OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 68 BRIDGE.

68 BRIDGE. This area is a cobbled stone bridge to the Ground Level of the Inner Ward. It is open to the sky and affords a view of the steep drop to the south. It traverses a rushing river which flows from north to south and has a depth of about ten feet. The river emerges from a series of arches in the wall to the north and before reaching this point it is underground beneath the mountainside. The river becomes a steep waterfall just a few feet south of the castle, plunging down about 40 feet and emptying into a small lake before continuing as a river to the south.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 67 TRAINING ROOM.

67 TRAINING ROOM. If the characters have not been to Room 43, they will be able to see and hear the 3 hobgoblins with their prisoner, because there is an arcade in the north and any noises made in the long hall (Room 43) are easily heard in Rooms 35 and 67. Furthermore, much of Room 35 can be viewed from this room.

This room was used by the guards and other worthies of the outer ward to practice. Wooden weapons and shields, training dummies, and such items are present. The walls are stone and the floor is wood. A huge fireplace is in the southwest corner. The staircase leads up to Room 33 on the First Floor.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 66 TAXIDERMY.

66 TAXIDERMY.  This is a very large room filled with excellent examples of the taxidermist's art. Two carver bugs are here. They are attempting to make a meal of a stuffed bear.

2 Carver Bugs (AC 5; MV 12"; HD 2; hp 12, 9; #AT 2 claws; D 2-9/2-9; SA +1 to hit, attacks as sword of sharpness; XP 52, 46)

Among the larger mounted animals there are an elk, two bears, five wolves, a lion, a hippogriff, a giant skunk, and three eagles (on well-made wooden perches resembling tree limbs). In addition there are scores of waterfowl, weasels, smaller cats, foxes, rabbits and similar creatures. Many of these animals are missing limbs and scarps of fur lie in testament to the many other trophies that were here at one time. Massive numbers of antlers and deer heads also line the walls.

A grand fireplace graces the east wall. Above the mantle is a portrait of Sergi Triskelion, the famous big game hunter. He appears as an overweight but vigorous middle aged man with a heavy beard and long black hair.

There are three other paintings. Two are portraits hanging on the north wall. One is of Luciana Triskelion, a girl of about 10 years old. She has straight black hair and very dark eyes. The next portrait is of her sister, Salvatrice. She appears to be about 8 years old and has curly blond hair and light green eyes. Like Sergi's portrait, these are labeled and signed by Patrizio Triskelion.

The final painting hangs on the south wall. It is labeled "The Hunt" and shows Sergi in chainmail and mounted on a large brown horse. He is charging a seven headed hydra, but each hydra's head has been replaced with the head of a rooster.

The walls are paneled in dark wood. The floor is likewise wood. The place is massively cobwebbed and the whole area has a musty smell.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 65 SUITE BATH.

65 SUITE BATH.  As in Room 62, the walls and floor are tiled in white. Here, however, a massive quantity of purple fungus is growing in the cracks between the tiles. Three dirty stained glass windows are in the south wall. There is a blue porcelain toilet and a huge brass bathtub. A white cabinet is against the west wall.

The fungus has a strange effect do to the spores it produces. Anyone staying in this room for more than 2 rounds must save versus poison or experience occasional auditory hallucinations for the next twenty four hours. Check every 30 minutes or so, roll 1d6, on a 1 or 2 the character experiences a believable auditory hallucination appearing to come from a random direction. Consult the following table:

1d12	Hallucination Description
1	Baby crying
2	Frog croaking
3	Whistling
4	A very loud heartbeat
5	Cackling laughter
6	Chanting
7	Sounds coming from the behind the wall
8	Water dripping
9	A young girl crying for help
10	A harsh voice saying the character's name
11	A door slamming shut
12	Footsteps

The bathtub is equipped with hot and cold water faucets, but will not function.

The cabinet contains three sealed glass canisters. The first contains grain alcohol. The second contains witch hazel. The third contains cotton puffs. Hidden inside the cotton is a moonstone worth 75 gold crescents.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 64 SUITE BEDROOM.

64 SUITE BEDROOM.  A carrion crawler occupies this room. The talon goblins occasionally put prisoners in here for the sake of amusement.

