The Demon Core
Description
Trapped within the golden mirror is the soul of an ancient and terrible demon. Where the Shroud provides the initial energy to the weapon, it is the Demon Core that empowers the truly apocalyptic devastation the weapon wreaks.
The Demon Core, like all pieces of the weapon, was separated and hidden by Hermes Trismegistus prior to the Great Sack. Unbeknownst to anyone outside Hermes' inner circle, the Demon Core was not buried in a desolate area, but was instead entrusted into the care of Lord Symnyr Lynch, Councillor of Blackpoint and a long-time personal friend.
As prolongued exposure to the Core is extremely hazardous, the sphere was placed inside a leaden sarcophagus, and hidden deep within the catacombs under the city. Since then, the existence of the Demon Core and its final resting place has been a closely guarded secret, known only to the office of the Blackpoint Councillor, and after the Great Sack, the Royal Chancellor that superseded the title.
Discovering the location of the Demon Core's sarcophagus is no easy task. The catacombs are a twisting maze of passages and chambers, many of which have not been accessed in centuries. Many of the catacomb entrances were sealed during the Great Sack, and the rest are heavily guarded by the Dusk Templars. Breaking into the catacombs will be a difficult proposition, second only to breaking out with the sarcophagus.
Alternatively, a diplomatic approach may be possible. The current Chancellor, Lord Reynfred, has been searching for information about the weapon, as have his predecessors. Although the Chancellor would use the weapon for his own purposes, the Lynch family remains the unofficial protectors of the Demon Core. Yrvyn Lynch serves as the Chancellor's clerk, has access to his ancestor's records, and has been looking for a way to secure the Demon Core from the Chancellor's grasp.
Reaching Blackpoint
Black Highway
Blackpoint lies at the Southwestern terminus of the Black Highway, the largest trade route in Easter Tritan, connecting the two capitals of Blackpoint and Siddar City. The road is wide, well maiantained, and most importantly, safe. The road is constantly patrolled by the Dusk Templars up until the Republic takes over some distance past Ravenhelm.
The road passes through several small towns, but none are particularly worthy of note. Many of the towns have little to offer other than simple agricultural products and raw materials. As the towns get closer to Blackpoint, the attitude becomes colder and less receptive. The small villages just outside the city practically stare down any outsiders that wander through.
Gates of Blackpoint
As Blackpoint is composed of interlocking walled enclaves, the outer gates of the city are but the first of many checkpoints the party will need to pass in order to get access to the city proper.
There are a dozen or so outer gates open at any given time, but only four have a customs station where non-citizens can gain the paperwork necessary to traverse through the city. These four gates are located on enclaves that were destroyed during the Great Sack, and still show much of the damage today.
Blackpoint Village Inns
Near each of the main four gates is a small inn, where visitors to the city can spend the night and get some rest from the long journey. Unlike the nearby villages, these inns depend entirely on foreign visitors, and extend them every courtesy.
The innkeepers vary, but they are all pleasant and charming, a stark contrast to the surrounding villagers. Typical names for the innkeepers are Sean, Anraoi, Paidi, Eithne, Aibell, or Eimear. A short conversation with the inkeepers reveals that the entrances to the city are limited for foreigners, and few are allowed in without prior business in the city.
A DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check with the inkeeper can reveal some useful information to enter the city with fewer complications. The table below has some options for what the inkeeper may reveal, or if the party rolls well, may be options he presents the party. Alternatively, a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check of the inn's patrons may reveal similar information.
| Roll | Result |
|---|---|
| 1-7 | The inkeeper knows a merchant willing to pretend they are part of his security escort - for a price (1000 gp). He will take the party as far as the outer enclaves where his destination lies. |
| 8-15 | The inkeeper knows that one of the Crown inspectors (Sioda) at the Station has a sick daughter, and may be willing to look the other way in exchange for some money for medicine (500 gp). The inspector will furnish the party with temporary entry permits, good for a pair of days. |
| 16-20 | The inkeeper reveals that one of the patrons has been selling forged entry permits (250 gp). The forgeries will withstand a moderate degree of scrutiny, but should provide access to the inner city. |
Customs Station
The Customs Stations are only open between sunrise and sunset. Any travelers arriving outside those hours are directed by the guards on duty to one of the nearby inns.
