Dungeon 132 arrived in the mail yesterday. The second thing I did (after reading Downer) was skim Library of Last Resort, the 9th episode in the Age of Worms Adventure Path.
Wow
This Adventure Path continues to shine. The artwork is gorgeous. The encounters with advanced creatures reminds me of the best parts of Clash of the Titans and Jason and the Argonauts. The new creature featured in the appendix is as intriguing and well drawn as the Wind Warriors and Kyuss creatures featured in earlier episodes.
But the coolest part has got to be the artifact. The campaign has already worked in a piece of one famous artifact. We have reason to believe we will see another in the future (based on a certain talisman from the first adventure). But the planners and writers have found an excellent way to incorporate a third storied relic of D&D in this episode.
By the way, it looks like this campaign is headed for epic territory. The PCs are expected to reach 18th level by the end of this episode, and there are three more adventures in the path.
[SOME SPOILERS]
At first scan I thought that this adventure didn't fit. The encounters did not seem to fit with earlier episodes but after I gave it a thorough read I must say that I like it.
I guess I've been expecting for every encounter at this point in the path to be nothing but Kyuss minions that it's actually really refreshing to see that there are other things BESIDES Kyuss. The party is reminded of the fact that not everything revolves around Kyuss himself because even the druids of the Order of the Storm had other responsibilities before and after Kyuss - which the island and many of its denizens are a testament to.
But I'm not sure that I like that the Hand of Vecna, a third artifact, has come into play. Rod of Seven Parts, Talisman of the Sphere/Sphere of Annihilation, and now the Hand of Vecna... it just seems like too many artifacts.
... it just seems like too many artifacts...
Perhaps. I don't have 132 yet, and so I haven't read LoLR. I would point out that this is easily the largest and most epic campaign Greyhawk has ever seen, and likely one of the most epic D&D has seen -- it's about the end of the world.
I think the writers have some freedom to go farther than is customary.
Just my opinion :)
Jack
I'm still eagerly (and somewhat rabidly) awaiting my next issue. On the issue of too many artifacts, however, I believe there's a tendency for DM's to shy away from using artifacts, due to their repuation of unbalancing games. However, the artifact useage here seems well thought-out, and adds to the campaign rather than distracting from it.
I have to say after so many amazing adventures on the AP so far, I was luke-warm about this one. The setting was interesting and the flashback at the end very cool, but IMO the whole 'racing against the enemy PC's for the prize' thing is starting to get old. Running errands for the Wild things in the library didn't really impress me as a strong plot either especially since it brought to mind Monte Python's Holy Grail:
Guardians-Who-Say-Nie-"Bring me the Great Roc's Feather! ...and then a nice shrubbery".
I guess the bar has been set pretty high on AoW and this adventure was just ok.
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My issue arrived on Wednesday here in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
We've not played many high-level games, and so flipping through and looking at the special abilities of some of the less common baddies--and the combined capabilities of a certain nasty Vecnan's band--I found myself thinking, "Holy crap... I'm scared for the heroes."
The creatures are magnificent. The mapped battlegrounds on which they face thier foes are spectacularly... bland. Even if this wasn't a case of "we need to have this place mapped, NOW", and simple site-based skirmishes were the goal from the start, they sure have that feel. I guess after perusing interesting high-level areas like "The Dungeon of the Crypt" in a recent issues, I was hoping (and still hope) for similar things as the Adventure Path squirms, wriggles, and slithers towards its conclusion.
Over all, though, I think this will be a fun, challenging adventure for many a group of "AoW"-ers.
Creative Director
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One of the primary goals I set before Nick with "Library of Last Resort" was to design an adventure that:
1: Incorperated some wilderness elements. Just as "Prince of Redhand" gave the bard a chance to shine, "Library" is intended to give the druid a moment in the spotlight.
2: Use big monsters. A disproportionate number of high CR monsters are so huge that they're hard to fit, physically, in a lot of encounters.
3: Incorperate the Hand of Vecna. One of the signs that the Age of Worms is about to begin is the fact that artifacts start popping up. Up until this point, none of these artifacts have been directly used against the PCs.
I think Nick hit all three of these points spot-on. But for those who are missing the more heavy and blatant Kyuss themes, never fear. The last two adventures in the Age of Worms are pretty hard core.
