{ "data": [ { "type": "section", "name": "Introduction", "page": 4, "id": "000", "entries": [ { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/000-dragon-delves-cover.webp" }, "width": 1701, "height": 2242 }, { "type": "section", "name": "Dragons in Dungeons", "page": 4, "id": "001", "entries": [ "Nothing is more quintessentially Dungeons & Dragons than gathering a group of heroes to face a mighty dragon in a mysterious dungeon. These classic elements link players across time and space, from the first adventurers who forayed into the gloom more than 50 years ago to players beginning their first adventure now.", "{@i Dragon Delves} is a celebration of this shared tradition. Each of the ten adventures in this book features a dragon in a lair. Designed for characters of levels 1 through 12, the adventures offer a range of challenges, from defeating evil dragons to working with good dragons, as well as navigating more complicated moral dilemmas. The dungeons where the dragons make their lairs range from cavern complexes to ruined cities and more.", "Where there are dragons in dungeons, there's always adventure!" ] }, { "type": "section", "name": "Using This Book", "page": 4, "id": "002", "entries": [ "The adventures in an anthology such as {@i Dragon Delves} are versatile resources that can fill a variety of needs at your gaming table: as one-shot adventures, as \"filler episodes\" in an ongoing campaign, or as a series that forms a campaign, bringing characters from level 1 to a climactic conclusion at level 12.", "These adventures are designed to require minimal preparation (see {@area Running the Adventures|009|x} later in this introduction).", { "type": "entries", "name": "One-Shot Adventure", "page": 4, "id": "003", "entries": [ "Maybe you're normally a player in an ongoing campaign, but you want to try your hand at being the Dungeon Master. Maybe you're trying to pull a new group together, and you want to see how all the players get along before you start a whole campaign. Maybe your regular DM is sick or has a scheduling conflict, but everyone else is ready to play. Or maybe your group needs a break or a diversion from the ongoing campaign. In any of these cases, you can pick an adventure from this book and run it." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "In an Ongoing Campaign", "page": 4, "id": "004", "entries": [ "Maybe your players' characters know what they have to do to foil the evil boss's plans, but they're not quite high enough level to accomplish their goal. Or they've just hit a significant milestone in the campaign, and you want to give them a change of pace before they get immersed in the next act of the unfolding drama. Or they're traveling halfway around the world, and you're looking for something to keep the journey interesting\u2014a little adventure along the way. Or you're not prepared for the next adventure, and you need a diversion! In any of these cases, you can pick an adventure from this book to serve as a \"filler\" episode or side quest in the ongoing campaign.", { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/001-00-001.intro-splash.webp" }, "width": 850, "height": 2286 }, "When the characters are the appropriate level for the adventure you wish to run, simply narrate how the characters end up in the adventure's locale. Each adventure's beginning includes a simple setting description, such as \"a village with a nearby forest.\" Beyond these basic details, feel free to alter the adventure's location to match your campaign.", "But if you do have time to prepare, you can incorporate the adventure you're running into the themes and threats of your campaign. You can alter the names of people and places in the adventure to fit better into your world, link the adventure villains to organizations and events that are important in your campaign, and plant clues to the themes of your campaign in the dragon's treasure hoard." ] } ] }, { "type": "section", "name": "Creating a Campaign", "page": 4, "id": "005", "entries": [ "These adventures can be strung together as a complete dragon-themed campaign. Simply guide your players through the adventures in the order presented in this book and award story-based level advancement at each adventure's end, so their characters are the appropriate level for the next challenge they'll face. (No level advancement is necessary before the final adventure.) You can also use one of the following narrative frameworks to connect the adventures to one another.", { "type": "entries", "name": "Option 1: Mysterious Patron", "page": 4, "id": "006", "entries": [ "Have a friendly patron whose true identity is somewhat mysterious befriend the adventurers early in their careers and send them on each adventure in sequence. The patron might be a charismatic young monk, a kindly teacher, a diminutive scamp, or a scatter-brained elder, and might or might not be accompanied by seven golden canaries or dazzling yellow butterflies, which are actually ancient gold dragons in disguise\u2014the companions of the dragon god Bahamut, which is the patron's true identity.", "Perhaps foreseeing that they are destined to become mighty heroes, Bahamut takes the adventurers under his metaphorical wing and sends them on adventures to deal with draconic concerns, great and small, across the world. The patron might feign surprise when an adventure that doesn't at first seem to involve a dragon (such as \"{@adventure The Will of Orcus|DrDe-TWoO|1},\" chapter 3) turns out to revolve around one, but of course that's exactly the reason Bahamut sent the characters to investigate.", "You can use each adventure as written, with the characters' patron steering them in the general direction of the adventure hook without spoiling any surprises in the adventure ahead. Alternatively, the patron could let the characters in on the secret early on, telling them that dragons will be a particular focus of their adventures and altering some of the adventure hooks along the way." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Option 2: Brazen Egg", "page": 5, "id": "007", "entries": [ "Begin the campaign with the introductory encounter of chapter 10, \"{@adventure Dragons of the Sandstone City|DrDe-DotSC|1},\" ending with Eldemere entrusting the Brazen Egg to the characters. Eldemere's instructions are different, though: she explains that the egg must be \"steeped\" in the hoards of ten dragons, one of each chromatic and metallic kind, to activate its power. She also suggests that the egg will lead the characters toward suitable hoards. In fact, any character who sleeps within 15 feet of the egg has vivid dreams leading them toward the start of the next adventure.", "To draw power from a dragon's hoard, the egg must spend 8 hours in the midst of the treasure, covered with coins and surrounded by other items. However, as soon as the empowered egg is brought within Anthradusk's hoard chamber ({@adventure area H16|DrDe-DotSC|1|H16: Hoard} in chapter 10), it reaches its full potential and begins to crack open, as described in that adventure." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Option 3: Hoard Magic Items", "page": 5, "id": "008", "entries": [ "If you have {@book Fizban's Treasury of Dragons|FTD|4}, the hoard of magic items described in that book can provide an incentive for characters to seek out dragons of increasing power and different kinds. Add the following items to the rewards acquired in the first three adventures: a {@item Scaled Ornament|FTD} in \"{@adventure Death at Sunset|DrDe-DaS|1},\" a {@item Dragon Vessel|FTD} in \"{@adventure Baker's Doesn't|DrDe-BD|1},\" and a {@item Dragon's Wrath Weapon|FTD} and a {@item Dragon-Touched Focus|FTD} in \"{@adventure The Will of Orcus|DrDe-TWoO|1}.