The Gilded Gauntlet

Location: Kigum (The High Spire / Grand Arcane Bank) Level Range: 10-11

Background & Objective

A high-stakes "Trial of Wealth" has been activated by the Grand Arcane Bank to test the worthiness of potential high-tier investors. This gauntlet is a series of rooms where the very act of combat is tied to the participants' physical wealth. The party is hired by an anonymous benefactor to navigate the trial and retrieve a specific "Credit Note" from the final chamber.

The Gimmick: Economic Warfare

Combat within the gauntlet costs physical coin. Dealing damage to enemies costs 10 GP per successful hit; conversely, taking damage from enemies "refunds" 5 GP to the victim. Players must manage their gold reserves as if it were a secondary hit point bar.

Tactical Combat & Challenges

• The Auditor: A massive Gold Golem imbued with a shard of Aurelius’s will. It can "tax" players by removing their highest-level spell slots or temporarily stripping their weapons of magical properties.
• Managing Reserves: The party must balance the cost of aggression with the necessity of survival, knowing that running out of gold could mean automatic failure.

Narrative Outcomes & Loot

• Success: The gauntlet is conquered, and the party earns a reputation as high-tier operatives.
• Huge Throbbing Treasure: The Vault-Breaker’s Hammer. A +3 Warhammer that deals double damage to constructs and objects. Also includes a "Credit Note" for the Grand Arcane Bank worth 15,000 GP.