Tales of the Outer Planes

Advanced Dun3eon OFFICIAL GAME ACCESSORY

TALES OF THE OUTER PLANES

CREDITS TABLE OF CONTENTS

Authors: Deborah A. Christian, Vince How to Use Tales of the Outer Planes 2 Garcia, Thomas M. Kane, David and Martha Ladyman, Christopher Plane: Adventure Mortika, John Nephew, Bruce Nesmith, Bill Slaviscek, Rick Swan, John Terra, Prime: A Simple Deed, Well Rewarded 4 Ray Winninger Castle at the Edge of Time 12 Coordinators: Bruce Heard, Karen S. Ethereal: Boomgarden Air: The Brewing Storm 18 Editor: Gary L. Thomas Typography: Betty Elmore, Kim Janke Water: The Voyage of the Nereid 24 Cartography: Dave S. LaForce Cover Art: Jeff Easley Fire: Through the Fire 30 Interior Art: Chris Miller, Jeff Easley Earth: The Missing Kristal 36

Astral: Into the Astral Plane 42 Distributed to the book trade in the United States by Sample file Random House Inc., and in Canada by Random Seven Heavens: An Element of Chaos 48 House of Canada, Ltd. Distributed to the toy and hobby trade by regional distributors. Distributed in the United Olympus: A Friendly Wager 56 Kingdom by TSR UK Ltd. The Abyss: The Sea of Screams 64 These adventures are protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction Nine Hells: To Hell and Back 72 or unauthorized use of the material or artwork printed herein is prohibited withou the express written permission of TSR Inc. Lairs Archons 80 Babau 80 Berbalang/Basilisk 81 ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, AD&D, TSR, Dao 82 FORGOTTEN REALMS, BATTLESYSTEM, FIEND Efreet 83 FOLIO, PRODUCTS OF YOUR IMAGINATION, and Farastu (Tarry) Demodand 84 the TSR logo are trademarks owned by TSR, kic. Githyanfci 86 TSR, Inc. TSR UK Ltd. Githzerai 87 POB756 The Mill, Rathmore Road Grey Slaad 88 lake Genera Cambridge CB1 4AD lldriss 89 WI53147 United Kingdom Kuei 90 Marid 91 Modrons 92 P'oh and General Ox 93 Planetar 94 Spined Devils 95 Ultrodaemon 96 TSR, Inc. PRODUCTS OF YOUR IMAGINATION •

