Fifth Edition Conversion

badooga (all socials) - designer

Dragos (Dragos#3174 on Discord) - edited all of the player-facing maps into existence

Discord - a lot of you guys on D&D discord servers like the Discord of Many Things helped me out with this conversion. Thanks for all the help!

Original Book

Evil to Challenge the Gods

The Elder Evils supplement presents a catalog of some of the most infamous and terrible creatures ever to plague the multiverse. From an undead world "born" at the moment of creation, to terrifying monstrosities that clawed their way out of the Abyss, to unthinkable entities from beyond the planes, these beings exemplify horrors that can destroy not just a kingdom but entire worlds or even existence itself.

Most elder evils have been imprisoned by great heroes, deities, or other powerful beings who fear their release. Yet they are not so easily forgotten: Whispers of their existence seduce the mad and villainous, promising great power in exchange for release. Thus, each elder evil presented here has one or more servants, also described in detail.

Chapter 1. Evil Does Not Sleep: This section provides suggestions for introducing an elder evil into the campaign as well as signs that bring the end times to your world. New cult features and malefic properties add horror and power to elder evils and their servants.

Chapter 2. Atropus: This moonlike orb is the stillborn afterbirth of the world's creation, an undead entity that desires nothing less than the end of the entire multiverse.

Chapter 3. Father Llymic: Although his body lies frozen in a prison of ice, the mind of this utterly alien being is glacially aware. His corrosive form slowly infects his surroundings, reaching gradually to make the world a part of himself. His corrupt Brood roams free, spreading evil in preparation for their master's awakening.

Chapter 4. Hulks of Zoretha: Left behind in the wake of a world-shaking storm a century past, these enigmatic monoliths hold a secret known by only a few. The Hulks are the seeds of a monstrous colonization project, awaiting a signal from a parallel plane. Once it is received, they will animate to carve a path of destruction.

Chapter 5. Leviathan: Leviathan is a creature of bestial intelligence whose enormous coils wrap the world. It sleeps in the deepest trenches of the seas, spawning tsunamis, whirlpools, and earthquakes as it restlessly shifts. Now mad cultists seek to wake the beast and submerge all the lands.

Chapter 6. Pandorym: Pandorym is a doomsday weapon, an entity from beyond the multiverse. Ancient wizards summoned it as a deterrent to defend their empire from vengeful deities. However, the raging gods ended the kingdom's reign before it could release the weapon. Pandorym now lingers, its essence split and imprisoned, waiting for release—and vengeance.

Chapter 7. Ragnorra: Arising in a time before creation, Ragnorra is a force of perverted life that births monstrosities from her swollen body. The deities cast her into the sky, but she reappears as a blood-red comet every 500 years. Dreadful seed and falling stars produce monstrous offspring in worlds Ragnorra approaches—and now she smashes into worlds to remake them directly.

Chapter 8. Sertrous: Sertrous began as a demon, one of the obyriths—a remnant demonic race shuddering toward extinction. With the rise of the tanar'ri, Sertrous was exiled from the Abyss and took the form of a monstrous serpent, granting vile powers to the yuan-ti in exchange for their service. Even though he was slain, Sertrous lingers in spirit and continues to corrupt the snake people. His followers, the Vanguard of Sertrous, employ intrigue and magic to gain influence and ultimately bring about the end of the world.

Chapter 9. The Worm that Walks: This elder evil is the memory of a slain corporeal god. Its essence transferred itself to the worms and maggots that devoured the deity's corpse, forming a hideous but vaguely humanoid shape. The horror was sealed away in an obelisk by heroes of a previous age. It seeks ever to escape and eat its way to world domination, one writhing victim at a time.

Chapter 10. Zargon: According to legend, Zargon cannot be killed unless his horn is severed from his body, and if his horn is not destroyed, he will inevitably return to claim it. The immortals could not discover a means of destroying his horn, and thus they entombed Zargon and a whole city of his mad worshipers in a place now lost to history.

Extra Images

Check out my Imgur Profile (see my linktree) for important images you can use in your games:

• DM Maps: The original, high quality maps for each area and encounter.
• Player Maps: Edited maps designed for use by players and virtual tabletops.
• Monster Images: Art for most monsters in the bestiary.
• Tokens: Tokens for most monsters in the bestiary.

The End Times

"The shrieks, the laughter, the wailing! We were going mad. We knew not why or how, but delusions and hallucinations ruled our feverish minds."

You might be wondering why you should ever end your campaign: Things are going fine, and you're having fun.

To cite a cliché, all good things must come to an end. Even if you're not ready to stop now, one day you will be. At some point, the party ascends the heady heights of the fourth tier of play, and fewer and fewer foes can challenge them.

When player characters own castles and lands, command continent-spanning organizations, lead entire religious movements, or are generals of armies no longer content with mortal wars, your campaign is approaching a natural close. You could forge on, having the party challenge the gods themselves, but even then, the tale has to end someday.

Ending a campaign is a significant achievement. It is a natural conclusion to all the stories you and your players have told together, and it gives everyone a feeling of accomplishment after years of play. In addition, bringing your campaign to a close lets you embark on something different, exploring new worlds and possibilities—in short, death leads to rebirth.

Incorporating Elder Evils

Elder evils lurk on the fringes of existence. They have always been and always will be. Although they can be as powerful as demigods—sometimes more so—they are not deities. They aren't interested in mortals except to wipe them out. Gods create and attend their creations; elder evils unravel them.

The mere presence of an elder evil threatens reality. Such power is difficult to conceal. If the party hasn't heard even a whisper of the entity to date, why and how has it masked its presence? Uncovering this mystery can be as thrilling a challenge as the final confrontation itself.

The secrecy of an elder evil depends on your needs as the Dungeon Master. If you're starting a new campaign and plan to end it in a confrontation with a world-threatening entity, plant the seeds early and drop hints over time. If you've decided recently to bring things to a head, there's nothing wrong with suddenly revealing the elder evil.

When introducing these terrifying entities into an established campaign, use what you already have. Recurring villains or their minions work well when the party already has an inkling of the nemesis. For example, when the nefarious high priest of Nerull reveals that she is in fact an accomplice of the Worm that Walks (see Chapter 9), the revelation is as logical as it is horrifying. On the other hand, a major campaign villain might turn out to be the elder evil itself. Faceless, recurring villains hide their identities behind several masks; as the campaign develops, the party exposes (or believe they expose) their true enemy again and again until you're ready to reveal the ultimate truth.

Introducing Signs

When adjudicating a sign's influence, describe in flavorful narrative how it alters the world around the party. (Refer to the quotations that introduce each sign for inspiration to guide your story.)

After a sign appears and gains strength, its effect can be nearly as devastating as the elder evil itself; even if the threat is dealt with, this lingering influence leaves the world a much different place. Since signs have such widespread effects, handling them within the context of the game can be daunting. The sample story arcs in the following chapters suggest ways to heighten a given sign gradually over time. When it finally becomes overwhelming—heralding the imminent arrival of the threat—the party's average level should be high enough to resist all but the worst effects.

Identifying Signs

To ordinary mortals, the appearance of a sign is a mysterious phenomenon—foreboding and sinister, to be sure, but without obvious significance. Only individuals who have the proper training and experience, who are steeped in ancient or forbidden knowledge, have any chance to recognize its grim implications.

To identify a sign for what it is, a character must succeed on an Intelligence (Arcana) or Intelligence (Religion) check, as appropriate. The check DC depends on the sign's intensity, as set out in the following table. As the effect of the sign becomes more pervasive, its meaning grows ever more clear. A faint sign might be simply unsettling, but at its height, its influence is inescapable.

By succeeding on this check, a character knows the sign is an evil omen. If the check succeeds by 5 or more, the character can identify the sign's strength, and succeeding by 10 or more reveals all the ramifications of its effect (including the identity of the elder evil).

Signs Revealed

The following signs are examples of those that could accompany an elder evil's approach; you might prefer to design your own, taking inspiration from these entries. Each section describes the effect of the sign at the four intensities listed above.

Some entries suggest ways of varying the sign's influence to better suit the needs of the campaign.

Alien Skies

"I peered into the heavens, searching for familiar sights, but found nothing I knew. All was strange and disquieting, as though we were adrift in alien seas."

After the sun sets, the stars twinkle in the heavens as always—but they are strange. They glow luridly with weird colors, spreading fear and wonder in all who behold them. Familiar constellations vanish, re-form, or shift to new locations. As the sign reaches its peak, distorting the arcane energies of the world, unsettling auroras and intense meteor showers illuminate the night skies.

Faint: The DC for any saving throw made to maintain concentration on a spell is increased by 2.

Moderate: As faint, but whenever a creature deals damage with a spell, the damage of the spell is randomly changed to one of the following damage types (roll a d10 to determine the damage type): acid, cold, fire, force, lightning, necrotic, poison, psychic, radiant, or thunder.

Strong: As moderate, but the DC for saving throws made to maintain concentration on a spell is increased by 5 (from 2). Additionally, all creatures gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Overwhelming: As strong, but whenever a creature casts a spell, roll a d20. On a 20, the creature must roll on the Wild Magic Surge table to create a random magical effect.

Appalling Fecundity

"The peasants believed they had been blessed: Their crops grew quickly, women bore healthy children in weeks rather than months, and the harvest was the best ever. At first, life was good. But the growth never slowed. Everything birthed and died with such speed that we could hear Nature suffering. Disease was rampant, and vermin spread it everywhere; there was no end to the screams of the afflicted."

Growth and healing are accelerated. At first crops and animals grow and reproduce with unnatural swiftness, and injuries vanish overnight. As the sign intensifies, these early benefits run out of control. Fruit bursts and rots on the vine before it can be harvested. Weeds crack pavement and damage buildings. Clouds of vermin boil up from the earth, laying eggs that hatch and spawn new life in moments, and with them come equally virulent disease.

Faint: Ordinary plants are enhanced as if by the plant growth spell. Crops benefit from the enrichment effect, while other vegetation suffers from overgrowth and chokes open spaces.

Moderate: As faint, but each week at dawn, living creatures are cured as if by the lesser restoration spell. Additionally, all plants grow hard spikes and thorns, as the spike growth spell (save DC 11).

Strong: As moderate, but living creatures that require sleep begin to lose the ability to do so, as their bodies fidget and their thoughts race. Whenever a creature finishes a long rest, it must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or gain no benefit from its rest.

