Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep

Rivals

If the rivals are accompanying the characters when they enter Bazzoxan, Verin directs the rivals to assist in defense of the infirmary (x). They're momentarily indignant at being ordered around, but they fall in line when Ayo echoes the command.

Rivals

If the rivals are with the characters when they enter Bazzoxan, Verin orders the rivals to stay and fight while the characters flee. Ayo Jabe doesn't like taking orders, but she falls in line—as do her companions.

Corpse Disposal

As the brothers (and any characters who decide to assist them) work through the stack of corpses, Reynard becomes increasingly reluctant to continue, asking the characters to tend to the bodies and making excuses for why he should tend the fire. A character who succeeds on a DC 11 Wisdom (Insight) check can tell that he's deliberately avoiding one of the large corpses near the bottom of the pile, out of disdain and horror.

Characters who are helping with the pile of bodies find the source of Reynard's disgust: a dead vrock whose body reeks of offal and blood. Reynard has been putting off the task of burning it because he finds the demon repulsive and because the corpse hasn't dissolved into a pool of demonic ichor as it should have, which suggests some sort of abnormality.

Before anyone can dispose of the vrock's remains, a commotion arises nearby:

The tiefling is Prolix Yusaf, a lawful neutral scholarly agent (see appendix A) from the Allegiance of Allsight. His badge displays the symbol of his faction: a scroll bearing a single, watchful eye.

Prolix introduces himself as an archaeologist from Ank'Harel, a city on the distant continent of Marquet. He nervously explains that because vrocks often swallow jewelry and other ornamental objects, he has reason to believe that the vrock might have a few valuable items from the Betrayers' Rise in its stomach—and he'd like to try to cut them out before the Allertons burn the corpse.

Lacking experience with dead bodies, Prolix turns to the characters for assistance. A character who wants to extract the contents of the vrock's stomach must first cleave through the vrock's hide. To do so, the character must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check. A failed check triggers an eruption of spores from the vrock's corpse that fill a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on the corpse. All creatures in that area must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned. A creature poisoned in this way takes 5 (1d10) poison damage at the start of each of its turns. It can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Treasure

The vrock's gullet contains a pair of gold-trimmed eyes of the eagle, three gaudy rings worth 2 gp each, and a cube-shaped puzzle box made of onyx and measuring 3 inches on a side. A detect magic spell reveals an aura of abjuration magic around the box, which is locked. Prolix grabs it before anyone else can do so, leaving the other items for the characters. As soon as the puzzle box is removed from the dead vrock's gullet, the enchantment on the vrock fades, and it begins to dissolve into a puddle of reeking ichor.

Anyone who tinkers with the puzzle box's locking mechanism for 1 minute can make a DC 20 Intelligence check, opening the box on a success. The box contains a folded-up spell scroll of bestow curse.

[image: Aloysia Telfan and Prolix Yusaf]

Roleplaying Prolix

Once he has obtained the puzzle box, Prolix's demeanor turns from friendly to reserved. He claims that he knows how to unlock the puzzle box but insists on doing so in an isolated location to prevent the "danger" contained within from hurting anyone. A character who succeeds on a DC 10 Wisdom (Insight) check can determine that Prolix is lying and trying to sound important.

A character who presses Prolix for answers can make a DC 12 Charisma (Persuasion) check. If the check succeeds, Prolix gives one of the following answers; if the check succeeds by 5 or more, he becomes friendly toward the characters and shares everything he knows freely:

Why are you here

"I'm an archaeologist, but I'm not here to perform archaeology, per se. I was sent by the Allegiance of Allsight to spy on a rival agent of the Consortium of the Vermilion Dream." Prolix says that the Allegiance doesn't know why the Consortium dispatched someone to Bazzoxan, but the reason can't be good.

Who is your rival

"Aloysia. That's her name. She's looking for something in the Betrayers' Rise. She's not hard to spot. Tall, pale, dressed in red. Cold-blooded. Seems like she'd do anything to get what she wants. And what she wants is... well, that's what I'd like to know!" Prolix goes on to say that both he and Aloysia are staying at the Ready Room (x).

Do you know how to open the puzzle box or not

"Of course not! But it came from inside the temple—it must hold something important." Prolix intends to keep the box and its contents from falling into Aloysia's hands.

If the characters let Prolix keep the puzzle box, he offers them a deal: if they find out what Aloysia is up to and stop her, he will give them 200 gp, as well as the box and whatever might be inside it.

