aa lee a iEig ah Tue City of, ZoaRODAIAANANAIAAAA AN ADNNNANANANNAN THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL Credits ‘Author: Andy Miller Baitors: Brian Jelke, David Kenzer, Doug Davis Contributing Writers: Brian Jelke, David Kenzer, 9» Morgan, Matk Plemmons, David Ritalin ‘Act Director: tob Burke Art Liason: Mark Plemmons Cover Artist: Hung Vinh Mac © Interior Illustrations: Sioin Cok, Arnie Swekel, Brad McDevitt Matt Mis son, Allan Ditzig Cartography: Bob Burke, Craig Zipse Graphic Design: Jily Burke Project Manager, Brian Jelke Production Manager: Steve Johansson ot, Hans Messersmith, Phil Greenwood, John Richa Playtesters: Joel i Randy Catdner, David Ritalin, Jilly Burke, Steve Johansson, Brian lelke Bob Burke, Todd Weaver, David Kenzer, Jolly Blackburn Special Thanks to: Ed Statk, sm Butler, Dawn Murin, David Wise Table of Contents Introduction 2 Entering Zoa ' Background: Legend of the Falling Star 2 Geolain’s Towe 1 DM Backgrou 2 Driseall’s House 2 Adventure Synopsi: 2 Sentinels of the True zanex 2 Reelio Jungle 4 Hook 3 fe Fallen Castle 4 v 4 The Attack 5 Sidebar: The Hamlet of Belsor 3 Walker Dairoo 6 Sidebar: Riddle of the Stone Golem 6 Conclusion 4 7 Appendix: NPC Statistics Special Attacks and Qualities 6 The Evil Eye Tribe New Magic Hem: The Co , ig to Haan 1 Sidebar: The Coin of Power 10 Zoa 12 Appendix: Zoa City Encounter Notes 3 s at Sea 3 Table: Zoa City Random Encounters ate 5 Table: Character Race Encounteres 7 Table: Spellcaster Type Zoa 8 Glossary of Terms ghborhoods of Zoa ‘8 Appendix: Random Encounter Table 1 Copyright 2001 Kenzer and Company. All Rights Reserved, Manufstured in the United States America ‘Questions, Comments, Product Onder? Kenzer & Company 25667 Hillview Court Mundelein IE. 69060 Ie Kelana faa he get ge a the Kenran he wis fine Come’IDTRODUCTIOD The Root of Al Bil” 2 Duncans & Daacons® adventure for four to six tat level adventurers. The adventure takes place cross the Reanaars Bay area of Tellene, from Skarm 40 the commer ofthe Reeio Jungle. ty the time the Player Characters (PCs) complete this quest they should reach and level. This adventure can be used standalone orasa pat ofa trilogy contin ting in “Forging Darkness’ and concluding with “Coins End” You, the DM, will need copy of the D & D Player's Handbook, Dusceos Mastin’ Guide, and the Monster Manual for this adventure. One can find statistics for monsters and key Non Payer Charucter't (NPCs) in the Appendix atthe bick of this book, As the adventure takes place in the Kingdoms of Kalamar campaign setting, the DM should also have the Kis The ImageCuese™ Adventure Illustrator is located in the center section ofthe book for easy removal and use during game play. Theoughou che advent WS OF KAtaNAR core sourcebook. you wil find cues to refer to DM Map, show a featured illustration, or dsteibute Payers Aids. The story opens the small independent row of Haanex, on the Reznaara Bay cose, just south ofthe Lands of Skaropa. The ‘game can begin with the PCs already aequainted or the PCs can meet for che fist imei Haan. Bac ROUND, Legend of the Falling Star A litle overabundted yeas ago the Star fll from the sky — crs the legend goes. 1 fll this me of year on a quit night ith ust the slightest chillof winter the air. The ones who saw itsald that it flashed blue and white nd screamed asic fell, Many felcit wasa sgn ofthe gods Ie fell northwest of tow faraway in the Vigkare Mountains Mort belived che Elling Star destroyed itself when it struck the earth. Sil, many folhacdy where the giantkin rule souls sought the Sar. None succeeded and few have returned, “Eventually the people forgot the Falling Star. Years ater the great sage Caranian proved that starsare made of ithral, a magical metal that takes enchantment much more readily than normal steel and is stronger than that metal aswell Sages agree thatthe site of afllen star is often a good place to find mithral When the locals heard of these findings and remembered the legend of the Star chat Fel, they once again searched che hills and mountain fr the Stat All met with failure The Story of Dairoo and his Map Save one man, Daitoo, who was found just west of town almost dad from exposure and wounds, He claimed