Exemplars of Evil

ENCOUNTER 7-1
T
HE GUARDS
Encounter Level 16
SETUP
Beyond the archway with its sculpted hell hounds (area 1),
a flagstone bridge crosses a lava moat and leads to a gatehouse
on the other side. The bridge, 15 feet above the lava,
is the only way to approach the gatehouse on foot.
If the PCs pass through the archway without setting off
the sonic greater blast glyph and make an effort to conceal
their position, they might remain undetected. The two
fire giants standing guard outside the gatehouse and the
two fire giants standing atop the gatehouse make Listen
checks and Spot checks with a penalty of –1 per 10 feet
of distance.
If they succeed on either check, they notice the PCs.
The two fire giants outside the gatehouse enter the structure,
closing and bracing the stone doors from within,
while the two guards atop the gatehouse hurl hot rocks
at the party.
When the PCs pass through the archway, read:
As you step onto the flagstone bridge, a wave of
heat envelops you from the lava moat that bubbles
and churns below. The bridge spans over 100 feet,
and leads up to a gatehouse 50 feet high. The
curtain walls and structures are made of worked
stone reinforced with iron braces. On both sides of
the gatehouse, lava pours out of the lower curtain
walls, feeding the moat. The entire stronghold is
blackened from fire and heat, but no less sturdy for
the exposure. The cavern roof above curves upward
into a darkened dome.
TACTICS
The fire giants atop the gatehouse start hurling hot
rocks at the PCs, targeting any airborne characters first.
The flagstone bridge can take the punishment easily,
having been designed to withstand such attacks. If the
player characters eliminate at least two rock-throwing
fire giants from a distance, or if they take cover behind
the archway, the stone doors of the gatehouse open
again and four fire giants emerge to attack the intruders.
Four more fire giants (minus any that were defeated
from a distance) charge the characters as a second wave
of combatants.
6–8 Fire Giant Guards CR 10
hp 142 (15 HD)
Male or female fire giant
LE Large giant (fire)
Init –1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Listen +2,
Spot +14
Languages Giant
AC 23, touch 8, flat-footed 23
(–1 size, –1 Dex, +7 armor, +8 natural)
Immune fire, giant immunities
Fort +14, Ref +4, Will +7
Weakness vulnerability to cold, giant vulnerabilities
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares) in half-plate, base speed 40 ft.
Melee greatsword +20/+15/+10 (3d6+15/19–20) or
Melee 2 slams +20 each (1d4+10)
Ranged rock +21 (2d6+10 plus 2d6 fire)
Base Atk +11; Grp +25
Atk Options Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Overrun,
Improved Sunder, Power Attack
Special Actions rock catching, rock throwing
Abilities Str 31, Dex 9, Con 21, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 11
SQ giant traits
Feats Brutal Throw CAd , Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved
Overrun, Improved Sunder, Power Attack
Skills Climb +9, Craft (weaponsmithing) +6, Intimidate +6,
Jump +9, Listen +2, Spot +14
Possessions half-plate, greatsword
If the battle takes place before the archway (and not
on the bridge), the fire giants charge and attempt to
sunder the characters’ weapons before cutting them
down. Each charging sunder attempt uses a 5-point
Power Attack (opposed attack +25 [+4 per difference in
size category that fire giants are larger than their foes],
damage 2d6+25). After making a sunder attempt, each
fire giant uses a 5-point Power Attack (attack +15/+10/+5,
damage 2d6+25/19–20), unless reducing their attacks
proves ineffective.
If anybody attempts to block a charging fire giant
from attacking a designated foe, the giant uses Improved
Overrun against the obstacle, gaining a bonus of +20 on
Strength checks to knock it down.
If the battle takes place on the bridge, the fire giants
attempt to sunder the characters’ weapons (as described
above) and then grapple with their designated foes. If a
grappled PC whose weapon has been destroyed makes an
attack of opportunity against a fire giant, he might provoke
an attack of opportunity from the giant if he is not
proficient in unarmed combat.
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