Quests from the Infinite Staircase

Random Tegefed Mountains Encounters

Shalfey's Emissaries

The robed figures are the corpses of four tower hands whom Shalfey sent to track down the star. The messengers' minds were drained by the memory web before death. As a result, the Speak with Dead spell and similar magic yield only confused, meaningless responses.

Memory 1: Initiation Day

This memory takes place a few years ago. It depicts Shalfey initiating a group of tower hands into his private guard. Shalfey is teaching them the secret phrase used among his closest confidants. This phrase might come in handy when the characters meet Hadley, who runs the ferry at the Tower of the Heavens (x).

Memory 2: The Star Foretold

Four days ago, Shalfey recounted his findings from the final page of the Books of Prophecy.

Memory 3: Shalfey's Orders

Three days ago, Shalfey tasked his tower hands with seeking out Derwyth. They died along the way.

Going It Alone

If the characters refuse the eagles' guidance, they must find their own way to Derwyth's homestead. The character leading the party must make a DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check to navigate the valley's tangled thickets. On a successful check, the characters reach the homestead without issue. On a failed check, they eventually arrive at the homestead, but the journey is exhaustingly circuitous; each character must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or gain 1 level of exhaustion.

H1: Yard

Whether led by the eagles or by forging a path through the thicket, the characters likely enter the homestead via the yard. When they arrive, read or paraphrase the following text:

If Avri and Ivo are present, the eagles tell the characters Derwyth is currently out gathering food, but she should be back soon; the characters can wait in the yard until then. After advising the characters to behave themselves, the eagles take flight.

H2: Antechamber

This room's south door is locked. If the characters enter, read or paraphrase the following text:

The items here all belong to Derwyth. There are nine walking sticks, each lovingly carved from a different kind of wood.

H3: Hall

Derwyth entertains guests in this dining hall.

H4: Derwyth's Room

This room's door is locked. If the characters enter, read or paraphrase the following text:

This is Derwyth's private resting chamber.

H5: Library and Workshop

This room's south door is locked. If the characters enter, read or paraphrase the following text:

Derwyth stores her texts in this study. In all, there are eighty-four books and over two hundred scrolls—a comprehensive library of the druid's fields of interest: mainly animals, plants, and astronomy.

The scrolls on the table include Derwyth's notes concerning the fallen star. Though the party can easily recognize these notes, only someone versed in astronomy—such as Derwyth, Shalfey, or a character proficient with navigator's tools—can use them to determine the landing point of the star, a process that takes 2 hours.

H6: Goat Barn

[image: Derwyth the druid pets a blissful giant goat in her barn]

Three giant goats live here. If it's clear Derwyth is in danger, the goats come to her aid, but they're otherwise friendly toward strangers and usually don't mind being milked.

A character can attempt to milk a goat by making a DC 10 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check. On a successful check, the goat produces one bucket's worth of milk. On a failed check, the goat delivers a swift, agitated kick, and the milker takes 2 (1d4) bludgeoning damage and has the prone condition.

H7: Food Storage

These containers hold enough cheese, dried meat, flour, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and wine to sustain one person for half a year.

Derwyth's saber-toothed tiger lazes here during the druid's test (see the "Trial of Trust" section). The tiger is initially indifferent toward the party and doesn't stop characters from stealing food from the hut; however, it leaps to Derwyth's aid if the druid is in danger.

If the characters do nothing to anger the tiger, they can safely pet it with a DC 10 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check. On a successful check, the tiger rolls onto its back and chuffs happily. On a failed check, the tiger growls threateningly, then attacks if pestered further.

Derwyth's Test

Derwyth remains in tree form for 10 minutes after the characters arrive. If the characters don't break her trust by harming her giant eagle friends, entering locked rooms, harming her animals, or stealing her possessions, they pass her test. Otherwise, they fail. At the end of this time, Derwyth reveals herself.

