Written Illustrated by Ryan Durney with Further Design by Christopher Rush

A 5th Edition Adventure for Levels 15-17 An Unforgettable, 300 Page Dungeon of Corruption & Destruction for 4 –12 Players! written & illustrated by Ryan Durney with further design by Christopher Rush sexy spine Why should you support an expensive print edition in the electronic media age? (Allow me the chance to make a case): It was nicely reviewed, but one strike was a lack of playable maps, so I added 12 in the final update. After the licensing & hosting take their cut, you are putting bill-pay $ directly into the creator's tip jar. I designed it for print all along. Physical books today are about holding an art & story experience in your hands. It took 4 years to finish 300 pages of content, with over 130 original art pieces, some of which are hand-drawn. With a decent amount of support, Uknown Tome will continue to produce the highest quality works for you.

wife's toe-thumb this illustration doubles as an homage to an infamous MTG card This Adventure Offers Several MODES of PLAY:

This adventure is somewhat of a Valentine’s Day card to Tomb of Horrors and other “snuff dungeons.” Mirrors of the Abyss was once a birthday snuff dungeon that I ran to kill my players (haha...yet, if you are an experienced DM, you know that IS its own birthday present). Over the years, I began to enjoy the setting and the There's a crisis in Dungeons & Dragons...Too many characters are living too long. Too many Players have character of it. Things inevitably fleshed themselves from a lattice of bones into a meaty chaotic evil adventure, become smug and comfortable, knowing that their fantasy counterpart will prevail in their weekly pillow fight and, well...here we are. Or more importantly, here you'll be, for 7+ hours or so, at least. with toothless monsters, and that everything always works out in the end...Utter. Dribble. Parts of it were written with one-nighter party adventure rooms in mind, but other parts were written to really, Is that a reflection of life? Is that the world we live in? As Dungeon Masters, we have decisions to make. Are really hit the Abyss hard, and give it all the flavor I could imagine. you their tap-dancing, storybook-reading, omnipresent guardian angel, set to waddle in, in your red robe and fix die rolls? Or, are you their five senses upon an infinite and deadly fantasy universe, as you should be? Here are some ways that I've tried it:

At some point, at every table, at least one Player gets the notion that they are playing the role of a super hero, and they are safe to wreak havoc then reload their last save point as if D&D were merely a video game. [KILL ALL MIN-MAXERS MODE]: You could run this game as a One-Nighter Party Game Adventure, for 4 It is not. It was designed as a true game for adults (truly one of the only!), and adventuring is a high risk, high –*12 Players, to see if they can get anywhere in just one night. You could even suggest that a smaller party each reward career choice in a fantasy paradigm absolutely brimming with danger. brings two character sheets, assuming one character will die (see also “Death is Not the End in Vulgarea”). You may need to skip to the “End Chamber” at hour 6 to offer a sense of finality towards the close of a single Party- Tomb of Horrors could make even the oldest, level 30 grognards cry a river of salt. Many classic modules Mode gaming session. (Always roll the chambers randomly, in my opinion, for most modes) were good at challenging the mettle of actual Players, and not just the min-maxed stats they’ve amassed on their sheets. This module, though classically influenced, promises a sugary touch of fair play sprinkled [Ryan's One-NightER MODE for Maximum Fun & Interest]: throughout the big bowl of salt. But repeat after me: “In its total, it is not fair. It is not intended to be bal- 1) Use the Intro, and Chamber 00 “The Fossil Ossuary.” anced. It is Abyssal...It's bat-poo crazy and it is as chaotic evil as it should be.” 2) Instead of rolling random chambers, consider one of the following next: Chamber 04: Eshebala's Obsequious

Mirrors of the Abyss has no official affiliations, though I would have been remiss not to acknowledge Iggwilv Oubliette of Mirrors, or Chamber 14: Floating the River of Snakes. and her well-known Demonomicon, at least in passing. Gary Gygax (the coauthor, and an original creator of 3) Next pick one of the more narrative-based sections, like Chamber 07: A Court of Two Kings, Chamber 05: D&D / AD&D (along with Dave Arneson) and also the creator of Iggwilv and prime contributor to early Abys- An Abyssal Orchard, Chamber 19: Where Demons Won't Go, or Chamber 15: Illegal Intervention. sal flavor) stated the following, roundabout, concerning Tomb of Horrors, which I hope is apt for my module: 4) Viable action climaxes would be one of these, possibly: Chamber 12: Eshebala's Art Gallery or Chamber 20: Follow the White Rabbit. NOTE: If you choose the latter, instead of a random Demon Harbinger Aspect “This is a thinking person’s module. If your group is a hack and slay gathering, they will be unhappy...brain- from the table “Her Pagodas of Mockery,” choose one of these: #81 Goap, #87 Samael, #91 Kundag or work is good for all players.” especially #95 Onoskelis. 5) End with The Forgotten Narthex (of course, there wouldn't be any chance of actually vanquishing Eshebala). “The real enjoyment [of The Tomb of Horrors] is managing to cope, and those players who manage to do (This mode takes apprx. 7 hours, but always add more time per every Player beyond 4-5 Players!) so even semi-successfully will appreciate your refereeing properly and allowing them to ‘live or die’ on their own.” [TIBERION PEAKS MODE ~ (like a regular D&D campaign)]: You could run this adventure as the sequential “It is a killer.” successor to the extended campaign “Shadow Over Mt. Tiberius” which explains how the PCs came to brush up against Eshebala. You could offer a method of salvaging the party from the End Scenarios section to continue after this adventure wreaks havoc on their future. (At least 4 advanced Players, a little min-maxing on their part, and multiple 7-hour sessions would be required for this)

[CAMPAIGN WIPE MODE]: You could run this game as a risky adventure to bring a homebrew / mixed campaign to a conclusion of a sort (for when you want to reboot and start them at Level 1). The PCs will have a high chance of dying (nix the optional death tables), and will simply have to deal with it. Should they be warned??

