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¹ Carries key for the safe in Area 14.

Curse Den – Rivergate
Outer Ring Row – E2

AREA 1 – ENTRANCE

Stairs of blue marble lead through doors ornately carved in a yin-yang composition of a dragon and unicorn pursuing each other.

AREA 2 – SALOON

A cluttering of chairs around a handful of low tables. The warm, dark glow of polished mahogany gleaming from every surface.

TO AREA 10: A bouncer stand guard at the archway leading to the short hall past Area 9: The Main Stairs or into Area 10: Snakeweed Lounge.  Passing requires approval and the payment of a 10 gp cover. (Or no approval and a large bribe.)

AREA 3 – BAR

A well-stocked bar, mostly focused on ales.

THE PEACOCK: A pet peacock roosts on the bar here. It spreads its tail in a beautiful display whenever someone tips.

The peacock is actually a Vladaam agent who has been polymorphed. In this form, the agent can eavesdrop surreptitiously on conversations, gleaning potentially valuable intel from bar chatter.

AREA 4 – KITCHEN

A well-stocked kitchen.

AREA 5 – FOOD & LIQUOR STORAGE

Pretty much what it says on the tin.

AREA 6 – REAR ENTRANCE

The rear entrance is primarily used by those interested in the more exclusive upstairs lounges. It also allows access to the curse den “after hours.” It requires a password or a 100 gp fee.

AREA 7 – DRUG STORAGE

REINFORCED DOOR: AC 19, 300 hp, DC 25 Dexterity (Thieves’ Tools)

Neatly organized in small wooden boxes on shelves:

• 15,000 doses of snakeweed
• 5,000 doses of shivvel
• 75 doses of agony

AREA 8 – REAR STAIRS

These stairs go up to Area 12. They’re used by staff and the “rear entrance” clientele (see Area 6).

AREA 9 – MAIN STAIRS

The walls of the main stairs have a marvelous set of Ascent of Dragons murals. (Similar to the “Ascent of Man,” but showing a red dragon progressing from a wyrmling to an ancient dragon atop his treasure horde.) The final image of the treasure horde is on the wall opposite the top of the stairs in Area 17.

DC 18 INTELLIGENCE (INVESTIGATION): There are a pair of small amethysts set into the stairs about halfway up. These are the focal points for a pair of alarm spells that are activated after hours. (Audible alarm. Cast at a higher level in order to increase its volume.)

AREA 10 – THE SNAKEWEED LOUNGE

Filled with snakeweed smoke. A number of magical, ceramic sculptures resembling slowly writhing masses of tentacles also a serve as standing hookahs from which anyone can take a hit of snakeweed smoke.

SKULLRATTLE: The tables in the northern chamber are set up with several low-stake skullrattle games using a variety of young dragon skulls.

BETRANT TABLES: The tables in the southern chamber host low-stakes bertrant games.

SECRET DOOR: DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation). A simple secret door spins around to grant access to the high-stakes bertrant tables. (Any observation of the chamber during business hours will notice hostesses and high-roller coming and going through this door.)

AREA 11 – HIGH-STAKES BERTRANT

These are all high-stakes bertrant games. Minimum bets at most tables are 100 gp, but there’s also a 1,000 gp bet table.

AGONY HOSTESSES: Agony is available for sale in this room. Hostesses carry 1d6 doses each.

AREA 12 – STAIN-GLASSED WINDOW

The window at the top of the rear stairs is a beautiful piece of stained glass depicting a black dragon. A plaque beneath the window reads, “THE WYRM ORACTHON.”

AREA 13 – SHIVVEL LOUNGE

A number of comfortable chairs where shivvel smokers congregate.

AREA 14 – CURSE JEWEL WORKSHOP

DOOR: Oak-veneer over iron core. AC 19, 300 hp, DC 24 Dexterity (Thieves’ Tools)

WINDOW: The window is made of diamond crystal. AC 19, 300 hp.

A desk of dark-stained oak is positioned near the center of the room with a chair angled to look out the window. A workshop for creating magical items is arrayed around the perimeter of the room.

