3.5 - Fantastic Locations - City of Peril
3.5 - Fantastic Locations - City of Peril
3.5 - Fantastic Locations - City of Peril
G
A Assassin
C~EDits
Designer: Ed Stark
Editing Manager: Kim Mohan
Design Manager: Christopher Perkins
Development Manager: Jesse Decker
Director of RPG R&D: Bill Slavicsek
Senior Art Director D&D: Stacy Longstreet
Production Managers: Josh Fischer, Randall Crews
Graphic Designer: Mari Kolkowsky
Art Director: Mari Kolkowsky
Cover Artist: Ralph Horsley
Interior Artists: Dave Allsop, Ralph Horsley, Ron Spencer
Cartographer: Jason Engle
Graphic Production Specialist: Erin Dorries
Image Technician: Sven Bolen
Based on the otiginal DUNGEONS & DRAGONS'" tules created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson and the new DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game designed by
Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Richard Baker, and Peter Adkison.
This WIZARDS OF THE COAST'" game product contains no Open Game Content. No portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without
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62Q-9597874Q-001-EN
ISBN: 978-0-7869-4320-3
987654321
First Printing: April 2007
DUNG.EONS & DRAGONS, D&D, d20, d20 SYSTEM, \'(fIZARDS OFTHE COAST, PLAYER'S HANDBOOK, DUNGEOl-l MASTER'S GUIDE, MONSTER MANUAL, CITY OF PERIL,
and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, Inc., in the U.S.A. and other countries.
This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission
of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. This product is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, places, or events is purely coincidental. Printed in the U.S.A. 2007 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Encounter LevelS
SNipERS ./
/ requires a DC -5 Climb check to ascend. Most characters
can ascend these ladders automatically, but the Climb
check DC is provided in case they try to ascend hurriedly
This encounter takes place during the evening on the Thieves'
or in combat.
Quarter map. Refer to the large battle map of the same name
Climbing one of the 1S-foot-high outer walls of a bUilding
and the red encounter tags shown on the reproduction of the
requires a DC 15 Climb check.
poster map on the inside front cover of this booklet.
Lighting: There are light fixtures all around the square,
In this encounter, a pair of goblin archers attack the player
illuminating everywhere within 30 feet of the sewer grate
characters.
normally and casting shadowy illumination 30 feet beyond
/
that. Everywhere else on the map is in darkness.
SETUp
The action ofthis encounter begins anywhere near the center
2 GOBLIN SNIPERS CR 2
of the map. Allow the PCs to place their figures anywhere
hp 12 each (2 HD)
near the sewer grate in the center of the map. The two goblin
archers begin in the squarea marked G but might move ifthey lE Small humanoid (goblinoid)
need to get a better shot. The celestial giant owl (0), when it Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; listen +6, Spot +6
appears, remains adjacent to the second goblin but back from AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 14
a roof edge. . Fort +3, Ref+6, Will +1
Make a Hide check for each of the goblins. Give them the Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
benefit of cover and a +2 circumstance bonus for being up on Melee short sword +4 (ld4+1J19-20)
the rooftops. Have each PC make a Spot check. Have every- Ranged shortbow +6 (ld6+1Jx3) or
one roll initiative, but only PCs who succeeded on their Spot Ranged shortbow +4J+4 (ld6+1Jx3) with Rapid Shot
checks can act during the surprise round. Base Atk +3; Grp +0
Atk Options Rapid Shot, favored enemy humans +1
,When you complete the setup, read: Abilities Str 12, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 10
SQ favored enemy humans +1
The well-lit town square is unnaturally quiet, Feats Improved Initiative, Rapid Shot, Track
even considering the time. You hear the wind Skills Hide +11, Listen +6, Move Silently +11, Ride +7, Spot
threading its way between the buildings and the +6, Survival +6
Possessions One of the goblins possesses a magic feather.
soft hoot of an owl from overhead. suddenly, a It allows the wielder to use summon monster IV 1Jday (Cl
dark shadow moves across the edge of a rooftop. 7th) and gain a celestial giant owl (MM 31, MM 205).
You are under attack!
TACTicS
As soon as the goblin snipers spot the PCs, one of them sum-
FEATU~ES GF THE A~EA mons the owl. The goblins choose the softest target they can
Rooftops: Each rooftop featured on this map is flat and
find and each fire their first shots at that character during the
roughly 15 feet off the ground. A character standing on a
surprise round. After that, they focus on whomever appears to
rooftop edge has cover against an opponent on the ground. A
be the greatest threat-anyone trying to climb the ladders or
character at least one space back from a rooftop edge has total
firing ranged attacks. The goblins move back from the roof's
cover and total concealment against a character on the ground
edge after firing, denying easy return shots. If pressed, the
(this assumes all characters are Large size or smaller).
goblins flee across the bridges and destroy them in the hope
When a character on the ground is adjacent to a wall that is
of escaping.
in turn adjacent to a character on the rooftop, both characters
The goblins prefer to use s-foot steps to move in and out of
receive cover (+4 bonus to AC) and concealment (20% miss
cover, and Rapid Shot to take two shots per round.
chance) from each other.
