After making it into the temple, the party managed to hide away and rest. After waking, they discovered that the temple was a sort of trial grounds to test, train, break, and indoctrinate would-be acolytes. A cliche omnious magically recorded message from Kangaxxian, spoke of his toxic masculinity and overbearing god complex. It also spoke of a room of riddles and other physical and mental challenges that an acolyte must surmount to transcend into an immortal servitude to the lich. Using find the path, the party knew that the phyllactery was located directly ahead of the main chamber, but their way was blocked by a large magically impenetrable dragon skull.
Kangaxxian’s quote: “Tremble before greatness mortal for now you tread on sacred ground. I am your new master, your new God. Set aside the trappings of what you believe to be a life and embrace opportunity. To know the secrets of this place is to transcend your meager existance and become something more.
One way or another you will serve me. The choice you face now is will you do it willingly, or will I rip out your soul and consume it as you wriggle on the floor in agony, wishing for a death that will not come?
There is no third choice. No alternatives.
Go now, find the room of riddles and prove you are sound of mind. There you will find the first step to your transendance.”
Exploring the complex, the found magical traps and prison chambers where a number of the missing rockfolk from the Olivine valley were being held. They also found grand murals painted as if in manner of instruction. The murals depicted various glorifications of Kangaxxian, but also contained subtle messages related to the riddle room and depicting the life of servitude of the acolytes. The depiction was one of ascendance and competition. Full descriptions of the murals are below.
Mural 1: The man in the mural is shown in the style of religious iconography as a god. The worshipers seem to be competing with one another to become acolytes to this god. The mural depicts brutal survival of the fittest competitions to identify only the most devoted and fervant supporters from the flock. One winner is shown in the cowled robes of an acolyte. Face hidden in darkness with a star-shapped clay medalion on their neck, they are shown in movement as they bring down a dagger towards the chest of a gagged man. Others are shown being cast into the the mountain or being ripped apart and trampled by those that have passed the trials and tribulations of the competition.
Mural 2: The creature in the mural is Kangaxxian’s Phylactery phoenix. Kangaxxian sits nearby in a golden throne with a golden circlet above his head. His followers use magic to lift humans and throw them into the mountain. The phoenix swoops below and seems to be feeding on those that are thrown into the volcano.
Mural 3: A mural on the wall portrays a powerful acolyte of Kangaxxian, in ceremonial robes, enjoying a luxurious dinner in a finely outfitted comfy space. On the floor nearby is a runic circle depicting the visage of a cabin in a remote section of mountains behind it. A darkly ominous blood red rings the doorway inviting the viewer in.
The party found various somewhat mundane items around the temple and eventually a statuary of various figures waiting to accept objects. Before the mechanics of the exchanges were known, Teal attempted to fill each vessel the statues held with water. He was killed by one of the errant magical effects, before being brought back to life using restorative magics.
Figuring out the mechanics of the room, the party provided the answers to all of the riddles and the way forward opened up to reveal a chamber with a guillotine, several wheels, and 4 pillars that have manacles attached to them.
UNOMAHA D&D 