# Oberon's Labyrinth

#### Delve into the Mad Maze of the Fey King

##### A Puzzle Filled Adventure for 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons ##### By NatetheHoser

\page # Introduction Lord Oberon, Fey King of the Seelie Court, has found a new way to stave off the boredom of immortality. He has constructed an elaborate maze, filled it to the brim with magical puzzles, traps, and a menagerie of monsterous creatures, and has taken to kidnapping adventurers to watch them navigate it. But the Fey King is not heartless; to ensure his clients won't be spiteful (or boring), treasures are scattered throughout the maze, and those who make it out may take a small piece of the fabled Nibelung Hoard. ### Adventure Synopsis The goal of this module is relatively straight forward: the party is trapped in the labyrinth, and must try to escape. Hidden throughout the labyrinth are seven tiny animal Figurines and seven matching Pedestals. By placing all seven Figurines on their corresponding Pedestals, the great door leading from Room 9 to Room 15 will open, leading the party to treasure and freedom. The adventure is designed for four 7th-level player characters, or three with some modifications. When a creature's name appears in **bold**, that indicates it can be found in the Monster Manual on the listed page. When an item appears in *italics*, that indicates it can be found in the Dungeon Master's Guide on the listed page. Maps and Figurines do not have page numbers: Maps can be found at the end of the module, and Figurines are described on the page they are found.

> ##### Design Insight > One of the main goals of this adventure was to make a maze that works in D&D. Rather than a series of long, convoluted hallways, this adventure takes a leaf from the book "Maze: Solve the World's Most Challenging Puzzle" by Christopher Manson. This maze is a collection of distinct, memorable rooms, whose relationship to each other is counter-intuitive and whose navigation is exasperating. > > Another guiding philosophy while designing this module was a focus on puzzles. While there is no shortage of combat, nearly every room of the maze has its own puzzle. **If you or your players don't care for puzzles, THIS IS YOUR WARNING.** > > Finally, in order to not make the maze feel unfair to players, great care has been taken in making each room feel unique. We never want the players to ask, "have we been here before?" rather, if they are lost, to ask, "wait, *how* did we get here?"

##### Table of Contents | | | | | | |:---|:---|:---|:---|:---:| | **Introduction** | i | | Room 15: Treasure Room | 15 | | Maze Features | ii | | Room 16: Lighthouse | 16 | | Special Rules, DM Tips | iii | | Room 17: Sarcophagus | 17 | | **Beginning the Adventure** | iv | | Room 18: Haunted House | 18 | | Room 1: Lava | 1 | | Room 19: Snowy Mountain | 19 | | Room 2: Waterfall | 2 | | Room 20: Mirror Room | 20 | | Room 3: Entrance Hall | 3 || Room 21: Shop | 21 | | Room 4: Monolith | 4 | | Room 22: Pentacle | 22 | | Room 5: Sky Pillars | 5 || Room 23: Library | 23 | | Room 6: Rapids | 6 | | Room 24: Sand Pits | 24 | | Room 7: Chasm | 7 | | Room 25: Giant Room | 25 | | Room 8: Jungle | 8 | | Room 26: Dark Room | 26 | | Room 9: Great Door | 9 | | Room 27: Swamp | 27 | | Room 10: Coliseum | 10 | | Room 28: Inn | 28 | | Room 11: Island | 11 || Room 29: Desert Oasis | 29 | | Room 12: Hellscape | 12 || Room 30: Chessboard | 30 | | Room 13: Statue | 13 || **DM Resources** | 31 | | Room 14: Graveyard | 14 | | **Handouts: Player Maps** | 34 |

i

INTRODUCTION

\page ### Maze Features Each room in the labyrinth is 100 ft x 100 ft. Ceiling heights are marked on each room's page. Rooms are connected by short, featureless hallways with a door on each end. #### Alterations to Magic Oberon has ensured the integrity of his maze is sound. Magic cannot be used to leave a room (for example, *Dimension Door, Knock,* or *Passwall*); such a spell simply fails. However, spells that conjure creatures or objects work as normal, as do spells that access extradimensional spaces, such as *Rope Trick* and *Banishment* (note: *Banishment* does not send creatures back to their native plane; all creature are banished to the demiplane). Extradimensional spaces created while in the maze are subject to the same restrictions as the rest of the maze. #### Can't Split the Party Oberon has made up his mind on this. If you open a door in a room, you cannot open any other doors until it is closed with all player characters in the room. In a hallway, you can't open the exiting door until the entering door is closed with all the player characters in the hallway. You will not need to narrate this each time; it is simply in place to ensure the party stays together to keep the maze functioning properly. The doors do not give off any magical signal beyond the ambient magic of the maze. Additionally, the party cannot take rests in the hallways; after 1 minute the party is shunted into one of the connecting rooms of the DM's choice. ``` ``` #### Teleporting Doors There are also six sets of teleporting doors in the maze. These are marked in color on the map. Unlike the other doors, these will reveal conjuration magic if investigated (for example, with the *Detect Magic* spell or a successful DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) check. #### Maze Considerations Please, *please*, encourage your players to map as they go. Also, if using a battlemap (see below) keep each room oriented the same. Choose a direction in real life to be north, and keep it north for the whole adventure. #### Using a Battlemap This adventure was design with the intention of players using a battle map. We highly recommend one is used, as a number of puzzles (in particular Rooms 6, 20 and 30) depend on the visual clues of the room.

ii

INTRODUCTION

\page ### Special Rules Due to the artificial and curated nature of the maze, there are some special rules for DMs to take into account. #### Encounter Timer Every time the party moves from one room to another, roll a d8 in secret and add the number rolled to a running total. This is the Encounter Timer. Every time the Encounter Timer reaches or passes 20, a combat encounter occurs in that room, and the timer resets to 0. If the room hasn't had an encounter in it before, use the designated Combat Encounter for the room (found on the room's page). If the party has already defeated the designated encounter for a room, roll on the random encounters table below. Finally, some rooms cannot have encounters in them (noted on the room's page): if an encounter would occur in one of these rooms, wait until the next room the party enters and have the encounter occur there. As an example, the adventure begins with an Encounter Timer of 0. The party moves to a new room so the DM rolls a d8. She rolls a 7 and records the number. The next room they enter the DM rolls a 6, making the Encounter Timer 13. In the next room, the DM rolls a 8, bringing the total to 22. Since this is equal to or greater than 20, the encounter designated for that room occurs. The timer thens reset to 0, and the process begins again. Finally, if the party flees from an encounter, they are not pursued. The party may only leave through the door they entered; the other doors are magically locked. If the party flees an encounter, the encounter remains in the room, waiting for them (monsters take a long rest when the party does). Continue rolling for the Encounter Timer and triggering encounters as normal. If a party is unwilling to fight the denizens of the labyrinth, it will slowly fill up with unfought enemies and their movement will become more and more restricted.

> ##### Variant: Encounter Die > At your discretion, the following dice variants are available when rolling for the Encounter Timer. When the party is simply moving through a Room (in order to get somewhere else), consider rolling a d4, rather than a d8. If the players have been sitting around arguing for too long, you can roll a d12 and add it to the Encounter Timer. Finally, if an encounter occurs during a long rest, you can have it occur during the watch corrosponding to the number rolled on the d4.

#### Leveling Up Once the party has found and placed three Figurines on their pedestals, increase their level to 8th. If you plan on continuing with these characters after this adventure, increase their level to 9th once they escape the maze. ``` ``` ##### Random Encounters

| d10 | Encounter | |:---:|:------------| | 1 | 3 **Banshees** | | 2 | 1 **Gorgon**, 2 **Minotaurs** | | 3 | 6 **Will-o'-Wisp** | | 4 | 4 **Displacer Beasts** | | 5 | 3 **Flameskulls** | | d10 | Encounter | |:---:|:------------| | 6 | 2 **Trolls** | | 7 | 4 **Hell Hounds** | | 8 | 2 **Air Elementals** | | 9 | 1 **Nycaloth** | | 10 | 1 **Mage**, 1 **Fire Elemental** |

#### Puzzle Flexibility The generally discouraged practice of putting plot points behind puzzles has been used in this adventure. If your players are struggling with a puzzle that would give an important reward (such as one of the Figurines), don't panic. Be flexible and privately switch that reward with one from a puzzle they haven't encountered yet. #### Rests and Resources Time works strangely within the labyrinth. The party may only take a long rest after defeating 5 combat encounters. For the purposes of taking a long rest, placing an animal figurine on a pedestal counts as defeating a combat encounters. Unless the party takes a long rest in one of the designated safe rooms (Rooms 21 and 28), taking a long rest also adds to the Encounter Timer. Roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the Encounter Timer. The party may take a short rest anywhere: if they do add 1 to the encounter timer. If this would cause an encounter it interupts the short rest. There is enough water in the maze that it is assumed characters have succifienct access to it. Some rooms will allow you to forage, and some rooms have a risk associated with taking a long rest there. Both of these details are listed under a room's "Hospitaility" subheading. ### DM Tips One of the guiding philosophies held while developing this adventure was to make each room as easy to run as possible for a DM with little to no preperation. However, that is not always possible. To help as much as we can, we'd like to point you toward the following pages: * **Room 3**. This is where the party will enter the maze after the *Beginning the Adventure* section. * **Room 9**. This is where the great door that the party must unlock is located, and is where the final encounter of the maze will be located. * **Room 15**. This is the treasure room where Oberon will reward the characters, possibly prompting their next adventure. * While no puzzle requires preperation, the following may be aided by it: Rooms 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, and 18. Also, Room 22 may be worth familiarizing yourself with. * **DM Resources**. At the end of this book are several tools for the DM, including a list of all the monsters found in this adventure, a "Dungeon Sheet" to aid in tracking various things, and maps for the DM and players. The player maps you can either cut out or copy by hand.

iii

INTRODUCTION

\page ## Beginning the Adventure The player characters may or may not have known each other before this adventure. Regardless, they all appear together, magically conjured from wherever they were. Read the following aloud.

You feel your feet hit the ground as the mist clears. You find yourselves in a forested clearing. This is not where you stood a moment ago. Before you sits an elf-like being upon an ornate wooden throne. He would be over 10 feet tall if he stood, and a crown of living twigs rests on his head. Around the clearing you see a crowd of various beasts and fairies. "Greetings, adventurers!" He says. "And welcome to my humble abode. I am Oberon, Lord of the Feywild, and you are invited to participate in my great game! Delve into the mysteries of my labyrinth and rise up victorious! Treasures, adventure, and reknown await those who are fearless in the face of the unknown! "I see your confused faces, your worry and indignation. But fret not! I have heard of your names, your deeds, and you are equal to the task at hand! What say you?"

Characters may speak to Oberon briefly and ask questions. Oberon ignores objections to the kidnapping and reiterates ``` ``` > ##### Starting at Higher Level > Consult DMG page 38 for variant rules on starting equipment. We recomend "High Magic Campaign." that there is treasure and prestige to be won here. If anyone tries to take any kind of action, the party is immediately teleported to the maze entrance. Some things Oberon is willing to divulge about the maze to polite characters include: * Each room has a unique treasure, generally associated with solving a puzzle. * The maze is tricky, and some doors might not lead where you think they would. * Find the keys and place them in their locks. Of course, the keys don't look like keys, or the locks like locks. Once the characters have spoken to Oberon (or earlier if they aren't acting friendly) read the following aloud.

He speaks no word. He doesn't lift a finger. There is simply a momentary glimmer in Oberon's eyes, and once again the mist descends and you feel yourself being whisked away...

## Begin in Room 3...

iv

BEGINNING THE ADVENTURE

\page ## Room 1: Lava When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

A blast of hot air strikes your face as the smell of sulfer fills your nose. Before you lies a rocky chamber filled with several large pools of lava. The blackened and jagged stone floor is covered with a healthy layer of ash, with large stalagmites dotted about. The volcanic rock of the walls arch upward into a great dome, far over your head. A single, marble pedestal sits in the center of the room.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The lava glows red-hot, filling the room with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** At its highest point, the dome is about 90 feet tall. It tapers down towards the walls, being only about 20 feet tall at the edges of the room. ***Hospitality.*** Creatures who finish a long rest in this room must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or suffer 1 level of exhaustion. A creature can determine this in advance with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check. No food can be foraged here. ***Treasure.*** Solving the riddle on the pedestal rewards the players with *Map 1*. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 7 to the north, Room 23 to the west, and Room 2 to the east. The western door is magical. #### Lava Pools These pools are bubbling with molten rock. A creature who attempts to move through one moves at half speed (unless it ``` ``` has both a swim speed and resistance or immunity to fire damage). Additionally, when a creature first enters a pool, and again when it ends its turn there, it takes 10d10 fire damage. The smallest of these pools has been used as a dumping ground for fallen adventurers. A creature who succeeds on a DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check notices a bit of blackened armor poking above the surface of the lava. If a character can retrieve the armor (for example, by use of the *Levitate* spell, or with a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check), they find that the armor is useless, but in a fireproof pouch they find 75 gp. #### Pedestal The Bear Pedestal is located in the center of the room. If a character investigates it, read the following aloud:

This marble pedestal has ornate carvings of bears circling the base. It has a small imprint on the top where it looks like something might have sat. It also carries the following inscription: "Although I'm made of blades, I wouldn't harm a fly. A thousand little swords, all pointing to the sky. Not the army of a king, nor a tool of war. Just a humble servant, sleeping on a dirt floor."

