Princes of the Apocalypse

Poisoned Ale

Justran might take it upon himself to eliminate the characters. When the characters gather for dinner one evening after they return to Red Larch, he arranges to serve them poisoned ale. This has the same effect as a potion of poison, but the characters have advantage on their saving throws because Justran has to dilute the poison among several flagons. (The dilution also makes the poison unlikely to be lethal; Justran is better at making ale than he is at making poison.)

A brief investigation reveals that the poisoned flagons came from the taproom of the Helm at Highsun, and Justran Daehl personally delivered and poured the ale.

Development

If the characters capture Justran, he reveals after brief interrogation that he is a member of the Cult of the Crushing Wave. He knows that an underground stream at Rivergard Keep leads to "the temple below," although he has never been to the Temple of the Crushing Wave. He also knows that Jolliver Grimjaw and his followers (see x) are water cultists.

Infiltrating the Temples

Characters who dress in cultist gear might have some success infiltrating the temples. Each cult's monstrous allies rarely challenge a group of cultists that proceeds with confidence. Human members of the cult have a good chance to spot impostors at close range, but fast-talking characters might be able to pass themselves off as new arrivals, bearers of important information, or potential allies against another cult. If the characters ask for a prophet or issue threats in the prophet's name, they gain advantage on ability checks they make to bluff or intimidate their way into a temple. Fooled cultists insist on leading the party to one of the cult's leaders. At least two cultists from any group the characters interact with serve as escorts.

Driving the Cults into Retreat

The cultists learn and adapt as the characters attack their strongholds. The four temple dungeons described in this chapter each include a room where that cult's elemental prophet might be encountered. The first time the characters find their way to one these locations, the prophet is present, and the characters can engage their foe. After one prophet falls, the remaining three prophets retreat to lower levels, leaving their minions to defend the temple dungeons.

The characters defeat each dungeon when they kill its prophet or eliminate the monsters in the elemental shrine in these locations:

• Temple of Howling Hatred: x
• Temple of the Crushing Wave: x
• Temple of Black Earth: x
• Temple of Eternal Flame: x

Counterattack

It's dangerous to linger in a stronghold without defeating that dungeon's prophet. If the characters try to camp in any of the four temples while its elemental prophet is still alive, the prophet gathers reinforcements and sends them to attack the intruding party. The prophets can organize this strike even if they have retreated down to the Fane of the Eye or the elemental nodes—visions and whisperings from the Eye guide their actions. (However, there are a few specific areas called out within the temple levels where the characters might be able to rest without attracting attention.)

Groups sent up from lower levels of the dungeon include the following:

• Air cult: Howling Hatred priest and four kenku
• Water cult: Crushing Wave priest and four bugbears
• Earth cult: Black Earth priest and two ogres
• Fire cult: Eternal Flame priest and four hobgoblins

See x for each priest's statistics.

Likewise, it isn't safe to camp in a cleared Haunted Keep. The elemental prophets divine the characters' location and send forces to harass the party. Small bands of cult raiders and mercenaries roam the Sumber Hills, so it's a simple matter to order one such group to attack the characters at one of the Haunted Keeps. (See the "x" section in chapter 2.) To rest in safety, the characters must either hide their camp or return to a nearby settlement.

A1. Palace Quarter Entrance

The tormented screams actually come from four kenku lurking inside the gatehouse (area A2).

A2. Gatehouse

Four kenku occupy the gatehouse structure, hidden behind the arrow slits. They don't reveal themselves to the characters unless the characters discover and attack them through the arrow slits. They torment the characters by replicating the screams and pleas of the tormented victims of the kenku torturer (area A12).

A3. Machine Chamber

Two Howling Hatred priests (see chapter 7) supervise as five commoners slowly turn the westernmost wheel (see "Stone Wheels" below). After completing one revolution, they stop and await further instructions.

The commoners are cultists on the brink of becoming initiates. The priests lash these cultists to break their will before final initiation into the cult. If the characters attack, the priests order the commoners to fight to the death. A commoner can be frightened into surrendering with a successful DC 15 Charisma (Intimidation) check.

A4. Plaza of the Muses

The figures gathered by the fountain are the Windwyrds, a musical group consisting of Aerisi Kalinoth's minstrel, Windharrow, and five Howling Hatred initiates (see chapter 7 for both). None of the initiates possesses an ounce of musical talent.

If the characters approach the Windwyrds peacefully, the cultists stop playing. Frustrated with the mediocre initiates, Windharrow asks if the characters are skilled musicians and if they would like to audition for the band.

If a bard character or a character proves his or her ability to Windharrow, he recruits the characters into the band and offers them the initiates' robes and flutes. Windharrow doesn't tell the characters what happens to minstrels who displease Aerisi Kalinoth.

If the characters adopt the garments and instruments of the Windwyrds, they stand a chance of passing through the air cult's domain without difficulty.

A5. Tyar-Besil Shops

A cloaker that hunts in the old Tyar-Besil shops moved into the area as soon as a food source (the cult) arrived. Whenever the characters enter one of the shops, they have a twenty-five percent chance of encountering the cloaker. The creature is either disguised in plain sight as a cloak or hiding on the ceiling. The cloaker uses hit-and-run tactics against the characters, rather than risking itself in a drawn-out fight.

A6. Plaza of Vergadain

Seven kenku wander the lane behind the hall, searching through the rubble for treasure. As the characters near the lane, the kenku hide and attempt to frighten the party away with ghostly sounds from the gloom.

A7. Plaza of Moradin

Two Howling Hatred initiates, one hurricane, one skyweaver, and two kenku are stationed here to watch for incursions by Underdark predators. (See chapter 7 for the cultists' statistics.)

A8. Ruined Villa

An umber hulk lairs here among the broken buildings. The air cult drove its usual prey away, and now the umber hulk feasts on cultists that wander into its territory. The umber hulk strikes from behind rock walls to seize its prey before burrowing away again. The air cult suffers at least one loss each week to the umber hulk, which is devious enough to cover its tunnels.

A9. Tombs

The reliefs portray Dumathoin, the Keeper of Secrets Under the Mountain, and Marthammor Duin, the Watcher and Finder of Trails. Besilmer dwarves revered these gods as watchers over their dead.

