Karameikos - Vaults of Pandius

Mirror of the Eternal Nightand spells, and very dangerous items such asradiance machinery and weapons.The secrets: The DM should point out to overenthusiastic PC’s that randomly pillaging theruins is a major archeological crime. WhilePCs probably will not care about this, all theitems found in Koskatepetl are still infectedwith the Wasting, the terrible disease thatkilled millions after the Great Rain of Fire - sofoolish PCs will soon learn the error of theirways.No undead inhabit old Koskatepetl nor doany lifeforms - not even oozes or smallinsects. That should give PCs a clue about thedangers of the place.Nothing changes here after the Darkers takecontrol. During the centuries The Last Onehas explored the city extensively but, much tohis frustration, found it impossible to animatethe dead here (an effect of the Temple),found the radiance items quite useless, andno passage whatsoever to the Inner templehe knows to lie below. Should he find himselfin serious danger on Level Ten he might tryto escape here, and be quite hard to find inthe huge maze of rubble.Level THIRTEEN, THE DREAMOF FIREIt is impossible to reach the Inner Temple ofIxion, except as a consequence of the actionsof Hel’s beastmen (see Level Eleven), or if theTemple is voluntarily opened from below byIxion’s followers -- which may happen ifQuehuar revolts against The Last One or toattack the Darkers before their ceremony in1031 AC. Attempts to reach the Inner Templewith gates, teleport, or other magical meanswill fail, even if the PC’s somehow knowabout it -- note that only a few powerfulindividuals from the levels above are awareof the Temple’s existence at all and none ofthem would willingly share this information.This level is a huge compound dedicated toIxion, and is home to thousands of peoplewho have chosen to become its guardiansover the millennia. There are Sollux,brutemen, Hutaakan and human priests,and warriors living here under the earthfrom innumerable generations.Obviously If the PCs have arrived here asenemies they will be fought to the bitter end,but a small group of people will never beable to conquer the temple, as it’s heavilyguarded and there are very powerful priestsamong the guardians. Only an organizedarmy of Hel’s, Nyx’s or Thanatos’ followerscould do it, or a large number of fairies andgiants. If the PCs arrived here as followers orallies of Ixion, however, they will bewelcomed as the temple is preparing toreveal itself to the world and the inhabitantsvery much need information about the landin which they will emerge - and they coulduse the PC’s as emissaries and ambassadorsto the Karameikan court. The priests will nothide the fact that they guard a powerfulartifact, but will not explain the details of itsnature and powers.The secrets: The most sacred place is indeedthe Inner Temple. Here is a huge chamberwith a crystalline sarcophagus where Ashira,daughter of the Sun, has slept since thedawn of Time with the Dream of Fire. Theartifact appears as a bronze box she keeps ather side, with her left hand over it. SeveralSollux priests and warriors are always here,guarding her resting place, and the Dream.If the PC’s have managed to arrive here,either by stealth or by violence, Ishan, thehighest priest, will not immediately attack155THRESHOLD: The Mystara Magazine Issue #1