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Managing Editor. Derek Ruiz

Editor. Arthur Rouise

Authors. Derek Ruiz and Arthur Rouise

Graphic Design / Layout. Derek Ruiz

Cover Art. Elven Tower Cartography

Interior Illustrations. Elven Tower Cartography, Creative Commons-0, Shutterstock images,

Public Domain images, and art by Kim Holm.

Cartography. Elven Tower Maps

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fantastic locations and adventures. Without your support, this product would not be possible.

Credits ����������������������������������������������������������������� 2 Val’s Underground Gardens��������������������������10

Level 3 Adventure
Welcome to Shadowdark RPG������������������������ 3 The Planar Gateway ���������������������������������������13
Level 3 Adventure
The Eye of the Lost�������������������������������������������� 4 The Mirrors of Ord������������������������������������������16
Level 1 Adventure One-Page Dungeon
Cherrytown��������������������������������������������������������� 7 Licensing�����������������������������������������������������������17
Level 2 Settlement
 Welcome to Shadowdark RPG

Welcome to Shadowdark RPG

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 The Eye of the Lost
Little is known of the two lost deities. Not even their names. Not even their
images. But some priests claim their influence still can be sensed in the world. .
Annals of the Nine
here were nine gods; that much is certain.

T But a void in the common knowledge burns

brighter the more scholars study it. The fact
is that two gods are lost to the ages. Their
names purged from all ancestries’ memories. Their im-
agery vandalized, destroyed, or stolen. And yet, some
d6
1

2
Details
RUMORS
Prospectors went to the cavern a decade ago and left in a
hurry. An underground, insect monster attacked them.
Some of the cultists are known brigands and criminals of
the region. None of them were overly religious before.
texts from eons ago still mention these gods; though nev-
Two loggers approached the mine stealthily 2 days ago
er by name. And some cultures still retain a taboo or a 3
and claim they saw two lit braziers by the entrance.
myth that can be tracked down to their existence. The bandit leader is wanted for robbing a banker’s home
4
Not men, nor elves, nor dragons can make sense of this and holding two noblemen hostage for ransom.
lack of information. Why were these gods purged from A survivor of a recent incident claims she heard a cultist
5
say: ‘All for the will of The Lost”, while casting a spell.
existence? Is this a punishment? Will they ever be known
6 The cultists attacked a noble caravan 3 days ago.
again? Scholars have wondered about those questions
for centuries. Still, they hope that a new text, relic, or an- L e v e l 1 Ad v e n t u r e
cient location shall soon be unearthed and that it may
▶ Danger. Risky. Check for encounters every 2 crawling
hold the key to understanding the forgone past.
rounds and after a battle or loud noises (1-in-6 chance).
A band of lowly brigands found such a place a month
▶ Light. Some chambers have braziers with permanent
ago in an uncharted cavern near a large town. In its
depths, they found seven limestone, tentacle-like, slith- light; the rest are dark. All denizens are dark-adapted.
ering yet immobile appendages converging on a glowing ▶ Seismic Activity. Once per hour, there is a 2-in-6
gemstone. The gem is an ancient device used to com- chance that any of the limestone tendrils moves, causing
mune with one of the two lost deities. The bandits were a quake in the area. Debris falls from the cavern ceilings,
enraptured by the multi-faceted stone. The Eye of the dealing 1d6 damage to all creatures (DC 12 DEX check).
Lost spoke to them. Threading thoughts into their minds ▶ The Hum. The hum of cultists chanting in area 7 can
and gifting some of them with the power to manipulate be heard from anywhere within the caves. When in close
the weave of magic. They became the Cult of The Lost. proximity, it is revealed the cultists chant in Primordial.
Since then, the bandits raid the merchant roads look- The Eye of the Lost appears to react to this language.
ing for live prisoners to bring to the eye. Some of them
are enraptured by it and become new cultists. The rest
are slain on the stone and the blood that drips onto The
RANDOM EVENTS
d6 Details
Eye of the Lost is absorbed by the strangely glowing gem.
Two cultists (peasants) approach, drop their arms, and
1
ask for help. They have been pretending to be cultists.
Adventure Hooks 2
A giant bat swoops from the dark ceiling and attacks a
random creature. It only wants to find prey.
Justice. Fifteen people have gone missing. It is enough.
A patrol of 1 cultist and 2 bandits approaches. One of
The bailiff posts a bounty contract for vanquishing the 3
the bandits is Anna, a noble lady (see Adventure Hooks).
growing cultist group once and for all (30 gp, 1 XP). A vision of a desolate land assails the characters (DC
Concerned Father. A nobleman begs the characters to 4 13 WIS check). Two faceless entities meander aimlessly
through a darkened forest. They are The Lost.
help him. His daughter, Anna, was taken by the cultists
The Eye of the Lost produces a magical pulse. All light
4 days ago. He offers a pearl as a reward (40 gp, 2 XP). 5 sources in the cave are suddenly extinguished, magical
Vincent. He hires the party to investigate the cult as or not. Complete darkness takes over the cavern.
they have used strange magic during their raids. The A cave creeper approaches from the depths. The stench
6
mage is worried about the implications (20 gp, 1 XP). of blood and rot has brought it to this place.

