A Delvers Guide to the Abyss - A Made in Abyss Compendium by moonpod (2024)

A Delvers Guide to The Abyss

The Abyss, Creatures & Magical Artifacts from the Anime/Manga 'Made in Abyss'

Disclaimers and Information for the ReaderThis is an unofficial fan work unaffiliated with Wizards of the Coast or Akihito Tsukushi. This work is not approved/endorsed by Wizards of the Coast or Akihito Tsukushi. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast or Akihito Tsukushi.

This supplement assumes the events of the Anime/Manga (Reg and Rikos journey down) are yet to occur but will soon. The setting outside of the island the Abyss is located within has been purposefully left vague so it may be placed within your own settings, though it would likely work best in a lower magic setting however not one without magic, due to the nature of the Abyss and its relics (magic items).

Text that appears in a box like this is intended to be read aloud or paraphrased for the characters when they first arrive at the location or under specific circ*mstances described before it.

Sometimes content will refer to other pages or different books such as DGA pg52 (Delvers Guide to the Abyss page 52) #ADD CLICKABLE LINKS LATER WHEN DONE# Other abbreviations can be found here https://www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/9zqiq4/glossary_of_dd_acronyms_and_abbreviations/

Sometimes key information will be in bold to help you identify it at a glance

If you wish to contact me, the best way is through Twitter - @MoonsPod.

I am in the process of rearranging parts of this work and adding new pieces so bare in mind this is very WIP.

Please enjoy.

CreditsShenYH - Cover & Back Images(https://www.artstation.com/artwork/mbnOY)

LT Tim (Twitter) - Redrawn map of the Abyss (https://twitter.com/Lt_TimTwitch)

SETIEM-13 (DeviantArt) - Image of Flower Field(https://setiem-13.deviantart.com/art/Made-in-Abyss-Panoramic-Fanart-719100382)

MiA Wiki (Fandom) - Images/Information(https://madeinabyss.wikia.com/)

MiA Manga (MAL) - Images/Background(https://myanimelist.net/manga/91941/Made_in_Abyss)

MiA Anime (MAL) - Images/Background(https://myanimelist.net/anime/34599/Made_in_Abyss)

Disclaimer

Download PDF version, includes images

3 - General Setting
3 - Map of The Abyss
4 - The Abyss
4 - Whistles
5 - Abyss Faith
5 - Birthday-Death Disease
5 - The Curse of the Abyss
5 - The Blessing of the Abyss
5 - Knowledge of the People
6 - The Curse of the Abyss table
7 - Narehate Characters/Mutation
8 - Backgrounds
9 - Layer 0 - The Town of Orth
Central District
North District
West District
South District
East District
Out of Town
Special Events
Layer 1 - The Edge of the Abyss
Layer 2 - The Forest of Temptation
Seeker Camp
Layer 3 - The Great Fault
The Ship
Kazura Eggs
Layer 4 - The Cup of Giants
Nanachi's Hideout
Layer 5 - The Sea of Corpses
Ido Front
Layer 6 - The Capital of the Unreturned
Ilblu
Layer 7 - The Final Maelstrom
Adventures in the Depths
Maps
Items from Orth and Above
Relics (Magic Items)
Monsters

Table of Contents

The Abyss is a colossal pit discovered years ago around a cluster of islands in the ocean. The vertical hole has a diameter of around 1000 meters and is at least 20,000 meters deep, with its exact depth being currently unknown. It possesses a unique ecosystem, wherein lie the remnants of an ancient, yet advanced civilization that made their home there in the distant past. Hiding countless treasures and relics of immense value inside, many explorers have challenged the mysterious Abyss. Some are treasure hunters looking for Artifacts, while others are explorers determined to unveil the secrets it hides. In order to explore the Abyss, Delvers were born, and the town of Orth established at the abyss' edge. Even after so many years, the Abyss still contains many sections that have never been seen, due to its many dangers. A hazardous habitat that defies common sense and other-worldly creatures that have adapted to its unique environment.

On the previous page is a map of the Abyss with a faint grid which can be used to track the characters location. Layers and special places are also labeled on this map. Each square represents 200 meters.

All throughout the Abyss there is a mysterious force field dubbed 'Lifeblood of the Abyss'. The force field acts as its main source of energy, carrying nutrients, producing light and sustaining life, in a similar fashion to the Sun. While it is present almost everywhere, it is more prominent the closer one gets to the center. More savage and dangerous creatures are often found in areas where the force field is most prevalent and branches of vegetation always point towards the center of the hole. Delvers use this fact to guide themselves when they are lost. The force field itself is invisible to the naked eye, but at a distance can be detected as a vague fog that limits vision, however all creatures natural to the Abyss are capable of seeing this force field. There are a few select spots in the Abyss, usually far from the center in secluded areas, where the force field does not exist at all.

Abyss Faith

A religion was formed using the Abyss itself as its deity, its a very common belief for those that delve into the Abyss as well as those that live arounds its edge. Because the bottom is unknown, it is believed by those of the faith to be a sort of promised land and that reaching its depths alive will grant them immortality. Ashes of the deceased are scattered into the Abyss along with their name written on a wooden plate and petals from eternal fortunes, the flower of the Abyss, during funerals.

Alignment: True NeutralSuggested Domains: Nature, Life, DeathSymbol: Eternal Fortune (white flower with 5 points) on a circular black background

Whistles

The setting makes use of different colored 'whistles' to denote rank for those who delve into the Abyss. The Delvers Guild is responsible for distributing these whistles in addition to granting a rank change. All whistles are created and distrubted by the Guild, all but for the White Whistles, which are created by a special case elaborated on in their section below.

Bells: While technically not a whistle, it is the first rank of whistle. It is given to novices, those who are studying to become delvers but are yet to venture into the Abyss themselves. Primarily this rank is for young children.Red: Rookie delvers earn the red whistle, they have a decent knowledge of the Abyss and have descended to its 1st layer on their own. It is the most common rank. Typically these whistles descend to a depth of 550 meters and no further, a red whistle who descends below 1350 meters is considered dead.Blue: Adept delvers earn the blue whistle, they are those who are experienced and have proven themselves either through their discoveries, multiple successful returns or treasures discovered. These whistles typically descend to the Forest of Temptation and no further.Moon (Purple): Proficient delvers earn the moon whistle, they carry an extensive knowledge of the abyss and its dangers, often becoming teachers for aspiring delvers. These whistles typically descend to the 3rd or 4th layer of the Abyss, those who have ventured further have not returned.Black: Expert delvers earn the black whistle, extremely talented, dexterous and masters of their techniques. Some black whistles work as subordinates to White whistles. These whistles typically descend to the 4th or 5th layer.White: Legends of the Abyss, less than 10 are known to exist. These delvers have made achievements that have changed the world with astonishing discoveries. White whistles earn a title, "Lord of " something relating to their achievements, due to their status, any information which derives from them is treated as truth. These whistles typically descend to the 5th layer and beyond.

White whistles(DGA pg#) as an object are unique, their creation unknown to all but those who have earned their own. These whistles are created using a Life Reverberating Stone which themselves are obtained through the death of one that holds a close connection to the one who requires the whistle within Abyss. Within the remains of the loved one, a stone around the size of a human fist can be found with form to be used as a whistle, thought to be created as a side effect of the curse. Once obtained, the whistle will only sound for the one who held this close connection.

