To me, it seems like the Prince of demons is distinctly lacking in the Pirate aspect of the the whole issue.
Perhaps Wat Dagon could be a ship instead of a fortress?
I think once the characters have destroyed the crimson fleet the pirate theme is basically over. From that point on the theme is nasty nasty demons.
To me, it seems like the Prince of demons is distinctly lacking in the Pirate aspect of the the whole issue.
Perhaps Demogorgon's two heads are fighting over which one gets to be the pirate captain and which one has to be his trusty parrot companion.
Perhaps Demogorgon's two heads are fighting over which one gets to be the pirate captain and which one has to be his trusty parrot companion.
LOL-or who gets to wear the eye-patch and who gets peg leg.
Demogorgon is nuts because on head is a Pirate and the other head is a Ninja!
Yeah, but here's my thing.
All the players have designed their characters to be... well piratey. Every adventure, even Enemies of my Enemy let you ride your pirate ship. Prince of Demons, as it stands, is the ending of any old campaign, not a game that makes you say "Yar."
I think you might be reading too much into the pirate theme. I don't recall any traditional style 'fighting pirates at sea' in my first read thru. And by the time they are headed into the 4th adventure at around 7th level, they are battling T-Rexs and demons and Terror Birds on the Isle of Dread, no pirates.
In fact the only real pirate action is in SWW, right?
Shame tho, more pirate theme would have been good too, but would have dramatically changed the story.
Cheers!
Personally I regretted that more wasn't done on the Isle of Dread myself.
(I now have images in my head of one of Demogorgon's heads saying "yarr...matey..." and trying to limp along while the other is exclaiming, "Why are you doing that? What are you, nuts?")
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It'd be some work, but you could stat up the part of the map that says "Belcheresk's Fleet" and have the PCs fight their way to shore, then lead an amphibious assault worthy of the USMC. EoME would be even cooler if your players are trying to recruit a fleet of seafaring eladrins or celestial mermen.
Demogorgon is nuts because on head is a Pirate and the other head is a Ninja!OK - This is too good to let go - when my group gets here 1/2 the sommoned demons will have something piraty about them and the other 1/2 will have something ninja-y not sure what yet..
~WEG~ Have their accent and dress be either/or. Have them use ninja or pirate weapons. Also, have the pirate ones sometimes have a two headed parrot on their shoulder.
Sharoth, the two-headed parrots is a must-steal!
I shall shamelessly steal your idea now. ^_^ Thanks in advance! (And yes, my 1st/2nd level party is on Parrot Island, so they get to catch some two-headed parrot candy very soon...)
Sharoth, the two-headed parrots is a must-steal!
I shall shamelessly steal your idea now. ^_^ Thanks in advance! (And yes, my 1st/2nd level party is on Parrot Island, so they get to catch some two-headed parrot candy very soon...)
~laughter~ Thief! Thief! ~thinks for a minute~ Damn, we are in 3.5 edition! Rogue! Rogue!
~grins~ No problem. My silly sense of humor does have it's uses!
Well, since the little birdy with the Conjurer specialist is considering making a beeline for Alienist, I rather suspect that the two-headed parrots will rapidly catch his attention.
At least two of the players are pretty good at picking up on plot threads, foreshadowings and the other bits of subtlety liberally sprinkled throughout the STAP.
And of course, at this point I think they will find that they are NOT fighting on a beach or a ship deck at the final end-game encounter brought up in the first post of this thread to be a relief.
The tight quarters and cramped timeline will likely be a hefty stacking of the deck against them as it is.
Of course, two-headed ninja-pirates are just ... wrong ...
" Whaddya mean the pirate ghosted out of the Ethereal and skewered my left kidney ?! "
Oooo ... Ghost-Faced Killer Dread Pirates ... talk about convoluted ...
~laughter~ Ghost step with the claw hand and the pirate sword FTW!
I think we've skipped the point. Delfedd's group has shown a preference for piratey action and I think it's worth the effort to give them the ending they want.
Unfortunately, I can't think of anything better than what's already been said. Converting Wat Dagon into a beached ship is worth the effort, I think, and turning the beach storming scene into a reversal of the pirate attack on Farshore would be sweet too.
I'm actually surprised the Sea Wyvern wasn't involved in the final attack (but I missed a couple previous issues so don't know for sure that it was wrecked earlier.) If the portal spot were farther out to see, the PCs and their newly-allied eladrin fleet could engage in a sea battle first before taking the fort on the beach.
I think we've skipped the point. Delfedd's group has shown a preference for piratey action and I think it's worth the effort to give them the ending they want.
