We are already in the middle of book 4.
"...then found polydorus tower and the letter from stormborn king as Jeratheon was important part of one of the PC background, they immediately went to rescue him...They killed the stormborn king easily (too easily, even if I upgraded him heavily and used a retinue of avoral cohorts. But knowledge is very powerful, and knowing beforehand that the eagle was lightning based is a huge advantage."
What were other group's experience with "freeing" Jeratheon?
As described, [page 37] "...Jeratheon is no great expert at lying (bluff +2). His deceptions are likely to be artless and obvious."
So, as expected, my group tried to deal with him, and as expected, they realized (sense motive) that this dragon was making empty promises and would betray them in a second.
After a failed Charm Monster attempt, the group finally threatened the dragon with a magical (disintegrate) death if he didn't take them to his father.
Using the (detached) chain & muzzle as a sort-of bit & bridle, they wish to ride the dragon (under much duress) to his father.
How will Chargammon view this act when they finally arrive on his door-step, seeing his son "disgraced" in such a way?
Another quick question about the Island of Eiramanthus:
The island is described as a "crystalline garden".
The map (pg.46) circles and trails throughout the island. I assume these circles are "plazas"?
How tall/height is the crystal garden? Do the garden crystals block the view to other locations?
How tall/elevated is the mesa (location 5)?
So, for example, could an encounter with the Xorn (loc. 6) be seen by the Servitors (Oreads) who roam the island?
If the gardens don't block line-of-sight, and the island is only 500-ft across, wouldn't a battle alert every inhabitant of the island?
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@Banesfinger -- Honestly, Chargammon will be more upset with this son than the PCs for everything's that's happened. Even makes what happens to him after the Island of Eiramanthus even more fitting.
I wouldn't think that the garden would be that tall. Maybe 5-6 feet at best with spaces in between. It's not like it'd be a whole hedge maze. I'd say it'd at least give cover, just not total concealment.
While the encounter might not be "seen", that doesn't mean it couldn't be heard too.
Thanks kevin_video!
The PCs have (predictably) teleported to Eiramanthus' Island and started causing havoc. They landed on the mesa (area 5), and started killing inhabitants of the island (the Caretakers and Servitors).
This is not a stealth attack: fireballs exploding, open battles, etc.
I'm guessing Eiramanthus (and by default, his concubines) would not stand for this, and therefor leave their respective locations and join the battle.
At that point, I'm guessing the PCs will quickly be out-matched and teleport to regroup.
What would Eiramanthus do then?
While he (and his concubines) can teleport as well, they have no access to scrying spells and therefor cannot "follow" the PCs.
Likewise he has no defenses against PCs just teleporting back at any time.
Would a dragon of his might just "hide" and wait it out in his stone tower?
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If the PCs are there, chances are it's because they want something, and aren't just randomly destroying things. Eiramanthus is a collector, and has traveled multiple planes of existence. There's nothing saying that he wouldn't have access to a crystal ball of some kind that could act the same way that Vetri-Kali's eyes did within the Horn, but for his island.
It's time for a rescue mission!
Our group also needed a rescue mission on the dragon's island:
Like John Malueg's group, our group teleported to the island, and proceeded to (loudly) destroy everything and everyone in sight.
After wiping out the group of Caretakers on the messa (area #5), they proceeded to the pagoda (area #4). Here they wiped out half of the Servitors (the other 10 or so Servitors ran to protect the dragon's building: area #8).
This gave the consort in Red (Shakti hobhana) enough time to turn invisible and dimension door to investigate the intrusion. She gained surprise but because the PCs had buffed against fire, her flame strikes were only a nuisance. It took about 5-6 rounds but the PCs defeated her.
Unfortunately, all this destruction on the island (along with cries of help from Servitors/Caretakers) had alerted Eiramanthus, who arrived at the pagoda just in time to see the PCs defile/desecrate the body of Shakti!
