DDAL-ELW04

JACK OF DAGGERS
An Eberron Embers of the Last War Adventure

Caught between House Phiarlan and a criminal syndicate, the

characters delve into the city’s underworld to discover who’s hiring
killers for their dirty work. Things get out of control fast – and what
could be faster than the high-speed lightning rail to Thrane?

A Two-to-Four-Hour Adventure for Tier 1 Characters.

Optimized for APL 4.

Credits Interior Art: Artwork provided by Wizards of the Coast

and used with permission.
Designer: Ginny Loveday D&D Adventurers League Guildmaster: Chris Lindsay
Editing: James Introcaso, Ashley Michaela "Navigator" D&D Adventurers League Wizards Team: Adam Lee,
Lawson Chris Lindsay, Mike Mearls, Matt Sernett
Layout and Graphic Design: Rich Lescouflair D&D Adventurers League Administrators: Bill
Cartography: Ginny Loveday, Travis Woodall Benham, Alan Patrick, Travis Woodall, Lysa Chen,
Claire Hoffman, Greg Marks

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Delémont, CH. Represented by Hasbro Europe, 4 The Square, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB11 1ET, UK.

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 Adventure Primer Bonus Objectives
This adventure includes bonus objectives that the
“In the end, you have to choose whether or not to trust
someone.” characters can pursue if they have the time to do
- Sophie Kinsella so—earning additional advancement checkpoints in
the process. These bonus objectives are found in this
Jack of Daggers is an adventure for three to seven 1st adventure’s appendices, as follows:
to 4th level characters, optimized for five 4th-level • Bonus Objective A – A Bit of a Turnabout. A House
characters. Orien agent requests a small favor from the characters.
• Bonus Objective B – Get Me Outta Here! One of the
Background prisoners from the Boromar cellar needs help getting
out of Sharn.
MERRIX D’CANNITH of CANNITH SOUTH knows
the Last War left the monarchy of Breland reeling, and
he is prepared to see the king put down and revel in the
Episode Sequence
change. Working with LOBANA PETRIEVNA, an agent Depending on your time constraints, play style and
of the SWORDS OF LIBERTY, the pair have begun a environment, this adventure takes approximately two to
complicated plot. four hours to play.
YEQ THE GRIN was an operative of the BOROMAR
CLAN, a criminal syndicate run by the Boromar family How Will You Play?
of halflings, who was working with CANNITH WEST The duration of your session depends on how much of
and murdered a HOUSE ORIEN courier, stealing a this adventure you utilize. At the very least, your session
letter addressed to Merrix d’Cannith from the Swords will last approximately two hours. However, if you wish,
of Liberty. A group of adventurers has recovered and you can provide a longer experience for your players by
deciphered the letter. These adventurers know the pursuing the bonus objectives.
Swords of Liberty and Cannith South are working Main Objective Only. To complete the adventure’s main
together, but the details of the organizations’ plans are objective, the characters participate in episodes 1 through
still a mystery. 3 in order, however, you may include the opportunity to
The characters receive a missive from HOUSE pursue the bonus objectives.
PHIARLAN stating that further information on this Bonus Objectives. You can extend this adventure
unfolding sequence of events has been located and by one or two hours by including opportunities for the
requesting the adventurers’ presence at a nearby theater characters to pursue the bonus objectives.
for further discussion. These optional objectives take place during
episodes 1 and 2; but can no longer be completed once

Episodes episode 3 begins.

The adventure is spread over three to four episodes that Wards and Districts
take approximately two to four hours in total to play.
The story begins with the characters arriving to the The city of Sharn is divided into large Wards that have
Starfire Dragon Theater in Middle Menthis. unique flavors often based on their height and further
divided horizontally by neighborhoods referred to as
• Episode One: Entertaining to the End. The
Districts.
characters meet up with a contact from House
Sharn is a vertical city. It is divided up into five distinct
Phiarlan to ascertain what information they have
plateaus, as well as a district built into the sides of
gathered and how they can be of further assistance.
the cliff near the Dagger River. The five plateaus are
This is the Call to Action.
known as Central Plateau, Menthis Plateau, Northedge,
• Episode Two: Breaking into Boromar. The characters Dura, and Tavick's Landing. Cliffside is a neighborhood
attempt to infiltrate a Boromar Clan outpost. perched on the side of the cliff. While each plateau
• Episode Three: Chasing the Changeling. The divides the city into districts, the city is also stratified
characters uncover a startling secret about the Boromar vertically into several sections. The lowest wards of the
agent, only to have the changeling slip out and make a city are called the Cogs, and if you were to walk to the
dash for the lightning rail station to Thrane! heights of Sharn you would pass through the Depths,
the Lower City, Middle City, Upper City, and then finally
you would need to find some method of travel to the
highest section of Sharn, which is Skyway. Generally, the
higher you are in Sharn, the wealthier the citizens are.

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 Adventure Flowchart
This section provides a basic understanding of not only the flow of the episodes, but also the outline of the different paths
that your players may take in reaching their stated objective.

