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I don't have the HC (running from the magazines), but I've seen a number of posts from people asking where stuff is to be found in the HC.
Is the book really organised that badly? Or just so big that it's hard to find things? Decent contents page? Any index?
I mean normally I just flip through my books until I find what I'm after...
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I don't have the HC (running from the magazines), but I've seen a number of posts from people asking where stuff is to be found in the HC.
Is the book really organised that badly? Or just so big that it's hard to find things? Decent contents page? Any index?
I mean normally I just flip through my books until I find what I'm after...
The HC i am learning is very unuser friendly in that regard. It does give an overview of certain PCs and Places. It would be very helpful if they referenced an area of the book where MORE info was found, or when it was introduced.
For instance: at the front of the book, it lists Triels name (among many others) and explains that she is a recent cleric of hextor and recently a murderer of the guards. But thats all it mentions. It would have been helpful to mention: Triel is detailed in Chapter 3. That way for those DMs wanting to tie certain things in earlier could have quick references for each. This is especially true for areas such as BlueCrater and Malachite fortress.
The problem is that the book is just so daunting of a task to read it all, that i'm only on chapter 4 (reading it) and there so much to sink in, memorize, and be able to quickly reference.
Robert
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Yeah, there's no index in the HC - a lot of general information is in the front of the book, but it's up to you to remember where it's referenced later on, or whether it is at all. Skie's Treasury, for example, has a detailed write-up in the beginning, then is basically left out of the adventures altogether.
As to your question, Robert, if you've read the beginning, you have basically all of the information there is on Bluecrater - it's not a big part of any of the adventures. I'm not going too far in depth on it in my own campaign, as none of my PCs have ties to it, but I am going to have Thearynn Louvel as a professor there who intentionally causes an explosion during Life's Bazaar to fake his own death.
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As to your question, Robert, if you've read the beginning, you have basically all of the information there is on Bluecrater - it's not a big part of any of the adventures. I'm not going too far in depth on it in my own campaign, as none of my PCs have ties to it, but I am going to have Thearynn Louvel as a professor there who intentionally causes an explosion during Life's Bazaar to fake his own death.
Thanks for the input.
As for the explosion and faking death??? why?
Just curious.
Robert
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Thanks for the input.
As for the explosion and faking death??? why?
Just curious.
Robert
**SPOILERS**
He's a Cagewright, and needs to leave the public eye (and at the same time destroy the research he was using the Bluecrater laboratories to finish). I was hoping to have a PC to connect to him, which would make it more significant later, but even without that element I'm going to leave it in as another weird thing that will tie into the Cagewrights' plans in the end.
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**SPOILERS**He's a Cagewright, and needs to leave the public eye (and at the same time destroy the research he was using the Bluecrater laboratories to finish). I was hoping to have a PC to connect to him, which would make it more significant later, but even without that element I'm going to leave it in as another weird thing that will tie into the Cagewrights' plans in the end.
Just to be sure - this explosion and fake death to disapear is just something you've added to the mix? I read Life's Bazaar already and dont remember that being a piece of that module. Or does it happen later in the book and you're just moving it up a bit?
If it is your concept, I like it, and I know that he is a professor at the academy and have considered to make him a VIP in the PCs life who is a graduate of that academy. I'll have to pick your brain more as to when/why the professor does this. Was someone on to his schemes? Is that why he had to destroy the evidence/research?
Robert
I don't have the HC (running from the magazines), but I've seen a number of posts from people asking where stuff is to be found in the HC.
Is the book really organised that badly? Or just so big that it's hard to find things? Decent contents page? Any index?
I mean normally I just flip through my books until I find what I'm after...
It's more that they just didn't add that much when they made the hardcopy version. The only places in the city that receive any kind of detailed writeup are the adventure locales, so there's no writeup for the Bluecrater Academy, any of the taverns, either of the thieves' guilds, any of the churches, the city guard headquarters, city hall...
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It's more that they just didn't add that much when they made the hardcopy version. The only places in the city that receive any kind of detailed writeup are the adventure locales, so there's no writeup for the Bluecrater Academy, any of the taverns, either of the thieves' guilds, any of the churches, the city guard headquarters, city hall...
Well then is there info in the Dungeon Mags that describe these areas that were NOT printed in the HC?
I have all the Dungeons, so I'll go dig em out if that is the case....
Please let me know
Robert
Robbert, I think James cut some of the mooks from Jazidrune and the Kopru Ruins. Some of the handouts changed a bit too (e.g. the Fetor note in Secrets of the soul pilars).
Most of it is just editing, though. Nothing spectacular and certainly nothing plot-critical.
