Priest's Altar

Priest's Altar

Type	Dungeon
Status	Explored June 883 TA
Location	near village of Goblin Fork
Hex	2911
Campaign	Dragonsford Campaign
Adventure #	79

Introduction

It has become a tradition at the Wicked Lady pub to publish notices on a large wooden post near a small stage where travelling bards and singers ply their trade. These notices usually attempt to enlist the help of local artisans in making special wares, the labor of young men to work the fields at harvest time, and other such mundane affairs. However, once in a great while, a notice is posted for mercenaries, adventurers, and explorers. It was about two days ago that such a notice was posted. It reads simply:

Adventurers wanted to help find my son
Taken at night near the Priest's Altar.
Reward: magical armor or weapon
See Fennel at the blacksmith's shop in Goblin Fork.

Goblin Fork

Most of the Golbin Fork townsfolk can be found at the tavern after dark, but they will be very quiet about the happenings in their town. There were three other children playing with Aron on the night of his disappearance: Fenwick (farmer's son), Rickard (weaver's son), and Alena (baker's daughter). They will be summoned if the correct approach is made. It is important to note that Rickard is actually the acolyte of the Priest's Altar. He will, naturally say nothing. However, he will volunteer to lead the party to the dungeon if there is not time for him to go to the Priest's Altar and warn his comrades. Rickard is careful not to leave any clues to his real identity in town. However, a small ceremonial dagger is tucked under his bed and will be found if a careful search is made.

Dungeon Exterior

There is a path that winds up the side of the Priest's Altar. The path shows signs of travel, but it is impossible to discern anything without careful inspection. The following can be detected at a -30% on a tracking percentage: the path has been travelled by a number of small-footed creatures (gnomes), several carts (slave carts), and a number of human creatures. At one point, the footprints stop about sixty feet (vertically from the top). If the initial detection is made, there is a chance at -30% that this will be detected. Otherwise, the path continues to the top of the rock. This area is 300 yards wide and 600 yards long covered with a number of scrubby bushes and small gnarled trees. In the center of the rock is a dense bush which conceals a 20 foot by 20 foot pyramid made of stone and colored glass. It is through this glass that the mysterious lights can be seen on a cloudy night. The glass is set in the ceiling of Room 5.

Priest's Altar

Room 1: Ante Room

This room has two secret doors on the south that are unlocked and unguarded. It is made of rough hewn stone which looks like they are at least one hundred years old. The two doors in the north have the following inscription above them:

What has roots that nobody sees,
Is taller than trees,
Up, up, it goes,
And yet never grows?

If the party mutters "a mountain", the doors swing silently open. If they do not, the doors will open effortlessly, but the first character through the door will be hit by a falling block of stone for 2d8 hit points of damage.

Room 2: Entrance Room

This large room is 80 feet by 80 feet. It has four large pillars made of the same stone as the rest of the dungeon. In the east is a twenty foot wide hallway blocked by an iron portculis. The portculis is currently down. The other two hallways are unremarkable.

Careful inspection will reveal arrowslits in the walls and the faint sound of voices coming from the east.

Room 3: Ancient Burial Chamber

This door is sealed with a large stone disk. The disk is adorned with a skull made of polished ivory. The skull glows faintly and radiates an aura of magic.

Unless the disk is broken with the Skull Staff, the three skeletons will animate and attack.

This room has three ancient coffins, each of stone and looking untended for scores of decades. The coffins do not have lids. On a small shelf at the east end of the room, is a small vial.

The skeletons within are high priests from the old religion. The vial is a Potion of Moderate Healing.

Room 4: Small Throne Room

This room is similar to Room 2 in design. There is a large throne, also made of stone in the north end of the room. The throne has not been tended for many years.

This room will generally be empty.

Room 5: Large Throne Room

This room is 200 feet by 200 feet with four large pillars helping to support the massive roof. Unlike the rest of the dungeon, the ceiling in this room soars upward from the corners to a point nearly sixty feet in the air. In the center of the room is a large pool of crystal clear liquid. On one side of the pool is a throne similar to that in the previous room, except that this one shows signs of recent use. On the other side of the pool are nine pews and several large candles. The pews look like they might hold fifty human-sized creatures. The candles are not lit. Like the throne, all of these have seen use recently. On the wall of this room, behind the throne, there is a huge bas relief of a screaming human face. The other three walls are painted with murals showing a human figure carrying a staff with a skull on it. The walls show the figure in battle, at prayer, and in death.

Careful examination shows the eyes and mouth of the screaming face to be windows which lead to rooms beyond.

Room 6: Priest's Common Room

This room is a large unadorned hall. In the center of the room is a large table and 13 chairs. Several cabinets line both the southwest and southeast corners. The cabinets are filled with foodstuffs, cooking utensils, and other eating implements.

Several large knives can be used as daggers, if needed. This room is where the priest go to eat and talk. Typically, this room will be filled only during mealtimes.

Room 7: Priest's Quarters

These rooms are simple 20 foot square rooms. Each has a single bed in it. The beds are simple, made of straw and wood covered with a blanket. Each cubicle has a end table and a chair.

It is likely that a number of priests will be encountered here unless they are eating or in prayer.

The priests do not own any possessions, so nothing of interest will be found here. Careful inspection will not yield any clues.

Room 8: Ancient Vestment Room

It is obvious that the door to this room has been forced open in the recent past, as there are crowbar marks along the door jamb. The door is currently shut. The lock is broken.

