Return of the Pharaohs
Chapter 12c – Adventure References
Details
Protections
Mass Hold Monster spell trap (DC30, Per/Dis DC31)
Greater glyph of warding (sonic, 10d8, DC29, Per/Dis DC31)
Alarms: Every doorway is warded with an alarm spell; when a door is opened, Belimarius receives a mental alert of the fact
Arcane Locks: Every door and control panel is protected by the equivalent of a superior lock and then further enhanced by an arcane lock; Disable Device DC 50 to open). Most of these doors open at a touch (a free action) from Runelord Belimarius only.
Mage’s Private Sanctum: A permanent mage’s private sanctum effect wards the entire complex.
Walls but can also be opened if the proper crystals are manipulated (DC 38 Open Locks).
Ancient Religion
The pre-eminent divinity in Thassilon was the rune goddess Lissala, whose worship was introduced by Emperor Xin himself. It was her teachings of rune magic that gave the empire its power. Even though she was not believed to have been an evil goddess, her message was eventually corrupted by the Runelords. Other churches included the monasteries of the Peacock Spirit, Minderhal, Lord of the Giants, Desna, and the worship of numerous fiends.
Adventure Arc Timeline:
- Party arrives at Sandpoint and meets Brodert Quink
- Once the party gains his trust, Brodert can outline what he knows about Edasseril, ancient Thassilon and little about the Ironbound Archipelago
- He will tell them that there is not much information about Edasseril and especially Xin-Edasseril
- He recommends that the group look for more detailed info regarding the site of Xin-Edasseril and specifically the Temple of Desna’s Last Dream
- He suggests that they find White Estrid and try to gain her trust
- He remembers a recent visit by a Pathfinder who is looking for adventurers to investigate a recently discovered ruin on the island of Flintyreach
- Group helps out Half-orcs of Averaka and gain access to the ruins
- Exploration of ruins is extensive, but they do find a hidden library that has a few pertinent written documents that provide a few clues
- If successful, the council at Averaka will provide passage to Halgrim where Estrid resides
- The group must convince (bluff of diplomacy) to get Estrid’s help
- She sends them along on a raiding mission to Nidal to prove their worth
- If successful, she will allow them to study the ancient maps and writings she has collected from Edasseril
- The group will find out the lay of the land 10,000 years ago and the location of both Xin-Edasseril as well as the nearby Temple of Desna’s Last Dream
The Chronosphere
The device is a metallic sphere about 4” in diameter composed of dull coppery Horaculum and Adamantine. A complex lattice of filigree surrounds the surface. If the proper combinations of 8 facets on the surface are depressed at the same time, the device will swing open on a cleverly designed hinge, revealing a small pad with strange glowing symbols (written in Androffan language). A DC28 Per will reveal a set of 12 symbols on the surface which can be depressed a few mm. If more than one is depressed at a time, the sphere will pulse in white light and then deal 5d6 of random energy damage (d4 fire, cold, electrical, acid vapor) and will inflict 1 point of Int damage. It would be virtually impossible to luck into opening the sphere (Yeetugh has been trying unsuccessfully for 18 years with much pain and expense, but Suramber was able to open it, seemingly instinctively, but has not shared her discovery with Yeetugh. She does not know, however, what the device actually does).
The digital controls are used in a particular sequence:
- Phase one, set the time and spatial coordinates to the sphere’s current T/S location
- Phase two, set the desired time coordinates
- Phase three, set the recall timer for a maximum of 12 hours
- Phase four, connect travelers to user via touch
- Phase five, engage sphere
Each phase lasts a maximum of 12 seconds before the sequence has to be started from scratch. The power source held within the sphere requires 1 week to fully recharge if not attached to a quantum power source such as the one that powered the drive of Divinity and has been long destroyed.
When the Chronosphere is engaged, the sphere will close and all 12 of the depressions will begin to pulse and glow. To the users, the world will slowly fade to gray, eventually immersing them in a foggy limbo. Disconnected images of trees, buildings, people and landscape rise and fall nearby, slowly coalescing into stationary features. The users arrive at their appointed time in the same space coordinates that they left. They must be very careful to account for changes to topography, climate, natural and unnatural changes to their previous environment.
During the visit to the Malhitu Bazaar, the group will be escorted to several vendors who specialize in both mundane and exotic items.
