Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep

Fragments of Suffering

Absorbing a Fragment

As an action, a creature can touch a fragment it can see and thereby absorb the fragment into its body. If a character absorbs a fragment, give that character's player the card that corresponds to the fragment (see appendix D). The fragment disappears and becomes part of the creature's soul until the creature dies, transfers the fragment to another willing creature (see "Releasing a Fragment" below), or enters the Heart of Despair.

A creature can absorb up to three Fragments of Suffering. If a creature that carries three fragments tries to absorb a fourth, the attempt fails automatically.

Releasing a Fragment

A creature can use an action to transfer one fragment it is carrying to another creature by touching the fragment's intended recipient. When a fragment leaves a creature, that creature loses the benefit and drawback conferred by the fragment. If a character initiates a transfer, have that character's player give the corresponding card to the new recipient.

If a creature that is carrying a fragment dies or enters the Heart of Despair, the fragment immediately leaves the creature and returns to its original location (noted in the Fragments of Suffering table).

[image: Alyxian is seen in visions as a young man struggling to come to grips with his destiny]

Statues

The ruidium-covered statues are depictions of Alyxian the Apotheon as a noble warrior in his prime, but the missing heads make identification difficult. The heads are nowhere to be found, symbolizing Alyxian's loss of self.

Alyxian's Toys

A character who examines the rocking horse notices the name "Alyxian" carved on its flank in Common. Characters who want to keep one or more of Alyxian's toys can do so, and those toys remain with the characters after this vision ends. The first time a character picks up one of these toys, the Apotheon whispers, "Such a thing no longer holds a special place in my heart, but it might be worth something to you." These toys prove useful in x. Any character who handles a toy without gloves or similar protective gear might be subject to ruidium corruption, at your discretion (see "x" in the introduction).

Bedroom Windows

Alyxian's bedroom has a 10-foot-high ceiling and two windows. Each window is a 2-foot-square opening whose bottom is 7 feet above the floor. A Medium character can peer out a window easily enough by standing on the back of the rocking horse.

Outdoor Scene

Any character who looks out a window or exits the cottage sees two humans being attacked by a band of six people armed with farm implements. The two folks being accosted are representations of Alyxian's parents. His father has a kindly face and a bushy brown beard. His mother has a worry-lined, scarred face. Both have olive skin and wear simple, dirt-stained garments made of a single piece of cloth. Their attackers are shadowy, faceless facsimiles of people draped in worn-out clothes. Red eyes burn from beneath their wide-brimmed hats. These shadowy assailants use the berserker stat block, but their weapon attacks deal psychic damage. Their vague forms are due to the fact that Alyxian's memory of them has faded.

As soon as one or more characters see what's going on outside, Alyxian's voice whispers to them:

Characters who exit the cottage not only witness the unfolding scene but also attract the attention of the assailants. Four of them break off to attack the characters while the remaining two continue to strike Alyxian's parents on the ground. These two assailants turn to fight the characters only when the four who attacked the characters are dead.

If the characters confront the faceless assailants, have the players roll initiative for their characters, Make one initiative roll for all the assailants.

Placating the Apotheon's Regret

To placate this regret of Alyxian's, the characters must try to rescue his parents. If the assailants haven't all been defeated by the start of their fourth turn, Alyxian's father dies from his wounds, and his mother is left for dead. Administering magical healing to the father delays his death at the hands of the assailants by 1 round.

As they attack, the assailants hiss justifications for why young Alyxian and his parents should die. Examples of what they might say:

• "You have brought this ruin upon us!"
• "Monsters birth monsters!"
• "No good ever comes from sheltering a child of Ruidus!"

If Alyxian's parents are saved, they speak to the characters as if they were speaking to Alyxian:

If one or more characters offer words of comfort to Alyxian's parents after rescuing them from the assailants, this interaction has a positive effect on the final battle against Alyxian (see "x" in chapter 7).

Ending the Vision

Once this episode has played out, the characters are transported back to the underwater grotto along with anything they are wearing or carrying, including any toys they gathered from Alyxian's bedroom. Once they are back in the water-filled chamber, Alyxian whispers the following to them in their minds:

Subsequent Visits

The vision involving Alyxian's childhood home is not repeated if the characters leave this area and return later. On future visits, this grotto is dark and empty except for a few patches of sea grass.

Placating the Apotheon's Regret

To placate Alyxian's regret, the characters must hunt for meat, heal Saqiri, or both. Accomplishing one or both tasks has a positive effect on the final battle against Alyxian (see "x" in chapter 7).

Hunting for Meat

One or more characters can hunt the owlbears and the deer to bring back meat to the hunters' camp. At least one character must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom (Survival) check to track the owlbears through the forest. As they explore the forest, the characters see beds of long, flowing kelp emerging from among the trees—a hint that the Netherdeep isn't far away. If one or more characters succeed on the check, they encounter the two owlbears. When an owlbear dies, its body splits open and a swarm of sorrowfish (see appendix A) bursts out and attacks. These sorrowfish swim through the air as if it were water. Once the swarms are defeated, the characters can take the owlbear meat—enough to sustain the village—back to the hunters' camp. If no characters succeed on the check, they don't encounter the owlbears and find only the carcasses of sickly deer that couldn't keep up with the rest of the herd. If these carcasses are returned to the camp, they provide some edible meat—enough to placate the Apotheon's regret.