His opening cruel joke ("4 blind mice, see how they run") was enough to send half the party (Ranger-14, Archer-14) into fits of laughter. This sent the party into a desperate scramble to escape, but the dragon's slowing breath prevented the usual: gather everyone up and teleport away. Only the non-laughing Cleric-14 and Sorc-14 escaped.
1 day later, after a failed scrying attempt to find their friends (remember, Eiramanthus's dome has mage's private sanctum cast on it: page 66 - which I ruled covered all of that building, including his vault where the two prisoners were being held), the two remaining PCs buffed, and with clever use of silence and invisibility searched his building. Unfortunately, the dragon's senses (blindsense) allowed the dragon to detect them, and his antimagic field did the rest. He slaughtered the cleric as the sorcerer managed to escape.
Eiramanthus (smart enought to know the PCs would keep coming back for their friends) had the two prisoner's heads delivered to the remaining sorcerer.
Now, the sorcerer is scrambling to find enough money to get his friends resurrected.
A question regarding Lord Heironymous Thatch (the court wizard in area 1-12 of the Adarium):
On page 73 it says "...if he wakes up and hears intruders, he teleports up to room..."
Likewise, for his 'tactics' it says, "...if reduced to 22 hit points, he uses greater teleport to escape..."
But on page 68, the text clearly explains that (almost) the entire Adarium is affected by a forbiddance spell. This means there can be no teleportation spells into or within the area.
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With the place so empty it might almost seem odd for the countess to just show up with her entourage (the PC's) to visit... who?
From the description of the Adarium (so few have been inside, servants who practically never leave the place, etc), I would have normally guessed someone couldn't just arrive unannounced.
However, it states the Iraen delegation had been summoned to meet about the great evil that affects their lands, and the druidess "arrived without notice".
The Iraen have no central government or king, but in an "unprecedented" step, a powerful druidess answered the call (pg 79).
It is not beyond belief that "other powerful" Iraen could have also answered the call...
Likewise, it says a "delegation from Matharyn will meet with them". PCs could disguise themselves as this delegation.
I'm also guessing that the PCs, along with most citizens, know the Princess did not go off to war with the King. A delegation who has been 'invited' to meet the Princess may slip buy with forged documents/disguises.
Also, the princess is being taught magic by Lord Thatch. If the PCs learn about that (rumor #20, page 69), they could 'fake' bringing supplies for that training.
They could pose as powerful Priests, here about a "cure" for the "Tears of Death".
Just a few ideas...
Those are very good suggestions. As for Thatch and the Forbiddance spell
** spoiler omitted **
Hi John Malueg,
According to the rules, the Forbiddance spell is worded:
At your option, the abjuration can include a password, in which case creatures of alignments different from yours can avoid the damage by speaking the password as they enter the area.
So if they have the password, they can avoid the damage, but would still not be able to teleport.
However, I realized the wizard Thatch has a Wish spell, so I would just allow him to use that to escape (simulating a teleport effect).
@All who know Book 4 of Way of the Wicked: How does Eiramanthus Isle work? I don´t understand the map!
The caves are surely supposed to be underground. But what with the Garden, the Dome and the Temple? A sideview would have really helped...
@All who know Book 4 of Way of the Wicked: How does Eiramanthus Isle work? I don´t understand the map!
The caves are surely supposed to be underground. But what with the Garden, the Dome and the Temple? A sideview would have really helped...
That map confused me as well.
Those are not "caves" but paths along the island. Each circle is a "plaza" or larger pathway. Except for the paths/plazas, all other areas of the island are filled with large crystals (ranging from 2 to 8-ft in height). Paths that go over water are along crystal bridges.Various paths lead to the two buildings (pagoda and the dome) as well as the garden.
Think of the whole island as one giant rock (crystal) garden with paths on it.
Hope that helps.
A question regarding Ara Zandra, Angel of Vengeance (the Adarium, location 2-1):
Ara is obviously out for vengeance for his brother. But why here (the Adarium)? Does the royal family (or guards, servants, etc) know he is here sitting upon the king's throne?