Prolix and the Jewel

If the characters have the Jewel of Three Prayers and show it to Prolix, he says he doesn't know what the jewel represents, although he recognizes it as something both powerful and ancient. If the characters give him the opportunity, he draws a quick sketch of the item, jots down some notes, and invites the characters to return with him to the Crystal Chateau, his university in Ank'Harel, once their respective missions in Bazzoxan are complete. He suggests the university's libraries might have more information about the jewel's purpose.

If the characters seem eager to learn more about the jewel, Prolix mentions meeting a "real smartie" who is also staying at the Ready Room (x). This other scholar is a tiefling named Question, who Prolix believes is visiting Bazzoxan for research as well. Prolix relates having an animated discussion with Question the other night about key historical figures of the Calamity.

Bautha and the Jewel

If the characters show Bautha the Jewel of Three Prayers, identify it by name, and ask her about it, she doesn't recognize it, but something about the name reminds her of an old tale. She thinks for a moment, then says:

As the characters prepare to leave the infirmary, Bautha suddenly recalls one other detail:

Naevyn's Request

As the characters make their way to the exit, the wounded member of the Aurora Watch calls for the characters to approach her cot. Her body is covered with wounds she received in the gibbering mouther attack.

The drow is Naevyn Tasithar, a neutral good scout. She weakly salutes the characters, then asks them to hand her her satchel. She pulls out a small tiger's eye carving of a rabbit with her name carved into the bottom. Naevyn explains that she was planning to visit the Wall of the Unforgotten (x) and place this trinket there. If asked why, she looks away and refuses to answer, but asks the characters to place it by the wall. Characters who speak to Kalym, a priest stationed at the wall, can learn Naevyn's reason.

War Room

The war room is a small, sparsely furnished office Verin uses to discuss battle strategy and political concerns with his officers. A circular table in the center of the room is covered with maps of Bazzoxan; updated barricade designs; and notes regarding various horrid creatures, their redoubts, and the rifts they spawn from.

Verin greets the characters with warmth and gentle concern. After the initial pleasantries, he politely asks the characters to state their intended business in Bazzoxan.

As the conversation unfolds, Verin shares the following information:

• An expedition from the Library of the Cobalt Soul is currently in the Betrayers' Rise with an Aurora Watch escort, researching battles of the Calamity that took place within its halls.
• An agent of a foreign organization calling itself the Consortium of the Vermilion Dream is staying in Bazzoxan. This agent, an elf named Aloysia, has been reprimanded for trying to bribe Aurora Watch soldiers to protect her while she searches for an ancient holy site she claims is within the Betrayers' Rise.
• An archaeologist named Prolix from the Allegiance of Allsight in Ank'Harel also recently arrived in Bazzoxan. He is ostensibly assisting Aurora Watch arcanists who are researching ways to seal the rift within the Betrayers' Rise. Verin suspects that the archaeologist has other motives, because he was seen earlier in the day lurking around the crematorium (x).

If the characters ask Verin to share his thoughts regarding Bazzoxan's connection to the Calamity, he dissembles. A character who presses Verin for more information can make a DC 14 Charisma (Persuasion) check. If the check succeeds, Verin admits he believes the Betrayers' Rise might hold the solution to breaking the stalemate that grips the town, and he has sent out scouting parties and arcane experts to confirm that idea. None of the expeditions have been fruitful so far, and Verin can't spare any more personnel to expand the effort.

If the characters tell Verin that they intend to journey to the Betrayers' Rise, he asks them to proceed with caution—and to retreat if they think they're getting in over their heads, since he can't afford to send soldiers to help them. He explains:

Mess Hall

The mess hall, on the west side of the area, is filled with tables and plain wooden chairs. Though it's meant to be for soldiers, food here is doled out to anyone who asks. The repast consists of gruel, plain vegetables, bread, tough meat, and smoked fish.

The soldiers gathered here are relaxing and sharing gossip about recent events in the town. Characters who loiter in the mess hall overhear the following pieces of information, which they can also learn by engaging any of the soldiers in conversation:

• One member of the Cobalt Soul expedition, a tiefling named Question, went with his group up to the gate of the Betrayers' Rise but elected not to enter the place. He's holed up at the Ready Room (x), ready to talk about his research with anyone who will listen.
• An elf named Aloysia tried to bribe some soldiers into escorting her into the Betrayers' Rise. Some people believe that she wants only to ransack the temple, but others think her concern is religious and she is searching for long-lost lore about the Prime Deities.

