save D C 12, + 4 to Senses p a s s i v e Pe r c e p t i o n 15
h i t w i t h s p e l l a t t a c k s ). Ja m n a h a s t h e f o l l o w i n g s p e l l s p r e p a r e d Languages C o m m o n , Bu l l y w u g
fr o m t h e w iz ard sp ell list: Challenge 3 (7 0 0 X P)
C a n t r i p s (a t w i l l ): m age hand, m inor illusion, prest idigit at ion, ray Amphibious. Ph a r b l e x c a n b r e a t h e a i r a n d w a t e r .
o f fr ost
Poison St r ike (3/ Day). O n c e p e r t u r n , w h e n Ph a r b l e x h i t s w i t h a
1 st l ev el (3 s l o t s ): char m per son, color spray, disguise self,
longst rider m elee attack , he can ex p en d a u se o f th is tr ait to d eal an ex tra 9
(2 d 8 ) p o iso n d am ag e.
A c t i o n s ____________________________________
Spell cast ing. Ph a r b l e x is a 6 t h - l ev e l s p e l l c a s t e r t h a t u s e s
M ult iat t ack. Ja m n a a t t a c k s t w i c e w i t h h e r s h o r t s w o r d s .
W is d o m as h is sp ellc ast i n g ab ilit y (sp ell save D C 13, + 5 to h it
Shor t swor d. M elee W eapon At t ack: + 5 t o h i t , r e a ch 5 f t ., o n e
t a r g e t . H it : 6 (1d 6 + 3 ) p i e r c i n g d a m a g e , o r 9 (1d 6 + 3 p l u s 1d 6 )
p ier cin g d am ag e if th e t ar g et is M ed iu m o r larger.
w i t h s p e l l a t t a c k s ). Ph a r b l e x h as t h e f o l l o w i n g s p e l l s p r e p a r e d
fr o m t h e d ru id sp ell list:
C a n t r i p s (at w i l l ): dr uidcr aft , guidance, poison cloud
1 st l ev el (4 s l o t s ): cure wounds, ent angle, healing word,
t hunder wave
2 n d l ev el (3 s l o t s ): barkskin, beast sense, spike gr owt h
3 r d l e v el (3 s l o t s ): plant gr owt h, wat er walk
St an di ng Leap. A s p a r t o f h i s m o v e m e n t a n d w i t h o u t a
r u n n i n g s t a r t , Ph a r b l e x c a n l o n g j u m p u p t o 2 0 f e e t an d
high ju m p up to 10 feet.
Swam p Camouflage. Ph a r b l e x h as a d v a n t a g e o n
D e x t e r i t y (St e a l t h ) c h e c k s m ad e t o h i d e in s w a m p y
t er r ain .
A c t i o n s _________________________________________
M ult iat t ack. Ph a r b l e x a t t a c k s t w i c e , o n c e w i t h h i s b i t e a n d
o n ce w it h his spear.
Bit e. M elee W eapon At t ack: + 5 t o h i t , r e a c h 5 f t ., o n e t a r g e t .
Hit: 4 (1d 4 + 2) p iercin g d am ag e.
Spear. M elee or Ranged W eapon At t ack: + 5 t o h i t , r e a c h 5 f t .
o r ran g ed 20 ft ./ 6 0 ft ., o n e t arg et . Hit: 5 (1d 6 + 2) p iercin g
dam ag e.
Ra t h M o d ar
M edium humanoid (human), lawful evil
Armor Class 13 (1 6 w i t h m age armor)
Hit Points 71 ( 11d 8 + 2 2 )
Speed 3 0 f t .
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
11 (+ 0 ) 16 (+ 3 ) 14 (+ 2 ) 18 (+ 4 )14(+ 2 )10(+ 0 )
Saving Throws In t + 7, W i s + 5
Skills A r c a n a + 7, D e c e p t i o n + 3, In s i g h t + 5 , St e a l t h + 6
Senses p a s s i v e Pe r c e p t i o n 12
Languages C o m m o n , D r a c o n i c , In f e r n a l , Pr i m o r d i a l , T h a y a n
Challenge 6 (2 ,3 0 0 X P)
Speci al Equipm ent . Ra t h h as a st af f o f fi r e, an d s c r o l l s o f A c t i o n s ____________________________________
dim ension door, feat h er fal l , a n d fir eball.
