“After climbing a tall sand dune for some minutes and two vials of antitoxin, amidst old notes
d notes and
you get to the top and are surprised by what you
see directly in front of you: the dune slopes down
into a dry riverbed, visibly rocky and full of cracks.
The slight winding form, about 300 feet wide,
stretches northward and southward, until you lose
its sight in the sea of sand all around you.
Curious, however, is something else you see in
this riverbed, a few hundred feet north: a cluster of
cacti and other plants, seemingly growing directly
over the dry soil. Even though they are so close
together that it is difficult to see through them,
you can glimpse that apparently they encircle a
small structure, probably only one-story high and
with a roof covered in dust and sand.”
If the characters investigate they can attest that
this is, indeed, a small grove of cacti, succulents,
and other small desert vegetation. This is probably
not only the first type of real vegetation they
encounter on the Wastes, but in all of Avernus.
Although a little frail and grey, the clear greenish
tint on the stalks is surprisingly “normal”, and
reminds them of the lush vegetation on the
Material Plane.
If they enter the hut read:
e can help him, will he actually talk a little bit more
“Inside this hut the air is considerably stale,
but somewhat better than the sand-filled air of
the open desert. This place seems to have three
chambers.
pl
The main one, where you stand right now,
has some simple furniture such as a table, two
chairs, a worktable filled with papers and writing
supplements, and a little oven that can be seen
on a wall. Across a tight archway you can see
some sort of greenhouse, with dirty glass walls
and roof that filter the reddish light that comes
m
through, illuminating tables and shelves storing
many different pots and jars, with what appears
to be plants. Across another archway you can
see a darkened chamber, where the silhouettes
of furnitures can be seen, but not entirely
deciphered”
Sa
The main chamber has the papers with
Vysianter’s personal writings. They are,
however, written in a personal Infernal cypher.
Characters must examine the texts for 1 hour
and be successful on a DC18 Intelligence check
to understand it. They are journal entries,
mostly describing his escape from Tarzothan.
Moreover, in the wall directly in front of the
desk, there is a rough map from the Wastes that
Vysianter has created in the months he has been
here. The drawers store writing equipment and
miscellaneous objects worth about 40gp.
The greenhouse is a remnant of the hut’s
original inhabitants, dozens of jars and clay pots
guard some rare plants, as well as large self-
sustaining terrariums with many different types
of ecosystems. Here the characters can find a
herbalism kit, a healer’s kit, and a poisoner’s kit;
8 THE RED WASTES
drawings of the different plants in this oasis.
Characters proficient in Nature, Survival, or
Medicine might be able to use some of the plants
here as supplies, at your discretion.
The last chamber is Vysianter’s bedroom,
when the characters arrive he will enter a special
hideout he carved above the wardrobe, and remain
there until he is assured that the characters were
not sent to kill or capture him. The room is fairly
simple: a large bed bears clear signs of use, a small
full body mirror can be seen on a corner, with
some cracks on its surface, and a large wardrobe,
with only a few worn-out clothing complete the
e
decór.
If Vysianter notices they are just travellers
from the Material he might interact with them
to gain more information on the rest of Avernus.
fil
He is naturally curious, and in his current
situation can rarely listen to rumors from what is
happening outside the Wastes. He will, however,
present himself and Gumrad, a gardener, who
is researching the oasis, perceptive/inquisitive
characters might notice this is probably not
entirely true. Only if he gains very important
information, or is somewhat convinced that they
about his true self. Although unlikely, it is not
impossible that he may talk about his brother,
Karnak, Ozoth, or even Tarzothan.
If the encounter lead to a relationship the
characters might be allowed to stay a little bit in
the hut, but not for long, as Vysianter appreciates
his privacy.
THE WANDERING EMPORIUM
As in every location in Avernus, characters
travelling through the Red Wastes might
encounter, or rather, be encountered by, The
Wandering Emporium, the distinguished group of
merchants that roam the plane in search for the
most varied body of customers. If the encounter
indeed happens, it can be played out according to
the rules established in “Baldur’s Gate: Descent
into Avernus” normally, but in this case the
NPCs might be able to share information about
the Wastes or its locations, sometimes freely,
sometimes only after a “small tip”. More complex
information, especially about the Wastes’ history
and lore, should be more difficult to obtain, and
even more studied members of the bazaar might
have only superficial knowledge about.