1
 Level 1 Adventure

2. The Mound of Bones

In the darkness of this cavern, there is a mound of
countless bones. Most are humanoid, others are not.
Some bones appear to move when no one is looking.
The Cult of The Lost has killed numerous people, forest
creatures, and animals to their foul gemstone. After such
a ritualistic sacrifice, the bodies decay rapidly over the
course of hours. The bones are then piled up here.
▶ Ghastly Remains. Inspecting the bone pile for 1

crawling round reveals there are at least 30 different

bodies here. The bones belong to humans, elves, hors-
es, and small forest mammals. Inspecting the pile caus-
es two skeletons to emerge from the mound and attack.
▶ Treasure(1 XP). Hidden in the bone pile, there is a
pouch with 10 gp and a potion of invisibility.

3. Fungal Growths
Strange clumps of a green-tinted powdery substance
freely float in the air of this chamber. The bulking
forms of fungal fruiting bodies hug the stone walls.
The characters encounter the effect of the spores when
squeezing through the narrow passage (see below). The
cultists avoid this cavern because of the fungus.
▶ The Spores. Creatures that breathe the spores take

1d6 damage as they poison the lungs (DC 12 CON

check). Repeat the check per each round of exposure.
▶ The Fungus (1 XP). A brave botanist can attempt to

hold their breath while taking a sample of the fungus

(DC 15 check). It can be used to breed more of it.

4. The Elevated Ledge

A set of crude steps leads to a seemingly bottomless
pit. The other side of the chasm is 20 feet across.
▶ The Crossing. Each character must make a DC 14
1. The Surroundings
STR check to cross over jumping or climbing. Roll with
Two large iron braziers burn by the cavern’s entrance. advantage if the party spends 1 crawling round setting
The trees within 100 feet of it have all withered. up pitons and rope to cross. The chasm is 40 feet deep.
▶ Getting Here. By now, the cultists’ lair location is Creatures that fall take 2d6 damage (DC 14 DEX/half).
common knowledge. Anyone can show the characters The passage leads to a ledge that overlooks area 7.
its location on a map. It is a 1-hour, uneventful trip.
5. The Blood Vessel
▶ The Braziers. The braziers are filled with unburnt
logs. The fire produces no heat. A spellcaster identifies A curved, tubular, limestone thing traverses this
the source of this flame as the light spell (DC 9 INT). chamber. A golden vase lies by the north wall.
▶ The Vase. Cultists collect some blood from each vic-
▶ The Trees. A strange blight has assailed these trees.
A careful observer notices that the trees have sustained tim and pour it here. It is a heretic relic that contains a
greater necrotic damage on the sides facing south. liter of blood. Destroying it awards 1 luck token.
▶ The Tendril. The limestone object pierces the wall
▶ The Patrol. Each crawling round that the characters
remain here, there is a 3-in-6 chance that a patrol of 1 eastward. If inspected for 1 crawling round, its presence
cultist, 1 bandit, and 2 peasants returns from the east. and nature defy explanation especially since dragging
If alerted, one of them goes inside to warn the others. marks on the floor suggest it has moved, slithering like a
snake. Three bandits hide behind the 5-foot-tall tendril.

The Eye of the Lost 2

This supplement is an independent product published under the Shadowdark RPG Third-Party License
and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG © 2023 The Arcane Library, LLC.
6. The Cursed Antechamber CULT LEADER
Two cultists converse. Their conversation is barely audi-
ble over the humming chant from area 7. There is a 3-in- A cloaked, dark figure with a smoldering drive in his
6 chance that they are not aware of the characters. crazed eyes that cannot be from this world.
▶ Lady Anna. Anna’s mind is deluded by the strange AC 13 (chainmail), HP 13, ATK 1 dagger +1 (1d4) or 1
visions of The Eye. She refuses any offer of rescue (see spell +2, MV near, S +2, D -1, C +0, I +0, W +2, Ch +1,
Adventure Hooks). The characters must find a way to AL C, LV 3
capture her without harming her badly. Lady Anna is not Fearless. Immune to morale checks.
here if she appeared previously in Random Event 3.
Blast (INT Spell). DC 11. Far, one target. 1d8 damage.
7. The Eye of the Lost
A 5-foot-radius, purple gemstone glows and pulses in
the center of this chamber. Seven twisting limestone Development
tendrils emerge from the stone walls and converge After the characters defeat the cult leader, the
on the stone from all sides. Many cultists surround it. power that the gem had over the cultists fades and The
Eye of the Lost becomes duller. Those who were brig-
▶ The Cult. The cult leader, one cultist, and two ban-
ands run to the hills if able to lay low. The rest, who were
dits chant by the stone. They are aware of the charac-
forcefully conscripted by the cult, return to their homes
ters if they had fought in area 6. Otherwise, or if they ap-
in the nearby settlements after thanking the characters.
proach from the ledge (area 4) the cultists are unaware.
Ten more people are chanting, cultists of lesser resolve. The Eye of the Lost is a valuable relic that may hold
They are cowards who flee or cower by the walls. the key to understanding more about the missing deities
from the past. But it is also dangerous for it to remain
▶ The Tendrils. Careful inspection reveals that the
unguarded because of its power to seduce weak minds.
shifting monuments have gotten closer to the gem over
the course of centuries. Their nature remains obscure Before leaving, the eye glows once more and the char-
and inexplicable. They may be alive, running on a time- acters experience a strange oneiric vision. They see a
frame much slower than any mortal could imagine. faraway forest and two monstrous entities emerging.
Their passage flattens sections of the darkened forest.
▶ The Eye of the Lost. It is a relic from ages past, con-
Both beings look at the moon with longing expressions.
nected to The Lost though it refuses to reveal any use-
ful information. It is fused to the stone floor, immovable. The vision eludes explanation. But a pulsing drive now
exists within each of the characters. An impulse to go to
▶ Treasure(2 XP). The cult leader carries a leather
a forest far away south. Are The Lost hiding there?
pouch with 30 gp, 250 sp, and a potion of healing.