A character who falls from a rooftop takes 1d6 points of
damage unless he successfully makes a Jump or Tumble check
(see those skill descriptions for details).
Bridges: The planks between each bUilding are secured by C0li'tiliUiliG S't0I~Y
thin ropes. Each ca!1 support up to 300 pounds without break- The goblin snipers have been hired by the Dark Traders. All
ing. The plants have hardness 5 and 15 hit points each and are they've been told is that the PCs are annoyances that must
roughly 10 inches wide. As a full round action, a character with be shown their place. The goblins haven't been ordered to kill
a slashing weapon can cut the ropes and throw a bridge to the anyone-though they haven't been told not to do so-so there's
ground below. little incentive for them to fight to the death. If questioned, all
Moving across a bridge requires a DC 10 Balance check. they know is that they were hired by a human who frequents the
Statues: The most prominent bUilding in the square, with Griffon's Nest Inn. They goblins can't really describe the human;
the purple-tiled roof, features four statues of gargoyles on its they took his gold, they didn't study his face.
corners. A character adjacent to a gargoyle can receive cover
modifiers from characters on other rooftops.
Encounter Level 6
FiLtH FEVE~ TROGLODYTE
hp 44 (5 HD)
CE Medium male humanoid (reptilian)
CR 4
This encounter takes place on the Ratfang Sewers map. Refer Init +4; Senses darkvision 90 ft.; Listen +3, Spot +3
to the large poster map ofthe same name and the red encoun- AC 18, touch 10, flat-footed 18
ter tags shown on the reproduction of the poster map on the Fort +11, Ref +1, Will +2
inside back cover of this booklet.
Speed 30 f1. (6 squares)
Food and other items ofvalue have been disappearing from
Melee greatclub +7 (ldl0+5) and
carts and stalls in the local market. Normally, this would
bite +5 (ld4+1) or
be put down to ordinary thievery. But now, a merchant has Melee 2 claws +7 each (ld4+2) and
turned up dead, her body torn by small bites and her head bite +5 (ld4+1)
caved in by a blunt object. The PCs can follow the tracks to Base Atk +4; Grp +6
a local sewer hub. Friends of the merchant knew that she Atk Options Power Attack
converted her profits to gemstones and kept them in a small,
Abilities Str 14, Dex 10, Con 19, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 8
embroidered pouch. SQ stench ",
Feats Improved Initiative, Multiattack, Power Attack,
SEtup Toughness, Weapon Focus (greatclub)
Have the PCs place their figures within 2 squares of any edge Skills Hide +4 (+8 underground), Listen +3, Spot +3
of the map. A troglodyte (T) waits with his pet rats (R) in the Possessions greatclub, pouch with ten 50-gp gems
center of the map. As he cackles to his rat friends, he roots
Stench (Ex) Any creature within 30 feet of a trogolodyte must
through stolen goods and foodstuffs.
succeed on a DC 15 Fort save or be sickened for 10 rounds.
When you complete the setup, read:
tActics
Upon being threatened, the troglodyte automatically begins
Not everything in these sewers is dead and rotting. to exude his stench. In combat, he fights with his greatclub,
You hear a strange voice cackling and yammering using Power Attack against poorly-armored opponents. If he
from the south. sees an opening, he drops his greatclub and attempts to grapple
an opponent and drag the PC into the pool ofwater nearby. If
The PCs might be able to sneak up on the trogolodyte and his
he renders a PC unconscious or one escapes him, he goes after
rats, if they are careful.
the next. His dire rats swarm over anyone that attacks him. He
FEAtU~ES 0F tHE A~EA can move through the rat swarms freely.
Boxes, Crates, and Walls: The boxes and crates in the base-
ment section are piled 10 feet high-leaving s feet ofclearance
2 RAT SWARMS CR 2
hp 18 each (4 HD)
to the 1S-foot-high ceiling ofthe sewer. The walls go up to the
ceiling and are made of slimy, black stone. N Tiny animal (swarm)
Sewer Water: All the flOWing sewer water is 6 inches deep. Init +2; Senses low-light vision; scent; Listen +6, Spot +7
Characters moving through need to succeed on DC 5 Bal- AC 14, touch 14 flat-footed 12; half damage from piercingj
ance checks or slip and end their movement (or fall, if they slashing weapons
fail by S or more). The water in the two pools, however, is 10 Immune critical hits, flanking, swarm traits
feet deep and might require Swim checks. Anyone entering Weaknesses swarm vulnerabilities
these pools ofwater or drinking any of the sewer water musjt Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +2
succeed on a DC 16 Fortitude save or catch blinding sickness Speed 15 ft. (3 squares), climb 15 ft., swim 15 ft.
(DMG 292). Melee swarm (ld6 plus filth fever)
Space 10 ft.; Reach Oft.
