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SPOILER ALERT Hello all, I'm an admitted lurker around here, only posting when I see the need or when I have a helpful comment; however, I just wanted to share an awesomely fun Siege of Redgorge scene. Quick Backstory
Nabthatoron barely got away and ever since then has dedicated a scry-a-day to keeping tabs on Korvain (and Alakast), who so nearly killed him. The PCs traveled to Occipitus and, as luck would have it, Korvain ended up throwing Kaurophon into the plasm and gained the Smoking Eye template (I like to call this type of character "chaotic everywhere" instead of "chaotic good" since, when something is going on, he has to be there). Last Game
Now, I was a bit intimidated by the whole point system and event driven scenario of the Siege of Redgorge that I have (from RPGenius); however, I was willing to run it as written. Fortunately, the PCs sped up events and made it an all out battle royale (keep reading). After meeting with the Chisel, the PCs decide to play diplomats. Two go to the human encampment, one stayed in town to formulate defensive strategies, and the other, Korvain, went to the half-orc encampment to parley with them. Remember, Korvain is on the deep doo doo list of Nabthatoron. The reason that Korvain wanted to talk to the half-orcs was that, during the fire elemental attack in Cauldron, he befriended a couple of them and thought that would get him far in this situation - not a bad idea. The Blue Duke is informed that Korvain is in camp and, having been in league with Nabthatoron, he knows immediately to send a runner to the demon's minions carrying the news that Korvain is in camp - alone. The Blue Duke meets with Korvain and the urban ranger begins to try to bribe the leader to leave the battlefield - again, not such a bad idea! The Blue Duke stalls and the talks go on for a good 30 minutes until one of the half-orcs steps into the tent and says, "Sir, your guests have arrived." As Korvain brings his attention back to the Blue Duke, he notices the man is smiling... Tent walls drop, the Blue Duke polymorphs into true form, and in the shadowy darkness Korvain sees dozens of figures, both demon and half-orc. Needless to say, Nabthatoron took revenge. Korvain died and Nabthatoron broke Alakast. Over the next minute, Nabthatoron gave an inspiring speech as to how the demons would raze Redgorge and Surabar's curse was lifted. However, Korvain has the Smoking Eye template and so, after that minute, his body was transported back to Occipitus. The time? 10pm Fast forward slightly:
1am - The demons, in a bloodlust frenzy, attack the human Cauldron forces as Nabthatoron retreats back to the jungle to rally more demonic support for the upcoming razing of Redgorge. 1:15am - As the party bard is playing in the Redhead Miner's Inn and the remaining PCs are enjoying the atmosphere, a scream is heard in the night. Then all hell breaks loose.
The demons do not attack anymore for tonight... they regroup and the planning begins. Meanwhile, the PCs find out that Korvain has been killed. They head to Occipitus, spend several hours (wind walk) getting to the skull, raise dead, plane shift, spend a full day traveling back to Redgorge (wind walk) to arrive as the city is under siege from demons and half-orcs. End game... The city, with its boost in numbers and siege weapons (salvaged off the battle field) can last 1.5 days (according to my math). Next game is gonna rock!!!!
