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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Kris" data-source="post: 7882215" data-attributes="member: 3745">16. Chantry<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">At the far end of this room a headless statue stands over a stone altar - both of them blackened with fire and covered in soot (as is the floor and walls of the entire chamber).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Flanking the statue upon either side is a large, mangled/melted cage-like brazier, and from behind the altar comes a soft glow.</li> </ul>Unless the PC's are members of the unholy order of knights/priests that built this complex (and thus utter the correct incantation to allow safe passage*) two magma mephits are summoned into being (one in each brazier) around 30 seconds after anyone steps inside. Once these guardians have been dealt with, the PCs are free to explore the chamber, and will discover the following:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">While heavily stylised, the statue has been carved in the likeness of a heavily armoured knight with the device of a gaping maw devouring the sun etched into its breastplate.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Behind the altar is the helmeted head of the statue** - with two small gemstones set deep into the eye-slits that shine out with a radiance all of their own (treat as under the enchantment of a continual flame spell).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The altar itself is plain and unadorned - with tiny fragments of (scorched) silken cloth still clinging to it in a few places.</li> </ul>Further examination of the altar reveals (with a DC11 test) the presence of a sizeable secret compartment - though it proves to be particularly difficult to open (DC22 with thieves tools). However, should the head of the statue (which, when in place, looks down upon the altar) be manhandled back upon its shoulders (or the light from its 'eyes' be shone upon the top of the altar) - a faint click will be heard, and the secret drawer can be slid open with ease.Once again, the nature of the adventure will dictate the type of treasure found inside the secret compartment. For example, if the PCs are in search of an ancient artefact, then this is where it will be found; on the other hand, it could just as easily hold a random treasure hoard (as found in the DMG).For the sake of completeness, here is one such random hoard:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">10 gemstones - each worth 50gp each</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">1 potion of heroism</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">2 sets of old robes/vestments - each bearing the same mouth/sun emblem as the armour.</li> </ul>*note that this incantation has long since been forgotten.**the head will be face down when discovered - hence the muted glow the PCs saw upon entering the room.</blockquote>

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