Exemplars of Evil

ENCOUNTER 7-2
124
I
NNER WARD
Encounter Level 18
SETUP
The gatehouse guards will sound the alarm before engaging
the PCs in tactical encounter 7–1. Hearing the alarm, Helthra
leaves her study in the northeast tower and summons
four Urdred, keeping two at her side and sending two to
accompany her mother. Helthra casts bull’s strength and shield
of faith on herself, both of which last for 10 minutes.
If the PCs enter the inner ward of Gilgirn, they are
greeted by eight advanced hell hounds (X) in the first
round. Eight fire giant guards (G), Helthra (H), and her two
death maidens (U) arrive on the second round. If the PCs
are using cold-based attacks, the princess casts protection
from energy (cold) on herself, which lasts for 100 minutes
or until it absorbs 120 points of cold damage. Helthra can
cast all her spells on the defensive without failing.
The princess next casts spiritual weapon, sending a
greatsword of force against the toughest-looking melee
character (attack +22/+17/+12/+7, damage 1d8+3/19–20).
Finally, if Helthra did not cast protection from energy earlier,
she uses a rebuke undead attempt to empower herself with
Divine Vigor, which grants her 46 temporary hit points
and increases her base speed to 40 feet. The effects of spiritual
weapon and Divine Vigor last for 1 minute.
When the PCs pass through the gatehouse, read:
The gatehouse opens to the inner ward of Gilgirn,
revealing the central keep in its entirety; the ceiling
here rises to a height of 75 feet. A lava-filled canal
flows out at ground level from between the two
closest towers, then splits into two canals that run off
in different directions under the curtain walls—
presumably feeding the moat outside. Three different
foot bridges cross the lava canals at different points,
and blackened hounds the size of wolves are running
across the bridges toward you, slavering and
snorting flames. More fire giants are not far behind.
TACTICS
The hell hounds attack first, using their breath weapon
attacks against as many opponents as possible. The fire
NONASSOCIATED CLASS LEVELS
The Urdred have pursued an atypical profession for fire
giants by becoming ninjas. As such, their levels of ninja are
considered nonassociated class levels. Adding nonassociated
class levels to a monster increases its Challenge Rating by
1/2 per level until its nonassociated class levels equal its
original Hit Dice. For details, see MM 294.
giant guards attack on the following round, charging
into combat with 5-point Power Attacks (attack +17,
damage 2d6+25/19–20); they make unmodified multiple
attacks in subsequent rounds. Helthra and the two
Urdred arrive at the same time as the fire giant guards,
and the princess begins casting spells (as described in
Setup, above).
Helthra Morlydd CR 15
hp 243 (289 with Divine Vigor) (23 HD); see page 117
2 Urdred CR 14
hp 197 each (19 HD)
Female fire giant ninja 4
NE Large giant (fire)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Listen +5,
Spot +15
Languages Common, Giant, Infernal
AC 28, touch 11, flat-footed 26
(–1 size, +2 Dex, +4 class, +3 armor, +10 natural)
Immune fire, giant immunities
Fort +16, Ref +11, Will +10 (+12 while at least one use of ki
power remains)
Weakness vulnerability to cold, giant vulnerabilities
Speed 40 ft. (8 squares)
Melee +1 longsword +23/+18/+13 (2d6+10/17–20) and
slam +17 (1d4+4) or
Melee +1 dagger +23/+18/+13 (1d6+10/19–20 plus poison)
and
slam +17 (1d4+4) or
Melee 2 slams +22 each (1d4+9)
Ranged +1 composite longbow +18/+13/+8 (2d6+9/×3) or
Ranged +1 composite longbow +16/+16/+11/+6 (2d6+9/×3)
with Rapid Shot or
Ranged rock +16 (2d6+9 plus 2d6 fire)
Base Atk +14; Grp +27
Atk Options Improved Critical (longsword), Point Blank Shot,
Precise Shot, Telling Blow, poison (deathblade, Fort DC
20, 1d6 Con/2d6 Con), poison (Large scorpion venom,
Fort DC 14, 1d6 Con/1d6 Con), sudden strike +2d6
Special Actions ki power 6/day (ghost step), rock catching,
rock throwing
Combat Gear dose of deathblade poison, dose of Large
scorpion venom
Abilities Str 28, Dex 14, Con 22, Int 13, Wis 18, Cha 10
SQ giant traits, great leap, trapfinding
Feats Improved Initiative, Improved Critical (longsword),
Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Telling
Blow PH2 (see page 25), Zen Archery CW
Skills Climb +20, Hide +17, Intimidate +10, Jump +20,
Listen +5, Move Silently +17, Spot +15
Possessions combat gear plus +1 longsword, +1 composite
longbow (+9 Str bonus) with 40 arrows, +1 dagger, amulet
of natural armor +2, bracers of armor +3, 16 pp, 2 gp
8 Fire Giant Guards CR 16
hp 142 each (15 HD); see page 122