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MAP 4.7: ORACULAR CoNFcux


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CHAPTER 4 I CREATING THEROS ADVENTURES


143

with its destiny, the characters might attract followers,


incite rebellions, and clash with rivals who interpret Klo­
thys's will in different ways.
Champions of Klothys are at risk of misinterpreting
their god's intentions to serve their own purposes or
selfishly demanding a greater destiny than what they
are due. This behavior could lead to Klothys retracting
her blessings or even dispatching loyal champions to de­
stroy her wayward servants. Her most successful cham­
pions stand to reorder errant civilizations or rebalance

KLOTHYS disrupted natural orders.

Secretive yet vindictive in enforcing her vision of destiny KLOTHYS'S VILLAINS


in Theros, Klothys not only takes umbrage at perceived Klothys emerged from the Underworld in order to re­
slights but has also awakened a horde of terrors during store the natural order on Theros, creating a number of
her ascent from the Underworld. Nyxborn agents to aid her. Virtually anyone could end
up a target of the god or her agents if they stand in oppo­
KLOTHYS'S CHAMPIONS sition to destiny.
The world has suffered terrible wounds from the hubris Various monsters rose from the Underworld when
of mortals and divine entities alike. Klothys directs Klothys entered the mortal realm, and her most zealous
her champions to thwart the overly ambitious, undo followers often see them as manifestations of her will.
their damage, and reinforce the natural order that sus­ Some might goad these terrors into attacking commu­
tains Theros. nities, or foster them to further spread the god's will.
The Klothys's Quests table suggests a few adventures Klothys's most callous followers might also believe that
the god's champions might involve themselves in. society must crumble for the world to heal. If Klothys
didn't intend this, they reason, then surely she wouldn't
KLOTHYS1S QUESTS have brought so many monsters along in her wake.
The Klothys's Villains table suggests just a few foes
d6 Adventure Goal
that might arise from among the god's followers.
Defeat a titan-spawned monster that has escaped the
Underworld.
KLOTHYS1S VILLAINS
2 Destroy an undead creature terrorizing a small
d6 Villain
community.
A single-minded Nyxborn assassin of Klothys hunts a
3 Punish a powerful mortal for their hubris.
hero who was raised from the dead.
4 Reestablish the balance between nature and
2 Believing in the holiness of a terrible beast, Klothys's
civilization in a particular location.
acolytes murder heroes sent to deal with it.
5 Repair the fabric of reality in a place where the
3 Certain that civilization offends fate, a priest raises a
mortal world was overlaid by Nyx during Xenagos's
herd of typhons to release on a city.
pretensions to godhood.
4 Insulted satyr revelers (see chapter 6) channel Klo­
6 Defeat a champion of another god (most likely
thys's magic to drive a polis's priests into embarrass­
Ephara, Heliod, or lroas).
ing debauchery.
5 An oracle (see chapter 6) knows it is a character's
A KLOTHYS CAMPAIGN
destiny to serve Klothys. The seer manufactures trag­
Although followers of Klothys tend to be solitary, fate
edy for the individual to provoke this revelation.
might conspire to bring them together to execute a
grand plan or be prepared for an imminent event. A 6 A cult fanatic of Klothys believes that the characters'
campaign structured around the player characters as deeds mark them as servants of the titans, destined
champions of Klothys might cast them as anarchists, to free one of those ancient terrors.
prophets, or vigilantes committed to primal justice. The
excessive pride of gods and mortals threatens a world KLOTHYS'S MONSTERS
already weakened by Xenagos's gambit, and Klothys A variety of monstrous creatures might arise in an area
chooses champions who can restore and restabilize as a result of Klothys's influence, particularly those pre­
Theros-even if doing so requires extreme measures. sented on the Klothys's Monsters table.
Klothys rarely reveals her plans. The characters might
begin the campaign by following a prophecy to a far-off KLOTHYS1S MONSTERS
land or interpreting infrequent omens to learn of nearby
Challenge Creature Source
threats. Such a campaign can be flexible, allowing the
1 Satyr reveler MOT
player characters freedom to explore other opportunities
before the next augury draws them back into the main 2 Satyr thornbearer MOT

storyline. As they overcome greater challenges, topple 3 Green hag MM


� .. mighty demagogues, and mold the world in accordance 4 Oracle MOT
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CHAPTER 4 I CREATING THEROS ADVENTURES