Healing Saqiri

Four hunters (scouts) guard Saqiri. These hunters have shadowy forms and hazy faces, because Alyxian's memory of them has faded somewhat.

The hunters regard the characters with the same contempt they hold for Alyxian, shouting to them, "Be off with you! You're a curse on all of us!" A character can get to Saqiri's side by succeeding on a DC 14 Dexterity (Stealth) check to slip past the guards. A character can also approach the guards and convince them not to attack with a successful DC 14 Charisma (Persuasion) check. The guards attack any character who fails either check. Characters who try to force their way past the guards are also attacked.

Saqiri is unconscious and dying from her wounds. If healing restores her to 1 hit point or more, she struggles to sit up and speaks the following words to the character closest to her, as if that character were Alyxian: "Go on, boy. Take one of the carcasses to your ma. Tell her you did a good job tonight. I don't know if a curse truly follows you—but people believe it does, and that's enough for them." The characters then hear Alyxian whisper the following words: "I have watched Saqiri's death a thousand times. It never stops tearing my soul apart—but now I know what she would have said had she lived." More quietly, he adds, "It is not what I expected after so long."

Ending the Vision

Once this scene has played out, the forest fades away and the characters are returned to the underwater grotto. If they accomplished one or both tasks in the vision, a small, unlocked chest appears on the floor nearby. It contains the following rewards based on what tasks the characters completed:

• If the characters healed Saqiri, the chest contains fifteen tiny rubies (100 gp each).
• If the characters brought owlbear meat back to the camp, the chest contains two 6-inch-tall, solid gold owlbear figurines (750 gp each), one on all fours and the other reared up on its hind legs. If they returned with deer meat for the camp instead, the chest contains a 3-inch-tall figurine of a deer carved out of translucent, grayish-blue chalcedony (150 gp).

Subsequent Visits

The vision of Alyxian's first hunt is not repeated if the characters leave this area and later return. On future visits, this grotto is dark and empty except for a few patches of sea grass.

Red Halos

The halo surrounding each of the characters sheds bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet. These halos vanish when the characters leave this memory and are returned to the Netherdeep.

A character encircled by a red halo leaves blotches of ruidium wherever their feet touch the ground. These ruidium deposits slowly send out tendrils across the ground in the character's wake. In this vision, any successful attack a character makes with a melee or ranged weapon deals an extra 11 (2d10) psychic damage to the target.

Raiders

A group of soldiers—allies of Alyxian in the battle against Torog—have decided that since they saved this village, it is theirs to pillage. Four sword wraith warriors led by a sword wraith commander (see appendix A for their stat blocks) take the shadowy shape of Alyxian's crass allies. They are bullying a group of ten commoners in the middle of the village. As the characters approach, the commander, a neutral evil human in his mid-twenties named Kalagothe, looks to them as if they were Alyxian and roars, "Commander Alyxian, these people refuse to pay us tribute!"

Have the players roll initiative for their characters, then make one initiative roll for Kalagothe; the remaining sword wraiths act immediately after him in the initiative order. Roll initiative once for all the commoners, but don't waste time devising tactics for them; they cower or retreat from the soldiers on their turn.

A character can use an action to try to convince the soldiers to stand down, doing so with a successful DC 27 Charisma (Intimidation or Persuasion) check. The DC drops to 17 if Kalagothe is dead and only the sword wraith warriors need to be dealt with. Only three such attempts can be made, after which the sword wraiths are immune to such coercion.

Unless the soldiers are slain or forced to stand down, they capture and murder the commoners.

Placating the Apotheon's Regret

If the characters rescue one or more of the villagers, the Apotheon's voice tentatively whispers, "There are bright spots amid the ruin, sometimes. Beauty. Kindness." This interaction has a positive effect on the final battle against Alyxian (see "x" in chapter 7).

Ending the Vision

If the characters rescue at least five of the ten commoners, the Apotheon whispers to them, "You handled that better than I did. I wish I could have seen their faces happy with relief that they were saved, rather than fraught with sorrow at their losses." After Alyxian speaks these words, the vision fades and the characters are returned to the underwater grotto. As the characters reappear in the grotto, a secret door in the north wall opens (see "x" earlier in the chapter). Beyond this door lies a short tunnel leading to a small chamber (area N4a).

Subsequent Visits

The vision of the village is not repeated if the characters leave this area and later return. On future visits, this grotto is dark and empty except for a few patches of sea grass growing near the walls.

Doll

The doll on the pedestal looks like a moorbounder. It has sentimental value to Alyxian. If a character picks it up, everyone in the room hears the Apotheon whisper, "Maeska, my old friend." The moorbounder doll might prove useful to the characters in x.

Fragment of Despondence

The mote of light above the pedestal is the Fragment of Despondence (see "Fragments of Suffering" earlier in the chapter). When a character touches the mote, it disappears and becomes part of the character's soul. When this happens, all the characters receive a fleeting vision (see the x earlier in the chapter).

