RPGA AD&D Team Tournament Adventure AD&D references are copyright TSR, inc. Notes From The Acaeum:
This module was created by Robert Kuntz (one of the original founders
of D&D), and was to be published by his company, Creations Unlimited (who
previously published Garden of the Plantmaster and the four modules
in the Zayene series). The company unfortunately went out of
business, and the planned series of RPGA modules based on the City of Brass
never saw the light of day. Kuntz released this first module to the
Internet some years ago, where it has been floating ever since. It
is freely distributable, provided it is kept intact and in its entirety.
Robert Kuntz has recently formed Pied Piper Publishing, and is planning
to release the full version of City of Brass in the near future, through
KENZER and Company publishers (under their award-winning Hackmaster line
of products). Please give them a visit!
Kuntz's original map is reproduced here.
(Thanks to
Allan T.
Grohe and William McCarthy for the scan).
Statistics for the various people and monsters encountered in this module
were never written.
Notes About Running This Tournament:
The map keys are 1-15 for the first round and 16-30 for the second.
The party will tend to stay to the desert paths to reach its objective -
finding and gaining entrance to the City of Brass. Note that
the party's intention should be to reach the city; and though there are
underlying clues which the party must be gathering in order to take advantage
of its entry there, these are not as important as getting into the city
with all PCs alive. Overcoming obstacles to advance towards the city
is of high priority here.
GOALS FOR THE TEAM:
General: Apprise players that it is of utmost importance to work
together in order to advance the team's performance. Stress the fact
that there are obstacles to overcome, and these should not comprise overcoming
inter-party ones, like arguing. Caution participants from revealing
information about this adventure to those who might be participating in
later sessions of it.
DMing THE ADVENTURE:
This is a straight-forward adventure. Characters will be slugging
through each obstacle on the way to the city. Dramatic descriptions
have been included. These should be used in amplifying each player's
understanding of separate encounter areas. Extrapolate freely where
needed.
HOW THE ADVENTURE IS SCORED:
The first round adventures are judged by points for accomplishment; no
points for no accomplishment, based upon what there is that needs to be
discovered or defined. This determines the advancement or elimination
of teams (alternately, players). In the second round each team has
3 1/2 hours real-time to reach the City at the end of the quest; additionally,
they (team or players) are scored by points. Teams failing to gain
entrance to the City in the prescribed time period are eliminated.
As is always the case, those parties (IN TEAM PLAY) finishing with no deaths
always rate higher than those who finished with deaths. Total remaining
hit points in case of a tie. The largest remaining grouping of hit
points wins.
STARTING:
(READ TO THE PLAYERS)
All of you have been gathered to hear the High Priests of Nusu-Sa's message.
Though you have been informed through various sources that the Sun God's
edict is forthcoming -- no doubt, with a redeeming and accusative quality,
as is the case with pronouncements such as these -- you are still pensive,
and some of you are concerned. As you stand on a humongous rug of
white fur, you hear the rustling robes of your religious sovereign as he
enters the audience chamber. His steps are measured, as has been his
guidance of the Sun God's cause. With a wave of his hand he dismisses
the servants; and with the other he bids you a silent welcome. He then sits,
and you do so also, reclining upon the thick white furs. As he speaks,
he pulls forth a scroll from his vestments and unrolls it. On it are
various marks and signs, all painted in fiery red pigments. From your
vantage you note a strange land, totally unfamiliar. He sets the map
on the rug and waves his arm above it, as if this were a means of introduction.
"Here is your objective - but it is only a starting point. We
need you to adventure to this point and beyond - all of you. Once
there, you are to accomplish the will of Nusu-Sa, whose eternal light has
been dimmed by an unprecedented misfortune."
He stops to take a breath and looks at each of you. As no comments
or objections are forthcoming, he continues:
"You must adventure in search of the City of Brass, that fabled stronghold
of the Efreeti, for it is there that your goal will be accomplished."
There is too much silence in the room for the moment, and although none
of gathering stirs, there is no doubt about the reaction -- humble interest,
intense, yet there nonetheless. The High Priest continues, sitting
back, relaxing:
"The story is an interesting, yet short, one. It seems that
Tahb-Lyn, Nusu-Sa's keeper of the Clock of Light – an instrument which counts
passing time for our heavenly father – has disappeared after a thousand
years of faithfully tending the device. The worst is feared -- and
indeed, we have proof from the Djinni, of which Tahb-Lyn is one thereof,
that the Lords of Flame, that is, those Efreet Lords which rule the City
of Brass, have contrived to spirit him away.
Nusu-Sa wants him returned to the Tower of Time to continue tending
the Clock of Light. It is not known beyond this what powers and stratagems
are called for, but it is known that all of you have some interest in this
area, and more specifically, in the Lords of Flame. Thus have you
been chosen. You must find the City, and with what Nusu-Sa via this
temple can provide, penetrate it and return Tahb-Lyn to the Tower of Time.
Failing in this means humbling ourselves before the Lords of Flame, and
this Nusu-Sa will not have!"
The High Priest rises and walks down one of the many corridors leading
into the audience chamber. As he does so you follow, knowing that
the meeting is hardly over. After a while you come into another room,
all bedecked with gold and gem encrusted relics, some familiar to you, some
just dim memories of this religion's ancient past. The High Priest
stops before a coffer of teak inlaid with gold and filigreed with the purest
silver. Opening it he withdraws a light red bag and turns toward you,
simultaneously drawing the small cord holding the bag shut. He tips
the bag's mouth towards his outstretched hand and six rings fall from it
and onto his palm -- six rings of iron, all etched with scarlet runes.
"These are the rings of elemental form. They have been enchanted
by the Thieves of Fire, those that raided the elemental plane of fire for
its riches which the lords thereof thought were secure from the avarice
of men. How these artifacts came to be in Nusu-Sa's temple, only he
knows; and never have they been used, for we are not thieves, and never
has there been a reason for us to consider, yet alone to dare, travelling
to the plane of fire." He hands one ring to each of you.
"Don these upon reaching the gates of Brass, or you will not be allowed
into the city. Many humans do travel Qaf, that is, the lands comprising
the outer layer of the plane of fire in which you are to travel, for there
the topography is less volatile than the rest of the other plane's areas.
Have no worry about your outward appearance as you approach the City but
be wary upon nearing it!
"Be steadfast in your goal! We have no map, only this withered
parchment which indicates the planar entry point to Qaf. Once there
follow the paths of least resistance. This is all we can offer; everything
else -- returning after the mission is completed, even -- is left up to
the will of Nusu-Sa. May his divine assistance be with you!"
ALIGNMENTS:
Alignments are Neutral (chaotic to lawful not mattering much).
The characters have been chosen because of their own personal interests
for traveling to the City of Brass. In this tournament, these reasons
do not matter.
