Elder Evils

FEATURES OF THE AREA
Vane’s Hideout: Vane uses abundant step to move through
the solid rock wall sealing off this chamber from the rest of the
encounter area. Since he can use this ability only once per day,
he retreats here only to escape danger and must remain within
until the following day. Vane’s simple camp consists of dried plant
growth for firewood, a cooking pot, a sleeping mat, and scrolls
of poetry describing his world before the arrival of Ragnorra.
The southern wall is porous volcanic rock and abuts the
geyser cave (page 104). Water and steam slowly filter through
the stone to create a shallow, warm pool. A living creature immersed
in its waters heals 1d6 points of damage per minute.
Bioenergy Cyst, Tentacular Boil (Worldskin Features):
See descriptions in the worldskin, page 102.
Membranous Openings: These are areas of inflamed tissue
growing over wounds left by Two-and-a-Half-Brains as she
burrowed her tunnels. The skin has almost healed, leaving small
openings for access. Treat a square containing a membranous
opening as difficult terrain. However, with a successful DC 30
Tumble check, a character can move through at full speed.
A membranous opening provides soft cover.
Ragnorra: Ragnorra is now dimly aware of the presence of
the PCs and is beginning to sense a threat, though she has difficulty
telling creatures apart. Beginning in the third round of
the encounter, she acts randomly in self-defense. Roll 1d12
each round and consult the following table to see what action
she takes.
ENCOUNTER 7-2
d12 Action
1 None.
2–4 Use cyst or boil to attack PCs.
5 Use cyst or boil to attack Vane.
6–7 Regenerate cyst or boil (use cyst or boil to attack
PCs if no feature needs regeneration).
8 Regenerate cyst or boil (use cyst or boil to attack
Vane if no feature needs regeneration).
9–10 Skin quake: Balance DC 20 to avoid falling prone.
11 Roll on crater wandering monsters table (page 103).
Creatures appear at the southeast entrance.
12 Roll twice on Crater Wandering Monsters table,
choosing the tougher encounter.
Creatures appear at the northern entrance.
Tunnels: The bulette’s burrows have healed since they
were dug. They are now wide and high enough to accommodate
one Medium creature, or two if they are squeezing. Any new
tunnels the creature creates are large enough to accomodate a
Huge creature.
self-defense. Anyone attempting to use Diplomacy gains
a +3 bonus on these checks, due to the beast’s increased
Intelligence and her eagerness to escape.
Once a character enters the area, read:
You face a bulette, but unlike one you have ever
seen before. Two translucent, gelatinous sacs bulge
on either side of her head carapace, each of which
holds a brain. In the bulette’s eyes is a strange look
for a voracious eating machine—it shows fear and
curiosity.
If the PCs can establish a friendly relationship with Twoand-a-Half
Brains, she can assist them in at least two ways.
• She can burrow tunnels within or under the worldskin,
bypassing surface hazards and possibly giving the PCs an
advantage when they confront Ragnorra.
• She can eat worldskin features from below. Unlike attacks
against features on the surface, such feeding goes
unnoticed by Ragnorra.
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