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GMs Guide to The
Shadows of the Triad

A Epic Campaign for Mystara

By: Joaquín Menchaca


Campaign Information

Races of Karameikos
Dwarves
Elves
Gnomes
Hin (Halflings)
Humans: Thyatians and Traldarans
Religions of Karameikos
Elemental Cult (Earth, Air, Fire, Water)
Traldar Patheon: Halav, Petra, Zirchev
Lloth
Mithras
Raven
Seth
Tiamat
Criminal Organizations
Iron Ring
Villians of the Iron Ring
Vieled Society

Part 1: Enter the Triad

Chapter 1: Enter the Village of Verge

Description: This is an introduction to a seemingly peaceful village where there is suspected occult activity. Adventurers must explore the town and finds hints of a abandoned Moathouse. Little do they know that the Moathouse is actually occupied by monterous denizens, bandits, and troops from an unknown ancient religion. Other news in the town is that the druidic circle outside the town is said to be huanted after a freak accident revealed The Devil's Stair.

GM Notes: The players can be introduced to two deities that are apart of the Shadows of the Triad. The first is Tiamat or Vanya. Her holy symbol will be displayed on the cloaks of troops hiding in the Moathouse. The second is Lloth whose prized priest is Lareth (Larethias) controlling the troops in the moathouse. The Shattered Circle can also introduce hints of Lloth's presence within Mystara.

The Village of Verge
Villagers of Verge
Characters of Verge
Monsters of the Moathouse
The Devil's Stair
Description and Monsters
References
T1: Village of Hommlet by Gary Gygax (ISBN# 0-3945-1185-9)
The Shattered Circle by Bruce Cordell (TSR# 11325, ISBN# 0-7869-1325-8)

Chapter 2: Invasion of the Goblin Tribes

Description: The manor houses and mines east of Kelvin are being raided by organized goblin armies. In less than a week the goblins have terrorized the countryside. Who organized and is behind these goblin raids. Adventurers learn of an ancient artifact that reveals a path to the lost Valley of Hutaaka and they are introduced to the Iron Ring.

Chapter 3: Cult of the Reptile God

Description: A town has all but disappeared and lost communication with the Barony of Kelvin. Rumors are abound of wandering undead creatures, banitry, haunted vineyard, and cult worshipping around the vicinity of the village of Orlane.

The Village of Orlane
Villagers of Orlane
Monsters of Orlane
Monsters of Cult Headquarters
Huanted Vineyard
Description and Characters
References
T1: Village of Hommlet by Gary Gygax (ISBN# 0-3945-1185-9) OUT OF PRINT
The Shattered Circle by Bruce Cordell (TSR# 11325, ISBN# 0-7869-1325-8)

 

Chapter 4: Smugglers of Nulb

Description: Various clues have lead the adventurers to the village of Nulb where there is said to be strong activity of the Iron Ring. Here they discover a village where the law of Karameikos simply does not exist as the village is a haven for pirates and other shady characters whom would like to remain undiscovered. There are many tales abound about a haunted house in the swamp and also stories of lizardmen purchasing arms for some grand invasion. Little do the adventurers know that this is in response to a menace organized by the Elemental Cult of Water. Can the adventurers remain icognito, finds clues about the Iron Ring and the mysterious Temple of Elmental Evil?

Chapter 5: Keep on the Borderlands

Description: The adventurers come across a border town on the edge of Thyatis and Karameikos. There they find the town is held hostage to a menacing army of hobgoblins directed by the Elemental Cult of Earth and some unknown hidden evil that lurks in the mountains outide the village. The adventures are given clues to training grounds called the Caves of Chaos which is operated by the Elemental Cult of Fire.

Chapter 6: Invasion of Castellan Keep

Description: The trail leads to Castellan Keep where the adventurers must protect the keep from invasion by an unknown assailants in the night sky. Investigations bring the adventurers to ruins in the mountains where the adventurers must face the Elemental Cult of Air.

Chapter 7: In Search of the Unknown

Description: The adventurers stumble upon a lost tapestry that leads them to an ancient Lost Valley of Hutaaka. This leads them to an ancient valley inhabited by a race of Hutaakan jackal-men. These scholars tell them of a ancient evil that plagues the valley, and guards the ruins to the ancient Temple of Elemental Evil.

Along their journy, adventures may come across the village of Viktol that is currently living in paranoid fear has their village has been raided by slavers (Iron Ring). Someone inside the village has been assisting them, and the authorities and church either cannot stop the assailants or are unconcerned.

Chapter 8: The Temple of Elemental Evil

Description: After defeating the menace of the valley and resolving conflicts between the Hutaakans and ancient Traldaran tribes, the adventurers can explore the ruins of the Temple of Elemental Evil. Here the adventurers discover that there are still occupants awaiting naive adventurers. Further explorations will reveal that portions of the dungeons are actually organized military patrols, and that the Temple of Elemental Evil is indeed active.

Chapter 9: Elemental Nodes

Description: Either by choice or by force the adventurers will be flung into the elemental pocket dimensions, which are personal zoos of Tiamats. It is hoped that someday gateways to these nodes can be created and that the monsters can then be released upon the innocent world. The nodes are also a source of energy and magic channeled by arcane users to increase their power and also perform magical rituals to create artifacts and summon hideous monsters. The adventurers must seeks out gems, which control the gateways and power to these elemental pocket dimensions.

Final Chapter: Against the Chromatic Dragon

Description: In the possible final confrontation the adventures might be faced against Tiamat herself from within her prison. Will Tiamat be freed and unleashed upon the world, or shall she remain in her weakened state, forever imprisoned in her place of worship.

Further Adventures

Other possible adventures will lead the adventures to face possibly the masterminds behind the Iron Ring in their island hide out in and epic called Scourge of the Slaveloard.

If the adventurers wish to pursue operative of Set, they will find many chapters throughout the Known World causing disruption within various nations. The adventures will find clues on occurances happening within the Kingdom of Sind, which is current being conquered by The Master. Further investigations will lead the adventurers to Hule where they can confront the Master of the Desert Nomads in the Temple of Death.

Further adventures will lead the adventurers to confront possible the most hidden enemy Lloth or Azonteotl. She or He is plotting to conquer the Shadow Elves, invade Alfheim, disrupt Norwold, and eventually invade Alphatia itself. During this time, the Master of the Desert Nomads will invade Darokin, and Tiamat or Vanya will invade Heldann Freeholds and harass the Ethengaran nomads, Norwold, and Alphatia. An evil wizard known as Shadowlord will also invade Wendar and harass Norwold and Heldann Freeholds with his monsterous armies.