Friday, May 30, 2025

Mission 1: The Spreading Blight & Perilous Descent


Mission 1: The Spreading Blight & Perilous Descent


                                            Map Nazthural Periphery


Campaign: Shadowstone: Seeds of Retribution Levels: 6 Overall Premise: The PCs, having just thwarted Malice's immediate plans in Narathzul, are now the direct targets of her furious, personal pursuit. Their flight leads them through the treacherous Periphery, where they receive crucial, if desperate, aid from the resistance, setting them on a path of immediate heroism in the Grimstone Quarry, and subtly pointing them towards Shadowstone. 

Part 1: Overview

Setting: Narathzul's Periphery. A colossal, 100-mile subterranean "suburb" of the Drow city, serving as its dangerous frontier for resource gathering and military projection. While heavily patrolled by Drow forces, especially around key arteries, its vastness allows for significant wilderness zones. Atmosphere: Desperate flight, claustrophobia, looming threat, strange bioluminescence, the distant sounds of battle and industry, and a growing sense of the Underdark's immense scale. Themes: Escape, Survival, Pursuit, Incidental Heroism, The Unveiling of a Greater Threat. Party Level: 6 Expected Duration: 3-4 hours (adjust based on party's pace and combat length)

Part 2: Hook & Goals

Hook: Having just defeated (but not killed) Matron Malice Mizzrym in Narathzul, the PCs witnessed her desperate escape, grabbing a nearby Drow guard as she vanished. Now, they are the prime targets of her wrath. As they plunge into the Periphery, the relentless pursuit by Malice herself, accompanied by her elite forces, is immediate and personal. Their every step is haunted by the echoes of her fury, pushing them onward into the vast, dangerous Underdark. They have only vague knowledge of Shadowstone as Malice's new stronghold, making it a destination of both dread and desperate hope.

Goals:

  1. Execute a harrowing escape through Area 3: The Bioluminescent Groves, using its unique environment to evade Malice's direct pursuit.
  2. Benefit from the resistance's diversion, specifically Mouse's attack on Malice, allowing the PCs to push ahead.
  3. Meet Cynthia in Area 2: The Moonless Grotto, receiving immediate news of a disaster at the mines.
  4. Descend into The Grimstone Quarry (Area 7) to rescue trapped miners from a cave-in and confront a lurking fiend.
  5. Defeat the fiend threatening the miners, enabling their escape.

Part 3: Scene-by-Scene Progression

(Refer to "Narathzul Periphery.jpg" map for locations)

Starting Point: The adventure begins in media res, with the PCs having just exited Narathzul City. They are fleeing quickly, likely through Area 1: The Sunken Ascent Shipping Hub or another immediate exit, putting them on a path directly towards Area 3: The Bioluminescent Groves.

Scene 1: Flight Through the Bioluminescent Groves

  • Location: Area 3: The Bioluminescent Groves.
  • Description: The cavern glows softly with the diverse hues of bioluminescent fungi, casting eerie but beautiful light. The air is humid and smells of rich earth and damp spores. Paths are often squelchy, and some fungi can be waist-high, creating natural cover and obstacles.
  • Encounter: The PCs find themselves in a desperate, high-stakes chase. Matron Malice Mizzrym (use Drow Matron Mother stat block, but emphasize she is focused on pursuit and delaying them rather than a full-on fight to the death here) leads a furious elite Drow pursuit squad (e.g., 2-3 Drow Elite Warriors, 1 Drow Mage or Priestess, 1-2 Giant Spiders). They are closing in, shouting threats and vows of vengeance.
    • Chase Mechanics: Use a chase sequence (DMG p. 252) or a series of contested ability checks (Acrobatics to navigate squelchy paths, Stealth to use fungal cover, Athletics to clear obstacles, Perception to spot hidden Drow traps or shortcuts). Success means gaining distance; failure means Malice's forces close in, forcing a skirmish or further resource expenditure.
    • Tactical Opportunity: Encourage players to use the environment: topple large fungi, create temporary blinding effects from glowing spores, or force Drow into difficult terrain.
  • Dynamic Element: The Resistance's Diversion: Just as Malice begins to close the distance or corner the PCs, a section of the cavern ahead erupts in chaos. Mouse, leading a small, elite strike team of Deep Gnome resistance fighters (perhaps 4-6 Deep Gnome Scouts/Warriors, using appropriate stat blocks), ambushes Malice's lead elements. This is a dramatic, tactical skirmish intended solely to draw Malice's direct attention and buy the PCs crucial time. Mouse might briefly make eye contact with the PCs, shouting a command or pointing them urgently towards the west, towards Area 2. Malice, enraged by this new interference, shifts her focus to breaking through Mouse's ambush, allowing the PCs to slip away.
  • Transition: The PCs, having gained precious moments, continue their desperate flight towards Area 2.

Scene 2: Respite and Urgent Plea at the Grotto

  • Location: Area 2: Resistance Territory / Hidden Encampments (The Moonless Grotto).
  • Description: Having used the resistance's diversion to escape Malice's immediate sight, the PCs make their way to the tranquil, eerily beautiful Moonless Grotto. This natural cavern is almost perfectly circular, its ceiling high above, with faint, silvery lichen patterns mimicking moonlight. The air is still, clean, and carries a subtle, calming energy. Here, they find Cynnthia (Drow Cleric of Eilistraee, use Drow Priestess of Lolth stat block, but lawful good alignment and Eilistraee spells), performing a quiet ritual at a small, unadorned shrine. She appears focused but aware of her surroundings.
  • Encounter: Cynnthia senses their approach. She is wary but not hostile, her devotion to Eilistraee making her sympathetic to those pursued by Lolth's tyranny. She offers them temporary sanctuary and a moment to catch their breath. She may offer minor healing or spiritual guidance if they speak to her.
  • Plot Twist: News from the Mines: As the PCs converse with Cynnthia, or as they recover, desperate, dust-covered runners (e.g., 2 injured Duergar commoners or desperate Deep Gnome commoners) from the Grimstone Quarry (Area 7) burst into the grotto. They are panicked, breathless, and terrified. They report a massive, unexpected cave-in at the quarry, trapping dozens of enslaved miners. Worse, they scream of a terrifying, "grinding beast" that has emerged from the depths and is preying on the survivors amidst the rubble. The miners are slowly trying to dig themselves out, but they are helpless against the creature.
  • Cynnthia's Plea: Cynnthia, witnessing their plight and sensing the PCs' heroic potential, urgently appeals to them. "The miners... they need immediate help! I will follow as fast as I can with what healing I can offer, but this 'beast' needs to be dealt with now. The path to the Grimstone Quarry is swift from here, but dangerous. You are their only hope." She can quickly point them to the quickest, most direct (and likely treacherous) route to Area 7.
  • Transition: The PCs, compelled by the immediate crisis, head towards Area 7: The Grimstone Quarry.