Would he be "missed" if he was (quietly) defeated, and thus returned to his own plane?
As my players "pre-scout" the Adarium (they have 1 month to do so before Chargammon's attack at the next new moon, pg. 67), they may quietly kill a few occupants. I have a pretty good idea how long it will be before most occupants will be missed (e.g. some, like the guards, will be missed within minutes or hours of their disappearance. But others, like the Pyres of Judgment make take days before they are discovered missing). However, I was very *uncertain* about Ara Zandra...
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@John -- I asked these same questions to Gary two years ago, and I kept the answers on my hard drive. I'll add in a bit as well.
Note: It's Rogue Genius Guide now.
2) The priest who bound Gethran here was an Asmodean priest when the church of Asmodeus was not completely illegal in Talingarde.
The priest probably bound the devil to defend the temple against all intruders and unbelievers. Now Gethran Hate is stuck "defending" an uninhabited and abandoned temple that no one has visited in decades. Exciting.
Yes it should read "relics OF Asmodeus". I would give them a couple of nice, evil themed magic items as their reward.
If you fail to release the devil, you don't automatically die, he just tries to kill you. Horned Devils are CR 16.
How do you free him? The exact puzzle is left up to you. That's why its a briefly described sidequest. I would imagine it would involve finding out the exact wording of his binding and finding a loophole that would free him.
3) Check out "The Aundarian Job" from Dungeon Magazine 147.
Regarding Brigit of the Brijidine:
(Applies to her in both book 4 and book 5).
She is made out to be a powerful azata (indeed, her CR17 might indicate that), but isn't she a "one trick pony"?
The PCs should be level-15 when they first encounter her. At that level, most PCs have some form of protection from fire:
- Resist energy (30) is a only 2nd level spell.
- Protection from energy (120) is only a 3rd level spell.
Having any of these long-running protections from fire, most groups would easily brush-off 90% of the damage she could cause. Even the CR5 elementals she could summon would be a very minor threat against parties at this level.
What is everyone else's experience with her?
@ Banesfinger:
I haven't yet had a chance to run that encounter, but I can give some ideas as to my plans:
** spoiler omitted **
Those are solid ideas, but all of my players are usually buffed with Fly spells and use ample amounts of Dimension-Door to get around barriers.
I'll admit, while Brigit can't really cause much damage to the PCs, she has lots of ways to escape them. I guess we'll be seeing her in Book 5...
I have one more question regarding the final encounter with the King:
He brings along his 4 Knights of the King's Guard. But they are all cavaliers ON HORSEBACK! Really? In that small room? With the knowledge that they would have to go up the basement stairs and 3 more stories before reaching the princess? Come-on!?!
~ time for a quick conversion to paladins...
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In addition, game update:
Spoiler:Somewhat aside musing: Izevel slept with Hate. The PC's would like to see her become pregnant. I shudder to think of that abomination. Thoughts?
Sounds like something that could easily happen. And it's not like it'd be an abomination or anything super powerful.
As for combinations, that's easy. Either a medusa half-fiend such as Izevel is already, or you could go cornugon devil half-medusa, or tiefling half-medusa, and finally there's always the half-medusa half-fiend. The last two will need class levels though. Pretty standard, actually. Nothing of major consequence.
Why can't I back-order the print/PDF bundle? I click on it, but my cart doesn't change.
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So, in our last session we had a fine example of tag team chicanery.
Neither are especially focused on social skills, though they both have fair values in Bluff (a 15 and 10, respectively).
So, a group of bugbear, ogres, and an ettin, all members of the army the PCs are allied with, decided to try to shake them down. The monsters were in way over their heads, as the PCs are 13th level. I expected them to just destroy the fools and move on. Little did I know...
