Shemeshka's Gambit

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Adventures
The Beginning is the End The End is the Beginning Welcome to Sigil Fast Food The Fortune's Wheel A Glitch in the Mortuary Welcome to the Outlands Crystalwork The Witch and The Wyrmling Inversion Soul's Mirage Titan on the Town Time's Mausoleum Heroes of the Day The Lost Modron Realm of Enchanted Mysteries Full Circle Return to Fortune's Wheel Shemeshka's Gambit Tyrant's Spiral
Campaigns
A Grand Tour of the Sword Coast‎ Tomb of Annihilation‎ Waterdeep: Dragon Heist‎ Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus‎ Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden The Wild Beyond the Witchlight Light of Xaryxis Turn of Fortune's Wheel Vecna: Eve of Ruin
Others
Split The Party Tales of the Champions Time Gates Trials of Mount Tiamat

Shemeshka's Gambit is one of the adventures in the campaign: Turn of Fortune's Wheel.

	Face down Shemeshka and determine Wren's true loyalty.
Requirement(s)	Must have completed "Return to Fortune's Wheel"?
Objective(s)	Complete Area 1200
Restriction(s)	No restrictions
Rewards^(?)	×2400? ×???	Formation

Variants[]

missing data

Aligned in Purpose[]

	Face down Shemeshka and determine Wren's true loyalty with a Champion of OUR choice.
Requirement(s)	Must have completed "Shemeshka's Gambit"
Objective(s)	Complete Area 1250
Restriction(s)	A random Champion is immediately unlocked, added to the formation, and can't be removed. You may only use Champions that have the same initial alignment as the chosen Champion's initial alignment.
Rewards^(?)	×2500 ×???	Formation	File:Formation TurnFortuneWheel Aligned in Purpose.png
Patron: Mirt	Complete Area 1350	×5,55e12 ×5,13e04
Patron: Vajra	Complete Area 1375	×8,78e12 ×5,36e04
Patron: Strahd	Complete Area 1400	×??? ×5,60e04
Patron: Zariel	Complete Area 1425	×??? ×5,70e04
Patron: Elminster	Complete Area 1550	×2,17e14 ×6,67e04

Waves[]

Type	Waves	Bosses	Favored By
dummy_value	0	0	Warning - «dummy_value» should be replaced with a valid monster-type! (click this link for more info) Check the below list of supported monster-types^{[WL 1]}

Please add all the missing waves definition (with "0 & 0" or no values in case you don’t know them…) based on in-game’s "ENEMY TYPES" data mentionned on adventure’s starting/choice screen, place them between the header & the footer lines (which should remain untouched), and keep the monster-type lines sorted alphabetically. Thanks! (click this link for more info)

↑ List of supported monster-types:
aarakocra ; aberration ; apparition ; armor-based ; astral elf ; bandit ; beast ; boss ; buffwolf ; bullywug ; celestial ; construct ; cultist ; darkling ; demon ; derro ; devil ; dinosaur ; dragon ; drow ; dwarf ; elemental ; elf ; fey ; fiend ; flying ; genasi ; giant ; giff ; gith ; githyanki ; glitch ; gnoll ; gnome ; goblin ; goblinoid ; grimlock ; grung ; hag ; half-elf ; half-orc ; halfling ; harengon ; hit-based ; hobgoblin ; human ; humanoid ; item ; kenku ; kobold ; kuo-toa ; lizardfolk ; lycanthrope ; melee ; mind flayer ; modron ; mongrelfolk ; monstrosity ; ogre ; ooze ; orc ; planescape ; plant ; quaggoth ; ranged ; red wizard ; relentless ; saurial ; seaspawn ; shadar-kai ; spawner ; stacked ; static ; summoner ; tabaxi ; tiefling ; troll ; undead ; uthgardt ; vampire ; vecna cultist ; warforged ; winter ; xanathar ; yuan-ti ; zhentarim (some others may be added in the future).
Copy the line with "dummy" as many times as required and replace the "dummy" type with the required one and fill the table with the right number of waves with monsters/bosses of the specified type.
Once done for all the monster-types present in the current adventure, remove the needless "dummy" line.

