MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 137 ASK THE STONE.

137 ASK THE STONE. A smooth gray boulder, about four feet high by three foot circumference sits lonely near the south wall. Upon one aspect is a fleshy well-formed mouth.

If approached, the stone will say “Ask me your questions three, before I decide to answer thee”.

If the stone is asked three questions it will do its best to answer them. It knows everything the Dungeon Master knows, but some questions regarding the future may be impossible for it to answer. It will refuse to answer more than three questions, merely saying “I have answered your questions three, now silent I will be!”

If this room is revisited at a later date, the stone will be gone.

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 136 ROOM THAT IS THREE ROOMS.

136 ROOM THAT IS THREE ROOMS. This room is actually three different rooms depending upon which archway is entered. They each occupy the same space, but each has only one exit to the hallway. Room A is entered by the east arch, Room B by the central arch, and Room C by the west arch. It is quite possible for adventurers to enter the room by different entrances at the same time and to be in different versions of the same room but they will not see, hear, or feel each other.

Room A. This room holds a pack of three displacer beasts.

Displacer Beast (AC 4; MV 15”; HD 6; hp 36, 31, 30; #AT 2 tentacles; D 2-8/2-8; SD -2 on opponent's attack dice, save as 12th level fighter +2 on die; XP 763, 723, 715)

A set of three urns are against the west wall. All three hold gray dust. The first also holds 1556 gold crescents. The second also holds 2341 silver spanners. The third also holds three green-purple amethysts (100 gold crescents each) and two topazes (350 and 450 gold crescents).

Room B. Against the north wall is a big red lever. Hanging on the lever is a thick platinum chain (800 gold crescents value).

If the lever is pulled or the chain is taken (taking the chain alters the delicate balance of the lever and switches it anyway), then hatches will open along the east and west walls, four on each side. Behind each hatch is an ingeniously designed wooden mannikin painted like a skeletal human archer, only the top half of the body rendered. These archers will begin shooting arrows at the center of the room, where adventurers might be located. The strike as fourth level fighters and can fire two normal arrows per round. Each has 20 arrows in their quiver. They are just made of wood and not true skeletons and thus cannot be turned, etc. Causing 3 points of damage to any of them is enough to destroy or incapacitate, or the adventurers can just run for it.

Room C. Against the north wall is a stone throne delightfully decorated with the smiling faces of clowns and children. Above the throne is a plaque that reads “LOOF TSETAERG EHT ROF”.

If and only if a person actually sits in the throne, then a spring mechanism will cause the seat and back part of the throne to move violently to the left, and the occupant will be thrown for 2d10 damage. This will reveal a secret compartment below the seat holding the following:

• The Gourmand's Blade
• A potion labeled “poison” (red, bubbling, smells of bad breath, tastes of anise). It is mislabeled and is actually a triple strength potion of extra-healing.
• A wand of wonder, 43 charges, activation word written on the side “poison”.
• A bag of scolding, 35 pounds weight, 1000 pounds weight limit, 150 cubic feet.

NEW MAGIC ITEM: BAG OF SCOLDING.

The bag of scolding is a bag of holding that can talk and has opinions about everything. It will spit out any item that is not treasure (coins, gems, jewelry, magic items, and other items of valuable nature such as fine furs and works of art). On the plus side, it will tell you when it is feeling full.

XP VALUE: 5,000

GP VALUE: 20,000

NEW MAGIC ITEM: GOURMAND'S BLADE

This magic long sword has all the capabilities of a flame tongue sword. In addition it has the following qualities:

• Can speak the common tongue of men and the language of creatures from the Elemental Plane of Fire
• Intelligence 15
• Ego 10
• Neutral Alignment
• Is a +5 weapon against monsters that have a food word in their name, such as black pudding or ochre jelly
• Detect food, kind, and amount in 2” radius
• When inserted into cooked items or baked goods can determine with unfailing accuracy whether they have been cooked to the appropriate temperature
• Can suggest recipes

XP VALUE: 1,200

GP VALUE: 7,500

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 135 POOL ROOM.

135 POOL ROOM. The four pools, each eight feet deep, are filled with yellow liquid.

The northeast pool holds bubbling champagne.

The southeast pool holds sparkling apple juice.

The northwest pool holds foamy urine.

The southwest pool holds potent acid.

The pools contents are magically refilled and restored after an hour if taken or polluted.

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 134 STAIRS.

134 STAIRS. The stairs descend thirty feet to Area 54 of Level 6. About halfway down there is a trap activated by pressure on one of the steps. It has a 50% chance of going off each time the stairs are used. A metal cylinder with spikes will swing on a chain out of the ceiling, doing 1d12 damage if it hits.

For adventurers descending the stairs it will hit the first in marching order. They may roll vs petrification to avoid it.

