The Darkness Beneath

Ahuxat

A System-Agnostic Megadungeon for Fantasy Role Playing Games

By Daniel Koksal
 Table of Contents
●Getting Started PG. 3
●The City of Ahuxat-------------------
● Ahuxat PG. 4
● The Temple Market PG. 6
● The Blue Cockatrice PG. 9
● The Tapestry Quarter PG. 13
● The Mission PG. 15
●The Ruins-----------------------------

● Into the Deep PG. 16

● Entrances PG. 17
● Calculate Alternate Endings PG. 19 ●
● The Catacombs PG. 20
● The Sewer PG. 21
● The Old City Top PG. 23
● The Old City -1 PG. 30
● The Old City -2 PG. 36
● The Streets of the Old City PG. 39
● Into the Breach PG. 40
●Appendix-----------------------------

● Stores: Local Shopping PG. 43

● NPC's: Temple Members PG. 44
● NPC's: Merchants & Townsfolk PG. 45
● NPC's: Black Marketeers PG. 46
● Monsters: The Ghosts of the
Undercity PG. 47 2
 Hooks

Getting Started If you are creating new

characters for this dungeon,
one of them may choose to be
a member of the Temple of
the Returning Sun. This
religion sees Ahuxat as one of
it's pivotal holy city and
The Darkness Beneath Ahuxat is an adventure for Epic Fantasy members are duty bound to
Role-Playing Games, but includes some Renaissance/Enlightenment keep darkness from gaining
power.
themes that you can use with a system of your choice.
The adventure takes place in the city of Ahuxat, a pilgrimage Gods are physically real at
and trading city that is experiencing tumult that may herald an some times in this cosmos.
impending catastrophe. The wise men place their hope in Their arrival always serves a
adventurers who they send to recover an ancient artifact that greater purpose and has
explosive repercussions for
has been activated by the presence of a mysterious evil. mortals. Some of the
characters may wish to
circumvent the need for the
THIS IS THE PREVIEW VERSION OF THIS ADVENTURE. It contains Returning Sun to manifest
himself to defend his own
only the first two layers of the dungeon.. artifact.
To play this game, you should also have the rule for a fantasy The Temple is extremely well
role playing game of your choice at hand. funded, and emissaries of the
You should also have the paraphernalia required to play the temple will offer handsome
rewards to the adventurers
game, pencils, dice, chips, et cetera. who keep the artifacts hidden
in the catacombs of Ahuxat
This dungeon is intended for two to five players with from falling into the wrong
characters of low-middle level, power, or skill according to the hands.
rules of your game system. They will probably advance in level
before completing the dungeon.
3

Ahuxat
The bustling city of Ahuxat is the site sought by thousands
of religious pilgrims annually from worshippers of the Temple
of the Returning Sun, believing it to be the epicenter of the
eventual triumph of light over darkness.
In the meantime, however, the people who live and work in
the city feel little reverence to it, in fact the city itself has
been built up on it's own wasted remains, and has a vast
catacomb beneath it composed of earlier structures and
infrastructures. According to the Followers of the Temple,
however, it is somewhere deep within the dungeon that
several ancient artifacts capable of changing the face of the
earth is hidden. The nature of this artifact is unknown, but
it's power is said to be unmistakable to any person of lore.
Unfortunately, the artifact will only reveal itself in the
presence of the evil against which it must triumph. Recently,
omens have been seen that this evil is near, and is seeking
the object for himself. The temple wishes to recover this
artifact safely and defeat the demon that now stalks Ahuxat.
The city survives economically as a stop on a merchant trade route. At regular periods,
traders travel to the city and make large deals for their wares. Consequently, at some
times certain goods are available and some
right to determine which seasonal resources
are not. If you wish, use the table to the
are available.
Seasons and
Resources
Dry/Cold:: During this season very
few people are importing goods. Those
that are are primarily bringing in
non-perishable foodstuffs, preserved
foods, et cetera. Medicine (potions) will
be in high demand,and has a 50%
chance of being in adequate supply.
Dry/Warm: This is the most popular
pilgrimage season, and at this time
of year the population swells and
imports increase. Magical items,
especially spells and amulets are
popular among the pilgrims, and will
be in especially high supply.
Wet/Warm: This season is the most
profitable season for local producers,
who are primarily agricultural. At
this time, most goods are reasonably
available. At this time, however, the
locals are somewhat inhospitable to
strangers, cleaning up after the
pilgrims leave the streets.
Wet/Cold: The snowy season sees the city
almost cut off from the outside world.
Coin of the realm is further depleted by
merchants who can still leave the city,
and few new merchants come, and an
informal barter system arises between
neighbors in order to ration resources.
During this time, new resources are
difficult to come by..
4
 The Temple of the