PARTY EQUIPMENT:
The party has this magical equipment to divide:
Longsword +2 Regular equipment is listed on each PC's sheet.
RINGS OF ELEMENTAL FORM (FIRE):
When worn on the right hand this ring confers upon the wearer the following
attributes/powers:
Armor Class of 2 (other adjustments are not added in) Besides conferring the above-listed powers, when worn on the right hand,
the character is transformed into a limited-form Efreet. He or she
has the strength of one of these creatures (20) and can pass among them
freely, for they also have the ability to speak and understand the Efreeti
language. However, this usage is limited to 3 days (consecutive),
once/month only.
NOTES ON MAP:
Hex distance is 5 miles; PCs travel 2 hexes per day due to the hot air
and difficult terrain. Mountains are impassible except where noted.
NOTE:
Due to the structuring of this module as an upcoming release through
CREATIONS UNLIMITED, the actual quest to save Tahb-Lyn is considered accomplished
upon gaining entrance to the city, for it is known that that Djinn is easily
accessed there. The actual ending is quite different with the full module,
and an underground adventure is required to find and remove Tahb-Lyn.
Acaeum note: the planned sequels to this module never materialized.
KEYED ENCOUNTERS (1-15, FIRST ROUND)
1. CAVE AND LANDSCAPE
The players are lead to a private chamber where a spell of Astral Travel
brings them to Key 1. After doing so, read the following:
You appear on a mountain path with a cave behind you. Upon studying
the cave, you note that it seems to be re-sealing itself, and fiery forms
-- yours, no doubt -- are fading from brimstone outlines and changing to
hard rock. It looks like some god took a cookie cutter and made six
human-like impressions here. Around you is a panoramic landscape.
Fiery clouds and dry, dust-filled air weighs down upon you like some inverted
hell; the mountains surrounding your arrival spot are like far away deities
which have deigned to look upon this spot for the first time. "Strange"
and "shocking" best describes their combined appearance, all red-tinged
and lofty. A natural path leads to the SE and into the orangish desert
below. And this is the direction you must proceed in, according to
the parchment you studied at the temple.
DM NOTE: The priest indicated that the party should travel
the paths of least resistance. Remind them of this before they choose
a direction to proceed in. Following the desert paths (which just
happens to be the Keyed path) is the easiest (terrain-wise) route.
Ten wagons arrayed in a line and stretching out to the southeast are
coming towards you, probably 2 miles away. You are sure that you've
been sighted, for the caravan splits in two - one section of five heading
north, the other heading south. Appearing from the split are 10 men
on foot which approach you directly.
These are the red nomads, a product of interbreeding among human- and
demon-kind. They are of Chaotic Neutral alignment and thus not that
friendly towards anyone (within reason). They are traveling to a dead
volcano beyond Key 1 (not shown) to make an offering of 10 red-gold
bars to their deity, Aval. The ten warriors (nine plus their leader,
"Homan") will approach within 30 yards of the party and demand in the common
tongue to know their purpose in crossing the caravan's path, for they are
aware that few beings travel these parts unless they have specific missions.
If the red nomads are attacked, they defend themselves; and the remaining
warriors at the wagons advance and attack in "U" formation, gaining flank
attack bonuses. If, however, the party is friendly towards the nomads
and answers their questions, the nomads will, if pressed, inform them of
the passes (3, 8, 11, 13, 15, 20,
23) to take to reach the City of Brass. They know nothing about
Tahb-Lyn, though it doesn't surprise them that a Djinn was captured by the
Lords of Flame. They depart for the mountains after giving a gruff
farewell.
Asked about ways to the City of Brass: 1 point
As you approach a mountainous area you note that there is a large
encampment of men before the pass you must climb. A howling wind whips
about your faces, coming from desert areas beyond the encampment.
These nomads are evil through-and-through. Though red, like the
others, they are connivers and cut-throats, with nothing in mind for the
party except death. They guard the path up the mountain, for they
know the Devil Desert (the hex with the mountain/key # in it) is impassible
due to the gale-force winds that stop those who try to cross it. None
have returned alive. The characters are not spotted as they approach
here, so they can decide what to do. Inform them that the nomads do
not seem to care about the desert path; neither does this encampment look
young, suggesting that it has been here for some time. Closer inspection
will reveal prisoners digging a pit and nomads talking in the evil tongue.
These should be indications to the party of their possibilities at securing
a peaceful approach past this area.
Characters could:
1) at night, attempt to lure the nomads towards the desert by
creating noises. The nomads will be frightened and distracted by any
noise coming from that direction, for they believe only the strongest demons
can survive the rigors of the desert;
2) attack the encampment and gain their way past (this will reduce
their chances to win a tie later on due to hit point reduction);
3) sneak past (90% impossible), which equals sighting at 30-120
yards away;
4) take a wide berth around the encampment and follow the desert
path; characters will be torn to shreds by the desert winds if they attempt
to evade the encounter that way (50% damage if the character retreats immediately
after taking the first round of damage; otherwise death occurs in 4 rounds).
Gains past the encampment, as in 1-3: 1 point.
Gains past the encampment after suffering damage in the desert, as
in 4: 0 points.
You enter a strange jungle of red-fruited trees with deep-veined leaves,
all purplish and grotesque. After a few hours of travel here you strike
a path leading southeast; you are about to follow it when an explosion occurs
to your left, and the sound of someone screaming and cursing rings out in
front of you. There are the sounds of more explosions to the left,
and you are now sure you see the source of the screaming: wedged in one
of the strange palms ahead of you is a man, bearded and scruffy-looking.
He is alternately throwing hand-sized objects -- perhaps fruit -- and shaking
his fists at you. He is obviously cursing you, and the sentences sound
like repetitions of something to do about "turtles" or "come here!"
There is another explosion, nearer to you this time. This guy sure
is persistent, but he's not a very good aim.
The man is insane, having been doused in the River of Steam (Key
5) after attempting to lure the dragon turtle there to him; he fell
in the hot water while attempting to board the beast. His body was
scalded severely, and his brain was affected, but he didn't die. After
recovering, he wandered to the jungle and now resides in various places
here.
Both his Charisma and Comeliness are 4. There is no dealing with
him. If he isn't killed or driven away he will continue to pursue
and harass the party. If he is confronted with some sort of discernable,
magical force, there is a good chance that he will flee (80%).
The 20' high tree he's in is the kind that bears the aromatic/explosive
fruit. There are 30 pieces of the stuff present, but they are oblong
and not very effective as hurled missiles (-3 to hit at 10 yards, -6 beyond
that up to 60 yards maximum throwing distance). When the fruit explodes,
there is a short flash (causing 1d4 points of damage if a direct hit occurs).
Soft materials are scorched black by the explosion. The fruit's aroma
is enticing, luring those smelling it into a false sense of security (no
saving throw, but the only affect is a loss of -1 on reaction die rolls
for 1d6 turns). This fruit can be used to lure the dragon turtle at
Key 5 in order to have it transport the party across the River of
Steam. Stress the point that the fruit is unusually exciting in some
strange manner.
