Echoes in the Abyss: The Forgotten Prophet's Labyrinth
Setting: The Abyssal Labyrinth
The crumbling entrance to the Abyssal Labyrinth emerges from the thick mist that enshrouds the desolate valley of Eldryth. Rumors speak of an ancient prophet, long forgotten by the world, whose wisdom is locked within these winding passages. However, the labyrinth is not merely a maze of stone; it is a living, breathing entity infused with dark magic. The walls seem to pulse and whisper, and shadows flit just beyond the reach of light, hinting at the dangers that lie within.
The party begins their adventure at the threshold of this twisted maze, armed with knowledge of the prophet’s legendary artifact: the Echo Stone, a crystalline shard reputed to grant its wielder the ability to foresee the future. The artifact is said to rest in the heart of the labyrinth, guarded by the prophet's lingering spirit and the monstrous embodiments of her fears and failures.
Characters
The Forgotten Prophet (The Oracle)
The remnants of the prophet's spirit manifest within the labyrinth, becoming a blend of wisdom and madness. She appears as a floating figure of light surrounded by ephemeral shadows. When approached, she will alternate between providing cryptic guidance and unleashing her deep-rooted fears upon the intruders. Her voice echoes through the walls, urging the party to prove their worth or inviting them to join her in despair.
The Shadow Wraiths
These creatures are fueled by the sorrows of the prophet and take the form of twisted figures bearing the memories of those who once sought her guidance. Clad in tattered robes, they possess the ability to drain the life force from any who fall within their grasp. They maneuver through the labyrinth as whispers among the shadows, overwhelming the party as they sift through memories of their own past.
The Encounter Goals
The primary goal for the adventurers is to navigate through the labyrinth to retrieve the Echo Stone before the Shadow Wraiths can overwhelm them. In doing so, they must face the prophet’s trials — deciphering ancient riddles, overcoming deceptive traps, and ultimately confronting both the remnants of the prophet’s spirit and the wraiths.
Encounter Setup
The Entrance
The encounter begins as the players stand before the entrance, where faint symbols etched into the stone hint at the trials ahead. A successful Arcana or History check (DC 14) may provide insights into the labyrinth's history and the nature of its guardian—the Forgotten Prophet.
The Labyrinth's Heart
Upon entering, the players will encounter a series of branching corridors, adorned with dimly glowing runes that flicker in vibrant blues and greens. As they navigate these passages, a constant sense of unease follows them. Producing light sources can trigger the prophecy echoes and activate traps that safeguard the labyrinth:
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The Howling Vortex: A corridor where whispers grow to a deafening chorus, challenging players with a Wisdom saving throw (DC 13). Failure results in temporary confusion (acting on the wrong initiative order) until the echo fades.
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Illusionary Walls: Certain intersections feature walls that create illusions, making them appear as dead ends. Players must make an Intelligence check (DC 15) to see through these illusions and discern the true path. Failure results in them becoming disoriented, having to backtrack through the most recently traveled route.
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The Pool of Memories: A shimmering pool lies in the center of a serene clearing. Upon peering into it, each party member must confront a personal memory — be it a betrayal, loss, or regret. They will face a Shadow Wraith (use stats of a Wraith, with 50 hit points) that manifests from their feelings. This creature will fight them until it is defeated or the player succeeds on a Charisma saving throw (DC 15) to accept the memory, causing the wraith to dissipate.
The Confrontation
As the party progresses, they will encounter a central chamber marked by an altar surrounded by glowing glyphs. It is here the remnants of the Forgotten Prophet appear, floating above the altar. She challenges the adventurers with a riddle that they must solve to unlock the gate leading to the Echo Stone.
Riddle: "I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?"
If they answer correctly ("an echo"), the altar glows brightly, revealing the door to the next chamber. Incorrect answers trigger psychic backlash, dealing 2d6 psychic damage and summoning two Shadow Wraiths to attack the party.
The Resolution
After solving the riddle and entering the next chamber, the party stands before the Echo Stone, pulsating with power. As they approach, the Forgotten Prophet’s spirit materializes again, now more composed. Here, the players must confront her directly.
Final Confrontation
The Forgotten Prophet, in her desire for connection, offers to relinquish the Echo Stone in exchange for a favor: to share knowledge of their future. This prompts them to make a choice — will they assist her in finding peace by completing a final trial or will they take the stone and leave?
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Choosing to Help: The party can present a heartfelt recollection of their own burdens, aided by past experiences, making a Persuasion check (DC 15). Success leads to the release of the prophet, causing her spirit to bless the party with temporary psychic abilities (such as foresight) before the Echo Stone is handed over.
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Selfish Acquisition: If they attempt to seize the Echo Stone without resolving her concerns, she becomes enraged, summoning ferocious Shadow Wraiths (two additional) to protect her domain. The players must fend off the wraiths while navigating hazards in the chamber like collapsing sections of the floor or psychic distortions that undermine their tactics.
Conclusion
Regardless of the outcome, the adventure results in both growth and trauma for the party, forcing them to reckon with their past while seeking a path forward. Upon completion, the players emerge from the Abyssal Labyrinth, carrying the Echo Stone and an enriched understanding of their own future — whether tethered to the wisdom of the Forgotten Prophet or tempered by their own decisions.
As they finally step out into the sunlight of Eldryth, the whispers of the labyrinth fade into distant echos, yet the lessons learned linger in their minds, reminding them of the dark waters they’ve traversed and the light that awaits ahead.
