Inside the Gates

Up - Varisian Wanderings

There are several ways into the Viperwall stronghold.

Main Entrance

The gates to Viperwall are opened rarely, and the guards are intelligent and wouldn't likely open the gates to strangers. Opening the gate would require a DC 35 disable device check, and sneaking through the passageways at night would require two stealth checks - one for a normal serpentfolk, and one large one. If a combat lasted long at all, much attention would be attracted, and the serpentfolk would try to acquire new slaves.

The main entrance is two huge stone doors carved with twisting, writhing shapes that seem to move when you look away from them. Arrow slits line the approach, which is carved into the cliff face, it seems. The arrow slits are manned by three slaves on each side during regular times, and by one on each for emergencies. The porcullis over the main doors is usually closed and must be opened by someone on the Ground+1 level. The main doors are also barred.

Since the party is expecting a secret door, the DC to find one of the two is 20. If the thief is there, the DC is only 15. The DC to find the door on the porch is 15.

Once inside there are columns placed in a U-shape that rise 20 feet to support a balcony that overlooks the open area ahead. The main feature is a 30 foot statue of a coiled, snake-like body topped with a woman's head. Her mouth has sharp fangs, and her gaze seems to draw you in. Anyone who gazes on the statue must make a DC 19 Will save or be affected as with the spell "Mass Suggestion" (to follow the commands of the serpentfolk hierarchy) for 44 hours.

Behind the statue, a ramp curves around a central pillar, spiraling up to the next level, and perhaps also downwards. To the right is a mural that depicts what appears to be a serpentfolk mage atop a massive temple. In the panorama below him, groups of humans watched over by other serpentfolk are erecting columns along a white stone paved road, while others are working to build another temple. More Information

Arrowslit flank this area, as well. There is a doorway on the right, and then the room opens out to both the left and right.