d20 Red Moon Games The Lost Tomb of Argorathor.pdf

THE LOST TOMB OF

ARGORATHOR

An Adventure for 8th to 10th Level Characters

By Keith Robinson

Requires the use of the Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook,

Third Edition, published by Wizard’s of the Coast, Inc.

This product utilizes updated material from the v.3.5 revision

THE LOST TOMB

ARGORATHOR

By Keith Robinson

CREDITS

Author: Keith Robinson

Layout & Design: Keith Robinson

Cartography: Keith Robinson

Interior Art: Gillian Pearce

Play Testers: Anthony Boobier, Paul Millington, Darrell Ottery,

Julian Read, Keith Robinson, Dave Smith

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the Coast, Inc. and are used according to the terms of the D20 System License version 6. A copy of this License can be found at www.wizards.com/

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are used with permission. The mention of or reference to any company or product in these pages is not a challenge to the trademark or copyright

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This book uses supernatural ideas and themes. All such elements are fictional and supplied here for entertainment purposes only.

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The Lost Tomb of Argorathor

THE LOST TOMB

OF ARGORATHOR

Background

Rumors have long abounded of the ancient Argora-

thor and his fantastic and deadly maze. Argorathor was

a legend of his time - a minotaur of supreme power and

charisma who led those that followed him against the

Freecities of the Southlands and drove his enemies be-

fore him. However, between battles it is said that he

always returned to his home, a fantastic labyrinth filled

with gold and riches beyond imagination.

The lure of Argorathor’s gold has always led to

speculation concerning the whereabouts of his maze,

with scholars and historians only agreeing that this was

almost certainly located somewhere in the South

Downs, south of what is now called the City of Karnish.

Many have gone in search to find the maze, but none

have ever found it and it remains lost to both time and

history. However, tales of Argorathor and his gold per-

sist and continue to lure treasure seekers to venture in

search of the golden hoard that lies within.

Introduction

Long ago, during the Second Chaos of the South,

ancient tales tell of a minotaur of great power who

emerged to terrorize the lands, pillaging and torching

the settlements, murdering and enslaving the people and

spreading hate and evil wherever he passed. His name,

so these ancient stories say, was Argorathor and it was

known throughout the South, where the mere ushering

of it would spread fear and panic into the hearts of his

enemies.

For a time, Argorathor’s flame burnt brightly as he

went on his relentless bloody rampage. None who

stood against him survived to tell the tale of their deeds

and the bodies of his victims were said to hang on the

branches of every tree from Korom to Iriyath. So large

was his wealth that the halls of his labyrinth were said

to be lined with the gold and precious stones plundered

as spoils of war and ripped from the flesh of his vic-

tims. Indeed, so great were these rumors and the scale

of his reputation that he soon began to lure powerful

enemies who looked to challenge and defeat the mighty

Argorathor and gain great esteem – as well as great

wealth, of course!

One by one they came to his labyrinth and each time

were defeated, until finally one came – a man who went

by the name of Laramus, whose own reputation was

that of a vile and evil man who sought only to further

his own glory and increase his vast wealth – and outwit-

ted Argorathor in his own maze in a mighty battle that

saw the great beast defeated and killed. Although Lara-

mus was victorious, it is also said that he was so badly

injured in the battle that he was taken prisoner by the

followers of Argorathor and that a great curse was

placed upon him.

Argorathor was buried in his own labyrinth, which

was filled with his gold and turned into a tomb. The

door was sealed with powerful wards to keep out un-

welcome tomb raiders and treasure hunters. It is also

said that in revenge for Argorathor’s death, Laramus

was entombed with him, still alive, and that both still

wander there now.

This adventure is designed for four players of 8th to

10th level.

GM Synopsis

The Maze: Argorathor’s maze is both large and in-

tricate and filled with undead monsters and wicked

traps. It will form the main backdrop in which the ad-

venture will take place and will test the abilities of

those passing through it to their limits. Players must

have their wits about them and use those skills that they

have to the best of their ability. Those that blunder

blindly through the maze will likely meet their end

there.

Argorathor: Argorathor now roams the maze as a

mummy. His main tactic against those that enter his

labyrinth will be to use his crossbow in hit and run at-

tacks, attempting to wear his enemy down, both physi-

cally and in terms of their resources. Even in his un-

dead state, he enjoys the hunt and will stop and fight to

the death only if cornered or as described in the keyed

locations of the map.