1
Entertaining
to the End
(Call to Action)

2
Breaking into
Boromar
A B-a
A Bit of a Turnabout Get Me Outta Here!
(Bonus Objective A) (Objective B - Scene A)

3
Chasing the
Changeling

B-b
Get Me Outta Here!
(Objective B - Scene B)

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 Episode One:
Entertaining to the End
Estimated Duration: 15 minutes Lighting. Inside the theater, each table has a small
Location (District, Ward): Smoky Towers, Middle everbright lantern on it, but they are mostly covered, with
Menthis intricate designs etched on them allowing a small amount
of dim light to filter out over each table.
The Starfire Dragon Creatures/NPCs
The characters receive a missive from House Phiarlan,
directing them to a meeting with one of their agents, Ty’nald d’Phiarlan (CN male Mark of Shadow elf scout),
Ty’nald d’Phiarlan, at the Starfire Dragon Theater in the agent for House Phiarlan, is seated inside eating
order to negotiate a trade of skills for information. dinner and intently watching the performance.
House Phiarlan heard rumors the Boromar Clan
is connected somehow to Cannith West. Ty’nald is House Phiarlan
suspicious of this partnership and the shady happenings
The world at large knows the elves of House Phiarlan
occurring around it. He wants to find out more, as
as entertainers of the highest order. This stems from a
information and secrets are valuable to his house.
tradition that dates tens of thousands of years, and for
many members of the house, it is the only trade they
Area Information follow. Though stories abound that attest the elves of
This area has the following features: Phiarlan are spies or worse, the people of Khorvaire
Impressions. Middle Menthis is quite possibly Sharn’s treat these as children’s tales. Phiarlan’s virtuous
most diverse ward, representing a true melting pot of performers are known across the continent for their
different races, ethnic and national origins, economic talents. In truth, House Phiarlan controls one of the
classes, and social statuses. finest intelligence networks in Khorvaire, but these
The Starfire Dragon is brightly painted on the exterior, services are available only to guildmasters, nobles, and
only slightly chipping. The sound of loud music and the others the house recognizes as players in the great
smell of delicious food come from inside. game of politics and power.

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Objectives/Goals. Ty’nald needs to convince the characters
to seek out the Boromar Clan outpost in the Highhold
Ward to infiltrate it in order to retrieve information that he
believes could be valuable to House Phiarlan.
What Does He Know? Ty’nald comments at length on
the entertainment for the evening, a young and beautiful
elf woman reciting lyrical poetry to the rhythm of a set of
ethereal pipes. Such beautiful artistry is truly worthy of
an elf of House Phiarlan he believes.
After he has had a suitable amount of food and
entertainment, Ty’nald speaks with the characters
on the reason they have been summoned here,
the information that he suspects the Boromar
Clan of withholding. If the characters have played
previous adventures in the Embers of the Last
War storyline, they should have an idea of
what Ty’nald is referring to. If not, have Ty’nald
layout the basics: he knows the Boromars are
working with Cannith West against Cannith
South, but he isn’t sure of the details and
wants to be in the know.
Fridden Boromar is a distant relative of the
current patriarch of the Boromar Clan and is
believed to be seeking to increase his power
by blackmailing members of dragonmarked
houses. Fridden is entangled in this mysterious
plot that seems to touch House Cannith. It is
likely that Fridden can shed some light on this plot
(though not without some charming or beguiling) or
has information somewhere in his chambers.
Ty’nald can provide directions to the Boromar Clan
outpost in Highhold. He cautions the characters that
they may need to use either guile or force in order
to gain entrance, as Highhold is an upscale dwarf
neighborhood, and a motley crew of adventurers may
appear rather conspicuous.

Objectives
The characters need to infiltrate the outpost and
take any measures necessary to uncover why the
Boromar Clan murdered the House Orien courier
carrying a letter meant for Merrix d’Cannith. House
Phiarlan is certain that vital information is being
withheld and that Fridden Boromar or his second-in-
command, Arduk, has answers.

Bonus Objective
If this is being run as a longer adventure, the characters
encounter an agent of House Orien as they leave the
Starfire Dragon to head towards Upper Dura. Refer
to Appendix 4 for additional information on Bonus
Objective A: A Bit of a Turnabout.

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 Episode Two:
Breaking into Boromar
Estimated Duration: 75 minutes
Location (District, Ward): Highhold, Upper Dura

In this episode, the characters make their way to

the Highhold Ward in Upper Dura, following
the directions given by Ty’nald d’Phiarlan. The
characters must gain entrance to the Boromar
outpost to find Fridden or Arduk.

Scene A. Outsiders
Looking In
“Gold is the gift of the mountains, but iron
comes from blood and bone.”
—Mror Proverb

Prerequisites
The characters previously met with Ty’nald
d’Phiarlan at the Starfire Dragon Theater to
get directions to the Boromar Outpost.

Area Information
This area has the following features:
Impressions. The architecture in Highhold
is sturdy, functional stone, though the scale
is slightly too small for most humans. While
there is luxury to be found here, the citizens
put work before play. The inns and taverns serve
strong Mror ale and stonebreaker mead, and
most of the buildings and furnishings are built
to dwarven proportions. Beyond the dwarves,
there are a considerable number of gnomes in
the district, reflecting the strong economic ties
between House Sivis and House Kundarak.
Businesses in Holdfast include a branch
of the Kundarak Bank and a Sivis message
station. There are also restaurants serving
Mror food, and a variety of other crafters,
including master masons, architects, and
armorers.
Lighting. If the characters approach
during the day, bright light pours down
from the sky at this level of Sharn. At
night, the street in front of the outpost and
neighboring restaurant is brightly lit by
several streetlights, though the adjoining
alleyway is only dimly lit by the light
from those same posts. The buildings
up and down the street cast long
shadows across the street at intervals.