[GROGNARD MODE (like a regular D&D campaign)]: You could run this game as a Stand-Alone Adventure (this will take multiple sessions), for serious Players who want a shot at actually taking down Eshebala, and eking out the next-to-impossible win scenario. Players cannot take advantage of "snuff dungeon foreknowledge / prep- ping for the Abyss / demons"...None of this "I spent all my gold on 1000 healing potions," or, "I have a bucket of

Hey, pssst...DM...over here!...Are you & your group "in it to win it?" trained squirrels to find traps," etc. 1 Demonologist and 1 Exorcist permitted (transition must be in-game). Cham- bers are run in random sequence. (At least 5+ advanced Players) This adventure took an insane amount of time to create. Do you really like it? If so, would you like to win a very Limited Special Edition, remarqued by me, the author / artist? OK, welp, all you have to do is record say, 75% of your entire live session of this adventure (wherein you play all 20 chambers), and upload it to Youtube, because: Disclaimer: Ryan Durney, the author / artist of this book is confirming that he will, at his own pace and schedule, forge up to 24 (spanning "A" - "Z") Special Limited Editions (although Ryan will keep "A" and Christopher Rush a) willI would be gifted get "Z"a kick (so thatoutta leaves watchin' 22 total you))...that play could it. be awarded, 1 to each consistent, b) That ever-present helps this member adventure of a group become who known. finishes all 20 chambers of this adventure, *If you do have a hefty 8–12 Players, of course you will have to scale the challenges on-the-fly, and having a full all the way to the end (Grognard Mode), live on cam (with very minimal editing and no cheating (I will know!)). The sessions must be uploaded to Youtube, and then you can call my attention to what you've done. It goes without saying, it's my choice to judge the worthiness as to whether or not your group truly wins a set. Please make the play fun & flattering (no whinin' er bashin'). And remember, 12 Players means escalating the damage of monsters, hazards and traps. There would never be enough page real once the 22 are gone, they're gone. There are no guarantees whatsoever, but this is a real thing as of the first edition of this adventure. These will be unique hardback Limited Editions with pseudo-hand- estate to help with proper escalation, but this adventure was written with a Party Mode as a consideration. Do touches, signed to each Player, with a simple pen illustration of your choice beside my signature (custom if requested), etc. I know how to dress up a Limited Edition! I'm willing to bet that no one will ever do this, so I won't have to make more than 2 of these!...Ever...We shall see. your best as a DM, and don’t be afraid to break eggs to make the omelet! ;D (DMs, consider reading the following quote after the adventure has ended (assuming the PCs did NOT kill Eshebala (most probable!)...for this quote proves that there is the slightest chance they could actually beat her, and will hopefully stoke the coals for them to try again some day)...

Eshebala: (Facing eminent obliteration) ...“Oh Discordia… My rule is undone…I have failed you…What will become of the Abyss without (in great sorrow and disbelief) …mmeeee?”

The Goddess of Discord: (Laughing) “You flourished in my chaos without a flicker of understanding…Finality and infinity in the Great Abyss, are the same, and there are no epitaphs for demons… Your divinity was a life of ends...yet the Abyss is the end of all things…always and forever.”

Now, tear up their character sheets and snap the book shut (as Mr. Gygax once said)...(I kid)... MIRRORS OF THE ABYSS, a 5E D&D adventure for character levels: 15 - 17, by Ryan William Durney Written by: Ryan Durney | Original concept ofolopho Eshebala and then: "Abyssal shadow archetypes" by: Carl Sargent Mirrors of the Additional ideas & interludes were co-written by Christopher Rush. "Braven" race by Christopher Rush. Edited by: Ryan Durney & Christopher Rush | Primary Playtest & Mechanical Edits by: Christopher Rush Fonts: Crown Title by Jonathan Paterson. | 3D Printing by (& Prep, Clean & Sand): Dominic Lee Artwork: Ryan Durney: Cover art, all interior full color illustrations & penmanship pages. Some, but not all penwork was either inspired or enhanced by very olde-world art. *Many olde-world etchings are hard to credit. Eternal gratitude & recognition to the followingC fantastic Medieval & Victorian etchings, bits & baubles : When I was visualizing Vulgarea's small and fading real estate, I came across the etching "Dunlace Castle" by William Miller. I proclaimed out loud "that's Vulgarea-that's what I've been picturing all this time!" May William Miller (1796 – 1882) Forgive my pen and rendering over a part of his masterfully superior etching. Abyss

Art Direction & Design: | Cartography: Ryan Durney

Slain Characters fromProfusely what was illustrated once known by as Ryan the annual Durney "Birthday Dungeon of Doom:" (aka Special Thanks to): Audrey Durney ♥ (Osha, the Artificer / Oren Blaze, the Rogue), Greg Wendler, Dominic Lee, Julie Wendler, Sean Lough, Dan Hiltbrandt, Ken Hartsook, April Lee, Quenton Maddux, Loic Gaulin, Gina McJunkins, Chris Liguz, Michael Arsers, Anthony King, Steve McJunkins, Cale Corbett, Michael Corbett, Jeff Blackwell, Mario Limonciello, Billie Rush, Chris Conely, Joe Lassiter, Brett Zawisza, Eric Bosley, Christopher Rush...and many more! Eternal love and gratitude to my wife, Audrey Durney, who is patient and encouraging. She is a powerful artist, a graceful gamer and a helpful designer.

