Crypt of the Netherese Mage

BACKGROUND

One of the Key shards is still with the Wizard that created this particular Arcane Obelisk. He was onboard one of the flying cities of Netheril which crashed into the distant continent of Katashaka. Overtime vines and foliage has overgrown the ruins and the mage has been entombed inside of his old quarters. The party must find the location of this tomb and get the key back. Little do they know that the influence of the key has awakened the corpse of the mage as a terrible Lich.

They can find a map to Katashaka in a major city like Neverwinter (Maskado's Maps and Legends), Waterdeep Map House or Baldur's Gate at the map makers guild or Sorcerous Sundries. The map will cost 150gp. Fa-Medve can attempt a history check DC18 to remember the way to Dutama.

ACT 1

The party arrives either in the city of Dutama or Ziracos in the Kingdom of Sirokosa to find the location of the tomb. They can investigate in the following locations:
Dutama

• The Satrap's Palace - the Satrap has no information on the ruins but knows that the mages of The Azure Spire know something. The Navigator's Guild deals with The Azure Spire regulary and may have a way inside.
• Tidebound Consortium - A large building in the Harbor district home to the merchants of the city. Oba Maroz, the Merchant General has some clues but the Tide Wizard Nofelu Gondalon or Archmage Selvara the Tidercaller, located in The Azure Spire, has the map and information on where to find it.
• The Navigator’s Guildhall - The guild of mapmakers and navigators only have information on sea routes but can point the party to The Azure Spire. For a fee of 200gp they can provide them entry through their teleportation circle.
• Azure Spire - The mages of the tower are familiar with the ruins of the old Netheril city and have made expeditions. They can offer maps to the location for 100gp and can even teleport them nearby for another 500gp. They also offer a quest to retrieve the Scepter of the Sorcerer-King inside the city ruins.

Ziracos

• The Radiant Spire - the queen is curious about these outlanders and invites them to a banquet. They learn that the ruins are known to the crown but they're not quite sure where they are. She is sure that the mages in the Aerie will know more about it and she can ask the court wizard to teleport them into the building.
• The Ebon Bazar - a merchant can be found that knows the mages in The Obsidian Aerie have brought back strange magical artifacts. He only knows that the mages get in and out on their flying creatures.
• The Tideguard Fortress - headquarters of the elite Tideguard. The Lord-Captain will know that the mages in the Aerie will probably know more about this. He offers a flying ship to go to the Aerie.
• The Shadowmarket - the underbelly of the city and home to the pirates. They will try to convince the party that they know the location but will try to scam them.
• The Obsidian Aerie - the mages know where this is located and can offer the map for 200gp and can offer a ride on one of their Winged Terrors (pterodactyls) for 500gp. They will also offer a quest to retrieve the scepter of the sorcerer-king.

ACT 2

They start their trek through the jungles or teleport into the Ruins of Xyntalhus. They encounter a vast complex of overgrown ruins with many doorways leading to subterranean rooms and caverns. The ruins are invested with undead and monsters. They can do the following:

1. Explore the ruins to find the location of the Crypt with Survival checks DC17
2. Go into the buildings and explore until they find an ancient magical map.
3. Go after the Scepter of the Sorcerer-King located in the center of the ruins.

Once they defeat the Lich Thalaxyr Vos or persuade him to hand over the shard of the key they can leave. The Sorcerer-King has been slain already and the scepter has been carried off deeper into the jungle and is held by the druid Yevef Sandru and it will take 1 year before he can reconstitute himself from his phylactery.