Once the PCs have gathered the four necessary components for reactivating Minderhal’s Forge, they can bring them to Etena in the Forgeheart (area Z14), who will instruct them on how to reignite the forge. The PCs are under no obligation to relight the forge, though doing so will enable them to use it (along with the magic hammer Agrimmosh) to resize
URATHASH
much of the giant-sized treasure they find throughout the Giantslayer Adventure Path for their own use.
In order to relight the forge, the PCs must first line the furnace with the sacred clay, then place the fire geodes inside the furnace. They must then ignite the geodes with dragon fire and recite the Blessing of Rosag over the forge.
The first two steps are relatively easy and can be performed in the secrecy of the Forgeheart (area Z14), though secretly transporting the recovered components into the room may prove difficult.
The third step, lighting the forge with dragon’s fire, will likely prove more difficult. First, this task must be performed within the sanctuary of the cathedral at the sacred forge (area Z5). The PCs will need to secure at least the sacred forge, the nave (area Z4), and the choir loft (area Z6), driving off or killing any giants who might interrupt their ritual. Once that is accomplished, the PCs must figure out a way to ignite the fire geodes with dragon’s fire.
Remember, your objective should be to challenge the PCs to find a means of igniting the geodes, not to deny them the ability to do so. Below are a few options, but you should feel free to reward other creative solutions with success.
If the PCs have the Drakesbane Horn and have not yet killed Jahlvoraz in area Z18, they can use the horn’s sympathy power to attract the red dragon to the sacred forge, and either get him to blast the geodes with his breath weapon or at least ignite some other material with his fiery breath, which the PCs can then use to set the geodes alight. If the PCs have already killed Jahlvoraz, they can instead bathe the geodes in the dragon’s blood and then ignite the geodes with some other fire source.
The fourth and final step is also reasonably simple and can be accomplished with little effort, but it too must be performed over the sacred forge itself (area Z5). The PCs can recite the Blessing of Rosag over the glowing f lames themselves or ask Etena or Ferin to perform it.
At the conclusion of the ritual, a blast of fire catapults from the center of the sacred forge, sending a bright shower of sparks throughout the cathedral. Black smoke begins pouring from the chimneys in the cathedral’s spires, and the slag pit around the dais turns bright yellow and begins churning with roiling molten slag. See page 58 for details on the powers and abilities of Minderhal’s Forge once it has been reactivated.
Creatures: Relighting Minderhal’s Forge serves as the
catalyst for several possible encounters. Depending upon the PCs’ actions up to this point, they may have to face all of these encounters in quick succession, but provided they’ve already
defeated the cathedral’s primary NPCs, they’ll face only the Guardians of the Forge. Potential encounters following the reactivation of the forge are detailed below. Keep in mind that any combatants within 10 feet of Minderhal’s Forge will be within the area of effect of the reactivated forge’s
magic circle against chaos and magic circle against good effects. Etena’s Betrayal (CR 9+): Upon witnessing the relighting
of the forge, Etena realizes she has fulfilled her destiny. She thanks the PCs for their help, then demands they surrender the hammer Agrimmosh to her and leave Minderhal’s Valley. In her eyes, the PCs have finished the task she needed them for, and the oracle sees no use or purpose in keeping them around any longer. If the PCs refuse, Etena turns menacing and reminds them of her position as Keeper of the Forge; if they continue to resist, she turns violent and attacks. If this confrontation occurs near the sacred forge (area Z5), the shard slags (see Guardians of the Forge below) act as her allies. Together, Etena and the shard
slags are a CR 11 encounter.
If Etena is dead, her disciple Ferin (see area Z8) assumes the position of Keeper of the Forge role and acts as Etena would.
ETENA CR 9
XP 6,400
hp 117 (see page 60)
Guardians of the Forge (CR 10): A pair of ancient shard
slags, living oozes of magic-infused iron, lie imprisoned within the slag filling the pit surrounding Minderhal’s Forge (area Z5). During the height of the giants’ reign, priests bound these creatures to the forge to serve as its guardians. The slag in the slag pit melts 1d4 rounds after the forge is reactivated, releasing the shard slags. Though mindless, the oozes do their utmost to protect the forge and its keeper (currently Etena). If Etena is present, the shard slags first move to defend her, waiting upon her command. Otherwise, they attack any non-giants (such as the PCs) in areas Z4 and Z5. The guardians fight until destroyed, but they do not venture beyond the nave.
SHARD SLAGS (2) CR 8
XP 4,800 each
hp 126 each (Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 4 240)
Urathash (CR 13): If the PCs haven’t confronted Urathash
by this time, the relighting of Minderhal’s Forge is an event spectacular enough to attract his attention. The stone giant inquisitor quickly rushes to the sacred forge (area Z5) with his pet cave bear and two stone giant minions to investigate. If the PCs are still there, he attacks. If not, Urathash quickly assesses the situation and begins searching for the PCs. Once
he sets his mind to tracking them down, the inquisitor’s pursuit proves relentless.
CAVE BEAR CR 7
XP 3,200
Dire bear (Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 31)
hp 95
STONE GIANTS (2) CR 8
XP 4,800 each
hp 102 each (Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 151)
URATHASH CR 11
XP 12,800
hp 155 (see page 62)
Story Award: If the PCs successfully relight Minderhal’s
Forge, award them 9,600 XP.