Training Area

One of the buildings in the center of the barracks is used as a training area, where new soldiers learn their trade under the watch of officers. The characters can engage with the soldiers in three ways:

• Shooting Match.. If a character carries a ranged weapon, a grizzled orc veteran challenges that character to a friendly shooting match. The match consists of 3 rounds, during each of which a participant makes one attack with the ranged weapon of their choice at a target 40 feet away. The target has a bullseye surrounded by three concentric rings, each one corresponding to a point value. A hit inside the outer ring (AC 14) is worth 1 point, a hit inside the middle ring (AC 16) is worth 3 points, and a hit inside the inner ring (AC 18) is worth 5 points. A critical hit scores a bullseye, which is worth 10 points. Whoever has the most points at the end of the 3 rounds is the victor (ties are possible).
• Sparring Match.. A character can challenge an Aurora Watch soldier, or vice versa, to a sparring match with training weapons. This match can be run as a combat encounter, using the veteran stat block for the character's opponent. A creature reduced to 0 hit points by a training weapon falls unconscious and is stable. The match ends when one participant falls unconscious or concedes defeat.
• Wrestling Match.. A character can challenge an Aurora Watch soldier, or vice versa, to a wrestling match. Have a character make three DC 14 Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks in a row (character's choice of which skill to use). If at least two of these checks succeed, the character's opponent taps out; otherwise, the character loses the match.

Sleeping Quarters

The sleeping quarters in the Gatehold Barracks contain small armories where the soldiers can store their weapons and equipment when they're off duty.

The characters aren't permitted in this location, and there is no treasure to be found here.

Foghome the Gardener

A neutral good, firbolg priest named Foghome moves through the temple at all hours of the day. For more information on firbolgs, see the accompanying "Firbolgs of Exandria" sidebar.

[image: Foghome the Firbolg]

Foghome is here as a guest of Taskhand Verin Thelyss because he has offered to help the Aurora Watch create its own food source. Foghome can tell the characters several things:

• No vegetation survives for long in Bazzoxan. Foghome thinks this is the result of the corrupting influence of the Betrayers' Rise.
• He is a follower of Melora the Wild Mother, but he recognizes the temple as a former holy place of Avandra the Change Bringer. He hopes to honor both deities by cultivating new life in the midst of the death and destruction that haunts this place.
• While meditating the other night, he felt something surge within the earth nearby—a warm and kindly presence reminiscent of the Prime Deities. He suspects the presence is a sign that a relic of the Calamity has awakened within the Betrayers' Rise.

Foghome and the Jewel

If asked about the Jewel of Three Prayers, Foghome has no recollection of an item bearing that name. If he examines the jewel, he correctly senses three fragments of divine power within it, one awake and two slumbering. He also tells the characters that one of the fragments in the jewel is similar to the presence he felt within the earth while he was meditating.

Foghome invites the characters to visit him at the temple any time. He mentions that he meditates to commune with the Wild Mother in the evenings, and he would be happy to reach out to her for more answers on the characters' behalf if they decide to join him one night.

If the characters take him up on his offer, they receive a vision during Foghome's meditation:

When the vision concludes, the characters fall prone on the ground, having momentarily passed out. Foghome doesn't see the vision, but he sees the characters fall unconscious and then awaken moments later. If they admit to seeing the vision, he asks them to describe it before nodding slowly and explaining he has seen the vision before. He believes the central figure in the vision to be a hero of the Calamity and recounts the old stories of Bazzoxan's origin:

If the characters ask him to elaborate, Foghome draws their attention to several alcoves where the plants are markedly healthier than the rest of those within the temple. Engraved on the back walls of the alcoves are the following timeworn words in Common (parts of the messages that are no longer legible are indicated by dashes):

• "Friends forever. Don't——forget——"
• "You owe me a drink in Marquet, A——"
• "I am writing this——record of me stating——I will never, ever duel you again."
• "This——written proof——promise to show you the mountains of my home one day."
• "We love you. We will always be with you."

Rivals

The rivals like to gather for food and drinks at the bar. This is a good place for the characters to sit and chat with them, especially if the two groups didn't interact much in chapter 2. It's also a chance to show how the rivals' travels have begun to weigh on them; there is a different quality to the tone of their boasts, as well as the way they address each other and the characters (see "x" earlier in the chapter).