Overwhelming: As strong, but the DC of the Constitution saving throw increases to 16. Additionally, flesh grows and heals with terrible speed. Living creatures regain 1 hit point each minute, and severed body parts regrow daily at dawn. Each week at dawn, living creatures must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature ages by 1d4 × 10 years, but it suffers none of the frailty of old age. Finally, creatures that die due to old age from this effect explode in a shower of gore.

Dry Winds

"From the north came a hot wind, scouring the clouds from the skies. It leached the water from our rivers and lakes, and the mighty oceans receded with each gust."

Unnaturally warm winds blow from an atypical direction, growing hotter as the sign intensifies and carrying away all moisture.

Faint: Natural precipitation stops. Average global temperatures increase by 1d3 degrees Fahrenheit, and all bodies and streams of water lose 1d4 feet of depth each week.

Moderate: Average global temperatures increase by 1d6 degrees, and all bodies and streams of water lose 1d10 feet of depth each week.

Strong: Average global temperatures increase by 2d10 degrees, and all bodies and streams of water lose 1d20 feet of depth each week. Additionally, the dry wind begins to strengthen; calm air becomes a light wind, while a light wind has a 50% chance of becoming a strong wind (see DMG 110 for details).

Elder Evil Cults

Through generations of study and grim practice, the disciples of certain Elder Evils have mastered the ability to bestow supernatural gifts on minions they select for the privilege. Any creature that serves a cult of Elder Evil can be given one of these rewards - usually as compensation for faithful service, but sometimes as a chance for a creature that breached the cult's laws to redeem itself. The following powers are unique to specific cults, and typically a creature is part of only one elder evil cult at a time.

Abominable Form

The cultist revels in the ruination of its flesh, drawing power from its disturbing deformities.

Deformity: Mutilated Flesh. In order to obtain this vile feat, the cultist flayed, burned, or otherwise mutilated its flesh, turning them into a grotesque shadow of their former self. At least one of their body parts (such as a limb or their face) have been mutilated in this way; this mutilation can only be undone by heal or another disease-curing spell of 6th level or higher.

Disgusting Visage. Creatures that can see the cultist have disadvantage on saving throws against being frightened. Additionally, once per turn when the cultist hits a creature with a melee attack, they can force the target to make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target is frightened of the cultist until the end of the cultist's next turn.

Unsightly Figure. The cultist gains proficiency in the Intimidation skill, and its proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check made using the Intimidation skill.

Apostate

The cultist's hatred of the gods cloaks it with potent resistance against their works.

Divine Resilience. When the cultist makes a saving throw to resist the effects of a spell cast by a cleric, paladin, druid, ranger, celestial, or some other divine source, it can add its proficiency bonus to the saving throw if it isn't proficient in the save.

Inquisition Defier. The cultist is immune to effects that allows other creatures to read its thoughts, determine whether it is lying, or know its alignment. Additionally, the cultist can't be targeted by any divination magic or perceived through magical scrying sensors.

Chosen of Evil

The cultist's naked devotion to wickedness causes dark powers to take an interest in its success and well-being.

Commander of Evil. The cultist can utter a special command or warning whenever a nonhostile creature that it can see within 30 feet of the cultist makes an attack roll or a saving throw (no reaction required). The creature can add a d4 to its roll provided it can hear and understand the cultist. This trait doesn't function while the cultist is incapacitated.

Unholy Protection. The cultist can use its reaction to halve the damage that it takes from an attack, spell, or other effect.

Dark Knowledge

The cultist uncovers a piece of forbidden lore or knowledge that allows it to tap into ancient powers of evil.

Ancient Secrets. If the cultist has the Spellcasting trait, it can choose one spell of 3rd level or lower. The cultist can cast that spell at its lowest level without using a spell slot.

Dark Indulgence. After the cultist makes an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, but before the outcome is determined, an additional d20 can be rolled. The cultist chooses which of the d20s rolled is used to determine the outcome. When it does so, it takes 12 (5d4) necrotic damage, which can't be reduced or prevented in any way.

Dark Speech

The cultist learns a smattering of the language of truly dark power.

Beguiling Influence. The cultist gains proficiency in the Deception and Persuasion skills, and its proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check made using these skills.

Harbringer of Destruction. The cultist can use its action to force each creature within 60 feet of it that can hear the cultist to make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature is charmed or frightened (cultist's choice) for 1 minute. A charmed or frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. After using this action, the cultist takes 13 (2d12) psychic damage, which can't be reduced or prevented in any way.

Dark Whispers

By whispering foul utterances in the Dark Speech, the cultist can drive its enemies insane.

Prerequisite. The cultist must possess the Dark Speech vile feat in order to obtain this vile feat.

Distorted Visions (Recharge 5-6). As an action, the cultist can whisper words of incredible wickedness to form grotesque visions in the minds of those who hear it. Each creature within 30 feet of the cultist that can hear the cultist must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be blinded for 1 minute. While blinded, a creature is also incapacitated. A target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. After using this action, the cultist takes 13 (2d12) psychic damage, which can't be reduced or prevented in any way.

Filthy Outburst

The cultist shrieks a phrase in the Dark Speech to deafen those around it.

Prerequisite. The cultist must possess the Dark Speech vile feat in order to obtain this vile feat.

Booming Voice. When the cultist speaks, its voice can boom up to five times louder than normal.

Dark Visiting

An elder evil that has this property projects terrifying nightmares into the dreams of living creatures.

Dark Visiting. Any living creature that sleeps within 100 miles of the elder evil must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be afflicted with a random form of short-term madness. If a creature fails this saving throw by 5 or more, it is instead afflicted with a random form of long-term madness. If a creature rolls a 1 on the d20 roll, it is instead afflicted with a random form of indefinite madness. The Short-Term Madness, Long-Term Madness, and Indefinite Madness tables can be found in chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master's Guide.

Discord and Woe

The presence of an elder evil that has this property can use its action to incite violence and suffering.

Discord and Woe (2/Day). One creature within 100 miles of the elder evil that the elder evil is aware of must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw. A creature automatically succeeds if it is immune to being charmed. On a failed save, the target must target its allies with attacks and other damaging effects for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the elder evil's Discord and Woe for the next 24 hours.

Divine Scourge

An elder evil that has this property can punish deities' servants with a powerful surge of profane energy.

Divine Scourge (1/Day). As a bonus action, each creature within 100 miles of the elder evil that is a celestial or a user of divine magic (a cleric, paladin, druid, ranger, or some other class the DM deems appropriate) must make a DC 23 Constitution saving throw. A target takes 35 (10d6) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. On a failed save, a target also suffers one level of exhaustion.

God Slayer

An elder evil that has this property can directly combat and kill deities and their servants.

God Slayer. The elder evil deals double damage to gods and celestials, bypassing their resistances and immunities. If the elder evil reduces a god or celestial to 0 hit points, it kills them instantly.

Impervious to the Divine

An elder evil that has this property cannot be affected by divine magic of any kind, regardless of the source.

Impervious to the Divine. The elder evil is unaffected by divine spells, which are spells cast by clerics, paladins, druids, rangers, celestials, and other sources the DM deems appropriate.

Planar Anomaly

An elder evil that has this property warps the planes of existence around them, preventing the gods and their servants from getting close to them.

Planar Anomaly. The area within 10 miles of the elder evil is warped by the elder evil's presence. Creatures can't teleport into the area or use portals, such as those created by the gate spell, to enter the area. The area also blocks all forms of planar travel, and therefore prevents creatures from accessing the area by way of the Astral Plane, Ethereal Plane, Feywild, Shadowfell, or the plane shift spell.

In addition, deities and other planar rulers are incapable of entering the area, and the elder evil can choose to block one or more of the following creature types from entering: celestials, elementals, fey, fiends, and undead. If any of these creatures start their turn in the area, they take 55 (10d10) force damage and are banished to their native plane of existence.

Background

Atropus's background is unchanged.

Goals

Atropus's goals are unchanged.

Atropus in the Campaign

Atropus dwells in the emptiness between worlds. As it drifts, it casts out with its senses, sampling the emptiness for signs of life. Once it detects a living thing, it moves toward the source. Since it is such a distant threat, you can assume the elder evil has been around for as long as your campaign setting has existed, and has been traveling toward your world for any number of years. Once Atropus takes an interest in your world, place it in the heavens. It is indistinguishable from the other celestial bodies at the start, and as it comes closer it reveals its sinister character to coincide with the intensifying sign.

A. The Ichor Sea

The two areas marked A on the map are part of a large sea of necromantic sludge formed from the decaying afterbirth of creation. The fluid about 200 feet deep a short distance away from the shoreline. The sea emits an aura of negative energy. All undead within 20 feet of the shore gain advantage on saving throws.

Any non-undead creature that come in contact with the Ichor Sea or starts its turn in the seatakes 14 (4d6) necrotic damage and must make a DC 23 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature suffers one level of exhaustion. If a creature dies to this effect, it rises as an angel of decay (EdE 3B) after 1d4 rounds.

B. The Great Depth

Piercing the side of the moonlet is an enormous pit 70 miles across with no visible bottom. Creatures coming within 20 feet begin to hear the susurrus of Atropus's hate. Each creature that enters the area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there must make a DC 23 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature suffers from a random form of Short-Term Madness, determined by rolling on the Short-Term Madness table in chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master's Guide.

Creatures falling into the pit descend 300 feet until they hit an underground offshoot of the Ichor Sea (area A). Such characters take 70 (20d6) bludgeoning damage from the fall in addition to the effects of the Ichor Sea.

C. Crater

Craters created by meteors and other debris pock the moonlet's surface. The craters vary depending on the size of the object that struck the moonlet. A typical crater is 10 feet in diameter, 4 feet deep, and has a 1-foot-tall rim around the impact area. Loose rock (counting as difficult terrain) spreads out 10 feet in all directions.

Much larger craters, such as the ones marked on the map, are especially dangerous and usually inhabited by undead.

Tactics

The dread boneyard hides in the field of bones, requiring a DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check to spot it. Once a creature comes within 15 feet of the boneyard, it emerges, and initiative is rolled; if the party didn't spot it before it emerged, the boneyard gains surprise over the party.