Carrion Crawler (AC 3/7; MV 12"; HD 3+1; hp 14; #AT 8 tentacles; D Paralysis; XP 636)

There is a fireplace in the south wall. The walls have the same red wallpaper as that in Room 63. The bed is large and comfortable. There are four plain glass windows which open on hinges. There is an alcove in the southeast.

Beneath the bed is an overlooked foot locker containing a bottle of vinegar labeled "potion of healing", a pair of boots of elvenkind, a small red felt bag containing 17 silver spanners, and a marble statue of a cockatrice worth 35 gold crescents.

The alcove in the southeast contains a shrine to an ancient evil god of unknown provenance. This portion of the room is unnaturally cold and will detect as Neutral Evil if a detection spell or device is used. The shrine itself is a marble platform with dozens of black candles and a small idol of an malformed humanoid figure. The idol is made of some strange green metal and appears slightly melted with runny features. It is cursed. Anyone who touches the idol must save versus spells or suffer -1 on "to hit" and saving throws for the next 1-4 days.

If anyone actually takes the idol out of the room, it will become heavier and heavier until they are unable to carry it. If the character states he or she wishes to return the idol to its shrine, they will be able to move it again, though it will still feel abnormally heavy until it is returned. If the idol is returned to the shrine, no further evil will occur. If the idol is not returned, but merely left somewhere, the offender will suffer a further curse, causing a loss of 2-5 strength points (to a minimum of 3) over the next 1-4 days. This effect will be permanent, until the idol is returned to its place or a heal, restoration, remove curse, wish, or alter reality is used.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 63 SUITE ANTECHAMBER.

63 SUITE ANTECHAMBER.  The two talon goblins stationed here are smoking a strange blue-green leaf from meerschaum pipes. They are somewhat apprehensive about the monster in Room 64 and are thus slightly easier to surprise by people entering from the hallway (extra 1 in 6 chance). If they have been warned by the goblins in Room 50 they will have normal chances of being surprised.

Talon Goblin 1 (AC 6; MV 6"; HD 1; hp 6; #AT 1; D Short sword; XP 16) 6 silver spanners, 1 copper piece

Talon Goblin 2 (AC 6; MV 6"; HD 1; hp 5; #AT 1; D Hand axe; XP 15) no wealth

The door to Room 64 is roughly barricaded by two of the couches and three wooden chairs (apparently brought from another room). The red and gray furniture is largely intact and the walls are papered in red. There is a dining table, a coffee table, a desk, two padded chairs, a bookcase, and several couches. A fireplace is in the east wall.

A coffee table holds two more meerschaum pipes and a small pouch of the same blue-green leaf. Each pipe is worth between 3 to 8 (1d6+2) gold crescents to a tobacco shop. The pipes the goblins are smoking are decorated with a bear and a unicorn. The pipes on the table are decorated with an old man's face and a devil face. The leaf is highly addictive. If sold it could fetch as much as 10 gold crescents to the right buyer.

Over the fireplace hangs a portrait of Vittorino Triskelion the alchemist, a bald elderly man with a kindly smile. It is labeled with his name and signed by the artist Patrizio Triskelion.

The small room in the south wall is a walk-in closet holding an old gray cloak decorated with fish and birds in blue and green (cloak of protection +2).

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 62 MASTER SUITE BATH.

62 MASTER SUITE BATH. This room is lavishly decorated. The walls and floor are adorned with white tile. Two stained glass windows depicting bathing blue skinned nymphs are present. There is a white porcelain toilet and a large ornamental brass bathtub. A white cabinet is against the east wall.

This room suffers from the same water shortage seen elsewhere in the outer ward but some water still drips from the bathtub faucets. The goblins have placed a teapot to catch the water. Only the master goblin and his wives use it as a restroom and as a rule they do not bathe.

The cabinet contains scented soaps, fragrant candles, and white towels. The front of the cabinet is decorated by a mermaid carrying a jug. A secret door connects the back of the cabinet to Room 52. It is operated by twisting the mermaid's jug, causing the false back of the cabinet (behind the shelves) to swing open.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 61 MASTER SUITE BEDROOM.

