d20 Necromancer Games Vindication.pdf

Vi n d i c a t i o n

Credits

The Waukesha Victims: George (Skuz) Bogust, Robert

(always a friggin’ fe-drow) Maddox, Mark (Birdseeker)

Malone, Nate (Ulf!) Menick, Mark (The Most Annoying

Dwarven Thief) Smith, Brian (Dragonfodder) Sweet.

Author: Bob Sarvas

Developer: Bill Webb

Producer: Clark Peterson

The Necromancer B-Board Victims: Calithena/Leothric,

Damien/Danae, Dragonmajesty/Bellby, Faebinder/Sizalad,

Kalivas/as himself, Siccus/Stogar, Skeetyrbug/Max.

Editor: Lance Halvermale

Managing Editor: Kevin Walker

D20 Editor: Erica Balsley

The Victims at GenCon 20: Mike Beck, Lon Braidwood,

Jeff Craus, Bryce Crum, Carol Cummings, Mike Fischer,

Greg Geilman, Steven Hrunting, Mark Kobayashi, Roger

Neal, Fred Pyter, Jim Reynolds, Shawn Roy, Carl

Schwabe, Kirk Sorenson, Gordon Spencer, Adam Turner,

and Joel Yokum — the best Arcanus Tutorial Forinath

Blae there ever was.

Art Director: Richard Thomas

Layout and Typesetting: Troll Lord Games

Interior Art: Veronica Jones

Front Cover Art: Veronica Jones

Cartography: Ed Bourelle

Special Thanks: Wizards of the Coast for being a gaming

house that loves games, the d20 license that allows all to

create without feeling a litigious Damocles Sword over-

head and Clark and Bill for the renaissance in quality

D&D adventures, just like the old days. Finally, a huge

one to E.Gary Gygax for giving my imagination another

place to roam, encouraging me years ago and showing us

all how this was done first in the late ’70s.

Front & Back Cover Design: Stephen Chenault

Playtesters: The Johnson-Creek Victims: Jason

(Mead & OJ… Yum!) Koudelke, C-A (the Bitchy

Mage) Lis, Tim (Lance) Pumplin and Brian (Mercu-

rial) Schultz “The Brothers of Destruction”, Dawn

(?How will my abilities drain today?) Syens, Seth

(Jade/Not Jade/Not Granite) Truran.

Product Update Password for Vindication!: JoannaLynne.

This product requires the use of the Dungeons and Dragons® Player’s Handbook, published by Wiz-

ards of the Coast®

permission of the publisher is expressly forbidden. Necromancer Games, Necromancer

Games, Inc., the Necromancer Games logo, Vindications!, The Wizard’s Amulet, The

Crucible of Freya, The Tomb of Abysthor, The Siege of Durgam’s Folly, Rappan Athuk,

and The Dungeon of Graves are trademarks of Necromancer Games, Inc. All rights re-

served. All characters, names, places, items, art and text herein are copyrighted by Necro-

mancer Games, Inc. Creature Collection, Creature Collection 2 and Relics and Rituals are

trademarks of Sword and Sorcery Studio, and are used by permission. “D20 System” and

the D20 System logo are trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast and are used under

the terms of the D20 Trademark License. Dungeons and Dragons® and Wizards of the

Coast® are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, and are used in accordance with the Open

Game License contained in the Legal Appendix.The mention of or reference to any com-

pany or product in these pages is not a challenge to the trademark or copyright concerned.

Necromancer

Games

This book uses the supernatural for settings, characters and themes. All mystical and su-

pernatural elements are fiction and intended for entertainment purposes only. Reader dis-

cretion is advised.

Third Edition

Rules, First Edi-

tion Feel

Check out Necromancer Games online at

http://www.necromancergames.com

And the Troll Lords at

http://www.trolllord.com

PRINTED IN THE USA.

Introduction

pass on the information to Lord Sesses. In his own

words, “Feedback from the field helps the Research

and Development of new ‘amusing toys’. I also enjoy

a good laugh”.

The party either purchases or finds one of the

Darkmage’s “amusing toys”, and uses it to horrific ef-

fect. The Imp dutifully appears, records the event, and

taunts the characters further. Eventually they learn of

Lord Sessestophelzine. Curiosity and subsequent ill fate

prompt the players to investigate him and his holdings.