Question and Answers

Question, a chaotic neutral, tiefling monastic operative (see appendix A), can be found lounging around the Ready Room at all hours. Unlike most others in Bazzoxan, Question almost always has a smile on her face.

The tiefling doesn't take notice of the characters unless they make contact first, at which point she performs an awkward little bow. After introducing herself, Question launches into an excited spiel:

Question calls this phenomenon, related to the cyclical nature of history, "mythic resonance." She believes that acts of monumental courage leave an impression on the world that lingers after all memory of the deeds has faded. Question theorizes that this has occurred in Bazzoxan, and the ancient battles of the Calamity are still echoing here today.

What Question Knows

Question is eager to show characters her sketchbook. She explains that her drawings are based on research she conducted in the archives of the Cobalt Soul in Ank'Harel, the city where she has lived for the past five years. On the pages of the sketchbook, characters can see the following drawings:

• A sketch of an island bathed in the moonlight of Catha and Ruidus, both full. The island is covered with trees, marble pillars, and crystal shards and resembles the final chamber in the Emerald Grotto.
• A rough drawing of what appears to be a more elaborate version of the Jewel of Three Prayers. It is larger and has three delicate spires inlaid with stones.
• A rubbing of a symbol that depicts a long-haired woman peering into the distance. A character who makes a successful DC 12 Intelligence (Religion) check identifies this as the holy symbol of Avandra the Change Bringer. Question explains that this rubbing was taken from a wall carving in the Betrayers' Rise (see x later in the chapter).
• A folk ballad, written in Undercommon, that speaks of an unnamed "halfway god," a champion who was given so much power by three of the Prime Deities during the Calamity that he became nearly divine himself.

Question and the Jewel

If asked about the Jewel of Three Prayers, Question speaks of it with reverent awe, calling it a "lost Vestige." Though she doesn't know the relic's true nature, she believes the jewel was an ordinary amulet until it was filled with divine power during the Calamity.

If the characters show Question the jewel, the tiefling quivers with excitement and immediately requests a closer look. After a minute of inspection, she says that this object is the key to the mythic cycle that resonates throughout Bazzoxan. She begs the characters to contact her again if they learn more about the jewel during their stay in Bazzoxan.

Question's Allies

Question doesn't have much to say about the other members of her expedition, dismissing them as the sort who prefer excitement over introspection. A character who succeeds on a DC 11 Wisdom (Insight) check discerns that Question is hiding something; if confronted, she admits that she is terrified of going inside the Betrayers' Rise. She explains that after entering the temple with the other expedition members, she heard voices calling to her, which nearly caused her to run away screaming. Instead, she feigned sudden illness and returned to town after promising to make the next trip inside. She expresses concern that her compatriots have yet to return, but she holds out hope that they'll make it back out.

Aloysia Telfan

During their conversation with Question, characters who have a passive Wisdom (Perception) score of 12 or higher notice a gaunt figure in scarlet robes nearby, eavesdropping. This figure, Aloysia Telfan, is a lawful evil, elf occult initiate (see appendix A) who thirsts for knowledge and power. She approaches the characters, if they don't accost her first, and greets them politely.

Aloysia gets right to the point: she wants to find an ancient prayer site deep inside the Betrayers' Rise—and based on what she has learned of the characters from their conversation with Question, she surmises that such a mission would be beneficial to them as well. She offers to pay the characters 50 gp each to accompany her, though they can get her up to 100 gp each with a successful DC 13 Charisma (Persuasion) check if they haggle. If pressed to reveal what she's after, Aloysia explains that she's looking for a crimson mineral called ruidium that is said to be infused with the power of Ruidus. She says nothing about her organization, the Consortium of the Vermilion Dream, unless someone asks about it by name. In that case, she says that the Consortium is a group of folklore aficionados.

What Aloysia Knows

Aloysia believes the following facts to be true:

• Fragmented historical records tell of an unidentified hero of the Calamity who hailed from the lands of Wildemount. He was born under the full moon of Ruidus and wields the vermilion moon's power. (Partially true. Alyxian was marked by Ruidus, but he creates ruidium on his own, not by drawing on the moon's power.)
• This hero participated in climactic battles across the continents of Wildemount and Marquet—including the battle at the Betrayers' Rise. (True.)
• The hero died in the battle at the Betrayers' Rise and was brought back to life as a vengeful revenant by Avandra the Change Bringer. (Mostly false. Alyxian nearly died but was healed and granted further power by Avandra.)
• The hero wore a pendant that contained the power of three gods. This pendant is the key to acquiring the ruidium her organization seeks. (Partially true. The Jewel of Three Prayers holds the power of three gods and, in its Exalted State, can be used to open the rift to the Netherdeep in Cael Morrow, as described in chapter 5.)