ISBN 0-88038-544-8 •8.95 US How to Use This Book

This book provides the referee with a mines the THACO of the creature (see series of pregenerated planar adven- below) and saves of a creature. Ability Checks tures to insert into any AD&D® game it AT: Number of attacks shows the In an effort to simplify life for both play- campaign. Each mini-module is a number of physical attacks the crea- ers and DMs, and to give a character's stand-alone scenario, suitable for ture is able to make during a given abilities the importance they deserve, incorporation into an on-going cam- melee round. The 3/2 listing means a recent TSR® products have made use paign or for one-time play as a unique creature can attack once on the odd of a mechanism for resolving actions adventure. Besides 11 adventures melee rounds and twice on the even called the Ability check. into other realms, there are 17 lair melee rounds. When asked to make an Ability adventures, each focusing on a crea- Dmg: Damage per attack indicates check (e.g., a Wisdom check, a Dex- ture from another plane. the hit point range a creature can terity check, etc.), roll 1d20 against Most of the adventures start from inflict after a successful strike. the character's appropriate ability the World Serpent Inn, an interdimen- THACO: This is an acronym for "To score. A roll equal to or less than the sionally transtable (bigger on the Hit Armor Class 0 (zero)." This gives appropriate score means the action inside than on the outside) tavern with the number that needs to be rolled on succeeded, while a roll greater than a number of "convenient" exits to oth- 1d20 for that being to hit armor class the ability score indicates failure and er planes. With its godlike barkeep 0. To determine whether the attack the character suffers whatever dire Mitchifer, the inn is the center from hits another armor class, subtract that consequences await. Sometimes an which PCs can go out and journey to armor class number from the THACO Ability check enables a character to the other planes. Most adventures to see what number needs to be rolled avoid all or some of the damage from have other optional beginnings, for for a hit. If a creature with a THACO of an attack. Some actions are especial- referees who choose not to use the 15 attacks a PC with an armor class of ly easy or difficult and have bonuses World Serpent Inn. 4, the creature needs to roll an 18 (15 - or penalties to the ability score to [-3] = 15 + 3). reflect the level of difficulty. This number eliminates the need to The Ability check is a wonderful Terms Used in Tales of consult tables or keep charts for each mechanism for resolving the results of the Outer Planes character. One simple calculation tells almost any action. The DM needs to you whether the attack hits. You will decide which ability applies to the situ- There is a set of fairly standard terms find that this calculation quickly ation, whether there should be any used throughout the text of this work becomes automatic. modifiers due to circumstances, and that are defined here. Every DM SA: Special attacks detail such then roll away. should be familiar with these terms. things aSamples dragon breath, file magic use, AC: Armor class is a measure of and the like special abilities of crea- how difficult it is to hit a creature. It tures. AD&D® Rulebooks reflects the type of protection worn or SD: Special defenses detail things There is no way that Tales of the Outer inherent protection a creature has due like defensive magic, camouflage Planes can include all of the informa- to its physical or magical nature or its abilities, and so on, that must be fac- tion you'll need for every adventure speed. tored into a fight with that type of crea- without being 10 times its size. In par- Move (MV): Movement represents ture. ticular, you'll need The Manual of the the usual speed a monster is able to MR: Magic resistance is the per- Planes (also referred to as MoP) to maintain for lengths of time. Short centage chance that a creature is able give you the detailed background on bursts of greater speed are possible. If to ignore the effects of a spell cast at each plane and realm visited by the more than one speed is listed, the it. player characters. Survival, move- monster can travel via two or more dif- AL: Alignment indicates the behav- ment, and magic effects vary consid- ferent methods: ior of the monster, whether it is of good erably from plane to plane. Before any or evil intent. adventure, you'll want to study up on X" = ground speed gp: gold pieces this information. IX" = flying speed cp: copper pieces For the most part, you should be IIX" = swimming speed sp: silver pieces able to play any adventure in this book (X") = burrowing speed ep: electrum pieces without consulting any of the monster *X" = climbing in a web pp: platinum pieces manuals or other reference books @X" = climbing in trees (except for spell effects and magical HD: Hit dice are used to calculate item effects, which could not be the number of hit points (hp) a mon- included due to space restrictions). ster has. This number also deter- You may want these books handy, How to Use This Book