The Imp learns much, much more of the characters,

however, and they forever after become targets for the

Butchers’ amusement. After surviving repeated tor-

ments and gaining some much needed experience, the

PCs finally acquire information directing them to

Pfefferain, where they have a chance to discover its

secrets. With skill and luck, the PCs find the nearby

Lair of Lord Sesses. Unfortunately, they also uncover

multiple full-scale operations headed by a powerful

Wizard, dragons friendly to the antagonist, a battalion

of experienced bugbears, and perhaps worst of all, a

bevy of imps and a few major devils to boot. Due to

the inherent polymorphing abilities of some viceroys,

the characters may not even know what half of the vice-

roys truly are until they are destroyed. The Keep on the

Butte provides opportunity to gain at lease one experi-

ence level; it is also a chance to loot the treasure room

and laboratories of a high-level Wizard, and to create

many friends and enemies in the populace of Pfefferain.

Chastremian the Enchanter began his career after

apprenticeship, equipped with great intelligence, cun-

ning, and scrappiness, but not great size. At one time,

he had a neutral outlook on the world, but this eventu-

ally changed after observing and dealing with its deni-

zens. Chastremian traveled far and wide, participating

in many adventures, making contacts and enemies alike.

Like all effective mages, he procured his share of magi-

cal spells and items along the way. His power grew

with speed and surety, helped by his ability to befriend

and control those he met. Eventually the Enchanter’s

thoughts turned to the creation of magic and later fo-

cused upon amassing wealth by any means possible.

Recently his thoughts turned to the control of popu-

lace and politics. As his actions and effects created an

infamous legend in the area, he took up a new mantle,

calling himself Sessestophelzine (ses-es-TOF-ul-zeen).

Translated from Loquatia Arcana, the name literally

means “Great evil magic power in pursuit of gems and

gold” and being the realist that he is, this made sense

to him. Presently, others call him variously Lord Sesses,

the Darkmage, Your Grace, or Master of Curses.

Lord Sesses rules and heads the Butchers, a tight-

knit group comprising many different races and skills.

The Butchers exist to wring every drop of coin they

can from the local economy. They tend to pick venues

that offer a quick, reliable, and safe means of extrac-

tion. Consider the Butchers to function as a modern

corporation, but one totally bereft of morals, with Lord

Sesses as the President. The Butchers’ influence en-

velops the nearby large town of Pfefferain in multiple

insidious and corrupt ways. Although His Most Ex-

alted Authority the Mayor of Pfefferain rules that large

town, the mayor is corrupt, and wrapped around one

of the Darkmage’s fingers.

The Butchers extort money from many guildmasters

about town by threat and deed. They run many immoral

operations, always looking for that extra pouch of coin.

They also run legitimate operations such as a casino

and a magic-crafting laboratory. Due to his experience

and focus, Lord Sesses is able to craft such powerful

items as a rod of absorption or a robe of the archmagi

(black) . He also creates the protective devices for the

entirety of the Elite Guard of Pfefferain. What initially

draws the characters into his web are the special cursed

items that he creates during lull times as a hobby. This

hobby has garnered Lord Sesses his share of enemies,

and it keeps him “on his toes” in regards to personal

safety. This is a man who yearns for the knowledge to

create his first vacuous grimoire . His curses are most

wretched and generally contain a mocking epithet that

sometimes is the last thing a victim hears before dying.

As a bonus, he also imbues each curse effect to sum-

mon forth an imp to record the horrific event and then

Module Overview

Vindication is a challenging adventure for four char-

acters of 10th level. At first, the characters learn of the

evil wizard Sessestophelzine slowly and steadily. Af-

ter awhile they begin suffering from the acts of Lord

Sesses and his cohorts, the Butchers. These acts rise in

annoyance and lethality in proportion to the charac-

ters’ growth, all with the aim of cementing palpable,

unyielding hatred in the PCs towards Sessestophelzine

and his minions. Eventually the tormented victims ac-

cumulate strength and experience to the point where

they can finally challenge the Darkmage. Those that

do so successfully have an opportunity of rising two

levels during the raid upon The Keep.

