The Wormcrawl Fissure

A mile-long ravine away from the main body of the Rift Canyon, Wormcrawl Fissure is said to have been the home of the infamous evil priest Kyuss. What lies in the fissure's depths is unknown, but certainly Sons of Kyuss prowl the lands for some 10 miles around, attacking any sentient creature they see. Within the fissure itself, there are reports of Favored Sons, very strong (18/76 Strength) and of unusual toughness (6+6 HD), who are able to breathe clouds of stinking fumes as per a stinking cloud I/day, while remaining unaffected, in addition to their radiate fear effect.

A regular punishment for junior clerics and priests of Iuz throughout the Bandit Lands, if they have disappointed or offended their seniors, is to be sent to this area to bring back Sons of Kyuss as zombies. This can be done by casting remove curse or cure disease on a Son, but that means touching the horror, of course. The zombies are useful for the undead legions of the land, but the risk to the junior is considerable. Fortunately, the order is rare and a special compensation must be given to use such a repellent spell, only available in rare scroll form. The Sons themselves are very resistant to turning or commanding effects (treat as Special undead). Iuz's priests would dearly like to ascertain the nature of the necromantic magic they have detected at the base of the fissure, but the hazard of trying to reach it is too great. A hundred troops and six junior priests have already swollen the ranks of the Sons by attempting to descend into the fog-filled, reeking lands which lie at the foot of this great fissure.