KennBo's page

Probably a very stupid question, but one that needs answering. I'm running my group through Level 8 tonight, the Circle of Viss-Thar, but I can't wrap my head around the Spectral Serpent trap in H2, specifically regarding these "gigantic spectral snakes."

It says "the snakes fill the entire corridor and cannot be bypassed" and they push any PC within 10 feet of its movement and deal 2d6 pts of damage to any PC it pushes.

Am I to assume that the spectral snakes have the same stats block as the emperor cobra they turn into? If so, it's movement is 30, but that contradicts the fact it takes the snakes 11 rounds to push PCs to the central chamber. None of this adds and I can find nothing about spectral snakes anywhere. Moreover, outside of dispelling, how would one "destroy" a gigantic spectral snake?

Please help. I know my group will argue with me until they're blue in the face about this and I'd like to be able to have answers (i.e. shut them up quick and move on).

As a long time player, but a new GM, I'm quite glad I read this thread before getting into the guts of the superdungeon. It's given me reason and circumstance to go back and re-evaluate how I planned on running the game.

For instance; instead of having my four PCs tear through the goblin fodder on the first floor — as they normally do — I'm going to try to introduce some comedic elements into the darkness. With three PCs without darkvision, it should be a hoot. They're a hack and slash bunch, so I'm looking forward to slowing their onslaught. How they feel about LV2 and it's similar qualities... that remains to be seen.

The party includes a human rogue (gunning for arcane trickster), a human bard, a dwarven monk and a half elf druid. The latter three are cross classing, but haven't made up their minds. To make it even more challenging, I limited them to core rule book races. They always manage to create powerful characters one way or another, so I'm not concerned.

We've already started with a short session setting up the town and providing the adventure hooks, forcing them into roleyplaying situations. They seem fine with the idea of catering to the Hell Knights and forking over 30% of their goods... for now. I notice some people suggest the Hell Knights only want the take on what the PCs nab on the road outside Fort Inevitable and not from within the Spire itself. My Hell Knights expect their percentage on everything, regardless of where it comes from. Is this a bad idea? Will there be enough gold to go around to keep the party sated?

We tackle the first level tomorrow night. Keep ya posted.