Elder Evils

Cultist of Zargon CR 10
hp 59 (10 HD)
Male Cynidicean hexblade CW 10
LE Medium humanoid (human)
Init +4; Senses low-light vision; Listen –1, Spot –1
Languages Undercommon
AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed 15; Dodge, Mobility
Resist mettle
Fort +3, Ref +7, Will +8; +3 against spells and spell-like effects
Weakness light sensitivity
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee +1 battleaxe +13/+8 (1d8+3/×3)
Ranged +1 light crossbow +16 (1d8+1/19–20)
Base Atk +10; Grp +12
Atk Options Combat Reflexes
Special Actions greater hexblade’s curse 3/day
Combat Gear potion of cure light wounds
Hexblade Spells Known (CL 5th; 1d20+7 to overcome SR):
2nd (2/day)—bull’s strength, invisibility, suggestion (DC 15)
1st (2/day)—charm person (DC 14), disguise self, entropic
shield, expeditious retreat
Abilities Str 14, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 16
SQ summon familiar (none at present)
Feats Combat Casting B , Combat Reflexes, Deformity (gaunt) B ,
Dodge, Evil Brand B , Iron Will, Mobility, Spell Penetration B ,
Weapon Focus (light crossbow), Willing Deformity B
Skills Bluff +16, Concentration +5 (+9 casting defensively),
Diplomacy +5 (+7 against evil creatures), Disguise +3 (+5
acting), Escape Artist +6, Hide +9, Intimidate +23 (+25
against evil creatures), Knowledge (religion) +4, Listen –1,
Move Silently +9, Spot –1
Possessions combat gear plus +1 mithral shirt, +1 battleaxe,
+1 light crossbow with 10 bolts, boots of elvenkind, cloak of
elvenkind, gloves of Dexterity +2
Mettle (Ex) If a cultist of Zargon makes a successful
Fortitude or Will save against an attack that normally
would have a partial effect on a successful save, he
instead negates the effect.
Light Sensitivity (Ex) A cultist of Zargon is dazzled in bright
sunlight or within the radius of a daylight spell.
Greater Hexblade’s Curse (Su) Three times per day as a free
action, a cultist can bestow a curse on a single target
within 60 feet. The target takes a –4 penalty on attack rolls,
saves, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage
rolls for 1 hour. A DC 18 Will save negates the effect.
FEATURES OF THE AREA
Lighting: All rooms except the secret chambers are lit with
shadowy illumination, granting concealment (20% miss
chance).
Tapestries: Tapestries depicting grotesque scenes of human
sacrifice hang in one of the secret rooms and in southern room.
A character standing behind a tapestry gains concealment
(20% miss chance). Climbing a tapestry requires a DC 10
Climb check.
Secret Doors: Two secret doors lead to concealed chambers.
A DC 25 Search check in the area reveals them and their
opening mechanisms.
Desk: The desk is a simple wooden writing desk. The desk
stands 4 feet off the ground. Standing on it grants a character
a +1 bonus on attack rolls against creatures below him.
Bed: The bed is a stained feather mattress. There is nothing
of interest on the bed, but searching it exposes the characters to
slimy doom (contact; Fort DC 14; incubation 1 day; 1d4 Con
plus second Fort save or 1 point becomes drain; DMG 292).
Stove: This is a simple stove. A fire burns inside. Standing
on the stove grants a +1 bonus on attack rolls made against
lower creatures, but the character takes 1d2 points of fire
damage each round.
Ladder: In the eastern secret room, there’s an iron ladder
bolted against the north wall (Climb DC 0). If your adventure
includes the upper levels, this ladder leads there. If not, the
exit is bricked up. Characters descending from the upper levels
enter this level from here.
Treasure Hoard: The western secret room contains the
cult’s accumulated wealth, including 7,500 pp, 3,000 gp, 24
gemstones (average value 100 gp), ring of minor acid resistance,
lesser Silent metamagic rod, wand of cure serious wounds (32 charges),
candle of lawful invocation, and a cognizance crystal (7 points) (replace
with a +3 kukri if no psionic characters).
ENCOUNTER 10-2
TACTICS
The cult guards shout the alarm and charge the PCs on their
action. They use Power Attack later if they hit on the first
round. Two rounds later, the thralls of Juiblex join the fight,
rage, and charge the PCs.
Two rounds later, Vanessa (if present) and the cultist of
Zargon arrive. The cultist targets melee combatants with
greater hexblade’s curse, then peppers the PCs with crossbow
bolts. If this proves ineffective, he casts bull’s strength
and entropic shield, then leaps into battle.
Vanessa supports the melee combatants with spells, casting
fl a m es t r i k e on the largest concentration of characters,
followed by sound burst and prayer. If she faces spellcasters,
she begins the fight by casting spell resistance on herself, then
obscuring mist to level the playing field.
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