During the first round of combat, the boneyard uses Summon Bone Dragon and Summon Skeletons to summon as many minions as possible. The skeletons will attempt to spread out and attack every party member if possible, while the bone dragon will take to the skies and swoop in only when its Breath Weapon has recharged. The boneyard will act as the main combatant, attempting to draw the party's fire and engage in melee when possible.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Tactics

The famine spirits work together against the closest foe they can see. At the start of combat, they are within range of the atropal's Turn Resistance Aura, which they will stay within range of unless they determine the party cannot use Turn Undead.

Meanwhile, the atropal will cast its innate spells from range, using hold monster on any party member the famine spirits are attacking. It then has several options: it might use negative energy flood to give a famine spirit temporary hit points (if you don't own XGE: if the target of the spell is undead, roll 5d12 and give it half as many temporary hit points), or it might use circle of death and cone of cold to attack as much of the party as possible without affecting its allies. If attacked, the atropal will use misty step to exit melee and will use its Ray of Cold on the target if needed.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Tactics

After descending, the angels of decay attack split up to attack as many party members as they can. If possible, they stick close to one another so that may heal from each other's Rotting Auras via their Feed on Decay traits.

When the aspect of Atropus (EdE 2B) arrives, it makes its entrance by using Divine Scourge followed by casting meteor swarm, with no concern for the subsequent incineration of the remaining angels of decay. It uses its first lair action to create an earthquake effect, and it uses its next one to forcibly teleport the party members: it teleports melee opponents into newly formed fissures, and it teleports ranged opponents into its melee range. It consistently uses Waves of Exhaustion to decimate as many party members as it can, but it will favor its Life Drain or Slam if it finds itself to be taking large amounts of damage.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Conclusion

The moonlet's surface rumbles as if under the effects of an earthquake spell, requiring all creatures on the ground to succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone. Fissures tear open, and all creatures on the ground have a 25% chance of falling into one; a creature can make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw to avoid falling into one of these new fissures. The tremors last for 1d6 rounds, at which point the whole moonlet seems to contract—killing anyone or anything still trapped in a fissure.

Then the moonlet rockets away from the world, moving at a speed of 40,000 feet per round. Characters still on the surface are carried with the moonlet. As it moves away from the world, the Restless Dead sign ends, and creatures animated by its effects collapse, lifeless.

Background

Father Llymic's background is unchanged.

Goals

Father Llymic's goals are unchanged.

Father Llymic in the Campaign

Father Llymic sleeps in an icy prison atop one of the world's tallest mountains. Locked away inside a glacier, he beckons any who draw near to his form so that they might be transformed into his servants. With each new servant, he gains more of the strength needed to fully rouse.

Since he lurks in such an inhospitable place, this elder evil is easy to add to any campaign. Only when Father Llymic approaches his full might does the effect become noticeable, as the sun begins to lose the power to contain him. The terrain easily hides his brood, and travelers and remote mountain clans go missing all the time. Only the most thorough chronicler might notice that one mountain in particular is full of strange tales regarding missing travelers and reclusive natives. The obvious sign of Father Llymic's coming—the darkening of the sun—means that it is almost too late to stop him from waking.

Key Features

When planning for activity around the glacial tomb, be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules for Wilderness Survival (DMG 109). These rules include mechanics for hazards such as Extreme Cold, Strong Wind, Slippery and Thin Ice, and Heavy Precipitation that you may find useful.

Snow and ice cover the mountain. Temperatures hover just above freezing during the day and plummet to well below at night (the exact temperature varies depending on the time of the year and the power of the Dead Sun sign). The environment is severe cold, progressing to extreme cold as Father Llymic begins to stir.

The surface of the mountain consists of three primary materials.

• Stone: Small patches remain where snow and ice have not found purchase. These areas are rough, but otherwise easy to traverse.
• Snow: Although most of the snow is only a foot or so deep and is simple enough to traverse, other areas contain deep snowdrifts. These areas are difficult terrain, and they might hold other hazards as well, such as pockets of empty space beneath the snow that act as large pits.
• Ice: Great smooth ice floes make their way down every side of the mountain. Traversing these floes requires a DC 13 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to avoid falling prone. Failing by 5 or more results in a fall that, depending on the slope, might carry a character far away from their companions. Other areas are merely slick and level and follow the normal rules for Slippery Ice (DMG 110).

Aside from these effects, the weather itself makes traveling the mountain extremely difficult. Snow, hail, and lightning constantly assault its slopes. This weather can limit vision and obscure trails.

Tactics

Both brood spawn frost giants rush out of the keep on the first round to engage the party members out in the open. They target their attacks against creatures bearing a functioning light source, whether it's natural or magical in nature. If kept at range, they use their innate spells to hamper and damage the party by obscuring their vision with darkness and sleet storm.

The worgs wait 1 round before revealing their presence. They might wait for a good opportunity to strike before moving into a closer position. In the following round, the worgs attack the most injured party member, if possible. The worgs do not use their breath weapons unless sorely pressed.

These creatures use their innate spells and breath weapons without regard to their companions, relying on their immunities to negate the damage. These brood spawn fight to the death.

Prolonged combat here attracts other brood spawn to assist in holding the path. After 10 rounds, 2 (1d4) brood spawn ogres (EdE 10B) come to investigate from a nearby encampment.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Tactics

The brood spawn white dragon (EdE 12B) is a cunning opponent, using its surroundings to its best advantage. It moves out from its cave only close enough to unleash its Cold Breath and does not fly unless cornered. It instead waits for the party to approach it before using its powerful tail to collapse the thin ice underfoot. If any characters fall in, its next action is to cast wall of ice in order to seal the hole, trapping them in the freezing water below.

Once reduced to half of its hit points or fewer, the brood spawn dragon Disengages and flies up above the party, hiding in the howling storm. From there, it uses its spells to assault any creatures who were causing it harm in melee. After crippling these foes, it returns to the ground, focusing on spellcasters and other support characters before returning to that combat. The white dragon fights to the death.

If the characters bypass this brood spawn white dragon, it flies up to join the fight with Father Llymic the moment he is freed.

Freezing Water

This water is considered Frigid Water (DMG 110). Those trapped beneath the ice have no air and can't breathe.

Thick Ice

This ice is considered Slippery Ice (DMG 110).

Thin Ice

This ice is considered Thin Ice (DMG 110). If destroyed, creatures above it plummet 40 feet into the Freezing Water below.

Tactics

Father Llymic (EdE 8B) opens combat by using his Discord and Woe malefic property. He then calls forth three brood spawn barbarians from the surrounding caves. These brood spawn charge and attack the nearest enemy. In the following rounds, Father Llymic uses his abilities to their best effect, targeting any character that has a functioning light source before all others. If no light source presents itself (which is likely considering the overwhelming Dead Sun sign), Father Llymic instead closes with the nearest enemy to use his melee attacks while exposing as many party members as possible to his Deadly Chill aura. He also casts cone of cold whenever he can catch multiple party members in the blast. If the party proves resistant to cold, he casts maddening darkness and uses melee attacks in hopes of minimizing the effects of this resistance. If facing only a single foe in melee, Father Llymic tries to implant his Brood Seed.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Conclusion

The moment Father Llymic is destroyed, a faint flicker of light appears in the sky as the sun returns. Although it takes a few days for the light to return to full strength, this event causes fear in the hearts of all brood spawn, who quickly flee the area. Within a week, all the brood spawn die, melting into pools of ichor that forever stain the landscape. The arctic conditions slowly subside, but the effect on the world is devastating. Entire towns are emptied, crops are ruined, countless animals slain, and the landscape is scarred and ruined. With time, things might return to some semblance of normalcy, but nothing is ever again as it was.

Background

The Hulks' background is unchanged.

Goals

The Hulks' goals are unchanged.

The Hulks of Zoretha in the Campaign

The cults that worship the Hulks of Zoretha have been working for years to raise their strange stone gods to life. Since the Five are preparing to finally awaken, it seems as if they are about to succeed.

Suggested Party Level Chart

Key Features

Mad cultists with little knowledge of architecture designed the temple of Zoretha. It was intended to be a cathedral and resting place grand enough for gods. What is most remarkable is how well the cultists succeeded at their goal, for the main cavern of the temple is nothing if not awesome.

At its highest point, right above the Hulks, the ceiling of the cavern is 150 feet in height, and a roughly 90-foot-radius circle of it is ice. Large fires are never burned in the great cavern, so it is always very cold there.

The ice ceiling allows for illumination throughout the chamber during daylight hours, though the light is blue and the room is lit no better than it would be with candles and torches. The cultists leave the place dark at night, except when they perform rituals. During rituals they use torches and fire pits similar to those in the cultists' sleeping quarters. Any light causes strange shimmers and tricks of the eye.

Other ceilings in the temple complex are stone, and most are 20 feet tall or lower. Some are as small as 5 feet tall. The exception to this is the main entry hall, which at 40 feet in height is designed to be a comfortable space for the 20-foot-tall monoliths once they awaken. All light outside the main cavern comes from fire pits left burning for warmth.

Defenses

The Temple of Zoretha is well defended by the cultists who live there. Even when the majority are out raiding or hunting, a substantial guard is left behind to defend their gods' resting place. Surviving the harsh climate and the cult's internal squabbles make cultists tougher and better fighters than average folk. Defenders of less than CR 3 are rare.

After the main gate, the next line of defense is the great hall itself. Intruders are ambushed upon entry if possible. Cultists know that their monoliths are invulnerable, and those retaining the slightest shred of sanity do not defend the main cavern to the death.

The twists and turns of the smaller chambers and tunnels provide useful ambush spots or defensible last stands. If faced with particularly powerful intruders, the strongest Medium and Small warriors have instructions to defend the library, which can be accessed only by Medium or smaller creatures. Defenders of the library fight to their last breath.

Once the Hulks' Blood Moon sign reaches the strong or overwhelming stage, cultists of Zoretha can voluntarily enter a frenzy as noted in the sign's description.

A. The Entrance Tunnel

Set into an icy cliff face, this enormous tunnel is obscured by huge, fanglike icicles and large piles of packed snow; it takes a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) to notice the entrance before entering bowshot range. The entrance tunnel is guarded by ten to twelve cultists who gain cover from the ice and snow in the opening. Guards attack anyone they do not know as soon as they are in range. There is no password, and they cannot be reasoned with or bribed. Encounter 1 provides an example of entrance guards who are prepared for powerful opponents.

