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I assume there are at least 4 other people waiting around here. I'm rooting for all of you, can't wait to see what you've created.

5. You forgot to count the stomach ulcer all this refreshing is giving me.

Escape from Moonshell Grotto

A treacherous excursion escorting a bookish astronomer into the Sodden Lands leads to a magical grotto of wonders. Waiting inside are curious floating orbs, zealous troglodyte cultists, and a trapped dragon turtle longing for freedom. The adventurers will contend with boggards, lizardfolk, and the swamp itself as they search for astronomical artifacts and a way to free the unlikely terrapin devotee of Desna.

Escape from Moonshell Grotto is a Pathfinder adventure module for four 5th-level characters. By the end of this swampy adventure, characters should reach 8th level using the medium experience track.

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Background
During the Lirgen nation’s prime, explorers discovered a large hole in the heart of the country that opened into a vast domed cavern. Regarding the great cavern as a divine gift, the Saoc Brotherhood converted it into a massive orrery, constructing and enchanting large orbs of rare metals to create an immense reproduction of the solar system. When fully charged with cosmic energy, the orbs emit a beautiful celestial melody. Part astronomical research center, part shrine to Desna, the cavern served as a place of knowledge and devotion for generations.

Following the Eye of Abendego’s formation, a great tsunami swept across Lirgen, flooding the cavern and washing a juvenile dragon turtle inside. Though young, the dragon turtle’s large shell kept him from escaping through the cavern’s winding, narrow passageways. Lamont Seracourt, the lone surviving astronomer, raised the dragon turtle and taught him to worship Desna. Over time, the orbs sank as their power faded, and the water’s mineral content leached color from the turtle’s shell and scales. Seeing the pallid turtle swimming among the descending planets in the cavern’s eerie twilight, Lamont dubbed the dragon turtle Moonshell. Now, over a century later, the ghostly white turtle has grown to full size. With Lamont Seracourt long dead, this good-hearted dragon turtle seeks to return to the waters of its youth.

Adventure Hook
A Saoc Brotherhood descendant, Meika Seracourt (LN Human Expert 6), desires equipment and research left behind by her forebears to continue their studies. She hires the party to accompany her to the Starsong Orrery and help her excavate what she needs from the ruins. In addition to standard payment, she offers the party any treasure not directly related to astronomy.

Chapter 1: The Wagon
Starsong Orrery is located roughly twenty miles south of the Black Flow’s westward bend. Departing from Haldun, the fastest route is to navigate the swamps to the Black Flow and drift down the river. The journey, both on foot and by raft, is a perilous and grueling slog. Along the way, the adventurers will encounter numerous swamp denizens and hazards, such as river rapids, will-o’-wisps, and a poorly-constructed boggard dam.

When the adventurers arrive at the Starsong Orrery, they find the Scalebreaker tribe of lizardfolk living around the oculus. The tribe’s leader, Wild Magri, is currently travelling south with a contingent of warriors to a Terwa Lords’ gathering, and has left Hesseth, his ambitious right hand, in charge. Hesseth regards the adventurer’s arrival as his chance to oust Wild Magri, and will use them to his advantage however possible. Hesseth will permit the party to enter the grotto if they promise to clear the area of troglodytes, allowing the lizardfolk to take control of the turtle. If things turn hostile, the lizardfolk attempt to subdue rather than kill before dumping their victims into the hole, assuming the turtle prefers to eat live meals.

Note: If Meika dies before the party reaches Moonshell Grotto, her map and journal entries can guide the party there.

Chapter 2: The Stargazer
When the Saoc Brotherhood first discovered the cave, they chose not to taint the celestial opening with cranes or stairs. Instead, they discovered a circuitous route to the surface with an entrance several hundred yards away from the oculus. The party likely enters the grotto in one of two ways: through the hole or climbing down the orrery’s old entrance.

