Descent into Avernus PDF
This summary contains Descent into Avernus FREE pdf download
The first five levels of the campaign go by pretty fast and take place primarily within the city of Baldur’s Gate. 10 days prior to the campaign start, the nearby city and regional Capitol Elturel disappeared off the face of the map. Just before the, Grand Duke Ulder Ravenguard (think like the Mayor of Baldur’s Gate, while also being in charge of the mercenary-like police force known as the Flaming Fist) went to Elturel. So now the neighboring city is gone, as well as Baldur’s Gate’s leader. The actual gates of Baldur’s Gate have been closed both in and out, as they are dealing with a large refugee crisis and that is absorbing most of the Flaming Fist’s manpower.
The players have been forcibly conscripted off the streets by the flaming fist to deal with another matter. Some strange cultists are going about the city doing random, senseless crimes. As the newest, likely unwilling members of the Flaming Fist, the party is directed to find out what’s going on with these cultists and put a stop to it. They discover that a noble family called the Vanthampurs are bankrolling these cultists who worship the Dead Three gods (Bane Lord of Darkness, Bhaal Lord of Murder, and Myrkul Lord of Bones) using Tiamat’s treasure. Following the events of Rise of Tiamat, the god of evil dragons has been greatly weakened and is regaining her strength. The reason why the Vanthampurs are bankrolling the Dead Three is to spread chaos through the city. They plan to prove the Flaming Fist are ineffective and make them leave. Then they will take control of Baldur’s Gate and make the city disappear like Elturel and get great power as a reward. The cause of Elturel’s fall was High Overseer Thavius Krieg (think mayor of Elturel) made a deal with the fallen angel Zariel decades ago. Zariel provided a great “holy” beacon that purged a horde of undead and vampires that had taken over the city, and in exchange Thavius would give Zariel the city and the souls of its citizens after a number of years, and that time had come. The city had been teleported to Avernus — the upper most circle of the nine hells ruled by Zariel. By the time the players finish the investigation, the Vanthampur family is probably in exile or jail or dead, and they have the contract that Thavius Kreeg made after probably killing him too.
>>>FREE Descent into Avernus pdf download<<<
The players may then need some motivation to do this, but they are next encouraged to discover Elturel’s fate and see if they can save it. They are pretty soon teleported to Elturel which is suspended above but being slowly lowered into Avernus by great chains. Demons and devils are in a huge war to take the city for their own (look up “The Blood War” on the dnd wiki for more info on devils and demons and their wars). The city is largely in ruins, and the players help the few survivors including Duke Ulder Ravengaurd of Baldur’s Gate establish a foothold. During this process, they also learn of a possible way to save what remains of Elturel though they don’t have all the details of why. They know they must find the sword of Zariel. The time in Elturel should bring them from levels 5 to 7
>>>FREE Descent into Avernus pdf download<<<
Zariel, by the way, has a huge bone to pick with Elturel. Hundreds of years ago, she felt that the Angel’s could put an end to the Blood War by charging through hell. While most Angels and Celestials wanted to stay out of it, Zariel could not stand by. She went to Elturel, trained them to fight creating a group of paladin like soldiers known as Hellriders, and took the fight to the devils and demons. As a final push, Zariel and the Hellriders rode into the portal to Avernus and nearly defeated the devils there. However many of the Hellriders fled. They lied and said they fought bravely, but in reality they fled shortly after arriving in Avernus and closed the portal behind them. This betrayal is largely unknown, and most people admire the Hellriders. It is an order that still exists in present day, though the truth of their deception is all but forgotten among mortals. As a result of the survivors’ cowardice, the brave Hellriders who remained in Avernus died and Zariel was captured and coerced into serving Asmodeous.
Levels 8–10 are mostly a wild goose chase scavenger hunt to find the sword, with way too many options to go over here. It’s in my opinion the meat of the campaign. A bit railroady, but you get to drive mad-max style death machines across Avernus and make deals with devils and explore cool places and meet interesting characters. I don’t know what to highlight out of this for a summary though. There is just too much
Levels 11–13 are getting the sword now that you know where it is. When you get it, you learn that this sword may be able to redeem Zariel. But during your adventures earlier you are introduced to other characters that have a bone to pick with Zariel and may work with you to cause her fall from grace. Some options are great demons such as Baphomet who are anxious to weaken the devil armies, the devil Bel who used to rule Avernus until Zariel was put in charge by Asmodeous, a servant of Tiamat who is anxious to bolster her power and free her. Or the players can slay her on their own (or die trying) with no compromises with other parties. Players who meet certain conditions can sacrifice themselves to save the city. Players can kill Zariel and decide they want to try to rule Avernus themselves. They can say, “You know what, let’s join Zariel and fight demons all day.” causing the city of Elturel and its survivors to be turned into devils in the blood war. These are just options in the book, and players can probably come up with more (mine always do)
In the end, Elturel is either saved or not saved, and the fate of Zariel and who rules Avernus is a big question. The events with the Vanthampur family and Ulder Ravenguard could mean a large change in political landscape in Baldur’s Gate. Tiamat can be an important part of the campaign or barely even discussed. But since BG3 has dragons and the presser hints to going to hell, I’d not be surprised to see her. That would be awesome to see in the Divinity engine