Roleplaying Aloysia

Assuming the characters are cordial, the ambitious occultist steers the conversation to her interests at every turn, while maintaining a pleasant demeanor and answering just enough of the characters' questions to keep them from walking away.

If the characters turn down her offer, Aloysia's charm vanishes immediately, replaced by cold disdain. Additionally, if any character mentions having received a vision from the Apotheon or reveals that the characters possess the Jewel of Three Prayers, Aloysia becomes fixated on obtaining the jewel for her faction.

Betrayers' Rise Encounters

Outer Doors

The Aurora Watch won't allow the outer doors to remain open. If the characters want to leave the Betrayers' Rise after the outer doors are closed, they must open the doors themselves.

Misty Chasm

Beneath the bridge is an 80-foot-long vertical shaft that opens into a 1,000-foot-deep chasm (see x) shrouded in silvery mist. Any character who listens intently hears hissing voices emanating from inside the chasm. The voices say the following in Common:

The shaft leading down to the chasm is too sheer to climb without the use of magic or climbing gear. Any character who falls into the chasm takes 70 (20d6) bludgeoning damage from the plunge.

Escape Route

The double door leading to area R1 closes behind the characters unless it is held or wedged open. It glows red when the Jewel of Three Prayers is within 20 feet of it. While the double door is glowing, it opens with a touch; otherwise, it can't be opened.

Northwest Alcove

On the back wall of this alcove is scrawled the following message in Abyssal: "To me, touch your hand. To me, relinquish hope. To you, accept death. To you, invite hollowness." A character who places their hand on this wall feels it writhe beneath their touch. If the character succeeds on a DC 13 Wisdom (Insight) check, they understand that the wall seems to want to devour their body, but that the wall can consume only someone who has accepted that they'll die and doesn't struggle against that fate.

While touching the wall, a character can make a DC 15 Wisdom check to make peace with their own death. On a failed check, nothing happens, and the character must rest for at least 1 hour before they can attempt the check again. On a successful check, the wall churns and pulls the character through it, whereupon the character emerges in a narrow hallway (the southern part of area R4). Anyone or anything that character is holding is also pulled through the wall.

A character who succeeds on the check gains the following benefit and drawback:

Secrets of the Skull

The skull vase and the table in the north alcove are the keys to revealing the hidden entrance to the Basilica of Revelry (x). Close examination reveals that the vase contains the withered remains of a bouquet of lilies.

A character who has a passive Wisdom (Perception) score of 13 or higher notices jagged markings along the edge of the table, which make up the following phrase in Abyssal: "Cast that which you value into Oblivion." A character who can read the writing and succeeds on a DC 13 Intelligence (Religion) check recognizes that "Oblivion" refers to Tharizdun, the Betrayer God of emptiness and entropy, also known as the Chained Oblivion.

To open the entrance, a character must place something of value inside the vase, such as a bouquet of fresh flowers, a gemstone, coins totaling at least 25 gp, or anything else the character regards as valuable. Once a satisfactory offering has been placed within the skull-shaped vase, its eye sockets flash red, the offering decays to the point of being worthless, and the wall behind the table slides upward, revealing a long tunnel that eventually leads down to x.

One-Way Secret Door

The wall that lies between area R4 and x is a featureless surface when viewed from this side, offering no way of returning to area R3. This one-way passage can't be navigated, except with a passwall spell or similar magic.

Bladed Corridor

The corridor north of the statues has twitching silver blades protruding from its walls. Whenever one or more creatures are in the hall, the floor tilts to one side and then the other so that creatures stumble into the blades. A creature that moves into the corridor or starts its turn there must make a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw, taking 17 (5d6) slashing damage on a failed saving throw, or half as much damage on a successful one.

The first time a character takes damage from the blades, read or paraphrase the following:

Opening the Double Door

The double door at the north end of the corridor can be opened only after the crystal canister is filled with blood or demonic ichor. To meet this requirement, the bladed walls must deal a total of 70 slashing damage to creatures that have blood or demonic ichor in their bodies. A character within reach of the canister can pour blood into it; each ounce of blood poured into the canister reduces by 5 the amount of damage needed to open the doors.