Drives away/kills madman before leaving area : 1 point
Drives away/kills madman after leaving area: 0 points
As you come out of the desert behind you note a veritable wall of
steam rising into the red air about 1 mile away. As you come closer
to the area where the steam is issuing from you note that it is a river,
curving and flowing north. Upon closer inspection, you see that the
river is bubbling. As you approach its banks you note activity in
the water suggesting the movement of some submerged creature of great size.
As you stand there, one of the party members notes a net-like bag made of
plant fibers near the shore line, stuck in the warm clay-like muck.
If the characters examine the vine bag after pulling it out of the earth
and rinsing it off, they note that it is burnt black in places. This
was the madman's bag; and it was at one time filled with the fruit which
he used to lure the dragon turtle to this side of the shoreline with (characters
note a few dried lumps of foreign matter). The fruit has over time
deteriorated and left black marks upon the bag (much like those noted by
the characters at Key 4). If the characters put two-and-two
together they will decipher that the bag was once filled with fruit; that
it was used for luring the dragon turtle to the bank (this could be considered
a long shot estimate by taking into account the fruits' fragrant/intoxicating
aroma and the bag's proximity to the water, not to mention the bag's openness
(i.e., its holes)); and that they should get, and then use, some of this
fruit in order to gain the other bank.
If a whole piece of fruit is put in the bag (or similar container) and
lowered into the water and let there to steep for 3 rounds, the dragon turtle
will swim to it to inhale the water-fruit mix. This makes it docile
for 1d4 hours, and it will readily serve the characters if they take instant
initiative by climbing upon its back. It knows not to submerge while
transporting "others"; and it will make the other side with six turns of
paddling.
Standing by the bank for more than 1d10 rounds will attract the dragon
turtle. There is a 10% accumulative chance/pass that it attacks.
If killed, its body floats for 8-32 turns; the characters can make the other
side in 8 turns by mounting the carcass and paddling (somehow) across.
The river will continue to take the body downstream so that the characters
land one mile north of their actual crossing point.
Crosses by using the fruit/dead body/other means: 1 point.
Ignores crossing and proceeds down the bank to Key 7: 0 points.
You see before you a great stone tower rearing into the sky.
Its dome is brass-like, but apparently transparent, so it must be a yellowish
glass combined with the light of the fiery sky which produces this metallic
effect. As you draw nearer you note its single iron door -- shut at
this time. This must surely be the Tower of Time.
Tracks leading away from here suggest a struggle of many giant-like beings,
which the characters might assume to have been the Efreeti with Tahb-Lyn.
As the party members stand here they note that no sound seems to penetrate
the area; their voices, even those propelled with the greatest forethought
as to producing noise, seem stilled, as if passing time was so slow in this
place that it affected the living. In fact, time is slowed around
the tower (within 40 yards of it), though there is nothing unduly peculiar
of note. Some subtle differences (if these were to occur) could be:
Withering does not work within 20 yards of the tower, and from 21-40
yards it is at half effect; undead will stay clear of the place, approaching
no closer than 60 yards from it, for they sense its positive emanations;
Time Stop (or similar time-affecting spells) is increased by 50%;
Haste, Jump, Run, and Fly spells are at -25%.
Slow is at +25%.
There are clues to be deciphered here. Due to Tahb-Lyn's resistance,
and the restraining nature of the tower, the Efreeti were not able to magically
transport him away as they had intended, and instead they dragged him (and
in the intended direction as well) south towards Key 7 (eastern side
of the River of Steam). Characters note this if they search the ground
here. The tower doors will not open to any save Tahb-Lyn.
Searching, and discovering the tracks south: 1 point.
You come to a lake of bubbling water surrounded by palms of the same
variety you encountered back in the jungle. As you reach a small stand
of trees you hear a noise coming through the vapor rising from the lake
-- a noise like a child calling for help. The vapor parts for an instant,
and you note -- about 100 yards out upon the lake -- a red-skinned boy.
He stands upon a large log amongst a jam of many of these. There is
a thrashing in the water and quick circular movements around the boy's little
refuge; he hops opposite to the movement's direction, darting to the southeastern-most
log as the water movement proceeds west around the northern part of the
jam. As he lands on the outermost log, it rolls a bit, but he regains
his balance, steadying himself and keeping the log in position with the
others by guiding it with his hands and feet while grasping an inner log
for support. He is barely able to accomplish this feat -- keeping
his "floating fort" together -- before the water movement starts back towards
his new spot, causing him to reverse direction and hop back to the opposite
side of the jam.
As you watch this, a smaller object -- a log or bit of unidentifiable
debris -- becomes dislodged from the pile and floats downstream; and at
that time you note that the water motion stops and then pursues the floating
object for a short distance, but soon returns to the log jam and the boy,
where the real chase begins again.
The boy is actually a red Djinn testing their faithfulness. If
they rescue him, it rewards them by guiding them to Key 8 and supplying
them with a riddle about the "fire-stones", which they must bypass there.
A water snake (summoned by the Djinn) plays around with his friend, chasing
him from log to log for the benefit of the onlookers. In actuality
it is quite harmless and will flee if attacked in force (actual melee);
but it will remain in the water around the logs otherwise, thus (supposedly)
posing a threat to the boy.
If the characters suggest a good way to save the "boy" give them the
point. If they suggest that the boy dislodge a large log in order
to distract his pursuer, let this happen, but unless the party has an escape
plan for the boy afterwards, this removes any chance of gaining the point.
Saves boy from his "jam": 1 point.
You are before a large mountain chain. Rushing down from the
foremost cliff is a stream of steamy water, pouring forth from what appears
to be a cave mouth about a 50 yard climb up at a 45 degree angle.
If the boy is with them, he changes into a Djinn and tells that, "they
are favored by the gods for saving him," and in return he will tell them
about the way they must proceed. They are told to "avoid the hot stones
in the cave before them," which they must enter, and venture through, to
exit on the other side of the mountain. He then disappears.
The climb to the mouth is not impossible though it is steep, and by zig-zag
and clinging tactics the party surmounts this obstacle. The cave reveals
rows of rocks. Every rock is 1' square and raised 2' off the floor
of the chamber where the water bubbles, flowing past the characters.
