ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

An idea that popped out of todays in-game conversation - a random boss that can happen in Sanworm Lair, anywhere except the last level.

Sandworm Messiah, a halfling (why not? halflings are small, wriggly and sexy!) that wanders tunnels trying to tame worms, and find enlightement by harvesting their eternal wisdom. He tries to communicate with them, with ultimate goal to become a single thought-unity with their queen. So far, he mastered the art of calling them to his aid, and tries to protect them from invaders. That means from YOU!

Can burrow.

Has access to following talents/trees:
Rushing Claws
Speed Sap

Sand Drake Aspect tree
Call of the Wild tree
Fungus tree
Harmony tree

Battle Tactics tree
Combat Veteran tree
Conditioning tree

Custom ability - summon sand worm: summons random NPC out of those availble in Sandworm Lair, that has a keyword "sand".

Has % chance to drop one of custom artifacts - randarts that have 1 additional ability proceduraly added:
Sandworm Hide - heavy armor that grants Speed Sap
Sandworm Skull - helmet granting the Sand Breath
Sandworm Cloak - cloak granting Burrow


...now its time to bash this idea into oblivion.

His description needs to mention his blue eyes, and also how he seems to be the voice of another world.

...and he should be able to induce hallucinations, angband style

I forgot all about hallucinations. I actually really miss those, they need to come back!

In general, Sand Worm Lair could use more Dune references. Maybe a rare room - a pool of water, with protecting nomads? Or a random krysknife?

Or just more things at all. Beyond the alt version sandworm lair is one of the very few dungeons that has absolutely no chance at special features at all. I could totally see the ones you mentioned, or a room with a dead trapped adventurer that you can loot and he animates into an undead, a sunken caravan, ruins of some sort, a sand worm egg room, just anything at all to make that damn place more interesting.

Was that area Dwarf lands before the Spellblaze? Can't remember. However, I don't think that burrowing sand worms would go near a place with solid rock like ruins.

Of all those, I think the Cursed Adventurer Remains idea is the most... Foreshadowed. Not to mention a random boss caused by player greed sounds awesome!