The air cultists started exploring the tombs, but they suspended their exploration after ghoul attacks. They and have closed off the tombs.

Opening the doors requires removing the wedged spikes, which takes a few minutes with the right tools. A successful DC 25 Strength check allows a character to force the doors without removing the spikes. If the characters open the doors, read the following text:

Seven ghouls prowl the grounds and attack as soon as they realize the doors have opened. If any cultists remain in area A7, the hear the fighting and retreat to the palace (area A18).

A10. Palace Plaza

A skyweaver (see chapter 7) named Kaz Hanar and his wyvern mount perch atop the pyramid, guarding the plaza. They swoop down to attack anyone who isn't dressed as an air cultist.

If the characters are disguised as air cultists, Kaz lands upon the nearest bridge or colonnade and asks them where they are going. Kaz doesn't care much about their answers; he's bored and looking for an excuse to exert his authority. If disguised, the characters must provide a halfway compelling story to convince Kaz to let them pass. If they fail to convince Kaz, he and his wyvern refuse to let them pass.

The ceiling of the vault is 75 feet above the walkway and roughly hewn. The step pyramid once served as the dwarven palace of Tyar-Besil. It has two levels (areas A18 and A19), and each level is 20 feet tall.

The pillared colonnade that spans the moat north of the plaza leads to area A7. A similar but longer colonnade to the east is described in area A17. The bridge to the south leads to area A16.

A11. Moat

Walls of smoothly chiseled stone enclose this 20-foot-deep moat. An underground stream pours into the moat, filling it with water. Valves opened and closed by the stone wheels in x control the amount of water that flows into the moat. Shutting the valves empties the moat as the remaining water flows over the waterfall to the west. Characters with light sources who examine the moat notice the glint of golden coins and the sheen of steel weapons and armor at the bottom (see "Treasure" below).

A stone golem shaped like a 12-foot-tall, 9-foot-wide dwarf patrols the moat by walking along its floor, attacking any creatures that fall into it. When the moat is full, the golem is hidden under dark waters. As the moat drains, the golem is revealed. The golem never leaves the moat. The Besilmer dwarves knew the command words to control the golem; those words have been lost.

A12. Moradin's Shrine

This room contains three kenku and five bound and shackled human commoners. One kenku tortures the prisoners while the other two mimic the prisoners' cries of agony.

A13. Vergadain's Hall

The air cult uses the hall as a meditation area. At any time, five Howling Hatred initiates, one hurricane, and one skyweaver can be found here, levitating above the ground and chanting. See chapter 7 for the cultists' statistics. The hurricane carries a storm boomerang (see chapter 7) and gains the following action option:

A14. Living Quarters

Air cultist use these areas as sleeping quarters. If the characters are disguised as cultists, they can rest here for a time. If the characters don't mimic the manner of the cult (levitating, meditating, or practicing breathing exercises), any cultists present begin to ask questions.

A15. Plaza of Fallen Spires

Ahtayir, a djinni in a torn vest and ragged pantaloons, labors here. His noble countenance bears a stoic expression as he carves a boulder with stone carving tools.

Torhild Flametongue, king of the Besilmer dwarves, possessed a horn that could summon Ahtayir once every one hundred and one years. By the power of the horn, the summoned djinni was obligated to complete a single service or task. Torhild tasked the djinni with the daunting task of keeping the palace quarter in good repair–a task he has been performing now for centuries.

When Aerisi Kalinoth arrived, she took possession of the horn but refused to free the djinni from his previously assigned task. Ahtayir works endlessly at this task, carving stone masonry and statuary and flying them through the cavern, reconstructing the city block by block. He resents this duty, but he can't escape it.

If Ahtayir likes the characters or trusts in their ability to succeed against the air cult, he counsels them to attack Aerisi Kalinoth in hopes that she summons him, releasing him from his task.

A16. Obelisk Row

The obelisks are made of granite. They stand 15 feet tall and are 4 feet wide at the base. Lashed to the obelisks with thick ropes are three Howling Hatred initiates (see chapter 7) suffering from extreme starvation. They suffer from level 4 exhaustion (see appendix A, "Conditions," in the Player's Handbook). Beneath their hollow rib cages, their bellies are little more than concave spaces where the flesh stretches thin across their bones. Their arms, legs, and faces are similarly skeletal, and terrible welts cover their bodies.

The initiates wear cult garb and are being tested. If the characters try to free them, they protest, claiming that their cult masters are teaching them how to "survive on air alone."

A17. The Palace Way

If the characters haven't already dealt with Kaz Hanar (see area A10), add the following:

The creatures atop the step pyramid are Kaz Hanar and his wyvern mount (see x for details). They confront characters who approach the pyramid along this colonnade.

A18. Grand Hall

One hurricane, one skyweaver, and five Howling Hatred initiates (see chapter 7 for statistics) guard this room, levitating three feet above the floor as they chant a hymn to Yan-C-Bin. The levitation effect ends on a cultist if he or she moves or takes damage. Each initiate carries two seeker darts (see chapter 7) and gains the following attack option:

If the characters are disguised as air cultists, the cultists stationed here ignore them unless attacked. Otherwise, the cultists cease their chanting and attack. Sounds of combat in this room alert the creatures in area A19, but no reinforcements from that area arrive.

A19. Temple of Elemental Air

This chamber once served as a seat of power for the dwarf king of Besilmer and his war council. Engraved on the floor is a map of the ancient dwarven kingdom. The air cult has turned it into a den of vice and depravity. If this is the first of the elemental temples the characters explore, the air prophet Aerisi Kalinoth sits upon the high throne overseeing her court, her illusory wings gently fanning the air. She keeps her magic spear, Windvane (see chapter 7), close to her at all times. If Aerisi is here, her ever-watchful invisible stalker companion, Whisper, glides through the chamber unseen. If he escaped from area A4, Windharrow is here as well, kneeling or sitting at Aerisi's feet. Ten Howling Hatred initiates lay drugged behind the curtains that hang between the pillars to the north and south. Aerisi can command them to attack intruders, but they are effectively poisoned. See chapter 7 for the cultists' statistics.

If Aerisi isn't here, a vrock, whose service was a gift from a demonic envoy, guards the temple alone. It lurks behind the throne and attacks any non-cultists that enter the hall. The drug-addled initiates don't aid the vrock and fight only in self-defense.

