"The chime can send Vecna back to Oerth, interrupting his ritual. The interruption would dissipate the secret-based magic Vecna is weaving, significantly setting back his plot and leaving the lich-god in a weakened state. Only then can we defeat him and avoid a bleak future for the entire multiverse!" Mordenkainen exclaims. Tasha nods in agreement, and Alustriel urges you to make haste. Alustriel also offers each of you the use of one of her collected magic items to aid in your quest. (You may each choose any single magic item of rare or lower rarity from theDungeon Master’s Guideto use on this adventure!)
Alustriel has a portal in her sanctuary that leads to numerous locations throughout the multiverse. This portal reacts to magic items and artifacts, allowing those who carry such objects to step through the portal to the exact places they wish to travel. Alustriel carefully maintains the sanctum’s secrecy and insists that you keep her secrets.
"When you are ready, you can step through the portal as a group and travel to a spot near Web's Edge, where the first piece of the Rod is located. Once you have procured the piece, step back through the portal in the Underdark to return here, where you may rest and recuperate," Lady Alustriel says to you.
The Wizards Three:
Alustriel Silverhand
More than seven centuries old, Lady Alustriel Silverhand is beloved throughout Faerûn for her kindliness and for using her incredible spellcasting power to protect the innocent. Alustriel is an immortal daughter of Mystra, a god of magic, and is a chaotic good, human wizard. Alustriel served as High Mage of Silverymoon, battled demons on the Outer Planes, and prevented the lich Larloch from ascending to godhood. She has seen the rise and fall of evil powers, though Vecna’s plot troubles her greatly.
Mordenkainen
Renowned for his bravery but not his judgment, Mordenkainen is a powerful spellcaster from Oerth. The chaotic neutral, human wizard led a council of famous archmages known as the Circle of Eight. He later became trapped in the dread realm of Barovia, where he lost his spellbook and staff as well as his grip on reality and wandered adrift for some time. Alustriel trusts Mordenkainen and respects his gumption, even though he occasionally embarks on tasks that outstrip his capabilities.
Tasha
Tasha is a chaotic neutral archmage from Oerth, a renowned demonologist, and the adopted daughter of Baba Yaga. Tasha is widely considered the multiverse’s foremost authority on the Abyss, having authored the fabled Demonomicon of Iggwilv. Although Tasha’s motives are fickle, Alustriel has found Tasha an unparalleled ally when their interests align, as Tasha can access and influence places where even the daughter of Mystra dares not tread.
The Sigil Sanctum:
Planar magic functions differently in Sigil. For instance, the only way to reach Sigil is through portals; teleporting into or out of the city doesn’t work. Since the characters might spend significant time in Sigil, take note of how the following types of magic work in the city:
Banishment. Effects that banish a target from Sigil treat the target as if Sigil were its home plane.
Extradimensional Space. Extradimensional spaces, demiplanes, and pocket dimensions—such as those created by a Bag of Holding or the Rope Trick spell—function within Sigil, but those spaces follow these restrictions as if they were part of the city.
Planar Travel. Effects that allow interplanar travel, such as the Astral Projection and Plane Shift spells, fail if used to try to enter or leave Sigil, with one exception (see “Teleportation Circles” below).
Summoning. Spells, magic items, and effects that summon creatures or objects from other planes, such as a Ring of Djinni Summoning, instead summon targets from within Sigil if possible or otherwise fail. Effects that summon a specific target from outside Sigil, such as the Drawmij’s Instant Summons and Leomund’s Secret Chest spells, automatically fail.
Teleportation. Attempts to teleport into or out of Sigil fail, but such magic functions normally when teleporting within the city.
Teleportation Circles. Permanent teleportation circles exist within Sigil, but attempts to create new ones fail. If the Lady of Pain permits, they can be used to enter the city via the Plane Shift spell but not to leave.
Magrea finally stands and walks over, gazing upon the items on display. She takes her time, but she stops in her tracks as she sees a staff made of intricately wound branches, leaves and swirls carved into the wood in a swirling pattern. (Staff of the Woodlands.) Her eyes go wide as she lifts the staff."
