TEXT: Into the Steeps
  It is said that the sorcerer Bethelan drew his
  power from the depths of the earth, and that
  his chosen place for his meditations is rich
  with his treasures.
  The Steeps
  A
  natural
  cavern
  system,
  the
  steeps
  are
  rough, unstable, and wet. The uneven slopes
  will require much climbing and clambering.
  Each elevation line indicates a drop of ten
  feet.
  From Time to Time (Roll d6 twice)
  d6 #1: 1-2: encounter; 3-6: distant sounds,
  foreshadowing, or remnants.
  d6 #2: 1: 2d6 hungry isopods; 2: cloud of
  moths; 3: abrasive, wet sand gets everywhere;
  4: sudden 10' subsidence; 5: giant centipede; 6
  the cave wyrm.
  1. Entrance Gallery
  This high-ceilinged cavern slopes gradually
  downwards to the north. A trail has been
  worn
  into
  the
  floor,
  cutting
  east
  toward
  location 4. The northern end is divided by a
  row of
  rusted iron stakes, each a foot long,
  driven into the clay of the floor.
  2. Echoing Depths
  The remarkable echoes here will soon start to
  come slightly before the original sounds.
  3. Moths
  A huge number of fat, grey moths dwell here,
  preyed upon by spiders and whip scorpions.
  4. Meditation Chamber
  The path from the west winds to the top of a
  30' tall plateau. At the summit stands a small
  stool and a sturdy leather case containing a
  set of silver tuning forks.
  5. Low Cavern
  The ceiling presses down claustrophobically,
  dropping to a mere 3' in the middle.
  6. Flat Chamber
  Hidden by rubble around a flat, circular
  clared space are the remains of candle stubs
  and a gold-handled ceremonial knife.
  7. Bethelan's Musical Geode
  Gigantic crystals, some twice the size of a
  man, line this large, bowl-shaped chamber.
  The Steeps of Ur-Menig
  An adventure location by Michael Prescott
  If struck, the crystals ring with clear tones of
  surpassing beauty. Given time to learn the
  layout of the geode, it is possible to play
  music here, perhaps by throwing coins.
  Anyone who hears such a piece gains local
  telepathy with all fellow listeners.
  8. Hermit
  A filthy, sour-smelling man clad in rags. He is
  a
  demon,
  brought
  here
  by
  Bethelan
  and
  imprisoned by the power of the crystals. He
  will
  plead
  with
  the
  party
  for
  assistance
  crossing the geode. If helped across, he may
  take his natural form. He is patient, a liar,
  and will use his freedom with alarming
  malice.
  9. Sodden Grotto
  Crude etchings appear to show genderless
  beings frolicking amid stalagmites, pools,
  and strange cathedrals.
  10. Dormant Isopods
  Buried in the steep slope are 13 giant
  cave
  isopods.
  Mature
  adults,
  they
  resemble 4-foot earwigs, save for their
  many legs. They have lain dormant for
  years, but noises or careless clambering
  will awaken them. They are hungry.
  11. Bountiful Pool
  A pool wriggles with immature isopods. The entire
  chamber, in fact, is contaminated with isopod eggs,
  barely distinguishable from the sand. If any eggs
  find their way to fresh water, they will infest it.
  12. Lair of the Cave Wyrm
  The lower portion of the cave is littered with
  shattered isopod fragments.
  At the top of the cave waits the wyrm. Wingless,
  eyeless, and without forelegs, it has sought this
  cavern
  as
  a
  refuge
  against
  the
  shame
  of
  its
  deformities. Nevertheless, its hoarding instinct is
  strong, and it will pursue anyone it suspects of being
  able to contribute to its cache.
  13. The Wyrm's Cache
  Packed into the sand in the upper reaches of this
  chamber are three wyrm eggs and a mass of chewed
  silverwork, evidently fittings from several princely
  saddles.
  Cared-for
  eggs
  hatch
  as
  wyrm-isopod
  hybrids.
  14. Carreg Waiting Post
  Five genderless beings with skin of supple clay rest
  here, eating an isopod. They are a party of carreg
  scouts, awaiting Bethelan in the hopes of obtaining
  expertise in warfare or magic to aid their embattled
  homeland. They expect relief in three days' time.
  Carreg fear iron, but will fight using bone javelins if
  pressed. Fungus bed mats, quartz dice, d6 gems.
  15. Maw of Ur-Menig
  This chamber is vast beyond reckoning. The ceiling
  swoops up and out of view, while the ground of
  packed, rippled sand slopes precipitously downward.
  Once holding a lake of considerable size, it is now a
  black void filled with icy currents of air.
  20' below the level of the corridors is a rowboat,
  overturned and half buried. Beneath it is a sack
  containing garnets, emeralds and a map showing a
  route to the homeland of the carreg.
  Beyond the boat the air is unbreathable. Anyone
  ignoring the sensations of light-headedness will
  swoon into a deathless sleep, resting there until
  returned to higher ground.
  If the carreg are on friendly terms with the PCs and
  trade looks possible, they will offer to carry them
  across the maw, unconscious, to their homeland, a
  service they claim they have performed for Bethelan
  many times.
  Copyright © 2014 Michael Prescott
  If you like this adventure, find more at:
  http://patreon.com/adventures
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Trilemma Adventures/Trilemma 05 Steeps of Ur-Menig.pdf