An Epic Level Adventure for AD&D 1 st Edition

By Joseph A. Mohr

© Old School Role Playing 2018

Rampage was written by Joseph A. Mohr.

All cartography was made by Joseph A. Mohr with Campaign Cartographer 2.

Artwork was made by various artists as follows:

Aboleth Public Domain

Cover Page - The Tarrasque Rajat Prajapati
Demi-Lich Persetan@depositphotos.com
Kraken Public Domain
Remacle the Sage Marzolino@depositphotos.com
Roc Aaronrutton@depositphotos.com
Ruins Fairytaledesign@depositphotos.com
Sand Worm Public Domain
 creature.

What is known about the Tarrasque already

The legendary Tarrasque is on the loose in is relayed to the adventurers by the king’s
Zanzia. This notorious beast is terrorizing vizier. The beast shows up at random times
the entire land. He is fueling his insatiable and begins a rampage across whatever land
hunger by crushing towns, castles and he appears in. And then he eats everyone and
villages all across the land. He is ravishing everything in his path. Or he wrecks it with
the land causing ruin everywhere he visits. his enormous feet or sweeping tail.
He is eating people and livestock. His Occasionally he will use his enormously
enormous tail is sweeping through homes powerful arms to crush someone or
and buildings. He has crushed several towers something that interests him. The beast is
and keeps that were unfortunate enough to huge. It is at least 50 feet long. And it is
be in his path. And his path seems to be powerful. Whole armies have been easily
leading towards the capital city of destroyed by the creature. Whole kingdoms
Barrowmar. have been destroyed by it. It has no known
weaknesses. And then as quickly as it arrives
The king has sent soldiers to try to deal with it will disappear. No one knows where it
the beast but most are now dead and the rest goes when it is not on the feeding rampage.
have scattered before the might of the Perhaps it is merely feeding somewhere else.
Tarrasque. The capital, the kingdom and Perhaps it goes into hibernation. No one
possibly even the keeps of the adventurers knows for sure.
themselves might be at risk if the beast does
make it’s way to Barrowmar. The king Magic seems to have little effect on the
summons the adventurers and implores them creature. It has incredibly hard skin and
to find some way to defeat this beast. No blows from weapons also seem to have little
known way to destroy the Tarrasque has effect. And when the creature bull rushes
ever been found. But the king’s advisors one would best not be in the way of it. Most
have suggested that a reclusive sage by the creatures and people flee before the creature
name of Remacle may have some answers. which is a wise precaution.
If the adventurers need more incentive the
king may offer them titles or estates if they The sage Remacle is known to be a recluse.
do not already have such things. Or perhaps He has a small house that serves as his home
he might even offer them some ceremonial and library deep in the Dark Forest of
award such as “knight of the realm” or some Zanzia. The elves of the forest keep watch
such honor. over him as he often does research on their
behalf in trade for their protection. A general
This sage is believed to be the foremost idea of the location of this home is given to
authority on the Tarrasque. The sage once the adventurers by the vizier.
had an encounter with this monster in his
youth. Unlike, others in his village, he was The king begs the players to save the
the only survivor of that encounter. And it is kingdom once again. And he ask them to
believed that ever since that day he has seek out this sage and find out what can be
dedicated his life to study of this legendary
done to destroy this menace. Of course, this adventure does not have to
take place in the World of Zanzia. It could
just as easily take place in your gaming
world. The locations in this adventure will
reference places in Zanzia but could easily
be changed to similar locations on your own
world map.
The Tarrasque is a legendary creature. As
such it has the statistics equal to, or perhaps
greater than, many of the major gods in the
Deities and Demigods book. The creature is
nearly indestructible and even the highest
level adventurers will find it to be a deadly
foe. But this adventure is not just a battle As in similar adventures of mine certain
between the adventurers and the Tarrasque. notations will be given in the monster
That would likely be too one sided. This blocks. Several of the monsters in this
adventure provides a way to build a weapon adventure have been modified using some
that “may” give the adventurers a chance to books from 2nd Edition AD&D to make them
defeat the creature. more difficult. One line of books in
particular play an important part in this
If the adventurers complete the quest and adventure and those are Van Richton’s
pick up the six items required the sage can Guides to various undead creatures.
help them build a weapon which will Notations for this adventure include:
temporarily reduce some of the creature’s
resistances and give them an opportunity to MM Monster Manual
do real damage to it. Without this weapon MM2 Monster Manual 2
the adventurers will find most of their FF Fiend Folio
attacks doing little or no damage to the MonM Monstrous Manual (2nd
beast. Edition)
UA Unearthed Arcana
I have not listed specific level requirements DMG Dungeon Master’s Guide
for this adventure. I believe that this is more PHB Player’s Handbook
or less an epic level adventure. As a VR Von Richton’s Guides
dungeon master you will need to decide for (various) (2nd Edition AD&D)
yourselves whether your adventurers could Mon Com 2nd Edition Monstrous
complete this adventure or if it is Compendium Addendum
challenging enough for them. You might Followed by Volume Number
need to adjust the adventure (and I will give
suggestions) in order to make it more or less
difficult to complete successfully.

My suggestion would be characters of at

least 20th level or higher but it is possible
that characters of slightly lower level might
The Dark Forest is three days ride from the
be successful.
city of Barrowmar. The forest borders the
Barbarian Lands to the north and the land Bandit Lieutenants (4): F2: AC 4; HP 12
known as The Horde to the west. Both lands each; chain mail and shield; long sword; AL
are hostile places and sources for many of N; MM page 66.
the raiders that plague Zanzia.
Bandits (15): AC 8; MV 12; HD 1-6 hp; HP
The forest itself is a dark and dangerous 3 each; # AT1; Dmg by weapon (halberd);
place. Bandits and raiders frequent these AL N; MM page 66. Leather armor. No
woods. High elves live in this forest but shield.
even those mystical creatures cannot control
the woods completely. Random encounter Bandits (10): AC 8; MV 12; HD 1-6 hp; HP
checks should be made twice daily while the 3 each; # AT1; Dmg by weapon (light
adventurers are in these woods. Finding the crossbow and short sword); AL N; MM page
home of Remacle will not be a simple task. 66. Leather armor. No shield.
While the vizier knows approximately where
the home is he does not know it’s exact Bandits (25): AC 8; MV 12; HD 1-6 hp; HP
location. It must be found. Searching the 3 each; # AT1; Dmg by weapon (long
forest for the home will take 1-4 days. sword); AL N; MM page 66. Leather armor.
During that time encounters are likely. No shield.

On a 1-3 out of 10 an encounter has Bugbear Raiders

occurred. Such an encounter would be:
This group is a raiding party from a large
1. High Elves patrolling the woods tribe in The Horde.
2. High Elves patrolling the woods
3. High Elves patrolling the woods Bugbears (25): AC 5; MV 9; HD 3+1; HP
4. Hungry Owlbears 15 each; # AT 1; Dmg by weapon (battle
5. Bandit camp axes and morning stars); SA surprise on 1-3'
6. Bugbear raiding party AL CE; MM page 12.
7. Treants
8. Very Old Green Dragon Dryads
9. Dryads
10. Green Hag These creatures are not necessarily hostile
but live in the forest and may defend it if
Bandit Camp they sense that it or they are threatened.

These bandits are hiding here in the Dark Dryads (3): AC 9; MV 12; HD 2; HP 10
Forest. The camp consists of 50 bandits led each; # AT 1; Dmg by weapon (dagger); SA
by Jamal Dhagar. He is wanted by charm; Magic Resistance 50%; AL N; MM
authorities in Zanzia as well as in the Jural page 35.
Empire.
Green Dragon, Very Old
Jamal Dhagar: F9: AC -1; HP 75; chain
mail +4; shield +1; hammer-lucern +2/+3 This very old green dragon is out looking for
versus lawful creatures; AL NE; MM page food for it’s mate which is dying. It has a lair
66. within the forest but it is far away from
where it hunts. These elves will refuse to leave the woods or
help in combat with the Tarrasque.
Very Old Green Dragon (1): AC 2; MV However, if the encounter with these elves
9/24; HD 9; HP 63; # AT 3; Dmg 1-6/1-6/2- sufficiently impresses them with the good
20 or breath weapon (chlorine gas); AL LE; intentions of the adventurers then the
MM page 33. She cannot speak or use sorcerer will offer them the use of her
magic. She will not be found sleeping as she folding boat to aid their quest. This boat
is out hunting. might come in handy as some of the quest
components do involve water. They will
Green Hag take the adventurers to Remacle once they
discover the intentions of the party.
She has recently made her home in this
forest and is out looking for victims to These elves will not be pleased by any use of
tornment. magical fire in their forest.

Green Hag (1): AC -2; MV 12; HD 9; HP Such a group will include:

54; # AT 2; Dmg 7-8/7-8; SA 18/00 STR
(att +6 to damage roll); SA mimic voices Glorandal Chaekas, Ranger, Half-elf: R8:
and call for help; SA can use following AC 1; HP 54; leather armor +4; shield +2;
spells once per round: audible glamer, Long Bow +2; 12 arrows +2; long sword
dancing lights, invisibility, pass without +2/+4 versus giant class creatures; Dex
trace, change self, speak with monsters, 16; AL CG.
water breathing, weakness; SA surprise 1-
5 out of 6; SA move silent 90%; SA infra Allisa Elafir, Sorcerer of the Woods:
and ultra vision; SD surprised only on a 1 in MU11: AC 4 ; HP 29; robe of blending;
20; SA speak annis, green hag, ogre, giant wand of fear (22 charges); ring of
and common; Magic Resistance 35%; AL shooting stars; bracers of defense AC 4;
NE; MM2 page 71. folding boat; AL CG. Spells memorized:
magic missile, message, sleep, charm
High Elf Patrol person, web, detect evil, mirror image, fly,
lightning bolt, dispel magic, hold person,
Such a patrol will be well armed and dimension door, confusion, ice storm,
guarded. They patrol the area near their cone of cold, hold monster, feeblemind.
village as well as the area near the home of
the sage. They will be distrustful of any one Deulara Norcan, Druid of the Forest,
appearing in those areas of the forest. They Half-elf: D7: AC 3; HP 27; leather armor
will not immediately attack them but they +3; wooden shield +1; scimitar +2; eyes of
will question those in that area and will not the eagle; AL N. Spells memorized:
warmly welcome them. A good explanation entangle, faerie fire, pass without trace,
for the presence of the adventurers will go a speak with animals, bark skin, heat metal,
long way towards building trust and obscurement, cure light wounds, call
acceptance. They are aware of the dangers of lightning, snare, hold animal, cure serious
the Tarrasque and will accept answers wounds.
involving that creature’s presence in the
lands as valid reasons to seek out the sage. 30 Elves (archers): AC 5; MV 12; HD 1+1;
HP 5 each; # AT 1; Dmg by weapon (long documents of all kinds. Virtually every
bows and long swords); SA +1 with long corner seems to have something in it. And
bow or long sword in combat; Magic none of it appears to be in any sort of order
Resistance 90% to charm and sleep only; AL at all. Remacle, of course, knows exactly
CG; MM page 39. where everything here can be found.

