return to under mountain

The Dragon’sLegacyAn Adventure for Four 13th-Level Characters

IntroductionTheRageofDragonscompelsmanystrangeeventstooccuracrossthebreadthofToril,anditdoesnotspareWaterdeep.YetwhilemostassumethethreattothisjeweloftheSwordCoastwillcomefromthesky,evilisinsteadafootundertheground.TheCultoftheDragonscuttlesthroughthedarkenedhallsofUndermountainandrousesadragon’slegacytowarditsownfoulends.

TheDragon’sLegacy isashortD&D® adventureforfour13th-level PCs and it is adaptable to levels11 to 15. It takes place inUndermountain,thegranddungeonbeneathWaterdeep.Thisadven-tureassumesthePCsenterthefirstencounterfromthewestsideofthelargecavernonlevel1ofUndermountain.Iftheydonot,modifytheencounterstosuityourneeds.Level1Cavern:Part1andLevel1Cavern:Part2describetherestofthiscavern.SeethosearticlesandRoom21:MovingDaybeforerunningthisadventure.

Insomerespects,thisadventureisbackward.Insteadofsloggingthroughadragon’sguardianstofightthedragoninitslairattheendoftheadventure,thePCsbattledragonsfirstandthroughout

the adventure. The adventure features a dracolich, and thatencounterisalsointhebeginningoftheadventure,butanotherencounterwithadracolichcanhappeninthemiddleoftheadven-ture,andonecouldoccurattheend.TheadventurederivesthisstructurefromthenatureofdracolichesandfromtheCultoftheDragon’srelationshipwiththem.Becauseadracolichcanariseagainfromthecorpseofanotherdragon,theCultoftheDragonhaschosentoseparatethedracolichanditsphylactery,thuspreventingbothfrombeingdestroyedinoneattack.ThePCshavethechoiceofstrugglingthroughseveralencountersinonego,makingeachencountermoredeadlyastheirresourcesdiminish,orofusinghit-and-runtacticsattheriskoffacingmoredracolichesandmoreorganizedresistance.

PreparationAswithearlierareas,theareasdetailedhererequiretheuseofthePlayer’sHandbook, theDungeonMaster’sGuide, andtheMonsterManual, plusyoushouldfamiliarizeyourselfwiththeintroduction

A ReturntoUndermountain FORGOTTEN REALMS®WebEnhancement

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tothisseriesofarticlesonthewebsite<http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ru/20050309a>.HavingaccesstotheDraconomi-con wouldbeusefulforthedracolich,aswell.

Togetstarted,printouttheadventure,includingthemaps.Readthroughthescenarioatleastoncetofamiliarizeyourselfwiththesit-uation, threats,andmajor nonplayercharacters(particularlytheirmotivations).Sometextisdesignatedasplayerinformationthatyoucanreadaloudorparaphrasefortheplayersatthepropertimes.

Adventure BackgroundIn1373DR,theRageofDragonsonceagainmakesitsmarkuponFaerûn,andastheinhabitantsofWaterdeeplooktotheskiesinfear,theyblindthemselvestoagrowingthreatbeneaththeirfeet.ForcenturiesHalasterhasusedportals andothermagictoensnarecreaturesandtraptheminUndermountain,andlongago,heimpris-onedAragauthos,anoldbluedragon,inacavernonthethirdlevelofUndermountain.Aragauthoslivedinthedungeonfordecades,trappedinacavernonlevelthreeandsurvivingoffthe“walkingfoodhandouts”broughttohercavernbyHalaster’sdeviousteleportrings.DuringHarvestidefouryearsago,citizensofWaterdeepwatchedinaweasAragauthosburstfromtheseacavesandflewhur-riedlysouthalongtheSwordCoast.Halaster’scontrolofUnder-mountainhadbeenbrokenwhilehewasheldcaptiveelsewhere,andthebluedragonatlastescaped.(Formoreinformation,downloadDungeonCrawl:Undermountain—Stardock fromthePreviousEdi-tionsDownloadssectionofthiswebsiteatthefollowingURL:<http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/2/fr_downloads/tsr9538.zip>.

DespitehercountlessthoughtsandthreatsofrevengeagainsttheMadMage,Aragauthoshasnotreturned.YettheoldblueleftbehindalegacythatcontinuestoaffectUndermountain.WhenHalastercapturedher,shewasonthevergeoflayingaclutchofeggs.Herchildren,whichnumberedanamazingsixhealthybluewyrmlings,hatchedintoalifeofimprisonment.Knowingshecouldnotfeedsomanyoffspring,butunwillingtoharmanyofthem,shestarvedherself,killingfoodonlyforthehatchlingsandeatingstonesandearthtosateherownhunger.Whenatlastshecouldnolongerstandprivation,sheforcedheryoungoutintoUndermoun-tainandadvisedthemtoremaintogetherforsafetyandtobettertheirchancesinhunting.

Thefivedragonsiblingsdidastheirmotherbid.Astheygrewolderand larger,theywould periodicallyreturnto their mother’s cave,bringing with them giftsof food.Unfortunately,greedeventuallyovertookaweoftheirmother,andthebluedragonsthoughttokillAragauthosandtakehertroveoftreasure.Aragauthoseasilyrebuffedtheir effort,slayingone of herchildren before forcing them toretreat.Assherantedattheirtreacherousnature,shewarnedthemnevertoreturnlestshekillthemall,andherchildrenneverdid.

Fornearlyahundredyears,Aragauthos’sfiveremainingchildren

wanderedUndermountaintogether.Althoughmanytimestemptedtopartcompany,theirsafetyinnumbersandanoathtocleavetoeachotherhaskeptthesiblingsatight-knitgroup.Changinglairsregularlyandmovingfromleveltolevel,thedragonshavelivedontherun,rarelyallowingthemselvesthepleasuresofbuildingahoardorenjoylongperiodsofsleep.

Many times they attempted to escape Undermountain, butHalaster’smagichunglikeachainabouttheirnecks.WhenHalaster’sHarvestideoccurredfouryearsago,theyhadtheopportunitytoflee,butbythistime,theyhadacceptedthatescapewasimpossible.

ThavokDrusuvious,WearerofPurplefortheWaterdeepcelloftheCultoftheDragon,hadcometothecityinthehopesofturningAragauthos intoadracolich,butherflight from thecitylefthimwithoutguidance.Justas1373began,Thavokdiscoveredthediaryofalong-deadadventurerinabookshop.Itdescribedanencounterwithfive juvenile blue dragons in thedepths of Undermountain. Theadventurerandherallieswerealreadybeleagueredbyagroupoftrollswhenthedragonsappearedandattacked.Theadventureralonesur-vived,butfornolongerthanadayorso,becauseherdiarywasdis-covered and retrieved fromUndermountain byotheradventurers.Thediary’sdescriptionofthecloseteamworkofthedragonsintriguedThavokgreatly,andfindingthebookontheeveoftheRageofDrag-ons,abookthatdescribedwhatcouldonlybethechildrenofAragau-thos,seemedtoThavokasignfromSammasterhimself.

ThavokDrusuviousgatheredhisforces,andinsmallgroupstheyenteredUndermountainandbeganthesearchforAragauthos’slegacy.SpreadingoutfrombothSkullportandtheentrancebeneaththeYawningPortal,thesearchwasremarkablybriefandcostthecultonlysomecoinandthelivesofacoupledozencultists.Thisculledtheweakfromtheirranks,andexperiencesinUndermoun-tainhavemadetheremainingcultistsexceptionallystrong—anothersignoftheprovidenceoftheirtask.Havingdiscoveredthedragons,Thavokbeganwarynegotiations,usingnewsoftheleg-endaryRageofDragonstocompeltheAragauthos’schildrentolisten.ThavoktoldthemthatbecomingadracolichwouldfreethemfrombothUndermountainandtheRage,andlearningoftheirigno-ranceoftheirmother’sfate,heclaimedthatjustsuchatransfor-mationhadfreedAragauthos.Thavokbroughtthedragonsbacktotheirmother’scavernandusedherabsencetosupporthisclaims.Pleasedtoatlasthaveaccesstotheirmother’shoardandtohaveeagerhumanoidportersforhertreasure,thedragonsagreedtolistentomoreofthecultist’sclaims.

Sincethen,theCultoftheDragonhasworkeditswilesuponthedragons,butitwasn’tuntilrecentlythattheyfinallyachievedsuc-cessinconvincinganyofthedragonstobecomeadracolich.WiththeRageofDragonsinfullswingonthesurfaceandthesiblingsfeelingitspullupontheirsouls,theCultoftheDragonusedthedangeroftheRagetoputdoubtandfearinthedragon’sminds.BeingovertakenbytheRageonthesurfacewouldbedangerous

Return To Undermountain Web Enhancement

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Themapforthese areas areavailable in two differentsizes: Oneserves as a refer-encefor theDM,andtheotherisa mapwith a grid

thatworksnicely with yourminiatures.

RoomLocationonthePosterMap: Thisroomisonpieces7and8ofthepostermap.

The Map

The events of this adventureassume the year is 1373 DRandthattheRageofDragonsstilltakesitstolluponToril.Ifyou’vealreadyadvanced yourcampaignbeyondthisyear,youcan stilluse this adventureaswritten. The Cult of theDragonstillusestheRageasanintimidation tactic againstthe

dragons,becausethe dragonscannot know whether it hasended.PCswhosomehowlearnthat this is howtheCulthasworkeditswillwith the drag-onsmight convincethe bluedragons to turnagainst their“benefactors.” Of course, theenemyofthePCs’enemyisn’tnecessarilytheirfriend....

But It’s 1374!


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enough,butchargingoffintoUndermountainaloneisathoughtnoneofthemcanbear.AndsothedragonsacquiescedtotheCult.

TheCultandthesedragonsnowoccupyasmallportionofthefirstlevelofUndermountain.ThavokmovedtheiroperationtheretofacilitatecontactwithothercultistsinthecityaboveandtoallowthedragonstoburstupthroughtheYawningPortalonceallbecomedracoliches.Onedragonhasalreadymadethetransformation,andThavokcurrentlypreparestheelementsnecessarytotransformanother.Thavokisn’tcertainwhatexactlyheandthedracolicheswilldoonceescapedfromUndermountain,buthe’sconfidentthatprovidencewillrevealtheproperpathwhenthetimeisright.

Adventure Hooks and Tie-InsTheadventurebeginswhenthePCsarriveinthecavernofthefirstencounter.Hereareafewwaystogetthemtothatpoint:• ThethreepreviousUndermountainarticles,Rooms21–23,were

designedtoleadplayerstobecomeinvolvedinthisquest.Inessence,theactivitiesoftheCultoftheDragonandthebluedrag-onsleadaropertofleethelargecavern,whichinturnresultedinthedestructionofanencampmentofkobolds.PCswhoinves-tigatethecaverncomeacrossanotherroper,thistimedead,andsometracksthatimplythatwhateverkilleditcamefromthecavernofthefirstencounterinthisadventure.

• TheactionsoftheCultoftheDragonhaven’tgoneentirelyunnoticed.ReportsfromaSkullportagentofKhelbenBlackstaffandinformationfromDurnanattheYawningPortalhavebeencollectedandleadtheLordsofWaterdeeptobelievethatsome-thingofimportishappeninginUndermountain.Thediscoveryofanadventurer’sdiaryinthequartersofThavokDrusuvious,longsuspectedtohavetiestotheCultoftheDragon,clinchesit.Unfortunately,Halaster’swardspreventtheuseofspellstoexpe-ditefindingthecultistsbeforetheyexecutetheirplans,andsotheLordsofWaterdeepfindthemselvesforcedtohirebandsofrep-utableadventurerstoferretouttheCultinUndermountainandputanendtotheirplot.ThePCsmightbesuchaband.Alterna-tively,theymightencountersuchadventurerswhileontheirownforayunderWaterdeepandbetoldthewhereaboutsofthecavernbytheseadventurerswhofoundthemselvesunfitforthetaskoftakingonfivedragonsandauncountednumberofcultists.

