Page 190 - Curse of Strahd_Neat

The lich has fewer hit points than normal (99 hit points), X30. PRESERVED LIBRARY
doesn't remember its name (Exethanter), and has forgot­
ten all of its prepared spells. It does know its cantrips.
In its current condition, the lich has a challenge rating This stone library has twenty-foot-high walls and a thirty­
of 10 (5,900 XP). A greater restoration spell restores the foot-high vaulted ceiling. Covering the ceiling is a fresco
lich's memory and all of its spells. Another casting of the
spell restores its normal hit point maximum (135). that depicts angels being set ablaze in a hell. A black
If the characters restore its memory, the lich gives marble railing encloses a gold marble staircase that spi­
them the passwords to all the locked doors in the Amber rals gently down a thirty-foot-wide, thirty-foot-deep shaft
Temple (with the exception of the door into area X28, to the north. Against the gray walls stand six ten-foot-tall,
where its phylactery is hidden). It also provides all the black marble bookcases. On their shelves are hundreds
information pertaining to Strahd and the temple pre­
sented at the start of this chapter. If the characters think of well-preserved tomes. Embroidered rugs, chairs, and
to ask, it provides them with the command words for lit candelabras fill the southern half of the room.
any of the books in the library (area K30).
If the characters restore its body, it offers to escort
The spiral staircase descends 30 feet to area X42. Peer­
them while they explore the temple. The other creatures
ing over the railing reveals crates in that area.
that inhabit the temple don't threaten the characters as
There are no ladders here to reach the high book­
long as the lich is with them. shelves. (The wizards who built this place used mage
The lich defends itself if attacked and turns to dust if it
hand spells.) All the books appear to have blank covers
is reduced to O hit points.
and empty pages. Holding a book while speaking its se­
The lich assumes that the characters have come seek­
cret command word causes the book's text to magically
ing knowledge and power. If it is inclined to help them, it
appear. Only the lich in area X27 knows the command
tells them how the amber sarcophagi work (as explained word for each book, and only if its memory is restored.
in the "Amber Sarcophagi" sidebar). The lich has no al­
A true seeing spell also allows one to see the magically
liance with or animosity toward Strahd, and no interest obfuscated text. The tomes mostly contain vile, forbid­
in challenging Strahd for control of Barovia.
den lore. Many spellbooks are hidden here, collectively
The furnishings here are in poor condition and fall holding every wizard spell in the Player's Handbook.
apart easily.
A book that is taken from the library disintegrates
There are three secret doors in this room. The secret
as the magic that preserves it is dispelled. The room's
door to area X28 has an arcane Jock spell cast on it. The furnishings, which are also magically preserved, deteri­
password to suppress the spell is "Exethanter."
orate and become brittle if taken from the room.
The secret door in the center of the west wall can be
TREASURE
pulled open to reveal an empty room (area X29). The
The lich's ancient, bronze-covered spellbook sits on a
one in the center of the south wall can be pulled open
rotted divan, in plain view. Inscribed on its spine is a
to reveal a staircase that descends 30 feet to another
title: The Jncants of Exethanter. The spellbook contains
secret door leading to ar�a XS.
all the spells on the lich's list of prepared spells (see the
lich stat block in the Monster Manual). The lich attacks X31. CENTRAL CATACOMBS
anyone who tries to take its spellbook.
These catacombs c�ntain the moldy remains of the
X28. HIDDEN PHYLACTERY wizards who once defended the Amber Temple. Later
generations of wizards who were corrupted by the evil
The secret door to this room has an arcane lock spell
cast on it (see area X27 for.details). of the temple smashed the amber sheaths covering the
dead wizards' bodies and stole everything of value, leav­
ing the formerly preserved corpses to rot.
Behind the secret door is a small, dusty room. Rising
from the floor in the eastern half of the room is a scaly You smell the horrid perfume of the ancient dead. Stone
arm and claw clutching a small box made of bone.
niches along the walls of these catacombs hold human­
shaped amber husks, bones, and tattered shrouds.
The scaly arm is merely a ·carved pedestal. The bone.
box is Exethanter's phylactery. If it takes 20 or more
radiant damage from a single source, the phylactery is If the characters enter these . catacombs, add:
destroyed.
Tall, iron candlesticks stand in alcoves. Their candles
X29. SECRET ROOM:
ignite as you enter, casting flickering light upon the walls
and causing the shattered amber to glitter .
. I Dust and cobwebs fill this otherwise empty room. -.�·., . . ... -: '. . :, ..
i � }�
.
. � ·\ ,· . , rhe hi� t�i�ricire�.; nit� ·�h�� �\ivi�g- e : arnte .;;te�s
:;. the c'qtacorribs -and ·!Il�lta�ay if take�J(om<th'� _ area .
The ceiling here is .10 feef )ligh. · . -_ t ... , ·. . . ,-f '.' �-- • : '
CHAPTER 13 I THE AMBER TEMPLE