Hungry Owlbears Remacle is a very old gentleman. He appears

to be quite human but his age is clearly quite
Owlbears (5): AC 5; MV 12; HD 5+2; HP advanced for one of that race. He wears a
25 each; # AT 3; Dmg 1-6/1-6/2-12; SA plain gray robe at all times.
hug; AL N; MM page 77.
Remacle: MU 14: AC 5; HP 26; wears a
Treants plain gray robe which is actually a robe of
the arch-magi (neutral version) and gives
These treants are hunting for a band of him 5% magic resistance; carries a staff of
Bugbears which have burnt some of the trees power with 16 charges on it which he will
in the forest. This has angered them and they not hesitate to break in half if he is
intend to get revenge. They will not attack threatened in any way; AL N.
unless they encounter the players being Spells memorized (and in his spell book):
destructive or using fire in the forest. A mending, read magic, magic missile,
campfire.....may enrage them. friends, shield, mirror image, strength,
levitate, foreget, esp, dispel magic,
They are also quite protective of Remacle as lightning bolt, fly, haste, slow, dimension
he has provided them important information door, wizard eye, minor globe of
in the past. They will become enraged if they invulnerability, ice storm, teleport,
feel that he is endangered in any way. They conjure elemental, hold monster, wall of
will not aid in finding the sage even if they force.
learn of the intentions of the adventurers.

Treants (5): AC 0; MV 12; HD 10 each

except the oldest which is 12; HP 40 each
except the oldest is 60; # AT 2; Dmg 3-18/3-
18 (oldest is 4-24/4-24); SA control other
trees; AL CG; MM page 96.

This unremarkable house is in a clearing in

the forest. The trees themselves seem to
watch over the house and the adventurers
can feel many eyes upon them as they
approach it. The inside of the home is filled
with books, papers, scrolls, maps and
 immediately go running about the house
looking for important scrolls and tomes
which have many valuable pieces of
information regarding the creature. He will
become excited at the prospect of someone
challenging it in combat. And he will tell
them that he may have a weapon which
could help them defeat it. He will tell them
that once the creature is slain that it will rise
again unless they can procure a wish to
prevent it from doing so after it has been
defetated.

The weapon, however, requires the

acquisition of several required ingredients.
Without any of these items the weapon will
be useless. Once all of the items are acquired
they should be brought back here so that
Remcacle can create the weapon. This
weapon will consist of a potion which can
be thrown on the creature and which will
reduce it’s resistances and weaken it
considerably for a short time. After that time
has passed it will go back to being nearly
Remacle is a sage well versed in the history invulnerable.
and abilities of the Tarrasque. He has made
this subject his primary specialty as a sage. Each of these items requires a dangerous
As a sage, however, he has many other quest to acquire. These quests may be almost
specialties and areas of interest. His major as deadly than facing the Tarrasque itself.
field of study is Fauna. His specialty in that
field is the Tarrasque. His minor fields are The quest items are as follows:
flora, the supernatural and the physical
universe. DMG page 31-32. 1. An egg from the largest Roc in the
Dragon Teeth Mountains
Questions regarding the Tarrasque he will 2. Ink from the largest Kraken known
gladly talk about freely and without charge. to exist in the Sea of Misery south of
He desperately wants to see this creature Zanzia
come to an untimely death and will happily 3. Dust from the shattered skull of an
help adventurers seeking to accomplish this. ancient and powerful Demi-Lich
However, even though he is a powerful 4. The central eye of the Undead Hive
magic user, he will not accompany the Mother
adventurers on the quests or to confront the 5. A strange mold from the bottom of
Tarrasque. an underground lake here in the Dark
Forest
If questioned about the Tarrasque he will 6. A fresh egg from the worm tunnels
 of central Zanzia
There are six quests which can be done in
These items can be acquired in any order any order. There is no requirement that the
that the adventurers wish. The order is adventurers visit the sage between each
unimportant. Once all items are acquired event but the DM might want to control the
Remacle will mix them into the potion number of quests that the players know
which will serve as the weapon. It would about so that they do not feel like it is an
probably be advisable to give the quests one impossible series of missions. It is also
at a time. Seeing all of the requirements for likely that the adventurers will want advice
completion at one time might cause the from the sage on where to go to complete
adventurers to balk at completing any of these tasks. He knows most of the
them. information that they would need to know.
And he would gladly give it to them to see
Naturally the adventurers may seek to the Tarrasque destroyed.
acquire more than one of these weapons.
Unfortunately there will be only enough of
certain quest items to make only one such
item. Specifically, there will be only enough
dust from the Demi-Lich skull for one
potion. And there will be only one central
eye from an Undead Hive Mother available.
And there will be just enough ink from the The largest Rocs in Zanzia are usually found
Kraken for this one potion. in the Dragon Teeth Mountains. These
mountains are about 12 days ride from the
The adventurers may return at any time for Dark Forest and 8 days ride from the city of
more information on the location of these Barrowmar. The roads traveling to the
items. Time is of the essence, however, as mountain range are safe enough as they are
the Tarrasque is on the loose and is well patrolled by the Zanzian army. None of
destroying everything in it’s path. the encounters that a high level party would
possibly meet along the way would be very
The home of Remacle has no real treasure. threatening to such a party.
The books, papers and tomes are his
treasures. And they are worth a great deal. Random encounters in the mountain range
Should this library be taken from him it are a different thing entirely. These
might fetch as much as 50000 gold pieces if encounters might well be dangerous to even
sold separately to libraries, sages and the most powerful adventurers. Encounters
collectors. should be rolled twice daily. A roll of 1-3
out of 10 would indicate an encounter has
occurred.

Random Encounters in the Dragon Teeth

1. 2-12 Frost Giants

2. Ancient White Dragon Flying
Overhead
3. 1-2 Rocs be made.
4. 2-12 Griffins
5. 2-12 Yeti 2. Bend in the Trail
6. 1-8 Ettins
After about a days ride into the mountains
Ettins: AC 3; MV 12; HD 10; HP 40 each; the trail bends northward. A random
# AT 2; Dmg 2-16/3-18; SD surprised only encounter check should be made.
on a 1; AL CE; MM page 40.
3. Bend in the Trail
Frost Giants: AC 4; MV 12; HD 10+1-4;
HP 45 each; # AT 1; Dmg 4-24; SA hurl After about half a days ride the trail bends
rocks for 2-20 points of damage; SD westward again. A random encounter check
impervious to cold; AL CE; MM page 44. should be made.

Griffins: AC 3; MV 12/30; HD 7; HP 30 4. Bend in the Trail

each; # AT 3; Dmg 1-4/1-4/2-16; AL N;
MM page 50. After about a half days ride the trail bends
back northward again and leads to a very tall
Rocs: AC 4; MV 3/30; HD 18; HP 75 each; peak. This peak is the tallest in the entire
# AT 2 or 1; Dmg 3-18/3-18 or 4-24; AL N; mountain range and this can be seen clearly
MM pag 82. from down below. A very thin trail seems to
lead up the mountain towards it’s peak. A
Yeti: AC 6; MV 15; HD 4+4; HP 25 each;# random encounter check should be made.
AT 2; Dmg 1-6/1-6; SA camo in snow gives
them chance of surprise; SD impervious to 5. The High Peak and Roc’s Nest
snow but weak to fire damage; AL N; MM
page 103. The adventurers can climb the peak by
traveling up the trail that winds up the
White Dragon, Ancient: AC 3; MV 12/30; mountain or they can use magical means.
HD 7; HP 56; SA breath weapon (frost); AL Climbing the trail will require an entire day
CE; MM page 34. worth of climbing and will require two
random encounter checks.

After reaching the mountains the

adventurers will pick up a trail that the sage
will have advised them of. This trail begins
at point 1 on the map.

1. Trail

This trail is barely discernable. But it is clear

that there is a small gap between the
mountains that has been well traveled. At
this point a random encounter check should
At the top of the peak is an enormous nest ADJUSTING THE ENCOUNTER
on the highest ledge. This nest is made of
entire trees which have been snatched up This encounter can be made more difficult
and patched together into a bird nest. In this or easier depending upon the strength of
nest is a single huge Roc and her three eggs. your adventurers. Making it easy can be
Once combat is begun she will screech done by making the rocs normal sized with
loudly and her mate will arrive soon normal hit dice, attack damage, etc. To
afterwards and join the battle in the second make it harder have momma roc continue
round of combat. screeching which will draw the attention of
other rocs in the area. After one round
Anyone engaging in combat on this narrow another 2-5 rocs will arrive to drive off the
ledge near the nest, or within the nest itself, invaders.
is in a precarious position. Should they be
struck by one of the Rocs there is a chance These roc eggs are far bigger than normal
of being knocked off of the ledge or out of ones. They are worth 10000 gold pieces each
the nest. This will mean a fall of some if sold. One of them is needed for the quest
distance. This distance could be short or it item. Also to be found in the nest: a wooden
could be long. The chance of being knocked wagon which was snatched off of the roads
off of the ledge or out of the nest should be in Zanzia and brought here which has a large
determined by rolling 4D6 against dexterity marble statue of the king strapped to it
to avoid this occurrence each time one is which is in surprisingly good condition and
struck in combat. is worth 15000 gold pieces, a diamond
necklace with a blue diamond centerpiece
Falls will be determined on the following worth 12500 gold pieces, a finely made long
table: bow made of the finest oak and engraved
with elvish runes worth 1200 gold pieces, a
Falls two handed sword +4/+6 versus cold
using creatures and a large tower shield
01-10 20' 2D6 damage +2/+4 versus missiles.
11-15 30' 3D6 damage
16-18 40' 4D6 damage

19 50' 5D6 damage

20 100' 10D6 damage

Elder Rocs (2): AC 2; MV 5/50; HD 40;

HP 160 each; # AT 2 or 1; Dmg 5-30/5-30
or 6-36; AL N; MM page 82 modified.
The sage will advise the adventurers that
what is needed is ink directly from the ink
bladder of the creature. Diluted ink from the
water will not suffice. The creature must be
slain and the ink removed by cutting into the
creature and taking it.
To the south of the coastal town of Freeport 7. The Kraken
is the Sea of Misery. This is a dangerous sea 8. The Kraken
filled with pirates and raiders from other 9. 1-20 Sea Horses
lands. Merchant ships wisely travel in 10. 3-12 Sea Lions
convoys with warships to protect them in 11. The Kraken
these dangerous waters. But further dangers 12. The Kraken
exist. Rocks and reefs are treacherous along
these shores. Whirlpools and sea storms are Merchant Ship
a frequent hazard. And then....there are the
sea monsters. The most dangerous of these Such ships are common sights along the
is the Kraken. coast

The Sea of Misery is known to contain the Pirates

largest kraken ever seen by human eyes.
This kraken is often seen near a small This will be a shore raiding party. They will
village just south east of Freeport near a have small boats nearby and a ship well out
lighthouse. This lighthouse seems to attract from the coast so as not to be seen.
the beast for reasons unknown.
Pirates: AC 8; MV 12; HD 1-6 hp; HP 3
There will be no dangerous encounters each; # AT 1; Dmg by weapon (short
traveling to the coast. Once at the coast swords); AL CE; MM page 67.
random encounters should be checked. A 1-
3 out of 10 will indicate an encounter. The Lieutenant: F7: AC 0; HP 54; chain mail
chance for an encounter in the bay itself is 1- +2; shield +2; short sword +3; AL CE;
5 out of 10. Roll twice daily and at the MM page 67.
points designated in the text.
Raiders
Random Encounters Near the Lighthouse
Raiders on the southern coast are frequent.
1. 3-30 pirates Usually they are berserkers that sail around
2. 3-30 raiders (beserkers) the coast of Dunar to raid southern Zanzia.
3. 3-30 smugglers (buccaneers)
4. A merchant ship sails in the bay Berserkers: AC 7; MV 12; HD 2-7 hp; HP
5. Sea storm 4 each; # AT 2; Dmg by weapon (long
6. Whirlpool seems to begin in the bay swords and battle axes); AL N; MM page
67.
Random Encounters in the Bay Itself

1. Whirlpool War Party Leader: F6: MV 12; HP 45; #

2. Sea Storm AT 2; Dmg by weapon (long sword +1 and
3. The Kraken footman’s flail +1); AL N; MM page 67.
4. The Kraken
5. A school of 3-12 sharks (common Sea Horse
ones)
6. A giant sea snake (10 HD variety) Schools of these creatures can be found
along the coastline of Zanzia. Smugglers

Sea Horse: AC 7; MV 21; HD 3; HP 15 Smuggling is big business along the coast of

each; # AT 1; Dmg 2-5; AL N; MM page Zanzia. Zanzia has import taxes and
86. prohibits bringing certain items into the
land. Criminal elements often try to
Sea Lion circumvent these laws.

