Centuries ago, a prophet born in a primitive jungle tribe foresaw both his people’s ruin and the coming of the strange purple lightning. Not wanting his tribe’s history lost to the ravages of time, the prophet created the boulder map so that future explorers could fi nd their way to the ruins of his city, Zen’hipha. There, they would fi nd the prophet’s writings and learn of his people. In the long years since, indigenous monsters have made the ruins their home. The Order of the Emerald Claw believes that a great treasure lies in Zen’hipha, and its agents race the PCs to the site.
On an otherwise sunny day in Stormreach, huge black clouds gather overhead. Thunder rumbles and churns deep within the darkness, then a bolt of purple lightning slams down to strike a dusty boulder on the jungle outskirts of the city. After that single blinding fl ash, the storm clouds dissipate, leaving sunny skies once more. Smoke rises from the remains of the boulder, split in two by the lightning. One half has crumbled to dust, but the other remains intact. The newly exposed stone bears carvings, which on closer examination reveal a map.
Word races through Stormreach of the newly unearthed map, which supposedly leads to a hoard of ancient wealth. Treasure-seekers band together to form adventuring parties, and one such group heads into the jungle immediately. But where does the map really lead? And will those who follow it fi nd riches or death?
PCs in Stormreach might hear the story circulating or be present when lightning strikes the boulder. If the lure of buried treasure is not enough to entice them, they could hear of a rival adventuring party they have tangled with in the past setting out in search of it. A PC who is knowledgeable about Xen’drik history might recognize symbols on the map indicating that the treasure holds special interest for the party. A solo explorer could also try to hire the PCs as escorts.