The character who is carrying the Fragment of Despondence gains the following benefit and drawback, and is aware of both:

Tunnel Exits

Two short tunnels lead away from this chamber, one toward area N4 and the other toward area N6. Each tunnel ends at a secret door (see "x" earlier in the chapter). A creature leaving this location automatically finds either secret door.

Gravestones

The gravestones near the ruined house are made of ruidium and bear no inscriptions. No graves lie beneath them, so no corpses are available to examine or question by using magic.

Ruined House

If the characters explore the ruins of the house, read:

A thorough search of the ground floor reveals ten corpses. They belong to the three women, five grimlocks, and two human warriors clad in bloodstained chain mail. The warriors were apparently slain trying to protect the family from the grimlocks. All these creatures look as if they died several days a day ago.

Forgotten Names

To satisfy Alyxian, the characters must learn the names of the three women: Marisa, Celeste, and Meri. Marisa was the eldest, Celeste was her wife, and Meri was their teenage daughter. Their family name is Zenthas. Marisa's name can be discovered in the kitchen, Celeste's in the living room, and Mari's in the bedroom, as described below:

• Kitchen.. Marisa was making a loaf of bread when the attack came. A character who spends at least 1 minute searching the kitchen can make a DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) check. On a successful check, the character finds a folded note next to a torn bag of cinnamon spattered with blood and tied shut with a green ribbon. The note reads: "Marisa—for that little cake you like so much."

Living Room

Celeste used the living room as a space to indulge her hobby: incense-making. Herbs, bottles, and incense sticks lie scattered across a worktable and on the floor in one corner of the room. Any character who spends at least 1 minute searching the living room can make a DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) check. On a successful check, the character finds a book titled Scents for the Seasons lying under a chair. Written on the book's inside cover is the name "Celeste Zenthas."

• Bedroom.. Meri, on the cusp of adulthood, was training to be a soldier. Any character who spends at least 1 minute searching the bedroom can make a DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) check. On a successful check, the character finds the name "Meri" carved into the empty sheath of a shortsword.

Ghosts of the Remembered

When the characters learn all three names, three ghosts rise from the women's corpses and attack the intruders until at least one of the ghosts' names is spoken aloud. The ghosts resemble the three women, but they are not restless spirits. Rather, they are manifestations of Alyxian's rage and regret. The characters can destroy these ghosts by reducing each of them to 0 hit points.

If a character addresses a ghost by the name of the woman it resembles, that ghost's attitude toward the party changes from hostile to indifferent, and the ghost addresses each of the characters as if they were Alyxian. If a character apologizes to a ghost on Alyxian's behalf for not being around in its time of need, the ghost's attitude changes to friendly.

The following sections describe the three women and their behavior as ghosts:

• Marisa.. Marisa's ghost smells faintly of sugar and cinnamon. On her first turn in combat, she wails, "Our home, defiled!" If a character addresses Marisa's ghost by name and apologizes to her on Alyxian's behalf, the ghost says, "Alyxian! When they came for us, I feared they would kill you, too. It is good to hear your voice. Be well, and do not mourn. No one can harm us anymore." After speaking these words, the ghost fades away.

Celeste

Celeste's ghost smells faintly of incense. On her first turn in combat, she snarls, "We sheltered him! We died for him!" If a character addresses Celeste's ghost by name and apologizes to her on Alyxian's behalf, the ghost's visage softens, and she says, "I would die for you, moon-cursed and moon-blessed. A thousand times, if need be." After speaking these words, the ghost fades away.

• Meri.. Meri has wavy, shoulder-length hair, strong arms, and sharp eyes. The resemblance to Marisa is unmistakable. She doesn't speak unless she is addressed by name. If a character does so and then apologizes to Meri on behalf of Alyxian, she says, "I died a soldier, like my mother. What happened was neither our fault nor yours. Be well, Alyxian." After speaking these words, the ghost fades away.

[image: Three ghosts of women from Alyxian's past haunt a ruined house]

Placating the Apotheon's Regret

Alyxian is placated if one or more ghosts are laid to rest. After speaking the ghosts' names aloud, he adds, "The Crawling King's horde destroyed them, and I was not there to help. Yet they forgave me. Was that truly all it took?"

Each ghost that vanishes on its own instead of being defeated in combat has a positive effect on the final battle against Alyxian (see "x" in chapter 7).

Ending the Vision

When all three ghosts are destroyed or vanish on their own, the characters are returned to the underwater grotto. A secret door opens in the northwest wall, revealing a narrow tunnel that leads to area N5a (see "x" earlier in the chapter).

Subsequent Visits

The vision of the ruined house is not repeated if the characters leave this area and later return. On future visits, this grotto is empty except for a few patches of sea grass.

Fragment of Attachment

The mote of light above the pedestal is the Fragment of Attachment (see "Fragments of Suffering" earlier in the chapter). When a character touches the mote, it disappears and becomes part of the character's soul. When this happens, all the characters receive a fleeting vision (see the x earlier in the chapter).