If the crystal canister is destroyed, the characters have no way to disable the hall's trap. The canister is a Tiny object with AC 13, 5 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage.

Trap Reset

The corridor stops tilting and resets itself after 1 hour or when the double door is opened, whereupon all blood in the crystal canister disappears.

Treasure

A character who searches the corpse finds a pouch containing 22 gp and four stoppered vials that each contain 1 ounce of blood. This blood can be poured into the canister at the north end of the Flagellant's Path (see x for details).

Hidden Singers

A see invisibility spell or similar magic reveals a mural composed of ghostly figures on the walls of the chamber. The figures all have their mouths open as though singing or screaming. One figure in the middle of the north wall holds a large book that glows faintly and is warm to the touch. Pressing on the book in the mural opens a secret door in the northeast corner of the room, which can also be found by examining that section of wall and succeeding on a DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) check. Beyond the secret door is a small room lined with moldering, leather-bound books. Each tome contains barely legible scrawlings in Abyssal written by an unsteady hand, detailing the demon lords' alliances with the Betrayer Gods during the Calamity.

A character who spends 10 minutes searching the small chamber finds a book buried in the debris, opened to a page that shows a drawing of a stained-glass window. Written beneath the drawing is the following mantra:

A character who can read the writing and succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence check realizes that this is a code or instruction. (It provides the correct sequence of sigils to touch to open the stained-glass mural in area R9.)

Treasure

The corpses are the remains of an Aurora Watch expedition that was trapped in the Betrayers' Rise. A character who searches the bodies finds an onyx-hilted longsword that has become a sword of vengeance haunted by the spirit of its former wielder.

Stained-Glass Mosaic

The 10-foot-wide section of wall at the north end of the basilica resembles a tall, stained-glass window. Its imagery changes constantly, like the patterns in a kaleidoscope, but the nine symbols remain static. A character who succeeds on a DC 11 Intelligence (Religion) check recognizes these as the symbols of evil gods. The symbols and the gods they represent are summarized in the Symbols of the Gods table.

If four of the symbols are pressed in the correct order, as noted in the Symbol Sequence table, a door opens at the base of the wall, leading to a hallway (x). A creature that presses an incorrect symbol must make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw, taking 28 (8d6) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

The stained-glass mosaic can be bypassed by breaking through it with a successful DC 12 Strength check or by destroying it. The mosaic has AC 11, 10 hit points, vulnerability to bludgeoning and thunder damage, and immunity to poison and psychic damage. Destroying the mosaic causes the flame creatures in the hall to attack. Moreover, each creature in the hall when the mosaic breaks must make a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw unless it is a Construct, a Fiend, or an Undead. On a failed save, the creature is cursed and can't regain hit points until the effect on that creature is ended by a remove curse spell or similar magic.

If destroyed, the stained-glass window repairs itself after 1 hour.

Chains of Darkness

When a creature falls prone in this hall, the chains on the floor slither toward it, and the figures carved in the walls drone in low voices, "Imprison those who cannot resist you. Drag all life into darkness." The creature must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or be grappled by the chains (escape DC 15). Until it escapes, the creature takes 5 (1d10) psychic damage at the start of each of its turns. Any creature that is not grappled by the chains can use an action to try to free a chained creature within reach, doing so with a successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check. Whatever the result of the check, the creature making the attempt takes 11 (2d10) psychic damage.

Circular Hole

The circular hole at the north end of the hall is the mouth of a shaft that descends 10 feet before opening in the ceiling of area R12. The distance from the floor of this hallway to the floor of area R12 is 100 feet. A character who falls down the hole can try to catch the outstretched hand of the northernmost stone arm in area R12, doing so with a successful DC 15 Dexterity saving throw and reducing the fall from 100 feet to 30 feet. The character can climb down the rest of the way with a successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check.

Wailing Statue

Any creature within 30 feet of the statue that can hear the wailing sound coming from it must make a successful DC 16 Charisma saving throw or become cursed by Torog's hunger. A creature that succeeds on this saving throw is immune to the effect of the wailing statue for 24 hours. The curse has the following effects on a creature:

• At the start of each of its turns, the creature must make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature must use its action to harm another creature it can see, using a spell or an attack that deals the greatest amount of damage.
• While the creature has fewer than half its hit points, its successful weapon attacks deal an extra 3 (1d6) psychic damage.