This adventure book was written and illustrated with love, for four years, from painfully strained and limited free time. I'm asking you, please, not to steal or use this material unlawfully. Doing so is truthfully taking a small but needed contribution from a tiny publishing imprint, who would absolutely use any meager profits to create something new (again, with love) for you. Paying for this book, running it for fellow gamers and respecting its effort, art and copyright are the only way to show love in return.

By decree of the 193rd Layer of the Abyss: Violators will be prosecuted, in strictest regard, by demons who will waste no time eviscerating your selfish heart and regurgitating your meaningless existence as some kind of formless plasm of wanton greed. You will spend an eternity haunting the infinite halls of Eshebala's waning plane, catching glimpses of your shattered oblivion in the black mirrors and building up enough free thought to merely ponder, "How did it ever come to this?" & & ritten by yan urney hristopher ush W R D C R Long Live Interactive Literature! esigned llustrated by yan urney D I R D byssal A ayer: L 193ulgarea Table of Contents: V

Preface / Modalities Epigraph Colophon Contents Design & Props Eshebala's Got Issues Primers & Tables Map of Vulgarea Adventure Intro Chambers 1-20 Secret Chambers Showdown with Eshebala End Scenarios Treasures Other Books Design Philosophy Visual Design Universal Design: So, the golden rule is that grey text is usually secret, “Just how hard is this supposed to be??” My layout method is actually pretty similar to any and red text is usually technical module. In all honesty, it’s what has worked best for or secret, and this applies to It’s meant to be every bit as deadly as dungeons like the tables (traps, hazards, monsters, etc.) original Tomb of Horrors, but with copious random chaos me, and what I think and I hope will work really well for you, if you give it a chance: as well. Italicized text helps a DM with awarding a further chance of survival. There is a great deal description and phrases discussing exit more fighting than inTomb, and less traps that kill outright, portals are blue, to help you find them faster. but this is not meant to be a fair and balanced romp through The Color Key for Text in this module: the Abyss. You might want to warn your Players. The dan- gers and violence should go right up to the line and make Chamber Title: Presumably rolled randomly, the PCs straddle that line, continually. the title of the chamber is for the DM’s benefit. As for the challenge of actually killing Eshebala? I purposely wrote in several seemingly miniscule factors (Akin to italicized text in other modules) that could put a serious hitch in that giddy-up. She IS a de- Black Text: monic goddess of a sort...and they ARE Level 15s, after all. This is a freely discerned description of their sur- roundings. Go ahead and read aloud to your players, Universal Design: Monsters or Characters but stop reading when you see Gray Text or Red that speak are preceded by their bolded names. Text, or other Conditional Notations. Sometimes puzzles are shown in a different “Hey, what the hell? Some font. Often, in this module, important signs & of these pages seem portents are hidden behind needing to know the Abyssal language. Be careful sharing treasures if overwhelmingly detailed” Grey Tints of Text: (Often preceded by “NOTE:”)... they have secret unlockable mechanics. *By all STOP! This is for the DM’s eyes only OR a check means, show the illustrations I took great pains If you try the style, you will see that so much of that needs to be passed before something to implement (once the time is right!)! detail is only there if you need it. Skim and use it, or can be shared aloud. don’t. But the “devil (and some fun) is IN those details,” especially for the DMs willing to study the chambers ahead of Game Night. For this adventure to be run multiple times, I felt like I needed to be 100% sure it would be a different experience every time. There is still Grey Underlined, Followed by Black: This text p-l-e-n-t-y of room for DM flavor and interpretation. is freely given under an assumption (once the PCs I probably wrote the term “At DM’s discretion” 100 strike a light source, or fulfill a fairly obvious (but times. There's still a lot of ad-libbing and creativity that you'll need to administer, to liven things up. not always) condition).

“I found [X] (grammar / mechanical mistake)!” Red Text: (Often shown around tables or Monsters) You probably did. Let me know about it, in a kind way. This is most often technical errata. Sometimes it Throw in some earnest compliment about what you liked denotes a vital [SECRET] about this effort, overall, and I might edit a future edi- (to which a note for the tion and credit you. Be understanding of small presses. DM follows). I am most interested in art and storytelling. One of the driving forces for me to finish this was to see if a module forged as an art project (with the art on a high conceptual Red Text, Followed by Grey: This text is provided tier) could garner appreciation. Illustration is what I do once your Players succeed in both thinking of trying for a living...and thankfully, Christopher edited, tested this Check, and then, rolling high enough to meet the and translated as best he could given limited time. Please Check. count the # of designers / editors / playtesters listed in a recent official release, and compare to two people! Random Tip #1: Eshebala lies... She has lied her entire existence. Her quotes, answers and even her history and archives are full of half-truths.

Random Tip #2: When she cares enough shebala's to focus, Eshebala has a strong level of control over Vulgarea's physical reality. If she remembers that they are there, she can exact dweomer curses that suck breath- Got Issues able air from a chamber, taint mirrored halls with accursed undead phantasms or even shuffle the layout of her E entire domain.

