A couple of adventures ago, I DM'd the "Obsidian Eye" for my fiance, and decided to use the "strange dreams" adventure hook for his Zoser-worshipping Rogue/Fighter/Dervish (at the time, he was just a Rogue/Fighter, but since then he's become a Dervish). The villains of the tale could tell he'd had the dream and were aghast that he was aiding in the destruction of the grand plan.
At the end, they took the Obsidian Eye, and wanted to bring it back to Janeer (whom they actually managed to keep safe from the Jackalweres) for her to safely destroy/hide/whatever. On the way, I threw "Palace of the Twisted King" at them (and the little meenlocks stole the Obsidian Eye, which was a nice touch, and meant the sandstorm was also full of those awful sandy undead folk). They killed the Meenlocks, got the Obsidian Eye back, got it to Jeneer, and helped finance her run to the furthest corner from which she could research a way to destroy the Eye.
Since then, other adventures have happened. But I'm going to spring the dreams on poor Andiel again, in increasing levels of detail, and this will segue into a sequel.
My basic plan is that the original black obelisk site was one central to the fella's kindgom, and five orbital sites with smaller temple/obelisks existed around the edge of his kingdom (and also, where the edge of the destruction happened). The eye, when used in the central place, would have activated all the five outside obelisks and had their energies focus inward to the centre, where the fella could rise again.
Since the centre is now toast, the followers have been frantic to figure out something else. It turns out, however, that if the Obsidian Eye visited each of the five orbital obelisks for a short time each, they would activate, and though it would take longer, so long as they'd all been "switched on" prior to the appropriate time of alignment, the baddie could still come back.
Meanwhile, Andiel's home town has seen about half its citizens begin having the dream (a good portion of the town is descended from the baddies people) and some of those have begun to wander off to see if they can follow their sight, including the childhood rival of Andiel, a cleric of Zoser.
When the PCs learn that Janeer was found, and the eye stolen, the race is back on, and they've got to figure out (a) where to go and (b) how to stop the obelisks from being activated.
Even better, if only some of the obelisks are activated, I can reincarnate the baddie as a lower-level villain appropriate to the PCs levels in the meantime, while he tries to get the rest of his power back...
I just wondered if anyone else had played further with "The Obsidian Eye"?
Just finished Obsidian Eye last night. My segue goes like this:
At the top of the Obelisk, where the miniature city is, a building was missing that appears to be an arch. Anuk-Sul had a few trusted advisors that left the city before he incinerated it. These advisors took this arch with them. The arch is actually a magically gate that will take the players to the buried city. The PCs are going to go find the resting place of those advisors, recover the arch, and thus gain entrance to the Lost City of Anuk-Sul.
I'm going to use Rana Mor from #86 as the place where the advisors went. The arch is in one of the tombs. That may be the end of the campaign for me as I'm itching to start Shackled City. Or I might run one more adventure so that the PCs can get to the Lost City and do something there to get some sense of closure for this campaign. Don't know what that might be.
You guys are awesome!
Brendan and I are currently writing a sequel to "Obsidian Eye" for Dungeon called "Lightning Curse." It differs from what you guys are up to with it, but bears some similarities, especially the "return of the defeated villain" theme. You just can't keep a good woman down, or a good scorpion for that matter. ;-)
Your adventures sound really cool. I hope "Lightning Curse" still proves useful to you. Should do as it is for much higher level (a kind of Return to Anuk-Saal). If not you can always nab baddies or ideas from it.
Have fun guys!
You guys are awesome!
Brendan and I are currently writing a sequel to "Obsidian Eye" for Dungeon called "Lightning Curse." It differs from what you guys are up to with it, but bears some similarities, especially the "return of the defeated villain" theme. You just can't keep a good woman down, or a good scorpion for that matter. ;-)
Your adventures sound really cool. I hope "Lightning Curse" still proves useful to you. Should do as it is for much higher level (a kind of Return to Anuk-Saal). If not you can always nab baddies or ideas from it.
Have fun guys!
I was about to SAY... The first thing that came to my mind when I read through Obsidian Eye is, "Okay, this guy's name is HARBINGER. He's not going to die, regardless of what the PCs do to him."
Really, you've created a very awsome bad guy. And a pretty good adventure at that, were I to run it, it would be more-or-less as-is.
... Where in Eberron could I put it, though? Does Khorvaire even HAVE deserts? Or would I need to put it in Xen'Drik...? Decisions, decisions...
You guys are awesome!
