Rokan - evil, bat-winged, serpent spell-caster (Anti-Coatl)

My inspiration for the Rokan is to be an evil Coatl - a direct threat, not one hiding in the corners inspiring or teaching, but one that is very active in completing its goals. This is a winged serpent creature that uses magic in devious ways, but it has two aspects, as they can switch to a larger, spell-less figure in physical combat. They join evil groups to learn forbidden magic and gain access to magical nexus sites but will not hesitate to flee if a battle turns against them or the organization.

Rokan

Small Size Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 82 hp (11d8 + 33 con)
Initiative: +9 (small), +2 (Large)

Speed: (when small) 20 ft, Fly 60 (Good); 40 ft (Cannot fly when large sized)
AC: 24 (+8 natural, +1 size, +5 Dex), touch 17, flat-footed 18
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+10 (Large form only)
Attack: Bite+11 (2d6+5) (Large Size only)
Special Attack: Grapple +15 (3d6) (Large Size only)
2nd Special Attack: Back Slap +10 (2d8+5)
Base Atk +12 CMB +10 CMD 25 (Small)

Special Attacks: Spells as 12th level Sorcerer (Small Size Only), Turn Undead as 8th level evil Cleric
Special Qualities: Change to Large Size; +15 Constrict 2d8 (Grapple)
Saves: Fort +10 Ref +12 (+8 when large) Will +3

Abilities: Str 11, Con 16, Dex 21, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 20 *Switch Str and Dex scores when they change to large size

Skills: Diplomacy, +12, Knowledge (Arcana) +9, Knowledge (Planes) +9, Perception +12, Move Silently +9, Sense Motive +9, Spellcraft +12, (Escape Artist +20 in small size)
Feats: Eschew Spell Component, Hover, Improved Initiative, Imp Evasion

Environment: Magical Nexi or Evil Temples
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 12

Treasure: Double Standard
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Advancement: by character class (always Sorcerer)

Radiate protection from Good 20 ft radius: Good-aligned characters will suffer a –2 to all of their attacks and saving throws when facing a Rokan.

Aura of Fear: Creatures within 20 ft of a Rokan are affected by a powerful fear effect. Those who fail a will saving throw (DC 18) will suffer the effects of a fear spell. Those who save are not affected. Creatures who pass their saving throw are unaffected by the same Rokan's fear effect for 24 hours.

Large Size: AC 21, Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft;

The Rokan is a dual sized creature, it`s primary form is a small bat-winged, serpent with small spike horns that wields spells. It's larger body is between 15 to 20 feet long and three feet wide - it is very good in combat, especially at constricting victims. They have a rough black skin with small barely noticeable yellow triangles. When they expand to their large size, their wings are absorbed into their body and these yellow scales dominate most of its scales. They will not hesitate to take down foes using either strategy.

They often work for evil organizations for high payments, either as a protector or a spell-casting ally. While not cowards, they have a habit of retreating when combat is going against them or their allies. This gives them a horrible reputation. When the going is smooth, there are few mortal spell-casters as beneficial as a Rokan to have on your side.

Combat: Rokan are superb natural sorcerers with a wide variety of spells and other abilities. They have no pre-set plan, as they try to gauge any situation and react quickly to almost any situation. They switch to their large form to inflict heavy damage or to constrict foes. All spells they cast upon themselves in their small form are retained if they switch size. They radiate a protection from good and fear aura within a 20 ft radius in both forms.

They can control undead as an 8th level evil priest in their small size only. Undead still listen to Rokan who have switched size - but they cannot attempt to turn more undead in their large format. One of their primary motivators is magical treasure, so they are always keen not to destroy magical items, especially those they can actually use.

Typical Spells as 12th level Sorcerer; Spells per Day: 6/6/6/6/6/5/3; Spells Known: 9/5/5/4/3/2/1*
1st level: Shield, Obscuring Mist, Ray of Enfeeblement, Colour Spray, Magic Missile
2nd level: Protection from Arrows, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Blindness, Levitate
3rd level: Dispel Magic, Lightning Bolt, Gaseous Form, Vampiric Touch
4th level: Shout, Bestow Curse, Stoneskin
5th level: Dismissal, Feeblemind
6th level: Disintegrate (item only)

Set Form: Rokan never use magic that manipulates their fform, they take a -8 on skill or spell checks if forced into an alternate form.

Codex and Evil Gods Codes

A codex is a simplified listing of ideas and instructions for a group of faithful. While technically it doesn't have to be for a specific deity, they usually are. It will list histories associated either with a god figure or one their followers, such as an angel and moral philosophies associated with the figure. Most contain spells and heavenly maps that only those of a particular spell casting level can understand.

Greater Gods
Quanna: Goddess of the Light, Mistress of Flight, LG, Weekly, (Often called the Lady)
Mathai: God of the Hunt, CG, Monthly, Green, Patron of Rangers
Darras: God of the Poor, NG, Weekly, Brown, Patron of Landless Knights & the Poor
Japeth: God of Courage, LG, Monthly, Orange, Patron of Paladins
Keran: God of the Night, Master of Fright; LE, Any, Monthly, Black.
Cush: God of Bloodshed & Murder, CE, Before Battle, Red, Assasins
Shion: (Shine) God of Greed, NE, Any, 3 coins arranged in a triangle, Patron of Finders (Thieves).
Faval: Lord of Destruction & Rebirth, CN, Non-Lawful, Flame / Teardrop
Casna: God of Justice, LN, Weekly, Purple, Patron of Monks
Holon: Earth Mother, Mistress of Druids, Neutral, Any, Seasonal

Demi-Powers
Rowena: Lady of the Cold, NE, White, Patron of Undead
Anubis: Defender of the Dead, LN, Patron of Jackalla
Crayos: Keeper of Secrets, N, Patron of Seers
Jubal: Lord of Shadows, CN, Patron of Spice (Drugs)
Fatanus: Lady Luck, CN, Gaming Wheel / Dice
Orelleo: Lord of Traveling, NG, Any, Patron of the Gypsies
Rosetti: Mistress of Beauty, Lady Love, CG, Patron of Sorcerers
Jamile: Lady of Suffering, CE, Any time when sick.
Jamine: Lady of the Plague, CE, Any time sick
Stradamia: Mistress of music, Patron of Bards, N
Shellonna: Lady of the Oceans, Patron of Sailors
Shi-Lo: Lord of Combat, N, Patron of Monks

Great Horned One: Patron of the Minotaur-kin
Father Stone/ Mother of the Mountains: Patron of the Dwarves
Tree Lord / Spirit Mother : Patron of the Fey
Phoenix: Lord of Flames, Patron of the Phaetox
Fenris: Beast Lord, NE, Any, Grey, Master of Lycanthropes,
Bourdana: Master Chef, Lord of Inspiration, N

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Keran
God of the Night, Master of Fright;

Alignment: Lawful Evil
Follower's Alignment: Any
Associated Colour: Black
Holy Days: Every Month
Sacrifice: Tithe (20%) or forty hours of service
Familiar Form: Avian (Black Raven or Black Snake)
Domains: Protection, Evil, Fear, Summoning, Darkness, Sickness, Pain, Healing
Followers: All, Evil Aligned people, City Folk, Rogues, Sorcerers, Poor, Gamblers
Rank: Usually referred to as Lord or Master; ordain both genders.

The Dark One, the accursed. Lord of Fear. Master of Horror. Master of Darkness.

His faith is based on fear of what is beyond the coil. Both the dark and night are not just within his domain but represent what is beyond you.  While many look to his church to grant them access to power, many more look to the horror to move past their own fears. His church gives relief, but it also
demands payment. Many view His as the true source of all evil in the world, but his followers merely say that only with the strength of Keran can they overcome their fears. Yet other followers say there are only two kinds of people, those who fear and those who are the source of fear, who you are is based on what you choose to be.