Unfortunately, I can't think of anything better than what's already been said. Converting Wat Dagon into a beached ship is worth the effort, I think, and turning the beach storming scene into a reversal of the pirate attack on Farshore would be sweet too.
I'm actually surprised the Sea Wyvern wasn't involved in the final attack (but I missed a couple previous issues so don't know for sure that it was wrecked earlier.) If the portal spot were farther out to see, the PCs and their newly-allied eladrin fleet could engage in a sea battle first before taking the fort on the beach.
Oh, the whole idea is a great one - if a lot of work - should the players be clamoring for it.
Of course, when the bulk of the bad guys (and I suspect a hefty percentage of the good guys as well) can teleport at will, using something as mundane as a ship to move around seems rather pointless.
On the other paw, as I recall, they (the writers) originally had in mind to do something to the effect of a massive dimensional lock over the whole area, but didn't for some reason or another. Nothing says changes couldn't be homebrewed right on in to make it necessary to come in by fleet instead ...
My group has stalled out after "Gaping Maw," with 3 adventures to go. The pirates and dinosaurs kept everyone psyched, but no one seems thrilled about the Abyss, especially after the first dungeon crawl there. Also, now that they've killed Vanthus (again), there's a sense that the campaign has been neatly tied up (the shadow pearl threat is somehow less interesting to them). Any suggestions on resparking interest, or should I just let the thing die?
My group has stalled out after "Gaping Maw," with 3 adventures to go. The pirates and dinosaurs kept everyone psyched, but no one seems thrilled about the Abyss, especially after the first dungeon crawl there. Also, now that they've killed Vanthus (again), there's a sense that the campaign has been neatly tied up (the shadow pearl threat is somehow less interesting to them). Any suggestions on resparking interest, or should I just let the thing die?
Have a Shadow Pearl accidentally detonate early in one city that your PCs particularly love. Sasserine perhaps? Let them see just one city that has become twisted and savage. After this, they'll be doubly motivated: both to prevent this from happening again and to avenge friends and lost family members.
~ Bryon ~
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My group has stalled out after "Gaping Maw," with 3 adventures to go. The pirates and dinosaurs kept everyone psyched, but no one seems thrilled about the Abyss, especially after the first dungeon crawl there. Also, now that they've killed Vanthus (again), there's a sense that the campaign has been neatly tied up (the shadow pearl threat is somehow less interesting to them). Any suggestions on resparking interest, or should I just let the thing die?
Not yet, but I'm on it. Now I have something to think about on the drive home.
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My group has stalled out after "Gaping Maw," with 3 adventures to go. The pirates and dinosaurs kept everyone psyched, but no one seems thrilled about the Abyss, especially after the first dungeon crawl there. Also, now that they've killed Vanthus (again), there's a sense that the campaign has been neatly tied up (the shadow pearl threat is somehow less interesting to them). Any suggestions on resparking interest, or should I just let the thing die?Not yet, but I'm on it. Now I have something to think about on the drive home.
I wonder what would happen if a shadow pearl was made weaker on purpose, to use on captives... sort of like the scorpions in 'Hook' lock the captive somewhere with just enough air to breathe.. drop the pearl in.. or heck just use the scorpions from hook, but make them savage.. and dropped onto any of the PCs friends, so that they have to kill their savage friends.. then if they are still not interested, they find a scorpion on their pillows one night..
It's not so much that I want to force them into it; we finished the gaping maw prison and the attitude was, "Meh. Fighting lots of demons. Not interesting." Trying to get them into the diplomatic stuff later; "Meh, talk to some demons and fight the rest." They're sort of combated-out, and want more exploration stuff (like SWW, HTBM).
It's not so much that I want to force them into it; we finished the gaping maw prison and the attitude was, "Meh. Fighting lots of demons. Not interesting." Trying to get them into the diplomatic stuff later; "Meh, talk to some demons and fight the rest." They're sort of combated-out, and want more exploration stuff (like SWW, HTBM).
This might make for a ton of work on your part, but maybe the PCs could go on a whirlwind search for shadow pearls. I know the scenarios state that there just won't be enough time to gather then all before the big event, but there could be in your campaign. Or at least enough time to gather most of them. They wouldn't necessarily be exploring a specific location, but they'd be going on a tour of the world, diving into the City of Greyhawk, Irongate, Verbobonc, back to Sasserine, etc.
(Somewhere I tried to compile a list of the largest cities in Greyhawk, for just this purpose. I think I have it on my home computer, if it'd be interesting.)