When Derwyth abandons her disguise, read:

Derwyth's attitude toward the characters depends on whether they passed or failed her test.

Derwyth's Star Calculations

Once Derwyth trusts the characters, she offers to calculate where the star landed in exchange for 200 gp, but she gladly accepts the bestiary carried by Shalfey's emissaries in lieu of payment. If the characters refuse to compensate Derwyth, she responds as outlined in the "Failing Derwyth's Test" section.

Once paid, Derwyth retires to her library (x) to perform her calculations. If the characters want to be useful in the meantime, Derwyth suggests they milk the goats in the barn (see x).

Impact Crater

The star created a crater on the side of the pass, directly above the derro outpost. When the characters arrive, read or paraphrase the following text:

The derro dug this 10-foot-deep ditch to get to the star. Only a broken pickaxe lies at the bottom of the ditch; the star is long gone.

Characters who survey the surrounding area easily notice two openings lower on the mountainside: a north-facing entrance of worked stone (to area D1) and a west-facing natural cave (to area D2).

D1: Guardroom

This guardroom was once the sole entrance to the derro lair. When the star struck, collapsing masonry killed this chamber's occupants and cut off the room from the rest of the lair. Preoccupied with the fallen star, the surviving derro haven't retrieved their dead cohorts.

D2: Outer Cave

Five derro raiders and one derro apprentice hide behind the pillars in this room. The derro entered the cave through the southeast pool and are dripping wet. They're uninterested in negotiation and ambush any who enter their cavern. A character who examines the room and succeeds on a DC 13 Wisdom (Perception) check notices wet footprints along the cavern floor before the derro attack.

D3: Inner Cave

When the star fell, it collapsed the lair's exits to the surface and the Underdark. The trapped derro dug a tunnel to this cavern from the temple (area D4), reconnecting the temple to the outside world.

Shortly after the party arrives, a zombie emerges from the east tunnel and empties a basket of small rocks onto the pile below. The zombie is indifferent toward the characters and ignores them unless they try to get its attention, at which point it attacks.

D4: Temple

[image: Derro raiders and their zombie thralls work to clear a pile of stony rubble inside the derro's lair]

Four derro raiders and four zombies attempt to clear a collapsed passage. They hope to eventually reach a tunnel leading down to the Underdark (see area D10) blocked by debris.

The derro attack intruders on sight, eager to rob them. The zombies obey the derro's commands.

D5: Collapsed Tunnel

These derro, along with their zombie thralls, were caught in a cave-in while trying to dig a tunnel back to the Underdark. The collapse killed the derro and laid the zombified hunters to rest.

D6: Stolen Goods

Three derro raiders and two derro apprentices gather around a chest in the middle of this room. They're guarded by two zombies. The derro and their Undead thralls attack intruders on sight.

D7: Overseer's Room

This was the private room of the faction's original overseer. The overseer was killed elsewhere in the lair by a cave-in (see area D8). In life, the overseer used this room to transform corpses—primarily those of hunters from Therno Lake—into zombies. A character who examines the room's contents and succeeds on a DC 12 Intelligence (Arcana) check recognizes the vials of blood and pouches of bone as components used in foul necromantic rituals.

Five zombies are trapped in a small pocket of loose rubble (see the "x" section). If the characters clear the rubble, the freed zombies attack their liberators.

D8: Ruins of the Great Hall

This area is blocked off by loose rubble (see the "x" section). If the characters clear the rubble, read or paraphrase the following:

The corpses of fifteen derro and twelve Humanoid hunters lie on the floor, all casualties of the cave-in. More bodies are buried beneath the rocks.

The boots—and the pair of feet in them—belong to the corpse of the outpost's overseer. Pulling the corpse from the rubble dislodges some rocks in the process. Each creature within 10 feet of the corpse must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw, taking 11 (2d10) bludgeoning damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

D9: Hungry Lamia

This area is blocked off by loose rubble (see the "x" section). If the characters clear the rubble, read or paraphrase the following:

A lamia sits in this room. Formerly an ally of the derro, she used her magic to help the raiders learn Therno Lake's defenses. Secretly, many derro feared the lamia, and they were relieved when the cave-in trapped her here.