"This is so nice! So we just go through there and start looking for bits of the staff you guys want? Sounds like a good time. Shouldn't take too long, right? What could go wrong?"
She wanders around the room as she waits for the others to make their selections and are ready to leave.
Davis picks up a lovely cloak, and drapes it over his shoulders.
"Well this should help us accomplish our mission" he says, "We'll to the Underdark then? Don't suppose any of you mighty spellcasters can spare a Darkvision or two? Not sure what were about to jump into!"
Vesta examines the items on display, her eyes going wide at so many rare and wondrous magical items. She finally settles on a beautiful looking wand. She senses the magic within it, somewhat volatile and unpredictable. But unpredictability may be just the thing they need to be successful in their quest.
Returning to the others, she gives Magrea a smile. "We haven't really had a chance to get to know each other yet," she says, introducing herself again. "Searching for the first part of the rod will give us that chance it seems. I'm glad to have you here."
Zyl gives Tasha another look before flitting over to check out the magical offerings. She spots a small cube, shaped like a tiny tower and gasps. "OOOH! It's a little tower! I don't know what it does but I want it anyway!"She snatches it up and puts it in her little pack and flits back over to the portal. "Oh yeah, hi there," She waves at Magrea. "Here, have a brownie." She offers another pouch brownie to Magrea and then straps herself up. "Okay, off to the extra creepy and in no way bad for us under darkness place yeah?"
Magrea turns to face Vesta, who would notice now that one of her eyes shines like a cat's eye in the darkness.
"I'm glad to be here too! I don't remember getting here, but mama always said talking to people is better than talking to the plants all the time."
She then lifts on her toes, addressing Davis with a wave.
"I can help with Darkvision, no problem! Just give me a poke and say 'Hey! I can't see!.'"
She smiles and takes the brownie from Zyl.
"No way! Is this chocolate? I've never had chocolate!" She eats it immediately, shoving the whole treat in her mouth, trying to talk between chews. "So much better than I thought it would be."
She chuckles a bit to herself, then slowly calms, focusing on something on the other side of the room.
After stepping through the portal, your party emerges through a door-shaped fissure in one wall of a claustrophobic, seemingly abandoned corridor. A faint musty smell hangs in the stale air. There is no light source, and the invisible portal back to Sigil and Alustriel's sanctuary remains open. You make note of where the portal is since you can't see it! (And some of you can't see anything in the darkness!)
Zyl grinned happily as Magrea stuffed in the brownie. "I like you. Not mean like pointy hat lady." Zyl stepped through the portal and let out a small shriek. "Hey! Who turned out the lights! Wait! I got..hang on..."She began reaching for her torch and tinder.
"Does anyone have the light cantrip? Cast on a coin on my shield? easier to control lighting then a torch. In my opinion, leaves both hands open for bashing!" he says to Zyl.
Vanizi takes a long time looking over the magic items. For a bit she seems paralyzed by all the choices. A belt? Bracers? Cape?
Eventually she settled on the Belt of Hill Giant Strength. Taking off the Gauntlets of Ogre Power she'd just had made in her smithy, she puts on this new item. "Hmm, anyone have use for a bit of extra strength?" she asks, holding out the gauntlets.
Having taken so long choosing, she then rushes to catch up with the others. At Davis' request, she waves the rod she carries, utters a magic word, then touches the his shield to cast Light.
Realizing after the fact that Magrea had offered a different solution, she turns to the druid, bowing politely. "My apologies. I did not mean to overstep."
"Hmm," Davis says, looking at the others. "I believe Zyl and myself would both need the darkvision on us. I don't want you to use up too much of your power Magrea with two spells. Having no light source could be advantageous for stealth, but for all we know, we maybe spending all our time down here in brightly lit chambers.
What do you think Zyl, shall we start with a light and see what we encounter, or just use some spell resources to allow us to move in the dark? I'm torn, but think darkvision maybe best" the halfling says, OK with either way.
"Ah those are nice gauntlets indeed you crafted Vanizi, but unfortunately they won't help me, unless of course you also imbued them with darkvision" he adds with a smirk!
