Too often, mortals confuse beauty with safety. Nowhere is this more true than in Arvandor, the Astral dominion of Corellon and Sehanine. The virgin woods, breathtaking falls and exquisite architecture lull the unweary into a false sense of security. How could dangers as ugly as the abominations exist in a land so full of beauty? For those who seek to understand the mysteries of the free gods, here are two adventure hooks for the dead city of Carantharas found within the hunting lands. They pull together and expand ideas presented in The Plane Above: Secrets of the Astral Sea to provide a quick background for an adventure or the start of a campaign.
For Glory
All adventurers have heard of the ruesti, the exalted of Arvandor, and their Glorious Hunt. Many who wish to prove their prowess dream of joining with the ruesti to track down and kill the abominations that escape from Carceri. Occasionally, a chosen few mortals are allowed to participate. Those who live to tell the tale are the subject of song and legend and, some believe, increase their chances of becoming an exalted of the free gods.
Desiring such fame, adventurers often come to Estaira in hopes that they too will hear the call of the hunt. Such invitations are rarely given. In the past, the best way to gain an invitation was to enter the hunting lands, without the support of the ruesti, and slay any abominations one could find. Such work is incredibly dangerous, as there are no guarantees in the hunting lands that the odds will be sporting. Unlike the exalted, dead mortals are not resurrected.
In recent years, however, the needs of the ruesti have added a new way of earning an invitation to the Hunt. Abominations in the ruins of Carantharas have overwhelmed or otherwise frustrated ruesti hunting parties. Tired of the failed hunts and of having so many of their friends die their final death in battles with no chance of glory, the ruesti now are recruiting others to investigate the ruins. Those who can bring back enough information or kill a large number of the abominations within the city walls will be rewarded with the chance to participate in the Glorious Hunt.
For Gold
While the ruesti are concerned with the Hunt, the residents of Estaira have their own reasons for wanting adventurers to explore the ruined city. A shadow is spreading through Faen Verdaya, starting first as whispers that nullifiers have built a lair in the Carantharas' catacombs. Many rumors swirl in regards to these new abominations. Little is known about them but a number of ruesti report seeing groups of abominations led by the creatures. Fueled by these stories, residents are fearful that the nullifiers will soon lead armies of abominations in attacks on the safe lands. These rumors are gaining in intensity as the ruesti resurrected after the most recent hunts in Carantharas tell particularly chilling tales of overwhelming ambushes and fates worth than death.
While they can't offer adventurers a place in the Glorious Hunt, the residents of Estaira attempt to seduce them with stories of the ruined city's treasury or the lost library of Kathradun. The fall of Carantharas was sudden and many of its treasures and secrets remain untouched. A courageous soul might just make his fortune amidst the ruins, and, perhaps, bring back an important bit of information about the nullifiers' plans. Are they really planning the third ever attack against the safe lands? If glory is not enough, perhaps gold will do the trick.
Tracy Hurley is a recent convert to Dungeons & Dragons with one year's experience under her belt, most of it as a dungeon master. When she's not planning her groups' next foray into the wonders of Newham Shire, she writes for her blog, SarahDarkmagic.com. You can often find her on twitter, as SarahDarkmagic, rallying her tweeps and bringing a bit of chaos to the land.
Tracy Hurley is a recent convert to Dungeons & Dragons with one year's experience under her belt, most of it as a dungeon master. When she's not planning her groups' next foray into the wonders of Newham Shire, she writes for her blog, SarahDarkmagic.com. You can often find her on twitter, as SarahDarkmagic, rallying her tweeps and bringing a bit of chaos to the land.
