1

CIRCLE OF RITESCircle of Rites is an adventure designed for 4 to 6 player characters averaging 8th or 9th level. By the

adventure’s conclusion, the PCs are likely to have gained one level.

This adventure requires the use of Monte Cook’s Arcana Evolved. Some additional rules are taken fromother Arcana Evolved-related sources (and are noted as such when they appear), but access to those

sources is not necessary to play through this adventure. For ease of reference, this E-Book release con-tains appendices of all necessary stat blocks and all maps referenced in this adventure.

Table of Contents

Credits

Design: Søren Keis ThustrupDevelopment: Scott Holden

Editing: Scott HoldenCoordination: James Bell

Production: Jason KemptonCover: Claudio Pozas

Interior Illustration: Claudio PozasCartography: Ed Bourelle

Special thanks to Bill Collins for the Crystal Creature template, the idea for Walks in Dust, and forinvaluable help and encouragement.

This product is protected under the copyright laws of Canada and the United States of America. Allcontents of this book, regardless of designation, are © 2006 Fiery Dragon Productions, Inc. All rightsreserved. Reproduction or use without the written permission of Fiery Dragon Productions is expresslyforbidden, except for the purpose of review or use of OGC consistent with the OGL. The Fiery Dragonlogo is a trademark of Fiery Dragon Productions, Inc; Malhavoc is a registered trademark owned byMonte J. Cook. All rights reserved. All other content is © 2006 Fiery Dragon Productions, Inc. ArcanaEvolved ©2005 Monte J. Cook. Used under license. All rights reserved.

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Section One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Section Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Section Three . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Section Four . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Section Five . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Section Six . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Appendix I: Stats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Appendix II: Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33Legal Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Sam

ple

file

2

INTRODUCTION

What makes a man? Is it what he does? Is it what he sees in themirror? Or is it what he hears at night, when the silent rush ofblood whispers the truth of his soul?

Kadaran the Quiet just didn’t know. He wanted to know—heneeded to know. But try as he might, he could not find theenlightenment he desired.

An accomplished sibeccai ritualist, Kadaran was majordomo at Navael’s most famous ceremonium, called theCircle of Rites. He had risen high in the esteem of the peo-ple of Navael, the Crystal City. Kadaran had worked at theCircle of Rites many years, but despite helping countlessothers in their journeys toward a better self, he himself hadnot evolved.

In time, after rejecting the path of the ritual warrior,Kadaran finally turned to racial self-discovery, as had hisemployers. (The owners and proprietors of the ceremoniumwere the aging giant Vi-Taran, a diplomat of note who hadretired after years of self-discovery, and Meragoth, an elder-ly mojh magister who had tired of dealing with prospectorsin the Crystal Fields and who sought refuge in the Circle’slibrary.) But while the giant gained mass and physicalpower though his rituals, Kadaran found only that his jour-ney did not lead to clarity. And so the sibeccai began todespair.

That is, until the dragons came.

Staslakosh was a young dragon sent by the DragonConclave to ascertain the lay of the land in the north-west-ern part of Serranstel, which the dragons called Dor-Erthenos. Nine months ago, the dragon stumbled across theCrystal Fields and was immediately enchanted with themagic of his surroundings. He settled in a disused quarrywith a small entourage of humans and dracha, and he soontook steps to discover more about the nearby town of Navael.

Soon, Kadaran and Staslakosh’s agents communicated on aregular basis. One fateful night, Kadaran handed over acopy of the ledger of the Circle of Rites, containing recordsabout every rite that had been carried out there in the pastyear. In return, Staslakosh agreed to evolve Kadaran beyondthe usual capabilities of his people.

However, for some reason, even these rituals didn’t giveKadaran the enlightenment he sought. A terrible resentmentbegan to fester in his subconscious. Soon, in fact, out ofsome vague sense of indignation and rebellion, he begancultivating connections in the Navael underworld, and inshort order made himself useful as an intermediarybetween Staslakosh and members of the Nightcrawlers (seeArcana Evolved, page 359).

Recently, however—just a few nights before the adventurebegins, in fact—Kadaran was discovered, and an unpleasantprivate interview with Master Vi-Taran ensued. That night,as Vi-Taran sat down with Meragoth to discuss what shouldbe done about Kadaran, the sibeccai acted. He slipped adose of tainted red fury (see sidebar) into Vi-Taran’s tea;then, via a two-way closet in an adjoining room, he slid acage containing an evolved hate reaper into Vi-Taran’s quar-ters.