If a player says the answer ("grass", or an appropriate answer the DM likes), there is a shimmer of magic and a piece of parchment appears. Give the players a copy of *Map 1.* If the party places the *Bear Figurine* (found in Room 25) on the pedestal, there is a great, reverberating dong, like a giant bell, and one of the golden chains on the great door in Room 9 vanishes. The figurine fuses to the pedestal and cannot be removed. #### Stalagmites These rocky protrusions can be used as full cover. However they will break if they take 20 damage (AC 17, immune to poison and psychic damage). Once broken, the stump of the stalagmite left in the ground can be used as half cover, and the ground within 5 feet of the stump becomes difficult terrain. > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creature: > > A **Young Red Dragon** (MM pg. 98) crawls from one of the lava pools and attacks the party. > > * The dragon can only use its Fire Breath action once every minute. >* If a character offers it an uncommon or rarer magic item, or 5,000 gp or more, and succeeds on a DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check, the dragon stops fighting. It takes the bribe and returns to the lava pool. This counts as a successful combat encounter. > * If the dragon is reduced to 30 or fewer hit points, it will attempt to grapple a character and drop them in a lava pool.

1

ROOM 1 | LAVA

\page ## Room 2: Waterfall When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

You hear the roar of a waterfall. Before you lies a green meadow, populated by several large elm trees and a scattering of shrubs. Bisecting the room is a large creek, running from a pool at the south wall and disappearing into a hole in the northwest corner. A thick wooden bridge spans the creek. On the western side of the room is a large stone basin with two wooden buckets sitting nearby.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** There is sunlight pouring into the room, filling it with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** This room appears to be open to the sky. However, a creature who attempts to fly out would find an invisible barrier 150 feet up. ***Hospitality.*** This room has plants with small berries, and a few hidden nests of small birds. Characters can forage for food with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check. There is no penalty for taking a long rest here. ***Treasure.*** Solving the bucket puzzle rewards the players with the *Elephant Figurine*. This small marble carving is magical to the touch, though it belongs to no school of magic. If placed on the Elephant pedestal (Room 29), one of the golden chains on the great door in Room 9 will vanish. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 8 to the north, Room 1 to the west, and Room 3 to the east. #### Bridge This simple wooden bridge spans the creek, and will collapse ``` ``` if it takes 30 damage (AC 15, vulnerable to fire damage, immune to poison and psychic damage). If ignited, the bridge will take 1d10 fire damage every turn at initiative count 20. It will magically repair itself when the party takes a long rest. If a character investigates under the bridge they find a strange stone that looks like a piece of a statue. In reality, it is a piece of a petrified troll, and should the stone be exposed to any healing magic, it will transform into a **Troll** (MM pg. 291). #### Basin If a character investigates the basin, read the following aloud.

This large basin is made of cobbled together stone and is bone dry inside. A small plaque reads "Deposit EXACTLY 4 gallons of water." The two buckets nearby are labled "3" and "5".

If an incorrect amount of water is placed in the basin, it sits there for a few moments before magically vanishing. There are a few ways to solve this puzzle. The intended method is for the characters to use the buckets to do the following: Fill up the 5 gallon bucket from the river, and pour as much as you can into the 3 gallon bucket until it is full. Empty the 3 gallon bucket. The 5 gallon bucket now has 2 gallons in it, and the 3 gallon bucket is empty. Pour the 5 gallon bucket into the 3 gallon bucket, and refill the 5 gallon bucket from the river. The 5 gallon bucket now has 5 gallons, and the 3 gallon bucket has 2 gallons. Pour water from the 5 gallon bucket into the 3 gallon bucket, until it is full. It should take 1 gallon, and should leave the 5 gallon bucket with 4 gallons. Alternatively, you may allow other solutions. For example, if a character casts the *create or destroy water* spell, you can let them create exactly 4 gallons in the basin. Or if a character has an appropriate tool proficiency (for example, brewer's supplies), you can allow them to make a DC 25 Wisdom check using that tool proficiency to try to get exactly 4 gallons from the river. However it is done, once exactly four gallons have been placed in the basin, the water magically vanishes and the *Elephant Figurine* appears in the basin. #### Plants The trees are each 30 feet tall, with their branches covering a 10 foot radius. The bushes do not provide cover, and count as difficult terrain. > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > A **Water Elemental** (MM pg. 125) rises from the river. Two **Mud Mephits** (MM pg. 216) appear on the banks of the river, and two **Steam Mephits** (MM pg. 217) appear out of the mist of the waterfall. They attack the party on sight. > > * ***Conduct Electricity.*** If any of the elementals are within 5 feet of the river or pool and take lightning damage, all other creatures within 5 feet of the river or pool take half as much lightning damage.

2

ROOM 2 | WATERFALL

\page ## Room 3: Enterance Hall When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

The mist clears and you find yourselves in a great stone hall. A beautifully woven carpet is beneath your feet, and a roaring fire fills the center of the room, surrounded by long benches. Four massive pillars hold up a intricately chiseled ceiling, 60 feet overhead. Directly in front of you is a stone monument, bearing a carved poem and a glowing word. Against the northeastern pillar is a wooden chest.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The central fire fills this room with bright light, but the areas behind the pillars are dim light. ***Ceiling.*** The ceiling is 60 feet overhead, and bears a variety a carved scenes: a battle, a knighting, a pair of lovers, etc. ***Hospitality.*** This room has no food to forage (see "Chest" below). There is no penalty for taking a long rest here. ***Treasure.*** If the characters defeat the goblinoids in the combat encounter, they find 3,000 gp on the body of the hobgoblin. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 9 to the north, Room 2 to the west, and Room 4 to the east. #### Chest This chest is unlocked and empty, but smells faintly of freshly baked bread and is magical to the touch. It cannot be moved. Every time a Figurine is placed on its pedestal, the chest will magically conjure 10 rations worth of food. If the chest is full it won't conjure more food. ``` ``` #### Fire The central fire is difficult terrain, and a creature who enters the area or ends its turn there takes 1d10 fire damage. #### Monument If a character investigates the monument, read the following aloud:

This great stone tablet is firmly planted in the ground. Its rim is surrounded by carvings of leaves, vines, and birds, and faintly hums with magic. It also carries the following inscription: "Seven little snowy beasts Have all become lost. Lion queen will have them back No matter the cost. Upon her subjects, golden Shackles she did clap, About the castle gates strange Magic she did wrap. But should the mislaid beasts once more be made lordly; The great chains will break and the Captive be set free."

This poem references the maze; the "snowy beasts" are the marble animal figurines. The "lion queen" is the gynosphinx waiting for them in Room 9. The "golden shackles" and "great chains" are the golden chains found on the giant door in Room 9. The "be made lordly" refers to placing the figurines on their pedestals. In addition to the poem is an indicator of the current danger level of the maze. There are four words, one of which is glowing, depending on the current Encounter Timer: *Safe* (0-4), *Low* (5-9), *Moderate* (10-14), and *High* (15-19). Below this indicator system are two coin slots labeled "more" and "less." If 1 gp is placed in the "more" slot, roll a d8 and add it to the encounter timer. If 1 gp is placed in the "less" slot, roll a d4 and subtract it from the encounter timer.

> ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > Two **Hobgoblin Captains** (MM pg. 186) and four **Goblins** (MM pg. 166) enter through one of the doors the party didn't enter through and attacks. > > * The Hobgoblins use their greatswords. The goblins spread out and use their shortbows. > * If both Hobgoblins die, any remaining goblins panic and attempt to flee through the nearest door. For each escaped goblin, roll a d4 and add it to the Encounter Timer. > > The party finds 3,000 gp on the bodies on the Hobgoblins.

3

ROOM 3 | ENTERANCE HALL

\page ## Room 4: Monolith When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

You step into a room filled with a humid swamp. The drone of buzzing insects fill your ears. Several pools of brackish water are dotted about, and in the center of the room stands a great stone monolith, wrapped in a thorny vine. The largest tree has something glimmering on it.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** Narrow beams of sunlight filter through the dense foliage above. The room is filled with dim light. ***Ceiling.*** The branches 30 feet up become thick and impassable. ***Hospitality.*** This room has a some skittish lizards. Characters can forage for food with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check. There is no penalty for taking a long rest here. ***Treasure.*** If the characters can enter the large tree, they can recover the *Bag of Holding* inside and activate the monolith's "room mode." Additionally, there is a box of potions buried in one of the pools. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 10 to the north, Room 3 to the west, and Room 5 to the east. #### Large Tree The glimmer on this tree is a 5 foot square pane of glass revealing the inside of the tree to be hollow. Looking in characters can see a small table with a deflated bag sitting on it, and a glowing red rune on the floor. The glass is unbreakable, but characters can teleport in, ``` ``` using their own features or the monolith. Once a creature is inside, the rune darkens, the glass disappears, the monolith switches from limited mode to room mode. The bag on the table is a *Bag of Holding* the characters may take and use. #### Monolith This tall pillar of stone thrums with conjuration magic, and is covered in fey words. At the top are the words "limited mode" and "room mode", with the former glowing softly. At eye level are the fey words for "north," "east," "south," and "west," and the word "activate." A creature can use their action to touch a series of directions and then activate the monolith. That creature is teleported 5 feet for each input. For example, a creature who touches "north" four times would be teleported 20 feet north. If a creature cannot teleport to a location (for example, if that location is already occupied by a creature, or would leave them inside a solid object) they are shunted into the nearest unoccupied space and take 2d6 force damage. A creature cannot leave this room while using the monolith in "limited mode". Characters can use the mololith to teleport into the large tree: creatures must enter *through* the glass; the trunk of the tree is impervious to teleportation. Once a creature has deactivated the rune in the large tree by entering it, the monolith switches from "limited mode" to "room mode." In this state, the monolith will teleport the whole party one room for each input. For example, if a player character touches "north" four times, the entire party would be teleported north four rooms (which would be Room 28). Use the map on page iv. The monolith cannot teleport creatures into Room 15, and if there is no room (for example, one south) the teleportation fails. Once used in this way the monolith can't be used again until the party finishes a long rest. #### Pools The pools are only 5 feet deep, and are difficult terrain. While it doesn't taste good, there is no danger in drinking it. A creature who succeeds on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check notices that the largest pool has a regular stream of bubbles arising from the center. A creature who digs 6 inches into the mud finds a small wooden box. The box is locked and requires a DC 20 Dexterity check with Thieves' Tools to open (or the *Knock* spell). Inside the box are two *Potions of Healing* and one *Potion of Greater Healing* (DMG pg. 188)

> ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > Two **Black Puddings** (MM pg. 241) crawl from the pools and attack the party. > * If any characters have damaged weapons or armor after the fight, there is a glimmer of magic, a short jingle, and a pamphlet appears reading "Shop at Ludo's! Go east, north, west, south."

4

ROOM 4 | MONOLITH

\page ## Room 5: Sky Pillars When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

Your eyes squint between the bright sunlight and cold, crisp wind. Rope bridges span the space between several natural stone pillars. Below you the pillars stretch down hundereds of feet before disappearing into clouds. On the centermost pillar sits a marble pedestal.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The sun beams down from overhead. The room is filled with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** While it appears to be open to the sky, a creature who attempts to fly out would find an invisible barrier 100 feet up. ***Hospitality.*** Creatures who finish a long rest in this room must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or suffer 1 level of exhaustion. A creature can determine this in advance with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check. No food can be foraged here. ***Treasure.*** Solving the riddle on the pedestal rewards the players with *Map 2*, and there is an alcove with gold and a potion in one of the pillars. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 11 to the north, Room 4 to the west, and Room 6 to the east. #### Falling Creatures who step off the natural pillars without the ability to fly will fall. 100 feet down are the clouds, which act as a giant *Sphere of Annihilation* (DMG pg. 201) that can't be moved. Creatures within 10 feet of the clouds immediately ``` ``` become aware of their nature. The clouds are opaque and the ground below them cannot be seen. #### Pedestal The Eagle Pedestal is located in the center of the room. If a character investigates it, read the following aloud:

This marble pedestal has several carvings of flying eagles circling the base. It has a small imprint on the top where it looks like something might have sat. It also carries the following inscription: "Tiny Amazon am I, lacking any fear. Gladly I will give my life for those I hold dear. But rarely do I fight, I live for summer heat by the flowers, crafting treasure, golden and sweet"

If a player says the answer ("bee", or an appropriate answer the DM likes), there is a shimmer of magic and a piece of parchment appears. Give the players a copy of *Map 2.* If the party places the *Eagle Figurine* (found in Room 24) on the pedestal, there is a great, reverberating dong, like a giant bell, and one of the golden chains on the great door in Room 9 vanishes. The figurine fuses to the pedestal and cannot be removed. #### Pillar Treasure A creature who succeeds on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check can spot a burlap sack stuffed in a small alcove in the southernmost pillar. The alcove is about 30 feet down. A creature can successfully climb down to (and back up from) the alcove with a successful DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check. They make this check with advantage if they use a climber's kit or pitons, or if they have a climbing speed. The burlap sack holds 300 gp, and a *potion of invulnerability* (DMG pg. 188). #### Wind The wind in this room buffets all creatures. Ranged attacks have their ranges halved, and creatures have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing. Additionally, vapor, gas, and fogs are instantly dispersed. > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creature: > > A **Young Brass Dragon** (MM pg. 105) appears in the sky and attacks the party. > * The dragon has been convinced the party are evil, though it still has reservations about killing them. Because of this, it will not attempt to push the party off the pillars. > * If a character can succeed on a DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check to convince the dragon they are not evil, it stops attacking and refuses to continue fighting. A planar gate appears and pulls the dragon through it. This counts as a successful combat encounter.