Ahuxat
Returning Sun
The strict order of the Temple of the
Returning Sun considers Ahuxat a
holy city. When in a holy city, they
can draw upon the power of their
god, the Returning Son, to protect
them from evil spirits. All members of
Ahuxat is a large city who's largest source of commerce relies on the Temple in good ritual standing
are able to turn back weaker
the religious pilgrims who visit it in the warm part of the year. incorporeal undead like ghosts and
Most of it's buildings are between 3 and 20 stories tall, averaging shades once per day. People who are
from 4 to 6. Commercial structures are mingled with residential trained to keep evil spirits at bay
structures, with several apartment-style residences between single like clergymen and exorcists gain a
small bonus to their rolls as a result
businesses. of being members of the temple.
Although it does not comprise a majority of the populace, there is In order for a Temple Member to
no denying that the Temple of the Returning Sun is the driving purify himself and remain in good
force behind the leadership of the city. It receives large tariff- standing with his god, each week he
must undergo a ritual bath under
tithes on profits made selling to the pilgrims, and although the the supervision of a church elder.
tithes themselves drive away much commerce, the Temple is still by Upon reaching their 25th birthday,
far the most powerful and wealthy collective in the area. short-lived members are expected to
Most of the local residents do not belong to the Temple of the have married another member.
Returning Sun. These residents rent town houses and most of them NPC's: Chuck and Erica Dysart, husband and
wife deacon team, were married in their
work in agriculture that comprises the only major local production. homeland before coming to Ahuxat on
They grow wheat and textile fabrics which they sell to travelers pilgrimage. Chuck has undergone an
and traders during the warm seasons. evangelistic trial in order to further his
training to become a Temple Priest of the
In the cold seasons, the residents must rely on a black market to Returning Sun. Erica is a dutiful housewife
obtain what they need. Paying for items without currency is illegal who joined the temple in order to get
in unsupervised small transactions, and although it is difficult to married, but enjoys belonging to an
organization that Chuck dedicated himself to
enforce this law, most of the residents take care not to draw and that has welcomed her.
attention to the ubiquitous activity. During the cold season, players Chuck knows about the Temple's entrance to
the Ruins and will approach the players to
will have extreme difficulty finding equipment necessary to enter recover the artifact.
the dungeon.
5
 The Temple Market
Winter-Time: Different
sorts of goods will be
available at different
times of year, and it
may be important to
the players that they
be able to acquire
equipment before they
The Bazaar: The Temple of the Returning Sun maintains a year-round enter the dungeon. This
trading depot, but it is most profitable when the climate permits will be relatively simple
travelers to enter and exit the city. The Bazaar is a streetside market and straightforward
that, depending on the day, can overtake one small alley to the entire during the warm
season, but when travel
eastern section of the city. Vendors prefer to bring wooden wagons is more difficult they
that double as transportation and as vending area if possible, may be charged much
although transports of all varieties can be found, ranging from higher prices or be
caravans of horses to magic carpets. It is often important, however, forced to engage in the
that the vending area be protected from the elements, especially high secretive and insular
black market, no mean
winds during the dry season and heavy precipitation and flooding feat for an outsider or,
during the wet season. in some circles, friends
of the Temple. Careful
ettiquette and false
Store: Zalim's Charms: This wagon is draped with thick woven NPC: Zalim a swarthy human names must be
rugs and has hanging a number of jeweled and decorated with dark, oily hair and nervous observed to participate
medallions. Most of them are authentic, and he has quite a few of blue eyes. His breath smells of in this dangerous
very high quality. If a player discovers an item he wished to goat cheese and he is uneasy
business. Even the few
purchase, it has a 10% chance of being fake or broken, and he may around Temple Members because
attempt to check this status before purchasing it. he attempts to avoid the tithe. public locations where
black market dealers
Store: Grass' Fortifying Herbs: Laid out on a simple green rug NPC: Grass is a quiet gnome with meet are guarded with
decorated with 4 arrows, the tiny gnome known as Grass sells her an eccentric demeanor. She has fearful and absolute
own blends of herbs and spices that she can use to reduce pain soft green eyes and sandy hair
and inflammation, staunch bleeding, and increase concentration, which is often partly dreadlocked secrecy.
among many other things. One of the few local merchants, Grass from camping and herb-gathering
expeditions.
lives in the city most of the year and can usually be found
within a week or so. 6
The Temple Market
NPC: High Priest Anuxar
recently became the leader of
this temple and has also been
a member of the International
Temple Council since he became
eligible. He has lived to
prodigious age for a human
who has never studied magic,
being 161 years old at this
The Treasury: What makes Ahuxat a holy city to the Temple of the time, and it is in fact unusual
that he should return to a
Returning Sun is that it's ancient catacombs are said to house congregation so late in years.
“weapons of light,” artifacts that are capable of defeating personified It is said he has been
protected by the Gods all his
and casting them forever from the mortal realm. It is for this reason life, receiving their miracles as
that the most prestigious Temple establishment in the city is also the if he were their own flesh
and blood.
primary treasury of the order itself. This Temple marks the beginning It is difficult to get an
of the bazaar, from which the vendors radiate out into the rest of appointment with Anuxar, a
vision has told him that must
the down-town area. The Treasury-Temple is in the southeastern seek the adventurers destined
section of the city. to seek the ancient artifact.
He is quite friendly in person.
NPC: There are two Temple
The Church: When pilgrims go to the Holy Temple, the fact that it is enforcers present in the Temple
Treasury today. They will not
also the International Temple Treasury is often not apparent at first. speak to the players, but if
The Church, as the beautifully painted gathering area in the Temple they attempt to investigate
these characters they discover
Treasury is called by the locals, is a diamond-shaped standing room them to be divinely possessed
only cathedral incorporating a naturally occurring granite plateau as warriors who serve the temple..
it's pulpit. With a little investigation, the players can find out that it NPC: Not far from the Church, a
is carefully designed to allow the speaker in the pulpit to be heard at Heretic is being questioned by
two men in dark robes that
all times from all locations in the church and the rest of the someone may recognize as
treasury using ingenious contraptions of vibrating wire and echoing enforcers of doctrine among the
ordained clergy. The heretic was
pipes. The church holds services weekly in which it is currently the former leader of the temple.
fashionable to offer religious commentary on current events,
accompanied by traditional music of praise.
7
 NPC: If the characters go
to the hospital, they are

