Last three chambers for Level 1 of the Found Tombs of Arvakaten

 Orc Captain's Lair (#29/365)

"Four torches burn in the corners of this long, low-ceiling room. It is an opulent chamber, hung with silk tapestries of geometric designs, and the floor is scatted with cushions. Two creatures sit at a table playing Dragon Chess, one is a very large Orc blowing purple smoke rings while sucking on a water-pipe, while the other is a Black Elf woman with silver-streaked hair, in dark robes, with a scimitar at her side. They look at you with bored disdain and then they both break into a fit of manic laughter!"

Contents: This is the lair of the captain of the Bronze Serpent Mercenary Company, Shaisak Camel-Smiter, and his advisor/factotum/drug supplier, Espereth of Rimon. They are currently both under the influence of some Pale Willowsap wine (see Encyclopedia Arcana: Volume 1 p. 55) they have been drinking.

Shaisak's Bronze Serpents are originally from the uplands bordering the Skull Coast but have left their tribe and ventured south, setting up a base here in the Tombs, where there is more work in the region, whether it be as marines on pirate ships, shock troops for the Lizard Men Empire's far-flung colonies, or simply being paid by local devious merchants to bump off their rivals' caravans. When possible, they venture down to Dust Town to trade, or occasionally send emissaries back home to the north, with loot for the rest of the tribe to spend.

Espereth was formerly a spy operating from Kaynlesh-Ma to Port Blacksand, working for so many shifty shadowy employers that she has lost track of who betrayed who and when and why. While laying low in the city-state of Pellod, she heard of the rumours of the Found Tombs of Arvakaten, and, investigating, struck up a friendship with Shaisak, before getting him hopelessly addicted to a mild variety of Purple Lotus, which she acquires from visiting pirates or periodic trips to the bazaars of Dust Town.

Espereth is convinced a powerful artefact, the Hammer of Bisu, is buried in the depths of the Tombs, and intends to claim it for her own. As such she has spent a lot of time researching the Tombs, while working for the Bronze Serpent mercenaries, but is unsure when to begin actual explorations of the deeper underworld. The Heroes may find her a powerful ally or a devious antagonist depending on whether Espereth thinks they can help or hinder her achieve her goals. She will get on very well with Wubutu however.

Shaisak and Espereth are not especially perturbed with the presence of the Heroes though they will defend themselves if attacked, or if the Heroes have battled their way in here and are covered in green Orc blood. They may challenge the Heroes to a game of Dragon Chess, with a small betting stake attached. If the Heroes are in the presence of other friendly Orcs, they may be granted a boon of further information about the Found Tombs. If there is a fight, and it is going badly for the Orc(s) then Espereth will switch sides; her research is more important to her than her friendships.

The tapestries are worth 100GP but take up 8 Encumbrance slots. The Dragon Chess set has a board crafted from ebony and ivory and pieces made from red and green jade - it is worth 150GP. The water pipe is of a normal brass type, with enough Purple Lotus left in the bowl for one more smoke. Also on the table is a half-empty bottle of Pale Willowsap wine (see Encyclopedia Arcana: Volume 1 p. 55) and 2 glasses.

The current treasury of the Bronze Serpent Mercenary Company is in a chest in hidden nook behind a loose brickwork panel next to Shaisak's camel-skin bed. The panel is trapped; Anyone setting off the trap frees a GONCHONG (see Out of the Pit, p. 62), kept under a wicker basket, that will leap out from the nook and attack whoever interfered with the panel. Inside the chest is:

• 126 GP in a leather bag
• A Merchant's Pass for the city of Pellod
• A pouch with 8 (Common) Goblin's teeth (see Encyclopedia Arcana: Volume 1, p. 104)
• A green, glowing Regeneration Crystal (see Encyclopedia Arcana: Volume 1, p. 100)
• A Nanka Flask (see Encyclopedia Arcana: Volume 1, p. 114)
• An Amulet of Ra, in the shape of a golden ankh (see Encyclopedia Arcana: Volume 1, p. 124)

