Labyrinth of Thorns

The Labyrinth of St. Valentine ensnares all who enter

By Ashley Warren
Table of Contents
Summary — 3 Map for DMs — 11
Adventure Hook — 3
The War of Emberez — 3
The City of St. Valentine — 3 Characters — 12
Paula Floria — 12
Dante Gallo — 12
Scene 1: The Festival of St. Simonetta Galla — 12
Valentine — 4 Diana/Artemis — 12
Dante's Casa di Dolci — 4
Characters, cont. — 13
Scene 2: The Entrance to the Ophira — 13
Labyrinth — 5 Bartolomeo — 13
Rafael — 13
Dante's Map of the Labyrinth — 5

Scene 3: Vines and Voices — 6 Enemies — 14

The First Passage — 6 Vine Blights — 14
Harpy — 14
The First Door — 6
Bartolomeo's Riddles — 7
Enemies, cont. — 15
Peryton — 15
Scene 4: The Ranger and the River — Swarm of poisonous snakes — 15
8
Encounter with the snakes — 8 Enemies, cont. — 16
Encounter with Diana — 8 Specter — 16
The Second Door — 8 Chimera — 16
Lacrimosa River — 9
Encounter with the specters — 9
Encounter with Ophira — 9 Enemies + Random Encounters — 17
Rafael the Paladin — 17
Random Encounters — 17
Scene 5: The Paladin of Shar — 10
The Third Door — 10
Encounter with Rafael — 10 Thanks and
Fight against Rafael — 10 Acknowledgements — 18

Conclusion — 10
A lovely city with a dark secret...

Summary

T
he city of St. Valentine is home to Dante's Casa
di Dolci, a world-renowned bakery — and
tucked within the bakery is the entrance to a a maze... and a trap
secret labyrinth, created by a mischievous, The labyrinth was created by Shar, the goddess of
merciless god. Every February, an death and trickery, who sought to lure victims into
unsuspecting resident from St. Valentine is the maze and claim their souls once they had
pulled into the maze. Some return after years perished. She has appointed a human paladin
spent in the labyrinth, but most do not. named Rafael to oversee the labyrinth. After years
When Dante's beloved wife, Simonetta, is pulled into the in her service, Rafael has grown born and restless,
labyrinth, he must enlist the help of adventurers to get her and seeks a companion. Rafael has made a sport of
back. The journey that follows is one of strange doors, the labyrinth, and will choose a spouse only from
riddles, and dangerous creatures that lurk among the those who have found the center of the maze. If
Rafael is killed, the labyrinth will also be destroyed.
hedges...

Adventure Hook
The players have heard a rumor about a very beautiful city
called St. Valentine, known for its vibrant food and art The City of St. Valentine
culture. They have also heard that every year, people seem to
go missing in St. Valentine. As such, they have traveled to St. St. Valentine is a lovely, rustic city nestled among lush green
Valentine out of curiosity, and to offer their services. hills and winding rivers. The fertile ground has provided St.
If the party has played the previous module, A Night of Valentine with an abundance of delectable produce, and
Masks and Monsters, which exists in the shared universe of people travel from all over to partake in its offerings — wine,
this story, the characters can travel to St. Valentine after food, flowers, and desserts.
saving Ibrido from the Marquis di Maschera. When the characters arrive, St. Valentine is preparing for
This adventure is recommended for level 4 characters its annual celebration — St. Valentine's Day, a holiday
in a party of 4 or more, and level 5 characters in a party honoring love in all of its forms. The city is decorated with
of 3 or less. DMs are welcome to remove or change garlands and floral arrangements, and vendors provide free
encounters to adjust difficulty. wine and treats for several days leading up to the holiday.
The atmosphere is fun and festive, but a sense of unease
The War of Emberez permeates the whole affair. Every year around St. Valentine's
Day, a resident of the city mysteriously goes missing. And
This module is a stand-alone story and does not require every so often, a missing resident returns, stumbling back
the following lore. However, it's included here for additional into the city after months or years away, disheveled and
context. Both this module and A Night of Masks and driven to madness. The returning residents have difficulty
Monsters are part of a longer campaign called A Requiem of explaining what happened to them.
Wings, which follows a war between angels and demons, and St. Valentine is densely populated, and its buildings are
the people caught in between. built close to one another. There is a sense of uniformity to
Continuing the events in A Night of Masks and Monsters, the city — most buildings share the same red-tinted roofs —
the ongoing war between seraphim and demons embroils all but new visitors will notice a curious array of doors. The
of Emberez, the demiplane that is home to both Ibrido and doors of St. Valentine are very colorful and ornate, each a
St. Valentine (among many other towns and cities, each of work of art and craftsmanship.
which have taken a side in this war). As such, the characters
will encounter additional people and creatures involved in
this feud. Emberez has been split into two territories: West
Emberez, currently the seat of the seraphim order called the
Aureum, and East Emberez, currently under the domain of
the demons known as the Malum Animus.
But the war in Emberez is not a simple war, for the angels
are not always good and the demons are not always evil...

