Out of the Abyss

192

THE D ARK DOMINION

The rock surrounding the city is honeycombed with

tunnels and passageways forming the Dark Dominion.

a territory claimed by the drow but not part of the city

proper. Home to all manner of Underdark denizens. this

maze forms parr of Menzoberranzan's defenses as well

as its underworld- a dangerous place for dark dealings

and clandestine meetings.

The Dark Oomimon is a great place for random

encounters. \Vhcn it suits you, roll a d20 and consult the

Dark Dominion Encounters table to determine what the

party encounters, or choose an encounter that you like.

DARK DOMINION ENCOUNTERS

d20 Encounter

1-2 2d4 bugbears

3- 4 Clandestine meeting

5 1 d4 driders

6-10

11-12

13-14

15-16

17-19

20

Drow patrol

1d4 + 1 drow spore servants (see appendix C)

Escaped s laves

1d4 + 1 goblins

Glyph of warding

1d4 intellect devourers

BUGBEARS

The bugbears are branded with the mark of a drow

house, identifying them as slaves. They try to sneak up

on the party and score an easy kill.

CLANDESTINE MEETING

The party happens upon a meeting benveen a drow

house rcpresentath•c and some outside business

interest. The drow is escorred by ld4 - 1 bugbear

bodyguards. The individual with whom the drow is

meeting can be any of the following.

Duergar Alchemist. This duergar is trying to procure

rare alchemical ingredients or equipment (see the

"Duergar Alchemist" sidebar in chapter 4 for statistical

modifications).

Duergar Spy. This duergar from Gracklstugh is

trying to bribe a drow for information about who is

responsible for the demonic invasion.

Human Assassin. This assassin does dirty work for

the drow and is being hired to eliminate someone on the

surface world.

Khalessa Draga.lfthe characters haven't already

encountered this Lords' Alliance spy, Khalessa (see

MMarch on Menzoberranzan-at the end of chapter lO) is

in her drow disguise. buying information of value to the

alliance. When she sees the party. she ends her meeting

and tries to find out why the characters are here. lf

the party includes one or more members of the Lords'

Alliance. she offers to help them complete their mission.

Otherwise. she is unwilling to break her cover.

DRIDERS

These outcasts perch atop high ledges or cling to the

high ceiling, attacking wilh their bows while staying

CHAPTFill5 IIH:Crn·oFSPIOFRS

out of the range of melee weapons. A drider retreats if

reduced to 60 hit points or fewer.

DROW PATROL

The characters encounter a patrol consisting of 2d4

drow led by a drow elite warrior. The patrol stops and

questions any non·drow who aren't slaves. as weU as

drow they deem suspicious. It might take roleplaying or

a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Deception or Persuasion}

check to convince the patrol not to attack the party. rr

Grin Ousstyl is with the party, he quietly suggests that

the characters offer the drow a bribe of at least 50 gp. If

they do. the characters gain advantage on checks made

to talk their way past the patrol.

Any sign of a large, armed. and potentially

hostile group causes the patrol to retreat and seek

reinforcements. If the characters remain in the area.

t he patrol returns with two additional patrols ldlO

minutes later.

DROW SPORE SERVANTS

These drow became infected with Zuggtmoy's spores

and have transformed into spore servants. They silently

observe the party but don't attack the characters unless

threatened.

ESCAPED SLAVES

A group of ld4 commoners (of any race) attempts to

hide from the approaching party. If spotted. they beg

the characters for mercy. explaining that they ha\·e

escaped from their drow masters following ~the great

demon's rampage" and have been hiding in the tunnels

ever since. The slaves can provide the characters with

a detailed description of the attack, confirming that the

demon lord Demogorgon was behind the destruction.

The slaves are desperate to escape from the drow and

pitifully grateful for any aid offered.

GOBLINS

The goblins beg for food. lf the characters give them

food or otherwise treat the goblins well, they show the

party a secret door that opens into a forgotten tunnel.

Roll a dlO and consult the Goblin Tunnel table to

determine where t he tunnel leads.

GOBLIN TUNNEL

d10 Tunnel Destination

1-2 Kyorbblivvin (see "Kyorbblivvin")

3-4 A hidden cave containing 1d4 m ind flayers

5-6 A hidden cave rn whrch the party can rest without

havmg to worry about random encounters

7-8 A hidden cave containing 4d8 goblins and a goblin

boss, who will trade a magic item in its possession

for the equivalent of 30 days of rations (to

determine the 1tem, roll once on Magic Item Table

C in chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master's Guide)

9-10 A trap door near the Bazaar (see "The Bazaar")

GLYPH OF WARDING

Drow priestesses are fond of placing glyphs of warding

in the tunnels surrounding Menzoberranzan. S uch a