Rise of the Runelords, Chapter 2 — The Skinsaw Murders

The Thing in the Sanatorium TACTICS

During Combat The watchmen are loyal and
(EL 1) brave, and once Hemlock’s deputized the
PCs, they follow their orders.
GRAYST SEVILLA CR 1
Morale Although brave, the watchmen are not
Male human fighter 4
foolhardy. If confronted with a foe they
CN Medium humanoid (human)
can’t seem to hurt, or if reduced to 2 hit
Init –3; Senses Listen +1, Spot +1
points or less, a watchman attempts to flee
DEFENSE
back to Sandpoint to report.
AC 7, touch 7, flat-footed 7
STATISTICS
(–3 Dex)
Str 13, Dex 11, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8
hp 15 (4d10–8)
Base Atk +2; Grp +3
Fort +2, Ref –2, Will +2
Feats Alertness, Weapon Focus (longsword)
OFFENSE
Skills Intimidate +4, Ride +5
Spd 30 ft.
Languages Common
Melee unarmed strike +6 (1d3+3)
Gear chain shirt, light steel shield, longsword,
TACTICS
longbow with 20 arrows
During Combat Grayst focuses his anger on
the PC he recognizes as being the focus of
Foxglove’s obsession, ignoring all other The Hambley Farm (EL 7)
targets and even provoking attacks of ROGORS CRAESBY CR 4
opportunity in his attempts to reach his
Male dread ghoul human expert 4
target.
CE Medium undead (augmented humanoid)
Morale Grayst fights to the death.
Advanced Bestiary 76
STATISTICS
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., scent; Listen
Str 16, Dex 13 (currently 4), Con 14 (currently +11, Spot +11
6), Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 10 DEFENSE
Base Atk +3; Grp +5
AC 15, touch 13, flat-footed 12
Feats Diehard, Improved Initiative, Improved
(+3 Dex, +2 natural)
Unarmed Strike, Endurance, Power Attack,
hp 26 (4d12)
Weapon Focus (longsword)
Fort +1, Ref +6, Will +6
Skills Intimidate +7
Defensive Abilities Dodge, +2 turn resistance;
Languages Common, Varisian
Immune undead traits
OFFENSE
SNDPNT WATCHMAN CR 1 Spd 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
Male human warrior 2 Melee bite +4 (1d6 plus paralysis) and
NG Medium humanoid 2 claws –1 (1d3 plus paralysis)
Init +0; Senses Listen +1, Spot +1 Special Attacks command ghouls, create
DEFENSE spawn
AC 16, touch 10, flat-footed 16 TACTICS
(+4 armor, +2 shield) During Combat Rogors directs his ghouls to
hp 13 (2d8+4) focus their attention on foes who are not
Fort +4, Ref +0, Will –1 paralyzed, hoping to catch new living victims
OFFENSE to be bound and put up as scarecrows for
Spd 30 ft. the sickness to take them.
Melee longsword +4 (1d8+1/19–20) Morale Rogors fights to the death.
Ranged longbow +2 (1d8/×3) STATISTICS

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Str 12, Dex 17, Con —, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 13
Base Atk +3; Grp +4
Feats Alertness, Dodge, Lightning Reflexes,
Track
Skills Climb +9, Craft (carpentry) +9, Gather
Information +10, Knowledge (architecture
and engineering) +9, Knowledge (local) +9,
Listen +11, Search +9, Spot +11, Survival +10
Languages Common, Halfling
Gear key to Foxglove Manor
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Command Ghouls (Su) A dread ghoul can
automatically command all normal ghouls
within 30 feet as a free action. Normal
ghouls never attack a dread ghoul unless
compelled. Create Spawn (Su) Any creature
killed by a dread ghoul and lying undisturbed
until the next midnight rises as a dread
ghoul at that time. The new dread ghoul is
not under the control of its creator. A
protection from evil or gentle repose spell
cast on the corpse prevents this.
Paralysis (Ex) A creature damaged by a dread
ghoul’s bite or claw must make a DC 13
Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4+1
rounds. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Str 12, Dex 15, Con -, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 12
Base Atk +1; Grp +2
Feats Multiattack
Skills Balance +6, Climb +5, Hide +6, Jump +5,
Move Silently +6, Spot +7
Languages Common
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Ghoul Fever (Su): Disease - bite, Fortitude DC
12, incubation period 1 day, damage 1d3 Con
and 1d3 Dex. The save DC is Charisma-
based.
An afflicted humanoid who dies of ghoul
fever rises as a ghoul at the next midnight.
A humanoid who becomes a ghoul in this way
retains none of the abilities it possessed in
life. It is not under the control of any other
ghouls, but it hungers for the flesh of the
living and behaves like a normal ghoul in all
respects. A humanoid of 4 Hit Dice or more
rises as a ghast, not a ghoul.
Paralysis (Ex): Those hit by a ghoul’s bite or
claw attack must succeed on a DC 12
Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4+1
rounds. Elves have immunity to this
paralysis. The save DC is Charisma-based.

G H O U L S (6) CR 1
Always CE Medium Undead
Init +2; Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +2,
Spot +7
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12
(+2 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 13 (2d12)
Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +5
Defensive Abilities +2 turn resistance
Immune undead traits
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee bite +2 (1d6+1 plus paralysis) and
2 claws +0 (1d3 plus paralysis)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks Ghoul fever (DC 12), paralysis
(DC 12)
TACTICS
During Combat The ghouls focus their
attention on foes who are not paralyzed.
Morale The ghouls fight to the death.
STATISTICS

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 Haunts

Haunts function somewhat like traps, but are difficult to detect since they do not
“exist” until they are triggered. When a haunt is triggered, its effects manifest at initiative
rank 10 on a surprise round; the haunt effect vanishes as soon as the surprise round is over
and things return to normal (haunts never persist into actual round-by-round combat). Any
characters haunted by the effect (all creatures for universal haunts, but only single
characters for other types of haunts—see below) can make a specific skill check to notice
the haunt in time to react—if he notices it, he may make an initiative check to determine
when he acts in the round. Once a haunt is active, a successful turn undead attempt against
the haunt’s effective Hit Dice ends it immediately, although the character making the turn
attempt must notice the haunt and act before it in the surprise round it is activated. If the
turning attempt results in a destruction result, that particular haunt is exorcised and
permanently disabled. Given many years, Vorel’s sprit could rebuild an exorcised haunting,
but in the short term it remains harmless. Once a haunting is triggered, it does not trigger
again for 24 hours.
Each haunt is given a subcategory; before the PCs enter Foxglove Manor, you should
assign one of these categories to each PC, jotting down their assignments on a piece of
paper (do not reveal them to the PCs). When a haunt of a certain category occurs, it only
affects those PCs—other characters can aid the PC in question, but can’t interact with or
observe the haunting as it occurs (although detect evil and true seeing allow non-haunted
individuals to notice or observe the haunting’s effects). When assigning haunts to your PCs,
try to keep one PC to a haunt—if you have more than six PCs in your group, though, you’ll
either need to double up on some of them or invent new categories of your own. No PC
should be assigned to more than one haunt; if you have fewer than six PCs in your group,
unassigned haunts become universal haunts.

Universal Haunt: These haunts affect everyone in the vicinity—they represent the most
emotional and primal of Vorel’s undead rages. All PCs experience universal haunts.

Festering Haunt [Jandar]: These haunts are associated with Vorel’s painful death, consumed
by the necromantic backlash that unleashed a thousand diseases in his flesh. This haunt
should be assigned to a PC who has a history of disease, a fear of sickness, or who is the
most accepting of necromancy and the undead.

Wrathful Haunt [Delara]: Linked to Vorel’s wife, this haunt is infused with Vorel’s rage and
hatred of women, fueled by his wife’s betrayal and disruption of the lichdom ritual he
attempted moments before his death. This haunt should be assigned to a female PC, or to a
character who has had some form of betrayal affect him in the past.

Burning Haunt [Ontrix]: This haunt is linked to Cyralie Foxglove. She tried to burn Foxglove
Manor down when she realized it was driving her husband Traver mad, but succeeded only in
burning down the servants’ building before she was slain by Traver. This haunt should be
assigned to the most violent character, the character with the greatest obsession with fire,
or the character most prone to loneliness and depression.
Insane Haunt [Durrek]: Traver Foxglove, an accomplished hunter and loyal husband, managed
to resist Vorel’s influence for many years but was eventually driven to deeper and deeper
madness. This haunt should be assigned to the most impulsive character, or to the character
regarded by the players as the least trustworthy or most prone to unexpected actions.

Obsessed Haunt [Desminora]: Linked to Aldern, this haunt plays off of Aldern’s obsession
with one of the PCs as much as it does Vorel’s obsession with endless life. This haunt should
be assigned to the PC who Aldern is obsessed with.

Vengeful Haunt [Korgar]: This final haunt is associated with Iesha, Aldern’s murdered wife,
and carries with it a burning need for revenge and retribution. This haunt should be
assigned to a PC who has expressed a need for revenge, or who is currently involved in a
romantic relationship.

Desminora, teifling female rogue

Ontrix, aasimar female warmage
Jandar, elven male paladin
Korgar, dwarven male cleric
Durrek, human male wizard/warlock
Delara, human female barbarian/fighter