SUMMARY 3
 Scene 1 — The Festival of St. Valentine

A
n ornate horse-drawn carriage delivers the party
to the city center of St. Valentine. It is morning, Dante's Casa di Dolci
and the air is cold but not frigid. Still, breaths
produce visible puffs in the air. It is winter, after As you head down the cobblestone street, you will see
all, although the sky overhead is a clear blue. garlands above you, strung from building to building. The
Read or paraphrase the following: flowers and the leaves are large and vibrant. The scent that
emanates is heady, perfumed, and floral. But another scent
Merchants are setting up tables and tents in the square, and overpowers this — a delicious aroma of chocolate, bread, and
there is a pleasant rumble of chatter as they converse with one sugar wafts down the street.
another.
Several tall buildings loom over the city square. The tallest The scent has an easily-identifiable source: Dante's Casa di
bears a clock, and it chimes when the characters step out of Dolci. A wooden sign bearing the name of the bakery hangs
the carriage. The clock depicts more than just the time: outside a large slatted window. An array of breads, cakes and
surrounding the clock face are the phases of the moon and pastries are on display in the window, all sitting upon round
astronomical symbols.
marble trays. The desserts are works of art, impeccably
crafted.
The buildings in the square share a unique aesthetic: their
A bell rings when the door opens, and an elderly man
façades are covered in veined white marble tiles and outlined appears from the back, wearing a black apron liberally
in darker tiles of burgundy and navy. Beyond the city square, in smeared with flour. The bakery itself is warm and comforting,
narrow streets that splinter off of the square like the legs of a filled with the aromas of sugar and yeast. Tapestries of
spider, the buildings are comprised of reddish stone. vineyards and farms cover the walls, alongside paintings
depicting floral arrangements and scenes of pastoral St.
The merchants setting up for the festival are busy. However, Valentinian life. A DC12 passive Perception will also alert
there is one who notices the characters, and she will come the characters to a curious painting, hung on the wall behind
over and greet them. the counter: a very detailed painting of an intricate labyrinth.
Her name is Paula Floria, and she is a human woman The man, Dante, is an elderly half-elf. Despite his age, he
with dark hair and dark eyes (see Characters, pg. 12). She stands quite tall, and his grey hair still displays streaks of
will greet the characters warmly. Paula is a floral vendor, and black, the hair color common to many who reside in West
she wears a flower crown of roses and baby's breath. She Emberez. He is very handsome, with twinkling dark eyes and
also wears a golden amulet depicting the symbol of an eye, a strong jawline.
which is the symbol of the Aureum. If asked about St. He welcomes the characters into his bakery and asks
Valentine, she will say that the city is preparing for St. where they are from. Dante is very charismatic and an easy
Valentine's Day, a holiday celebrating love. conversationalist. When asked about the missing people, he
will say that the rumors are true.
The Story of St. Valentine
Mutterings of a Mad Girl
"The city is named after a paladin named Valentine, who was,
"Five years ago, a 16 year old girl named Adalina went missing.
many years ago, the King of West Emberez. When he died
She returned just last week, dressed in the same garments she
serving his goddess, Sune — the goddess of love — they
had been wearing when she disappeared! She was rambling
named the city after him, and devote a day every year to
incoherently about a monster with three heads, some sort of
celebrating love." — Paula Floria
hybrid beast." — Dante

When asked about the rumor of people going missing every A DC12 Insight check will confirm that Dante is being
St. Valentine's Day, Paula doesn't know much; she has not sincere. In an effort not to dampen their experience in St.
lived in St. Valentine for very long. She moved there to Valentine, Dante goes behind his counter and pulls out a tray
expand her floral business, knowing that the land of St. of chocolate truffles. Each is decorated with a tiny frosting
Valentine is lush and fertile. She recommends talking to the rose. He offers a chocolate to each character as a welcoming
baker Dante Gallo, who owns Dante's Casa di Dolci and has gift to St. Valentine.
lived in St. Valentine for many years. She points the The chocolate is rich and decadent, truly delicious. After a
characters down the widest of the streets, and says his few moments, the characters will begin to feel... funny.
bakery is on the right. Suddenly, colors and sound amplify, and the world is
significantly more vivid than it was just a minute ago. A
DC10 Perception check will bring to attention strange
noises nearby, like creatures rustling in bushes...

4 THE FESTIVAL OF ST. VALENTINE

Scene 2 — The Entrance to the Labyrinth

I
f the characters ask Dante what is happening, his When asked about Rafael, Dante will tell them that Rafael is
demeanor grows desperate. Dante will assure them a paladin of the goddess Shar, an evil trickster goddess. (See
that the effects of the chocolates are not harmful; Characters on pg. 13 for more information about Rafael,
they contain flowers grown in a labyrinth, and ushers although characters will not meet him until later.) Shar has
them to the back of the bakery. Dante will point to a appointed Rafael as her champion to guard the labyrinth, but
hole in the stone wall: a few weeks ago, he the paladin has grown bored and seeks a partner. Dante's
discovered a mysterious labyrinth by accident when wife, Simonetta, is a respected bard (a singer), and Dante
he broke through the wall to expand his bakery. He has thinks this is why she was chosen. Rafael likely heard her
learned more about it by speaking to Adalina, whose mad singing voice through the hole in the wall when they first
ramblings were actually true. Because of the ongoing war in discovered the labyrinth. Not knowing it was the work of an
Emberez, he wasn't sure who he could trust to tell about the evil deity, Dante took some of the flowers to use in his baked
labyrinth. goods, and found that the flowers had short-lived, but curious,
Through the hole, characters can see stone walls and effects on people.
green hedges dotted with bright red roses. The effects of the The characters must find Simonetta before she is either
chocolate will begin to wear off. Dante will beg them to help killed by the dangers of the labyrinth, or before she is claimed
him — his wife, Simonetta, was taken into the maze the night by Rafael. Dante himself is not a fighter or an adventurer, and
prior. He promises the characters 1,000 g if they are able to feels helpless to rescue his wife.
bring Simonetta home to safety. Since the maze was created by Shar, it is likely they will
encounter more than just monsters, and warns them to be
The Plea of a Desperate Man wary of everything and everyone they meet. Dante has
"When you stepped into my bakery, I hoped you would be the sketched what he thinks the labyrinth looks like, based on
ones who could help me. Rafael has taken my dear Simonetta
what Adalina told him, but it is pretty sparse in details.
and seeks to make her his companion forever!" — Dante

