Dungeons and Dragons Archives

Posted on February 15, 2015December 9, 2019 by Mike Myler — Leave a comment

Statblock Sunday (Forsaken Frontier): Syfforack Zoi

A gaunt, skeletal figure with glaring red eyes dressed in sumptuous crimson robes.

Syfforack Zoi CR 13
XP 25,600
Lich conjurer 12
NE Medium undead (augmented humanoid)
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +25
Aura fear (60 ft. radius, DC 20)

DEFENSE
AC 25, touch 16, flat-footed 22 (+3 deflection, +3 Dex, +4 mage armor, +5 natural)
hp 90 (12d6+48)
Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +10
Defensive abilities channel resistance +4, contingent fire shield (see tactics), rejuvenation; DR 15/bludgeoning and magic; Immune cold, electricity, undead traits

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee touch +7 (1d8+6 plus paralyzing touch)
Ranged acid dart +9 ranged touch (1d6+6)
Special Attacks acid dart (10/day)*, paralyzing touch (DC 20)
Arcane School Spell-Like Abilities (CL 12th; concentration +19)
At will—dimensional steps (360 ft./day),
Conjurer Spells Prepared (CL 12th; concentration +19)
6th—acid fog, disintegrate (DC 25), flesh to stone (DC 25), summon monster VI,
5th—cloudkill (DC 23), cone of cold (DC 23), waves of fatigue, summon monster V (2)
4th—bestow curse (DC 21), black tentacles, enervation (2), summon monster IV
3rd—fireball (DC 21), displacement, haste, stinking cloud (DC 21), vampiric touch
2nd—false life, ghoul touch (2), glitterdust (DC 20), levitate, spectral hand,
1st—grease (DC 19), mage armor, magic missile (2), ray of enfeeblement, shield
0—acid splash, detect magic, resistance, touch of fatigue (DC 17)
Opposition Schools enchantment, illusion

TACTICS
Before Combat Syfforack Zoi casts displacement, false life, levitation, and spectral hand. He keeps an active contingency set to cast fire shield when attacked in melee.
During Combat Syfforack Zoi is always willing to turn intruders into assets, open to negotiation with everyone. Those unwilling to accept his authority are subjected to waves of fatigue as he levitates out of reach, flooding the battlefield with summoned monsters (fiendish bison, large elementals, erinyes devil). Syfforack Zoi casts haste on his minions, continuing to use spells from range and targeting obvious spellcasters with flesh to stone and disintegrate. He delivers bestow curse upon warriors or rogues to cause them a 50% chance to take no action. Syfforack Zoi makes liberal use of his dimensional steps to keep his distance from combatants who can fly and focuses on flying and ranged attackers first.
Morale Syfforack Zoi flees via dimension door if reduced to 30 HP or less; he is not overly concerned with falling in battle, as he’ll reform near his phylactery (a portrait hidden in a lead-lined compartment in the dining hall of his ruined palace).

STATISTICS
Str 12, Dex 17, Con —, Int 24, Wis 14, Cha 19
Base Atk +6; CMB +7; CMD 23
Feats Augment Summoning, Craft Wondrous Item, Greater Spell Focus (transmutation), Spell Focus (conjuration, evocation, transmutation)
Skills Bluff +16, Craft (alchemy) +22, Knowledge (arcana, planes, history) +22, Linguistics +22, Perception +25, Sense Motive +25, Spellcraft +30, Stealth +26; Racial Modifiers +8 Perception, +8 Sense Motive, +8 Stealth
Languages Abyssal, Aklo, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Ignan, Infernal, Terran
SQ arcane bond, summoner’s charm (7 rounds)
Combat Gear dust of disappearance, headband of vast intelligence +2 [bluff], ring of protection +3 [arcane bond], robes and jewelry worth 1,500gp.

