Elder Evils

ENCOUNTER 9-2
T
AR PIT
Encounter Level 20
SETUP
This tactical encounter can occur anywhere along the
shores of the tar pit. Change the compass on the map to
match the direction your PCs travel. Have the players
place their miniatures anywhere near the bottom edge of
the map. The scion of Kyuss lies hidden beneath the tar
as indicated on the tactical map.
When one or more of the PCs approach the shore,
read:
A great green-brown bubble rises from the tar,
bursting and releasing a repellent gas. A moment
later, the entire surface breaks as a tremendous
wormlike creature tears free, ropes of the sticky tar
hanging from its undulating body.
TACTICS
The scion of Kyuss lurches forward, swimming through
the tar, and must succeed on a DC 25 Swim check to
move 5 feet. It slides forward each round, closing on the
PCs until it escapes the tar. Once it takes damage from a
ranged attack, it activates its tendrils, damaging any character
within 40 feet.
When it gets within reach of a PC, it bites the character
using a 5-point Power Attack (for –5 on attack rolls and
+10 on damage rolls). If it hits, it makes a grapple check as
a free action without provoking attacks of opportunity. If
it wins, it makes a grapple check on its next turn and, if it
succeeds, it swallows the character.
If the PCs manage to reduce the scion’s hit points to 100
or fewer, it uses its breath weapon on its next turn and then
uses the skeletons it vomited up to cover its retreat.
140
Scion of Kyuss CR 20
hp 382 (51 HD); fast healing 3; DR 10/magic and piercing
Evolved advanced ulgurstasta FF
CE Colossal undead
Init +10; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +57, Spot +57
Languages understands Common
AC 23, touch 8, flat-footed 17; Dodge, Mobility
Immune acid, cold, undead immunities (MM 317)
SR 23
Fort +19, Ref +25, Will +30
Speed 50 ft. (10 squares); Spring Attack
Melee bite +31 (6d6+21 plus 1 vile/19–20)
Space 30 ft.; Reach 30 ft.
Base Atk +25; Grp +55
Atk Options Awesome Blow, Cleave, Combat Reflexes,
Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Sunder,
Power Attack, improved grab, necromantic acid,
swallow whole
Special Actions breath weapon, spawn skeletons, tendrils
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 20th):
1/day—creeping doom
Abilities Str 38, Dex 23, Con —, Int 18, Wis 16, Cha 19
Feats Awesome Blow, Boost Spell Resistance BoVD , Cleave,
Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Great Cleave, Great Fortitude,
Improved Bull Rush, Improved Critical (bite), Improved
Initiative, Improved Natural Attack (bite), Improved
Sunder, Improved Toughness LM , Lightning Reflexes,
Mobility, Power Attack, Spring Attack, Vile Natural
Attack (bite)
Skills Intimidate +58, Knowledge (arcana) +58, Knowledge
(history) +58, Knowledge (religion) +58, Knowledge
(the planes) +58, Listen +57, Search +58, Spot +57,
Survival +3 (+9 on other planes, +9 following tracks),
Swim +14
Improved Grab (Ex) To use this ability, the scion of Kyuss
must hit a smaller opponent with a bite attack. It can
then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without
provoking attacks of opportunity. If it wins the grapple
check, it establishes a hold and can try to swallow the
opponent in the following round.
Swallow Whole (Ex) The scion of Kyuss can try to swallow
a grabbed opponent by making a successful grapple
check.
A scion’s gizzard can hold 2 Gargantuan, 8 Huge,
32 Large, 128 Medium, or 512 Small or smaller
opponents.
Necromantic Acid (Su) A creature swallowed by the scion of
Kyuss takes 1d8 points of Constitution drain each
round. Upon death, the victim gains the skeleton
template and remains dormant until the scion vomits it
up. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a
light slashing or piercing weapon to deal 50 points of
damage to the gizzard (AC 17). Once the creature exits,
muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed
opponent must cut its own way out.
Breath Weapon (Su) 60-ft. cone, 1/day, damage 3d6 Con
drain, Reflex DC 35 for 1d6 Con drain. Creatures killed
by the scion’s breath weapon gain the skeleton template
and rise to fight on the following round. In addition, any
dormant skeletons are vomited up as well. Place them
anywhere within the breath weapon’s cone. After the
scion uses this ability, swallowed creatures do not take
Constitution drain from necromantic acid.
Spawn Skeletons (Su) As a full-round action, a scion can
regurgitate dormant skeletons. It holds in its gizzard 6
forest giant skeletons, former island natives. The
skeletons are under the scion’s command. For 1d6
rounds after being vomited up, the skeletons are
covered in necromantic acid, and their attacks deal 1
point of Constitution drain.
Tendrils (Ex) As a free action, the scion can extend its
tendrils, rendering it immune to projectile weapons and
dealing 1d12 points of damage each round to all
creatures within 40 feet of it. Anyone in the area also
takes a –2 circumstance penalty on attack rolls.