I know for sure that my players are frequenting these boards. Leave, boys. And believe me, it's better for you!
MANY MANY SPOILERS AHEAD!!!! DON'T KEEP ON READING OR YOU'LL KNOW LOTS OF CAMPAIGN DETAILS AND SPOIL YOURSELF ALL THE FUN!
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Ah well, I'm having a few problems with the adventures...
It is written in chapter 1 that Jenya (the priestess of St. Cuthbert) is in fact the mind flayer Ulzursta'ik. How does she maintain this ruse? There is nothing mentioned in the Scap volume. Also, does she teleport to Sasserine to inform their superiors regularly? When and for how long does she stay away?
I think Irstwik, the head of the evil aquatic druid cultists that dwell in the crater lake and pray to the Morkoth has incorrect stats. He should have a touch AC of 14, not 16 as given on page 153 of the HC. He is also missing the invisibility spell in his spell list. In chapter 3, he couldn't possibly spy on the characters in the Tipped tankard without it, I believe. Was this a simple typo?
Finally, I have a problem with chapter 8. The map detailing the battle that erupts when the cannibals led by Terseon Skellerang try to invade Cauldron. Is the red house marked on the battle map of any significance? I believe it is the house of Kalius, the silver dragon that informs the PCs at the beginning of the chapter, but I might be wrong. I'm also having a problem with the cannibals themselves, are their bite attacks really at +12 to attack?
Thanks!
It is written in chapter 1 that Jenya (the priestess of St. Cuthbert) is in fact the mind flayer Ulzursta'ik. How does she maintain this ruse? There is nothing mentioned in the Scap volume. Also, does she teleport to Sasserine to inform their superiors regularly? When and for how long does she stay away?
IMC I basically had her in Sasserine whenever the party was in Jzadirune, and they spent about three days straight either down there or sleeping at Ghelves, so there was lots of time for Jenya to pop back and forth to Sasserine.
Maintaining the ruse was pretty easy because none of my players bothered to deal with psionics. They know I have the book, and I've given them access to it, but no one bothered to pick it up.
I think Irstwik, the head of the evil aquatic druid cultists that dwell in the crater lake and pray to the Morkoth has incorrect stats. He should have a touch AC of 14, not 16 as given on page 153 of the HC. He is also missing the invisibility spell in his spell list. In chapter 3, he couldn't possibly spy on the characters in the Tipped tankard without it, I believe. Was this a simple typo?
I've checked this against the magazine version and it may be an artifact of the 3.0/3.5 conversion. He definitely has touch of 16, but he needs that invisibility spell, so I just gave it to him. Did your party pick up the see invisibility scrolls? My party missed all four of them.
Finally, I have a problem with chapter 8. The map detailing the battle that erupts when the cannibals led by Terseon Skellerang try to invade Cauldron. Is the red house marked on the battle map of any significance? I believe it is the house of Kalius, the silver dragon that informs the PCs at the beginning of the chapter, but I might be wrong. I'm also having a problem with the cannibals themselves, are their bite attacks really at +12 to attack?
The red house is where the bodies are kept until they are eaten. Those cannibals are nasty, as in no raising any dead characters because they get eaten. My party hasn't gotten to them yet. The +12 is actually toned down from the +16 in the mags. I think there were too many characters eaten pre-HC. It's worse than a TPK, because at least with a TPK there's a slim chance of NPC's rezzing the party. But hey, I can't wait to spring them on my party, because they love surprises. That's one thing about SCAP, it's full of surprises.
I also have a problem with the slime lord in Flood Season. All those jellies and oozes coming out of him to attack the party just disgusts me. Do you think your party will find the wand of firballs hidden under the orphanage - mind did but only after some hints on my behalf.
What about the Ghost (Tongueeater) in Chapter 3 - his horde of wealth hidden in the chimney was a bit over the top in my opinion.
Have your party figured out that Alek is the BBEG yet. My party never saw it coming.
Hope you and your party enjoy the game
Delvesdeep
My party figured it out pretty early when Alek started hanging jaywalkers in chapter 2- but they waited until the masked ball when he tries to summon Tharizdun's herald using the entire orphanage as a sacrifice to take him on.
