Temple of The Feathered Serpent

Adventure Summary: "Temple of the Feathered Serpent"

Level: High-level

Theme: Rising Tension, Desperation, and Undeath

Setting: Fantasy Mesoamerican (Aztec-inspired)

Main Mechanic: Bidirectional Verticality

Adventure Overview:

"Temple of the Feathered Serpent" is a high-stakes, high-level adventure set in a Mesoamerican-inspired ziggurat that reemerges from the sands once every 55 years during a celestial alignment. The Crawlers, drawn by rumors of a powerful resurrection artifact known as the Double Chalice, must navigate the temple's treacherous interior, dealing with both the traps and the undead guardians who have lingered for centuries. The adventure is heavily themed around the concepts of rising tension and desperation, mirroring the ever-increasing physical threats as the temple's internal mechanisms awaken.

Cultural & Mythological Sources:

    The Black Jaguar, representing both power and the spirit of the jungle, draws inspiration from the symbolism in Mesoamerican cultures, where jaguars were seen as guardians of the underworld and symbols of the night and death.

    The Undead Quetzalcoatl embodies the mysterious and mystical elements of the temple, paralleling the real-world feathered serpent deity revered by ancient Mesoamerican civilizations.

Literary & Cinematic References:

The narrative is influenced by the dramatic tension and survival themes seen in cinematic works like Indiana Jones and the classic adventure trope of rival treasure hunters.

Key Visuals and Atmosphere:

Bright, colorful murals adorn the temple's walls, depicting ancient rituals. The setting is filled with dust and sand, creating a sense of looming danger and urgency as the players race against time.

Credits
Map by Sebastian Winkler
Cover by ID 87266132 © Vera Petruk | Dreamstime.com

Shadowdark License:

Temple of the Feathered Serpent is an independent product published under the Shadowdark RPG Third-Party License and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG © 2024 The Arcane Library,