Fate of the Forebears Part 1: Domes of Ishaq-Zahur – 5E Adventure (Levels 5-7)

Who This Appeals To

Fate of the Forebears – Part 1: Domes of Ishaq-Zahur is perfect for Game Masters seeking a substantial desert-themed adventure with rich lore and challenging encounters. If you want to run a campaign that combines classic tomb exploration with unique cultural elements, deadly puzzles, and multi-phase boss battles, this delivers. Ideal for groups at levels 5-7 who enjoy dungeon crawls with narrative depth, or for GMs planning a long-term campaign arc with the first installment of a six-part epic.

What Makes This Adventure Stand Out

This full-length module delivers 10-12 sessions of content set in the windswept sands of the Great Expanse. When a Nartheneen tomb is unearthed near the trade city of Archensheen, your party is hired to uncover what lies beneath. But this is no ordinary ruin—it's a trial of the gods, filled with deadly traps, cryptic runes encoded in the long-lost Nartheneen language, ancient constructs, and the lingering shades of a once-mighty empire.

What sets this apart is the depth of cultural worldbuilding. The Nartheneen civilization feels real and distinct, with its own language, religious practices, and architectural style. The ancient puzzles require players to engage with this forgotten culture, while the multi-phase boss battles against mummy kings, skeletal sorcerers, and incorporeal horrors provide memorable combat encounters that go beyond simple stat blocks.

Features

• Full-length dungeon exploration for 10-12 sessions
• Designed for 5th-level characters advancing to 7th level
• Multi-phase boss battles with unique mechanics
• Ancient puzzles in the Nartheneen language
• Deadly traps and environmental hazards
• Ancient constructs and incorporeal horrors
• Optional scaling tactics (Easier, Harder, Lethal) for every encounter
• Richly detailed NPCs with cultural depth
• Extensive lore on the forgotten Nartheneen civilization
• First installment of six-part campaign arc
• Full 5th Edition compatibility

What You'll Experience

Game Masters receive a turnkey tomb-crawling adventure with exceptional flexibility. The optional scaling tactics for each encounter (Easier, Harder, and Lethal) let you adjust difficulty on the fly based on your party's capabilities and playstyle. The richly detailed NPCs in Archensheen provide hooks for roleplay and side quests, while the extensive Nartheneen lore gives you context to answer player questions and improvise when they go off-script.

Players will face challenges that test multiple skills. The ancient puzzles reward clever thinking and cultural investigation, the deadly traps demand caution and teamwork, and the multi-phase boss battles require tactical adaptation as enemies shift strategies mid-fight. The mummy kings, skeletal sorcerers, and incorporeal horrors each present unique mechanical challenges that keep combat fresh and engaging.

The tomb itself feels like a character—a trial of the gods that tests worthiness rather than just presenting random obstacles. Every trap, puzzle, and guardian serves the narrative of the Priest-Kings' eternal rest. Will your party claim the scepters of the dead rulers, or become the latest offering to their tombs?

As the first part of a six-part campaign arc, this adventure establishes themes and mysteries that will pay off across the entire series, making it perfect for groups who want a long-term narrative investment.

Continue the Epic Journey

Continue with Fate of the Forebears Part 2: The City of Sands and Part 3: The Lion's Vault. For the standalone version, try Domes of Ishaq-Zahur (5th Edition).

Published by 2CGaming