Epic Level Handbook

The creatures here are hungry for life, but do not attackuntil the PCs have had an opportunity to look up. Onceeven one PC has looked up and made (or failed) hissaving throw, the thorciasids attack.The mirror of life trapping is affixed flush to the ceilingby means of a stout hook at each of the four corners ofthe mirror.Thorciasids (2 or more): hp 502; see full statistics inChapter 5.Tactics: The thorciasids use their cocoon power preferentially,then their energy- and ability-draining powersagainst melee opponents.Development: One round after any conflict begins inthis room, the two lavawights from room 7 arrive up thestairs (if they yet live) and join in the conflict. One roundfollowing, Ignition/Inferno arrives from room 10 (if theettin yet lives) and likewise joins in the conflict. Thorciasidsreleased also fight the PCs.Regalid can be released if up to thirteen more victimsare given to the mirror, or the password is somehowlearned for the mirror, or it the mirror is simply smashed,releasing all creatures simultaneously. The mirror hashardness 1, 1 hp, and a break DC of 18.If Regalid is released, he drops, dazed and confused.He doesn’t have his equipment (it is in room 13, buriedin the resinous nesting material of the thorciasids), andremains dazed for 10 rounds, even if combat with thethorciasids rages around him. Once he regains hissenses, he joins the fight (even without his equipment).Afterward, he answers all questions the PCs put to him.If Agnimia is with the party, each is ecstatic to onceagain see the other.Regalid says (directly or in answer to questions put bythe player characters):“I was using this abandoned tower as my own personalbase. I long ago found a copy of Kerleth’s deed from theSultan in the City of Brass, and so learned the lesser passwordsgiven guests here—I could come and go as Ipleased, without worry from these creatures. I simplyavoided the chamber where the thorciasids had begun acolony—they were caught in the mirror, and I accidentallyreleased one while I experimented with the mirror.When I was caught in the mirror, another was released. Ihave no idea why Kerleth had his mirror filled with thesealien insectile creatures.”“I knew the password to get past the trap in the library—I bypassed the trap on several occasions previously. But 1read something in the library that quite ... unnerved me.I acidentally walked through the entranceway.”“I came here because, well... I had the mythical Codexof the Infinite Planes! The supposed commission from theGleaners was only one of a series of cover stories I used tohide my true purpose out here. In my profession, theCodex is the ultimate prize. But... I got it at the expenseof a terrible creature; an abomination. This is the onlyplace in the multiverse I know of where abominationsare shut out.”“I stole the Codex from an abomination, an infernalnamed Schaethreth. I thought 1 had successfully imprisonedhim—if the infernal is free, I am in great danger. Imay be able to buy my life by returning the Codex. If theinfernal waits for me outside this tower, we would bewise to surrender the book to it. Few can hope to standagainst such an outrage to the multiverse.”If the PCs convince Regalid to tight the infernal withtheir help, he reluctantly agrees, but continues to voicehis reservations about such a risky plan.Treasure: The mirror of life trapping (Will save DC 23) isthe only significant piece of treasure here.13. Wizard’s Chambers (EL variable)This chamber is filled to a depth of about 3 feet withlayer upon layer of a hard, mucuslike substance.Besides a grand bed still barely visible in one corner,the forms of various humanoid and animal bodiescan be made out, all completely encased in themilky-white substance.This was the wizard’s private chambers, but now thethorciasids in room 12 use it as a larder, storingcocooned victims here.Creatures: All but one of the creatures encased inthe hardened webs are dead. The lone survivor is anefreeti named Razaor who was exploring the tower(unknowingly guided into the tower by Schaethreth,just like the PCs). It succumbed to the thorciasids (itwas rendered helpless (Str 0, Con 1) and thus unable touse any of its spell-like abilities to escape) and was setaside as a future meal.Razaor: Efreeti; hp 61; see Monster Manual.Treasure: Treasure lost by any PC who was thrustinto the mirror of life trapping in the library (room 7) ishere (buried below a layer of solidified mucus if morethan a day has passed). Regalid’s equipment is alsoburied beneath the surface of the resin, and includes +4fire resistance and silent moves chain shirt, +4 mighty distancecomposite longbow (+3 Str bonus), +3 shocking burst shortsword, +2 spell storing short sword, carpet of flying, cloak ofepic resistance +8, Daern’s instant fortress, dimensional shackles,figurine of wondrous power (bronze griffon), periapt ofproof against poison, 2 potions of water breathing, ring of epicprotection +7, ring of regeneration, rod of enemy detection, rodof negation, scroll with control water, cure critical wounds,flame strike, and freedom of movement, and a wand ofsummon nature’s ally IV.Development: If freed, Razaor the efreeti is certainlygrateful and more than willing to grant the heroes aid insome fashion (in the form of one wish, or offering themsafe haven at the City of Brass should they decide to visitCHAPTER 6:AN EPICSETTING283