A round building with an impossibly tall, conical roof
seemingly rises from a frozen lake. Is this structure as
small as it looks, or does more lie hidden beneath the
water s icy surface?
Tower in the Ice is a short adventure for four 9th-level
characters. The scenario is set in a cold wilderness area
that features a frozen lake. The action takes place in a
submerged tower that lies largely below the ice. As
always, feel free to adapt the material presented here as
TOWER IN THE ICE
you see fit to make it work with your campaign.
A Short Adventure for Four
PREPARATION
9th-Level Player Characters
You (the DM) need the D&D core rulebooks the
Player s Handbook, the Dungeon Master s Guide, and the
Monster Manual to run this adventure. A copy of
CREDITS
Frostburn would also be helpful, though it is not neces-
sary to run the adventure. This scenario utilizes the
Design: Skip Williams
D&D v.3.5 rules.
Editing: Penny Williams
To get started, print out the adventure. Read
Typesetting: Nancy Walker
through the scenario at least once to familiarize your-
Cartography: Rob Lazzaretti
self with the situation, threats, and major NPCs in the
Web Production Julia Martin
tower (particularly their motivations).
Web Development: Mark A. Jindra
Text that appears in shaded boxes is player informa-
Graphic Design: Sean Glenn, Cynthia Fliege
tion that you can read aloud or paraphrase for the
players at the proper times.
Based on the original DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® game by E.
Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson and on the new edition of the
ADVENTURE
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS game designed by Jonathan Tweet,
Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich Baker, and Peter Adkison.
BACKGROUND
D&D, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, and DUNGEON MASTER are registered trademarks owned
Many centuries ago, an evil ogre mage built a tall
by Wizards of the Coast, Inc. The d20 logo is a trademark owned by Wizards of the
tower in an arctic vale. Adventurers eventually
Coast, Inc. All Wizards characters, character names, and the distinctive likenesses
thereof are trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
defeated him and looted his tower, leaving it empty for
decades.
This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United
States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the
Almost fifty years later, a geological upheaval
material or artwork contained herein is prohibited
without the express written permission of flooded the vale, submerging all but the tower s upper-
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
most level. Because of the cold temperatures in the
©2005 Wizards of the Coast, Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc.
area, this new lake soon froze, masking the massive
All rights reserved.
structure beneath the water level. Only its topmost
Made in the U.S.A.
portion still protruded from the ice.
This product is a work of fiction.
A few years ago, a half-fiend/half-green hag named
Any similarity to actual people, organizations, places,
or events is purely coincidental.
Puennoki decided that the chilly and flooded tower
This Wizards of the Coast game product contains no Open Game Content. would be an ideal abode and moved in. Shortly there-
No portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without
after, she found her soulmate a half-fiend/half-annis
written permission. To learn more about the Open Gaming License
and the d20 System License,
named Chirkka. This horrid pair hopes to locate and
please visit www.wizards.com/d20.
recruit a third hag to form a covey. So far, however,
For more DUNGEONS & DRAGONS articles, adventures, and information,
they have found only Hoinnia, a tiefling rogue who
visit www.wizards.com/dnd
has recently joined their group.
This loathsome trio has shared several adventures
that involved terrorizing the local tribesfolk. The three
have managed to exact tribute from these nomadic
1
hunters in the form of meat, ivory, and the occasional deliver a bird and bring back the payment, or
sacrifice. perhaps the party finds a rare specimen and then
hears the tale in town.
ADVENTURE SYNOPSIS
" The ogre mage who first built the tower was infa-
The characters can approach and enter the tower in
mous for stealing a powerful, good-aligned magic
any fashion that proves feasible for them, but the most
weapon. He was unwilling to destroy the valuable
likely point of entry is through the top floor. There the
sword, so he kept it as a trophy. Legends say the
PCs meet Hoinnia, who pretends to welcome them to
sword remains concealed in the tower to this very
the abode of a famous a wise woman who is very
day. The tales might be completely wrong, or
knowledgeable about arctic birds and other wildlife.
perhaps the sword really is somewhere in the tower.
Hoinnia invites the PCs to wait while she fetches her
Puennoki might have it hidden in her treasure cache
employer.
(see area 7), or she and her allies might be unaware
If the PCs agree, the tiefling takes her leave and
of its existence. Perhaps the sword lies hidden in a
plunges into the tower s lower levels, where she
secret niche in the study (area 1), or in one of the
sounds the alarm. The denizens of the tower then
armories (area 16).
organize a massed attack against the PCs.
If the characters decide to enter the tower via an
underwater entrance, or if they detect Hoinnia s ruse,
BEGINNING THE
they have a chance to deal with the tower s inhabitants
ADVENTURE
one at a time.
Tower in the Ice is a site-based adventure in which the
ADVENTURE HOOKS
action occurs inside the ice-locked tower of Puennoki
and friends. It begins as soon as the PCs approach the
As DM, you know best how to involve your PCs in an
tower.
adventure. The tower s odd appearance alone might
tempt anyone who sees it to investigate further, but if
THE TOWER AND
your players aren t sufficiently curious, you can use
one of the following suggestions to draw them into
ENVIRONS
the action.