that he had found the Star but that wizanls and monsters guarded tt. He for wide boulder of metal (with amir core). Buc nar the crate stands small shack a cere glow coming fom its windows. Further signs of habitation inckude wo cave entrances du into the side ofthe crater wallInvestigating the small shack will introduce the BCs eo the alchemist, Arowain. He tells them that 3 wizard named Desh is forcing him to create a powerful magical artifact called the Coin of Power. He warns thatthe evil thing cin inevease ones povrar significantly and that he's skmost finished with s. Just then, Daesh bursts in che laut and uses magic vo pull he sil molten Coin fom dhe furnaceand sto her pen band. The Covn ‘burs into he palm and she flees, but not before using its power to ryt kl one ofthe adventurers. Atowain flings himself in she way and Dares blaes him with the awesome power of the Coin, Before he dies, he tells the group there is one other man (Halzan) who knows the secret of creating the Coin and only he has dhe power t destroy the ese Coin and stop Dares. When the group returns to Veoden, he tells chet they muse find Helaan and create another Coin to stop the fist, Reseasch indicates that the owner of such « Corn will eventually use its ‘wicked powers fr evil. He advises them ro goto the ity of Zou con the southers shores of Reanaacia Bay and consult the wizard (Geolsin, a sage known for discovering information, ‘On the journey south, whether by land or by se, the RCs will have several random or planned encounters In 202, eolain has afavor task ofthe PCs before he helps them, He asks them to retrieve a book that a secret society named the Sentinels ofthe True Way is planning to burn the next day. In return, he informs them that the alchemist Halaan went om an expedition t0 the Reelio Jungle months ago, and has yet to recur, He gives the adventurers & map to the location and recommends they get out of town before they ate caught forthe book chet ‘On the journey south there wil be moce opportunity for both random and planned encounters. They finally find an abandoned castle on the coast ofthe jungle (where Geolins ‘nap is marked with an"X?. Exploving the castle leds she group to find a scroll of diving tion that Hala left so that anyone following him could find him. Before the PCs can use the sera, they aze ambushed by canvbls and then rescved by friendly tribesmen. The later _roup wants the adventurer’ help in solving a riddle, The PCs lear chat the chief of the tribe isolering a great reward wo those ‘who can solve the riddle and they have abducted Haluan to study the writing and come up with a solution. ‘The PCs are able to rescue the alchemist snd head back toward Zo, where Geokain can help him begin to assemble the ingredients to craft another Coin of Power that wil be used wo destroy the Gist. THe Town OF HAANEX The Town of Haaneslies nestled the northivestern edge of Reanaata Bay, just south of Skarma and the lands of the Skryvalkker Hurrkal. Primarily a fishing and teade town, the 380 inhabitants of Haanex welcome the merchants heading tor from Skarena slong the coast Little more thin an overnight sop, the village grew around the foified hostel anda fishery: Most businesies involve the fishing industey or provide goods ul serves for eaveler, Some local formers work the feds west of tows and several Shepherds als live inthe area, Veoden came to Haanex to years ago, He built a tomer of quality material on a site he claimed ad been toucaed by he spiritsofthesie. The local men ‘ol him tt ws touched by the spins ofthe swamp, asthe spor was 100 soft co hold up 2 building ‘A-month after Veoden's workers completed the tower, the old me were proven right. The call building begs ‘ower had become unstable, resulting in the makeshift construction of wood, stone, and Haanex 110 sel, In a year, the Rother 1%). metal that now holds tall in place. Veoden sail believes the spot is blessed or enchanted and refuses 19 abandon the tower. AC che moment, #t has not actualy fallen (fact he points 104s proof of his claim), ‘A mayar elected fr life by the lca business Important owners rulesthe tiny town, He commands the rilitia and the town’s sheriff, Seegio, who isin charge of the riny