Dante's Map of the Labyrinth

THE ENTRANCE TO THE LABYRINTH 5

 Scene 3 — Vines and Voices

D
ante has little to provide the characters with Characters may recall that Dante's wife, Simonetta, has a
before they step into the labyrinth, but he gives lovely singing voice. However, the voice belongs to a harpy,
them each another chocolate. These, too, are which they will not yet see (see Enemies, pg. 14). Each
medicinal in a helpful way — they each contain character will have to make a DC11 Wisdom saving throw
1 point of health, should they need it. (Note for or be charmed by the harpy (full effects of the charm are
DMs: These can be stacked, should the included in the harpy's stats).
characters want to give theirs to a member of If they head toward the voice, the harpy will swoop in and
their party who has been injured.) attack. Regardless of if the characters encounter the harpy, or
He bids them good luck. At this point, the characters may choose to go in the opposite direction, they will eventually
proceed into the labyrinth. The hole in the stone wall is large discover a door. The recommended location for this is
enough for them to step through. marked as 2 on the Map for DMs on pg. 11.

The First Passage The First Door

Read or paraphrase the following: Read or paraphrase the following:
You step out of the kitchen and into a narrow passage, about Before you is an arched wooden door, painted gold, embedded
the same width as the streets of St. Valentine (20 feet). The in a wall and flanked by two stone pillars.
labyrinth, too, is paved with cobblestone. Tall hedges and
stone walls heavy with foliage line the maze. The stone is If a character reaches for the ornate door knob, the door
almost entirely obscured by rose bushes growing up through opens automatically. Read or paraphrase the following:
the cracks in the cobblestone. Above the labyrinth, you see
the open sky, which looks cloudless and blue. The door opens and you see a rectangular courtyard outside of
a tall, stone building. There is a fountain in the center, gurgling
The roses may be plucked, but will quickly wilt and crumble. pleasantly, surrounded by well-manicured rose bushes filled
Characters will not be able to fly higher than the height of the with roses of different colors. Arched porticoes line the four
walls (15 feet). One may sense that they have somehow sides of the courtyard.
traveled into another realm. A DC15 Arcana check may
confirm suspicions that spells pertaining to plane shifting, If the characters step through the door, it will disappear
such as Banishment, will not work while in the labyrinth. behind them, leaving them in the courtyard. Something soars
(Note for DMs: Characters will not be able to long rest in the air above the characters, casting a shadow over them.
while in the labyrinth. One short rest is permitted.) It is a peryton (see Enemies, pg. 15). A DC12 Stealth saving
If the characters turn around, the hole in the bakery wall throw will ensure the characters are unnoticed by the
will have vanished; a stone wall has taken its place. creature. If it sees them, it will attack.
They can seek cover in the porticoes, and the peryton will
Encounter with the vine blights not seek them there. There are several windows along the
Read or paraphrase the following: interior walls, but strangely, it's difficult to see inside. There
is a faint glow, like candles, flickering behind the tinted glass.
The maze appears to head straight. As you proceed, the
A DC14 Perception check will confirm that there does
not appear to be a way into the castle. If a character chooses
rustling sound grows stronger.
to fly up, they will be able to see the courtyard and the castle,
surrounded by green rolling hills, but no doors. Attempts to
The characters will come to a bend in the maze. As they break windows will not work.
round the corner, three vine blights amble forward and will After a moment, the characters will see a door across the
attack (see Enemies, pg. 14). courtyard. It resembles the one they entered, but this one is
After the battle, the characters can proceed. A DC12 painted red. Curiously, if they approach, it disappears. If they
Perception check will alert them to more rustling; however, turn around, they will once again see the door across the
they won't encounter any more vine blights in this section. courtyard. They can proceed toward it again, but again it
disappears.
Encounter with the harpy The characters will hear the sound of panpipes coming
Read or paraphrase the following: from across the courtyard. The encounter with the harpy will
likely have made them wary. Regardless, there is nowhere
else to go. Either the characters will proceed toward it, or a
You hear a beautiful voice wafting through the maze. From
voice will call out to them.
where you stand, you can't see the source, but the voice is
lovely and haunting.

6 SCENE 3 | VINES AND VOICES

Scene 3 — Vines and Voices, cont.