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Just to be sure - this explosion and fake death to disapear is just something you've added to the mix? I read Life's Bazaar already and dont remember that being a piece of that module. Or does it happen later in the book and you're just moving it up a bit?
If it is your concept, I like it, and I know that he is a professor at the academy and have considered to make him a VIP in the PCs life who is a graduate of that academy. I'll have to pick your brain more as to when/why the professor does this. Was someone on to his schemes? Is that why he had to destroy the evidence/research?
Robert
The Bluecrater explosion was an idea of mine - it's not mentioned in the AP. Since none of my PCs have ties to the Academy, I had planned to use it as a mostly mysterious event (taking place during Life's Bazaar) that would only become clear in the end, when Louvel was revealed as a Cagewright. Skylar Krewis would have been investigating the murder, after having looked into some allegations that Louvel was practicing the dark arts in his classrooms late at night.
However, upon giving it some more thought, I believe I'll hold off on the explosion. I don't want to include completely random elements, so I'll introduce him as an NPC if the characters get involved with Bluecrater, then have him display paranoia about his research (into magical prisons) and then have the mysterious explosion occur. If they never bother with the Academy, I'll probably take delvesdeep's suggestion and replace Louvel altogether.
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The Bluecrater explosion was an idea of mine - it's not mentioned in the AP. Since none of my PCs have ties to the Academy, I had planned to use it as a mostly mysterious event (taking place during Life's Bazaar) that would only become clear in the end, when Louvel was revealed as a Cagewright. Skylar Krewis would have been investigating the murder, after having looked into some allegations that Louvel was practicing the dark arts in his classrooms late at night.However, upon giving it some more thought, I believe I'll hold off on the explosion. I don't want to include completely random elements, so I'll introduce him as an NPC if the characters get involved with Bluecrater, then have him display paranoia about his research (into magical prisons) and then have the mysterious explosion occur. If they never bother with the Academy, I'll probably take delvesdeep's suggestion and replace Louvel altogether.
Ah, you know what? I didn't even think about Delvesdeep modified list of the 13; which is why his name didnt ring a bell with me and why I had to look him up in the book; that explains the mystery.
Hmmm, now I'll have to think of some other thoughts: I was going to have him be the mentor/master of the elven PC wizard (non-specialist) and wish to "get rid of the student for a while" so that he can continue to do research on the cages. So he was going to send the PC to look into the disapearance of Jasper Drundlesrput (gnome wizard) who was an employee/member of the academy. This way it looked like Louvel was doing something to help the academy; but really not caring. Then I was going to borrow your explosion idea to fake his death when people started prying too hard. The PC would think his master was dead (unkown that he was into bad stuff) and would find among his papers a portion of a picture that depicted a soulcage.
Then I was going to use the idea someone posted about Drathkar's way smuggling soulcage parts instead of mercenaries, and when the PCs resolve Drathkar's way plots, they'll find the parts, and a "blueprint" that will look oh so familiar for some reason.....
Robert
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Skylar Krewis would have been investigating the murder, after having looked into some allegations that Louvel was practicing the dark arts in his classrooms late at night.
This brings to mind another question I've been pondering: any ideas out there on how frequently Skylar is used in the investigative interactions with the PCs vs the interaction Capt Skellerang. Essentially - how much "air" time does one need vs the other....
Robert
Skylar Krewis would have been investigating the murder, after having looked into some allegations that Louvel was practicing the dark arts in his classrooms late at night.This brings to mind another question I've been pondering: any ideas out there on how frequently Skylar is used in the investigative interactions with the PCs vs the interaction Capt Skellerang. Essentially - how much "air" time does one need vs the other....
Robert
Fist off, the bluecrater idea is a great one, and I think you should use it anyway. No rule says you have to do what the book says. As for skylar, he played a huge part in my campaign all the way through. He was the PC's friend in the Cauldron political system, I gave him a "Columbo" type persona. On example of him saving the PC's was when they raided the temple of Wee Jas. He was there when they exited and helped them thought the legal ramifications of the raid. The PC's also went to him just before entering Rhiavladi's manor, as well as Vahalantru's who was Lord Mayor by that time. IMC Skellerang, his honor destroyed, hung himself, and Skylar became Captain of the Guard at Mayor Jenya's request. On a personal note he is my favorite NPC in the entire game.
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Fist off, the bluecrater idea is a great one, and I think you should use it anyway. No rule says you have to do what the book says. As for skylar, he played a huge part in my campaign all the way through. He was the PC's friend in the Cauldron political system, I gave him a "Columbo" type persona. On example of him saving the PC's was when they raided the temple of Wee Jas. He was there when they exited and helped them thought the legal ramifications of the raid. The PC's also went to him just before entering Rhiavladi's manor, as well as Vahalantru's who was Lord Mayor by that time. IMC Skellerang, his honor destroyed, hung himself, and Skylar became Captain of the Guard at Mayor Jenya's request. On a personal note he is my favorite NPC in the entire game.