The adventure begins as the PCs probe into the in-

ner dealings of Lord Sesses regarding Pfefferain, a town

that he controls behind the scenes. The characters find

that the Darkmage’s tendrils are firmly wrapped around

many facets of society. When the PCs begin to thwart

the activities of Lord Sesses, the Darkmage finally notes

that they are more than mere annoyances, now stand-

ing firmly as threats to be eliminated. At this point,

both sides are probably plotting against each other, and

Vindication

Notes for the DM

This module is designed for those who have either

played in or run role-playing campaigns before. It re-

quires the use of the Player’s Handbook and DMG .

Prior to play, familiarize yourself with the entirety of

the module to gain a scope of its breadth. Then focus

upon Appendix 1, Appendix 2 and the Prologue to

understand the antagonists, choose a proper cursed

item, and successfully bait the hooks for the charac-

ters. Spend time learning the antagonist’s abilities,

motivations and interpersonal relationships, for this

greatly colors the experience for players and DM alike.

The intricacies of the Keep on the Butte are a complex

and challenging final set piece in three Acts. Literal

months, if not years, of plot devices and character

growth ends in the final acts.

the adventure culminates with the PCs’ assault upon

The Keep on the Butte.

The Prologue , entitled “The Seeds of Torment” ,

offers many ideas for introducing Lord Sesses, his

‘amusing toys’, and the various members of the Butch-

ers to the heroes. Introduce these NPCs early on in the

characters’ lives with the understanding that the PCs

must survive to undertake the investigative phase of

the adventure later in life. This starts their inexorable

progression towards uncovering the secrets of the

Darkmage and his associates. Once the PCs close in

upon the experience suggested for this adventure, be-

gin the PCs’ march toward their tormentor. This could

be either a long, winding journey or a short trip, at your

discretion. Their journey lands the PCs before the

Lorremach Highhills. Use the provided wilderness ad-

venture to ensure they reach the suggested experience.

Part One, Act1 , entitled “Off to the Lorremach

Highhills”, details the PCs’ struggle through the peril-

ous hilly region surrounding Pfefferain, where they find

both danger and information. Part One, Act2 , entitled

“A Township in Retrograde”, details the Town of

Pfefferain, its major inhabitants, its major sights, and

the effects that Lord Sesses and the Butchers bear upon

it. At this point, the characters get an idea of the scope

and magnitude of the Darkmage’s political, criminal

and personal power.

Part Two details the PCs’ efforts to infiltrate the Lair

of the Butchers, which is known as the Keep on the

Butte. This section describes the location of the Keep

and its underground laboratories. The information ap-

pears in three Acts, for the Lair is extensive and its

infiltration likely runs its course over multiple play ses-

sions. “Assault of the Keep on the Butte” describes

the trek through the Coldwater Canyon to the Keep

itself, along with the underground Temple of the Bug-

bears and prisoner cells. “The Prime Plane Labora-

tories” details the party’s progress through the Cylin-

drical Treadmill, the Mold Garden Destination, and the

underground labs of the Butchers. “Denouement in

Gehenna” describes the laboratories in the Gehenna

outpost where Lord Sesses makes his final stand, along

with whomever else has survived.

Appendix 1 , entitled “Meet the Butchers”, details

the entire crime cartel from top to bottom and provides

statistics, possessions, interpersonal relationships, and

strategies for each and every one of its members. Ap-

pendix 2 , entitled “Magic In the Lair of Lord Sesses”,

details all of the magic items found within the Keep on

the Butte as well as those the Darkmage constructs for

himself, his associates, the Town of Pfefferain, and the

beleaguered PCs.

Modifying the Adventure

This adventure is designed to adapt itself easily to

any campaign setting. Pfefferain is replacable with any

large town or small city (approximately 4,000 to 6,000

people) that is relatively out of the way and has a hilly

area nearby for the Keep on the Butte. The ruined vil-

lage of Wennesalar may be placed anywhere nearby.

Note that deities are not vital to this adventure, although

they may have great effect. The temples in Pfefferain

may be replaced with any like-aligned ethos, and of

course the deities the PCs worship must remain in full

force.

