Elder Evils

ENCOUNTER 8-1
G RAND TEMPLE OF SERTROUS
Encounter Level 20
SETUP
This encounter begins as soon as the PCs enter area B.
Seghulerak (S) waits to confront the PCs at the left of
the headless snake statue of Sertrous. If the Reliquary
is on alert, the Vanguard assassins hide behind the six
smaller snake statues; otherwise, they come from area C
at Seghulerak’s command. The babaus and anacondas do
not appear until Seghulerak summons them.
When the PCs enter the room, read:
The air in this large chamber carries an
unpleasant stink, like a large reptile’s den. A wide
set of steps leads up to a platform at the far end of
the room, in the middle of which looms an
immense statue of a headless snake coiled as if to
strike. Thick bubbling streams of glowing green
fluid drain from the headless stump into a pool
before it. Smaller statues of snakes with their heads
intact stand along the walls. The churning green
liquid in the pool at the base of the headless snake
runs slowly over the lip, flowing down the steps in
languid ribbons and draining into a larger pool.
The ceiling arches to a height of 80 feet overhead,
where an immense carving of a snake’s leering
visage peers down on the room below.
TACTICS
If forewarned, Seghulerak casts antilife shell, extended death
ward, and air walk on herself. She wastes no time with
threats once she sees the first PC, but immediately casts
blade barrier down the center of the room between her and
them. Over the next few rounds, she summons fiendish
anacondas with her summon monster spells. If the PCs still
haven’t reached her in melee, she continues to fight using
her ranged spells. As soon as she takes any damage, her
contingent conjuration activates, calling a babau demon
to her side. She is fond of moving into a pool of poison
while constricting foes.
Four assassins move up to engage the PCs, using charge
attacks from hiding (trying to use sneak attacks) and then
moving to flank foes in the following rounds. The remaining
two assassins hang back to observe PC spellcasters,
launching death attacks 3 rounds later. If a poison pool
or river is in reach, they take a move action to dip their
falchions into the poison.
Seghulerak CR 18
hp 271 (24 HD)
See page 117 for statistics.
6 Vanguard Assassins CR 13
hp 87 (14 HD)
Yuan-ti pureblood ranger 3/assassin 7
CE Medium monstrous humanoid
Init +8; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +9, Spot +9
Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Yuan-ti
AC 21, touch 15, flat-footed 17; improved uncanny dodge
SR 24
Fort +8, Ref +20, Will +7; +3 against poison, +2 against
good or divine spells
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee mwk falchion +15/+10/+5 (2d4+3)
Ranged +2 composite longbow +18/+13/+8 (1d8+4/19–20/×3)
or
+2 composite longbow +16/+16/+11/+6 (1d8+4/19–20/×3)
with Rapid Shot
Base Atk +12; Grp +14
Atk Options Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot,
Thrall to Demon (+1 luck bonus while performing
evil act 1/day), favored enemy humans +2, sneak
attack +4d6
Special Actions death attack (DC 19)
Combat Gear potion of fly, potion of haste
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 4th):
At will—animal trance (DC 12), cause fear (DC 11),
charm person (DC 11), darkness, entangle (DC 11)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 10
SQ alternate form, detect poison, poison use, wild
empathy +3
Feats Abyss-Bound Soul B , Alertness B , Blind-Fight B ,
Endurance B , Evil Brand B , Improved Critical (longbow),
Improved Initiative, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot,
Rapid Shot B , Stealthy, Thrall to Demon B , Track B
Skills Bluff +7, Concentration +12, Diplomacy +0 (+2
against evil creatures), Disguise +14 (+19 impersonating
a human), Hide +23, Intimidate +0 (+2 against evil
creatures), Knowledge (religion) +9, Listen +9, Move
Silently +23, Spot +9, Survival +8
Possessions combat gear, +2 studded leather armor,
masterwork falchion, +2 composite longbow (+2 Str
bonus) with 20 arrows, ring of protection +1
Alternate Form (Sp) A vanguard assassin can assume the
form of a viper (size Tiny to Large) as with a polymorph
effect, but it does not gain any hit points for changing
forms.
Detect Poison (Sp) As the detect poison spell; at will; CL 6th.
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