The Long Mine of Klangdensturm
[comments:(2), views:(8008), rating:(7.0)]

Author: Keven Simmons
Homepage: http://members.tripod.com/~KevenSimmons/index.html
System: D&D Forgotten Realms
Type: Scenario
Category: Fantasy
Requirements: characters

Graphic: Lost Mine1
Graphic: Lost Mine2
Graphic: Lost Mine3

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The Long Mine of Klangdensturm, an AD&D adventure for characters level 6-9

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This module is designed for use with the AD&D(tm) game from TSR/WotC and contains references to trademarks and/or copyrighted material owned by that company. The original portions of this works are (c) copyright 1999 by Keven Simmons and is being offered free of charge under the following conditions:

1) You may not sell this material for your own profit

2) If this material is redistributed, either electronically or in printed form, it must include this copyright notice.

3) You may modify details of this material for your own purposes, but only the original can be redistributed.

Correspondence regarding this material can be sent via U.S. Post to:

Keven Simmons, POB 351, Sherburne NY 13460

or via the internet to: KevenSimmons@HisEmail.com

Additional adventures can be found on the author’s web site:

http://members.tripod.com/~KevenSimmons/index.html

(or mirror site at http://www.norwich.net/simmonsk/index.html )

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This material may contain references to non-standard TSR monsters, spells and magic items. If you would like information on some specific spell, item or monster used in this module, write or e-mail me at the above addresses. Much of this info I have only in hardcopy form but I will do my best to accommodate you.

Feel free to make modifications as you deem necessary in order to make the module playable in your campaign. If the maps for this adventure were not included, or you are unable to read them, I will provide paper copies free of charge to anyone who sends a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the address above. Please mention the module name (and version number if applicable) when requesting maps.

abbreviations and other notations used:

th or thaco = to hit armor class 0

hd = hit dice

hp = hit points

ac = armor class

d = damage

mr = magic resistance

loe = level of effect (for magic spells)

str = strength

con = constitution

dex = dexterity

int = intelligence

wis = wisdom

chr = charisma

pp = pick pockets

ol = open locks

frt = find / remove traps

hs = hide in shadows

ms = move silently

hn = hear noise

cw = climb walls

rl = read languages

Some spells, magic items or monsters may have a notation following them similar to this: find familiar [P 134]. The information in the brackets is a book and page number reference for locating the item's description. The following are the book abbreviations used in these references:

P = Player's Handbook (2nd edition, first printing)

T = Tome of Magic

D = Dungeon Master's Guide

A = Unearthed Arcana

M = Monster Manual

F = Fiend Folio

S = Monster Manual II (first edition)

C = Creature Catalog Supplements

WC = Wizards Spell Compendium

K = my own compiled reference manuals (mostly photocopies in 3-ring binders)

If you eventually use this module, I would like to hear how it turned out.

enjoy!

---keven

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Background

Several dwarven generations ago, the dwarven city of Klängdenstürm, located deep in the Underdark, operated a mithril mine several miles away from the main city. Not only was it a particularly abundant source of the rare metal, but it was also the only such mine to be found for hundreds of miles. The dwarves of Klängdenstürm were therefore very protective of their mithril and guarded the mine with a battalion of dwarven soldiers and a cunning maze full of deadly traps. Other denizens of the underdark made many attempts to wrest control of the mine away from the dwarves of Klängdenstürm, but all were thwarted. The dwarves thought their defenses were unbreachable, at least until the cunning Bitzune Ca’Theran learned of the mine.

Bitzune was a drow vampire wizard who had been driven from his former abode and was wandering the underdark in search of another lair when he happened to learn of the dwarven mine. The mining village, complete with dwarven crafted defenses seemed to be the perfect lair for the homeless vampire, but he knew that he would never be able to take it from the current owners through sheer physical force, and so instead he began a campaign of terror intended to drive the dwarves out. He first set out to undermine the dwarves’ moral by orchestrating a series of unexplained accidents in the mines, mysterious deaths in the village and the fouling of the village’s water supply. This string of apparent bad luck began to make the dwarves believe that the mine had fallen under some sort of curse and many of the inhabitants of the village left and returned to Klängdenstürm. As the incidents became more frequent and more deadly, the number of dwarves abandoning the village increased.

With the population of the mining village greatly reduced, Bitzune was able to move more aggressively against those that remained. By waylaying dwarves one by one, he was able to create a small army of undead minions which he then used to eliminate the remaining dwarves and then claimed the mine as his own. The dwarves of Klängdenstürm made several attempts to reclaim the mine, but even though the true nature of their foe was now known to them, the dwarves were unable to evict the vampire. As the dwarven losses continued to mount, the dwarven king finally decreed that the recovering the mine was a lost cause and that he would waste no more lives attempting to take it back.

Once he had firmly established his control over the mine, Bitzune destroyed most of his minions (before they had the chance to challenge him) keeping only a few to act as guards and servants. For a while he continued to have his remaining followers patrol the cunning maze that guarded the entrance to the mine, but as time passed without further attempts by the dwarves to reclaim the mine Bitzune no longer felt the need to maintain it as an active point of defense. In the years that followed, other underdark dwellers discovered the maze and took up residence there. Most recently, a tribe of minotaurs have claimed it as home after evicting the quaggoths who lived there before them.

Enter the Party

This adventure is designed to be a dungeon-crawl and it is left to the DM to develop the necessary plot devices for introducing it into his campaign. The easiest, (and probably least imaginative) approach would be to have the current king of Klängdenstürm hire the PCs to destroy the vampire and reclaim the mine for him. Another possibility is that the PCs have come into possession of a treasure map that indicates the location of the lost mine.

A slightly more involved plot device could be developed based on the assumption that one of the PCs is in the process of having a magical weapon (or some other item) created that must be made of mithril. The only known smiths capable of working with the rare metal are the dwarves of Klängdenstürm, and so the PCs travel there in hopes of commissioning the item’s creation. When they arrive however, they learn that the city’s supply of mithril was exhausted many years ago, and until the dwarves recover control of their lost mine, there is little hope that any new items will be crafted any time soon. The dwarves offer the PCs each an item crafted of mithril if they are able to drive the unknown menace from their mine.

