VORTEX

BY MONTE COOK
 INTRODUCTION

VORTEX
Credits Vortex is a NumeneraTM adventure that can take place almost anywhere in the Ninth World. It is suitable for
Writer/Designer beginning characters and comes in two parts. Part 1: The Temple details a small village, a strange structure
Monte Cook from the past, and a cult with a nefarious leader. Part 2: Through the Vortex presents another, even stranger
Lead Editor structure from the past and a horrific mystery there.
Shanna Germain Vortex is presented as a sort of “sandbox” adventure. Rather than guiding the GM through a string of
possible encounters, it presents all the people, places, and creatures in the adventure, along with a starting
Proofreader
Ray Vallese encounter. From there, the PCs can do whatever they wish.
Typesetter
Charles Ryan BACKGROUND
Generations ago, adventurous souls discovered a structure from the past that exists outside of normal space,
Cover Artist
the entrance of which itself exists in the real world but skips across physical reality so that its location is always
Roberto Pitturru
changing.
Artists
Within this structure lies a swirling vortex of energy that powers the structure. The discoverers believed this
Dreamstime.com,
Patrick McEvoy, vortex to be a god and began to worship it. They decided to use the structure as its temple and began what they
Roberto Pitturru call the Cult of the Vortex.
Many years have passed. At first, the cult’s membership grew and prospered. But about thirty years ago, the
Cartographer
Alyssa Faden cult fell on hard times. Membership dwindled. About ten years ago, the cult fell under the leadership of a man
who has since come to abuse his power. He has ordered his flock to begin kidnapping people to indoctrinate
Numenera
Editorial Team them into the cult—a process that has achieved mixed results.
David Wilson Brown, The cultists understand the temple now more than they did before, but much of it remains a mystery.
Eric Coates, Ryan
Klemm, Jeremy Land,
Laura Wilkinson,
George Ziets

© 2013 Monte Cook

Games, LLC
Numenera and its logo
are trademarks of Monte
Cook Games, LLC in
the U.S.A. and other
countries. All Monte
Cook Games characters
and character names, and
the distinctive likenesses
thereof, are trademarks of
Monte Cook Games, LLC.

2
 PART 1

THE TEMPLE
This portion of the adventure offers a lot of options For fifth- or sixth-tier characters, the GM may wish
for the players. It presents the information the GM to add two levels to each of the cultists and the Angel
needs in a unique way. All the characters involved and of Steel, put two mesomemes in Dog Lake, and
locations come first. Then comes the initial encounter significantly change Abrassal. This Abrassal is level 8,
that starts the adventure. After that, it is up to the PCs with 40 health, 2 Armor, and a much more complete
to determine what happens next, where they go, and control of his magnetic powers, allowing him to use
what they do. The GM should be very familiar with the his power offensively at long range against anyone
cultists and their various motives, and keep track of wearing metal or hurling metal objects, inflicting 10
which cult member is where. points of damage whenever he does use it.

SYNOPSIS JUTTE
Although Vortex is designed so that it could go in Jutte is a small village, the home of about 180 people. For a map of Jutte and
the surrounding area, see
many ways, one possibility is this: The PCs find It’s off the beaten path. Around the village, herders page 10.
a strange structure in the wilderness. While they tend flocks of entelodon (hairy, almost hippo-like
investigate, they encounter a group of cultists hogs), and grow various crops in small quantities and
attempting to perform a ritual outside the structure. then bring them to the village market to sell. There’s
After the ritual, a door in the structure opens and a small lake a few minutes walk from town (over a
the cultists go inside. Soon thereafter, the structure hill) that provides a fair number of fish to those who
disappears. However, the cultists have left behind venture out in boats or just fish from the shore.
evidence that allows the PCs to know where the The village leader is an elderly woman named
structure will reappear, and when. If the PCs wish Gralle, but she keeps to her home most of the time as
it, they can go to that place, perhaps spending the she is ill. A veteran of many wars, a skilled and hardy
intervening time in a small village named Jutte. When glaive named Trummel keeps order and protects the
the structure reappears, a single cultist emerges. She town from outside threats.
desires to escape from the cult that dwells inside The market offers a number of things, mostly
what they refer to as the Temple of the Vortex, and fruits, vegetables, and dry goods, although there’s
while she managed to flee, she was not able to get her usually someone selling fresh fish. (There isn’t when
brother out. She begs the PCs to help her. If the PCs the PCs arrive, for the reason explained below.)
agree, they discover that the interior of this shifting There’s even a vendor that sells a miscellany of
Throughout
structure is vast. After some exploring, they find and various spare parts from all kinds of numenera
this
overcome the cultists, including their horrific leader, devices. She doesn’t have anything functional, but adventure,
Abrassal. They also discover a powerful energy vortex the back of her cart is a treasure trove to a craftsman you’ll see page
that lies within, which the cultists worship as a god. or tinkerer. references to various
topics accompanied
by this symbol. These
MODIFYING THE ADVENTURE NEWS AROUND TOWN are references to the
This adventure is designed for first- or second-tier People in Jutte talk about two things. First, a group of Numenera corebook,
characters, and it should be used with first-tier strangers recently came through town (the day before where you can find
characters as a convention game. Although it could the Initial Encounter, below). They bought foodstuffs additional details. It
be used unmodified for third- or even fourth-tier and other supplies, but they raised suspicions isn’t necessary to use
characters in a regular campaign, the GM may want because they traveled everywhere in a group and they the corebook to run
this adventure; it’s an
to add a level to each of the cultists (granting each all wore old, dirty yellow robes. There were five or
optional way to provide
+3 health, +1 damage, and other straightforward six of them—the story changes depending on who additional information.
benefits). The Angel of Steel also might gain a level as is telling it. Some people in the market suspect that
well as getting an additional point of Armor. they stole or were up to even worse deeds (this is not