144
Challenge Creature Source
6 Annis hag VGM
6 Cyclops* MM
6 Underworld cerberus MOT
7 Woe strider MOT
9 Phylaskia MOT
15 Typhon MOT

* See chapter 6 for details about these creatures in Theros.

KLOTHYS AS CAMPAIGN VILLAIN


As a foe, Klothys might endeavor to reestablish the
order of the cosmos that existed before the meddling
of Xenagos and Heliod. These corrections start small,
manifesting as fires, monster infestations, or a spate of
accidental deaths. The more the characters intervene,
the more dire these events become as the god's servants
overcorrect to account for the heroes' meddling. Alter­
natively, averting one disaster might naturally lead to a
greater one, at which point characters must contend not
only with the latest catastrophe but also with the accusa­
tions and assaults of Klothys's tireless followers.
Ultimately, Klothys holds grudges only rarely. The
campaign might conclude when the characters identify
the moment they strayed from their destined place and
correct things in order to appease the god. Likewise, the
heroes might invoke the other gods' support to deflect
Klothys's wrath. Boldest of all, the characters might de­
termine what device allowed the god to enter the mortal
realm; its destruction could hurl Klothys back into the
Underworld for untold ages to come.

KLOTHYS'S DIVINE SCHEMES


Klothys has many designs for Theros and for the futures
she has foretold that might never come to pass. The
Klothys's Divine Schemes table provides several ways in
which her foresight and fury might ensnare adventurers.

KLOTHYS'S DIVINE SCHEMES


d4 Scheme
Convinced that Heliod's boundless ambition will
destroy Theros, Klothys creates an artifact that will
destroy the sun god once he claims it as his own. She
needs mortal heroes who can demonstrate the arti­
fact's power by vanquishing Erebos's servants, and in
the process stoke Heliod's envy.
2 Concerned by the spread of Meletian influence,
Klothys fills the dreams of the polis's people with
treachery. Neighbors attack neighbors, and attempts
by Ephara's followers to intervene only redirect the
violence toward the polis's patron.
3 Klothys becomes convinced that mortals giving wor· Most mortals know little of the titans, except the comforting
ship to the gods distorts their proper relationship to fact that these ancient, gigantic terrors are bound far away in
the Underworld-and are therefore nothing to worry about.
each other, and she sets out to abolish religion.
The fact that Klothys, god of destiny, personally and actively
4 Now that she has left the Underworld, Klothys knows
holds them there is unknown to most. With her spindle, Klo­
it's only a matter of time until the titans escape. To thys endlessly knots and unravels the strands of destiny, con­
prepare the world for the horrors of that inevitable stantly tightening the trap that keeps the titans imprisoned.
conflict, she unleashes Underworld beasts into the Were it not for her immortal vigilance, the titans might once
again claim the mortal realm as their own.
mortal realm, trusting that the mayhem will bring
forth heroes who can ultimately defeat the titans.

CHAPTER 4 I CREATING THEROS ADVENTURES


ABANDONED TEMPLE dl2 Adventure Goal
Abandoned temples can be found across Theros. �ome 3 Retrieve the remains of a dead humanoid from the
of these places were once houses of worship of Klothys, temple.
the nearly forgotten god of destiny, but abandoned tem­ 4 Kill monsters infesting the temple.
ples of many other gods also exist as the result of war, 5 Find a replacement for the temple's current guardian.
monster attacks, natural disasters, mass migration, ne­ 6 Consult with a hermit who lives in the temple.
glect, or the wrath of deities. 7 Stop cultists from performing a destructive ritual in
Every abandoned temple is distinctive, combining
the temple.
aspects of its patron god with the result or effect of what
8 Restore the temple to receive the patron deity's
caused it to be abandoned. You can use the Abandoned
blessing.
Temple Condition table to determine an abandoned tem­
9 Find a gate to the Underworld or Nyx.
ple's present state.
10 Consult a demon living in the temple.