The Dangerous Road to the Mine

The mithril mine lies several miles away from the dwarven city through a series of natural tunnels, caverns and fissures. When the mine was still in dwarven control, the path was patrolled and kept clear of dangerous creatures but the dwarves stopped this activity after losing the mine to Bitzune. Now other, more fell and dangerous denizens of the Underdark travel those passageways freely, and it is possible that the PCs could have several encounters with them before reaching the mine. Some possible encounters are detailed here, although the DM is free to eliminate some or add more as he sees fit.

Storoper

The party is traveling through an open cavern, the ceiling of which is about 30’ above them. Numerous stalactites hang from the ceiling while the floor is covered with stalagmites, some of which approaching 8’ in height. Hidden among the natural rock formations is a storoper [S116] which has placed itself along the pathway that winds from one end of the cavern to the other.

ac: 0

hp: 70

th: 8

hd: 12

d: 5d4

six attacks per round with poisoned tentacles (no save if hit) (50’ range)

first two victims hit are paralyzed for one round, then they begin to defend the storoper.

Thereafter each hit causes weakness (-50% strength in 1-3r, cumulative) and entangles the prey. Chance to break free is 2*bend bars % dragged 10’/round until pulled to mouth for automatic hit.

immune to normal missiles

immune to lightning, ½ damage from cold, -4 save vs. fire

Stone Trolls

The PCs are passing through a wide passage with rocky debris scattered about when they are ambushed by a group of 4 stone trolls (Dragon® Magazine issue #199, Nov-93). The trolls are lying in wait on the top of boulders about 8’ off the ground which together with their natural 75% camouflage will make them undetectable by any PCs on the ground. They will wait until the PCs have passed by, and then leap from the rocks onto the trailing members of the group gaining a +3 on their attack rolls for the first round. They are mostly interested in food and have had some experience with humanoids and so will avoid attacking anyone who is clad in metal armor because they know they would be harder to hit. The trolls do not have a lair in the vicinity, and are not carrying anything of value.

ac: 0

hp: 60

th: 10

hd: 10+2

d: 1-6 + 6 / 1-6 +6 / 2-8 +6

75% camouflage in rocky terrain, -3 initiative for surprise

climb rock walls with ease

throw rocks 100’ for 2-16 (2/round)

regenerate 1hp/r (all except acid damage)

½ damage from edged weapons, fire/heat, cold, electrical

immune to rock affecting spells

if hit with heat and cold attack in same round, second attack does double normal damage; troll must save vs. paralyzation or shatter completely

Umber Hulks

While traveling through the underdark, the caravan is attacked by a group of umber hulks. The creatures have caused a cave-in which has mostly blocked the passageway and are hiding in side tunnels just beyond the debris. Their plan of attack is to surprise their victims while they climb over the debris and attack them while confused.

ac: 2

hp: 55

th: 10

hd: 8+8

d: 3-12 / 3-12 / 1-10

infravision 90’

Meeting their gaze causes confusion unless save vs. spell is made. Chance per round of meeting their gaze:

surprised	8 in 10
normally viewing	5 in 10
attacking and avoiding gaze	3 in 10 (+2 AC)
avoiding	1 in 10 (+4 to ac)

Effects of confusion:

1	Wander away (unless prevented) for duration of spell
2-6	Stand confused for one round (then roll again)
7-9	Attack nearest creature for one round (then roll again)
10	Act normally for one round (then roll again)

Derro War Party

A band of marauding derro [M96] have made camp in the tunnel along which the PCs must travel in order to reach the mithril mine. The derro are just passing through, but would delight at the chance to capture some surface dwellers to torture. Also traveling with the derro is drider outcast who convinced the evil dwarves that he could be of use to them. The derro do not particularly trust the creature, but neither do they fear him so the two have formed an uneasy alliance. The war band’s booty consists of a large number of gems worth about 6,900gp and a varied collection of coins worth about 3,000gp stored in locked, iron strongboxes. (A map of the derro camp should have been included with this adventure).

Derro Type	number appearing	hd	ac	hp	th
warrior	16	3	4	24	17
warrior	3	4	4	30	16
captain	1	5	2	38	14 (10 w/scimitar1)
student	2	5	5	30	15
savant	1	8	[-2]	50	12

Weapons:	ws	#	damage
short sword	3	1	1-6
dagger	2	1	1-4
repeating crossbow (50%)	5	2	1-3 + poison 2d6 // 0 enfeeble str=5 -2/-1 // 0
hook-fauchard (25%)	8	1	1-4 + 25% pull off-balance, lose a round
spiked buckler (15%)	2	1	1-4 (second attack per round)
drow scimitar[+4]1	2	1	1-8 + 4

Savant: Items: wand of lightning(28)², bracers AC3, cloak of protection[+3]

Spells: anti-magic shell, blink, cloudkill, invisibility, levitate, light, lightning bolt, wall of force

2Wand of Lightning:

• Shock: This does 1-10 hit points of damage to a target struck in melee combat, with no saving throw. Characters wearing metal armor and/or shields are treated as armor class 10. Plain leather and wood work normally. Magical bonuses on metal armor do not affect Armor Class, but a ring of protection does. The shock uses one charge.

• Lightning Bolt: The possessor of the wand can discharge a bolt of lightning at a range of 100 yards. The stroke can be either forked bolt 10 feet wide and 40 feet long or a single bolt 5 feet wide and 80 feet long. Damage is 12-36 (6d6, treating 1s as 2s), but a saving throw is applicable. This function uses two charges and has an initiate modifier of +2.