Transcript[]

Shemeshka's Gambit
Face down Shemeshka and determine Wren's true loyalty.
Area	Goal		Quests & Cinematics
Nayeli:	Okay, team. We need to find Shemeshka and get to the bottom of this scheme. The glitches, the modrons, all of it. She has to be around here somewhere.
Freely:	Easier said than done, friend. This place is swarming with guards.
Orkira:	Then we'll take it one problem at a time.
Calliope:	Hey, that's a good line. You could put that in a song.
1	Defeat 25 Enemies		We're not leaving without answers! Teach these minders we mean business!
2	Defeat 25 Enemies		These guards don't know when to quit! Keep fighting!
Calliope:	And now freaking imps as well? Ugh, this is so annoying.
Freely:	Wait, don't the imps work the counters? I bet they're carrying more Platinum Chips.
3	Collect 25 Platinum Chips		More chips is more better! Pick 'em up!
Succubus:	You've done well to make it this far, but I'm afraid your luck has just run out.
Freely:	You've been waiting to drop that line, huh? Be honest.
Succubus:	...
4	Defeat 25 Enemies		Get these imp berks out of our way!
Succubus:	Your fortune ends here!
Freely:	That would have been way better back in the casino. Try again.
Succubus:	You've come to the House of Liars, but I'm afraid there's no vacancy.
Havilar:	Is she threatening us? I can't tell.
Succubus:	Shut up and die!
5	Defeat the Succubus		Show this sodding succubus we're not leaving!
Wren:	I've had enough of this. Shemeshka! We know you're here! Show yourself!
Shemeshka:	Welcome to my humble abode, Champions. I have to say, I am impressed.
Nayeli:	Shemeshka! You owe us an explanation!
Shemeshka:	Do I? My legion of loyal bodyguards thinks otherwise.
Wren:	We've come too far to let you walk away now!
6	Defeat 25 Enemies		More meddling minions! We've gotta fight our way through!
Shemeshka:	Very well. Though you've been such a thorn in my paw, I do admire your tenacity. But you will earn these answers through blood, sweat, and tears.
Calliope:	Bring it on!
7	Defeat 25 Enemies		Shemeshka won't give up her information easily! Keep up the pressure!
Shemeshka:	As you well know, I am the proprietor of the Fortune's Wheel casino. However, my investments go far beyond simple coin.
Freely:	Oh boy, here comes the monologue.
Shemeshka:	As the King of the Cross-trade in Sigil, my true power is information, manipulation, and collection. For example, take my well-armed fiendish hordes.
Orkira:	Look alive, people! We've got spined devils inbound!
8	Collect 25 Tridents		These spiny guys would be a lot less threatening without their weapons! Let's take 'em!
Nayeli:	Enough of your games, Shemeshka!
Shemeshka:	How rude. You are guests in my home–my House of Liars. Although, it wasn't always mine. Just another prize I won in a deal with a foolish demon.
9	Defeat 25 Enemies		I don't think we've discouraged these devils enough. Don't let up!
Shemeshka:	Oh, good. It seems I've kept you busy long enough for certain preparations to be made. Release the hounds.
10	Defeat the Hell Hound		Ah! Keep that thing away! Dogs and I don't get along!
Havilar:	That was a hell hound, right? Why did that feel familiar? I can almost remember…
Shemeshka:	Still alive, I see. Well then, I think you'll find the next chamber very interesting.
Freely:	Whoa. What is this place? That's a LOT of gems.
Shemeshka:	You now stand within the Resplendent Cage, Champions. It is my most private of sanctums. Naturally, my guards will follow their standing orders and remove all trespassers.
Nayeli:	Weapons ready! Look sharp!
11	Defeat 25 Enemies		Those devils brought friends this time! Bash 'em good!
Shemeshka:	Ah, but where are my manners? Welcome back, Wren.
Wren:	So, I have been here before.
Shemeshka:	Oh, many times. We've quite a history, you and I. It's truly a pity what's happened to you. An occupational hazard, I suppose. I had not anticipated that you would lose your memories as well.
Wren:	What do you mean by that?
12	Defeat 25 Enemies		Clear out these fiends! We've almost caught up to that tricky fox!
Shemeshka:	What I mean is exactly what you suspect, dear.
Wren:	You're the reason behind the glitch, just like R04M said.
Nayeli:	We've got you now, Shemeshka. There's nowhere left to run.
Shemeshka:	You're quite incorrect, I assure you. This place has many secrets. For instance, this room houses the figurine gems containing your original forms.
Wren:	What!?
Shemeshka:	You wouldn't want anything to happen to them amid all this wanton violence, would you? Best start searching.
13	Collect 25 Figurine Gems		Quick! Grab all the figurine gems you can before they get smashed!
