Level 20: Runestone Caverns - Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage

Level 20: Runestone Caverns. Runestone Caverns is designed for four 16th-level characters, and characters who defeat the monsters on this level should gain enough XP to advance halfway to 17th level. This level introduces the characters to a potentially powerful ally in their fight against Halaster-or an enemy whose destruction can put them in the Mad Mage's good graces. What Dwells Here? The Runestone is a large magic crystal, created by Halaster Blackcloak, that is embedded in the top of a huge, hollowed-out stalagmite that rises from the center of this level's main cavern. This spire serves as the lair of a lich named Ezzat, who has long been Halaster's enemy. In an effort to destroy Ezzat, Halaster created a legion of stone golems modeled after himself, placing a fragment of the Runestone in each one to imbue it with more intelligence and personality. When Ezzat learned what Halaster was up to, the lich placed wards on the stalagmite tower to prevent constructs from assailing it. This countermove prompted Halaster to abandon his golems and stop making new ones. Ezzat the Lich Ezzat has become obsessed with destroying Halaster and usurping his control over Undermountain. As his mania and thirst for power grows, the lich becomes more like Halaster with each passing day. Characters who destroy Ezzat and locate his phylactery earn Halaster's favor. Those who ally with the lich earn Halaster's enmity. Stonecloaks Halaster created stone golems in his own likeness and used fragments of the Runestone to imbue them with intelligence. Then he set them loose on this level. Called Stonecloaks, these 10-foot-tall golems worship the Mad Mage as a god and regard the Runestone as his eye into their dark domain. The Stonecloaks don't like it that a lich has taken refuge in the stalagmite tower, but Ezzat's wards mean that there's little they can do about it. Unless otherwise noted, a Stonecloak uses the stone golem statistics, with these changes: A Stonecloak has Intelligence...