DESK: Includes Report on the Debts of Dilar. (The “CS” referred to in the letter is Celadore Silverwood of Dark Leaf. The Runshallot warehouse is the Vladaam’s slave trade warehouse, see Part 16: Slave Trade.

WORKSHOP: Includes Instructions for Creating Curse Jewels and a set of jeweler’s tools.

• DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana): Provide players with the properties of a curse jewel.

HIDDEN SAFE: Located in the floor. DC 22 Intelligence (Investigation), DC 30 Dexterity (Thieves’ Tools).

• 15d10 x 10 platinum pieces, mostly in gold and silver coins.
• IOU from Korben Trollone.

IRON COFFER (10% chance): If present, contains 500 gp, 40,000 sp, and 50,000 cp with instructions to have the Ithildin couriers ship it to the Red Company of Goldsmiths on Gold Street.

AREA 15 – CURSE JEWEL LOUNGE

A richly-accoutered lounge, with rounded divans of red velvet circling a central area raised in a dais. A bulging aumbry with dragon’s claw feet stands against one wall.

AUMBRY: Contains 10 doses of agony, 40 doses of abyss dust, and 4 curse jewels.

SECRET DOOR: DC 18 Intelligence (Investigation).

DAIS: DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) to discover a secret compartment in the dais. Pushing a concealed button causes a panel to slide aside and a curse globe to rise into view.

DM Background: This room is rented by individuals or small groups. Slaves are led in from Area 16 and curse jewels are used on them.

AREA 16 – SLAVE CHAMBERS

This room has a permanent silence spell cast on it. It contains 1d4+1 slaves, usually beautiful young women.

SLAVES: These slaves were originally brought to Ptolus aboard the Sarathyn’s Sail (see Part 9: Fleet of Iron Sails) and then sold through the Ennin slave market (Ptolus, p. 399).

AREA 17 – DRAGONSCALES TABLE

Three tables, each set up with a set of dragonscales tiles.

DRAGONSCALES: All three tables have gold dragonscales sets. A trained eye can price two of the sets at 1,500 gp each. At a casual glance, the third set is just as nice, but is actually slightly cheaper in its craftsmanship (and is only worth 250 gp).

• The cheaper dragonscales set has the word “Yarrow” carved into the edge of its board.
• DM Background: A dragonscales set was stolen from this curse den several months ago. It was replaced with a set from the Oldtown curse den (on Yarrow Street) until a permanent replacement set is procured.

DM Background: This chamber is rarely used, but very exclusive.

AREA 18 – HIGH-STAKES SKULLRATTLE

This table has the skull of an ancient red dragon accoutered for skullrattle. It’s a high-stakes game requiring 500 gp minimum bets. The entire room is under the effects of an antimagic field to prevent magical cheating.

AREA 19 – SNUFF CHAMBER

The mahogany table in the center of this room is equipped with large manacles designed to bind someone firmly to its surface.

AUMBRY: Contains 20 doses of agony, 100 doses of abyss dust, and 12 curse jewels.

TABLE – DC 20 INTELLIGENCE (INVESTIGATION): The table has a hidden compartment where a slave manacled to its surface can be quickly dropped out of sight. (The compartment has a permanent silence spell cast on it.)

DM Background: Groups (or, more rarely, individuals) will employ his room to use curse jewels on a single slave bound to the surface of the table. This often results in the death of the slave and the groups pay extra for their murderous delights. The “ritual” is often accompanied with doses of agony.

This particular snuff chamber is rarely used. Those looking for this sort of “entertainment” are more likely to use the curse den in Oldtown, but the relative privacy and exclusivity attracts a very particular type of client.

HANDOUTS

REPORT ON THE DEBTS OF DILAR

Den Master Corellius—

I understand your concern, but Dilar’s affiliation with the Dark Leaf doesn’t offer him immunity. These debts you’re describing from the Oldtown Curse Den are disturbing and simply cannot be tolerated. In fact, this only contributes to a pattern of irregular behavior which is particularly alarming in light of his duty to provide security at the warehouse on Runshallot.

