<my best guess is that there is an illusion behind the invisibility>

This bare hexagonal room is dusty, cobwebbed, and forgotten. Near the door is a rag-clad skeleton — probably some <priest> who met his end herein, from unknown causes. The remains obviously harbor no treasure. A vague feeling of unease creeps over all who gaze into this place of darkness overlong. The place is empty.

If magick is detected for, a strong pulse
comes from the northwest; if evil is sought,
the whole room is found to give off a dim
radiation of malign power. If the place is
investigated, continue:

<The following is not clear. i am guessing that... that which is within the 2nd paragraph of boxed text is invisible...>
<...Thus requiring the listed spells to discover, or, a careful SEARCH -- tactile examination>
<My best guess is that this is a permanent illusion>
<However, there is the implication that the illusion is tactile -- thus negating SEARCH attempts, and, indicating a spell, that is, perhaps, something beyond a 7th level illusionist spell, if such a thing is possible...! If this is, indeed, epic magic (a permanent beyond advanced illusion -- a permanent tactile illusion), then, both dispel magic and dispel illusion would have but a small chance of success, due to the power of this dweomer...>

<Basic question: is the illusion tactile, or, not?>
<I would recommend the latter, as, in the former case, there is very little chance for the players to discover Prince Thrommel>
 

A black iron coffin stands by the northwest wall; its iron lid, in which a silver cross has been inlaid, lies beside it. Atop the lid is a forgotten scroll case. <metal scroll case>

An invisible sarcophagus is on the stand. <??>
Dispel magic, detect invisibility, dispel illusion, or dust of appearance reveals the following:
 

The sarcophagus has no top. You see a vampire corpse, clad in black and appearing hale—except for the stake through its heart.

This is an illusion. A gem of seeing, true
seeing, or similar effect reveals the true
occupant; see below for details.

Similar magick also reveals that the silver cross in the
coffin lid is a magical broadsword (Fragarach, fully described in Appendix C). (XP: 18,000)
The scroll tube contains 2 scraps of
parchment. One is a scroll of 2 magic-user spells (both strength); (XP: 400)
the other is a message:
"Let the Good ones use their newfound strength to seal in the horror of darkness to prove their faithfulness to right and justice.
We who wrote this lacked the power to do so."
Of course, it is a ghastly jape at the
forces of Good. If the coffin's occupant is
viewed truly, use the following description.
 

Your powerful magick reveals a figure completely different from the vampire form. You see a handsome mail-clad human man with golden hair. He is clad in a white surcoat, quartered by the arms of Furyondy and Veluna and the antlers of the Knights of the Hart, in red. He wears a gold belt at his waist, with a dagger. About his neck is a gold chain with an emblem of a crown and crescent moon; on his left hand is a gold ring with a similar device. His shield rests under his feet. <large shield>

The coffin's occupant is Prince Thrommel,
    Grand Marshall of Furyondy,
    Provost of Veluna, <wikipedia link, through Provost>
    a Paladin Lord.

Q: In module T1-4, how does Prince
Thrommel, a Paladin Lord, use the chaotic
broadsword Fragarch, which supposedly
deals out 1-6 HP and 1-10 rounds of
unconsciousness to any lawful creature
holding it?
A: Obviously, Thrommel doesn't actually
USE the sword. He simply retains possession
of it, probably to keep it out of the possession
of chaotics until he can dispose of it
properly.
(Polyhedron #32)

He lies in stasis, a powerful illusion causing him to appear as a vampire.
His gold belt is worth 500 gp; the dagger thereon is a dagger + 2/ + 3 vs. large opponents. (XP: 250)
His neckchain with amulet is
worth 2, 000 gp, the matching ring worth
250 gp.

(Total treasure XP: 2,750)

If taken from the chamber, Thrommel
awakens, but is groggy for 1-4 turns, uncertain about his identity and past. He regains
all his faculties thereafter, becoming cautious, circumspect, and taciturn. If the
broadsword Fragarach is in sight, he simply
speaks—and it comes to his hand. If it was
left behind, he is not aware of its location,
but asks if he was wearing one when found,
or whether one was nearby. In any event, he
asks to be accompanied to the surface; once
there, he asks for a horse, claiming urgent
business elsewhere. If any one character is
exceptionally good to him, he gives that
person his medallion, as a gift. Anyone
more than normally polite and helpful to
him receives his ring. Thrommel then rides
off.

All of Thrommel's rescuers are later
sought out by a strong party of humans and
elves (including clerics, magic-users, fighters, and men-at-arms) some 5-8 weeks later.
These persons ask the characters to accompany them to Mitrik, chief city of Veluna,
where Thrommel is pledging himself to her
Noble Ladyship Jolene of Veluna. At this
ceremony, each character is knighted (if a fighter) <recommended: extend this rangers, cavaliers, and paladins>
or made an elder of the land (for all
other classes). Each is entitled to wear the
silver star badge of Veluna and the gold
crown badge of Furyondy. In addition, each
receives a potion of extra-healing, (XP: 400)
a ring of protection + 1, (XP: 2000)
and 2, 000 pp.

The most helpful character (given Thrommel's medallion) is also granted one of the following, as
applicable to the class:

a book of 12 first level Magic-User spells,
<nystul's magic aura, feather fall, read magic, detect magic, push, burning hands, wizard mark, sleep, message, light, ventriloquism, _____.>
<recommend: travelling spell book: see here>
(XP: 6,000) <?>
a necklace of prayer beads, (XP: 1,500) (Jewelry value: 7,160 gp)
a shield + 1, or <small wooden shield> (XP: 250)
a bag of holding (500 pound capacity). (XP: 5,000)

The 2nd most helpful
rescuer (holder of the ring) receives a warhorse appropriate to the class.
If any character recovered the broadsword Fragarach
and was gladly willing to allow or help
Thrommel to regain it, that person receives
the broadsword Scather (also detailed in
Appendix C) from Prince Thrommel. All
rescuers are also honored by those who rule
Furyondy and Veluna.

Quote:
Originally posted by ScottGLXIX
Gary, I remember not too long ago you were trying to remember what a bit of the poem refering to Thrommel in the ToEE meant, the nine, On thre, in six, lies nine... Did you ever remember what the nine was for? Also, for many years, I was always curious about Lareth from the moathouse being a cleric of Lolth, it never really went anywhere in the published version. I'm guessing now that you had originally intended to go with Lolth, but because of using her in the GDQ series you wanted to come up with something new, and Zuggtmoy ended up being behind things at the temple, and Lareth could just be considered a cleric of Zuggy, or did you have bigger plans for Lolth?
Scott

Well Scott...

Thinking back, I believe that the "nine" was meant to refer to Thrommel being the ninth of his line in succession for the crown--and his level, which of course could not be "known" per se. the trouble is, one forgets to set forth all the information created as backstory.

As for Lareth, yes, I did plan to develop Lolth in a different direction.
The Q1 module sort of shot that idea down in flames...
She would have made a comeback via the EEG, though, as he was planned as the central baddie in another adventure module...that I never got around to writing 

Cheers,
Gary


Level 3.
>>335.>>