"Skeletons of Scarwall" Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mandraivus

The Sklar-Quah Shoanti and the Sun Shaman at the Flameford Encampment, following the Red Mantis raid in the end of 'A History of Ashes', will tell the heroes that the answers they seek will be found in the massive fortress known as Scarwall, where the heroic Mandraivus defeated the dragon, Kazavon, whose power could be found in the fangs of Queen Ileosa's crown.

Although the fangs were purposely spread far and wide, Ileosa's flourishing power indicates that they have been reunited and this likely means that the monsters of Scarwall are back in action.

Answer: Wisdom

As we near the end of the campaign in this penultimate chapter, the options for potential ability scores begins to narrow significantly, and Wisdom takes the prize this time around, giving players the ability to use Harrow Points for Wisdom-based rerolls (ie. Will saves, Perception checks, etc.), allow for Greater Turning by rebuking undead creatures with bonuses, and to give bonus to divine spells.

In addition to the harrow reading, Zellara will sing a song about a mysterious item known as Serithtiel, whose secrets may lie within Scarwall.

Answer: Soul

Zellara certainly does go the extra mile to ensure all heroes are safe from the unspeakable horrors and ghouls of Scarwell by granting a blessing of infusion to protect from undead and spirits haunting the locale. There's an option; Zellara will infuse a single piece of armor or a weapon, giving the former the Ghost Touch ability or the latter the quality of Undead Bane. Alternatively, Zellara can infuse one's soul, giving the hero the ability to survive against a death effect if they fail their initial saving throw.

It could literally mean life or death.

Answer: A barbican gate

The main route to Scarwall leads into the Hold of Belkzen and to a crater lake, but also directly through a fortified outpost protecting the bridge leading to the main destination, sitting out in the middle of a volcanic caldera. The gate here is patrolled by a group of orcs who never left the region, calling themselves the Deadwatchers and led by Ury Sevenskulls. That being said, the gate is an avoidable obstacle. Visitors could also approach Scarwall by sea or by air, but each option would lead to fearsome foes and, if unlucky, an umbral dragon.

Answer: True

Scarwell is a disturbing place known for its ability to entrap the spirits of the dead within its walls, absorbing them into its awful power. This means that as soon as the heroes step foot on within a certain range of its walls (i.e. when they cross the bridge in the lake), Zellar will be pulled from the Harrow Deck, unable to be saved by any means.

She can not return to the Harrow Deck for any reason until a solution is found, though the use of Harrow Points and the powers she granted via infusion are still present during the chapter.

Answer: Five

Scarwall is a true dungeon from an RPG standpoint, and one of only a few in the "Curse of the Crimson Throne" campaign, harkening back to old-school crawls. Castle Scarwall contains five floors if you include the caverns below as well as additional dungeon space beyond Scarwell's height's (eg. the star tower and the donjon). All the while, the corridors of the castle are populated by the undead, most of which have sinister intent, having been trapped there for centuries since the fall of Kazavon. All living visitors will be instilled with a sense of dread affecting their actions (unless they shake it off) and feel a general aura of menace during their stay.

Answer: Four

Spirit Anchors refer to the four commanders used to chain the spirit Mithrodar to Scarwall, and it's not until they're removed from existence that work can be done to find Serithtiel. Unsurprisingly, this needs to be done within a set amount of time; Mithrodar is strong enough to replace his anchors if not destroyed effectively, claiming evil creatures to do so (perhaps some already-known followers of Zun-Kuthon in this campaign...).

The more anchors defeated, the more Scarwall begins to loosen its hold on the spirits within and the less bad effects are forced onto its visitors. Mithrodar can be found in the main keep on the main floor.

Answer: Bishop Zev Ravenka

While all four of these are Spirit Anchors found in Scarwall, Ravenka may be considered by some to be the most powerful. There are many strong spirits in Scarwall beyond these four, and while one may simply wish to fight with pure, brutish force, Ravenka is one of many who can be goaded into being destroyed or compromised by other means with proper diplomacy. Found in the Dark Shrine of Midnight in the western reach of the castle, the bishop is immune to almost all magic, has severe resistance to physical weapons, and can easily drain hero levels, trapping their souls and killing them in a matter of combat rounds. Best avoid this one, if anyone.

Answer: Zon-Kuthon

One of the subplots of recent chapters comes to an end in Scarwall. The Shadowcount Sial and Laori Vaos (found in "A History of Ashes" and "Escape From Old Korvosa" respectively) will hopefully encounter a colleague in a chamber beneath a well in the Castle, having lived their time as Curate in the Star Tower on the grounds. Known as Ildervok, he'll ask that someone take on the role of Curate to help restrain the evils of the keep, and while any hero can do it provided they have the correct alignment, it's a role possibly better suited for one of Zon-Kuthon's followers.

This will, of course, mean that the character is sent to the Shadow Realm, likely removing them from the campaign. Fortunately, speaking to Ildervok will have its benefits in the main storyline as he'll indicate that Serithtial is still within the castle, just down in the caves beneath it, guarded by the "Children of Rovagug".

Answer: Sword

In the depths of the underground lake, Sekamina, Serithial waits, guarded by Gugs and an aberrant creature known as Kleestad. Serithial, a +4 holy Zon-Kuthon bane sword, makes attempts to draw one player closer to be retrieved, but this does mean swimming into the water to obtain it.

The weapon is, perhaps, the only thing that can sunder Queen Ileosa's Crown of Fangs, and with it in the party's possession, a return to Korvosa can be made, but only in the final chapter of the campaign.