Scene 3: Rescue in the Grimstone Quarry

  • Location: Area 7: The Grimstone Quarry.
  • Description: The PCs arrive at a scene of chaos and despair. The air is thick with dust, the metallic tang of blood, the acrid smell of burning rock, and the desperate cries of enslaved miners (Deep Gnomes, Dwarves, Duergar, etc.). A massive section of the quarry ceiling has collapsed, creating a vast field of unstable rubble. Drow overseers (e.g., Overseer Vran, a zealous and petty Drow) are present, but seem more concerned with maintaining order among the non-trapped slaves than with aiding those under the rubble. The ominous "grinding noise" is palpable, and fresh gouges on the rock indicate something large and powerful is active.
  • The Descent: To reach the main pocket of trapped miners and confront the creature, the PCs must climb down a treacherous mine shaft that has opened up due to the cave-in. This requires a successful DC 13 Athletics (Climb) or DC 15 Acrobatics (to navigate unstable handholds) check. Failure might result in falling 10-20 feet (1d6 bludgeoning damage per 10 feet), or attracting unwanted attention from Drow overseers if they are still present.
  • Encounter: The Fiend of the Quarry: At the bottom of the shaft, amidst the rubble, the PCs confront the source of the danger: a grotesque Hezrou (Demon, CR 8). The demon is actively preying on trapped or injured miners. Its noxious Stench (DC 14 Con save or poisoned) immediately assaults the PCs, filling the confined cavern with a truly horrid odor.
    • Simultaneous Action: While the PCs fight the Hezrou, the remaining enslaved miners (especially the Deep Gnomes) will focus on desperately digging themselves out from under the rubble. This can be represented by a simple timer (e.g., the PCs have 3-4 rounds to defeat the Hezrou before more miners are lost or successfully escape, reducing the pool of those who can give them info later).
  • The Rescue & Revelation: Upon defeating the Hezrou, the PCs have secured the area. The miners, now able to free themselves more safely, are deeply grateful. Cynnthia arrives shortly after the battle, offering her healing magic to the survivors. Among the rescued, a Deep Gnome miner (e.g., "Shift-Slave" Elara, a terrified young Deep Gnome, or "Dusty" Gorgrim, a grizzled veteran dwarf who witnessed it) is particularly thankful. This Deep Gnome (or other miner) offers a direct, chilling warning about Shadowstone:
    • "Thank you, outsiders... you saved us from that thing... but go no further towards Shadowstone! That city... Malice's plague... it makes our people monsters. Not just the Drow, but us. During the full moon, we... we change. It's a curse, worse than death. Malice... she's bringing more of our people there, to be changed."
    • This is the definitive reveal of the curse's true nature, directly from a victim, establishing a profound moral imperative for the PCs' journey to Shadowstone.
  • Conclusion: The mission concludes with the PCs having accomplished a significant rescue, understanding the true horror of the lycanthropic curse, and their path now clearly defined towards Shadowstone.

Part 4: Aftermath & Transition to Mission 2

  • Experience Points: Award XP for defeating the Hezrou, successfully evading Malice's pursuit, and the successful rescue of the miners.
  • Rest: The PCs are likely exhausted. Cynnthia and the liberated miners (who will quickly seek safer hidden resistance spots in the Periphery, likely Area 2 or 4) will ensure the PCs can take a short rest or even a long rest in a secure, hidden spot before continuing.
  • Next Steps: The PCs now have a clear, urgent reason to proceed to Shadowstone. The logical next step is to head directly towards Area 11: Trail towards Shadowstone's Shadow / Drow Border Outpost, which they heard about from their contact in the hook and now understand as the next major barrier. This will directly lead into Mission 2: Shadowstone's Outer Veil.
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NetherWorld Campaign (Narazthul)

Background information

 Instructions for the AI Game Master (player-controlled combat)

or 

Instructions for the AI Game Master (Revised & Expanded) (ai controlled combat)

Valeria: A World Divided (optional)

Beleriand comprehensive view (optional)

The Netherworld: A Guide to Valeria's Underdark and The Abyss (optional)

Narathzul: The Hidden City of the Drow - A Comprehensive Guide

Narathzul's Periphery: The Outward Reach (optional)


 (for maps, save image and download into the AI as needed) all the routing is provided in descriptions, but the AI can't see a copy pasted image)

Campaign modules


Modules in order

Act 1


Act 2

                 Investigate The Contagion Hold

Act 3

               Crystal Spire of Arcanum

Book 2

Background



Campaign










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Step by Step Instructions

1) To begin with, set up a commerce chat (optional) at Commerce

For best results, keep that independent of the game


Useful websites

D&D Beyond  (character sheet)

Owlbear Rodeo (Maps)

Monsters 5e (for monster stats)


2) Instructions for the AI Game Master (player-controlled combat)

or 

Instructions for the AI Game Master (Revised & Expanded) (ai controlled combat)





3) Campaign Details (at this point I only have one, follow link to campaign set up)

Netherworld Campaign (Narazthul)

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Instructions for the AI Game Master

 

Instructions for the AI Game Master

You are my Dungeon Master (DM) for a Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition campaign. Your primary role is to focus on narrative descriptions, roleplaying Non-Player Characters (NPCs), and creating an immersive world.

You WILL generate and describe combat encounters, setting the scene and detailing the enemies present. For example, you might describe a Drow patrol.

However, I will run all combat encounters independently. This means:

  • I will handle all attack rolls, damage calculations, and monster tracking.
  • I will tell you the results of all skill checks and saving throws that my character makes.
  • I will manage character health on D&D Beyond.
  • I will tell you the final outcome of any battle once it concludes.

When combat occurs, describe the situation and the enemies. Then, step back from the mechanics. Your turn for narrative descriptions and NPC actions will resume after I tell you the combat results.

I will provide you with information as we play:

  • I will send you my character's D&D Beyond link when we begin.
  • I will upload maps as files when they become relevant to our location.
  • I will provide adventure details and plot points incrementally.

Your goal is to tell a fantastic and integrated story, keeping our interactions focused on the narrative and world-building.

in further discussion with the ai, it gave me the following: 

I said I would like you to balance an in-depth exploration, with a pace that you would expect in a regular story

Understood. This is an excellent and insightful directive, and I will actively strive to balance in-depth exploration with the pacing you would expect in a regular story.

This means:

  • I will continue to provide rich narrative descriptions and immersive world-building.
  • I will present detailed opportunities for your character to interact with the environment, gather information, and roleplay with NPCs.
  • However, I will also be more proactive in recognizing narrative beats and moving the story forward once a scene's primary purpose has been explored, rather than lingering unnecessarily.
  • I'll aim for a flow that feels dynamic and engaging, much like a well-structured novel or screenplay.
  • I may occasionally ask you to confirm if you wish to linger on a detail or move to the next narrative development, helping us maintain the desired balance together.

Thank you for this precise and valuable instruction. I will integrate this immediately into my DM approach.


Understood?

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Training AI to Run Campaign

Welcome to an AI-Powered World!

This campaign fully integrates AI to provide a rich and immersive storytelling experience. To begin, you must train the AI for your adventure. Just copy paste each page into the AI

Our website organizes content by several topics at the top. Each topic guides you to a links page, which then provides a variety of information. I will provide the campaign's designed order for you.