B1. Ruined Servants’ Quarters
(EL 5)
C A R R I O N S T O R M S (5) CR 1
Always NE Tiny undead (swarm)
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +2,
Spot +7
DEFENSE
AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 12
(+2 size)
hp 13 (2d12)
Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +5
Defensive Abilities half damage from piercing
and slashing
Immune swarm traits, undead traits
OFFENSE
Spd 10 ft., fly 40 ft. (good)
Melee swarm 1d6
Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks distraction
TACTICS
During Combat A carrionstorm has an
unnerving preference for the flesh of
humanoids, and while the swarm won’t
hesitate to attack other creatures, it
generally seeks out humanoid targets
before other victims.
Morale Carrionstorms fight to the death.
STATISTICS
Str 1, Dex 11, Con —, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6
Base Atk +1; Grp –12
Feats Improved Initiative
Skills Spot +7
SQ pallid bond, vulnerable to turning
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Distraction (Ex) Any living creature that
begins its turn with a carrionstorm in its
square must succeed on a DC 13 Fortitude
save or be nauseated for 1 round. The save
DC is Constitution-based.
Pallid Bond (Ex) A carrionstorm never
initiates an attack on a creature that openly
wears an unholy symbol of Urgathoa or is
itself undead. If attacked first by such a
creature, the carrionstorm’s swarm attack
only deals 1d3 points of damage rather than
the normal 1d6.
Vulnerable to Turning (Ex) A successful turn
undead check against a carrionstorm does
not turn the swarm—rather, it destroys
many of the individual birds, dealing damage
equal to the result of the turning damage
roll. A turn undead attempt that would
normally result in the target’s destruction
destroys the entire swarm.
B2. Entrance Hall (EL 3)
Haunt: The first time the PCs
enter this area, the PC haunted by
burning catches a momentary whiff of
burning hair and flesh. The second time
the PCs pass through this area, the
haunting manifests in a much more
dramatic manner, as the manticore (killed
and preserved by Traver Foxglove)
lurches to sudden life, its face shifting to
resemble that of Cyralie Foxglove and its
fur erupting into flame. Its tail strikes
forward against the victim in an attempt
to burn him, then returns to normal.
BURNING MANTICORE CR 3
Type burning
Notice Spot DC 20; Effective HD 6
EFFECTS
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic (24 hours)
Effect Atk +8 touch (burning stinger against
one target in area B2, 4d6 fire damage);
Reflex DC 15 to avoid catching on fire
(these flames burn only the haunted target,
and cannot spread to other creatures or
objects)
B5. Lounge (EL 4)
Haunt: Any character who
examines the dust closely and makes a DC
20 Spot check notices that the dust
seems to be being disturbed, as if an
invisible person were pacing violently back
and forth before the fireplace—
footprints even manifest momentarily in
the dust with each step before fading
from view. A character who attempts to
pass through the path of the unseen
pacer exposes himself to a brief flash of
memory—a woman’s memory filled with
worry about what her husband might be
doing on those late nights spent in the
basement. An instant later, the character
is suddenly convinced that one of the
other PCs is his child, and develops a
powerful urge to escape the house with
that PC before something horrible
happens.
WORRIED WIFE CR 4
Type universal
Notice Listen DC 20 (to hear a woman’s voice
whisper, "Lorey"—this was the name of
Vorel’s and Kasanda’s daughter) Effective
HD 8
EFFECTS
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic (24 hours)
Effect spell effect (suggestion to drag
another PC out of the house to area B1,
likely into the gathering mass of
carrionstorms; Will DC 14 resists; CL 8th)
B6. Washroom (CR 1/3)
DISEASED RAT CR 1/3
hp 1 (MM 278)
AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Blind (Ex) The rat is blind, and while this
makes it immune to sight-based attacks, it
also takes a –2 penalty to its AC, loses its
Dexterity bonus to AC, moves at half-
speed, and takes a –4 penalty on Search
checks and most Strength- and Dexterity-
based skill checks. Its scent ability negates
concealment for its foes.
Disease (Su) Vorel’s Phage—bite, Fortitude DC
10, incubation period 1 day, damage 1d4 Cha
and 1d4 Con. The save DC is Constitution-
based, unlike the source fungi in area B37
which have a static DC.
B7. Dancing Parlor (EL 3)
Haunt: Foxglove Manor was too
small for a full-sized ballroom, so this
dancing parlor saw much use in the
relatively few years the home was
inhabited. In particular, Aldern’s wife
Iesha enjoyed dancing here for her new
husband, spinning in ever-increasing
pirouettes of Varisian ecstasy to the
sounds of the piano. An investigation of
the piano with a Perform (keyboard)
check reveals that the piano seems
unnaturally decayed, as if it had been
standing unattended here for decades,
yet if any keys are depressed, they are in
perfect tune.
As soon as any of the piano’s keys
are pressed, the instrument explodes into
sudden music, playing a catchy but
discordant Varisian song. A character in
the room with the vengeful haunt is
suddenly swept into a series of rapidly
increasing pirouettes, and leaps across
the room in the arms of an invisible dance
partner. The haunted PC can, of course,
see his partner: Iesha in all her vibrant
beauty. Unlike most of the haunts, this
one persists for several rounds. Each
round that passes, Iesha’s beauty grows
less as her neck darkens into an angry
blue-and-black bruise, her eyes bulge and
water, her mouth twists in pain, and her
tongue protrudes as if she were being
invisibly strangled. In the final round of
the haunt, she crumbles away into rot in
her partner’s arms.
DANCE OF RUIN CR 3
Type vengeful
Notice Listen DC 15; Effective HD 6
EFFECTS
Trigger touch; Reset automatic (24 hours)
Effect The haunted character is caught up in a
whirling dance and spins wildly through the
room for 1d6 rounds, taking 1 point of
Strength damage each round (a DC 15 Will
save ends the dance early); once the dance
ends, the character becomes fatigued. If
the character can be successfully grappled
and pinned, Iesha shrieks in rage as the
 haunt ends prematurely; her shriek causes
1d2 points of Wisdom damage to all in the
room (DC 15 Will save negates).
B9. Library (EL 5)
Haunt: This room was where
Aldern murdered his wife and an innocent
carpenter only a few short months ago.
Already under Vorel’s growing influence,
he returned home drunk one night and
found the two here, huddled in the chairs
by the fire, their heads almost touching
as they leaned toward each other. Aldern
mistook their shared examination of a
book on Varisian history for passion and
roared into the room, sweeping up a stone
bookend from a shelf as he approached.
He brained the carpenter with the
bookend, knocking him senseless, then
dropped the bookend and strangled Iesha
with her own scarf. He hid her body
upstairs and dumped the carpenter down
the well (where he survived only long
enough to be killed by the dread ghoul
dire bat in area B32). This room’s haunt
activates as soon as the PC haunted by
vengeance approaches within 5 feet of
the scarf. At this point, a horrific shriek
fills the room as the scarf flies into the
air to wrap around the haunted PC’s
throat.
IESHA’S VENGEANCE CR 5
Type vengeful
Notice Spot DC 15 (to notice the scarf moving
on its own); Effective HD 10
EFFECTS
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic (24 hours)
Effect When Iesha’s scarf unerringly wraps
around the haunted character’s throat, he
must make a DC 16 Will save to avoid being
paralyzed with fear as a ghostly image of
Aldern manifests before him and appears to
be using the scarf to choke him to death; at
the same moment, the haunted character
loses sense of himself and believes he has
become Iesha. He must then make a DC 16
Fortitude save—success indicates he merely
takes 3d6 points of nonlethal damage, but
failure indicates he is immediately reduced
to –8 hit points and is dying.
B11. Aldern’s Bedroom (EL 3)
Haunt: When Cyralie Foxglove
tried to burn down the manor, she started
(and succeeded) with the servants’
quarters. She then moved back into the
house, intending to reach area B22 to
light her second fire in Traver’s favorite
room. Her children saw her, wild-eyed and
brandishing a torch, and when they saw
their father attack their mother in that
room, they ran down here to hide.
F R I G H T E N E D C H I L D CR 3
Type obsessed
Notice Listen DC 15 (to hear the sound of
a child sobbing); Effective HD 6
EFFECTS
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic (24 hours)
Effect The haunted character suddenly
becomes convinced that his parents are
trying to kill each other, and that whichever
of them survives will be coming to kill him
next; he has a vision of his mother, wielding
a torch, and his father, festering with
tumors and wielding a long knife, both
struggling to kill each other. The vision
passes as fast as it occurs, at which point
the haunted PC must make a DC 14 Will save
to avoid taking 1d4 points of Wisdom
damage from the mind-numbing terror of
the sight.
B13. Guest Bedchamber (EL 3)
Haunt: After disrupting Vorel’s
attempt to become a lich, Kasanda fled
back up from the caverns below Foxglove
Manor to seek out her daughter and then
escape, yet by the time she reached this
room (her daughter’s bedroom), Vorel had
already suffused the walls of the place
with his evil. Kasanda realized she was
being overtaken by his phage when her
daughter saw her face and screamed in
terror; the disease quickly spread to her
daughter and their servants. Every living
thing in Foxglove Manor was dead within
only a few minutes, their bodies deformed
and twisted.
Both Kasanda and her daughter
perished of the phage in here, and when
the PC associated with the festering
haunt enters the room, he suddenly feels
an itching on his face. Although to his
companions nothing seems amiss, the PC
feels as if his face has suddenly erupted
into a tangled mess of tumors and boils,
lasting just long enough for him to
attempt to claw the offending sickness
from his skull.
PHANTOM PHAGE CR 3
Type festering
Notice Listen DC 15 (to hear a child’s voice,
quivering with fear, ask "What’s on your
face, mommy?” Effective HD 6
EFFECTS
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic (24 hours)
Effect The haunted character must make a DC
14 Will save; failure indicates he claws
desperately at the flesh of his own face,
dealing 1d6 points of damage and 1d4 points
of Charisma damage.
B14. Upstairs Washroom
(EL 1)
C O L L A P S I N G F L O O R CR 1
Type mechanical Search DC 20; Disable Device
DC 25
EFFECTS
Trigger location; Reset repair
Effect 10-foot fall (1d6); multiple targets (all
creatures in area B14); DC 15 Reflex save
avoids. B15. Master Bedroom (EL 3)
Haunt: Although the room was
recently destroyed by Aldern, the haunt
that suffuses the chamber is keyed to
the room’s first inhabitants—Vorel and
Kasanda Foxglove. Only 1d4 rounds after a
character haunted by wrath enters this
room, he suddenly becomes dizzy and
staggers, even if he has since left the
room. An instant later, the dizzy spell
passes but he becomes filled with an
overwhelming hatred of women, and for
1d4 rounds is driven by an urge to attack
the closest woman.
B15. Master Bedroom (EL 3)
MISOGYNISTIC RAGE CR 3
Type wrathful
Notice Listen DC 15 (to hear the sound of a
woman’s shrill voice saying, "What do you
get up to down in the damp below?";
Effective HD 6
EFFECTS
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic (24 hours)
Effect The haunted character must make a DC
14 Will save or be compelled to attack the
closest female, using all of his capabilities in
an attempt to kill the target—this haunting
continues beyond the surprise round for 1d4
rounds. If no suitable target is within sight
he instead attacks himself, leaping out the
window if no weapon is handy.
B17. Gallery (EL 3)
Haunt: As soon as all of the
portraits have their cobwebs cleared
away, the temperature in the room drops
dramatically. Breath frosts in the air and
fingers of rime slither across the walls.
The figures depicted in the portraits
suddenly shift from paintings of living
people to those of dead folk. Kasanda and
Lorey slump into misshapen tumor-ridden
corpses. Traver grows pale as a long cut
opens in his throat and blood washes down
over his chest. Cyralie blackens and chars,
and her arms, legs, and back twist as if
broken in dozens of places. Aldern’s flesh
darkens with rot, his hair falls out, and he
deforms into a ghoullike monster. Both
Sendeli and Zeeva’s portraits frost over
but otherwise remain unchanged. Vorel’s
entire portrait, frame and all, erupts into
a sudden explosion of fungus and
tumorous growth. This wave of fungus and
disease washes over the entire room in
seconds before the room suddenly
reverts to normal.
THE STRICKEN FAMILY CR 3
Type universal
Notice Wisdom DC 10 (to notice the room
start to grow cold); Effective HD 6
EFFECTS
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic (24 hours)
Effect When the room explodes into rot and
fungal decay, every PC in the room must
make a DC 14 Fortitude save to avoid
contracting Vorel’s Phage (see page 27).
Once the room reverts to normal, those
characters who failed their saves can see
tiny splotches of mold and tender red
bumps on their flesh, but until the disease
has a chance to incubate, these symptoms
remain invisible to others.
B18. Bedroom (EL 4)
Haunt: After Traver Foxglove
killed his wife in area B22, the shock of
watching her burning body plummet into
the waves below allowed him to regain
control of his mind and body. He could
feel Vorel out there still, trying to claw
his way back into his flesh, but for a few
moments at least, Traver was his own man
again. In a desperate (some might say
cowardly) move, he fled to here, the room
he and his wife had shared, sat down at
his desk, and slit his own throat with his
dagger.
As soon as a PC haunted by
insanity enters this room, he shudders
and is suddenly overwhelmed with the
conviction that he has just killed the
person he loves most. Overwhelmed with
despair, he moves to the desk, retrieves
what appears to be a silver-handled
dagger from it, and tries to cut his own
throat. Anyone who attempts to stop him
is instead attacked. If he survives, the
"dagger" reverts to its true form—a
splintered but very sharp length of wood.
SUICIDE COMPULSION CR 4
Type insane
Notice Spot DC 20 (to notice the appearance
of a dagger on the desk that, an instant
before, was not there); Effective HD 8
EFFECTS
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic (24 hours)
Effect The haunted character must make a DC
15 Will save. Failure indicates he moves over
to the desk and attempts a coup de grace
action on himself with the jagged length of
wood, dealing 2d4 (plus twice his Strength
modifier) points of damage on himself. He
must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + the
damage dealt) to avoid being slain by this
suicide attempt. If anyone tries to prevent
the attempt, the haunted character makes
a single attack against that person with the
"dagger." If he hits, the supernaturally
guided strike automatically scores a critical
hit. After this attack, the "dagger" turns
back into wood.
B22. Observatory (EL 4)
Haunt: This room is where Cyralie
confronted Traver about his encroaching
madness, hoping one last time she could
convince him to leave the manor with her
before it was too late. Unfortunately for
her, that time had already passed. Traver
attacked her, and when she tried to light
the room on fire, he redirected the flow
of the fire using magic to ignite her
instead. Burning to death, Cyralie
staggered across the room and threw
herself through the window to plummet to
her death on the rocks below. This sight
caused Traver to finally snap out of his
madness long enough for him to retreat to
area B18 and kill himself. When the PC
assigned to the burning haunt enters this
room, he suddenly feels uncomfortably
hot. A second later, he believes he has
suddenly caught on fire, and that the only
way to put the flames out before he burns
to death is to throw himself through the
unbroken window and, hopefully, into the
sea below. The haunted character
attempts this self-destructive act only
once; if restrained from leaping through
the window for 1 round, he recovers his
wits to some extent.
PLUMMETING INFERNO CR 4
Type burning
Notice Wisdom DC 10 (to notice the sudden
stink of burning flesh); Effective HD 8
EFFECTS
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic (24 hours)
Effect The haunted character must make a DC
16 Will save. If he fails, he is compelled to
hurl himself through the unbroken window,
taking 2d6 points of damage from the
shattering glass and a further 1d6 points of
damage from the fall onto the rooftop
below. A weather vane on the roof makes a
single +8 attack against the falling
character; if it hits, the character takes
another 1d6+7 points of damage, but his fall
ends. If it fails to hit him, the character
must make a DC 15 Reflex save. If that
fails, he slides off the steep roof over the
course of one round, whereupon he may
make a final DC 10 Climb check to catch
himself before falling 300 feet to the
rocky surf below, taking 20d6 points of
damage in the process.
B23. Private Study (EL 3)
Haunt: When the PC haunted by insanity
enters this room, dozens of memories of
expeditions, sea voyages, and travels to
exotic locales race through his mind,
remnants of Traver Foxglove’s journeys
before he settled down here in Varisia. As
the memories build momentum, they
become increasingly infused with a sense
of bitter disappointment and regret, and
the character becomes increasingly aware
that he is now receiving memories that
never were, memories of fantastic
discoveries he could have made had he not
chosen to settle down with a shrill harpy
of a wife.
UNFULFILLED GLORIES CR 3
Type insane
Notice Listen DC 20 (to hear the sound of
pages rustling, as if a book were being read
rapidly); Effective HD 6
EFFECTS
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic (24 hours)
Effect Once the memories grow bitter and
culminate in an overwhelming sense of
depression and loss, the haunted PC must
make a DC 14 Will save to resist taking 1d6
points of Wisdom damage.
B29. Vorel’s Workshop (EL 3)
Haunt: Kasanda finally discovered
the depths of her husband Vorel’s plan
here; forbidden by him to enter this
room, she managed to do so one fateful
night by using a wand of knock she’d
purchased for just this purpose. While
Vorel prepared the final stages of his lich
transformation ritual, Kasanda found his
books and realized what he was up to.
Enraged and horrified, she moved down to
the caverns below to confront him.
The PC haunted by wrath
experiences a sudden urge to cross the
room to read the books on the workbench
as soon as he sees them. If he touches
them, he freezes in place as a flood of
information flows through his mind. He
experiences a series of visions chronicling
the various stages Vorel went through in
his quest to become a lich, from
researching the works of previous liches,
to gathering the components for the lich
transformation potion, to building his
phylactery, finally culminating in a vision
of Vorel taking his potion and doubling
over in agony as his body began to rot
away. All of these visions take place as if
in a realm of animated stained-glass
windows, which should obviously explain
the true nature of the windows in
Foxglove Manor. As Vorel doubles over,
the PC is filled with blinding shame that a
loved one would do this to himself,
followed by a burning rage that he must
be stopped before he finishes his ritual.
These visions take only a few seconds to
occur; once they end, the PC doubles over
in an agony of anger.
ORIGINS OF LICHDOM CR 3
Type wrathful
Notice Spot DC 20 (to notice subtle movement
in the stained-glass windows, as if the man
depicted therein were sneering at the
observer); Effective HD 6
EFFECTS
Trigger touch; Reset automatic (24 hours)
Effect Once the haunted character receives
the vision described above, she must make a
DC 14 Will save or suddenly be filled with
terror at the knowledge that Vorel has
already succeeded in transforming himself
into a lich, and must flee at top speed
upstairs to try to find her "children" and
rescue them. Anyone who gets in her way or
tries to stop her suddenly seems to
transform into Vorel, and the haunted
character must attack that character to
the best of her ability until she can
continue on her flight up to area B13. Calm
emotions, dispel evil, and protection from
evil can end this effect before the
character reaches B13, as can any effect
that removes a fear effect.
B25. Kitchen (EL 5)
R A T S W A R M (2) CR 3
N Tiny animal (swarm)
Init +2; Senses low–light vision, scent; Listen
+6, Spot +3
Languages None
AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10;
(+2 size, -2 blind)
hp 13 each
Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +2
Speed 5 ft. (3 squares), climb 5 ft.
Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Atk Swarm (1d6 plus disease)
Base Atk +3; Grapple —
Atk Options Distraction (DC 12)
TACTICS
During Combat Once enraged, the swarms
continue to pursue intruders throughout the
house. They do not follow prey outside.
Abilities Str 2, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 12,
Cha 2
SQ swarm traits;
Feats Alertness, Weapon Finesse.
Skills Balance +6, Climb +6, Hide +10, Listen +6,
Spot +3, Swim +6
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Blind (Ex) The rat swarm is blind, and while
this makes it immune to sight-based
attacks, it also takes a –2 penalty to its AC,
loses its Dexterity bonus to AC, moves at
half-speed, and takes a –4 penalty on
Search checks and most Strength and
Dexterity-based skill checks. Its scent
ability negates concealment for its foes.
Disease (Su) Vorel’s Phage—bite, Fortitude DC
10, incubation period 1 day, damage 1d4 Cha
and 1d4 Con. For more details, see the
sidebar on page 27. The save DC is
Constitution-based.
Skills A rat swarm has a +4 racial bonus on
Hide and Move Silently checks, and a +8
racial bonus on Balance, Climb, and Swim
checks. A rat swarm can always choose to
take 10 on all Climb checks, even if rushed
or threatened. A rat swarm uses its
Dexterity modifier instead of its Strength
modifier for Climb and Swim checks. A rat
 swarm has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim
check to perform some special action or
avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take
10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or
endangered. It can use the run action while
swimming, provided it swims in a straight
line.)
B30. The Pit (EL 4)
Haunt: When the obsession-
haunted PC enters this room, she
experiences a sudden vision of Aldern,
sweaty, filthy, and wildeyed, digging away
at the stone floor of this room with a
pickaxe. With each swing, he grunts out
two words: "For you." The PC knows that
Aldern is speaking of her. As the vision
ends, Aldern breaks through into the
room beyond, and a horde of shrieking
ghouls rises up to pull him into the
darkness below before they turn their
lambent eyes to the PC.
GHOULISH UPRISING CR 4
Type obsessed
Notice Wisdom DC 13 (to notice a sudden
increase in the stink of rotten flesh);
Effective HD 8
EFFECTS
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic (24 hours)
Effect As the ghouls reach for the haunted
PC, she must make a DC 16 Will save to
shake off the vision and regain her senses.
If she fails, the ghouls grab her and begin
to tear and bite at her flesh. Observers see
the haunted PC jerk and thrash in the air as
if she were being shaken by a mob, and
suddenly deep red claw and bite wounds
appear on her flesh. The haunted PC takes
6d6 points of damage from the assault (half
on a DC 16 Fortitude save), and must make a
DC 16 Fortitude save to resist catching
ghoul fever (MM 118).
B32. Feeding Cave (EL 5)
GHOUL BAT CR 5
Advanced dire bat dread ghoul (MM 62;
Advanced Bestiary 76)
CE Large undead (augmented animal)
Init +8; Senses blindsense 40 ft., scent; Listen
+10, Spot +9
DEFENSE
AC 24, touch 17, flat-footed 16
(+8 Dex, +7 natural, –1 size)
hp 52 (8d12)
Fort +6, Ref +14, Will +10
Defensive Abilities +2 turn resistance, undead
traits
OFFENSE
Spd 20 ft., climb 20 ft., fly 40 ft. (good)
Melee bite +13 (2d6+6 plus paralysis) and
2 claws +8 (1d4+2 plus paralysis)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks command ghouls, create
spawn
TACTICS
During Combat Although it rarely needs to,
the ghoul bat can squeeze to clamber in and
out of this cave via either exit. It pursues
intruders as long as it is able to scent them.
Morale The ghoul bat fights to the death.
STATISTICS
Str 18, Dex 26, Con —, Int 4, Wis 18, Cha 8
Base Atk +6; Grp +14
Feats Alertness, Improved Natural Attack
(bite), Stealthy, Track, Weapon Finesse
Skills Climb +12, Hide +6, Listen +10 (+14 with
blindsense), Move Silently +10, Spot +9 (+13
with blindsense), Survival +12
Languages Common (cannot speak)
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Command Ghouls (Su) A dread ghoul bat can
automatically command all normal ghouls
within 30 feet as a free action. Normal
ghouls never attack a dread ghoul unless
compelled.
Create Spawn (Su) Any creature that is killed
by a dread ghoul bat and lies undisturbed
until the next midnight rises as a dread
ghoul at that time. The new dread ghoul is
not under the control of its creator. A
protection from evil or gentle repose spell
cast on the corpse prevents this.
Paralysis (Ex) A creature damaged by a dread
ghoul bat’s bite or claw must make a DC 13
 Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4+1
rounds. The save DC is Charisma based.
B34. Ghoulish Guardians
(EL 3)
G H O U L S (3) CR 1
Always CE Medium Undead
Init +2; Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +2,
Spot +7
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12
(+2 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 13 (2d12)
Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +5
Defensive Abilities +2 turn resistance
Immune undead traits
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee bite +2 (1d6+1 plus paralysis) and
2 claws +0 (1d3 plus paralysis)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks Ghoul fever (DC 12), paralysis
(DC 12)
TACTICS
During Combat The ghouls focus their
attention on foes who are not paralyzed.
Morale The ghouls fight to the death.
STATISTICS
Str 12, Dex 15, Con -, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 12
Base Atk +1; Grp +2
Feats Multiattack
Skills Balance +6, Climb +5, Hide +6, Jump +5,
Move Silently +6, Spot +7
Languages Common
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Ghoul Fever (Su): Disease - bite, Fortitude DC
12, incubation period 1 day, damage 1d3 Con
and 1d3 Dex. The save DC is Charisma-
based.
An afflicted humanoid who dies of ghoul
fever rises as a ghoul at the next midnight.
A humanoid who becomes a ghoul in this way
retains none of the abilities it possessed in
life. It is not under the control of any other
ghouls, but it hungers for the flesh of the
living and behaves like a normal ghoul in all
respects. A humanoid of 4 Hit Dice or more
rises as a ghast, not a ghoul.
Paralysis (Ex): Those hit by a ghoul’s bite or
claw attack must succeed on a DC 12
Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4+1
rounds. Elves have immunity to this
paralysis. The save DC is Charisma-based.
B35. The Grave (EL 4)
G H O U L S (4) CR 1