The Abyss | Faith | Whistles

Time Distortion

There are reports of some form of time distortion within the abyss, though it is unclear if this is a fact or merely a feeling. The White Whistle Ozen claims that the deeper one delves, the more your sense of time breaks, with the effect becoming extreme from the 5th Layer onwards. As an experiment she once descended what she thought were a couple of weeks, but by the time she returned to the surface several months had passed. She considers it a possibility that time speeds up the further one descends.

The Time Distortion effect is optional to include in your version of the setting. If you choose to use it, 1 hour on the surface = half the layers number which the characters inhabit rounded up in hours.

Birthday-Death Disease

A disease which occurs on the surface around the Abyss. A person falls horribly ill with symptoms similar to Flu on their birthday, and by the end of that day they will have died despite any medical treatment. The disease is thought to be a rumor with a few coincidental deaths supporting its existence at this point.

It is also thought to be the cause of the 2000 year old praying skeletons found in burial towers around the 1st layer. Beneath these towers tombs were found more praying skeletons dating back 4000 years and below even that were more up to 6000 years old. If this were related, then the time for the disease to return is nearing.

The Curse of the Abyss

Though the Abyss is riddled with countless dangers and hazards, one of the greatest challenges facing delvers is in fact the ascent. This is due to a phenomenon called the Curse of the Abyss. The term refers to a series of symptoms that manifest upon ascending while within the great pit, with its more scientific name being "Strains of Ascension". There's no way to avoid it through conventional means, for some reason, the Curse only affects humanoids and Narehate, all other creatures within the Abyss are immune to its effects. The deeper one delves, the more severe the symptoms are, ranging from dizziness and nausea to intense pain throughout the body, loss of senses and even death. This makes the return trip from the Abyss extremely difficult, and it is not uncommon for delvers to perish on their way up. Particularly, the curse of the 6th Layer("loss of humanity or death") makes the return journey physically impossible for those that venture beyond this point.

The curse results from piercing the force field of the Abyss while ascending, although this fact is not generally known. Therefore, areas where the force field is weaker also result in the effects of the curse being less severe (if an area has a weak force field, you may wish to give the characters advantage versus the curses save). In certain specific places (like Nanachi's Hideout and The Village of Ilblu) the force field is not present at all, and so the Curse does not occur.

The Blessing of the Abyss

An exceedingly rare phenomenon known by few occasionally takes place within the 6th layer under special circ*mstances. One way to receive the blessing was discovered by the White Whistle Bondrewd. Much like with the Curse of the Abyss, the event occured during the ascent, but two people were needed to trigger the phenomenon. One person to bear the entire burden of the Curse (through the use of an artifact or another similar instrument), the other is then spared the curse and mutates in a different way this mutation has been dubbed the blessing.

Details on what the Curse and Blessing effects are can be found on the Mutation table (DGA pg#).

Travel

Travel through the Abyss is different to travel in traditional D&D due to the verticallity of the setting. Each layers section in this supplement provides simple calculations with yes or no questions that can be used to determine how far characters travel per hour, add or subtract from the starting travel distance.

If characters should try to descend or ascend using feather fall or fly, make it obvious how bad it may turn out either by simply telling them or showing them with random encounters which involve flying creatures, creatures with ranged attacks or battering them saving throws versus the powerful winds present in the 2nd and 3rd layers.

Knowledge of the People

Not all knowledge regarding the Abyss is known to those on the surface, below is a table to help you decide what knowledge a person might know.

Creature	Knowledge of..
Outsider	Primary pieces such as, strange monsters, great treasures and the Curse
Citizen of Orth	1st layer with minimal knowledge down to the 2nd layer
Bell Whistle	1st layer with minimal knowledge down to the 2nd layer
Red Whistle	2nd layer with minimal knowledge down to the 3rd layer
Blue Whistle	3rd layer with minimal knowledge down to the 4th layer
Moon Whistle	4th layer with minimal knowledge down to the 5th layer
Black Whistle	5th layer with minimal knowledge down to the 6th layer
White Whistle	6th layer with minimal knowledge down to the bottom

The Curse of the Abyss Table

If a creature ascends within the Abyss around 30ft or greater from their lowest point, apply the appropriate effect using this table. On a successful saving throw, they are immune to the curse for 300 meters of travel vertically over the next hour. Damage caused by the Curse cannot be avoided, a Creature immune to the curses Force damage is resistant instead. Teleportation within the Abyss is limited to 120 ft due to the forcefield interrupting any greater distance, teleporting upwards within the abyss causes those who teleport to suffer effects still as if they had traveled 30ft. Plane shift and similar spells work however all strains of ascending occur as if traveling the full distance to the surface one after another. All effects are temporary and last 1 hour unless stated otherwise:

Layer	Con save DC	Strains of Ascent
1	9	(Light Dizziness and Nausea) • Disadvantage on Wisdom (perception) checks
2	11	(Heavy nausea, headache and numbness of limbs) • Disadvantage on any roll that relies on sight
3	13	(Vertigo combined with visual and auditory hallucinations) • Disadvantage on any roll that relies on sight • Hallucinations of their past or future • Take 11 (3d4 + 3) force damage (half this damage if the constitution save is above 11)
4	15	(Intense Full-body pain and hemorrhage from every orifice of the body) • Disadvantage on attack rolls • Disadvantage on ability checks • Movement reduced by 15ft. (to a minimum of 15ft) • Take 21 (6d4 + 6) force damage (half this damage if the constitution save is above 12)
5	17	(Complete sensory deprivation, confusion and self-harming behavior) • Disadvantage on all rolls • Blinded and Deafened • Movement reduced to 15ft. • Take 32 (9d4 + 9) force damage (half this damage if the constitution save is above 13)
6	19	(Devastating body alterations that result in the loss of humanity and sometimes death) • Disadvantage on all rolls • Stat reduced by 2 (Roll to determine which stat) • The target permanently mutates (see following page) • Movement reduced to 10ft. • Take 42 (12d4 + 12) force damage (half this damage if the constitution save is above 15) • Max hitpoints are reduced by the damage taken above until a long rest is taken
7	21	(Certain death) • Disadvantage on all rolls • Stat permanently reduced by 2 (Roll to determine which stat) • The target permanently mutates (see following page) • Movement reduced to 5ft. • Take 53 (15d4 + 15) force damage (half this damage if the constitution save is above 17) • Max hitpoints are permanently reduced by the damage taken above

Note that permanent changes can usually be undone with Greater or Lesser restoration, if you would like to maintain a more hardcore feeling consider making undoing these effects harder to remove.

The Curse of the Abyss

Narehate / Mutation

Narehate (or "hollow") are beings who have survived the 6th layer's curse and whose bodies have become deformed as a result. They can take many different forms depending on the circ*mstances of their transformation. Their exact properties as a species are unknown. The word "narehate" comes from the term "nare no hate" (成れの果て) which means "the shadow of one's former self". When a Delver finds a Narehate, the Narehate is usually killed in order to release them from their form.

When a creature mutates via the Curse of the abyss (DGA pg5), roll on the table below to select which body part mutates, the creature mutates by the 6th item in that list. However if they mutate by the Blessing of the Abyss and it is their first blessing, their background becomes Blessed Narehate (DGA pg#) and its 'feature' imedietaly applied, else roll a second time to determine how they mutate. If a body part is already mutated, add 1 to the result until it is something the target is yet to mutate.

