Elder Evils

ENCOUNTER 7-1
S
KIN CRAWL
Encounter Level 17
SETUP
This area of the worldskin fills the fissures leading to
Ragnorra’s lair, forming a defensive perimeter. It is dotted
with cysts, abscesses, and spores. Three blistered souls
(B) also defend the area in the locations indicated on the
map: One is visible in the center, and the other two are
initially hidden from view behind ridges of writhing
plant growth.
You can mark the various worldskin features with coins:
Heads indicates a growth ready for use, and tails marks one
that must be regenerated. Remove coins from features that
are destroyed.
The players place their miniatures anywhere on the
southern edge of the map.
When the players have finished arranging their miniatures,
place the visible blistered soul and read:
The surface beneath your feet flinches at your step,
sometimes pitching like a ship in heavy seas.
Writhing, tangled plant growth forms thick ridges
extending into this wide fissure. Open abscesses
hiss and spit foul liquids. Ahead, a lone figure
shrieks, warning you away from this swath of
crawling skin. Its bones glow through its
translucent flesh.
When a character moves more than 15 feet from the
southern edge, place the second blistered soul in the
southeast corner and read:
A second figure suddenly charges from behind
some wild growth.
Blistered souls are horrible creations of Ragnorra’s corrupt
positive energy, at its most intense so close to her resting
place. They resemble skinless humanoids with four arms
and oversized, grasping claws. Their “bones” are actually
glowing columns of positive energy, which animates their
flesh and gives them life. The extreme energies cause
tumors to erupt continually on their bodies. As a result,
blistered souls are in constant pain.
3 Blistered Souls CR 15
hp 187 each (22 HD); DR 15/cold
NE Medium aberration
Init +4; Senses darkvision 300 ft.; Listen +20, Spot +20
Aura Abominable Form (shaken 4 rds., Will DC 21 negates)
Languages Common, Sylvan, Terran
AC 32, touch 14, flat-footed 28; Deflect Arrows
Immune ability damage or drain, acid, electricity, mindaffecting
spells and abilities
Resist sonic 10; SR 24
Fort +11, Ref +11, Will +21
Speed 40 ft. (8 squares)
Melee 4 claws +24 each (2d6+7)
Ranged thrown tumor +20 (2d6+7), 20 ft. range increment
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +16; Grp +24
Atk Options Combat Reflexes
Special Actions negate disease or poison (swift)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 15th):
At will—regenerate worldskin 25, revert to spore,
skincasting
Abilities Str 25, Dex 18, Con 18, Int 20, Wis 27, Cha 17
Feats Abominable Form, Combat Reflexes, Deflect
Arrows, Deformity (parasite), Improved Natural Attack
(claw), Multiattack, Weapon Focus (claw). Willing
Deformity
Skills Balance +30, Concentration +29, Escape Artist +29,
Hide +29, Intimidate +30, Jump +15, Listen +20, Spot
+20, Tumble +29, Use Rope +4 (+6 bindings)
Regenerate Worldskin (Sp) As a standard action, a
blistered soul can initiate regeneration in any worldskin
feature within 220 feet. The growth regains 25 hit
points per round. See individual feature descriptions
for limitations on regeneration.
Revert to Spore (Sp) As a last-ditch defense, a blistered
soul can rejoin the worldskin by forming a spawning
spore (see page 103). The new spore appears in the
blistered soul’s former position. It is considered
expended and must be fully regenerated before it can
be activated. Casting dispel magic on the spore within 3
rounds of transformation destroys it and returns the
blistered soul to the surface. The blistered soul retains
any damage and ongoing conditions from before it
attempted to revert.
Skincasting (Sp) As a standard action, a blistered soul can
activate the ability of any worldskin feature within 220
feet.
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