ABANDONED TEMPLE CONDITION 11 Discover why the temple was abandoned.


12 Restore the temple to reveal the truth hidden in its
d8 Status
architecture.
Sunken underground
2 Overgrown with plants
ABANDONED TEMPLE MAP
3 Underwater
The abandoned temple shown in map 4.8 is partially col­
4 Partially collapsed
lapsed, with overturned pillars, and parts of the ceiling
5 Buried in dirt, mud, sand, or snow
sunken in to prevent passage to some areas. The abo­
6 Beneath a new temple veground section is overgrown with vines and includes
7 Cracked into more than one piece the ruins of the main sanctuary, which contains mostly
8 Floating in an unstable parallel reality rubble except for a cracked altar and a headless statue.
A library of rotting books and priests' quarters contain­
ABANDONED TEMPLE ADVENTURES ing skeletal remains complete this section.
An abandoned temple might contain records, special The halls are streaked with burn marks. Many of the
items, and humanoid remains, any of which adventurers rooms in this place are rubble-strewn and ruined. A pas­
might be called upon to retrieve. Many of these temples sage leads to an ancient room with scrying pools filled
hold dangerous phenomena (such as gates to the Under­ with blood that has barely a trace of dust. A sturdy iron
world), which might have been their undoing. Monsters door protects the temple's vault.
and brigands often inhabit these ruins, as do hermits
and scholars hording secrets too dangerous to sequester ABANDONED TEMPLE VILLAINS
elsewhere. Monsters who plot alone and criminals on the run or

The Abandoned Temple Adventures table offers ideas who engage in taboo behavior are often found in aban­

for adventures that could occur in such a place. doned temples. Examples of such villains appear on the
Abandoned Temple Villains table.

ABANDONED TEMPLE ADVENTURES


ABANDONED TEMPLE VILLAINS
dl2 Adventure Goal
d6 Villain
Retrieve records or a magic item left in the temple.
A depraved cult of Klothys captures victims on the
2 Demolish what's left of the temple to prevent anyone
road and brings them to the temple for ritual torture.
from retrieving the ancient secrets hidden inside.
2 A hydra slumbers within an abandoned temple, hav­
ing dug a lair out of one of the collapsed sections.
3 A medusa living in an abandoned temple grants cura­
tive aid to those who bring her a humanoid sacrifice.
4 A bandit captain hiding in a temple hopes to open its
vault to find treasure, not knowing that a demon is
trapped inside.
5 Blood-toll harpies make an abandoned temple their
nest and devour any creatures that get too close.
6 A gynosphinx curious about human behavior creates
a series of deadly traps in an abandoned temple and
lures adventurers to the place to witness if and how
they overcome its challenges.
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MAP 4.8: ABANDONED TEMPLE ._.

CHAPTER 4 I CREATING THEROS ADVENTURES


147
Champions of Kruphix approach their work with an
impartiality that others don't always respect, and they
could find themselves the targets of vendettas by the
followers of other gods. Over the long term, they risk
learning things about their world and its gods that could
shake their faith. Some might even abandon Kruphix's
principle of balance, either to enrich themselves or to
serve what they see as the greater good. Kruphix would
then become a villain, as he sends other agents to sup­
press the secrets the adventurers carry with them.

