Way of the Wicked by LongDarkNight

Book 1 - Introductions

Book 1 - Talingarde: A Gazetteer

Talingarde
Alignment: LG
Capital: Matharyn (105,000)
Notable Settlements: Ghastenhall (82,000), Daveryn (59,000), 
Havelyn (21,000), Farholde (9,500), Aldencross (1,800), Varyston (1,200)
Ruler: King Markadian V called the Brave, Protector of the Righteous
Government: Religious Monarchy
Languages: Common, Dwarven
Religion: Mitra, the Shining Lord

Book 1 - The Branderscar Redemption

1. First, unite the Bugbear tribes under Sakkarot
   
2. Second, destroy the four pillars of Talingarde
   
   1. The Watch Wall
      
   2. The Holy Order of Saint Macarius
      
   3. The Knights of the Alerion
      
   4. The Royal House of Darius
3. Third, when all seems lost an heir to throne will appear and defeat the Bugbear menace. Of course this lost scion of House Barca would be a worshipper of Asmodeus.

Book 1 - All Twisted Up

Book 1 - A Kickstarter for Evil

Book 1 - We didn’t start the Fire

• 1 - The Dwarven Vault - Deep below the Keep is a stockpile of rations, water and sundries. It won’t be visited during the events of Act 4 unless the PCs force a room by search. There’s a trap door leading to room 2 and a secret door leads to “The Lord’s Dalliance”. More on that later.
  
  LEVEL 1
  
• 2 - The Armory - There might be guards here depending on the time of day.
  
• 3-6 - The Officer’s Quarters - These rooms house Captain’s Barhold, Varning, Mott and Eddardly respectively. As the senior captain Barhold(LG Human Fighter 7) is most likely to be found asleep in his bed at night, practically defenseless. An excellent opportunity for the PCs to murderize him. Varning(LG Human Fighter 6) comes from a wealthy family and keeps a house in Aldencross, he is unlikely to be found here. Mott(LN Human Fighter 6) comes from a prominent Ghastenhall family and also keeps a house in town. The house is kept by his beautiful wife Kaitlyn, it a loveless arranged marriage. Room 6 is home to the handsome Captain Eddarly(CG Human Fighter 6), his room is full of finery fit for a nobleman. A careful search will also find love letters from Kaitlyn Mott to Eddarly.
  
• 7 - The Garderobe - Castle toilet, no encounters here.
  
• 8 - The Main Thoroughfare - It lives up to it’s name, during the day the odds of meeting guards, servants or important NPCs is high. At night there will be at least 3 guards in the hallway.
  
  • 8a - Is the servant’s entrance, the door will normally be open during the day with two guards posted. Above it hangs the Great Seal of Balentyne a great stone slab that is one of the castle’s most prominent features.
    
  • 8b - This door leads to the bridge over the river. When barred it will present a serious obstacle to Bugbears.
• 9 - Barracks - The room is full of bunk beds. At night it is three-quarters full of sleeping guards, during the day there will be a few stragglers hanging about.
  
• 10 - Kitchens - Castle servants are present at all times of the day preparing meals and carrying out chores.
  
• 11 - Pantry - Two days worth of fresh food.
  
• 12 - Mess Hall - A place for off duty guards to congregate and take their meals, 3d6 will be found here at any time.
  
• 13 - Storeroom - Contains all the odds and ends needed to maintain the castle. Among other things the room holds holds torches, pitch, lamp oil and lumber. The makings of a great distraction for the castle guards.
  
• 14 - Vestiary - Changing area for the watchtower’s Clerical detachment. A ladder leads up to room 26.
  
• 15a-15e - Acolyte’s Cells - Each is home to a Level 1 Cleric of Mitra. They’ll either be found in room 26 at choir practice or room 27 tending the gardens.
  
• 16 - Shrine - Private shrine and meeting place for the watchtower’s Clerics.
  
• 17 - Father Donnagin’s Cell - This simple chamber is home to the second most powerful foe in the castle. Father Donnagin(LG Human Cleric 6) is a gentle, caring man beloved by all the guards. He fancies himself an amatuer detective (in the mold of Father Brown) and will help Lord Havelyn investigate any mysterious deaths.
  
  _{Who would want to hurt this guy? You would; that’s who.}
  
  
• 18 - The Bridge - It stretches over the River Tyburn which rages far below at the bottom of a deep canyon.
  
  • 18a - A short drawbridge can be raised to separate the rest of the keep from the Gatehouse. Making sure this is lowered before the Bugbear assault is crucial to your success. The drawbridge is controlled from room 25 which doesn’t seem like the best place but whatever.
• 19 - Gatehouse Entryway - With arrow slits on the north/south walls and murder holes above this room is pure death trap for any invaders caught here.
  
  19a - A stupid heavy portcullis blocks entry into the gate house. Breaching it by force would waste valuable time and allow defenders to prepare. Making sure this gate is open is another key part of Thorn’s plan.
  