The character who is carrying the Fragment of Attachment gains the following benefit and drawback, and is aware of both:

Tunnel Exits

Two tunnels lead from this chamber: one travels east to area N5, and the other spirals downward, passing under the eastern tunnel before opening in the wall of a wider tunnel that connects areas x and x. Each tunnel ends at a secret door (see "x" earlier in the chapter). A creature leaving this location automatically finds either secret door.

Altar

A character who examines the altar and makes a successful DC 13 Intelligence (Religion) check recognizes its imagery as symbolic of the gods Gruumsh and Torog. Placing certain objects on this altar can help the characters bypass the door of red energy (see below).

Door of Red Energy

This magical barrier is impervious to damage but can be negated with a successful dispel magic (DC 19). Any creature that touches the door must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed saving throw, the creature takes 35 (10d6) force damage and is pushed 10 feet away from the door. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and isn't pushed.

If the characters can't dispel the door, they can place a sentimental item from Alyxian's childhood on the altar ("Leave your childhood yearnings behind"), which causes the item to disappear and dispels the door for 8 hours. Items that qualify include a toy taken from Alyxian's childhood bedroom (x) and the moorbounder doll found in x. A character can substitute a trinket or toy from their own childhood, with the same effect. Any item that disappears from the altar can't be retrieved by any means short of a wish spell.

In addition, a character who dons a suit of armor in this chamber or in area N7 can pass through the doorway ("It is time to don your armor and go to war"). A character who entered either chamber already wearing armor must first take off the armor and then put it on again before they can pass safely through the doorway.

[image: Sword wraiths haunt a vision of the ancient past, with the Netherdeep never far away]

Battle Rules

As the battle rages around them, the characters are about to be faced with three waves of foes (described below) and have little choice but to defend themselves. Have the players designate one character to act as the party's leader for the duration of the battle. (It might be the character with the highest Charisma score or a character who customarily assumes a leadership role in the group.) This character remains the designated leader for the entire battle, even if they are killed or unable to act. Once the leader is determined, have the players roll initiative for their characters while you roll initiative for the hostile creatures in each wave as they enter the fray. The characters don't reroll initiative when the second and third waves appear. At no point during this battle can the characters take a short or long rest.

The characters can move anywhere they want on the battlefield, but a character who moves farther than 30 feet from the party leader or starts their turn in such a location takes 16 (3d10) psychic damage from the chaos around them, even if the leader is dead or incapacitated. A character can take this damage no more than once per turn.

First Wave

This wave consists of one sword wraith warrior (see appendix A) per character, up to a maximum of five. These grim knights represent the evil soldiers of the Crawling King. As the battle is joined, Alyxian chimes in:

Alyxian's words should make it clear that the only way to put this battle to rest is to conquer wave after wave of foes.

Second Wave

After the first wave is defeated, the characters have 2 rounds to heal and prepare for the second wave: two moorbounders (see appendix A) accompanied by five sword wraith warriors. Before the characters can do anything to prevent it, the sword wraiths merge into one creature—a slithering bloodfin (see appendix A) that swims through the air as easily as it normally swims through water. The howling faces of the warriors are visible on the bloodfin's flesh. The bloodfin is not what the Apotheon sought to conjure in this moment; rather, it represents Alyxian's inability to keep the Netherdeep from intruding upon his memories.

When the second wave is defeated, Alyxian's allies roar in unison, and Alyxian chimes in:

Third Wave

After the second wave is defeated, the characters have 1 round to heal and prepare for the final wave: a sword wraith commander and four sword wraith warriors on the back of a horizonback tortoise (see appendix A for these creatures' stat blocks). Alyxian shares his thoughts as the tortoise lumbers toward the party:

When the commander drops to 0 hit points, it lets out a terrible scream, and any remaining sword wraith warriors flee on their next turn. When the tortoise drops to 0 hit points, it falls prone and lets out one last shudder before expiring. The characters are victorious when both the commander and the tortoise are slain.

Placating the Apotheon's Regret

When all three waves of foes are defeated, Alyxian's allies cheer as the enemy is routed. A veteran covered in blood limps toward the characters and says, "You won the day, brave Alyxian. My wounds burn, but if you command it, I will follow you to the end." Alyxian whispers an answer that only the characters can hear: "It never ends." The wounded soldier, named Talmyth, has 1 hit point. If a character heals him, that act has a positive effect on the final battle against Alyxian (see "x" in chapter 7).

Secret Doors

Once the battle has ended and the scene with Talmyth has played out, the characters are returned to the underwater grotto. At the same time, two secret doors open in the north wall (see "x" earlier in the chapter). Behind one secret door is a narrow, dimly lit tunnel that connects to area N7a; behind the other is x.

Subsequent Visits

The vision of the battle at the Betrayers' Rise is not repeated if the characters leave this area and later return. On future visits, this grotto is dark and empty except for the patches of sea grass growing near the walls.

Fragment of Pity

The mote of light above the pedestal is the Fragment of Pity (see "Fragments of Suffering" earlier in the chapter). When a character touches the mote, it disappears and becomes part of the character's soul. When this happens, all the characters receive a fleeting vision (see the x earlier in the chapter).