KRUPHIX'S VILLAINS
Enigmatic and patient, Kruphix influences the lives of Kruphix doesn't often act in the world, but when he
his champions in ways both subtle and profound. does, his agenda is often morally ambiguous, and his
servants' sacred quests can look like villainous schemes
KRUPHIX'S CHAMPIONS from other points of view. Kruphix often leaves his
Kruphix seldom works directly in the mortal world, pre­ instructions open to interpretation, and not all of his
ferring to act through his champions-when he acts at agents use this considerable latitude responsibly.
all. He might call upon his followers to suppress a dan­ The Kruphix's Villains table suggests a variety of foes
gerous truth, reveal a vital secret, or end a destructive that might arise from among the god's followers.
conflict. When the other gods send their champions to
circumvent divine agreements, Kruphix often calls upon KRUPHIX'S VILLAINS
his champions to set things right. d6 Villain
The Kruphix's Quests table suggests a few adventures
An oracle (see chapter 6) seeks to erase the memo­
the god's champions might involve themselves in.
ries of an entire community, reducing them to a sim­
pler, happier, more natural state.
KRUPHIX1S QUESTS
2 A gynosphinx possesses magic that can stop a ram­
d6 Adventure Goal
paging monster, but refuses to share it for fear that it
Seize a powerful magic item from those who would
might be misused.
misuse it, study it, and then destroy it.
3 A former agent (spy) of Kruphix knows the location of
2 Capture a former follower of Kruphix who used secret
an unguarded portal to the Underworld and plans to
knowledge for personal gain and deliver them to
sell it to the highest bidder.
Kruphix's temple for judgment.
4 A noble sows discord among Heliod's followers,
3 Suppress all knowledge of a dangerous secret, such
believing that the sun god is the greatest threat to
as the location of a fountain of immortality, by any
harmony among the gods.
means necessary.
5 An archmage works to destroy the Temple of Mystery
4 Bring proof of a powerful conspiracy to the leaders of
to further divide Nyx from the mortal world.
a human polis while evading or defeating the agents
6 A cult fanatic of Kruphix learns that the characters
sent to stop you.
have discovered knowledge mortals were not meant
5 Investigate rumors of an unearthed divine relic and
to know and works to silence them.
decide whether it's safe to be in the mortal realm.
6 End a conflict between the followers of two other KRUPHix's MONSTERS
gods, whether by mediating, forcing a truce, or siding Kruphix is rarely associated with monsters, but those
with the weaker group to defeat the stronger one. most likely to serve him appear on the Kruphix's Mon­
sters table.
A KRUPHIX CAMPAIGN
A campaign structured around champions of Kruphix KRUPHIX1S MONSTERS
can embrace moral complexity, with the adventurers Source
Challenge Creature
sometimes making choices that cause short-term harm
1/4 Blink dog MM
in the service of long-term good. They might be charged
1/2 Cockatrice MM
with destroying secret knowledge that could help peo­
ple, revealing a secret that could kill someone but avert 2 Nothic MM
a larger conflict, or standing in judgment over whether 3 Phase spider MM
knowledge is safe or unsafe. 6 Invisible stalker MM
At the beginning of the campaign, the characters 7 Theran chimera MOT
might be united by their discovery of a powerful secret,
11 Gynosphinx* MM
earning Kruphix's patronage in order to keep that secret
12 Archmage MM
safe. Armed with knowledge that they alone possess,
17 Androsphinx* MM
the adventurers set out to learn more about the secret
t. ..
they share and avert dangers that only they are aware of. *See chapter 6 for details about these creatures in Theros.
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CHAPTER 4 I CREATING THEROS ADVENTURES


KRUPHIX AS CAMPAIGN VILLAIN KRUPHIX1S DIVINE SCHEMES

As a campaign villain, Kruphix is most likely t rying to d4 Scheme


_
maintain or restore the balance of power among the Shadowy forces steal a holy artifact, thought to be a
gods. He doesn't know the future, and his actions some­ part of the sun, from Heliod's followers. The priest­
times have dire consequences that he can't predict and hood blames Phenax or Erebos, but Kruphix is behind
wouldn't willingly cause. the theft. The sun stone holds a terrible secret power,
The campaign might begin with the misbehavior of and Kruphix seeks to remove it from the mortal world
another god or gods, then escalate when Kruphix de­
before it does great harm.
livers a punishment that seems out of proportion to the
2 Kruphix sends Nyxborn to torment a community.
crime. Further attempts by the other gods to circumvent
The locals are baffled, until it's revealed that miners
or reverse the punishment could be countered by more
have impeded on a cave that underpins the nature
edicts from Kruphix, perhaps even culminating in an­
other great Silence. of time. Not only are mortals not welcome there, but

