Tales from the Yawning Portal: The Forge of Fury

(A) The Mountain Door

This is the front entrance to the Glitterhame. The old dwarf-path leads up to a bare shoulder of rock and then turns into a deep cleft in the hillside. If the characters enter this way, the expedition begins in area 1 of map 2.2, the Mountain Door.

(B) Chimney

When the characters reach the area marked B on the map, they can discover the source of the smoke. A natural rock chimney leads down into the caverns below, and a thin stream of smoke rises through it. The smoke spreads out and isn't easy to pinpoint in the rugged terrain.

A character who searches for the source of the smoke finds the rock chimney with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check. If the characters pass nearby without searching, anyone who has a passive Perception score of 15 or higher notices the fissure.

If the characters descend the chimney, the expedition begins in area 7 of map 2.2, the Mountain Door.

(C) Orc Tunnel

On the other side of the Stone Tooth, a few hundred yards from the Mountain Door, the orc army burrowed into the hillside to circumvent the dwarven defenses. The tunnel is still passable, but its entrance is choked with brush and debris. If the characters enter this area, someone who has a passive Perception score of 15 or higher discovers the orc tunnel. The characters locate the tunnel automatically if anyone searches the area; it leads to area 21 of map 2.3, the Glitterhame.

The tunnel entrance is about 6 feet high and 4 feet wide. Anyone who succeeds on a DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check can spot old tracks passing in and out of the tunnel—reptilian footprints (from the troglodytes inhabiting the Glitterhame) and the paw prints of a very large bear.

(D) Hilltop

An hour or two of hard hiking brings the party to the summit. The Stone Tooth is about 1,450 feet in height, towering over the neighboring hills by 500 feet or more. The last 100 feet or so are a sheer point of rock, requiring DC 15 Strength (Athletics) checks to climb successfully. The view is spectacular, but the hilltop is otherwise unremarkable. (No entrance to the fortress is to be found here.)

(E) The Dark Mere

The eastern slopes of the Stone Tooth descend into a damp valley where water is trapped by the terrain. A dark tarn pools under the hill's slopes, surrounded by numerous smaller lakes. A hidden drainage channel deep underwater connects to the subterranean Black Lake, providing access to Nightscale's underground lair.

The opening is about 40 feet down, and it lies about 100 feet from the western lakeshore. Player characters exploring around the lake can't find this outlet unless they conduct extensive dives to plumb the mere's depths, requiring DC 10 Strength (Athletics) checks to swim underwater. If any characters are capable of staying this deep without suffocating and conduct a thorough search of the lake, they discover the passage with a successful DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check. If the characters enter through this watery passage, they emerge in area 54 of map 2.6, the Black Lake.

Treasure

Each orc carries a sack of mundane supplies looted from the countryside, as well as coinage totaling 4d6 sp and 1d4 gp.

Development

No more dungeon denizens emerge from the dungeon during this time, and no more orcs leave for a week after the second patrol returns.

Creatures

Two orcs stand guard along the northern edge of the ledge, though they aren't paying as much attention to their duties as they should. The characters (or their advance scout) can spot them from as far as 60 feet away. The sentries, Wark and Thark, are grumbling in the Orc language about someone named Ulfe. Apply a −2 penalty to the orcs' passive Perception scores.

Arrow Slits

When the characters move around the corner into the eastern part of the ledge, they might discover a row of hidden arrow slits in the rocky wall to the east about 15 feet above the floor. By examining the wall and making a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check, a character notices the slits.

Developments

If they are attacked or confronted by more than one character, Wark and Thark call out a warning that's heard by the orc in area 4 and then attempt to flee to area 3. See the "Mountain Door Defenses" sidebar.

If the archers are alerted to the party's presence, they open fire on intruders on the ledge and in area 2. See area 4 for more information.

Creatures

If the orcs have been alerted, the orcs in areas 4 and 4a fire arrows until the characters either retreat or succeed in bypassing the door.

Development

If the characters are repelled, they must deal with additional reinforcements if they try this approach again. Two orcs from area 11 stand watch at the doors on the west side of area 3, while the orc Eye of Gruumsh from area 9 backs up the orcs in area 4 or 4a.

Creatures

Two orcs guard the eastern side of the room. They do everything in their power to prevent the characters from getting across the bridge. If any of the party members have darkvision or a means of illuminating the far side, read:

Rope Bridge

The bridge is safe structurally, despite its appearance. Crossing under fire is difficult enough to require DC 10 Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks. On a successful check, a character can move at half speed. On a failed check, a character makes no progress. If the check fails by 5 or more, the character must make a DC 10 Strength or Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the character plummets almost 200 feet to the underground river below and is swept away. The characters can prevent falls by roping themselves to a stable attachment point before crossing.

Secret Doors

Two secret doors on the north and south walls lead to areas 4 and 4a. The doors are well made, each requiring a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check to discover. A door can be opened by simultaneously pushing in two concealed stone plates in the wall about 1 foot above it. The plates can be found with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check.

Developments

The orcs use the rock outcroppings on their side for shelter from attacks, gaining half cover. They throw their javelins at characters trying to cross the bridge, or at those who hang back to cast spells or make ranged attacks. A character on the bridge who is hit by an attack must make a saving throw to avoid a fall, just as if the character's Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to move along the bridge had failed by 5 or more.