Well, I need some advice. Let me give a brief synopsis of the group. There are 4 PCs: 11th level Cleric of Pelor, 11th level bard, 11th level urban ranger, and 11th level rogue. The 9th level cohort paladin was banished back to the prime material by a hezrou last game. Oh... and Kaurophan is with the party, but they totally suspect something. Anyhow, they were 40 miles from the entrance to the tube that leads to the final test. The cleric decides that wind walk would be a great idea (and I somewhat agree). The problem: he can only affect the other three PCs and they don't trust Kaurophan enough to take him with them anyway. Kaurophan, being determined, tells them that he'll try to keep up (flying and pushing it). The sad thing is that Kaurophan has been personable, extremely helpful, and I even had a "fake" character sheet for one of the PCs to use so they could run him. The problem is that the urban ranger is sooooo dark and mistrustful. This is just pissing me off. Anyhow, the PCs make it to the ulcer field, are seen by the black dragon on their approach, and immediately make for the acid bath where Saureya is pinned. They land next to Saureya (dragon hot on their trail), and begin to change back to non-misty form. This takes 5 rounds. Luckily, the dragon was about 7 rounds behind them. They didn't have any time to roleplay with Saureya as they all jumped into the acid pool after healing the angel. Saureya followed... and so did the large dragon who can easily fit through the tunnel. The dragon grabs the urban ranger, flies out of the tunnel to a height of 80 feet, and drops him. Meanwhile, the rest of the PCs come out to save their friend. A short battle begins and the PCs are definitely outmatched at this point - not because of power level, but because of their poor tactics. Saureya, written as a creature who could care less, takes the opportunity to get out of town and he flies off. The dragon successfully drains the strength on 2 PCs and, due to poor maneuverability and an angel moving at a slow speed in front of him, decides to take out Saureya. The PCs dive back into the acid pool thinking all is safe and Kaurophan catches up to them at this point. They spend about 5 minutes on the inside of the tunnel (just out of the acid pool) interrogating him and making him out to be a bad guy. They move up the "throat" about 100 feet when a commotion from behind tells them that the dragon is back and is ready for seconds. Now, they are in a 15 foot diameter tube with a dragon blocking the way out! Kaurophan buys some time with a wall of force and they rush up the tube to... anyone have a guess? That's right!!! All the commotion has warned the tube's other two inhabitants, the rakshasa and the fire giant, about the PCs presence. So... I have a group of 4, generally tough, PCs pinned between a black dragon (which, in the air could likely demolish the group) and these 2 bad guys (which I have thought for some time will be VERY tough for this group as the giant will likely mow through them). I asked that we stop the game early before things get too out of control. I don't want a TPK, but I have to be honest... I don't see too many options. One thing that might save them is if they don't wade into battle with kitty and the giant and instead ask to join forces to battle this dragon "less both groups perish." However, both groups will also know that they are contenders for the ruling hand of Occipitus. Hmm....
Hey all, I've recently been using DM Genie with SCAP. Currently, I have all of Zenith Trajectory inputted along with the maps, the creatures, and links to music (using RPGSoundMixer). Anyone else using DM Genie or RPGSoundMixer with their campaign? Any suggestions or interested in sharing DM Genie files?
I am toying with the idea of allowing the characters more time between chapters to "rest" and "level up." I'm not so much a fan of the simple farm boy becoming god-like in one year. It just is too hard to fathom (and yet a floating, talking eyeball is realistic... go figure). My party is just about to finish Flood Season and I thought that it would be nice to allow a passage of 6 months to a year. The reason for this is manyfold, but the top reasons are: (1) It allows the PCs to get more involved with the town and its politics. Several of the are considering buying homes. One is a priest of Pelor and he wants to do some major improvements on the shrine. Another is thinking about possibly starting an Aquirers Guild. All these things take time and the investment into the PCs is well worth it. The gnome is the party is in talks with the local governemtn to rebuild Jzadirune and that will take time. (2) Advancement! Like I said before, it's just too much for me to grasp that a few weeks ago these guys were wimps. Now, in just under 30 days (in game), they can perform feats most of the town can't. Even the best celebrity fitness gurus can't promise that. The time off would add the element of "training to perfect those skills." This could also lead to some cool contacts within (and outside of) the city. (3) REALISM! I know, it's a fantasy game, but... the PCs have mentioned a few times that, with all the stuff that happens around here and all the denizens below, WHY would ANYONE ever live here? Letting things "cool down" a bit may lessen that feeling of, "Ok, what's next?" What do you all think? Any comments would be appreciated...
Sorry DD for the shouting of your name in the subject line, but I am curious if you've completed the storyline modifications for your alternative AP. My players are thoroughly enjoying the adventure, but I'm afraid they are going to reach a point where my lack of time and resources may start to show. Thanks for all the hard work, MathemAddict |