The group will be shown some handy desert adventuring gear at several vendors:
| Mundane | |
| Alchemist’s fire Antitoxin Area map Bullseye lantern Candle Chalk Chill cream Collapsible plank Crowbar Dungeoneering kit Everburning torch Fire ward gel Folding ladder | Folding pole Grappling hook Holy water Hooded lantern Hot weather outfit Lamp Magnifying glass Pole Rope Silk rope Spelunking kit Torch |
| Desert Smart | |
| Armor vents Burner Fuel pellet Purification pellet Salt Tablets | Serpent Line Smoke signal Sun cream Veil |
| Book Items | % chance |
| Armor or Shield up to +2 Armor or Shield +3 Armor or Shield +4 Armor or Shield +5 Specific Armor or Shield Potions Level 0-1 (min caster lvl only) Potions Level 2 Potions Level 3 Rings, Staves, Wands Wondrous Items | 90 70 40 20 (1-Market/20000)x100 or 99-100 if higher 90 80 70 (1-Market/20000)x100 or 99-100 if higher (1-Market/30000)x100 or 95-100 if higher |
| Private Sale Items | |
| Scarab Shield Spear of the Watchful Guardian Game of Fortunate Passing Hand of the Honest Man Natron Fang Bottle of Shifting Sand (3) Effigy of Anubis Rod of Uraeus Scarab of Mummy Defense | Sun Falcon Pectoral Armband of the Golden Serpent Eye of Horus Amulet Falcon Crown Scimitar of the Striking Wing Dune Boat Ring of Stony Flesh Cartouche of Distinctive Warding Staff of the Hooded Cobra |
Halgrim Inns
The Broken Shield
Description
The inn is a single storey stone-walled building, with a large cellar. Accomodations consist of several small rooms with beds and woolen mattresses.
Innkeeper
The innkeeper is a wise male dwarf named Sanzur.
Menu
Braised Goose and Leek, Glass of Brandy (2 sp)
Braised Goose and Oat Bread, Glass of Wine (1 sp)
Steamed Shellfish with Cinnamon and Curd Cheese, Glass of Wine (1 sp)
Stewed Mutton and Dried Parsnip, Tankard of Ale (9 cp)
Patrons
Kvela: Female Half-orc Expert (artist), NG. Str 9, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 11, Wis 11, Cha 9. Kvela has auburn hair and sharp hazel eyes, and a flat nose. She wears expensive clothing and silk gloves. Kvela seeks a company of adventurers to escort a powerful arcane device safely to the town of Cragrove.
Ateth Daley: Female Half-elf Expert (alchemist), LE. Str 11, Dex 11, Con 13, Int 9, Wis 9, Cha 10. Ateth has black hair and bright hazel eyes. She wears modest garments and silk gloves. Ateth seeks a company of adventurers to recover the Relic of Muriel from the cultists of Cthaggua.
Urin: Female Dwarf Commoner (scofflaw), NE. Str 5, Dex 9, Con 9, Int 6, Wis 11, Cha 9. Urin is common in appearance, with thick golden hair and hazel eyes. She is disloyal and sharp-tongued. Urin seeks a company of adventurers to recover and destroy an evil artifact from the Barrow of Mola the Adamant.
Deko: Male Half-orc Commoner (scofflaw), LN. Str 11, Dex 11, Con 7, Int 14, Wis 9, Cha 6. Deko has uneven auburn hair and bright hazel eyes. He wears sturdy clothing and carries a birch staff.
Erris: Female Gnome Aristocrat, NG. Str 13, Dex 12, Con 9, Int 8, Wis 7, Cha 12. Erris is exceptionally beautiful, with short blonde hair and narrow green eyes. She is heroic and extravagant. Erris seeks a company of adventurers to rescue the lady Alas from the cultists of Olep.
Hori Gislison: Male Dwarf Aristocrat, LE. Str 9, Dex 11, Con 11, Int 13, Wis 9, Cha 10. Hori has a square face, with tangled red hair and sharp amber eyes. He wears fine raiment and jewelry.
Frewyn: Male Human Aristocrat, N. Str 6, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 11, Wis 13, Cha 7. Frewyn has straight black hair and light brown eyes, and a beaked nose. He wears fine raiment and several pouches hang from his belt. Frewyn is a pack-rat, and carries a satchel of random junk.
The Flying Serpent
Description
The inn is a large single storey timber framed building, with a heather-thatched roof and dwarf-wrought iron tables and chairs. It is well lit by an iron chandelier. Accomodations consist of several large rooms with beds and straw mattresses.
Innkeeper
The innkeeper is an old female human named Gewe.