The Eye of the Lost 3

 Cherrytown
It is good news to see adventurers like you! A criminal faction hides in our
lovely town. Perhaps you can speak to the duke about this. Earn some gold. .
Concerned Villager
he following supplement contains lore about L e v e l 2 Ad v e n t u r e

T the settlement of Cherrytown and individual

descriptions of its most important areas. Use
this town and map after the adventurers fin-
ish a dangerous, introductory mission and need a place
to rest. Perhaps they require a quiet place to lay low and
▶ Smells and Sounds. A strong cherry smell covers the

entire place. This is due to the enormous cherry fields

north and south of the town. During the day, the chat-
ter of farmers, and incoming and outgoing merchants ac-
companies the singing of birds. At night, the lights of the
hide for a while. Maybe, they are common travelers tra-
keep are the brightest; a beacon watches over the rest of
versing the countryside looking for their next job. Either
the town while fireflies hover all around.
way, the characters arrive at Cherrytown.
▶ Ambiance. The villagers are worried and somewhat
Regardless of the characters’ reason for coming, the
jumpy due to the current criminal faction growing within
characters are sure to meet most of the NPCs men-
the very ranks of their community. Most people are more
tioned below and get involved with the seemingly small,
than glad to see the heroes arrive in town. They do not
mundane problems of Cherrytown villagers.
hesitate to approach them and ask for their help.

Cherrytown 1. South Road

The closer to town, the stronger smell of cherries be-
It was less than a hundred years ago when the savage
comes. The characters may enter the town from here
wars for the territories ended. Humans settlers did not
or from the east checkpoint (area 12). They are not re-
take long to take over the land and build small villages.
quired to identify themselves passing through here.
“Hamlet Cherry” was the name of this place when it was
founded. Some decades after, the Red Keep was built ▶ Poets Wall. A grand wooden mural features dozens

(area 9), its 20-foot-tall walls have not been breached of parchment pieces and scroll fragments nailed to it.
since its construction. Hard-working people live in Cher- The wall is filled with poems of varied skills. Anyone in
rytown, which is on its way to becoming a small city. Cherrytown is free to come and post their thoughts.

2. Hawkwind Delivery
Adventure Hooks This is a post office. People in town may pay for a trained
Consider the following to make the characters’ in- hawk to deliver a message or a small package to a specif-
volvement in town easier and more organic. ic location. The capital, small towns, and nearby hamlets
Trouble in Paradise. The characters are contacted via are the only available destinations. This is the service
letter. A gray hawk with a parchment on its leg arrives. used to contact the characters for this adventure.
Duke Joseph Stones needs to get rid of a criminal faction ▶ Special Delivery. The man in charge, Damian, re-
that starts to grow in town. A couple of the few guards quires someone to go to the nearby forests to pick red
available have already perished; they are not skilled berries. The task is simple, but the dangers of the for-
enough to deal with this. The duke heard of the charac- est are often too much for a hawker to endure. He offers
ters’ exploits and summons them. They are to meet him 10 gp (1 XP) for two pounds of wild berries (DC 12 WIS
in The Red Keep (area 9) as soon as possible. check). On a fail, the characters trail too far for too long.
Visiting Friends. The characters have been in town A pack of four wolves attempts a deadly ambush.
before or perhaps they met one or more of the villagers 3. Smokers Commons
in the past. One of the NPCs needs help (see area de- This area is well-known for its tobacco shops, spices,
scriptions below) so the heroes come to aid them. How- and pipe makers. Good-quality tobacco is available here;
ever, once they arrive, it does not take long for the other it is common to see a circle of people chatting, sharing
NPCs to seek their help too. Use the characters’ Back- stories, and smoking during the day in front of the shops.
grounds to determine what NPC they already know. This place started as a small commons, hence its name.

7
Level 2 Settlement

Five bandits attack the commons while the characters 5. Sunsword Barracks
explore the area. If a bandit is captured, the characters The characters meet some of the on-duty town guards
may interrogate them to learn they belong to the ‘Bloody here. If the characters stay for a few minutes to chat or
Knife’ (DC 15 CHA check). This is the criminal faction investigate, an armor-clad guard approaches.
Duke Stones has been trying to find and get rid of.
▶ ASoldier’s Resolve. Gregor (soldier) begs the char-
4. Nine Shields Armory acters to let him help. He wants to find the Bloody Knife’s
This establishment features nine steel shields arranged leader and uproot their nefarious faction. He looks for-
symmetrically. This is one of the new businesses in town. ward to earning his captain and the duke’s favor.
Duke Stones is interested in the town’s future and made
the smart decision to invest a lot of gold in mining to 6. Royal Sun Theatre
import metals and ores into town. Tristan is the town’s The characters may enjoy one of the many plays per-
forge master but he is unable to work now (see below). formed and the local theater. ‘Don’t Gobble my Goblin’,
‘My Inner Orc’, and ‘Halflings, a Giants’ Tale’ are the
▶ Fire Problem. The characters arrive at the perfect town’s favorites. If the characters join the crowd to see a
time to help. The forge does not work because somehow, play, they are, gently but firmly, asked to surrender their
a mischievous flame mephit made its way into the heart weapons. Unfortunately, the Bloody Knife attacks during
of the forge and it won’t let anyone work the fire. The el- one of the theatrical performances (see below).
emental speaks Primordial; it is unlikely anyone can rea-
▶ Criminals. Six bandits among the public stand up
son with it. The characters may strike it down or attempt
to persuade it to leave peacefully (DC 18 CHA check). Ei- with crossbows just after the interlude break. They de-
ther solution earns them the villagers’ admiration. mand that all valuables are put in their sacks.