militia current mayor, generally rend t keep an eye | Other Foosiwsin, the | Liningsthealer) fn the scl well being of the town while the sheriff isin charge militarily Haanex boasts single fine innthe KL-Ren's Rest, This large establishment has long been the lif town and is one of che original buildings around which the whole town formed. Oue sill and dity tavern, the Thitsty Hound, competes (poorly) with th Hound is «lowlife esuiblishmene where the dregs ‘go — mostly ravelers passing throughs who wish to keep low profileorhave litle money. The beer there is cheap and the foo! isternble Com! (276). KiRen' rest, the Thirsty ENTER THE PC ‘Soon affer the PCs enter Haaner (either alone oF as 2 group) they notice handbills posted around rown. The PCs have plenty ‘of tie to get ready should they choose to answer che han bil Daerasnizy Puavan's AD 4 ox 1. The leaning tower can be seen Rom anyarhere in town, a8 taller chen any other building. Any locals who ar asked dirs tons give the PC a funny fook and then look ar che rower and point stout to them. They then condescending as i he PC wants directions as wel Other Adventure Hooks Here are some other suggested ways to get the PCs involved ln the storyline of the adventure 1) Veoden's associate, Arowain the alchemist, has bees kidnapped. Arowain's daughter bites the PCs tofind him. He's ‘been missing for almost tw months an everyone else who she paid to find him jut run off with her money. rowan was lst heard of in Haanex. he PCs are deinki the Ki-Reris Rest) when they hear stories of the cray wizard the leaning tower who's loling for adventurers, 8) The PCs are drinking in a aveen (i.e the Thisty Hound oF in ataverm (the Th the KiRen's Rest) when they hear stories of mysterious sounds 0 family inthe o coming from the mausoleum of the Dai raveyand outside of town 44) The PCs are sold a map that supposedly leads to he fn! resting place of the fallen str Conventional: AL NG; 100-g9 limits assets 1,750 gp: population 350; Isolated (human 97% dwarf ‘Authority Figures: Mayor Foosivain, male human Nob5, Veoden, male human Wi: Elkin Torris, male human Ch (Holy Mother/home); Fortis ‘Alvz, male human Ferd (garrison commandant); Alexis, female human Cir4 (Lord of Silver ‘Town guards, Wart (150); xp2 (x6): Expl (x12);5) Agents of Skywalker tural (in the ‘nearby Lands of Skarea) could hite the PCS 10 Find dhe allen star and retuzn the mihral ore to him. Skeyvalkker Hurtal rules the tvitory in southwest Skarena close to where the village of Haanex les. Skyvaleker Hiurkal has recently learned of the legend of the Falling Star but has no knowledge of any maps ofthe area, (See che KRincoowsar Kacanan campaign seting source ‘book page 110 for more information on Skarrna ani the Skeyalkkers} VEODEN’s TOWER Diszav nnusiaATON 1 ON TOK. The leaning tower's just that a clumsy imsy affair of brick, stone, and wood leaning at several odd and unsablelooking angles. Solid wooden supports brace the sides bac, and front ro keep i fom falling, Read the fallowing tothe RCs: “The tower is an architect’: nightmare. At lease $0 feet tall and 10 feet on aside, the ‘square tower leans like a drunken man who has had his body snapped at several key points. Cracks inthe mortar ad the huge ‘wooden supports make the place lok lke it could topple over at any moment. Even the tiled roof has holes in i, though the ell lighning tod atop i seems to be peependic ular tothe ground Disetay Lu usraanion 204 IQH. Ifthe PCs come to the tower at sunset (or later] and knock, asleepy man wil answer te door, He will blink at the PCs and ask what they want I they explain they are answering che handball, he will consider 2 moment, temember an invite chem in. He will tke them into his sitting room and ask them to male themselves comfonable Each floor of the tower has @ wood ceiling that is approx matey 9 feet high and stone walls, ‘Uhe Hoors are mostly level though the walls lean at od angles. A solid wooden staicase connects each loo of the tower via an open trap door. Each level one lage room. Irn laticewrore protects the windows All windows and doors ofthe place have an arcane lockspell ast con them at 7s level 1) Ground floor decorated with comfortable chairs covered