Arc 1.2 Waters Dark

Backdrops

Locations

1. The Statue. The rough stone statue is a hunched old woman holding a twisted staff. Her right eye is missing and replaced by a chunk of milky blue crystal that glows from within! Upon closer inspection, the back of the head is hollow, and a small, thick candle burns inside the opening, creating the light. Common Knowledge (-2 if not clergy) reveals this is Saint Eselde of the Eye, Paladin of Patient Vengeance. She is the patron saint of victims and those who have been wronged. From this small island, a walkway leads ahead to a larger island with a raised area that supports some kind of freestanding stone archway, while another boardwalk to the left leads to a door into a larger hut, from which smoke rises from a crude chimney and light escapes through chinks in the walls.
2. The Hall. The eating hall of the cult. It boasts the only stone fireplace in the village, and is the warmest and what could be considered the most inviting chamber here. Six acolytes will be here during most hours, some preparing eel stew or shaking off the cold if the party has tracked them directly here after the attack. They won’t have their spears, but are armed with daggers. Acolytes (6). P4, T6, Fight d4, Dam d6+d4. There is little of value here: some clay mugs and a couple jugs of sour wine.
3. Sacrifice Island. A two-tiered platform made of packed earth surrounded by retaining stones supports a mortared stone arch with iron chain hanging for the corners, clearly for restraining a human-sized victim. If the cultists come here to “church,” they will also cut the eyelids off a new acolyte, who will step up willingly to be chained.
4. Reliquary. This room is set up muck like a small version of a Pentic church, including an altar. There are several Pentic church texts here, including a Book of Miraculous Prayer and the Elucidations of Vours.
5. Armory. This is where the spears and weapons of the cultists are kept. 3 Devoteds (senior cultists) live here. They all carry daggers, but each has access to a Power. Devoteds (4). P5, T 6, Vigor d8, Fight d6, Faith d6, Stealth d8, Dam d6+d4, Talismans: Medallion of Sakshi (Power: Cloak of Sakshi.)
6. Rollo’s and Senior Priests. High Priests (2). P5, T 6, Vigor d8, Fight d6, Faith d8, Stealth d8, Dam d6+d4, Talismans: Eye of Eselde (Power: Eselde’s vengeance), Eye of Eselde (Power: spiritual shackles). See below for Rollo One-Eye
7. Acolyte Quarters. Acolytes (2). P4, T6, Fight d4, Dam d6+d4. Dagger
8. Acolyte Quarters. Acolytes (2). P4, T6, Fight d4, Dam d6+d4. Dagger
9. Acolyte Quarters. Acolytes (2). P4, T6, Fight d4, Dam d6+d4. Dagger
10. Lock up. Acolytes (2). P4, T6, Fight d4, Dam d6+d4. Eisley the Beadle was locked in here and given a book to study: Hundred Cuts Less One. The book is open and a stub of candle stuck on the floor burns next to it. Eisley is somewhat worse for wear but not broken yet. He says the leader (whom the others called Rollo) ordered him to study the text and be ready to read the final pages aloud when asked. However, he has only a smattering of Lingua Santa and has no real idea what it says “but it seems to be about a Paladin.” It is the story of Saint Eselde of the Eye and catalogs her 99 grievances against people. It also contains the Eselde’s Vengeance and Maledict rituals. The last two pages appear to be a Ritual of Summoning to call Eselde in person, but it mentions The Eyepiece (Oculare in Lingua Santa) as a required offering. However, Eisley doesn’t know what that is.

Plot type

Rescue

Parent Plot

Arc 1: The Crucible

Related Locations

• Two Spires Village