This malevolent lich rules the once-prosperous city of Valindar. Syfforack long reigned with an even hand, and his family brought him great joy; his decline came during his twilight years, when rivals sensed the king’s waning strength. He watched in dismay as his hold on the city slipped and he grew paranoid—desperation pushed him over the edge when an assassin nearly claimed the life of his only son. Binding a shadow demon in a bargain for his family’s safety, it seemed as if fate conspired against the king as new dangers emerged at every turn. Syfforack desperately forged fresh pacts and called upon new demons, damning himself by inches at a time while allowing evil entities to seep into his beloved home. The state of Valindar eroded, and Syfforack knew the demons would soon collect their due. To stave off his looming damnation, he turned to even darker measures to save his soul.
Syfforack bound his essence to his portrait of the royal family and became a lich and as the years wore on, Syfforack’s twisted mind saw this change as the salvation of his people. His dark magic spread undeath throughout the kingdom, and now even his wife and children live on as spectres roaming the empty halls of his dilapidated castle. The undead king, now taking on the surname of Zoi, keeps his demons on a desperate tether, marshaling the fiends against his enemies. Though Syfforack Zoi sees this state of affairs as a triumph, he knows in his cold, still heart that his victory is incomplete—only with the power of Salamangka can they be made safe.

Apotheosis
If Syfforack Zoi claims mastery over Salamangka, his body explodes in a violent eruption of arcane energy. His skull survives, encrusted in magnificent jewels that once graced his rings and robes. Syfforack becomes an awakened demilich. Further, the demonic pacts he forged break, leaving the demons bound subservient to his will with no claim to his soul.

Izali Komandri CR 10
XP 9,600
Forsaken lich sorcerer 9
CE Medium undead (augmented humanoid)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +9
Aura delusory aura (100 ft., -4 vs. fear)

DEFENSE
AC 21, touch 14, flat-footed 18 (+4 mage armor, +1 deflection, +2 Dex, +1 dodge, +3 natural)
hp 97 (9d6+63)
Fort +11, Ref +8, Will +9
Defensive Abilities channel resistance +4, soul shield, spell storm; DR 15/bludgeoning and magic; Immune cold, electricity, undead traits; Resist acid 10, cold 10; SR 25

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee disembodied strike +6 touch (1d8+4 negative energy)
Ranged javelin +6 (1d6+2) or ray +7 (by spell)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (disembodied strike 10 ft.)
Special Attacks disembodied strike, soul lash (240 ft. line, 4d6 plus paralysis, Reflex DC 21 halves damage and negates paralysis)
Bloodline Spell-Like Abilities (CL 9th; concentration +16)
7/day—heavenly fire (1d4+4 divine energy)
Sorcerer Spells Known (CL 9th; concentration +16)
4th (4/day)—remove curse, wall of fire, fire shield
3rd (6/day)—fireball (DC 20), magic circle against evil, ray of exhaustion (DC 20), slow (DC 20)
2nd (6/day)—false life, mirror image, pyrotechnics (DC 19), resist energy, scorching ray
1st (6/day)—bless, burning hands (DC 18), mage armor, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement (DC 18), shield
0 (at will)—acid splash, bleed, detect magic, light, ghost sound (DC 17), read magic, resistance, touch of fatigue (DC 17)

STATISTICS
Str 14, Dex 14, Con —, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 24
Base Atk +4; CMB 6; CMD 20
Feats Combat Casting, Dodge, Empower Spell, Eschew Materials, Mobility, Point-Blank Shot, Weapon Focus (ray)
Skills Diplomacy +8, Handle Animal +8, Heal +6, Knowledge (arcana) +10, Knowledge (religion) +1, Linguistics +1, Perception +9, Spellcraft +10, Survival +3
Languages Celestial, Common
SQ bloodline arcana (summoned creatures gain DR 4/evil), wings of heaven (9 minutes/day)
Combat Gear wand of scorching ray (CL 7th), 250 gp worth of scorched jewels and melted coins; Other Gear javelins (4), ring of protection +1

Izali was once a benevolent traveler who stumbled across the Forsaken Frontier, a misguided soul that sought to ease the endless strife before running afoul of Syfforack Zoi. Attempting to turn Izali into a lich, the undead king broke the poor wretch’s mind with hideous demonic torments in a disastrous process. Izali is no longer a creature infused with the righteous fire of the heavens, but a force of incendiary slaughter which Syfforack Zoi delights to let loose upon his enemies.

