Quests from the Infinite Staircase

What Iaseda Knows

Iaseda can relay the history of Bakar (detailed in this adventure's x), but she doesn't know about the fate of Amun Sa's spirit or that his ghost wanders the desert. Iaseda can also share information on the following topics:

• Pyramid. This pyramid is the tomb of Amun Sa, the last pharaoh of a bygone kingdom known as Bakar that once occupied these lands.
• Tears of Athis. Iaseda leads of the Tears of Athis, a newly formed group of historians, priests, and descendants of the people of Bakar. The Tears of Athis arrived at the pyramid two days ago. They seek to restore the River Athis. Amun Sa built his tomb at the river's source, so it stands to reason the secret to reviving it might be found inside.
• Tidings of a Ghost. If the characters recount their experience with the pharaoh's ghost, Iaseda is skeptical. She jokingly suggests the characters have spent too much time in the desert heat.
• Wall Translations. The Tears of Athis originally brought experts on Bakarian hieroglyphs with them on their expedition. Unfortunately, a purple worm ate those experts. Although the surviving Tears have made good progress reassembling this room's broken plaster, they haven't yet translated any of the hieroglyphs.

Hieroglyphs

The hieroglyphs on the walls were carved by Amun Sa's scribes while he lived, at his dictation. See the "x" section for guidance on translating hieroglyphs throughout the tomb. If translated, the east wall's hieroglyphs read:

If translated, the south wall's hieroglyphs read:

If translated, the west wall's hieroglyphs read:

Secret Door

The statue of Amun Sa conceals a secret door that leads to x.

Secret Door

The statue of Amun Sa conceals a door that leads to the hall between x and x.

Hieroglyphs

If translated (see the "x" section), the hieroglyphs read as follows:

Offering Bowl

The bowl's flame gives off neither heat nor smoke. Whenever an object or creature enters the bowl, the flames surge around the object or creature, concealing it completely and teleporting it to x of the pyramid's second floor. To an onlooker, the object or creature appears to be consumed by the flame, vanishing in an instant. An onlooker who succeeds on a DC 14 Intelligence (Arcana) check can tell that the bowl teleported its contents somewhere else. A Detect Magic spell reveals an aura of conjuration magic around the bowl.

Water of Athis

The water of Athis (see the "x" section) fills the bottom of the silo.

Water of Athis

The water of Athis (see the "x" section) fills the bottom of the silo.

Secret Door

The statue of Amun Sa conceals a secret door that leads to x.

Altar

If a character puts their hands in the altar impressions and says "Amun Sa," the southernmost statue on the eastern wall swings inward to reveal a corridor to x.

Secret Door

The center statue of Amun Sa on the north wall conceals a secret door that leads to an empty, 15-foot-long corridor with tiny holes in the walls. A character who inspects the corridor's walls and succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check can tell that the corridor once contained a sleeping gas trap, but the trap was sprung ages ago.

Hieroglyphs

If translated (see the "x" section), the hieroglyphs read as follows:

P14a

A leather sack containing 102 gp lies against one wall of this corridor.

P14b

A +1 Warhammer lies near a heavy plank door in this clear stretch of corridor.

P14c

A tiny ring made of fine silver lies on the floor in the center of this corridor. The ring is a cursed Ring of Feather Falling. Attuning to the ring extends its curse to the wearer, who suffers the following effect:

• Curse of Ill Temper. You are overcome with an urge to disagree with others' actions, ideas, and opinions.

While cursed in this way, the wearer is unwilling to part with the ring. A Remove Curse spell or similar magic breaks the curse.

P14d

Characters who have a passive Wisdom (Perception) score of 15 or higher detect a cool, fresh breeze from the east.

P14e

The words "Knock First" have been carved in Common into a heavy plank door. The bandits in the room beyond (see x) wrote this to try to dupe intruders into announcing their presence.

P14f

A cool, fresh breeze flows out from under the door, and a character listening at the door hears tumbling torrents of water.

P14g

Lying on the floor is the skeleton of a person who died while pulling a cart loaded with three chests stacked atop each other. Characters who have a passive Wisdom (Perception) score of 15 or higher detect the stench of rotten flesh from the north.

If the top chest is opened, it sprays poisoned darts in all directions. Each creature within 10 feet of the chest must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 2 (1d4) piercing damage and 28 (8d6) poison damage and has the poisoned condition for 1 hour. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage only.

The bottom two chests each contain 250 gp.