The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. Otherwise, the curse of Torog remains in effect on the creature until ended by a remove curse spell or similar magic, or until the creature enters x.

[image: A giant wailing statue guards the path to the Prayer Site of Avandra, but learning its secret is no simple matter]

Arms of Torog

The northernmost of these three statues is 70 feet tall, the one to the east is 40 feet tall, and the one to the west is 20 feet tall. Each arm ends in an outstretched hand.

Characters who have a passive Wisdom (Perception) score of 13 or higher notice that each one of the arms bears a throbbing, purple-black pustule on its palm. Each pustule has AC 17, 25 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage. When a pustule is reduced to 0 hit points, it is destroyed, and one side of the triangle engraved on the floor begins to glow white. Destroying all three pustules lights up the entire triangle and unlocks the doors embedded in the statue's chest. If the pustules are all destroyed, they re-form after 1 hour, at which point the doors close and become locked again unless they are held open or are opened from the inside.

Iron Doors

The doors in the statue's chest open only if the three pustules on the palms of the stone arms have been destroyed. Beyond the doors is a narrow passage that descends to x.

South Hallway

When one or more characters enter the hallway to the south, they hear a loud grinding noise. This is the sound of a stone slab rising from the floor to block the entrance to area R14. This slab has no handle or keyhole. Defeating the fiendish orcs in area R14 or using a knock spell or similar magic causes the slab to sink back into the floor; it can't be moved or breached otherwise.

Entrances

The tunnel leading north from this labyrinth connects with area R12. The south entrance is a 3-foot-tall crawlway that ends 45 feet above the floor of area R14.

Navigating the Labyrinth

When the characters enter the labyrinth, they're faced with a choice of three paths: one lit by violet continual flame spells, one by red continual flame spells, and one shrouded in impenetrable magical darkness. Following any of the paths leads them to another three-way fork with the same choices available, and then another. The way to get through the labyrinth most quickly is always to take the fork shrouded in darkness.

After choosing three paths, the characters emerge at one of the entrances. If they chose the darkened path all three times, they emerge at the opposite side from where they entered. If they chose any of the illuminated paths, they emerge at the same place where they entered, and each character must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or gain 1 level of exhaustion as the endlessly zigzagging pathways drain their resolve.

Hints

A character who makes a successful DC 14 Intelligence (Religion) check recalls one of Torog's commandments: "Seek and exalt places where no light touches." If they aren't sure what that means, a character can guess that the darkened passages of the labyrinth are related to this commandment by making a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Insight) check.

Blood Font

This pool is 2 feet deep and filled with blood kept fresh by demonic magic. When the orcs pray to Gruumsh, they activate the blood font, causing the following effects to occur:

• Stone slabs rise from the floor to block the north and south exits (unless both slabs were already closed). A knock spell or similar magic can force a slab to sink back into the floor.
• When both exits are sealed after the orcs pray to Gruumsh, the pool of blood begins to boil and overflow. The boiling blood starts to flood the room, rising at a rate of 5 feet per minute to a maximum depth of 45 feet.
• A creature that ends its turn in the boiling blood takes 7 (2d6) fire damage.

Killing both orcs or forcing open either exit causes the boiling blood to drain out of the room through holes that open in the floor, lowering the blood's depth by 5 feet per round.

Crawlway

A character who searches for a way out of the sealed-off room can use an action to make a DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check. On a successful check, the character spots a 3-foot-high opening in the back wall of the southeast alcove, 45 feet above the ground. The opening is the entrance to a crawlway that leads to x. Climbing the wall to reach this opening requires a successful DC 12 Strength (Athletics) check.

Abyssal Rift

The planar rift is a gateway to the Abyss and looks like a 10-foot-wide, 20-foot-long orifice filled with impenetrable darkness. Horrible shrieks emanate from the rift and can be heard throughout the chasm for as long as the rift remains open. The rift closes after 1 minute, but a new one appears whenever a creature passes through the carving of Gruumsh's face.

A creature that enters the rift from this side is magically transported, along with anything it is wearing or carrying, to the Abyss. The creature emerges from a similar rift located inside a colossal cyclone of poisonous gas. Trapped in the cyclone are the shrieking spirits of countless evil souls condemned to the Abyss. Demons and other creatures are sometimes swept up in the cyclone as well, where they remain trapped until a planar rift appears and they can escape through it. Even if the rift closes, the cyclone remains.