• IfthepartyattemptstoteleportinUndermountain,thespellsgoawryduetothewarpedmythaloftheplace.Thedisorientedpartylandsrightinthemiddleofthefirstencounterofthisadventure.Shouldtheyretreattothelargercavern,readRoom22andRoom23forencounterstheymighthavethere.

Aragauthos’s ChildrenAragauthoslaidsixeggsshortlyafterherarrivalinUndermountain.Layingsixeggsisunusualforadragonandhavingthemalllivetohatchisnothingshortofmiraculous,butAragauthos’spleasureatthisblessingfromTiamatsoonsouredassherealizedthatcaptivitywouldpreventherfromprovidingforthemandraisingthemprop-erly.ThetruthofAragauthos’sfearsisnowevidentinheroff-springs’quirkypersonalitiesandrelianceupononeanother.

Athanaxus: Immediatelyrecognizableduetoherlackofhalfhertail,Athanaxuswassecondtohatchfromheregg.Alwaysschemingandgreedy,shelosthalfhertailaspunishmentforstealingfromhersister’shoard.Sincethen,Athanaxushasheldherlarcenousinstinctsincheck,butthishasn’tkeptherfromtryingtogetthebesttreatmentfromtheCultoftheDragon.

SeeAreaKformoreinformationaboutAthanaxus.Auriovos: Firsttohatchamongthesiblingsandalwaysthe

strongest,itwasAuriovos’srighttobethefirstamongthemtobetransformedintoadracolich.Alwayssomethingofabullyamonghisbrothersandsisters,Auriovos’sagreementwiththeCultoftheDragonledalltheotherstofollowsuit.Nowanundeadcreature,Auriovosfindsbeingadracolichsurprisinglyagreeable.Hisfearofdeathtransformedintoanembraceofthatstate,andherevelsinthepowersathiscommand.

SeeAreaBformoreinformationaboutAuriovos.Blitsenax: “Twin”toDundrendon,Blitsenaxrarelyleaveshisside.

Nervousandfidgety,Blitsenaxisusuallythefirstofthesiblingstowarntheothersofathreat,althoughsheoftenwaitstoreacttoituntilDundrendonisready.Blitsenaxbearsagrudgeagainsthersister,Athanaxus,overabitoftreasureAthanaxusstolefromhertwentyyearsago.Althoughbothlostthetreasurelongago,toBlit-senaxthewoundisstillfreshbecauseshefoundthepunishmentmetedouttoAthanaxusunsatisfactory.

SeeAreaAformoreinformationaboutBlitsenax.Dundrendon: Dundrendonhatchedalmostsimultaneouslywith

hissisterBlitsenax,andthetwodragonsarenearlyindistinguishablefromoneanotherdespitetheirdifferentgenders.Theirsiblingdrag-onshavenodifficultytellingthemapart,butthehumancultistsoftentrytoobservethetwobeforeaddressingthemtodeterminetheirpropernamesandthusavoidoffense.DundrendonhasprovedlessintelligentthanBlitsenax—indeedtheleastintelligentofallthesiblings—andhisslowermindresultsinmuchslowerreactionsthanthenervousBlitsenax.

SeeAreaAformoreinformationaboutDundrendon.Krakestros: Krakestros speaks little,preferring instead to watch

andwait.Ahunterandstalkerbynature,Krakestrosoftenlefthissiblings so that he could wander on hisown for short periods.WhereasBlitsenaxactedasthesiblings’guard,Krakestrosoftenactedintheroleofscout.Evenso,Krakestros’spenchantforsolitudehashadnoeffectonhisloyaltytohissiblings.Infact,he isthemostloyalandprotectiveofthegroup,anditisthatconflictingsenseofloyaltythatalwaysbringshimbackfromhisquietwanderings.

SeeAreaCformoreinformationaboutKrakestros.Thantanaton: Lasttohatchandalwaysthemostfoolishofthe

dragons,Thantanatondiedinthejawsofhismotherwhenthesib-lingdragonsattemptedtokillAragauthosandstealherhorde.HisbonesweredevouredbyAragauthoswhenshehadalongspellwith-outfood.

“The Dragon’s Legacy” isdesignedforapartyoffour13th-levelPCs,butwithalittleworkitcanbeadaptedforusebyPCsof11th-to12th-levelorPCsof14th-to15th-level.First,adjustallNPCcharacterlevelsupordownasappropriatebyanumberequaltothatwhichtheaverage party level of yourgroup deviates from13.Don’tforgettomodifytheamountoftreasurefoundaswell.Specific

changes to the adventureincludethefollowing:

11th- to 12th-level PCs:Remove Blitsenax from AreaA andstation her in AreaF.ReduceAuriovos’shitpointsby40duetobattlewoundshesuf-feredtestinghisdracolichbody.Remove the half-blue-dragonpyrohydrafromAreaI.

14th-to15th-levelPCs:Putthreehalf-blue-dragonyrthaksinAreaF.

Scaling the Adventure


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Area A: GuardCavern (EL 13)WhenthePCsapproachthisarea,readorparaphrasethefollowing.

BlitsenaxandDundrendonguardthiscavernfromintruders.Notlongagotheyharriedaroperawayfromthisendofthecave,even-tuallykillingit.Findingitstastenottotheirliking,theycutoutitsgizzardandsplitthegemstheyfoundthereamongthetwoofthem.NowDundrendonnapsuponthehoardprovidedtohimbythe splitting ofhismother’streasureswhileBlitsenaxquietlypaces,notwantingthenoiseofherclawsonthestonetoawakenherbrother.

IfthePCsrecentlyengagedinabattleorotherloudnoiseinthecavern(ListenDC–10modifiedbydistance),thedragonshavemoretimetoprepare.Bothcastshield onthemselvesandhide,wait-ingforthePCstoapproach.

Alarm Spell: BlitsenaxcastanalarmspellonthepartofthecavernthePCsmustusetoapproach.IfanyPCentersthearea,Blit-senaximmediatelyreceivesamentalalert,andsherousesher

brothertohelpherinvestigate.Theyapproachwithasmuchstealthastheycanmuster.Informedthatcultistswillfalltotheirkneesuponseeingthem,theyattackifanyPCdoesnotimmediatelyshowsuchbehavior.

Blitsenax: Accustomedtoaction-filledlifewhilewanderingUndermountain, Blitsenaxiseagerfora fight,butshedelaysactionuntilDundrendon’sinitiative.When sheattacks,shefirstfliesoverthePCsandthenturnsabouttobreathelightninguponthem.Blitsenaxbreatheslightningasoftenaspossibleandexhortsherslow-witted brotherto do thesame.TorepresentBlitsenax,youcanusetheLargeBlue Dragon miniature(38/60)fromDeathknell.

Blitsenax CR 11FemaleyoungadultbluedragonLELargedragon(earth)Init +2;Senses blindsense60ft.,darkvision120ft.,keensenses;Listen+24,Spot+24Aura frightfulpresence(DC21,150-ft.radius)Languages Common,Draconic,Elven

AC28,touch11,flat-footed26hp189(18HD);DR 5/magicImmune electricity,paralysis,sleepSR 19Fort +15,Ref +13,Will+15

Speed40ft.(8squares),burrow20ft.,fly150ft.(poor);FlybyAttackMelee bite+23(2d6+6)andMelee 2claws+22(1d8+3)andMelee 2wings+21(1d6+3)andMelee tail+21(1d8+9)Space 10ft.;Reach 5ft.(bite10ft.)BaseAtk +18;Grp+28AtkOptions Cleave,PowerAttackSpecialActions breathweaponSorcererSpellsKnown (CL3rd):

1st(6/day)—alarm,shield,Tenser’sfloatingdisc0(6/day)—dancinglights,detectmagic,ghostsound (DC12),mage

hand,resistanceSpell-LikeAbilities (CL5th):

3/day—create/destroywater (DC21)

AbilitiesStr23,Dex14,Con19,Int14,Wis19,Cha14SQsoundimitation(DC21)FeatsAbilityFocus(breathweapon),Cleave,Fly-ByAttack,Hover,Multiattack,PowerAttack,WeaponFocus(claw)SkillsBluff+20,Concentration+13,Diplomacy+13,Hide+5,Intim-idate+14,Knowledge(dungeoneering)+11,Listen+24,Search+22,SenseMotive+24,Spellcraft+22,Spot+24

BreathWeapon(Su)80-ft.line,onceevery1d4rounds,10d8elec-tricity,ReflexDC25half

Dundrendon:Dundrendonnapsonhisshareofhismother’shoard,relyingonBlitsenaxtoalerthimofanydanger.Incombat,thedim-wittedDundrendonsimplymovestowardtheclosestfoeandattacks.BlitsenaxscreamsordersathiminDraconicwhilehefights,andDundrendonhappilyobeysthem,althoughusuallyaroundlaterthanBlitsenaxwouldlike.TorepresentDundrendon,youcanusetheLargeBlueDragonminiature(38/60)fromDeathknell.

Thecavernflooraheadshowsclearsignsofhabitationbysomecreature.Itbearsclearclawmarksofsomelargecreaturecapableofscoringthestone.

Creatures: (2)See areadescrip-tions and the OtherCavernInhabitantssidebar.

Traps:(1)Analarmspellpro-tectsthecavernapproachingtheencounter.

Terrain:CavernFloor: DC10Balancechecktochargeorrun.

CavernCeiling: DC25ClimbcheckandDCincreasesby+5ifsurfaceisslippery.

CavernWall:Hitpointsvarybasedonthickness(hardness8),ClimbDC20.

FungusForestSquares (seemap): Costs2squaresofmove-menttoenterthisdifficultterrain.

Notethatthedragonscannotburrowthroughthestoneofthecavernorthedungeons.

LightingConditions:Darkness.Magic:Faintabjuration(the

alarm spell)plustreasure.DetectableAlignments:Mod-

erateevil(bothdragons).Secrets:None.Treasure: (14,500 gp) See

below.

Area A Summary

Listen DC Varies: The PCsmight hearBlitsenaxpacingiftheyhave not alreadyalertedhertotheirpresence(where-uponsheholdsstill).Blitsenaxistrying toMoveSilentlyasshepacesbecause Dundrendon issleeping.Remember tofactorthePCs’distanceintotheDC.SurvivalDC20: A characterwiththeTrackfeatcanmakea

Survival check to determinethattheclawmarksonthegroundweremadeontheprevi-ous daybut that other marksweremadeseveraldaysorevenweeks earlier.Themarks seemto indicate circlingorpacingrather than movement withanydestinationinmind. Theylooklike theclaw marksof adragon.