Magrea watched Vanizi bow with wide eyes and a slow nod, but she offered a genuine smile.
"No worries at all! I'm fine with whatever everyone decides."
Her gaze slowly returned toward Davis and Zyl, still smiling.
"It's up to you two, really. I do agree that being sneaky would be easier without the light, but I have ways to help with that as well. We can always turn the lights out and hold hands if we need to!"
She let out a soft giggle and started rocking on the balls of her feet, looking around again.
(Zyl doesn't have a shield btw. But she'd opt for saving big magic too just in case, but she also isn't that smart so just do what you want and point her in the right direction :D )
"Ok why don't we start with a light spell on my shield? I usually lead, so Zyl stay close to me. If others with darkvision want to scout out ahead, just say so and I'll stay back.
We can switch to darkvision if needed. We ready to head down this corridor then?"
Vesta follows the others through the portal and into what feels like pitch blackness. Luckily, the elven side of her heritage gives her the ability to see rather well in the darkness, although her eyes still have to adjust. Then Vanizi lights up Davis's shield.
"I think we're ready. We can switch to a stealthier approach if we need to," Vesta agrees.
Vanizi looks one way and then the other along the narrow corridor. "Any guess as to which way to go? I thought it wouldn't be far, so let's just get moving I guess." She picks a direction and cautiously moves forward.
"The chime can send Vecna back to Oerth, interrupting his ritual. The interruption would dissipate the secret-based magic Vecna is weaving, significantly setting back his plot and leaving the lich-god in a weakened state. Only then can we defeat him and avoid a bleak future for the entire multiverse!" Mordenkainen exclaims. Tasha nods in agreement, and Alustriel urges you to make haste. Alustriel also offers each of you the use of one of her collected magic items to aid in your quest. (You may each choose any single magic item of rare or lower rarity from the Dungeon Master’s Guide to use on this adventure!)
Alustriel has a portal in her sanctuary that leads to numerous locations throughout the multiverse. This portal reacts to magic items and artifacts, allowing those who carry such objects to step through the portal to the exact places they wish to travel. Alustriel carefully maintains the sanctum’s secrecy and insists that you keep her secrets.
"When you are ready, you can step through the portal as a group and travel to a spot near Web's Edge, where the first piece of the Rod is located. Once you have procured the piece, step back through the portal in the Underdark to return here, where you may rest and recuperate," Lady Alustriel says to you.
The Wizards Three:
Alustriel Silverhand
More than seven centuries old, Lady Alustriel Silverhand is beloved throughout Faerûn for her kindliness and for using her incredible spellcasting power to protect the innocent. Alustriel is an immortal daughter of Mystra, a god of magic, and is a chaotic good, human wizard. Alustriel served as High Mage of Silverymoon, battled demons on the Outer Planes, and prevented the lich Larloch from ascending to godhood. She has seen the rise and fall of evil powers, though Vecna’s plot troubles her greatly.
Mordenkainen
Renowned for his bravery but not his judgment, Mordenkainen is a powerful spellcaster from Oerth. The chaotic neutral, human wizard led a council of famous archmages known as the Circle of Eight. He later became trapped in the dread realm of Barovia, where he lost his spellbook and staff as well as his grip on reality and wandered adrift for some time. Alustriel trusts Mordenkainen and respects his gumption, even though he occasionally embarks on tasks that outstrip his capabilities.
Tasha
Tasha is a chaotic neutral archmage from Oerth, a renowned demonologist, and the adopted daughter of Baba Yaga. Tasha is widely considered the multiverse’s foremost authority on the Abyss, having authored the fabled Demonomicon of Iggwilv. Although Tasha’s motives are fickle, Alustriel has found Tasha an unparalleled ally when their interests align, as Tasha can access and influence places where even the daughter of Mystra dares not tread.
The Sigil Sanctum:
Planar magic functions differently in Sigil. For instance, the only way to reach Sigil is through portals; teleporting into or out of the city doesn’t work. Since the characters might spend significant time in Sigil, take note of how the following types of magic work in the city:
Banishment. Effects that banish a target from Sigil treat the target as if Sigil were its home plane.
