The Shattered Sanctum

• A1 × Bearded Devil (CR 3, 700 XP)
• B6 × Dretch (CR 1/4, 50 XP each)

XP

1,000 of a 1,000 XP low budget

Party

4 characters of level 4

The ground is glass, and far below it something vast is moving. Wind howls without moving a single hair.

Setup. Six dretches led by a bearded devil have been bound to guard the Shattered Sanctum and resent every minute of it.

Terrain

• Burning ground: a creature that ends its turn on the cracked, glowing ground takes 2d6 Fire damage.
• Wild magic: a creature that casts a spell of 1st level or higher must roll a d20; on a 1 the spell targets a random creature instead.

Tactics. They try to grapple or drag a single victim away rather than fight fair.

Twist. The creatures are under a curse, and breaking it is worth more than killing them.

Adjust on the fly

• Easier: Remove one dretch (−50 XP).
• Harder: Add one more dretch (1,050 XP total, moderate for this party).

Treasure. 250 gp and 750 sp; Potion of Climbing.