Syfforack Zoi’s forces include skeletons and zombies supported by wights and hordes of dretch. The dretch are often driven by more powerful individual demons such as nabassu and shadow demons.

DRETCH CR 2
CE Large army of dretch
hp 22; ACR 4
DV 17 (27); OM +7 (ranged)
Tactics sniper support
Special darkvision, significant defense
Speed 1; Consumption 2
Commander: Syfforack Zoi; Charisma Modifier +7; Profession (soldier) 0 ranks

WIGHTS CR 5
LE Large army of wights
hp 22; ACR 5
DV 17; OM +5
Tactics dirty fighters
Special create spawn, darkvision, energy drain, undead
Speed 2; Consumption 2
Commander: Syfforack Zoi; Charisma Modifier +7; Profession (soldier) 0 ranks

[Submitted by Dan Dillon!]

Posted on February 14, 2015February 13, 2015 by Mike Myler — Leave a comment

Sidequest Saturday (Forsaken Frontier): Doc Fell’s Deal

The PCs follow Sulcera as she picks her way carefully across the badlands, steadily heading northeast. If the party follows her closely they avoid many skirmishes of the different factions—mainly those between the ghasts and ghouls against the undead hordes of Syfforack Zoi. Even if the adventurers ask about lending aid, Sulcera steers them clear of the battles, sometimes taking them off route enough that they lose half a day worth of travel time.

After a journey lasting 1d6+2 days the adventurers arrive in Fallowfield. They’re invited to rest and relax, entertaining themselves with drinking and gambling at the saloon, a sometimes-neutral ground between these two warring factions. The popular game of choice is Last Azlant. The undead purposely lose at the game as a means to lure the PCs into having a great time. A few hours later (or as soon as the adventurers want to leave) the ghasts start to wage more gold pieces, or even magical items, but now they play to win; a DC 32 Perception check notices that animated creatures are cheating! The night ends when either the party is ready to quit or they after run out of money (or if the ghasts run out of their 45,000 gold pieces, spread randomly between 9 different undead).

The next day Doc Fell meets up with the PCs just after noon, welcoming them with a sturdy hand shake.

“Howdy partners, what can a simple barber do for such fine folk?” the fellow called Doc says with a confident smirk. “Wait maybe I know this—could you people be from that fine craft that everyone saw fall from the void? You must be here for the parts that we commandeered from that no good Syfforack Zoi.” As he states the name his eyes flash red with malice and hatred. “I reckon that since we did you a favor you, might be good enough to return it. You see that horrible lich to the north, we’re planning a raid against his army to stop him once and for all. If you join us, we’ll give you back your parts; we’ll call it a debt paid.”

A DC 35 Sense Motive check reveals that Doc Fell was taking the parts for himself, but if the party accepts these terms and conditions he grins broadly, saying, “now all you have to do is follow my lead and do as I say.” The instant the PCs take Doc Fell’s deal they are treated like old friends, waiting in luxury for three days before the march north. If the adventurers don’t take the deal he loses his cool, almost yelling at them.

“A perfectly good deal and you ruin it! You burned me, in a way—I disdain those who burn others.” Doc paces a few meters while spinning his hat on top of his head.
“Hey, I got it,” he yells gleefully, “what about a good old contest, one for fun and games. We’ll acquire those parts he stole from yins, but what can you offer in return? We don’t really need money out here, but what about your services—I mean it’s perfect, almost like you don’t lose anything at all! But how to decide on the contest…back in the good ol’ days they had a quick draw event. First hit wins”
Doc pulls out a small flask and takes a quick gulp of the liquid, adding gravely, “and if not, I don’t think we have any other deals for you fine folks.”

