d100 Items Found in the Ruins of Tolgorith Tower

d100 Items in the Tolgorith Tower Ruins

Roll 1d100 when the characters search the ruins, sift rubble, or poke through collapsed chambers.

• 01. A four-foot rod of unidentifiable hardshrood. An expert may establish that it is actually a Huge spider’s tibia
• 02. A mysterious six-inch orb made of a strange, petrified matter. An expert may identify it as an eye from a Large spider
• 03. Several pieces of what feel like rare clay that form a flat bowl. They are the top of a Small spider’s carapace or cephalothorax
• 04. Two chitinous tubes fused together to form small pipes. They are the spinnerets from a Medium spider
• 05. A thin, curved, ivory-like tube attached to what seems to be a dried-out sack, like the chanter and bag from a set of primitive bagpipes. It is a fang and venom gland from a Large spider
• 06. The charred bones of a humanoid hand and lower forearm. They were all burned by lightning, rather than fire
• 07. A small bronze medallion, missing its chain. It bears an eight-fingered hand on its face and the symbol of an unknown drow house on the obverse
• 08. A curved section of worked bone formed to make the handrail of a spiral staircase, although that is difficult to know from this single piece
• 09. Two small carvings of dwarves. Each is kneeling and has their arms raised upward with wrists chained. If rolled, they balance in a variety of ways
• 10. A near-flattened iron pot, dotted with patches of rust and stained elsewhere with blood. The two are difficult to tell apart with anything less than a careful check
• 11. The hood of a ceremonial robe, raggedly torn from the main cloak. It is unclear how the silk has survived
• 12. Half-a-dozen slate-gray mosaic tiles buried in the dust. Five are pentagonal, the last one octagonal. The sides of all of them are identical
• 13. The flat stub of a candle made from humanoid tallow. It is pitted with bite marks from tiny insects of some kind
• 14. The demolished remains of a low-quality table made of hardened mushroom. All of the pieces have multiple splinters protruding from them
• 15. A dented, palm-sized, stoppered copper flask. If opened, the hint of a sickly-sweet perfume reaches the holder’s nose
• 16. A finger-sized sealed iron vial. If broken open, the dust within smells faintly of fermented milk. If tasted, the dust is very, very mildly toxic thanks to ancient spider venom
• 17. The hilt of a rapier retaining just one inch of blade. Although now beyond use and worth, it was once masterwork quality
• 18. A rotted and fragile sash, roughly eight feet long and four inches wide. It belonged to a priestess, now long dead
• 19. The head of a trident, with two of the three tines missing. It is made out of extremely tough mushroom skin
• 20. A five-inch-square plate of steel-hard mushroom chitin with a hand’s shape on it. Time seems to have worn additional grooves, so it looks like eight fingers come from the palm
• 21. The thin cover of a book made from a shoulder blade. “Private Journal” is etched in Drow at its top, while the Drow symbols for K, T, and N are all that remain of a word at the bottom
• 22. The last few remains of a bed’s ticking. Although the shreds are worn beyond use, an expert would recognize them as expensive at one time
• 23. A fragile leather bolt case holding the shafts of three bolts. None of them have points or fletching, and so may be difficult to spot as former ammunition
• 24. A scrap or two of a battle-damaged chainmail shirt. Some of the links are in surprisingly good condition, but most crumble if treated too roughly
• 25. A short length of dimly flickering green filament. Both its material and how the faint light is produced is unclear. Whoever’s first to touch it swears they hear “Flee!” in Undercommon
• 26. A carved jade pin about two inches long. Its head has been broken off and cannot be found. On its back are holes that suggest it once had a clasp
• 27. Several slabs of stone with deep brown images of hands and arms shielding heads and chests. The images have an unnerving quality of being shadows ripped from bodies
• 28. The remains of a shrood door. If pieced together, the door is complete enough to see “Please, help us all!” scratched into it in Dwarven (or GM’s choice)
• 29. A small glyph of tainted platinum, although the metal is unrecognizable. The glyph is of an unknown house (in fact House Gullion); for some reason, nobody wants to pick it up
• 30. Two bones of a thumb from a left hand, sprayed with platinum, although the metal is unrecognizable. The obviously severed digit deters anyone from handling it
• 31. What looks like the heavily damaged mechanism from a door lock. An expert may be able to establish that it looks like it came from a hidden or even secret door
• 32. The fragmented and burned remains of a military issue cot, sized for a creature about five feet or so tall. Two or three pieces have blade gouges in them
• 33. A dozen slices of petrified meat fill a rotted leather bag buried in a hole. If a way is found to investigate the meat, it comes from a bat
• 34. A shattered column is discovered beneath piles of rubble. Its sections decorated with a few skulls and spiders, although empty indentations mean 95% of them are missing
