Ruined Gates of Varos

[rredmond]

Remember that you can scale the skeletaire's power however you want. Don't feel that the printed stats are any kind of limit.

So an 8HD skeletaire gets one 4th level spell, correct? Just thinking Dimension Door is a great escape spell, especially if the skeletaire is at 14 - it can hit 13 or 19 with ease.

[Seven]

7. This is the beginning of a gauntlet leading to the hidden statue in 13. It's a trap room of some sort. Do the spikes slides along the wall? What is the object in the room? Some kinda mirror?

8. This is an open pit. Maybe something lives there but it's probably just a literal slippery slope.

9. This is a corridor with a giant web. It could be a web spell that triggers when someone reach the interception. It's wide open to 10.

10. This rooms seems to contain a ballista and 4 graves. Maybe a group of soldiers were buried here and their skeletons now man the ballista. They could have some minor treasure in the 2 chests. The tombstones might have interesting inscriptions.

[Rosisha]

Room 17 is obviously the remains of a long dead warrior and should include some potential treasure - as well as a trap. I think that the warriors remains have become corrupted by the evil of the dungeon, and since his burial, he has become a Wight. The room seems empty except for the sarcophagus, yet the minute they open it, the Wight attacks! Perhaps a surprise attack? A good use for ten foot poles!

Anyway, if they defeat the Wight there should be a magic sword and helmet available as treasure. I rolled a 74 for the magic attribute, so it's a +1/+2 vs Regenerative Enemies. The magic helmet will be a open faced plate helm +1. Which leads to... back story!

Rumor: Grimer Brondr-Hand was a warrior of great renown. When the trolls sought to shatter the Kingdom of Aegirland, he and his sword, "Dawn's Edge", led the battle against the trolls. As the troll horde approached, Grimer donned his armor - including a special helmet carved with runes of strength and protection - and went out to face the threat with a small band of his most trusted allies. They never returned, and Dawn's Edge was assumed lost to time, as was his magical armor.

A few notes. Maybe instead of just the helm, all the armor is there? A full suit of chain mail (Plate wouldn't make sense), but the magic is in the helmet maybe. If the armor AND helmet are worn together, it makes a +1 suit? I'd describe it as: "At the bottom of the crypt is a suit of chainmail, somehow untouched by time. An open faced plate helm, a cloak and tunic of bear hide are matched with tough leather boots and leather gauntlets reinforced with gleaming bronze."

As for Dawn's Edge, I'd describe it as "An ancient long sword, that despite it's obvious age is still sharp - the blade glittering like the morning sun off freshly fallen snow."

[Seven]

This is becoming harder.

11. This room has a giant statue, maybe an idol and 2 giant torches. There is also a font. This is the equivalent of a chapel, a place of prayer. The font might be for offering or it could be to receive visions. There could be a big fight here or just some clues.

12. This room is empty except for something in the middle that could be involved in the opening of a secret room.

13. This secret room leads to a statue. It could be that of a female cleric holding the magical spiked mace, or morning star if you want. It could be a living statue.

[Seven]

16. This room has a broken statue, possibly representing the warrior buried in 15. It's broken. There is also a giant stone hand. The room is only partially excavated and it seems that the hand is only part of a humongous statue still buried in the surrounding rock.

[Seven]

I'd put the helm in the spider lair in 19. The buried warrior in 17 could have the sword and a complete suit of armor.

[Solomoriah]

Hard to bring religion in generic dungeons.

Not necessarily. Just think of all the dark ancient cults of the Conan stories, for example. And remember the Hundred Gods of the Western Lands (who number far more than a hundred)... feel free to describe (or better, hint at) such a religion in the adventure, if it works for you.

We should name the adventure. Francisco should get first shot at it, or at least right of refusal, but if he doesn't weigh in we need something to call it. Naming it may make monster choices easier too.

[rredmond]

The Tomb of Oc'Sicnarf?
Seriously, agreed on letting Francis name the adventure.

[Rosisha]

I'd put the helm in the spider lair in 19. The buried warrior in 17 could have the sword and a complete suit of armor.

Let me know what you think about my description for 17!

[Francisco-art]

This is so cool! I love the brainstorming and I am learning so much from this! Thank you everyone!

As far as naming it, I leave that to the group. My part was drawing it and I get to learn from this process. I am very happy with that.