	Mutation Roll 1d6, Body part / Mutation
1Skin	1 Luminescent (Your skin emits a dim light in a 5ft. radius)2 Scales (Your skin turns scaley, Swimming speed +5ft.)3 Carapace (A small hard shell grows on your back, Unarmored AC increased by 1)4 Thin skin (Your skin is easily cut, Take 1d4 additional damage when you receive slashing damage)5 Fur (Fur grows everywhere, -2 to Charisma (Intimidation) checks with Creatures that can see you)6 Melt (Your skin is constantly melting, its hard to keep yourself together, Always fail checks or saves on a 3 or less)
2Arms	1 Blade (Your arms grow sharp on their sides, You may use them as Shortswords)2 Grow (You grow a small additional arm, +2 to Grapple rolls)3 Quills (Quills sprout from your arms, You may shoot them once a day, treat this as a Hand Crossbow)4 Claw (Claws grow from your nails, You are unable to wear gloves) 5 Tentacle (An arm transforms into a tentacle, Attacks crit fail on a 2 or 1)6 Wither (An arm withers and becomes unusable)
3Legs	1 Hind (Your legs morph to the shape of a cats, Jump 5ft. further) 2 Grow (You grow an additional leg, +2 to Strength (Athletics) checks that rely on legs) 3 Frog (Your legs morph to the shape of a frogs, Jump 5ft. higher) 4 Claw (Claws grow from your feet, You are unable to wear boots) 5 Slug (Your feet turn slug like, -5ft speed) 6 Wither (A leg withers and becomes unusable)
4Head	1 Beak (A beak replaces your mouth, You may use your action to peck a creature, Treat this as a Dagger) 2 Long neck (Your neck grows longer, +2 to Perception rolls) 3 Antenna (Antenna sprout from your forehead, Gain Blindsense for 10ft.) 4 Two heads (An additional head grows next to your current head, Its alignment is opposite to your own, and is either played by the DM or player) 5 Tendril beard (Tendrils sprout from your chin, -2 Charisma (Persuasion) checks with Creatures that can see you ) 6 Split (From chin to nose, your mouth splits open making speech very difficult, You cannot say vowels)
5Eyes	1 Cat (Your eyes become cat like, Gain Darkvision at 30ft.) 2 Stalks (You eyes grow out on stalks, You have Advantage on Stealth checks when spying) 3 Third eye (A third eye grows on the back of your head, You cannot be surprised if not wearing a helmet) 4 Misplaced (An eye swaps places with your mouth, -2 to Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight) 5 Light Sensitivity (Your pupils fill the whites of your eyes, -2 to hit while in sunlight) 6 Cyclops (Your eyes fuse into one, disadvantage on ranged checks and attacks)
6Ears	1 Cat (Your ears become cat like, +2 to Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing) 2 Rabbit (Your ears become rabbit like, +2 to Charisma (Persuasion) checks with Creatures that can see you) 3 Extra ear (One ear grows on the front of your forehead, You can hear Conversations twice as far away) 4 Misplaced (An ear swaps places with your nose, -2 to Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing) 5 Elephant (Your ears become elephant like, -2 to Charisma (Intimidation) checks with Creatures that can see you) 6 Wither (One ear withers and becomes unusable, Disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing)
7Spec.	You always gain the following feature when you gain one of the mutations below. Flow sense: You can see the flow of Consciousness created by the Curse of the Abyss, where it is stronger, weaker and non existant. It appears as a fog that tints its surroundings a blue color. When you or your allies must roll versus the Curse of the Abyss, you may point out safer locations to ascend, granting those creatures advantage on their saving throws versus the curse. You may only use this feature if there is more than one path to ascend.1 Tail (You grow a tail, Gain advantage on Dexterity checks that rely on balance) 2 Wings (You sprout wings, Gain a flying speed of +10ft.) 3 Spider (You sprout spider legs from your back, Gain a climbing speed of +10ft.) 4 Gills (Gills grow on your neck, You can breath underwater twice as long) 5 Acrid blood (Your blood is acidic, If you receive slashing damage, Attacking targets within 5ft take 1d4 Acid damage) 6 Regeneration (When you reach 0 hitpoints you do not make death saving throws, instead you remain unconscious and regain 1 hit point after 1 hour. You cannot die except by disintegration or similar effect)

Narehate | Mutation

Backgrounds

During character creation, players can select the following backgrounds for their characters, with the DMs approval, should they wish to be from Orth or the Abyss. They are created specifically for the setting and as such their features are likely not be applicable to locations outside of the island or its pit.

Delver

You are well versed in delving and know routes through its layers having spent a decent amount of time in the depths of the Abyss.

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Survival
Tool Proficiencies: Climber's Kit, Cartographer's Tools
Equipment: Climber's kit, A backpack, A scroll case containing a map of the known Abyss, A delvers helmet (bullseye lantern that requires no hands to hold), A miners pick, A set of travelers clothes, A shovel, 50ft of Hempen rope, A belt pouch containing 10gp and A Whistle (Type is determined by the player and DM)

Feature: Depths Navigation

When navigating the Abyss, you know the signs and markings to look for in order to find common paths that delvers tread which tend to be safer than others. Roll with advantage when you make a Wisdom (Survival) check to navigate the Abyss.

Delving Instructor

You teach others about delving and the dangers within the Abyss, you have spent a good number of years researching the creatures that live within the depths as well as survival techniques.

Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Medicine
Tool Proficiencies: Climber's Kit, Healer's Kit
Equipment: Climber's kit, A Healers Kit, A backpack, A scroll case containing a map of the known Abyss, A delvers helmet (bullseye lantern that requires no hands to hold), A set of common clothes, A shovel, 50ft of Hempen rope, A belt pouch containing 10gp and A Moon Whistle

Feature: Analyse Creature

When observing a Native Creature within the Abyss, you can learn basic information about the creature by making a Wisdom (Survival) check with a DC equal to the layers Curse DC (DGA pg#). The information you learn is, what kind of damage it does, armor class, resistances, immunities and vulnerabilities as well as unique abilities (such as the Nakikabanes Mimicry)

Blessed Narehate

You have been afflicted by the blessing of the Abyss. You may have been a delver before, or perhaps you arrived in the depths by other means. No matter how you ended up there, you were struck by the blessing of the Abyss (Your DM will help you determine how you received the blessing)

Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Nature
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism Kit
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A Herbalism Kit, A blanket, A lost delvers helmet (bullseye lantern that requires no hands to hold), A set of common clothes, A piece of an animal from the Abyss

Feature: Blessing and a Curse

Your body is mutated three times using the Narehate/Mutation table (DGA pg#), one of these mutations must be a '7 spec.' mutation.

Auctioneer

You have seen many a relic pass through the auction house and seen them sold for piles of gold. With this knowledge of relics, their worth and usefulness, you have decided its time to discover your own treasure or perhaps to find something no-one else has yet seen or just to find out what lures so many into the Abyss.

Skill Proficiencies: Performance, Arcana
Tool Proficiencies: Calligrapher's Supplies
Languages: Two of your choice
Equipment: Calligrapher's Supplies, Your favorite gavel, a common magical item retrieved from the Abyss, a set of nobles clothes and a pouch containing 25 gp.

Feature: Relic Identification

You have seen, read of and sold many relics retrieved from the Abyss, when you find a magic item in the Abyss, you may make an Intelligence (Arcana) check to determine what it is and does (DMs, if you choose to allow any player to make these checks to determine an items functionality, consider allowing auctioneers to make this check with advantage). The DC is equal to the layers Curse DC (DGA pg#) the item originates from.

Character Backgrounds

Before the Abyss itself built at the edge, is the Town of Orth. Formed as a result of the many explorers who wished to explore the Abyss, it finds most of its prosperity from delvers, it can be split into 5 Districts: Central, North, South, East and West.