P14h

This area reeks of dead flesh. Bodies in various states of decay lie strewn about the floor. In the center lies the corpse of a human. A shimmering axe juts from his chest.

The axe is a Berserker Axe. The weapon's name ("Enduval") is inscribed into the blade. The axe stops shimmering once it's removed from the corpse.

P14i

Characters who have a passive Wisdom (Perception) score of 15 or higher detect the stench of decaying flesh from the south.

P14j

Characters who have a passive Wisdom (Perception) score of 15 or higher detect the stench of decaying flesh from the west.

P14k

A leather knapsack lies on the floor next to a door. It contains a Spell Scroll of Fly, a Spell Scroll of Fireball, and a pouch containing 30 pp.

P14l

A Ring of Protection sits on the floor of this clear section of corridor.

P14m

A trail of gold pieces on the east side of this corridor leads to the north archway, where it ends. The total value of the coins is 137 gp.

P14n

A trail of platinum pieces starts in the center of the corridor and leads to the west archway, where it ends. The total value of the coins is 152 pp.

Parleying with the Bandits

If the characters don't attack, the bandits are relieved to see them. The Hands of Plenty came to this pyramid days ago, intending to raid it for treasure, but they quickly became lost. Now they just want to find their way out. None of the bandits have encountered the ghost of Amun Sa—they don't even know who he is.

Tired of wandering the pyramid, Cateline and Imbert grudgingly suggest a temporary alliance between the characters and the Hands of Plenty. If the characters agree, the Hands of Plenty accompany the characters and fight alongside them. However, if any of the bandits come across treasure worth 100 gp or more, their greed overwhelms them, and they attack the characters to claim the treasure for themselves.

Treasure

Cateline and Imbert each carry 40 gp. The other seven bandits each carry 10 gp.

Sphinx's Riddle

Senenura's riddle is as follows:

Answer: The answer is the sun.

Answered Correctly

If the characters answer the riddle correctly, Senenura keeps her promise to answer one question they have about the tomb.

The sphinx is knowledgeable about the following topics:

• Everything in this adventure's background
• All the creatures and traps within the pyramid
• All the maze's exits, including those in this room
• Where Amun Sa's staff and star-gem are kept (x and x, respectively)
• The mummy lord Nafik and his descent into evil

Answered Incorrectly

If the characters answer the riddle incorrectly, Senenura attacks and fights ferociously to the death.

Trough

The circular opening at the base of the sphinx's platform is 5 feet in diameter. Medium and smaller creatures that fall into the trough must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be swept into this opening, which empties into x.

See diagram 5.1 for a cross-section of this area and its waterways.

Water of Athis

The water in this chamber is the water of Athis (see the "x" section).

Well

Any character who looks into the well sees a 10-foot-diameter tunnel below the surface that enters the well from the east side. Water flows into the well through this tunnel. Though the volume of water is high, the well's large size makes the current slow and swimmable. This water tunnel angles up to x on the third floor.

Secret Door

A secret door atop this room's 30-foot-high ledge leads to an observation dome on the third floor of the pyramid (x).

Spear Trap

Ninety of the one hundred holes in the south wall contain a hidden spear held in place by magic. When a creature enters this room, and every minute afterward until no living creatures or spears remain, ten of the spears shoot from the wall. Creatures in the room when the spears are released must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 28 (8d6) piercing damage, is pinned to the north wall, and has the grappled condition (escape DC 15). On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage only.

Treasure

The unlocked chest contains 250 pp.

Secret Door

A secret door atop this room's 30-foot-high ledge leads to an observation dome on the third floor of the pyramid (x).

Stone Block Trap

A character who searches the room for traps and succeeds on a DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check notices the outline of a 10-foot-square hatch in the ceiling. It is directly above the X, which marks a pressure plate in the floor.

Any weight in excess of 40 pounds placed on the X releases a 10-foot-square stone block from the hatch overhead. Creatures below the block when it drops must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a successful save, a creature is pushed to the nearest unoccupied space. On a failed save, it takes 55 (10d10) bludgeoning damage and has the prone and restrained conditions as it is pinned under the block. A creature can use its action to make a DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check to free itself or another creature from the block, ending both conditions on a success. The block weighs 2,000 pounds.

Pendulum

If the rope securing the pendulum is cut, the blade swings down toward the door and back again. A creature in the swinging blade's path must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 22 (4d10) slashing damage. The blade swings again on initiative count 20 of each round (losing initiative ties), and the damage on subsequent rounds is reduced by 1d10. When the number of damage dice reaches 0, the blade stops.

