A Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition Adventure Module

Thirty two years ago, Zelligar the Unknown and Rogahn the Fearless
led a mercenary army into the Maerthwatch Mountains to crush their
hated enemies - the barbaric Orgahn Tribes - never to be heard from
again. It is said that a great treasure is hidden somewhere in the
depths of their abandoned underground fortress. Do you have what it
takes to find it?

A 15-20 hour adventure for

5-7 characters of 1st to 3rd level

by ALZARIAN CRIMSON

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©2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC, PO Box 707, Renton, WA 98057-0707, USA. Manufactured by Hasbro SA, Rue Emile-Boéchat 31, 2800 Delémont, CH. Represented by Hasbro Europe, 4 The Square,
Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB11 1ET, UK.

©Alzarian Crimson, 2016

In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 1

In 1979, TSR released its
introductory 1st Edition Basic
Dungeons & Dragons adventure module
B1 In Search of the Unknown (“ISotU”).
The module was written by Mike Carr
and still is, in my humble estimation,
one of the best examples of early
D&D’s greatness.
Yet, despite its many virtues, ISotU
does not provide the dungeon master
(“DM”) with a complete, readymade
adventure. This is partly because
the author designed the module to
double as a beginner’s crash course
in game design. The original upper
level map key provides a wealth of
item detail and some nice interactive
problem solving but, with only minor
exceptions, the author omitted all
creatures and treasures in an effort
to inspire the fledgling DM to
develop his or her creativity in
customization. The map key entries
for the bottom level are particularly
light on content.
Other omissions exist as well. For
example, TSR released this module
before adopting the convention of
using “boxed text” for room
descriptions. The DM had to spend a
fair amount of time in advance
learning the contents of each chamber
in order to provide fluid and
compelling story details for the
players during the game.
As a consequence, ISotU is a
difficult adventure to run “out of
the box” and requires considerable
preparation to reach its potential.
If you have heard negative comments
about this module, most likely it is
this need for additional
customization that is to blame.
I hadn’t looked at ISotU for quite
some time, but the release of D&D’s
5th Edition (“5e”) created the perfect
opportunity for me to finish and
update the module for a new group of
players. Few in this new group had
played much 1e and I’m a 1e
enthusiast. So, my main objective
was to introduce the adventure’s
iconic 1e elements while expanding on
its general feel for use in 5e.
Specifically, in constructing In
Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s
Evil (“Zelligar’s Evil”), I made sure
that the rooms retained their basic
character but I also fleshed them out
by adding detailed descriptions in
boxed text and by populating them
with new traps, worthy opponents and
a number of treasures. I also
expanded on the module’s concept and
moved the caverns’ location from the
World of Greyhawk to the Forgotten
Realms. Finally, I updated
everything to 5e. The result is the
module you now read.
Examples of newly added content
include the graphic literary handouts.
In their creation, I looked at all of
the Forgotten Realms materials I
could find containing references to
the Old Empires, regardless of D&D
edition, and attempted to synthesize
that information into one cohesive
Chessenta ‘cannon’ for my personal
use. Much of that work is not
actually included with this release
(indeed, it is not finished yet), but
served as the basis for what is.
Separately, old timers like me might
recognize veiled references to other
1e modules here and there (my
campaign world is heavily based on
this type of adventure).1
If you plan on running Zelligar’s
Evil, you may be happy to know that
you will not be the first. I
designed it for an introductory 5e
campaign using Fantasy Grounds II,
complete with newly rendered digital
maps and handouts – all of which are
included with this publication so
that you may do the same. The
enthusiastic response I got from my
players encouraged me to release
these materials with almost no
1Please see the “Disclaimer” section
at the end of this release where I
address my intellectual property
concerns.
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 2
modification whatsoever.
As to the story line, please know
that this module includes a dark
delve into the private work of an
evil necromancer. As a consequence,
casual gamers may encounter themes
they feel are disturbing in nature.
(I’m not particularly interested in
the occult, but I did try to create
an eerie environment for my players.)
The unnerving character of the
content is, of course, intentional
but a DM for casual gamers may want
to read the module before playing, so
as to avoid any surprises.
Finally, I absolutely must heartily
acknowledge and thank Mike Carr not
just for the pieces of his text that
made it into this comparatively
insignificant version of ISotU, but
also for his enormous contribution to
the fantasy role playing game
community (and my fondly remembered
childhood) with the whole of his now
quintessential 1e adventure.
Good luck! I hope that you will have
as much fun running the campaign as I
did!
Zelligar’s Evil is designed to be an
introductory quest for a brand new
group of players. This is a
Forgotten Realms adventure formally
set in the wilderness of central
Chessenta south of Luthcheq between
the Maerthwatch and Methwood in the
year 1372 (DR), Third Age. Of course,
with a little work, you can adapt it
to any time and/or locale.
Also, this is a 5e adaptation of a 1e
module. Younger players may not
realize that permanent PC death,
dismemberment, disfigurement and
disability were much more commonplace
in 1e than in subsequent editions.
Because efforts have been made to
retain the 1e feel of the original
adventure, elements of Zelligar’s
Evil might be considered unduly
“harsh” by younger players. A
warning to them in advance may be
appropriate so that they might adjust
their playstyle accordingly.
The story begins while the characters
are separately leading their lives
throughout Chessenta. Play begins
shortly thereafter in the sleepy town
of Willow Glen (not shown on any
published map of the area), which is
a quaintly appointed but forgotten
hamlet populated almost exclusively
by humans.
A young boy approaches you carrying a
collection of rolled parchments, each
bound by a red ribbon. He bows
deeply and hands you one of the
missives before running off.
Confused, you unroll the document and
see the following message.
“Attention!
Felthavian Hallowsheld of the Hamlet
of Willow Glen, State of Akanamere
South, in the Great Nation of
Chessenta shall pay the sum of One
Thousand Gold Coins standard tender
to the man or woman who shall
retrieve Zelligar’s Palimpsest from
the southern wildlands. Interested
persons must report to the Weeping
Willow Inn, Willow Glen, at 7 p.m.,
August 25, 1372 DR for
consideration.”
At this stage, you may find it
appropriate to secure the player’s
“buy-in” to the concept and to have
them commit to travelling to Willow
Glen.
The journey to Willow Glen proves to
be a long, difficult one. Having no
horse, you are forced to pay for
passage on the hard wooden wagons of
travelling performers and tradesmen
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 3
for most of the way, walking when
necessary. Your feet are blistered
and swollen, your gear wet from rain
and sweat, and your spirit is weary
by the time you reach the Weeping
Willow Inn. You have long since begun
to wonder if coming here had been a
good idea in the first place.
Along the way, however, you learn
that the name “Zelligar” has meaning
in the south. It seems that Zelligar
was a mage of some notoriety, having
assisted the people of Willow Glen
and other hamlets in the region by
turning away a fearsome tribe of
mountain berserkers a century ago. It
is said that he and his partner then
built a secret fortress somewhere in
the neighboring foothills.
Determine whether your players have
heard any rumors of the fortress
during their journey to Willow Glen.
Potential rumors include the
following:
1. An enchanted stone within the
stronghold will grant a wish
to anyone who chips off a
piece and places it within
their mouth
2. There is a trophy room in the
complex that has battle relics
and slain monster remains
3. The very walls speak to
visitors
4. The treasures of Zelligar are
safely hidden in a pool of
water
5. The complex has two levels
6. Zelligar practiced dark arts
of evil magic
7. Zelligar’s partner, Rogahn,
owned a fantastic gem as a big
as a man’s fist that was worth
over 100,000 gold pieces, kept
in his personal quarters
8. No outsiders have entered the
complex and returned to tell
the tale
9. Zelligar and his partner,
Rogahn, have returned from
death and woe to any unwelcome
visitors
10. The entire complex is filled
with guards left behind by
Zelligar and his partner,
Rogahn
11. Zelligar had a wizard’s
workshop in the stronghold
where he worked on magic
stronger than any other known
to man
12. The treasures in the
stronghold are cursed and will
bring woe to any unwelcome
visitors
You arrived at the Weeping Willow Inn
only a few short hours ago, just
managing to get there on schedule.
The bar is jammed with people of
varying sorts, many of whom have
obviously travelled from distant
places. The "invitation" seems to
have appealed largely to the dregs of
society; thugs, thieves and brigands,
by the looks of them. They are
predominantly half-orc and human,
hardened and filthy from long days on
the road. Their mood is dark, greedy
and anxious. Your eyes scan the room
warily over the brim of your cup.
One thing is clear. They don't care
much for elves.
Having already rented a room for the
night, you finish a delicious bowl of
what you hope was beef stew and lean
back to wait. A tall man steps onto
the performer's stage and raises his
right arm. In his hand, he holds a
rolled parchment bound by a red
ribbon. His arm is very thin, too
thin, and covered snugly by a black
coat sleeve, such as you might expect
to see on a mortician. His gaze
washes over the noisy room. After
pausing for a few moments, the man
clears his throat and exclaims loudly
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 4
over the din of the crowd, "It is now
seven o'clock. Please take your
seats."
Almost immediately, the room goes
silent. Another man, also dressed in
black, locks the front door. All eyes
turn to the stage as the tall man
begins to unfurl the parchment. Still
looking at the group, he begins to
speak in a deep, well-mannered voice:
"Welcome to Willow Glen. I am Wildor
Choth, adjunct to Felthavian
Hallowsheld. I shall now read aloud
the master's proclamation." He looks
at the parchment.
"In 1327, Zelligar the Unknown,
joined by Rogahn the Fearless and a
band of brave townsfolk from
Chessenta's southern hamlets waged an
epic battle of wit and might to
defeat the aggressing Orgahn Tribes
at Dinanean Pass. In gratitude for
their victory, the southern hamlets
rewarded the pair with a substantial
fortune which, when added to their
already burgeoning coffers, made them
the richest men in the south.
"It was said that their experiences
at Dinanean Pass prompted Zelligar
and Rogahn to form a partnership that
culminated with the construction of a
hidden stronghold in the foothills of
the Maerthwatch mountains. There,
under the forested hilltops, they
recruited warriors from the
neighboring regions and amassed a
fighting force that would rival a
king's guard.
"In 1340, rumor spread throughout the
south that Zelligar and Rogahn had
left their fortress to mount a full
scale military excursion into the
mountains for the purpose of
destroying the hated remnants of the
Orgahn Tribes. The following year,
whispers on the wind told that
Zelligar, Rogahn and their fighting
force were utterly destroyed in that
battle.
"Over the next 30 years, numerous
search parties ventured south to find
the stronghold, hoping to retrieve
abandoned treasure. So far, it is
believed that none have succeeded.
"Now, after 32 years of study, I have
discovered the location of this
underground garrison. However, I am
not motivated by a lust for treasure,
but by a desire for knowledge. In
the stronghold, there is, among
whatever other riches, a book that
Zelligar purportedly used to record
his research. This book, having a
name known only to history, was
referred to briefly in other texts
simply as "Zelligar's palimpsest" -
most likely called this because the
book is not a narrative, but a
working record of ongoing research.
It is a rough draft, as it were, to
be used by the author in the
composition of his final work at some
later time. But of course, later
never came for Zelligar, who lost his
life before having the chance to
finish.
"The book contains no magic, no
history, no plot. It is written in a
code that only I can decipher. In
short, the book has value only to me,
a humble historian who has made it my
life's work to understand and
chronicle this mysterious
individual's experiments. Once I
have translated the contents of the
palimpsest I shall publish all of
Zelligar's studies and place them in
the Great Library of Cimbar, where
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 5
they belong. As my invitation
states, I am willing to pay you well
- 1,000 gold coins - for the book's
delivery. And, I lay no claim on any
of the other wealth to be found in
the caves. I just want the book,
intact and in good condition. Above
all, it must be legible.
"According to my information,
Zelligar likely stored the palimpsest
in one of his laboratories, but it
could have been moved to almost
anywhere in the complex prior to his
departure. You will be given a map
before you leave. The map indicates
the location of the fortress. The
hill under which the garrison lies is
marked with a well-hidden greenish
stone tower, likely masked by an
overgrowth of trees and vines.
Again, I must stress that
compensation will only be paid for
the genuine book and only if it is
intact and legible upon delivery to
me. I wish you good luck and good
speed. *signed* Felthavian
Hallowsheld"
The man pauses, looking at the crowd.
"And now for the rules."
"This is Smitty." The man points to
the bartender. "If and when you
should return with the book, inform
Smitty. Instructions will be given
to you at that time as to how to
proceed. Please remember that Smitty
does not work for Mr. Hallowsheld and
has no information other than what I
have just given you. He will simply
send me a message when you have
returned.
"Payment will be given in the amount
of 1,000 gold coins standard tender
to the single person who hands me the
book. If you have partners or a
group, it is up to you to compensate
your companions. We shall have no
responsibility to them.
"Compensation will be given only for
the book that proves to be genuine.
I will be able to identify the
authenticity of the book when
delivered and will arrange for
compensation after.
"Now, before you go, let me give you
a few pieces of friendly advice.
"One. Keep this map secret." He
holds up a parchment. "Those who are
not eligible for the reward will have
little concern for seemingly
worthless books. Consequently, if
you have outside competition, there
is a risk that the palimpsest will go
missing or be destroyed. My master
will not take kindly to that. But,
more importantly to you, increased
competition may reduce any other
wealth you might find in the caves.
"Two. Prepare for travel
appropriately. The location of the
caves is at least a four-day journey
from here and the trails are faint,
rocky and difficult. I am told that
Smitty here has some provisions for
sale. Take advantage.
"Three. Prepare for combat. The
terrain between here and your
destination is wild. And, once you
get to the caves, you may find that
other creatures have taken residence
there.
"Four. Watch your back. There are
many here who would like to have this
reward and any other treasure for
themselves. Do not assume that
anyone in this room is your friend.
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 6

