The Drow War Book Two. The Dying Of - RoseRed

There are six rakshasa males led by a sorceress,
Jasmuheen, the most callous of them all. When they
first appear they assume the appearance and character
of a group of nomads:
Camped in a rough circle are seven dark-skinned
humans, six male and one female, their faces and bodies
wrapped in gauze cloth. By their dress you can tell that
they are desert nomads. Only their eyes can be seen
clearly; the rest is protected against the dust. Rising to
their feet, they raise their hands in what may be signs
of greeting. As if to confirm this, the female holds out
some sort of waterskin, gesturing for you to take it.
The ‘nomads’ use few words, preferring signs, though
they speak Common. They claim to be concerned that
these outsiders (the Player Characters) have come so far
into such a hostile place. They offer water for everyone
and their mounts and suggest that the Player Characters
accompany them to the nearest oasis (Jeshmal), which
they confirm is undamaged.
Whether or not the Player Characters accompany them
to Jeshmal Oasis, the rakshasa attempt to establish
trust by giving freely of what they have. If the Player
Characters are most interested in information, they can
certainly provide that. They saw the great floating island
pass overhead a few weeks or so ago; more recently
they saw a huge fiery shape walking in the darkness,
heading for Albeyahn Oasis, which was a smouldering
ruin by morning.
The rakshasa offer to escort the Player Characters to any
location they may have in mind. If the Player Characters
refuse, they feign offence, claiming that only an ill-bred
ingrate refuses an offer of help in the desert. If this does
not persuade the Player Characters to accept their offer,
they leave petulantly but remain where they can watch
the Player Characters from a safe distance and follow
them. If challenged on this, they claim they are doing
it out of a duty to watch over the foolish. If the Player
Characters accept, the rakshasa lead them straight to
Devourer’s Mound, no matter where they are supposed
to be going.
Note: If the Player Characters are 16 th level, the Games
Master should reduce the number of rakshasa to four.
If they are 15 th level, he should reduce the number to
two.
This is not supposed to be a heavy combat encounter
but one of deceit and betrayal. The rakshasa do not
like fighting up close and much prefer to inflict a slow
and malicious death. The rakshasa hope that the Player
Characters will deal with the occupants of the mound,
after which the rakshasa will be able to go in and loot it.
They feign surprise when the undead attack and scurry
back as if frightened, asking the Player Characters to
help them against the ‘desert fiends’. If the occupants
of the mound do not finish the Player Characters off,
the rakshasa watch for a suitable moment, then try to
subdue them all, take their equipment and leave them
stranded in the desert. The Games Master should aim to
end this encounter with the Player Characters crippled
or left in an awkward situation, rather than dead.
Non-Player Character Group: The
Rakshasa
Male Rakshasa (6): CR 10; Medium outsider (native);
HD 7d8+21; hp 52; Init +2; Spd 40 ft.; AC 21, touch
12, flat-footed 19; Base Atk +7; Grp +8; Atk +8 melee
(1d6+1/18–20, scimitar) or +8 melee (1d4+1, claw);
Full Atk +8/+3 melee (1d6+1/18–20, scimitar) or +8
melee (1d4+1, 2 claws) and +3 melee (1d6, bite); SA
detect thoughts, spells; SQ change shape, damage
reduction 15/good and piercing, darkvision 60 ft., spell
resistance 27; AL LE; SV Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +6; Str
12, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 17.
Skills & Feats: Bluff +17, Concentration +13,
Diplomacy +7, Disguise +17 (+19 acting), Intimidate
+5, Listen +13, Move Silently +13, Perform (oratory)
+13, Sense Motive +11, Spellcraft +11, Spot +11;
Alertness, Combat Casting, Dodge.
Ibon Presno Gonzalez (order #73006) 8
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