The tower rises from the bed of a frozen lake or a shal-
" The nomads in the area have recently grabbed low arm of the sea. It can be located in any frigid
several travelers and are now ready to deliver them wilderness location. The area might be frozen year
to the hags as tribute. The characters might know round, or perhaps winter merely reigns at the time the
the victims, or an interested party might hire them PCs are visiting the place.
to mount a rescue. When the PCs confront the tribe, In either case, the area around the tower is bitterly
the nomads offer to surrender the captives in cold. A character must have a cold-weather outfit (see
exchange for the heads of the three weird sisters page 131 in the Player s Handbook) to be fully protected
(Puennoki, Chirkka, and Hoinnia), who they believe against the cold weather. A furred animal is consid-
are powerful sorceresses. The nomads have never ered to have partial protection.
seen the hags in their true forms, so the only sorcer- Daytime temperatures hover around 20°
ess they can truly describe is Hoinnia. However, Fahrenheit, and each unprotected character must
they do know where the tower is located. succeed on a Fortitude save every 10 minutes (DC 15,
+1 per previous check) or take 1d6 points of nonlethal
" Local bards relate tales and legends of an eccentric
damage. A partially protected character need check
old woman who lives on an island on a frozen lake.
only once per hour. At night, the temperatures drop at
This person is reputed to be an avid ornithologist
least 10 degrees. Though the air feels colder, the lower
who will pay generously for any unusual avian speci-
temperature doesn t pose any additional danger to
mens that anyone cares to bring. (Puennoki is
characters.
indeed an avid collector of birds, and she s glad to
The water surrounding (and flooding) the tower is
get new ones. She also loves to eat the people who
even colder than the air. An unprotected character
provide them.) Someone might hire the PCs to
takes 1d6 points of cold damage per 10 minutes (no
2
save) while submerged and must make a Fortitude In addition, creatures need some way to breathe
save (DC 15, +1 per previous check) or take 1d4 points while underwater. For player characters, a water
of nonlethal damage as well. Anyone wearing metal breathing spell or similar magic is the best bet. The
armor or in contact with very cold metal is affected as denizens of the tower keep a few potions of water
if by a chill metal spell. A partially protected character breathing in the upper levels for guests (or prisoners)
takes the same damage and makes the same saving who might need them.
throws as an unprotected character, but only once per
TOWER INTERIOR
hour instead of every 10 minutes. An endure elements
The tower is a five-story stone structure, of which only
spell or cold resistance of at least 5 provides protection
the topmost floor is not flooded. The major features of
against the cold water. A cold-weather outfit offers
the structure are as follows.
partial protection, but only for the first 10 minutes of
exposure if it isn t waterproof.
Walls
All the tower s walls are stone, and the elements
UNDERWATER ADVENTURING
haven t been kind to them. The exterior walls protrud-
Because four of the tower s five levels are completely
ing above the waterline are heavily weathered. Those
flooded, reviewing the material on underwater combat
underwater are in better shape but covered with
(pages 92 and 93 in the Dungeon Master s Guide) is
aquatic slime.
extremely helpful for running this adventure.
s Exterior Walls: 5 ft. thick; hardness 8; hp 450;
s
Characters must typically swim to get around on the
break DC 41; Climb DC 15.
flooded levels. Within the tower, the water is calm,
Though the interior walls are also covered with
and a character can move by making a DC 10 Swim
slime in the lower four levels, they are in much better
check. Success allows him to swim at one-quarter of
condition than the exterior walls.
his land speed as a move action or at one-half his land
s Interior Walls: 2 ft. thick; hardness 8; hp 180;
s
speed as a full-round action. Creatures without swim
break DC 37; Climb DC 20.
speeds can charge while swimming (provided they can
Any character not carrying a heavy load gains a +8
move at least 10 feet before attacking), but they cannot
circumstance bonus on Climb checks made under-
run, withdraw, or take a 5-foot step while swimming.
water, since her buoyancy makes climbing fairly easy.
A creature that carries sufficient weight to hold it
down can also simply walk along the tower s floors if
Ceilings
desired. The items carried for this purpose must be
The ceilings within the tower are 25 feet high unless
nonbulky and nonbuoyant. The amount of weight
otherwise noted in an individual area description.
required depends on the character s size, according to
Floors
the following table.
All the floors are made of fairly smooth stone.
Size Weight Required Movement across them is not impeded, but see the
Fine 1 lb.
notes on underwater adventuring for the effect of
Diminutive 2 lb.
water on movement in the lower levels.
Tiny 4 lb.
Small 8 lb.
Doors
Medium 16 lb.
Except for the ones on the lower level, all the tower s
Large 32 lb.
Huge 64 lb. doors are made of reinforced wood that has been well
Gargantuan 128 lb.
preserved against the elements. None of the doors are
Colossal 256 lb.
locked, but most are stuck. Those that are submerged
are extremely difficult to open, thanks to swelling
When a creature walks underwater, its movement is
wood and extra resistance from the water. Add +5 to
hampered. Unless it has a swim speed, it pays at least
the indicated DCs to open or break down doors under-
10 feet of movement instead of the usual 5 feet to
water. The tower residents are familiar with each door s
enter a square. When moving diagonally into a square
idiosyncrasies, and each sister gains a +5 circumstance
where movement is hampered, it must pay at least 15
bonus on Strength checks made to open them.
feet of movement. A creature cannot charge, run, or
The residents keep supplies of small rocks on hand
take a 5-foot step while its movement is hampered.
to wedge the doors shut in case of attack. Wedging a
door requires a full-round action.
3
s Strong Wooden Doors: 2 in. thick; hard- Anytime a character weighing 100 pounds or more
s
ness 5; hp 20; open DC 15, break DC 25. comes within 10 feet of the gap, roll 1d6. On a roll of 1,
the ice crumbles and the character must make a
Windows
successful DC 20 Reflex save or fall through into the
All the tower s windows are made of crystal-clear
frigid water below. Anyone within 5 feet of the charac-
leaded glass panes set in a bronze lattice. The lattices
ter must also make a Reflex save at the same DC or fall
are hinged and can be opened like shutters, though
in. Any character weighing 300 pounds or more who
they are usually held closed by simple but strong
comes within 5 feet of the gap automatically breaks
latches. Their mechanisms are somewhat stiff, so each
through the ice. A DC 15 Survival or Search check
latch requires a DC 10 Strength check to operate. A
reveals that the ice near the gap is unstable.
latch cannot be opened from outside an intact window,
Development: The denizens of the tower might
but anyone can reach in through a broken window and
spot characters approaching from the east, west, or
open its latch. Like the doors, the windows are more
northeast. See the Tactics sections of areas 1, 2, and 3
difficult to open or break when submerged, and each of
for details.
the tower residents gains a +5 circumstance bonus on
Strength checks made to open them.
