This is the 21st encounter of my 4E conversion of The Sunless Citadel. I’m now using the DDI Monster Builder to generate my stat cards, and you may notice that I’ve updated my 4E twig blight brute from the original posting. The minion and artillery versions are getting similar treatment in future encounters.

Encounter 21: Compost Central
Encounter Level 3 (800 XP)

Overview
The PCs descend down the shaft and find themselves in the first of many grove areas where twig blights are being grown. Neither the sinister plants, nor their skeletal caretakers, are pleased to see them. The sounds of combat draw the bugbear hunter Balsag and his two dire rat pets from their den. This encounter includes:

• 2 Gulthias twig blights
• 2 skeleton shovelers
• 2 dire rats
• 1 Balsag, bugbear hunter

Area Description
Read the following to the PCs when they first descend into the area:

Luminescent fungus clings to the walls and ceiling, shedding violet light. The air is damp, chilly, and heavy with the odors of loam and decay. A layer of earth mixed with rotting vegetation and animal remains covers the floor of this wide cavern. Several varieties of mushroom grow on the detritus, including a few saplings. Two gaunt, cloaked figures busily shovel the well-turned earth into a rusted wheelbarrow.

Read the following to the PCs when they enter Balsag’s cave:

This rough cavern floor is stained with blood. Luminescent fungus reveals the a matted hair-and-fur pallet in a niche to the east. A wide wooden board is propped up against the wall next to the pallet, and several crude but deadly weapons are affixed to it. A great coat of patchy black fur hangs from a slender pole braced between the walls of the niche. Two large nests of fur and refuse are piled against the opposite side of the cavern.

• Illumination: Dim light.
• Tunnel to the Underdark: The tunnel out of Balsag’s lair leads to the Underdark. He uses it to hunt for game for the Durbuluk tribe.
• Treasure: Balsag carries a +1 pinning morningstar. A search through his pallet (Perception DC 15) will also uncover 165 sp, 10 gp, and a potion of resistance (fire). Searching the rats’ nests (Perception DC 15) will reveal an additional 60 sp and 40 gp.

Tactics
The twig blights will attack the closest PCs. The soldiers will seek to engage any PCs targeting the twig blights. The dire rats will try to flank a defender. Balsag will use his pinning blow on the same defender, followed by his predatory eye.