Exemplars of Evil

Appearance and Behavior
Fire giants are a sturdy race, harsh in countenance and solidly
built. A typical fire giant weighs around 7,000 pounds,
with a chest circumference that measures three-quarters
of her height. Helthra has a softer appearance than the
other members of her clan. This perceived shortcoming
drives the princess to work harder at fitting in among
her peers.
Helthra wears black full plate armor whenever possible,
and when not clad for battle, she makes an effort to look
disheveled and dour. Despite her minor physical quirks, she
is all fire giant, right down to her long orange hair.
Helthra Morlydd CR 15
hp 246 (292 with Divine Vigor) (23 HD)
Female fi re giant cleric 6/fi ghter 2
LE Large giant (fi re)
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Listen +5,
Spot +17
Languages Common, Giant
AC 32, touch 13, flat-footed 31
(–1 size, +1 Dex, +11 armor, +3 deflection, +8 natural)
Immune fi re, giant immunities
Fort +23, Ref +8, Will +15
Weakness vulnerability to cold, giant vulnerabilities
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares) (40 ft. with Divine Vigor)
Melee +2 adamantine fl aming greataxe +33/+27/+23/+17
(3d6+23/19–20/×3 plus 1d6 fi re) or
Melee 2 slams +30 each (1d4+14)
Ranged rock +31 (2d6+14 plus 2d6 fi re)
Base Atk +17; Grp +35
Atk Options Awesome Blow, Improved Bull Rush, Improved
Sunder, Power Attack
Special Actions command undead 4/day (+1, 2d6+7, 6th),
Divine Vigor†, rock catching, rock throwing, spontaneous
casting
† Already used
Combat Gear 2 potions of lesser restoration, wand of cure moderate
wounds (30 charges)
Cleric Spells Prepared (CL 10th):
3rd—inflict serious wounds D (+33 melee touch), dispel
magic, protection from energy, ring of blades CAr
2nd—bull’s strength†, inflict moderate wounds D (+33
melee touch), deific vengeance CD (DC 17), spiritual
weapon (2)
1st—cause light wounds D (+33 melee touch), comprehend
languages, divine favor (2), obscuring mist, shield of
faith†
0—cure minor wounds (2), detect magic, purify food and
drink, read magic
D: Domain spell. Domains: Trickery, War
† Already cast
Abilities Str 34 (38 with bull’s strength), Dex 12, Con 22, Int
10, Wis 20, Cha 12
SQ giant traits
Feats Awesome Blow, Brutal Throw CAd , Combat Casting,
Divine Vigor CW (see page 25), Improved Bull Rush, Improved
Critical B (greataxe), Improved Initiative, Improved
Sunder B , Power Attack, Practiced Spellcaster CAr , Weapon
Focus (greataxe) B
Skills Climb +15, Concentration +13 (+17 when casting defensively),
Hide +2, Intimidate +13, Jump +15 (+19 with
Divine Vigor), Listen +5, Move Silently +2, Spot +17
Possessions combat gear plus +3 shadow silent moves full
plate, +2 adamantine fl aming greataxe, amulet of health
+4, silver holy symbol, noble’s outfi t, 18 pp, 5 gp
Spontaneous Domain Casting This alternative class feature
allows Helthra to sacrifi ce any prepared spell (other than
a domain spell) to cast any spell of the same level or
lower from the Trickery domain. In addition, when preparing
spells, she can choose to fi ll any or all of her domain
spell slots with cure or infl ict spells of the same level. For
details, see PH2 37.
GILGIRN
Since before fire giants can remember, Gilgirn (Fiery
Mountain hold in the Fire Giant language) has existed. The
mountain was an active volcano many millennia ago, but
there have been no signs of geologic activity since, aside
from the simmering pools of lava. For this reason, fire giants
regard the mountain as their sacred home—they believe that
their deity has used divine power to prevent eruptions so
that Gilgirn could be carved out of the volcanic rock directly
above the lava throat.
Mythology has led fire giants to believe that they were
originally birthed out of the magma that now feeds Gilgirn’s
protective moat. This viewpoint still prevails, but Valbryn
Morlydd wanted to test it. The fire giant queen descended
into the molten rock to explore, and she found a dimensional
barrier in the lava throat; this portal was adorned with a
ring of ancient runes in a forgotten language, carved into
the stone.
Valbryn became fascinated with the runes and memorized
the lava-submerged symbols by touch until she could scribe
them herself. She then concentrated on learning the script
(through study of the runes coupled with research into other
similar symbols) until she understood the writing perfectly.
After thirty years of work on this project, Valbryn came to
realize that the fire giants’ ancestors had not only emerged
from the lava pool, but had originated on the Elemental Plane
of Fire. The lava throat contained a portal to that plane, which
her forebears had sealed shut.
When Valbryn took control of the kingdom, its fire giants
had lost their way in the world. She changed that by attacking
the nations that had preyed on her people. These battles
were successful, but they somewhat depleted the kingdom’s
military resources, leaving Valbryn hesitant to launch further
attacks on its foes. She thinks that opening the portal is the
solution, imagining that legions of fire giants await on the
other side.
KEY FEATURES
Gilgirn has always been inhabited by the fire giants’ ruling
caste, who treat the hold as the kingdom’s seat of power.
Valbryn has devoted considerable resources to restoring the
dilapidated portions of the volcanic fortress, and Gilgirn is
now no less impressive than when it was first constructed.
The queen has taken up residence there with her daughter
Helthra, her confidant Thaden, a garrison of warriors, and
her own private guard, the Urdred.
CHAPTER 7
VALBRYN
MORLYDD
117