3
 the case). There was just something off-putting about All members of the cult wear yellow robes that are
their gruff and humorless manner. now a bit shabby after years of wear.
Second, there is a monster in the lake. No one will
go near it since the Dreavish brothers disappeared Gregor
Gregor: Level 4, 1 point a few days ago, but stories of some kind of crablike Gregor likes to think of himself as Abrassal’s second
of Armor beast are mixed with reports of ghostly voices and in command, but this is less because of any “official
grisly apparitions in and around Dog Lake. position” and more because when cult members
leave the temple (which Abrassal never does), he
DOG LAKE takes charge and no one questions this. They defer to
Dog Lake is filled with fish and its surface is home to his strong personality.
waterfowl and insects. The lake is relatively shallow, Gregor is gruff, no-nonsense, and surly. He cares
and its banks are thick with tall reeds and other little about his appearance, and usually appears
plants. disheveled and smells bad. He speaks loudly and
Hiding amid these reeds is a creature some in this forcefully. He carries a long knife with him at all
region call a whispering lurker, but which is otherwise times. If he has the opportunity, he grabs a crossbow
Mesomeme: Level 5, known as a mesomeme. from his chambers and uses that as a weapon.
moves with stealth in Hunting the mesomeme is not difficult, for if the Gregor wears a level 1 artifact on his wrist that
the water as level 6, PCs go down to the water, the creature will begin to keeps perfect time and predicts the next day’s
detects those sneaking in
stalk them. It already has the heads of a few of the weather with 80% accuracy and communicates both
the water as level 7; 20
health, 3 Armor villagers (the Dreavish brothers) as well as a very old through symbols one needs to decipher. This does
murden head and those of a few assorted animals. not function inside the temple.
If the PCs manage to slay this dangerous beast (no
small feat for first-tier characters), they earn the love Fea´n
and respect of the people of Jutte. The people don’t Feán is, hands down, the smartest member of the cult
have much to offer as a reward, but certainly give alive today. He carries with him a notebook in which
them free food and drinks and whatever simple things he has sketched a map marked with positions where
they might need for the duration of their stay in the the Narthex (see below) will appear, along with dates,
area. times, and durations for when it will appear and for
how long.
CULT OF THE VORTEX Feán is tall and thin, with angular features and a
The Cult of the Vortex believes that the vortex their nose that seems too large for his face. He is friendly
forebears discovered is the source of all power and enough but seems continually distracted. He carries
Feán: Level 3, level 4 at life in the world. They believe the people of the prior with him a level 5 artifact that fires a green neural
any task dealing with the worlds—faithful and wise, aware of the Vortex’s disruption beam at long range. Those struck suffer 2
numenera, geography, or divinity—built the temple to house and protect the points of Intellect damage (ignores Armor) and must
history
Vortex. The cult has taken up that stewardship. make an Intellect defense roll or lose their next turn,
Years ago, the cult numbered almost two hundred stunned. It has a depletion of 1 in 1d10.
people, and there were families living in the temple.
A few of the cultists (Gregor, Feán, Relle, Ashlin) were Norrid
Norrid: Level 3. If he raised here. Things are bleaker now than they were, Quiet and introverted, Norrid rarely says anything.
and the PC he resembles and that fact taints the outlook of all the remaining He does what he is told, moves to violence only very
come within immediate members. They feel isolated, and also resentful that the reluctantly, and surrenders quickly if shown great
range of each other, both
rest of the world doesn’t see the truth that they see. force. He is not regularly armed, but if need be, he
are affected by a level 7
mental effect that knocks Is the cult evil? Not for the most part, although can grab a knife from his chambers.
them unconscious. they all tolerate the dark and twisted tastes of If there is a male PC in the group, Norrid bears an
Abrassal, their leader, and facilitate his horrible acts. uncanny resemblance to him. If there is not, he looks
This includes (but is not limited to) kidnapping and very much like a male “version” of a female PC. This
essentially brainwashing new cult members. Abrassal is as much a surprise to him as the PC.
is abominable, and some of the other members are
not particularly nice, but their worship practices and Relle
Relle: Level 3, level 5 in overall beliefs are benign. They are not necessarily Tough and crude, Relle is quick to take offense
all combat and defense all itching for a big fight, but most aren’t going to and challenge someone to a fight, and she’s a very
actions; inflicts 6 points react well to intruders coming into their sacred capable hand-to-hand combatant.
of damage with unarmed space, either. If Abrassal were eliminated, the cult’s Relle is short with long black hair. She wears dark,
attacks; nature would likely change significantly (although mechanical goggles that no longer have any power,
18 health
presumably under Gregor’s leadership, it’s still not and thus merely serve as filters against bright light.
going to be particularly “nice”).

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 THE TEMPLE

Ashlin the “will of the Vortex” is for the best.

Ashlin is young and eager to prove herself. And yet Savra is short and stocky, with short, greying hair. Ashlin: Level 2, level 3 with
she is very curious about the world, having lived her dart-thrower
much of her life in the temple. If encountered outside Shome
the temple, it is likely her first time outside in an Shome is a very recent inductee into the cult. He Shome: Level 2
extremely long time. Ashlin is the daughter of Nile and his sister Evanna were both taken by Gregor and
and Savra, although those two are no longer a couple some of the others from their village in a far distant
and the three of them are not much of a “family unit.” part of the world two months ago. He’s never had any
Ashlin is round-faced and of average height. She inclination to join the cult and is little more than a
carries a wrist-mounted dart thrower with her pretty prisoner here.
much all the time.
Evanna
Duranis and Nile Evanna is Shome’s sister and is all but a prisoner of Evanna: Level 2
Duranis is a tough-mannered, quiet man. Nile is the cult. She tried to learn the ways of the Vortex but
Duranis and Nile: Level
an aging man eager to show that he is still capable. never truly accepted it. Now she wants to escape.
3, level 4 for all attacks as
They’re quick to use force against noncultists. Both She has stolen a keystick and wants to use it to free well as Might and Speed
are willing and eager to do as Gregor says, unless herself and her brother. Evanna is in her late teens. defense; 2 Armor;
Abrassal is present, in which case they defer to the She is slight of build and awkward in action and word. 15 health
leader. Both wear chainmail armor when outside or
if the temple is threatened. Duranis carries a sword, Abrassal
and Nile an axe. Abrassal is a beast of a man. He leads the cult and Abrassal: Level 5, level 7
is seen as its priest. He has a messiah complex for all acts of persuasion,
Savra and sincerely believes himself to be divine and and debate; 22 health
Savra is a middle-aged woman who has a matronly that all people should serve him as the only true
outlook for the other cultists. She feels particular representative of the vortex on Earth. To him, Savra: Level 3
sympathy for the plight of Shome and Evanna, but people are playthings to be used. Selfish, arrogant,
she is still a devoted cult member and believes that lascivious, and horrible, he is the worst person to
they will eventually come around to see that following lead a cult of dedicated worshippers, and yet he does.

