Xzaral,
Wow. That was brutal. 76 points of damage... unbelievable.
Still, the little bugger probably had it coming. :)
But seriously, glad to hear you're having a good time. Congratulate your player. I've been watching several pbp games and had numberous play reports and he's the first PC death I've heard about.
He may literally be, in all the world, the first to die along the "Way of the Wicked".
He's a pioneer!
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
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Question for you Gary. If a PC dies, is there a contingency plan to have them come back? In regular games you'd just make up a new character, but these are chain ganged inmates. You can't just have another random person joining the group. Seems rather forced having Thorn introduce a new member, going "This person is also worthy of becoming a new knot member. Since you're done one person, they'll be joining you. He's already passed all of the tests to make it in." Ta-da.
I know in games I've been in, one of the first rewards our "employer" has given us, if he was a mage, was a "one time only" clone. There's also been access to resurrection scrolls. Reading over the two adventure paths, I don't really seem room for stuff like that.
Somehow Thorn doesn't seem like the being who'd go "Oh, they died. Guess that means they're worth the resources of a clone or resurrection." He'd just get a new group to be his knot.
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Kevin,
This is a great question and I believe I have now been asked it sufficient times that I am going put in at least a 2-page article about in either book 5 or 6. I'm leaning towards Book Six since that way I can do an overview of the entire campaign and how to replace players at every point in one article.
Here is the short answer to tide you over until that article comes out and it is spoiler-tagged because it is necessarily spoilerific:
Every PC death is individual and of course they all must be handled uniquely. That said, here are three natural vectors for introducing new PCs to a group as secretive and as evil as the Nessian Knot.
1) Thorn
Thorn wants to see his Knots remain vital and capable of fulfilling their missions and so he is always on the lookout for new talent. If he learns that the Nessian Knot is understrength (and he likely will thanks to certain devices in the PC's possession), he will send a replacement as quick as he can. The truth is that Thorn has been recruiting acolytes for years both within Talingarde and abroad. He could send literally anyone to help out the Ninth Knot. They would arrive with a letter bearing Thorn's seal and a rough understanding of the mission and its importance. This vector could even be an important clue for figuring out that Thorn is watching them magically and that if they intend to betray him (important in book 5!) that they must defeat his scrying.
Forced? Maybe. But this is probably the simplest and least handwaving way to quickly introduce a new PC and get back to the business of villainy.
2) Asmodeus
At several key points during the campaign it becomes clear that the big A himself watches the PC's progress. He changes the champion plate into dastard plate in Book One. He changes the sky above the Vale of Valtaerna to blood red in Book Three. And more. In some ways, your touch with this fiat must be light. But as way to introduce a new PC -- it could totally work. It was your destiny to join the Nessian Knot.
3) Minion/Cohort Promotion
By the beginning of Book Two, the PCs will have their own evil organizaiton working for them. One of their minions could prove particularly loyal and competent and be promoted to a PC. This could even be an established NPC, if a PC wanted to take on that roll. Someone could end up playing Trick for example after the Seventh is destroyed. Heck, someone could even end up playing Grumblejack. Or one of the Orphans in Farholde could prove particularly talented. Either way, a new PC is introduced and the PCs have little reason to be too suspicious since they recruited and hand-selected their new member.
Anyways, that's all for now.
Hope that helps,
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Xzaral,
Wow. That was brutal. 76 points of damage... unbelievable.
Still, the little bugger probably had it coming. :)
But seriously, glad to hear you're having a good time. Congratulate your player. I've been watching several pbp games and had numberous play reports and he's the first PC death I've heard about.
He may literally be, in all the world, the first to die along the "Way of the Wicked".
He's a pioneer!
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Ah, my poor halfling. None of my rogues ever survive. I played one in Council of Thieves and was demolished to about -24 hp by a skeleton triceratops. When my rogues die, they go all out lol.
Still, successfully implicating Edderly in the staged murder suicide of the Mott family with the use of the love letters (some forged) is worth the spectacular death. That and hiding next to Mrs. Mott's corpse lol.
