FINDING THE WAY
The characters can find the route to Graven hollow using
Ghazrim Du Loc's ring. Tf they don't have the ring. there
are a couple other options available to them.
GHAZRJM'S RING
The star ruby in Ghazrim's ring has a white, star-shaped
core that guides its wearer along the safest, shortest
route to Gravenhollow.SOCIETY OF BRILLIANCE
If one or more members of the Society of Brilliance arc
traveling with the party (sec the "Society of Brilliance"
random encounter in chapter 2). they can find the way to
Graven hollow. having found it once before. Any Society
of Brilliance member who comes within a day's travel
of the library can make a DC lSlntelligence check to
find the passage leading to Graven hollow. Jf its check
fails, it can try again after 8 hours of searching and
contemplation.STONE GIANT GUIDE
If the characters don't have the ring to guide them.
a duergar N PC (for example, Ghuldur flagonfist
in Mantol-Derith} might suggest that they talk to
Stont:speaker Hgraam in Gauntlgrym. If the characters
helped the stone giants by putting an end to the horrid
derro rituals in the Whorl stone Tunnels (sec chapter
4), Stonespcakcr Hgraam is willing to assign them a
guide- a s tone giant namedjaal-who can lead them
to Gravenhollow. As he guides the expeditionary force
through the Undcrdark,jaal periodically stops to press
his hands against ancient stone. as though communing
with the rock itself. His mystical connection to the
Underdark allows him to find the safest. shortest route
to the stone library.VELDYSKAR THE BASILISK
When the characters are within a day's travel of
Graven hollow, they hear someone singing strange tunes
in various languages, the voice echoing down adjacent
tunnels. Approaching the sound reveals a basilisk
named Vcldyskar resting in an intersection. No ordinary
basilisk. Veldyskar has an Intelligence of 10 (+0) and
speaks Common, Dwarvish, Giant. and Undercommon.
A small group of characters scouting <"an sneak up
on Veldyskar with a successful DC 10 group Dexterity
(Stealth) check. Any characters who observe the
basilisk can note that it keeps its eyes downcast. as if
consciously trying to control its petrifying gaze. When
Veldyskar becomes aware of the characters, he calls
them over, speaking in all the languages he knows until
he determines that the characters understand Common.A many-legged reptile stretches out as 1f 1t has been
s1tt1ng for a long while, avoiding your eyes as 1t looks to
the rocky Aoor at your feet. "About time you lot arrived!
Come! The library bid me guide you to the gates, and I've
wa1ted too long for you already."After his initial greeting, Veldy~kar speaks only if
spoken to, and his answers are brief. With the basilisk
as their guide. it takes the characters anothC'r <'ight
hours to reach the gates of Graven hollow.
Untold years ago, a visiting stone giant druid presented
the librarians with a gift: Veldyskar. an intelligent
basilisk trainC'rl to serve the keepers as a guardian and
general-purpose helper. The basilisk adapted readily to
the timdcss nature of the library ami embraced his new
duties with great dedication.
Vcldyskar is committed to the protN·tion of the library
and its librarians. If Lrouble arises. his philosophy is
to petrify first and ask questions later. Initially. this
presented a problem for the stone giant librarians. as
the basilisk had some difficulty reC'onciling his temper
and bestial nature with the recognition of what trouble
might actually look like. The stone giams taught
Veldyskar how to cast greater restoration, which th e
basilisk can do once per day to restore anyone who
crosses him.GATES OF GRAVENHOLLOW
A pair of massive basalt doors mark tht' entrance to
Grm·cnhollow. flanked by stone giant statues that arc
actually stone gole ms. The door!:> are opened simply by
pushing, after which the entire expeditionary force can
entt>r along with the characters. The golems turn their
heads to watch new arrivals but otherwise remain still.
The basilisk Veldyskar guides the characters in through
the gates. instructs them to continue s traight ahead,
then quickly disappears down a side passage.Walking across the threshold of Gravenhollow is like
stepping into another realm. The oppressive gloom of the
Underdark is replaced by light and a sense of openness
that bnngs back memories of the surface world.
The corridor beyond the gates is wide enough for
ten people to walk side by side. and the ceiling's
height reminds you of the great halls of Gauntlgrym.
The corridor opens into a central well, with walkways
crossing its span to the opposite side. You can barely
see the ends of the level to your nght and left, with
doors opening into so many rooms that you doubt you
could explore them all in a smgle day.
The ceiling is bright, with rambows trapped in
hundreds of crystal formations combin1ng to create
a warm and inviting illumination. Looking down is a
dizzying experience. Staircases connect to different levels
below, and you soon lose count of how far down they go.
A stout, rocky creature detaches from the perfectly
smooth wall to your left, leaving an 1mpnnt of 1ts body in
the wall that quickly smooths out and fades from sight.
"Trravelerrrrsss. I am Hourm. The masterrrsss arre
occupaed. Therre arre rroomsss forr all of you. Choose
yourr own. The rresourrcesss of Grravenhollow arre at
yourr d1sssposssal. You need only asssk."CIIAI'lt R II I GRA\'F~IlOl.l.OW