Classical Evil Temple Raid?

[hymer]

One of the classical things to do with an isolated, evil temple is to break in and steal the large gems that make the eyes of the evil god statue. But how do I know that? I can't recall a single, published adventure that has this facet.

https://deadmanstales.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/ddshrine.jpg

So I am doing this scenario in a coming campaign. Please tell me of any cool temple sites you know, preferably with the published adventure they were in. It doesn't have to be 5e. The more old school the better. I need inspiration.

[Unoriginal]

I know Terry Pratchet had fun with that idea a few times (notably once with the priests concluding that it didn't matter that someone stole the giant gem from the idol, as no one else would go through the trap-infested dungeon to check on it).


'Course the illustration you put is a reference to the AD&D's PHB cover:


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSs2bX13hVc/SGfATGYXRWI/AAAAAAAAAEY/UZLTQs-EesA/s320/TSR2010_500.jpeg

Which pretty much represents a typical "loot everything after killing the bad guys" moment. Unless I'm mistaken, there is a bejeweled statue in Lost Mines of Phandelver that you can plunder the gems of.


If you want inspiration, I would suggest the Eidolon (with its Sacred Statues) from the Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes :

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7IKQvxYPu9w/Wx51h0ClL7I/AAAAAAAASE8/rDAPOIG0Ga0MiXpCbo9L8bL3FMQxAf8LgCLcBGAs/s1600/Mordenkainens-Tome-of-Foes-Eidolon.jpg


Killing those lizardfolks didn't keep that party safe for long, it seems...

[Teaguethebean]

Skyrim? I mean that was the climax of the Theives guild questline.

[Unoriginal]

Skyrim? I mean that was the climax of the Theives guild questline.

Don't you ally with the demon-goddess of the temple for the climax of that quest?

[Teaguethebean]

Don't you ally with the demon-goddess of the temple for the climax of that quest?
No I'm talking about the part where Mercer takes the Falmer gods eyes

[QuickLyRaiNbow]

Is this a Robert Howard-ism? If not Howard himself, then one of his successors. That's probably where I'd look for inspiration, to early pulp sword-and-sorcery stuff like The God in the Bowl or The Tower of the Elephant.

[Unoriginal]

Is this a Robert Howard-ism? If not Howard himself, then one of his successors. That's probably where I'd look for inspiration, to early pulp sword-and-sorcery stuff like The God in the Bowl or The Tower of the Elephant.

I think you're correct in the fact that it's a pulp adventure/sword-and-sorcery trope, but I don't think Conan indulged in it.

[deljzc]

I3-I5 are awesome adventures.

Couldn't the Temple of Elemental Evil easily be changed to include some sort of idol theft?