Student 1: Items: wand of magic detection(30), Spells: blink, invisibility

Student 2: Items: scroll(10-loe) detect magic [P 133], invisibility [P 142], Tasha's laughter [P 146], slow [P 153], Spells: invisibility, levitate

Drider

ac: 3

hp: 45

th: 13

hd: 6+6

Attacks:	ws	#	damage
bite	0	1	1-4 + poison paralyze 1-2t // @-2 neg
scimitar[+3]	2	1	1-8 + 3

abilities 1x/day: dancing lights, faerie fire, darkness, levitate, know alignment, detect magic

MR: 66% (+2 saves vs. magic)

Spells

level: 1 per day: 5 burning hands [P 131] chill touch [P 132] enlarge (r) [P 133] gaze reflection [P 135] magic missile [P 136] shield [P 147] ventriloquism [P 139] wall of fog [P 139]

level: 2 per day: 4 blindness [P 140] decastave [WC 222] flaming sphere [P 141] flying fist [WC 383] invisibility [P 142] stinking cloud [P 145] web [P 146] whip [WC 1011]

level: 3 per day: 4 augmentation [T 25] delude [P 148] dispel magic [P 148] far reaching I [T 25] fireball [P 149] gust of wind [P 149] lightning bolt [P 151] prot. normal missiles [P 152]

level: 4 per day: 3 dig [P 155] far reaching II [T 28] fire shield [P 158] ice storm [P 159] improved invisibility [P 159] Otiluke's resilient sphere [P 160] shout [P 163] wall of fire [P 163]

Margoyles

Just prior to reaching the entrance to the mine, the PC must travel through a long narrow cavern. The cavern is approximately 700 yards long, and averages 50 yards across. The ceiling ranges from 70 to 150 yards in height and is covered with stalactites. The walls are rough and filled with niches and small caves. The path along the cavern floor is relatively easy to traverse, having been originally cleared for use by the dwarves operating the mine but anyone traveling through the cavern is subject to attack by the current inhabitants. There are as many as 40 margoyles living in the cavern, although not all of them will be present at all times. When the PCs first enter the area, they will be attacked by a group of 8-10 of the creatures. Once most of this group has been killed or seriously injured, the remaining monsters will fly off and will not likely bother the PCs again for a while. The margoyles will remain a potential threat however, especially to a group of injured or weakened PCs.

ac: 2

hp: 30

th: 14

hd: 6

d: 1-6 / 1-6 / 1-8 / 1-8

[+1] to hit

80% undetectable against rock

At the far end of the margoyle cavern is what looks like a large metal cage, 12’x12’ square and 7’ high. A long chain rises up from the top of the cage into the darkness above, while another chain descends from above and is threaded through a ratcheted winch mechanism. The chain emerges from the winch and is firmly attached to the bottom of the cage. The mechanism is somewhat rusty, and makes a terribly squealing noise when operated but it otherwise safe to use.

By turning the winch, the cage can be made to ascend to a tunnel opening some 200 feet above the floor of the cavern where a similar winch is located. The entrance maze to mine lies approximately 1 mile farther down the tunnel. A close inspection of the winch and chain will reveal that it has seen recent use (by the minotaur who live in the entrance maze).

The Entrance Maze

The dwarves running the mine constructed a maze to serve as their main line of defense against potential plunderers. The maze was carved out of a section of rock next to the natural passageway that lead to the mithril mine with entrance and exit passages connecting to the natural passageway. Once the maze was completed, the section of the original tunnel between the entrance and exit was caused to collapse leaving the maze as the only way to get to and from the mine.

The maze is filled with mechanical traps, false doors, and confusing passageways designed to slow down unwanted visitors until they could be dealt with by a dwarven defense force. Generally speaking, the maze is constructed on two levels with the main gate on the upper level and the exit to the mine on the lower level. In order to confuse invaders however, the dwarves built several gently sloping passages that appear to be level ground to anyone other than dwarves or gnomes. Thus a human or elf walking down one of these slopes would not be aware that they are rising or descending, resulting in great confusion when the passage apparently doubles back upon itself without actually intersecting! The presence of several set of staircases only adds to this confusion.

In addition to the specific, fixed encounters listed below, the maze is also filled with numerous traps scattered throughout. The number and location of these are not indicated specifically on the map allowing the DM to place them wherever he feels they are needed. Some possible traps are listed here, but the DM is encouraged to devise others if so desired. Because the maze has been occupied by various creatures over the years, many if not most of the one-time traps have already been sprung.

The most dangerous aspect of the maze at the moment however is its current inhabitants: a tribe of minotaurs and their pet gorgons. There are a couple dozen (or more) minotaurs living here, and half a dozen gorgons, most of which will be encountered by the PCs singularly, or in groups of 2-3 as they explore the maze. As with the random traps, the DM should drop in an encounter with a minotaur and/or a gorgon at random intervals to keep the PCs on their toes. Unless one of the minotaurs escapes an encounter with the PCs and is able to warn the others in his tribe, the PCs will not encounter a coordinated defense.

Sample Random Traps

Trap #1

False door in the wall at a dead-end passage. Attempting to open it causes a 10" thick stone wall to fall and block the way out 30’ back down the passage. The block is lifted, and the trap thus reset by means of a crank wheel in the control room.

Trap #2 (false)

A 20’ section of the floor in a straight passageway is designed to wobble slightly when weight is applied to it. It is not actually a trap, but is intended to appear as one so as to slow down progress through the maze.

Trap #3

Section of the hallway is designed such that walking down the middle is safe. Any over-balancing weight (greater than 75lbs) applied to either side of center will cause a section of the floor about 15’ long to rotate along a central pivot, dumping anyone standing on it into a 20’ deep pit. The floor will continue to rotate until it locks back into place, sealing the victim below. The trap will not reset itself, and must be released using the appropriate lever in the control room. In the pit is a gray ooze

Gray Ooze

ac: 8

hp: 18

th: 16

hd: 3+3

d: 2-16

corrode metal: chain mail in one round, plate mail in two, and magical armor in one round per each plus to Armor Class.

spells have no effect on this monster, nor do fire- or cold-based attacks.

lightning and blows from weapons cause full damage.

weapons striking a gray ooze may corrode and break.