"Here ends our evening together.
Good luck."
The man gives a slight bow then steps
off the stage and through a nearby
door. The other man, standing near
the front entrance, holds a handful
of parchments with red ribbons. As
people begin to leave the building,
he hands one to each. A third man
appears and begins to pass maps to
those who are staying. He hands one
to you.
It is intended that the new PCs be
forced to meet each other in the
context of this aftermath. They
should notice other adventuring
parties around them and feel
compelled to team up with new friends.
Smitty can have as much or as little
in the way of provisions or gear as
you deem appropriate. In my game, he
had a stable outside from which he
rented horses to the PCs for a share
of the take and a payment up front.
It is recommended that you also
determine the size and character of
the competing adventuring parties as
this situation can lead to some great
roleplaying experiences and story
lines. These might even include
battles on the way to, inside or on
the way back from, the caverns.
The name of this dungeon complex is
“Quasqueton” and it was built by
Zelligar the Unknown and Rogahn the
Fearless as their home and fortress.
Zelligar’s Evil expands on the
original module’s history and makes
Zelligar the dominant figure. Upon
moving into Quasqueton, Zelligar began
to conduct horrific necromantic
experiments on human subjects. His
objective was to find a way to digest
the souls of the dead before they had
a chance to ascend to their final
resting place. By doing this, he
theorized, he would learn to magically
absorb the knowledge and power of each
victim. Once this skill had been
mastered, Zelligar had hoped to move
to stronger subjects. His ultimate
goal was to kill and absorb the power
of his patron deity, the devil
Malebranche himself.
Zelligar’s experiments led to the
concept of trapping the soul at the
moment of death in order to prevent
instantaneous ascension. To do this,
he used a magical box of his own
device that could imprison a soul
indefinitely while he could work on
ways to “digest” it.
However, Rogahn’s insistence that they
annihilate the Orgahn Tribes
interrupted his work. Zelligar was
forced to abandon experiments midway
through and as a consequence, the PCs
will find clues throughout the
adventure as to what Zelligar was up
to.
The “palimpsest” is a bound collection
of parchments on which Zelligar kept
track of his research. Because of the
obviously incriminating nature of his
work, nearly everything that Zelligar
wrote was scribed in an ingenious code
magically imbued to resist deciphering
efforts. The book will not radiate
magic and contains no spells. It was
an almost scientific record of his
studies.
You may have guessed by now that
Felthavian Hallowsheld wants this book
so that he can continue in Zelligar’s
footsteps, having discovered the
potential power to be had by
implementing these “discoveries.” It
is up to you to decide why Felthavian
could not go get the book himself and
why he chose this unusual method of
retrieving it.
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 7

Upper Level
Upper Level Wandering Monsters
1d6 Monster
1 4 Giant Centipedes
2 4 Giant Fire Beetles
3 5 Goblins
4 4 Orcs
5 3 Giant Rats
6 5 Troglodytes
Wandering monster statistics may be
found at the end of this module in
Appendix B.
Upper Level Map Key
0.1 Outside.
The heavily forested mountainside
creeps steadily upwards on either
side of the overgrown pathway before
you. Hacking at the brush, you slowly
follow your trail to a craggy
outcropping of black rock. Before
you, splitting the jagged stone wall,
yawns a dark cave opening partially
obscured by bush and vine.
0.2 Cave Entrance.
Sweeping aside the verdant growth,
you see a dark, 10 foot wide corridor
leading straight into the
mountainside. Debris covers the
ground near the entrance, but a few
feet inside, daylight reveals a floor
of evenly cut greenish stone tiles.
The walls are regularly, but not
expertly cut from a smooth, grey-
black stone. The air smells musty,
carrying a hint of decay.
0.3 Front Door.
Before you, in the growing darkness
looms a large, ornately carved wooden
door. The image portrays two men
facing each other and shaking hands.
The man on the left is older and
carries a staff. The other, a younger
bearded man, rests his hand on the
pommel of a long sword sheathed at
his belt. Near the lock and handle,
the wood of the door is bashed and
splintered. The door stands ajar.
The door has indeed been forced open.
An inspection of the lock reveals
that it was designed for a large key.
Inspecting the inside of the door
reveals that it had been barred shut
with a large wooden plank at the time
it was rammed from the outside,
indicating that the force used must
have been great. The door swings
freely inward and will gently close
of its own weight after the party has
entered.
Careful inspection reveals that the
surface of the splintered wood has a
significant patina, indicating that
the forced entry likely occurred many
years ago.
1.1 Alcoves.
A ten foot square alcove is cut from
the walls on either side of you.
Torch brackets have been mounted on
the southward facing wall of each
one. A small stool rests in each
alcove, though the stool in the east
alcove is broken and lying on its
side.
1.2 Alcoves.
A second pair of ten foot square
alcoves is cut from the walls, one on
either side of you. Torch brackets
have been mounted on the southward
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 8
facing wall of each alcove. A small
stool rests in each. Otherwise, the
alcoves are empty.
There is simply no way to open the
secret doors from this side. They
should also be undetectable unless
and until the parties have seen the
other side of at least one of the
doors.
1.21 Secret Doors.
These secret doors cannot be detected
or opened from the alcove side.
However, they are perfectly visible
on the interior side and have
automatic locking bars.
1.3 Alcoves.
Daylight is now far behind you now.
Trudging ever onward, you notice a
third set of alcoves.
As you step between the alcoves, a
giant, self-illuminated mouth appears
on the wall to either side of you.
From your left, an angry man’s voice
booms, "You should not have entered
this place!" The other mouth answers
in an older, deeper voice, "Only doom
awaits you here!" Then they both, in
unison growl, "Leave now or your soul
will be ours!"
This effect will be triggered every
time anyone passes between the third
set of alcoves. Dispel magic is
ineffective. The sound of the voices
is startling and very loud, drowning
out the voices of any party members.
The DM should make a wandering
monster roll after this, with
monsters appearing on a 1-3 on 1d6.
In addition, once the voices have
stopped, the party will hear distant,
loud screeching coming from the north.
You might consider allowing a group
of goblins from the north to collect
themselves (and their courage) to
attack the party if they linger in
area 1.4.
1.4 Battle Scene.
The stench of decay intensifies as
you ascend a shallow flight of
stairs. Your feet begin to stick to
a thick black sludge that coats the
floor. Before you rest the remains
of five individuals - obvious
casualties of a deadly battle waged
long ago.
To your immediate right, a woman
dressed in blackened and rotting
leather stands impaled against the
stone wall. Her skeletal hands grip
the rusting blade that protrudes from
her chest.
Across from the woman, leaning
against the opposing, southward
facing wall slumps the body of a tall
male, dressed in moldering robes.
His face is obscured by a bluish cowl
drawn over his head.
At your feet rests the severed arm of
a dwarven fighter, his hand still
grasping the broken handle of a
mighty battle axe. Beyond lies the
rest of the warrior, who at this late
stage is more a tangle of wiry beard
than man.
Further still, into the northward
passage is a black mound that you
deduce must have once been a small
humanoid of sorts. Now the burned
flesh appears to have decomposed into
a substance better described as mud.
A wide smear of black gore draws your
eye leftward, ending under the
flattening corpse of a man lying face
down on the cold stone. His right
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 9
arm is stretched out above his head
as if to continue his westward crawl.

If the standing corpse is touched,

the rusty sword blade will crumble
and the woman’s remains will fall to
the floor revealing a fine wooden
inlaid plaque bearing the carved name
of “Quasqueton.”
None of these figures has any items
of value. However, if the party
succee
succeeds
ds on an easy perception check,
they will see many small to medium
sized humanoid footprints in the soft
sludge – some barefoot, some booted.
The footprints lead in all directions.

2.0 Kitchen.

This room was clearly designed as a

kitchen. There are two l
large
arge cooking
pits in the southwest corner, each
large enough to roast a deer. Long
tables line each wall upon which lie
scattered containers, some upturned
with their spoiled contents seeping
out. A foul odor assaults your nasal
cavity and when your eyes ffully
ully
adjust to the scene, you notice a
particularly noxious chunk of
something atop the far table entirely
covered with green fuzz. A variety of
cooking utensils hang from the
ceiling, pieces of which lie about
the floor. There is also a large iron
kettle suspended by a thick chain
over one of the pits.
Upon entering the room, the party
will suddenly notice a pair of eyes
glinting from underneath one of the
tables.
Monster: There are 6 giant rats in
this room. The rats are hungry and
will attack for fo
food.
od.
2.1 Chewed Door.
This wooden door has a two foot hole
near the floor that appears to have
been chewed through by large teeth.
3.0 Dining Hall.
This room has been frugally
decorated. A nicely carved wooden
mantle surrounds the room, about 7
feet off the floor. The stone walls
are carved in simple yet pleasant
designs. Utilitarian wooden tables
and chairs stand throughout the room.
The room contains the musty smell of
mildew.
If room 2.0 has not yet been entered
and the door to this room is left
open,
pen, there is a 1 in 4 chance that
the giant rats from room 2.0 will
come to investigate any noises heard.

