• Enragement: immune to mind-
The Sands of Isathar
Level 2-3 adventure for OSR games
loosely based on Conan's stories.
by Danger Is Real
Introduction
The Isathar region lies on the edge of
a large desert bordered by mysterious
mountains to the north and hostile
jungle to the east. The camp of
Lagasha, relay of the caravans, is the
last civilized place before the great
crossing of the desert expanses. Not
long ago, Moktar, the grave robber,
thought he had finally found the
treasure that would allow him to live his
best life of debauchery in Zhares, the
city of thieves. Unfortunately, by
breaking the crystal seal in this
forgotten temple he reopened the
portal to the plane where the demon
Saz’gaath had been banished for a
very long time. Happy with this
opportunity, our demon first consumed
the soul of Moktar before preparing his
great return. It will take souls, many
souls to regain its strength of
yesteryear. Sheltering in a ziggurat
buried under the hills, it did not take
him long to subjugate the slavers
settled in the desert. They were going
to be able to provide Saz'gaath with
the victims necessary to accomplish
his evil purpose. It was some time later
that the clan of Lagasha Oasis began
to worry about caravan’s attacks and
the disappearance of travelers. Some
swear that it is the work of the slavers,
usually such good traders. Others
believe that evil creatures have been
vomited by the Forbidden Jungle. It is
at this time that our adventurers arrive
in Lagasha Oasis to write the rest of
the story.
Hooks
• The adventurers were sent by a
merchant from Zhares to buy a lot of
slaves from the slavers.
• During a journey through the desert,
the caravan, of which the group was
a part, was attacked by Brigands.
• Tales of immense riches resting in
the ruins buried beneath the hills
have stoked the curiosity and greed
of adventurers.
• Shapur, the great explorer wants to
unravel the secrets of the Forbidden
Jungle, he forms a team of
explorers.
• The Tower that Dreams. The tower
with a thousand languorous
pleasures. Myth or reality?
Rumors at the Lagasha Oasis
1. The slavers are responsible for the
attacks. (T)
2. Moktar, a local thug, boasted of
finding a treasure in the desert but
has not been seen since. (T)
3. The disappearances are a stunt
mounted by mercenaries in the pay
of merchants of Zhares. (F)
4. There is no disappearance, they
went to the Tower that Dreams. (F)
5. There are ruins filled with
treasures in the hills to the north.
(T)
6. The few fools to have returned alive
from the Forbidden Jungle have
gone mad. (T)
Rumors at the Slaver’s Camp
1. (trust) The Slaves are led into the
hills. (T)
2. (trust) The Master Dinfa has been
behaving strangely for some time.
(T)
3. A healing shaman lives in the
Forbidden Jungle. (F)
4. The Lagasha clan is jealous and
wrongly accuses us. (F)
5. The crystals of the Quartz Peak are
magical. (T)
6. A great cataclysm is coming, the
region of Isathar will disappear. (F)
Events
• If the portal is open, each week the
number of aberrations increases
by 1d4. With 20 offspring, Saz'gaath
launches his troops to attack
Lagasha.
• Master Dinfa will prevent anyone
from disturbing Saz'gaath's plans.
The prisoners will feed the hunger of
the demon.
• Saman is waiting for evidence to
launch an attack on the slavers.
Bestiary
Master Dinfa
AC 5 [14], HD 3 (15 HP), ATT 1 x claws
(1d6+1) THAC0 18 [+1] MV 120′ (40′), AL
Chaotic, SV D11 W12 P14 B16 S15, ML 10,
TT A, XP 50
• Spells: Fear, Cause Light Wounds.
• Objects: Demon ring AC+1.
Saz'gaath, the tainted
AC 2 [17], HD** 7+3 (45 HP), ATT 3 x affecting spells
Jungle 2d4
a pond filled with mud lined with
tentacles (1d8), THAC0 12 [+7] MV 120′ shrubs of blue berries (+1 damage
(40′), AL Chaotic, SV D8 W9 P10 B10 Weather 2 for 5 min)
S12, ML 10 TT A, XP 1650
desert / 1d3 carcass crawler waiting
• Surprise: 3-6 chances when jungle mountains
1d20 hills underwater
waiting for prey in the shadows.
rain, 3 2d6 driver ants
• Shadow Shape: Once per round, 1-12 warm, quiet cold, wind
damp a fountain springs from a rock
can teleport to any shadow area.