Area A Relevant Checks


Dundrendon CR 11MaleyoungadultbluedragonLELargedragon(earth)Init +0;Senses blindsense60ft.,darkvision120ft.,keensenses;Listen+12,Spot+12Aura frightfulpresence(DC21,150-ft.radius)Languages Draconic

AC26,touch9,flat-footed26hp189(18HD);DR 5/magicImmune electricity,paralysis,sleepSR 19Fort +15,Ref +11,Will+13

Speed40ft.(8squares),burrow20ft.,fly150ft.(poor)Melee bite+24(2d6+6)andMelee 2claws+22(1d8+3)andMelee 2wings+21(1d6+3)andMelee tail+22(1d8+9)Space 10ft.;Reach 5ft.(bite10ft.)BaseAtk +18;Grp+28AtkOptions Cleave,PowerAttackSpecialActions breathweaponSorcererSpellsKnown (CL3rd):

1st(6/day)—alarm,shield,Tenser’sfloatingdisc0(6/day)—dancinglights,detectmagic,ghostsound (DC12),mage



AbilitiesStr23,Dex10,Con19,Int8,Wis15,Cha14SQsoundimitation(DC21)FeatsAbilityFocus(breathweapon),Cleave,Multiattack,PowerAttack,WeaponFocus(bite),WeaponFocus(claw),WeaponFocus(tail)Skills Bluff+14,Concentration+14,Diplomacy+14,Intimidate+19,Knowledge(dungeoneering)+12,Listen+12,Search+12,SenseMotive+12,Spellcraft+12,Spot+12


Treasure:DundrendonandBlitsenaxeachhaveasmallhoardoftreasuretosleepupon,eachashareoftheirmother’sgreatwealth.Thehoardscontain3,200gp,490sp,1,000cp,5gore-coveredgemsworth50gpeach(fromtheroper),abroochofshielding,dustofdry-ness,a periaptofhealth,pipesofthesewers, and2emptypotionvials(thepotionsinsidelongsincedestroyedbyauseofdestroywater).

Development:DundrendonandBlitsenaxhavenointentionoffightingtothedeath,buttheyarealsounwillingtosurrender.Ifeitherisdamagedtobelow20hitpoints,bothfleetowardAreaF,roaringawarningtoAuriovosastheygo.However,ifthePCskillDundrendonorBlitsenax,thelivingsiblingfliesintoamurderousrageandthrowsitselfuponthePCs,attackingthePCwholandedthekillingblowtotheexclusionofallothers.OnlydeathofthedragonorthePCsendsthismanicattack.

Unlesstheparty employedsilence spellsforthedurationofthe

battle,it’slikelythatbothAuriovosinAreaBandKrakestrosinAreaCheardthebattle(DC30Listen).Ifso,AuriovossendshisundeadtolurethePCstohim,hopingtodrawwhateverthreatenstheCult’sencampmentawayfromthepreparationsforKrakestros’stransformation.Forhispart,KrakestroscalmlyalertsthecultistsinAreaEtoanattackandthenprepareshimselfforbattlebycastingshield andhidingamongthestalagmitesinthecave.

IfthePartyRests:Ifthepartyretreatstorest, thecultistsfromAreaEmovetoguardAreaA,andAuriovosandhisundeadmoveoutintothelargercaverntofindandattackthePCs.

Area B: Auriovos’s Lair (EL 14)WhenthePCsapproachthisarea,readorparaphrasethefollowing.ThefollowingtextassumesAuriovosheardthePCs’battlewithhissiblingsandthatthePCsdidnotfleetorest.Ifconditionsaredif-ferent,modifytheread-aloudtextandtheencounterdetailstosuityourneeds.

Havetheplayersrollforinitiative.Theettinskeletonsareunintel-ligentdespitetheirseeminglyorchestratedbehavior.Auriovosinstructedthefirstettinskeletontoattackanynondragonsitfoundintheoutercavern,anditinstructedtheotherstoreturntoitoncetheyhadbeenspotted.InthiswayAuriovoshopestodrawthePCsawayfromtheothercultistsandforceaconfrontationinhislair.

EttinSkeletons(3): ThefirstettinskeletonhurlsjavelinsatthePCsandthenwadesintobattleswingingitsmorningstars.Theothertwoettinskeletonstrytoflee.RollinitiativeforeachettinskeletonseparatelyandcontrolthemseparatelyintheinitiativeordertogiveyourselfthebestchanceofmovingoneintothetunnelanddrawingthePCstowardAuriovos.

UsethestatisticsintheMonsterManual forettinskeletons(page227).Torepresenttheettinskeletons,youcanuseEttinSkir-misherminiatures(52/60)fromDeathknell.

Auriovos: AuriovosawaitsthePCsinthefarendofthecavern,havingmovedtheresincehearingthePCsbattlewithhissiblings.

Thecavesplitsintotwoirregularpassageshere.Onecontinuesstraightandtheotherrunstotheleft.Suddenmovementinthetunnelstraightaheadcatchesyoureye.Anenormoustwo-headedshapeloomsinthecavernhallandanothertwostandjustbehindit.Evenasoneoftheettinskeletonsheftsajavelintohurlatyou,theothertwobehinditturntorundownthepassage.

5

Creatures: (4)ThreeskeletalettinsandAuriovos.

Traps:None.Terrain:CavernFloor: DC

10Balancechecktochargeorrun.

Cavern Ceiling: DC 25ClimbcheckandDCincreasesby+5ifsurfaceisslippery.

Cavern Wall: Hit pointsvarybasedonthickness(hard-ness8),ClimbDC20.

NotethatAuriovoscannotburrowthroughthestoneofthecavernorthedungeons.

LightingConditions:Dark-ness.

Magic:SeeTreasure.Detectable Alignments:

Strongevil(theettinskeletonsandAuriovos).

Secrets:None.Treasure: (7,250gp) See

below.

Area B Summary

Knowledge(arcana)DC30:APCwhosucceedsatthischeckunderstandsAuriovos’snature

asadracolichandknowsthefundamentalsofhowitsinvul-nerabilityworks.

Area B Relevant Checks

Hestandsstillattheentrancetohishoardcave,relyingonthedark-nesstohidehim.Withhis120-footdarkvision,hecansilentlywatchthePCsenterwithoutfearofthemseeinghimuntilonegetswithin60feet.AssoonasitseemsthatallthePCshaveenteredhislair,Auriovosleapsintotheairandfliestowardtheexit,hopingtoblockthePCs’retreatandthenattack.Ifanyoftheettinskeletonsarestillalive,heordersthemtoattack.Auriovosuseshisbreathweapon,buthepreferstomakefullattackstoparalyzeasmanyfoesaspossible.

TorepresentAuriovos,youcanusetheLargeBlueDragonminia-ture(38/60)fromDeathknell.

Auriovos CR 14MaleyoungadultbluedragondracolichLELargeundead(augmenteddragon,earth)Init +0;Senses blindsense60ft.,darkvision120ft.,keensenses;Listen+22,Spot+22Aura frightfulpresence(DC22,150-ft.radius),paralyzinggaze(DC21,40ft.)Languages Common,Draconic,Elven

AC29,touch9,flat-footed29hp117(18HD);DR 5/magic,5/bludgeoningImmune cold,electricity,paralysis,polymorph,sleep,undeadimmu-nities(MM 317)SR 21Fort +11,Ref +11,Will+13

Speed40ft.(8squares),burrow20ft.,fly150ft.(poor);FlybyAttackMelee bite+25(2d6+8plus1d6coldandparalysis)andMelee 2claws+24(1d8+4plus1d6coldandparalysis)andMelee 2wings+23(1d6+4plus1d6coldandparalysis)andMelee tail+23(2d6+12plus1d6coldandparalysis)Space 10ft.;Reach 5ft.(bite10ft.)BaseAtk +18;Grp+30AtkOptions PowerAttackSpecialActionsbreathweapon,paralyzinggaze(DC21,40ft.)SorcererSpellsKnown (CL3rd):

1st(6/day)—alarm,bane(DC14), shield0(6/day)—dancinglights,detectmagic,ghostsound (DC13),mage


3/day—create/destroywater (DC21)Spell-LikeAbilities (CL15th):

3/day—controlundead

AbilitiesStr27,Dex10,Con—,Int14,Wis15,Cha16SQsoundimitation(DC21)FeatsAbilityFocus(breathweapon),FlybyAttack,ImprovedNat-uralArmor,ImprovedNaturalAttack(tailsweep),Multiattack,PowerAttack,WeaponFocus(claw)Skills Bluff+22,Concentration+13,Diplomacy+15,Hide+5,Intimidate+16,Knowledge(dungeoneering)+11,Listen+22,Search+22,SenseMotive+22,Spellcraft+22,Spot+22

BreathWeapon(Su)80-ft.line,onceevery1d4rounds,10d8elec-tricity,ReflexDC21halfInvulnerability(Ex) Ifadracolichisslain,itsspiritimmedi-ately returnstoitsphylactery.IfanotherMediumorlargerdragonorreptiliancorpselieswithin90feetofthephylactery,thespiritinfusesit,risingasaproto-dracolich.Thisproto-dra-colichhassomeofthequalitiesofadracolich,butitdoesnotgainthefullabilitiesofadracolichfor2d4days.Ifthephylac-tery isdestroyedwhilethespiritiswithinorthedracolichis

destroyedafterthephylactery,thedracolichisdestroyedper-manently.ParalyzingGaze(Su) 40ft.,paralysis2d6rounds,FortitudeDC21negates.Asuccessfulsaverendersacharacterforeverimmunetothisdracolich’sgaze.ParalyzingTouch(Su) Anycreaturehitbyameleetouchorameleeattack,paralysis2d6rounds,FortitudeDC21negates.Asuccessfulsavedoesn’trenderanyspecialimmunity.

Treasure:Auriovos’shoardcontains2,400gp,1,500sp,abeadofforce,a scrollof stonetoflesh,andascrollof blesswater.

Development:IftheettinskeletonsarekilledandthePCsdon’tseemtobeenteringhiscavern,Auriovosuseshismimicryabilitytointoneanominouschanthehasheardthecultistssing,hopingthatthehumansounddrawsthePCs.Ifhemust,hemovesouttoattackthem.Auriovosattackswithoutfearanduntildeathbecauseheknowsthathisspiritcanbetransferredtoanotherbody.

IfthePartyRests:Ifthepartyrests,theCultoftheDragonswiftlysetstowork.CultiststakethecorpseofanydeaddragontoAuriovos’sphylacteryforAuriovostopossess.TheyalsocompletetheprocessofturningKrakestrosintoadracolich.TheybringKrakestros’sphylacterytorestwithAuriovos’sandpositionanywoundedlivingdragonwithAthanaxustoguardthem.Withtwodracolichestoactasguards,thecultiststhenproceedintheireffortstocreatemorephylacteriesforthelivingdragons.

Area C: The Transformation Chamber (EL 14)WhenthePCsapproachthisarea,readorparaphrasethefollowing.ThetextbelowassumesKrakestrosheardthePCs’battlewithhissib-lingsandthatthePCsdidnotfleetorest.Ifconditionsarediffer-ent,modifytheread-aloudtextandtheencounterdetailstosuityourneeds.

WhenthePCsreachthetransformationroomitself,readorpara-phrasethefollowing.

Thisroughlycircularcavernhastwoexitsbesidesthepassagebywhichyouentered.Straightahead,adarkenedsetofstairsrisesupsomedistance.Anaturalcaveopenstothewest,andfromfardownthatpassagecomestheglowoftorches.


6

Creatures: (4) Three human10th-levelroguesandKrakestros.

Traps:None.Terrain:CavernFloor: DC10

Balancechecktochargeorrun.CavernCeiling: DC25Climb

checkandDCincreasesby+5ifsurfaceisslippery.

CavernWall:Hitpointsvarybasedonthickness(hardness8),ClimbDC20.

NotethatKrakestroscannot

burrowthroughthestoneofthecavernorthedungeons.

