This adversary can be spotlighted up to two + X times times per GM turn, where X is the number of Branded PCs in the scene. Spend Fear as usual to spotlight them.

The Soot King takes double damage from successful attacks made by PCs while his Burning Heart Countdown is active. After taking damage in this way, the Soot King gains a permanent -1 penalty to his Difficulty and +1d6 bonus to his standard attack damage. Describe how this changes the Soot King's actions, appearence, and demeanor.

Mark a Stress to make an attack with a +5 bonus to the attack roll against a target wihing sight. On a success, the target is magically pulled into Melee range with the Soot King, who lifts them by the neck, deals 2d20 direct physical damage, then drops them. The target's neck is ringed in burned flesh, Branding them until their next long rest. The Soot King can't use this action against a Branded target.

Countdown (2). Activate this countdown as the Soot King opens his chest and exposes the Brambleheart, which glows with malevolent flame. It ticks down when a PC makes an action roll. When it triggers, immediately spotlight the Soot King, who unleashes a searing beam at any number of targets in a line. All targers take 2d10+4 magic damage, the the spotlight returns to the PCs.

When the Soot King has marked half or more of his HP, summon a nunmber of Decaying Cave Creatures equal to 3+ the number of PCs in the scene. The Decaying Cave Creatures appear within Close range.