The Lost Temple of Mithras

7/31/2019 The Lost Temple of Mithras

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This is an unofficial surface world adventure ofThe

Hollow Earth Expedition Roleplaying Game. It can be

used as a one shot adventure or as part of an ongoing

campaign. This adventure requires at least on

character to have Academics religion or occult. Other

useful skills include Linguistics Code and deciphering.

This is due to the large amount of puzzles found within.

Hollow Earth ExpeditionTMand 2006 Exile

Game Studios, LLC


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In order to solve the puzzle the players will have to

progress through the initiation challenges. They answer

to the key is the order in which the challenges are

completed in.

1. Mercury2. Venus3. Mars4. Jupiter5. Luna6. Sol7. Saturn

On the off chance they figure out the correct

combination to open the doors they do not possess the

LIGHT OF TRUTH so the doors will remain closed.

The other room of note is where the players will

begin their initiation.

The room is covered in cobwebs and dust. On

the floor are several tiled pictures with various symbols

on them. In the far corner you find a large clay pot and

several glasses nearby. The pot is filled with a liquid

that faintly smells of honey. Above the pot is some

writing. It reads: Those who seek the treasures within

must first drink the light of truth.

The idea is to get all the players to drink the

honey wine. If one or more players seem reluctant to

drink the wine it seems to appeal to them and they feel

a strong urge to drink the wine. If they still do not want

to drink it the game master can rule it a plot device and

force them to drink it. It is as if they lose control of

their willpower. Remember to award them a Style

point though. After this the players fall asleep.

However, they do not realize they are asleep. To them

they are just enjoying a glass of wine when a strange

man shows up.

During the course of the adventure the players

may experience a death. If they do take them aside

or pass them a note. To the other characters they died

but they awoke in the room from a dream. The other

players appear to be in restful sleep with normal

breathing and heart rate. If they try and drink the wine

again it is refreshing but nothing else happens.

The Old Man speaks to the players. Greetings

travelers, what is it that you seek?

-The players may not know exactly what they

seek but are likely to have several different answers.

The old man says after they have given their

answers, It seems you do not know what you seek. It

is possible I can help you with that. Would you allow

me to help you?

-The players are going to ask what he can help

them with and what will they find. The old man will

simply say. You already have the answer to that

question ye you are not asking the right questions. I wil

help you find what we all seek, truth. I will guild you

through several tasks. If you can solve each one you

will find what you seek. Now if you are ready follow

me.

The game master may have to adapt several of

the old mans replies to fit within the answers given

here. The old man will never give out any information

on what behind the doors or how to open them only

that they must seek that information themselves. He is

just a guide. If the players refuse to go along with the

old man then the adventure is over and they wake up in

the room still no closer to being able to open the doors.


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Room 1, Corax the RavenThe old man leads you through a series of halls

and turns. Eventually you end up in a door way. The

old man speaks to you. It is said the Raven has the role

of the messenger who comes to entrust Mithras with

his mission. You must be the messenger and deliver the

message to the shrine of Mithras. Before you is a

stone floor. The floor has been divided into squares and

each square has a symbol on it. On a pedestal rest astaff entwined with two serpents. Across the tiled floor

is a statue with his had outstretched awaiting

something to be placed into it.

The players must figure out which tile represents an air

symbol. (Aquarius, Gemini, Libra) That is the safe path

to take. Only the player holding the staff may walk onto

the tiles. If the player steps on the wrong path give

them an Acrobatics check (Hard 4) to keep from falling

through. If the players fall through the floor they

appear to fall to their death to the other players. The

staff reappears in the rack where it started.

Academics Religion (Average 2) The raven is a servant of

Mercury.

Academics Occult (Tough 3) Mercury is ruled by the

element of air.

Academics Religion (Tough 3) The staff is Caduceus, the

mystical staff of Mercury

Linguistics Deciphering or Academics Occult (Average 2)

figure out the signs on the floor are zodiac signs

(Tough 3) Will figure out the elements related to each

zodiac.

