Island of the Above Sea
Description
The Island of the Above Sea resembles a white cloud from the ground. Up close several archways of black slimy stone can be seen. The archways are huge allowing entire ships to entire the cloud. The cloud is partially solid but constantly shifting in shape. Inside the cloud are a collection of shifting rooms and corridors. All immense in size. The rooms has more of the bilestone that for the archways. The rocks jut out in odd directions that seem chaotic to most creatures. The largest room contains a column with unusual symbols on it. The aboleth symbols translate to "above", "sky", and similar words. The entire area feels alien.
History
The glyph of above gave the aboleths the ability to swim through the air. The new realm enthralled some of the deep horrors. Free of the watchful others, they explored their own desires. When the powers faded they returned dutifully to the dark seas. Consumed with the desire for the sky, a group of aboleths stole the glyph and escaped into the clouds. Over time the magical energies of the glyph absorbed into their bodies. Eventually they no longer required the glyph of sky. The Island of the Above Sea was created to house the glyph.
The aerial aboleths abandoned the Island of the Above Sea centuries ago having no more use for the glyph. Recently Captain James Blade discovered the cloud. The famous war hero refused to accept the defeat of the Bartuth Kingdom. Rather than surrendering his airship as order by his king, he continued to raid enemy land. He undoubtedly would have been caught by now were it not for the secret base in the clouds. Unfortunately staying close to the bilestone has begun to take its told on the Captain and crew. They have suffered some losses due to recklessness during raids. Captain Blade has become less discriminate about opponents.
William Booth was captured by authorities but seems to have gone mad. He keeps drawing the symbols from the column on the walls of his cell. This has attracted the interest of the aboleths. Believing that Captain Blade has found the glyph of above, they have begun searching for the pirate. This in turn have alerted the aerial aboleths. They do not wish the others to join them in the sky.
Aerial Aboleth
The aerial aboleths are described in the Lords of Madness (pg 20). They are more chaotic than regular aboleths. They fly at 60ft (good) but have lost the aquatic trait and swimming.
Bilestone
A full description of bilestone can be found in the Lords of Madness (pg 27). The rock affects the mind of non-aberrant creatures. They suffer a -2 penalty to saving throws against mind effects and wisdom skills while within the Island of the Above Sea.
Adventure Hooks
Captain Blade needs more crew to replace loses. The PCs are in town when the pirates attack. They can either be taken or simply be requested to retrieve those who have.
The aboleths use an enslaved wizard to hire the party to seek out the pirates. In return for the location of the Island of the Above Sea, the party will be rewarded handsomely but the aboleths will recover the glyph.
Captain James Blade
Human Fighter 10
Medium Humanoid
HD: 10d10+10 (64hp)
Init: +4
Speed: 30 ft.
AC: 17 (+5 chain shirt, +2 buckler) Touch 10, Flat footed 17
BAB/Grapple: +10/+12
Attack: +1 shocking burst bastard sword +15 melee 1d10+5 (16-20/x2) +1d6 (+1d10 critical) electric
Full Attack: +1 shocking burst bastard sword +15/+10 melee 1d10+5 (16-20/x2) +1d6 (+1d10 critical) electric
Face/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: None
Special Qualities: None
Saves:Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +5
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 13
Skills: Bluff +2, Climb +6, Diplomacy +5, Intimidate +6, Knowledge (Geography) +3, Knowledge (Local) +2, Profession (Airship Sailor) +8, Sense Motive +4, Swim +4, Use Rope +2
Feats: Endurance, Die Hard, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Bastard Sword), Improved Critical (Bastard Sword), Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Negotiator, Skill Focus (Profession (Airship Sailor)), Weapon Focus (Bastard Sword), Weapon Specialization (Bastard Sword), Greater Weapon Focus (Bastard Sword)
_______________________
CR: 10
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Languages: Common
Equipment: +1 Shocking Burst Bastard Sword, +1 Buckler, +1 Chain Shirt
While a Bartuth soldier, Captain Blade earned the respect of his men with his tenacity. His charisma allowed him to quickly rise in rank. He had short brown hair and a mustache. As the maddening bilestone affected him, his hair has become more unkempt. He now sports a beard. He still maintains some reason. Should someone be able to explain what has happened to him, he will give himself up in return for letting his crew go.
Glyph of Above
Any aboleth within 20 feet of this glyph gains the amphibious special quality and the ability to fly 60ft (poor). The effects of the glyph last for 24 hours after the aboleth leaves the area of effect. Aboleths with prolonged exposure to the glyph and do not return water once a day transform into aerial aboleths.
Strong transmutation; CL 18th; Craft Aboleth Glyph, shapechange; Price 324000
Optional Elements
1. The monument cannot always be found in the same place. (The cloud drifts through the sky but is rather slow.)
2. A group of creatures live around the monument, even though they are adversely affected by it. (Bilestone)
3. The monument hides or is the key to acquiring a unique magic item (provide item description.) (Glyph of Above)
4. The monument is a source of contention between two or more groups. (Captain James Blade, aboleths and aerial aboleths want the monument.)
5. The monument is now used for something other than its original purpose.