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Necromantic Bridge

th tier (
Challenge
DC
Area
(less than 1 hour)

A bridge made of bones spans a sinister-looking pool of black water before vanishing into the waterfall that feeds the pool. The surrounding area is devoid of life. No moss grows on the walls, and no signs of vermin are present.

A living creature that isn’t a necromancer that steps onto a section of bridge at least 20 feet from the either end triggers a Failure.

Bridge. The bones making up the bridge are held together with bits of red-gray sinew. An Investigation or Perception check, observing the bridge for at least 1 minute, or witnessing a creature cross it reveals that the bridge is animated. A creature that makes an Arcana or Religion check recognizes that the bridge is friendly to undead and necromancers and grants them safe passage. Creatures carried by a construct or undead can cross the bridge safely, though they still need to deal with the waterfall.

Water. Both the waterfall and the pool below are black and unwholesome looking. A creature that enters the pool or waterfall for the first time on a turn or starts its turn in the water takes 54 (12d8) necrotic damage. Constructs and undead are immune to this damage. A creature that makes a Religion check suspects that the waterfall flows from one of the rivers of the dead.

Dealing at least 50 cold damage to the pool freezes it. Creatures can walk across the frozen pool without taking necrotic damage.

Waterfall. Holding aloft a large flat object (such as a door or table; shields other than tower shields are too small) allows a creature to pass safely under the falls.

Magical Effect. The bridge is a 9th-level necromancy effect. A successful dispel magic or an effect that turns undead destroys the bridge, causing it to collapse into the pool below.

Spell Solve. Magic that makes a creature appear to be undead (such as arcanist’s magic aura ) allows that creature to cross the bridge but does not shield them from the waterfall. Spells that create solid walls can make structures that allow passage under the falls. A creature protected by a resilient sphere can cross the bridge without touching it and can pass beneath the waterfall safely.

Possible Solutions
  • A creature that knows or has prepared at least two necromancy spells of 1st level or higher registers as a necromancer and can cross the bridge safely. The bridge forms a “covered bridge” structure that allows the creature to pass beneath the waterfall as they approach.
  • A creature can make an Arcana or Religion check to “spoof” this necromantic capability.

Potential Outcomes

Critical Failure. As a Failure, but the creature is first slammed against a wall or crushed in a giant, bony fist, taking an additional 21 (6d6) bludgeoning damage.

Failure. An arm made of animated bones forms out of the bridge’s structure and attempts to shove them into the water below. The creature must make a Dexterity or Strength saving throw (creature’s choice). On a failure, the creature is flung into the pool, taking 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage from the fall, and is subjected to the effects of the water.

Success. The creature fools the bridge into believing it is an undead creature, a necromancer, or the like, and can cross the bridge safely.

Critical Success. As a Success, and the bridge treats the creature’s companions as their entourage, allowing other creatures to pass safely for the next minute.