If an intruder gets at least two-thirds of the way across the bridge, one orc breaks cover to move through the double doors into area 5 and get help. The other tries to hinder the characters by chopping at the bridge's support ropes with its greataxe. Each rope has 8 hit points and AC 11. If one support rope is cut, the DC of the Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to cross the bridge increases to 12, and characters on the bridge must immediately make a saving throw to avoid falling as described above. If both ropes are cut, the east end of the bridge drops into the crevasse and slams into the cliff wall on the west side. Any characters on the bridge take 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage from the impact with the wall and must make successful DC 12 Strength or Dexterity saving throws to avoid losing their grip and falling if they aren't otherwise secured.

Development

If the orcs destroy the bridge but repel the invaders in doing so, Great Ulfe's followers rebuild it within three days. Any orcs killed here are replaced by orcs from area 11.

Secret Door

In the north end of area 4, a secret door connects to area 14. A character can find the door by succeeding on a DC 18 Wisdom (Perception) check. The orcs are unaware of this passage and don't use it.

Creatures

Four orcs, three in area 4 and one in area 4a, overlook the stairs leading up to area 2. These orcs aren't particularly vigilant, but they do start shooting if the sentries in area 1 call for help. The orcs are armed with longbows instead of javelins: +3 to hit (range 150/600 ft.); 5 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage on a hit.

When the characters turn the corner into area 2, the archer in area 4a joins the attack while one of the archers from area 4 circles around through the secret door in an attempt to shut the double doors to area 3 (see "Mountain Door Defenses" above).

If the heroes attack by coming through the secret doors that lead to these areas, the archers fire at characters descending the stairs, then switch to greataxes and move up to block the stairways.

Development

If the characters dispose of the sentries in area 1 quietly, the orcs in area 4 might not notice them. Characters can attempt to sneak past the row of arrow slits by comparing their Dexterity (Stealth) checks to the orcs' passive Perception scores. If the characters successfully sneak past the sentries, they reach area 2 without alerting the archers.

If the characters defeat these orcs but withdraw from the dungeon before overcoming the rest of them, the archers are replaced by orcs from area 14 and reinforced by the orc eye of Gruumsh from area 9.

Cage Door

The cage door to the south leads to area 6, where two prisoners languish under the orcs' indifferent care. The prisoners leap to their feet and rush to the cage door to cry for help when the characters enter area 5.

Treasure

The crates and sacks in this room contain mundane supplies looted from the countryside—flour, grain, nails, and so on. The total value is about 20 gp for about 500 pounds of material. Additionally, if characters are held captive in area 6, their equipment is stored here.

Development

When the second orc raiding party returns (five days after the characters arrive at the Stone Tooth), they take up residence here. Add four orcs to this room after their return.

Creatures

The prisoners are a pair of human commoners named Geradil and Courana. They hail from a small settlement a few miles from Blasingdell, and the orcs have held them captive for almost a month now. Neither one's family could raise the ransom demanded by their captors, so both await a terrible death at the orcs' hands.

Opening the cage door requires a successful DC 12 Dexterity check using thieves' tools, the key from Old Yarrack's pocket (see area 14), or a sharp axe and a little time. (The padlock has AC 19 and 5 hit points.) Geradil and Courana are extremely grateful for their rescue, but they will not join the characters in their quest—neither is skilled at fighting, and they just want to go home.

Treasure

The characters can free the prisoners and escort them back to their homes (about a day's travel away). The grateful families reward them with two potions of healing. Taking the time to see Geradil and Courana to safety, however, gives the orcs a chance to prepare for the next assault.

Development

Any characters captured by the orcs eventually wind up in the cage, unless they demonstrate that they're too much trouble to be left alive. Their gear is stored among the other supplies in area 5. New characters joining the party might also be introduced as prisoners here.

Iron Gate

The passage leading east is blocked about 10 feet in by tightly packed crates and sacks of flour. Removing this material allows travel for another 20 feet to the east, where the tunnel ends at an iron gate stuffed with blankets and straw pallets. The orcs created these barricades to prevent the stirges in area 10 from getting out.

The iron gate's lock is rusted shut; it can be picked with a successful DC 12 Dexterity check by a character using thieves' tools or forced open with a successful DC 15 Strength check.

Secret Doors

The passage to the south branches in a Y shape. The southwest branch connects to area 5, and the southeast one leads to a secret door cleverly constructed to blend into the natural rock of the cave. A character who makes a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check discovers the door.

On the other side, a worked passage continues up to what appears to be a blank wall, marked with hexes and curses in Orc. The markings conceal another secret door, which requires a successful DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check to find.

Treasure

The mundane supplies have a total value of about 20 gp for about 500 pounds of material.

With a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check, a character finds a loose stone. Behind it is hidden a small locked strongbox containing 180 gp and a flask of holy water. This is the personal treasure of Old Yarrack (see area 11).

Creatures

Burdug the shaman, an orc Eye of Gruumsh, has commandeered a chamber as her private domain. She lives here with her two followers, female orcs, separate from the rest of the tribe.