Stats: 

Shaisak Camel-Smiter, GREAT ORC Mercenary Captain (see Out of the Pit, pp. 90-91) 

SKILL: 9

STAMINA: 14

Attacks: 1

Weapon: Battleaxe (two-handed)

Armour: Medium (Chainmail scraps)

Notes: Has 3-18GP, a Silver Dagger, and a Potion of Weapon Skill (see Encyclopedia Arcana: Volume 1 p. 118). Shaisak is currently under the influence of a mild variety of Purple Lotus (see The Titan Herbal, p. 54). His reactions are as per Smoking Weed (see The Titan Herbal,p. 61), except that he will not randomly attack anyone unless attacked first.

Espereth of Rimon, BLACK ELF Spy and Scholar (see Out of the Pit, p. 46)

SKILL: 8

STAMINA: 14

LUCK: 10

MAGIC: 2 (Magic Points: 4)

Talent: Dark Seeing, Swashbuckler

Skills: Elvish 4, Common Speech (Allansian) 3, Orcish 3, Magic-Minor 2, Throwing Dagger 2, Sword 2, Sneak 2, Ancient Djaratian 1, Ancient Allansian 1, Vatosian 1, Bargain 1, Con 1, Evaluate 1, City Lore 1, Locks 1, Trap Knowledge 1

Spells (Cantrips): Attraction, Glimmer, Hear, Honesty, Noise, Secrete

Weapon: Scimitar, Throwing Dagger

Armour: Dodge/Swashbuckler ability

Notes: Has 3-18 GP, a Silver Key (for room #30), one sachet of Elven Dust (see Encyclopedia Arcana: Volume 1 p. 111), and 2 pouches of Sleeping Grass pollen (see Encyclopedia Arcana: Volume 1 p. 118).

Espereth's Retreat (#30/365)

This room can only be opened with the Silver Key in Espereth's possession in room #29, or a magic Open spell or something similar. The lock is intricate and requires a Lock Special Skill roll at a difficulty of -2.

"This small chamber is lit by a single torch. One side has a bed and a low table, the other has a desk crammed with papers, curios, scrolls and chunks of carved rock. A box of clothes lies at the foot of the bed."

Contents: This room belongs to the Black Elf spy and scholar Espereth of Rimon. The bed and box of clothes are nothing special, but on the table is a bottle of Old Sarnaks (see The Citadel of Chaos, p. 19) and a single glass.

The desk contains the fruits of Espereth's research concerning the Found Tombs of Arvakaten and their various periods of construction, occupation and rebuilding. Most of it is only of interest to sages specializing in ancient Djaratian, Vatosian or Allansian lore, but there are some things that adventuring Heroes may find useful:

• a papyrus scroll depicting a map of the Maze of Pnar, on level 2 of the Found Tombs, and a successful route through its twisty little passages.
• a pale yellow agate statue of the Djaratian Monkey God, worth 50GP
• the golden Phoenix headdress of a priest of Vatos, worth 75GP
  
• Espereth's notebook/spellbook; anyone reading it, assuming they understand Djaratian, Vatosian or Ancient Allansian, can add +2 to Lore Special Skill Rolls involving these elder cultures
• a pouch of old gold coins from Carsepolis (worth 50GP to a collector; unusable as modern currency)
• a Bronze Key 
• box with 3 dried Purple Lotus flowers
  

However, the statue is also a guardian fetish of the Monkey God. Anyone who touches anything on the desk without first invoking the protection of the Monkey God, will cause a troop of MUNGIES to instantly appear. These screeching apes will attack any Hero present, loot them and the desk of all valuables, and then flee deeper into the Found Tombs.