A20. Worm's Tunnel

The dead worm is all that remains of a purple worm killed by dwarves. The bones of several dead dwarves lie where the worm's gullet used to be. Characters can climb through the skeleton to access the tunnel it left behind. The tunnel is 10 feet wide and leads down to x in the Fane of the Eye (see x).

C1. Lake Landing

If the characters arrive by boat from the stream, read the following text:

If the characters find their way here from other parts of the dungeon, read the following text instead:

The quay leading to x might or might not be visible, depending on which direction the party approaches from. It isn't illuminated and hard to see in the darkness.

The landing at the east end of the cavern is guarded by four Crushing Wave reavers and one fathomer commanded by a Dark Tide knight named Eyon (see chapter 7 for the cultists' statistics). Eyon's mount, a hunter shark, swims in the lake nearby. The cultists challenge any strange boats that approach from the east and attack unless the characters convince them to parley.

C2. Canals

Torches positioned near the bridges at areas C6, C15, and C24 provide illumination; from just about any point the characters find the canal, they can see one of the bridge torches.

The dwarves of Besilmer built the canal to channel the spring in x away from their delvings and link their city's mercantile district with the world above. The water is 15 feet deep. A character can pole a boat through a canal at a speed of 10 feet.

C3. Whisper Lake

The ceiling of this cavern is a dome, at its highest point almost 50 feet above the water. The lake is 20 feet deep near the cavern walls, dropping to 60 feet in the middle. The lake earns its name from a trick of acoustics. A mere whisper spoken in x can easily be heard in area C19, and vice versa.

The lake is home to small blind cave fish. A giant octopus lurks in a grotto to the south, behind a column of rock that supports the cavern ceiling. The creature attacks swimmers or boaters who approach within 30 feet of its lair.

C4. Drowning Chambers

Long ago this chamber served as the harbormaster's post, but the Crushing Wave cult rededicated it as a place to ceremonially drown captives. Each of the pools is 10 feet deep. The stones average about 50 pounds, and the ropes are used to bind a victim's feet together before pushing him or her into the pool.

Twelve aquatic ghouls (which have a swimming speed of 30 feet) lurk in this chamber—previous victims of the cult's obscene rite. Eight are submerged in the pools where they died, and four more skulk in the shadows of the ruined enclosure at the west end of the room. The monsters hide so they can surprise intruders.

If the ghouls succeed in paralyzing a character, the nearest one uses an action to tie one of the heavy stones to the paralyzed character's feet. On the following turn, the ghoul shoves the paralyzed character into one of the drowning pools. Swimming to the surface with a tethered stone requires a successful DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check, and wriggling free of the tether in the confined space requires a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check.

C5. Gaol

An iron hasp-and-pin arrangement secures the door to this room. The lock can't be reached from inside but is easy to undo from the corridor.

The cultists currently hold no prisoners in this makeshift jail. If the characters are defeated in the temple, they are stripped of their gear and confined here while Gar Shatterkeel decides how best to dispose of them.

C6. Victory Bridge

The stairs on each side of the canal climb 10 feet from the quays, so the bridge is 15 feet above the water level.

The bridge was elevated well above the water so that the dwarves who built this level could move large boats and barges freely up and down the canal.

C7. Reaver Barracks

Crushing Wave cultists who guard the lake landing (area C1) bunk here. Six double bunks serve nine reavers, a priest, a fathomer, and a Dark Tide knight named Eyon. At any given time, five Crushing Wave reavers and one Crushing Wave priest are here (see chapter 7 for the cultists' statistics).

Cultists in this room are usually off-duty and might be asleep; roll 1d6 to see how many cultists are in their bunks. Sounds of fighting nearby rouse the sleeping cultists, who join the fray on their turns during the third round of combat.

C8. Ancient Silos

There are two of these rooms, both identical.

These two rooms were once granaries for the dwarven citadel, but any food stored here rotted away long ago. The silo spaces are each 30 feet deep. Other than the possibility of a nasty fall, these rooms provide safe places for the party to rest.

C9. North Guard Post

The doors leading into this room are secured by hasps and pins from inside. Read the following text when the characters approach a door:

Each door has a small square hole covered with a sliding iron plate. The cultists in the room (see below) use the holes to make crossbow attacks at intruders in the hallways. Opening or closing a hole cover requires an action. Normally one cultist operates the hole cover while another shoots. Only one cultist can shoot out of a hole at a time.

Read the following if the characters enter or peer into the room:

This guard post is manned by a one-eyed shiver named Khalt, a Dark Tide knight named Gordol, and three Crushing Wave reavers (see chapter 7 for all). Khalt is in charge, and he runs a tight ship. These reavers are armed with light crossbows instead of javelins (+4 to hit, 1d8 + 2 piercing damage), and Gordol also has a light crossbow (+7 to hit, 1d8 + 3 piercing damage).

C10. Gargoyle Fountain

Two nothics occupy the room, hiding behind the broken columns and rubble choking the eastern part of the chamber. The nothics took up residence here in the hopes that unwary cult members might be easy prey for an ambush or unwittingly yield secrets of power to the monsters' weird insight. They let large and well-armed parties pass through unmolested, but then attempt to pick off a character bringing up the rear.

C11. Court of the Merfolk

The ceiling in this chamber is 30 feet high. Vandalism to the decorations on the northwestern door is the handiwork of Thuluna Maah, a sea hag in area C14.

C12. Troll Hole

This room is the lair of three aquatic trolls, which have a swimming speed of 40 feet and the ability to breathe underwater. Only two are here, since one troll guards x at any given time.

The trolls—named Gorgebelly, Marrowsucker, and Ninetooth—ignore goings-on in the dungeon around them, and they grudgingly answer any summons for help. Characters disguised as water cultists, or characters who insist they are doing the cult's business, can easily convince the trolls to stay here and do nothing, or bribe them to cause trouble somewhere else.

C13. Blackmaw Den

A musty odor pervades the hall outside this room. The doors are marked with crudely drawn pictures of monstrous eyes and fanged maws.

This is the den of a band of lizardfolk who call themselves the Blackmaws. These creatures have degenerated into savagery despite their use of human-style arms and armor. The carcasses by the brazier include the remains of a fire cultist spy caught skulking in the area a few days ago.

