17. Shrine of Loov

If the PCs are coming from the hidden corridor linking this room with room 16, read the boxed text below. Then read the second boxed text that describes the room. Approaching by the hidden corridor, you reach the other end and are faced with a curtain made out of a simple rug. Pushing it slightly to the side reveals a room beyond. Read the text below if the PCs are approaching from the southern corridor. This room is quite large, oddly shaped, but with a very high ceiling compared to the other areas in this cave. Tool marks on the walls and ceiling indicate that this area was carved out by men rather than having formed naturally. On a large makeshift stone altar at the other end of the room, you notice a large statue carved out of what seems to be a single block of dense and dark wood. The statue represents a winged wolf that also has its front left leg raised to make room for pups that drink from her breasts. All around the statue, offerings have been placed on the altar; cuts of meat, old bones, mugs of beer, and crude statuettes made out of seashells. Coins have also been offered to the statue, as well as a few gems and pieces of jewelry. Behind the statue, a gigantic banner hangs on the wall. On either side of the altar, two small braziers provide a soft light around the room. Finally, if there are still barklings in this room, and they have not noticed intruders approaching, the GM should read or paraphrase the text below. Six barklings are in here, with their backs turned to you and kneeling before the statue. They appear to be quietly meditating or praying... As mentioned in the description, this room is not natural and was dug out by the miners. A dwarf will be able to tell. The ceiling is almost fifteen feet high. This room was converted to a small shrine by the barklings. It is where they worship Loov, their goddess, the mother of all canines. Loov is a minor deity worshiped by barklings, but also other humanoid races that descended from canines. She is the goddess of canines, forests, and the Moon. Loov is often represented breastfeeding pups, being also the archetype of motherhood. Her symbol is the Three Claws Mark, often represented as three oblique lines. The statue is about three feet tall and five feet wide, and was sculpted from a single walnut trunk. A thin layer of varnish even gives it a glossy finish. Anyone versed in the arts of woodworking will recognize that this small monument is the work of a true master. The altar is a simple flat boulder that is also about three feet high and five feet wide. Around the statue, all sorts of worthless offerings have been brought by the barklings. Looking closely though will allow the PCs to find 38 sp, 26 gp, a fancy topaz (50 gp), a silver necklace with a medallion bearing the sign of Saint Bebrah (15 gp, belonged to Naerie Drekh), a gold ring set with a bloodstone (250 gp, belonged to Marbic), a bronze medal (20 gp), a fancy sapphire (150 gp), and an ivory figurine representing a shepherd holding a lamb on his shoulders (35 gp). Naerie will gladly let the PCs keep the necklace as a sign of gratitude, but Marbic will insist on recovering his ring, pretexting that it is a family heirloom very dear to him (a blatant lie). Behind the statue, the banner is very long, spanning almost eight feet in height while being approximately four feet in width. It is of a dull yellow and a large elongated black paw is drawn on it. A secret door in the northwestern wall is covered by an old rug. Merely pushing it to the side will reveal a 5-foot wide corridor. It will be hard to see it from this room, but a small window 12 feet above the ground on the southern wall connects to another area above. See room 19 for complete description. The six barklings, all unarmored, will be busy praying and easy to surprise. Unless the PCs are negligent when approaching, the GM should let the PCs attack them by surprise. The barklings will however be armed and ready to defend themselves, should they survive the initial strike. 6 Barklings: AC 11 (unarmored), HD ½ (1d4 hit points), #At 1 bite or 1 dagger, Dam 1d4 bite, 1d4 dagger, Mv 40', Sv NM, ML 7 (9), XP 10 ea. HP When looting the bodies, the PCs will find 84 copper pieces and 24 silver pieces.