\" All four items are Slumbering when the characters first acquire them, but in later adventures, the items can be awakened by steeping them in dragons' hoards." ] } ] }, { "type": "section", "name": "Running the Adventures", "page": 6, "id": "009", "entries": [ "To run each of these adventures, you need the fifth edition core rulebooks: the {@book Player's Handbook|XPHB}, {@book Dungeon Master's Guide|XDMG}, and {@book Monster Manual|XMM}. Spells and equipment mentioned in the adventures are described in the {@book Player's Handbook|XPHB}. Magic items are detailed in the {@book Dungeon Master's Guide|XDMG}, and monsters appear in the {@book Monster Manual|XMM}.", "The table of contents summarizes the adventures in this anthology. Each adventure is designed for four to six characters of a particular level, but you can adjust for larger or smaller groups by changing the number of foes in an encounter and giving a small group additional resources, as explained in the {@book Dungeon Master's Guide|XDMG}. Each of the adventures can take place in any world you choose, as long as the location has the basic elements listed at the beginning of each adventure.", { "type": "entries", "name": "Preparation", "page": 6, "id": "00a", "entries": [ "Every adventure in this book begins with a page that helps you prepare and run the adventure. It includes the following elements:", { "type": "list", "style": "list-hang-notitle", "items": [ { "type": "item", "name": "Key Plot Points", "entry": "A summary of the key elements in the adventure's story" }, { "type": "item", "name": "Preparation", "entry": "Steps to get yourself ready to run the adventure, including a list of all the stat blocks from the {@book Monster Manual|XMM} you might need" }, { "type": "item", "name": "Key NPCs", "entry": "A table summarizing key nonplayer characters in the adventure\u2014their names, roles, stat blocks, and locations\u2014to help you keep track of them during play" } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Player Assistance", "page": 6, "id": "00b", "entries": [ "As described in the {@book Dungeon Master's Guide|XDMG}, you can streamline your role as Dungeon Master by delegating certain tasks to the other players, especially if this is your first time behind the DM's screen. Before play begins, work with the other players to divide any or all of the following tasks among them:", { "type": "list", "style": "list-hang-notitle", "items": [ { "type": "item", "name": "Initiative Tracker", "entry": "In combat, one player tracks Initiative for the characters and monsters." }, { "type": "item", "name": "Monster Wranglers", "entry": "Whenever the characters enter combat with Hostile monsters, one or two players run these monsters using the stat blocks in the {@book Monster Manual|XMM}. (Two players can share this role.)" }, { "type": "item", "name": "Rules Consultant", "entry": "One player references rules in the {@book Player's Handbook|XPHB} or other books as needed." } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Adventures for One Character", "page": 6, "id": "00c", "entries": [ "While the {@book Dungeon Master's Guide|XDMG} explains how to adjust adventures for different party sizes, three of the adventures (indicated in the table of contents) are particularly well-suited for play with a single adventurer. Each of these adventures includes instructions for ensuring the character faces an appropriate challenge.", "Central to those instructions is the {@reward Blessing of the Lone Champion|DrDe}, a supernatural gift that bolsters the solo character's abilities.", { "type": "statblock", "name": "Blessing of the Lone Champion", "page": 6, "source": "DrDe", "tag": "reward" }, "The blessing lasts for the duration of the adventure." ] }, { "type": "inset", "name": "A Draconic History", "page": 6, "id": "00e", "entries": [ "In addition to ten adventures, this book includes special sections that feature art of each dragon variety, drawing from almost the whole 50-year history of Dungeons & Dragons, from the 1977 Monster Manual to the one published in 2025. The appearance of all ten dragon types has evolved significantly over the past fifty years, but close examination of these images reveals points of continuity as well, from the blue dragon's nose horn to the silver dragon's crest.", "Artist Todd Lockwood spearheaded a thorough revision of all ten dragon types for the release of D&D's third edition in 2000, basing his designs on the anatomy of real-world animals and certain points of continuity with earlier designs. With a few variations, those designs set the standard for D&D's dragons for over 20 years.", "In preparation for the release of the {@book Monster Manual|XMM} (2025), art director Josh Herman led a comprehensive refresh of all the dragon looks as D&D began its second half-century. With the goal of ensuring each dragon's distinct identity\u2014its personality, preferred habitat, and combat style\u2014shines through in its look, this redesign showcases visually what's unique about each type of dragon.", "In the same way, this book highlights how an adventure featuring one kind of dragon can feel distinct from all the others." ] } ] }, { "type": "section", "name": "Adventures", "entries": [ { "type": "list", "columns": 2, "items": [ "{@adventure Death at Sunset (Level 1)|DrDe-DaS|1}", "{@adventure Baker's Doesn't (Level 3)|DrDe-BD|1}", "{@adventure The Will of Orcus (Level 4)|DrDe-TWoO|1}", "{@adventure For Whom the Void Calls (Level 5)|DrDe-FWtVC|1}", "{@adventure The Dragon of Najkir (Level 7)|DrDe-TDoN|1}", "{@adventure The Forbidden Vale (Level 9)|DrDe-TFV|1}", "{@adventure Before the Storm (Level 10)|DrDe-BtS|1}", "{@adventure Shivering Death (Level 11)|DrDe-SD|1}", "{@adventure A Copper for a Song (Level 12)|DrDe-ACfaS|1}", "{@adventure Dragons of the Sandstone City (Level 12)|DrDe-DotSC|1}" ] } ], "id": "00d" } ] }, { "type": "section", "name": "The Will of Orcus", "page": 49, "id": "0ca", "entries": [ { "type": "list", "style": "list-hang-notitle", "items": [ "{@i {@b An adventure for Level 4 characters.}}", "{@i This adventure is designed to fill one or two sessions of play.}", "{@i It can take place anywhere there are mountains and settlements.}" ] }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/045-03-001.chapter-three-splash.webp" }, "credit": "Jodie Muir", "width": 1700, "height": 2200 }, { "type": "section", "name": "Key Plot Points", "page": 49, "id": "0cb", "entries": [ "The following information is key to the adventure's story:", { "type": "list", "style": "list-hang-notitle", "items": [ { "type": "item", "name": "Disturbing Activity", "entry": "An aasimar innkeeper named Oriann Solaris asks the characters to investigate evil cultists who have taken up residence in a nearby temple to Orcus. The cultists have been stealing goods, which Oriann asks the characters to find and return." }, { "type": "item", "name": "Temple Invasion", "entry": "To foil the cultists, the characters must foray into the temple. In so doing, they learn that a silver dragon has been trying to sow division in the cult and keep it from doing too much evil in the world\u2014until heroes arrive who can help the dragon slay the cult's leader." }, { "type": "item", "name": "Meeting the Dragon", "entry": "If the characters don't prove themselves in battle against the cult, the silver dragon tests them with commands. The characters must either fulfill three commands or realize the dragon's deception. The dragon tells his story if the characters win his trust." } ] } ] }, { "type": "section", "name": "Preparation", "page": 49, "id": "0cc", "entries": [ "Before running the adventure, prepare as follows:", { "type": "list", "style": "list-hang-notitle", "items": [ { "type": "item", "name": "Step 1", "entry": "Read the \"{@area Adventure Background|0cd|x}\" section." }, { "type": "item", "name": "Step 2", "entry": "Familiarize yourself with the {@adventure Key NPCs|DrDe-TWoO|1|Key NPCs} table below. The characters will interact with these individuals throughout the adventure." }, { "type": "item", "name": "Step 3", "entry": "Make a copy of the {@area Temple Map|0d0|x} handout. (You will share this with the other players shortly after the adventure starts.)" }, { "type": "item", "name": "Step 4", "entry": "Bookmark the following stat blocks in the {@book Monster Manual|XMM} or on D&D Beyond:" } ] }, { "type": "list", "columns": 2, "items": [ "{@creature Black Pudding|XMM}", "{@creature Commoner|XMM}", "{@creature Swarm of Crawling Claws|XMM|Crawling Claws, Swarm of}", "{@creature Cultist Fanatic|XMM}", "{@creature Flameskull|XMM}", "{@creature Ghast Gravecaller|XMM}", "{@creature Ghost|XMM}", "{@creature Ghoul|XMM}", "{@creature Mummy|XMM}", "{@creature Silver Dragon Wyrmling|XMM}", "{@creature Skeleton|XMM}", "{@creature Flaming Skeleton|XMM|Skeleton, Flaming}", "{@creature Specter|XMM}", "{@creature Wraith|XMM}", "{@creature Zombie|XMM}", "{@creature Ogre Zombie|XMM|Zombie, Ogre}" ] }, { "type": "table", "caption": "Key NPCs", "page": 49, "colLabels": [ "Name", "Role", "Stat Block", "Location" ], "colStyles": [ "col-3-5", "col-3-5", "col-2-5", "col-2-5" ], "rows": [ [ "Akira Norixius", "Fanatically devout dragonborn cultist", "{@creature Cultist Fanatic|XMM} (Medium, Chaotic Evil)", "{@area T1|0e2|x}" ], [ "Eleith Brittlebones", "Deluded dwarf cultist", "{@creature Cultist Fanatic|XMM} (Medium, Chaotic Evil)", "{@area T6|0fa|x}" ], [ "Melindra Vox", "Cult librarian", "{@creature Ghost|XMM} (Chaotic Evil)", "{@area T6|0fa|x}" ], [ "Oriann Solaris", "Aasimar innkeeper and quest giver", "{@creature Commoner|XMM} (Medium, Lawful Good)", "\"{@area Beginning the Adventure|0ce|x}\"" ], [ "Nezzarum", "Dragon tricking Orcus cultists", "{@creature Silver Dragon Wyrmling|XMM}", "{@area T13|11b|x}" ], [ "Xia", "Cult leader", "{@creature Ghast Gravecaller|XMM}", "{@area T12|117|x}" ], [ "Yondis Morgrin", "Questioning human cultist", "{@creature Cultist Fanatic|XMM} (Medium, Chaotic Neutral)", "{@area T7|101|x}" ] ] } ] }, { "type": "section", "name": "Adventure Background", "page": 50, "id": "0cd", "entries": [ "An evil cult has reclaimed an abandoned temple hidden in the mountains. Although time and neglect have taken their toll on the place, the cultists were pleased to find an undamaged statue of Orcus, the Demon Prince of Undeath, in the temple's heart.", "The cult's ghastly leader, Xia, was doubly pleased that she could hear the voice of the demon lord issuing from the statue. Orcus promised to reveal secret knowledge that will make {@area Xia's Cult|0d5|x} a powerful force.", "Unbeknownst to Xia and her fellow cultists, the voice issuing from the statue is not that of Orcus but that of a silver dragon named Nezzarum. Nezzarum was exploring the temple as a possible lair when Xia and her cultists showed up. Using a secret door in the base of the statue, Nezzarum crawled inside the statue. The dragon is using trickery to prevent the cult from doing anything too terrible and to draw possible allies to the temple to help him defeat the cult leader.", "Even as he sends the cult leader on relatively harmless missions to steal goods, he whispers to the non-Undead members of the cult to undermine their loyalty to Xia. The gullible cultists are in disarray, and the characters' arrival sets the stage for the final phase of Nezzarum's plan." ] }, { "type": "section", "name": "Beginning the Adventure", "page": 50, "id": "0ce", "entries": [ "To begin the adventure, read the following aloud:", { "type": "insetReadaloud", "page": 50, "id": "0cf", "entries": [ "The Deathsbane Tavern in the remote mountain village of Greysmere is a local marvel. It was established by a couple who retired from adventuring after their heroic effort to defeat a cult of Orcus that had established a temple in the nearby mountains. The tavern is now run by their heir and decorated with trophies of their adventures.Your visit to this local attraction takes a somber turn when the aasimar innkeeper, Oriann Solaris, asks you for help. Oriann is a silver-haired, golden-eyed aasimar with a serious countenance.\"Evil has returned to the temple,\" they tell you. \"Shambling corpses rove the area at night and dig up old graves, accompanied by ominous figures wearing crimson robes and goat masks. They're stealing food, tools, and paint for some sinister purpose, and I'm sure it's just a matter of time until they unleash a new reign of terror, as the cult did in my parents' day. I didn't follow in my parents' illustrious footsteps, but you have the power to stop this evil.\"" ] }, "Oriann Solaris is a Friendly innkeeper (Medium, Lawful Good {@creature Commoner|XMM}) who gives the characters free lodging for the night and urges them to visit the temple at daybreak.", { "type": "entries", "name": "Temple Map", "page": 50, "id": "0d0", "entries": [ { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/046-03-002.temple-handout.webp" }, "credit": "Paolo Vacala", "width": 1700, "height": 2301 }, "When the characters are ready to travel to the temple, give the players copies of the Temple Map hand-out and read the following aloud:", { "type": "insetReadaloud", "page": 50, "id": "0d1", "entries": [ "Oriann's parents drew a rough map of the temple, which the innkeeper now entrusts to your care. Oriann attests to the map's accuracy but admits it might be incomplete. They have also added a list of the stolen items to the map." ] }, "In exchange for the characters ridding the temple of evil and returning as many of the stolen items as possible, Oriann will take up a collection from the townsfolk to pay the adventurers 200 GP each." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Travel to the Temple", "page": 50, "id": "0d2", "entries": [ "Summarize the trip to the temple with this description:", { "type": "insetReadaloud", "page": 50, "id": "0d3", "entries": [ "The journey to the temple is short and uneventful. A crust of snow covers the ground, and the biting wind is the only foe you encounter.Clouds obscure the peak of the windswept mountain before you. Carved into its base, the old temple's entrance yawns ten feet wide by twenty feet high. A few feet inside, a rough-hewn staircase descends into the cold bedrock. Eerie green light emanates from goat skulls embedded in the walls at regular intervals." ] }, "No guards are posted at the entrance. The staircase descends 50 feet to the entry (area {@area T1|0e2|x}), where guardians await." ] } ] }, { "type": "section", "name": "The Temple of Orcus", "page": 50, "id": "0d4", "entries": [ "The temple was carved over a century ago by devout followers of Orcus. Twenty years ago, adventurers stormed the temple, slew the cult leaders, and scared away the remaining cultists.", "The place stood abandoned until a few weeks ago, when Nezzarum the silver dragon discovered it and started exploring it as a potential lair. By sheer coincidence, Xia and her followers arrived days later to reclaim the temple in Orcus's name.", { "type": "entries", "name": "Xia's Cult", "page": 51, "id": "0d5", "entries": [ "Xia, the cult's leader, is a {@creature ghast|XMM}\u2014an Undead servant of Orcus. A few ghouls serve as her personal assistants, and zombies under Xia's control perform menial labor for the cult. The rest of the cult consists of three people who range from fanatical to deluded in serving the Demon Prince of Undeath.", { "type": "entries", "name": "Talking to Cultists", "page": 51, "id": "0d6", "entries": [ "Three non-Undead cultists inhabit the temple, serving as intermediaries between Xia and the zombies she has animated. The descriptions of the rooms where the cultists are found include details on whether the characters can talk to them to acquire information about the cult. If willing to talk, cultists share the information below." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Speaking Statue", "page": 51, "id": "0d7", "entries": [ "Xia thinks Orcus speaks to her through the statue in the main temple (area {@area T13|11b|x}). Xia obeys the statue's orders without question, though she finds them perplexing. While the statue gives Xia orders, it sows doubts in the minds of her mortal followers." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Temple Secrets", "page": 51, "id": "0d8", "entries": [ "Xia believes the temple holds many secrets. When not performing chores for the statue of Orcus, her followers busily search for hidden secrets." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Xia's Goals", "page": 51, "id": "0d9", "entries": [ "While the refurbishment is underway, Xia steals corpses from nearby graveyards to fill her larder and bolster the ranks of her laborers. When work on the temple is complete, she plans to sacrifice all the people and animals within ten miles of the temple to consecrate the temple and unlock its latent power." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Orcus's Orders", "page": 51, "id": "0da", "entries": [ "The cultists are perplexed by the orders issuing from the demon lord's statue, which include the following:", { "type": "list", "items": [ "Topple and destroy all the ghoul statues in the temple, and destroy all symbols and representations of the demon lord. (This work has begun in area {@area T1|0e2|x}.)", "Paint silver and white clouds on the walls. (This work is happening in area {@area T12|117|x}.)", "Leave a dragonchess set in the main temple (area {@area T13|11b|x}). (The set disappeared shortly after being placed before the statue of Orcus.)" ] }, "By directing the cultists to steal supplies from the nearby town for their renovation work, Nezzarum hopes to attract attention to the cult." ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Temple Features", "page": 51, "id": "0db", "entries": [ "Unless otherwise specified, the temple has the following features.", { "type": "entries", "name": "Ceilings", "page": 51, "id": "0dc", "entries": [ "The temple's passages and rooms are 20 feet high everywhere except area {@area T13|11b|x}, where the ceiling is 30 feet high." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Dim Light", "page": 51, "id": "0dd", "entries": [ "Eerie green light emanates from goat skulls embedded in the temple's walls. These skulls cast {@variantrule Dim Light|XPHB} throughout the temple." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Doors and Secret Doors", "page": 51, "id": "0de", "entries": [ "Temple doors are unlocked and made of iron with carved bone handles. Secret doors are made of stone and blend into the surrounding walls ({@dc 15} to notice). Secret doors are unlocked and swing open on hidden iron hinges." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Rubble", "page": 51, "id": "0df", "entries": [ "Rubble marked on {@adventure Map: Temple of Orcus|DrDe-TWoO|1|Map: Temple of Orcus} is {@variantrule Difficult Terrain|XPHB}." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Skeletal Remains", "page": 51, "id": "0e0", "entries": [ "The skeletal remains of the original cultists are marked on Map: Temple of Orcus. Searching a cultist's remains requires a {@action Search|XPHB} action and yields a tattered crimson Robe, a rusty {@item Shortsword|XPHB}, an old {@item Shortbow|XPHB}, a {@item Quiver|XPHB} with {@dice 1d10} {@item Arrows (20)|XPHB|Arrows}, and {@dice 1d10} GP." ] } ] } ] }, { "type": "section", "name": "Temple Locations", "page": 51, "id": "0e1", "entries": [ "The following locations are keyed to Map: Temple of Orcus.", { "type": "gallery", "images": [ { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/047-map-03.02-temple-of-orcus-dm.webp" }, "imageType": "map", "title": "Map 3.2: Temple of Orcus", "credit": "Mike Schley", "width": 3165, "height": 4096, "id": "40e", "grid": { "type": "square", "size": 173, "offsetX": 50, "offsetY": 22, "scale": 2 }, "mapRegions": [ { "area": "0ed", "points": [ [ 1673, 2954 ], [ 1673, 3029 ], [ 2261, 3029 ], [ 2261, 2954 ] ] }, { "area": "0f0", "points": [ [ 1160, 2965 ], [ 1160, 3380 ], [ 1658, 3380 ], [ 1658, 2965 ] ] }, { "area": "123", "points": [ [ 720, 3337 ], [ 887, 3463 ], [ 1054, 3334 ], [ 1008, 3210 ], [ 1140, 3210 ], [ 1140, 3126 ], [ 787, 3126 ] ] }, { "area": "123", "points": [ [ 1762, 3336 ], [ 1926, 3466 ], [ 2090, 3336 ], [ 2028, 3123 ], [ 1676, 3123 ], [ 1676, 3206 ], [ 1808, 3206 ] ] }, { "area": "0fa", "points": [ [ 285, 2430 ], [ 545, 2430 ], [ 545, 2349 ], [ 725, 2349 ], [ 725, 2099 ], [ 889, 2099 ], [ 889, 2345 ], [ 1051, 2345 ], [ 1051, 2688 ], [ 889, 2688 ], [ 889, 2948 ], [ 714, 2948 ], [ 714, 2691 ], [ 542, 2691 ], [ 542, 2608 ], [ 285, 2608 ] ] }, { "area": "0f5", "points": [ [ 1077, 2361 ], [ 1748, 2361 ], [ 1748, 2775 ], [ 1498, 2775 ], [ 1498, 2938 ], [ 1316, 2938 ], [ 1316, 2775 ], [ 1077, 2775 ] ] }, { "area": "117", "points": [ [ 1247, 1672 ], [ 1247, 2335 ], [ 1567, 2335 ], [ 1567, 1672 ] ] }, { "area": "107", "points": [ [ 369, 1562 ], [ 369, 1726 ], [ 533, 1726 ], [ 533, 1562 ] ] }, { "area": "107", "points": [ [ 555, 1566 ], [ 555, 1729 ], [ 705, 1729 ], [ 705, 1566 ] ] }, { "area": "107", "points": [ [ 723, 1566 ], [ 723, 1729 ], [ 881, 1729 ], [ 881, 1566 ] ] }, { "area": "107", "points": [ [ 296, 1750 ], [ 296, 1905 ], [ 446, 1905 ], [ 446, 1750 ] ] }, { "area": "107", "points": [ [ 372, 1920 ], [ 372, 2076 ], [ 533, 2076 ], [ 533, 1920 ] ] }, { "area": "107", "points": [ [ 555, 2080 ], [ 555, 1925 ], [ 705, 1925 ], [ 705, 2080 ] ] }, { "area": "101", "points": [ [ 464, 1750 ], [ 965, 1750 ], [ 965, 2080 ], [ 726, 2080 ], [ 726, 1902 ], [ 464, 1902 ] ] }, { "area": "108", "points": [ [ 987, 1755 ], [ 1223, 1755 ], [ 1223, 2348 ], [ 1076, 2348 ], [ 1076, 1916 ], [ 987, 1916 ] ] }, { "area": "10b", "points": [ [ 1826, 1758 ], [ 1593, 1758 ], [ 1593, 2348 ], [ 1745, 2348 ], [ 1745, 1911 ], [ 1826, 1911 ] ] }, { "area": "111", "points": [ [ 1849, 1758 ], [ 1941, 1758 ], [ 1941, 1569 ], [ 2438, 1569 ], [ 2438, 2078 ], [ 1929, 2078 ], [ 1929, 1909 ], [ 1849, 1909 ] ] }, { "area": "0e9", "points": [ [ 1924, 2096 ], [ 2099, 2096 ], [ 2099, 2437 ], [ 2263, 2437 ], [ 2263, 2604 ], [ 1768, 2604 ], [ 1768, 2432 ], [ 1924, 2432 ] ] }, { "area": "11b", "points": [ [ 1223, 1730 ], [ 901, 1730 ], [ 901, 1309 ], [ 1076, 1309 ], [ 1076, 1055 ], [ 1153, 1055 ], [ 1149, 1009 ], [ 1151, 964 ], [ 1171, 920 ], [ 1198, 880 ], [ 1244, 837 ], [ 1301, 806 ], [ 1376, 790 ], [ 1431, 791 ], [ 1483, 800 ], [ 1532, 819 ], [ 1580, 849 ], [ 1621, 877 ], [ 1650, 926 ], [ 1665, 975 ], [ 1665, 1048 ], [ 1749, 1048 ], [ 1749, 1312 ], [ 1915, 1312 ], [ 1915, 1730 ], [ 1592, 1730 ], [ 1592, 1643 ], [ 1223, 1643 ] ] }, { "area": "123", "points": [ [ 1051, 1133 ], [ 717, 1133 ], [ 633, 941 ], [ 797, 791 ], [ 977, 941 ], [ 928, 1048 ], [ 1051, 1048 ] ] }, { "area": "123", "points": [ [ 876, 1314 ], [ 579, 1314 ], [ 625, 1192 ], [ 458, 1056 ], [ 285, 1186 ], [ 360, 1392 ], [ 876, 1392 ] ] }, { "area": "123", "points": [ [ 1940, 1310 ], [ 2237, 1310 ], [ 2191, 1192 ], [ 2356, 1055 ], [ 2531, 1189 ], [ 2451, 1392 ], [ 1940, 1392 ] ] }, { "area": "123", "points": [ [ 1767, 1052 ], [ 1894, 1052 ], [ 1842, 935 ], [ 2013, 788 ], [ 2183, 941 ], [ 2101, 1131 ], [ 1767, 1131 ] ] }, { "area": "0e2", "points": [ [ 2272, 2349 ], [ 2619, 2349 ], [ 2619, 2602 ], [ 2861, 2602 ], [ 2861, 2780 ], [ 2619, 2780 ], [ 2619, 3037 ], [ 2272, 3037 ] ] } ], "hrefThumbnail": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/thumbnail/047-map-03.02-temple-of-orcus-dm.webp" } }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/048-map-03.02-temple-of-orcus-player.webp" }, "imageType": "mapPlayer", "title": "Player Version", "width": 3165, "height": 4096, "credit": "Mike Schley", "mapParent": { "id": "40e" }, "grid": { "type": "square", "size": 173, "offsetX": 50, "offsetY": 22, "scale": 2 } } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "T1: Temple Entry", "page": 51, "id": "0e2", "entries": [ "As the characters descend the staircase leading to this room, read or paraphrase the following:", { "type": "insetReadaloud", "page": 51, "id": "0e3", "entries": [ "The stairs end at a wide chamber. Two gaunt creatures with sharp claws and long tongues crouch near the bottom of the stairs, licking their lips unsettlingly as you approach.In the northeast corner of the room, three disheveled figures wearing crimson robes tug on a pair of ropes fastened around a statue of a ghoul. Groaning in inhuman voices, they try to topple it as a robed dragonborn yells instructions at them.The floor is covered with broken tiles, and more shards fill two wheelbarrows in the middle of the room. Two brooms lean against the far wall near a passageway that heads west." ] }, "Two {@creature Ghoul|XMM|Ghouls} keep watch on the stairs while Akira Norixius (Medium, Chaotic Evil {@creature Cultist Fanatic|XMM})\u2014a fanatical dragonborn devotee of Orcus\u2014supervises the inept labor of three {@creature Zombie|XMM|Zombies}. Xia ordered the group to topple the statues in this room and sweep up the rubble for removal. Akira and the ghouls are Hostile and fight anyone not wearing the crimson robes of {@area Xia's Cult|0d5|x}. The zombies attack at Akira's command.", { "type": "entries", "page": 54, "id": "0e4", "entries": [ { "type": "entries", "name": "Cultist", "page": 54, "id": "0e5", "entries": [ "Akira Norixius believes unquestioningly in the cause of Orcus' cult; she looks forward to her own death because she expects to be transformed into an Undead when it occurs. She therefore fights to the death and is entirely unwilling to share information with the characters." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Broken Tiles", "page": 54, "id": "0e6", "entries": [ "Until recently, the floor had a painted tile mosaic set into it. The mosaic depicted Orcus slaying a legion of human knights and reanimating their corpses. Xia ordered her servants to destroy the mosaic, sweep up the tiles, and place them in the wheelbarrows. Any character who takes the {@action Study|XPHB} action to inspect the broken tiles and succeeds on a {@dc 13} Intelligence ({@skill Investigation|XPHB}) check determines the mosaic once depicted Orcus, the Demon Prince of Undeath." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Secret Door", "page": 54, "id": "0e7", "entries": [ "Set into the wall behind the southwest pile of rubble is a secret door (see \"{@area Temple Features|0db|x}\"). Behind it lies a sloped passageway (area {@area T3|0ed|x})." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Stolen Goods to Recover", "page": 54, "id": "0e8", "entries": [ "The brooms, {@item Rope|XPHB|Ropes}, and wheelbarrows are all stolen goods (see \"Stolen Goods\")." ] } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "T2: T-Shaped Passage", "page": 54, "id": "0e9", "entries": [ { "type": "insetReadaloud", "page": 54, "id": "0ea", "entries": [ "This branching passage ends in iron double doors to the west and to the north. On the floor near the intersection lie three sets of skeletal remains in dust-shrouded crimson robes." ] }, { "type": "entries", "id": "0eb", "entries": [ { "type": "entries", "name": "Skeletal Remains", "id": "0ec", "entries": [ "See \"{@area Temple Features|0db|x}\" for more on the skeletal remains here." ] } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "T3: Sloped Passageway", "page": 54, "id": "0ed", "entries": [ "This dusty, 5-foot-wide tunnel slopes steeply down toward the west; the west end of the tunnel is 10 feet lower than the east end.", { "type": "entries", "id": "0ee", "entries": [ { "type": "entries", "name": "Doors", "page": 54, "id": "0ef", "entries": [ "From within the tunnel, the doors to areas {@area T1|0e2|x} and {@area T4|0f0|x} are plainly visible." ] } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "T4: Hall of Swiveling Statues", "page": 54, "id": "0f0", "entries": [ { "type": "insetReadaloud", "page": 54, "id": "0f1", "entries": [ "Lining the west and east walls of this room, six statues depict ghoulish humanoids, their claws outstretched, their mouths agape, and their stony tongues extended. Lying on the floor are the skeletal remains of five humans in dusty crimson robes.Carved into the south wall is the skull of a giant goat, which measures ten feet across." ] }, "The giant goat skull carved on the wall is a symbol of Orcus.", { "type": "entries", "id": "0f2", "entries": [ { "type": "entries", "name": "Skeletal Remains", "page": 54, "id": "0f3", "entries": [ "This room holds five piles of skeletal remains (see \"{@area Temple Features|0db|x}\"). The first time someone opens one of the secret doors to the vaults (area {@area T14|123|x}) in this room, one set of remains animates, ignites in unholy fire, and becomes a {@creature Flaming Skeleton|XMM}, while the other four piles animate and each form a {@creature Skeleton|XMM}. The skeletons are Hostile toward all creatures except Undead." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Secret Doors and Statues", "page": 54, "id": "0f4", "entries": [ "This room contains three secret doors (see \"{@area Temple Features|0db|x}\"), each one located behind a ghoul statue. The area between a statue and a secret door is wide enough for only a Tiny creature to fit comfortably. For a Small or Medium creature, those areas are {@variantrule Difficult Terrain|XPHB}.", "Whenever a non-Undead creature tries to pass through a secret door, the statue in front of that door swivels on its base and swipes a claw at the creature. The creature must succeed on a {@dc 12} Dexterity saving throw or take 7 ({@dice 2d6}) Slashing damage. As a {@action Utilize|XPHB} action, a character can disable a swiveling statue by jamming a {@item Dagger|XPHB}, an Iron Spike, or a similar object into the slight gap between the statue's base and the floor." ] } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "T5: Sinister Stairs", "page": 54, "id": "0f5", "entries": [ { "type": "insetReadaloud", "page": 54, "id": "0f6", "entries": [ "Four stone pillars buttress the vaulted ceiling of this otherwise empty hall. Two wide tunnels lead north. Iron double doors stand closed on the north, west, and east walls. Inscribed in the northern double door is the vile visage of Orcus, the horned demon lord. He fixes his evil gaze on a staircase of polished black marble at the south end of the room, which descends ten feet to another double door. Stone railings flank the staircase." ] }, { "type": "entries", "id": "0f7", "entries": [ { "type": "entries", "name": "Hidden Lever", "page": 54, "id": "0f8", "entries": [ "A character who takes the {@action Search|XPHB} action to examine the southwest pillar automatically finds a loose panel, behind which is an iron lever (marked with an L on {@adventure Map: Temple of Orcus|DrDe-TWoO|1|Map: Temple of Orcus}). As a {@action Utilize|XPHB} action, a creature can pull this lever to reset the trap described below." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Trap", "page": 55, "id": "0f9", "entries": [ "The stairs collapse to form a slide whenever a creature that isn't an Undead steps on them. At the same time, the stone lid concealing a hidden pit at the bottom of the stairs snaps open.", "The first time a non-Undead creature steps on the stairs, the creature must succeed on a {@dc 16} Dexterity saving throw or fall down the slide into the pit, which is 20 feet deep and lined with rusty spikes. The creature takes 7 ({@dice 2d6}) Bludgeoning damage from the fall plus 9 ({@dice 2d8}) Piercing damage from the spikes.", "Pulling the hidden lever closes the pit's lid and resets the stairs. The lid opens only when the trap is triggered and otherwise is safe to move on. As a {@action Utilize|XPHB} action, a character can try to force the lid open (from inside or outside the pit), doing so with a successful {@dc 20} Strength ({@skill Athletics|XPHB}) check." ] } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "T6: Occult Library", "page": 55, "id": "0fa", "entries": [ "Characters who listen at either entrance to this room notice heavy footfalls within and the sound of furniture being smashed.", { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/049-03-003.zombified-ogres.webp" }, "width": 1700, "height": 1307 }, { "type": "insetReadaloud", "page": 55, "id": "0fb", "entries": [ "A putrid stench greets you here\u2014its source is two zombified ogres that are smashing all the furniture in this room, apparently obeying the commands of a dwarf wearing a red robe. Desks and chairs made of black wood and adorned with skulls lie splintered amid the skeletal remains of four long-dead humans in dusty crimson robes. Tall stone bookshelves line deep alcoves to the north, south, and west. Floating in the alcove opposite you, a spectral human woman beseeches the ogres to halt their destructive rampage." ] }, "Following the statue of Orcus's instructions, Xia commanded the cultist\u2014a dwarf named Eleith Brittlebones (Medium, Chaotic Evil {@creature Cultist Fanatic|XMM})\u2014to destroy everything in this library. Eleith commands two {@creature Ogre Zombie|XMM|Ogre Zombies} to do the heavy labor. The cultist and zombies are Hostile and fight anyone not wearing the crimson robes of Xia's cult.", "{@b Cultist} Eleith Brittlebones has been duped into following the cult of Orcus. Xia convinced the dwarf that the world is nearing its end, the gods are dead, and the demonic forces of death are close to their ultimate triumph, persuading him to join the \"winning side\" in this cosmic conflict. As soon as Eleith notices a character use obvious divine magic\u2014healing an ally or turning undead, for example\u2014the dwarf surrenders. In this case, Eleith becomes willing to share information about the cult in exchange for information about living deities and the state of the cosmos. See \"{@area Xia's Cult|0d5|x}\" above for information Eleith can share.", { "type": "entries", "id": "0fc", "entries": [ { "type": "entries", "name": "Alcoves", "page": 56, "id": "0fd", "entries": [ "Each alcove contains {@dice 4d10 + 20} barely legible books and scrolls, all of them brittle and flammable. A character who takes the {@action Study|XPHB} action and succeeds on a {@dc 15} Intelligence ({@skill Religion|XPHB}) check discerns that these materials describe various rites practiced by Orcus worshipers." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Ghostly Librarian", "page": 56, "id": "0fe", "entries": [ "The spectral figure in the alcove is the {@creature Ghost|XMM} of Melindra Vox, the librarian of the earlier Orcus cult. She is Chaotic Evil and initially Indifferent toward visitors. She is furious that the zombies are ruining her collection of books and scrolls but can't stop them herself, as she has vowed never to harm cult allies. When she notices the characters, Melindra assumes they are intruders who aren't subject to such vows, and she beseeches them to destroy the {@creature Ogre Zombie|XMM|Ogre Zombies}. If the characters oblige, Melindra becomes Friendly toward them. If they refuse to help, she remains Indifferent.", "If the characters converse with Melindra while she is Friendly, she reveals that adventurers slew her many years ago during their raid on the temple, after she refused to abandon her library. If the characters ask about treasure or secret knowledge, Melindra advises them to search for secret doors behind every statue, claiming there are \"secret vaults throughout.\"", "Melindra doesn't know how to find peace in the afterlife. A character who takes the {@action Study|XPHB} action and makes a successful {@dc 15} Intelligence ({@skill Religion|XPHB}) check discerns the way to lay her spirit to rest: either by removing all the books and scrolls from the library or by destroying them. Melindra becomes Hostile toward and fights anyone who tries to remove or destroy her collection." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Secret Door", "page": 56, "id": "0ff", "entries": [ "A bookshelf in the north alcove conceals a secret door (see \"{@area Temple Features|0db|x}\"), behind which lies the dining hall (area {@area T7|101|x})." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Skeletal Remains", "page": 56, "id": "100", "entries": [ "See \"Temple Features\" for more on the skeletal remains here." ] } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "T7: Dining Hall", "page": 56, "id": "101", "entries": [ { "type": "insetReadaloud", "page": 56, "id": "102", "entries": [ "This chamber contains a rectangular table with clawed feet surrounded by twelve high-backed chairs. Hanging off the backs of the chairs are hideous masks made from goat skulls. A sallow-faced young human in a crimson robe sits at one end of the table, eating some meat that looks undercooked and smells unappetizing. A broom leans against the table next to him." ] }, "Xia and her cultists wear the goat-skull masks when they venture out in public. The masks are terrifying but worthless.", { "type": "entries", "id": "103", "entries": [ { "type": "entries", "name": "Cultist", "page": 56, "id": "104", "entries": [ "The young man sitting at the table (facing the secret door in the south wall) is Yondis Morgrin (Medium, Chaotic Neutral {@creature Cultist Fanatic|XMM}), a member of {@area Xia's Cult|0d5|x} who is questioning his participation in it. He was initially attracted to the promise of being transformed into an Undead creature even more powerful than Xia, and he likes to pretend he is Undead already. He wears pasty makeup, shambles like a zombie, and eats undercooked and spoiling meat, but the disguise fools no one.", "Yondis is Indifferent toward the characters, whether or not they wear the crimson robes of Xia's cult. If the characters combat him, Yondis fights until he is {@status Bloodied|XPHB}, at which point he surrenders.", "The whisperings of Nezzarum through the Orcus statue have thrown Yondis into confusion. He can't understand why Orcus would be ordering Xia to destroy the iconography of Orcus around the temple, and when Yondis is alone in the presence of the statue, it whispers to him of the beauty of life and the pleasures of fresh air, well-cooked meals, and heroic deeds. His doubts make him susceptible to being drawn away from the cult. A character who takes the {@action Influence|XPHB} action can make a {@dc 10} Charisma ({@skill Deception|XPHB} or {@skill Intimidation|XPHB}) check to try to coax information from him (see \"{@area Xia's Cult|0d5|x}\" above for information Yondis can share about the cult)." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Secret Door", "page": 56, "id": "105", "entries": [ "A secret door in the south wall (see \"{@area Temple Features|0db|x}\") pulls open to reveal the library beyond (area {@area T6|0fa|x})." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Stolen Goods to Recover", "page": 56, "id": "106", "entries": [ "Yondis's broom is a stolen item (see \"Stolen Goods\")." ] } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "T8: Living Quarters", "page": 56, "id": "107", "entries": [ "Six bedchambers open off the dining hall (area {@area T7|101|x}). Each contains two plain wooden cots with straw-stuffed mattresses and woolen blankets. Next to each bed are wall hooks for hanging apparel. Only three of the chambers show any sign of recent use." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "T9: West Tunnel", "page": 57, "id": "108", "entries": [ "This {@i L}-shaped hall leads from area {@area T5|0f5|x} to a double door into the dining hall (area {@area T7|101|x}).", { "type": "entries", "id": "109", "entries": [ { "type": "entries", "name": "Secret Door", "page": 57, "id": "10a", "entries": [ "A secret door in the north wall stands ajar and requires no ability check to spot. Yondis (see area {@area T7|101|x}) found it recently and jammed an old finger bone into the doorway to prevent the door from closing all the way and make it easy for him to find." ] } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "T10: East Tunnel", "page": 57, "id": "10b", "entries": [ { "type": "insetReadaloud", "page": 57, "id": "10c", "entries": [ "This tunnel is littered with the dusty bones of four dead humans wearing tattered crimson robes. One of the skeletons slumps in a corner next to a double door. It wears an amulet shaped like a goat's rotting head and clutches a ring of keys." ] }, "This L-shaped hall leads from area {@area T5|0f5|x} to a double door into the ritual chamber (area {@area T11|111|x}).", { "type": "entries", "id": "10d", "entries": [ { "type": "entries", "name": "Secret Door", "page": 57, "id": "10e", "entries": [ "Set into the north wall, a secret door (see \"{@area Temple Features|0db|x}\") leads to the main temple (area {@area T13|11b|x})." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Skeletal Remains", "page": 57, "id": "10f", "entries": [ "See \"Temple Features\" for more on the skeletal remains here." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Treasure", "page": 57, "id": "110", "entries": [ "The inanimate skeleton next to the double door is all that remains of the temple's high priest. It clutches a ring holding three iron keys, which unlock the cell doors in area {@area T11|111|x}, and wears an amulet shaped like a goat's rotting head (the symbol of Orcus) on a chain around its neck. The silver amulet is worth 25 GP and has a hidden compartment containing a folded-up {@item Spell Scroll|XDMG} of {@spell Animate Dead|XPHB}. A character who takes the {@action Search|XPHB} action to examine the amulet finds the hidden compartment with a successful {@dc 15} Wisdom ({@skill Perception|XPHB}) check." ] } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "T11. Ritual Chamber", "page": 57, "id": "111", "entries": [ { "type": "insetReadaloud", "page": 57, "id": "112", "entries": [ "Rusty shackles dangle from this chamber's walls. In the middle of the room sit two stone slabs. Draped over the northern slab is a human skeleton wearing a dusty crimson robe and an eye patch. It clutches a whip in one bony hand.Along the east wall are three rusty gates with mold-covered cells beyond them. " ] }, "Cultists used to perform ghastly rites here. Human prisoners were confined to the cells (see below) until they were sacrificed. After death, they would be brought back to this room, where the high priest would animate them as zombies.", { "type": "entries", "id": "113", "entries": [ { "type": "entries", "name": "Cells", "page": 57, "id": "114", "entries": [ "All three cell doors are locked; a skeleton in the east tunnel (area {@area T10|10b|x}) holds the keys. The DC to pick one of these locks is 15. The cells' contents are as follows:", { "type": "list", "items": [ "{@b Cell A} holds the skeletal remains of two humans.", "{@b Cell B} appears empty but contains a hidden compartment behind a loose stone in the east wall. A character who takes the {@action Search|XPHB} action and succeeds on a {@dc 13} Wisdom ({@skill Perception|XPHB}) check discovers the loose stone and the treasure hidden behind it (see \"Treasure\" below).", "{@b Cell C} contains the bones of a treacherous tiefling cultist who tried and failed to overthrow the temple's high priest. Disturbing this skeleton causes the traitor's spirit to manifest as a {@creature Wraith|XMM} and fight the characters." ], "style": "list-hang-notitle" } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Skeletal Remains", "page": 57, "id": "115", "entries": [ "The skeletal remains in the cells are clad in tattered rags and have no equipment or treasure. The skeleton draped over the northern slab is that of the high priest's torturer (see \"Treasure\" below and \"{@area Temple Features|0db|x}\" for details)." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Treasure", "page": 57, "id": "116", "entries": [ "The dead torturer clutches a {@item +1 Whip|XDMG}. Behind the loose stone in cell B lies a {@item Wand of Secrets|XDMG}." ] } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "T12: Ghastly Work", "page": 57, "id": "117", "entries": [ { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/050-03-004.xia-npc-with-zombies.webp" }, "title": "npc with zombies", "credit": "Jodie Muir", "width": 1700, "height": 1227 }, { "type": "insetReadaloud", "page": 57, "id": "118", "entries": [ "The stench of death fills this pillared hall. Two ten-foot ladders lean against the west wall. A rotting figure in a crimson robe clings to each ladder, clumsily painting the wall with a brush, while another animated corpse stands at the bottom of each ladder, holding it steady. It's hard to tell what the zombies are painting.A scowling woman with pallid skin stands in the middle of the hall, presiding over the work. She wears a crimson robe and a horned headdress. Surrounding her are four gaunt creatures with sharp claws, long tongues, and hungry eyes.The double door at the northern end of the hall stands open, revealing a vast chamber beyond. Swathed in shadows at the back of this large chamber towers a massive statue of a goatish fiend." ] }, "The woman is Xia, a {@creature Ghast Gravecaller|XMM}. Accompanying her are four {@creature Ghoul|XMM|Ghouls}. Xia has tasked four {@creature Zombie|XMM|Zombies} in crimson Robes to paint fluffy white clouds and silver dragons on the wall, in accordance with instructions given to her by the statue of Orcus in the next room (area {@area T13|11b|x}). One zombie steadies each {@item Ladder|XPHB} while another zombie perches precariously near the top, paintbrush and paint pot in hand. Xia bitterly admonishes the zombies for their shabby work.", "At the first sign of trouble, Xia commands her ghouls to fight intruders while she withdraws to area T13 and asks the statue of Orcus for guidance. A booming voice from the statue replies, \"This is your final test, Xia. Do not fail me!