The buildings of Orth are mostly built of plastered stone with cobble stone defining corners and edges, roofs are most often covered with red or brown clay tiles.

If the characters should explore residence other than those listed below, consult the following table to determine the house's occupants

d20	Occupant
1-3	None
4	Guard Dog (1 Mastiff MM pg332)
5	Cat (1d4 Cats MM pg320)
6-8	Hammerbeaks nest (2d4 Hammerbeak DGA pg#)
9-19	Orth Townsfolk (1d4 Commoner MM pg345 and 1 Red/Blue/Moon/Black/Whistle Delver DGA pg#)
20	Cultists of the Abyss (2d4 Cultist MM pg345) see Adventure (DGA pg#)

Areas of Orth

The following areas correspond to labels on the map of Orth (DGA pg#), creatures are highlighted in bold so at a glance it is easy to see what might be found at each location.

Central District

This area typically keeps structures relating to delvers and tourists.

C1 - The Grand Pier

This long brass trim pier stretches out over the limitless depths, it is used for the triumphant return of Black or White Whistle Delvers (DGA pg#), its cage like gondola lowers and raises to a point half way down into the first layer. At the end of the pier is a long curving brass arm which has attached a large mesh basket crafted of metal faced down towards the abyss, it can swivel around the gondolas docking area to catch balloons that might be sent up by delvers, Guards equiped with delving gear (MM pg345) take shifts to patrol and operate the gondola and its balloon catching device. This area is strictly off limits to all but high ranking Delvers Guild members.

C2 - Gondolas

While the Grand Pier is reserved for the mightiest returning Delvers (DGA pg#), these smaller gondolas are set about several locations at the Abysses edge, patroled by Guards equiped with delving gear (MM pg345) in a similar fashion to the Grand Pier but to a far less substantial degree. Most of these Gondolas lower to 300 meters, some to small camps.

C3 - Orth Town Hall

Where choices are made regarding the Town with influence from the Delvers Guild due to its importance to the economy. The location is guarded by armored Knights (MM pg345) (Wears a dark blue tabard over armor.) who protect and serve the overly curious Town Manager Yezni Varell (Black Whistle Delver DGA pg#).

C4 - Churches of the Abyss

These churches are funded by the government and are near identical in design, with 7 spires that represent the 7 layers of the Abyss, stained glass windows that portray the Eternal Fortune flowers so commonly found in the depths, inside, behind a dais where a Priest (MM pg348) would stand during sermons is a pit 7 meters deep, 3 meters wide, where donations are given. Priests take short sermons in the morning of every day, and then operate other functions in the afternoon such as weddings and funerals.

C5 - South West Commerce Crescent

A Crescent shaped area of shops, being so close to the S4 - Cast Iron Foundry, a few shops are closely linked to it. The following table shows some of the shops which might be found in the area:

d6	Merchant
1	The Kiln: A pottery workshop with a small kiln at its rear, the owner dislikes visitors that try to talk to them while they work.
2	The Food Alley: This is a road of shops selling fast foods and packed lunch type meals, its the stop for local workers to get their lunch.
3	Marlos Sundries: Marlo, a crotchety old man, runs this pawn shop, buying and selling used items, the shop is a maze of shelves, some customers have even gotten lost inside.
4	The Metalworks: A large circular building with a single smoking chimney, inside is a central forge with anvils surrounding it, weapons, tools and armor all being crafted here, they work in competition to S4 - The Cast Iron Foundry.
5	Brick and Mortar Warehouse: A Masonry warehouse where the materials used for a lot of the construction around town are stored and crafted.
6	Sole Sisters: A shoe shop run by twin sisters, they are so similar its difficult to tell which one you are talking too even for their close friends, they hate bits and bobs (see C7 table) for stealing their 'thing'.

The Town of Orth

C6 - West Trade Overlook

At the edge of the Abyss is this area of shops, being located between a richer area and . The following table shows some of the shops which might be found in the area:

d4	Merchant
1	The Timber Workshop: A building made of wood from the Abyss, standing out from the others surrounding. It is a Carpentery workshop that specializes in furniture.
2	Netherworld Emporium: A General goods shop with localy grown fruits or vegetables displayed out front.
3	The Stables: The stable hold a number of Kyaraguma (DGA pg#) native to the surface layer of the island which can be rented and bought.
4	Library: A public library that features a wide variety of reading pertaining to not only the island of Orth but surrounding lands.

C7 - South East Edge Commerce

Overlooking the Abyss is this area of shops, being located at th edges of a richer part of the Town, the shops are more focused on these people. The following table shows some of the shops which might be found in the area:

d6	Merchant
1	The Humble Hands: Hirable workers and mercanaries.
2	L'Abîme: A Restuarant which sells overpriced meals, some of the materials for the meals are sourced from the Abyss but most are imported, the owner doesn't like to say from where.
3	The Neglected Cottage: A cottage which appears abandoned, however its chimney puffs smoke regularly, inside is a witch who creates potions, sells herbs and insence, she wonders why she doesn't get much business.
4	Fish Market: Fishmongers from the Shoreline come to sell at this market.
5	Lainu's Topography: A seller and creator of maps regarding the local area and the Abyss, they are paid by the Delvers Guild to keep their Abyss' map up to date using information gathered by Delvers, these full maps are not publicly available.
6	Bits and Bobs: A general store run by a pair named bob and bits (bits being a nickname) they finish each others sentences and hate sole sisters (see C5 table) for stealing their 'thing'.

C8 - Central District Guard station

A Guard (MM pg345) station located near the Abysses Edge.

C9 - Gate to the Netherworld

This stone archway stands as the entrance to the path delvers walk when entering the Abyss, it is covered in moss and flora and always protected by two Guards with delving equipment and crossbows (MM pg345) to deter illegal delvers and beasts. It appears to have had attached walls at some point but the sides have fallen away, one side into the depths.

North District

A busy district primarily for shopping, tourists pass through on their way to view the great pit.

N1 - North Market Promenade

Visitors arriving by O2 - Orth Harbourage pass through this area when entering Orth. The following table shows some of the shops which might be found in the area:

d6+d8	Merchant
2	Potions by Harrini: This alchemists features a Nilfont (DGA pg#) at its center which tends to attracts visitors as a high value relic, Harrini received this as a gift from a Moon Whistle relative at the opening of their shop.
3	Bronze Pipe Cafe: A little cafe that keeps Neritantan to attract customers, the Neritantan live in a series of pipes along the walls.
4	The Hammerbeak: A large inn, tourists staying in Orth often make it their temporary home.
5	North Promenade Reliquary: A seller of mostly common or uncommon magic items that they purchase, no questions asked.
6	Orth Auction House: Common, uncommon and occasionally rare relics arrive at the Auction House brought in from various sources other than the Delvers Guild, some brought up by Illegal Delvers.
7	Laffis Spice Shop: Sells primarily food spices but also carries a few general goods, items seem to be placed at random about the shop however Laffi knows exactly where everything is when asked. Laffi is married to the black whistle Hablog.
8	The Little Patisserie: A Bakery with pastries themed after layers or creatures of the Abyss.
9	Butcher of the Depths: A Butchers who sell a variety of meats purchased from delvers, the taste is not particularly different for most normal meats found on the surface.
10	Orth Archive: A Book store which supplies a number of books relating to the Abyss such as biographies from delvers, creature studies or flora listings alot of information is outdated.
11	Florists of Fortunes: A Flower shop that sells a variety of flowers from the Abyss but mostly the common white five point Eternal Fortunes.
12	Ravine Greens: A Grocers who sell a variety of vegetables and fruits purchased from delvers, these greens do not grow as efficiently outside of the Abyss. Some examples of fruits and vegetables would be the sweet Baracocha fruits (DGA pg#) or Gintoko mushrooms (DGA pg#).
13	Fightmallet Games Board and card games shop, with such classics as mineopoly and scribble
14	Faible Boutique: Despite its fancy name, the shop supplies clothing for most commoners in Orth, their owner likes to think otherwise. Rag pickers from the wharf supply some materials used here.

