Eric Hinkle |
gustavo iglesias wrote:Gary, I have a question.
At the end of this adventure, the players
** spoiler omitted **I believe that's somewhere in the book, or Gary's mentioned it before.
** spoiler omitted **
Given what happens with Vetra-Kali at the end of that adventure, now I'm wondering if when it comes time for the showdown with Thorn the PCs will
EDIT: And I just saw Gary's response. That option could lead to considerable amusement as well. The Hells versus Abaddon!
gustavo iglesias |
In Book V...
** spoiler omitted **
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
This sound incredibly interesting :).
Let's see what my players decide to do.
John Malueg |
Game play update
Patrick Kropp |
@Gary: A question about the rituals to call the hell hounds and nightmare. What does once per year mean. Per person? So could each pc use the Ritual? I dont think this was the Intention. If not... what is the limiting factor? my players would not be themselves If they didnt try it at least. I know them too well. So why cant each one do the ritual to have a Nightmare? I am asking for an ingame reason. I know it would be too much!
how do other gm rule in this case ?
John Malueg |
@Patrick,
I limited the hell hounds and nightmare rituals to being only used once by the group, not per individual person. If they wish to know why, tell them they only have the true names of those four particular creatures, hence only one summoning (similar to Hexor and Vexor). In my game, they summoned the hell hounds and ingnored the nightmare "because nobody in the group rides a horse".
gustavo iglesias |
@Gary: A question about the rituals to call the hell hounds and nightmare. What does once per year mean. Per person? So could each pc use the Ritual? I dont think this was the Intention. If not... what is the limiting factor? my players would not be themselves If they didnt try it at least. I know them too well. So why cant each one do the ritual to have a Nightmare? I am asking for an ingame reason. I know it would be too much!
how do other gm rule in this case ?
I understand the ritual as only being possible in the Horn. So I limit it to once per year in the Horn. It's possible to use it again in different "horns", or other daemon-demon-devil worshipping sanctuaries of unholiness created by high level archdeacons-demon princes-dukes of hell.
Fire Mountain Games |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
@Gary: A question about the rituals to call the hell hounds and nightmare. What does once per year mean. Per person? So could each pc use the Ritual? I dont think this was the Intention. If not... what is the limiting factor? my players would not be themselves If they didnt try it at least. I know them too well. So why cant each one do the ritual to have a Nightmare? I am asking for an ingame reason. I know it would be too much!
how do other gm rule in this case ?
Patrick,
Once per year means that Horn of Abaddon can allow this channeling of infernal energy but once per year. So, per group. Or rather, per ANYONE.
There is an in-game reason and the limitation is not who does the ritual. Effectively the Horn is a gigantic, very powerful but very specialized magic item. It only has one charge per year for each of these powerful bindings.
It pleased the Sons long ago to bind these minor agents of the outer planes to their will so that their members could hunt down their enemies.
And thanks to everyone for their enthusiasm and interest in "Way of the Wicked". No one wants Book V out the door more than me. But as soon as I'm happy with it, we'll release it. And not before.
But that is coming real soon.
Hope that helps,
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
gustavo iglesias |
And thanks to everyone for their enthusiasm and interest in "Way of the Wicked". No one wants Book V out the door more than me. But as soon as I'm happy with it, we'll release it. And not before.
But that is coming real soon.
Hope that helps,
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Seeing that Throne of Nights was taking some atention, I thought Book V was already finished and in route to publish :(
W. John Hare |
I'm curious. For those who have run Book II, what did you use to represent the dungeon?
As I look at how much time the PCs will be in the dungeon, I'm trying to figure out how best to build it.
Previous games I've either used a battle mat, or a printed version of the map scaled to fit. However, looking at the sheer size of the dungeon, it is bigger than my largest battle mat and it would take a lot of paper (that would have to be resized as it is 10' squares rather than 5' squares).
I'm thinking towards building something a little more permanent using something like dwarven forge, or if I have time to build using Hirst Arts tiles. The kicker of course being that those will both cost a fair bit of money (and for the Hirst Arts stuff quite a bit of time making tiles). Plus wanting it to be somewhat permanent, but still 'moldable' towards what the PCs decide to do when the make 'improvements' to the dungeon.
kevin_video |
I'm curious. For those who have run Book II, what did you use to represent the dungeon?
