Sidequest: Minotaur Maze

Back to another monster related sidequest:

Background Info: A King’s half-son was cursed into the form of a Minotaur. His wife won’t allow the Minotaur to be killed, so the King extended his crypts to built a maze (as kings will do). Magic or a curse won’t allow the Minotaur to leave, but the curse requires children to be sacrificed to the Minotaur.

Getting the PCs Involved:

• The PCs are visiting a town as the townsfolk round up young boys and girls to serve as tribute to the ruler. The King demands the town send 7 boys and 7 girls into the labyrinth each year.
• The King is tired of keeping his half-son, but can’t let the Queen know. A King’s emissary reaches out to the PCs, without revealing the true source. The emissary says he needs the horns of the Minotaur for an important magical purpose. He offers a handsome sum.

Encounters:

• This isn’t the typically dumb Minotaur.  He has set up several traps in the maze (place as needed): a trip wire which causes rocks to fall from above; slate plates covering a (perhaps spiked) pit; a pressure plate causes the wall to swing down to where someone stepped on the plate.
• Because this is part of a larger dungeon, the PCs may encounter creatures from the crypts who wander in. (A king with a cursed son was probably cursed for a reason–perhaps he/his advisors dabbled in necromancy?)
• The Minotaur attempts to surprise, charge, then flee to soften the PCs up–especially if they activate a trap. He also tries to smash lanterns and knock out & stomp torches for another advantage. And he knows of some walls that swing on hinges, so when he rounds a corner, he’ll go through one.

Follow-Up Adventure Ideas:

• Do the PCs need to clear the crypts too?
• Do they recognize the King as at best an enabler?