Once it is daytime, the Customs Station is open, and the guards will usher everyone without a valid entry permit into the small guardhouse where the inspector is located.
| Roll | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1-10 | Darearca (F) | A good natured inspector, she takes pride in her work but is willing to accomodate travelers to the extent allowed by the Crown. |
| 11-15 | Declan (M) | A bookish inspector, he is interested in hearing tales of faraway lands. If indulged, he will be fairly generous with travelers. |
| 16-20 | Sidoa (M) | A bitter inspector, Sioda takes no joy in his job, and appears to be very distracted during the inspection. A DC 20 Wisdom (Insight) check reveals that his daughter is sick, and he needs money for medicine (500gp). |
Without some additional help through the checkpoint, the party will be required to leave their weapons at the Customs Station, to be retrieved upon exit. Only licensed caravan guards to known merchants are allowed to keep their weapons. The gate is guarded by about 15 soldiers, with dozens of Dusk Templars only moments away. Trying to break through the checkpoint will throw the enclave into lockdown, and immediately make the party wanted enemies of the Dohlaran Crown. This will make it much harder to avoid detection and can introduc complications once inside the city.
Additionally, ancient magic items are expressly forbidden, and will be confiscated and not returned if discovered. This information is common knowledge, and the party should take care not to have such items on their person. In the interests of greater diplomacy, the inspectors will remind the party of this fact and allow them to come back another day when they are better prepared.
The inspector on duty will thoroughly check the party, requiring a DC 18 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) or DC 18 Charisma (Deception) check for each party member attempting to smuggle a weapon through. If caught, the weapon(s) will be removed and placed in the depository. Should a member of the party attempt to smuggle a weapon through again, the entire party will have their passes revoked, and will need to try again in about a week's time.
Inside the Outer Enclaves
The outermost enclaves of the city were almost entirely destroyed by Baltatrax during the Great Sack. Many of the buildings are significantly newer and of a different architecture than those inside the inner city. The outer enclaves tend to be a mix of poorer housing and industries. Many merchants have supply contracts here, and accomodations and supplies may be easily found.
Travel between the outer enclaves is not restricted, and permits are rarely checked. These enclaves are typically run by the local nobility, who are less willing to spend more than is necessary on security, and there are plenty of warehouses and shanties to hide in should the need arise.
Ruined Districts
Some of the enclaves were far too damaged during the Great Sack, and have been converted into makeshift residences for many of the city's workers. Contrary to the common perception, these people are generally friendly and respectful to foreginers, whom they view with mild curiosity and a great deal of deference. Travelers are often addressed as 'my lord' or 'my lady', regardless of any true claim to nobility.
Since many people's impression of Blackpoint comes from the outer villages or the nobility within, there is an assumption that the entirety of the citizenry shares a similar disdain for foreigners. It is not true to say, however, that the common folk think favorably of strangers. It's simply that the average commoner within the walls is secure in the knowledge that Blackpoint would never allow "the wrong sort of people" to stay, and anyone passing through is more of a temporary curiosity. To the common folk, decency and kindness are entirely unrelated to acceptance and tolerance.
Gardhynyr Trade House
The Gahrdynyr Trade House, one of the major trading organizations within the Republic, has a major depot here. If the party has good relations with the Republic, they may have been gifted a letter of introduction, or even a Republic Warrant, which can be presented to the intendant at the Gardhynyr Trade House, Orval Morrissy.
The intendant doesn't officially run the trade house, but he has the most up to date and accurante information, as he is the primary contact for merchants and local businessmen. A DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check can gain the party a lot of valuable information about the city, including the local layout. With a suitable introduction, the intendant will be much more forthcoming, allowing the party to roll with advantage. A warrant grants automatic success, as the intendant is entirely loyal to the Republic.
If the party inquires about more than just basics about the city, or directly asks about the catacombs or information related to the Demon Core, the intendant will suggest that the party visit the Crown Libraries within the Inner Enclaves, as that is the most likely place to find information about the history of the kingdom and the city. He will point out however that entering the Inner Enclaves is not a privilege extended to every traveler, and that special permits, such as those granted to trade company representatives.
The intendant can supply the party with additional paperwork to allow them easier travel into the inner city. The paperwork identifies the party as trade representatives, and for all intents and purposes is genuine. Without a warrant, the intendant will want some form of compensation for the paperwork, but he is not interested in money. He wants a magic item, forbidden contraband within the city, and he's not too particular about what he gets.