He has two primary types of followers, those who want succor and those seeking to inflict fear on others. His good aligned followers appease their dark lord, offering sacrifices of every type to keep their Lord content. They are not happy or proud, yet they know that this way, the dark way they can get done what needs to be done. Many of these types of followers constantly wear a small obvious black article of clothing. When committing their rituals, they wear dark masks or cowls. In some places it is against the law to worship the dark one, but in most places their obelisks are public and those who go there are not questioned for their alignments or choices.

The other type seek power - willing to commit horrific or evil actions in order to get what they want. They are drawn to the dark obelisks to commit both dark  rituals and evil actions, and they are then given harder challenges that they must overcome to be granted more powers. Few have any compulsion about doing the horrific actions and often enjoy comitting acts of violence, torture and blasphemy.

While distinct in their attitudes, at most obelisks there is no division. Evil priests often work for good aligned ones, or vice versa up the chain of power. Positional advancement happens because of success. Most times there is no single path -there are direct ones with use of  violence and terror but many times, there are other harder less obvious routes; this is how the good aligned Keranites accomplish their goals.

Failure is not just personal for the good aligned Keranite, it also means more influence and power for the evil aligned ones. Perhaps the only blessing is that good-aligned Keranies always help their own, uncaring about personal advancement but doing what they can for others who share
the hope and faith.

Clerics on Nyssa are often dual worshippers, so it is common for Keranites to follow good or Neutral aligned gods. They must always, especially in cities, openly wear their Keranite colours and symbols. They worship the dark one because they feel they must, but follow others because it is in their hearts. As long as they do not proclaim the good (or neutral) over anything else, and commit their service as required, they are not
penalized.

Black is the colour of their priest's vestments. Most good aligned Keranites wear one small but obvious black clothing item; others just do the whole goth thing. Evil ones are much more elaborate, wearing dark, twisted vestments that have obvious twisted features.

His avatar form is usually a rogue dressed in chain mail with two anthril blades, always a precursor to commit a secret action. They come to challenge the faithful to commit dark actions. They never come to help, help is for the weak, and when the avatar assists there is always a cost.

Most religions on Nyssa tend to small shrines or obelisks as modest gathering places - Keran tends towards large, opulent churches and temples with huge monasteries and statues. They often have the most followers, and have huge weekly or more often services. Screams, songs and ritualistic ceremonies are common for public actions - these are where the good-aligned Keranites must come. There are also smaller, dark, horrific rituals where evil actions are done for power or sometimes far worse.

Like many other Nyssian deities, Keranite faithful do not have an official list of rules they must follow. Instead they have a code that they learn to recite in times of danger; this guides them to make the correct decision. Individuals may interpret the code differently. However as long as they truly and faithfully follow their heart, they are true to their High Lord.

Keran Code
In darkness there is truth
Bitter, ugly nasty, truth
Do what cannot be spoken aloud
Do what you may not want to do
Simply because it is the only way
Never hesitate
Kindness or courtesy is a weakness,
Be strong, and bold and take action
Purge hesitation
Do what must be done
And you will be rewarded
Evil is a marking of failure
All your success will be rewarded


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Cush
God of Bloodshed & Murder,
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Follower's Alignment: Any Evil or chaotic or blood-thirsty
Associated Colour: Red, Blood or Bloody Weapons
Holy Days: None, Before and After Battle
Sacrifice: Tithe (10%) or twenty hours of service/month
Familiar Form: Red Tinged Bear or Snake
Followers: Chaotic or Evil Aligned people, Soldiers, Barbarians, Rogues, Assassins
Domains: Chaos, Strength, Protection, Evil, Rage, Tyranny, Ferocity, War
Rank: Often referred to as in local military command codes; Mostly Male

The First Killer. lord of Murder. Battle Master. Red Lord.

His faith is of those who kill, for profit, for protection or for fun. They enjoy killing others simply because they can. Many times there are benefits to society, but for his followers, they want to grow in power and prestige as the blood splatters upon them. His church is a military often a city's official militia, under constant threat to act out in violence to protect those who are too weak to do so themselves.

Except for professional, full-time soldiers, few actively worship him outside of battle. Yet during combat, his is the name constantly called out for aid and advice abd accuracy to strike a lethal blow. His followers care little about following specific honorifics, they want to do battle and then drink and brag among colleagues.

There are official churches or obelisks dedicated to Cush, few are utilized on a regular basis. Instead anywhere a group of soldiers gather during a battle, they raise a spear and dump a bunch of corpses around it, this is a simple brutual but effective obelisk to his faithful. In most military compounds there are small carvings that are dedicated to Cush. Both the low-level grunt or highest official Battle General can appreciate Cush and his followers, except most believe they take the blood-rush too far, and try to discourage the boldest acts of his faith. They do not try ban it, as there have been many instances of internal conflicts between the Cush faithful and others. Unlike other faiths they do not have specific holy days, instead, both before a battle or after one, the faithful show their devtion.

Red or blood is the colour of the faithful. They are not expected to wear it, except in the middle of battle when they want it smeared over their clothing. There are few non-chaotic followers, and they do not have official services, merely the faithful take small symbolic action before or immediately after battle. There is rarely official clergy but experienced battle-lords can get the faithful to follow them if they prove successful in battle. In many cases, High Priests are transformed captains who one day was changed into a priest because of the need for one - in most cases these immediate priests will be killed in battle within 10 days of their change.

His avatar is a battle-tested knight wearing half-plate, heavy sword and shield. Only coming after a minimum of nine days of battle, to lead on the tenth day. What is most important is battle, not the purpose of either side. Not common, but the avatar, has sometimes come to help one side on the tenth day and help the other side on the eleventh.

Like many other Nyssian deities, Keranite faithful do not have an official list of rules they must follow. Instead they have a code that they learn to recite in times of danger; this guides them to make the correct decision. Individuals may interpret the code differently. However as long as they truly and faithfully follow their heart, they are true to their High Lord.

Cush's Code
Be strong and true
fight with your brothers
Be brave
to fight with your comrades
Train your mind and soul
to fight with your mates
Kill your enemy
without thought, hesitation or regret
Spill their blood
to show your honour, courage and conviction
Blood will be spilled
Blood will flow
make sure it is not yours

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Shion: (Shine) God of Greed, NE, Any, 3 coins arranged in a triangle, Patron of Finders (Thieves).

Alignment: Neutral Evil
Follower's Alignment: Any Evil or Rogues
Associated Colour: Gold, Silver and Platnum coins arranged in a triangle
Holy Days: Every Week
Sacrifice: Tithe (10 %) every job
Familiar Form: Rat (Raven or Snake)
Domains: Trickery, Luck, Knowledge, Evil, Darkness,
Followers: All, Evil Aligned people, City Folk, Rogues, Shop-Keepers, Travellers, Homeless
Rank: Usually referred to as Finders

Those of honour or wealth or stature try to make the laws, to control you. Ignore everything except your own impulses. Let Greed be your guide. What you want is yours if you can take it. And when you no longer desire, it is there for another.

Don't try to be greedy, yet never hesitate. Take, because you want, because you desire, because you plan, because you can. And if you can't, it was never yours.

There are just as many official Shion churches as unnofficial ones, and they are all training centres, where the would be finder comes to learn, both in skill and rumour. They plan, using whispered codes for every step. His priests are dual classed clerics or wizard along with rogues. They give advice, but don't give homilies, as only success is important.

Shion has few enemies, as other deities know he just doesn't care about laws or rules, it is not personal, it is just a challenge where nothing is personal. Yet nobody likes or trusts him, as he will steal from you or kill you as it doesn't matter, except success.