Cherrytown 8
7. Hillside District 10. Royal District
The houses in Hillside District are wealthier and they A perceptive character notices that, within the dark al-
are larger than the farmers’ homes in the surrounding leys and quiet spots of this area, well-dressed townsfolk
fields. Guards, wealthy merchants, and some of the offi- exchange words with suspicious-looking individuals (DC
cers live in this better-located Cherrytown area. 13 WIS check). If approached, the suspicious individu-
als scatter like roaches as if they had something to hide.
8. Merchants Market
▶ Traitors.If the characters conduct a thorough investi-
This place is lively and loud during the day and night
alike. Throngs of shoppers crowd the roads and the gation (DC 13 CHA check), they overhear a conversation
many establishments. This area has all kinds of shops; between two Cherrytown officers. What they say is proof
food, gear, tools, simple or mundane items, etc. A few of their involvement with the Bloody Knife. If confront-
popular taverns and bars open their doors at night. ed, the two men (soldiers) draw blades and call for help.
Three bandits arrive at the scene moments later.
9. The Red Keep
This small fortress is protected by a stone wall. A small 11. Hammertapper Tavern
barracks, a military post, and a gate are the filters to en- The characters may stay as long as they wish here. If the
ter the keep. The characters may show the duke’s letter duke’s letter is the reason they came to town, they may
to be granted passage and be escorted inside. show it to the keeper to be granted a week’s stay for free.

Alternatively, news of their exploits in Cherrytown also 12. East Gate

earns them a private audience with Duke Stones. For If the characters arrive through this area, they must state
this to occur, they must have helped two different NPCs their names and business. The duke’s letter grants them
by the time they come here. Otherwise, the characters immediate passage, and two soldiers escort them to the
are seated in a waiting room for six hours before meet- Red Keep. Otherwise, the soldiers recommend the Ham-
ing the duke. Impatience or the characters’ complaints mertapper Tavern as a good place to look for work.
may be met with a kind invitation to abandon the Red
Keep’s premises immediately (Reaction check). Development
Defeating the bandits and their associates in Cher-
But if the heroes are eager to investigate and work for rytown dismantles their foul operation. Upon comple-
the Duke, he shall be glad to compensate for their ef- tion, Duke Stones gladly pays the 80 gp reward (7 XP).
forts. See Development for details about their reward.

FLAME MEPHIT
Small, vaporous humanoid with crimson eyes and gobli-
noid, pointy ears that match its mischievous character.
AC 13, HP 14, ATK 1 claw +3 (1d6), 1 fire bolt (far) +3
(1d8), MV near (fly), S +0, D +2, C +0, I +1, W +1, Ch
+1, AL N, LV 3
Fire Body. The mephit is immune to fire damage.

Cherrytown 9
This supplement is an independent product published under the Shadowdark RPG Third-Party License
and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG © 2023 The Arcane Library, LLC.
 Val’s Underground Gardens
No one believes it is possible. But I know this creature can be controlled. I just
need more time to figure out how to tame its strangely aggressive behavior.
Val, the Misunderstood Botanist
n accomplished botanist and mage goes by L e v e l 3 Ad v e n t u r e

A the name of Val. She is known as a purvey-

or of natural medicines, herbal infusions, and
all manners of exotic plants. Her house, near
the city outskirts, is surrounded by gardens and growing
beds but the real magic occurs underground in the mag-
▶ Danger. Risky. Check for encounters every 2 crawling

rounds and after a battle or loud noises (1-in-6 chance).

▶ Light. Some areas feature lit braziers. Other areas

are in total darkness. All denizens are dark-adapted.