  
• 20 - 21 - Storage - Provisions and water are here to sustain the gatehouse in the event of a prolonged siege. If the castle is under attack there will be 5 archers stationed in each room.

• 22 - Aldencross Gate - This is the gate used by official visitors and patrols heading out to make sure monster aren’t slipping across over the lake. There are always 2 guards posted. It’s not clearly explained in the book but I guess Level 1 is partially below ground in places otherwise it doesn’t make sense that Level 2 also has a ground level exit. The winch to operate the portcullis here is is on the battlement above.
  
• 23 - The Walls - Only accessible by narrow stairways, the walls rise 20 feet above the courtyard.
  
  • 23a - The winch here is always protected by two guards and it is one of the castle’s greatest secrets. It lowers the Great Seal down at 8a providing a stop gap incase the lower levers are taken by invaders. This will buy time for defenders and the only way up from Level 1 would be rooms 10 and 14. The winch is easily sabotaged by removing a widget.
• 24 - The Bridge of Death - It overlooks the main bridge and gives the perfect vantage point to rain down arrows and stones on any attackers that might get past the Gatehouse. Two guards are always posted here.
  
• 25 - Gatehouse 2nd Level - Two massive pots of scalding hot sand sit in the middle of the room ready to pour down the murder holes and annihilate any invaders below. The walls contain arrow slits and also found here are winches the raise and lower the drawbridge and portcullis. There is also a door that leads out to 24.
  
• 26 - The Choir Hall - Back in the main keep is the castle’s chapel. During weekly services about 35 guards, all the notable NPCs and the acolytes can be found here. The vaulted ceilings rise 25 feet above the floor and the outer edge is lined with statues of singing MItran saints.
  

  quote:

  It may seem to be only an empty church most of the time but this consecrated place is far from unprotected. When this choir hall was first built, the cardinal who consecrated it summoned forth nine lantern archons to fill the chamber with music and to protect it always. Now they hide up among the stone statues of the saints that adorn the high walls. When the choir sings, they hum in sympathetic vibration filling the hall with celestial music. This has led to the rumors about “the singing saints of Balentyne”.

  Any evil dudes or dudettes entering the room will be detected by the archons and if they don’t leave quickly a fight will break out. The archons form Voltron after two rounds of combat and become a Lantern Archon Gestalt (CR8).
  
  
  
• 27 - Courtyard - Back outside in the open air portion of the keep is a well maintained lawn and simple fountain.
  
• 28 - Statue - A massive statue of King Markadian I, full clad in heavy armor in the prime of his youth and might.
  
• 29 - Garden Shed - Contains yard tools.
  
• 30 - Stables - Lord Havelyn’s Warhorse can be found here along with the mounts for Captain Varning’s rangers.
  
• 31 - Great Hall - The assembly area for the guards and where the commander meets with important visitors. Two guards are usually found here.
  
• 32 - Flag Room - A big open room room ringed by large flags. Stairs lead up into the tower. Two guards are usually stationed here.

• 33 - Gatehouse Battlements - Siege engines dominate the roof of the Gatehouse; there are two massive ballistae and the devices to drop stones on any attackers outside the portcullis. This is one of the most important defensive points of the castle and one of the captains, Barhold, Mott or Eddardly, will always be found here. During the the day Barnabus and his dwarves will be here doing repairs to the fortifications.
  
• 34 - Hall of Honor - Two guards are always stationed here; in the event that attackers enter the main keep they push a capstone into the stairwell blocking access to the upper levels. On the wall is inscribed the names of every man that has died defending the castle.
  
• 35a-g - Prison Cells - Seven cells in the main keep. Any PC that is captured will be stripped and kept here.
  
• 36 - Stairs up to room 39
  
• 37 - Torture Chamber - Once used to interrogate prisoners the room has fallen into disuse as Lord Havelyn despises torture.
  
• 38 - Tower Archer’s Nest - Another key point of the castle. Stored here are 4000 arrows and the walls are lined with arrow slits. This is a commanding vantage point for defenders to rain down death. Usually unguarded.

• 39 - Guard Room - Two guards will be found here at all times.
  
• 40 - Mage’s Laboratory - Your standard mad scientists lab complete with a monster. On a slab in the center of the room is an Ice Golem (CR 5) that the castle’s Magister Tacticus has been repairing. He’ll command it to attack any intruders here.
  
• 41 - Mage’s Private Quarters - Bed chambers and study of the reclusive Tacticus of Morimun (LN Human Wizard 6), he’ll either be found here or his laboratory. Arcane spell casting isn’t much loved in Talingarde and the wizard has a sinister reputation with the castle guards. A search of the room will find a locked chest containing his spellbook full of fire spells.
  
  _{Fire..huh, huh...fire, fire, fire.}
  
  
• 42 - Guard Room - Will be empty unless the castle is on alert.
  