LightingConditions:Bright(torchesensconcedinthewalls).

Magic:SeeTreasure.DetectableAlignments:Faint

evil(humanrogues),moderateevil(Krakestros).

Secrets:None.Treasure:55,100gpplusthe

gearcarriedbythehumanrogues;seeTreasure.

Area C Summary


7

MakeSpotchecksforthePCsopposedbyHidechecksbyKrakestrosandthehumanrogues.Ifthedragonandhisalliesarenotspotted,theyattackwhenaPCmovescloseenoughforatleastoneofthemtochargeinthesurpriseround.Otherwise,theyattackwhenaPCspotsthem.

HumanRogues(3): ThesethreecultistsarefromAreaE.TheydrinktheirpotionsbeforeengagingthePCs.Whenthefightbegins,theyattempttoflankthePCssothattheycaninflictthemostdamage.Fanaticandcrazed,theyfighttothedeathtodelaythePCs.

Torepresentthehumanrogues,youcanusetheSlayerofDomielminiature(12/60)fromUnderdark oranyofanumberofroguish-lookingD&D miniatures.

Rogues CR 10Humanrogue10NEMediumhumanoidInit +9;Senses Listen+13,Spot+13LanguagesCommon,Halfling

AC21,touch14,flat-footed21;improveduncannydodgehp67(10HD)Resist improvedevasionFort +6,Ref +13,Will+4

Speed30ft.(6squares)Melee +1shortsword +14/+9(1d6+2/19–20)orMelee +1shortsword +12/+7(1d6+2/19–20)andMelee +1shortsword +12/+7(1d6+2/19–20)Ranged dagger+12(1d4+1/19–20)BaseAtk +7;Grp+8AtkOptions sneakattack+5d6CombatGear potionofdisplacement,potionofshieldoffaith+4

Abilities Str12,Dex20,Con14,Int13,Wis10,Cha8SQtrapsense+3,trapfindingFeats Improved Initiative, Improved Toughness, Two-WeaponFighting,WeaponFinesse,WeaponFocus(shortsword)SkillsBalance+20,DisableDevice+13,EscapeArtist+6,Hide+19,Jump+16,Knowledge(dungeoneering)+7,Listen+13,MoveSilently+18,Search+14,Spot+13,Survival+0(+2whenunder-groundandfollowingtracks),Tumble+20

Possessionscombatgearplus two+1shortswords,+2mithralchainshirt,amuletofnaturalarmor+1,cloakofresistance+1,glovesofdexterity+2

Krakestros: Krakestrosattackswithquietfury,flankingwiththerogueswhenpossible.Although adversetocatchingtheroguesinhisbreathweapon,Krakestrosdoesbreathonthemifanadvantageouslinehappenstoputtheminharm’sway,trust-ingintheirability tododgethelightning.TorepresentKrake-stros, youcanusetheLargeBlueDragonminiature(38/60)fromDeathknell.

Krakestros CR 11MaleyoungadultbluedragonLELargedragon(earth)Init +0;Senses blindsense60ft.,darkvision120ft.,keensenses;Listen+22,Spot+22Aura frightfulpresence(DC21,150-ft.radius)Languages Common,Draconic,Elven

AC 26,touch9,flat-footed26hp 189(18HD);DR 5/magicImmune electricity,paralysis,sleepSR 19Fort +15,Ref +11,Will +13

Speed 40ft.(8squares),burrow20ft.,fly150ft.(poor)Melee bite+23(2d6+6)andMelee 2claws+22(1d8+3)andMelee 2wings+21(1d6+3)andMelee tail+21(1d8+9)Space 10ft.;Reach 5ft.(bite10ft.)BaseAtk +18;Grp+28AtkOptions Cleave,PowerAttackSpecialActions breathweaponSorcererSpellsKnown(CL3rd):

1st(6/day)—alarm,bane (DC13),shield0(6/day)—dancinglights,detectmagic,ghostsound (DC12),mage



Abilities Str23,Dex10,Con19,Int14,Wis15,Cha14SQ soundimitation(DC21)FeatsAbilityFocus(breathweapon),Cleave,Fly-ByAttack,Multi-attack,PowerAttack,Stealthy,WeaponFocus(claw)Skills Bluff+18,Concentration+5,Diplomacy+16,Hide+17,Intim-idate+12,Knowledge(dungeoneering)+11,Listen+22,MoveSilently+13,Search+22,SenseMotive+12,Spellcraft+22,Spot+22


Treasure:Theivorychestisafalsechestanddoesnotopen.Inreal-ityitisaphylacteryworth55,000gpandintendedforKrakestros’suse.Ignoringitsmagicproperties,thephylacteryisworth2,000gp,andthesapphiresinsetinitareworthatotalof5,000gp.ItisaSmallobjectwithahardnessof7and250hp.Itweighs200pounds.

Theonlyotheritemofvalueintheroomisthetapestry,whichdepictsdragonsandwizardsinbattleandisworth100gp.Thepolesandleatherstrapswereusedtotransportthephylactery,andthetapestrywastobelaidoverKrakestrosasaceremonialrobeashemadethetransformation.

Thepassageyoutraveledtogetherecurvestotherightjustasitopensintoatorch-litchamberontheleft-handside.Thisroom,roughly50feetindiameter,holdsastrangearrayofitems.Atoparoughwoodentablesitsachestcarvedofivoryandbejeweledwithsapphires.Nearby,atapestry,whichappearstodepictdrag-onsandspellcasters,drapesoverseveralstalagmites.Twosix-footlongpolesleanagainstthefarwalloveraheapofleatherstrapsonthefloorbeneaththem.

Knowledge(arcana)DC30:APCwhosucceedsatthischeckcanidentifythejeweledfalsechestasaphylactery.Knowledge(arcana)DC35: APCwhosucceedsatthischecktothis degree canrecognize thatbecauseno light shines within

the phylactery no dragon’sspiritresideswithinit.Spot DC Varies: Krakestrosand the human rogues arehidingwhenthePCsenter.Asuccessful Spot check canreveal them depending ontheirHidecheckresults.

Area C Relevant Checks


8

Development:Krakestrosisonthecuspofbecomingadracolichanddoesnotwanttodie.Ifreducedto30hitpointsorfewer,hegrabsthephylacteryandfleestoAreaF,hopingtousethefoginthatchambertohidehimselfuntilhehasmorehelpfacingthePCs.

WhileKrakestrosandhisalliesbattlethePCs,theothercultistsfromAreaEcirclearoundthroughthestairwaypassagetodragoffthebodyofadragonthePCskilled(Auriovospreferably,butalsoBlitsenaxorDundrendon).ThecultistswanttotakeittoAuriovos’sphylacterysothathisspirithasanotherbodytopossess.IfthePCsavoidtheencounterdescribedabovebygoingupthestairsfromthefirstchamber,Krakestrosandtheroguesgotofetchthebodyinstead,andthePCsencounterthefightersandbarbariansinthehallastheynearthetopofthestairs.

Adragonbodyweighsroughly2,500pounds.Thismeansthatoneofthedragonscandragacorpseataspeedof5feetperround,twodragonscanmoveacorpseataspeedof30feetasaheavyload,andtwoofthecult’sbarbariansorfighterscandragthecorpseataspeedof5feet.Havingmultiplecultistsdraggingadragoncorpsedoesn’tincreasethespeed,buttwobarbariansorfightershelpingasingledragoncanmoveitataspeedof20feetasaheavyload.

IfthePartyRests:Ifthepartyrestsafterthisencounter,thecultistswilllikelygetsomedragon’sbodytoAuriovos’sphylactery,and Thavok will complete the [RTF bookmark start:}OLE_LINK5dracolich brew [RTF bookmark end:}OLE_LINK5necessarytotransformanotherlivingdragon.ThenthePCswillfacetwodracoliches.ShouldthePCshavepossessionoftheivoryphylacterywhenthedracolichbrewiscompleted,Thavok,hisapprenticeHurov,andanyremainingcultistsfromAreaEaccompanyoneofthelivingdragons,whotravelscloseenoughtothePCs(within90feet)tocompletethetransformation.SuchagroupthenattacksthePCs.

Area D: Krakestros’s Hoard (EL —)WhenthePCsapproachthisarea,readorparaphrasethefollowing.

ThetreasurecoveringthefloorisKrakestros’shoard.Fondofportablegoods,Krakestros’shoardhasrelativelyfewcoins.

Treasure: Krakestros’shoardcontains240gp,aringofjumping,anadamantinebattleaxe,ascrollofstinkingcloud, andascrollofwallofstone.

Area E: Cultist Camp (EL 14 or —)

ThetextbelowassumesthecultistsinthisareahavemovedofftofightthePCsormovethecorpseofadragon.Ifconditionsaredif-ferent,modifytheencounterdetailstosuityourneeds.

Fourdoorsopenintothesetwochambersconjoinedbyahallway.Theleft-handchamberonthemapservesassleepingquartersandkitchenforthecultists.Thecultistsusetheright-handchamberasameditationandworshiproom.Neitherroomhasmuchofvalue;thecultists are accustomed to traveling light in Undermountain.Bedrolls,prayerblankets,andfurniturescroungedfromaroundthedungeonsmakeupmostoftheobjectsintheroom.Theonlyotherfeaturesofnotearetwoincenseburnersintheright-handchamberandsomecookingutensilsintheleft-handroom.

Normally,thethreeroguesfromAreaCareherealongwithfourothercultists,twobarbarians,andtwofighters.YetifKrakestrosheardoneofcombatsthePCsengagedinbeforereachinghim,thecultistshavemovedoutasdescribedabove.Ifthebarbariansandfightersareencounteredtogether(perhapsastheydragadragon’scorpse toward Auriovos’s phylactery), they make an EL14encounter.TheirprimarygoalistodragthebodyofadragontoAuriovos’sphylactery,buttheyknowtheycan’tgetittherewhilebeingattackedbythePCs.AssoonasthePCsappear,theystopdrag-gingthecorpse,buttheydefenditwiththeirlives.

HumanFighters(2):Likethebarbarians,thesefighterswererecruitedintotheCultoftheDragonwithpromisesofgreatpowerwhenthedeaddragonsruletheworld,atimesuretocomesoonwiththeRageofDragonsinfullswing.SinceenteringUndermountain,thesefightersandtheirbarbariancompanionshavesurvivedmanyfellthreatsandnowrelyononeanotherandbelievefullyintheircause.Theyfighttothedeathsolongasadragon,Thavok,orLuciaisnear,buttheyotherwiseattempttofleetoAreaFifthingsgopoorly.TheydonotsurrenderbutinsteadfighttothedeathifhelpcannotbehadwithinthefogofAreaF.

Torepresentthehumanfighters,youcanusetheMercenarySergeantminiature(27/60)fromUnderdark oranynumberofsuit-ablefighter-lookingD&Dminiatures.

Fighters CR 10Humanfighter10NEMediumhumanoidInit +1;Senses Listen+5,Spot+5Languages Common

AC23,touch11,flat-footed22;Dodge,Mobilityhp109(10HD)

Thisroughpassagedeadendsinaplacewherethefloorisstrewnwithtreasure.

Creatures: None.Traps: None.Terrain:CavernFloor: DC

10Balancechecktochargeorrun.

Cavern Ceiling: DC 25ClimbcheckandDCincreasesby+5ifsurfaceisslippery.

Cavern Wall:Hit pointsvarybasedonthickness(hard-ness8),ClimbDC20.

LightingConditions: Darkness.Magic: SeeTreasure.DetectableAlignments: None.Secrets: None.Treasure: (7,250gp)Seebelow.

