Lassiviren

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I'm selling off most of my RPG collection and I'm wondering if the full print run of the entire Savage Tide AP (both Dungeon and Dragon) has any value. I put my hardcover Shackled City up on eBay recently but there were no takers. Any advice/insight or interest buyers welcome!


I plan to start a new 4E campaign set in Golarian sometime in mid-October, and I'm looking for additional players. We're a group of thirtysomethings so we prefer to game with people 21 and older. Sessions will be bi-weekly and held in Hightstown, NJ (just off of exit 8 on the Turnpike) on Saturday afternoons, most likely 11-6. E-mail me at quirkjames@gmail.com if you're interested.


Well, it should be obvious to some by now that I like tinkering with this AP. Big parts of the plot make no sense to me and I find myself changing a lot on the fly.

My party is in the middle of "The Lightless Depths," but I'm already thinking ahead to "Serpents of Scuttlecove," when the PCs are supposed to blithely sail into a notorious pirate city. I think that's lame.

What I plan to set up is a big naval battle between the PCs, whatever help they can rustle up from various sources, and the Crimson Fleet. I think it's more fun to do that, let the PCs hack up some pirates, rout them, and then say, "Ho ho, so the PCs routed a good portion of the Crimson Fleet's armada and sent them limping back to Scuttlecove. Now is the time to slip into the city undetected!"

What I'm thinking about now is: How big should I make the armada that the PCs tangle with? How should I set up the scenario? And what kinds of pirates/monsters should the PCs face?


Adventure paths can be cool, but sometimes I think it's more fun to have more variety between adventures. Sometimes the complex and overarching plotlines that drive adventure paths - like that of Savage Tide - get convoluted and hazy as your group meanders through everything.

Lately I've been thinking about starting a new "campaign" that uses all prewritten stuff. This got me thinking - wouldn't it be cool to pick the best modules out there to form a fun "adventure path" that would keep people engaged all the way through?

So, I'm wondering which modules people would pick, if they could have their choice of anything. This includes old-school D&D Basic, AD&D and 2E modules. Anything goes. Let me hear some cool ideas!

I'll post mine in a bit, I'm still debating a few.


I'm gonna go ahead and have my PCs fight the dragon turtle. I'd like to also develop his lair - I'm thinking a sunken temple that Emraag has claimed over the years. What are some cool monsters that you would use to populate the place? After killing Emraag I don't want to make his lair a death-trap per se, just something exciting and weird.


DMs - how did you handle character gold at the start of "Here There be Monsters?" The adventure text states that the characters wake up with whatever weapons, armor and items they had on their person, and the rest is assumed lost. I've given the PCs a decent chunk of GP through two sidequests thus far, but I actually do like the idea of them losing all but a few hundred GP each they may carry on their person. I'm curious to see how others handled this part.


The more my Savage Tide campaign progresses, the more it's really turning into a homebrew campaign, using the STAP as a bit of a sandbox, as has been mentioned before.

My players are really into the idea of waging naval battles against fleets of pirates or what have you. I'm thinking of adding at least one big battle sequence like this, using the rules in Stormwrack.

Has anyone else played around with this? I was thinking of having each of the PCs - seven in all - each control a warship and square off against either a contingent of the Crimson Fleet or something else I make up.


As I've mentioned in other threads, my current group consists of seven PCs + one riding dog who tends to roll really well. So I've been buffing encounters, and lately I've found it more fun to throw in different monsters rather than just double-up on everything. For example, I added level 3 tasloi ninjas in Vanderboren Manor during "The Bullywug Gambit" and called them "Disciples of the Glutton" - part of a cult that worships Emraag.

I could use some cool ideas, either for specific encounters or just random world-stuff. I'm open to any and all books.


I'm curious to see if anyone took the adventure path down this road after the battle with Diamondback in "The Bullywug Gambit." At this point at least two of my PCs want revenge on the Kellanis for the murder attempt, and why not? I think it's pretty weak that the Kellanis just fade into the background, wreathed in shame after the Diamondback attack.

I've left the option open to my group to launch a nighttime raid on the Kellani estate if they wish. What do you think they should encounter?


So, having read the AP, one of the glaring weak points in the advancement of the plot is forcing the PCs to negotiate with Emraag the dragon turtle. I just can't see how this is going to be any fun, or how it's going to make any sense. Consider: "Sail out there with these bags of loot, try and bribe this powerful dragon turtle that's been causing all kinds of problems, and by the way, there's no guarantee this will work."