These creatures are a nuisance to merchants Whirlpool

and others along the coast.
From shore these are fascinating to watch.
Sea Lion: AC 5/3; MV 18; HD 6; HP 25 From the water, these whirlpools, are
each; # AT 3; Dmg 1-6/1-6/2-12; AL N; terrifying to find nearby. Anyone in the
MM page 86. water or in a boat within 25 feet has a 10%
chance per round of being sucked into the
Sea Snake center of the pool. When this occurs one will
find themselves pulled underwater and
Giant snakes in the water are a terrifying drowning within 2-5 rounds unless they
sight for merchants who travel along the receive magical help in escaping. Ships have
coast. These sea monsters can bring ships a 2% chance cumulatively per round of
under. being sucked under if they are within 25 feet
of it.
Sea Snake: AC 5; MV 12; HD 10; HP 45; #
AT 2; Dmg 1-6; 3-18; SA constriction; AL
N; MM page 88.
This small stretch of coastline is filled with
Sea Storm white sands. A small bay is overlooked by a
lighthouse and a small fishing village.
Sea storms are frequent. They are not
typically too dangerous while on shore but 1. The Village of Utoam
can be deadly if one is on the water when it
occurs. These storms disappear as quickly as This small village is a mere collection of
they arrive. Anyone in a boat when this wooden huts. The locals are fisherman and
occurs has a 5% cumulative chance per have small boats which they push out into
round of finding their boat capsized. In a the bay for fishing. There is nothing special
ship this chance is only 1%. here and there are no shops. The fishermen
will tell tales about the Kraken if asked.
Sharks They will say that this kraken seems to be
far more intelligent than any normal Kraken.
Sharks along the coast are a common sight. And that it has wrecked many ships and
Typically these will be normal sharks. fishing boats.

Shark: AC 6; MV 24; HD 5; HP 25 each; # 2. Lighthouse

AT 1; Dmg 2-5; AL N; MM page 87.
This lighthouse is a simple tower with a
large mirror at the top of it. At night a fire is markings of ships that were lost long ago.
lit and this mirror is moved around the fire Roll a random encounter check.
to shine a light towards the sea at random
points. The mirror is attached to a circular 6. Middle Bay
rail and this rail has some kind of machinery
which causes the mirror to move. A roof The large skeleton of some prehistoric beast
above the mirror keeps the fire from getting can be seen jutting up out of the water here.
wet during storms and protects the These bones look to be from an enormous
lighthouse keeper. creature. In fact they are the bones of a
brontosaurus. They would be a good place to
Lighthouse Keeper stand and fight the Kraken should someone
think to do so
Amos Amballon is the lighthouse keeper
and he is a salty sailor that retired long ago. Roll a random encounter check.
This lighthouse serves as his home as well
as his employment. Merchants from Freeport
pay him a small salary to keep the lighthouse
operating to protect their ships from danger. The Kraken will not appear until the
Amos is a zero level NPC with AC 10 and adventurers themselves are in the water or
HP 3. He is neutral in alignment. on the water and at risk. It may be sighted at
a great distance but will immediately dive
If asked about the Kraken he will tell them deep. It cannot be engaged from out of the
to beware of it. Not only is it the largest of water with one exception. Adventurers
it’s kind it also is far more powerful than a standing on the bones at area 6 will be able
normal Kraken. And it has friends nearby at to engage it. But since the Kraken is mostly
all times. It can generally be found around submerged attacking it with magical spells
the bones of the large dinosaur in the middle or missile weapons may prove ineffective.
of the bay.
The kraken is the largest of it’s kind. It is an
3. Eastern Part of the Bay enormous beast nearly twice the size of an
average one. And it is quite powerful and
This is the eastern part of the bay. Roll a has many friends in the sea.
random encounter check.

4. Western Part of the Bay

This is the western part of the bay. Roll a

random encounter check.

5. The Teeth of Misery

This is where many ships have met their

doom. Bits of wood can be seen in the rocks
here which jut up out of the water like teeth.
Some of these pieces of wood have
 within seconds making visibility in the water
non existent; SA if more than two of the
tentacles grab the same person there is a
50% chance the beast will just dive and take
it’s victim with it. The bay is nearly 100 feet
deep at it’s deepest point. If chased the
creature will head out to open sea with it’s
prize; SA the ink cloud of the Kraken is also
poisonous to those in the water. Those
individuals will need to save versus poison
or take 2-8 damage per round until the ink
cloud disperses in 3-30 rounds. If they get
out of the water they will stop taking
damage from the ink; SA at will the creature
can use the following spell like abilities:
airy water in a sphere of 200 feet across,
faerie fire lasting 12 hours, control
temperature in a 100 foot radius, control
winds, weather summoning, animal
summoning (sharks); AL NE; MM2 page
79 modified.

Ancient Kraken: AC 4/-2 (tentacles/main

body); MV 6/42; HD 40; HP 185; # AT 2
(barbed tentacles) and 4-6 (striking tentacles
and 1 (bite); DMG 3-18 (barbed tentacles) x
2/4-16 (normal tentacles) x 4 (and then
grapple); 6-36 (bite); SA all of the tentacles
are used for grabbing victims and dragging
them to the mouth of the Kraken to be eaten.
These tentacles are STR 22 each.
Attempting to break free from these
tentacles requires a strength roll greater than
that of the creature (roll 3D6 and add to STR
of the creature and compare to a similar roll
by the player; SA when a victim is grabbed
it is constricted each round for 5-20 damage
per round; SA one could cut through the
tentacle itself but this will require doing
more than 50 points of damage to the
tentacle (which does not count against the
creature’s 180 hit point body); SA once
three or more tentacles have been severed it
will release it’s cloud of ink and attempt to
escape. This ink will blacken the entire bay
 ADJUSTING THE ENCOUNTER the image of a beautiful woman but worth
only 250 gold pieces due to the damage it
This encounter will already be a difficult has taken, and a trident +4/ +6 versus
one. This is no ordinary Kraken. And this water breathing creatures.
battle will take place in the water where it
has all of the advantages and the
adventurers have none. Combat in the water
should be done in accordance with DMG
page 55-57. Read these pages carefully. In the western deserts of Zanzia that border
Spell usage in the water is limited. Some the Jural Empire there are great tunnels dug
means of breathing under water will be by the sand worms. These worms are a
required. Attacks with weapons are desert variety of the Purple Worm but are
modified by their use in the water (no equally dangerous. Some of these, however,
crushing weapons, movement restricted, grow nearly twice the size of the Purple
etc). Attempting to fight the Kraken from a Worm in the deepest parts of the desert.
ship or boat is possible but inadvisable. The Naturally the sage indicates that it is an egg
creature will crush such a vessel in the first from one of these massive sand worms that
round with a single tentacle strike. is needed for the quest.

Should you feel the need to make this Traveling to the desert will be uneventful.
encounter less difficult.....then your But once the desert is reached (after 14-16
adventurers are wimps....but you could days riding from Barrowmar) random
reduce the HD to that of a normal Kraken encounter rolls should be made. A roll of 1-3
or reduce the damage accordingly or both. out of 10 will indicate an encounter.
Encounter rolls should be made twice daily.
Should you feel the need to increase the After 2-4 days of searching the deepest parts
difficulty level of this encounter then in the of the desert one of the many entrances into
first round have the Kraken summon the tunnels may be found.
sharks. Instead of summoning common
ones summon 4-16 of the largest HD Random Encounters
variety (8 HD) or 2-5 Giant Sharks (15 HD
variety). It could do this at any time. 1. 1-2 Sand Worms
2. 1-2 Sand Worms
3. 4-40 Nomads
In addition to the ink bladder of the Kraken
4. 4-40 desert raiders
many other treasures may be found inside of
5. Patrol from the Jural Empire
the stomach of the beast. If cut open the
6. 3-12 Desert Giants
creature will reveal it’s horde: three large
locked chests filled with 5000 gold pieces
Desert Giant
each and a fourth filled with 5000 platinum
pieces (it swallowed these prizes when it ate
A breed of giants live in the deepest part of
a ship recently), a metal scroll tube with the
the deserts. These evil giants worship the
following magic user spells: symbol,
sun god Raal whose goal is to overrun the
reverse gravity, incendiary cloud, an iron
greenest parts of the land with desert.
flask, horseshoes of speed, the decorative
carved mast from a merchant ship made in
Desert Giant: AC 1; MV 15; HD 13; HP 55 This patrol of soldiers claims sovereignty
each; # AT 1; Dmg 2–12 +7 (gigantic over the desert. Of course, Zanzia, also
scimitars with giant strength); SA can hurl claims this territory. It is a frequent point of
great spears for 2-16 damage +7); SD camo dispute during their many wars over this
in desert gives them surprise on 1-4 out of border. These soldiers will be distrustful of
6); AL NE; MONM page 134 modified. strangers and will question the travelers that
they meet in the desert. They may be quite
Desert Raiders rude and insulting to people coming from
the Zanzian side of the border but generally
Some tribes in the desert are not so peaceful. they will not attack unless provoked to do
These bandits roam from oasis to oasis so.
looking for easy pickings. Strangers to the
desert are the preferred targets but nomads
are welcome targets as well. Horse Soldiers (3-30): F0: AC 7; HP 4
each; leather armor; shield; scimitar; short
Raiders: F0: AC 8; HP 3 each; scimitars; bow; 12 arrows; light war horse; AL NE;
leather armor; slings; 20 bullets; light war MM page 68 modified (dervish).
horses and camels; AL CE; MM page 66
modified (brigands). Leader: F3: AC 4; HP 25; chain mail;
shield; scimitar; short bow; 12 arrows;
Leader: F5: AC 8; scimitar +2; leather medium war horse; AL NE; MM page 68
armor; light war horse; AL CE; MM page modified (dervish).
66.
Sand Worms
Nomads
This cousin to the purple worm lives in the
Many tribes of wandering nomads live in deepest parts of the desert. They are quite
movable tent villages in the desert between dangerous as they often appear out of
Zanzia and Jural. Often they just move to a nowhere and swallow desert travelers.
new oasis as water or food begins to run out.
Most of these tribes are peaceful but some Sand Worms: AC 6; MV 9; HD 15; HP 60
are very warlike and defend their oasis each; # AT 1 and 1; Dmg 2-24/2-8; SA
violently. poison stinger; SA sand colored camo gives
them chance to surprise on 1-3 of 6 in
Nomads: F0: AC 10; HP 3 each; white or desert; AL N; MM page 80 modified purple
light colored robes; scimitars; short bows; worm.
12 arrows; light war horses and camels; AL
N; MM page 68.