In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 10

4.0 Lounge.
This anteroom is bordered by a wall
mounted bench. Earthenware tankard
mugs hang from a row of hooks high on
one wall and many more are apparently
missing. An ale keg stands in the
northeastern corner of the room. The
stone walls are strangely textured
for an unusual effect, but are devoid
of any obvious pictures or messages.
In the center of the room stands the
ghostly shape of a woman with flowing
white robes.
The woman is in fact a life sized
marble sculpture of an ancient
goddess. The statue's depiction has
idealized features and is masterfully
rendered. It is obviously of great
value, probably in excess of 5,000
gold pieces. However because of its
immense weight, size, shape and
permanent mounting, it will be
virtually impossible to move without
a great engineering effort.
4.1 Secret Door.
This secret door operates by pressing
a stone in the wall to enter or exit.
5.0 Wizard’s Chamber.
Immediately upon opening the door,
wall mounted torches flare to life.
After a moment of shielding your eyes
from the bright shock, you can see
the room in its entirety. On the
northern wall, dominating this broad
chamber is a huge detailed stone
carving of a mighty wizard on a
hilltop casting a spell in the air
over a valley below, with an entire
army fleeing in confused panic.
In the western portion of the room
rests a large table with three
chairs. The table is covered with
various parchments, a stack of three
books, an oil lamp, a fancy quill,
ink bottle and basin, a crystal mug
and other odds and ends.
At about the center of the northern
wall stands a three-part, free
standing, decorative screen. The
screen is painted to depict a hellish
scene of torture and depravity,
apparently controlled by a demon-like
god, sitting atop a horrifically
carved throne. On either side of the
god stands a group of slaves catering
to his needs. In the background of
this macabre rendering, red and
orange flames burn savagely. To the
right of the screen is a wide wooden
dresser with six drawers supporting a
jumble of earthenware plates,
silverware and glasses. There is a
clean chamber pot on the floor to the
right.
On the eastern side, lies an ornately
carved rosewood bed. The headboard
boldly features the name "Zelligar"
highlighted in gold leaf. Due to the
bed's fine workmanship, it is
obviously an item of great value.
Next to the bed rests a rosewood
nightstand with a single drawer
punctuated by a brass pull and
keyhole, also finely carved. There is
an oil lantern on the nightstand.
Dresser Drawers:
Four of the drawers are empty. The
fifth has a few pairs of pants
obviously for a thin human male. The
sixth has a small collection of
fairly cheap costume jewelry.
Nightstand:
The drawer has a keyhole and is
trapped, DC 17 to detect, DC 10 to
disable. If the trap is not
discovered and disabled, the person
pulling the drawer open will be hit
with a poisoned needle save v. poison
DC 16. If the save is successful, no
damage is sustained. If the save
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 11
fails, the PC will suffer no physical
damage, but will experience great
pain in the hand used to open the
drawer for a period of one hour. The
pain is nearly disabling and will
prevent the PC from using that hand
in any significant way, including
holding a weapon or casting a spell.
Inside the drawer is a keyring with
seven keys, a small book bound by a
string (half filled with writing in
some kind of code) and a pair of
diamond earrings worth 200 gp.
Books:
1. A History of the Orghan Tribes.
Written in the common tongue, this
book outlines a history of the Orghan
Tribes over the last few hundred
years.
2. Herbal Remedies. Written in Elvish,
this book has pictures and
descriptions of various herbs used in
healing, along with some rudimentary
formulae for medicinal remedies. If
studied by a PC proficient in
Medicine for three hours, the user
will discover that it is possible to
use various herbal concoctions to
assist in healing. After the initial
study period, a PC in possession of
and using this book who is proficient
in Medicine can heal a patient,
including himself, by one hit point
per patient level on a successful
medicine check. This power may be
successfully used three times for
each hour spent herb hunting in the
wilderness and no more than once per
day on any one patient.
3. Blank black binding. This book is
in some form of handwritten code and
is actually one of Zelligar's diaries.
It is not decipherable by any means.
Secret Compartment:
Under the bed, there is a 2' wide
trapdoor opening onto a 2' cube pit.
Inside are two small chests. The
first chest contains 278 platinum
pieces. The second chest contains
1,459 gold pieces.
5.1 Locked Door.
This door is carved with the face of
a clean shaven human male wearing a
sheer skullcap and robes. The face's
menacing eyes are set with black
stones and its smile is unnerving.
This door is not only physically
locked, but wizard locked as well. It
can only be opened with the magic key
stone found in room 8.
6.0 Closet.
As soon as the door is opened to this
room, wall mounted torches alight
with a warm yellow glow. You
immediately see that the walls are
decorated with at least a dozen
finely painted and framed oil
canvases, each depicting some
gladiatorial themed scene. The
paintings show well-oiled muscular
bodies in contests of strength and
daring against each other or against
wild beasts. Interspersed between the
paintings are various shelves,
clothing rods and wall pegs obviously
used to house a great wardrobe of
some kind. In the northwest corner,
stand a half a dozen bolts of
colorful fabric, now old and
partially faded and moth eaten. Near
the unused fabric hang several
garments on wall pegs which seem to
be in the same condition. The rest of
the room appears to have been
thoroughly emptied, though in the
southwestern corner of the room
stands a small table with a foot-
operated sewing machine next to a
collapsed folding table leaning
against the wall.
During this period of Chessentan
history, nude battles were commonly
held as a matter of sport, so these
paintings should be interpreted as
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 12
the equivalent of expensively framed Now that the treasure has
Michael Jordan posters. The disappeared, the wall behind appears
paintings may have some nominal value
value.
. bumpy and darkly discolored as if
charred and partially melted by
7.0 Wizard’s Annex. intense heat.

As soon as the door is opened,

torches jump to life. Before you,
resting against the south wall sit
two large wooden chests, each studded
with jewels, overflowing with riches.
A pile of gold pieces is arrayed
around and within them, and scattered
among this treasure trove is an
assortment of glittering gems and
jewels.

The treasure is an illusion,

dispelled if touched. Once that
happens, the door behind them will
slam shut and lock. Small holes will
open in the stone walls along the
northward hall. Small poisonous
spiders (with 1" bodies and a red
stripe on their backs) will be
released through the holes in the
hundreds.

Monster: There is 1 swarm of s small

mall
poisonous redback s
spiders
piders per trapped
creature.
reature.

There is no keyhole on this side of

the door. (It is a mystery as to how
Zelligar himself might have exited
this room if he had inadvertently
trapped himself.) However, it can be
released with a knock spell or after
taking 50 bludgeoning damage (other
forms of damage are halved).

The spiders cannot leave this room

until the door is breached or opened.
Unless killed to the last one or
contained wit
within
hin the room, spiders
will continue to proliferate 7.1 Locked Door.
throughout the complex over time.
This ornately carved oaken door
Once the illusion is dispelled, the depicts a massive conflagration.
party will also be able to see the
true appearance of the south wall.
The lock to this door may be opened
by one of the key
keyss on the keyring

In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 13

found in the nightstand. It can also
be bashed in by taking 50 points of
bludgeoning damage (other forms of
damage are halved).
8.0 Wizard’s Workroom.
As soon as the door is opened, white
light blinks into existence. A large
stone-topped table commands the
center of this room. Atop it, lay
various books, parchments, a quill,
ink bottle, blotters, an empty
pitcher, plate, cup, colored
parchment scraps and a flat black
stone about the size of a plum. The
other three tables in this room are
mostly empty. On the southern-most
table, rests a stack of unused
parchment, special looking ink
bottles and a compartmentalized
scroll holder holding three rolled
scrolls. Four large wall mounted
cabinets hang astride the northern
door. This room appears to have been
left undisturbed.
This is Zelligar's workroom, where he
wrote most of his works. The books on
his table consist of the following:
Books:
1. On the Topic of Souls. Written in
an old form of Common, this book is
illustrated with macabre scenes of
death, decapitation and various
depictions of the soul leaving the
body.
2. The Existence of the Soul and Its
True Nature. Written in an old form
of Common, this book attempts to make
the case for the existence of the
soul and to characterize that
existence as a cluster of life-
sustaining energy.
3. Pain. Written in a more recent
form Common, this book describes
various theories of what pain is, how
it affects the body and how it
affects the soul.
4. Extradimensional Connectivity. The
contents of this book are truly
esoteric and almost unintelligible.
What can be generally discerned is
the author’s theory that a single
being’s contemporaneous consciousness
on multiple planes is possible by
splitting the essence of the soul.
5. Denial of Ascension - A Guide to
Damnation. This book is written in a
language unknown to any and radiates
evil to those who can sense it. Even
its title is indecipherable. However,
it seems that Zelligar discovered the
title, wrote it on a scrap of
parchment and inserted the parchment,
bookmark-style, into the book.
6. Untitled. Written in Common, this
book is about three quarters full of
notes, pictures, arcane symbols and
glyphs. This text is unintelligible
except for references to what might
appear to be an earlier book by the
same author entitled "Soul
Digestion."
7. Blank.
Scrolls:
1. Ray of Sickness
2. Tenser's Floating Disk
3. Ray of Enfeeblement
The ink and parchments can be taken
and used to make either Arcane or
Divine scrolls.
The black stone is carved with a
man's face grinning in an unsettling
smile and wearing a skull cap. If the
party has seen the door to Zelligar's
room (area 5.1), then they may
realize that this is the same image
as appears there (Wisdom check DC 10).
And, of course, this is the magical
key that will unlock that door simply
by holding or wearing the stone while
opening the door.
Contents of the Northern Cabinets:
The cabinets are filled with
earthenware jars, each a little
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 14
smaller than a pint. They are filled
with the following:
1 Sand, white, brown or black
2 Water, pure, brackish, holy,
urine
3 Salt, common, mineral
4 Sulphur
5 Wood chips, hickory, pine, oak,
ash, maple, walnut
6 Herbs, dill, garlic, chives,
basil, catnip, parsley
7 Vinegar, red, white, yellow
8 Tree sap, pine, maple
9 Carbon, coal, ash, graphite
10 Crushed stone, quartz, granite,
marble, shale, pumice, obsidian
11 Metal filings, iron, tin,
copper, brass
12 Blood, human, orcish, dwarvish,
elven, dragon, halfling
13 Dung, Human, canine, feline,
dragon
14 Wine, white, red, alcohol,
fruit
15 Fungus powder, mushroom,
phosphorescent
16 Oil, vegetable, animal,
petroleum, mineral
17 Insect bodies, bees, flies,
beetles, ants
18 Bone powder, human, animal
19 Spice, pepper, cinnamon, clove,
paprika, oregano, nutmeg
20 Healing herbs - St. John's Wort,
Comfrey Root or Dura Flower
There is also a larger jar of clear
glass that contains a black cat's
body floating in a clear liquid. If
uncorked, the liquid will immediately
evaporate, the cat will come to life,
jump out, MEOW loudly and then run
away. If the door is not open, the
cat will pass through the door in
ghostlike fashion.
8.1 Secret Door.
This secret door is operated by
pressing two separate stones, one a
few stones above the other, in the
wall. On the inside, the door is
fully visible and operates normally.
9.0 Wizard’s Laboratory #1.
As soon as the door closes behind
you, the room is filled with a bright
white light. It is immediately
apparent that this is a wizard's
laboratory. The center of the room is
dominated by a deep fire pit over
which hangs a large iron cauldron on
thick black chains that are mounted
in the ceiling. In the northeastern
corner, you see an iron cage also
suspended by heavy chains that holds
a human sized skeleton with a
noticeably cracked skull. Below the
cage is a wide black smudge on the
stone floor. Near and to the right of
the stain stands a low wooden
bookcase, housing eleven dusty
volumes.
A round wooden table and matching
stool stand in the southwestern
corner of the room. The table is bare
but for a single smoke-colored glass
bottle with a cork in it, positioned
toward the back. Under the table is a
pile of split pine logs. North of the
table stands an ornately carved,
stained and lacquered mahogany desk,
covered with various parchments,
scrolls and books as well as an ink
bottle, well and pen. The desk has
six drawers, all of which are closed
and marked with brass drawer pulls.
Strange parchment and papyrus charts,
glyphs and notes cover the wall above
and about the desk - apparently
tacked there with an unseen agent.
Immediately north of the desk stands
what appears to be some sort of
extraordinary contraption. At the
bottom, there is a square wooden
stand upon which sits a bluish-green
crystal cube about two feet in width.
Encircling the cube, halfway from the
bottom is a two-inch copper band,
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 15
bound in the front with a small iron
lock. A faint light appears to
emanate from the cube, casting an
otherworldly glow onto the wall
behind it. Oddly, you can almost see
the faintest of shadows slowly
swirling on the surface of the cube.
On the northern wall is an old oaken
table covered with glass vials and
beakers connected by snaking glass
tubes. Various oil burning lamps,
bowls, flasks and other equipment
also rest on the table, some full of
liquids of various colors and
opacity. On its right side, the table
supports a double row of earthenware
pots about the size of an eggplant -
8 in all. A stationary vise is
attached to the front right corner of
the table. A variety of two-gallon
jugs are arranged on the floor under
the table. To the right of the table
stands a crude form of torture rack,
stained with blood. The rack has
manacles at the top and bottom.
There is a fairly expensive looking
rug under the desk and chair standing
in the western half of the room. The
air is dry and smells faintly of ash
and sulfur. There is no apparent
source of the light.
Cauldron:
The cauldron is empty but contains a
fatty, greenish residue that if
applied to a wound will cause an
additional 1d6 worth of damage. If
the cauldron is carefully cleaned and
the substance harvested, there will
be 6 applications - whether to sword
or arrow.
Skeleton:
This skeleton is the remains of
Alpornax, the Orgahn Tribal leader
captured, tortured and subjected to
study by Zelligar. Alpornax's soul is
still trapped in the green cube
across the room, but not in its pure
form. This was one of Zelligar's
earliest attempts at Ascension Denial,
and as a consequence of Zelligar’s
reckless experimental approach,
Alpornax's soul is now a twisted
remnant of madness. The skeleton
still has a faint connection to the
soul and if the soul is released from
its prison, it will immediately
attack the nearest creature once, on
its way across the room in an attempt
to reunite with the skeleton. If not
first destroyed, the spirit will
enter the skeleton and in a whirl,
all remains will turn to dust as a
lesser form of ascension is finally
achieved in a ghostly display.
Books:
There are 11 books on this book case.
The books are titled as follows:
1. Elemental Foundations
2. The Myth of Immortality
3. Modern Alchemy and Its Many
Uses
4. Mineral Subtraction
5. Light
6. Heaven and Hell, Achieving Both
7. Prestidigitation
8. Somatic Manipulation
9. The Power of Ancestor Recall
10. Weather Manifestation
11. Crystals, Dreams and Scrying
These are not spell books, but
contain general arcane knowledge,
designed to assist a younger mage in
the creation of his or her own
original spells. The books would be
valuable to a mage of 5th level or
less, but will require many hours of
concentrated study to be of any true
benefit.
Bottle:
The smoked glass bottle contains a
sweet smelling gas that will whoosh
forth once the stopper is removed.
All PCs within 10 feet of the bottle
must save v. poison (DC 15) or lapse
into uncontrollable raucous laughter
that will essentially render them
unable to carry out any task,
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 16
movement or defensive action for a
number of rounds equal to a 2d6 roll.
PCs will also have a 50% chance of
dropping anything they are holding at
the beginning of each round. The
laughter may be dispelled by a dispel
magic spell.
Desk:
The desk is laden with various
parchments. Most of these appear to
be notes, written in some strange
code and are unreadable, even by
magic means. There are two books on
the desk.
1. Cognition Transference
2. Ethereal Compartmentalization
Both books appear to have been well
used. There are also two arcane
scrolls resting atop the desk, to
wit:
1. Adhesion (See Appendix 1)
2. Zelligar's Feeling Fingers (See
Appendix 1)
There are six drawers, none of which
are locked. The contents are as
follows:
Top Left Drawer:
Three dozen vellum envelopes, 4 small
red candles, a small candle holder, a
signet ring with the symbol of two
short vertical lines split by a
larger diagonal line, 5 red wax bars,
a shallow bowl, 2 extra ink quills, 4
bottles of ink (2 black, 1 red and 1
gold), 3 small pots with pine tree
sap (used as an adhesive), a very
small metal paddle, coated with a
sticky substance on its flat end, a
metal letter opener, a silver handled
dagger with colored stones on the
hilt, an old pair of spectacles and a
golden ring crafted to resemble
flames (Ring of Fire Protection, see
Appendix 1), painted in certain spots
with a thick red-colored lacquer.
Middle Left Drawer:
A three inch high stack of unused
parchment.
Bottom Left Drawer:
A six inch high stack of partially
used and/or damaged parchment.
Top Right Drawer:
Three separate key rings, each
holding about 15 keys. A half-dozen
stones of different kinds, shapes and
sizes, a variety of small picks and
chisels, three small metal hammers,
and at the back of the drawer, one
small vellum envelope sealed shut
with a wax mark and the word
"Apthnax" written on the front.
The envelope contains the key to the
iron lock on the front of the green
cube.
Middle Right Drawer:
A variety of small tools, including
chisels, knives, picks, wrenches,
pliers, hammers, etc.
Bottom Right Drawer:
A collection of metal rods, strips
and bands of differing alloys, 3
large glass beakers, a pot of bees
wax, cloth strips and panels, a pot
of grease, a metal funnel and a
dented metal cup.
9.1 Secret Door.
This secret door is operated by
pressing two separate stones, one a
few stones above the other, in the
wall. On the inside, the door is
fully visible and operates normally.
10.0 Storeroom.
This irregularly shaped room houses
two stacks of barrels, one on the
northwest wall and one on the
southeast wall. The casks each bear a
marking.
The contents of the barrels are stale,
but surprisingly still edible. If
opened or spilled, they will likely
spoil within a few hours. Also, the
odor may attract monsters. Here are
the contents of any particular barrel
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 17
inspected: in this room.

