Descent into Avernus

(Nancy Kaufman) #1

126


SUNDERED CHAINS


As CLOSE TO A PLACE OF PILCRJMACE AS YOU'LL FIND IN

this accursed place. A beacon to those seeking the missing


link or /ookingfor a way out.


- Th e Cartographer


When the characters arrive at one of these locations,


read the following boxed text to the playe rs:


Colossal spiked chains extend across the hellscape, their
links partially buried under the ash and large chunks of
masonry. Each broken chain is roughly a mile long.

Long ago, these giant chains tethered an abducted city


to Avernus. That city somehow tore free, leaving behind


its broken bonds and scattered chunks of masonry. The


chains are similar to the ones that bind Elturel.


Characters who examine a chain can tell that some in-


tense, supernatural force caused one or more of its links


to sunder. Although the cause of the damage can't be


ascertained, characters can conclude that breaking the


chains of Elturel is not beyond the realm of possibility.


INFERNAL PILGRIM


Chain devils often make pilgrimages to these sites. The


first sundered chain the characters happen upon has a


chain devil named Zartar performing a ritual atop it.


Zartar believes that the sundered chain can bestow


great strength upon any chain devil that stands atop it


while chanting prayers to Asmodeus. The chain devil is


guarded by two bearded devils , Narg and Yangor. If the


characters make any noise near Zartar, they disturb the


chain devil's concentration, causing all three devils to


attack with fury.


THE WANDERING


EMPORIUM


MAHADI'S WANDERING EMPORIUM HAS A KNACK FOR

showing up when you least expect it.


- The Cartographer


A traveling bazaar winds its way across Avernus- a


wandering menagerie of merchants, artisans, and mis-


fits who ply their respective trades and sell their wares


under the direction of Mahadi, a raks hasa that claims


Asmodeus as his patron.


Most merchants in the Wandering Emporium are in-


dentured to Mahadi's service until they pay off their soul


debts. ln many cases, the terms of repayment are vague


enough to keep them in Mahadi's employ for as long as


he deems them necessary to the operation of the Wan-


dering Emporium.


CITAPT"ER 3 I AVERNUS

STORY HOOKS


The characters could arrive at the Wandering Empo-


rium for one or more of the following reasons:


• The characters need supplies, weapons, or even an


infernal war machine.


• The characters need a safe place to rest and perhaps


get a good meal.



  • The characters might have heard that they can sell


demon ichor to a crazed wizard in the Wander-


ing Emporium.


• The characters might have collected more soul coins


than they feel comfortable carrying and need a place


to spend them.


MAHADI, EMPORIUM MASTER


Mahadi the raksbasa (see the accompanying stat block)


appears as a wealthy merchant lord. Though extremely


powerful, Mahadi doesn't believe in taking unnecessary


risks, particularly in the Nine Hells where he can be


permanently slain. Mahadi acts as the eyes and ears of


Asmodeus in Avernus. As a deal broker and moderator,


he's privy to all manner of dealings that might otherwise


escape the attention of his patron.


In his role as the master of the Wandering Emporium,


Mahadi has received special dispensation from Asmo-


deus to travel freely between the Material Plane and the


Nine Hells to operate his business, as well as to pursue


information and broker contracts and other such ar-


rangements as needed.


Jn addition to managing the Wandering Emporium,


Mahadi is also the proprietor and host of Infernal Rap-


ture, a restaurant and spa. Since the establishment


exists within a demiplane, patrons can comfortably visit


it at any time. even while the caravan is on the move. As


long as they can pay for services rendered, guests need


not fear being trapped within, since Mahadi is very se-


rious about maintaining the contract between host and


guest. Each guest must agree to this formal arrange-


ment prior to gaining entrance.


Mahadi has a special collection of named soul coins,


each of which harbors the soul of an enemy the rak·


shasa vanquished in the past. Mahadi consults with


these souls individually, forcing them to provide insight


on all manner of subjects.


ROLEPLAYING MAHADI

Outwardly, Mahadi presents himself as a charismatic


and gracious host. He makes each guest oflnfernal Rap-


ture feel as though they're the most important person in


all the planes of existence, catering to their every whim


and desire. While he is equally cordial to all guests of


the Wandering Emporium, those entering his establish-


ment fall under a special contract and therefore rank


most highly in his esteem.


Of course, guests leaving Infernal Rapture are ex-


pected to pay their bills in full prior to departure. If a


guest cannot pay for whatever r eason, the contract they


signed on entry clearly stipulates their soul is forfeit.


They're required to pay off their debt through service.


All such individuals fall under the effect of ageas cast as


a 9th-level spell, which cannot be willingly broken by the

Free download pdf