Leader: F5: AC 10; HP 35; white robe and Random Encounters in the tunnels should be
turban with a gold head band; scimitar +2; rolled at every pont marked 2 on the map.
short bow; 12 arrows +1; light war horse; Such an encounter will always be with 1-3
AL N; MM page 68 modified. sand worms. Cave ins are also frequent in
these tunnels. Roll for a cave in check at the
Patrol of Jural Empire points marked 2 as well. A cave in takes
place on a 1 in 10. A cave in will not be fatal ADJUSTING THE ENCOUNTER
but will require digging out of the tunnels
and finding another entrance. Adjusting this encounter is easy. How many
other worms in the royal court will change
1. Entrance to the Tunnels the difficulty of the battle. To make it easier
make few royal court members or even
There are many entrance to the tunnels. All none if needed. To make it difficult make it
are basically the same. They are just a deep the maximum number of extra worms to
hole in the sand which leads downward. fight.
These holes lead to tunnels beneath the
sands. Treasures to be found in this chamber
include: 2-5 gems of 1000 to 5000 gold
2. Worm Tunnels pieces of value inside of each of the royal
court members. Inside of the mate of the
The worms dig these tunnels constantly. At queen there is a 15000 gold piece blue
each of these points roll a random encounter sapphire, the skeleton of a Zanzian knight
check. wearing plate mail +3 and a bardiche
+4/+5 versus enchanted or magic using
3. Main Chamber creatures. Inside of the queen herself there
are five enormous black pearls worth 10000
This is the main chamber of the queen of the gold pieces each, a marble statue of the
worms. She and her mate are present here at Emperor of Jural worth 5000 gold pieces
all times with 2-7 other worms nearby. All and a gem of seeing.
will immediately rise to defend the queen.

Queen Sand Worm and Her Mate

(Ancient Sand Worms): AC 0; MV 18; HD
30; HP 145 and 110; # AT 1 and 1; Dmg 4-
48 and 2-16; SA poison stinger (save or die
at -3); SA swallow whole; Size: These are
70' long; AL N; MM page 80 modified.

2-7 Sand Worms (normal): AC 6; MV 9;

HD 15; HP 60 each; # AT 1 and 1; Dmg 2-
24/2-8; SA poison stinger (save or die); SA
swallow whole; AL N; MM page 80.
 2. Alarm System
4. Egg Laying Chamber
Several enormous shriekers cover this part
Six well guarded eggs sit in this chamber. of the cavern. These shriekers serve as a
These eggs are enormous for worm eggs warning system for new arrivals to the cave.
(four times the normal size for such eggs). These shriekers are dominated by the
Each of these eggs is worth 10000 gold Aboleth and will only shriek when strangers
pieces. Only one is needed for the quest. to the cave arrive. They recognize the
Wedged under one of these eggs is a cube of Aboleth and it’s other slaves.
frost resistance.
Painted in the middle of these shriekers is a
Glyph of Extension. See the Glyphs Chart
below for a description of the effect.

Shriekers (12): AC 7; MV 1; HD 5; HP 25
each; # AT 0; Dmg none; SA shrieks bring
random encounters and alert others of
incoming explorers; AL N; MM page 87
modified.

3. The Underground Lake

This underground cave is only a few miles
away from Remacle’s home. The cave can
The strange glowing mold lies on the floor
be entered from the Dark Forest itself. There
of this underground lake. The lake itself is a
will be no significant encounters on the way
hundred feet deep. The mold is at the very
to the cave. Inside the cave there will be no
bottom of this. Hidden in this underground
random encounters either unless drawn by
lake are many small caves that cannot be
the shriekers or by the Aboleth itself.
seen from above. In the largest of these
caves is the Ancient Aboleth Savant. At the
bottom of this lake (where the blue mold is
found) a Glyph of Law has been painted.
See chart below for a description of this
The cave seems to give off a strange glow. Glyph.
Strange mold on the walls of the cave give
off a faint yellow glow. Mold at the bottom Ancient Aboleth Savant: AC -3; MV 6,
of the lake give off a stronger blueish glow. SW 30; HD 36; HP 175; # AT 4; Dmg 2-12
The cave feels damp. The cave itself is made + special; SA spell casting at 15th level as a
out of limestone. priest and 15th level as a maigc user with no
spell components required; SA aboleth
1. Entrance to the Cave glyphs (see below); SA tentacle toxin (the
touch of the aboleth savant requires a save
Piles of rocks lie on the ground in several versus spell. A failure indicates that the
places. Some of the rocks appear to have person is infected with the toxin and his or
been part of a rock slide which once blocked her skin turns clear membrane. It must
access to this cavern. remain in water or else it takes 1D20 points
of damage per turn until cured. Curing can monster, feeble mind, contact other plane,
be accomplished by cure disease followed death spell, anti magic shell, power word
by cure serious wounds); SA domination stun; Mon Com Annual Volume Two page
(once per round it can attempt to enslave 6 modified.
someone to it’s will. This requires a saving
throw versus spell at -4. A failure means the
person is now a servant of the creature and
will do whatever it asks of them. This effect
can be reversed by dispel magic (cast above
15th level) or remove curse. The range of this
effect is 50 yards); ; SA frenzy (if within 25
hit points of death the creature goes into this
state and can no long cast spells. However
it’s tentacle attacks double and will cause
double damage during that time. It may also
use a head butt attack for 6D6 damage and
requiring the victim to save on 4D6 against
dexterity or be stunned for 3-12 rounds); SD
Mucus Cloud (when discharged this cloud
causes all those in the water breathing in it
to save versus poison or lose the ability to
breath air for 1 to 3 hours They will
suffocate in 2D6 rounds. If the person stays
in the water they can breath in the water for
1 to 3 hours; SD detect invisibility at will
(90% chance within 100 feet); AL LE; Priest
Spells Memorized: command, cause fear,
sanctuary, resist cold, detect good,
darkness, protection from good, silence
15' radius, resist fire, augury, chant,
know alignment, hold person, detect
charm, speak with dead, bestow curse,
prayer, dispel magic, cause disease, cause
blindness, animate dead, detect lie, cure
serious wounds, protection from good 10'
radius, divination, true seeing, slay living,
cure critical wounds, dispel good, heal,
harm; Magic User Spells Memorized:
magic missile, message, shield,
comprehend languages, sleep, levitate,
darkness 15' radius, mirror image, scare,
shatter, lightning bolt, suggestionl, slow,
dispel magic, phantasmal force, wizard
eye, charm monster, fear, confusion, ice
storm, cone of cold, airy water, hold
 Master Glyphs of the Ancient Aboleth ADJUSTING THIS ENCOUNTER
Savant
This encounter could be made easier by
The savant can draw these Glyphs under having none of the Aboleth’s slaves aid it
water or above water in the cave itself. One or by reducing the hit dice of the creature.
can make a saving throw versus magic to Making it more difficult could be
avoid the effects of these but some of these accomplished by having one or more of the
saving throws are modified as described Aboleth’s slaves to come to it’s aid from
below. the many small caves in the lake or from
the shore line in area 4 where some are
Glyph of Law hiding.

All creatures of non lawful alignments must

save versus magic at -5 or suffer a negative
prayer effect at double strength (-2 to all
attack, damage and saving throw rolls). The
range of this Glyph is 40 feet. This effect
lasts for one turn.

Glyph of Enfeeblement

Those within 30 feet of this Glyph must

save versus magic at -3 or suffer temporary
loss of strength, dexterity and constitution
of 3 points of each statistic and lasting for
one turn.

Glyph of Extension

Any aboleth within 40 feet of this Glyph

have double the normal range for it’s
domination power.
This effect lasts for one turn.

Glyph of Slime Curse

The creature has the ability to telepathically
Any one within 40 feet of this Glyph must summon it’s allies for it’s defense. Some of
save versus magic at -2 or will find that the these allies might include the following
tentacle toxin of the creatures are more creatures that are either in the underwater
effective (now must save versus that toxin caves connected to the lake or on the shore
at -4). This effect lasts for one turn. in area 4. None of these slaves own treasure.
The master has appropriated all of that and it
can be located in area 4.

Trolls Hiding in Area 4

Trolls (10): AC 4; MV 12; HD 6+6; HP 30 SD sphere of force (once per week it can
each; # AT 3; Dmg 5-8/5-8/2-12; SD make a spherical wall of force to separate
regeneration; SD can fight on even if limbs itself from a dangerous enemy any escape) ;
are severed; SA infravision; AL CE; MM Magic Resistance 60%; AL CE; Mon Com
page 97. Annual Volume Two page 33. If any victim
is grabbed by two tentacles that person will
Underwater Gargoyles fight at -2 and suffer a -1 armor class penalty
while held as well as having speed reduced
Kopoacinth (5): AC 5; MV 9/15; HD 4+4; by one half. Three tentacles cause a penalty
HP 20 each; # AT 4; Dmg 1-3/1-3/1-6/1-4; of -3 to attacks and -3 to armor class and
SD +1 or better weapons to hit; AL CE; MM reduce movement to only three feet from
page 42. current position. Four tentacles cause a
penalty of -4 to attacks and -6 to armor class
Giant Gar and no movement at all. If four tentacles
hold one victim the creature will use it’s
Gar (3): AC 3; MV 30; HD 8; HP 35 each; special charm or hold abilities. The charm
# AT 1; Dmg 5-20; SA swallow whole; AL feature will required the tentacles to life the
N; MM page 42. victim so that it can see one if it’s many eyes
(on each tentacle). The charm is the same as
Eye of the Cave Lake for a 4th level magic user but will make the
charmed person aid the creature in any way
This creature is a fresh water version of the they can. The hold ability is cast as a 4th
Eye of the Deep. In all other respects it is the level MU and must be saved against at -3.
same as it’s salt water cousin. Failure means paralysis for 8 rounds. If five
tentacles hold a person then that person
Eye of the Cave Lake (1): AC 5; MV 6; cannot move at all. Their AC will be 10.
HD 12; HP 65; # AT 3; Dmg 2-8/2-8/1-6; And all attacks from that person are at a
SA central eye can cause an intense flash of penalty of -5. A grappled character may be
light that blinds and stuns everyone who pulled into the water in which saving throws
sees it unless they save versus poison. The versus drowning should be performed (my
effect lasts for 2-8 rounds; SA the other two suggestion is 4D6 versus constitution rolled
eyes can act in conjunction to cast an each round the victim is held underwater.
illusion or can act separately and hold Two failures indicate immediate death.).
person/hold monster; AL LE; MM page 41 Each tentacle has 14 hit points. These hit
modified. points do not count against the main body of
the creature which must be destroyed in
Dark Tentacles order to kill it entirely. If a tentacle takes
more than 7 points of damage in a round it
Arising out of the depths are strange will let go and retreat back into the water.
tentacles that reach for the adventurers. The creature has at least 50 tentacles and can
just bring another one into play. The creature
Dark Tentacles (1): AC 3; MV 1; HD 9; has a black glistening body with three beak
HP 40; # AT 5 or 2 per opponent (up to 36); like mouths. If it pulls a victim to one of
Dmg 1-6 (squeeze) or 1-2 (slap) or by these mouths it will bite for 3-12 damage.
weapon; SA charm, hold, constriction, bite;
4. The Far Shore of the Lake her more special treasures here. These
treasures include:
The treasures of the Aboleth have been
heaped upon this wet and slimy shore of the A golden statue of the snake god Sseth
lake. The lake must be crossed in order to worth 5500 gold pieces.
reach this area and the Aboleth will
certainly notice the arrival of strangers A golden crown with black opals circling it
around it’s treasure horde. 24567 gold which was once worn by one of the many
pieces, 14543 electrum pieces, 12431 warlords that fought long ago for control of
platinum pieces, a platinum statue of the land now known as Zanzia. The crown is
Bahamut worth 25000 gold pieces, a fine worth 17500 gold pieces.
grand piano worth 5000 gold pieces but
weighing nearly 2500 pounds, a fine An idol carved out of pure ivory resembling
painting of Malcon the Fire Bringer dating the demonic deity Simaru and worth 1750
back to his time as the Grand Vizier of gold pieces.
Zanzia worth 2500 gold pieces, a scroll with
illusionist spells: veil, vision, chaos, a ruby A heavy crossbow +4.
pendant in gold worth 7500 gold pieces, a
girdle of masculinity/femininity, a Pale A shield -1, missile attractor.
Lavendar Ioun Stone, a pearl of
power(6th level) and a hammer-lucern Two javelins of piercing.
+4/+5 versus chaotic aligned creatures.
A helm of underwater action.
A Glyph of Enfeeblement has been painted
in the middle of this treasure horde. See the A short sword +5.
chart above for a description of the effects.