5
 The other cultists avoid him if possible, bringing him end. It has six of buttons on it. It fits in the keyhole on
what he asks for and then leaving quickly. They abhor the outside of the Narthex, and if inserted, the doors
him but truly believe him to be semi-divine based on open. The cult believes that an elaborate ritual must
the “visions” the vortex has sent him. Submitting to be performed with the keystick outside the Narthex
his will (and sometimes to his distasteful needs) is before it can be used, but this is not the case.
just a part of the price they must pay to be among the There are many keysticks, but when the cultists
faithful. leave the temple, generally only one of them (almost
Somehow, over the years within the temple, always Gregor) carries one.
Abrassal has developed a strange power that not even The Elevator: The elevator must also be activated
he fully understands. He projects a hemispherical with a keystick. There is a keyhole here as well, and
field, about 10 feet (3 m) across, of powerful magnetic merely putting the key in isn’t enough. One must
repulsion. What this essentially means is that no also push the bottommost button on the rod once
metal of any kind can come near him. Metal ranged it is inserted in order to activate the elevator. It has
weapons cannot touch him, and anyone holding or only one destination and takes about 45 seconds to
wearing metal is hedged out and unable to approach reach it. When it does, the doors open automatically,
him. The field is a hemisphere and does not project revealing not the outside where the Narthex was but
down, so he can walk normally across a metal floor. the interior of the Nave.
He could not, however, lay down or even fall down on
such a surface, nor could he approach a metal wall. THE NAVE
He has no control over this ability (not that he would The Nave is a gargantuan chamber perhaps a
admit that). thousand feet (305 m) across. It is, however, far
Should Abrassal ever die, the rest of the cult would too dark to make out the entire chamber, and even
For some groups, the not mourn him. In fact, they would probably doubt his torches or glowglobes don’t help much. The room is
word “cult” is a loaded divinity after all and would ultimately be relieved he roughly an octagonal cylinder much taller than it is
term that may unduly
was gone. wide, so it is a shaft. The elevator travels through a
sway the actions of the
PCs. If the GM believes central stalk that rises up through the middle of this
this is the case, he should THE TEMPLE shaft, and when the doors open, they reveal a metal
avoid using that word. The Temple of the Vortex is a gargantuan structure, walkway suspended over this great shaft that encircles
Feel free to substitute the majority of which lies outside of space, but a the stalk and then extends off into the darkness in
words like “order” or
small portion of which, called the Narthex, intrudes many branches, like the multiple spokes of a wheel.
“sect.”
upon the world at shifting intervals. The cult actually Each of these leads to a door set into the outer rim
uses only a small portion of the structure, and in fact of the shaft. In all cases, the walkway is about 12 feet
has never even explored it entirely in all the many (3.6 m) wide, with a thin side handrail about 3 feet
decades that they have inhabited it. (0.9 m) above the edges. All the doors are closed. Like
in the Narthex, most everything here is far too durable
THE NARTHEX for the PCs to possibly damage.
The Narthex appears to be a single structure of In the darkness, however, the ends of the walkways
grey metal and bits of yellowed synth. A few white aren’t visible, except for one that is on a well-lit path.
symbols are precisely painted on the sides, but they
are scratched and faded with age, and meaningless THE PATH
to anyone in the Ninth World anyway. From above, it The path is decorated with beads, candles (some lit,
is roughly in the shape of a human eye (an oval with most long burned down), incense, small religious
sharply tapered ends) about 20 feet (6.1 m) long. icons, and miscellaneous shiny objects (small
It has no windows or obvious doors. The metal of mirrors, shiny bits of metal taken from machines, and
the outside of the Narthex is utterly impervious to so on). There are thousands of these objects, strewn
anything the PCs might try to do to harm it. However, here over generations, marking the sides of the
there is nothing preventing out-of-phase characters walkway leading from the elevator to one of the doors.
from entering it, or characters using teleportation to Both the path and the railings bear the religious
get inside. symbols.
The “Keyhole”: The only thing that is really Thanks to the burning candles and incense, the
remarkable on the outside of the Narthex is a small path is dimly lit. It is the only light in the Nave, and
rectangular depression on one side, about 2 inches thus the path is the only distinct area in the sea of
(5 cm) by 1 inch (2.5 cm), and about an inch (2.5 darkness.
cm) deep. Within the depression are two small round Religious Icons: Cult of the Vortex icons include
holes about the size of nail holes. spiral patterns, stylized sun symbols, and images of a
The Keystick: The keystick is an 8-inch-long (20 very angular humanoid with four arms (the Angel of
cm) rod of synth that has two metal prongs at one Steel; see page 10).

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 THROUGH THE VORTEX

7
 the Dwelling.
The Door: The path leads along one of the Veering off the path can be dangerous. See “Going
walkways to a door. A keystick is required to open the off the Path” for more information.
door; players will need to press the topmost button
on the stick to activate it. The door is almost 10 feet THE DWELLING
(3 m) wide and opens ponderously and loudly. The path eventually ends at a spot looking down into
Beyond the door lies a corridor whose cross- a well-lit, round chamber. From the entrance, a spiral
section is hexagonal. The corridor leads a great ramp leads down to the floor 15 feet (4.6 m) below,
distance farther into the huge structure. The religious although a 12-foot (3.7 m) wide ledge extends around
path continues, so it is dimly lit by flickering candles. the perimeter at that same height as well, effectively
Although there are side passages and turns, if one giving the room two levels. The ledge is covered in
keeps to the path, the seemingly endless maze is various control panels with screens, sliding switches,
easily navigated to the heart of the cult, an area called lit buttons, and more mysterious mechanisms.
Everything appears to be functional, although the
GOING OFF THE PATH function is not readily apparent. A few panels have
The Temple of the Vortex is far too large to detail completely. Assume that been scavenged for shins or other valuables.
it is a facility that goes for many miles. Lots of dark corridors, but a few are At the floor level, round red couches furnish the
lit by panels on the ceiling. However, a few encounters for trailblazers could space, along with a number of small, round tables.
include: The floor itself is padded synth and is soft to walk
upon. The room appears well lived in, with a few
t
A large, oval-shaped chamber with a black globe depending from the books and pillows scattered about the couches,
ceiling. The globe is level 4 and senses movement and fires beams of dishes and cups upon the tables, and in more than
destructive energy in rapid-fire fashion at intruders within long range, one spot, one can see ashtrays filled with butts.
inflicting 8 points of damage. The globe has 2 points of Armor and 12 There are nine small rectangular doors spaced
health and is 25 feet (7.6 m) from the floor. Whatever passage the PCs equidistant around the room. Each of these doors
follow continues on the other side of the chamber. opens easily by sliding into the wall (no keystick
t
A square, high-ceilinged chamber with a wide and deep pool of clear, needed). Behind each is the living quarters of one to
viscous fluid. It’s not dangerous or poisonous, but it is so thick that three of the cult members. Some are not currently
it’s impossible to really “swim” in. However, at the bottom lie some used at all. Each is appointed and tailored to each
interesting-looking devices that fell in long ago. If the PCs can figure cultist or cultists who live there, but they are fairly
how to get them, they can scavenge 1d6+1 random cyphers. spartan and threadbare. Beds and bedding are worn,
t
A large control panel in a long hallway. If someone can succeed on a floors are stained, and so on. These rooms are lit
difficulty 5 task, they can scavenge a random oddity from it. However, by mounted glowglobes that cease functioning if
a GM intrusion could state that a sudden closing mechanism snaps removed.
shut on the character’s hand, inflicting 3 points of damage and trapping In addition to the control panels, explorers also
them. might find another elevator on the upper level.
This also requires a keystick (pushing the bottom
button again) to activate and takes people down to

8
 THE TEMPLE

Abrassal’s chamber and the vortex itself. at all.

