Dungeon23: January Day 12

We continue with the mausoleum by investigating out first crypt.

Map by Justin Andrew Mason.

Area 12

Read aloud text:

The door to this crypt is decorated with the fresco of an elvish woman with long hair and a kind face. Like many heroic carvings, she is depicted in the nude to better show off her lithe, muscular physique. One hand holds a thin elven blade while the other cradles a wand.

The name of the elven heroine originally buried in this crypt – Eliyen Qinbella, Witch of the White – is scrawled along the door frame in Common, Draconic, Dwarven, and Elvish. She was one of many heroes who fell in battle decades ago and buried in this crypt to memorialize their victory.

The door of the crypt used to be warded against intrusion. These wards were activated when the evil cult first plundered the mausoleum of its riches and bodies. A PC skilled with Intelligence (Arcana) will recognize the markings around the crypt door that once possessed defensive magic. However, these wards are no longer active.

Eliyen's body no longer rests in this crypt, having been removed by the evil cult and transformed into an undead servitor long ago. The crypt has been converted into a small “home” for a pair of bandits and their pet guard dog.

The interior of the crypt is illuminated by dozens of candles alight in each corner of the small chamber. The personal effects of the bandits (clothing, dishes, and eating utensils) are scattered about this crypt; a clear indication of how long they have lived here. Their bedding is pushed to the sides of the crypt and a third bed of furs and cloaks are piled atop the empty stone casket (which is closed). This is the bed of the guard dog.

Creatures: Dwelling inside the crypt are two of the many bandits who make the mausoleum their home. These bandits also house a mastiff who serves as a guard dog for their “home” while they are away.

Bandits (2)

Medium humanoid, neutral evil

Armor Class 12 (leather armor)

Hit Points 11 (2d8+2)

Speed 30 ft.

Str 11 (+0) Dex 12 (+1) Con 12 (+1)

Int 10 (+0) Wis 10 (+0) Cha 10 (+0)

Senses passive Perception 10

Languages Common

Challenge 1/8 (25 xp); Prof. Bonus +2

ACTONS

Hand Axe. Melee Weapons Attack: +2 to hit, 5-ft. reach, one target. Hit: 3 (1d3) slashing damage.

Light Crossbow. Range Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 80 ft./120 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d8+1) piercing damage.

Mastiff

Medium beast, unaligned

Armor Class 12

Hit Points 5 (1d8+1)

Speed 40 ft.

Str 13 (+1) Dex 14 (+2) Con 12 (+1)

Int 3 (-4) Wis 12 (+1) Cha 7 (-2)

Skills Perception +3

Senses passive Perception 13

Languages --

Challenge 1/8 (25 xp); Prof. Bonus +2

Keen Hearing and Smell. The mastiff has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

ACTONS

Bite. Melee Weapons Attack: +3 to hit, 5-ft. reach, one target. Hit: 4 (1d6+1) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Treasure: One of the cloaks that makes up the bedding of the guard dog is a fine crimson cape with silver and gold threading (worth 25 gp, after a thorough cleaning). Only a successful DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) check will notice its true value under all the other dog-soiled rags and furs.

The heavy lid of the stone casket requires a DC 11 Strength check to lift or push aside. Inside is the collected treasure of the bandits who live in this crypt: a small wooden coin box with brass hinges and a latch. Inside the box is 10 silver shillings and 15 gold pieces.

Each bandit in the crypt has 5d6 copper pennies in their individual coin purses.