The Glowing Blue Mold

The mold itself is harmless and can easily be

scraped into a potion bottle or similar
container. It will be impossible to obtain the
mold, however, without the creatures in and Remacle gives the adventurers directions to
about the lake noticing and reacting to this. a place in central Zanzia known to have been
the resting place of a powerful wizard from
5. The Underwater Cave of the Aboleth before the kingdom existed. This wizard was
Savant known to be quite evil as well as incredibly
powerful. His name was Cruneth and it is
This cave is not on the map. It is but one of believed that he was one of the earliest Lich
many underwater caves in the lake but it is on the continent of Dunar. There were
clearly the largest. At the entrance to it is a rumors at the time of his burial that he was
Glyph of the Slime Curse. See the chart not really dead at all. But that he had moved
above for a description of this effect. The on to some form of unlife. Some bards in
Aboleth Savant lives in this cave and keeps Zanzia still tell stories of powerful
adventurers meeting a great Lich in a tomb
in central Zanzia about six days ride from SA ultravision 60'; SA bone hook
the city of Barrowmar. This tomb has never impales and holds onto a victim
been located again but Remacle has done struck by it 50% of the time; SA
extensive study of the history of Zanzia from anyone stuck to the bone hook is also
many ancient tomes and scrolls and believes struck by the tail of the devil for 2-8
that he has a fix on the location of it. damage and a loss of 1-4 points of
strength (save versus poison) for 10
Remacle believes that given the advanced rounds; SA at will the creature can
age of Cruneth as a Lich it would be likely use the following spell like abilities:
that by now he would have become a Demi- generate fear in a 5' radius, create
lich. This assumes, of course, that some illusion, fly, invisibility, detect
powerful adventurers have not already invisibility, fear, summon another
destroyed him and his phylactery. bone devil (40% chance); SA once
per day it can create a wall of ice;
While Remacle does not know the exact Magic Resistance 40%; AL LE; MM
location he has it narrowed down to a one page 21.
mile radius very close to the halfling shires
of central Zanzia. After six days ride the There are two groups of 12 in this
adventurers find themselves near the low complex. Once both groups have
hills of the shires. been dealt with they will not be
encountered again.
There will be no significant random
encounters on the way to the shires. The 6. Cave In - Everyone in the area must
search for the entrance to the tomb will take make a saving throw of 4D6 versus
1-4 hours. dexterity to avoid falling pieces of
wall and ceiling. These falling pieces
The adventurers will eventually find a bit of do 2-16 points of damage when they
rubble where a marker once stood. This occur. A saving throw avoids all
marker was once part of a larger mausoleum damage.
that has long since crumbled to dust. The
markings on this stone are in an ancient
form of language that has long been dead
and most sages have even long forgotten.
The markings state “Cruneth’s Eternal
Resting Place.” The Tomb itself is dusty and ancient.
Serious cracks in the floor, walls and ceiling
RANDOM ENCOUNTERS WITHIN THE are readily apparent. Cave ins seem very
TOMB likely as dust and debris constantly drift
down towards the floor as the adventurers
A roll should be made twice daily. A roll of travel through the tomb. The smell of death
1-3 out of 10 will indicate that an encounter and decay is constant and makes breathing
has taken place. the stale air here a little difficult. If the party
has a paladin with them the paladin will
1-5 12 Bone Devils: AC -1; MV 15; HD sense the presence of evil all around him. No
9; HP 45 each; # AT 1; Dmg 3-12; doors in this complex are locked. No rooms
are lit except for area 9 or unless otherwise bottle. The liquid is blue and swirling. And
stated in the text. The complex feels it is just bait for the trap. If anyone
unusually cold for such a place given it’s approaches the table it will sink into the
location. floor and the door will slam shut. A large
stone slab will fall in front of the door
1. Entrance blocking exit. And the doors will begin
crushing inward from the east and west.
The crumbling old steps lead down about These walls will reach the crushing point in
twenty five feet at a steep incline into a only five rounds. At this point they will
circular room. This room was once well begin doing 5-50 damage per round for 10
decorated with frescoes depicting the rounds and then they will move back into
adventures of the great wizard Cruneth in place and the stone table will rise up again
the early days of the continent. But those out of the floor.
frescoes are now crumbling and have large
gaps where parts of the wall have fallen. High level adventurers should have little
Doors lead north and west from this room. difficulty evading this trap or escaping it
Those doors are made of stone and are even if they do fall for it. Lower level
difficult to move without using substantial adventurers, or course, would almost
force. certainly die from it. Close inspection of the
walls may reveal faded blood stains from
2. Hallway Pit Trap long ago on them. The potion is fake.

This is a standard pit trap created to kill. The 4. Guard Room

fall is only 20 feet but there are multiple
spikes at the bottom of the pit. The pit has a This room seems incredible cold and dark.
trap door which will snap and lock into Waiting here in this room are some of
place. And when the trap is sprung poison Cruneth’s contingent of guards. These devils
gas pours from vents in the wall of the pit. have been given to Cruneth long ago as a
At one time the spikes themselves were favor from Dispater. Cruneth was a loyal
poisoned but this has long since dried up. servant and follower of this arch devil and
still serves him in some ways even now.
The fall will do 2D6 damage. The spikes
will do 2D6 damage. The gas may be saved Bone Devils (12): AC -1; MV 15; HD 9; HP
against (poison) but failure results in death. 45 each; # AT 1; Dmg 3-12; SA ultravision
60'; SA bone hook impales and holds onto a
At the bottom of the pit are the skeletal victim struck by it 50% of the time; SA
remains of a thief who died hundreds of anyone stuck to the bone hook is also struck
years ago in this pit. In his hand is a dagger by the tail of the devil for 2-8 damage and a
+4/+5 versus undead. His leather armor has loss of 1-4 points of strength (save versus
long since decayed. poison) for 10 rounds; SA at will the
creature can use the following spell like
3. Crushing Walls Trap abilities: generate fear in a 5' radius, create
illusion, fly, invisibility, detect invisibility,
This room appears to be empty except for a fear, summon another bone devil (40%
stone table and a small vial of liquid in a chance); SA once per day it can create a wall
of ice; Magic Resistance 40%; AL LE; MM creature can use the following spell like
page 21. abilities: generate fear in a 5' radius, create
illusion, fly, invisibility, detect invisibility,
5. Temple of Dispater fear, summon another bone devil (40%
chance); SA once per day it can create a wall
This unholy room is a temple to the arch- of ice; Magic Resistance 40%; AL LE; MM
devil Dispater. Any paladin approaching this page 21.
room will immediately feel revulsion when
coming within 25 feet of it. The room is Close inspection of the statue may reveal
dark and cold. There is an altar against the that it has a secret compartment at the rear
west wall and a statue of Dispater against arm. Inside of this compartment is a lever.
the north wall. Should that lever be pulled the head of
Dispater will pop upwards and fall forward
Even with the advanced age of the altar revealing an opening into the statue. Inside
blood stains can be seen on it’s surface. Both of that opening is a scroll of magic user
the statue and the altar radiate powerful evil spells: shape change, monster summoning
and magic. VI, mass invisibility.

The Statue of Dispater The Altar of Dispater

This statue is larger than life. It stands nearly This ancient bloodstained altar has seen
ten feet tall and towers over the adventurers. many human sacrifices. A paladin or good
The statue holds a long staff in it’s right aligned cleric will feel the souls of the many
hand in which the head of the staff is shaped victims of this altar crying to be freed.
like the head of a horned devil. In it’s left Touching this altar is painful for a good
hand it holds a rod which has a jewel shaped aligned adventurer. They must save versus
tip and a sharp point at the other end. death magic or suffer 4-40 points of damage.

Should the statue be touched be someone of The altar could be destroyed. Doing so
good alignment they will need to make a would free the many souls trapped within it.
saving throw versus death magic or be In it’s current form it is indestructible. But if
stunned for 3-30 rounds. A loud screeching holy water is poured onto it it will become
sound will be heard and footsteps shuffling vulnerable to attack. It will have AC 10 and
in the hallway can be heard immediately as 300 hit points. Once destroyed it will
the door busts inward and twelve bone crumble into pieces and an intense wind will
devils arrive to defend the statue. blow in the room as the souls escape the
altar. Once destruction of the altar has begun
Bone Devils (12): AC -1; MV 15; HD 9; HP the twelve bone devils will arrive as
45 each; # AT 1; Dmg 3-12; SA ultravision described above. Those twelve bone devils
60'; SA bone hook impales and holds onto a will arrive in this room only one time. So
victim struck by it 50% of the time; SA ignore this part if the statue has been
anyone stuck to the bone hook is also struck touched already by a good aligned person.
by the tail of the devil for 2-8 damage and a
loss of 1-4 points of strength (save versus
poison) for 10 rounds; SA at will the
6. Ceiling Trap 8. Death Magic Trap

This chamber seems to be empty except for This dusty room has some kind of large
a small stone pedestal in the center with a rune painted on the floor of it. This rune is
gleaming gold crown with many jewels covered in dust.
resting upon it. A small wall of force
protects this crown from being taken. What is on the floor of this chamber is a
Symbol of Death. The large amount of dust
Should anyone enter the room a large stone that has settled over this symbol prevents it
block will fall out of the ceiling and crush from going off immediately.
anyone in the room for 10-200 points of
damage (10D20). The crown is just a gold Should anyone choose to sweep away any of
coated piece of lead and the jewels are paste. the dust they will take the full force of the
spell effect and must make a save versus
7. Fake Skull of Cruneth magic or die .