The door to area 10 is locked, but the key is inserted in the keyhole on this side. Burdug keeps the door closed because she wants to confine the stirges on the other side. (She calls the stirges her "little stingies" and occasionally captures one to use in her potions and brews.)

Burdug orders her two followers to engage intruders while she attempts to neutralize a dangerous-looking combatant with a command spell. Then she casts bless on herself and the others, and finally casts spiritual weapon before joining battle.

If the fight goes poorly, Burdug throws alchemist's fire (she has three flasks) and opens the door to area 10, releasing the stirges. She takes advantage of the confusion, using more alchemist's fire if necessary, to escape and seek help.

Treasure

A character who makes a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check finds two leather sacks among the clutter, each containing 160 sp. If Burdug is defeated, the characters can recover any of her three flasks of alchemist's fire that weren't used.

Secret Exit

A successful DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check is required to find the secret door on the west wall. It connects to the passage leading toward area 8; the secret door farther along the passage to the west isn't concealed from this side.

Creatures

If the characters aren't trying to be quiet, four hungry stirges attack.

Large quantities of smoke discourage the stirges, and they don't move closer than 5 feet from a source of fire (including characters set alight by the trap described below). Sated stirges flap off to digest their meal down in area 15a of the Glitterhame.

The iron gate blocks entry from area 8 (see it for more information). The stairs in the rift lead down to the northwest end of area 15 in the Glitterhame.

The door to the south connects to area 9 and is locked from the other side. The lock can be picked from this side by someone who makes a successful DC 10 Dexterity check using thieves' tools, but doing so pushes the key out on the other side and warns Burdug the shaman that someone's coming.

Fire Trap

The door to the north is carved in the image of a glowering dwarf's face. Hinges are visible. On either side of the door, eight small spouts are carefully worked into the stonework about 10 feet above the floor.

The skeletons near the door are those of orcs killed by the trap long ago; their remains show signs of severe scorching. Rusted axe heads lie near the bodies, with no sign of the weapons' hafts.

If the door is pulled open before the trap is disabled, a counterweight drops and pumps a flammable substance resembling alchemist's fire from the spouts. Each creature within 15 feet of the door takes 10 (4d4) fire damage, or half damage with a successful DC 10 Dexterity saving throw. At the start of each of its turns thereafter, an affected creature takes 5 (2d4) fire damage. A creature can fight the flames around itself by making a successful DC 10 Dexterity check as an action; a successful check reduces the fire damage it takes at the start of each of its turns to 2 (1d4). Making another successful Dexterity check as an action quenches the flames around the creature entirely.

After the door is opened, the counterweight pulls it shut again in 2 rounds, resetting the trap. The characters can prevent this from happening by jamming the door open. If the trap resets, it can be activated only once more before its fiery substance is depleted.

The spouts on the wall can be detected by someone who succeeds on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check. With a successful DC 10 Intelligence (Investigation) check afterward, a character deduces that they form part of a trap mechanism. A character who makes a successful DC 12 Dexterity check using thieves' tools, or someone who tightly plugs the holes with durable material, renders the trap inactive. Someone who succeeds on a DC 10 Intelligence (Investigation) check while examining the door identifies the counterweight mechanism that activates the trap; it can be deactivated afterward by someone who makes a successful DC 10 Dexterity check using thieves' tools.

Development

Inspecting the small room behind the door reveals the full extent of the trap's counterweight mechanism, as well as a system of pipes that connect the spouts to two 20-gallon copper drums (containing the substance for the fire trap).

A character who is proficient in the use of alchemist's supplies might be able to craft alchemist's fire from the dregs of the tanks. Doing so requires a successful DC 15 Intelligence check after the character finishes a long rest. On a successful check, the character salvages 1d4 flasks of alchemist's fire. On a failed check, the reagents are mixed improperly, spoiling the batch; no further attempt to use these reagents can be made. If the check fails by 5 or more, the character is affected as though hit by alchemist's fire.

Creatures

Four orcs live in an old guardroom. These orcs fight dirty. They team up into pairs, each focusing on one character. One orc in the pair attempts to shove the character, then the other attacks, hoping for a prone target.

Treasure

The supplies stockpiled here are the same as those in areas 5 and 8: trade goods and staples raided from travelers and nearby settlements.

The orcs have 210 gp stashed in an old iron cauldron under vermin-infested bedding. A small pouch in another orc's bedding contains a topaz worth 200 gp and two onyx stones worth 50 gp each. This loot isn't well hidden; anyone searching the room can uncover it.

Development

If the characters leave the complex before they have defeated Great Ulfe, two of these orcs move to reinforce area 2 (reducing the number in this room to two) before the characters return.

Creatures

Great Ulfe is a fierce ogre who leads the orcs of the Mountain Door. The chamber he claims as his own once belonged to the dwarf watch-captain.

If the characters fail to open the door on the first attempt, Great Ulfe is alerted to their presence. He releases his two dire wolves, Vak and Thrag, and takes the Ready action to attack the first enemy who enters the room. He is armed with a greataxe instead of a greatclub: +6 to hit; 17 (2d12 + 4) slashing damage on a hit.

Great Ulfe neither asks nor gives quarter, but if the ogre falls, the wolves attempt to flee.