And yes... it's looking like a fair amount of the last adventure will see the PCs adventuring at 21st level.
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Creative Director
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The creatures are magnificent. The mapped battlegrounds on which they face thier foes are spectacularly... bland. Even if this wasn't a case of "we need to have this place mapped, NOW", and simple site-based skirmishes were the goal from the start, they sure have that feel. I guess after perusing interesting high-level areas like "The Dungeon of the Crypt" in a recent issues, I was hoping (and still hope) for similar things as the Adventure Path squirms, wriggles, and slithers towards its conclusion.
The maps probably could have been fancier, but there was certainly a "we need this place mapped NOW" going on. Fortunatley, the adventure isn't one that really NEEDS maps, since so many of the encounters take place in relatively large, wide-open areas.
In any event, it's been 2 installments now with relatively light dungeon-crawling elements. You can look forward to these elements getting stronger in the next few... including a really cool 3D (a la the old Ravenloft map) map of a certain Citadel...
egads. ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_major_artifacts_in_Dungeons_%26_Dragon s
My issue arrived on Wednesday here in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Golbez, how come your issue is already there in GR, and mine hasn't made it to Lansing yet? After the last issue disappeared into the black hole and had to be resent. . . let's just say I'm starting to get a bit impatient with USPS!
Golbez, how come your issue is already there in GR, and mine hasn't made it to Lansing yet? After the last issue disappeared into the black hole and had to be resent. . . let's just say I'm starting to get a bit impatient with USPS!My issue arrived on Wednesday here in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Michigan's wierd like that.
Color me "Sleepless in Redford" since I have at least two friends who have features in that issue. Especially the sleek and sexy Nickie L.
GGG
Michigan's wierd like that.
Color me "Sleepless in Redford" since I have at least two friends who have features in that issue. Especially the sleek and sexy Nickie L.
GGG
Sexy, yes. Sleek? Not as much as I would like these days. ;-)
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Creative Director
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My only concern is a titan being involved in a 16th level adventure. That's just a bit difficult. I knew the age of worms was supposed to be tough, but that's pushing it.
It's certainly a tough fight... but all of the Island encounters in this adventure are, since they assume two things:
1: The PCs don't have to conserve their resources in these fights; they're effectively "mini-boss" fights. Plus... never underestimate the power a group of 16th level characters bring to the table...
2: The PCs probably know ahead of time what they might be getting into, and can buff up with prep spells and magic before han.
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There are explicit ways for the heroes to deal with the titan and even receive his belt without combat--like the previous adventure, another opportunity for those characters who've invested heavily in diplomatic skills to strut their stuff. Heck, even a lucky Fascinate (Save DC based on Perform result) and Suggestion from an "underpowered" Bard might do the trick, and his winged minions are just ripe for the charming....
But, yeah, as said already--I'm feelin' for the heroes in these particular epic throw-downs!
Golbez, how come your issue is already there in GR, and mine hasn't made it to Lansing yet? After the last issue disappeared into the black hole and had to be resent. . . let's just say I'm starting to get a bit impatient with USPS!My issue arrived on Wednesday here in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
As a Mail Carrier for the USPS I feel it I should respond. We carriers get and deliver all 1st and 2nd class mail immediately upon arrival at our Station. The delays may be caused if you've changed address and not notified the sender, or more typically by the mail processing center.
As an avid D&D player, I feel your pain.
There are explicit ways for the heroes to deal with the titan and even receive his belt without combat--like the previous adventure, another opportunity for those characters who've invested heavily in diplomatic skills to strut their stuff. Heck, even a lucky Fascinate (Save DC based on Perform result) and Suggestion from an "underpowered" Bard might do the trick, and his winged minions are just ripe for the charming....
But, yeah, as said already--I'm feelin' for the heroes in these particular epic throw-downs!
I don't know about you, but I would be all about dealing with the Krathanos in some way other than combat.
Even if the PCs do fight him, check his tactics section. He is not exactly the most stable individual and his tactics suffer from his profound (and well deserved) arrogance. Remember, the bigger they are...well you know. ;-)
AAGH! Stop it! I don´t expect my copy of #132 before next Wednesday here (at beast), so please stop teasing me! :-)
Serious, it makes me crazy to read _about_ the adventure without being able to read the adventure _itself_. There is nothing anyone can do about this, though...