The rocks are 2' apart from each other. In order to effectively
enter and pass through the cave without stepping in the water (10 points
scalding damage/round remained in) the characters must jump from rock to
rock. Approximately 50% of the rocks are unbearably hot; and unless
the party is extremely careful its members will take fire damage (1 point/rock
stepped on; 3 points per round remained on). But, if they send only
one person ahead to scout out these hazardous rocks, and if that person
marks the safe rocks that the other party members must hop to (with spikes,
coins, etc.), then the party will be saved much extraneous damage. Note
the diagram below:
*
0 0 * * 0 0
0 0 * 0 * 0
0 0 0 *
--->in 0 * * 0
0 * 0 * * 0
* 0 0 0 * *
* ----->out
*
0 0 0 * * 0
* 0 0 * 0 *
0 0 0 0
The asterisks (*) are hot rocks; the 0's are not. The cavern is
spacious after the fire-stones, and the meandering stream -- fed by many
other rivulets so as to form pools in this cavernous area -- of steam does
not block the party's advance to the mountain's other side, a 4-mile-long
rough-hewn passage SE.
Intelligent advance through fire-stones, as above: 1 point.
DM NOTE: Ask the characters which side of the river they come
out of the cavern on, north or south? This is very important, for
the lake where the fire giants are bathing is the focal point here.
If the characters come out on the northern bank they can avoid going south
around it, and additionally avoid being trapped against the mountains there.
Key 10 is their destination -- a heap of ruins, possibly a city at
one time.
If they come out on the northern side, their time spent traveling to
Key 10 is cut in half; otherwise, they will be trapped in a confrontation
with Key 9's giants.
You are out of the cavern! To your SE is an area approximately
5 miles square. Flaming grass surrounds a lake of steam bubbling over
and thrashing about with underwater volcanic activity. A ruin -- possibly
a city -- is to the east; and beyond that are more mountains and desert.
Mountains ring in this valley-like area.
Exited north side: There is a 50% chance that the fire giants
at the lake will remain submerged in their underground cavern-playland,
so the party's chances to reach the ruins before the giants resurface is
equal to them being discovered. Giants coming out of the lake spot
the party as it reaches the NE area. Their brother (see below) waits
for the characters to run to him (Key 10).
Exited south side: The party has to travel around the lake,
staying as close to the mountains as possible due to the flaming grass (burns
for 2 points per round of exposure). The giants surface and discover the
party (if they travel 1.5 normal speed or less) as it reaches the SE side
of the lake. They immediately attack, rushing unhurt across the flaming
grass. At that time there is a 25% chance that their brother, who
is watching from a large, abandoned tower in the city (Key 10), will
advance to attack, and if the characters are involved in melee and/or spell-casting,
they are surprised by his approach.
In either case, the giants fight to the death.
Elected to exit on the river's north side and/or suggested speed in
bypassing the lake: 1 point.
This place looks to have been devastated by a volcanic eruption.
DM: READ ONLY IF THE GIANT IS WAITING TO AMBUSH:
As you stand there, wondering whether to advance into it, or just sizing
up the possibility of an ambush, a chunk of rock lands near you, just barely
missing (foremost character). The last fire giant rushes forth
from an abandoned tower and attacks, if he didn't participate in the southern
ambush at Key 9.
Otherwise, read the following description:
As you pass through the ruins you note the sameness of it, as if these
objects had not been touched in years; as if they were frozen still-lifes
just waiting for some aspiring artist to capture them in painting or sculpture
so that they could finally end their painstaking, rigid poses.
Characters suggesting to investigate find only the following clue:
One smaller building looks recently collapsed, as if someone or something
caused it to fall across the path you now follow. Tahb-Lyn managed
to get to the ground here where he buried a clue for those he suspected
would come searching for him. Unfortunately, the rock he hid his ring
under was buried in the struggle. Characters using a Detect Magic
(or similar magics) will locate the ring. The 10-pointed sun insignia
(a special symbol denoting service to Nusu-sa) is etched on the golden ring.
Characters will know that Tahb-Lyn came this way by this clue. The
building material is 20 x 20 yards across and would take 5 persons a full
day's work to excavate with the proper tools. Finding the clue (ring)
this way is possible, yet lengthy.
Examines rubble, finds clue: 1 point.
You've passed through the desert successfully and are now climbing
out of it and into the low hills of a mountain range. A 30' wide man-made
path winds south, twisting and turning through sand-swept gorges.
Dry sand pits are seen everywhere, and the life here, a few fire-lizards,
scuttle off at your approach. As you continue slogging through this
strange terrain, a sight stops you in your advance. Before you is
a rivulet of glistening... water, or that is what it appears to be.
It is running slowly yet continuously across your intended path; and upon
closer inspection you note that there are other rivulets ahead of you and
beyond this first one. Each is about 3 feet wide, separated from each
other by 15' of path.
Glistening water indeed! The fire newts in the hidden crevasses
above have sent flammable oil spewing down the hillside. Once the
party gains the mid-point of the oil rivulets, the newts light all of them.
With the 8 flame barriers blocking retreat and advance, the party will be
forced to fight the charging newts on the slopes. All fires burn for
2d4 rounds and are equal to Walls of Fire during those times.
Avoiding the trap constitutes recognizing and neutralizing the rivulets
before they are used against the party. Characters will be at a disadvantage
by climbing the hills (i.e., they will be surrounded and ambushed) so they
could lose the possible point this way, also. Avoiding the fire trap
and defeating the newts counts towards winning the point.
Avoids the fire trap: 1 point.
As you reach the mid-point of this expansive desert, you see an oasis
with beings near it. The three that you note appear large, and you
also note a few tents. No doubt they've seen you. But they do
not seem to care, and continue doing with what they were doing.
This is the encampment of three raider Efreeti who have stayed behind
to check on those passing through this area. They know that all those
that pass this way must stop at the only watering hole "this side of Gehenna".
The characters should be told that the tracks they see leading to the oasis
resemble those seen at the Tower of Time (if they passed that way and discovered
those, that is), and are also similar to those described at the ruined city
(again, if this was checked for there). At the very least they resemble
Efreeti footprints! Indeed, one of the Efreet knows of the "abduction"
of Tahb-Lyn, though he was not personally involved.
If the characters converse with them, the Efreeti demand payment of magical
items for use of the water here; failing this (the characters should still
have their rings), they secretly create illusions of an army of Efreeti
coming. The Efreeti inform the characters that if they give them but
one magical item each (one from each PC) that they will parlay with the
"raiders" to spare the characters' lives. Failing this (the characters
catch wind of the scam) they attack, fighting until two of the three are
dispatched -- the other flies away. If the Efreeti bodies are offered
in sacrifice to the guardian of the mountain pass at Key 13, it lets
the party through there without a fight.
Escapes the oasis without being victimized: 1 point.
Avoid oasis: 0 points.
The pass you must travel along to get through the next mountainous
area is before you. And far above, though not out of sight, is a flaming
tower thrusting high into the sky. At first glance it seems like some
eerie volcano, and although you have seen many strange things in your past,
this particular sight sends hot shivers down your spine and you stop to...
think. It is fear that holds you, and not doubt, for if it was the
latter you know that you'd climb the path and be done with it. All
of you look at each other, and you know for certain that death looms in
one party member's eyes, though you're not sure if what you see is but a
reflection. And this thought by itself is so unnerving that all of
you must start climbing the path, climbing up to that tower.
