Ebon Key

Hex 37.32. As the new stronghold of the Ebon Reef clan (who were displaced by the Great Quake), the perimeter of the atoll island is treacherous to approach. The coral reef surrounding the key acts as a perfect defensive wall that makes docking a ship nearly impossible. The community of REEF NYADS dwell in the lagoon between, in an underwater central stronghold called Ebon Keep.

ZOREN

Protector of the Ebon Reef and secretly a loyal vassal of Ze'Leesha the Deep Sister. His is a family with long ties to the deep and believes that current affairs in the Mucklands are a travesty—land dwellers mingling with sea dwellers, pirates and trading companies, and worst of all, the diluted city of Conch and their vision for a unified Strand. Although he is a REEF NYAD, Zoren believes that the deep nyads of Deep Chasm are the true masters of the sea that will shepherd the region to glory.

• Traits: Zealous, condescending, grim worldview.
• Motivation: Return the Scalawag Strand to its former glory.

LORSHA

An Obsidian Warden and Zoren's second-in-command, acting as both captain of the royal guard and master of assassins. Lorsha is Zoren's most trusted and deadly servant and it is well known that she has spies all over the Scalawag Strand. She even has a few land dwellers in her service.

• Traits: Emotionless, always prepared, truly merciless.
• Motivation: Destroy usurpers and defectors, and find Lucky No-Eyes.

KORFA THE VIZIER

Representative of the royals of Ebon Reef. Korfa is a sycophantic noble who compels those around him to best serve his interests. Despite this, he is not ambitious and prefers to avoid the responsibilities heaped upon the royals and Obsidian Wardens.

• Traits: Pompous, cowardly, outwardly agrees with his superiors.
• Motivation: Combine casual power with the easy living of the rich royals that live in isolation within Ebon Key.

rumors

• An Ebon Reef traitor defected with dangerous secrets that put the royal family at risk.
• Ebon Key is surrounded by a well guarded coral wall.
• The royalty of Ebon Reef often travel back and forth to the deepest part of the oceans.

quests

THE TRAITOR

One of Lorsha's agents, a REEF NYAD named Goza, defected from the Obsidian Wardens. He must be stopped from divulging royal secrets. Lorsha is hiring bounty hunters to find the traitor and bring him to Ebon Key, dead or alive. In addition to 1 pouch of Ancient Coins, anyone that completes the job will certainly gain the favor of the Ebon Reef.

• Goza was last seen in Muckland Harbor, but is presumed to be on his way to Conch.
• In Conch, locals reveal that Goza was at the Deep Dive Bar and Krill. Goza flees the PCs by making for the Coral Forest.
• Once captured, Goza reveals that he's discovered Zoren is loyal to Ze'Leesha the Deep Sister who still lives and resides in Deep Chasm. There is a plot unfolding that would have dire consequences for the Scalawag Strand, involving objects called the Triton Stones. He tried to gain an audience with Ny'Dea, but King Kroo turned him away for being an Ebon Reef nyad.
• Goza knows that Ny'Dea of Conch must be told, for she is a Deep Sister as well. This leads to the quest The Triton Stones, Prologue (p266).

lair layout

AREA 1: THE CORAL WALL

A magnificent reef of coral rises like a castle wall out of the water, surrounding the entire island. A species of black, thorny coral—native to the Ebon Reef clan's former home—fortifies the colorful wall.

• Pairs of Ebon REEF NYADS (L5-B) line the perimeter of the Coral Wall. Sneak Checks suffer Disadvantage. Each sentry carries a conch horn to alert others of intruders.
• Sentries tell visitors to turn back or suffer the wrath of the Ebon Reef before attacking. They can be Parleyed with, but anyone entering Ebon Key with permission is brought in with a large escort.

AREA 2: THE LAGOON

A serene lagoon full of natural wildlife. Ebon Key clan members dwell within, among the coral and seaweed.

• Nyads go about their daily lives, tending to fields of swaying seaweed and clam farms.
• Obsidian Warden guards patrol the lagoon with trained LIGHTNING EELS.

AREA 3: GATES OF EBON KEEP

Carved into the sunken island is Ebon Keep. Black coral grows in beautiful patterns on the rocks, creating an illustrious gate.

• Several Obsidian Wardens stand guard at the gates, while trained LIGER SHARKS patrol the waters above.
• Glass windows speckle Ebon Keep's outer wall, a possible alternate entrance.

AREA 4: EBON KEEP INNER SANCTUM

The home and court of the Ebon Reef royalty. Pillars of black and gold coral line dark hallways only lit by bioluminescent snails.

• Winding hallways lead to the war room, throne room, and the Clam Vault (Area 5).
• In the war room, Lorsha and a retinue of Ebon Reef Obsidian Wardens discuss their plans, outlining attacks all across the region in a constant struggle against the factions of Scalawag Strand.
• In the throne room, Zoren and his personal guards hear the concerns and disputes of their people. Every day, lawbreakers are put to death in front of the royal family.

AREA 5: THE CLAM VAULT

A gigantic clam houses the royal treasury: a fortune of gold and artifacts collected over centuries of conflict.

• The clam can easily be opened with the passphrase “Ee thaw zin du wa” (meaning “Sow the seas, reap the vortex” in nyadese) only known by the Zoren, Lorsha, and Korfa the Vizier. Otherwise it takes a feat of engineering or supernatural strength.
• Inside is a Mythic Hoard (+2) and the Deep Shell (see quest Relic of the Deep p266).