Just as Kruphix reins in the worst excesses of the someone has already entered, employed the passages

other gods, the best chance of foiling Kruphix as a vil­ there, and stolen something from the past.
lain lies in the nature of Kruphix himself. A campaign in 3 A philosopher in Meletis argues that the gods rely
which Kruphix is a villain might end with the adventur­ on mortals for their existence, rather than the other
ers convincing him that his current actions don't serve way around. When this idea gains adherents, Kruphix
the balance among the gods. Kruphix's mind isn't easily curses the P.Olis so that no one can speak or read.
changed, though, and the adventurers might need to
4 After a minor altercation between the gods, Kruphix
produce extraordinary testimony or evidence. Even just
declares a new Silence. He refuses to lift it unless the
reaching Kruphix in order to communicate with him
other gods agree to aid him in forcing Klothys back
could easily require the patronage of other gods.
into the Underworld.

KRUPH1x's DIVINE SCHEMES


Kruphix wants to maintain the status quo rather than
overturn it, so his schemes often begin as reactions MYTH OF THE TEMPLE AT THE WORLD'S EDGE

to the activities of another god. The Kruphix's Di- Legends say that Kruphix's holiest temple of mystery stands
at the edge of the world. Dominated by Kruphix's Tree, the
vine Schemes table presents a few examples of how
temple overhangs Nyx itself, jutting past the vast waterfall
Kruphix's inflexible judgments might have a mythic im­
that marks the edge of the mortal realm. The site's precise lo­
pact on the mortal world and make divine conflicts more
cation can't be found on any map, but tales claim it is one of
severe rather than less.
the few places on Theres where mortals can pass directly into
Nyx. To pass beyond the waterfall anywhere else is to tumble
into the Underworld.
TEMPLE OF MYSTERY dl2 Adventure Goal
A temple of mystery is an enigmatic location full of puz­ 5 Learn how a particular trap or puzzle works so it can
zles and traps, found in remote regions of Theros. It is be recreated.
believed that surviving and solving the mysteries of such 6 Solve more challenges than a rival party of adventur­
a shrine earns Kruphix's respect. Some scholars claim ers who are also in the temple.
the temples aren't stationary and that finding a shrine's 7 Enter the temple and contend with a complex trap
location is the first puzzle that explorers must solve. that, over time, has developed consciousness.
The priests who care for temples of mystery tend to
8 Lead dangerous individuals into the temple and en­
be as mystifying as the puzzles within the places. Each
sure they never leave.
temple typically has one caretaker-a powerful oracle
9 Question the priest to find the location of another
willing to answer questions for adventurers who can
temple of mystery.
overcome the temple's challenges. The priests are par­
ticularly impressed with guests who can solve puzzles 10 Lead dangerous creatures into the temple to trap

that the oracles themselves have yet to complete. them there.

At most temples of mystery, the most valuable knowl­ 11 Defeat a cabal of mages that has claimed the temple.
edge and treasures are protected by the most difficult 12 Defeat a temple's challenges to get the attention of
and deadly challenges. For a few bold-or foolish-inves­ the gods.
tigators, the rewards are worth the risk.
TEMPLE OF MYSTERY MAP
TEMPLE OF MYSTERY ADVENTURES
The temple of mystery shown in map 4.9 presents a lab­
Exploring a temple of mystery presents the opportunity
yrinth Kruphix might use to test followers and to protect
for an adventure that features puzzles and traps, though
valuable secrets of existence. The four-armed sculpture
you can also populate it with any other challenges you
at the maze's heart is said to hold a great secret, perhaps
like. The Temple of Mystery Adventures table offers
a mysterious treasure or a riddle that the statue alone
ideas for adventures that could occur in such a place.
can speak. Each other chamber in the complex also
holds its own unique puzzle or trap. When solved, these
TEMPLE OF MYSTERY ADVENTURES
hazards allow one to progress, but also often impart
dl2 Adventure Goal some lesson about history, the nature of the cosmos, or
Find and repair one of the temple's challenges that the explorer themselves. While this temple exemplifies
has malfunctioned. one of Kruphix's more elaborate (and potentially deadly)

2 Seek the help of the temple's priest, who's become holy sites, no two of the god's temples are alike.

trapped in stasis due to a malfunctioning trap.


