Hey all,
My players, being the clever sort, have survived the gnomish enclave, with only one death in the process, and found the elevator down. Being particularly clever, they decided to gum up the elevator's works before leaving to rest and re-equip, intending to deal with the MF in the morning (or at their earliest convenience).
My problem is this: the folks in the MF are going to know something is wrong when their elevator stops working, and would, I assume, set up a plan for when the elevator-wreckers deign to come for a visit. That being the case, I can't imagine that my players could possibly survive the onslaught of half a dozen hobgoblins, the tree construct and Kazmojen and Prickles, not to mention the tactical advantage of the opposition of controlling the pit traps.
Has anyone found a fun way to resolve this issue? Or should I just go gang-busters on the party and assume they can find a way out of trouble? Interestingly, 3 of the 4 adventurers are right on the cusp of 3rd level. Perhaps making up another 50xp would provide a solution.
Thoughts?
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I had a somewhat similar situation where the PCs telegraphed to Kazmojen & Co that they were coming.
I had an ambush set up - but Kazmojen gave the orders to 'take them alive', so the hobgoblins & minions took the -4 to hit on their non-lethal. Fario and Fellian showed up as things were starting to get grim (they climbed down the elevator shaft) and threw their muscle in.
In the end the entire party was captured, but not before severely weakening Kazmojen's forces. Fario & Fellian escaped and called on the Stormblades. The Stormblades chased Kazmojen out of the Malachite Fortress (I had him show up later in the underdark on the way to the Kuo Toan lair in Zenith Trajectory for a little bit of payback), rescued the heroes, and took credit for ending the kidnappings. This helped to fuel the rivalry between the two adventuring parties.
It helped to teach my group about my style of judging - that there are consequences to choices made in game, and that monsters will intelligently respond to them. They have sharpened their tactics considerably since.
Great ideas rokeca! That would have set up the Stormblade rivalry beautifully. My party would have bee fuming :)
You could say that the while he Malchite Hold would be on alert they would not all spend their entire time just sitting around waiting for the party to appear.
-Guards would be set and possibly doubled.
-Traps may be erected to both harm and alarm
-The polymorphed 'ogre' would be more prepared and probably
join the gaurds at the base of the elevator.
but..
- Kozy (the half troll) would be determined to sell the slaves quickly after organising the slaver to meet with him for that time. He and Prickles woulf therefore be still in the sale yard. He would demand more gaurds to protect him though.
- The gaurds have a great series of traps set up perhaps they would just barracade the other alternative routes to ensure any trespasser would have to travel through that area.
-The Stone Spike is not controlled by anyone (as far as I know) so it would stay where it is)
If you are really worried send the Striders in as soon as things look grim (thats what their written in for).
Other than that you will be surprized by what happens. I'm guessing the next time you write the party has waded through the Hold with barely a scratch :)
Delvesdeep
Why assume that adventurers have wrecked the elevator? Why wouldn't Kaz just think the elevator is broken? Or think that the skulks have decided not to do business with him anymore and they broke it? Or perhaps he takes minor precautions - doubling the guard, etc.?