Elder Evils

ENCOUNTER 4-2
60
S
TOP THE RITUAL
Encounter Level 17
SETUP
The creatures present here include skindancers (S),
greathorn minotaurs (M), and a cave troll (T). Many of
them hide in the ambush spot and behind support pillars.
Soelma Nilaenish (SN) stands at the Hulks’ feet and
doesn’t stop her ritual after combat begins.
When the PCs enter the cavern, read:
The cavern stretches before you, illuminated only
by light from a domed roof of thick ice. Five
monoliths stand in the center of the cavern. The
Hulks are motionless, but as your eyes adjust you
see creatures in the shadows and Soelma Nilaenish
leading a ritual at the monoliths’ feet.
Cave Troll MM3 CR 8
hp 112 (9 HD); fast healing 8
CE Large giant
Init +1; Senses darkvision 90 ft., low-light vision, scent;
Listen +6, Spot +6
Languages Giant
AC 21, touch 10, flat-footed 20
Fort +14, Ref +4, Will +6
Speed 40 ft. (8 squares)
Melee 2 claws +14 each (2d6+9) and
bite +9 (1d6+4)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Base Atk +6; Grp +19
Atk Options Power Attack, dazing blow, improved grab,
pounce, rake, rend
Abilities Str 29, Dex 13, Con 27, Int 3, Wis 13, Cha 6
Feats Alertness, Iron Will, Power Attack, Track
Skills Jump +16, Listen +6, Spot +6, Survival+4 (+8
tracking by scent)
Dazing Blow (Ex) If a cave troll hits with both claw attacks,
the opponent must make a DC 22 Fortitude save or be
dazed for 1 round.
Improved Grab (Ex) To use this ability, a cave troll must hit
with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a
grapple as a free action without provoking attacks of
opportunity.
Pounce (Ex) If a cave troll charges a foe, it can make a full
attack, including two rakes.
Rake (Ex) Attack bonus +9, damage 2d6+4. A cave troll
that gets a hold can make two rake attacks with its
hind legs.
Rend (Ex) If a cave troll hits with both claw attacks, it
latches onto the opponent’s body and tears the flesh.
This attack automatically deals an extra 4d6+13 points
of damage.
When a character gets a clear view of the foes, read:
You see a tall, thickset minotaur with short, slatecolored
fur. It steps into a wall while you are
charged by a hulking, troll-like creature with claws
and a rubbery hide. More than half a dozen
humanoids with iridescent skin also charge.
7 Skindancers MM3 CR 11
hp 202 (15 HD); DR 15/special (see text)
NE Large monstrous humanoid
Init +7; Senses darkvision 90 ft., low-light vision, scent;
Listen +14, Spot +14
Languages Common
AC 25, touch 18, flat-footed 22
Resist adaptive energy resistance
Fort +14, Ref +12, Will +14
Speed 40 ft. (8 squares)
Melee 2 slams +20 each (2d6+6)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Base Atk +15; Grp +25
Atk Options Combat Reflexes, Power Attack, trip
Abilities Str 22, Dex 17, Con 29, Int 5, Wis 16, Cha 6
SQ reactive skin
Feats Alertness, Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative,
Improved Natural Attack (slam), Iron Will, Power
Attack
Skills Listen +14, Spot +14
Damage Reduction (Su) A skindancer gains damage
reduction based on the damage type of the last weapon
that damaged it.
Damage
DR
Piercing
15/bludgeoning or slashing
Bludgeoning
15/piercing or slashing
Slashing
15/bludgeoning or piercing
Bludgeoning and piercing 15/slashing
Bludgeoning and slashing 15/piercing
Piercing and slashing 15/bludgeoning
This damage reduction lasts for 1 minute or until
another type of weapon damages the skindancer. A
skindancer does not have damage reduction at the
beginning of combat.
Adaptive Energy Resistance (Su)A skindancer gains
resistance 20 to the energy type that last dealt damage
to it. This resistance to energy lasts for 1 minute or
until another type of energy damages the skindancer. A
skindancer does not have resistance to energy at the
beginning of combat.
Trip (Ex) A skindancer that hits with a slam attack can
attempt to trip its opponent (+10 check modifier) as a
free action without making a touch attack or provoking
attacks of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the
opponent cannot react to trip the skindancer.
Reactive Skin (Su) A skindancer has a +6 deflection bonus
to Armor Class.