\" Xia then rejoins her ghouls and fights to the bitter end. Roll Initiative for Nezzarum. On his turn, he emerges from the secret door in the back of the statue in area T13 and comes to join the fray, trusting that the adventurers are the heroes he's been waiting for.", "Meanwhile, the zombies continue painting and holding Ladders until a character engages them in combat. If either a zombie holding a Ladder or a zombie on a Ladder takes damage, the zombie on the Ladder falls. That zombie falls 10 feet and spills its pot of paint.", { "type": "entries", "id": "119", "entries": [ { "type": "entries", "name": "Stolen Goods to Recover", "page": 58, "id": "11a", "entries": [ "The {@item Ladder|XPHB|Ladders}, pots of paint, and paintbrushes are all stolen goods (see \"Stolen Goods\")." ] } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "T13: Great Statue of Orcus", "page": 58, "id": "11b", "entries": [ { "type": "insetReadaloud", "page": 58, "id": "11c", "entries": [ "A great statue of Orcus scrapes the thirty-foot-high ceiling of this chamber. The rich smell of incense rises from a large stone brazier at the statue's base, overpowering the faint lingering odor of death. The demon lord's goat-skull visage glowers at you as statues of cultists gaze outward from the shadowed corners of the hall." ] }, "The burning incense in the main temple mostly masks the odor of decay that permeates the hall.", "Nezzarum, a {@creature Silver Dragon Wyrmling|XMM} who knows Common, lurks inside the statue of Orcus. The dragon can gaze out into the hall through the statue's hollow eyes, nostrils, and mouth. When not manipulating Xia into doing his bidding, Nezzarum passes the time by playing games of dragonchess against himself. The dragonchess set in his possession is stolen (see \"Stolen Goods\" below).", { "type": "entries", "id": "11d", "entries": [ { "type": "entries", "name": "Roleplaying Nezzarum", "page": 59, "id": "11e", "entries": [ "Nezzarum has been waiting here in the hope that adventurers would come and defeat Xia and her cult, knowing that he isn't strong enough to defeat them on his own. If combat breaks out in {@area T12|117|x} and Nezzarum is aware of it (either because Xia comes and implores the statue of Orcus for aid or because he notices the battle unfolding from his hiding place in the statue), he emerges from the statue and joins the fray. If the characters defeat Xia and Nezzarum survives the encounter, the dragon is Friendly toward them. If the characters approach Nezzarum without first fighting Xia, the dragon is initially Indifferent." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Indifferent Dragon", "page": 59, "id": "11f", "entries": [ "If Nezzarum hasn't seen the characters prove themselves in battle, he errs on the side of caution and decides to test them. He issues a random command, determined by rolling on the Nezzarum's Commands table, and judges them based on their consequent actions. If they fulfill his wishes, he seems pleased; if they refuse a command, he remains Indifferent toward them.", "Each time the characters leave the hall and return, Nezzarum issues a new command until he has issued three of them. He never repeats a command, so if you roll the same result twice, roll again or choose a different option from the table. If the characters fulfill all three of his commands, Nezzarum's attitude toward them shifts to Friendly.", { "type": "table", "caption": "Nezzarum's Commands", "page": 59, "colLabels": [ "1d6", "Command" ], "colStyles": [ "col-2 text-center", "col-10" ], "rows": [ [ "1", "\"Bring me a banquet of cooked meat, steamed vegetables, and fresh fruit!\" (Characters can buy the food and have it prepared in town for 3 GP.)" ], [ "2", "\"Bring me a wheel of cheese!\" (Characters can buy the cheese in town for 5 SP.)" ], [ "3", "\"Bring me treasure worthy of a dragon!\" (Nezzarum expects at least 100 GP worth of treasure or something of historical value.)" ], [ "4", "\"Bring four nice rugs to cover my cold stone floor!\" (Characters can buy the rugs in town for 5 GP each.)" ], [ "5", "\"Bring me two more pots of silver paint!\" (Characters can buy the paint in town for 2 SP per pot.)" ], [ "6", "\"Bring me the head of something evil!\" (If the characters ask for suggestions, he replies, \"Zombies are evil, aren't they? Bring me the head of a zombie!\")" ] ] }, "Characters struck by the bizarre nature of \"Orcus's\" commands can take the {@action Search|XPHB} action and make a {@dc 15} Wisdom ({@skill Insight|XPHB}) check. On a success, the character realizes a deception is afoot." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Friendly Dragon", "page": 59, "id": "120", "entries": [ "If he becomes Friendly, Nezzarum tells the story of his coming to the temple and the cult's subsequent arrival (see \"{@area Adventure Background|0cd|x}\"). If the characters haven't defeated Xia yet, that's the dragon's highest priority, and he promises to help them fight the ghast and any remaining cultists.", "Nezzarum hasn't searched the temple thoroughly enough to locate any other secret doors (besides the one in the base of the statue). He has no objection to the characters searching the temple for treasure if they agree to give him an equal share." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Secret Doors", "page": 59, "id": "121", "entries": [ "This hall contains seven secret doors (see \"{@area Temple Features|0db|x}\"):", { "type": "list", "style": "list-hang-notitle", "items": [ { "type": "item", "name": "Statue Access", "entry": "A secret door in the base of the Orcus statue pulls open to reveal a winding staircase that ascends to a 10-foot-diameter chamber in the statue's head." }, { "type": "item", "name": "South Wall Exits", "entry": "Two secret doors in the south wall lead to hallways (areas {@area T9|108|x} and {@area T10|10b|x}). The door on the west side (to area {@area T9|108|x}) is ajar and doesn't require an ability check to locate." }, { "type": "item", "name": "To the Vaults", "entry": "Four secret doors hidden behind statues each lead to a different vault (see area {@area T14|123|x}). The area between a statue and a secret door is wide enough for only a Tiny creature to fit comfortably. For a Small or Medium creature, those areas are {@variantrule Difficult Terrain|XPHB}." } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Stolen Goods to Recover", "page": 59, "id": "122", "entries": [ "The dragonchess Gaming Set and incense are stolen goods (see \"Stolen Goods\"). If Nezzarum is Friendly, he allows the characters to return the goods the cultists stole to the rightful owners." ] } ] } ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "T14: Secret Vaults", "page": 59, "id": "123", "entries": [ "Four secret vaults are connected to the main temple (area {@area T13|11b|x}), and two more are connected to the hall of statues (area {@area T4|0f0|x}). The vaults are basically identical, but each contains a different statue, a different treasure, and a different guardian for that treasure.", { "type": "insetReadaloud", "page": 59, "id": "124", "entries": [ "A tunnel leads to a five-sided room. A cobweb-covered statue stands in one corner." ] }, { "type": "entries", "id": "125", "entries": [ { "type": "entries", "name": "Vault Contents", "page": 59, "id": "126", "entries": [ "Use the Statues table to determine each statue's form, the Creatures table to determine the guardian of each vault, and the Treasure table to determine the items stored within (see \"Accessing the Vaults' Treasure\" below)." ] }, { "type": "entries", "name": "Accessing the Vaults' Treasure", "page": 60, "id": "127", "entries": [ "Under each statue lies a cylindrical compartment 3 feet across and 3 feet deep. To get at the treasure within, characters must topple or destroy the statue. Each statue is a Medium object with AC 17, HP 18, and {@variantrule Immunity|XPHB} to Poison and Psychic damage. As a {@action Utilize|XPHB} action, a character can try to topple a statue, doing so with a successful {@dc 17} Strength ({@skill Athletics|XPHB}) check.", { "type": "table", "caption": "Statues", "page": 60, "colLabels": [ "1d6", "Statue's Form" ], "colStyles": [ "col-2 text-center", "col-10 text-center" ], "rows": [ [ "1", "Cloaked {@creature