Character Hooks

The Three Keys: The adventurers come across a sec-

tion of what likes like a strange key, on which is in-

scribed what appears to be a map. The key is a triangu-

lar shape, with a round outer edge, like a slice of cake,

roughly the size of a one third circle. In the center of

one side protrudes a hollow tube, on which are in-

scribed ancient and mystical symbols. The map seems

to point to some specific location.

Using this hook, the adventurers should follow the

map where they will find a second key, which is exactly

the same, except that the map leads to a third place,

where the third key can be found. This key not only

has a map giving the exact location of Argorathor’s

maze, but when the three pieces are joined together it

GM Preparation

What follows is for the eyes of the GM only. If you

are a player, then you should stop reading now.

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The Lost Tomb of Argorathor

reveals a new map that provides the exact location of

Argorathor’s maze. In addition, these three pieces,

when formed into a single piece, also act as a key that

gives access to the tomb itself.

The description to the door of the maze (see keyed

area 1) should be modified to accommodate this key,

but is otherwise the same. The lock will appear as an

inverted circle, cut into the door, with three holes form-

ing a triangular shape. The tube of each segment of the

key slides into the hole. Once all three pieces are in-

serted (and the circle is complete), they will begin to

turn, seemingly of their accord, and the door will

slowly slide open, re-

vealing the darkness of

the tomb beyond.

The location of all

three keys is entirely

down to the GM and

their recovery can be an

adventure in itself, with

the tale of Argorathor

being slowly revealed.

Map For Sale: News

has emerged that a map

has been found giving

the location of Argora-

thor’s maze and that an

auction is to be had, with

it going to the highest

bidder. News has

sparked a lot of interest,

with tales of the gold and

wealth to be found in his

maze growing with every

telling.

Options for this hook

include the possibility

that the map is stolen be-

fore the auction begins

and its owner murdered,

leading to a chase toward

Argorathor’s maze as

those with the map try to get

there first and secure their fortune. Another is that

an auction actually takes place, which the adventurers

win. Perhaps they themselves then become targets for

criminals, who want the map for themselves.

A Dying Man’s Tale: The adventuring party comes

across an old man, dying in the street. With his last

breaths, he tells the tale of Argorathor and gives the ex-

act location to the maze’s entrance.

The old man could have died of natural causes, or

was perhaps stabbed in attempt to pry his secret from

him. This could also be combined with The Three

Keys hook, above, with the old man having the first of

the keys.

A Lucky Stumble: If all else fails and the players

don’t pick up on any of the clues presented to them,

have the adventurers stumble across the door to the

tomb – place it at the end of a dungeon, or somewhere

well hidden, where it has remained unexplored for a

thousand years.

Alternative Exit

Argorathor’s tomb as presented here has only a sin-

gle entry and exit point (keyed area 1 on the map).

However, should the GM wish to include this adventure

as part of an ongoing

game, this tomb could

merely be the first step

toward a much greater

outcome. If so, the map

has been designed so

that a second exit can be

easily added at the very

north of the map, after

the water trap (just to the

left of keyed area 30 on

the map).

This door could be

exactly the same as

keyed area 1 and could

require three more key

segments to exit through

it. These key segments

could be scattered

throughout the maze,

adding a further dimen-

sion to the adventure.

Good locations for the

three segments would be

on the altars at keyed

areas 10 and 21, and the

Tomb of Argorathor at

keyed area 34. As GM,

however, you should feel

free to place them wher-

ever you feel is best.

What lays beyond this

alternative exit is, of course, entirely up to you to de-

cide!

The Tale of Argorathor

During the Second Chaos of the South, the lands had

fallen into darkness and anarchy and the people were at

war with the mad wizard Fane and his kobold legions.

At this time a small, but powerful army of minotaurs

emerged from a labyrinth hidden deep underground and

who were led by the highly charismatic and dangerous

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The Lost Tomb of Argorathor

Argorathor’s Tactics Table

d6 Argorathor’s Tactics

1 Charge: Argorathor will attempt to charge his opponent using his powerful charge ability. He may (50% chance) stay in melee for 1d3 rounds, in

which case he will wield his greataxe. If he takes make than 30 points of damage, he will disengage and retreat into the maze.

2-5 Crossbow: Argorathor will appear at the end of the corridor (or will be at the end of a corridor into which the party turn) and use his heavy cross-

bow to fire a single shot. There is a 25% chance he will reload and fire a second shot, but will do this only if he is able, before retreating into his

maze.

