Dark Continent Redux: The Inner Temple

Dark Continent Redux

A Fantasy Core Adventure

© Jerry Harris 2016

Published here as Open Game Content.

(This link will take you to the Fantasy Core Playtest Rules.)

Dark Continent Index

The Infinite Temple Index

The Inner Temple

Award 2 XP for clearing out the chamber.

There are four open towers at the corners and a central tower in the center.  As mentioned earlier, the Pteranodons nest in that center tower, but they’re going to clear out as the Fireballs start flying around.  The Inner Temple is a high-vaulted chamber, well ventilated and lit by open windows under the roof overhang.  (Again, the temple not a defensive structure.)  It’s about 50’ from the roof to the floor of the Temple.

The inside of the Temple is dominated by a large steaming, black pit, which appears to be bottomless.  In fact, the whole chamber is as steamy as a jungle.  The floor is covered in small, egg-like pods.  (Sure, you can say it’s like something out of Alien.  The temptation to put Face-Muggers in the pods is tremendous, but I’m going to resist.  If you’d like to stat them out, be my guest.)  Surrounding the walls of the chamber are two levels of open terraces, upon which rest a multitude of hibernating Serpent Men.  They stand upright against the wall in individual chambers with clear crystal doors.  (Yes, the temple is a big Sleestack hibernation chamber.  They can’t be woken up without a blood ritual, so the characters are okay there.)

“You just don’t understand.  Nobody understands what Kurtz is trying to do here!”  The Fool from the Asylum in Home Station is here.  He steps out of the shadows and addresses the Characters before the pit.  “He’s like a God, man!  You’re just ants to him.  How can you or anybody really understand what he’s trying to do here?”  If any of the Serpent Men Wizards retreated inside here, they will be dead at The Fool’s feet.  “Man, I recognize who he is.  I’m just here to see it all manifest according to his divine will and to worship him.”  Malevolently, he adds, “You should all be worshiping him!”    

        

At this point, 4 Trolls shamble out of the shadows from the corners of the chamber and attack.  The Fool will go on rambling and taunting until he is attacked, at which point he joins the battle.  His last words (before the Characters gleefully throttle the life out of him, if you’re playing him correctly), will be, “He’s coming.” and point to the pit.  Allowing the Characters a short rest at this point would be sporting, perhaps they could even find a couple more healing potions and spell scrolls.  Or you could be a bastard and spring Kurtz on them immediately.     

Troll (x4)

HD 6 (d10), Hp 60, AC 14* (Natural, see below)

Fort +11, Ref +4, Will +3

Melee: 2 x Claws +9 to hit, 1d6+6, if both Claws hit the same opponent then add Bite 1d6

Regeneration: 3 hp/rd.  Trolls will not regenerate at 0 or less hp unless they rest for 1 turn.  Only fire (which they will run from), acid, and magic damage is permanent (does not regenerate or heal).

Infravision

(As established in the Cyberpulp setting, Trolls were created as guardians for the hibernating Serpent Men.)

Kurtz and the Final Battle

Award 3 XP for killing Kurtz.  (His stats follow in the next section.)

Activity in the pit increases with frightening tenor.  The ground shakes and low rumbles fill the air.  With a thunderous crash and a sudden rush of steam, rising out of the pit is the man himself, Kurtz.  He’s wearing a cape of Serpent Man skins, but bare-chested beneath it.  His eyes are glazed over, in insanity or enlightenment, take your pick.  He’ll fly over the group, not regarding them at all.  If the Characters have the Intended’s engagement ring and show it to him that will get Kurtz’s attention.  Otherwise, until he actually takes a hit, he won’t even acknowledge them.  Kurtz will gracefully float to the ground and question the person who hit him, “Who sent you, errand-boy?” 

Doesn’t matter what their answer is, Kurtz will cast Finger of Death on the Character.  (It’s 50/50 it’ll work.  I’d make the suggestion that he should only try it once given the odds, since he’s still only got 3 spell failures in the encounter.).  He’ll then start in on the other Characters.  From there, he goes all out to kill the Characters.  He’ll certainly go Invisible at some point.  Kurtz will not draw his sword, unless he’s out of spells.  If the group somehow kills him too quickly, his last words will be, “I’m coming back to kill you.  Just wait here.”  Activate a clone of Kurtz from one of the hibernation chambers 1 turn later.  He’ll lack the cape and sword, but will otherwise have the same stats.  Repeat as necessary to achieve a satisfactory resolution.  (No, don’t do that.  It would be cruel.)       

Upon Kurtz’s death (or the clone’s death), his eyes and personality will return to normality and he’ll shout, “The horror!  The horror!”  (If his Intended was captured earlier in the adventure, he’ll motion to another hibernation chamber.  It will open and reveal her sleeping form.  “My beloved,” he’ll whisper.)  At which point, Kurtz stumbles into the black pit.

Hold on.  We’re not done yet.