Connects to: 19.31.
Overview
The eastern Tantalus Mountains are dotted with abandoned gem mines from Jahur’s (19.31) centuries of mining operations. One such mine has been converted into a secret prison guarded by Jannisaries and wizards. They carefully guard a swarming brood of fire centipedes - foot-long vermin that become white-hot when agitated. A swarm of fire centipedes were catapulted into Jahur during the War of the Six-Fingered Hand. They ran amok in the streets, burning neighborhoods and spreading panic until the city’s sorcerers defeated them. An opportunistic alchemist manged to capture mating pair, however, and bred them in secret. The Viceroys of Jahur paid handsomely for the centipedes, and the city occasionally unleashes them to clear mountain tunnels of hostile creatures.
Connections
- The local gnolls fear the (misguided) wrath of the Cactogre (18.28).
- The Nekh and gnolls congregate twice a year at a strange temple to perform rites that ensure that game comes to these dry lands (14.27).
Hooks
- Jabbun the Orange, an unhinged wizard, is smuggling specimens out of the hold and selling them to dangerous parties. Who?
- Dwarves of the Tantalus Mountains loathe the creatures because they often become victims of collateral damage during Jahur’s tunnel clearing operations. Who are these dwarves?
- Who else has fire centipedes? Who else wants them?
- What measures do the guards use to contain the centipedes?
