The Sorcerers Labyrinth
The Sorcerer's Labyrinth is a generic TL3 fantasy adventure for use with the GURPS Fourth Edition rules set. It is designed for a group of 2-5 player characters built with 150 points and a disadvantage limit of -75 points. As designed, characters may not take any supernatural or cinematic traits other than Magery to a maximum level of 3. Average starting wealth is $1,000.
TSL uses GURPS Basic Set: Characters and Campaigns, GURPS Magic, and GURPS Low-Tech. Rules from the Dungeon Fantasy line are borrowed, though this is not a Dungeon Fantasy adventure. Rules from GURPS Martial Arts are also borrowed.
Introduction
"Once upon a time, long, long ago, there was a happy little kingdom in the farthest reaches of realm.
"Then, an evil wizard came and stole the princess. He left behind a magic mirror in her room and a letter that read: "Each midnight, the mirror becomes a magic portal into which anyone may step. On the other side is my realm of darkness. Be warned, not more than a half dozen men can enter each night. Enter, and be prepared for every sort of challenge."
Well, at least that's how the bard's tale goes. It's been told and retold so many times that there are several versions of the story. In some, the evil wizard is a wicked fairy queen. In others, there's no princess at all, rather it's a duke's son, a magic sword, a prized steed, or other valuable possession that is stolen away.
One thing remains consistent throughout the re-telling, though: there's always a mirror that holds a magical gateway within its reflective surface and the portal only opens at midnight.
Everyone far and wide has heard of the magic mirrors and their midnight portals leading to a realm of darkness, but most regard the story as a fairytale. The same old coots trying to sell treasure maps to famous lost troves and deeds to long-lost castles hidden in the wilderness also pedal full-length mirrors that serve as portals to fortune come midnight. Even though the world is a magical place of dragons and wizards, no one in their right mind, no matter how naive, would trust such claims or offers.
And, neither should the player characters...
Getting Started
Brecconary
The adventure starts in the town of Brecconary during the harvest festival. Brecconary is a large town of just under 5,000 people. But, during the festival, it's swelled to thrice that population.
It's nearing noon when an old, foul-smelling beggar approaches one of the PC's. The beggar will approach the least threatening in appearance.
Read the following passage to the players:
Any other day, Brecconary would be considered a quaint, happy town of just under 5,000 residents. But, today is the first day of the harvest festival and Brecconary has swelled to thrice that population.
All the inns and taverns are full, as are the bustling, crowded streets. Exotic beasts roar from their cages at the traveling menagerie. Acrobats, clowns, fire-eaters and jugglers entertain the masses at the circus. Merchants-a-plenty hawk their wares, each louder than the next. There's something for everyone, and that something can be found on almost every corner.
It's nearing noon when an old, foul-smelling beggar approaches [PC's name]. The stench of horse manure, stagnate alcohol and putrid sweat precedes him. He's shoeless and filthy and wearing tattered, threadbare rags. He smiles as he approaches showing what remains of his jagged, yellow teeth.
Tell the players this isn't the first time they've been approached by beggars, or the second or the third. Any particularly charitable or generous PC will have undoubtedly given away handfuls of coin. If any PC's have such disadvantages, ask how generous they have been with those that have approached.
Judge their amount as either stingy, adequate or generous. Don't tell the players, but if the amount is stingy, their PC is cursed with a minor, temporary disadvantage at quirk level. A suggestion is Destiny (receive bird droppings on head today) [-1].
If the amount is truly generous, they receive a minor perk
"Hello! You look like an adventuresome type!
