Page 76 - Tales from the Yawning Portal

it can't be opened from the outside. From m de
room, one has merely to remove the bar.
21. STONE BLOCK
•
A large block of stone obstructs the corridor a eac. •
doesn't seem to have been a part of the or;ginal co .
struction, for its composition is more sandy than the
stones that make up the walls of these ruins. Further-
more, a gap of several inches is visible along the sides of
the block and between the stone and the ceiling.

This block was placed by the ancient architects to
prevent access into the lower chambers and deter
grave-robbers.
To reach its current position, the stone was slid south-
;•,ard down the gently sloping passage to the north.
That passage has several rollers built into the floor
o aid in moving the stone across it. The block can be
pushed back up the rollers by the combined effort of up
o four characters with a total Strength of 45 or higher,
or moved out onto the bare stone floor by the combined
effort of up to four characters with a total Strength of 50
or higher. In either case, the stone can be moved a num-
ber of feet per round equal to half the walking speed of
the slowest individual among the workers.
If the block is pushed up the rollers, it will roll back
next round to block the corridor if not braked with a
·arge object. that drinks it must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution sav-
ing throw or become poisoned for 5,000 years. While
22. CHAMBER OF THE NACEHUAL poisoned in this way, a creature is also unconscious but
• 'ah-SAY-wal, the achieved ones) semi-aware of its surroundings, and it is unaffected by
the passage of time or other poisons. If magic is used to
cure the poisoned condition, the recipient becomes im-
All the doors bordering this lozenge-shaped room are
mune to the poison's effect for 1 hour. A casting of dispel
made of heavy bronze. Colorful glyphs are scribed on the
magic using a spell slot of 7th level or higher can also
western wall. There are two sideboards against the walls end the effect.
to the east. Creatures. The two bodies are martial arts adepts
In the middle of the chamber are two stone divans, (see appendix B) in suspended animation. The male is
named Cipactonal (See-PAK-ton-al), and the female is
each with a human figure stretched out on it. Between
Oxomoco (Oks-OH-mo-koh). They used the potion that
:he divans is a low stone table holding a flask and two
the flask once contained to feign their death. If either is
goblets, all made of crystal. In the bottom of the crystal
disturbed, they both instantly awaken and stand. Oxo-
flask is a quantity of silvery dust. moco says, first in Olman and then in an ancient dialect
The figures on the divans are a male and female, each of Common, "You have broken our glorious sleep; for
about middle-aged and perfectly preserved. They are very this you must atone."
The two then assume fighting stances, and if either
still, dust-covered, and apparently dead. Their bodies are
is threatened or harmed, they attack. If the party ne-
covered with dry snakeskin. The female wears a silver
gotiates, the two demand payment of 500 gp or one
oracelet and holds what looks to be an ivory wand. The uncommon or rare magic item. If they aren't paid, the
male has an amulet of electrum resting on his chest, in- monks attack.
set with a red stone of considerable size. If the monks are questioned about the ruins, they
know nothing to tell, except that they can translate
the message on the western wall. They will not leave
he glyphs, in Olman, read, "Beware ... many-eyed god their chambers.
.-ill bring down a fiery death." Treasure. The ivory "wand" that Oxomoco holds is
Poison Dust. Mixing the silvery powder in the flask actually a folded fan worth 50 gp, and her platinum
; th any liquid will create a special potion. A creature bracelet is worth 250 gp. Cipactonal's amulet, made of
electrum and garnet, is worth 100 gp.

CHAPTER 3 I THE HIDDEN SHRINE OF TAMOACHAN
75