ical soil, inside an underground compound that she built ▶ Locks.Doors have mid-quality locks. They can be by-
below her home. Val devised an arcane apparatus that passed with enough skill and tools (DC 13 DEX check).
helps grow magical varieties of plants underground. She ▶ Secret Areas. Close inspection of an area for 1 crawl-
named these machines the verdant engines. ing round reveals a hidden button. Pushing it reveals a
The verdant engines power six subterranean gardens. narrow passage into a hidden area or hallway.
Plants grow larger there and sometimes become mobile.
The effect brought forth all manner of enlarged critters RANDOM ENCOUNTERS
that Val loves, despite their dangerous demeanor. d8 Details
A month ago, an idea crept into the botanist’s mind. 1 1d3 giant leeches emerge looking for an easy meal.
She gathered all samples she could find of poison ivy 2
1 ochre jelly filters through the ceiling cracks and drops
and focused all the verdant engines’ energy on it. The on a random adventurer (DC 13 WIS check to detect).
resulting creature is a huge mound of uncontrolled hun- 2d6 speaking mice show up. They speak of mundane
3
matters but can mention that her mother is ‘below’.
ger and verdant growth. Val has spent the last few weeks
A boar accompanied by cubs approaches. If ignored, it
feeding and taming this irrational abomination. 4
leaves. If approached, it becomes extremely aggressive.
5 A swarm of scarabs emerges from cracks in the wall.
Adventure Hooks 6
Lidda (peasant), Val’s apprentice, approaches calling for
help. She says Val will soon lose control of the plant.
Urgent Need. Count Galland’s daughter has fallen ill.
7 Leafy vines grow suddenly and crack through the walls.
The count hires the characters to retrieve the missing
A fairy named Aluna offers their help. They claim Val is
botanist to secure the medicine (50 gp, 6 XP). 8
close to losing control of her wild creation in area 12.
Rescue. Val’s brother, Adam, knows something wrong
is going on. He urges the characters to come help him 1. Entrance Hall
find the botanist for a small reward (20 gp, 3 XP). Val’s home is abandoned. The basement access doors
Howling. A whistling, howling sound comes from Val’s lead to a 40-foot-long stairway into area 1. Three clay
estate when the moon rises. It scares the livestock. Local vases lie on stone plinths by the south wall alcoves.
farmers offer a reward to solve this (30 gp, 4 XP). ▶ PitfallTraps. Stepping on the stone circle or in front
of the fountains triggers pitfall traps (DC 12 WIS check
RUMORS to notice). Targets take 3d6 damage and fall to area 10.
d6 Details ▶ The Vases. The clay vessels contain a strange fungal
Some in the Mages Guild consider Val a heretic for concoction. Drinking it awards a luck token but incurs
1
attempting to create sentient plant breeds. the risk of 1d6 poison damage (DC 12 CON check).
2 Val’s infusions have saved numerous people in the city.
3
The secret to Val’s success in botany is hidden inside her 2. The Grand Hallway
home. Many believe that nasty traps protect the place. This 100-foot-long hallway connects to several adjoining
4
Val is selfish and a narcissist. She cares not for people chambers. It features a floral and verdant fragrance.
but helps them to increase her perceived social value.
▶ Pitfall Trap. The marked floor tile at the end of the
5 Strange howling sounds have been heard in Val’s home.
6 Val bought all poison ivy samples available 1 month ago. hall is a pitfall trap (DC 12 WIS check to notice). The
target falls to area 12 and onto the shambling mound!

10
Level 3 Adventure

3. The Grow Gardens 5. The Common Garden

Each chamber contains vibrant vegetation and en- The plants in this garden are not magical. They grow un-
larged flora whose stems and leaves move faintly. derground thanks to the verdant engines but they are too
far apart to imbue their magic on the flora here.
▶ Plant Life. Many plants are magically close to sen-
▶ Fake Vault. The chests feature poison needle traps
tience. Many can speak but lack any form or memory. Im-
paired, half-sentient creations such as these are frowned (DC 16 WIS to notice). Tampering with the lids causes
upon by the Mages Guild (DC 13 INT check). the target to be poisoned for 1 hour (DC 14 CON check)

4. Val’s Study 6. The Dryad’s Garden

The small study contains two bookcases and an empty An androgynous, yellow-hued figure covered in green-
chest. Most books are about botany and nature. ery steps from a tree planted in a shallow grow box.
▶ Val’s Journal. Updated 4 days ago, the journal reveals ▶ Cinnara. The dryad claims she has been Val’s captive

Val’s findings on the shambling mound about its immuni- for years. The dwarf tree is her bonded tree. The dryad is
ty to fire and how electric energy empowers it. weak because the verdant engines siphon her life force.
▶ Pitfall Trap. Stepping on the marked area triggers a ▶ Rescue. The engines in area 7 must be disabled be-

pitfall trap (DC 13 WIS check to notice). The targets fall fore moving Cinnara’s tree or she perishes. Returning
to the pond in area 8 and take 2d6 acid damage. her tree to the woods saves the dryad (1 luck token each).

Val’s Underground Gardens 11

7. The Verdant Engines 11. Secret Vault
Each chamber contains a coffin-like, glowing, magical The narrow and shallow passage leads to a vault
device that contains a thick, green substance. A glass with three stone chests brimming with treasure.
lens on its lid shoots a green-hued light ray upward. ▶ Treasure (10 XP). The stone chests in the secret
▶ Disabling. A dispel magic spell renders any engine in- vault contain 70 gp, 400 sp, two potions of healing, and a
ert. They can also be hacked to pieces (HP 20, AC 10). It small, carved wooden box with a kytherian cog.
is necessary to disable the verdant engines to move Cin-
nara’s tree back to the forest (see area 6). 12. The Verdant Monster
▶ Learning. A wizard may study a verdant engine for 1 A slender mage struggles to remain standing while
crawling round to reverse-engineer Val’s invention. It re- using her magic to soothe an abominate plant whose
quires a captive fey as the engine’s fuel source. Captur- vines sway to the rhythm of a screeching howl.
ing the abominate creature in area 12 is a way to do this. The shambling mound became overly aggressive 3 days
ago. Val has tried, day and night since then, to appease
8. The Acid Pond the creature with the spells but without much success.
Creatures that trigger the pitfall trap in area 4 fall into
▶ The Rescue. Val runs out of strength 1d4 rounds
this 10-foot-deep acid pond. Creatures doused in acid
take 1d6 acid damage after climbing out unless they after the characters arrive. Unless they defend her, the
spend 1 crawling round cleaning their body and gear. shambling mound engulfs her. She dies moments later.
▶ Binding Ritual. A wizard that studies the engines in
9. Altar to Gede area 7 can attempt to bind the shambling mound to a
The statue of an elvish woman with her hand raised verdant engine with a DC 20 INT check. Failure on this
as in prayer overlooks the dead-end chamber. The check triggers a roll on the Wizard Mishap table.
sigil on the statue’s chest is a popular holy symbol. ▶ Escape.If the shambling mound is not destroyed or
Any religious person knows this is a Gede’s altar, the god bound within 48 hours, it escapes to the nearest town.
of feasts, mirth, and the wilds. This god is commonly
worshiped among elvish and halfling communities.
▶ The Plead. The statue’s right hand holds a crumbled
piece of paper. The paper reads ‘Gede, please give me the
strength to contain the power of your mighty offspring’.
▶ The
Offering. Spending 1 crawling round praying to
Gede awards a religious character 1 luck token.

