Lair Assault Background

The once bustling metropolis of Neverwinter lies mostly in ruins after a century of turmoil. Nearly thirty years ago, a cataclysm created by a waking primordial struck the city, bringing fires, earthquakes, and evil portents. But even that event could not kill the city completely. Now, widespread repair efforts have given Neverwinter new life under the stewardship of Lord Protector, Dagult Neverember, Open Lord of Waterdeep.

Years before the cataclysm, cultists of Asmodeus calling themselves the Ashmadai (“Messenger of the Raging Fiend”) began working in the region as agents of the Thayan lich, Szass Tam and Asmodeus himself- remains unclear, but Szass Tam has a powerful magic scepter in his possession that the Ashmadai cultists consider a holy relic.

The Ashmadai have been split into two factions. One group, led by the dwarf Farvia, is slavishly loyal to Asmodeus. The other group, let by the tiefling named Mordai Vell, is manipulative and seeks to wield power, rather than pay homage to it. The first group – older and less intellectual – uses the scepter to serve Thayian interests. The second group is less dedicated to Thay and has orchestrated the Ashmadai’s rise to power in the city through shady deals and manipulation.

Recently, Mordai Vell and his followers have been pushing the cult into the open, marking buildings whose occupants have suffered the wrath of the cult with the sign of Asmodeus. A few weeks ago, Mordai Weil discovered the catacombs of the Waterclock Guild hidden beneath a large mausoleum in Neverwinter’s graveyard. The Waterclock Guild was an organization of artisans famous for building beautiful and intricate waterclocks without the benefit of magic. It also had a hand in designing the mechanisms that the dwarves of Gauntlgrym used to bind the primordial Maegera. Using the records he discovered in the Waterclock Crypts, Mordai Veil has found a path under Mount Hotenow that bypasses Gauntlgrym, giving him access to the primordial and its power.

In this challenge, the characters confront Mordai Veil and his followers. Mordai Vell resents the Ashmadai’s forced relationship with the Thayans, and he plots his own rise to power. He plans to fuse the power of the Nine Hells with the might of the primordial Maegera to create a new scepter in the image of the original but with greater power. If he succeeds, Neverwinter is doomed.

Lord Neverember’s allies are busy dealing with threats within the city. For this reason, he has beseeched the adventurers to eliminate Mordai Veil (offering a sizeable reward if they are successful). Neverember put his best wizards to work scrying the cultist, and he was able to provide the party with a map to the complex where Mordai Veil was viewed. The characters now journey through the tunnels in Mount Hotenow, speeding towards the Forge of the Dawn Titan, where the tiefling works to complete the scepter.