Area D Summary

Creatures: (4ornone)Two10th-levelhalf-orcbarbariansandtwo10th-levelhumanfighters.

Traps:None.Terrain:Normal.Lighting Conditions:Bright

(torchesensconcedinthewalls).

Magic:SeeTreasure.Detectable Alignments:

Faintevil(fightersandbar-barians).

Secrets:None.Treasure:About10gp;see

below.

Area E Summary


9

Fort +12,Ref +7,Will+7

Speed20ft.(4squares)Melee +1 bane against humans bastard sword +18/+13(1d10+8/17–20)orMelee +1baneagainsthumansbastardsword +20/+15(1d10+8plus2d6/17–20;againsthumans)BaseAtk+10;Grp+15AtkOptions PowerAttackCombatGear potionofcuremoderatewounds,potionofhaste

Abilities Str21,Dex13,Con18,Int8,Wis12,Cha8FeatsDodge,ExoticWeaponProficiency(bastardsword),GreaterWeaponFocus(bastardsword),ImprovedCritical(bastardsword),ImprovedToughness(seeCompleteWarrior),IronWill,LightningReflexes,Mobility,PowerAttack,WeaponFocus(bastardsword),WeaponSpecialization(bastardsword)SkillsClimb+5,Jump+3,Listen+5,Spot+5

Possessionscombatgearplus +1baneagainsthumansbastardsword(glowsasbrightasatorchwhenwielded),+1fullplate,+1heavysteelshield,cloakofresistance+1,gauntletsofogrepower

Half-OrcBarbarians(2): Usethestatisticsforthe10th-levelbar-barianprovidedonpage112oftheDungeonMaster’sGuide.Alter-natively,youcansimplyreplacethebarbarianswithtwomorehumanfighters.Torepresentthehalf-orcbarbarians,youcanuseHalf-OrcBarbar-ianminiatures(26/60)fromArchfiends,Half-OrcExecutionerminiatures(36/60)fromUnderdark,oranynumberofsuitablebar-barian-lookingD&Dminiatures.

Treasure: Thesmallincenseburnersontalltripodsareworth5gpeach.Currentlythey’refilledwithaslow-burningincensethatproduceslittlesmokeandapungentwoodyodor.

Area F: Fog of War (EL Varies)WhenthePCsapproachthisarea,readorparaphrasethefollowing.

Thischamberandseveralbeyondarefilledwithfog.Theseareasarecoveredwithpermanentguardsandwards spellsheightenedto9thleveltomakethemmoredifficulttodispelandtoincreasetheDCsoftheattachedeffects.ThesespellswereputinplacebyTrobriand,theMetalMage,whohashissecretschoolofmagicinroomstothenorth(seepage28ofCityofSplendors:Waterdeep formoredetails).Thespellsaremeantmerelytodiscourageandconfuseanythingcomingfromthesouthtowardhiscomplex.Moreformidablespells

andguardianswarddoorwaysandchambersclosertowhereheandhisstudentsdotheirwork.

Thespellscausealldoorswithinorabuttingtheirareatobearcanelocked, andthefogreducesvisibilityto5feet.Inaddition,stinkingcloudspells(DC25Fortitudesave)blankettheareasnotedonthemap,severaldoorsare“lostdoors”aspertheguardsandwards spell(DC25Willsave),andafewsquaresarecoveredwithasuggestionspell(DC25Willsave)thatsuggeststhatthecreaturefleewhenceitcameasfastaspossiblefor2hoursandnotreturn(thedurationofthesuggestion effectis18hours).Thedragonsandcultistsareawareoftheseeffectsandtheirlocations.

Development:Ifanyofthedragonsfledhere,theyattackthePCsoncethepartyentersthechamber.UsingblindsensetoknowwherethePCsarefromadistance,thedragonsbreathelightningandflythroughthefog,hopingtobombardthePCswhilestayingoutofsightandreach.Ifpossible,thedragonstrytolurePCsintothestinkingcloudandsuggestion areasbyusingtheirbreathweaponsfrombeyondthem.

Area G: Guardroom (EL 13)ThedoorintothischamberfromAreaFislockedviaarcanelock.Acultistwizard named Lucia guardsthisarea.TheloverofThavok,shepossessesawandofknock toopenthedoorforcultistsanddragonswhosaythepassphrase,“InthenameofSammaster.”Tohelpherguardthispassage,Thavokhasalsoprovided LuciawithastonegolemandtheaidofThavok’sapprentice,Hurov,a5th-levelwizard.

WhetherthePCsknockdownthedoorortricktheirwayin,thestonegolemattemptstoblocktheirpassageandattacksanyoneLuciaindicates.Fromsafetybehindthestonegolem,Luciahurlsarea-affectingspellswithoutfearofdamagingthegolem.HurovaidsherifthePCsdidnothaveafightinAreaF.OtherwisethenoiseofthebattleinthefoggyroomspurredHurovtorunofftowarnThavokoftroublebrewing(aprocessthattakes7roundsasHurovrunsthroughthehalls,leavingthedoorsopenbehindhim).

Lucia: Usethestatisticsforthe10th-levelwizardprovidedonpage125oftheDungeonMaster’sGuide.Inadditiontotheequip-

Animpenetrablefogfillsthischamberandpreventsyoufromseeingmorethanafewfeetaheadofyourselves.Despitethehushofthecoolfog,yougetthesensethattheroomisimmense.

Creatures: Varies.Traps:None.Terrain:Normal.LightingConditions:Dark-

nessandthickfog.Magic:Moderateabjuration

(guardsandwards),moderateuniversal(permanency).

Detectable Alignments:Varies.

Secrets:None.Treasure:None.

Area F SummaryCreatures: (3or2) A stonegolem,a10th-level elf wizard(Lucia),anda6th-levelhumannecromancer(Hurov).Traps:None.Terrain:Normal.Lighting Conditions: Bright

(torches ensconced in thewalls).Magic:SeeTreasure.DetectableAlignments:Faintevil(wizards).Secrets:None.Treasure:Seebelow.

Area G Summary

ListenDCVaries:Ifanydrag-onsflapthroughthefog,asuccessful Listen check can

revealtheirdirectiondepend-ingontheirMoveSilentlycheckresults.

Area F Relevant Checks


10

mentlistedthere,Luciacarriesawandofknock with32chargesremaining.

TorepresentLucia,youcanusetheEvermeetWizardminiature(15/60)fromArchfiends.Alternatively,youcanuseanyofanumberoffemalespellcasterD&Dminiatures.

Hurov: Usethestatisticsforthetypicalcultwizardprovidedonpage272oftheFORGOTTEN REALMS® CampaignSetting.Alterna-tively,youcanusethestatisticspresentedonthecardforthe[RTFbookmarkstart:}OLE_LINK4CultistoftheDragon[RTFbook-markend:}OLE_LINK4miniature(48/60)fromArchfiends.(Althoughthatspellcasterisonly4thlevel,Hurovisnotexpectedtobeamajorfactorintheencounterevenat6thlevel.)

TorepresentHurov,youcanusetheCultistoftheDragonoranyofanumberofmalearcanespellcasterD&Dminiatures.

StoneGolem: UsethestatisticsfortheStoneGolem(4/72)fromtheGiantsofLegendminiaturesset.Ifyoudon’thavethatminia-ture,usethestatisticsfromtheMonsterManual.

Treasure: Theonly treasureinthearea iswhatLuciaandHurovcarry.

Development: Luciafightstothedeath,determinednottofailherlover.Hurov,ontheotherhand,istheleastcommittedtotheCultoftheDragoncause,andhefleestowarnThavokifthingslookbad.Ifcaptured,HuroviswillingtotellthePCsabouteverything,butonlyifhecanbeabsolutelycertaintheywon’tharmhimandwillhelphimoutofUndermountain.

IfthePartyRests: Ifthepartyretreatsandfindsaplacetorest,ThavokfinishesthedracolichbrewheisworkingonandgivesittoAthanaxus.If the ivoryphylacteryisavailable tohim,this trans-formsher intoadracolich. Ifit isn’tavailable, this killsher, andAuriovos’sspiritcanpossessherbodytoriseasadracolich.Oncehehasadracolichally,ThavoktakesthecreaturesfromAreaI,thedra-colich,andseeksthePCs,hopingtodestroythemonceandforall.

Area H: Thavok’s Den (EL 15)ThavokDrusuvioushastakenthisdistantchamberashisroomtoprovidehimselfandLuciaprivacyandtogivehimsomepeacewhileheworksonthedracolichbrew.Whentheadventurebegins,thedracolichbrewrequiresanother10hoursofThavok’sworkuntilitiscomplete,andThavokhasbenthiswilltothistaskanddemandedthathenotbedisturbed.Sinceheissofarawayfromareasofcombatandisalsodistractedbyhiswork(–5toListenchecks),itisunlikelythatThavokknowsaboutthePCs’intrusionunlesssomeonecomestowarnhim.HereceivessuchawarningifthePCsretreattorestorifHurovescapesthebattleinAreaG.IfwarnedthatthePCsarenear,hecastsspellsonhimselfinpreparationforbattle.Other-wise,Thavokcompletesthedracolichbrew andgivesittooneofthe

livingdragonsbeforeseekingoutthePCs.Ifhe’snotwarned,ThavokmightbecaughtbysurprisebycannyPCs.

Thavok’sdenisascomfortableashecanmanagetomakeit.Tat-tered tapestrieshang from iron spikesdriven into thewalls, rugscoverthefloortosoakupthedamp,andhehasevenhadhismensetupahammockinonecornersothatheandLuciacansleepwithoutlyingonthecoldstone.Continualflame spellscastonsomeoftheiron spikesbrightentheroombutaddnowarmth. Inasmall sideroom to thenorth,Thavokhas setuphisworkshop,cloistering itfromtherestoftheroomthroughtheuseofsomemoretapestriesraidedfromthedungeonascurtains.Onthesetables,hehasspreadouthisspellbookandthematerialsnecessarytomakedracolichbrew.

WhenthePCsapproachtheareaindicatedonthemap,readorparaphrasethefollowing.

IfThavokisinthechamberandunawareofthePCs’approach,readorparaphrasethefollowing.

ThavokDrusuvious: Unlessalertedtoathreat,Thavokremainscon-centratedonthetaskofcreatingthedracolichbrew.Ifsurprised,heusesawallofforce spelltosecludehimselfsothathecanpreparehimselfforbattle.Ifhecanpreparewithoutusingthistactic,heuseswallofforce toseparateoneormorePCsfromhiminbattle.Thavokmakeswiseuseofhisspells,castingquickenedspellstofinishofffoeswhoseemclosetodeathorusingthemtomaintaintheoffensiveonroundswhenheneedstocastadefensivespell.Hecastssummonmon-sterVIIIearlyinthefight,andheevenusesvampirictouch onitifitseemsmorehelpfultohavehitpointsthananallyinthefight.

Thavokisawanandgreasymanwithaslighthunchinhisshoul-ders.HewearsthepurplerobesthatarethesignofauthorityintheCultoftheDragon.Incombatheisboastfulanddramatic.Forexample,whenhedrinkshispotionshetossestheliquidintohismouthandhurlsthepotionbottleawaytoshatteragainstthewall.

TorepresenttheThavok,youcanusetheGrimNecromancerminiature(36/60)fromDeathknell oranyofanumberofevilspell-casterD&Dminiatures.