Next up, Human Bones Oracle, sort of a voodoo version of Xykon from OotS. Now, how will I hide my undead horde :)
ChazzAtron5000,
Ah, almost a necromancer! Awesome, we continue throughout the entire adventure path to have scads of supports for necromancers and their ilk.
What sort of evil adventure path would this be after all, if there were no love for one of RPG's most archetypical villains?
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
I just posted my review of this here and on RPG Now. Suffice to say that this is a great book and if you can get it at all in dead tree format, then do so.
And I'm highly impressed by the turnaround from RPG Now. Two days after they informed me it was in the mail, I got it. Now that's fast!
And I suppose I might as well ask this here: is there a recommended size for the part(ies) involved in this adventure/campaign?
Eric,
Thanks for the glowing review. I am really glad you enjoy the book.
The "Way of the Wicked" adventure path will take four PCs from first to twentieth level. That said, it is easy enough to expand to six. A few more monsters here, a few 'advanced' templates there and viola! Six villains against Talingarde.
Anyways, thanks again for supporting "Way of the Wicked".
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
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They made it out!
The had Blackerly stall the Warden and other guards outside (under threat of Grumblejack) and made their escape with one of the portable windows from Tiadora's Veil. Unfortunately they got caught by one of the watchtower guards and the fight began. Warden Ricter got the Anti-Paladin with Hideous Laughter, the dogs kept tripping people, and Grumblejack got the scroll of sleep for most of the fight. Thankfully the magus, rogue, and fighter managed to kill the guards and dogs, then the Anti-Paladin decapitated the Warden. From there it was just one last guard in the gatehouse and they went off into the moor. It was pretty close their (I may have fudged some rolls, DM privilege), but they did make it through. Can't wait for them to meet Cardinal Thorn!
John,
Another great play report. Thanks!
And...
Your version of Odenkirk's death is officially the coolest I have yet read. And I have now read more than a dozen. Congratulate your players.
That gets the Fire Mountain Games seal of approval!
Now onward! Balentyne must burn!
They made it out!
That, sir, is an awesome play report! Very cool.
Taking Blackerly hostage. A wrinkle I have not yet seen! So, is he still alive and their prisoner after their escape?
Anyways, thanks for the play report, guys!
Keep 'em coming!
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Eric,
Thanks for the glowing review. I am really glad you enjoy the book.
The "Way of the Wicked" adventure path will take four PCs from first to twentieth level. That said, it is easy enough to expand to six. A few more monsters here, a few 'advanced' templates there and viola! Six villains against Talingarde.
Anyways, thanks again for supporting "Way of the Wicked".
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Thanks for the response, and if the rest of the books are like this then I'll gladly buy them all in POD form.
And I forgot to mention, I love all the little historical references I get. I already mentioned the whole Darius/Mitra thing and Tiadora's little remark, but I also like the bit of backstory about how everything went down at the main battle between the Houses of Barca and Darius. Battle of Crecy or Poitiers, I think?
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And I forgot to mention, I love all the little historical references I get. I already mentioned the whole Darius/Mitra thing and Tiadora's little remark, but I also like the bit of backstory about how everything went down at the main battle between the Houses of Barca and Darius. Battle of Crecy or Poitiers, I think?
Battle of Crecy. Wow. I am impressed by that catch.
Yes, indeed. I even stole the most memorable line for the Barcan knights straight from the mouth of the French commander.
And in book three...
The First Battle of Saintsbridge is also modeled after a historical battle. I wonder if you can guess which one?
Regardless, its gratifying that someone is taking the time to read my book so closely.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
So we've been discussing possible characters, and this interaction took place.
Geistlinger,
Hah!
The answer to can I play a good plant, in my professional opinion, is of course "Not just no, but by the nine hells, no!"
But you know that.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
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DSRMT,
Congratulate your party for me for getting Grumblejack out alive. From what I've seen reported only about half of the PC groups manage that feat.
Anyways to answer your question...
The picture in Book Two has him armed with a wicked looking large mace, but he is proficient with all martial weapons.