Fire Water Earth Air

Sagittarius Pisces Taurus AquariusAries Scorpio Virgo Libra

Leo Cancer Capricorn Gemini

Linguistics code (Vary Hard 5) to figure out the correct

pattern to solve the puzzle. Aquarius, Gemini, Libra

Room 2, Nymphus the BrideThe old man congratulates you on solving your

first task. He says, There are still many tasks before

you. Please follow me to your second task. He leadsyou down another hall and through another door.

Before you is a statue of Venus. Kneeled before the

goddess is a male statue wearing a bridal veil. On a

alter before the statue is a lamp and two glasses. One i

filled with honey wine the other with water. Further

into the room you see a statue of Mithras with his hand

extended ready to grasp something.

The old man speaks. You must become the

Nymphus and pledge you heart to Mithras in order to

receive the light of truth.

One player must place the veil on, drink thehoney wine pick up the cup of water and lamp and take

the water to the statue of Mithras and poor the water

on the statue. Then place his hand in the hand of

Mithras and pledge himself to solve this puzzle. If the

player does not do any of the above steps the puzzle

resets. Nothing bad happens to the players for not

performing the steps in the necessary order. A female

is unable to perform the ritual. If a female tries the

ritual fails and resets its self.

Academics Occult (Tough 3) reveals water represents

love, and the cup represents heart

Academics Religion (Average 2) honey is a sacrament to

the Mithraic mysteries.

Academics Religion (Tough 3) The statue is Nymphus

The male-bride.


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Linguistics Code (Very Hard 5) to figure out a male

character must take the veil of the statue place it on,

drink the honey wine, then pick up the lamp and the

glass of water. He then must walk to the statue of

Mithras poor the water on the statue place his hand in

the statues hand and pledge himself to Mithras.

Room 3 Miles, the SoldierAgain the Old Man leads you down the hall andto another door. Before you is a weapons rack lined

with spears, helmets, and a soldiers kit bags lie on

tables nearby. Loud growling can be heard in the dark

room. The Old Man speaks. Mithras is an invincible

god and the good of good. One must triumph over evil

and be a servant of good to be sworn into his ranks.

Don the gear of a soldier of Mithras and prove you

worth.

The players must put on the helmet and pick up

the spear. Once the player puts on the helmet:

Before you is a beast unlike you have ever seen before.

It has the body of a lion, the wings of a dragon. It has

three heads, one of a lion, one of a goat and one of a

dragon. It bears down upon you with cat like reflexes

ready to make you its next meal.

The Spear is the only weapon that can be

used to defeat the Chimera. Any other weapon

used will not hurt it. The helmet grants a +2

Defense bonus to any player wearing it.

Spear: Damage 3L, Strength 2, speed A, weight 9. A

spear can be used as a melee or ranged weapon with a

range of 10.

Perception (Average 2) to realize there is a symbol on

the helmet

Academics religion or Occult (Average 2) the symbol of

Mars is on the helmet

Academics Mythology or Ancient History (Average 2) To

know that the beast is a Chimera.

If the chimera defeats any of the players they

awaken in the room where they drank the wine while

the rest of the players sleep still. Once the players

defeat the Chimera read the following.

The mighty beast rears its heads in a final

attempt to fight back then falls to the ground dead. A

statue appears. The statue is wearing full roman

military dress and a wreath upon its brow. Its sword is

pointed down with a wreath upon it as if it is offering it

to you. On the base of the statue is an inscription that

reads: Mithras is my wreath and the only wreath I need

To solve the puzzle the players defeat the

Chimera and refuse to take the wreath. If any

player takes the wreath he is found not worthy and

is killed He awakens in the beginning room.

Chimera Follower 3

Archetype:

Mythic

Beast Motivation: Survival

Style: 0 Health: 9

Primary Abilities:

Body: 5 Charisma: 1

Dexterity: 2 Intelligence: 2

Strength: 5 Willpower: 3

Secondary Abilities

Size: 1 Initiative: 6*

Move: 7(14)** Defense: 6

Perception: 5 Stun: 5

Skills Base Levels Rating (Average)

Brawl 5 5 10 5

Stealth 2 1 3 2+

Survival 2 4 6 3

Talents

Flurry -2 per attack for each attack in a full attack

Quick Reflexes +2 Initiative*

Flaw

Bestial cannot use tools or communicate


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Weapons Rating Size Attack Average