Freely:	Uhh, hey, y'all? She ran away again while we were busy looting the room.
Havilar:	No fair! Come on, let's hustle!
Orkira:	Get back here! Ugh, she keeps slipping away!
Shemeshka:	Are we having fun? Do try to keep up. It was amusing to kill you all at first, you know. But you kept coming back, and after six long years, I've grown weary.
Nayeli:	Six years!?
Wren:	…I was your solution, then. You planted me in the group to kill them all.
14	Defeat 25 Enemies		Those chickens are charging straight for us! Show 'em where they stand in the pecking order!
Shemeshka:	Poor thing. If only you could remember our time together. The countless lives you've taken in my employ…
Freely:	Don't listen to her, Wren! Whatever she says, you're one of us now!
Calliope:	Yeah! And she lives in the freaking HOUSE of LIARS anyway! You can't trust anything she says!
Nayeli:	She'll say and do anything to escape justice.
Wren:	I don't know… I just don't know…
15	Defeat the Hell Hound		Another fire-breathing mutt! Well, she did say hounds earlier. Plural. Anyway, get rid of it!
Havilar:	There's something about these hell hounds. Something important to me… Ugh, come on, brain!
Shemeshka:	How very interesting. Perhaps I can be of assistance.
Shemeshka:	Hold onto your figurine gem and focus on that feeling. You lost something precious when you glitched, didn't you? Something to do with hell hounds?
Havilar:	GASP! Zoonie! I remember now! Wait, what's happening to me?
16	Defeat 25 Enemies		Not those pesky rats again! Stop 'em before they give us the squeaks!
Havilar:	Y'ALL! I HAVE MY MEMORY BACK!
Shemeshka:	Perfect. Now, quickly, what do you recall from just before the glitch?
Havilar:	Oh, that's easy! We were in the Tomb of Annihilation chasing down Acererak AGAIN, but we kept running into all these other baddies!
Freely:	Did Shemeshka just help Havilar get her memories back? Also, she's a TIEFLING!?
Orkira:	I can't tell if she's helping us or trying to kill us.
Calliope:	Eh, it could be both. Still, how did you do that, Havi?
Havilar:	I squeezed my gem real tight and thought about my dog! And family. And my glaive! Aaand chapbooks. You should try it!
Nayeli:	Assuming that we don't all share the same love of hellhounds and chapbooks, perhaps we should focus on whatever our individual attachments might be?
Havilar:	Yeah, sure, whatever!
17	Defeat 25 Enemies		Focusing on lost memories would be much easier without all this infernal squeaking!
Pixie Leader:	We meet again! Maybe THIS time you'll treat me with the dignity I DESERVE!
Calliope:	Ugh, you again. How many times do we have to teach you this lesson!?
Pixie Leader:	Aha! So you DO remember me!
Calliope:	Wait, I do? Oh my gods, I do!
18	Collect 25 Pouches of Pixie Dust		Hate to interrupt your revelation, but these fey are ready to make you deaders! Take their magic dust!
Calliope:	Okay, here I go. Treasure, ale, this freaking pixie, and good times with all my friends… Oh! I feel it!
Shemeshka:	Very good! Now, what sort of villains did you face in the tomb?
Calliope:	Avarice! Yeah, that tiefling mage from Icewind Dale. And Valindra Shadowmantle! Man, that lich really freaks me out.
Orkira:	Does anyone else think it's weird that Shemeshka is asking about that?
Calliope:	Who cares!? I'm ME again!
19	Defeat 25 Enemies		These pint-sized pests won't quit! Swat 'em away!
Pixie Leader:	So, it's all led up to this. It must be fate. Now, draw your blades! I will—
Shemeshka:	Let's hurry this along. You, cleric. Think of those you've saved. What sacrifices you must have made.
Orkira:	It can't really be that easy, can it? Oh. Yep, it is.
Pixie Leader:	HEY! STOP IGNORING ME!
20	Defeat the Pixie Leader		Somebody silence this pipsqueak! We've got more important matters at hand! Not that I have hands, of course.
Pixie Leader:	You haven't seen the last of me!
Orkira:	WE KNOW!
Shemeshka:	Who else did you find in the tomb? One of my hags is missing.
Orkira:	Hags? Yeah, we've had our share of run-ins with those. It was Endelyn Moongrave, from Prismeer. Wait, what do you mean YOUR hag?
21	Defeat 25 Enemies		Giant frogs? Guess Shemeshka really wants to see us croak, huh?
Shemeshka:	Your turn, Freely.
Freely:	But I don't know what to think about!
Orkira:	Oh, that's easy. Penelope.
Freely:	…I remember EVERYTHING! Oh gods, six years! She must be so worried! And that voice! The balance of the multiverse! Ahh! It's all so much! [Screaming]
22	Defeat 25 Enemies		These frogs aren't gonna leave without a fight! Well? Hop to it!
Shemeshka:	Yes, yes, that's all very good. Now, did you encounter a fiend in the tomb?
