HD3 The City of the Spider-God - Hyborian Age - Xoth

HD3: The City of the Spider-God
3) An altar where offerings of goods are
placed. It is carved with many spider
shapes, and two candles burn on either
end. It bears an octagonal offering-platter
made of beaten gold (1,000 sp value),
and the candleholders are of onyx inlaid
with gold (200 sp value each).
4) This altar is similar to 3), but it is for minor
blood offerings, so there is a bowl rather
than a plate.
5) Behind the gauzy web-tapestries in the
east wing of the foyer is the dwelling-room
of eight voluptous temple-virgins, known
as the Brides of the Spider-God. One of
these girls is Sharanah, a spy in the employ
of Astyages, a noble of Yezud. There are
runes inlaid in silver in the floor which
praise the spider-god in the Zamorian
language. The girls are naked except for
strands of black pearls, resembling webs,
draped over their bodies. The brides of the
spider-god use their wiles to delay, seduce
and possibly attack intruders.
6) This area looks the same as 5), except
the runes are inlaid in mother of pearl.
Chained in the southwestern corner is a
pet of the priests, a particularly massive
man-ape (maximum hit points) captured
in the Kezankian mountains. Its leash is 35
feet long. The man-ape obeys the priests
of the temple and will not harm the
temple guards and slaves, but attacks
anyone that looks unfamiliar if they come
too close.
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7) This room is a council chamber, with a
long table in its center. There are several
chairs around the table and several
comfortable couches along the walls. The
floor is covered with soft carpeting, and
the walls are hung with gossamer veils.
Those who have sacrificed richly to Zath
are brought here for rest, refreshment, and
clerical advice. The secret door to the
west (Search DC 25) has small spy holes
which can be opened to permit viewing
and listening. The presence of the secret
door to the north (Search DC 30) is only
known to Sharanah. It leads to a small
hidden chamber beneath the stairs.
8) This room is identical to 7) above.
9) Two temple guards are on duty here at
all times. The room is sparsely furnished
with table, a few chairs, and a couch.
10) This room is identical to 9) above.
11) Inner Sanctum: The massive double
doors to this room (2 in. thick; Hardness 10;
hp 60; Break DC 28; Open Lock DC 35) are
decorated with a huge spider design. The
floor is of traceried black stone here also.
At the back of the room is a huge stone
idol in the shape of a spider (see Area 14
below). Those making great offerings are
permitted to come to this area escorted
by priests. There is a 50% chance that 1-2
high priests are here, accompanied by 1-4
elite guards and 2-8 acolytes.