Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Princes of The Apocolypse (Pgs 1-18)
Princes of The Apocolypse (Pgs 1-18)
TM
)A5qu.4-T[II
9 CI "'I 11 11 e1 h
CREDITS FOREWORD
SASQUATCH GAME STUDIO Adapting a classic is never an easy job. It was a simple
Lead Designer: Richard Baker choice to follow the Tyranny of Dragons story arc with
Designers: Ed Greenwood, David Noonan, Th omas M. Reid,
a successor to the classic adventure The Temple of
Stephen Schubert, Steven Townshend, Jeff Ludwig,
Robert J. Schwalb
Elemental Evil. The hard part was deciding how exactly
Editors: Michele Carter, Stacy Janssen to do that.
Interior Illustrators: john-Paul Balmet, Mark Behm , Eric Belisle, We faced an important decision early on in creating
Filip Burburan, Christopher Burdett, Anna Christenson , the concept for this campaign. In addition to the original
Conceptopolis, Wayne England , jason Engle, j on Hodgson , 1985 adventure, there was a sequel released in 2001 ,
Justin Mayhew, Jim Nelson, Klaus Pillon, Claudio Pozas , a novelization , a computer game, and a variety of
Ned Rogers , Lee Smith, Raymond Swanland , Matias Tapia , supporting articles and mentions strewn across dozens
Richard Whitters , Kieran Yanner of books. We could build another sequel or simply
Cartographers: Sean MacDonald, Mike Schley reprint the original adventure with updated stats.
Typesetter: Nissa McCormack
A simple reprint felt like a disappointing option. The
Temple of Elemental Evil is avai lable as an ebook, and
WIZARDS OF THE COAST
D&D Lead Designers: Mike Mearls , jeremy Crawford
the conversion from the first edition rules to fifth editior
Story Lead: Christopher Perkins is fairly straightforward. I highly recommend it as one o
Managing Editor: Jeremy Crawford D&D's earliest and best dungeons.
Producer: Greg Bilsland Instead , we decided to consider Elemental Evil as a
Additional Design : Rodney Thompson , Peter Lee, cosmic threat. As creatures of the planes, the elemental
Chris Sims, Matt Sernett princes can reach almost any of the many worlds of
Art Directors: Kate Irwin , Shauna Narciso D&D. What would happen if the forces of evil turned
Cover Illustrator: Raymond Swan land their gaze to Faerun? How would this classic D&D
Graphic Designers: Emi Tanji , Bree Heiss
threat play out in the world of the Forgotten Realms?
Proofreading: jennifer Clarke Wilkes
Project Management: Neil Shinkle, j ohn Hay
Simply posing that question kicked off a groundswell
Production Services: Cynda Callaway, Jefferson Dunlap, of ideas and concepts. It pushed us to think of elementa
David Gershman evil as a power beyond that of the original adventure.
Brand and Marketing: Nathan Stewart, Liz Schuh, The results of that exercise are held within this book.
Chris Lindsay, Shelly Mazzanoble, Hilary Ross , John Feil , The forces of elemental evil, much like the D&D game,
Laura Tommervik , Kim Lundstrom , Trevor Kidd are a dynamic, living thing. Read on and witness their
Playtesters: Teos Abadia , Robert Alaniz , Rory Alexander, Jay latest scheme.
Anderson , Paul Baalham , Stacy Bermes, joseph Bloch, Mike Mear
carlo bosticco, Ken Breese, Tim Eagon, Pierce Gaithe, January 201
Richard Green , T. E. Hendrix, Sterling Hershey, Pau l Hughes
Matthew Jording, Yan Lachari te, Shane Leahy, Ryan Leary,
Jonathan Longstaff, j on Machnicz, Farrell Madden , Matt
Maranda , Paul Melamed , Shawn MerwinLou Michelli, Rob
Mickunas , Mike Mihalas, john Proudfoot, Rob Quillen II , Karl
Resch , Sam Sherry, Sam E Simpson Jr, Pieter Sleijpen
Disclaimer: Wizards of the Coa st urges adventvrers to remem ber that nota/frock creatures are ear ~h elementals. A talking rock that controls boulders is a ga leb duhr. A talking rock wearing
jewelry is a dao. A silent rock tha t 's resis ta nt to non-ada mantine weapons is a stone go /em. A rock with wings is a ga rgoyle. A rock without a K is a giant bird. A rock that slts there and does
nothing coufd be just a rock or a bafor disguised by an ilfusion , In off cases, proceed with caution .