Random Tip #3: Eshebala has never known what to refer to Vulgarea as... She sometimes calls it her citadel...sometimes her domain, her domicile, city, or even her capitol–despite that there is little to nothing that exists outside of it upon the 193rd plane. PRIMERS & OPTIONAL TABLES: Map of the 193rd Layer of the Abyss: Vulgarea Vulg AREA 0

The Only Existing Map of Layer 193: Vulgarea The only known map of Vulgarea. Based on the condition of the moldering parchment, it's from an earlier time...

The Abyssal Continent: A receding j l The Zyphonian Coast: Barnacle- 0 bay. In the outer regions the lands h encrusted basalt beaches, where strange simply "end" in mists. While doubtful, life crouches from the rough tide. The age it is unknown whether or not the craggy in which this map was drawn appears to ridge ever truly resembled a vulpine head, precede the Lighthouse of the Machinist. as depicted by the cartographer. The Zyphonian Sea: Aka the "Void Also called Vulgarea, it The Capitol: Sea." A churning indigo ocean of is a palisade of architectural oddities, A i unknowable size and depth. In the age panneled in cracking mirrors. Once upon i of this map's conception, there was an a time, it was a palace of unparalleled k immense statue of Eshebala standing near beauty, matched only by the heidonistic the Capitol Ridge. lust within. Now, it is a shattered hovel for demons, who lurk in its endless alleys and fading towers. The Zyphonian Drop: Dark reaches h A j where an octopoidal god is said to dwell. The Black Tower: The place where Its presence is unauthorized, yet Eshe- B Eshebala alledgedly locked her demonic, bala's apathy has allowed it to flourish. malformed spawn away forever. The Cowering Coast: A far continent Ancient Temple: Once was Eshebala's k that seems to drift further away when it c favored temple by the shore. is approached. No living entity is said to have ever set foot on its mossy stones.

A Hopeless Hedge Maze: A forsaken The Unreachable Maw: Some sort of garden where Eshebala and a court of d d mysterious cavity upon the unreachable demons watch mazerunners die horribly. l e B shore. It is said to glimmer, as with treasures, but it is a dooming lure to the rare Bitewater Falls: A 6,000 ft. waterfall sailing demons of the accursed sea. e dropping into craggy, jutting stones and F maddening mists. The Outers: A padding of thick layers m of mist coats the realm. Some say these Bitewater, the River of Snakes: A gorge mists are the raw fabric of the Abyss, F with a wide, ever-circling river, whose while others say their silky tendrils are a source is a mix of demonic wastewater reflection of Eshebala's unravelling mind. and bubbling geysers. G

The Hunting Stables: A bizarre pocket G of arctic taiga, where the temperature ceases to match the rest of Vulgarea. Some say there is an indiscernible portal to Mount Tiberius, where Eshebala's dwindling foxfolk originated. m