61 MASTER SUITE BEDROOM. The master goblin and his three wives are here. Each of the wives wears human female clothing.

Straglietti, the master goblin (AC 4; MV 6"; HD 3; hp 14; #AT 1; D Bastard sword or dagger +1 to damage due to strength; XP 77) 14 gold crescents, 24 silver spanners, golden nose ring worth 8 gold crescents, key to Room 59, key to locked iron box under bed

3 Female Talon Goblins (AC 7; MV 6"; HD 1-1; hp 2, 4, 3; #AT 1; D Dagger; XP 12, 14, 13)

The first wife has a copper ankle bracelet worth 2 gold crescents and a pearl hairpin worth 1 gold crescent. The second wife has a silver necklace worth 5 gold crescents. The third wife wears a single silver earring worth 2 gold crescents.

If the characters are willing, they will find Straglietti to be more interested in peaceful negotiations than in being killed. However, should the characters somehow form an alliance with Straglietti, they will find him a graceless friend. Straglietti is not particularly bright, but he is also not stupid. He will attempt to feel out the party and assess strengths and weaknesses. If an alliance is made between him and the party, he will demand that they accept one of his wives as a peace offering (Janice, the 4 hit point wife), as she is a shrew and he is aching to be rid of her. He has the following goals:

1. He will first attempt to convince them to kill the Dragenbok (Room41, this level) as he and the other talon goblins have an deep fear of this monster.

2. He will next try to get them to kill the talon goblin mage Ulixes (Second Floor Room 39).

3. If possible and he is working from a position of strength, he will attempt to extort money from the adventurers.

In return he can offer little. He would be willing to release the prisoners in Room 59 and allow the party safe passage through this floor whenever they like. Under no condition will he give up treasure or allow conscription of goblin troops. If placed under extreme duress, or if the Dungeon Master finds it convenient, he may be willing to offer a talon goblin as a guide.

If the party has aided him, Straglietti will feel no loyalty. If he senses weakness (such as the party has visible wounds or fewer members) he will not hesitate to betray them, preferably when they are off-guard.

A beautiful four poster bed, now with stained and ripped bedding, is here. There is a lit fireplace in the south wall. An armoire and wardrobe are present. Once beautiful paintings graced the walls, but these have been slashed and discarded and crude drawings made from charcoal now decorate the walls. Two lovely stained glass windows featuring mountains with snowy tops are present.

Under the bed, the master goblin keeps his treasure:

Iron box with a lock on it

• Gem (chrysoberyl, 100 gold crescents)
• Triskelion signet ring (worth 1 gold crescent)
• Elaborate jade snuff box (worth 38 gold crescents)
• Elaborate cherrywood snuff box (worth 25 gold crescents)
• 181 copper pieces
• 16 silver spanners
• 8 gold crescents
• 4 gold mabans (dwarvish currency)

Long but shallow wooden box, not locked

• Wand of illumination (84 charges)
• Potion of super-heroism (orange color, tastes buttery)
• Scimitar wrapped in leather
• Ivory carving of an elephant (worth 600 gold crescents)
• Knife sheath (worth 3 copper pieces)
• 2806 copper pieces
• 891 silver spanners
• 104 gold crescents

There is also a barrel of pickled fish and Barca's equipment: chainmail, shield (crest is a green griffon), and long sword.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 60 MASTER SUITE VISITING ROOM.

60 MASTER SUITE VISITING ROOM.  Three talon goblins guard this area, although as noted they will rush into Room 58 if they hear fighting.