If you deem it wise, set spies upon him. It’s possible his loyalties have become divided and this matter may give us fair excuse to investigate without raising any possible alarm if other eyes have been placed on him.

In any case, if the matter of the debt is not resolved, you should feel empowered to contact CS directly and resolve it permanently.

                                                                                                Godfred V.

IOU FROM KORBEN TROLLONE

Go to Part 9: Fleet of Iron Sails

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¹ Carries key for the safe in Area 2, Letter from Marcus Corellius, and Imperium from Archmage Ustallo.
² Carries dreadwood quiver and 10 dreadwood arrows. A small note inside one of them reads “courtesy of Bloodfury on Vanguard Street.” (See Part 10: Guild – Dreadwood Grove.)
³ See Part 16: Slave Trade – Warehouse and also Night of Dissolution, p. 37.

Curse Den – Oldtown
Yarrow Street – D9

AREA 1 – DRAGONSCALES TABLES

This main chamber appears to be an upscales dragonscales parlor. The bar serves a selection of fine wines (ranging in price from 10 gp per bottle to 500 gp per bottle).

DC 22 INTELLIGENCE (INVESTIGATION): The secret door to Area 2 is part of the finely polished wood paneling lining the room. It’s operated by a hidden switch under the bar.

DRAGONSCALES: Most games are Green or Blue Dragonscales, although occasional large matches of Red, Silver, or even Gold Dragonscales are not unknown.

DRAGONSCALE SETS: This room contains ten Gold Dragonscales sets. Each is worth 250 gp.

AREA 2 – SLAVE SNUFF

The mahogany table in the center of the room is equipped with large manacles, designed to bind someone firmly to the surface. A large, bulging aumbry is set against the far wall.

AUMBRY: Contains 20 doses of agony, 100 doses of abyss dust, and 12 curse jewels.

• DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation): The aumbry has a secret compartment which contains a curse globe.
• DC 24 Intelligence (Investigation): On the wall behind the aumbry, there is safe containing 8d10 x 10 pp in mostly gold and silver coins. (DC 35 Thieves’ Tools)

TABLE – DC 25 Intelligence (Investigation): The table has a hidden compartment where a slave manacled to its surface can be quickly dropped out of sight. (The compartment has a permanent silence spell cast on it.)

DM Background: Groups (or, more rarely, individuals) will use this room to use curse jewels on a single slave bound to the surface of the table. This often results in the death of the slave and the groups pay extra for their murderous highs. The “ritual” is often accompanied by doses of agony.

AREA 3 – DRUG STORAGE

This room contains:

• 10,000 doses of abyss dust
• 50 doses of agony
• 6,000 gp worth of fine wines

DC 18 INTELLIGENCE (INVESTIGATION): There’s a secret compartment under a number of barrels leading to a small basement containing 2d4 slaves. (There’s also a 50% chance that it contains an additional 1d2 corpses of slaves killed in Area 2 that have not yet been disposed of.)

Slaves here can described where they came from: Shipped in on the Eye of the East (see Part 9: Fleet of the Iron Sails) out of the slave pits of Amsyr. They were taken to the Slave Trade Warehouse (see Part 16: Slave Trade) before being shipped here.

AREA 4 – REAR COURTYARD

There are usually a few horses tied up to a fencing post.

• Note: Oddly the horses are left there even in inclement weather despite the stable doors.

DM Background: If the password “Wyvern” is given here, one is sold abyss dust by the “stablehands” and led through the door to Area 4.

AREA 5 – ABYSS DUST COTS

The old stables have been retrofitted with a number of cots designed for blitzed abyss dust users.

HANDOUTS

LETTER FROM MARCUS CORELLIUS

Galos,

I want a full accounting of Dilar’s debts sent to me at the den on Outer Ring Row as soon as possible, but leave him unmolested. At least for the moment. He still enjoys the protection of our mutual friends, after all.

Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.

Marcus Corellius

DM Note: The “den on Outer Ring Row” is the Rivergate curse den.