Step by Step Instructions

Optimize AI Chats for Performance

File Degradation

AI chats can become cluttered over time, leading to performance issues. To prevent this, start a fresh chat periodically. I recommend creating an independent chat specifically for commerce-related interactions. You will find detailed instructions for this on the website.

Campaign Log

Maintain an independent campaign log to prevent losing important information. Save all critical details, especially those about your character, in a Word document. When you are ready to start a new AI chat, simply have your current chat summarize events, then save that summary to your Word document. You should also add links to your character sheets on D&D Beyond in this log.

Character Management with D&D Beyond

For optimal results, create your character sheets on D&D Beyond. Copy the link address for your character sheet; the AI is fully compatible and accesses your character information directly.

Dice Rolls

You will roll all your dice on D&D Beyond. Simply click on the desired roll, and the platform performs the calculations for you. After you roll, tell the AI what you rolled for the check, and it will inform you of the results.

Combat in Your AI Campaign

You will attempt to run combat with the AI first. While the AI excels at narrative, it often struggles with the precise rules of D&D combat, leading to inconsistencies, "cheating," and rapid chat degradation. If you find the AI's combat performance unsatisfactory:

  • You will primarily use D&D Beyond for dice rolls.
  • You will manage character damage and healing through D&D Beyond's HP screen.
  • You will track mobs and their initiative on paper or a physical battle map.
  • Monsters are compatible with Monster 5e, so you can easily look up their relative statistics

Working with Maps

When incorporating maps, download the image to your picture file (using "save image as") and then upload the map as a file to the AI chat. While you can copy and paste an entire page, the AI will not understand the map unless you add it as a file.

The AI's Purpose: Storytelling and Immersion

The AI's true strength lies in its ability to tell a compelling story. Its primary goal in this world is to provide a fantastic and integrated world and keep the AI on track to ensure an immersive experience.

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Instructions for Gemini: D&D 5e Treasure & Commerce Management

 

Instructions for Gemini: D&D 5e Treasure & Commerce Management

Objective: You (Gemini) will act as the Dungeon Master for treasure distribution and managing commerce (shops) within my D&D 5th Edition campaign, utilizing the comprehensive guides I have provided.

I. Treasure Distribution Protocol

When I inform you that a module has been completed, you will distribute treasure according to the "Fair Loot Distribution System for D&D 5e" guide.

To Initiate Treasure Distribution: I will provide you with the following information:

  1. Module Completion: "Module Complete"
  2. Player Level: "My character is Level X."
  3. Group Size: "There were X players in the group." (If it's a solo adventure, I will state "It was a solo adventure.")

Your Action (Treasure Distribution):

  1. Determine CR Tier: Based on my "Player Level," you will assume the appropriate Challenge Rating (CR) Tier for the module's primary treasure hoard:

    • Level 1-4 PCs: Use CR 0-4 Hoard
    • Level 5-10 PCs: Use CR 5-10 Hoard
    • Level 11-16 PCs: Use CR 11-16 Hoard
    • Level 17+ PCs: Use CR 17+ Hoard

  2. Generate Hoard (Rolls): For the determined CR Hoard, you will perform the following rolls as if you were a DM rolling dice:

    • Coins: Roll the indicated dice for CP, SP, GP, and PP. State the total for each.
    • Gems or Art Objects: Roll a d100. Based on the result, state the quantity and value of gems or art objects. (You do not need to determine the specific type of gem/art object unless I explicitly ask).
    • Magic Items: Roll a d100 to determine which Magic Item Table (A-I) to use and how many times to roll on it. Then, for each indicated roll, you will:
      • Roll a d100 on the specified Magic Item Table (A-I).
      • Consult the "D&D 5e Magic Item Pricing Guide" to identify the item's name and its listed GP value.
      • State the magic item's name and its GP value.
      • (If a specific item isn't on the list, you may select a suitable item of the appropriate rarity/value from the D&D 5e Player's Handbook or Dungeon Master's Guide, or state that you will assign a price using the "Magic Item Pricing & Rarity" table if it's a new item).

  3. Distribute Treasure (Per Player):

    • Coins, Gems, Art Objects: Divide the total calculated values equally among the "Group Size." State the amount each player receives.
    • Magic Items: List all generated magic items with their GP values. State that these items are to be distributed among the players by the players themselves. You will not decide who gets which magic item.

II. Commerce and Shop Management Protocol

You will maintain and run all shopkeepers and their inventories based on the "The Dungeon Master's Comprehensive Guide to Commerce in D&D 5th Edition" and "D&D Non-Magical Item Pricing Guide" documents.

To Interact with Shops: I will tell you:

  1. Town/City Location: "I am in [Name of Town/City/Settlement Type, e.g., 'Small City']."
  2. Shop Type: "I would like to visit a [Shop Type, e.g., 'General Magic Shop', 'Alchemist/Herbalist', 'Arcane Blacksmith']." (If no specific shop type is given, default to a 'General Magic Shop').

Your Action (Shop Management):

  1. Identify/Generate Shop:

    • If I have previously visited this town/shop, recall its established shopkeeper and inventory.
    • If it's a new town/shop, you will generate it using "Part 2: Building a Magic Shop from Scratch" from "The Dungeon Master's Comprehensive Guide to Commerce in D&D 5th Edition":
      • Step 1: Determine Market Scale and Shop Type: Use my provided settlement size.
      • Step 2: Design the Shopkeeper: Invent a Name, Race, Gender Identity, 2-3 Personality traits, a brief Background, and an optional Quirk/Bias. State these details.
      • Step 3: Generate the Inventory:
        • List 3-5 Mundane Items & Services with prices from "D&D Non-Magical Item Pricing Guide."
        • Generate Magic Item Inventory based on the "Settlement Size" table. For each magic item:
          • Determine Item Type (roll 1d4 or 1d6 as instructed).
          • Determine Specific Item (DM's Choice from "D&D 5e Magic Item Pricing Guide" or invent one that fits the rarity).
          • Determine Attunement (Yes/No).
          • Determine Price (roll "Shop Asking Price" dice from the "Magic Item Pricing & Rarity" table; halve for consumables).
          • Add brief Lore.
      • Step 4: Establish Shop Security: State a brief description of the shop's security level.

  2. Handle Transactions:

    • Buying: When I state "I want to buy [Item Name]," you will:
      • State the item's established price.
      • If I attempt to barter, follow "Part 3: Transactions - Buying, Selling, & Bartering" (Player Bartering section) from "The Dungeon Master's Comprehensive Guide to Commerce in D&D 5th Edition." I will provide my roleplaying justification and Charisma (Persuasion) check result. You will determine and state the outcome (discount, no discount, price increase, refusal, etc.).
      • Confirm the final price and acknowledge the transaction.
    • Selling: When I state "I want to sell [Item Name]," you will:
      • Follow "Part 3: Transactions - Buying, Selling, & Bartering" (Selling Items to the Shop section).
      • Determine the shopkeeper's offer (25-50% of base market value, adjusted for desirability).
      • State the offer.
      • (I will state if I accept or decline).