Occupants: If the full contingent of the cult is in Occupants: If Abrassal does not know that the PCs
the temple, everyone but Norrid, Relle, Abrassal, and are coming, this is very likely where he will be. In any
Evanna are here. If caught unaware, they are simply case, this is where Shome can be found, chained to a
minding their own business, relaxing, talking, or large chair with synth manacles and eager for escape.
exercising. Most won’t be wearing their robes. If they The synth key for the manacles is hidden within a
are expecting the PCs, they will be on their guard and wooden chest full of other various belongings.
in their robes. Loot: In a ceramic bowl, Abrassal keeps a mass of
It’s worth noting that the cultists have played with pills and small packets of powder. Most of these are
the controls in this room for years and could never depressants and hallucinogens, but three are level 4
figure out what they do. They have raided some of anoetic cyphers:
them for valuables to pay for food when they leave the
temple. 1. Restores 1d6+4 points to any one stat Pool
Loot: Further scavenging of the control panels here 2. Grants the imbiber +1 Speed Edge for one hour
will yield 3d10 shins and 1d6 random cyphers. It is 3. Knocks the imbiber unconscious for one hour (or
also very likely that anyone searching through the until vigorously awoken)
rooms will find at least one more keystick.
THE VORTEX
ABRASSAL’S CHAMBERS This room is the holy of holies of the temple, so to
This is a dimly lit, disgusting den of iniquity. Abrassal speak. It is a very large rectangular chamber, and in
has abused his position and hoarded all of the cult’s the center of one of the long walls is a raised circular
luxury and wealth. Here one will find a lavish bed, platform surrounded by complex machinery. A vortex
padded chairs and couches, a table covered in food of energy swirls above this platform like a golden
and wine, beautiful artwork on the walls, soft carpets whirlpool in the air. Its radiance makes it difficult to
on the floor, and so on, all illuminated by a reddish look at, and its heat makes it difficult to stand near.
glow that comes from the low ceiling. An observant It also creates a slight mind-inducing effect due to a
PC might notice that there is no metal in this room high electromagnetic output at particular frequencies.

9
 of the Vortex is a mechanical construct that the cult
calls the Angel of Steel. They believe it to be a direct
servant of the divine—a holy being. The automaton
moves about the chamber, occasionally adjusting
or altering machinery. It cannot speak or interact
with anyone, but if the machinery in this chamber is
threatened in any way, by anyone, it will attack.
Of course, the angel cannot come close to Abrassal
and vice versa.

Angel of Steel 4 (12)

Description: The Angel of Steel is an automaton of

metal and glass, with a round body and four long
legs. It can produce up to four arms from panels
within its round chest to manipulate objects or, if
need be, attack and defend. It has no meaning in
its existence other than to defend and maintain
the vortex.
Motive: Defense
Health: 16
Damage Inflicted: 6 points
Armor: 3 (10 against heat)
Combat: The automaton can attack up to four foes
as one action, although all must be within
immediate distance of it and each other.
Interaction: The automaton cannot be reasoned with.
Loot: If destroyed, 1d6 cyphers can be scavenged
from its remains.

INITIAL ENCOUNTER
The PCs are in the wilderness, well away from any
civilized area (about six hours walk from the village
Those exposed to it have a subtle feeling of religious of Jutte, but they don’t even know this yet). They
awe, as though they are experiencing something truly come upon a shallow stream flowing through a
special. rough, lightly wooded landscape. Pausing at the bank
The cultists know very well what happens to for some water, they see that upstream something
anything that enters the vortex. It is instantly artificial rises from the flowing water.
incinerated in a flash of light and heat that hardly Investigating, they find that it is the Narthex,
leaves any ash. They think of that as divine wrath. but there’s no way in. If the PCs investigate the
This is, essentially, 100 points of damage all at streambed, they’ll note that the sand and rocks are
once. not positioned in such a way that it looks like the
The vortex is actually a wormhole that leads directly structure has been there long, even though it is
into the sun. The structure around it (what the cult obviously ancient. There are also a few dead fish,
calls the Temple) uses this as a power source. It is insects, and frogs on the riverbanks around it.
not intelligent in any way. It is not even necessarily While they are looking at it, they hear people
the central focus of the vast structure. coming their way. The people are Gregor, Feán,
In the center of one of the short walls of the Ashlin, Duranis, and Nile. They’re carrying bags of
rectangular chamber, the cult has built a shrine. food and other goods they procured in Jutte. If left
This is covered in various icons, beads, candles, to their own devices, the cultists perform a religious
and incense, just like the path. On a wooden raised ritual before the Narthex, during which Gregor
platform, reached by a short set of wooden steps, one produces a keystick, and they open the door, go
can find a few handwritten religious books, decades inside, close the door, and that’s that. If the PCs stick
old, written about the glory of the vortex by past around, the Narthex just disappears in about twenty
members of the cult. minutes, leaving no sign of its presence other than
The Angel of Steel: Standing next to the vortex is a a few dead fish and some disturbed sand that will
roundish figure of metal with four legs. The guardian likely return to normal in short order. Except for one

