Elder Evils

CHAPTER 10
ZARGON
148
Divine Enervation (Su) All divine spellcasters lose the ability
to regain spells so long as they remain within 100
miles of Zargon. This interdiction does not interfere
with spellcasting.
Spew Slime (Ex) Once every 5 rounds, Zargon spews a
60-foot cone of brown slime as a swift action. All living
creatures within the area take 10d6 points of acid damage
(Reflex DC 30 half). Creatures damaged must succeed on
DC 30 Fortitude saves or become polluted (see above).
Summon Ooze (Sp) Automatically summon 1d4+1 corruptures
(see page 158); 3/day; caster level 18th.
This ability is the equivalent of an 8th-level spell.
Horn (Ex) Zargon’s horn grants him regeneration 50 and
a +6 resistance bonus on saving throws. Removing the
horn requires a touch attack followed by a DC 39 Strength
check, and doing so makes Zargon lose its benefi ts.
The horn “regrows” Zargon after 1d4 days. The horn
is destroyed if it is dropped into the Eye of Zargon, far below
in the lost city, within one day of Zargon’s death.
Anathematic Secrecy (Su) Zargon is immune to all divine
divination spell effects.
Nondetection (Su) As the nondetection spell; continuous;
caster level 20th.
Skills Zargon has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to
perform some special action or avoid a hazard. He can
always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted
or endangered. He can use the run action while
swimming, provided he swims in a straight line.
DORN
“I tried to flee my heritage, yet no matter where I went the only
choices I could make were to serve him. I have set aside my childish
fears and have resigned myself to whatever end awaits me.”
—Dorn, High Priest of Zargon
Born in the subterranean city of Cynidicea, Dorn did
everything in his power to escape his homeland, but his past
dogged his steps. He swore his life to Juiblex, only to find that
his demonic master sold him to Zargon. Now, with loyalties
divided and madness filling his head, he has returned to the
place of his birth, where he grimly awaits his destiny.
GOALS
Dorn doesn’t want to serve Zargon, but his master has commanded
it. He must do as he was bidden, so he returned to the
Lost City and the madness of his people. Soon after arriving,
he met Vanessa, who convinced him to slay his father and
take command of the cult. With the filthy deed done, Dorn
is even more insane and secretly murders his people to quell
the rage growing within him. Given the chance, Dorn would
slay Zargon himself, but he knows such thoughts are mad.
USING DORN
Dorn should be a sympathetic character, an individual who
has become a plaything for greater powers. This is not to say
he isn’t capable of wickedness—indeed, by the end of the
campaign, his hands should be very bloody—but the PCs
should get the sense he could have been otherwise.
Have the PCs meet Dorn early in the campaign, and
perhaps even rescue him. Portray him in a way that suggests
his innocence and earnestness. He might even be willing
to accompany the characters on their adventures, but his
lack of experience would make him a liability, so he’s sent
on his way. When next they meet him, Dorn has endured
many cruelties at the hands of the Faceless Lord’s cult, and
any humanity in him has been ripped away by the profane
rituals he endured.
DESCRIPTION
Dorn is a Cynidicean and has spent much of his life without
ever seeing the sun. He is pale, with almost translucent skin.
His hair is blond, bordering on white, and he has no pigment
in his eyes, giving them a red cast. He flinches in bright light
and burns and blisters when exposed to the sun.
He carries the weight of Juiblex’s corruption. His flesh
gives off a heavy stench. A thin membrane of slime covers
his skin, and even if he washes it off, it returns. To others,
his touch is painful, creating a faint burning sensation.
Of course, he’s also crazy. He breaks into barking laughter
at dreadful scenes of suffering and spews curses that cause
all but the most hardened to shrink away in disgust. He can
settle his evil impulses with the sight of blood, so he cuts
himself to let the dribbling fluid coax him to sleep.
Dorn CR 14
hp 144 (14 HD)
Male Cynidicean rogue 1/fighter 3/ranger 3/thrall of Juiblex BoVD 7
CE Medium humanoid (human)
Init +8; Senses low-light vision; Listen +12, Spot +8
Aura sickening slime (5 ft., DC 23)
Languages Common, Undercommon
AC 21, touch 15, flat-footed 17
Fort +16, Ref +15, Will +8
Weakness light sensitivity
Speed 35 ft. (7 squares)
Melee +2 human bane rapier +20/+15/+10 (1d6+4/15–20 plus
1 vile) or
Melee +2 human bane rapier +18/+13/+8 (1d6+4/15–20 plus
1 vile) and
cold iron kukri +15 (1d4+1/18–20)
Base Atk +13; Grp +15
Atk Options Chosen of Evil (+3 bonus), Murderous Intent
(DC 16), Thrall to Demon (+1 luck bonus when performing
evil act 1/day), corrosive touch +2d6 acid, favored
enemy humans +2, sneak attack +1d6
Special Actions contagion, corrosive spew 1/day, polymorph,
summon demon, summon ooze, summon pudding
Combat Gear cape of the mountebank, elixir of hiding, elixir of
sneaking, potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of sanctuary,
potion of shield of faith +2
Abilities Str 15, Dex 19, Con 20, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 8
SQ trapfi nding, wild empathy +2 (–2 magical beasts)
Feats Ability Focus (corrosive spew), Chosen of Evil B ,
Dash CW , Endurance B , Improved Critical (rapier), Improved
Initiative, Murderous Intent B , Thrall to Demon B , Track B ,
Two-Weapon Fighting B , Vile Martial Strike (rapier), Weapon
Finesse B , Weapon Focus (rapier) B , Willing Deformity
Skills Balance +8, Climb +9, Escape Artist +16, Hide +11,
Intimidate +16, Jump +8, Knowledge (dungeoneering)
+7, Knowledge (religion) +9, Listen +12, Move Silently
+11, Search +5, Spot +8, Survival +7 (+9 underground),
Tumble +10, Use Rope +4 (+6 bindings)
Possessions combat gear plus +2 mithral shirt, +2 human
bane rapier, cold iron kukri, ring of protection +1, amulet of
health +2, gloves of Dexterity +2, dog mask