One-Shot Adventures

Scene 7: The Scales of Truth "Nothing evil can befall me in this land, in this broad hall of the Two Goddesses of What is Right, because I know the names of the gods who dwell in it." Book of the Dead, Spell 125 Four great staircases inside the acropolis lead down to a giant set of scales. The scales are 20 feet tall with two giant brass pans, one resting on the ground with a giant white feather on it and the other 10 feet up in the air with nothing on it. Searching near the pan with the feather on it reveals that the floor is hollow and a door blocked by the pan is underneath. No earthly strength or magic can move the feather or tip the pans. An inscription on the base of the scales reads, "Let go of the ties that bind you to your mortal life. Only through sacrifice can you journey below towards enlightenment." PCs can move the scales by climbing onto the empty pan and sacrifice something of worth or, in the case of good character, by declaring their virtue. DMs are encouraged to interpret the requirements of the scales liberally, a character could confess a past transgression or simply sacrifice and important item. The docent will also clarify the task if the players return to the entrance to ask it. Upon fulfilling the sacrifice the scales balance and the players can continue downwards. Scene 8: Tombs of the Saints "Hail, wayfaring stranger! Do not envy my lot." -An ancient greek gravestone The PCs enter a massive unlit cavern at the end of the stairs. The only way down is to climb a 100 ft. tall cliff that extends as far in either direction as the players can see. As they begin to climb down the players can see that the cliff is in fact thousands of tombs set into the rock. Climbing is not difficult if the PCs proceed carefully and only call for Strength or Dexterity checks if the PCs try to move quickly or are harried. Halfway down the cliff of tombs, players that succeed on a DC 15 perception check or that are on the lookout for such things notice spots of slime and fungi. Any PCs that fail to notice this are surprised, as few seconds later, a swarm of 3 fungal vargouilles (VGtM page 195) attack, using their shrieks and maneuverability to best the PCs. Scene 9: Node of Corruption At the bottom of the cliff of tombs, a final set of wide stairs leads down to Lotus. Part of the way down these stairs is a pulsating node of slime, rot, and fungi. This is the embodiment of Astrolex, a demon tasked with corrupting the Acropolis and consuming the Lotus before it finishes gestating. Astrolex can speak directly to any PCs infected with the corruption of Zuggtmoy here and can transmit feelings to anyone else. He asks the PCs to return the Lotus to him in return for a great boon (see the DMG or MToF for sample boons). Unlike Amaris and the devils, Astrolex is direct. He will trade power for power and it should be quite obvious that if Zuggtmoy gains the Lotus she will use it to spread her corruption throughout the multiverse. 20 points radiant or fire damage will destroy the node and cleanse the rest of the infection in this part of Mount Celestia. Scene 10: Lotus in the Pound At the end of the stairs the PCs enter a peaceful grotto lit with soft ambient green light. The cave is 50 ft. in diameter and is lined with soft mosses and its walls and ceiling (30 feet high) are made of the bodhi tree. A pond, 3 feet deep and 30 feet in diameter, sits in the center of the grotto and at the center of the pond is a single perfect golden lotus blossom. As soon as the players enter, three monks, servants of the Guru in life, materialize on the far side of the room. They ask the players their purpose and are happy to guide them in meditation in the grotto but will attack if the players state their true purpose or if they remove the lotus.

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