E18 — Western Excavation – The Price of Prophecy (Production)

Reiver's Right — E18-6

Western Excavation

A failed cut breached something much older than the Golden Hand.

The western cut ends against compact gray clay and fitted ancient stone. Modern drill marks stop several feet from a half-buried carved marker.

Beside it stands what first appears to be a collapsed clay statue. Then its head turns.

The Barrow Guardian

A Barrow Clay Sentinel (Creature 3) activates only if a creature crosses the carved boundary, removes the marker, or damages the ancient stonework. The party can withdraw; it does not pursue.

Challenge: Recognize the Boundary

Primary CheckSociety DC 16, Druma Lore DC 14, Archaeology Lore DC 14, or Crafting DC 17

Success identifies the serrated motif as ancient Macridi Blade work and proves the modern excavation penetrated an archaeological layer.

Source: Custom Creature

Uncommon · Medium · Construct · Earth

This clay-and-stone guardian predates the modern camp. Serrated motifs associated with the ancient Macridi Blade culture run around its shoulders and chest.

Perception +9; darkvision

Skills Athletics +12

Str +5, Dex +0, Con +4, Int -3, Wis +2, Cha -4

AC 19; Fort +12, Ref +7, Will +9

HP 52; Hardness 3; Immunities bleed, death effects, disease, doomed, drained, fatigued, healing, mental, paralyzed, poison, sickened, unconscious

Speed 20 feet

Melee ◆ Clay Fist +12, Damage 1d10+5 bludgeoning.

Ranged ◆ Clay Shard +10 (range 30 feet), Damage 1d8+4 piercing.

Barrow Tremor ◆◆ 10-foot emanation, DC 19 basic Reflex, 2d6 bludgeoning; on a failure the creature also falls prone. Recharge 1d4 rounds.

Guardian's Boundary The sentinel does not pursue beyond the Western Excavation. If intruders withdraw and leave the marker alone, it returns to its alcove.

Treasure / Evidence

Macridi Blade Survey Token

A fired-clay token in the spoil bears a serrated hand-and-blade motif unrelated to the Golden Hand.

Value: 3 gp to a scholar. Lore: Evidence the dig cut into a pre-modern archaeological layer.