As I look at how much time the PCs will be in the dungeon, I'm trying to figure out how best to build it.
Previous games I've either used a battle mat, or a printed version of the map scaled to fit. However, looking at the sheer size of the dungeon, it is bigger than my largest battle mat and it would take a lot of paper (that would have to be resized as it is 10' squares rather than 5' squares).
I'm thinking towards building something a little more permanent using something like dwarven forge, or if I have time to build using Hirst Arts tiles. The kicker of course being that those will both cost a fair bit of money (and for the Hirst Arts stuff quite a bit of time making tiles). Plus wanting it to be somewhat permanent, but still 'moldable' towards what the PCs decide to do when the make 'improvements' to the dungeon.
I'm going to be using a combination of three things: a battlemap, sheets of large graph paper (3 ft size) that you can get at any school supply store, and a regular printed map straight from the book. I'll draw out each room on the battlemap when they first enter, then have the players map out the interior themselves, and draw the changes they themselves want to do on the small printed map. Lastly, when everything's done, I'm going to redraw each room on the large graph paper.
John Malueg |
Game update:
Down in entrances, the charge of the boggards and magic of Zikomo are stymied by the brutal efficiency of the minions of the Ninth, fighting with high quality gear acquired by their masters, unleashing hellish sweeps of flame from Asmodian acolytes. After slaughtering 3/4 of the boggards without passing the entryway, the boggards broke upon the Eyes and fled. During the route, Zikomo was knocked over the side of the stairwell, falling to his death on the rocks below.
Meanwhile, above, the wraiths silently began their assault, striking out at the sleeping forms of the 1/2 orc fighter and the elven magus, while Ezra himself attacks Trik, currently performing the ritual. This, however, is a fight our villians have been expecting. Leaping to their feet, the villians defend their ritual, so close to its end. Each makes an accounting for themselves. Things looked grim when they learned that Ezra could command Artephius as well, pitting a battle of commands between Ezra and the witch. The tide turned, however, when Trik unleashed his sunbeam spell, blasting Ezra from this plane with one shot (crit'd with the ray attack. It was very cool). Swiftly, the other wraiths were dispatched.
Weary from battle, the PC's returned to resting, only to be roused again at about midnight when the Baron appeared far below, bellowing commands up at them, demanding they leave the Horn and the are of Farholde, cursing them for the loss of his home and influence within the town. Some wished to simply wipe the Baron out, others (notably the magus, who is the Baron's cousin) wished to find an alternative. Instead, the Baron was given an appeasement: some starting-over funds and the agreement that once the villians had completed their task, they would allow the Baron to remain in Farholde and help him secure a new position of power within town. The Baron found this agreement to his liking.
And now on to day 222 and the Sons of Balyntyne. I think I may have Brother Donnagin cast Silence on Mad Meinhard and have him lead the charge up the stairs into the Sanctum. That should catch the villians offguard. :)
Fire Mountain Games |
John,
Another great update. Thanks for continuing your journal!
I've already used a few ideas in my own Way of the Wicked campaign.
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
Fire Mountain Games |
Herbo is Jesse Emerson who has a well-deserved editing credit on Book V of "Way of the Wicked".
Jesse did a superlative job editing our book.
Thanks, Jesse!
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games
DSRMT |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Quick question to everyone here
The druid is going to of course make a request of the PCs, something like disrupting the fishing going on in the area, but I want to have another option for the PCs to be, well, dicks to him. I need to think of a way for them to get rid of the ghosts without helping him at all.
So, I ask you, oh great community, any ideas how they might be rid of this ghost?
Herbo |
3 people marked this as a favorite. |
@DSMRT
Exit grumpy ghost, hello evil party of horrible bastards :-)
kevin_video |
Only one of my players might get that, the rest of us didn't get into d20 until Pathfinder.
I know three of mine will get it, maybe four. All but one started in 2nd Ed.
I think I'm also going to give him the domain ability instead of a companion. Not sure if Earth or Water domain. You mentioned the crab, so maybe water. However, earth has better abilities.
