dragon’s tail coils around itself as it winds around the frame, and its eyes (as well as many of its scales) are set with tiny bloodstones. The dragon is beautifully painted and exceptionally lifelike; it clutches a human skull in each of its fore claws.
The water clock sits on a marble pedestal, and a piece of chrysoberyl is set into the center of its face. It is currently empty [the clock requires water to tell time], but appears to be in perfect working order [which it is]. Each number on its face is made of a tiny mosaic of multicolored chips of marble, and all of its tiny gears are of brightly polished brass.
Next to the clock sits the spyglass on its tri-pod. The legs of the tripod are made of polished cherry wood and capped with brass, and each is covered in stylized carvings of stars. The body of the spyglass is made of solid silver, and its surface is delicately etched with different constellations.
The stars which comprise each constellation are picked out with inlaid gold, and three of the brightest stars are marked by pieces of golden topaz.
Surrounded by small heaps of silver coins, the chest stands off to one side from the other objects. It is made of oak, with inlays of ivory and white pine. Its curved lid bears a carving of a manor house, the windows of which are made of mother-of-pearl. There is a tower at one end of the manor house, and it looks as though it once had a figure standing atop it. That portion of the tower has been chipped away, though, leaving gouges in the wood; only the figure’s feet remain. [Total 29,500 gp]
03 Here you can see eight barrels, a strongbox, and a sturdy sack, lying on a pile of colorful cloth.
There are four barrels [2 gp each] of fine red wine [200 gp each; equal to twenty bottles]. Four similar barrels are packed with straw and contain a table setting for 24 people. Two barrels hold the plates: they are gold with enamelled pictures, each with different scenes of people and animals in the countryside [100 gp each], and there are three smaller matching plates for each set, with the pictures related but not identical [72 plates, 70 gp each].
The next barrel holds cut crystal goblets set with rings of gold, top and bottom [24 of each;
large goblet, 150 gp; small, 120 gp]. In the final barrel are 24 ebony-handled steel eating knives, set with smoky or rose quartz [55 gp each], 24 two-tined gold forks, each with smoky quartz or star rose quartz in the handles [65 gp each] and 24 golden soup spoons with small alexandrite or aquamarines in the handles [350 gp each]. Also rolled up in the barrel are 24 pure white silk
napkins, each elaborately embroidered in white silk [10 gp each] and 24 plain gold napkin rings [10 gp each].
A strong box of iron-reinforced wood sits nearby, locked with a heavy padlock [Good lock, 45 gp] contains thousands of coins, neatly organ-ized [503 gp, 321 sp, 7,438 cp]. A woolen sack beside it holds eight jewelled daggers, identical except for the gem in the hilt: two each of bloodstone, moonstone, onyx, and violet-blue iolite [55 gp each].
Under the sack is a stack of woven cloth [silk, 13 various colors and patterns, 5 yards each; 10 gp per yard] and a gold statue of a fertility goddess, taller than your outstretched hand, with fine golden gems for eyes [topaz; statue 2,000 gp]. A heavy black mace [12 gp], a well made pair of arm-length shears [for pruning trees, 5 gp], four horseman’s composite shortbows, painted black [75 gp each] and four score black arrows [1 gp each score] in four quivers [2 gp each] are in the shad-ows behind the barrels. [Total 30,561.48 gp]
04 In front of you is a set of seven standing lanterns [350 gp set], graduated in size from a foot to knee-high in height. Each is a half foot square, made of rather thin iron with square glass pan-els. One pane is on a hinged door, through which the lantern can be filled and lit. Nearby is a horse-high pole of oak, once well polished but now rather worn on its lower half. It is topped with a silver cap which supports a large tar-nished silver crescent sculpture [1,200 gp].
There is also a masterfully carved rectangular wooden table of deep rich color with a circle sur-mounted by two outward facing crescents on each of the sides. The legs are twisted to form a spiral which ascends from the floor to the table [360 gp].
To one side sits an elegantly made chest of black wood with silver fastenings [masterwork, 375 gp] that holds first half a dozen items wrapped in fine black silk [6 pieces, 2 gp each].
The first ones are two very fine silver candle-sticks [250 gp each] each about as long as a tall man’s forearm. You also find a crescent-shaped dish of silver [320 gp], a ceremonial silver dagger with a black star sapphire in the pommel [1,360 gp], two vials of holy water [25 gp each], and a finely polished black ebony stick [suitable for enchanting; 300 gp] nearly as thick as a woman’s small finger and about as long as a woman’s arm might be from elbow to fingertip. Below these are two book covers of black leather bound over thin wood. The front piece is decorated with a large silver crescent on the front and tiny scin-tillating gems creating the appearance of stars [1,800 gp]. The back has a large silver disk and
the same star-like design [2,000 gp]. There is no trace of the book they held. Twelve more sets of covers decorated in star-like patterns like the signs of the zodiac also have no internal pages [1,270 each set].
