Exemplars of Evil

TACTICS
Once the PCs are aware of the kython, it wastes no time
in attacking. It uses Spring Attack and a 10-point Power
Attack on its first full action, then moves toward the thickest
cluster of bloodbloaters in the hope of luring the PCs to
them. If the characters take the bait, the kython holds its
position and makes a full attack each round, modified by a
7-point Power Attack. If it fells any PCs, it leaves them for
the bloodbloaters to finish. The kython spreads its attacks
among several PCs, but if it entangles a character in a mucus
pod, the creature focuses its full attention on that character,
using a 13-point Power Attack for each attack until the
victim is dead.
The kython continues to use Spring Attack to provoke
the PCs into closing with it. After 2 rounds, if they have not
done so, the creature gives up and closes on them.
The bloodbloaters move toward the PCs. Since they have to
negotiate the beams that stick up out of the water, they travel
only 1 square per move action. These mindless combatants
gorge themselves on blood and will not pursue a living character
if an unconscious or dying victim is closer.
CONCLUSION
If the PCs manage to destroy the kython in its lair without
sinking the ship, they gain 1-1/2 times the normal experience
points due to the treacherous environment.
Treasure: The dark water hides various items that belonged
to the kython’s victims. Each round when a PC examines the
hold and succeeds on a DC 15 Search check, he finds 1d20
gp (a total of 1,120 gp is scattered across the bottom of the
hold). In addition, a searching character has a 20% chance of
finding one of the following items:
• a divine scroll of bear’s endurance in a watertight tube
• oil of shillelagh in a sealed ceramic container
• a potion of protection from chaos in a tightly stoppered glass
vial
• a wand of magic missile (CL 1st, 42 charges)
• a dark orange fire elemental gem
ENCOUNTER 4-3
FEATURES OF THE AREA
The area has the following features.
Illumination: Light streams through the trapdoor and the
grating of the cargo hatch, providing shadowy illumination in
the area directly below the trapdoor. Any creatures standing in
that area gain concealment. The rest of the hold is dark, granting
total concealment to its occupants.
Ceiling Height: The ceiling in the hold rises 7 feet overhead.
Trapdoor: The ceiling contains a trapdoor in the space indicated
by the dashed lines. From within the hold, a PC can push
the trapdoor open by making a successful DC 10 Strength check.
Beams: Parallel beams—the skeleton of the Much Kill—
crisscross the floor of the hold. Each beam is approximately 1
foot wide. A character can move across the slippery beams at
half speed by succeeding on a DC 12 Balance check. Those who
move faster than half speed take a –5 penalty on the check.
Anyone who fails the check by 5 or more slips into the brackish
water. The kython does not have its movement impaired in the
hold and can move freely throughout the area.
Water: Water to a depth of 3 feet fills the gaps between the
beams. Because the floor is uneven, PCs cannot run or charge
while in the hold. If a character is not standing on a beam, entering
a water-filled square costs 2 squares of movement.
Exterior Walls: Each section of the ship’s hull has hardness
8 and 120 hit points. If any 5-foot section of the hull is breached,
water pours into the lower deck. If twelve sections of the hull
are breached, the caravel sinks.
Interior Walls: The remains of the hold’s interior walls have
hardness 5 and 60 hit points. They provide cover to anyone
standing behind them.
Debris: Spaces marked with debris are choked with broken
timbers, sodden rubbish, and the remains of the kython’s
meals. Moving into one of these spaces costs 1 extra square of
movement.
Masts: The masts (circular symbols along the center line of
the ship) provide cover to anyone standing behind them. Each
mast has AC 3, hardness 5, and 200 hit points.
79