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 Outpost. The Boromar outpost is an imposing three-
story structure tucked into the reaches made of fine Scene B. First Floor
dwarven stonework. Four Boromar agents (LE male When the characters gain access to the outpost, they can
mountain dwarf veterans) guard the entrance from the search for more information about why the Boromar Clan
street and the alley stretching down the length of one side murdered the House Orien courier.
of the building. To the left of the outpost, a restaurant is
doing a brisk trade in dwarven food, with patrons of all Area Information
ethnicities spilling out into the streets, though most are
dwarves or gnomes. Any character with a climb speed or This area has the following features:
a successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check can scale Impressions. The sturdy stone architecture on the
the wall of the restaurant, and then attempt to gain entry outside of the outpost continues inside. The ceilings are
via the second-floor windows of the outpost (see room 4). only 6 feet tall in most of the complex. See Appendix 6 for
A character escapes notice of the patrolling agents with a map of the outpost.
a successful DC 17 Dexterity (Stealth) check. During the Lighting. Inside the outpost, a small number of magical
daytime, the DC increases to 19 as the number of patrons lanterns are hung from the walls, illuminating each room
increases at the restaurant. with dim lighting. Additional lanterns exist but are not lit
at present. They could be lit with either magic or fire to
provide bright light.
Creatures/NPCs
Outside of the Boromar complex, there are four Boromar
agents (LE male mountain dwarf veterans) guarding
the entrance from the street and the alley stretching
down the length of one side of the building. If they spot
the characters approaching the building, they call out
for them to halt. They can be talked into allowing the
characters entrance with a successful DC 19 Charisma
(Persuasion) check. Otherwise, they are on guard and
ready to defend the entryway from intrusion.
They sound an alarm immediately if a
Charisma (Persuasion) check is tried and
failed or after 1 round of combat, and
a Boromar archer appears on a small
balcony across the street at the start of
the next round.
The Boromar agents at the door
attempt to take prisoners in order to
ascertain why the characters were
seeking to gain entry. They do not seek to kill
characters, except for the archer whose goal is to stop
intruders at any cost.

Adjusting the Scene

Here are some suggestions for adjusting this scene:
• Very Weak: Remove two veterans.
• Weak: Remove one veteran.
• Strong: Add one archer.
• Very Strong: Add one archer and one veteran.

Playing the Pillars (Scene A: Outsiders Looking In)

Combat Exploration Social
If the characters start a brawl in the streets Sharn is a city where magic is everywhere, The characters can attempt to distract
during the daylight, they have a 50 percent every day. Travel from one ward to the next the guards with any number of ruses; the
chance of attracting the attention of the can be greatly sped up by hiring a skycoach. Boromar Clan is naturally suspicious of
Sharn Watch. At night, that reduces to 25 For 3 sp per person the party can fly to their everyone in the city. Give advantage on
percent. The watch immediately sends two next destination in a matter of minutes. ability checks to any dwarves or gnomes
guards to the scene to arrest the characters. attempting subterfuge.

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 First-Floor Hall
The front door opens to a 5-foot-wide hallway stretching
Creatures/NPCs
the length of the 60-foot building. At the end of the If the characters managed to enter via diplomacy or
hallway, a stairway is visible leading to the second floor. without raising an alarm, they find only two Boromar
Four doorways open off the left side of the hallway into agents (NE female dwarf and NE male forest gnome
various rooms, but all the doors are tightly shut. spies) on the first floor in the meeting room going over
The second door is locked but can be picked with a plans for an upcoming heist on a stagecoach rumored
successful DC 15 Dexterity check made with thieves’ to be transporting a sizeable amount of gold. Characters
tools. Behind it is a steep stairwell carved from stone with a passive Wisdom (Perception) score of 14 or higher
descending down into pitch blackness leading to room 9. notice these agents in time to exercise stealth to bypass
them if desired.
Room 1 If the alarm was raised, there has been enough time for
Behind the first door is a large sitting room that has additional agents to make their way to the main level, so
been converted into a meeting area for the various spies, the characters find the two spies, and an additional four
couriers, assassins of the clan. Shelving lines the room, scouts and four bandits, plus Zil (N changeling bard)
filled with all manner of clothing suitable for disguises currently disguised as Arduk, the female dwarf second-
and materials for forging various documents can be found in-command at this outpost. Fridden Boromar (NE male
scattered on the handful of tables and desks peppered stout halfling knight) is currently in command of this
around the 20-foot-square room. outpost and shows up 3 rounds later if the characters
enter through the front.
Rooms 2 and 3
The third and fourth doors both open into 20-foot by 15-
foot rooms that have been outfitted as dormitories for the Adjusting the Scene
various agents to sleep in when they are stationed at this Here are some suggestions for adjusting this scene:
outpost, currently no one is present in these rooms. • Very Weak: Remove two scouts.
• Weak: Remove one scout and one bandit.
• Strong: Add two spies.
• Very Strong: Add one spy and two bandits.