Next is a wooden box [15 gp] with a broken ring that may have once allowed a padlock to fasten the hasp shut has a small slit in the top into which coins can be dropped. The box con-tains a hefty mix of coins [339 gp, 59 sp, 620 cp].
A soft black leather pouch [2 gp] is also present.
It contains thirteen silver rings each decorated with a thirteen-pointed star [220 gp each], thir-teen silver crescent cloak clasps [100 gp each]
and thirteen large silver pentagram pendant holy symbols [125 gp each]. [Total 30,020.1 gp]
05 This pile of treasure is dominated by four large metal screens. Scenes of a storm and rain deity [or brilliant lightning in a thunderstorm] in silver, gold and gems [each has: 5 zircons, 6 rock crystals, 7 garnets, 4 turquoise] make sumptuous, sparkling panels [1,500 gp each]. Crumpled by them are five wall-hanging sized dark yellow silk rectan-gles, embroidered and gemmed. [Each hanging has 3 blue quartz, 2 red quartz, 2 carnelians, 2 ambers, and 1 amethyst and is worth 750 gp.] Six spears [2 gp each] and four red silk pennons with yellow designs [possibly local heraldry; 4 gp each]
lie behind the cloths. Beside them, two statues rest atop a pile of furs. The larger statue is pol-ished copper, of a woman brandishing a jewelled platinum sword [with 2 zircons and 2 onyx; local goddess, 300 gp]. The second is a fierce deity, made of gold decorated with rubies and emeralds [6 each], holding a fire opal in its hand [statue 14,500 gp]. The furs are ten beaver pelts [4 gp each], eighteen minks [50 gp each] and four silver fox [75 gp each]. A handaxe [6 gp] and a wood-cutter’s greataxe [20 gp] lie upon a large sack.
The sack [2 sp] contains four golden salvers [100 gp each], a slender silver candle holder [5 gp], a gold censer [burns incense; 125 gp], a bundle of tall beeswax candles, partly burned [27 candles, 5 sp each] and sixteen pieces of incense [2 gp each].
Under them are six yellow silk robes, slightly bloodstained [5 gp each]. Below those, a brass bowl [4 sp] holds coins, mostly coppers [23 gp, 82 sp, 455 cp]. A smaller pouch [1 gp] contains a broken string of beads [amber, 23 pieces; 120 gp each] and a silver holy symbol on a copper chain [chain 5 sp]. The holy symbol [of a storm god] has a complex design and five fine smoky quartz [symbol 550 gp]. Finally you find four large cop-per bowls [3 gp each], two miniature barrels of ale [9 sp each], and a large leather sack [1 gp] stuffed with big, wax-covered cheeses [6 cheeses, 10 pounds each; 2 gp each]. [Total 29,824.15 gp]
06 You find a bed of glittering and sparkling coins, strewn rather haphazardly across the floor in a sea of gold and silver, copper and platinum [148 pp, 2,317 gp, 11,042 sp, 8,914 cp—all minted from the same kingdom]. Tossed upon these odd waters is a large seaman’s chest, made from strong dark wood banded in gold and silver and sparkled with a variety of gemstones [5 amber, 5 red garnet, and a single black pearl; chest 1,685 gp].
The front of the chest has a visage carved into it, that of an older, serene male. [This can be any figure the GM decides or just a random carving.]
Within the chest you find an exquisitely crafted dinner set of six plates, knives, forks and spoons fit for a king. Each one is covered with gold and the pieces of cutlery are each orna-mented with a deep blue gem [blue spinels; set 5,400 gp]. There are also two large spheres of a blue-white crystal [blue quartz, 8,000gp each].
Each sphere could be grasped with one hand, but they are heavy enough to be awkward to hold in this manner. One is carved with iconic images of sea battles and shows a fleet of ships [corsair or pirate vessels] fighting. The second sphere is carved with a series of continents and land masses, and there are smaller lines that run all over the globe. Upon closer inspection you see the sphere even has the cardinal points of a compass carved into it, along with bearings and other nautical markings. [These could be trade routes or the whole globe could be a map to a bigger hoard.]
Finally, lying partially submerged in the mass of coinage outside of the chest you find a two-handed, broad bladed sword of fine and robust construction, polished to a mirror-bright sheen.