IMPERIUM FROM ARCHMAGE USTALLO

Brother Galos,

I have heard sterling reports of your performance from Marcus. You will have to regale me with the tale of petrifying the pickpocket. The Den Master was able to entertain me greatly with his telling of it, but I want to savor every delightful detail of what ensued.

When you do return to the guild house, also bring with you ten doses of abyss dust. I am sure it will enhance your tale. (Leaving him to rot in the stables! Superb!) What a wonderful message to send to Knapp and his lackeys.

Imperium of the Archmage Ustallo
Red Company of Magi

DM Note: “Marcus” is Den Master Marcus Corellius. “Knapp” refers to Haymann Knapp of the Longfingers Guild (Ptolus, p. 123). Archmage Ustallo and the guildhouse on End Street can be found in Part 13: Red Company of Magi.

Go to Part 8C: Curse Den – Rivergate

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¹ Carries key for the safe in Area 5.
² One of these customers is an apprentice from Alchemical Lab 1: Bodyworks. Wears a Vladaam deot ring.

Curse Den – Guildsman District
Nethar Street – U7

AREA 1 – HALL OF THE CURSE GLOBE

Sweet-scented incense burners in the form of copper phoenixes with smoke pouring from their mouths flank the doors, filling this long, gloomy hall with a multi-colored haze.

Various divans and curved couches covered with rich, darkly-hued velvets have been pleasingly arranged in small groupings around the chamber.

In the center of the room, dominating the décor, four brass dragon claws curl up to support a large, crystalline sphere filled with murky, swirling shadows. The sphere is eerily lit from below by an arcane circle that glows with an effervescent blue light.

CUSTOMERS: Most of the users in this central chamber are snakeweed smokers, with a few shivvel smokers mixed in.

GLOBE: This is a curse globe. The “arcane circle” is entirely decorative.

AREA 2 – DRUG DENS

DOORS: The doors to these rooms seal tightly to prevent abyss dust from escaping.

INTERIOR: Some of these chambers have low couches, but others are basically “drug barracks” with two or three cots where drug users can simply collapse into their stupors.

AREA 2A: On the wall here, a drug user has scrawled a twisted, charcoal mosaic of dark, shadowy figures threatening a city represented by a warped (almost demonic) skyline.

AREA 3 – SLAVE CHAMBERS

DOORS: The doors to these rooms seal tightly.

SLAVES: Each chamber has a slave. Some are bound to the beds. Others are kept in drugged stupors. Some are chained to the walls or suspended from the ceiling. They are rented out so that people can use curse jewels on them, although additional forms of (non-lethal) torture can also be obtained if the appropriate price is paid.

The slaves are generally suffering from 2d6 Wisdom and 2d6 Intelligence damage (and are likely to have damage to other ability scores). Any slave with an effective score of 4 or less in either Wisdom or Intelligence is either too insane or too damaged to provide accurate testimony.

Other slaves can describe where they came from: Some were shipped in on the Pride of Morrain (see Part 9: Fleet of Iron Sails). Some where sold through the Ennin Slave Market (Ptolus, p. 399). Some were taken to the Vladaam’s Slave Trade Warehouse (see Part 16: Slave Trade) before being shipped here.

AREA 4 – BERTRANT GAME

A double bertrant table in the shape of an infinity symbol fills this room. Croupiers stand in the eyes of the infinity symbol and the table can support one large game or two smaller games.

AREA 5 – DRUG STORAGE

This area contains:

• 2,000 doses of abyss dust.
• 30 doses of agony.
• 5,000 doses of shivvel.
• 15,000 doses of snakeweed.
• 8 curse jewels.

SAFE: Hidden in the wall. DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) to find on a search. DC 30 Dexterity (Thieves’ Tools) to open.

• Contains 5d10 x 10 pp in gold and silver coins.

Go to Part 8B: Curse Den – Oldtown

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COMMON LABS – DAYTIME

COMMON LABS – NIGHT

^* Carries common vault key.
^** Carries master vault key.
^*** One of the apprentices sneaks away from work and goes to the curse den in the Guildsman District (see Part 8: Curse Dens). This same apprentice takes his fellow apprentices back to the curse den after work.