The lamia hasn't eaten in days. If the characters give her a generous portion of fresh meat—such as a recently slain derro—she devours it, then lies down for a nap, paying them no further attention. Rations, zombies, and similarly unappetizing fare anger the lamia. If the characters proffer unsuitable meat or none at all, she attacks them ravenously.

D10. Eastern Tunnel

This collapsed tunnel, blocked by rubble, eventually leads to a derro stronghold in the Underdark. The stronghold and its contents are beyond the scope of this story but could inspire an additional adventure if, by some means, the party reaches this tunnel.

L1: Beaver Dam

Three giant beavers (see the "x" section) swim underwater on the north side of the dam. If the characters approach from the south, the giant beavers poke their heads above the barrier for a moment, then begin slapping their tails on the water. This calls the hunters in area L2, who arrive at the dam after 1 minute.

L2: Lake

Six hunters (scouts) are fishing in the lake, two per hunting boat. One is their community's leader, a red-haired human woman named Aspen.

L3: Beavers' Lodge

An underwater entrance to this beaver lodge leads to an air pocket above water level. Inside, two friendly giant beavers (see the "x" section) tend to five baby beavers. A pile of fish bones sits on one side of the room.

L4: Hunters' Camp

The hunters of Therno Lake live in this camp. Eight hunters (scouts) and twenty commoners, all in thick leather clothes, make up the community. They are wary of outsiders but otherwise indifferent toward the characters.

Griswill Garrison

The Griswill Garrison is a group of gnome mercenaries paid to serve Shalfey. Believing the elder sage dead, the gnomes now follow Piyarz's orders.

Hostel Staff

Several commoners run a hostel on a smaller island bordering the tower. Piyarz told them Shalfey was dead and instructed them to keep the hostel up and running.

Sage Pupils and Tower Hands

Cipolla, Porro, and Lurg were Shalfey's pupils until they joined Piyarz's attempt to seize power. Evil and opportunistic, the four sages staged a coup with the help of tower hands they recruited to their cause.

Each tower sage has magical tattoos on their arms: glowing constellations that magically update to reflect that sage's hierarchy within the tower's prophetic order. Though Piyarz claims to be the new elder sage, Shalfey still lives, so the tattoos on Piyarz's arms haven't changed. Piyarz covers his arms when he's around the Griswill Garrison and the hostel staff, worried they'll discover his secret.

Shalfey and Hadley

Shalfey held the titles of elder sage and keeper of the books until Piyarz's coup. Though Piyarz now falsely claims these titles and Shalfey is confined to his sanctum, Shalfey remains the true head of the tower. His only surviving confidant is Hadley, who runs the tower's ferry. Hadley knows Shalfey still lives; he feigns loyalty to Piyarz while subtly searching for allies among the ferry's passengers. Hadley is unsure if he can trust the Griswills and hasn't told them Shalfey is alive.

Hadley's Confidences

Hadley (neutral good, human commoner) greets the characters with the first part of a secret phrase used by Shalfey and his allies. Hadley hopes the characters will reply, "but fairer the jewels of the evening." This phrase was part of the visions imparted by the memory web (see the "x" section earlier in this adventure), though the characters might not recognize its significance. A character who succeeds on a DC 14 Wisdom (Insight) check gets the sense Hadley is looking for a specific reply.

If the party doesn't respond with the other half of the phrase, Hadley offers to take them to the island. During the crossing, he uses the opening phrase twice more. If the characters still fail to offer the proper response, Hadley takes them to the outpost (x) without further conversation.

T1: Outpost

This outpost watches the bridge between the hostel and the tower. A jetty lies just north of the outpost.