Sitting on a black pedestal in this dark and 9. Cruneth’s Crypt

cold room is a skull. The skull has eyes
which turn to flame as the adventurers arrive This large room has many ornate pillars that
in the room. hold the ceiling above. Three coal filled
braziers burst into flame as the adventurers
“Welcome to my tomb!” it says as the open the door to this room. Curiously, these
adventurers arrive. The skull is not, braziers give off no heat, despite the flames.
however, the demi-lich. It is actually a fake. In fact, the room, seems incredibly cold. In
If it is attacked it will explode doing 5-50 the far southwest corner of the room is a
points of damage to all in the room (save crypt. Sitting beside this crypt is a skull in a
versus magic for one half damage). This pile of dust and bone fragments. As the
explosion will bring the shuffling feet of the adventurers enter the room the dust forms
bone devils in one round. into the shape of a man.

Bone Devils (12): AC -1; MV 15; HD 9; HP Each of the fiery braziers suddenly flare up
45 each; # AT 1; Dmg 3-12; SA ultravision and out of the flames three ice devils arrive
60'; SA bone hook impales and holds onto a to defend Dispater’s ally. Shortly after the
victim struck by it 50% of the time; SA battle commences bone devils will arrive
anyone stuck to the bone hook is also struck from the hallway.
by the tail of the devil for 2-8 damage and a
loss of 1-4 points of strength (save versus Devils, Ice Devils (3): AC -4; MV 6; HD
poison) for 10 rounds; SA at will the 11; HP 50 each; # AT 4; Dmg 1-4/1-4/2-8/3-
creature can use the following spell like 12; SA each of these carry the great spear
abilities: generate fear in a 5' radius, create that upon hitting an enemy will slow the
illusion, fly, invisibility, detect invisibility, victim 50% (save versus paralysis avoids);
fear, summon another bone devil (40% SA at will each of these devils can use the
chance); SA once per day it can create a wall following spell like abilities: fly, wall of ice,
of ice; Magic Resistance 40%; AL LE; MM detect magic, detect invisible, polymorph
page 21. self, gate in two bone devils (70%) or
another ice devil (30%) with a 60% Some important notes on this creature:
chance of success; SA once per day can
create an ice storm; SD ultravision; SD The creature will at first manifest itself in
regenerate 1 hp per round; SA radiate fear in the form of a cloud of dust. It has the
a 10' radius (save versus wand); SA STR for powers of a wraith but cannot be turned.
grappling is 18/76; AL LE; MM page 22-23.
While it is in this form every physical attack
Cruneth, Demi-Lich (1): It is nearly against it will appear to be working. But
impossible to make a normal stat block for they will not. The creature will collect 1
this creature. It is quite complex and has point of energy for each point of physical
many different abilities, defenses and damage which it appears to take. It will also
powers. See MM2 page 32-33 for a gain one point of energy for each spell level
complete description of this creature and cast against it.
read it in detail before the encounter. Like
all Demi-Lich the skull itself has 50 hit Once 50 energy points are collected the
points (to begin with) and can only be creature will shift to the appearance and
damaged by the means listed on page 33. abilities of a ghost. It still cannot be turned
by a cleric. Again it will appear to take
damage but does not. It continues to gather
energy points.

If the skull is touched it will rise up into the

air and howl at the most powerful member
of the party. All those within a 20 foot
radius of the skull must save versus spell or
be slain permanently.

To kill the creature the adventurers must

destroy this skull. So eventually it is going
to get “touched.”

After this howl attack the creature will begin

a new form of attack. Eight of the teeth in
the skull are jeweled. Each of these gems
can be used to draw the soul of an opponent
of the skull. There is no saving throw from
this effect and the demi-lich will always
choose it’s strongest adversary. After it
steals a soul it will sink back down the dust
again until touched again and beginning the
process anew. Once the teeth are all filled it
will only have it’s death howl available to
defend itself but will continue using that
each time it is hit or touched.
The creature can bestow very powerful it is permanently drained away. A success
curses such as: indicates that the jeweled tooth sill contains
the life force. The soul can be freed but an
- you will always be hit by available body (such as a similcrum or
every opponent attacking you clone) must be nearby.
- you will never make a saving
throw
- you will lose all treasure The demi-lich dust and other remaining bits
without gaining experience must be destroyed by holy water or the
from it creature will reform in 1-10 days (for
- you are unable to obtain new purposes of this adventure assume that the
experience points (from dust can be brought to Remacle before this
MONM) occurs).

These curses can be removed by a remove ________________________

curse spell but at a cost of one point of _________________________________
charisma permanently.

There are limited ways to actually damage Shortly after the battle begins the shuffling
the skull of the Demi-Lich (which is the only of feet can be heard in the hallway as twelve
way to destroy it and complete this quest): bone devils arrive to help the master. This
will not occur if two groups of bone devils
- Forget spell causes skull to sink have already been met and destroyed
down to the dust without howling or previously in the tomb.
taking a soul
- Shatter spell causes it 3-18 damage Bone Devils (12): AC -1; MV 15; HD 9; HP
- Power word kill cast by an astral or 45 each; # AT 1; Dmg 3-12; SA ultravision
ethereal magic user kills it 60'; SA bone hook impales and holds onto a
- A fighter or range with a vorpal victim struck by it 50% of the time; SA
blade, sword of sharpness, sword +5 anyone stuck to the bone hook is also struck
or a paladin with a +4 or better by the tail of the devil for 2-8 damage and a
weapon or a vorpal weapon inflict loss of 1-4 points of strength (save versus
normal damage on the skull poison) for 10 rounds; SA at will the
- Exorcism causes it to sink creature can use the following spell like
- Dispel evil causes it 5-8 points of abilities: generate fear in a 5' radius, create
damage illusion, fly, invisibility, detect invisibility,
- Holy word causes it 5-30 damage fear, summon another bone devil (40%
- Any character with a +4 or better chance); SA once per day it can create a wall
weapon or a mace of disruption can of ice; Magic Resistance 40%; AL LE; MM
do 1 point of damage per hit page 21.

At 50 hit points of damage the skull is The Skull

destroyed . Each of the jeweled teeth need to
make a saving throw versus spell. A failure When the skull is defeated it will crumble
indicates that the life force trapped inside of into dust. This dust is the quest item
Remacle has asked for. In the eye sockets of dusty and does not appear to have been
the skull were two large gems. One was a opened in perhaps a hundred years or more.
sapphire and other an emerald. Both are
worth 10000 gold pieces. Eight of the teeth The lid is trapped. It can be pushed off with
that were in the skull are still intact. Each of a combined strength of 45. Should the lid be
these teeth contain a gem (these gems are moved without first disarming the trap gas
where souls are trapped). Each of these will spray out of the inside of the crypt and
jeweled teeth has either a ruby, diamond, into the faces of those pushing off the lid.
jacinth or oriental topaz. Each jeweled tooth Those individuals need not worry. The gas is
is worth 5000 gold pieces. corrosive and will affect their armor and
weapons rather than them. An appropriate
The Pillars saving throw should be made in accordance
with the item saving throw table in DMG on
These pillars are ominous looking in the page 80 for acid.
light of the braziers. Each has some kind of
hellish design which invokes images of Inside of the crypt are some of the more
either the second plane of hell or the City of personal mementos of the former Lich. A
Dis. Evil can be detected in this pillars but robe of the arch-magi (black) rests on the
should they be damaged in any way the roof bottom of the crypt. A staff of the magi
of this room will collapse doing 10-200 with 23 charges lies beside it. A ring of
points of damage to all in the room. If holy protection +4 and a ring of delusion lie
water is splashed on these pillars they will beside the staff. The ring of protection is
crack but not collapse and the evil inside coated with contact poison (save versus
them will fade. poison or die).

The Braziers
ADJUSTING THIS ENCOUNTER
The braziers magically burn but give off no
heat. The coals in the braziers are still black Making this encounter less difficult can be
and do not seem to be burnt. Should anyone accomplished by eliminating the bone devil
search these braziers they will find a arrival or the ice devils arrival or both.
necklace of strangulation in one of them Making it more difficult can be
and a decanter of endless water in another. accomplished by increasing the number of
ice devils arriving or doubling the number
Secret Doors of bone devils arriving or both.

A secret door in the northwest wall leads to

area 10. Another secret door in the west wall 10. Treasure Vault of Cruneth
leads to area 11.
This room is dusty. There are no footprints
The Crypt in the dust and cobwebs cover the corners.
There are three overflowing chests with the
The crypt is a large stone container with the lids propped open and coins and gems
skeletal outline of a man engraved into the spilling out of them. The contents of the
stone lid that covers it. This crypt is very chests include:
17453 gold pieces become an undead hive mother. While
14231 platinum pieces beholders themselves have known to
3 diamonds worth 5000 gold pieces occasionally been known to become undead
7 emeralds worth 2500 gold pieces versions of their species this is the first and
5 sapphires worth 1000 gold pieces only known instance of a hive mother
12 rubies worth 1500 gold pieces turning undead. On this occasion, it seems,
2 fire opals worth 7500 gold pieces the hive mother has become almost like a
1 star sapphire worth 10000 gold pieces Lich in the sense that she has become far
more powerful than any beholder or normal
A golden statue of Tiamat worth 5000 gold hive mother has ever been.
pieces
A fine portrait of Dispater worth 1000 gold There are three separate entrances into the
pieces to a collector of such art lair and any of the three may be found easily
A crown made of platinum and gold and enough in the swamps. Remacle knows of
studded with rubies and sapphires worth the location within about a one mile radius
20000 gold pieces and with about a days worth of searching all
Three platinum candlesticks worth 500 gold three entrances could be located. Which
pieces each entrance is used is up to the adventurers.
A jewel encrusted sacrificial dagger made of
silver and inlaid with rubies in the pommel A random encounter check should be made
worth 1500 gold pieces every hour in the lair. A roll of 1-3 out of 10
indicates an encounter has taken place.
A rod of smiting with 15 charges
A mace of disruption Random Encounters Within the Lair
A quiver of 20 crossbow bolts +4
A suit of ring mail +5 1. 2-8 Gas Spores: AC 9; MV 3; HD 1
A scarab of death hp; GP 1; # AT 1; Dmg inject spores
A stone of good luck into victim; SA explode when struck
for 6D6 damage to all within a 20'
11. Exit Tunnel to the Surface radius (save vs wands for half); SD
25% chance to be mistaken for a
This secret tunnel leads to an exit hidden by beholder even at very close range;
a fake tree stump about a mile away from SD 90% chance to be mistaken for a
the main tomb entrance. beholder at ranges beyond 10'; AL N;
MM page 42.