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Nope, my party was totally fooled, they even helped the paladin. But they stumbled fairly early on the fact, that the Lord Mayor Severen navalant was in fact the ancient dragon Hookface. Naturally Hookface took the group out fairly easily.
And that's the reason we are starting now with a Freeport campaign.
She has a permanent Rary's telepathic bond, but I think there would be a problem with distance. Yeah, check page 39. It's in a side box so I see why you missed it. Permanent Rary's telepathic bond. Nope, I just checked, distance is not a problem. But when she travels to Mechanus to contact the rogue Githyanki she cannot contact the masters in Sasserine, I dont remember the HC making that clear. The magic link doesnt work from plane to plane.
Yes, bite attacks should be +12. I know where your math didnt work out right becuase I saw the same problem that you did. See the Monster Manual, page 299. The bite of a cannibal is its primary natural weapon, that means it gets 1 and 1/2 its Str bonus because it has only one primary natural weapon, not just its Str bonus (Thus +3 not +2). Also, dont forget Weapon Focus and Greater Weapon Focus. That gets you to +12.
I hope that helps! Good luck with the campaign!
Clark
Jenya's a mindflayer?
Wow, how'd I miss that one.
I didn't see anything like that in the HC, but eh. I'm prone to ignore it since she's the one character my PCs can trust in the game there are some rugs I'd rather leave them to stand on.
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*sighs* Now this issue has been really bothering me:
During the flood festival's final night, when the moon rat necromancer and its minions dredge up the kopru corpses from the lake bottom and animate them, the villain orders the zombies to inhabit the giant Morkoth parade float, made by the orphanage.
My issue, is if the zombies only get partial actions, should the float really be treated as a Huge animated object? Should it get multiple attacks equal to the number of zombies inside, instead?
And who fills a paper-mache float with flasks of alchemist's fire? Did they really think it would make a fiery breath for the float?
Grr, it just doesn't seem that well thought out.
*sighs* Now this issue has been really bothering me:
During the flood festival's final night, when the moon rat necromancer and its minions dredge up the kopru corpses from the lake bottom and animate them, the villain orders the zombies to inhabit the giant Morkoth parade float, made by the orphanage.
My issue, is if the zombies only get partial actions, should the float really be treated as a Huge animated object? Should it get multiple attacks equal to the number of zombies inside, instead?
And who fills a paper-mache float with flasks of alchemist's fire? Did they really think it would make a fiery breath for the float?
Grr, it just doesn't seem that well thought out.
The key is the giant funnel inside the float- not only does it protect the zombies from the fire, but it makes the flame into a 100 ft. cone. Hope your PCs load up on prot. from fire spells...
What about the Ghost (Tongueeater) in Chapter 3 - his horde of wealth hidden in the chimney was a bit over the top in my opinion.
I'm going to skip the hoard as I don't see the point in handing multiple intelligent items to a bunch of 4th level PCs. I hope my PCs won't find this out or they'll be pissed.
Has there been an official statement concerning the cannibals' +12 bite attacks yet?
Thanks for the answers, great thread and very helpful so far!
It is written in chapter 1 that Jenya (the priestess of St. Cuthbert) is in fact the mind flayer Ulzursta'ik. How does she maintain this ruse? There is nothing mentioned in the Scap volume. Also, does she teleport to Sasserine to inform their superiors regularly? When and for how long does she stay away?
Sorry can someone tell me where is says this. I have read the chapter a few times now and missed this completely. A Page number in the Book or the Magazine would be good enough.
Thanks in advance
DaveF
Adimarcus,
In the book, go to page six. Find the last sentence at the bottom of the first column of the page. Do you see it now?
-- Athux
My biggest problem with the SCAP is with "Zenith Trajectory" and all the drow they have to face in that adventure. (And I still think it's cheesy that the drow high priestess has a permanent maximized, empowered, widened, invisible fire shield up on all her minions. I'm not too keen on a widened personal spell, but if it's in the book...)