1. SUNSET CHAMBER (EL 8 10)
On levels 1 3, the windows provide access to the
This area once served as a study and library, but these
tower interior.
days it s just a guardpost.
s Window Lattices: 2 in. thick; hardness 8; hp
s
50; open DC 15 (unlatched), break DC 25 (latched).
This semicircular chamber has an open ceiling,
s Glass Window Panes: 1/2 in. thick; hardness 1; and the frigid wind blowing through the open
s
windows has created a rime of frost on the
hp 2; break DC 7.
exposed rafters. Empty shelves line the east wall,
Light
stretching from the floor as far up as a giant could
None of the areas within the tower are lighted unless
reach. Above them is an open space. A battered
otherwise noted. wooden table about chin high to a human and a
few threadbare chairs big enough to seat ogres
complete the décor.
LEVEL ONE
This level is the topmost floor of the tower, and the
only one that s above water. Unlike the other stories,
Creatures: Either Hoinnia (see Adventure
this onw has a conical roof that rises to a height of 50
Background) or a pair of ettin guards keeps watch here
feet at the center and slopes down to about 20 feet at
at all times (50% chance that either is present). When
the outer walls. The whole roof, with its maze of
not on watch here, Hoinnia is in her room (area 2),
wooden rafters, is open to the level below. The interior
and the ettins are in their barracks (area 3).
walls in this level are only 25 high, so characters can
Hoinnia has scaly skin, wicked-looking eyes, and
climb or fly over the walls to get from one area to an
two small horns protruding from her forehead. She
adjacent one.
wears a hood that conceals the horns, but her overall
appearance should alert the PCs to her otherworldly
APPROACHING THE LEVEL (EL 6)
nature. A DC 10 Knowledge (the planes) check reveals
The windows in the tower s top level are about 15 feet
that she is a tiefling.
above the lake s frozen surface. The open windows in
D Hoinnia: Female tiefling rogue 7; CR 7;
D
area 1 are visible from at least 100 yards away.
Medium outsider (native); HD 7d6+7; hp 31; Init +4;
Trap: Characters walking across the ice find a gap
Spd 30 ft.; AC 21, touch 15, flat-footed 21; Base Atk +5;
of open water about a foot wide all around the tower.
Grp +7; Atk or Full Atk +10 melee (1d6+3/18 20,
The ice is brittle in this area, and unwary characters
masterwork rapier) or +10 ranged (1d6+3/ 3, +1
might fall into the lake when the ice breaks away
composite shortbow [+2 Str bonus]); SA darkness, sneak
underfoot.
attack +4d6; SQ darkvision 60 ft., resistances (cold 5,
Brittle Ice Trap: CR 5, location trigger, no reset,
electricity 5, fire 5), trap sense +2, trapfinding,
DC 20 Reflex save avoids, Search DC 20; Disable
uncanny dodge; AL CE; SV Fort +3, Ref +9, Will +3;
Device DC . Market Price: .
Str 14, Dex 18, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 6.
4
5
Skills and Feats: Balance +6, Bluff +9, Diplomacy While standing in the window, the ettin has cover
+2, Escape Artist +13, Hide +15, Intimidate +0, (+4 to AC). If attacked, he throws javelins or swings
Jump +4, Listen +10, Move Silently +13, Search +10, clubs. If the foes are beyond both melee reach and
Sense Motive +10, Sleight of Hand +15, Swim +11, javelin range, he is smart enough to close and latch
Tumble +13; Blind-Fight, Dodge, Weapon Finesse. the windows, then move to area 4 and wedge the
Languages: Common, Draconic, Infernal. door shut.
Darkness (Sp): Hoinnia can use darkness (caster If Hoinnia sees anyone approaching while she is on
level 7th) once per day. guard, or when she is summoned to the room, she
Sneak Attack (Ex): Hoinnia deals 4d6 extra greets the newcomers in Common, asking if they have
points of damage on any successful attack against flat- brought something for her mistress. No matter what
footed or flanked targets, or against a target that has the reply, she invites the visitors in, though she makes
been denied its Dexterity bonus for any reason. This no attempt to help them enter the tower.
damage also applies to ranged attacks against targets If a fight breaks out in this chamber, the ettin guard
up to 30 feet away. Creatures with concealment, crea- in area 3 joins the fray after 2 rounds. If Hoinnia is
tures without discernible anatomies, and creatures here, she slips away to area 2 as soon as she can and
immune to extra damage from critical hits are all makes a quiet investigation, as noted in the
immune to sneak attacks. Hoinnia may choose to Development section of that entry.
deliver nonlethal damage with her sneak attack, but In a fight, Hoinnia uses her Tumble skill to stay
only when using a weapon designed for that purpose, away from dangerous foes and to set up sneak attacks
such as a sap (blackjack). when possible. She holds off invaders until the ettin
Evasion (Ex): If Hoinnia is exposed to any effect guards can arrive from area 3, then uses her Tumble
that normally allows her to attempt a Reflex saving skill to disengage. Once clear of the fight, she swims
throw for half damage, she takes no damage with a down to area 7 on level 2 or area 10 on level 3 to get
successful saving throw. Puennoki, using her darkness ability to deter pursuit if
Trapfinding (Ex): Hoinnia can find, disarm, or necessary. Hoinnia receives water breathing spells from
bypass traps with a DC of 20 or higher. She can use the Puennoki every few hours, so she usually doesn t have
Search skill to find, and the Disable Device skill to to worry about breathing on the tower s lower levels. If
disarm, magic traps (DC 25 + the level of the spell used she loses her water breathing to a dispel magic effect, she
to create it). If her Disable Device result exceeds the goes to her room (area 2) and quaffs one of the potions of
trap s DC by 10 or more, she discovers how to bypass water breathing hidden there before leaving this level.
the trap without triggering or disarming it. Development: The windows in this chamber give
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Hoinnia retains her anyone inside a fairly clear view to the west. The
Dexterity bonus to Armor Class even when flat-footed sentries have no difficulty spotting visible creatures
or targeted by an unseen foe (she still loses her approaching the tower from that direction.
