Sanctum of

the Moon Elves

This 3-hour scenario is for four or five 5th-level characters playing

the fifth edition of the world’s most popular roleplaying game.

Writing, Design, and Layout: Kelsey Dionne

Dedication: Brandon and Alyssa

© 2022 The Arcane Library, LLC. All rights reserved. Not for resale or redistribution. Permission given to copy for personal use.

The Arcane Library ® is a registered trademark of The Arcane Library, LLC and may not be used without the specific, written
permission of The Arcane Library, LLC.

Notice of Open Game Content: This product contains Open Game Content, as defined in the Open Game License Version 1.0a,
below. Open Game Content may only be Used under and in terms of the Open Game License version 1.0a. No portion of this
work other than previously designated Open Game Content may be reproduced in any form without written permission.

Designation of Open Game Content: Subject to the Product Identity Designation in this document, the following material is
designated as Open Game Content. (1) All material and writing previously released as Open Game Content, (2) all descriptions of
game-rule effects specifying mechanical features of the game, (3) all previously released Open Game Content, material required
to be Open Game Content under the terms of the Open Game License, and public domain material anywhere in the text.

Product Identity Designation: This Product Identity Designation includes, but is not limited to, the following items that are
hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined in the Open Game License version 1.0a, Section 1(e): All trademarks, registered
trademarks, proper names (characters, artifacts, place names, new deities, monsters, organizations, etc.), dialogue, plots, story
elements, locations, characters, artwork, sidebars, logos, and trade dress. These items are not Open Game Content. Elements
that have previously been designated as Open Game Content are not included in this declaration.