They also assume that the party didn't realize that Kazmojen and Zenith Splintershield are one and the same during "Life's Bazaar." I guess most players won't find the secret door under the acidic slime in the pit trap (mine didn't) because they don't realize that after two rounds, they become immune to the acid. Of course, if you don't find the trap door, you don't find the parchment. Then you don't realize that all you have to do with Kazmojen is throw down your weapons, supplicate yourselves, and beseech him to remember who he was so he snaps out of it.
My group threw Kazmojen/Zenith's body in the underdark after they defeated him, so not only did they have to fight all the drow, they had to fight the advanced behir twins, too, to get his body back after realizing the truth. *shudder* If they hadn't run when they did...
Adimarcus,
In the book, go to page six. Find the last sentence at the bottom of the first column of the page. Do you see it now?
-- Athux
I don't see a reference to Jenya there?
Regards
DaveF
They also assume that the party didn't realize that Kazmojen and Zenith Splintershield are one and the same during "Life's Bazaar."
I am begining to think I reading something different to everyone else Kazmojen is a Half-Troll Dwarf and Zenith Splintershield is a Dwarf, they have seprate stat blocks. Can you tell me where this reference is so I can check it.
Thanks in advance.
DaveF
I had a huge problem with Ruphus. Not only did the party see through his attempt to befriend him, They pretty much went straight to Skellerang.
Right now I'm pretty stumped. I mean, do I blow the surprise and risk a TPK, or should I railroad them back into Jazidrune and run them through the entire dungeon? Advice would be most welcome.
I suppose that my reference was too vague. Look again. Last sentence at the bottom of the first column of page six. Replace the word "Athux" with "We", and "Adimarchus" with "you". Do you see it now?
On a totally unrelated subject, how good are you at solving puzzles?
I suppose that my reference was too vague. Look again. Last sentence at the bottom of the first column of page six. Replace the word "Athux" with "We", and "Adimarchus" with "you". Do you see it now?
On a totally unrelated subject, how good are you at solving puzzles?
"Page 221, Column 2, Last Sentance, after colon"?
Regards
DaveF
It is written in chapter 1 that Jenya (the priestess of St. Cuthbert) is in fact the mind flayer Ulzursta'ik. How does she maintain this ruse? There is nothing mentioned in the Scap volume. Also, does she teleport to Sasserine to inform their superiors regularly? When and for how long does she stay away?
Sorry can someone tell me where is says this. I have read the chapter a few times now and missed this completely. A Page number in the Book or the Magazine would be good enough.
Thanks in advance
DaveF
DaveF, you must not have gotten the Dragon supplement. I can't remember which issue it was in just now. The supplement's printed out, but the magazine is stored away.
Anyway, Jenya usually goes back every one or two weeks to report, but she never stays away for more than a day to avoid suspicion. She wears a Hat of Disguise, so all it takes is for someone to cast True Seeing or, alternatively, yank her hairpin (the Hat of Disguise) out to reveal her.
Regarding Irstwick, that was a typo. Good catch.
As far as the cannibals, the errata has their Strength listed as 24 while they are in Blood Frenzy, so the attack bonus of +12 reflects that. Man, I don't know how my players are going to fight a pack of three dozen cannibals at that point, each doing 2d6+10 points of damage per bite, plus Con drain! To top it off, they're immune to charms while in the Blood Frenzy! I'm expecting at least a few PC deaths.
I don't remember anything about the red house on the map, so I'll have to go back and read that section.
I'm curious, Talon, how far allong are you? What's the next session going to be?
I'm curious, Talon, how far allong are you? What's the next session going to be?
My party finished Life's Bazaar (without finding out about Jenya's sinister plans). I completely rewrote Drakthar's way and made a detective story out of it in which the PCs have to hunt down Drakthar, a drug baron in my campaign. I'm using elements from "mad god's key" (the barge end chase and the green dagger hideout) and "The Styes" (dory's warehouse) for it. I did this to present an alternative to the many dungeon delving modules in the adventure path.
My Cauldron is a darker, very vicious place compared to the one in the HC.