Karpaccio, an Oversized Talon Goblin (AC 5; MV 6"; HD 2; hp 11; #AT 1; D Military fork or dagger; XP 42) 6 gold crescents, 29 silver spanners, gilded helmet taken from room 42 worth 18 gold crescents

Talon Goblin 1 (AC 6; MV 6"; HD 1; hp 7; #AT 1; D Short sword or dagger; XP 17) 19 silver spanners, 1 gold crescent

Talon Goblin 2 (AC 6; MV 6"; HD 1; hp 8; #AT 1; D Scimitar; XP 18) 1 gold crescent, 4 silver spanners, 13 copper pieces

The rooms elegant furniture is largely intact, but some pieces have been marred by knife slashes. There is a desk and two chairs, a wardrobe, and a large table with some cheese on it. Five casks of salted pork are in the northwest corner. There is a fireplace in the south wall and the walls are papered in a blue and white striped pattern. Five beautiful stained glass windows featuring green nymphs are present. The small room in the west wall is a walk-in closet containing green female horseriding clothes and male formal wear.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 59 MASTER SUITE ANNEX.

59 MASTER SUITE ANNEX. The door to this room is locked and there is no light source. There is a hardwood floor and the walls are papered with the same pattern as that in Room 58. Inside are three prisoners: Antonio, a merchant, Rami, his daughter, and Barca Cetruzzo, an adventurer. They are clothed in rags and Barca has been beaten and has had his armor and weapons taken.

Antonio, Neutral Good normal sedentary male human (AC 10; MV 12", HD 1-4 hit points; hp 2; #AT 1; D By weapon type; SA Attacks at -2 "to hit"; XP 7)

Rami, Chaotic Good normal active female human (ACX 10; MV 12"; HD 1-4 hit points; hp 4; #AT 1; D By weapon type; SA Attacks at -1 "to hit"; XP 9)

Barca Cetruzzo, Chaotic Good male human Fighter (AC 10; MV 12"; F2; hp 3 (normally 9); #AT 1; D By weapon type +1 to damage due to strength; S 16, I 8, W 8, D 13, C 15, Ch 12; XP 26 (normally 38))

Antonio and Rami were part of a merchant caravan that was waylaid by the talon goblins. They will ask to be escorted out of the castle as soon as possible and Antonio will be able to offer a reward of 100 gold crescents for their rescue. Barca has been separated from his adventuring party and will ask the characters to help him find them.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 58 MASTER SUITE ANTECHAMBER.

58 MASTER SUITE ANTECHAMBER.  One talon goblin stands guard here.

Talon Goblin (AC 6; MV 6"; HD 1; hp 7; #AT 1; D Morning star; XP 17) he carries 3 copper pieces and 7 wooden tokens from Room 45 which he believes to be valuable

If the party engages in noisy combat, the three goblins in Room 60 will investigate.

The room has a light gray carpet marred by bloodstains. The battered but rich furniture has been pushed to the walls, which are papered in a blue and white diamond pattern. A fireplace is in the west wall. Near the ceiling is a wooden moulding with sailing ships carved on it. This room is where the talon goblins chop up captives and food and practice torture on victims. When the goblins want to eat they arrange the tables in the center of the room.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 57 MAIDS' DORMITORY.

57 MAIDS' DORMITORY. This room has been burned out. The walls, once papered over, now show the exposed blackened stone. The overhead wooden beams are singed. The wooden door is also badly burned but still opens and closes.  Nothing of value remains.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 56 MAIDS' CHAMBER.

56 MAIDS' CHAMBER. Two pyromaniac female talon goblins are throwing smaller pieces of furniture on a modest fire. They are each wearing maid uniforms which they have taken from Room 57 before they torched it.

Female Talon Goblin 1 (AC 7; MV 6"; HD 1-1; hp 3; #AT1; D Dagger; XP 13) 2 copper earrings worth a total of 3 gold crescents

Female Talon Goblin 2 (AC 7; MV 6"; HD 1; hp 5; #AT 1; D Horseman's flail; XP 15) copper and brass bracelet worth 4 gold crescents

This room contains more attractive furniture than that found in Room 54, decorated in pink and light blue stripes. The walls are wood and the floor is carpeted in light blue. A fireplace is in the west wall. Above the fireplace hangs a portrait of Alfonsina Triskelion the numerologist, a thin middle aged blond woman holding a globe on which are written thousands of tiny numbers.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 55 MANSERVANTS' DORMITORY.

55 MANSERVANTS' DORMITORY.  Three talon goblins are sharing a large flask of rather good brandy, but none of them has had enough alcohol to affect them adversely in combat.