Stefan
I don't mean to be that annoying kid at the back of class who's always raising his hand to say "Ummm ... I don't get it." But, Mr. Logue, I ...ummm ... don't get it!
I thought the Library of Last Resort was a good adventure. I found the trials a bit cliche'd (a la Hercules or Jason & the Argonauts) but somehow quaint and interesting anyway. I really liked the villians in the adventure. I found them well thought-out and complex without being unneccessarily complicated. I agree with previous posters that the other creatures inhabiting the island served as a nice break from the constant inundation of Kyuss baddies. I liked the idea that the druids were engaged in something other than strictly Kyuss-bashing. My problem is with the whole dream sequence/flashback (or is it a flash sideways). I'm not saying it was "bad" or not well written, I'm just not sure I really get the point. My question for you Mr. Logue is ... what reaction were you going for? Are my players supposed to be happy/proud that they were apparently involved in this conflict from the very beginning (a la "it is your destiny, Luke") and is that idea going to be supported/expanded in future installments? Or was the whole dream past battle just a vehicle to deliver the crucial information about the location of the phylactery (and hint at Lashonna's role/true nature)? If that is the case I really wish you had presented it simply as a vision without any required combat. I just found the whole fighting in a crucial battle 1500 years ago but if I die I don't really die scenario really confusing. I fear the players are going to react the same way I did when I read it - "Huh?". I don't have any idea of how to explain the purpose or intent of this scenario and would appreciate your insight.
All that being said, I did enjoy this adventure and especially appreciated that FINALLY the PCs go somewhere to uncover the answer to a question and actually walk away with a clear answer at the end (rather than the "well, I can't really tell you anything you don't already know but I can point you to person X who is far away and is sure to know the solution to this dilemna {not really}" that we've all been suffering through in past installments of this adventure path).
Bottom line (please excuse my mindless babble) - I liked the adventure overall and certain elements are particularly outstanding, but that dream sequence left me scratching my head.
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Creative Director
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Well... on one level, it IS a dream/vision sequence. It's not supposed to make complete sense. If you think it's too confusing and will distract or derail the PCs off the campaign, you should probably go ahead and cut the vision off just before the battle begins. The only important thing that this vision imparts is the location of Dragotha's phylactery.
There's a small mention of this fight near the end of "Kings of the Rift," but in the end it's left pretty much up to each individual DM as to how to handle what really happened in this vision. Did the PCs travel back in time? Did their minds just travel back in time? Was the whole thing a dream? Pick the option that works best for your group.
Well... on one level, it IS a dream/vision sequence. It's not supposed to make complete sense. If you think it's too confusing and will distract or derail the PCs off the campaign, you should probably go ahead and cut the vision off just before the battle begins. The only important thing that this vision imparts is the location of Dragotha's phylactery.
There's a small mention of this fight near the end of "Kings of the Rift," but in the end it's left pretty much up to each individual DM as to how to handle what really happened in this vision. Did the PCs travel back in time? Did their minds just travel back in time? Was the whole thing a dream? Pick the option that works best for your group.
It's true. It is reincorporated a bit in "Kings" from what James tells me, but mostly it is a chance to wreck the party, enjoy doing it and have no consequences.
My ideas for the encuonter were manifold:
1. I didn't want to do just a vision. We had a lot of that already in Spire, so I thought a vision in which the PCs take part in an epic battle against Kyuss' armies in the past would be more exciting, while still serving to supply them with information they need (Dragotha's phylactery location). Seeing the realm torn by Kyuss' horde is one thing. Being thrust into the gritty battle for survival is another.
2. Don't let them know it is "just a dream" but make them think they have traveled back in time. Raise the stakes. Make it seem as though their actions are tantamount to defending the druids. If they fail, the Age of Worms will come about 1,500 years before they were even born, and the world is destroyed. That way you can have em sweating. This is the climax of the adventure and it should feel like a climax.
3. They get to see Lashonna before her transformation into a vampire retainer of Kyuss, they literally see her fall from grace as she is slain by Dragotha in the distant sky. Her defeat is further paralleled by the PCs battle against the Swords of Kyuss and the Boneyard. I would take time to narrate the fight between Dragotha and Lashonna at intersecting points in the PCs own. Maybe make them think Lashonna will be victorious early in the battle, but then have things in the skies take a turn for the worse. Or have her fight parallel the PCs own. Every time a PC is slain, Lashonna suffers a horrible wound and falters. This doesn't "mean" anything, but it is artistic and fun.