The Brotherhood converted any smaller chambers into habitable areas, aiming to keep the main chamber as pristine as possible. A small pack of troglodytes, calling themselves The Risen, now reside in these unflooded areas. Before the Scalebreaker tribe arrived, the troglodytes routinely raided the surface for wildlife to sacrifice to the turtle. Now besieged by the lizardfolk, the troglodytes have gone mad worshipping the dragon turtle, painting themselves white in honor of their false deity. Moonshell, however, wants nothing to do with them.

Meet Moonshell
Any commotion in the grotto draws Moonshell’s attention, and he welcomes the party’s company. If the party falls into the water, he will scoop them onto his back and ferry them to the chapel of Desna. Moonshell tells the party that Lamont Seracourt raised him and taught him the ways of Desna. He longs to return to the sea and carry Desna’s song to the creatures of the deep. Having spent over a century in an astrological temple receiving sacrifices from many tribes and creatures, Moonshell has amassed a sizeable horde, now stashed underwater. In exchange for his freedom, Moonshell is willing to relinquish his entire horde to the party. Once Meika connects Moonshell to her grandfather, she insists they find a way to free the turtle. If the party refuses, she offers more money on top of the turtle’s horde.

Shrine to Desna
While Desnan congregants dedicated this entire orrery to her worship, they also built a chapel high enough on the dome’s wall that it survived the flooding. From its grand balcony, worshippers could view the recreated solar system, a perspective the goddess herself might have from the heavens. This is where Lamont Seracourt lived while he tutored Moonshell. The current residents are a hodgepodge of sacrificed victims who survived the fall and did not succumb to their injuries. Moonshell proudly refers to them as his “flock.”

Astronomy Laboratories
This portion of the grotto is half-flooded and much the worse for wear. Many astronomers drowned when the tsunami trapped them here. Their restless spirits have risen as a variety of undead and haunts. This is where Meika wants to look for texts and astronomy equipment. Literature here will reveal how astronomers created the floating orbs (cosmic energy focused through a farwatcher) and some starting notes on lode motes. Meika or a knowledgeable party member can deduce from the information here that the lode motes can be collected and focused into a levitation crystal using a modified farwatcher. Unfortunately, there is no farwatcher here, but there are references to a nearby Saoc Brotherhood observation tower that housed one. It is a few days journey east of the grotto.

Chapter 3: The Lantern Bearer
After fighting back through the troglodytes or flying up through the hole, the party sets off into the swamp again. Now higher level, they face tougher challenges, including a hydra ambush and a roving pack of shambling mounds. They arrive at the fallen observation tower, now in ruins. A medusa and her amphisbaenae have taken up residence here, and the adventurers will need to cajole her to give up her farwatcher. She’s not likely to give up such a costly item for free, however, and will demand an exchange of equal goods or services for the rare and expensive piece of equipment.

Chapter 4: The Rider
Back at the grotto, the group modifies the farwatcher to collect the energy from the lode motes and focus it into a crystal. The motes cluster around the orbs, attracted by the lingering cosmic energy still stored in them. In order to properly collect them, the party will need to bring the unwieldy farwatcher onto one of the floating orbs and activate it, all while attracting the increasingly-agitated lode mote swarms. Funneling the motes into the farwatcher while avoiding being picked up and tossed into the water may prove more challenging than fighting off a whole army of troglodytes. Attaching the charged magic crystal to Moonshell allows the dragon turtle to float up and out of the grotto. If the party frees him with good intentions, Desna blesses the crystal and transforms it into a lode medallion.

When Moonshell rises out of the grotto, the Scalebreaker tribe scrambles for their weapons, ready for a fight. Regardless of whether the party has allied with Hesseth or not, once they free the dragon turtle, the lizardfolk attempt to capture Moonshell with nets and ropes, attacking the party as they do so. Once clear of the lizardfolk threat, Moonshell offers to swim the party back up the Black Flow in appreciation for freeing him. On the return journey, most swamp denizens steer clear of the dragon turtle, until Wild Magri appears!