• 43 - The Rookery - Home to Mad Martin (NG Human Commoner 6) and his messenger ravens; this is another strategic point of Balentyne. Martin rarely leaves here preferring the company of the birds, but he will leave for meals and religious services. If not destroyed the raven’s will quickly carry word of an invasion to all nearby reinforcements; without them the response will be too late. If attacked here Mad Martin can call up his ravens of attack as a swarm (CR 3), he will also try to blow his signal horn and call human guards to his aid.

• 44 - Upper Landing - Two guards are always stationed here. There is a trapdoor and ladder leading to the roof.
  
• 45 - Guest Room - Room for official visitors.
  
• 46 - Lord’s Council Chambers - Conference room of Lord Havelyn, it’s very plain as befits the man. In the northwest corner of the room is a heavy oaken chest that is locked, trapped and alarmed. This is the castle treasury, contained within is 7400gp worth of coins and valuable objects. Notably there are some commemorative coins celebrating the birth of Princess Belinda (the first time we encounter her outside the Gazetteer), 5 potions of cure light wounds and 2 elixirs of truth.
  
• 47 - Lord’s Private Chamber - The plainly furnished the room has one distinguishing feature; a portrait of Bronwyn of Balentyne, possibly the most beautiful woman any of the PCs have ever seen. Lord Havelyn has made this area a shrine to his dead wife. Also to be found here is a family bible containing the house lineage. Examination will reveal that the name of Lord Havelyn’s brother has been crossed out, Samuel Havelyn Cardinal of Mitra, this another clue for PCs to the identity of their employer. Lord Thomas Havelyn (LG Human Aristocrat 2/ Paladin 7) is one of the stated targets of your attack on Castle Balentyne; he can be a challenge on his own if given a chance to buff up and if accompanied by his men may very well overcome the PCs.
  
  _{Portrait of a man who huffs his own farts.}
  

  quote:

  Once Lord Havelyn is slain, the first PC who touches the +1 champion full plate proficient with the armor watches at the magic armor transforms before their eyes. It is no longer shining plate armor. Instead it become black, baroque armor adorned with the infernal iconography of Lord Asmodeus. It is now +1 dastard full plate.
  Truly, the Dark Lord of Nessus watches these deeds.

  Here’s the kickass armor of our iconic Anti-Paladin.

• 48 - Keep’s Roof - Three guards are always here to watch the surrounding area for any threats. The trebuchet is currently under repair by dwarven engineers and will not be ready in time frame of this AP.

Book 2 - Introductions

Book 2 - Encounter at Farholde Station

Book 2 - Grab that Horn by the Horn

• C1 – The Maw of Dagon - The entryway faces south and looks like a giant toothy maw ready to devour prey. The entire area is dotted with pools of mud and stinky swamp water.
  • C1a - Stationed here are a pair of boggard sentries. They’ll attack any groups that look like easy prey, otherwise they retreat, alert Kumanda and prepare to attack with reinforcements.
• C2 – Pool of Acid - The pool here collects an acid excreted by the north wall. It's your standard 1d6 damage acid but the pool will refill once a month. 100 vials of acid can be collected from the pool each month, some of which can be sold to alchemists in Farholde. More valuable though is that the excess can be used to seed traps around the Horn.
  
• C3 – Empty Cavern - This a boring, empty cavern with a pool of water at the back end. The book does suggest once the Horn is under your control some crocodiles or other water based monsters can be placed here as trap.
  
• C4 – Boggard Ambush Site - The boggards should have more sentinels here but they’ve gotten lazy. If the PCs take control of tribe they can station sentries here or dig a pit trap in the more solid area in the middle of the chamber.
  
• C5 – Empty Cavern - An empty cavern but it holds a secret. Hidden in the southwest corner is secret door (DC 30) that leads the spiral staircase going all the way up to the Sanctum of Vetra-Kali.
  
  • C5a - Just notes that this corridor is too narrow for a medium sized character to easily pass through.
• C6 – Empty Cavern - Another area of the Lower Caverns best suited as a place stash a monster as an encounter for NPC adventurers.
  
• C7 – Empty Cavern - Curveball! Again a place to stash a monster of some sort. The book suggests this as the perfect lair for the dire tiger we’re going to meet in Act III. It can easily control C5, C6, C7 if some sort of fence or wall is erected at the western passage from C5.
  
• C8 – Mud Pits - Natural geothermal activity far below the Horn has resulted in the pit at the back of this chamber being filled with slightly magical, slightly evil, boiling hot mud. Higher up in the Horn there is a ritual that can summon some mud elementals as servants. The book also suggests that the shelf at the back of the chamber can be planted with treasure, as a trap, to tempt adventures into the hot mud.
  
• C9 – Boggard Village - Home the Bane Wog tribe. There’s 1-4 boggards living in each of the mud huts in A-F. Only about half of the tribe is here at any time.
  
