A-to-Z Challenge Day 21 Phi (Φ): Chamber of Phobos

Entry 21 for The Lost Catacombs of Kadmos

Once the PCs have chosen Path of Vice or the Path of Virtue, they will be transported to one of two "parallel tracks" of rooms, each nearly identical in appearance to the corresponding room on the alternate track. The obstacles they will face through the rooms (as well as the rewards at the end) are tailored to the "treasure" they seek (per the choice presented to them in the Upsilon chamber.

Phi (Φ) Encounter on PATH OF VICE At the end of the hallway, you find yourself at a room measuring approximately 30' wide and 30' feet across. The wall to your left features a fresco of seven wild-eyed warriors slaughtering a bull over a black shield, and the wall to your right features a fresco of the same seven warriors with their left hands submerged in the bull's entrails and their right hands raised high, as if enthusiastically taking an oath. The entirety of the floor features a mosaic of a bearded male with a menacing look in his eyes. You're not sure if it's the gory attention to detail in the frescos, or something else entirely, but you get a very bad feeling about this room. You can't wait to get through this room and through the door on the other side of the room. Any character that walks across the mosaic and exits the doorway on the other side must save vs. spells or be filled with fear for 1d6 turns. Upon their failed saving throw, each affected character will hear a voice whisper (inside their head), "Welcome friend of Phobos!" Affected characters will want to get away from this area as quickly as possibly, proceeding into the "Xi" chamber. The effects of the fear will almost assuredly cripple their actions in the next room, making them unable to perform any actions that will even remotely cause themselves harm (like cross the chasm and risk falling in). Phi (Φ) Encounter on PATH OF VIRTUE At the end of the hallway, you find yourself at a room measuring approximately 30' wide and 30' feet across with a door on the wall opposite you. The wall to your left features a fresco of seven proud warriors sacrificing a bull over a black shield, and the wall to your right features a fresco of the same seven warriors with their left hands submerged in the bull's entrails, their heads lowered, and their right hands raised in honor, as if taking an oath. The entirety of the floor features a mosaic of a bearded male with a menacing look in his eyes. You're not sure if it's the gory attention to detail in the frescos, or something else entirely, but you get a very bad feeling about this room. The first person to cross the threshold into the room will gain a +2 bonus to all "to hit" and damage rolls for the duration of 1 hour. Furthermore, all class-related skills for members of the thief class (or sub-class) will function at 2 levels above normal for that same duration (e.g., a 1st-level thief will perform all thieves' abilities as a 3rd-level thief for that duration). The second person to cross the threshold into the room will gain a +1 bonus to all "to hit" and damage rolls for the duration of 1 hour. all class-related skills for members of the thief class (or sub-class) will function at 1 level above normal for that same duration.