4. The element of prophecy is cryptically hinted at by Tyrlanthros (one of the Knights That Say Nie ;-) ) earlier in the adventure when he mentions "the heroes of old returned" or some such. Originally I think there was more of this forshadowing, but it probably got cut for space.
5. James comments on the vision's "dream-like" quality are spot on. I think the PCs should have no freakin idea what happened. Some mysteries are greater than our ability to grasp them. As for what actually happened...that is up to you. Maybe it was just a powerful magical hallucination designed by the druids to impart the importance of defeating Kyuss (the PCs see the horrific war versus his spawned multitudes, and actually experience being slaughtered in the horde's wake), or through the intervention of greater powers (deities, the rites of the Order of the Storm, etc), the PCs are rocketed back through time to save the druids in their darkest hour and even if slain they are returned to life (and the present) by these powers.
I do this stuff alot in my home campaigns. Keep the PCs guessing, and remember...reality is your playground. :-)
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Call me cheap, but I intend to use a "maybe" plan.
If the PCs succeed, then they actually did travel back in time. When the information about the location of Dragotha's phylactery returns to the history books, I'll really shock any players who look into this further with their character illustrations.
If they fail, it was just a vision, and said pictures, while possibly bearing slight resemblances (races, classes, etc.), are not of them.
All right, so i'm a coward.
Golbez, how come your issue is already there in GR, and mine hasn't made it to Lansing yet? After the last issue disappeared into the black hole and had to be resent. . . let's just say I'm starting to get a bit impatient with USPS!My issue arrived on Wednesday here in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
As a Mail Carrier for the USPS I feel it I should respond. We carriers get and deliver all 1st and 2nd class mail immediately upon arrival at our Station. The delays may be caused if you've changed address and not notified the sender, or more typically by the mail processing center.
As an avid D&D player, I feel your pain.
Thanks. I got mine Saturday, and read the adventure when I should have been working on a talk I had to give Sunday. Until Dec., the PO has been quite reliable with all my subscriptions, and my Dragons have been coming in right on time straight through--just these two issues of the Dungeon, one of which apparently was lost in the mail and had to be replaced.
By the way, I congratulate Mr. Logue on doing a great job conceiving the dialogue, the shifts to the demiplane and the vision-world, and how the whole adventure fits together. I'm looking forward to running this one! And thinking how much prep the encounters will take so I can give the PCs a run for their money.
Call me cheap, but I intend to use a "maybe" plan.
If the PCs succeed, then they actually did travel back in time. When the information about the location of Dragotha's phylactery returns to the history books, I'll really shock any players who look into this further with their character illustrations.
If they fail, it was just a vision, and said pictures, while possibly bearing slight resemblances (races, classes, etc.), are not of them.
All right, so i'm a coward.
I ALWAYS do this when I DM. I think it's smart money to have two possible outcomes in your head to match what happens to the party. You are no coward sir! Then again, if you are...so am I! Strength in numbers! That is rather cowardly of us isn't it. :-)
Thanks for helping clear that up. I too will probably adopt the "maybe plan" and resolve the scenario based on the characters' survival (or lack thereof). At least now I have some plausible explanation if they don't survive the battle but continue to live in the present.
Thanks again.
Call me cheap, but I intend to use a "maybe" plan.
If the PCs succeed, then they actually did travel back in time. When the information about the location of Dragotha's phylactery returns to the history books, I'll really shock any players who look into this further with their character illustrations.
If they fail, it was just a vision, and said pictures, while possibly bearing slight resemblances (races, classes, etc.), are not of them.
All right, so i'm a coward.
Wow. That's the greatest idea ever! Consider it *yoinked*.
I plan on having the PCs having traveled back in time. I also plan on killing them. divine intervention is going to be rather fun...
they'll fight the horde, and they will be overwhelmed after one HELL of a fight. when they die, each PC will be sent to a different room, each with a note that states something to the effect of "you awake in the center of the island. your body still hurts from the fatal blow that killed you. you can feel a new scars in places where you had seen the undead rend your flesh."
should be interesting to see how they react...
edit:
also, I'm intending on dealing with the hand of vecna in the same way that the rod of seven parts has been dealt with: constant harassment and attacks by parties who desire to posess it.
