Copyright (c) 1995 by Arthur Shipkowski <arsh@ftp.lle.rochester.edu>
 
The PCs (they should be experienced and well-known in the Hole at this point
for the opening to work well; if the GM wants newbies, perhaps the person in
question saw them at the Arena) are contacted by a man who believes the way
out lies at the bottom of Darkwater Lake and has the means to reach there
-- but is too old to go himself. He tells them to meet him in the Ironkill
woods.
 
It turns out he is a Japanese man skilled in the art of joining wood
without fasteners (can't remember the name off the top of my head) and
he has built a submarine. The submarine is sea(lake)worthy, but he would
like to send the PCs to explore. He will be more than happy to procure
any non-metal weapons, etc. that the PCs request. There is only two
major conditions he insists on:
 
1. That the PCs inform him if they find the way out, even if only by
writing a note and sending the sub up alone.
 
2. That the PCs do not place any objects in a barrel-shaped chamber of
the sub because it is enchanted with a very sensitive form of Create
Air.
 
What's Really Going On (Version 1): The man is much older than he
appears, and is in fact a skilled mage. The chamber does have the
air-production system; it is also enchanted with a variant of Teleport.
The man possess a similar barrel. When he steps inside the barrel and
provides the proper rituals and energy, he will be "castled" with the
contents of the other barrel. In addition, he has all sorts of 'bugging'
devices/magics inside the sub to keep watch on what the PCs are doing.
 
What's Really Going On (Version 2): The man is an agent of the ruler of
the Stronghold, or perhaps even the ruler himself. The craft is
enchanted as above. The ruler of the Stronghold seems to need to do some
maintenance to a facility of his located beneath the lake, and the
underground tunnel has collapsed.
 
What's Really Going On (Version 3): The man is under the control of
entities that live at the bottom of the lake. They don't eat much, and
would seem fairly normal to you and me other than their dietary
preference -- sentient beings.
 
I hope someone gains something useful from this.
 
Annoying legalese: This adventure is Copyright 1995 Arthur Shipkowski,
but permission is given for non-commercial use and review for
publication in gaming materials.  All other rights are reserved.
 
Arthur Shipkowski