ON THE COVER
Aerisi Kalinoth , the air prophet, unleashes the Cult of the
Howl ing Hatred on the Dessarin Valley. A defiant Harper
wizard named Zelraun Roaringhorn stands against her in
this tempestuous scene illustrated by Raymond Swanland
62082436000001 EN
ISBN : 978-0-7869-6578-6
First Printing: April 2015
987654321
DUN GEON S & DRAGO NS, D& D, Wiz ard s of the Coast , Forgotten Rea lms, the dragon ampersand , Princes of the Apocalypse, Pl ayer 's Handbook , M onster Man ual, Dun geon Mast
Gui de, all other Wiza rds of the Coas t prod uc t na mes, and th eir respec tive logos a re trade m arks of Wizard s of th e Coas t in the USA a nd o th e r co untri es. All c hara c te rs an d th eir
d is tinctive likenesses are pro perty of Wiza rd s of th e Coast . Thi s ma te ria l is protec ted und e r the co pyri ght laws o f the United Sta tes of America. Any re pro ductio n o r un a uthorized u
of the mate ria l or artwork co nt ained he rein is pro hibi te d wi th out the e xp ress wri tte n permis s io n of Wizard s of th e Coast.
Sasquatch Game Stud io and th e Sasqu a tch Gam e Stud io lo go are trad e mar ks of Sasqu a tch Ga me Studio LLC.
Prin ted in the USA. 2015 Wizards of the Coast LLC , PO Box 707. Rento n, WA 980 570707, USA . Manufac tured by Hasbro SA, Ru e Emil e-Boecha t 31 , 2800 Delemont, CH .
Re prese n te d by Ha s bro Eu rope 4 The Sq ua re Stock ley park Uxbrj dge Midd lesex UBJJ JET UK
JONTENTS
b. 1: Rise of Elemental Evil ......... ..... .. ............ ....... 4 Ch. 5: Temple ofthe Elder Elemental Eye ....... 112
Using This Book ............................................. ....... 5 Wrath of the Elements ........... ........................... 112
Adventure Background ........................................ 5 Fighting the Prophets ....................................... 115
Adventure Synopsis ................................... ........... 6 Saving the Delegates .. ...................................... 115
Elemental Cults ...................................... ............... 7 Fane of the Eye .................................................. 115
Cult of the Black Earth ............... .................. 8 The Howling Caves ........................................... 123
Cult of the Crushing Wave ........................... 9 The Plunging Torrent ....................................... 128
Cult of the Eternal Flame ........................... 10 The Black Geode ......................................... ...... 135
Cult of the Howling Hatred ........................ 11 The Weeping Colossus ..................................... 141
Running the Adventure ........... ........................... 12 Concluding the Campaign ............................... 146
Adventure Hooks ......................................... 12
Factions .......................................................... 14 Ch. 6: Alarums and Excursions .......................... 148
Starting the Adventure ............................... 17 Trouble in Red Larch ............................. .. .... ..... 148
Preparing for Play ....................................... 17 Into the Wilderness ........................................... 149
Using Monster References ......................... 17 Necromancer's Cave ...................... ............... .... 151
Using the Side Treks ................................... 17 Tomb of Moving Stones ................................... 153
Side Treks ........................................................... 159
:h. 2: The Dessarin Valley ..................................... 18 New Management ...... .... .. .......................... 160
History ..... ..... ... ....................................... .... ..... ...... 19 Iceshield Orcs ........ .. .. .. ............................... 163
Current Events ... .................................................. 19 The Long Road ........................................... 166
Red Larch ............................................................. 19 Curse of the Fire Witch ............................ '167