Stats:

5 MUNGIES, SKILL 9, STAMINA 16, 5 Attacks, Small Bite (see Out of the Pit, p. 86)

Orc Noshroom (#31/365)

"This large chamber contains several long tables with crude benches. At the far end of the room, a Hobgoblin is stirring a pot on a low fire, next to a table covered in foodstuffs of various types and sources, alongside a large barrel. A bunch of armoured Orcs are seated at the tables and eating and drinking, and all look up at your entrance."

Contents: This is the main eating chamber of the Orcs of the Bronze Serpent Mercenary Company. At any time, in addition to Xergus the HOBGOBLIN cook, 3-8 ORCS will be eating or drinking in here. How they react depends on the Heroes' situation; if the Heroes are covered in green Orc blood from previous encounters then the Orcs will attack immediately.

However, if the Heroes speak Orcish, or are accompanied by other Orcs, things may be much more friendly. Xergus will assume they are hungry and offer them a bill of fare (see below). The Orcs may even challenge them to an Orc Ale drinking competition (not recommended!).

Ye Bille of Faire (available food and drink):

Orc Ale, 5SP per pint, see Encyclopedia Arcana: Volume 1 (pp. 57-58)

Roast Aardwolf Joint, 2GP, restores 1-3 STAMINA

Rat Gizzard Soup, 1GP, -1-3 STAMINA to any non-Orcs

Lizard Eyeball Pate, 1GP, see Encyclopedia Arcana: Volume 1 (p. 56)

Pickled Dung Beetles, 1SP per beetle, see Encyclopedia Arcana: Volume 1 (p. 58)

Stats:

Xergus the HOBGOBLIN Cook, SKILL 6, STAMINA 6, Cleaver (as per Handaxe), Light Armour (leather scraps)

Xergus has 2-12GP, and a canvas bag containing a vial of Orcsbane as an insurance policy against his employers (see The Titan Herbal, p. 51), and a battered copy of the book, The Good Rat Guide by Urgun Runaway (from which he has been stealing recipes; see Encyclopedia Arcana: Volume 1 (p. 58)).

3-8 ORC MERCENARIES, SKILL 6, STAMINA 5, Sword, Dagger, Light Armour (leather scraps) 

Each Orc has 1-6GP, but are always looking to increase their stash by betting on what each of them, or visiting Heroes, can or cannot eat or drink.

On the table are enough chunks of roast Aardwolf and various edible tubers for 1-6 Provisions worth of food. Next to the table is half a barrel of Guursh (Orc Ale; see Encyclopedia Arcana, pp. 57-58).

 

Inner Sanctum (Sphinx Lair - #21/365)

Inner Sanctum (Sphinx Lair - #21/365)

This chamber can only be opened with a Bronze Key inserted into the bronze doors in room #11.

"The doors creak slowly open and you step forth into a large square chamber, decorated with ancient carvings and hieroglyphs. Pillars support a high ceiling, from which a beam of sunlight comes down from a skylight far overhead, illuminating what looks like a raised tomb on a dais. Everywhere are scattered bones and skeletons, clawed and destroyed by some great beast. And then you hear a snuffling noise, and an immense shaggy form, like a gigantic lion but with the head of a wild-eyed madman and a mouth full of sharp fangs, shambles up, over the dais, and pads towards you on enormous taloned paws. It opens its mouth and speaks to you in a deep, rumbling voice, using a language you cannot understand."

Contents: The creature is the Sphinx Maisramafooz, imprisoned here by an ancient Djaratian Archmage, to watch over the entrance to the lower crypts. Maisramafooz is extremely bored and will use the languages it knows (see list below) to attempt to find a common tongue with which to communicate with the Heroes, assuming they are not foolish enough to attack immediately.

If a common tongue can be found, Maisramafooz will explain that it grants access to the lower crypts if the Heroes can answer three riddles (plenty of online riddle generators will help out here to construct a list of riddles). If the Heroes answer all three riddles correctly, the Sphinx will remove the top slab from the tomb, revealing a tight circular staircase leading down to level 2 of this dungeon. If the Heroes cannot answer the riddles, Maisramafooz will tell them to leave this chamber, and not to return until they know the answers. The Sphinx can be bribed with roast or barbecued meat; two provisions' worth will reduce the number of riddles to one.