The Town of Orth

N2 - Market Promenade Guard Station

A larger Guard (MM pg345) station located at the center of N1 - North Market Promenade.

N4 - North Brae School

A school whos Teachers (Commoner MM pg345) teach the normal curriculum as well as some survival lessons which relate to delving in the 1st layer of the Abyss, most of the Children ( Commoner MM pg345) here have atleast one parent who delves during the day.

West District

This district holds most every day citizens home.

W1 - Belchero Orphanage

The Orphanage is run by Belchero (Noble MM pg348) who is accompanied by the teacher Jiruo (Moon Whistle Delver DGA pg#), the orphanage is sponsored by the Delvers Guild, in exchange, the orphanage teaches the normal curriculum along with basic survival skills required to delve within the 1st layer, sending any relics the Children (Commoner MM pg345) gather to the Delvers Guild.

South District

The poorest area of Orth and industrial area where equipment is forged and crafted.

S1 - The Wharf Quarter

Built by Illegal Delvers (Bandit MM pg#) who have settled in Orth, more poorly made buildings have been added by these delvers over the years leaving little space for further expansion, even so far as to protrude and sink into the Abyss, it is the deepest point of the town.

S2 - The Sanctum of Abyss Verities

This is the main hideout for the cult, set inside a building similar to those that surround it so to avoid arousing suspicion from guards. Inside, the Cultists (MM pg345) have dug into the 1st layer of the Abyss and even to a shelf where sacrifices are thrown into the depths by their 'Priests' (Cult Fanatic MM pg345). More detailed information can be found in the Adventure #NAME# (DGA pg#).

S3 - Miners Guild HQ

The Abyss allows easy access for these Miners (Commoner with pickaxe MM pg345) to create shafts. The Miners guild have been given special liscense by the Delvers guild which allows them to delve and create a number of mine shafts down to the 2nd layer where they collect strange unique minerals such as glowstone, in return for this, the Delvers guild receives cheaper equipment generated by S4 - The Cast Iron Foundry.

S4 - The Cast Iron Foundry

This area is made up of several industrial buildings that work with metals formed of minerals found in the Abyss, all gathered by the Miners guild.

S6 - South Guard Station

A number of Guard (MM pg345) stations are scattered around S1 - The Wharf Quarter in order to quell its growth.

East District

Home of the rich, such as retired successful Delvers, Governors or large business owners.

E1 - Delvers Guild HQ

The home of delvers, where they are born and leave from before descending. The guild claims ownership of the Abyss, thus those who wish to delve must first purchase a liscense to do so legally (The Delvers Guild DGA pg#). While the guild does not run the town, their influence is very heavy in what happens due to the Abyss being an important source of income and prosperity. The guild works in co-operation with several other operations in Orth, Belchero Orphanage (DGA pg#) receives funding from the guild, in return the children are taught the basics of delving and relics they retrieve are to be turned over to the guild, The Miners Guild (DGA pg#) are granted special permission to dig down to the 2nd layer for minerals, in return they provide a percentage of their minerals to be crafted into equipment and Lainu's Topography (DGA pg#) work under the guild to create and update maps of the abyss.

E2 - Exhibition Hall of Cave-raiding History

The halls display a number of Artifacts gathered by the Cave Raiding guilds famous White Whistles, unique Abyssal language nether glyphs found at the deeper sections of the Abyss and even stuffed Creatures such as Madokajack. #More info, relates to adventure#

E3 - Church of the Abyss

This church is identical to C4 - Churches of the Abyss in all aspects except it is run by a Cultist (Cult FanaticMM pg345) of the Abyss, who uses their position tolure more members into their cult. More informationcan be found in the adventure#ADVENTURE NAME# (DGA pg#)

The Town of Orth

E5 - East Square

Perched on a shelf between E1 - The Delvers Guild HQ and E2 - Exhibition Hall of Cave-raiding History, this area keeps a number of shops for the more well of, richer folk. The following table shows some of the shops which might be found in the area:

d8	Merchant
1	Tim & Sons: Crafting jewelery using materials from the Abyss, some even with magical effects.
2	The Scribery: This scribes copies documents and records, producing a large number of works for the Delvers Guild, they also ghost write and send letters.
3	Deep Boutique: A Fancy clothes shop for the more well of folk. Often using materials gathered from the Abyss such as Hammerbeak feathers.
4	The Emperorshell Hotel: This Hotel houses the richer tourist that visit for business and novelty.
5	Gifts from Below: A gift shop themed around things relating to the Abyss, such as stuffed animals, replica whistles, postcards or miniature pickaxes.
6	Orth Reliquary: This Relic expert operates under the Delvers Guild, their shop located close to the HQ, most items here are overpriced but the shop carries a huge variety thanks to its affiliations.
7	The Delvers Guild Auction House: This Auction house is officially affiliated with the delvers guild, selling for them the items uncovered below to those that attend. Foreign rich folk from all around interested in the unique relics gather here to make purchases.
8	The Plummet Pub: A pub frequented by delvers, this is where information travels fastest

Special Events

You may wish to include random encounters through the town of Orth during the characters time (DMG pg114). Additionally the following events may occur under specific circ*mstance or at random.

White Whistles return: When a White Whistle returns from a major expedition, a festival is held to celebrate with food, drink, music, market stalls, festival games, puppet shows etc.
Funeral: When a person dies in the town, a funeral will usually be held soon after, their name written onto a wooden plate, their ashes scattered into the Abyss with petals from Eternal Fortunes and prayers spoken by Priests of the Abyss.

Out of Town

O1 - Caldera Peaks Windmills

Several windmills are placed around the Peaks of the Caldera that surrounds the town of Orth, these windmills pump water into the streams that flow through Orth and grind grain and spices.

O2 - Orth Harbourage

This Harbourage at the Northern most point of the Island of Orth is where most ships come to dock. The following table shows some of the locations which might be found here:

d6	Location
1	The Beach: Golden sands stretch along the northern side of the island.
2	The Ship Inn: An Inn made from the rear end of a galleon style ship, the owner likes to talk like a pirate.
3	Flawless Sails Shipwright: Crafting ships in a large Warehouse at the waters edge.
4	Tigbys General: Supply most of the general needs for those who live in this area of the Island.
5	Fishmongers: A Fishing market, stalls set up along the docks with loud mouth salesmen.
6	Farms: Leaving the village towards the Town of Orth are a number of farms growing crops and rearing animals.

O3 - Orth Fishing Shoreline

The Shoreline here is scattered with rocks placed to break the waves which would otherwise assault the small village, a few small piers jut out into the waters. The following table shows some of the locations which might be found in this area:

d4	Location
1	The Dancing Lights Inn: An Inn which is lit by the fireflies that strangely gather in and around it.
2	East Shore Boat Rental: A small warehouse of boats up for rental stacked high inside.
3	Fishmongers: Fishing market stalls set up along the docks with loud mouth salesmen.
4	Jinweis Grocers: Jinweis shop is set inside a tower, 3 floors tall, Vegetables on the bottom, Fruits at the top and Baked goods in the middle.