Development

If the characters defeat Great Ulfe but leave any orcs alive, one of the surviving orcs claims leadership of the tribe. If at least half the orcs in the tribe are slain in addition to Ulfe, any survivors abandon the dungeon after the party leaves. They become roving bands of raiders that the adventurers might have to deal with later.

Treasure

Great Ulfe keeps his hoard in two large wooden chests against the south wall: 440 gp, 1,600 sp, a potion of climbing, and a +1 rapier. (The ogre would never stoop to wielding the delicate blade like some prancing bard.)

Poison Gas Trap

A pressure plate is set into the floor about 5 feet in front of the statue. When at least 20 pounds of weight is placed on the pressure plate, it depresses into the floor, opening the statue's face to reveal a nozzle from which poison gas sprays out in a 15-foot cone. Each affected creature must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned until the creature finishes a short rest.

Someone who examines the proper location and succeeds on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check notices the pressure plate. A successful DC 12 Dexterity check by a character using thieves' tools disarms the trap; the pressure plate can also be deactivated by physically jamming it so that it can't move.

If the trap isn't deactivated, it resets automatically after 1 minute.

Creatures

Only Old Yarrack the orog and four orcs are at home when the characters enter the chamber. They enter combat as soon as they're aware of intruders.

If the battle goes poorly for the orcs, Old Yarrack orders an orc to break off and summon help from area 9. If things get desperate, he sends for help from the orcs in area 11. If the orcs here fall, Yarrack attempts to join Great Ulfe's forces in area 12. The orog carries a potion of healing and drinks it if his current hit points drop to one-fourth his hit point maximum or lower.

Secret Door

The orcs don't know about the secret door in the western wall, but a character who searches the spot can discover it with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check.

Development

Two days after the characters arrive, the first raiding party returns and reinforces this room with four more orcs. Thus, the party might encounter as many as nine creatures in this room.

Any orcs slain in area 4 are replaced by orcs from this room, if any survive.

Treasure

A successful DC 10 Wisdom check reveals a loose stone on the south wall, concealing a sack that holds 250 sp and 40 gp. Aside from his potion of healing, Old Yarrack keeps his personal treasure in area 8.

Old Yarrack carries the key to the cage door in area 6.

Creatures

Stirges have made their nest in a small cave overlooking the stream, about halfway down the passage. Fissures at the back of the cave run 150 feet to the surface, but nothing larger than a stirge can fit through. Six stirges are sleeping in the nest, but any noise or light from a party descending the streambed wakes them. Each round after the characters enter the cave, 1d4 stirges wake and attack, until all are active.

Treasure

On the floor at the back of the stirge cave lies the desiccated corpse of a dwarf explorer who died here many years ago—part of the failed expedition. A leather pouch on its belt contains 35 gp.

Creatures

Four stirges are clinging to the chamber walls high overhead. They can see any light source that is brought into this chamber, but they are very hard to spot in turn, owing to the height of the ceiling. The stirges have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide unless a character specifically looks for danger overhead, so they might surprise the party.

The stream exits the south wall of the cavern through a passage only 3 feet high, half filled by water, which serves as an entrance to the troglodytes' lair (area 17). Anyone who searches the stream's banks finds the footprints of Medium reptilian creatures and tracks left by tails with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check.

To reach area 17 from this cave, a Medium or larger character must crouch down and then wade or crawl through the stream. Torches and lanterns are difficult to keep lit, since the lowest point of the ceiling in this passage is only about 6 inches above the water's surface.

Creatures

Two troglodytes are hiding in the northern end of this area, one on each side of the stream. Their Chameleon Skin trait gives them advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide. They attack as soon as two characters have entered the area, likely achieving surprise.

Mud-and-Wattle Door

The troglodytes have blocked the southwest passage leading to the main warren (area 18) with a crude plug made of mud and wattle. A successful DC 10 Strength check is required to pull it open. If alerted by the sounds of battle, the troglodytes on the far side secure the door, increasing the DC of the check to 15.

Pool

The stream flows through the center of the cavern, growing somewhat wider and deeper until it reaches the southeast corner. The pool in that location is about 20 feet across and about 10 feet deep in the middle.

Along the eastern edge of the pool, a short passage leading to area 23 has been blocked up with loose rubble and mud, creating a rough stone wall 10 feet across. Characters can break through this barrier with some effort; it has AC 16 and 50 hit points per 5-foot segment.

Northwest Chamber

Two troglodytes are sleeping in the small cave to the northwest when the characters enter area 18.

Southwest Chamber

The females tend the colony's eggs and raise hatchlings in the southwest cave. Six troglodytes defend the hatchery and fight to the death to defend their young.

The chamber also contains two dozen noncombatant hatchlings, which scurry away from intruders. Characters receive no XP for slaughtering them.

Southeast Chamber

Three troglodytes recently returned from the hunt are relaxing in the southeast cave. Unless they are alerted to the characters' presence, they are concentrating on devouring what's left of a small deer.

Tactics

If the characters attack the troglodytes in the northwest or southeast chamber, those in the other chamber hear the sounds of battle and rush to assist. The troglodytes in the southwest chamber remain there to protect the hatchlings; if the characters attack the hatchery first, all the troglodytes from the other chambers come to join the fight.