Freely:	[Still screaming] I mean, yeah, we ran into Bel again.
Shemeshka:	BEL!? That lich stole BEL from me!?
Freely:	Okay, I think Orkira may be onto something. Shemeshka said Acererak stole from her. But how can you steal people?
Wren:	The figurine gems! She must have had their forms trapped, just like ours!
Orkira:	She said her collection was one of her true powers earlier.
Calliope:	That's some next-level evil.
Nayeli:	Wait… the maps on that desk there. Was she tracking the modrons?
23	Collect 25 Maps of Sigil		Looks like some hopping-mad knights guard these maps!
Shemeshka:	Oh yes, the modrons were pivotal. I delayed their march and set them down a ruinous path. They will ultimately report to Mechanus that horrors overran the Outlands, and I will be poised to profit in the arms race that follows.
Wren:	Then R04M was never your accountant. He was a loose end. You had us track him down to keep us busy, far away from you.
Shemeshka:	You always were a bright one.
Shemeshka:	Nayeli, there was a dark wizard in the tomb. Do you remember?
Nayeli:	Why should I tell you anything? You're obviously manipulating us.
Shemeshka:	I am, yes. But if it helps restore your true form, we both benefit. It's an exchange. I'm a businesswoman, at the end of the day. Now, try to remember.
Nayeli:	...If I close my eyes, I feel a calling deep in my heart. I swore an oath... to Tyr!
24	Defeat 25 Enemies		Tell these knights to hop along! What? Too many frog puns?
Shemeshka:	The wizard's name, child! Speak it!
Nayeli:	It was Kelek, from the League of Malevolence.
Shemeshka:	One of my prized personas. And now, little Wren, we finish with you.
Mrs. Fox:	I think not, Marauder.
Shemeshka:	[Hissing] YOU!
Mrs. Fox:	Oh, we're both wily old foxes. You thought you could hide your presence from me? You've been a threat to the multiverse more times than I care to count. I knew you'd be part of this.
Mrs. Fox:	Pay her no mind, Wren. You owe this creature nothing.
Wren:	But… I already know who I really am. I learned the truth during our adventure.
Mrs. Fox:	Truth is a powerful thing, Wren. It can be a weapon. Shemeshka knows this. She wants to wield you.
Wren:	She wants Corvus. That's who I was, right? I was an assassin for Shemeshka. But that doesn't matter now. I won't let her win. I'll never be him again.
Shemeshka:	Fine. Have it your way. If you won't return to my employ, you can return to the grave!
25	Defeat the Shemeshka		This is it! Show Shemeshka you won't be pawns in her scheme anymore!
Shemeshka:	I'm not done with you yet, Champions. Sleep with one eye open, little Wren, for I WILL come to claim you again. [Vanishes]
Freely:	It's over. Is it over? I feel like it's over.
Mrs. Fox:	Not quite.
Orkira:	What's that rumbling?
Wren:	The House of Liars has certain defenses to deter intruders. Shemeshka's activated all of them.
Freely:	That's something you remember now? Does that mean…
Wren:	Yeah, but I'm fighting it for now. It's... hard.
26	Defeat 25 Enemies		I don't like the way these gazers are gazing at us. Blind 'em!
Wren:	No... I'm not ready... I don't want to go...
Mrs. Fox:	You may not have to. I have an idea.
Mrs. Fox:	Champions, we must find Wren's other figurine gems. All of them.
Calliope:	Yes, ma'am!
Havilar:	We're on it!
27	Defeat 25 Enemies		More gazers! Shemeshka must have kept a whole nest of these things!
Mrs. Fox:	We talked about this before, Wren. Are you ready to give yourself a second chance?
Wren:	Yes, but... it's so hard... I feel like I'm about to lose myself... I need some time...
Aspect of Corvus:	No, you don't. You already know the answer.
Calliope:	What's with this wind!? It's like it's trying to keep us from helping Wren!
Orkira:	It won't stop us! We'll check every one of these gems if that's what it takes!
Freely:	I'll search this pile!
28	Collect 25 Figurine Gems		Those hands are trying to snatch away the figurine gems! Stop 'em!
Mrs. Fox:	Hold on just a little longer, Wren.
Wren:	Wait. What are you all doing?
Mrs. Fox:	Telling fate to take a short stick and pike it.
Morte:	Whoa, Foxy!
Wren:	Yes... I already know the answer. It's right in front of me.
Aspect of Corvus:	That's right. You'll never be free of me. I AM you.
29	Defeat 25 Enemies		Give these hands the shake! I think things are about to get dramatic in here!
Wren:	And what's right in front of me... are my friends!
Mrs. Fox:	That's right! Think Wren thoughts!
Wren:	I refuse to be you!
Orkira:	You've got this!
Wren:	I choose to be a hero! To help others! To decide my own destiny!
Freely:	You're one of us!