Careful examination will show a seal similar to that on the door to Room 3.

This room is dark and very musty from years of disuse. Along the far wall are three glass cases. In each hang the ornamental robes, jewelry, and accompaniments of a priest. On the wall to the left, is a simple peg with a robe hanging on it. Otherwise, the room is unadorned.

Careful examination will reveal a single set of footprints moving from the door to the peg on the wall.

If any party member enters the room, a ghost will appear in the corner near the cases. It will speak in an unintelligible language, but the tone will be one of hostility and anger. The ghost will try, in any way, to frighten the party away. If the skull staff is returned, the ghost will smile and fade away.

Room 9: Guard Quarters

The southeastern four rooms in the complex are under the control of the head slaver, Slingsby. There are always 4 human guards and Sligsby in the complex. On days when the caravan comes for the slaves, there are 12 human guards in the complex. Each of the three rooms in this complex sleep two guards, with the northernmost room reserved for Slingsby himself. The rooms are simple, with beds similar to the priest's beds in Room 7.

Sligsby is third level and the guards are each second level. They are all dressed in Chain Mail which provides AC 6.

Room 10: Slave Trader's Quarters

This room is used for visiting slave traders. The room has a table in the center of the room with four chairs around it. There are two cots against the western wall. The room has several tapestries hung on the wall with red and blue patterns.

The tapestry on the northern wall hides a hold which leads to the southernmost cell. From that cell, conversations in Room 10 can be overheard.

Room 11: Slave Cells

These five small 20 foot cells are each guarded with heavy iron bars. The cells contain no furniture or furnishings at all. Currently, the cells are filled with gnome prisoners. The gnomes are unarmed and clothed in rags.

They cannot fight, and they will withstand only 2 hit points of damage each. The cells are filled as follows (N to S): 3 gnomes, 6 gnomes, 5 gnomes, 1 gnome and Aron, empty. If the party is captured, they will be put in the cell with Aron, and the gnome will be moved to the northernmost cell.

Room 12: Guard's Common Room

This room is a large unadorned hall. In the center of the room is a large table and a dozen wooden chairs. A table is pushed up against the western wall. It is scattered with foodstuffs, cooking utinsils, and other eating implements.

Several large knives can be used as daggers, if needed. This room is where the guards go to eat, drink, and gamble. The room will be empty at most times, but three guards and Sligsby can be found here at mealtimes. The remaining guard will always be in Room 9.

Room 13: High Priest's Vestry

This room has a large stuffed leather chair in the southeast corner which has been draped off by a tapestry attached to the ceiling. Outside of the tapestry, a small altar sits against the south wall.

Careful examination shows that the leather chair is well worn and the altar has seen little use. On the altar is a wooden candlestick and candle (no value). Under the altar, a small sack contains a latern, oil, three candles, and a tinderbox.

Room 14: Lower Observation Room

The western wall of this room opens up to a gaping mouth that overlooks Room 5. The mouth is large enough for several man-sized creatures to crawl through. There is a door in the northeast that leads to a privy, a spiral staircase in the east that leads to the Priest's Quarters, and a door in the southeast that leads into the Acolyte's Quarters.

Room 15: Acolyte's Quarters

Entering this room, one is greeted by the stench of death. This 30 by 30 room is where Rickard the Acolyte prepares for ceremonies. There is a bed in the southeast corner.

The small bed has seen little use since Rickard typically sleeps in town. The foul odor comes from a small altar in the northeast corner on which is a blue ceramic bowl heaped with small dead and burned animals. Next to the bowl are a candlestick and candle. Several robes hang from pegs on the west wall. It is very unlikely that Rickard will be here. Rickard is a standard 5th level cleric with a standard spellbook. He is armed with a dagger and staff.

Room 16: Upper Observation Room

There is a tapestry in the northeast corner east wall. Along the northern wall is a large desk sitting in front of a bookcase. A leather chair can be found pushed under the desk.

This is the outer chambers to Shadrach's room. The western wall of the room has two small openings that correspond the eyes in the large bas relief in Room 5. From here, Shadrach can easily overlook his priests in prayer.

Careful examination of the desk reveals a large bound tome which at first glance appears to be a ledger of sorts. The book is filled with the names of prisoners and two prices next to each. The last 16 entries in the book have a single price next to them: 5 gold pieces. The very last entry in the book reads Aron, 15 gold pieces. A bottle of ink and pen are sitting next to the book.

Room 17: High Priest's Quarters

Unlike the rest of the dungeon, this room is lavishly decorated. The walls are covered with rich tapestries, a hand-carved walnut bed with matching dressers and tables, a large iron-bound chest.

This Shadrach's private chamber. The chest is not locked, but it does contain a secret compartment. Shadrach will be found here only at night, asleep.

Monsters Shadrach the High Priest (urvile) Rickard the Acolyte 13 goblin priests 3 skeletons Slingsby the Head Guard 4 human guards 15 gnome prisoners 1 human prisoner (Aron)

Treasure magical sword or armor from Fennel Potion of Moderate Healing 20 gold pieces (5 on each guard) Skull Staff (Shadrach) - non-magical Ring of Invisibility (Shadrach) - 5 charges 300 gold pieces Potion of Treasure Finding Short Sword +4 (hidden compartment) 4 Large Chalk Balls which light when tossed into water (hidden compartment)