  • C9g - This hut belongs to Kumanda-Slays-Nine-Men along with his two consorts. There’s a few hundred gp of assorted treasure along with a helm of comprehend languages and read magic. That’s kind of cool. This is also the most likely place to find Kumanda if the PCs haven’t previously alerted the Bane-Wogs to their presence in the Lower Caverns. In NecromongerBoggard tradition you keep what you kill and whoever defeats Kumanda gets his treasure stash and his two sexy frog ladies.
• C10 – Empty Cavern - Hooo boy. Nothing here but a suggestion to station sentries once the PCs take control of the Horn.
  
• C11 – Strange Fish - At the back of this cave is a small pool containing blind fish. These fish are death-angel cave tetras; their spines can be harvested for a potent poison, the uses of which we leave to the wicked imaginations of our PCs.
  
• C12 – The Cavern of the Blue Slime - This might seem like another boring empty cavern, but it contains an interesting blue slime. An astute PC may notice a tiny fissure on the southern wall only large enough for a mouse.
  
• C13 – The Horseman’s Last Redoubt - That tiny fissure on the adjoining cave leads to one of the Horn of Abaddon’s greatest secrets. In the chaos of King Markadian’s raid on the Horn one of the death-cultists, Rhinehart Kappelbrenner, fled with one of Vetra-Kali’s emerald eyes, some supplies and 2 potions of gaseous form planning to wait out the raid then reform the Pale Horsemen. This was a great plan except for the part where he broke one of the potions and trapped himself in the tiny cave. The Eye of Vigilance allowed Rhinehart to watch the extermination of his co-religionists and the creation of the Seal warding this realm from the return of Vetra-Kali. Thanks to the combination of general death-cult madness and starvation Rhinehart was able to identify a flaw in the Seal and recorded an unholy ritual that would break the Seal and return Vetra-Kali to Talingarde.
  
  
• C14 – Empty Cavern - Nothing to see here.
  
• C15 – The Backdoor - This westward tunnel path is the best way for attackers to get around behind the Boggard village, The book suggests stationing more sentries here.
  
  • C15a - There are crystals at the back of the cave, they may be useful later.
• C16 – Fungus Farm - In this muddy cavern the boggards grow their sustenance crop,
  
• C17 – The Breeding Pool - The spawning pool for new Boggard tribesman; the tadpoles look like small fish. If the PCs destroy the pool it will drive off the sexy frog ladies and a few other members of the tribe.
  
  • C17a - Gross tentacled frogman statue of Dagon.
• C18 – Bone Pit - Here is where the Boggards dump the bones of their prey. There are more than a few humanoid skeletons in the pit and it can produce 100+2d6 skeletons for a necromancer PC.
  
• C19 – Deadly Diamonds - This chamber is a faire wonderland of crystals. Anyone foolish enough to enter will fall through a thin stone layer on to stalagmites (taking on average 5d6+5 damage, ouch). There is a weird little Earth spirit that will regrow the stone layer once a week, making this a natural trap, but its well hidden. How the PCs will learn this, other than trial and error with minions, is unclear.
  
• C20 – Empty Cavern - Our last empty caven and also the least interesting. We don’t even get a suggestion to shove a monster in here.
  
• C21 – Fungus Farm - Another mushroom farm to feed the tribe in lean times. Meh.
  
• C22 – Holding Pen - Any humanoids unlucky enough to be captured by the Bane-Wogs are held here until the tribe is ready to sacrifice them to Father Dagon. If the Boggards manage to capture any PCs this is where they’ll be held.
  
• C23 – Zikomo’s Temple - This is the place the PCs are most likely to encounter the boggard shaman Zikomo-Hears-the-Father. The chamber is one of the largest in the lower caverns and the majority is taken up by Zikomo’s living quarters/temple to “The Father” (aka the demon-Lord Dagon). The interior of the temple is a charnel house of bones surrounding a sacrificial altar. Whenever the PCs arrive Zikomo will be getting high on his own supply of vision juice and will deliver a very useful prophecy to the PCs.
  

  Zikomo posted:

  The cave of the blue slime conceals your future. Learn its secret or fail at ye master’s charge.

  Hopefully this will be hint enough for the PCs to investigate room C12 more closely. There’s about 3500gp in loot to be had in the Temple but they have to kill Zikomo first. Killing him would be a mistake since he can help them cement control of the boggard tribe and his crazed prophecies can be a useful source of information (especially useful for the DM to throw the PCs new leads).
  

• 1-1 The Left Eye - A wide set of stairs, starting on the west side, wraps around the outside of the Horn leading to an entrance facing south, about 100 feet above the jungle floor. This is the first defensive position in the Horn proper, should probably station some minions at the half wall in the north end of the corridor.
  
• 1-2 Eastern Guardroom - Now empty, but during the time of the Pale Horsemen cult guards would have been stationed here to take advantage of arrow slits along the western wall,
  
• 1-3 Western Guardroom - Also empty and would likewise have been garrisoned with cult guards armed with crossbows.
  
