56 Chapter 2: Gazetteer of tal’Dorei
grandchildren, and they deny any involvement with the
forgotten crypt. Despite this, treasure hunters and histo-
rians still seek out—and occasionally find—the infamous
Shadebarrow. If they ever return to civilization, it is
as a wailing spirit, cursed to eternally torment whoever
they thought of in their final moments, or as a shambling
corpse focused only on murdering their loved ones.shaDebarrow aDventures
forsaKen Monolith
For low-level characters: While traveling across the Divid-
ing Plains, the PCs accidentally find the Shadebarrow.
The ancient druidic henges stand regally atop the grassy
hill, and all seems peaceful—until the specters of dead
explorers rise from the ground. They wail one name inces-
santly, “Howthess... Howthess!”catacoMbs of the lost
For mid-level characters: The grandchildren of the eccentric
Baron Howthess are posing as commoners in an obscure
corner of the world like Stilben or the Shalesteps, far from
their eternal shame—the Shadebarrow. When the PCs
meet them, they seem like a simple family haunted by a
restless spirit, but they soon discover why their grandfa-
ther’s ghost cannot let his descendants live in peace.clUtch of the DeMon lorD
For epic-level characters: The Demon Prince of Undeath is
one of the foul princes of the Abyss and a mighty servant
of the Betrayer Gods. The cruelty shown at the Dawn
Circle so long ago drew his loathsome gaze, and for
centuries he has bided his time, waiting for a mortal to
disturb this nest of hate and undeath. Now the PCs are
drawn to this site by the hordes of undead spilling from
its deepest sanctum, but what use will mortal weapons be
against a prince of the Abyss?Silvercut Roadway
Named for the shimmer of endless fields of wind-swept,
sun-lit grasses that accompany the way, the Silvercut
Roadway connects the heart of Tal’Dorei—Emon—to its
distant extremities, affording traders and travelers some
measure of safety against the wilds. Parts of the Road-
way are older than the rule of the Sovereigns, established
to connect Emon to Westruun after the discovery of
immense silver veins near Westruun during the rule of
Drassig. It now runs from the Bladeshimmer Shoreline to
the Lucidian Coast, connecting most major hubs of civi-
lization across the country. Travel by caravan is common,
and escort by armed guard or mercenary is recommended,
as the essential use of the roadway has also made it a
prime target for outlaws, savages, and roaming beasts.silverCut CrossroaDs
Marked by the crossing point between the Silvercut Road-
way and the Wildwood Byway, the Silvercut Crossroadsis a strange and solemn stop along those paths. During
the rule of Drassig, many innocents and war heroes were
executed by hanging at a massive gallows that once stood
at the crossroads, with bodies hung from signs as a warn-
ing to dissenters. The gallows were destroyed with the rise
of Zan Tal’Dorei, while a large, unmarked grave site was
left behind, set now with a stone monument in memory
of those who were wrongfully killed. Most choose not to
camp too closely to the site for this reason, and rumors of
unrest from the dead are used to spook curious travelers.silverCut roaDway aDventures
the roaD Warriors
For low-level characters: While traveling across the Sil-
vercut, the PCs come across the smoking wreckage of a
massive wagon train, and investigation shows that it has
been ransacked after a fierce battle. A team of mercenaries
called the Road Warriors spring upon the PCs, blaming
them for the attack. The evidence suggests that orcs and
goblins—the Ravagers—were responsible, and the PCs
can easily clear their names. But is it really that simple?sh arD of the sh aDebarroW
For mid-level characters:: A wraith calling herself the spirit
of Archdruid Avandros has animated an army of ghouls
and ghasts from the graveyard. The undead have taken
over the Silvercut Crossroads, and must be dealt with
before a national trade crisis emerges. But what is the
spirit of an archdruid of the Dawn Circle doing in this
mass grave? Sneaking into the graveyard reveals a human
skull with sinister amethyst growths protruding from the
bone, and Avandros’s spirit is desperate to protect it.Throne of the Archeart
In the foothills of the Ironseat Ridge is a small rise known
as the Throne of the Archeart: a gathering place for the
many nomadic centaur tribes that ride across the Dividing
Plains. The centaurs were first born when the Archeart
showed mercy to a tribe of elven horseriders who gave
their lives serving their god during the Calamity. For cen-
turies, the centaurs have all returned to the Throne of the
Archeart each decade to gather in a Herdsmeet to discuss
the state of the tribes, and pay homage to their deity on
the very hill where the first centaurs were created. This
event causes great chaos in the eastern plains; the massive
migration of the centaur herds disrupts trade and stirs up
the Ravagers and more savage gnoll tribes.throne of the arCheart aDventures
fist of the rUiner
For mid-level characters: The orcs call this rise the Fist of
the Ruiner, for they too were created here in the image
of their god. Legend tells that orcs and centaurs were
both created at this rise in the aftermath of a battle
between the Archeart and the Ruiner. Orcs have laid