When the characters arrive at the outpost, read or paraphrase the following text:

Three members of the Griswill Garrison (lawful neutral, gnome guards) stand watch in this outpost at all hours. Unless treated poorly, the cheery gnomes are friendly toward the characters, asking what brings them to the tower. It's the gnomes' job to greet visitors, inquire about their business, and keep an eye out for any clearly hostile intruders.

T2: Hostel

Visitors stay in this small hostel while they wait to be called for their answering ceremony, the ritual through which fortunes are told. Lodging costs 1 gp per person per night; meals and drinks aren't included. Trouble in the hostel attracts the attention of the guards in the outpost (area T1).

The hostel's proprietor is a human woman named Berta. Four peppy humans in leather aprons help her carry supplies, cook, and clean. Berta and her assistants use the commoner stat block. They're friendly and welcoming, and they know nothing of the attempted coup. They believe Shalfey died of natural causes and regard Piyarz as the legitimate keeper of the books unless proven otherwise.

T3: Entrance Chamber

Six members of the Griswill Garrison (lawful neutral, gnome guards) stand watch in this room. When it's time for a visitor's appointment in the Questioner's Hall (area T4), the guards walk across the bridge and call for the guest in the hostel. The guards then escort the visitor across the bridge, through the entrance chamber, and into the Questioner's Hall. The guards remain with the visitor until the answering ceremony is complete, then escort them back to the hostel.

T4: Questioner's Hall

Sages conduct fortune-telling sessions in this dimly lit hall. If the characters were escorted here by the gnome guards from area T3, those guards line up along the east wall for the duration of the ceremony, which begins shortly after the characters enter.

T5: Mimic Door

The door is a mimic trained to guard the staircase. It functions like an ordinary door until a creature it doesn't recognize tries to open it, at which point the mimic reveals its true nature and attacks. The mimic is friendly toward the tower sages, tower hands, and gnomes of the Griswill Garrison.

T6: Mercenaries' Hall

Three members of the Griswill Garrison (lawful neutral, gnome guards) sit here, relaxing between shifts. Accompanying them is the garrison's leader, Captain Mainwaring (lawful neutral, gnome knight).

When she's aware of the characters, Captain Mainwaring calls the guards to arms, but characters can convince them to stand down with a successful DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check. Characters who mention Shalfey have advantage on this check.

If hostilities are defused, Captain Mainwaring listens to the characters' story. She doesn't fully believe Shalfey is alive unless shown undeniable evidence (such as Piyarz's unchanged tattoos or Shalfey himself). However, the characters can easily convince Mainwaring to give them the benefit of the doubt, and she agrees to overlook the characters' activities as they seek answers in the tower.

If combat breaks out in this room, the noise awakens the three guards in the barrack (area T7), who join the fight after 2 rounds.

T7: Barrack

At any given time, three members of the Griswill Garrison (lawful neutral, gnome guards) are sleeping in these beds with weapons close at hand. The larger bed belongs to Captain Mainwaring, leader of the Griswill Garrison (see area T6).

T8: Storeroom

Dozens of boxes, casks, and sacks are neatly stacked on shelves and racks this storeroom, which holds food stores and equipment for the entire tower. Amid the provisions are two explorer's packs, two scholar's packs, and enough food and drink to sustain the tower's residents for a month.

T9: Kitchen

A pot of squash soup simmers gently on a stove in this tidy kitchen, filling the room with its aroma. The kitchen otherwise holds nothing of interest.

T10: Trapped Hallway

This unfurnished hallway provides ladder access to the watchtowers on the third floor (area T11).

A protective glyph wards the staircase door down to x. To open this door safely from either direction, one must first say the password ("apogee"), which is known only to the tower's stewards. If the door is opened without the password, flame erupts in a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on the glyph. Each creature in that area must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, taking 13 (3d8) fire damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

T11: Watchtowers

Six turrets rise from the Tower of the Heavens. Six members of the Griswill Garrison (lawful neutral, gnome guards) are stationed at each watchtower, for a total of thirty-six guards. The guards constantly watch for intruders, particularly those scaling the walls. When a guard spots an intruder, three guards remain at their post to fight while three run to x to warn Captain Mainwaring.