Important Red Larchers ... .......................... 20 Vale of Dancing Waters ............................ 172
The Believers ................................................ 20 Dark Dealings in Yartar ........................... 175
Adventure in Red Larch ............................. 20 Rundreth Manor ......................................... 179
Rumors of Evil. ................................ ............. 21 Halls of the Hunting Axe .......................... 180
Red Larch Locations .......................... ......... 22
Exploring the Valley ............................................ 29 Ch. 7: Monsters and Magic Items ....................... 188
Travel .............................................................. 29 Monsters ............................................... ......... ...... 188
Random Encounters ................................ .. . 30 Howling Hatred Cultists ........................... 189
Valley Sites ............................................................ 31 Black Earth Cultists .................................. 195
The Uthgardt Tribes ........................................... 39 Eternal Flame Cultists ................ ............. 200
Crushing Wave Cultists ....................... .... 205
:h. 3: Secret of the Sumber Hills ......................... 40 Other Villains ............................................. 209
The Missing Delegation ..................................... 40 Elemental Myrmidons .............................. 212
Early Investigations ............................................ 42 Princes of Elemental Evil ............................. ... 214
Cult Reprisals ....................................................... 44 Magic Items ........................................................ 222
Feathergale Spire ................................................ 46 Elemental Magic Items ............................. 222
Knights' Quest .............................. ... .................... 49 Relics of Besilmer ...................................... 223
Sighing Valley ...................................................... 50 Elemental Weapons ................................... 224
Rivergard Keep .................................................... 52
Sacred Stone Monastery ................................... 59 Appendix A: Genasi .... ............................................ 227
Scarlet Moon Hall ............................................... 69
Appendix B: Spells ......................................... ...... .. 230
.h. 4: Air, Earth, Fire, Water ................................. 74 Spell Lists ........................................................... 230
Rooting Out Evil .................................................. 74 Spell Descriptions .. ............................. ........ ...... 233
Cult Retaliation ...... .............................................. 76
Temple of Howling Hatred ................................ 78 Appendix C: Adapting to Other Worlds .......... .. 243
Temple of the Crushing Wave ........................... 84
Temple of Black Earth ........................................ 95 Afterword ......................................... ....................... .. 251
Temple of Etern al Flame .............................. .. . 103
CHAPTER 1: RISE OF ELEMENTAL EVIL
TERRIBLE THREAT GATHERS IN THE These troubles have a source known to few in the
NoRTH. Throughout this region of the North: Elemental Evil. Servants of this malevolence
Forgotten Realms, savage marauders gather in the Sumber Hills and spy on the Dessarin
bring destruction. Monsters are on the Valley, drawn by a force they can't explain. Dabblin
prowl, preying on flocks, rampaging dangerous lore, these fanatics seek to master eleme
through croplands, and attacking magic and unleash its destructive power everywher
homesteads and travelers. In settlements, And they are further along in their plans than most
discord and suspicion grow. Sinister people in the North realize.