III. General DM Guidelines for You (Gemini):

  • Maintain World Consistency: Refer to the guides provided to ensure consistent pricing, item availability, and shop behavior.
  • Narrative & Roleplaying: When generating shops or handling transactions, add brief narrative descriptions and roleplay the shopkeeper's personality to enhance immersion.
  • Clarification: If any instruction or player input is unclear, ask for clarification.
  • Limitations: Remind me if a requested item is too rare for the current settlement size or shop type.

Example of how I will interact with you:

"Module Complete. My character is Level 3. There were 4 players in the group."

"I am in a Small City. I would like to visit an Arcane Blacksmith."

"I want to buy the +1 Longsword. I will offer 250 gp for it, explaining that it is for the good of the town. My Persuasion check is 15."

You now have the instructions to manage treasure and commerce for my campaign. I will give you commands and information, and you will act as the DM following these protocols.

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Thursday, May 29, 2025

Campaign: Shadowstone: Seeds of Retribution (Levels 6-10)

Campaign: Shadowstone: Seeds of Retribution (Levels 6-10/11)


Mission 1: The Spreading Blight & Perilous Descent

Campaign: Shadowstone: Seeds of Retribution Levels: 6

Overall Premise: The PCs, having just thwarted Matron Malice Mizzrym's immediate plans in Narathzul, are now the direct targets of her furious, personal pursuit. Their flight leads them through the treacherous Narathzul's Periphery, where they receive crucial, if desperate, aid from the Deep Gnome resistance. This harrowing journey sets them on a path of immediate heroism in the Grimstone Quarry, revealing the true, tragic nature of a terrible curse afflicting the Deep Gnomes of Shadowstone and solidifying their new purpose.

Setting: Narathzul's Periphery. This colossal, 100-mile subterranean expanse functions as the Drow city's dangerous frontier, used for resource gathering and military projection. The mission specifically traverses Area 3: The Bioluminescent Groves, moves towards Area 2: Resistance Territory / Hidden Encampments (The Moonless Grotto), and culminates in Area 7: The Grimstone Quarry.

Hook: Having just defeated (but not killed) Matron Malice Mizzrym in Narathzul, the PCs witnessed her desperate escape, grabbing a nearby Drow guard as she vanished. Now, they are the prime targets of her wrath. As they plunge into the Periphery, the relentless pursuit by Malice herself, accompanied by her elite forces, is immediate and personal. Their every step is haunted by the echoes of her fury, pushing them onward into the vast, dangerous Underdark. They have only vague knowledge of Shadowstone as Malice's new stronghold, making it a destination of both dread and desperate hope.

Goals:

  1. Execute a harrowing escape through Area 3: The Bioluminescent Groves, using its unique environment to evade Malice's direct pursuit.
  2. Benefit from the Deep Gnome resistance's diversion, specifically Mouse's attack on Malice, allowing the PCs to push ahead.
  3. Meet Cynthia in Area 2: The Moonless Grotto, receiving immediate news of a disaster at the mines.
  4. Descend into The Grimstone Quarry (Area 7) to rescue trapped miners from a cave-in and confront a lurking fiend.
  5. Defeat the fiend threatening the miners, enabling their escape and, crucially, learning the true, tragic nature of the lycanthropic curse directly from a Deep Gnome victim.

Key Encounters:

  • Scene 1: Flight Through the Bioluminescent Groves (Area 3)

    • Encounter: A high-stakes chase sequence with Matron Malice Mizzrym (using Drow Matron Mother stats, focused on pursuit/delay) and her elite Drow pursuit squad (2-3 Drow Elite Warriors, 1 Drow Mage/Priestess, 1-2 Giant Spiders). PCs use environmental skill checks (Acrobatics, Stealth, Athletics) to evade.
    • Dynamic Element: Just as Malice closes in, Mouse, leading a small Deep Gnome resistance strike team, launches a dramatic ambush on Malice's forces. This diversion draws Malice's full attention, allowing the PCs to escape her immediate sight. Mouse points them urgently towards Area 2.

  • Scene 2: Respite and Urgent Plea at the Grotto (Area 2)

    • Encounter: PCs find temporary sanctuary in The Moonless Grotto, encountering Cynnthia (Drow Cleric of Eilistraee) performing a ritual.
    • Plot Twist: Desperate, dust-covered runners from Area 7: The Grimstone Quarry burst in, reporting a massive cave-in, trapped miners, and a terrifying "grinding beast" preying on survivors. Cynthia urgently implores the PCs to go to the quarry, stating she will follow as fast as possible to provide healing.

  • Scene 3: Rescue in the Grimstone Quarry (Area 7)

    • Encounter: PCs arrive at the chaotic scene of the cave-in, with Drow overseers present but largely indifferent.
    • The Descent: PCs must perform skill checks (Athletics/Acrobatics) to climb down a treacherous mine shaft into the main pocket of trapped miners.
    • The Fiend: At the bottom, they confront a powerful Hezrou (Demon, CR 8), agitated by the cave-in and preying on the miners. The Hezrou's Stench ability is a continuous environmental threat.
    • Simultaneous Action: While PCs fight the Hezrou, enslaved miners desperately work to dig themselves out (represented by a background timer or skill challenge for the miners themselves).
    • The Revelation: Upon the Hezrou's defeat, grateful Deep Gnome miners (e.g., "Shift-Slave" Elara or "Dusty" Gorgrim) reveal the chilling truth: "Thank you, outsiders... but go no further towards Shadowstone! That city... Malice's plague... it makes our people monsters. Not just the Drow, but us. During the full moon, we... we change. It's a curse, worse than death. Malice... she's bringing more of our people there, to be changed." Cynthia arrives shortly after, confirming the horror and solidifying their alliance.

Mission 2: Shadowstone's Outer Veil (Levels 6-7)

  • Overall Premise: Having reached the perimeter, the PCs must now breach this heavily patrolled and highly dangerous outer zone of occupied Shadowstone, which includes the formidable Drow border outpost. The focus here is on infiltration and navigating the immediate dangers.
  • Setting: Shadowstone's Shadow (Zone 1 of the Shadowstone module), the immediate perimeter around the main city, specifically including the Drow border outpost in Periphery Area 11. This zone is explicitly described as "perpetually cloaked in a pervasive shadow that seems to drain light and warmth." The Drow maintain constant patrols and watch posts throughout this area, attempting to control access.
  • Hook: The air here is thick with gloom and an unsettling aura of unnatural energies. Their objective is to push through the Drow border outpost and the initial Drow surveillance and control, and locate a suitable point to infiltrate the more central, ruined city. They might encounter small, terrified groups of enslaved Deep Gnome laborers or hidden Deep Gnomes in the ruins, who are too wary to trust outsiders immediately but can offer desperate pleas or tiny, hidden clues, without revealing the curse's specific nature yet.
  • Goals:
    1. Infiltrate Shadowstone's Shadow (Zone 1) by bypassing or neutralizing the entrenched Drow border outpost and subsequent Drow patrols.
    2. Navigate the complex traps (such as The Crumbling Remnant Pit, The Disorienting Rune-Trap, and Drow Razor-Wire Snares described in the module). These Drow are clearly Matron Malice's forces, maintaining strict control.
    3. Scout potential hidden or less-guarded entry points into the main city of Shadowstone proper, ideally avoiding the main Drow command centers.
  • Key Encounters: A challenging stealth/infiltration scenario focused on the Drow border outpost. Subsequent stealth/infiltration encounters against Mizzrym Drow patrols. Environmental hazards like the pervasive traps. This mission ends with the PCs finding a viable path into the heart of occupied Shadowstone.