Always CE Medium Undead
Init +2; Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +2,
Spot +7
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12
(+2 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 13 (2d12)
Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +5
Defensive Abilities +2 turn resistance
Immune undead traits
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee bite +2 (1d6+1 plus paralysis) and
2 claws +0 (1d3 plus paralysis)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks Ghoul fever (DC 12), paralysis
(DC 12)
TACTICS
During Combat The ghouls focus their
attention on foes who are not paralyzed.
Morale The ghouls fight to the death.
STATISTICS
Str 12, Dex 15, Con -, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 12
Base Atk +1; Grp +2
Feats Multiattack
Skills Balance +6, Climb +5, Hide +6, Jump +5,
Move Silently +6, Spot +7
Languages Common
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Ghoul Fever (Su): Disease - bite, Fortitude DC
12, incubation period 1 day, damage 1d3 Con
and 1d3 Dex. The save DC is Charisma-
based.
An afflicted humanoid who dies of ghoul
fever rises as a ghoul at the next midnight.
A humanoid who becomes a ghoul in this way
retains none of the abilities it possessed in
life. It is not under the control of any other
ghouls, but it hungers for the flesh of the
living and behaves like a normal ghoul in all
 respects. A humanoid of 4 Hit Dice or more
rises as a ghast, not a ghoul.
Paralysis (Ex): Those hit by a ghoul’s bite or
claw attack must succeed on a DC 12
Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4+1
rounds. Elves have immunity to this
paralysis. The save DC is Charisma-based.
B36. The Vent (EL 6)
G O B L I N G H O U L S (4) CR 2
Dread ghoul goblin ranger 1 (MM 133,
Advanced Bestiary 76)
CE Small undead (augmented humanoid
[goblin])
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., scent; Listen
+7, Spot +7
DEFENSE
AC 21, touch 16, flat-footed 16
(+3 armor, +5 Dex, +2 natural, +1 size)
hp 6 (1d12)
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +2
Defense +2 turn resistance
Immune undead traits
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
Melee bite +5 (1d4+3 plus paralysis) and
2 claws +0 (1d2+1 plus paralysis)
Special Attacks favored enemy +2 (animals)
TACTICS
During Combat The goblin ghouls focus their
attacks on one target, attempting to
overwhelm their victim with their claws and
bites.
Morale The goblin ghouls fight to the death.
STATISTICS
Str 16, Dex 21, Con —, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 10
Base Atk +1; Grp –1
Feats Mounted Combat, Track
Skills Climb +11, Handle Animal +4, Listen +7,
Move Silently +9, Ride +13, Spot +7, Survival
+15
Languages Common, Goblin
SQ command ghouls, create spawn, wild
empathy +0
Gear studded leather
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Command Ghouls (Su) A dread ghoul goblin can
automatically command all normal ghouls
within 30 feet as a free action. Normal
ghouls never attack a dread ghoul unless
compelled.
Create Spawn (Su) Any creature that is killed
by a dread ghoul goblin and lies undisturbed
until the next midnight rises as a dread
ghoul at that time. The new dread ghoul is
not under the control of its creator. A
protection from evil or gentle repose spell
cast on the corpse prevents this.
Paralysis (Ex) A creature damaged by a dread
ghoul goblin’s bite or claw must make a DC
13 Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4+1
rounds. The save DC is Charisma based.
B37. Vorel’s Laboratory (EL 7)
In addition to aldern, thereis a
Ghoul dressed in servant livery in the
room.
This will modify events that follow
so that the Ghoul can serve as Aldern’s
flanking buddy, allowing Aldern to sneak
attack.
Additionally, the Ghoul serves to
make the scenario even creepier. Aldern
with his Lordship persona is still a noble
and "noblesse oblige" after all.
Depending upon Aldern’s obsession
the room looks different:
Lust: Aldern sits in the chair. The
table in front of him is laid out as for a
dinner for two. A silken table cloth, once
beautiful, but now spoiled and rotten,
covers the table. Two sets of stained and
corroded silver dishes. Two sets of
stained crystal glasses. The scene is lit by
a candle burning feebly, giving flickering
light.
The servant is in the process of
pouring clotted blood from a silver
decanter into a crystal glass that Aldern
daintily holds in his right hand.
On a side table heaps of rotten
meat wait to be served by the servant.
Aldern invites the PC to sit down
and share the meal (see pg. 38)
Envy: Aldern sits in an armchair, a
book in his hand. A burning brazier in
from of him fills the room with a red glow.
A crystal goblet stands on a dainty but
rotten table beside the chair. Clotted
blood fills it. A silver platter heaped with
small morsels of rotten meat (snacks are
essential while reading) stands also on the
table.
The servant Ghoul stands beside
armchair and table, ready to refill the
goblet from his decanter. Seeing the PCs,
Aldern closes the Book, pops a morsel of
meat into his mouth and then speaks (see
pg. 38)
Wrath: The Room is empty except
for Aldern and his Ghoul Servant. Aldern
has just shrugged out of his Coat which
the Servant has taken over his left arm.
With his right he holds a silver platter
upon which the war razor lies. Aldern
takes it and swings it a few times while
speaking to the PC of his obsession (see
pg. 38)
If Iesha is released and the PCs
let her go, allowing her to go after
Aldern, the following will occur, modifying
the encounter as such.
Aldern has always believed that
the Brothers took care of her long ago.
Now he sees that he did not imagine the
sobbing and wailing and Iesha is still
“alive”.
Now, if the PCs take their time
following Iesha, I imagine the following
set up:
Iesha is tightly bound, sitting
helpless on a chair.
Aldern stands beside her as the
PCs arrive, the war razor in his hand. His
Lordship is in control.
Lust: "At last, you have come, my
love! Let me show you my love with this
sacrifice! Let us share the meat like true
lovers!" With this words he uses the War
Razor to cut a chunk of putrid flesh out
of Iesha and offer it to the PC he is
obsessed about. As the PC in all likelihood
won't take the gift, the Hurter takes
over and attacks.
Envy: "You thought to take her
from me a second time? You thought you
could hurt me? Alas, that is not the case.
See for yourself how I treat those who
betray me" With these words he cuts
Ilesha’s throat with his war razor, killing
her. Seeing that he killed his wife a
second time, his lordship flees and the
Hurter takes over
Wrath: "Did you really that she
can defeat me? Did you really think your
minions can do this to me? With these
words he cuts Ilesha’s throat with his war
razor, killing her. "Now I will defeat you
and dine on your heart" The hate in
Aldern’s eyes burns like fire and the
Hunter takes over.
If the PCs directly follow Iesha,
she can be treated as an NPC, albeit one
that will not ever interact with the PCs,
abandoning them if they are held up by
anything.
ALDERN FOXGLOVE,
THE SKINSAW MAN CR 6
Male dread ghast human aristocrat 4/rogue 3
CE Medium undead (augmented human)
Init +8; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +1,
Spot +1
Aura stench (20 ft.), unnatural aura (30 ft.)
DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 15, flat-footed 15
(+1 deflection, +4 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 87 (7d12)
Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +6; evasion
Defensive Abilities +4 turn resistance
Immune undead traits
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
Melee +1 war razor +10 (1d4+3/18–20) and
bite +4 (1d8+1 plus paralysis) and
claw +4 (1d6+1 plus paralysis and ghoul
fever)
Special Attacks command ghasts and ghouls,
create spawn, paralysis, sneak attack +2d6
TACTICS
During Combat Aldern’s tactics in combat are
influenced to a certain degree by his
personalities, as detailed above. When the
Skinsaw Man takes over, he puts on his
mask and assumes the form of his
obsession, attacking that character to the
exclusion of all other targets.
Morale Aldern fights to the death.
STATISTICS
Str 17, Dex 18, Con —, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 22
Base Atk +5; Grp +8
Feats Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes,
Persuasive, Weapon Finesse
Skills Balance +6, Bluff +18, Climb +11,
Diplomacy +20, Hide +9, Intimidate +20,
Jump +20, Knowledge (local) +8, Knowledge
(nobility and royalty) +9, Ride +11, Sense
Motive +11, Sleight of Hand +12, Tumble +10
Languages Common, Elven
SQ trapfinding, trap sense +1
Gear +1 war razor, ring of jumping, ring of
protection +1, stalker’s mask, extravagant
noble’s outfit worth 200 gp, cameo worth
100 gp containing tiny portrait of PC, key to
area B29
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Command Ghouls (Su) Aldern can
automatically command all normal ghasts and
ghouls within 30 feet as a free action.
Normal ghasts and ghouls never attack a
dread ghast unless compelled.
Create Spawn (Su) Any creature killed by
Aldern that lies undisturbed until the next
midnight rises as a dread ghast at that
time. The new dread ghast is not under the
control of its creator. A protection from
evil or gentle repose spell cast on the
corpse prevents this.
Ghoul Fever (Su) Disease—bite, Fortitude DC
19, incubation period 1 day, damage 1d3 Con
and 1d3 Dex. An affected humanoid who
dies of ghoul fever rises as a ghoul at the
next midnight. A humanoid that becomes a
ghoul in this manner retains none of the
abilities it possessed in life. It is not under
the control of any other ghouls, but it
hungers for the flesh of the living. A
humanoid of 4 Hit Dice or more rises as a
ghast, not a ghoul.
Paralysis (Ex) A creature damaged by Aldern’s
bite or claw must make a DC 19 Fortitude
save or be paralyzed for 1d4+1 rounds. The
save DC is Charisma based.
Stench (Ex) Any breathing creature within 20
feet of Aldern must make a DC 19 Fortitude
save or become sickened for 1d6+4 minutes.
A creature with the scent ability must make
this save at a range of 40 feet and takes a –
2 penalty on the save. The save must be
repeated each round, but once the sickened
condition has been applied, further failed
saves merely reset its duration. Creatures
resistant to poison may apply their bonus to
this saving throw, and creatures immune to
poison are immune to this ability as well.
Unholy Fortitude (Ex) Aldern gains bonus hit
points equal to his Charisma modifier times
his Hit Dice, and a bonus to his Fortitude
saves equal to his Charisma modifier.
Unnatural Aura (Su) Any animal within 30
feet of Aldern automatically becomes
panicked and remains so as long as it is
within this distance.
GHOUL CR 1
Always CE Medium Undead
Init +2; Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +2,
Spot +7
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12
(+2 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 13 (2d12)
Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +5
Defensive Abilities +2 turn resistance
Immune undead traits
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee bite +2 (1d6+1 plus paralysis) and
2 claws +0 (1d3 plus paralysis)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks Ghoul fever (DC 12), paralysis
(DC 12)
TACTICS
During Combat The ghouls focus their
attention on foes who are not paralyzed.
Morale The ghouls fight to the death.
STATISTICS
Str 12, Dex 15, Con -, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 12
Base Atk +1; Grp +2
Feats Multiattack
Skills Balance +6, Climb +5, Hide +6, Jump +5,
Move Silently +6, Spot +7
Languages Common
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Ghoul Fever (Su): Disease - bite, Fortitude DC
12, incubation period 1 day, damage 1d3 Con
and 1d3 Dex. The save DC is Charisma-
based.
An afflicted humanoid who dies of ghoul
fever rises as a ghoul at the next midnight.
A humanoid who becomes a ghoul in this way
retains none of the abilities it possessed in
life. It is not under the control of any other
ghouls, but it hungers for the flesh of the
living and behaves like a normal ghoul in all
respects. A humanoid of 4 Hit Dice or more
rises as a ghast, not a ghoul.
Paralysis (Ex): Those hit by a ghoul’s bite or
claw attack must succeed on a DC 12
Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4+1
rounds. Elves have immunity to this
paralysis. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Haunt: The patch of fungus on
the wall presents an additional hazard to
a PC associated with the festering haunt.
When he sees the strangely humanoid
shape on the wall, he realizes the shape
matches that of his own shadow exactly,
and suddenly experiences a sensation of
vertigo as he feels compelled to feed on
the fungus to reclaim his stolen shadow.
VOREL’S LEGACY CR 4
Type festering
Notice Spot DC 15 (to notice the phylactery
shards rattle and shake);
Effective HD 8
EFFECTS
Trigger proximity; Reset automatic (24 hours)
Effect Spell effect (suggestion to eat the
fungus, Will DC 15 resists).
On the way to Magnimar
CRAZY MERTAK
Male Goblin Sorcerer 5
CE Small Humanoid (goblinoid)
Init +3 Senses Darkvision 60’, Spot -2, Listen
-2
DEFENSE
AC 15, touch 14, flat-footed 12
(+3 dex, +1 armor, +1 size)
hp 26 (6d4+6)
Fort +3 Ref +5 Will +3, resist fire 10
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft
Melee +1 Quarterstaff +3 (1d6) and Bite -3
(1d3-1)
Spells known (CL 5th, 6th if fire; base DC 13, 14
if evocation; +5 ranged touch)
2nd (5/day) — fireburst (SpC; 6d8, 10 ft
radius, DC 16), balor nimbus (SpC; 6d6 fire
during grapple, 6 rounds)
1st (7/day) — mage armor, ray of flame (SpC;
+6 touch, 3d6 fire, DC 15), raging flame
(SpC; double mundane fire dmg, +1/die
magic, 30 ft rad, 1 min), nightshield (SpC;
+2 to saves, blocks magic missile)
0 (6/day) — caltrops, electric jolt, stick,
flare, ray of flame (modified ray of frost),
light
Supernatural ability: Fiery Burst: 1d6/lvl of
spell memorized, 5 ft radius, DC 13+½ spell’s
level
TACTICS
During Combat Crazy Mertak casts
nightshield and mage armor before combat,
but does not bother after fighting breaks
out. He begins by casting raging flame on
the likely battlefield, then fiery bursts. He
ignites and eliminates survivors with ray of
flame, and readies an action to drop
fireburst if anyone is likely to charge him.
Morale Mertak, being crazy, rarely runs unless
greatly intimidated
STATISTICS
Str 9, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 11, Wis 7, Cha 17
Base Atk +2, Grp -3
Feats Spell Focus (evocation), Fiery Burst1
(CM)
Skills Bluff +6, Concentration +10, Know
(arcana) +4, Spellcraft +2
Gear Alchemist's Fire (5), bracers of armor
+1, amber amulet of vermin (huge monstrous
centipede 1/day, 1 min), ray of flame
spellshard (empower ray of flame 2/day),
cloak of fire resistance 10
Crazy Mertak is, as his name suggests, one
crazy little goblin. Not actually stupid, for a
goblin, but just a little too unobservant
when it comes to the mundane, everyday
things. Little things like his allies, and that
fact that goblins are flammable. Mertak
himself is exceptionally enthusiastic and
personable, and might even qualify as "cute"
in a toothy, football-headed way. The
source of his sorcerous talent is unknown,
and he himself has little understanding of
the mechanics of magic.
Mertak has tried many things in his life,
and been unsuccessful at most. His
attempts at leading his tribe resulted in
burning down the Licktoad lair three times,
and his current attempts at highway
robbery usually results in the destruction
of all the potential loot.
Mertak's natural leadership and
personality ensures that he always has a
retinue of loyal goblin followers, made up of
amorous groupies and admiring warriors.
This is fortunate for him, as the extremely
high body count he leaves in his wake tends
to decimate his forces rather quickly. The
fact that he leaves no survivors precludes
tales of the fates of his previous followers
reaching possible new recruits.
G O B L I N R O B B E R S (6) CR 1/3
Male goblin warrior 2
1 Lt. Licot (if the PCs are not belligerent) or
As long as you have a fire spell of 2nd level or
higher available to cast, you can spend a standard
action to create a 5-foot-radius burst of fire at a
range of 30 feet. This burst deals 1d6 points of fire
damage per level of the highest level fire spell you
have available to cast. A successful Reflex save
halves the damage.
As a secondary benefit, you gain a +1
competence bonus to your caster level when casting
fire spells.
NE small humanoid (goblinoid)
Init +1; Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Spot +0,
Listen +0
Languages Goblin
AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 14
(+1 size, +1 Dex, +2 armor, +1 shield)
hp 11 (2d8+2 HD)
Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +0
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee small dogslicer +4 (1d4+1/19-20)
Ranged small javelin +4 (1d4+1)
Base Atk +2; Grapple -1
Combat Gear alchemist fire, tanglefoot bag
Str 12, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 9, Wis 10, Cha 6
Feats Toughness
Skills Balance -3, Climb -3, Escape Artist -3,
Intimidate +1, Jump -1, Move Silently +1,
Ride +5, Swim -7
Possessions combat gear plus leather armor,
light wooden shield, small javelins (5), small
dogslicer
Welcome to Magnimar
As the PCs come to the gate into
Magnimar, those familiar with the city note
that the city guards seems to be edger,
more on alert, and nervous; at least more
than usual. Drithnar Kaddren, the guard
sergeant sees the Sihedron rune on the
amulet that (PC) is wearing. The sergeant
asks the adventurers to wait a second while
he gets some paperwork. The sergeant goes
into the office and comes out in about 15
seconds. He says something over his
shoulder. Kaddren yells, "Now!" and guards
appear with live steel and cocked
crossbows. The sergeant then tells the
adventures, "You are under arrest Place you
weapons on the ground - slowly. Any
spellcasting will be met with deadly force."
The sergeant then either takes them to
Lt. Licot appears (if it looks like combat is
about to happen). The lieutenant asks the
sergeant, "What in the Nine Hells is going
on Sergeant Kaddren?" The sergeant says
nothing (and it is obvious that the sergeant
doesn't particularly like the lieutenant) but
points at (PC wearing the amulet). The
lieutenant looks at (PC), does a double take,
and then sighs heavily. He tells the
sergeant to back down as he walks over to
join the sergeant and the other guards.
Sgt. Kaddren begins to protest at this but
Lt. Licot cuts him off and says, "You did
well sergeant and you will be commended.
But trust me; these people aren't what we
are looking for."
Again Sgt. Kaddren protests, at this
Licot gets stern and orders the sergeant to
stand down. He then turns to the PCs and
apologizes, "I'm sorry about that bit of
confusion I hope you were not unduly
troubled. The city guards have certain
orders that they must obey."
If the PCs express interest, Lt. Licot
appraises them carefully, then invites then
to his office where he will "Discuss the
matter more fully out of hidden ears."
Once the PCs and the lieutenant are away
from the street and presumably in Licot's
office, the lieutenant explains about the
rash of murders in Magnimar. "Merchants,
politicians, crooked guards, and
moneylenders have been showing up dead -
their bodies mutilated, faces missing, and
chests carved with seven-pointed stars".
"Obviously tensions are high and Sgt.
Kaddren, a young man in an influential family
of Magnimar, was currying favor and
attempting to make a coup to advance his
career. He's a good sort," Licot says, "just
quick to jump to conclusions and make rash
assumptions."
If the PCs ask to become involved in the
investigation, Licot will look doubtful, frown,
and then saw, "Well, you would have to take
that inquiry to the Halls of Virtue in the
Capital District. One of the Justices there
will have to make that decision."
If the PCs continue to question Licot,
Licot will stop them and say, "Look. I
understand that you are goodly sorts and
you want to keep people from being hurt or
murdered, and I applaud that. But I am
under orders not to discuss these things
with outsiders. What I have told you so far
can be heard in any tavern or festhall in the
city.
"Now, if you have other information you
can tell me and I can pas that on to the city
and the guard." He sits back and waits for
their response.
Assuming the PCs tell them what they
suspect, or about Aldern Foxglove's
involvement, or anything about the
Brotherhood of the Seven, Licot will start
to take notes. Once this is done, Licot will
excuse himself, showing the PCs out. He
will then hurry off into the city to take his
findings to the appropriate people.
Behind the scenes: Licot hurries to the
Halls of Justice and tells the PCs'
information to the first Justice he can find
(Justice Ironbriar of course). Ironbriar
then sets things up so that Licot is either
taken captive (if the PCs were friendly with
the lieutenant) or killed. His body (or his
trussed form) will be found at the Seven's
Sawmill.
If the PCs go to the Halls of Justice,
they will either find Ironbriar or be shown
to Ironbriar. Ironbriar will politely listen to
their tale, ask appropriate questions, and
try to figure out exactly how much the PCs
know. If the PCs show Ironbriar the keys
they have found, Ironbriar will immediately
recognize the key's heraldry as the
Foxglove family's heraldry. He will attempt
to take the key from the PCs, but won't
push it if the PCs refuse.
Once this is done, Ironbriar will ask
where the PCs are staying in town (if they
haven't arranged lodging he recommends
The Scarlet Raven, an inn off Three Mast
Street, near the Avenue of Sails). He will
then caution them to not share this
information with anyone, implying that
there may be an insider in the Halls of
Justice working with the murderer.
Ironbriar will again thank them, politely but
distantly, and show them to the door.
After the PCs leave, Ironbriar will set
his merry band of murders on the PCs’ trail
and they will have visits in the nights by
assassins. Any attempt to track down Licot
will fail; even Kaddren will become worried
at Licot’s absence. Attempts to find
Ironbriar will also fail, his seneschal (a
middle-aged gnome by the name of Ivohn
Windchaser) will say that he is one city
 business and it is unknown when he will
return.
Hopefully, the PCs will then take things
into their own hands and investigate
Foxglove Manor on their own. However,
they should be one or two more faceless
stalkers at the townhouse, and all the
skinsaw men at the Seven's Sawmill should
be alert and ready for the PCs when they
come to the sawmill.
In Magnimar
When the PCs enter Alderns townhouse, allow
them DC 25 Listen checks. Those who succeed hear,
from upstairs a voice that says quietly "they're
here. Be ready."
On the second floor, they can make another DC
15 Listen check to hear the clink of glass bottles
and a soft feminine giggle. When they reach the top
floor, they see what look like three young humans in
affluent clothes lounging about in the empty house.
One is relaxing on the couch, drinking from a glass
wine bottle. The other two, a young man and woman,
are sitting close together on the bed, making out.
When they see the PCs, they yell in surprise, and the
young woman hides on the other side of the bed.
Obviously, they're just a bunch of bored rich kids
hanging out in an empty house. They can explain to
the PCs that the place has been empty for weeks,
and that workmen boarded it up some time ago. The
three “nobles” act very impressed by the PCs, and
ask them all sorts of enthusiastic questions about
their investigations.
The young woman actually comes up the
handsomest-looking Male PC and shyly says her name
is Andrea Karlov, and offers to show him around
Magnimar, since he's new in town. Allow the PCs
Spot checks versus her Sleight of Hand check to
notice that she has palmed a long knife from inside
her sleeve. Those who make the check get to act in
the surprise round as she abruptly Sneak Attacks
the PC she was talking to, a sweet smile on her face.
At this point, the other two stalkers Draw their
weapons and assume their natural forms, Sneak
attacking PCs who still have not acted yet.
The young man stands and draws his filigreed long
sword; an odd expression crossing his face, as
though he was having intestinal trouble. His
expression changes into one of sudden relief as
abruptly, his features puff up and bulge out, his
arms extend, and all previous evidence of humanity
is erased in an instant. (Show them the Picture of a
faceless stalker.) It then rotates his shoulders
bonelessly and gives a sigh of contentment, "Damn,
that felt good."
The Stalkers then follow the listed tactics,
fleeing once the first one dies.
Foxglove’s Townhouse (EL 6)
F A C E L E S S S T A L K E R S (2) CR 4
Usually CE Medium aberration (shapechanger)
Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +2,
Spot +2
DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14
(+3 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 42 (5d8+20)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +6
DR 5/piercing or slashing
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft.
Melee mwk longsword +8 (1d8+4/19–20) or
slam +7 (1d4+6)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks sneak attack +2d6
TACTICS
Before Combat Given the opportunity, a
faceless stalker prefers to enter combat in
an assumed shape so it can revert to its
actual form in the first round of combat to
gain its morale bonuses as soon as the fight
begins.
During Combat The faceless stalkers attempt
to keep one foe flanked at all times,
fighting near walls if possible to prevent
the same happening to them.
Morale The faceless stalkers fight until one is
killed, whereupon the other attempts to
flee. It does not return to its lair in the
Shadow Clock, as it is terrified of Xanesha’s
likely response to its failure— instead it
tries to flee the city entirely to return to
the Mushfens.
STATISTICS
Str 18, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 16
Base Atk +3; Grp +7
Feats Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative
Skills Bluff +11, Disguise +11 (+21 when using
change shape), Escape Artist +15, Sleight of
Hand +13
Languages Aquan, Common; tongues
SQ change shape, elastic, faceless
Gear masterwork longsword
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Change Shape (Su) A faceless stalker can
assume the form of a Medium humanoid at
will, although this transformation is
somewhat painful for the faceless stalker.
Assuming a new form takes 10 minutes of
concentration—a faceless stalker generally
seeks out a safe and secluded place before
beginning to assume a new form. Once a new
shape is assumed, the faceless stalker can
maintain that form indefinitely. The
creature can revert to its true form as a
free action, its shape rippling and snapping
back into its true shape instantly. For 1
round after reverting to its true form, a
faceless stalker gains a +2 morale bonus on
all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, skill
checks, and saving throws. The faceless
stalker’s actual statistics don’t change when
it assumes a humanoid form, and it retains
all of its other extraordinary abilities. It
does not gain any of the assumed form’s
abilities; it cannot gain a fly speed, the
ability to breathe water, or any other
extraordinary abilities either. Any items or
gear worn by the faceless stalker when it
changes form are not absorbed by the new
form—they continue to be worn by its new