Eight lizardfolk are here now, including the leader of the tribe, a warrior with 36 hit points named Tornscale. They are armed with javelins, maces, and shields. Five more lizardfolk lurk around area C25, keeping guard. Tornscale and its followers are loyal to the sea hag Thuluna Maah (area C14). They hate and resent the human members of the cult. If the characters are disguised as water cultists when they venture into this area, the Blackmaws are outraged by the invasion of their privacy and attack just as ferociously as they would attack the cult's enemies.

If the lizardfolk lose at least two of their number in a fight here, Tornscale sends one of the remaining warriors to warn Thuluna and summon help.

C14. Hag Lair

A sea hag named Thuluna Maah and two ogres that serve as her bodyguards live in this room. The two ogres stand watch in the outer portion of the room, while Thuluna lurks behind the curtain in the northwest alcove, her personal bedchamber. If the hour is late, Thuluna and her guards are asleep.

C15. Dragon Bridge

On the west side of the canal, passages lead to the west and to the north. On the east side of the canal, one passage leads east.

One aquatic troll from x lurks in the canal underneath the bridge, keeping watch for intruders. The troll surfaces to challenge anyone moving through the area by boat or attempting to cross the bridge. It can be fooled by almost any claim that sounds remotely plausible, although it attacks any intruders who look like they expect a fight. If the characters are in a boat, the troll begins the battle by trying to capsize the vessel, which requires an action and a successful DC 20 Strength check.

C16. Thunderhammer Brewery

Most of the vats are empty, but three currently hold water weirds drained from the three empty weird tanks (see chapter 7) stacked on the floor. The vats holding water weirds are cold and clammy to the touch, and sound half-full if rapped on. A weird can attack only if someone opens the hatch at the top of the vat in which it is contained.

Any commotion in here (for example, characters banging on copper vats or fighting one or more water weirds) alerts the monsters in area C17.

C17. Morbeoth's Workshop

The northernmost door leading into this area is secured from inside by a bronze hasp and pin.

Doors lead out to the south and the east, and another door leads east from the bedchamber area.

A one-eyed shiver named Morbeoth makes his home in these rooms. He commands the western portion of the temple and defends it against incursions from the Howling Hatred cultists. Prepared for battle, he carries a potion of gaseous form and a potion of healing. Six Crushing Wave reavers serve as his personal guards.

Morbeoth has experimented with devices that rely on elemental power. The device on the table is a disassembled weird tank (see chapter 7). A character with proficiency in Arcana who makes a careful study of the workshop and the stored ingredients can determine that items powered by the energy of elemental water are assembled here.

C18. West Guard Post

The monsters in this room post a sentry by the arrow slit looking out into the hallway. If intruders approach, the room's denizens prepare an ambush and attempt to surprise the characters when they enter this room.

This chamber once served as the hop silo for the nearby Thunderhammer brewery. It now is a guard post manned by five bugbears who protect the Temple of the Crushing Wave against any incursion from the west.

One bugbear always watches at the arrow slit in the northeast part of the room. The bugbear on watch notes groups passing through the corridor outside. If intruders try to slip past the guard post, the bugbears in this room storm out to attack them from the rear. Any fighting here alerts Morbeoth and his guards (area C17). They respond to the attack by joining the battle.

The bugbears in this room have been specifically warned to watch out for "air cultist tricks," so they are especially wary of any efforts to bluff or deceive them.

C19. Cavern Lakeshore

Three old boats wait by the shore. They are far newer than the rest of the dungeon, having been left here less than a hundred years ago by a previous band of explorers. One is in good enough shape that it could be repaired with an hour's work by stripping planks off the other boats. Any sustained activity in this area attracts the attention of the giant octopus that lives in area C3. The monster can haul itself up onto the shore in search of a tasty-looking meal.

C20. Gated Passage

Water cultists installed this gate a couple of months ago to prevent raids from the Temple of Howling Hatred. Morbeoth (area C17) holds the key to the gate. The lock can be picked with a successful DC 15 Dexterity check and a set of thieves' tools, or the gate can be wrenched open with a successful DC 25 Strength check.

C21. Starry Lake

The ceiling is 50 feet above water level. Its "stars" are small patches of luminescent lichen. Each patch is an inch in diameter and one-tenth as bright as a candle. If removed, a lichen's glow persists for 1d3 days.

The lake averages 40 feet deep, shallowing to 10 feet near the east end. It houses the strongest monster in the Crushing Wave cult: a dragon turtle with 220 hit points named Bronzefume. Young and impressionable, she was lured to the Temple of the Crushing Wave by Gar Shatterkeel's offer of riches. Bronzefume stays out of sight in the western end of the lake, waiting for the water prophet to decide the time is right to seize control of the river. Due to her reduced hit points, Bronzefume has a challenge rating of 13 (10,000 XP).

If a boat ventures into her half of the lake, Bronzefume surfaces to investigate. She also answers if the gong in x is struck. The dragon turtle attacks only if she's sure those she meets are intruders, such as if she sees water cultists fighting the characters.

Bronzefume prefers to attack boats rather than people. Given a choice between attacking a character and damaging a boat that character is on, she opts for the boat. Destroying a small skiff takes up her actions for 1d4 rounds, during which she ignores characters who retreat.

C22. Market Hall

The Crushing Wave cult is hoarding supplies and trade goods here. Much of the riverboat cargo that's gone missing on the Dessarin River in the last few months can be found in this hall.

The first time the characters visit, one fathomer (see chapter 7) and three cultists are here, sorting through the newest pile of looted cargo. The sounds of fighting here alerts the lizardfolk in x or the cultists in area C23, who investigate soon after fighting begins.

If faced with a dangerous band of attackers, the cultists attempt to reach the gong. Striking the gong summons Bronzefume from area C21. She surfaces by the quay on her turn 3 rounds after the gong sounds, then joins the fight.

C23. Galley

This area serves as the kitchen for the Crushing Wave temple. The cultists prepare their meals here and dine at the tables in area C22. When the characters arrive, two Crushing Wave reavers (see chapter 7) and four cultists are here. If the hour is late, most are asleep in their bunks, but one or two cultists attend to chores such as baking or cleaning regardless of the time. The extra bunks belong to the cultists working in area C22.