1. TL Whole Barley 11.1 Secret Door.

2. B Wheat Flour
3. FT Rye Flour
4. MK Salt Pork
5. GG Dill Pickles
6. HU Raisins
7. EJ Fish in Brine
8. Y Dried Apples
9. PF Whole Peas
10. SD Ale
11. Z Honey
12. AW Wine
13. OG Water
14. XR Soft Soap
15. LC Salt
16. VW Lard
17. QS Seasoning
18. RH Sunflower Seeds
19. UT Hard Candy
20. JS Dried Mushrooms
10.1 Secret Door.
This secret door requires a key. A
copy of the key is on the keyring in
Zelligar's nightstand.
11.0 Supply Room.
This room is littered with building
supplies.
The supplies consist of: a coil of
very heavy rope, 3" in diameter (200'
in length); a box of iron spikes
(50); a box of metal nails (100); a
pile of wooden beams, each 10' in
length and 6" by 6" in width (80); a
sack of building mortar, almost
empty; a stack of stone blocks, each
about 6" by 6" by 12" in size (400);
six wooden doors, leaning in a row
against the far wall; a large box of
assorted hardware (including several
locks of various types, door hinges,
clasps and hasps, door handles,
assorted metal bolts and similar
items); a jug of dried glue.
This secret door requires a key. A
copy of the key is on the keyring in
Zelligar's nightstand.
12.0 Library.
As soon as the doors are opened, a
bright white light flares into
existence, illuminating the room
ahead. You see at least five free
standing book shelf units, each six
feet high and filled with tomes of
various colors. To the left and to
the right you see empty wooden
tables, both with a small collection
of chairs. In the far corners of the
room sit plush divans, covered with a
rich, fleecy upholstering that makes
them very comfortable looking. Next
to each divan stands a small end
table, each holding a pewter pitcher
and cup.
The walls are plastered, painted with
blue stripes and artistically
rendered with images depicting
windows thrown wide to reveal lush
mountain scenes. The room is
unusually dry and over the ages
plaster has given way to cracks
revealing the blackish stone walls
beneath. Small spider webs fill the
corners of the room and lace some of
the bookshelves.
The floor of the room (as well as
everything in it) is covered with a
thick, undisturbed layer of dust. The
stone beneath appears to be inlaid
with polished red granite stretching
up to within one foot of each wall.
In the center of the room, the floor
appears to turn white.

There are no other items or creatures On the east wall, behind the table,

In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 18

is a wall mounted scroll rack.
The following volumes are the only
ones here that would be of interest
to the party:
1. An Historic Account of the Old
Empires
2. The People and Society of
Chessenta
3. Tchazzar
4. Chessenta, The War of the
Bitter Tide and the Battle of
Pale Moon
5. Ancient Mysteries of the Old
Empires
The books are designed to give the
players “in game” access to the
region’s history as well as offer
some sand box type decision making on
future adventures. There are no
other items of particular value here.
12.1 Library Doors.
This pair of ornately carved wooden
doors depicts a room with many
windows. Outside the windows rolls an
expansive wooded mountain scape.
The doors are locked, and may be
opened with one of the keys from
Zelligar's nightstand or on a
successful open locks check, DC 10.
13.0 Implement Room.
This room is filled with various
tools and equipment.
The equipment consists of the
following: a box of wooden pegs; a
coil of light rope (50'); a coil of
heavy chain (70'); a coil of fine
copper wire (20'); mining picks (32);
chisels (15); shovels (13); empty
barrels (11); mallets (8); iron bars
(29, each measuring 1" in diameter
and 8' in length); one iron vise (12"
jaws); broken mining jacks (2); two-
man crosscut saws (2); hacksaws (4);
a mason's toolbox (containing a
trowel, stone chisel and plumb line);
a cobbler's toolbox (containing a
small hammer, knife and heavy
needles); a small barrel of un-
fletched arrows (60); an empty wooden
bench (10' long).
Concealed, on the north wall is a
counterweight mechanism for the
portcullis trap in the corridor just
outside the room, as well as a lever
to raise the barrier once it has been
tripped. No more than two PCs can
attempt to use the lever to raise the
portcullis, and their combined
strength check must exceed 30 to
succeed. No single pair of PCs may
make more than one attempt per day.
13.1 Portcullis Trap.
The trap is sprung as soon as at
least one character reaches a mark
10' from the dead end wall, at which
point, the portcullis will drop
noisily behind them and lock into
place. If trap detection (Perception)
is attempted prior to the trap's
activation, the DC is 15.
A character standing under the drop
point will suffer 1d12 bludgeoning
damage if hit by the falling
portcullis.
The bars of the portcullis are rusty
and weak. There are twelve vertical
bars and several cross members. A
thin gnome or halfling could probably
fit through, but any other creature,
will be imprisoned. A strength DC of
20 may be attempted once per day by
each PC in order to bend or break one
of the bars to escape. The lock is
unbreakable from this vantage point.
Characters may use one of the
hacksaws to try to cut through the
bars. However, this will take about
an hour of sawing and the noise will
almost certainly attract wandering
monsters.
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 19

14.0 Auxiliary Storeroom.
This 20' by 20' room is empty save
for a pile of rubble in the far
corner.
14.1 Secret Door.
This secret door requires a key. A
copy of the key is on the keyring in
Zelligar's nightstand.
15.0 One-Way Teleportation Room,
Level 1 to 2.
On the far wall of this room stands a
false portal, outlined by 8" square
stones. Three of the stones are
painted - Blue, Red and Yellow. The
blue stone is halfway from the floor
on the left. The red is halfway from
the floor on the right. The Yellow
stone is at the top of the arch. The
floor is covered with dust and small
debris.
This is a deactivated teleportation
device. When activated by both sides,
the portal leads to area 47, on the
second level.
In order to activate the device, the
colored stones must be touched in the
proper order (Blue, Yellow, Red) on
both sides. Once activated, the
portal will remain open and usable
unless and until the reverse order is
depressed on at least one of the
portals.
16.0 One-Way Teleportation Room,
Level 2 to 1.
On the far wall of this room stands a
false portal, outlined by 8" square
stones. Three of the stones are
painted - Blue, Red and Yellow. The
blue stone is halfway from the floor
on the left. The red is halfway from
the floor on the right. The Yellow
stone is at the top of the arch. The
floor is covered with dust and small
debris.
This is a deactivated teleportation
device. When activated by both sides,
the portal leads to area 46, on the
second level.
In order to activate the device, the
colored stones must be touched in the
proper order (Red, Yellow, Blue) on
both sides. Once activated, the
portal will remain open and usable
unless and until the reverse order is
depressed on at least one of the
portals.
17.0 Char Storage Cellar.
The interior of this small room is
coated with a thick layer of black
soot and dust. On the north wall is a
pile of charred wood.
There is nothing else of value in
this room.
The door on the west wall is false,
but in all respects appears to be
normal. It will even move slightly
and rattle. It cannot be opened by
any means.
18.0 Smithy.
This irregularly shaped room appears
to have two parts. The southwest
portion of the room is largely empty
except for the walls, which are
covered with various pegs and shelves
upon which rest a few partially
forged weapons: six swords; one mace;
three spears; one halberd; 5 daggers.
An eerie wind whistles through the
room toward the northeast corner.
The weapons are not usable.
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 20
In the middle of the northeast webs. There is a horrible smell of
portion of this room is a gigantic death and decay. In the south east
forging anvil. Beyond, on the far vestibule, there is a pile of
walls, you see three separate fire desiccated corpses, filth and debris.
pits. Above the fire pits, in the
ceiling, gap
gapes
es a large black hole, Monster: Th
This
is is the home of “the
into which a stale wind is flowing. A Spider,” called this by those that
live within these caverns.
large hand bellows and a gener
generous
ous
assortment of other smith tools hang
on the walls all about you.