vampire|XMM}" ], [ "2", "{@creature Death knight|XMM}" ], [ "3", "{@creature Lich|XMM}" ], [ "4", "{@creature Mummy lord|XMM}" ], [ "5", "Skeletal goat" ], [ "6", "{@creature Wraith|XMM}" ] ] }, { "type": "table", "caption": "Creatures", "page": 60, "colLabels": [ "1d6", "Guardian(s)" ], "colStyles": [ "col-2 text-center", "col-10" ], "rows": [ [ "1", "A Hostile {@creature Swarm of Crawling Claws|XMM} nests in the statue's nooks and crannies, emerging to attack when the statue is disturbed." ], [ "2", "Disturbing the statue causes its head to split open, releasing a Hostile {@creature Flameskull|XMM}." ], [ "3", "The statue acts as a sarcophagus. Disturbing the statue causes it to break apart, freeing the Hostile {@creature Mummy|XMM} inside." ], [ "4", "Disturbing the statue causes four {@creature Specter|XMM|Specters} to emerge from cavities behind the walls. They pass through the walls and engage the characters in combat." ], [ "5", "Disturbing the statue causes it to disgorge a Hostile {@creature Black Pudding|XMM}." ], [ "6", "There is no guardian." ] ] }, { "type": "table", "caption": "Treasure", "page": 60, "colLabels": [ "1d6", "Compartment Contents" ], "colStyles": [ "col-2 text-center", "col-10" ], "rows": [ [ "1", "Basket containing what appears to be the {@item Wand of Orcus|XDMG} but is actually a powerless replica (worth 50 GP) that radiates a false magical aura when subjected to a {@spell Detect Magic|XPHB} spell" ], [ "2", "Malachite skull (worth 250 GP) resting on a bed of {@dice 2d6 × 100} GP" ], [ "3", "3-foot-tall statue of Orcus made of crimson marble (worth 750 GP and weighing 75 pounds)" ], [ "4", "Basket containing a randomly determined Common magic item (see the {@book Dungeon Master's Guide|XDMG})" ], [ "5", "Casket containing a mummified human corpse in the fetal position wearing a gold necklace (worth 750 GP)" ], [ "6", "Basket containing a randomly determined Uncommon magic item (see the {@book Dungeon Master's Guide|XDMG})" ] ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }, { "type": "section", "name": "Conclusion", "page": 60, "id": "128", "entries": [ "After ridding the temple of {@area Xia's Cult|0d5|x}, the characters can return to Greysmere to collect their reward. Even if they didn't remove every threat, Oriann trusts the characters accomplished their mission and pays them accordingly. The innkeeper gladly takes custody of any stolen goods the characters retrieved from the temple and ensures that they are returned to their proper owners.", "Should the characters reveal that a silver dragon was behind the cult's bizarre activities, Oriann recalls observing a wyrmling soaring among the clouds from time to time, but they know nothing more about it.", { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/051-03-005.ram-skull.webp" }, "credit": "Jodie Muir", "width": 850, "height": 761 } ] }, { "type": "section", "name": "History of Silver Dragons", "page": 43, "id": "129", "entries": [ "{@font ORN DARASTRIX|languages/XPHB/Draconic/Iokharik-v2.woff2}", { "type": "insetReadaloud", "id": "12a", "entries": [ "For all the many changes in the look of dragons over the years, the silver dragon's distinctive crest is visible in every incarnation." ] }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/052-03-007.silver-dragon-2009.webp" }, "title": "Eberron Campaign Guide (2009)", "credit": "Chippy", "width": 1849, "height": 1700 }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/053-03-008.silver-dragon-1993.webp" }, "title": "Monstrous Manual (1993)", "credit": "Mark A. Nelson", "width": 832, "height": 1009 }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/054-03-009.silver-dragon-1977.webp" }, "title": "{@book Monster Manual|XMM} (1977)", "credit": "David C. Sutherland", "width": 684, "height": 845 }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/055-03-010.silver-dragon-draconomicon.webp" }, "title": "Draconomicon (2003)", "credit": "Richard Sardinha", "width": 1320, "height": 1868 }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/056-03-011.silver-dragon-mtg.webp" }, "title": "Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate (2022)", "credit": "Andrey Kuzinskiy", "width": 744, "height": 1040 }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/057-03-012.silver-dragon-anatomy.webp" }, "title": "Draconomicon (2003)", "credit": "Todd Lockwood", "width": 850, "height": 385 }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/058-03-013.silver-dragon-2009.webp" }, "title": "Monster Manual 2 (2009)", "credit": "Lars Grant-West", "width": 1700, "height": 1234 }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/059-03-014.silver-dragon-2014.webp" }, "title": "{@book Monster Manual|XMM} (2014)", "credit": "Tom Babbey", "width": 850, "height": 1110 }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/060-03-015.silver-dragon-2023.webp" }, "title": "Concept Art (2023)", "credit": "Alexander Ostrowski", "width": 1700, "height": 833 }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/061-03-016.silver-dragon-three-scenes-color.webp" }, "title": "Concept Art (2023)", "credit": "John Grello", "width": 850, "height": 1136 }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/062-03-017.silver-dragon-scenes-development.webp" }, "title": "Concept Art (2023)", "credit": "John Grello", "width": 850, "height": 751 }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/063-03-018.silver-dragon-2025.webp" }, "title": "{@book Monster Manual|XMM} (2025)", "credit": "Anna Podedworna", "width": 1700, "height": 1100 }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/064-03-018.silver-dragon-wips.webp" }, "title": "Concept Art (2023)", "credit": "John Grello", "width": 1700, "height": 387 } ] } ] }, { "type": "section", "name": "Credits", "page": 2, "id": "40b", "entries": [ { "type": "list", "style": "list-hang-notitle", "columns": 2, "items": [ { "type": "item", "name": "Lead Designers:", "entry": "Amanda Hamon, James Wyatt" }, { "type": "item", "name": "Designers:", "entry": "Justice Ramin Arman, Makenzie De Armas, Anthony Joyce-Rivera, Renee Knipe, Ron Lundeen, Christopher Perkins, Patrick Renie, Erin Roberts, F. Wesley Schneider, Carl Sibley, Jason Tondro, Steve Townshend" }, { "type": "item", "name": "Rules Developers:", "entry": "Makenzie De Armas (lead), Jeremy Crawford, Ron Lundeen" }, { "type": "item", "name": "Editors:", "entry": "Judy Bauer (lead), Emma Candon, Sadie Lowry, Hannah Rose, Sue Weinlein, Hans Ziegler" }, { "type": "item", "name": "Art Directors:", "entry": "Matt Cole (lead), Fury Galluzzi, Josh Herman, Kate Irwin, Emi Tanji" }, { "type": "item", "name": "Graphic Designers:", "entry": "Matt Cole, Paolo Vacala" }, { "type": "item", "name": "Cover Illustrators:", "entry": "Justine Jones, Greg Staples" }, { "type": "item", "name": "Interior Illustrators:", "entry": "Tom Babbey, Daren Bader, Clyde Caldwell, Chippy, Simon Dominic, Jeff Easley, Luke Eidenschink, Larry Elmore, Jason A. Engle, Lars Grant-West, John Grello, Johan Grenier, Justine Jones, Andrew Kolb, Vance Kovacs, Andrey Kuzinskiy, Ed Kwong, Todd Lockwood, Antonio José Manzanedo, Dominik Mayer, Caio Monteiro, Martin Mottet, Jodie Muir, Mark A. Nelson, Alexander Ostrowski, Keith Parkinson, Anna Podedworna, Steve Prescott, Chris Rallis, Joshua Raphael, Richard Sardinha, Chris Seaman, Rudy Siswanto, Craig J Spearing, Ron Spencer, Leroy Steinmann, Zack Stella, Matt Stewart, Matt Stikker, David C. Sutherland, Autumn Rain Turkel, Paolo Vacala, Svetlin Velinov, Raoul Vitale, Jabari Weathers, Campbell White" }, { "type": "item", "name": "Cartographers:", "entry": "Francesca Baerald, Jared Blando, CoupleOfKooks, Andrew Kolb, Dyson Logos, Damien Mammoliti, Mike Schley, Paolo Vacala" }, { "type": "item", "name": "Consultants:", "entry": "Shawn Banerjee, Eytan Bernstein, Daniel Delgado, Sameer Joseph" }, { "type": "item", "name": "Producers:", "entry": "Rob Hawkey (lead), Bill Benham, Siera Bruggeman, Vanessa Hoskins" } ] }, "{@i This book is dedicated to Christopher Perkins for his decades of contributions to Dungeons & Dragons.}", { "type": "gallery", "images": [ { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/199-11-001.title-splash.webp" }, "credit": "Alexander Ostrowski", "width": 850, "height": 963 } ] }, { "type": "gallery", "images": [ { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/200-11-002.traditional-cover.webp" }, "title": "On the Cover: Three brave adventurers face the unknown dangers presented by the five kinds of chromatic dragons in this dramatic poster image by Greg Staples.", "width": 850, "height": 951 }, { "type": "image", "href": { "type": "internal", "path": "adventure/DrDe/201-11-003.alt-cover.webp" }, "title": "On the Alt-Cover: Justine Jones presents a psychedelic scene of dragon-filled dreams.", "width": 850, "height": 951 } ] } ] } ] }