Once the adventurers dispatch the Scalebreaker chieftain, the remainder of the journey up the Black Flow is peaceful. Laden with astronomical artifacts and sodden treasure, Meika and the adventurers bid farewell to Moonshell as he disappears below the surface of the river.

I'm submitted! Still can't believe I made it this far...what a rush! Can't wait to see what you three cooked up.

Thanks everyone for advancing me to the finals! I feel a little out of place sitting next to three published authors, but I think I've got something really good cooking, and I'm excited for you all to see it!

The little oyster that could! Thank you all for advancing me to the next round. I have every intention of addressing all the excellent feedback Lil Scrappy got once I've finished up this blood sacrifice and submitted my encounter. Those screams you are hearing coming from my basement are ones of joy, I promise. Anxious, sacrificial joy.

If he crawls through your tv, cast dominate person posthaste!

“He who controls the Spicer controls the universe."

The Spicer must flow!

I've submitted! Now to watch some football and stress out about a different fantasy competition.....

Covered in pieces of ship debris, coral, and bits of armor, this large pearly mollusk opens suddenly and brandishes a scimitar with its whip-like tongue.

Scrapshell Oyster CR 6

XP 2,400
N Large magical beast (aquatic)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +7

----- Defense -----
AC 19, touch 11, flat-footed 16 (+2 Dex, +8 natural, –1 size)
hp 68 (8d10+24)
Fort +9, Ref +8, Will +4
DR 5/adamantine

----- Offense -----
Speed 5 ft., swim 30 ft., jet 60 ft.
Melee +1 scimitar +13/+8 (1d6+8/18–20) or tongue +12 (1d8+7)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks opalescent mucus

----- Statistics -----
Str 20, Dex 14, Con 17, Int 7, Wis 14, Cha 9
Base Atk +8; CMB +14 (+16 disarm); CMD 26 (28 vs. disarm, can’t be tripped)
Feats Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Improved Disarm, Quick Draw
Skills Appraise +8, Perception +7, Swim +20; Racial Modifiers +8 Appraise
Languages Aquan (cannot speak)
SQ cunning combatant, undersized weapons, water dependency

----- Ecology -----
Environment any oceans
Organization solitary
Treasure double

----- Special Abilities -----

Cunning Combatant (Ex) The scrapshell oyster is proficient with simple and martial melee weapons and is always considered to be wielding a weapon with two hands. Its intelligence counts as 13 for the purpose of meeting the prerequisites of combat feats.

Opalescent Mucus (Ex) As a swift action, the scrapshell oyster can lick a weapon and apply an opalescent mucus coating. If the weapon deals damage, the mucus coats the target and functions as a tanglefoot bag (DC 17) that works underwater. If not applied within a round, the mucus sloughs off the weapon. The DC is Constitution-based.

Fiercely territorial and covetous of valuable treasures, the scrapshell oyster is commonly found in the waters around the Eye of Abendego and the trade routes of the Inner Sea, as well as other areas that feature sunken ships or underwater ruins. The scrapshell oyster searches the wreckage for powerful weapons as well as curious items and interesting debris which it permanently adheres to its exterior with its opalescent mucus. This hodgepodge of salvaged material, covered in an iridescent sheen, gives the scrapshell oyster its name and distinctive appearance, though it does not gain any benefits from specific items stuck to its shell.

The scrapshell oyster is able to wield manufactured weapons to devastating effect and is proficient with most common weapons due to a life of sparring and exploration. Its tongue, both sinuous and strong, features an eye near its end, allowing the oyster to wield a weapon and perceive its surroundings while keeping its body protected within its shell. Its tongue is also adept at snatching enemy weapons and turning them back on their previous owners or quickly stowing them away.

If the hunting grounds of two scrapshell oysters overlap, they will clash in an intense duel of steel and shell. Though the confrontations are rarely fatal, the victor will claim the loser’s weapon as a trophy. Veteran scrapshell oysters often have several prized weapons hidden inside their shells, and may lurk at water's edge to stalk adventurers in order to add to their hoard. Using its tongue, a scrapshell oyster can drag itself out of the water to chase a foe along the shore until it gives up its weapon, or until the oyster must retreat into the ocean.