Screw that. I think I'd rather have Lavinia straight-up ask the PCs to end Emraag's reign of terror once and for all. The question is, how hard would it be for a party of 7 lvl 11 characters (possibly 12 by the time they get to Emraag) to bring down a CR 16 advanced dragon turtle? Should I give them a small band of hirelings to help out, or something else? Is it just too hard - would I be sending the PCs to their doom?


I wanted to review some of the comments in the thread I posted about scaling Savage Tide for a larger party of players, but it seems to have vanished...?


Here's the account of our first session so far:

A Savage Tidings Tale

Subtitled: Rebel Without A Clue

Being the story of one Thalas Serranon, elven battlemancer, his companions, and their adventures in, around, and beyond the fabled city of Sasserine.

Dramatis Personae:

As of 7 OCT 07:

Arjan, Human Druid 1 (Vow of Poverty) (Played by KingCrab)
Athal, Elf Warblade 1 (Played by drquestion)
Kyrsith, Elf Cleric 1
Thalas, Elf Duskblade 1 (Played by Olgar Shiverstone)
Morderas, Half-Drow (?) Rogue 1

Author's Note: This is a log of a 3.5 campaign based on the Dungeon Savage Tide Adventure Path. EN World's Failed Saving Throw is the DM. I'm not the greatest fiction writer, and I don't know how often I'll update this campaign log, but hopefully some of the other players and DM will also post here to provide their perspectives.

Session 1: It begins.

In which our heroes are introduced, a mysterious letter arrives, and an even more mysterious ship is investigated invaded.

Thalas was knocking back a mid-day brew at the Hunter's Trap in Sunrise, pondering whether to take a stroll down to the arena, break out a spell book for a bit of study, or head out to Standign Stone Park for a bit of blade practice when she walked into the tavern.

The human boor talking loudly about the deer that got away and its impossible size paid her no mind, nor would he -- she was a grey-haired, elderly halfling woman, who stood but three foot in height, just over half Thalas' size. Thalas typically took but little notice of humans except as sources of amusement, and even less of halflings, but this woman strode purposefull toward him, bowing and handing him a rolled parchment with an unusual seal.

Thalas raised an eyebrow at the halfling woman, then broke the seal and unrolled the parchment. It read:

Quote:
Greetings, and I trust this missive finds you in good health!

My name is Lavinia Vanderboren, and I humbly request your attendance at dinner at my estate on Festival Street and Blue Skink Lane tomorrow evening. I thikn that I can present you with an opportunity uniquely suited to your skills. Please inform the carrier of this letter of your response to this invitation, and I hope to be speaking to you soon!

-- Lavinia Vanderboren

Corellon's hairless nutsack! Thalas thought. A decade of ditching the nobility and they've finally tracked my down. My uncle is probably behind this, which means I should head for the jungle immediately. On the other hand ... the Vanderborens aren't usually marching to the tune of the Dawn Council, and have been in disgrace. Perhaps by going along I'll find out what hand my uncle played in tracking me down. Who knows, it could give me my first clue.

He put down the letter. "Tell Lavinia I'll be there." He was most certainly not going to bow and scrape to one of Sasserine's leading families, no matter how rich. Precautions might be needed ... a chain shirt under his tunic tonight, Demonbane at his side. A sword could appear formal, but still show he couldn't be cowed.

The halfing woman was departing the tavern; on a whim Thalas swiftly rose and followed her. Best check to make sure she really serves the Vanderborens!

He darted from alley way to alleyway as she made her way across the Sunrise disctrict to the bridges to the Merchant's Quarter. The diminutive woman looked neither left nor right, and kept up a steady pace. Thalas meanwhile moved in a crouch, taking exaggerated care not to be seen -- never mind that it was noon, there wasn't a shadow to hide in anywhere, and the streets were crowded enough that is every move could be seen. Sneaking had never been his strong suit.

Eventually, the halfling reached the large, walled compound that was the Vanderboren estate in the Merchant Quarter. Satisfied that she was whom she claimed, Thalas broke off pursuit, returning to Sunrise to prepare for the morrow's entertainment.

