Descent into Avernus

66

EXPLORING THE CEMETERY

The section describes locations in the city's ceme-

tery- both the chapel and the areas around it (areas Gl

through G6), and a subterranean ossuary level beneath

the chapel (areas G7 through G12). The descriptions

of the areas in this section are keyed to map 2.5 (page

67 ) and map 2.6 (page 69).

Several graves have been dug up, leaving pits in the

earth that are 6 feet deep, 2 feet wide, and 7 feet long. A

number of stone mausoleums stand vacant. their doors

hanging open. The interior of a mausoleum is dimly lit

when its door is open and shrouded in darkness when

the door is closed.

As the characters investigate the cemetery, they ob-

serve dozens of s keletons and zombies moving about

the grounds. These undead, wandering aimlessly and

without direction, pose no threat to the characters on

their way into the chapel. However, if the characters fail

to deal with Gideon before leaving Elturel, the priest

has time to coordinate the efforts of the undead, turning

them into a pote nt threat against the city.

APPROACHING THE CHAPEL

As the characters draw near the chapel, they are ac-

costed by three minotaur skeletons-slain servants of

Baphomet stripped of flesh and animated by Gideon us-

ing the power of the Companion. These skeletons attack

any intruders on th e cemetery grounds.

When the minotaur skeletons are disposed of and the

characters get their first close look at the chapel, read

the following to set the scene:

The city's descent into Avernus has taken its toll on this

once beautiful chapel. Nearly all the stained glass win-

dows along the outside walls have been smashed, and

the main doors hang open. No sign of any other crea-

tures in or around the building can be seen.

Characters can easily force their way into the chapel

through any of its broken stained-glass windows, or can

enter through the main entrance at area Gl or the un-

locked back door into area G3.

Gl. WALK OF BRAVERY

Read the following as the characters approach this area:

Carved pillars resembling heroes of Elturel's past deco-

rate this white marble patio leading into the main chapel.

The dark mahogany doors are ajar, and the remains of

the patio's windows have spread shattered stained glass

everywhere.

With a s uccessful DC 10 Intelligence (History) check, a

character can remember the name of one of the heroes

represented by the carved pillars, with another name

remembered for each point by which the check total ex-

ceeds 10. The names of the heroes are Agnithar, Zokel

of Torm, Bertra Zornes, Yevina Druen, Ca'sar, Xivik

CHAPTER 2 ( ELTUREL HAS FALLEN

Looren, Dopp Hoosser, Whrenk the Bloody, Laveil de-

Nue, and VanLancer Eagletalon.

A successful DC 10 Intelligence (Arcana or Religion)

check made to study the carved pillars reveals that a pil-

lar can be empowered with radiant energy if the name

of the hero it represents is spoken aloud as an action.

Any undead creature that moves within 5 feet of an

empowe red statue for the first time on a tum or starts

its turn there takes 5 (ldlO) radiant damage.

Each pillar is hollow and houses an incorporeal un-

dead creature: four shadows and four s pecters in total.

Seven of the undead emerge from the pillars to attack

any character who attempts to enter the chapel. The

specter closest to the priest quarters (area GS) instead

attempts to move to that area and warn Gideon of the

intruders. If warned, Gideon quickly moves to area G4

and prepares to defend the chapel, while the specter re-

turns to join the fray.

G2. CHAPEL OF LIGHT

Read the following as the characters enter this area:

The once-beautiful main area of the chapel is littered

with broken furnishings and splintered chairs. The

stained-glass windows have all been smashed, though

one remains mostly inta ct where it's fallen whole to the

floor. It depicts a representation of the god Torm placing

a golden helm on the head of a man kneeling before him.

Out of the shadows step four minotaur skeletons

clutching bloody greataxes.

A squad of Baphomet's minotaurs attempted to overrun

the chapel, but Gideon and his servants slew them.

Gideon then turned them into four minotaur skeletons

that attack as soon as any character enters this area.

The minotaur skeletons attempt to charge characters,

knocking them through the smashed windows. A crea-

ture pushed through a smashed window takes an extra

7 (2d6) slashing damage.

Stained-Glass Window. The window lying mostly

whole on the floor i s cracked and has been trodden on,

but the scene it s hows is still recognizable. A successful

DC 10 Intelligence (History or Religion) check allows

a character to recognize the scene as showing Torm

presenting the Helm of Torm's Sight to Lannish Fogel, a

revered hero of Elturel's past and a dedicated paladin of

Torm. The helm pictured in the stained glass is the relic

Grand Duke Ravengard came to the chapel in search of.

G3. CHAPEL OF MOURNING

Read the following as the characters enter this area:

The smashed remnants of fine furniture and the remains

of stained-glass windows are strewn across this area.

Sections of one huge stained-glass window remain in-

tact, enough so that its subject can still be made out.

The window once portrayed Lathander standing amid

fallen soldiers, holding his hands aloft as the spirits of

the dead rise to stand at his side.