So . . . .
The adventure seems to assume that the PCs will attempt to destroy the dragon egg when they find it. But I'm not so sure that's the case, at least not for my group.
My gang just went through the first part of the adventure -- they saved Blackwall keep from the Lizardman seige -- and now they're gearing up for the hike into the marsh.
Now, in Whispering Cairn they got their hands on the baby owlbear, and rather than try to sell it or just get rid of it, they decided to try to raise it as a pet. I spent a lot of time telling them it would probably not work, but one PC was really hooked on the idea and wouldn't let it go. Eventually Kullen killed the little bugger for them when they left their hideout unguarded.
So now I'm looking ahead and I see that egg. And I KNOW they're going to see that egg as loot -- not as something that needs to be destroyed. So, how would you handle that? What should happen with the egg?
-rg
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Remember that there is strong potential for the characters to talk with Hishka, the lizardfolk shaman. Use him to convey the malevolence of the black dragon egg and Shukak's dealings with his secret consort, Ilthane.
Then, perhaps, allow the black dragon egg to begin its "activation" when the characters fight Ilthane's kobolds - the sight of those worms slithering out might be enough motivation for the characters to utterly destroy the egg in the process of kiling the worms.
Don Kenneth Brown
West Jordan, Utah
Or let them take it. And then have it hatch as they're lugging it back to town...
I would say let them do what they are going to do. Just keep in mind how it might be broken during travel or during the selling process. I believe the worms get a little less dangerous when it's not in the water (I thought I read somewhere that the water keeps them alive longer). Either way it could really hurt their credability if it bursts open while selling or an astute buying inspects it so well that they determine what's inside. Them destroying it in the marsh is by no means required.
Well, it's entirely possible that they could parley with Hishka . . except that it's a party that tends to fight first and ask questions way later . . . like the next day, maybe, if they're bored.
I'm going to be stretching out the journey to the lair and back with extra wandering encounters . . . and that's a lot of opportunity for the egg to break open. If they can get it back and sell it . . . well, finding a buyer will be interesting all on it's own. And Ilthane is going to find out what happened sooner or later. No doubt about that . . . .
-j
Well, your party of adventurers sounds like mine (Kill 'em all). I tried my damnist to get two lizardmen to run away after they killed the one with the kyus worm in him, but they hunted them down and killed them. (They didn't get 10 ft. out of the room). The Dragon egg (which they were goning to loot) I had them make balance checks every ten feet. Eventualy one of them failed and "Oops, you dropped it!"
I'd let them hold on to it until you can find the worst possible moment for it to hatch. Then roll for initiative. If you haven't found the right moment before they try to sell the egg, have the buyer take one look at it and walk the other way.
My players wanted to take the egg with them so Allustan and the party's wizard could study it. The players were EXTRA cautious with removing the egg from its surroundings, so I had them make a few throwaway rolls and see if anyone really screwed up and dropped the egg. They didn't, and managed to get it into a Heward's Handy Haversack, so I decided to let them have the egg.
It's my opinion that if the party takes extra precautions, and actually use their heads when dealing with something like this, as a DM it's better to reward their efforts than cause possible frustration in the attempt of dramatic situations.
They took the egg to Allustan, who safely transported it back to his shop so he could study it further. The PCs went on to the Free City to continue their adventures. A week later they received a crate from Allustan with this letter:
"Dear friends, and apprentice:
Marzena and I have been studying what you found. You were right in assuming it was an augmented dragon's egg; but confirming that theory nearly cost us our lives. I was delicately probing the surface of the egg when it burst open, spraying green worms everywhere. Marzena and I lept back, and she used a spell of burning hands to obliterate the egg and most of my workbench (she's always been a little hot-headed).
Imagine my surprise when we discovered the burned worms made a paste with surprising alchemical properties. I brewed them down into a couple of oils you may find useful; they and the instructions on how to brew and use them are in the crate. May they find you in better health than last we met.
Allustan"
That way I could introduce the Kyussbane Oil and other item in the adventure's sidebar. Plus it gave another reason for Ilthane to track Allustan down and obliterate him.