CHAPTER 9 BORAK, THUNDER TYRANT 151
ENCOUNTER 9-1 152 A L-IBORAK CAMP Encounter Level 19 SETUP The PCs can come upon the Al-Iborak camp in a variety <strong>of</strong> ways. It might be an established outpost or guard point on way to Imer, or it could be temporarily set up near a desert oasis or settlement where the Sons <strong>of</strong> the Dragon are collecting tribute. The half-dragon warriors could even be a random encounter for a band <strong>of</strong> PCs trekking through the desert, hoping to find or a friendly encampment. When the PCs approach the camp, read: Three white linen tents stands in the desert before you, their fabric snapping and fluttering in the hot wind. Supported by central poles, the tents are tall enough for a human to stand upright inside them. A small campfire burns amid the tents, and a dozen swift desert horses are hobbled nearby. When the PCs first see one <strong>of</strong> the Al-Iborak, read: The desert warrior is clad in long, flowing layers <strong>of</strong> linen wrappings, including a headwrap and a scarf, to block the heat <strong>of</strong> the day. A sudden breeze pulls the scarf loose, revealing the warrior’s face— an inhuman visage covered in deep blue scales, with a blunt snout and golden, reptilian eyes. Twelve Al-Iborak occupy the camp. One tent belongs to the commander and his second, while the remaining warriors crowd into the other two tents. Use the statistics block below for all the Al-Iborak. Whether the PCs attack, approach the camp openly, try to sneak in unseen, or are caught spying from a distance, the result is more or less the same. The half-dragons attempt to take them prisoner, seize their belongings, and bring them all—or the survivors <strong>of</strong> the battle, at least—to Borak as gifts. TACTICS The half-dragons’ tactics depend on whether or not they are forewarned <strong>of</strong> the assault on their camp. If they have the opportunity to prepare, the Al-Iborak cast bull’s strength and resistance to enhance their combat prowess. They use their javelins <strong>of</strong> lightning and breath weapons before closing with the PCs, and they use their scimitars <strong>of</strong> shock in melee. They use their natural weapons only as secondary attacks or if they are disarmed. The half-dragons take advantage <strong>of</strong> their great numbers. At range, some <strong>of</strong> them cast daze or fl a r e in an attempt to hinder the party, while others hurl javelins <strong>of</strong> lightning or mundane weapons. In close combat, the Al-Iborak pair 12 Al-Iborak Warriors CR 11 hp 68 each (9 HD) Male blue half-dragon fighter 5/sorcerer 4 LE Medium dragon (augmented humanoid) Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Listen +7, Spot +7 Languages Common, Draconic AC 21, touch 11, flat-footed 20 (+1 Dex, +6 armor, +4 natural) Immune electricity, sleep, paralysis Fort +9, Ref +3, Will +6 Speed 30 ft. (6 squares) Melee +1 shock scimitar +14 (1d6+7 plus 1d6 electricity/18–20) and bite +8 (1d6+6) or Melee whip +13 (1d3+6 or trip) or Melee 2 claws +13 each (1d4+6) and bite +8 (1d6+6) Ranged javelin <strong>of</strong> lightning +8 (5d6 electricity, Reflex DC 14 half) or Ranged javelin +8 (1d6) Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft. Base Atk +7; Grp +13 Atk Options Combat Expertise, Power Attack, whip (trip attack) Special Actions breath weapon Sorcerer Spells Known (CL 4th): 2nd (3/day)—bull’s strength 1st (7/day)—disguise self, shocking grasp, true strike 0 (6/day)—daze, detect magic, detect poison, flare, mage hand, message, resistance Abilities Str 22, Dex 13, Con 18, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 13 Feats Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Exotic Weapon Pr<strong>of</strong>iciency (whip), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (scimitar) Skills Intimidate +5, Listen +7, Ride +5, Search +4, Spot +7 Possessions +1 shock scimitar, +1 chainmail, 2 javelins <strong>of</strong> lightning, 2 javelins, whip, spell components, 6d6 gp Breath Weapon (Su) 60-ft. line <strong>of</strong> lightning, once per day, 6d8 electricity, Reflex DC 14 half. up, fighting back to back to prevent flanking and sneak attacks as much as possible. If they have the chance, some <strong>of</strong> the half-dragons use their whips to trip opponents so that their brethren can attack the downed characters. If the PCs prove too difficult to strike one on one, the Sons <strong>of</strong> the Dragon use aid another actions and flanking maneuvers The tactics <strong>of</strong> surprised Al-Iborak are similar, except that they do not have the opportunity to cast enhancing spells such as bull’s strength, and they might not be able to use their javelins <strong>of</strong> lightning. They still use their breath weapons, however, since the half-dragons have immunity to electricity damage and need not worry about catching their brethren in the area <strong>of</strong> effect. If the party retreats, the Al-Iborak pursue on horseback unless they have lost more than a third <strong>of</strong> their number.