When the party agrees to the duel, he tells them to arrive in the center of town just before high noon the next day. The whole town has shown up to watch by the time the PCs arrive. As Doc Fell arrives give the adventurers DC 40 Perception checks to realize that something about him is off—it isn’t the pale stranger at all but Syfforack Zoi’s lieutenant, Izali Komandri! Oddly he says nothing, waiting for the party to make the first move; as soon as they do the illusion of undead ringing the ghost town disappears, replaced by seven zombie spellcasters (NE juju zombie half-orc sorcerer 7) activating scrolls of force cage.

Afterward the undead rush the party (imprisoned in the barred cage effect of the spell), unleashing four doses of aerosolized oil of taggit (DC 15 Fortitude save each round until unconscious for 1d3 hours) each and, for those resistant to the poison, salvoes of magic missiles until the PCs are unconscious.

[Submitted by Tim Snow!]

Posted on September 11, 2014September 5, 2014 by Rory Toma — Leave a comment

Story Locale (Banlan Backlash): Nyamo Wall

Nyamo is a walled city; years of outside threats necessitated the construction of a sturdy barrier hundreds of years ago. Originally designed to repel intruders, it now serves a slightly different purpose—as the settlement became a center of commerce, traders from all over the world arrived in Nyamo to sell their wares and exchange ideas.
While the goods and money were welcome, the ideas were not.

The visiting merchants and migrants were mostly housed in the migrant district, which was composed of most of the northern half of the city. Construction began on a new section of the Nyamo Wall that effectively split the city in half, running down the middle and connecting each end to the original outer wall. Taller and thicker than the original wall, the huge gatehouse built into its center gave each side of the barrier its own portcullis.

Traffic between the sections of the Nyamo Wall is strictly regulated—in order to pass, the person must provide an acceptable reason, a gate tax must be paid, and a stamp issued. Those wishing to stay overnight must obtain permission and purchase a special permit to do so. Guards from the Order of the Staff search each and every person that passes through the gate, ensuring that no contraband makes its way into Nyamo (normal magic items are not illegal, but may not pass through the gate; these items must be surrendered or passage is also prohibited.) Usually, traveler are given the option of simply turning around and not passing through the Nyamo Wall if they do not wish to surrender their items—in this city of Timeaus, this is just the cost of doing business. Those that pass through the gate are often followed by a member of the Order of the Staff, who make careful notes on interactions they make and often follow up questioning where searches occur (often using Nyamo scribe orbs).

Those that wish to enter the city from outside must go to the Migrants’ Gate on the outer wall (unless they are a Timerian citizen) where they are still subject to search and seizure, declaring all of their enchanted items; undeclared magic items are subject to confiscation. Those that wish to stay more than 24 hours must apply at the gate or at a Timerian embassy for a permit, and anyone found entering the city under false pretenses are subject to expulsion or arrest.

Only Timerian citizens are allowed entry through the Timerian Gate. They must present the proper papers and declare any magic or valuable items obtained outside of Timeaus. Generally speaking, most citizens comply and seizures at this gate are rare.

When the Nyamo Wall was constructed, the sewers under the city were modified, blocking passages with bars and grates, and in some cases blocking tunnels altogether. Over the years enterprising smugglers and other criminal elements have reopened some of these sealed passages to facilitate the burgeoning black market in Nyamo. While some goods are sold, it is most often news of the outside world that is traded, as well as books and other forms of publication. Several competing guilds operate underneath the Nyamo Wall, including those that support revolution; simple thievery and smuggling are often overlooked, with the occasional blatant offender caught and made an example of. However, the revolutionaries that deal in information and subterfuge are almost always put to the death when caught.

Entry into the tunnels that connect the two sides of the cities is a closely guarded secret. A select few safe houses on each side contain concealed entrances to the underground labyrinth—these are moved on a regular basis, the old entrances sealed up. Few people know of the existence of more than one way into the network under the Nyamo Wall, and even some of the guild masters do not know every entrance under their control.