Brendan and I are currently writing a sequel to "Obsidian Eye" for Dungeon called "Lightning Curse." It differs from what you guys are up to with it, but bears some similarities, especially the "return of the defeated villain" theme. You just can't keep a good woman down, or a good scorpion for that matter. ;-)
Your adventures sound really cool. I hope "Lightning Curse" still proves useful to you. Should do as it is for much higher level (a kind of Return to Anuk-Saal). If not you can always nab baddies or ideas from it.
Have fun guys!
I was about to SAY... The first thing that came to my mind when I read through Obsidian Eye is, "Okay, this guy's name is HARBINGER. He's not going to die, regardless of what the PCs do to him."
Really, you've created a very awsome bad guy. And a pretty good adventure at that, were I to run it, it would be more-or-less as-is.
... Where in Eberron could I put it, though? Does Khorvaire even HAVE deserts? Or would I need to put it in Xen'Drik...? Decisions, decisions...
I think there is a desert just North of Valenar that might do the job. Personally though I would alter it a bit and slap it up in the Demon Wastes. Thanks for the kind words about the adventure!
Great adventure, Nicolas.
I do have a question for you though. The trap with the Obsidian Eye fills the room with water by closing the drains. But there is a water geyser is shooting out of this room into the two rooms above. My players set off the trap (dumb) but simply jumped into the water geyser to escape (smart). Had you two intended that?
And if you are interested, here's what happened with your adventure in my campaign:
I had a sentient coin that contained some of the knowledge of Anuk-Sul in it. One of my players had this and eventually figured out what it was. In the monolith, they encountered Mio first. The party bluffs and claim to be the true descendents of Anuk-Sul. They ask the coin for information only Anuk-Sul would know, it tells them, Mio falls for the bluff.
They go to the top of the tower with Mio aiding them. She tells Harbinger that the PCs are the "true descedents" of Anuk-Sul and they should join forces. Harbinger doesn't fall for it, fight ensures, but with Mio helping the PCs. Mio killed by jackalweres but the PCs prevail.
In the final room, they decide to give Jazella the "honor" of recovering the Obsidian Eye but they fail to check for any traps. Jazella is pinned when the dragon head bites down and then is eaten by the crocodile.
The party announces that they are going to flee but two PCs rush into the room to cover the retreat of the others ("Don't worry, my initiative comes up before the crocodile so I can get out."). Doors slam shut. The 2 PCs manage to kill off the croc and then "swim" up the geyser to escape the water.
Lots of fun. Great adventure.
In the final room, they decide to give Jazella the "honor" of recovering the Obsidian Eye but they fail to check for any traps. Jazella is pinned when the dragon head bites down and then is eaten by the crocodile.
... So, tell me. Do your players treat all the NPCs with this much respect? ;p
You guys are awesome!
Brendan and I are currently writing a sequel to "Obsidian Eye" for Dungeon called "Lightning Curse." It differs from what you guys are up to with it, but bears some similarities, especially the "return of the defeated villain" theme. You just can't keep a good woman down, or a good scorpion for that matter. ;-)
Your adventures sound really cool. I hope "Lightning Curse" still proves useful to you. Should do as it is for much higher level (a kind of Return to Anuk-Saal). If not you can always nab baddies or ideas from it.
Have fun guys!
Glee! I can't wait to see/hear more. It really was the best response from the fiance I've had to a Dungeon magazine (he liked "Mad God's Key," too, but the opening run-along-the-docks was really frustrating for his characters as no one could make it through the jumping, balancing, and swimming, and they ended up just having to magic missile Irontusk to unconsciousness).
I'll definitely make sure to leave my home-grown version as a kind of "chapter two of three" then. I'll leave a lot of things wide open. Yay!
Does Jazeela make a return? The poor Sorceror/Force Missile Mage in the group wa the focus of her tortured poetry, and it would be a lot of fun to watch him squirm again. (And again, since I intend to use her again). Heh.
The old up the geyser trick eh...uh...yeah...of course we intended on that...sure. ;-)
Seriously though, your players are smart! Wish I had thought of that. If I had there would have been spikes at the geyser opening at the top of the chamber. :-)
And oh yes, Jazeela is back, along with her poetry, though not as one might expect...(Dramatic music here)
Your Sorcerer/Force Missile Mage will be squirming all right.
Glad you guys enjoyed the adventure. More to come (if our manuscript passes the editors scrutiny that is).
