Villains' Lorebook.pdf - Department of Political Science

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duce is unknown, though fission is most likely.
Whether fission is possible in the Realms or only in
the beast’s home plane of Acheron is also unknown
at this time.
History: Only one instance of a kalmari existing
in the Realms for any length of time is recorded at
this time. The creature apparently was summoned
from Acheron by the wicked sorceress CASSANA to
serve as a “pet.” The first open encounter between
natives of the Realms and the kalmari occurred in
the year 1357 DR during a period where Cassana
had lent use of the creature to an illicit mercantile
group known as the Iron Throne. The kalmari was
placed in a human shell (a minor Iron Throne func-
tionary unaware of the true costs involved) for the
mission. The Iron Throne planned to use the beast
to tighten its grip on Shadow Gap, an important
mountain pass.
When the functionary publicly announced the
closing of the pass and admitted to the murder of a
contact of a local group of adventurers, a member of
the group attacked the man. The warrior’s blow
(with his enchanted sword) split the body wide
open, allowing the kalmari to escape. The creature
promptly swallowed the warrior whole, sword and
all. The kalmari rejected the sword, which was left
untouched by the fleeing crowd.
The sword was recovered by a band of heroes that
included Alias the tattooed swordswoman. Alias saw
the above-described events in a dream. During their
time in Shadow Gap and not long after Alias’s
dream, the kalmari entered their camp and attacked.
Alias used Cassana’s sigil, tattooed on her arm, to
hold the sorceress’s creature at bay until the halfling
bard Olive Ruskettle retrieved the late warrior’s
sword. Olive and the saurial paladin Dragonbait
then used the ingested-and-rejected weapon to destroy
the beast.
Even though Cassana herself has perished, the secret
of summoning such beasts will likely find its way
to other unscrupulous wizards’ hands.
Sources: Azure Bonds.
Kazgaroth
Minion of Bhaal
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Any (Moonshaes)
FREQUENCY: Unique
ORGANIZATION: Solitary
ACTIVITY CYCLE: Any
DIET: Carnivore
INTELLIGENCE: High
TREASURE: See below
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic evil
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 0
MOVEMENT: 15
HIT DICE: 16 (120 hp)
THAC0: 5
NO. OF ATTACKS: 4
DAMAGE/ATTACKS: 1d12(×2)/3d10/ld8
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 60%
SIZE: G (18’ tall, 50’ long)
MORALE: Fearless (19)
XP VALUE: 19,000
In its true form, Kazgaroth resembles a huge tyrannosaur
with forelimbs that, while still short, match
the rest of its body and allow the Beast to run on all
fours if it wishes. When traveling in this manner,
consider Kazgaroth’s movement rate to be 18.
The Beast possesses a broad, powerful, scaly body
and tail with a maw that drips mildly acidic saliva
(the acid is taken into account in the bite’s damage).
Its massive hindlegs end in heavy, clawed feet. In
this form (and in other forms if the Beast loses selfcontrol),
Kazgaroth’s beady eyes glow a fierce red.
Combat: While the Beast prefers to engage its
foes through trickery, deceit, and the use of mortal
pawns, Kazgaroth revels in the bloodlust of combat
when it arises. In this form, the Beast attacks with its
two clawed forelimbs and its vicious bite. Further,
the Beast uses its tail to attack anyone it finds itself
in melee with; damage from the tailslap is 1d8. Any
being struck by the tail must make a Dexterity check
with a -5 penalty or be knocked off his feet. The
prone figure can regain his footing in the following
or subsequent rounds, but can take no other actions
during that round.