Extradimensional Space. Extradimensional spaces, demiplanes, and pocket dimensions—such as those created by a Bag of Holding or the Rope Trick spell—function within Sigil, but those spaces follow these restrictions as if they were part of the city.
Planar Travel. Effects that allow interplanar travel, such as the Astral Projection and Plane Shift spells, fail if used to try to enter or leave Sigil, with one exception (see “Teleportation Circles” below).
Summoning. Spells, magic items, and effects that summon creatures or objects from other planes, such as a Ring of Djinni Summoning, instead summon targets from within Sigil if possible or otherwise fail. Effects that summon a specific target from outside Sigil, such as the Drawmij’s Instant Summons and Leomund’s Secret Chest spells, automatically fail.
Teleportation. Attempts to teleport into or out of Sigil fail, but such magic functions normally when teleporting within the city.
Teleportation Circles. Permanent teleportation circles exist within Sigil, but attempts to create new ones fail. If the Lady of Pain permits, they can be used to enter the city via the Plane Shift spell but not to leave.
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Magrea finally stands and walks over, gazing upon the items on display. She takes her time, but she stops in her tracks as she sees a staff made of intricately wound branches, leaves and swirls carved into the wood in a swirling pattern. (Staff of the Woodlands.) Her eyes go wide as she lifts the staff."
"This is so nice! So we just go through there and start looking for bits of the staff you guys want? Sounds like a good time. Shouldn't take too long, right? What could go wrong?"
She wanders around the room as she waits for the others to make their selections and are ready to leave.
Davis picks up a lovely cloak, and drapes it over his shoulders.
"Well this should help us accomplish our mission" he says, "We'll to the Underdark then? Don't suppose any of you mighty spellcasters can spare a Darkvision or two? Not sure what were about to jump into!"
Vesta examines the items on display, her eyes going wide at so many rare and wondrous magical items. She finally settles on a beautiful looking wand. She senses the magic within it, somewhat volatile and unpredictable. But unpredictability may be just the thing they need to be successful in their quest.
Returning to the others, she gives Magrea a smile. "We haven't really had a chance to get to know each other yet," she says, introducing herself again. "Searching for the first part of the rod will give us that chance it seems. I'm glad to have you here."
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf - Lvl. 4 Halfling Rogue (The Shattered Obelisk) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan - Lvl. 10 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick - Lvl. 4 Aasimar Paladin (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Selene Albion - Lvl. 12 Human Ranger (In-Person Homebrew Campaign) ♦ Phaerdra Tor'viir - Lvl. 3 Drow Wizard (Exandria Sandbox Campaign)
Zyl gives Tasha another look before flitting over to check out the magical offerings. She spots a small cube, shaped like a tiny tower and gasps. "OOOH! It's a little tower! I don't know what it does but I want it anyway!" She snatches it up and puts it in her little pack and flits back over to the portal. "Oh yeah, hi there," She waves at Magrea. "Here, have a brownie." She offers another pouch brownie to Magrea and then straps herself up. "Okay, off to the extra creepy and in no way bad for us under darkness place yeah?"
Magrea turns to face Vesta, who would notice now that one of her eyes shines like a cat's eye in the darkness.
"I'm glad to be here too! I don't remember getting here, but mama always said talking to people is better than talking to the plants all the time."
She then lifts on her toes, addressing Davis with a wave.
"I can help with Darkvision, no problem! Just give me a poke and say 'Hey! I can't see!.'"
She smiles and takes the brownie from Zyl.
"No way! Is this chocolate? I've never had chocolate!" She eats it immediately, shoving the whole treat in her mouth, trying to talk between chews. "So much better than I thought it would be."
She chuckles a bit to herself, then slowly calms, focusing on something on the other side of the room.
After stepping through the portal, your party emerges through a door-shaped fissure in one wall of a claustrophobic, seemingly abandoned corridor. A faint musty smell hangs in the stale air. There is no light source, and the invisible portal back to Sigil and Alustriel's sanctuary remains open. You make note of where the portal is since you can't see it! (And some of you can't see anything in the darkness!)