T
he voice belongs to a satyr named
Bartolomeo (see Characters, pg. 13). He blows Bartolomeo's Riddles
into his panpipes and dances a little jig in front Select a riddle from the list below or use one of your own!
of a bright red door. Bartolomeo grins
mischievously at the characters. He is not evil
and will not attack unless provoked. However,
the characters will need to solve a riddle Riddle #1
before they can proceed through the door. Depending on how
easily the characters solve the riddle, the DM may choose to Riddle: Marking mortal privation, when firmly in
have them solve more than one before being granted place. An enduring summation, inscribed in my
passage. face. What am I?
If asked, Bartolomeo will say that the castle they see is in
fact a temple, built in honor of the goddess Shar. He will not Answer: A tombstone.
give out information freely, so the characters may have to
answer additional riddles.
The Trickster's Challenge
"You think you can outsmart Bartolomeo? Let's put that to the Riddle #2
test, shall we?" — Bartolomeo the Satyr
Riddle: When I'm used, I'm useless. Once offered,
soon rejected. In desperation oft expressed, the
intended not protected. What am I?

Answer: An alibi/excuse.

Riddle #3
Riddle: All about, but cannot be seen. Can be
captured, cannot be held. No throat, but can be
heard. What am I?

Answer: Wind.

Riddle #4

Riddle: At night they come without being fetched.

By day they are lost without being stolen. What are
they?

Answer: The stars.

Riddle #5
Riddle: You heard me before, yet you hear me again.
Then I die, ’til you call me again. What am I?

Answer: An echo.

SCENE 3 | VINES AND VOICES, cont. 7

 Scene 4 — The Ranger and the River

O
nce the characters appease Bartolomeo, he The Second Door
will step aside and let them pass through the
red door, which leads them to another section Read or paraphrase the following:
of the maze (see 3 marked on the Map for
DMs, pg. 11). For the element of suspense, it You come to another door embedded in a wall. This door is
would be better to not point out this location larger than the first door. It is also arched, and painted a deep
on the unmarked map the characters can see. cobalt blue. There are three roses painted on the door, in this
Read or paraphrase the following: order: one in mid-bloom, one still tightly budded, and one in
full bloom. On the right side is a row of three locks.
You step back into the maze. The sky above is no longer blue.
In this area, the atmosphere feels more sinister; the sky is grey
and the air is colder. The red door disappears. Behind you are
The door is a puzzle. If a character has lock picks, that would
be ideal. However, the DM can reward creativity however they
stone walls and hedges.
see fit, so characters do not have to be proficient in lock
picking. Brute force will not open the door. Diana does
As they proceed, a DC12 Perception check will alert the possess lock picks (thieves' tools) in the event that the team is
characters to more rustling sounds, similar to the blights. unable to come up with another option; however, the
characters will need to be the ones advising her so they can
Encounter with the snakes still be part of solving the challenge.
When the characters round the corner (before they pass by 4
on the Map for DMs), they will run into a swarm of Facilitating the puzzle
poisonous snakes (see Enemies, pg. 15). The correct order for opening the door is: Lock
2, Lock 1, Lock 3. The bloom stages of the roses
Encounter with Diana are the indicator of the order.
A woman wearing torn linen clothing and leather sandals will
emerge from around the corner, her bow and arrow readied. If the character rolls successfully for each lock,
but in the wrong order, the key holes will close
She is Diana — in actuality, she is Artemis, goddess of the for five minutes. During this time, the DM
hunt. But to the characters, she will appear to be a human should roll for a random encounter (see list on
ranger (see Diana's stats on pg. 12). pg. 17).
If a character is injured, she will offer to cure their wounds
to the best of her ability. If asked, Diana will say that she was A failed roll will make the lock turn upside
pulled into the maze the year prior, but that time passes down, and the character will have to roll with
much slower in the maze, and to her it feels like only a few disadvantage on the following attempts.
days have passed. She has yet to meet Rafael himself, and
will be an ally to the characters until they can escape. If the characters fail to open all of the locks
A DC15 Perception check will call to attention Diana's twice in a row, a yellow poisonous gas will puff
golden amulet, bearing the symbol of the Aureum. If asked, out from the keyholes. Characters within 5 feet
she will say she supports their cause against the Malum of the door will need to make a DC14
Animus, which is true — if not the whole story. Diana's true Constitution save, or take 2 points of poison
motivation, which she will not share until the end of the damage.
game, is that she is on a secret mission for the Aureum. Three successful rolls in the correct order will
Although all gods across the pantheon are part of the Aureum open the door.
by default, the Aureum seeks to rid it of the evil trickster
gods, such as Shar. Diana hopes to eliminate Rafael and
Shar's labyrinth without causing a civil war within the
Aureum, and partnering with adventurers who have arrived
by accident will provide her with a good cover.
Diana will let them know there is a door nearby, marked 5
on the Map for DMs (pg. 11). If the characters express an
interest in avoiding the door, Diana can share that she thinks
that going through the doors takes them closer to the center
of the maze. Lingering too long in the maze will expose them
to other dangers (see Random Encounters, pg. 17). However,
the choice is up to them.

