The Drow War Book Two. The Dying Of - RoseRed

The Drow War Book Two. The Dying Of - RoseRed The Drow War Book Two. The Dying Of - RoseRed

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8. Armoury This room was clearly once a forge, judging by the wide-flanged chimney and the trough of coals. It is now a makeshift armoury. Racks of spare weapons sit waiting for use and several broken ones are laid out on a workbench. If the Player Characters want to take the time to root through the usable equipment here, they can find three masterwork hand crossbows, four masterwork falchions, two drow-sized masterwork breastplates, a halberd, six masterwork rapiers and ten doses of drow poison wrapped in oiled paper in a small wooden box. A Search check (DC 20) turns up a +2 dwarven urgrosh that someone has tried to strip down for parts, presumably in the belief that it could be turned into something a drow could use. The haft shows signs of having been sawed through and most of the binding on the grip has been unwrapped. It currently has only two hit points left. 9. Kitchens The air in this area is hot and has an overpowering smell of spices, as if someone had been cooking with crumbled incense. Wrought-iron ovens fill most of the space, with pots and cauldrons bubbling on the hobs. A single stewpot the size of a barrel is slopping over with yellowish slurry that looks as if someone has already eaten it once. In the midst of all this is a sweating drow male, fleshier than most, stripped to the waist and with his white hair worn in long dreadlocks. He is adding pinches of red spice to the stews from a large bag. This drow is the camp cook, Argenauld. The large pot is destined for the dwarf slaves and contains a stew made from pulses, roots and rat flesh. Argenauld, Male Drow War10: CR 10; Medium humanoid (elf ); HD 10d8; hp 45; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10; Base Atk +10; Grp +11; Atk +12 melee (1d6+1/15–20, rapier) or +12 ranged (1d10/19–20, heavy crossbow); Full Atk +12/+7 melee (1d6+1/15–20, rapier) or +12 ranged (1d10/19– 20, heavy crossbow); SA poison, spell-like abilities; SQ drow traits, spell resistance 21; AL NE; SV Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +3; Str 13, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 10. Skills & Feats: Listen +5, Profession (cook) +8, Search +5, Spot +5; Improved Critical (rapier), Power Attack, Skill Focus (Profession (cook)), Weapon Focus (rapier). Equipment & Treasure: Bag of hot chilli powder, crossbow bolts (10), heavy crossbow, rapier. Note: Argenauld can throw his bag of hot chilli powder as a grenade-like weapon. He will try to do this on the first round of combat, then run for the barracks yelling for help. The bag of spices bursts in a five-foot spread from the point of impact. All creatures caught in the cloud must make Reflex saving throws (DC 15) or be blinded for 1d4+1 rounds. 10. Chapel The stonework here is of a higher standard than the rest of the mine. The pillars are ornamented with blank-eyed, bearded faces staring gravely out in all directions. Beneath these are columns of runes. A half-hearted attempt to deface them has been made but the faces have suffered no worse damage than a few chips and scuffs. The flag of the Drow Empire hangs from the wall, the heraldic spider extending its limbs to encompass everything. An arched recess at the eastern end of the room holds an altar draped with a velvet cloth. Two drow women are conducting some sort of rite over the skeletal remains of a dwarf. One of the women wears beetle-black plate armour fitted with long spikes and a silver headband; the other wears a long gown like that of a church novitiate. Both of them have white paint marking their faces in spirals and streaks. Translucent shapes, like humanoid figures in ragged robes, hover in the air nearby. Tiny red eyes gleam from their shapeless heads. This whole area is under the effects of a desecrate spell. All Charisma checks made to turn undead are made at a –6 profane penalty and all undead entering the area have a +2 profane bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls and saving throws and two additional hit points per Hit Die. The women are Shikzen Baine, priestess to the forces stationed here, and her apprentice Gaveena Varna. Shikzen is casting create greater undead to gain a new wraith servant; the two hovering shadowy forms are wraiths that she has already created and commanded. A Spellcraft check (DC 23) identifies the spell. A party of 15 th or 16 th level should arrive just as she has started casting, while a party of higher level should arrive just as the casting finishes, so there is another wraith on the loose. Note: The wraith is not automatically under Shikzen’s control; she must rebuke it first. Ibon Presno Gonzalez (order #73006) 8 195