10. Chambers of Spikes

Creatures that trigger the pitfall traps in area 1 fall into
these small chambers that contain nothing but 5-foot-
tall iron spikes. There is a 2-in-6 chance that a target be-
comes impaled if they fall. In such a case, they cannot
leave the area without help and die in 2d4 rounds.

SHAMBLING MOUND
A radially-growing menage of trunks, vines, leaves. A
central, flower-like head exudes green poisonous gas.
AC 14, HP 18, ATK 2 slam +3 (1d6 + engulf), MV near
(climb), S +3, D -3, C +2, I -4, W +0, Ch -4, AL N, LV 4
Electric Conduit. Immune to fire. Healed by electricity.
Engulf. A target hit by both slams in the same round is
pulled into the vines. They suffocate in 2d4 rounds. DC
15 STR check on each turn to escape.
Poison Aura. Creature at close distance take 1d4 poi-
son damage per turn (DC 12 CON check to resist).

Val’s Underground Gardens 12

This supplement is an independent product published under the Shadowdark RPG Third-Party License
and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG © 2023 The Arcane Library, LLC.
 The Planar Gateway
Be mindful of the seemingly impossible promise of the endless planes. Anything
can be found in the ether. Including your untimely and unnecessary death.
Annals of the Eternal Planes
he study of the planes is a subject that capti- L e v e l 3 Ad v e n t u r e

T vates the minds of mages, scholars, elves, and

dragons. The infinite worlds out there and
the endless possibilities entice them all albeit
for varied reasons. Knowledge, greed, and curiosity are
some of the most popular. The journey between worlds
▶ Danger. Risky. Check for encounters every 2 crawling

rounds and after a battle or loud noises (1-in-6 chance).

▶ Light. Some chambers have braziers with permanent

light; the rest are dark. Denizens are dark-adapted.

is difficult though not impossible; advanced knowledge ▶ Doors. All doors have a 2-in-6 chance of being either
of magic and/or the construction of arcane devices are stuck or locked (DC 14 DEX or STR check).
required to keep planar gates operational. In this adven- ▶ The Gate. As the demon tries to overpower the gate’s
ture, the characters meet Aaden, an elvish mage, who
mechanism to cross over, the gate suddenly malfunc-
built a gate in what once was his family’s sepulcher, near
tions. Sparks fly about and strange sounds come from it.
Respite Cove, a small human settlement.
The gate opened after decades of work. Like-minded
individuals soon joined Aaden in his academic pursuit
RANDOM ENCOUNTERS
d8 Details
of studying the outer planes. They came and went while
1 Gate malfunction, 3 skeletons emerge and attack.
the human settlements around the place were born and
1d6 peasants approach. They are here to activate the
grew. It all stopped suddenly 15 years ago when the 2
gate and collect the earl’s bounty. Half carry weapons.
gate’s usage attracted a demon. Desperately, Aaden used An elf soldier approaches, he claims a distant ancestor is
the machine to trap both the demon and himself in the 3
buried in this sepulcher and wishes to pay his respects.
ether. Thus, thwarting the demon from crossing over. Gate malfunction, an explosion shakes the compound.
4
Creatures within 10 feet of the gate take 1d6 damage.

Adventure Hooks 5
Gate malfunction, all light sources in the dungeon, magi-
cal or not, are suddenly extinguished indefinitely.
The Planes. The characters require access to a pla- 6 A swarm of spiders emerges from cracks in the wall.
nar gate to continue their quest. They learn that the gate 7 An elvish wight approaches chanting nonsense.
near Respite Cove was operational recently. Gate malfunction, Aaden is freed. He appears in area 2
8 and then attempts to destroy the gate’s machinery.
Earl’s Request. In Respite Cove, Earl Baggran offers a
bounty for reactivating the planar gate. The earl’s goals
with this, however, remain obscure (30 gp, 4 XP). 1. Entrance Hall
Greed. The closed-off planar gate near Respite Cove is A stone archway near the forest, inscribed in elvish
said to be guarded by foul guardians. However, the locals runes leads to a 40-foot-long stairway and into an
believe a great treasure lies hidden therein. entrance chamber decorated with intricate reliefs.
▶ Getting Here. The road from Respite Cove to the el-
RUMORS vish burial place by the forest is a 2-hour, uneventful trip.
d6 Details ▶ The Runes. It takes 1 crawling round to decipher the
Mages operated the planar gate decades ago until they elvish writing, it reads: ‘Here lie our ancestors. Loved
1
disappeared. Now the compound is shunned by all. ones of the Dallerei, Migganna, and Aarley households’.
2 Otherworldly creatures look for the gate sporadically.
▶ The Reliefs. Careful observers notice that the origi-
Some people dared enter the place months ago. They
3 nal reliefs of family sigils were carved over (DC 15 INT
claimed dead creatures drove them off the premises.
4 The gate was built by an elven mage named Aaden. check). The new imagery portrays an intricate orrery of
3 years ago, skeletons emerged from the facility. Six peo- spheres orbiting one another. A knowledgeable person
5
ple died stopping them. They are remembered as heroes. knows that the arrangement represents the position and
6 No one knows why the planar gate was closed off. movement of the outer planes (DC 15 INT check).