c tavern basement: NOTE: DMs, disperse the handout “The Your Inner Iverstone Reasons... (Many miserable sleet-filled days roll by) Ale Song of Olde Ivy.” (Make up a cheery tune akin to an A Table of Inner Thoughts Uses: x1 check per PC olde Irish Drinking Song) and sing it once aloud...Insinu- Camping and hunting has been uneventful. There are ate that one of the traveling companions starts singing You have a meaningful inner reason for wanting to make it to the Ivy troubles with the sabre-toothed cats stalking your cara- START! ~ INTRO the song, and that the PCs are expected to join in and clap Stone Inn. *IMPORTANT NOTE: There are few official references van, white wolves and a few moss-coated bears who’d Castle Iverstone along. (Note which PCs decline to participate): to these "special reasons" and it's in the hands of the DM to do call- gone mad, but not much has stood out...Once part of The Best Rest on the Road… backs to them. Substitute these personal tidbits into Chambers that your hunting party found a funny circle of stones off the have refugees, such as "Chamber: 05 An Abyssal Orchard," etc. trail. By the time you breached the clearing, the embit- ♪ ♪ ♪ tered Olbridge hunters and trappers, who travel in your mass group, had vandalized it. One, in particular, named More than just respite… “OOOOOhhhhhhh— Dyrstyn Tull has declared, “Just old foxfolk twattle! Blas- phemy! We should never have allowed the dog-faces to NOTE: This intro assumes the party survived the extended Going west upon the road Roll 1d12 (some shared entries could be interesting): live among us in Olbridge!” (and he spits and urinates on wintry campaign There is the remains). “Shadow Over Mt. Tiberius.” Is so long upon the road! no mandatory connection to the prior module and you 1) Your entire extended family is staying at the Ivy Inn for a few months could easily generalize the situation by simply changing ‘Been in the bitter air, to celebrate a reunion. It's good fortune that you could head there to meet NOTE: It's up to the PCs how they react to this. After the cataclysmic circumstances that forced the PCs to flee Without the apple ale, up with them. [insert name of PC most likely to lead the cara- across the long, cold mountain road. If your campaign Too long! —Too long! 2) [Ask the PC what their preferred dream pet might be, and what van], Dyrstyn Tull has become an unlikely leader of the takes place in Forgotten Realms, then assume this Round about the Mount lookin’ for it's name might be?]: A year ago, you left a valued pet at Ivy Stone Inn rougher rabble who most often make trouble in the mass handful of villages lies north of Netheril, and the “Queen's and commissioned training for it. Now, it's ready to rejoin you as a true group. If the PCs threaten Dyrstyn, this causes a further That big Brown Tooooooaaaaad partner in your adventures. Road” is the “Cold Road.” Lastly, the “Tiberion Mountains” … rift and a clear division of two factions in the roughly may simply be a section of the “Icerim Mountains.” 3) You won a significant amount of gold in a card game a while back, and 1d100 +50 people who follow along in the genesis from (…lyric hangs until all join in…) you gave the losing folk one year to wrangle the funds to pay you. Hib- Olbridge. Below are Checks related only to studying the You’ve been sodden, freezing and marching endlessly bick Ballast and Itopita Blayne are meeting you there to pay you, finally! decrepit golgotha. along the peaks of the Tiberion Alps [or Icerim Mountains]. The rest is the best… 4) Your mother has worried over you more than usual. Things have gone well at the homestead and she used her money to buy travel to the Ivy Inn, Arcana / Religion: (DC, 12): The circle has been kicked to meet you there. She claims to have had bad dreams about your future. By the time you had made it to the village of Olbridge, (Clap! Clap! Clap!) apart, but to you, it looks like a very old golgotha, where kills it was far too late. The rumors were true. Something 5) You invested a large sum of gold into remodeling Ivy Stone Inn some were placed and prayers-probably dark prayers–were ut- unimaginable had laid waste to the entire region–an evil years back, and now your investment has paid off! The Iverstones are tered. There are splinters of bone still, beneath the wet leaves. that you couldn’t comprehend in its aftermath. The few —At The IVY STONE!” ready to fork over some major profits. horrified people that remained, muttered stories of falling 6) [Only One PC can roll this entry] History / Religion: (DC, 16): The Kitsune Fox Folk stars birthing monsters. A streetside Doomsayer spoke of [Male Version]: You had a letter a while back that threw you for a loop. If (referred to rudely, as, the “dog-faces”) were a common it's true, then a night of passion 6 years ago has led to a daughter named Brain Eaters from The Far Realm. You’ve never heard talk Jaidie Iverstone that you never knew of until the letter arrived. She is conversation on Mount Tiberius, as the snowier part like this before, and it unnerved you. ♪ ♪ ♪ described as sweet yet daring. Now you want to meet her and see what's of the mountain chain holds the last of their tribe. You what. [Female Version]: You left a very young daughter behind at the Inn, saw a few back in Olbridge but less, if any, Kitsune were named Jaidie Iverstone, with a partner you have great affection for. You There was nothing you could do but depart before the NOTE: For the PCs who DID sing along, this little are yearning to see them again. fleeing the ruination. Despite each having the head of next blizzard hit. You came from the south, where the song becomes a morale booster, and each should be an arctic fox, they were demure–almost comely. Each towns of Krey and Agatha’s Hollow also saw their bitter rewarded this song as a treasure [see “The Song of 7) Hidden deep in one of your satchels is a stack of letters