TEMPLE OF MYSTERY VILLAINS
3 Solve the puzzles in a temple to claim a magic item
A villain in a temple of mystery might seek information,
hidden inside.
enjoy torturing adventurers with traps, or have motives
4 Rescue someone trapped in the temple. as enigmatic as the place itself. Examples of such vil­
lains appear on the Temple of Mystery Villains table.

TEMPLE OF MYSTERY VILLAINS


d6 Villain
A bored androsphinx asks visitors riddles with no
correct answer, then tears them apart for fun when
they respond incorrectly.

2 A mad archmage, obsessed with a mystery she can't


solve, wanders the halls of the temple and forces
those she meets to confront the puzzle.
3 A dragon disguised as a humanoid waits in the tem­
ple's entrance and demands treasure from anyone
leaving.
4 The priest caring for the temple gets jealous when­
ever adventurers solve a puzzle he couldn't and tries
to kill them.
5 A hero challenges adventurers to solve the temple's
mysteries faster than she can, but she has rigged
each to ensure her victory.
6 A cyclops accidentally trapped in the temple goes on
a rampage.
111\

1 square = 5 feet

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MAP 4.9: TEMPLE OF MYSTERY
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CHAPTER 4 I CREATING THEROS ADVENTURES


As the characters become immersed in their plans for
vengeance, Mogis, acting through his agents, pushes
them farther down a dark path until, at last, they realize
what they have become. The characters, now deeply
indebted to the god of slaughter, realize that he will not
release them willingly from his service. At this point, the
characters might seek freedom from Mogis's service.
Iroas or another god could take this opportunity to offer
the party aid against their former patron. Mogis might
then assume the role of campaign villain as the charac­

MOGIS ters do what they must to atone.

Mogis demands deeds, not just words, from his follow­ MOGIS'S VILLAINS
ers-and he is by far the most bloodthirsty god of the Unquestionably, Mogis makes an excellent villain. His
pantheon. As such, Mogis and his worshipers are ideal lust for bloodshed and willingness to fight all comers
antagonists to pit heroes against. Tread carefully when makes him easy to build a campaign around if you want
using him as a patron, as his area of concern trends to­ a straightforward, unambiguous foe.
ward villainy rather than heroics. Mogis's followers could be anything from a disgraced
politician seeking revenge against their enemies to a
MoGis's CHAMPIONS roving band of minotaurs pillaging the countryside. Mo­
Mogis's champions are extensions of his ability to wreak gis's faithful tend to be at least partially blinded by dark
havoc in the world. The god of slaughter cares only for emotions, a state that might make them easy to manipu­
causing strife, and he uses his agents to heighten the late by the followers of clever deities. The servants of the
tension between the poleis, hoping to ignite an all-out god of slaughter aren't all mindless brutes, though, and
war. In part, he wants to cause so much carnage that many allow themselves to be underestimated as a ploy
his brother eventually has no choice but to face him in a to bring ruin upon their foes.
duel to the death. The Mogis's Villains table suggests a variety of foes
The Mogis's Quests table suggests a few adventures that might arise from among the god's followers.
the god's champions might involve themselves in.
Moc1s's VILLAINS
Moc1s's QuEsTs d8 Villain
d6 Adventure Goal A petty tyrant (gladiator) rules his populace through
Foment a war between rival poleis. threats and intimidation. His favorite pastime is forc­
2 Bring about anarchy and lawlessness in a formerly ing unwilling subjects to fight in gladiatorial blood
peaceful polis. sports.