10
 THE TEMPLE

thing; Feán set down what he was carrying during

the ritual—a burlap bag of vegetables and a leather VORTEX AS A CONVENTION GAME
shoulder bag that holds a few small tools, a pen, and This adventure was originally written as a two-
his notebook (see below). round game for GenCon 2013, the launch of the
If the cultists are confronted—politely or not— Numenera game. If you are running this game
Gregor is condescending and dismissive, asking them at a convention, the key is in pacing. There are
to go away. If they do not, he tells Ashlin to give them ways to speed up or slow down the pace as
each a shin to go away. The cultists won’t perform needed to create a satisfying adventure in the
their ritual if there are people close enough to get into time allotted. For example, if it seems like the
the Narthex with them when it opens. If the PCs agree PCs are interested in exploring the temple, don’t
to at least back off and give them a lot of room, the let them waste a lot of time in Jutte. But if they
cultists don’t care if they watch from afar (after all, have little interest in the cult or the Narthex,
It would be easy to
they’ll be disappearing soon). It’s worth noting that then roleplaying some interactions in Jutte and transplant this adventure
the cultists are under time pressure, and they know it. playing up its lake monster might make for a to any location in the
If the PCs threaten or attack them (a pretty very fun session all on its own. Ninth World. The
shocking thing to do, actually, but not every PC is a If they go into the temple but insist on sparsely wooded region
good guy), they do not hesitate to fight back. They wandering off the path, the GM may decide to could just as easily be
a desert, snow-covered
focus, however, on getting rid of the PCs as quickly put a lot of sealed doors in their way, or have the
tundra, or deep in the
as possible, and if that means driving them off rather maze of corridors lead them back to where the mountains.
than killing them, that’s fine. They certainly do not cult and the vortex is anyway.
give pursuit if the PCs do flee. This should be a hard As a convention game, of course, the
fight for the PCs, so don’t hesitate to use a GM only goal is fun. However, should the PCs
intrusion to make it quite difficult. free Shome and deal with Abrassal one way
If they watch the Narthex disappear, it’s up to or another, that’s very likely the pinnacle of
the players to decide what to do: go to Jutte, go to achievement in the Temple of the Vortex and
the next nearby spot marked in Feán’s notebook, or sets them up nicely for the next part.
ignore the whole thing and keep wandering in the
wilderness.
VORTEX AS A
If they kill the cultists, they’ll have the map and the NON-CONVENTION GAME
key. If they act quickly, they’ll be able to get in before it If this is used as a part of a campaign, you can
disappears from the streambed. obviously pace the game as you desire, and let
the PCs explore (or not explore) as they desire.
FEA´N’S NOTEBOOK For campaign play, award 2 XP to each PC
This notebook is filled with maps, and one near the who helps free Shome from his confinement
end is a map of this general area, with this precise and helps get him out of the temple. The
spot marked, and time and dates that conform discovery of the vortex is also worth 2 XP to
to about three days ago and the precise moment each PC involved.
the Narthex disappears. It then shows a map of a
completely different area of the world (unrecognizable
to the PCs) with some dates and times that shows the
Narthex will be moving around in places unreachable
by the PCs for about ten days. If the PCs do not interact with her, Gregor will lead
The map that shows this area, however, also has a another small expedition out of the temple later on,
spot marked that is about four days’ journey away, on basically gathering fresh water and food that can be
the other side of (and well beyond) a village named found in the wilderness.
Jutte. The date and time for appearance is about ten
days away, and the area is a hilly bit of wilderness
miles from any settlement.

THE REAPPEARANCE
If the PCs go to where the Narthex will appear in ten
days, it shows up on schedule. Soon after it appears,
the door opens and Evanna comes out. She’s trying
to escape and is feeling guilt and fear for leaving
Shome behind. If confronted, she will beg the PCs
to go in and find Shome. She will give them her
keystick.

11
 PART 2

THROUGH THE
VORTEX
The Vortex in the temple leads to an artificial habitat numenera knowledge (randomly required by the GM at
that floats, almost impossibly, within the sun. This different times for different characters, difficulty 7) to
location is known (to some, at least) as the Citadel maintain them after, say, the first hour or so.
of Radiance. Although its purpose is unknown, it
now houses a number of constructs of pure mental THE ENDANGERED RELIC-BEING
energy, stored in a complex series of high-energy Things begin immediately after the death (or removal)
cells. The citadel is on the verge of finally succumbing of Abrassal, as one of the PCs senses something
to the incredible forces arrayed against it—primarily “strange.” It is as if there is a presence that wasn’t
the heat and the gravity—and so it is crumbling and there before. Soon thereafter, that character receives
failing. Without special protection, no living creature a telepathic message—like a radio broadcast directly
GMs could change the
tenor of this adventure could survive there long. into her brain. At first, it comes in a language she
by altering the PCs’ goals cannot understand. And then, in another language
and linking them to other SYNOPSIS she still can’t decipher. Finally, she can understand
events in the campaign. The PCs are contacted by an intelligent artificial it, as if someone’s been adjusting the transmission
Perhaps an item that being named Aerridomos, who bids them to come somehow. It says, “The wall is gone.”
they need lies somewhere
to the Citadel of Radiance. First, however, they This is from a very strange creature called
within the Citadel. Or
perhaps Aerridomos will must find a special chamber within the temple that Aerridomos. Aerridomos is an artificial construct
reveal a secret that the will clothe them in protective armor that will allow powered by the psychic energies generated by the
PCs need if they assist it. them to survive the trip through the vortex, as well millions of different minds that helped create it
as what lies on the other side of it. The chamber, (and others like it) in the deep past. It (they?) is
called the Transformation Room, is a complex place one of many that has enjoyed a very long existence
of guardians and blessings, some of which aren’t within the Citadel of Radiance but is now soon
blessings at all. to be destroyed when that structure collapses. A
The PCs explore the Citadel of Radiance, but their byproduct of Abrassal’s strange mutations was that
presence there only exacerbates its collapse. To help he blocked Aerridomos from being able to sense or
Aerridomos, they must figure out how to “flush” communicate with anything on this side of the vortex.
the system and free the psychic constructs within With Abrassal gone, it can now reach out and attempt
it, or—even better, but far more difficult—repair the to communicate with intelligent creatures beyond the
citadel so that it does not collapse. But as they linger, vortex (in the Temple), and the first ones contacted
the habitat becomes more and more unstable and are the PCs.
dangerous. Further communiqués include, “The invitation is
open” and “If you come to where I am, any wish can
MODIFYING THE ADVENTURE be granted.” And finally, “But you must dress for the
This portion of Vortex is not particularly combat heavy. party.” This last message is followed by a mental set
Adjustments might be needed to make it easier of directions guiding the PCs to the Transformation
to repair the Citadel of Radiance or escape it alive, Room within the temple. As time goes on,
but in truth, doing so isn’t recommended. Doing Aerridomos will contact multiple PCs (and perhaps,
either should be extremely challenging for beginning eventually, all of them). It will not interact with them
characters and much easier for advanced characters. further (or more clearly) until they reach the Citadel of
What GMs might want to do for advanced characters Radiance.
is introduce a second complication in the citadel. For
example, multiple radiance knights that harass the PCs THE TRANSFORMATION ROOM
on an ongoing basis. Or the collapse of the armored A 25-foot (7.6 m) high platform dominates this very
sheaths while the PCs are still in the citadel, requiring large, odd-shaped chamber. Two smaller, round