• Charm Person: Once a day as spell. 15-17 hot, wind calm snowfall surrounded by beautiful fruit trees
• Aura of fear: everyone who sees 18-19 sandstorm storm storm 4 and flowers. Water heals 1 HD in 1
the demon must Save vs spell or hour
torrential toxic
flee for 2d6 turns. 20 avalanche
rain haze
1 swarm of insects
5
Encounters 1d6+1 hyena-men
6
(as gnoll)
Desert 2d6 7 1d3 rock python
a small oasis, the lair of an a putrid smell. A devastated small
2 amphisbaena camp of tents. Several
a water hole, gems shine at the 8 decomposing bodies (Save vs
3 bottom, but a shadow seems to poison or get a disease -1 STR/day
The Old Winged Gorilla until cured)
AC 4 [15], HD** 5+3 (33 HP), ATT 2 x
swim in the pit
claws (1d6+ rending), bite (1d6+1) or 4 1d2 giant scorpions
Hills 2d4 / Mountains 2d4+3
Confusion, THAC0 14 [+5] MV 120′ (40′) 2d6 slavers hunting "preys" (as
5
/ Flying 150′ (50′), AL Chaotic, SV D10 Brigand) 2 a cave with 1d10 giant bats
W11 P12 B13 S14, ML 12, TT I, XP 575
a caravan of merchants on his
• Rending: If a victim is hit by both 6 3 2d6 slaver hunting "preys"
way to Lagasha.
fists, the gorilla inflicts 1d6
4 1d4 pumas in a small canyon
additional automatic damage per 7 3d6 jackals (as wild dog)
rending. the hut of an attractive cannibal
5
• Confusion: Save vs spells or the 1d4+2 Lagasha’s hunters (as witch. She feels lonely!
8
victim behaves randomly; throw 1d8 Brigand) a dead tree where a skeleton is
each round. 1: moves randomly; 2–5: 6 still hanged; a vial of poison in its
no action, 6–7: attack the nearest 9 1d20 giant wasps
bag
creature, 8: escape. an ancient warrior, petrified in a
an old rope bridge crosses a
10 glass form, wandering in the
dried river. A band of 2d6 loud
dunes. 7
baboons are squabbling on the
other side
a white marble tower is seen,
11 the next day it will disappear as it 8 2d6 hungry cannibal hunters
appeared.
1d2 cave bears prowl not far from
their den. a cave dotted with
12 a brass dragon 9
human bones and other animal
Dreamer of the Tower
remains. Treasures!
AC 9 [10], HD 1-1, ATT 1 x dagger (1d4),
THAC0 19 [0] MV 120′ (40′), AL Neutral, 10 1d4 small roc
SV D14 W15 P16 B17 S18, ML 10, XP 15
11 1 Hydra
1 - The Buried Ziggurat
• Steep hills, dry, gravel and rocks, rough vegetation and cacti.
• At the bottom of a valley several statues of snake-men delimit a path to a
ziggurat almost buried: the hideout of Saz'gaath and its offspring.
o 2-6 chances to stumble upon 1d4+2 slavers convoying 6 prisoners.
o Pestilential smell; swarms of flies; muffled rants from within. Stone
door; several chains attached to the exterior walls.
o The ground floor is a mass grave of devoured or completely dried out
human remains. 4 zombies, out of the desecrated graves, feast on
the corpses.
o In the basement, the demon and 3d4 aberrations (as ghoul) haunt
the corridors and the burial chambers; a pit trap contains 1 zombie
impaled on the spikes; the open sarcophagi still contain the
treasures (TT A) of the once deceased.
3 - The Crystal Temple
• Dune desert; Islets of rocks and some sandblasted ruins.
• Circular construction in smooth stone with a dome housed in the hollow
of a dune; surrounded by 3 broken obelisks; a purple glow is visible
through the open door; a fluctuating hum is heard.
o Inside an energy portal emanates from an electrum cube; a huge
broken red crystal sits on a pedestal.
o Crossing the portal leads on an infernal plane and to a certain death;
regularly an aberration (as ghoul) is vomited and joins its master in
H1 (2-6 chances that an aberration prowls when the group arrive).
o To close the gate, it is necessary to replace the crystal, it can be
found in some caves in the vertices of H2.