with datk blue A siting room dominates chs level, material. Several small tables adocned with large candles sit in the comers anda cabinet stands against one wal. The Fireplace Isbare, Ac ed trapdoor leads down tothe cellar. Awooden toy horse sits inthe corer ofthe room near ase of small wooden blocks with leters them, 2) Celli. Completely underground, this room remains cal yyearround, Shelves hold various food and beverages 3) Kichen, This lrge but typical kitchen contains cabinets tables, hairs afireplace, andan iron stove. The tapestry hanging from the ester wall shows the scene ofa sylvan glen 4) Bedroom, the thisd oor of the tower hols Veoden’s hedchamber. A large, fourposter bed stand against the west wall, a wooden chest at ts foot, A desk and chair stand agtinet the east wall across from a dresser andl lage wardrobe on he ‘opposite side of the room, A tal, silvered misror in a wooden stsrs. The door leads to a small privy sith a single S)Lab. & lange wizard’ lab stands o the font floor of the tower, Shelves and cabinets line sever of che walls, The lab smells ike chemicals buts otherwise clean and looks fily be The tables have no equipment on them aed the cabinets ae closed and locked. 6 Library. “The top Moor of the Library, Shelves groaning under the weight of nimersus books stand again all ofthe walls, table covered with open tomes and candlesticks dominates the he room, while ro comfortable chaiss sit in front of a cold fireplace. 1 one thoroughly searches Veoden's library, he or she may fink detailed information on the manufacture, powers and side effects of « Coin of Powe (see Append THE ASSIGNMENT are comforably sented th Wooden Neral siting toom, fe takes his seat nthe center cf the room an looks he PCs efor moment. He then tells them “The Legend of che Falling Sta [soe the Bsckground text except the story of Dairoo and his map, ‘The wizaed looks each of you square in the eye *athral 6 uted 9 make magie sword armor, weapons and other enchanted thing,” he finally says, “T want some, Tim wiling to pay you 100 pold pieces for ane pound of the metal, proportionally more if you bring me mare. Are you willing to see out this meta Not that Veen is willing to nese 00 gp per pound ifthe PCs can successfully neosiste with him, IE the PCs agre, he reveals the last part of the s his initia offer up vo y that els where the map tobe found, ‘The only map that cam lex them tothe mithral les sth the badyof tue Daitoose the cemetery 1 few miles east of town. Veoden believes Atuur Dai it inerred in the mausoleum found inthe cencer of the cemetery here. (He is and will suggest that the PCS look for mistaken; all she Daioos are buries in normal graves within the cemetery) If the PCs rerum to Veoden snd tell him that he wes wrong about the body being contsined in the mausoleuo, be will be surprised and suggest that they cemetery. He as several shovels and pics storage room of the tower Jn ae test ofthe ‘Tonight would be a good night to stars’ he ells you 1f BCs have alignment problems with going to che graveya re recovera map simply for profit, Veoden wil mit that he has other motives. (Soe Other Adventure Hooks) He wil ell the Cs that his god frend Arowain i missing. He cen missing dlisappeat for almost ry months and Veoden believes st ance is somehow connected tothe working on s “mithril experiment” He will not go into any ort sare detail than that batthe parwiere, in fet, tyinga way 1 make a Coin of Power without the dangerous and corrupting side effects. Veoden feats Arowain has been kidnapped and killed or even worse, that someane trying steal his knowledge about the rituals asceated with making such an anilat, He will no tell the PCs the vant the full story since he does not m to know that he and Arowain were working om safer ‘the Coin of Fower, In the name of saving the life of a close friend he wil beg them to take on the tsk, In rth, Veoen does fel guilty about Arowain's disappearance because, among, osher reasons he has been geting eters fom Arowains daughter in Saaniema inguirng ss to the whereabouts of Veoden canoe assist the PC {or his eight year old adopted son, oelsin, Boeain hails from a farm outside the city of Gia, Veoden discavered the oy on his, vy