though, for some of the more arcane point totals for a weaker party is one made an effort to defeat the creatures monsters, so your players can at least answer. Halving the damage done by in the adventure, but was forced to see what they look like. traps is another solution. In the case retreat. This last entry enables the DM where the encounter must be made to recognize that the party learned tougher, a simple increase in the num- from the encounter, but just could not Lair Format ber of creatures can bring the quite finish it off. The 17 lairs in the back of this book encounter level up to where it should Every encounter has from one to are organized in alphabetical order. be. In both of these changes a modifi- three Set Up features. These are bits Various difficulty levels are included, cation to the Monster X.P. number of information on situations to help the from those designed for lower-level should be made. referee get the party into the adven- parties to those for higher-level The (avg.) listing for the Total Party ture. They can also be used to get the groups. Levels is a calculation that should be party back on track if the group has Each creature encounter is itself a made at the beginning of the adven- taken an unplanned tangent and not series of encounters that can be used ture by the DM. This is an indication of gone the way the Dungeon Master all at once or in part during a game. the power and type of creatures a par- thought they would. The referee can easily use these ty should be facing. If the party aver- This section may also contain infor- encounters without much preparation age falls below or above the listing for mation pertinent to all of the ways the during the middle of a game or can the encounter by more than one, PCs could get into the adventure (i.e., use them to start off an adventure. changes should be made in the there may be three different people or The creature featured in each encounter. situations that introduce the PCs to adventure is listed at the top of the first Experience points appear under the adventure, but all three would page of the adventure. Next to the three different listings for each enable them to gain certain basic creature name is a number in paren- encounter: Total Magic X.P, Total g.p. information). theses. This is the total number of X.P, and Monster X.P. Following the Set Up is the Lair sec- these creatures that might be encoun- The Total Magic X.P. listing deals tion. This is the main body of the tered in the adventure. At the top of with the magical treasure of the adventure and includes a detailed the first column of text is a box that encounter. All of the treaures have description of the lair as well as the contains general information perti- been added into this figure and appro- monster's tactics and several sepa- nent to the adventure. This lists the priate subtractions should be made if rate encounters within the adventure. terrain, total party levels, total magic the party does not find all the treasure. The encounters eventually lead to the X.P., total g.p. X.P., and three degrees The Monster X.P. entry is computed climactic battle in which all is won or of monster X.P. from theSample Dungeon Master's file Guide list- lost. The terrain of the encounter is given ings and a subjective addition has The beginning of this section gives at the top of the box. This gives the been made for the tricks and traps of a little bit of background on the crea- type of area the PCs must be in to any given encounter. Three listings ture^) and why this encounter is encounter this particular monster. are provided under the monster expe- where it is. Then there is a short The listing for Total Party Levels is rience points. These listings are used description of the encounter area and an aid to the referee to determine the by the DM as the situation merits. The what is there and easily observable. power of the group the adventure was Kill listing is used when the characters The rest of the information is the designed for. If a party is larger or have killed all the creatures in the series of encounters the party will smaller than the total party levels list- encounter. The Defeat entry is used in meet when dealing with the creature ed, adjustments should be made. the event the party drives off some of listed. Sometimes the end of the Adjustments can be made in several the creatures or otherwise meets and encounter has a brief listing that can areas. To adjust the encounter down- wins out over the creatures without lead the party to other encounters in ward for a weaker party, several things causing the death of all the monsters. the lairs in Tales of the Outer Planes. can be done. Reducing creature hit The Retreat listing is used if the party A Simple Deed, Well Rewarded