12
 THROUGH THE VORTEX

platforms on single support poles stand at a similar speak. Moreover, much of the vocabulary he
height on either side of it. Beyond it is a circular pool, learns are for creatures, places, objects, and so
with two large metal machines jutting out of the far forth that he cannot understand. And of course,
wall above it, each sporting a massive mechanical no one else in the Ninth World currently speaks
arm. Characters likely first notice two large yellow this language.
crystals mounted on marble stands within alcoves t
Character is knocked unconscious for one
that flank a ramp leading up to the central platform. minute, during which time he cannot be roused.
However, closest to the entrance to the room are a When he does awaken, he is horribly thirsty.
pair of golden tripods that stand about as tall as a However, after he drinks he is never thirsty again.
man. t
Character floats 10 feet (3 m) into the air and
The ceiling is twice the height of the platforms. A small hovers for one round. Then, he drops and suffers
side room is connected via an 8-foot (2.4 m) diameter 1 point of damage. If the character lingers in
circular tunnel. It contains a single control console. the area within 30 feet (9 m) of the crystals, this
This complex chamber contains many different happens again.
devices, many of which are thought-controlled. t
A small animal appears (it is literally created,
However, they are not designed for the brains molecule by molecule, by the crystals) that
of Ninth World humans, and so the results are looks like a hairy bird about the size of a chicken
particularly strange. with four catlike legs. Its hair is striped black
Tripods: These level 8 devices are very sturdy and orange. It licks the character with a long,
and firmly affixed to the floor. They do nothing until mammalian tongue and then wanders off.
someone begins to ascend the ramp. When someone t
Liquid begins to condense all over the
does, each of these things begins to exude long character’s body until he is completely coated
crystalline growths that quickly form a circular lattice, in an orange, syrupy mixture. It is bitter but not
eventually appearing to be a globular “snowflake” of poisonous. However, it is very difficult to clean
a sort, about 4 feet (1.2 m) across. They fly across the off, being weirdly repellant to other liquids and
room toward the offender and make spinning attacks sticky and gummy when one tries to wipe it off
with their razor-sharp crystal spines. Perhaps more otherwise.
dangerous, however, they take control of creatures’
perceptions, causing them to attack their friends If the crystals are somehow destroyed, characters
rather than foes, make them walk off the platform can scavenge three small crystal shards (per larger
without realizing it, and so on. crystal) that serve as level 7 cyphers and restore 7
If the snowflakes are destroyed, characters can points to the user’s Intellect Pool.
scavenge a small crystal shard (one per snowflake) The Platforms: Characters standing or walking
that serves as a level 4 anoetic cypher that restores 4 upon any of the platforms feel a tingling sensation in
points to the user’s Intellect Pool. their feet and hear what sounds like distant screams
No more than two snowflakes are created per 28- and screeches. The direction and distance (and
hour period. source) of the sound can never be found.
The Crystals: These level 7 crystalline structures If any creature stands upon the dais on the Deadly Snowflake: Level
stand tall enough so that a character might platform, the level 6 mechanical arms on the wall 4; 2 Armor; 6 points of
barely reach the top with arms outstretched. They attempt to grab it. If they succeed, they immediately damage; anyone within
immediate range must
immediately attune to the minds of anyone that immerse the creature in the liquid in the pool. make an Intellect defense
enters the room, to the best of their ability. Whatever The Pool: The pool is filled with a liquid compound roll or the snowflake takes
their original use, they are now weird and dangerous. of smart molecules. If a creature is fully immersed control of their perception
The possible effects produced are varied and specific in the liquid, the liquid forms a sheath of complex and the affected creature
to each individual. The GM should choose (or metallic and ceramic armor around it. The creature does not realize it.
determine randomly) the effect on each character is entirely encased. The armor supersedes any armor
when they enter the room. (Do not forget any NPCs that a character is already wearing (it is unharmed,
that might be present.) Do not use any effect twice, but it is also superfluous). The protected creature has
generating new weird effects if necessary. 4 points of Armor and 100 points of Armor against
fire and heat (and can thus survive the transition
t
Character goes through a powerful and painful through the vortex). If the armor is breached, which
molecular rearrangement that takes a full is to say, if the wearer suffers more than 4 points of
minute—during which he can do nothing—and damage at once, the armor is breached, but the hole
when it is over, is 3 inches (7.6 cm) taller. automatically seals within one second. This armor
t
Character gains the ability to speak a new lasts for 28 hours before decomposing.
language almost immediately. It is, however, a Further, the armor emits a high frequency sound
weird language very difficult for him to physically when it first forms, which puts the direct path to the

13
 vortex in the mind of the wearer. weathering the impossible environment, for millions
Control Console: No sense can be made of these of years.
controls, or what they are for. However, if a character Now, however, the citadel is beginning to fail. The
with two powered cyphers (a device, not a pill or heat shields falter, and it is 180 degrees F (82 degrees
liquid or the like) messes with the controls, these C) within its rooms and corridors. Without the
is a burst of electrical power that inflicts 3 points protective suits that the PCs very likely wore to handle
of damage to all within immediate range who fail a the transition from the Temple of the Vortex, they
Speed defense roll. Meanwhile, the character has would suffer 5 points of damage each round from the
one cypher drained of power and the other now heat. This damage inflicted is immediate, so if a PC’s
can be used twice. This strange effect happens only protective suit is breached, even for a moment, he
once. suffers 5 points of damage. PCs might not realize the
Characters can scavenge the following from this interior of the citadel is so hot, at least at first, thanks
panel: to their protective sheaths.
Surfaces: All surfaces (floors, walls, and ceiling) are
t
32 shins green synth and smooth, with rounded corners. It is a
t
A level 7 artifact called the death by angles. stark contrast to the Temple of the Vortex.
This object can be used as a weapon that fires Doors: All doors in the citadel are stuck due to the
Initial cost, a beam of energy up to long range. The beam buckling of the interior structure. Opening any of them
page 89 always bounces off of inorganic materials but is a level 4 Might task with an initial cost of 1 Might.
not living tissue or organic materials. So the Debris: There is debris throughout the structure.
weapon can only be used against living targets Unless otherwise described, to clear a path through
(or an organic, nonliving target). However, the a debris area marked on the map would require
beam is harmless unless it ricochets off a surface ten man-hours (unless the workers possess some
first. Strangely, the beam never ricochets in the sophisticated cutting tools or numenera devices that
way that a character expects, so attack rolls with would make it easier).
the weapon are two steps more difficult than
normal. The weapon inflicts 7 points of damage. THE COLLAPSING STRUCTURE
GM Intrusion: With a Particularly skilled users discover that if the Catastrophic forces are twisting and tearing at the
whine and a shudder, part beam reflects off of more than one surface, the citadel. This isn’t new. It’s been going on for ages.
of the room or hall around damage increases. For every additional surface, But the habitat has already survived far longer than
the character collapses. If
she fails a Speed defense
the difficulty increases by one step, but the its builders ever planned, and the unimaginable heat
roll, she suffers 6 points damage increases by 3 (maximum 19 points). and pressure are finally winning. The force fields and
of damage and is pinned Depletion for this artifact is 1 in 1d20. hyper-advanced materials of the structure began to
(remember that suit t
A level 3 anoetic cypher in the form of a fail decades ago.
breach is an additional small jar’s worth of oil. If a character coats The interior of the structure also falters. Support
5 points of damage). It
an inanimate object with this oil, the object beams buckle and break. Ceiling panels fall. Debris
takes a level 7 Might task
or two full man-hours to becomes almost indestructible (treat as level chokes the ground in places, making certain areas
free a pinned character. 10 for durability). There is enough for a single inaccessible. Debris is everywhere.
Even if the Speed defense object, about the size of a sword, a shield, or a The presence of the PCs likely accelerates the
roll is successful, the small case. collapse, unless they are extremely careful. More
character sustains 3 t
An oddity in the form of three separate silver than likely, they will experience some dramatic and
points of damage.
lozenges about an inch (2.5 cm) long that attach dangerous events while they are there, and they may
to flesh (but can be pried off with difficulty), but very well have to flee to escape the citadel alive.
only if all three are on the same creature. There is no strict timeline, nor is there some kind
of die roll involved. Instead, the GM should use
BACK TO THE VORTEX intrusions to let the players know that things are
The trip back to the vortex is uneventful and simple. accelerating. At first, the GM should just describe the
If there are any cultists left in the temple, they will sounds of metal screeching and synth bending and
certainly flee and hide at the sight of the PCs encased snapping. The PCs should feel the surfaces around
in the armoring sheaths gained in the Transformation them shudder. Eventually, after about a half hour—or
Room (which they’ve never seen before). after the PCs have explored four or more areas of the
citadel—the GM should use a GM intrusion to have a
THE CITADEL OF RADIANCE PC potentially caught in the collapse.
The Citadel of Radiance quite literally floats within the These should accelerate in frequency. The next
corona of the sun. The portions accessible to those dangerous collapse should occur after they have
that travel through the vortex are in fact only a portion explored three more areas. Then two. After the third
of a large orbiting structure that has floated there, collapse that might damage a character, the next one