If the party may not have a magic item they are willing to part with, the intendant knows of some confiscated items at a local guardhouse that haven't been logged yet. It seems a merchant was foolish enough to attempt to hide the items, and was promptly discovered.
Outer Enclave Guardhouse
The guardhouse is located within the commercial zone, and is normally staffed by 20 guards, although many more can be called in case of an emergency. The guards mostly handle petty crimes, and don't suspect any kind of trouble will arise.
At the depository of the guardhouse is a small trove of about a half dozen minor magic items, any of which will satisfy the intendant.
To get to the depository, the party will need to:
- Sneak into the guardhouse ...
- ... during the day : DC 25 Dexterity (Stealth) check
- ... during the night : DC 20 Dexterity (Stealth) check
- Getting a layout of the guardhouse and guard rotations with a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check can grant advantage.
- Distract the guard at the repository entrance
- Unlock the depository where the items are held with a DC 20 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check
- The depository guard has a set of keys, which can be lifted with a DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check.
- Leave the guardhouse without alerting the guards.
Additional complications may arise if the party is discovered. The guards will turn hostile, and the party can become wanted if they fight with the guards. It is possible that the party becomes notorious in Blackpoint, which will put guards on alert for persons matching the party's last known description.
Here are some additional encounters that may arise while the party is retrieving the magic items from the depository:
| Roll | Result |
|---|---|
| 1-5 | No additional encounters. |
| 6-10 | The depository guard is asleep on duty. |
| 11-15 | The guards respond to some altercation, reducing their numbers at the guardhouse by 2d4 + 2. |
| 16-18 | 1d6 + 3 Dusk Templars arrive at the guardhouse. |
| 19 | The guards conduct a random inspection of the building. The party can avoid detection with a successful DC 20 Dexterity (Stealth) check. |
| 20 | A thief is already in the process of stealing the magic items. |
Inner Enclave Checkpoint
Each enclave is connected to its neighbors via another large, well protected gate. Travel into the Inner Enclaves requires the appropriate paperwork, which can be obtained either via forged documents or by helping the Gahrdynyr Trade House intendant. Attempting to break through the checkpoints into the Inner Enclaves will result in the party becoming enemies of the Crown, and will unleash the full fury of the city's defenses.
With the appropriate paperwork, the party will once again be inspected as they are considered untrustworthy foreigners. requiring a DC 18 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) or DC 18 Charisma (Deception) check for each party member attempting to smuggle a weapon or magic item through.
It is possible to circumvent the need for permits, though this carries significant risk.
Most of the poorer citizens of the Outer Enclaves do not have paperwork themselves, but some of the richer merchants and travelers may have paperwork that matches the party's general descriptions. These permits may be pickpocketed by a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check. A failed check alerts the owner, who will cry for help against the would-be thief.
Alternatively, the checkpoint itself could be bypassed, either by going over the walls, DC 15 Strength (Athletics), or through them with the appropriate spells. However, the guards in the Inner Enclaves will occasionally stop-check foreigners for paperwork, which can create complications if the permits are not produced.
Inside the Inner Enclaves
Unlike the Outer Enclaves, the inner sectors of Blackpoint are extremely well maintained, offering many beautiful sights of antecasum architecture. The citizens privileged enough to live in the Inner Enclaves are generally wealthy merchants, artesans, freemen, and the lower nobility. These enclaves are typically better patrolled and protected, and anyone who does not appear to belong can expect to present their permits several times throughout the day.
Similar to the Outer Enclaves, travel within the same ring is significantly more relaxed. Permits typically do not need to be presented, unless an Enclave has been sealed due to a policing action, which is extremely rare. Travel to the Outer Enclaves is similarly unrestricted, though the guards will remind well-to-do citizens not to linger or leave the main boulevards that connect the inner checkpoints with the outer gates.
Crown Library
One of the Inner Enclaves is the site of the former Royal Academy, once a prestigious magical university. The Academy was shuttered during the Spellplague and the Great Sack, and many of its priceless tomes and artifacts were removed by the Crown.
Since the Great Sack, the Crown has used the Academy grounds for various purposes throughout the years. Some of the buildings were used as warehouses for military goods, and the dormitories were repurposed as barracks for the Dohlaran Army at the height of the crisis. The various libraries and great halls were used as archives for the Crown's documents and records, but over time became general repositories for printed materials, and were eventually opened to a limited subset of the public as the Crown Library.