Quart erst aff. M elee Weapon Att ack: +4 t o h it , r e a ch 5 f t ., o n e
Spellcast ing. Ra t h is an 11t h - l e v e l s p e l l c a s t e r w h o u s e s t ar g et . Hit: 4 ( 1d 8 ) b lu d g eo n in g d am ag e.
In t ellig en ce as h is sp ellc ast i n g ab ilit y (sp ell save D C 15, + 7 to Re a c t i o n s __________________________________
h it w it h sp ell at t ack s). Rat h h as t h e f o llo w in g sp el ls p rep ar ed
Illusory Sel f (Recharges when Rath Finishes a Short or Long
fr o m t h e w iz ard sp ell list: Rest ). W h e n a c r e a t u r e Ra t h c a n s e e m a k e s an a t t a c k r o ll
C a n t r i p s (at w i l l ) :fi r e bolt , m inor illusion, prest idigit at ion, ag ain st h im , he can in t er p o se an illu so ry d u p licat e b et w een t h e
shocking grasp at t ack er an d h im . T h e at t ack au t o m at ical ly m isses Rat h , t h en
th e illusion dissipates.
1 st l ev el (4 s l o t s ): chr om at ic orb, color spray, m age armor, m agic
m i ssi l e
2 n d l ev el (3 s l o t s ): det ect t hought s, m ir r or im age, phant asm al
for ce
3 r d l ev el (3 s l o t s ): count er spell, fi r ebal l, m ajor im age
4 t h l ev el (3 s l o t s ): confusion, gr eat er invisibilit y
5 t h l e v el (2 s l o t s ): mislead, seem ing
6 t h l ev el (1 s l o t ): globe o f invulner abilit y
R e z m ir 2 Actions. A 1 5 - f o o t r a d i u s o f m a g i c a l d a r k n e s s e x t e n d s f r o m
M edium humanoid (half-black dragon), neut ral evil a p o in t Rez m ir can see w it h in 60 feet o f h er an d sp read s
ar o u n d co r n er s. T h e d ar k n ess last s as lo n g as Rez m ir
Armor Class 13 (15 w i t h t h e Black Dragon M ask) m ain tain s co n cen tratio n , u p to 1 m in u te. A creat u re w ith
Hit Points 9 0 (1 2 d 8 + 3 6 ) d ar k visio n c an ’t see t h ro u g h t h is d ark n ess, an d n o n at u ral
Speed 3 0 f t . lig h t can illu m in at e it. If an y o f t h e ar ea o ve r lap s w it h an
area o f lig h t created by a sp ell o f 2 nd level o r lower, th e spell
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA creat in g t h e lig h t is d isp elled .
18 (+ 4 ) 16 (+ 3 ) 16 (+ 3) 15 (+ 2) 12 (+ 1) 14 (+ 2 ) 1 Action. Re z m i r m a k e s o n e m e l e e a t t a c k .
1 Action. Re z m i r t a k e s t h e H i d e a c t i o n .
Saving Throws D ex + 6 , W i s + 4 Ta l is t h e W h it e
Skills A r c a n a + 5, St e a l t h + 9
Damage Immunities ac id M edium humanoid (half-elf), lawful evil
Condition Immunities c h a r m e d , f r i g h t e n e d
Senses b l i n d s i g h t 10 f t ., d a r k v i s i o n 120 f t ., p a s s i v e Pe r c e p t i o n 11 Armor C l a s s 18 (+ 7 scale mail, s h i e l d )
Languages C o m m o n , D r a c o n i c , In f e r n a l , G i a n t , N e t h e r e s e Hit Points 5 8 (9 d 8 + 18)
Challenge 7 (2 ,9 0 0 X P) Speed 3 0 f t .
Speci al Equipm ent . Re z m i r h as t h e Black Dragon M ask, STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
H azir awn, a n d an insignia o f claws (s e e a p p e n d i x C f o r all
14 (+ 2 ) 12 (+ 1) 14 (+ 2 ) 10 (+ 0 ) 16 (+ 3 ) 16 (+ 3 )
it em s).
