Page 163 - Waterdeep - Dungeon of the Mad Mage_Neat

MADNESS OF BA PHOMET Whenever two or more creatures are inside the cave,
the sound of an old man giggling can be heard every-
dl OO Flaw (lasts until cured)
where in the area. No one outside the cave can hear the
01-20 "My anger consumes me. I can't be reasoned with
giggling, which ends as soon as the cave is no longer .,
when my rage has been stoked."
occupied by two or more creatures.
21-40 "I degenerate into beastly behavior, seeming more
like a wild animal than a thinking being." 7. MINOTAUR CAVES
41-60 "The world is my hunting ground. Others are my
These caves form the main living area for the minotaurs
prey." of the Maze Level. A 2-foot-thick layer of fog covers the
61- 80 "Hate comes easily to me and explodes into rage." floor throughout.
81- 00 "I see those who oppose me not as people, but as
beasts meant to be preyed upon." 7A . SOUTHERN C AVE
Ceiling. The ceiling ranges in height from 20 to 30 feet
6. SPECIAL EFFECTS and is covered with stalactites.
Minotaurs. Stalagmites and floor-to-ceiling columns
These areas contain some of the Mad Mage's harmless
regional effects (see "Halaster's Lair," page 311). The of rock are scattered across the area, the fog flowing
slowly around them. Seven minotaurs lurk behind the
earthen floor throughout is covered by a 2-foot-thick
stalagmites and rock columns.
layer of fog.
The minotaurs are stationed throughout the cavern,
6A. "H ELP M E!" guarding against a drow attack. They are famished, hav-
The first time a character reaches this intersection, a ing been forced to sacrifice their food for Maku's ritual
faint call for help is heard coming from the tunnel open- (see area 8a). They spring out when they see or hear any
ing to the north, which ends at a cave-in. The cry for creatures in this area, charging intruders and ignoring
help is an illusion, and characters who dig through the any attempts to parley. The minotaurs fight to the death
rubble find nothing in it. and loudly devour their kills if they are victorious. Any
sound of combat in this area brings the five minotaurs
6B. R ATTLING CHAINS in area 7b as reinforcements.
This 10-foot-high tunnel slopes up gradually to the
north, so that its floor rises above the fog. Characters 7B. NORTHERN CAVE
who pass this point hear rattling chains when they get to This cave has the same features as area 7a. Five mino-
the fork in the tunnel. The sound clearly comes from the taurs stand watch in this area and attack in response
left passage. Further investigation reveals no source; the to any intrusion. The sound of combat here brings the
sound is one ofHalaster's illusory regional effects. The seven minotaurs from area 7a as reinforcements.
passage to the right contains nothing of interest.
Mirror Gate to Level 10. At the end of the west tun- 7C. MINOTAUR GRAVEYARD
nel, a tall oval mirror framed in stone hangs on the The minotaurs place their dead in this wedge-shaped
rocky wall. The mirror's frame is carved with vines that cave, which has the following features:
twist through eleven actual humanoid skulls mounted Bones. The fog that covers the floor wraps around six
to the frame. Carved into the bottom of the frame are large piles of minotaur bones.
the following words in Celestial: "The dead know Skulls. Dozens of minotaur skulls in various states
the secret."
of decay are jammed into niches and crevices in
The mirror is one of Halaster's gates (see "Gates,"
the walls.
page 12). Its rules are as follows:
• Speaking the proper command word while standing 8. SHRINE OF T HE HORNED KING
in front of the mirror opens the gate for 1 minute.
Maku, a minotaur shaman, has been busily collecting
• Characters must be 11th level or higher to pass the remains of slaughtered drow, fallen troglodytes and
through this gate (see ''.Jhesiyra Kestellharp," page quaggoths, and unfortunate adventurers in this area.
10). The first creature to pass through the gate trig- He plans to use these remains in a ritual to summon
gers an elder rune (see "Elder Runes," page 12). the demon lord Baphomet. If the characters fought any
• A creature that passes through the gate appears in minotaurs in area 7b, Maku and his followers cannot be
area lle on level 10, in the closest unoccupied space surprised here.
next to the identical gate located there.
Casting speak with dead on one of the skulls forces it 8 A. K EEP C ALM AN D CARRION
to reveal the gate's command word ("Axallian"), which The stench of death that permeates the dungeon is
Halaster changes every few days. The skulls are other- strongest here. As the characters approach this 50-foot-
high cave, they hear minotaurs chanting and stomping.
wise hostile and refuse to answer questions put to them.
This area contains the following:
6c. G IGGLES
Minotaurs. The fog swirls through this cavern, agitated
The earthen floor of this 20-foot-high cave is slightly by the dancing of eleven chanting minotaurs.
concave, causing the fog to pool to a depth of 4 feet. Offal Pile. Low stone barriers constrain a massive pile
of rotting, dismembered body parts.

LEVEL 12 I MAZE LEVEL
162