Elder Evils

FEATURES OF THE AREA
Outer Circle of Binding: This area falls within the outer
circle of binding, granting the following effects.
Necromancy spells cast within the area are automatically
extended without using up higher-level spell slots.
Casting a conjuration spell within the area requires a Concentration
check (DC 30 + spell level); a failed check results
in the spell being lost.
Inner Circle of Binding: This area falls within the inner
circle of binding, granting the following effects. These effects
override those of the outer circle. The outer circle’s effect resumes
if the inner circle has been disabled or otherwise nullified.
Necromancy spells cast within the area are extended and
maximized without using up higher-level spell slots.
All conjuration (calling, summoning, and teleportation)
spells cease to function.
All undead gain +8 turn resistance (which stacks with any
other turn resistance they have).
The Crystalline Prison: Floating over a 10-foot-diameter
dais in the chamber’s centermost room looms a violet crystal
10 feet tall and 5 feet across. The crystalline prison is nearly
impervious to most attempts to damage it. It is affixed to its
location by a permanent dimensional anchor spell (caster level
30th). See the description on page 87 for its properties.
If the crystal is reduced to 0 hit points, it crumbles into a
pile of 1d10 slivers (see below) and worthless dust. At that
moment, the mind of Pandorym is released.
For every 10 points of damage dealt to the crystalline prison,
a sliver breaks off. Each sliver provides the equivalent of 100
XP toward the creation of any magic item incorporating it and
has a market value of 500 gp.
ENCOUNTER 6-3
Obligatum VII or a mind shard. They focus on one or two
physically weak foes (rogues, arcane spellcasters, and the
like), using their Constitution-draining attacks to kill their
opponents and swell their own numbers.
Mind Shard of Pandorym: If a mind shard forms, it
immediately defends Obligatum VII or any other creatures
attacking the prison. It concentrates on heavily
armored foes (such as fighters or other combat specialists),
leaving physically weaker opponents to the dread wraiths
and Lucather.
Mind Shard of Pandorym CR 25
hp 475
See page 83 for statistics
CONCLUSION
If the PCs fail to stop Obligatum VII, it releases the
imprisoned mind of Pandorym. The freed entity’s psyche
is nearly impossible to defeat. It directs Obligatum VII to
the dimensional prison housing Pandorym’s body, where
the two parts of the alien weapon will be reunited. The
journey to this location takes some time, and the gods
might be convinced to intervene. If they cannot or will
not, Pandorym will fulfill its contract and destroy the campaign
setting.
Even if the PCs are victorious, the crèche-forges of Mechanus
churn out Obligatum VIII in 2d4 months. That kolyarut
exceeds its predecessor in ability and bears an even more
powerful weapon. Preventing further incarnations of the
kolyarut might require a planar journey to destroy their place
of origin.
The influence of the circles of binding and the presence
of the crystalline prison make this encounter substantially
more challenging than the creatures’ Encounter Levels
might indicate. A victorious party should receive 125% of
the normal XP for the encounter.
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