Any loud fighting in this room alerts the cultists in area C22, who investigate soon after.

C24. Bridge of Heroes

The mark on the door is the water cult's symbol. The doors leading to x are unlocked but protected by a glyph of warding. Any creature that opens either door without first making the hand sign of the water cult (an "X" of the forefingers, with thumbs overlapping) triggers the trap. A character searching the door for a trap finds the glyph with a successful DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check. The glyph deals 5d8 thunder damage on a failed DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or half as much damage on a successful one. Any explosion makes enough noise to alert all of the creatures in the Temple of the Crushing Wave.

C25. Temple of Elemental Water

A glyph of warding (see area C24) protects the double doors at the south end of the room.

In the southern half of the room, two ten-foot-wide channels run along the east and west walls of the shrine, spilling out through low culverts to the south. Two more pillars stand here, and a low stone bridge leads across the dividing channel to the altar and the northern part of the room.

The moat is 10 feet deep, and the water level is almost even with the floor. However, the smaller spillways that carry water south to the culverts are only 2 feet deep. In the middle of the eastern wall, a submerged culvert leads to area C26.

This shrine was once dedicated to dwarven gods, but the Crushing Wave cultists rededicated it to Olhydra. Five lizardfolk warriors of the Blackmaw tribe stand guard in the southern part of the shrine.

If this is the first elemental temple the characters explore, they find Gar Shatterkeel (see chapter 7) here, standing next to the altar in the northern part of the room. Otherwise, he has retreated down to the Fane of the Eye (see x). In that case, a hezrou demon is on guard with the lizardfolk. The demon lurks in the deep moat in the middle of the shrine.

C26. Vault

To reach this area, a character must swim through the submerged tunnel leading from area C25.

This pool is almost 80 feet deep and fed by an aquifer through porous rock at the bottom. It is the source of the Dark Stream, and it fills the canals and lakes on this level. Its inaccessibility makes it an ideal place for Gar Shatterkeel to hoard the better part of the water cult's treasure. He is beyond such cares, but he realizes that wealth is a motivation for some who aren't entirely committed to the tenets of the Crushing Wave cult.

C27. Priests' Quarters

This room serves as the personal quarters of the cult priests: two Crushing Wave priests (see chapter 7) and four cultists. The priests see themselves as the most important members of the cult, and they make sure to look after their creature comforts. They intermittently take care of the Temple of Elemental Water.

On the rare occasions when Gar Shatterkeel retires to rest for a few hours, he sleeps here. Otherwise, he is found in area C25, attempting to discern the will of Olhydra or instructing others in the lore and philosophy of the cult.

The priests and cultists know the answers to the mezzoloth's riddles in area C28, but resist divulging them to strangers.

C28. Caravan Stairs

The stairway leads down to x of the Fane of the Eye (see x).

The Crushing Wave cultists summoned a mezzoloth and ordered it to destroy any intruders seeking to use the stairs. To determine whether someone is an intruder, the mezzoloth asks three questions:

What do you serve? The answer should be "Olhydra," "the Princess of Evil Water," or "water."

What are you? The proper answer is "I am nothing."

What lies below? The correct answer is "the Fane of the Eye" or "the Elder Elemental Eye."

If the party can't answer any of the questions, the mezzoloth attacks. It fights to the death.

B1. Gargoyle Chasm

Three gargoyles guard the area, lurking on ledges in the shadowy upper reaches of this cavern, the ceiling of which is 50 feet higher than the bridge and 100 feet above the cavern floor. Characters with torches or darkvision spot the gargoyles if they have a passive Wisdom (Perception) score of 15 or higher. The gargoyles ignore groups exiting the Temple of Black Earth. They attack any strangers approaching from the north unless the strangers pause at the bridge to either give the hand sign of the cult (a triangle formed with thumbs and forefingers of both hands) or call out, "I serve the Black Earth!"

In combat, the gargoyles look for opportunities to push characters off the bridge. If two gargoyles are defeated, the third retreats, flying to x to hide.

B2. North Chasm

This cavernous area is 100 feet high from floor to ceiling. If the characters enter from the east (via area B1), read the following text:

If the characters are standing on the ledge at x or B21, use the following text instead:

Marlos Urnrayle used stone shape spells to create a narrow ledge that hugs the walls of the cavern. This ledge isn't visible from the cavern floor, and it starts 5 feet below the ledge leading to x and ends at an arrow slit, beyond which lies area B22. The arrow slit is 4 feet tall but only 6 inches wide.

B3. Ruined Gates

This was formerly the front gate of the stronghold of Tyar-Besil, but many years ago an earthquake finished the destruction begun by orcs and giants. The ceiling here is 30 feet high, and the gate stands 15 feet tall. Marlos Urnrayle intends to repair it, but he has not yet found anyone sufficiently skilled to do the work.

B4. Hall of the Gate

The same earth tremors that shattered the gate marred the walls and floors with cracks, and patches of the 30-foot-high ceiling have fallen as well.

Four hobgoblins, a burrowshark named Nartham (see chapter 7), and Nartham's bulette mount guard the Hall of the Gate. Nartham is a violent, short-tempered fellow. If the characters attempt to talk their way into the temple, they need to talk fast, because Nartham craves an excuse to kill.

The cooking fire and bedrolls belong to the hobgoblins, who have not yet been allocated better quarters in the temple. They hang back and pelt the characters with arrows while Nartham and his bulette tear into the party. The hobgoblins are mercenaries, hoping to earn enough loot to return to their tribe and take it over.

B5. East Guardroom

This guardroom serves as the barracks and post of five duergar in the service of the Black Earth cult. The gray dwarves don't keep a close watch from the arrow slit to the north, since they know that the gargoyles in x and Nartham's guards in x stand watch.

If alerted by serious fighting or unusual activity outside, two duergar take light crossbows (+2 to hit, 1d8 piercing damage) and post themselves at the arrow slits. The other three prepare to defend the room's only entrance.

B6. Yarsha's Burrow

This room served as a guardroom for the Hall of the Gate, but tremors collapsed the doorway that once linked the two rooms and formed the tunnel leading to area B2. A stonemelder named Yarsha and her two Black Earth guards (see chapter 7 for both) dwell here. In addition to normal gear, Yarsha carries a potion of greater healing, and the guards have light crossbows (+3 to hit, 1d8 piercing damage) if they need to defend area B3, but they don't keep a watch posted at the arrow slit.

