[Lvl 22] - Grasp of the Mantled Citadel.pdf

As they travel through the forest, the heroesencounter several groups of creatures. Some areimmediately hostile while others see in the PCs’arrival an opportunity. As well as the plannedencounters detailed below, the characters mayexperience one or more random encounters in theforest. (Refer to “Random Encounters” on page 44 forsample monster groups.)Encounter F1: A Forsaken Place. The PCs arriveon a rocky knoll thrusting above the skeletal boughs ofthe Twisted Forest. They can see the Mantled Citadelin the distance.A blackroot treant along with two blackstarknights and a venomous tree trap guard the knoll.Once these creatures are defeated, the heroes canproceed to the Mantled Citadel or take an extendedrest in safety.Encounter F2: Passing into Shadow. This skillchallenge portrays the characters’ journey throughthe Forest of Twisted Souls. The forest is a fell place—traveling through it is a dangerous and disorientatingexperience. Encounters F3 and F4 punctuate the skillchallenge.Encounter F3: Adherents of the SpiderThrone. The PCs encounter Rithkerrar, an aspectof Vecna, and his servant sent to wreak revengeupon the perfidious Irfelujhar. They are the onlysurvivors of a much larger group. Normally thesecreatures would be inclined to attack immediately,but they have been trapped here for a long time, keptat bay by the Mantled Citadel’s potent wardings.They are desperate to accomplish their task, and soare willing to parley with the party. This encounterinevitably ends in combat, but PCs that do not immediatelyattack gain some knowledge of Irfelujhar’sbetrayal of Vecna.Encounter F4: Twisted Spirit. The charactersencounter Naiethar Traihel, a thicket dryad lich—thewarped embodiment of the forest. Naiethar is madbut has some information about the forest and thetower to pass on.The encounter can be resolved through violenceor diplomacy. If the heroes use diplomacy, they gainaccess to a minor quest (carrying a cutting from thedryad’s tree back to the Vale and planting it earns aminor quest award).Encounter F5: Spectral Terrors of Unlife. ThePCs reach the Mantled Citadel, but before gainingentry, they must defeat a band of ghosts and spectersas well as the forest itself. Once the characters havedefeated these guardians, they reach the citadel.The longer the PCs spend in the Forest of TwistedSouls, the more likely they are to encounter some ofits denizens. For every four hours the heroes are inthe forest, roll 1d20 and add the following modifiers:October 2009 | DUNGEON 171