Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary is a digital-only supplement available on D&D Beyond for $9.99. This 23-page resource offers detailed lore, maps, and encounters centered around Sigil’s Mortuary and the enigmatic Heralds of Dust faction.
Overview of the Supplement
Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary is a 23-page digital-only supplement designed to enhance your Planescape campaign. Available exclusively on D&D Beyond for $9.99, this resource provides a deep dive into Sigil’s infamous Mortuary, a sprawling necropolis managed by the enigmatic Heralds of Dust. The supplement is structured into four main sections, focusing on the lore of the Mortuary, its key faction, maps of the location, and the creatures that inhabit it. It includes detailed descriptions of the Mortuary’s domed towers, catacombs, and surrounding graves, as well as encounter tables and adventure hooks tailored for characters of various tiers. While not a standalone adventure, the supplement offers ample tools for Dungeon Masters to craft unique stories and encounters within this eerie setting. Additionally, it features stat blocks for notable undead minions and the Factal, the ancient lich overseeing the Mortuary. This supplement is a valuable addition for fans of Planescape lore, providing rich context and gameplay opportunities.
Significance in the Planescape Setting
The Mortuary holds profound significance in the Planescape setting as the headquarters of the Heralds of Dust, a faction centered on the philosophy of the “True Death.” This ancient lich, the Factal, oversees the Mortuary’s operations, seeking the Annihilation Sublime to achieve ultimate oblivion. The Mortuary’s structure, with its domed towers and catacombs, reflects the faction’s reverence for death, making it a unique location for both lore and gameplay. Its presence in Sigil underscores the city’s role as a crossroads of the multiverse, attracting souls from various planes. The supplement enriches the setting by providing detailed lore, maps, and encounters, offering Dungeon Masters tools to integrate the Mortuary into their campaigns. This resource not only expands the Planescape setting but also enhances its depth, making the Mortuary a compelling and eerie destination for players to explore.
Lore of the Mortuary
The Mortuary, a sprawling necropolis, serves as the Heralds of Dust’s base, where they prepare the dead for the “True Death.” Led by the ancient lich Factal, the site is central to their rituals and mysterious ambitions.
The Heralds of Dust
The Heralds of Dust, or “Dusters,” are a mysterious faction in Sigil who believe all beings are already dead, awaiting the “True Death.” They manage the Mortuary, a vast necropolis where they prepare and entomb the deceased from across the planes. The faction is led by the Factal, an ancient lich obsessed with finding the Annihilation Sublime, a source of immense power believed to unlock the True Death. The Dusters operate through a network of undead minions, overseeing the elaborate rituals and funerals conducted within the Mortuary’s domed towers and sprawling catacombs. Their role extends beyond funeral rites, as they seek to understand and hasten the transition to the afterlife. This faction adds depth to Sigil’s lore, offering Dungeon Masters rich material to craft unique encounters, quests, and stories centered around mortality, undeath, and the pursuit of esoteric power. Their enigmatic presence makes them a compelling element for any Planescape campaign.
The Factal and the Annihilation Sublime
The Factal, an ancient and decrepit lich, is the enigmatic leader of the Heralds of Dust, governing the Mortuary with an iron fist. Obsessed with the concept of the Annihilation Sublime, a mysterious force believed to grant unimaginable power and unlock the path to the True Death, the Factal has dedicated his existence to its discovery. This singular focus drives the Factal to experiment with dark rituals and delve into forbidden lore, often at the cost of his own deteriorating physical form. The Annihilation Sublime is central to the Heralds’ ideology, representing the ultimate goal of their macabre practices. It is said that achieving this state could eradicate the boundaries between life and death, offering a final transcendence. The Factal’s relentless pursuit adds a layer of urgency and danger to the Mortuary, making him a formidable and intriguing figure for adventurers to encounter. His presence underscores the themes of mortality and power, providing rich narrative opportunities for Dungeon Masters to explore.
Creatures of the Mortuary
Creatures of the Mortuary
The Mortuary teems with a variety of undead creatures, from skeletal guardians to malevolent spirits. Notable beings like Skal, a fearsome undead entity, roam the grounds, while encounter tables provide detailed stats and behaviors for these sinister inhabitants.
Notable Monsters and Undead Minions
The Mortuary is home to a variety of terrifying undead creatures and unique monsters that serve the Heralds of Dust. Among the most notable is Skal, a powerful undead entity with a dark history tied to the Mortuary. Skal’s stats and lore are detailed in the supplement, making it a formidable foe for adventurers. The Heralds of Dust command legions of undead minions, including skeletal guardians and ghostly apparitions, which patrol the Mortuary’s towers and catacombs. These creatures are not just enemies but also integral to the Mortuary’s operations, often serving as enforcers or laborers. The supplement provides encounter tables and detailed descriptions for these beings, allowing Dungeon Masters to craft chilling and immersive experiences. Additionally, the Mortuary’s unique environment spawns otherworldly monsters, such as shadowy figures and necrotic beasts, adding layers of danger to the location. These creatures are perfectly suited to the Mortuary’s eerie atmosphere, making it a unforgettable setting for any campaign.
Encounter Tables and Adventure Hooks
The supplement provides detailed encounter tables tailored to the Mortuary’s eerie environment, offering diverse challenges for adventurers. These tables are organized by tier, ensuring balanced encounters for parties of varying levels. Dungeon Masters can use these tools to create dynamic combat scenarios, from skirmishes with undead minions to confrontations with more powerful entities like Skal. Additionally, the book includes a variety of adventure hooks designed to draw players into the Mortuary’s mysteries. These hooks range from retrieving a noble’s body to uncovering the secrets of the Annihilation Sublime. The encounter tables and hooks are complemented by maps of key locations, allowing DMs to craft immersive and visually engaging experiences. The supplement also encourages customization, enabling DMs to adapt encounters to their campaign’s tone and player preferences. With these resources, the Mortuary becomes a versatile and unforgettable setting for any Planescape adventure.
Campaigns in the Mortuary
Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary offers a rich setting for campaigns, blending eerie atmosphere with versatile encounters. DMs can craft short or extended adventures, leveraging its maps, lore, and unique locations to create unforgettable stories in Sigil’s necropolis.
Adventure Hooks and Quest Ideas
Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary provides a wealth of hooks and quest ideas to immerse players in Sigil’s eerie necropolis. Retrieve a noble’s stolen corpse from the catacombs, negotiate with the enigmatic Heralds of Dust, or unravel the mystery of the Factal’s obsession with the Annihilation Sublime. DMs can craft quests around escaping the Mortuary’s labyrinthine tunnels, battling undead minions, or uncovering hidden relics. The supplement also includes encounter tables tailored for Tiers 1-3, offering dynamic challenges for parties of varying strengths. A free guide, Let’s Build a One-Shot With Adventure Atlas: The Mortuary, offers additional inspiration for short adventures, making it ideal for Halloween-themed sessions. With its detailed maps and lore, the Mortuary becomes a versatile setting for crafting unique and unforgettable stories in the Plane of Sigil.