B. The Cavern

Any cultists in the cavern attack intruders on sight. In combat, keep in mind the huge scale of the room. Most Medium cultists worshiping among the monoliths, for example, need at least 2 rounds to reach melee fighting range of the entrance. All ranged fighters should have little trouble finding cover among the support pillars along the edge of the hall or behind the monoliths themselves. If a leader is present, cultists attempt to surround and trap intruders in the central area, so that they can be picked off by archers. Encounter 2 portrays the final fight with Soelma Nilaenish and the cultists in this area.

C. Ambush Spot

This alcove just inside the main entrance makes a perfect ambush spot to surprise those coming up the entrance tunnel. Stone formations and a well-placed support pillar grant anyone crouching here advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks in all but full daylight. If cultists are prepared for the party's arrival, four to five Medium cultists are hidden here when the party enters. Once the male Hulk awakens, he uses this ambush spot if given an opportunity to do so.

D. Janwulf's Home

The back half of this smaller room has been turned into a tidy and comfortable personal quarters for a Huge-size creature, with a magically everburning fireplace, piles of cured animal hide blankets forming a bed, a well-made wooden writing desk and chair, neatly organized shelves, and a large chest. Janwulf's wealth and remaining possessions can be found in this chamber. Janwulf used every magic trap he was able to pay for to keep intruders from rifling through his things, and the spells are still in place. The doorway, shelves, chest, and a secret panel in the chest are all rigged with explosive glyphs of warding (save DC 17).

Treasure in the room includes four silk tapestries on the walls that depict scenes of violent horror (1,000 gp each), a large crystal wine glass with an ornate gold base (3,000 gp), a silver ice bucket for chilling wine (2,000 gp), candlesticks (100 gp each), fine fabric on the mantelpiece (300 gp), and furs on the bed (350 gp total). The large desk and chair are made of darkwood and worth 500 gp each. The shelves (carved into the wall) contain only the works of a frost giant poet, worth 500 gp if the party can find a collector of depressing love poetry written in Giant.

The chest holds 4,000 gp and 500 pp. The chest is embroidered on the inside with nine bloodstones worth 50 gp each adorning a velvet cloth (worth 300 gp). If the party removes the velvet lining they find a secret panel and a tiny compartment holding five gemstones, each worth 1,000 gp: one diamond, one ruby, one topaz, one sapphire, and one black pearl.

E. Small Sleeping Area

Some Small and Medium cultists sleep here. The area is filthy and smells of unwashed bodies. Any cultists hiding here will probably be terrified of the characters, but being crazy and trapped, they still attempt to fight their way out.

F. Large Sleeping Area

Much like area J, this room is filthy and smelly, full of poorly tanned animal hides and little else. A few starved and sickly noncombatant cultists lie in the filth.

A second tunnel leads to area L, but it is small and difficult to notice in the shadows. Unless someone fully enters the chamber, it cannot be seen at all. If the party searches the room, a successful DC 18 Wisdom (Perception) check allows them to see the second tunnel.

G. Library

Here the cultists keep their stash of manuscripts referencing the Hulks of Zoretha as well as any other texts the cultists have decided allude to the Hulks. The original Zoretha Scrolls are not present. Other books and scrolls here include fairy tales and fiction, manuals describing the methods through which one can obtain Vile Feats (see Chapter 1), and spell scrolls of animate dead, eyebite, hallow, and move earth. Several cultists (minimum CR 8 each) make a stand here. They fight to the death to protect their precious books.

H1. Fire Hulk

Before awakening, the red and orange mottled fire Hulk stands here, facing the acid Hulk.

H2. Ice Hulk

The quiescent gray ice Hulk stands here, facing the lightning hulk. Pale blue lines that look like veins in the stone monolith glimmer wetly in torchlight.

H3. Acid Hulk

Until the Hulks are raised, the brown acid Hulk stands here, splotched randomly with sickly green patches that resemble lichen. The acid Hulk faces the fire hulk.

H4. Lightning Hulk

Before awakening, the dark blue lightning Hulk stands here, facing the ice Hulk. Torchlight sparkles brightly in the white crystal lines that run through the apparently stone Hulk.

H5. Male Hulk

The fifth Hulk stands here, facing the entrance. Though he is made of a black stonelike substance, his eyes follow observers.

Tactics

In the first round, the guards at the gate sound the alarm to the rest of the temple, then do their best to pick off the party members with ranged attacks while they retain their cover behind the snow and icicles. They will not be drawn out of their tunnel. The creatures outside the tunnel keep the party from advancing quickly to allow their allies to fire.

Since the guards sounded the alarm during the first rounds, the longer this fight takes, the better prepared the cultists are when the party finally enters the main cavern. After the fifth round, consider one main cavern cultist per round to be hidden (DC 18 to detect) to ambush the party.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Tactics

As the party makes its presence known, Soelma Nilaenish sends a few particular combatants to keep the party busy while she finishes her ritual.

The cave troll and the skindancers charge to attack as quickly as they can, while the greathorn minotaurs use their earth glide ability to circle behind the characters and surround them. Once the party is surrounded, the creatures try to herd them farther into the cavern, thus exposing them to more ranged attacks.

Obedient to Nilaenish's instructions, the creatures try to keep the party members in a group and away from the ritual if they possibly can. Nilaenish herself, even if attacked at range, does not join in the fight until her ritual is interrupted. She cast several defensive spells on herself before combat, however, and she is capable of casting counterspell and shield using her reaction without interrupting the ritual.

Once joined in the battle, Soelma attempts to stay out of melee with the party, taking cover behind a monolith and casting spells to support her allies. If she runs out of spells, Soelma—who is by now completely insane—voluntarily goes into a Blood Moon frenzy and fights to the death in melee with her staff of power.

If the party does not stop Soelma Nilaenish's ritual after 10 rounds of fighting, the Hulks awaken. However, if a party member attacks Soelma in melee or otherwise disturbs her ritual before a minute has passed, she angrily devotes her full energy to the battle. When Soelma falls, the remaining creatures flee into other parts of the temple.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Tactics

The Hulks of Zoretha (EdE 13B) are aware of the party's approach no matter how stealthy they are. The black Hulk has circled around to the ambush spot, hoping to use his sneak attack. The other Hulks spread out to surround the party and to avoid being caught in area spells. The black Hulk specifically targets spellcasters.

All four female Hulks cast conjure minor elementals before the combat is engaged, summoning mephits or other elemental creatures as appropriate. The summoned creatures attempt to keep the party together so the female Hulks can make better use of their breath weapons.

The five Hulks are mates and breeding partners. They become angry if one of the females is killed, and all the females are extremely protective of the male, since he is irreplaceable.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Variant: Titan of Zoretha

If you choose to use the Titan of Zoretha variant discussed earlier in this chapter, place it in the center of the room. The Titan is 60 feet tall, and it isn't able to enter the low ceiling area unless it drops prone on it knees.

Background

The Leviathan's background is unchanged.

Goals

The Leviathan's goals are unchanged.

The Leviathan in the Campaign

Everyone has heard legends about the Leviathan, ranging from wild sailors' tales of giant fish or whales to scholars' suggestions that the Leviathan is a real creature that has yet to be discovered. Few tales hint at the Leviathan's true power, and most of these are buried in the obscure dragon legends. Most scholars consider the Leviathan to be little more than an entertaining myth.

Suggested Party Level Chart

Spine Temple

Rituals to awaken the Leviathan take place at a secret temple located in one of the mountainous spines that bristle along the great beast's back. The spine, positioned not far behind the Leviathan's head, rises from the water several miles off the coast. It is entirely featureless, leaving sailors and scholars alike utterly puzzled as to its origin and purpose.

Originally used by chaos-worshiping spellcasters to recharge their arcane energy, the temple has long been abandoned. Axihuatl learned of its existence during his research on the Leviathan and intends to use the temple to awaken the creature, then return the Leviathan to sleep once it has done its work.

First Level

The uppermost level of the temple is a roughly conical chamber where surface-dwelling cultists perform their rituals. A massive shaft of bone, elaborately carved and fluted, supports the arched ceiling. At the base of the central pillar is the ritual space where Axihuatl (in human form) leads his air-breathing followers.

A. Entrance

This tube is dry and leads to an entrance on the surface (the other three on the level are filled with water after about 20 feet and lead to the next lower level). The cultists have fixed a rope ladder to enable easier access. The exterior door is located about 10 feet above the surface of the water and requires a DC 16 Intelligence (Investigation) check to locate.

B. Ceremonial Pillar

The central pillar narrows down here, where a ritual circle is inscribed in the floor, surrounded by incomprehensible runes. If cast correctly, Axihuatl's ritual will in theory wake the Leviathan for a time so it can smash the lands and sink most of the continents, and then send it back to sleep, leaving the world (in the ixitxachitl's mind, anyway) a far better place. See Encounter 1 for more details.

C. Ascending Transport Tubes

D. Descending Transport Tubes

These tubes are about 10 feet in diameter and were used for access between levels when the temple was submerged. Warm water rises through the tubes, heated by the mass of the Leviathan below, so swimming down is somewhat more difficult than swimming up. Descending one level through a tube requires 10 minutes and for a swimmer to make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a swimmer suffers one level of exhaustion.

Swimming up to the next higher level is easier, since the warm water carries the swimmer along. Doing this only takes 5 minutes and doesn't require a saving throw.

Second Level

This level is a squat cylinder, its walls, floor, and ceiling completely covered in intricately carved runes similar to those that surround the ceremonial circle on the first level. An eerie glow emanates from the runes, suffusing the area with dim light.

Chaos energy from the Leviathan slowly leaches from these runes, and small bioluminescent creatures swarm through the water, tiny manifestations of the Leviathan's dreams.

E. Runic Zone

These zones exist as cubes of chaotically charged water about 150 feet square, each centered on one of the transport tubes from above. Here, chaos energy is focused, manifesting several unusual effects. Anyone exiting the tubes into the level encounters the runic zone and its effects. See Encounter 2 for further details on these zones.

Third Level

The lowest level of the temple is a great spherical chamber over 800 feet across. It too is covered in carved runes that provide shadowy illumination as described on the previous level.

F. Chaos Doorway

The builders of the temple used these portals to transport themselves to and from the temple, entering and exiting without the need for physical doors. Now they serve as conduits to the Leviathan, manifesting creatures from its dreams and transporting them from the temple to elsewhere in the world. If the party approaches within 50 feet of one of these doorways, roll on the following table to see what type of creature manifests.

If an encounter features a creature from a book you don't have, pick a result from a book you do have. If the source column lists a source like "EdE 3B", it is referring to the accompanying bestiary for this book.