13
Level 3 Adventure

2. The Planar Gate 3. The Arcane Batteries

An arrangement of concentric 1-foot-tall daises and Seven clay containers on a stone shelf lie under iron
rune-inscribed platforms dominates the chamber. A faucet-like tubes that go into the wall. A magic circle
stone table features scrolls and tomes in disarray. glows with faint light in the middle of the chamber.
The planar gate is currently disabled. A wizard can ▶ The Batteries. Each vase is a battery. Operating the

spend 1 crawling round reviewing the documentation valves in areas 6 and 9 causes acid to pour into the clay
on the table to discover that it is necessary to charge the vessels. A spellcaster must focus their arcane power into
device’s arcane batteries in area 3 (DC 12 INT check). magic circle to charge the vases (DC 11 INT).
▶ Activation. After charging the batteries, four people ▶ Treasure (1 XP). The chest in the east area 3 cham-

must stand on the circles while a wizard conducts the ber contains 30 gp and a potion of healing.
ritual (DC 13 INT check). Failure on this check triggers
a roll on the Wizard Mishap table but all successful at- 4. West Sepulcher
tempts activate the gate. The portal opens as a window This area contains three chambers with stone sarcoph-
in the air. The elf mage Aaden is thrown out. The gate agi and countless scattered bones. The bones have been
demon steps through a moment later. Aaden (lv-3 wiz- reanimated numerous times by the gate’s malfunctions.
ard) is confused but manages to bellow: ‘What have you ▶ Ambush. While exploring the area, four skeletons
utter fools done?’. He aids the characters in this fight. rise from the inert remains and attack mercilessly.
▶ Treasure (4 XP). Defeating the demon opens access ▶ Treasure (1 XP). The coffins contain 25 gp, 200 sp, a
to the planar gate. Aaden carries a staff of healing. set of chainmail, and 1 potion of healing.

5. Aaden’s Archive
GATE DEMON The bones of a large creature lie scattered between a
A horned being of ether-infused malignity. The semi-cor- packed bookcase and a closed sarcophagus.
poreal demon is mostly made of otherworldly matter. ▶ The Bones. Closer inspection reveals that the bones

AC 14, HP 28, ATK 1 horn +4 (2d6 + impale), MV near belonged to a minotaur (DC 12 INT check).
(hover), S +3, D +1, C +3, I +0, W +2, Ch +0, AL C, LV 5 ▶ The Documents. If reviewed for 1 crawling round,
Incorporeal. In place of attacks, become corporeal or Aaden journals mention he once had a minotaur body-
incorporeal. guard. It is revealed that the scholars chose to ignore
the fact that the portal’s continued use attracted the at-
Impale. DC 14 STR or target takes 1d6 damage. tention of demons looking to invade the Material Plane.

The Planar Gateway 14

This supplement is an independent product published under the Shadowdark RPG Third-Party License
and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG © 2023 The Arcane Library, LLC.
6. West Valve Room Defeating the demon awards the characters access
to the planar gateway. It is a complex device that may aid
The sparsely-furnished chamber contains two book- them in their adventures. If Aaden survives, he may even
cases and a pair of rotating valves by the far wall. help the characters understand this apparatus.
▶ The Valves. Operating the valves causes acid to flow
in area 3 (west) to ready the batteries for charging. THE PLANAR GATEWAY
▶ Glyph of Fire. Inspecting the stuff on the bookcases The open portal is a rip through the fabric of space and
for 1 crawling round eventually leads to a character han- time. It can be used to access the worlds beyond.
dling a cursed book with an explosive glyph. Upon touch-
Usage. Four sentient beings are required to open the
ing the book, it starts glowing red for a few seconds be-
portal. One of them must be a Wizard. The activation
fore blowing up. Creatures within 10 feet of it take 2d6
ritual is automatic after the first time it is performed.
fire damage unless they get behind cover (DC 14 DEX).
Benefit. The characters can travel to other planes of ex-
▶ Treasure (2 XP). An obsidian case hidden behind a
istence. The rip between worlds stays open for 1 day.
pile of books contains a jewel of barbalt.
Demonic Entities. Each time the portal is used, there
7. East Sepulcher is a 1-in-20 chance of attracting one gate demon.
This area contains three chambers with limestone sar-
cophagi. Unlike area 4, there are no bodily remains scat-
tered across the cracked stone floor.
▶ Tomb-Robbers. The stone lids are shut with mortar.

A crowbar or chisel can be used to crack open the enclo-

sures (DC 11 STR check, 1 crawling round). Four skel-
etons emerge from the sarcophagi if this happens.
▶ Treasure (0 XP). Collectively, the sarcophagi contain

4 gp, 90 sp, a dagger, and a silver mirror.

8. Tomb of the Ancestor

A carved sarcophagus stands by the wall. A tarnished
bronze plaque under it reads ‘Lord Yann Dallerei’.
▶ The Pilgrim. An elvish soldier named Yedde Dallerei
stands by the enclosure unless the characters have al-
ready encountered him from Random Encounter 3. Yed-
de is here to pay his respects to this distant relative. The
elf’s disposition toward the characters may vary (Reac-
tion check), roll with disadvantage if Yedde notices the
characters carrying any items stolen from the tombs.
▶ Treasure (5 XP). Lord Yann Dallerei’s sarcophagus
contains 60 gp and a sword of the ancients. However,
Yedde is severely insulted if the characters attempt to
plunder his ancestor’s tomb. The elf fights to avoid this
profanation but leaves if defeat is inevitable. One day,
Yedde returns to exact his revenge upon the characters.