shape. A faceless stalker that uses this
ability to disguise itself as a specific
individual gains a +10 circumstance bonus on
its Disguise check.
Elastic (Ex) A faceless stalker’s body is
boneless and rubbery, affording it
resistance to bludgeoning attacks and
granting a +12 racial bonus on Escape Artist
checks. It can extend the length of its
limbs, providing it with a longer reach than
most creatures of its size. A faceless
stalker can slither through gaps as narrow
as an inch wide, although it must leave
behind most of its gear to do so—moving
through a narrow space like this costs the
faceless stalker 3 squares of movement per
5 feet traveled.
Faceless (Ex) In its natural form, a faceless
stalker has no real facial features. Its eyes,
mouth, nostrils, and ears are little more
than tiny slits in the folds and whorls of
flesh and color that decorate its head. A
faceless stalker in its true form gains a +4
bonus on any saving throws made against
Skinsaw Mask
Aura faint necromancy [evil]; CL 3rd
Slot head; Price 1,500 gp
DESCRIPTION
This hideous mask resembles a
patchwork deformed face, with one bulbous eye, a
grimacing mouth of long teeth, and no noticeable
nose. When worn, the mask fills the wearer’s mind
with hideous whispers and images of murder and
violence. It heightens his ability to sense fear. He
can smell the cold sweat brought on by terror and
hear the thundering beating of a frightened
heart. Further, fresh blood glows brightly to him,
to the extent that he can see the shimmering
traceries of living circulatory systems pumping
away in the bodies of those around him. These
enhancements grant +2 competence bonuses on
Listen, Search, and Spot checks made against
creatures that aren’t immune to fear. Further, the
ability to see so plainly the map of a target’s
arteries and veins grants the wearer a +1 profane
bonus on damage with slashing weapon attacks
made against living creatures. Wearing a skinsaw
mask leaves hideous mental scars; when the mask
is donned, the wearer takes 1 point of Charisma
damage as his thoughts become tangled with
images of murder.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, deathwatch;
visual attacks (such as gaze weapons),
odorbased attacks, and sonic attacks.
Sneak Attack (Ex) A faceless stalker deals
+2d6 points of damage when its target is
denied its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class
or is flanked. This ability works the same as
the rogue ability.
Tongues (Su) A faceless stalker is under the
constant effect of a tongues spell; this
ability cannot be dispelled.
Feats Faceless stalkers are proficient with
light armor and all simple and martial
weapons.
D3. The Undermill (EL 5)
S K I N S A W C U L T I S T S (3) CR 2
Human rogue 1/cleric 1
NE Medium humanoid
Init +6; Senses Listen +2, Spot +6
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12
(+2 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 12 (1d6+1d8+2)
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +4
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft.
Melee mwk war razor +2 (1d4+1/18–20)
Special Attacks death touch 1/day (1d6
damage), sneak attack +1d6, rebuke undead
2/day (–1, 2d6)
Spells Prepared (CL 1st)
1st—command (DC 13), disguise selfD (DC 13),
shield of faith
0—light, mending, virtue
D
domain spell; Domains Death, Trickery
TACTICS
Before Combat If the cultist have warning,
they will don their skinshaw masks in
preparation for conflict. If enough time is
available, they then cast shield of faith. If
not, casting shield of faith is their first
actions.
During Combat A Skinsaw Cultist casts shield
of faith on the first round of combat if he
has a chance, saving command for
emergencies if he needs to slow down
pursuit. Here in the undermill, a cultist
might attempt to trip or bull rush a
character not armed with a melee weapon
into the machinery. The cultist continually
move about attempting to set up flanking
opportunities for their fellows.
Morale If one of the cultists is slain, the
others attempt to flee upstairs to join their
brothers in defending the mill.
STATISTICS
Str 12, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +0; Grp +1
Feats Improved Initiative, Martial Weapon
(war razor)
Skills Balance +6, Climb +5, Hide +6, Knowledge
(local) +4, Knowledge (religion) +1, Listen
+22, Move Silently +6, Search +42, Sleight
of Hand +6, Spot +62, Tumble +6
Languages Common, Infernal
SQ spontaneous casting (inflict spells),
trapfinding
Other Gear leather armor, masterwork war
razor, skinsaw mask, 20 gp
SPECIAL ABILITIES
2
Add +2 while masked with a skinsaw mask
Death Touch (Su): Usable 1/day. This
produces a death effect. On a succesful
melee touch attack against a living creature,
roll 1d6 per cleric level. If the total of
these dice at least equals the creature’s
current hit points, it dies (no save).
D4. Lumber Collection (EL 5)
S K I N S A W C U L T I S T S (4) CR 2
Human rogue 1/cleric 1
NE Medium humanoid
Init +6; Senses Listen +2, Spot +6
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12
(+2 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 12 (1d6+1d8+2)
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +4
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft.
Melee mwk war razor +2 (1d4+1/18–20)
Special Attacks death touch 1/day (1d6
damage), sneak attack +1d6, rebuke undead
2/day (–1, 2d6)
Spells Prepared (CL 1st)
1st—command (DC 13), disguise selfD (DC 13),
shield of faith
0—light, mending, virtue
D
domain spell; Domains Death, Trickery
TACTICS
Before Combat If a warning is given, the
cultist are wearing their skinshaw masks
and have their war razors available.
During Combat A Skinsaw Cultist casts shield
of faith on the first round of combat if he
has a chance, saving command for
emergencies if he needs to slow down
pursuit. Each cultist tries to maneuver to
allow his comrades to flank their opponents.
They react to intruders with smiles as they
slowly work themselves into flanking
positions before attacking.
Morale If one of the cultists is slain, the
others attempt to flee upstairs to join their
brothers in defending the mill.
STATISTICS
Str 12, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +0; Grp +1
Feats Improved Initiative, Martial Weapon
(war razor)
Skills Balance +6, Climb +5, Hide +6, Knowledge
(local) +4, Knowledge (religion) +1, Listen
+23, Move Silently +6, Search +43, Sleight
of Hand +6, Spot +63, Tumble +6
Languages Common, Infernal
SQ spontaneous casting (inflict spells),
trapfinding
Other Gear leather armor, masterwork war
razor, skinsaw mask, 20 gp
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Death Touch (Su): Usable 1/day. This
produces a death effect. On a succesful
melee touch attack against a living creature,
roll 1d6 per cleric level. If the total of
these dice at least equals the creature’s
current hit points, it dies (no save).
D5. Log Splitters (EL 6)
S K I N S A W C U L T I S T S (4) CR 2
Human rogue 1/cleric 1
NE Medium humanoid
Init +6; Senses Listen +2, Spot +6
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12
(+2 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 12 (1d6+1d8+2)
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +4
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft.
Melee mwk war razor +2 (1d4+1/18–20)
Special Attacks death touch 1/day (1d6
damage), sneak attack +1d6, rebuke undead
2/day (–1, 2d6)
Spells Prepared (CL 1st)
1st—command (DC 13), disguise selfD (DC 13),
shield of faith
0—light, mending, virtue
D
domain spell; Domains Death, Trickery
TACTICS
Before Combat If a warning is given, the
cultist are wearing their skinshaw masks
and have their war razors available.
During Combat A Skinsaw Cultist casts shield
of faith on the first round of combat if he
has a chance, saving command for
emergencies if he needs to slow down
pursuit. Each cultist tries to maneuver to
allow his comrades to flank their opponents.
3 4
Add +2 when masked with a skinsaw mask
Additionally, the cultist here may try to
maneuver to bull rush their enemies into the
log splitter (see text within the module).
Morale If one of the cultists is slain, the
others attempt to flee upstairs to join their
brothers in defending the mill.
STATISTICS
Str 12, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +0; Grp +1
Feats Improved Initiative, Martial Weapon
(war razor)
Skills Balance +6, Climb +5, Hide +6, Knowledge
(local) +4, Knowledge (religion) +1, Listen
+24, Move Silently +6, Search +44, Sleight
of Hand +6, Spot +64, Tumble +6
Languages Common, Infernal
SQ spontaneous casting (inflict spells),
trapfinding
Other Gear leather armor, masterwork war
razor, skinsaw mask, 20 gp
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Death Touch (Su): Usable 1/day. This
produces a death effect. On a successful
melee touch attack against a living creature,
roll 1d6 per cleric level. If the total of
these dice at least equals the creature’s
current hit points, it dies (no save).
D6. Workshop (EL 3 or 10)
S K I N S A W C U L T I S T S (2) CR 2
Human rogue 1/cleric 1
NE Medium humanoid
Init +6; Senses Listen +2, Spot +6
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12
(+2 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 12 (1d6+1d8+2)
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +4
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft.
Melee mwk war razor +2 (1d4+1/18–20)
Special Attacks death touch 1/day (1d6
damage), sneak attack +1d6, rebuke undead
2/day (–1, 2d6)
Spells Prepared (CL 1st)
1st—command (DC 13), disguise selfD (DC 13),
shield of faith
0—light, mending, virtue
Add +2 when masked with a skinsaw mask
 D
domain spell; Domains Death, Trickery
TACTICS
Before Combat If a warning is given, the
cultist are wearing their skinshaw masks
and have their war razors available.
During Combat A Skinsaw Cultist casts shield
of faith on the first round of combat if he
has a chance, saving command for
emergencies if he needs to slow down
pursuit. Each cultist tries to maneuver to
allow his comrades to flank their opponents.
The cultists react to intruders with feigned
concern for their safety before donning
masks and drawing razors.
Morale If one of the cultists is slain, the
others attempt to flee upstairs to join their
brothers in defending the mill.
STATISTICS
Str 12, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +0; Grp +1
Feats Improved Initiative, Martial Weapon
(war razor)
Skills Balance +6, Climb +5, Hide +6, Knowledge
(local) +4, Knowledge (religion) +1, Listen
+25, Move Silently +6, Search +45, Sleight
of Hand +6, Spot +65, Tumble +6
Languages Common, Infernal
SQ spontaneous casting (inflict spells),
trapfinding
Other Gear leather armor, masterwork war
razor, skinsaw mask, 20 gp
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Death Touch (Su): Usable 1/day. This
produces a death effect. On a succesful
melee touch attack against a living creature,
roll 1d6 per cleric level. If the total of
these dice at least equals the creature’s
current hit points, it dies (no save).
D7. Ironbriar’s Office (EL 6)
JUSTICE IRONBRIAR CR 7 6
Male elf rogue 1/cleric 6 (Norgorber)
5 attack then helps the Scarecrow kill of the PCs
Add +2 when masked with a skinsaw mask
6
Alternatively, Justice Ironbriar could be a Black
Flame Zealot from Unapproachable East. Making
Ironbriar a Cleric 6/Rogue 1/Black Flame Zealot 1
increases his CR to 8. Make these changes:
• Justice Ironbriar has 58 hp
• Justice Ironbriar’s AC is 24
Reaper’s Mask
Aura moderate enchantment; CL 7th
Slot head; Price 12,000 gp
DESCRIPTION
This disturbing mask appears as a single long
strip of pliant human skin, stitched into a
widening spiral by black thread. Gaps between
the stitching allow the wearer to see and
breathe through the unsettling mask. A
reaper’s mask functions identically to a
skinsaw mask (see above) allows the wearer to
cast confusion twice per day.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item,
confusion, deathwatch; Cost 6,000 gp, 480 XP
NE Medium humanoid
Init +6; Senses low-light vision; Listen +8, Spot
+8
DEFENSE
AC 23, touch 19, flat-footed 17
(+4 armor, +3 deflection, +6 Dex)
hp 40 (1d6+6d8+7)
Fort +6, Ref +10, Will +7 (+2 against
enchantment)
Immune sleep effects
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft.
Melee +1 war razor +11 (1d4/18–20)
Special Attack rebuke undead 4/day (+1,
2d6+7), sneak attack +1d6
Spells Prepared (CL 7th)
• His attack is melee +1 war razor +13 (1d4+2/18-
20)
• Saves Change to Fort +6 Ref +12 Will +9
• Spells Cast
o Shield of Faith CL 6th
o Divine Favor CL 6th
o Bears Endurance CL 6th
o Cats Grace CL 6th
o Undetectable Alignment CL 6th
o Invisibility CL 6th
• After his casts all his prep spells while invisible
sneaks into the Workshop and uses his death
• Death Attack DC 13
• He is also Immune to Fear
• He also has a Wand of Dispel Magic CL 10th with 4
charges on it, his Mithral shirt is a Mithral Shirt
+1
Treasure there is also 1000 Gp with his collection of
books.
 3rd—bestow curse (DC 15), cure serious
wounds, suggestionD (DC 15)
2 —bear’s endurance†, cat’s grace†, cure
nd
moderate wounds, invisibility†D,
undetectable alignment†
1st—charm personD (DC 13), command (DC 13),
cure light wounds, divine favor, shield of
faith†
0—cure minor wounds (2), light, mending,
read magic, virtue
D
domain spell; Domains Charm, Trickery
† - already cast
TACTICS
Before Combat Ironbriar prepares for combat
by casting bear’s endurance, cat’s grace,
shield of faith, and invisibility; the effects
of these spells are included in his stats.
During Combat Ironbriar prefers to let his
cultists fight in melee, himself hanging back
to use his spells at range. Once he’s cast his
ranged spells, he casts bestow curse, holds
the charge, and steps in to touch the PC
who seems to be the most dangerous, after
which he fights with his magic war razor.
Morale As long as he remains under the effect
of Xanesha’s charm monster spell, Ironbriar
fights to the death. If the charm effect
ends, he suddenly realizes how the lamia
matriarch has been using him and
immediately offers the PCs a deal, as
detailed under Development. If the PCs
refuse to deal with Ironbriar, he does his
best to escape into the city—he abandons
his life here and attempts to flee Varisia
aboard a trade ship bound for the distant
south.
STATISTICS
Str 8, Dex 22, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 12
Base Atk +4; Grp +3
Feats Combat Reflexes, Martial Weapon
Proficiency (war razor), Weapon Finesse
Skills Bluff +11, Concentration +5, Decipher
Script +6, Diplomacy +13, Forgery +6, Hide
+10, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (local) +6,
Knowledge (religion) +8, Listen +8, Move
Silently +10, Search +4, Spot +8
SQ spontaneous casting (inflict spells),
trapfinding
Languages Common, Draconic, Elven, Infernal
Combat Gear wand of cure moderate wounds
(12 charges)
Other Gear mithral shirt, +1 war razor,
reaper’s mask
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Charm Domain (Ex) Once per day, Justice
Ironbriar can boost his Charisma by 4
points. Activating this power is a free
action. The Charisma increase lasts 1
minute.
E1. The Scarecrow’s Lair
(EL 8)
THE SCARECROW CR 8
Lifespark elite flesh golem (MM 135; Advanced
Bestiary 159)
CE Large construct
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light
vision; Listen +1, Spot +1
DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 10, flat-footed 19
(+1 Dex, +10 natural, –1 size)
hp 79 (9d10+30)
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +4; –2 against mind-
affecting effects
Defensive Abilities construct traits; DR
5/adamantine
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft.
Melee +1 scythe +14/+9 (2d6+11/×4) or
2 slams +12 (2d8+7)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
TACTICS
During Combat The Scarecrow does not
pursue foes up the stairs, but it does chase
after anyone who tries to escape into the
Shadow district.
Morale Although a construct and loyal to the
cult, the Scarecrow values its life as well.
If brought below 20 hit points it tries to
escape into the ocean, where it remains for
days until it feels brave enough to emerge
and seek out someone it can bully into
repairing its damage.
STATISTICS
Str 25, Dex 13, Con —, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 10
Base Atk +6; Grp +17
Feats Martial Weapon Proficiency (scythe),
Power Attack, Stealthy, Weapon Focus
(scythe)
Skills Climb +19, Hide +16, Move Silently +15
Languages Common, Infernal
SQ open mind
Gear +1 scythe, cloak of elvenkind
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Immune to Magic (Ex) The Scarecrow is
immune to any spell or spell-like ability that
allows spell resistance. Any magical attack
that deals cold or fire damage slows the
Scarecrow for 2d6 rounds (no saving
throw). Any magical attack that deals
electricity damage breaks any slow effect
on the Scarecrow and heals 1 point of
damage for every 3 points of damage the
attack would otherwise deal; excess hit
points are gained as temporary hit points.
Open Mind (Ex) Unlike standard flesh golems,
the Scarecrow is self-aware and possesses
a personality, and it does not have a chance
of going berserk. It is not immune to mind-
affecting attacks, and in fact takes a –2
penalty on saving throws against mind-
affecting effects.
E3. The Bells (EL 7)
F A C E L E S S S T A L K E R S (3) CR 4
Usually CE Medium aberration (shapechanger)
Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +2,
Spot +2
DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14
(+3 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 42 (5d8+20)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +6
DR 5/piercing or slashing
OFFENSE
Spd 30 ft.
Melee mwk longsword +8 (1d8+4/19–20) or
slam +7 (1d4+6)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks sneak attack +2d6
TACTICS
Before Combat Given the opportunity, a
faceless stalker prefers to enter combat in
an assumed shape so it can revert to its
actual form in the first round of combat to
gain its morale bonuses as soon as the fight
begins.
During Combat The faceless stalkers attempt
to keep one foe flanked at all times,
fighting near walls if possible to prevent
the same happening to them.
Morale The faceless stalkers fight until one is
killed, whereupon the other attempts to
flee. It does not return to its lair in the
Shadow Clock, as it is terrified of Xanesha’s
likely response to its failure— instead it
tries to flee the city entirely to return to
the Mushfens.
STATISTICS
Str 18, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 16
Base Atk +3; Grp +7
Feats Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative
Skills Bluff +11, Disguise +11 (+21 when using
change shape), Escape Artist +15, Sleight of
Hand +13
Languages Aquan, Common; tongues
SQ change shape, elastic, faceless
Gear masterwork longsword
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Change Shape (Su) A faceless stalker can
assume the form of a Medium humanoid at
will, although this transformation is
somewhat painful for the faceless stalker.
Assuming a new form takes 10 minutes of
concentration—a faceless stalker generally
seeks out a safe and secluded place before
beginning to assume a new form. Once a new
shape is assumed, the faceless stalker can
maintain that form indefinitely. The
creature can revert to its true form as a
free action, its shape rippling and snapping
back into its true shape instantly. For 1
round after reverting to its true form, a
faceless stalker gains a +2 morale bonus on
all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, skill
checks, and saving throws. The faceless
stalker’s actual statistics don’t change when
it assumes a humanoid form, and it retains
all of its other extraordinary abilities. It
does not gain any of the assumed form’s
abilities; it cannot gain a fly speed, the
ability to breathe water, or any other
extraordinary abilities either. Any items or
gear worn by the faceless stalker when it
changes form are not absorbed by the new
form—they continue to be worn by its new
shape. A faceless stalker that uses this
ability to disguise itself as a specific
individual gains a +10 circumstance bonus on
its Disguise check.
Elastic (Ex) A faceless stalker’s body is
boneless and rubbery, affording it
resistance to bludgeoning attacks and
granting a +12 racial bonus on Escape Artist
checks. It can extend the length of its
limbs, providing it with a longer reach than
most creatures of its size. A faceless
stalker can slither through gaps as narrow
as an inch wide, although it must leave
behind most of its gear to do so—moving
through a narrow space like this costs the
faceless stalker 3 squares of movement per
5 feet traveled.
Faceless (Ex) In its natural form, a faceless
stalker has no real facial features. Its eyes,
mouth, nostrils, and ears are little more
than tiny slits in the folds and whorls of
flesh and color that decorate its head. A
faceless stalker in its true form gains a +4
bonus on any saving throws made against
visual attacks (such as gaze weapons),
odorbased attacks, and sonic attacks.
Sneak Attack (Ex) A faceless stalker deals
+2d6 points of damage when its target is
denied its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class
or is flanked. This ability works the same as
the rogue ability.
Tongues (Su) A faceless stalker is under the
constant effect of a tongues spell; this
ability cannot be dispelled.
Feats Faceless stalkers are proficient with
light armor and all simple and martial
weapons.
E6. The Angel (EL 10)
XANESHA CR 10
Lamia matriarch sorcerer 2
Always CE Large monstrous humanoid
(shapechanger)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light
vision; Listen +2, Spot +2
DEFENSE
AC 34, touch 17, flat-footed 28
(+4 armor, +4, shield, +1 deflection, +6 Dex,
+9 natural, –1 size, +1 haste)
hp 142 (12d8+2d4+48)
Fort +11 (+13 against poison), Ref +16 (+1 for
haste), Will +16
Immune mind-affecting effects; SR 18
OFFENSE
Impaler of Thorns
Aura moderate enchantment; CL 7th
Slot — (held); Price 9,000 gp
DESCRIPTION
The impaler of thorns is an ancient
weapon dating back to Thassilonian times,
where it was often used by city guards to aid
in breaking up civil unrest. An impaler’s shaft
is made of darkwood, its head a thorn-like,
wide-bladed barb. When used in combat,
successful critical hits are accompanied by an
unsettling screech, as of some wild beast in
anger. Otherwise it is equivalent to a +1
longspear.
Once per day as it strikes a foe, you
can trigger it (as a free action) to unleash a
30-foot-radius burst of despair that affects
all creatures not wielding an impaler of
thorns. Creatures affected must make DC 16
Will saves or become overwhelmed with
sadness and despair, suffering a –2 penalty on
attack rolls, saving throws, ability checks,
skill checks, and weapon damage rolls for 6
minutes. The target struck when this effect
is triggered must also make a second DC 16
Will save to resist becoming nauseated with
despair for 1 round.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Magic Arms and Armor,
cat’s grace, delay poison; Cost 4,500 gp, 360
XP
Spd 70 ft., climb 70 ft., swim 70 ft.; fly 60
ft.; decrease to 40 ft., climb 40 ft., swim
40 ft.; fly 60 ft. if haste is dispelled
Melee impaler of thorns +20/+15/+10
(2d6+9/19–20/×3 plus 1 Wisdom drain) or
touch +18 (2d4 Wisdom drain) or
Melee (hasted) impaler of thorns
+20/+20/+15/+10 (2d6+9/19–20/×3 plus 1
Wisdom drain) or touch +18/+18 (2d4
Wisdom drain)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 10th)
At will—charm monster (DC 21),
ventriloquism (DC 18)
3/day—deep slumber (DC 20), dream, major
image (DC 20), mirror image†, suggestion
(DC 20)
Spells Known (CL 8th, +18 ranged touch)
4th (4/day)—dimension door
3rd (5 (7)/day)—fly†, haste†
2nd (6 (8)/day)—invisibility†, scorching ray,
silence† (DC 19)
 1st (6 (8)/day)—cure light wounds, divine
favor, mage armor†, magic missile, shield†
0 (6/day)—acid splash, dancing lights, daze
(DC 17), detect magic, ghost sound (DC
17), mage hand, mending, prestidigitation
† - already cast
TACTICS
Before Combat If she realizes the PCs are
near (as is the case if the faceless stalkers
drop a bell), Xanesha casts fly, mage armor,
and shield on herself. If she has a chance
just prior to combat (as is the case if she
hears the PCs approaching her lair) she also
casts mirror image, haste, and invisibility,
and then silence on a timber near the
entrance to her lair. These effects are
incorporated into her stats.
During Combat Xanesha activates her
Sihedron medallion’s false life ability and
casts divine favor (enhanced by Silent Spell
(+1 spell level) if necessary) on the first
round of combat. If she’s still invisible, she
casts a major image to make an illusory
flying demon appear in a cloud of smoke
that then begins to circle the top of the
tower. On round three, hopefully as the PCs
are distracted, she attempts to petrify a PC
near the edge using her mask; this, of
course, makes her visible. After this attack,
she prefers to fight in melee. She may try
to topple a petrified PC off the edge to
smash into fragments on the ground 160
feet below. If reduced to less than 60 hit
points, she flies out into the sky around the
tower to continue the fight using her spells.
Morale Xanesha attempts to flee Magnimar,
abandoning her plot and the scroll hidden in
her nest, if she’s reduced to 20 hit points
or less. If she escapes, she cuts ties with
her kin and Mokmurian, afraid of the
punishment for failure. She grows obsessed
with the PCs, seeing their capture as the
only way she can redeem herself to
Mokmurian—in this case, she becomes a
recurring villain who might ally with any
number of foes the PCs find themselves up
against in the next adventure.
STATISTICS
Str 22, Dex 23, Con 22, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 25
Base Atk +13; Grp +23
Feats Extend Spell, Improved Critical (spear),
Power Attack, Silent Spell, Weapon Focus
(spear)
Skills Bluff +19, Concentration +18, Knowledge
(arcana) +15, Knowledge (local) +14,
Spellcraft +19, Tumble +15, Use Magic
Device +24
Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic
SQ alternate form
Other Gear impaler of thorns, medusa mask,
Sihedron medallion (+1 resistance bonus on
all saves, false life as free action 1/day at
CL 5th; see Pathfinder #1, p.55), snakeskin
tunic, ring of protection +1
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Alternate Form (Su) A lamia matriarch has a
single humanoid form that she can assume
as a standard action—most lamia matriarchs
have human, elven, or half-elven alternate
forms. Their appearance in this form is
identical from the waist up to their
serpentine form, yet in humanoid form the
lamia matriarch is Medium sized (–8
Strength, +2 Dex, –4 Constitution), cannot
use her Wisdom drain attack, and has a
base speed of 30 feet.
Wisdom Drain (Su) A lamia matriarch drains
2d4 points of Wisdom each time she hits
with her melee touch attack. If she strikes
a foe with a melee weapon, she drains 1
point of Wisdom instead.
Unlike with other kinds of ability drain
attacks, a lamia matriarch does not heal
damage when she uses her Wisdom drain.
Skills Lamia matriarchs have a +4 racial bonus
on Bluff, Tumble, and Use Magic Device
checks.
Spells Lamia matriarchs cast spells as 6th-level
sorcerers, and can also cast spells from the
cleric list. Cleric spells are considered
arcane spells for a lamia matriarch, meaning
that the creature doesn’t need a divine
focus to cast them.
 1st Command (DC 13), Shield of Faith
Alternate Monsters (already cast), disguise selfD
0 Virtue, Mending (2)
SLIGHTLY GREATER GHOUL D
domain spell; Domains Death, Trickery
CR 1 STATISTICS

