Help! Need Ideas for a 6th Level Adventure

[gizmo33]

Should the Aboleth be the Mastermind (BBEG) or just a coincidence? How did the fortress come to life? Did the the Aboleth cause it or was it an effect from the grear cataclysm at the end of the last age? Are the Undead fallen warriors that defended the fortress during the war, or enemies, or both?

The fortress came to life as part of a spell researched/created by the original owners. The spell summoned an earth elemental to "possess" the fortress. The command was "anyone not standing in this room with me right now is an invader. Destroy them."

The people who owned the fortress were desperate to defend it, facing a simultaneous attack from armies on the surface, and those who were in service of the Aboleth and trying to infiltrate it from below. The aboleth still lurks in the depths, it's servants are so far unable to defeat the elemental.

I don't know about the source of undead. My elemental idea was an attempt to avoid undead because I think they can be overused.

 

[Eye Tyrant]

Thanks guys. If you have any other ideas throw them at me.

 

[MavrickWeirdo]

The fortress came to life as part of a spell researched/created by the original owners. The spell summoned an earth elemental to "possess" the fortress. The command was "anyone not standing in this room with me right now is an invader. Destroy them."

The people who owned the fortress were desperate to defend it, facing a simultaneous attack from armies on the surface, and those who were in service of the Aboleth and trying to infiltrate it from below. The aboleth still lurks in the depths, it's servants are so far unable to defeat the elemental.

I don't know about the source of undead. My elemental idea was an attempt to avoid undead because I think they can be overused.

That's very good

 

[Eye Tyrant]

Here's my first thought:

In my world the last age ended in a great war between 4 Mage Kings, a Necromancer, a Summoner (actually a Queen), an Artificer, and an Evoker. I imagine the Summoner could have called forth a Greater Elemental to protect the fortress. The good guys (Summoner) win the war over the bad guys (Necro) after the others (Artificer and Evoker, both "neutrals") have been defeated. The Elemental, a millienia after the war has ended and the Summoner gone, still dwells amonst the fortress halls, growing in power by fighting off the Undead (a final curse on the defenders before the Necro fell). The (now Greater/Elder) Elemental has somehow become so protective of the fortress that it has become one with it, nearly bringing the fortress to life. The cursed Undead still shamble about the halls, but between the Elemental and the newly arrived Goblins, the Undead are few. The Goblins think the Fortress is haunted, but still find it to be an excellent stronghold. However, as they have delved deeper into the bowels of the place stumbled across the flooded areas that is home to the Aboleth, a fairly new tenant itself. The Aboleth has dominated the tribe of Goblin's and seeks to use them to lure more slaves to the flooded depths below, visions of conquering the surface swimming through it's alien mind.

Possible PC Goals:

Release the Undead from their curse by either destroying them or dispelling the curse.
Free the Elemental from it's servitude, perhaps allying with it to...
Destroy the Aboleth before it dominates more unwilling servants.

What do you guys think? Does it sound like too much? Should it take the PCs up more then 1 level? Is it too much like "Night Below"?

Thanks again!