The biggest (and dumbest) ogre, demands a toll of 50 gold apiece from the PCs and their assorted cohorts/minions/hangers-on. The vampire, pretending to be confused, successfully bluffed the ogre into thinking they (the PCs) didn't know what gold was. The ogre pulled out a handful (17 gold) of coins, and showed them. The drow (with his Sleight of Hand skill of 15, proceeds to try to steal the gold out of the ogre's hand while he's talking to the vampire.) He rolls a 2, but even with the +10 bonus for the spotting obvious theft, fails to spot the drow take the money. He is confused as to where his money went.
The drow then proceeds to attempt to pay the toll, with the ogre's own money, and bluff him into thinking they gave him more than what he demanded. One decent bluff roll by the drow, and abysmal sense motive check by the ogre convinces him that since 7 is obviously more than 5, 17 gold is more than 50.
The PCs go on their way, but I have a feeling the band might figure it out eventually and confront the PCs at a later date.
We're playing mostly 3.5 rules, with a few added Pathfinder things (traits, the Mighty Godling class, and a few spells, mainly).
New update on our villains' shenanigans.
This left him in position to reach the final crystal, which was also critted. This crit resulted in petrified, which after a failed Fortitude save, turned the crystal to stone. O_o
I may be imagining things and having false memories, but I could have sworn that within this book (or possibly book 3 or 5), there was some sort of item that would help count towards the construction of a lich's phylactery. But running a CTRL-F search through the books isn't yielding anything. Does anyone know what I'm talking about or have I completely lost my mind?
Cheers.
Book 5, the Onyx Chalice
Slot none; Price 30,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.
DESCRIPTION
This chalice made of pure black onyx almost shines with unholy energy and necromantic power. When an Onyx chalice is used it takes only sixty days to create a lich’s phylactery instead of one hundred and twenty. The chalice must be present for the entire process. When it is finished, the chalice’s utility is not over.
At the very end of the phylactery creation process, the creator can choose whether to bind the chalice into the creation or not. If not, the chalice is of no further use. However, if bound, then the chalice becomes a powerful focus for necromantic magic. Any necromancy spell cast while the wielder holds it will be one caster level higher than normal.
However, the chalice is now part of the caster and the phylactery. The chalice counts as part of the caster’s body for the purposes of scrying and as part of the phylactery for locating it.
CONSTRUCTION
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, possess object ; Cost 15,000
gp
Book 5, the Onyx Chalice
** spoiler omitted **
That's it! Thank you. I had the benefit wrong but that is definitely what I was looking for.
Has anyone produced anything for the Brine dragon, I suspect my players will want to deal with it in some way if it loots a dragons lair before they do
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Go after Chargammon's treasure (Dragons Unleashed pg 43) that was stolen by the Brine dragon. Have a few trident archons also available for under the sea. She also has a couple of harpoon golems (101 Variant Monsters), coral golem (Bestiary 4), and ocean giants (Bestiary 4).
This is all back on page 2:
Gary,
Questions about the brine dragon.
1) Is it plain Ancient or Ancient Wyrm? Is it LN?
2) You said that we'd get into that later, but I don't see anything about it later on in the book. Do we make it up as we go along?
3) Is there only the brine dragon and the merfolk? How many merfolk? A whole city worth? Various levels?
4) Is there any issues with bringing the dragon to the side of the wicked?
5) How about the merfolk?
6) Does the brine dragon have his own horde as well?
7) Is there anything specific we should know about before doing this encounter?Kevin,
Spoiler:
1. I'd probably make Benthysara a wyrm or a great wyrm to challenge the PCs. But ancient could work if you give him some minions. The dragon's alignment is up to you, but LN does work well because it is an unusual aligned enemy for this campaign.2. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by later. Benthysara and her merfolk devotees are a sidequest left to the GM to develop and will not be developed any further.
3. There could be more kinds of undersea creatures than just those. Numbers depend on how you wish to frame the side-quest.