The Temple Market

escorted by a nun named
Sister Lisa. Sister Lisa is
pretty, but has a very
sour attitude honed to a
fine point surrounded by
disease and death every
day. She will give the
characters an hour on the
wards before she will kick
them out and then they
The Hospitals: A complex of Hospitals run by the Temple is also found must sneak in if they wish.
just north of the Temple Market. The hospitals are specifically three
NPC: Joe Barber is a
buildings which were placed in order to take advantage of an artesian physician / barber who
spring. The slightly sulfurous water is sterile and has properties which treats people in the
hospitals of Ahuxat. He
keep infection at bay in open wounds. The hospital also keeps herbs and doesn't always answer to
infusions in stock, but they are often of questionable quality or freshness his name, and if you
and are generally highly expensive, and therefore are seldom used. investigate his past you
discover that he is actually
The hospital, in fact, mostly serves to quarantine the ill and infected a fugitive from justice in a
away from the rest of the population. Most of those who are injured far away land. However,
there is question as to his
choose to treat themselves far from the hospital, away from the pathogens guilt and the players might
that they would encounter with formal medical treatment. In lieu of more consider keeping his secret.
rational models or effective treatments, the hospital treats infection, NPC's: Jacks Victims are the
illness, and madness all as the result of inhalation of demonic miasmas, or first three victims of a
serial killer who strikes
vapors, that issue forth from the ground in the presence of shadow. out at the aristocracy. Two
victims, a male and a
female, were killed in their
Signs and Wonders: Many of the ill omens that have been observed by beds and their oldest son
was put to death by a mob
the church as signs that one of the ancient artifacts must be discovered for the crime before a third
can be found at the hospital. Teratologists can show an increase in victim emerged and
posthumously cleared his
monstrous births, or a remarkably evil act of violence could have been name. No one wants to talk
committed and the results are in the hospital morgue. At any rate, a details.
great deal of unpleasantness will occur in conjunction with the activation
of the artifact and the arrival of an ancient evil.
8
The Blue Cockatrice
NPC: The Fat Man is
presumably the proprietor
The Casbah: A restaurant that is the second largest complex of buildings of the Blue Cockatrice,
although no one sees The
and economic power in Ahuxat, the Blue Cockatrice is a very dim sort of Fat Man these days, since
restaurant that, if the characters earn the trust of someone in the his voice changed. . . .
know, is revealed to be the major meeting place for black market deals. As it turns out, the Fat
Man has a tobacco habit
The Blue Cockatrice also denotes a Casbah which surrounds the restaurant and due to it, has developed
itself, and altogether it is a place which the Temple members avoid, life threatening and
disavow, and dis-acknowledge at all costs. The Casbah dwellers comprise the disfiguring tumors in his
skin and lungs.
underclass of city-dwellers, people who's living is derived entirely from
trades of hospitality. These people trade upon the black market with NPC's: Watchcloak and
Nebrossa are two forces
unlicensed traders during the warm seasons, which they sell at inflated locked in endless struggle.
prices during the wintertime to make up the gap in their miserable Watchcloak is a superhero
wages. resembling a ranger, who
apprehends black
marketeers, confiscates
their goods, and
redistributes them freely
The Blue Cockatrice: The dim and smoky booths of the Blue to families unable to
Cockatrice conceal the hands of shady dealers who buy and sell goods stockpile. Nebrossa is one of
free of the tariffs and audits of the Temple. This establishment, owned The Fat Man's lieutenants
who has taken a particular
by “The Fat Man” does not screen it's guests and lies at the center of offense to this do-gooder
it's own fortress of slums. It seems to the regular residents of the shrinking her profits and
Ahuxat that anything can be obtained at the Blue Cockatrice, however, has made it her mission to
subvert him at all costs.
but though impressive, it is hardly an extraordinary example of a
black market front.
9
The Blue Cockatrice
Listening In: Wandering around the Blue Cockatrice you can't help
A Little Harder to Hear:
but overhear a few things. A simple cursory listen-in that can be These things require concentration
performed by virtually anyone with no effort even reveals a few to listen for and should only be
heard will a successful die roll. The
important and useful facts. player will learn a random fact from
The Temple: Folks in the city don't really like the way the Temple this list(Roll 1d4).
wields it's authority. The high tariffs and trade restrictions drive 1:. Even though the warm season is
away the traders, and pilgrims are either increasingly devout, or thought to generally be the season
of plenty, last year heavy rain
increasingly impoverished because most of them never seem to buy destroyed much of the agriculture
anything. It's not their religion, who cares if some sword is buried and impeded pilgrims and merchants.
in my basement? The city is in greater than normal
financial peril.
Commerce: Grass's potions are often more effective than the ones in 2: Certain officials are known to
the hospital, and they cost less and taste better! If you want to frequently partake of vices available
on the black market. Although their
equip yourself for a journey, she also has excellent ration bars that habits pale in comparison to
will keep from spoiling for up to two months. everyday scandal in affairs of state,
it will end any local expert's career.
The Law: The citizens seem to prefer Watchcloak's brand of justice, 3: The Fat Man loves his hookah—
and even though most of them will tell you that even though they style pipe, which is always at his
side, constantly stoked. Some people
prefer his less brutal punishment of black marketeers, what they think it affects his health.
mostly like is that Watchcloak distributes the ill-gotten goods 4: Temple Enforcers are in town to
seek out heresy, however, they do
amongst the people. not seem to be targeting the
Gangs: There are no large gangs wielding power in town, largely general populace, but rather to be
on a specific mission.
because profit margins cannot support such organizations coming
into existence. Instead, smaller gangs of largely unarmed young men
make plays at eachother and do a brisk, but not lucrative trade in
vice.
10
The Blue Cockatrice