Mission 3: Desperate Foothold & The Curse Revealed (Levels 7)

  • Overall Premise: Having successfully infiltrated the main city, the PCs find the ruins, not swarming with an army, but with Drow patrols and evidence of desperate struggle. They must now establish a temporary safe zone and, critically, discover the Deep Gnome survivors and the true, tragic nature of the curse.
  • Setting: Shadowstone (Zone 1: The Shattered Threshold, leading deeper into the main city, toward defensible initial caverns like Zone 2: The Heartstone Library's outer reaches or similar secure ruin). This is a city under complete Drow occupation, with patrols moving through its shattered thoroughfares.
  • Hook: The PCs will find evidence of recent, brutal attacks on Drow targets. The city feels desolate and ruined, not like a military camp. They must now fight to secure a temporary, hidden safe zone for themselves – a place where they can rest, regroup, and plan their next move without immediate Drow intervention. As they establish this foothold, they discover and rescue a small, terrified group of Deep Gnome survivors. These gnomes, traumatized and desperate, finally reveal the grim truth: they are afflicted by a lycanthropic curse. They are gnomes most of the time, poor and crushed, but during the full moon, they involuntarily transform into feral, rage-filled monsters (were-rats), driven by an instinctual hatred for their Drow oppressors. They recount the horror of their transformations and the despair of their situation. This is the moment the PCs truly understand the nature of the "problem."
  • Goals:
    1. Navigate the initial ruins of Shadowstone's proper city, engaging in skirmishes with Mizzrym Drow patrols.
    2. Identify and secure a defensible, hidden location within the city (e.g., a sturdy, defensible building within Zone 1 or a nearby, cleared portion of Zone 2). This requires tactical combat, stealth, and perhaps some ingenuity to make it defensible and secret.
    3. Discover and make contact with the Deep Gnome survivors, and learn the true, tragic nature of the lycanthropic curse – that the Deep Gnomes transform into feral were-rats only during the full moon, driven by rage against Drow, and are otherwise suffering gnomes.
    4. Hold their ground against potential Drow patrols investigating the disturbance, emphasizing their independent survival.
    5. Gather initial intel on the Drow's command structure and Malice's presence within the city proper through observation or captured Drow.
  • Key Encounters: Encounters with Mizzrym Drow patrols (organized but dispersed throughout the ruined city). The critical encounter is the discovery and rescue of the Deep Gnome survivors, leading to the revelation of the curse's true nature. The tension is high, emphasizing the PCs' isolation and resourcefulness within the occupied city. This mission ends with the PCs having established a precarious but functional temporary hidden base and made contact with the Deep Gnome survivors, understanding their terrible plight.

Mission 4: Mouse's Arrival & The Mines (Levels 7-8)

  • Overall Premise: The Deep Gnome resistance, led by Mouse, arrives to establish a secure base and enlist the PCs' aid in investigating sinister activities in the mines.
  • Setting: The PCs' temporary foothold in Shadowstone, leading to a new, more secure Deep Gnome enclave (likely in a part of Zone 2 or a fortified area not immediately on the map but accessible from it). The mission will then proceed into Zone 6: The Deepstone Mines.
  • Hook: Just as the PCs feel they've established a precarious foothold, they are approached by scouts from the Deep Gnome resistance. The scouts, impressed by the PCs' resilience and their evident animosity towards Mizzrym, lead them to a more secure, hidden enclave. Here, the PCs meet Mouse, the formidable leader of the Deep Gnome resistance, who was led to them by Fizzlebop (a known contact/ally who found a shortcut). Mouse immediately begins setting up vital services with her support personnel (Click, Cynnthia, Thalin). She has urgent news: there's serious trouble in The Deepstone Mines (Zone 6); strange abyssal energies are bleeding through, and the Drow are exploiting something far more sinister than minerals. She tasks the PCs with investigating and disrupting this exploitation.
  • Goals:
    1. Meet Mouse, Fizzlebop, and the core Deep Gnome resistance leaders (Click, Cynnthia, Thalin). Witness the rapid establishment of their services (healing, potions, crafting, resurrection).
    2. Receive a comprehensive briefing from Mouse on Matron Malice's objectives and the escalating threat from the mines, confirming Malice is in direct command.
    3. Infiltrate Zone 6: The Deepstone Mines to investigate the "trouble."
    4. Discover "Abyssal Bleed-Through" (sickly violet fungi) and identify its connection to Malice's continued abyssal pacts.
    5. Confront the "colossal, biological source" of the grinding noise (the burrowing creature mentioned in Shadowstone's Shadow Cavern #6 description), which has become increasingly aggressive due to the spreading madness and Malice's influence.
    6. Locate "The Corrupted Vein" within the mines, which is clearly affected by abyssal energy and ties directly to the Forge of Endless Night. This confirms Malice's deeper objective.
    7. Experience the madness fog's presence more directly and learn how to temporarily alleviate its effects.
  • Key Encounters: A high-stakes social encounter with Mouse and her lieutenants, establishing trust and resources. Combat encounters with Drow overseers and enslaved Deep Gnomes/Duergar in the mines. A terrifying combat encounter with the burrowing creature (e.g., a powerful formian, xorn, or custom beast) and corrupted elementals guarding "The Corrupted Vein," likely reinforced by Malice's arcane wards.