While Vi-Taran could suppress the anger he felt when hedrank the tea, he was nonetheless rendered powerlessagainst the waves of rage from the hate reaper. In the ensu-ing chaos, he tore Meragoth limb from limb, despite themojh’s attempts at calming his long-time friend and thespells that the desperate magister ended up trying to cast.

As Meragoth died, servants rushed into the room. Vi-Tarancalmed down and, as he let himself be taken away by theSteward’s guards, he wept for the death he had wrought,seemingly with his own hands.

Tainted Red Fury

Alchemy DC 28; Cost 35 gp.

Any creature that drinks this viscous greenish-redoil gains a +4 bonus to Strength for 2d4 rounds.However, it also suffers a –2 penalty to Intelligenceand a –4 penalty to Wisdom for 1 hour; further, ifthe creature fails a Fortitude save (DC 16), it has itscurrent attitude toward all other creatures alteredto “hostile” for that same hour. (See “InfluencingAttitude” in Chapter One of Monte Cook’s ArcanaEvolved.)

Note: This is a derivative of the substance called“red fury,” which can be found in Monte Cook’sArcana Unearthed: Legacy of the Dragons.

Sam

ple

file

SECTION ONE: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

The PCs are in the city of Navael (see Arcana Evolved, page350). Preferably, they are present for a ceremony, but anyreason suffices. The text below assumes that the PCs havebusiness at the Circle of Rites. The adventure begins on themorning after the murder.

If the PCs approach the warrior, he presents himself as Al-Gereas of the Watch (male giant, warrior 2) and expects thePCs to identify themselves. Once they have done so, he tellsthem that a murder was committed in the ceremonium lastnight; if they ask, he states simply that it is still too early tosay precisely what has happened.

If the PCs declare that they had an appointment with Vi-Taran, Al-Gereas checks with a book he keeps in a satcheland finds their names quickly. He then lets them enter.

3

Navael is a beautiful city of about 8000, over halfof whom are faen. Around the city, slender,abstract crystal sculptures capture the light in adazzling array of colors. In the many markets,food products, crystal trinkets, and even minormagic items are for sale.

Your business is not with the spice merchants ofthe northern hills, though, nor with the verrikcrystal crafters of the Shining Market. Your busi-ness is at the Circle of Rites, the ceremonium inNavael. You already made the initial arrangementswith Meragoth, an old mojh there, late last night,and you now have a morning appointment withthe Master of Ceremonies, a giant called Vi-Taran.

Inquiries about Vi-Taran paint him as somethingof a mystic, a former diplomat who turned hisback on politics to enter the world of ritual andceremony. Apparently he still dabbles in politics,however, and has many friends and acquaintancesacross the Central Plains.

As you turn a corner, you come to the small squareoutside the Circle of Rites, and the morning sunshines brightly on the whitewashed walls of theceremonium, a large, roughly circular buildingthat takes up most of a city block. Its gleamingonion-domed tower, known as the Spire of theSword, reaches a height of 50 feet, sending shiningrays across the whole square. In front of the cere-monium are a number of booths selling materialscommon to ceremonies held there, includingincense, robes, pillows, and even weapons.

Today a crowd is gathered in front of the ceremo-nium. A good number of faen, humans, a fewgiants, and a litorian or two stand and discussmatters in agitated tones. The door is guarded by agiant warrior with Navael’s banner emblazoned onhis surcoat.

Sam

ple

file

INTRODUCTORY SCENARIO

Within the Circle of Rites, the PCs’ group is met by VaeniDawndance (see Appendix), a loresong faen and a constablein the Navael City Watch. Dressed in a shiny chain shirtunder a tabard in Navael’s colors, Vaeni has a pair of match-ing daggers with crystal hilts in sheaths across her chestand a brace of throwing daggers hanging evenly around herwaist. She interrogates the PCs briefly before a scuffleerupts in the hallway outside.

As Vaeni runs out into the hall, a murderous blast of wind(caused by a 5th-level detonation of sorcerous blast [air]) tearsthrough the hallway and the constable, most probablyknocking her senseless: On average, a 5d6 sorcerous blastdeals 17 points of damage, and as the DM you’re certainlyentitled to use the average damage—and even simply todeclare a failed saving throw for an NPC—if you wish. (It isnot necessary that Vaeni should collapse, however.)

Beyond, a figure can be seen running from Vi-Taran’s roomwith a bundle under its arm.

Vaeni Dawndance: hp 10.

DM’s Note: The fleeing figure is Shanatar (see Appendix), alitorian unfettered and a member of the Nightwalkers. Hesnuck into the ceremonium to retrieve the cage with thehate reaper and to bring it back to his mistress AerendieShadowcloak, but also for the purpose of slaying VaeniDawndance. As he leaves, Shanatar attacks the faen officer

with the detonation of sorcerous blast provided for him by hismistress; he hopes to escape in the ensuing confusion.