14
 THROUGH THE VORTEX

15
 potentially affects all of the characters. And after that AREA 2: CLEAR CHAMBER
one, the citadel begins to experience a catastrophic No debris blocks this area. However, if the PCs enter
failure. this room, a red light on the ceiling flashes. While no
GM Intrusion: There is a Catastrophic Failure: Once this happens, the PCs other obvious effect is evident, what they do not know
groan and finally a loud should flee back through the vortex quickly or they will is that the radiance knight in area 7 has been alerted
bang. All characters must be trapped here and die. PCs need to attempt three and will come to find them between one to two
attempt a Speed defense separate Speed tasks (difficulty 4). Success on all minutes from the start of the light flashing.
roll, and failure means that three means that the character gets out of the citadel
the character falls into a
rent that has formed in the
before it collapses. Failure on either of the first two AREA 3: STOREHOUSE
floor by the twisting of the means that the character is moving too slowly and A character (probably a small or thin one) can worm
citadel. Characters suffer 5 the difficulty of all further tasks increases by one step. his way through the rubble and get into this room,
points of damage and are Thus, if a character fails the first task, the next two are but doing so is a difficulty 5 Speed task. Failure
caught (remember that difficulty 5, and if he fails the next one, the difficulty is means that the character is caught, trapped, or stuck.
suit breach is an additional
6. The last one is the most important, as the success A difficulty 4 Might task is required to free him, and
5 points of damage). It
takes a level 7 Might task or failure of that roll determines whether the character doing so causes the debris to shift and more of the
or two full man-hours to gets through in time, or doesn’t and is caught in the ceiling to fall. This increases the difficulty of further
free a caught character. collapse. attempts at either task by one step.
GMs wishing to can modify the difficulty of the Inside the room are various goods—sealed synth
checks based on the location of the character when packets of food and water, weird tools, and items the
he begins to flee or other circumstances. Those right PCs have no name for—on shelves, or in oval-shaped
by the vortex in area 1, for example, should always get synth containers that seal when closed but are
away safely. easily opened. Some of the objects stored here have
warped, melted, or otherwise been spoiled by the
AREA 1: THE FAR SIDE OF THE VORTEX intense heat. The food, for example, has burned (if it
This squarish chamber has a raised circular platform was ever digestible by humans in the first place) but
set into one wall. A vortex of energy swirls above this the water is fine, although near boiling. The tools are
platform like a golden whirlpool in the air. Its radiance all fine, although most have little meaning to the PCs.
makes it difficult to look at, and its heat makes it There are no weapons of any kind here.
difficult to stand near. It also creates a slight mind- The GM should feel free to place 1d6 random
inducing effect due to a high electromagnetic output oddities here, amid the clutter of mostly non-
at particular frequencies. Those exposed to it have functioning, incomprehensible items.
a subtle feeling of religious awe, as though they are
experiencing something truly special. AREA 4: THE WEIRD SKELETON
Characters may hear Aerridomos’s telepathic Amid the debris in this room is the ancient (but
“welcome” once they reach this chamber. remarkably well preserved) skeleton of a multi-

16
 THROUGH THE VORTEX

limbed, asymmetrical creature with three-fingered

hands and a large, triangular skull. No creature like
this is known in the Ninth World.

AREA 5: THE SOLAR SHIELDS

This hallway is at the outer edge of the citadel. The GM Intrusion: Messing
windows along the corridor are heavily shielded, but with any of the control
still radiance from the outside comes in. panels in the citadel
In the wide, more rectangular area, there is a level accidentally causes the
artificially controlled
3 control console. Most of it appears to no longer gravity to malfunction,
function, but someone knowledgeable might be effectively making it so that
able to completely close the windows with heavy the place is at zero gravity
synth shields (on the inside). Alternatively, a large for the rest of the adventure
mechanism on the outside can be maneuvered that (unless it can be repaired).
will give further shielding to this half of the citadel on
the outside. This mechanism is faulty, however, and
messing with it destabilizes the station further with
a horrible grinding noise. At this point, saving the
station just became even more difficult (see area 9). Fighting in
Using this panel activates a red light similar to the zero gravity,
page 98
one found in area 2 that draws the radiance knight
from area 7 in about a minute.
Dismantling and scavenging from this panel yields
3d6 shins and 1d6 random cyphers.