Wow, I noticed some errata. In the armory should be Grumblejack's old battered greatsword and ogre-sized chain. Hah! I'll update that the next time I do a fix.
Really, the choice is your players. Tiadora can probably be talked in spending a couple of hundred gold on his gear in her shopping trips. At least he should get some hide armor, a great club and some javelins (to make him as well armed as a normal ogre).
Further upgrades will probably require either negotiation or PC investment. So, I guess it depends on evil's generosity. To be fair, Grumblejack is a VERY useful brute to bring along on their adventures. So they may be willing.
He's a CR 3 creature, roughly the equivalent of a 4th level character. When the PCs hit 7th level (in Book Two) if he's still around give him a level of fighter and advance him every time the PCs do from then on (make him count as a cohort if a PC takes the leadership feat). Sometime in that book, he'll probably pick up the half-fiend template. Since it takes solving a puzzle to activate that template, I would not count it against their cohort total if they manage to give him that template. Think of that boon to their cohort as part of their treasure.
Anyways, hope that helps and I hope your PCs and Grumblejack have a long and wicked career together.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
I've got a twisted imagination...
So I've got a slight conundrum. This won't be a problem for a while (which is potentially a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it).
If and when I get to run this, I'm probably going to set this in Golarion. Easy enough, I just have to find a nice body of water to place the island nation, and I'm set.
Now, the conundrum comes in this particular flavor. One of my players really wants to play a Hellknight. Now while I can figure out how to fit this into Golarion, specifically fitting a Hellknight into the campaign is harder for me to wrap my brain around.
I'll go to spoiler mode just keep anything from sneaking into the conversation.
This would be a double incentive to reinstate Asmodeus' religion, but I'm having a hard time figuring out if a Hellknight would explore a new country and get caught committing a crime.
Any thoughts on what might get a Hellknight in trouble?
Jared:
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Jared,
Hellknights are part of Paizo's IP so of course they're are not going to get any offical Fire Mountain Games support.
That said...
The Castle Branding (now Branderscar) once was the base of operations of the Order of the Brand, a group of Hellknights who fought with the Barcan king eighty years ago to keep him on the throne.
They were slaughtered almost to a man at the Battle of Tamberlyn. The only vestige of their order left is a badge in the Branderscar Hall of History (room 21). The PC finds it during the prison breaks and perhaps realizes his destiny.
For his part, Cardinal Thorn would love to see the Order of the Brand reestablished in Talingarde to support his scion's ascension.
The Brand will burn again.
Hope that helps,
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Hellknight qua prestige class is open game content, but Hellknight qua organization is not.
DSRMT,
Congratulate your party for me for getting Grumblejack out alive. From what I've seen reported only about half of the PC groups manage that feat.
Anyways to answer your question...
** spoiler omitted **Anyways, hope that helps and I hope your PCs and Grumblejack have a long and wicked career together.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
It's a shame to hear the bad news about Grumblejack from so many campaigns, but then I suppose it does make sense. He is a very big target; if the guards catch the villains escaping, they'd probably be aiming for him.
And I like the ideas on what he can be armed with if we do manage to take him along and keep him alive.
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Alzrius,
Regarding hellknights, I understand we can use the prestige class. In fact, an NPC with that very prestige class appears in Book V. Maybe several NPCs.
But what we can't do is detail why Cheliaxian Hellknights have come to Talingarde. First, that would violate Paizo's IP. And second, it would defeat our purpose of making this world as generic as possible while still having a compelling storyline.
Anyways, regardless, I encourage PCs and GMs to use Hellknights in this adventure path. Certainly, they are more than thematically appropriate. And it really is a rich prestige class.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
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It's a shame to hear the bad news about Grumblejack from so many campaigns, but then I suppose it does make sense. He is a very big target; if the guards catch the villains escaping, they'd probably be aiming for him.
And I like the ideas on what he can be armed with if we do manage to take him along and keep him alive.
In one campaign report that was sent to me, the villains drugged him and set him on fire ... as a distraction.
