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I'm not sure how fitting this is, but would it be possible to devise a collar that suppressed magical abilities? Or possibly an entire school? I'm thinking a little outside the box here, but there are similar devices in other fantasy tropes. (Legend of the Seeker) And if there were such a thing, would they be appropriate for 6th level casters to have and use?
As for encounters, for 6th level adventurers, this is what I have a list of, so far. Boss
That's why I was thinking of having the magi, who would basically enforce that restriction by being the neighborhood watchmen. In a town of 2500, 50 magi could each watch 49 individuals (or about there). In addition, there is a bounty for information leading to the arrest of diviners. Its not a perfect system, but you want the PCs to be challenged, not defeated on day 1. If only a quarter of the population can use magic, that reduces the number significantly. 50 Magi could each watch 9 casters. Or they would more likey group up and rotate among the whole populace.
Sorry, its supposed to be a small town, well maybe a large town, population 2500, with about 500 of that being students. I was originally planning on it being a city, so I wrote it down in my description. There is a resistance movement because the Witchwyrds, in addition to banning divinations, and prevented prominent folk from leaving the town, have introduced other laws and legalities restricting the use of magic. But divinations (along with transmutations and enchantments) are the lifeblood of the noncombat core of the magic using society. Casting divinations and lesser enchantments and transmutations are the main ways that the magic users make money. Especially at the University. The Witchwyrds have also banned the sale of magic items. So those wizards and clerics who make money by crafting scrolls or potions have now lost that income. The young people also have a tendency to distrust any types of restrictions, and are quick to jump to conspiracy theories. Put those together with the strangeness of the witchwyrds, and you have a bit of a problem. I didn't think 50 magi would be too extreme a deal. I originally had 100 magi (level 2), but I thought I would make the class seem rarer by halving the number and increasing the level by 1. If you think that fighter/wizards seem appropriate, I can use those instead. Divination spells require components still, and carefully trained eyes can interfere with the casting of divination spells just as they start (Spellcraft)
Well, the Witchwyrds don't want to suppress their own ability to use divinations, just those of the townpeople. Boss Related: Mainly, the Dream Eater doesn't want to be discovered by alignment divination spells.
Hello everyone, I was hoping someone could help me with designing an adventure scenario for 6th level characters. Here's the story so far (about designing, not about the other adventures in the series). The PCs need to talk to a high priest (8th level) of a distant small town so that she can deliver (or interpret) a prophecy. Unfortunately, during their trip to the town (which takes a few weeks without magical travel), an Enclave of Witchwyrds (CR 6 individually) have practically taken over the city (for reasons they aren't sharing). Now I wanted to give them some fairly cool supporters, so instead of searching through the humanoids I thought that machine soldiers (CR 4 individually) might work. But to represent their influence in the city, they also have about 50 3rd level magi (maguses?) (CR 2 individually) fighting for them. (promised a new dawn of magical insight or the like). The Witchwyrds have banned divination in the city, and prevent persons in positions of high authority from leaving their post. This unfortunately includes the high priest, and prevents her from revealing the prophecy. There is a Resistance Movement building, though it is young people mainly. Some sorcerers or wizards from the town's university. Most magic wielders seem to sympathize with the Witchwyrds and look forward to the knowledge they can bring. Boss:
The Enclave is led by a Dream Eater Witchwyrd. (CR 8) Any ideas, suggestions for encounters, traps, conflicts? This is supposed to be a little more challenging than their previous encounters as this is supposed to be an uphill conflict (and it leads smoothly into the next adventure).
Ilantes nods carefully, looking at the title of a nearby book that's caught her attention. She turns to look at the door they were about to go through, but doesn't say anything.
Ilantes turns toward the sound of the voice in the hallway, her eyes wide in surprise, but she does her best to recuperate. "Oh hello. One of the servants informed us there was a library, and I was interested in knowing if you had any works on arcane lore, since I am a fastidious student of the arcane. The guards didn't seem to mind, so I hope we're not intruding." Diplomacy:
Ilantes tilts her head to one side as she listens to the sounds coming from the other side of the door, but she remains silent, wondering what the others want to do about their current situation.
Ilantes looks around the library with an attentive eye. "Do you suppose the orcs were the creatures that the servants warned us of? I still do not see any reason for their presence here. It is a little unnerving." She searches the library for tomes of magic or history, anything that might be related to Thassilonian magic or history.
"Ilyanes minariel selyn aeir." Sylvan:
Now here is pause for thought. Ilantes dares a closer look at the orcs outside what is apparently the library, but trying not to be obvious about her intentions. She looks to Ulm and Sergeant as they walk down the hall. As she lets her gaze flicker over the armored orken, she tries to size up their fighting potential, or see if she can determine more about their purpose by the style of clothing they are wearing. Spot
"Perhaps your strategies will work here better than mine."
