Mike’s free Encounter #16
Necrolossi
A CR 9 Encounter
by Dr. Michael LaBossiere
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This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of the Coast and/or other authors. Such material is used with permission under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon
Masters Guild.
Hero Lab and the Hero Lab logo are Registered Trademarks of LWD Technology, Inc. Free download at http://www.wolflair.com System Reference Document 5.0 Copyright 2016, Wizards
of the Coast, Inc.
Copyright 2019 Dr. Michael LaBossiere
Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only.
MFE#16 1
About the Author............................................... 6
CREDITS Maps .................................................................. 7
Author: Dr. Michael C. LaBossiere
Cover Illustration: Louis Porter, Jr. Design
Cartographer: Dr. Michael C. LaBossiere
Additional Art:
INTRODUCTION
Some artwork copyright Michael This is the 16th in an ongoing series aimed to
C. LaBossiere provide the overworked DM with ready-to run
encounters. The PCs face off against a rampaging
Necrolossi.
It includes a history/background for the
Contents encounter, a map, and monster stats.
Credits ................................................................ 2 The companion ZIP file contains JPEG
versions of the maps (with and without grid), a
Contents ............................................................. 2 Hero Lab file, the Word file of the encounter, and
a PDF with character sheets for all the monsters.
Introduction ....................................................... 2
History/Background ........................................... 2
HISTORY/BACKGROUND
Before the rise of the lesser races, the mighty
Getting the PCs Involved .................................... 3 and benevolent Dersatti arose from the prime
matter of reality. Unlike almost all races to follow,
Map Key ............................................................. 3 the Deratti lacked souls—and thus were mortal in
the metaphysical sense. As somewhat small
Encounter ........................................................... 3 compensation, they were imbued with
exceptionally strong positive energy. Barring
NPCs ............................................................... 4 accidents or violence, a Dersatti could expect to
endure for eons. But even eons pass.
Hook? ................................................................. 5
When the eldest Dersatti foresaw the failure of
Magic Item ......................................................... 5 their life forces, they set out to extend their
existence. While doing this tale justice would
Dimensional Chain ......................................... 5 require an ocean of words, suffice it to say that
their experiments resulted in the creation of the
Free Stuff! .......................................................... 5 undead and the fall of most of their race from
noble guides and guardians of the lesser people.
Free Map Collections ..................................... 5 Those that did not fall did battle with their
brethren, this civil war tore the world asunder.
Free Rules....................................................... 5
During the battles, the fallen Dersatti created
Free Encounters ............................................. 5 ever more terrifying and powerful undead,
including a class of beings intended to be unliving
Stuff to Buy! .................................................... 6 siege engines: the necrolossi. These creatures
were crafted from the bones of giants and
Adventures ..................................................... 6 dragons, then imbued with necrotic fire.
Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only.
MFE#16 2
While most of these creatures have perished Another option is for the PCs to be looking for
over the millenniums since the Dersatti civil war, Kell, perhaps at the behest of a friend or relative
a few of the originals remain. These originals are of one of his deceased party members. Or the PCs
sought after by ambitious necromancers, for might have been hired by a rival necromancer to
sometimes the secret of commanding them can steal the book and dimensional chain.
be found.
One such necromancer is Keben Kell, whose MAP KEY
brilliance is exceeded only by his ambition and The encounter takes place in a city.
recklessness. Through a series of adventures
that resulted in the death of numerous party 1. Kell’s House: Kell’s ruined house; the
members, Kell acquired a dimensional chain necrolossi smashed its way up from the basement
containing within its pocket dimension a and then out into the city. As an adventurer, Kell
slumbering great necrolossi. He also acquired an always keeps his gear and portable wealth on
ancient book reputed to have been written by the hand. However, he was forced to abandon the
legendary necromancer and historian of undeath dimensional chain and this can be found and
Tetren-Teth. In translating the book, Kell claimed by the PCs. If they rush to loot the house,
misinterpreted a key passage: “After saying they can grab up 1d4 x 1,000 gp worth of portable
‘lecrol’ and tracing the rune of alephum upon its treasure.
skull in blood, the necrolossi awoke to obey the
will of Jureg-Teth.” Kell’s error was to assume 2-7. City Structures: Buildings in the city.
that the necrolossi would obey him.
Unfortunately for Kell, the passage only describes
how Jureg-Teth awoke this necrolossi, not the
process of gaining control over the creature.