Trap #4

Door to an empty room is locked and trapped (-25% to detect trap). When unlocked, a stone pendulum in the room is loosed which smashes into the door. Anyone standing within 10’ will be struck by the door as it explodes outward, doing 6d6 damage (save vs. petri for ½). Anyone within 10-30’ feet will be sprayed with dust and debris for 1-6hp.

Trap #5

Section of floor designed to break when weight is applied dropping the victim into a 20’ deep spike filled pit for 4d10 + 2d6 falling. Because these traps cannot be reset, many if not most of them have already been sprung and will contains the bones of former victims.

Trap #6

Door is rigged to drop an explode stone from a hole in the ceiling when it is opened. Many of these traps are empty. Some are still loaded. Explode stones are alchemical in nature and when they strike a hard surface, explode in a spray of shrapnel doing 5d4 dmg in a 5’ radius, save vs. breath for ½.

Fixed Maze Features

(1) Entrance

The entrance to the dwarven maze is blocked by a huge steel portcullis of unusual design. The barricade is constructed of two separate sets of alternating bars, one of which drops from the ceiling, the other rises up through the floor. The mechanism for opening the gate is in the room beyond and consists of large stone wheels on opposite walls of the room. Both wheels must be turned together, at the same rate in order for the gate to be opened. Turning just one, or turning one faster than the other will cause the internal mechanism to slip free and the portcullis will slam shut. A strength of 16 is required to operate the wheels, and it may take several attempts for those unfamiliar with the task to turn the wheels at just the right speed.

(2) Crossing Passages

These two hallways, when viewed from the room that connects them, appear to be parallel and level when in fact they are neither. One of the passageways descends slightly while the other rises and both angle towards the other. The passages cross, one above the other and continue on, adding one more confusing twist to the maze. Non-dwarven characters are unlikely to notice that either passageway is sloping, even while traversing it.

(3) Dead Mage

In this dead end passageway lies the remains of a mage, still guarded by the iron golem he commanded in life. He fled here after his adventuring party was defeated by Bitzune and hoping to rest for a brief period time, he commanded the golem to let no creature approach. Unfortunately, the mage was badly wounded and so passed into a coma and died. True to his master’s last orders, the golem will prevent anyone from approaching the body. The minotaurs discovered the body, but were prevented from looting it by the iron golem which they could not defeat. The corpse has remained here undisturbed ever since. In addition to the mundane adventuring equipment, the mage has on his body: bracers ac:4, wand of fire (13), stone of controlling earth elementals, potion of ESP, dagger [+2], scroll(loe:12)teleport/wall of force/chain lightning

iron golem

ac: 3

hp: 80

th: 2

hd: 18

d: 4-40

[+3] to hit

electricity = slow 3r

fire repairs 1hp/hd of damage

immune to all other spells

1x/7r – gas 10’x10’ => poison (save or die)

(4) Minotaur Lair

The minotaurs have made this room their lair, although there are likely to be only a 3 or 4 of the creatures here at any particular time. The room contains beds made from white but filthy furs apparently taken from some man sized creatures. The minotaur each carry their valuables with them in leather pouches consisting of primarily gemstones, with a few dwarven and drow gold and silver coins with a total value ranging from 50-500gp. The leader of the tribe has gems and coins totaling 2,500gp in value.

minotaur (20)

ac: 6

hp: 35

th: 13

hd: 6+3

d: 1-10 +2

(leader)

ac: 6

hp: 50

th: 10

hd: 8+4

d: 1-10 +3

charge 30’ for butt 2-8 * 2, dex roll to avoid being knocked prone

+2 on surprise

track by scent.

(5) Gorgon Stables

The minotaurs stable their gorgon pets here, but the beasts are more likely to be found roaming the maze. Only 1 or 2 will be found here at any particular time. Their lair is littered with the remains of their recent meals which seems to have included a few margoyles, as well as numerous small humanoids.

gorgon steed (6)

ac: 2

hp: 45

th: 12

hd: 8

d: 2-12

breath 4x/day, cone 60’x20’ petrification gas

(6) Control Room

A secret door in the middle of one of the mazes hallways opens into the passage that leads to this room. The walls of the room are covered with dozens of ratcheted crank wheels, levers and pulley chains which loop up into the ceiling and down into the floor. These devices control the resetting of the various mechanical traps found throughout the maze, but more importantly, one large crank-wheel controls the rotating section of the maze that allows access to the exit tunnel. (see below) There are four markings on the wall indicating the four positions of the rotating room, but there is nothing else to indicate that this particular wheel is connected to the rotating hallway.

(7) Rotating Hallway

This section of hallways rotates to prevent, or allow access to the passage that leads to mine. PCs examining an apparent dead-end passage that ends at this point will likely notice that there is something odd about the wall, but may not immediately divine it’s true nature. Thieves that examine the wall, and make a successful "find traps" roll, will determine that wall is not physically attached to the preceding hallway, and that faint, horizontal scratches on the wall would seem to indicate that it might slide sideways, but no controlling mechanism will be found because the rotation is controlled by a crank-wheel in the control room (see above).

The Mine

Most of the hallways in the mining village are 6’ wide and unless otherwise noted, the ceilings in the passageways and rooms in are 8’ high. Evenly spaced along walls are hanging lanterns (unlit), most of which still contain some portion of lamp oil. Also evenly spaced throughout the complex are ventilation shafts in the ceiling, typically covered with iron grating. These shafts connect all of the rooms in the village with the huge chimney in the smelting room. When the fires in the furnace were burning, the rising heat in the chimney would continually draw cook smoke out of the living quarters through the ventilation shafts in the ceilings. Now the forge is cold, and there is no airflow through the shafts allowing the vampires to move freely, and unseen to almost any part of the complex in their gaseous form.

