Excerpt from Fall of Fire: A Pathfinder 1e Module
“I, once, on a pilgrimage to the frozen wastes of Twilight Point, encountered a most strange place that I have not easily forgotten. Along the banks of the Chalice River I came across a spiralling tower of magnificent blue stone with all the trappings of a wizard’s fortress. Though I attempted to make contact with the owner I encountered no response to my calls. When I journeyed forward into that wicked place, curiosity having gotten the better of me, I felt a chill unlike any I can possibly describe. It was not only as if the tower was frozen, but as though it was converting heat to cold. Fire into ice. The heat of my body was being pulled from me as if I were a fuel for an engine of frost. If I had perhaps gone as an adult I would have dared learn the origin of this devilish cold but as a mere student in the arcane arts I decided it best to leave that mystery to someone else. To this day I wonder what mysteries that tower held.”
-Radament the Inferno, The Rise and Fall of Harmstaff
Fall of Fire is a wilderness exploration and dungeon adventure designed for four 1st level characters. Characters who successfully complete this adventure should be at least 2nd level by its conclusion.
This module focuses on exploration of the areas surrounding the Chalice River; including the small fishing village of Torus, the Farbank Hills that border the river, and finally Chalice Tower, the fortress of the villainous wizard Cyandro. This module focuses heavily on cold and weather effects so Game Masters (GMs) should familiarize themselves with rules on weather and cold effects.
Adventure Background
A strange cold has fallen over the village of Torus and the surrounding countryside. This cold does not simply bring snow and ice on the winds but seems to actually devour and consume heat. Torches will not burn brightly, fireplaces barely stay lit, and animals and children grow sick and die as their bodies desperately try to produce the heat they need.
With little recourse the town’s eldest wizard, Dexin the Wanderer, traveled into the countryside to try and learn the origin of this great cold but was betrayed by his friend and old ally, the evil wizard Cyandro, who has been using a magically altered infant phoenix to produce a never ending winter that Cyandro plans to use in his gambit for power.
With no sign of Dexin and no knowledge of Cyandro’s plot the town of Torus is left with no choice but to send messengers out in all directions calling for the aid of anyone who can find the source of the unending cold and put a stop to it once and for all.
Leaving the Past in the Past
Over the course of the adventure it may be necessary to share some or all of the history surrounding Cyandro, Dexin, and their former master. While none of this information is required to tell the story of Fall of Fire it may be used to strengthen the player’s understanding of why they are there and what Cyandro truly wishes to do.
Like most madmen, Cyandro was not born evil, he was shaped by a grueling history. Cyandro and Dexin were, many years ago, the students of a great and powerful wizard known as Radament the Inferno. A master of evocation, Radament was and still is one of the most respected and feared wizards in the world. His actions have been damned by many and praised by others and to this day he is one of the most controversial figures in recent memory.
For Cyandro and Dexin he was a harsh and demanding teacher. He had little time for mistakes or questions and often times seemed more interested in having servants than students. Cyandro was not nearly as gifted a magician as his fellow student and quickly found himself playing second fiddle to Dexin’s mastery. Before long their master declared that he had little use for Cyandro, and banished him from his home in Darrenagon.
Cyandro was left to continue his studies in private while Dexin completed his training and began to travel the world. After many years Cyandro believed he was finally ready to be recognized by the great Wizard Council in the far West. But to be recognized he must present some thesis of his arcane abilities. And Cyandro has settled on a ritual that shall bring about an eternal blizzard.
Adventure Summary
Charged by Mayor Sandor to find the origins of the great cold that now devours the flames of Torus, the player characters (PCs) must learn what they can from the local populace, head into the dangerous and uncharted Farbank hills and uncover the Chalice Tower and its foul master, the evil wizard Cyandro.
Introduction
The PCs may have been drawn to the fishing village of Torus for any number of reasons. The lands themselves call out to many adventurers for their extreme and harsh environments. In years past the land of Darkhaven, where Torus is situated, was the sight of numerous great battles against a vast demonic legion that attempted to claim the land for themselves many eons ago. Their influence still lingers on the land to this day.
At a domestic level the area is a major part of the trade route that begins in the port town of Bethema and travels all the way to the capital of Darkhaven: Yarin. The town is also known for its hearty hunting grounds with plenty of larger game for hunters to test their mettle against.
PCs may also have a personal connection to the land; a family member or old friend may reside in the town; retiring from the more grandiose and violent parts of the country. Perhaps the PCs have been to Torus before and have friends within the town.
Or, more simply, the PCs have heard news from the many messengers sent out to the neighboring towns of the severe cold and dying fires. Heeding the call and the promise of great rewards to any who can learn the cause the PCs will inevitably make their way to Torus.
When the adventure is ready to begin the GM may read or paraphrase the following information to the players.
“An icy wind bites at you as you climb the steep hills that rise on either side of the Chalice River. Cradling the western bank of the river sits the tiny collection of houses and huts known as Torus. It has been said that the people of Torus are a kind and forgiving lot and the welcoming flames of the bonfires that sit nestled in the town square make it the perfect retreat for those weary from travel.”