• 1-4 Lower Storeroom - This room has been magiced up so that any food or drink stored here will never spoil. It’s empty now as the Talirean soldier looted it during the raid. In the northwest corner is the perfectly preserved corpse of a minotaur cultist that was slain during the raid by King Markadian himself. The minotaur can be raised up as a zombie using animate dead. (Shame on my players for not doing this.)
  
• 1-5 Pillaged Quarters - Dust and cobwebs fill this room that was once quarter to temple guards. Anything of value was looted by the Talireans.
  
• 1-6 Blasted Room - The walls and floor of this room are blackened with char marks and soot. During the raid a handful of acolytes took refuge here but did not survive a bunch of fireballs being tossed into the room. Their damned souls left a psychic imprint in the room that will come back to haunt the PCs in Act III.
  
• 1-7 Pillaged Quarters - Another small room that once guard’s quarters, careful search will find 30gp in loose coins and an elixir of truth.
  
• 1-8 Stone Cutter’s Quarters - Quarters for the masons that served the Pale Horsemen. Not sure what they did here since it’s mentioned later on the whole place was transmuted out of the ground using foul daemonic magics.
  
• 1-9 The Death’s Head Tavern (west wing) - Even death cultists need a place to cut loose, enjoy some R&R. It was sacked during the raid but a few hundred gp in repairs would return the area to working condition for the PCs own henchmen.
  
• 1-10 The Death’s Head Tavern (north wing) - There’s a bar and grill here to serve the tavern. This begs the question why the PCs don’t quit the adventuring life and open a more evil Applebee’s.
  
• 1-11 Servants’ Quarters - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 1-12 Guard’s Barracks - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 1-13 Acolyte’s Quarters (north) - Empty, but it does contain something of value. A DC 20 search will locate the journal of a long dead acolyte of the cult, Zander Trask. Brother Trask was none too bright but a careful examination will give a few clues to the PCs:
  • The pillar at 1-27B is hollow and there may be a secret door.
    
  • There are two powerful daemons in the upper levels.
    
  • Trask saw a priest sit on the throne at 1-27 and disappear.
• 1-14 Acolyte’s Quarters (south) - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 1-15 Servant’s Quarters - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 1-16 Lower Courtyard - In the heyday of the Pale Horsemen this area was center of bustling activity for cultists. The fountain at the west end features a statue of Charon on his skiff, it magically produces fresh, clean water and will fill the 100 gallon basin at the rate of 1 gallon an hour.
  
• 1-17 Armory - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 1-18 Alchemist’s Laboratory - During the raid on the Horn the alchemical golem Artephius helped to fend off the Talirean invaders but was broken in the battle. Cultists brought him here, to their alchemical workshop, in hopes of repairing him and returning the golem to battle. Before they could the cultists were defeated and King Markadian himself dashed out the brains of this automatic abomination. The golem was left behind by the invaders believing it to be beyond repair, they were mistaken. In the ruins of the laboratory the PCs can find: plans for the alchemical golem, three ounces of stone salve and a glass reservoir for Artephius.
  
  There’s a whole list of parts needed to bring Artephius(N Construct 9) back to working condition that will fit into the slots above. Once he’s up and running he talks like a droid programmed by a Sith Lord and will occasionally slaughter your minions if left unsupervised. It’s a small price to pay, like any proper evil overlord you’ll have a few lieutenants that casually execute the underlings.
  
• 1-19 Guardroom - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 1-20 Sergeant of the Guard’s Chamber - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 1-21 The Trophy Room - The trophies that once dotted the walls here are long gone, destroyed by the Talireans. The plaques that hung below them remain cataloging notable persons that crossed the cult and paid with their lives.
  

  quote:

  “Laedrissia the Beautiful who believed she need not honor her promises to us.”
  “Markhan the Golden, the draconic protector of Lossewyn. He slept then and now he sleeps forever.”
  “Kallister Feign, an illusionist too clever to keep his head.”
  “Lazarus M. Who mourns for you now?”
  “King Croc, 23 feet snout to tail, delicious on a spit”
  “Iris of Ghastenhall, dead from a broken heart and a poison dagger.”
  “The Great Serpent of Korokunga, slain for its venom”
  “Lord Jurys Hallifax called the Just hid in his castle and hope we had forgotten. We hadn’t.”
  “Snorri Five-Axe died on a sixth.”
  “The ears of Lord Kelerrian. If only he had sense enough to listen.”
  “Chief Gorgun Sakkathet, invincible in battle, careless in choosing his cup bearer.”
  “Ergun Nigma, The third scion left in the House of the House Hyrhul, second greatest swordsman in the land, the first to die.”
  

  Hidden in the plaque for Iris of Ghastenhall is a silver signet ring that is worthless, unless the PCs have the foresight to hold on to it until Book III, at which time they might be able to complete a minor side quest.
  The last plaque hides a wall safe, the combination of which can be deciphered from the legend. Hidden inside is 400gp in loose treasure and manacles of cooperation.
  