Like other Nyssian deities, Shinites faithful do not have an official list of rules they must follow. Instead they have a code that they learn to recite in times of danger; this guides them to make the correct decision. Individuals may interpret the code differently. However as long as they truly and faithfully follow their heart, they are true to their High Lord.


Shion's Code
Greed is your guide
be true to your self
Never hesitate, take what you want
But do so with thought, plan and cunning
Be not cruel or kind
Take because you can
Take because you want
Take because you practiced, long and hard
Greed is your test
Success is your only reward

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Faval
Lord of Destruction & Rebirth, CN, Non-Lawful, Flame / Teardrop

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Follower's Alignment: Any Non Lawful
Associated Colour: Swirl of Colour
Holy Days: Every Day
Holy Symbol: Tai Chi Symbol with a Flame and Teardrop
Sacrifice: Tithe (5%) or fifty hours of service
Familiar Form: Swirlthine (Flying Swirling Snake)
Domains: Protection, Chaos, Summoning, Mothers, Giving Birth, Darkness, Blindness, Sickness, Pain, Healing, Shouting
Followers: All, Chaoticly Aligned people, City Folk, Sorcerers, Gamblers, Sick or Insane
Rank: Usually referred to as Master; ordain both genders.

The Binder. Maker. The Breaker. Open Circle.

Few follow Faval from childhood, it is a blessing that happens to individuals who are shaken to the core and awaken with an appreciation of absudity and non-linear thinking, that others call the insane. Most often his followers awaken from moments of chaos or horror and understand that horrific actions are not personable, one needs to accept that things happen, but then fight them. They are usually the calm one in the midst of  terror with a higher plan; perhaps gifted with abilities they never had before.

Faval followers do not have a church or obelisk, rather when fourteen or more come together they can see an obelisk between them. What it says to them is personable, but usually there is a general theme. Unlike other religions they have no pre-set literature or scripture, they speak from their heart or mind or from another place, and if you want to listen you do, if you don't, then walk away. Few Favarians care about personal expressions but if your actions stops or enforces someone else to do what they don't want to do, then Favarites get involved.

Favourines when called or marked, become servants of chaos. Very few become priests, as other religions, but they become dedicated to helping their community. Many become fervent speakers, others speak to just a few at a time, some hide away until called out. Those who become leaders are often gifted with abilities, usually just a few spell like powers. Favines are the only known type of priests that can use a un/holy symbol of anothe power to cast their spells.

Favalites don't make long-term plans, but make hundreds of small term ones. They do tend to help
the greater communities they are in, but it is rarely observed by others. They don't seem to be doing anything, yet they
are always there, always involved.

Rarely trusted, barely tolerated, neither good nor evil can make sense out of these lunatics, but that is the point. They are swirls of chaos, but sometimes when many swirls come together, incredibly powerful acts or statements happen.They have brought down countless kings or bishops, because a community (not necessarily theirs) senses a need to do, so they do, and many times their collective actions can get everyone around them involved - regardless of race or faith the collective madness happens and things change.

Favar's Code
Do,
Do not not do
Act
when you have no script
Count
when there are no numbers
Be
because why not
Action
is purer than thought
And if you think about it
You've already lost
Do
Just do
Just do
just do


or Favians,

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Anubis
Lord of the Afterlife, LN, Lawful Neutral, Eye

Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Follower's Alignment: Any Lawful
Associated Colour: Purple or Grey
Holy Days: Every week or special days of the dead
Holy Symbol: Ankh
Sacrifice: Tithe (20%) or fifty hours of service
Familiar Form: Jackal
Domains: Law, Protection, Mourning, Undead, Summoning, Darkness, Light, Healing,
Followers: Jackalla, Mourners, Lawfully Aligned, City Folk, Sorcerers, Undead Hunters,
Rank: Usually referred to as Master; ordain both genders.

Anubis is an exception on Nyssa, as he is not originally from this mortal domain. He is from another land but was called on during times of crisis due to the overwhelming threat of undead. Once he and his followers came, they found a new home here, and remained settled in the cities.

Their duties have remained much the same, keep the old vows, protect the living while hunting down undead. The last item is what they are most famed for, as there are few adventurers that haven't seen them do their tasks with religious ferocity.

Unlike other peoples, they do not care to get followers or wealth. They want to be left alone to
practise their rituals. Others can help them, or even change their own ways to match the Anubians, but that is their choice, and the followers of Anubis don't try to convince others, they do what needs
to be done.

Cheribuk - Small Winged Angelic Baby with tiny black horns

Inspired by a computer game where you play an angel possessing creatures. Every time I wrote this up I didn't like it as a good creature forcing evil creatures to do their bidding. So I rewrote it as an evil possessing creature, and it works much better. I have used it a few times in my games.

Cheribuk
CE Small Outsider
Init +9 Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +15

 DEFENSE

AC 22 touch 16, flat-footed 17 (+5 Dex, +6 natural, +1 size)
hp 36 hp (8d10-8 con)
Fort +5, Ref +11, Will +7
Immune: electricity, polymorph, petrification, cold, poison; Resist: acid, sonic, fire 20; DR 10 / Good 

 OFFENSE

Speed 20 ft., Fly 50 ft. Avg
Melee +2 Dagger +16 (1d3+2)
Ranged Weapon +16 (1d3)
Special Attacks Possession
Spells Prepared (CL 12th Sorcerer)

 Spells: blur, detect magic, dispel magic, darkness, see invisible (3/day), tongues (1/day)

 STATISTICS

Str 5, Dex 21, Con 8, Int 15, Wis 21, Cha 15
Base Atk +8 CMB +7 CMD 22
Feats Improved Initiative, Imp Evasion, Uncanny Dodge
Skills +10 Bluff , +8 Knowledge (planes) , +8 Knowledge (Religion), +15 Perception , +13 Sense Motive , +19 Stealth
Languages Common, Elven, Angelic, Horn

 ECOLOGY

Environment  Urban
Organization  Solitary
Treasure Value Half

Cheribuk are a devilish spirit that exists to disrupt peace and order. The rare times they are seen in their actual forms, they appear as small winged babies, similar to the legendary cherubim, except they have small black wings and tiny black horns. Most times they will be encountered while possessing other beings, so foes rarely know that they are actually facing these creatures.

These devils reside in the mortal planes to cause problems for others, tempting creatures on the brink to fall over to the evil side. They are too busy with their plans and schemes to care about wealth or treasure, and they happily exit a body if their host is about to be caught for a crime. Their typical scenario is to exit a host after committing the crime and being arrested.

Cheribuk are horrible in combat directly, as they are very physically weak. However, what they do better than any other creature is to possess creatures, using them as others would use armor. While inside a host, they regenerate and take no damage while their host is attacked. They must be purged from their host to be affected by any spell.

Once they are possessing a host only a dispel evil will evict them from their host. Another way is to kill the host, as a Cheribuk are immediately forced from the host body if this happens.

When a Cheribuk leaves a host for whatever reason, they can act as normal, as it is a free action.
However, the former host will be stunned for the remainder of the round. The host will remember of all of his actions committed while the Cheribuk possessed him, however, the only thing the former host will know is that he was not in control of his body.

Possession: These creatures usually attack unaware beings, hoping in the bodies of mortal animals or humanoids by making a possession attack (+20), if they beat the creatures touch AC, the creature can make a will save vs DC 32. While a protection from evil spell or equivalent will prevent them from inhabiting the body but not purge the spirit if they are infesting someone. Creatures who wear holy symbols of their faith gain a +8 on their saving throws versus possession. Just wearing a holy symbol that you do not actively worship gets a +2 on their saving throw.

----
Inspired by the computer game Messiah, however, this is an evil version of the possessing angel you play in that game.

