The Song of ElturelTo give this scene weight, I recommend playing the Keith McCollouch version of this song. Size Zariel was an archangel who took it upon herself to join Elturel’s fight against invading fiends in 1354 DR. Zariel, mounted on a great golden mastodon, led Elturel’s cavalry into Avernus, in order to destroy the infernal host that was amassing there, and strike a great blow against the forces of darkness.

Heard of them?”.

Most saw it as a companion to the sun and to themselves, and so it is known as The Companion.

Elturian[3][4] Consider supporting me by buying one of my products on the DMs Guild, such as Elminster’s Candlekeep Companion.

But it isn’t all fun and games.

Similarly, Tarina buys interesting information off of the characters for the same amount.

A character who succeeds on a DC 11 Intelligence (Investigation) check can tell from the poor condition of Olos’ clothing that he is a refugee. She currently is Lord of Avernus and general of the The Blood War. I solemnly pledge my soul and blood and blade to serve as a knight of Elturel and share the Oath of the High Observer in honoring the Gift of the Companion. [54], In turn, all true warriors of Elturel were most likely Hellriders. Region

[15], The final verse of the ballad "The Knights of Dragon Down" was outlawed in Elturel by 1366 DR, because an evil archmage of the city made it the words of a summoning spell that quickly drew undead to those that sang it.

[13] Surrounded by a brass fence and gate 10 feet (3 meters), it held gravestones, statues, monuments, and mausoleums for the departed; a ossuary below ground; and a chapel dedicated to Lathander, Torm, Helm, and Tyr.

Characters can make a DC 12 Intelligence (History) check to know the following information about Tarina. In the west side there were tidier and more well-off homes and shops, and in the 1360s the area was more often being called Westerly to distinguish it as cleaner and more prosperous than the east side. Hemera managed to take down enemies with her arrows before being knocked down to 0 hit points as well.

I like the fact that many options are open, and it’s possible for several of these to occur in parallel.

Descent Into Avernus doesn’t forget this.

[1][30] Its chief rival now was Baldur's Gate, a completely contrasting city situated downriver. Check out Mike's books including Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master, the Lazy DM's Workbook, Fantastic Adventures, and Fantastic Adventures: Ruins of the Grendleroot. Here's an example quest checklist: This approach can take us through chapter 1 of Descent into Avernus with a stronger motivation and character connection than the book, as written, has on its own.

After greeting the Baldurian delegation, Kreeg escaped Elturel in secret, shortly before the Companion changed into a black orb that tore the whole of Elturel and its populace from the Material Plane and spirited it away to Avernus, first of the Nine Hells, with only a crater left behind. Captured Malarites, living and dead, were examined with magic to locate their lair: the Temple of the Beast, in a secret under-cellar in the city. The border was distinct: within, the land was farmed and settled; without, wilderness reigned, the land covered in shrubs and scrub trees.

Role Over Play Dead received an advance copy of the pdf, courtesy of Hasbro.

And now, a final word from Marvin, aka Corum Doomguide: Peace. As in the past, they ensured the city and countryside remained safe and well-policed and that trade and agriculture were run efficiently. As deliberate contrast to the horrors and cruelty of Hell, the characters also have the opportunity to befriend and travel with Lulu, an adorable tiny winged mammoth that is the essence of goodness and virtue. By the late 15th century DR, Elturel served as the capital of the realm now known as Elturgard. While some called it Amaunator’s Gift, none could say what god granted this boon. The townspeople on the street didn’t get any sleep that night, but the adventurers achieved victory and geared up to raid the cult lair under the bathhouse….

Over the next few days, hundreds of refugees, both citizens who'd escaped Elturel or been outside at the time, and folk from wider Elturgard, made their way to neighboring Baldur's Gate, with some blaming Elturel's rival for the city's loss. In Descent into Avernus, a sinister bargain pulls the holy city of Elturel from the Forgotten Realms into Avernus, one of the Nine Hells on the front line of the Blood War. She knows the city like the back of her hand, and always chooses to meet the characters at the Elfsong to avoid any crossover between her connections. It’s got the Cult of the Dragon all in a tizzy, and some of them are here in the city looking for it, including a high-ranking black half-dragon named Rezmir. Only a very few returned, sealing the portal behind them. Even if they decide not to join the cult, they may be able to learn helpful information about the Dead Three and its operations within the city, including the stolen Cult of the Dragon treasure underneath the bathhouse. Buying the booklet gets you the latest PDF files as well. [9] The river linked it with Berdusk, Iriaebor, and Scornubel, and to Baldur's Gate on the Sword Coast. Locations in Elturel [27] When she thought them ready, in the Year of the Bow, 1354 DR, Zariel, riding her golden mastodon Lulu, led them out of the city, with the cheers and good wishes of the Elturians behind them, and embarked on the Ride, a glorious mounted charge through the gate into Avernus. Actual Play: Descent into Avernus, Chapter 1, https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/events/podcasts-avernus, https://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/baldursgate_descent, Roleplaying Online Under Lockdown, Part 3, Roleplaying Online Under Lockdown, Part 2, Roleplaying Online Under Lockdown, Part 1. New to tabletop RPGs and need some help? Not everyone was a combat- and spell-optimised character (looks sidelong at Gray’s goofy 8 Wisdom Druid). [30], Then, shockingly, in the Year of the Seductive Cambion, 1444 DR, the High Rider himself was discovered to be a vampire, with a vast network of vampire spawn, charmed minions, undead allies, and sycophantic collaborators that surprised even the Hellriders. [14][9][24][25][26] The earliest known version told that it was to rescue one of their own, such was their great loyalty to each other. I chose one in particular for my own running of Descent into Avernus, The Fall of Elturel by Anthony Joyce and Justice Arman, and it worked beautifully.

[31][32] Only he knew the true origin of the mysterious second sun. Without their ceremonial garb, however, they draw no more suspicion than any of the other patrons. As written, the adventure takes the most monumentally visual …

[8] Inns and taverns were generally good in quality. The next day, the Malarites were themselves hunted down in revenge. It was especially hard for newcomers to adjust to life here. Sneering at the adventurers, the outlaws walked out.