issue: l

end game, part iI

This final issue completes the Ashford Valley campaign. The PCs will finally meet the necromancer and his close minions, probably in an attempt to re take Clifton from his evil clutches. Enjoy!

The PCs have foiled the necromancers plans over the course of this zine and laying the smackdown on him in the end will be a good conclusion to the campaign. However, there are some twists that Ive thrown in to make it challenging for them. The necromancer, a truly evil bloke named Ithet, is the bastard child of Sir Raphel. Hes also a triplet. One of his brothers, Irgorol, is an evil cleric of Azrael and the other is one of the human PCs (or a human ally of theirs if that works better). The necromancer and the cleric are identical while the PC looks more like their father. Ithet is only aware of having one brother, the cleric, so hell be surprised when it comes out that a PC hero is related (and yes, it will come out). Play up the whole Join me and together we will rule the Realm bit and its sure to be tons of fun.

keep your enemies closer

theory of relativity

In his youth, Sir Raphel was quite the rake. He became friendly with a lovely young woman named Helena who promptly disappeared after their affair had run its course. Sir Raphel had no idea that she was pregnant when she left so is unaware that he has issue. Helena was the dupe of Terranos, a priest of Azrael, who planned on having an heir to Sir Raphel show up at just the right time and gain the valley without any bloodshed (at least, no bloodshed at first, mwahaha). What he didnt plan on was three children. When the triplets were born, their mother discovered the truth of Terranos evil plan and escaped, but only with the PC, leaving the other babies with the evil priest. With her heart broken at her betrayal of Sir Raphel, Helena wandered the Deep Forest, soon dying in the wilderness. A forester found the baby, buried the mother and took the child home to his wife. They raised him as their own. And maybe told him that he was found, but also maybe not. Thatll be important later on .... Meanwhile, Terranos raised the two babies, training Irgorol to be a loyal priest of Azrael and apprenticing Ithet to a necromancer friend of his. From childhood, they were aware of the plans that Terranos had and they were not going to be his dupes. So when the evil brothers were experienced enough, they overcame Terranos and sacrificed him to Azrael, vowing to the dark demongod to take the Ashford Valley in an orgy of blood and death!

Part of their plan has been to appear as only one opponent to any foes. So since they look identical, they dress alike (to make people assume they are the same person). Their close association has wrought other, more mental changesIn many ways, they think enough alike that they are the same person in two bodies.

ithet, necromancer of azrael, lord of darkness

Ithet the Necromancer; Human; Magic-User, Level 9; Alignment: Chaotic; Abilities: Strength 13, Dexterity 15, Constitution 14, Intelligence 18, Wisdom 15, Charisma 16. Armor Class: 2 (robes, -1 Dex, magical bracers); Hit Dice: 9d4+9, Hit Points: 32. Attacks: dagger (1d4+1), staff (1d6+1). Languages: Common, Elvish, Gnoll, Draconic; Special Abilities: +1 initiative, +1 vs. magical effects, Spells (Magic Missile, Charm Person, Sleep; Invisibility, Mirror Image, Phantasmal Force; Fire Ball, Fly, Protection from Good 10' radius; Dimension Door, Confusion; Animate Dead prepared), Staff of Power (21 charges), Bracers of Armor AC3, Robe of Wizardry (25 charges, same as Staff of Wizardry but cannot final strike), assorted potions and scrolls, and other adventuring gear, as appropriate.

issue: l

Irgorol the Blasphemous; Human; Cleric, Level 9; Alignment: Chaotic; Abilities: Strength 13, Dexterity 15, Constitution 14, Intelligence 18, Wisdom 15, Charisma 16. Armor Class: 3 (robes, -1 Dex, magical bracers); Hit Dice: 9d6+9, Hit Points: 45. Attacks: staff (1d6+1). Languages: Common, Elvish, Gnoll, Draconic; Special Abilities: +1 initiative, +1 vs. magical effects, Spells (Cure Light Wounds, Cause Light Wounds x2, Protection from Good; Curse, Bless, Hold Person; Animate Dead x3; Cure Serious Wounds, Protection from Good 10' radius; Flame Strike or Raise Dead prepared), Staff of Striking (28 charges), Bracers of Armor AC4, Ring of Spell Turning (10 levels of spells are turned), assorted potions and scrolls as appropriate. During the takeover of Ashford Valley, each of the brothers is accompanied at all times by at least a score of undead followers. Skeletons; No. Encountered: 10; Alignment: Chaotic; Armor Class: 6; Hit Dice: 1d8, Hit Points: 8 each; Attacks: Iron Bugbear longsword (1d8+1); Save: F1; Morale: 12. Zombies; No. Encountered: 10; Alignment: Chaotic; Armor Class: 6; Hit Dice: 2d8, Hit Points: 14 each; Attacks: Iron Bugbear longsword (1d8+1); Save: F2, Morale: 12; Slow: attacks last each round.

irgorol, Dark priest of azrael the demon-god

lord Vaetu, wraith commander

The chief lieutenant of the evil brothers is a wraith named Lord Vaetu. His story is an evil one. He was from a noble house, longtime defenders of the valley. A drunkard and a womanizer, he murdered his paramours when he was finished with them throughout his short and unhappy life. When finally turned in by his own family, he vehemently declared his innocence (while drenched in the blood of his last victim) and killed ten men sent to arrest him. The eleventh, however, struck the killing blow, sending him to his knees. In his last moments, he made a pact with Azrael, calling out his need for revenge and his hatred of the valley and all its inhabitants, then promptly died. Death, however, had no hold on him and his soul soon returned. Lord Vaetu the Wraith; Alignment: Chaotic; Armor Class: 3; Hit Dice: 7d8, Hit Points: 56; Attacks: Frost Brand Longsword (1d8+3) or Touch (1d6+level drain); Save: F7; morale: 12.