T12: Lesser Library

This library contains the less important books of the tower. Sage pupils Porro (lawful evil, halfling tower sage) and Cipolla (lawful evil, silver dragonborn tower sage) research in this room, accompanied by four tower hands sworn to protect them (see x for both stat blocks). All are loyal to the illegitimate elder sage, Piyarz, and enforce his will.

When the characters enter, Cipolla and Porro silently direct the hands to attack. Meanwhile, the sages flee toward Piyarz in the scholars' hall (x), where they can more freely use their magic. Once there, Cipolla or Porro casts the Arcane Lock spell on the door to buy themselves time.

T13: Dormitory

Tower hands sleep in this stark dormitory, which contains only thirteen modest wooden beds with thin straw mattresses. It is currently unoccupied.

T14: Lurg's Room

This is Lurg's private chamber. Its crimson walls match the color of his robes.

Lurg's desk drawer is locked and magically trapped. Lurg carries its key (see x), and only he knows the password to safely unlock the drawer: "Struve." As an action, a character can unlock the door with a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check using thieves' tools. If the drawer is unlocked without first speaking the password, a magical glyph inside the drawer triggers, erupting with flame in a 10-foot-radius sphere. Each creature in that area must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, taking 13 (3d8) fire damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. The glyph vanishes after it triggers, and the flame doesn't damage the contents of the room.

T15: Porro's Room

This is Porro's private chamber. Its cerulean walls match the color of his robes.

Porro's desk drawer is locked and magically trapped. Porro carries its key (see x), and only he knows the password to safely unlock the drawer: "Altair." As an action, a character can unlock the door with a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check using thieves' tools. If the drawer is unlocked without first speaking the password, a magical glyph inside the drawer triggers, erupting with icy wind in a 10-foot-radius sphere. Each creature in that area must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, taking 13 (3d8) cold damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. The glyph vanishes after it triggers, and the wind doesn't damage the contents of the room.

T16: Cipolla's Room

This is Cipolla's private chamber. Its yellow walls match the color of her robes.

Cipolla's desk drawer is locked and magically trapped. Cipolla carries its key (see x), and only she knows the password to safely unlock the drawer: "Sol." As an action, a character can unlock the door with a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check using thieves' tools. If the drawer is unlocked without first speaking the password, a magical glyph inside the drawer triggers, erupting with lightning in a 10-foot-radius sphere. Each creature in that area must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, taking 13 (3d8) lightning damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. The glyph vanishes after it triggers, and the lightning doesn't damage the contents of the room.

T17: Scholars' Hall

Piyarz is here with two tower hands. His loyal imp rests smugly on his shoulder in the form of a raven. Piyarz is a lawful evil tower sage who wears a Ring of Fire Resistance, granting him resistance to fire damage.

If Cipolla or Porro successfully fled x2, they're here as well, and one of them has cast the Arcane Lock spell on the south door to buy time.

T18: Piyarz's Room

The creature is a spectator in Piyarz's service. Commanded to guard the chamber, the spectator telepathically warns unauthorized entrants to "scram or get zapped" and attacks any who refuse.

In addition to the coffer, Piyarz's private chamber contains a bed, a chair, and a desk, all painted dull gray to match his robes.

T19: Bridge of Faith

The walls of this room are smooth, wet, and slippery. A character can climb along the wall to the other side with climbing gear and a successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check. On a failed check, the character falls into the rushing water below.

T20: Greater Library

Shalfey (lawful good, human tower sage with 4 levels of exhaustion; see x) has locked himself inside this room and threatened to burn the Books of Prophecy if Piyarz breaks in. Both doors are under the effects of Arcane Lock spells that allow only Shalfey to open the doors normally. Shalfey has also reinforced each door with a barricade.

