Hmmm....something ate my thread. Let's try this again:
My party has once again thrown me an interesting curve ball. They go to Tanaroa to try to win the Olmans over to their side, and the scene with Zotzilaha plays out as expected. They head to the shrine, return the stolen idol, and Zotzilaha rewards them.
My heroes then drop this in my lap - they feel so bad about the danger the Tanaroans were put in (as well as angering one of their gods) that they leave offerings from their own magic items gained thusfar in the AP. Granted, they are not their most powerful items, but they could still have been possibly used to equip the defenders of Farshore.
At first glance, it looks like the PCs have shot themselves in the foot. I, on the other hand, think that showing that much respect and giving back to Zotzilaha is worthy of some recognition when the attack on the colony comes.
Rather than just give some extra Victory Points that they won't know about until the end, I would also like them to witness something as a reward for their charity and respect. Any and all ideas are welcome - thanks in advance!
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
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"Rather than just give some extra Victory Points that they won't know about until the end, I would also like them to witness something as a reward for their charity and respect. Any and all ideas are welcome - thanks in advance!"
One option would be to have Zotzilaha send a few firebats to attack the Crimson Fleet when they arrive. Those little, regenerating, flying balls of fire would certainly tear the hell out of the rigging and sails of the incoming ships. For a nice effect, you could have a swarm of them fly out of the Fangs of Zotzilaha (just so there’s no confusion as to who sent them).
In the end, it could be worth an extra 50 victory points or so. It helps their overall total, and is definitely something the characters would notice.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32
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It seems like the "easy way out" but still, how cool would it be for the aspect of Zotzilaha and a swarm of firebats to appear and help with the defence. If they choose their timing well, I mean - if you choose their timing well, they could really help out. Let's say the PCs are tied up with the golems and Yuan-ti, let the aspect and firebats prevent the Vrocks from completing their Dance of Ruin.
They've earned a brief respite at the worst moment possible - give it to them :)
Isn't Zotz chaotic evil in alignment? Maybe he views it as a sign of weakness on their part and destroys them. On the other hand, that would be a pretty rotten stunt for a DM to pull--just because the god is CE doesn't mean you have to be! So maybe he sends a slight quake that creates a wave that swamps one of the pirate ships--preferrably not one of the ones listed, although your players would never know that. That way they'd feel rewarded without you having to actually change the adveture as written at all.
Isn't Zotz chaotic evil in alignment? Maybe he views it as a sign of weakness on their part and destroys them. On the other hand, that would be a pretty rotten stunt for a DM to pull--just because the god is CE doesn't mean you have to be! So maybe he sends a slight quake that creates a wave that swamps one of the pirate ships--preferrably not one of the ones listed, although your players would never know that. That way they'd feel rewarded without you having to actually change the adveture as written at all.
Yeah, Zotz's actions in the shrine (assuming the PCs return the idol) didn't really add up to a CE mindset to me - I would think he would still attack the thieves to make examples out of them if that were the case. Since the Olman ancestor worship seems (for the most part) to be a more benign, 'white' necromancy, I decided to switch his alignment to CN. It just seems to work better with the storyline to me.
Thanks to all for the ideas so far. I really like the imagery of firebats issuing forth from the Fangs, but because of the distance from Farshore I think the manifestation in the harbor would work better.
I still have some time before I have to worry about it (and a lot of baddies to revamp as Gestalt), so please keep the thoughts coming!
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
Well, the whole region of the Isle of Dread is volcanic. Heck, you can have a volcano spring up on the island where Farshore is located, or have one pop up in the middle of the harbor during the battle and vent out firebats in the midst of the Crimson Fleet. That would be cool and dramatic!
Dalesman,
Here are some more suggestions. I'm very against Deus Ex Machina type of gameplay and allowing Zotzilaha too much obvious interference stinks of that.
Fire! Fire!
Zotzilaha loves to burn things (if you haven't noticed). If any of your PCs use fire or fire magic, be sure to describe to them how the affects are far more devastating than normal. In game mechanics, maximize any fire spells or max out the damage of any non-magical fire effects.
The suggestion of a swarm of bats is a good one. You might want to use several regular bat swarms that coming rushing out of the jungle around Farshore to attack the crew of the Crimson Fleet vessels for a few rounds until they're destroyed OR the suggested fire bats that suddenly pop out of the air and beging torching the rigging of the enemy ships. You could also do both. Whatever the case, don't overdo it. And make sure the timing is right. If the PCs are having a tough time, then is the time to pop some bats into the battle. While the enemies react to this new wrinkle, the PCs can use the respite to heal up, regroup, or whatever. Often, just a short break of 2 or 3 rounds is enough to turn things around for a group of PCs.