strangers lurk in the shadows, whispering about how Four elemental cults grow in power in the Sum be
everything is soon to change. This year brought an Hills, claiming abandoned keeps that connect to an
unseasonably warm and stormy spring. Tales spread of underground fortress once part of an ancient dwar
flooding, windstorms, wildfires, and tremors. kingdom. Within those chambers are the remnants
a temple built by drow worshipers of Elemental Evi
.&
The earth cult worships the implacable
T ACT ICS AND P HILOSOPHY
strengt h and unyielding resistance of
The Black Earth cult is the most defense-minded
elementa l earth. Cultists seek the power
patient of the four elemental cults. Earth cultists<
to destroy the works of civilization with
stoicism, endurance, and unyielding resolve. TheJ
landslides, sinkholes, or mighty earthquakes, thus
deliberate and slow to act, careful to consider thei
demonstrating the true power of elemental earth and
plans and gather their strength before beginning
the futility of resistance. Earth cultists see mines,
new enterprise. Once earth cultists resolve to act
X
Earth initiates know the secret of creating armor from Cultists of the Crushing Wave worship the
magically shaped stone, and even their robes include awesome power of water, from the s urging
stone pauldrons or masks. tides and deadly maelstroms of the sea to the
raging torrents of rive rs in flood and the rock-
PROPHET OF EARTH
crushing power of ice and glaciers. Crushing Wave
A medusa named Marlos Urnrayle leads the Black Earth cultists see all living creatures as nothing more than
cult. He wields the elemental weapon Ironfang , a war trapped water that could one day be free to return to the
pick infused with the power of Ogremoch, the Prince seas or skies in a new form. The seas and deep waters
of Evil Earth. Marlos is vain and cruel, an extreme are eager to reclaim the parts of themselves currently
narcissist who delights in surrounding himself with held in the blood and bodies of living creatures, and it is
objects of beauty and luxurious comforts. Beneath this the duty of Crushing Wave initiates to return
sneering self-assurance lies a bitter being who loathes nonbelievers to the primal waters by drowning them or
himself and holds everyone around him in contempt. shedding their blood.
Marlos began life as a human aristocrat, born into The Crushing Wave cult appeals to those who live
a wealthy Cormyrean family. He squandered his in or near bodies of water, as well as to those who
family's wealth on endless self-indulgence, seeking appreciate subtlety and inevitability. Wicked sea
more questionable forms of entertainment through the creatures such as aquatic ghouls and merrows are
years. The Urnrayle estate became known as a place friendly toward water cultists. Even non-sentient
of outrageous masquerades, bizarre banquets, and predators such as sharks or octopuses understand
grotesque orgies. Marlos required his guests to don ugly that water cultists are allies to be aided or masters to
or monstrous masks, thus ensuring that no one's beauty be obeyed.
would outshine his own. The Sign of the Crushing Wave. Water cultists use a
As he aged, Marlos turned to magic to preserve his simple hand sign to identify one another when a token
fading beauty. After searching for years, he found a ring of recognition is required: crossing the forefingers and
that contained the stolen vitality of a lovely fey creature. overlapping the thumbs to create an X-shape linked by
As long as he wore the ring, his imperfections vanished a line across the bottom. It stands for water's eternal
and no one could resist his physical charms- until surge and retreat, a cycle of unending change.
the day the ring transformed Marlos into a medusa.
The horror of his fate drove Marlos mad. He fled his T ACT ICS AND PHILOSOPHY
ancestral home, taking his collection of masks with him. Crushing Wave cultists are almost as patient and stoic
After years of wandering and hiding in one ruined as the followers of the earth cult. They understand the
estate or another across the Western Heartlands, value of outlasting formidable foes and slowly eroding
~1arlos felt drawn to the desolate Sumber Hills by their defenses. However, they are far more flexible and
troubling dreams and visions. A long stairway beneath opportunistic in their overall philosophy than the earth
a ruined monastery brought him to an ancient cavern cultists are. Like a flood that seeks the weak point in
with a hideous altar, upon which lay a war pick of a levee and then bursts through with ever-growing
iron. When the medusa claimed Ironfang, his purpose strength, water cultists are quick to sense an opening
finally became clear to him. He established his lair in and then act to exploit it. This philosophy of pragmatism
the dungeon nearby and began building the Cult of the and opportunism means that the Crushing Wave is
Black Earth. the most mercenary of the four elemental cults. Water
Traits. Unlike many of his followers, Marlos is cultists eagerly seek out rich prizes and use their ill-
enteel and well-spoken. He delights in witty banter and gotten loot to develop their schemes.