196 Shikzen Baine, Female Drow Clr16: CR 17; Medium humanoid (elf); HD 16d8+32; hp 104; Init +6; Spd 20 ft.; AC 20, touch 11, flat-footed 19; Base Atk +12; Grp +13; Atk +15 melee (1d6+1/18–20, masterwork rapier) or +14 ranged (1d4/19–20, hand crossbow) or +14 ranged (entanglement, masterwork net); Full Atk +15/+10/+5 melee (1d6+1/18–20, masterwork rapier) or +14 ranged (1d4/19–20, hand crossbow) or +14 ranged (entanglement, masterwork net); SA poison, rebuke undead, spells, spell-like abilities; SQ drow traits, spell resistance 27; AL LE; SV Fort +12, Ref +7, Will +14; Str 12, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 18, Cha 10. Skills & Feats: Concentration +19, Diplomacy +3, Heal +9, Knowledge (arcana) +7, Knowledge (religion) +11, Spellcraft +16; Combat Casting, Improved Counterspell, Improved Initiative, Leadership, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Proficiency (net). Spells prepared (6/6+1/6+1/6+1/5+1/4+1/3+1/3+1/ 2+1, save DC 14 + spell level): 0 th – detect magic, guidance (2), inflict minor wounds, resistance, virtue; 1 st – cause fear, command, divine favour, entropic shield, magic weapon, protection from good*, shield of faith; 2 nd – augury, desecrate* (already cast), enthral, hold person (2), spiritual weapon, summon monster II; 3 rd – animate dead, dispel magic* (2), prayer, protection from energy, wind wall; 4 th – divine power, giant vermin, inflict critical wounds, poison, spell immunity, unholy blight*; 5 th – dispel good*, flame strike, insect plague, slay living, symbol of pain; 6 th – antilife shell, create undead*, greater dispel magic, harm; 7 th – blasphemy*, ethereal jaunt, spell turning, summon monster VII; 8 th – create greater undead (already casting), greater planar ally, unholy aura*. *Domain spell. Domains: Evil (cast evil spells at +1 caster level), Magic (can use spell trigger or spell activation items as an 8 th level wizard). Equipment & Treasure: Crossbow bolts (10), divine focus (spider amulet made from a piece of the Abyssal Altar; see below), hand crossbow, +1 full plate armour, masterwork net, masterwork rapier, scroll of mass bull’s strength (CL 17 th ), scroll of mass eagle’s splendour (CL 17 th ), scroll of mass owl’s wisdom (CL 17 th ), wand of lightning bolt (CL 10 th , 13 charges). Shikzen technically outranks Drozen Vellish, but there is no clash of interests here, as she is here to bring the blessing and protection of her goddess to the troops, not to lead them. Vellish is expected to listen to her counsel and provide for all her needs. If she ever wished to take control he would be obliged to surrender it, but that would only be necessary if he proved wholly incompetent or insubordinate to his own superiors. Gaveena Varna, Female Drow Clr9: CR 10; Medium humanoid (elf); HD 9d8+9; hp 49; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 11, touch 11, fl at-footed 10; Base Atk +6; Grp +6; Atk +7 melee (1d8+1 plus poison, +1 morningstar) or +8 ranged (1d10/19–20 plus poison, masterwork heavy crossbow); Full Atk +7/+2 melee (1d8+1 plus poison, +1 morningstar) or +8 ranged (1d10/19–20 plus poison, masterwork heavy crossbow); SA poison, rebuke undead, spells, spell-like abilities; SQ drow traits, spell resistance 20; AL LE; SV Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +9; Str 10, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 15. Skills & Feats: Concentration +6, Diplomacy +6, Heal +6, Knowledge (arcana) +5, Knowledge (history) +5, Knowledge (religion) +5, Knowledge (the planes) +5, Spellcraft +5; Combat Casting, Great Fortitude, Lightning Reflexes, Spell Focus (Necromancy). Spells prepared (5/5+1/5+1/4+1/2+1/1+1, save DC 13 + spell level): 0 th – detect magic (3), read magic, resistance; 1 st – bane, cause fear, command, obscuring mist, sanctuary*, shield of faith; 2 nd – aid, bull’s strength, cure moderate wounds (2), death knell*, owl’s wisdom; 3 rd – animate dead*, blindness/deafness, dispel magic, magic vestment, summon monster III; 4 th – divination, lesser planar ally, spell immunity*; 5 th – slay living*, wall of stone. *Domain spell. Domains: Death (melee death touch attack kills a creature if a roll of 9d6 exceeds its current hit points; 1/day), Protection (touched target gains +10 as a bonus to next saving throw, 1/day). Equipment & Treasure: +1 morningstar, crossbow bolts (10), divine focus (silver spider medallion, worth 150 gp), drow blade venom, masterwork heavy crossbow. Wraith Servants (2 or 3): CR 5; Medium undead (incorporeal); HD 5d12; hp 32; Init +7; Spd fly 60 ft. (good); AC 15, touch 15, flat-footed 12; Base Atk +2; Grp —; Atk +5 melee (1d4 plus 1d6 Constitution drain, incorporeal touch); Full Atk +5 melee (1d4 plus 1d6 Constitution drain, incorporeal touch); SA constitution drain, create spawn; SQ +2 turn resistance, darkvision 60 ft., daylight powerlessness, incorporeal traits, undead traits, unnatural aura; AL LE; SV Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +6; Str —, Dex 16, Con —, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 15. Ibon Presno Gonzalez (order #73006) 8