Saving Throws W i s + 6 , C h a + 6
Am phibious. Re z m i r c a n b r e a t h e a i r a n d w at e r . Skills D e c e p t i o n + 6 , In s i g h t + 6 , Pe r c e p t i o n + 6 , Pe r s u a s i o n + 6
Senses d a r k v i s i o n 6 0 f t ., p a s s i v e Pe r c e p t i o n 16
D ark Advant age. O n c e p e r t u r n , Re z m i r c a n d e a l an ex t r a 10 Languages C o m m o n , D r a c o n i c , El v i s h , In f e r n al
Challenge 5 (1 ,8 0 0 X P)
(3 d 6 ) d am ag e w h e n sh e h it s w it h a w e ap o n at t ack , p r o vid ed
Rez m ir h as ad van tag e o n th e at tack roll. Special Equipm ent . T al is h a s + 7 scale m ail an d a wand o f wint er
D r aconic M ajest y. W h i l e w e a r i n g n o a r m o r a n d w e a r i n g t h e (see ap p en d ix C).
Black D r agon M ask, Re z m i r a d d s h e r C h a r i s m a b o n u s t o h e r A C
Fey Ancest ry. T a l i s h as a d v a n t a g e o n s a v i n g t h r o w s a g a i n s t
(in clu d ed ).
b ein g ch ar m ed , and m ag ic can ’t p u t h er to sleep.
I mmolat ion. W h e n Re z m i r is r e d u c e d t o 0 h i t p o i n t s , h e r b o d y
Spellcast ing. T a l i s is a 9 t h - l ev el s p e l l c a s t e r t h a t u s e s W i s d o m
d isin t eg rates in to a pile o f ash .
as h er sp ellcas t in g ab ilit y (sp ell save D C 14, + 6 t o h it w it h sp ell
Legendar y Resist ance (1/ Day). I f Re z m i r f ai l s a s a v i n g t h r o w at t ack s). T alis h as t h e f o llo w in g sp ells p r ep ar ed f r o m t h e cler ic
w h i l e w e a r i n g t h e Black D r agon M ask, s h e c a n c h o o s e t o sp ell list:
su cceed instead. C a n t r i p s (at w i l l ): guidance, resist ance, t haum at ur gy
1 st l ev el (4 s l o t s ): com m and, cure wounds, healing word, inflict
A c t i o n s ____________________________________________________
wounds
Gr eat swor d (H azirawn). M elee W eapon At t ack: + 9 t o h it , r e ach 2 n d l ev el (3 s l o t s ): blindness/ deafness, lesser rest orat ion, spirit ual
5 ft., o n e t ar g et . Hit: 13 (2 d 6 + 6) slash in g d a m ag e p lu s 7 (2 d 6 )
weapon (s p e ar )
n ecro tic d am ag e. If th e targ et is a creat u r e, it can 't reg ain h it 3 r d l ev el (3 s l o t s ): dispel magic, mass healing word, sending
p o in t s f o r 1 m in u t e. T h e t a r g e t can m ak e a D C 15 C o n st it u t io n 4 t h l ev el (3 s l o t s ): deat h ward, fr eedom o f m ovem ent
savin g th r o w at th e en d o f each o f its tu rn s, en d in g th is effect 5 t h l ev el (1 s l o t ): insect plague
early on a su ccess.
W int er St rike (3/ Day). O n c e p e r t u r n , w h e n T al i s h i t s w i t h a
Caust ic Bolt . Ranged Spell At t ack: + 8 t o h i t , r a n g e 9 0 f t ., o n e
t ar g et . Hit: 18 (4 d 8 ) acid d am ag e. m elee at t ack , sh e can ex p en d a u se o f t h is t r ait to d eal an ex tra
9 (2 d 8 ) co ld d am ag e.
Acid Br eat h (Recharge 5-6 ) . Re z m i r b r e a t h e s a c i d in a 3 0 - f o o t
A c t i o n s ____________________________________________________
li n e t h a t is 5 f e e t w i d e . Ea c h c r e a t u r e in t h e l i n e m u s t m a k e a
D C 14 D ex t er it y savin g t h r o w , t ak in g 2 2 (5 d 8 ) acid d a m ag e on Spear. M elee or Ranged W eapon At t ack: + 5 t o h it , r e ach 5 f t .
a failed save, or h alf as m u ch d am ag e on a su ccessfu l on e. o r rang ed 20 ft ./ 6 0 ft., o n e t arg et . Hit: 6 (1d 6 + 2) p iercin g
dam ag e.
