I wanted to add another Murdered besides Ironbriar more of a hands on seductive assassin. I have seen some people talking about this and I think it could be fun and make sure the PCs are 7th level by the time they fight Xanesha. I’m going to use a standard Lamia Matriarch with some personalizations. She finds greedy individuals and sacrificed them she is Xanesha’s underling. I have a very greedy player that is going to be on the list of sacrifices. Corensha is going to seduce him in the inn they are all staying at; while they are in a private room together during the heat of passion she is going to cast Deep Slumber on him. (I’m going to have him roll a d20 three times and ill check to see if it’s successful so he doesn’t know it’s a saving throw) He will wake up from his Deep Slumber taking a point of damage as he is now tied to the bed and the beautiful woman that he was just with is now half snake with a knife in her hands cutting his chest. (I'm going to give the PCs a chance to hear him screaming and run in and save him)
This battle will be very brutal but it should foreshadow the battle with Xanesha, do you guys think this is showing too much too early to the PCs? I’m going to have the attack happen after they figure out to go to the Sevens Sawmill but before they get a chance to go if everything works out
So what do you think of this idea here is her write up
Corensha
CE Large monstrous humanoid (shapechanger)
Init +8; Senses Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Listen +10, Spot +10
Defense
AC 31, touch 18, flat-footed 22 (+8 Dex, +9 Natural, –1 Size, +4 Shield, +1 Dodge )
Hp 144 (12d8+72)
Fort +10, Ref +16, Will +11
Immune mind-affecting; SR 18
Offense
Spd 70 ft., climb 70 ft., swim 70 ft.,
Melee
+ 1 Falchion +17/+17/+12/+7 (2d4+8/15–20 plus 1 Wisdom drain) and +1 Falchion +14 (2d4+4/15–20 plus 1 Wisdom drain)
or
Touch +16 (2d4 Wisdom drain)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 10th)
At will—Charm Monster (DC 21), Ventriloquism (DC 16)
3/day—Deep Slumber (DC 20), Dream, Major Image (DC 20), Mirror Image, Suggestion (DC 20)
Spells Known (CL 6th)
3rd (5/day)—Haste
2nd (7/day)—Silence (DC 19), Cure Moderate Wounds
1st (8/day)—Feather Fall, Divine Favor, True Strike, Shield
0 (Unlimited)—Daze (DC 17), Detect Magic, Ghost Sound (DC 17), Mage Hand, Mending, Read Magic, Prestidigitation
Spells in Effect
Haste CL 6th
Extended Divine Favor CL 6th
Extended Shield CL 6th
Silence on Ion Stone CL 6th
Mirror Image CL 10th
Statistics
Str 20, Dex 24, Con 22, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 24
Base Atk +12; Grp +21
Feats Extend Spell, Improved Critical (Falchion), Oversized Two Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (Falchion)
Skills Bluff +20, Climb +13, Concentration +14, Knowledge (Arcana) +12, Knowledge (Local) +12, Spellcraft +12, Swim +12, Tumble +18, Use Magic Device +24, Spot +10, Listen +10
Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic
Items +1 Falchion, +1 Falchion, Cloak of Weaponry, Eternal Wand Undetectable Alignment, Dull Gray Ion Stone, Ceremonial Dagger
I like the idea. I am DMing the Justice Ironbriar fight at the moment, and it does feel a bit disconnected from here to the clocktower, so another murderer would work well. I would want to know how you are going to tie the two Lamia's together. Are they working together? Is one rogue? Perhaps an apprentice of Xanesha (or whatever her name is)?
My take on this would be to not use a Lamia as you have 2 very similar BBEGs in the same adventure. How about a murderer that is an apprentice or thrall of Xanesha's but not a Lamia? You probably want a CR7 monster, but vaguely human. Aldern was a ghast, Ironbriar is an elf, Xanesha is a Lamia. Undead, normal, snake thing.
I was thinking she was Xaneshas apprientice
I would kinda of agree on not using another Lamia, but then it would further cement Lamia's as a minion of whatever evil power is involved.
You might knock off some sorcerer caster level to drop the CR a bit. The spell-like's should do the job nicely, and teach them to have charm-counters.
I used a really nasty Red Mantis Assassin on the group - sicced on them by Ironbriar before they drove him out of town.
