The Source

The Chaldean Archives (by Eldritch Fields)¹ was one of the adventures that were used to playtest Into the Dungeon: Revived.

The Conversion

The questgiver will pay 10s for each recovered clay tablet.

Contents

• Entrances
• Courtyard
• Chapel area
• The main chapel room
• Chapel storage rooms
• Archive area
• Main archives (North part)
• Main archives (West part)

Entrances ↩

South entrance

• Covered by rubble.
• Noticeable if the area is explored closely.
• Easily cleared if noticed.

East entrance

• Clearly visible.
• A nomad tribe camp is set next to it.

Nomad camp

• 6+2d6 nomads lead by Sardar, who tells wicked ghost stories.
• Never delve deep into ruins, except Courtyard.
• Don't let anybody in, unless payment or reason is provided.

Nomad

STR 12, Armour 1 (light), 4hp, scimitar (d6+d4), bow (2d4), Warrior.

Sardar

STR 14, Armour 2 (light+shield), 8hp, ancient sword (d8+d6, 1h), bow (d4+d6), Proven Warrior, Hawk (STR 8, WIL 8, d6 Claws).

Courtyard ↩

Open area that grants access to the various parts of the complex.

• Storage rooms:
  • Grouped around the Courtyard.
  • Many broken clay vessels. Their ancient content (sesame oil and honey) coalesced into d4 deadly Oozes.

Ooze

WIL 3, 8hp, pseudopods (d6 to all adjacent), immune to bludgeoning attacks, slow, adhesive (STR Save or be disarmed after attacking in melee).

• Each Ooze holds d100p worth in assorted items and coins.
• One Ooze holds an ancient faience amulet (if worn, grants Advantage on WIL Saves against Spells).

Chapel area ↩

Entered from the west side of the Courtyard, through a small vestibule.

• The entrance is flanked by stone reliefs, depicting two winged genies with human heads.
• The genies each hold a small container and raise a pine cone towards the entrance.
• In the vestibule there is a locked chest, containing:
  • 2d6 gilded pine cones (worth 10s each)
  • a small container with a sweet smelling oil (enough for d8 smears)
  • silver cups and plates worth 1g total.
• To pass through the door, one must be first anointed with the sweet oil.
• Anybody not anointed is struck by searing light from the toppled statue in the next room for d12 damage.

The main chapel room ↩

• Toppled statue of a male divinity, opposite the entrance. Heavy (combined Strength of 40+ to move).
• If restored to its original upright position, an otherwise invisible compartment opens in its base, containing:
  • a gold bar worth 10g
  • the personal Seal of the High Priest:
    • small cylinder seal
    • depicts a nude hero battling a bull-man
    • can be used to open containers safely in the Archive area
    • provides protection against the Bull-Man

Chapel storage rooms ↩

Guarded by a Bronze Bull-Man. If shown the Seal of the High Priest, bows and does not attack.

Bronze Bull-Man

STR 18, 7hp, Armour 2, 2d8 Fists, immune to magic.

Grapple: pass a DEX Save or be Restrained and take d12 Damage each subsequent turn until a successful STR or DEX Save. Creatures with STR lower than 18, make their Saves at Disadvantage.

Treasure:

• 2d4 votive statues:
  • worth d100s each
  • combined Strength of 25+ to move
• d4 pieces of furniture decorated with gold and ivory:
  • worth d6 x 50s each
  • combined Strength of 15+ to move

Archive area ↩

Entered from the north side of the Courtyard, through a small vestibule.

• The entrance is flanked by stone reliefs:
  • When first seen, there are 4 winged genies with bird heads and vicious beaks.
  • The head of one of them was damaged.
  • When the spectators turn away, the three undamaged genies disappear from the reliefs.
  • These three active winged genie guardians will then invisibly stalk and attack the intruders at the most convenient moment.
  • The genies have to be defeated, or, alternatively, their stone slabs can be broken (by at least two blows dealing 4 or more damage each). If a slab is broken, the corresponding genie disintegrates.

Winged Genie Guardian

DEX 15, Armour 2, 6hp, 2d8 Wings, d10 Beak, limited flight (long jumps).

Main archives (North part) ↩

• Myriads of clay shards.
• For each ten minutes spent searching, d20 complete clay tablets can be salvaged, up to a total of 100.
• The tablets contain economical records, hymns, epic stories, and historical annals.

Main archives (West part) ↩

• Five limestone chests:
  • Each chest is sealed with wax with the imprint of a cylinder seal (nude hero battling a bull-man).
  • If the wax is broken, the perpetrator takes d8 damage and must succeed on a WIL Save or the word THIEF in ancient cuneiform is burnt into their forehead.
  • A person holding the Seal of the High Priest from the Chapel area can break the wax without any consequences.
  • Each chest holds d12 complete clay tables, containing descriptions of rituals and hymns.
  • Every fifth tablet from this room is also a random Spell "scroll".

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