Talon Goblin 1 (AC 6; MV 6"; HD 1-1; hp 1; #AT 1; D Spear; XP 11) 6 silver spanners

Talon Goblin 2 (AC 6; MV 6"; HD 1; hp 7; #AT 1; D Spear; XP 17) 15 silver spanners

Talon Goblin 3 (AC 6; MV 6"; HD 1-1; hp 4; #AT 1; D Scimitar; XP 14) 13 silver spanners

The was the sleeping chamber of the male house staff. The furnishings are adequate, but not particularly attractive or well made. Simple beds, enough to hold twenty seven men, are here. There are wooden dressers and wardrobes holding black uniforms and everyday clothing of the sort a peasant would wear.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 54 MANSERVANTS' CHAMBER.

54 MANSERVANTS' CHAMBER. When this room is entered, the party will see a glowing transparent man. This is one of the restless dead. In life he was Santiago Triskelion, a large, fit man with short hair and a huge mustache.

Santiago Triskelion, Restless Dead (AC 0; MV 12"; HD 4; hp 18; #AT 1 touch; D 1-4; SD Limited spell immunity; XP 182)

He appears to be dressed in fine clothes and wears boots and a large coat. In reality, the clothes and the dead man are both nebulous in nature. Santiago cannot be turned while in this room, but he can be exorcised. He has normal undead immunities to cold, sleep, charm, and hold. If he is forced to he can attack with a chilling touch, doing 1-4 points of damage, but he will not initiate combat.

A labeled portrait of Santiago sits over a mantle of the fireplace in the east wall. This room also contains three dark green couches and several small coffee tables and end-tables. It was the leisure area for the various valets and butlers who lived in the outer ward. The walls are covered with blue and green vertically striped wallpaper. This large dark room was once lit by three large candelabra, but the ghostly glow given off by Santiago is now enough to light it.

Santiago is upset because his picture has been moved to this room. He is not aggressive, but instead he will ask that the adventurers move his portrait to Room 32, where it originally hung. He is unable to perform the task himself because he is only semi-material. If the adventurer's agree to help him he will pull a silver whistle out of his pocket. This is a real material whistle and when it is blown it will summon Santiago's ghostly hound. It is transparent and glowing, like Santiago, but can attack and be attacked normally.

Santiago's Hound (AC 6; MV 12"; HD 2+2; hp 18; #AT 1 bite; D 2-8; XP 89)

If the adventurers are willing, the hound will accompany them to Room 32, acting as a guide if necessary. It will fight for the adventurers if the circumstances arise, and it will accompany the party on their way back to this room. The hound's preferred route is through Rooms 43, 35, 34, and then to 32. If they take this route, they will meet the hobgoblins and half-elf in Room 43, unless the adventurers have already dealt with this encounter.

If they comply and return, he will reward them with the silver whistle before he disappears. The whistle can be sold and will be worth 300 gold pieces. However, if the adventurers keep the whistle, it can be used to summon the hound, who will then fight for the adventurers one time. If it reduced to 0 hit points, or in any case when the combat is over, the hound and whistle will vanish forever. Helping Santiago also gives the adventurers each a one-time 300 point bonus to experience points.

All the monsters on this level avoid this room because they are afraid of the occupants and there will be no wandering monster checks here.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 53 VISITING SERVANTS' ROOM.

53 VISITING SERVANTS' ROOM.  Four talon goblins are here. The floor is covered with pieces of smashed glass.

Talon Goblin 1 (AC 6; MV 6"; HD 1; hp 5; #AT 1; D Footman's mace; XP 15) 5 silver spanners, 6 copper pieces

Talon Goblin 2 (AC 6; MV 6"; HD 1-1; hp 2; #AT 1 D Spear; XP 12) 13 silver spanners

Talon Goblin 3 (AC 6; MV 6"; HD 1-1; hp 3; #AT 1; D Morning star; XP 13) 9 silver spanners, 2 copper pieces

Talon Goblin 4 (AC 6; MV 6"; HD 1-1; hp 4; #AT 1; D Short sword; XP 14) no wealth

This room was used to house the servants of important guests. As such the furnishings were not terribly expensive, but were well-made. There are eight beds with blue and white bedclothes in a diamond pattern. There are four large wooden dressers and each has an accompanying mirror, which the goblins have smashed. There are eight footlockers, one at the foot of each bed.