G. The Pit

At the bottom of the sphere is a round pit that leads into the very heart of the Leviathan's chaotic essence. See Encounter 3 for more details on this area.

Tactics

Initially, the waterveiled assassin and the wastrilith move to defend Axihuatl. Their priority is protecting him, so they move toward any characters who attack him. Cultists likewise move to stop the party while Axihuatl completes the ritual, but they are more likely to be nuisances than any real threat. The focus initially is simply to slow the party down and buy Axihuatl some time.

Ritual Circle

The cultists stand around the edge of these carved runes. A permanent hallow spell (save DC 16) is in effect inside the circle. The spell prevents celestials and fey from entering the area, and it inflicts the "Fear" effect (see the original spell) on creatures of lawful alignment.

Inner Circle

The hallow spell continues to target lawful creatures within the inner circle, but it also targets creatures of good aligment in this area.

Central Column

Any creature of chaotic alignment that starts its turn within 10 feet of the column gains 7 (2d6) temporary hit points, and such creatures have advantage on ability checks and saving throws while in the area.

Tactics

The aspects of the Leviathan attack the party members to keep them apart and prevent them from leaving the encounter area. The aspects attempt to use their Chaotic Surge abilities to deliberate the party, then bite and restrain any victims that are incapacitated.

The aspects continue to pursue the party members if they move out of the runic zones. If the characters can reach the exits, the aspects break off pursuit.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

This underwater battlefield includes a number of areas affected by the swirling random energy of the level. These zones are columns of water that extend from the top of the battlefield to the bottom and affect any individuals moving through them regardless of their relative depth. They can also be moved by the DM to present the party with greater challenges, if a character is leaving the battlefield too quickly or is otherwise having too easy a time of it. The aspects of the Leviathan are immune to the zone's effects.

Tactics

The advanced aspect of the Leviathan (EdE 19B) is drawn to the character who has the Abyssal Shard. It attacks this individual whenever possible and uses its Chaotic Surge ability as soon as it is in range. It then attempts to swallow the shard-carrier whole. If the shard-carrier perishes in the aspect's gizzard, see possible outcomes under the Conclusion section of the original book.

The deep lurkers attack the other party members and attempt to keep them from helping the shard-carrier.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Background

Pandorym's background is unchanged.

Goals

Pandorym's goals are unchanged.

Pandorym in the Campaign

Either the mind or the body of Pandorym alone is powerful enough to end a campaign. If the two are brought together, the alien weapon would be unstoppable. A reunited Pandorym should lead to the end of the campaign world.

Pandorym's Body

Pandorym's physical component does not truly exist as a body in the multiverse but is a conduit to the incomprehensible reality of its home. It manifests as a 30-foot-diameter black sphere that hovers in space, similar to a sphere of annihilation.

The sphere obliterates all matter it passes through and all matter that passes through it, except for deities. Anything else that touches the sphere but isn't wholly engulfed and obliterated by it takes 10d10 force damage.

No being—not even a deity—can control it, even using a talisman of the sphere. Any attempt to control the Gargantuan sphere instead causes it to slide 90 feet toward the creature. When this happens, each creature in its path can attempt a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the sphere passes through the creature, either destroying or heavily damaging it as described above. On a successful save, a creature can use its reaction to move barely out of the way of the sphere.

The ancient wizards hid Pandorym's body in a secret location far from the crystalline prison that holds its mind.

Key Features

Every mortal being that dies in the frightful complex surrounding the crystalline prison later serves in some way as a defender of the site. And every mortal being foolish enough to enter the complex so far has breathed its last within.

A. Chamber of Summoning

In this room the ancient wizards first contacted and lured Pandorym to this reality. The chamber barely survived its arrival: The annihilating body of the ultraplanar being instantly blew a 30-foot-wide sphere out of existence, along with several of its summoners. In a last act of freedom as the survivors strove to divert it into its prison, Pandorym lashed out at its betrayers. It utterly destroyed the bodies of a handful of mages and their assistants, leaving their suddenly insatiable souls intact. Panic ensued. A few summoners managed to escape, sealing the chamber against dimensional travel. The ghostly remnants of the rest fed on their former allies and coconspirators, bolstering their numbers. Now a dozen angry shadows (MM 269) remain trapped within.

B. Outer Circle of Binding

The lines and symbols of a massive calling diagram cover the floor of this circular hallway. Passing over the lines toward the center of the circle shifts a corporeal creature's body to the "perpendicular" reality of Pandorym's home for a brief moment. The sudden disorientation causes any non-undead creature that passes over the lines to have disadvantage on ability checks and saving throws for 1d4 rounds.

Necromancy spells cast within the circle (including adjacent rooms and passages) do not require concentration and take effect for twice their normal duration.

Several groups of constructs and undead patrol the hall.

C. Inner Circle of Binding

A second great circle of binding covers the floor of this circular hallway, enclosed entirely within the outer circle. Passing over its engraved lines shifts a corporeal creature's body to Pandorym's native reality for a few seconds. The wrenching shift forces any non-undead creature that passes over the lines to make a DC 23 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature suffers one level of exhaustion.

Necromancy spells cast within the circle (including other rooms and passages) do not require concentration and take effect for four times their normal duration. If such a spell makes an attack roll, it has advantage to hit. If such a spell forces a saving throw, any victim of the spell has disadvantage on the save.

Additionally, undead in the area have advantage on all attack rolls and ability checks, and they regain 5 hit points whenever they start their turn there.

This inner circle defines the limit of Pandorym's power while its mind is trapped within the crystalline prison. If Pandorym's mind escapes, the floor holding the calling diagram cracks, and the entire hallway collapses.

The Crystalline Prison

At the heart of the complex is a 20-foot-diameter circular room covered with sigils, runes, and incomprehensible glyphs of arcane design. A dark, oppressive chill leaks from the frigid void beyond the world, freezing the room's interior. The temperature never rises above Extreme Cold (DMG 110). Creatures in the area have resistance to fire damage. Nonmagical open flames are snuffed out the instant they enter the chamber and cannot be relit within its walls. Light sources provide half normal illumination.

At the chamber's center floats a violet crystal 15 feet tall and 8 feet across. It pulses with an unholy darkness that seems to suck in whatever light enters the room. It does not shimmer, nor does it reflect or refract any light other than hues of purple, casting a sickly violet pall over everything. The mind of Pandorym is trapped within.

Prismatic Barrier. The "crystal" is actually a permanent, modified, solidified form of the prismatic wall spell (PHB 267, save DC 23), six layers deep (it does not include the violet layer). The normal magical counters to the layers' effects don't function. Any creature that touches the crystal (even if wearing a glove or other protective clothing) is subject to the effect of one color layer per round, in consecutive order, for 6 rounds of contact. A creature still in contact with the crystal for a seventh round is drawn into the prison and blotted from existence.

A creature drawn into the prison cannot be revived by any means as long as the crystal remains intact, since it no longer truly exists in this reality. If the crystal is shattered (which releases Pandorym's mind), a creature destroyed by entering it can be returned to life with a true resurrection or wish spell.

Held items touching the crystalline prison do not put their wielders at risk, but an intelligent magic item is affected as a creature would be.

Physical Properties. The crystalline prison has an AC of 15 and 1,000 hit points. It regenerates 15 hit points at the start of every round, and it is immune to acid, cold, fire, lightning, necrotic, poison, psychic, and radiant damage; it is also immune to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks that aren't made with adamantine weapons. It is also vulnerable to thunder damage.

The prison has a damage threshold of 15, meaning that any effect that deals 14 damage or less is considered superficial and doesn't reduce the prison's hit points. It otherwise takes damage as normal.

Pandorym's Escape. If the crystalline prison takes 100 damage or more on a single turn for two rounds in a row, or if it takes 200 or more damage in a single round, it cracks and sends forth a mind shard of Pandorym. Only one mind shard can exist at a time, meaning that you only need to keep track of this condition while no mind shard is on the battlefield.

If the crystalline prison is reduced to 0 hit points, it crumbles into a pile of slivers and dust. At that moment, the full mind of Pandorym is released.

Tactics

The grisgol moves to attack living creatures it sees entering the room, attempting to paralyze as many as it can. It does not stop fighting until it is destroyed or its opponents are.

As soon as a party member becomes paralyzed, the deathshrieker enters the fight to take advantage of helpless prey. It works in concert with the grisgol, attempting to paralyze more opponents and draining Charisma from those affected.

Once more than half the opponents have been paralyzed at least once (even if they are no longer so), the deathshrieker flies to the top of the chamber and lets loose its Scream of the Dying. If it can, it uses this ability twice in a row in order to inflict short-term madness on the party.

If the deathshrieker is reduced to half of its hit points or fewer, or if an opponent casts the silence spell, it flees into the chamber's floor. It waits there for several minutes, then attempts to follow the party members and catch them in the midst of another fight. If the grisgol is destroyed, the deathshrieker uses its Scream of the Dying ability.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Conclusion

The party can find the following treasure among the three corpses:

• A cloak of protection (DMG 159)
• A potion of invulnerability (DMG 188)
• A potion of superior healing (DMG 187)
• A ring of mind shielding (DMG 191)

Tactics

The first seven caryatid columns work together tactically to eliminate one opponent at a time. They focus first on any party member wielding a two-handed weapon, hoping for the opponent to attack a column and to have the weapon break against their bodies.

The sounds of combat attract the attention of Lucather Majii (EdE 24B), who appears 2 rounds after the party engages the patrol. When he arrives, he first uses his Intercession ability to weaken divine spellcasters. He then begins casting spells, beginning with appropriate high-level ones. When the second wave of patrollers arrives, the caryatid columns (along with any surviving from the first wave) defend Lucather with a defensive line or semicircle.

This fight is intended to delay and weaken intruders. If the party defeats all seven caryatid columns of the first wave within 2 rounds, Lucather waits for the second wave. The next seven caryatid columns arrive 4 rounds after combat begins, regardless of whether the first wave survived or whether the party is still in the area.

Lucather flees to the chamber of the crystalline prison (see Encounter 3) if both waves of caryatid columns are destroyed or if he is reduced to 40 hit points or fewer. In addition, his arrival notifies Obligatum VII of the party's approach and nullifies any chance of their surprising it.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Tactics

With his Obligatum VII is focused on releasing Pandorym's imprisoned mind. The kolyarut's adamantine longsword allows it to deal an average of about 100 damage to the crystalline prison per round, assuming that it hits all four of its attacks. By the time the party arrives, it has already dealt 50 damage to the prison, meaning that it requires two more rounds before a mind shard of Pandorym has the potential to emerge.