Base Atk -; Grp nja
Abilities Str 2, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 2
SQ distract (nauseated 1 round; Fortitude DC 12 negates)
Feats-
C0li'ttliutliG S't0R.Y Skills Balance +10, Climb +10, Hide +14, Listen +6, Move
The troglodyte was goaded into murder by the Dark Traders as Silently +6, Spot +7, Swim +10 .
part of another scheme they have for shaking down local mer- Disease filth fever (Fort DC 12, incubation ld3 days, ld3 Dex
chants. He doesn't know whom he actually works for, and doesn't + ld3 Con)
care. All he knows is that the man who gives him the goods has Swarm Traits Each of these rat swarms occupies a 10-foot
silver hair and wears a gold necklace set with a large, ivory tooth square. To attack, one moves into an opponent's space
around his neck. (usually provoking an attack of opportunity). A swarm is
immune to any spell or spell effect that targets a specific
number of creatures.
Swarm Vulnerabilities A swarm takes half again as much
damage from spells and effects that affect an area. A
torch deals ld3 points of damage to a swarm, and a
smashed lantern deals 1d4.
/ The chairs facing the stage, however, are high-backed and
/ sturdy. They are difficult terrain to move through and share
the same characteristics as tables.
The Bar: The corner bar area consists of a solid oak bar
about 4 feet high (there are step-stools for smaller customers)
Encounter Level 6
in front of shelves containing various drinks. The bar is too
This encounter takes place on the Griffon's Nest Inn map.
high to "step up" on automatically (a Jump or Climb check is
Refer to the large poster map of the same name and the red
required). The bottles on the shelves are glass or clay and deal
encounter tags shown on the reproduction of d{e poster map
ld3 points of damage as melee or thrown weapons-though
on the inside back cover of this booklet.
they are improvised weapons and most characters take a -4
It's time for a rest, and the Griffon's Nest Inn is by far the
penalty on attack rolls for using them.
most welcoming inn catering to adventurers in the city. It
The Balcony: The ceiling above the stage and seating area
is rowdy, however, and the PCs find themselves in a bit of a
is nearly 40 feet high (with rafters all along the top 10 feet)
dust-up. /
and the balcony rests nearly 20 feet above the main floor
of the inn. The balcony is railed and provides cover against
SEtup attacks from the ground floor. A character standing 5 feet
Allow the PCs to place their miniatures anywhere on the
back from the balcony has total concealment and cover from
ground floor of th~Griffon's Nest Inn. Their opponents,
the ground floor.
two halfling brawters (H), begin in spots marked on the
Doors and Windows: All the doors in the inn are solid
map. Arrange a few other bar patrons throughout the inn
(hardness 10, hp 20) and each can be locked (Open Lock DC
as desired. /
20 to pick).
The acti~n begins when one of the halfling brawlers
The action ofthis encounter is intended to take place on the
approaches one ofthe PCs (probably one that looks capable of
ground floor. The staircase at the back ofthe inn leads down to
fighting) and tries to start an argument.
the cellar and up to the second floor. Ifthe characters or their
opponents elect to take the stairs, the following information
-When you complete the setup, read:
might be useful.
The Cellar: The cellar is filled with supplies. The smaller
The Griffon's Nest Inn is a popular hangout for casks and the hanging meat are difficult terrain, while the large
adventurers and travelers of an types. Tonight, crates near the sewer grate are 5 feet high and can be climbed
however, the inn has few patrons. Even the barkeep upon but not moved through. The sewer grate leads down into
seems distracted. He steps through the door to the the city's sewers and can be opened as a move action.
kitchen as you listen to the chatter of the inn's Gdest Rooms: The guest rooms on the first floor contain
customers and the gentle dink of glasses. bunk beds, while the larger rooms on the second floor are fur-
nished with single beds and some better furnishings. There is a
Once the bartender has exited the room, read the follow- 50% chance that a door to a room is locked at any given time.
ing specifically to a particular character in the party.
2 HALFLING BRAWLERS CR 4
Something bumps into you at hip level and you hp 35 each (4 HD)
hear a crash and a curse. Warm, wet beer splashes Halfling barbarian 2/ranger 2
against your leg. CG Small humanoid
Init +2; Senses Listen +8, Spot +5
A halfiing, his face red with anger, confronts you. AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 13; uncanny dodge
"Watch where you're going, fool! Now you owe me Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +2
a drink!" Speed 35 ft. (7 squares)
Melee unarmed strike +8 (ld2+3) or
Melee unarmed strike +6/+6 (ld2+3/1d2+1) or
Before you can respond, another halfiing steps up. Melee mwk handaxe +7 (ld4+2) or
"You picking on my brother? Wen, you have to fight Melee mwk handaxe +5/+5 (1 d4+2/1 d4+1)
both of us!" Base Atk +4; Grp +2
Atk Options favored enemy goblinoids +2; rage l/day (7 rds,
+4 Str, +4 Con, +2 Will, -2 AC)
FEAtU~ES 0F tHE A~EA Combat Gear 2 potions ofcure light wounds
Tables and Chairs: Several round and rectangular tables Abilities Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 8
on the ground floor provide eating and drinking space for the SQ wild empathy +1 (-3 magical beasts)
Griffon's patrons. Squares occupied (or partially occupied) by Feats Improved Unarmed Strike, Track, Two-Weapon
tables are considered difficult terrain (move through at half Fighting, Weapon Focus (unarmed strike)
speed) and the table can provide cover to adjacent characters. Skills Climb +7, Hide +8, Intimidate +4, Jump +8, Listen +8,
A character can "step up" onto a table as a move action, gain- Move Silently +6, Spot +5, Survival +8
ing higher ground benefits against those on the floor. Small Unarmed Strikes The halfling brawlers have the ability to deal
stools surround these tables but are not marked on the map lethal damage with their unarmed strikes. They do not
since they are small enough not to interfere with combat provoke attacks of opportunity when fighting unarmed.