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Scene C. Upper Floors Objectives/Goals. Fridden wants to gain honor for
himself within the Boromar Clan. Arduk has been tasked
This area has the following features: by a Boromar Clan leader with keeping an eye on Fridden
and bringing anything of value to her.
Room 4 What Do They Know? Fridden has a journal hidden
If a character sneaks in through the second-story window, in his room in one of the chests detailing what he has
they enter into the main 25-foot by 10-foot chamber at the learned so far of the plot between Cannith South and the
front of the building. This room is furnished with a large Swords of Liberty. Arduk has secretly been spying on
bed piled high with opulent pillows and blankets. A large Fridden and has a scroll with everything from Fridden’s
wardrobe is positioned along the eastern wall across journal that she is to deliver to her handler when the time
from two elegant chests sitting along the western wall, is right.
both locked, and containing fine clothing in halfling sizes.
A character picks a chest’s lock with a successful DC Getting What We Came For
15 Dexterity check made with thieves’ tools. One of the
chests contains Fridden’s journal and the other contains If the characters confront Fridden, he gives up the
a potion of healing (see the next section for details). following information on a successful DC 13 Charisma
Tapestries adorn the walls presenting scenes of halflings (Intimidation or Persuasion) check:
arriving to Sharn in resplendent garb and working in all • Clan Boromar ordered the House Orien courier letter
manner of prestigious stations. from the Swords of Liberty to Merrix d’Cannith of
South be intercepted.
Rooms 5 and 6 • The letter was written in a code only breakable by an
A door leads from the center of the back wall in room heir of House Sivis.
4 into a 20-foot-long hallway with a room opening off • Jorlanna d’Cannith, Merrix’s rival in Cannith West,
either side are furnished also with beds and dressers of a hired the Boromars to steal the letter, but he doesn’t
slightly lesser quality than the main room at the front. know why.
Room 7 If the characters kill Fridden prior to questioning him,
The back room on the second floor has a kitchen set allow them to acquire this information from any other
up along the eastern wall, with low tables set up on the agent in the house aside from Arduk, or from the journal
opposite side and the doorways to stairs leading up and hidden in Fridden’s bedchamber.
down on opposite corners of the back wall.
Room 8 House Cannith
The third floor is one large open room with sloped While all members of House Cannith are humans, not
ceilings, set up as an armory with many bows and all members carry the dragonmarked Mark of Making.
daggers of various types along with dummy targets that House Cannith contains both the Fabricators Guild and
appear to have been stabbed many times already. A the Tinkers Guild, though anyone working for those
bundle of +1 crossbow bolts can be found with a DC 15 guilds are not immediately considered a member of
Investigation (Intelligence) check. Windows open to small House Cannith.
slits underneath the low ceiling along the walls allowing The ruling leader of House Cannith is called a Patriarch
someone inside to peer down into the alleyway or the or Matriarch. The last Patriarch was Starrin d'Cannith.
main street. The four scouts will be here if the alarm was After the Day of Mourning, and the destruction of their
not raised. home enclave in Metrol, a new patriarch was to be
assigned. However, with Starrin's only heir dead the
Creatures/NPCs decision became incredibly complicated. Three heirs
stepped up to claim the title and now each of them have
The main room on the second floor is Fridden’s divided House Cannith. Cannith South is run by Merrix
bedchamber, so characters entering that way encounter d'Cannith from Sharn; Cannith West is run by Jorlanna
him if it is past nightfall and have a 50 percent chance d'Cannith from Fairhaven; Cannith East is run by Zorlan
of encountering him in his room during the day. He is d'Cannith from Korth.
generally located in the kitchen area or main meeting room
on the first floor if not in his bedchamber. Fridden has the
statistics of a knight with the traits of a stout halfling.
One of the other two bedchambers on the second floor
belongs to Arduk, but she does not have many personal
Scene D. The Cellar
This area has the following features:
belongings to mark it as her own. If the alarm was not
raised, she is in her bedchamber. A careful search of Room 9
her room turns up a scrap of parchment pinned to the The stairway to the cellar is steep and goes down ten feet
underside of her mattress that reads, “Bring me what before turning sharply back on itself to descend another
Fridden has. Take the train to Thrane at midnight tonight.” five feet where it opens into a 15-foot-tall cellar carved
Arduk attempts to flee at the first sign of combat into the stone plateau. The cellar contains a 10-foot-
involving her, casting invisibility or feather fall if square open space encircled on three sides by cells with
necessary to sneak past to the doorway or dive out the close-set iron bars.
second-story window.

9
 Bonus Objective
If this is being run as a longer adventure, the
characters receive a quest from the gnoll locked
in one of the cells. Refer to Appendix 5 for
additional information on Bonus Objective B:
Get Me Outta Here!

Creatures/NPCs
Four of the cells contain prisoners. The prisoners
are guarded by at least four bandits (more NPCs
can be found here at DM’s discretion, as described
in Scene B). A female and male human, a male
gnome, and a male gnoll are currently locked
in the four occupied cells, all in a sorry state of
filthy clothing and nearing starvation. One of the
humans, a dark-skinned female, appears to be
covered in bruises inflicted from sharp jabs from a
stick that one of the guards is carrying.
If the prisoners are freed, they are unable to
fight in their current state. Each of them admits
to having committed some slight against the
Boromars. Donish Malc (NG male Brelish human
scout) was caught eavesdropping on a meeting
between two Boromar agents and was summarily
thrown into his current cell about three weeks
past. Yira Nothard (LG female Brelish human
commoner) and Izzle Witts (N male rock forest
scout) were both mistakenly caught up in the
middle of a heist and saw more than Fridden liked,
so he tossed them in the cellar approximately two
weeks past. Rrirg Dampnose (CN male gnoll spy)
is from a rival gang of thieves and has had a bounty
placed on his head by the Boromars for months
now, and, not realizing, was picked up when he
came in on the lightning rail.

Scene E. Changing the

Narrative
Before running this scene, the characters should
have explored all levels of the outpost and
confronted Fridden or found his journal. They
also should have uncovered the note in Arduk’s
bedchambers.