by David & Martha Ladyman Traveling to a different Prime Mate- Synopsis rial plane, a world of jungles, they By some means or other, the party has work their way, with difficulty, to Lliira. DM's Information heard of the World Serpent Inn and She reveals that she was tricked into a how to reach it. In this adventure, the realm where she was powerless, then Inn is set in Arabel, in Cormyr of the cursed by Hecate so that she could A Simple Deed is designed to intro- Forgotten Realms, but you can move return no man's love, not even that of duce 1 st- and 2nd-level characters to it to any city on any world you wish. Enki, her beloved. Hecate, it seems, the World Serpent Inn, in Arabel (and The Inn is there, as well! had briefly been enamored of Enki elsewhere!), and to its potential for Dropping in for drinks, the PCs find herself and what Hecate wants, Hec- adventuring in the planes. Not much themselves tricked by a jester into an ate gets. The infatuation over, Hecate emphasis is placed on details of spe- unexpected commitment: to perform has neglected to remove the curse, cific planes, or on difficulties of getting a service for Hecate, the Greek god- leaving Lliira stranded in Zannibar. from one to another. Rather, it gives dess of magic. She wants a hound Having come full circle, the party is players a taste of planar unearthli- from the Wild Hunt (of Celtic renown) finally able to fulfill their task—Hecate ness, and demonstrates the useful- to crossbreed with her own hell- is happy to remove the curse in ness of the Inn in reaching these hounds. exchange for the hounds; Lliira's realms. At no point in this adventure return lifts Enki's spirits, for which he are characters given the opportunity (The jester becomes their guide rewards the party with the artistry to pick a portal at random—if they do through the planes, so detailed knowl- Raven desires; Raven returns the at some later time, the results are up edge of where they're going or how to spear and horn, and the Master to the DM! get there isn't necessary for this intro- ductory adventure.) passes one of his hounds to Hecate. Having found the Inn, parties Drawn into a chase with the Wild The party passes on to a well- should have no trouble continuing Hunt, the PCs help dispatch a clutch deserved rest. with the other adventures in this book, of grave-robbers, then place their or into Planar realms of your own request before the Master of the Hunt. Experience Earned devising. Not turning them down flatly, he says It's hard to quantify the experience Also, note that the Inn, and its bar- that he will give them some of his points each PC earns in this adven- keep, Mitchifer, are different from time hounds if the party recovers his miss- ture. The recommended approach at to time and from place to place. It rare- ing spear and hunting horn; a raven is the first or second level is to award ly presents exactly the same aspect responsible for their disappearance. twice—at times its appearance will be each PC enough to gain one level if he UponSample further investigation file, the par- radically changed! As DM, feel free to has done well, less otherwise. ty discovers that the trickster Raven alter it as much or as little as you Of course, this adventure could be lives on the plane of elemental Air. please. used for characters five or six levels Proceeding to his lodge, they find the higher, and they would still be power- This scenario also demonstrates a spear and horn. The theft seems suc- less to do anything but negotiate with few things about the Powers which cessfully concluded, when they the beings they encounter. They inhabit the various planes. emerge, not home, but on the Happy should receive no more than 2,000 to Most importantly, characters in the Hunting Grounds, where Raven is vis- 3,000 points, as well, unless one or habit of hacking now and asking ques- iting his Beastlord friends. Recovering more distinguishes himself above and tions later are asking only for trouble. his stolen belongings from the PCs, beyond the call of the adventure. Therefore, statistics aren't given for Raven promises to return the spear any of the Demi-Powers or Powers in and horn if the party can acquire a this adventure. Statistics in Legends piece of art from the suddenly reclu- The Adventure and Lore and elsewhere describe a sive Sumerian god of artistry, Enki, on being's attributes and hit points while Nirvana. The World Serpent Inn on the Prime Material plane, not while Arriving on Nirvana, the players find It is just past sunset, and the party can at home. Assume that anyone below that Enki's withdrawal is caused by see the vague outline of the moon in 25th or 30th level foolish enough to unrequited love for the goddess Lliira. the deepening sky as they walk the take arms against a Power or Demi- This is very uncharacteristic of her, as streets of Arabel. Around them tired Power on its home plane gets just is the report that she is working at the merchants are closing their booths what he or she deserves, as quickly Zannibar pleasure palace, operated and counting their profits for the day. (or as prolonged!) as the Power by Tazy and Soshi (Tlazolteotl and Meat pie vendors anxiously try to sell desires. Who needs to know hit points Xochipilli, Central American gods of one last pie before day's end; they call in cases like that? vice, gambling and chance). to the PCs as they pass by. The day- A Simple Deed, Well Rewarded

