X3 Curse of Xanathon - Notes and Ideas

 

I like this module. It is a good compromise between the event/plot based investigations of B6: The Veiled Society and more traditional map-based modules such as B2 and X1. It takes place in and around Rhoona, in the Northern Reaches, an area I have touched on but not really done many posts for. 

The plot revolves around the Duke of Rhoona going mad and making insane decrees, including upsetting the neighbouring dwarves of Rockhome. The Ethengarian cult of Cretia and a treacherous right-hand man called Draco are behind this and it is up to the PCs to investigate. It is primarily a matter of following clues in documents from one location to another. If the PCs need help, either healing or advice, the Temple of Forsetti  (a lawful norse immortal) is their best ally in resolving the situation

The Ducal Barracks

The Ducal Barracks are where the PCs start off thanks to an angry dwarf and a cleric of Forsetti in disguise.   In most adventures, PCs are discouraged from picking fights with the town guard, and this is no exception. I would treat this as an exercise in stealth, diplomacy and roleplaying. If it turns into mass combat then I would consider something has gone wrong. 

One thing I would have liked to have seen in the barracks is an indication of the loyalties and motivations of some of the NPCs. My suggestions in this regard would be:

• Magic User in room 19: Genthar (align Chaotic) is in on the plot with Draco and will attack any intruders or anyone investigating the plot. He is quite paranoid and the soldiers in the barracks don't like him. He is sure they are all plotting to kill him anyway. 
• Weaponmaster in room 20: Arrakanthus (align Neutral) is just a professional doing his job. He is actually from Thyatis. He has no knowledge of Draco's plot but is paid well so has no reason to hurt his employer. 
• Thief in room 21: Murgillen (align Chaotic) is in on the plot with Draco but rather than attacking straight away he will feign cooperation until he has good opportunity to strike with surprise. 
• Officer in room 22: Lieutenant Worben (align Neutral) is ignorant of the plot and only cares for the welfare of his men. 
• Captain in room 25: Captain Vernheim (align Neutral) is ignorant of the plot and only cares for the welfare of his men. 
• Commander in room 27: Commander Berrelin (align Chaotic) is in on the plot and will try to attack those asking awkward questions or those who do not give sound reasons for being in the barracks. 

The regular soldiers and sergeants know nothing of the plot and are not particularly hostile though they may ask the PCs what they are doing here. 

The Temple of Cretia

I find the open presence of a chaotic temple in a civilized town quite unusual although it is probably tolerated due to cultural allowances for the Ethengar enclave in Rhoona. At least on the outside the chaotic church is behaving itself, though investigation will reveal the insidious plot to undermine the duchy. My suggestion is that the majority of townsfolk don’t consider Cretia and her followers to be outright chaotic like the notorious cult of Chaos that bedevils many other realms - these Cretia folk seem to be a lot more reasonable. Although not the same cult of Chaos as that found say in Hule or the Caves of Chaos, nonetheless the cult of Cretia considers them allies and occasional rivals, with similar goals and philosophies.  They are just better at fitting into polite society. 

In terms of adventure, the Temple of Cretia is a little more combative than the Ducal Barracks, and although roleplay and negotiation can get the party past some NPCs, others will treat the PCs as threatening intruders and fight regardless. The fight with Xanathon at the end of this location is one that the PCs cannot win - let’s hope the PCs realise this in time before too many of them die. It is quite convenient that he offers clues to overcoming his invulnerability as arrogant boasts. 

The Shrine of Cretia and Beyond

It would have been nice to have a wilderness map here, but I understand that there may not have been enough room in the book. The PCs need to travel out of Rhoona into the nearby mountains to find the Shrine of Cretia (not the same as the Temple of Cretia!). I have modified a map from the Vaults of Pandius to indicate where I think the Shrine of Cretia should be.  This does not match up perfectly with the description of the journey but I think it will do for some DMs. 

based on cartography by Ramelin and
Thorfinn Tait (source)

This is even more of a conventional dungeon than the Temple, with carrion crawlers, undead and ogres among the potential encounters. In here is the diamond that holds Xanathon’s essence and therefore enables the PCs to actually harm him. 

 Once the PCs have this they must return to town and defeat both Xanathon and Draco in a final showdown at the Ducal Palace. If successful the Duke is restored to sanity and he can start to repair some of the damage done by the Curse of Xanathon. 

After the adventure I have ideas of adventurers being asked to investigate the Ruined Temple of Loki to the southeast of Rhoona which will lead onto the Lost Runestones of Soderfjord.