If you’ve spent any time running or playing Pathfinder Second Edition, you’ve probably heard of the Age of Ashes adventure path. It’s the one that kicked everything off for 2e. But when people talk about the "Dark Nuns" of this campaign, they aren't usually talking about a specific monster entry in the Bestiary titled "Dark Nun." Instead, they’re talking about the Dahak-worshipping cultists and the brutal, religious-themed encounters that define the middle volumes of this six-part epic. Specifically, we're looking at the Cinderclaw cultists and the sinister ecclesiastical forces within the Scarlet Triad and beyond.
These aren't your typical fantasy tropes.
Honestly, the Age of Ashes dark nuns—or more accurately, the Sisters of Volatile Faith and their associated priestesses—represent one of the most mechanically punishing and narratively rich segments of the entire campaign. They represent a shift in the story where the stakes stop being about a local town and start being about a global, draconic apocalypse.
The Reality of the Cinderclaw Gauntlet
The term "Dark Nuns" often gets thrown around by players who are traumatized by the encounters in Cult of Cinder. You're deep in the Mwangi Expanse. The air is thick enough to drink. Suddenly, you’re face-to-face with divine casters who don't want to heal you. They want to burn you alive in the name of a literal god of destruction.
These enemies are built differently than your standard bandit. Because Pathfinder 2e relies so heavily on the "tight math" of encounter design, a level 5 or 6 priestess can absolutely wreck a party if the GM plays them with even a modicum of tactical intelligence. They use Heal to keep their frontline fighters up while dropping Searing Light or Spirit Blast on your rogue. It’s a mess.
It’s worth noting that the "dark nun" aesthetic comes from the specific blend of religious zealotry and the drab, functional robes the cultists wear. They aren't wearing shiny plate armor. They're wearing vestments stained with soot and blood. That visual hits differently. It’s not just a fight; it’s a theological dispute where the other side has a 3rd-level spell slot and a grudge.
Why the Dahak Connection Changes Everything
Dahak is the Sorrow Maker. The False Wyrm. He’s the chaotic evil god of destruction among the draconic pantheon. When you're dealing with the Age of Ashes dark nuns, you’re dealing with people who believe that the world is a mistake that needs to be erased.
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Most villains want something. Gold. Power. To live forever. These cultists? They just want the fire.
The Mechanical Nightmare of Divine Casters
If you're a GM, you know that divine casters are the secret sauce of a TPK (Total Party Kill). The "dark nuns" of the Scarlet Triad and the Cinderclaws use a specific kit that exploits the weaknesses of many early 2e parties.
- Zone Control: They love spells that make the battlefield a nightmare. Think Darkness or Bane.
- Action Economy: In 2e, the three-action system is king. A priestess who can use a two-action Heal and then a one-action Guidance or a Shield raise is incredibly efficient.
- High Will Saves: Good luck landing a Fear spell or a Charm on these NPCs. Their mental fortitude is built into their stat blocks.
Players often walk into these rooms thinking they can just "tank and spank" the enemies. You can't. If you don't shut down the casters—the nuns, the priestesses, the acolytes—you are going to burn through your resources before the boss fight even starts.
The Scarlet Triad and the Evolution of the Threat
As the campaign moves from the jungle to the city, the "dark nun" archetype evolves. The Scarlet Triad, the primary antagonists for a huge chunk of the mid-game, isn't just a group of slavers. They are a sophisticated organization with a religious backbone.
In Tomorrow Must Burn, the third book of the AP, the encounters get even more complex. You aren't just fighting in a jungle clearing anymore. You’re in urban environments where these "dark" religious figures have influence. They have social standing. You can't just kick down the door of a temple without consequences. This is where the Age of Ashes dark nuns become more than just combat encounters—they become political obstacles.
Common Misconceptions About These Encounters
People often complain that Age of Ashes is too hard. They say the math is "broken" in the early books.
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That’s not quite right.
The problem is usually tactical. If a party approaches a group of Dahak-worshipping nuns like they’re fighting mindless zombies, they’re going to die. These enemies require Counterspelling, Silence spells, and dedicated Athletics checks to Grapple or Trip the casters. You have to treat them like the high-threat targets they are.
Also, some folks think these "nuns" are just generic clerics. Look at the lore. These are women and men who have given up their humanity to serve a dragon god of ruin. Their spells should look different. Their Magic Missile (or Force Bolt) should look like flickering embers. Their Heal should feel painful, like cauterizing a wound. Flavoring the "Dark Nuns" makes the mechanical difficulty feel earned rather than unfair.
How to Run These Enemies Without Wiping Your Party
If you're a GM and you see your players struggling with the religious enemies in Book 2 or 3, don't just nerf the stats. That’s boring. Instead, give the players a chance to learn about their enemies.
Let them find a journal. Maybe a discarded set of prayers.
Show them that these "dark nuns" rely on their synergy. If the players see a priestess buffing a guard, they’ll realize they need to focus fire. Use the "Recall Knowledge" action. Encourage your players to roll Religion or Occultism checks to figure out what spells the enemy has prepared.
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In my experience, players don't mind a hard fight. They mind a fight where they feel like they have no agency. By highlighting the religious nature of these enemies, you give the players a roadmap to victory. They know they need to disrupt the ritual. They know they need to silence the prayer.
The Long-Term Impact on the Campaign
By the time you reach the final books, the Age of Ashes dark nuns have served a purpose. They’ve taught the players that the world is bigger than just one town. They’ve introduced the concept of the "Great Beyond" and the cosmic stakes of Dahak’s return.
They also serve as a great foil for any religious characters in the party. A Champion of Sarenrae or a Cleric of Iomedae is going to have a visceral reaction to seeing their faith twisted into a tool for draconic destruction. That’s good roleplay. That’s what stays with players long after the dice stop rolling.
Actionable Tips for Players and GMs
If you're currently in the middle of an Age of Ashes run, keep these points in mind:
- For Players: Prioritize the casters. Always. If you see someone in robes holding a holy symbol of a three-headed dragon, make them your first target. Use Silence 4th level if you have it; it’s an absolute game-changer against divine enemies.
- For GMs: Don't play the cultists as stationary turrets. Have them move, use cover, and protect each other. A "Dark Nun" should be smart enough to step behind a pillar after casting a spell.
- For Everyone: Focus on the environmental storytelling. The soot, the heat, the smell of ozone. These encounters are the heartbeat of the campaign’s middle act.
The "Dark Nuns" aren't just a stat block in a book. They’re the physical manifestation of the campaign's central conflict: the struggle between creation and absolute, fiery destruction. Treat them with the respect—and the fear—they deserve.
Next Steps for Your Table
- Check the Stat Blocks: Look specifically at the "Cinderclaw Draven" and the various Scarlet Triad mages in Books 2 through 4. Notice the overlap in their spell lists.
- Audit Your Party's Saves: If your players have low Will saves, they are going to have a bad time. Suggest they invest in items like the Bravery Baldric or Resilient runes earlier than usual.
- Lean into the Lore: Read the "Religion" section in the Age of Ashes Player’s Guide again. It gives context to why these cults exist and how they recruit, which can turn a random combat encounter into a major plot point.