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Brendan and I are currently writing a sequel to "Obsidian Eye" for Dungeon called "Lightning Curse." It differs from what you guys are up to with it, but bears some similarities, especially the "return of the defeated villain" theme. You just can't keep a good woman down, or a good scorpion for that matter. ;-)
I may very well have missed it, but has there been any news on the "Obsidian Eye" sequel?
I may very well have missed it, but has there been any news on the "Obsidian Eye" sequel?
As I recall, the sequel was put on hold due to Age of Worms, as the high-level slot was occupied. Of course, now they have nearly a year, it's possible to see it soon. But this is just me hoping. (And hinting. Hint, hint, hint...)
I may very well have missed it, but has there been any news on the "Obsidian Eye" sequel?As I recall, the sequel was put on hold due to Age of Worms, as the high-level slot was occupied. Of course, now they have nearly a year, it's possible to see it soon. But this is just me hoping. (And hinting. Hint, hint, hint...)
Hey guys!
"Lightning Curse" is still in the manuscript stages sadly (bad Nick and Brendan!). Basically a bunch of projects and trying to nail down my M.F.A. got in the way. I plan to definately finish the manuscript and get it in before the summer is ended, but who knows when (and if really) it will hit the pages of our favorite magazine. Sorry for the delay.
I may very well have missed it, but has there been any news on the "Obsidian Eye" sequel?As I recall, the sequel was put on hold due to Age of Worms, as the high-level slot was occupied. Of course, now they have nearly a year, it's possible to see it soon. But this is just me hoping. (And hinting. Hint, hint, hint...)Hey guys!
"Lightning Curse" is still in the manuscript stages sadly (bad Nick and Brendan!). Basically a bunch of projects and trying to nail down my M.F.A. got in the way. I plan to definately finish the manuscript and get it in before the summer is ended, but who knows when (and if really) it will hit the pages of our favorite magazine. Sorry for the delay.
See. If you had taken your last 13 levels in something useful like Wizard or Illusionist, you could have simulacrums doing your work for you, but noooooo you had to take the wacky thespian/freelance writer class combo. I hope the prestige class at the end is worth it. ;)
Well at least you have good saves.
Multi-class Great Green God
But dude...the adventures written by my simulacrums would only be half as good as the ones I write myself. Besides I've made some simulacrums in the past and they didn't turn out to well.
GGG, believe me I wish I had taken 13 levels in wizard...I'm sure I would be the coolest guy I know.
Okay, I gotta get back to work...and assign my simulacrums some new tasks...
Rich, Greg...are you guys there?...
Well, I'm off to read my "awesomeness" thread again (take that, Pett!). And Nick, you're really slacking on this sequel thing. Did your mom sneak some Ritalin (sp) in your Little Debbies. You need to get this thing cranked out already. Your public awaits. :-)
Oh this is just feeble self-promotion again...I can't abide that sort of thing;) At a time when England are on their way to winning the world cup I have nothing to say:)...ok, except it's nice that all the lovely messageboard people have given the Styes a short rest to allow lesser adventures to emerge fleetingly from its vast shadow for a short while.
Nick, are you allowed to stay up late and watch the games?
Huzzah!
Engerlandengerladengerland!
At a time when England are on their way to winning the world cup I have nothing to sayI'm English but, c'mon - the other side made an own-goal, hardly the rennaissance of English football. Oh and by the way, for the ignorant colonials, football is what you incorrectly refer to as soccer. :-P
Where's your mindless optimism?:)
I'm English but, c'mon - the other side made an own-goal, hardly the rennaissance of English football. Oh and by the way, for the ignorant colonials, football is what you incorrectly refer to as soccer. :-P
"What?!!"
No. Must resist... on... Will save! No thread hi-jacking... Aargh!! (Success!)
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On a more general note: I think that having sequels to succesful adventures is a nice thing, but I wonder how useful they can be. I have not faced the case, but I can imagine that a lot of the groups which have played through one adventure are much further ahead in levels by the time the sequel comes out (not knowing that one was planned, you just move on to other things).
How does Dungeon will handle this? By having the sequel be some levels higher and assuming that the group went on to other things between the two issues?
Bocklin, supporting England for the next four weeks.
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"What?!!"
No. Must resist... on... Will save! No thread hi-jacking... Aargh!! (Success!)
----
On a more general note: I think that having sequels to succesful adventures is a nice thing, but I wonder how useful they can be. I have not faced the case, but I can imagine that a lot of the groups which have played through one adventure are much further ahead in levels by the time the sequel comes out (not knowing that one was planned, you just move on to other things).
How does Dungeon will handle this? By having the sequel be some levels higher and assuming that the group went on to other things between the two issues?