Wubutu the Genie is a big help here, assuming he is not drunk or psychotic, because he can speak with the Sphinx in many languages and also help the Heroes if they are stuck on a particular riddle. He will reluctantly fight the Sphinx if ordered, but both creatures will break off the fight when their STAMINA scores are reduced to half; the Sphinx to lick its wounds in a corner of the crypt, the Genie to retire to its lamp.

If the Heroes attack the Sphinx, ignore it, start searching the chamber, or refuse to leave, it will attack with all fury.

Stats:

Maisramafooz, a SPHINX: SKILL 12, STAMINA 24, Attacks 2, Very Large Claws, Light Armour, +2 to Damage Roll, only harmed by magic weapons and spells. See Return to the Pit (p. 176) for more details.

Maisramafooz speaks the following languages: Djaratian (4), Vatosian (4), Hamakei (4), Elvish (Desert dialect) (4), Ancient Allansian (3), Desert Nomad (2), Caarth (3), Gnollish (1), Orcish (1)

Maisramafooz cares nothing for treasure and scattered about the chamber are various trinkets belonging to some of the unfortunates that the Sphinx has dismembered and devoured over the years: 14GP, a handaxe, a set of lockpicks, a gold pendant set with a large sapphire (worth 40GP), and a purple crystalline Jewel of Sleep (see Encyclopedia Arcana: Volume 1, p. 122).

 

The Found Tombs of Arvakaten

Level One

Rubbish-Strewn Entry Chamber (#1/365)

 

“This square chamber is around 15’ across, with a single exit opposite you. The floor is covered with the debris and rubbish of a millenia; rubble, bones, rotting wicker furniture, broken timbers, rusted ironwork and corroded bronze dishes, all layered in white dust and bat guano. Indeterminate footprints trace a clear path from your portal of entrance to the other. The walls are of grease-streaked plaster and adorned with at least six languages worth of graffiti, daubed and carved in sequential layers of occupation.”

 

Contents: This chamber is a dumping spot for centuries of dungeon inhabitants. If at least one hour is spent searching the debris (with numerous Wandering Monster checks for noise and disturbances), the Heroes can uncover a dusty Brass Lamp. Rubbing this will summon the GENIE Wubutu (see below).

 

There is nothing else of value here. The graffiti on the walls say all kinds of things, roll two dice separately on the table below if needed (only understandable if the reader is skilled and literate in the appropriate languages). Feel free to use this table, and self-made variants of it, for graffiti and inscriptions throughout the tombs.

 