I guess another part of my question that went unasked is: is Skellerang suppose to remain benevolent throughout the SCAP towards the PCs? At first he seems like the guy that puts the PCs up to investigating the kidnappings. Does he remain "on the level" or does he fall prey to being on of the traitors etc.
I see the Skylar is suppose to remain in the PCs high graces thoughout the SCAP and I wasnt sure if the PCs would really need 2 seperate law enforcement allies if they're both have the same goals.
Robert
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h, you know what? I didn't even think about Delvesdeep modified list of the 13; which is why his name didnt ring a bell with me and why I had to look him up in the book; that explains the mystery.
Hmmm, now I'll have to think of some other thoughts: I was going to have him be the mentor/master of the elven PC wizard (non-specialist) and wish to "get rid of the student for a while" so that he can continue to do research on the cages. So he was going to send the PC to look into the disapearance of Jasper Drundlesrput (gnome wizard) who was an employee/member of the academy. This way it looked like Louvel was doing something to help the academy; but really not caring. Then I was going to borrow your explosion idea to fake his death when people started prying too hard. The PC would think his master was dead (unkown that he was into bad stuff) and would find among his papers a portion of a picture that depicted a soulcage.
Then I was going to use the idea someone posted about Drathkar's way smuggling soulcage parts instead of mercenaries, and when the PCs resolve Drathkar's way plots, they'll find the parts, and a "blueprint" that will look oh so familiar for some reason.....
You know - what I think I going to do is stick with Delvesdeep modified cagewrights and stick to the 13; but I really like the ideas that linked together (above) with Louvel, so I think Instead of a cagewright, he'll just be a pawn or hierling like Drathkar and follow the plan according the above scenarios...
I'll have to plan a "reunion" of sorts for the Acolyte wizard PC at some point with his former (thought dead) mentor, and the mentor will try to sway the PC to his side against the other PCs.
Robert
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Ah, you know what? I didn't even think about Delvesdeep modified list of the 13; which is why his name didnt ring a bell with me and why I had to look him up in the book; that explains the mystery.
Hmmm, now I'll have to think of some other thoughts: I was going to have him be the mentor/master of the elven PC wizard (non-specialist) and wish to "get rid of the student for a while" so that he can continue to do research on the cages. So he was going to send the PC to look into the disapearance of Jasper Drundlesrput (gnome wizard) who was an employee/member of the academy. This way it looked like Louvel was doing something to help the academy; but really not caring. Then I was going to borrow your explosion idea to fake his death when people started prying too hard. The PC would think his master was dead (unkown that he was into bad stuff) and would find among his papers a portion of a picture that depicted a soulcage.
Then I was going to use the idea someone posted about Drathkar's way smuggling soulcage parts instead of mercenaries, and when the PCs...
First off, to answer your question about Skellerang, he doesn't really appear after Drakthar's Way in the HC. He does apparently work closely alongside Vhalantru and approves of the increased military presence and the addition of half-orc mercenaries to the town guard. The most resolution we get about him is a rumor of his suicide upon learning that Vhalantru and his allies were evil around the time of "Foundations of Flame." Personally, I think I'm going to take another of delvesdeep's suggestions and have Gau Kleeoch attack the city gates after the party at Rhiavadi Manor, killing Skellerang in the process (IMC, Kleeoch was the leader of a band of minotaurs that, along with the black dragon Dhorlot, attacked the city approximately thirty years ago; Skellerang lost his left hand in the battle but became a hero in the city and was promoted for it).
Also, not to put words in delvesdeep's mouth, but I think his intention with paring down the Cagewrights was mainly to remove the irrelevant ones. So basically, I think if you can work Louvel into one of your PCs' backgrounds, he still makes a great villain, and all of what you've listed above looks good without downgrading him to a henchman.
In my game, no one has any connection to the university (the arcane caster is a witch and not formally trained), so Louvel might wind up getting removed unless I can work him in some other way.
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I've been using Skylar quite a bit in Drakthar's Way. His patrol met the PCs while they were goblin hunting at night, and he's now guarding the bathhouse while they're investigating the ruins.
The real big boon that would've helped the Hard Cover would've been to have the NPC stats section a removable like the map booklet is. Or have just put the stats in with the tactical encounter, especially for one-fight baddies like Zenith and Kazmojen.
As for Blue Crater Academy there's an adventure in Dungeon 140 "The Fall of Greymalkin Academy" That I might run in Shackled City if I feel they need a bit more XP, changing Greymalkin Academy to Blue Crater Academy. It's for 9th level players