This might make for a ton of work on your part, but maybe the PCs could go on a whirlwind search for shadow pearls. I know the scenarios state that there just won't be enough time to gather then all before the big event, but there could be in your campaign. Or at least enough time to gather most of them. They wouldn't necessarily be exploring a specific location, but they'd be going on a tour of the world, diving into the City of Greyhawk, Irongate, Verbobonc, back to Sasserine, etc.
They would absolutely LOVE that! That is a tremendously cool idea; I'll have to dust off my old "Fate of Istus" module and see how much of it I can adapt to this (I seem to remember a series of adventures in major cities in the Flanaess, and some of them were quite high-level). Thanks!
... They wouldn't necessarily be exploring a specific location, but they'd be going on a tour of the world, diving into the City of Greyhawk, Irongate, Verbobonc, back to Sasserine, etc.They would absolutely LOVE that! That is a tremendously cool idea; I'll have to dust off my old "Fate of Istus" module and see how much of it I can adapt to this (I seem to remember a series of adventures in major cities in the Flanaess, and some of them were quite high-level). Thanks!
Glad I could help -- let us know what you do, and how it goes!
Here's another free idea: When they get back to Sasserine to find the pearl stashed there, they're going to need help from Heldrath Kellani.
Just so you know, there is no pearl in sasserine- the pearl meant for the city detonated in the second adventure
Wait a sec-- we're talking about completely replacing the last 3 adventures, and you're focusing on an "offical" detail like that?
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This might make for a ton of work on your part, but maybe the PCs could go on a whirlwind search for shadow pearls. I know the scenarios state that there just won't be enough time to gather then all before the big event, but there could be in your campaign. Or at least enough time to gather most of them. They wouldn't necessarily be exploring a specific location, but they'd be going on a tour of the world, diving into the City of Greyhawk, Irongate, Verbobonc, back to Sasserine, etc.They would absolutely LOVE that! That is a tremendously cool idea; I'll have to dust off my old "Fate of Istus" module and see how much of it I can adapt to this (I seem to remember a series of adventures in major cities in the Flanaess, and some of them were quite high-level). Thanks!
You could also send them on black pearl missions to alternate prime material planes; they could fight a fiendish death knight Black Beard in 1920's New York with tommy guns and King Kong going on a rampage, or whatever. I'm just pulling stuff out of my ass right now, but you get the picture.
Demogorgon caused the Great Depression.Or a Black Pearl could go off in New York City. And Nazi psionic superspys could be after the secret.
I'm wondering how my group will take to the adventure path once they're done with Serpents of Scuttlecove. After that adventure, as earlier posts indicate, the adventure changes from pirates and high adventure to demon fighting in the Abyss. There's plenty of warnings demons become more involved, with Orlangu and all the effigies of Demogorgon encountered, but some players may not like the change in theme, regardless.
Well, if your Vanthus Vanderboren has made things personal enough with the characters, there is one incentive right there.
Massively huge piles of schwag and exp is another.
And, of course, the chance to kick kiester and talk smack with some right nasty critterbeasties.
The need to stop the Savage Tide should be clear by the time they have dealt with the 'local menace'. That they would be responsible for the millions of innocents condemned to hideous fates as ravenous, savage .. things .. should weigh on the conscious of those who have even a skosh of moral fiber.
If your PCs are aspiring Evil Overlords, the simple point is, the demons are going to pretty much rob them of a sizable swath of a world to rule over, so they'd better get in gear and go stomp on those who would trash 'thier' turf.
You could also send them on black pearl missions to alternate prime material planes; they could fight a fiendish death knight Black Beard in 1920's New York with tommy guns and King Kong going on a rampage, or whatever. I'm just pulling stuff out of my ass right now, but you get the picture.
Demogorgon caused the Great Depression.
Or a Black Pearl could go off in New York City. And Nazi psionic superspys could be after the secret.
Totally. Or fiddle with that scenario from Dragon #100; instead of recovering the Mace of St. Cuthbert from the British Museum, they have to recover a shadow pearl.
The need to stop the Savage Tide should be clear by the time they have dealt with the 'local menace'. That they would be responsible for the millions of innocents condemned to hideous fates as ravenous, savage .. things .. should weigh on the conscious of those who have even a skosh of moral fiber.
Let me clarify. The characters' motivation is not the problem. The players' motivation is. The question should have been, "How to I keep the last 3 STAP adventures inteteresting for someone who finds fighting demons in the Abyss to be boring?"
You could also send them on black pearl missions to alternate prime material planes; they could fight a fiendish death knight Black Beard in 1920's New York with tommy guns and King Kong going on a rampage, or whatever. I'm just pulling stuff out of my ass right now, but you get the picture. Demogorgon caused the Great Depression. Or a Black Pearl could go off in New York City. And Nazi psionic superspys could be after the secret.