Scrapshell oysters can understand and write Aquan from observing other creatures, but cannot speak. Merfolk, gillmen, and other civilized creatures often enlist scrapshell oysters as mobile, self-defending treasure chests by bartering with rare weapons or interesting materials to ornament their shells.

When this once mighty river all but dried up, the steep banks proved too dangerous for passing caravans. Before departing, the displaced Gozrehite ferrymen built Brokeferry Bridge using boat wreckage. Now, the perilous crossing is watched over by the abandoned chapel as well as a young black dragon’s boggard minions.

Well, this is just awesome. Now if only I knew how to draw...

Oh my goodness, I can't believe I made it! Thank you to everyone who liked my little buckler. This statement rings truer this year than ever before: I couldn't have done it without all of you!

So many 5e-borrowing items this year! Just call it Advantage or Disadvantage and save your word count; we all know where you got the idea from.

Starsling Buckler
Aura moderate evocation and transmutation; CL 6th
Slot none; Price 16,000 gp; Weight 5 lbs.
Description
This +2 buckler is emblazoned with a swirl of stars and comets orbiting its sun-styled boss.

As a swift action, the starsling buckler can be activated, causing the face to illuminate and whirl to life. The stars, comets, and sun begin to glow as they lift off the shield and spin around in a brilliant cosmic display. Upon closer inspection the stars are revealed to be sling stones that rest in small alcoves on the shield’s face when not activated.

The stars can be fired from the spinning celestial vortex as if thrown using a +2 sling. All feats and proficiencies related to slings apply to the starsling buckler. The shield can hold up to five sling stones before it must be stopped and reloaded as a full-round action. Magical sling stones can be inserted into the star alcoves in place of mundane sling stones but their bonuses do not stack.

While spinning, the shield’s sun radiates the effects of a light spell.

Construction
Requirements Craft Magic Arms and Armor, light, magic stone; Cost 8,000 gp

We looked at them starting from the top of the voters' votes, plus a small number of additional items that I thought were worthy contenders (since I had looked at all of the items). Rest assured, by far the best chance to make the Top 32 was by winning as many votes as possible (all 4 of the Top 4 items by votes made Top 32, for example, and 7 more of the Top 20 by votes are either Top 32 or alternates). In fact, this year had the weakest amount of judge golden ticketing of any year. Other than submitting my few items for the other two judges to consider, I refused to give them any more advantage; if Owen and Liz didn't like them, they didn't advance. We required a strict majority for Top 32, with no golden tickets.

4+7 of the Top 20 are Top 32 or alternates, which, put another way, means that 45% of the Top 20 by vote were still shot down by the judges. With this year having less gold-ticketing than in years past, is it then fair to say that even if your item was voted into the Top 20 in years past, you still only had a 50/50 (or less!) shot of making it to the Top 32?

Staff of the Vineyard
Aura moderate transmutation; CL 8th
Slot none; Price 16,200 gp; Weight 5 lbs.

Description
This wine-stained staff is hewn from the rib of a great oak wine barrel and is covered in bountiful grape vines. The vines produce enough berries to serve as rations for one medium creature per day and they regenerate with the sunrise. When used as the target of a goodberry spell, these grapes heal double the normal amount but do not increase the spell’s maximum amount of hit points cured in a 24-hour period. In addition, the bearer of this staff is immune to the effects of any entangle spell and, by expending an additional charge from the staff, can designate a number of creatures immune to the effects of any entangle spell they cast as per the Selective Spell feat. The staff allows use of the following spells:

• Entangle (1 charge)
• Goodberry (1 charge)
• Shillelagh (1 charge)
• Barkskin (2 charges)

Construction
Requirements Craft Staff, barkskin, entangle, goodberry, shillelagh; Cost 8,100 gp

A snake eating its own tail would make a great ring!

It's a great visual, but I think it's on the verge of becoming cliche....or a bore (os)