• 1-22 Smithy - The once functional forge has fallen into disrepair like the the rest of the Horn of Abaddon. For a small investment the PCs can return it to working order.
  
• 1-23 Capture Cell - High above this chamber, about 60 feet, at 2-1 is the opening to a pit trap that would drop the unwary into the cage waiting here below. The cage door is busted and will require repairs. There are also manacles attached the the south wall at A. THe pit trap can be rebuilt and there are suggestions with costs for varying levels of deadliness.
  
• 1-24 Prison Guardroom - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 1-25 Torture Chamber - This room now contains twisted heaps of rusted metal and broken wood, but if you listen closely you can hear the screams of its victims long ago. The chamber can be returned to its dark glory if the PCs are willing to spend the cold, hard gold. Up to 8000gp will equip it for 6 guests, all you’ll need is an experienced torturer. If only we could find one… For any decent campaign of WotW this place should see plenty of use, remembering to fade to black and not get graphic. A torture chamber is textbook villainy, Evil 101.
  
• 1-26 Holding Cell - The door to this chamber was busted by some do-gooder knight but it can be repaired. A great place store the subjects for the chamber beyond.
  
• 1-27 Lower Temple - The main place of worship for cultists admitted to the first level of the Horn of Abaddon. The walls are carved with images of daemons and men united in the service of Vetra-Kali. At the far end is a huge throne.
  
  • 1-27A Throne of the High Priest - The Throne has more unholy carvings and radiates an aura of conjuration. Hidden at the base is an Abyssal syllable “Yah”. It’s the activation word for a teleporter that allows faster movement within the Horn. Using the command word will teleport the speaker to the associated area.
    
    • 1-27A ------------------- command word ‘Yah’
      
    • 2-20A ------------------- command word ‘Rah’
      
    • 3-9 ----------------------- command word ‘Nen’
      
    • The Lost Throne -- command word ‘Vah’
  • 1-27B The Hidden Stairs - The column here hides the spiral staircase leading up to 3-12. The book states that senior cultists would descend to the Lower Caverns then ascend the spiral stairs for important events. A DC 20 to search check can discover that the pillar is hollow.
• 1-28 Acolytes Preparation Chamber - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 1-29 Sacrifice Holding Chamber - Empty, nothing of value here.
  

• 2-1 The Right Eye - Another staircase winds around the exterior of the Horn of Abaddon, starting on the east side, and ending on the south face 200 feet above the floor of the jungle. These stairs are more difficult to locate as they are narrow and overgrown with vegetation. The defenses include arrow slits to the east and west and pit trap that is now obvious. A narrow plank now extends over the pit. Hope a PC doesn't fall crossing here.
  
• 2-2 Eastern Guardroom - Another empty guardroom, but it’s got a secret door to the west and a non-secret door to the north. Routing your guard shift changes through the temple seems profane but whatever, I’ve never been in a been in a death cult.
  
• 2-3 Western Guardroom - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 2-4 Barracks - Empty except for a note that will give the PCs an additional clue to the use of the teleportation thrones.
  
• 2-5 Capture Pen - The pit trap at 3-1 drops any victims into the cell here. Everything is in working order.
  
• 2-6 Barracks - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 2-7 Statuary Graveyard - The shattered remains of statues that once decorated the courtyard at 2-16. On a successful skill check a PC may notice that there is one more head than statue.
  
• 2-8 Captain’s Quarters - Once the quarters of the guard captain for the Horn of Abaddon the room was ransacked long ago. The knights did leave behind a massive oak four-post bed frame that the PCs can sell in Farholde for 2000gp. It will require a lot of effort to get it out of the Horn and through the forest, it’s a good job for your minions.
  
• 2-9 The Beastmaster’s Quarters - No, not Dar. Chambers of the evil dude in charge of all the monster used by the cult. The room is badly burned from a fire set by the Talireans, but there is an intact mural showing the Beastmaster summoning two bear-like daemons, Hexor and Vexor, that we’ll meet shortly.
  
• 2-10 Barracks - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 2-11 Antechamber of the Master of Acolytes - This room is empty except for the impaled skeleton hanging from a spear driven into the western wall. Above it is inscribed. ”The Master of Acolytes, stealer of children. Let all who would turn to darkness see his fate and return to the light.”
  
• 2-12 Master of Acolytes’ Private Chambers - Now thoroughly wrecked up this was once the abode of the Master of Acolytes’ whose job was to kidnap children from around the island to raise as new cultists. In the smashing process one of the knight knocked a medium sized hole in the west wall. Vegetation has started to infiltrate the Horn and there are a variety of vines creeping through the room. Hidden amongst them are two Verdurous Oozes (N Ooze CR 6) that will attack the PCs. If the hole in the wall is not repaired it may be used as a point of ingress by the do-gooders that will attempt to thwart the PCs.
  
