Hey
I just wonder, when PCs drink from fountain and they battle against army of Kuyss. After battle they will be restored back (getting healer,true rezzed). Do they lose items like potions, etc if they using them in battle??
When I ran it, I let them use whatever items they had and had everything replenished once they woke up. This, IMO, gives them free reign to break out their biggest tricks, which they need to possibly survive the dream. Granted, there's no reprucussions for "losing" except less XP, but I think its important to amplify the desperation of the encounter by having it, "no-holds-barred, use every trick to survive."
This is one of my favorite encounters in the whole path. I actually got teary eyed reading aloud the description to my players of the battle and Lashonna's heroic and desperate attempt to stop Dragotha. All the making are there for some powerful storytelling, so let it all fly...
When I ran it, I let them use whatever items they had and had everything replenished once they woke up. This, IMO, gives them free reign to break out their biggest tricks, which they need to possibly survive the dream. Granted, there's no reprucussions for "losing" except less XP, but I think its important to amplify the desperation of the encounter by having it, "no-holds-barred, use every trick to survive."
This is one of my favorite encounters in the whole path. I actually got teary eyed reading aloud the description to my players of the battle and Lashonna's heroic and desperate attempt to stop Dragotha. All the making are there for some powerful storytelling, so let it all fly...
How did you make this work without telling them beforehand that everything will be replenished? Or was it just so difficult they had not choice? My players are such that they tend not to use every trick in the book, unless they are absolutely without any other recourse. Up until then, they always think of holding stuff back.
(Reminds me of an interesting story where the party rogue was dying because of a failed save - can't remember what it was - and they just started pouring potion after potion down his throat - most of which they had no idea what they did - hoping something will work. Nothing did, but we still talk about that one. I've never seen them use magic items like that before, and not since, either!)
I guess I'd be worried that if I told my players ahead of time that there's a do-over afterward, that they really won't be that interested (nothing at stake).
Thanks,
Greg
When my group ran this fight, they didn't use any expendables--surprisingly--so this didn't come up. But in retrospect, I'd opt to not tell them--I didn't tell my group about expendables being recharged anyway--and let desperation force them into a decision. It's likely they'll be pleasantly surprised when they find out.
Of course, if their pretty cognizant of the fact that they are experiencing a vision/dream, rather than actually travelling through time--of course, now that I think of it, they could be traveling in time--then they might be clued in from the start.
I also did not tell them that their items would be replenished. What ended up being used were a number of scrolls with some mid level spells: death ward, freedom of movement, restoration, and some others. Nothing really inconsequential in the scheme of things, and honestly, those spells were the only things that saved a few PCs. When you think about the encounter, remember that the PCs have absolutely no buff or prep time before the swords start raining down Invocations of the Worm, and if they happen to win initiative, the effects are devestating. Half of your PCs could be dead before even going! Give them everything they can to win, they'll need it.
Another question: even though the rod of 7 pieces(?) isn't supposed to be a major thing in the campaign, did anyone used it as a main thing to kill Kyuss? Does anyone know the habilities of each of the shards?
Page 154 of the Arms and Equipment Guide gives details on the rod. Each part has a separate ability(s) and joining sections together enhances them.
My players havn't made it to LoLR yet... but i'm planning on forcing them into desperate measures. If the fight is going too well, I'm going to throw even more monsters.
Hang the XP reward, they'll get plenty (enough or more to put them where they should be) when I'm done. However, as I have really worked up the reputation as a killer DM in this campaign (I've even told them I plan on TPKing them... :D ) it'll be fun.
As they die, I'm going to send the players out of the room.. one by one... with a pre-printed note, with something to the effect of waking up with scars gained in that ancient battle, all items replentished of charges used in the past, etc.
I'm also planning on giving them a second segment of the rod of seven parts at the end of this. (it'll be the sixth segment, so tit matchest the seventh segment they got in aGoT). The Ro7P is going to be their major weapon against Kyuss, and It *will* be assembled by the end. this is, of course, dependant on if the PCs trade their fragment to Tenser (one or two more sessions and I'll know). I do hope that their general paranoia level remains constant, and their greed doesn't get the better of them.
ok, random IMC tangent over. Yes, I will allow their consumables to regenerate after the climax of LoLR in my campaign.
My players havn't made it to LoLR yet... but i'm planning on forcing them into desperate measures. If the fight is going too well, I'm going to throw even more monsters.
I'm also planning on giving them a second segment of the rod of seven parts at the end of this. (it'll be the sixth segment, so tit matchest the seventh segment they got in aGoT). The Ro7P is going to be their major weapon against Kyuss, and It *will* be assembled by the end. this is, of course, dependant on if the PCs trade their fragment to Tenser (one or two more sessions and I'll know).
I added an extra foe to this fight: Gigantus the very old blue dragon (w/plates of invulnerablity) from Dungeon #139, p. 81. A ready-made CR 20, with reason for attitude.
While the Ro7P isn't going to play as likely of a role in my own campaign, Tenser/Manzorian is scheduled to drop the 6th part in the PCs lap at the beginning of Dawn of a New Age, provided they resist his offer to procure the 7th from them. While the combination of these two pieces provide the most substantial bonuses when they come around for the PCs, the whole Rod of Seven Parts would surely make an iconic weapon to wield against the imprisoned deity.