L1-11. Red-Sack Cell 'Elite’s Quarters'

Suel function & motif (ancient use)

• Original role: a guest or steward’s retiring cell in a trade wing (tones of Xerbo/Osprem—commerce & sea-trade). Later hands over-painted it into a victory-sack scene: propaganda for Pyremius (fire/violence) and Syrul (cruel deceit), framed inside Wee Jas order lines.
• Lore checks:
• DC 12 Religion/History: call out the layered iconography (trade → tyranny).
• DC 14 Investigation: spot ledger lines and shipping sigils scraped under the red paint.
• Reward: first Insight check against Temple loyalists today has advantage (PCs “see through” the pageantry).

The lock is gone—just a rough hole to peer through. Inside, a bed, a rope-tied chest, and a torn, lumpy chair. A mural fills the far wall: a city aflame, scarlet-robed men directing looters and herding civilians. On the stones near your boots, a shaky scrawl trails off: “Don’t tell me I wasn’t ri—”.

Features & checks

• Peephole (missing lock): Anyone outside can see dim movement within (noisy advantage to detect the elite inside). From inside, the orc often watches the hall.
• Graffito (“Don’t tell me I wasn’t ri—”): DC 11 Medicine notes tremor-strokes and a fleck of dried blood—written by a wounded Medium humanoid some time ago.
• Bed & Chair: Rough but functional; the chair provides half cover if tipped.
• Chest (tied shut): Hemp rope binding; the lock works but is unlocked. Cutting rope is trivial; opening is an action.

Tactics & response

• If no prior alarm: The elite orc lounges on the bed, tossing daggers at a large rat trapped behind the chair.
• Opener: On the door cracking or an intruder stepping in, he hurls two daggers (uses Action Surge to make a second Attack action), then closes with his greataxe.
• Fight style: Presses the door to keep foes bunched, shoves targets toward the chair, and fights standing on the bed to gain lines for throws if crowded.
• Response clock: Any ruckus here pulls…
• Room 10 (Ogre) & Room 12: next round
• Chief + bodyguard: 3 rounds
• Barracks warriors: 6 rounds

Treasure & contents (chest)

• Leather-bound flask and a bag of odd-smelling herbs (see Aeglos below).
• Coin: 2 ep, 26 sp, 9 cp.
• Aeglos ×2: Tall, slightly thorny stalk; white, sweet-smelling blossom, strong roots.
• DC 12 Nature/Herbalism Kit: safe as a mild restorative tea (10 minutes to brew): drinker gains 1d4 temporary HP and advantage on one Constitution save vs. fatigue or marching for the next hour. Eaten raw → DC 10 Con or poisoned until a short rest.
• Silver-and-jade necklace (45 gp).
• Personal effects: crude tally shards, rat skull, whetstone.

On the elite orc (not in the chest): greataxe, breastplate, belt pouch 3 gp, 12 sp, 2 daggers (already in hand/bed).

Map notes

Single-entry room. Place the mural opposite the door; bed along one long wall; chair angled near the mural; chest near the door (so the peephole sees it). Keep a 10-ft lane for charge/retreat.

Running tips

• Use the peephole both ways: the party can scout, but the elite can ready throws.
• If the party engages quietly and fast, they can down him before the response chain avalanches.
• Let players who spot the mural’s layers gain social leverage later (advantage already noted) when calling out Temple cruelty in front of thinking foes.