Alchemical Lab – Storefront/Common Labs
Guildsman District
Guilder Street – J9

AREA 1 – STOREFRONT

The pillars out front are each engraved with the Vladaam alchemy sigil.

STOREFRONT: Maintains a current supply of common alchemical items, plus 3d6 items costing less than 100 gp; 1d6-1 items costing more than 100 gp; and 1 slowfall cloak. (Most of this inventory is kept in Areas 4 & 5.)

IRON COFFER: 10% chance of being present.

• 500 gp
• 40,000 sp
• 50,000 cp
• Instructions to have the Ithildin Couriers ship it to the Red Company of Goldsmiths on Gold Street (see Part 12).

AREA 2 – ALARMS

This area has an alarm triggered by anyone not wearing a Vladaam deot ring (Detect DC 24). If triggered, it alerts Kaldri and the night captain of the watch station on Contable Way (Ptolus Map, K8).

AREA 3 – STORAGE

The claustrophobic shelves here contain 12,000 gp in alchemical supplies.

SAFE: DC 30 Thieves’ Tools to open. Can also be opened with the common vault key.

• Alchemical Lab 4 – Secret Lorebook
• potion of growth
• potion of gaseous form
• 605 gp

AREA 4 – DELIVERY ENTRANCE

This shipping dock contains items shipped from the other alchemy labs. Empty and partially full shipping crates contain addresses for Brewer’s Close, Blackstreet, and Wayfarer’s Street.

AREA 5 – ALCHEMY LAB

Several long worktables cross the width of this room.

ALCHEMY LAB: 3 sets of Alchemist’s Supplies.

• 2,000 gp of alchemical components
• 3d4+2 types of items currently being made (1d6 doses of each).

ITEMS CONSTRUCTED HERE:

• Abjurer’s Chalk
• Antitoxin
• Brittlemaker
• Caltrips
• Chameleon Fabric
• Desiccating Ash
• Essence of Acacia
• Essence of Wolfsbane
• Firesnuff
• Flashpot
• Glowchalk
• Homing Rods
• Houndscent
• Mindblinder Draught
• Naiad’s Tears
• Orc’s Drool
• Serenity Draught
• Silvervein
• Silvervein, Improved
• Slowfall Cloak
• Smokestick
• Snappowder
• Sunrod
• Stinkbomb
• Tanglefoot Bag
• Thaumaturgical Drops
• Thunderstone
• Tindertwig
• Weatherstone

Go to Part 8: Curse Dens

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SHADOWWORKS – DAYTIME

SHADOWWORKS – NIGHT

Alchemical Lab – Shadowworks
Guildsman District
Wayfarer’s Street – K9

AREA 1 – SHOPFRONT

The lower level of the Shadowworks presents a respectable shop for alchemical weaponry.

A long, L-shaped display case blocks easy access to the wrought iron spiral staircase in the back corner. The surface of the table is inset with five Vladaam alchemy sigils.

INVENTORY:

• Acidpoint Arrows (x100)
• Acidpoint Bolts (x50)
• Firepoint Arrows (x100)
• Firepoint Bolts (x50)
• Frostpoint Arrow (x100)
• Frostpoint Bolts (x50)

CASHBOX: 200 gp in miscellaneous coin.

AREA 2 – BOWYER’S WORKSHOP

This workshop is used to

• Fletcher’s Tools
• Alchemist’s Supplies specialized for creating bolts and arrows
• 500 gp in fletching supplies

AREA 3 – ACID LABORATORY

At the center of the room is a large vat filled with acid, surrounded with equipment designed for injecting alchemist’s fire in order to create acidic fire.

• 1 full set of Alchemist’s Supplies

AREA 4 – ALCHEMICAL LABORATORY

A large, well-ventilated area with a skylight that’s kept propped open during the day.

ALCHEMY LAB: Two sets of alchemist’s supplies.