Menu
Vegetable Stew, Mug of Ale (3 cp)
Boiled Sausage and Barley Biscuits, Tankard of Stout (10 cp)
Dried Pork and Turnip, Tankard of Beer (8 cp)
Stewed Mutton and Blue Cheese, Tankard of Perry (11 cp)
Smoked Catfish and Peas, Tankard of Bitter (11 cp)
Patrons
Aben Andrer: Female Halfling Oracle, NG. Str 9, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 9, Wis 12, Cha 12. Aben has white hair and blue eyes. She wears scale mail and wields a club. Aben has an animal companion, a ginger cat named Ausan.
Elcheren: Female Half-orc Magus, N. Str 11, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 17, Wis 9, Cha 9. Elcheren is exceptionally beautiful, with braided gray hair and soft amber eyes. She wears studded leather and wields a heavy flail. Elcheren seeks a company of adventurers to recover the spear Skyreaper from the brigands of the Gloomy Moor.
Finaeli: Male Elf Oracle, CN. Str 15, Dex 10, Con 7, Int 11, Wis 11, Cha 17. Finaeli has a narrow face, with curly copper hair and amber eyes. He wears chainmail and wields a heavy mace and gauntlet. Finaeli compulsively insults others.
Aldamada: Female Half-orc Ninja, NG. Str 10, Dex 15, Con 7, Int 6, Wis 9, Cha 14. Aldamada has a round face, with red hair and hazel eyes. She wears studded leather and wields a morningstar. Aldamada has an animal companion, a dire rat named Vada.
Gylex: Male Half-elf Alchemist, CN. Str 13, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 12. Gylex is slender, with blonde hair and large blue eyes. He wears leather armor and wields a morningstar and collection of alchemical bombs. Gylex seeks a company of adventurers to discover who is assassinating his peers, and why.
Mara: Female Halfling Ranger, N. Str 12, Dex 8, Con 9, Int 13, Wis 10, Cha 10. Mara is willowy, with matted auburn hair and dark hazel eyes. She is truthful and aggressive. Mara seeks a company of adventurers to protect her from the assassins of Kadara the Gargoyle Prince.
Sengred: Male Halfling Cavalier, NG. Str 17, Dex 11, Con 9, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 16. Sengred has braided copper hair and large hazel eyes, and small ears. He wears full plate armor and wields a ranseur. Sengred is hunting the dragon who murdered his family.
Wena: Female Human Cleric, NG. Str 5, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 6, Wis 14, Cha 11. Wena has golden hair and narrow gray eyes, and small ears. She wears full plate armor and wields a heavy mace and buckler. Wena seeks a company of adventurers to thwart the monstrous plan of Mano the Gargoyle Tyrant.
The Broken Dagger
Description
The inn is a single storey timber framed building, with roughly hewn wooden tables and benches. The walls and ceiling are carved with wards against evil. Accomodations consist of several hammocks in the common room.
Innkeeper
The innkeeper is a heavyset male elf named Eleneth. He was once an adventurer, but was maimed by a dragon.
Menu
Smoked Pheasant and Radish, Tankard of Ale (9 cp)
Boiled Cabbage, Mug of Bitter (4 cp)
Roasted Beetroot, Mug of Mead (2 cp)
Roasted Lamb and Sharp Cheese, Tankard of Cider (12 cp)
Patrons
Blefi: Male Dwarf Wizard, CN. Str 12, Dex 10, Con 9, Int 17, Wis 11, Cha 7. Blefi is short, with white hair and light green eyes. He is hardworking and clever. Blefi seeks a company of adventurers to rescue the lady Saisse from the brigands of the Toadfen Marsh.
Thildrga: Female Dwarf Witch, NG. Str 11, Dex 8, Con 9, Int 13, Wis 10, Cha 11. Thildrga is rugged in appearance, with auburn hair and dark brown eyes. She wears well-made clothing and wields a shortspear and javelins. Thildrga seeks a company of adventurers to recover the Relic of Dardej from the pirates of the Sea of Blood.
Lufu: Female Human Inquisitor, LN. Str 15, Dex 8, Con 5, Int 7, Wis 15, Cha 10. Lufu has short gray hair and light hazel eyes. She wears scale mail and wields a shortspear and hand crossbow. Lufu suffers a deadly allergy to trolls.
Tella: Female Halfling Inquisitor, N. Str 15, Dex 14, Con 7, Int 7, Wis 12, Cha 11. Tella has a long face, with red hair and gray eyes. She wears hide armor and wields a heavy mace and shortbow. Tella is clever and aggressive.
Ewin Llyne: Male Half-elf Ranger, N. Str 11, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 7, Wis 15, Cha 11. Ewin has curly auburn hair and blue eyes. He wears studded leather and wields a heavy pick and handaxe. Ewin seeks a company of adventurers to hunt down and capture the notorious highwayman Gifu.