Calliope:	Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
Wren:	My life! My fortune! My hands on the wheel!
Havilar:	Woo-hoo! Say it loud and proud!
Nayeli:	Now, let's finish this together!
30	Defeat the Aspect of Corvus		It's time to put an end to this deader once and for all!
Aspect of Corvus:	...
Wren:	Goodbye, my shadow. You, who stand at the end of the path I chose not to follow.
Mrs. Fox:	It's done. Despite everything, you're still you.
Nayeli:	We're glad to have you with us, Wren.
Wren:	I couldn't have done it without my friends.
Mrs. Fox:	And that's all you'll ever need. Friends, and the hope in your heart to make a difference. Never forget that.
Nayeli:	Well said. Come on, Champions. Let's get out of here.
Freely:	So, wait, is Wren a changeling now? I'm not clear on what just happened.
Mrs. Fox:	Not exactly. Wren has merged all the versions of herself from her time spent with us to form her new, truest self. She can change between them as she desires.
Freely:	She can just be tall on demand now? No fair!
Orkira:	He's joking. We're all proud of you, Wren.
31	Defeat 25 Enemies		Can't these guards see that we're having a moment here!?
Wren:	It's pure havoc in here. They don't seem to be attacking us, specifically.
32	Defeat 25 Enemies		Credit where it's due; these guards don't give up!
Fortune's End Concierge:	Attention, esteemed patrons. Certain defenses have been activated. Please stay calm and exit in an orderly fashion.
Orkira:	These people are anything but calm.
Fortune's End Concierge:	Quite so. Would you be dears and help convince them to leave?
Freely:	[Whispering] I don't think this guy recognizes us now that we're back in our original forms.
Calliope:	[Whispering] Let's stop talking about it and keep it that way!
33	Collect 25 Fortune's End Souvenirs		This might be the last time I come out to Fortune's Wheel for a long time. Grab some souvenirs!
34	Defeat 25 Enemies		Those machines are going wild again! Shut 'em down!
35	Defeat the Dhergoloth		That dhergoloth's making me dizzy! Beat it up and let's get outta here!
Havilar:	So, what happens now? Feels like we're forgetting something.
Nayeli:	The modrons! We found maps in Shemeshka's lair. We must find and free them, or else her plan will proceed.
Freely:	Great! We just need to find our way to… what does this map say? Gzemnid's Realm? That's a mouthful.
Orkira:	It sounds like we'll need another portal. Mrs. Fox?
Mrs. Fox:	Of all the places in Sigil, you'll never guess where we're going.
Calliope:	Oh, come on! Freaking AGAIN with the Mortuary!?
Mrs. Fox:	Indeed. Quickly now! We've not a moment to waste!
36	Defeat 25 Enemies		Out of our way, squeakers! We've got adventurin' to do!
37	Defeat 25 Enemies		Cakers! Whenever you think you're done with 'em, there's another layer!
38	Defeat 25 Monsters		These cakers sure make a mess of things. Clean up their act so we can keep movin'!
39	Defeat 25 Enemies		Now we've done it! Watch out for those rolling pins!
40	Defeat the Gertrube		That caker boss is back for another beating!
41	Defeat 25 Enemies		Bandits and rats in an alley is a classic, but we don't have time for this!
42	Defeat 25 Enemies		These berks won't leave us alone. Take out the trash!
43	Collect 25 Oil Cans		Hey, those squeakers stole my collection of vintage oil cans! How crude! Steal 'em back, and fast!
44	Defeat 25 Enemies		What's with all the rats? Seriously, this is more than usual.
45	Defeat the Rat Catcher		Aha! A rat catcher. This cutter's probably not keen on us chasing away his income!
Morte:	Ahh, home sweet morbid home!
Calliope:	Where's the portal? I'm so tired of this place.
Mrs. Fox:	We're headed for the cold storage if memory serves.
Morte:	Huh. I should have known there'd be a portal to some aberrant hellscape in one of those lockers.
46	Defeat 25 Enemies		Uh-oh. Looks like the Dusties haven't trimmed back the garden in a while. Get ready for trouble!
47	Defeat 25 Enemies		Mulch these blighters!
48	Collect 25 Twig Pieces		Hey, grab some of those twigs. I want to spell out 'MORTE WAS HERE' on the snow.
49	Defeat 25 Enemies		These frozen shamblers should have stayed deaders! Put 'em on ice!
50	Defeat the Coldlight Walker		That shambler leads the pack! Put 'em back where they belong!
Mrs. Fox:	I just need to open and close the correct sequence of lockers and… done. One portal to Gzemnid's Realm.
Wren:	I'm ready to do some proper adventuring and put my new skills to the test.
Orkira:	You're going to do great, Wren.
Freely:	Let's go save some modrons!
Previous: Return to Fortune's Wheel		Next: Tyrant's Spiral