Thavok Drusuvious CR 15Humannecromancer15NEMediumhumanoidInit +1;Senses Listen+3,Spot+3Languages Chondathan, Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven,Illuskan,Undercommon

AC15,touch15,flat-footed13hp114(15HD);regenerates1pointofdamage/hourFort +13,Ref +11,Will+13

Speed30ft.(6squares)Melee mwkdagger+9/+4(1d4+1/19–20)orMelee touch+8(spell)Ranged mwkdagger+10(1d4+1)orRanged touch+9(spell)BaseAtk +7;Grp+8SpecialActions SuddenSilentSpell,SuddenStillSpell

Behindthosetapestriesyouseethedirtyfringeofsomeone’spurplerobesbrushingonthefloorasthepersonmoves.Amomentlater,youhearwhatsoundslikeabsent-mindedmumbling.

Thisroom’swallsbeartatteredtapestriesattachedwithironspikes.Eachironspikeglowswithawhiteflamethatdoesn’tseemtoburnthefabricofthetapestries.Molderingrugscoverthefloor,andahammockmadeofropeandbigenoughtoholdtwopeoplehangsinonecorner.Atthefarendoftheroom,twolargetapestriesdrapeacrossanopeninginthewallandcreateanother,smallerchamber.

Creatures: (1) A 15th-levelnecromancer.

Traps:None.Terrain:Normal.LightingConditions:Bright

(continualflame spellsontheironspikesinthewall).

Magic: Faint evocation(continualflame spells)andtreasure(seeTreasure).

DetectableAlignments:Mod-erateevil(ThavokDrusuvious).

Secrets:None.Treasure:Seebelow.

Area H Summary


11

CombatGear potionofbarkskin+3,potionofdisplacementSpellsPrepared (CL15th;prohibitedschools:enchantment,illusion):

8th—horridwilting (DC26,+2d6damageagainsthumansandelves),summonmonsterVIII

7th—fingerofdeath [RTFbookmarkstart:}OLE_LINK14(2)(DC25[RTFbookmarkstart:}OLE_LINK13,+2d6damageagainst humans[RTF bookmark end: }OLE_LINK13 andelves)[RTFbookmarkend:}OLE_LINK14,quickened lightningbolt (DC19,+2d6damageagainsthumansandelves)

6th—disintegrate (+9rangedtouch,DC22,+2d6damageagainsthumansandelves),maximized fireball (DC19,+2d6damageagainsthumansandelves),greaterdispelmagic,repulsion (DC22),maximized vampirictouch (+8meleetouch;+2d6damageagainsthumansandelves)

5th—coneofcold (2)(DC21,+2d6damageagainsthumansandelves),quickened magicmissile (2)(5missiles,+2d6damageagainsthumansandelves),wallofforce,wavesoffatigue

4th—enervation (2)(+9rangedtouch),fireshield (+2d6damageagainsthumansandelves),lesserglobeofinvulnerability,maximizedrayofenfeeblement(+9rangedtouch),stoneskin

3rd—fireball(DC19,+2d6damageagainsthumansandelves),lightningbolt (DC19,+2d6damageagainsthumansandelves),slow(DC19),stinkingcloud (DC19),vampirictouch(2)(+8meleetouch;+2d6damageagainsthumansandelves)

2nd—blindness/deafness (2)(DC20),cat’sgrace,falselife,glit-terdust (DC18),knock(2)

1st—grease,magearmor,magicmissile (2)(5missiles,+2d6damageagainsthumansandelves),protectionfromgood,rayofenfeeblement (+9rangedtouch),shield

0—detectmagic,rayoffrost (2)(+9rangedtouch,+2d6humansand elves), touch of fatigue [RTF bookmark start:}OLE_LINK16(2[RTFbookmarkend:}OLE_LINK16)[RTFbookmarkstart:}OLE_LINK15(+8meleetouch;[RTFbookmarkend:}OLE_LINK15DC18)

Abilities Str12,Dex14,Con18,Int22,Wis10,Cha13FeatsBaneMagic(elves)*,BaneMagic(humans)*,CraftWondrousItem,GreaterSpellFocus(necromancy),ImprovedToughness**,MaximizeSpell,QuickenSpell,ScribeScroll,SpellFocus(necro-mancy),SuddenSilentSpell***,SuddenStillSpell**** HeroesofHorror**CompleteAdventurer***CompleteArcaneSkillsBluff+6,Concentration+22,Diplomacy+10,Disguise+1(+3acting),Intimidate+8,Knowledge(arcana)+18,Knowledge(dun-geoneering)+11,Knowledge(geography)+13,Knowledge(history)+11,Knowledge(religion)+15,Knowledge(theplanes)+15,Listen+3,SenseMotive+6,Spellcraft+25(+27necromancy),Spot+3,Sur-vival+0(+2onotherplanes,+2underground)

Possessionscombatgearplusmasterworkdagger, ringofprotection+2,cloakofresistance+4,ringofmindshielding,pinkrhomboidiounstone,scarletandbluesphereiounstone,pearlywhitespindleiounstoneSpellbook spellspreparedplus0—acidsplash,arcanemark,dancinglights, detect poison, disruptundead, light, mending, message,open/close,prestidigitation,readmagic,resistance; 1st—alarm,com-prehendlanguages,identify,shockinggrasp,Tenser’sfloatingdisc;2nd—arcanelock,continualflame,flamingsphere,fox’scunning,gustofwind,ropetrick;3rd—arcanesight,daylight,dispelmagic,Leomund’stinyhut,tongues,windwall;4th—dimensiondoor,icestorm,Otiluke’sresilientsphere,shout,wallofice; 5th—lesserplanarbinding,sending,telekinesis; 6th—chainlightning,fleshtostone,symbolofpersuasion; 7th—controlundead,delayedblastfireball,powerwordblind; 8th—dimensionallock,polarray,symbolofdeath.

Treasure: InadditiontoThavok’sequipment,theroomcontainsasmallchestcontaining550gp(thecell’spaybox)andthedracol-ichbrew, whichifcompleteisworth5,000gp.Dracolichbrew isan

ingestedpoisonthatdeals2d6pointsofConstitutiondamageoneachfailedsave.Itautomaticallyslaysthedragonforwhichitispre-pared.Atthebeginningoftheadventure,ThavokispreparingitforKrakestros.ShouldKrakestrosbekilledbeforethedracolichbrew iscomplete,heinsteadpreparesitforAthanaxus.

Development: Thavokfightstothedeath,butifhebelievesthatothermembersofhiscultcellarealive,hemakesanefforttomovetowardthemashefightsthePCs.IfheandLuciaareslain,thisCultoftheDragoncelldisintegrateswithoutitsleadership.Thedragonsbullythecultistsforawhile,buttheyeventuallytireofitandattackthem.Thisbattlecausesthedragonsandcultiststoseparate,bothofthemwanderingoffintotheUndermountaintounknownfates.IfLuciasomehowsurvivesThavok,thePCshaveearnedaneternalenemy.LuciawilldoallinherpowertothwartthePCswithoutdirectlyconfrontingthemuntilshethinksshehasamassedenoughpower(anddracoliches)todoawaywiththempermanently.

IfthePartyRests: IfthepartyrestsafterfightingThavokinhislair,verylittlechanges.AnylivingfoesinAreasIandJremainhun-kereddownunlesssomeonecomesandalertsthemtothethreat.

Area I: The Caves (EL 14)ThetextbelowassumesthePCsdidnotretreattorestaftertheirencounterinAreaG.Ifconditionsaredifferent,modifytheread-aloudtextandtheencounterdetailstosuityourneeds.

IntheirmanyyearsofwanderingUndermountain,thebluedragonsiblingsneveroncesuccumbedtothetemptationofincest.Evenso,eachmadeafewattemptsatmating.Inmostcases,thisoccurredwithadragonlikecreaturethegroupencountered.Suchcouplingsrarelyresultedinlivingoffspring,andthedragonsnevertookthehalf-childrenwiththemastheytraveledoncetheygrewlargeenoughtotakecareofthemselves.OnlyAthanaxustookmuchinterestinthosetowhomshegavebirth,andshewouldoftensplitofffromtheotherstoseekoutheroffspringifshespottedsignsoftheirpassagethroughthetunnels.

WhenThavoklearnedofthesehalf-dragonorphans,heencour-agedthebluedragonsiblingstomakepeaceablecontactwiththemsothattheymightaidtheCultoftheDragoncause.NoneofthedragonsareparticularlyinterestedintheCults’goalsbeyondhowitcanbenefitthem,butAthanaxusdelightedatthethoughtofbring-ingherchildrenandniecesandnephewstogether.Hereffortsgatheredthreeofthesecreatures:TwoareherownchildrenandoneisthechildofAuriovos.

Creatures: (3) A half-blue-dragoneight-headedpyrohydra,ahalf-blue-dragon darknaga,andahalf-blue-dragonyrthak

Traps:None.Terrain:CavernFloor: DC10

Balancechecktochargeorrun.Cavern Ceiling: DC 25

ClimbcheckandDCincreasesby+5ifsurfaceisslippery.

Cavern Wall: Hit points

varybasedonthickness(hard-ness8),ClimbDC20.

LightingConditions:Darkness.Magic:SeeTreasure.DetectableAlignments:Faint

evil (half-blue-dragon eight-headedpyrohydraandhalf-blue-dragondarknaga),moderateevil(half-blue-dragonyrthak)

Secrets:None.Treasure:17,000gp;seebelow.

Area I Summary

Thethreehalf-dragonsliveinthesecaves,eachclaimingonespurofthecavernsasitsown.Theyshareanuneasytrucewitheachotherandobeythedragonsonlysolongasfoodismadereadilyavailable.ThethreesharethetaskofguardingAthanaxus’slairfromintrusionbyanybutthebluedragonsorthecultists,whomtheyhavelearnedtorecognizebysightandvoice.[RTFbookmarkstart:}OLE_LINK11 WhenthePCsapproachthe area indicated on the map, read or paraphrase thefollowing.[RTFbookmarkend:}OLE_LINK11

Thehalf-dragonsareawakeandalertafterhavingheardthecom-motionofbattleinthehallstothenorth.WhenthePCsmovedownanyoftheirtunnelsorapproachthedoortoAthanaxus’slair,twoofthemattack.Theyopencombatwiththeirbreathweapons,hopingtotakedownthePCsinonefellswoop.Thehalf-blue-dragondarknagastaysoutofthefightforthefirst2roundstocastshieldand displacement.

Half-Blue-DragonEight-HeadedPyrohydra: Thispurplish-bluemonstrosityboundsoutofitscavetounleashitslightningattack.Onthefollowinground,itbreathesfireandattemptstocatchasmanyofthepartymembersaspossible.Leastintelligentofthehalf-dragons,ittriesnottohititsallieswithitsfierybreath,butsome-timesitfailstoproperlyjudgetheirdistance.Torepresentthehalf-blue-dragoneight-headedpyrohydra,youcanusethe[RTFbookmarkstart:}OLE_LINK17Behirminiature(66/72)fromGiantsofLegend.[RTFbookmarkend:}OLE_LINK17

Half-Blue-Dragon Eight-Headed Pyrohydra CR 11MalebluedragonLEHugedragon(earth)(augmentedmagicalbeast)Init +1;Senses darkvision60ft.,low-lightvision,scent;Listen+13,Spot+13Languages Draconic

AC22,touch9,flat-footed21hp103(8HD);fasthealing18Immune electricity,fire,paralysis,sleepFort +12,Ref +7,Will+4

Speed20ft.(4squares),swim20ft.,fly40ft.(average)Melee 8bites+15(2d6+8)andMelee 2claws+9(1d8+4)Space 15ft.;Reach 10ft.BaseAtk +8;Grp+24AtkOptions CombatReflexesSpecialActionsbreathweapons

Abilities Str27,Dex12,Con22,Int4,Wis10,Cha11FeatsCombatReflexes[B],IronWill,Toughness,WeaponFocus(bite)SkillsListen+13,Spot+13,Swim+27

BreathWeapon(Su)60-ft.line,onceeveryday,6d8electricity,ReflexDC20halfBreathWeapon(Su)10ft.high,10ft.wide,20ft.long,allheadsonceevery1d4rounds,3d6fireperhead,ReflexDC20half

Half-Blue-DragonYrthak: Thecloseconfinesofthecavernforce

thisblue-greencreaturetowalkasitbattlesfoes,aprospectitdetestsbutsufferstoappeaseitsmother,Athanaxus.Itusesitssoniclanceasoftenaspossibleagainstfoes.Torepresentthehalf-blue-dragonyrthak,youcanusetheBehirminiature(66/72)fromGiantsofLegend.