L e g e n d a r y A c t i o n s ___________________________________
I f s h e is w e a r i n g t h e Black Dragon M ask, Re z m i r c a n t a k e u p
to t w o leg en d ary actio n s b etw een each o f h er tu rn s, tak in g
t h e act io n s all at o n ce o r sp r ead in g t h em o ver t h e ro u n d . A
leg en d ary actio n can be tak en o n ly at th e st art o r end o f a tu rn .
Rez m ir h as t h e f o llo w in g leg en d ar y act io n o p t i o n s, so m e o f
w h ich ex p end m o re th an o n e actio n w h en tak en:
A p p e n d i x C: M a g i c It e m s
Bl a c k D r a g o n M a sk I n s ig n ia o f C l a w s
Wondrous item, legendary, requires attunement Wondrous item, uncommon
T h is h orn ed m a sk o f g lo ssy eb on y h as h orn s and a sk ull T h e je w e ls in th is in sig n ia o f th e C ult o f th e D r a g o n flare
lik e m ie n . T h e m a s k r e s h a p e s to fit a w e a r e r a ttu n e d to w ith p u rp le ligh t w h en y ou en ter com b a t, e m p o w e rin g
it. W h ile y o u a re w e a r i n g t h e m a s k a n d a t tu n e d to it, y o u y o u r n atural fists o r n atural w e a p o n s .
ca n a cce s s the fo llow in g prop erties.
W h ile w e a rin g th e in sig n ia, y ou ga in a +1 b o n u s to
Damage Absorption. Y o u h a v e d a m a g e r e s is t a n c e to the attack rolls and the d am a ge rolls you m ak e w ith
u n arm ed strikes and n atural w ea p on s. S u ch attacks are
acid. If y ou a lready have d am a ge re sista n ce to acid from co n sid ered to b e m a gical.
a n oth er s o u rce , y ou ga in im m u n ity to a cid d a m a g e. If
you a lready have im m u n ity to acid d am a ge from a n oth er W a n d o f W in t e r
s o u r c e , y o u re g a in hit p o in ts e q u a l to h a lf o f a n y a cid
d a m a g e y ou a re dealt. Wand, rare
Draconic Majesty. W h il e y o u a r e w e a r i n g n o a r m o r , T h is w a n d lo o k s a n d feels lik e an icicle. Y ou m u st b e
a t tu n e d t o t h e w a n d t o u s e it.
y ou ca n add you r C h arism a b on u s to y ou r A rm or C lass.
T h e w a n d h as 7 ch a rg es, w h ich are u sed to fuel the
Dragon Breath. I f y o u h a v e a b r e a t h w e a p o n t h a t s p e lls w ith in it. W ith th e w a n d in h a n d , y o u c a n u s e y o u r
action to ca st on e o f the follow in g spells fro m the w an d,
re q u ir e s re s t to re ch a rg e , it g a in s a re c h a r g e o f 6.
e v e n i f y o u a r e i n c a p a b l e o f c a s t i n g s p e l l s : ray o f fr ost
Dragon Sight. Y o u g a in d a r k v i s i o n w i t h a r a d iu s o f 6 0
(n o ch a rg e s, o r 1 ch a r g e to ca s t at 5 th level; + 5 to hit
feet, o r a n a dd ition a l 6 0 feet o f d a rk vision if y ou a lread y
h ave that sen se . O n ce p e r day, y ou ca n ga in b lin dsigh t w i t h r a n g e d s p e l l a t t a c k ), sleet st orm (3 c h a r g e s ; s p e l l
out to a ra n ge o f 30 feet for 5 m inu tes. s a v e D C 1 5 ), o r ice st orm (4 c h a r g e s ; s p e l l s a v e D C 1 5 ).
Dragon Tongue. Y o u c a n s p e a k a n d u n d e r s t a n d D r a N o com p on en ts a re req u ired.
T h e w a n d rega in s 1d 6 + 1 e x p e n d e d ch a rg e s ea ch day
co n ic. Y ou a lso h ave advan tage on any C h arism a ch eck
y ou m ak e again st b la ck dragon s. a t d a w n . I f y o u e x p e n d t h e w a n d ’s la s t c h a r g e , r o ll a d 2 0 .
O n a 20, the w a n d m elts away, forever destroyed.