ENCOUNTER
The PCs will be alerted to the presence of the
After bringing the dimensional chain back to
necrolossi by the sounds of its destruction and the
house, Kell decided to awaken the necrolossi.
screams of the people.
The process of awakening went perfectly, the
The necrolossi will initially focus on converting
necrolossi awakening within the space. What
as many people as it can into necrotic fire
followed was far less perfect—the necrolossi
skeletons while also doing as much structural
breathed on the necromancer as it emerged from
damage as it can. If engaged by the PCs, it will
the pocket dimension to pursue the necromancer.
switch its focus to destroying them. If the PCs flee,
No slouch at desperate escapes, Kell fled his
it will return to its original objectives. Should the
house as the necrolossi smashed its way up from
PCs flee or fail, other adventurers will eventually
the basement. The necrolossi quickly lost interest
bring the monster down.
in Kell as it encountered the citizens of the city.
The city authorities and citizens will be very
As per its essence, it is attempting to destroy the
grateful if the PCs defeat the necrolossi; their
city and convert the inhabitants to undead.
gratitude will be proportional to how rapidly the
PCs defeat it. The authorities can offer a reward
GETTING THE PCS appropriate to your campaign, perhaps gold or a
INVOLVED discount on services and purchases within the
There are a variety of ways to get the PCs city (until the PCs wear the shine off their
involved in the encounter. One option is to have heroism with their greed).
the PCs simply be nearby in the city when the
necrolossi starts its rampage.
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3
Great Necrolossi necrotic fire skeletons (also knowns as necrofire
Huge undead, chaotic evil skeletons) under the command of their creator.
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Necrotic Fire Skeleton
Hit Points 138 (12d12+60)
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Speed 40 ft.
Armor Class 12
STR 22 (+6), DEX 10 (+0), CON 20 (+5), INT 7 (-2), WIS
Hit Points 13 (2d8+4)
10 (+0), CHA 10 (+0)
Speed 30 ft.
Saving Throws Str +9, Con +8
STR 10 (+0), DEX 15 (+2), CON 14 (+2), INT 6 (-2), WIS
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
8 (-1), CHA 5 (-3)
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Damage Resistances necrotic
Languages Common
Damage Immunities poison
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages Common
Siege Monster. The creature deals double damage to
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
objects and structures.
Actions
Actions
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Multiattack. The necrolossi makes 2 melee attacks or one
creature.
ranged attack with a rock.
Hit: 3 (1d6) slashing +1d6 necrotic damage. A humanoid
slain by a necrotic fire skeleton's claw attack rises as a
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
necrotic fire skeleton, its flesh seared away in the necrotic
creature.
fire. A necrotic fire skeleton created in this manner
Hit: 15 (2d8+6) piercing damage.
collapses into ash after one minute.
Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Description: Necrotic fire skeletons (also known as
creature.
necrofire skeletons) are similar to “normal” undead
Hit: 15 (2d8+6) bludgeoning damage.
skeletons except their bones are blackened with necrotic
fire and their claws are wreathed in this fire.
Rock. Ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, range 60 ft./240
ft., one creature.
Hit: 28 (4d10+6) bludgeoning damage. NPCS
Necrotic Fire (Recharge 5-6). The necrolossi exhales City Guard
necrotic energy in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that Guard
area must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw, Medium humanoid, neutral
taking 8d6 necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as
much damage on a successful one. A humanoid slain by Armor Class 16 (chain shirt, shield)
this energy rise as a necrotic fire skeleton, their flesh Hit Points 11 (2d8+2)
seared away by the necrotic fire. Speed 30 ft.
Description: The necrolossi were created by the fallen STR 13 (+1), DEX 12 (+1), CON 12 (+1), INT 10 (+0), WIS
Dersatti to serve as unliving siege weapons and 11 (+0), CHA 10 (+0)
instruments of terror. In the ancient wars, they strode
through the cities of the mortal races, turning buildings Skills Perception +2
into rubble and slaughtering those who would stand Senses passive Perception 12
against them. Languages Common
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)
Crafted from the bones of giants and dragons, a Actions
necrolossi is animated by necrotic fire. In battle it slams
its opponents with its fists, bites them with its draconic Spear. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5
maw and spews forth necrotic fire. This breath is its most ft. or range 20 ft./60 ft., one target.
terrifying weapon, for humanoids slain by it arise as Hit: 4 (1d6+1) piercing damage or 5 (1d8+1) piercing
damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.
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4
You can use an action to unhook the hook from
Commoner the chain, closing the portal. Any creatures or
Medium humanoid, neutral Objects within remain in the pocket dimension.