Red Mantis is pretty cool idea
But I like the seductress idea of the Lamia and really cement them as pawns of evil
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How about a very attractive female Red Mantis assassin ? One which has ring of spell storing with Dominate Person which she casts on the fighter type she beds.
She then has him scream for help, and as the other players come running to his rescue they find their comrade in arms defending a flanking (Mirror Imaged via same ring) murderer in said assassin's trap heavy room.
How about a very attractive female Red Mantis assassin ? One which has ring of spell storing with Dominate Person which she casts on the fighter type she beds.
She then has him scream for help, and as the other players come running to his rescue they find their comrade in arms defending a flanking (Mirror Imaged via same ring) murderer in said assassin's trap heavy room.
Red Mantis assassins are part of a religious cult that serve a god-like being. The murder cult served the god of murder. The two groups have very different reasons for why they murder who they murder. You'd have to think carefully on why a Red Mantis assassin was doing the Sihedron ritual.
Grrr - now I want to try and work something like this into my game! ;P
(My players just finished the Misgivings, and are on their way back to Magnimar shortly).
Part of me does think that adding another lamia matriarch could be a bit heavy-handed - but as favored servants of 'The Big K' they could also do with some more time in the spotlight in the campaign as well. Hmmm...
Two alternate ideas just sprang to my mind as possibilities:
1) Have Xanesha herself be the seducer, but have her get away, and give another reason to seek her out at the Clocktower. It would give her a more proactive role in the adventure (at least to the party's perspective), and would give them a taste of what they're up against - and prepare accordingly. Even if she leaves as soon as the PC starts screaming, you've acheived the goal of freaking out the party, and the greedy PC has a handsome scar to remind him of the encounter... >)
2) Take a Faceless Stalker and advance it to play the role of seducer/slayer. These guys have oodles of potential, and it could be a great opportunity to showcase their talents (perhaps even more so than in Aldern's townhouse).
Just my humble 2cp... :)
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
Could also have Xanesha do a seduction, not as a sihedron killer but to eliminate a threat. She could lure the PC for the Red Mantis to kill, while she holds off the party, or even "flees to bring the party to save him", but leads them the wrong way - "He was here, I would have sworn!"...
Blah - unless you're pretty sure the PC would survive, this isn't a good plan. But they could work together.
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Red Mantis assassins are part of a religious cult that serve a god-like being. The murder cult served the god of murder. The two groups have very different reasons for why they murder who they murder. You'd have to think carefully on why a Red Mantis assassin was doing the Sihedron ritual.
It could be as simple a reason as monetary gain, Xanesha or the justice being the employer in this case. It could be as complex a reason as the Red Mantis infiltrating a rivals operation before they become more than a thorn in their side.
Or it could be the Red Mantis assassin is a half breed daughter of another lamia herself and a sadist and her cult was not as cutthroat as she wanted. It could be all of the above … or she could just claim to be Red Mantis assassin and in truth she’s just a cold blooded killer who uses a lot of poison and spells …
Or it could be that …
She could be charmed much like Iron Briar
But the problem im having to make her a challenge for the party of six gives her to many good Magic items that would go to the PCs
She could be charmed much like Iron Briar
But the problem im having to make her a challenge for the party of six gives her to many good Magic items that would go to the PCs
I found Obscuring Mist and Ghost Sound to be quite useful for this. Give her plenty of consumables. Scroll of Summon Monster III maybe (depending on spell list/UMD - maybe a low charge wand).
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Something I noticed...you mentioned the party able to hear the screaming yet she has an active silence going on an ioun stone.
I'd have it be Xanesha herself (after all it says she does this in her background). In the midst of passion transforms into her snake form, starting with an automatic grapple and laughingly drains the wisdom out of the struggling victim. 2d4 wisdom drain per round is brutal. If she succeeds she leaves a catatonic PC lying on the bed with a Sihedron rune carved in his chest then dimension doors away. If the party interrupts her she simply laughs and dimension doors away. Either way a great setup and makes the party feel like she is toying with them (which she is). Oh, and as a sleeper surprise have her use Charm Monster on the victim right before she drains the last of his wisdom (make that save with barely any wisdom!) Unless the party detects the charm, things could get ugly as the PC tries to defend his lover in the tower.
This way they have the potential of getting useful info about her but your making them work a bit for it. They'll most likely get a restoration to take care of the wisdom drain not realizing the charm is in place.
Something I noticed...you mentioned the party able to hear the screaming yet she has an active silence going on an ioun stone.