8 SCENE 4 | THE RANGER AND THE RIVER

Scene 4 — The Ranger and the River,
cont.
There is nothing else in this room. The only escape seems to
Lacrimosa River be the door on the left wall. There are two feet of river on
Read or paraphrase the following: either side of the door. Every character will have to roll a
successful DC17 Dexterity check to get through the door
without touching the water. If the first attempt is successful,
The cobalt door opens into a large, rectangular stone hall,
the door will swing open back into the maze. The river will
about 80 feet long and 30 feet wide. The architecture matches not run into the maze, but will disappear into the empty
that of the courtyard, complete with arched ceilings and space of the door frame.
slatted windows. Floor candelabras line the walls.
A river runs through the room, in the center of it. It appears Encounter with the specters
to be manmade, formed by a large trench that has been carved If any of the characters fail this check, or touch the water at
into the stone floor, about 8 feet wide. The water within is any point before that, three specters will spring from the
brackish, and loose flower petals float lazily on top. river and attack the characters. See Enemies on pg. 16.
A DC12 Passive perception will bring the characters' Encounter with Ophira
attention to what's in the river: it is filled with dozens of At some point during the battle, another spectral being will
bodies, an assortment of creatures (humans, gnomes, emerge from the river. It is a ghost in the form of a young
dwarves, and so on). All of the creatures appears to be dead human woman wearing a simple white shift, her hair bound
and lay face-up floating on their backs, with a gold coin in a braid. She is barefoot. This ghost will aid the players in
placed over each eye. Each clasps a bouquet of roses to its their fight against the specters and is not harmful toward the
chest. Diana will mention that she has heard of a river that players. Once the specters have been defeated, or before the
transports souls to the afterlife: Lacrimosa River. She characters continue through the maze, the ghost will
wonders if these are the souls of those who have perished in introduce herself as Ophira. She was taken into the labyrinth
the maze. (Note for DMs: "Lacrimosa" means several years ago and died trying to fight her way out. She
"tearful/weeping" in Latin.) hopes that enacting revenge on Rafael will set her soul free.
The river flows to the left. Curiously, the wall on the far Ophira will ask the characters if she can join them on the rest
right, where the river begins, is entirely comprised of stone. of their journey, and offers to serve as their ally. See Ophira's
The characters can touch it and investigate it if they so stats in Characters on pg. 13.
choose. The river seemingly originates from nowhere, and yet If the black door is not yet open, Ophira will open the door
the river continues to move, bringing with it new bodies that for the characters and will help them through, back into the
appear to pass through the stone. labyrinth, placing them at 6 on the Map for DMs (pg. 11).
On the left wall, where the river leads, is another door. This
door is black with a large, gilded doorknob. The door is about
4 feet wide, and is partially submerged in the water,
positioned in the center of the river.

SCENE 4 | THE RIVER AND THE RANGER,

cont. 9
 Scene 5 — The Paladin of Shar

T
he characters will emerge into a new section of
the maze. Heavy grey clouds roll in the sky Surprise Party Guests
above. Thunder rumbles, reverberating "Welcome to the temple of Shar. I'm so pleased you've made
through the stone walls, and every few it through the labyrinth. I was not expecting new guests!
minutes, lightning cracks and bolts across the
sky. As they proceed, it will start to rain, a You're just in time to meet my new bride, Simonetta. Doesn't
pounding torrent. The rain makes it difficult to she have such a wonderful voice?" — Rafael the Paladin
see and hear, so characters who attempt Perception checks
should roll with disadvantage. The singer is, in fact, an older elven woman named
The characters are close to the center. Ophira will say she Simonetta. Her auburn hair is streaked with grey, and
has made it to the end, but was killed by Rafael's pet despite the situation, she stands with regality and projects
chimera, a three-headed beast he stole from a member of the her voice into the chamber.
Malum Animus.
The Third Door Fight against Rafael
Read or paraphrase the following: If the players instigate a fight in any way, Rafael will whistle,
summoning his pet chimera, and both will attack the
characters. (See Enemies, pg. 17.)
As you make your way through the storm, the center of the
maze opens up before you. It is a circular clearing, with one
Rafael's Threat
remaining stone wall erected in the center. A large golden
"You'll die before you leave here with Simonetta!" — Rafael
door has been built into the wall, similar to the first but twice
as wide. A single beam of sunlight breaks through the clouds,
Simonetta will stop singing, and will join the party in their
illuminating the door. On the façade are painted red roses and
battle. Note for DMs: This provides the characters with
a large knocker in the shape of a lion's head. three (optional) allies: Diana, Ophira, and Simonetta.
However, depending on the existing party size, the DM
The door will open when the knocker is used. It opens slowly may chose to include just one of the allies if there are too
into a huge cathedral, about 400 feet long and 100 feet wide. many characters in the initiative order. Another option for
scalable difficulty is to have the chimera enter the battle
Grey light streams in through the tall arched windows, and a first, and bring Rafael in later; this makes it a bit easier
long ornate rug stretches from the doorway to the chancel. for the characters to attack them one at a time. This
The side aisles are filled with dark wooden pews. A woman
choice can be justified by Rafael's hubris: he assumes
that the characters are weak enough to be defeated by his
dressed in a black beaded gown stands on the stage in the
chimera alone.
chancel. She is singing a haunting melody, and her voice fills
the chamber.
Conclusion
Lacrimosa River continues into this cathedral, and it runs Once Rafael and the chimera are defeated, Ophira's spectral
along the right side of the room. It comes to a stop in front of form will begin to dissipate. She thanks the characters for
the chancel. A creature with a dragon head, a lion head, and a their help and disappears, her soul put to rest. The souls in
goat head — a chimera — is crouched before it. When a soul the river, too, are released from their captivity, and the river
tries to emerge from the river, the lion head will bare its turns from murky to clear, before evaporating entirely. Diana
teeth, and the soul will lower back into the river, and the will tell the characters the truth about her mission for the
current reverses directions. This prevents the souls from Aureum and offers her aid, should they ever need it.
leaving their purgatory. Blackness envelops the cathedral and the characters. They
come to consciousness in Dante's warm kitchen, and the hole
Encounter with Rafael in the wall is now gone. Dante will tearfully embrace
Simonetta. She, too, will thank the characters for their
In the middle of the stage, a man dressed in black armor sits bravery and pledges to write a song about their heroics.
on a throne, his legs draped over the arm. When the Dante will award the characters 1,000 g total and heart-
characters step into the room, he quickly stands up. The man shaped boxes of healing chocolate. Each box contains five
is Rafael, the paladin of Shar and the keeper of the labyrinth. chocolates that possess 1 point of healing.
At the sight of the characters, he will clap his hands. Dante invites the characters to celebrate with them at the
Rafael has long, black hair pulled into a ponytail. His black St. Valentine's Day festival, and everyone may proceed back to
armor gleams in the feeble light. Emblazoned on the front is the city square.
Shar's symbol: a black disk with a border.
The End