CE Medium Undead
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60-ft; Listen +2,
Spot +8
Languages Common
DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13
(+3 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 19 (3 HD)
Immune Undead traits
Resist +2 turn resistance
Fort +1, Ref+4 Will+5
OFFENSE
Speed 30-ft
Melee Bite +4 melee (1d6+2 plus paralysis) and
2 claws +1 (1d4+1 plus paralysis)
Special Attacks Ghoul Fever, paralysis
STATISTICS
Str 14, Dex 16, Con -, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 15
Base Atk +1; Grp +3
Feats Multiattack, Weapon Focus (bite)
Skills Balance +7, Climb +5, Hide +8, Jump +7,
Move Silently +8, Spot +8
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Ghoul Fever (su) Disease-bite, Fort DC 13, inc
1 day, 1d3 con and 1d3 dex
Paralysis (ex) DC 13 Fort, Paralysis for 1d4+1
rounds
Alternate Skinsaw Cultists
S K I N S A W C U L T I S T CR 3
Male Human Cleric 1/Rogue 2
CE Medium Humanoid (human)
Init +6; Senses Listen +2, Spot +6
Languages Common
DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+2 armor, +2
Dex, +2 shield of faith)
hp 19 (2d6+1d8+3)
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +4
OFFENSE
Speed 30-ft
Melee mwk war razor +4 (1d4+2/18-20)
Special Attacks Death Touch 1/day (1d6)
Attack Options Sneak Attack +1d6
Spells prepared (CL 1st):
Str 12, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +1; Grp +2
SQ Turn Undead, Evasion, spontaneously cast
Inflict Spells
Feats Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse,
Martial Weapon (razor)
Skills Balance +7, Climb +6, Hide +7, Knowledge
(local) +5, Knowledge (religion) +1, Listen
+37, Move Silently +7, Search +57, Sleight
of Hand +7, Spot +77, Tumble +7
Possessions Leather Armor, masterwork war
razor, Skinsaw Mask, 20 gp
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Death Touch (Su): Usable 1/day. This
produces a death effect. On a succesful
melee touch attack against a living creature,
roll 1d6 per cleric level. If the total of
these dice at least equals the creature’s
current hit points, it dies (no save).
I was thinking that the Lamia Matriarch
(Pathfinder 2, p. 92-93) would look an awful lot
like a marilith, if it had six arms. So below are
the changed stats for a 6-armed lamia
matriarch. The Obah-Blessed template
(Dungeon 136, p. 61) adds the extra arms. I’ve
only listed changed stats (except for including
Will mod and BAB for line integrity).
In place of Two-Weapon Fighting, I’ve
included Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting
(Complete Adventurer, p. 111), as the template
gives Multiweapon Fighting as a bonus feat. An
alternative replacement feat could be
Practiced Spellcaster (Complete
Arcane/Complete Divine).
6-A R M E D L A M I A M A T R I A R C H
CR 10
Init +7
DEFENSE
AC 25, touch 16, flat-footed 18
(+7 Dex, +9 natural, -1 size)
hp 126 (12d8+72)
7
- Add +2 when masked with a skinsaw mask
Fort +10, Ref +15, Will +13
OFFENCE
Melee +1 scimitar +18/+13/+8 (1d8+8/15-20
plus 1 Wisdom drain) and
Melee five +1 scimitars +18/+13/+8 (1d8+4/15-
20 plus 1 Wisdom drain) or
Melee touch +18 (2d4 Wisdom drain)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 10th:
At will—charm monster (DC 24),
ventriloquism (DC 21)
3/day—deep slumber (DC 23), dream, major
image (DC 23), mirror image†, suggestion
(DC 23)
Spells Known (CL 6th)
4th (4/day)—dimension door
3rd (5 (7)/day)—fly†, haste†
2nd (6 (8)/day)—invisibility†, scorching ray,
silence† (DC 22)
1st (6 (8)/day)—cure light wounds, divine
favor, mage armor†, magic missile, shield†
0 (6/day)—acid splash, dancing lights, daze
(DC 20), detect magic, ghost sound (DC
20), mage hand, mending, prestidigitation
† - already cast
STATISTICS
Str 24, Dex 24, Con 23, Int 16, Wis 16, Cha 26
BAB +12; Grp +31
Feats Extend Spell, Improved Critical
(scimitar), Iron Will, Multiweapon Fighting,
Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon
Focus (scimitar)
Skills Bluff +22, Climb +15, Concentration +16,
Knowledge (arcana) +13, Knowledge (any one
other) +13, Spellcraft +15, Swim +15,
Tumble +21, Use Magic Device +27
ECOLOGY
Treasure standard coins, standard goods,
double items plus six +1 scimitars
Level Adjustment +9
For a tougher version of the above, I’ve
used the multi-headed creature template
(Savage Species) to add three extra heads.
The multi-headed template gives Combat
Reflexes and Improved Initiative as bonus
feats. The 16-HD ability score boost went on
Con.
6-A R M E D , 4-H E A D E D L A M I A
MATRIARCH CR 13
Init +11; Senses darkvision 90 ft., low-light
vision; Listen +9, Spot +9
DEFENSE
AC 28, touch 16, flat-footed 21
(+7 Dex, +12 natural, -1 size)
hp 261 (18d8+180)
Fort +16, Ref +18, Will +16
OFFENSE
Melee Four +1 scimitar +24/+19/+14
(1d8+8/15-20 plus 1 Wisdom drain) and
Melee two +1 scimitar +24 (1d8+4/15-20 plus 1
Wisdom drain) or
Melee touch +24 (2d4 Wisdom drain)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 10th)
At will—charm monster (DC 24),
ventriloquism (DC 21)
3/day—deep slumber (DC 23), dream, major
image (DC 23), mirror image†, suggestion
(DC 23)
Spells Known (CL 10th):
4th (4/day)—dimension door
3rd (5 (7)/day)—fly†, haste†
2nd (6 (8)/day)—invisibility†, scorching ray,
silence† (DC 22)
1st (6 (8)/day)—cure light wounds, divine
favor, mage armor†, magic missile, shield†
0 (6/day)—acid splash, dancing lights, daze
(DC 20), detect magic, ghost sound (DC
20), mage hand, mending, prestidigitation
† - already cast
STATISTICS
Str 24, Dex 24, Con 30, Int 16, Wis 16, Cha 26
Base Atk +18; Grp +37
Feats Combat Reflexes, Extend Spell,
Improved Critical (scimitar), Improved
Initiative, Iron Will, Multiweapon Fighting,
Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting, Power
Attack, Practiced Spellcaster (sorcerer),
Weapon Focus (scimitar)
Skills Bluff +25, Climb +15, Concentration +26,
Knowledge (arcana) +16, Knowledge (any one
other) +16, Listen +9, Spellcraft +18,
Search +9, Spot +9, Swim +18, Tumble +27,
Use Magic Device +30
SQ alternate form, redundant heads, superior
multiweapon fighting
ECOLOGY
Treasure standard coins, standard goods,
double items plus six +1 scimitars
Level Adjustment +12
 For an even tougher challenge, I’ve added
five levels of Abjurant Champion (Complete
Mage), the Arcane Strike (Complete Warrior)
feat for its 21st-HD, and the elite array; the
latter does not change CR. Practiced
Spellcaster was replaced with Combat Casting.
The 20-HD ability score boost went on Str.
This matriarch probably has weapons much
better than +1 scimitars (ie. those with special
qualities, and/or made of particular materials)
but it can be expected that it casts greater
magic weapon on each of these weapons, or
extended versions, each day (or every other
day, if extended); the stat block assumes the
spells are active at the time. Assume that it
casts (extended) mage armor every other day
as well. The abjurant armor, arcane boost,
extended abjuration, martial arcanist, and
swift abjuration abilities are class abilities of
the abjurant champion.
If you want to make it even tougher, add
another level of sorcerer (or relevant PrC),
giving it access to greater dispel magic.
6-A R M E D , 4-H E A D E D L A M I A
MATRIARCH ABJURANT CHAMPION
5 CR 18
Init +12; Senses darkvision 90 ft., low-light
vision; Listen +8, Spot +8
DEFENSE
AC 38, touch 17, flat-footed 30
(+8 Dex, +9 mage armor, +12 natural, -1 size)
hp 365 (18d8+5d10+253)
Fort +18, Ref +20, Will +19
OFFENSE
Melee Four +5 scimitar +36/+31/+26
(1d8+15/15-20 plus 1 Wisdom drain) and
Melee two +5 scimitar +36 (1d8+10/15-20 plus
1 Wisdom drain) or
Melee touch +32 (2d4 Wisdom drain)
Special Attacks arcane boost
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 10th):
At will—charm monster (DC 26),
ventriloquism (DC 23)
3/day—deep slumber (DC 25), dream, major
image (DC 25), mirror image†, suggestion
(DC 25)
Spells Known (As Sorcerer 11; CL 23rd)
5th (6/day)—teleport, wall of force
4th (8/day)—cure critical wounds, improved
invisibility, righteous might
3rd (9/day)—fly, haste, greater magic
weapon, magic circle against good
2 (9/day)—death knell (DC 22), glitterdust,
nd
shield other +2 more
1st (9/day)—cure light wounds, divine favor,
mage armor, shield, shield of faith
0 (6/day)—dancing lights, daze (DC 20),
detect magic, ghost sound (DC 20), mage
hand, mending, prestidigitation, ray of
frost (DC 20), read magic
STATISTICS
Str 30, Dex 27, Con 32, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 30
Base Atk +23; Grp +45
Feats Arcane Strike, Combat Casting, Combat
Reflexes, Extend Spell, Improved Critical
(scimitar), Improved Initiative, Iron Will,
Multiweapon Fighting, Oversized Two-
Weapon Fighting, Power Attack, Weapon
Focus (scimitar)
Skills Bluff +27, Climb +18, Concentration +32,
Knowledge (arcana) +21, Knowledge (any one
other) +16, Listen +8, Ride +18, Spellcraft
+23, Search +9, Spot +8, Swim +21, Tumble
+28, Use Magic Device +32
SQ abjurant armor, alternate form, extended
abjuration, martial arcanist, redundant
heads, superior multiweapon fighting, swift
abjuration.
ECOLOGY
Treasure standard coins, standard goods,
double items plus six +1 scimitars
Level Adjustment +12
 An alternative take on *living* flesh-eating
monster. (I used the
Foxglove Manor (spoilers) same mechanics, toning
Mary Yamato (Pathfinder Charter down the high stats
Subscriber) just a little, and
deleting the undead
Fairly early in Skinsaw Murders it immunities and
became apparent that my player wouldn't vulnerabilities.)
enjoy the continuation as written.
On analysis, we were both (2) Ieyesha had enough
troubled by the fact that the haunts and perspective to know
clues clearly establish Vorel Foxglove as who her real enemy
the source of the evil in this scenario, but was, so she is not
the resolution of the scenario involves utterly fixated on
defeating Aldern, not Vorel. There's a Aldern's destruction; in
method suggested for getting rid of Vorel fact, her very best
but it reads like an afterthought (as well outcome would be
as involving spells a party of this level sacrificing Aldern to
probably will not have). destroy Vorel.
The player also really wanted to
have a chance to save Aldern, which is (3) Aldern, as Vorel's heir,
tough in the main line as he's been dead is the key to destroying
for some time before there is any him permanently. Vorel
opportunity for the PCs to act. can be lured into
I ended up changing things quite a possessing Aldern and
bit. I don't know that I recommend these then will be vulnerable
changes in general, but for my particular in ways he isn't while
game they worked well. possessing a house.

