M2 "Vengeance of Alphaks" (1986) by Skip Williams is a D&D adventure for a party of four to eight characters of levels 28-32.
M2 "Vengeance of Alphaks" (1986) by Skip Williams. Cover illustration depicting a pegataur, by Jeff Easley.
The immortal Alphaks manipulates Baron Norlan of Qeodhar into invading Norwold, while distracting the PCs by generating turmoil in their dominions.
Creative Team:
M2 "Vengeance of Alphaks" was written by
Skip Williams, with editing by Bruce Heard and Eric Tobias.
The original proposal was considerably more story driven and loosely inspired by the ... Labors of Hercules. Pieces were discarded until we got down to something we could do in 32 pages. Later on, I picked up the storyline an used it for the adventure design examples in the original High-Level Handbook.
The cover illustration is by Jeff Easley. Black and white interior illustrations are by Mark Nelson. Cartography is by David C. Sutherland III.
The Setting:
...nobles from Alphatia's Kingdom of Norwold are becoming restless as time and the burden of taxes breaks down the allegiance linking the colony with the mother country. Even Norwold’s King Ericall, the second son of Eriadna the Wise, the current empress of Alphatia, is beginning to talk of independence.
"Vengeance of Alphaks" pg. 2
Baron Norlan's mercenaries include raiders from the lands of Thonia, pirates from western Minaea, and a fleet from the Minrothad Guilds.
The maps of Norwold introduce the port town of Helskir on the Isle of Dawn.
Rival Clerics:
Lambert Bohn (C30), a powerful and still rising lawful cleric, is being pursued by Coiger de Mory (C34), an evil and selfish man, for a powerful artifact (see below).
Chapters 1 and 2 provide opportunities for the PCs to ally with either one or the other in their preparations for the coming war.
Riddles:
Chapter 3 includes several puzzles involving logic which seem out of place for a high-level adventure, although could be re-used elsewhere.
Chaos Returns:
Chapters 4 and 5 involve Baron Norlan's invasion of Norwold, aided by a number of petty Alphatian nobles, including one of the empress' sons.
Illustration by Mark Nelson (this piece was partially recycled as filler art in DA2 "Temple of the Frog" (1986) pg. 47, also illustrated by Nelson
The imperial prince is able to obtain a flying castle to support the raid on Norwold, which is described in great detail and may be re-used in other adventures.
In revenge for the empress' refusal of a marriage proposition for one of her daughters, the baron plans to turn any conquered territory over to Thyatis, along with the Alphatian nobles.
The Girdle of De’Rah:
The Girdle of De'Rah* is a Greater Artifact, as described in the Master DM's book (1986)
Powers include A2: Open Mind (PP 80); B1: Lie Detection (PP 50); B1: ESP (PP 25); B1: Truesight (PP 50); D1: Cure Disease (PP 20); D1: Neutralize (PP 30); D1: Heal (PP 100); D3: Mind Barrier (PP 80)
*possibly inspired by the Belt of Hippolyta
New Monsters:
Earthquake Beetle,* Pegataur**
*special thanks is extended to Frank Mentzer for the Earthquake Beetle
**appear in the army roster for Baron Norlan's Thonian Mercenary Raiders
Prerolled Characters:
Trent the White, Lawful 30th level Paladin
Bardeen Longwalker, Neutral 28th level Knight
Wirmefred of the Lake, Lawful 28th level Cleric
Adik de Chevas, Lawful 29th level Magic-User
Lucci Dhay, Neutral 29th level Thief
Delsel Oaktree, 10th level neutral Elf (Attack Rank M)
Trivia:
Niles' Crones of "Crystakk" (sic) from CM1 and CM3 make a return appearance, but are described as a trio of immortals, whereas in CM1 they were "clerics of tremendous power".
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