10 SCENE 5 | THE PALADIN OF SHAR

Map for DMs
This map is only for the reference of the
DMs. Players can look at the unmarked
map on pg. 5.

Map Key:
Star: Entrance from the bakery kitchen
1: Vine Blights (3)
2: Door/Room 1 Entrance
3: Door/Room 1 Exit
4: Diana
5: Door/Room 2 Entrance
6: Door/Room 2 Exit
7: Door 3

MAP FOR DMs 11

 Characters
Paula Floria
Paula is a human woman and a florist vendor. She moved to Diana/Artemis
St. Valentine to grow her floral business, She is in her 50s Diana appears to be a human ranger and claims to have
and has dark hair and dark eyes, and wears a flower crown of been taken into the labyrinth the year prior. In actuality, this
roses and baby's breath. is simply a cover, for she is Artemis, goddess of hunting, the
Dante Gallo moon, and wild animals. She is a prominent member of the
Aureum, and is on a secret mission to help rid the Aureum of
Dante is a world-renown baker and the owner of Dante's corrupt and evil gods and goddesses. However, she uses the
Casa di Dolci. He is a half-elf, and his dark hair is streaked characters as a cover so that she does not cause a civil war
with grey. He is quite handsome and is typically quite jovial. within the Aureum.
His wife's plight has made him frantic and desperate.
Simonetta Galla Diana the Ranger
Simonetta is Dante's wife and a respected bard. She is a half- Medium humanoid, ranger
elf, and has auburn and grey hair. Simonetta has a regal
presence. She was taken into the labyrinth when Rafael Armor Class 16
heard her lovely singing voice through the hole in the bakery. Hit Points 32 (4d10)
Speed 35 ft.

Simonetta Galla STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

Medium humanoid, bard 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 8 (-1)
Armor Class 15
Hit Points 24 (3d8) Proficiencies +2 profiency bonus. Thieves' tools,
Speed 30 ft. Survival, Animal Handling
Senses passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Celestial
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
8 (-1) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (0) 16 (+3) Actions
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach
Proficiencies +2 proficiency bonus. Performance 5ft., one target. Hit: 1d6 + 4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Common, Elvish Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range
150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 1d8 + 4 piercing
damage. (15 arrows.)
Actions Cure Wounds. A creature the ranger touches regains
Vicious Mockery. Cantrip. Unleash insults laced with a number of hit points equal to 1d8 + 5. This spell
subtle enchantments at a creature seen within has no effect on Undead or constructs.
range. If the target can hear, it must succeed on a
Wisdom saving throw or take 1d4 psychic damage
and have disadvantage on the next attack roll it Other
makes before the end of its next turn. Favored Enemy. Monstrosities. (Rafael's chimera is a
Hideous Laughter. 1st Level Spell. The target must monstrosity.) The ranger has advantage on Wisdom
succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or fall prone, (Survival) checks to track their favored enemies, as
becoming incapacitated and unable to stand up for well as on Wisdom (Perception, Insight) involving
the duration. At the end of each of its turns, and their favored enemies and on Intelligence checks to
each time it takes damage, the target can make recall information about them. They also gain a +2
another Wisdom saving throw. The target has bonus to damage with weapon attacks.
advantage on the saving throw if it's triggered by Spellcasting. Spell Save DC: 13. Spell Attack
damage. On a success, the spell ends. Modifier: +5. Spell Slots: 1st-level (3).

Other
Spellcasting. Spell Save DC: 13. Spell Attack
Modifier: +5. Spell Slots: 1st-level (5).