Arduk/Zil
Arduk attempts to flee at the first sign of combat
involving her. As the characters begin to leave the
building, they spot Arduk trying to make her way
out the front door of the outpost.
A character with a passive Wisdom (Perception)
score of 12 or higher notices the scroll that she
clutches in her hand.
Arduk pauses just before the door, and
transforms into her natural shape before shifting
into a small male gnome body and looking directly
at the characters.

10
 Episode Three:
Chasing the Changeling
Estimated Duration: 30 minutes • Five Boromar agents (LE male lightfoot halfling scouts)
Location (District, Ward): Terminus, Tavick’s Landing barricade the end of an alleyway, refusing the back
In this episode, Zil leads the characters on a chase down from a fight.
through the streets of Sharn to the lightning rail terminal, • If a character uses magic, have them roll a percentile
and then aboard a train headed for Thrane! dice. On a result above 40, a guard of the Sharn Watch
sees this and immediately orders a halt to the characters
Scene A. Catching the in order to exact a fine for unauthorized spellcasting! A
successful DC 14 Charisma (Deception or Persuasion)
Midnight Train check can be made to allow the party to pass.
• A cart loaded down with barrels of ale pulls out from
“My house built the modern world. Orien may drive the an alleyway in front of the characters. A successful DC
lightning rail, but it’s Cannith who builds the cars and 15 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check is required to not be
lays the stones it travels on. Cannith makes the everbright knocked prone. Creatures take 10 bludgeoning damage
lanterns that hold the night at bay. Smith, carpenter, if they fail this check as the cart rolls over them.
alchemist—the best all carry my seal.” • A pile of flour bags falls from a cart, a successful DC 15
— Baron Merrix d’Cannith Strength (Athletics) check can be used to jump over the
obstacle.
Prerequisites • A small family of gnomes stops in your path to
The characters infiltrated the Boromar outpost and saw enthusiastically greet their returning father. A successful
Zil shift from her form as Arduk into her natural form, DC 14 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check dodges them, or
fleeing from the outpost with a scroll. a successful DC 17 Strength (Athletics) check shoves
them to the side.
Area Information If the party fails at three or more of these encounters,
Zil gains advantage on her Dexterity (Stealth) check to
This area has the following features: board the train without being noticed.
Impressions. Visitors arrive at Wroann’s Gate or Objectives/Goals. Zil intends to board the train about
Terminus, but they leave through Black Arch, the to depart for Thrane, hoping to lose the characters
gateway to the rest of Sharn. This is a heavily fortified before doing so. Characters who succeed on Wisdom
garrison district, designed to withstand a full siege. The (Perception) checks contested by Zil’s Dexterity (Stealth)
ward includes other services catering to travelers; the check notice her board the train.
Dragoneyes district is a maze of taverns, inns, brothels, Allow the characters to board the train, even if they did
and gambling halls. Dragoneyes is also noteworthy for not specifically notice Zil board, since they could logically
having one of the few changeling communities in Breland. conclude the train was her destination based on the note
The lightning rail station at Terminus brings in hundreds found in her chamber.
of travelers each day and is constantly bustling with
activity at all hours of the day.
Lighting. This area is brightly lit at all hours of the day Adjusting the Scene
to facilitate the easy loading and unloading of the many Here are some suggestions for adjusting this scene:
passengers and cargo coming in on the lightning rail. • Very Weak: Remove one scout.
• Weak: No change.
Creatures/NPCs • Strong: Add an archer.
Zil (N female changeling bard) uses the crowd at the • Very Strong: Add two spies and a thug.
lightning rail terminal to try and lose the characters. A
successful DC 16 (Wisdom) Perception check is needed
in order to maintain sight on her as she weaves through
the crowd, changing appearances every now and again.
Some options available to make the chase through the
city and the crowded terminal are listed below. Feel free
to improvise or add more. Be descriptive and make this
scene as interactive and engaging as possible!

11
 Scene B. To Thrane, Like the scroll she is carrying which contains the following
information in a letter to Ilsa Boromar, a high-ranking
matriarch in the Boromar family:
Lightning • The Boromar Clan was hired by Jorlanna d’Cannith of
“Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning Cannith West to intercept a letter being couriered by a
that does the work.” House Orien agent from the party.
-Mark Twain • The intercepted letter’s intended recipient was Merrix
d’Cannith of Cannith South.
Area Information • Unfortunately, the Boromar Clan lost the original letter to
This area has the following features: a band of adventurers before they could have it decoded.
Impressions. House Orien’s lightning rail is an • Fridden thinks that the letter indicates that Cannith
international, magical train line connecting many of South is planning something with the Swords of Liberty
the major cities throughout Khorvaire. The lightning that could disrupt the power structures of Khorvaire.
rail follows a path of conductor stones. The conductor • The Swords of Liberty are an organization of political
stones, magical creations of House Cannith, are placed radicals that use violence. Their ultimate goal is to end
along the ground forming a conduit of magical energy, the monarchy in Breland.
allowing the lightning rail to travel at high speeds If questioned on her motives, Zil volunteers that she
across Khorvaire. The train itself is pushed along by ran from the outpost because her task was to report back
an elemental bound to the lightning rail's coaches. The on Fridden, and that she is working for Ilsa Boromar to
lightning rail is given its name because of the crackling help piece together what Merrix d’Cannith is plotting. If
energy created when an elemental-bound coach passes the characters let Zil leave, she gifts them her wand of
over a conductor stone. magic detection as a thanks in kind for their mercy and
Lighting. Inside the train, magical lanterns up and promises to relay them any future information she might
down the corridor provide bright lighting in all of the find useful for them.
passenger cars. The cargo cars are only dimly lit by Eventually, the lightning rail reaches a stop, and
glowing stones. the characters can board a train back in the opposite
direction in order to report back to Ty’nald what they have
Confronting Zil uncovered from this mission.
Zil attempts to hide from the characters, but a thorough Treasure and Rewards
search of the train and a successful DC 14 Intelligence
Wand of Magic Detection. This wand is made of ivory
(Investigation) check allows the characters to spot a
and carved with arcane runes representing each school of
person holding the same scroll that they saw back at the
magic. This item can be found in Appendix 3.
Boromar Clan outpost. Characters who saw Zil board the
train have advantage on this check.
Zil quickly surrenders once she realizes that she is
cornered, outnumbered, and outmatched. She gives up

