Elder Evils

CHAPTER 2
ATROPUS
24
d% Encounter Average EL Source
01–04 1d3 famine spirits 21 MM2 96
05–07 1 advanced deathshrieker 19 MM3 32
08–19 1 corpse gatherer 19 MM2 51
20–29 1 ragewind 19 MM2 173
30–47 1d8 angels of decay 19 LM 83
48–58 1d2 nightcrawlers 18 MM 195
59–75 1d4 nightwalkers 18 MM 196
76–88 1d6 nightwings 17 MM 197
89–100 1d12 dread wraiths 16 MM 258
ENCOUNTER AREAS
Given the moonlet’s size, it could take an entire book to
describe every location on its surface. The following are just
a few of the locations appear on the vast “face” of Atropus.
A. The Ichor Sea (EL 10)
The two areas marked A on the map are part of a large sea of
necromantic sludge formed from the decaying afterbirth of
creation. The fluid about 200 feet deep a short distance away
from the shoreline. The sea emits an aura of negative energy.
All undead within 20 feet of the shore gain +6 turn resistance,
+20 hit points, and a +4 profane bonus to Armor Class and
on saving throws. Living creatures in the area targeted by
negative energy effects such as inflict spells or spells that
bewtow negative levels suffer the maximum possible effect
(this has no effect on the saving throw required after having
a negative level for 24 hours).
The Ichor Sea is treated as a major negative-dominant
environment. Each round, a creature within the sludge
must make a DC 25 Fortitude save or gain a negative level.
(For the save required 24 hours later, use the same DC.) A
creature whose negative levels equal its current levels or Hit
Dice is slain, becoming an angel of decay (page 30) after 1d3
rounds. Each negative level bestowed grants the aspect of
Atropus 5 temporary hit points. These hit points last for up
to 1 hour.
B. The Great Depth (EL 7)
Piercing the side of the moonlet is an enormous pit 70 miles
across with no visible bottom. Creatures coming within 20
feet begin to hear the susurrus of Atropus’s hate. Living creatures
exposed to these whispers must succeed on DC 30 Will
saves or become overwhelmed by madness. Affected creatures
become confused (PH 212) and take 1 point of Wisdom drain
each round they remain within range. A creature is entitled to
a new save each round to break free from the madness. Every
point of Wisdom drained from a living creature grants the
aspect of Atropus 5 temporary hit points. These hit points
last for up to 1 hour.
Creatures falling into the pit descend 300 feet until they
hit an underground offshoot of the Ichor Sea (area A). Such
characters take 20d6 points of damage from the fall as well.
C. Crater
Craters created by meteors and other debris pock the
moonlet’s surface. The craters vary depending on the size of
the object that struck the moonlet. A typical crater is 10 feet
in diameter, 4 feet deep, and has a 1-foot-tall rim around the
impact area. Loose rock (counting as difficult terrain) spreads
out 10 feet in all directions.
Much larger craters, such as the ones marked on the map,
are especially dangerous and usually inhabited by undead.
D. Inky Tears (EL 12)
Welling up from one of the Eyes of Death (see area H) is a
bubbling torrent of hideous slime. This fluid has the same
properties as the Ichor Sea, but the save DC is 35.
E. Bubbling Crater (EL Varies)
This crater is similar to all the other craters marring the
moonlet’s surface, except that from its depth rises a fetid
black ooze—the bilious blood of Atropus. A random undead
creature (or creatures) always attends this place.
All undead within 20 feet of the crater gain +10 turn
resistance, damage reduction 10/good, and +50 hit points.
Living creatures touching the foulness at the bottom of
the crater are affected as if they had come into contact with
the Ichor Sea (see area A).
F. The Trench (EL 18)
The ground drops away, forming a deep trench between the
Ichor Sea and the Great Depth. It extends some 30 feet down.
Haunting the depths is a nightcrawler. It oozes forth from the
trench wall and attacks any creatures it encounters.
Nightcrawler: hp 212 each; see Monster Manual 195 for
statistics.
G. Vents (EL 10)
Spewing from 6-inch-diameter pits are streams of poisonous
air. Characters who require air can breathe here, but each
round they do, they must succeed on a DC 25 Fortitude
save or take 2d6 points of Constitution damage. One
minute later, they must succeed on a second save or take
an additional 1d6 points of Constitution damage. Character
slain by the poisonous air rise as dread wraiths (MM 258)
after 1d6 rounds.
H. The Eyes of Death
Each spanning 40 miles across, these glossy black stones
reflect no light, seeming to drink in everything shining on
their surfaces. These black expanses are in fact the eyes of
Atropus and, for as long as the PCs linger here, Atropus is
aware of their presence. Touching the surface of a stone has
the same effect as touching the Ichor Sea (area A). There is
also a 10% chance each minute for the aspect of Atropus
to lumber toward the characters from a random direction,
2d6×10 feet away.
All undead on the Eyes of Death gain +6 turn resistance,
+20 hit points, and a +4 profane bonus to Armor Class and
on saving throws. Living creatures in the area that are
targeted by negative energy effects such as inflict spells
or spells bestowing negative levels suffer the maximum
possible effect.
FACING THE ASPECT OF ATROPUS
The aspect of Atropus can appear at any time you like once
the player characters arrive at the moonlet. Atropus is no fool,
and it generally won’t send its minions against the PCs until
it is prepared. However, the Focus might come on its own.
Each time it gains temporary hit points, there’s a 10% chance
that the focus appears as described under area H.