Overview
Also known as the “Endless Maze”, Neverneath is the magically protected catacombs of Castle Never, built to maintain the structural integrity of the castle and to protect the Vault of the Nine. Oozes now infest the maze, and see adventurers as opportunities for fresh meals.
The maze is a dry and located deep under Castle Never. The presence of the oozes keeps the halls very clean and sterile. A lack of moisture and insects makes the maze an almost clinical place. The magic used to carve the maze gives the walls a seamless, smooth texture throughout. The maze is mostly dark, though a phosphorescent fungus that grows in dry environments flourishes in sections where it can find nutrients, such as in the presence of oozes or near the bodies of their victims.
General Features
The Treasures
In the past, many wizards have attempted to navigate through the maze. Four of them met their fate in the ancient maze, and although the oozes have destroyed most of what they carried, some of it still remains. A treasure chest on the map without a number indicates a pile of 4d6 x 10 gp.
The Monsters
Oozes infest the maze. A skull on the map without a number indicates 1d4
ochre jellies. In addition, every 200 feet adventurers travel brings a 10% change of encountering two
ochre jellies.
Areas of the Maze
1. Gelatinous Cube
The
gelatinous cube at the end of this hallway has consumed a large clump of phosphorescent fungus. This fungus floats in the center of the cube, giving off a faint glow and acting as bait for an unwary adventurer. The cube is invisible until touched, which gives the “floating” glowing clump the look of magical significance.
2. Brekken the Deceased Wizard
Brekken was one of the most recent adventurers to be claimed by Neverneath. He fell victim to its denizens, who have stripped him of both his possessions and flesh. All that remains are his bones and a small metal
scroll case clutched in his skeletal fist. The case contains a
speak with dead spell scroll.
3. Jaynsen the Deceased Wizard
Jaynsen was a Red Wizard who battled with another adventurer in area and defeated him, but at the cost of his own life. He still wears scraps
of his red robes and his body has become desiccated and nearly mummified by the environment of the maze. His personal effects are rotting away and the only useful item he possesses is the necklace around his neck, a
necklace of fireballs.
4. Drusilla the Deceased Paladin
Scattered bones and half melted, misshapen armor are all that remain of Drusilla, a paladin who died fighting Jaynsen. Her armor used to be
plate armor of etherealness, which she used to help her move through the maze. However, due to her battle with Jaynsen, the armor is now useless.
5. The Pit
The hallway ending at area 5 leads to the pit where a
black pudding makes its home. The room is a natural chamber about 40 feet wide, and some of the walls have collapsed. In the center of the room is a 10-foot deep pit with a 10-foot radius where the black pudding rests. Unlike the rest of the maze, this room is wet, dank and has fungus growing throughout it. The black pudding waits for creatures to enter or fall into the pit before attacking.
6. The Urn
At the end of this hallway sits a large stone urn, unsealed with the lid lying on the ground beside it. The urn is decorated with indecipherable runes, made up of very loose, flowing shapes that look almost naturally occurring. The urn contains a small one way portal linking to the Slime Pits, the layer of the Abyss that
Juiblex dwells on. The urn is the source of the
oozes within the maze. Every so often, an ooze slides through the portal, filling the urn. When adventurers come upon it, the urn is filled with an
ochre jelly. A successful DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check determines the urn's true nature.
7. Fadith the Deceased Cleric
Fadith was an acolyte who was killed by a
ochre jelly before it was driven off. His body has acidic burns over most of it, and his clothing is still damp from his encounter. He still clutches a
find traps spell scroll and wears a
ring of mind shielding on his burned and bloodied hands.
8. Nula the Deceased Sorcerer
r
Nula found the maze somewhat recently and ventured into the maze without preparation and nearly made it to the portal room before being attacked and succumbing to wounds. Her body and bones have been picked clean other than a silver necklace set with gems, worth 250 gp.
9. Portal Room
This large room is split by a 20-foot deep chasm. A makeshift bridge made of hastily nailed-together planks crosses the chasm near its narrowest point. Adventurers may either jump the chasm with an successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check or cross the bridge with a
successful DC 15 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. If they fail, they fall 20 feet, take 2d6 damage, and must climb to the top. Across the chasm, eight ornate pillars stand in a circle around a glittering green portal that leads to area 1 of The Vault of the Nine.
Comments