2. 2-5 Beholders: AC 0/2/7; MV 3; HD

45-75 hp; HP 60 each; # AT 1; Dmg
2-8 (bite); SA eye stalks have various
magical abilities as does the central
Remacle directs the adventurers to a location
eye; SD anti magic ray; AL LE; MM
in the swamps along the coast of southern
page 10.
Zanzia.
The sage tells the adventurers of an
3. 2-7 Gauthe: AC 0/2/7; MV 9; HD
extremely unusual phenomenon which is
9+9; HP 50 each; # AT 1; Dmg 2-5
perhaps unique to Zanzia. A hive mother has
 (bite); SA infravision; SA creature this Glyph will suffer 40 points of lightning
begins to glow when it enters damage (save versus magic for half
combat; SA anyone meeting the gaze damage).
of it’s central eye must save vs spell
at -2 or be affected by feeble mind; The room itself has frescoes and paintings of
SA has six eye stalks as follows: 1 Beholders in combat, enslaving others,
cause serious wounds, 2 repulsion 10 ruling over kingdoms and performing
ft wide and 40 ft range, 3 cone of powerful feats of magic.
cold (3D4 damage) can only be used
3 times daily; lightning bolt (4D4 2. West Entrance
damage) 80' range can be used 4
times daily, 5 paralyzation 40' range, A staircase leads twenty five feet down into
SA dweomer drain: drain charges a dark room. There is a Glyph of Warding
from magical items with a 40' range on the archway leading into the corridor east
(wands or other chargeable items of the room. Anyone moving under this
become useless for one round and Glyph will suffer 40 points of fire damage
lose one charge; swords or other (save versus magic for half damage).
magical items with no charges are
rendered powerless for one round; The room itself has frescoes and paintings of
artifacts are unaffected); SD a dispel Beholders in combat, enslaving others,
magic spell cast upon any of the ruling over kingdoms and performing
creatures eye stalks render that eye powerful feats of magic.
powerless for 1-4 rounds; SD when a
Gauthe is slain it’s power dissipates 3. East Entrance
and there is a 2% chance that it will
explode in a burst of energy doing A staircase leads twenty five feet down into
4D4 damage to all in a 10 ft radius a dark room. There is a Glyph of Warding
(no save); AL NE; MONM page 23. on the archway leading into the corridor
west of the room. Anyone moving under this
4. 2-5 Beholders: AC 0/2/7; MV 3; HD Glyph will suffer 40 points of frost damage
45-75 hp; HP 60 each; # AT 1; Dmg (save versus magic for half damage).
2-8 (bite); SA
eye stalks have various magical The room itself has frescoes and paintings of
abilities as does the central eye; SD Beholders in combat, enslaving others,
anti magic ray; AL LE; MM page 10. ruling over kingdoms and performing
powerful feats of magic.

4. Fire Trap

Anyone passing through this hallway may

1. South Entrance step on a trigger in the floor which will set
of an explosion which will affect all within a
A staircase leads twenty five feet down into 20 foot radius. This explosion will do 10D6
a dark room. There is a Glyph of Warding damage (save versus death magic for one
on the archway leading into the corridor half damage).
north of the room. Anyone moving under
5-6. Gas Traps the people present in the room. No more
than 5 rays will fire at any one person. Each
Anyone passing through these passages may can be avoided (or damage halved) with a
trigger a poison gas trap which will spray save versus spell except for the magic
poison gas quickly from vents in the walls missiles which will hit.
and ceiling. Anyone in a 20 foot radius must
save versus poison or die within one round. Central Eye - Disenchantment ray - Anyone
struck by this ray must make a saving throw
7. Statue of The Hive Mother for each piece of magical equipment that is
being used at the time (armor worn,
This large chamber has an enormous weapons wielded, wands held, rings worn
pedestal made of white marble. Sitting upon but not things that are packed away in a back
that pedestal is a statue of a Gigantic Hive pack or out of view). The saving throw is a
Mother. This depicts the Hive Mother of this normal saving throw versus magic (by the
Lair. Runes on the base of the pedestal player not the item). Each item gets such a
indicate that the name of the Hive Mother is saving throw. Failures indicate that the item
Xavanax. It would appear that this statue has been drained and is no longer magical.
was created before she became undead.
1. Magic Missile (5 missiles)
The statue has an unsettling effect on those 2. Telekinesis (person is slammed from
that see it. The central eye and the fifteen wall to wall by an incredible force
eye stalks seem to follow the adventurers as and take 6D6 damage as a result of
they move across the room. The statue the constant damage)
radiates both evil and magic if detected for. 3. Stunned for 1-4 turns
4. Lightning Bolt (8D6)
Should the statue be touched it will speak a 5. Harm (reverse heal spell)
riddle: 6. Teleport (200 feet above the lair and
released to fall to the ground and
“It stands alone, with no bone or solid form. take 20D6 falling damage)
Adamant, it prospers never wrong, 7. Cone of Cold
though hurt it may. 8. Finger of Death
Twistable, malleable, might it be, 9. Destruction (reverse resurrection)
but always straight as an arrow.” 10. Petrification
11. Disintegrate
Answer: Truth 12. Feeble Mind
13. Flame strike
Should this answer be given the statue of the 14. Silence for 2-8 turns
Hive Mother will open it’s mouth revealing 15. Confusion
a ring of wizardry (doubles fourth and fifth
level spells). 8. Floating Sphere

Should the wrong answer be given the This oddly shaped room has walls that are
central eye of the statue and it’s various eye made of metal. A strange buzzing sound can
stalks will all begin glowing. And then the be heard once the door to the room is
fun begins as various rays shoot randomly at opened. Floating in the center of this room is
a shiny metal ball about two feet in 9. Illusion
diameter. What causes this ball to float is a
mystery. As the adventurers approach this room a
programmed illusion will begin. An
Should anyone approach the ball they may enormous hive mother floats before the
notice that it seems to have a small crack adventurer and asks a riddle:
which circumvents the sphere. Perhaps this
sphere has something inside of it. “What fire nor water can kill
But wind can easily blow away uncountable
The room and the sphere are, of course, a But still not a copper worth to pay”
trap. Should the sphere be touched a
lightning bolt will fire from it and strike the Answer: Sand (a grain of)
person doing so. This bolt of lightning,
however, will not stop there. It will keep Should the correct answer be given the
bouncing of the walls in random directions. illusion will end revealing a metal scroll
Anyone in the room has a 25% chance of tube lying on the floor. Inside the tube is a
being struck by the bouncing bolt of scroll with illusionist spells: vision, mass
lightning each round they are in the room. If suggestion, demi-shadow monsters.
the door to this room is still open there is a
25% chance that the bolt will bounce out of Should an incorrect answer be given the
the room and down the hallway each round. central eye and eye stalks of the illusion will
fire off rays as listed previously in area 7.
Anyone stuck by the lightning bolt takes The central eye will have no effect but the
10D6 damage (save versus spell for half other eyes will have the same effects unless
damage). The same person can be struck the adventurer makes a successful roll to
multiple times by this bolt until it goes down disbelieve the illusion.
the hallway.
10. Pedestal and Force Field
If the bolt of lightning does go down the
hallway the sound of it brings a random In this octagonal chamber rests a black
encounter within 1-2 rounds. pedestal made of obsidian. Sitting upon the
pedestal is a strange misshapen looking
Inside of the sphere is a wand of wonder crown made of shimmering gold and
with 50 charges and a very large black opal sparking jewels. This crown looks like it
worth 12500 gold pieces. might fit an enormous eye tyrant. Protecting
the crown is a prismatic sphere which covers
What keeps the sphere floating is constant the crown on all sides.
electrical current running through the walls
of this place and electromagnetic force. The crown is real. It is worth 35000 gold
Should the electricity be shut off in some pieces. Since she became undead she no
manner (removing the trap) the sphere will longer feels the need to wear it as all
drop and crack open on the floor ruining the beholder kind know her authority. Her
black opal but not the wand. The opal will authority is power and she has plenty of it.
be shattered by the impact.
The prismatic sphere can be reduced by the 16; Dmg each eye stalk or the central eye
normal means as described in the PHB on has a power associated with it; SA magical
page 93. powers from it’s many eyes; SD +3 or better
weapons to hit; SD immune to cold, hold,
But the crown, is trapped, of course. Should charm, sleep, poison, death magic; SD
anyone lift the weight of the crown off of the regenerates 5 HP per round; SA she can
pedestal the pedestal itself will sink quickly telepathically summon her royal guards from
into the floor and then a ten tone ceiling areas 12 and 13 in two rounds; AL LE;
block will drop into the room doing 30-300 Magic Resistance: 50%; MONM pages 25-
points of crushing damage to anyone and 26 and pages 23- 24 modified. See a full
anything in it’s way. The trap could be description of her and her many powers at
detected and removed once the prismatic the end of this adventure.
sphere is removed. Until this is
accomplished, however, no one can see
closely enough inside the sphere to detect a
trap. If, you feel the need to do so, you may
allow a saving throw versus Dexterity (4D6)
to avoid the trap by diving for cover into the
hallway.

11. Royal Chamber of the Undead Hive

Mother

This large circular room has a high domed

ceiling. A gigantic ornate wooden pedestal
with a fluffy red pillow atop it dominates the
center of the room and on this pedestal is a
foul undead horror with one dead looking
central eye and perhaps fifteen different eye
stalks around it’s spherical body. This
creature’s skin looks as if it is rotting.
Floating about the room are several eye
tyrants that are her royal court. The floor
itself is covered in jewels and coins of all
types. This makes walking in the room
difficult as one would have to walk across
this pile of treasure to get to the pedestal.

The room itself is lavishly decorated with

fine murals and frescoes depicting eye
tyrants dominating and enslaving large
groups of enemies.

Xavanax, The Undead Hive Mother: AC - Beholders (4): AC 0/2/7; MV 3; HD 45-75

4; MV 0 or 3; HD 30; HP 200; # AT up to hp; HP 60 each; # AT 1; Dmg 2-8 (bite); SA
eye stalks have various magical abilities as A Footman’s Flail +5
does the central eye; SD anti magic ray; AL 12 Arrows +4 in a fine leather quiver with
LE; MM page 10. strange elven runes in the leather
A Jewel of Attacks
A potion of Speed
ADJUSTING THIS ENCOUNTER A potion of Longevity
A potion of Giant Strength (cloud)
Making this encounter less difficult could A Flask of Curses
be accomplished by reducing the number of A Periapt of Health
her “royal court” and/or reducing the 3 sticks of Incense of Meditation
numbers of additional beholders coming An Amulet of Life Protection
from rooms 12 and 13. To increase the A Horn of Blasting
difficulty you can increase the number of
beholders that add to the battle or slow The Pedestal of Wood
down the speed at which they react to the
telepathic summons of “Mother.” Hidden under the big red pillow is a Ring of
X-ray Vision.

