The Dungeon
c. 100 ADW
The tremors beneath Kingdom Grand intensify again. Guildmaster Thalin Fernstride orders adventurers back into the caverns to find the source, survive collapsing passages and Slumber Cultist patrols, and report on cultist numbers and whether the ancient door has been opened. From a cliff overlooking the monumental gate—now larger and pulsing with light—they spy Holt among pale-skinned elves marked with glowing green veins, kneeling with hundreds of cultists as he forces them to drink from water skins.
Referenced In
This module is referenced by the following lore entries:
Factions and Organizations
- Adventurer's GuildAlso known as Spear of Elina or Spear of the Goddess. A hundred years after the Dead Wars, the Guild has grown into a global hub for missions, with adventurers flocking to it from all over the world. It is currently led by Guild Master Master Thalin Fernstride in Kingdom Grand, with branches overseen by Guildmaster Teyla Coalmaker in Kdor, Elrin Veymar in Evenfell, and Alyndor "Aly" Marvale in New Arcanum. The Guild uses a ranking system, with new recruits earning a rank of Tin, Copper, or Brass; higher known ranks include Colbot, Steel, and Diamond. When Holt threatens to awaken He Who Slumbers, the four guilds unite their forces beneath Kingdom Grand.
- MolokiteAn ancient elven people—not a metal—known for pale skin, ethereal green veins, large black eyes, and regal bearing. They once traded with the dwarves of the Dwarven Mountains until they sought power from a demigod, attacked mortal races, and were driven underground. There they found a shrine to The Evil One and later worshipped He Who Slumbers, a biomantic horror bred from a tarrasque corpse. Holt was raised among them and led them alongside the Slumber Cult to awaken their god. After Holt's defeat, the few Molokite who survived—including the medicine woman Raphira—helped the guilds re-bind the Beast and rearm the freed Cinder Guard with sunsteel.
- Slumber CultA secret cult whose Slumber Cultist members wear black cloaks and whisper that what slumbers soon awakes. They kidnap victims for sacrifice, infiltrate cities such as Evenfell and Kdor, and ultimately serve Holt's plan to rouse He Who Slumbers alongside the Molokite.
Legendary Characters
- HoltA Firbolg who rose to Adamantine rank in the Adventurer's Guild and wore fine orange silk with red trim while posing as a monster expert and mentor. He is dismissive, arrogant, and blunt, and shared running commentary via a magical resonator while hiding years of kidnappings and cult work. After betraying and murdering Sage Elbera at the dungeon mosaic—unleashing his paper dragon Jeffery to cover his escape—he vanished to lead the Molokite and Slumber Cult in awakening He Who Slumbers. He was raised among the Molokite as a child, learned The Evil One's biomantic secrets, and believes Lullwater will let him control the sleeping god. He owns a monkey with neon green hair named Elanor.
- Master Thalin FernstrideA towering Firbolg who serves as the Guild Master of the Adventurer's Guild in the century following the Dead Wars. He has long black hair braided down his back, piercing blue eyes, and dark green fur, and wears a forest green and white Gi. His personality is calm and measured, and he is known for giving inspiring speeches that relate adventuring to baking. He expects discipline and creativity from his guild members. As Holt's treachery unfolds, Thalin grows weary but resolute, coordinating the four great guilds against the threat beneath Kingdom Grand. After the tremors from the Elderdungeon crack the city's streets, he opens a fresh recruitment drive to replace the guild members lost in the fighting, and later leads the hunt for a saboteur hiding inside his own guild. Troubled by a caravan of strangely well-guarded stolen keepsakes bound west, he hand-picks a party and dispatches them across the Western Wastes to New Arcanum to work with his counterpart Alyndor "Aly" Marvale, convinced the thefts are somehow tied to Biscuit's fate.
Locations
- Caverns Beneath Kingdom GrandAncient tunnels and caverns below Kingdom Grand that predate mortal civilization. Collapsing passages, Slumber Cultist patrols, and primordial stonework connect the surface to the gate Holt seeks to open.
- Great Dungeon GateA monumental primordial door marked with runes, growing larger and pulsing with light as tremors shake the city. Holt, Molokite elves, and cultists encamp before it; beyond lies the dungeon where He Who Slumbers waits.
- Kingdom GrandAlso known as First City, New Kingdom Grand, or New Grand. Formerly the only major civilized city in the region as of ADW 0, it is now the bustling heart of a more interconnected world, linked to other nations via teleportation gates. Holds an annual Festival of Peace to celebrate Elina's sacrifice in Dead Wars I. The tremors from the battle beneath the city cracked streets and toppled buildings across Kingdom Grand, scattering loose magic and prompting a fresh wave of Adventurers Guild recruitment.
Military Units and Creatures
- Molokite ElfA tall, pale-skinned elf of the ancient Molokite people, marked by ethereal green veins, large black eyes, long fingers, and regal bearing. They fight alongside Holt and the Slumber Cult at the Great Dungeon Gate.
- Slumber CultistMedium or Small humanoid cultist of the Slumber Cult wearing a black cloak. They have darkvision 60 ft. and use minion mechanics (1 HP for minions, 9 HP for regular). They attack with ritual daggers that deal slashing and acid damage. Some cultists can also use ranged acid attacks. They serve Holt's effort to awaken He Who Slumbers.