Exemplars of Evil

FEATURES OF THE AREA
The lowest ceremonial landing has the following features.
Steep Stair: The Stair Martial is a steep stair and affects
the movement of creatures climbing up or down the steps (DMG
63). In addition, while on the stairs and attacking opponents
below them, creatures gain a +1 melee attack bonus for fighting
from higher ground.
Shrine of Erythnul: Jebrix has set up a small shrine to
Erythnul in one of the alcoves. The centerpiece of the shrine
is a bloodstained chest banded in iron. Atop the chest sit a
number of grisly offerings to the deity of slaughter, as well as
a few broken and shattered weapons taken as trophies from
the slain.
Living Area: The minotaurs use the other alcove as their
living space. Much of the floor is covered in a thick layer of
rugs, discarded cloth, and the half-eaten remains of unidentifiable
food. Treat the area as if it were light rubble (DMG 60).
Crevasse: A crevasse 10 feet wide and 30 feet deep cuts
through the center of the landing. It can be crossed on a successful
DC 10 Jump check; anyone who fails the check falls in
and takes 3d6 points of damage. The walls of the crevasse are
rough, so anyone who falls in can climb back out with a successful
DC 15 Climb check. The minotaurs use the crevasse as
a dumping ground for garbage, and it holds all manner of foul,
unwholesome, and useless objects.
Empty Plinth: In front of each side alcove stands a plinth
that is 10 feet square and 5 feet high. Each plinth grants cover
to anyone behind it. Originally, a stone golem stood on each
plinth, but Emmara has moved the golems to the Chapel of
Reverence (tactical encounter 6–3, on the next page).
ENCOUNTER 6-2
3 Animated Chunks of Masonry CR 3
hp 42 (4 HD); hardness 10
N Medium construct
Init +0; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Listen +0,
Spot +0
Languages understand Common
AC 14, touch 9, flat-footed 14
(+4 natural)
Immune construct immunities
Fort +1, Ref +1, Will –4
Weakness construct vulnerabilities
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee slam +2 (1d6+1)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +1; Grp +2
Abilities Str 12, Dex 10, Con —, Int —, Wis 1, Cha 1
SQ construct traits
Skills Listen +0, Spot +0
TACTICS
Jebrix prepares for combat by using his scroll of stoneskin,
then casting invisibility purge, prayer, spell immunity (dispel
magic, fireball, and lightning bolt) and spell resistance. He casts
his other protective spells as time allows.
As soon as they see the PCs, the guards rage. The minotaurs
stay at the top of the stairs as long as possible to gain
the benefit of higher ground. Jebrix hangs back from melee
combat, supporting the guards with blasphemy, destruction,
andfl a m es t r i k e .
If the guards are forced back into the room, Jebrix blocks
the stairs with a blade barrier after a few PCs enter the landing.
On subsequent rounds, all three minotaurs attempt to
bull rush opponents into the blades.
Jebrix and the guards are fanatical followers of Erythnul
and fight to the death.
CONCLUSION
If the PCs dispatch the minotaurs, they can proceed upward
through the stairs on the far side of the landing.
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