|
So my PCs just finished the trials of Last Resort and managed to kill the entire Hand of the Lich-God in the process. They took one look at the Hand of Vecna and immediately brought it to Mage Point. Manzorian was on another plane at the time, so they left it in his citadel under heavy guard and went to do other things. Right now I'm at a loss about what Manzorian would give them in return. They have already brought up the idea of compensation and I'm not sure what he would give them. So what do you guys think?
|
If I remember right, Manzorian gave the PC's a gift before they left for Kuluth-Mar. A magic item worth about 40,000 gp.
My thinking is that instead of some random magic item worth that little, sit down with your players, perhaps, and design a unique magic item, one that the PC designs, and likes.
As far as price is concerned, I would think the max should be around 80-100,000 gp.
Then again, Manzorian probably has some minor artifact or two from his travels that you could give to the PC's.
Still, even after all of this, I don't think anything could truly equate in a financial sense for the Hand, but these are just some ideas.
I don't think he should pay anything. I mean, it's an evil artifact that the PCs likely can't/won't use, sought after by fanatical clerics of Vecna, not to mention all kinds of fiends & undead. Manzorian would be doing the party a favor by looking after it for them.
|
|
I don't think he should pay anything. I mean, it's an evil artifact that the PCs likely can't/won't use, sought after by fanatical clerics of Vecna, not to mention all kinds of fiends & undead. Manzorian would be doing the party a favor by looking after it for them.
True, but the players are looking for compensation, and having an archmage with a supply of magic at his disposal that comes from sixty years not give the players anything would be a little mean.
the fact that it is so sought after is also something to consider. Leaving it in Manzorian's vault is probably the best idea.
I don't think he should pay anything. I mean, it's an evil artifact that the PCs likely can't/won't use, sought after by fanatical clerics of Vecna, not to mention all kinds of fiends & undead. Manzorian would be doing the party a favor by looking after it for them.True, but the players are looking for compensation, and having an archmage with a supply of magic at his disposal that comes from sixty years not give the players anything would be a little mean.
the fact that it is so sought after is also something to consider. Leaving it in Manzorian's vault is probably the best idea.
I'm with office ninja on this one. I'm sure your party picked up the rest of the goodies on the Island of Last Resort? That and their lives should be enough compensation.
Of course if you want to play mean trick on the party you could have Manzorian succumb to the temptation of the Hand. So next time when the party shows up at Manzorian’s Pawn Shop to trade in one of the Orbs from the Regal of Might for some quick cash they instead get an eldritch blast for their trouble from a mad power hunger Arch Mage wielding a greater artifact.
That way they will have to learn that objects of power are not simply babuls whose only value is their GP value listed in the DMG.
Well, I guess I'm a nice DM. I usually rule in such cases that there is some kind of bounty on magic items that are primarily useful only to bad guys. That doesn't necessarily mean a cash reward for something like the Hand of Vecna--as an artifact it's hard to put a gp value on it, and it's more of a burden to guard than something useful to Manzorian.
If you're feeling nice, you might have Manzorian give them back the fragment of the Rod of Seven Parts (with attendant problem of diabolical attention), in exchange for a promise to undertake a quest to destroy the Hand once the business with Kyuss is finished. That way you provide some kind of reward (the players are, after all, acting responsibly, even if it is for the petty motivation of a reward), but also remind them of the huge responsibilities that a high level party takes on. In any event, this way you can avoid DM backstabbing (which is OK on occasion but not always desirable) without letting them off the hook of responsibility for this item by handing it off like a hot potato.
Alternatively, you could arrange for the Hand to be stolen from Manzorian's vault while he's off on the ethereal plane aiding the PCs in their fight against Kyuss in Dawn of a New Age--thus seeding an epic quest.
How about giving them the Hand of Manzorian? He'll need to do something with it anyhow now that he won't be needing it anymore. You didn't think was just going to mount the Hand of Vecna on his wall did you?
;) GGG
How about giving them the Hand of Manzorian? He'll need to do something with it anyhow now that he won't be needing it anymore. You didn't think was just going to mount the Hand of Vecna on his wall did you?
