Elder Evils

ENCOUNTER 6-2
92
T
HE SHATTERED HALL
Encounter Level 20
SETUP
When the deities sealed the complex enclosing the
crystalline prison, they animated the statues and other
decorations within to act as guardians. In this area, basrelief
depictions of humans and humanoid creatures
stepped out of the walls and became caryatid columns
(MM2 30). Fourteen caryatid columns (C), in two groups
of seven, patrol this area. The starting positions of the first
group are labeled on the map.
The players place their miniatures depending on the
direction of their approach. Lucather Majii (L) appears in the
indicated position 2 rounds after combat begins. After 4 more
rounds, seven additional caryatid columns arrive, entering
from the side opposite the one where the PCs began.
When the players have finished arranging their
miniatures, read:
Elaborate and disturbing bas-relief decorations
obviously once covered the walls in this area but
were later defaced. Humanoid shapes have been
ripped from the walls, leaving jagged indentations
in the gruesome scenes.
When the PCs are able to see the caryatid columns,
place the creatures on the map and read:
A patrol of animated statues marches along the
corridor. When they catch sight of you, they clash
their weapons against their stony forms and advance.
Two rounds after combat begins, place Lucather
Majii’s figure on the map and read:
A ghostly form, dressed in flowing robes and
surrounded by dark glyphs, floats through the
wall. Fixing you with its fiery green eyes, it spits
vile curses and begins to make arcane gestures.
TACTICS
The first seven caryatid columns work together tactically
to eliminate one opponent at a time. They focus first on
any PC wielding a two-handed weapon, hoping to break
it against their bodies.
The sounds of combat attract the attention of Lucather
Majii, who appears 2 rounds after the PCs engage the
patrol. When he arrives, he first uses his intercession ability
to weaken divine spellcasters. He then begins casting
spells, beginning with appropriate high-level ones. When
the second wave of patrollers arrives, the caryatid columns
(along with any surviving from the first wave) defend
Lucather with a defensive line or semicircle.
7 Advanced Caryatid Columns FF CR 7
hp 75 (10 HD); hardness 8
N Medium construct
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen –4, Spot –4
AC 22, touch 13, flat-footed 19
Immune construct immunities (MM 307)
Fort +3, Ref +6, Will –1
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee +2 bastard sword +15/+10 (1d10+9) or
Melee +2 bastard sword +15 (1d10+7) and
slam +7 (1d10+2) or
Melee 2 slams +12 each (1d10+4)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +7; Grp +12
Atk Options Cleave, Improved Sunder, Power Attack,
magic weapon
Abilities 20, Dex 16, Con —, Int 6, Wis 2, Cha 1
SQ break weapon, column form
Feats Cleave, Improved Sunder, Power Attack, Weapon
Focus (bastard sword)
Skills Diplomacy –3, Listen –4, Sense Motive +9, Spot –4
Magic Weapon Whenever a caryatid column is not holding
its +2 bastard sword, the weapon reverts to stone and
becomes a nonmagical sculpture. If the caryatid
column then picks it up, the weapon regains its normal
form and magic qualities.
A caryatid column can stow its weapon by pressing
it against its side; the weapon then merges with the
caryatid column’s body and can be retrieved by taking a
move action to draw a weapon.
Break Weapon (Su) Whenever a creature uses a melee weapon
to strike a caryatid column, the weapon must succeed on
a DC 15 Fortitude save or break, dealing no damage.
Nonmagical projectiles automatically shatter upon
hitting a caryatid column, dealing no damage. Magic
ranged weapons receive a DC 15 Fortitude save to
resist the effect.
Column Form (Ex) This ability is not relevant to this
encounter.
CONCLUSION
This fight is intended to delay and weaken intruders. If
the PCs defeat all seven caryatid columns of the first wave
within 2 rounds, Lucather waits for the second wave. The
next seven caryatid columns arrive 6 rounds after combat
begins, regardless of whether the first wave survived or
whether the PCs are still in the area.
Lucather flees to the chamber of the crystalline prison
(encounter 6–3, on the next page) if both waves of caryatid
columns are destroyed or if he is reduced to 20 hit points
or fewer. Adding Lucather to that room’s other defenders
increases its Encounter Level by 1. In addition, his arrival
notifies Obligatum VII of the PCs’ approach and nullifies
any chance of their surprising it.
The effect of the outer circle of binding makes this
encounter slightly tougher. Award 110% of experience to
groups that successfully overcome this challenge.