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Secret cave lair of the Night Cauldron of Chernobog. Lady Illmalad’s dhampir son, Fane, is a leader of the cult in this region and often is here with the other cultists. Spawn of Chernobog, Dark Folk, and other monsters.
This article builds out the brief description in the hex crawl key into a dungeon summary. I'm using the linked map from Dyson Logos, however I won't be reproducing it as it isn't one of his licensed maps.
Mission:
Primary: Find and capture or kill Fane, Lady Illmalad’s dhampir son.
Secondary: Degrade the Night Cauldron of Chernobog’s ability to conduct operations in the region. Destroy as many of its members and infrastructure as possible.
Adversary Roster
Patrols of a cult fanatic and two cultists check the exterior of the cave every hour, leaving one of the cave entrances unguarded for the short time.
A ceremony of Chernobog is ongoing in the large chamber—the cultists call it the “Cauldron.”
A pool of black, brackish water sits in the lowest portion of the Cauldron. Sometimes offerings are tossed in the pool, which hides an otyugh.
The upper galleries of the cavern act as meeting areas and sleeping quarters for cultist leaders. The carved out rooms are storage areas for food and drink.
NPCs
Gharsh: Darakhul Ghoul priest of Vardesain. Possesses notes from a Darakhul High Priest of Vardesain named Radomir Marrowblight, noted as the high priest of the Bone Cathedral of Vandekhul. These letters urge Gharsh to heed the guidance of “the Father of the High Feast” and to “keep in mind the interests of the Creed of All Flesh” as he negotiates with the Night Cauldron and Red Sisters to forge an alliance. They also contain references to “the rise of the Hunger Cults” which will “free the Darakhul from the shackles of the Feeding Laws.”
Sister Agonia: Red Sister of Marena. Meeting with the Night Cauldron to help negotiate an alliance between their cults along with the Creed of All Flesh. Sent by Blood Mother Flayedva, the high priestess of Gybick.
Fane: Dhampir commander, son of Lady Illmalad. Possesses the Book of Endless Dark, a gift from Nargoth.
Nargoth: Dark Voice, priest of Chernobog. Fane’s mentor in his studies of the mysteries of Chernobog. He possesses a letter from Kenas Sipkiln noting that “the work on the excavation of the Midnight Temple in the ruins of Nordheim goes well,” and that the restoration work is “on track for completion by the date of the Blood Wedding early next year.” The letters go on to praise the “Lord of the Night for his inspiration and infinite wisdom is allying with the ghouls of the Father of the High Feast and the Red Mother.” Finally he notes that their combined might will “sweep the feeble peoples and gods of Midgard away as Lord Chernobog should have done in the Vanir War of old.”
Other Secrets & Clues
The Order of Battle for Lady Illmalad’s forces includes 20 light infantry men-at-arms working directly for her and her advisors. The Band of the Twice Damned possesses a company sized force composed of heavy and light infantry, archers, and a contingent of cavalry. A further company sized force guards Gybick under Lady Selena Bonecrusher, but will not necessarily aid Lady Illmalad.
The Twice Damned’s hideout is nearby, but their main force is encamped near Jatow.
Lady Illmalad’s ability to influence the region is hampered by the flowing water of the Yoshtula, which she cannot cross, so she uses her proxies by necessity.
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