3
 GM Information
BACKGROUND
• The moon elves were an ancient,
spacefaring people who dwelt
amongst the stars in lunar palaces.
Their civilization reached its zenith
before the apes that would become
humans crept down from their trees.
• The moon elves eventually departed
this reality, transitioning into a fully
spiritual form in another realm.
• Their abandoned sanctums now drift
in space, haunted by the unworthy
moon elves who failed their spiritual
apotheosis and were left behind.
SYNOPSIS
• Whether by space travel or magic,
the characters come upon a moon elf
sanctum floating through space. It
seems abandoned.
Characters who teleport to the
sanctum appear on the mosaic in
Area 2. Those who arrive by space
vessel can dock in any area.
• Upon exploring the sanctum, the
characters find ruins and relics of the
long-departed moon elves.
• The PCs might cause the sanctum’s
moon elf residents to materialize as
corporeal beings. See Those Who
Remain in Area 1 for how this event
triggers.
These evil elves failed to transition
to the spiritual realm with their
pure-hearted brethren.
4
RUNNING THE ADVENTURE
• This adventure is meant to be
run at a glance. It uses bulleted
lists, bolded keywords, and short
room descriptions you can read or
paraphrase and embellish as needed.
• Monsters have clickable links to their
stats online or in this document.
• Appendix A contains GM versions of
the adventure’s maps.
• Appendix B has the stats and
descriptions for new monsters.
• Appendix C has new magic items.
• You can watch a video walkthrough of
the adventure here.
• You can watch a video walkthrough
for how to use the combat cards
included with the adventure here.
PACING/TRANSITIONS
• A Dramatic Question is presented
with some encounters. Once that
question has been answered, the
tension of the scene is resolved.
That’s your cue to work toward the
Transition — even if that means
summarizing the end of a clearly
decided encounter.
• Room descriptions are short and
informational. Anything listed
before the Development section
is safe to share with the players at
the outset. Reveal elements from
the Development section as the
characters explore the area.
 Looming Shapes
THOSE WHO REMAIN
• Each time the PCs move to a new
area of the sanctum, there is a
cumulative 1-in-10 chance the
moon elves awaken. If that occurs,
go to Event: Awakening, pg. 9.
AREA 1: SCULPTURE GARDEN
• A forest of slender sculptures on
marble blocks reaches high overhead.
Each one is uniquely adorned with
delicate arches, frills, and spheres.
• To the north, a massive statue of an
elf with glowing eyes and coral-like
armor towers over a courtyard.
DEVELOPMENT
• Each statue has an effect that triggers
when a PC looks closely at or touches
it. Use the Statue Effects table to
choose or roll randomly for each.
TRANSITION
• Characters can walk north to Areas
2-4 in Courtyard of Oracles.
5
STATUE EFFECTS
d8 Detail
Euclidean Angles. Make a DC
12 Intelligence saving throw. On
1
a success, you gain inspiration.
On a failure, nothing happens.
Balance Loop. If you are
neutrally aligned, make a DC
12 Charisma saving throw. On
2
a success, you gain 1,000 XP
(once only). On a failure, you
take 7 (2d6) psychic damage.
Impossible Geometry. Make a
DC 12 Intelligence saving throw.
3
On a success, nothing happens.
On a failure, you fall to 0 HP.
Serenity Orb. You regain 2d8 hit
4
points (once per day).
Golden Ratio. Make a DC 12
Wisdom saving throw. On a
5 success, the next time you go
to 0 HP, go to 1 HP instead. On a
failure, nothing happens.
Past and Future. You gain
6
inspiration (once per day).
Entropy Shell. If you are
chaotically aligned, make a DC
12 Charisma saving throw. On
7
a success, you gain 1,000 XP
(once only). On a failure, you
take 7 (2d6) psychic damage.
Extropy Sphere. If you are
lawfully aligned, make a DC
12 Charisma saving throw. On
8
a success, you gain 1,000 XP
(once only). On a failure, you
take 7 (2d6) psychic damage.
 Courtyard of Oracles
AREA 2: STATUE AND MOSAIC
• A statue of an elf in coral-like armor
looms high over the courtyard. Two
purple rays beam from its eyes
down to the ground. Its hands lift
meandering staircases and platforms
sculpted of seamless, white marble.
• A glittering floor mosaic lies in front
of the statue.
DEVELOPMENT
• The statue is a passive golem that
moves in glacial slow motion.
A creature that steps into the path
of the golem’s eye rays is paralyzed
for 1d4 rounds as the golem
reads its future. The creature may
telepathically ask the golem a
question as per the augury spell
once per round during this time.
• The mosaic is a teleportation circle.
AREA 3: MOON DIAL
• A crescent-shaped, gold pointer sits
atop a platform inlaid with delicate
star charts and moon phases.
DEVELOPMENT
• The platform shows the position of all
major celestial bodies in the night sky
for the next 10,000 years.
• The pointer rotates freely. Turning
it to a specific date sets that date as
the next natural awakening of the
tarrasque on the Prime Material. The
operator becomes aware of this.
6
AREA 4: REFLECTING POOL
• A smooth basin holds a pool that
scintillates with pearly reflections.
DEVELOPMENT
• Asking the pool a question causes it
to show a silent, moving image on the
surface of the water in answer. The
image has a 50% chance of being a
real event, past or future.
The water in the fountain
quenches thirst for a full week with
one sip. Water taken outside the
sanctum loses this property.
TREASURE
• A curvy Wand of Wonder tipped in
lilac quartz crystal sits on the bottom
of the pool. The shimmering water
hides it from a casual glance.
TRANSITION
• Characters can walk south to Area 1 in
Looming Shapes.
• The east stairs in Area 2 lead up to
Area 5 in Telescope Tower.
• The west stairs in Area 2 lead up to
Area 8 in Throne Tower.
 Telescope Tower
AREA 5: TELESCOPE
• A colossal, gold telescope balanced
on a tower of interlocking gears
thrusts out into the open darkness of
space. Plush, white furniture encircles
the viewing lens.
DEVELOPMENT
• The telescope requires a successful
DC 18 Intelligence (Arcana) check to
operate. Each successful check casts
the scrying spell, and the spell can
target a location. On a failure, the
telescope ceases to work for one day.
AREA 6: ARTILLERY PLATFORM
• The floor leading into this area glows
with flitting, golden symbols.
• Five weighty, gold-and-marble siege