maneuvering. Possessions combat gear plus 2 masterwork handaxes
TActics ""-, there are new "heroes" in town, the city guard stages this bar-
room brawl to gauge the quality, and intent, of these visitors.
The two halfling brawlers are spoiling for a fight. They single
'. The two halflings are volunteers (not exactly guards them-
out one of the PCs and won't be talked out of a good knuckle-
"'selves, but folks who like to fight). They pick a fight with the
duster no matter how diplomatic or threatening the characters
adventurers, and the guards watch to see what happens.
appear. They prefer to fight someone lightly armored, but also
Ifthe adventurers fight fairly (or as fairly as barroom brawls
someone obviously strong. Rangers and barbarians make ter-
go), using nonlethal force and a minimum of spellcasting
rific targets for the halflings, especially those ofMedium size.
(trying steeR or other nonlethal spells, if any), the guards w~it
The halflings challenge a well-armored opponent before going
to see how the fight unfolds, and then the sergeant comes ill
after a weaker-looking character.
and buys everyone a round of drinks. He congratulates the
Also, it should be pointed out that the halfling brawlers do
characters for being fair fighters and subtly warns them to
possess weapons but they do not draw them at the beginning
keep things that way when in his town.
of the battle. It is their intention to fight bare-handed (well,
If the PCs begin using)ethal force or ganging up severely
they might occasionally throw a bottle or use a chair leg, as
on the halflings (or robbing them when they're unconscious),
the fight progresses). Because of their feat choices, they do
the guards break in earlier and act as ifthe PCs had started the
not provoke attacks of opportunity with unarmed attacks. If
trouble, no matter what anyone s"ays. They fine the characters
the PCs begin spellcasting or using lethal force, however, the
100 gp each for weapon violations and warn them to watch
halflings respond in kind.
their s t e p . , .
The halflings vary their tactics based on the PCs who involve
In the worst case, if the PCs actually kill the halflings (or
themselves. If they can gang up on one Medium or Large
an innocent bystander), the guards break in an~ start fighting,
character, they will, flanking a single target when possible
asking no quarter and giving none. If you need statistics for
and stepping up on tables to gain a height advantage when
the guards, consult the NPC Fighter table, DMG 117.
possible.
If the halflings end up fighting Small opponents, they don't
gang up. If the brawlers can, they'll square off one-on-one
EXPErz!ENCE P0iNTS
Normally, PCs gain XP only when their lives are threatened.
against Small opponents.
In this case, however, award the characters full XP for fighting
Ifmore than two PCs get involved in the fight, the halflings
the battle in a nonlethal manner, regardless of the outcome.
begin to taunt the object of their original challenge for not
They "passed the test" and now have the general favor of the
fighting his own battles and for ganging up on smaller folk.
town guard (not to mention the two halfling brawlers, who
The rest of the bar patrons chime in, and a few might even
respect those who fight fair).
offer to go for the watch.
If the PCs use any amount of seriously lethal force (DM's
If the PCs begin using lethal force, the halflings first try to
judgment), penalize them 50% of the XP if they win the
reason with the offending PCs, but ifthey persist, the brawlers
battle but don't have to fight the guards (that is, they used
draw their axes and fly into barbarian rages.
a small amount of lethal force but backed down when con-
ENDiNG THE BA~B~WL fronted by the guards). The city guard is now suspicious of
the "heroes."
At any time after the fight starts, you can allow any PC to make
Should the PCs kill or severely injure the halflings (and
a DC 10 Spot check to see the bartender watching the fight
probably the guards as well), they gain no XP. They failed the
from behind the partially open kitchen door. A DC 15 Sense
encounter, even though they defeated their opponents.
Motive check reveals he isn't just concerned about damage
to the bar. He is actually talking to someone in the kitchen,
reporting on the fight.
The bartender is talking to a sergeant of the city guard.
