Presuming the party is successful in killing Ilthane and surviving the Wind Duke tomb, I'd like to have a surprise waiting for them just as they emerge, weary but triumphant, from the Whispering Cairn.
I need a CR of anywhere between 17 and 20, as they are already pretty high-level, and smart, and lucky. I'm not looking for a TPK by any stretch, but I do want to give them a good fight. Any thoughts on what kind of encounter should be waiting for them? I was thinking about bringing Ilthane back as an undead, or maybe having a couple of young black dragons show up - her children, looking for vengeance?
I figure it has to be something specifically attracted to Ilthane's corpse - if it was something local to the area all along, they would have found traces of it their first time through, verdad?
Thanks in advance!!! And thanks to everyone who helps make these boards such a great experience!!!
I need a CR of anywhere between 17 and 20...
I can't help but wonder how you challenged this party with A Gathering of Winds.
I'd also point out that they are going to be low on hp, spells, and other resources at the end of the scenario -- even an 18th (or so) level party would be likely to be TPKed by the encounter you want.
Regards,
Jack
Scaling up the adventures hasn't really been all that big a challenge. I know the PC's by now, so I know all their strengths and weaknesses. In this case, I bumped up Ilthane to an old adult black dragon with all the bells and whistles - charm person spell is especially sweet against fighters with low will saves!
We haven't started the adventure yet, but I've already prepared bumped up versions or alternates to several of the monsters and traps during the adventure - I've got several pages of notes. It's a lot of extra work, but the party is committed to seeing this campaign through and we're all having a blast so I don't mind at all.
As to your concerns, duly noted, but I can always downscale or scrap the idea altogether if they are too banged up come the end of the dungeon.
Thanks.
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Well said, Jack.
Rather than a rollplaying encounter, why not give them a roleplaying situation. Have the situation look potentially grim but realize that the adversary only wants to talk...
If you have the adventure, Crypt of Lyzandred the Mad, I suggest you crack it open and take a look at what the lich's (Wiz20) motives are. You may find some interesting elements there. From what I recall from the Overload material (I seem to get my copy of Dungeon two weeks after the first people do), the PCs may have something now that Lyzandred would prefer in his safe keeping. Depending on the party's actions, they may have a new, albeit strange ally. At worst, they'll understand what it means when a lich gets "medieval".
Rexx,
Excellent! I ran the same group of players with different PC's through the mini-adventure Road to Oblivion a while back, and it was great to see so many pre-conceived notions about what is a monster shattered. Giving them an encounter with a lich ought to be a blast, and will give them a taste of what life will be like shortly, when they are allying with the silver dragon vampire. Thanks!