Leaning In a Bit: These things are difficult to simply
overhear, and if a player gets caught listening in on one of
these conversations there may be severe consequences. These
should only be available on a successful die roll of considerable
difficulty. The player will learn a random fact from this
list(Roll 1d4)
1: Joe Barber doesn't always answer when his name is called,
and Aaron Cutler, a militant who started a small local cult
called the Templari, who attempt to enforce Temple Laws on
laypeople and non-temple members.
2: No one believes him, but Joshua Mastus, a teenage courier
from the Casbah, says that High Priest Anuxar has been
employing the services of a prostitute. If he trusts you, he
will tell you where to find her.
3: The Fat Man is very ill, and has been afflicted with tumors
on the skin of his face and inside his lungs. He believes that
he is dying and has hidden his disfigurement by going into
seclusion and allowing Nebrossa to run much of the operation.
4: The Temple Enforcers are supposed to rout heresy from
ordained members of the Temple of the Returning Sun. They
are trained to become possessed by the spirit of their god in
order to identify and burn witches and dissidents. They are
here to question and dispose of former High Priest Olaf.
NPC: Militant leader “General” Aaron Cutler
recruits fanatics for his cult, the Templari.
He has a wanted poster with Joe Barber's
sketch and knows that he is a fugitive.
Cutler wants to send for marshals to
remove him from Ahuxat.
NPC: Some of the poor teens about the city
make pocket money engaging in largely
tolerated forms of vice, like Josh Mastus
and Jenny Cooper, a no-questions-asked
courier and lady of the evening
respectively. Jenny told Josh that she was
commissioned by High Priest Anuxar, but
they are scared to tell anyone because of
the Templari and the Enforcers.
NPC: Militants from the Templari are
disoranized and by and large, they are
quite thuggish and have little
accountability. The players may end up
getting into a fight with the militants in
town, but they will withdraw before they
encounter any casualties. The main Temple
doesn't approve of this behavior and will
look the other way if the adventurers
defend themselves.
NPC: High Priest Olaf succumbs
to torture shortly after the
players arrive in town. His body
appears to have been afflicted
with much torture.
11
The Blue Cockatrice
Your table is one of
What's on the Menu?: The Blue Cockatrice has a reasonable selection of food the many shadowy
booths in this
and drink available to it's patrons. In addition to standard fare, it offers restaurant. There are
some delicacies and fine spirits with unusual restorative and psychoactive cloak-hooks suspended
properties. all around the table,
just like in each of the
Adjust the prices of these beverages and food in order that they fit your other booths. Some
setting. Certain dishes may not be available to everyone at all times of year. people seem to be using
these to obscure their
Entree 's Beverages activities. On the table
there is a candle and a
Pan Cakes-------------------1g
●
●Lager ----------------------------- 1g salt-bottle.
● These are flat cakes of fried sweet batter.
Crusty Bread and Oil-------1g
●
●Ale -------------------------------- 1g
● This hard bread is served with dressings. ●Wheat Beer ----------------------- 2g NPC's: The staff of the Blue
Rice------------------------1g
● ●Mead ------------------------------ 3g Cockatrice is quite warm
● This plain white rice can be bought cooked or not. ●Wine ------------------------------ 3g with the players, almost to
Chili Soup------------------2g
● ●Rum ------------------------------ 4g the point of nosiness. They
● This spicy soup has beans, meat, and tomato. ●Bernard's Water ------------------- 4g have been told to listen for
Pizza-----------------------3g
● ● This vile-tasting clear drink made the activities of the Temple
● This flat bread is flavored with cheese and from millet has minor restorative appearing within the
toppings. properties equivalent to one half of a
Salad-----------------------3g
● weak healing potion. It also allows a Casbah, having been made
● This cold salad is made of green vegetables. person to try and endure the effects aware of the Fat Man's
Seasonal Vegetables--------4g
● of a poison they have ingested with a precarious health. If the
● This is a selection of fresh vegetables. new saving throw. Each bottle has 5 players talk about their
doses and costs 20 g.
Shepherds Pie--------------5g
●
●Green Wyvern -------------------- 5g mission in the restaurant,
● This meat pie has sausage, beef, vegetables, gravy, they will likely be
and potatoes.
● This dark-green infusion is served in
Sausage and Potatoes------5g
●
SMALL glasses but can be purchased questioned by the Fat Man
by the bottle. People who drink it in person.
● This hard bread is served with dressings. experience feelings of calm and
Grilled Fish----------------5g
●
euphoria, but large amounts can cause
● This hard bread is served with dressings. hallucinations and paranoia. Each
Fugge---------------------140g
●
● This rare fish produces feelings of relaxation
when eaten.
bottle has 25 doses and costs 100g.
Dr ie d he rba l co mpo nents a nd co nce nt rate s o f Be rna rd's Wate r a nd
Gre en D rag on ca n b e pur cha se d, but a re no t adve rt ise d o n t he me nu. .
12
 The Tapestry Quarter
The Tapestry Quarter: The activation of one of the ancient artifacts has NPC: Scot Forman was the
supervisor of textile mill
caused repercussions to be felt in Ahuxat, and perhaps no where is that more where the recent water-
wheel accident occurred.
apparent than in the semi-industrial tapestry quarter. Here crude mechanical “John,” the worker who
looms produce highly uneven sheets of cloth, which are then trimmed into neat caused the accident, had
always been very
bolts by workers. The tapestry quarter gets it's name from the traditional way conscientious and adept
with his work, and Mr.
of discarding the excess cloth that has been employed for a century, which is to Forman is still in shock
over the accident. He is
tie them together and string them between buildings so that they may be used also being questioned by
as clotheslines(Although almost no one uses them any more). The results of this the Temple, and concurs
with their theories of
are dyed-brown cobblestones, a litter of torn and dingy colored cloth on the demonic possession,
although he may simply be
streets, and a damp, mildewy smell. The tapestry quarter overlaps with the complying with them out
Casbah in some of it's more livable areas, but for the most part the people who of fear of some sort of
retribution, rather than
go there, go there to work in the mills and live most of their lives elsewhere. actual agreement.