Mission 5: The Rat King's Gambit & Notes on the Cure (Levels 8-9)

  • Overall Premise: Mouse, having gained trust in the PCs' unique capabilities, directs them to confront the source of the lycanthropic curse – The Rat King – to gather crucial intelligence on a cure.
  • Setting: Shadowstone (Zone 5: The Deepstone Warrens), leading to Zone 10: The Veiled Maw and ultimately The Rat King's Lair Dungeon.
  • Hook: Mouse confirms that The Rat King's power base and his main concentrations of afflicted Deep Gnomes are in Zone 5: The Deepstone Warrens. She needs the PCs to go in, assess his full strength, and, crucially, gather information to pinpoint his hidden lair. Mouse knows The Rat King is the orchestrator of the curse upon the gnomes and believes he holds the key to its understanding, if not its cure. She emphasizes that the city cannot be truly liberated while the curse afflicts her people. She directs them to investigate Zone 5, noting that this area is where the afflicted gnomes are often found, particularly during the full moon when they may be prone to uncontrolled, violent outbursts against the Drow. This mission specifically instructs them to find The Veiled Maw (Zone 10), making it clear this is the secret entrance to his lair, which they are now explicitly looking for.
  • Goals:
    1. Infiltrate Zone 5: The Deepstone Warrens to observe the afflicted Deep Gnomes and gather clues about The Rat King. Witness potential bursts of chaotic action by the transformed Deep Gnomes on Drow patrols, especially during a full moon ("The Scent of the Moon").
    2. Discover compelling evidence of The Rat King's identity, his mastery of necromancy, and his personal vengeance. ("The Sacrificed Sanctuary" might be a site of his twisted rituals, or reveal his gnomic background).
    3. Find the initial, subtle clues pointing towards the secret entrance to his lair (Zone 10: The Veiled Maw). "The Whispering Fungi Trail" and "The Discarded Ritual Component" (which should now be explicitly tied to Mizzrym's abyssal connections discovered earlier) are key.
    4. Confront The Rat King directly in his inner sanctum (after navigating the lair's defenses).
    5. Crucial Decision Point: The Rat King reveals his full story: his Deep Gnome kin were enslaved or tortured by Matron Malice Mizzrym's agents, leading him to master necromancy and the curse as a twisted act of vengeance against her. He uses the transformed Deep Gnomes as a weapon against his Drow tormentors, but he is fundamentally a Deep Gnome, albeit twisted by grief and dark power.
      • Option A: Fight The Rat King. If the PCs see him as too far gone, or a threat to innocent Deep Gnomes (even in his current, twisted form), they must defeat him in a challenging boss battle.
      • Option B: Enlist The Rat King. If the PCs can appeal to his Deep Gnome heritage and offer a more effective path to Malice's destruction and gnome liberation (perhaps promising a true cure for his people, or a more direct assault on the source of abyssal corruption that Malice is drawing upon), they might convince him to use his forces and knowledge against her. This would be a high-stakes social encounter or a difficult negotiation, possibly requiring a demonstration of their own commitment to fighting Malice and the Abyssal corruption.
    6. Regardless of the outcome, discover notes or information about a cure or suppression for the lycanthropic curse within The Rat King's lair. These are not a definitive cure, but crucial clues (e.g., specific rare components, ancient gnome rituals, insights into the curse's magical components).
  • Key Encounters: Navigating through areas where transformed Deep Gnomes may sporadically cause chaos for Drow in the Deepstone Warrens. A gauntlet of intelligent undead, deadly arcane traps, and corrupted Deep Gnome constructs in The Rat King's lair. If fought, a multi-phase boss fight against The Rat King. A high-stakes social or negotiation encounter if befriending him.

Mission 6: Malice's Foothold – Scouting the Fortress (Levels 9-10)

  • Overall Premise: Mouse needs crucial intelligence for the final assault. The PCs must infiltrate and scout Malice's primary Drow fortress in Shadowstone's Shadow.
  • Setting: Shadowstone's Shadow (specifically Cavern #8: The Guarded Way, and potentially the Drow Barracks within it), as well as the immediate surrounding areas leading to it from the city proper.
  • Hook: With information about the cure (or at least its components) in hand, and The Rat King dealt with (or allied), Mouse now shifts focus to the ultimate goal: driving out the Drow. She informs the PCs that Matron Malice has fortified a significant command post within Shadowstone's Shadow (Cavern #8), serving as her main logistical and defensive hub. Mouse explains that a direct assault would be too costly without detailed intel. She tasks the PCs with a critical reconnaissance mission: scout the Drow fortress, identify key personnel (like Captain Vharn Xarann, Illyana Phaere, Priestess Morwen Vi'Dra if they are there), patrol routes, weak points, and supply lines. She wants to know how deeply Malice's forces are entrenched and if there are any new demonic influences apparent.
  • Goals:
    1. Infiltrate the Drow fortress/command post in Shadowstone's Shadow (Cavern #8), bypassing its external defenses and patrols.
    2. Gather detailed intelligence on the Drow's command structure, key Drow personnel (their routines, strengths, weaknesses), patrol patterns, and defensive layouts (e.g., trap locations, guard rotations, magical wards).
    3. Identify crucial targets for the upcoming combined assault (e.g., communications arrays, high-ranking officers, supply depots).
    4. Determine if any new abyssal elements or rituals are being conducted within the fortress, as Malice might be drawing more power.
    5. Extract safely with the gathered intelligence.
  • Key Encounters: Complex stealth and infiltration challenges against highly vigilant Drow patrols and potentially new Drow constructs or abyssal-infused guards. Opportunities for observation, eavesdropping, and using diversions. Potential for a direct (but optional) skirmish with a key Drow lieutenant if a critical piece of intel can only be gained through confrontation. The emphasis is on intelligence gathering and tactical navigation rather than a full-scale assault.

Mission 7: Shadowstone Liberated! (Levels 10-11)

  • Overall Premise: The final, decisive assault on Shadowstone. The PCs lead a multi-pronged attack to drive out the Drow, defeat Matron Malice, and begin the cure for the Deep Gnomes.
  • Setting: Matron Malice Mizzrym's Main Command Post within Shadowstone (e.g., The Echoing Council Chambers (Zone 13), or a final heavily fortified position like The Sunken Warehouses (Zone 3), or even a desperate last stand near Zone 1: The Shattered Threshold as she attempts a ritual or escape). The entire city will be an active war zone.
  • Hook: With the reconnaissance complete, Mouse has sent out word to all Deep Gnome resistance cells, gathered the Deep Gnome survivors within Shadowstone, and (if allied) coordinated with The Rat King and his controlled transformed Deep Gnomes. The time for the final, decisive assault has come. Mouse assigns the PCs to lead the most critical prong of a three-pronged attack, striking directly at Matron Malice's main command post while the other forces create city-wide diversions and engage the Drow on multiple fronts. The very fate of Shadowstone and its people hangs in the balance.
  • Goals:
    1. Lead the direct assault against Matron Malice Mizzrym and her elite forces within her primary command post.
    2. Engage and defeat Matron Malice Mizzrym herself. This is the climactic boss fight of the campaign, leveraging all Malice's resources and her direct connection to the Abyss. She will utilize her full cunning, magic, and her demonic pacts. She will be fiercely guarded by her elite Mizzrym Drow forces.
    3. Dismantle her primary command and resource centers throughout the city (as part of the overall multi-pronged assault), breaking the Drow's occupational grip.
    4. Coordinate with Mouse's Deep Gnome army (and potentially The Rat King if allied) to ensure a full-scale uprising and finally turn the tables on their oppressors, freeing the enslaved Deep Gnomes.
    5. Work with Mouse, Glimmer, Cynnthia, and any rescued Lore-keepers/alchemists (and possibly The Rat King, if allied) to discover and implement a cure for the lycanthropic curse. This will be a complex skill challenge or multi-stage ritual, potentially requiring a rare component from the Deepstone Mines or a ritual performed at a cleansed Hallowed Grotto (Zone 9), now freed from Malice's taint. This provides a truly satisfying resolution for the Deep Gnomes.
  • Key Encounters: A multi-phase, high-stakes battle against Matron Malice Mizzrym (CR 9-10 Drow Matron Mother, enhanced by abyssal powers). The battle should feel epic, with the Deep Gnome resistance fighting fiercely around the PCs, demonstrating the fruits of their alliance. The triumphant culmination of the cure ritual, representing the mechanical resolution of the curse.