from [female was dusted in white fur, heavily perfumed and laden love interest: Sala Iverstone / male love interest: Hawlver Iverstone] and ends. You’ve begun to lie low. Your reputation as a savior Olde Ivy Ale,” consider some sort of bonus when they speak of a burning, illicit love rendezvous. It's been building since with jangling jewelry. Prejudice seemed to run high when will dwindle if you leave a trail of fallen towns behind you. a Bard uses the song]. This is also a great moment your last visit to the Inn, and now it's all you can think about. the mountain went sour, though, with majority humans “Dead men tell no tales,” is a guilty comfort to you now. for the PCs who do not know each other in-game to blaming everyone and everything for their run of ill luck. 8) You are a shareholder in the "Olde Ivy Ale" brand, and things have introduce themselves (in character) to one another. gone well! It's time for a corporate meeting of a sort, where you shall be The mass genesis out of Olbridge had begun, for hero, Since they are traveling a long stretch, there would be celebrated and profits (and ale) will be shared. Religion: (DC, 18): The foxfolk are not necessarily evil, victim and outcast alike. The road west, to Sylkryst, is a a lot of time to be social (or antisocial). Perhaps they but when it comes to their religion, you have heard that 9) All your life, you have desired a horse from the Iverstone stock, nick- long trail indeed, at over almost 40 leagues (120 miles). could describe their demeanor and habits during the named "Rocky Mountain Smooth-Gaits." They are rumored to be some of half of them still pray to some very old, very dark gods. Those with steeds caught up to those without, and many campfires, hunts and scoutings that have, and the best, heartiest quarter horses in existence and a pony named Geneveve Yet in Olbridge, you most often saw the symbol of the through thick and thin, strange friendships were forged. are, taking place while they walk and camp. Each PC has been set aside for you. crescent moon scribed upon their robes, which denotes should roll on the table "Your Inner Iverstone Rea- 10) Sylkryst makes the honey and the Ivy Inn makes mead and ale with it, the chaotic-good goddess of the moon, Sehanine. Yet, as the blinding blizzards waned to miserable slush, sons" to add to the flavor of why they care so much to but you have been promised a chance at buying an obscure magical artifact, there was one thing that was talked about each day–one reach the Ivy Stone. It's up to them whether they share said to carry the power to command bees and maybe Mother Nature herself! By your eleventh day on the trail, the sleet has given singular topic that had the power to lift spirits and one that information. Your contact's name is an elf named Parsyn Greymantle. way to rain, and a rumbling thunderstorm tantrums alone...the countdown to Castle Iverstone. 11) Long ago, during a visit to the Ivy Inn, you were taken by their resi- overhead. Just as group morale is ready to collapse, Everyone knows that Castle Iverstone, or “Old Ivy dent dog, Mojo. You even paid a sum of gold in the event that the famous you see the famous castle manor through the haze... Iverstone mountain dog ever had pups again, and now you've had word “How long til the hearths of ol’ Ivy Stone?” one of you Stone” is the only respite from this bitter journey. It that a puppy named Jumping Jack has been trained for you. would say, eventually, and someone else would wager a stands upon the 75th mile marker as the first and last ...It’s quiet, though. The receiving stable is empty of guess. Someone would say that they swore they could sole structure built upon the western stretch, nestled 12) [The Queen herself / Or insert your campaign's ruler] has sent forth a hands and horses and feels as though it has been for cache of rare magical weapons, artifacts and armaments entrusted to you see the wooden sign in the distance: a swinging plaque among the craggy, bare, storm-soaked peaks. No and your companions alone, in order to improve your run of bad luck as days. The drawbridge is down, and no Iverstones are with the mascot from the Inn’s very own ale label, which matter who you are, or what you’ve done, everyone is adventurers. The Iverstones have had these valuables polished and ready around to greet you...which you find strange. consists of a brown toad with a red, pointed cap, sitting on happy to make it to Castle Ivy and have the 5th gen- for you for some time, and you cannot wait to get your hands on them! an apple. Almost every hour, one of you would inevitably eration Iverstones pass them their hot mulled wine or History: (DC, 20): You recall that every now and again, start humming the official pub song of the castle’s raucous apple ale. Castle Iverstone is the target of minor violence from the roaming threats of the Storm Peaks. Once, a sav- Manifested Destiny... age tribe of goblins built a warren too close, and was A Table of Strange Moments Uses: See Below tempted to raid, only to be beaten back by the more stalwart Iverstones. Sometimes, in the winter, migrating At the moment listed in the intro ("Approaching the Drawbridge"), bands of white-out wolves or a pride of massive sabre- have the denoted PC match their entry from the table "Inner Iver- toothed cats makes for the animals of the stables and stone Reasons" to the same numbered entry below. [SECRET]: The usually drags off a mule or a goat or two. Perhaps you events listed on this table are merely illusory visions pulled from the are arriving in the wake of such an event? mind of the PC to hurry them into the Inn. If the affected PC makes an Intelligence: (DC, 29): check, their clarity will cause Perception: (DC, 12): The heavy main doors across the illusion to repeat in the exact same manner, again and the drawbridge, appear to be wide open. again, on a loop, until it glitches out altogether.

