Sandbox Encounters: Zegoth (Gorilla-Men)...

Good Afternoon, All:

We made it! Woohoo! For my last post in the A-Z Challenge, I will be posting a Sandbox Encounter focused on a race of gorilla-men often used as slaves and laborers. Z is for Zegoth.

Zegoth

Brief Description: The zegoths are a gorilla-like humanoid servitor race subjugated by the Serpentfolk. Known for their strength and cruelty, they are often employed as by the serpenthfolk as warriors, enforcers and laborers. Zegoths stand about a head taller than Humans, and weigh thirty to fifty pounds more. Despite their cruel and mean-spirited nature, zegoths are considered by the serpentfolk to be the most controllable and thus most trustworthy non-reptilian race. Unless  adventurers have been captured by serpentfolk and placed into slavery, they will likely only meet these gorilla-men in the form of patrols and work details. Their presence often indicates that serpentfolk are not very far away.

Encounter Groups: These are common encounter groups for this type of encounter.

• Novice (levels 1-3): 5 Zegoth Warriors, 1 Zegoth Overseer. 2d6x5 silver shillings, basic mundane equipment. (I use a silver standard in my campaigns.)


• Seasoned (levels 4-6): 15 Zegoth Warriors, 3 Zegoth Overseers, 1 Zegoth Champion, 1 Zegoth Warlord. 3d6x10 silver shillings, basic mundane equipment.


• Veteran (levels 7-10): 30 Zegoth Warriors, 6 Zegoth Overseers, 2 Zegoth Champions, 1 Zegoth Warlord. 4d6x20 silver shillings, basic mundane equipment.

Stat Blocks: The following stats are provided as examples for inspiration. Please adjust as needed to fit your preferred gaming system and style.

• Zegoth Warrior: AC 8 [11]; HD 1d6+2 hp; Atk: by weapon (1d6+1); ST: 16; SP: Brute strength (+1 damage on melee attacks), resilient (+2 on saves vs heat and cold effects); MV: 12; CL 1; XP: 15.


• Zegoth Overseer: AC 5 [14]; HD 2d6+4 hp; Atk: by weapon (1d6+1); ST: 15; SP: Brute strength (+1 damage on melee attacks), resilient (+2 on saves vs heat and cold effects); MV: 9; CL 3; XP: 60.


• Zegoth Champion: AC 5 [14]; HD 4d6+8 hp; Atk: by weapon (1d8+1); ST: 13; SP: Brute strength (+1 damage on melee attacks), resilient (+2 on saves vs heat and cold effects); MV: 9; CL 5; XP: 240.


• Zegoth Warlord: AC 2 [17]; HD 8d6+16 hp; Atk: by weapon (1d10+1); ST: 9; SP: Brute strength (+1 damage on melee attacks), resilient (+2 on saves vs heat and cold effects); MV: 9; CL 9; XP: 1,100.

Encounter Ideas: Here are six different scenarios related to this encounter type.

1. The zegoths are a ragtag band of escaped slaves, fleeing their serpentfolk masters in the hope of keeping their freedom.


2. The zegoths are hard at work, preparing a site to serve as the encampment for a larger military unit that will be arriving within the day.


3. The zegoths are patrolling the region when the party encounters them.


4. The zegoths are returning to their encampment after an unsuccessful attempt to extort a tribute of trade goods and supplies from a nearby settlement.


5. The zegoths are transporting prisoners from one site to another at the order of their serpentfolk masters.


6. The zegoths challenge the party, demanding tribute to avoid unwanted attention from the gorilla-men.

Enjoy,
Flynn