Pointed repartee, although he is quick to make a cutting In combat, Crushing Wave cultists excel as
remark or jest at someone else's expense. Marlos takes skirmishers. They value mobility and opportunism,
p easure in mocking others, especially if he can do so rarely making a s tand in one place for long. Instead, they
V
The fol.lowers of elemental air call themselves
all who ever thwarted her dreams, the tieRing Vanifer
the Cult of the Howling Hatred. They
has risen to leadership of the Eternal Flame cult.
worship the destructive power of wind and
Beneath her refined exterior is a steel edge of scorned
storms, believing that those who venerate
pride. And underneath her hard pride lies a desire for
elemental air gain the power to punish those who have
murder and mayhem. Vanifer harbors a fierce hatred for
wronged them. More so than the members of the other
all who think themselves superior to her, and she stops
cults, air cultists see their beliefs as a means to an end.
at nothing to make them see her as a figure to be feared
Destruction for its own sake isn't particularly
and respected.
interesting, but destruction as an expression of personal
Vanifer was born and raised in the crushing poverty
freedom or to earn things wrongfully denied? That's a
of Calimport's poorest quarters, armed with only her
different story.
cunning intelligence. In her youth, she learned to dance
The Cult of the Howling Hatred appeals to those
for coin and slowly worked her way up from the wine
who deal in perceptions over facts: illusionists, spies,
sinks of the laborers' districts to the elegant chambers
and assassins, for example. Predatory or fierce winged
of the city's nobles. She mastered minor fire magic to
creatures of any kind, even non-sentient monsters that
distinguish herself from other dancers and incorporated
would otherwise resist training, perceive the air cultists
flame into her routine. Her talents grew, and soon she
as allies and cooperate with them. Hippogriffs, griffons,
caught the eye of a pasha and became his concubine.
and giant vultures are frequently used as air cult steeds.
But even as she enjoyed the gifts he lavished on her,
The Sign of the Howling Hatred. The symbol
Vanifer hated the pasha for seeing her as a mere trophy.
of elemental air is an inverted triangle with three
She left before long, robbing the pasha of a small
branching lines above it. Some believe it stands for
fortune in jewelry and setting fire to his palace.
the funnel cloud of a tornado, while others see it as
Vanifer fled to Zazesspur, but her former master's
the superiority of winged creatures over the ground.
agents soon found her. She fled again to Baldur's Gate,
Some maintain it is an ancient rune that stands
taking up residence in the poor neighborhood known as
for the elemental lord Yan-C-Bin. Whatever their
Little Calimshan. There she opened a school of dance
interpretations, the air cultists use the symbol as a
and discovered that her gift for fire attracted other
secret password of sorts. By touching the thumbs and
sorts of students. She became the leader of a cult of fire
little fingers together and closing the rest of the fingers
worshipers. There she remained until a few months ago,
into a fist, an air cultist forms an inverted triangle that is
when dreams and visions impelled her to seek out a lost
a mark of membership in the cult.
dungeon in the North . On the altar of a forgotten temple
she found the dagger Tinderstrike, imbued with the T ACTICS AND PHILOSOPHY
power of I mix, the Prince of Evil Fire. Armed with this Howling Hatred cultists are clever, impulsive, and
powerful weapon , Vanifer resolved to establi sh a new creative. They usually see themselves as smarter,
chapter of her cult beneath the Sumber Hills. quicker, and more capable than others they meet.
Traits. Vanifer is an extraordinary manipulator. She Howling Hatred cultists dislike open battle. They prefer
collects allies and followers with her wiles, using them to work in secret, using stealth and illusion to gain their
as she needs and discarding them the moment they lose ends with a minimum of force. Tactics of deception and
their usefulness. It's a testament to her natural talent ambush provide the air cultists with opportunities to
that many of her victims are pathetically eager to bask prove themselves smarter and more resourceful than
in the glow of her attention again if she discovers she their opponents. The wind doesn't blow down a castle,
needs something else from them. While Vanifer puts but flows around and through it. Infiltration and indirect
on the airs of a rich noble, she despises those raised attack are clearly superior tactics.
with great wealth, and her sensibilities favor the coarse. Air cultists seek out high places for their strongholds
Vanifer is ambitious above all else, and as undisputed wherever possible, although they value subterranean
master of the fire cult, she intends to make the Eternal spaces with wide chasms or lofty vaults. Places where
Flame the strongest and most feared cu lt of all. flying is possible are mandatory. The followers of the
Howling Hatred understand that sometimes they must
E EMIES AND ALLIES
put secrecy above other considerations.