5

ROOM 5 | SKY

\page ## Room 6: Rapids When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

A misty drizzle falls from an overcast sky. You stand on the bank a wide river, churning and thundering. Small wispy spirits flit to and fro over the surface of the water, which appears to flow in chaotic, unnatrual directions. Across the river you see several small outcroppings, and a small box set against the south wall. Two broad willow trees dominate this side of the river.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** In spite of the overcast sky, the room is filled with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** This room appears to be open to the sky. However, a creature who attempts to fly out would find an invisible barrier 60 feet up. ***Hospitality.*** The river holds fish which can be caught. Characters can forage for food with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check. Creatures who finish a long rest in this room must succeed on a DC 5 Constitution saving throw or suffer 1 level of exhaustion. A creature can determine this in advance with a successful DC 20 Wisdom (Survival) check. ***Treasure.*** Reaching the box across the river rewards the players with the *Elk Figurine*. This small marble carving is magical to the touch, though it belongs to no school of magic. If placed on the Elk pedestal (Room 27), one of the golden chains on the great door in Room 9 will vanish. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 12 to the north, Room 5 to the west, and Room 23 to the east. The eastern door is magical. ``` ``` #### Box The box is unlocked, and creatures who open it find the *Elk Figurine.* The box can be picked up and weighs 15 lbs. #### River The river here is commanded by dozens of tiny ethereal elementals. The elementals are immune to all damage and conditions, and will not attack creatures except those who try to fly over the river. The flow of the river makes no sense, thanks to the interference of the elementals. A creature who enters the water is carried in the direction of the arrow as shown on the map and dumped into the adjascent space at the end of the arrow. When dumped into a river space, they are once again carried to the end of the arrow to its adjacent space (creatures should always end up on land). The pathway through the river is indicated in yellow on the map. Creatures in the water can, at any time, attempt to forcefully swim into an adjascent space (to the left or right of the direction they are moving). The creature must succeed on a DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check. They make this check with advantage if they have a swimming speed. On a success they move into the desired space, and are now subject to the movement of the water there. On a failed check, a creature takes 2d4 bludgeoning damage and doesn't change spaces. Creatures can determine the direction of a space of water with a successful DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check. Once a creature has entered a space of water, they know the direction of the space. The elementals are not hostile, but they don't like creatures who attempt to fly or jump over them; they think it's cheating and will fire jets of water. A creature who moves over the river must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw for every 10 feet they move. On a failed save the creature takes 2d10 bludgeoning damage and falls prone, landing in the water. Finally, certain spells can affect the elementals. *Banishment* and *dispel magic* will remove the elementals for 1 minute, leaving behind a 5 foot space of calm water which can be swam in normally. At the DMs discretion other spells may be effective. #### Trees The leaves of the trees start 10 feet up and provide full cover. > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > Four **Griffons** (MM pg. 174) descend from the sky, screeching, and attack the party. > * The Griffons attack as a pride, targeting weak or isolated targets. If anything upsets the teamwork of the pride (for example, one of the griffons becoming charmed), they attempt to regroup and escape. > * A successful DC 30 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check can be used to placate the Griffons. The Griffons will investigate the party and area for food before departing. > * If the Griffons attempt to leave, they do so by flying up to the barrier before vanishing.

6

ROOM 6 | RAPIDS

\page ## Room 7: Chasm When the characters enter this room for the first time, ***if they can see,*** read the following aloud.

You enter a dark, rocky cavern. The room is bisected by a wide, gaping chasm. The sound of trickling water rises from the chasm, and an eerie aura causes the hair on your neck to stand up.

If the characters have a way to remove disadvantage from Perception checks (such as a light source), include the following.

There appears to be a flat iron rod hovering just below the ceiling over the chasm.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** This room has no natural light and is filled with darkness. ***Ceiling.*** The rocky roof of the cavern is 30 feet overhead of the characters when they enter the room. ***Hospitality.*** Creatures who finish a long rest in this room must succeed on a DC 5 Wisdom saving throw or suffer 1 level of exhaustion. A creature can determine this in advance with a successful DC 20 Wisdom (Insight) check. No food can be foraged here. ***Treasure.*** If a character can reach it, there is a floating *Immovable Rod* near the ceiling of the chamber. ***Exits.*** This room has two exits; Room 13 to the north, and Room 1 to the south. ``` ``` #### Chasm The chasm walls descend 30 feet. At the bottom is a stream running from east to west. The walls of the chasm are climbable; a creature can climb up or down them with a successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check. They make this check with advantage if they use a climber's kit or pitons, or if they have a climbing speed. A creature climbing up or down a rope succeeds on their check. Remember, a creature takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet they fall (PHB pg. 183). A creature who falls into the chasm from the top takes 3d6 bludgeoning damage and lands prone. #### Eldritch Aura This room is saturated with the chaotic essence of abberations and beings from the Far Realms. Any spell cast in this room has a 5% chance of triggering a Wild Magic Surge. A creature can discern this effect through a successful DC 20 Wisdom (Insight) or Intelligence (Arcana) check. A creature has advantage on this check if they have a feature (such as a paladin's Divine Sense or the *Detect Evil and Good* spell) that might alert them to extraplanar anomalies. #### Iron Rod An *Immovable Rod* (DMG pg. 175) hovers about 5 feet below the ceiling in the center of the room. The rod's button is pushed, causing it to remain there indefinitely. A creature who can reach the rod can use their action to push the button and claim it. A creature might reach the rod through flight or the *Spider Climb* spell, a DC 25 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check to lasso it with rope, or another method of which the DM approves. #### Stream The stream at the bottom can easily be waded through, but is difficult terrain. The stream enters and exits through two small holes in either wall.

> ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creature: > > A **Cloaker** (MM pg. 41) drops from the ceiling and attacks the party. > * The Cloaker does not immediately attack; it hangs from the ceiling, looking for an opportunity. Some characters may be surprised; remember the Cloaker's ***False Appearance*** feature. > * On its first turn, the Cloaker uses its ***Moan*** action. > * Remember the Cloaker's ***Light Sensitivity*** feature; if there is a source of bright light in the room, the Cloaker will attempt to douse it.

7

ROOM 7 | CHASM

\page ## Room 8: Jungle When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

Before you lies what appears to be a lush jungle. The dense foliage overhead lets in little light, and huge tree trunks disappear into a canopy of hanging vines. A dry gravel stream bed wanders through the room, and several dense bushes are scattered about. A single, marble pedestal sits in the center of the room.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The dense leafy canopy lets little light into the room. The room is filled with dim light. ***Ceiling.*** The canopy becomes impassable about 60 feet up. ***Hospitality.*** This room is home to various insects and small rodents. Characters can forage for food with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check. There is no penalty for taking a long rest here. ***Treasure.*** Solving the riddle on the pedestal rewards the players with *Map 3*, and healing potions and gold can be found behind a secret door on one of the trees. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 14 to the north, Room 9 to the east, and Room 2 to the south. #### Bushes The bushes are all 5 feet high and completely impassable. They provide three-quarters cover. A creature who attempts to put their weight on the bushes crashes into them, and must struggle to get out. A creature moving through the bush in this way must spend 4 feet of movement for every 1 foot it moves. ``` ``` #### Gravel Bed The gravel in this dry river bed is loose and slippery, and is difficult terrain. #### Pedestal The Lion Pedestal is located in the center of the room. If a character investigates it, read the following aloud:

This marble pedestal has ornate carvings of lions around the base. It has a small imprint on the top where it looks like something might have sat. It also carries the following inscription: "I have a halo of water, skin made of stone, A tongue made of wood, a king sitting on his throne. Many servants I have, across the land I'm known Yet upon a hill I sit, watchful, all alone."

If a player says the answer ("castle", or an appropriate answer the DM likes), there is a shimmer of magic and a piece of parchment appears. Give the players a copy of *Map 3.* If the party places the *Lion Figurine* (found in Room 25) on the pedestal, there is a great, reverberating dong, like a giant bell, and one of the golden chains on the great door in Room 9 vanishes. The figurine fuses to the pedestal and cannot be removed. #### Trees The tree trunks are incredibly smooth and can't be climbed without assistance. The northwestern-most tree is hollow, and is audibly so when struck. A secret door in the bark can be found with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check. Inside the tree are two *potions of healing* (DMG pg. 188) and 125 gp. #### Vines There are about two dozen vines hanging from the canopy, ending just overhead. A creature can make an attempt to swing from a vine. They must succeed on a DC 20 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check, and can then move 20 feet in any direction without expending any movement.

> ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creature: > > A **Young Black Dragon** (MM pg. 88) pounces from southern-most bush and attacks the party. > > * The dragon can only use its Acid Breath action once every minute. > * If the party can present the dragon with evidence that they have slain one or more other dragons, and succeeds on a DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check, the dragon stops fighting. It is pleased by the party's apathy, and disappears into the bush it came from. This counts as a successful combat encounter.

8

ROOM 8 | JUNGLE

\page ## Room 9: Great Door When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

Dominating this room is a giant, 30 foot tall door bound in golden chains set against the north wall. The chains are covered in arcane writing. The rest of the room appears to be an ancient ruins. Broken pillars are dotted about, and crumbling stairs lead to overgrown balconies. A rotting door in the southeast corner looks like it might lead somewhere.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** Sunlight beams in through the numerous holes in the ceiling. The room is filled with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** A crumbling, ruinous ceiling sits 90 feet overhead. A creature who attempts to pass through one of the holes in the ceiling would find an invisible barrier. ***Hospitality.*** There is no penalty for taking a long rest here, and no food can be foraged here. ***Treasure.*** Characters who can solve the puzzle in the labratory are rewarded with a *Cloak of Protection*. ***Exits.*** This room has four possible exits; Room 15 to the north through the great door, Room 8 to the west, Room 10 to the east, and Room 3 to the south. #### Great Door The giant door and its chains are immune to all magic and damage. There are initially seven gold chains on the door; one corrosponding to each Figurine. Every time a Figurine is placed on its pedestal, the corrosponding chain vanishes. On each chain is the name of one of the Figurines in Fey; "bear," ``` ``` "eagle," "elephant," "elk," "lion," "snake," and "wolf." The door cannot be opened until every chain is gone. Once all the chains are gone, the Gynosphinx appears (see Combat Encounter below). Even once the chains are gone, it takes 1 minute to open the door enough to pass through due to its size. #### Labratory In the southeast corner of the room is a small labratory. On a table scattered with notes are several vials filled with colorful potions, and a single, shimmering bead. The notes include the following: * red + blue = purple * green - yellow = blue * red + 2 = yellow * red + red + red = green * blue + 5 = green * Adding the correct # of purple drops to the bead will release the compression magic. [Answer: red = 3, yellow = 5, green = 9, blue = 4, purple = 7] If a creature adds 7 drops from the purple potion to the bead, it transforms into a *Cloak of Protection* (DMG pg. 159). Adding any other combination of drops of potions causes the bead to release a burst of magic: all creatures within 30 feet of the bead take 2d10 force damage. Drinking any amount of any potion causes a Wild Magic Surge. #### Sphinx Riddle Once all seven chains are gone and the Sphinx has appeared, it will interact with the characters. It is not hostile until they answer the riddle incorrectly, attempt to get past it without answering, or attack it. It is honest about the conditions of the riddle. Read the following aloud.

My thunder comes before the lightning. My lightning comes before the cloud. My rain dries up the land it touches. ...What am I?

If a player says the answer ("volcano", or an appropriate answer the DM likes), the Sphinx will smile and slowly vanish, with the smile disappearing last.

> ##### Combat Encounter: -----SPECIAL----- > If a combat encounter would occur in this room, delay it until the next room the party enters. > > When all seven chains have disappeared from the giant door, a **Gynosphinx** (MM pg. 282) appears and waits for the party in front of the door. If the party can solve the Sphinx's riddle (see above), it stands aside and lets them pass. If they answer incorrectly or try to open the door without answering it attacks. The Sphinx will allow them to leave the room and return, but they cannot take a rest in this room while the Sphinx is here.

9

ROOM 9 | GREAT DOOR

\page ## Room 10: Coliseum When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

After a short tunnel you step into a great, empty coliseum. Around you is a 10 foot wall, and above it circling the room are hundreds of empty seats. Regular torches light the amphetheater, and the dirt floor sends up clouds of dust with each step. Against the eastern wall lies a chest and several tables. You smell the faint odor of blood.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The many torches fill the room with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** The stone ceiling arches overhead, 90 feet up at its highest point. ***Hospitality.*** If the party takes a long rest here, roll a d8 and add it to the Encounter Timer. A creature can discern that there is extra danger associated with resting here on a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check. No food can be foraged here. ***Treasure.*** Characters who can open the chest will find an *Elven Chain* shirt. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 16 to the north, Room 9 to the west, and Room 4 to the south. #### Chest The chest is locked and has three dials on the front of it numbered 1-50. The combination to open the chest is *19, 31, 47*. Neither Thieves' Tools nor the *Knock* spell will open it. Inside the chest is an *Elven Chain* (DMG pg. 168) shirt and 200 gp. ``` ``` #### Dust A creature that takes the Dash action through the dirt of the coliseum raises a cloud of dust behind them. The cloud of dust is 5 feet wide and follows the path they moved, and its area is heavily obscured. The dust cloud lasts until the beginning of the creature's next turn, and is instantly dispersed by any wind. #### Stands The walls of the colosseum are smooth and cannot be climbed. However if a character makes it into the stands by another method (such as flying or teleporting) they can explore the seats. A character who makes a Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check finds a number of gp equal to the total of the check divided by three (rounded up). If a character spends more than a few minutes in the stands they will begin to feel a cold aura. If a character continues to remain in the stands they must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or suffer a form of short term maddness (DMG pg. 259). The stands have been desecrated by the *Hallow* spell. #### Tables Upon the tables are a dozen rusty weapons and shields. A creature who uses a rusty weapon suffers a -1 penaly to attack and damage rolls, and a creature who uses a rusty shield only gains a +1 bonus to AC. A creature can restore an object using the *Mending* cantrip or by spending a minute with appropriate tools that they are proficient with. There is also a note on the table with the following writing: "2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, *___*, 23, 29, *___*, 37, 41, 43,*___*, 53, 59, etc..." These numbers are all prime numbers, and the missing numbers indicate the combination to open the chest (see *Chest* heading).

> ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creature: > > A **Gladiator** (MM pg. 346) and two **Berserkers** (MM pg. 344) enter through one of the doors and attack the party. > > * While fighting, though the stands remian empty, the sounds of a crowd fill the room. > * If a character drops to 0 hit points, the attacker will appear to listen to the crowd momentarily, before attacking the downed creature, forcing failed death saves. They continue until the character dies or they are attacked by another creature. > * ***Please the Crowd.*** If a creature performs an impressive feat (for example, scores a critical hit, spends multiple resources or a high level spell slot, etc), there is a cheer from the stands and a shower of gold pieces rain down. After the battle the victors can gather these coins up for 2d12 + 20 gp. Have fun with this feature; consider allowing it to be triggered by a player simply roleplaying an impressive turn.

10

ROOM 10 | COLOSSEUM

\page ## Room 11: Island When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

The smell of salt water fills your nostrils, and you hear the crash of breaking tide. You stand on a small bluff, on the shore of a tropical bay. An island with palm trees sits just off shore, and great white cliffs rise up on every side. Additionally, north of the island you can see a dark, looming shape under the water; a sunken wreck!

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The sun beams down from overhead. The room is filled with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** This room appears to be open to the sky. However, a creature who attempts to fly out would find an invisible barrier 60 feet up. ***Hospitality.*** This room has trees with tropical fruit, and the occasional fish. Characters can forage for food with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check. There is no penalty for taking a long rest here. ***Treasure.*** Searching the wreck rewards the players with the *Wolf Figurine*. This small marble carving is magical to the touch, though it belongs to no school of magic. If placed on the Wolf pedestal (Room 19), one of the golden chains on the great door in Room 9 will vanish. Additionally, a magical conch shell can be found on the sea floor. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 27 to the west, Room 12 to the east, and Room 5 to the south. The western door is magical. ``` ``` #### Buried Treasure Characters who succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check will notice an "*X* " carved into one of the trees. Alternatively, a successful DC 15 Intelligence (Nature) check will allow a character to identify that the soil at the base of the tree has been artificially disturbed, as if someone dug a hole and filled it back in. Digging at the base of the tree will reveal a locked treasure chest. The chest can be opened with a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Thieves' Tools) check or the *Knock* spell. Inside the chest is 500 gp and two *Potions of Healing* (DMG pg. 188) and a *Potion of Water Breathing* (DMG pg. 188). If the characters use a forceful method to open the chest, such as smashing it open, consider having some of the potion bottles smashed (at the DM's discretion). #### Sea The rules for holding your breath (PHB pg. 183) and underwater combat (PHB pg. 198) can be found in the *Player's Handbook*. The sea is mostly calm and doesn't require an Athletics check to swim in, unless a character attempts to do so for an extended period of time. The sea floor is 50 feet below the surface and consists of soft mud. A character who investigates the sea floor and succeeds on a DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) or Inelligence (Investigation) check finds a conch shell. This conch shell is magical: once a day a creature can hold it up to its ear and recieve a hint from the water spirit that lives inside. The shell constantly emits the sound of the ocean, but so quietly a creature must put the shell up to their ear to hear it. #### Wreck The tip of the wreck is only 15 feet below the surface of the water, and it extends all the way down to the sea floor. A 10 foot wide hole in the port-side hull allows access to the interior. Inside the wreck is dim light. There is little of interest inside the wreck; most of the goods have rotted away. However, near the back of the ship (towards the sea floor) is a shiny metal case, automatically spotted by any creature who brings bright light into the wreck, or with a DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check in the dim light. Inside the metal case is the *Wolf Figurine*. > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > A **Sahuagin Priestess,** (MM pg. 263) two **Hunter Sharks,** (MM pg. 330) and 3 **Sahuagin** (MM pg. 263) appear on the sea floor and attack the party. > > * The Sahuagin Priestess prefers to fight from a distance and cast spells. > * The Sahuagin prefer to fight in the water. They will attempt to grapple and/or shove characters into the water where the Hunter Sharks and their superior speed give them an advantage. > * See chapter 9 of the *Player's Handbook* (PHB pg. 198) for rules on underwater combat.

11

ROOM 11 | ISLAND

\page ## Room 12: Hellscape When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

You enter a hellish cavern. Great stone colomns divide the room into several smaller sections, and a number of narrow crevices dot the floor. A blood-red glow emanates from these cracks, and the occasional flame will spring up from between their jaws. Throughout the room are four stone monuments, with gibberish carved into them.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The glowing cracks fill the room with dim light. ***Ceiling.*** The rocky ceiling is 30 feet high. ***Hospitality.*** Creatures who finish a long rest in this room must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or suffer 1 level of exhaustion. A creature can determine this in advance with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check. No food can be foraged here. ***Treasure.*** Characters who can decipher the monuments and follow their instruction will find an *Flame Tongue* longsword. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 26 to the north, Room 11 to the west, and Room 6 to the south. The northern door is magical. #### Crevices The crevices are difficult terrain and a creature who moves over one of them must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take 1d10 fire damage. They are too narrow for a creature to attempt to descend into. ``` ``` #### Monuments These four monuments appear to have carvings of gibberish on them. In reality, they are each written in Common, in a basic code (a caesar substitution cipher) with instructions on how to forge a *Flametongue*. Each monument has its own code, described in each of their entries. You can solve a code by writing out the english alphabet in order, left to right, and looping around from a to z when necessary. ##### The 1st monument reads

Sn bnmitqd sgd ghks, rzx 'izrlhmd sdz.'

Which translates to "To conjure the hilt, say 'jasmine tea.'" by substituting each letter one to the right (a becomes b). A creature who says that phrase will summon a ghostly sword hilt in their hand. The hilt can be handled, but is trasluscent and vanishes if taken out of the room. ##### The 2nd monument reads

Up dpokvsf uif cmbef, tbz 'mjuumf tpmejfs cpz.'

Which translates to "To conjure the blade, say 'little soldier boy.'" by substituting each letter one to the left (a becomes z). A creature who says that phrase will summon a ghostly sword blade in their hand. The blade can be handled, but is trasluscent and vanishes if taken out of the room. ##### The 3rd monument reads

Rm hmgl rfc rum, fmjb rfck rmecrfcp ylb qyw 'bpyeml md rfc ucqr.'

Which translates to "To join the two, hold them together and say 'dragon of the west.'" by substituting each letter two to the right (a becomes c). A creature who says the phrase while holding the blade and hilt together will cause them to fuse together. ##### The 4th monument reads

Dcvjg vjg dncfg kp hktg htqo vjg fggr.

Which translates to "Bathe the blade in fire from the deep." by substituting each letter two to the left (a becomes y). A creature who places the combined hilt-blade in one of the crevices in this room will pull out a *Flame Tongue* (DMG pg. 170) longsword.

> ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > Four **Spined Devils** (MM pg. 78) fly from the crevices and attack the party. > > * The Devils prefer to keep their distance and attack with their ***Tail Spine*** action while flying. > * ***Evil Nature.*** These Devils are vulnerable to radiant damage. >

12

ROOM 12 | HELLSCAPE

\page ## Room 13: Statue When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

In the center of this room is a tall statue of an armored warrior holding his sword aloft. Several pine trees sit about the edges of the room with moss and yellow mushrooms growing on their trunks. Near the western wall you see a chest.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** There is sunlight pouring into the room, filling it with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** This room appears to be open to the sky. However, a creature who attempts to fly out would find an invisible barrier 90 feet up. ***Hospitality.*** Most of the mushrooms in this room are edible. Characters can forage for food with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check. There is no penalty for taking a long rest here. ***Treasure.*** Characters who translate the math problem on the stature are rewarded with a *Helm of Telepathy*. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 19 to the north, Room 14 to the east, and Room 7 to the south. #### Chest The chest is not locked, but it is trapped; a creature who opens the chest without disabling the trap must make a Dexterity saving throw as small darts are fired from hidden mechanisms. A creature takes 3d10 piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a success. A creature can spot the trap in advance with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) ``` ``` check. A creature aware of the trap has advantage on the saving throw against it, and takes no damage on a successful save. The trap can also be disabled with a successful DC 10 Dexterity (Thieves' Tools) check. The chest is empty except for a rather raunchy love letter and a handfull of paper scraps that looks as though they might have once held candies. A character who investigates the papers see that they are stamped with the logo of "Dryad Inns", and the directions "take a right at the Great Door and travel north three rooms." #### Mushrooms Most of the mushrooms on the trees are harmless, but several small white mushrooms are poisonous: a creature who eats one is subjected to the effects of the *pale tincture* (DMG pg. 258). A creature can discern this in advance through a successful DC 20 Wisdom (Survival) or DC 15 Intelligence (Nature) check. #### Statue This stone statue stands about 25 feet tall. A creature who succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence (History) check identifies the statue as depicting John "the Stone" Dwayneson, a famous gladiator turned bard. On the base of the statue is appears to be an mathematical problem, written in runes:

Δ θ Γ + Δ θ Γ ======= Γ Ξ Ξ θ

Characters will not recognize these runes (they are invented nonsense), but each of the runes represent a given digit. For example, if θ represents 2, then it represents 2 in every instance. The runic problem translates to this:

7 2 1 + 7 2 1 ======= 1 4 4 2

If the players need a hint; consider pointing out that the first digit in the total can only be "1"; when adding two digits you can't carry more than "1". If a character speaks the problem aloud, the helm atop the statue will flash, ceasing to be stone. Characters can then retrieve the *Helm of Telepathy* (DMG pg. 174) by climbing the statue (no check required) or through another method (for example, *mage hand*.)

> ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > A **Cult Fanatic** (MM pg. 345) riding his pet **Chimera** (MM pg. 39) descend from the sky and attack the party. > * The Fanatic will cast *Spiritual Weapon* and *Sacred Flame* on his first turn. On following turns, he will want to cast or concentrate on *Hold Person*. Otherwise, he uses *Sacred Flame* at range or *Inflict Wounds* in melee.

13

ROOM 13 | STATUE

\page ## Room 14: Graveyard When the characters enter this room for the first time, ***if they can see,*** read the following aloud.

Your eyes adjust as you enter a dark graveyard. Stars twinkle overhead as a brisk breeze saps the warmth from your limbs. Most of the room is filled with rows of tombstones. There are a few trees around the perimeter, and a grey mausoleum lays on the east side of the room.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The room is filled with darkness. ***Ceiling.*** This room appears to be open to the night sky. However, a creature who attempts to fly out would find an invisible barrier 90 feet up. ***Hospitality.*** Creatures who finish a long rest in this room must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or suffer 1 level of exhaustion. A creature can determine this in advance with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check. No food can be foraged here. ***Treasure.*** Solving the nonogram in the mausoleum rewards the players with the *Snake Figurine*. This small marble carving is magical to the touch, though it belongs to no school of magic. If placed on the Snake pedestal (Room 16), one of the golden chains on the great door in Room 9 will vanish. Also, some of the graves hold gold or healing potions. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 20 to the north, Room 13 to the west, and Room 8 to the south. #### Graves Rows of tombstones crisscross the room. While the ``` ``` tombstones are engraved in Common, the characters will not recognize any of the names. Eight of the graves appear to be fresh, as the earth there is loosly packed. If the characters attempt to dig into a grave, roll a d6 and add the result to the Encounter Timer. If the encounter is not triggered, they will find either 2d10 gold pieces (1-5) or a healing potion (6). #### Mausoleum The door to this small stone building is unlocked. Inside the floor is covered in skulls, and a stone coffin lays in the center of the room. The coffin is magically locked, but characters can easily see a grid carved into the lid with numbers around the perimeter (shown below). Describe of draw for the players the empty grid. Characters can solve this puzzle by placing skulls on the grid so that each row and column has the number of skulls indicated. If there is a space between two numbers, there must be an empty space between skulls. For example, the first row says (1, 1). This row must have two skulls on it, with at least one empty space between them. Once skulls are placed in the correct spaces of the grid, the coffin lid will slide off, revealing an empty interior except for the *Snake Figureine*. ##### Nonogram (Player Version) | | | | | | | |:----:|:-----:|:----:|:----:|:----:|:----:| | X | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |1 | | 1 1 | | | | | | | 1 1 | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | ##### Nonogram (DM Solution) | | | | | | |:----:|:-----:|:----:|:----:|:----:|:----:| | X | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |1 | | 1 1 | o | | | | o | | 1 1 | | o | | o | | | 3 | | o | o | o | | | 1 | | | o | | | | 1 | | | o | | | > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > Two **Ghasts** (MM pg. 148), two **Skeletons** (MM pg. 272), and four **Ghouls** (MM pg. 148) rise through the earth of the fresh graves and attack the party. > * While the Ghasts and Ghouls charge into melee with the characters, the Skeletons prefer to use their shortbows from a distance.

14

ROOM 14 | GRAVEYARD

\page ## Room 15: Treasure Room When the characters enter this room read the following aloud.