The Town of Orth

The Delvers Guild

When the players first approach the Delvers Guild, read the following:

Three Spiraling towers of varying widths surround the main arched body of the Delvers Guild, standing proud and tall over all other structures that surround it. A bridge leads to its entrance under the widest of its towers.

The Guilds Creation

The guild was formed by Yezni Varell who now keeps Orth running as its Mayor. Yezni arrived at the Abyss when the town of Orth was but a village, he arrived after tales of the great pit had reached him and he became instantly enamoured with it. He Created the guild in his own pursuit to create a book about the Abyss, paying members for anything they brought back. After pumping near all his savings into this project, the book was printed and sold, to Yeznis displeasure of releasing an unfinished work. However, his book sold exceptionally inside and outside of Orth, so popular that many more people arrived in the town looking for their own discoveries. New comers kept coming to Yezni asking him to guide them, and so the guild evolved from Yezni paying others, to them paying him to be members. From that point the guild became the Abyss controlling monopoly we see now.

Guild Resources and Perks

The guild provides a number of useful perks for its members, these include but are not limited to access the Abyss, their library, accommodation, training rooms and discounted equipment, if a resource is not listed which you feel would be appropriate for it to exist within the Guild, then it exists.

Guild Quests

Almost all quests from the Guild revolve around delving into the Abyss, these are just a few simple examples:

d6	Quest
1	Relic: Track down a Relic sighted within the depths
2	Delver: Locate a missing Delver at their families behest
3	Creature: Capture a Creature and return it dead or alive
4	Delivery: Take supplies to a forward camp within the Abyss
5	Guides: Acompany a group of fresh delvers to the early levels of the Abyss
6	Clear: Clear out a travel route that has been adopted as a home by dangerous Creatures

Rank by Whistles

The Delvers Guild represents rank with different colored whistles. Detailed information can be found at the start of this book (DGA pg#) but the rank determines your proficiency at delving within the Abyss and how far your are allowed, by the guilds rules, to delve. Bells are for children who are being trained in delving, Red Whistles may delve to the 1st layer, Blue the 2nd, Moon the 4th, Black the 5th and White beyond that.

A Guild members rank increases after they have made a number of discoveries in their deepest allowed delving layer. Rather than keeping track of the number of relics retrieved, increase a players rank when they reach level milestones after returning a Relic and award XP when a relic is returned, use the following table:

Layer	Lvl	Whistle	Common	Un common	Rare	Very Rare	Artifact
1	1 - 4	Red	50xp	100xp	200xp	-	-
2	4 - 6	Blue	100xp	450xp	700xp	1100xp	-
3	6 - 8	Moon	200xp	700xp	1100xp	1800xp	-
4	8 - 10	Moon	300xp	900xp	1450xp	2050xp	2300xp
5	10 - 12	Black	400xp	1100xp	1800xp	2300xp	2900xp
6	12 - 14	White	500xp	1450xp	2050xp	2600xp	3500xp
7	14 - 15	White	600xp	1750xp	2900xp	3500xp	5000xp

Returning with a Relic

Any and all Relics retrieved from the Abyss must be given to the Guild for Indexing and Classification, by the guilds rules, which takes a day, after which the delver may collect their Relics or sell it to the guild for the value offered upon collection.

Group Patron

If you are looking to use the Delvers Guild as a hub for your characters, you may wish to reference Group Patrons (TCE pg 83). The Delvers Guild is a Guild Patron, their type being a Merchant Consortium.

Joining the Guild

Before joining the guild, an applicant must first pass a series of tests to assess whether the individual is capable enough to be delving, this involves 3 tests as follows:

The Test of Skill

Inside the Delvers Guild HQ is a room dedicated to practicing climbing, the walls and ceiling are formed with foot holds that can be retracted and returned with the pull of a lever, when taking this portion of the test, there are 3 checks to be made,

First a DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check to assess the best route to the goal marked by their instructor. On a fail, taking a longer route, on a success, taking the best route.
Then a DC 10 Strength (Athletics) check to climb that with provided equipment. On a fail, occasionaly losing their footing or hand holds, on a success, making it up with relative ease.
Finally a DC 10 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to abseil down. On a fail, spinning on the wire or losing their footing, on a success, sliding down with no problems.

If the Applicant succeeds at least 2 of the 3 checks, they may proceed to the next portion of testing.

The Test of Constitution

In another room within the HQ is one of the brass bird cage like gondolas found at the edges of the Abyss, hanging above a thin hole into darkness. The applicant must enter the cage, be lowered down and raised back up 3 times, making a check against the 1st layers curse (DGA pg#) each time. If the Applicant succeeds at least 2 of the 3 checks or hides the fact they are failing with deception, they may proceed to the next portion of testing.

The Test of Knowledge

Next they will be asked to fill out several questions on a form, the applicant must make 3 checks,

First a DC 10 Intelligence (History) check with advantage if they have a little knowledge of the 1st layer of the abyss.
Then a DC 10 Intelligence (Arcana) check with advantage if they have a little knowledge of relics retrieves from the abyss.
Finally a DC 10 Intelligence (Nature) check with advantage if they have a little knowledge of the flora or fauna in the abyss.

If the Applicant succeeds at least 2 of the 3 checks, they may proceed to the next portion of testing.

The Test of Combat

Finally they will be pit against a mock battle with another delver (DGA Moon Whistle DGA pg#) to assess their fighting capability. Their opponent surrenders when their hit points are half or less.

If the Applicant succeeds, they are offered a contract which grants them permission to delve.

New Member Contract

After successfully passing each test, the applicant is offered to join the guild as a Red Whistle Delver after signing a big wordy contract, its most important parts are listed as bullet points below:

The Signatory acknowledges that any harm, loss of limbs or life that occurs to themselves is their own responsibility, The Delvers Guild takes no responsibility for any bodily harm or psychological damage that may occur while delving in the Abyss
The Signatory acknowledges the restrictions of delving upheld by The Delvers Guild which may change and must be acknowledged before delving, including but not restricted to Whistle Rank and its Delving Limit.
The Signatory acknowledges a monthly or yearly payment listed at the bottom of this contract for the rights to Delve which must be payed before the 1st of every month or start of every year respectably, The Delvers Guild retain the rights to adjust this cost at the start of every year.
The Signatory acknowledges that any and all discoveries found and brought to the surface by the Signatory must be returned to The Delvers Guild for classification and indexing, after which the Signatory may do with as they wish or accept payment by the guild for the discovery.
The Signatory acknowledges for their first delve they shall be accompanied by a Moon Whistle delver assigned by The Delvers Guild.

The cost is written in a dedicated box at the bottom at 20g per Month or (20 x Number of Months in your calendar) g per Year which must be payed before the first delve.

After making payment and signing, they are given their Red Whistle and Certificate, informed to keep these items with themselves at all times while delving and may schedule a Moon Whistle Delver for their first delve whenever they would like, the moon whistle delver accompanies them for the first delve.

Depth: 0~1350 meters

Strains of Ascent: Light Dizziness and Nausea

The first layer is the most shallow section of the abyss, right below the Town of Orth. The environment is consistent and sunny, full of hollows in the grass rockfaces and petrified trees. The wildlife consists of mostly harmless animals whilst left undisturbed.

Gondolas (DGA pg#) were built between 50 and 580 meters to hasten the descent.Treasures and relics are rare to find being the easiest layer to explore.2nd layer predators may sometimes ascend in search of easy food.Praying Skeletons (DGA pg#) are a common sight to be found beneath rocks and within burial tombs (DGA pg#).

