Tomb of the Minor Snake Lord

Some people of Quitokai were willing to guide Tetsukich and Bangqiu during the first stage of their mission to return the lost children of the jungle to their homes. But as the jungle became thicker and the paths more tortuous, these guides pleaded their ignorance and returned to Quitokai. Damai, grateful for the help the outsiders had given to his village agreed to accompany them wherever they wanted to go, but confessed that he too had little experience in this part of the jungle. The children, thereupon, took on the role of leading the way. 

The way through the jungle brought the party to a level clearing that turned out to be the stone floor of an all-but-ruined building. This excited the children, seemingly because it showed that they had nearly reached home. Tetsukichi and Bangqiu agreed that the raised stone platform would provide a dry place to camp for the night, despite some unnerving architectural details. Among the trees surrounding the platform were three stone pillars, carved in the form of twisting snakes. A large round disk in the center of the platform was also carved to represent a coiled snake.

By close inspection of the disk, Tetsukichi noticed a handle in the center. With help from Al-Fitar, he lifted the disk, revealing a dark hole. The children, screaming with excitement and fear, jumped off the platform. The snake pillars emitted clouds of thick purple mist. Those caught in the mist fell into a deep slumber, and a pair of pythons, slither out of the trees to devour the sleeping men. The rest of the party leapt into action to rescue the friends. Soon, the snakes were dead, and the the children had a nice fire going. The children gorged themselves on roasted python, throwing the bones into the dark hole. The next day, Tetsukich and Bangqiu returned the children to their parents.

About a week later, Tetsukichi and Bangqiu, together with Beatriss and their henchmen, found the snake pit again, avoided the purple mist, and dropped underground to explore. They broke the seal on what seemed to be the tomb of one of Sakatha’s vassals. They destroyed the skeletal snake men who guarded the stone coffin of the snake lord. As the snake lord himself, remained at rest, the heroes did not disturb his remains, but only plundered his treasure, consisting of a large number of gold coins stamped with Sakatha’s image.