I'd have it be Xanesha herself. In the midst of passion transforms into her snake form, starting with an automatic grapple and laughingly drains the wisdom out of the struggling victim. 2d4 wisdom drain per round is brutal. If she succeeds she leaves a catatonic PC lying on the bed with a Sihedron rune carved in his chest then dimension doors away. If the party interrupts her she simply laughs and dimension doors away. Either way a great setup and makes the party feel like she is toying with them (which she is). Oh, and as a sleeper surprise have her use Charm Monster on the victim right before she drains the last of his wisdom (make that save with barely any wisdom!) Unless the party detects the charm, things could get ugly as the PC tries to defend his lover in the tower.
She doesnt pull the Ion Stone out (Its in an extra Demensional Space of her Cloak) until the PCs try to break down the door she has to be able to talk to do the ritual
Another reason this encounter is in here is to make sure the PCs are 7th level before they encounter Xanesha
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Another reason this encounter is in here is to make sure the PCs are 7th level before they encounter Xanesha
Understood, but your not really pulling out the stops on this encounter and it gives them some insight into her abilities if done this way. If it's experience you want to give them (to ensure 7th level) have the party fight through some faceless stalkers posing as guests/staff to get to the screaming victim (who is going to survive anyway). If they are going to get in a fight to the death with another lamia (such as the one above) than it's going to be almost as tough a fight as facing Xanesha herself (if not worse since they start off ambushed and seperated) IMHO. I just like the idea of making Xanesha more of a 3-dimensional villian. Just my 2 cents but your idea certainly inspired me and I'll be adding this in whenever I get around to running this.
Another reason this encounter is in here is to make sure the PCs are 7th level before they encounter XaneshaUnderstood, but your not really pulling out the stops on this encounter and it gives them some insight into her abilities if done this way. If it's experience you want to give them (to ensure 7th level) have the party fight through some faceless stalkers posing as guests/staff to get to the screaming victim (who is going to survive anyway). If they are going to get in a fight to the death with another lamia (such as the one above) than it's going to be almost as tough a fight as facing Xanesha herself (if not worse since they start off ambushed and seperated) IMHO. I just like the idea of making Xanesha more of a 3-dimensional villian. Just my 2 cents but your idea certainly inspired me and I'll be adding this in whenever I get around to running this.
I like this idea the more I think about it maybe make some Faceless Stalkers with a couple of levels of rogue on them could be a cool fight
Maybe can use her as a later reinforcement
Ok so once they are coming to see whats going on with the gnome and Xanesha these two faceless stalkers will act like they are staying at the hotel and come out of a Neiboring room and try to find out what is going on and when they are distracted come in and start sneak attacking
What do you guys think of the write up
Faceless Stalker (Ugothol) 3rd Level Rogue
CE Medium Aberration (Shapechanger)
Init +11; Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +12, Spot +12
Defense
AC 22, touch 18, flat-footed 16 (+6 Dex, +4 Natural +2 Deflection)
Hp 96 (5d8+30, 3d6+18)
Saves Fort +9, Ref +11, Will +6 (Evasion)
DR 5/Piercing or Slashing
Offense
Spd 30 ft.
Melee Masterwork Longsword +12 (1d8+6/17–20) orSlam +11 (1d4+6)
Full Attack Masterwork Longsword +10 (1d8+6/17–20) and Masterwork Shortsword +10 (1d6+3/17-20)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks sneak attack +4d6
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 Most faceless stalkers aren’t particularly gifted at hiding and so rely on flanking foes and using feints to maximize their sneak attacks. Faced with multiple targets, they prefer to fight foes armed with weapons that deal bludgeoning damage.
Morale Faceless stalkers generally retreat if brought below 10 hit points.
Statistics
Str 22, Dex 22, Con 22, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 14
Base Atk +5; Grp +11
Feats Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Two Weapon Fighting
Skills Bluff +14, Disguise +14 (+24 when using change shape), Escape Artist+18, Listen +12, Sleight of Hand +16, Spot +12, Tumble +15,
Languages Aquan, Common; Tongues
SQ Change Shape, Elastic, Faceless
Gear Masterwork Longsword, Masterwork Shortsword Oil of Keen Edge x3 (Already used 2 of them) Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds x2, Potion of Shield of Faith +2 (Used)
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. 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. 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 +4d6 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.