Elder Evils

3 Greathorn Minotaurs MM4 CR 7
hp 104 (11 HD); DR 5/—
CE Large monstrous humanoid
Init –1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., scent, tremorsense 120 ft.;
Listen +8, Spot +8
Languages Giant, Undercommon
AC 15, touch 8, flat-footed 15
Fort +10, Ref +6, Will +7
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares); earth glide
Melee gore +17 (2d6+10) or
Melee greathammer +17/+12/+7 (3d6+10/×4) and
gore +12 (2d6+3)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Base Atk +11; Grp +22
Atk Options Awesome Blow, Power Attack
Special Actions earth warp
Abilities Str 24, Dex 8, Con 20, Int 9, Wis 10, Cha 10
SQ natural cunning
Feats Awesome Blow B , Great Fortitude, Improved Natural
Attack (gore), Power Attack, Track
Skills Intimidate +3, Listen +8, Search +3, Spot +8, Survival +3
Possessions greathammer
Earth Glide (Ex) A greathorn minotaur can glide through
stone, dirt, or any other sort of earth except metal as
easily as a fish swims though water. Its burrowing leaves
behind no tunnel or hole, nor does it create any ripple or
other signs of its presence.
Earth Warp (Su) As a swift action, a greathorn minotaur can
cause the earth and rock around it to twist and warp in a
60-foot-radius emanation, doubling movement costs
through that area. Natural stone, finished stone, and dirt
surfaces are subject to this effect. The effect does not
move with the minotaur; when the minotaur leaves the
area, the ground returns to normal. A minotaur ignores
the movement penalties generated by its own or another
greathorn’s earth warp ability.
Natural Cunning (Ex) Greathorn minotaurs have immunity to
maze spells, never become lost, and can track enemies.
They are never caught flat-footed.
FEATURES OF THE AREA
Ambush Spot: Just to the left of the PCs as they enter the
cavern is a perfect ambush spot. This alcove is not in line of
sight to those coming up the entrance tunnel until they have
fully entered the cavern by at least 10 feet. Stone formations
and support pillars grant anyone crouching here a +5 bonus
on Hide checks in all but full daylight.
The Hulks of Zoretha serve as little more than terrain
features during this battle. Keep in mind that since they are
not really stone, the earth glide ability of the greathorn minotaurs
does not work for passing through them.
Support Columns: The columns around the outer edge of
the cavern are wide enough to provide cover for creatures of
Medium size or smaller.
Low Ceiling: Though 150 feet tall at its highest, the ceiling
in the great cavern arches down to 20 feet tall at the walls,
which is slightly shorter than the Hulks themselves. They will
not enter the low-ceiling area indicated on the map unless they
need to fight the PCs. The low ceilings in that area give them
a –1 distraction penalty on attack rolls and to Armor Class.
ENCOUNTER 4-2
TACTICS
As the characters make their presence known, Soelma Nilaenish
sends a few particular combatants to keep the party
busy while she finishes her ritual.
The cave troll and the skindancers charge to attack as
quickly as they can, while the greathorn minotaurs use their
earth glide ability to circle behind the characters and surround
them. Once the PCs are surrounded, the creatures try
to herd them farther into the cavern, thus exposing them to
more ranged attacks.
Obedient to Nilaenish’s instructions, the creatures try to
keep the PCs together in a group and away from the ritual if
they possibly can. Nilaenish herself, even if attacked at range,
does not join in the fight until her ritual is interrupted. She
has cast several defensive spells on herself, however.
Once joined in the battle, Soelma attempts to stay out of
melee with the PCs, taking cover behind a monolith and casting
spells to support her allies. When she runs out of spells,
Soelma—who is by now completely insane—voluntarily
goes into a blood moon rage and fights to the death in melee
with her rapier.
If the PCs do not stop Soelma Nilaenish’s ritual after 10
rounds of fighting, the Hulks awaken. However, if a PC
attacks Soelma in melee or otherwise disturbs her ritual
before a minute has passed, she angrily devotes her full
energy to the battle. When Soelma falls, the remaining creatures
flee into other parts of the temple.
CONCLUSION
Even after Soelma is defeated, the battle is won, and the
temple is cleared of cultists, the blood moon effect does
not diminish. There appears to be no further danger at
the temple.
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