(1) Before the Gate

The tunnel before the front gate is almost entirely blocked with the thick, heavy webbing of a colony of sword spiders. Bitzune brought these creatures here to act as guards and they have multiplied over the years. Their webbing now extends nearly 100’ in front of the portcullis and slows travel to about 10’ per round. Bitzune brings in food for them on occasion, but not as often as the creatures would like, so they are always ready for a good meal.

Sword spiders

ac: 3

hp: 30

th: 13

hd: 5+3

d: 2-8 (bite) +poison or 2-12/leg

size: 12’ diameter

leap 30 feet to impale prey. Only one attack roll is made for the creature. If the attack is successful, the victim is struck by a number of legs based on its size: size S = three legs; size M = four legs. If the spider's leap is greater than 20 feet, each leg receives a +1 bonus to damage.

Any upward attack against the leaping spider receives a -4 to the attack roll, due to the impaling blades which protect the spider.

poison: onset 1-2r: paralysis for 2d4 turns: save @ +1

(2) Portcullis

The front gate of the mining village is a huge metal portcullis constructed of an iron/mithril alloy which is impervious to rusting. Because of its size and the ratcheting mechanism used to raise and lower it, the gate is impossible to lift. Hidden behind the mass of webbing at the ceiling are several narrow arrow-slits which allowed defenders in the gate house (area 6) to keep watch over the entrance. This gatehouse is now the lair of Greggon, one of Bitzune’s vampire minions who will be alerted to the presence of intruders by any unusual noises (like the sound of battle with the spiders). If forewarned of intruders, Greggon will approach them from the other side of the portcullis and ask them their business. The dwarven vampire dares not attack visitors outright for fear of angering his master. Bitzune is typically starved for conversation as well as blood, and prefers to banter with his victims before feeding on them. Thus it is possible, depending on the PCs actions, that Greggon could end up escorting the PCs to the great hall for an audience before his evil master. If attacked outright however, he will retreat and attempt to draw his enemies into the stair trap.

(3) Bat Cave

The tunnel continues past the main gate until it ends in a pile of debris. The original dwarven architects collapsed a section of the tunnel after the completing the construction of the village so that the mine could only be reached by going through the settlement. The tunnel is now home to a huge colony of normal bats which does not pose any real threat to anyone passing through, but does make traversing the tunnel somewhat unnerving.

(4) Stair Trap

The entrance to the village is a simple, unmarked stone door which swings inward toward a rising set of stairs. The door is counter-weighted so that it swings closed by itself if not held open. From the outside, this may appear to a thief to be some sort of trap (25% chance if they are successful in a "find traps" attempt.) Midway up the stairs is a trap built into one of the steps which releases an avalanche of boulders when triggered. The rocks fall out of the ceiling near the top of the stairs and cascade down causing 5d10 hp of damage to anyone on the stairs (twice that to anyone unfortunate enough to be standing in front of the closed door at the foot). Flying, levitating or otherwise rising above the avalanche could prevent any damage if the victim can act quickly enough.

The falling rocks will nearly fill the small lower landing and will block the lower door closed unless it is held open somehow in which case the boulders will roll into the outer tunnel. In addition to the stair trigger, the trap can also be set off by means of a lever in the chamber at the top of the stairs. Greggon may do this if he is aware that intruders are on the stairs. A second lever disables the trigger on the stair.

(5) Entry Chamber

The ceiling in this square chamber is 30’ high, and over the northern half of the room is a balcony, 15’ high. The balcony has a 5’ high, crenellated railing which was designed to be manned by crossbowmen in times of attack. The levers which control the boulder trap on the stairs are also located on the balcony level. Greggon has carefully arranged the corpses of the long dead dwarven militia that once guarded the village around the room and along the balcony . Their bodies have rotted away, leaving nothing but skeletons within the chain mail armor. The skeletons are not dangerous, although Greggon may pose as one of the corpses so as to surprise an enemy.

(6) Gate House

This is the control room for the mechanism which raises and lowers the portcullis and it is here that Greggon has made his lair. A stone coffin rests in one corner of the room flanked by the skeletal remains of dwarven militiamen who appear to be acting as a macabre honor guard. The coffin will be empty unless Greggon has been forced to retreat here.

(7) Armory

This room served as a storage room for the arms used by the village’s defenders. Many crates filled with crossbow bolts are stacked along the back wall, while free standing racks hold numerous crossbows, short swords, daggers and other weapons. At one time this room was in relative disarray, but Greggon has tidied it up following the defeat of the dwarves.

(8) Food Storage Room

This room was once used for community food storage, and contains barrels, crates, boxes, and bags full of foodstuffs that became inedible long ago.

(9) Dry Goods Storage Room

This room was used for community storage of non-food items. It has numerous crates full of hardware, tools, spare braziers, chamber pots, water buckets, etc. A large section of the room and its contents are soaked with lamp oil that leaked out of rotting kegs.

Living Quarters (10-14)

The hallways connecting the living quarters of the village are the same as elsewhere in the village, being 6’ wide and 8’ high. There are five wells placed throughout the complex, each of which is found in the center of a 10’x10’ room. Each well is ringed by a low, 2’ high stone wall and is equipped with an iron crank and a metal bucket attached to a chain. The crank shaft, chain and buckets are all rusted and inoperable, but the water in the aquifer below remains fresh and potable.

The living quarters themselves all conform to the same basic design. Only those rooms with current occupants are detailed explicitly here. The doors are all slightly recessed from the main hallway and open outward, away from the interior of the room. Many of the rooms will be empty of any contents, having been abandoned by their owners before the final fall of the village. Others will contain furnishings and common household items of little value. A very few of these will also have the dried, skeletal corpses of their former inhabitants. All of the rooms have a small ventilation shaft on the a wall near the ceiling that measures 18" high and 24" wide . These shafts eventually connect together and lead to the main chimney in the smelting room.

While exploring this section of the settlement, the PCs may encounter one or more of the current inhabitants wandering the hallways. The most likely encounter would be with a spirit troll (see area 10), or perhaps with the vampire-child Drüka (area 11), or the escaped ochre jelly from the refuse pit (area 19).