The dressers contain sleeping garments and underclothes.

One of the footlockers is locked and trapped with a paralysis poison needle (paralysis for 2d6+2 turns, successful save halves that) and contains wood shavings and a key made of jade and silver worth 200 gold crescents.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 52 MASTER GUEST BEDROOM.

52 MASTER GUEST BEDROOM. A neatly made four poster bed is present with its head toward the south. The sheets, blankets and pillowcases are red. There is a fireplace in the south wall. A large wardrobe is present on the west wall. A huge padlocked iron chest is near the north wall. The three windows are of red and green stained glass. The whole room is dusty, as if it has not been used in a long time.

The wardrobe contains a black cloak and a red robe. It has a false back that is actually a secret door to Room 62. It is opened by twisting one of the hooks inside the wardrobe.

The iron chest actually contains a ghoul.

Ghoul (AC 6; MV 9"; HD 2; hp 7; #AT 2 claws, 1 bite; D 1- 3/1-3/1-6; SA Paralysis; SD Limited spell immunity; XP 79)

It is cunning and will stay quiet if it hears the party enter in hopes they will open the chest and it can surprise them. If it hears the party leaving, it will knock to get their attention. The chest also holds 13 silver spanners in loose change.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 51 MASTER GUEST ANTECHAMBER.

51 MASTER GUEST ANTECHAMBER. If the characters are approaching this room from the corridor, instead of Room 52, they will notice a sizable part of the lower door has been chewed away. This attractive room is currently occupied by the butcher worm which has caused the damage.

Butcher Worm (AC 6; MV 9" HD 2+3; hp 12; #AT 1 bite; D 3-8; XP 71)

The room features two luxurious couches with a black and white striped pattern and a short coffee table along with a small dining table and four chairs. A desk, chair, and three plain glass windows complete the furnishings. These windows have been hinged to open. The worm has left a trail of slime over the furniture in its quest for food, and the room has a dank and unpleasant odor.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 50 GUEST ROOM.

50 GUEST ROOM. Two talon goblins are lounging here on padded chairs.

Talon Goblin 1 (AC 6; MV 6"; HD 1; hp 5; #AT 1; D Military fork; XP 15) 14 silver spanners, 1 copper piece

Talon Goblin 2 (AC 6; MV 6"; HD 1; hp 7; #AT 1; D Hammer; XP 17) 4 silver spanners, 1 gold crescent

They are lazy and will give a silver chalice (worth 14 gold crescents) to the party to leave them alone. If they buy off the party, they will report to their leader in Room 61 and the talon goblins in Rooms 53, 55, 56, 58, 60, and 61 will be on alert for the next few hours (chances to be surprised are 1 in 6 less likely).

This room's furnishings are similar to those in Room 49, except that the curtains and bedclothes are red and white striped. The dresser is empty and the wooden chest at the foot of the bed contains a pewter cup, extra bedsheets, and another silver chalice worth 14 gold crescents.

OUTER WARD GROUND LEVEL 49 GUEST ROOM.

49 GUEST ROOM. The walls are obscured by green curtains. Against the north wall, the curtains are marred by an unsightly bulge, and a pair of brown feet poke out at the floor, giving the impression of a man hiding behind the curtain. This room also contains a simple bed and a modest dresser with an attached mirror. The bedclothes and sheets are forest green. There is a small wooden chest at the foot of the bed.

The figure hiding behind the curtain is actually just a featureless wooden mannikin, of the type used to hang clothes on.

Sewn into the pillow is a magic-user scroll of affect normal fires, identify, and sleep.

The dresser contains moldy clothing.

The chest at the foot of the bed is locked and trapped. When the chest is opened, four small darts will shoot inwards from the sides of the chest. They strike as if fired by a fourth level thief and each inflicts 1-3 points of damage on a successful strike. The chest contains a silver dagger, a bag of 12 gold crescents, a smart set of purple clothing, and a fine plum-colored hat.