Secret Door

A secret door atop this room's 30-foot-high ledge leads to an observation dome on the third floor of the pyramid (x).

[image: Bloodthirsty minotaurs stalk the Maze of Mists, hacking trespassers to bits with wicked-looking axes]

Ceiling Shaft

The hole in the ceiling leads to a 30-foot-long vertical shaft covered by a trapdoor in a temple on the pyramid's third floor (x).

Treasure

Scattered in the hay are 1,800 gp.

Treasure

The chest holds three identical bottles: two Potions of Healing and a Potion of Poison.

Secret Door

A secret door atop this room's 30-foot-high ledge leads to an observation dome on the third floor of the pyramid (x).

Treasure

Spilled amid the poles are five jacinth gems worth 300 gp each.

Secret Door

A secret door atop this room's 30-foot-high ledge leads to an observation dome on the third floor of the pyramid (x).

Secret Door

A secret door atop this room's 30-foot-high ledge leads to an observation dome on the third floor of the pyramid (see x).

Water of Athis

The waterway is filled with the water of Athis (see the "Pyramid Features" section).

Water of Athis

An aqueduct fills half the corridor, carrying the water of Athis (see the "x" section) toward x.

Water of Athis

An aqueduct carries the water of Athis (see the "x" section) from the stream in the garden hall (x) to the north, where it surges high against the wall before following the corridor's sharp turn to the east.

Secret Doors

The foliage hides secret doors: one in the southwest alcove to x and another in the southeast alcove to x. The greenery raises the DC to find these doors to 20.

Fruit Bowls

If the characters approach or disturb a fruit bowl, the magical fruits in the bowls spread their leaves like wings and take flight in all directions like insects. There are fifty flying fruits in all.

A character more than 20 feet off the ground—such as one climbing a palm tree, flying, or leaping into the air—can use an action to try to snatch a flying fruit from the air, doing so with a successful DC 18 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check. Alternatively, a character can shoot down a flying fruit by hitting it with a ranged attack roll; each fruit has Armor Class 18. Once plucked from the air or shot down, a flying fruit becomes inanimate.

A creature that eats a flying fruit has advantage on Strength and Dexterity saving throws for the next 8 hours. The flying fruit tastes like a deliciously sweet fruit of its apparent variety. If a flying fruit is taken out of the pyramid, it loses its magic and rots 1 minute later.

Water of Athis

The stream flows with the water of Athis (see the "x" section).

Altars

These identical magic altars were used to lift the pharaoh's heavy sarcophagus to the next level of the tomb. Each bears three hieroglyphs. If translated (see the "x" section; treat the hieroglyphs as a single passage), the hieroglyphs read "float," "reverse," and "negate."

If a creature touches both of the hand-shaped impressions, the impressions begin to glow as the altars activate. From then on, any creature in the room can use a bonus action to say one of the following words to cause its corresponding effect:

• "Float. " Gravity in this room becomes half as strong as normal. Creatures' jump distances are doubled in this room, and creatures and objects that fall descend at a rate of 60 feet per round and take no damage from the fall. Water still flows down the waterfall and through the stream, but at a slower rate than before. This effect can exist simultaneously with the "reverse" effect.
• "Reverse. " The entire room is affected by a Reverse Gravity spell. The waterfall flows upward, exposing the hidden archway to x and forming an upside-down pond in the ceiling. This effect can exist simultaneously with the "float" effect.
• "Negate. " If the "float" or "reverse" effects are active, they end immediately. The impressions on the altars stop glowing, and the altars deactivate.

Grenade Palms

The trees are grenade palms, bearing explosive fruits that look like pineapples. The palms evolved this way so they could scatter their seeds far and wide. A character who examines the trees and succeeds on a DC 17 Intelligence (Nature) check recognizes this rare plant.

When a creature comes within 5 feet of a grenade palm, the vibrations of the creature's movements loosen one of the explosive fruits overhead. The fruit lands near the base of the tree and bursts in a blast of woody shrapnel. Each creature within 20 feet of the fruit must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) piercing damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

As an action, character can safely pick a fruit from the tree by gently twisting it off the branches with a successful DC 15 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check. The character can hurl the fruit up to 60 feet as an action, causing it to burst on impact.