Several guards stand at the ready in the kitchen, and a few C0tI'titIuitICi S't0~Y
more await a signal out front. If anyone in the fight begins The information presented earlier is still correct, but now the
to use lethal force, six well-armed city guards burst in from sergeant and the halflings have names: Sergeant Gorren, a dwarf
both directions and call for order. Each of these guards is a fighter, and Terrel and Mia Smallcombe, brother and sister half-
3rd-Ievel fighter, and the sergeant is a 5th-level fighter. They ling brawlers. The setup was contracted by Haj Malthen, who
do not intend to fight the PCs but, rather, use their authority wants to know if the pes are good guys or simply mercenaries
to end the battle before anyone gets killed. passing through. If you wish to use Torenberg as a recurring lo-
cation in your campaign, you now know how the city guard feels
WHAT'S G0iNG 0N? about the characters.
Everyone knows the Griffon is home to adventurers, wander-
ers, scoundrels, and travelers. Every once in a while, when
FEATU~ES GF THE A~EA
$HAI(ED0\Vli
Encounter Level 8
ii Market Stalls: The market stalls block movement to all
Medium or smaller creatures, though a creature can "step
This encounter takes place on the Market Square map. Refer to up" or climb onto a stall as if it were a table. A Large or Huge
the large poster map ofthe same name and the green encoun- creature can move through a stall as ifit were difficult terrain.
ter tags shown on the reproduction of the poster map on the Market stalls provide cover. Each stall contains various goods
inside front cover of this booklet. (foodstuffs, clothing, jewelry, etc.) and there are bags or boxes
The Market Square is busy and full of people. Too bad it's of the stuff in the difficult terrain areas nearby.
full of trouble, too. Closed Buildings: The closed buildings are impassable.
Each requires a DC 25 Climb check to ascend. Each bUilding
SETUP is 15 feet high per story.
The PCs begin this encounter in the center of the map, on the Open Warehouse: The doors on the open warehouse are
road, near the statue. Place crowd markers in the areas marked ajar and can be opened as a move action.
C. You can create these crowd markers out of cut-up bits of Stables and Construction: The burned-out stables and
paper or cardboard. This is more helpful than using spare building under construction are open, though their partial
miniatures, because crowds contain more than one person per walls provide cover where appropriate.
5-foot square, and the PCs might end up inside a crowd. C. Crowds: These are crowds of panicked citizens. When
The wererats (Wybegin in the squares noted, thought they the dire rats erupt from the statues, there is also an explOSion
appear to be normal merchants at first. When the dire rats from off the map to the east (a distraction for the city guard).
(D) erupt out from under the statue, however, they transform Each crowd marker includses an arrow pointing in the direc-
and attack. tion the crowd is moving at the beginning of the encounter.
If you wish, you can place individual figures around the The movement and game effects of crowds are covered in
map as well. These common merchants and cityfolk do not Dungeon Master's Guide II, page 58, but here is an abbreviated
attack and generally try to get out of the way of the crowds, version.
the PCs, and the rats. They could provide targets for the dire A crowd ofpeople is (in game terms) a Large or Huge "crea-
rats, distracting the PCs, who might feel obligated to keep the ture" similar to a swarm. It moves in a particular direction
cityfolk alive and well. (usually away from perceived danger) and can be an obstacle
or even a danger to others. The people in each ofthese crowds
When you complete the setup, read: are tightly packed together, so there are many more people in
a crowd than one per square.
Off to the east, you hear an explosion. While all eyes A crowd moves 20 feet in its established direction every
turn to the pillar of fire springing up over the city's round (on initiative count 0). A character who ends his move-
buildings, you hear a shriek. A woman points at the ment in a crowd, or has a crowd roll over him, takes a-2 penalty
on attack rolls, Reflex saving throws, and all skill checks
base of the tall statue nearby. Large, foul rats swarm
affected by armor check penalties, and he loses his Dexterity
up from beneath its feet! bonus to AC. Being in a crowd counts as vigorous movement
After the PCs react, have them roll initiative against the dire for the purpose of spellcasting (requiring a DC 10 Concentra-
rats. The rats attack anyone nearby (except the wererats) and tion check). A character in a crowd gains the benefit of cover
the PCs are likely targets. and concealment.
Crowds are considered difficult terrain. A character who
After 1 round, have each PC make a Spot check. If anyone does not want to be swept along with the crowd must take a
succeeds at a DC 10 check, read the following aloud: full-round action to stand his ground and not move when the
crowd moves (he can take that action immediately, in lieu of
One of the nearby stall tables overturns, spilling his next turn, if the crowd moves before he does) and succeed
precious foodstuffs and gemstones on the muddy on a DC 15 Reflex save. Success indicates he can remain sta-
ground. You see a figure-a human with a rat's tionary, but as long as he remains in the crowd he is subject to
face-snatching at the stall's wares, stuffing them the effects ofviolent motion (requiring a DC 15 Concentration
check for spellcasting). Failure to save indicates the PC loses
into a brown bag. all actions for the round and is subjected to a trip attack. The
Roll initiative for the wererats and include them in the crowd has a +8 bonus on the opposed attack roll to resolve the
combat.. trip attack (plus size bonuses). A character knocked prone is
If none of the PCs succeed on the Spot check, have them trampled for 2d6 points ofdamage. A character can opt to move
roll every round or until the dire rats are destroyed. along with the crowd, giving up his actions and moving as part
of the crowd.