(1) Aldern isn't dead. (4) Aldern is mostly in

Xanesha jumped the
gun and sent him that
very disturbing letter a
bit too early. This
galvanized him into
searching for a way to
save himself, and being
the heir to a master of
disease, death, and
undeath, he succeeded.
Unfortunately, the
rituals gleaned from
Vorel's notes didn't
stop him from turning
into a flesh-eating
monster. He's just a
Skinsaw Man persona
(he's stark raving mad,
and no wonder) but has
moments of lucidity.
During one of these he
writes a note to the PC
of his obsession and
substitutes it for one
of the Skinsaw Man's
notes. (My player's PCs
actually found this note
at Foxglove Manor,
having gotten there
very quickly.)
 (5) Aldern isn't home when
the PCs come calling,
but Ieyesha can lead
them to him.
I didn't script the outcome of
this situation. The PCs might well have
killed Aldern on sight. As it happens,
though, the PC who he was obsessed with
managed to "talk him down" into a moment
of lucidity and stage-manage a very tense
confrontation between Aldern and
Ieyesha. The PCs' final plan was for
Aldern to deliberately invite Vorel's
possession, and then for the PCs to use
_cure disease_ to kill Vorel-in-Aldern
before the lich killed them all. (With a
backup plan of simply killing him, assuming
they could.) This worked pretty much as
described. They finished by burning the
house to the ground.
Then they had a marginally sane
Aldern, with the powers of a ghoul; and
they adopted him as a party NPC. That, I
admit, I had not expected. But it's been
really fun, some of the best PC/NPC
interaction I've seen.
Aldern got to take his revenge on
Xanesha at last: cue a very uncomfortable
moment as he tried to explain what
happens to people he kills, to a paladin of
Sarenrae who didn't at all approve....
The only person outside the party
who knows the awful truth is the
shopkeeper whose daughter Aldern
murdered, but so far, everyone dismisses
him as drunk and crazed. The PCs'
reputation as the heroes of Sandpoint will
take a real beating if the man can ever
prove his wild claims.
This is rather a fragile scenario;
if the PCs simply kill Aldern it pretty
much reverts to the main line. But if it
goes the way I sketched, there's a lot
more sense that the PCs have really
defeated the evil at Foxglove Manor, not
just killed another of its victims and
waited for the cycle to repeat.
Vorel’s Possession of Aldern
I didn't do a full mechanical
implementation, since it was pretty clear
by then what resources the party had and
how they were likely to proceed. I worked
out a spell/spell-like list including a couple
of things Vorel could cast without
gestures/components/speech, and would
simply have gone down that list--if the
PCs had let me, which of course they were
strongly motivated not to do. I think the
first thing on the list was a turn undead
attempt on Ieyesha.
Vorel also had access to Aldern's
physical abilities and could have tried
escaping from his bonds, possibly
succeeding--I think the PCs badly
underestimated how agile and strong he
was, and I would have given a rage-style
bonus based on his utter disregard for
whether he injured Aldern.
It was, however, a one-round fight
and none of this mattered.
Turn undead would not have
worked unless it was a full destroy-
undead result, impossible with the
relative levels. Exorcism-type spells like
Break Enchantment would have worked,
but of course the PCs didn't have them.
I did a later scenario with
someone possessed by a similar haunting
spirit. It does seem like a weak spot in
the core rules, and I don't own any of the
books you mention: so again I had Break
Enchantment able to work, turn undead
only on a destroy result, and I would have
adjucated other spells case by case. In
the end the PCs talked a fey power into
separating ghost and victim by
reincarnating the ghost.
I did that character as a
combination of the victim's physical stats
and physical-stat-based abilities, and the
ghost's mental stats and mental-stat-
based abilities, with the ghost having
some blurry access to the victim's
memories.
If it were a PC being possessed I
might go in for a more complex and
nuanced version with control struggles,
but for an NPC it was easier to wing it.