The fruit can be stowed for later use, but doing so is dangerous. If a creature carrying a fruit is hit by an attack or is otherwise jostled, the fruit explodes.

Tapping Noise

A character who stands on the ledge or domed ceiling and succeeds on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check hears a faint tapping noise coming from the dome's east side. This sound is a gnome named Prit (see x), rapping on the other side of the wall with a spoon. This section of the wall has Armor Class 17, 25 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage. Destroying the wall creates an opening to area P54.

Water of Athis

The water in this room is the water of Athis (see the "x" section).

Treasure

If a character tells the statue a secret, a Potion of Resistance (necrotic) glitters into existence at the statue's feet. This happens only once.

Treasure

If a character sings a song or plays a tune before the statue, a Potion of Resistance (necrotic) glitters into existence at the statue's feet. This happens only once.

Ceiling Passageway

Characters who look closely at the cracks in the ceiling see a rough-hewn tunnel rising from one of the larger cracks. The tunnel winds its way to x. It was dug with a spoon by Prit, the gnome in x.

What Uma Knows

In addition to the history of Bakar (detailed in this adventure's x), Uma can impart the following information:

• Amun Sa's Ghost. Twelve days ago, Uma traveled to the desert with a group of adventurers on a quest for a magic amulet. To their surprise, Uma and her companions were approached by the spirit of Amun Sa. They heeded his plea and entered this pyramid, looking to retrieve his staff and star-gem.
• Encounter with a Mummy. Five days ago, Uma and her companions cornered a mummy garbed in tattered high priest's robes near a waterfall not far from here (see x). A fierce battle ensued, and Uma's comrades were slain. Uma struck a killing blow on the undead priest—or so she thought. As the mummy crumbled to dust, he claimed his life was "too precious a thing to carry with him," cackling as he disappeared. Uma can show the characters the way to the waterfall.
• Uma's Fallen Comrades. Uma laid her companions to rest in a hallway of black curtains (x). Since then, she has been surviving on rations, but her supplies are running low. She doesn't know how to get to the tomb's next level.

[image: Uma, a valiant warrior who headed Amun Sa's call, fends off a horde of ghasts]

Treasure

An unlocked chest inside the stone block contains 800 gp.

Secret Door

Inside the southern sarcophagus is a secret door that leads to a dead end.

Treasure

The mace is a Mace of Disruption that belonged to an honorable warrior who braved Amun Sa's tomb years ago and perished. The weapon's name ("Bar-ethel") is inscribed in its hilt.

Gemstone Trap

If the gemstone is removed from the statue's forehead, the statue makes a horrendous noise like a foghorn until the gem is put back or the statue is destroyed. The statue has Armor Class 17, 50 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage. The noise attracts nearby creatures. Roll on the Random Upper Priesthood Encounters table (detailed earlier in this section) to determine what creatures arrive to investigate the noise.

Trapdoor

A hidden, 10-foot-wide trapdoor sits between the compass rose and the statue. A character who examines the floor and succeeds on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check spots the trapdoor. A creature that steps onto the trapdoor falls 40 feet into the haystack in x, taking no damage from the fall.

Treasure

The "gemstone" in the statue's forehead is made of glass and worth only 1 gp. Characters who have proficiency with jeweler's tools recognize this, as does anyone who holds it and succeeds on a DC 13 Intelligence (Investigation) check.

P53a

This dome opens over room P19.

P53b

This dome opens over room P20.

P53c

This dome opens over room P21.

P53d

This dome opens over room P26.

P53e

This dome opens over room P27.

P53f

This dome opens over room P28.

Treasure

Prit carries a collection of one hundred and twelve spoons in his backpack. Many are mundane, but others are historical curios. If sold to the right buyer, the collection could fetch up to 350 gp, but Prit doesn't part with it willingly.

Hieroglyphs

If translated (see the "x" section), the hieroglyphs read as follows:

Bronze Arm

When combat begins, the bronze arm atop the stairs animates to defend Nafik. On initiative count 20 of each round (losing initiative ties), Nafik can command the arm to grab or push a creature of his choice that he can see within 10 feet of the arm. The target must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the target has the grappled condition (escape DC 15) or is pushed into the rapids below (Nafik's choice). The arm has Armor Class 19, 30 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage.

Destroying Nafik

Nafik's heart resides in x. To vanquish the high priest for good, the characters must first destroy his heart. If Nafik is reduced to 0 hit points while his heart remains intact, he cackles and crumbles to ash, knowing he will rise again. If his heart was previously destroyed, Nafik's lifeless body slumps to the floor, his face twisted into a permanent scowl.