For adventurers ascending the stairs it will hit the second in marching order, unless they are very short, such as halflings or gnomes, in which case it will hit the first row. These adventurers may also roll vs petrification to avoid, but the save is at -8.

The trap has a self-winching mechanism, so it will reset itself 3d4 minutes after being triggered.

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 133 STORE ROOM.

133 STORE ROOM. This room is cold but not so cold that it will cause damage. It contains all the ingredients necessary to bake meat pies and cookies.

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 132 KITCHEN.

132 KITCHEN. A magic-user and an ogre are baking meat pies and cookies for the griffin in Room 129.

Grigor Donderbluss, Neutral Good male human Magic-User (AC 6; MV 12”; MU8; hp 19; #AT 1; D Dagger or darts; SA Spell use; S 7, I 17, W 15, D 15, C 13, Ch 16; XP 1528)

First Level Magic User Spells:

Burning Hands, Erase, Hold Portal, Magic Missile

Second Level Magic User Spells:

Continual Light, Darkness, 15' Radius, Stinking Cloud

Third Level Magic User Spells:

Dispel Magic, Fireball, Slow

Fourth Level Magic User Spells:

Fear, Ice Storm

He wears blue robes with silver stars, a matching wizard hat, and a ring of protection +3 (5' radius). He carries the following spell components: a small crystal lens, a vial of water, a vial of dust, a vial of treacle, a vial or rare ink (200 gold crescents), a pouch of bat fur, a small bag of coal fragments, skunk cabbage leaves wrapped in felt, and a leather strap with fifteen white feathers sewn into it. His travelling spell book has all the above spells, write, and read magic. He also has a scroll of lightning bolt and fire shield, and his pouch holds 25 gold crescents.

Barfolomew the Ogre (AC 5 (2); MV 9”; HD 4+1; hp 26; #AT 1; D By weapon type +2 to damage due to strength; XP 220)

Barf carries a big club (d8 damage), 35 gold crescents, 17 silver spanners, and 58 copper pieces. He will have an improved AC as long as he is within five feet of Grigor.

The two have been charmed by the griffin. As with the gladiators in Room 131, the charm will be dispelled if they see the dead griffin or after one year.

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 131 PAYMASTER'S OFFICE.

131 PAYMASTER'S OFFICE. A secutor and a retiarus are here. There is a desk, a bookshelf, and a massive iron safe that dominates the room.

Retiarius (AC 8; MV 12”; F5; hp 27; #AT 1; D Trident, net, or dagger +1 due to strength; XP 387)

Secutor (AC 7; MV 12”; F5; hp 30; #AT 1; D Short sword +1 due to strength; XP 330)

Each gladiator has 5d10 gold crescents. They have been charmed by the griffin in Room 129 and are guarding its treasure. They have only been told to guard the safe, and will not be hostile unless attacked or someone tries to break into or steal the safe. Their charm will remain for 1 year or unless they see the dead body of the griffin. If the charm is broken, they will immediately stop cooperating with each other since they are deadly enemies.

The desk holds old pay stubs for the men and women who guarded the gladiators and beasts for the arena. There is a plaque that reads “ Three Strikes And You're Out”, but the word 'Out' has been scratched out and the word 'safe' is inserted above.

The bookcase holds old records regarding the payment of wages to guards and beast handlers.

The safe is a six feet cube and is locked. Inside are the following:

• Giant Constrictor Snake Skeleton (AC 6; MV 9”; HD 6; hp 31; #AT 1 bite and 1 constrict; D 1-4/ 2-8; SA Constriction; SD Sharp weapons score half damage only, limited spell immunity; XP 461)
• Six fat bags holding 2500 gold crescents each
• One thinner bag holding 342 gold crescents

If the safe is struck three times before being opened, the giant snake skeleton will be rendered powerless and will appear inanimate until the safe is closed again.

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 130 ABANDONED DORMITORY.

130 ABANDONED DORMITORY. This room has been untouched by men for years. The neatly made beds are dusty and blankets are rat-chewed. There are enough furnishings for about two dozen sleepers. Footlockers hold everyday items. If all are diligently searched 1d4 gold crescents, 1d8 silver spanners, and 2d12 copper pieces will be found.

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 129 DEN OF THE BIRD BEAST.

129 DEN OF THE BIRD BEAST. The room smells strongly of wet fur. It holds an exotic type of griffin.

Unusual Griffon (AC 3; MV 12”/18”; HD 7+7; hp 40; #AT 2 claws and 1 bite; D 1-6/1-6/2-12; SA Charm gaze; XP 1050)

The griffon has the body of a tiger instead of a lion, and the head, wings, and fore legs of a huge raven, not an eagle. In addition to its normal attacks, it can attempt to charm with its gaze, as a vampire. Victims must save at -2 vs this powerful charm spell and will be affected for the duration of the encounter, should they succumb to its effect. It has average intelligence and can speak the language of sphinxes, though it does not need to speak to command charmed victims.

