Descent into Avernus

(Jeff_L) #1
HE CHARACTERS SHOULD BE 11 TH LEVEL BY

the time they discover the location of the


Sword of Zariel. The weapon awaits them


in a cathedral formed out of positive energy.


Avernus abhors the structure and has sur-


rounded it in a bloody scab, earning it the


name the Bleeding Citadel. This scab has


also engulfed a demon named Crokek'toeck


that was sent by the demon lord Yeenoghu to


devour the blade. The holy power of the citadel resists


the scab's attempts to fully engulf it a nd make it one


with Avernus, leaving the top of the citadel visible. The


characters get directions to this location from Bel or


Olanthius in chapter 3.


Yeenoghu's demons carve tunnels through the scab


as they search for a way to free Crokek'toeck and break


into the Bleeding Citadel, which is otherwise impenetra-


ble. A nalfeshnee named Trantolox oversees this force.


APPROACHING THE CITADEL


As the characters approach the Bleeding Citadel, read


or paraphrase the following boxed text to the players:


A great, disgusting scab the size of a large hill rises up
from a stinking swamp of blood. The domed top of an
alabaster temple pokes through the scab. Many black
iron chains of Avernus converge on the building, attach-
ing within the grotesque mound.

CHAPTER 4 I SWORD OF ZARI EL

The exposed portions of the Bleeding Citadel are im-


penetrable and indestructible. If Lulu is with the char-


acters. s he shares her fear that the scab will eventually


cover t he entire structure, whereupon the citadel will


be absorbed into the Nine Hells and the Sword ofZarie/


lost forever. She also tells the characters that the only


entra nce to the citadel i s cove red by the lower portion


of t he scab.


Yeenoghu's demons have dug tunnels and chambers


throughout the scab. Unless otherwise noted, Yeeno-


ghu's forces attack characters they notice and fight until


destroyed.


THE SCAB


The scab is 300 feet high. The lower 100 feet of the scab


is hard as rock. and each 5-foot cube of hard scab has


AC 17, 18 hit points, and immunity to poison and psy-


chic damage. The upper 200 feet is newer, softer growth


covered in weeping wounds. This part of the scab has


a spongy consistency and is much easier to destroy.


A 5-foot cube of soft scab has AC 9, 10 hit points, and


immunity to psychic damage. Damage to the soft scab


causes reeking blood to flow from the wound.


ENTERING THE SCAB


The most obvious way to enter the Scab is through a


hole near the top of the Scab (area Sl). Climbing a chain


or the outer s urface of the scab to reach this hole re-


quires a s uccessful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check.

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