Half-Blue-Dragon Yrthak CR 11LEHugebluedragon(earth)(augmentedmagicalbeast)Init +2;Senses blindsight120ft.;Listen+20,Spot+1Languages Draconic

AC22,touch10,flat-footed20hp126(12HD)Immune electricity,gazeattacks,illusions,paralysis,sleep,visualeffectsFort +12,Ref +10,Will+5Weakness sonic

Speed20ft.(4squares),fly60ft.(average);FlybyAttackMelee bite+19(2d8+9)andMelee 2claws+7(1d8+4)Rangedsoniclance+12rangedtouch(6d6sonic)Space 15ft.;Reach 10ft.BaseAtk +12;Grp+29AtkOptions SnatchSpecialActionsbreathweapon,explosion

Abilities Str28,Dex14,Con19,Int9,Wis13,Cha13FeatsEndurance,FlybyAttack,ImprovedInitiative,Multiattack,SnatchSkillsHide+1,Listen+20,MoveSilently+17,SenseMotive+8,Tumble+9

BreathWeapon(Su)60-ft.line,onceeveryday,6d8electricity,ReflexDC20halfExplosion(Su)60-ft.range,10-ft.radius,onceevery2rounds(countsasuseofsoniclance),2d6piercingSonicLance(Su)60-ft.ray,onceevery2rounds,6d6sonic

Half-Blue-DragonDarkNaga: Themostintelligentbyfarofthehalf-dragons,thiscreatureisthedaughterofAuriovos.ShehasnoparticularloyaltytotheCultortothedragons,butwhenAthanaxusapproachedherwithanallianceproposal,shedecidedtoentertaintheidea.Torepresentthehalf-blue-dragondarknaga,youcanusetheDarkNagaminiature(33/60)fromUnderdark ortheBrightNagaminiature(45/60)fromDragoneye.

Half-Blue-Dragon Dark Naga CR 10LELargebluedragon(earth)(augmentedaberration)Init +2;Senses darkvision60ft.;Listen+16,Spot+16LanguagesCommon,Draconic,Elven

AC18,touch11,flat-footed16;Dodgehp76(9HD)Immune electricity,mind-reading,paralysis,poison,sleepFort +6,Ref +7,Will+8;+2againstcharm effects

Speed40ft.(8squares),fly80ft.(average)Meleesting+11(2d4+6pluspoison)andMelee bite+6(1d8+3)andMelee 2claws+6(1d6+3)

Thenarrowpassageyouhavebeenmovingthroughopensintoalargercavernthatbranchesoffinafewdirections.Aroundthecornerofonepassage,youseewhatappearstobetheedgeofadoorsetinthestone.


12


13

Space 10ft.;Reach 5ft.BaseAtk+6;Grp +16AtkOptions poison(DC17,2d4minutesofsleep,initialonly)SpecialActionsbreathweapon,poison,spellsSorcererSpellsKnown (CL7th):

3rd(5/day)—displacement,lightningbolt (DC17)2nd(7/day)—cat’sgrace,invisibility,scorchingray (+8ranged

touch)1st(7/day)—expeditiousretreat,magicmissile,rayofenfeeble-

ment (+8rangedtouch),shield,silentimage (DC15)0 (6/day)—daze (DC 14), detectmagic, light,mage hand,

open/close,rayoffrost (+8rangedtouch),readmagic

Abilities Str22,Dex15,Con16,Int18,Wis15,Cha19SQdetectthoughtsFeatsAlertness,CombatCasting,Dodge,EschewMaterials[B],LightningReflexesSkillsBluff+16,Concentration+15,Diplomacy+18,Hide+4,Intim-idate+18,Knowledge(dungeoneering)+10,Listen+16,SenseMotive+14,Spellcraft+16,Spot+16

BreathWeapon(Su)60-ft.line,onceeveryday,6d8electricity,ReflexDC17halfDetectThoughts(Su)continuousasdetectthoughts spell,CL15th,WillDC16negates

Treasure: Thethreehalfdragonseachhaveaseparatehoardworthabout5,600gp.Intotal,thehoardscontain3,645gp,5,000sp,5500cp,ajavelinoflightning,+1mithralshirt,ringoffeatherfalling,ropeofclimbing,silverravenfigurineofwondrouspower,and scrolloftreestride.

Development: Frustratedthatthehumansseemtoberunningthingsandthatshehasbeenrelegatedtoguardduty,thehalf-blue-dragondarknagacastsinvisibilityandfleesifreducedtohalfherhitpoints.Thehalf-blue-dragoneight-headedpyrohydraandhalf-blue-dragonyrthak,ontheotherhand,areAthanaxus’schildren,andtheyfleetoherlairifreducedto20hitpointsorfewer.

IfthePartyRests: Ifthepartyretreatstosomesafeplaceforrestaftercomingthisfar,anysurvivingcultistsdeliverthenewsofthedeathofhersiblingstoAthanaxus,andcarryingtheAuriovos’sphy-lacterywiththem,theyseekafinalbattlewiththePCs.IfnooneisaroundtoinformAthanaxusofthefateofhersisterandbrothersandtherestoftheCult,shewaitsforseveralhoursbeforecallingoutto her children. When she receivesno answer,she retrieves Auri-ovos’sphylacteryandinvestigates.IfthePCshavenotreturnedbythen,Athanaxusputsthoughtsofrevengeoutsofhermindandflees.

Area J: Athanaxus’s Lair (EL 11 to 15)ThischamberservesasAthanaxus’slair.SheneverstraysfarfromitbecauseThavoktoldherthatifAuriovosshoulddie,thephylac-terywillmakeheradracolichsolongassheremainsclose.Astheleastfavoredofthefivedragons,hertransformationtodracolich-domwillcomelast,andshe’seagertotakeadvantageofAuriovos’sdeath.OfcourseThavokdidn’ttellAthanaxusthatsheneedstobedeadfirst,orthatshouldAuriovosbekilledandturnherbodyintoadracolich,hersoulwillnotbeincontrol.Forherpart,AthanaxusispleasedtoremainnearherchildrenandawaitAuriovos’sdeathorherturn.

ThechamberAthanaxususesasalairisthemostelaboratelydec-oratedoftheroomsinthispartofUndermountain.Onceaholy

placededicatedtoLolth,itswallsbearintricatewebcarvingsandspiderdesigns.AthanaxusremainsinthisroomatopherpileoftreasureandattacksanyPCswhoenter.

WhenthePCsapproachtheareaindicatedonthemap,readorparaphrasethefollowing.

PermanentDesecrate: A desecratespellaffectsthisroom,thehallleadingtoAreaK,andAreaK.BecauseanaltartoLolthstandsinthecenterofAreaK,thespellcausesa–6penaltyonturningchecks,andtheareagrantsundeada+2profanebonusonattackrolls,plusitgivesthem+2HitDiceand+2hitpointsperHitDie.RememberthiswhenAuriovos’sspiritanimatesadragon’sbodyasaproto-dracolich.

Proto-Dracolich: IfanycreatureofthedragontypedieswithintheroomthatconstitutesAthanaxus’slair,AreaK,orthehallwayleadinguptoAreaK,Auriovos’sspiritcanpossessit.Ifpossessed,thebodyrisesasaproto-dracolichonthefollowinground.Ifitisdestroyed,Auriovos’sspiritreturnstohisphylacteryandisthuscapableofpossessingthebodyofanothercreatureofthedragontype.Iftheproto-dracolichisnotdestroyed,itturnsintoAuriovos,whollyinbodyandmind,in2d4days.

Usethetemplateintheappendixtodeterminethestatisticsoftheproto-dracolich.

Athanaxus:Athanaxusattacksinafury,butsherefusestoleavethechamberunlessitistomoveclosertothephylactery.Ifoneofherchildrenturnsintoadracolich,Athanaxusdoesnothingbutdefendherselfforaroundwhilesheconsiderstheevent.Ifanychar-actermovespasthertowardthephylactery,Athanaxusfollows,butshewaitsforthesymbolofdeathinAreaKtodoitsworkbeforeenteringthatchamber.

TorepresentAthanaxus,youcanusetheLargeBlueDragonminiature(38/60)fromDeathknell.

Athanaxus CR 11FemaleyoungadultbluedragonLELargedragon(earth)Init +0;Senses blindsense60ft.,darkvision120ft.,keensenses;Listen+22,Spot+22Aura frightfulpresence(DC21,150-ft.radius)Languages Common,Draconic,Elven

AC 26,touch9,flat-footed26hp 189(18HD);DR 5/magicImmune electricity,paralysis,sleep

Spidersandwebsofcarvedstoneclingtothewallsandceilingofthischamberinanartfularrangement.Marringthisgrandeurareafewcracksandholesinthebas-relief.Atopapileofcoinsthatspillsouttotheedgesoftheroomstandsalargebluedragon.Thegrandeurofthiscreatureismarredonlybytheuglyscaronthestumpofitstail.

Creatures: (1ormore)Athanaxusandperhapsoneormoreproto-dracoliches

Traps:None.Terrain:Normal.LightingConditions:Darkness.Magic:Faint necromancy

(desecrate),moderateuniversal

(permanency),andseeTreasure.DetectableAlignments:Faint

evil(desecrate),moderateevil(Athanaxus).

Secrets:None.Treasure: (7,250 gp) See

below.

Area J Summary


14

SR 19Fort +15,Ref +11,Will +13Speed 40ft.(8squares),burrow20ft.,fly150ft.(poor)

Melee bite+23(3d6+6)andMelee 2claws+22(2d6+3)andMelee 2wings+21(1d8+3)andMelee tail+21(1d8+9)Space 10ft.;Reach 5ft.(bite10ft.)BaseAtk +18;Grp+28AtkOptions PowerAttackSpecialActions breathweaponSorcererSpellsKnown(CL3rd):

1st(6/day)—alarm,bane (DC13),shield0(6/day)—dancinglights,detectmagic,ghostsound (DC12),mage



Abilities Str23,Dex10,Con19,Int14,Wis15,Cha14SQ soundimitation(DC21)Feats AbilityFocus(breathweapon),ImprovedNaturalAttack(bite),ImprovedNaturalAttack(claw),ImprovedNaturalAttack(wing),Multiattack,PowerAttack,WeaponFocus(claw)Skills Bluff+22,Concentration+13,Diplomacy+15,Hide+5,Intimidate+16,Knowledge(dungeoneering)+11,Listen+22,Search+22,SenseMotive+22,Spellcraft+22,Spot+22

BreathWeapon(Su) 80-ft.line,onceevery1d4rounds,10d8elec-tricity,ReflexDC25half

Treasure: Athanaxusstandsatopapileoftreasuremadeupwhollyofcoins:100pp,3,000gp,30,000sp,and25,000cp.