3 Organize disparate groups of bandits and criminals 2 A band of minotaurs directed by a champion of Mogis
into a cohesive fighting force. forges a trail of devastation through the countryside.

4 Hunt down a famous defender of the law who cham- 3 A serial killer (assassin) stalks the streets of the polis,
pions I roas. taking lives seemingly at random.

S Triumph in a contest of strength or endurance to 4 An oracle (see chapter 6) of Mogis marches into
prove Mogis's superiority over other gods. town and predicts doom on the populace within a

6 Defeat a champion of another god (most likely Jroas, fortnight.

Heliod, or Ephara). S Priests of lroas and Heliod are being murdered by


unknown assailants and their temples desecrated.
A Moms CAMPAIGN 6 An archmage is corrupted by Mogis and begins sum-
A campaign structured around Mogis as the party's moning demons to savage the population.
patron can be challenging, and all players must agree 7 A badly wounded caravan guard (bandit captain)
to play characters in service to the god of slaughter. You
accuses the characters of murder and banditry.
should work to create a narrative that eventually allows
8 A cabal of Mogis's cult fanatics have almost suc­
the characters to perform acts of heroism. Perhaps this
ceeded in finding a way to summon Mogis's war­
means the group swears a vow to Mogis to pursue some
hound to their service.
collective revenge, or maybe the group understands that
just as Mogis watches them, so does Iroas, and they'll be
courted by both gods during the campaign. Moms's MONSTERS
In one possibility, perhaps the characters start out as Mogis is associated with vicious monsters bent on
the sole survivors of a mercenary company left to die. wholesale destruction. He isn't at all concerned with
Embittered and resentful, the party swears vengeance subtlety, but rather with creating mayhem. Adventures
on their former employer, thereby catching Mogis's at­ that bring characters into conflict with agents of the god
tention. He offers the characters power to help them pur­ of slaughter might pit them against monsters from the
' � sue their quest for revenge in exchange for their fealty. Mogis's Monsters table.
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CHAPTER 4 I CREATING THEROS ADVENTURES


MOGIS1S MONSTERS MoGis's DIVINE SCHEMES
Challenge Creature Source Mogis takes a brutal hand in the affairs of gods and

l mortals. The Mogis's Divine Schemes tables presents


Death dog MM
some ways in which Mogis's unsubtle plots might have
2 Berserker MM
a mythic impact on the mortal world, catching adventur­
3 Fleecemane lion MOT
ers up in the middle of divine vendettas.
3 Manticore MM
3 Minotaur MM MoG1s's D1v1NE SCHEMES
5 Catoblepas'' VGM d4 Scheme
6 Cyclops'' MM A champion of Mogis unites the minotaur bands and
7 Theran chimera MOT cyclops tribes of Phoberos under her banner, creating
8 Blackguard VGM a terrifying army. At Mogis's command, she leads the

''See chapter 6 for details about these creatures in Theros. army in an all-out assault on Akros, hoping to draw
lroas into battle and defeat him once and for all.
MOGIS AS CAMPAIGN VILLAIN 2 Mogis bargains with Pharika, convincing her to create

Left unchecked, Mogis and his followers would destroy elixirs that will turn his followers into invincible mon­

all of creation. This situation leads to plenty of campaign sters. He sends his champions to fetch the necessary
hooks and opportunities for the characters to act hero­ ingredients for her.
ically in the face of classically villainous foes. 3 A bitter noble makes a pact with Mogis for power in
Mogis is obsessed with defeating his brother Iroas, exchange for carrying out a plot to ignite a war be­
just as Iroas is obsessed with besting him. The char­ tween Meletis and Setessa. Thousands will die unless
acters could easily find themselves in the middle of the the scheme is put to rest.
brothers' war. At first, they might be swept along by
4 Mogis agrees to ally with three other gods against
events, but as they grow in power, the characters will
their rivals if they help him defeat lroas. Mogis's
become the key to checking Mogis's influence, perhaps
brother does the same. Soon the entire pantheon di­
even helping Iroas triumph over his brother. Such an
vides along faction lines and prepare for the final war.
event could be fraught with unforeseen consequences
for the fate of Theros!