I'm curious, Talon, how far allong are you? What's the next session going to be?My party finished Life's Bazaar (without finding out about Jenya's sinister plans). I completely rewrote Drakthar's way and made a detective story out of it in which the PCs have to hunt down Drakthar, a drug baron in my campaign. I'm using elements from "mad god's key" (the barge end chase and the green dagger hideout) and "The Styes" (dory's warehouse) for it. I did this to present an alternative to the many dungeon delving modules in the adventure path.
My Cauldron is a darker, very vicious place compared to the one in the HC.
yeah, the barge chase in Mad God's key is pretty popular as an extra scene in the adventure path. You could consider placing it between the luckey monkey scene and the kopru scene in Flood season... you know, chase the mind flayer spy, or be chased by him. Or you could put it in right before you unveil Jenya's sinister plot :)
I have to say that the dungeons get a lot better as the AP progresses.
Ok, is this some sort of practical joke? I checked the post dates to make sure the thread wasn't started on April 1st.
I have all the SCAP adventures from Dungeon and I am waiting for the hardcover book to come in the post. It has been quite a few months since I have looked at the adventures but nowhere do I remember seeing that Jeyna was a mindflayer. A few of the other claims made by some of the posters seem to be made up as well.
Can someone from Paizo please tell the more skeptical ones (like myself) whether this is actually true or is someone trying to pull the wool over our eyes?
Olaf the Stout
I feel like a bit of an idiot now. After reading the first post again and especially the bit about "My players stop reading here" I feel like a bit of a fool for being duped.
At least I wasn't the only one!
Olaf the Stout
Be greatful. How else are you going to gain ranks in Sense Motive? Especially since it's a cross-class skill for you? :)
At least I wasn't the only one!
My thoughts are unprintable.
This thread should be removed.
<sarcasm>
He's absolutely right. Humor has no place on a D&D board.
</sarcasm>
My thoughts are unprintable.
Oh go on...
This thread should be removed.
Why?
Why?
This thread should be removed.
Now I may be wrong but I get this sense that he felt humilated?
Personally I'll never be able to look at Jenya in the same way again. Thanks :)
Why?
This thread should be removed.
Because I spent sometime looking for this reference. If you have a problem with your players that is your problem, some of us don't. I wonder why? If this was meant as joke there are standard ways to express that. May be you don't understand that. If when I had posted the Quote about "Page 221, Column 2, Last Sentance, after colon"? you had answered "Yes" I might have repected it as a pratical joke on your players, but as you did not I can only figure you meant it on us. I don't see why this board should contain such information. If I search this board for help on a question I have, does that mean I can't trust the information because people like you post rubish, that makes the stuff here not worth the time to read. That is why joke stuff says it is a joke.
Regards
DaveF
Why?
This thread should be removed.
Because I spent sometime looking for this reference. If you have a problem with your players that is your problem, some of us don't. I wonder why? If this was meant as joke there are standard ways to express that. May be you don't understand that. If when I had posted the Quote about "Page 221, Column 2, Last Sentance, after colon"? you had answered "Yes" I might have repected it as a pratical joke on your players, but as you did not I can only figure you meant it on us. I don't see why this board should contain such information. If I search this board for help on a question I have, does that mean I can't trust the information because people like you post rubish, that makes the stuff here not worth the time to read. That is why joke stuff says it is a joke.
Regards
DaveF
I thought it was hilarious.
Sorry DaveF, I thought your post was confirmation that you got the joke. The intended target was against players who read this board for spoilers, with the intent that any DM would autmatically figure out that everything stated was untrue.
I got taken by it initially as can be seen by my first post. I figured it out after a couple of minutes though. I think that I was sucked in due to the fact that it has probably been 6 months to a year since I have looked at any of the SC stuff so I was wondering if people were playing tricks of whether my memory was just that bad.
In some ways I'm glad that at least my memory is still there!
