Elder Evils

CHAPTER 10
ZARGON
152
ENCOUNTER AREAS
The following locations correspond to those indicated on
the ziggurat map.
A. Main Entry Chamber
Two rows of statues depicting animal-headed people support
the high ceiling of this massive chamber. Mosaics
recounting the rise and fall of Cynidicea adorn the walls
behind the statues. Bright light fills the corridor to the
south, revealing more mosaics. The wide corridor ends at
a T intersection.
A character who examines the northwest corner of the
room and succeeds on a DC 25 Search check discover a hidden
trapdoor. Lifting the lid reveals a ladder descending into the
darkness. This passage leads the subterranean city.
The southern passage ends at an illusory wall.
B. Empty Room
The floor of this chamber drops 6 feet. At the bottom is a
shattered stone box. An acrid stench fills the air.
C. Storage Room
Wine racks cover the north and east walls and casks cover
the west, as do the remains of several shattered casks. The
floor here is black and sticky.
D. Crushing Wall Trap (EL 10)
This passage is trapped. Stepping anywhere in the indicated
area causes the entire stretch of corridor to slam shut, pulping
anyone caught between the walls.
Crushing Wall Trap: CR 10; mechanical; location trigger;
automatic reset; no attack roll required (18d6, crush); Search
DC 20; Disable Device DC 25.
E. Killing Floor
This room holds piles of corpses, butchered by Dorn (see
encounter 10–1, page 154). Aside from a collection of animal
masks, the bodies have nothing of value.
F. Gambling Hall
This room was once a gaming hall, as evidenced by the toppled
tables, cards, dice, and scattered coins. Blood soaks the carpet
in the center of the room. The dead are everywhere.
A secret door stands on the south wall. A character who
succeeds on a DC 25 Search check finds a hidden pressure
plate that causes it to open.
G. Cultist’s Chamber (EL 0 or 14)
This room was once the private quarters for the high cultist
Darius—Dorn’s father. The room holds a bed, dresser, writing
desk, and other ordinary furniture. Painted on the east wall
is a grotesque illustration depicting Zargon.
Characters searching the high priest’s belongings find little
of value, but a DC 25 Search check turns up a pearl of power
(4th) lying under the bed.
If Vanessa has not yet been encountered, she is here.
Vanessa: hp 86; see page 149.
H. Abandoned Cultist’s Quarters
A moist odor fills the air of this damp room. Aside from a
sagging bed, shelves, and a small chest, this room is empty.
I. Consultation Room (EL 14 or 15)
A massive table dominates the center of this wood-paneled
room. Six chairs are pushed up to the table on either side.
In each corner stands a gaudy painted urn, and flanking the
door are two gargoyle sneaks.
If Vanessa has not yet been encountered, she is here.
Vanessa: hp 86; see page 149.
2 Gargoyle Sneaks CR 12
hp 145 each (14 HD); DR 10/magic
Male advanced gargoyle rogue 8
CE Medium monstrous humanoid (earth)
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +14, Spot +14
Languages Common, Terran
AC 24, touch 17, flat-footed 24; Dodge, Mobility, improved
uncanny dodge
Resist evasion
Fort +10, Ref +15, Will +8
Speed 40 ft. (8 squares), fly 60 ft. (average); Spring Attack
Melee 2 claws +17 each (1d4+5) and
bite +15 (1d6+2) and
gore +15 (1d6+2)
Base Atk +12; Grp +17
Atk Options magic strike, sneak attack +4d6
Abilities Str 20, Dex 18, Con 22, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 6
SQ freeze, trap sense +2, trapfi nding
Feats Dodge, Mobility, Multiattack, Spring Attack, Toughness
Skills Balance +6, Hide +17 (+25 in front of stone), Jump +19,
Listen +14, Move Silently +12, Spot +14, Tumble +14
Possessions ring of protection +3, bracers of armor +3
Freeze (Ex) An observer must succeed on a DC 20 Spot
check to notice that a motionless gargoyle sneak is alive.
J. Barracks (EL 14)
This wide room houses the guards patrolling the corridors.
At any given time, there are ten guards here reclining
and relaxing. Although off duty, they wear animal masks
depicting two each of the following: boar, rat, ant, eagle,
and wolf.
The guards store their possessions here. The PCs can find
550 gp and 3 potions of cure serious wounds in footlockers.
Cult Guards (10): AC 14 (no armor); hp 59 each; see page
156.
K. Storeroom
This chamber holds the cult’s spare vestments, masks,
incense, general goods, and three months’ worth of rations
and water. There are five masks (tiger, ape, rat, rhino, and
boar) and accompanying vestments. Assume that the room
holds at least one piece of any mundane equipment (excluding
alchemical items, weapons, and armor).
L. Guardroom (EL 12)
Four guards wearing rat masks and red robes over mail protect
this room. They make sure none of the denizens from
below come up to disturb the cult’s activities. If you are not
expanding this adventure site to the lower levels, have the
stairs end at a bricked-up wall.
Cult Guards (4): hp 59 each; see page 156.