Claw 3L -1 12L 6L

Bite 2L -1 11L 5+L

Fire

Breath*** 3L -1 7L 3+L

**When on all 4 a chimera can move twice its movement rate

**Chimera can also fly at its normal movement rate

***A chimera is able to breath fire in a 20 ft cone once every 4 rounds

Its Breath Weapon is fire damage and area of effect Hollow EarthExpedition pg 127

If a character is caught in the flame they will catch fire and take

fire damage until put out

Room 4 Leo, the LionThe Old Man congratulates you on becoming

soldiers in the service of Mithras. He leads you down a

hall and around a few more turns and into another

room. In the next room you see two large jugs. On

closer inspection one jug is filled with water and one

with honey wine. In the center of the room is a large

statue of a lion with the symbol on its brow. The old

man speaks, This Lion serves Mithras. You must purify

yourselves of evil and all contamination. Drink your

Sacrament and kneel before him. Only then can you

continue on your journey

To solve this puzzle

the players must drink the

wine and kneel before the

statue. It breaths fire and

engulfs the players in

flame. If they drank the

water they are killed.

Investigation Search (Average 2) there are scorch marks

around the lions mouth.

Investigation Search (Tough 3) There is a pressure plate

where you would kneel before the lion.

Academics Religion or Occult (Average 2) Fire is

purifying in many religions

Academics Occult or Religion (Hard 4) Water is hostile

to fire and will not allow the fire to clean your soul.

Perception (Average 2) The Lion has a symbol on its

brow.

Academics religion or Occult (Average 2) the symbol is

Jupiter.

Read after the player has chosen to drink the

water or the wine and kneel before the Lion.

Water:

You drink from the jug that contains the water. You

kneel before the lion. The Lion breaths fire upon you.

You are engulfed in flames and burnt to ash.

Wine:

You drink from the jug that contains the Honey wine.

You kneel before the lion. The statue of the lion

breaths fire upon you. It engulfs you cleansing you of

any wrongs you have committed.

Room 5 Perses, the PersianThe Old Man nods approvingly. He leads you out of the

room with the lion and into a large room. This room

has a large statue of a bull in the center of it. Placed

before you is an altar. On the altar you find a jug of

honey and a sickle. The man speaks, Ah the room of

Perses, the Persian, He who harvests the fruits and

preserves them. Anoint thy hands with that which

preserves and harvest the fruits of the bull and return

them to the altar.To solve this puzzle the players need to defeat the Bull.

Once the bull is defeated wheat grows from the spinal

core of the Bull. A player must dip his or her hands in

the honey and harvest the wheat with the sickle, and

then return the wheat to the altar. Anyone defeated by

the bull wakes up at the beginning.

Perception (Average 2) The symbol looks like the moon

of on the handle of the sickle.


Luna

Academics Religion (Hard 4) According to the Persians

honey comes from the moon where the bull slain by

Mithras was also taken and purified to produce new

fruits and plants.


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Giant Bull Statue

Archetype: Guardian Motivation: Survival

Style: 0 Health: 8

Primary Abilities:

Body: 5 Charisma: 0

Dexterity: 2 Intelligence: 0

Strength: 3 Willpower: 2

Secondary Abilities

Size: 1 Initiative: 2

Move: 5(10)* Defense: 6

Perception: 2 Stun: 5

Skills Base Levels Rating (Average)

Brawl 3 5 8

Stealth 2 0 2

Survival 0 6 6

Talents

Diehard

Weapons Rating Size Attack Average

Hornes 10L

Kick 8N*Animals that run on all 4 legs can double their movement

Room 6 Heliodromus, The Courier

of the SunThe Old Man says you are nearly done. Only a

few more trials to go. He leads you to the largest room

you have seen yet. Before you is a large room with a

large oval track in it. On the track are two horse drawn

chariots. One chariot is the color of midnight and its

riders are dressed in dark armor. The other stands

empty and is the color of the dawn. It has a large

golden sun on it.

The Old Man speaks. Heliodromus is the

courier of the sun. As he rides his chariot across the sky

he brings dawn with him, but after the day comes night

Prove you are worth to be true Servants of Mithras.