Eternal Flame cultists detest the followers of the
Crushing Wave. They see the water cultists as slippery P ROPHET OF AIR
and untrustworthy, perhaps even cowardly- after all, The moon elf Aerisi Kalinoth leads the Cult of the
he Crushing Wave retreats quickly from opposition and Howling Hatred. Tall and slender, with illusory wings
seeks the path of least resistance before committing its that gently fan the air, Aerisi speaks to her people in
trength. The earth cultists are stolid and courageous, a whisper that sounds clearly in the ears of all in her
but maddeningly slow to act. The cultists of the Howling presence. Aerisi rega rds her followers not as cu ltists,
Hatred share the fire cult's impulse to act swiftly and but as her noble subjects. Before them she is prophet
=how many of the same qualities of inventiveness and and queen. Musicians and courtiers amuse and flatter
creativity in the service of Elemental Evil. her, and warriors mounted on hippogriffs serve as
her knights.
F EATHERGALE R EBEL
The character has been sent to retrieve a
Waterdhavian noblewoman. Savra Belabranta is
currently guarding the front gate of Feathergale Spire.
The character earns inspiration by persuading her
to abandon the cu lt and return home, as well as for
clearing the spire of air cultists.
T HE FuGI TIVE
The character is on the trail of a ruthless murderer,
Bastian Thermandar. Bastian is an important member
of the fire cult and can be found in the Temple of
Eternal F lame. The character earns inspiration for
reaching the fire temple and again for defeating or
killing Bastian.
HIRED HAND
Homesteaders who were kind to itinerant workers are
now missing. The character sets out to have revenge
and to rescue any s urvivors. Defeating the kenku in
area A2 of the Temple of Howling Hatred earns the
character inspiration, as does rescuing Bero Gladham
in area A12 of the air temple or Nerise Glad ham in
area N17 of the Howling Caves.
T HE M uD S o RCERER
Months ago, the character was robbed by a genasi
who killed several innocent bystanders. Now it's time
to find Miraj Vizann and make him pay. Vizann can
normally be found in area B8 of the Temple of Black
Earth. The cha racter earns inspiration for reaching
the temple and again for defeating Miraj.
O MINOUS D REAM
The cha racter has seen the earth prophet, Marlos
Urnrayle, in dreams and knows that Marlos is a
dangero us villain who must be stopped. The character
ea rns inspiration for gaining access to the earth
temple and again for defeating Marlos .
R ECOVER Y ouR SwoRD the Sacred Stone Monastery and again for defeating
Thugs associated with the water cult broke into the Hedorm in area B14 of the Temple of Black Earth.
workshop where the character apprenticed, murdered
S HATTERKEEL's TRAIL
the master smith, and stole the beautiful sword she'd
made. The character earns inspiration for defeating Months ago, Gar Shatterkeel destroyed the character's
Jolliver Grimjaw and again for recovering the sword in ship by conjuring a powerful storm. Dozens of sailors
area C14 of the Temple of the Crushing Wave. died, and now the character intends revenge. The
character earns inspiration for reaching the water
R EscuE YouR P EOPLE temple and again for defeating Gar.
Raiders from the fire cult have abducted people the
STANDING O FFER
character feels responsible for protecting. They must be
rescued at any cost. The captives are held in area Ell Months ago, the character served as a guide for a band
of the Temple of Eternal Flame. The character earns of mysterious pilgrims who set out to reoccupy the
inspiration for reaching the temple and again for getting Sacred Stone Monastery. The character's mission is to
the captives to safety. infiltrate the group and discover their intentions. The
character earns inspiration for successfully joining the
SEEKI NG R EVENGE earth cult at the monastery and again for surviving an
Fire cultists torched the character's home or razed a encounter with Renwick, the lich in area M16 of the
defenseless village. The character is sworn to stop them. monastery.