Corrupt Hunter

Imagine you were a soldier, assigned to guard or invade a particularly evil spot, a part of a unit that was attacked by an evil entity. Neither you, nor any of your brothers-in-arms survive, instead you were corrupted into something entirely different, compelled to serve the force you once stood against. You know its wrong, yet you have no control, you exist merely at the whim of this Master, and do its dire bidding. This is the sad story of every corrupt hunter.


Corrupt Hunter

Type Inhuman

LE  Medium Outsider
Init +3; Perception +5

AC 15 touch 15, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex, +4 Chain Mail ) 

HD 26 hp (4d10+4 con)

Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +0

Init +1, Senses Darkvision 60 ft; Perception +3

Speed 30

BAB +4  CMB +7  CMD 18

Melee  Long Sword +7 (1d6+3)
Range Long Bow +5 (1d6)

Special Qualities Formation Fighting, Detect as Undead

Special Defenses Dmg Reduction 2/Silver or Magic

Str 16 Con 13 Dex 13  Int 7 Wis 7 Cha 8

Typical Skills Handle Animal, Intimidate, Perception, Survival +3

Typical Feats Power Attack, Cleave, Track

Climate: Spirelands or Old South
Organization: Solitary, Group (2-5), Patrol (3-12) or Unit (30-60)
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: Half Standard
Alignment: Usually lawful evil
Advancement Range: By Class (Fighter or Barbarian)

Detect as Undead: While they are alive they detect as undead for the purposes of spells, but they cannot be turned, though it is a common next step for clerics once they are detected as such. Creatures still get bonuses for attacking them as undead such as a ranger's favoured enemy bonus.

Formation Fighting: They gain + 2 on combat and moral checks when fighting within 10 ft of another Corrupt Hunter and fighting the same threat. This is for attacks, damage and saving throws.

No Unit is Alone: Suffer a -2 on combat and moral checks if not within 200 feet of another Corrupt Hunter or if they are out of visual sight of another of their kind.

Corrupt Hunters were human soldiers that were lost in dungeons and then corrupted by otherworldly evil. Reappearing weeks after their disappearance, they have been changed and now keep to a strange secretive brotherhood. They exist midway between their past lives and their new evil devotion. It is not known if they actually have died but neither they nor their previous allies wish to be reminded of the past.

Their main task is warding adventurers away from their Masters lair, usually a well known evil location, often a temple, magic tower or place of teleportation streams. They patrol a primary site and keep an unfriendly eye on roadways looking for information and hunting trespassers. While disliked, they are often ignored as they throw around enough coins to be tolerated and help in shared tasks for a region such as patrolling borders or chasing criminals. Even when they help in such a shared task, they do so as a unit, never willingly interact with non-corrupt hunters. There are often rumors that they are involved in vile rituals, but rarely does any proof come to light.

Usually dressed in light chain mail, armed with shield and sword, many still wearing decorations of rank of when they were when alive, though everything they have is in a state of decay. Known for their elaborate formation rituals and keeping their distance from former friends and colleagues. Corrupt hunters that escape service to their Masters, live a life on the run and none speak about the horrors they have encountered.

Strangling Jack

Not specifically a creature for Candyland, but one there in the many farms, a deadly strangling vine that strikes at night.

Strangling Jack  CR 4
NE Medium plant
Init +1; Senses low-light vision, tremorsense 500 ft.; Perception +5

DEFENSE

AC 15, touch 8, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +3 natural)
HP 39 (6d8+12 con)
Fort +7, Ref +3, Will +4
Immune plant traits

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft. (in patch or the farm) otherwise 10 ft
Melee tentacle vine +7 (1d6+4 plus strangling entangle)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks Strangling Vines +8 to maintain hold on CMB; Cumulative damage (add +1d6 each new round); Up to five vines can emerge, but it can only attack any round and no more than one can wrap around the same victim.

STATISTICS

Str 17, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 3, Wis 14, Cha 7
Base Atk +7; CMB +7; CMD 18 (can't be tripped)
Feats Ability Focus, weapon focus (vine)
Skills Climb +4, Perception +5, Stealth +20*, Knowledge (Plants or Farming) +5 Bonus: Gain +8 on stealth checks if not moving

ECOLOGY
Environment temperate forests, hills, or plains (farms)
Organization solitary or patch (2–4)
Treasure none

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Strangling Vines (Ex) Strangling Jack will try to hold and choke opponents. They get +8 to maintain the hold on the second and subsequent rounds. They can attack up to five victims, but they can initiate or respond to only one combatant each round. Victims can try to escape by making a DC 16 Reflex save.  While the target is entangled, its vines also grasp at the target's mouth, preventing the target from speaking or casting spells with verbal components while entangled. When a creature is entangled by this ability, the strangling jack can initiate another vine attack on another creature.

A Strangling Jack is a mysterious and deadly figure in the farmer`s patch, as nobody knows where they originate from. Druids believe they emerge from the patch to kill any "invaders" in the plant`s domain. They have strong choking capability and kill most humanoid figures that appear in their patch at night. Most will leave their farmer and their family alone, as it knows that it needs both daytime feedings as well as their nighttime snacks to thrive.

It appears as a mass of vines, usually attached to a pillar or other outdoor feature. It is only when they make a move to strangle a victim does it roughly take a humanoid-like form. Smaller vines or lesser HD (3 HD) will sometimes take on a vague animal like figure (squirrel or dog) and larger vine masses sometimes form rough imitations of elementals (12 HD).

While evil and insular, Strangling Jacks can be requested to help their farmer or fey neighbours against a shared foe. They may wish to feed, but don't want to be left alone. They can be placated with animal sacrifices as opposed to them hunting intelligent beings. Evil druids like to seek out Strangling Jacks and plant them in their lairs.

Nighttime Lurker (Bed Horror)

One of my few evil Candyland monsters. They haunt both the mundane world and fairy land, slipping in and out of the Dream and Mortal realms to get their screams, and then slip out. Never had a chance to insert them in my Fey themed game, still gonna run a bunch more fey / dream games so they will be getting to make an appearance now and then.


Nighttime Lurker (Candyland Horror) CR 7
NE Small Sized Fey
Init +4; Senses darkvision 90 ft, low-light vision; Perception +16

DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 14, flat-footed 15 (+5 natural)
hp 60 (8d8+24 con)
Fort +5, Ref +10, Will +8
Immune Fear, Charm, Hold Spells

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee 2 claws +10 (1d8+3/18-20)
Special Attacks: Backstab X 2 dmg

STATISTICS
Str 16, Dex 19, Con 16, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +5; CMB +8; CMD 18
Feats Dodge, Improved Critical (claw), Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (Claw)
Skills  Disable Device+8, Escape Artist +8, Intimidate + 16, Perception+16, Stealth+16, Sleight of Hand+5

ECOLOGY
Environment  Candyland
Organization  Pair or gang (3–6)
Treasure   Double

Horrific Essence: Lurkers almost by definition are horrific, not to terrify opponent`s but to make opponents hesitate to investigate them. Their aura is to intimidate in a passive way, granting a forget spell, to details the viewer just saw. This gives NPCs a -6 on skill or saving checks on information skill checks against them.

The Lurker is a small, shadowy fey that excels in hiding away and waiting for opportunities to frighten people. It gets considerable glee hearing children or anyone else screaming and it does everything it can to incite others to flee.

A master of intimidation and stealth, it bides its time until it can maximize the affects. They are just smart enough to appreciate partners and do everything they can to be with stronger creatures for support but not to be beholden to them. The hate repaying favors and will hide away to avoid being caught and forced to abide by their promises.