weapon statues are fanned out at the
edge of this platform.
• A circle on the ground throbs with
purple, spiraling light.
DEVELOPMENT
• The gold symbols on the platform
(Elvish) rearrange to show the name
of any creature who walks across it.
• The siege weapons on this platform
are Arcane Cannons (see Appendix C:
New Magic Items). They look over the
statue in Area 2 and can target any
creatures in Areas 1-4.
• Any creature who stands on the circle
of purple light is instantly teleported
to the matching circle in Area 10.
7
AREA 7: PETAL PARLOR
• The floor leading into this area glows
with flitting, golden symbols.
• A fine bed draped in ivory silks sits at
the center of a reclining chamber. The
petal-shaped walls each have a small,
bright mirror hung in the center.
DEVELOPMENT
• The gold symbols on the platform
(Elvish) rearrange to show the name
of any creature who walks across it.
• If a creature lies down on the bed,
the petal walls slowly begin to close,
sealing the room. Exiting the bed
causes the walls to slowly reopen.
• One of the mirrors shows the faint
reflection of a giant cobra’s face with
burning, red eyes and bared fangs.
The mirror functions as a Portable
Hole. Inside, a treacherous and
temperamental spirit naga named
Malfirius Extirpitus is trapped (it
can only be removed by a creature
on the outside pulling it out). It
barters for its release, but quickly
loses patience with negotiations.
DRAMATIC QUESTION
Can the PCs deal with the spirit naga?
TRANSITION
• Characters can descend south to Area
2 in Courtyard of Oracles.
• The west stairs lead up to Area 8 in
Throne Tower.
 Throne Tower
AREA 8: LOUNGE
• A sumptuous couch of white velvet
curves around a glass table.
DEVELOPMENT
• If asked for tea in Elvish, the table
produces four steaming cups of a
floral brew. Empty cups disappear
when placed back on the table.
AREA 9: PLANETARIUM
• Two great, golden rings slowly spin
around a plate mounted on a spindle.
• Twinkling specks of light form
patterns on the midnight blue floor.
DEVELOPMENT
• The rings are an astrolabe that keeps
the sanctum anchored in space.
A fist-sized diamond worth
4,000 gp is set into the center
of the astrolabe. If removed, the
sanctum begins tipping and
spinning. Creatures must pass a
DC 15 Dexterity save each round or
be thrown 3d10 feet in a random
direction (including overboard).
The vacuum of space outside the
sanctum’s borders is airless and
deals 3d10 cold damage per round.
• The lights are a star chart mapping
the sky around the sanctum. A wizard
of any level can cast astral projection
once per day while standing on it
without any material components.
8
AREA 10: THRONE ROOM
• A sleek throne towers over the room.
A carving of a serene, elven face with
blank eyes peers down over it.
• A golden arc with tendril-like
projections faces the throne. Stars
whirl over its domed glass surface.
• Two busts with severe expressions
and glowing eyes flank the throne.
• A circle on the ground throbs with
purple, spiraling light.
DEVELOPMENT
• A creature sitting on the throne feels
a sudden awareness of the entire
sanctum as if it were an extension of
their body. They can feel, hear, and
see all things in the sanctum.
• The golden arc controls where the
sanctum is in the cosmos. Once per
month, a creature touching it can
imagine a known star pattern, and the
sanctum teleports to that location.
• The busts emit a zone of truth effect
that covers all of Area 10. A creature
sitting on the throne can activate or
deactivate this effect.
• Any creature who stands on the circle
of purple light is instantly teleported
to the matching circle in Area 6.
TRANSITION
• Characters can descend south to Area
2 in Courtyard of Oracles.
• The east stairs lead up to Area 6 in
Telescope Tower.
 Event: Awakening
MOON ELVES APPEAR
• Seven ghostly figures waver into
existence. Their red, glowing pupils
illuminate pointed ears and lilac skin.
They glare down imperiously from the
sanctum’s high platforms.
DEVELOPMENT
• Six of the moon elves are too
insubstantial to speak; they glower
silently. Their leader, Golgoratha,
communicates with the PCs.
Golgoratha seeks a mage who can
cast wish to restore him and his
companions to full form. He offers
an alliance and the use of the
sanctum to PCs who will help him.
COMBAT
• If the PCs won’t ally with the elves,
they attack. They use the Arcane
Cannons in Area 6 and threaten to
awaken the tarrasque with moon
dial in Area 3 if they are losing.
9
Golgoratha, NE moon elf
“You trespass in a place where you
are not worthy to tread. Begone.”
• Appearance. Bald. Greataxe with a
thin haft and blade. Armor sculpted
with shell whirls and coral tendrils.
• Does. Speaks effortfully in a distant,
airy voice. Takes a particular
interest in arcane spellcasters who
might be able to cast wish.
• Secret. Led a sect of moon elves
who wished to use their magic for
dominance over other species.
DRAMATIC QUESTION
Can the characters negotiate with or
defeat the moon elves?
TRANSITION
• Once the encounter with the moon
elves is decided, see the Aftermath
section for the resulting outcomes.
 Aftermath
DEFEATING THE ELVES
• If the characters defeat the moon
elves, the sanctum becomes a vacant
and unguarded structure.
• If the PCs left Malfirius Extirpitus
alive, the naga seeks to betray them
and take the sanctum for itself.
ALLIANCE WITH THE ELVES
• Golgoratha keeps a close watch on
the PCs. He allows them to come and
go from the sanctum as long as they
show evidence of working in his favor.
He uses the zone of truth in Area 10 to
interrogate the PCs if needed, and he
threatens their world with the release
of the tarrasque using the moon dial
in Area 3 if they do not obey him.
10
FUTURE ADVENTURE HOOKS
• The sanctum of the moon elves is a
worthy stronghold, especially for a
spellcaster. If the characters overcome
the enemies living on it, they may
decide to take ownership of it. But
there are others who would also like
control of a moon elf sanctum...
• Other, larger moon elf sanctums and
strongholds dot the cosmos. The PCs
could search for them, but they will
find even more powerful and spiteful
moon elves who were left behind to
haunt such places and jealously guard
their ancient treasures.
• The spirits of the departed moon
elves contact the PCs in dreams,
begging them to purify the souls of
their fallen brethren.
Appendix A: Maps
MOON ELF SANCTUM