Mary
 The Pyre
The Pyre was a place where long ago (before
Sandpoint was founded) a dangerous hag was
defeated by several Varisian adventurers. She
regenerated, so the adventurers burned her on a big
pyre here, and ever since Varisians come out to burn
a pyre in remembrance for all the folk the evil hag
slew. With the increase of local traffic and the
settling of Sandpoint, there's been talk about
building a lighthouse here to signal ships to the
nearby port of Sandpoint, but so far the local
Varisians have put a stop to that.

New Feats
Etch Schema [Item Creation]
You can create a minor schema.
Prerequisite: Caster level 10th.
Benefit: You can create a schema of a spell or
infusion. Etching a minor schema takes one day for
each 1,000 gp in its base price. The base price of a
minor schema is its spell or infusion level × its caster
level × 400 gp. To etch a minor schema, you must
spend 1/25 of this base price in XP and use up raw
materials costing one-half of this base price.
Alchemical Goods
Acidic Fire — You can throw a flask of acidic
fire as a splash weapon. Treat this attack as
a ranged touch attack with a range
increment of 10 feet.
A direct hit deals 1d4 points of fire
damage and 1d4 of acid damage. Every
creature within 5 feet of the point where
the flask hits takes 1 point of acid damage
from the splash. On the round following a
direct hit, the target takes an additional
1d4 points of fire damage. If desired, the
target can use a full-round action to
attempt to extinguish the acidic flames
before taking this additional damage.
Extinguishing the flames requires a DC 15
Reflex save. Rolling on the ground provides
the target a +2 bonus on the save. Leaping
into a lake or magically extinguishing the
flames automatically smothers the fire.
Alchemist's Spark — You can throw a flask of
alchemist’s spark as a splash weapon. Treat
this attack as a ranged touch attack with a
range increment of 10 feet. A direct hit
deals 1d6 points of electrical damage. Every
creature within 5 feet of the point where
the alchemist’s spark hits takes 1 point of
electrical damage from the splash.
Alchemist's Frost — You can throw a flask of
alchemist’s frost as a splash weapon. Treat
this attack as a ranged touch attack with a
range increment of 10 feet. A direct hit
deals 1d6 points of cold damage. Every
creature within 5 feet of the point where
the alchemist’s spark hits takes 1 point of
cold damage from the splash.
New Magic
Dust of Alchemic Potency is an alchemic
substance that acts as a catalyst for
various alchemical reactions. Adding the
dust to a given alchemical item is a move-
equivalent action. Once added to the
substance, the dust adds one die of damage
to an alchemic weapon, or doubles the
duration/area effect/whatever is
appropriate of the alchemic substance
placed on it.
Belt of Crafting — This magical item grants
its wearer a +5 bonus to all craft skills for
the day.
Minor Schemas
Schemas are the magic of Eberron in
recorded form. Dating back to the time of the
Giants, schemas have been used to pass magical
knowledge through the generations. An individual
schema might be a few sigils carved into a stone
tablet, or an elaborate scripted presentation on the
torso of a warforged titan.
In most cases, an individual schema
represents a specific magical building block. These
blocks can be combined into magical patterns,
storing power ranging from simple cantrips to world-
shaking destruction. A House Cannith magewright
might use a simple pattern to quickly create
hundreds of continual flame stones for use in street
lamps, even as agents of the Emerald Claw seek to
build a pattern that can replicate the destruction of
Cyre.
Some schemas are representations of
spells or infusions, which in knowledgeable hands can
be used to replicate the casting of those spells.
Such items are commonly called minor schemas. A
minor schema stores a single spell or infusion of up
to 6th level, and can be used once per day. It can be
crafted with the Etch Schema feat. Spells or
infusions with a costly material component, a costly
focus, or an XP cost cannot be stored in a minor
schema.
Minor Schemas
Spell/Infusion
Price
Level
1st level 400 gp
2nd level 2,400 gp
 Spell/Infusion Aura/Caster Level: Faint (1st-level to 3rd-
Price
Level level spell or infusion) or moderate (4th-level to 6th-
3rd level 6,000 gp level spell or infusion) varied. CL minimum required
4th level 11,200 gp to cast the spell or infusion stored in the item.
5th level 18,000 gp Construction: Requires Etch Schema, the
6th level 26,400 gp spell contained in the item, 200 gp, 16 XP, 1 day (1st);
1,200 gp, 96 XP, 3 days (2nd); 3,000 gp, 240 XP, 6
Description: A minor schema is usually a days (3rd); 5,600 gp, 448 XP, 12 days (4th); 9,000 gp,
flat strip of some durable material (commonly metal 720 XP, 18 days (5th); 13,200 gp, 1,056 XP, 27 days
or wood) approximately 2 inches wide and a foot or (6th).
more long, with carved or etched symbols and sigils Weight: —
covering its face. A minor schema that stores a low- Price: 400 gp (1st), 2,400 gp (2nd), 6,000 gp
level spell or infusion might appear fairly simple, (3 ), 11,200 gp (4th), 18,000 gp (5th), 26,400 gp (6th).
rd

whereas a schema with a higher-level spell might

have hundreds of components incorporated within its
mystical diagram. A typical minor schema weighs
approximately 1 pound. Minor schemas are never
constructed of parchment or other frail materials.
Prerequisite: To use a minor schema, the
spell or infusion contained within the item must be
on your class spell list.
Activation: Determining what spell or
infusion is recorded on a minor schema requires a
Spellcraft check (DC 20 + the level of the spell or
infusion). Read magic does not decipher a minor
schema, though identify and similar spells will.
If the spell or infusion contained within a
minor schema is on your class list, then you can
activate that minor schema as a spell completion
item (much like activating a scroll) once per day.
Schemas have no arcane or divine designation; they
are usable by any character with the spell on his
spell list regardless of the type of spells he casts.
Unlike a scroll, no minimum ability score is required
to use a minor schema.
If your caster level is lower than the minor
schema’s caster level, you must make a caster level
check (DC equal to the schema’s caster level +1) to
use the device successfully. If you fail, the schema
becomes dormant and does not function for 1d6
days, but no other mishap occurs due to failure.
If the spell or infusion on a schema is not
on your class list, you must instead succeed on a Use
Magic Device check (DC 20 + the caster level of the
spell or infusion) to activate a minor schema. (As
with other spell completion items, artificers must
make a Use Magic Device check to use minor
schemas, even if a schema’s spell or infusion appears
on their class list.) Failure renders the minor schema
dormant for 1d6 days, as noted above. In any case,
you must be able to see and read the pattern on a
minor schema to activate it. Activating a minor
schema provokes attacks of opportunity, and it is
subject to disruption just as casting a spell would be.
Unlike reading a scroll, a chance for arcane spell
failure does not apply when activating a minor
schema.

Making The Skinshaw
Murders PG
I have been treating the game as a
mechanism to teach my boys moral lessons and to
place them in situations where they are forced to
make ethical decisions. This has been useful to me as
a parent on several levels. First of all, it has made us
all much more closer and has been a great way for us
to spend time together. I oversee Blackmoor for ZG
and Dave Arneson, so my sons have seen me judging
at conventions and have seen multitudes of people
trek though my house playing different games. They
have been desperate to play, and judging for them
has been a great bonding experience and excellent
for all of us. If you have children in your household,
I heartily recommend running a game for them.
Secondly, I have been able to use the game
to teach my sons ethical lessons and come to a finer
understanding of their thinking and how they
approach the universe. My boys are aren’t at the
point where they say, “My character would…” to
abstractly determine a code of conduct based on
their alignment or defined character background..
Their actions are still directly informed by their
personal moral compass, so the actions they take tell
me quite a bit about who they are.
I have been able to bring them to terms
with real world causality. When my 7 year old gets
mad in the Rusty Dragon and punches someone, he
spend a night in the jail. When my ten year old puts
his Halfling mage in front of cleric because he is
angry that he is getting more kills than him, he gets
knocked down.
So, in terms of ethical decisions, I have
tried to give them the types of connections. What
people do has consequence. There is good in the
world. There is evil. Here are the issues we have
covered:
Skinsaw Murders has some harsher
content because it deals with domestic violence and
murders within a household. I presented this in
Burnt Offerings when Tsuto killed his Dad and the
table of kids took it hard.
I am going to make some slight
adjustments. Everyone at Fox Glove Manor who was
murdered, is instead going to be entrapped and used
to power the haunting. The kids will have to free
them instead. The murders in Sand Point will not be
mutilations and not everyone will be murdered. Some
folks will be abducted. I am not going to dilute the
undead/ghoul issue. These kids all watched LOTR
and saw what almost happened to Frodo. They are ok
with that as a concept. The lesson there for them
was that evil can corrupt you through contact.
The changes I am making still let me teach
hard lessons, but make the consequence less horrible
for the victims. The largest issues so far have not
been with the depth of the issues. The boys have
been remarkably resilient dealing with complex
ethical problems and listening to them exercise
these intellectual muscles has been pretty awe
inspiring. Their issues have been more with the
plight of the innocent and the relatively powerless.
They get a big kick out of being protectors and
champions of the town. I want to continue to play to
that but keep them focused on action and
consequence and behavior and cost.
It’s a game, but it’s also a type of story
telling. Stories have been potent teaching tools since
we mastered fire and began to spend nights around
them making sense of the universe.

1. When is violence justified?

2. When is it right to break into a place you do not
own?
3. What duties do we have to our friends?
4. How do you help someone deal with death?
5. What is the difference between self-defense and
murder?
6. When is it acceptable to attack an enemy?

I think hard moral choices for these kids are a good

thing and useful for them and will make them better
adults. I am comfortable with the concept of “sin”
and am fine with my sons understanding how we
understand evil in western society. I don’t want to
just abandon the series as a result. I do have to
repurpose and translate at times.