You pass through the great door into a finely carpeted stone hallway. As you walk forward you hear, faintly first, then louder, the music of strings and woodwinds. It is captivating, impossible to ignore, but agreeable. It conjures up images of rolling green hills and great towering pines. The music reaches a crescendo as you pass out of the hallway into a tall room. Mountains of gold coins fill the room, but these are the least of the treasure. Priceless tapestries, bottles of wine older than history, crowns made of starlight, platinum statues of kings; everywhere you look you see wonders, each more exotic than the last. And standing regal over all, fifteen feet tall, is Oberon. Behind him the maw of a glittering magic portal gapes wide. Oberon's eye's twinkle as he speak. "Good friends, I knew you could do it! Was that not the journey of a lifetime? But the hardship is over now: your reward awaits! I must offer my sincerest thanks; your performance was a delight, to me and to all who watched. It has been decades since we have seen a group as entertaining as you! Come, come my friends! Let us send you home, a little weathier for your troubles and a good deal more eminent than when you came! Come, see what I have in store for you..."

``` ``` #### Reward Oberon has a donkey prepared for the party, loaded with silver and gold bars, as well as gemstones, the grand total of which is worth 15,000 gp. This is the party's primary recompense, however Oberon likely offers the party an additional gift. At the DM's discretion, one or more of the following rewards (or one of the DM's imagining) may also be offered to the party, which may be integral in their next adventure. * The ownership deed to a mighty castle that has long sat abandonded, and has become infested with undead. * A map of the world, covered in notes and symbols, but most notably displaying an extra continent the party doesn't recognize. * The broken pieces of a legendary sword, with instruction on how to reforge it. * A scroll containing the locations of 6 gems which, when all forged into a gauntlet, can be used to cast the *Wish* spell, but permanently reduces the casters maximum hit points each time it is used. * A sentient *Ring of Invisibility* that functions as a lich's phylactery. #### Exit The magic portal behind Oberon is free to be used by the characters at any time. It will carry them to a location of the DM's choise (usually wherever the characters came from). If Oberon catches the party trying to take more than they should, he'll shunt them into the portal. ##### Thanks for Playing!

15

ROOM 15 | TREASURE ROOM

\page ## Room 16: Lighthouse When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

The first thing you see when you enter this room is a lighthouse with fading paint, rising from the grassy earth. A short distance from it, the ground falls away in a rocky cliff face, descending into a crashing sea. Jagged stones line the bottom of the cliff, making a descent dangerous. A marble pedestal sits in the center of the room.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The sun beams down, filling the room with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** This room appears to be open to the sky. However, a creature who attempts to fly out would find an invisible barrier 90 feet up. ***Hospitality.*** There are crabs on the rocks at the base of the cliff. Characters can forage for food with a successful DC 20 Wisdom (Survival) check. There is no penalty for taking a long rest here. ***Treasure.*** Solving the riddle on the pedestal rewards the players with *Map 4*. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 22 to the north, Room 17 to the east, and Room 10 to the south. #### Cliff The cliff descends 40 feet to the water, and its rocky face is difficult to climb. A creature must succeed on a DC 25 Strength (Athletics) check to descend the cliff. This check is made with advantage if they use a climber's kit or pitons, or if they have a climbing speed. ``` ``` The water is difficult to swim in. A creature that enters the water or starts its turn there must succeed on a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or take 3d8 bludgeoning damage. #### Lighthouse The door to the lighthouse is unlocked, and a creaky spiral staircase leads up to the beacon room. The beacon room houses a great mirror and lens contraption, with a lit lantern in the middle, though nothing is moving. The party has two choices: they can take the lantern, which contains a *Continual Flame* spell. Alternatively, they can repair the beacon mechanism with a successful DC 20 Dexterity (Thieves' Tools) check. If they do, three small potions appear. A creature who drinks one of these potions can interact with the Monument in Room 3 for 1 minute: they can see the danger level of the maze and can insert gold pieces to affect the Encounter Timer. #### Pedestal The Snake Pedestal is located in the center of the room. If a character investigates it, read the following aloud:

This marble pedestal has an ornate carving of a snake wrapped around it. It has a small imprint on the top where it looks like something might have sat. It also carries the following inscription: "An eye without vision, rage without emotion I rule over the land, the sky, and the ocean. Although I leave destruction in my path, fear not I die to a whisper and travel on, forgot"

If a player says the answer ("a storm", or an appropriate answer the DM likes), there is a shimmer of magic and a piece of parchment appears. Give the players a copy of *Map 4.* If the party places the *Snake Figurine* (found in Room 14) on the pedestal, there is a great, reverberating dong, like a giant bell, and one of the golden chains on the great door in Room 9 vanishes. The figurine fuses to the pedestal and cannot be removed. > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creature: > > A **Young Bronze Dragon** (MM pg. 108) erupts from the water and attacks the party. >* The dragon has a great appreciation for military strength. If the party displays remarkable strategy (such as creative teamwork) or prowess (such as the expenditure of a significant resource, or a particularly damaging hit) it will call for a truce. It has been employed by Oberon to weed out the weak, but it believes the party can successfully escape the maze. A dimensional portal then appears and pulls the dragon through. This counts as a successful combat encounter. > * If the dragon is reduced to 30 or fewer hit points, it will attempt to grapple a character and take them underwater to try and drown them.

16

ROOM 16 | LIGHTHOUSE

\page ## Room 17: Sarcophagus When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

You are standing in a room carved from orange stone. Small beams of light peak through the cracks of the walls. The ceiling is only a few feet overhead, and the stale smell of dust catches in your throat. In the center of the dim room is a large sarcophagus, and the walls carry faded murals.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The room is filled with dim light. ***Ceiling.*** The stone ceiling is only about 15 feet overhead. ***Hospitality.*** Creatures who finish a long rest in this room must succeed on a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw or have their speed reduced by 10 feet. This reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long rest. A creature can determine this in advance with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check. No food can be foraged here. ***Treasure.*** Solving the sliding tile puzzle rewards the players with the *Lion Figurine*. This small marble carving is magical to the touch, though it belongs to no school of magic. If placed on the Lion pedestal (Room 8), one of the golden chains on the great door in Room 9 will vanish. There is also a Potion of Invisibility in the chest behind the secret door. ***Exits.*** This room has two exits; Room 16 to the west, and Room 18 to the east. #### Murals The murals on the walls are damaged, but those that are still intelligible depict several scenes; a great battle, the ``` ``` coronation of a king, a funeral for a queen, and the king shaking hands with a shadowy figure. A character who succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence (History) check recognizes the scenes as depicting the life of Ilmuzian the Dreadful, a wizard-king-conquerer, known for his paranoia and eccentric ways in his final years. Legends tell of him filling his castles with hidden passageways, secret doors, and magical traps. A character who succeeds on a DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check on the murals finds a concealed button which opens the secret door. #### Sarcophagus The sarcophagus is locked. In the middle of the sarcophagus is a tile sliding puzzles. Give the players the tiles laid out as shown below. (We recommend ripping small pieces off a sheet of paper and writing 1-8 on them. This lets the players maneuver the tiles easily.) If the party leaves the room and return without solving the puzzle, return the tiles to their original positions. | | | | |:----:|:---:|:---:| | 2 | 8 | 3 | | 1 | --- | 5 | | 4 | 7 | 6 | The puzzle is solved when the numbers are arranged sequentially from left to right and from top to bottom, with the empty slot in the bottom right corner. A solution to the puzzle (there may be more than one) is: 8 down, 2 right, 1 up, 4 up, 7 left, 8 down, 5 left, 6 up. If the tiles are put in the correct positions, the lid of the sarcophagus unlocks and slides off, revealing an empty interior except for the *Lion Figurine*. #### Secret Door A character who succeeds on a DC 25 Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check finds a secret door set into the north wall. The door is locked. The party can open it with the button from the murals, the *knock* spell, or a successful DC 25 Strength check. The room behind the secret door holds a chest with a glyph of warding inside set to go off if the chest is opened without the password (Lion). The glyph is an explosive rune that deals lightning damage (DC 15). In the chest is 200 gp and a *Potion of Invisibility*. > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > A **Spirit Naga** (MM pg. 234) and 6 **Flying Snakes** (MM pg. 322) teleport into the room and attack the party. > * The Spirit Naga will cast *Dominate Person* on its first turn in combat, and again if the first spell fails or ends early. It will target characters using melee weapons first, then ranged weapons, then magic users. It will choose two different targets for the two spells. > * The flying snakes will not attack a creature charmed by the Naga.

17

ROOM 17 | SARCOPHAGUS

\page ## Room 18: Haunted House When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud. **See "Curse" Subheading**.

This dark room is dominated by a run-down house. Its windows are broken and the front door barely hangs on its hinges. Several dead trees are dotted about, and a cresent moon hangs in the sky overhead. A cold wind causes the house to creak and groan in an eerie way.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The room is filled with dim light. ***Ceiling.*** This room appears to be open to the sky. However, a creature who attempts to fly out would find an invisible barrier 60 feet up. ***Hospitality.*** This room has no food to forage. There is no penalty for taking a long rest here. ***Treasure.*** Solving the crossword puzzle rewards the characters with *Wings of Flying*. ***Exits.*** This room has two exits; Room 24 to the north, and Room 17 to the west. #### Curse When the party enters this room, place a die where the players can see it showing the number "3". Whenever a character finds one of the horrors of the house (the swarm of bats, the doll, and the skeleton pit) reduce the number shown by 1. If the number reaches 0, roll 3d6 and add it to the Encounter Timer. Additionally, a character who discovers a horror must succeed on a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened of the horror until they leave this room. ``` ``` #### House The house has four rooms. The main room has a large dining table with chair around it, and a fireplace set in the south wall. The cupboards all hang open and empty. On the table is a bowl with what appears to be a pickled humanoid hand. The hand, if taken, functions as a spell scroll of *Darkvision*, but the hand is cursed: when the spell is cast the caster takes 1d10 psychic damage unless they are an evil alignment. Additionally, if a character looks up the chimney of the fireplace, a **swarm of bats** (MM pg. 337) flies out and scatters through the various broken windows. A woodpile lays outside the backdoor. The room to the west is dark and holds two coffins that cannot be opened. A paper lies on the floor near one of them. The room to the north is a decrepid bedroom. Most of the furniture here is rotted away, but the bed is still standing. Under the bed is a doll. If picked up spiders swarm out of it. To the west is a small bathroom, containing a filthy clawfoot bathtub and a pit latrine. If a character looks into the pit (it is dark; they must be able to see and must intentionally look in the pit) they see it is filled not with waste but humanoid skeletons. #### Paper The paper by the coffins is magical to the touch. Eldritch runes encircle the perimeter of a blank 4x4 grid. Several clues are listed at the bottom. ##### Across: 1. To let go 2. Fruit, ready to eat 3. A novel thought 4. Inky writing utensils ##### Down: 1. Tiny bit of falling water 2. Sit on a mount 3. Unlatched 4. In a pod ##### Solution: | | | | | |:----:|:---:|:---:|:---:| | D | R | O | P | | R | I | P | E | | I | D | E | A | | P | E | N | S | If the characters can fill out the grid to match the solution, the paper shimmers and transforms into *Wings of Flying* (DMG pg. 214). There is no penalty for taking this paper out of the room. > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > Two **Vampire Spawn** (MM pg. 298) emerge from the coffins and attempt to surprise the party. > * If the pickled hand isn't gone, a vampire will pick it up and cast *Vampiric Touch* with it.

18

ROOM 18 | HAUNTED HOUSE

\page ## Room 19: Snowy Mountain When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

A stinging cold strikes your face as you look upon a snowy mountain top. Flurries gently fall from the grey clouds that allow in little light. On the west side of the room the floor rises steeply up to a plateau, and there are two cliffs in the eastern corners. There are several icy spots, and a pedestal in the center of the room.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The clouds and falling snow fill the room with dim light. ***Ceiling.*** This room appears to be open to the sky. However, a creature who attempts to fly out would find an invisible barrier 90 feet up. ***Hospitality.*** Creatures who finish a long rest in this room must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or suffer 1 level of exhaustion. A creature can determine this in advance with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check. No food can be foraged here. ***Treasure.*** Solving the riddle on the pedestal rewards the players with *Map 5*. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 25 to the north, and Room 20 to the east, and Room 13 to the south. #### Cliffs The two eastern cliffs are about 20 feet above the floor. The slope up to the northeastern cliff is unstable, and will collapse if a Medium or larger creature walks on it. A creature who falls takes 2d6 bludgeoning damage and lands ``` ``` prone. A creature can make a DC 10 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to avoid this damage. A character can percieve this weakness with a DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check, or a DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) or Intelligence (Nature) check. #### Icy Patches There are several icy patches in the room, which are difficult terrain. A creature that enters an icy patch on its turn must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone. #### Pedestal The Wolf Pedestal is located in the center of the room. If a character investigates it, read the following aloud:

This marble pedestal has an several carvings of a wolves around it. It has a small imprint on the top where it looks like something might have sat. It also carries the following inscription: "Always stretching to the sky, fingers stiff and old My hands are bare and nobbly, naked in the cold But when I'm warm an emerald mitten I'll don And in between a golden mitten I put on."