The character earns inspiration for defeating Lyzzie
STRANGE M AP
Calderas in area E29 of the Temple of Eternal Flame
and again for defeating Vanifer. An ancient map has come into the character's
possession, showing the location of a forgotten dwarf
S ETTLE A S CORE stronghold beneath the Sumber Hills. The character
Marauders in stony armor robbed the character's earns inspiration each time he or she discovers one of
friends or family and left the character for dead. Now it's the four temples in ancient Tyar-Besil.
time to even the score. The character earns inspiration
S USPI CIOUS F ELLOW
for defeating the Black Earth cultists in area M9 of
The character becomes suspicious of Thurl Merosska,
a knight of the Feathergale Society, and decides to
investigate. Thurl is normally found in Feathergale
Spire. The character earns inspiration for defeating
Thurl and again for discovering the Temple of
Howling Hatred.
U NDERCOVER
The character is tasked to break up a smuggling and
piracy ring on the Dessarin River headquartered at
Rivergard Keep. The character earns inspiration for
successfully joining the water cult at Rivergard Keep
ancLagain for capturing or killing Shoalar Quanderil.
W ALKED A WAY
The character was briefly recruited by the fire
cultists but never took up arms with them. Now the
character wants to stop the villains before they give
all mercenaries a bad name. The character earns
inspiration for clearing out Scarlet Moon Hall and aga
for reaching the Temple of Eternal Flame.
F ACTION S
Factions are like political parties, religious
organizations, or secret societies. Players can choose
a connection to one of five factions: the Harpers, the
Order of the Gauntlet, the Emerald Enclave, the Lordf
Alliance, and the Zhentarim. All five factions have the
own reasons for opposing the spread of Elemental
Evil. However, none fully comprehend the gravity of tt
threat at the adventure's start.
You can make the characters' connections to their
factions as complex as you like. The Harpers and the
Emerald Enclave operate on personal relationships,
so the characters might have met their contacts befon
GAU N TLET
the adventure starts. The Lords' Alliance and the ThE O RDER OF THE G AUNTLET
Zhentarim, on the other hand, have an elaborate system This faction is primarily a military organization made
of pass phrases and secret signs that identify their up of paladins, clerics, and monks. Members of the
agents to one another. order are faithful and vigilant seekers of justice who
The first visit to Red Larch is a good time to establish protect others from the depredations of evildoers. They
these protocols and give each character some face exact swift retribution against those who violate the law.
time with a faction contact. (See the "Important Red Atop a high crest in the Sumber Hills stands Summit
Larchers" section of "Red Larch" in chapter 2.) Such Hall , home to the Knights of Samular. This venerable
contacts can't promise the characters specific resources order of paladins of Tyr strives to promote justice in
or reinforcements, but they're friendly faces who know the savage North. The Order of the Gauntlet hopes to
the lay of the land and can offer guidance. They can expand its influence in the region by joining the Knights
pass messages to higher-ups; however, any reply is slow to its cause.
in coming. In the western Sumber Hills, the order has little
As the characters further explore the Dessarin Valley, political influence. It hopes to correct this weakness by
they meet other NPCs affiliated with various factions. establishing alliances with local leaders who share its
The factions also become more helpful as they start to goals, such as the Waterbaron of Yartar. The order is
recognize the cults are a dangerous, destructive force. even pursuing negotiations with fringe organizations.
TH E H ARPERS T HE EMERALD ENCLAVE
A scattered network of spellcasters and spies, the This widespread group of wilderness survivalists
Harpers advocate equality and covertly oppose the preserves the natural order while rooting out unnatural
abuse of power, magical or otherwise. Agents operate threats. Many of the Enclave's members are barbarians,
i.n secret and emphasize stealth and subtlety, or at the druids, and rangers. Some wander the untamed lands
very least discretion. Bards and wizards are their most while others make their homes on the outskirts of towns
prominent members. and villages, where they help to protect travelers from
Harpers operate in small cells throughout the North. the dangers of the wild.