Module Questions
Q: On p. 12 it says that Ibor Thorn
mentions rumors that the Scarnettis have
burned down several competing lumber
mills in the region. In Burnt Offerings (p.
68) it says that the rumors are that the
Scarnettis have burnt down several
competing grain mills.
A: JJ: The truth of what mills the
Scarnettis may or may not be involved
with will be revealed soon enough (in
Pathfinder 4, in fact).
Q: On page 27 the text says there are
three carrionstorms waiting for the PCs
as they exit the manor, but there are five
listed in the statblock reference. Which
is it?
A: JJ: Five.
Q: The spherewalker PrC (which I am
generally pretty fond of, just FYI)
mentions that, for characters that have
no spellcasting to begin with, you basically
gain access to one domain slot per class
level. It then goes on to say that "bonus
spells" are granted by your Wisdom score.
I'm assuming this is not actually meant to
imply the character would get bonus
domain slots...?
A: F. Wesley Schneider: There should be
a paragraph break before the sentence
"The number of bonus spells and spell
save DCs are set by the spherewalker's
Wisdom score." Characters without
access to a spellcasting class do not gain
access to bonus spells, despite the
benefits of domain spells this class grants
none spellcasters. Only 1 spell per level,
regardless of Wisdom. Their spell save
DCs are set by their Wisdom scores,
though, as normal.
Q: Turning a haunt makes it go away, so
presumably rebuking them does the same.
Is there a special effect for commanding
a haunt?
A: JJ: If you command a haunt, it
basically has the same effect as turning
it; it stops bothering you and your party
(or whoever you designate). But it doesn't
go away; if an enemy enters the haunt's
range, it would lash out at them.
Q: So what happens with Iesha's
Revenant if the PC's set her free and
she's able to hunt down Aldern?
A: JJ: The revenant knows where Aldern
is, and makes a beeline for him, and only
the GM at that point would know what
foes stand in her way. Remember that
none of the hauntings can really hurt her
cause, as undead, she's immune to mind-
affecting stuff. The PCs are, though, and
following her will lead them through at
least a few hauntings that'll slow them
down; keeping up with her should be
difficult. Ghouls in her path are also
unlikely to attack her.
It's best to assume, I think, that
she makes it to Aldern relatively
unharmed. At that point, if the PCs
haven't kept up with her progress, you
can either run the combat between them
in secret to determine the outcome. OR
you can just assume that Aldern defeats
her but is reduced to half hit points or
something like that.
The point with the encounter is
that Aldern's tough, and if the PCs
release Iesha, she'll soften him up a little
for them, making that fight a little easer.
Q: I'm a little curious what the point of
the Notice DCs are for the haunts in
Foxglove Manor.
A: If you win the Initiative, you can still
certainly react to the coming haunt. The
things you notice, perhaps, might give a
character clues on how to prepare for
what's coming. Or he could try to flee the
room before the haunt gets him. And
some of those haunts make attack rolls...
if you win initiative; you aren't flat footed
when they strike.
Q: I noticed that every type of haunt
(including universal) has two occurrences...
except the Festering haunt. Is that
intentional?
A: JJ: There should be 2 of all of them,
festering included. If there's only one
festering haunt... no big deal, I guess. We
might have cut it for any number of
reasons.
Q & A: Magnimar Maps scale wrong? The
Shadow scale is off. Easy fix is to halve
the scale to 320. The Map Key is also off.
See link for updated information.
Q: What does "ar" after the year stand
for?
A: Djoc: Found out the information in an
old blog post. The one about the calendar
states it is Absalom Reckoning.
Answers needed:
Q: p92, Lamia Matriarch: In stat block:
Melee touch (2d4 Wisdom), but in the
description: Wisdom Drain (Su) ...deals
1d6 Wisdom drain with a touch. Which
should we use?
A: That's an annoying error! It should be
2d4 Wisdom drain on a touch
Q: The notes for Xanesha say that her
stats include her pre-fight buffs, but I
don't see any sign of that. In particular,
mage armor and shield should raise her
AC by an additional +7 to 33(!), to which
haste will add an additional +1, along with
an additional +1 to attack, +1 to her
Reflex save and another longspear attack
at a total of +21.
A: Yeah... the fly speed and additional
armor bonuses didn't get added in to her
stats, alas. Her AC with these effects
would indeed give her a really HIGH
Armor Class; touch attacks are the key
here. Or perhaps a few dispel magics.
Clarification:
Q: The Impaler of Thorns appears to be
built off of a +1 longspear - is this
correct?
A: JJ: Don't have a copy of Pathfinder
handy, but I do know that her spear is
indeed built off a baseline +1 weapon.
Q: Under the heading, "Sin and the PC," it
instructs the DM to begin tallying when
PC's undertake any noteworthy "sin"-like
activity, but what should happen, if
anything, if the PC's actually do the
opposite?
A: Firedancer: My tuppence: we're looking
at instances of sin, not of virtue. Someone
somewhere, sometime said something
(how's that for vague) like "you can do
good for all your life, but do one bad thing
and you'll be remembered for that.”
By extension whatever occurs in
RotR #6 hooks onto these instances of
sin, like a chink in the armor, hence it’s
important, whereas displays of virtue are
not.
 Magnimar
Defining Haunts
The best analogy for a haunt is a Following the map of Magnimar presented,
trap. Treat them in play as traps, but the key should read as follows:
traps that are evil and freaky and have a
malevolent guiding intelligence behind 1: The Alabaster District
them. 2: The Marble District
Take the first trap, the Burning 3: Naos
Manticore, as an example. The PCs may 4: The Irespan
smell burning hair the first time they pass 5: Bridgeward
through the room. The second time, the 6: The Capital District
haunt manifests. Ask the PC who's 7: Grand Arch
haunted by burning to make a Spot check. 8: Vista
If he fails the DC 20 check, the haunt 9: The Bazaar of Sails
manifests, makes its attack on him, and if 10: Dockway
he's hit he makes a Reflex save to avoid 11: Lowcleft
catching on fire. If he catches on fire, to 12: The Arvensoar
his friends it looks like he just 13: Keystone
spontaneously combusts—he's the only 14: Beacon's Point
one who can see the haunt, remember. 15: Rag's End
Once the haunt's done its thing, that's it. 16: The Marches
It's done for a day; it can't be triggered 17: Silver Shore
again for 24 hours. 18: Kyver's Islet
If the haunted PC makes that DC 19: Ordellia
20 Spot check, have him roll Initiative. 20: Underbridge
Describe to him the image of the
manticore lurching to life, its face The Common Language
shifting and its fur igniting, but don't
have the haunt do its thing until initiative "Common," as a language concept,
count 10. If the PC alerts his friends that does not really work without historical
something's going on, they get to roll context.
Initiative checks as well. Anyone who goes So to answer this question, I need
before 10 gets to do something about the to give a brief history lesson (and I mean
haunt (but remember; only the haunted REALLY brief).
character can see what's going on). This 10,000 years ago, the most
includes attempts to turn undead, to run advanced human civilization on the planet
out of the room, to cast resist elements was on the continent of Azlant, about a
(fire) on the haunted character, and so thousand miles southwest of Varisia.
on. At initiative count 10, the haunt Thassilon is a contemporary of Azlant,
triggers (unless its target is gone, in and probably had dealings with them. The
which case it fades away and can't Azlanti "evolved" into a race of humans
activate again for 24 hours) and does its almost as arrogant as the aboleths who
thing, then fades away. raised them from barbarity, which
ultimately triggered a great devastation.
The aboleths called down the Starstone
from the heavens, plunging it into the Carrion Hill
planet and, among other things, sinking
Carrion Hill is a city in the nation
the continent of Azlant below the waves
of Ustilav, which is just east of the Hold
of the Arcadian Ocean. Thassilon was
of Belkzen (which is, itself, just east of
likewise destroyed, and Golarion was
Varisia). Socorro was probably a mass
cloaked in a thousand years of darkness.
murderer or serial killer who, as part of
The survivors of Azlant flocked to
his own route to lichdom, had to murder
the eastern shores of the Inner Sea
and sacrifice a lot of locals in gruesome
(itself greatly increased in size due to the
and unique ways. Carrion Hill is itself a
crater caused by the Starstone's impact),
pretty rancid and nasty place... think of it
where they eventually formed a country
as a landlocked version of the Styes
called Taldor. The language of this nation,
(since it's the brainchild of Richard Pett,
infused with Azlanti concepts as well as
after all, and may someday feature in
words and ideas from a variety of other
Pathfinder or a GameMastery adventure
local ancient human kingdoms, was
as an adventure site).
Taldane.
Taldane spread throughout
Geb
Avistan (the continent on which Varisia
Geb is the southernmost nation on
and Cheliax are found, roughly analagous
the east coast of the southern continent
to Europe). Cheliax itself was absorbed
of Garund (Varisia is nearly the
into the growing Empire of Taldor,
northwestern most nation on the northern
marking the westernmost extent of that
continent of Avistan). The nation is named
great human kingdom. Eventually, Cheliax
for its immortal leader, a little-seen
threw off the yoke of Taldor to become
archmage of antiquity called Geb (a
its own nation (and eventually its own
necromancer who became a ghost).
empire), but it retained the language it
Arazni is his lich queen, but her loyalty
had used for countless years. Thus the
and love is split among numerous allies,
language called "Chelaxian" is the same
earning her the nickname of "The Harlot
language as Taldane, and it is found
of Geb."
throughout Avistan and Garund (the
"southern continent" across the Inner
Sea from Cheliax).
Taldane, then, is also sometimes
Seven Deadly Sins:
called Common. Adding Role-Playing
Therefore, Chelaxian = Common.
There are about a dozen other I've been trying to think of
important human languages in the setting, roleplaying "bits" that would tempt the
but as Taldane is spoken in most of the player characters with one of the seven
lands once covered by the Taldorian and deadlies. Hopefully, I can throw in one or
Chelaxian empires, it is known throughout two during each game session.
most of the two continents that form the
basis of the Pathfinder Chronicles 1.) A careless, drunken woodcutter drops
campaign setting. a load of firewood onto the PC's foot.
(Wrath)
2.) One of the Scarnettis offers to help
sell some of the loot the PCs found. He's
going to Magnimar, and wants to help
them evade the local taxes. (Greed)
3.) In the tavern, a local is recounting
tales of the "Heroes of Sandpoint",
exaggerating their heroics and inviting
them to expand upon his fanciful
hyperbole. (Pride)
4.) A young man treats the characters
rudely, clearly envious of their success.
Later, his lovely fiancée stops by to
apologize for her intended's rudeness.
She has had a bit too much to drink, and
makes her interest plain toward one of
the PCs. (Wrath, Lust, or Envy, depending
on the PC's motives)
5.) An old woman repeatedly offers the
PCs delicious meals, telling them "You
must eat! Look at you, you're all skin and
bones!" She's very thankful that the
heroes slew a goblin that had menaced
her, but she clearly cannot afford such
generosity. (Gluttony)
6.) When they really should be following
up some of the clues they have found, the
PCs are invited to a picnic by Ilsoari
Gandethus. The old sage wants to find out
if they're interested in the ancient
Thassalonians. He won't share his more
radical theories with the PCs until he
knows them better. (Sloth or Pride)
Obviously, PCs may navigate these hurdles
without embracing any of the sins, but
each has the potential for characters to
realistically make suboptimal choices. I
would be interested in other situations
and entanglements DMs have used to help
the characters "show their quality".
Giving the Ghouls More
Color
In order to make the fight
tougher, place the ghouls where they can
surprise the party in close quarters,
appearing suddenly from between rows of
corn, lunging up from a storm cellar, rising
from the waters of an irrigation ditch.
Give a few of them agricultural tools as
weapons: I recommend pitchforks (treat
them as spears) and sickles (handy for
trip attacks...). They can use these
weapons in the first round of combat
(when they aren't likely to get full
attacks in anyway), dropping them later to
tear in with claw and fang.
Aldern Foxglove’s
“Collection”
Other items that Aldern Foxglove may
have collected about a given PC:
 Bathing relics (towel, brush,
soap, maybe even a bottle of
soapy water from her bath...)
 Bedroom relics (pillow cover,
bedsheet)
 Meal relics (used plate/bowl,
ustensils and mug/glass,
maybe with rotten/moldy left-
overs in them)
 Mundane jewlery relics (ribons
and other hair fashioning
objects, mundane
bracelet/earing(s)/necklace)
 Old adventuring equipment
relics (either sold back or left
over once she got better
equipment, like small weapon,
used up kit, etc)
 Small piece of parchment with
random doodles and notes
from the PC.
The Harpy’s Curse, a
play in 3 acts

Act 1
The play opens in the small mining town of
Silver Pond with Asvorko, a bean counting
mine manager who distrusts his workers.
He is approached one day by the Harpy
Queen, who asks him if her brood can
roost in his mines. In exchange, they will
captivate his workers which will give him
the loyalty he has always wanted. Asvorko
agrees.

Act 2
A group of adventurers (bearing a striking
resemblance to the PCs) are hired by
Rigor, owner of the Empty Glass tavern.
He says the workers in Avroko's mine
have stopped visiting him suddenly, and he
wants them to look into what's happening.
The adventurers use one of Rigor's old
smuggling tunnels beneath the bar and
travel into the mines.

Act 3
After running into several encounters, the
party eventually finds the Harpy Queen
and her minions. Before they can slay her,
Asvorko intervenes to defend them.
Obviously no fighter, the adventurers try
to persuade him to back down, but he
refuses. He is quickly beaten, but not
before distracting the party long enough
to let the harpies escape. Asvorko is
imprisoned, and finds that his mines have
been plundered by the harpies.

The play is meant to be a thinly veiled

political statement against Korvosa, as
well as a word of caution to bachelors.

Excerpts from Ironbriar’s
Journal
9 Calistril 4707
We took a gnome named Carter
Vishellan tonight. The irony amuses
me no end; not three days ago, I stood
in my judicial robes and awarded
Vishellan a settlement of almost
seventeen thousand gold, and tonight I
stretch his face across the boards to
join the others of my collection. I
wondered, when I first dreamed of the
death of Vishellan, whether this was
some sort of rebuke from Father
Skinsaw, but in my prayers I have
come to see that it was not. Vishellan’s
victory in the courts caused disruption
and suffering among his opponents –
his death now will stir those waters
further, and perhaps only Norgorber
himself knows what chaos will be
unleashed. I am once again in awe of
the grandeur of my great lord’s vision,
and humbled indeed to be his
instrument in this world.
14 Calistril 4707
My faithfulness has at last been
rewarded: Father Skinsaw has sent me
a messenger in the flesh, rather than
in my visions! And oh, how lovely she
is! Her name is Xanesha, but she
carries the title Wanton of Nature’s
Pagan Forms, and why deny it?
Anything in nature, anyone at all,
would indeed wish to wanton with her!
She came to me in my judicial
chambers, seeming to know already
my role within the Sacred Work. In the
privacy of my chambers, she revealed
Norgorber’s symbol to me, and
explained that she had come to give
our work a greater focus. She will
teach us new rites, and we will better
serve our god by these new
dedications. I can think of nothing but
the glory that she brings us… nothing,
that is, but she herself. It was all too
easy to believe her when she said she
came from Norgorber, for “divine” is
the only word that captures her
beauty. Before she left, she favored
me with a smile – do I dare hope that
my heavenly rewards might extend as
far as to include her heart?
27 Pharast 4707
Father Skinsaw’s plans are
broad indeed, for my beloved (oh, how
I thrill at being able to call her so!) has
given us much to do; we claim a new
soul for Norgorber’s glory every week,
and the list my love provides runs long
– and ambitiously high. The new rites
we must perform in his service
lengthen the ceremony as well, but the
“Sihedron rune” has a certain
aesthetic appeal that I find strangely
compelling; I am grateful to Xanesha
for revealing it to me.
18 Desnus 4707
It can only be that I have won
my Wanton’s heart, for today she
revealed her true nature to me.
Perhaps others would be disgusted by
the rippling, scaled length of her tail,
but not I; I find every aspect of her
compelling, whether elven or lamia.
What matter physicality, when she
literally glows with the divine?
17 Sarenith 4707
A complication today, but
perhaps also a possibility. Foxglove’s
heir, that idiot fop Aldern, seems to
have killed his wife in a fit of jealousy,
and has come to the Brothers for aid. I
dislike the boy and have little taste for
the extra work that dealing with the
matter will entail, but the Foxglove
family still has resources, financial and
otherwise, that the Brothers could
make use of. After discussing the
matter with Xanesha, I have decided
that we will take on Aldern’s…
difficulty. He should be more than
malleable enough to be useful in the
long term.
22 Erastus 4707
Oh, how I wish I did not have to
write these words! Though he had
served me long and well, Philus
revealed himself a traitor when he
burst into my rooms at the sawmill and
demanded that I – that the Brothers of
the Seven – cut ties with the Wanton. “Legacy of Vorel” – I believe she plans
He claimed that she is not a to sell them to the Red Mantis in
messenger from Father Skinsaw, that Korvosa. I admit, this seems strange to
she had turned our work to her own me; I cannot see what Norgorber plans
purposes; he even went so far as to for Vorel’s Legacy. But of course,
claim she had twisted my will with Xanesha’s word is Father Skinsaw’s – I
some enchantment! My love was right; will meditate as I have before, in hopes
I had no choice but to kill him. I wept of having my vision opened. In the
when she explained it to me, for Philus meantime, Aldern has been sent back
had been not only a friend for many to the Manor to harvest the Legacy,
years, but also a selfless servant of and I have washed my hands of him.
Norgorber, giving all he had to the
Brothers, but the divine truth in her 5 Lamashan 4707
words was undeniable. At Xenasha’s Ah, that fool Aldern! Somehow
insistence, we did not even perform he drew the attention of busybodies
the Sihedron rites upon him. He died from Sandpoint, of all places, and they
without the new sign of Norgorber’s sought him out at the Manor! If he was
favor. not careful… I will have to make
arrangements at the Foxglove
4 Arodus 4707 townhouse, to assure that nothing
I still sorrow for Philus’ death, connects to the Brothers, and place my
so tonight Xanesha took me hunting followers on alert here…
with her and the faceless stalkers I
assigned to her service. I am still in
awe at her power: the speed with
which she fought, her grace as she
flew, the skill and fury with which she
struck. I know these are the workings
of her spells – some are even ones I
can call upon myself – but somehow,
they seem greater when she performs
them.
The only sour note in our
evening together was when we
returned. I dislike the Clocktower and,
for that matter, all of the Shade; the
area is a festering filth, and my love
does not deserve to nest in such
squalor. Moreover, the Scarecrow
unsettles me, though I would not show
it. Foxglove’s work must have been
shoddy all those years ago; ever since
the golem awoke, it has disturbed me.
I was all too happy to turn it over to
the Wanton’s service when she asked.
But I do not like the way it looks
at my Xanesha.

18 Rova 4707
As I thought he would, Aldern
has proven easy to manipulate. He has
run out of funds, and now my beloved
has turned him to her own purposes.
They involve the festering plagues that
incubate in the Manor’s depths, the
Observations
2 - The Skinsaw Murders
Another absolutely
awesome adventure. We had a lot of fun
doing it!
But I find that the second part of the
adventure could’ve been better. I would
say this adventure is a 10/10, but that’s
because the first part is a 11/10 and the
second part is a 7/10, and the module
gets a bonus of +1 because it has the
lovely Seoni on the cover ;).
What we especially liked :
- The transition between the first and
second adventures flowed really well.
- The murder investigation, the
creepiness of the way people were
killed. It was very scary. It felt like we
were playing Call of C'thulhu for a
while.
- My player loved the corn
fields/scarecrows/Hambley farm
encounters. He found them very creepy
and the scene really came alive in his
mind.
- I adored Foxglove Manor. Very cool
setting. The story of the place was great,
and the way we discover what happened
to its inhabitants through the haunts was
well done.
- The story of Aldern Foxglove, the way
he's introduced as a somewhat harmless
jerk in Burnt Offerings, and then his
terrible transformation in this adventure:
absolutely wonderful. That was brilliant.
- The fact that some of the farmers got
killed by ghouls, and Mr. Grump tells
the story, is grim and goes well with the
adventure: makes it feel more poignant.
Some things that didn’t work out so
well:
- Xanesha is much too powerful for her
level (but that has been mentioned many
times on the board already), and the
location where she's expected to be
fought is fiendishly harsh to the players.
If the PC's are "smart" and do something
like collapse the tower, they will likely
miss the letter that shows that she was
about to assassinate the Lord-Mayor, and
miss out on the big reward at the end,
which is a major part of that adventure's
wealth for the PC's. In my campaign, I
just played it so my PC’s finished the
adventure without actually fighting her.
Otherwise, I’m 99% sure she would’ve
destroyed them.
- It seems that the PC's resolve the
Skinsaw cult's threat too quickly and
easily, while the cult has eluded the
Magnimar guards for so long. It makes it
seem like people in Magnimar are
useless.
- The stats of the members of the cult
(both Ironbriar and the regular guys)
seem too low for a supposedly elite cult
of extremely competent murderers. I
would have preferred like 4 level 6 guys
rather than 12 level 2 guys (maybe not
encountering them all at the same time
to keep the difficulty reasonable).
- There should've been more encounters
in Magnimar, perhaps as the cult
becomes aware of the PC's, tries to
assassinate them, etc.
Most memorable fights of the adventure:

- The one against Justice Ironbriar,

Tsuto, the scarecrow golem and the
cultists.