A character outside the library who introduces themself can make a DC 20 Charisma (Persuasion) check to convince Shalfey to let them in. Characters who recite Shalfey's secret phrase (see the "x" section earlier in this adventure) have advantage on this check. On a failed check, Shalfey condemns the character as an agent of Piyarz and orders them to step away from the door—or else.

T21: Labyrinth

A creature that enters the swirling mass finds itself alone in a labyrinthine demiplane of nauseating colors. A creature navigating this magical labyrinth must make a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) or Wisdom (Survival) check. On a failed check, the creature takes 10 (3d6) psychic damage, gains 1 level of exhaustion, and finds the exit after 10 minutes of wandering. On a successful check, the creature takes half as much damage only and finds the exit after 1 minute. In either case, the creature emerges from the door opposite the one it entered.

As the true elder sage, Shalfey is immune to the labyrinth's ill effects and can navigate the maze without consequence (no check required).

T22: Observatory

The sages make astronomical observations here. By observing the positions of the stars and planets relative to the lattice, the sages can precisely record the movements of the heavens.

The statues are two gargoyles. They're trained to attack any visitors unaccompanied by a tower sage or tower hand.

Characters can climb the tower's walls to this observatory, but doing so might draw the attention of the guards stationed in the watchtowers (x). The openings in the domed lattice are paned with glass and just wide enough for a Medium creature to squeeze through. Each pane has Armor Class 13, 3 hit points, and immunity to psychic and poison damage.

Scorched Earth

In the woods about two miles from the forge of the kagu-svirfneblin, the characters come across a gruesome scene. Read or paraphrase the following text:

Grisdelfawr killed the svirfneblin here a week ago and razed the area with his fiery breath. The dragon took a single bite of the gnome, wastefully leaving the rest of the corpse. A character who inspects it and succeeds on a DC 13 Wisdom (Medicine) check knows the bite was left by a large, reptilian creature. A subsequent successful DC 15 Intelligence (Nature) check reveals the predator was a dragon.

Gibberling Horde

About one mile from the forge, the characters are beset by roaming gibberlings. Read or paraphrase:

Moments later, three swarms of gibberlings burst from a nearby thicket and stampede toward the characters. The gibberlings fight to the death as they try to tear the characters limb from limb.

After the characters deal with the gibberlings, the journey to the forge of the kagu-svirfneblin proceeds without complication. They arrive at x.

F1: Misty Gulch

This area is lightly obscured by mist from a piping-hot stream. The noise comes from the gibberling in area F2.

F2: Lizard Pens

The svirfneblin keep two giant lizards trained as mounts in these pens. A gibberling scrabbles at the bars in a frenzied attempt to get at the lizards. The gibberling attacks the characters on sight.

A padlock secures the gate. As an action, a character can pick the lock with a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check using thieves' tools or wrench apart the bars with a successful DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check. If released, the giant lizards attack any creature they don't recognize.

As an action, a character can calm a lizard with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check, changing its attitude toward the party from hostile to indifferent. If the check succeeds by 5 or more, the lizard becomes friendly and willing to serve them as a mount.

F3: Outer Hall

The dome in the center of the floor is a maschin-i-bozorg. It remains motionless until the characters enter the room or disturb it. The maschin-i-bozorg is hostile toward intruders and fights until destroyed.

F4: Storerooms

The kagu-svirfneblin keep various goods in these three identical storerooms. Each room is long and narrow with iron storage carts along the walls.

The storerooms and their contents are detailed below.

• F4a:. Food. The carts in this room contain flour, dried vegetables, salted meats, and wine. These stores are worth 20 gp total.
• F4b:. Fuel. The carts in this room contain coal, oil, wood, and charcoal. These stores are worth 15 gp total.
• F4c:. Raw Materials. The carts in this room contain glass, clay, and tin worth 25 gp total.

