Hssthak

Hssthak (Eeesss-TAK) was a sarrukh mummy and believed himself to be the last survivor of the empire of Isstosseffifil.

Description
At first glance, Hssthak appeared human under his loose wrappings, but the bony tail and dry, snake-like skin drawn taut over his skeleton quickly dispelled that impression. Having been sealed in a tomb for thousands of years, his features were distorted, withered, and dry.

Abilities
Hssthak was a "greater" mummy, having volunteered to undergo the mummification process; thus, he retained all the spell casting abilities he had in life and gained all the abilities of a mummy. In addition, he was enchanted to be fire resistant. With millennia to brood and watch the world through his scrying device, he was generally aware of world events and could converse haltingly in most languages.

Possessions
Hssthak had a magic mirror that functioned as a crystal ball with clairaudience and a scroll inscribed with the geas spell. He was the custodian of two powerful Nether Scrolls: awaken intelligence and alter beast.

Activities
He waited patiently in the Crypt of Hssthak for the day when he would be called upon to teach magic to lesser lizardfolk. In his crypt he kept two of the Golden Skins of the World Serpent, aka the Nether Scrolls.

Relationships
Hssthak considered all non-reptilian races to be marginally better than lowly beasts.

History
Around &minus;6000 DR, elves from Evereska discovered the crypt but judged its contents too dangerous for the world to know. Thus, a half-dozen elves volunteered to be made into mummies so to guard the crypt for eternity. Afterward, the door was resealed and the tomb reburied with elven magic. The Netherese never discovered Hssthak due to it being beneath unremarkable flatlands.

In 1372 DR, a deep sinkhole occurred near an oasis by the eastern end of the Sea of Moving Ice, revealing the entrance to the tomb. Soon after, lizard folk and an adventuring party delved into the new find.

Appearances

 * Lords of Darkness (1989) in the Mummies chapter/adventure.