You have great latitude in using the Prologue ideas

to hook the characters. This may start at any time in the

PCs’ lives. Pick and choose your favorite cursed items

and disburse the effects and gathered information as

you see fit. Use the Prologue encounters to help the

PCs to their suggested experience levels. When the PCs

near 10th level, give them ironclad clues to visit

Pfefferain. At Pfefferain, you again have latitude to

pick and choose the personalities the PCs meet, as well

as which of the Butchers’ operations the PCs might try

to undermine. Once the characters make it to the Keep,

play the module fairly straight as it is presented.

Introduction

The Butchers’ Chain of Command

The group Lord Sesses commands is structured similar to a modern corporation, as duties and power

follow a definite chain of command represented in pyramid-style, much like the food chain.

Leader of Operations: Lord Sessestophelzine (ses-es-TOF-ul-zeen), the Darkmage

Second in Command: Jerjicus (JUR-jee-cuss), the Ogre Magi

Viceroys: Drincilla (“Doll”), the Erinyes; Kezhantak (keh-ZAN-tack), the Bugbear Captain; Rasharnor

(rah-SHAHR-nore), the Bugbear High Rogue; Shentresh, the Bugbear High Priest; Gortok, the Sor-

cerous Doppleganger; Phyztijia (“Fizz”) (fizz-TEE-hee-ya), the Imp Familiar

High Guard: Kilitus Maximus, the Blue-Headed Chimera; Elite Bugbears, Imp Sentries

Enforcers: Grunt Bugbears

Three other beings play a part in the Butchers’ schemes: Maximillion Spetarr (“Max”), the Pit Boss

Wizard at HellFire; Opiate (“Opie”), the evil Pseudodragon, Official Sentry of the Imps; and

Zottenheim (“Zot”), the Sytec, Esteemed Creation of Lord Sesses.

The Butchers operate many rackets within Pfefferain and the outlying areas. Here is a listing of opera-

tions they run and which viceroy heads each racket:

Casino/Hotel Operation Maximillion, Phyztijia

Escort Service Drincilla

Fencing/Guild Tariffs Gortok, Rasharnor

Garment Design/Sales Drincilla

Gem Mining/Cutting/Sales Jerjicus, Rasharnor

Loan sharking Drincilla, Kezhantak

Opium Distribution/Sales Lord Sesses

Opium Harvesting Shentresh, Kezhentak

Magic Item Creation/Sales Gortok, Lord Sesses, Shentresh, Zot

Political Graft Jerjicus, Lord Sesses

Stonemasonry Jerjicus

Note that many officers pull double duty. The Butchers feel a huge hit if any viceroy is slain, so

protect them as you would treasured employees!

A very important part of the storyline involves the

Imp summoned to record the curse effect. It performs

many necessary duties for you and Lord Sesses. The

Imp records the reactions of the curse victim towards

the derisive message, as well as towards the effects of

the curse. This feedback is desired by Lord Sesses, as

it helps him create better items. The Imp must report

its findings to Lord Sesses and act upon orders from

the Darkmage. It usually is charged with monitoring,

annoying, pilfering from and conversing with the PCs.

This Imp allows you to introduce most of the encoun-

ters in the Prologue, as it gathers information vital in

the setup of those encounters.

You must also decide the best time to send the PCs

towards Pfefferain. The Prologue is written to

seamlessly coordinate with other events in the

character’s lives. You must monitor progress in their

lives, sprinkling in Butchers activity to taste, perhaps

using some Prologue encounters to help further their

experience as well as their hatred for Lord Sesses. When

it seems that a few wilderness encounters offer just

enough experience to attain the suggested levels, then

Conducting the Adven-

ture

One of your tasks in Vindication is generating un-

dying antipathy towards Lord Sesses. Most of the Pro-

logue aids in this task. Parts of the Prologue and Part

One help disseminate information about Lord Sesses

and the Butchers. The first decision you must make is

to figure out at which stage of the PCs’ lives does the

specter of the Darkmage appear. For rather new char-

acters, Lord Sesses merely becomes a legend that brings

one cursed item and then a sparse trail of annoyances.

With characters that are established and already ap-

proach the experience levels suggested to inflict blows

to the Butchers, then accelerate the annoyances and

raise the danger posed by Lord Sesses and his min-

ions. It is totally up to you to decide when, where, and

how to disburse the items cursed by Lord Sesses. Take

care, as some of the possible items may indeed slay

low-level characters.

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