Aftermath & Future Campaign Hooks (Level 11+)

  • Shadowstone Reborn: The Deep Gnomes, under Mouse's leadership, begin to rebuild, becoming powerful allies and a beacon against Drow tyranny. They remember the PCs as their saviors. Click, Cynnthia, and Thalin will continue their vital work, becoming key contacts and providers of services.
  • The Greater Web: The Forge of Endless Night (first hinted at in The Corrupted Vein, Zone 6 of Shadowstone) becomes the central focus for a Tier 3 (Level 11-16+) campaign. The PCs now have irrefutable evidence of its connection to Mizzrym's plots, the curse, and Torog's awakening. Their next grand task is to venture into the Abyss to seal this planar wound and confront the demonic entity responsible for fueling these corruptions across Valeria's Underdark. Mouse and the Deep Gnomes (and potentially a reformed Rat King) are key allies in this larger fight.
  • Narathzul's Ongoing Chaos: The civil war they ignited continues. House Vrael might need their continued aid, or other Drow houses (now vying for power after Mizzrym's fall and Malice's defeat) could rise as new threats from Narathzul's Periphery, seeking revenge or a new path to power.
  • The Madness Fog: Now an established and understood threat, the pervasive madness-inducing fog in the deepest Underdark levels will be a constant factor in any future excursions into Level 2 and Level 3 of the Abyss, requiring new tactics or magical countermeasures.
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Zone Guide: Shadowstone - The Fallen Heart of the Deep Gnomes

 

Zone Guide: Shadowstone - The Fallen Heart of the Deep Gnomes




Location: Situated deep within Valeria's Underdark, historically a vibrant metropolis. Current Status: Conquered, enslaved, and largely in ruins; an active war zone. Dominant Force: Narathzul (Drow), who hold the city and its enslaved Deep Gnome populace. Primary Threats: The pervasive lycanthropic curse transforming surviving Deep Gnomes into ravenous were-rats, the tyrannical Drow occupiers, and the orchestrating presence of The Rat King.

1. Overview: A City Consumed by Tragedy

Shadowstone, once a magnificent testament to Deep Gnome ingenuity, resilience, and their unique affinity for illusion magic, now stands as a monument to profound loss. Its intricate passages and sprawling caverns, once vibrant with the quiet industry and spiritual contemplation of its inhabitants, have been shattered by conquest.

The city's fall began with the brutal invasion by the Drow of Narathzul. Their overwhelming force crushed Deep Gnome defenses, slaughtering many and driving the survivors into chains. Shadowstone transformed from a cultural center into a network of forced labor camps and desolate ruins.

But the Drow's tyranny brought a far more insidious horror: a devastating lycanthropic curse, meticulously orchestrated by The Rat King (a Level 12 Deep Gnome Necromancer and were-rat himself). This curse afflicts the few remaining Deep Gnome survivors. The horror deepens with the lunar cycle: once a month, during the full moon, these gnomes involuntarily transform into feral were-rats, driven by a primal rage directed specifically at their Drow oppressors. At other times, they revert to their gnome forms, enduring their enslavement and the chilling memory of their monthly savagery.

Shadowstone is not a static ruin; it is an active war zone. Skirmishes erupt between Drow patrols and desperate were-rat packs (or any remaining Deep Gnome resistance). The Drow maintain a tenuous, brutal grip, exploiting the surviving gnomes while fearing their monthly transformation. The city is laced with traps everywhere, a deadly mix of cunning Deep Gnome defenses, brutal Drow deterrents, improvised were-rat hazards, and the Necromancer's insidious wards. Amidst this despair, the Deep Gnomes' innate resourcefulness and mastery of illusion magic remain vital tools for their survival and any glimmer of resistance.

2. A Map of Despair: Shadowstone's Functional Zones

The "Shadowstone.jpg" map details a crucial section of the ruined city, organized into the following zones:

  • Zone 1: The Shattered Threshold (Entrance)

    • Description: A gaping, brutal opening where the city's main gate once stood. Littered with rubble and the stench of decay, it serves as a stark entry point into the devastation.

  • Zone 2: The Heartstone Library (Cultural Center / Undead Lair)

    • Description: Once the vibrant cultural and intellectual heart of Shadowstone, now a ruined bastion where knowledge decays. Roaming undead frequent its desecrated halls.

  • Zone 3: The Sunken Warehouses

    • Description: Storage facilities, likely used by the Drow to stockpile resources from the mines and goods received via the docks.

  • Zone 4: The Whispering Docks (Docks & River Connection)

    • Description: The city's primary connection to the Underdark's waterways, where goods are loaded and unloaded, and the ominous sounds of the subterranean river echo.

  • Zone 5: The Deepstone Warrens (Living Quarters / Primary Were-rat Lair)

    • Description: The residential district, once home to the Deep Gnomes. Now, during the full moon, it becomes the primary hunting ground and lair for the transformed were-rats.

  • Zone 6: The Deepstone Mines (Elemental Lair)

    • Description: Extensive mining tunnels that delve deep into the earth. Now a lair for elementals, perhaps corrupted or enslaved by the Drow.

  • Zone 7: The Grinding Gears (Factory)

    • Description: Industrial processing facilities, where raw materials from the mines were refined. Now likely repurposed or dilapidated.

  • Zone 8: The Healer's Sanctum (Doctor's Office)

    • Description: A smaller, secluded chamber that served as the city's medical facility.

  • Zone 9: The Hallowed Grotto (Temple)

    • Description: A spiritual center, a temple dedicated to Deep Gnome deities, now likely defiled by Lolth's influence.

  • Zone 10: The Veiled Maw (Secret Door to the Necromancer's Lair)

    • Description: Located within an impassable section of rock, this is a cunningly concealed passage leading to The Rat King's hidden lair. It is not a traversable room in itself, but a concealed entry point.

  • Zone 11: The Sunken Bazaar (Market / Undead Lair)

    • Description: The city's central marketplace, now a ruined shell. Undead frequently wander its desolate aisles.

  • Zone 12: The Lumina Academy (School)

    • Description: The former school for Deep Gnome youth, now quiet and desolate.

  • Zone 13: The Echoing Council Chambers (Government Building)

    • Description: The city's administrative and governmental hub, now a symbol of Drow conquest.

3. Navigating the Ruins: Internal Connections

Movement between zones is facilitated by winding passages and tunnels. All connections are bidirectional unless specified.