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Zyl grinned happily as Magrea stuffed in the brownie. "I like you. Not mean like pointy hat lady." Zyl stepped through the portal and let out a small shriek. "Hey! Who turned out the lights! Wait! I got..hang on..." She began reaching for her torch and tinder.
"Does anyone have the light cantrip? Cast on a coin on my shield? easier to control lighting then a torch. In my opinion, leaves both hands open for bashing!" he says to Zyl.
Magrea looked around, in awe for a few moments before she turned to the others.
"I can help you guys see, remember? It's fine if you want to do it another way, but it would fix the problem mostly."
Vanizi takes a long time looking over the magic items. For a bit she seems paralyzed by all the choices. A belt? Bracers? Cape?
Eventually she settled on the Belt of Hill Giant Strength. Taking off the Gauntlets of Ogre Power she'd just had made in her smithy, she puts on this new item. "Hmm, anyone have use for a bit of extra strength?" she asks, holding out the gauntlets.
Having taken so long choosing, she then rushes to catch up with the others. At Davis' request, she waves the rod she carries, utters a magic word, then touches the his shield to cast Light.
Realizing after the fact that Magrea had offered a different solution, she turns to the druid, bowing politely. "My apologies. I did not mean to overstep."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi ||
Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue
"Hmm," Davis says, looking at the others. "I believe Zyl and myself would both need the darkvision on us. I don't want you to use up too much of your power Magrea with two spells. Having no light source could be advantageous for stealth, but for all we know, we maybe spending all our time down here in brightly lit chambers.
What do you think Zyl, shall we start with a light and see what we encounter, or just use some spell resources to allow us to move in the dark? I'm torn, but think darkvision maybe best" the halfling says, OK with either way.
"Ah those are nice gauntlets indeed you crafted Vanizi, but unfortunately they won't help me, unless of course you also imbued them with darkvision" he adds with a smirk!
Magrea watched Vanizi bow with wide eyes and a slow nod, but she offered a genuine smile.
"No worries at all! I'm fine with whatever everyone decides."
Her gaze slowly returned toward Davis and Zyl, still smiling.
"It's up to you two, really. I do agree that being sneaky would be easier without the light, but I have ways to help with that as well. We can always turn the lights out and hold hands if we need to!"
She let out a soft giggle and started rocking on the balls of her feet, looking around again.
(Zyl doesn't have a shield btw. But she'd opt for saving big magic too just in case, but she also isn't that smart so just do what you want and point her in the right direction :D )
"Ok why don't we start with a light spell on my shield? I usually lead, so Zyl stay close to me. If others with darkvision want to scout out ahead, just say so and I'll stay back.
We can switch to darkvision if needed. We ready to head down this corridor then?"
Zyl takes a bite of a brownie and talks through a half full mouth. "Okie dokie! Let's get this stick thing and get out of here!"
Vesta follows the others through the portal and into what feels like pitch blackness. Luckily, the elven side of her heritage gives her the ability to see rather well in the darkness, although her eyes still have to adjust. Then Vanizi lights up Davis's shield.
"I think we're ready. We can switch to a stealthier approach if we need to," Vesta agrees.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf - Lvl. 4 Halfling Rogue (The Shattered Obelisk) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan - Lvl. 10 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick - Lvl. 4 Aasimar Paladin (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Selene Albion - Lvl. 12 Human Ranger (In-Person Homebrew Campaign) ♦ Phaerdra Tor'viir - Lvl. 3 Drow Wizard (Exandria Sandbox Campaign)
You know that the portal put you near the entrance to Web's Edge, but you don't see it anywhere...
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Vanizi looks one way and then the other along the narrow corridor. "Any guess as to which way to go? I thought it wouldn't be far, so let's just get moving I guess." She picks a direction and cautiously moves forward.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi ||
Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue
Magrea follows behind, running her hand along the surface of the wall as they pass.
"The entrance is supposed to be close, though, right?" She gasps, getting a little excited. "What if it's hidden!"
She starts looking at the walls a little closer, hoping for some sign of an opening.