Canopy Creeper Attacks

[tcharleschapman]

Hi everyone,

Does the canopy creeper stay up in the canopy or does it descend to the boat? It's got the reach to hit with vines, but that is beastly hard to kill then.

[BzAli]

I'll just add a spoiler tag, since it's pretty sad to have some enemys tactics spoiled. Only read on if you're a GM:

Spoiler:

I had it stay up and above, and just lashing out with vines. Remember it only has 4, and needs a move action to get a new one. So if the PCs cut one down, it either has to full-attack with the 3 remaining, or spend 1 move action to get it back, and then only make a standard attack with 1 of the 3 remaining.

I also skipped the pull-effect on the PCs, but used it for dramatic effect on the crew. Basicly, I started the fight with the creeper pulling up two crewmen on watch, to give the PCs a fair warning that something was attacking them, and had the ability to both grab and pull. Then I grabbed the first PC to go on deck, but didn't pull, thus giving them a chance to free him... from round 3 I started pulling, since they by then were only on deck due to sheer stupidity and poor tactics, which I believe should be a punishable offense. :)

Attacking crew and demonstrating grab meant the PC's had the chance to realize something from above was doing the attacking, and then it became a serious tactical challenge... but that's what makes it interesting.

[tcharleschapman]

Thanks, BzAli! That helps a great deal.

Tom

[Azmyth]

Spoiler:

My players anchored outside of the cove, took small boats in and explored underwater.
The Creeper never got a chance to introduce himself.

[vikingson]

Didn't use the Canopy Creper, because no-one in his right mind would sail into that "sheltered bay" (no wind, no nothing, no reason to actually sail in). Plus, the whole location says "trap".

And basically, if the players go there by longboat or dinghy, things become extremely deadly for them - pretty hard to attack or cast a spell if you have been grabbed and killing the Creeper with light weapons ? Or being dropped into the water when someone cuts your vine - with weapon in hand, full armour and possiby some provisions in your backpack ? Good Luck...

Actually going into that location is a "punishable crime" - but is that fun for the campaign overall ?

[Andrea1]

I believe a group did get TPK'd by the creeper, gotta be awkward for a new party if they continued.

"Our officers got killed by a giant plant, would you be our new officers and go back to the place where they got killed?"

[vikingson]

Andrea1 wrote:

I believe a group did get TPK'd by the creeper, gotta be awkward for a new party if they continued.

"Our officers got killed by a giant plant, would you be our new officers and go back to the place where they got killed?"

yeah I rember that.. somewhere in the Obits Thread^^

[vikingson]

Andrea1 wrote:

I believe a group did get TPK'd by the creeper, gotta be awkward for a new party if they continued.

"Our officers got killed by a giant plant, would you be our new officers and go back to the place where they got killed?"

yeah I remember that.. somewhere in the Obits Thread^^

[brewer.t]

I am not running the Skulls & Shackles module, but I ran an encounter with an Canopy Creeper in a forested swamp. I was wondering what you all thought about this.

1. If the character caught sight of the vines attacking (perception/nature check), and the vines were going for a grapple, the victims/PCs get an attack of opportunity, correct?

2. Once the victims/PCs are grappled, is the "Feed" attack instantaneous, or is that the next round?