;) GGG
LOL!
|
|
In all seriousness, I think that we should come up with more fun ideas! This is a little much, I think, but maybe there could be a meeting with Vecna himself! Or not...I don't know.
Perhaps, in the event of no real reward except the PC's lives, there could be a quest for the Eye of Vecna. At the end, they would go in the Vault of Manzorian and stay there until Vecna doesn't want them there anymore.
Lastly, maybe, Lashonna comes into possetion of the Hand, and could use its latent negative energy as a focus for Kyuss' escape.
I agree with Office Ninja, however...
Perhaps Manzorian consults the PCs and decides which magical item might best serve each PC. He then sets his apprentices to work, and as part of their tutelage and training, are tasked with crafting these magical items for the PCs. Once completed, Manzorian proudly bestows each magical item to the deserving PCs.
I thought office ninja advocated no reward.
True!
Secondly, what then happens to the Hand?
It sits in Manzorian's vault until it feels like leaving?
Secondly, what then happens to the Hand?
A dedicated group of good PCs could always research a manner in which to destroy this artifact. I don't have any solid information, but maybe make them find the Eye and then hunt down and destroy Vecna. Give them somethin to do after AWAP.
I've found the last part of the DMG 2 has some great ideas about introducing artifacts to the game. You could take the opportunity to do one of those, such as a Book of Exalted Deeds or other minor artifact, or try something like this;
- Offer each character a stat-boosting book they would want, like a Manual of Gainful Exercise.. or offer them a book to shore up a stat they may be overlooking.
- Give them something the entire party would use, like dragonne mounts or an airship.
- Perform permanent spells on each party member, like Arcane Sight or some other beneficial spell.
- Depending on your setting, Manzorian may have some extra land lying around he could parcel out to the players. While the players do have something else coming down the pipe, they likely don't know it yet, and this could be a good way to keep them off the scent if they're second-guessing you.
- For the prepared undead hunter, there's always: Bracers of Armor enchanted with Death Ward. A set of these neuters a whole slew of undead abilities in the upcoming modules; so much so that I plan on targeting each one my party has made with a Mordenkainen's Disjunction at some point or another.
Offer each character a stat-boosting book they would want, like a Manual of Gainful Exercise.. or offer them a book to shore up a stat they may be overlooking.
That's probably the option that I would go for, because lets face it Players and PCs alike love a stat boost.
So my PCs just finished the trials of Last Resort and managed to kill the entire Hand of the Lich-God in the process. They took one look at the Hand of Vecna and immediately brought it to Mage Point. Manzorian was on another plane at the time, so they left it in his citadel under heavy guard and went to do other things. Right now I'm at a loss about what Manzorian would give them in return. They have already brought up the idea of compensation and I'm not sure what he would give them. So what do you guys think?
What about some information the PCs could really use for upcoming adventures? I'm not saying give away all the info for the next module just maybe some good hints. Especially if there is one encounter that you think may be particularly difficult for your group (maybe due to group makeup). Give them a hit or some information on how to avoid it. I just think giving them something other than a magic item would a nice change.
If I remember right, Manzorian gave the PC's a gift before they left for Kuluth-Mar. A magic item worth about 40,000 gp.
My thinking is that instead of some random magic item worth that little, sit down with your players, perhaps, and design a unique magic item, one that the PC designs, and likes.
As far as price is concerned, I would think the max should be around 80-100,000 gp.
Then again, Manzorian probably has some minor artifact or two from his travels that you could give to the PC's.
Still, even after all of this, I don't think anything could truly equate in a financial sense for the Hand, but these are just some ideas.
Check out the store of loot in his tower from Return of the Eight...take the ship, take the ship!!!
The ship--the ship that travels in the ethereal plane. A very useful item indeed, and a slightly more satisfying way of jetting around the multiverse than looking at paintings and teleporting.
|
|
The ship--the ship that travels in the ethereal plane. A very useful item indeed, and a slightly more satisfying way of jetting around the multiverse than looking at paintings and teleporting.
They would have to ask Manzorian, wouldn't they? I doubt he would take that suggestion lightly. Still, it would be a nice to simply fly along without much regard for Material monsters.
The downside is, though, there are fewer monsters to fight. But like it says it The Prince of Redhand, "Not all battles are fought with sword and spell..."