The piles of treasure on the floor include: In a secret compartment in the pedestal is a
bone scroll tube with a clerical scroll with
32452 copper pieces the following spells: regenerate, holy word
23542 silver pieces and speak with monsters. There is also a
14233 gold pieces wooden scroll tube with druid spells: fire
4233 electrum pieces storm, turn wood and fire seeds.
7435 platinum pieces
15 moonstones worth 50 gold pieces each 12. Guard Room
20 aquamarines worth 100 gold pieces each
5 peridots worth 500 gold pieces each Awaiting a summons from “Mother” are 2-5
1 fire opal worth 12500 gold pieces eye tyrants floating in a circular domed room
1 large pearl worth 1000 gold pieces with no decoration.
4 ivory figurines of dwarven heroes in
combat worth 200 gold pieces each
A painting of an ancient king of Zanzia 2-5 Beholders: AC 0/2/7; MV 3; HD 45-75
worth 2500 gold pieces to a collector of hp; HP 60 each; # AT 1; Dmg 2-8 (bite); SA
historical art eye stalks have various magical abilities as
1 electrum candlestick worth 100 gold does the central eye; SD anti magic ray; AL
pieces LE; MM page 10.
A marble bust of the Emperor of Jural worth
500 gold pieces 13. Guard Room
1 golden statuette of a unicorn worth 250
gold pieces Awaiting a summons from “Mother” are 2-5
3 bolts of fine Juralian silk in different eye tyrants floating in a circular domed room
colors worth 200 gold pieces each with no decoration.
5 sticks of fine Incense worth 30 gold pieces
each
2-5 Beholders: AC 0/2/7; MV 3; HD 45-75 still do huge amounts of damage in every
hp; HP 60 each; # AT 1; Dmg 2-8 (bite); SA round. And it still has 300 hit points.
eye stalks have various magical abilities as
does the central eye; SD anti magic ray; AL
LE; MM page 10. ADJUSTING THE ENCOUNTER:
PART ONE

If your adventurers do not appear powerful

enough to meet the Tarrasque under these
conditions you could make this duration
Once all six quests have been completed the longer. Say 3-12 rounds. Or 4-16 rounds.
items should be brought to Remacle for Clearly you do not want to just get a total
preparation of the “weapon” that he has party kill out of this encounter. What you
promised. This weapon will consist of a want (or should want) is an extremely
special magical potion which will be flung difficult and challenging encounter that will
against the Tarrasque and which will reduce be remembered and spoken about for years
the resistances and defenses of the creature after the encounter at your gaming table.
for a limited duration. The actual duration is
unknown even to Remacle. In fact, whether If your adventurers are powerful enough to
the potion will even work at all is not totally take the Tarrasque on even without the aid
certain. He will even admit this if questioned of this “weapon” then perhaps you should
about it. But his research suggests that it reduce it’s effectiveness.
should work....for a limited time. As the
Tarrasque is enormous and can hardly be In any event, even if the creature is
missed only a roll of a natural 1 will indicate vulnerable to these forms of magic, it still
a failure to hit the creature with the potion. If will likely make every saving throw unless
this is the case then the potion will be the DM rolls a natural 1.
wasted and have no effect at all on the beast.

The effects of the “Weapon of Remacle”

For a limited duration the very formidable

resistances of the Tarrasque are reduced.
This duration is from 2-5 rounds. The When the adventurers are ready to confront
creature will, for a short time, no longer be the Tarrasque they will find it eating a small
resistant to lightning, fire, cone of cold, village not far away from the city of
magic missile and the other listed spell Barrowmar. Clearly it is on a path that will
effects. This will allow spell casters a take it through the capital city of Zanzia
chance to inflict a great deal of damage in a within days. Hundreds of Zanzian soldiers
short time before the creature is nearly are trying to attack the beast but hundreds
indestructible again. In essence, this will more lie dead on the ground.
give most high level adventurer parties,
some chance to win an encounter. But not
necessarily a good chance. The creature will
 DM NOTE once it hits -30 hit points and a wish is
employed; SD immune to psionics; AL N;
At 70 Hit dice (stated on MONM page 339) MM2 page 117-118 and MONM page 339.
the creature can barely miss any target that
it chooses to hit. As you can see on my ADJUSTING THE ENCOUNTER:
expanded “to hit” table at the end of this PART TWO
adventure even a -10 armor class is hit by
any roll over a natural 1 by the DM. Most If the creature is totally owning your
normal NPC soldiers will likely be one shot adventurers you might consider giving the
by any to hit roll. At AC -3 most NPC Tarrasque a few other targets to hit during
soldiers cannot achieve a hit. Since most the battle. There are Zanzian soldiers there
are below 3 HD they will flee in terror at that have not yet fled. Those soldiers can be
the sight of it in any event. Because of one shot by various attacks of the creature.
leadership by soldiers more advanced than It can be assumed that these soldiers will
they are some of the soldiers have stayed on stay on the field fighting even while the
the field to fight. As none of the soldiers party joins the fray. Seeing dead bodies pile
have +1 weapons to fight with none have up around them may give the adventurers a
done it any damage as of yet. The number feeling of being part of an epic battle
of soldiers left on the field is up to the DM. against a Godzilla type creature eating
I would suggest 10-100 with a leader type Tokyo.
of 5th level rallying them in combat. Each
round at least 1-6 of these troops will still
begin to flee out of sheer terror. Treasures of the Tarrasque

The Tarrasque: AC -3; MV 9 (+6 rush); The creature collects no treasure, of it’s
HD 70; HP 300; # AT 6; Dmg 1-12 own, per se. But the carapace of the creature
(claw)/1-12(claw)/2-24(tail)/5-50(bite/1- itself is a valuable treasure if the adventurers
10(horn)/1-10(horn); SA creatures below 3 realize it and make use of it. If the upper
HD will be paralyzed with terror; SA portion of the carapace is treated with acid
creatures from 3 to 6 HD flee in panic; SA and heated in a furnace it will yield 10-100
all creatures of 7HD or more who save diamonds of 1000 gold piece base value.
versus paralyzation can avoid this effect; The underbelly can be molded by a dwarven
SA bite is treated as a sword of sharpness in blacksmith into 1-4 shields +5.
that an 18 or better indicates something is
severed; SD +1 or better weapons to hit; SA Experience Point Value
once per turn it can use a “rush” attack in
which horn attacks are double damage and The MONM rates the Tarrasque as being
anyone in front of it is trampled under foot worth 107000 experience points. I would
for 4-40 damage; SD reflective carapace of suggest that this amount would be
the Tarrasque gives it immunity to lightning appropriate for killing such a legendary
bolts, cones of cold, magic missiles and ray monster even in 1st Edition AD&D.
type spells. In fact there is a 1 in 6 chance But you might consider reducing this
that such spells will be reflected back at the number if the adventurers do use the special
caster; SD immune to fire; SD regenerates 1 weapon of Remacle and it weakens the
HP per round; SD creature is only destroyed creature substantially.
Once the Tarrasque has been defeated it
must be brought to -30 hit points and a wish
must be employed in order to permanently
destroy it. If any part of the creature exists
and no wish has been used then the creature
will regenerate back to full health again and
continue on it’s rampage. If the adventurers
have no access to a wish spell then you
might consider allowing them an adviser
from the king of Zanzia that can cast this
wish once the creature is destroyed.

The adventurers should return to the king

and let him know of their success and
receive any awards that he may have
promised them. The king will expect no
share of any treasures that the adventurers
have gained along the way nor will he
demand any portion of the body of the
Tarrasque which is quite valuable in itself.

The adventurers can make useful magical

items and can collect great treasures from
the creature as described previously. If
Remacle is asked questions along those lines
he will tell the adventurers that he believed
these things can be done with the body of
the creature. Otherwise will say nothing of
these things knowing that he himself can
probably acquire those portions of the
creature and make himself quite wealthy.
As many of the creatures in this adventure have hit dice far in excess of those covered in the
combat tables in the DMG on page 75 I have created an extended table to use. A natural 1 should
still result in a miss. A natural 20 should always hit.

Hit Dice

Defender 16-17 18-19 20-21 22-23 24-25 26-27 28-29 30-31 32-33 34-35
AC

-10 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8
-9 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7
-8 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6
-7 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5
-6 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4
-5 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
-4 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
-3 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-2 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
-1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1
0 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2
1 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3
2 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4
3 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5
4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6
5 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7
6 1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8
7 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9
8 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10
9 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10 -11
10 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9- 10 -11 -12

Hit Dice

Defender 36-37 38-39 40-41 42-43 44-45 46-47 48+

AC

-10 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-9 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
-8 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1
-7 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -2
-6 3 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3
-5 2 1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4
-4 1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5
-3 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6
-2 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7
-1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8
0 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9
1 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10
2 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10 -11
3 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10 -11 -12
4 -7 -8 -9 -10 -11 -12 -13
5 -8 -9 -10 -11 -12 -13 -14
6 -9 -10 -11 -12 -13 -14 -15
7 -10 -11 -12 -13 -14 -15 -16
8 -11 -12 -13 -14 -15 -16 -17
9 -12 -13 -14 -15 -16 -17 -18
10 -13 -14 -15 -16 -17 -18 -19
The Undead Hive Mother

Armor Class -4
Movement Rate 0 (she rarely chooses to fly) 3 (on rare occasions)
Hit Dice 30
# AT up to 16 (central eye and eye stalks)
Damage/Attack see below
Special Attack each eye has magical effects
Special Defense undead resistances, +3 or better weapons to hit
Alignment Lawful Evil
Magic Resistance 50%
Size G

Like all beholder kind the Undead Hive Mother has many eye stalks and one central eye. In any
given round she can use some or all of these eyes in combat. Typically 4-16 eyes can come into
play in any given round. In all rounds the central eye will be one of those eyes used unless there
is no one in front of her to use it on.

Xavanax is her name and she is, perhaps, unique. Like, powerful wizards and priests have been
known to do, she has taken steps to preserve her power even after death. This process is similar
to that of a Lich.

Although she cannot easily move any more, due to her size, she rests comfortably on a pillow
atop a large wooden pedestal. And she can easily turn to face her opponents. She is capable of
flying but will rarely choose to do so. If she does, for some reason, choose to fly then she can bite
at an opponent or even swallow one whole on a natural 20. Anyone swallowed whole in this
manner takes 3-30 damage per round from the constant contact with the foul undead creature.

Her central eye is a fearsome weapon. Every round it can fire off a prismatic spray. Any
opponent in her chamber with her will be struck by one or more colors of the spray as per the 7 th
level illusionist spell.

Her other 15 eye stalks have different powers. Roll 2D8 to determine which ones are used. These
powers are:

2. Magic Missiles (5 missiles 1D4+1 damage each)

3. Hold Person for 3-12 rounds
4. Confusion 3-12 rounds
5. Teleport (victim is teleported 10 miles away in a random direction)
6. Paralysis 3-12 rounds
7. Slow 3-12 rounds
8. Feeble Mind 3-12 rounds
9 Lightning Bolt (8D6)
10. Slay Living (reverse raise dead spell)
11. Ray of Enfeeblement 3-12 rounds
12. Harm (reverse heal spell)
13. Petrification
14. Flame Strike
15 Cone of Cold
16. Disintegrate

Individual eye stalks have 25 hit points each that do not count against the total for the whole
body of the creature. The central eye has 50 hit points and does not count against the total body
of the creature.

While she does not move her skin is very tough and leathery. In undead her skin has hardened
and it is difficult to cut through it. Like many powerful undead creatures only weapons of a
magical nature may affect her. Weapons of +3 or greater are needed in order to harm her. She
also has many of the innate resistances that other undead enjoy. She is immune to sleep, hold,
poison, death magic, cold or hold type spells. The creature also regenerates 5 hit points per round
until it is reduced to 0 hit points. The eye stalks and central eye will regenerate in less than one
week if destroyed.

Like all hive mothers she has many beholders under her control. And she can telepathically
summon others to her aid. This makes her a very dangerous adversary.

She will not hesitate to use all of her abilities despite the damage that might happen to it’s own
allies if necessary to defend itself.