I know that treating your minions badly is part of the genre, but that just seems a little gratuitious.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
It's a shame to hear the bad news about Grumblejack from so many campaigns, but then I suppose it does make sense. He is a very big target; if the guards catch the villains escaping, they'd probably be aiming for him.
And I like the ideas on what he can be armed with if we do manage to take him along and keep him alive.
In one campaign report that was sent to me, the villains drugged him and set him on fire ... as a distraction.
I know that treating your minions badly is part of the genre, but that just seems a little gratuitious.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
I should say so. That's what you reserve for the incompetent who's sole use is as a distraction, not the loyal and intelligent 10-foot tall monster able to pluck people limb from limb with their bare hands.
I should say so. That's what you reserve for the incompetent who's sole use is as a distraction, not the loyal and intelligent 10-foot tall monster able to pluck people limb from limb with their bare hands.It's a shame to hear the bad news about Grumblejack from so many campaigns, but then I suppose it does make sense. He is a very big target; if the guards catch the villains escaping, they'd probably be aiming for him.
And I like the ideas on what he can be armed with if we do manage to take him along and keep him alive.
In one campaign report that was sent to me, the villains drugged him and set him on fire ... as a distraction.
I know that treating your minions badly is part of the genre, but that just seems a little gratuitious.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
But what use is a loyal,and intelligent 10-foot tall monster that is able to tear people limb from limb with its bare hands if you CAN'T drug it and light it on fire when you want/need to?
Think of it like a test. A really good minion can get lit on fire, do the job and come back cowed and ready to serve more. Do you really want a minion who isn't willing (or terrified enough) to go the extra mile for you? I wouldn't, that's for sure.
Kudos on this path so far. I just grabbed the first two parts (based on the reviews I've seen) and I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner.
My group has talked about trying an evil campaign, but the lack of decent framework has always kept it from happening. The first two parts of Way of the Wicked puts enough planning and freedom in the players' hands to keep them happy and let them be creative while keeping it from devolving into pointless "EVIL".
We're expecting to finish up our current campaign in a month or so, so I'll broach the subject with them then. I don't mind the wait since that will give me enough time to get Book III when it comes out in April. I prefer to have at least half of an adventure path in hand before I start to run it so that I have lots of time for foreshadowing, plotting, and know that I'm much, much less likely to hit a wall if we happen to speed through something quicker than I thought we would. Not that I expect them to speed through Book II (or Book I for that matter), but better safe than sorry.
By the way, I love the suggested rolling method for character creation. It looks like it makes a nice balance, which is nice since I have one player who is an Uber-powergamer and 5 others who are much more casual, and its always a struggle to make sure the powergamer doesn't overshadow the other characters. The only addition I'm going thinking of adding to the rolling method is that players must re-roll the four rolled stats (they can't pick and choose) if the net modifiers are four and below or 12 and above.
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Tobias,
Hah! You, sir, are ready to start dumping minions in your piranha tank. Practice saying this, "You fools! The paladin is still alive?!You have failed me for the last time..." :)
But seriously, thanks for the kind words and I'm glad you are enjoying the books. If you do run "Way of the Wicked", be sure to post even a brief summary of your sessions. I for one would love to hear about your party's villainous exploits.
More is on the way. Book Three drops in April. We've posted some of our first preview art for that book on our Facebook page.
You've burned Balentyne. You've held the Horn. But do your villains have what it takes to conquer the Cathedral of Mitra Made Manifest?
We will see.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Tobias,
Hah! You, sir, are ready to start dumping minions in your piranha tank. Practice saying this, "You fools! The paladin is still alive?!You have failed me for the last time..." :)
Great... now I have to drag out my copy of Dungeonscape to get the Acidborn Monster template all set and ready to go. Because the only thing that's better than a piranha tank is an acid filled piranha tank.
But seriously, thanks for the kind words and I'm glad you are enjoying the books. If you do run "Way of the Wicked", be sure to post even a brief summary of your sessions. I for one would love to hear about your party's villainous exploits.
Will do. Looking forward to the next installment.