If the crystalline prison takes 100 damage or more on a single turn for two rounds in a row, or if it takes 200 or more damage in a single round, it cracks and sends forth a mind shard of Pandorym. If you want to present a more difficult challenge for the party, change this encounter so that Obligatum VII has already dealt 200 damage to the prison and released a mind shard, and that it is well on its way to shattering the crystal.

The kolyarut is single-minded in its task, but it takes steps to defend itself if it is reduced to half of its hit points or fewer. Even then, if allies protect the inevitable it continues its assault on the crystalline prison regardless of its injuries.

The wraiths work with one another and Lucather (if he still exists) to defend the inevitable, but they do not necessarily cooperate with Obligatum VII or a mind shard. They focus on one or two physically weak foes, using their Life Drain attacks to kill their opponents and swell their own numbers.

If a mind shard forms, it immediately defends Obligatum VII or any other creatures attacking the prison. It concentrates on heavily armored foes (such as fighters or other combat specialists), leaving physically weaker opponents to the dread wraiths and Lucather. Keep in mind that its Intelligence and Wisdom scores are both 30, meaning that it is smart enough to determine the best course of action against the party, just as the DM is familiar enough with their party and players to metagame against them.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Background

Ragnorra's background is unchanged.

Goals

Ragnorra's goals are unchanged.

Ragnorra in the Campaign

Ragnorra's path is extraplanar, a twisted loop with one end anchored in the Positive Energy Plane. It curves through the Astral Plane and intersects with the Ethereal Plane, the Material Plane, or the Shadowfell before returning to its starting point. Each loop takes approximately 500 years. Ragnorra was exiled long before the deities created the mortal races, so the elder evil has been a potential threat for as long as the campaign setting has existed. Her current path is taking her toward the campaign world as the result of the Malshapers' actions to lead her there. This process can take anywhere from a few months to many years of game time, depending on the needs of the campaign.

Once Ragnorra emerges on the Material Plane, astrologers and astronomers quickly detect a fiery red comet where none had previously been recorded. The faint effect of her sign appears. Soon she is visible to the naked eye, dominating the night sky while the sign's effect strengthens. Ultimately, she crashes into the world, and the sign reaches its peak. At that point, the party has only a short time to deal with the threat.

Sometimes Ragnorra's target is another, nearby world. Her close passage leaves spores and corrupting influence in its wake, producing the effect of a moderate or strong sign, but does not culminate in a collision.

The Worldskin

Ragnorra is corrupting the essence of the world's life. After she crashes into the planet, all living things eventually become connected to her through a massive network known as the Worldskin. Pulsing veins run through the earth, branching neural fibers lace the skies, and gelatinous tendrils arc through the oceans. Cysts, abscesses, spores and tumors dot this foul growth, extensions of the elder evil's power that create a variety of magical effects. Such growths should be familiar to the party, as Ragnorra's Twisted Life sign has created identical growths in preparation for Ragnorra's arrival.

Because Ragnorra does not smash into the world until the very end of the campaign, the worldskin does not get a chance to spread very far yet. The membrane stretches across the crater floor, and the elder evil can activate any feature on its surface if she feels threatened. The party must contend with its many hazards in addition to Ragnorra, who lurks at its heart. She is unlikely to take notice of them unless they enter the neurotangle. However, her guardian progeny can also activate the skin's features and regenerate them for repeated use.

Worldskin features and their locations are marked on the original battle maps for each encounter. In an encounter, you can mark the various worldskin features with coins: heads indicates a growth ready for use, and tails marks one that must be regenerated. Remove coins from features that are destroyed. Progeny of Ragnorra and blistered souls can use their actions to activate these growths, and aboleth sarcomata and Ragnorra herself use legendary actions to do the same.

All worldskin features are immune to poison, psychic, and radiant damage. They each have a Constitution score equal to their AC, they automatically fail Strength and Dexterity saving throws, and they are immune to effects that require Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma saves.

Key Features

Ragnorra has started the process of regrowth, during which she will increase from her current Gargantuan fragment to a monstrosity a mile or more across.

A. Geyser Cave

The cave is hissing with live steam erupting from a pool covering the cave floor. The pool's water has been superheated by the living lava in area B. The steam subjects creatures within to extreme heat, dealing 2 fire damage every minute a creature stays here, in addition to its other effects (DMG 110).

The scorched rock is charged with elemental power, which acts as a barrier against the corrupt positive energy of the crater and repels the crater's twisted denizens. The chance of a random encounter drops to 5% while the party remains within the cave. If the party defeats the living lava, the cave cools to habitable temperatures and forms a useful shelter.

The pool in this area is charged with life-giving energy; one disease or condition afflicting a creature ends for every 5 minutes immersed in the pool.

B. Living Lava

Ragnorra's energy animated a pool of lava to create a Huge elemental creature of living lava, which now resides within this cave. This being is a magma elemental (EdE 34B), except that it is bound to the cave. Each round it spends away from its cave cools and slows it, reducing its speed by 5 feet. For every 30 cold damage dealt to it, the living lava's speed drops by an additional 5 feet. If its speed falls to zero, the life force animating it disperses, and the living lava collapses into a pile of rock.

C. Mage Garden

This preternaturally still area is not a true garden but a confusion of luxuriant plant growth. Odd, bulbous fruit grows from the tangle of strange-looking trees. A successful DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) or Intelligence (Investigation) check reveals that many of the plants are transformed creatures, including mind flayers and at least one aboleth.

Consuming a fruit from this garden restores one spell slot of 8th level or lower, but at great risk. Anyone eating the fruit must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or be immediately transformed into an immobile plant that reflects that creature's form. The creature is effectively petrified, but its weight remains the same.

A transformed creature can be returned to its normal form by an antimagic field or dispel magic spell; the petrification effect is considered a 7th level spell for the purposes of dispel magic. If the effect is not dispelled within 3 rounds, nothing short of a wish spell can restore the unfortunate being.

D. Breathing Tube

Regenerating Ragnorra's body requires an immense metabolic effort. To fuel this regrowth, she needs to breathe, so a respiratory system is the first part of her new form to appear. An 18-foot-wide tube has sprouted from the growing mass, connecting to what will eventually be lunglike structures. This pipe stretches across a wide crevasse that separates the Vile Home (see Encounter 3) from the rest of the crater's heart. The neurotangle extends to its upper surface, making passage difficult and hazardous.

The breathing tube protrudes from the worldskin and allows relatively safe access to Ragnorra's lair. Creatures can enter the pipe, though the inner surface is slippery and sensitive. The pipe is difficult terrain, and when a creature moves on the pipe for the first time on a turn, it must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check or fall prone. Failing this check by 5 or more causes the tube to reflexively twitch, pulling the tube opening inward and dumping the intruders into the crevasse below (area E). When this happens, a successful DC 15 Dexterity saving throw allows a creature to brace itself against the tube walls and remain inside.

E. Eruptive Abscess

The churning, tearing, and regrowth of the Scramble (see area F) has torn a gash in the worldskin. An acidic suppuration bubbles from it, spilling into a deep fissure surrounding Ragnorra's lair. The acid-filled crevasse forms an effective moat, with only a patch of land to the east and the breathing tube (see area D) offering access.

Tactics

The blistered souls want to draw the party farther into the area to expose the intruders to more worldskin features. The charging one attacks the party for a round, then retreats toward the center where the other awaits them. These two blistered souls engage the party. Typically, one of them uses its melee or ranged attacks while the other activates or regenerates a nearby worldskin feature. The third remains hidden, using Regenerate Worldskin and Skincasting to aid its fellows.

The neothelid is the first to detect the party's approach via its Creature Sense, and its reaction alerts the blistered souls. It stays back, using its breath and superior reach to batter the party once the blistered souls lure them there. Once engaged in melee, the neothelid acts as the "tank" and fights until slain. It doesn't use Regenerate Worldskin or Skincasting during the fight.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Treasure

The blistered souls collect their victims' possessions and embed them within the worldskin as offerings to Ragnorra. Digging into the worldskin is possible, though disquieting, and takes 10 minutes per hole. Such activity is likely to make the skin shudder (see above), but that event does not present a problem unless combat is occurring.

A successful DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) check uncovers one of the following items in a hole:

• A circlet adorned with rubies worth 3,300 gp
• A potion of climbing (DMG 187)
• A letter that scorns the idea of Ragnorra's minions breaching the defenses of an aristocrat's home, in the pocket of a bejeweled smoking jacket worth 2,700 gp
• A periapt of health (DMG 184)

Tactics

Though he speaks scornfully, Irthicax Vane (EdE 31B) harbors deep admiration for these indviduals who are unwilling to abandon their world. He would rather avoid violence and tries to convince the party to forgo their hopeless quest. If they do not, he regretfully takes steps to deal with them.

Vane waits for one of the party members to come within reach of his hiding place and strikes with his Multiattack, attempting to frighten them at first in order to scare them off. He then uses the far step spell, cast via Gutterang, to teleport away and to withdraw into a tunnel.

He is accomplished at hit-and-run tactics, using his superior speed and the terrain to full advantage. He moves through the tunnels to new attack positions on the surface, and he never fights for more than two consecutive rounds before retreating to a membranous opening and repositioning for another attack.

Vane keeps up a running dialogue with the party during this combat to keep them off guard and confused. While in the tunnels, he projects his voice from other openings by causing his voice to echo across the tunnels.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Conclusion

Irthicax Vane fights until he drives the party away or is defeated. However, if the party can convince him that they stand a chance against Ragnorra, he can offer limited help. He makes it clear that he will not directly engage Ragnorra for any reason.

Vane can tell the party about the Mage Garden (area C) if they are not aware of it, as well as inform them of its uses and pitfalls. He has also observed a potential weakness of the Mother of Monsters: when a creature destroys a spawning spore, she seems to become angry, focusing her attacks at the destroyer for a time.

Tactics

Ragnorra (EdE 28B) is preparing for the next stage of her regrowth. She moves toward the True Mother Chord to finish her preparations, rolling like a wave of sludge over spawn, worldskin features, and party with equal unconcern.

