25
PAINTING OF THE PRINCE. The whole room is illuminated but it is
impossible to tell where the soft purple-red light comes from. The
pillars are of a heavy purple rock, veined with white. A large
portrait of a smiling young nobleman hangs in the center of the east
wall, flanked by rich purple drapes. A small cushioned seat rests
before the painting, holding a small wooden box.
From
far away the painting looks inviting, the man has a charming smile
and dashing good looks. However, anyone who approaches the painting
will begin to feel more and more apprehensive as they near it.
Instead of a friendly face the smile appears to become more and more
sinister and cruel. What seems to be a smile looks more like a
grimace, and then more like a snarl. When they approach to within
fifteen feet of the painting individuals must save versus spells or
be subject to a fear spell
as cast by a twelfth level magic user. Closing to within five feet
requires an immediate system shock survival roll or the person will
faint from fright. They will remain unconscious until 1 turn after
their still form is pulled from the room. In any case, henchman,
hirelings, familiars, and other non-player characters will not
willingly approach the thing (monsters also avoid the thing like the
plague).
Those
of stout heart who get a good look at the painting will notice the
man wears a bizarre amulet about his neck, with the shape of a
miniature doll's face, its eyes gouged out. The painting is not
labeled, but has been signed by Patrizio Triskelion.
The
box is in itself a prize, made of rare wood and fitted together
without nail or tack. It is a puzzle box and for the craftsmanship
alone it is worth 250 gold crescents. It requires at least an
intelligence of 6 to attempt to open it. Trying to solve the box
takes the following amount of time, based on intelligence score:
Intelligence
|
Time
|
6
to 8
|
5
to 20 rounds
|
9
to 11
|
4
to 16 rounds
|
12
to 14
|
3
to 12 rounds
|
15
to 17
|
2
to 8 rounds
|
18
and up
|
1
to 4 rounds
|
The
box will resist attempts to open it, small pins and spikes will slide
out from irregular areas on its surface, causing 1 hit point of
damage per round spent trying to open the box. It is impossible to
open it wearing gloves, gauntlets, etc. but it may be smashed
(however, this also makes the box worthless). When the box is
opened, it will reveal the Amortic Amulet.
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