"We have enough proof of malignant forces at work here. We should dispense with civilities and interrogate this monster and get the crux of the problem." Ilantes is thoughtful for a moment. "The monster, as you call her, has done nothing to earn that title, and as far as I am aware, has broken no laws. Unwarranted interrogation will earn us nothing, as there is as of yet no proof of wrongdoing. Some wrongs have been committed, it is certain, but where the culprit is we have not yet discerned." Ilantes lowers her voice as their guides bring them into the library. "We should question the 'creature' here in the library, though. Without interrogating it."
"First Gluttony and now Sloth.... I am beginning to think the Thassilonian sin-magics have risen again, here in this family for some reason. Lust, Envy, I am uncertain if I can recall the other ones. The Thassilonian culture was not one I ever had time to intellectually pursue. I encountered some things in my language studies of course."
Quietly to Ilantes, "Is that an orc, we can kill it if it's an orc." Ilantes shakes her head. "It is not. At least, it is like no orc I have ever seen. This once used to be a human."
Ilantes looks over the pitiful sight, unable to keep the sadness from penetrating her eyes. Ine daye of olde, bracht merrily
"The Laws of Magnimar will of course be upheld, but safety comes first. If you feel that you are in any danger, do not hesitate but flee from this place! Go to the town, and ally yourself with Bergen. Help us understand further where the dangers of this manor are so that we can deal with them in all haste."
Ilantes follows the woman into the room, standing with her legs shoulder-width apart as she listens to her questions. "You obviously have quite a tale to tell. If we have the time, and it can be done safely, begin at the beginning and tell us everything that has happened. At least, the beginning of this strangeness. If there is something that prevents us, then tell us only the most important information." Ilantes keeps a wary eye on the door, listening subconsciously to the sounds outside the room in the hopes of not being caught unawares should the situation merit it. Most of her attention is focused on the servants in front of her.
Ilantes raises an eyebrow, uncertain how to respond to the obvious duplicity. She looks to Ulm and Sargeant for assistance.
Ilantes catches up with the team just as the "housekeepers" asked their question. She looks them over, uncertain whether they are being polite or genuinely helpful. "As you may know, we are conducting an investigation on behalf of the City of Magnamar. If you know of anything... strange or unusual that has occured around here, that might assist our investigation. Is there anything you'd like to report?"
Ilantes runs back to the chapel to put the book back, but she thinks it is disgraceful to treat a book so poorly, then runs back to catch up with the others.
Ilantes looks around to see if any of the pages that had been torn out of the book were still around, then takes the book with her when she follows the others. "What? It should make for some interesting reading. I don't know who Irori is." She stops and asks the guard if she can take the book if no one at the mansion is taking care of it anymore.
"Hmmm, I'm afraid I know nothing of this Irori. But look! The pages of this book have been torn out." Ilantes holds the book up for the others to see.
Ilantes lets her gaze run over the walls and windows of the chapel, moving first to the left side of the room and then to the right to look more closely at certain features on the walls and windows (if there are any).
Ilantes looks around at the walls. "Who do humans worship these days anyway? Besides Abadar I mean. Erastil I can recall. Calistria, Cayden Caillean. And if I'm not mistaken a large part of the world is now worshipping Asmodeus." Ilantes searches for any signs of those deities.
Ilantes rubs a finger over a pew, looking at the dust on her finger then rubbing it off in disgust. "No one has used this building in a while." She looks around the chapel, keeping a wary eye out for anything strange or unusual in the quiet building.
Ilantes looks around at the others. "If we do go exploring, we should probably stick together. I know Galstak went ahead alone, but I hope he knows what he is doing. I do not trust the people here and do not want to leave anyone alone."
"I suspect the same thing. I also found it odd that Helmut's brother went to some pains to tell us that they deserted without indicating that he had made a further investigation."
Ilantes thinks for a moment, then turns to Ulm. "Send your familiar after him. Let us make certain Helmut comes to no harm at the hands of his family."
Ilantes bows to Bergen, then takes the reins as she climbs atop the wagon. "Unless anyone else thinks they can handle this thing, I suppose I'd better take the reins."
"Ishar deyan. Metarth calum ne sidyan calornith es triamlith caelentar. Shiran e lymnarel." Elven: Of course not. But I reserve judgment for where this danger is coming from. We have only the word of the villagers, and they offer nothing to back their claim. Keep your eyes open.