Bring the dawn of a new day.

The idea is to win the chariot race against the

darkness. The empty chariot has room for 2 people,

one to drive it and the other to defend and attack.

Inside the chariot are two sets of Lorica Segmentata

armor a gladius a shield and 3 javelins.

Lorica segmentata armor +2 Armor Str 2; Roman Shield

+2 armor Str 3; Gladius 2L Str 2 speed A; Javelin 2L Str 2

25 ft range Rate 1 speed A

The chariot is horse Drawn with 2 horses. It has

a maximum speed of 19. Its normal operating speed is

16. It has a defense of 6 Size of 1 and a Structure of 7.

It has a handling of +1

Performance Degration

Structure 4 -2 Handling Speed 14

Structure 3 -4 Handling Speed 9

Players may attempt to throw Javelins into the

chariot. However, when attacking from the side of from

the front the driver and the defender have +2 Defense

from cover. There is no cover bonus when attacking

from the rear.

Players suffer a -1 to attack when throwing orattacking from a moving chariot.

Evasion Action A Player may try to take evasion

actions to avoid damage. This is an opposed drive roll

vs. the attackers roll. If the drive roll is grater then the

attack roll then the driver of the chariot has avoided the

damage. If the attack roll is greater than drive roll the

extra successes are damage.

Side Swipe A player may attempt to sideswipe the

other chariot. Make a drive check vs. Defense. If the

attack is successful the defender drive roll equal to the

amount of damage or lose control.

Full Speed A character driving the chariot may make a

full round action and move at full speed.


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Players may wish to attack the horses. This is

only possible while the chariot is in front of the horses

of beside the other chariot. The Horse has a defense of

6, Health 6, and a stun of 3. If one of the horses is killed

or stun the chariot loses control and wrecks. Secrets of

the Surface World pg 147

The Race is 1 lap winner takes all. If the players

loose the race they may try again as long as they are stillalive.

Have the characters in the chariot roll initiative.

At the start of the race have the drivers roll drive

checks. Whoever rolls more successes plus the handling

modifier of the chariot plus the speed pulls into the

lead. For example at the start of the race chariot A has a

speed of 16 +1(handling) +3 drive successes = 20,

Chariot B has a speed of 16 +1(handling) +2 drive

successes = 19. Chariot A would be in the lead this

round. The chariots then act in initiative order. They

may attack, evade, or do a full speed action. In order

for the chariot to gain the lead from behind the other

Chariot it must move faster than the other.

The Dark Chariot Driver has stats as follows:

Health 4; INIT 4; DEF 6(+2 armor) Drive 4

The Dark Chariot Defender has stats as follows:

Health 4; INIT 4; DEF 8(+2 armor, +2 Shield) Melee 4,

Athletics 4. Gladius 9L, Javelin 9L

Room 7 Pater, The FatherThe Old Man leads you out of the room. He says You

have brought the dawn to another day and defeated

the darkness. You are worthy. Come with me. The Old

Man leads you to another room. In this room you see a

Giant Statue of Mithras before you standing over an

altar. On either side of the altar is a statue of a lion.

The light of day shines over the statue as if the sun its

self is present in the room. Before you is a sacrificial

knife. The old man now stands before you as Mithras.

He says, You have become worthy to become my

servants. Take of the knife and sacrifice the bull in myname and learn the secrets of what brings you here.

Perception (Average 2) The Altar has a symbol on it.


Saturn.

After the players sacrifice the bull:

The light is searing bright and then you are awakeYou

are in the room where you drank the honey wine. It

was all a dream as far as you can tell. Mithras is no

longer in the room with you.

If the players go looking for the rooms where

the trials took place:

Any of the rooms you were previously in youare unable to find. The only other thing you can find is

the statue with the strange key and the massive doors

behind it.

They may not realize it but the order in which

they completed the rituals is the key to the door. If

they need a push in the right direction have the players

make a perception roll (Average 2) to help them

remember their dreams.

What is behind the doors is up to the Game

Master. It could be anything from alantian artifacts to

ancient roman treasure. Or it could be only more

puzzles and clues to lead the players to their next

adventure.


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The Lost Temple of Mithras

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