Page 134 - Lords of Madness: The Book of Aberrations

pose.) Finally, if the bookcase is opened and a particular book it took from Deros Frist, but still possesses the majority of the
removed, a symbol of pain is revealed (DC 30 Search check, DC spells the wizard had prepared when he was killed.
30 Disable Device check). The book in question is a prominent Yikk Tasst begins any encounter in the form of Deros Frist.
tome entitled Magic of the Dragon Lords, positioned face-out in If the heroes are not overtly hostile, the tsochar continues the
the center shelf—easily the first book anyone examining the masquerade as long as possible; it is a skillful liar and enjoys

bookcase notices. deceiving people. It does its best to reassure visitors that all
In the northwest corner of the room, below a corner of the is well, and waves off pointed questions about the state of the
carpet, lies a concealed trapdoor allowing access to the landing tower, explaining that its new research permits little time to
below on the second floor (DC 20 Search check, or automatic tend to such matters.

if anyone looks under the carpet). A simple rope ladder rests If matters come to blows, Yikk Tasst first makes
coiled up in the foot-deep space between the two doors. use of its own sorcerer spells, carefully hoard-

A secret compartment above the fireplace (DC 20 ing Deros Frist’s taken spells as long as OF FLESH CHAPTER 7
Search check) contains a small coffer filled with 250 possible. If things go badly, it abandons THE WEARERS

gp, 110 pp, a wand of magic missiles (caster level 5th), Frist’s body (giving up its taken spells)
and a scroll of teleport. to gain full use of its formidable physi-
Several inconspicuous tomes on one shelf of the cal attacks. In a real pinch, Tasst ducks
bookcase are the spellbooks of a wizard whom Deros into the closet to the south and
Frist defeated several years ago. The spellbooks uses the secret door there to
include the following spells: escape into the Conjury (area
0—acid splash, dancing lights, detect magic, flare, 10). From there, it can bolt down the

mending, message, read magic, resistance; stairs or exit the building through
1st—comprehend languages, color spray, the secret door in that room.
disguise self, enlarge person, feather fall, A hidden drawer beneath the work-
identify, jump, shocking grasp, silent table top (DC 15 Search check) holds
image; 2nd—arcane lock, glitter- a leather pouch with 210 gp and a scroll
dust, hypnotic pattern, scare, of fly. The bookshelf in this room holds

spectral hand, spider climb, Deros Frist’s own spellbooks. Illus. by M. Cotie
web, whispering wind;
3rd—deep slumber, dispel Yikk Tasst: Tsochar sorcerer
magic, displacement, keen 6; CR 10; Medium aberra-
edge, major image, slow, tion; HD 8d8+40 plus 6d4+30;
suggestion, water breath- hp 121; Init +7; Spd 20 ft., climb 20

ing; 4th—dimensional anchor, lesser globe of ft.; AC 22, touch 14, flat-footed 19;
invulnerability, polymorph, rainbow pattern, stoneskin, Base Atk +9; Grp +17; Atk +13 melee
summon monster IV. (1d6+4, tentacle); Full Atk +13
melee (1d6+4, 4 tentacles);
9. WIZARD’S Space/Reach 5 ft./10 ft.; SA
WORKROOM (EL 10) constrict 2d6+8, improved
This room is a laboratory or work- grab, poison, take spells,

room of some sort. Against one wear flesh; SQ damage
wall stands a table covered with reduction 5/adamantine,
alchemical apparatus—beakers, Yikk Tasst inside the body of Deros Frist darkvision 60 ft., resistance
alembics, retorts, and similar devices. Smaller shelves on the to cold 5, spell resistance 19, telepathy 100 ft.; AL CE; SV Fort
walls hold various arcane curiosities: rare reagents, glass jars +9, Ref +7, Will +14; Str 18, Dex 16, Con 21, Int 18, Wis 12,
containing small preserved magical creatures such as brain Cha 19.
moles and hatchling gricks, and skulls of different types. Skills and Feats: Bluff +15, Climb +12, Concentration +17 (+21
A bookcase on another wall once held a small number of casting defensively), Diplomacy +6, Disguise +4 (+6 acting in
arcane tomes, maps, and scrolls, but all are now scattered on character), Hide +14, Intimidate +6, Knowledge (arcana) +10,
the floor. Knowledge (dungeoneering) +10, Knowledge (the planes)

+10, Move Silently +14, Sense Motive +12, Spellcraft +12 (+14
Yikk Tasst, now in the body of Deros Frist, spends most of deciphering scrolls), Spot +12, Use Magic Device +16 (+18
its time in this workroom. Deros Frist was a 9th-level wizard involving scrolls); Combat Casting, Combat Reflexes, Craft

before the tsochar noble Yikk Tasst killed him and insinuated Wondrous Item, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Weapon
B
itself into his corpse. The tsochar has used some of the spells Finesse .

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