12 CHARACTERS
Ophira Bartolomeo
Ophira is a ghost who will aid the characters in defeating Bartolomeo is a satyr, placed in the labyrinth by Shar. He is
Rafael. Ophira made it to the center of the maze but was unclothed, and the lower half of his body is covered in fur.
killed by Rafael's pet chimera. Her soul was then trapped in Like others of his kind, Bartolomeo has the horns, hooves,
Lacrimosa River, destined to an eternity in purgatory, until and tail of a goat. He has been tasked with guarding the door
the characters disturbed the river and awoke some of the leaving the courtyard, so he demands that those trapped in
spirits within. Ophira's spectral form reflects her former the maze answer his riddles before proceeding. He enjoys
appearance as a young woman dressed in a simple white taunting people with his panpipes. (Satyr stats are on pg. 267
shift, her hair bound in a long braid down her back. When the of the Monster Manual.)
party defeats Rafael, her soul will be released to the afterlife.
Rafael
Rafael is a human paladin who has devoted his life to
Ghost of Ophira serving Shar. Several decades ago, Shar created a labyrinth
Medium undead, neutral good to lure souls to their deaths and keep them in purgatory.
Rafael was appointed to guard the maze. He has a pet
Armor Class 11 chimera which he stole after killing a member of the Malum
Hit Points 45 (10d8) Animus who bred and raised chimeras. Because he serves
Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover) an evil goddess, Rafael himself is an evil trickster and enjoys
seeing others suffer in service to Shar. However, he grows
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
bored being in the maze, and has spent many years luring
people, of all races and genders, into it. As a paladin, he has
7 (-2) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 17 (+3) chosen the Oath of Conquest, and seeks to dominate people
and control their free will.
Damage Resistances acid, fire, lightning, thunder;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from
nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified,
poisoned, prone, restrained
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages any languages it knew in life

Incorporeal Movement. The ghost can move through

other creatures and objects as if they were difficult
terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its
turn inside an object.

Actions
Withering Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 17 (4d6 + 3) necrotic
damage.
Horrifying Visage. Each non-undead creature within
60 feet of the ghost that can see it must succeed
on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened
for 1 minute. If the save fails by 5 or more, the
target also ages 1d4 x 10 years. A frightened target
can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of
its turns, ending the frightened condition on itself
on a success. If a target's saving throw is successful
or the effect ends for it, the target is immune to
this ghost's Haunting Visage for the next 24 hours.
The aging effect can be reversed with a greater
restoration spell, but only within 24 hours of it
occurring.

CHARACTERS, cont. 13
 Enemies
Vine Blights Harpy
Medium plant, neutral evil Medium monstrosity, chaotic evil

Armor Class 12 (natural armor) Armor Class 11

Hit Points 26 (4d8 + 8) Hit Points 38 (7d8 + 7)
Speed 10 ft. Speed 20 ft., fly 40 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
15 (+2) 8 (-1) 14 (+2) 5 (-3) 10 (+0) 3 (-4) 12 (+1) 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 7 (-2) 10 (+0) 13 (+1)

Skills Stealth +1 Senses passive Perception 10

Condition Immunities blinded, deafened Languages Common
Senses blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), Challenge 1 (200 XP)
passive Perception 10
Languages Common
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Actions
Multiattack. The harpy makes two attacks: one with
False Appearance. While the blight remains its claws and one with its club.
motionless, it is indistinguishable from a tangle of
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5ft.,
vines.
one target. Hit 6 (2d4 + 1) slashing damage.
Actions Club. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 6 (1d4 + 1) bludgeoning damage.
Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach
10 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) bludgeoning Luring Song. The harpy sings a magical melody.
damage, and a Large or smaller target is grappled Every humanoid and giant within 300 feet of the
(escape DC 12). Until this grapple ends, the target harpy that can hear the song must succeed on a DC
is restrained, and the blight can't constrict another 11 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed until this
target. song ends. The harpy must take a bonus action on
its subsequent turns to continue singing. It can
Entangling Plants (Recharge 5-6). Grasping roots and stop singing at any time. The song ends if the harpy
vines sprout in a 15-root radius centered on the is incapacitated.
blight, withering away after 1 minute. For the While charmed by the harpy, a target is
duration, that area is difficult terrain for nonplant incapacitated and ignores the songs of other
creatures. In addition, each creature of the blight's harpies. If the charmed target is more than 5 feet
choice in that area when the plants appear must away fro the harpy, the target must move on its
succeed on a DC 12 Strength saving throw or turn toward the harpy by the most direct route,
become restrained. A creature can use its action to trying to get within 5 feet. It doesn't avoid
make a DC 12 Strength check, freeing itself or opportunity attacks, but whenever it takes damage
another entangled creature within reach on a from a source other than the harpy, the target can
success. repeat the saving throw. A charmed target can also
repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its
turns. If the saving throw is successful, the effect
ends on it.
A target that successfully saves is immune to this
harpy's song for the next 24 hours.

14 ENEMIES
Enemies, cont.
Peryton Swarm of poisonous
Medium monstrosity, chaotic evil
snakes
Armor Class 13 (natural armor) Medium swarm of Tiny beasts, unaligned
Hit Points 33 (6d8 + 6)
Speed 20 ft., fly 60 ft. Armor Class 14
Hit Points 36 (8d8)
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 12 (+1) 13 (+1) 9 (-1) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

Skills Perception +5 8 (-1) 18 (+4) 11 (+0) 1 (-5) 10 (+0) 3 (-4)

Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing from nonmagical attacks Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Senses passive Perception 15 Condition Immunities charmed, frightened,
Languages understands Common and Elvish but grappled, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained,
can't speak stunned
Challenge 2 (450 XP) Senses blindsight 10 ft., passive Perception 10
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Dive Attack. If the peryton is flying and dives at least
30 feet toward a target and then hits it with a Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature's
melee weapon attack, the attack deals an extra 9 space and vice versa, and the swarm can move
(2d8) damage to the target. through any opening large enough for a Tiny snake.
The swarm can't regain hit points or gain temporary
Flyby. The peryton doesn't provoke an opportunity hit points.
attack when it flies out of an enemy's reach.
Keen Sight and Smell. The peryton has advantage on Actions
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight or Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 0ft.,
smell. one creature in the swarm's space. Hit: 7 (2d6)
piercing damage, or 3 (1d6) piercing damage if the
Actions swarm has half of its hit points or fewer. The target
Multiattack. The peryton makes one gore attack and must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw,
one talon attack. taking 14 (4d6) poison damage on a failed save, or
half as much damage on a successful one.
Gore. Melee Weapon Attack. +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 +3) piercing damage.
Talons. Melee Weapon Attack. +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) piercing damage.

ENEMIES, cont. 15
 Enemies, cont.
Specter Chimera
Medium fiend, unaligned Large monstrosity, chaotic evil

Armor Class 12 Armor Class 14 (natural armor)

Hit Points 22 (5d8) Hit Points 114 (12d10 + 48)
Speed 0 ft., fly 50 ft. (hover) Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
1 (-5) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 19 (+4) 11 (+0) 19 (+4) 3 (-4) 14 (+2) 10 (+0)

Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning, Skills Perception +8

thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 18
from nonmagical attacks Languages understands Draconic but can't speak
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone,
restrained, unconscious
Actions
Skills darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 Multiattack. The chimera makes three attacks: one
Languages understands all languages it knew in life with its bite, one with its horns, and one with its
but can't speak claws. When its fire breath is available, it can use
Challenge 1 (200 XP) the breath in place of its bite or horns.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack. +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
Incorporeal Movement. The specter can move one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 +4) piercing damage.
through other creatures and objects as if they were
difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it Horns. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft.,
ends its turn inside an object. one target. Hit: 10 (1d12 + 4) bludgeoning
damage.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the specter
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on
one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Fire Breath (5-6). The dragon head exhales fire in a
Actions 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make
Life Drain. Melee Spell Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5ft., a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 31 (7d8)
one target. Hit: 10 (3d6) necrotic damage. The fire damage on a failed save, or half as much
target must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution damage on a successful one.
saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced
by an amount equal to the damage taken. This
reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long
rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its point
maximum to 0.

16 ENEMIES, cont.
Enemies, cont.
Rafael the Paladin Lay on Hands. As an action, the paladin can touch a
creature and draw power from a pool (35 points) to
Medium humanoid, Oath of Conquest, lawful evil
restore a number of hit points to themselves or a
Armor Class 19 designated creature, up to the maximum amount
Hit Points 60 (7d10) remaining in the pool. Five points is needed to
Speed 30 ft. neutralize a poison.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Options

16 (+3) 9 (-1) 14 (+2) 11 (+1) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) Conquering Presence. The paladin can use Channel
Divinity to exude a terrifying presence. As an action,
the paladin forces each creature of their choice that
Proficiencies +3 proficiency bonus. Persuasion, they can see within 30 feet of them to make a Wisdom
Charisma. saving throw. On a failed save, the creature becomes
Saving Throws Wis +5, Cha +6 frightened of the paladin for 1 minute. The frightened
Immunities disease creature can repeat this saving throw at the end of
Senses passive Perception 12 each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a
Languages Common, Celestial, Infernal success.

Actions Aura of Conquest. The paladin constantly emanates a

menacing aura while they are not incapacitated. The
Attack. The paladin can attack twice, when using the aura extends 10 feet from them in every direction, but
following: not through total cover. If a creature is frightened of
the paladin, its speed is reduced to 0 while in the aura,
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft., and that creature takes 3 points of psychic damage if it
one target. Hit: 1d8 + 3 slashing damage. starts its turn there.
Javelin. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft. or
range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 1d6 + 3 piercing
damage.

Random Encounters
Roll a D10 for one of the following
random encounters. All stats can be
found in the Monster Manual.
1: Peryton — pg. 251
2: Death Dog — pg. 321
3: Fire Snake — pg. 265
4: Giant Vulture — pg. 329
5: Vine Blight — pg. 32
6: Shadows (3) — pg. 269
7: Imp — pg. 76
8: Harpy — pg. 181
9: Duergar — pg. 122
10: Bugbear — pg. 33

ENEMIES + RANDOM ENCOUNTERS 17

Thanks and Acknowledgements

A
heartfelt thanks to my DnD crew, the Tavern Burners/Dragonkillers/Hoben's Yaros/Alveron and the
Chultmonks/etc., for providing me with endless inspiration and camaraderie. I love all of you... even the paladin.
Thanks to my husband, Andrew (a.k.a Alinar... Hoben... Dremora...), for his insight, creativity, play-testing, and
constant support. This one-shot was inspired by my recent family trip to Italy (my motherland), where I fell in love
with the magic and mysticism of Florence all over again. (Paula Floria is based on my mother, Paula, who dreams of
being a florist.)

Additional information
This adventure was written and produced by Ashley Warren.
Dungeons & Dragons is the property of Wizards of the Coast. Please support their world-changing work.
Document designed using http://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com.
If you enjoyed this adventure, please let me know! I'd
love to hear about your experiences. Connect with me:
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