6 - The oasis of Lagasha
• Dune desert; oasis; lush vegetation on the edge of the jungle.
• In a large oasis, Lagasha camp is a shimmering tent village lined with
palm trees and horse pens.
o An important relay for caravans, life is very lively and cosmopolitan.
You can sell and buy absolutely everything at the market but beware
of your purse! Rumors are going strong!
o The place is full of mercenaries and adventurers looking for work or
glory. It is very easy to hire followers.
o The oasis is ruled by the Laghas tribe, proud desert riders clad in
studded leather, wielding sabers and short bows.
o Chief Saman (as F3) is looking for discreet investigators to solve the
mystery of caravan attacks and the disappearances of several
hunters.
o The camp is protected by 30 mounted warriors (as veteran).
4 - The Slaver’s Camp
• Dune desert; vegetation and cacti to the north and south
• On the edge of the hills (H1), the camp of the slavers is installed in the
shade of a cliff. Next to the camels, a group of miserable slaves are
chained to stakes. Footsteps lead to a nearby natural well. Buyers are
greeted by Master Dinfa in person.
o The gang is strong of 40 cruel black skinned men, all carrying
scarifications; they are armed with spears and whips (as brigand).
o 2 guards constantly watch the slaves. 3 men patrol the camp during
the night while another guards the tent of Master Dinfa.
o Master Dinfa (as C3), rules over his clan with an iron fist. It has
sharpened teeth and rings forming metal claws. He is completely
devoted to Saz'gaath. In his luxurious tent, a chest with the wealth of
the clan (TT A).
o Some doubt the master, by gaining their trust, it is possible to hear
troubling rumors.
2 - The Quartz Peak
• Shredded mountains culminating in a red quartz peak contrasting with the
whiteness of eternal snow; large birds of prey swirling at the top.
• Long and perilous ascent (2 to 3 days); many hazards on the way.
• Populated by primitive cannibal tribes (as Neanderthals).
• At the top, a network of crystalline caves shining with a reddish halo, a
magical energy encompasses the place. The air is hot and dry.
o A cave whose walls are made of stone polished like a mirror; looking
directly at your own reflection paralyzes for 2d6 turns (Save vs
paralysis).
o A high cave covered with magical red crystals; 2 Tarantella hunt
here.
5 - The Tower That Dreams
• Hills; desert; a strange mist rises constantly.
• A perfectly smooth tall jade tower stands on top of a hill; no windows; a
large (open) portal decorated with gilding depicting scenes of orgies;
pleasant scent of jasmine; silence.
o The interior is a labyrinth of corridors, stairs and alcoves arranged in
great luxury. The space looks much larger than outside. At random
pieces we discover sleeping bodies (they seem dead) as well as many
tempting dishes accompanied by a yellow wine (plunges into an
allegorical sleep for 8 hours).
o In each room, 2-6 chances to meet an awakened Dreamer or to find a
Type U treasure; Inhabitants are kind and mysterious; they offer
hospitality, room and board, but remain evasive if questioned.
o The well: At the top; a black marble room filled with a multitude of
delicious dishes; in the center a well that radiates a colorful and
delicious aura. Whoever sleeps in the tower will be captured and
thrown into the infernal well of the God Who Dreams.
o Fleeing the tower or attacking the inhabitants causes the
Enragement. 1d6-2 Dreamers in each room throw themselves on the
fugitives trying to capture them.
o Finding the exit is very complicated, 1-6 chances each new room to
arrive near the entrance.
7 - The Forbidden Jungle
• Sinister jungle, stifling humidity, hubbub followed by long oppressive
silences.
• Ruins of which only a few stones remain engraved with disturbing esoteric
symbols testify to a distant forgotten past.
• In the center, an ancient temple in the shape of a truncated pyramid half
covered with vegetation; inside rests an ancient treasure (TT I).
o The place is the lair of a monstrous winged gorilla, the last
representative of an extinct millennial race, and its servants: 2d6
hyena-men (as gnoll). The monster will attempt an ambush.