The reason for this assault is not related directly to the mur-der of Meragoth at all: Vaeni, acting in an official but sur-reptitious capacity, has gained the confidence of a numberof small-time criminals, carefully cultivating the belief thatshe is corrupt and open to bribery. However, her ploy hasbeen discovered by Aerendie Shadowcloak, Princess of theNavael Nightwalker element, who has decided to kill Vaenibefore the faen officer gains too much of a foot-hold withinthe Nightwalker organization. She has therefore taken stepsto ensure that it was Vaeni who would be sent to investigatethis murder.

Thus Aerendie, via Shanatar, is in effect trying to kill twobirds with one stone here.

THE CHASE

A chase scene follows in which the PCs attempt to follow orcatch Shanatar, while he tries to lose them. Make the chasesuspenseful—keep the pace going, challenge the players,but make sure they get a chance to pick up the trail if theylose contact with Shanatar altogether.

Shanatar is a powerfully built litorian, his black-streakedtawny mane kept short on top but worn long in a numberof tight braids on the side. He is quite intelligent, but has aviolent temper, very little empathy, and a complete lack ofpatience for anyone who cannot keep up with him eithermentally or physically. His leather coat is dyed to look likesnakeskin, and his shield is dyed to be as deep a black ashis cloak. His mace is of a reddish crystalline alloy thatmakes it remarkably light and flexible.

ADJUDICATING THE CHASE

Shanatar jumps out a first-story window and falls 15 feet,taking 1d6 points of damage if he succeeds on a DC 15Tumble check (his Tumble bonus is +4; otherwise it’s 2d6damage as he falls right into a merchant’s stall); either way,he starts running as soon as he regains his feet. He shouldbegin the chase 2 or 3 rounds ahead of his pursuers.

At first, Shanatar moves only at his base speed (50 feet) ashe tries to blend in on the busy street (requiring a Spotcheck from the PCs vs. his Sneak checks, the former suffer-ing a –5 circumstance penalty due to the crowd); should hediscover the group following him, however, Shanatar atonce starts moving faster (double-moving at 100 feet perround).

4

NAVAEL

Small City, Pop. 8,220

(Faen 53%, giant 19%, human 16%, sibeccai 8%, other4%)

Ruler: Ui-Narath (female giant, aristocrat 2/greenbond 7)

Underworld Ruler: Aerendie Shadowcloak,Nightwalker princess (see Appendix)

NPCs of Note: Mikul of Fallanor, prince-in-exile (malehuman, aristocrat 8); Nu-Farron, Captain of the Watch(male giant, giant 3/warmain 10); Vi-Taran, Master of theCircle of Rites (male giant, giant 3/ritual warrior 7/giantparagon 2)

Gold Piece Limit: 13,500 gp

Assets: 5,500,000 gp

Resources: Crystal and crystal-laced goods, fine steel,glassware, woodcarvings

Military: 80 Navael Watch (warrior 1–3)

Sam

ple

file

As he goes, Shanatar tries to pull a few tricks in order to getaway from pursuers. He uses each of the following options,in order, about every third round:

A. Fake Left, Dodge Right: Shanatar uses swiftmaneuvers to make the PCs believe he intends torun one way rather than another: Make a Bluffcheck for Shanatar, modified by Dexterity ratherthan Charisma (thus, he has a +7 bonus), vs. eachPC’s Sense Motive; a PC with Mobility gains a +2competence bonus on this check, while one withSpeed Burst gains a +4 competence bonus. IfShanatar wins, that PC loses 1 round of movementadjusting to Shanatar’s trick.

B. Stalling for Time: Shanatar heaves a merchant’sstall over onto its side, dumping the contents andwreaking havoc for pursuers. The resulting messfills a 15-foot-wide-by-10-foot-long area. A timelessclassic, this maneuver requires a standard actionand a Strength check (DC 15) from Shanatar, or aDC 10 Strength check if he has the time to attemptit as a full-round action. Any pursuer must make aBalance check (DC 10) to move through the affect-ed area, and, even if successful, moves only halfspeed through each affected square. (If you feelreally fiendish, have the squares filled with fallenfruits and vegetables, in which case a DC 15Balance check is required; if a pursuer is running,the DC increases to 20.)

