The drow call this entire region of the underworld the Azathyr. It means web, so named for its many labyrinthine passages. Vothys is a small outpost on the very edge of drow power within the Azathyr.
Taecuss dyn Bru and Kalenmourn:
Taecuss dyn Bru and Kalenmourn know that Vothys was built centuries ago to hold the strategic Pit of Hezzarian so that incursions from the surface would be more difficult, but that as the seismically active Earth’s Wound closed off the openings within the Fungal Jungle this became unimportant and Vothys was largely forgotten.
(It is okay for anyone to read this. I am just making it clear who this is for.)
You are summoned before the Baroness, Lady Satha of Vothys.
The audience takes place in area 1-1 of this map. A picture of the exterior of the tower is here. A picture of Lady Satha in her audience chamber is here.
“I have an errand for you. The deep gnome quarrytown of Fasturvalt has two things I desire – stone and slaves. You will seize them for me. I have assembled an army of a hundred fine warriors. I put them under your command. That should be more than enough soldiers to brush aside their pitiful defenses. Even better their ruler, Lord Geirni, is a simpleton who believes he can placate us with treaties and supplications.”
This recently-assembled army presumably consists of the various outcasts and scum that until a few days ago inhabited the drow camp in the cavern behind Lady Satha's tower.
“My generosity does not cease there. I have gifts. The jewels summon forth minor fire elementals for about a minute I’m told. You can either shatter them and command the elementals directly or set them as traps. Amusing little toys to be sure. Use them to burn the gnomish armory. The potions will keep you in good health. See how much I care for you, my honored subjects,” she says with a smirk.
A pampered courtier presents you with a small chest containing three jewels and three potions.
“This errand should be simple enough. Do this and return to me. You are dismissed.”
Build an empire beneath the earth! The drow call this region of the underworld the Azathyr. It is a vast sprawling labyrinth full of wonders and horrors. For the unwary, it is a death trap. For the bold and resourceful it is a gateway to power and riches. Are you clever enough to tame this weird wilderness? Do you have what it takes to claim for yourself a Throne of Night?
Hello, I am recruiting players for the evil-aligned path of the Throne of Night adventure path by Fire Mountain Games.
The player characters are cultists in service to the infernal god Asmodeus. At the start of the adventure path, the nascent cult has fled from the drow city of Taaryssia and taken refuge in the minor outpost of Vothys under Baroness Satha. Since then the cult has been recruiting, perhaps even attracting a few non-drow. The campaign may eventually take on a tone of a religious war among the drow as the PCs will seek to replace the old demonic order with their new infernal faith.
Player characters should be within one step of the Lawful Evil alignment. Characters must either worship Asmodeus or a philosophically compatible god. Allowed races are drow, duergar, hobgoblins, goblins, kobolds, and all core races. The book suggests that drow characters might all be members of House Vytharia. In general I will look more favorably on drow characters, and I am unlikely to accept more than two non-drow characters.
Characters will start at 1st level with max HP for class + Con and average starting gold. Attributes are 23 point point-buy. Every PC will gain two extra skill points per level.
In order to make drow characters more versatile, players may spend one of their two traits selecting an Ability Score Trait. These traits’ benefits replace the usual drow racial ability score modifiers. I will not be using the rules for drawbacks.
Ability Score Traits:
Cruel Slaver
You are enslaver of the helpless and slayer of any who oppose your clan and cause. However, as mighty as you are, you are also reckless and overly quick to anger.
Benefit: +2 Constitution, +2 Strength, -2 Wisdom
Devotee of Dark Powers
You are a follower of a wicked or even demonic faith and are destined to lead a cult to great and terrible glory.
Benefit: +2 Charisma +2 Wisdom, -2 Constitution
Master of Arcane Secrets
You would use your great intelligence and experience to lead yourself and your clan to dominate all others.
Benefit: +2 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom, -2 Constitution
Silent Killer
You are a born assassin, ready to slay for family, your cult or perhaps even for the sheer pleasure of the kill.
Benefit: +2 Dexterity, +2 Strength, -2 Charisma
Treacherous Infiltrator
There is no lie you cannot sell, no lock you cannot pick and no enemy you will not strangle in their sleep. But in a straight fight, you are out of your element.
Benefit: +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, -2 Strength
Campaign-specific traits are available. Selecting one of these traits is not mandatory.
Campaign Traits:
Dangerous Beauty
The drow are famed for their dark beauty and you are a fine example of this. There is something alluring about you that draws victims into your web.
Benefit: +1 trait bonus on Bluff and Diplomacy checks made against anyone potentially attracted to you.
Demonic Bargainer
You have a particular affinity for dealing with the denizens of the abyss.
Benefit: You gain a +2 trait bonus on Diplomacy and Intimidate checks when dealing with creatures of the demon subtype.
Exile’s Stolen Treasure
Before you were driven out of Taaryssia you managed to take one piece of magical or well-made gear with you.
Benefit: You have one item (be it a masterwork weapon, armor or minor magic item) worth 900 gp.
Gifted Poisoner
You have worked with poisons all your life and have become a virtuoso at their use.
Benefit: +1 trait bonus to poison saves and a +1 trait bonus to any knowledge skill roll concerning poisons.
Hatred of Surface Dwellers
You have a particular hatred for those who hail from above. Perhaps you believe them invaders or perhaps you carry an ancient grudge. Whatever the cause, you are eager to see them die.
Benefit: You inflict +1 damage against any surface dweller you encounter.
Improved Darkvision
Even for the drow, your darkvision is impressive.
Benefit: You gain Darkvision 180 ft.
Memories of Taaryssia
Though you have been long exiled (or perhaps even exiled as a child), you still remember the great city of the drow Taaryssia.
Benefit: +1 trait bonus to Knowledge (local) and Knowledge (nobility) and one of those is always a class skill for you.
Noble Courtesan
At some point you have been a courtesan. Perhaps you did this out of desperation or perhaps you simply enjoyed the lifestyle. Regardless, you know how to listen and how to ask without asking.
Benefit: You gain a +1 trait bonus on Sense Motive checks and Diplomacy checks to gather information, and one of these skills (your choice) is always a class skill for you.
Ruthless
You never hesitate to strike a killing blow.
Benefit: You gain a +1 trait bonus on attack rolls to confirm critical hits.
Skilled Backstabber
Fair fights have never held any interest to you. You much prefer to strike unseen from the shadows.
Benefit: You gain a +2 trait bonus on melee weapon damage rolls made against foes that cannot see you.
Terrifying
There is something about your words and mannerisms that strike fear into all who meet you.
Benefit: You gain a +1 trait bonus to Intimidate skill checks and a +1 save DC to any spell with the fear descriptor.
All Paizo classes are accepted except Gunslinger and classes from the Advanced Class Guide. Ninja and Samurai are permitted but you must explain how a drow ninja or samurai came to exist and be allied with this drow band. Rangers will find that Humanoid (elf) and Aberration are solid choices for their favored enemy.
This adventure path has challenging encounters, and therefore a mechanically viable party will be important. Keep that in mind when writing your submissions.
I already have three players who have not yet decided on their classes but will be posting in this thread to let you know who they are. I am looking for a total of six to seven. I am looking for at least one post per day. Anyone else who is interested please post an application containing a background and a character sheet.
Recruitment ends on Thursday at 11:59 PM EST, but I reserve the right to close the recruitment early if I receive a sufficient number of suitable applications.