If the party deals damage to Ragnorra, she does not retaliate directly at first; instead, she births aberrations from a nearby Spawning Spore and regenerates it, and then decides to activate worldskin features instead of making attacks. After 1 round, she directly attacks creatures who damaged her, striking and making use of her attacks and worldskin features as you see fit.

If a creature destroys one of her Spawning Spores, Ragnorra retaliates against the creature, focusing her attacks on them for 1 or 2 rounds.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Background

Sertrous's background is unchanged.

Goals

Sertrous's goals are unchanged.

Sertrous in the Campaign

Avamerin remains hidden, a shadow leader of the Vanguard. When one army is defeated, he waits for a few centuries to start again, choosing a new champion to woo followers away from the yuan-ti gods and to lead an army against the world. As a result, the latest Vanguard can come from anywhere in the campaign world where the yuan-ti are active. The Serpent Reliquary itself, where Avamerin dwells and Sertrous's head is kept, exists in its own dimension accessed by a portal placed in a remote location in the campaign world.

Key Features

The layout of the rooms within the Serpent Reliquary disrupts most mapping attempts. This complex is constructed around a tesseract, a structure whose sides connect in ways that are unfathomable in a three-dimensional world.

The chambers within the complex are aligned to the different sides of the tesseract, producing seemingly impossible (at least, from a three-dimensional point of view) room connections within the complex. Arrows on the map show what other rooms can be reached from each area.

Each of the complex's sections is located on its own demiplane, separate from but contained wholly by the complex itself. The ranges of all divinations cast within the complex are limited to the area where the spell is cast.

Defenses

Although the walls inside of each complex are made of magically enhanced stone, they are still subject to effects and damage as normal. Where faces of the tesseract touch, door-shaped portals allow movement between them. Passage through these portals feels no different from moving through a doorway. Physical objects can pass with ease, and a creature in one area can observe events in an adjacent area by looking through an open portal.

Air within the complex constantly refreshes, and rooms are humid and warm

Encounter Areas

The following locations correspond to those indicated on the Reliquary map.

Tactics

If forewarned, Seghulerak (EdE 36B) casts spiritual weapon before combat (she always has a death ward spell on herself). She wastes no time with threats once she sees the first party member, but immediately uses the Dark Speech to attempt to frighten the party, hopefully buying herself some time. On her next turn, she summons a fiendish anaconda (EdE 38B) using the summon greater demon spell; if you wish to increase the difficulty of the encounter, you can have her summon a more powerful demon instead. If the party still hasn't reached her in melee, she continues to fight using her ranged spells. If threatened in melee, Seghulerak either uses spells like disintegrate or finger of death that force saving throws, or she uses her Multiattack against the weakest melee combatant. She is fond of moving into a pool of poison while constricting foes.

Four assassins move up to engage the party, attempting to use their sneak attacks by attacking from the shadows and then moving to flank foes in the following rounds. The remaining two assassins hang back to observe the party's spellcasters, attempting to gang up on one of them three rounds later.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Tactics

The snake swarms should be little more than a nuisance to a high-level party, but the real menace is a considerable threat. Zuvexus is Seghulerak's cohort, and when her mistress is in the Reliquary, it is the marilith's duty to serve as warden.

She waits patiently, hidden inside the illusory statue of Sertrous in the middle of the room. She can see through the illusion with her truesight. When combat begins, she casts spiritual weapon and attempts to summon 1d4 hezrous (MM 60) using her Summon Demon ability. On her next turn, she uses major image to lure in the party's melee combatants, and then she casts blade barrier on the area they are in. When forced into melee, Zuvexus batters her opponents with a whirlwind of longswords. If she grapples an opponent with her tail, she will attempt to move them into her blade barrier.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Tactics

When Avamerin becomes aware of the party's arrival, he greets them with a friendly but tired welcome, congratulating them on achieving the Inmost Vault of the Serpent Reliquary. He then apologizes to the party, informing them that there is no Sertrous- there never was. The Vanguard was a sham, and the infestation of serpents is a trial placed upon the world by the gods as a test to mortal life. Avamerin proudly proclaims the party members the saviors of their world and congratulates them on proving to the gods that mortal life can indeed stand against such horror and peril. He then offers to send the party back to their homes; if they accept, he casts gate to open a portal for them.

Of course, these are all lies. Avamerin is merely attempting to convince the party to leave the Inmost Vault so that he can flee to somewhere else with the skull of Sertrous and rebuild his lair. Whether the gate actually leads back to the party's home or to a horrific layer of the Abyss cunningly disguised to look like their home is up to you. Due to Avamerin's Divine Awareness trait and his Aura of False Divinity, the party cannot use ability checks to influence this social encounter, and they must overcome Avamerin's extremely high Charisma (or his Shapechanger trait) if they are to see through his lies.

If the party attacks (as Avamerin expects), the fallen planetar does his best to slay them all, beckoning two golothomas to come to his aid and using his Dark Speech on his first turn in combat. As he attacks, his true nature slithers into being; he is not the handsome angel the party initially spoke to, but a hunchbacked creature with scaly skin and a partially serpentine face, complete with forked tongue. Although he has a large number of ranged spells, he prefers to fight in melee, resorting to spells only as a trump or to strike at foes beyond his immediate reach.

Sertrous's Final Gambit

When Avamerin is slain, Sertrous is forced to manifest to defend himself. The demon lord uses the body of his first and greatest minion to fuel the manifestation of his avatar, and he calls upon two golothomas to aid him in the battle as well. Sertrous uses his abilities freely, desperately attempting to get rid of the party as soon as possible. Sertrous might use his Swat Away legendary action to hurl opponents into the diseased trees to cause explosions of poisonous spores.

You may wish to force each creature that witnesses the manifestation of Sertrous's aspect to make a DC 23 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature goes mad. Roll on the Madness of Sertrous table (EdE 35B) to determine the nature of the madness, which is a character flaw that lasts until cured. See the Dungeon Master's Guide for more on madness.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Background

The Worm That Walks' background is unchanged.

Goals

The Worm That Walks' goals are unchanged.

The Worm That Walks in the Campaign

The Worm that Walks is easy to incorporate into a campaign because of its association with several lesser creatures such as the spawn of Kyuss, the avolakia, and the ulgurstasta. Using these adversaries helps plant the seed of Kyuss in your players' minds so when you reveal the elder evil's true nature, it's a logical resolution for the campaign.

Key Features

To an outsider, the island is like any other tropical paradise, with high, mist-shrouded peaks and lush jungles buzzing with life. The forest canopy is home to several varieties of monkeys, birds whose plumage runs the spectrum, all sorts of crawling insects, and, of course, worms. Beneath its breathtaking exterior lies rot, decay, and pulsing evil.

Wormcrawl Island is about four miles in diameter. Two mountains dominate the terrain. The eastern mountain is older and covered by dense jungle, and the western peak is jagged, bare, and topped with a smoking crater.

Runoff from the mountains drains down to the interior and gathers in a large freshwater lake (see area C). The lake feeds a river that cuts a path to the ocean. Gathering on the shores of the river is dense foliage consisting of thorny bushes, tall grasses, and odd flowers.

The most notable feature of the island is at its center, where the Worm that Walks languishes in the prison of its obelisk. All around the 100-foot-tall spire is blood rock, stone infused with the blood of countless sacrifices. Spewing up from this stone are pools of slime infused with Kyuss pestilence.

The islet rises in the center of a sea of hot tar. Great bubbles rise from its depths to burst and release poisonous fumes that waft across the shores and fill the air with toxins.

A. Gruesome Greeting

Skulls mounted on stained poles along the island's shores serve as warnings to drive off unwanted visitors. The skulls are all humanoid, and a DC 12 Wisdom (Medicine) check reveals small holes riddling each.

B. The River

The river is not deep enough for a seafaring vessel to navigate; characters equipped with rowboats can move upstream without a problem. The river is 100 feet wide on average. It is home to giant crocodiles, schools of flesh-eating fish, and a variety of water snakes. Swarms of biting insects carry Cackle Fever (DMG 257), and each hour of travel each party member must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or contract the disease.

C. The Lake

Waterfalls spilling down from the mountain create a beautiful spectacle for those coming upon this place, masking the danger lurking beneath its waters. Three hideous leechwalkers (EdE 43B) rise up and attack any who come too close.

D. Caves

A few caves and fissures pierce the slope of the volcano. Venting out from these gaps are plumes of poisonous gas. The DC for saving throws against the volcano's poisonous gas (see the Defenses section above) is increased to 20 in this area.

Each cave descends 1d4×100 feet into the volcano. In their depths, at least a dozen blessed spawn of Kyuss (EdE 42B) work to breach the walls and flood the tunnels and the island with lava to destroy the obelisk and free their master.

E. Volcano

A volcano towers over the island, rising above the lower slopes at a sharp climb up to 2,000 feet above sea level at the lip of the caldera. At the top, the ground gives way to a 500-foot-deep pit a thousand feet across. At the bottom is a churning soup of lava, spewing clouds of poisonous gas and the occasional spray of flaming rock into the air. The DC for saving throws against the volcano's poisonous gas (see the Defenses section above) is increased to 22 in this area. In addition, there's a 20% chance each minute that something belches forth from the flaming pit, striking a random character. The creature struck must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 17 (5d6) bludgeoning damage plus 17 (5d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

F. The Unquiet Jungle

The jungle that covers much of the land west of the volcano is crawling with fierce insects and contaminated by parasites and diseases delivered by clouds of thirsty mosquitoes. Each hour the characters travel through the jungles forces them to make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature contracts Slimy Doom. 1d4 hours after being infected, the creature begins to bleed uncontrollably. The infected creature has disadvantage on Constitution checks and Constitution saving throws. In addition, whenever the creature takes damage, it is stunned until the end of its next turn.

G. Shattered Idol

Rising up like a crone's finger from the western mountain are the remains of a shattered idol. Little is left to testify to its original form, though it's clear the figure wore robes. Rubble litters the ground around the idol, and 50 feet down the slope lies the head, which is carved to look like a mass of worms.

H. Sacred Pool

This pool served as a sacred meeting place. It is now black and corrupt, with a skin of green slime coating its surface. The water feeding the pool spills into the murk without disturbing the surface. The grass and underbrush all around is brown and slippery with rot. A successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check of the area turns up a few scraps of cloth, a shattered symbol of Obad-Hai, and a scattering of maggot-infested flesh.