Yarsha is murderous, and she has set her sights on assassinating Miraj Vizann and taking his place as the cult's second-in-command. If she and her guards are on the verge of defeat, she turns on her own guards and finishes them off so she can try to strike a deal with the characters. Yarsha tells the party that Miraj is the earth prophet, and where they can find him (area B8). She asks nothing for herself other than a temporary truce.

The cultists don't know about the ledge in x that links the northern tunnel to area B22.

B7. Gatewarden's Quarters

The Black Earth cultists use these rooms as a barracks. A burrowshark named Dynath, a Black Earth guard, and four cultists occupy the room. (Statistics for the Black Earth guard and burrowshark appear in chapter 7.) Dynath's bulette is stabled in area B9. In addition, the cultists currently on duty in x have bunks in this room.

The cultists keep odd hours, and at any given time 1d4 are sacked out in their bunks. At least two of the residents are awake even in the middle of the night. They assume that random strangers that blunder in unannounced are enemies and attack. If circumstances permit, the occupants of the room spread the alarm by alerting the cultists in x to the attack.

B8. Mud Sorcerer's Lab

The interior of the chamber can be described as follows:

This is the lair and workroom of Miraj Vizann (see chapter 7), an earth genasi and second in command of the Cult of the Black Earth. The statues were once animated constructs, though the magic that powered them faded long ago. Miraj managed to reactivate two of the stone warriors. One now stands watch in area B24, and the other is here. The ancient construct is equivalent to a stone golem with 102 hit points and no Multiattack action (challenge rating 4 instead of 8).

B9. Broken Hall

The warriors of Tyar-Besil assembled here to practice with arms. The Cult of the Black Earth now uses the room as a stable for their prized mounts: three bulettes. One belongs to Dynath in area B7. The other two were recently caught and haven't yet been broken. The bulettes are being held here until the monsters can be bonded with cultists.

Each bulette is chained securely to one of the big pillars in the room (the northeast, center west, and southeast pillars, specifically). The chains keep the bulettes within 15 feet of the pillars, but they can move freely otherwise. The bulettes spend most of their time dozing, but they are light sleepers. A bulette can break it chain with a successful DC 20 Strength check, but the chain to the northeast (holding the trained bulette) is weaker, requiring only a successful DC 15 Strength check to break.

B10. Long Chasm

If the smiths still work in area B15, hammering and clattering chains can be heard coming from there. Characters close to that end of the chasm also see a ruddy red glow playing on the walls nearby. Explorers that carry bright lights in this area might be noticed by the creatures in B15.

The ledges and stone bridge are 100 feet above the chasm floor and 100 feet below the chasm roof. Area B15 is visible from the bridge and at the same level.

Creatures that make a lot of noise in the vicinity of the natural bridge disturb a swarm of bats roosting on the bridge's underside.

The bridge is narrow and uneven. Any creature that takes damage while standing on the bridge must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw. If the save fails by 5 or more, the creature falls into the chasm. On any other failed result, the creature slips and falls prone on edge of the bridge.

B11. South Passage

This hallway leads south to x of the Temple of the Crushing Wave.

B12. Broog-Norb's Lair

If the characters approach this room from the east, read the following text:

Use the following text to describe the room's interior:

This room was the main kitchen for the dwarven soldiers stationed in this part of Tyar-Besil. It is now the lair of Broog and Norb—the two heads of a particularly large and grumpy ettin. Broog-Norb has 130 hit points.

Broog-Norb isn't a follower of the Cult of the Black Earth. He found a way down into the ruins of Tyar-Besil months ago. The ettin has a tenuous truce with the earth cultists, who are careful to stay out of his way. He attacks intruders who make it clear that they aren't part of the earth cult, but only threatens intruders who present themselves as cult members. Broog-Norb has no idea who is a cultist and who isn't.

B13. Hunting Hall

The dwarves of Tyar-Besil were proud of their pastoral ways, and they celebrated their surface dominions with scenes of farms and woodlands. This room served as a mess hall long ago, and many fine feasts were held here. The Black Earth cultists intend to repair the hall and replace the imagery with their own cheerless symbols, but they haven't gotten around to it yet.

Piping buried under the floor connects to the spring in the northern part of the Crushing Wave cult's territory and feeds the pool. The basin walls stand about a foot above the floor, and the pool is 4 feet deep. The water is fresh and safe to drink.

B14. Torture Chamber

This chamber has been equipped with implements to torture defeated enemies, cult servants who fail their insane leaders, or the occasional innocent victim. This grim chamber is the domain of a stonemelder (see chapter 7) named Heldorm and the three cultists who assist him.

B15. Stone Forge

Characters approaching this area hear the ringing of hammers on anvils before they enter. This room looks out directly over area B10.

Black Earth cultists have turned this former barracks into a forge where they create elemental devices. The master of the forge is a dao named Xharva Deem. Two duergar assist her.

B16. Armory

Doors lead to the east and the southwest.

This room serves as a guard post for the Black Earth cult. It also provides a good place from which the earth cultists can keep an eye on the Cult of the Eternal Flame. To guard this point of access, Marlos Urnrayle has assigned a garrison of five ogres with orders to let no one enter from the west without giving the pass sign of the earth cult (a triangle formed by thumbs and forefingers). The ogres have no orders to prevent people from leaving, although they challenge strangers who don't look like members of the cult.

B17. Chasm Staircase

If the characters approach this area from the east, read the following text:

An alarm spell has been cast on the middle of the bridge. If the characters trigger the alarm, read:

The alarm alerts cultists in area B18, who awaken, arm themselves, and move to watch for new arrivals.

The staircase descends to x in the Fane of the Eye (see x).

B18. Barracks

A dozen Black Earth cultists are quartered here, but only four Black Earth guards and a Black Earth priest (see chapter 7 for both) are present at any given time. Two guards are sleeping and unarmored; they have AC 10 and won't have time to don their armor if an alarm is raised.

Two light crossbows are positioned near the arrow slit, so the guards can fire on intruders outside the room (+3 to hit, 1d8 piercing damage on a hit).

B19. Statue of Ogrémoch

The statue depicts Ogrémoch, the Prince of Evil Earth. Marlos Urnrayle sculpted it.