Perception: (DC, 17): You are the first to notice that What you see… the heavy wooden placard that swings in the torrent of rain is not a grinning toad, but that of a smiling albino fox (show illustration). There is a crinkled parchment One PC matches their prior #'d Entry to the one below: tacked sideways that reads in big letters (in common speech) “Under New Management ~ Same Ale / Beware Match 1) As if from nowhere, your favorite cousin runs past you, onto the drawbridge and into the Inn in the blink of an eye. She says, "C'mon, the Mist of the Moors Betwixt!...You have been Warned.” you're just in time for the evening toast! The fires are warm, cuz!'" The last part strikes you as odd...It is true that the rug- ged stones of the hills wane into open moors from this Match 2) [The aforementioned described cherished pet] runs/flies/ etc. out of the Inn and onto the drawbridge. It looks very panicked and point until Sylkryst...As you ponder “What mist?” you confused but in the blink of an eye, it flees back into the doorway. see a heavy blanket of what looks like fog encroaching down, over the vast orchards across the road from the Match 3) Itopita Blayne steps out from the archway holding two heavy satchels of gold. She says, "Well, it's about time! C'mon. We were just Inn. It flows like a skeletal hand, tickling each tree with raided by a pack of Storm Peak goblins! It was enough to scare everyone. bony fingers, and you swear you see some apple trees We could use your help with the wounded," and then she disappears into instantly wither behind it. the Inn. Match 4) Your mother stumbles out of the doorway for a moment. Perception: (DC, 18): (On the sign mentioned above) Frightened and confused, she reaches for you, and then something yanks you notice that the paint and the staining are fresh. her back inside. There is a stamp upon the parchment that resembles Match 5) Bibby Iverstone steps out and wipes a stine upon his apron. the number 8, turned sideways, decorated as a foxish He appears calm and assures you that if you all hurry inside, there's hot serpent, with an arrow through it that points down. You mulled wine and lamb stew for dinner yet, and then he steps back inside. noticed that Dyrstyn Tull and his band of ruffians is at- Match 6) You see a little girl run out of the Inn, and hop, stop, and then tempting to flee the scene, out of fear. NOTE: Though wave at you, smiling. You are sure that it's Jaidie! She hears someone call they know little more than the PCs. If questioned, they and runs back inside. admit that they have been searching out and vandal- Match 7) A window far above opens, and [female love interest: Sala izing all the archaic golgothas all along the road. Iverstone / male love interest: Hawlver Iverstone] smiles down at you. They [SECRET]: Under dire threat, they admit they murdered look relieved and elated to see you. They beckon for you to come up and join them, and then close the window (If the PC climbs up there, they will a Kitsune family before your party joined with theirs, find all the upstairs floors entirely empty, as if a sudden departure occurred). and Kitsune jewelry (in total, worth 221 gp) can be found among them. The others in your travelling party, Match 8) Yatty Iverstone steps out from the arch, as if to look around. She sees you and smiles, saying, "Well, look what the cat dragged in! I whether in league with Dyrstyn or not, are terrified of see word got 'round that it's time to take a bite out of our apple. Come in, the portents at the Inn, and wearily pack up to continue there's plenty of gold to go around!" on to Sylkryst, but the ominous mist is pouring over the Match 9) A gruff stablehand steps out from the arch to clean out his pipe. road ahead which also gives them caution. He sees you and says, "Nine Hells. You've finally come to see our work. We took Geneveve into the basement stables to protect her from a damned If the PCs Attempt to Peer Into the Inn’s Windows: goblin raiding party! Come in. Come in. We've got hot lamb stew in the The only windows are paned with green and indigo kettle and dry clothes." (He steps back into the arch) stained glass, and peering through them will probably Match 10) You see a tall elf in woodland ranging garb step out from the result in highly obscured and distorted vision. NOTE: arch. He says, "You must be [He says the PC's name] I am pleased to finally meet you. I am Parsyn Greymantle, and we should talk sooner than later." The windows are roughly 40 ft. across the moat, and (then he steps back into the arch, gesturing for the PC to follow him) would require something akin to “Levitation” to peer into. Successfully doing so yields only darkness inside. Match 11) The jolly, jowly and now old and portly dog named Mojo trots out to greet you, wagging her tail. There is a line of adorable pups in tow. She hears an affable voice say, "Mojo, get back in here," and she heeds it. If the PCs Search for Other Means of Entry: You are certain that a castle-shaped inn of this size Match 12) A young Iverstone workhand starts pulling a wagon full of resplendent weapons and armor out from the archway. He says, "I saw must have a postern gate or a secret exit or at least a you coming up the road and I couldn't wait to show you what was sent. drainage culvert, but as you consider this, the thunder- They are truly remarkable!" But the wagon catches on a flagstone and he storm opens wide, and the yard is full of the “pangs” has to pull it all back into the doorway to re-angle the load. He appears stuck and takes on an embarrassing tone. Someone calls him back from and “pummels” of hail upon armor and weapons. An the doorway and you can no longer see the lad or your magnificent parcel. Assuming the PCs Enter: only civilized province of the Great Abyss!” “Worst of all…the last of my disciples on this moun- The main doorway is unbarred, and the archway is as tain have taken to muttering some of your names in silent and gloomy as the exterior of the keep. Any waft- Religion: (DC, 12 and Lower): You think of the Abyss the dark as if you…are any ward against evil…Feh!” ing mists or ill weather seems to halt abruptly within 10 as a place as far away as the stars in the sky. You can- INTRO...(Cont.)... ft. of the open doors. There are no sounds of clattering not comprehend why a demon goddess has ambushed “I know evil...I have been forced to live inside of it....I An Abyssal Court… dishes nor the bustle of inn keepers. Rain drips upon you, but your gut tells you that you and all of your have been forced to rule over it–my life made into mock- you as you pass under the keystone of the arch. From companions combined could not best her in a fight. ery–all miracles called curses–all blessings called mala- of Scum & Villainy the glow of hundreds of candles that are lit in the lobby, dies and my love denounced as perversion!” though, you realize this passing has instead anointed Religion: (DC, 15): A demon is an engine of pure vio- you in red, dripping blood. lence and hate. They are said to simply appear in The She suddenly growls like a vicious animal. In the apex Abyss, as if they always were, and always will be. Some of her rage, she turns to the thrall on her right, pushes The lobby is an expansive space, broken up by a say when you vanquish a demon, it merely reforms at him into the shadows, and you can see, in silhouette, otherworldly mist is gathering all around you, thick and dozen hearth stations, and the dual stairway across the a later time, but its birth memories are only the bit- her eyes glowing like red embers, and her perfect laced with inky metallic threads that shimmer like oil on room, which converges into a landing and slopes to the terness, envy, hate and rage