*Beneath the Rushing Waters: The Cursed Aqueduct*
The Setting: The Cursed Aqueduct
Beneath the bustling town of Eldrah, a forgotten aqueduct extends like a vast, serpentine vein, carrying water from the crystal-clear Cragmaw River to the town's fountains and fields. The aqueduct, long-abandoned due to tales of a dark curse, sits hidden beneath the cobbled streets, entwined with the roots of ancient trees and lost relics of the past. Moisture-laden air clings to the stone walls, and the sounds of rushing water echo through the chambers, creating a haunting symphony.
The light from glowing fungi dapples the stones in shades of green and blue, illuminating the chilling carvings of long-forgotten deities and eerie faces that seem to watch the adventurers. The town's folk tremble at the mention of the aqueduct; they say that those who venture beneath the surface never return the same—or do not return at all. Recently, though, elders have spoken of a malevolent force that appears to be drawing strength from the depths, threatening to unleash a watery wrath upon the surface if not dealt with.
The Characters: Companions and Dangers
Players' Characters: The group consists of a diverse party of 4-6 adventurers, who might include a steadfast knight, a cunning rogue, a knowledgeable wizard, a benevolent cleric, a crafty ranger, and an illusionary bard, each bringing their distinct skills and knowledge to the challenges ahead. They are endowed with an undeniable determination to explore the mysteries of the cursed aqueduct, encouraged by the potential riches and the promise to break the curse that holds Eldrah in its grip.
Antagonistic Forces: As the players delve into the depths of the aqueduct, they will encounter the following foes:
-
Fleshy Spriggan: A grotesque creature resembling an amalgam of twisted roots and flesh, these creatures seek to protect the aqueduct from intruders. They can grapple with players using their vine-like appendages and deal poison damage with their barbed thorns.
-
Haunting Wraith: Spirits of drowned villagers lurk in the shadows, driven by a desire for vengeance. They drain life force with their spectral touch and are resistant to most physical damage unless wielded by a blessed weapon.
-
The Water Elemental Guardian: The final challenge within the depths, a powerful elemental rises to protect its territory when the players disturb its sacred pool. Driven to madness by the curse, it commands torrents of water and can create whirlpools to ensnare players.
The Goal: The Quest for the Crystal Chalice
The primary goal for the players in this encounter is to locate the fabled Crystal Chalice, said to be an ancient artifact that can purify the tainted waters of the aqueduct and break the curse that has plagued Eldrah. It's rumored to be hidden within a concealed chamber, accessible only to those who prove themselves worthy.
The Encounter Begins: Entering the Aqueduct
As the adventurers descend the damp stone steps leading into the aqueduct's mouth, they feel a drop in temperature, a sense that something ancient lies in wait. The damp air is thick with the smell of wet stone and moss as echoes cling to their footsteps. Illumination comes from glowing fungi that pulsate rhythmically, casting erratic shadows that dance along the walls.
The Entrance Chamber
Upon entering, they find the entrance chamber filled with stagnant water and slippery stones. In the center of the room lies a rotting, wooden chest with hinges rusted from centuries of neglect. Once opened, it reveals six smooth black stones imprinted with eldritch symbols.
Puzzle: The Elemental Glyphs
The stones are imbued with magic, and players must place them on a triangular stone pedestal in the correct configuration to unlock access to the deeper aqueduct levels. They must first figure out a riddle associated with the symbols, which could hint at the nature of water and its states (solid, liquid, vapor) in relation to the elements. Other players can assist in deciphering the riddle, combining intelligence and wisdom to arrive at the correct order.
Riddle Example: "In solid I freeze, in vapor I rise, in liquid I flow, I shift in disguise. What am I?"
If players solve the riddle and place the stones correctly within three attempts, the stone pedestal glows brightly, and a passageway opens on the opposite wall. If they fail, dripping water from the ceiling begins to fill the chamber, making movement difficult and instigating a minor drowning hazard.
The Confrontation: Unleashing the Dread
Once through the passage, the party enters a long, dimly lit corridor filled with unnaturally flourishing bioluminescent plants. However, a series of fibrous vines throb with malevolence along the edges of the corridor, sapping any life that comes near. As players progress, the Fleshy Spriggans awaken and attempt to ambush them.
Encounter: Fleshy Spriggan Ambush
The Spriggans, using their environment to their advantage, will launch surprise attacks on the characters, attempting to ensnare them with their appendages and drag them into the darkened corners of the corridor. The range of their poison attacks may momentarily incapacitate players, making it crucial to maintain awareness of surroundings.
The battle lasts until the Fleshy Spriggans are defeated, reducing them to a twisted mass of bark and vines. However, victory is short-lived, as whispers rise from the ground, summoning the Haunting Wraiths, the vengeful spirits of those lost to the aqueduct.
Encounter: The Haunting Wraiths
The spectral forms will rise from the walls of the corridor, manifesting as ghostly apparitions of drowned townsfolk. Players may take turns defending against their life-draining attacks while trying to lay the spirits to rest. The cleric or paladin of the group would do well to utilize their divine powers, while others can try reasoning or appeasing the spirits.
The wraiths attack swiftly, invoking terror and draining life force until subdued. Players may notice the spirits can be calmed by laying a token from the surface town (perhaps a piece of jewelry) within the sacred pool they return to. After dealing with these spirits, players can locate the water elemental's lair at the end of the corridor.
The Resolution: The Final Confrontation
The Elemental Lair
The final chamber radiates claustrophobia, suffocated by shadows and resonant with the sound of rushing water. At the center, a serene pool gleams, but unsettling waves pulse unnaturally outward, hinting at turmoil beneath. Players immediately feel the elemental energy thrumming through their bones, and as they approach the pool, the Water Elemental Guardian rises with shrieks echoing through the chamber.
Encounter: The Water Elemental Guardian
The elemental commands torrents of water, creating waves that knock players off balance. Players will need to use creativity with physical and magical tactics to strive against it. Preventing the elemental from crashing down upon them with wild torrents allows for strategic melee and ranged attacks to weaken it. The elemental may also attempt to flood parts of the chamber, creating difficult terrain and producing whirlpools to instantly drag players under.
Throughout this showdown, players can transport the elemental's energy to their advantage by using spells like control water or create water to disrupt its consistency. Once the elemental falls, it will shatter into sparkling droplets of pure water that restrain the curse.
Attaining the Crystal Chalice
As the elemental dissolves into the pool, a glimmer of light shines within the depths. Retrieving the Crystal Chalice, players are confronted with the choice to either return it to the town of Eldrah for purification or use it for their own gain. The curse's dissolution leads to a marked change within the aqueduct, with currents calming and shadows receding. With the chalice in hand, the group feels a jolt of warmth, filling them with renewed vitality.
Aftermath
Emerging from the aqueduct, the players have successfully resolved the conflict and brought relief to the people of Eldrah. They are greeted as heroes, with townsfolk rallying to prepare for a celebratory feast in their honor. The true nature of the curse is lifted—a dappled reminder of the past—but the legend of the Crystal Chalice and the journey beneath the rushing waters remains a tale well told for generations to come.