Sasserine is an odd city. Backed against the Amedio Jungle, it is a long, long way from the better known and more civilized parts of the Flaness. As the only port in the region, though, it serves as a center for both trade and civilization. Beings of many cultures met and mingled in Sasserine to exchange goods and services. Pirates secretly serving the Scarlet Brotherhood might enter the port to do more or less honest buiness, while adventurers gathered strange animal, plants and artifacts from the jungles to the south for sale in the back alleys of Sasserine's grey market. If it can be imagined, went the old phrase, it can be seen or bought in Sasserine.

So it was without particular surprise that Thalas found the oddly matched pair awaiting him at the gates of Vanderboren manner the following evening. He'd arrived fashionably late, just as planned, his father's sword worn rakishly on one hip, and a moderately serviceable shirt and tunic covering his chain shirt beneath. He'd deliberately mussed his straight black hair, the better to present his planned facade of cautious indifference. If Lavinia Vanderboren really knew who he was, he would send the message that we hasn't afraid; if she didn't, then his current appearance would be assumed to be his normal character, and so much the better.

The two beings waiting outside the gate, however, did not appear to have taken equal care. One appeared to be a human of indeterminate gender. Race, even, was hard to determine as the man? woman? thing? stank to Arborea, wore about six layers of never-cured hides, and had painted all exposed skin with green and black pigments. The other was a male elf of about Thalas' age, who paced nervously back and forth, wearing very fine clothing that was obviously newly purchased for the occasion.

To his surprise, Thalas did recognize the elf. He shouldn't have been startled; the elven population of Sasserine was fairly small, and even this far from the center of elvendom on Oerth all the elves of a certain age still spent time together learning the traditional elven arts of sword and bow, woodcraft and magecraft.

"Athal! What are you doing here?" Thalas asked. He knew Athal vaguely -- they had sparred a few times a few decades back when both were still learning the sword, but had seldom crossed paths since. Thalas had a vague memory of Athal being from one of the poorer elven families in Sasserine, an issue made much of by his parents but that made little sense at the time to a just-turned-seventy elf boy.

"I was invited." Athal flourished a parchment similar to that Thalas carried. "My sword and services are required by the great house of Vanderboren."

Thalas sneered but said nothing. The -- thing -- under the hides watched but remained silent. Thalas shrugged. "I guess we go up?"

The gates were open, and from the lighted doorway of the manor itself Thalas could see another figure just entering. He and Athal followed, with the painted stranger training just beyond scent range behind.

The entryway of the manor was lavishly appointed with polished and inlaid wood, though the wear on many of the surfaces indicated that times were not as prosperous as they once had been. Thalas reviewed what he remembered of the Vanderborens. The were a weathy merchant family with interests in the shipping business, who made their money the new way: they earned it, sometimes honestly, sometimes not. They had been successful enough to buy influence with the Dawn Council, until recently. There had been a fire that had destroyed much property and killed the senior Vanderboren and his wife, leaving behind the two adult children, Lavinia and Vanthus. There were rumors of financial problems, but beyond that Thalas knew little. Human society changed so rapidly that it was impossible to keep up.

The elderly halfling woman who had delivered the message was waiting, along with another: Kyrsith, a young elven woman also of Thalas' age wearing the robes and sigil of the House of the Dragon, one of the academies in town. Thalas knew her moderately well, as his mother had served as Kyrsith's magical tutor for a time. They still occasionally crossed paths at some of the bookshops and magical emporiums in town, though they shared little else in common.

"Kyrsith, what brings you here?" Thalas inquired.

"I was invited, silly," Kyrsith replied smugly, "You?"

"The same. This is Athal, and ... ." The green mute remained mute.

"Welcome all," the halfling woman intoned. "If you would be so kind as to wait in the sitting room - " at this she motioned to a room off the foyer. "I'll inform my mistress that you all have arrived."

The four stepped into the sitting room, which was finely but not lavishly appointed and decorated with a nautical theme, paintings and bas-reliefs of various ships and watercraft adorning the walls.

"Who's the freak?" Thalas asked Kyrsith and Athal in a stage whisper. He eyed the green monster.

Athal shrugged, but Kyrsith smiled at the green mute and said "I'm Kyrsith, what's your name?"

"Arjan," came the response, but nothing further followed.