4. The dragon has no further role to play in the AP as written. Anything you do with Benthysara will be your own choice.
5. Same with the merfolk.
6. Very likely.
7. There is nothing. As I note in the book, any side-quest with Benthysara is purely optional and "at the GM's discretion." Do with as you will.
Hope that helps,
Gary McBride
Fire Mountain GamesYup, I appreciated everything you've given me answers for so far. The reason I asked was because sometimes the creator has an idea in their head, and I like to flesh that out. Making up my own when the creator had a different plan never actually sits too well with me. Hence why I've been asking about all the side quests. At any rate, this is what I've got so far:
Undersea dragon:The PCs will swim down to a large cave that will continue on for quite a ways. After a couple of smaller encounters (random generator for undersea) the PCs will finally come upon what can only be described as Atlantis. Elegantly tall and shimmering structures made of some kind of luminescent corral. In the center of the city is a large statue of a brine dragon. Behind it is a direct route to a set of stairs leading to a massive temple. Inside a religious ceremony with Benthysara and her court is taking place.Her court consists of all merfolk (a couple of them with third party classes). A female sorcerer 4/rogue 3/fighter 2/duelist 1 (CR 9), a female fighter 8/waverider 3 (CR 10), a male druid 7/wavekeeper 4 (CR 10), and a female cleric 14 (CR 13) with the Water and Law domains. Benthysara herself is an ancient wyrm (CR 17).
If they need help, they can call upon the guard for an additional 250 soldiers (CR 15; 5 mobs) by blowing the horn.
A total of an EL 19 encounter.
If the battle looks like they're going to lose, Benthysara will bargain with the PCs. Especially if she finds out about which dragons they've defeated in the past.
Now that Gruesome Dragons is out, consider taking the False God template for +3 CR. It adds to the flavor.
That is useful, not sure what my players will want to do it is the sort of thing they may negotiate with . Also have to decide what the Shar people allies of theirs will have an an opinion
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Despite the mystery around FMG these days, we're still playing and having fun. The players took the lead by finishing book 3 really quickly and NOT reporting back to Thorn -yet- So I've moved events around a bit. They've already spoken to Naburus, where they were gently nudged towards killing a king, and we've cut away at least 6 months of play time (which to us is a good thing - we decided we don't want to play with devils for another 3 years)
The king will die next sunday, come hell or high water.
While reading the inhabitants of the palace, I was wondering about the Sleepless Knight, especially the Quickenss(ex) ability.
A mithral golem is incredibly quick. It can take an extra move action during its turn each round. This means it can move up to double its speed and still make a full attack.
That seems off to me. Full attack is a Full round action, is it not?
Either you move, and in this case really quickly, and take OR you take at most a 5ft step and roll all your attacks.Or is he really supposed to be that quick ^_^
I know I said I'd take a break, but sometimes you just have to write when the mood hits, and when it's fresh in your head.
Wait, there are pregens for WoTW? Where can I find them?
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Wait, there are pregens for WoTW? Where can I find them?I know I said I'd take a break, but sometimes you just have to write when the mood hits, and when it's fresh in your head.
Yeah, Gary made them a few years ago for convention purposes. They have head shot portraits too. He posted them back in the Book 1 thread.
Yeah, Gary made them a few years ago for convention purposes. They have head shot portraits too. He posted them back in the Book 1 thread.Wait, there are pregens for WoTW? Where can I find them?I know I said I'd take a break, but sometimes you just have to write when the mood hits, and when it's fresh in your head.
The portraits and names are awesome, but did he post the stats anywhere?
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The portraits and names are awesome, but did he post the stats anywhere?Yeah, Gary made them a few years ago for convention purposes. They have head shot portraits too. He posted them back in the Book 1 thread.Wait, there are pregens for WoTW? Where can I find them?I know I said I'd take a break, but sometimes you just have to write when the mood hits, and when it's fresh in your head.
I totally copied and pasted the wrong link. It was lower. Sorry about that. Try this one.