Page 4 - IBP 2000 - The Caves of Ortok - Labyrinth Lord Edition

BACKGROUND: The rumors about Ortok’s passing are sadly mistaken, as he managed to find a way to translate himself through space and time into the near future, although even he himself is not sure when he will return to the world, or where, or even in what form. The rumors and stories about his treasure caches are true though, and only a few of these numerous caches have indeed been found. Ortok’s cache complexes usually utilize natural formations, and have only one physical way in and out that that is a rather arduous to access without the use of magic. They are then reinforced by a number of magical and non-magical defenses and traps; once an appropriate location for a cache had been located, Ortok would use portal magic to travel to and from it, leaving this one physical entrance/exit as an emergency escape should he need it. These entrances are usually how others stumble on one of Ortok’s caches, although claiming the treasure within often takes more lives than are rewarded. Many adventurers, especially greedy wizards, have lost their lives looking for Ortok’s caches.
One particular unfound cache is hidden in an underground complex accessible through some coastal caves that have been claimed by a disposed sahuagin princeling and his retinue. The entrance to the cave system is half-filled at even low tide and the cave complex has to be accessed by swimming through a natural tunnel that is always flooded. Once inside the cave complex, there is a secret entrance that can be accessed that leads into the lower level of the cave. This lower level is constructed and trapped, but ultimately leads to a vault room that contains one of Ortok’s lesser caches.
The sahuagin are refugees from a civil war between siblings in a nearby underwater kingdom, and are the princeling Xasqual, and includes his advisor Shauxit and a number of retainers. During the fight, Xasqual’s shark, Niss, who he has cared for since it was just a baby, was grievously wounded, and it eventually washed up on the beach here. Tracking down the body of his mount after the battle is what led the sahuagin princeling and his retinue to the caves here, but before he could recover its body, locals took it away. Exploration of the caves discovered the hidden underwater entrance and the sahuagin claimed that cave as a place to stay. However, the other cave here was inhabited by a vicious giant crab that took a couple of sahuagin retainers before Shauxit came up with a plan to feed the crab, taming it and gaining protection from it as well. Although this leaves less food for the sahuagin, it adds to their protection, and they’re happy enough with the tradeoff right now in case of another attack by the other princes. Still reeling from the loss of Niss, Xasqual has been inconsolable since, and it is only through the administrations of food by his advisor Shauxit that he has continued to survive. Shauxit has more or less taken
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charge of the group of refugees and is the defacto leader in their eyes; the princeling may wear the crown, but it is the advisor who keeps them alive.
REGARDING STATISTICS: Keeping with our motto, this module uses inline monster and NPC statistics in the text, with references to particular texts and page numbers for you to find fuller descriptions. New monsters, expanded NPC descriptions, and special items can be found in Appendix A. The following is an example:
We include as much information as you need inline so that you don’t have to refer to source texts unless needed. LL refers to the Labyrinth Lord main book, and AEC refers to the Advanced Edition Companion.
INTRODUCING THE VIGNETTE: There are a number of different ways to introduce the vignette to players. A few examples are listed below:
Background and Introducing the Vignette
Sahuagin (2): AL: L(E), HD: 2+2, HP: 16,14, AC: 5, MV: 120’ (40’) or Swim 240’ (80’), #ATT: x3 or x5 or x1 weapon, DMG: 1d2/1d2/1d2/1d2/1d4 or weapon, SV: F2, Mor: 8, XP: 47. Gear: Trident, net. AEC (135).
1. Someone from a nearby settlement has gone missing, and the adventurers have been asked to search for them. Their search leads to the beach, where they find the body upon the shore, slashed apart by either crab claws or sharks. On the body is a note with a drawing showing a cave (cave #1) and the words “entrance here”.
2. A local wizard with knowledge of Ortok suspects that one of his caches is nearby, and recruits the adventurers to seek it out. Information the wizard provides includes that there is probably a hidden entrance in one of the caves. On returning with whatever items are found, the wizard will grant the players a boon.
3. Instead of a local wizard knowing about Ortok, one of the players who themselves is a wizard has received information about Ortok’s cache, and perhaps some guidance to come to this area. The player knows that all manner of magical goodies await the adventurers if they can find it.
4. The adventurers merely wander into the general area, and happen to see some of the sahuagin disappear into cave #2. There is a bounty in the local area for such creatures of 20gp per head, as they often attack fishing vessels in open water. Sharks net 10gp for their meat.
Labyrinth Lord Edition