Dexterity bonus if paralyzed or otherwise immobile). If the PCs enter the tower peacefully, Hoinnia chats
Possessions: +1 mithral chain shirt, amulet of natural with them for a while. If they seem to distrust her
armor +1, ring of protection +1, masterwork rapier, +1 because of her otherworldly characteristics, Hoinnia
composite shortbow (+2 Str bonus) with 20 arrows, potion warns them that they ought not to judge others by their
of cat s grace, 2 potions of cure light wounds. appearances. Hoinnia s visage reflects her nature fairly
D Ettins (2): hp 65 each; see Monster Manual, page accurately, but she s pretty good at bluffing. A particu-
D
106. Both ettins wear cold-weather outfits under their larly suspicious PC can make a Sense Motive check
armor. (opposed by Hoinnia s Sense Motive check). To a char-
Tactics: Both Hoinnia and the ettins keep watch acter who loses the check, Hoinnia seems credible. One
out the chamber s open windows while on duty here. who wins, however, realizes that she is just as nasty as
If the ettins see anyone approaching, one of them runs she looks, and that she is probably just stringing the
to area 2 to fetch Hoinnia while the other blocks one visitors along until she can set them up for a fight.
of the windows. The ettins have orders to let visitors If the PCs converse with Hoinnia for any length of
approach, so the ettin remaining in the room just time without attacking, she acknowledges that her
stares dumbly at the PCs until attacked or until employer is a wise woman, and that she is very knowl-
Hoinnia arrives. edgeable about birds and other avian creatures. During
the conversation, Hoinnia uses her Sense Motive skill
6
to get a general idea of the characters purpose in visit- Creatures: Hoinnia is here 50% of the time.
ing the tower. When she s not here, she s keeping watch in area 1.
If she suspects that the PCs are invaders, she Hoinnia: hp 31; see area 1 for statistics.
launches a quick attack, hoping to catch her foes off Tactics: When Hoinnia is in this room, she spends
guard and make a sneak attack. Then she shouts for most of her time either dozing in bed or gazing out the
reinforcements. Hoinnia doesn t speak Giant, so she window (50% chance for each). If she s looking out the
can t give detailed orders to the ettins, but they under- window, she spots any visible characters approaching
stand her tone. When she can, she breaks away from the tower from the northeast. Otherwise, she uses the
the fight and goes to find Puennoki, as noted in the tactics noted for her in area 1.
Tactics section above. Development: Any loud noise in this chamber
If Hoinnia thinks the PCs are fairly harmless, she brings the guards from area 3 in 1 round and one
invites them to make themselves as comfortable as guard from area 1 in 2 rounds. The remaining guard
they can, then goes to find Puennoki. Before leaving follows from area 1 after 2 more rounds if the first
the room, she warns the visitors not to leave this guard does not return.
chamber, claiming that the tower is old and rickety If Hoinnia is here and a fight breaks out in area 1 or
and not at all safe for people who aren t accustomed to 3, she quietly climbs the wall and peers into the next
its quirks. Her admonition does contain an element of chamber to see what s happening. Any PC who might
truth, but she really just wants to discourage the PCs see or hear her should make a Spot check opposed by
from poking around the tower while she s gone. Hoinnia s Hide check and a Listen check opposed by
If the ettins are on guard here and fight breaks out her Move Silently check. Once Hoinnia has assessed
in area 2 or 3, one ettin checks out the disturbance the situation, she either fetches Puennoki from area 7
after 2 rounds, and the second ettin follows in another or 10 immediately, or joins the fray for a round or two
2 rounds if the first one does not return. before going to get the hag. Usually, she doesn t use
the latter option unless the intruders notice her or she
2. HOINNIA S CHAMBER (EL 0 OR 8)
gets a chance to make a sneak attack. In a fight, she
This area was once a sitting room, but now it serves as
uses the tactics noted for her in area 1.
Hoinnia s bedchamber.
Treasure: Some of the furs on the bed are valu-
able, though they are none too clean. A DC 15 Search
This chamber is comfortably warm, a blue haze
or Appraise check reveals three salable furs, each
with a faintly sulfurous odor fills the air. A
worth 150 gp. In addition, a stone coffer buried in the
brazier filled with smoldering coals seems to be
brazier holds four portions of water breathing, which are
the source of this effect. Next to the brazier
protected from the heat by the thick walls of their
stands a wooden crate filled with brownish coal.
container. Dumping out the contents of the brazier
The room is roughly square and has a single
automatically reveals the box, or a character probing
window. Some kind of sagging canvas trap forms
inside the brazier can attempt a DC 25 Search check to
a ceiling of sorts that hangs perhaps 20 feet above
locate it. Any character digging through the burning
the floor. A few furs serve as rugs, and a bed
heaped with more furs stands against the west coals or handling the box takes 1d4 points of fire
wall. A wardrobe made of rough planks and a
damage each round that he remains in contact with it.
footstool round out the furnishings.
If the PCs dump the brazier, the whole mess cools
down in 10 minutes.