The character who is carrying the Fragment of Pity gains the following benefit and drawback, and is aware of both:

Treasure

The wooden chest is closed and unlocked. It contains four stoppered potions of healing (greater) in red crystal vials and a fully charged wand of secrets. If the rivals reach this area before the characters do, Dermot takes the magic items and doesn't bother closing the chest after emptying it.

Tunnel Exits

Two tunnels, one to the north and one to the south, lead away from this chamber. The south tunnel heads to area N7. The north tunnel is longer, descends almost vertically to x, and is dimly lit by red light emanating from that location. Each tunnel ends at a secret door (see "x" earlier in the chapter). A creature leaving this location automatically finds either secret door.

Bubbling Water

The bubbling columns of water rising from the vents are hot, but not hot enough to damage creatures that enter them. If the bloodfin is killed, the vents in the floor flare with bright red light and spew forth a flood of boiling-hot water. Any creature that starts its turn in the boiling-hot water must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) fire damage on a failed saving throw, or half as much damage on a successful one. The scalding heat lasts for 1 hour, after which the vents return to their normal illumination and the water temperature in the cavern again becomes bearably warm.

Secret Door

Hidden in the north wall is a secret door (see "x" earlier in the chapter). On the other side of the secret door is a narrow passage that climbs steeply and ends before another secret door that opens into x. Either secret door is easily found from inside the connecting passage.

Current

If the characters kill the light devourer, the current intensifies for 1 hour. Until the current returns to normal, any creature that starts its turn in this chamber must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be thrust against a wall by the current and skewered by ruidium spines. The creature takes 5 (1d10) piercing damage from the spines and must succeed on a DC 20 Charisma saving throw or gain 1 level of exhaustion. If the creature is not already suffering from ruidium corruption, it becomes corrupted when it fails the saving throw.

Secret Doors

Hidden in the south wall are two secret doors (see "x" earlier in the chapter). One opens to reveal a narrow, spiraling tunnel that climbs gradually to x. The other leads to a small side chamber (area N11a).

Treasure

Characters can recover the following treasure from the sandy floor:

• 750 gp (minted before the Calamity, these coins are worth double their monetary value to scholars or historians)
• A jade dagger, its hilt and crossguard carved to resemble two green snakes coiled around one another (250 gp)
• A potion that combines the beneficial effects of a potion of healing (superior) and a potion of heroism

Treasure

In the middle of the chamber, lodged in two vents 10 feet apart, are a ruidium greatsword and a ruidium shield (both described in appendix B). To extract either item from its location, a character must reach into the boiling water, taking 5 (1d10) fire damage. A telekinesis spell or similar magic can be used to dislodge these items safely.

Apotheon's Fury

If either the ruidium greatsword or the ruidium shield is removed from its resting place, the vents in the floor flare with bright red light and spew forth a flood of boiling-hot water, drastically raising the temperature of the water in the chamber, but only to a height of 30 feet. (The walls climb to a height of 100 feet; see "x" earlier in the chapter.)

Any creature that starts its turn in the boiling water must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The scalding heat lasts for 1 hour, after which the vents return to their normal illumination and the water temperature changes from boiling hot to bearably warm.

The death embraces, if they are still present, also take damage from the boiling water at the start of their turns. Roused by this, they attack any other creatures in the grotto, using their tentacles to grapple as many foes as they can before they float upward, away from the boiling-hot water.

Secret Door

A secret door in the north wall has a narrow, winding tunnel behind it (see "x" earlier in the chapter). The tunnel ascends steeply and ends before another secret door, beyond which is x. Either secret door is easily found from inside the connecting tunnel.

Apotheon's Fury

When all three serpentmaws are dead, dozens of tendrils of ruidium emerge from the statues in the cavern. The tendrils persist for 1 minute, after which they recede back into the statues.

As long as the tendrils are present, any creature that enters the cavern or starts its turn there must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or be grappled by a tendril (escape DC 15). While grappled in this way, a creature is also restrained. No more than one tendril can grapple a single creature. Each tendril is an Ooze that has AC 15; 10 hit points; immunity to all damage except slashing; Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores of 20; and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores of 1. A tendril reduced to 0 hit points disintegrates in a crimson haze, like blood diluted in water.

On initiative count 0, each creature grappled by a tendril takes 3 (1d6) piercing damage and 3 (1d6) psychic damage as it is flung against one of the cavern's ruidium spikes. The creature remains grappled after taking this damage; in addition, it must succeed on a DC 20 Charisma saving throw or gain 1 level of exhaustion. If the creature is not already suffering from ruidium corruption, it becomes corrupted when it fails the saving throw.

Bones

The floor contains the bones of three slithering bloodfins. If the secret door to area N14a is opened, the bones quietly knit themselves back together and attack any other creatures in the cavern. These skeletal creatures have glowing red eyes and use the slithering bloodfin stat block (see appendix A), with these changes:

• The skeletal bloodfins are Undead.
• They have immunity to poison damage; resistance to piercing and slashing damage; and immunity to the charmed, deafened, frightened, paralyzed, and poisoned conditions.
• They require no food, drink, air, or sleep.