C. Rooftop Escape: Shanatar pulls himself up on a7-foot-high stack of barrels and, from there, climbsonto the roof of a low house. (The DM can chooseto make appropriate Jump and Climb checks forthe fleeing litorian if she wishes.) He then beginsrunning (i.e., at 4 times his base speed) along therooftops. Movement along the roofs requires aBalance check (DC 5) each round at anything up toa double-move, or a DC 10 check while running.(A failed check means the character fails to movethat round; a check failed by 5 or more means thecharacter falls.) The distance between roofs—where alleys run below, for instance—is 11 to 14feet (i.e., 1d4+10), and a running character needs tomake a Jump check at each alleyway, with a DCequal to the number of feet to be traversed. (Note,Shanatar has a total Jump bonus of +12 due to hisgreat speed while running).

IF THE LITORIAN ESCAPES

The evolved state of the hate reaper carried by Shanatar hasaltered the creature’s aura of hate ability slightly. Once theplayers realize this, tracking Shanatar will be somewhat eas-ier.

In addition to being able to focus its rage ability on oneindividual, the reaper sends out a constant wave of ragegradually affecting all those nearby who are naturallyinclined toward violence.

In the 15th round of the chase, just as Shanatar reaches adrinking establishment known as the Crystal Flagon, thehate reaper’s dire influence finally starts making itself felton the litorian: Shanatar stops and turns to either draw hisbow to fire at pursuers on the ground or readies his mace todo melee battle.

SHOWDOWN AT THE CRYSTAL FLAGON (EL 9)(See Tavern Brawl Map on Page 6)

The tavern serves as a rest stop for caravan masters andtheir hired mercenaries, a rough and violent sort. Quickly,the hate reaper’s aura of rage begins affecting the peopleinside the Crystal Flagon (whether Shanatar is on the roofor alongside the place)—which means that a brawl eruptsinside just 2 rounds after Shanatar turns to fight the PCs.

SETTING THE STAGE

One round after the brawl begins inside, it spills outside: 8warriors emerge itching for a fight. As the group of warriorsroils out of the tavern, make sure to describe the melee as afree-for-all in progress, every combatant to him- or herself.(“Two fighters tumble out of a window, hands at one anoth-er’s throats, before they break up and draw weapons. Fourothers stagger over each other, spill out the door in a greatheap, and then take up the fight outside.”) The end resultshould be a lot of warriors, each with his or her weapondrawn, all very close to the PCs.

At this point, roll initiative for the warriors, each of whomattacks the nearest armed person (including the PCs)whether or not the target actually has a weapon drawn;determine the combatants’ positions randomly in case morethan one person is close to the enraged patrons. Once a war-rior has picked a target, he or she keeps on attacking thatperson.

Note that Shanatar is also enraged by the hate reaper; hedoes not retreat despite the fact that the disturbance in front

5

Sam

ple

file

6

of the tavern affords him a fine opportunity to escape. Notealso that the combat should end with Shanatar being cap-tured or killed: It is therefore quite reasonable to determinethat the hate reaper’s aura affects him for longer than 3d4rounds.

Stats for all the NPC combatants can be found in theAppendix.

Shanatar: hp 55.Faen warriors (4): hp 19, 16, 15, 14.Giant brute (1): hp 28. Human swordmistress (1): hp 26.Litorian braves (2): hp 17, 14.

DEPUTIZED!

With a mysterious assailant fleeing right past them, it maybe natural for most adventuring parties to jump into thethick of things. For those who want everything to be above-board, however, the following may be useful.

After Shanatar’s defeat – or possibly his escape, if that’s howthings work out – the party has a chance to catch its collec-tive breath.

Read or paraphrase the following italicized text:

As you return to your lodgings, two giants and half a dozensibeccai, all armed and armored, are waiting for you. Theleader, a 10-foot-tall giant, asks you to sit, whereupon hebegins talking.

“My name is Na-Moradel. I am in charge of the contingentof guards that sees to the safety of the Shining MarketDistrict. As you may know, the Circle of Rites ceremoniumlies within that district, and the murder of Meragoth theMojh is therefore a matter for me to resolve.

“I understand that you have been involved in chasing downthe individual who assaulted my constable, VaeniDawndance, and tried to get away with material evidence.Would you please tell me all you have learned?”

Assuming the PCs are honest with him, Na-Moradel’s browfurrows.

“It is as I feared, then. The hate reaper’s advanced statepoints to draconic involvement. For reasons I cannot divulge,I – or rather we in the Navael guard are unable to pursuethis matter. Any contact between giants in the service ofNavael and any dragon is expressly forbidden. For that rea-son, I would ask you to help. Vi-Taran is a noble man whodeserves better.”

Sam

ple

file