Descent into Avernus

(Nancy Kaufman) #1

QUEST FOR THE SWORD


Lulu's dreams lead the characters on a wild goose chase


to Haruman's Hill in search of the Sword of Zariel. Re-


alizing that the Bleeding Citadel isn't where she remem-


bers it, the hollyphant offers the characters a choice


of paths. Both paths eventually lead to the Bleeding


Citadel, but only through a combination of deal making,


daring, and dumb luck.


Diagram 3.2 (page 96) and diagram 3.3 (page


106) are flowcharts that show the two paths characters


can take through Avernus to reach the Bleeding Citadel:


the Path of Demons and the Path of Devils, respec-


tively. Neither is literally a "path," but rather a sequence


of locations that the characters must visit in order. If


the characters wander off these paths, use optional


encounters to pull them back (see "Other Locations,"


page 122, and ·'Roaming Encounter: Smiler the De-


filer," page 133 ).


Each encounter location tied to a path has a recom-


mended character level, as noted in diagram 3.2 or 3.3.


1f your group's average character level i s lower than the


recommended level of their destination, introduce some


random encounters or reroute them to another location


first to raise their level.


Allow characters the opportunity to explore locations


on the poster map of Avernus in any order they please,


or let them jump back and forth between the paths as


they see fit.


CHAPTER 3 I AVERNUS

HARUMAN'S HILL


BEHOLD! ZARI EL'S DOG CRUCIFIED THOSE WHO

betrayed his mistress in battle.


- The Cartographer


Haruman's Hill is marked on map 3.1 (page 79).


When the characters arrive at this location, read or


paraphrase the following boxed text to the players:


Wrought iron trees line a trail that leads to the summit of
a steep hill. Anguished knights are impaled on the trees'
metal branches, their bodies writhing in torment as
bloated stirges feast on their blood.

Haruman. a human paladin of Helm. was one of Zari-


el's most devoted Hellriders. He crucified deserters to


Zariel's cause on "Coward's Way," a line of tortured


souls leading to this desolate hill. Each soul is pinned


to a barbed, metal tree. Inscriptions above their heads


attest that most of them were mortal knights who aban-


doned Zariel during her assault into Avernus. Flocks of


stirges buzz between the branches, feasting hungrily


on the screaming. crucified victims. The stirges attack


the characters only if they try to free the captives (see


"Haruman's Arrival," below). Roll 2d4 to determine the


number of attacking stirges.

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