Creatures

The chief of the troglodytes, Kaarghaz, occupies the chamber along with his pet giant lizard. Kaarghaz is a troglodyte with the following changes, which increase his challenge rating to 2 (450 XP):

• His AC is 13 (natural armor).
• He has 39 (6d8 + 12) hit points.
• His Charisma is 15 (+2).
• He can speak Draconic and Troglodyte.
• He has an additional trait:

Spellcasting

Kaarghaz is a 4th-level spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 12, +4 to hit with spell attacks). He knows the following sorcerer spells:

Cantrips (at will): fire bolt, mage hand, poison spray, prestidigitation, ray of frost

1st level (6 slots): burning hands, shield, sleep

2nd level (3 slots): invisibility, scorching ray

If the characters make a lot of noise or tip off their presence in some other way, Kaarghaz begins this encounter invisible (see below). Otherwise, read:

If Kaarghaz is alerted to the party's approach, he casts invisibility on himself before they enter. If he loses at least half his hit points, he tries to escape (using invisibility if possible). If his escape succeeds, he soon afterward rounds up a war party of surviving troglodytes from other areas to track down and ambush the party.

Negotiation

Kaarghaz starts out hostile and won't become friendly to the characters. Nevertheless, a character who speaks Draconic might be able to stave off combat by parleying with the chieftain. For example, the characters might have captured some of the hatchlings in the southwest chamber, intending to ransom them back to the troglodytes in exchange for treasure. Even if Kaarghaz can be convinced to give up some of his wealth, he doesn't let the matter rest—he forms a war party (as described above) and goes after the characters.

Treasure

The chief's chamber is strewn with trophies, including the skulls, bones, hides, and weapons of defeated foes. Amid the mess, a small square of black silk hides a ruby worth 300 gp. It can be found with a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check. A battered wooden chest with leather hasps holds 1,500 sp.

Creature

The cavern holds the troglodytes' secret weapon—a freshly captured giant subterranean lizard (see appendix B). Although the lizard is chained, it can attack anyone who comes within its reach. It strikes with its tail first, hoping to knock a target prone, then snaps at it with its powerful jaws to gulp it down.

Treasure

The two chests contain a total of 2,200 sp. One holds a potion of climbing, and the other a potion of water breathing.

Creatures

In the northern part of the cavern, near the passages that run east and west, two troglodytes are hiding. From their Chameleon Skin trait, they have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to hide. The troglodyte on the west side waits for an opportune moment to attack intruders with surprise. The other moves east to the gate and opens it to release a brown bear, which attacks any non-troglodyte in the next round (roll initiative for the bear when it is released).

Bear Pen

A sturdy timber gate, latched on the outside, seals a smaller cave to the east. The bear attacks any non-troglodyte that opens the cage door, then tries to escape through the tunnel.

The animal isn't trained but has come to expect food from the troglodytes. It is hostile toward strangers, but someone proficient in Animal Handling might be able to calm it down with a DC 15 Wisdom check. If the check succeeds and no troglodytes remain nearby, the characters can release it safely and let it depart.

Hazard

The skeleton that the characters first see is that of a dwarf. From its location, it's possible for someone to see a second skeleton (human) in the south end of the chamber. Both skeletons are covered with a particularly virulent form of mold. A character can identify the threat with a successful DC 10 Intelligence (Nature) or Wisdom (Survival) check.

If either skeleton is touched, the mold ejects a cloud of spores that fill a 10-foot cube originating from the skeleton. Any creature in the area must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 10 (3d6) poison damage and become poisoned for 1 minute. At the end of this time, unless the poisoned condition is removed, the creature must repeat the saving throw, taking 17 (5d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. Exposing a patch of the mold to sunlight or dealing any fire damage to it destroys it.

Treasure

The dwarf skeleton clutches a +1 longsword that bears Durgeddin's smith-mark. The human skeleton wears a steel helmet chased with silver, worth 110 gp.

Treasure

Each tomb is a marble vault 6 feet long, 4 feet high, and 3 feet wide, with a heavy stone lid. Despite the warnings carved on the tombs, there is no danger here. Even if the characters disturb Borgol, Gharin, or Numik, all they find are old bones and no undead.

The three dwarves were buried with little funerary wealth; Durgeddin's folk believed in honoring their dead with stone, not riches. Borgol's remains include a ring of gold in the shape of a dragon holding its tail in its mouth, worth 120 gp. Gharin was buried with a finely crafted warhammer inset with a garnet, worth 110 gp.

Creatures

Two gricks lurk in the 20-foot-high rockfall that spills down from area 26, at the place where the path leading east comes closest to the slope. They are wedged into spaces between boulders, 6 to 8 feet above the cavern floor. Their Stone Camouflage trait gives them advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide, so they might surprise the party.

The gricks attack anyone who travels on the path next to the rockfall or climbs anywhere along the slope that leads to area 26. Any character trying to scale the rockfall while under attack must succeed on a DC 8 Strength (Athletics) check to make progress. If the characters reach area 26 by some other means, the gricks move to attack them there.

Slippery Slope

The smooth cavern floor slopes down toward the stream, and much of the area immediately north of the stream is covered with a thin layer of slime. The slime makes the floor very slippery. Its presence can be discerned with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) or Wisdom (Survival) check.