• acid (x10)
• acidic fire (x5)
• alchemist’s fire (x10)
• alchemist’s frost (x10)
• darklight candle (x4)
• magicbane (x4)
• Alchemy Lab 3 – Common Lorebook
• Inventory from the Shop on Guilder Street
• Order from the Commissar
• 8,000 gp of alchemical supplies

IRON COFFER: 10% chance of being present.

• 500 gp
• 40,000 sp
• 50,000 cp
• Instructions to have the Ithildin Couriers ship it to the Red Company of Goldsmiths on Gold Street (see Part 12).

DM Background: The “great need” referred to in the Commissar’s decree is the barbarian invasion described in the Night of Dissolution adventure.

INVENTORY FROM THE SHOP ON GUILDER STREET

The current inventory of the labs and shop on Guilder Street stand at:

13 acid flasks10 acidic fire
120 acidpoint arrows and bolts
10 alchemist’s fire
7 alchemist’s frost
80 firepoint arrows and bolts
9 frostpoint arrows and bolts
1 slowfall cloak

Please advise on when we can expect a resupply, particularly on our low stocks of alchemist’s frost. Master Grui had suggested that you might also an excess supply of acidbane salve, which we could use. I’ve sent along a supply of abjurer’s chalk as well, but you should let us know what else might be of use to you before we start our midweek brews.

ORDER FROM THE COMMISSAR

By Request of the Commissar of Ptolus—

That the Red Company of Alchemists should increase and prioritize its production of acidpoint, firepoint, and frostpoint alchemical bolts and arrows in anticipation of the great need of the City-State of Ptolus for its own defense.

In exchange for this consideration, the Commissar shall guarantee a payment of no less than 25,000 gp and the subsidization of any additional stock at a price of forty percent, that stock to remain with the Red Company of Alchemists for its own aggrandizement.

Igor Urnst

AREA 5 – LIQUID SHADOW LABORATORY

A smaller laboratory, notably more intimate than the almost industrial-scale operations of the other laboratories here. Black liquids burbling in glass tubes.

ALCHEMY LAB: A set of Alchemist’s Supplies.

• 2 pint of liquid shadow (Ptolus, p. 647)
• Alchemy Lab — Secret Lorebook
• Liquid Shadow Alchemical Recipes
• Shadow Detector Research Notes (DC 12 Intelligence (History) check to recognize the seal of House Sadar on these documents.)

DM Background: In addition to developing the shadow detector for House Sadar, the liquid shadow developed in this laboratory is sold directly to Sadar’s shadowmancers.

LIQUID SHADOW ALCHEMICAL RECIPES

These notes detail an alchemical recipe for synthesizing liquid shadow. The process requires 1,500 gp in supplies and a successful DC 30 Intelligence (Alchemist’s Supplies) check.

DM Background: The recipe is not particularly economical (costing more to create than the market value of liquid shadow), but it has the advantage of being producible on demand and in quanity.

SHADOW DETECTOR RESEARCH NOTES

These research notes constitute an effort to filter liquid shadow with silver nitrate in an effort to create a “shadow detector.”

The goal appears to be create a device which can be used to “sift the Shadow of Ptolus” as part of an effort to “locate Kadmiel, the Shadow Tower.” The notes for this are incomplete, apparently having been copied from a more complete source in order to provide the alchemists with sufficient detail for developing their device. These notes are marked with a seal:

Apparently the specific difficulty is that an appropriately modified shadow walk spell will allow one to enter the “Shadow of Ptolus.” (This equires a casting of the spell and a DC 25 Intelligence (Arcana) check.) But there are actually many “Shadows of Ptolus” that overlap each other like shadowy mist. The Shadow Tower is only located within a specific Shadow of Ptolus and the effort of the shadow detector is to be able to quickly peer through these many layers of the Shadow and find the particular attunement on which Kadmiel exists.

DM Background: See Kadmiel Tower and Shadow of Ptolus in Ptolus, p. 303-4.

Go to Part 7D: Alchemy Lab 4 – Storefront & Common Labs