Secret Door

In the southwest wall is a secret door made to look like one of the chamber's ruidium sarcophagi (see "x" earlier in the chapter). Beyond the secret door is area N14a.

Fragment of Rancor

The mote of light above the pedestal is the Fragment of Rancor (see "Fragments of Suffering" earlier in the chapter). When a character touches the mote, it disappears and becomes part of the character's soul. When this happens, all the characters receive a fleeting vision (see the x earlier in the chapter).

The character who is carrying the Fragment of Rancor gains the following benefit and drawback, and is aware of both:

Treasure

Characters who search the area notice a dark recess in the northeast wall, at the back of which is a human skeleton in rusted chain mail. Tendrils of ruidium coil around the remains. The skeleton has a ruidium shortsword (see appendix B) clenched in its bony hand.

Taking the Spear

The spear sticking out of the pile of bones is a replica of Alyxian's spear. It shows no signs of rust, decay, or ruidium corruption, unlike the other weapons found throughout the chamber. It is imbued with the properties of a weapon of warning. If the characters have already confronted Alyxian in the Heart of Despair (see chapter 7), the spear is just another piece of treasure waiting to be claimed, and there are no repercussions for someone who takes it.

If a character pulls the spear from the pile of bones before the characters confront Alyxian in the Heart of Despair, all the characters receive a fleeting vision (see the x earlier in the chapter). After the vision concludes, two beings suddenly appear in the chamber:

Theo

Theo Nathope bears a striking resemblance to Alyxian as a young boy. (One or more players might realize that "Theo Nathope" is an anagram of "The Apotheon.") This apparition can't be harmed, banished, or dispelled. If the characters accept his offer to guide them, Theo leads them through x, shows them a secret door to x, and follows them into that location. There he hopes the characters will learn secrets that will help them redeem Alyxian. See the "Roleplaying Theo" sidebar for more information on how to portray the spectral child.

Theo glides through the water as an apparition should, moving at a speed of 30 feet. He can pass through solid objects and end his turn inside one, and he has truesight out to a range of 60 feet.

Alyxian the Hunter

This ruidium golem resembles Alyxian the Apotheon. It remains as rigid as a statue until the characters attack it or until Theo vanishes from the Netherdeep (which happens in x). Either event causes the golem to animate and attack the characters.

Alyxian the Hunter can track the characters unerringly and knows the locations of all the secret doors in the Netherdeep. The golem can't leave the Netherdeep, however, and it is instantly destroyed if the spear from this area is taken into the Heart of Despair.

Alyxian the Hunter uses the stone golem stat block, with these changes:

• The golem is Medium. (Its Hit Dice and hit points remain the same.)
• The golem has a swimming speed of 30 feet.
• As an action, the golem can conjure a magic dart made of ruidium and hurl it at another creature it can see within 120 feet of itself. The dart strikes the target unerringly and vanishes on contact. The target must make a DC 17 Charisma saving throw. On a failed saving throw, the target takes 24 (7d6) psychic damage and gains 1 level of exhaustion. In addition, if the target is not already suffering from ruidium corruption, it becomes corrupted when it fails the saving throw. On a successful saving throw, the target takes half as much damage and suffers no other effects.

When Alyxian the Hunter drops to 0 hit points, the golem turns into an immobile vermilion haze that can't be harmed or dispelled. If the spear from this area has been taken into the Heart of Despair, the haze disperses as the golem is destroyed. Otherwise, the haze coalesces and solidifies into a new ruidium body 1 minute later, whereupon Alyxian the Hunter regains all its hit points and resumes the hunt.

Secret Doors

Hidden in the southwest wall are two secret doors (see "x" earlier in the chapter). Opening either door doesn't awaken the red moon.

Sinister Red Moon

The moon is immune to all damage and can't be affected by magic, nor can it be moved. If a character in the chamber makes an attack, casts a spell, touches the moon, or moves 15 feet or more during a single turn, dozens of large bloodshot eyes open on the face of the moon and gaze in all directions. Three things happen at once when this occurs:

• The secret door to area N16a opens.
• If the sharks in this area are still alive, they attack the character who caused the moon's eyes to open.
• Each character inside the chamber when the eyes open must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be cursed by the moon's corrupted gaze. Determine the effect of each character's curse by rolling on the Curses of Ruidus table. The effect on a character can be ended by any magic that removes a curse.

Once the moon's eyes come open, they remain open, watching creatures that enter and leave the area without harming them.

If the moon disappears because of events that transpire in x and the sharks are still alive, they attack any creatures that enter this chamber.

Fragment of Abhorrence

Cupped in the statue's hands is the Fragment of Abhorrence (see "Fragments of Suffering" earlier in the chapter). When a character touches the mote of light, it disappears and becomes part of the character's soul. When this happens, all the characters receive a fleeting vision (see the x earlier in the chapter).

The character who is carrying the Fragment of Abhorrence gains the following benefit and drawback, and is aware of both:

Ruidium Archway

The ruidium archway that stands between this chamber and the adjoining grotto (x) is 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide. The first time a character passes through the archway, all the characters receive a fleeting vision (see the x earlier in the chapter).

