**Labyrinth of Shattered Reflections: The Mirror's Embrace**
Setting: The Shattered Pyramid
The players find themselves in the heart of the Shattered Pyramid, an ancient structure surrounded by dense fog. This eerie maze was once a sanctuary for mystics who sought to peer into the depths of their own souls. The inner labyrinth has long since fallen to ruin, but the glass-like walls of the pyramid remain, each one a fragmented mirror capable of showing not only one’s reflection but also the shadows of their darkest thoughts. A peculiar energy feels palpable, as if the very air hums with the weight of trapped emotions.
As the adventurers step through the crumbling entrance, they hear whispers echoing, resembling snatches of conversations. The ground glimmers like shattered glass, and the light within refracts ominously, creating both beautiful and terrifying illusions. The echoes guide them deeper, leading them toward a more challenging fate.
The Goal: Retrieve the Mirror of Truth
Unbeknownst to the players, their journey in the Shattered Pyramid is driven by a quest to retrieve the legendary Mirror of Truth, a powerful artifact capable of revealing a person's true self. According to local legends, those who gaze into it can rid themselves of their deepest fears or harness their innermost strengths. However, they soon learn from a cryptic rune etched into the walls that this journey is more complicated than it seems.
The players' true goal is to confront their worst fears and doubts, which will be manifested physically during their journey. They will have to overcome these reflections – manifestations of their insecurities – to access the Mirror of Truth kept deep within the labyrinth.
Initial Encounter: The Hall of Echoing Doubts
As the players navigate the twisting halls, they enter the Hall of Echoing Doubts, where the reflections in the walls twist and distort. Here, they face the first challenge: an illusionary challenge created by their own fears. Each character must confront a shadowy figure— a manifestation of their self-doubt or insecurity that emerges from the mirror-like walls.
Mechanic: Shadows of Self
Each player must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 15). On a success, they shake off the illusion and can attempt to help their party members. On a failure, they succumb to fear and become incapacitated, believing they cannot overcome their reflection. They can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns.
The Shadows:
- HP: 40 each
- AC: 14
- Attack: Shadow Strike (Melee attack, +6 to hit, 1d10+3 necrotic damage)
- Ability: Fearful Gaze - On a failed saving throw, the afflicted player gains one level of exhaustion as the shadow feeds off their despair.
As players succeed in defeating their shadows, they gain temporary hit points (equal to the shadow’s remaining HP) and are infused with a small, glowing fragment of their lost courage. This fragment acts as a bonus to the next saving throw they make in the pyramid.
The Labyrinth Unfolds: The Room of Binding
After defeating their shadows, the adventurers move deeper into the labyrinth. They find themselves in the Room of Binding, a circular chamber filled with multi-faceted mirrors reflecting their surroundings in chaotic configurations. In the center, a sigil pulses with energy, bound by magical chains that shimmer in a complex array of enchantments.
The Puzzle: Weaving the Reflections
To break the chains binding the sigil, the adventurers must complete a magical puzzle that integrates the reflections in the room. They will notice symbols that correspond to various emotions floating within the mirrors—courage, fear, ambition, and doubt.
The Mechanics:
-
Identify the Emotions: Players must investigate the reflections to uncover three correct emotions: two positive emotions and one negative emotion. Each player can make an Intelligence (Investigation) check (DC 14) to recognize the right symbols.
-
Weaving the Memories: Once identified, players combine the symbols by physically touching the mirror corresponding to these emotions. Players can take a combined action on their turn to weave their emotions, requiring a successful DC 16 Charisma check.
-
Trap: If players fail to select the correct emotions three times cumulatively, the sigil explodes with magical energy. Each player must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 16) to dodge the shards of reflective glass, taking 3d10 slashing damage on a fail or half on a success.
Once the sigil is freed, the magical chains disintegrate, revealing the next passage deeper within the labyrinth.
Confrontation: The Guardian of Resentment
As the players proceed, they feel a dark presence looming over them. Rumbling booms lead them into a grand chamber where the Guardian of Resentment awaits—a colossal figure, composed of twisted glass fragments, reflecting pieces of their past mistakes. This being embodies all the resentment and regret that the adventurers harbor.
The Boss Fight: Guardian of Resentment
The Guardian has the following statistics:
- HP: 100
- AC: 16
-
Attack:
- Glass Shard Sting (Melee attack, +7 to hit, 2d8+4 piercing damage)
- Reflective Blast (Ranged attack, 60 ft range, all players must succeed on a DC 15 Reflex saving throw or take 3d6 psychic damage)
Special Ability: Reflection of Regret. At the start of every other turn, the Guardian can choose two players and cause them to confront a memory of their past. They must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 15) or take 3d8 psychic damage and gain disadvantage on their next attack.
Scenario Dynamics
During the fight, every time a player is knocked unconscious, the Guardian absorbs their essence and regains 10 HP, manifesting some of their attributes (like imposing disadvantage on the first attack of the revitalized player). Thus, if the party does not communicate and plan effectively, they risk falling one by one, allowing their regret to feed the Guardian.
Resolution: The Mirror of Truth
Once defeated, the Guardian shatters into countless sparkling shards that form a clear path toward the Mirror of Truth, now revealed to be hovering within a beam of light at the back of the chamber, glowing with a vibrant energy.
Interacting with the Mirror
The adventurers approach the Mirror of Truth. Each player can gaze into it, and they witness visions depicting their potential futures, based on their deepest fears and aspirations. The mirror allows each player to take one of the following effects:
- Gaining Confidence: Remove one level of exhaustion accumulated during the encounter.
- Enhanced Vision: Gain a +2 bonus to all saving throws for the next encounter.
- Fear’s Ward: One-time ability to automatically succeed on a saving throw of their choice in the future.
Once all players have interacted with the mirror, the walls of the Shattered Pyramid pulse with energy as they make their way toward the exit. Beyond the labyrinth lies freedom, renewed resolve, and perhaps a newfound understanding of their own strength and potential.