The centerpiece of this weapon seems to be the finely detailed hilt made from gold carved in the shape of a dragon with wings outstretched. The head’s open jaws disgorge the blade, with a small amount of detail near the mouth inscribed in a flame-like pattern, and two blue gemstones [sap-phires] for its eyes [masterwork greatsword; 2,500 gp]. [Total 30,575.34 gp]
07 The room is dominated by a large, painted sar-cophagus resting on a plinth. It is made of a dark hardwood and is longer than even a very tall human. Its tall sides depict the events of an adventurous life while the lid shows the features of an armed and armored man in his middle years, presumably the occupant. Small gems [various colored spinels] dot the lid. The entire coffin is old, perhaps centuries, but is still in excellent condition [entire piece; 3,500 gp]. The lid opens with a groan and a puff of dust reveal-ing a shallow compartment with a golden burial mask depicting the face and upper torso of a the mother of all treasure tables
powerful man [7,500 gp]. The mask features inlays of a deep blue stone [lapis lazuli] and shiny black glass [obsidian]. It is incredibly heavy and difficult to move. You also see a series of four ceramic jars about the length of a human fore-arm. These are beautifully painted with pastoral scenes and capped with gold stoppers [jars, 50 gp each]. Unstopping a jar fills the air with a heady perfume [scented oil, 25 gp per jar].
Whoever was once laid to rest in this sar-cophagus is gone; no evidence of a body remains.
Fortunately, the lack of a corpse reveals the obvi-ous false bottom in the coffin. It moves easily, uncovering a large space below filled with a lake of coins: copper and silver make up the bulk, but bits of gold and platinum shine through as well [1,121 pp; 3,610 gp; 7,688 sp; 14,572 cp; from many different kingdoms]. Awash in the coins is what appears to be the equipment of the warrior on the lid: a greatsword [masterwork, 350 gp], a composite longbow [masterwork, +4 strength bonus; 800 gp], and a suit of full plate armor which needs cleaning [masterwork; 1,650 gp].
Beneath the armor is a small golden box deco-rated with details of a woodland scene [50 gp]. It is empty, but apparently once held something of value. The interior is padded and lined with soft felt, with spacers set at the width of a typical flask. Pawing through the coins reveals two addi-tional items; a beautiful walking stick with an elaborate gold head [100 gp] and an alabaster statue of a cat [50 gp]. [Total 30,034.52 gp]
08 A pair of mammoth, ornate chests of drawers stand before you, carved from wood so pure and polished it gleams white as bone [1,500 gp each].
Each armoire’s six drawers are tipped with solid platinum handles, each inlaid with a semi-precious green agate. Pulling open the drawers, you find ladies’ finery, neatly folded. The clothes are exclusively silk, smooth and cool to the touch, and are ornamented with precious stones, glistening silver thread and golden filigree.
[Every drawer but one holds a royal outfit suited for a tall, statuesque woman; 11 total, 200 gp each.]
Opening a lower drawer, you find a glimmering, silvery rapier [mithral, 1020 gp] with an ornate hand guard on which a courtly dance is depict-ed in low relief. It is cushiondepict-ed with sdepict-eductively perfumed silk underclothes [350 gp total].
Atop the dresser is a collection of perfumes in slender mother-of-pearl vials [14 vials, 100 gp each], a golden mirror with a handle shaped like a graceful female dancer [292 gp], an ivory and onyx comb [308 gp] and a heavy, knotted gold choker with a fruit and floral motif [421 gp]. An ivory pyxis [makeup pot, 100 gp], whose sides are painted with scenes from a woman’s daily
toi-lette, holds a waxy, cream-colored paste smelling of honey and olive oil.
A nearby iron strongbox is secured by a mas-terwork clockwork lock [amazing lock; 190 gp]
and holds additional wealth. Opening the case, you see finger-sized platinum strips, covered in vine tracery, resting on the green velvet shelves inside [9 strips; 500 gp each]. A necklace of black pearls and rainbow glass beads [3,500 gp] is coiled just below the platinum strips. A golden torque, its heads sculpted as screaming lions with poorly carved eyes [450 gp] sits atop a pile of gold and silver coins [172 gp, 218 sp].
In a small pile beneath the armoire are five grapefruit-sized hemp bags [2 sp each] of uncut
‘raw’ stones. Each bag contains a mix of stones including: moonstones [8 at 50 gp each], lapis lazuli [10 at 10 gp each], peridots [8 at 50 gp each], amethysts [5 at 100 gp each], topaz [2 at 500 gp each], emeralds [3 at 1000 gp each] and blue sap-phires [5 at 1000 gp each]. None of the stones have been shaped or polished, and a few are deeply flawed. Mingled with the gems are clev-erly carved animals from an onyx and amber game set, though only about half the pieces are present [15 pieces total at 100 gp each]. [Total 29,825.8 gp]
09 [This treasure should be set either in a small building or in an indoor area with access to the sky through a window or similar. If this is not possible, then the individual items could be packed safely in crates and protected by tarpaulin or similar.] The first thing you see is an enormously long and broad spying glass, pointing up into the sky though the roof.
