Calling all dms, I need your input as to how you would handle transitioning Filge's 'house of horrors' into a base the pcs can use. specifically:
1. How you would handle Balabar Smenks' reaction to Filge's demise and ensuing observatory occupation?
2. When the Diamond lakes militia garrison or the office of governor -mayor Lanod Neff get wind of their new neighbors, would you have the players required to purchase the deed? If so, what amount of taxes would be levied?
3. If Balabar officially owns the deed to the observatory, how might he be, uhmm, 'persuaded' to transfer ownership?
Just thought I'd get some opinions here, knowing there is really no right or wrong way to handle this
The way I hadled it for my PCs is that I had the honorable Mr. Smenk subtly threaten them about the observatory and Filges death in order to get them to raid the Dourstone Mine. Unfortunately the PCs first strike ground to a halt with Theldrick's appearance and they had to retreat. They snuck/battered their way back in and finished the Baneites without alerting the rest of the temple. But the Grimlocks made an attack on the Observatory that night and busted up the place pretty hard. I was going to let them burn it too, but the PCs didn't use the mine office as an HQ, so they needed one. I'm just glossing over the garrison who will consider them another in a long line of squatters, and then as heroes once they emerge from the mine.
Calling all dms, I need your input as to how you would handle transitioning Filge's 'house of horrors' into a base the pcs can use. specifically:
1. How you would handle Balabar Smenks' reaction to Filge's demise and ensuing observatory occupation?
2. When the Diamond lakes militia garrison or the office of governor -mayor Lanod Neff get wind of their new neighbors, would you have the players required to purchase the deed? If so, what amount of taxes would be levied?
3. If Balabar officially owns the deed to the observatory, how might he be, uhmm, 'persuaded' to transfer ownership?
Just thought I'd get some opinions here, knowing there is really no right or wrong way to handle this
I think Smenk may endeavor to hire the PCs to infiltrate the mine, after all, these guys beat the pants off of his "hired help." However, I'd think that Smenk would double-cross the PCs with an ambush from his thugs, or he would try to set the PCs up, getting them framed for some crime worthy of jail, even trying to get the militia garrison troops involved... Ie- having his thugs murder a garrison non-com and placing the blame on the PCs.
To me, Smenk is a very dangerous man.As far as taxes and levies... Hmm.. In the 3.5 DMG pg. 140, it gives the standard of 1/5 of the PC's income is taxable. How much of that is used to pay property tax?? I've no idea. Just pointing to a guideline.
It is stated that the observatory is 5 minutes north of Diamond Lake. Is that a misprint? 5 minutes isn't very far.
Nope...just look at the Diamond Lake map. It's actually on the map of the town. I explained to my PCs that it was on a hill on the outskirts of town. I didn't bother saying it was "5 minutes north".
my PC's burned the observetory to the ground which prompted Smenk to send Kullen and the gang to burn down the abandoned mine office in return.
LOL :D! Man! That is so funny! Guess you're having a blast playing AOW!
My PCs didn't kill Filge, but let him go after he spilled his guts. This will leave a nice villian for them to meet up with in the Free City (that's where Filge retreated to). As for the observatory, I didn't realize that Smenk had the deed, as it's stated a few times that the observatory has had a few squatters living in it over time. Smenk being involved changes things a little. I'll have to think on that. As for taxes, I hadn't thought of it, but I guess once they start fixing it up the tax man will show up.
My players actually believed Flige would come with them to the mine. Of course he fled for the Free City as soon as they left for the mine office. He told them he "had a few things to gather up before joining them". I can't believe they fell for that line! I can only thinl that it was at the end of a long session and everybody was ready to pack it in for the night in character and for real. They haven't mentioned moving into the observitory but are rather intimidated by Smenk.