Signs of the Times: The Tapestry Quarter has always been a place prone to disease
and accidents, since it was created the machines have sometimes broken down
catastrophically, the worst of which involved a water-wheel and drowned a dozen
people, two of whom were never found. This accident happened two weeks ago and was
the result of a veteran worker tripping and falling into the axle and causing the
wheel itself to pull free of the waterlogged wood of the wall. In addition to costing
lives, it also flooded the and completely destroyed a large section of one of the mills
and several hundred bolts of cloth. According to the supervisor, the whole incident
was freakish, an account of his worker's experience and capability.
13
 The Tapestry Quarter
The Press: Ahuxat's status as a holy city attracts several kinds of NPC: Abraham Rappo was 16, living on
the dirty, mean streets ofBhol-
academics, especially theologians and historians, and is thus more literate Hailaker(An arcane metropolis far from
Ahuxat) when he found the Temple and,
than most cities of it's day. Enough of the city can read, in fact, that it with the fanaticism of youth,
immediately began his pilgrimage to
supports a newsletter which is printed on cloth scrolls in the tapestry Ahuxat. On this adventure he became an
quarter on a weekly basis. It is printed by the action of a wooden wheel educated man, learning first navigation
and skills for survival, then arithmetic,
that is painstakingly carved each week in order to produce regular text writing, and hedge magic, met many
famous heroes and survived encounters
on the scrap cloth of a few of the mills as it is pulled through a with many villainous beasts, and even
met the great love of his life, although
machine by hand, and then cut and sold to citizens and travelers alike. she refused to convert to the Temple
The press also produces pamphlets for the Temple of the Returning Sun, and he has not seen her in years, even
though he has since arriving in Ahuxat
which can provide information on the prophecies surrounding Ahuxat. has lost his faith. He is an energetic
man and will enjoy telling his tale, but
remains silent on the exact
Archives: Ahuxat's printing press also circumstances of his lost love.
maintains it's own archive, thousands of
scrolls organized by month and year going
back the whole 15 years that it has been in N PC : Gabe Dade is the mute archivist of the Ahuxat His
name is the result of his lifelong deafness and it's
operation, and also produces replicas of
ancient handwritten texts related to the
Temple and it's auguries.
affect on his ability to speak. He is almost unintelligible
to most people, and constantly wears an air of serenity
that makes those who try to communicate with him
quite uneasy. He has memorized the catlogue of the
A
The Archive is on the third floor of the archive and can take the characters immediately to
any record contained in the archive that they can
press building and has windows on only one adequately identify.
side. The scrolls are placed in cabinets
marked with their year and closed with
thick, green silk curtains to protect them
from harmful light.
14
 The Mission
Probable Timelin e
It is very likely that
this adventure will
take several sessions
to complete. In-game
time it should take
between one and
three months in the
depths of the old city
Client: The Player Characters are contacted by the Temple of the Returning Sun seeking the mystic
artifact that they
through the junior evangelist and deacon Chuck Dysart. Those who are not have been sent for.
members of the temple are offered financial reward, but members are considered
to have a holy duty to confront this problem.