(10) Spirit Trolls

The contents of these living quarters are in shambles, having been poorly treated by the trolls that now lair here. These creatures did not arrive with Bitzune, but happened upon the mine some time later. The vampire is not adverse to their presence, and has let them continue to live here.

ac: 0

hp: 80

th: 12

hd: 8

d: 1-4+2 / 1-4+2 / 2-8+2 *

invisible at will

[+1] to hit

invulnerable to cold

regenerate 3/r

fang damage added to its own hit points

claw damage is taken not only from the victim's hit points but also from Strength. Strength points lost in this way are recovered in 2d4 turns. If a character's Strength is reduced to 0, the PC dies. If the Strength is reduced to 1 or 2 points, the PC is rendered comatose, only recovering when sufficient strength points are recovered to raise the Strength to 3 or more.

acute sense of smell and superior, 120 foot-range, infravision.

(11) Drüka

The vampire-child Drüka is most likely to be encountered in the well room indicated where she will be playing with a decaying rag-doll. She was the dwarven equivalent of a 7 year old child when she was turned into a vampire, and does not fully comprehended what happened to her or what she has become. Thus, her use of her vampiric powers (e.g. charm, spider climb, shape change, etc.) is done on an unconscious level without any forethought.

She is very lonely, and her hunger for companionship is almost as strong as her hunger for blood. Thus when she first encounters the PCs she is more likely to ask them to play with her than she is to attack them, unconsciously using her charm ability to convince them to stay. The PCs might even be able to glean some information about the village and it current inhabitants from her. If the PCs attempt to leave without playing, or harm her in any way, she will fly into a rage and attack them. Even if the PCs are able to strike up a conversation however, Drüka’s hunger will eventually become unbearable and she will be compelled to feed on one of her new "friends".

Drüka’s "resting" place is in her old home along with her mother (see area 12 below). If she is forced into mist-form, she will retreat there to recuperate. She does not have the guiles to elude pursuers in this state, and will head home by the most direct route.

Drüka

ac: 1

hp: 45

th: 9

hd: 8+3

d: 1-6 + 4

gaze = charm @ -2

[+1] to hit; regenerate 3/r; cold/elect. = ½ damage

spider climb, shape change to bat

summon 10-100 bats

(12) Drüka’s home

These were the living quarters of the vampire-child Drüka and her family before their demise. The outer room is neat and tidy, with the corpses of two dwarves propped up at a dining table set with dust covered plates, cups and silver. The child has attempted to maintain a home-like atmosphere and frequently dines and converses with her dead parents. Drüka’s final resting place is in the back room of these living quarters. It looks like a child’s "fort" constructed of chairs and an overturned table draped with rotted and decaying fabric. Her treasure consists of old and broken toys collected from other living quarters.

(13) Brucilla’s home

These living quarters were used by Horgen the Grubemeister (leader of the mining community) and his wife Brucilla. Towards the end of his campaign to drive out the dwarves, Bitzune was able to charm Brucilla and turn her into a vampire. Under his orders she seduced Greggon, the captain of the guard, and together they killed her husband throwing the defense of the community into chaos. Brucilla now spends most of her time in the company of Bitzune, but on those occasions when she needs to recuperate, she can be found lying in her former bed.

(14) Bitzune’s Antechamber

After choosing these quarters as his own, Bitzune had the main entrance walled up so that the only way to gain entry was through the ventilation shafts (his preferred method) or via transportational magic. The new wall was constructed by dwarven slaves and so is nearly impossible to distinguish from the regular hallway walls. The dwarven workers that built the wall however, knew that death awaited them after their task was finished, and so constructed minor imperfections in the wall in the hopes that when the mining village was retaken by their comrades from Klängdenstürm, they would be able to locate the vampire’s lair. Nearly any dwarf familiar with dwarven construction techniques will notice something odd about the wall when they walk past it. (If there is no dwarf PC, then an elf might notice the difference in the wall with the same chances as for finding a secret door, or a thief examining the walls might find it with a successful "find traps" roll. Getting through the wall once it has been discovered can be accomplished through any number of magical means (e.g. rock to mud. passwall, stone shape) or even through brute force by battering it down using picks and mauls taken from the mining supplies room.

Bitzune has set one final obstacle in the path of those who would disturb his sanctuary, a guardian summoned from the mysterious elemental plane of darkness. (see full description at the end of the module). This amorphous creature is huge and nearly fills the corner of the room holding the door to the inner chamber. Even so, it remains motionless, and thus hidden in the shadows of the room until it can launch a surprise attack at an intruder.

darkness elemental

ac: 2

hp: 95

th: 5

hd: 16

d: 4-24

(15) Bitzune’s Inner Sanctum

This small room has been cleared of most all the original contents, and now contains only holds Bitzune’s coffin, a table and chair, and a large stone cabinet mounted on the wall. The coffin is made of obsidian which has been magically strengthened to resist breaking. The entire outer surface is etched with designs and arcane runes of drow origin. The interior of the coffin is padded with a musty purple velvet but is otherwise empty unless Bitzune has been forced to retreat to it.

The doors to the cabinet, which is similar in design to ones found in some of the other living quarters, are both wizard-locked and enchanted with a programmed illusion spell which is triggered whenever someone other than Bitzune attempts to open them. When the illusion is triggered, the ceiling of the room will apparently begin to descend with a loud grinding noise. After two rounds, it reaches the wall cabinet which will appear to be smashed from the wall, spilling glass bottles and jars out onto the floor. The bottles will break and their contents will mix creating clouds of noxious vapors which begin to fill the room. The ceiling will continue to descend, crushing the coffin after another 3 rounds until it reaches the floor. The illusion persists for a total of 15 rounds unless dispelled sooner, and any attempt to stop the ceiling’s descent will fail.

