PULP FANTASY CORE
(c) Jerry Harris, 2012
Published here as Open Game Content.
Pulp Fantasy Core Index
Adventure Index
The Burned Bodies (1 XP)
The large passage West of the main passage contains a fairly grisly, ancient execution site. Here, warriors of Manitou’s tribe finally cornered him and after a pitch battle, subdued him. They staked out his still living body and set fire to it. His burned skeleton wears an expression of agony. There are also several other skeletons of fallen warriors littered about. None of these will reanimate as Manitou is justifiably afraid of entering this chamber. Any attempt to hold a séance (DC 12 in this case) to speak to the dead will bring up the spirit of a fallen warrior. The nameless warrior (he’s forgotten his name, it’s been so long) will not attempt any hostile actions. He can fill in any backstory about the caves. If asked about any of Manitou’s weaknesses or powers, he will mention his fear of fire.
The Gold Sarcophagus (3 XP)
It’s gold-painted, not solid gold, but it’s still very heavy. The lid is closed and the earth floor in front of the sarcophagus has been heavily disturbed. The Unexplored end of the passage has been sealed with a circular stone with hieroglyphics on it. With a proper studious reading, it could be opened into the rest the tomb. That’s not going to happen right now though.
The lid of the sarcophagus will require at least three people to move. The inside is empty of course. Digger is invisible and on the ceiling as he has heard the ruckus the party created getting there. He will attack whenever the party lets its guard down. Scare should be his opening spell choice. There are six zombies buried in front of the sarcophagus that will attack from surprise whenever Digger calls on them (perhaps not all at once). (By the way, one of them is the Sheriff.)
Digger can be defeated by killing his body with magic or magic weapons. Manitou is a different matter. A successful Exorcism attempt will force the spirit out. However, he will flee into any recently deceased (or 0 hp) body in the caves. Reanimating it, he will attack again. Jack and Sally are also possible candidates if they’re still around. All of these replacements will be vulnerable to normal attacks, but otherwise use Digger’s stats. Deprived of any more host bodies, the spirit will immediately flee into the sealed parts of the tomb, awaiting revenge. Digger will be hopelessly insane, but otherwise passive. (Add 1 XP for not actually killing Digger.)
Deeper in the Caves?
More powerful undead, such as Wights and Mummies. The library filled with magic scrolls and knowledge. Gold and artifacts most assuredly. Dangerous traps. Powerful magic items, perhaps? The Summoning chamber. Is there already a demon loose? And, of course, Manitou is lurking around.
Afterward
The rest of the caves can be explored. Manitou needs to be dealt with via a more complex exorcism ceremony. What’s already been found is quite a discovery, perhaps leading to some small fame. Of course, there’s a world of adventure out there. No reason to get tied down if you don’t want to.
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