When a crowd comes to a structure or an edge of the map,
choose which way it goes from there. A crowd might reverse
its direction, going back the way it came. Two crowds can pass
through each other.
I
The wererats' plan is to grab as many valuables as they can
and escape into the confusion. They shifted into hybrid form,
however, knowing they might face trouble. The wererats fight
by tumbling and flanking their opponents, using their dire
rat pets to maximize their effectiveness. The wererats have
no loyalty to their creatures or each other, however. If either
takes more than 75% of its hit points in damage, it flees into
the nearest crowd, shifting back into human form and escap-
ing with whatever loot it has taken.
tActics
The spirit nagas have cast eat's grace, false life, and shield offaith
on themselves (already factored into their statistics). However, C0l:i'til:iuil:iG s't(:n~y
their tactics differ once the battle is joined. The shadowdancer from the High Points encounter tells the
PCs that she's learned of a plot by Threethumbs to poison the
One naga tries to immobilize enemies with hold person
city's water supply. He was extremely angry that another of his
spells, favoring targets that are within striking distance ofthe
extortion plots (see Shakedown, page 3) failed, so he's decided
water elementals. It uses its charming gaze against any foe that
to wreak havoc on the city. Tibba indicates that the poisoners
comes within 30 feet ofit. Ifit can catch multiple foes with its are using the sewers to get to the city's main water supply unob-
lightning bolt spell, it does so. served. She offers to help the PCs head them off.
The other naga uses summon swarm spells to conjure forth Unfortunately, Tibba's information is incorrect. This is a trap
rat swarms and spider swarms (MM 239), which appear in (set for the PCs if they've been interfering with the Dark Traders,
squares occupied by the PCs and pursue them wherever they or Tibba, if the characters are new to town). Once the PCs enter
go. The naga then bombards distracted PCs with magic missile the sewers, the polluted water elementals attack.
spells. It saves its charming gaze for enemies who attempt to After fighting off the elementals, the PCs find an ivory claw
engage it in melee combat. lying amid the muck of the sewers. One part ofthe claw has been
If either naga succeeds in charming a PC, it urges the PC smoothed mechanically, as if it once rested in a setting-like on
to attack the water elementals or simply leave the area. If that of a necklace.
all the PCs are charmed, the nagas urge them to depart the
sewers, leaving behind their weapons and valuables; if the
the map as they are small enough not to interfere with
AMBUSH combat maneuvering.
The chairs facing the stage, however, are high-backed and
Encounter Level 14 /
sturdy. They are difficult terrain to move through and share
This encounter takes place on the Griffon's Nest Inn map.
the same characteristics as tables.
Refer to the large poster map ofthe same name and the green
The Bar: The corner bar area consists of a solid oak bar
encounter tags shown on the reproduction of the poster map
about 4 feet high (there are step-stools for smaller customers)
on the inside back cover of this booklet.
in front of shelves containing various drinks. The bar is too
The characters have attracted enemies, but they've received
high to "step up" on automatically (a Jump or Climb check is
a tip. Someone has warned the PCs that they need to look for a
required). The bottles on the shelves are glass or clay and deal
silver-haired man at the Griffon's Nest. He can tell them what's
ld3 points of damage as melee or thrown weapons-though
going on.
they are improvised weapons and most characters take a -4
penalty on attack rolls for using them.
SETUp The Balcony: The ceiling above the stage and seating area
Allow the PCs to place their miniatures anywhere on the
is nearly 40 feet high (with rafters all along the top 10 feet) and
ground floor of the Griffon's Nest Inn. Place their opponents,
the balcony rests nearly 20 feet above the main floor of the
an assassin (K) and two giants (G), as marked on the map. The
inn. The balcony is railed and provides cover against attacks
two giants have been affected by a spell similar to reduce person.
from the ground floor. A character standing 5 feet back from
They're wearing he(vy cloaks to hide their true nature. Place
the balcony has total concealment and cover from the ground
other figures around the area. There should be at least a half-
floor.
dozen patrons in the Griffon's Nest.
Doors and Windows: All the doors in the inn are solid
(hardness 10, hp 20) and each can be locked (Open Lock DC
When you complete the setup, read:
20 to pick). The windows have bars on them (DC 30 Strength
check to bend or tear out)'
You overhear a loud man near the stage regaling The Cellar: The cellar is filled with supplies. The smaller
those around him with a story of the inn's past. casks and the hanging meat are difficult terrain, while the large
crates near the sewer grate are 5 feet high and can be climbed
"... so a griffon flies over the city walls and lands upon but not moved through. The sewer grate leads down into
in the thatch on the inn's roof Nobody wanted to the c,ity's sewers and can be opened as a move action.
bother it, so it stayed there, laid some eggs, hatched Guest Rooms: The guest rooms on the first floor contain
bunk beds, while the larger rooms on the second floor are fur-
'em, and the whole family flew off!"
nished with single beds and some better furnishings. There is a
50% chance that a door to a room is locked at any given time.
