Titan's Rest

By: Krypter

Description

Amidst the shifting white sands of the plane of Pelion stands a monument like no other: the bleached skeleton of a giant or titan of immense size, the hands and skull blackened as if by some horrendous flame. The bones of this brooding humanoid tower nearly 10 stories, but parts have fallen off and litter the ground below. In his withered hands the skeleton clutches a red bejeweled egg seemingly made out of rubies, red sapphires, bloodstone and coral. The egg is also huge, probably 10 feet in diameter, and its semi-transparant inside swirls with mystic shapes and magical essences.

If approached, the egg emanates a fierce heat, and touching it will activate flames on its surface. The heat and flames will do d6 points of damage per round to anyone within 10 feet, rising by and additional +d6 per turn of proximity. Prying any jewel from the surface of the orb is incredibly difficult (DC 26), and results in a hole that belches forth a fireball of 5d6 size at the person.

The titan himself is long dead, but some force keeps his frame from collapsing. Or rather, upon closer examination it becomes clear that the inhabitants of this skeleton have strung ropes, chains and wooden beams to support the titan's bony remains. A group of desert raiders known as The Bonepickers use the Titan's Rest as a shelter from the flesh-scouring winds of Pelion. In addition to these reavers, the skull of the titan is home to an eccentric wizard whose oracular powers are held in dread regard by the Bonepickers. A wandering hedge wizard who somehow tuned into the ancient whispers of Pelion, Hokum Wenous (Wiz6/CN/Guvners/Gnome/Cranky Visionary) is steeped in occult lore but rather bereft of common sense. His visions may be accurate, but pronouncements on the course of action are dubious at best. Hokum dispenses wisdom in exchange for offerings of food, water and minor magical trinkets. He does not accept weapons of any kind, and will feel insulted by such gifts. Though his magical skills are lacking, he does hoard several scrolls of offensive magic which he can use in extremis.

The Titan's Rest can be used as a convenient waypoint for travellers wandering the desert wastes of Pelion, on their way to the Lost Spire or Amun-Thys.

GM's Dark:

The Titan is one known as Cromaeus, who was trapped on Pelion and was looking for a portal to the Plane of Fire. He found it, in the form of a Phoenix's Egg. Unfortunately in one of his bouts of amnesia he forgot to protect himself from fire, and the magical flames of the egg consumed him. The egg is a dormant Phoenix whose birth will open a strong two-way portal to a place near the City of Brass. The only way to activate the portal is to ignite a heat greater than the egg around it and help the Phoenix to hatch. Perhaps a device to focus the strong rays of the sun will awaken it?