B20. Mess Hall

Earth cultists typically eat alone or in pairs, helping themselves to a stew kept simmering all day and whatever other provisions are available. Two Black Earth guards (see chapter 7) currently eat at the middle table, while three cultists work in the kitchen.

The feathered cloak is a trophy taken from a Howling Hatred cultist (Droth, imprisoned in area B14).

B21. Screaming Statues

If this is the first of the elemental temples the characters explore, Marlos Urnrayle (see chapter 7) is here. Visions have warned the medusa of the characters' arrival, and he prefers to meet visitors in this area. A shadow demon that serves as Marlos's messenger and majordomo lurks nearby.

If he isn't here, Marlos has retreated down to the Fane of the Eye or the Black Geode (see x).

B22. Earth Prophet's Sanctum

Marlos has carefully prepared the alcove with the arrow slit to function as a means of escape. The arrow slit is 4 feet high, 6 inches wide, and 1 foot deep. One use of his Earth Passage feature is sufficient to pass through. Just outside is a narrow ledge (see area B2).

B23. Shrine of Bleeding Stone

A Black Earth priest (see chapter 7) named Erione is establishing a shrine here atop the wreckage of an ancient dwarven chapel. She is joined by four cultists.

Erione resents the fact that few priests hold high places in the cult, and she intends to demonstrate that worship can bring even greater power. She has coaxed a black pudding into the porous rock obelisk. It seeps forth on her command.

Erione has manacled a female deep gnome named Rukhelmoth "Rukh" Glitterstone to the stone post at the foot of the obelisk and intends to offer him as a sacrifice to the black pudding. When the pudding emerges, it seeps out of the obelisk like thick black blood and attacks the gnome first. Only after the gnome has been consumed does it pay attention to the characters.

Rukh is an explorer who was captured as she tried to sneak into the Fane of the Eye. She hasn't explored the Temple of Black Earth but has seen areas B17 and B21. If rescued, she gladly shares the following information:

• The leader of the earth cult is a medusa named Marlos Urnrayle. He lairs in a cavern to the northeast.
• A staircase to the south leads down to an ancient drow temple that has been overrun by elemental cultists.
• The cultists have created elemental nodes in the dungeons below. (Rukh speculates that these nodes are the source of the cultists' weird elemental powers.)

B24. Sentinel's Hall

The statue is a stone golem reactivated by Miraj Vizann (see area B8) and placed here. It has 102 hit points and no Multiattack action. (It has a challenge rating 4 instead of 8.)

The stone golem responds only to attacks and creatures entering the hall from the west. If intruders make a triangular handsign by touching thumbs and forefingers, or if they speak the pass phrase "I serve the Black Earth," the golem allows them to continue. Otherwise, it attacks.

E1. Entrance

An arrow slit is carved into the south wall of the lava tube leading to this area. The arrow slit is 3 feet tall, 6 inches wide, and unguarded. Behind the arrow slit is a tunnel leading to area E6.

Read the following text when the characters reach the chamber at the top of the stairs:

Four hobgoblins and one hobgoblin captain stand guard here, dressed in flame-red tabards with the symbol of elemental fire on the chest. They challenge anyone approaching from the west, but they pay little attention to anyone heading in that direction.

Visitors heading east must make the handsign of the fire cult (one hand in a fist, thumb up, with the other hand over the fist) or state the pass phrase, which is "Fire is eternal!" Otherwise, visitors must convince the hobgoblins that they must talk to temple leaders. The hobgoblins attack if none of these things happens. If the characters talk their way past the hobgoblins, two hobgoblins escort the party to area E2.

E2. Columned Chamber

If the characters come here without raising an alarm, read the following text:

Two razerblasts (see chapter 7) keep to the sides of the chamber. How these guards react depends on how the characters arrive. If characters come from within the fire temple and act like they belong there, the guards pay them little mind. Characters who arrive escorted by hobgoblins must convince the guards to let them pass. If they do, one of the razerblasts escorts the party.

If a fight breaks out, one of the razerblasts shouts, "Imix defend us!" When this happens, read the following text aloud:

A creature that moves within 10 feet of one or more magma pillars for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there takes 2d10 fire damage. The razerblasts have immunity to fire damage.

E3. Niche Hall

The shadowy forms are statues of dwarven warriors, carved long ago as an honor guard for those passing through this area.

E4. Hidden Vault

No one in the fire cult knows of this secret area. The Dethek runes on one sarcophagus read, "Rest well, Findon Stonemender. Dream of hammer and chisel echoing in your halls." On the other, they read, "Beloved Gitte. Heavy are the hearts of all who knew ye."

Lifting a sarcophagus lid requires a successful DC 20 Strength check.

E5. Crumbling Barricades

Two ogres in plate armor (AC 17) and four half-ogres challenge anyone coming from outside the temple. Those seeking entrance must make signs like those described in E1. If the characters instead ask to speak with the temple's leaders, one ogre leaves and returns with a razerblast from area E2.

E6. Bastian's Quarters

The door to this chamber is locked from within unless Bastian is elsewhere.

A red-skinned man paces in the middle of the room.

This is the lair and study of a fire genasi named Bastian Thermandar (see chapter 7), second in command of the fire cult. He is responsible for guarding the northern half of the complex.

E7. Barracks

The southeast chasm is described in area E12.

A dozen fire temple cultists bunk here, but only four Eternal Flame guardians (see chapter 7) are present when the characters arrive. Two must awaken, then stand and move to join any battle; they have AC 12, since they have no time to don armor.

E8. Priests' Room

This room has been claimed by three cult priests. At any given time, two Eternal Flame priests (see chapter 7) are present. If the characters catch them unaware, one is eating at the table while the other is sitting at a desk, consulting a tome and writing.

E9. Ogre Den

The piles of fur are beds used by the ogres in area E5.

If the characters make a racket here, the guards in x investigate. The hobgoblins in x also come once it's clear the noise isn't simply the ogres being rowdy. The hobgoblins might wait until any noise has died down, then just peak in.

E10. Hobgoblin Lair

The characters can smell the meat cooking here from the stairway to the east and the room to the west.

