Exemplars of Evil

APPENDIX:
PLACES
OF EVIL
APPENDIX:
PLACES OF EVIL
The locations described in Exemplars of Evil are designed
to be generic enough so that they can be dropped into an
existing campaign at any appropriate site. For games that
use the EBERRON or FORGOTTEN REALMS setting, the following
suggestions are provided as an aid to the Dungeon Master
who wants to merge one or more of these sites into the
campaign’s existing geography and also tie them to story
elements in those worlds.
ZAR’FELL IN EBERRON
Zar’Fell can be found in the low hills near the coast
to the west of the Glum River. Although the place was
undoubtedly built by dwarves, certain elements of the
manor’s original architecture suggest the touch of the
daelkyr. No other trace of the daelkyr has been found in
the region, however, and the reconstruction is erasing
their influence from the house. Zargath has sent teams
of prospectors to look for dragonshards in the rich fields
nearby, but they have not yet found enough to make any
significant money.
ZAR’FELL IN FAERÛN
Zar’Fell was once part of a Savage Frontier fortress guarding
a large dwarf hold dug in one of the foothills of the
Spine of the World. Most of the hold is gone now, having
collapsed from excessive mining, monster attacks, and age.
All that remains is the house and a large cavern where the
majority of the orc tribe lives. Despite the brutal climate
in the region, the deep valley is protected from the worst
of the wind and thus is comparatively warm—at least,
enough for construction to continue throughout most
of the year.
TOLSTOFF KEEP IN EBERRON
Tolstoff Keep stands about 30 miles southeast of Korth, the
capital of Karrnath, in the depths of the Nightwood. Not
many people recall the keep or its surrounding village, and
those who do presume that the place was swallowed by the
darkness of the bleak forest. Instead of giving the guards
the corrupted template, consider giving them the madborn
template (Five Nations 123).
associated with the mark to cast ice storm as a spell-like
ability. Furthermore, all of this character’s spells and
spell-like abilities that have the cold, electricity, fire, or
water descriptor are cast at +1 caster level. Given the ship’s
improved abilities, it is highly sought by half-elf corsairs
all over the Sea of Lost Souls.
THE MUCH KILL IN FAERÛN
Captain Gnash gained the Much Kill through mutiny, but
none of the crew is quite sure where the former captain
acquired the vessel. In truth, the ogre stole it from a human
captain, who had previously snatched it from a ghostly island
ruled by an ancient lich lord. In the years since the Much
Kill fell into goblinoid hands, the crew has discovered many
oddities about the ship. For example, at certain times of the
year, the planks ignite with pale green flames, and writhing
runes and sigils appear on the hull. Pog suspects that the
ship was once a spelljammer, a magic vessel that could sail
the void between worlds, but he has not shared this theory
with the captain. The goblin fears that the news would drive
Gnash to awaken the ship’s other powers, so that he could
sail directly to the Eater of Worlds rather than trying to lure
the Elder Evil to Toril.
THE CHELICERATA COMPLEX
IN EBERRON
Tamesik’s illicit trade complex is just a block from the worst
part of the docks in Stormreach, making it easy for the drow
to smuggle slaves. The group’s current dealings include
numerous transactions with the Lhazaar slaverunners and
other disreputable residents.
THE CHELICERATA COMPLEX
IN FAERÛN
Kesra Tanor’Thal, the de facto matron mother of Skullport,
does not realize that a growing drow presence threatens
to overwhelm her sovereignty. Under the control of Tamesik,
the Chelicerata is rapidly becoming one of the most
powerful drow organizations in Skullport. With its large
contingent of agents, its resourceful and talented minions,
and its potent divine magic, the trade ring is a significant
(yet hidden) threat. Its members make use of secret tunnels
and portals (both magical and mundane) between Waterdeep
and Undermountain.
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TOLSTOFF KEEP IN FAERÛN
The Tolstoffs’ lands lie in the far north, at the edges of the
Evermoors. Their crumbling castle is in poor condition, and
the people in the village and the keep are thoroughly mad.
Few others dare approach the place, and when barbarians
tumble out of the wilds to raid and pillage the soft lands, the
Tolstoffs can expect little in the way of help.
THE MUCH KILL IN EBERRON
The Much Kill is a stormship, but unlike other vessels
powered by air elementals, this one derives its increased
speed from a tempest (MM2 193). The Much Kill gains all
the normal benefits of a stormship (Explorer’s Handbook 38).
However, a character with the Lesser Mark of Storm who
grips the wheel can spend a use of the spell-like abilities
THE SOTH TARNEL IN EBERRON
Elliast’s Spire stands within sight of the Grey Rakes, several
hundred miles to the west of Sharn. The Soth Tarnel is dedicated
to a hero who fought against the goblinoid remnants
of the once-powerful Dhakaani Empire.
The hero—Minyu Colworn—and a small band of followers
sought to stem an incursion by goblins from the north
who searched for ancient places of Dhakaani power in the
Grey Rakes. Minyu was slain, but a few of his devoted
followers survived, and they built the Soth Tarnel to
honor their friend and master. The last of the followers
fell defending the tomb from hobgoblin raiders, who
believed Minyu had been buried with several powerful
Dhakaani antiquities.