The crate contains about 100 pounds of lignite, a soft
brown coal that burns with a smoky flame. Hoinnia is 3. BARRACKS (EL 6 10)
cold resistant, but she doesn t like to feel chilly, so she This former bedchamber now serves as a barracks for
keeps a low fire going in this room all the time. She three ettins that the sisters keep here to guard the
has draped a big piece of canvas overhead to help hold complex. The chamber looks much like area 2, except
in the heat. If the PCs can reach it, they can easily tear that it has no canvas ceiling, and its only furnishings
it away, revealing the rafters and the roof above (see are a crude wooden table with two equally crude
Tower Interior for details). benches. Crowded into the room s south end are two
The wardrobe contains normal clothing and a few big piles of moss that serve as beds for the ettins.
odd bits of adventuring gear, including a 100-foot coil Creatures: Three ettins live in this chamber, but
of hemp rope and a steel mirror. all three of them are present only 50% of the time. The
7
rest of the time, one ettin is here and the other two are as a trunk. This last item contains a few articles of
on guard duty in area 1. ogre-sized clothing (none of them in good repair),
D Ettins (1 or 3): hp 65 each; see Monster Manual, plus two bundles of crossbow bolts (10 each), a whet-
D
page 106. The ettins wear cold-weather outfits under stone, and some spare netting.
their armor. Creatures: One fiendish merrow warrior lives in
Tactics: Like Hoinnia in area 2, a lone ettin alter- each of these chambers. At any given time, one of
nately dozes and keeps watch out the window to the these sergeants is in his room, and the other is on
east. If she sees visitors or is attacked, she calls guard in area 7.
Hoinnia. The tiefling can t understand the ettin s Tactics: The merrows keep their windows closed
speech, but she knows when the creature is trying to but unlatched while in their rooms. In a fight, the
call her. If all three ettins are here, two of them doze occupant of either chamber raps the floor with the butt
while the third watches out the window. Otherwise, of his longspear (a free action) and then stabs at any foe
the ettins use the tactics described in area 1. within reach, using his smite good ability with his first
Development: If only one ettin is here, any loud attack. If reduced to 15 or fewer hit points, the merrow
noise from this chamber brings one ettin from area 1 swims out the window and proceeds to area 7, where
in 2 rounds, and the second 2 rounds later if the first he grabs the hidden loot. Unless he thinks he has a
fails to return. In addition, any disturbance in this great deal of time, he doesn t bother with the coins; he
chamber brings an immediate reaction from Hoinnia simply snatches the jewels and leaves. If pursued from
if she s in area 2, as noted in the Development section this room, he turns and fights to the death.
for that entry. Development: The merrows rap on the floor to
alert whoever is in area 7, as well as the guards in area
4. HALL
9 on the level below. See the Development sections in
This long chamber is usually empty, though an ettin
those entries for details.
might try to block it off, as noted in the area 1 entry.
If summoned to area 7 by a tap on the wall, the
merrow first taps on the floor, then swims out the
5. STAIRWELL
window to area 7 to survey the situation there. On the
The spiral staircase in this chamber descends 30 feet to
way, he drinks his potion of haste and potion of bull s
area 8 on level 2.
strength.
D Sergeants (2): Male fiendish merrow warrior 3;
D
LEVELS TWO TO FIVE
CR 6; Large giant (aquatic, extraplanar); HD 7d8+17;
The lower levels of the tower are flooded. The water
hp 48; Init 1; Spd 30 ft., swim 40 ft.; AC 17, touch 8,
level is located about 5 feet down the stairs that lead
flat-footed 17; Base Atk +6; Grp +15; Atk +12
down from area 5 on level 1. A thin rime of ice covers
(1d8+8/ 3, +1 longspear) or +11 melee (1d4+5/19 20,
the surface of the water, but the PCs can break
masterwork dagger) or +5 ranged (1d10/19 20, master-
through it easily.
work heavy crossbow); Full Atk +12/+7 (1d8+8/ 3, +1
longspear) or +11/+6 melee (1d4+5/19 20, masterwork
6. SERGEANTS CHAMBERS (EL 8)
dagger) or +5 ranged (1d10/19 20, masterwork heavy
These two rooms serve as bedchambers for the under-
crossbow); Space/Reach 10 ft./10 ft.; SA smite good;
water denizens of the tower. Read or paraphrase the
SQ damage reduction 5/magic, darkvision 60 ft., low-
following when the PCs enter.
light vision, resistances (cold 5, fire 5), spell resistance
12; AL CE; SV Fort +9, Ref +1, Will +2; Str 21, Dex 8,
Along the south wall of this chamber hangs a
Con 15, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 7.
massive net with many layers and folds.
Skills and Feats: Climb +6, Hide 7, Listen +2, Spot
Anchored as it is to both floor and ceiling, it
+2, Swim +12; Power Attack, Toughness, Weapon
resembles an old cobweb. Nearby stands a water-
Focus (longspear).
logged wooden table, and beside it are two
Languages: Common, Giant.
smooth rocks with concave tops. A stone box has
Smite Good (Su): Once per day, a fiendish
been pushed up against the north wall.
merrow warrior can make a normal melee attack and
deal an extra +7 points of damage against a good foe.
The net serves as a bed for the occupant of this room,
Possessions: +1 hide armor, +1 longspear, masterwork
the rocks serve as chairs, and the stone box functions
dagger, masterwork heavy crossbow with 10 bolts,
8
potion of bull s strength, potion of cure moderate wounds, minions have managed to gather. Inside are 800 gp,
potion of cure light wounds, potion of haste. 320 pp, 16 lapis lazuli gems (worth 10 gp each), 7 peri-
dots (worth 50 gp each), 19 golden pearls (worth 100
7. GALLERY (EL 6 OR 9)
gp each), 3 black pearls (worth 500 gp each), and an
A bizarre sight awaits the characters in this chamber.
ivory choker with gold fittings (worth 90 gp).