Any creature that enters the slippery slope or starts its move there must make a DC 12 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. A creature that fails the check falls prone and slides southward toward the stream at half its walking speed. The stream is flowing fast enough that anyone who falls in must succeed on a DC 10 Strength saving throw to avoid being swept over the waterfall.

A creature that goes over the waterfall lands in a pool 60 feet below (see area 28), taking 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage and suffering one level of exhaustion.

Creatures

The two gricks hidden in the rockfall (see area 24) make their lair at the end of a passage that winds north from the ledge. They are encountered here if they retreated to attack characters who got past them.

Treasure

The gricks discarded the inedible portions of their victims in the back of the cave. Rooting through the grisly remains uncovers a suit of scale mail and scattered coins totaling 200 cp, 180 sp, and 60 gp.

Watery Peril

At the west end of the cavern, the ceiling lowers to meet the surface of the river. Any creature swept past this point by the current is trapped in a long, airless underground channel and is likely to drown (see "Suffocating" in chapter 8 of the Player's Handbook). In addition, the creature must make a successful DC 12 Strength saving throw each round or take 1d6 bludgeoning damage as it is battered by rocks. Even creatures that can breathe water aren't likely to survive for long.

The stream runs underground for about 5 miles before emerging on a hillside to the west of the Stone Tooth.

Creature

None of the supplies are salvageable. While searching, the characters might blunder into a gray ooze that occupies the middle chamber of the three.

While motionless, the ooze is indistinguishable from a patch of wet stone. It is alerted when characters force open the door, and it strikes at the first character who enters the middle chamber, attacking with surprise.

Diseased Pool

The water is about 5 feet deep and is tainted by disease. Anyone who drinks the water or wades into it is exposed and must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw to avoid infection. Symptoms manifest one day after exposure and include high fever, muscle spasms, and eventual paralysis.

An infected creature suffers one level of exhaustion when it finishes the first long rest it takes after being exposed. Whenever it finishes a long rest thereafter, it must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature suffers another level of exhaustion. On a successful save, its exhaustion level is reduced by one. If its exhaustion level reaches 5, the infected creature becomes paralyzed until the disease is cured or the effect is removed with a lesser restoration spell or similar magic. If a successful saving throw reduces the infected creature's exhaustion level to 0, the creature recovers from the disease.

Treasure

Submerged in the corner of the eastern vault is the skeleton of an orc killed a century ago. The skeleton rests atop a rotted leather pouch that contains a potion of water breathing and a potion of invisibility.

Creature

The southern ledge is the home of a ravenous roper that has been feeding on fish from the stream. Unsatisfied with this diet, the roper is eager for larger prey.

Even characters who look closely at the roper can't tell that it's anything other than a stalagmite unless it moves. The roper is difficult to sneak up on. If a character manages to approach without alerting it, continue:

The roper attacks when any character gets at least 20 feet into the cave, gaining surprise if its presence hasn't been revealed. It can target up to four characters with its tendrils, possibly pulling those it has grappled into the rushing river. Characters in the water have advantage on checks to escape the grapple due to the force of the current. The river poses a severe hazard in itself, though; see "Fast-Flowing Water" below.

Development

The roper is satisfied, ending the attack, after it devours one Small or larger creature. It can't speak or understand languages, but it has a bestial intelligence and might be persuaded to accept a substitute meal. As long as the food is alive, the roper isn't picky.

Treasure

Cutting open the roper's stony gizzard reveals a ring of spell storing and six gemstones: a ruby worth 1,000 gp, two emeralds worth 400 gp each, and three serpentines worth 60 gp apiece.

Treasure

The suit of plate is too corroded to be of any use, but a search of the corpse produces a small silk purse containing 8 pp and a key that opens the iron door in area 27.

Statue Trap

The obvious exits to the northeast and northwest are false doors that open onto blank stone. Pulling on either door releases a catch that causes the axe-wielding hands of the two closest statues to drop. Any creature within 5 feet of a door when it is opened is subjected to two melee attacks: +5 to hit; 9 (2d8) slashing damage on a hit.

With a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check, a character can discern small scorings on the floor in front of a door, left by earlier axe strokes. A successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check enables a character to deduce that the doors aren't what they seem, through small clues showing that they are unused. The same check focused on a statue can reveal a small line on the arm that holds an axe, indicating the arm's ability to move.

A character who makes a successful DC 10 Dexterity check using thieves' tools can jam a statue's arm so that the axe can't swing. Destroying a statue (AC 18, 60 hit points, immunity to necrotic, poison, and psychic damage) also disables its attack.

Once a statue has attacked, the trap must be reset manually. If any duergar survive and remain here, they reset the trap within a day after it has been triggered.

Secret Stairwell

The secret door behind the east statue is well hidden, requiring a successful DC 18 Wisdom (Perception) check to spot. If the characters detected the faint trail that leads there, a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check locates the door. Beyond is a flight of stone stairs that leads upward.

The stairs have been warded with a magical alarm. When a creature ascends past the halfway point of the staircase, a magic mouth spell calls out in Dwarvish, "Alert! Alert! Intruders approach!" This sound warns the duergar guards in area 36.