196<br />

Shikzen Baine, Female <strong>Drow</strong> Clr16: CR 17; Medium<br />

humanoid (elf); HD 16d8+32; hp 104; Init +6; Spd<br />

20 ft.; AC 20, touch 11, flat-footed 19; Base Atk +12;<br />

Grp +13; Atk +15 melee (1d6+1/18–20, masterwork<br />

rapier) or +14 ranged (1d4/19–20, hand crossbow) or<br />

+14 ranged (entanglement, masterwork net); Full Atk<br />

+15/+10/+5 melee (1d6+1/18–20, masterwork rapier) or<br />

+14 ranged (1d4/19–20, hand crossbow) or +14 ranged<br />

(entanglement, masterwork net); SA poison, rebuke<br />

undead, spells, spell-like abilities; SQ drow traits, spell<br />

resistance 27; AL LE; SV Fort +12, Ref +7, Will +14;<br />

Str 12, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 18, Cha 10.<br />

Skills & Feats: Concentration +19, Diplomacy +3,<br />

Heal +9, Knowledge (arcana) +7, Knowledge (religion)<br />

+11, Spellcraft +16; Combat Casting, Improved<br />

Counterspell, Improved Initiative, Leadership, Weapon<br />

Finesse, Weapon Proficiency (net).<br />

Spells prepared (6/6+1/6+1/6+1/5+1/4+1/3+1/3+1/<br />

2+1, save DC 14 + spell level): 0 th – detect magic,<br />

guidance (2), inflict minor wounds, resistance, virtue;<br />

1 st – cause fear, command, divine favour, entropic shield,<br />

magic weapon, protection from good*, shield of faith;<br />

2 nd – augury, desecrate* (already cast), enthral, hold<br />

person (2), spiritual weapon, summon monster II; 3 rd<br />

– animate dead, dispel magic* (2), prayer, protection<br />

from energy, wind wall; 4 th – divine power, giant vermin,<br />

inflict critical wounds, poison, spell immunity, unholy<br />

blight*; 5 th – dispel good*, flame strike, insect plague,<br />

slay living, symbol of pain; 6 th – antilife shell, create<br />

undead*, greater dispel magic, harm; 7 th – blasphemy*,<br />

ethereal jaunt, spell turning, summon monster VII; 8 th –<br />

create greater undead (already casting), greater planar<br />

ally, unholy aura*.<br />

*Domain spell.<br />

Domains: Evil (cast evil spells at +1 caster level), Magic<br />

(can use spell trigger or spell activation items as an 8 th<br />

level wizard).<br />

Equipment & Treasure: Crossbow bolts (10), divine<br />

focus (spider amulet made from a piece of the Abyssal<br />

Altar; see below), hand crossbow, +1 full plate armour,<br />

masterwork net, masterwork rapier, scroll of mass bull’s<br />

strength (CL 17 th ), scroll of mass eagle’s splendour (CL<br />

17 th ), scroll of mass owl’s wisdom (CL 17 th ), wand of<br />

lightning bolt (CL 10 th , 13 charges).<br />

Shikzen technically outranks Drozen Vellish, but there<br />

is no clash of interests here, as she is here to bring the<br />

blessing and protection of her goddess to the troops,<br />

not to lead them. Vellish is expected to listen to her<br />

counsel and provide for all her needs. If she ever<br />

