Ma1 - The Tragic Loss of Midas

Tradgic Loss of Midas
Midas is a close friend and colleague of Malcor who died mysteriously. Everyone in The Scarlet Temple is distraught by his passing, but no one was able to understand the reason for his passing. One day he was alive and well and the next he simply died. No direct cause of death could be identified.
Shortly after that time, the scared red of The Tower of Knowledge went dark, and the upper areas of the Tower were blocked by some magical force. There seems to be a puzzle there, but the scholars of the temple were never able to solve it.
The Puzzle
When the party enters the Tower of Knowledge the upper levels are blocked by a magical field that was put into place by Midas to protect his research. All throughout the tower are the busts of magically creatures. Midas left secret mechanism to disable the magic field in one of the busts, however none of the scholars in the temple could solve the puzzle.
A note from Midas was sent to Malcor alone informing him to look for clues. The note read:
Malcor,
I have placed a magical barrier in The Tower of Knowledge protect our research. In order to learn the truth, you must know where to start. There is a secret mechanism to disable the barrier hidden in one of the busts in the tower.
Remember, count on your enemies to reveal the source of my secret. Go forward Malcor and use my knowledge to defeat all your enemies.
Midas
Paintings

Solution
Each painting features a number of creatures of a particular kind, as summarized by the featuresCreature Paints. Counting into each creature's name by the number of creatures in the painting reveals a letter. When unscrambled the letters spell out "owlbear" which is the bust with the secret mechanism.

Gnolls - 3 - O

Werewolf - 1 - W

Kobolds - 5 - L

Beholder - 1 -B

Gelantinous Cubes - 2 - E

Dragons - 3 - A

Trolls - 2 - R

Hint Checks
Investigation DC 10 -The charcter deduces that the number of creatures in the painting is important and uses that number to determine which letter of the creatue's name they should review.
Perception DC 10 - When looking at the dedication, the words, "count on" alert the character that they should count the number of creatures.
Midas' Hidden Notes
If players investigate Midas' quarters they can closely investigate what Midas was working on before his death. The party will find a variety of manuscripts written in an indescribable code, but it is an illuminated manuscript.
Also if players press the scholars in the temple to talk about what Midas was doing before his death they will explain that Midas was very concerned about Middas the Magnificant mood and the impact that would have on the world.
With additional study the players will learn about the story of the marriage between Middas the Magnificant and the giantess Gerd. Noticeably that when @midd became upset it affected the weather.
Illuminated Images

Disturbances of Galoth
Galoth is secret seriously disturbed over the loss of life under his watch and the risk of his students, and he has become highly paranoid. He intentionally darkened the The Tower of Knowledge placed a magically puzzle to prevent others from reactivating the Tower. This is a way of keeping invaders from finding the Temple. Due to his mental issues he has developed multiple personality disorder and manifests those personalities in the form of illusions.
He will lead the players around The Scarlet Temple, but will eventually want them to leave. If the players push to reactive The Tower of Knowledge he will become more anixous and try to prevent them. If they many to get the top of the tower he will attack the party in a burst of emotion.
Reward

Immovable Rod
Potion of Superior Healing
Comb of the Goddess
800 gp

Parent Plot

Malcor's Character Arch

Related Characters

• Father John
• Galoth
• Lady Shaxx
• Midas
• Robert the Wanderer
• Wade