If a player says the answer ("a tree", or an appropriate answer the DM likes), there is a shimmer of magic and a piece of parchment appears. Give the players a copy of *Map 5.* If the party places the *Wolf Figurine* (found in Room 11) on the pedestal, there is a great, reverberating dong, like a giant bell, and one of the golden chains on the great door in Room 9 vanishes. The figurine fuses to the pedestal and cannot be removed. #### West Slope The western slope is slippery and can't just be walked up (unless a character has a climbing speed). To ascend the slope, a character must succeed on a DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check. A creature who makes it to the top of the slope can tell there is something under the snow. If they investigate, they will find the bodies of several large creatures (a giant elk, a giant eagle, and a mammoth) frozen in ice. > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creature: > > A **Young White Dragon** (MM pg. 101) erupts out of the snow and attacks the party. > > * The dragon cannot be bartered with and ignores attempts to communicate with it. However, it is not very intelligent and has disadvantage on ability checks and saving throws relating to illusions. If the characters can fool it with an illusion, it flies away. This counts as a successful combat encounter. > * If a character is reduced to 0 hit points by the dragon's ice breath, they do not not make death saving throws, and instead are petrified (frozen) until they regain at least 25 hit points.

19

ROOM 19 | SNOWY MOUNTAIN

\page ## Room 20: Mirror Room When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

You enter a large hall, made of polished marble, empty but for the mirrors. Over a dozen large mirrors, crystal clear and 8 feet tall, are dotted around the room, set into heavy stone bases. Set into the north wall is a large crystal, emitting a bright beam of light due south. There is a similar, but dull, crystal set into the east wall.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The room is filled with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** The ceiling to this room is about 30 feet overhead. ***Hospitality.*** This room has no food to forage. There is no penalty for taking a long rest here. ***Treasure.*** Solving the mirror puzzle rewards the players with *Ring of Spell Storing*. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 19 to the west, and Room 21 to the east, and Room 14 to the south. #### Light Beam The beam is emitting from a large crystal, which cannot be removed from the wall. The beam is about chest height, and stops at the first mirror (the mirror by default is reflecting the light straight back at the crystal. The dotted line on the map represents a solution to the puzzle). While the beam is easily ducked under while stationary, if it is moving a creature in its path must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or take 4d10 radiant damage. Touching the beam, willingly or forced (for example, by grapple) automatically deals this damage. ``` ``` #### Magic Mirror If the characters investigate the mirrors, they will find one of them which is clearly magical. A *Detect Magic* spell will reveal that it belongs to the school of divination. A character can determine how the mirror works with a successful DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) check, or the *Identify* spell. A character who knows how to use the mirror can use their action to look into the mirror and try to see a glimpse of the future. The character must make a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw, taking 4d6 psychic damage on a failed save, or 1d6 psychic damage on a success. In either case, the DM determines the time until the next combat encounter in advance. Roll a d8, add it to the Encounter Timer, and repeat until the Encounter Timer passes 20. Then tell the players how many rooms they have until the next combat encounter. Until they trigger that upcoming encounter, do not roll or add to the Encounter Timer for entering rooms or finishing rests. #### Mirror Puzzle The mirrors are large ovals, 8 feet tall by 4 feet wide. They are set into heavy stone frames and bases, and provide full cover. As an action, a creature may attempt to turn a mirror in its base (the bases are fused to the floor and cannot be moved). The bases are structured in such a way that while resting, the mirrors can only reflect the light in one of eight directions: four orthogonally (up/down/left/right) and four diagonally. The dashed line on the map shows one possible solution (there is more than one). Characters may try to manipulate the light and mirrors in other ways. A mundane mirror will shatter if placed in the Light Beam. Otherwise, be flexible. A magic mirror would reflect the beam. A spell that reflects may work. A character may be able to replicate the qualities of the Light Beam with a successful DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) check and a leveled spell that creates light (such as the *Sunbeam* spell). When the party manages to reflect the Light Beam to the recieving crystal in the east wall, there is a glimmer and a *Ring of Spell Storing* (DMG pg. 192) appears on the floor beside it. > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > Three **Spectators** (MM pg. 30) magically emerge from two of the mirrors and attack the party. > * While the mirrors provide full cover, the Spectators will attempt to bounce their eye rays off the mirrors to hit targets. > * It is visibly obvious which of the following features a Spectator is benefiting from: if from Symbiotic Relationship, a glowing magical energy stretches between the two Spectators, if Lonely Armor the Spectators skin becomes visibly tougher. > * ***Symbiotic Relationship.*** If two Spectators are within 10 feet of each other, they both have advantage on saving throws against spells. > * ***Lonely Armor.*** If there are no allys within 10 feet of a Spectator, its AC increases to 18.

20

ROOM 20 | MIRROR ROOM

\page ## Room 21: Shop When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

This room appears to be a cleared glade in a forest. In the center of the room is a small log building, with smoke rising from a cobblestone chimney. Next to the door hangs a sign that says "Ludo's General Store."

When the characters enter the shop read the following aloud.

A bell above the door tinkles as you open it. A satyr clops out from a back room and greets you. "Welcome! My name is Ludo, and this here is my shop! I've got most everything you could want around here, I even got a few magical trinkets somewhere. What can I get for you good folks?"

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The room is filled with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** This room appears to be open to the sky. However, a creature who attempts to fly out would find an invisible barrier 60 feet up. ***Hospitality.*** This room has no food to forage. There is no penalty for taking a long rest here. If the party spends 100 gp or more at the shop, Ludo will allow you to sleep in the shop. Taking a long rest in the shop does not contribute to the Encounter Timer. ***Treasure.*** There is no treasure to be found in this room. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 27 to the north, and Room 20 to the west, and Room 30 to the south. The southern door is magical. ``` ``` #### Ludo Ludo is a friendly **Satyr** (MM pg. 267), who is perfectly happy to sell items to the characters. He can sell any item from the **Armor, Weapon,** or **Adventuring Items** tables (PHB pg. 145, 149, 150) for the listed prices. He also has a few magic item for sale: roll on the tables below. His magic items stock refreshes whenever the party finishes a long rest. At the DM's discretion, he may also have spellcasting material components available. Ludo has lots of practice dealing with adventurers who are less than honest. He has advantage on all Perception and Insight checks. Additionally, he is under the patronage of Oberon: if the characters target Ludo or his shop with any harmful effects or spells, both he and the shop vanish, leaving the room as an empty forest glade. They shop remains absent until the party places a figurine on a pedestal; the shop then returns, but Ludo's demeanor will have soured. While friendly, Ludo is difficult to bargain with. The characters can earn a 10% discount with a successful DC 25 Charisma (Persuasion) or (Deception) check, or by performing a favor for Ludo: he has a love letter he would like delivered to the Dryad Elowen in Room 28. The characters must deliver the letter and bring Ludo her response. Ludo does not volunteer this information, the characters must inquire. Finally, Ludo know several secrets about the maze that he is willing to divulge. First, he will confirm that by placing the animal figurines on their matching pedestals, the golden chains on the great door will vanish, allowing the party to escape through it. He will also tell the party additional secrets based on a Charisma (Persuasion) check: one secret if the total was 10 or more, and two secrets if the total was 20 or more. The DM chooses which secret, if any, to reveal: * There are a total of 30 rooms in the maze. * Some of the doors in the maze are magical, and will teleport those who go through them to a different room in the maze, rather than what the adjacent room would be. #### Magic Items Prices in gp are listed in parentheses.

| d6 | Potions | |:---:|:------------| | 1 | greater healing (100), 2x | | 2 | greater healing (100), climbing (70) | | 3 | greater healing (100), growth (200) | | d6 | Potions | |:---:|:------------| | 4 | greater healing (100), superior healing (500) | | 5 | hill giant strength (350), superior healing (500) | | 6 | superior healing (500), 2x |

| d4 | Magic Item | |:---:|:------------| | 1 | +1 melee weapon (500) | | 2 | +1 ranged weapon (500) | | d4 | Magic Item | |:---:|:------------| | 3 | +1 Wand of the War Mage (500) | | 4 | +1 shield (500) |

> ##### Combat Encounter: -----NONE----- > If a combat encounter would occur in this room, delay it until the next room the party enters.

21

ROOM 21 | SHOP

\page ## Room 22: Pentacle When the characters enter this room for the first time, ***if they can see,*** read the following aloud.

Before you is a dark, damp cave. There are several tables and chairs scattered about the room, and the air reeks of the smell of blood. The center of the room is dominated by a raised platform with a giant red pentacle painted on it. Various arcane instruments and bowls of strange herbs litter the platform. Against one wall is what appears to be a glass cube, holding a silver ring set with a golden stone.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The room is filled with darkness. ***Ceiling.*** The stone ceiling is about 60 feet overhead. ***Hospitality.*** Creatures who finish a long rest in this room must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or be cursed. A cursed creature cannot regain hit points by any means, and fiends and undead have advantage on attack rolls against cursed creatures. A creature remains cursed until they have *dispel magic* or *remove curse* cast on them. A creature can determine this in advance with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check. No food can be foraged here. ***Treasure.*** Defeating the Nalfeshnee allows the characters to retrieve the *Ring of Telekinesis*. ***Exits.*** This room has two exits; Room 28 to the north, and Room 16 to the south. #### Glass Box This cube of force is immune to all damage and magic. Inside is a *Ring of Telekinesis* (DMG pg. 193). Sprinkling the ash from the Nalfeshnee on the box causes it to melt away. ``` ``` #### Summoning Instructions The tables contain journals and notes from the wizard who had set up the pentacle. From just a cursory glance at these notes, the characters are able to discern that the wizard thought they could use the remains of whatever they were trying to summon to pierce the glass box and retrieve the magic ring inside. Some information the players might discover, depending on creativity or good Arcana or Investigation rolls: * The creature the wizard tried to summon is a Nalfeshnee, a kind of demon. * It is CR 13, stronger than anything else in this maze. * The wizard left for "the library", hoping to find a valuable tool there. * The ring in the box is a *Ring of Telekinesis*, a very rare magic item. The notes contain instructions on finishing the summoning: *"The entity, greedy in heart, must be enticed by wealth; 133 on each point, and a single in the center."* For the first step the party must place 133 gold pieces on each point of the pentacle, and 1 in the center. This gold is consumed if the summoning is completed. *"The binding herbs, anathema to the entity, must be measured and lit precisely; first, the powdered rowan 2 left of the rosemary. Second, the hyssop right of the myrrh, and the wormwood next to neither"* For the second step the party must place the herbs in each of the triangles of the pentacle and ignited: going clockwise, the order is powdered rowan, wormwood, rosemary, hyssop, and myrrh. *"The blood of the party or parties calling, poured out as payment, collateral, to the entity."* For the third step, one or more characters must expend a total of 5 hit die: for each expended hit die, roll the die, **subtract** the character's Constitution modifier, and deal that much necrotic damage. *"Finally, the name the entity, spoken thrice, to call from beyond. The name, printed here at great personal risk; Zerevimeel. May the gods have mercy on us all."* For the final step, a player must say the name three times. If all the steps have been followed, the Nalfeshnee is summoned: see the "Combat Encounter" field below.

> ##### Combat Encounter: -----SPECIAL----- > If a combat encounter would occur in this room, delay it until the next room the party enters. > > When the characters complete the steps necessary to finish the summoning, a **Nalfeshnee** (DMG pg. 62) appears from a portal, in a whirlwind of thunder and lightning, whithin the pentacle. It attacks the party. > > If the party reduces the Nalfeshnee to 0 hit points, it dies in a burst of fire, leaving behind a pile of infernal ash.

22

ROOM 22 | PENTACLE

\page ## Room 23: Library When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

You step into a sprawling library: rows and rows of overflowing bookshelves fill this room. Stacks of books line the carpeted floor, and piles of books cover the few tables in the room. Floating magical laterns light the library, and in the center of the room is a counter with a ghost sitting behind it.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The room is filled with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** The ceiling is about 30 feet overhead. ***Hospitality.*** This room has no food to forage. There is no penalty for taking a long rest here. ***Treasure.*** Beating the ghost at its game rewards the players with the ghost's spell book. There are also numerous spell scrolls to be found here. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 6 to the west, Room 1 to the east, and Room 25 to the south. All three doors are magical. #### Books There are many, many books here. A handful of titles include: *A History of Circles - Volume 3.14; Do Wizards Dream of Magical Sheep?; Friendly Lawyers and Other Mythical Beasts; Little Women - a Guide to Dating Halflings; To Kill a Thunderbird; One Flew Over the Cockatrice's Nest; The Cleric in the Rye; The Art of War - Painting Battlefields; Game of Gnomes; Gorgon with the Wind; Houses & Humans, a Roleplaying Game; The Frog Prince of Bel-Air; Ann of Green Goblins;* and *Wizarding Heights* ``` ``` #### Ghost Gamble Behind the counter is the ghost of an older dwarven woman named Torgga. She is overall friendly to the party, and wants to engage in a wager. The party must ante 50 gp to play. The game is called Mastermind, played with colored beads; red, blue, green, yellow, purple, and orange. Torgga will create a secret pattern of four colors (e.g. red, purple, yellow, red). The party then has twelve attempts to guess the pattern by placing out their own pattern of beads. After each guess, Torgga tells the party two things; 1) how many beads the party guessed in the correct color *and* location, and 2) how many beads the party guess in the correct color but the *wrong* location. For example, if the party had guessed "red, red, purple, purple" to the above example, Torgga would reply one bead in correct color/location (the red in the first slot) and two beads of correct color but incorrect location (the second red and one of the purples). The party then guesses again, using the information they've recieved. We recommend the DM write the code in secret, and the players write their guesses and Torgga's feedback on a paper, so as the game progresses they can reference back to earlier guesses. If after twelve attempts the party has not guessed the pattern, Torgga keeps the gold; if they wish to play again they must ante up again and Torgga will create a new pattern. If the party successfully guesses the pattern, they regain their gold and Torgga directs them where to find her spellbook. She then fades away. Torgga's spellbook contains the following spells: (1st level) *Charm Person, Detect Magic, Feather Fall, Find Familiar, Fog Cloud, Grease, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Shield, Sleep* (2nd level) *Alter Self, Darkness, Detect Thoughts, Locate Object, Shatter* (3rd level) *Clairvoyance, Fear, Haste, Remove Curse* (4th level) *Dimension Door, Divination, Polymorph*. #### Searching the Shelves Throughout this room are many spell scrolls tucked into the shelves. A character can spend an hour searching the shelves. The first time they do so there is no penalty, for every time after the first they search again, add 1d6-1 to the Encounter Timer. When a character searches, they must make a Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check. If the roll is 20 or higher, they find a spell scroll, and if its 25 or higher, they find two spell scrolls. The first scroll found is a spell scroll of *Magic Circle*. After that they will find the following scrolls randomly: *Fireball, Leomund's Tiny Hut, Find Familiar, Lesser Restoration, Revivify, Divination.* > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > A **Mind Flayer** (MM pg. 222) and his pet **Nothic** (MM pg. 236) teleport into the room and attack the party. > * The Mind Flayer will use its Mind Blast feature on its first turn, and then cast *Dominate Monster* on its second, targeting any creature that isn't stunned. > * If the Mind Flayer is killed first, the Nothic flees.

