L2-23. Laogzed’s Crawl

Layout & Terrain

• Dimensions: Passage 5–7 ft wide, 8–9 ft high; damp and claustrophobic. Count as difficult terrain where algae slicks the floor (5-ft patches).
• Grade: Down-slope (−5 ft elevation per 30 ft).
• Side Camps: Along the north stretch (after the turn), two left-hand alcoves—each a 10-ft diameter pocket.
• Camp A: ~15 ft up the north run (from the bend).
• Camp B: ~25 ft up the north run.

Sound: The river to the west is a distant rumble; voices carry poorly. PCs gain +1 to Stealth (sound) if they whisper and move slowly.

Map Notes

Troglodyte Raider Force

Composition: 6 Troglodytes (MM) + 1 Shaman of Laogzed (Cleric 5) commanding. They strike from the alcoves and fall back deeper if pressed.

Raider Tactics:

• Ambush from darkness, pelting javelins, then close under Stench.
• Scent-mark alcove mouths (Perception DC 12 to notice musky smear fighting inside the fetid aura imposes Disadvantage on Con saves vs. poison from spoiled fish-bait (improvised).
• Fallback: Two pull back to the north end to feint a second line while the shaman casts.

Morale: If two trogs drop or the shaman is bloodied, they attempt to withdraw north (toward deeper Underdark). They do not pursue west toward Suel halls unless certain of advantage.

Camps & Clues

• Camp A (15-ft alcove): Bed of reeds, fish-gut brazier (unlit), net pegs, 1d4 steel javelins (trophies). Investigation DC 12 finds a waxed toad-skin map scrap—a scratch of the east tunnels and a big X at “Roll of the Measure” to the west (they can’t pass it).
• Camp B (25-ft alcove): Topaz-dyed cloth strips, bone fetish of Laogzed (oozing toad-lizard). Religion DC 12 identifies; DC 15 reveals Midwinter skin-shed rite. A belt cache (DC 13 to spot) holds: 14 sp, 2 topaz chips (10 gp each), and a vial of grease (as grease once, poured).
• Tool marks: Investigation DC 13 along the west wall reveals pried seams where they searched for a bypass into the Suel crypts. Dust in the drills is fresh—activity within the last day.

Treasure & Gear

• Shaman: Bone belt with topaz bead string (50 gp), steel javelins ×3 (good quality), fetish-staff (worth 5 gp to the wrong buyer).
• Raid cache: In a lidded shell at Camp B: antitoxin (trog-made), 2 phials lamp oil, scent-stone (smear to gain advantage against beasts relying on sight/scent; imposes disadvantage on Persuasion with civil folk for 1 hour).
• Proof: Laogzed fetish and map scrap can clue players that east = deeper danger, west = Suel puzzle.

Skill Hooks

• Stealth Approach: PCs moving slow, lanterns hooded, gain +1 to Stealth from river masking; surprise possible if they beat trogs’ passive 11 (13 for shaman).
• Counter-Stench: A wet cloth mask or incense reduces first Stench save DC by 2 (rule-of-cool reward).
• Religion 12+: Recognize the shaman’s Laogzed invocations; counter-chant or brandished holy symbol grants one ally advantage on a save vs. command once.

L2-23C. Catch-Pit Cavern

(Drop from L1-22)

Type: Natural side cavern used as a fall-catch and prisoner pen
Access: Off the northbound run of L2-23; a wider right-hand mouth about 40 ft beyond the bend (opposite the small left alcoves)
Overhead: Shaft from L1-22 (end of the red-tiled hall) opens 25 ft above the cavern floor

Meeting Shaman of Laogzed

Your lantern-glow cuts the bend; the stink hits first. The shaman steps from the shadow, bone-belt clacking, topaz rags slick with cave-sweat. His warriors hiss behind him, javelins ready. His eyes are lidless coins, unblinking on you.

Shaman of Laogzed: “Sss-soft-skinssss… you trespasss in Laogzed’s belly.”

He lifts a fetish-staff—oozing toad-lizard carved in green—and scrapes its tip across the stone in a slow threat-circle.

Shaman of Laogzed: “Speak-quick, warm-meat. From which crack do you ssslide? We sssmell temple-law on you. West? Ssskull-hall? Answer, or bleed into the sssilt.”

His throat-sacs swell; the warriors press closer, tails tapping the rock.

Shaman of Laogzed (snarl): “Humanss weak—thin bone, loud breath. You run when river take you. You beg when dark bite you. Tell-path now: where come you, where go you… or we feed brood with your finger-ends.”

He tastes the air, tongue flicking, then jabs the staff toward your boots.

Shaman of Laogzed: “Drop bright-fire. Ssstill tongue. Sstep ssslow, palmsss wide. Lie, and Laogzed make you ssshed skin in pain.”

If you try to parley:

Shaman of Laogzed (harsher whisper): “Trade? Hzz. Give tool—steel javelinsss, oil, meat. We give word: east-way open, west-way death-beat. No gift… no word.”

If you advance or raise steel:

Shaman of Laogzed (howl-hiss): “Ssscatter them! Ssspit javelinsss! Laogzed take their fat!”