Gauntlet

Each landing in this chamber has an effect that triggers when a creature other than Nafik steps foot on it. Each effect triggers only once.

From north to south, the landings' effects are as follows:

• North Landing. Two ochre jellies ooze from small holes in the east and west alcoves of this landing. They are loyal to Nafik and fight to the death.
• Center Landing. A 30-foot-tall, 50-foot-wide wall of flame erupts from the floor in the middle of this landing, dividing the northern and southern halves of the room. The wall is opaque and lasts for 1 minute or until dispelled by a Dispel Magic spell (DC 15). A creature that passes through the wall must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) fire damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
• South Landing. A number of shadows equal to the number of characters appear from the southernmost alcoves. Each shadow is a wispy duplicate of a character intent on killing its original.

If the characters entered from the south, or if they don't try to ascend the stairs, Nafik can instead trigger one of these effects at the start of his turn (no action required). He can trigger each effect only once.

Rapids

Two 10-foot-deep aqueducts surge with water 10 feet below the landings. This water is the water of Athis (see the "x" section).

A creature that falls into an aqueduct is swept to the northern end of the room and slams against the ledge face, taking 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage. A creature can climb from the water level onto the north landing without needing to make any checks.

Water flows into the room from x, entering through a forked, 10-foot-wide channel beneath the frothy rapids. It flows out through sturdy grates in the northern ledge face, eventually emerging from the lion's head spout in x.

Column of Water

This water column flows with the water of Athis (see the "x" section). A creature that steps into the column is abruptly swept through a duct into the rapids in x.

Trial of Truth

If a creature asks a question in this room after Nafik and his heart have been destroyed, a deep voice speaks from the column and asks three questions. The questions are as follows:

• "What is your name?"
• "What is your quest?"
• "On whose hallowed ground do you stand?" (The answer is "Amun Sa's.")

If a creature answers any of the questions inaccurately or lies, lightning leaps from the column of water toward that creature. The target must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 45 (10d8) lightning damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. If a question is answered truthfully, the voice proceeds to the next question until all three are answered.

After all three questions have been answered truthfully, read or paraphrase the following text:

If a character places a hand into the impression, the water column flows backward for the next 10 minutes. Creatures that enter the column are gently ushered up to x.

Treasure

A waterproof bag containing 110 pp lies at the bottom of the pool, obscured by the water's grimy surface. Once Nafik and his heart have been destroyed, the grime in this room disappears.

Treasure

The ornate plates and silverware in this room are worth a total of 110 gp.

Nafik's Heart

The heart's glass jar is sealed to the floor in the northeast cave and can be smashed easily. The heart inside looks like an ordinary human heart, beating steadily. Nafik's heart has Armor Class 5 and 5 hit points. If the heart is destroyed, Nafik's Rejuvenation trait ceases to function.

Water of Athis

The water in this room is the water of Athis (see the "x" section).

Magic Mural

This magic mural is a portal. A character who inspects the mural and succeeds on a DC 14 Intelligence (Arcana) check can tell that the mural is magical, and a Detect Magic spell reveals an aura of conjuration magic around it.

Passing through the mural teleports a creature to x, thousands of feet above the pyramid. A character who touches the painting finds that their hand passes right through it, and they feel cold air on the other side. A character who sticks their head through it finds themself looking out over the desert landscape, as if through a window in the sky.

Falling

A creature that falls from the boat or the portal plummets 10,000 feet to the ground; it takes 70 (20d6) bludgeoning damage and has the prone condition at the base of the pyramid.

Treasure

The star-gem of Mo-Pelar lodged into the floating boat is a Gem of Seeing. The ten ornate vases in the boat each contain 200 pp (for a total of 2,000 pp). Each vase weighs 15 pounds.

Hieroglyphs

If translated (see the "x" section), the hieroglyphs read as follows:

Treasure

The staff lying atop the sarcophagus is the Staff of Ruling, one of the two treasures needed to fulfill the pharaoh's quest.

One-Way Teleport

After retrieving both of the pharaoh's implements, the characters are teleported to x. If the characters are on good terms with the Tears of Athis, Iaseda commends them on their successful quest. The Tears of Athis then rush from the pyramid to see if the curse has been lifted.

[image: Held aloft by magic, a reed boat floats high above the clouds, carrying the treasures of the pharaoh Amun Sa]