Exemplars of Evil

FEATURES OF THE AREA
The Al-Iborak make camp either in the desert wilderness between
Imer and an oasis, or a short distance from a settlement
where they collect tribute from the desert folk. Regardless, the
camp has the following features:
Illumination: The encounter takes place at night, where the
desert illumination is limited to the moon and stars. The central
fire creates an area of bright illumination in a 20-foot radius
and an area of shadowy illumination in a 40-foot radius. If
forewarned of the party’s approach, the half-dragons douse the
flames to take advantage of their darkvision.
Tents: The Al-Iborak tents are made of ordinary cloth and
have hardness 0 and 1 hit point. Each tent is supported by a
wooden pole that has hardness 5 and 10 hit points. The tents
offer concealment but do not provide cover.
Horses: A dozen desert-bred light war horses (MM 274)
are hobbled near the camp. These well-trained animals do
not panic when combat breaks out, but they attempt to escape
if directly attacked when not under the control of their riders.
The Al-Iborak mount their horses only if they need to chase
fleeing enemies or if they seek to escape themselves.
ENCOUNTER 9-1
In that scenario, the Sons of the Dragon simply count
themselves fortunate and take any prisoners to Imer for
interrogation.
CONCLUSION
The half-dragon warriors fight fiercely and surrender only
if they have no means of escape. Their devotion to Borak is
absolute; consider them fanatical in attitude (see Epic Level
Handbook). They are not likely to betray the Thunder Tyrant
or provide the party with any meaningful aid.
If the Al-Iborak defeat the characters, they finish off any
foes who are disabled or dying and loot the corpses. Then
they strip survivors of any equipment before taking them
back to Imer as prisoners. Borak might choose to slay the
adventurers or consign them to her harem for her future
amusement (see tactical encounter 9–2, page 154).
Treasure: The tents hold a collection of tribute bound
for Imer, where it will become part of Borak’s hoard. If the
PCs overcome the half-dragons and search the tents, they
find the following: 25,000 sp; 18,000 gp; 1,200 pp; fine rugs
and tapestries worth 2,400 gp total; assorted semiprecious
stones worth 4,000 gp total; a sapphire worth 1,000 gp; a gold
pitcher, serving platter, and gem-encrusted goblets worth
3,600 gp total; fine incense in a golden and sandalwood cask
worth 600 gp total; and four potions of cure moderate wounds
(used to treat battle injuries and such). In addition, the tents
contain the mundane equipment and magic items of the
Al-Iborak.
THE RESCUE
If you wish, the camp might contain prisoners from the desert
tribes who were captured in raids or offered willingly to stay
the Thunder Tyrant’s wrath. If the PCs intend in advance to
free the captives, the encounter can be set up as a rescue mission;
alternatively, the adventurers could be unaware of the
human cargo until they defeat the half-dragons and discover
the prisoners chained up in one of the tents.
In either case, the Al-Iborak commander is more than willing
to use the prisoners as hostages if he has any reason to believe that
the party cares about their lives. If he does, the encounter can
change tone and become a tense standoff. A sudden escape by the
prisoners can also alter the balance if the PCs are losing the battle,
or the breakout might simply add confusion to the melee.
Any rescued prisoners ask the party’s aid in returning to
their homes. Some promise rich rewards for the PCs’ assistance
(truthfully or not, as you see fit).
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