Page 207 - Lords of Madness: The Book of Aberrations

The Topaz Order is not particularly secretive, but it is not setting, the deities Tyr, Helm, or Torm serve as good patrons for
large either. All but the most isolated clerics of Heironeous the Holy Order of the Supernal Topaz Defenders. In the EBER-
know of the order, but only those clerics who happen to serve in RON setting, the Church of the Silver Flame boasts the greatest
towns near chapter houses of the order know where members number of topaz defenders, who are joined in their battles by
can be found. Clerics of temples of Heironeous located in large adherents of Boldrei and Dol Arrah of the Sovereign Host.
cities (or large towns, if the region is subject to aberration activ-
ity) host chapters. Clerics of temples in large towns (or larger Encounters
communities) can point inquirers toward likely locations for Topaz guardians are most commonly encountered as potential
Topaz Order chapter houses, while clerics of temples in smaller allies for the heroes, especially when the heroes are taking on
towns must ask their fellows in larger or more centrally located

mind flayers or other master aberrations. On occasion, topaz
CHAPTER 9 THE ABERRATION HUNTER TOPAZ GUARDIAN LORE guardians might attempt to discourage adventurers from
shrines to find out where inquiries should be directed.

provoking aberrations that are too strong to be dealt with.
For example, a topaz guardian might try to stop a party from
unsealing a portal leading to a powerful mind flayer stronghold

The Topaz Order is closely affiliated with the church of Hei-

roneous. Characters who succeed on a Knowledge (religion)
A sample topaz guardian appears in the description of the
check can learn the following information, including the if he doesn’t think he can defeat the mind flayer response.
information from lower DCs. Topaz Order on page 221.
DC 10: “The church of Heironeous sponsors a knightly
order known as the Topaz Order.”
DC 15: “Knights of the Topaz Order are dedicated to fighting MAGIC

evil monsters such as mind flayers or aboleths. Members of While master aberrations have unique and deadly spells
the Topaz Order work to organize the defenses of humankind and magic items all their own, humanoids associated with
against these monsters, and they mount expeditions to go aberrations—alienists, cultists, minions, spies, or dedicated
underground and burn out any outposts they find.” hunters—also wield specialized magic in the service of or in

DC 20: “The elite champions of the Topaz Order are known opposition to the master aberrations. Aberration deities spawn
as topaz guardians. Each one carries a special topaz diadem, a horrible new cleric domains that some cultists make use of;
magic gem that protects him against evil magic. They’re experts both aberration spellcasters and aberration hunters create new
in fighting mind flayers and other aberrations.” spells of all sorts; and finally, aberrations know the secrets of

DC 30: Characters who achieve this level of success learn many magic items, including various grafts and “improve-

important details about specific guardians, their exploits, and ments” that are sometimes inflicted on humanoids.
their enemies. Spells marked with an asterisk (*) are found in this chapter.
TOPAZ GUARDIANS IN THE GAME BARD SPELLS
The Topaz Order serves as an excellent patron or sponsor for 3rd-Level Bard Spell
adventuring parties fighting aberration threats. Even if none Invoke the Cerulean Sign*: Aberrations become sickened,

of the PCs belong to the order, farsighted members always look nauseated, dazed, or stunned.
out for good-hearted and capable heroes who can be rallied
against aberration incursions. 5th-Level Bard Spell
The topaz guardian prestige class appeals to players who like Morality Undone*: Subject becomes evil.
to roleplay virtuous and determined heroes, such as paladins or
lawful good clerics or monks. Make sure you give the player the CLERIC SPELLS
opportunity to be pious, dedicated, and courageous in the face 2nd-Level Cleric Spells
of the foulest horror. The player of a topaz guardian doesn’t want Darkbolt*: Deals 1d8 damage/2 levels and stuns 1 round.
to deal with a quagmire of moral ambiguities and hard choices; Detect Aberration*: Detect the presence of aberrations.
he wants the opportunity for his character to confront evil and
pound it into jelly with his bastard sword. Your adventures don’t 3rd-Level Cleric Spell
have to be simple-minded or absolutely lacking in shades of Invoke the Cerulean Sign*: Aberrations become sickened,
meaning—make sure you don’t run too many adventures that nauseated, dazed, or stunned.
force the PC to choose between evils or make it impossible for
him to act courageously and confidently. 4th-Level Cleric Spell

Damning Darkness*: Darkness deals either 2d6 or 1d6
Adaptation damage per round.
While the Topaz Order is presented as an arm of the temple of
Heironeous here, there is no reason you couldn’t make them 5th-Level Cleric Spell
followers of any lawful good deity. In the FORGOTTEN REALMS Morality Undone*: Subject becomes evil.
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