Theo

If Theo is with the characters, he shares some thoughts on how they can help Alyxian:

If asked what he means by "kind of," Theo solemnly beckons for the characters to follow him as he passes through the ruidium archway into area N18.

[image: Two aspects of Alyxian—one a ghostly child and the other a merciless golem—shed light on the Apotheon's pain]

Fragment of Melancholy

The mote of light in the northern crevice is the Fragment of Melancholy (see "Fragments of Suffering" earlier in the chapter). When a character touches the mote, it disappears and becomes part of the character's soul. When this happens, all the characters receive a fleeting vision (see the x earlier in the chapter).

The character who is carrying the Fragment of Melancholy gains the following benefit and drawback, and is aware of both:

Theo

If Theo is with the characters, he shares the following information with them before they leave the grotto:

When the characters are prepared to move on, Theo adds:

The first chance he gets after sharing this information, Theo disappears—at a moment when no one is looking at him—and never returns.

Alyxian the Hunter

If Alyxian the Hunter is stalking the characters, they find the golem waiting for them at the northern end of the tunnel outside x. See x for more information about the golem.

Secret Door

Hidden in the south wall is a secret door that requires a successful DC 25 Wisdom (Perception) check to locate (see "x" earlier in the chapter). This door is hard to spot because of the spindly arms and grasping hands that grow on and around it. Behind the secret door is a narrow, winding tunnel that steeply ascends to x.

Eyes

The bloodshot eyes embedded in the walls track creatures as they move through the room. Their stony eyelids snap shut if necessary to protect the eyes against incoming attacks, blinding light, or harmful magic. Each eye is 1 foot in diameter and resembles a bloodshot human eyeball in appearance and texture. The eyes do nothing but watch and stare.

Mirrors

A detect magic spell reveals an aura of divination magic around each mirror. The five mirrors show particular moments in Alyxian's past, each one playing a short, silent scene that repeats every 30 seconds. If the characters haven't yet seen all the visions in the x presented earlier in the chapter, you can replace any or all of the scenes in the mirrors with entries from that table. Otherwise, the scenes are as follows:

• Mirror 1:. Born in the Light of Ruidus. A baby boy lifts his arms into the air as he cries. A red light washes over him. Instead of toys lying around him, a spear and a dagger rest near where he lays his head.
• Mirror 2:. A Selfless Soul. A young Alyxian, ten years old at most, holds out a piece of bread to a sick, elderly figure, who reaches for it with a warm smile.
• Mirror 3:. Beginnings of a Hero. This solemn scene depicts Alyxian as a young man, holding a sword and looking at it with a pained expression. The ground around his feet is strewn with rubble and bodies.
• Mirror 4:. Defending the Weak. Alyxian, as an adult, faces a gloomstalker that bears down on him while two children huddle behind him.
• Mirror 5:. Beacon of Hope. Alyxian, his demeanor exuding determination, stands atop a raised mound, thrusting his spear in the air as he delivers a rallying cry. The soldiers below respond by raising their weapons in salute.

A character who gazes into a mirror while standing directly in front of it sees themself instead of Alyxian, and that mirror's image now depicts an important or defining moment in the character's past. Ask the player to describe the scene that their character sees reflected in the mirror's surface. If the player does a particularly good job describing a scene from their character's past, award inspiration to the character; no character can receive inspiration in this way more than once. If the player doesn't come up with a scene before deciding that the character looks away, the character takes 22 (4d10) psychic damage and is incapacitated for 1 minute.

Each mirror has AC 13, 8 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage. When a mirror is destroyed or cut loose from the seaweed that holds it in place, it ceases to display images and becomes nonmagical.

Leaving the Grotto

Any character who tries to leave the grotto without first seeing themself in at least one mirror hears a garbled voice in their mind say, "Don't leave yet! Let us see! Show us a moment from your past—one that shaped your heroic journey." If met with belligerence or silence, the voice replies, "Oh, have you no worth, then? You, too, shall be forgotten." If met with confusion or gentleness, the voice replies, "Please, friend, let us adore you. Let us catch a glimpse of the path you had to walk to become the hero we see before us." A character can freely ignore the voice, and once the character leaves this area, the voice no longer speaks to them (even if the character returns to this area later).

Secret Door

Hidden in the west wall is a secret door (see "x" earlier in the chapter), beyond which is a narrow, winding tunnel that steeply ascends to x. The secret door outside area N12 is found automatically from inside the tunnel.

Gravedigging

If the characters start digging up graves, they find a number of faceless corpses buried under the sand in shallow graves equal to the number of characters in the party. These corpses have nothing in their possession. Removing a corpse from its grave causes all the corpses in the area to animate and attack. Each corpse uses the revenant stat block and transforms into a 1-ounce pebble of ruidium when reduced to 0 hit points.

Secret Door

A secret door is hidden in the southwest wall (see "x" earlier in the chapter). Unlike most of the secret doors in the Netherdeep, this one is locked. It can be opened only by pressing the Jewel of Three Prayers into the indentation (as described above) or by the use of a knock spell or similar magic.