Objective: The PC's are charged with the task of recovering one of many buried
artifacts concealed in the catacombs and old city of Ahuxat. There are seven
candidates that may be this item, but it's exact nature will be unknown until it
is discovered, but it will give off an unmistakable magical aura. R e ward:
The Temple can grant
many wishes, if the
Objective Briefing: The recovery of Holy Location Briefing: The city of Ahuxat has players earn it's favor
Artifacts belonging to the Temple of the been built directly on top of the unfilled by completing their
Returning Sun isn't just a practical concern, remains of 3 other cities, all also named mission successfully.
Advances will not be
but also a holy ritual that they believe they Ahuxat. Periodically, the Temple of the given to players, but
must perform when they encounter a great Returning Sun sees fit to build an ever the Temple can
evil. It is for this reason that they hoard greater temple to their sun god, and an ever attempt to influence
and conceal mystical treasures capable of greater vault in which to hide their shop owners by
banishing evil influences, even from dangerous hoard. By design, this results in a exercising it's own
discretion with regard
themselves, in the belief that they must be labyrinth of abandoned underground to tariff enforcement.
found only by those who are worthy of the buildings joined only by rodent-tunnels, long
honor of wielding a sacred weapon. One of disused aqueducts, and the remains of
the Temple's seven most important artifacts, covered streets.. This labyrinth is dangerous
hidden deep below the city of Ahuxat, has and forbidden to enter, although the casual
been reactivated and the PC's have been explorer would soon find himself lost beyond 15
chosen to recover it. hope if he attempted to plunge the depths.
 Th e Cataco mbs
Nearer the surface than the sewers are

Into the Depths

the underground roads that make up
the catacombs. These catacombs are
serviced by two iron golems programed
for waste control. It would be best to
simply avoid them altogether, as they
will identify the PC's as waste and
attempt to remove them. If attacked,
they will retaliate with incineration
beams composed of sunlight.
Describing the Dungeon: This dungeon takes the players Th e S ewe rs
through the top three layers of discarded city ruins that the The sewers run beneath the catacombs
city of Ahuxat has been built upon, a labyrinth of disused and and contrary to their name, they
actually do not carry much waste. They
obsolete structures called the Old City. As a result, there will be do, however, harbor an unusual ecosystem
three different styles of architecture based on the depth below of fungi and subterranean animals.,
which glow and can be easily harvested
the surface of the structure the players are exploring, with as perfunctory light sources. On this
greater depth indicating older buildings. layer they probably will have only non-
violent encounters with wildlife.
O ld City Top Old City -1
The first layer of deserted ruins that the The second layer of the old city is almost two Old City - 2
players encounter is also the most recent centuries old and is the second most recent When the players escape the second layer of
version of Ahuxat beneath the currently version of Ahuxat. These buildings were made the old city, they will have to try and find a
occupied city. On this layer of the old city of brick, and were not filled in, rather they way to keep from being followed by the
buildings are constructed primarily of became the basements of next version of the hostile undead. If they cannot, they will be
plaster and brick, and if the PC's look out old city. In this era, the destitute were chased into the darkness of the third layer
the windows, they see that this layer is housed underground in what shortly became of the Old City. These buildings were
almost completely buried in a blend of sand damp, close caves prone to spreading disease. constructed of wood and plaster and this
and clay that the Temple used to create a Between these buildings the streets have layer was the first city that bore the name
new surface for the new city. become earthen tunnels that range in size Ahuxat. This layer was covered with a
In this layer of the old city, normally from a crawlspace to a cavern, although some geodesic dome by the Temple before it was
harmless pests have adapted to a dark of them are collapsed. buried, leaving it in near pristine condition
environment where food is scarce. Almost all In this layer of the old city the spirits of and making it the perfect repository for
animals are carnivorous and of unusually the people who were forced to live in the their artifacts.
large size, and they have a 30% chance of basements of Ahuxat are restless and angry. On this layer of the old city the
being hungry enough to attack. In order to These shades are likely to be dangerous to atmosphere is quite spooky, and the players
exit this layer, you will have to find an those who explore the dungeon and the are being watched by the very incarnate evil
entrance to the next layer of the old city ability to rebuke the undead will be very that they have been hired to defeat.. They
inside one of the old city buildings, since the useful. The spirits will be in the form of will need to search the underground
streets have been filled with sand and clay. corporeal and incorporeal undead. buildings and find the Artifact.