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 Appendix B: Monsters
MOON ELF Warrior Mages. Moon elves are
peerless fighters and sorcerers, having
Immortal, lilac-skinned elves who
spent endless time perfecting both art
observed the rise and fall of countless
forms. They wield an innate instinct for
civilizations from within their starry
magic alongside finely crafted weapons
sanctums. Most transcended mortal life
and armor that surpass even that of
in a unified ritual long ago, but the evil-
their earthbound relatives, the younger
hearted of their kind were left behind in
(and to them, lesser) elvish species.
tormented, half-ethereal states.

MOON ELF
Medium humanoid (elf), neutral evil
Armor Class 18 (plate)
Hit Points 54 (12d8)
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

10 (+0) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 15 (+2)

Skills Arcana +5, Perception +4

Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Elvish
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Ethereal Jaunt. As a bonus action, the moon elf can magically shift from the Material Plane to the
Ethereal Plane, or vice versa.
Fey Ancestry. The moon elf has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t
put the moon elf to sleep.
Innate Spellcasting. The moon elf’s innate spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13). It can
innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
3/day each: dispel magic, faerie fire, levitate, thunderwave

ACTIONS

Multiattack. The moon elf makes three moon axe attacks.

Moon Axe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d12 + 3) slashing damage.

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 Appendix C: Magic Items
ARCANE CANNON
ARCANE CANNON SPELL
Wondrous item, Rare
d8 Spell
• A marble statue of a gold-chased
siege weapon on a rotating platform. 1 Dispel magic
• Each time you move the Arcane
2 Fireball
Cannon to a new physical location,
it has a cumulative 5% chance of
3 Stinking cloud
permanently ceasing to function.
• Fire. As an action, activate the Arcane 4 Acid arrow
Cannon. It randomly casts one of the
following spells using a 3rd-level spell 5 Lightning bolt
slot in the direction it faces (spell save
DC 14). You may choose how to target 6 Moonbeam
the spell.
7 Color spray

8 Magic missile

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 Credits
Cartography: Lanterns Light Maps / lanternslightmaps.com, patreon.com/
lanternslightmaps

Product Art: Publisher’s Choice Quality Stock Art © Rick Hershey / Fat Goblin Games.
Warm_Tail / shutterstock.com. Daniel Comerci / danielcomerci.com. Kalhh / pixabay.
com.

Fonts: Montserrat © Julieta Ulanovsky, Sol Matas, Juan Pablo del Peral, Jacques Le
Bailly. Deadhead © Twicolabs Foundation.

Special Thanks: John for permission to link to 5thsrd.org.

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 License
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Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, LLC.
System Reference Document 5.1 Copyright 2016, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Chris Perkins,
Rodney Thompson, Peter Lee, James Wyatt, Robert J. Schwalb, Bruce R. Cordell, Chris Sims, and Steve Townshend, based on original
material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
Sanctum of the Moon Elves © 2022 The Arcane Library, LLC.

END LICENSE

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