Unless the party is clearly out of place within the Inner Enclaves, there should be no difficulty entering the libraries. Inside the Academy Enclave, paperwork is rarely checked, as the Academy grounds are not considered particularly restricted. It is possible to sneak into the libraries at night, as the grounds are not well illuminated and security is fairly lax.
Tip
Yrvyn Lynch, the Chancellor's Clerk and descendant of Symnyr Lynch, can often be found inside the library as part of his job. He may notice the party's research and approach them, as his family considers it their sacred duty to safeguard the Demon Core until it is needed. He can be recruited by presenting evidence that the party is affiliated with Hermes Trismegistus or Azoth the Wise.
Once inside the library, the clerks can help the party find the appropriate records, but will become suspicious if the party asks too many direct questions about the catacombs, the Chancellor, the Demon Core, or any closely related subject.
Warning
The librarians may warn the Chancellor if they become too suspicious of the party's motives. They will claim that the information may take a few hours to compile, and invite the party to return early the next day. If the party has met and recruited Yrvyn Lynch, he will already know to expect the report. Otherwise, Yrvyn will intercept the librarians' report and interview the party upon their return, to ascertain whether they are allies or enemies. He will bring a dozen Dusk Templars with him as protection, but will dismiss them if recruited.
The records can be searched manually to avoid attracting attention to the party's activities, using Intelligence (Investigation or History) checks of the appropriate DC. Topics marked as restricted require a DC 14 Dexterity (Stealth) check to bypass the librarian in the restricted section.
| DC | Topic | Information |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Blackpoint (general) | The party can learn general information about the city, including the layout of the Inner and Outer Enclaves, notable places and citizens (both current and historical). |
| 15 | Blackpoint (First Age) | Information about the First Age is limited, but what records remain paint a terrible picture: the last free city, under siege from demonic forces, waiting desperately for relief to arrive. The records indicate that all the passages leading to the Inner & Crown Enclaves (including the catacombs) were sealed or collapsed during this era. |
| 12 | Symnyr Lynch | The Councillor entrusted to safeguard the Demon Core in the First Age. The only record that remains is a last will and testament, specifying that the Councillor's last wishes were for his family to take up the protection of Blackpoint and the treasures enshrined deep within the city as their personal calling. |
| 15 | Nell Reynfred | The Chancellor was once the leading Baron of Ravenhelm. The official history states that he was chosen over the local nobility as a reward for his devotion to the protection of the city, but an official record that was stored in the library accidentally reveals that it was part of a settlement to keep the Ravenhelm nobility from rebelling against the Crown. |
| 10 | Thamior Maximilien X | The current Monarch of Dohlar has not made much impact on the records, but there is a record of granted petitions for audience that indicate he is willing to be enterntained by faraway travelers. |
| 17 | [Restricted] Catacombs | The restricted architectural records indicate that the catacomb entrances outside the Crown Enclaves have all been sealed or collapsed during the Great Sack. The only remaining entrance lies within the innermost enclaves. A rough map of the currently known catacomb layout is included, but its clear that the map is incomplete. The entire third level map is missing, with a note that it was destroyed on the order of Chancellor Morrin Lynch. |
| 15 | [Restricted] Artifacts | No direct mention can be found about the Demon Core here, but there are several records indicating that the Crown systematically confiscated powerful magical artifacts after the end of the Spellplague. The records indicate that most of these items have since been retrieved, save for those lost too deep within the catacombs. |
| 10 | [Restricted] Dusk Templars | The party can gain some detailed information about the equipment of Dusk Templars and some of their tactics. Additionally, the requisition forms over the past few decades suggest that the Dusk Templars have begun to train arcane casters as part of their ranks. |
| 15 | [Restricted] Crown Enclaves | General information about the innermost enclaves of the city, including maps and information about notable places and citizens. The maps indicate the location of the known catacomb entrances. |
Crown Enclave Checkpoint
The innermost enclaves of Blackpoint are controlled directly by the Dohlaran Crown, and are off-limits to anyone without official business. Forged documents will not pass muster, and repeated failed attempts to pass with improper documentation will cause the party to become wanted.
Short of bypassing the checkpoint entirely by sneaking over the enclave walls, the only way through is with an official invitation.
If the party has met and recruited Yrvyn Lynch, he can provide the party with the necessary invitation as the Chancellor's clerk.
The party can attempt to request an audience with the King by petitioning the local magistrates. If the party highlights their knowledge of faraway people and places in the petition, the King will most likely grant the audience, though it will take several days for an invitation to be issued.