• 2-13 Acolyte’s Quarters - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 2-14 Acolyte’s Quarters - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 2-15 Acolyte’s Quarters - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 2-16 Upper Courtyard - Once the center of social life for this level of the Horn all that now remains is a fountain similar to the one on the floor below that creates pure water. At the center is a statue of three daemons.
  
• 2-17 Priests’ Quarters - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 2-18 The Knights’ Shrine - After the raid the Victor and his knights occupied the Horn for several weeks while the Seal was forged, several of the knights built a crude shrine to Mitra and thanks to the power of prayer were able to consecrate the shrine. This has the side effect noted above that evil spells cast here have a chance to fail (DC 20+ spell level). A simple desecrate spell will cancel this effect.
  
• 2-19 The Broken Statue - In this room is an extremely life-like statue missing it’s head. If the PCs put 2 + 2 together, reattach the extra head found at 2-7 with the stone salve they found in the Alchemist's Lab a cultist can be restored to lie. Halthus the Flayer (N Human Expert 5/Fighter 2) was a low ranking acolyte of the cult that got a face full of flesh to stone during the raid. He’s now happy to serve new masters and knows quite a bit about the Horn that may be useful to the PCs. He’s also an accomplished torturer and can be put to good use if the torture chamber at 1-25 is rebuilt. Halthus also has a prize, hidden in his satchel is another of Vetra-Kali’s eyes.
  
  
• 2-20 Temple of the Priests - This temple is more impressive than the one below; the murals, frieze work and carvings depicting beautiful but horrific images of daemons, the dying and the undead. At the back of the temple is a skull shaped throne that also acts as a teleporter with the keyword “Rah”.
  
• 2-21 Hall of Murals - The halls depicts important events in the history of the Sons of the Pale Horseman. Careful examination will also reveal instructions for three unholy rituals to summon and bind creatures from the Lower Planes. Call Forth the Hounds will conjure 3 Hell Hounds, Call Forth the Steed will raise up a Nightmare named Carnitheria Rex and Cauldron of the Earth will call forth 4 evil mud elementals from the pit at C8. Obviously the big get here is the nightmare, a flying, intelligent mount is tremendously useful.
  

• 3-1 The Center Eye - A grand arch opens to the south 200 feet above the forest floor. The only way to gain entrance here is climbing the exterior of the Horn of Abaddon, no easy task, or by flight. The platform is elaborately decorated like other important areas of the Horn with images of daemons. Hidden at the entrance is a pit trap that will drop the unwary down to 2-5. Inside there are more decorations and a written history of the many triumphs of Vetra-Kali Eats-the-Eyes. The room corridor is lit by six sickly green continual flames.
  
• 3-2 Blasted Chamber of the High Priest - Formerly the chambers of the last high priest of the Pale Horsemen, Ezra Twice-Damned, now it contains nothing but ash and debris. Hanging open at the back of the chamber is a secret door.
  
• 3-3 The Burned Library - Ezra’s private library was discovered during the raid and all the unholy tomes within were burned at the order of the Victor.
  
• 3-4 Guardroom - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 3-5 Fane of the Three Eyed Prince - The ultimate temple for the Sons of the Pale Horseman, only the most elite members of the cult ever bore witness to the strange, unholy rituals performed here. The decorations in the chamber depict daemons committing all the most foul acts imaginable. Three rows of pews line the aisle approaching the rear of the chamber where a lectern stands in front of four shrines. Each shrine is dedicated to one of the Four Horseman (Pestilence, War, Famine and Death). In Pathfinder they are powerful, nihilistic daemons that seek to bring an end to the multiverse. Carved into the wall behind the lectern is an image of Vetra-Kali, any that approach within 30 feet without saying the phrase, “Hail Vetra-Kali” are affected by a fear spell, DC 18. Hidden on the eastern wall is a secret door, DC 30 search check to locate. The door radiates strong conjuration magic but the room beyond contains junk, stuff that was garbage long before the Mitran raid on the Horn. The storage room is a clever disguise though, if the words “Hail Vetra-Kali” are spoken while opening the secret door it will instead open into a pocket dimension containing a horde of treasure.
  
• 3-6 Treasure Vault - This room was never discovered by the Victor and his knights as they were more interested in purging the unclean than wealth. There’s a lot hidden in the pocket dimension, treasure and story wise. The loot haul is significant; a belt of giant’s strength +2, ring of mind shielding, rod of elemental metamagic [acid], lesser, a dozen potions of cure moderate wounds, a literal ton of assorted silver furnishings worth 10K gp, 600 pounds of gold furnishings worth 30K gp, six chests of assorted coins worth 5.5k gp and two iron plates with Abyssal words carved on them (the control amulets for Hexor & Vexor). Glowing on a pedestal in the center of the chamber is an enormous emerald that is another eye of Vetra-Kali, the Eye of Hatred.
  
