The Fiend of Hollow Mine - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

The Fiend of Hollow Mine. An Adventure for 4th-Level Characters A deadly magical curse called sereno is killing people in the arid borderlands around the city of San Citlán. After an encounter with an outlaw in the village of Milpazul, the characters learn the source of the curse is a tlacatecolo-a shape-shifting fiend. Fearing for the folk under her protection, the outlaw directs the characters to the ghost town of Hollow and its abandoned mine, where she believes the creature lurks. When the characters explore the mine, they find a connection to a humble home in the city of San Citlán, where they learn the tlacatecolo is controlling a troubled young man named Serapio. Amid the celebration known as the Night of the Remembered, the characters must find Serapio, confront the evil within him, and destroy it if they can. Background Twenty years ago in San Citlán, an ambitious sorcerer named Orencio made a bargain with the demon lord Pazuzu to gain magical power, a deal that resulted in the deaths of many of his peers. Months later, Orencio's partner, Rosa, found evidence of the profane oaths he had sworn, revealed his crimes, and witnessed his execution. After his death, Orencio bargained with Pazuzu to avoid eternal suffering. The demon lord allowed Orencio to remain in his court and serve him in exchange for the soul of the sorcerer's firstborn child, to be taken when the child reached the age of twenty. The sorcerer agreed, believing he had no children. He didn't realize Rosa had borne him a son, Serapio, a few months after his death. As Serapio's twentieth birthday approaches, Pazuzu's power begins to consume the young man. While waiting for Serapio's final fall into corruption, the demon lord sent a faithful worshiper named Itzmin del Prado to watch over the youth. Itzmin works to convince Serapio to accept Pazuzu's power in exchange for undoing the affliction that has transformed the young man into a fiend. Serapio clings to his humanity, unaware of his part i...