Once opened, the cabinet will be found to contain writing supplies, spell components, two ornate jewelry boxes and Bitzune’s spellbooks. The jewelry boxes contain a fabulous hoard of very high quality gems and jewelry of extraordinary beauty. The total worth of all the contents is approximately 170,000 gp. Each one of the 13 spellbooks differs slightly in construction, but all bear Bitzune’s symbol on the cover. The interior pages however have all been enchanted with the secret page spell such that the entire set of books appears to be a series of lurid romance novels written in the language of the drow.

(16) Grubemeister’s waiting room

This room was used as a waiting room for dwarves who had requested to meet with Horgen, the mining village’s leader. Stone benches line the walls, and oil lantern are mounted along the walls.

(17) Grubemeister’s audience room

This room was by the grubemeister to hold meetings and audiences. A round stone table sits in the center of the room surrounded by chairs. A stone cabinet holds blank parchment, inks and quills and sealing wax, all of which has been rendered useless by the ravages of time.

(18) Grubemeister’s private office

This was the grubemeister’s office. The room is dominated by a large, metal desk with numerous drawers. The drawers are not locked, but they have become slightly rusted with age and must be forced open. Inside are log books detailing all aspects of the village’s activities including yields from the mine, smelting volumes, work schedules, incoming supply goods, etc. The most recent log will contain entries that detail the decline and ultimate fall of the mine. It speaks of the rash of accidents that began occurring in the mines, the inexplicable disappearance of miners, the sudden death of villagers found lying in their beds, and the exodus of many of the frightened inhabitants.

(19) Refuse Pit

This room houses a dry shallow pit into which was dumped the degradable refuse generated by the village (including the contents of chamber pots). At that time, the pit also contained an ochre jelly which would eat all of the garbage that was dumped in. The dwarves prevented the jelly from escaping by coating the wall at the top of the pit with a thick, acidic paste which was harmful to the jelly. After the dwarves were all killed, the pasted dried out and the jelly eventually escaped. It might be encountered here in this room or elsewhere in the village if the DM so desires. It may also have multiplied over the years, and so more than one might be enountered.

ochre jelly

ac: 8

hp: 28

th: 14

hd: 6

d: 3-12

(20) Smelting Hall

This huge hall was the heart of the dwarven community before its fall. The raw ore from the mines was brought here where it was refined and cast into ingots of pure mithril. The ceiling here is dome-shaped, rising to a height of 30’ at its peak. A huge pit that once contained an ever-burning coal-fed fire is now cold and lifeless. In the ceiling above the fire pit is a chimney which rises for nearly 40’ before connecting with a series of narrow, natural crevices. Blackened cauldrons hang suspended from a network of chains, pulleys and booms attached to the ceiling and walls. Cut into a long block of stone are the molds into which the molten mithril was poured to form the ingots. Empty barrels that once held water stand around the perimeter of the room, and small carts and toolboxes lie abandoned.

(21) Mithril vault

The door to this room is locked, but once unlocked opens easily. The room beyond contains several large stacks of mithril ingots, perhaps as many as 700 in total. This is also the lair of the two dwarven vampires Thoradin and Glomdrung who have constructed coffins for themselves. While they return here to recover from injuries, they are most likely to be found in the throne room (26) with Bitzune.

(22) Coal bin

This room is about one-third full of coal that was used to feed the smelting fire.

(23) Ore room

When the mine was in operation, the carts of raw ore would be brought here and unload. They would then be filled with slag from the refining process and taken back into the mines. A long sloping passage leads down to the entrance to the mines.

(24) Kitchen

Aside from the fact that it stands deserted, this room is not substantially different from any other kitchen. Baking ovens are built into the walls, cabinets and cupboards contain cooking pots and serving dishes.

(25) Cold storage

The perishable foodstuffs were kept in this room which was kept cool by a carefully maintained patch of brown mold. The mold, starved for warmth died many years ago, and the foodstuffs were subsequently eaten by scavenging animals and monsters.

(26) Throne Room

Bitzune spends most of his time in this room, which once served the dwarves as a communal dining room and gathering places. Since taking control of the village, the vampire has turned the room into his own, personal throne room. The tables and benches that were once found in the room have been removed and the walls and ceiling have been artistically draped in spider-webbing. Bitzune has also cast numerous illusion spells to change the appearance of many aspects of the room. The pillars which were plain, unadorned columns have been enchanted so as to appear to have intricate carvings and scrollwork. The sheets of spider webbing have been covered with an illusion that makes them appear to be thick velvet tapestries and the design of the oil lantern chandeliers that hang from the ceilings have been made to resemble spiders with each dangling leg holding a lantern. A large, stone throne on a raised dais at the south end of the room was constructed by Bitzune’s dwarven slaves and is covered by an illusion that makes it appear to be made of gold with a fortune in gems inset throughout. Two metal braziers stand on either side of the throne, one of which is a brazier of commanding fire elementals.

It has been many years since Bitzune has had any visitors, and if the PCs do not attack him outright, he will attempt to engage them in conversation. He would prefer to charm as many of the PCs as he can and keep them as servant-slaves vs. killing them outright. Any PCs that resist being charmed will be eliminated.

If Bitzune has been forewarned of the PCs presence, he will have taken time to prepare for their arrival. He will be found sitting on his throne, with as many of his minions at hand as are available. Thoradin and Glomdrung will definitely be here in the form of bats, hanging from the ceiling at the north end of the room. They will remain motionless until Bitzune give the order to attack.

Monsters & NPCs

Darkness Elemental (originally published in March 1996 issue of Dragon Magazineâ )

Climate/Terrain:	any dark	Armor Class:	2
Frequency:	very rare	Hit Dice:	8, 12 or 16
Organization:	solitary	THACO:	13, 9 or 5
Activity Cycle:	night	No. of Attacks:	1
Diet:	darkness	Damage/Attack:	4-24
Intelligence:	low (5-7)	Special Attacks:	chill, blind
Treasure:	nil	Special Defenses:	+2 or better to hit
Alignment:	neutral evil	Magic Resistance:	standard
No. Appearing:	1	Size:	L to H
Movement:	15	Morale:	8-12
		XP Value:	variable

Darkness elementals are creatures of pure negative life energy, the distilled spirit of undeath, decay and the night. They can be summoned only at midnight or deep underground and few stay for more than a single night.