16

Entrances
Entrances: There are two entrances to
the old city that the players may use,
each located in one of the two layers of
crisscrossed infrastructure, the
Catacombs and the Sewers. The
Catacombs are easier to access, and can
be reached through 12 refuse grates
located on major street corners in the
Temple Market and near the Blue
Cockatrice. Through the catacombs one
can gain access to the sewer, and
through the sewer enter the Old City.
However, if the players investigate they
find rumors of a place that provides
direct access to the sewers and they
may be able to track down someone who
knows where this location is.
Expanding the Dungeon: The players have a
sense of where to go based on the magical
emanations of the artifact that they must
retrieve, and therefore will probably not
explore much of the Old City, but rather take
as direct a route as they possibly can.
Through the Catacombs: The obvious route to the
sewers, and then the old city is through the waste-
control catacombs located in the Temple Market.
These catacombs have 12 points of entry and are
illuminated naturally with wire grates through
which waste is also dumped. The Catacombs are
patrolled by two iron golems armed with
disintegration rays, which they will use to eliminate
whatever they find in the tunnels. The players will
be instructed to avoid combat with them, and
indeed it would be wise.
Finding the Cave: Should the players become aware
of the fact that the sewers can be accessed
directly, they may wish to seek out the entrance.
Quite a few people may be aware of it's presence, as
it lies directly along one of the trade routes to the
south of the city and is less than a single day's
journey away. The flora is quite lovely and although
there are no formal maps, they may be able to hire
a guide, or get directions. When they find the
mouth of the cave, use entrance B on Page 18.
NPC's: Perhaps the quickest way to discover a
way to the Sewer Cave Entrance is by
talking to those who explore or enjoy it's
luminescent flora. Among these are Abraham
Rappo, Zalim, and almost any young person in 17
the Casbah with a romantic interest.
 Calculate Alternate Endings
This page is omitted from the preview of this adventure. It contains only information about
determining the course of the quest after the Artifact is identified and retrieved. Since this
preview does not possess most of this material Through the
and the infCatacombs:
ormation on this page contains serious
spoilers. So it's not in the preview. If you're printing this out, just go ahead and leave this page
off. Save some ink, conserve resources, and all that.
Entrances: T
Rock on,
Daniel Koksal

18
 Finding the Cave
The Sewer Cave: The Sewers under
Ahuxat were partly formed from a
natural limestone cave, which flooded 4.
into a the Old City. It has an incredible
array of bioluminescent fungus and 6.
microorganisms, as well as being home to 1. 8.
2. 5.
some unique varieties of larger fauna.
The cave is very damp, and there are 11.
3. 9.
puddles of clear water on much of the 7.
floor, making it slippery and possibly 10.
affecting the player character's
movement, balance, or coordination.
7. The water in this spring seems
Features:
Random Encounters: 1. The entrance to the cave mouth is
warmer than in the others, and
radiates with magic. It will stay
1. Glowing Dire Rat: This giant rat is immune to the effects of long, but only about two feet tall. It is
Carnivorous Moss. It rolls around in the moss to give become sticky, on luminous for 1d4 weeks.
partly concealed by tall grass. 8. This cool pool of water seems to
order to catch the bugs that comprise it's diet. 2. This warm spring hosts a large
2. Giant Beetle: This beetle is of prodigious size, being almost one and a contain more microorganisms than the
number of bioluminescent microbes. It other.
half feet long. It is is aggressive, and will attack with pincers or by is not safe to drink.
stunning prey with a foul spray. 9. This tiny corner of the cave has
3. The floor here is covered in sticky, little illumination. Seeing the secret
3. Carnivorous Moss: This glowing moss covers much of the floor. It is glowing moss. It catches bugs in order
stick and secretes a strong acid that will damage flesh as soon as it door from across the lake is extremely
to gain nutrients it uses in lieu of difficult.
dissolves footwear. sunlight.
4. Giant Vampire Bat: This giant bat is distinct from other vampire bats 10. By opening this grate, the PC's can
4. These giant mushrooms glow in the access the first layer of the Old City
in that it is actually descendant from a vampire and a normal bat. It's dark. If exposed to the spores for too
favored prey is human. directly.
long they become hallucinogenic in 11. This takes the PC's to the East
5. Stalagmite Fall: 1d4 squares into the PC's movement, a stalagmite comes humans.
loose from the ceiling and falls toward one of the players. He must dodge it Sewer(PG. 21).
5. The cave here is blocked by a pool of
or take crushing damage. indeterminate depth.
6. Geyser: 1d4 squares into the PC's movement, a tiny geyser of steam
erupts from the floor. If the PC fails to dodge the hot steam, it deals a
small amount of heat damage.
6. The water in this pool is safe to
drink. 19
 Features:
1. The easiest way to

The Catacombs
enter the catacombs is
through one of the
sloping garbage chutes.
These are slick steel
slides which link with
raised wells on the
streetcorners of the
Temple Market.
2. It seems that the
Golem's disintegration
beam is less effective
The Catacombs: Dug into the mud, first, against non-solid waste.
then turned by magic into stone, the If any of the players
can endow a protective
Catacombs of Ahuxat are the Temple 3. 4. device with the
properties of a liquid,
Market's system for managing waste. The 1. they reduce damage
from the disintegration
merchants and consumers in the market beam.
may drop large, solid waste down any of 2.
3. This pile of rubbish
may have something
8 chutes which are located at the major valuable or useful in it.
4. This pile of rubbish
market streetcorners, or by dumping 6. contains a great deal
recently discarded food.
smaller waste or liquids through iron Tourists are so
grates in the street which can be wasteful.
5. This barrel is filled
walked across safely. The waste is then 5. with Aqua Regia, and
fitted with metal
disintegrated by two Iron Golems who contacts. It comprises a
are programmed to destroy anything battery with which
the golems may charge
that they find in the catacombs. their
beams.
disintegration
In the center of the catacombs, the 6. The ladder leading to
the sewer is covered
PC's can find service ladders that will by a steel grate which
take them down into the bioluminescent is bolted down. It will
take 1d6 rounds to
sewers. unscrew the bolts, and
the golems will bolt it
back down if the
NPC's: The catacombs of Ahuxat are patrolled by two iron Golems armed with disintegration players abandon it for
beams. These golems follow three patterns. Most of the time, they simply circle the too long.
catacombs on opposite sides, destroying trash as they come across it. However, if they hear
motion, they are programmed to travel toward it, usually enough to frighten animals away
before they are disintegrated. Lastly, they follow a self-defense pattern, but will hold off
attacking an organism for one cycle in order to give it a chance to leave the catacombs. 20
They possess no intelligence or capacity to make decisions other than within these patterns.