Fragment of Intransigence

When a character touches the mote of light, it disappears and becomes part of the character's soul. When this happens, all the characters receive a fleeting vision (see the x earlier in the chapter).

The character who is carrying the Fragment of Intransigence gains the following benefit and drawback, and is aware of both:

East Door

The door in the east wall resembles a sturdy cellar door with a built-in lock. The first time the door is touched, it gives off a flash of crimson light. Any creature within 10 feet of the door when this happens must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be pushed 20 feet away from the door—and into the death embrace's tentacles, if that creature is still alive and present.

The key to the door can be found in x. A character can use an action to try to pick the lock with thieves' tools, doing so with a successful DC 22 Dexterity check. A knock spell or similar magic also opens the door.

After the door is opened, the characters can see that the water doesn't pass beyond its threshold. On the other side of the door is a flight of dry steps leading down to a red-lit cavern (area N24).

Perigee's Defeat

If Perigee is defeated, she disappears with a sigh. No longer bound to the Netherdeep, the deva returns to the Moon Weaver's side with all traces of ruidium gone. When Perigee disappears, a secret door in the north wall swings open (see "Secret Door" below).

Placating the Apotheon

If one or more characters tried to convince Perigee of the party's good intentions, their attempt to sway Perigee has a positive effect on the final battle against Alyxian (see "x" in chapter 7), regardless of the success of the attempt.

Secret Door

The secret door in the north wall (see "x" earlier in the chapter) opens to reveal a short, dry tunnel leading to area N24a. The tunnel is dimly lit by silvery moonlight emanating from that chamber, and characters can hear the sound of the waterfalls coming from that direction.

Waterfalls

The waterfalls are illusory and can't be dispelled. Nothing that touches a waterfall or passes through it gets any wetter than it already is. The waterfall in the passageway to x doesn't block line of sight and is harmless; characters can move through it as easily as they would walk through a curtain.

Fragment of Deception

When a character touches the mote of light in the Moon Weaver's cupped hands, it disappears and becomes part of the character's soul. When this happens, all the characters receive a fleeting vision (see the x earlier in the chapter).

The character who is carrying the Fragment of Deception gains the following benefit and drawback, and is aware of both:

Shield Layers

Each shield layer around the Effigy of Ruidus has its own property:

• Purple Layer.. This layer crackles with magical energy that deals 14 (4d6) lightning damage to any creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of the Effigy of Ruidus.
• Maroon Layer.. This layer releases a pulse of necrotic energy every time the Effigy of Ruidus takes damage. The pulse deals 7 (2d6) necrotic damage to creatures in the chamber.
• Vermilion Layer.. This layer increases the moon's AC from 17 to 22.

Spears and Altars

The ruidium spears that lean against the altars can be used as nonmagical weapons. Their primary purpose is to destroy the shield layers that protect the Effigy of Ruidus.

A character who wears gloves or gauntlets can handle any of the ruidium spears safely. Without such protection, a character gains 1 level of exhaustion at the start of each of their turns for each ruidium spear they are holding; in addition, a character not already suffering from ruidium corruption becomes corrupted when it gains 1 or more levels of exhaustion in this way.

To destroy a shield layer, a character must use an action to imagine the layer gone while grasping the spear, use the spear to damage the effigy, or hold the spear while casting a spell that deals damage to the effigy. The inscriptions on the altars are written in Celestial. The spear that leans against an altar is the one referred to in that altar's inscription:

• Altar of Avandra (Northwest of the Effigy).. The inscription on this altar reads, "Grasp this spear and banish the purple shield."
• Altar of Corellon (Southwest of the Effigy).. The inscription on this altar reads, "Grasp this spear and use it to dispel the maroon shield."
• Altar of Sehanine (East of the Effigy).. The inscription on this altar reads, "Grasp this spear and imagine the red moon without its vermilion shield."

Fragment of Loathing

When the effigy of Ruidus is destroyed, the Fragment of Loathing (see "Fragments of Suffering" earlier in the chapter), in the form of a tiny mote of white light, appears in its place and floats down until it's a few feet above the floor. When a character touches the mote of light, it disappears and becomes part of the character's soul. When this happens, all the characters receive a fleeting vision (see the x earlier in the chapter).

The character who is carrying the Fragment of Loathing gains the following benefit and drawback, and is aware of both:

Entering the Heart

The surface of the Heart of Despair feels like mud to any creature carrying one or more of Fragments of Suffering. Such a creature can push its way through the outer surface and enter the heart's air-filled interior. To other creatures, the Heart of Despair feels like a crusty and impenetrable solid object.

If a character brings the spear from x into the Heart of Despair, the golem-like creature called Alyxian the Hunter is destroyed instantly and permanently. If the characters have avoided Alyxian the Hunter so far, have it catch up to the party in this area, so that one or more characters can witness its destruction when the spear is brought into the Heart of Despair.

When one or more characters enter the Heart of Despair, read:

The Fragments of Suffering disappear from the characters as they enter the Heart of Despair, which they can't leave until they confront the Apotheon (as described in the next chapter).