from Geanavue to Haan: when be came upon the remains of the boy's family, who had been feasted upon by ghouls Boelin survived by hiding, His heart broken by pity, Veoden| vowed take the boy under hs wing fuer mn the tas because he must care THE GRAVEYARD ‘Southwest of Haancx, just off he rad, isthe towns cemetery. arma 0 DM Mav 40n TOH6, Read the following: The only sounds on che road ftom Hanex ate those amade by your party. The wind blows yoldly from the orth and the neatly full Veshemo makes the tood and sutrounding farmlands look pale and eerie. Soon you see the low walls and ion pate ofthe cemetery ahead, not far From the road ‘wo tees lank the massive iron gates that ook to be the ‘nly break in the six foot high stone wall surrounding the place. large loc and heavy ran chains on the gate clangs mournfully in the wind. The trees move oddly, almost seeming to whisper to you. From within the ‘cemetery you think you hear the sound of fodalls but likely ti just your imagination. ‘Who would come to this macabre place after dark? 1) Main gates. The ion lok onthe gies, hough unsophiscted sold snd rusy (DC 25). The chan and gts se ea aed sss may atempte to damage them. liom Gate toch thik Hardest 10; hp Break DC 28 rn caine Hardnes by Breck DE, ‘Once inside the cemetery, some possible names tha ean be viewed on tombstones include the following Feasai,Feaveu Foormau, Gavee, Huuraew, Laut, Leencorva, Nae, Nalis, Nasuir, Peer, Reemae, Rootes, Sectoov, Sumomna, Trealeon, oot, Xookier: 2) Mausoleum. (EL 1) Imnauddition tothe numerous stones leaning at odd angles and afew leafless trees with twisted trunks snd limbs, the Jangest seroture inthe cemetery isan ornate mausoleum. ‘The stone building sands ten fet wade and nvice as long wo tees flank che mausoleum entrance, both sickly and twisted. Stone gargoyle faces fee fom the corners ofthe teof and ‘over the entrance. Rarely visble nthe ‘moonlight ithe name "Baolo” The door Is locked with a simple old rusted lock. Dismtay tnusraxrion 4 oN 102. Lock: ‘Open Leek DC 10 This isthe final resting place for the most influential family in Hasnex. The family degenerated over the years and became twisted and evil The lst ofthat cul family died twenty yeas ago, but they didnot rest cas Fellowers of Xtznoom, the Harvester of Souls Xiznoom granted them undead status as zombies. Asif being relegated 10 zombie status for eternity as not humila ‘enough, the unfortunate Baola family were rapped wi if locked mausoleum, With no creator ot master nd lef to their own devices the zombies began to ext ane another, Eventual only skeletons remained, Now four medium sized skeletons haune the Baolo mausoleum. Skeletons (4): CR 1/3; Mesiumsized Undead (6 fall) HD 11; hp 11,87. (See the D & D Monster Manual Page ‘Treasure: ‘The incerior of the mausoleum fs a mess, Covlins and bones and debs filth place. Satreved on the flor and in coffins ae 295 gp (42), 10 gp (x2), and 5 gp x from evil in a bone ser tube the place and searching thoroughly enough ¢ find everything takes atleast an hour 146 sp; seven gems worth 50 andadivine sell of protection The measure i scattered about 3) Atuur Dairoo’s grave. (EL 1) the PCs will ned to take 1d4 hous of searching the cemetery to ote the grave of Atwur Daoo. A suocesfl Search sl check (DC 15) cus hist by 75% The northwest section of the cemetery i dedicted to the Datoo fail, Ifthe PCs stn her seaeh in thar ae shoud only take 1420 minutes to find the ombsrone agtn ca the time by 75% with a succeafl Search check (DC 15) Disray nusteanion 508 103 You found i! Under one of the wisted and evillooking trees in this morbid place lies the combstone for which youve been searching, Beneath a carved human fice, the inscription simply states, “Atuut Daitoo, 0 Harvest, 713 YND; dit Harvest, 738 YND; Last of the Dairoo line; may the gods watch over him and keep him. ‘The curse s ended” IF the PCs examine the other gravestones in the ates the may note tha ll male Daitoos who died after 667 YND did so on the seme date: 18 Harvest. Atuur ancestor, Walker Dai stave can be found as well, she frst to die on that date in 66 YND. The inscription reads "May the gods have pty on his (See the sidebar “the C Daitoo” on the fllowing