  The chamber is also inhabited by the spirit of Ezra Twice Damned, last high priest of Vetra-Kali, now Ezra Thrice-Damned(NE advanced giant wraith CR6) and 3 wraith spawn(NE undead CR5). The wraith rose up a decade after the massacre at the Horn and aside from a general hunger for souls of the living he would like to break the Silver Seal and return Vetra-Kali to this world. The Seal prevents Ezra from entering the Sanctum but the PCs would serve as useful stooges for his purposes. Ezra knows quite a bit about the PCs and their mission as he’s the reason Aiden Kael and the Fourth Knot failed to report back to Cardinal Thorn. The three wraith spawn were members of the Fourth Knot, slain by Erza, and now serve him in undeath; their souls when consumed gave him some knowledge of Cardinal Thorn’s plans. Ezra will agree to help the PCs in their mission with the intent to betray them and complete the ritual himself.
  
• 3-7 Antechamber - Empty, nothing of value here.
  
• 3-8 The Lightning Scarred Room - During the raid this room was blasted many times with electric magics leaving the walls scored deeply. Otherwise nothing of value remains.
  
• 3-9 Meditation Hall of the High Priest - The walls, floor and ceiling here are completely covered in Abyssal writing. In the center of the room the syllable “nen” appears repeated in a circle; this is the command word for the teleporter hidden here. The mediation hall also has a chance to cause anyone using it to go insano like draino, shifting alignment to Chaotic Evil and being compelled to kill a sentient being once a week. This seems like a terrible choice for a neutral evil cult so there's a 1 in 20 chance some of your senior leadership could turn into a serial killer. On the upside if you complete the meditation 3 times you get the Iron Will feat or Improved Iron Will if you qualify.
  
• 3-10 Sacrifice Holding Cells - The rooms name explains it all. The cells themselves are sturdy and have good quality locks. This should be useful later in the campaign.
  
• 3-11 Chamber of Delights - Elaborate murals depicting carnal debauchery once decorated the walls of this room that served as brothel for senior leadership of the cult. The murals are now almost entirely obliterated. I guess daemonic orgies are part of being evil but visiting the brothel in a cult dedicated to disease seems like a great way to catch a case of super gonorrhea, literally pissing fire.
  
• 3-12 Top of the Secret Stairway - The exit from the spiral staircase that started in the Lower Caverns at C5A. Two skeletons in rusted full plate remain here, fallen defenders of the Horn.
  
• 3-13 The Daemons’ Charge - A half wall block access to the spiral staircase leading out of this room. The walls are covered in horrific images of the Abaddon the realm of daemons. Hanging out here are, Hexor and Vexor (NE Greater Ceustodaemons CR7), charged with protecting the Sanctum of Vetra-Kali they were killed during the raid, reforming on the material plane a month later. They will attack any intruders unless they possess the iron plates located in the secret treasure vault at 3-6 or express an intent to free Vetra-Kali.
  
  

• S-1 The Sanctum - The spiral stairs open to a large domed chamber with its apex 50 feet over head. Walls partition off the areas at B and C that were used by the cult for ritual preparation. The room is dominated by the statue of Vetra-Kali at A.
  
  The dark green alabaster statue is wrapped in heavy silver chains connecting to a heavy Silver Seal emblazoned with the holy symbol of Mitra. No magic or physical force available to the PCs will remove this artifact that prevents the return of Vetra-Kali. Also anyone evil touching it is going to suck up 10d6 damage, Fort save for half. The statue radiates an evil aura that is outshone by the aura of good from the Silver Seal. Some of the statue's magic does still function, any water poured into the basin will become unholy water.
  Before the PCs get to any of this they have to deal with the Huge Lightning Elemental(N Huge Outsider CR 7) lurking at the top of the dome. Shouldn’t be too difficult.
  Something else interesting may occur when the PCs enter this chamber, if the ogre Grumblejack is still alive and henching for them. The ogre becomes dizzy and confused and will complain of a thirst that cannot be quenched by ordinary means. Only unholy water from the statue's basin will satisfy his craving. This will also activate his latent daemonic heritage, turns out good old Grumblejack is the last surviving heir of a tribe of ogres that served the Sons of the Pale Horseman. Grumblejack(LE half-fiend ogre fighter 1 CR6) can now fly and do some limited magic, it's a solid upgrade for the loveable fuzzball to keep him relevant to the party.
  
  _{This lovable fuzz ball}
  
  
• S-2 The Balcony - The balcony here faces west looking over the vast forest beneath the Horn of Abaddon. Falling from here is a bad idea. Once the ritual described below has begun the balcony will be shrouded in a sickly green aura of the unholy blight spell. Anyone trying to fly in here is going to take some damage with do-gooders punished harshly.
  

Book 2 - Fantastic minions and where to find them

Level + Charisma Mod.                                     Actions per Week
            9 or less                                     0
            10                                            1
            11                                            1
            12                                            1
            13                                            2
            14                                            2
            15                                            3
            16                                            3
            17                                            4
            18                                            4
            19                                            5
            20                                            5
            21                                            6
            22                                            7
            23                                            8
            24                                            9
            25 or more                                    10