Oh, and I'd just like to say how much I'm enjoying the "closing text" found at the end of each segment/chapter. It really reminds me of the narrator from the Dungeon Keeper video games, which is more than a little fitting. ;)
Now, I have only used the free preview for one of my groups as a prelude to Skull and Shackles, but my two players (third couldn't make it) enjoyed it a lot. :)
After a long and bloody fight in the courtyard, the sergeant and last standing PC fell in the same round. End result: Grumble jack escaping with one unconscious PC over each shoulder. (PCs never looked for their equipment, and as such were unarmored.)
Purchased to mine for ideas. :)
Leonal,
Very cool! Now that is a minion you keep!
And thanks for supporting Fire Mountain Games and "Way of the Wicked." I would love if after you finished reading the book(s), you would let us know what you think. A post would be good. A review would be even better. We love feedback!
Regardless, thanks for giving a new third party publisher a chance!
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
It's a shame to hear the bad news about Grumblejack from so many campaigns, but then I suppose it does make sense. He is a very big target; if the guards catch the villains escaping, they'd probably be aiming for him.
And I like the ideas on what he can be armed with if we do manage to take him along and keep him alive.
In one campaign report that was sent to me, the villains drugged him and set him on fire ... as a distraction.
I know that treating your minions badly is part of the genre, but that just seems a little gratuitious.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
If only they'd had a wheelbarrow, and a holocaust cloak!
Oddly, my Rogue Trader group said the same thing last Thursday. Right after they talked an Ogryn into joining the crew . . . hm.
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Hey Gary. Got an issue with my group who basically are going to tell Thorn where to stick it.
Next, they'll take what they've stolen and enter various cities as traveling minstrels or performers. The evangelist cleric will have people try to follow him, and if anyone speaks blasphemy, the pyromancer will light him on fire from afar as the cleric proclaims that heresy gets you sent to hell. While everyone's frantically running away, the assassin and ninja will pick everyone's pockets.
They know it'll take a while, but they'll then start taking the provisions they gain to start building various potions and magic weapons, and creating their own black market. Should Thorn wish to get a cut, he'll have to earn his place in their ranks.
With their millions of gold, and the creation of the black market, they'll use their funds to have everyone paid off to hunt down the key individuals that had them sent to jail. With them in chains, the PCs will brand each and everyone with them in far worse and more painful ways. Possibly even humiliating ways like having all of the scars be put on their backsides so they can't sit down for months.
Then they'll rule over the country with the iron fist of Asmodeus.
This is what they come up with over the course of a single night, and they haven't even escaped yet. I reminded them of that, but they're more than confident that they'll pull it off unless I purposely kill them off because I feel like being a killer DM.
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Hey Gary. Got an issue with my group who basically are going to tell Thorn where to stick it.
** spoiler omitted **...
Well,
Follow the book's suggestion. They've been branded, so no one will trade with them. They have everyone for miles looking for them.
Then there's the fact that their blatant "revivals" are going to draw the attention of local Mitra followers, bringing the very people they don't want after them right to their door.
Let them get away with the meeting once, maybe twice, then send the guards after them. Possibly at the tent, possibly chasing after them just after they leave town. And then have the number of people chasing them (and the resources they use) go up as these escaped criminals start to compound their crimes with blasphemy and other sundry thefts and murders.
Then, as the book suggests, have Thorn come in at the last moment, or maybe have Tiadora come by and demand they go visit the Master when the heat is getting really bad and they are struggling to look for a way out.
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Hey Gary. Got an issue with my group who basically are going to tell Thorn where to stick it.
** spoiler omitted **...
I'm not Gary, but I've got some thoughts.
If that doesn't work, having their own private meeting with a fiend, some minor one, that tells them "there will be a time to prove if you are worthy to lead, but for now, the plan is tantamount."
That is, if you want to me more heavy handed, and for some groups, you may have to be.
On the other hand, you could let them try to enact their plan, and have it blow up in their face (unexpected reinforcements show up, silver dragons circling nearby), and then have Thorn show up and explain that only together, with a plan, can they avoid set backs like this.