Creatures

Two duergar guards and Ghared, a duergar spy (see appendix B), stand watch here. Unless the party climbed the stairs from area 35 without triggering the magic mouth, the duergar are invisible.

Negotiation

The duergar start hostile but wait to see if the characters attack. Ghared shouts the initial warning and speaks for the group; she's suspicious, greedy, and arrogant, but not stupid. She is willing to give information to the party if a character succeeds on a DC 20 Charisma (Persuasion) check. The characters can change her attitude to indifferent, reducing the check DC to 10, with a suitable bribe (at least 100 gp).

Ghared can share any of the following information if the party succeeds in getting her to converse:

• The doors to the north lead to halls infested with undead and cursed magic.
• The door to the southwest leads into the old kitchens, guarded by more cursed magic.
• A dragon lives in a large lake cavern deep below.
• The subterranean river flows from the lake through other parts of the complex below the Glitterhame. It's fed from a lake on the surface.

If negotiations are successful, the duergar are willing to let the party enter the rooms to the north. With a sufficiently high Charisma (Persuasion) check and an indifferent attitude from Ghared, the characters can get the duergar to escort them to the entrance to the dragon's territory (the chasm in area 38). The duergar will not allow the party into the bladeworks (area 37) without an escort, and they prohibit entry into area 39.

If the characters don't negotiate, or if talks go badly, combat ensues.

Tactics

If combat occurs, the duergar guards first attack with their javelins. They use their Enlarge ability in the next round, taking cover behind two of the pillars before wading into melee.

Meanwhile, Ghared remains invisible and maneuvers to make a sneak attack, then enlarges herself after she becomes visible. She has a potion of healing, which she uses if her current hit points drop to half her hit point maximum or lower.

If two duergar fall in battle, the survivor tries to retreat to area 37 or 39.

Creatures

Two duergar smiths are forging a blade at the forge in the center of the south wall. The work is overseen by Snurrevin, a duergar with the following changes, which increase his challenge rating to 2 (450 XP):

• He has 45 (7d8 + 14) hit points.
• His Intelligence is 14 (+2).
• He has an additional trait:

Snurrevin has a familiar, a rat named Browngnaw, that hides in the shadows near the unlit forge to the east. The duergar are preoccupied with their task and don't notice the party's entrance unless the characters make themselves known. They object violently to intruders who aren't escorted by duergar.

If a threat becomes apparent, the two smiths grab their weapons, use Enlarge, and move to guard the two bridges. If the fight goes against them, they turn invisible and try to slip out to area 36, then join the other duergar in area 39.

In combat, Snurrevin might cast shocking grasp through his hidden familiar, and he might use silent image to confound enemies with realistic-seeming threats.

Treasure

In the cold forge in the northwest corner of the room, Snurrevin has stashed 320 gp, 1,100 sp, a gold necklace set with ruby stones worth 900 gp, and a potion of hill giant strength.

Creatures

Unless the party is under Ghared's protection (see area 36), the lone duergar on duty fights to the death to protect his leader, who is in area 40.

If the characters engage the duergar guard, the sounds of battle alert the leader, Nimira. She is a duergar with the following changes, which increase her challenge rating to 3 (700 XP):

• Her AC is 17 (splint armor).
• She has 52 (8d8 + 16) hit points.
• She has additional traits:

Nimira uses Enlarge and comes out to join the fight in the next round. If her guard falls or she faces at least three enemies, and negotiation isn't an option, she turns invisible and tries to escape into area 36 or through the secret door that leads east out of area 40.

Negotiation

Nimira is an excellent fighter, but she is pragmatic and willing to negotiate in the right circumstances. She knows the same information as the duergar in area 36 and might be convinced to guide the party to the chasm that leads to the dragon's lair (area 38).

Secret Door

The east wall of the closet conceals a secret door. The door isn't well hidden, requiring a successful DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check to find. Nimira knows about the secret passage and escapes through it if pressed.

Creature

An animated table (see appendix B) activates when someone enters the main part of the room. It fights until destroyed but won't attack a dwarf. See the "Arundil's Animated Objects" sidebar.

The room is full of old, rusty iron pots, pans, cutlery, and cooking utensils, none of which are worth much.

Creatures

The orc champion is now a wight, an undead monster that thirsts for life essence. Two of the piles of bones are ogre skeletons (use the ogre stat block; give it the undead creature type, vulnerability to bludgeoning damage, immunity to poison damage, and immunity to the exhaustion and poisoned conditions; and remove its ability to speak). The ogres were slain during the final battle and later animated to join the orc warrior in his watch.

The wight and skeletons lie immobile until someone enters. They can't pursue characters outside room.

Treasure

The orcs looted the shrine after the fall of Khundrukar, but two members of the previous expedition fell to the undead defenders with valuables in their possession. Under a scattering of bones near the altar can be found a sack that holds 280 gp and a bone case that contains a spell scroll of web and a spell scroll of spider climb.

Creature

Area 43, area 46, and all the rooms marked 44 are now the demesne of the dwarf mage Arundil, who lingers as an insane ghost.

The ghost relentlessly attacks anyone who enters its territory (most likely in either area 43 or area 46) but can't pursue characters who retreat beyond its domain. If the ghost is turned, it flees to one of the empty rooms labeled as area 44.