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Adventure Rewards
Upon completing the adventure, the characters each
receive rewards based upon their accomplishments.
These rewards include advancement and treasure, and
may include special rewards, such as story awards or new
downtime activities, as follows:

Advancement and Treasure

Checkpoints
The characters receive 1 advancement checkpoint and 1
treasure checkpoint for each story objective completed, as
follows:
• Story Objective A: Infiltrate the Boromar Clan Outpost.
• Story Objective B: Catch the Changeling.
The characters also receive 1 advancement checkpoint
and 1 treasure checkpoint for each bonus objective that
they complete, as follows:
• Bonus Objective A: A Bit of a Turnabout. A House
Orien agent requests a small favor from the characters
in exchange for a bit of extra information.
• Bonus Objective B: Get Me Outta Here! One of the
prisoners from the Boromar cellar needs help getting
out of Sharn.
Magic Item Unlock
Characters that complete Story Objective B unlock:
Wand of Magic Detection. This wand is made of ivory
and carved with arcane runes representing each school of
magic. This item can be found in Appendix 3.

DM Rewards
In exchange for running this adventure, you earn
advancement and treasure checkpoints and downtime as
though you played the adventure, but none of the other
rewards listed above.
However, this adventure may qualify for rewards earned
by completing DM Quests. See the ALDMG (Adventurers
League Dungeon Master’s Guide) for more information
about DM Quests.

Level Progression in Embers of the Last War

Between Encounters in Sharn and the Embers of the
Last War story arc, the Adventurers League Eberron
campaign has many play opportunities. If you plan to
play regularly and take in the entire Embers of the Last
War story, strongly encourage the players to use the
Slow Progress option where they voluntarily halve the
rewards received for playing. If you plan to play only
some of the adventures, or not take part in the bonus
objectives, the Normal Progression of rewards may
be more appropriate. Because the Embers of the Last
War adventures are produced as a serial, managing
character level according to playstyle is important.

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 Appendix 1: Locations & NPCs
The following NPCs and locations feature prominently in • Cyril d’Orien (SEE rill). (N male Mark of Passage
this adventure. human scout) An agent of House Orien, Cyril was a
• Ty’nald d’Phiarlan (TIE nawld). (CN male Mark of close friend of the courier that was murdered and plans
Shadow elf scout) House Phiarlan agent tasked with to ensure that his death is avenged.
gathering information on the Boromar Clan. He prides Personality: Curious and talkative.
himself on his clans theatrical accomplishments and Ideal: The only proper justice is a proportionate
loves teaching the art of entertaining. response.
Personality: Jovial, yet serious on matters of business. Bond: I would do anything for House Orien, even when
Ideal: There is joy in a job completed to satisfaction. its leadership fails.
Bond: I crave the respect of my House. Flaw: I must repay all wrongs done to my house.
Flaw: Focuses too much on the perception of others. • Starfire Dragon Theater. The Starfire Dragon offers a
• Arduk aka Zil (AR duck ZILL). (N female changeling) steady diet of entertainment accompanied by exquisite
Currently disguised as a female dwarven bard (Arduk), meals. In this case, however, the entertainment clearly
Zil is posing as the second-in-command at the Boromar takes a back seat to the food. Trying to compete in a
Clan outpost in Highhold at the request of Ilsa Boromar. crowded market, the Starfire Dragon’s owner has hired
Personality: Dedicated to completing any task set to her. excellent cooks to prepare an exotic menu.
Ideal: Protect the family you have. • Highhold Outpost. The Boromar outpost is an
Bond: The Boromar Clan adopted her from the streets imposing three-story structure tucked into the reaches
as a child. made of fine dwarven stonework.
Flaw: Feels like an outsider in her own home.
• Fridden Boromar (FRIDD ehn). (NE male stout
halfling knight) Fridden is a distant relative of the
Boromar patriarch, currently the head of the outpost in
the Highhold Ward.
Personality: Willing to do anything to gain more power.
Ideal: There is glory to be had in one-upping others.
Bond: I was born to a noble clan.
Flaw: Too concerned with increasing his status to notice
that his underlings despise him.