Olaf the Stout
Because I spent sometime looking for this reference. If you have a problem with your players that is your problem, some of us don't. I wonder why? If this was meant as joke there are standard ways to express that. May be you don't understand that. If when I had posted the Quote about "Page 221, Column 2, Last Sentance, after colon"? you had answered "Yes" I might have repected it as a pratical joke on your players, but as you did not I can only figure you meant it on us. I don't see why this board should contain such information.
I'm sorry David, I didn't mean to confuse you and steal your time. I thought anyone who knew the adventures as a DM would instantly smell the ruse without having to search the HC for references about mind flayers, crater cultists or cannibals (or any of the hilarious stuff the other posters added). I guess I was wrong.
That is why joke stuff says it is a joke.
Not every joke one tells starts with an open declaration that the speaker is intending to tell a joke. This joke for example would have failed If I had added one. And I believe there is a place for humor in these boards, otherwise no one would have answered to this "rubbish".
Dam web browser crashed before I posted my reply - sorry this is only what I remeber of what it was going to say.
Not every joke one tells starts with an open declaration that the speaker is intending to tell a joke. This joke for example would have failed If I had added one. And I believe there is a place for humor in these boards, otherwise no one would have answered to this "rubbish".
The problem of unmarked humour was first noted in the 80s and the solution is a Smiley.
a) I can't see your face, how do I know a joke is a joke. For the same reason it is dangious to say Fire in a crowd, not everyone can see your humous intent and some people over react.
b) not everyone is part of your culture or speaks your langauge, hence your joke might not be funny when they try to understand it from a second language speakerspoint of view.
c) looking at a thread at a later time, your post can be seen out of its original context and then not be seen as a joke and may be even libalious.
With a Smiley I would probly have laughed or even joined in, without it, it irritated me. The AP is 400 pages long, almost none of the NPC are described in full in one place, in fact most of them have descriptions in 2 or more places. The adventrure is confusing enought as is and they did not put the descriptions of an NPC with there stat blocks with there motivations through the path at the same location. It would not have suprised me that there is some side block somewhere that a major NPC has a twist that I did not see on the several reads throughs I have done. Please tell me as your sure you can remeber all the 400 pages of the adventure? Personally I have no such confedence and I am computer programmer that us used to this sort of useless specifications ;)
Also, remeber that only 1% to 5% of readers will reply /at all/ to any posts on a list or board. Hence as 2 or 3 people where confued at the smallest you confused 40 people, and it could have been at the outside 300.
Regards
DaveF
The problem of unmarked humour was first noted in the 80s and the solution is a Smiley.
Um...as stated elsewhere in the thread, this would have defeated the purpose and would have actually ruined the humor value.
b) not everyone is part of your culture or speaks your langauge, hence your joke might not be funny when they try to understand it from a second language speakerspoint of view.
Very true. Unfortunately, we write what we know. The online mediums we generally use today (e-mail, message boards, forums, etc.) often make determining intent difficult. Smileys can help, but they're not a panacea.
Please tell me as your sure you can remeber all the 400 pages of the adventure?
Can't do it. But I do know enough to find the information I need and quickly. When I first read the thread I, too, was caught up in it. Then I did a little research and surmised the intent.
Given that this is the only thread I've seen on this message board of this sort, I don't see a problem. (Especially now, since there's little chance of anyone getting fooled by it.) But that, of course, is just my opinion. :-)
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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I got a kick out of this thread. I was just about to post a snotty wtf are you talking about message after reading the first couple messages when the true purpose of the thread dawned on me.
The funniest thing is that a lot of the suggestions would make interesting adventures and let you mix up the adventure path for knowledgable players. This thread is a resource, albeit a weird one that requires substantial work. It goes to show the quality of the ideas the posters on these boards produce that even a joke thread can have some good ideas.
exactly, Sebastian, i kept making notes and going, 'you know, this doesn't replace anything in SCAP, but darn if it wouldn't make a good adventure on its own..heheheh...
Yeah, without a smiley on there you might have to actually figure out for yourself that it's a joke. And who has time for that? Therefore, I believe that any non-serious thread from now on should include the following in the subject line: "OH NOES THIS IS A JOKE DON'T HAXOR MY MEGA-BITS"