Development

Arundil's ghost is tormented by grief and shame over abandoning his kin to die (see area 47). The spirit might be laid to rest if the characters can convince it that they have cleansed Khundrukar.

Treasure

Here and there a remnant of something valuable can be salvaged from the trash. Roll a d10 the first time a character searches a given room; on a result of 10, the character uncovers a semiprecious stone (see the 10 gp Gemstones table in chapter 7 of the Dungeon Master's Guide).

Creatures

The six skeletons attack any non-undead creature that enters. They don't pursue anyone beyond this chamber.

Treasure

The rogue from the failed expedition lies in this room, her desiccated corpse half-buried under wrecked furniture. A pouch on her belt contains 670 sp.

Creature

If the characters approach this area from the secret door to the south before entering area 43, Arundil the ghost confronts them here; refer to the encounter in area 43. Otherwise, there is nothing dangerous or valuable in the area.

Creature

The rug, 20 feet square, is actually a Gargantuan rug of smothering that activates when any non-dwarf sets foot on it. It fights until destroyed but doesn't attack a dwarf under any circumstances. See "Arundil's Animated Objects" above.

Treasure

Beneath the bed is a small wooden chest containing 1,200 sp, 3,000 cp, and a square of silk in which are wrapped a star sapphire worth 500 gp and a pair of matched blue topazes worth 90 gp each.

Creature

One of the armor stands is actually an animated object (use the animated armor stat block), which activates when a non-dwarf enters the room. It fights until destroyed. See "Arundil's Animated Objects" above.

Creature

Arundil summoned a succubus and commanded it to guard the area that is now the domain of Arundil's ghost (see area 43). But the fiend easily overpowered Arundil's will, then toyed with him cruelly until it finally drained his life force.

The succubus, which calls itself Idalla, claimed the scholar's library for its own and spends much time here reading through the collected lore. It learned of Khundrukar's history from the scholar's records and realized that the legends of wondrous treasure would lure greedy souls. It consumed the wizard from the previous expedition, who took refuge in this library after his companions were killed. Since that time, it has spread rumors to draw more adventurers to its lair.

Idalla takes the form of a human woman. When the characters enter, the fiend jumps up and begs to be released from imprisonment. Idalla tells the characters that she is a captive of a wizard who resides below this level. The succubus plays the role to the hilt, trembling and crying as it spins a tale of woe. It tries to split up the group, persuading one character to remain (using its Charm attack if necessary) while the others deal with the wizard. If they leave anyone alone with Idalla, the fiend attempts to kiss and drain the hapless dupe. The succubus is an adept liar and mixes in just enough of the truth to be convincing; see the "Idalla's Story" sidebar.

If the characters attack, Idalla attempts to charm the most dangerous-looking character and turn him or her against the party while the fiend fades into the Ethereal.

49a (Bedchamber)

The adjoining room was the sleeping quarters of the dwarf scholar. It is moldy and very stuffy. Anyone who looks around the room finds a secret compartment in one of the walls with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check.

Treasure

The dwarf scholar amassed a small amount of treasure, which he kept in the secret compartment: 110 gp and a cat's-eye gem worth 70 gp. In the library, in addition to an extensive collection of dwarven lore, the characters can find four spell scrolls (of alarm, disguise self, enlarge/reduce, and shield). The shelves might also include more scrolls, useful information tying in to future adventures, items of value to a collector, or other interesting lore, as you see fit.

Hazard

The weakened bridge can't take much weight before it collapses. If more than one Small or larger creature is on the bridge at one time, or if a character in heavy armor steps onto it, the arch fails. Any creature on the span must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw to catch itself on the ledge. On a failed save, a creature falls, takes 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage from falling timbers and stones, and is caught in the river's current (see "Fast-Flowing Water" above).

Creature

When Nightscale becomes aware of intruders, the young black dragon slips into the water, quietly swimming to a point near the three stepping stones shown on the map. Any character watching the lake can make a Wisdom (Perception) check contested by the dragon's Dexterity (Stealth) check. On a successful check, the character catches a glimpse of a serpentine form moving in the darkness.

The dragon takes full advantage of her aquatic environment and never offers an easy target to enemies. She begins combat at a range of 20 to 30 feet, raising only her head and part of her neck above the water (granting her three-quarters cover) and breathing acid. Then she submerges and waits for her breath weapon to recharge. Nightscale doesn't resort to melee combat unless she is confronted underwater. If the dragon is reduced to 40 hit points or fewer, she tries to escape through the passage in area 54.

Negotiation

Nightscale isn't inclined to parley with the characters unless they surrender, give her all of their treasure, and throw their arms and armor in the lake. If the characters seriously injure her, Nightscale might bargain to buy time so she can later move her hoard. Only when she is near death does she abandon her treasure.

Treasure

Nightscale has accumulated considerable wealth from her plunder of Khundrukar. Her hoard contains 6,200 sp, 1,430 gp, two garnets worth 20 gp each, a black pearl worth 50 gp, a wand of magic missiles, a +2 greataxe bearing Durgeddin's smith-mark, a +1 shield, a potion of healing, and a potion of flying.