Information from inhabitants of the KEEP might be gained by player characters. You may give one rumor (at random, using d20) to each player as starting information Other rumors may be keyed to other persons in the KEEP. For example: “Talking with the Taverner (#15) might reveal either rumor #18 or #19; he will give the true rumor if his reaction is good.” Do not give out all the rumors. You may add whatever false rumors you wish, but adding to the amount of true information is not recommended. The false rumors are noted by an ‘F’ after the number. 1. 2.F 3. 4. 5. 6.F 7. 8. 9.F 10.F II. 12. 13. 14.F 15.F 16. 17. 18. 19.F 20. RUMOR TABLE A merchant, imprisoned in the caves, will reward his rescuers. A powerful magic-user will destroy all cave invaders. Tribes of different creatures live in different caves. An ogre sometimes helps the cave dwellers. A magic wand was lost in the caves’ area. All of the cave entrances are trapped. If you get lost, beware the eater of men! Altars are very dangerous. A fair maiden is imprisoned within the caves. “Bree-yark” is goblin-language for “we surrender”! Beware of treachery from within the party. The big dog-men live very high in the caves. There are hordes of tiny dog-men in the lower caves. Piles of magic armor are hoarded in the southern caves. The bugbears in the caves are afraid of dwarves! Lizard-men live in the marshes. An elf once disappeared across the marshes, Beware the mad hermit of the north lands. Nobody has ever returned from an expedition to the caves. There is more than one tribe of orcs within the caves. IV. Entrance to the Inner Bailey* can be gained if the adventurers perform a heroic act in behalf of the KEEP, if they bring back an exceptional trophy or valuable prisoners, or if they contribute a valuable magic item or 1,000 or more gold pieces to the place. They will be invited to a feast and revel, and then closely watched and carefully questioned. If the Castellan’ likes the looks of the group, and his assistants agree, he will ask them to perform a special mission (suitable to their ability, but difficult - use the area map or the Caves of Chaos to find a suitable goal). On the other hand, if they are rude or behave badly, he will simply retire early, ending the revel, and they will never be aided or invited back. If they try to steal or are threatening, the group will be attacked and killed immediately [if this can be managed, of course). Groups sent on a mission will be blessed and given up to 100 g.p. each for any needed supplies. If they succeed, they will be given passes to the Inner Bailey and can ask the Castellan for aid if there is a major foe to overcome (in the Caves’ area). He will send a minimum of one corporal and 3 archers in plate, or at maximum the sergeant, a corporal, and a dozen men-a-arms