A darkness elemental can chill a target creature’s spirit by attacking it through its shadow; this constitutes an attack against AC10, plus any dexterity bonus if the target creature is aware of what the elemental is attempting. A successful hit also allows the darkness elemental to blind its target by wrapping it in its own shadow unless a save vs. petrification (at –6) is successful. This blindness can be removed only by casting a cure blindness or heal spell, or by exposing the victim to full sunlight.

Darkness elementals suffer damage from magical light spells and healing spells of all kinds; when contacted by one of these spells, an explosion occurs as the negative and positive magical energies destroy each other, inflicting 1d8 hp damage to the elemental for each level of the spell. Creatures within 10’ of the explosion suffer 1 hp damage per level of the spell, half is a save vs. breath weapon is successful.

Darkness elementals can automatically hide in shadows; they can hide from infravision as well, becoming effectively invisible as long as they remain motionless. As soon as they move at more than a creeping shadow’s pace (movement rate more that 1), they become obvious to any onlooker.

Vampire minions

Bitzune has kept several vampire minions which roam about the mining village, and the mines themselves. They are all former dwarven inhabitants of the place. Two were dwarven miners (Thoradin and Glomdrung), one was the wife of the village leader (Brucilla – area 13), one was captain of the village militia (Greggon – area 6), and the last was a young girl-child (Drüka – area 11). All have the following statistics:

ac: 1

hp: 45

th: 9

hd: 8+3

d: 1-6 + 4

gaze = charm @ -2

[+1] to hit

regenerate 3/r

spider climb, shape change to bat

cold/elect. = ½ damage

summons 10-100 bats

Greggon attacks with a dwarven thrower warhammer [+3]

Thoradin wields a warhammer of stunning d: 2d4 +5 , save vs. spell or stun 1d4+1 round, 20=no save

Fire elemental (from brazier)

ac: 2

hp: 80

th: 8

hd: 12

d: 3-24

Bitzune Ca’Theran, drow vampire lord- 15th level wizard - CE

str: 18 (50)	int: 18	thac0: 11
con: n/a	wis: 11	ac: 1
dex: 16	chr: 18	hp: 60

Description:

Bitzune appears to be a typical, if somewhat gaunt, drow of indeterminate age.

Weapons:	thac0 (w/ bonuses)	ws	#	damage
"claw"	9	1	1	1-6 + 4
dagger of wounding	8	2	1	1-4 *

Magical/Special Items:

in use : cloak of magic resistance [35%], brazier of commanding fire elementals, horn of collapsing, dust of slow (20’x20’)

in hoard : necklace of strangulation, amulet of proof vs. petrification, oil of silence, sheet of smallness[D]

several strongboxes (locked): jewelry worth 120,000gp, gems worth 75,000gp

Spellbook:

level: 1 number per day: 5

affect normal fires [P 131], alarm [P 131], audible glamer [P 131], change self [P 132], chill touch [P 132], color spray [P 132], dancing lights [P 133], fist of stone [T 17], hypnotism [P 135], light [P 136], magic missile [P 136], mending [P 136], message [P 136], metamorphose liquids [T 19], shocking grasp [P 137], sleep [P 138]

level: 2 number per day: 5

alter self [P 139], blindness [P 140], blur [P 140], deeppockets [P 140], detect invisibility [P 141], esp [P 141], glitterdust [P 142], levitate [P 143], locate object (r) [P 143], Maximillian's earthen grasp [T 22], Melf's acid arrow [P 144], mirror image [P 144], protection from paralysis [T 23], ray of enfeeblement [P 145], rope trick [P 145], ventriloquism [P 139]

level: 3 number per day: 5

alacrity [T 24], Alamir's fundamental breakdown [T 24], augmentation [T 25], clairaudience [P 147], clairvoyance [P 147], dispel magic [P 148], fireball [P 149], haste [P 149], ironwood [K 95], monster summoning I [P 151], non-detection [P 152], secret page [P 152], spirit armor [T 26], squaring the circle [T 27], tongues (r) [P 153], wizard sight [T 28]

level: 4 number per day: 5

confusion [P 154], dig [P 155], dilation I [T 28], dimension door [P 155], dispel exhaustion [O 97], emotion [P 155], far reaching II [T 28], hallucinatory terrain [P 158], improved invisibility [P 159], mask of death [T 29], minor creation [P 160], minor globe of invulnerability [P 160], monster summoning II [P 160], rainbow pattern [P 162], shout [P 163], wizard eye [P 164]

level: 5 number per day: 5

advanced illusion [P 164], airy water [P 165], animal growth (r) [P 165], animate dead [P 165], avoidance (r) [P 165], cloudkill [P 166], conjure elemental [P 166], distance distortion [P 167], hold monster [P 169], Leomund's secret chest [P 169], magic jar [P 169], passwall [P 171], shadow magic [P 171], stone shape [P 171], summon shadow [P 171], tempus fugit (r) [A 70], wall of iron [P 172]

level: 6 number per day: 2

anti magic shell [P 173], Bigby's forceful hand [P 173], claws of the umber hulk [T 38], contingency [P 174], death spell [P 175], enchant an item [P 175], globe of invulnerability [P 177], guards and wards [P 178], legend lore [P 178], mirage arcane [P 179], phantasmagoria [A 70], programmed illusion [P 180], repulsion [P 181], stone to flesh (r) [P 181], transmute water to dust (r) [P 182]

level: 7 number per day: 1

conjure greater elemental [WC1 167], delayed blast fireball [P 183], dragon breath [K 66], Drawmij's instant summons [P 183], forcecage [P 184], limited wish [P 184], prismatic spray [P 186], reverse gravity [P 186], shadow walk [P 186], shadowcat [T 41], spell turning [P 187], steal enchantment [T 42], teleport without error [P 187], truename [A 63], volley [A 63]