Regardless of their intentions regarding the
party, the Emporium might be a sliver of hope
and safety for groups being crushed by the
desert’s wrath, since the space enclosed by the
warmachines is definitely better than the open air
camps they will probably be staying during most of
their journey.
 e
fil
VYSIANTER e WARLORDS OF THE
Medium fiend, lawful neutral AVERNIAN WASTELANDS
Armor Class 17 (studded leather)
As in every location in Avernus, characters
Hit Points 73 (13d8+13)
travelling through the Red Wastes might
pl
Speed 30 ft. encounter, or rather, be encountered, by one of the
many gangs that roam the plane on their infernal
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA warmachines in search of prey and treasure. If
8(-1) 20(+5) 12(+1) 18(+3) 13(+1) 10(0) the encounter indeed happens, it can be played
out according to the rules established in “Baldur’s
Gate: Descent into Avernus” normally, but in this
Saving Throws DEX +8, INT +6 case the NPCs might be able to share information
m

Skills History +7, Stealth +12, Thieves Tools +12 about the Wastes or its locations, if combat is
Senses Passive Perception 15, Darkvision 60ft avoided.
Languages Common, Infernal, Draconic Regardless of which warlord or gang you decide
Damage Resistances fire to use, the party’s journey will be significantly
jeopardized if, for example, they are captured
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
by the gang. If the tides of an attack turn in the
party’s favor, however, this might be a chance
Sa

Spellcasting. Vysianter is a 8th-level spellcaster. His for them to acquire a warmachine, which could
spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 15, +7 facilitate their time in Avernus.
to hit with spells attacks). Harexa has the following
wizard spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): minor image, mage hand,
SANDSTORM
prestidigitation, true strike Every now and then a large sandstorm ravages
1st level (3 slots): charm person, disguise self, color the Red Wastes, wrecking with immense force
spary everything in its path. Characters might see such
2nd level (2 slots): invisibility, mirror image phenomenon from afar, but if it gets really close to
them read:
Short Bow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach
30ft./120ft., one creature. Hit: 8 (1d6+5) piercing
damage, plus 4d6 if Sneak Attack applies.
Short Sword. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach
5ft., one creature. Hit: 8 (1d6+5) slashing damage, plus
4d6 if Sneak Attack applies.
THE RED WASTES 9
“After walking miles and miles on the crimson
sands you get to a high vantage point, above a
large rocky basin, allowing you to see much farther
than usual. The view is impressive, and allows a
moment of respite until you look northward.
In the horizon you see a giant cloud of sand
and dust, millions of particles crashing and
spiraling, in a complex dance with fast winds and
bright lightning. This sandstorm is an absolute
behemoth, dozens of miles wide and at least 1000
feet high. Quickly moving through the sea of
dunes, apparently in your direction.”
Distances might be difficult to ascertain in
the desert, especially when dealing with such
enormous phenomena, so you can be flexible on
how close or how fast you want the sandstorm to
hit the party. If you would like them to improvise
some sort of shelter give them a little more time to
prepare, if, for example, ruins or caverns can be
seen nearby, make the storm much closer or faster,
to impose a high-adrenaline run against the winds.
RANDOM ENCOUNTER TABLE
This table was made to allow the DM to introduce
the desert. They are usually leaning towards
combat/confrontations, but there are many
e
smaller encounters on the party’s journey through
options available for different parties to surpass
pl
these obstacles in innovative ways. As stated
previously in this chapter: you might roll in it
every two days the party does not come across
m
Sa
a larger location. Remember to keep locations
and encounters somewhat sparse, to indicate the
Wastes’ vast emptiness.
You can also use these encounters to populate
some of the locations described above, this can
increase the time spent on each, or make them
seem more important and different from the rest of
the desert. Suggestions are made below.
d6 Result
1 No encouter
2 Desert Bandits
e
3 Dust Devil
4 Ancient Cemetery
5 Lamia Attack
fil
6 Zanthrax, the Storm’s Wrath
DESERT BANDITS
Many bandits roam through the Red Wastes,
usually near the Road, rock cliffs, caves, or
ruins. They are usually devils, but sometimes
also humanoids, that live in the desert and have
developed a way of life that allows them to coexist
with the hostile environment.
Consider that a desert bandit has the stats
of a standard bandit, but with the following
modifications, raising their CR to 2:
- 14 Armor Class
- 28 Hit Points
“Temple of Kom Ombo, Upper Egypt” (1888),
by Amelia Edwards
 - Advantage on Perception, Stealth, and
Survival checks while in the desert.
