Exemplars of Evil

CHAPTER 6
EMMARA
ISHANDRENN
Illus. by R. Gallegos
102
Elliast’s Spire
moved in, she found their controlling amulet and moved the
golems to the Chapel of Reverence (area 5). Their standing
orders are to kill anything that enters the chamber. They do
not attack creatures in the Grand Processional (area 4) unless
the intruders attack them first.
If the PCs reach this point before Emmara’s minions are
able to warn her, she almost certainly hears the sounds of
battle with the golems and prepares for combat, as detailed
in tactical encounter 6–2 (page 106). When ready, Emmara
moves from the Chambers of the Keepers (area 6) to the
Chapel of Reverence and casts hold portal on the doors to
slow down the intruders.
AREA DESCRIPTIONS
The PCs might find it difficult to surprise Emmara. They must
likely approach her lair from the sea, enter at the bottom, and
make their way to the top—defeating berserker minotaurs
along the way—before they can confront her. The following
areas correspond with those on the map on page 103.
1. Durrin’s Rest: Set at the base of the Soth Tarnel,
Durrin’s Rest is a large sea cave that floods almost completely
at high tide. Low tide, however, reveals a long, low rock shelf
covered in seaweed. The water has eroded the shelf, making
its surface uneven. Two worn, seaweed-wrapped statues of
humans wearing plate armor and carrying greatswords flank
a broad staircase (area 2).
A scyllan lurks below the black waters of Durrin’s Rest,
attracted by the rich pickings of the vessels that sail to and
from the Free City. Whenever the creature detects movement
in the cavern above, it surfaces to attack. If intruders flee up
the stairs, the scyllan does not pursue them. (See tactical
encounter 6–1, page 104.)
2. The Stair Martial: These steep stairs wind up from
Durrin’s Rest into the heart of the Soth Tarnel. The broad,
wide steps are heavily shrouded with dust, but otherwise
unaffected by the passage of time. A successful DC 10 Search
check reveals tracks going up and down the stairs, made by
one or more Medium humanoid creatures.
3. Ceremonial Landing: The Stair Martial is interrupted
in three places by flat landings; these feature intricate carvings
of human warriors battling a host of orcs. Small alcoves
with seats carved into the wall were meant to give mourners
a place to rest before continuing their ascent.
Emmara’s elite guards—two barbarian minotaurs led by
Jebrix—use the lowest ceremonial landing as a barracks and
guard chamber. From here, they watch and listen for signs
of trouble from below. Their landing is roughly 70 feet from
Durrin’s Rest, so the guards take a penalty of –7 on Listen
checks to hear fighting in the sea cave. (See tactical encounter
6–2, page 106.)
4. Grand Processional: The Stair Martial opens into
this domed chamber, which is pn the same level as the
carved greatsword’s crossguard on the cliffs outside. Cunningly
fashioned windows in the crossguard allow some
natural light to filter in while keeping the weather at
bay, but much of the chamber remains darkened. Sound
echoes eerily here.
The chamber is 60 feet long and 35 feet wide. Four rows of
slender pillars support the domed roof, which is 40 feet high
at its center. Opposite the Stair Martial, a door opens to the
Chapel of Reverence.