Descent into Avernus

Once inside the Scab, Lulu can sense the distance and

direction of the Bleeding Citadel's entrance (area S14),

and guide the characters toward it.

I N T ERIO R F E ATURES

Map 4.1 shows a cross-section of the scab interior, the

features of which are as follows:

Darkness. The scab contains no light sources unless

the text states otherwise. The demons infesting the

scab rely on darkvision to see.

Interior Surfaces. All tunnels and chambers were dug

out by demons using their claws or, in some cases,

their teeth.

Pools of Blood. Pools of blood fill the areas shown on

map 4.1. The pools are difficult terrain. Any humanoid

that enters or starts its turn in a pool must make a DC

13 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the crea-

ture gains the flaw, "I am cruel and uncaring toward

others," for the next 8 hours. This flaw overrides any

conflicting personality trait. A dispel evil and good

spell or similar magic removes the flaw.

Tunnel Dimensions. Unless noted otherwise, tunnels

are 10 feet wide. At various points, the ceilings are so

low that Medium characters must crawl to pass under-

neath them.

SCA B LOCATIONS

The following encounters are keyed to map 4.1 (page

137). Because the scab wraps around the Bleeding

Citadel, a creature can move off the left-hand side of the

map onto the right-hand side of the map, or vice versa.

Sl. OOZING ENTRANCE

This entrance to the scab is a tube-shaped tunnel with a

20-foot radius. As the characters approach the entrance,

read the following boxed text to the players:

l

A circular gaping wound near the top of the scab forms a l

tunnel that descends into darkness.

The tunnel tapers as it descends toward area S2.

S2. ANGELIC WINDOW

Demons digging in this tunnel exposed a 20-foot-tall,

5-foot-wide window:

The scab on one side of this narrow passage is stripped

away, partially revealing one of the citadel's stained glass

windows. The opaque blue and yellow panes depict the

contemplative face of a beautiful angel.

A detect magic spell reveals that the window radiates

an aura of abjuration magic. The window is unbreak-

able, and no one can enter the citadel from here. Any

creature of good alignment that touches the window

gains 20 temporary hit points. A creature affected by the

window's magic cannot be affected by the window again

for 24 hours.

r

r

r

THE SCAB

For characters of level 11

The adventurers try to enter the Bfeeding Citadel,

which gets its name from the weeping, scabrous

growth that engulfs most of it. Tunnels carved by

demons lead to the citadel's entrance.

ENTERING THE CITADEL

For characters oflevel 12

After making their way through the tunnels of the

scab, the adventurers enter the Bleeding Citadel

and first lay eyes on the Sword of Zarie!.

lDYLLGLEN

For characters of level 12

The adventurers are swept into one of Lulu's mem-

ories and travel to the past, where they are tested

in a conflict between Zariel and Yeenoghu.

The Sword Coast

For characters of/eve! 12

After their sojourn to Idyllglen, the adventurers

return to the Bleeding Citadel, where the Sword of

Zarie! waits for one who is worthy to claim it. Who-

ever claims the sword is changed forever.

011\GRl\M 4 .1: C><t>.PTER 4 FLOWCWl>.RT

S3. DROWNED HAG

When the characters enter this 30-foot-wide chamber,

read the following boxed text to the players:

A pool of blood fills the center of this chamber. Five goat-

headed demons reeking of rot crouch along the edges of

the pool, staring at a corpse Aoating in it.

Five bulezaus (see page 230 for their stat block)

drowned a night hag in the pool. The hag, Yiggleblight,

was working with Trantolox to find Crokek'toeck until

the nalfeshnee suspected the hag was secretly plotting

against it. Trantolox ordered the bulezaus to kill the

hag. They plan to eat her once the corpse bloats, but the

characters make excellent appetizers.

Treasure. If the characters search the hag's tattered

robes, they find a belt pouch containing a diamond

worth 5,000 gp and small flask of water from the River

Styx. The flask magically preserves the water (see

"River Styx," page 76, for effects).

S4. B LOODY DOWNPOUR

When the characters enter this 40-foot-wide chamber,

read the following boxed text to the players:

CHAPTER 4 I SWORD OF ZARIEL

135