The Cadaverous Coven

The Four Keys

Seals of the Unascended

Four locks for four prisoners. Horkos needed none, he found the Divine Well before anyone thought to build him a cage.

The Four Keys

Finding, or protecting, these keys is a central campaign hook. Each is confirmed and tied to a specific member of the Coven.

A platinum scepter topped with a massive faceted diamond, resting on a stone altar between two braziers
The Air Key../../images/coven_air_key.jpg
Key to Golaric Noxar's Prison

The Air Key

Physical Description

A two-foot-long scepter forged of burnished platinum, capped by a massive, flawless diamond that refracts pale tempestuous light. The scepter's tines are made of platinum resembling talons, the shaft a polished metal texture for grip, and the flat base a five-sided rhombus of polished chrome, covered in intricate artistic, dead-language glyphs.

Deciphered Inscription

"Key, Air, Tomb, Cage, Lock, Iüdex, Caro Vonta, Noia, Living Dead." (Arcana / History DC 35)

Lore

One of the five prime keys used to seal the Cadaverous Coven.

Artifact Powers

  • Functions continuously as a Censer of Controlling Air Elementals.
  • Grants the bearer a +5 Divine bonus to Armor Class.
  • Grants arcane spellcasters a +10 bonus to spell save DCs.
  • Spell-Like Abilities (At Will): Fly, Gust of Wind.
  • Spell-Like Abilities (1/Day): Prismatic Sphere (Spell Save DC 40).
An eight-pointed star-shaped reliquary of glass and silver, crackling with blue lightning, jewelry visible inside
The Electric Key../../images/coven_electric_key.jpg
Seal of the Ice Lich

The Electric Key

Physical Description

An octagonal box measuring roughly 6 to 8 inches across, wrought from conducting electrum, storm-glass, and blackened silver. The top splits into eight pie-slice facets that hinge outward. While it resembles a lavish reliquary, rotating its segmented base reveals a heavy, interlocking eight-pointed star shaft. This inserts into the grand seal atop the pyramid in the Takli Malan desert.

Deciphered Inscription

"Let lightning bind the shattered intellect; let the storm freeze the unbidden thought." (Arcana / History DC 35)

Artifact Powers

  • Functions continuously as an elemental focus for lightning and storm elementals.
  • Grants the bearer a +5 Divine bonus to Armor Class and total immunity to Electricity and Cold damage.
  • Grants arcane spellcasters a +10 bonus to spell save DCs for Evocation and Transmutation spells.
  • Spell-Like Abilities (At Will): Chain Lightning, Lightning Bolt, Shocking Grasp (cast at 20th caster level).
  • Spell-Like Abilities (1/Day): Storm of Vengeance (Spell Save DC 40).
A massive stone key carved with glowing purple runes, resting beneath a wooden table
The Stone Key../../images/coven_stone_key.jpg
Seal of the Hollow Maw

The Stone Key

Physical Description

A monolithic stone key roughly 36 inches in length, the size and weight of three solid masonry cinder blocks. Carved from primordial granite, it is far too heavy and unwieldy for regular carry. Intricate runes wrap around the grip and wards. Deciphering the runes reveals a hidden command word, when spoken, the entire key compresses down to the size of a smooth pebble that easily fits into a pocket without losing its mass-density enchantments.

Deciphered Inscription

"The earth swallows all hunger; flesh turns to dust, stone outlasts the void." (Arcana / History DC 35)

Artifact Powers

  • Functions continuously as an elemental anchor for Earth elementals.
  • Grants the bearer a +5 Divine bonus to Armor Class and Damage Reduction 15/Adamantine.
  • Grants divine and arcane spellcasters a +10 bonus to spell save DCs for Necromancy and Transmutation spells.
  • Spell-Like Abilities (At Will): Flesh to Stone, Move Earth, Wall of Stone.
  • Spell-Like Abilities (1/Day): Earthquake (Spell Save DC 40).
Two rune-carved stone blocks, each with a key shape cut into it, forming a two-part mold
The Ice Key Mold../../images/coven_ice_key_mold.jpg
Seal of the Nameless Dread, Warlord of Korone

The Ice Key Mold

Physical Description

A pair of heavy adamantine molds measuring roughly 8 inches wide and 4 to 6 inches deep. When clamped together and filled with liquid, standard water or consecrated fluids, the mold must be blasted with a powerful magical cold spell to instantly freeze the interior into an intricate, razor-edged ice key. The puzzle and peril of this artifact lies in its execution: the key must be transported and turned within the scorching jungle heat of Pyth before it melts.

Deciphered Inscription

"Forged in glacial chill to open the tomb of sun and vine; bring the frost to the jungle before the hour turns to steam." (Arcana / History DC 35)

Artifact Powers

While holding the assembled mold or the frozen key:

  • Functions continuously as a ward against extreme temperatures, rendering the bearer and allies within 30 feet immune to environmental heat and fire damage.
  • Grants the bearer a +5 Divine bonus to Armor Class.
  • Grants spellcasters a +10 bonus to spell save DCs for Cold and Water-based spells.
  • Spell-Like Abilities (At Will): Cone of Cold, Ice Storm, Freezing Sphere.
  • Spell-Like Abilities (1/Day): Absolute Zero / Glacial Domain, freezes a 100-foot radius solid (DC 40).

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