There are no items of particular

value here.

18.1 Door.

This door resembles the others in the

complex,
omplex, except there is a 1' by 2'
vent cut in the top.

19.0 Acces
Accesss Room.

A cool wind carrying a hint of decay

blows from a 3' wide hole in the
floor toward the southeast corner of
this room. A large iron ring is
anchored to the south wall near the
hole. A
Along
long the north wall is a pile
of pine logs of between 8" and 12" in
diameter and about 4 feet long. The
floor is covered with a layer of dust
and soot.

The hole leads to area 56.1 on level

2, the floor of which is about 40'
down.

19.1 Door.

This door rese

resembles
mbles the others in the
complex, except there is a 1' by 2'
vent cut in the top.

20.0 Dead End.

The unfinished black stone walls,

ceiling and floor of this small room
are covered with thick, sickly
sickly--white
white

In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 21

20.1 Webs.
The walls, ceiling and floor of this
hallway are covered with thick
sickly-white webs.
The webs here are incredibly strong
and very sticky. Anyone touching the
webs must make a Dexterity saving
throw, DC 12 or become stuck. If
stuck, the same character may make a
Strength saving throw, DC 17 to break
free. However, a roll of 10 or less
will result in becoming permanently
stuck after which point no additional
Strength saves will be of any use. At
that point, only fire will free the
PC.
Any form of struggle with the webs
will alert "The Spider," who lives in
area 20. She will crawl quickly along
her webs and arrive within 2 rounds
after the first signs of struggle. A
permanently stuck PC cannot fight and
will have no Dexterity bonus to his
or her AC.
21.0 Meeting Room.
This long and narrow room apparently
served as some kind of auditorium or
meeting room. There are 6 wooden
benches arranged along the western
wall, each about 15' in length.
A large stone slab at the north end
of the room serves a sort of stage,
rising 10 inches off the floor to
accommodate speakers and place them
in full view of any assemblage. On
the north wall are four decorative
cloth banners of red, green, blue and
yellow. Although once attractive,
they are now deteriorating, thus
being of no apparent value.
There are no items of value here.
22.0 Garden Room.
As you continue northward, you see
that the hallway opens into a very
large chamber. Some of the fungus on
the floor, walls and even parts of
the ceiling is glowing with a ghostly
greenish blue light, illuminating the
room. Straight ahead, against the
near wall, you see a wooden cabinet,
covered with the mossy growths.
To your left, the room extends to a
rounded pit abutting the western
wall. From this pit, three enormous
mushrooms grow, nearly to the ceiling
with 1' wide stalks and 7' wide caps.
Smaller mushrooms are sheltered
underneath. Around the base of the
pit rest a row of purplish fungoid
mounds.
To your right and straight ahead, you
see more of the glowing and rainbow
fungus, with additional larger pits
with dozens of similarly huge
mushrooms growing out. The fungi
there are even more mixed in their
appearance here, with splotches,
clumps, swirls and patches presenting
a nightmarish combination of clashing
colors. This is indeed a fuzzy
fairyland of the most forbidding
sort, although beautiful in its own
mysterious way. Progress into the
room on foot would be possible, but
movement slow going, as the numerous
growths reach varying heights. The
air is heavy and humid.
None of the fungi are poisonous to
the touch or will damage any items.
However, each character moving or
taking an action must make an
acrobatics check at the end of each
round, DC 10, or slip on the slick
floor and be prone.
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 22
Cabinet:
The cabinet is full of heavily rusted
gardening tools and supplies,
including a hoe, rake and hand tools.

Monster: The purple mounds are

actually 8 violet fungi that will
move to attack if a PC advances past
the cabinet. At the north end of the
chamber are 2 gas spores.

22.1 Fungus a
among
mong Us.

An eerie and forbidding sight sprawls

out before you. Unusual growths
appear to have extended themselves
along the walls and floor to reach a
point near your feet. The growths
appear to be fungoid in nature and of
various colors: blue, orange, red,
yellow and gold. The growth appears
to get thicker and more varied
further north. The strange collage
continues to the extent of your
vision.

At this point, none of the fungi are

poisonous. However, if running or
fighting, each character moving or
taking an action must make a
ann
acrobatics check at the end of each
round, DC 10 or slip on the slick
floor and be prone.

23.0 Storage Room.

This room contains what appears to be

a collection of old furniture. There
are three large oaken tables, 8

In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 23

chairs and 14 wooden stools. In the
corner opposite the door, there is a
woodworking table with a crude vise
attached, small saws and other
carpenter's equipment. Wood chips and
sawdust cover the floor.
There are no other items of value in
this room.
24.0 Mistress’s Chamber.
This room is more tastefully
decorated than the rather modest
living quarters found elsewhere in
the stronghold. There is a large
walnut bed against the west wall,
rather ornately carved in a floral
decor. The bed has a large canopy of
embroidered green cloth with a
striking reddish trim, but it is very
dusty like everything else in the
room.
Next to the bed is a small nightstand
with a single drawer. Beside the
nightstand, against the wall is a
chest of drawers made of red cedar,
which, despite its age, still appears
to give off its characteristic smell.
On top of the dresser, is a tortoise
shell dish which is empty except for
a single gold piece. The shell rests
upon a frilly lace cloth along with
two small capped bottles.
On the western portion of the north
wall hangs a full-length mirror in a
wooden frame. The crown of the frame
is carved with attractive curving
designs and there is an inscription
hewn into the finished wood.
Built into the wall near the
northwest corner of the room is an
attractive water basin which is
sculpted from the same rock. At the
bottom of the basin is a cork.
A small tapestry measuring 3' by 4'
hangs on the east wall. It depicts a
handsome, robust warrior carrying off
a beautiful maiden in a rescue scene
set in a burning village, with a
horde of ominous-looking enemies
viewing from afar. Embroidered in
gold cloth at the top of the scene
are the words, "Melissa, the greatest
and most dearly won of all my
treasures." The tapestry is set
within a wooden frame.
Nightstand:
The nightstand is pretty to look at,
but is of no great value. Inside the
drawers are: a silver plated comb,
worth 5 gp; hairpins; ribbons; and a
small pair of scissors.
Dresser:
The tortoise shell plate is worth 5
sp. The two perfume bottles are half
full, but both are old and spoiled.
The top drawer of the dresser is
locked, DC 10 to unlock, Strength
check DC 7 to break. Inside is a
jewelry box containing the following:
1 gold ring with a sapphire inlaid; 1
gold ring with an emerald and two
diamonds inlaid; 1 platinum ring with
three large diamonds; 1 silver
necklace with a large silver pendant
resembling a flower with small
colored stones inlaid; 1 gold choker;
1 pearl necklace; 1 gold bracelet; 3
pairs of earrings with diamonds and
gold.
The dresser's remaining contents
consist of various women's clothing,
none of which appear to be consistent
with current fashion.
Mirror:
The carving on the mirror says "The
Fairest of Them All."
Sink:
Removing the cork will allow the
contents of the sink to drain into
the wall.
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 24
Tapestry:
The tapestry can be removed and is
worth 200 gp, but unless great care
is taken, it will be ruined in the
process. Dexterity check, DC 15. A
ruined tapestry would be worth about
40 gp.
Secret Door:
The secret door in the north wall can
be activated by pressing a small
stone in the floor in the northeast
corner of the room.
24.1 Secret Door.
This secret door is operated by
pressing a single magical stone in
the wall next to the door, either
when entering or exiting.
25.0 Rogahn’s Chamber.
The angular walls of this room are
immediately noticeable as different
from the others in this complex, not
only because of their layout, but
because of their material. The walls
are covered with vertical strips of
rough-finished fir wood, and these
narrow planks run in single pieces
from floor to ceiling. The
construction is not remarkable, nor
is it fancy, but the result is
strikingly pleasing to the eye.
In each of the four corners of the
room is a different wall hanging.
These tapestries are each 6' wide and
run from the floor to ceiling,
concealing the corner behind. The
tapestries are as follows:
Northwest: A dragon being slain by a
group of warriors, with one standing
prominently at the front of the
group, thrusting the killing sword
into the dragon's neck.
Northeast: A great battle in a
mountain pass, with a small band of
fighters led by a great wizard and a
single hero putting an entire army to
flight.
Southeast: A warrior and a maiden on
horseback against a backdrop of
mountains, holding hands with joyful
expressions.
Southwest: A hero and a wizard
joining in a firm handclasp on a
deserted hilltop, with only a sunset
in the background.
In the center of the east wall rests
a large plain maple wood bed. At the
foot of the frame is carved a large
red "R." On either side of the bed
rests a maple nightstand. A
freestanding maple cabinet has also
apparently been dragged away from the
wall, its drawers flung onto the
floor where they rest amid old ragged
clothing: two woolen cloaks; a
leather vest; a buckskin shirt; a
metal corselet and a pair of leather
boots.
Tapestries:
Each tapestry weighs about 60 lbs.
and is worth about 100 gp.
Nightstands:
The drawers of the nightstands are
empty.
There is a chamber pot under the bed.
Any other items of value that may
have once been here seem to have been
removed.
Secret Doors:
The secret door in the west wall
appears as an ordinary door from this
side. The secret doors in the south
wall are operated by pressing a stone
in the floor located next to the wall
and adjacent to the door that it
opens.
25.1 Secret Door.
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 25
This secret door is operated by this room.
pressing a single magical stone in
the wall next to the door, either 27.0 Throne Room.
when entering or exiting.
This room is already illuminated by
25.2 Secret Door. flickering torchlight. Prominently,
This unusually shaped secret door is there are two rows of bright red and
operated by pre
pressing
ssing a single magical gold painted columns running from
stone in the wall next to the door, west to east. The floor is smooth
either when entering or exiting. slate. Near the eastern wall, on a
However, it seems to have been bashed 10" white marble dais, rest two
open. ornate and gold
gold-painted
painted thrones, each
amply cushioned by green pillows.
26.0 Trophy Room.
Great dramatic draperies in
alternating panels of yellow and
This room contains an assortment of
purple hang on the eastern wall.
various curiosities. Covering most of
the north wall is an immens
immense
e dragon's
In the center of the room stand five
skin, its brassy scales reflecting
orc
orc-like
like creatures, appar
apparently
ently fully
the party's torchlight. At the west
armed and armored.
end of the room is a basilisk frozen
in stone, its menacing gaze
forbidding but no longer a threat. On Monster: There are 5 Orcs here.
the east wall is a dwarven skeleton,
suspended from a pair of irons nea
near
r
the ceiling, giving the entire
chamber a macabre mood. Elsewhere on
the walls are a variety of other
items: two gigantic sets of moose
antlers, each on a large head; 4
dragon paws with claws extended; a
stuffed cockatrice; a large black
shield which coul
couldd only be used by a
giant; a pair of ram's horns; a pair
of crossed swords; a bearskin; an
entire door bearing religious
symbols; and a set of three colorful
flags which bear barbarian symbols.

Dragon Skin and Claws:

The skin and claws are from an adult
bronze dragon. They are worth 400 gp,
but have no purpose other than
decorative.