I. Polluted Lake

The marsh is a mess of mud, pools of brown water, and dead reeds. In its center is a still, black pool of stinking water. Just beneath the surface are the rotting remains of the villagers who lived here. The salts of the water preserve their bodies, keeping them ready for animation. As long as no one drinks the water, the pool and its contents are harmless. Consuming or touching the water exposes the characters to the tiny green worms crawling through the muck.

Tactics

The blessed spawn of Kyuss (EdE 42B) rush into melee combat as fast as possible, attempting to restrain as many enemies as they can with multiple Plagues of Worms. While the combat rages, the gravecrawler (EdE 44B) moves back and uses its chill touch and dispel magic spells to negate the beneficial effects of any divine spellcaster in the party. It might also use its transmute rock spell to restrain the party in mud. If four or more blessed spawn are destroyed, the gravecrawler uses its sickening radiance spell on the party, hoping to reduce the remaining characters to nothing via exhaustion. It relies on its Calcifying Aura to defend itself in melee if need be.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Treasure

Searching through the rubble turns up an assortment of baubles. There is a total of 1,034 pp. A creature that succeeds on a DC 16 Intelligence (Investigation) check also finds 1d2 black pearls (worth 500 gp each) until a total of five have been found. A DC 18 Intelligence (Investigation) check in the western corner uncovers a spellguard shield (DMG 201).

Tactics

The scion of Kyuss lurches forward and swims through the tar to attack the party. It uses its Acid Breath to bombard as many creatures as it can, and then it regurgitates a forest giant skeleton to keep them busy. When one or more creatures are close enough, it uses its Tendrils to grapple as many creatures as possible. If it succeeds, the scion uses its Fling to throw a grappled creature deeper into the tar. It relies on the forest giant skeletons it regurgitates to keep the rest of the party busy while it uses its Tendrils to batter tar-submerged creatures, taking advantage of its 20 foot range and the immobilizing effect of the tar to attack without retaliation. It prefers to only re-emerge from the tar when it recharges its Acid Breath or when it wants to Bite and swallow an enemy that has half of its hit points or fewer.

Keep in mind that while the scion's Fling action has a range of 60 feet, actually throwing a player character that far into the tar might take them out of the fight completely. Be careful when using Fling on melee characters, but feel free to use this maximum range on any NPC that is accompanying the party, as well as on spellcasters that have access to magical flight or teleportation that enables them to escape the tar.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Tactics

Edwin Tolstoff (EdE 42B) must direct the sphere of annihilation into the well of many worlds. If he possesses a talisman of the sphere, Edwin automatically succeeds at doing this; otherwise, he must make Intelligence (Arcana) checks as detailed in the sphere of annihilation item description.

Once he succeeds, Edwin then fights the party until his master emerges. He uses spells to cause trouble and to prevent the party from drawing too close to the shuddering well, using dominate monster or hold person to immobilize and distract them. Edwin casts greater invisibility and attempts to flee early if reduced to half of his hit points or fewer.

After 5 rounds, Kyuss (EdE 40B) bursts free, erupting from the obelisk as a flood of worms and maggots that quickly assumes the form of a giant humanoid. As the obelisk shatters, Kyuss uses his Divine Scourge. He then begins combat by using his Plague of Worms to restrain as many party members as possible, and then he hammers at the characters with his Worm Smite.

Kyuss uses Quicken Spell to cast animate dead as a bonus action, creating multiple spawn of Kyuss to assault the party with. Kyuss then casts dominate monster on a melee combatant, instructing the character to turn against their comrades. Kyuss fills out the next few rounds by casting spiritual weapon at 6th level and any offensive spell of his choice, as well as using an 8th level spell slot to cast spirit guardians if his dominate monster spell ends. He returns to melee combat when his Plague of Worms or Worm Smite actions have recharged. Throughout the fight, he uses Bless Spawn to bolster his forces and Summon Spawn when they are depleted. He saves his 9th level spell slot for the use of power word kill later on in the fight.

When Kyuss is reduced to half of his hit points or fewer, he casts divine word. If you wish, Kyuss may then quicken planar ally to cast it using his bonus action, beseeching Orcus for aid. Orcus immediately sends a demon to his aid, such as a glabrezu (MM 58) or a maurezhi (MTF 133). Orcus might also send an undead servant, such as a famine spirit (EdE 6B), if he so desires.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book. Undead and aberrations are immune to any negative effects described below.

Conclusion

Although the procedure Edwin uses to release the Worm that Walks should succeed, it has other unforeseen consequences. The sphere becomes a "black hole", annihilating everything near to it. If abandoned for more than 10 minutes, it picks up speed and power, drawing the island, the waters, the air and everything else on the Material Plane into its dimensional fissure, erasing all existence within 1 hour.

The bizarre circumstances of this ritual modify the usual effects that occur when someone attempts to destroy a sphere of annihilation. Casting a gate spell on the sphere catapults everything within a 180-foot radius into an alternate Material Plane. Touching the sphere with a rod of absorption causes the sphere to be absorbed and for the rod to explode, dealing 140 (40d6) force damage to everything in a 600-foot radius.

At your option, once the Worm that Walks has been dealt with or has left the island, a divine power can intervene to stop the catastrophe, or you can choose to lessen the severity of these consequences. For example, instead of becoming a black hole, the sphere might explode after 15 minutes, destroying Wormcrawl Island and everything on it.

Background

Zargon's background is unchanged.

Goals

Zargon's goals are unchanged.

Zargon in the Campaign

The particulars of the Cynidicean Kingdom, such as placement and cultural specifics, are loose to make it easier for you to insert Zargon into the campaign. The ziggurat holding Zargon should lie in the middle of a large desert, but any wasteland can serve. Legends about the lost civilization are hard to come by, suppressed by religious groups hiding the fact that divine intercession failed and Asmodeus saved the day. If necessary, you can substitute any powerful evil force for Asmodeus and if you'd prefer the gods not be slain, substitute high-level wizards, clerics, or other adventurers.

Suggested Party Level Chart

Key Features

Each tier of the ziggurat (there are five in all) serves as a discrete level and connects to lower and higher levels by carved staircases cut into the stone. Ceiling heights reach 18 feet except in the hallways, where the ceiling drops to 10 feet high. The upper levels can be developed in extensive detail if desired, but by the time the party reaches the ziggurat, Zargon should soon be freed, and there's neither time nor need to detail every inch of this place.

Before Zargon was sealed in the floor, lower levels provided access to the Lost City far below. Whether these levels remain or the Lost City can still be accessed is up to you.

Defenses

The cult is ready for an attack, so three sets of guards monitor the corridors. Each group consists of four oozeblades (EdE 50B) and one slime shaman (EdE 51B).

If combat breaks out, the closest guards can make DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) checks. Those who succeed go to investigate. Guards in room 12 respond to sounds of fighting in Encounter 3.

Dorn and Vanessa will investigate if they hear combat break out within 90 feet of them. Otherwise, they move to Encounter 3 to make their stand alongside Zargon.

Encounter Areas

The following locations correspond to those indicated on the ziggurat map.

Tactics

If Dorn is here and the trap was not sprung, he first uses his Summon Demon action to summon an alkilith. It and the humanoid whelps then ooze forward, attempting to engage the party in melee. The whelps are all immune to the alkilith's Foment Madness, and they attempt to use their Whelm actions to immobilize the party.

Once the party is engaged in melee, Dorn uses his Corrosive Spew on as many of them as he can. He uses his Cunning Action to weave in and out of combat, targeting the most injured enemy with his Sneak Attack when possible.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Tactics

The oozeblades sound the alarm and charge the party on their turn. They start off by using their Slimy Curse before entering melee. If they need to retreat, one of them casts the darkness spell before they flee.

One round later, the thralls of Juiblex join the fight and charge the party.

One round after that, Vanessa (if present) and the slime shaman arrive. The slime shaman targets spellcasters with blindness/deafness, and then follows up with a variety of damaging spells.

Vanessa supports the melee combatants with spells, casting hold person followed by flaming sphere. If she faces spellcasters, she makes sure to save her reaction for counterspell or Insane Defiance.

Features of the Area

This area contains a variety of features, as pictured in the original book.

Tactics

When not ordered by Zargon, the whelps attempt to use Whelm on the closest party members they can see. The corrupture rushes into melee as well, attempting to catch as many enemies as it can in its Acid Burst.

Zargon starts by using his Spew Slime action, blanketing the area with the awful stuff. While the oozes attend to the party, Zargon stays back, using his Multiattack to make two attacks with his barbed tentacles from 30 feet away, preferably against the spellcasters of the party. If a party member does a large amount of damage to Zargon, he might choose to grapple the opponent and to Fling it into the pit below him. In general, Zargon uses his superior reach to assault the party while still avoiding their melee combatants.

If the other oozes die, Zargon uses his Tentacle Swarm legendary action to immobilize as many party members as he can. He then rushes into melee, using his Gore attack (preferably boosted by his Charge trait) on the most damaged party member he can see. Afterwards, Zargon uses his muscled tendrils to knock grappled creatures prone, and he uses Spew Slime whenever it recharges. When not provoking opportunity attacks, Zargon climbs around the room, spreading his Slime Trail wherever he goes. Zargon fights until destroyed, knowing he will rise once more in a few days.

Sounds of combat in this room attract the attention of guards throughout the complex. If they are still alive, the cult guards from area L start moving in the second round of combat, while any remaining guards in the halls head toward this room starting in round 3. If Vanessa and Dorn have not been encountered elsewhere, they begin moving starting in round 5.

Lighting

This room has no light sources in it.

Broken Statue

Three massive statues once stood at the end of the chapel, but the cultists of Zargon have defaced and shattered them; the rubble covers the floor around them. Each statue stands 10 feet high and ends in a jagged break, but can still be climbed if a creature wants to do so.

Dense Rubble

Areas with dense rubble in it are difficult terrain for creatures that walk through them.

Illusory Wall

Illusory walls stretch across the north edge of the room.

Pit

Zargon emerges from a deep pit dug by his cultists, who were rewarded for their labor by being transformed into whelps. The pit is 40 feet deep, and the bottom is covered with slime. A character falling in the pit takes 14 (4d6) bludgeoning damage from the fall and must contend with the slime at the bottom (see below). The pit's walls are covered in a thin layer of slime, but can be climbed with a successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check.

Slime

This slime was created by Zargon's Slime Trail trait. A creature that moves into the slime's space for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there must succeed on a DC 27 Constitution saving throw or take 14 (4d6) acid damage. This slime dissipates 1 minute after being excreted.