Chapter 3: Avernus, the Eternal Battlefield - Chains of Asmodeus

Chapter 3: Avernus, the Eternal Battlefield. Sentry Towers overlook the battlefield. The topmost layer of the Nine Hells, Avernus serves as both an entrance and a defensive line for the lower layers. With the Blood War raging, battles between demons and devils are continuously fought on its rocky soil. The remnants of recent battlefields scar the landscape, reminding inhabitants to be vigilant. Running This Chapter Before running this chapter read the "Avernus Overview" section. That section provides the information you need to guide the characters through Avernus and nudge them towards the War-Slough where the items they seek may be found. Encounters The characters may sail the River Styx through Avernus without much incident but once they leave the waters and travel overland, dangers arise. Roll at least once on the Random Encounters in Avernus table each time the characters move between major locations on the map. 1 A lone halog (see appendix B) begins to follow the characters. 2 A group of black abishai and white abishai led by a blue abishai (see Monsters of the Multiverse) fly overhead. If the characters follow them, they find Tiamat's Lair but risk discovery. 3 Six spined devil and eight imp circle in the sky above the remains of a recent battlefield. 4 Far in the distance, the characters observe infernal war machines chasing each other across the wastes. 5 The sky suddenly darkens as the flying fortress of the archdevil Zariel (see appendix A) passes over the characters, casting a lengthy shadow. Two affliction devil (kocrachon) (see appendix B) leap from it to attack the characters, while the fortress continues its journey across Avernus. 6 A storm of flame and dust that is equivalent to the Storm of Vengeance spell (with a spell save DC of 19) erupts, centered around the characters and lasting for 10 rounds. Random Encounters in Avernus Locations Koh Tam can provide a summary of Avernus when they arrive (see "Key Locations in Avernus"). Koh Tam Avernus...