The Gahrdynyr Trade House intendant's papers can be used to request entrance, but only if the party has asked the intendant to set up an audience with the appropriate ministers.
Tip
If the catacombs, the Demon Core, or magical artifacts are brought up as part of the audience requests, Yrvyn Lynch has a standing order with all the ministerial clerks to route the audience request directly to himself, under the guise of secret orders from the Chancellor. He will interview the party directly, and attempt to ascertain whether they share a common goal, or whether they should be arrested on the spot.
Regardless of the method of entry, the party should take care not to stray too far from their official destination. The Dusk Templars actively and thoroughly patrol the Crown Enclaves, checking for papers to anyone not wearing a small lapel pin that identifies them as Crown officials. Noticing the pattern (or the pins) requires a DC 20 Wisdom (Perception or Insight) check. Hiding from the patrols is extremely difficult, requiring a successful DC 25 Dexterity (Stealth) check, repeated in 10-minute intervals.
Crown Enclaves
The Crown Enclaves are the innermost enclaves, encompassing the palace grounds, the army headquarters, and the Crown offices that host the government. Very few people actually live in the Crown Enclaves, with only the royal family and the oldest Dohlaran noble families having any sort of permanent residence within.
These enclaves are heavily patrolled by the Dusk Templars, and contain the only known entrances to the catacombs in which the Demon Core is hidden.
Crown Offices
If the party requested an audience that piqued the interest of Yrvyn Lynch, they are directed to the appropriate building within the Crown offices, where Yrvyn will be waiting, and will attempt to determine whether the party is on his side, or if they represent a threat to either himself or the Crown.
Yrvyn is not disloyal to the Crown, but he believes that his family has a higher calling to protect the Demon Core until it is needed. He can be convinced to help the party by presenting evidence that they are on a quest for Hermes Trismegistus or Azoth the Wise. Simply mentioning them is insufficient, and he will immediately suspect that the party is searching for the Demon Core for nefarious purposes.
Once convinced of the party's noble intentions, Yrvyn will suggest that they meet up in a more discreet location to continue the conversation. Yrvyn will suggest a suitable location if none is presented by the party.
If the party did not happen upon Yrvyn, and meet with one of the ministers, they will quickly be dismissed and escorted out of the Crown Enclaves unless they can successfully bluff their way through the audience. Depending on how the party plays it, this can be a Charisma (Deception or Performance), Wisdom (Insight), or Intelligence (History), all at DC 25. A successful pass will allow them to remain on the Crown Enclaves without being escorted out.
Meetup with Yrvyn
When the party rendezvous with Yrvyn, they can gain a great deal of information about the catacombs and the Demon Core's location. Yrvyn's great-great-great grandfather ordered the desruction of most of the official records when it became clear that the Crown could not be trusted with the artifact. Fortunately for the party, the Lynch family kept their own set of records, and although they could not save a map, there is a record of Symnyr's directions to reach the artifact's vault. He will also mention that some of the catacomb exits were hidden rather than sealed, and although their locations are unknown, it should be possible to exit the catacombs from a different location, possibly in the Outer Enclaves, but it would be next to impossible to find that exit from outside.
Most importantly however, Yrvyn has keys to the various catacomb gates, which have been enchanted against picking and would otherwise require a DC 25 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check to bypass, or a DC 15 check if Dispell or Knock are used on each gate.
Lastly, Yrvyn can help create a distraction to draw away the Dusk Templars and allow the party to enter the catacombs more easily from within the Crown Enclaves.
Entering the Catacombs
There are about a half dozen catacomb entrances within the Crown Enclave, though only one is particularly suitable for the party to use. The entrance is located inside the Draseotheoa, a massive First Age temple to long forgotten gods.
If the party has learned the location of the catacomb entrances from Yrvyn or some other source, they can head directly there. Otherwise, the party will need to explore the Crown Enclaves to try to locate the entrances. A DC 20 Intelligence (History or Religion) check can provide insight that the catacombs would have been used as burial chambers during the First Age, and First Age temples would have been connected to the catacombs.
The best catacomb entrance is hidden underneath the statue of the Dragon God inside the Draseotheoa. Normally, a pair of Dusk Templars patrol the wing of the temple where the statue is located. If Yrvyn was recruited, these guards are not present. Otherwise the Dusk Templars will pass by the statue every 5 minutes.