• 35. A hand crossbow that is into a score or more pieces. Even with this many, any attempt to re-construct it reveals some components are missing
• 36. A thoroughly threadbare rug lies beneath several inches of dust. If uncovered, the barely discernible imprint of giant spiders is visible
• 37. The partially rusted lock from a thick door still has a snapped thieves’ tool embedded in its keyhole. Removing this causes the lock to fall into bits.
• 38. The obvious outlines of a ten-foot-square pit that is filled with debris. Anything could be at the bottom, although the odor coming from it is not pleasant
• 39. A battered lead box holding two dried hearts, both of which have the drow symbol for “coward” carved into the wall of their left ventricle
• 40. A six-inch iron needle the tip broken off. The metal is in fact cold iron, but this knowledge may well have been forgotten, or there is nobody who can recall it
• 41. A section of wall, some eight feet square, lies here. Dozens of names and initials are scratched into it in Dwarven, Gnomish, Upperworld Elven and Common used by humans
• 42. The handle, keeper, and short length of lash of a whip. None of the materials are familiar, although all show signs of being eaten by insects
• 43. A fractured whistle, perhaps made of bone, perhaps of ivory. If the fracture is sealed, the whistle’s note is barely audible to non-drow, but clear and sharp to any dark elf or drider
• 44. A perished and incomplete mushroom hardshrood “mechanism.” An expert in such things recognizes it as the spindle for a section of revolving wall
• 45. An “L”-shaped section of stone, either two walls or a wall and floor. A hook with a slight length of wire-like material – spider hair – is embedded in one face of the stone
• 46. A sizable fragment of skull with a bolt tip stuck in it. The tip is still blackened in contrast to the rest of the truncated shaft
• 47. The skeleton of a left hand. Amazingly, it is in perfect condition but shares none of the usual yellowish tone of bone, instead being a near-brilliant titanium oxide-white
• 48. An unusual carving of an entire rat skeleton fused together and shaped to be a rib. There is a loop at one end, possibly for a thong or chain, making this a gruesome medallion
• 49. A cracked, leathery complete humanoid skin, intact but without bones and internal organs after all this time. Eerily, there are no signs of surgery to remove its contents
• 50. A symbol made seemingly of gold but is in fact worked iron pyrite. The symbol is that of a long-forgotten minor drow deity (Harventhin [RotD p.218], or GM’s choice)
• 51. An ossified index finger with an over-long nail and the mark of once wearing a ring. An expert might be able to identify it as coming from a vampire-like creature
• 52. A compressed but still-intact tin flask. If opened and tipped, a trail of smoke appears from it that sinks to the ground and lasts a few seconds ¹
• 53. The front half of a drawer from a desk, although the handle is missing. Surprisingly, it is made of mahogany
• 54. Part of an ancient left claw from a mysterious aquatic creature. An expert may be able to recognize it as coming from a chuul
• 55. A scrap of faded tapestry that depicts one whole and several partial, unusual arachnids. An expert may know they are inkblot spiders
• 56. The seat and backrest of a shrood chair. The seat has eight pins sticking upward from it, each about a quarter of an inch long and tipped with a crusted purple powder
• 57. Fragments of cloth from a utilitarian set of clothes. They appear to have been torn apart in a frenzied manner
• 58. A modest copper box that holds a powdery black block. Long ago, it was a strong poison, but now it simply tastes bitter ^{1 2}
• 59. Several thumb nail-sized squares of clay that are assorted lurid shades of green and purple. Placing them side-by-side is disturbing
• 60. A decrepit hide wallet with a single sheet of moth-eaten vellum in it. A few words in Drow can still be made out, and are from a parable (see below)
• 61. A finely made, mottled bronze hook that looks suitable for hanging clothes on. However, if it is used for this task, it soon cracks and breaks
• 62. A ratty red velvet bag that has lost its drawstring. When found, it is inside out. It currently is home to a centipede
• 63. A set of manacles with three links of chain between the cuffs. Neither pawl locks in place any more
• 64. The headless skeleton of a torso. The ribs, spine and arms strewn over an area twenty feet square. All the bones show signs of slashing damage, although every blow appears to be perfect
• 65. The remains of a large carrion beetle’s head and thorax, plus parts of its wing covers. More troubling is the human skull attached to the creature’s head
• 66. A three-foot-wide, four-foot-long section of wall. It has a ten-inch-wide groove cut in it that houses five metal rungs
• 67. A section from a circular stone column that has an orc skull embedded in it. The skull’s mandible has been attached to the temporal bones by hinges and can still move
• 68. The right-hand side and part of the seat and backrest from an armchair. Unexpectedly, the item is made from slabs of bone provided by an indistinguishable Huge beast