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The "dream sequence" is, IMO, one of the absolute BEST encounters I have ever read. It's a great climax to what is already one of my favorite AOW adventures. I'll explain why in a single word: FORESHADOWING.
I am intending on waiting until I get all the adventures before running them, mainly because I like to keep things continuous and the feeling of versimilitude rather constant. I also want to know where I want to send the PCs on sidetreks and where they are most likely to wander off the beaten path. But mainly because I want to be able to foreshadow the big events of the campaign. PCs hearing about a black dragon terrorizing the area turns out to later be Ilthane. The Ebon triad makes a couple of attacks against PCsafter t3FoE... that kind of thing.
What this encounter gives me is a FANTASTIC foreshadow. Allustan and Manzorian giving the PCs snippets of "heroes of legend" who "sacrificed their lives to protect... something, I havent figured out what yet." That kind of thing. As the campaign progresses, let the PCs think they are following in the footsteps of these great adventurers, and then WHAMMO!! they get to actually BE those heroes!!!
Its the stuff that gets talked about years after the dice stop rolling.
The "dream sequence" is, IMO, one of the absolute BEST encounters I have ever read. It's a great climax to what is already one of my favorite AOW adventures. I'll explain why in a single word: FORESHADOWING.
I am intending on waiting until I get all the adventures before running them, mainly because I like to keep things continuous and the feeling of versimilitude rather constant. I also want to know where I want to send the PCs on sidetreks and where they are most likely to wander off the beaten path. But mainly because I want to be able to foreshadow the big events of the campaign. PCs hearing about a black dragon terrorizing the area turns out to later be Ilthane. The Ebon triad makes a couple of attacks against PCsafter t3FoE... that kind of thing.
What this encounter gives me is a FANTASTIC foreshadow. Allustan and Manzorian giving the PCs snippets of "heroes of legend" who "sacrificed their lives to protect... something, I havent figured out what yet." That kind of thing. As the campaign progresses, let the PCs think they are following in the footsteps of these great adventurers, and then WHAMMO!! they get to actually BE those heroes!!!
Its the stuff that gets talked about years after the dice stop rolling.
Awesome! Glad you dug it daysoftheking! I was definately interested in forshadowing, one of my favoritist tools as a DM. I also think having Allustan and Manzorian dropping hints about the "great heroes of old" is a fantastic idea, and if I could run the path would do the same. Cheers!
Dude, no one mentioned the Wild Watcher yet. So far, it's been the coolest and most original new creature to come out of the AP (even better than the Kyuss creatures in SoLS. . . and that's saying alot). The artwork is excellent as well.
Great adventure, Nick. I enjoyed reading it, and will enjoy running it many, many months from now (my group just hit 2nd level. . . it'll be awhile).
Also - You should post your recent performance clips on this thread, Nick. I saw them, and they were very cool. :)
Dude, no one mentioned the Wild Watcher yet. So far, it's been the coolest and most original new creature to come out of the AP (even better than the Kyuss creatures in SoLS. . . and that's saying alot). The artwork is excellent as well.
Great adventure, Nick. I enjoyed reading it, and will enjoy running it many, many months from now (my group just hit 2nd level. . . it'll be awhile).
Also - You should post your recent performance clips on this thread, Nick. I saw them, and they were very cool. :)
Thanks for the praise my man!
For those interested in seeing me get totally owned by a girl in a fight, check out this sight...
http://www.hawaii.edu/theatre/press/0506press/jingju/video/
Take a look at MOV000124 and MOV000125
I am the dude in the big orange suit with the four banners mounted on my back...yeah, I wonder where I got the idea for the Wild Watcher's look. ;-)
Dude, no one mentioned the Wild Watcher yet. So far, it's been the coolest and most original new creature to come out of the AP (even better than the Kyuss creatures in SoLS. . . and that's saying alot). The artwork is excellent as well.
Great adventure, Nick. I enjoyed reading it, and will enjoy running it many, many months from now (my group just hit 2nd level. . . it'll be awhile).