Bocklin, supporting England for the next four weeks.
Actually, I hate football. Cricket - now there is a game! It takes five days to play a match and a draw can be gripping. Genius!
To stick with the thread I unsuccessfully hijacked, while I have no objection to sequels, they do seem slightly pointless unless you put them reasonably close together. After all, as this thread demonstrates, everyone who loved the Obsidian Eye appears to have played it and incorporated it into their campaigns - will they be able to incorporate the sequel? Obviously, a great scenario is a great scenario irrespective, but those who might get the most out of it may not. Ah well - but I personally prefer the mini-APs of three or so linked scenarios, as you can link the sequels together at the time (more or less).
For the most part I agree with Mr. Malformed. I think that most sequels unless they are sequels in spirit more than in fact probably need to be mini arcs. That said sequels that are primarily theme-based (Maure Castle) or different enough from one another (Death of Lashmire/Seekers of the Silver Forge) are fine to have even a year apart. It is my understanding that the Obsidian Eye's sequel was set at a much higher level than the original (about 16th was it, Nick?) probably making it different enough that falls in the latter catagory of acceptable. Regardless having slept with the man for three drunken unrepentant nights at the wild Origins '05 I'm sure it will be good. Now back to the NBA Finals.
Oops, did I say sleep actually we didn't sleep that first night. ;) Oh, and who was the guy with the gun you invited in the next night?
GGG
For the most part I agree with Mr. Malformed. I think that most sequels unless they are sequels in spirit more than in fact probably need to be mini arcs. That said sequels that are primarily theme-based (Maure Castle) or different enough from one another (Death of Lashmire/Seekers of the Silver Forge) are fine to have even a year apart. It is my understanding that the Obsidian Eye's sequel was set at a much higher level than the original (about 16th was it, Nick?) probably making it different enough that falls in the latter catagory of acceptable. Regardless having slept with the man for three drunken unrepentant nights at the wild Origins '05 I'm sure it will be good. Now back to the NBA Finals.
Oops, did I say sleep actually we didn't sleep that first night. ;) Oh, and who was the guy with the gun you invited in the next night?
GGG
Dude...you're giving away all our dirty little secrets.
Actually, yeah, the sequel to Obsidian Eye is fun, but not really a "next week" sequel at all. It is for high level and deals with the same region and of course...Anuk Saal. We hinted at it in our "Concluding the Adventure" section for Obsidian Eye, and some people might be able to use it as a sequel if they can work into their campaigns, but it is definately playable on its own.
A sequel to "The Obsidian Eye"?
(That bard you see doing flip-flops is me!)
You keep grindin' em out, Nicolas, and my group will keep on playin' em.
Bocklin, supporting England for the next four weeks.
Well this is an outstanding piece of news my old German friend:)
Well this is an outstanding piece of news my old German friend:)Bocklin, supporting England for the next four weeks.
Well, I am very flattered that my presence here has been marking enough for you to remember my link to Germany!
Actually, even if I live in Berlin, I am Belgian. And since my country has not managed to produce a decent football player in decades, my heart is open for interesting teams and England seem to have managed to put one together... Wunderbar En-ger-land! ;-)
But now back to Italy-Ghana... Wish you a good game.
Bocklin
Well this is an outstanding piece of news my old German friend:)Bocklin, supporting England for the next four weeks.
Well, I am very flattered that my presence here has been marking enough for you to remember my link to Germany!
Actually, even if I live in Berlin, I am Belgian. And since my country has not managed to produce a decent football player in decades, my heart is open for interesting teams and England seem to have managed to put one together... Wunderbar En-ger-land! ;-)
But now back to Italy-Ghana... Wish you a good game.
Bocklin
Well, Jan Ceulemans comes to mind but I guess he was quite a while ago now...I remember fearing the 1990 team quite a lot.
Nick Logue of course won't even remember one as he is only 7...
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Well this is an outstanding piece of news my old German friend:)Bocklin, supporting England for the next four weeks.
Well, I am very flattered that my presence here has been marking enough for you to remember my link to Germany!
Actually, even if I live in Berlin, I am Belgian. And since my country has not managed to produce a decent football player in decades, my heart is open for interesting teams and England seem to have managed to put one together... Wunderbar En-ger-land! ;-)
But now back to Italy-Ghana... Wish you a good game.
Bocklin
Awwww... That's a bit harsh! How about Enzo Scifo? Or whats-his-face (Michel?) Proud'homme?