Upon reaching the summit, that ground which is more level and surrounding
the tower, there is a flash of fire, and then silence of an incredible
nature. All the air seems enveloped in it, and then the burning begins
-- slowly -- moving towards the party in an ever tightening circle spiraling
inwards. The fire sends massive amounts of pain streaming through
your conscious minds and all of you reel, dropping weapons and falling to
the ground while alternately shielding your eyes with your hands, as if
by this action that inner pain would be removed, excised. Then all
is dark.
You awake at once, but see only that you're still on the ground outside
the tower. You do hear a voice, a monotone of evil reaching up to
you as if you were suspended in some high place which required the uttered
sentence to travel great distances to reach you. You're sure it's
not a dream as the words intone in your minds:
"I am Aphis, guardian of the pass. I require that death be offered
to me; all of you choose, for the living can guide me, but the dead only
feed my hunger, my want. Satisfy me by directing my hunger.
Pick the sacrifice among you and call it dead, for you know it no more or
no less than you did before you met it, and with me it will be more dead
than death. I have spoken."
If the characters offer the demon one of the many things they've slain
so far, they may leave unmolested. If they've slain nothing, one of
the party members is selected randomly by Aphis. The details of his
or her death are quite gruesome -- that PC is removed from play. Time
this one. Five minutes is the extent of the demon's patience, and it then
picks a party member randomly. The others are then allowed to leave.
The characters cannot escape otherwise.
Offers dead sacrifice: 1 point.
As you continue your trek NW, you wander upon several holes in the
desert which appear freshly made. You estimate that they are 7' round
and over 20' deep, but they could be deeper, for the sand has obviously
filled each in to some extent.
This is a 2-point encounter; the first point can be earned if the characters
immediately proceed in a 90 degree angle in a direct line away from this
area, for the purple worm that made these holes is ahead of the party (30-180
yards), and unless they deviate from their first heading, the entire party
will fall into its trap (a 50' radius area, slightly burrowed out).
Moves out of area, thus avoiding trap/worm: 1 point.
DM: Read this if they skirt/avoid the area as mentioned:
You head _____ (the new direction is dependent upon actual placement
of the party when it encountered the holes), avoiding the holes and circumventing
the area by at least a mile. As you continue along this course the
sand to the _____ (fill in direction again) begins to undulate, and
movement in the party's general direction is noted. Something is burrowing
towards you under the sand – and it's moving fast!
There is no way (physically) that the party can outrun the worm to the
mountains (for this is what they must do in order to gain the advantage
of flight or position, or both, on their adversary). If the party
comes up with a good idea to rid itself of a fighting encounter with the
"burrower", award them the second point. Some ways of eluding the
beast could consist of: Having one character play dodge-'em with the
thing as the others run for the closest "solid" terrain; as the character-bait
was about to be snatched, he or she could magically teleport, fly, levitate,
etc. Other ways to elude the worm could be thought of by the party;
but fighting it, no matter the number of characters involved, loses the
point.
Eludes the "burrower beneath": 1 point.
You encounter the end of the desert; at least this appears to be the
circumstance based upon what can be ascertained from this vantage point.
Before you, and stretching into the smoke-filled distance, is... Hell.
It must be Hell, for fires burn wildly ahead of you; a great black tower
looms near this; to your south a volcano spews forth deadly smoke and occasional
ash, and to top this off, a great hole in the ground (could this be THE
pit!?) is open wide to your SW. As you note these horrid aspects,
the flames ahead of you decrease, revealing a path of flaming stones leading
to the west. They look oddly, and disquietingly, inviting. A s you
step upon them, however, they do not harm you; and after a short walk you
come before the Black Tower.
END ROUND 1 -- TOTAL THE PARTY'S POINTS.
KEYED ENCOUNTERS (16-30, SECOND ROUND)
16. BLACK TOWER
The occupant of this tower is Balor (a type VI Demon); it too requires
a sacrifice from all those passing through its domain, or it deals out death.
Balor will perceive that the party has some artifacts with them (it has
a strong sense for these types of magic); and it will request one of the
"trinkets" as soon as they come before it at the entryway to its tower.
If the party refuses, Balor causes the path behind them to become furious,
raging flames again, cutting off their retreat. He then demands a
ring of Elemental Form, stating that they have no choice in the matter,
for "the gods have decreed such was to happen before you were born!"
If they surrender the ring they get the point; if they don't, twice as many
melebranche attack them at Key 17 as they cross there. Balor
has 10 type I demons within sight of the party, but nearer to the tower's
entrance.
If they defeat the demons, they get this point as well as the point for
defeating the demons. If they surrender the ring, they must think
of a way of getting the unsustained (and later, undisguised) character,
to and into the City of Brass.
Gives ring: 1 point.
Defeats 2 demons at Key 17 without giving ring: 1 point.
Think of the deepest, most awful, most ghastly smelling pit in the
universe and then forget about it -- it can't hold a candle to the one you're
about to cross: Dark as a hell yet undreamed of; evil-smelling, if this
is possible, with a fetid odor which reminds you of undead bodies far surpassing
any evil you have ever encountered. The smoke that rises from
its depths reeks of burned bodies. As you cross along its northern
side you are beset by visions of a fiery cavern -- no doubt below -- that
you are attracted to; involuntarily you look down...
The flaming face that greets your gaze is horrific: As your
eyes grip each other's, the face screams -- a terrifying screech of age-old
terror.
All characters must save versus fear at -3, or flee (forward) at +2"
turn. The fear (and movement bonus) end upon reaching the pit's southern
side.
The melebranche (2, if the ring was not given to Balor at Key 16)
attack characters reaching the southern side of the pit. They attempt
to Fear characters into the pit, and unless the falling character
can float or fly (or somehow magically travel), then they die upon hitting
bottom (miles down). The flaming face disappears after initial viewing.
No points, except as noted above.
As you round the spur of the southern mountain range and continue
your endless trek over the seemingly endless, and deceiving, desert, you
note a caravan of a peculiar sort heading north towards you. Surrounded
by 12 other wagons is one crafted from iron with stone wheels, and pulled
by four white horses. This wagon is rectangular, 8' high from the
ground and approximately 12' long. It also has a stack centered atop
it which is at this time spewing forth a thick, sooty-black smoke.
No one except the motionless drivers can be seen; but as you come into their
view you see the train start to weave towards the NE.
The northeastern maneuver is a trick, and the train quickly turns in
the party's direction if they come within two (of their own) moves from
them (i.e., charge distance for the wagons is 30"). The wagoneers
are all fire newts; and the iron-wagon holds a salamander, their lord.
Eluding or defeating the caravan: 1 point.
As you come into this area the mountain range turns to head east by
south, and from that direction you see a mass of smoke, or perhaps sand,
rising into the air, flying above the ground and heading in your direction.