wished to take control he would be obliged to surrender<br />

it, but that would only be necessary if he proved wholly<br />

incompetent or insubordinate to his own superiors.<br />

Gaveena Varna, Female <strong>Drow</strong> Clr9: CR 10; Medium<br />

humanoid (elf); HD 9d8+9; hp 49; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.;<br />

AC 11, touch 11, fl at-footed 10; Base Atk +6; Grp +6;<br />

Atk +7 melee (1d8+1 plus poison, +1 morningstar)<br />

or +8 ranged (1d10/19–20 plus poison, masterwork<br />

heavy crossbow); Full Atk +7/+2 melee (1d8+1 plus<br />

poison, +1 morningstar) or +8 ranged (1d10/19–20<br />

plus poison, masterwork heavy crossbow); SA poison,<br />

rebuke undead, spells, spell-like abilities; SQ drow<br />

traits, spell resistance 20; AL LE; SV Fort +9, Ref +6,<br />

Will +9; Str 10, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha<br />

15.<br />

Skills & Feats: Concentration +6, Diplomacy +6, Heal<br />

+6, Knowledge (arcana) +5, Knowledge (history) +5,<br />

Knowledge (religion) +5, Knowledge (the planes)<br />

+5, Spellcraft +5; Combat Casting, Great Fortitude,<br />

Lightning Reflexes, Spell Focus (Necromancy).<br />

Spells prepared (5/5+1/5+1/4+1/2+1/1+1, save DC<br />

13 + spell level): 0 th – detect magic (3), read magic,<br />

resistance; 1 st – bane, cause fear, command, obscuring<br />

mist, sanctuary*, shield of faith; 2 nd – aid, bull’s strength,<br />

cure moderate wounds (2), death knell*, owl’s wisdom;<br />

3 rd – animate dead*, blindness/deafness, dispel magic,<br />

magic vestment, summon monster III; 4 th – divination,<br />

lesser planar ally, spell immunity*; 5 th – slay living*,<br />

wall of stone.<br />

*Domain spell.<br />

Domains: Death (melee death touch attack kills a<br />

creature if a roll of 9d6 exceeds its current hit points;<br />

1/day), Protection (touched target gains +10 as a bonus<br />

to next saving throw, 1/day).<br />

Equipment & Treasure: +1 morningstar, crossbow bolts<br />

(10), divine focus (silver spider medallion, worth 150<br />

gp), drow blade venom, masterwork heavy crossbow.<br />

Wraith Servants (2 or 3): CR 5; Medium undead<br />

(incorporeal); HD 5d12; hp 32; Init +7; Spd fly 60 ft.<br />

(good); AC 15, touch 15, flat-footed 12; Base Atk +2;<br />

Grp —; Atk +5 melee (1d4 plus 1d6 Constitution drain,<br />

incorporeal touch); Full Atk +5 melee (1d4 plus 1d6<br />

Constitution drain, incorporeal touch); SA constitution<br />

drain, create spawn; SQ +2 turn resistance, darkvision<br />

60 ft., daylight powerlessness, incorporeal traits, undead<br />

traits, unnatural aura; AL LE; SV Fort +1, Ref +4, Will<br />

+6; Str —, Dex 16, Con —, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 15.<br />

Ibon Presno Gonzalez (order #73006) 8

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