Draseotheoa
The Draseotheoa is the holiest site in Blackpoint. A massive First Age temple, the Draseotheoa boasts a massive central nave flanked by two rows of intricately carved columns. The stained glass windows that line the Aisles depict imagery of the Old Pantheon's miracles, though the accompanying lore has largely been lost to the ages. Two transepts flank the central altar, in which the idols and statues of the ancient gods are kept as a reminder of what once was. An octagonal chapterhouse abuts the choir, in which sits a colossal statue of a dragon.
The statue of the Dragon God is a massive marble statue and one of the cultural treasures of Blackpoint. During the First Age, the Draseotheoa was constructed to honor the old pantheon, but as the city's patron god, the Dragon God was given a dedicated room in the temple.
The statue bears a small inscription in draconic scratched behind the base, which reads:
Quote
Lips to lips, mouth to mouth,
Comes the speaker of the shrouds,
Suck in the spirit, speak the words,
Let secrets of the dead be heard.
Inspecting the statue's mouth, a small switch can be felt. When activated, a wall panel behind the statue reveals a secret door into the catacombs.
Catacombs of Blackpoint
The catacombs of Blackpoint refer to a massive complex of interconnected subterranean tunnels and chambers that serve as the final resting place of hundreds, if not thousands, of Blackpoint's paragons of the past millenia.
Originally, the catacombs were a disjoint collection of mining tunnels and crypts that crisscrossed the ground beneath the city. Over the course of a thousand years, parts of the catacombs were found, forgotten, collapsed, expanded, or even sealed off, until a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers were left behind. No complete map of the catacombs has ever existed, but the most well known sections are the undercrofts beneath the surviving temples.
During the Great Sack, most of the entrances to the catacombs were sealed or destroyed to prevent the invading hordes from using them to bypass the enclave walls. Only the Royal Crypts and the entraces within the Royal Enclaves were preserved, as the Crown planned to use the labyrinth in a last ditch attempt to survive should Baltatrax and his hordes breach the inner city.
The catacombs beneath the Draseotheoa span three levels.
The first level holds hundreds of First Age cadavers, mostly in small alcoves cut into the walls of the tunnels. Only the most honored of the dead were granted the privilege of a crypt or sarcophagus.
The second level contains far fewer remains, mostly along the first set of tunnels leading to the first level. The Royal Crypts are located in the second level, along with the Royal Vaults, which house many of the Crown's ancient treasures.
The third and final level was sealed shut behind a massive, warded gateway, under orders from Councillor Ermylynd Lynch in the First Century. In the Fifth Century, Morrin Lynch had all of the records pertaining to the third level destroyed, in order to keep the Demon Core's location hidden.
Catacombs Level 1
The first level of the Catacombs beneath the Draseotheoa connect to the rest of the catacomb network at many locations. This level is dominated by long, winding corridors lined with the remains of long forgotten heroes.
TBD : Map, description, layout, etc.
Catacombs Level 2
The second level has far fewer remains than the first, and the layout is a little less haphazard. There are far fewer connections to the rest of the catacombs, having been constructed only once the first level was nearly full.
TBD : Map, description, layout, etc.
Catacombs Level 3
The third and last level of the catacombs is far less impressive than the prior two, containing almost no loculi (wall graves), and only an occasional room with unmarked sarcophagi. The layout however is far more labyrinthean, seemingly designed with the intent of confounding anyone trying to make their way without a map.
TBD : Map, description, layout, etc.
Leaving the Catacombs
With the sarcophagus secure, the party can make their way back through the catacombs to either the first or second level. Both levels have various connections to the rest of the network, and can attempt to navigate the passages to a different, possibly blocked catacomb entrance.
With Yrvyn's instructions, it should be relatively straightforward to chart a path to one of the hidden exits within the Outer Enclaves, giving the party a large advantage in retrieving the Demon Core. The remaining hidden exits are all inside older, sometimes abandoned temples, and have merely been plastered over.
If the party has no instructions, the catacombs are treacherous to navigate, requiring a DC 30 Survival check to avoid getting lost. A successful check brings the party to one of the Outer Enclave exits, but a failed check returns them to one of the six Royal Enclaves entrances:
| Roll | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rock of Cashel |
| 2 | Crown Offices |
| 3 | Kilmainham Gaol |
| 4 | Cloughoughter Cathedral |
| 5 | Caherminnaun Dun |
| 6 | Draseotheoa |
Royal Enclave Catacomb Exits
Rock of Cashel
The palace grounds exit is located within the inner courtyard's chapel, hidden behind a false wall that can be rotated out of the way in the choir. The palace has a large number of servants and soldiers, and is the most difficult exit to use. Avoiding the Templar patrols requires a DC 25 Dexterity (Stealth) check every 10 minutes (DC 20 at night). The chapel is fortunately not too distant from the walls which lead to the Draseotheoa's enclave.