9. East Valve Room

A blade and some vials rest on three stone plinths. A
pair of rotating steel valves await by the far wall.
▶ The Valves. One valve is stuck (DC 14 STR check).

Operating the valves causes acid to flow in area 3 (east)

to ready the arcane batteries for charging.
▶ The Trinkets. The shortsword is rusted and bears an

elvish-making rune. The 4 vials contain an acidic sub-

stance. There is enough to destroy a single door lock.

The Planar Gateway 15

 The Mirrors of Ord 4. The goblin cave-paintings here are more recent. They display a pilgrimage
from faraway lands to the strange mirrors. A goblin wearing a copper
crown stands before the mirrors to create great treasures. The bones are
small and goblinoid in nature. Careful inspection of them reveals that the
One-Page Dungeon copper crown is fused to a half-buried goblin cranium.

5. Six crudely-carved alcoves contain a single, mortar-shut funerary niche.

izards spend decades of their lives mastering their craft. The fine

W
Each of the niches is marked with the name of an ancient goblin chieftain.
manipulation of the fabric of reality through the scintillating, rules- If breached, each niche contains a mound of ashes and a circlet encrusted
bending way of spells and incantations has but one finite goal: to with a large gemstone. Historians know that such jewelry pieces were
achieve complete control of the physical realm and to harness the only awarded to chieftains who managed to unite various goblinoid tribes.
complete power of the ethereal forces of the world. Thus, the mightiest of Plundering any niche causes six goblin specters to materialize and attack.
spells was created, its power has been known for millennia. The wish spell.
6. The fungal life-forms in this chamber produce a cloud of poisonous
Few mages achieve enough power to aspire to learn this spell. When they do, spores that cause retching and lung damage. Few creatures can withstand
they recoil from casting it because it incurs dire, unforeseen consequences. exposure to them. This chamber became connected to a vault after an
It is known that breaking the laws of reality with this magic produces a kick- earthquake decades ago. The stone chests are empty. Careful inspection
back effect, an equivalent force that pushes back against the mage’s desire. If reveals a secret lever behind one chest that opens a secret passageway to
the wish is stated inaccurately, or the scope of it is too grand, the chance of area 9. It can be used to bypass the encounters in areas 7 and 8.
a catastrophic mishap greatly increases. Mages are aware of this. Thus, they
regard the spell with respect and attempt it only as a last resort. 7. The north tunnels continue for 50 feet before reaching dead-ends caused
by seismic activity. The passage east into area 9 appears to be open but
Ord, an archmage, rose to prominence centuries ago. He mastered the fabled an almost-invisible gelatinous cube occupies its entire width. Careful
wish spell but dreaded to use it, afraid of the consequences that would unravel inspection reveals a small steel plate floating in its mass almost a foot
from it. Ord spent the last decades of his life building a device that would above the ground, revealing its presence. Otherwise, the first person to
contain the power to cast the spell while also aiding the petitioner to foresee pass through the cavern hallway walks right into the gelatinous cube.
the outcome of the spell before casting it. Ord crafted three gold-framed,
10-foot-tall, silver-backed mirrors. The central one can cast the mythical wish 8. Six goblin scouts patrol this passage. A band of goblins is less than a day
spell once per decade. The right one displays the petitioner’s deepest desire. away through the east path. They come for this decade’s pilgrimage. Their
When the petitioner states their wish, the left one portrays the results of such chieftain is expected to retrieve the copper crown and ask a wish from the
utterance, allowing the person to revise the wording before actually casting the Mirrors of Ord. The goblins try to communicate that the characters are
wish spell. The mirrors were placed in a secure vault. However, after centuries trespassing on their holy land and commend them to leave the caverns.
of seismic activity, the vault is now connected to a network of goblin tunnels. If the characters do not comply, a battle ensues. If half the goblins are
defeated, the rest of them attempt to flee to the east to warn the chieftain
1. Rumor has it that the Mirrors of Ord lie hidden in an underground that the characters want to usurp their holy relic. Alas, the goblins won’t
compound near the Great Forest. The locals know it as Bonemaw Cavern, arrive until after 18 hours have passed, even if alerted.
named after a goblinoid chieftain’s name. The trail leads to a cavern on a
hillside. The eroded remains of human-made structures surround it. 9. The Mirrors of Ord can only be used once per decade; they are now active.
Two pressure-sensitive tiles trigger a deadly trap. The goblins know of
2. The large chamber features a patches of non-edible mushrooms, dark this and avoid them on each pilgrimage. When the trap is triggered, each
moss, and animal bones. Goblin cave-paintings portray tribe members of the standing coffins opens, setting free five nefarious, flesh-eating
standing before tall doorways to faraway places and impossible riches. necrophages; better known as ghouls. After dealing with the undead,
any character can stand before the Mirrors of Ord to witness its desire
3. This chamber contains the gnawed bones of two human prospectors. The
and future-predicting effects. However, a single wish can be asked of it
few remains of their metal equipment are so rusted they collapsed when
per decade. Spending the wish is a sure way to earn goblins’ enmity. The
touched. Two rust monsters emerge from a hole in the ceiling and attack.
goblin chieftain shall come for them for robbing him of his deepest wish.
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