Man, you're not going to believe this, but I just did sort of this thing a few years back, with the Rod of Seven Parts. Including psionic spies, a death knight, gangsters, and even King Kong, I kid you not. Not quite as cunningly mixed and matched as you have brilliantly proposed, but I won't be able to pull that trick off again anytime soon! Different cities in the Flanaess may have to do for now...
This might make for a ton of work on your part, but maybe the PCs could go on a whirlwind search for shadow pearls. I know the scenarios state that there just won't be enough time to gather then all before the big event, but there could be in your campaign. Or at least enough time to gather most of them. They wouldn't necessarily be exploring a specific location, but they'd be going on a tour of the world, diving into the City of Greyhawk, Irongate, Verbobonc, back to Sasserine, etc.They would absolutely LOVE that! That is a tremendously cool idea; I'll have to dust off my old "Fate of Istus" module and see how much of it I can adapt to this (I seem to remember a series of adventures in major cities in the Flanaess, and some of them were quite high-level). Thanks!You could also send them on black pearl missions to alternate prime material planes; they could fight a fiendish death knight Black Beard in 1920's New York with tommy guns and King Kong going on a rampage, or whatever. I'm just pulling stuff out of my ass right now, but you get the picture.
Demogorgon caused the Great Depression.
Or a Black Pearl could go off in New York City. And Nazi psionic superspys could be after the secret.
Yes.
Yes. Do it.
Please. I must know what happens to the psionic superspy demonlogists.
Please. For the children.
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You could also send them on black pearl missions to alternate prime material planes; they could fight a fiendish death knight Black Beard in 1920's New York with tommy guns and King Kong going on a rampage, or whatever. I'm just pulling stuff out of my ass right now, but you get the picture. Demogorgon caused the Great Depression. Or a Black Pearl could go off in New York City. And Nazi psionic superspys could be after the secret.Man, you're not going to believe this, but I just did sort of this thing a few years back, with the Rod of Seven Parts. Including psionic spies, a death knight, gangsters, and even King Kong, I kid you not. Not quite as cunningly mixed and matched as you have brilliantly proposed, but I won't be able to pull that trick off again anytime soon! Different cities in the Flanaess may have to do for now...
Right on. I probably read your mind then. ;)
Well, my other thought was...that place with the wells and all, reminded me of cenotes from the Yucatan; then I got to thinking about having a bunch of lich hags/ Civetateo's around there, and a Xibalban jungle, and a fight between Xibalban mirror people and jungle dwelling tribal vampires going on, and on the way to this tropical abyssal Island of Wells, a big pirate fleet battle, where they get a treasure map with a big "x" on it that shows the cenote where Shami Amourae is trapped along with a pile of gold.
Well, my other thought was...that place with the wells and all, reminded me of cenotes from the Yucatan; then I got to thinking about having a bunch of lich hags/ Civetateo's around there, and a Xibalban jungle, and a fight between Xibalban mirror people and jungle dwelling tribal vampires going on, and on the way to this tropical abyssal Island of Wells, a big pirate fleet battle, where they get a treasure map with a big "x" on it that shows the cenote where Shami Amourae is trapped along with a pile of gold.
That's actually pretty cool! I may have to do that.
We're talking about people (myself included, I should admit) who, in the past, have maxed out their characters' Appraisal skill so the PCs could try and identify the vintage of wines they bought with their loot, in lieu of magic items. Granted, that hasn't been a problem in the STAP, but still, that's the mind-set.
The need to stop the Savage Tide should be clear by the time they have dealt with the 'local menace'. That they would be responsible for the millions of innocents condemned to hideous fates as ravenous, savage .. things .. should weigh on the conscious of those who have even a skosh of moral fiber.Let me clarify. The characters' motivation is not the problem. The players' motivation is. The question should have been, "How to I keep the last 3 STAP adventures inteteresting for someone who finds fighting demons in the Abyss to be boring?"
OOOOhhh, well - one can have the bad guys come to them, and keep coming back. One cannot perma-death a fiend save to do so on thier home plane after all. ^_^
Other than that, I suggest liberally stealing ideas from the other replies you have gotten. Nothing like plagia... er "borrowing" other peoples' ideas as far as at-your-table-only materials go.
And after all, if they're too pansy-chicken to fight monkey-faces when they have buddies to distract himhim, well ... he can certainly 'arrange' to be Gated in and stomp heroic keister!
Two-headed Parrots ftw! ^_^