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Chamber of the New Master (Ruins of the Moathouse #35) |
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Note: This information was taken from TSR's original AD&D adventure, the Temple of Elemental Evil.
For the DM: The Master's chamber is lavishly furnished,
with thick rugs, wall hangings, and soft
chairs, couch, and cushions. Wines, liquors,
and dishes of sweetmeats abound. A brazier
continually burns, warming the place and
sending a fragrant incense into the air. Silver
serving pieces and goblets (worth 4, 000 gp for
all) and an alabaster box filled with unguents
(total value 800 gp) are in plain sight. Hidden
in a cabinet is an exquisite piece of jewelry,
made with matched fire opals (ten gems worth
1, 000 gp each) on a gold chain and settings
with diamond chips (5, 000 gp). The New Master,
Lareth, is described more fully below. He
carries but 9 pp and one black opal (1, 000 gp).
On his left arm is bound a phylactery of
action, a clerical magical item which makes
the wearer impervious to paralyzation of any
sort, including all hold spells and spell-like
powers.
Lareth will aid his guards' melee with his
spells, keeping a defensive posture while
commanding his troops' attacks. He will
melee if necessary, and probably after using
his spells. He wields a mace in his left hand
(D 1-6, -2 "to hit" as secondary weapon) and
a staff of striking in his right (staff + 3, D 4-
9, 20 charges; uses 1 per hit, or 2 for double
damage, 3 for triple).
If seriously threatened, Lareth will offer
all his non-magical treasures—jewelry,
coins, and all else—as ransom for his life. If
Lareth is slain, there will be cautious and
discreet inquiries in Hommlet, as the servants
of evil therein make every attempt to
find out what happened. If any of Lareth's
possessions turn up, the slayers are
revealed. An assassin of 10th level who can
speak the alignment language of the individuals,
as well as those of major allies, will
come to the village in 5-20 days to eliminate
the offender(s). DM, handle this as you see
fit. Jaroo and Terjon of Hommlet will certainly
aid those attacked. If the assassin is
killed, nothing further will be attempted.
Lareth: AC -1 (plate mail + 1); Level 5 Cleric;
hp 44; #AT 1; D 1-6 (mace) or 4-9
(or more, from staff of striking-, 20 charges remain);
SA spells (see below); SD immune to paralysis (phylactery of action); XP 770
S 18 W 18 D 17 C 16 Ch 18
First level: command, cure light wounds (x2), protection from good, sanctuary
Second level: hold person (x2), know alignment, resist fire, silence 15' radius
Third level: cause blindness, continual darkness
Lareth the Beautiful is the dark hope of
chaotic evil—young, handsome, well
endowed in abilities and aptitudes, thoroughly
wicked, depraved, and capricious.
Whomever harms Lareth had best not brag
of it in the presence of one who will inform
the Demoness Lolth!
Lareth has been sent to this area to rebuild
a force of men and humanoid fighters to
gather loot and restore the Temple of Elemental
Evil to its former glory. He is but one
of many so charged, of course, but is looked
upon with special favor and expectation. He
and his minions have been careful to raid far
from this area, never nearer than three or
four leagues, travelling on foot or riding in
wagons of the traders from Hommlet. None
of the victims are ever left alive to tell the
tale, and mysterious disappearances are all
that can be remarked upon. No trace of
men, mounts, goods, wagons or draft animals
is ever found.
Evil to the core, Lareth is cunning. If a situation
appears in doubt, he uses bribery and
honeyed words to sway the balance to his
favor. He is not adverse to gaining new
recruits of all sorts, and will gladly accept
adventurers into the ranks (though he will test
and try them continually). Those who arouse
suspicion will be quietly murdered in their
sleep. Those with too much promise will be
likewise dealt with, for Lareth wants no potential
usurpers or threats to his domination.
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