Recommended Treasure

Common magic items table (XGTE pg140)Magic items table A (DGA pg#)10 or 50gp Gemstones tables (DMG pg134)25gp Art object table (DMG pg134)

Travel

When characters are traveling through the 1st layer, you may wish to use the following to determine how far characters travel per hour. First select the appropriate section from those below, then add or subtract from the 'Travel time without modifiers' using the questions in that section. every hour of travel roll a Random Encounter on the Random Encounters in the 1st Layer table.

Descending

Travel time without modifiers: 1 hour = 700 metersMinimum travel after modifiers 1 hour = 150 meters

At the start of travel, a leading character must make a DC 9 Wisdom (Survival) check;

on a success, there are no ascents during travel
on a failure, there is 1 ascent (-100 meters) character may repeat this Wisdom (Survival) check once to avoid the ascent, but do so at disadvantage (additional -50 meters on a repeat failure). If the characters ascend, they must roll versus the 1st layers curse (DGA pg#),

Is a character slowed by an effect that reduces their speed? (-50 meters per party member up to -200)

Do all characters have a climbers kit? (+200 meters, if atleast half characters then +100 meters)

Are all characters also proficient with a climbers kit? (+100 meters, if atleast half characters then +50 meters)

Do characters have a bonus which would help them traverse? (+50 per party member up to +200)

Ascending

Travel time without modifiers: 1 hour = 450 metersMinimum travel after modifiers 1 hour = 100 meters

At the start of travel, a leading character must make a DC 9 Wisdom (Survival) check;

on a success, no additional changes.
on a failure, the characters take a longer route (-100 meters)

Is a character slowed by an effect that reduces their speed? (-50 meters per party member up to -200)

Do all characters have a climbers kit? (+100 meters, if atleast half characters then +50 meters)

Are all characters also proficient with a climbers kit? (+60 meters, if atleast half characters then +30 meters)

Do characters have a bonus which would help them traverse? (+50 per party member up to +200)

1st Layer - The Edge of the Abyss

Random Encounters

The Following encounters can be found in this layer of the Abyss, however are not limited to these, do not be afraid to come up with your own or use an appropriate table from another source (XGTE pg92).

Random Encounters in the 1st Layer

d12 + d8	Encounter
2	Seat of a Waterfall
3	Praying Skeleton
4	Wind riding Windmill
5	Ancient Homes
6	Delvers Camp
7	Burial Tomb
8	Rock Arc
9	Grave marker
10	Delvers
11	Corpse
12	Abandoned equipment
13	1 Swarm of Insects
14	1 Owlbear
15	1d4 Hammerbeaks
16	1 Bulette
17	1d4 + 1 Bandits
18	1 Gagouge
19	1 Giant Sky Jellyfish
20	1 Benikuchinawa

2 Seat of a Waterfall

The sound of water hits your ears, a large pond fills with water which falls from the rivers of Orth above by waterfalls, the pond leads out further into the Abyss by narrow streams, a few fish can be seen swimming near the surface of the pool.

This pond is a source of water which can be clensed and drunk. The Demon Fish (Quipper MM pg335) within the pool are aggressive and will, if a creature tries to gather water from the pool, try to bite them. Demon Fish are edible.

3 Praying Skeleton

Beneath a large boulder, cloth covers what a skeletal leg exrtuding from the boulders underside. It is motionless

The boulder requires a DC 20 Strength check to move aside. Beneath the boulder is a praying skeleton, it lies with its hands clasped tightly together in prayer.

It requires a DC 13 Strength check to unclasp their hands which within hold an onyx gem necklace worth 50gp. If your setting makes use of undead creatures, the skeleton (MM pg#) may then rise and attack the characters after its rest has been disturbed. Else nothing happens.

4 Wind riding Windmill

A structure emerges from the mists ahead, out stretched on protruding pieces of land over the depths are short towers, underneath which large windmill blades covered in moss and fungus point downwards.

Upon approaching, any Creature proficient in Survival or with the Delver background (DGA pg#) may make a DC 13 Survival check. Then read the following:

The open archway into the structure is falling apart, it seems safe enough to walk out to, seeing as it has held the weight of the massive turbine below so long, along with its tower above.

On a successful check read the following, else skip this:

Carved into one standing stone as you approach, you see cave raider symbols that imply danger ahead.

Inside:

Inside is a small room, partially because of collapse from the walls to the north and east of the entrance, however its filled tightly with machinery similar to a windmill used to grind grain, the smell of mold is strong and in the corner of the room a few Praying Skeletons clasp there hands together, one rests its head on an egg shaped stone.

These are Ancient Windmills which used the updrafts created by the 2nd Layer to power their machinery. Now moss and fungus covered, the machinery no longer turns, a few praying skeletons can be found inside covered with the same fungus, one skeleton rests its head on an egg shaped Relic (magic item), a Princess Bossom (DGA pg#), if a skeleton or the machinery is interacted with 1d4 Violet Fungus (MM pg138) attacks.

1st Layer - The Edge of the Abyss

5 Ancient Homes

The surrounding trees start to become Fossilized, then up ahead, a few of these same trees can be seen with windows, open doorways, a few birds fly from one of these windows at the sound of your approach.

These homes once belonged to a 2000 year old civilization, now it is home to praying skeletons or possibly wildlife. The characters may take advantage of the structures and rest inside safely, however there is a chance it is already inhabited, roll a d6 to determine the inhabitance:1: 1d4 Hammerbeaks (DGA pg#) which attack when provoked2: 1 Ankheg (MM pg21) which attacks on sight3: 1 Faerie Dragon (MM pg133) which is invisible and plays tricks on the characters, avoiding a fight.4: 1d4 Minor Creature size: small or very small (DGA pg#) hurries out of the home when the characters enter5-6: None

6 Delvers Camp

A few tents come into sight, smoke flows from a fire and laughter can be heard.

A small camp with several tents where 1d4+1 friendly Blue, Moon or Black Whistle Delvers (DGA pg#) have made their temporary home while they stay in the Abyss. They have a common Relic (magic item) (DGA pg#), food and water which they are willing to trade for other items, they will not trade for coins as they have no use for them and do not want the unnecessary weight.

7 Burial Tomb

Ahead a tower comes into view with no windows, made of moss covered stone. Parts of the tower are crumbling in upon itself.

Inside:

The inside is dimly lit by a small refracting glass filled hole in the ceiling. The walls are carved into where skeletons lie, each and every skeleton with its hands clasped tightly together in prayer.

The tower is filled with praying skeletons dating back 2000 years, buried beneath this tower is a further tomb hidden under the stone tiled floor housing further skeletons of 4000 and 6000 years even below that, if your characters discover this, you may wish to use the Dungeon: Tomb table (DMG pg295) and its following tables to create a short series of rooms they may explore. If your setting makes use of undead creatures, when disturbed, 1d4 skeletons (MM pg#) awake and attack the characters.

8 Rock Arc

The path you take continues towards a large naturally formed rock which arcs over the path. Seemingly random patterns are drawn on the rocks surface.

The large rock was cut into shape more than 2000 years ago by an ancient civilization that made the Abyss their home, there are a number of these rock arcs scattered around the 1st layer, a DC 9 Intelligence (Investigation) check reveals the patterns have words within them written in Nether Glyphs, a character that can read Abyssal learns names written on the rock (example names: Hisudutis, Yigu, Qoex) It is unclear exacly what the rock arcs symbolize, however its believed to be a memorial for the dead.

9 Grave Marker

You notice a stone which stands on its end with a helmet atop it, the earth infront of this marker is broken.

