Downsized
Issue 1
The Crypt of the Barbarian King
Prologue
An old goat path, now overgrown
from disuse, winds through craggy
hills high above the clouds. It
terminates into the sheer face of an
ancient mountain, inside of a cave
whose mouth stands open, ready to
swallow unfortunate souls who may
wander inside.
Carved deep into the stone,
beyond the dark cave, lies the crypt
where barbarian king Ahanda’ar was
buried and forgotten by his people.
The stories of men in the towns
below hold tales of the perils which
reside within, and the treasures
which wait beyond.
Area 1
Where the trail ends, the journey
begins. The side of the mountain
opens up with an unholy grin.
Stalactites hang low from the roof of
the cave mimicking sharp teeth ready
to feast on the flesh of anyone who
dares to enter.
Giant Bats hang in colonies
along the rock ceiling. Unless the
entrance is approached in complete
silence, and not a sound is made
throughout, the bats rouse and exit in
billowing black clouds of malice.
The temperature drops once past
the mouth of the cave. The smooth
walls are adorned with the
primordial markings of ancient races
who inhabited the areas. They are
stories of migration, stories of hunts,
prints of the hands which touched
these walls thousands of years
before.
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A tunnel opens in the northwest
of the chamber. The sounds of
rushing water echoes.
Area 2
The electric blue glow of a
glacier fed pool fills the second
cavern. On the western wall is a large
waterfall which churns against the
rocks some forty feet below. The
river flows into the deep pool and
exits the cavern through a tunnel
leading out of the eastern wall of the
room.
Beyond the far shore lies a tunnel
leading deeper into the mountain. It
does not lead far, however. Barely a
hundred feet beyond where the
tunnel begins it runs dead-ended
into the rock. On the ground against
the far wall of the tunnel lies a
Barbarian Battle Axe.
The only way to proceed further
into the mountain is to locate the
underwater tunnel in the northeast
corner of the pool. But beware,
beneath the waves lurks a deadly
Hydra.
 Areas Cont.
Area 3
The statue chamber pulses with
the energy left behind by centuries
of pilgrims who have come before.
The likeness of Ahanda’ar stands
against the eastern wall. At over ten
feet tall, it was cast in bronze
somewhere down the mountain and
brought piece by piece to this single
chamber where it was reassembled
by those who loved him. The
barbarian king stands tall looking
down to those below. His left hand
he holds a mighty spear.
Close inspection of the statue
will find a hidden panel in the spot
of the statue’s heart. Inside this panel
is the lever to open the stone door
camouflaged into the northern wall.
A mimic in the form of a
treasure chest sits stationary in the
northwestern corner of the chamber.
Come too close, and it will strike.
Area 4
The temperature drops once
more. The cold fog hides the open
sarcophagus holding the remains of
Ahanda’ar. The age has taken the
flesh, leaving only the yellowed
bones behind. The ominous feeling
of the unresting dead is sensed by
anyone who enters.
Against the western wall is a thin
tunnel, barely shoulder’s width, and
impassible in bulky armor. Upon the
approach to the entrance, the ghost
of the barbarian king manifests,
displeased by disturbances. Only by
defeat of Ahanda’ar's Ghost does
the tunnel become passable.
Area 5
The treasure hoard is the
ultimate reward for any adventurer.
Barbarian conquest has brought gold
and jewels from around the world.
The lands which Ahanda’ar raided in
life held many riches. The pilfered
wealth of those lands lays waiting in
the small treasure chamber. Take all
that can be carried, but do not forget
that leaving the crypt is just as
treacherous as entering.
Treasure Hoard
Total Value: 43,445 gp
» 30,000 gp
» 5x Quartz crystal(50 gp each)
» 3x Sapphire gem (100 gp each)
» 2x Ruby gem (500 gp each)
» 2x Gold bangel (1,200 gp each)
» 4x Gold ring (700 gp each)
» Drums of Panic
» Two-handed Sword, +1 Energy
Drain
» Scroll of Protection from Undead
 Stat Blocks
Monsters
Giant Bat
AC 6 [13], HD 2 (9hp), Att 1x bite
(1d4), THAC0 18 [+1], MV 30’ (10’)/
180’ (60’) flying, SV D12 W13 P14 B15
S16 (1), ML 8, AL Neutral, XP 20, NA
30, TT None
Hydra
AC 5 [14], HD 5 (40hp), Att 5x bite
(1d10), THAC0 15[+4], MV 120’ (40’),
SV D12 W13 P14 B15 S16 (3), ML 9,
AL Neutral, XP 175, NA 1, TT None
» Disabling heads: For every 8hp
damage taken, one head is disabled
(cannot attack).
Mimic
AC 6 [13], HD 9* (40hp), Att 1x
pseudopod (3d4), THAC0 12 [+7],
MV 30’ (10’), SV D10 W11 P12 B13 S14
(5), ML 9, AL Neutral, XP 1,600,
NA 1, TT None
» Mimicry: Can change form to
appear like any object of stone or
wood.
» Attack if touched: Remain
motionless; only attack if touched,
lashing out with a pseudopod.
» Contact glue: Anything that
touches a mimic is stuck fast by the
glue it exudes. Released only by
killing the mimic.
» Light sensitivity: Suffer a –2
penalty to attack rolls and a –1
penalty to AC whenin bright light
(daylight, continual light).
The Ghost of Ahanda'ar
AC 2 [17], HD 6** (27hp),
Att 1x touch (1d8 + energy drain),
THAC0 14 [+5], MV 150’ (50’) /
300’ (100’) flying, SV D10 W11 P12 B13
S14 (6), ML 11, AL Chaotic, XP 725,
NA 1
» Undead: Make no noise, until they
attack. Immune to effects that
affect living creatures (e.g. poison).
Immune to mind-affecting or mind-
reading spells (e.g. charm, hold,
sleep).
» Mundane damage immunity:
Can only be harmed by magical
attacks.
» Energy drain: A successfully hit
target permanently loses two
experience levels (or Hit Dice).
This incurs a loss of two Hit Dice
of hit points, as well as all other
benefits due to the drained levels
(e.g. spells, saving throws, etc.). A
character’s XP is reduced to the
lowest amount for the new level. A
person drained of all levels
becomes a spectre next night,
under the control of the spectre
that killed them.
Items
Barbarian's Battle Axe
A beautiful double bit battle axe,
honed with precision to carve hairs
and cleave skulls.
Cost: 75gp
Weight: 200 coins
Damage: 2d6
Qualities: Melee, Slow, Two-Handed.
 Maps & Diagrams

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