Door Bearing Religious Symbols:

This is the symbol of Moradin, Lawful
Good chief of the Dwarven pantheon.
There are no other items of value in
You may choose to make this encounter
a group of competing treasure seekers
from the Weeping Willow. Otherwise,
this
his group is hostile to the party

In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 26

and they will attack immediately if
the party is detected.
The group has a total of 89 gp on
them plus 2 common potions of healing
and a gold necklace with a red onyx
worth 25 gp.
27.1 Secret Door.
This secret door is operated by
pressing a single magical stone in
the wall next to the door, either
when entering or exiting.
28.0 Worship Area.
Upon opening the door, you
immediately see a life sized stone
idol of a winged, horned devil with
red gems for eyes glaring back at you
from the far wall. The walls are
painted in a sickening scene of
torture and debauchery. Before the
idol, a 5' wide, 3' deep fire pit has
been dug into the stone floor. The
pit has a pile of ash in it and the
air has the stale smell of burnt
flesh.
The idol is 6' high and is anchored
to the floor. Those with the ability
to detect evil can sense it here,
though faintly. Those succeeding on a
religion check, DC 10, will know this
statue to be of Malebranche - a devil
of modest rank in the ninth plane of
Hell.
Any flesh burned here will open
communication with Malebranche who
will be angry at not having received
an offering over the last several
decades.
29.0 Captain’s Chamber.
The door opens into a rather barren
room. In the southeast corner is a
crude bed, and alongside it is a
utilitarian table. On top of the
table is a small stoneware crock with
a cover, a large earthenware tankard
mug and a small hand mirror. On the
south wall is a wooden chest. In the
northeast corner of the room is a
wooden keg stand with a single barrel
upon it. The barrel is marked with
the letters "SD." The walls of the
western extremity of the room are
populated by a series of shelves and
pegs, apparently for holding arms and
armor. The pegs and shelves are empty
except for two metal shields and a
heavy mace.
Stoneware Crock:
This container holds 15 gp.
Wooden Chest:
The chest is locked, DC 13 and
Strength check of 10 to bash. It
contains the following: 1 pair of
pants; several cloaks; 1 heavy cloth
coat; 2 pairs of boots; and a leather
pouch.
Leather Pouch:
Inside the leather pouch is a walnut
plaque with an inlaid piece of silver
engraved with the words, "To Erig, my
friend and captain of the Quasqueton
Guard - Against all foes we shall
prevail!" The message is signed with
an embellished "R."
Plaque:
The plaque could be worth 25 gp.
Barrel:
This barrel is full of ale.
There is nothing else of value in
this room.
29.1 Door.
This heavy wooden door appears
similar to the others in the complex
except that it is adorned with an
animal skin bearing the word "Erig"
in brass studs.
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 27
The door is locked, Dexterity DC 13.
30.0 Access Room.
This room appears to be strictly
utilitarian in nature, empty but for
a small quantity of stacked building
supplies, dust and debris. In the
northwest side of the room, there is
a sharply carved stairway leading
down into darkness. From the depths
wafts a stale draft carrying the weak
smell of filth and body odor.
Stairway:
The stairway leads down a vertical
depth of 40' to room 38 on Level 2.
31.0 Room of Pools.
Although the walls of this huge
chamber are the same as elsewhere in
the fortress, the floor is covered
with tens of thousands of ceramic
tiles arranged in a striking mosaic
of gold, white and black stripes.
Arrayed throughout the room are a
number of different pools, each about
ten feet in diameter. The pools are
as follows:
a. This pool contains a strange
milky, pinkish liquid.
a. Pool of Healing:
This liquid will operate as a common
potion of healing (radiating
evocation magic if detected). If
removed from this room, its magical
properties will last for one day.
b. This pool is filled to the brim
with a clear, fizzing liquid that
gives off a strange and unpleasant
aroma. At the bottom of the pool is a
large bronze colored key.
b. Pool of Acid:
This pool is full of acid and is most
deadly. If any creature falls or
leaps within it, certain and
immediate death will result. Putting
a hand or other body part within it
will result in an immediate 1d4+1
acid damage. Drinking any of the acid
will cause 1d4+1 acid damage plus a
Constitution save to survive, DC 15.
Putting a drop on the tongue will
inflict 1 acid damage and cause
gagging and choking for 2 rounds,
although no saving throw is necessary.
Weapons or other objects dipped into
the acid will deteriorate (swords
will be stained and weakened, wooden
items warped and cracked, etc.) and
may even be ruined completely. The
acid is so strong that it will eat
through any type of non-magical
container within two rounds. The key
matches no known lock.
c. This pool is filled with a murky
gray syrup.
c. Pool of Sickness:
An hour after any of this syrup is
consumed, even but a sip, the victim
will become ill. If this occurs,
there is no loss of hit points, but
the victim suffers from strong and
recurring stomach pains for 1d4 hours
which make fighting and even movement
impossible for that period of time
(although a victim can be carried by
others). Placing a drop of liquid
upon the tongue will give a sweet
taste, but will cause no symptoms.
Items placed within the liquid are
unaffected. Any syrup removed from
this room will lose its poisonous
effect after one day.
d. This basin is irregularly coated
from bottom to edge with a slimy
green goo.
d. Green Slime:
This basin is covered in nasty green
slime.
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 28
Monster: Green Slime
Slime.. f. This pool is filled with a deep
red liquid that smells like fine
wine.

f. Pool of Wine:
This pool is filled with a powerful
wine that has a taste so inviting
that anyone tasting it must make a
Wisdom save at DC 17 or drink more
until intoxicated. If this is done,
1d20 is rolled and if the result
exceeds the player's constitution
score, the difference is the number
of hours the PC is intoxicated. If it
is less, the PC is only affected for
30 minutes. If an intoxicated PC
returns to this room, the PC must
make a Wisdom check at DC 20 or
immediately drink until intoxicated
again. While intoxicated, the PC will
be loud and clumsy, suffering a -44 to
all De
Dexterity
xterity based checks and saves.

g. This basin appears to be

completely empty. The basin appears
to be made of yellowish ceramic
material.

g. Dry Pool:
The ceramic ma
material
terial is impervious to
damage.

h. This basin appears to contain a

steaming, bubbling cauldron of a
clear, boiling liquid. There is a
whitish crust built up around the
edge of th
thee pool.

e. This pool is filled with a clear,
colorless, odorless liquid.
e. Drinking Pool:
This pool is filled with icy cold
spring water which will refresh
anyone who takes a drink from it. The
water is pure and good, but has no
other special ch
characteristics.
aracteristics.
h. Hot Pool:
This boiling pool of water is
extremely hot
hot,, but otherwise ordinary
water.
i. This basin is half full of a
shimmering clear liquid.
i. Aura Pool:
This pool will radiate magic if
detected. It is tasteless and
odorless, but if consumed, the PC
will begin to glow with an aura

In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 29

having a color tied to the PC's
alignment, as follows:
Blue for lawful
Yellow for chaotic
White for neutral
The effects of this liquid will fade
if removed from the room.
j. This pool is full of a greenish
liquid of varying shades swirled
together.
j. Pool of Sleep:
Putting a drop on the tongue reveals
a sort of fruity taste, but no
special effects will be noticeable.
Taking a sip will give tasty
refreshment, but within 10 seconds,
the taster will experience powerful
drowsiness resulting in immediate
sleep unless there is a successful
Constitution save at DC 15. Sleep
will last for 6 rounds per sip taken.
The magical effects of this liquid
will fade after one day, if removed
from this room.
k. This pool appears to be ordinary
lake water and is filled with
numerous small fish.
k. Fish Pool:
The fish are edible. There is nothing
unusual about the water or the fish.
l. This basin is filled with a
whitish rock giving off eerie vapors.
l. Ice Pool:
This basin is filled with steaming
dry ice that for some unknown reason
does not dissipate. The ice is "hot"
to the touch due to its extremely low
temperature. Since none of the PCs
will likely have seen dry ice before,
this should be a highly mysterious
event. If any pieces are broken off
and removed, they will dissipate into
carbon dioxide gas as normal dry ice
would do. Such pieces could be
handled with a gloved hand.
m. This basin appears to be filled
with crystal clear water, at the
bottom of which rests a pile of
thousands of gold pieces sprinkled
with an assortment of sparkling
jewels.
m. Treasure Pool:
The water is normal. But the treasure
is an illusion that is dispelled as
soon as the water is touched. When
the water is still again, the
illusion will reappear.
n. This basin is nearly empty, but
what remains appears to be clean
water.
n. Pool of Muting:
Although the liquid appears to be
normal water, it is actually a
magical substance. This liquid, when
swallowed, causes a complete loss of
voice and verbal capabilities for 1d6
hours. This muting will become
apparent only when it has been
ingested; merely putting drop onto
the tongue will give no clue as to
its effect, and it will seem like
normal water. Any character drinking
the water will suffer the effects,
and that means that the players will
be affected likewise. Thus, the DM
informs the player or players of
their limitation, and they are barred
from any further verbal
communications for the duration.
31.1 Secret Door.
This secret door is operated by
pressing a single magical stone in
the floor next to the door, either
when entering or exiting.
32.0 Advisor’s Chamber.
The decor in this room is rather
simple, but pleasant. The floor is a
continuation of the striking swirling
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 30
mosaic from the room of pools, but
the walls are bare stone. There are
minimal furnishings in the room - a
nondescript bed, three chairs, a
small dresser, a battered old table
and a makeshift desk with a single
drawer and a smattering of papers on
its top. Hanging on the wall over the
desk is a framed oil painting of two
figures standing side by side: a
warrior of impressive proportions and
a wizened magic-user in a purple
robe. In the lower right corner of
the painting appears to be a small
message.
Desk Papers:
The papers on the right side of the
desktop are loosely arranged and
appear to contain sketches and
written suggestions on conceptual
improvements to the complex. They
contain nothing of great interest.
The papers on the left side of the
desk are blank.
Desk Drawer:
The drawer is trapped, DC 13 to
detect and DC 15 to disable. If not
disabled, the drawer will release a
terrible gaseous emission which will
be so acrid and irritating that it
will drive the party from the room
for 1d4 hours. The drawer is also
locked, DC 10 to pick and Strength
check 10 to break. Inside the drawer
are the following: 1 small potion
bottle with the word "levitation"
written on the label and 78 gp.
Painting Inscription:
"To wise Marevak, worthy advisor and
counselor, from a grateful Zelligar
and Rogahn"
Dresser:
The dresser is empty.
There is nothing else of value in
this room.
33.0 Barracks.
This large, open room is obviously a
barracks. Along the eastern wall,
extending into the darkness, is a row
of utilitarian beds. On the west wall
is a table and collection of chairs
and stools. The walls of the room are
rough stone, but there are wall
sconces designed to hold torches and
various pegs upon the wall from which
various odds and ends still hang: an
old battered shield; a canteen; a
section of light chain; a sheathed
sword and a bearskin.
In the southern portion of this
chamber stand three large wooden
tables and at least a dozen chairs
and stools. In the south western
corner of the room, the floor slants
toward the wall steeply and an
opening leads into the wall. From the
faint smell, it is apparent that this
is a crude toilet area.
There are no items of value here.
34.0 Armory.
As you enter this long, angular hall,
you notice a slight breeze and a
faint whistling sound. The roughly
cut stone walls are covered with pegs
and shelves. Most of the pegs and
shelves are empty, but you do see a
number of battered shields, bits and
pieces of body armor, several crude
bows, a quiver of normal looking
arrows, two swords, a dozen spears,
two hand axes, a flail, a two-handed
sword with a broken blade, and one
dagger.
Weapons:
Of the weapons found, only the flail,
dagger and one of the swords are
useable.
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 31
Vents:
There are two vents in the ceiling If the room is searched, the party
that serve as the principal exhaust will find 38 gp, two daggers and a
for the complex. If the doors at stained set of leather armor suitable
either end are opened at the same for a human woman.
time, the resulting wind is
substantial, blowing out any torches 35.2 Goblin Lair.
or lanterns the party may have.
This room contains a bed, dresser,
Chests: table and chair. However, the place
The two chests in the southern
portion of the room are empty. has obviously been overrun by goblins
as each piece of furniture is in near
35.1 Goblin Lair. ruins, torn, stained and covered with
filth and muck.
This room contains a bed, dresse
dresser,
r,
table and chair. However, the place Monster: This room cont
contains
ains 4
has obviously been overrun by goblins goblins.
as each piece of furniture is in near
ruins, torn, stained and covered with Each round of combat brings a
cum
cumulative
ulative 20% chance of alerting the
filth and muck. goblins in the other two rooms and
bring them into the battle.
Monster: This room contains 4
goblins. If the room is searched, the party
will find 10 gp, a large shield and a
chain shirt.

