# The World (Chapter Excerpts)

## Key Locations and Phenomena

- The Great Hall. This massive hall has seen better days and, after a partial collapse, most of the exits are blocked. However, the main structure is solid and only a fool would blame its disrepair on the passage of time. Inside the castle, PCs can find weapons from ages past, brandished in an ancient battle. The keep also has ancient defense mechanisms, such as ballistae and arquebuses.
- Eternal Grudge. Scattered among the ruins, tapestries and trophies tell the tale of an age past, when dragons ruled the mountain – until some “champions” exterminated them… except for one, who fled into the northern mists. The last surviving knight, heavy with remorse, foresaw the creature’s return.

### Funeris (Major Villain)

In ancient times, this colossal demon experienced mankind’s vainglory firsthand. Being the last of their kind and tormented by the souls of dead dragons, they want revenge.

Enveloping the mountain’s side, Funeris is vast enough to be split into three parts: head, tail, and claws, each Resistant and Vulnerable to different elements (the color of the scales provides a clue).

- They can breathe fire, which ignores Resistances.
- They also use an explosive powder that increases the damage of subsequent attacks.
- The long tail strikes enemies with multi (3).
- The powerful claws can grab a PC, temporarily separating them from the rest of the group.

Combat Flow: Whenever a part is defeated, Funeris takes off and skips his turns, preparing to unleash a fearsome cataclysm. If the PCs fail to activate the keep’s defenses (a 6 section Clock) by the end of the following round, they all drop to 0 Hit Points. If they succeed, Funeris’ remaining parts re-enter the conflict.

## Character Encounters

### Albert

A young and inexperienced explorer-photographer, Albert isn’t equipped to face the mountain. He wants to make a name for himself photographing a rare animal that lives only here. Being too green to succeed, he asks the PCs for help.

Unwanted Attention: Albert isn’t evil, just dangerously naive. His articles caught the attention of hunters and trappers who want to make a trophy out of his next subject. Which infamous hunter is following his tracks? Which of the PCs has dealt with them in the past?

### Qilin

While exploring, the group is caught by a sudden snowstorm. A neigh cuts through the wind, but no horses live on Vertigo Peak – the PCs have stumbled upon a qilin, an ancient chimera with the body of a deer and the head of a unicorn.

- Who among them knows the nature of the qilins and their role as benevolent messengers?
- Which lucky event does this one foretell?
- Who reacts with suspicion or violence to them?

“The mountain is harsh but fair. No matter if predator or prey: the true sovereign of the food chain is adaptability.”