Armor Class 10 No matter what's in the dimension, the chain
Hit Points 4 (1d8) always weighs 5 pounds. The chain cannot be
Speed 30 ft. brought within the extradimensional space and
STR 10 (+0), DEX 10 (+0), CON 10 (+0), INT 10 (+0), creatures within cannot escape when the portal
WIS 10 (+0), CHA 10 (+0) closed, unless they have the means to travel
between the planes (the pocket dimension is a
Senses passive Perception 10
Languages Common tiny plane).
Challenge 0 (10 XP) A breathing creature within a closed portable
Actions hole can survive for up to an hour, after which
Club. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one time it begins to suffocate.
target. Since the cube is a pocket dimension rather
Hit: 2 (1d4) bludgeoning damage. than an extradimensional space,
extradimensional spaces can be safely brought
within it and the chain can be safely stored in an
HOOK? extradimensional space.
The encounter can serve as a hook for
additional adventures. The city authorities will be FREE STUFF!
very interested in finding Kell and there might be
I regularly make free D&D stuff available,
other dangerous and interesting things stored
including map collections and encounters.
within the dimensional chain.
FREE MAP COLLECTIONS
MAGIC ITEM Mike's Free Maps Collection #1
DIMENSIONAL CHAIN Mike's Free Maps Collection #2
Mike's Free Maps Collection #3
Wondrous item, legendary
Mike's Free Maps Collection #4
This solidly made chain is 30 feet in length and
Mike's Free Maps Collection #5
weighs a mere 5 pounds. Each end as a small Mike’s Free Maps Collection #6
hook, suitable for attaching to any of the chain Mike’s Free Maps Collection #7
links (or each other).
If an action is used to connect one (or both) of FREE RULES
the hooks to the chain, a portal to an
extradimensional space will open within the Mob Rules
circle (or other shape) of the chain.
The portal allows access to a pocket dimension FREE ENCOUNTERS
that is a 50-foot cube. Regardless of the
orientation of the chain, the opening appears on
Mike's Free Encounter #1: Necromancer's Stash
one of the cube’s walls with the bottom of the Mike’s Free Encounters #2: Worg Riders
portal lined up with the floor of the cube. The Mike’s Free Encounter #3: Haunted Stones
cube has its own gravity. The interior of the cube Mike’s Free Encounter #4: Kobold Emissary
is dimly lit by the faintly glowing pale blue walls Mike’s Free Encounter #5: Gnark Horse
of the pocket dimensions. Mike’s Free Encounter #6: Ghost of Kella Thar
Mike’s Free Encounter #7: Capraemortu
Mike’s Free Encounter #8: Bonewalkers
Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. MFE#16
5
Mike’s Free Encounter #9: Alena Trel the Eye While acquiring his doctorate in philosophy at
Piercer Ohio State University, he earned his ramen
Mike’s Free Encounter #10: The Bog Witch noodle money by writing for Chaosium, GDW, R.
Mike’s Free Encounters #1-10 (pay what you want)
Talsorian Games, and TSR. After graduate
Mike’s Free Encounter #11: Shadow Fang Gnolls
Mike’s Free Encounter #12: Shadowed Fields school, he became a philosophy professor at
Mike’s Free Encounter #13: River Pirates Florida A&M University. His first philosophy
Mike’s Free Encounter #14: Bad Mercenaries book, What Don't You Know?, was published in
Mike’s Free Encounter #15: Dwarven Guard Post 2008. He continues to write philosophy and
gaming material. He is also a blogger, but these
Stuff to Buy! days who isn't?
I also sell stuff for D&D: When not writing, he enjoys running, gaming
and the martial arts. Thanks to a quadriceps
ADVENTURES tendon tear in 2009, he was out of running for a
while, but returned to the trails and wrote a book
Arrogo's Tomb about it, Of Tendon & Trail. He can be contacted
Belmey (pay what you want) at ontologist@aol.com.
Broken Mine 5E
Michael LaBossiere’s Amazon Author Page
Dragon Hunt
Tower of Zakelana Michael LaBossiere’s Paizo Page
Michael LaBossiere’s DriveThru RPG Page
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Michael LaBossiere’s Dungeon Masters Guild Page
Dr. Michael LaBossiere is a gamer/runner from
Maine who went to school in Ohio and ended up
a philosophy professor in Florida.
Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. MFE#16
6
MAPS
Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only.
MFE#16 7