The helmet had a name written on the inside but has been scrubbed out and is now unreadable. Beneath the earth lies the corpse of a delver, a DC 15 Intelligence (Medicine) check reveals them to have been dead less than a day, their neck broken, likely from a fall.

1st Layer - The Edge of the Abyss

10 Delvers

You see a group of delvers ahead.

Roll a d6 to determine the nature of these delvers:1-3. 1d4 Blue Whistle delvers (DGA pg#) are searching for treasures, they give a polite wave as one sees the characters.4. 1 Black Whistle delver (DGA pg#) is passing by with a backpack filled to capacity with relics. If the characters try to steal something, they must make a DC 16 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check else the delver notices their attempt, on a success the characters receive a item from Magic Items table A (DGA pg#).5. 1d4 Blue Whistle delvers (DGA pg#) are searching for their lost companion, if the characters choose to help, roll 1d8 + 12 on the random encounters in the 1st layer table, the delver is alive nearby but in conflict with or being chased by the encounter rolled.6. 1d4+1 Orphaned Children (Red Whistle delvers DGA pg#) follow their teacher Jiruo (Moon Whistle Delver DGA pg#) who is showing them signs animals leave behind or fauna to avoid.

11 Corpse

You find a Corpse.

Roll a d6 to determine the nature of the corpse:1-2. The corpse belonged to an Ankheg with holes in its body created by pickaxes.3-5. The corpse belonged to a Delver who has been burnt badly by some form of acid.6. The corpse is a young child, its torso has been ripped open and insects eat at its still fresh wounds, its hand clings tightly to a drawing of two adults labeled mama and papa.

12 Abandoned equipment

You find some abandoned equipment beneath the foliage.

Roll to determine the nature of this equipment:1-3. A sack containing 30ft of rope, 1 ration and a random small trinket (DMG pg#)4-5. A climbers kit, some of the components are starting to break, when a character next uses the kit, a rope snaps and they fall.6. A backpack which starts to move when a character gets close. It contains a friendly Neritantan (DGA pg#) and a lot of crumbs.

13 Swarm of Insects

The sound of buzzing grows until its almost upon you.

The Swarm of Insects (MM pg#) have not yet noticed the group, but will should they attack them or continue moving before the insects pass in 1 minute.

14 Owlbear

An owlbear is running towards you chasing after a flying creature. The Owlbears sights change from the bird as it meets your gaze.

An owlbear was hoping to have a nice meal of Hammerbeak, but the bird is giving it the 'run' around, unfortunently leading the Owlbear towards the party. Still hungry, the owlbear tries its luck against the party and will run away when it reaches half hitpoints.

15 Hammerbeaks

A nest drops from a tree nearby with several now broken eggs within, soon after a swarm of Hammerbeaks flock onto the party

1d4 Hammerbeaks (DGA pg#) attack the party, angry that they, and definently they, knocked their nest from the tree.

16 Bandits

Have one of the characters make a DC 9 Wisdom (Perception) check, on a success read the following

You notice someone hiding behind the foliage ahead.

On a failure or if the characters try to talk to them, read the following

From out of the foliage a number of people burst forth, weapons drawn.

1d4 + 1 Bandits (MM pg#) are in wait to attack the party and take their things.

If the characters sneak past, have them make a stealth check versus the banidts passive perception, sneaking past on a success. The bandits have no loot, they seem to be illegal delvers from The Wharf (DGA pg#) district.

1st Layer - The Edge of the Abyss

17 Bulette

The earth beneath your feet begins to rumble as a creature bursts forth.

A Bullette (MM pg#) burrows out from the earth towards the characters, a fight insues.

18 Gagouge

You start noticing your surroundings have subtly changed, strands of web hang from the trees and walls.

The characters have entered a Gagouge (DGA pg#) nest, they may choose to go back and find another path to avoid danger, in which case no encounter happens and their travel is reduced by 50. However if they press, they will encounter a Gagouge (DGA pg#) which currently hides in the trees watching them.

You decide to press forward, a few minutes further into travel. (Choose the character at the back of travel) make a DC 14 dexterity saving throw (versus the Gagouges Web Grapple).

The Gagouge (DGA pg#) has sensed the characters approach and made the first attack using Web Grapple as described above.

19 Giant Sky Jellyfish

You feel your hair stand on end, the sound of a buzzing hiss becomes evident. A moment later a Giant Sky Jellyfish comes into view from behind the rocks, it is traveling your way!

The Giant Sky Jellyfish (DGA pg#) is traveling towards the characters but is not looking to fight them, it is searching for something. The aim here is for the characters to get out of its way so they are not caught in the Jellyfishes Static Aura. If the characters decide to try and attack the jellyfish, read the following.

As you make your strike into the Giant Sky Jellyfish, sparks of lightning curve around its body and its attention turns directly towards you.

A fight insues with the Giant Sky jellyfish (DGA pg#).

20 Benikuchinawa

The air rumbles as a roar sounds from behind you. A gargantuan red and purple snake flies through the air towards you.

Roll to determine the nature of this encounter:1-3. The Benikuchinawa (DGA pg#) is hunting a pair of Hammebeaks (DGA pg#) thus will ignore the characters, the characters realise this with a passive perception of 12 and above4-5. The Benikuchinawa (DGA pg#) is chasing a Red Whistle Delver (DGA pg#) who is screaming for help, nearby are some narrow pathways through a fossilized forest the characters might be able to lose the Benikuchinawa in with a successful DC 12 Wisdom Survival check. If the characters manage to help the Red Whistle Delver escape alive, he will offer them a reward rolled from the 50gp Gemstones table (DMG pg#)6. The Benikuchinawa (DGA pg#) is hunting the characters, nearby are some narrow pathways through cracked cliff walls which they can lose the Benikuchinawa in, if they use these, have the character leading the escape roll a DC 12 Wisdom Survival check, on a success read the following:

You attempt to break away from the Benikuchinawa through tight corridors of the cliffs walls, the snake is persistant and squeezes through the gaps to keep up, its roars echo through the corridors and sound close behind, you dare not turn to check if it still follows you. Eventually the sound is distant, you exit on the other side of these cliff corridors unscaved having lost the Benikuchinawa

on a failure read:

The characters have a several options at this point, if they are struggling for ideas, offer the following, they could climb the walls of the corridor to the light above and risk the curse (DC 9 Athletics to succeed followed by a check versus the Cursed of the Abyss), stay quiet and hope the Benikuchinawa doesn't find them (DC 16 Stealth check to succeed). If the Benikuchinawa finds the characters, it will try to Swallow one of them before leaving.

1st Layer - The Edge of the Abyss

Depth: 1350~2600 meters.

Strains of Ascent: Heavy nausea, headache and numbness of limbs.

The first truely dangerous section of the Abyss. The fauna and environment suddenly change, turning into a tropical rainforest with huge vegetation.

Things to keep in mind

Predators are not uncommon, more tame creatures living further from the center of the AbyssHeavens Waterfall is where the mists of the 3rd layer fall upwards like a reverse waterfall into the 2nd layerThe Inverted Forest: At 2000 meters, the ground twists under and trees hang from a long deep overhang, travel is done here with bridges hanging from the ceiling, nicknamed hells crossing by Delvers.Strong winds blow all throughout the Inverted Forest making flight impossible for all but those who can see the forcefield. If a creature attempts to fly or float, use the rules for Strong wind (DMG pg110)The Seeker Camp is a building of respite for delvers deep within the Inverted Forest at 2540 meters deep (DGA pg#)