[dummy_value-1] List of supported monster-types:
aarakocra ; aberration ; apparition ; armor-based ; astral elf ; bandit ; beast ; boss ; buffwolf ; bullywug ; celestial ; construct ; cultist ; darkling ; demon ; derro ; devil ; dinosaur ; dragon ; drow ; dwarf ; elemental ; elf ; fey ; fiend ; flying ; genasi ; giant ; giff ; gith ; githyanki ; glitch ; gnoll ; gnome ; goblin ; goblinoid ; grimlock ; grung ; hag ; half-elf ; half-orc ; halfling ; harengon ; hit-based ; hobgoblin ; human ; humanoid ; item ; kenku ; kobold ; kuo-toa ; lizardfolk ; lycanthrope ; melee ; mind flayer ; modron ; mongrelfolk ; monstrosity ; ogre ; ooze ; orc ; planescape ; plant ; quaggoth ; ranged ; red wizard ; relentless ; saurial ; seaspawn ; shadar-kai ; spawner ; stacked ; static ; summoner ; tabaxi ; tiefling ; troll ; undead ; uthgardt ; vampire ; vecna cultist ; warforged ; winter ; xanathar ; yuan-ti ; zhentarim (some others may be added in the future).
Copy the line with "dummy" as many times as required and replace the "dummy" type with the required one and fill the table with the right number of waves with monsters/bosses of the specified type.
Once done for all the monster-types present in the current adventure, remove the needless "dummy" line.

[WL 1]