6. Upside Down Laboratory
The tunnel from the area above drops down right next to a separate tunnel in the floor of this chamber, similar to the one above, as if what ever punched through the floor above, came through this chamber as well. Two rusted iron cages are crumpled against the floor, the bars twisted and mangled, spread out at odd angles. A large carapace of an insect like creature, skewered on one of the twisted cage bars has been perfectly preserved by the frigid temperatures, its pincer like hands grasped firmly around the rusted iron bar piercing its now lifeless body.
DM Notes
The metal cages got knocked around a lot during the crash and fall apart easily. One of them holds the carapace of an insect-like person. A character who examines this object and succeeds on a DC 20 Intelligence (Nature) check can identify it as coming from a thri-kreen.
Leads to Areas 3, 7 and 107. Upside Down Apprentices' Study
A broken table lays on top of scattered books and notes, a smashed bottle of ink glistens with ice crystals frozen to the pages it coated when the spire fell. A window above a cold, soot stained fireplace is packed full of frozen earth and snow. Several broken candles in dented copper candelabras are on the floor next to the ruined table.
DM Notes
The members of the previous expedition searched through the books and plucked the best ones. Characters who thoroughly examine the remaining ones can find a couple of interest that are salvageable:
Ajamar’s Guide to the Phantastic. This breezy, lighthearted treatise on illusion magic was required reading in many Netherese classrooms. It describes clever ways to use common illusion spells.
The Unfettered Mind. This lunatic text discusses how one might exist solely as a disembodied brain, preserved for eons in a magical suspension fluid. It includes sketches of brains in jars.
Leads to Areas 6, 8, and 98. Upside Down Reading Room
A busted desk and some ruined chairs are all that remain in this room.
DM Notes
A permanent silence spell encompasses this room, which apprentices used for quiet study. The effect can be dispelled (DC 18).
Leads to Area 79. Collapsed Staircase
Behind this door is a rectangular tunnel in the ceiling, similar in shape and size to the snow packed stairwell above. Hanging out of the densely packed snow is a skeletal body, wearing a pristine red robe, and a simple gold ring.
DM Notes
Treasure. The Robe is a Mantle of Spell Resistance and the gold band is a Ring of Protection.
Leads to Area 7