Read or paraphrase the following when they arrive.
8. STAIRWELL
This big, semicircular chamber has a bank of three
The spiral staircase in this area rises 30 feet to area 5 on
windows along its curving north wall. The inte-
level l. It also descends 30 feet to area 11 on level 3.
rior is choked with dozens if not hundreds of
blocks of clear ice that float above the floor on
9. BARRACKS (EL 10)
thin tethers. Each block contains some kind of
These four chambers resemble area 6, except that each
bird. The variety represented here is nothing
contains three sleeping nets.
short of astounding from miniscule humming-
Creatures: Three fiendish merrow guards live in
birds floating in fist-sized blocks to great eagles in
each chamber, though only two of each group are pres-
blocks as big as a horse. The whole mass looks like
ent at any given time. The remaining merrows are on
some sort of macabre underwater forest.
duty in area 16 on level 5.
D Guards (8): Male and female fiendish merrow;
D
CR 4; Large giant (aquatic, extraplanar); HD 4d8+11;
The preserved birds are the specimens that Puennoki
hp 29; Init 1; Spd 30 ft., swim 40 ft.; AC 16, touch 8,
has collected over the years. She s no taxidermist, so
flat-footed 16; Base Atk +3; Grp +12; Atk or Full Atk
she simply freezes them. The collection has some
+8 (1d8+7/ 3, longspear) or +7 melee (1d4+5/19 20,
value to a scholar, but the specimens rapidly decom-
dagger) or +1 ranged (1d10/19 20, heavy crossbow);
pose if allowed to thaw.
Space/Reach 10 ft./10 ft.; SQ damage reduction
Creatures: A merrow warrior always stands watch
5/magic, darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, resist-
in here (see area 6 for statistics). In addition, Puennoki
ances (cold 5, fire 5), spell resistance 9; AL CE; SV
herself has a 25% chance to be here, gazing at her
Fort +6, Ref +0, Will +1; Str 21, Dex 8, Con 15, Int 6,
collection of frozen birds.
Wis 10, Cha 7.
Merrow: hp 48; see area 6 for statistics.
Skills and Feats: Climb +6, Hide 7, Listen +2, Spot
Puennoki: hp 58; see area 10 for statistics.
+2, Swim +9; Toughness, Weapon Focus (longspear).
Tactics: The merrows keep one of the room s
Languages: Common, Giant.
windows (usually the one closest to the off-duty
Smite Good (Su): Once per day, a fiendish
merrow in area 6) closed but unlatched. If confronted
merrow can make a normal melee attack and deal an
here alone, the merrow guard taps on the wall to alert
extra +4 points of damage against a good foe.
his off-duty comrade, then stabs at the nearest foe
Possessions: Masterwork hide armor, longspear,
using his smite good ability. The merrow keeps fight-
dagger, heavy crossbow with 10 bolts.
ing until help arrives, then disengages long enough to
Tactics: In a fight, the guards use their smite good
quaff a potion or two before rejoining the fight.
ability as quickly as they can. They generally attack the
Throughout the battle, the merrow tries to use his
closest foe unless a sergeant, Puennoki, or Chirkka
swim speed and reach to stay away from dangerous
orders them to do otherwise.
foes. He is smart enough to aim his attacks at spellcast-
Development: The guards quickly notice any
ers or foes who with ranged attacks whenever possible.
fighting on this level or on the levels above or below
If Puennoki is in here, she uses the tactics noted for
it. (Even if their comrades don t alert them by thump-
her in area 10. While she is alive, any merrows here fight
ing on the floors or ceilings, sound carries very well
to the death. If Puennoki is slain, the merrows flee,
through stone and water.) After a round or two, the
Development: A fight in here draws the merrow
guards gather up their weapons and head for the scene
from area 6 after 2 rounds and those in area 9 after 4
of the action. One of them, however, takes the time to
rounds. If Puennoki isn t already here, she joins the
alert Puennoki in area 10 (if she s there) or goes up to
merrows coming from area 9.
area 7 to fetch her. Likewise, when Puennoki is in area
Treasure: A loose stone near the center of the
10, she notices any fighting in the barracks. When
floor conceals a niche (DC 25 Search check) crammed
heading for a fight, the guards usually use the stairwell
with some ordinary loot that Puennoki and her
9
(area 11), but they may also swim through windows of Spell-Like Abilities: At will dancing lights,
the appropriate size if the target level has any. disguise self, ghost sound (DC 15), invisibility, pass without
trace, tongues, water breathing; 3/day darkness, poison
10. PUENNOKI S ROOM (EL 8)
(DC 18); 1/day contagion (DC 17), desecrate, unholy
This chamber has a macabre décor that befits its
blight (DC 18). Caster level 9th.
occupant. Read or paraphrase the following when the
Weakness (Su): Puennoki can weaken a foe by
PCs enter.
making a special touch attack (+14 touch). The oppo-
nent must succeed on a DC 18 Fortitude save or take
This cramped chamber resembles an underwater
2d4 points of Strength damage.
charnel house. Niches in the walls are crammed
Outsider Traits: Darkvision 60 ft.; cannot be
with a vast array of skulls, both humanoid and
raised or resurrected (though a wish or miracle spell
monstrous. A cocoonlike net hangs in front of
can restore life).
the single window, and a collection of femurs
Possessions: Potion of cure serious wounds, 2 potions of cure
and vertebrae dangle from it like windblown
light wounds, potion of bull s strength, potion of haste, 2
leaves caught in an old spiderweb. Balloonlike
potions of nondetection.
chunks of ice, each containing a bird or small
Tactics: If Puennoki has time to prepare for a fight
animal, float above the floor.