F5: Inner Hall

[image: Atop giant lizard steeds, the Kagu-svirfneblin emerge to greet visitors to their steam-powered forge]

This area is lightly obscured by mist and steam. The clockwork machines are three maschin-i-bozorgs, created by the kagu-svirfneblin to guard their forge. The seven svirfneblin—each riding a giant lizard—constitute the entire deep gnome population here. They eagerly expect the arrival of the prophesied star.

F6: Dormitory

The kagu-svirfneblin eat and sleep here. Obsessed with their work and the prophesied stone, the deep gnomes have little regard for their own comfort.

The door to the eighth alcove is locked. As an action, a character can pick the lock with a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check using thieves' tools or they can break down the door with a successful DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check.

F7: Treasury

A padlock secures the gate to this treasury. As an action, a character can pick the lock with a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check using thieves' tools or wrench apart the bars with a successful DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check.

Two hook horrors reside within, guarding the kagu-svirfneblin's treasure. They lumber about in the darkness, tapping their long, bony claws along the floor. The hook horrors obey the deep gnomes but attack all other creatures on sight.

F8: Workshop

The machines are powered by steam from a large cylinder at the east end of the workshop, which is fed by a natural geyser. The kagu-svirfneblin built these machines according to their own designs, and only they know how to operate them. A character who tampers with the machines must make a DC 16 Intelligence (Investigation) check. On a successful check, the contraptions whir and move but nothing disastrous happens. On a failed check, the character takes 10 (3d6) fire damage from a blast of scalding steam.

F9: Shimmering Dome

This is the dome the kagu-svirfneblin found long ago. They've never managed to pierce it. Characters who saw Shalfey's shimmering sphere (see x of the Tower of the Heavens) notice both seem to be made of the same multicolored essence.

If the star is brought within 10 feet of the dome, read or paraphrase the following text:

When the dome vanishes, its magic bestows one last gift. Each creature who helped bring the star to the dome (including each of the characters) tingles with resilience, gaining 5 temporary hit points and resistance to fire damage until the next dawn.

F10: Tunnel to the Underdark

This tunnel slopes down for many miles, eventually connecting to a greater tunnel system deep in the Underdark. Most parties have no reason to journey down it during this adventure, but the expansive realms below and their subterranean threats could be crafted by the DM for future adventures.

Evacuation of the Kagu-Svirfneblin

After warning the characters, the kagu-svirfneblin bid them goodbye and exit the inner hall through the southeast double door, accompanied by their maschin-i-bozorgs. They shut and lock the doors behind them. As the kagu-svirfneblin approach the tunnel to the Underdark (x), they collect the treasure and hook horrors, dead or alive, in x and x. If any treasure is missing, the deep gnomes shrug and continue on their way.

After setting the machines in the workshop (x) to overload, the kagu-svirfneblin depart for the Underdark via the tunnel in area F10. The workshop machines soon begin to shake violently, causing the whole lair to tremble. One minute later, the steam cylinder in the workshop explodes, causing area F8 to cave in and dealing 70 (20d6) bludgeoning damage to any creatures still in that room.

Death from Above

[image: The pitiless red dragon Grisdelfawr delights in terrorizing creatures of the Tegefed Mountains]

The detonation in the forge draws the attention of Grisdelfawr, the young red dragon who recently took up residence in the Tegefed Mountains. Within moments of the explosion, Grisdelfawr begins circling over the misty gulch (x).

When the characters exit the forge, read or paraphrase the following text:

Grisdelfawr attacks the party on sight. Amoral and sadistic, the dragon fights without remorse. Grisdelfawr is astonished at the resilience of any who endure his breath, especially those who benefited from the magic of the kagu-svirfneblin's shimmering dome. If Grisdelfawr is reduced to 50 hit points or fewer, he retreats.

If characters stay inside the forge instead of heading outside to fight Grisdelfawr, the dragon waits outside for 1 hour—enough time for the characters to finish a short rest—then heads into the forge to devour anything with a pulse.