- Page 4 and 5:
3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Introd
- Page 6 and 7:
Illus. by J. Zhang s a Dungeon Mast
- Page 8 and 9:
worlds, but the PCs find it first a
- Page 10 and 11:
them and thwart their efforts. A ri
- Page 12 and 13:
VILLAINOUS PLOTS Every great villai
- Page 14 and 15:
Envy Envious villains pursue their
- Page 16 and 17:
Advancing the Villain A one-shot vi
- Page 18 and 19:
Typical Classes: Bard, beguiler, he
- Page 20 and 21:
wants, what she expects of you, and
- Page 22 and 23:
FEIGN DEATH A clever villain has ma
- Page 24 and 25:
Table 1-1: Villainous Feats General
- Page 26 and 27:
Benefit: You gain the extraplanar s
- Page 28 and 29:
2nd Level Alliance Undone: Suppress
- Page 30 and 31:
whose movement rates drop to 0 feet
- Page 32 and 33:
cell belongs to a third cell, and s
- Page 34 and 35:
Illus. by T. Giorello he orc has fa
- Page 36 and 37:
hopes to eventually claim the Eldee
- Page 38 and 39:
double axe. He also carries a few s
- Page 40 and 41:
CHAPTER 2 ZARGATH HUMAN-BANE DEFENS
- Page 42 and 43:
changes each week. Unescorted visit
- Page 44 and 45:
FEATURES OF THE AREA The area has t
- Page 46 and 47:
If Dwarreg is killed or if more tha
- Page 48 and 49:
War Leader Grikfell CR 3 hp 25 (3 H
- Page 50 and 51:
effort to embrace this power, but h
- Page 52 and 53:
small jars throughout his personal
- Page 54 and 55:
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares) Melee +1 r
- Page 56 and 57:
of the structure are masonry and ha
- Page 58 and 59:
CHAPTER 3 EDGAR & KATARIN TOLSTOFF
- Page 60 and 61:
After throwing the thunderstone, th
- Page 62 and 63:
FEATURES OF THE AREA The room has t
- Page 64 and 65:
Fiendish Wolverine CR — hp 34 (3
- Page 66 and 67:
fragmented into smaller knots and f
- Page 68 and 69:
that protrude from its surface are
- Page 70 and 71:
GOALS Pog’s time as a statue has
- Page 72 and 73:
of the crew into the hold. The capt
- Page 74 and 75:
CHAPTER 4 CAPTAIN GNASH 73
- Page 76 and 77:
4 Pseudonatural Hobgoblins CR 1 hp
- Page 78 and 79:
FEATURES OF THE AREA The room has t
- Page 80 and 81:
TACTICS Once the PCs are aware of t
- Page 82 and 83:
way out. They took heavy damage, bu
- Page 84 and 85:
organization also includes Sulatar
- Page 86 and 87:
umors and courting new business ass
- Page 88 and 89:
Ranged +1 hand crossbow +10 (1d4+1
- Page 90 and 91:
CHAPTER 5 CALAIS ARCHWINTER among t
- Page 92 and 93:
FEATURES OF THE AREA The warehouse
- Page 94 and 95:
4 Tomb Spider Broodswarms MM3 CR
- Page 96 and 97:
On subsequent rounds, Calais employ
- Page 98 and 99:
significant portion of his treasure
- Page 100 and 101:
USING FARROR As Emmara’s spy, Far
- Page 102 and 103: Melee mwk greataxe +22/+17/+12 (3d6
- Page 104 and 105: CHAPTER 6 EMMARA ISHANDRENN 5. Chap
- Page 106 and 107: FEATURES OF THE AREA The sea cave h
- Page 108 and 109: FEATURES OF THE AREA The lowest cer
- Page 110 and 111: 2 Stone Golems CR 11 hp 107 each (1
- Page 112 and 113: The young queen set about restrengt
- Page 114 and 115: without provocatively revealing any
- Page 116 and 117: as Thaden’s way of asserting his
- Page 118 and 119: Appearance and Behavior Fire giants
- Page 120 and 121: CHAPTER 7 VALBRYN MORLYDD Illus. by
- Page 122 and 123: eneath the fortress. Valbryn discov
- Page 124 and 125: FEATURES OF THE AREA The gatehouse
- Page 126 and 127: 8 Advanced Hell Hounds CR 12 hp 44
- Page 128 and 129: this purpose. Decapitating scarf is
- Page 130 and 131: Energy Plane, where even the boldes
- Page 132 and 133: 4th—Moilian burning blood SC (CL
- Page 134 and 135: Frightful Presence (Ex) Albrathax c
- Page 136 and 137: are havens for the few inhabitants
- Page 138 and 139: CHAPTER 8 KASTYA ZURITH- MOVYA 4. C
- Page 140 and 141: 4 Bloodfiend Locust Swarms FF CR 8
- Page 142 and 143: FEATURES OF THE AREA The room has t
- Page 144 and 145: the way they came, and then uses a
- Page 146 and 147: Sons were allowed to claim mates fr
- Page 148 and 149: 5th (7/day)—dominate person (DC 2
- Page 150 and 151: Rajief CR 12 hp 154 (19 HD) Male ad
- Page 154 and 155: FEATURES OF THE AREA The Al-Iborak
- Page 156 and 157: FEATURES OF THE AREA The main chamb
- Page 158 and 159: FEATURES OF THE AREA The great hall
- Page 160: THE SOTH TARNEL IN FAERÛN The Soth