Exemplars of Evil

CHAPTER 2
ZARGATH
HUMAN-BANE
36
Illus. by K. Yanner
Zargath Human-Bane CR 5
hp 15 (5 HD)
Male orc rogue 4
LE Medium humanoid
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +7, Spot +7
Languages Common, Orc
AC 18, touch 15, flat-footed 14; Dodge, uncanny dodge
(+4 Dex, +3 armor, +1 deflection)
Resist evasion
Fort +3, Ref +8, Will +0
Weakness light sensitivity
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee mwk short sword +6 (1d6+1) and
mwk dagger +1 (1d4+1)
Ranged mwk hand crossbow +11 (1d4)
Base Atk +6; Grp +7
Atk Options sneak attack +2d6
Combat Gear 2 potions of cure light wounds, dust of dryness,
ring of protection +1, tanglefoot bag, caltrops
Abilities Str 12, Dex 18, Con 8, Int 15, Wis 8, Cha 15
SQ trap sense +1, trapfi nding
Feats Alertness, Dodge, Two-Weapon Fighting
Skills Diplomacy +6, Disguise +3, Escape Artist +4, Gather
Information +6, Hide +11, Intimidate +6, Knowledge
(architecture) +3, Knowledge (geography) +3, Knowledge
(history), +3, Knowledge (local) +6, Knowledge (nobility)
+3, Listen +7, Move Silently +11, Open Lock +5, Search +3,
Spot +7
Possessions combat gear plus masterwork studded leather
armor, masterwork hand crossbow with 50 bolts,
master work short sword, masterwork dagger,
masterwork thieves’ tools
Light Sensitivity Zargath takes a –1 penalty
on attack rolls, Search checks, and
Spot checks in bright sunlight or within
the radius of a daylight spell.
WAR LEADER
GRIKFELL
“So many thousands of years wasted.
Orc spilling the blood of orc, weakening
ourselves while our enemies
grew strong and prosperous. That
time has passed, and a new era must
begin. I shall not lead our people, I
shall serve them even as I serve
Zargath, and together we
shall make ourselves great
among nations.”
—Grikfell
Grikfell was a competent
but second-tier
tribe member until
Zar gath taught him
some tricks learned
from the Gray Knives,
inspired him with a
bold vision of an orc
nation, and installed him
as clan war leader. No mere
figure head, Grikfell willingly serves
War Leader Grikfell
under Zargath, combining his martial prowess with his
master’s tactical genius. Lately, however, he has begun to
have second thoughts. Grikfell still believes in the dream,
but fears that Zargath’s growing obsession with exterminating
their enemies might jeopardize their chance for
ultimate success.
GOALS
Grikfell always knew that he was not like other orcs. He was
smarter than average, certainly, but the difference ran deeper
than that: Despite his combat skill, he lacked an essential
blood lust that could have vaulted him into the upper ranks
of orc society.
Thankfully, Zargath gave him something to believe in
beyond the usual orc goals of food in the belly and notches
on the battleaxe. Grikfell wholeheartedly endorses his
master’s vision, and views his own position as war leader as
a means to that end. He keeps busy running the day-to-day
business of the tribe and is often in the field on missions
of extermination. Grikfell takes no particular pleasure in
slaughter, but he does not shy away from what he considers
a necessary task on the road to empire. He is beginning
to harbor some doubts, however, about whether Zargath’s
obsession with killing all other
humanoids is leading him to
make the wisest decisions.
USING
GRIKFELL
Although not as intelligent
as Zargath, Grikfell
is bright and has a gift for
tactical maneuvering and
war craft. A technically proficient
fighter, he approaches
combat with the same cool,
disciplined manner with
which he approaches everything
else in his life.
Player characters who
meet him in combat
might discover that
killing Grikfell will
require more than simply
confronting him on
the battlefield. For one
thing, he is always accompanied
by Elbeth, his pet
worg. For another, the orc
can recognize the danger
posed by a strong party of
adventurers, and he is not
afraid to retreat if a fight
does not go his way.
Appearance
and Behavior
Grikfell is a large, heavily
muscled orc fighter who prefers
to go into battle with his prized suit
of masterwork banded mail and his orc