You are unsure what this conflagration is made by, but whatever it is, it
must be big.
Of course, this sandstorm is natural (for this plane, that is).
Time this one; the characters all have 2 real minutes to propose some defense
from the sandstorm. If they suggest burial, with one person remaining
outside to take the damage (and uncover his compatriots), then this gains
the point. Other viable alternatives should not jeopardize more than
2 members of the party in order to gain the point.
The sandstorm does 3d12 points of rending damage to those lying flat,
or double that amount to those foolish enough to remain standing during
it. Flying above it could be an alternative of worth, but the character
doing this must have some reference as to where his colleagues are buried!
Minimizing damage to the party, as above: 1 point.
The desert expands before you, continuing to run to the east but giving
way with the mountains to the south; in the south the mountains eventually
hook back to continue their eastern meanderings, and in this area -- like
a large lake of sand -- a blue light, visible to the south of you along
the western side of the mountain range, shines brightly, like a beacon to
those lost. Nothing more is seen as you stand staring.
This is an illusion of great power, generated by a renegade Jann (the
least powerful of the Djinni). He has stationed himself on a rock
before the pass. When approached, read the following:
You see that the bright globe of blue light is the generated power
of a man sitting upon a boulder before a rock-hewn path that leads away
into the mountains. As you draw nearer he speaks:
"I am the third demon that requires a sacrifice, but unlike my brothers
before me -- who I shall not name out of respect for them and their ways
– I take money or magic."
He pauses as the party considers, then blurts out: "Be quick, or the
power of the cobalt orb (he holds up an orb, actually a blue continual
light spell contained in glass) will make up your minds for you!"
The reason he won't name the demons is out of fear of reprisal. I f pressed
for his "brother's" names he will steadfastly refuse to utter these "out
of respect for them."
Each PC viewing him during these times must roll an intelligence ability
check (4d6); a successful roll equals noticing his nervousness. Further
pressing for this information will cause him to fly into a rage, and he
demands the sacrifice; and he again threatens the party with the orb.
If some character is smart enough to actually speak the name of Aphis or
Balor, there is a 50% chance that the Jann will flee – this dispels the
illusion. Conversely, if he doesn't flee at the naming(s), he will
attack, casting an illusion of a blue orb which starts to burn the characters
(4d6/turn if saves vs. illusion are not made). Disbelieving the illusion
gains another saving throw, but failing this causes the recipient to always
believe in the illusion. If the Jann is killed the illusion is dispelled.
Makes Jann flee or disbelieves illusion from the very beginning:
1 point.
You've twisted and turned about treacherous paths, rested on cliff
sides and climbed and descended gorges in your seemingly endless trek through
these confounded mountains. The sky above has maintained an unending
neutral scarlet hue during this time; if it would only change, thus giving
the party the small satisfaction of noting something that was not monotonous,
as everything seems to have been to this point!
As you round another rock outcropping -- just another added to the
few dozen you have routinely bypassed in the past few days -- there is a
tremor, and the party stops, the characters swaying on their feet, confused!
Then the mountain sides all around you start to give way; there is another
tremor, and now rocks are starting down the hillsides, gaining momentum
and more debris as they tumble down. You look around. All that
you see are three cave mouths, each approximately 100' feet away (N, S,
WNW).
Two of the three are deathtraps, for they will collapse upon those entering
them. Buried characters suffocate in 2d12 rounds. PCs will have
to question the situation to understand which cave is the safest one to
duck into, for the landslide will fall upon anyone (dealing out 10d10 of
damage on the path for up to a 2 mile radius) exposed in 5 turns from the
start of the second tremor. Time the characters, allowing them to
proceed at half speed while they make their decision as to which cave to
run into. Some questions to consider could be:
-- Is there dust coming out of the chosen cave? (unstable ceiling)
-- Is there debris/rock falling in large quantities from the cave mouth,
or around the cave mouth? (lose rock, unstable)
-- Is the chosen cave susceptible to large sections of rock placed in
such a manner that should they/it fall, that the cave could be blocked or
caused to collapse? (futuristically dangerous, also)
Spells or magical items could help here. An augury would
ascertain the correct cave immediately, for instance.
The three caves are delineated as follows:
1) Correct cave, no damage sustained if reached in 5 turns
from start of the second tremor.
2) Incorrect cave, but only 50% of characters buried alive.
3) Incorrect cave, all members inside the cave are buried!
Note that the prerequisites for uncovering buried persons are:
1) Strength (allows to uncover more rock at a time)
2) tools (compliments strength, decreases constitution expenditure)
3) Constitution (allows character to expend more time and
energy; if high, +2 rounds; vice versa if low, -2 rounds)
4) purpose (i.e., adrenaline) (allows +1 to CON. and STR
for as many rounds as ability scores added and rounded off)
The character digging is exhausted after the expenditure of rounds equal
to his or her total purpose score +1; they must rest 2 rounds to continue
for rounds equal to their scores -4; thereafter they must rest 4 rounds
to dig for as many rounds equal to their score -6, and so on. In all,
if the character digging has below average anything, there is only a 50%
chance of rescue possible. One person can rescue one person in the
above given time periods (2-24 rounds). A person with 15+ STR, 15+
CON, and 15+ total purpose scores, automatically unburies one person and
can attempt to unbury another (50% chance of success). However, for
every round that the character is buried, two points of suffocating/crushing
damage is dealt; and upon removal, those characters are at -2 DEX, STR,
and movement inches for the next day.
Ascertains correct cave to seek refuge in: 1 point.
As you come out of the path you note a large pavilion set up before
you, about 100 yards due east of your position. There are an odd assortment
of people and beings standing before an old tanned man in a turban.
He is attempting to sell something, but you are uncertain as to what it
is. Then there is a voice, and you look up to see a boy coming over
a rock-boulder to stand atop it, about 10' off the ground. He had
been talking to someone else out of sight behind him, and then he sees you
and says:
"Ah! new customers; won't father be pleased!"
He waves you towards the huckstering merchant, whose patrons have
just taken note of your arrival. "Go on in; you're the next customers
in the 'Coffer's the Offer!'"
If the characters proceed to the merchant they are shown a coffer filled
with a variety of jeweled baubles; all appear fake, except for one unmistakable
object much resembling one of the party's Rings of Elemental Form.
The merchant answers, if asked, that this is indeed the very ring they parted
with, or presumably it is; for Balor sent one of his servants to trade it,
and he parted with 2 Rings of Elemental Command -- a "stiff
price," says he, "and it just about emptied my coffers."
About this time a 12th-level invisible thief (the one person the boy
was talking to) who is now wandering the lot attempts to steal a ring from
one of the players, substituting it in the box for the ring that they've
been talking about; he then takes the fake ring and drops it at the de-ringed
character's feet, where it lays in the sand until he or she notices that
it's missing. As he or she picks it up, the merchant exclaims:
"I see you're willing to part with another of its kind!"