"But the inn has a wooden roof!" a bystander
interjects. 2 HILL GIANTS CR 10
hp 140 each (15 HD)
''/\ course! If you were the innkeeper, wouldn't you CE Large giant fighter 3
Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Listen +11, Spot +11
change?!"
AC 19, touch 8, flat-footed 19
Fort +15, Ref +4, Will +8
A chorus of laughs greets the familiar punch line.
Speed 40 ft. (8 squares)
But the laughs cut off as the speaker starts. "Hey, Melee mace +22/+17/+12 (2d6+10)
what's going on?" Ranged table/chair +7 (2d6+10)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
A figure near the stage shrugs off an oversized cloak, Base Atk +12; Grp +23
revealing the ugliest, most misshapen humanoid Atk Options rock throwing (penalty for throwing tables);
Power Attack (up to +12); Cleave; Combat Reflexes
you've ever seen. And then he begins to grow. Combat Gear potion of cure moderate wounds
The "humanoid" doesn't stop growing until he ends up giant- Abilities Str 30, Dex 9, Can 18, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 10
size. Replace both giant miniatures with Large miniatures Feats Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Iron Will,
and roll initiative. The assassin on the balcony was expecting Toughness, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (mace), Weapon
trouble. Now, he's making his move. Focu s (th rown rock)
Skills Climb +19, Intimidate +13, Jump +19, Listen +11,
FEATU~ES 0F THE A~EA Spot +11
Tables and Chairs: Several round and rectangular tables Possessions combat gear plus leather armor, large mace
provide eating and drinking space for the Griffon's patrons.
Squares occupied (or partially occupied) by tables are con- TACTiCS
sidered difficult terrain for Medium or smaller creatures These hill giants are smarter than most of their kind. They
and the table can provide cover to adjacent characters. A move into positions in the stage area not to take advantage of
character can "step up" onto a table as a move action, gain- the higher ceilings (even the hill giants don't have to stoop in
ing higher ground benefits against those on the floor. the inn's main room), but to give their assassin boss a better
Small stools surround these tables but are not marked on view of the battle. They try to stand close to each other,
Abilities Str 14, Dex 18, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 10
SQ poison use, trapfinding, trap sense +1
Feats Dodge, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Mobility, Spring
Attack, Weapon Finesse (rapier), Weapon Focus (rapier)
Skills Balance +12, Bluff +14, Climb +16, Disable Device +15,
H,ide +18, Disguise +8, Listen +8, Move Silently +12, Spot
+14, Tumble +18
Possessions combat gear plus cloak ofresistance +2, gloves
of Dexterity +2, +2 mithral shirt, +7 shocking rapier, ten
150 gp gems
Death Attack (Ex) If an assassin studies his victim for 3
rounds and then makes a sneak attack with a melee
weapon that deals damage, the sneak attack paralyzes
or kills the target (assassin's choice) unless the victim
succeeds on a DC 18 Fortitude save.
tActics
The assassin doesn't want to go down fight-
ing. If possible, he watches the fight either
from upstairs or from hiding and studies
a single opponent (preferably one on the
fringe) and then launch a death attack
at that enemy. If he succeeds, he might
continue to fight, but if the assassin takes
any significant amount of damage (25% or
more ofhis total hit points), he attempts to flee down into the
sewers. If confronted, he attempt sto use his Bluff skill to set
up further sneak attacks.
making it more difficult for the characters to move around and
flank them and maximizing their chances of taking attacks
of opportunity.
ESCAPE
The PCs should notice the assassin escaping-particularly if
The hill giants prefer to target lightly armored opponents-
he tries to kill one of them on the way. He won't blindly run
particularly spellcasters-and use their Power Attack feat
from them, so engaging him keeps him around. If the PCs do
to great effect. If attacked by a rogue, they ready actions to
let him get into the sewer grate, however, you can choose to say
counter Tumble or Spring Attack attempts. Against heavily
he escapes automatically, or you can continue the action in the
armored fighters, one of the hill giants drops his weapon and
sewer system below (using the Ratfang Sewers map).
attempts to grapple, trying to hold the fighter while the other
giant beats him to death.
ASSASSIN CR12
hp 56 (12 HD)
Human assassin 12
NE Medium humanoid
Init +8; Senses listen +8, Spot +14
AC 20, touch 14, flat-footed 16; Dodge; improved uncanny
dodge
Fort +6, Ref +14, Will +7; +3 against poison C0li'tiliUiliG 5't0~Y
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares) The assassin is Kersnt Felroc, right-hand man of Threethumbs
Melee +7 shocking rapier +14/+9 (ld6+4/18-20 plus ld6 and perhaps the most dangerous man in the city. Kersnt
electricity) received a tip that the PCs might be hunting him (thanks to
Base Atk +8; Grp +10 Tibba) and has decided to "dissuade" pursuit. Ifhe is captured,
Atk Options death attack, sneak attack +7d6, Spring Attack Kersnt gives up Threehumbs as the leader of the Dark Traders
Combat Gear 2 beads of force in exchange for being allowed to leave the city. He provides
Assassin Spells Known": (Cl 7th): proof the PCs can take to the city guard, turning Threethumbs
1st (4/day)-featherfall,jump, obscuring mist, true strike into a wanted felon.
":This assassin's Intelligence score isn't high enough to
learn spells beyond 1st level.
~ATFAtlG SEWEIZS
The most prominent features of the Ratfang Sewers map are
the channels ofsewage and wastewater. A creature in a sewage
square is affected by Stench (living creatures without Stench
gain attack -2, save -2 and -2 AC). This does not stack with the
Stench special ability. A square is a sewage square if its center
is covered with watery green sewage.
The Ratfang Sewers map also contains secret doors that
lead out from the start areas. Secret doors are treated as walls,
except that a creature can move through a secret door normally.
Three of the battle maps in City of Peril, in addition to their A creature can move (or be moved) through a secret door only
usefulness for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, on its own turn, and a creature cannot end its move on a secret
were designed to allow exciting battles using the DUNGEONS door square.
& DRAGONS Miniatures Game skirmish rules. These are Ratfang In a skirmish game, the normal doors are ignored, as are the
Sewers, Market Square, and Thieves' Quarter. Each of these iron gates that surround one area of the map.
three maps is legal for DC1-sanctioned D&D Miniatures Game
tournament play. The following rules apply to skirmishes that THiEVES} QUA~TE~
take place on thesemaps: Narrow bUildings and back alleys provide a multileveled
skirmish battleground, as your creatures battle between and
DiAG0tlAL WALLS atop the bUildings.
In some cases, the lines that denote impassable terrain might If a creature is on a rooftop, that creature has line ofsight to
cut the corner ofa square. Ifthe center ofa square is open, then other creatures on the same rooftop. When determining line
that square is open terrain, even if a corner of that square is of sight between creatures on different rooftops, or when one
part of a wall. If the center of a square is impassable terrain, creature is on a rooftop and the other is on the ground, line
then that square is treated as a wall. of sight is blocked if it crosses two edges of the same rooftop
Some areas of impassable terrain have diagonal walls. "+" square (or a corner ofsuch a square). Line of effect is similarly
symbols mark the points along the battle grid where the wall blocked.
would intersect with the squares of the grid. When deter- For melee attacks, rooftop squares are not considered adja-
mining lines of sight, use the "+" symbols as a reference for cent to ground-level squares. This means that moving along
the location of the wall. Diagonals always pass through the a rooftop past a creature on the ground would not provoke
midpoint of a square's edge. attacks ofopportunity. Likewise, a creature on a rooftop square
cannot use a melee attack against a creature on a ground square,
MovinG past DiaGonaL waLLs and vice versa.
A creature can move diagonally past an open corner of an Moving Up: There are nine ladders on the map. A creature
otherwise impassable terrain square. An open corner is a in a ladder square can use 2 squares of movement to move to
corner created by the edge of a diagonal wall passing through an adjacent rooftop square.
the square. Moving Down: A creature on a rooftop and adjacent to
a ladder square can use 2 squares of movement to move into
MAl\JCET SQUA~E that ladder square. A nonflying creature that moves from a
The Market Square map contains bUildings near the edges of rooftop to an alley square in any other fashion takes 10 points
the map that are impassable terrain, indicated by the absence of damage (unless crossing a bridge).
of grid lines on top of those bUildings. A large statue stands Bridges: Wooden planks serve as bridges linking the build-
in the center of the market. Doors, such as those along one of ings. A creature can move from one end ofa bridge to the other,
the Start B locations, are ignored when moving or drawing but cannot end its movement on a bridge. The creature's path
lines of sight. must include the rooftop squares at the endpoints of each
The map also features Market Stalls, which slow creatures bridge.
and can block line of sight. Such squares are marked by a spe-
cial Market Stall terrain symbol. Moving into a Market Stall Flying creatures can move over rooftop and ground squares
square takes 2 squares of movement (or 3 squares if moving interchangeably. A Large flying creature must end its move-
diagonally), as ifit were difficult terrain. Line ofsight and line ment entirely on rooftop squares or ground squares. A flying
of effect are blocked if the line touches a corner of a Market creature with the ability to make an attack while moving
Stall square or two edges of the same Market Stall square. must be entirely in ground squares to attack a creature on the
A creature can still trace line of sight and line of effect to ground, but can make such attacks against creatures on roof-
creatures and squares in its own space as well as to adjacent tops even when in ground squares.
creatures and squares.
Giant Owl
Shadowdancer
Merchant
1 Treasure Bag
2 Treasure Bag
Vendor
Son
Cityfolk
Bugbear
Wererat Rogue
Dire Rat