Exemplars of Evil

ENCOUNTER 9-2
H
Encounter Level 13
AREM ROOM
SETUP
The player characters can arrive at this encounter in several
different ways. They might come across the harem
while exploring the ruined palace, while posing as human
tribute to the dragon, or as prisoners captured by the
Al-Iborak.
If the PCs stumble upon the harem on their own, the
Al-Iborak guards attack if it is clear that the adventurers
do not belong there. If the PCs evade the guards, they still
must deal with the human prisoners in the harem, any
of whom might sell out the party to curry favor with the
Thunder Tyrant. The PCs can attempt Diplomacy checks
to win the trust of the slaves, whose initial attitude is indifferent.
If the party clearly intends to help the prisoners
escape, the PCs receive a +5 bonus on the check.
Alternatively, cunning or foolhardy characters might
infiltrate a desert tribe and volunteer to become tribute
for the dragon—or the party could have been captured
by the Al-Iborak and brought to the palace as prisoners.
In either case, the PCs are searched, stripped of any valuables
or equipment, and taken to the great hall to explain
themselves to Borak. The mighty dragon is initially
indifferent to the characters, but a sincere effort and successful
Bluff, Diplomacy, or Perform checks can improve
her attitude to friendly—and earn the PCs spots in the
harem rather than the servants’ quarters. However, if
the characters cause Borak’s attitude to shift to hostile,
she simply eats them.
If the player characters enter the harem during daylight
hours, read:
Half-dragon guards swathed in desert robes
keep watch over this room, which is dominated
6 Al-Iborak Guards 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 of 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
Proficiency (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 of
lightning, 2 javelins, whip, spell components, 6d6 gp
Breath Weapon (Su) 60-ft. line of lightning, once per day,
6d8 electricity, Reflex DC 14 half.
154
HEGIRA
Hegira, a desert woman who has black hair and eyes and
deeply tanned skin, is actually a disguise that Borak adopts
using polymorph. The other harem slaves believe that
Hegira is a particularly favored servant of the dragon,
though one who has no love for the Thunder Tyrant. She
claims to be the daughter of a tribal sheik and has a proud
and noble bearing.
Borak often entertains herself by assuming Hegira’s
form and spending time in the harem. She finds it a pleasant
game and a handy way to learn about her servants. The
dragon is a consummate actress, and her Bluff skill modifier
is more than sufficient to fool the harem slaves, though
she might have a harder time with seasoned adventurers
who are more likely to be dubious.
by a large bath tiled in blue and white. A dozen
or so humans bathe, lounge on warm rocks at the
far end of the room, or help each other wash, dress,
and primp.
If the PCs use stealth to enter the harem at night,
read:
The only sound in the dimly lit chamber is that of
water gurgling in a pool, which is tiled in shades of
blue and white. The shimmering pool takes up
much of the room, and the smooth slate floor rises
to a pile of rocks at the far end. Several curtained
doorways lead off to other chambers.