of its former existence. profile contorting into the muzzle of a vicious fox. In a water. It smells acrid, like burnt leather...There is some- floor. Once you are all inside, it’s as if a veil of shadow Demons have common labels, but each holds one se- flurry of pearl teeth and an aerosol spray of blood, she thing about the mist that makes you fear for your life. has been lifted from your sight, and you see a vast array cret–its one true name. To know a demon’s true name tears out his throat and spits viscera. The other sup- Arcana: (DC, 21): The mist is threaded with foul of strange, stirring shapes around you. The scene has is to hold some kind of intangible power over it, though plicant barely flinches. When she leans back into the magic. Staying too long in the vicinity will permanently the aspect of a monstrous court of deformed demons many demonologists believe this is exaggerated. candlelight, she is once again the beautiful woman, and reduce the Intelligence of PCs down to idiot-level, and dressed to nobility. Your nose warns of the unpleasant she wipes tears of frustration away with the back of her leave them wandering, drooling and gibbering until they possibility that human blood is being used as perfume, Religion: (DC, 17): In your studies of outer planes, you hand, as well as the blood from her mouth. starve or are eaten by the wildlife. NOTE: A “Remove and flesh is being roasted or consumed raw from the recall your headmaster saying something akin to, “The Curse” or similar will remove this affliction. This fate many spits planted over the hearths. In the air, there layers of the Abyss are like an onion, if that onion were “I am no demon. But since you call me that, I shall will most likely befall all the NPCs who have left or are rises a crescendo of guttural chortling that you cannot to be roasting in a seething cauldron of befoulment.” play the part. And since mortals make a game of leaving for Sylkryst. Entering the manor through the comprehend. (A mix of Deep Speech, Abyssal, Supernal Some say The Abyss has 666 layers of existence, judgement, so shall my game judge you...And I owe main doors will remove this curse due to dweomer mag- and Primordial. In the event that a PC could understand which is why that number is considered cursed in most you for your transgressions against me. ics placed upon the archway. them, this is casual talk in the manner of placing bets.) circles. Many of its layers are equal in torment to the Nine Hells, though the devils of Hell have little to say to “The game is simple. 'Survive Vulgarea and you are Examining the Moat: A woman of undeniable beauty makes a dramatic the demons of The Abyss, and even make war at times. declared worthy to live, but is that enough? Every game The moat that surrounds the castle manor is overgrown entrance down the stairway. Her footsteps echo with needs one winner, and only one winner will leave my by moss and reeds. The shallow stagnant water has the clack of thigh-high, studded leather boots and she Religion: (DC, 19): Eshebala is a wily, trickster god- domain alive.” a thin skin of ice over it. Intermittent jagged stones carries an immediate air of dismissive authority. She is dess, said occasionally to meddle in mortal affairs just jut out from the weeds like teeth, and the sleet upon showing a generous amount of skin between silver plat- to take cheap thrills from devising new forms of cruel Her demonic court is obviously only interested in them glistens like drool. Perception: (DC, 21): Due to ing that has been polished to a mirror surface, adding trickery. She considers her demon subjects as stupid, betting on which one of you dies last. In strange uni- studying the crumbling circle in the woods, you notice a shimmering effect in the firelight. She is wrapped in a ugly and far beneath her. She treats her mortal wor- son, all denizens of the room begin a burbling chant the eroded edges of a runed pentacle peeking out of shawl of white fox fur, and although she appears youth- shippers as disposable thralls or pleasure toys. As the in their best approximation of common tongue: “INTO the front corners of the foundation, as if the Iverstone ful and walks with a brash, flippant strut, her short- eons passed, some wrote that she has become more VULGAREA LET MORTALS CAVORT. HER CHAMBERS OF Inn was built on top of an immense, forgotten golgotha. cropped hair is white and her unnaturally blue eyes and more perverse–so much so, that she even manages PAIN MAKE YOUR BLOOD INTO SPORT!...LET DEMONS betray some sort of ancient malevolence. She takes her to unsettle the demons of her plane. PLAY AND YOUR LIVES SHALL BE SHORT...all will enter, The Caravan of Chaos: place by the grandest hearth and reclines against two one walks away…all will enter, one walks away…” Most all of the people you've travelled with are already huge, muscled men in chained collars who kneel to form Eshebala: “I have been with you on your travels. As very afraid and are biting their lips while preparing her chair. Her baleful gaze has never parted from all of Olbridge unravelled, I watched through the eyes of my The light of the room closes like the curtain of a to move on to Sylkryst in the storm, even if it means you as she made this fashionable entrance. foxfolk supplicants. I know you. I’ve come to you in mummers show, and when your vision returns, you are starvation or death from exposure. Dyrstyn is rallying your dreams, and tasted the sweat of your victories in a whole different place, most likely not part of the them to leave and follow him as a leader. He is mak- [Roleplaying Note: Her sibilant voice is equally un- and lapped your fevered anguish. I even…helped you inn at all, and there is no sign of the unwholesome ing a speech about how the whole mountain must be natural. In my mind, she sounds like the first female once or twice because I couldn’t give what’s left of court of demons, yet you suspect that somehow…some cursed, and whatever terrible fate has now befallen the form of “Gozer the Gozerian,” like a classic, hoarse and my foxfolk over to that brain-eating scum of the Far way…they watch you still. (Go to “Chamber 00: Fossil Iverstone Inn is not "our problem." Some want to inves- hissing arch villainess, sprinkled with mock petulance.] Realm–NO! Hapless–forsaken!–Worse than any demon!” Ossuary”) tigate the Inn and see if there are people in trouble. A (She spits) few want you to lead an investigative party into the inn, The demons around you went silent when she walked including a few Iverstone relatives, who are passionately in...After a long, uncomfortable stare, she says, cloyingly, An uncomfortable fidgeting ripples through her de- imploring you. “I’m glad you’ve finally made it…Do you approve of what monic court. I’ve done with the place?” Approaching the Drawbridge: Eshebala: “I returned to my people upon the mountain The drawbridge has a typical amount of muddy traffic [Allow one PC to answer, though she will ignore them] and I found they did not know me…Imagine my disap- smudges upon it, but none are fresh. The doorway is pointment…Most had traded me for that winter witch, too dark to see into. “If you are clever, you see that I am of great import the goddess Sehanine, who hides you from the night! NOTE: The first PC (only) who elects to step close to among demons, which makes me dangerous for you... the drawbridge should now be read their entry from the If you are more clever than that, you know me as a ruler She yells, table "Manifested Destiny" that matches their prior of demons, which makes me the death of you. In your "Inner Iverstone Reason" #'d entry. tongue…I am Queen Eshebala, ‘Mother of Foxes, PUrveyor of Guile and Ruler To Vulgarea’ ...the “I AM THE NIGHT!!”