Hobgoblins that serve the fire temple bunk here. Six hobgoblins and one hobgoblin captain are present. Unless they have reason not to be, four hobgoblins are sleeping, while the other two are sitting at the fire with their captain. Sleeping hobgoblins wake and spend their first turn standing and arming themselves, joining the fight on their next turns. Lacking time to don armor, each has AC 13 (shield).

If the hobgoblin captain is reduced to half its hit point maximum, it spends one turn drinking a potion of greater healing (see "Treasure").

E11. Cellblock

The four westernmost cells (furnished on the map) serve as barracks for the slave handlers, while the rest are used to imprison slaves.

The first time the adventurers open a door leading to a furnished chamber, read the following:

The symbol on the tapestry is the symbol of fire; show it to the players. Each furnished cell to the north houses an Eternal Flame guardian, and each of the furnished cells to the south houses a flamewrath (see chapter 7 for both). Combat in one of the cells attracts the attention of the other cultists nearby.

E12. Lava Chasm

The stone bridge is safe to cross. A creature takes 6d10 fire damage when it enters the lava for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there.

E13. Foundry

The temperature rises noticeably as one approaches this room, and characters can hear sounds of metal striking metal long before they see what's inside.

This chamber is the heart of the fire cult's domain, the great foundry where they forge weapons and armor. Noise here drowns out any fighting taking place outside the immediate vicinity. An efreeti aided by one razerblast and two Eternal Flame guardians (see chapter 7 for both) drives a salamander and three azers, forcing them to work the forges.

As soon as any disturbance happens here, the slaves turn on the efreeti. The efreeti then focuses his attention on corralling his charges, leaving the cultists to deal with the characters. If it becomes obvious that the fight is going badly for the cultists, the efreeti retreats to his lair in the fire node (see x) via area E14.

If the characters arrive with salamanders or azers from area E11, those creatures take up arms on their respective sides. The salamanders and azers attack the efreeti until he retreats, then turn on each other. Survivors might be influenced to continue to help the characters as described in area E11.

None of the armor and weapons currently being forged here is near enough to completion to be used effectively.

An iron talking tube runs between the southwest wall of this room and the eastern wall of area E17, so that instructions could be passed back and forth between the smiths and the engineers operating the canal and lock mechanism in area E12.

E14. Shaft to the Fire Node

The first time the characters arrive here, the hovering disk is present. Any other time, it has a fifty percent chance to be at this level.

The disk is made to rise or descend by uttering the proper command word into the shaft loudly enough for it to echo. The command words are "ash" to make the platform sink and "ember" to make it rise. It rises no higher than this position. It takes 1 minute for it to move from one place to another. The shaft descends to x in the Fane of the Eye and further down to x in the Weeping Colossus (see x for both).

E15. Ancient Armory

When characters first discover either secret door into this unlit place, read the following text aloud:

All of the weapons and armor are ruined except for the shield hanging on the wall.

E16. Well

This chamber is unlit.

The depth of the well is about 12 feet. The water seeps up from below through cracks in the well's floor.

E17. Mechanical Room

This mechanism operates the canal and lock system that runs between areas E12 and E13. The levers activate counterweights and springs that raise and lower the great barrier door, which controls how much lava would flow into the troughs. An iron talking tube runs between the eastern wall of this room and the southwest corner of the foundry (area E13).

E18. Library

The mounds are the decayed remains of bookshelves and tomes that used to run in neat, orderly rows. When the cultists arrived here, they discovered the patch of brown mold that has taken up residence here. After unsuccessfully trying to burn it (which caused it to double in size), they decided to avoid the place. The brown mold (see chapter 5, "Adventure Environments," in the Dungeon Master's Guide) fills the 20-foot-square section in the southeast corner.

E19. Kennel

The door is locked with a hasp-and-pin mechanism.

Four hell hounds lair here. They attack if whoever opened the door isn't Lyzzie (area E29), their mistress.

E20 and E21. Storage Rooms

Lyzzie Calderos (see area E29) decided to convert a storage room for her hell hounds, so she ordered her minions to toss all the junk found in that room into these two, hence the disheveled nature of some piles.

A thorough search of each room requires 6 hours. Whether the characters find anything of value is up to you.

E22. Display Hall

Two Eternal Flame guardians (see chapter 7) stand guard here.

The staircase leads down to area E30.

E23. Barracks

The cask holds weak, sour wine.

Two Eternal Flame guardians (see chapter 7) are drinking and playing cards at the table. They attack anyone who isn't wearing cult apparel and suspiciously question anyone disguised as a cult member.

E24. Ignatia's Abode

Ignatia, a flamewrath (see chapter 7), lives here. She leads the warriors outside and serves as the watch commander for the hobgoblins guarding the south barricades (area E27).

E25. Supplicants' Room

Eight cultists and two cult fanatics are here.

E26. Fire Temple

If this is the first of the elemental temples the characters explore, Vanifer (see chapter 7) is kneeling before the altar, contemplating the higher meaning of her faith. The braziers are receptacles holding two fire elementals under Vanifer's command. They appear and attack as soon as their mistress orders them to.

E27. Barricades

Six hobgoblins stand guard here, dressed in flame-red tabards with the symbol of elemental fire on the chest. They challenge anyone approaching from the south, but they pay little attention to anyone heading in that direction.

E28. Barracks

The hobgoblins who serve Lyzzie (area E29) dwell here. Four hobgoblins and a hobgoblin captain are currently relaxing. Unless the characters look like cultists, the hobgoblins attack.

E29. Lyzzie's Quarters

The dancing creatures are four magmins. They are curious to know who the characters are and playfully try to set them on fire. If they are harmed, the magmins hiss loud enough to alert their mistress, Lyzandra "Lyzzie" Calderos. She is a human mage with wall of fire and immolation (see appendix B) prepared instead of ice storm and cone of cold. When the characters first arrive, Lyzzie is relaxing in a smaller room behind the burnt tapestry. Lyzzie's room contains several scorched bunk beds, a charred desk, but nothing of value.

E30. Chimera Lair

A chimera loyal to the fire cult lounges in the western alcove. It emerges from its alcove to taunt and threaten the characters, pacing and snarling. If the characters attack it or try to plunder its hoard, it retaliates. Otherwise, it lets them pass through its lair unmolested.

E31. Vanifer's Chamber

Vanifer spends very little time here.