HS4 The Lost Caverns of Acheron - Hyborian Age - Xoth

HS4: The Lost Caverns of Acheron
The Legend of Xaltana
The following legend about Xaltana and
the Lost Caverns of Acheron is provided as
background for the DM, to be slowly
uncovered by the players as they progress
through the module.
Xaltana was a noblewoman of Python, the
capital of the evil empire of Acheron, and
she held a high social standing, for she
was of the blood of the Giant-Kings of Old
Stygia. But unlike the majority of her kin,
she did not worship Set, but secretly
consorted with a forbidden demon-god.
From her demonic master, she learned the
secrets of sorcery, and of immortality. As
her power grew, Xaltana openly defied
the priesthood of Set, and at the height of
her power she became known as the
Witch-Queen of Acheron.
Yet soon the jealous priests of Set gathered
in alliance, and through deception
they ambushed and overcame Xaltana.
At the moment of her defeat, Xaltana
invoked a spell of stasis, which made her
body impervious to destruction, but which
would also suppress her mind for thousands
of years to come.
From the heartland of Acheron, a group of
priests carried Xaltana’s inert body into
the icy mountains of the north, sealing her
within a complex of ancient tombs excavated
in the early Acheronian period atop
even older, pre-Cataclysmic caverns.
Now, more than three thousand years
later, Xaltana’s spell of stasis is slowly
starting to unravel, and the awakened
Witch-Queen sends out sensuous dreams
to lure brave warriors to come and break
the seals imprisoning her.
General Judging Notes
To properly referee the adventure, an
undertaking likely to last several game
sessions, you must read the entire scenario
thoroughly first. The more familiar you are
with each encounter, the greater your skill
in describing it, and the higher the level of
player enjoyment. So read the entire
module first, re-read parts you believe
vital, and only then gather your group for
play.
Player Character Party Balance: This
module was designed for four to six
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