Zaubergrube Arena

Ryna's Illusory Arena: A Perilous Game of Survival

In the current age, a powerful and enigmatic wizard known as Ryna the Relicoligist has unveiled the hidden Zaubergrube Caldera to the world, transforming it into a treacherous arena (The Zaubergrube Arena) where survival is the ultimate prize. This mystical haven, once a sanctuary from evil, now serves as the backdrop for an otherworldly game orchestrated by Ryna for the entertainment of the elite.

The Illusionary Games

Ryna's vision has reshaped the once-hidden refuge into a magical battleground where contestants from across the region are abducted and thrust into a perilous contest for survival. The Caldera, with its ever-shifting seasons, enchanted jungle, and hidden dangers, becomes the stage for a game of life and death.

Contestants and Abductions

Individuals from all walks of life find themselves abducted by Ryna's magical prowess and transported to the illusionary arena. From skilled warriors to cunning mages, each contestant must navigate the Caldera's challenges and face the mystical creatures that call it home. The unpredictability of the seasons and the illusionary cover add an extra layer of complexity to the deadly game.

The Gemstone Key

At the heart of the Caldera lies a gemstone structure—a key to freedom for those daring enough to reach it. The contestants must strive to reach this central point before succumbing to the perils of the arena. Legends speak of the gemstone's ability to transport the victor back to their place of origin, marking the end of their harrowing journey.

Ryna's Extravagant Audience

The cruel spectacle doesn't unfold in secrecy. Instead, Ryna transforms the arena into a grand spectacle for the enjoyment of extremely rich and powerful elites. Using magical sentry orbs, these spectators witness the battles unfold, placing bets on contestants and relishing the thrill of danger from a safe distance.

Fortunes and Power

Ryna, the mastermind behind this arcane arena, not only entertains the elite but amasses great wealth and influence from the bloodsport. The proceeds from the event, fueled by the exuberant wagers of the spectators, further enhance Ryna's magical prowess and secure his place among the most formidable wizards of the age.

The Illusionary Legacy

As contestants strive for survival within the Zaubergrube Caldera, the illusionary arena leaves a dark imprint on the world. The tales of the Relicoligist's deadly games echo through the ages, a haunting legacy that intertwines with the ancient lore of the Caldera itself. The sanctuary-turned-arena stands as a testament to the ever-shifting nature of power, entertainment, and the perilous dance between them.

How The Quest Begins

This quest can begin in a number of ways. The simplest being that the players are kidnapped in their sleep by Ryna The Relicoligist and unknowingly wake up within the Arena. Another option could be a slight twist on this where someone hires Ryna to 'kidnap' the players in an attempt to torture or test them.

How the Quest Ends

In the center of the Zaubergrube Caldera is a large gemstone. Upon touching this Gemstone, the players will be transported to where they were before they were transported to the Caldera. There are a few ways to get to the center if the players are creative, but the simplest is to find an Obelisk of Teleportation. Throughout the Caldera are Obelisks. If the campaign is running over time, any of these could be made the correct obelisk to lead to escape. If there is plenty of time for running the campaign, only a specific obelisk or set of obelisks could be made the correct ones and it would be up to the players to figure this out and the DM to decide how to handle this.

The Threat of The Umbradraconis Brastryx

At some point during the players journay through the arena, the Umbradraconis Brastryx will awaken. Upon awakening, the life in the Caldera will go silent as the Umbradraconis Brastryx lets out a call sending chills down the spine of all the life in the area. As the players progress through the Caldera, a d6 can be used to determine how fast and where the Umbradraconis Brastryx progresses. The below path can be used to determine the location.

The Arena's Challenges

The battlemap below can be used as a cheatsheet for the various components in the arena.

The Dangers

Various dangers loom in the arena

• The Green Dinosaur: The green dinosaur represents the nest of the Umbradraconis Brastryx . If the players wander into the next before the beast has awaken, certain doom awaits them.
• The Spiders: The spiders represent Mystic Web Spinners . These creatures spin large webs high up in the trees and use the Whispering Vines as cover to ambush their prey.
• The Crocodiles: The crocodiles represent lurking sea creatures that live in the Caldera. The most dangerous is the Whiskered crocfish, which poses a dangerous threat to the players if they try to gather reeds and travel through the water areas.
• The Poison Clouds: The poison clouds represent a dense area of forest that's crawling with poisonous insects. The most prominant insect is the purple leopard dart frog . This creature feeds on smaller insects and bugs and is extremely poisonous.
• The Wolves: The wolves represent Echo Howlers . These wolflike creatures can mimic sounds and hunt in packs.
• The Yellow Caution Signs: These areas represent forests of sleeping willows. These willows can be deadly to the party and should be avoided.
• The Flames: These flames represent an area of volcanic activity that should be tread carefully. This region is where the obelisks are which can teleport to players to the exit of the arena.
• The Panthers: These represent areas where Lumina Panthers can be found. These creatures are mostly invisible and will sneak up on the players if they drop their guard.
• The Snake: The snake represents a somewhat open area. This area is home to small reptiles (most of which are poisonous).
• The Whirlpool: The whirlpool represents the rapids surrounding the island in the center of the arena. This island is the key to escape but cannot be accessed except via teleportation from an obelisk aroun the arena.

The Safehavens

Throughout the arena, various things are in place to help the players, as well as various creatures that would choose to cooperate with the players if they acted in kind.

• The Tiki Mask: This represents a closed in rocky area where the Zentikis live. These humanoid creatures will not harm the players unless they feel threatened. These creatures can be a valuable aid for the players to learn about the Caldera they are in.
• The Food Icons: These represent areas of forest where food is abundantly found. The primary food here is the Moonstone Fruits, which can both provide nourishment and beneficial enhancements to the players.
• The Health Icons: These areas represent places where antivenom's can be found. These are used for curing the purple leopard dart frog alements as well as the various reptiles.
• The Yellow Birds: These are Telomney Falcons, an avian species that lives in the high cliffs above the trees. These creatures will not harm the players unless provoked and could potentially provide assistance to them if presented with food.
• The medicine Bottles: These bottles represent herbs and other plants that are used as remedies and can heal the party.