One of the reasons there seems to be so many lurkers is that their haunting is considered a non-lethal kind, so most times they are not considered to be a big enough threat to pursue. But their horrific essence also limits the capacity for others to hunt them down.  Though not undead, will often act as such, so they pretend to be turned, in order to escape conflict.

Winged Monkeys

Another one of the Candyland Monsters that will make an appearance at a local con I am doing very soon. This is a winged pest, that once served evil masters but today is mostly a nuisance.  They make a great companion for evil druids or witches.

Winged Monkeys

Small Sized Magical Beast

Init +1      
Senses low-light vision; Perception +3

AC 15, touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+2 natural, +2 Dex, +1 Size)

HP 16 (3d8+3)

Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +0 DR 1/cold iron

Speed 30 ft. Fly 50 (Average)

Melee 2 claws +4 (1d3+1), Bite +4 (1d4+1)

Special Attacks Swoop

Str 12, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 5, Wis 9, Cha 8

Base Atk +5; CMB +3; CMD 15

Feats Weapon Focus (claw),Multi-Attack

Skills Fly+10 , Perception+3 Survival +4, Stealth+3; Bonus +8 on Fly

Alignment: Neutral (Evil)

Environment Candyland

Organization Small Flock (3-12) o Large Flock (30 - 120)

Treasure Quarter 

Advancement 4-6 HD (Medium); 7-10 HD (Large)

Swoop: Gain a +3 bonus on a single claw attack  if they are able swoop down ten feet down during combat. 

It is believed these creatures were an experiment in cross-breeding by one of Candyland's former Witch Mistresses. They have since escaped and bred wild. 

At one time, their flocks numbered in the hundreds, and they could turn the bright pink sky black as they descended to attack creatures or travelers. But when their masters lost access to the huge revell (corn) fields, they could not be controlled and the flocks broke apart to look for food on their own. Now they mostly survive by raiding or harassing farmlands or sniping travelers.. They can be quite cunning, using their stealth to sneak in and take small objects but they usually just us their numbers to take what they want by strength.

This is the typical specimen, there are more advanced versions that sometimes advance HD in fighter, rogue or druid levels. Some evil druids select these creatures as minions but only if they have been to Candyland previously.

Prestige Class - Cult of the Vine (Unholy Drunks)

Cult of the Vine

Cult of the Vine is a low-level menace found in virtually every city on Nyssa and are especially active in the warmest parts of the domain. They believe intoxication is a divine state of being and most would prefer to be inebriated as often as they can. While not seen as a grave threat, many communities are torn apart by their celebrations. Their history and lack of culture makes other groups find them distasteful. Even worse they have significant connections with evil groups. Their presence does portend significant dangers.  Many lawful groups ban them but do not actively pursue them, trying to make it more difficult for them to meet or gain new members.

They exploit their members to gain abilities to temporarily boost their capacity to enable them to commit acts. Very few common members understand that this group has dark, twisted intentions as most just associate them with wild, fun communal events. Virtually everything they do is to sow mistrust and dissension so the cult and their allies can grow in their power.

Role: To share their love of excess, engage in fun activities and to watch for signs, then report what they see. Most times, it is meaningless, but these cultists always seem to be watching and preparing for a time to strike their foes down.

Alignment: Any non-lawful or good. They are chaotic by nature.

Hit Dice: D6

Requirements: To qualify to become a Vine Cultist  a character must fulfill all the following criteria.

Base Attack Bonus: +1
Skills: Acrobatics 3 ranks and Perform 3 ranks or Knowledge (Religion) +2 and Knowledge (nature)

Class Skills: Acrobatics (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Beer or Winemaking) Diplomacy (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (dungeoneering), Knowledge (nature), Knowledge (Religion), Perform (Cha), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Stealth (Dex), and Swim (Str).

Attack and saving Throws as a rogue

Class Features: They gain no new weapons or armor

Cult of the Vine

1st: Hideous Laughter (1 + 1/cha bonus), Feat, +6 skill points
2nd: Drunken Rage 1/3 levels; Bonus to Poison Saves (+2), +3 skill points, Gain +2 to any ability score
3rd: Share Damage 1; Share a Drink Effect, +3 skill points, Feat
4th: Hideous Shaking, Debauchery 1/day, +3 skill points
5th: Share Damage 3;  +3 skill points, Gain +2 to any ability score, Bonus to Poison Saves (+5 to saving throws)
6th: Drunk Dance (1/day, ten round max);  Hideous Stare, +3 skill points, Feat
7th: Touch of Drunkenness, Debauchery 3/day, +3 skill points
8th: Share Damage 5; Immunity to mind-affects , +3 skill points, Gain +2 to any ability score
9th Share Damage 9;  +3 skill points, Feat, Immunity to Poison
10th: Debauchery 5/day, +10 skill points, Feat,, Gain +2 to any ability score

Hideous Laughter: Afflicts a subject with uncontrollable laughter as per the spell for 1+ 1/cha bonus rounds. Victim can save every round to avoid. DC 10+Caster Level+Cha Bonus

Drunken Rage: The same as a barbarian's rage, except they can only induce this if they are drinking. It takes one round to be in affect. They do not need to be actually drunk, but once they are in the drunken rage, they cannot exit it until combat is over. They collapse for two times the number of rounds spent in rage induced combat.

Share a Drink: This is a ritual that has long been utilized but rarely recognized unless it's too late. Anyone who shares a drink with a cult of the vine member, has a 24 hour reprieve from taking actions against that cult member, equivalent to a charm person spell. There is no saving throw against the effect though magic resistance is effective. At the end of the drink, the cult member usually announces the effect. If the cult member, leaves without making the announcement, then the effect is nullified. If the drinker leaves and they break the social protocol, or they are not otherwise coerced or tricked, the charm effect is still in place. This trick rarely works more than once, although it could work with another cult member.

Hideous Shaking: Afflicts the subject with uncontrollable shaking, causing victims to take -4 to their dexterity, checks and move at half speed. Victims can save every round to avoid. DC 10+Caster Level+Cha Bonus

Debauchery: Cult of the vine members can psyche themselves up to perform acts of vileness or danger. They can add +3 to any wisdom saving throw or  ability check if they can spend one round preparing themselves. They can hold this advanced save adjustment for the next situation that calls for that roll, but if an unavoidable situation happens, they will use that bonus even if its not what they intended. At 7th level they can gain a +4 to their wisdom save, at 10th level this increases to +5.

Drunk Dance: While looking drunk and awkward, they are incredibly focused on completing their tasks.  They gain +6 to dexterity skill checks and +2 to reflex saving throws.

Hideous Stare: afflicts the subject with an impenetrable and uncontrolled stare, doing nothing else for 4-6 rounds. Victim can save every round to avoid.  DC 10+lev+Cha Bonus

Touch of Drunkeness: Victims who are touched, immediately feel inebriated, they begin to sway, talk loudly and take -4 on dexterity or strength checks due to awkwardness, -2 on attacks, (stacks with dexterity loss). They can take one round to calm down taking no physical action, and they can make a saving throw to throw off the drunken effects. DC 10+lev+Cha Bonus

Gain Bonus to Poison Save: Cult of Poison members prepare themselves by building up a significant range of poisons they have build up resistances to. At 9th level assume they have immunity to any poison that has a DC 24 or under.

Share Damage:  Just as the crowd somehow seems to share mindful tactics, those involved in the cult of the vine divide damage among themselves. They pass along damage to other cult members that are within 20 feet, they can pass one point of damage every round that they take damage. They can do this automatically once every round as long as the recipient would not die or be incapacitated by this damage. At higher levels, they can share more damage, but no recipient can take more than 1 damage any round. For example, if they share 3 damage, none of those members would have been inflicted shared damage from a different cult member that round.