23

ROOM 23 | LIBRARY

\page ## Room 24: Sand Pits When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

The dry air in this room stings your eyes and lips. Stone pillars dot this room, creating dark siluettes against a blazing sun in a clear sky. In several places the cracked red earth under your feet gives way to pools of sand. A few small scraggly needly cacti are growing on the pillars. At both entrances to the room there are badly sun-damaged wooden signs.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The sun fills this room with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** This room appears to be open to the sky. However, a creature who attempts to fly out would find an invisible barrier 90 feet up. ***Hospitality.*** Creatures who finish a long rest in this room must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or suffer 1 level of exhaustion. A creature can determine this in advance with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check. Additionally, there are bugs and small lizards and safe drinking water inside the cacti. Characters can forage for food with a successful DC 20 Wisdom (Survival) check. ***Treasure.*** The *Eagle Figurine* is buried about 10 feet down in the central sand pit. This small marble carving is magical to the touch, though it belongs to no school of magic. If placed on the Eagle pedestal (Room 5), one of the golden chains on the great door in Room 9 will vanish. ***Exits.*** This room has two exits; Room 30 to the north, and Room 18 to the south. ``` ``` #### Cacti These desert plants are covered in sharp needles. A creature can touch them without getting hurt with a successful DC 10 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check. A creature who fails their check, or who is forced to touch the cacti unwillingly (for example, through a grapple) takes 2d6 piercing damage. #### Pillars These stone pillars rise straight up 60 feet. Their surfaces are rough and can be climbed with a successful DC 10 Strength (Athletics) check. A creature with a climbing speed makes this check with advantage. At the top of the northwest pillar is the skeleton of a bird, with a parchment still tied to its leg. What remains of the parchment reads "...the eagle has landed...as we discus...en feet do...center pit" #### Quicksand There are several pits of quicksand around the room. These are difficult terrain, and when a creature first enters the area on their turn, they must make a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or be restrained. A restrained creature must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw at the start of each of their turn. On a success they free themselves from the quicksand. On a failure they sink a bit, and the DC increases by 5. After 3 failed saves, the creature's head drops below the surface of the sand and they begin suffocating. If one or more creatures use their action to grab the restrained creature and attempt to pull them out, the DC decreases by 10 for each helping creature. A creature with a flying speed can expend 10 feet of movement to free themselves. The Eagle Figurine is buried in the central pit 10 feet down. How the characters retrieve it are up to the DM: the *Mage Hand* or *Move Earth* cantrips may be used, or the *Gust of Wind* spell to blow the sand out of the pit. A creature tied to a rope may attempt to reach it by diving into the pit. #### Signs While the paint on the signs is faded and peeling, the words is still legible. However, the signs are written in Orcish. When translated, the signs read "WARNING: QUICKSAND" as well as the Orcish symbols for "Eagle" and "digging". > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > Two **Earth Elementals** (MM pg. 124) rise from the ground and attack the party. > * When one of the Earth Elementals dies, the second one will use its Earth Glide feature to disappear into the ground. It will reappear on its next turn at the top of one of the stone pillars. It will then use its action to cannonball onto a point on the ground near as many characters as it can. Each creature within 10 feet of where the Elemental lands must make a DC 13 Strength saving throw. On a failed save a creature takes 5d10 thunder damage and is knocked prone, and on a successful save takes half as much damage and isn't knocked prone. The Elemental then takes 50 damage.

24

ROOM 24 | SAND PITS

\page ## Room 25: Giant Room When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

At first glance this room appears nonsensical. There are wooden platforms supported by posts, with one much taller than the others. You see what looks to be a short wooden cliff face ending in a plateau, and a great open furnace with a roaring inferno in its maw. Elsewhere, a huge pile of fabric and hides rests on a wooden frame. But then you see, against the western wall, a enourmous wooden door, 30 feet tall. Suddenly your perception shifts: the stilted wooden platforms are chairs around a table, the plateau is a cupboard-counter-top, the cloth pile a bed, the inferno just a fireplace. You stand inside a one-room cottage; you've just shrunk down to the size of cats!

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** The fireplace fills this room with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** The wooden ceiling is about 60 feet overhead. ***Hospitality.*** Stale 'crumbs' nearly 6 inches across litter the floor. Characters can forage for food with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check. There is no penalty for taking a long rest here. ***Treasure.*** The *Bear Figurine* (and some gold) can be found inside the cupboard. This small marble carving is magical to the touch, though it belongs to no school of magic. If placed on the Bear pedestal (Room 1), one of the golden chains on the great door in Room 9 will vanish. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 23 to the north, Room 26 to the east, and Room 19 to the south. The northern door is magical. ``` ``` #### Bed Under the bed, amidst enourmous dust bunnies, the characters can easily find a giant needle (javelin) and a giant trowel (shovel). The top of the bed is only 8 feet off the ground. A character can climb onto the bed with a successful DC 5 Strength (Athletics) check. If they manage to find their way under the blankets, they'll find three **Giant Fire Beetles** (MM pg. 325), who have no interest in fighting and will try to flee. #### Cupboard The counter-top is about 12 feet above the ground. The sides of the cupboard are smooth and can't be climbed without equipment or a spell. On top is a cutting board and a giant knife (greatsword), as well as a spool of giant thread (silk rope, 50-feet). From this vantage point characters can look out a window, seeing a blizzard roaring through the night. The door to the cupboard can be opened with a successful DC 15 Strength check, or two Medium creatures working together. It is dark inside the cupboard, or dim light if the door is partially open. Inside are large sacks of ingredients (flour, salt, etc) and a box of giant matches (10 torches). There is also a locked safe box with a picture of a bear on it. The box can be unlocked with a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Thieves' Tools) check, a DC 25 Strength check, or the *Knock* spell. Inside is the *Bear Figurine* and 50 gp. #### Fireplace The flames here are over 8 feet tall and swelteringly hot. A creature who ends its turn within 5 feet of the fireplace must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or take 1d10 fire damage. If a creature moves into the fireplace, it must make a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw, taking 6d10 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a success. #### Giant Door This giant door is locked, and can't be opened by any means. #### Table and Chairs The surface of the table is about 10 feet off the ground, and characters can climb up to it with a successful DC 13 Strength (Athletics) check. On the top of the table is a pile of discarded gear. Most of it is useless, but searching the pile reveals a 10-foot pole and a spyglass. The seats of the chairs are about 6 feet above the ground, and can be climbed onto without a check. > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > A **Frost Giant** (MM pg. 155) and his pet **Dire Wolf** (MM pg. 321) enter through the large door and attack the party. > * The Frost Giant will not use his Rock action inside his house. > * ***Acclimated to the Cold.*** Both the giant and the wolf are vulnerable to fire damage and immune to cold damage.

25

ROOM 25 | GIANT ROOM

\page ## Room 26: Dark Room When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

You see nothing. Darkness rules this place. Torches, magical lights, darkvision, all of them fail.

If the characters manage to dispel the magical darkness read the following aloud.

You are standing in a plain, stone hallway. The grey walls reach up to the dull ceiling, 15 feet above you. The room appears to be a maze of these hallways. You see a handful of undisguised pit traps and dart traps triggered by wires.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** This room is filled with magical darkness. ***Ceiling.*** The ceiling is about 15 feet overhead. ***Hospitality.*** If the party takes a long rest in this room, roll 1d12 (instead of 1d4) and add it to the Encounter Timer. This room has no food to forage. ***Treasure.*** Navigating to the center of the room rewards the players with a *Periapt of Wound Closure*. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 25 to the west, Room 27 to the east, and Room 12 to the south. The southern door is magical. #### Crystal This dark gem is the source of the magical darkness. It is magical to the touch and cannot be moved or damaged. If *Dispel Magic* is cast on the crystal, the magic darkness in the room ends until the party leaves the room. ``` ``` #### Dark Maze The darkness in this room is caused by a 2nd-level spell cast on the crystal in the south half of the room. Methods for removing the darkness include the *Daylight* spell, the Light Domain Cleric's Channel Divinity feature, or casting *Dispel Magic* on the crystal. Warlocks with the *Devil's Sight* invocation can see through the darkness. In the center of the room lies a plain, square pedestal, with a *Periapt of Wound Closure* (DMG pg. 184) lying unguarded on it. If the players try naviagating the maze in the dark, only add walls to the battle map when they touch them. #### Pit Traps There a several pit traps throughout the room with obviously false covers (represented by brown squares on the map). The pits are only 6 feet deep. When a Medium or larger creature moves into one of the spaces, the false cover collapses and the creature must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. If a creature taps on the false cover, it is audibly hollow when compared to the stone floor. #### Shadow Bubble In one of the deadends of the maze lies a mystical bubble (represented by a purple circle on the map). If a creature enters the space of this bubble, it pops and casts the *Confusion* spell (DC 17) centered on its space. If the party is navigating this room in the dark, erase all currently revealed walls and traps. #### Wire Traps In several places in this room there are wires strung tight between walls, tied to dart traps (represented by yellow lines on the map). If a Medium or larger creature moves into one of these spaces without ducking, the trap fires and the creature must make a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 1d4 piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.

> ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > A **Wraith** (MM pg. 302) and two **Shadows** (MM pg. 269) spawn from the darkness and attack the party. > * ***Eyes of Death.*** The wraith and shadows have blindsense with a range of 60 feet. > * The undead prefer hit and run tactics; the Shadows by hiding in the darkness and the Wraith by moving through walls at the end of its turn. Don't forget that a creature can only make an attack of opportunity if they can see the target. > * For the purposes of these creatures' Sunlight Sensitivity feature, all bright light functions as sunlight.

26

ROOM 26 | DARK ROOM

\page ## Room 27: Swamp When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

This room is filled with trees in the throes of autumn: splashes of red, orange, yellow, and green. Most of the room is filled with stagnant pools of dark water, and the few unsubmerged bits of earth are soft and damp underfoot. Despite the beauty of the room, the air is uncomforably humid and carries a sickly smell, and you hear the buzzing drone of insects. In the center of the room rests a marble pedestal.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** This room is filled with bright light from the sun overhead. ***Ceiling.*** While it appears to be open to the sky, a creature who attempts to fly out would find an invisible barrier 100 feet up. ***Hospitality.*** Creatures who finish a long rest in this room must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or have their hit point maximum reduced by 2d8 until they finish a long rest. A creature resistant or immune to poison damage automatically succeeds on their saving throw. A creature can determine this in advance with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check. No food can be foraged here. ***Treasure.*** Solving the riddle on the pedestal rewards the players with *Map 6*. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 26 to the west, Room 11 to the east, and Room 21 to the south. The eastern door is magical. ``` ``` #### Pedestal The Elk Pedestal is located in the center of the room. If a character investigates it, read the following aloud:

This marble pedestal has a large carving of an elk on it. It has a small imprint on the top where it looks like something might have sat. It also carries the following inscription: "Tall I stand, ever defending the golden plains In humble garb am I, lacking of any brains But my murderous foes dare not approach my post My enemies fly from me, truely I do boast."

If a player says the answer ("a scarecrow", or an appropriate answer the DM likes), there is a shimmer of magic and a piece of parchment appears. Give the players a copy of *Map 6.* If the party places the *Elk Figurine* (found in Room 6) on the pedestal, there is a great, reverberating dong, like a giant bell, and one of the golden chains on the great door in Room 9 vanishes. The figurine fuses to the pedestal and cannot be removed. #### Pools The water here is almost black from the rotting leaves and weeds that clog these pools. Although the pools are only 1-2 feet deep, the mud at the bottom is soft and sticky. A creature moving through the area must spend 4 feet of movement for every 1 foot it moves. Additionally, a creature who ends their turn in the pool must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or take 1d4 poison damage. A creature who drinks this water must make a DC 20 Constitution saving throw. A creature takes 4d12 poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful save. #### Trees These short tress are only about 10 to 12 feet tall, and the branches are so dense that they cannot be moved through.

> ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creature: > > A **Young Green Dragon** (MM pg. 94) descends from the sky and attacks the party. > >* The dragon desires to accumulate servants. If the party agrees to serve the dragon, it will send them on a quest: the party must kidnap the dryad Elowen in Room 28 and bring her to the dragon. If they do the dragon takes the dryad and flies off. This counts as a successful combat encounter. > * If the party agrees to serve the dragon, it will allow them to leave through any door. However, if they return without the dryad, it will attack them again. > * If the dragon is reduced to 30 or fewer hit points, it will attempt to grapple a creature and fly straight up and drop them.