TEMPLES TO MOGIS CAN BE FOUND SCATTERED ACROSS


THE BADLANDS OF PHOBEROS.
CANYON SHRINE CANYON SHRINE VILLAINS
Most of the residents in a canyon shrine make excellent
Aside from the other dangers of the twisting can-
adversaries. The sapient beings are clever and cruel,
yons of Phoberos, followers of Mogis openly worship
and the monsters of animal intelligence are as savage as
and offer sacrifices to their dark god in these places.
the god of slaughter himself. Examples of such villains
Twisting cave systems run through the canyon walls,
appear on the Canyon Shrine Villains table.
offering shelter to both fugitives and monsters, and the
darkness within the caverns provides a suitable envi­
CANYON SHRINE VILLAINS
ronment for the bloodthirsty deeds of the god's most
depraved servants. d8 Villain
Aminotaur captures and devours other creatures
CANYON SHRINE ADVENTURES limb by limb as part of a bizarre ritual honoring
A journey into a canyon where Mogis is worshiped can Mogis.
be an adventure full of unspeakable horrors. A group of
2 Atribe ofberserkers ride giant bats and hunt human­
characters could come to a canyon shrine as armed es­
oids that travel through the canyon.
corts, or would-be rescuers of captives, or to cleanse the
3 An adult blue dragon enslaves the inhabitants of the
place of its evil. The characters might also brave such a
caves, intent on building an army to conquer a neigh­
gorge to hunt one of the many dangerous creatures that
haunt the area, such as a catoblepas or a chimera. The boring settlement.

Canyon Shrine Adventures table offers ideas for adven­ 4 Amanticore captures warriors and forces them to
tures in such a place. fight to the death for its amusement.
5 Agroup of cyclopes capture travelers and keep them
CANYON SHRINE ADVENTURES as livestock in their caves.

dlO Adventure Goal 6 Alamia lures young nobles into its cult with promises
Survive a journey through the canyon while escorting of hedonism and sells those who disappoint it to

a caravan transporting offerings to another god. other canyon inhabitants.

2 Slay a massive, blood-drunk monster that rampages 7 Avicious gynosphinx captures groups of people,
through the region. then forces one person to choose which of the others

3 Find a band of minotaurs residing in the canyon and should be devoured first.

convince them to attack a gang of undead about to 8 The victims of the canyon's inhabitants rise as

pass through on their way to attack a village. wraiths determined to end al/ life in the area.
4 Consult a hermit who lives in a hidden part of the
canyon.
5 Retrieve an item buried amid the shrine's sacrifices.
6 Destroy the shrine.
7 Negotiate with a group of Mogis's followers.
8 Convince a young aristocrat who was seduced into
joining a cult of Mogis to return home.
9 Infiltrate a cult of Mogis to learn of any raids they
have planned.
10 Steal an egg from a griffon nest in the canyon.

CANYON SHRINE MAP


Map 4.10 shows a wild canyon that is holy to Mogis.
Caves long used by bandits, minotaur raiders, and pred­
atory beasts carve their ways through the craggy walls.
Many of the caves are connected, but some are isolated.
Ledges cling to the canyon's sides. Reaching some of
these natural platforms requires a dangerous climb over
jagged rocks.
The top of the canyon has a few scrubby plants, but is
otherwise barren. Flying monsters, such as chimeras,
griffons, harpies, and manticores, make nests on the
sides of the canyon. At the bottom of the gorge, a river
cuts through the stone.
A massive statue of Mogis is carved into an out-of-the­
way canyon wall. Signs of a bloody battle and the stains
of countless sacrifices lie before it.

� ..

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CHAPTER 4 I CREATING THEROS ADVENTURES


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1 square=lOfeet

MAP 4.10: CANYON SHRINE


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CHAYTER 4 I .
CR.EAT! NG THEROS ADVENTU.RES
155

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