#216 Sacrarium of the Favored

Age: 40 Years

Hidden or Lost?: Hidden

History: The Sacrarium of the Favored is said to hold the fabled Helm of Heaven, a magical crown that can only be lifted by the ‘One True Hero.’ Of course, to reach it one must pass through a gauntlet of deadly trials which can only be overcome by those with a destiny of prophecy. Countless heroes have entered the Sacrarium, but none have ever left, clearly bested by the dungeon’s devious traps. Could you be the One True Hero that the legends have foretold?

Anyone who wants to find out must first consult with the Brothers Balderas, a pair of dwarven ‘Archaeologists of Justice’ who have taken it upon themselves to watch over the Sacrarium and keep any helpless, unprepared heroes from bumbling to their deaths. The brothers were the first to discover the Sacrarium and according to their own harrowing tale, barely escaped with their lives. Now they alone hold the secret location of the Sacrarium’s entrance and the method of its opening.

Before guiding any new adventurers to the entrance, the brothers will make sure that the potential heroes are equipped with suitable magical armors and weapons, and of course collect their finders fee. Once inside, heroes can expect challenges unlike any they’ve seen before.

They will first be greeted by the Walls of Prophecy, which offer a vague description of the chosen one, pure of spirit and virtue. Then they must continue on to face the trials and prove that they are the hero of prophecy. Among the challenges they must overcome are the riddles of a particularly emaciated sphinx; a field of slowly, swirling quicksand that is said to be controlled by a gang of shambling mummies chained to the nearby walls; the Arena of the Blooded and its face-changing orc champion; and the Pool of True Ice, which is quite cold.

Should the hero survive the trials and reach the Crypt of the Helm, the fabled artifact can be theirs, assuming the electrifying trap that it is connected to doesn’t kill them instantly. Every potential hero has made it to the helm, but unfortunately each one has fallen victim to the trap.

In fact, unbeknownst to all, the entire Sacrarium is nothing more than a clever ruse created by the Brothers Balderas. After forcing each hero to equip themselves with valuable armor and trinkets, they lead them into the Sacrarium where the cheap challenges only serve to convince each fool that they are the hero of legend. By the time they reach the Helm, none hesitate to greedily claim their prize, only to be fatally electrocuted. The Brothers Balderas then collect the dead chosen one and strip them of their equipment, reselling the goods for a healthy profit.

Amazingly, the Helm of Heaven itself is a powerful magical prize just as advertised. But it will take more than another chosen fool to claim it.

1. The Walls of Prophecy

2. Deathwasp Traps

3. Desert of Sinking Pharaohs

4. The Poisoner’s Choice

5. The Spider Wood

6. Arena of the Blooded

7. The Sphinx’s Court

8. Ballet of Blades

9. The Pool of True Ice

10. Succubi’s Harem

11. Crypt of the Helm of Heaven

12. Tool Closet

13. Balderas Family Coffers

14. Challenger Cages

15. Equipment Stash

16. Viewing Parlor