Patrick Kropp |
Has someone spelled out the three prayers the pc must recitate each day? I would love to have the pc at least twice (beginning of the ritual and the last time) say "something" other than just: "we perform the ritual and prayer".
I mean the Supplication to Darkness, the Cursing of the Light and the Call across the Void.
Major Longhorn |
Has someone spelled out the three prayers the pc must recitate each day? I would love to have the pc at least twice (beginning of the ritual and the last time) say "something" other than just: "we perform the ritual and prayer".
I mean the Supplication to Darkness, the Cursing of the Light and the Call across the Void.
That would be sooooo cool ! May be not 222 times though ^^
DSRMT |
Patrick Kropp wrote:That would be sooooo cool ! May be not 222 times though ^^Has someone spelled out the three prayers the pc must recitate each day? I would love to have the pc at least twice (beginning of the ritual and the last time) say "something" other than just: "we perform the ritual and prayer".
I mean the Supplication to Darkness, the Cursing of the Light and the Call across the Void.
I would absolutely love to see this too! It'd really get the players interested in the whole ritual
Herbo |
5 people marked this as a favorite. |
I'll bite. Here's a pulled-out-the-bum rendition of a
John Malueg |
It is done.
Time for the final ritual. It passed rather well, given everything else that had happened. In the end, they chose disease immunity for themselves, to guard against the Tears, rather than betray Vetra-Kali. Then they were told to get out. Thorn's reward is just enough to cover all the wealth they left behind (they held on the bulk of their money from the treasure room, plus some of it was quite large, it stayed behind).
Now it will be a bit before we start book III. Looking forward to it, though.
gustavo iglesias |
One question: How did your players found the treasure room? My players have done level 1-3 and I think they have no chance of ever finding it. the combination with pressing and command word to find the real chamber is really hard.
So at all: How did your players found the real treasure chamber?
Ezra knows about it. The book states he can give the players it, as long aas they work together. Ezra the Thrice Damned can't care less about the treasure.
John Malueg |
@Patrick,
Patrick Kropp |
Has anyone given Ezra Thrice Damned Class Levels?
I have a very specialized necromancer in my group and I think if he presses hard enough he will easily controll Ezra (and through him ANY SPAWN). I hope my players don´t run amok and just sacrifice everything they can spare to the wraiths and create a wraith army.
If Ezra is even controlled by the pc then they could do so possibly with no repercussions.
Patrick Kropp |
@Patrick,
** spoiler omitted **
Yes, but the THREE eyes were stolen - this is clearly spelled out. I imagine the eyes fell to the floor when the Victor banished / killed Vetra Kali on this plane. 1 was taken by a priest (who was later trapped in the cave), the other have been rescued by Halthus the flayer.
So when did the cultist find time to bring one in the treasure chamber?
kevin_video |
Has anyone given Ezra Thrice Damned Class Levels?
I have a very specialized necromancer in my group and I think if he presses hard enough he will easily controll Ezra (and through him ANY SPAWN). I hope my players don´t run amok and just sacrifice everything they can spare to the wraiths and create a wraith army.
If Ezra is even controlled by the pc then they could do so possibly with no repercussions.
No, not at all. He's already a CR 6, which makes her a pretty tough cookie to deal with at this level. Almost staggeringly so. I suppose you could just as easily make him a regular dread wraith, lose the two templates, and give him a couple of classes of cleric or necromancer. He's already got an incredible Will save given what she is. Could also always use the Spell-Stitched template from 3.5 to give a +2 bonus against channels and saves. Gain a few sorcerer spells as well, based on Wisdom. Which is a fair bit so it could get really nasty overall.
John Malueg |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
@Patrick
Actually, I believe the Sons were unable to finish the ritual to bring forth Vetra-Kali (Gary might be able to clarify this), and perhaps the Victor arrived at a Dramaticaly Appropriate Moment (DAM for short, or at least that's what I say in my games :) ), disrupting the ritual and the Sons had to respond quickly to prevent the Eyes from being uncovered. Halthus accidently recovered one Eye without fully realizing it's significance, but clearly the original plan was to disperse the Eyes to be retrieved later on, and to later reclaim the Horn, as it seems to be the focal point for the ritual itself.