Shared Damage 1 Range: 20 ft
Shared Damage 3 Range: 25 ft
Shared Damage 5 Range: 30 ft
Shared Damage 9 Range: 50 ft

Iron Salamander

My gaming home world is one of various styles: high magic, high technology, social interaction, divine interactions, etc but one of the few sticky points is the unending threat of the cold. Large swathes of the land are still covered in the Icy Death, and getting around this is a significant challenge especially at lower levels. 

While I have lots of unique creatures but there are a few classic ones that I shouldn't use as they violate the spirit of the themes. The Iron Salamander is one of those alternates to let me use the creature adjusted to fit my campaign world. So instead of the fiery salamander, this is the one I use, representing iron strength and metal sharpness.

Iron Salamander
CR 6
LE. Medium Outsider
Init + 1. Senses: Darkvision 60 ft, Perception

AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 17 (+1 Dex, +7 natural)
HP 76    (8d10+32)
Fort +10 Ref +7 Will +6

DR 10 / Magic Immune Silver or 1st level Spells
Speed 30 

Str 16, Dex 13, Con 18, Int 14, Wis 15, Cha 13
Base Atk +8; CMB +11 (+15 grapple); CMD 22 (can't be tripped)
Melee. +11 / +6 Spear (d8+4 plus metal spray +1d6)
Constrict. 2d6+4 
Feats Cleave, Iron Will, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Crafting)
Skills: Acrobatics, Bluff, Intimidate, Perception, Sense Motive +5, Craft (Weapon), Knowledge (Planes), Knowledge (Religion or Magic) +8

Environment: Plane of Iron
Organization: Hunting Party (11-20) or Tribe (100-400)
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: Standard

Tail Metal Spray: Their tail is a continuous swirling slag of metal. Normally when they attack, their tail flails in the same direction, throwing spikes, doing damage as listed. They can have their ten foot long tail to attack another distinct direction, except they must make separate attack rolls in this circumstance.

Tracking Penalty: Iron Salamanders continuously shed small iron shavings, giving opponents tracking them gain a +4 on their attempts. These shavings usually disintegrate after 12 hours on prime worlds.

Metal Weakness: Iron Salamanders suffer a -2 to sonic saving throws

The Iron Salamander is an intelligent foe from another plane, that comes to many prime worlds to raid for resources and slaves. They are well known in many locations on Nyssa because they have long used portals to make lightning quick attacks to take what they need. Their standard routine is to take over a defensible short-term lair, gather their items and then depart.

They appear bright and shiny in their youth as their silver metal scales cover their serpentine body. As they age, their metal sharpens but the metal fades into an iron like rigidity and colour. Most of these Iron Salamanders work on sharpening their tails, both for decoration and for battle functionality. While they have expertly made weapons such as spears and war hammers, they relish using their tails in battle with weaker creatures.

They are similar to a military society where every citizen understands their role and may be called upon to help in a raid. They usually follow orders when it comes to raids or defense, but they are given flexibility otherwise. Most towns will raid once every two or three years, when their supplies start to run low. Communities are independent of one another but will typically help an allied community if they are not in the midst of planning or executing a raid.

Iron Salamanders are a non specific gender, they go through periods where they change their gender, usually a female in their earlier years and a male in their later ones. Most Iron Salamanders hatched during specific periods will share their role and gender with every other salamander during that same six to nine month period. Gender roles are not recognized, unless the female is pregnant, then it takes priority for the community and they have a five year refrain from taking part in raids.

The listed example is a base Iron Salamander, they can gain levels in fighter, ranger, rogue or sorcerer. Leaders are from all all classes, as they move upward in their society ranking for success in their missions - Salamanders respect cunning and strength above all else.

Ogre (Nyssian Racial HD Advancement)

Ogres are brutes that use their strength and toughness to force their way among allies and enemies alike as they have little else to resolve issues.  Most are evil as their hunger or other appetites lead them to commit vile actions, and once they begin to act they are committed regardless of consequences. Despite their low intelligence and charm, they are often accepted into any army as their brute strength and size offers useful skills. Magic or intimidation are the two ways ogres are usually led - they understand little else.

The very few non-evil ogres are individuals that were somehow separated, whether by choice or accident, and found allies that encouraged a non-violent expression of their hunger and other tendencies. Fey in particular will sometimes capture an ogre and charm it for several weeks trying to show it another way, before releasing it and hoping their efforts have subtlety influenced it to become a willing ally.


Ogre
NE Large humanoid (giant)
Init –1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +5

DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 8, flat-footed 17 (+4 armor, –1 Dex, +5 natural, –1 size)
hp 30 (4d8+12)
Fort +6, Ref +0, Will +3

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft. (40 ft. base)
Melee: Greatclub +7 (2d8+7)
Ranged: Javelin +1 (1d8+5)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.

STATISTICS
Str 21, Dex 8, Con 15, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 7
Base Atk +3; CMB +9; CMD 18
Feats Iron Will, Toughness
Skills Climb +7, Perception +5, Knowledge (local)+2 , Profession +2, (Any One); Survival +2
Languages Giant

ECOLOGY

Environment temperate, cold hills or forests
Organization solitary, pair, gang (3–4), or family (5–16)
Treasure standard (hide armor, greatclub, 4 javelins, other treasure)

Advancement
5 HD   +2 Str or Con; +3 in skills; 1 Dmg Reduction, Lesser Feat, Rage
6  HD Increased Natural Weapon Damage (1d8 Claws); +1 in Natural AC, Lesser Feat; +3 in skills
7 HD +2 Str or Con; +3 in skills; 2 Dmg Reduction,  Lesser Feat; +1 in Natural AC
8 HD Increased Natural Weapon Damage  (1d10 Claws / 1d4 Bite); Roar, Lesser Feat, +3 in skills
9 HD +2 Str or Con; +3 in skills;  4 Dmg Reduction, Advanced Feat
10 HD +2 Str or Con; +2 in Natural AC; Leader's Fury, Advanced Feat, +3 in skills
11 HD +3 in skills; Increase Natural weapon Threat Range (18-20), 6 Dmg Reduction, Adv Feat
12 HD +4 Str & Con;Increased Natural Weapon Damage  (2d8 Claws / 1d10 Bite); +7 in skills; +3 in Natural AC, Advanced Feat

Rage - As per Barbarian's Rage ability; (1+ Constitution Bonus / day)
Roar - Instill Rage in other creatures that can hear their screams (2 / day)
Leader's Fury - Lesser allies will be influenced by the ogre's rage by being in his presence and witnessing his fury (2 + Charisma Bonus / day)

Typical Skills: Climb, Perception, Knowledge (Local, Geography, Nature, Tribal), Handle Animal, Profession, Survival

Lesser Feats: Power Attack, Power Swing, Natural Armor (+2), Improved Initiative, Frenzy Rage, Rage

Advanced Feats (Higher than 8 HD) Imp Natural armor (+4), Improve: Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma by +2, Speak other Language (local), Increase Critical, Stunning Head-Butt,

Few Ogres advance in HD or levels above 12 HD.  Those that do typically advance as barbarian or fighter class. Ogres cannot take non-racial levels until they complete the listed HD.

Night of Masks (My Halloween Game this year)

This was my Halloween Game this year, played at a local Meet-Up event. It was a fun but rushed game. I tried to put enough of the story down here, and some broad notes that you could potentially use some of the ideas here.