• 69. Three miniscule slivers of diamond, so small that each is worth just 4 copper pieces. They are only seen if a flickering light, such as that from a torch, passes them
• 70. The splintered remains of two-dozen or more crates and barrels, all with tiny pieces of bone embedded in them. They look as if something was trapped inside and burst its way out
• 71. A calcified tentacle that is about ten inches long and set in an “S” shape. It still retains a diseased, bruise-like hue that is unsettling to consider ²
• 72. A ragged lizardskin satchel without its shoulder strap. It contains hundreds of dusty leaves and one packet of tied muslin that protects a vaguely aromatic tobacco
• 73. A handful of thin, twisted, rusty toothpicks. An expert might spot that they all have had one end snapped off. They were a set of thieves’ tools at one time
• 74. A handful of humanoid teeth in surprisingly good condition. None show signs of damage, which makes it difficult to explain how they were extracted
• 75. Two elven boots. The left one has a handleless wavy blade sticking through the sole. If closely examined, it becomes evident that they are not a pair but just look remarkably similar
• 76. A thick, square porcelain slab, its once-smooth surface now looking like Crackleware, has a stylized rune for an arachnid imprinted beneath the crazing
• 77. Two parts of a snapped curved blade from an exotic polearm. The gap in the sickle-like weapon would have been just large enough most humanoids’ necks
• 78. A halfling-fist-sized chunk of worthless quartz. It shows scrape marks of a necklace having once been attached to it but wrenched off
• 79. A lightweight right glove with a desiccated hand inside. The eight carpal bones are all broken in a ragged manner
• 80. A length of ebony-colored fossilized fungus that is covered in carvings depicting a myriad of types of insects. However, most of the carving is worn almost to smoothness
• 81. What looks like a sculpture of a coil of rope. In actuality, it was once toughened mushroom skin, but it dried out to its current rigid condition as the years went by
• 82. A tiny vial made of hardened glass, about the size of the tip of a little finger. Its cap is missing and there is a crack in the neck. A sour fragrance is still detectable from within it
• 83. A bent belt buckle frame formed from a circle of seasoned cartilage. The prong is missing. A shield is engraved on one side of it
• 84. A marble doorknob. It once was perfectly formed to be a black widow spider, but what would have been the red and yellow markings have long been destroyed, leaving it pock-marked
• 85. A stout shrood handle with an iron ring set into it. The heavy ring is an inch thick and ten inches across. It is the remains of a cooking pot, and might be used as an odd-shaped mace that can also drop over a creature’s head and neck
• 86. The rectangular head of a cleaver, made from a shoulder blade. The handle is missing, and what would have been the cutting edge now completely blunt
• 87. A humanoid head-sized clump of vvor hair, tightly knitted together. It smells as if it has been singed at some time, although the scent is faint
• 88. A screwed up ball of vegetal parchment. Either it was made badly or too quickly, as acid-burned holes are evident. There is a very rough map of somewhere unidentifiable on it
• 89. A shallow stone bowl with an eye chiseled within it. It needs significant repair, not least because the eye has a hole in its middle meaning liquids simply drain away
• 90. A broken carving of an elaborate image of the sun. About a third of it is missing. An expert might identify it as a holy symbol, although the deity it represented is unknown
• 91. A dead humanoid, likely a human or half-elf, its face missing and body rent from throat to stomach. It is caked in dust, and its internal organs are dehydrated and solidified by time
• 92. A heap of giant spider egg sacks stuffed into a crack in the wall. Thankfully, they are all empty, and there are no signs of any webs
• 93. A thumb-shaped, sharp-tipped piece of cobalt crystal. Light that passes through it feels unnerving and even sickly
• 94. Several stone blocks that look like they once formed the top of an arch, although there are no signs of a building it may have led into
• 95. A three-foot-long slim shaft of stone with a sharpened point and fletching grooves at the other end. This was once ammunition for the drow ballista known as a scorpio
• 96. A shriveled tongue that has a brass pin through the middle. It is clear that the item has been a brooch at some point
• 97. A skull resting on the ground within the remains of a broken stalagmite. If investigated, it turns out the rest of the body is buried beneath the surface
• 98. A gauntlet made of chitin, with raised points on the four major finger knuckles. Despite its hardness, it is still cracked
• 99. A short, narrow fissure in the floor releases an occasional waft of warm air accompanied by the stench of brimstone
• 100. A deeply corroded steel breastplate covered in phosphorescent fungus. Other mushrooms grow through the gaps in the armor, making it difficult to spot