time folks are going home to supper laughing, seated at tables and booths around serving the different tables, and bed, and the night people are just scattered throughout the room. Those sometimes running through the aisle, now hitting the streets. A group of not- that couldn't get seats have made sometimes ducking under tables or really-ladies are clustered on a street room on the floor, and PCs have to running on top of the bar, but never corner; they whistle and call out to the watch their step to keep from tripping spilling a drop. party as they pass by. The party over them. At the bar is a man drinking what should wander through back streets A PC might stumble over three men appears to be a pink cloud of smoke; until they reach a small tavern near dicing in a corner. If this happens, one further down is a purple fizz that the eastern wall of the city—hardly the of the dicers will snarl at him. This par- reeks. If a PC looks closely at the most fashionable part of town. The ticular man happens to have ram's clothing of his neighbor, he will see outside is grimy with age. A sign pro- horns growing out of his head. Over that it is not made of cotton or wool like claiming it to be "The Wild Goose" near the far wall is a green woman an honest man's clothing, but some- hangs crookedly above the door, flap- talking to a pig. A coat with six arm- thing light, and strangely colored, and ping in the breeze. In reality, this is the holes is slung over a chair. The PCs shining—fairy cloth perhaps? He's World Serpent Inn, a multidimension- hear snatches of conversation, but wearing an orangish-yellow jewel of a al tavern that exists in every plane, but much of it is in an unfamiliar lan- totally unfamiliar material. is open only to those who know the guage. That which they do under- In fact, looking around the room, secret: knocking in the air on an imagi- stand still seems gibberish—it they should see few, if any, people nary door, then invoking the name of concerns places and people they've dressed as they are. Most are wearing any Power or Demi-Power. Those who never heard of before. different colors, different fabrics, dif- do not follow this ritual enter an ordi- The Inn is an unbelievable place. ferent styles than they've ever seen nary tavern. This secret can be given Not only are its inhabitants from other before. Some aren't wearing any to player characters as a tip for a well- planes, but some are actually Powers clothes at all. performed service; as gossip over- in disguise, relaxing safely in the pro- Eerie music filters through the room heard in the market place, thieves' tection of the Inn's powerful magic. as it darkens, and a spotlight focuses hall, or alleyway; as a message "acci- The bar is situated in the middle of on the same green woman the party dentally" read while being carried the room, with a light shining directly saw before. She is dancing a strange from one NPC to another; or by any above it. The barkeeper is a fat man, dance, whirling and twirling in a sea of other means the DM desires. with a long white beard, red cheeks, multicolored scarves. As she dances, One player should make a knocking and a big booming laugh. The PCs her porcine companion nods and gesture, saying "By the name of X should have an impulse to laugh when bangs his hooves on the table, in evi- (saying an appropriate name), I will they seeSample him, in spite o ffile themselves. dent enjoyment of the entertainment. enter." If any PC glances back at the He beams at them and calls them by She finishes, bows deeply (the better sign, he sees it changed to "World name. "It's good to see you; first time to scoop up the coins and jewelry Serpent Inn." here, I say. Well, don't be shy! What'll being thrown her way), and runs off. The party goes down a passageway you have? Venetian mountain brew? into the main room. It is smoky and Sigma flytrapper? Sterozium? Elysi- Party Tricks strangely lit; they can see the bar, situ- um Elixir? I make the best in the and a Party Tricked ated in the middle, but the distant universe—fresh otters! Mitchifer is the walls seem unclear. It is very smoky, name, gentlebeings," he shouts. Sooner or later the party should spy as thick as fog. The decor is definitely "Name your poison." Whatever they an open table, or have a helper guide unusual; this should be the oddest order, he instantly slaps down in front them to one. They will be closely fol- place they've ever seen. For one of them. There is nothing they order lowed by another helper with a full tray thing, the place seems much larger that he does not have. of fresh drinks. A jester, dressed in top than it appeared on the outside. For hat and tails, approaches. (The jester Behind Mitchifer, the PCs can see flirts with the male or female in the par- another, it must have countless meet- various bottles filled with strange liq- ing rooms and private areas. What ty who has the highest Charisma or uids: some fizzing, some smoking, Comeliness, so should be the oppo- else could account for all those doors? some with flashing lights. Surround- Every couple of feet there is another site sex of that character.) She (or he) ing him are his helpers, wearing white bows deeply, saying, door. If they try to count the doors, aprons and carrying trays filled with they should lose track before finish- strange and exotic drinks. The PCs "Friend, it would do you well to ing. In fact, some of the doorways don't recognize the contents of any clean your ears now and then. One seem to be shifting about, vanishing glass. The helpers are all short—not a never knows what one will find." She and reappearing! one over three feet six—with pointed then removes a coin from a PC's ear, and hands it to him. This is the place to see and be seen. ears and red noses. They chatter to It is packed with folks all talking and each other in shrill voices as they race "The same holds true for your A Simple Deed, Well Rewarded