Also - You should post your recent performance clips on this thread, Nick. I saw them, and they were very cool. :)
Thanks for the praise my man!
For those interested in seeing me get totally owned by a girl in a fight, check out this sight...
http://www.hawaii.edu/theatre/press/0506press/jingju/video/
Take a look at MOV000124 and MOV000125
I am the dude in the big orange suit with the four banners mounted on my back...yeah, I wonder where I got the idea for the Wild Watcher's look. ;-)
Wild Watchers were definitely cool! And . . . Jingju--I thought that those banners they have looked familiar. Can you play Sun Wukong?
Wild Watchers were definitely cool! And . . . Jingju--I thought that those banners they have looked familiar. Can you play Sun Wukong?Dude, no one mentioned the Wild Watcher yet. So far, it's been the coolest and most original new creature to come out of the AP (even better than the Kyuss creatures in SoLS. . . and that's saying alot). The artwork is excellent as well.
Great adventure, Nick. I enjoyed reading it, and will enjoy running it many, many months from now (my group just hit 2nd level. . . it'll be awhile).
Also - You should post your recent performance clips on this thread, Nick. I saw them, and they were very cool. :)
Thanks for the praise my man!
For those interested in seeing me get totally owned by a girl in a fight, check out this sight...
http://www.hawaii.edu/theatre/press/0506press/jingju/video/
Take a look at MOV000124 and MOV000125
I am the dude in the big orange suit with the four banners mounted on my back...yeah, I wonder where I got the idea for the Wild Watcher's look. ;-)
I played Sun Wukong once in Nao Long Gong (Havoc in the Dragon's Palace). That is a very very fun show. I am definately not a monkey though, I shine as a jing (hua lian or "painted face"). They are sooooo over the top and wicked to play. I love it!
I am backstage on the theatre's computers now...so I have to run. Time to get killed. Ain't that just the way it goes sometimes. G'night all!
I played Sun Wukong once in Nao Long Gong (Havoc in the Dragon's Palace). That is a very very fun show. I am definately not a monkey though, I shine as a jing (hua lian or "painted face"). They are sooooo over the top and wicked to play. I love it!
I am backstage on the theatre's computers now...so I have to run. Time to get killed. Ain't that just the way it goes sometimes. G'night all!
I guess I wouldn't expect you to play a dan role. So Guan Gong or Xiang Yu are more your style?
Jingju, and the popular novels many of the plays are based on, has got to be a great inspiration for the DM!
I guess I wouldn't expect you to play a dan role. So Guan Gong or Xiang Yu are more your style?
Jingju, and the popular novels many of the plays are based on, has got to be a great inspiration for the DM!
You betcha! Some of the most amazing stories ever told, and the characters are soooo much deeper than most western epics. They aren't really good guys or bad guys. They are just badasses. So interesting.
I wrote/directed/produced a play about Guan Gong while I was in Beijing. He is an amazing character! Definately my favorite of the Three Kingdoms greats.
Nice to know someone else out there appreciates jingju! Wish you could check out the show! Maybe I'll send you a cd of it when they get finished, if you want to check it out.
Nice to know someone else out there appreciates jingju! Wish you could check out the show! Maybe I'll send you a cd of it when they get finished, if you want to check it out.
Too bad I'm stuck here in MI, and have to spend my spring break in equally arctic Ithaca NY, so no trips to HI in the near future. Would love to hear/see more of this project--translating jingju into English is kind of an interesting idea, even though I wonder how easy it is to preserve the cadences of the original language that way.
I fear I'm hijacking this thread with personal chat--perhaps we could continue this exchange by e-mail. I'm at abatai@yahoo.com.
Jia you!
Jake
I just want to add my two cents worth about how good Nick's adventure is. Its great to see yet another cool powerful fey creature make an appearance, and while the good old hand of Vecna might throw a spanner in the works of some campaigns if handled improperly, the reaction that Lashonna has to its appearance is priceless.
One question - has the nighttwist been errated? I thought its despair power had a radius of 10 miles per hit dice? If it has been officially altered I'd just like to say that great minds think alike (since I altered it's radius to feet myself in a recent adventure I made up).
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Creative Director
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One question - has the nighttwist been errated? I thought its despair power had a radius of 10 miles per hit dice? If it has been officially altered I'd just like to say that great minds think alike (since I altered it's radius to feet myself in a recent adventure I made up).