(as she will if she is summoned to a battle elsewhere in
the tower), she drinks a potion of nondetection (and possi-
The bones in here are all trophies from Puennoki s
bly her potion of bull s strength if she thinks the threat
combat victories over the years. The birds and other
merits it), then casts invisibility on herself and on one or
animals packed in ice are recent additions to her collec-
two allies. Everyone can see the location of an invisible
tion that she has not yet added to the gallery (area 7).
creature underwater because of the visible bubble it
Creatures: Puennoki is here 75% of the time,
leaves, but it still has concealment (20% miss chance).
gazing at her trophies and laying plans for collecting
Upon entering a fight, Puennoki uses unholy blight
more. The rest of the time, she s in area 7 enjoying the
on as many foes as possible, then selects the most
trophies she has stashed there.
dangerous-looking fighter-type among the enemies
D Puennoki: Female half-fiend/half-green hag;
D
and concentrates her weakness attacks on them.
CR 7; Medium outsider (augmented monstrous
Once she has weakened a character or two, she uses
humanoid, native); HD 9d8+18; hp 58; Init +2; Spd 30
smite good on the most formidable remaining foe,
ft., swim 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (average); AC 24, touch 12,
followed by a claw attack in conjunction with her
flat-footed 22; Base Atk +9; Grp +14; Atk +14 melee
contagion ability. When she makes this attack, she
(1d4+5, claw); Full Atk +14 melee (1d4+5, 2 claws) and
must hit the target s normal Armor Class. If she hits,
+9 melee (1d6+2, bite); SA mimicry, smite good, spell-
she deals claw damage and delivers the contagion
like abilities, weakness; SQ damage reduction 5/magic,
effect. If she misses, she deals no damage but still
darkvision 90 ft., immunity to poison, outsider traits,
holds the contagion effect, which she can try to
resistances (acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10, fire 10),
deliver again the next round.
spell resistance 19; AL CE; SV Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +7;
Development: Like the merrows in area 9,
Str 21, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 19, Wis 13, Cha 18.
Puennoki quickly notices any fighting on this level or
Skills and Feats: Bluff +10, Concentration +14,
on the ones above or below. In addition, creatures
Diplomacy +12, Heal +7, Hide +14, Intimidate +6,
from level 1 or level 5 might come here to confront
Knowledge (arcana) +10, Knowledge (geography) +10,
visitors. If the newcomers are hostile, Puennoki loses
Knowledge (religion) +10, Knowledge (the planes) +16,
no time in attacking them. But if Hoinnia or Chirkka
Listen +15, Spot +15, Survival +7, Swim +13; Alertness,
has managed to keep them off guard, Puennoki uses
Blind-Fight, Combat Casting, Great Fortitude.
her disguise self ability to pose as a harmless old crank,
Languages: Abyssal, Aquan, Common, Draconic,
then greets the visitors personally. She takes a few
Giant, Infernal.
rounds to size up the opposition, then tries to attack
Mimicry (Ex): Puennoki can imitate the sounds
and eliminate the most dangerous member of the
of almost any animal found near her lair.
opposing party. In any case, Puennoki sends a merrow
Smite Good (Su): Once per day, Puennoki can
to area 1 or 13 to get Chirkka or Hoinnia (or both) and
make a normal melee attack and deal an extra +9
bring them to the scene of the confrontation.
points of damage against a good foe.
10
s Net: 1 in. thick; hardness 0; hp 2; break DC 23.
s
11. STAIRWELL
Creatures: Chirkka, Puennoki s chief ally, spends
The spiral staircase in this area rises 30 feet to area 8 on
most of her time under the dome. She receives water
level 2. It also descends 30 feet to area 15 on level 4.
breathing effects from Puennoki every few hours, but
12. KITCHEN
she prefers dry land to underwater living.
Puennoki and her minions use this chamber to
D Chirkka: Female half-fiend/half-annis; CR 8;
D
prepare food. Since they re none too clean about it,
Large outsider (augmented monstrous humanoid,
however, the room s condition isn t any too appetizing.
natve); HD 7d8+21; hp 52; Init +3; Spd 40 ft., fly 40 ft.
(average); AC 25, touch 13, flat-footed 22; Base Atk +7;
The water in this chamber has a faint red tint,
Grp +20; Atk +15 melee (1d6+9, claw); Full Atk +15
and it looks as murky as a mud puddle. Bits and
melee (1d6+9, 2 claws) and +10 melee (1d8+4, bite);
pieces of entrails, flesh, and bone rest on every
Space/Reach 10 ft./10 ft.; SA improved grab, rake
surface. The only furniture is a sturdy-looking
1d6+9, rend 2d6+10, smite good, spell-like abilities; SQ
wooden table. Amid the trash on its surface lies a
damage reduction 2/bludgeoning and 5/magic, dark-
scattered collection of bronze knives.
vision 60 ft., immunity to poison, outsider traits, resist-
ances (acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10, fre 10), spell
No one is in this chamber when the PCs arrive.
resistance 19; AL CE; SV Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +6;
Treasure: The bronze knives are fairly old, and the
Str 29, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 17, Wis 13, Cha 12.
entire set is worth 100 gp to a collector.
Skills and Feats: Bluff +11, Diplomacy +15, Hide +9,
Intimidate +3, Jump +25, Knowledge (nature) +8,
13. CHIRKKA S ROOM (EL 8)
Knowledge (religion) +8, Knowledge (the planes) +8,
As with area 10, this room s contents fit its occupant.
Listen +13, Move Silently +8, Sense Motive +6, Spot +13,
Swim +14, Alertness, Blind-Fight, Great Fortitude.