A creature caught in the cyclone is trapped there and takes 14 (4d6) poison damage at the start of each of its turns. A creature that has a flying speed can escape the cyclone by flying into the rift; a creature without a flying speed can use an action to try to harness the winds of the cyclone, propelling itself through the rift with a successful DC 19 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check.

Climbing the Chasm Walls

The chasm's walls are honeycombed with niches, each no more than 5 feet wide and 10 feet deep, set between stucco statues of people bearing expressions of horror and pain. A character can climb a section of wall without magic or climbing gear by succeeding on a DC 10 Strength (Athletics) check. A failed check indicates that no progress is made; if a check fails by 5 or more, the character slips and plunges to the cavern floor, taking damage from the fall as normal.

Bodies of the Fallen

Lying in a heap on the chasm floor directly below the shaft that leads to x are a dozen corpses. These are the remains of people who fell to their doom. Most are clad in the chitinous armor of the Aurora Watch. Two of the bodies look more recently deceased and wear the blue garb of the Cobalt Soul; these are the unlucky allies of Question the tiefling.

Treasure

A character who inspects the remains of the two Cobalt Soul explorers finds a cloak of protection and a cracked driftglobe. In its damaged state, the driftglobe can be used only to cast the light spell.

Curse of the Crawling King

Creatures that were affected by the curse of Torog in x can rid themselves of the curse by entering this area. If any of the characters were cursed when they arrived here, describe the end of the effect as follows:

The Jewel Awakens

If a character who has the Jewel of Three Prayers reaches the bottom of the crater, the jewel tugs the character in the direction of the altar, as if it wants to be placed there. If the jewel is placed on the altar, all the characters in this chamber experience the following vision:

The final scene of the vision takes place in the Drowned City of Cael Morrow; recalling the appearance of this location will help the characters as they seek more information about the Apotheon in chapter 4.

The vision persists long enough for the characters to speak to Alyxian for a few moments. Once the characters have had three questions answered, the vision ends as new arrivals come on the scene (see "Confrontation for the Jewel" below). Alyxian addresses the characters' questions with the following information:

• Alyxian was born in the lands of Wildemount under full Ruidus, which cursed him to endure a life of suffering. He decided to spend his life shielding others from pain, since he was already doomed to suffer.
• He fought in the Calamity and was called the Apotheon because he beseeched the gods for power three times and three times received it—first on the shores of Wildemount, again in the depths of the Betrayers' Rise, and once more in a temple of Corellon the Arch Heart in a city of elves and orcs in the jungles of Marquet. These divine gifts transformed him from a mortal being into something more. Alyxian says that the city of elves and orcs was destroyed centuries ago. (This is partly true; the city Alyxian speaks of is now the underwater ruin called Cael Morrow, described in chapter 5.)
• Alyxian is imprisoned in an underwater place lit by a crimson glow. He grows angry as he explains that mortals are harvesting the source of the glow and leaving him in darkness, and that this act is torture for him. (This is both true and an indication of the Apotheon's emotional state; his fury is simmering beneath his sorrowful demeanor.)

Alyxian answers other questions as well as he can, drawing from information in the "x" section of the introduction. He portrays himself as sympathetic and helpless.

The next time the characters look at the Jewel of Three Prayers, they find it has transformed into its Awakened State (as described in appendix B). The transformed jewel can be removed from the altar safely.

Aloysia Gets the Jewel

If Aloysia gets the jewel, she uses a teleportation tablet to transport herself to Ank'Harel. She invites the rivals to follow her, assuming they didn't betray her; any creature that enters the circle before the start of Aloysia's next turn is also teleported.

Aloysia Doesn't Get the Jewel

If the characters retain possession of the jewel, Aloysia loses her temper and begins ranting on her next turn. Midway through her rant, she pulls a scroll from her belt. The scroll is a spell scroll of earthquake, which she casts (choosing the Structures option) as an action on her turn. Aloysia then flees up the passageway, accidentally dropping two teleportation tablets while she rummages through her satchel. A huge chunk of stone falls from the ceiling behind her, separating her from the characters and blocking their only exit. On her next turn, she uses her third and final teleportation tablet to escape to Ank'Harel.

Each creature in the prayer site when Aloysia casts earthquake must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, taking 17 (5d6) bludgeoning damage from falling rubble on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

The boulder that seals off the prayer site can be cleared if creatures with a combined Strength of 70 or higher spend a total of 10 hours working to move it, or if creatures with a combined Strength score of 50 or higher spend a total of 20 hours working to move it.