Development: ThePCsaren’tlikelytoendthisencounteruntilsomeonedestroysthephylacteryinAreaK.Ofcourse,doingsopres-entsitsownthreat(seeAreaKfordetails).

IfthePartyRests: IfthepartyretreatstosomesafeplaceforrestwithoutdestroyingAuriovos’sphylactery,adracolichcanlikelyarisetofacethePCsagain.Ifanyofthecultistsorotherdragonsarealive,theyandthedracolichseekoutthePCs.

Area K: Auriovo’s Phylactery (EL 8)Auriovos’sphylacteryrestsinthechamberatopanaltartoLolththatstandsinthecenteroftheroom.Theroomisdecoratedsimi-larlytoAreaJ.

WhenthePCsapproachtheareaindicatedonthemap,readorparaphrasethefollowing.ThetextassumesthatAuriovoshasbeendestroyedandthataPCiswithin30feet.Ifthisisnotthecase,changethedescriptionasnecessary.

SymbolofDeath:Thavokhasplacedasymbolofdeath uponthesideofthephylacteryfacingthehall.Itissettotriggerifanynondragonandnoncultistwithin30feetlooksatit (whichcanhappen inthehallleadinguptothephylactery). TheFortitudesavetonegatetheeffecthasaDCof29.ThesymbolisconsideredaCR8trap.

PermanentDesecrate: A desecratespellaffectsthisroom,thehallleadingtoAreaJ,andAreaJ.BecauseanaltartoLolthstandsinthecenterofthisroom,thespellcausesa–6penaltyonturningchecks,andtheareagrantsundeada+2profanebonusonattacks,plustheygain+2HitDiceand+2hitpointsperHitDie.RememberthiswhenAuriovos’sspiritanimatesadragon’sbodyasaproto-dracolich.

Proto-Dracolich: IfanycreatureofthedragontypedieswithintheroomthatconstitutesAthanaxus’slair,AreaK,orthehallwayleadinguptoAreaK,Auriovos’sspiritcanpossessit.Ifpossessed,thebodyrisesasaproto-dracolichonthefollowinground.Ifitisdestroyed,Auriovos’sspiritreturnstohisphylacteryandisthuscapableofpossessingthebodyofanothercreatureofthedragontype.Iftheproto-dracolichisnotdestroyed,itturnsintoAuriovos,whollyinbodyandmind,in2d4days.

Usethetemplateintheappendixtodeterminethestatisticsoftheproto-dracolich.

Treasure:Theobsidiancofferisafalsechestanddoesnotopen.InrealityitisAuriovos’sphylacteryandisworth55,000gp.Ignor-ingitsmagicproperties,thephylacteryisworth2,000gp,andtheonyxgemsinsetinitareworthatotalof5,000gp.ItisaSmallobjectwithahardnessof8and400hp.Itweighs100pounds.

Appendix: Proto-Dracolich CreatureAproto-dracolichresultswhenadracolichiskilledanditsspiritpos-sessesthedeadbodyofareptiliancreatureorcreatureofthedragontype.ThedeadbodymustbelargelyintactandofMediumorlargersize;mostimportantly,itmustretainitshead.Thedracolich’sorig-inalbodyisidealbecausethedracolichcanpossessitautomatically.Withanyotherbody,thedracolichmustmakeaCharismacheck(DC10foratruedragon,DC15foranyothercreatureofthedragontype,DC20foranyotherkindofreptiliancreaturesuchasagiantsnakeorlizardfolk).Ifthecheckfails,thedracolichcanneverpossessthatbody.Ifthebodyisthatoftheoriginaldracolich,itariseswithallitsoriginalpowers.Ifitisanewbody,itbecomesaproto-dracolich.

Aproto-dracolichretainstheformofthehostbodyfor2d4dayswhileitacclimatesitselftothebody.Whileinproto-dracolichform,itretainsthememoriesandpersonalityoftheoriginaldracolich,butitderivesitsabilitiesfromthebodyitinhabits.Attheendoftheacclimationperiod,thebodytransformsinaburstofdarkpower,whollybecomingtheoriginalundeadbodyofthedracolichthatpos-sessedthedeaddragon,grantingallthenormaldracolichpowersandtraits.

Spidersandwebsofcarvedstonecontinuethroughthehallandintothechamberahead.Withinthatroomyouseeawidealtarofblackstone,andatopitrestsacoffermadeofobsidian.Younoteadarkredglowwithinthatpulsesslowlyjustbeforeaglow-ingyellowsymbolflashesintobeingonitsside!

Creatures: None.Traps:Symbolofdeath.Terrain:Normal.Lighting Conditions:Shad-

owy illumination (from theglowofAuriovos’sphylactery).

Magic:Strong necromancy

(Auriovos’sphylactery), strongnecromancy(symbolofdeath).

DetectableAlignments:Faintevil(fightersandbarbarians).

Secrets:None.Treasure:SeeTreasure.

Area K Summary


15

Sample Proto-DracolichThisexampleusesAthanaxusasthebasecreature.

Proto-Dracolich Auriovos(FormerlyA thanaxus) CR1 2Femaleyoungadultbluedragon(proto-dracolich)LELargeundead(augmentedundead,earth)Init +0;Senses blindsense60ft.,darkvision120ft.,keensenses;Listen+22,Spot+22Languages Common,Draconic,Elven;can’tspeak

AC 26,touch9,flat-footed26hp 117(18HD);DR 5/magic,5/bludgeoningImmune cold,electricity,paralysis,polymorph,sleep,undeadimmu-nities(MM 317)SR 22Fort +11,Ref +11,Will +13Speed 40ft.(8squares),burrow20ft.,fly150ft.(poor)

Melee bite+23(3d6+6plusparalysis)andMelee 2claws+22(2d6+3plusparalysis)andMelee 2wings+21(1d8+3plusparalysis)andMelee tail+21(1d8+9plusparalysis)Space 10ft.;Reach 5ft.(bite10ft.)BaseAtk +18;Grp+28AtkOptions PowerAttackSpecialActions paralyzinggaze

Abilities Str23,Dex10,Con—,Int14,Wis15,Cha16Feats AbilityFocus(breathweapon),ImprovedNaturalAttack(bite),ImprovedNaturalAttack(claw),ImprovedNaturalAttack(wing),Multiattack,PowerAttack,WeaponFocus(claw)Skills Bluff+22,Concentration+13,Diplomacy+15,Hide+5,Intimidate+16,Knowledge(dungeoneering)+11,Listen+22,Search+22,SenseMotive+22,Spellcraft+22,Spot+22

Invulnerability(Ex) Ifaproto-dracolichisslain,itsspiritimmedi-atelyreturnstoitsphylactery.IfanotherMediumorlargerdragonorreptiliancorpselieswithin90feetofthephylactery,thespiritinfusesit,risingasaproto-dracolich.Thisproto-dracolichhassomeofthequalitiesofadracolich,butitdoesnotgainthefullabilitiesofadracolichfor2d4days.Ifthephylacteryisdestroyedwhilethespiritiswithinorthedracolichisdestroyedafterthephylactery,thedracolichisdestroyedpermanently.ParalyzingGaze(Su) 40ft.,paralysis2d6rounds,FortitudeDC21negates.Ifthesavingthrowissuccessful,thevictimisforeverimmunetotheproto-dracolich’sparalyzinggaze(butnotthatofitstruedracolichform).Ifitfails,thevictimisparalyzedfor2d6rounds.ParalyzingTouch(Su) Anycreaturehitbyameleetouchorameleeattack,paralysis2d6rounds,FortitudeDC21negates.Asuccessfulsavedoesn’trenderanyspecialimmunity.

Creating a Proto-Dracolich “Proto-dracolich”isanacquiredtemplatethatcanbeappliedtoanyMediumorlargerreptiliancreatureordragon(hereafterreferredtoasthebasecreature).Aproto-dracolichusesallofthebasecreature’sstatisticsandspecialabilitiesexceptasnotedhere.

SizeandType: Thecreature’stypebecomesundead.Donotrecal-culatethecreature’sbaseattackbonus,saves,orskillpoints.Sizeisunchanged.

Attacks: Aproto-dracolichcannotmakecrushattacksevenifitwascapableofdoingsowhenthebasecreaturewasalive.

Damage: Asuccessfulmeleeattackmightparalyzethevictim(seebelow).

SpecialAttacks:Aproto-dracolichlosesanyfrightfulpresence,breathweapon,andcrushspecialattacksofthebasecreature.Itcannotcastspellsorusespell-likeabilities,norcanitevenspeak.

ParalyzingGaze(Su): Thegazeofaproto-dracolich’sglowingeyescanparalyzevictimswithin40feetifeachvictimfailsaFortitudesave(DC10+1/2proto-dracolich’sHD+proto-dracolich’sChamod-ifier).Ifthesavingthrowissuccessful,thecreatureisforeverimmunetotheproto-dracolich’sparalyzinggaze(butnotthatofitstruedra-colichform).Ifitfails,thevictimisparalyzedfor2d6rounds.

ParalyzingTouch(Su):Acreaturestruckbyanyofaproto-dra-colich’smeleeattackswithitsnaturalweaponsmustmakeaForti-tudesave(DC10+1/2proto-dracolich’sHD+proto-dracolich’sChamodifier)orbeparalyzedfor2d6rounds.Asuccessfulsavingthrowagainstthiseffectdoesnotconferanyspecialimmunitytolaterpar-alyzingtouchattacks.

SpecialQualities: Aproto-dracolichretainsallthespecialqualitiesofthebasecreatureandgainsthosedescribedbelow.

DamageReduction(Ex): Aproto-dracolichhasdamagereduction5/bludgeoning.

Immunities: Inadditiontothestandardundeadimmunities,aproto-dracolichisimmunetopolymorph,cold,andelectricityeffects.

Invulnerability(Ex):Ifaproto-dracolichisslain,thedracolich’sspiritinstantlyreturnstoitsphylactery.FromthereitcanattempttopossessthedeadbodyofanotherMediumorlargerdragonorrep-tiliancreaturewithin90feet,perhapseventhebodyitjustleftifitremainslargelyintact.

SpellResistance(Ex): Becomingaproto-dracolichincreasesthebasecreature’sspellresistanceby+3.Aproto-dracolichalwayshasaspellresistanceofatleast16.

UndeadTraits: Aproto-dracolichpossessesallthetraitsofundeaddescribedintheMonsterManual glossary.

Abilities:Beingundead,aproto-dracolichhasnoConstitutionscore(use its Charisma score to determine the saving throw ofspecialattacks that previously relied upon Constitution). In addition, thebasecreature’sCharismascoreincreasesby2.Otherwise,theproto-dracolich’sabilitiesscoresremainthesameasthebasecreature.

Organization: Solitary.ChallengeRating: Sameasthebasecreature+1.Alignment: Sameasthepossessingdracolich.Advancement: —LevelAdjustment: —

About the Author OnceEditor-in-ChiefofDragonmagazineandnowagamedesigneratWizardsoftheCoast,MatthewSernett wroteinaDragon edito-rialthatthere’snothinginD&D helikesbetterthanwhentheadventurersfleethroughthedungeon,runningpell-mellthroughtrapsandpastmonstersbecausewhatchasesthemisworse.Whenhewrotethat,MatthewwasthinkingaboutUndermountain.

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