"Camlyth teldas migruen, Juco." Elven:
Proof is lacking, Juco. "Let us retain our judgment for when we have a more complete rendering of the story thus far."
Ilantes looks up, concerned. "That is, of course, your choice. I only ask that you consider that your family may be less hospitable to you now than they once were. It is true that we have found no evidence to support the claims of the villagers, but neither have we found any reason to disbelieve them. It is, as I have said earlier, a difficult position for us to be in." She pauses for a moment, allowing her words to sink in. "I do not think the defense of your family was completely laid out in our orders, but we will do what we can to avoid unnecessary bloodshed - of any party."
Ilantes shakes her head sadly. "It is a little more complicated than that, from what we have managed to learn from the locals. As Warders, it is our sworn duty to investigate what has happened to your family." Ilantes looks back to the doorway where Ulm, Sergeant, Juco, and Gary look on. "There are other events taking place though, events here in the town which make things more difficult for us. And as I promised, we will tell you what has happened as far as we (outsiders to this place) can recognize." Ilantes nods toward Ulm and Sergeant, urging them into the room (if they aren't already). "Ulm and Sergeant are fierce upholders of the laws of Magnimar. Ulm, despite his gruffness, can be an effective leader. So, I would like to ask them to gently explain to you what we have experienced since our arrival here in this town. It is related to your family, so I believe you have a right to know."
Ilantes looked back at the open doorway, where the priest and her companions stood, then back at Helmut. "I just have one more question about the events of that night. You said you saw the rider going west? Is there anything of interest to the west of here that the rider might have been moving toward, in your opinion?"
Ilantes sits down as well, watching Bergen quietly. She speaks to Helmut as she watches the priest. "I will tell you what I can, Helmut. But understand that we, all of the Warders, that is, are strangers here. We do not understand completely what is occuring. But it is obvious that something is occuring, and we must fulfill our duties by responding to the events of the times." She looks worriedly at Helmut. "Are you feeling alright? You are not too weak to answer some further questions, are you?"
Ilantes closes the door firmly, then turns back to Helmut. "I am sorry, Helmut. For someone who is so intelligent, he can be quite.... socially challenged sometimes. He does his best to follow the laws of Magnimar though, which is why he sounds so gruff and intimidating."
Ilantes looks down, surprised that she could have become so angry, and pinches the bridge of her nose in some distress. She looks back at the still upset Helmut. "Let me speak with my friend here. He can be a little too direct sometimes. It wasn't our intention to upset you, but... (laughing a little) you know how surly dwarves can get."
Ilantes nods toward the door, obviously intending to speak with Ulm and Sergeant outside of Helmut's earshot.
Ilantes stands up angrily and looks at Ulm. "Get out, before I have the priest and knight throw you out! We were asked not to question him about his family, and had I been more present of mind when you made those inquiries, I would have reminded you of that."
Ilantes calmly but forcibly speaks up again. "If you please, Ulm. This is relatively important. I would like to know more about the other rider." Ilantes is silent for a moment. "I also heard something that night. When I realized that Helmut was being attacked, I thought it was he that had yelled, but it seems...." Ilantes' voice trails off, as though she is heavily contemplating something. "It seems likely that the other rider is the one who summoned the fiends. What I heard.... it was not a cry for help."
Ilantes looks down in chagrin. "I apologize. I'm not trying to suggest anything negative. I'm just trying to piece things together." Ilantes is quiet for a moment as she thinks about the situation. "So you heard a shout for help, saw the rider, then were suddenly attacked by fiends?"
"He was just a little bit deeper in, not far. To the East I guess. He didn't seem to be going anywhere. I thought he was in trouble and was the one that called out. I hope that those creatures didn't attack him as well." The young man seems troubled by that thought. Ilantes raises an eyebrow. "Was there anything odd or unusual about this other rider?"
Ilantes is perplexed, trying to remember if they had seen any sign of another rider the previous night. "I regret that we saw no other rider.... which direction did he seem to be going?"
Ilantes looks at the young man solemnly. "Wind's greetings. I am glad to see you have survived the night. You fought bravely." She pauses for a moment. "I have some questions for you."
Ilantes' eyebrows arch in a display of irritation. "I was hoping he could provide some answers about his family. So far we have no proof that any wrong-doing has taken place. Just your word." She pauses for a moment in thought. "I would still like to speak with Helmet, if that is possible. Hopefully he can answer some questions about the things that attacked him last night."
Ilantes turns to Juco when she sees him enter the dining room. "I would like to see if the man we helped is now awake. Perhaps he can answer some questions I have. After that, I suppose I will wait to see what our "commander" wants us to do. I won't say that I'll agree, but I'll go along with whatever."
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