Just some random thoughts. Gary's had some brilliant advice for all sorts of questions though, which just helps increase my faith in his ability to pull off this whole AP.
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Well,
** spoiler omitted **
I don't know. I'll probably have to play it by ear. I'm not exactly what you'd call a seasoned DM.
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Well,
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
I don't know. I'll probably have to play it by ear. I'm not exactly what you'd call a seasoned DM.
There are a few issues with their plans. First, they're assuming that anyone who is a bandit is willing to work or trade with them. That's far from a foregone conclusion.
Second:
So why wouldn't the church go after them with the heavy hitters if they suddenly see such a blatant resurgence of Asmodeus worship, one that is actively trying to force people to follow them. After their first event they'll not only have people after them for escaping prison, but also for trying to restore a banned cult to the Prince of Darkness. Not subtle, not smart.
Playing it by ear is fine. Just make sure they get the logical consequences of their actions. In a place like Talingarde, the logical response of the audience to seeing someone burst into flame isn't going to be "we must worship Asmodeus or die", but "we need to call on Mitra and his faithful to save us from these devil worshipers!"
Part of Thorn's plan involves crippling Mitra's church's ability to help in the midst of the plague, which shows that Mitra cannot protect the people. That's necessary to ensure that there are conversions when the time is right. Asmodeus would shake his head in disgust at people who claim to be furthering his goals but then act like simple thugs with no understanding of the true politics at work.
If only they'd had a wheelbarrow, and a holocaust cloak!
Why didn't you list those among our assets in the first place?
Gary "Dread Pirate Roberts For Two Weeks Last Year" McBride
Fire Mountain Games
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Kevin,
You've got two choices in this situation.
Let the PCs plan work (which for reasons people have mentioned above -- does have some problems). In this case, you are largely writing a new campaign. And there is NOTHING wrong with this if this what you want to do. If you do, please post how the campaign progresses. I would love to hear it! I'm not being facetious. It sounds awesome. If you don't want to do this though, then you need to adopt option #2 which is...
Option #2 get them back on the path...
When the PCs show up, have Cardinal Thorn already know their plan. Every detail. How does he know it? They planned it in Branderscar, right? Where do you think Thorn's invisible imp servitor was hanging out? He knows the whole plan. Have him savage it. Have him tell them the dozen places it won't work. And then have him tell them this:
But for all this foolery, I see within each of you the metal I need. You want to destroy Talingarde. You want it with every fiber of your being, every part of your soul. You crave revenge like most need to breathe. I give you a choice, my friends. Embark upon this fools errand, which not only I have already discovered, but likely also your enemies or ... join with me. I will take the raw metal of your hate and forge you into the weapon of hell. Together we will cut Talingarde's throat.
Regardless, don't worry too much about being a "seasoned DM". This isn't rocket science. This is a game and hopefully, what we can acheive together is a few hours of kick-ass adventure a few times a month.
And that is what makes this hobby so grand.
Hope that helps,
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
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I am looking for some advice/ details of others experience with the first installment of the Way of the Wicked adventure path. So far, it seems that the encounters are too tough for the party that I am putting through and I want to know if I am doing something wrong, my players are doing something wrong or it is some combination of this or something I am missing. While I am not going to post the all the details of the characters, please note that there might be spoiler alert for people who haven't played the section.
The Party was 2nd level. They were up against the fighter in the dungeon below the manor house. They had made a lot of noise because of the shreiker, and alerted him. Of course he can't leave, but if figured that he will try to be prepared in case anyone comes along so he gets on his armor and readies himself . After about 2 hours, nothing happens so he takes off his armor and goes back to biding his time. A few hours later, he hears someone in the room with the coffins. The noise stops, but he decides to get ready.
Meanwhile the alchemist returns to he party after sleeping (they slept in the shrieker room, he slept in the coffin room, he thought that it was cool for a reanimator alchemist to do that), but never made any effort to be quiet. 1 closed door, person walking 30 ft away (DC 18; I rolled a 20 on Sir Balin's perception)) I decided that there was a 33% chance of the fighter being asleep- he wasn't. So by the time the party comes down the corridor about 10 minutes later, the fighter has his armor on and is possibly expecting trouble.