Disease
Do not forget that Zotzilaha is a god of disease. If you use any of the bat suggestions, you could transmit the horrific diseases infesting Zotz through them. Be sure the PCs notice the horrible effects that the bites from those bats is having on their enemies.
Or you could create an affect like any physical attacks on the PCs (claws, bites, etc.) infects their enemies with those same diseases.
Again, whatever the case, don't overdo it. It should be something brief, but flashy and obvious.
As far as the alignment issue. Meh. What's the big deal? CE beings may be driven by a differerent moral and ethical compass, but it doesn't mean they are incapable of returning or acknowleding a favor (especially when it means getting to KILL and destroy things!).
Hmmm....something ate my thread...
Mmmm... Yummy :P
If the PCs don't have a magic item and come up against Vantus, that 10/Magic DR will slap them in the face.
Let the PCs take their first swipe at him and see it doesn't do anything. Then, after the attack...
Your [weapon] glows with the heat of molten lava. Vanthus takes notice, "It seems you have friends in high places. Don't worry, Worm, you'll see your friend soon enough."
Give the weapon a magical bonus as needed. Whether it is temporary or permanent is up to you.
Or, you could do the effect as magic weapon and give them a little bump if the dice are cold.
Dalesman,
Here are some more suggestions. I'm very against Deus Ex Machina type of gameplay and allowing Zotzilaha too much obvious interference stinks of that.Fire! Fire!
Zotzilaha loves to burn things (if you haven't noticed). If any of your PCs use fire or fire magic, be sure to describe to them how the affects are far more devastating than normal. In game mechanics, maximize any fire spells or max out the damage of any non-magical fire effects.The suggestion of a swarm of bats is a good one. You might want to use several regular bat swarms that coming rushing out of the jungle around Farshore to attack the crew of the Crimson Fleet vessels for a few rounds until they're destroyed OR the suggested fire bats that suddenly pop out of the air and beging torching the rigging of the enemy ships. You could also do both. Whatever the case, don't overdo it. And make sure the timing is right. If the PCs are having a tough time, then is the time to pop some bats into the battle. While the enemies react to this new wrinkle, the PCs can use the respite to heal up, regroup, or whatever. Often, just a short break of 2 or 3 rounds is enough to turn things around for a group of PCs.
Disease
Do not forget that Zotzilaha is a god of disease. If you use any of the bat suggestions, you could transmit the horrific diseases infesting Zotz through them. Be sure the PCs notice the horrible effects that the bites from those bats is having on their enemies.Or you could create an affect like any physical attacks on the PCs (claws, bites, etc.) infects their enemies with those same diseases.
Again, whatever the case, don't overdo it. It should be something brief, but flashy and obvious.
As far as the alignment issue. Meh. What's the big deal? CE beings may be driven by a differerent moral and ethical compass, but it doesn't mean they are incapable of returning or acknowleding a favor (especially when it means getting to KILL and destroy things!).
Thanks for the insight Steve - the fire idea is brilliant, and the disease would just be nasty (and give the PCs some worry as to the 'help' they have earned - a great foreshadowing of things to come...) >)
And you're probably right on the alignment thing. The PCs haven't had any concerns about it yet, so it could just be genuine gratitude, or even a chaotic being deciding to act a bit lawful to keep everyone guessing. My mind was weak (Read: decaffeinated) - please forgive my incomplete thoughts on this :)
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
Congrats to your players-- that's a fantastic RP choice, and deserves a reward!
I'd suggest a two-part appearance by Big Z:
1. Flavor: The fangs of Zotzilaha begin to rumble and smoke when the invaders arrive, and as the battle progresses, the smoke takes on the clear image of Zotzilaha. As the fight continues, descibe the occasional rapacious pirate just spontaneously immolating, or fall to the ground his blood spurting from a pair of fang-like throat wounds delivered by some unseen ally.
2. Game mechanics: Give each PC who donated items a single fire-themed power-up to their abilities/attacks. Something like an additional 1d6 to each attack (a la flaming sword), or possibly +2 to fire spell DCs. To ram the point home, if you suspect that any of your players sacrificed their items reluctantly, or cynically, give them a lesser bonus (d4 and +1).
You might also have the village zombie-master tell the PCs that Zotzilaha came to him in a vision and ordered them to aid the PCs-- the story supposes they will secure the Olmec's aid anyway, but make this appear to be a direct result of your PCs very un PC-like behavior and you have an insta-reward (TM).
I think using something direct rather than just adding VP will make the PCs feel rewarded, and put them back in the center of the story.