The glass is as long as a spear but thrice as broad.
Surely even very distant objects could be seen with such a powerful tool. Underneath, a cun-ningly placed and designed leather chair is pro-vided for an observer to sit in comfort, despite the need to lean back at quite an unusual angle [telescope and chair 10,000 gp]. A plain wooden table [5 gp] next to the chair holds a large num-ber [17] of parchment charts which, looking at them, seem to be complex representations of dots and spaces with various calculations and times noted in a neat and easily legible hand.
With a start, you realize these are maps of the night sky made at different times and locations, presumably accurate although you find it impos-sible to tell. [These charts are especially valuable when navigating in unknown territory, by sea or on land. As an added option, some could show unex-pected movements of stars associated with supernat-ural or prophesied events, 500 gp each.]
Beneath the table is a series of six small crates [1 gp each] which contain, carefully protected by straw and padding, spare parts for the giant
spy-glass, including two new lenses and the many small parts constituting the pointing mechanism [total value 1,000 gp]. A small chest of drawers [15 gp] positioned some way behind the table has, proudly sitting on top, a statue, more than two feet tall and made from ivory, depicting the ship of the stars, a well known local myth in which young maidens are taken (willingly) on board a large sailing ship which then voyages beyond the stars [it can depict something else if required, 2,500 gp]. Inside the chest of drawers are mostly old notes and doodles of little value but there is one final delight: in a small, unadorned wooden box [1 gp] you find a silver stick pin magnificently garnished with a large diamond cut so as to suggest an exploding star [8,000 gp]. [Total 30,027 gp]
10 Balanced on its side you discover an enormous sundial [22,380 gp; weight nearly 200 pounds]. It is wrought of bright, gleaming gold the color of goldenrod pollen, and shaped in a stylized rendi-tion of a sunflower: the flat surface is carved in many rises and hills, graduating out to a frame of small, oval petals, then tapering into a thick
‘stem’, where a subtle hollow suggests the device was meant to rest upon a slim but sturdy pillar.
Set along the outer edge of the sundial are gems to mark the passing of hours: four opals and six sapphires alternating. Two gems seem to have been pried out by thieves’ hands—only hollows remain where the gems once rested. Stacked next to the sundial are four white quartz tiles [1,000 gp each], each the length and width of a man’s outstretched hand and set with delicate depictions of flora in gold leaf. The first tile you lift shimmers in the gloom, and portrays the drowsy leaves of meadowsweet. The next tile pictures a robust sprig of juniper, with small cir-cles of gold for its berries. The third tile in the group depicts a gathering of rosemary, and the last tile shimmers with a tableau of gathered peppermint. Resting next to these is a suit of full plate armor [1,500 gp], covered in a prodigious layer of dust. Beyond the armor are other treas-ures: an exquisitely wrought brass spyglass [1,000 gp], 70 feet of coiled iron chain [210 gp], and nine large, rolled tapestries [100 gp each].
Each woolen tapestry is expertly woven and depicts a hunting scene in vibrant reds and greens, with generous, rich brown and black dye;
time and neglect have done little to age them.
[Total 29,990 gp]
11 [The setting for this treasure will affect the atmos-phere and feel considerably. It is presented as being in an underground cavern, as that was the location of the original inspiration: the Terracotta Army of
Xian. However, this requires quite a large area—
approximately 50 yards wide by 60 long and at least a couple yards high—so the treasure could also be outdoors in a remote place or have already been transported from its original location.] In the uncertain light it is a spooky scene. Scores, per-haps hundreds, of figures stand in front of you, completely motionless. The air is so silent and still it seems impossible that any life exists here and after a moment or two, you realize this is indeed the case: all of these people standing in front of you are in fact statues. As you move closer to observe, you can see they are all entire-ly unique statues; despite being arranged in for-mal ranks and apparently all dressed and armed the same, each has distinctive facial characteris-tics and small variations. After a few more moments, the formation starts to make sense—
this is the representation of an army or, at least, an armed bodyguard. In the center are ranks of infantry. You count four rows of fifty such infantry, divided between those armed with spears and carrying large shields and those
this is the representation of an army or, at least, an armed bodyguard. In the center are ranks of infantry. You count four rows of fifty such infantry, divided between those armed with spears and carrying large shields and those