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Appendix 2: Creature Statistics
This appendix details new monsters that do not appear in Song of Rest. Zil can perform a song while taking a short rest.
the Monster Manual. Any ally who hears the song regains an extra 1d6 hit points if
she spends any Hit Dice to regain hit points at the end of that
Archer rest. Zil can confer this benefit on herself as well.
Taunt (2/day). Zil can use a bonus action on its turn to target
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment
one creature within 30 feet of her. If the target can hear Zil, the
Armor Class 16 (studded leather) target must succeed on a DC 12 Charisma saving throw or have
Hit Points 75 (10d8 + 30) disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws
Speed 30 ft. until the start of Zil’s next turn.
Change Appearance. As an action, Zil can transform her
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA appearance or revert to her natural form. Zil can’t duplicate the
11 (+0) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 11 (+0) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) appearance of a creature she’s never seen, and she reverts to
her natural form if she dies. Even to the most astute observers,
Skills Acrobatics +6, Perception +5 Zil’s ruse is usually indiscernible. If Zil rouses suspicion, or if a
Senses passive Perception 15 wary creature suspects something is amiss, she has advantage
Languages any one language (usually Common) on any Charisma (Deception) check she makes to avoid
Challenge 3 (700 XP) detection.
Unsettling Visage. When a creature Zil can see makes an
Archer's Eye (3/day). As a bonus action, the archer can add
attack roll against her, she can use her reaction to impose
1d10 to its next attack or damage roll with a longbow or
disadvantage on the roll. Zil must use this feature before
shortbow.
knowing whether the attack hits or misses. Using this trait
Actions reveals Zil’s shapeshifting nature to any creature within 30 feet
that can see her. Once Zil uses this trait, she can’t use it again
Multiattack. The archer makes two attacks with its longbow. until she finishes a short or long rest.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage.
Actions
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 150/600 ft., Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
one target. Hit: 8 (1d68 + 4) piercing damage. target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/320 ft.,
one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Arduk aka Zil (Bard)
Medium humanoid (changeling), neutral

Armor Class 15 (chain shirt)

Hit Points 44 (8d8 + 8)
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

10 (+0) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 14 (+2)

Skills Acrobatics +6, Deception +4, Intimidation +4, Perception +5

Senses passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Dwarvish, Halfling
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Spellcasting. Zil is a 4th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability

is Charisma (spell save DC 12, +4 to hit with spell attacks). She
has the following bard spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): friends, mage hand, vicious mockery
1st level (4 slots): charm person, feather fall, healing word, sleep,
thunderwave
2nd level (3 slots): invisibility, shatter

15
 Appendix 3: Magic Item
Characters completing the adventure unlock this magic
item.
Wand of Magic Detection
Wand, uncommon
Tier 1, 8 treasure checkpoints, magic item table B
This wand is made of ivory and carved with arcane runes
representing each school of magic. This wand has 3
charges. While holding it, you can expend 1 charge as an
action to cast the detect magic spell from it. The wand
regains 1d3 expended charges daily at dawn.
This item is found in the Dungeon Master’s Guide.

16
Appendix 4: A Bit of a Turnabout
(Bonus Objective A)
Estimated Duration: 60 minutes
Adjusting the Scene
Scene A. A Small Favor Here are some suggestions for adjusting this scene:
• Very Weak: Remove two spies
to Ask • Weak: Remove one spy
• Strong: Add two scouts
In this scene the characters encounter an agent of House • Very Strong: Add a spy and two scouts
Orien as they leave the Starfire Dragon and head towards
Upper Dura. House Orien is upset over the murder
of their courier, and wishes to get a little revenge by
returning the favor to the Boromar Clan.

Area Information
This area features:
Impressions. Middle Menthis is quite possibly Sharn’s
most diverse ward, representing a true melting pot of
different races, ethnic and national origins, economic
classes, and social statuses.
The Starfire Dragon is brightly painted on the exterior,
only slightly chipping. Loud music can be heard from
inside, where the smell of delicious food wafts from.
Lighting. Inside the theater, each table has a small
everbright lantern on it, but they are mostly covered, with
intricate designs etched on them allowing a small amount
of dim light to filter out over each table.

Creatures/NPCs
Cyril d’Orien (N male Mark of Passage human scout)
got word from a contact in House Phiarlan that the
characters were being tasked with infiltrating one of the
Boromar Clan outposts and has arrived at the Starfire
Dragon to request the characters’ aid in ensuring that a
debt is paid to House Orien, like for like. Cyril wants to
see that Fridden Boromar is killed.
In order to ensure that the deed is done, Cyril plans
to send several agents to spy on the outpost and wait
for the characters to bring proof of Fridden’s demise
to him. Unfortunately for the characters, Cyril also
plans to double cross them so that no one knows of his
involvement in this murder. House Orien leadership has
no idea Cyril plans to kill Fridden, and the young scout
does not want word to spread.
The eight House Orien agents (spies) all attack from the
alleyway when the characters leave the outpost.

Playing the Pillars

Combat Exploration Social
During the daytime, the streets are quite If the characters peered out from the third- If the characters advise Cyril that they intend
crowded, characters could use the crowd to story windows, it was possible to notice a to pursue a changeling in the service of
their advantage, attempting to keep them few of the agents with a successful DC 16 House Boromar, it might be possible to
between the spies and themselves. Allow Wisdom (Perception) check. The characters persuade him to allow them to leave without
advantage or disadvantage for creative use might try to sneak down if they noticed this, finishing the attack with a successful DC 16
of obstacles! potentially allowing for surprise! Charisma (Persuasion) check.

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 Appendix 5: Get Me Outta Here!
(Bonus Objective B)
Estimated Duration: 60 minutes What Does He Know? Rrirg has a friend, Slink, who
lives in Lower Dura that can get him fake documents and
Prerequisites a disguise to escape from the city. He can hide out in the
alleyways near the outpost until the characters are ready
The characters should have already cleared the outpost,
to help him. If the characters free Rrirg, he asks them to
and can use this to fill time until the appointed meeting at
visit Lower Dura and find Slink.
the lightning rail at midnight.