35.3 Goblin Lair.

This room contains a bed, dresser,

table and chair. However, the place
has obviously been overrun by goblins
as each piece of furniture is in near
ruins, torn, stained and covered with
filth and muck.

Monster: This room contains 4

goblins.

Each round of combat brings a

cumulative 20% chance of alerting th
the
goblins in the other two rooms and
bring them into the battle.

If the room is searched, the party

will find 107 gp.

36.0 Servant
Servant’s
’s Quarters.
Each round of combat brings a
cumulative 20% chance of alerting the This sparsely furnished room contains
goblins in the other two rooms and four utilitarian beds, four small
bring them into the battle.

In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 32

dressers and very little else.
This room is basically empty. However,
if thoroughly searched, the party
will notice that two of the
mattresses are stained with blood at
the chest level. Cheap clothing in
the dressers will have blood stains
as well.
36.1 Pit Trap.
As soon as a creature walks to within
5' of the false door, the creature’s
weight will trigger this mechanical
pit trap. When the trap is sprung, a
giant crack will open in the center
of the 20' section of the floor
between the false door and the
opposite wall and the two separated
floor panels will swing down and
apart, hinged at the ends of the
hallway. All creatures within that
area and their equipment will drop
through the opening unless succeeding
on an Acrobatics check, DC 25. At the
bottom of the trap, some 40' below,
awaits a pool of cold spring water in
room 50 of Level 2. Those falling
through the trap will sustain 3 (1d4)
bludgeoning damage when hitting the
water below. In addition, since the
pool is about 8' deep, PCs who are
heavily encumbered will risk drowning
unless they free themselves of the
bulk and weight after landing in the
water.
Rules for Sinking:
Any character wearing metal armor
must drop all weapons larger than a
dagger and succeed on a Dexterity
check at DC 15 to remove enough heavy
armor to avoid sinking. A sinking (or
sunk) character may be saved by two
others with free hands.
Rules for Holding Breath:
A creature can hold its breath for a
number of minutes equal to 1 + its
Constitution modifier (a minimum of
30 seconds). When a creature runs out
of breath, it can survive for a
number of rounds equal to its
Constitution modifier (minimum 1
round). At the start of its next turn,
it drops to 0 hit points and is dying.
36.2 Confusion.
From within this small, nondescript
chamber, no door will open unless all
are first closed.
Opening and closing the doors here
will alert the goblins from areas 35,
which will come and stand, in wait,
in force, at the three different
entrances to the complex as an ambush.
This worked particularly well in my
game. In the last tiny room, the
floor dropped out as the leader
opened the exit door. When the first
PC climbed up and peeked into the
room beyond, he was kicked in the
face by a steel toed orc boot.
37.0 Training Room.
This wide room contains a smattering
of training implements. The eastern
wall is covered with pocked sheets of
wood and three archery targets each
pierced with a few arrows. Several
loaded quivers hang on the far wall,
next to a series of weapons: a
notched sword; a battle axe; a flail;
and a mace. Next to the weapons,
leaning against the wall are two
battered shields. In the southeast
corner, there is a metal bar about 7'
off the floor attached to each wall.
In the northeastern corner, there is
a thick rope hanging from the 20'
ceiling.
In the western portion of the room,
next to a stack of woven mats, lie
several 5' long iron bars of varying
girth next to a low narrow bench with
two stirrups. This wall is also
covered with pocked wood on which
three archery targets hang.
Weapons:
The weapons here are double their
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 33
normal weight.
37.1 Door.
This carved door, heavy and thick in
appearance, bears a fancy "R" on its
outer face.
Lower Level
Lower Level Wandering Monsters
1d6 Monster
1 4 Giant Centipedes
2 4 Bat Swarms
3 5 Giant Fire Beetles
4 4 Giant Rats
5 4 Mutilated Zombies
6 5 Troglodytes
Wandering monster statistics may be
found at the end of this module in
Appendix B.
Lower Level Map Key
38.0 Access Room.
The odor of waste and decay grows
thicker as you descend the stairs
into this large access room. The
floor is filled with piles of rock
and rubble (especially on the eastern
wall), as well as the following
mining equipment: 2 rock carts; 4
mining jacks; 11 timbers; 5 pickaxes.
There has obviously been no mining
activity for quite some time.
There are a few ordinary rats hidden
behind stones in this room, but
nothing of any real threat or value.
39.0 Museum.
This appears to be an unfinished
museum of sorts. The west wall is
decorated with a four part fresco
showing the following: a young boy
raising a sword; a young man slaying
a wild boar; a warrior carrying off a
dead barbarian; and a hero in the
midst of a large battle hacking
barbarian foes to pieces.
The east wall is also a four part
fresco, this one showing the
following: a boy gazing upward at a
starry night sky; a young man
diligently studying a great tome; an
earnest magician changing water to
wine before a delighted audience; and
a powerful wizard standing on a
hilltop and casting a magical fog
over a choking and dying enemy army
of barbarians.
The northern wall’s fresco is
incomplete but there are a few
unfinished sections showing the two
great men together: shaking hands as
if meeting for the first time in
their younger days; winning a great
battle against barbarians in a hill
pass; gazing upward together from the
wilderness at a craggy outcropping of
rock (which you recognize to be the
place where the stronghold is built);
and a fourth space that is blank.
There are also a few items on display
next to the frescoes, namely: an
articulately written parchment letter
of thanks for help in a war against
barbarians from what might appear to
be a local landowner; a falchion; and
an enormous human skeleton next to
which hangs an inscribed plaque.
There is more blank space on the
wall, apparently for further
additions to the collection.
Plaque:
"The Great Barbarian Chief Othgar of
the Orghan Tribes, slain by Rogahn
the Fearless at Dinanean Pass,
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 34
October 12, 1327"
There is nothing else of value in
this room.
40.0 Torture Chamber.
The heavy stone secret door swings
inward to reveal a terrifying s
sight.
ight.
Along the eastern wall of this cavern
rest three human sized cages, empty
and doors ajar. Mounted on the west
wall are a series of shackles for
wrists and ankles. In the center of
the room is a chair with binding
straps for arms and legs next to a
long
ng table with the same. A number of
torture implements hang on the south
wall. Although there is no sign of
any particular victim, the room still
retains the smell of fear and a
palpable feeling of dread.
This room is otherwise empty.
41.0 Centipede Tu
Tunnel.
nnel.
This large rocky chamber appears to
be empty.
In the eastern most portion of the
room, there is a 3' wide hole angling
downward into the ground. This is a
giant centipede tunnel. The
centipedes will come out of the
tunnel on a cumulative 20% per ro
round
und
of noise generated by the party.
Monster: The tunnel contains 7 giant
poisonous c
centipedes
entipedes
entipedes.
42.0 Dead Spider Chamb
Chamber.
er.
You enter a curving cavern lined with
giant spider webs. The floor is
littered with humanoid bones and the
webs house what appear to be two very
old cocoons. In the eastern most
portion of the room, where the
ceiling meets the wall, there is a
large white, ball of webs, perhaps
six feet across.
The ball of webs near the ceiling
contains the desiccated remains of a
giant spider that o
once
nce laired here.
Each of the two cocoons holds the
skeleton of what was once a male
human, still dressed in a red guard
uniform. The corpses each have 1d6 gp
on them.
Otherwise, there are no items of
value in this room.
43.0 Troglodyte Lair.
This repugn
repugnant
ant cave is filled with
mounds of excrement, bones and
rotting entrails. Basking in all this
disgusting glory sit three vaguely
reptilian man
man-sized
sized humanoids,
apparently caught in a disagreement
as to which will eat a particularly
rancid looking piece of mmeat.
eat.
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 35
Monster: This room contains 4
troglodytes, but as soon as any of
the troglodytes in areas 43, 44 or 45
are engaged, the others will run in
to fight from the other two areas.
If the party sifts through the
garbage, they will find the
following: 11 gp, 6 sp, 8 cp, one old
dagger, gold ring worth 2 gp.
43.1 Troglodyte Entrance.
On either side of this tunnel
entrance, a metal
metal-tipped
tipped spear has
been forced into the stone floor. On
each resulting pole hangs a cluster
of humanoid and animal skulls. The
smell you have been suffering through
appears to emanate from this tunnel.
43.2 Stench.
You notice that as you move forward,
there is a terrible, organic smell
that is developing. The smell reminds
of you of a combination of vomit,
feces and rot.
44.0 Trog
Troglodyte
lodyte Lair.
This repugnant cave is filled with
mounds of excrement, bones and
rotting entrails. Basking in all this
disgusting glory sit three vaguely
reptilian man
man-sized
sized humanoids,
apparently caught in a disagreement
as to which will eat a particularly
rancid
ancid looking piece of meat.
Monster: This room contains 4
troglodytes, but as soon as any of
the troglodytes in areas 43, 44 or 45
are engaged, the others will run in
to fight from the other two areas.
If the party sifts through the
garbage, they will f
find
ind the
following: 6 gp, 11 sp, 2 cp.
45.0 Troglodyte Lair.
This repugnant cave is filled with
mounds of excrement, bones and
rotting entrails. Basking in all this
disgusting glory sit three vaguely
reptilian man
man-sized
sized humanoids,
apparently caught in a di
disagreement
sagreement
as to which will eat a particularly
rancid looking piece of meat.
Monster: This room contains 4
troglodytes, but as soon as any of
the troglodytes in areas 43, 44 or 45
are engaged, the others will run in
to fight from the other two areas.
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 36
If the party sifts through the
garbage, they will find the
following: 7 gp, 4 cp, ring of
protection +1.
46.0 One-Way Teleportation Room,
Level 2 to 1.
On the far wall of this room stands a
false portal, outlined by 8" square
stones. Three of the stones are
painted - Blue, Red and Yellow. The
blue stone is halfway from the floor
on the left. The red is halfway from
the floor on the right. The Yellow
stone is at the top of the arch. The
floor is covered with dust and small
debris.
This is a deactivated teleportation
device. When activated by both sides,
the portal leads to area 16, on the
first level.
In order to activate the device, the
colored stones must be touched in the
proper order (Red, Yellow, Blue) on
both sides.
47.0 One-Way Teleportation Room,
Level 1 to 2.
On the far wall of this room stands a
false portal, outlined by 8" square
stones. Three of the stones are
painted - Blue, Red and Yellow. The
blue stone is halfway from the floor
on the left. The red is halfway from
the floor on the right. The Yellow
stone is at the top of the arch. The
floor is covered with dust and small
debris.
This is a deactivated teleportation
device. When activated by both sides,
the portal leads to area 15, on the
first level.
In order to activate the device, the
colored stones must be touched in the
proper order (Blue, Yellow, Red) on
both sides.
48.0 Arena Cavern.
This cavern shows some evidence of
stonework, but remains unfinished.
The center portion of the room has
been dug out to about 15' below the
floor level, and the sides slope
downward from the surrounding walls.
This room was at one time intended to
become an area, but it has yet to be
finished.
49.0 Phosphorescent Cave.
This medium sized cavern presents an
eerie sight. A soft phosphorescent
glow bathes the entire area,
emanating from the widespread growth
of purplish mold on the walls,
ceiling and parts of the floor.
The mold is harmless.
49.1 Cavern of the Mystical Stone.
This ante-chamber is coated with the
same purplish mold as the previous
cavern which allows you to easily see
the contents of the room. Although
most of the room is empty, toward the
southern wall rests a large, glowing
chunk of a whitish, finely layered
stone.
The stone radiates magic and cannot
be removed. For those who know about
stone, the rock bears a striking
resemblance to mica. The stone chips
easily and if a chip is removed, it
will continue to glow for only three
rounds, after which time, the chip
will in all ways be ordinary mica.
However, if the stone is placed in
the mouth of a creature before the
glow stops, the creature rolls a 1d20
to determine the magical effect of
the stone on the following chart.
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 37
Only one roll may ever be made for of 1d6 temporary hit points to
each character, no matter how long a PC
period intervenes.
19. Gives a curse - the PC will
1. Immediately teleports the PC sleep for 72 hours straight
an
andd his gear to the webbed cave each month, beginning one day
(room 42) before the ending of one day
after each new moon (can only
2. Immediately blinds the be removed by remove curse)
character for 1d6 hours
20. No effect.
3. Permanently raises Strength
rating by 1 point

4. Permanently raises Charisma

rating by 1 point

5. Permanently raises Wisdom

rating by 1 point

6. Permanently raises Intelligence

rating by 1 point

7. Permanently raises Dexterity

rating by 1 point

8. Permanently lowers Strength

rating by 1 point

9. Permanently lowers Charisma

rating by 1 point

10. Permanently lowers Intelligence

rating by 1 po
point
int

11. Heals all damage, illness,

madness, curse, etc., on PC

12. Causes invisibility for 1d6

hours

13. Poison (Save DC at 13)

14. Makes a 500 gp appear in the

PC's hand

15. Gives a permanent +1 to any

single weapon carried by the PC

16. Heals all d

damage,
amage, illness,
madness, curse, etc., on PC 50.0 Giant Cave Frog Water Pit.