The Sewers
East Section: Accessible by the cave
entrance to the sewers south of
Ahuxat, the East Section of the Sewer
has a huge, beautiful underground
freshwater lake that is home to many
of the sewer's famous bioluminescent
organisms. The PC's cannot help but wait
a moment to admire the natural
magnificence of this cave.
In addition to it's living beauty, some
parts of this cave occasionally have
loose gemstones, which wash up when
the cave floods. This makes it a
destination of a few amateur treasure-
seekers, some of whom have discovered
that even the safest of environments
must be navigated with caution and
wisdom, and some of them have
discovered it the hard way. A cruel trap
set by a poltergeist has claimed at least
one would-be adventurer already.
The PC's have a 50/50 chance of
encountering the poltergeist in what it
believes is it's own lair in the East
Sewer.
Fe atures : 4: Under this fallen boulder, you are
1: When the PC's enter the East Section alarmed to find what appears to be
of the Sewers, the first impression they the remains of a severed human arm.
get is of an eerie green twilight. This On one of the fingers there is a ring.
room is always illuminated by the light If a player puts on this ring, he
of lake organisms, reflecting off the must dodge a boulder before it pins
shiny, water-polished black stone walls. his arm to the ground.
2: This fallen stalagmite has a huge, 5: This mushroom is enormous, even
uncut ruby inside it which may have compared to the other flora of the
inherent, undirected magical energy. cave. It must be especially well-
3. Schools of large, glowing insects and nourished
strange fish are visible in the clear 6: There appears to be a large tangle
waters of this underground lake. of carnivorous moss blocking the way.
1. 6.
3.
2. 5.
4.
N PC : Racketing Thomas is a legendary poltergeist to the locals, who stalks the
caravans to in the territory south of Ahuxat. Although he has been defeated many
times, if he is destroyed he is brought back into existence in 1d6 days be the power of
his own legend, and it is for this reason that he is such a vicious spirit, believing that
the impact of his violence will force people to remember him. There has, in fact, been a
bounty posted for anyone who can find a way to capture or permanently destroy this
poltergeist before he causes any more harm. If the PC's defeat him, he can easily be
imprisoned in the ruby that they discovered by anyone with the ability to craft
magical objects(even only temporary ones.) This will result in a large bonus from the
Fat Man or Nebrossa at the Blue Cockatrice.
21
 The Sewers
West Section: Accessible by the East
Section of the cave, or by the ladders in
the catacombs, the West Section of the
Sewers of Ahuxat are considerably more
treacherous than the east. Several
mutant beasts, affected by the ghosts
in the old city, are likely to attack the
PC's and near the entrance to the old
city the floor is noticeably weak, and
will collapse within 1d6 rounds of
increased weight application. Exit
Random Encounters: 3.
1: Wild Gnome: The ancestor of the sentient gnome, the wild gnome is to
the gnome what the monkeys and apes are to a human. They are more
scared of you than you are of them, but will defend their burrow.
2: Shroomitator: This particular wild gnome is larger than the rest
and has what looks like a mushroom growing out of the top of his
head. He has rudimentary powers of illusion and may attempt to delay 4.
the PC's if he sees them as a threat, allowing the mushroom spores to
incapacitate them.
3: Dire Toad: This creature likes to wallow in the mud puddles around
this section of the cave and prey upon giant beetles, who's population
they keep in check. They are not aggressive.
4: Moss of the Ancients: This patch of carnivorous moss has gained a H igh S po re C on ce ntratio n: This room has an exceptionally
degree of intelligence by it's continued exposure to the giant large number of giant mushrooms and therefore, a high
mushroom spores. It cannot move quickly, but when it senses prey it concentration of the hallucinogenic spores. When the PC's enter
can cause the mushrooms to release their spores more rapidly in order this room, roll 2d8 to determine how many rounds until each of
to incapacitate it's food. If a 4 is rolled, it detects you and the PC's them must start actively resisting(Through physical stamina or
succumb to the mushroom spores twice as fast.
5: Wandering Undead: One of the undead from the old city, most likely a willpower at the player's discretion) the effects of the spores in
order to navigate the cave. After failing to resist 3 times, the PC
ghost, has wandered into the sewer. The restless spirit attacks the
PC's.
6: Roll to confirm with another 6. if the players have not already
curls up into the fetal position and giggles until he is removed
from the presence of the spores for at least 10 minutes. If all
22
defeated Racketing Thomas, he attacks them and attempts to violently the PC's succumb, they will be eaten by carnivorous moss.
force them into the old city.