Consider that a desert bandit captain has the
stats of a standrd bandit captain, but with the
following modifications, raising their CR to 3:
- 65 Hit Points
- Advantage on Perception, Stealth, and
Survival checks while in the desert.
Unless very perceptive or lucky the party will
most likely be surprised by the bandits in some
sort of ambush, the natives will utilize their
surroundings to hide, merging as best as they can
with the environment, make sure to include this
advantage. Usually they can be found in groups
with 2-4 bandits and a captain. Moving through
the desert in more numerous groups could be a
problem.
All bandits possess some coins and treasure,
but never more than 15gp in one individual. Each
captain, however, has a 25% chance of having
a sanctuary shard (see Appendix A) with them,
whenever the characters loot a captain, roll a d100
to ascertain that.
DUST DEVIL
The strong winds that travel through the Wastes
are subject to the ancient magic that prevails
in this region. Especially powerful sandstorms
might be imbued by the magic in the air, and
eventually produce mighty elemental creatures
e
such a dust devil. These foes roam the vast desert
pl
at high speed, looking for possible victims to its
destructive power. When the party approaches a
very open area where this encounter can happen
read:
“As you thread through the dunes you feel the
air becoming faster, the grains of sand brushing
m
your exposed skin like small thorns. You see a
disturbance on the ground, about 30 feet in front
of you, as the sand seems to be enveloped in
some sort of whirlwind that quickly travels to your
direction. As you brace for the sudden contact
you can swear you see a vaguely humanoid face
stretched in the dust grains.”
Sa
The devil enters the space of a character and
uses its whirlwind feature. Afterwards it always
attacks the closest target. If reduced to less than
30 hit points it will try to flee.
ANCIENT CEMETERY
Beneath the dunes that form the Red Wastes
thousands of corpses can be found. From the
Blood War, the attack on the Sanctum, or even due
to more recent events, creatures have always died
here and were hidden by the ever-shifting sand.
Sometimes the dunes move just enough so that
some of those corpses, or their resting places, can
be seen by travellers, the corpses, however, aren’t
always in its peaceful slumber, but rather cursed
with a hatred-filled undeath.
When the characters find an open space, or the
surroundings of a small ruin, read:
“The sand makes way to small stone objects.
As you approach to investigate you notice their
positioning form almost a crescent moon, and the
objects seem to be deeply buried gravestones.”
If the characters investigate they can see that
time and erosion have made the gravestones
completely flat and plain, removing any texts or
symbols that might have existed there. If they
pass more than a minute here, however, they
e
might hear, see, or feel some disturbance on the
sand, and witness the original occupants of the
graveyard rising from the grave to attack them.
A suggested arrangement might consist of: three
fil
zombies, three skeletons, one ghast, and one
wight. In their bodies/graves the characters might
find rusted pieces of equipment; some valuables,
especially coins; or other strange trinkets, at your
discretion.
LAMIA ATTACK
Originally created by a demon prince, a pride of
lamias were sent into Avernus to fight the Blood
War. Realizing they wouldn’t be successful, they
revolted and fled to the Wastes, searching for a
way to return to the Material Plane and exert
evil on their own terms. After this mutiny, the
prince removed their spellcasting powers, and
cursed them, banning them from extraplanar
travel, locking them in the First Layer of Hell
forever. Deprived of their powers the lamias slowly
descended into madness and became more beasts
than cunning spellcasters.
Use standard stats with the following
modifications, which reduce their CR to 3:
- They lose all of their spellcasting abilities,
including ‘Intoxicating Touch’.
- The dagger attack is replaced by another claw
attack on the multiattack.
- Their movement speed is increased to 40 ft.
They roam the desert, searching for food and
prey, still retaining their original bloodthirst and
appetite for violence. When the characters are in a
open field where the lamias hunt, read:
“From afar you see three shapes, running fast
atop a dune. In the next moment they disappear,
obscured by the large wall of sand behind which
they crouch. Suddenly, while trying to find the
shapes again, you see, much closer now, three
mostruous figures, with human upper bodies and
leonine lower bodies, charging like a stampede in
your direction.”
As experienced hunters, the lamias will retract if
clearly in danger, but their confidence might mean
that it only happens after one of them has been
THE RED WASTES 11
downed. In each of them it is possible to find about
100gp in old jewelry they still pridefully display,
faint memories from better times.