Scene A. Thanks Ever So Much Scene B. Finding Slink

The characters make their way to Lower Dura to locate
In this scene the characters meet a gnoll being kept captive
Rrirg’s friend for him.
in the cellar who asks for them to help him sneak out of
Sharn. See scene D, “The Cellar,” in episode 2, “Breaking Area Information
into Boromar,” for area and creature information. This area features:
Rrirg Dampnose Impressions. Lower Dura is a wretched place, and the
city council does little to change that. The ward shows its
The imprisoned gnoll introduces himself as Rrirg
age, with cracked and worn streets, walls covered with
Dampnose and entreats the party to do him a favor.
mildew and graffiti, and other signs of neglect and wear
Objective/Goals. Rrirg wants to flee from Sharn, but
and tear. The Sharn Watch rarely risks patrolling Lower
is concerned now that he won’t make it far since the
Dura, and the ward has become a center for criminal
Boromars have a bounty on his head and gnolls don’t tend
activities.
to blend in well, even in Sharn.
Lighting. Torches brightly light some of the district,
but in the worst neighborhoods many of the torches have
been shattered or stolen.
Creatures/NPCs
As the characters enter Lower Dura, a rag-tag band of
criminals takes notices of their fine weaponry and closes
in. Four goblin bandits and two goblin spies approach
while muttering violent threats in Goblin.
Objectives. The goblins are interested in a simple
shakedown to take all of the weapons, armor, and gold
that the characters might have. They aren’t afraid to start
a fight right out in the streets knowing that the Watch is
unlikely to send a patrol to this part of town.
Slink
If the characters survive the street fight, they notice an
inquisitive head appear from an upper window a few
buildings down and call out to them.
Objectives: Slink (LE male goblin spy) is motivated by
selfish greed for the most part, once he introduces himself
and the characters tell him they’re trying to help Rrirg, he
perks up, recalling that Rrirg has been a faithful customer
of his for many years now. He is more than happy at that
point to grab a few items and accompany the characters
back to the outpost to retrieve Rrirg.

Adjusting the Scene

Here are some suggestions for adjusting this scene:
• Very Weak: Remove two spies
• Weak: Remove one spy
• Strong: Add two scouts
• Very Strong: Add a spy and two scouts

18
Appendix 6: Map of the Boromar Outpost

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 Appendix 7: Dungeon Master Tips
This adventure is designed for three to seven 1st-4th Each player is responsible for maintaining an accurate
level characters and is optimized for five characters logsheet. If you have time, you can do a quick scan of
with an average party level (APL) of 4. Characters a player’s character sheet to ensure that nothing looks
outside this level range cannot participate in this out of order. If you see magic items of very high rarities
adventure. or strange arrays of ability scores, you can ask players
to provide documentation for the irregularities. If they
cannot, feel free to restrict item use or ask them to use a
New to D&D Adventurers League? standard ability score array.
http://dnd.wizards.com/playevents/organized-play Point players to the D&D Adventurers League Players
New to the Annual Storyline? Guide for reference. If players wish to spend downtime
days and it’s the beginning of an adventure or episode,
http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/news/eberron-
they can declare their activity and spend the days now,
adventurers-league-embers-last-war-storyline
or they can do so at the end of the adventure or episode.
New to Being the Dungeon Master? Players should select their characters’ spells and other
http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/public- daily options prior to the start of the adventure, unless
dungeon-master the adventure specifies otherwise. Feel free to reread the
adventure description to help give players hints about
what they might face.
To DM an adventure, you must have 3 to 7 players—
each with their own character whose level is within the
adventure’s level range. Characters playing in a hardcover Adjusting This Adventure
adventure may continue to play too but if they play a When combat is a possibility, the adventure will provide
different hardcover adventure, they can’t return to the a sidebar that helps you to determine the best mix/
first one if they’re outside its level range. number of opponents to provide them with to create an
appropriate challenge. While you’re not bound to these
Preparing the Adventure adjustments; they’re here for your convenience and
consideration.
Before you start play, consider the following: To determine whether you should consider adjusting the
• Read through the adventure, taking notes of anything adventure, add up the total levels of all the characters and
you’d like to highlight or remind yourself of while divide the result by the number of characters (rounding .5
running the adventure, such as a way you’d like or greater up; .4 or less down). This is the group’s average
to portray an NPC or a tactic you’d like to use in party level (APL). To approximate the party strength for
a combat. Familiar yourself with the adventure’s the adventure, consult the table below.
appendices and handouts.
• Gather any resources you’d like to use to aid you in Determining Party Strength
running this adventure--such as notecards, a DM screen, Party Composition Party Party Strength
miniatures, and battlemaps.
3-4 characters, APL less than Very weak
• Ask the players to provide you with relevant character
information, such as name, race, class, and level; 3-4 characters, APL equivalent Weak
passive Wisdom (Perception), and anything specified as 3-4 characters, APL greater than Average
notable by the adventure (such as backgrounds, traits,
5 characters, APL less than Weak
flaws, etc.)
Players can play an adventure they previously played as 5 characters, APL equivalent Average
a Player or Dungeon Master but may only play it once with 5 characters, APL greater than Strong
a given character. Ensure each player has their character’s 6-7 characters, APL less than Average
adventure logsheet (if not, get one from the organizer).
The players fill out the adventure name, session number, 6-7 characters, APL equivalent Strong
date, and your name and DCI number. In addition, the 6-7 characters, APL greater than Very strong
player also fills in the starting values for advancement and
treasure checkpoints, downtime days, and renown. These
values are updated at the end of the session.

20