Item Interactions

1 – If the black smoke (#52) is poured onto the block of powder (#58), the smoke is absorbed by the powder and creates 1d3+1 doses of poison that deliver necrotic damage

2 – If the calcified tentacle (#71) is grated onto the block of powder (#58) and mixed in, it creates 1d3+1 doses of poison that deliver psychic damage

The Parable of the Vainglorious Matron

A haughty matron had ruled over her city for many years and felt there was little she did not know or could not do. In particular she was certain that Naraneus held her in the very highest esteem, possibly even as a Chosen One.

So the Matron was surprised when news reached her that an army of Overworlders was descending toward the city, something never before experienced by the drow. “It must be a test from Naraneus,” she mused. Thus the Matron began to pray for guidance from her deity, convinced her Goddess would not fail her, of all the drow. This did not seem to immediately slow the approaching tide of Overworlders.

After a day of prayer, a prominent citizen sought an audience with the Matron.

“My Ladyship, the people are ready to serve you! We are adept at many skills, while our loyalty to you cannot be surpassed! Let us confront the advancing horde for you!”

The Matron scowled at what she perceived as a lowly citizen. “There is nothing you can do that I cannot do, and my loyalty to Naraneus is without parallel! Why would I turn to you when She knows I await her direction?”

At this, she demanded that 1,000 citizens be sacrificed to Naraneus as payment for Her advice, the first of which was the petitioner. Still the Overworlders marched on.

After a second day, a general of great renown asked for a conference with the Matron.

“My liege, my fellow commanders and I have come together, for we wish to take the battle to the interlopers. We are stronger and in better condition than any creature in the city. We are ready and willing to engage with them at your command!”

But again, the matron dismissed the words she heard. “Nobody is stronger than Naraneus, nor more prepared to deal with her foes. Why should I turn to you when our goddess will provide the fortitude and vitality to succeed through me?”

At this she called for her clergy to slaughter 100 military leaders as homage to Naraneus, including the petitioner. But the wave of Overworlders flowed toward the city.

The Matron prayed for a third day, but by this time the heads of the ten other families in the city became concerned. As a group, they approached the Matron whilst showing due deference.

“Great Matron Mother, we beseech you! Let us join you, to combine our wise and astute understanding of the Inestimable Naraneus to act quickly. Between us, a plan to win this war will surely arise!”

But the Matron became angry, shouting, “Why should I turn to lesser drow like you, who snivel and crawl at my feet even as I prostrate myself before the Supreme divinity? None of you know more than Naraneus Herself, and She will tell me of Her plan in due course!”

At this, the Matron summoned her children and had them slaughter the other matrons and patrons as atonement for their impudence. But the Overworlders continued to draw near.

Then, after a fourth day, the Matron’s eldest daughter and heir came to her. The girl knelt before her mother and spoke, saying, “Mother, there is no forebearer greater than you, and you know I would never doubt your actions. But surely we must now act; the time for intervention seems gone and we wish to protect you.”

Tears sprang to the Matron’s eye, but not of love. “My daughter, for years I have striven to place you as my scion, but now you question me and where I stand in Naraneus’ heart. Our Goddess is the greatest mother there shall ever be, and to question that shows you are against me and my hopes for our Great Hope!”

At which, the Matron plunged her dagger deep into her daughter as her final gift to “her Naraneus.”

All this took place as the Overworlders entered the city, a place from where the citizens had fled three days ago, the military had deserted two days ago, and the other families had evacuated the previous day. Any who remained, including the Matron’s own family, her retainers, and the Matron herself were exterminated.

In a short time, the Matron arrived before Naraneus, and supplicated herself before the deity, saying, “My Mistress, what did I do wrong? Why did you not save me after all I gave you, after all the trust I put in you, after my unwavering faith in you? Why did you not deliver me?”

Naraneus stared wordlessly at the broken Matron, Her anger coming through via expression alone. As the Matron lowered her face, the deity spoke, hissing,”What more did you want from me? First I sent the citizens, with their thousands-upon-thousands of my ideas delivered in their dreams, and you ignored them. Then I inspired the military, with their hundreds of years of experience given to them by me, and you spurned them. Next, I drew all the other families of the city together, something never before achieved, into ten grand plans, and you humiliated them. In the end, I sent a vision to your own daughter, giving one last chance to you and her, and you humiliated her beyond all reckoning. You did not deserve anything else, for you sacrificed them all before hearing My Word!”

The Matron knew she had failed, but, on seeing a crowd behind the Goddess, tried one last gamble. “My Mother, my True Source, please remember my honest loyalty to you. I see you have many others behind you; was their faith in you greater than mine? Might I not join you in the way they have, for you know I held no other higher than You?”

With a sardonic laugh, and a contemptible look passing across her face, Naraneus replied, “These are all the citizens who died because of your actions. Each showed the utmost allegiance to you, yet you chose not to pass it on to me. Instead, your vanity and hubris cost all of them their lives, and me my supporters in the Underworld. You have not sacrificed anything; in your brazen stupidity, you have diminished what was already MINE. This is why you died, and why your fate is not with me. Be gone!”

At which, the Matron’s body and soul were wrenched apart by a blast of venomous winds, then whisked away by vindictively wailing gales to teach her, for all eternity, the error of her ways.