The Temple Between.pdf

The Temple Between
C10: THE PORTAL
IN THE SEPULCHER
Encounter Level 9 (2,500 XP*)
Setup
5 or fewer writhing chains (W)
If the PCs fail the skill challenge to enter the
Mountainroot Temple, they can attempt to force their
way past the filigree imagery. Doing so activates the
temple’s defenses, which causes several constructs to
attack. If the PCs successfully defeat the homunculi,
however, nothing prevents them from destroying the
barrier between them and the door.
Remove one or more writhing chains based on the
number of successes, as described in the challenge.
The first chain to be removed is the southwestern one,
then the northwestern, than the southern, then the
northeastern.
When the chains appear, read:
From the iron image, thin strings of metal—liquid, as
though melting—shoot forth. They strike not at you, but
at several of the hanging chandeliers, forming a canopy of
metallic strands overhead. From those chandeliers, great
lengths of chain drop to the floor and then rear up like
striking serpents
Tactics
The writhing chains might attempt to yank a PC off
a ledge, but they otherwise fight in a straightforward
fashion. They are smart enough to focus on one or
two PCs, with one chain restraining the foe while the
others pound on him.
If the PCs attack the iron strands running overhead,
the strings break but instantly reform. Hacking
at them provides no benefit.
Features of the Area
Illumination: The room is brightly lit by everburning
flames in the chandeliers. The chandeliers
hang 10 feet down from the ceiling (and thus, 10 feet
above the upper level and 20 above the lower).
Ceiling: The ceiling is 30 feet overhead from the
lowest level.
Slopes: The slopes count as difficult terrain
for creatures moving up, but not down. A creature
pushed or slid down a slope moves an extra square,
and a character who falls prone on the slope slides 1
square toward the bottom.
Stairs: The stairs are considered difficult terrain.
Statues: These statues are of the god Moradin,
with a pair of ravens—representing the Queen of
Death—perched on his shoulders.
Writhing Chains Guarded Area: The guarded
areas of the homunculi are marked on the map.
5* Writhing Chains (W) Level 10 Skirmisher
Medium natural animate (construct, homunculus) XP 500 each
Initiative +10 Senses Perception +7; darkvision
HP 131; Bloodied 65
AC 23; Fortitude 23, Reflex 23, Will 21
Immune disease, poison
Speed 7; see also serpentine strike
m Slam (standard; at-will)
+13 vs. AC; 2d6 + 5 damage.
M Winding Strike (standard; recharge ⚄ ⚅)
+13 vs. AC; 2d6 + 5 damage, and target slides 2 squares
and is grabbed and restrained.
Guarded Area
When making attacks against a creature in its guarded
area, the writhing chain gains a +2 bonus to hit, and can
stretch itself, granting itself reach 3 on all melee attacks.
Threatening Reach (within guarded area only)
This creature can make opportunity attacks against all
enemies within its reach (3 squares).
Serpentine Strike (move; at-will)
The chain shifts 3 squares.
Alignment Unaligned Languages —
Skills Stealth +13
Str 19 (+9) Dex 17 (+8) Wis 15 (+7)
Con 21 (+10) Int 18 (+9) Cha 12 (+6)
*Exact number of writhing chains could be fewer than five.
Adjust encounter XP as necessary.
December 2008 |
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DUNGEON 161