Lightning bolt: Argorathor will attempt to use his wand of lightning bolts (Use Magic Device DC 20) and fire a single bolt down the corridor at one

of the party. There is a 25% chance that he will fire a second bolt, but will do so only if he can do it without being endangered, before retreating

into his maze.

Argorathor. Taking advantage of the disarray around

him, Argorathor led his small band of minotaur warri-

ors against the people of the South in a violent and

bloody rampage and swept everyone before them.

Those that dared to stand and fight were killed and their

corpses hung from trees. The name of Argorathor was

soon infamous throughout the south and sent a shudder

of fear through even the hardiest and bravest of souls.

The flame of Argorathor was bright indeed and

many came to him to prove their bravery against this

living legend. One story tells of two red dragons whose

egos were so great that they came down from their

mountain lair to challenge Argorathor. However, it is

said that Argorathor, hearing that they were coming,

ambushed them. In a mighty struggle that took place

between them, during which many of his follows were

slaughtered and even Argorathor himself was badly

hurt, the dragons were nonetheless slain by Argora-

thor’s hand, whose infamy was now unparalleled.

For a brief and glorious time, Argorathor’s power

and majesty were unrivalled and his raids were swift

and bloody affairs. However, news soon filtered out of

his splendid maze and Argorathor once more found

himself the target of those who wished to pit them-

selves against him. One such challenger was a human

called Laramus, who was renown for his vileness and

cruelty. He came to Argorathor’s maze and eventually

tracked down his enemy. In an almighty battle, Lara-

mus plunged his sword deep into the heart of Argora-

thor, slaying him, though was himself badly hurt and

taken prisoner by Argorathor’s ever-faithful followers.

Argorathor was mummified and his body raised, so

that it would forever walk the maze that he had been

master of in life. The doors were sealed and protected

with powerful wards, but not before his most faithful

followers were entombed with him. As for Laramus,

the conqueror of the mighty Argorathor, no more was

ever heard, though it is rumored that a powerful curse

was placed upon him and that he was buried alive in the

tomb, so that he might never forget the magnitude of

his deed.

Random Encounters

Argorathor’s tomb is full of undead who roam the

maze. They will always attack whenever they are en-

countered and will never retreat, unless turned. All

wandering creatures know the maze intimately and will

use the secret doors to avoid traps. Incorporeal undead,

of course, do not worry about such things! However,

Argorathor should be the most common encounter in

the corridors of the maze, as he uses his hit-and-run tac-

tics to harass those who have disturbed his tomb. See

the section Encounters with Argorathor (see below) for

details of how to run an encounter with Argorathor.

There is a 20% chance per hour that a random en-

counter will occur. Loud noise increases this likelihood

by +5%, or by +15% for excessive noise. Use the Ran-

dom Encounter Table below if an encounter occurs.

The GM, of course, should use his nous when using

random encounters. It is important that the majority of

encounters are with Argorathor, as this is his tomb and

he will stalk his prey as much as he can. Therefore, if a

long period of inactivity occurs (or if several encounters

occur, but Argorathor is not rolled for on the encounter

table), the GM should merely initiate a random encoun-

ter with Argorathor and roll on the Argorathor Encoun-

ters Table above to see how he will attack.

Encounters with Argorathor

Argorathor will harass and hound those that dare

enter his tomb, using rapid hit-and-run tactics and rely-

ing upon his intricate knowledge of the maze (and his

opponents lack of knowledge of it) to quickly disap-

pear. When an encounter with Argorathor is rolled as a

random encounter, roll a 1d6 and use the Arograthor

Tactics Table above to see what type of tactics Argora-

thor will employ. But remember, play him intelli-

gently – a GM should build up the sense that the PCs

are being hunted and picked off by a powerful enemy

and he will disengage from combat before he takes any

real damage.

Argorathor is a powerful adversary and challenging

foe, but he enjoys the hunt and will stalk his opponents

rather than stand and fight to the death (unless the

keyed description says otherwise).

Random Encounter Table

Encounter

Numbers Encountered and Details

01-05

Mummies

1d4+2: +1 to hit, damage, and on all saves

06-15

Vampire Stirges

2+1d4: +1 to hit, damage, and on all saves

16-25

Ghasts

5+1d3: +1 to hit, damage, and on all saves

26-65

Argorathor

See below

66-80

Minotaur Skeletons 1d6+2: +1 to hit, damage, and on all saves

81-90

Shadows

4+1d4: +1 to hit, damage, and on all saves

91-95

Wights

5+1d3: +1 to hit, damage, and on all saves

96-00

Wraiths

1d4+2: +1 to hit, damage, and on all saves

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