Note: This information was taken from TSR's original AD&D adventure, the Temple of Elemental Evil.
A groaning spirit, the banshee of the dead
elf stretched out on the floor of the room,
haunts this place. She lurks behind a folding
screen. When intruders enter the room, she
comes out (and each person seeing her must
make a saving throw vs. spells or flee), wails
(and each victim within 30 feet must make a
saving throw vs. spells or die and then
attacks anyone as yet unharmed. The banshee
hates all who now live, and fights
fiercely until near extinction, when she
finally tries to escape. If escape is impossible,
she offers a bribe for her survival; she
knows where, as a living being, she hid an
elven longbow + 1, cloak of elvenkind, and
elfin chain mail suitable for any elfin female
or other character of similar size (gp value
500, XP value 100). Note that these items,
hidden somewhere near her chamber, will
remain hidden for many years if she does
not reveal them.
Groaning Spirit: AC 0; MV 15"; HD 7; hp 39;
#AT 1; D 1-8; SA deadly wail (30'range); fear on sight;
SD hit only by + 1 or better weapon;
immune to charm, sleep, hold, cold, and electricity;
XP 2840
For the players: This place is covered with thick carpets,
with many cushions spread about. Upon
it lies the mummified body of an elf, face
down just beyond the entryway with the
hilt of a dagger protruding from its back.
Its remains are clad in rotting splendor;
the garments are of silk and brocade, and
jewels gleam from earrings, a necklace, a
bracelet, and two rings. The skeletal
right hand clutches a carved stone of
some sort.
Near the body is a large curio cabinet,
its door slightly ajar. The cabinet contains
mummified portions of humans,
demi-humans, and humanoids, as well
as small intricately carved statuettes and
blocks of ivory, soapstone, and so
forth -- each depicting something
obscene.
The dark room has many unused candelabra
and wall sconces. Its plastered
walls are painted with scenes of decadence,
and the tapestries hanging here
and there show similar scenes of depravity.
A huge bed stands against the north
wall, with a stand of carved wood to
each side. A long, low table is flanked by
couches; nearby is another such table
with three plush chairs. In the southwest
corner a folding screen of uskwood separates
a wardrobe, dressing table, and pillowed
stool from the rest of the place.
For the DM: Each of the skeleton's four pieces of jewelry
(counting the pair of earrings as a single
piece) is worth a base value of 2, 000-8, 000
gp. When checking each piece for detail and
workmanship, apply a -1 bonus to the roll
on 1d10) for the first piece (only). In the
skeletal hand is a periapt of proof against
poison, + 3. Under the remains is a small
pouch which holds a scroll of six magic-user
spells (gust of wind, tongues, polymorph
self, remove curse, airy water, and limited
wish). The cabinet contains 13 carvings
base value 100-1000 gp each). Two tapestries
are valuable, worth 1, 100 gp and 850
gp respectively, despite their small size.
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