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 128 ROOM OF RECORDS.

128 ROOM OF RECORDS. The walls are lined by wooden scroll cubbies. The scrolls are not magic but instead hold records of the outcomes of gladiatorial contests going back fifty years or so.

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 127 THIS IS MY PUNISHMENT.

127 THIS IS MY PUNISHMENT. The room is furnished as an office, with desks and chairs in two rows of eight. Sixteen human shaped figures are endlessly writing in blood colored ink on cheap paper the same phrase over and over: “This is my punishment”. The sixteen are wrapped in black cloth, crusty with dried blood, head to toe, and so their true nature is not immediately apparent.

16 Zombies (AC 8; MV 6"; HD 2; hp 9 each; #AT 1; D 1-8; SA Always lose initiative; SD Limited spell immunity; XP 38 each)

The vials holding the ink are specially leaded glass worth 5 gold crescents each and the blood red ink is in fact a form of unholy water.

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 126 BONES.

126 BONES. Well chewed dried animal bones litter the floor. Among the material there are a few black feathers and a silver hip flask (30 gold crescents) holding a potion of fire resistance (blue, tasteless, smells minty, always ice-cold).

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 125 PUMP ROOM.

125 PUMP ROOM. Ruined machinery of obscure design lines the north and south walls. A huge handled lever is in the ground near the west wall. Next to the level is a unanimated skeleton in blue overalls.

If the lever is moved, there will be a deafening grinding sound from the floor and the flood gates in the walls of Room 124 will be fully opened, causing a subsequent loud rush of water raising the level of the water in Room 124 to two feet below door level and allowing 4 giant leeches from the pipes into that Room.

4 Giant Leeches (AC 9; MV 3”; HD 4; hp 22, 19, 15, 13; #AT 1 bite; D 1-4; SA Drain blood, anesthesia, disease; XP 198, 186, 170, 152)

Due to the sagging of the rope bridge it will now be under water.

Reversing the lever will close the gates again, but the water will not drain from Room 124.

If the body of the skeleton is checked, there is an ornate golden key is his pocket (2750 gold crescents). It is inlaid with platinum wire and small rubies and obviously ornamental rather than functional.

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 124 WATER FILLED ROOM.

124 WATER FILLED ROOM. The sound of falling water can be heard in this room from outside of the door. About six feet below the level of the doorways is a murky vomitous smelling foamy pool that is another eight feet deep. A rope bridge extends from one door to another, but it sags in the middle to a little over two feet above the water. There are multiple narrow rectangular openings scattered about the walls two to three below the level of the bridge where pipes bring water to fall into this room.

The debris of the level gets channeled here. Among the rotting organic matter and miscellaneous trash at the bottom there are 7 gold crescents, 14 silver spanners, 26 copper pieces, and a small ruby (300 gold crescents).

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 123 STATUE ROOM.

123 STATUE ROOM. Partial statues adorn the room, except for one amazing intact statue of a beautiful woman carved from gray veined marble. A clump of rags and dwarven bones is next to the completed statue.

The intact statue is actually alive. The dwarven artist who carved it made it so perfect that it came to life. He then died after completing this work of a lifetime.

Living Statue (AC 2; MV 9”; HD 7; hp 37; #AT 1; D 1-8; SD Resistance to damage; XP 871)

All normal weapons do only half damage against her. Magic weapons do normal damage but do not get any magic '+' bonus on damage. Weapons used against her may break, as if they had hit a caryatid column. She can use stone tell as a magic ability cast as if she was 12th level, three times per day.

The statue is extremely shy and will not move. She is curious, however, and will follow a party that contains male dwarves, as she will identify them with her creator. Thus an observant party may notice her following them about the dungeon. If she is properly approached she may be made an ally. She has a neutral alignment, can speak, and has an intelligence score of 14.

NEW MAGIC ITEM: LUSTRALIS RING

The ring is adorned with a carving of a unicorn head. When any container is held in the hand that bears the ring, liquid inside the container is rendered into pure clean water.

XP VALUE: 500

GP VALUE: 4,000

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 122 PLINTH ROOM

122 PLINTH ROOM. Brilliantly modeled but only partially completed statue plinths are scattered haphazardly about the room.

Tools needed to carve stone are placed irregularly about. Hidden in a pile of rubble is a lustralis ring.

MIDDLE DUNGEONS LEVEL FIVE 121 STAIRCASE.

121 STAIRCASE. The staircase ascends thirty feet to Level 4 Area 17.