RAPPAN ATHUK
Rumors & Tales

Any dungeon as famous as the Dungeon of Graves has many rumors and tales told in the taverns and halls of the towns close to it.
Below are some of the rumors your characters would have heard regarding Rappan Athuk.

A large group of dwarves recently went to look for a large gold mine said to be in the dungeon. A high priestess of Wee Jas, the goddess of magic, was turned into a statue of living rock and is entombed in the dungeon. She had a magic ring that allowed her to shape change. Her name is Akbeth. A rich gold mine awaits discovery; locate a cavern with a man-made river channel, and defeat the monsters there.
The temple of Orcus no longer exists within the dungeon. Its existence is a lie told by adventurers to keep others away. A great oracle can be found beyond a great cavern. He can tell all to anyone willing to pay his price. A great city of goblins lies deep in the complex, and they are followers of Orcus.
When his worshipers built the complex, Orcus cursed it, so that anyone who disturbs his temple will turn to evil and become slaves of darkness, never to return. Zelkor, the good wizard of old, is now an evil lich living in the upper levels of the dungeon and protecting both the evil temple and the descent into it. The entrance to Hell lies deep within a maze complex. It can be found only by swimming through a pool of water.
A great priest was entombed within the complex behind a door sealed with seven seals. If released, the powers of good would be greatly aided. The dungeon was originally a good fortress built as a base in the final fight against the Sorcerer Kings. Evil overcame the fortress' defenders. Magical black skeletons inhabit the dungeon. They are greatly feared, as clerics cannot turn them.
A powerful illusionist lives near the surface. Do not believe everything you see. He is cannibalistic and possesses great powers. On the first level resides a monster immune to everything. It is amorphous and smells terrible. The wise man flees from it. Inside a great labyrinth lies a strange mushroom that can restore youth to a human. They are blue with red spots and grow under a bridge.
Some of the tunnels dug by the giant rats of the complex lead to interesting places. Some lead nowhere. The wise man uses the underground rivers to travel through this place, though this is dangerous if the correct channels are unknown. Many men have drowned in them. Deep in the dungeon is a vast cavern housing monsters of gigantic size. A beholder 20 feet in diameter has been seen.
A magical pool leads to a wishing well. If you cast a magic item into it, you will be granted a wish. There is a corridor of solid white stone, and it is cursed. Anyone who walks its length is lost forever. On the fourth level, there are no monsters, but wondrous quantities of gems.
The caves are safer than the carved passages. The upper levels are also very tough in the carved areas. As the great mage Speigle said, "Beware of purple worms." The wise man heeds his advice In the lower levels, spells cannot be regained due to the evil powers in this place. Conserve spells on deep treks.
Solid mithril gates bar the way into a vast treasure horde, which is guarded by a lich. If one were to gain access to the cavern, one would be wealthier than the World Emperor Deep within the hill lies a pool of lava guarded by demonic lizards. If one defeats them, pure gold can be distilled from the liquid rock. Giant scorpions guard the way into the tomb of a fell king.
It is said that the paladin, Bannor, was overcome by a horde of enemies in the dungeon. His mighty holy sword, Gurthdurial, is rumored to have been lost in the Hall of the Cyclops King. A new form of troll, a "swimmer", was seen to aid goblin miners in a deep cavern complex. The dungeon contains passages that connect it to the underground realms of the Evil Dark Elves.
The tomb of a fallen paladin - corrupted by the witch, Deserach - was hidden near the goblin city. Prayers to Wee Jas can sometimes be used to defeat guardians sacred to her. Kazleth, an abomination, rules as Lord of the Maze.
A demonic spider queen lurks near her pets. The goblin city's entrance lies unguarded. The goblins allow free trade with anyone who visits them. A benevolent old wizard lives near the temple of Orcus. He reportedly offer refuge to those who kill the servants of the evil one.
     

 

Page Last Updated Monday, April 29, 2002