helm." She takes another PC's cap, simple task." She sits back and She gives them one contemptuous shakes it twice, and a dove flies out. smiles. glance, raises an eyebrow, and sighs. She takes a PC's drink, sips, sputters Anyone in the tavern, and any of the "Is this the best you could do, jester?" and coughs, and suddenly flowers are PC's higher priests, can confirm that Behind her, a volcano explodes to mir- blooming in the glass. they have indeed bound themselves ror her dissatisfaction. "Trust me, All this attracts the interest of those to one task in Hecate's service, and Lady," assures the jester, "these men at tables near the PCs, and they too that it would not go well for them if they and women are highly capable cou- start applauding and smiling. One of refused or avoided it. Should anyone riers who will be able to do Your Lady's the PCs discovers a rabbit in his shirt; refuse, he will have a run of bad luck bidding in a satisfactory manner. Trust another finds a coin at the bottom of the next week. Like his house burns me." A trickle of sweat runs down the his drink; yet another gets his ears down. His girlfriend marries his best jester's brow. Hecate sighs, and a "cleaned" and finds scarves, toads, friend. His sword breaks in two. His nearby flame flares up twenty feet and more coins. In fact, everyone at mother runs off with a fish peddler. high. She leans forward. the table ends up with a coin. The The Princess accuses him of acting in "Hear me, then, mortals. I desire a jester does not perform for the other an ungentlemanly manner toward her, simple deed, easily done, and well tables; all of her attention is centered and demands the guillotine. It rewarded. All you must do is secure on the PC's table. shouldn't be hard to convince the some breeding stock for me. Nothing If any PC examines his coin, he will character that it is in his best interest difficult; just a dog to mate with my note that it doesn't look like any coin to take the jester on her word. hellhounds. In particular, a black dog, he's ever seen. It appears to be plati- When the party is ready to go (either large, with a tongue of green flame num with a dragon engraved on one now or later, after having been con- and green fire in his eyes. It must be a side and the head of an unknown ruler vinced), they will be escorted by the male. I don't anticipate this being on the other. There is an inscription, jester through one of the doors in the something that will take long, so I will Not all things in hell are evil; not all tavern. require him in about two weeks—no things in the Inn are good. longer." She leans back, then forward The jester seats herself at the table, again. "Should you succeed, your and calls for more drinks. She politely Hecate, the Dark reward will be great. If you fail... well, presses drinks on the entire party. Queen of Magic it's been a long time since I've burned Should they refuse, she will continue anyone alive. It might be fun." She urging them. After most of the party Upon passing through the door, the leans back again. "You are dis- drinks, those at the surrounding party finds itself on Phlegethos, the missed." tables shake their heads (or similar fourth oSamplef the Nine Hells .file The volcano in the background appendage). The PCs hear snatches The immediate feeling is one of booms out another eruption, and the of conversation. severe heat. Streams of sweat roll jester, bowing as she backs away from "Did it again." down the PCs' bodies; their first reac- Hecate's presence, leads you again tion may be to shed any furs or excess "Like shooting fish in a barrel." through the doorway into the tavern. clothing. They are standing in the "Smooth as silk, how does she do Let the PCs work on the problem of midst of blackened, charred terrain, that?" where to find a dog to fit Hecate's next to a river of fire— not magma, not "Did you hear what happened to the description. If they haven't solved it in lava, but fire! If anyone is so foolish as last group?" as they conspiratorialy a week, the jester will figure it out and to dip a finger in the river, he'll find it put their heads together and whisper. tell them. The party must go on a Wild burns like fire, too. Volcanoes sur- Hunt, as detailed in Legends and Lore. "Gentlepersons," the jester says round the party and extend to the hori- silkily, smiling. "Having accepted both zon as far as the eye can see. The wage and sustenance, you have com- jester takes them to the nearest volca- A Wild Hunt mitted yourselves to service, albeit no. Two nights after deducing exactly brief, in the employ of Hecate." The what Hecate desires, the jester bursts whisperers at the next table hoot in There, in the crater, sits a stunning into the tavern and, rushing over to the laughter and proceed to place bets on woman on a throne of obsidian, stud- party, shouts, "Hurry, the Hunt is on!" how long the party will last. ded with fire opal. She has jet black hair, milk white skin, and red eyes that He leads them through a new portal. "Now, think not that you can avoid glow like embers. She is dressed in As the party arrives, they discover this service; you need merely ask X or deep red robes, and her nails are themselves on a moor. The time is late Y", naming two of the party's deities. scarlet. She is incredibly beautiful, evening. The ground is damp, and "But fear not that this," she continues, and incredibly frightening. This is the there is a smell of decaying plantlife. It picking up one of the coins, "is your goddess Hecate. is cold and foggy. A foreboding sense sole reward. There are twenty more of danger and excitement is in the air. for each of you upon completion of our The jester leads the party to her.