The four-headed, radially symmetrical xortoise’s turtle-like shell is crisscrossed by a great x-shaped, spiketoothed mouth. It is 15’ (4.6m) in diameter. Cage is 25’ x 25’.(7.6 x 7.6m) The markings on its shell comprise a text of great philosophical importance in an ancient language (GM’s choice). Any wizard, cleric, or monk who learns the language (or uses magic to read it) and studies the intact shell for one month will gain enough experience to advance one level. Anyone braving the central mouth of the xortoise (bites for double normal damage) will find a pearl the size and weight of a small boulder worth 10,000 gp. It is impossible to flank or backstab the xortoise. As it is part earth elemental, spells controlling the earth have unpredictable effects when cast upon the xortoise. It’s too large to fit through the tunnels surrounding its room by ordinary means. HOWEVER: if the Xortoise is uncaged and attempts to chase the PCs out of the room, its thrashings will cause the ceilings to weaken. If this happens there is a 50% chance per round that the ceiling in the hallway the xortoise is trying to get into will collapse, causing 3d10 damage to anyone anywhere in that hallway and completely blocking the archways on either end (i.e. anyone inside is trapped and the hallway’s no longer usable until cleared out, which will take 300 minutes minus 1 per strength point of each creature helping clear the rubble). This will not produce a passable exit to the surface through the ceiling. Instinct: to bite

• Cause a ceiling collapse
• Bite 'em all
• Turn earth magic around on them
• Reveal knowledge