Legendary Resistance (1/Day). I f y o u fa il a s a v in g
throw , you ca n c h o o s e to s u cce e d in stead.
Water Breathing. Y o u c a n b r e a t h e u n d e r w a t e r .
H a z ir a w n
Weapon (greatsword), legendary, requires attunement
A s e n t ie n t ( n e u t r a l e v i l) g r e a t s w o r d , H azirawn i s c a p a b l e
o f s p e e ch in C o m m o n and N eth erese. E ven if you aren ’t
attu ned to the sw ord , y ou gain a +1 b on u s on attack
rolls and d a m a g e rolls m a de w ith th is w ea p on . If you
a r e a t t u n e d t o H azirawn, y o u d e a l a n e x t r a 1d 6 n e c r o t i c
d a m a g e w h e n y o u hit w ith th e w e a p o n .
Increased Potency. W h i l e y o u a r e a t t u n e d t o t h is
w e a p o n , its b o n u s on a ttack ro lls a n d d a m a g e rolls
in c r e a s e s to + 2, a nd a h it d ea ls an extra 2 d 6 n e cr o tic
d a m a ge (in stea d o f 1d 6).
Spells. Hazirawn h a s 4 c h a r g e s t o c a s t s p e l l s . A s l o n g
a s th e s w o r d is a ttu n e d to y o u a n d y o u a r e h o ld in g it in
y o u r h a n d , y o u c a n c a s t det ect magic (1 c h a r g e ) , det ect
evil and good (1 c h a r g e ), o r det ect thoughts (2 c h a r g e s ).
E ach night at m idn igh t, H aziraw n reg ain s 1d 4 ex p en d ed
ch a rg e s.
Wounding. W h i l e y o u a r e a t t u n e d t o t h e w e a p o n ,
a n y c r e a t u r e t h a t y o u h it w i t h H azirawn c a n ’t r e g a i n
hit p o in ts for 1 m in u te. T h e target ca n m a k e a D C 15
C o n stitu tio n sa v in g th r o w at th e e n d o f e a ch o f its tu rn s,
en din g this effect early on a su cce ss.
W h a t H appens N e x t ?
h e a d v e n t u r e ’s n o t o v e r y e t , f o r t h e C u l t o f t h e D r a g o n is n o t s o e a s i l y d e f e a t e d .
T Already, the cult’s remaining leaders plot to snuff out the adventurers. Meanwhile, at the
Well of Dragons, the cult and its dragon allies amass. The unholy chants and roars of
dragons echo through the desolation of the volcanic caldera, vowing Tiamat’s return. And in the
Nine Hells, Tiamat rages, demanding her followers gather more tribute before she sets foot in
the Forgotten Realms. Hope remains, though, for the wind carries whispers of a great meeting
of factions in Waterdeep. If such rumors are true, heroes will be needed to unite these groups
against their common enemy.
Beyond this book, the Tyranny o f Dragons story Al l r o ads l ead t o
takes flight. Bring your Tyranny of Dragons game to life
with apparel, miniatures, and D&D play accessories. AN EPIC CONFRONTATION W ITH
In the Tyranny o f Dragons comic, visit Baldur’s Gate t h e Queen o f Dr ag o ns
AND THE CONCLUSION OF THE
and discover how a young wizard schemes to prove his
worth as a cult leader. In the Neverwint er video game,
create a character to confront the Cult of the Dragon Ty r a n n y o f D r a g o n s s t o r y
before facing the Queen of Dragons herself. And find a i n Th e R i s e o f Ti a m a t .
regular D&D game at a store near you. Learn more at
D u n geo n s an d D ra g o n s .co m .
Th e Sw o r d Co a s t Is
Un d e r Sie g e
In an audacious bid for power, the Cult of the
Dragon, along with its dragon allies and the
Red Wizards of Thay, seeks to free Tiamat from
her prison in the Nine Hells to bring her to the
Forgotten Realms.
The cult’s forces are sweeping from town to town,
laying w aste to all w h o opp ose th em and gathering
a hoard of riches for their dread queen.
The threat is so dire, factions as disparate as the
Harpers and the Zhentarim are banding together
to battle the cult. Never before has the need for
heroes been as desperate.