"Well, Arjan, " Kyrsith began, but she trailed off as four adventurers passed through the room. The first was a part-elven male clad in leather with daggers strapped everywhere on his person. The second was a dwarf, dark-skinned wearing green and brown robes. The third was an attractive -- by human standards, anyway -- human woman wearing the tattoo of a crescent moon on one side of her face. The last was a tall human male in a fine polished breastplate.

"I see them help has arrived," the man said jauntily as he passed.

"The help? The help!" Thalas shouted as the man departed. "Now, you come back and explain-". There was the sound of a gong, and from the adjoining chamber came a voice:

"Lady Vanderboren. Dinner is served."

The four were escorted into a large, well-lit high-ceilinged chamber dominated by a long polished table in the center which was surrounded by high-backed chairs. The table was set for a multi-course meal. At the far end of the chamber was a larger-than-life-sized portrait of a young, fair-skinned, bearded nobleman. Standing facing the portrait was a tall woman in an elegant blue gown. As she turned, her beauty became apparent. Even for a human she was striking, thin and lanky but clearly athletic, and with less than the usual curved padding that most human women carried. Given the woman's dress, Thalas noted that Athal was the only one actually properly attired for the occasion. He himself looked like a ragged vagabond in comparison. Arjan, meanwhile, was simply indescribable, and stared at the woman with what appeared to be hunger while he licked -- was that pink frosting? -- from his lips.

"I am Kavinia Vanderboren," the woman announced simply. "Thank you for responding to my summons." Athal and Kyrsith bowed their heads. Arjan stood slack jawed; Thalas merely smirked. "Please be seated."

Shrugging, Thalas flopped into a chair at one end of the table, opposite Kyrsith and Athal and next to Arjan. Lady Vanderboren remained standing, pacing, wrining her hands in obvious discomfort. Here we go, Thalas thought.

"You've all probably heard the rumors," Lady Vanderboren began. "It pains me to admit it, but most of them are true. Due to a series of unfortunate events" what an interesting choice of phrase "my family finds itself in debt to the Dawn Council, the Harbormaster, and several of the Guilds. Wealth we still have, but it lies in our magically locked vault beneath Castle Terakaian. The key to the vault -- a family signet ring -- is secured on one of our ships, the Blue Nixie. Unfortunately, the Nixie was seized for non-payment of debt, and though I have paid the required fee and more to a despicable man named Silar Vark, I still have not been granted access to the ship. I fear the ship may be being misused by factors unknown. In any case, I cannot risk the true nature of my plight becoming known across the city, which is where you come in. Here is my offer." She paused, reading their faces. Thalas tried to put on his best poker face, but succeeded only in looking glassy-eyed. "I'll give you 200 gold nobles each to gain access to the Nixie and retrieve my key, and if possible the money I paid Vark. Return, and there will be an additional reward for your help in reachign my vault."

Not what I expected, Thalas thought. My uncle profits from this how? If he's behind this, he'd be sinking Vanderboren's ship, not maneuvering me into helping her. Assuming she's not lying, and I doubt she is, helping her could be a real eyepoke to the old man.

He interrupted. "So let me get this straight. You want us to break into your ship, steal this key, ring, whatever; steal back your money, then break into your vault?"

Lady Vanderboren blushed. "I sincerely hope breaking and entering will not be required. You may be able to convince Vark to hand over the ship given that the requsite fees have been paid. but if not, well, you have the right of it."

Thalas smiled. Stickin' it to the man! "I'm in!" he announced impetuously.

Lady Vanderboren turned to Athal and Kyrsith. After a few questions and a bit of unpracticed fawning by Athal, both agreed to help. Arjan merely meekly asked: "You said something about food?"

Lavinia smiled and clapped for the meal to be brought in. Just as she did so, however, there was a commotion at the door. Two guards were dragging in a slight, cloaked figure who was struggling mightily.

"We found this one lurking outside, yer ladyship" one guard said, saluting. The two guards propped the prisoner up. He/she -- probably he, given the absence of certain features -- was of moderate height and slight of build, and wore a dark cowl that completely cloaked the face in darkness, save for a few stray whisps of pale hair that escaped from beneath it. The figure struggled to keep the cowl forward, but one guard jerked it back.

Lavinia Vanderboren gasped and went pale.


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I'm about to begin running Savage Tide with eight (gulp) players. Yes, I know, I'm probably nuts. Any advice on how to scale the first adventure up for a party of this size? Should I simply double the amount of monsters that appear, and then double the hit points of the "bosses" that occur?