One is based in Triboar: Darathra Shendrel, the Lord The enclave's greatest stronghold in the region
Protector, belongs to the faction, and Harper agents can is the fortified farm and abbey to Chauntea called
find welcome at the Home of the Boars. Goldenfields. Abbot Ellardin Darovik is a senior agent
Another cell in the prosperous trade center of Yartar of the Emerald Enclave. In the High Forest to the east
monitors traffic in the Dessarin Valley and the actions lies Shadowtop Cathedral, another of the enclave's
and policies of the city's Waterbaron. The Harpers work meeting places.
to maintain the balance of power between the various
groups competing to influence the city. THE L ORDS' ALLiANCE
ln the Sumber Hills, the Harpers warn travelers and The Lords' Alliance is a shaky compact of aggressive
adventurers to stay clear of Rundreth Manor and the political powers concerned with mutual security and
Dark Lady who dwells there. Harpers also watch the prosperity. Fighters and sorcerers are prevalent among
ruined Halls of the Hunting Axe. alliance agents, and they are often glory hounds seeking
personal recognition. Most agents are lawful or neutral;
in the courtly circles of the lords, those who don't follow
the rules seldom last long.
Th E ZHENTARIM
This shadow network seeks to expand its influence and
power base throughout Faerfin. Its members coerce,
persuade, or buy their way into every major area of
influence. Rogues and warlocks fill the Zhentarim's
ranks, but the faction recruits any who can conduct its
business without too many moral reservations.
Zhentarim operatives might be found in any
settlement, but in the North the organization is based
in the Bargewright Inn. Zhentarim mercenaries and
spies meet within its many private chambers. The Black
Network disguises its ownership of the inn to avoid
unwanted attention. The organization also has a vested
interest in maintaining the prosperity of Yartar.
MI NOR F ACTIONS
A number of minor factions also seek influence in
the Dessarin Valley: the elves of the High Forest,
the Hand of Yartar, the Knights of Samular, and the
Uthgardt tribes.
Elves of the High Forest. The High Forest once
sheltered three great elven realms beneath its boughs.
Many tribes of wood elves- and a few moon elves- still
protect the ruined monuments to their golden age. Few
beyond the borders of the High Forest know much about
these elves; they have no single leader and make little
contact with the outside world.
The wood elf Morgwais, known as the Red Lady or
the Lady of the Wood, seeks to unite the disparate tribes
through the Caerilcarn ("Counci l of the Wood"). Her aim
is to resurrect the ancient kingdom of Eaerlann, and she
has made steps in that direction by allying various elven
settlements. As yet, though, only a few elves believe in
her vision, and they are spread far apart over the eastern
reaches of the forest. infiltration, impersonating officials and commoners
The Emerald Enclave is friendly to the elves of alike in order to steal, bribe, and murder.
the High Forest. However, Morgwais has a troubled The Hand ofYartar might work with the Zhentarim
history with Turlang, a treant leader of the enclave in when it's convenient for both parties.
Shadowtop Cathedral. The Knights ofSamular. This order of paladins
The Hand ofYartar. The famous chronicler Volo dedicated to Tyr has pursued justice across the
once said that everyone in Yartar is after money or North for over five hundred years (see chapter 3 for
power-preferably both-in as short a time as possible. more information). Its founder, Samular Caradoon,
The Harpers, the Lords' Alliance, and the Zhentarim built Summit Hall in the Sumber Hills as a training
compete within the city. The local thieves' guild, the monastery for the order. Young men and women across
Hand of Yartar, vies for a larger piece of the action, the North travel to Summit Hall so that they might learn
but infighting has kept the guild from having much from its aging heroes.
influence. The Lady of the Hall, Ushien Stormbanner, is
Within the guild, a new and deadly group is sympathetic to the Order of the Gauntlet.
flourishing, comprising ambitious young female thieves Uthgardt Tribes. For over a thousand years, the
and assassins. They are masters of disguise and barbarian humans of the Uthgardt tribes have roved
the North, holding to ancient customs of ritual and