A D u n geon s & D ra gon s ad ven tu re fo r
ch a ra cte rs o f lev els 1-7 ,
c o n c l u d i n g in The Rise of Tiamat
F o r u s e w i t h t h e f i f t h e d i t i o n Player’s Handbook,
Monster Manual, a n d Dungeon Master’s Guide
Monsters Adult Blue Dragon
The section collects the stat blocks for those monsters Huge dragon, lawful evil
referenced in the Hoard of the Dragon Queen adventure,
excluding those found in that adventure’s appendix. Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
Hit Points 225 (18d12 + 108)
For more information on monsters and how to read Speed 40 ft., burrow 30 ft., ly 80 ft.
a monster’s statistics, see the D&D basic rules or the
Monster Manual. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
25 (+7) 10 (+0) 23 (+6) 16 (+3) 15 (+2) 19 (+4)
Acolyte
Saving Throws Dex +5, Con +11, Wis +7, Cha +9
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Skills Perception +12, Stealth +5
Damage Immunities lightning
Armor Class 10 Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception
Hit Points 9 (2d8)
Speed 30 ft. 22
Languages Common, Draconic
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Challenge 16 (15,000 XP)
10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 11 (+0)
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving
Skills Medicine +4, Religion +2 throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Senses passive Perception 10
Languages any one language (usually Common) Actions
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Multiattack. The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then
Spellcasting. The acolyte is a 1st-level spellcaster. Its makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 12, +4 to hit with
spell attacks). The acolyte has following cleric spells prepared: Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 18 (2d10 + 7) piercing damage plus 5 (1d10) lightning
Cantrips (at will): light, sacred lame, thaumaturgy damage.
1st level (3 slots): bless, cure wounds, sanctuary
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Actions Hit: 14 (2d6 + 7) slashing damage.
Club. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target.
Hit: 2 (1d4) bludgeoning damage. Hit: 16 (2d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage.
Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dragon’s choice that
is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed
on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1
minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of
each of its turns, ending the efect on itself on a success. If a
creature’s saving throw is successful or the efect ends for it,
the creature is immune to the dragon’s Frightful Presence for
the next 24 hours.
Lightning Breath (Recharge 5–6). The dragon exhales lightning
in a 90-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line
must make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw, taking 66 (12d10)
lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on
a successful one.
Legendary Actions
The dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the
options below. Only one legendary action option can be used
at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The
dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Tail Attack. The dragon makes a tail attack.
Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its wings.
Each creature within 10 feet of the dragon must succeed
on a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or take 14 (2d6 + 7)
bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can
then ly up to half its lying speed.
Hoard of the Dragon Queen • Monsters 4
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Adult White Dragon Air Elemental
Huge dragon, chaotic evil Large elemental, neutral
Armor Class 18 (natural armor) Armor Class 15
Hit Points 200 (16d12 + 96) Hit Points 90 (12d10 + 24)
Speed 40 ft., burrow 30 ft., ly 80 ft., swim 40 ft. Speed 0 ft., ly 90 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
22 (+6) 10 (+0) 22 (+6) 8 (−1) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 6 (−2) 10 (+0) 6 (−2)
Saving Throws Dex +5, Con +11, Wis +6, Cha +6 Damage Resistances lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing,
Skills Perception +11, Stealth +5 and slashing from nonmagical weapons
Damage Immunities cold
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 21 Damage Immunities poison
Languages Common, Draconic Condition Immunities exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed,
Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)
petriied, poisoned, prone, restrained, unconscious
Ice Walk. The dragon can move across and climb icy surfaces Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
without needing to make an ability check. Additionally, diicult Languages Auran
terrain composed of ice or snow doesn’t cost it extra moment. Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving Air Form. The elemental can enter a hostile creature’s space
throw, it can choose to succeed instead. and stop there. It can move through a space as narrow as 1
inch wide without squeezing.
Actions
Actions
Multiattack. The dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then
makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws. Multiattack. The elemental makes two slam attacks.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) cold damage. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Whirlwind (Recharge 4–6). Each creature in the elemental’s
Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage. space must make a DC 13 Strength saving throw. On a failure,
a target takes 15 (3d8 + 2) bludgeoning damage and is lung
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. up 20 feet away from the elemental in a random direction and
Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage. knocked prone. If a thrown target strikes an object, such as a
wall or loor, the target takes 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage for
Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dragon’s choice that every 10 feet it was thrown. If the target is thrown at another
is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed creature, that creature must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity
on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 saving throw or take the same damage and be knocked prone.
minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of
each of its turns, ending the efect on itself on a success. If a If the saving throw is successful, the target takes half the
creature’s saving throw is successful or the efect ends for it, bludgeoning damage and isn’t lung away or knocked prone.
the creature is immune to the dragon’s Frightful Presence for
the next 24 hours.