27

ROOM 27 | SWAMP

\page ## Room 28: Inn When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

You step into a warmly lit lobby. You smell roasting meat and fresh bread, and a comforting fire burns in a nearby fireplace. An elderly gnome sits nearby. Two carpeted hallways lead to private bedrooms. A green hued woman with leafy hair rushes up to greet you - a dryad. "Welcome, wecome" she greets you nervously. "I am Elowen, and you may spend the night here, if you please. We also have fresh meals for sale, is there any thing I can get you?"

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** This room is filled with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** The ceiling is about 15 feet overhead. ***Hospitality.*** Taking a long rest in the shop does not contribute to the Encounter Timer. Special meals can be purchased here. ***Treasure.*** There is no treasure to be found in this room. ***Exits.*** This room has two exits; Room 29 to the east and Room 22 to the south. #### Elowen Elowen is a dryad and the caretaker of this1 Inn. She is very friendly, but is quiet and lacks confidence. However, due to the patronage of Oberon, her prices are completely non-negotiable. Elowen knows several secrets about the maze that she is willing to divulge. First, she will confirm that by placing the animal figurines on their matching pedestals, the golden chains on the great door will vanish, allowing the party to ``` ``` escape through it. She will also tell the party additional secrets based on a Charisma (Persuasion) check: one secret if the total was 10 or more, and two secrets if the total was 20 or more. The DM chooses which secret, if any, to reveal: * After the chains disappear from the great door, the "lion queen" will be waiting for them. * There are 7 Figurines and 7 pedestals in the maze to be reunited. #### Inn Traits The primary purpose of this inn is to allow the party better long rests: taking a long rest here does not increase the Encounter Timer. Additionally, the party may take a long rest here after only 4 combat encounters (including placing Figurines on pedestals), rather than 5. Sleeping here has no cost; the party does not have to pay for the rooms they use. #### Menu Characters can buy the following dishes from Elowen as part of a long rest. They lose their special effects if taken from this room and simply become rations. ##### Special Meals | Dish | Cost | Effect | |:----|:----:|:----| | Hearty Fried Greens | 10 gp | Eater gains 1d6 + 4 temporary hit points. | | Glazed Sweet Roll | 50 gp | Eater regains all of their hit dice, rather than half, from their long rest. | | Dragon Steak | 300 gp | Eater gains 4d6 + 10 temporary hit points. | #### Other Guest The only other guest in the Inn is an elderly gnome, dressed in dark robes. He will not give the characters his name, but he will offer to cast certain spells for them, given the right price.

| Spell | Price | |:---|:------------| | *Identify* | 25 gp | | *Remove Curse* | 100 gp | | *Greater Restoration* | 300 gp | | Spell | Price | |:---|:------------| | *Raise Dead* | 500 gp | | *Heroes' Feast* | 1,500 gp | | *True Polymorph* | *Special |

The gnome can cast a unique version of *True Polymorph*: it can only turn a humanoid into another humanoid of the same level (not CR). In out-of-game terms, a player could use this to make a new character. The gnome will only cast this spell if the party can show him two Figurines at the same time. A figurine can not be used more than once for this. If they want to have him cast it again, they must show him two different Figurines. If the party attacks the gnome he teleports away, never to return. > ##### Combat Encounter: -----NONE----- > If a combat encounter would occur in this room, delay it until the next room the party enters.

28

ROOM 28 | INN

\page ## Room 29: Desert Oasis When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

Hot sand lays underfoot, encircling the perimeter of this room. The sun blazes in a cloudless sky overhead. A short distance ahead of you, the sand abruptly transitions into a verdent oasis: palm trees and thick grass surround a crystal clear spring. In the center of the room lays a marble pedestal.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** This room is filled with bright light. ***Ceiling.*** While it appears to be open to the sky, a creature who attempts to fly out of this room would find an invisible barrier 120 feet up. ***Hospitality.*** The trees here bear juicy and nourishing fruit. Characters can forage for food with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check. There is no penalty for taking a long rest here. ***Treasure.*** Solving the riddle on the pedestal rewards the players with *Map 7*, and a magic totem is hidden in the grass. ***Exits.*** This room has two exits; Room 28 to the west and Room 30 to the east. #### Artifacts Scattered in the grass are various objects used by a tribal people that would gather at this oasis, including a bronze dagger, several wooden masks, and a minuature totem pole. A character that succeeds on a DC 25 Intelligence (Religion) check recognizes the elven desert tribe that made these items, and that character may use the totem pole to cast the *Find the Path* spell once, and then it is destroyed. ``` ``` #### Pedestal The Elephant Pedestal is located in the center of the room. If a character investigates it, read the following aloud:

This marble pedestal has several carvings of elephants marching around it. It has a small imprint on the top where it looks like something might have sat. It also carries the following inscription: "A mighty reservoir, but not made out of stone A snowcapped mountain range, but without earthen bones Molded into any shape, though not formed of clay And power such to make a night out of the day."

If a player says the answer ("a cloud", or an appropriate answer the DM likes), there is a shimmer of magic and a piece of parchment appears. Give the players a copy of *Map 7.* If the party places the *Elephant Figurine* (found in Room 2) on the pedestal, there is a great, reverberating dong, like a giant bell, and one of the golden chains on the great door in Room 9 vanishes. The figurine fuses to the pedestal and cannot be removed. #### Sand The sand in this room is soft and loose underfoot. It is difficult terrain, and laying prone in it causes sand to get everywhere, leaving a creature itchy and equipment substandard. A creature who does so suffers from one level of exhaustion until they finish a short rest, which they spend cleaning themselves and their equipment. Alternatively, the *Prestidigitation* cantrip can also remove this condition. #### Spring The spring is about 10 feet deep at its deepest point. The bottom of the pool is covered in smooth pebbles, and the water is remarkably clear. A character who succeeds on a DC 20 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check can skip a stone across the pool. Reward the first character who successfully does so with 5 temporary hit points.

> ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creature: > > A **Young Blue Dragon** (MM pg. 91) erupts from the sand and attacks the party. > >* This dragon is patient and is perfectly content to fly out of reach and attack the characters at range with its Lightning Breath. However it is vain, and if a creature insults it, it will land and attack that creature exclusively (or the most recent creature to insult it, if multiple). > * If a character compliments the dragon, it will hold off on attacking them. If they continue complimenting the dragon, have them make a Charisma (Persuasion) or (Deception) check. If the total is 20 or higher, the dragon is flattered and flies off. This counts as a successful combat encounter.

29

ROOM 29 | DESERT OASIS

\page ## Room 30: Chessboard When the characters enter this room for the first time read the following aloud.

This majority of this room is dominated by a checkered black and white floor. A collection of large statues, some carved of white stone, some from black, are scattered about the checkered floor. A large group of statues are stacked against the eastern wall. There is an silent tension in the air.

### General Features Here are the features of the room. ***Light.*** This room is filled with bright light, seemingly from no source. ***Ceiling.*** The stone ceiling is about 30 feet overhead. ***Hospitality.*** Creatures who finish a long rest in this room wake up feeling stiff, and regain one less hit die than they should from the long rest. A creature can determine this in advance with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Insight) check. No food can be foraged here. ***Treasure.*** Putting the black king in checkmate rewards the players with a *Wand of Paralysis*. ***Exits.*** This room has three exits; Room 21 to the north, Room 29 to the west and Room 24 to the south. The northern door is magical. #### Chessboard This room is enchanted to magically play the characters in a nearly finished game of chess. The characters win if they can put the black king in checkmate (position their statues so that, no matter what, on the next turn the black king gets taken). If they succeed, the black king tips over and breaks, and a *Wand of Paralysis* (DMG pg. 211) falls out. ``` ``` #### Statues The characters can easily drag the white statues, no check required. By no means can they move a black statue. There are five white statues and five black statues on the checked floor. The five white statues are; a regal man with a crown (king), a rearing horse (knight), a man in vestments (bishop), a miniture castle turret (rook), and a man with a tall shield and spear (pawn). The black statues are; a regal man with a crown (king), a tall intimidating woman (queen), and three men with tall shields and spears (pawns). The statues will only move to valid locations as per traditional chess rules: * A Pawn can only move one space forward if it is unoccupied, and it can only take another statue by moving forward diagonally. If a pawn makes it to the far side of the chessboard, it is replaced by one of the taken pieces to the side: the first black pawn is replaced by a knight, the second by a bishop, and the third by a rook. * A Rook can move as far as it wants, but only orthagonally (up/down/left/right). * A Knight can only move in an "L" shape; two spaces in one direction, then one space to the left or right of the original direction. Additionally, the knight is the only statue that can move through the spaces of other statues. * A Bishop can move as far as he wants, but only diagonally * A Queen can move as far as she wants, either orthagonally or diagonally. * A King can only move one square at a time, either orthagonally or diagonally. If a statue ends its movement in the space of another, it "takes" that pieces, which is removed from the checkered floor. It magically falls over, rolls itself over to where the statues are stacked off the board, and stands itself up. If the characters attempt to move a white statue to an invalid location, it teleports back to its original location, and the character who moved it takes 2d4 force damage. Once the party moves a white statue, one of the black statues will magically move, trying to put the white king in check. The taken statues to the east are primarily pawns of both colors, as well as rooks, knights, and bishops. However, a character who succeeds on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) check will see that one of the statues is unique: a hideous woman with snakes for hair, with a six legged lizard around her feet. This statue vanishes when the combat encounter in this room occurs. > ##### Combat Encounter > The first time a combat encounter occurs in this room, use the following creatures: > > A **Medusa** (MM pg. 214) and her pet **Basilisk** (MM pg. 24) emerge from the group of statues and attacks. > * The Medusa prefers to keep her distance, shooting with her longbow, while the Basilisk charges into melee. > * The Medusa can cast the *Flesh to Stone* spell (DC 15) once per day.

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ROOM 30 | CHESSBOARD

\page ## Monster List The creatures found in the maze are listed alphabetically below. ##### Monsters * 3 Banshees (Random Encounter) * 1 Basilisk (Room 30) * 3 Beholders, Spectators (Room 20) * 1 Chimera (Room 13) * 1 Cloaker (Room 7) * 1 Demon, Nalfeshnee * 4 Devils, Spined Devils (Room 12) * 4 Displacer Beasts (Random Encounter) * 1 Dragon, Young Black (Room 8) * 1 Dragon, Young Blue (Room 29) * 1 Dragon, Young Brass (Room 5) * 1 Dragon, Young Bronze (Room 16) * 1 Dragon, Young Green (Room 27) * 1 Dragon, Young Red (Room 1) * 1 Dragon, Young White (Room 19) * 2 Elementals, Air (Random Encounter) * 2 Elementals, Earth (Room 24) * 1 Elemental, Fire (Random Encounter) * 1 Elemental, Water (Room 2) * 3 Flameskulls (Random Encounter) * 4 Ghouls (Room 14) * 2 Ghouls, Ghasts (Room 14) * 1 Giant, Frost (Room 25) * 4 Goblins (Room 3) * 1 Gorgon (Random Encounter) * 4 Griffons (Room 6) * 4 Hell Hounds (Random Encounter) * 2 Hobgoblin Captains (Room 3) * 1 Medusa (Room 30) * 2 Mephits, Mud (Room 2) * 2 Mephits, Steam (Room 2) * 1 Mind Flayer (Room 23) * 2 Minotaurs (Random Encounter) * 1 Naga, Spirit Naga (Room 17) * 1 Nothic (Room 23) * 2 Oozes, Black Puddings (Room 4) * 3 Sahuagin (Room 11) * 1 Sahuagin Priestess (Room 11) * 2 Shadows (Room 26) * 2 Skeletons (Room 14) * 1 Sphinx, Gynosphinx (Room 9) * 2 Trolls (Random Encounter) * 2 Vampires, Vampire Spawn (Room 18) * 6 Will-o'-Wisps (Random Encounter) * 1 Wraith (Room 26) * 1 Yugoloth, Nycaloth (Random Encounter) ##### Appendix A: Miscellaneous Creatures * 1 Dire Wolf (Room 25) * 6 Flying Snakes (Room 17) * 2 Hunter Sharks (Room 11) ##### Appendix B: Nonplayer Characters * 2 Berserkers (Room 10) * 1 Cult Fanatic (Room 13) * 1 Gladiator (Room 10) * 1 Mage (Random Encounter) > ##### Art Credits >All credit for the art on the following pages goes to the artist. > > * Cover Art - stone, ivy, thorns, forest, art, HD mobile wallpaper on Peakpx >* Page ii - Thranduil by 50plus on Pintrest >* Page 15 - Anshu Bhojnagarwala on Wordpress > > All maps were made by NatetheHoser with Gimp using a template generated by Dungeonscrawl.com

### Encounter Design Philosophy This module tries to follow the "Creating Encounters" section in the Dungeon Master's Guide (pages 81-87). Specifically, the assumption that a 7th-level party (of four characters) should be dealing with 20,000 xp worth of encounters each day. Split between the 5 encounters that must be dealt with between each long rest in the maze, each encounter should be worth an average of 4,000 xp. And this is the case. That is, the *average* worth of all encounters is about 4,000 xp. But individual encounters range from as little as 2,300 xp to as much as 5,900 or more. Thus, it is possible that, through bad luck, the party on one day will encounter several harder encounters in a row and need to flee, leaving that battle for the next adventuring day. To counteract this, the rule "treat placing a Figurine as a successful combat for long rest purposes" was conceived. Now, the party need not face 5 combats: they may only face 4, or even 3. This also rewards the characters for progessing: players are naturally risk-averse and allowing the party to take a long rest sooner when they are, let's say, "on task" will help implicitly steer them toward this behavior. But there are other relevant factors here: specifically Random Encounters and Triggered Encounters. Random Encounters aren't expected to occur until later in the adventure, since for one to happen an encounter must occur in a room that has already had its dedicated encounter defeated. Therefore Random Encounters have been balanced for an 8th-level party. As for Triggered Encounters, there are only two in the adventure: the Nalfeshnee in Room 22 and the Gynosphinx in Room 9. These are both deadly encounters, but because the party triggers their initiative, they can be sure to be prepared for the fight. Or suffer the consequences. ### Puzzle Design Philosophy Due to the open nature of the maze, the puzzles do not build on each other, since the players can encounter them in any order. Instead, each is meant to be a stand alone challenge. The players are not necessarily meant to solve every puzzle. The only things they need to do to leave the maze are 1) find all 7 Figurines, 2) put them on their pedestals, and 3) get past the Gynosphinx. Everything else in the maze is optional. The Figurines have, generally, been placed behind easier "puzzles" (see Rooms 6, 11, and 25) to ensure players can find them, and, as before, feel free to move rewards around if your players get stumped.

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MAPS | DM MAP

\page ## Player Handouts - Maps

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MAPS | PLAYER HANDOUTS

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