First Roll	1	2	3	4	5	6
Second Roll	Gnoll (using Orc runes)	Orc (in Orc runes	Common (Allansian) (Regular script)	Ancient Allansian (Regular script)	Vatosian (Pictoglyphs)	Ancient Djaratian (Hieroglyphs)
1	Give Chance a Piece!	Make my ale Grundel’s Guursh!	Abdur and Fatima were here in 27… AARRGGHH	In the legions, nobody knows your name, but everybody knows your number!	Blessed are the fiends. That lurk here in the darkness. They will burn us all.	The reedy marshes of Umfargaten will provide us with moisture for our crops.
2	More offal for the Offal God!	Yoomans! Paying Orcs to kill other Yoomans since the beginning!	You are our only hope. We have buried our largest cachet of diamonds at …	Chaos Spawn? What Chaos Spawn?	The holy burden. Is that of blind followers. To toil in dust.	Lord Sothra decrees the Pyramids of Ghinai must be built higher still.
3	A hungry Gnoll is a bad Gnoll!	By Hashak’s beady eye, I create this!	It is 283AC. I have escaped to here from Vatos for failing in High Priestess Leesha’s Contest of the Arts.	All hail Avana, most blessed of our imperial gods!	Dark the road ahead. Upon which I travel far. To a place unknown.	The blessed god Assamarra will withhold his sandy breath in this most bountiful year.
4	Laugh at night? Tears in the morning.	And if there were ten black rats, sitting on the wall…	Death rides a black flaming camel!	We came, we saw, we chipped out our name on a dusty wall. GALVANUS!	Five cohorts came here. All were obliterated. Only bones remain.	The holy goddess Assamura will rain beams of sun upon our golden crops of corn.
5	Elf bones!  Best toothpicks since whenever!	Skorgar is the best Orc Knees’ champion since Bhelay, change my mind!	Shazaar Rangers unite against everybody!	I am here. Here I sit. Tried to guard. Fell in the pit.	Evil dwells in the dark. This is known to be true. And yet we do naught.	Our high lord entered the underworld to the south bearing papyrus scrolls and stalks of wheat.
6	Bone marrow? Smash or suck?	Dirty jobs done dirt cheap. See Myorg’s “Murder Sphere” Brethren and Sisterhood.	Rage against the Caarth! Rage against the serpentine machine!	What do we want? Extra rations! When do we want it? Soon!	Cleanse us in the flame. Of the holy sun at noon time. So we may live warm.	The seas that wash pearls to our shores are like the winds that blow the sweet smell of spring to our villages.

Stats:

 

Wubutu the GENIE (Out of the Pit, pp. 56-57)

 

SKILL: 12

STAMINA: 20

Attacks: 1

Weapon: Cleaver (as per Battle Axe)

Armour: None

Notes: Wubutu is a classical Genie of Vatosian origins, who has spent several centuries imprisoned within the Brass Lamp, brewing home-distilled liquor made from dates. Wubutu can be summoned 1d3 times a day by rubbing the lamp; attempting to summon him beyond this daily limit yields no effect. The very first time Wubutu is summoned, read the following:

 

“A cloud of purple smoke erupts from the brass lamp, and when it clears, hovering in front of you is a large rotund purple-skinned GENIE, clad in robes of an ancient design. His eyes are bloodshot and he clutches an empty glass in one hand. Seeing you he burps, tucks the glass away into a sash at his waist, and folds his arms.

‘I am Wubutu the Genie!’ he declares in a booming voice. ‘How, *hic*, may I be of service?”

 

For every subsequent summoning, roll on the following table to determine Wubutu’s mood:

 

Roll	Mood	Effect
1-2	Sober	Can function as normal.
3	Drunk	Can function. All abilities at -1 penalty.
4	Hungover	Can function. All abilities at -2 penalty.
5	Psychotic	Will fight anything in the immediate vicinity with a cooking cleaver for 1d6 Attack Rounds before disappearing back into the lamp.
6	Asleep	A purple hand will emerge from the lamp, wave away the supplicant’s summoning, and return to the lamp, closing the lid behind it.

 

What Wubutu Can Do (one task per summoning):

·      Speak, read and write ancient languages: Vatosian 4, Ancient Allansian 3, Ancient Djaratian 3

·      Fight creatures that can only be wounded by silver or magical weapons. Often refuses to fight ‘normal’ monsters. “Where’s the challenge in that?”

·      Offer obscure advice or solve riddles.

·      Will not grant wishes. “That ability has been removed from my prescribed duties at this current time.”

 

What Wubutu Likes:

·      Getting bunches of dates. One bunch of dates will allow one extra task per summoning.

·      Getting other kinds of booze. One receptacle of quality ale, wine or spirits will allow one extra task per summoning. Others will simply be quaffed immediately. Will be drunk as per #3 on the table above the next time he is summoned.

·      Fighting high-powered magical beings. But not too high-powered…

 

What Wubutu Abhors:

·      Dealing with Orcs, Gnolls, Goblins and the like. Makes fun of them and picks fights.

·      Being wounded. Will take a number of days off equal to how many STAMINA points he has lost. Reaction roll as per #6 on the table above.