Cold Breath (Recharge 5–6). The dragon exhales an icy blast in
a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 19
Constitution saving throw, taking 54 (12d8) cold damage on a
failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Legendary Actions
The dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the
options below. Only one legendary action option can be used
at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The
dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Detect. The dragon makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Tail Attack. The dragon makes a tail attack.
Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon beats its wings.
Each creature within 10 feet of the dragon must succeed
on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or take 13 (2d6 + 6)
bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can
then ly up to half its lying speed.
Hoard of the Dragon Queen • Monsters 5
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Assassin Actions
Medium humanoid (any race), any non-good alignment Multiattack. The assassin makes two shortsword attacks.
Armor Class 15 (studded leather) Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Hit Points 78 (12d8 + 24) target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage, and the target must
Speed 30 ft. make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 24 (7d6)
poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA successful one.
11 (+0) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 11 (+0) 10 (+0)
Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 80/320
Saving Throws Dex +7, Int +5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage, and the target
Skills Acrobatics +7, Deception +4, Perception +4, Stealth +11 must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 24 (7d6)
Damage Resistances poison poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
Senses passive Perception 14 successful one.
Languages Thieves’ cant plus any two languages
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP) Bandit
Assassinate. During its irst turn, the assassin has advantage Medium humanoid (any race), any non-lawful alignment
on attack rolls against any creature that hasn’t taken a turn.
Any hit the assassin scores against a surprised creature Armor Class 12 (leather armor)
is a critical hit. Hit Points 11 (2d8 + 2)
Speed 30 ft.
Evasion. If the assassin is subjected to an efect that allows it
to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, the STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
assassin instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving 11 (+0) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
throw, and only half damage if it fails.
Senses passive Perception 10
Sneak Attack (1/Turn). The assassin deals an extra 13 (4d6) Languages any one language (usually Common)
damage when it hits a target with a weapon attack and has Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)
advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5
feet of an ally of the assassin that isn’t incapacitated and the Actions
assassin doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Customizing NPCs target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) slashing damage.
This appendix contains statistics for various humanoid Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 80
nonplayer characters (NPCs) from the Hoard of the Dragon ft./320 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage.
Queen adventure. These stat blocks can be used to represent
both human and nonhuman NPCs, and can be customized Berserker
as you see it.
Medium humanoid (any race), any chaotic alignment
Racial Traits. You can add racial traits to an NPC. For
example, a halling druid might have a speed of 25 feet and Armor Class 13 (hide armor)
the Lucky trait. Adding racial traits to an NPC doesn’t alter Hit Points 67 (9d8 + 27)
its challenge rating. For more on racial traits, see the Player’s Speed 30 ft.
Handbook or the D&D basic rules.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Spell Swaps. One way to customize an NPC spellcaster is 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 17 (+3) 9 (−1) 11 (+0) 9 (−1)
to replace one or more of its spells. You can substitute any
spell on the NPC’s spell list with a diferent spell of the same Senses passive Perception 10
level from the same spell list. Swapping spells in this manner Languages any one language (usually Common)
doesn’t alter an NPC’s challenge rating. Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Armor and Weapon Swaps. You can upgrade or downgrade Reckless. At the start of its turn, the berserker can gain
an NPC’s armor, or add or switch weapons. Adjustments to advantage on all melee weapon attack rolls during that turn,
Armor Class and damage can change an NPC’s challenge but attack rolls against it have advantage until the start of its
rating, as explained in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. next turn.
Magic Items. The more powerful an NPC, the more Actions
likely it has one or more magic items in its possession. An
archmage, for example, might have a magic staf or wand, Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
as well as one or more potions and scrolls. Giving an NPC a target. Hit: 9 (1d12 + 3) slashing damage.
potent damage-dealing magic item could alter its challenge
rating. Magic items, as well as adjusting a creature’s
challenge rating, are described in the Dungeon Master’s
Guide.
Hoard of the Dragon Queen • Monsters 6
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