AREA 6: ENERGY CELLS

The room is filled with transparent columns that rise guardian called the radiance knight. This guardian
from floor to ceiling. About half of them are broken, wears armor similar to the sheath the PCs wear,
but the rest pulse with energy. Energy outside the although it seems more suited to battle. He ignores
citadel is drawn in and stored here, although the uses gravity and bears a shield and a built-in energy blade.
for this energy no longer exist. If the knight hasn’t already come out, he comes out
If a character is successful in a level 5 numenera when the PCs enter this area and attacks immediately.
task, she can recover two minor energy cells from the He cannot be reasoned with—he attacks all intruders
broken columns. Either of these can be affixed to a and fights to the death.
used cypher to grant it an additional use if another If the knight is slain, the blade can be removed with
numenera task is successful (use cypher level to a numenera knowledge roll and used as an artifact
determine difficulty). that acts as a normal broadsword that inflicts 5 points
of heat damage with a depletion of 1 in 1d100. Failure
AREA 7: THE RADIANCE KNIGHT on that numenera task means that the blade no
The perimeter of this large chamber is lined with longer functions. Radiance Knight: Level 5,
columns made of bundles of transparent tubes, like defends as level 6 due to
shield; 24 health ; 4 armor
those in area 6 but far more complex. In the middle of AREA 8: COMMUNICATION ROOM
the room, a pedestal holds a large crystal connected Coming into this room immediately triggers a collapse
to a small, curved, transparent screen. The columns event (with no GM intrusion needed). With a whine and
are the storage cells that hold the constructs like a shudder, the floor collapses beneath one character.
Aerridomos. The pedestal is a level 4 control console She must make a Speed defense roll or fall into a hole
that monitors the storage cells. Examinations might leading down into the metallic superstructure of the
suggest that the cells hold living energy forms (unlike citadel. The character suffers 5 points of damage and
in area 6), and perhaps might convey a prison-like is caught (remember that suit breach is an additional 5
motif, but neither observation is entirely accurate. The points of damage). It takes a level 7 Might task or two
constructs within the cells are not alive, but they are full man-hours to free a caught character.
aware and intelligent. They are not held against their Communication Screen: Along one wall is a Remember that suit
will, but in fact know no other existence. massive glass screen. This is a level 2 device that, if breaches result in 5 points
Dismantling and scavenging from this pedestal activated, allows the PCs to visualize Aerridomos, a of additional damage. This
is true for the radiance
yields one random cypher. creature of interconnected energy strands. They can
knight as well as the PCs.
The small room off to one side, behind the also talk to it for the first time. Aerridomos speaks
door, holds an armored, bioengineered automaton in a stilted, alien manner. It knows nothing of the

17
 Ninth World or even of Earth. It knows only that it afford to be generous with interpreting the effects as
has existed here in a state of perpetual bliss. It knows by this point, the time pressure will be significant and
that the citadel floats within the sun, and that it will the task is so difficult.
not exist much longer. It asks the PCs if they can fix Using the Wishing Well is taxing. There is an initial
the citadel (it has no idea how to do so). If they say cost of 4 Intellect points, and the difficulty of further
that they cannot, it says that there is a way to exile attempts to use the device without significant rest is
them to a safe location somewhere in the citadel. It increased by one step.
would rather they do that than allow it (and those like The Wishing Well cannot be moved from this
it) to die. It also knows that there is something in the chamber. It is powered by the energy absorbed from
citadel of incredible power that it calls the Wishing the sun and could never function anywhere else.
If a PC uses the Wishing Well, but it has no idea what the well does or how to Attempting to use the device to repair the station
Well more than once or
use it. but failing is very likely to hasten its demise.
twice, it takes a heavy
toll. GMs should feel The screen also allows the PCs to view other
free to inflict permanent constructs, but none are able to communicate. AREA 10: THE EXILE PANEL
Intellect damage on This chamber bears a single level 3 control panel. Its
characters who press AREA 9: THE WISHING WELL use activates the red light as described in areas 2 and
their luck too far. The level 5 door to this room is locked. Within 5. This panel has one function—it flushes the mental
is a floating sphere of radiance about 2 feet (0.6 constructs out of the cells in area 7 to somewhere
m) across. This sphere is an incredibly advanced else. It does not reveal where, but it is away from the
and powerful molecular reassembler of level 8. A station.
character attempting to use it must place his hands Dismantling and scavenging from this panel yields
inside the ball of light and manipulate it with both his 3d6 shins and 1d6 random cyphers.
GM Intrusion: As the hands and his mind. This is incredibly difficult, like
PCs use the Wishing Well performing multiple complex math calculations at FURTHER ADVENTURE IDEAS
to attempt to repair the once. If successful, the user can reshape any matter The Temple of the Vortex is vast, and the cultists
station, a rent opens in currently in the station. A wounded character could haven’t explored even a fraction of it. It could hold all
the outer hull, pulling
be healed, a healthy character could be physically sorts of wonders. There also might be other entrances
the character out and
into the sun unless he improved (adding 1d6 points to her Might or Speed and exits that move through space in ways different
(or another character Pool), or a device could be repaired or even created from the Narthex.
standing nearby) can from the air (if the “wishing” character could make The Citadel of the Radiance will likely be
make a difficulty 4 Speed the device). And the citadel could be repaired, or at destroyed by the end of the adventure, but where
roll. least stabilized, although doing so would require at did Aerridomos and the other constructs go if they
least two uses of the device as the structure is large were “exiled”? This is left to the GM to determine.
and complex—three if the PCs have caused further But perhaps the PCs have not heard the last of their
damage, such as by using the panel in area 5. strange friend—who now owes them a debt.
The possibilities of the device are vast. The GM can

CONVENTION GAME
Obviously, this part of the scenario is only applicable to a convention game if it is a two-part game, and it follows Part 1. This was
the second round at GenCon 2013, and only one group out of twelve advanced to play it. Aaron Peterson, Michael Sanders, Nick
Barone, Yoshi Creelman, and Troy Pichelman were the players who qualified for the second round, and they performed admirably,
achieving a partial victory by saving Aerridomos but not the citadel. It could be used as a stand-alone event as well, but a different
beginning point would likely have to be created.
The key to running this as a convention scenario is ensuring that the ending—very likely involving the complete collapse of the
citadel—is dramatic and that the PCs just barely make it out. There are many GM intrusions built into this scenario, but the ending
might force a number of XP earned to be used to make rerolls to get out safely.
Using the panel to download Aerridomos and the others can be thought of as a partial victory, while using the Wishing Well to
repair the station would be a total victory (although without advanced characters, it’s very unlikely).
Each part might provide about three to five hours of play.

NON-CONVENTION GAME
This is a very difficult, dangerous scenario that could easily end in PC death, despite the fact that the PCs all wear super-advanced
armor throughout. A GM will have to monitor the situation carefully. PCs that discover the Transformation Room gain 2 XP, and
they likewise get 2 XP for exploring the Citadel of the Radiance. They should earn 2 bonus XP for saving Aerridomos by exiling him
with the controls in area 10, or 4 XP for repairing the citadel.

18
 NUMENERA GLIMMERS
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