page) poor, cursed woul se of WalkerThe Curse of Walker Dairoo ‘As part of the curse brought back from the hills by Walker ‘Dairoo, anyone who fell to the Bl wasting disease must lve for ‘exernity in the sholl of hi dead body as a ghoul. The existence Is hellish and maddening, especially when one is buried and unable to escape the chained, graverabber-proof coffin, By destroying the body of ‘Acuur the PCs are doing him a favar by releasing his soul to the steer, ‘The other Dairoo graves also have ghouls in them, All are ‘rapped in their coffins and He ‘Acuur, have gone insane, though some of the older ones are close to breaking through their rotted coffins. In the coming months, they will begin the torwously slow process. of wiegling fee of ther chains and dlgging their way to the surface by the corpse 6 IF the PCs have the shovels Veoden offered them, iron takes 30 minutes with wo people Aigging) to uncover the coffin of Ataut. The casket is wrapped in steel chains ad eld by wo snout Jocks. The lid is eghtly shut but easly ‘opened ance the chains ate removed, to revel the decaying body of Armur Dsitoo, Tron Coffin: 1 inch thick; Hardness 10; hp ‘Open DC (ned down) 2s, Rusted Iron Chains: lresk DC 70. Locks (2}- Hardness 105 hp 16; Bret DC Pick DC 30, Hardness 10; bp 10; ‘he corpses shrunken and the shin sl clings to iy bones. Purple Blotches cover Atuurs decaying fae and hands, The corpse wears ‘once fine, now toted,cloing. In one hand, ‘Annur clutches small piece of paper. Dismax LuosrRariON 5 o¥ IQ3. The corpse tightly holis the paper and i i imposible 0 remove without some force, When the PCs disturb the compe, ea -Arauc bulbous eyes snap open! Doom" the corpse shricksin a voice like the ‘rack of lightning. “Doom on those who rob, ry vel My curse keeps my spit ied to thie dead shell — ir wl allow me to destroy the defile of my esting place!” (Grearures (BL 1 The curse as changed the corpse of Atuur Daioo into a ghoul ‘Aruur Dairoo (ghoul): CR 1; Medium-sized [Undead (6 al), HD 2412; hp 24 Ini +2 (Det Spd 30 eg AC 14 (+2 Dey melee (146 + paralysis, bite) and 1d3/1d3 + paralysis, 2 claws} SA paralysis, crete spawn; SQ undead, +2 tum resistance; AL CCE, SY Fort +0, Ref +2, Wil +5; Ser 13, Dex 15, Conn 13, Wis 44, Chat Skills and Feat: Climb 46, Escape Art 17, Hide +7 Move Silently +7, 2 nacura) Atk 3 0 melee uit Direction +3, Jump +6 Listen 47, Search 46, Spot +7; Multiattack, Weapon Finese (bite) SA — Paralysis (Bx), Create Spawn (Su). SQ— Undead. Inadiiion tothe map and bis rvted clothing the body also has a. gemencrustedstickpin worth $0 gp om it Daioo is map of the area The map contains The paper that was held lead the PCs tothe site ofthe meteor. Once the Gs get the map, they can return to Veoden foravice or simply follow the map. Ifthey go 10 ee the wizard, he suggests they find a focal guide. He knows a man named Cision who ofien Thirsty Hound Tavern and advises thems to find Te Ti Disviav HausRATION SON IQ?. the ofthe worstsort. Outside the doors sign with a crudely drawn sty HouND picture of a sported beagle lapping up some unidensfable substance, Next ro the dog drawing of «beer tankard and abowe the picture are che wards "Thirsty Hound” in Merchants Tougue. Read the following tothe PCs when they ence “This cheap tavern has a tnique sll of sweat, vomit and stale beer The few dim lamtcrns in the place barely illuminate the sawduat-covered wooden floor. Several tables and chats fil the room and 2 long bar stands sain the nearby wall ‘Alicr the PCs enter apd fook around, rea [A far, ity borkeep, who seems 10 pick hie nose ‘constantly, serves drinks and talks to #0 women atthe barwho wear datk armor and cloaks. Actoss the room a _man plucks a lyre and sings arte hymns and songs of war, Afow other men atone table cheer him on The room eal of rough an-rumble folks. T at te bar (@ ate Tharggy mercenaries, looking for work in the tea, In the near corner (b) are 2 group of green cloaked and hooded elves on their way to the Rokk Weods siting with a shortbaired blonde woman ‘through town on their way north, Ne (ate five DDrhokkeran ttbesmen in Fre ll drinking the locl beer. They rafts ofthe leak These flk are simply pasing came to Haanes to sll fas and are enjoyiy