ZANTHRAX, THE STORM’S WRATH
Perhaps the strongest non-fiendish creature in the
Wastes is a young blue dragon called Zanthrax,
also known as the Storm’s Wrath. He was brought
to Avernus by a careless devil when he was still a
wyrmling, some decades ago. With time he grew
and became more difficult to hide and control.
One day the dragon escaped, killing the devil in
the process. Once he found the Wastes, he felt at
home, and has ever-since lived there, surviving
surprisingly well.
When not buried beneath the sands, in the
caverns he calls his lair, Zanthrax eventually
comes out to hunt, especially large or exotic
targets; and collect treasure from ruins and
caravans. Few can boast to have survived an
attack from the dragon, but some have already
seen him flying through the red sky. He also flies
close to the strong sandstorms that produce so
much energy that lightning bolts can be seen
e a third of his hit points) he will flee to his lair. If
pl
m
Sa
cutting the dusty horizon. You can tease the
players with eventual sightings of the dragon
before the actual encounter, but when it happens
read:
“After a long day journeying, you start to look for
a place to camp for the night. After a while, you
start to hear a buzz, looking around you, you
don’t see anything. The sound seems to be coming
from below. A fraction of second passes, and you
immediately see a path being carved on the sand
from below, about 20 feet from you, before a blast
erupts from under the surface, revealing the
terrifying visage of a blue dragon. Its protruded
e
skull emerging from the dune as an apex predator,
while the wings extend for almost 20 feet,
dispersing a lot of sand and dust into the air. Its
eyes shine bright with intent, as a hunter who has
fil
found its prey.”
Depending on the mechanics used in your
table you might consider this a surprise attack
or not, at your discretion. The dragon attacks
to kill, as a true storm, his overall strategy also
includes using his incredible flight and burrow
speed, so keep that in mind. If endangered (below
the party deems fit, they might chase him, but
would probably take some time (more than a day).
Acting revenge against the dragon, and potentially
looting his marvellous hoard, is a short adventure
in itself, but it is a divergence that’s worth hours of
adventure!
Zanthrax takes advantage of the Wastes’
environment to ambush his prey
Artwork courtesy of
Wizards of the Coast
THE LOST TEMPLE OF DAK-THRAEL
One of the most important structures in the
Sanctum was the Temple of Dak-Thrael, dedicated
to the ever-shining figure of the Queen. Erected as
the first bastion of civilization on the still wild and
idyllic landscape, this temple became the center for
pilgrimage in the first decades of the project. After
many other temples were constructed, Dak-Thrael
became a place of rituals for the embalming of
citizens that passed away, as well as the operation
base for a dark sect of priests who discovered a
nefast ritual in which the soul of humanoids could
be harnessed into magical power for a variety of
uses.
The pyramid, which once stood in the middle of
a lush staggered garden, now resides half-buried
beneath the sands. The main entrance (A5) in the
ground floor is submerged, but a hole on the top of
the pyramid allows for passage within (A1).
Adventurers exploring this dungeon will face many
challenges, but many rewards await, both in
terms of material wealth and information. When
they first see the temple from afar, read:
at a high point from where you see, in the red
horizon of the Wastes, a dark pyramid buried in
e
“After a hot day traversing the desert you arrive
the sand, it is impossible to estimate its true size,
pl
but the part above the surface towers to a height
of 35 feet. Near the pinnacle it is possible to see a
small opening, overflowing with sand, from which
a glimpse of the darkness inside appears. Many
chunks of stone are scattered on the side of the
gigantic structure, as well as around it, as a ruined
complex of buildings that now resemble toys left
behind by a child.”
m
“The Hanging Gardens of Babylon” (1882),
by Edmund Ollier
Sa
Additionally you can add the sandstorm
description from “The Red Wastes” chapter to
make the location more dramatic and the entrance
sequence more dynamic, basically forcing them
inside as quickly as possible.
Most chambers inside have between 12 and
15 feet from floor to ceiling, exceptions are noted
on the relevant descriptions. From A2 onwards
there is absolutely no light in the interior, the
descriptions are written assuming the party has a
e
light source.
A1. ENTRANCE
fil
When the characters climb the pyramid they
should be able to enter from a hole close to the
summit, in this level.
A1a. Entry
When the party approach, read:
“This large hole in the side of the pyramid is about
10 feet in diameter, the wear on the surrounding
stonework suggests that the structure is ancient,
and somewhat successible to the ages of erosion.
The interior is much darker than the open-air
desert, but the amount of red sand inside this level
could certainly be mistaken by a dune on itself.