This commotion should take attention away from the fact that the ring
fell off in the first place. If the characters trade for it (their
ring), the merchant requires a "fair exchange -- a wand, or 6 potions."
This done, he packs and leaves, and it is noted that the various personages
have all departed way before this.
Balor did send a message of the party's advance to the City of Brass,
and his servants -- a trickster merchant, his "boy" (a polymorphed
quasit) and the invisible thief (actually an invisible stalker who loves
thieving!) have been ready for them. The various personages were shades
of those who have been killed in the mountains; Balor ordered them to serve
his servants until the party arrived.
If the trick is uncovered, the three NPCs flee, for they are only here
to even the score. If the party chose not to trade the ring, but fought
their way across the pit at Key 17 instead, then the trader at this
encounter is an actual one who has nothing of import for the characters.
DM NOTE: The majority of players count in every case, so
if the majority of players in your group fought Balor's servants instead
of surrendering the ring, then that case applies to the new second round
group as a whole. Roll off in case of ties.
Keep ring / outdo trader: 1 point.
Upon approaching this area you note three things:
1) there is a red-robed man sitting upon a blanket 100 paces
in front of you; he waves for you to approach and join him at his repast.
You know that if he is insulted, or of some royal blood, he might be hostile
towards you otherwise, so it might be best to check him out at least;
2) there are ruins to the NW, possibly caused by volcanic activity,
or just a huge outpouring of fire;
3) there is a white, brass-domed tower to the south nestled
among the lower hills there.
The man is a high priest of Baalzebul: he will geas one of the
party members to retrieve passion fruit from the Fire Saint at Key 24
– they are to return the fruit to the blanket and leave it there.
He teleports away upon uttering the geas.
This quaint-looking tower is nestled in a rocky vale. Before
it is a man tending a tree with orange, red, and yellowish fruit.
At you approach he drops his shears and picks up a scimitar.
This man is a 12th-level druid. He will give the characters the
passion fruit requested only if they, in turn, guarantee to bring him the
cleric's staff. He then geases the same party member (off a
Ring of Spell Storing) who receives the fruit (the one geased
before). The party then returns to the blanket.
Upon reaching the blanket, you see the same priest sitting on it,
staff thrust into the sand 1' from him. "You have the fruit?"
He holds his hand out for it.
The characters can attempt to take the staff. However, the one
character with the fruit can't relinquish it: His quest was "to put it on
the blanket", but the druid countermanded it (actually, complicated it)
by requiring the staff in exchange. Though the character is now there,
he cannot give the fruit over, and as it is requested off him he must blurt
out the following sentence or die due to the conflicts of the quests:
"I require the staff before I lay the fruit at your feet!"
That character then collapses on the ground before the priest of Baalzebul,
overcome by the strain exerted by the two quests.
The fruit rolls onto the carpet by accident; the priest grabs it, and
has a 50% chance of grabbing his staff before the PCs do so. If he
does, the geased character is absolved of the quest, for the accident
has caused it to be neutralized, and since no more fruit is involved, the
letter of the quest -- "exchanging the fruit for the staff" -- has been
defeated, albeit accidentally.
If the characters get the staff before the priest, he teleports away
(to Key 25 below), content with the fruit (he will also teleport
away, without the staff, if attacked). The characters can keep the
staff or take it to the druid. The staff is a piece of wood; and the
fruit is just that -- fruit. The characters will never know that they
have innocently resolved a conflict which has been raging for ten years,
with both participants believing that the other had some important magic
in the two aforementioned items (fruit / staff).
Kept staff: 1 point.
Exchanged staff: 2 points.
The volcano to your west by a little north, appears frightfully active,
as if it was going to explode at any second. But obviously this doesn't
dismay the flyer (of what type you have no idea) winging near it at this
time. And as you continue in you steady march SW the flying figure
becomes dimmer and dimmer.
You are before a tower of red stone, quite peculiar and of a type
you've never seen before. There are approximately 30 men – all in
red robes -- blocking your advance. One of them appears to be the
High Priest who confronted you earlier. Uh-oh!
The High Priest of Baalzebul is really miffed that his staff is gone,
for although it wasn't magical, it was specially crafted so when rung against
the brass gong inside the tower, the particular sound made by this summoned
the red dragon at the volcano (Key 25).
If the characters have the staff, they may depart in exchange for it.
If they do not have the staff, they must go and summon the dragon in person.
One character can do this in 3 day's time, and the dragon and character
come winging back. But, the Priest further requires that one character
stay and continue to fetch the dragon to him in the future, since it (at
least according to him) cannot recognize the summoning gong sound anymore.
If one of the party members suggest that he use a different instrument to
strike the gong with, and practice striking the gong and listening to it
while the dragon is still here, then the priest absolves them of their duties
and they can leave.
Note, however, that this alternative MUST be suggested when the dragon
is still present. It leaves approximately 4 minutes (real time) after
arriving. Time this. If the characters are apprised of the difficulty
yet take longer than four minutes to resolve the problem in everyone's favor,
they do not gain the point.
The men surrounding the Priest are all 2nd-level clerics.
Suggests new summoning device: 1 point.
Returns staff: 0 points.
The lands to your south have been a morass of bubbling lava lakes
for the past 7 miles, and the heat has been almost unbearable, slowing your
movement to a lizard's pace. Surely it must end soon, but just then
another complication arises: the bubbling sand! You halt 50 yards
before a strange sight: Ahead of you is bubbling sand.
More specifically, the sand rises up in the shape of bubbles, and
then it recedes after letting out a "gasp" -- no doubt a gas of some sort.
As you watch these bubbles burst, you note that several of them emit dollops
of lava. Each bubble is 5' round, and although you are sure at first
that you could get past this area by walking, all signs of surety disintegrate
when you now note that the bubbles do not always appear and burst in the
same area! Walking into this area would be chancy indeed!
Note the diagram below: X's are where the bubble last burst (as far as
the party remembers), O's are where bubbles burst, *'s have a 50% chance
of bursting, @'s are bursts accompanied by lava, +'s are bursts which create
10-30' deep pits (5' increments -- d6 roll) with a 25% chance of lava being
present at any pit's bottom. Lava spurts cause 2-12 points of burning
damage and cause combustibles to ignite, inflicting an additional 1d4 points
of fire damage per round that living creatures remain in contact with the
flamed object(s). All fire go out in 4 rounds unless these cause other
nearby combustibles to ignite.
Those immersed in lava sustain an immediate 3d10 points of fire damage
and must make two system shock rolls at -20% each to stop from passing out
due to the shock of the event.
Recap:
X: Where a bubble burst last.
O: Where bubbles burst (1d4 points of blasting damage).
*: 50% chance of bursting with results as in O, above.