The basic idea is an evil spell-caster is attempting to usurp a yearly sacrifice to regain his power - he has kidnapped the intended sacrifice for this years event. The PCs should be strangers to the town, as all local law enforcement can't seem to find the young woman. But once they start, it's all downhill from there, and pretty straightforward to complete. Some of what I found when I ran it, I added between asterisks. *

Night of Masks or My 2015 Halloween Game

A. Background & Contact

B. Golden Hounds

C. Tower and Minor Golem

D. Evil Gargoyle Watchers

E. Lawful Dwarf Guards

F. Stairs

G. Small Room

H. Manacle Room

I. Chain Devil 

J. Locked Door

K. Trap Passageway

L. Rape-y Statue

M. Prisoner, Petitioner and Gug (Big Bad Monster)

N. Mask Party and Resolution with Mastermind

O. End

Background: Night of Masks is a Halloween like holiday, in which the participants dress up and are free to break all vows, it has a dark history. Each of the local village towns in the farming Flatlands provide the names of the willing young ladies, one of them chosen during the harvest fest and after a year of living in luxury they are hung to appease the dark spirits. If the dark spirits are not appeased, legend has it that dark monsters will be freed, and will cause chaos and destruction. Something has gone wrong this year, as six days ago the young lady was kidnapped - the town needs to find their sacrifice as there is only three more nights until the Night of Masks.

Contacted by town agents, Nurther (9^th level Knight) and Lady Bazznika (12^th level Cleric) who have asked the party to meet them privately at a bar. Both are dressed up in fancy party regalia, and ask the party to help find a missing young lady, the annual blood sacrifice. They don't know who could be responsible, as everyone in town could potentially be victims if the spirits are unhappy and their pact is broken. The only thing they know that is different are the golden hounds (blink dogs), a beloved dog that has helped the region in the past is now here in large numbers. (Wildlife DC Low). This town is infamous for their crypt of Lord Volonez, an insane wizard who could summon unworldly creatures. Lord Nurther commands the guards at and near the secret grave all year, he highly doubts it could be him. 

Just outside the pub is a group of small-sized, sleek white dogs with golden streaks called Golden Hounds. They are well known but they rarely stay in town for long. If approached will be peaceful, will bark answers to yes, growl for no. Will not lead them to the Tower during the daytime. One dog accompanies the party.

Large tower, on the edge of town overlooking a few boarding houses and some bad taverns. Once the lair of an infamous wizard, Lord Volonez, now it's little used but always watched. Local rumors tell of winged figures haunting the place at night, it's significance is unknown.

If the players approach the Tower windows (50 & 125 ft), they will be attacked by four gargoyles. If PCs are not using magic devices, they will do significantly less damage.

Next stage depends on if they enter thru the top (Gargoyles) or the bottom windows (Golem.) The main doors are locked, they need to knock loudly and request entry, possibly making a diplomacy check. If they come in any other way, they will quickly be attacked by the Golem who will throw blood globs at them. 

The upper areas of the town are demolished, doors broken and every piece of art, destroyed. Slogans about various warlords are spread large across the walls. Small campsites in disarray, destroyed weapons. Freshly killed impaled bodies...which is extremely unusual, probably against the law, especially given the elaborate funeral rituals that happens to ensure undead do not arise. **not used**

A small contingent of 8 Dwarves are stationed near the main stairs, sitting around a table, drinking and playing cards. One of them stands, giving an official greeting, the SR officer is old, sleeping, passed out. They refuse to accept the story about gargoyles in town and say nothing else is here at the station or post. They tell the group they can search the upstairs to see if there's anything around. If they go down the circular stairs, they are warned there are creepies down there but nothing that comes to the surface.

The next level is around 1000 feet down, the stairs are well built, every 12th stone has a slight glow, just enough to see the steps. Lanterns can be lit with a light spell but all of them would be for 300 ft. (Note the stairs only go down - going back up reveals the stairs don't go back up to the top.) **One of the players made a risky choice of sliding down, very fun scene!**

They come to a small room, ten feet around, with a doorway and signs of a door bust through. A short passageway leads to a large heavy door. Locked, (Difficult to open) but with a peering window reveal a much larger room, filled with a dozen manacles on the walls...two of the chains have people.

If they go in, they see more manacles and five people in total, two ladders going up on the opposite wall, and a large double set of doors locked by chains. Looking up, they will see large windows on the ceiling but it shows cavernous walls outside. One ladder goes to a set of locked doors, sealed by a holy glyph the other to an area previously locked, that opens to a room filled with bodies of beasts hanging upside down, covered with glowing runes. In the primary holding room, around 200 hundred feet around, only one of the prisoners was male. The only one still barely alive though is a middle aged woman, badly bruised, unconscious. After they approach the fourth body, a grey circular light flashes, then 3 to 5 gray skinned humanoids appear, with chains dangling from their bodies. A smack down should ensue. (Use medium level outer planar monsters, such as Kyton.)

If they use magic to work awaken the girl, she tells her tale. Her name is Fanara, who works at a tavern, well outside of town. She was kidnapped by gnolls during a raid and she believes she was sold to a vile necromancer, who wore a hood and commanded a bunch of silver winged undead. She remembers awakening here with two dozen others, lots of screaming and tears...individuals taken, experimented on. Slowly the others died, she knows little else. If asked what did they do to her, it was drink poisons...they were always so much vomiting. Those who died, had their arms explode in vermin.

The characters can try to go back but the stairs apparently don't go up to the top, they are a few hundred feet shy. They are forced to go forward, the double doors are next. Not locked directly, but a heavy chain wrapped around the doors. If the characters touch the chain they will be shocked (3d6 Low Level Save) save for half. A character must willingly grab the chain to remove it. If the players use any means to disengage the chain, save again for 10d6 damage (Medium Level Save). 

  **took dmg then defused it**

There are heavy tracks, lots of rope, much of it chewed on. Going forward the floor drops, anyone falling takes 7d10 dmg (half if low acrobatics DC is made). Once the floor drops it is stable for 2d6 minutes. If anyone drops, they are in a area made of the bones of the dead, snakes are coming towards them. They need to put a weight down, then if a rope is lowered they can climb up or just wait until the floor drops again. **reworded this scene that game night, monster tentacles grabbed from below. The party took cultist cowls to go through. The scene took too long, should have stuck with what I had written.**

Going forward they come to an oddly decorated room, with the decor of naked people fornication with demonic beasts being bitten with blood spraying out. In one corner a small group of piously dressed but blindfolded humans walking thru the scene, there. A huge statue of a demon with robes and many hands, but seems to be decorated with blood. Anyone with religion / religious leanings must make a will save as they have images of gratification against the statue and those failing will have dreaming delusions of fornication with the statue. **one of the players got right into it, she had fun. Good scene.**

A cleric detects evil from the entire room. The players should realize the bleeding person in the montage is offering their blood, this scene shows someone must provide a blood sacrifice, inflicting 25 unholy damage. If a religious check is made they will know that this damage can't be healed by clerical spells or magic. The statue takes no damage from spells or weapons. They need to follow the instructions, with someone willing to submit to the beast, with the rest of the party blindfolding or looking away. The characters will hear her tears, her screams and a demonic laughter and the louder pitch. She is drained 25 HP but only 5 of that is unholy damage.

Once the blood is given, another passageway will appear, they will go down further and see an arena with even more walled manacles and a center hole, around it are 9 dark robed individuals chanting. One hooded masked figure on a large raised dais, a figure dressed in green chained beside him...is the victim they are trying to save. **Party took the time to plan, very good planned actions for them.**

The chanting cultists turn to face the heroes but as they do a huge gray arm comes out from the hole. As the bestial form emerges, their chanting increases, what does the party want to do? Large, furry monster, head opens its maw on the top of its head their elbows split, two arms on both sides. When enough of the handlers are taken out, the BLBG will emerge. If the party approaches the dais, Volonez will go out a back door.

They must face the BLBG beast who tries to demolish them, battle should be heroic as the beast uses awesome blow to beat them down. When completed, they should be exhausted. They approach the chained victim, unable to get her out of the chains. She is pleading with them to get her free. They know that they cannot cut her out, she must be whole before the ceremony. They cannot pick the locks or break them...The only chance is to find the Lord Volonez, who has the keys. **two party members chase after Volonez, I dumped the fight making it much easier..warrior and cleric took him on and the rogue tried to free the enslaved woman.**

When they go after him, they lead up first into a proper dungeon, then a well lit area, then into a huge wine cellar, from there to another set of stairs, until finally a huge formal dining area inhabited by four hundred or more masked party goers, all enjoying the Night of Masks fete. As soon as they enter, immediately healed then given buffing spells, contacted in their minds by Lady Bazznik ...she will ask them: Why are they here at the Gala? What do they need? They see her in the same dress, with her knight very close by. There are dozens of other soldiers in the room, you know they are loyal to the lady that will assist when needed. Did the players pay attention? (Perception roll to see if they remembered.)

Lord Volonez pays close attention to the goings-on, back to the wall. He has some allies here but he knows he is heavily outnumbered. He has knowledge but is unable to cast spells in his current state which is why he needs to spoil the sacrifice to begin his rebuilding of power. If not spotted, will use a distraction to escape. During the distraction only if players are paying attention do they get a chance to foil his escape and confront him. They can stop him in an alleyway and attack to kill him where he reveals what he is - can they get the keys?  If they are able to kill him, he breaks apart into a colony of thousands of bugs and insects, it is only his pure malevolence that binds this creature together. 

**My plan was ruined, as the rogue was a few steps behind Volonez...pointed him out at the party. The spell-casters blasted...him down. We were running out of time anyway, and since I didn't note that the door Volonez was running through should be locked, I wouldn't have felt right about changing it. **

Ending

If they are unable to capture Volonez, describe them going back into the dungeon, still being unable to break or open the locks holding the victim. Lady Bazznik then gets the PCs to help guard the victim until the Night, when two sacrifices are done, the public one solemnly witnessed that happens for the crowd. and a private one, in the sewers, done with a crying, desperate pained sacrifice. She has a tattoo that heals her, so the rope breaks until a chin is used, all the time crying out in despair and pain. This is intended to be an horrific scene that you may want to just rush through.

Regardless of what happens, the PCs should have made a few decent allies that can potentially lead to more missions.

Monster Listing

Gargoyle = Low Level Flying CR

Blink Dog = CR 2

Low Level Golem CR 4 – 6

Medium Level Bad Guy = Kyton CR 4

High Level Bad Guy = Gug or a 12 HD evil outer planar

Mastermind Bad Guy = Volonez, a Worm that Walks, stats below.

Worm That Walks: AC High, Saves as a 10^th lev Wizard; Immune to critical attacks, Dmg Reduction 15/-,Physical Attack: Insect Engulf 3d6 dmg; HP 90; One magical Atk Bolt of shadows +10 to hit / 3d6 evil dmg - he can cast once a round.

Volonez was a high level evil wizard but was killed while committing his crimes. He needs to ruin the purity of this sacrifice, to grow in power, perhaps enough to reclaim his body. His spirit infected a pile of insects to carry his soul, but will only have his full spell-power once he reclaims his body. 

Cadaver - base undead

Cadaver (Nyssian Zombies)

This is the base undead found on Nyssa. Cadavers appear the same as zombies at lower levels - slow speed, flesh hanging off them with rotting organs always eager to devour living flesh. As they age, they lose all of their flesh and organs, becoming skeletal in appearance. Just as significant, most of them gain in intelligence and charisma, so they become a very different type of threat at higher levels.

At the start, they are low intelligence beings whose only purpose seems to be hunt and devour living creatures. While believed to be ruthlessly evil this is not entirely true, at their youthful stages and HD they seek to feed on the flesh of living beings. Those that advance often become neutrally aligned, as higher HD ones usually wish for solace, and will only feed only on living beings who disturb their slumber. Some believe it is their transition to undeath which causes the hunger for flesh, as there have been good aligned Cadavers, while incredibly rare, who are not inflicted with these pangs.

At higher level HD, a Cadaver is incredibly influential and charismatic to other undead, in fact this is how many undead hordes converge. Some of these undead are destroyed by their Cadaver Lord if they do not comply with their commanders orders to control where and when they feed.

Cadaver CR 1

XP 600

NE (N)                                           Medium undead

Init +2                                            Senses darkvision 120 ft.; Perception +5

DEFENSE

AC 13, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +2 natural)

hp 5 (1d8)

Fort +0; Ref -1; Will +3

DR 2/slashing; Resist cold 20, undead traits

OFFENSE

Speed 20 ft.

Melee Weapon +2 (1d6+1)

SQ Regeneration

STATISTICS

Str 13, Dex 7, Con 10, Int 5, Wis 10, Cha 5

Base Atk +1; CMB +2; CMD 13

Skills: Climb +5, Perception +5, Stealth +5, Knowledge (Religion) +5

Feats Improved Initiative

 ECOLOGY
Environment       Any
Organization       Team (3-6)
Treasure Value    Quarter Standard (Usually worn clothing, jewelry or weapons)

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Regeneration (Su) When reduced to 0 hit points or less, a cadaver is not destroyed; rather it falls inert and begins the process of reanimating.  Hit points lost to magical weapons or spells are regained at the rate of one per day, those lost from non-magical weapons are regained 1 every hour. When the creature reaches its full hit point total, it stands up, ready to fight again.  They are permanently destroyed if interned on a holy site or if a holy weapon is used to inflict the damage.

HD Advancement

Gain +2 skill points only in skill options (not just their base skills) 

Gain +2 in charisma reaction to other undead creatures
Gain +1 in natural AC every other HD

2 HD Pact of Peace (Other Low Level Undead); SR 5; Gain 1 Feat

3 HD Bone Reading,  +2 to any three ability scores; Dmg Reduction 4/bludgeoning or magic

4 HD Speak with Living (1/day) Gain 1 Feat; Move 30 ft

5 HD Pact of Peace (Animals); SR 10;  Dmg Reduction 6/bludgeoning or magic

6 HD Pact of Peace (Faeries & Good Aligned Outsiders) , +2 to any four ability scores, Move 40 ft

7 HD Gain 1 Feat; Speak with Living (3/day); SR 15; Dmg Reduction 8/bludgeoning or magic

8 HD Pact of peace (Lawful Creatures, Death Figures and Religious); No Scent; Gain 1 Feat

9 HD Immunity to Ward Against Death, +2 to any three ability scores; SR 20; Dmg Reduction ,10/magic, Move 50 ft 

Bone Reading: Touching a piece of bone will reveal the name, race and class of who the bone belonged to. Usable 3 / day

Speak with Living: Undead have no workable body parts, so this spell enables them to communicate with the living. It can enable communication for up to five minutes.

Pacts of Peace: Cadavers emit a non-threatening aura for the creatures listed, unless the undead takes violent action, those listed just ignore the undead as non-threats. It is the intent not the actions, if undead are even considering breaking the peace, the creatures will not recognize the peace pact. Their pacts of peace are for NPCs only, not PCs or their companions.

No Scent: At this point, cadavers emit no scent and cannot be tracked in a standard manner

Immunity to Ward Against Death: Spells or effects that normally affect undead have no affect on Cadavers (this includes clerical turning). This only works if the Cadaver is in their home base. Once a Cadaver leaves their home, they can be affected normally.

Feats Options:
Quick Strikes (Ex): With this feat, a zombie can make one additional attack at its highest base attack bonus.

Death Burst (Ex): When a zombie dies with this feat, it explodes in a burst of decay. All creatures adjacent to the plague zombie are exposed to its plague as if struck by a slam attack and must make a Fortitude save or contract zombie rot.