17. Causes idiocy for 1d4 hours This cavern contains a large pool of
what would appear to be clear water.
18. Gives a special on
on-time
time bonus

In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 38

Beyond the pool, and to the west, the
cave appears to open up again, but
most of that space is around the
corner, outside your range of vision.
The water is extremely cold. Anyone
entering the water must spend a full
hour recovering from its freezing
effect on the body.
Monster: There is no monster in the
water, but around the corner is a
giant cave frog that will attack if
anyone enters the water.
51.0 Wizard’s Laboratory #2.
As soon as this room's stone door is
opened, torches that are mounted on
the stone walls flare to life, giving
this room a dim and frightening glow.
Your eyes slowly adjust to the light
and you become aware of a macabre
scene. Along the right wall, you see
a number of torture implements
hanging on the black stone, some
shiny with dried gore. Further down,
stands an ash filled brazier with
pokers resting on the edge. In the
center of the room rests a large
oaken table with straps for humanoid
wrists and ankles. Its surface is
partially coated with a reddish black
coagulated substance. Stuck to the
table is what might be a piece of
human scalp.
To the left of the table stands a
nondescript 2' by 2' wooden cube upon
which rests a greenish white box made
of what looks like a semi-translucent
quartz-like stone. The front panel of
the box has been removed and the
interior of the box appears to be
empty. Next to this cube, is a tray
stand on which rest various cutting,
gripping and grinding implements.
Beyond the table, against the far
wall sits an old, battered desk. Its
surface is bare except for a single
brown colored book.
To the left of the desk, is a
vertical torture rack, which is
thankfully empty at the moment. Its
gears, chains and straps are filthy
and hang limply in the dim light.
The northern portion of the room
serves as a storage area. The walls
on the west, north and east walls are
covered from floor to ceiling with
roughly made shelving. The shelves
are filled with hundreds of jars
holding various animal, human and
humanoid body parts, each submerged
in some form of pale pink liquid. The
jars are dusty, but clearly reveal
their contents in a spectacle of
horror.
The desk has four drawers, none of
which are locked.
Upper Left Drawer:
One ink bottle; two quills; several
sheets of parchment; a knife.
Lower Left Drawer:
Empty.
Upper Right Drawer:
A dark blue box, 3" by 5"; an old
pair of spectacles; a four oz. bottle
full of some kind of small white
tablets; cotton balls; a bloody pair
of leather gloves and several rags.
Inside the blue box:
Lined with blue pillowed fabric,
contains a ring finger with a silver
ring inset with a red stone and a
black stone.
Lower Right Drawer:
Three laundered and folded white
aprons with blood stains.
Weathered, Leather Bound Book:
Zelligar's Palimpsest, otherwise
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 39
known as "Soul Digestion," written in
indecipher
indecipherable
able code. This book does
not radiate magic or evil. It appears
simply to be a book - no pictures.

51.1 Locked Stone Door.

This large stone door has what might

appear to be an average sized keyole
where a doorknob would ordinarily be.
There are no other f
features
eatures on this
plain slab.

This door is locked by a lock that

cannot be picked by ordinary or
magical means. Further, it is made of
a particularly hard slab of granite
and is virtually impenetrable. The
only viable means of entry is a key
found on the key
keyring
ring located in
Zelligar's nightstand in room 5.

52.0 Cave of the Doombat King.

The high ceiling of great cavern does

not continue into this smaller cave,
though the floor is very heavily
covered with large blobs of guano.
Hanging upside down in the center of
this room is the 8' long body of a
giant bat. The bat's eyes are open
and its body is very still.
will awaken if the party enters and
that percentage will increase sharply
Monster: This cave is the lair of 1 if there are multiple light sources,
doombat that will attack immediately talking or louder sounds. Once one
if awakened. bat awakens, it only takes two rounds
for the entire grouping to swarm. If
53.0 Grand Cavern of Bats. the bats swarm, they will buzz around
the PCs making it impossible for them
This cavern is so large, that it to see or hear wandering monsters,
appears to extend without limit in causing an automatic surprise.
every direction. The floor slopes
Monster: This enormous cavern is
gradually down as you enter. home to as many bat s
swarms
warms as the DM
feels appropriate
appropriate.
The ceiling of this cavern is over
60' high and, if it is daytime, lined If the party leaves the room, it will
with nearly 2,000 bats. (If it is take the bats about 1/2 hour to go
daytime, the party will see a small back to their resting position.
spot of light n
near
ear the center of the
ceiling.) There is a 10% chance every
turn
rn that one or more of the bats

In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 40


54.0 Treasure Room.
A shallow cavern at the end of the
secret tunnel appears abruptly.
Before you stand three stacks of
wooden chests, three chests per
stack. On the floor in between, lie
four rolled tapestries, three
earthenware jugs, a shallow table on
which stand a large golden
candlestick, two golden crowns with
inlaid jewels, four golden chalices
with matching plates and one
impressive gold necklace inlaid with
large green gemstones.
Each chest contains 1,000 gold pieces
counted into 100 coin sacks and
stacked neatly in the chest.
55.0 Graveyard.
This huge, dark cavern stretches out
of sight on its no
north/south
rth/south axis and
is about 50' wide at any point.
Stretching from south to north is a
long row of what appear to be
unmarked graves. The air is chill and
somehow, the darkness seems to hang
like moisture in the air. Something
about this cavern is wrong, bbut
ut you
can't quite put your finger on what
it is.
The spirits of these murdered and
mutilated corpses have never been
allowed proper ascension. As a
consequence, the mad remnants of
their consciousness will force their
bodies up through the soil to attack
any who enter.
The zombies are truly crazed, having
neither reason, nor memory. Their
only thought is to kill any
anything
thing that
moves and to exact a horrific revenge
consisting of the violent
disembodiment of any living creature.
Once a living creature comes within
20' of a grave, its inhabitant will
start digging. It takes each zombie
1d4+2 rounds to free itself from a
grave. Each creature is terrifying to
look at and adventurers will need to
make a saving throw against fear
(Wisdom) at a DC 8 or be frighten
frightened
ed
for 1d4+1 rounds, feeling at maximum
dash speed for the first round.
[Note: During our game
game,
, the
disinterment rate shown above proved
rather slow. You might consider
speeding this up]
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 41
 be fully sealed at the end of 1 round.

Once outside, a PC will find himself

on a narrow ledge that stands high
above the tree line. There is no way
up or down but to jump or try to
climb.
limb. If a perception check succeeds
(DC 15), the party will see that
there was once a rope ladder here
that had been camouflaged by vines
and other growth. However, the rope
has long since decayed into an
unusable form.

56.0 Cavern of the Statue.

This la
large
rge cavern appears to be empty
except for a solitary stone figure,
roughly sculpted from the same black
stone of the cavern walls in the
southern portion of the room. The
statue is obviously intended to
depict a strongly muscled man in
splint mail, looking into the center
of the room while pointing north,
northeast with his right hand. His
left hand holds an unfurled parchment
with an angular glyph written on it.

The statue can be toppled, but will

55.1 Secret Exit.
break if it falls. The statue is
rough and thus not of grea
greatt value.
This cave contains a large pile of
stones and a collection of digging Underneath the statue, in a small
equipment that has been placed and hole in the base is a piece of old
organized here in a orderly fashion. fabric with an ornate "R" sewn into
The tools include: 5 shovels; 2 it.
wheelbarrows; 4 large picks; 2 coils
56.1 Landing.
of medium rope (50' each); a sled
with pulling rope; wooden rollers;
The center of this small cave's floor
and a rake.
has a five foot wide patch of ash and
soot. Above it is a 3' wide hole
The room is otherwise empty, except extending far into the ceiling.
for the secret exit on the north wall.
The door is a one
one-way
way door, that may
be easily pressed to open from this The hole leads to room 19 on the
side, but that is entirely impossible first floor.
to open from the other side. The door
is counter balanced, so that if 56.2 Pit Trap.
opened and left unattended, it will
immediately begin to close and will This 12' wide, 10' deep covered pit
trap will cause 1d4 bludgeoning

In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 42

damage to any that fall in. A passive
perception check of 16 will detect
the trap. Otherwise, a perception
roll must be made for a DC of 16.
It is important to note that I
initially prepared Zelligar’s Evil
strictly for personal use so I wasn’t
exactly meticulous in changing or
omitting all of Mike Carr’s text. I
remember lifting a few sentences
virtually verbatim from the author’s
original work here and there, but of
course now I can’t recall what parts
those were - except for the lengthy
“Background” section.
I also borrowed very heavily from
Forgotten Realms materials published
in past editions of D&D in putting
the “book” handouts together.
Based on my imperfect memory, I would
have to estimate that at least 70% of
the words of Zelligar’s Evil were
actually written by me. Concerned
about potential intellectual property
issues in publishing this re-write of
ISotU under the DM’s Guild license
(or anywhere for that matter), I read
everything I could find on the WotC
website and watched a Youtube video
on the DM’s Guild. I also reached
out to Wizards of the Coast (“WotC”)
directly. In an email exchange
through the DM’s Guild website, I was
told that inclusion of a few bits of
the original author’s words in my own
version - even without citation -
should be permissible given the
licensing arrangement.
Even so, I still don’t feel as though
I completely understand the licensing
rules. Thus, WotC’s legal department,
if you are reading this and I am
somehow mistaken in my understanding,
please be so kind as to let me know
and I will rework the text to
eliminate any problem. I do want to
be fully compliant. Thank you.
Ring of Fire Protection
Ring of Fire Protection
This ring grants the wearer
protection against fire damage,
eliminating the first 4 points of
fire damage dealt each round.
Scroll of Adhesion
Scroll of Adhesion
Casting Time: 1 Action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 1 turn per level
This dweomer causes two solid objects
to adhere to one another for the
duration of the spell. The caster
must touch the juncture between the
objects while intoning the spell. The
adhered objects can be separated by a
successful Strength Check (DC 25), by
means of a dispel magic spell or by
exerting a force more than 1,000
pounds plus 100 pounds per caster
level (about 2 horse power at first
level). If the spell is employed
against materials or objects worn or
carried by an unwilling creature, the
subject gains a saving throw v. spell
to avoid the effect.
The material component is a pinch of
powdered horse's hoof.
Scroll of Zelligar’s Feeling
Fingers
Scroll of Zelligar’s Feeling Fingers
Casting Time: 1 Action
Range: 60 Yards
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 1 hour + 1 turn per level
This spell calls into existence a
disembodied hand under the caster's
command. The hand cannot hold, grasp
or carry, but it does have an
amazingly sensitive sense of touch.
The hand's sense of touch is so fine
that it can note minuscule cracks,
separations or openings in a surface,
and thus detect the presence of a
secret or concealed door with a 50%
chance of success. The hand can
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 43
search
arch a 10 foot by 10 foot area each
turn. The hand cannot be destroyed by
physical attacks, but it is dispelled
if dealt 4 or more points of magical
damage. The hand can trip a non
non-
magical trap if the location of the
trap is known.

The material components for the spell

are a child
child--sized
sized silk glove and a
swan's feather.

Monsters

In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 44

In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 45
In Search of the Unknown: Zelligar’s Evil 46