@: Bursts with lava (see above).
+: Minor burst (no damage) which open pits (see above).
The characters must cover about 200 feet of these things. Note
that the Ice Storm from the wand will set off all +'s, opening
the pits in the area affected, and thereby revealing a safer route.
Players should be rewarded the point based upon their ability to minimize
damage as they travel through this area.
-----------------------------------> EAST
X * O * + O + @ @ X X + * * * X O O O @ X X X @ O + * * * O X X X * @
* *
@ O X X * X 0 0 X X * O * X @ * O + + * O + @ * * O X O @ * * + @ * O
X *
O X * * @ O X O + @ X * * * @ X O O * * @ + @ * X X O O O * + * O X @
O +
Gets through with minimal damage: 1 point.
As you round the lava lakes area, a volcano looms to your south; in
fact there seems a whole range of these monstrosities spread out before
a large city -- the City of Brass! As you rejoice, thinking that your
quest is near its end, the ground rumbles -- and at once all the party members
turn their heads to the SW and stare in horror as the nearest volcano erupts!
The volcano is spurting forth ash only (1 mile radius around the party),
and any intelligent suggestion should consist of something that would keep
the characters from being smothered by the ash as it rains down around them.
Using thick cloth to cover breathing orifices is a good idea, etc.
Unprotected characters must make system shock rolls at -40% for every
turn they remain exposed in the ash storm. Failure = unconsciousness
for as many rounds equal to that character's constitution subtracted from
30. The storm lasts for 6 full turns; characters passing out on the
1st or 2nd turn die of smothering in the following turns unless they are
unburied. Those passing out on succeeding turns can be unburied and
removed from the ash if this is done so immediately following the rain.
No harm (except unconsciousness, as noted) is caused otherwise. Note
that consuming a Potion of Water Breathing will negate the
affects of the ash, since it permits a character to breathe through his
or her pores in this case.
Minimizing volcanic ash damage: 1 point.
DM NOTE: The party should decide at this juncture to either
don the Rings of Elemental Form or not; they must also have a story
ready for the out-guard and gate guard to quash any questions as to why
there is a human with them (if they are without one of the rings).
As you slog across this plain of sand you note that it is well-packed,
reminding you of sandstone because of its density. The city grows
nearer – 4 miles away; 3 miles distant; 2 miles to go -- and then you see...
them, a patrol of 3 Efreeti coming forth from a postern gate to the
right of the city's main gate. They walk in your direction, and you
note that they brandish long, golden, flaming swords.
The patrol will question the party's business here; if there is a human
in their midst, they ask what their intentions for him are (one of the Efreets
offer 2,000 gold pieces for the individual, thinking him a slave).
If the party gives a reasonable response which doesn't invoke suspicion,
then they are allowed up to the gate.
The patrol guides you to the city's main gate. There the captain
of the guard questions you.
Gets to the main gate without suspicion: 1 point.
Roll percentile dice: If a 1-50% is rolled, the captain is repulsed by
the idea of a human, although a slave, entering the city. He attempts
to slay the man.
(Read if the captain is repulsed by the human): The large Efreet calling
himself the Captain of the City Guard objects to you bringing a human into
the city. H e whips out his flaming scimitar and raises it high, obviously
with the intention of cleaving the human.
If one of the characters object, claiming that his slave cannot be administered
death in such a fashion without due recompense, then the captain will hold
his swing; but he demands a gate fee of 20,000 gold for allowing the human
to enter. The captain's rate increases by 2,000 gold piece increments
every time someone argues about this unfair levy. After 5 turns of
straight argument -- or when the price reaches 30,000 in any case -- he
becomes disgusted and orders the entire party hence -- SO ENDS THE ATTEMPT
TO GET INTO THE CITY.
BUT, the characters should realize that they have no such sums as these
and that they should bargain with available magic. The Wand of
Frost will be greatly appreciated by the captain, and this offer is
immediately accepted for the total gate fee due, and the characters are
let into the city. If the party does not have a compatriot in human
guise, then the total direction of the captain will be turned to them:
Why did they not enter by normal means (ethereal travel, et al)? If
a good answer is forthcoming (checked out a wandering encounter, etc.) then
he will allow them through the gate after they pay the gate fee (in this
case, any one magical item).
The characters enter the City of Brass:
The 80' tall gates are opened and you stare into what was but a month
and a half ago just a legend, a goal. Opulent towers made of all sorts
of burnished metal loom everywhere. Flying carpets dart across the
sky above you; carts loaded with red jewels and drawn by fire lizards cross
your path; Efreeti can be seen arguing, dining, joking, snarling.
A menagerie of slaves dance in a caged area to your left, and it is then
that you remember your quest, the reason you've come. So you walk
ahead.
The search for the Djinn Tahb-Lyn continues!
Entering the City: Qualification
The End of (TO THE) CITY OF BRASS.
Part I of Robert J. Kuntz's Legendary City of Brass.
For Characters Levels 7-10
By Robert J. Kuntz
Design concepts are copyright Robert J. Kuntz, 1987
Short Spear +2
2 Daggers +2
Wand of Frost (20 charges)
Potion of Fire Resistance (2 doses)
Potion of Flying (2 doses)
2 Potions of Water Breathing (3 doses each)
Scroll of Wall of Ice
Scroll of Protection from Demons
6 Rings of Elemental Form* (see below)
Sustenance (as the ring)
+2 to all saving throws
-1 per 4 points of fire damage dealt
-1 to hit character with fire-based attacks
2. CARAVAN COMING (NW)
3. MOUNTAINS AND DESERT
4. JUNGLE
5. RIVER OF STEAM
6. THE TOWER OF TIME
7. LAKE OF VAPOR
8. CAVE WITH FIRE-STONES
9. OTHER SIDE OF MOUNTAIN: GRASS OF FIRE / LAKE OF STEAM
10. RUINED CITY
11. DESERT / MOUNTAIN PASS
12. OASIS
13. THE TOWER OF APHIS, DEMON OF FIRE
14. SANDWORM
15. FLAMING PATH / BLACK TOWER BEYOND
17. THE PIT (AND THE DEMON)
18. CARAVAN HEADING NORTH
19. SANDSTORM COMING
20. BLAZING BLUE LIGHT / PATH INTO MOUNTAINS
21. LANDSLIDE!
22. END OF MOUNTAIN PATH / BEGINNING OF THAT LOVELY DESERT!
23. RUINS TO NORTHWEST / TOWER TO SOUTH
24. TOWER OF THE FIRE SAINT
25. LARGE, ACTIVE VOLCANO TO THE WNW
26. TOWER OF RED STONE / MEN OUTSIDE
27. LAND OF LAVA COALS TO THE SOUTH / BUBBLING SAND BEFORE THEM
28. VOLCANIC ERUPTION!
29. THE PLAIN
30. MAIN GATE / CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD
