Garden of the Death Tyrant

Beneath what appears to be any other hillside lies the ruins of an ancient Giant castle, where a Beholder transcended life & death in a hidden alcove of roses

[gardenofdeathstyranny]

Welcome to the Garden! Please, don't disturb the flowers.

[dndsettingsinfo]

Rocky Ridge [26 × 20]

/SimplyRy

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Exploring the ridges reveals the opening at the top on any investigation nearby, although [unless able to see up to 120ft with Darkvision] the characters are not able to see the roses absorbing the faint sunlight below. And when investigating further, [on a DC10+ Perception/Investigation Check] the entrance to the following underground location is found.

[dndsettingsinfo]

Underground Chamber [30 × 37]

/hasslyart

[gardenofdeathstyranny]

The crumbling opening leads to this underground cavern, with the lingering stench of decay & one skeletal remains. [That has deteriorated clothing, rusted armor, 11 silver pieces, & a *Trinket] The gate to the left can be opened with a successful attempt to activate the mechanisms [DC12+ Dex’/Sleight of Hand or Int’/Arcana] or using brute force. [DC15+ Str’/Athletics] (At this point, the #Zombie Beholder, below, would make its appearance.) The chest is unlocked, unarmed, & contains a small amount of platinum [6d8] & 1-2 [Giant-related] magic objects of varying rarity. The tunnel leads to a cavern brimming with lethargic undead, which serves as the battlegrounds main spawning point. The chamber to the right has a trap door that leads underground, straight-ahead & opens behind the statue on the top right. (However, this tunnel is overrun with a small number of undead, and possibly a warded trap at the end!) The torch in the front middle can be activated as a moving, secret doorway with a switch on the pillar [DC10+ Wis’/Investigation Check] & opened/closed on the other by pulling the chain on the wall nearby. (Some undead are able to come out of the left-hand side of the river, as a last resort, if the way is sealed off.) Players can jump across the rocks [left:9+ Dex’/Acrobatics, middle:12+, right:6+] & get washed to the banks at the left, on failing. The stone doorway can then be opened with any amount of cooperation. 

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As you enter the ruins, you see a Zombie Beholder hovering near the entrance turn & disappear from sight as it left. A long, deep moan echoes down the halls as numerous undead begin shuffling forward from the shadows.

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Forgotten Throne Room of Giants’ Past

Although the original splendor of this incredibly large room has been lost over time, it seems apparent to have once been the royal chambers of one of the long-lost Giant civilizations.

 A small amount of light naturally trickles into the back of the chamber from far above, revealing the Rosebush below. And knocking sounds clatter against the stones from the edges. 

[gardenofdeathstyranny]

Rumbling begins from one side of the cavern along with the clatter of several undead covered in various flora approach. One clerical skeleton looms near the entrance as a Giant Skeleton finishes moving to the center.

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The Rosebush

The only remaining life in the vicinity, this rosebush of dark crimson & black roses flourished with a scant amount of nourishment, lighting the after-life of a rather unorthodox Death Tyrant that would later take residence. 

[gardenofdeathstyranny]

Vizretius the Death Eater

Emerges from a perfectly circular hole created behind the crumbling throne, its pink-red aura lighting the dark roses hauntingly as it hovers protectively overhead. [On acute awareness, characters might notice the one floating, glowing fresh rose near its eye & the several dried rose brambles clinging to its jaws] They let out an eerie string of noises (Daelkyr) before repeating a short statement twice, in Giant & Goblin. ["And what will be next?"]

This Death Tyrant is especially ancient & highly perceptive as a result. While staying wary of others, it does not automatically add to their following of "friends," unless an attack is warranted. The Roses are their most prized possesion by leagues, and any lasting harm done to this area causes immediate belligerence. [They have an additonal +1 Challenge Rating, as stated, and automatically gains 20 Initiative + uses the spectral terrain Lair Action around the Roses on their arrival. They respectively chose which Eye Rays to use, in order, as follows]

[unprovoked/defensive]

1) Charm

2) Paralysis

3) Sleep

+ Slow (Reactions)

[provoked/offensive]

[Negative Energy gaze]

1) Death

2) Enervation

3) Telekinetic (to suspend targets upside down) & Bite [Bonus Action]

+ Enervation (Reactions)

[If the players (are able to) speak with Viz, it becomes understood that they are a benign creature - to the extent of even becoming a potential contact/patron]

[Vizretius may even play the role as potential harbinger of other, worse Abberations about to wreak some form of havoc, of which they would even have a part in trying to prevent]

They are initially searching for a magic item that would enable communication with the Roses, as the only other (techincally) sentient creature in residence.

[An Arcana check of 14+ entails having a player's character recall the object "Charm of Plant Command"]

If presented with the corresponding request, they suggest a trade of one magic item for another:

Viz extends the party their generosity, and after conversing with the Roses suggests that the players should return with the Bottle filled with sunlight - as both a signal of arrival & continued earnings of small favor.

[They begin having conversations with the Roses routinely & begin to tend the Garden more efficiently across time, as a result. Viz learns how to effectively prune the Roses, the extra flowers of which start collecting at the base of the Death Tyrant's tunnel. (Which over time accumulate enough to start collecting around the entrance & eventually surround the Throne.) They also begin to build a circular frame towards the ceilings for the Roses to grow steadily closer to sunlight.]

Vizretius also has the deterioting remains of ancient Giant library, including some antique Goblin lore as well as a small assortment of more recent acquisitions from the slowly growing number of "friends."