A History of Ashes
A History of Ashes, an adventure by Michael Kortes with support articles by Eric Boyd, Jacob Frazier, and J.D. Wiker and fiction by Richard Pett, is the fourth chapter in the Curse of the Crimson Throne Pathfinder Adventure Path and was released on July 2, 2008.
“Face the Fire!The path to save Korvosa leads far beyond the ravaged city's walls. In the burning plains of the Cinderlands the tenacious tribes of the Shoanti barbarians protect an ancient secret that might be the only way to save the Jewel of Varisia from ruin, but Korvosa has been their enemy too long for the proud natives to give up their knowledge freely. Only by learning the ways of the barbarians and facing their sacred trials can the PCs hope to save their city, but are the warriors' ordeals impossible? Especially when the PCs already have angry natives, evil priests, and deadly assassins hot on their trail?
This volume of Pathfinder includes:
- "A History of Ashes," an adventure for 10th-level characters, by Michael Kortes.
- An exploration of the Cinderlands, a scorched wasteland where nature is as deadly as the monsters that stalk its blistered ground, by Jacob Frazier.
- Learn the trials and traditions of the Shoanti, Varisia's fierce barbarian natives, by Eric L. Boyd and Michael Kortes.
- Eando Kline finds himself caught in the middle of an all-out orc war in the Pathfinder's Journal, by Richard Pett.
- Five new monsters by Michael Kortes and J.D. Wiker.
”
Contents
This volume of Pathfinder Adventure Path features the fourth installment in Curse of the Crimson Throne, as well as an in-depth look at the Shoanti barbarian way of life, an exploration of the harsh badlands known as the Cinderlands, the ongoing adventures of Eando Kline, and four new monsters native to these lands.
James Jacobs, Editor-in-Chief of Pathfinder Adventure Path, discusses why he knew Michael Kortes was the perfect author for this adventure, introduces the Shoanti to patient fans, and foreshadows changes on the horizon as Pathfinder moves into the double digits with its tenth volume.
Forced to flee the city of Korvosa and pursued by sinister agents of Queen Ileosa, the heroes travel to the Cinderlands to seek out advice on how to defeat the ancient evil that has claimed their queen's mind. Few living today know the truth behind this evil—and those who do are among the Shoanti barbarian tribes preparing to invade Korvosa. The PCs must earn the trust of three tribes in order to realize their goals and save Korvosa from a brutal war.
What can live in a land that burns? In the hellish Cinderlands—a barren place of scrub, ash, and flame—only the heartiest creatures and most tenacious plants flourish. Learn how to endure scorching emberstorms, avoid explosive cinder cones, hunt the region's blistering beasts, and survive as you traverse Varisia's blazing wastes.
Walk the unforgiving path of Varisia's native barbarians, the Shoanti. Learn of the proud heritages of their seven quahs, the fearless traditions of their dauntless warriors, and their indomitable resolve to tame one of the harshest wildernesses in all Golarion.
Eando Klein's trek through the orc-dominated Hold of Belkzen puts him on a warpath few can hope to survive in this chapter of Pathfinder's Journal.
Adventure overview
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The only hope for Korvosa's salvation lies far beyond its walls, in the barbaric hands of its oldest enemies, the Shoanti. Any who would dare break the Curse of the Crimson Throne must first journey into the burning expanse of the Cinderlands, a merciless wasteland of ash and fire. Even then, aid is only given to those who prove themselves to the bitter natives through an exhausting and perilous series of trials, feats that might be impossible even without enraged savages, minions of the god of pain, terrifying gargoyles, and the assassins of the Red Mantis in hot pursuit!
Characters and creatures
- For a list of characters and creatures appearing in this work, see the Meta page.
- Real-world articles
- Works by Jacob Frazier
- Works by Eric Boyd
- Works by JD Wiker
- Works by Michael Kortes
- Works by James Jacobs
- Works by Richard Pett
- Artwork by Ben Wootten
- Artwork by James Zhang
- Artwork by Andrew Hou
- Artwork by Ilker Serdar Yildiz
- Artwork by Wayne Reynolds
- Artwork by Rob Lazzaretti
- Artwork by Kevin Yan
- 2008 adventures
- Adventures
- D&D 3.5 adventures
- Pathfinder Adventure Path
- 10th level adventures
- Journey adventures
- Adventures in Cinderlands
- Adventures in Storval Plateau
- Adventures in Varisia
- Curse of the Crimson Throne adventures