The Ebon Triad
The Ebon Triad has been the cause of much trouble in the world lately.
Run-Ins
The party has encountered the cult several times:Discovery
The party first discovered the Ebon Triad when the necromancer Filge revealed he had been called to town to learn more about the green worms they were propogating under Dourstone Mine. According to Filge, the worms could create "unkillable undead." The party asked the wizard Allustan about the cult, and Allustan was able to tell them that the Ebon Triad is a heretical group that worships Hextor, Erythnul, and Vecna. They are trying to fuse these three gods into an all-powerful overgod. This Overgod would t hen destroy all others, leaving the Ebon Triad the sole inheritors of divine power.Cult Compound Investigation
When they investigated the cultists' compound under the mine, they found hints that the leader of this cell, the Faceless One, was only posing as a priest of Vecna. The Hextorian cultists felt they were being manipulated by him, but to what purpose none of them were sure. When Nemara infiltrated the Vecna cultist's ranks, she learned a detail of their plan: The cult believed their overgod could only be formed in an age of writhing chaos called the age of worms. This age would be rung in by the reappearance of something called Kyuss, so the cult was trying to expedite his return.Mistmarsh Investigation
When the party fled to the Mistmarsh for reinforcements, they found more of the same undead green worms in the swamp that the cult had been propagating under Dourstone Mine. These had been planted among the lizardfolk's clutch. The same worms had apparently destroyed a generation the year before, and were apparently planted by a black dragon named Ilthane, who had also corrupted the clan's chieftain.Name-Drop from a Doppel
After this, a doppelganger imitating Vin Frostkeeper told the party that the cult had been seen in the Free City. They travelled quickly to investigate, but found themselves hunted by doppelgangers under the command of a mind flayer instead, with nary a green worm in sight.Sagacious Research
In Greyhawk City, Nemara consulted the sage Eligos, and realized he could help them against the cult. Eligos took some time to consult his vast store of lore, and revealed that Kyuss is an elder evil also known as the Worm that Walks. He is an avatar of destruction, and in ancient times he led a huge cult of insidious undead-worshipers. He also confirmed that Kyuss' reappearance on Oerth is said to usher in the Age of Worms. Eligos also revealed that the Apostolic Scrolls were an item holy to the worshipers of Kyuss, and were said to summon an "Apostle of Kyuss," whose appearance was a harbinger, to hasten the return of the Great Worm himself.You've Been Noticed
The party returned to Diamond Lake to find it wrecked by Ilthane's rage at the PCs destroying her machinations in the swamp. She cursed them in the name of "Dragotha," and after they rescued their mentor Allustan, he recommended them to his own former teacher; Tenser.Visions of the Past
The party consulted with Tenser to further understand the relationship between Kyuss and the Ebon Triad. They traced the steps of Balakarde, an "expert on Kyuss" that Eligos had consulted with several years ago. They visited Kuluth-Mar and had Visions about Kyuss as a mortal, his rise to power, and his failed apotheosis.Ravings of a Cornered Cultist
Discovering a cult in Perrenland, the party interrogated their high priestess, who raved that they were too late to stop anything, said that soon the final ritual woudl be complete in Redhand, and bragged that Redhand's head of state, Prince Zeech, would usher the Overgod into the world. Eligos, meanwhile, had found Balakarde's journals, as well as his annotated copy of A History of Alhaster. Balakarde had gone to Alhaster next, suspecting there was much that Rhorsk had left out of his book, including a guess that the villainous city held the birthplace of the triad. He hoped to consult with the Elven sage who had shut down their uprising. She may be the last person who saw him alive.Known Members
The following characters are known to be associated with the cult, the worms, or both.- Rangolin Dourstone, owner of Dourstone Mine in Diamond Lake
- At least one member of the Diamond Lake Garrison
- The Faceless One
- Shukak, the corrupt lizardfolk chieftain
- Ilthane the Black, dragon who corrupted Shukak and most likely the clutch of eggs, as well
- Loris Raknian
- Bozal Zahol, tiefling cleric
- Prince Zeech of Redhand
Structure
The Ebon Triad is a heretical movement that unites worshippers of Hextor, Erythnul, and Vecna. Not every cell includes worshippers from all three, though.
Public Agenda
The Ebon Triad seeks to bring about the Age of Worms. They believe this age can be rung in by returning an elder evil called Kyuss to the world. Kyuss' appearance will begin the Age of Worms.
The Age of Worms, they believe, will provide the necessary chaos and negative arcane energy for them to enact a ritual that will fuse Vecna, Erythnul, and Hextor into an all-powerful overgod. That god will then destroy all others, leaving the Ebon Triad as the sole recipients and wielders of divine power.
Assets
Undead worms that they are using to try and create "unkillable" undead.
Arcane knowlege from the followers of Vecna
Powerful warriors from the followers of Hextor
Monstrous allies from the followers of Erythnul
History
The Ebon Triad is not a new movement, but it isn't well-documented. Allustan estimates they've been around for a few hundred years at least.