The night twist has indeed been erattaed, as have pretty much EVERY monster in the Monster Manual III. The file's up on WotC's site.
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*smiles* I ended up using a night twist in my old campaign during a "trial by the sword" scenario for my 16th level players- the specifics are unimportant, but the 100 mile area was deserted of most intelligent life- it wasn't until the first evening that they realized why it was deserted...
I recall reading the monster's entry, realizing that an average night twist depopulated an area of 80 miles, and wondered how any forest or region remained populated with one of these around, especially the Ancient versions. One of those could annihilate a kingdom in one night, simply by enthralling its entire population. ;)
So I haven't finished reading yet, but I have a question. If the question is answered later then I apologize.
My very first thought after reading the background info was: Why didn't the druid badasses destroy the phylactery, rather than locking it in a vault and running the risk of Dragotha getting it back?
So I haven't finished reading yet, but I have a question. If the question is answered later then I apologize.
My very first thought after reading the background info was: Why didn't the druid badasses destroy the phylactery, rather than locking it in a vault and running the risk of Dragotha getting it back?
Good question...and the first one I asked myself when I got offered this adventure by Erik and James. The answer is awesome.
The druids weren't trying to defeat Dragotha. They were trying to pull him away from Kyuss side. Without Dragotha in the fray, Kyuss armies were weakened considerably. When the dracolich learned his phylactery was taken, his own self-preservation instincts drove him from the field to go find the damned thingee. This was the opportunity the druids wanted to create.
If they destroyed it, Dragotha would know he was not long for this world and probably would have fought even harder to defend Kyuss and destroy the armies facing him. But by keeping the dracolich thinking he had a chance to recover it, drew him from Kyuss (and he took a lot of his own forces with him to Rift Canyon to seek the phylactery, further weakening Kyuss' forces).
Neat trick. Sometimes killing an enemy isn't the best option, but holding something over him to motivate him to betray his sovereign is even better.
Hmmm.... maybe I don't understand the complete timeline well enough.
Wouldn't it have been in the druids' best interests to eventually destroy the phylactery? Once the battle is won, I would think getting rid of Kyuss's top mortal (more or less) ally would be something of a high priority. I certainly see the point that not destroying it right away makes sense, but I would think that once the war is won, getting rid of the big, bad, smelly, undead dragon would be a priority. ;)
Note that I still haven't finished reading the adventure - so if that timeline is better explained later (such as in the what sounds like a really cool dream/vision sequence) then just kick me in the shin and tell me to keep reading. ;)
On a different note... I absolutely LOVED the picture of the kenku assassin! That picture was totally awesome!
I'm a bit odd, at least based on what I read on the boards, in that the art rarely grabs my attention. This one did, though. I kept going back to look it - I can't recall the last time that happened. Kudos to whichever of your artists produced that picture!
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Creative Director
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On a different note... I absolutely LOVED the picture of the kenku assassin! That picture was totally awesome!
I'm a bit odd, at least based on what I read on the boards, in that the art rarely grabs my attention. This one did, though. I kept going back to look it - I can't recall the last time that happened. Kudos to whichever of your artists produced that picture!
That was Eva, and it does indeed rock.
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Creative Director
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Wouldn't it have been in the druids' best interests to eventually destroy the phylactery? Once the battle is won, I would think getting rid of Kyuss's top mortal (more or less) ally would be something of a high priority. I certainly see the point that not destroying it right away makes sense, but I would think that once the war is won, getting rid of the big, bad, smelly, undead dragon would be a priority. ;)
It's not really an issue of a timeline; Nick's right. By stealing and hiding the phylactery, the druids are using hope against Dragotha rather than desperation. By stealing the phylactery and hiding it, they force Dragotha to quit the field of battle (along with his dragon minions) long enough so that the other good guys can break the army. If they'd just destroyed the phylactery there and then, Dragotha wouldn't have a reason to quit the army; he would have redoubled his efforts there and then to destroy the druids and their alles in a fit of revenge-fueled rage.
The druids certainly intended to destroy his phylactry soon after the battle, but the results of the battle didn't go quite as they'd hoped. They won, but their resources were too depleted to do anything against Dragotha and Kyuss' forces but hide.