Crown Offices
The catacombs exit in the Crown Offices in the abbey next to the Chancellor's Office. During the day, the Crown Offices are a bustling administrative center, making it nearly impossible to avoid being seen, but at night there is only the occasional Templar patrol, and even more rarely, a clerk burning the midnight oil.
Kilmainham Gaol
The altar in the jail's chapel slides out of the way to reveal an entrance to the catacombs, but requires a DC 20 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check to unlock. The chapel is located in the back courtyard, and is usually empty. Unfortunately, the jail is surrounded by a moat, with the main jail entrance the only bridge to the rest of the enclave.
Cloughoughter Cathedral
While not as famous as the Draseotheoa, the Cloughoughter Cathedral serves as the Primate's seat, and doubles as the Cult's administrative center. The catacomb exit is located in the chapterhouse that has become the Blackpoint Cult's assembly. This room is generally deserted, but is the farthest room from the cathedral entrance.
Caherminnaun Dun
A fortification outside the Crown Palace, the Caherminnaun Dun is the primary base of the Dusk Templars. The catacombs exit directly into the abbey within the training grounds, and is the only non-hidden entrance. A simple locked gate prevents access to the catacombs, requiring a DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check to open. The training grounds are almost never empty, with usually a dozen or so Templar squires practicing under the watchful eye of at least two Templar Knights.
Inner Enclaves Catacombs Exits
Most of the catacomb exits within the Inner Enclaves have been lost or destroyed as the nobility distrusted or disliked the idea of an uncontrolled network of tunnels connecting their lands.
| Roll | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gondarus Oratory |
| 2 | Blarney House |
| 3 | Leighilnbridge |
| 4 | Stewyrt's Castle |
Gondarus Oratory
Located on the estates of the Broderyck Estates, this ancient church dates back to the founding of Blackpoint. Originally a farmer's church, the building resembles an overtuned boat. According to the common folklore, the building was dedicated to a powerful fey who helped the early inhabitants of the city survive through a famine.
Blarney House
Largest City Watch precinct within the Inner Enclaves. Typically handles the investigation of minor crimes, as the Inner Enclaves are primarily patrolled and policed by the Nobles' private forces.
Leighilnbridge
A secondary Dusk Templar fortification within the Inner Enclaves. This fortress has a reputation for handling would-be rebellions among the more foolish nobility swiftly and brutally.
Stewyrt's Castle
A fortification built by Lord Stewyrt, Chancellor and Regent prior to the Restoration within his estate. It is generally accepted that the purpose of the fortress was to provide another powerbase to maintain control over the nobles.
Outer Enclaves Catacombs Exits
Of over a hundred exits in the Outer Enclaves, only five are still usable as an exit, as they were merely plastered over rather than collapsed or filled in. A DC 13 Strength check can be used to break through the plaster, or alternatively, the plaster wall has AC 11 and 100 hp. The party will then emerge in either a chapterhouse or a choir.
If the party is following Yrvyn's directions, they should find themselves at Mél of Ardagh, one of the oldest temples still in use. Otherwise, they will emerge randomly at one of the four plastered exits.
| Roll | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fin Barre's Cathedral |
| 2 | Mél of Ardagh |
| 3 | Iosa the Redeemer |
| 4 | An Rath Ringfort |
| 5 | Old Crom Castle |
Finn Barre's Cathedral
The last cathedral constructed before the Great Sack. The cathedral replaced an older temple that had burned down.
Mél of Ardagh
This temple was named after a figure from the city's early history, remember for shunning their noble birthright to watch over the poor and downtrodden. The temple sits in the Outer Enclave of the same name.
Iosa the Redeemer
A public house in the Outer Enclaves known for feeding the poor and wretched.
An Rath Ringfort
An otherwise empty mound within the city, this location marked the first loss suffered against Baltatrax by the defenders. The mound has been left empty as a memorial to the lost.
Old Crom Castle Headquarters of the City Watch, located in the Outer Districts.