Rasskarth’s tomb-18: The Chamber of Reflected Reverence

Deep beneath the swampy expanse of the Fens of Tor lies a forgotten crypt, hidden for centuries and shrouded in darkness. This chamber is pivotal in unlocking the tomb of the Great Lizard King, Rasskarth, who remains trapped in a pocket dimension, awaiting his liberation. The room exudes an ominous stillness, broken only by the faint drip of water echoing off the cold stone walls.

Rasskarth’s Tomb

The Chamber of Reflected Reverence is an intricately designed crypt filled with ancient artistry that hints at the reverence once held for the Great Lizard King.

• Dimensions: The room is circular, with a diameter of 60 feet, its walls carved from dark green stone veined with a faintly glowing, moss-like substance.
• Centerpiece: At the center of the room lies a shallow, rippling pool of water, its surface impossibly smooth except for the faint movements caused by the party’s arrival. The pool seems to shimmer unnaturally, its depths revealing fleeting glimpses of the Great Lizard King, his fierce visage silently watching.
• Statues: Arranged in a loose circle around the central pool are six statues of lizardfolk high priests, each intricately carved in lifelike detail. The statues are aged and weathered but exude an aura of power and devotion.

Key Details for the Encounter

The Statues

Each statue stands at 8 feet tall, carved from a slick black stone that gleams faintly in the torchlight.

Postures and Features

• Each high priest is depicted in a unique pose—some with arms outstretched, others kneeling or holding ceremonial items.
• All six statues are adorned with elaborate jewelry carved into the stone, representing their status.

Orientation

The statues currently face inward, all gazing toward the central pool. However, their reflections in smaller surrounding puddles of water depict them facing in entirely different directions.

The Reflections

The puddles scattered across the floor act as mirrors, providing the key to the room’s puzzle.

• Subtle Clue: Observing the reflections in the puddles shows the statues in positions that differ from reality, facing outward in seemingly random directions.
• Insight Check (DC 12): A successful check reveals that the reflections' orientations must align with the actual positions of the statues.

The Pool Portal

The central pool is more than just water—it is the planar window that holds the Great Lizard King.

Visuals in the Pool

As the adventurers draw near, they see Rasskarth within the water, his massive, coiled body shifting slightly as his glowing reptilian eyes watch them.

• Faint runes: carved into the pool’s edge glow intermittently, pulsing with energy as the adventurers interact with the room.
• Magical Aura: Detect Magic reveals transmutation and planar conjuration magic emanating from the pool.

The Puzzle: Aligning the Statues

Mechanics of the Puzzle

Each statue can be physically rotated, but they are heavy (requiring a DC 13 Strength check per rotation). The adventurers must align the statues’ positions to match their reflected orientations in the puddles of water scattered across the room.
Clues

• A successful Investigation Check (DC 14) reveals faint grooves on the floor beneath each statue, showing they were designed to rotate.
• Arcana Check (DC 12): Provides insight into the reflections’ magical nature, suggesting their importance.

Failure Consequences

• Rotating a statue into the wrong position causes a wave of magical energy to lash out, dealing 1d6 force damage to everyone within 10 feet.
• After three incorrect rotations, a spectral guardian shaped like a lizardfolk warrior emerges to defend the room (AC 15, HP 20).

Reward: Opening the Portal

When all six statues are aligned to match their reflections:

• Activation: The runes surrounding the pool glow brilliantly, and the water’s surface shifts from reflective to translucent, revealing a swirling portal.
• The Great Lizard King’s Release: The planar prison weakens, and Rasskarth’s voice echoes through the chamber, ancient and commanding:

"You have awakened my dominion. The world shall once more tremble beneath my claws!"

Immediate Effects

• The room begins to rumble as the portal solidifies, offering a clear path to the Great Lizard King’s tomb beyond.
• The adventurers face a choice: confront Rasskarth now or retreat to prepare for the final battle.

Adventure Hooks and Variations

• Time Pressure: The portal begins to close after 10 minutes, forcing the adventurers to make quick decisions.
• Complication: One of the statues is damaged or immovable, requiring creative solutions like repairing it with magic or substituting a party member in its position.
• The Voice in the Pool: As the adventurers work on the puzzle, Rasskarth attempts to manipulate them telepathically, offering power or wealth in exchange for his freedom.

This encounter combines an atmospheric puzzle with significant stakes, blending exploration, problem-solving, and potential combat to immerse the players in the unfolding story of the Fens of Tor.

Rasskarth’s Tomb by 3orcs

Type

Room, Secret, Chamber

Owner

Sess'innek