The part consists of 4 2nd level characters; a barbarian, a reanimator alchemist, an anti-paladin and a zen archery monk (whose player was absent that session). They go and open the door using the key and find him in the cell ready and waiting.
They talk to him a bit and find him to be uncooperative and demanding/ insulting with he sees his squire being dragged unconscious behind the party. the inevitable combat starts.
With power attack, cleave and an attack of +11 (+9 with power attack) and AC of 22 (22 with cleave), the fighter mowed through the Alchemist AC 17 HP 13 and got cleaved because he was standing next to the barbarian a perfect set up for cleave. The Monk AC 19 HP 13 was slammed by a AoO crit as she tried to tumble to get in a position to shoot him with her bow (which she shouldn't have done, but I was running her as an NPC and didn't really know what to do with her and thought that she could be the CMD of 20 with her acrobatics (+9) my error 100%). The anti-paladin AC 15 and 23 HP lasted 2 rounds. The barbarian AC 14 (due to rage) and HP 31 barely killed the fighter being left with only a few HP after his rage wore off.
Is it me, or does the math seem a bit hard for the level of characters. The fighter had a between a 80 to 50% chance to hit each of the characters. The best armor they had were chain shirts (no one thought to ask Taidora for a breastplate or chain mail), and could one shot 1/2 the party and pretty much take down the barbarian and the anti-paladin in one 2 or 3 hits (1d8+7+4 + power attack. Should I just have decided against the power attack? The best AC in the party is 19 for the monk, the worst is the barbarian. Is this encounter too tough? Has anyone else had a problem with this fight? I figured that the power attack would reduce his chance to hit, even if it did KO a player. Bad decision?. The encounter with the vampiric mist didn't go so well for the barbarian (he lost 10 CON fighting the thing). not quite 2 TPK, but the players certainly didn't like it.
Dreadwaldo,
First, thanks for supporting "Way of the Wicked".
Second...
It does sound to me like Sir Balin is a little too tough for your party. It is as a game designer, impossible to balance encounters against every possible power level of party. They simply vary too much. What is a cakewalk for one optimized 2nd level party can be, obviously, a TPK for another. Having failed to get better gear from Tiadora, it sounds like your group of players was a little "underpowered".
My advice, it sounds like your party barely completed the nine lessons. As part of their training, also have Thorn equip them better. Give them each the gear they need (without having to ask) and maybe even hand out to each PC a minor magic item -- +1 breastplate, amulet of natural armor, that sort of thing.
That should get the party's AC up a bit and make them feel like they are now ready to take on the world.
You don't want the adventure to be too easy. It should not be a trivial thing to walk the Way of the Wicked. But on the other hand narrowly avoiding TPK after TPK is tiresome as well.
Know your party. Know their expectations and power level. Feel free to adjust the adversaries a little to make fights challenging but not overwhelming.
Hope that helps,
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Kevin_video,
And do take a moment to keep us up to date. I love hearing about campaigns and their progress.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
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The Party was 2nd level. They were up against the fighter in the dungeon below the manor house. They had made a lot of noise because of the shreiker, and alerted him. Of course he can't leave, but if figured that he will try to be prepared in case anyone comes along so he gets on his armor and readies himself . After about 2 hours, nothing happens so he takes off his armor and goes back to biding his time. A few hours later, he hears someone in the room with the coffins. The noise stops, but he decides to get ready.
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okay, we're close to finishing Rise of the Runelords and I offered this to my players. I've never seen them so excited about a new campaign. For a minute they were considering doing a Leroy Jenkins versus Karzoug so they'd win quick or die young and either way start this campaign ASAP.
In the meantime however, my players came up with some great tips, could be useful for other parties playing this.
suitable character roles and goals for an evil party
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FiveBadBand
how a lawful evil character views the world
http://easydamus.com/lawfulevil.html
how your alignment affects your behavior
http://easydamus.com/alignandint.html
evil examples nay role models
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LawfulEvil