Patrick Kropp |
Patrick Kropp wrote:No, not at all. He's already a CR 6, which makes her a pretty tough cookie to deal with at this level. Almost staggeringly so. I suppose you could just as easily make him a regular dread wraith, lose the two templates, and give him a couple of classes of cleric or necromancer. He's already got an incredible Will save given what she is. Could also always use the Spell-Stitched template from 3.5 to give a +2 bonus against channels and saves. Gain a few sorcerer spells as well, based on Wisdom. Which is a fair bit so it could get really nasty overall.Has anyone given Ezra Thrice Damned Class Levels?
I have a very specialized necromancer in my group and I think if he presses hard enough he will easily controll Ezra (and through him ANY SPAWN). I hope my players don´t run amok and just sacrifice everything they can spare to the wraiths and create a wraith army.
If Ezra is even controlled by the pc then they could do so possibly with no repercussions.
Did you even understand my concern? Either my english skills suck or you don't have any clue about the necromancer or a standard evil clerics abilities. At least in my book Ezra will easily fail such a will save.
I think I make him a real dread wraith. So they have to deal with him on equal terms. And if Hey really plan to use a wraith army (Or even a squad) Ezra must be dealt with because he is the true master. he created the other spawns. so te players must always be careful.
Patrick Kropp |
Patrick Kropp wrote:No, not at all. He's already a CR 6, which makes her a pretty tough cookie to deal with at this level. Almost staggeringly so. I suppose you could just as easily make him a regular dread wraith, lose the two templates, and give him a couple of classes of cleric or necromancer. He's already got an incredible Will save given what she is. Could also always use the Spell-Stitched template from 3.5 to give a +2 bonus against channels and saves. Gain a few sorcerer spells as well, based on Wisdom. Which is a fair bit so it could get really nasty overall.Has anyone given Ezra Thrice Damned Class Levels?
I have a very specialized necromancer in my group and I think if he presses hard enough he will easily controll Ezra (and through him ANY SPAWN). I hope my players don´t run amok and just sacrifice everything they can spare to the wraiths and create a wraith army.
If Ezra is even controlled by the pc then they could do so possibly with no repercussions.
kevin_video |
Did you even understand my concern? Either my english skills suck or you don't have any clue about the necromancer or a standard evil clerics abilities. At least in my book Ezra will easily fail such a will save.
I think I make him a real dread wraith. So they have to deal with him on equal terms. And if Hey really plan to use a wraith army (Or even a squad) Ezra must be dealt with because he is the true master. he created the other spawns. so te players must always be careful.
Yes I understood your concern, and yes I am fully understand what a necromancer and evil cleric can do. I've played undead before. I know how much it can suck to be controlled and essentially not play your character anymore. I'd rather be dominated. If Ezra would easily fail her save with a +8, then your necromancer must have a stupid high Charisma. The cleric I could see, but not the necromancer. It's 10+1/2 class level+CHA. On average we're talking Will DC 16. Even then he can only control them for a few minutes each time X/day and maybe the three regular wraiths.
I wouldn't use a real dread wraith as that's a CR 13. That's way too high for these guys. They'd get slaughtered quite quickly.
If you want, custom make an item for all of the wraiths that'll give them a +4 resistance bonus against being turned, commanded, or channeled against. That'll help somewhat. There's a cloak for 11,000 gold, but I don't know if you want to make the undead that rich. Maybe a rod for Ezra to counteract the commanding should they be successful.
kevin_video |
So the suggestion I've been given regarding the wraith problem vs the necromancer and evil cleric is as such:
Iron Kingdoms book Monsternomicon I - Take Crafty template which gives you any three feats, as well as other stuff. CR +1.
WotC book Libris Mortis and Savage Species - Take three feats from Libris Mortis that'll give +8 turn resistance while they're in a group, as well as the cloak for +12 total, and one level of the Emancipated Spawn PrC from SS for the dread wraith, giving him +14. CR +1. If you took all three levels that'd give you +18 resistance on top of your will save. CR +3.
In total, Ezra has CR +2, and the other wraiths are CR +1, but they all have a minimum of +12 resistance. Short of rolling a 1, the cleric and necromancer would have a very hard time controlling them.