When you enter the building your eyes adjust
and you see two chambers, accessible, through the
layer of sand, by two open archways each, as well
as a gaping hole on the ground that leads deeper
within the temple.”
 A1b. Foodstuff Storage
This small room was once the storeroom to the
temple’s food, both practical and ceremonial. Now,
however, it is half-full of sand, and the few clay
pots that can be found store only the remains of
what was once rotted food and foul water.
A1c. Miscellaneous Storage
This small room was once the storeroom to the
temple’s varied needs, such as candles, incense,
cloths, tinderboxes, ropes, etc. It is currently half-
full of sand, but some pots and crates with such
objects can still be found. Characters successful
on a DC15 Intelligence (Investigation) check, might
find, overall, about 25gp in ancient, strange coins
with the visage of a female devil.
A2. EMBALMING ROOM
This level has a large chamber that was once
dedicated to the embalming of corpses. When the
characters arrive read:
“This large chamber seems to dominate this level.
In the middle of the room, in an organized row,
you can see six stone tables, about 5 feet high.
plants, and different animals.
On the far wall you see many large stone
e
Decorated on all sides with bad-reliefs of flowers,
shelves, divided into niches, with a width of about
pl
5 feet, they seem to be full of different objects.”
The tables were used to prepare the bodies and
then dry them with the appropriate connoctions,
but are now empty. Even though the bas-reliefs are
all different, in all of them the same inscription
can be seen, written in Infernal: “The Queen opens
m
the gate to the Field of Reeds and Lilies, and
welcomes all of her children back home.”
On the shelves supplies like embalming cloth,
salt, herbs, incense and different types of canopic
jars can be found. As well as many equipment
such as knives and scalpels. The hole on the floor
continues downward.
Sa
A3. THE CRYPTS
This level has a large chamber that is the resting
place for many of the Sanctum’s most prominent
figures. They rest under the gaze of their Queen
inside sarcophagi that are placed on niches and
shelves all over this room. When the characters
arrive read:
“The first thing that catches your attention when
you enter this chamber is the scent of decay and
rot. Looking around you can see the walls of this
chamber are completely filled with shelves where
sarcophagi lie silently. In the middle many others,
clearly larger, also stand solemnly.”
14 THE LOST TEMPLE OF DAK-THRAEL
The large sarcophagi in the middle of the room
still bear the titles of the ones buried within.
The names are preceded by denominators such
as “Overseer”, “Minister”, “High Priest”, and the
like. All of them bear the inscription in Infernal:
“The eternal rest is the beginning of the joyeful
journey beyond. May this soul cherish Her many
blessings.”
The ones in the shelves do not bear any
naming. From each one breached the party
might recover about 100gp in jewelry and coins,
to a maximum of 2000gp. Apart from the ones
destructed by rubble, the party might encounter a
sarcophagus opened in the floor, if they investigate
e
read:
“The stench of death seems to come from this
fallen sarcophagus. As you approach you can
fil
see the body inside has been flung outside of
the container, and lie crushed by its weight. The
flesh has been smashed and a dark fluid has
accumulated beneath it. The wrappings are worn
out, revealing the dry grey skin within.”
You might use this moment as a tense scene
where the characters think the corpse will return
to life, but it is in fact just a corpse which has
“recently” (about a month ago) fallen from its
niche due to earth tremors. The hole on the floor
continues downward.
A4. CEREMONIAL CHAMBER
This floor has a large chamber once used by the
priests to conduct smaller ceremonies. When the
characters arrive read:
“This large chamber is dominated by a devilish
statue, almost on its center, surrounded by three
reflecting pools. Behind it a large double staircase
leads downwards. A lot of debris can be seen in the
chambers’ corners, a few seem to have originated
from the hole through each you traversed,
especially a large boulder that could have been
from the pyramid’s exterior.”
The statue, made out of marble, is about 8 feet
tall. It depicts the Queen of Lilies in her complete
fiendish glory, but with an expression that
resembles joy. In the base of the statue, directly
in front of the pools characters can see three
small holes, like ducts, where liquid could flow
to or from. The stone reflecting pools are about
six inches deep, all currently empty. In the base
a inscription, in Infernal can be seen: “With her
golden crown held up high the Queen illuminates
all of her subjects. May she witness the acts of
good and the offerings made on her name. May the
Sanctum be blessed by her immortal heart.”
Characters with a Passive Perception higher
than 15 might notice that something in the rubble
is generating sound. After a while, from under