|
One Thousand years ago, the Mad Archmage Zaxion used his stolen wealth to build himself a great fortress. He named the fortress Everlasting. Paranoid that someone would steal his gold, he made deals with all manner of creatures to guard his treasure (except for dragons who would likely steal it for themselves).
100 years after the fortress was built, Zaxion died. Without his heavy hand to maintain control, the creatures set upon themselves to claim the treasure. Even though many tried to find it, none ever found the treasure. It was rumored that Zaxion had used all his wealth to build the fortress. The fortress was abandoned and forgotten.
Nine hundred years later, a merchant caravan was attacked. When found, only the master was still alive. He whispered one word before he died: Everlasting. Clutched in his left hand was map showing a castle surrounded by a forest and some rivers. The map appeared to be many years old. In his right hand was a locket. Inside the locket was a young woman with long red hair and an older gentleman with white hair and a read goatee. Most significant was the coat of arms on the back side: a stylized phoenix facing a sphinx - the symbol of Zaxion.
Rumors started to spread that Zaxion's treasure had been found. Many tried to find it. Most returned with nothing to show for their troubles. Some were battered and bruised and with party members missing. A few never returned at all.
One returned quite mad. He said he had found the treasure, but when questioned he would either laugh, cry, or moan in terror.
The castle:
Surrounding the castle is a moat. A large stream constantly feed water into the moat, but it never overflows. Swimming in the moat is a school of piranha.
The outer walls are thirty feet tall and 1000 feet long. There is a 40 foot tower each of the 4 corners and gate in the middle of the east wall. Each tower can be accessed by the top of each wall and from the courtyard.
The courtyard contains a smithy, stables and a 2 story guard house.
The castle is 3 stories tall with 3 towers. The main entrance is on the south side and the delivery entrance is on the west side.
The first floor has 30 rooms including the kitchen, great hall and dining room. The rooms are 15-20 feet tall.
The second floor has 23 rooms including the master bedroom and guest rooms. The rooms are 10-15 feet tall
The third floor has 14 rooms and includes the library and a laboratory. The rooms are 10-20 feet tall.
Access to the 3 towers are on the third floor. The towers are located in the northwest, southeast and southwest. The northwest tower has 5 floors while the southeast and southwest each have 3 floors. Each floor has 1 or 2 rooms. The northwest tower contains an observatory, while the southwest tower has a windowless sealed prison at the top.
What lies under the castle, well no one knows for sure.
|
|
The gate is 40 feet tall. There is a portcullis outside and one leading to the courtyard. The controlls are located on the second floor. One foot thick iron bound doors are on the outside and open inward. There are murder holes in the ceiling between the 2 portcullises. The second floor can only be accessed from the walls. The doors are locked from the inside.
5 Humans (Fighter 1) man the gates while 3 Humans (Ranger 1) are on the second floor. Only by bribing the guards will they let someone in.
In a fight, the Rangers will only fire arrows as long as the their companions are alive. If the Fighters fall, they pour hot oil through the murder holes. 1d6 fire and 1 splash.
The Fighters are wearing leather armor and armed with a short sword. The Rangers each have a shortbow and 1d10 arrows. Each has a pouch with 1d6 sp and 1d10 cp.