Anyway, you should join me and root for the Czech Republic. After being cheated out of the European title they deserved two years ago, their time has come.
A sequel to "The Obsidian Eye"?
(That bard you see doing flip-flops is me!)
You keep grindin' em out, Nicolas, and my group will keep on playin' em.
Thanks Troy! Since I am only going on my 8th year of life right now, you have decades filled with adventures yet to come (can't say the same for Rich and Greg, so sad to be old). ;-)
Actually, hats off to you Troy, a letter of praise about "Cry Wolf" a long while back had a lot to do with motivating me to keep this up. So thanks for chiming in with your thoughts as it really got me interested in contributing more to my favorite magazine.
And Rich, my parents were wondering if you could babysit for me next week, as they are going out of town to watch some other random European country do a number on Britain's SOCCER team. Can you make it?! We could play Eberron! Maybe Greg could come too and you could both get out a musty old tome of Greyhawk and read me some bedtime stories. Please please please!!!
Well, Jan Ceulemans comes to mind but I guess he was quite a while ago now...I remember fearing the 1990 team quite a lot.
Nick Logue of course won't even remember one as he is only 7...
Yes: Scifo, Preudhomme, etc. were a fine team. I am still full of pride looking at my Panini Album of Mexico '86. ;-)
But since then, it's been a very long dry spell...
Bocklin
Hey nick, just have to say the first one is one of the best adventures I have ran. It was one of the first my players made though alive (at the time they were having a streck of bad lack and stupidty and keept killing each other off)
Also HARBINGER made such a imprsion on one of the players that he dressed up as him for hollowing.
Hey nick, just have to say the first one is one of the best adventures I have ran. It was one of the first my players made though alive (at the time they were having a streck of bad lack and stupidty and keept killing each other off)
Also HARBINGER made such a imprsion on one of the players that he dressed up as him for hollowing.
Tomovaksy! This is sooooo cool! I can't wait to tell Brendan, he'll crap himself for certain. I'm happy to hear that Obsidian Eye worked out well for you sir!
So Rich, Greg...anyone dressing up for Halloween as one of your NPCs?...didn't think so.
I once dressed up as one of the bhut monks from X4 Master of the Desert Nomads, but then my older brother just spent the rest of the night calling me "bhut head" (I'm not sure he was pronouncing it right, though).
Hee hee! I remember that.
I recall you dressing as a goblin one year, too. The yellow face paint was kinda creepy.
I wonder if I should mention that young Nick also did an adventure featuring bhut monks - "The Winding Way."
No, I guess I won't,
GGG
Now geonid costumes, that's what all the kids are wearing today.
I once dressed up as one of the bhut monks from X4 Master of the Desert Nomads, but then my older brother just spent the rest of the night calling me "bhut head" (I'm not sure he was pronouncing it right, though).
ah - what fodder for the future...
This post has more to do with the orginal adventure than the sequel. I'm considering finally running "The Obsidian Eye" as a one-shot adventure for some friends next month. I was looking over the adventure and I must admit some confusion as to which room connects to which and via which stairwell. Would anyone like to help my feeble map reading skills?
This post has more to do with the orginal adventure than the sequel. I'm considering finally running "The Obsidian Eye" as a one-shot adventure for some friends next month. I was looking over the adventure and I must admit some confusion as to which room connects to which and via which stairwell. Would anyone like to help my feeble map reading skills?
Hey Torpedo!
If memory serves every room connects to the level above and below it via stairs (it's an obelisk). My Dungeon mags are still packed from my move, but I'll check in a little bit if no one else chimes in here. Hope you have great time with the adventure.
Hey Torpedo!
My Dungeon mags are still packed from my move, but I'll check in a little bit if no one else chimes in here.
Hey, I meant to say Nick, congratulations on moving up to High School:)
Rich
Nick Logue is not the author of the Three Faced Raven
Someone asked about the maps for the obelisk. There are six levels. The largest begin the second sud-basement/dungeon level. The main entrance is on the third level, third up from the second sub-basement. If the characters enter throught the main entrance, the stair way to the right leads down and the left is up.
B
We ran Obsidian Eye as a one off due to having players missing from the regular campaign for a few weeks. It was my first time DM'ing and I have to say it made for a pretty cool start to a career (I'm now running AoW).
In what seems to be becoming a nasty habit, when the party reached Harbinger, he made the big "and your little dog too!" speech, rolled badly for initiative and was dead inside two rounds. The monk in the basement didn't last much longer.
I probably shouldn't have let one of the guys play a warforged psionicist, now that I think about it... ;)