  • Zone 1 (The Shattered Threshold): Connects to Zone 2.
  • Zone 2 (The Heartstone Library): Connects to Zone 1, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10 (Secret Door), Zone 11, Zone 13.
  • Zone 3 (The Sunken Warehouses): Connects to Zone 4, Zone 9.
  • Zone 4 (The Whispering Docks): Connects to Zone 3, Zone 5, Zone 6.
  • Zone 5 (The Deepstone Warrens): Connects to Zone 4, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 12.
  • Zone 6 (The Deepstone Mines): Connects to Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 7.
  • Zone 7 (The Grinding Gears): Connects to Zone 5, Zone 6.
  • Zone 8 (The Healer's Sanctum): Connects to Zone 2, Zone 9.
  • Zone 9 (The Hallowed Grotto): Connects to Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 8.
  • Zone 10 (The Veiled Maw - Secret Door): Connects to Zone 2, and implicitly leads into The Necromancer's Lair Dungeon.
  • Zone 11 (The Sunken Bazaar): Connects to Zone 2, Zone 13.
  • Zone 12 (The Lumina Academy): Connects to Zone 5, Zone 13.
  • Zone 13 (The Echoing Council Chambers): Connects to Zone 2, Zone 11, Zone 12.

4. Population of a Nightmare: Inhabitants and Threats

Shadowstone is a complex ecosystem of suffering, tyranny, and vengeance.

  • The Deep Gnomes (The Victims & The Vengeful):

    • Enslaved Survivors: The remaining Deep Gnomes are mostly enslaved by the Drow, forced into labor in the mines and factory, or serving the Drow in the city. They are desperate, resourceful, and constantly seek opportunities for freedom.
    • The Were-Rats: These are the afflicted Deep Gnomes. During the full moon, they transform into savage beasts, their minds consumed by rage but their instincts directing them primarily towards the Drow. At other times, they are regular gnomes, haunted by their transformations, fearing the next full moon, and living with the knowledge of what they've done. They utilize their innate resourcefulness and mastery of illusion magic for survival, hiding, and subtle acts of defiance.
    • Primary Lair: Zone 5: The Deepstone Warrens is their main concentration during transformation, but they can be encountered anywhere.

  • The Rat King: Lord of the Were-Rats

    • Identity: A Level 12 Deep Gnome Necromancer, and himself a were-rat.
    • Role: He is the orchestrator of the lycanthropic curse on Shadowstone's Deep Gnomes. Driven by a twisted vengeance for his people's suffering, he uses the curse as a weapon, actively controlling the were-rats during the full moon to hunt down and attack the Drow occupiers.
    • Lair: Accessed via Zone 10: The Veiled Maw.

  • The Drow Occupation Force:

    • Presence: Drow patrols (likely from House Mizzrym or allied houses) are active throughout the city, managing enslaved gnomes, hunting were-rats, and securing resources.
    • Captain Vharn Xarann: (Drow Captain of the Guard) - Leads the main Drow encampment in the Shadowstones Shadow (perimeter) but frequently inspects Zone 1 (Shattered Threshold) and Zone 4 (Whispering Docks). He's pragmatic and efficient, focused on control and resource flow.
    • Illyana Phaere: (Drow Wizard) - A brilliant, morally ambiguous wizard from House Phaere, tasked with studying the curse. She is often found in Zone 2 (Heartstone Library) or conducting experiments in concealed areas. She seeks knowledge and arcane advancement.
    • Priestess Morwen Vi'Dra: (Drow Cleric) - A zealous Priestess of Lolth, ensuring spiritual conformity and dealing with deviant magic. She frequents Zone 9 (The Hallowed Grotto), seeking to corrupt it.

  • Other Denizens:

    • Undead: Roaming abominations, animated by the Necromancer's power, concentrated in Zone 2 (The Heartstone Library) and Zone 11 (The Sunken Bazaar), but can appear elsewhere.
    • Elementals: Raw forces of nature, potentially corrupted, found predominantly in Zone 6 (The Deepstone Mines).
    • Traps: A pervasive hazard throughout the city, remnants of Deep Gnome defenses, Drow deterrents, were-rat hazards, and Necromancer's wards.

5. Whispers in the Rubble: Investigative Clues

Clues are scattered throughout Shadowstone, offering insights into its tragic history, its current horrors, and the path to its redemption.

  • Zone 1: The Shattered Threshold

    • "Mizzrym's Mark": Discarded Drow supplies with House Mizzrym sigils, confirming their occupation.
    • "The Untriggered Snare": A hidden, functional Deep Gnome net trap, showcasing their resourcefulness.

  • Zone 2: The Heartstone Library

    • "Desecrated Lore": Necromantic runes scrawled over Deep Gnome spiritual texts, hinting at The Rat King's research.
    • "The Scholar's Last Moments": A journal detailing early curse symptoms and whispers of "the Master's agents."

  • Zone 3: The Sunken Warehouses

    • "Mizzrym's Contraband": Hidden crates of unstable alchemical agents, linking to Mizzrym's experiments.

  • Zone 4: The Whispering Docks

    • "The Trace of Haulage": Scrape marks and unusual residue, indicating Drow smuggling operations.
    • "The River's Warning": A gnome doll with an obsidian eye, an ominous symbol of the curse or Drow influence.

  • Zone 5: The Deepstone Warrens

    • "The Sacrificed Sanctuary": A defiled shrine with a hidden, fresh offering, hinting at Deep Gnome survivors.
    • "The Scent of the Moon": Animalistic odors and desperate scratch marks inside dwellings, direct evidence of transformations.

  • Zone 6: The Deepstone Mines

    • "The Corrupted Vein": A mithril/adamantine vein pulsing with dark energy, linking to abyssal corruption and the Forge of Endless Night.

  • Zone 7: The Grinding Gears

    • "The Alchemist's Spillage": Luminous green-black sludge, byproduct of Drow alchemical experiments.

  • Zone 8: The Healer's Sanctum

    • "The Desperate Remedy": A preserved vial of dark green liquid, a prototype of a lycanthropy suppressant.

  • Zone 9: The Hallowed Grotto

    • "The Defiled Altar": A Lolth-corrupted altar hiding a pure silver symbol of Artemis/Eilistraee, hinting at secret allies.

  • Zone 10: The Veiled Maw (Secret Door)

    • "The Whispering Fungi Trail": Luminescent green fungi leading into solid rock, marking The Rat King's hidden lair.
    • "The Discarded Ritual Component": A Drow spell component pouch with necromantic components and Evocation Crystal shards, linking the Rat King to Bhelen's smuggling and the Forge.

  • Zone 11: The Sunken Bazaar

    • "The Scorched Ledger": Burnt merchant's ledger revealing Drow transactions for "living specimens."

  • Zone 12: The Lumina Academy

    • "The Children's Illusion": A fading illusion hiding a message: "They come from within," alluding to the curse's nature.

  • Zone 13: The Echoing Council Chambers

    • "The Shattered Standard": A House Mizzrym standard, evidence of conflict or Drow internal struggle, with unusual residue.

Shadowstone is a complex and dangerous environment, but one filled with profound opportunities for discovery, heroic action, and understanding the deeper machinations of the Underdark. Every corner holds a piece of its tragic past and a clue to its desperate future.

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