An odd-looking dome of oiled leather fills most
Languages: Aquan, Common, Giant, Infernal.
of this chamber. The mass looks something like a
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, Chirkka
tent, except that a big net lashed to some rings in
must hit a Large or smaller opponent with a claw
the floor seems hold it in place. The whole dome
attack. She can then attempt to start a grapple as a free
seems to strain upward against the net.
action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
Rake (Ex): Attack bonus +15 melee, damage
Puennoki and her minions fitted the leather dome
1d6+9. Chirkka can attack a grappled foe with both
over an opening in the floor that connects with area 17
claws at no penalty.
on level 5. Then they carried leather bladders full of air
Rend (Ex): If Chirkka hits with both claw attacks
into area 17 until it was completely filled with air. The
she latches onto the opponent s body and tears the
dome keeps the air that now fills area 17 from escap-
flesh. This attack automatically deals an extra 2d6+13
ing through the connecting hole.
points of damage.
The air bubble under the leather dome has an oily
Smite Good (Su): Once per day, Chirkka can
surface that forms a fairly stable air-water interface, so
make a normal melee attack and deal an extra +7
characters can enter or exit the bubble without disturb-
points of damage against a good foe.
ing the arrangement. If, however, anyone cuts away the
Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day disguise self, fog
net or slashes open the leather dome, the air bubble
cloud. Caster level 8th. 3/day darkness, poison
bursts, creating a hurricane-force wind that flows from
(DC 15); 1/day desecrate, unholy blight (DC 15). Caster
the hole in the floor, swirls clockwise around the room,
level 7th.
and blasts out the arrow slit in the north wall. The
Outsider Traits: Darkvision 60 ft.; cannot be
airflow lasts for 1 round, during which characters in
raised or resurrected (though a wish or miracle spell
the room suffer the appropriate wind effects, as noted
can restore life).
on page 95 in the Dungeon Master s Guide.
Possessions: Bracers of armor +1, ring of protection +1,
An opening in the net and the leather gives access
potion of cure moderate wounds, 2 potions of cure light
to the air-filled space beneath the leather dome, which
wounds.
contains a trunk and a three-legged stool.
Tactics: In battle, Chirkka uses much the same
s Leather Dome: 1 in. thick; hardness 2; hp 5;
s
tactics as Puennoki does (see area 10), though she has
break DC 18.
neither contagion nor a weakness ability. Instead, she
11
uses unholy blight, then tries to use improved grab or inside the surrounding stonework. Both sets open
rend against a fighter-type, choosing a different target outward from the room. Because this chamber is filled
than Puennoki if the latter is present. with air, the tremendous pressure of the surrounding
Development: Chirkka quickly notices any fight- water holds the doors firmly closed. If the PCs manage
ing on this level or on the ones above or below it. to open either set of doors, or simply break them open,
Puennoki sends a guard here to fetch Chirkka when tons of water rush into the room, blowing out the
she goes to join a fight or meet visitors (see the other set of doors in the process. Any creature in area
Development section in area 10). 16, or outside the tower and within 50 feet of this
Any disturbance in this chamber alerts the sentries room, must make a DC 35 Strength check or a DC 25
in area 16 on level 5. Swim check or be dragged along with the flow, taking
6d6 points of damage. Each of the merrows in area 16
14. PANTRY
gains a +20 bonus on the check.
This room is packed with frozen fish and game, mostly
s Bronze Doors: 3 in. thick; hardness 8; hp 90;
s
whole, that is kept in place by nets.
open DC 120, break DC 30.
15. STAIRWELL
18. STAIRWELL
The spiral staircase in this chamber rises 30 feet to area 11
The spiral staircase in this chamber rises 30 feet to area
on level 2. It also descends 30 feet to area 18 on level 5.
15 on level 4.
16. GUARDPOSTS
CONCLUDING THE
These two areas once served as armories. Read or para-
phrase the following when the PCs arrive.
ADVENTURE
The adventure isn t over until the PCs slay or drive off
This area contains a rickety-looking wooden
both Puennoki and Chirkka. After the two hags have
frame fitted with many slots and hooks. It may
been defeated, their troops quickly desert the tower.
once have been intended to hold tools or weap-
ons, but it s empty now.
FURTHER ADVENTURES
The defeat of Puennoki and Chirkka creates a power
Creatures: Two fiendish merrows lurk behind the
vacuum in the surrounding area. Eventually,
empty weapon racks (see area 9 for their tactics). Puennoki
however, another monster or group of monsters
has stationed them here to keep an eye on area 17.
might move into the tower and take up where the
Fiendish Merrows (2): hp 29; see area 9 for
two hags left off. A white dragon or one of the
statistics.
monsters featured in the new Frostburn book would
Development: The merrows are well aware of
make a good tenant for the tower.
the dangers that area 17 could pose if anyone tampers
with it. Should the air inside be released, they hold
on for dear life until the rush of water stops, then ABOUT THE AUTHOR
attack any survivors. The merrows also notice distur-
Skip Williams keeps busy with freelance projects
bances in area 13 and immediately move to join any
for several different game companies, and he served
fighting there.
as the sage of Dragon Magazine for eighteen years.
Skip is a codesigner of the D&D 3rd edition game
17. ENTRY
and the chief architect of the Monster Manual. When
Puennoki and her allies have filled this chamber with
not devising swift and cruel deaths for player char-
air, creating a bubble that extends through a hole in
acters, Skip putters in his kitchen or garden (rabbits
the ceiling and into area 13 (see area 13 for details).
and deer are not his friends) or works on repairing
The arrow slits in this chamber have been blocked to
and improving the century-old farmhouse that he
keep the air inside.
shares with his wife, Penny, and a growing
The two pairs of double doors leading out of this
menagerie of pets.
area are made of bronze, and their hinges are hidden
12
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