RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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Lost most of my post when www.paizo.com went screwy on me. Had to restart the computer just to get onto the site though I had no problems with other sites. So here the jist of my last post attempt:
Last session, my players lost two party members (of six) when they failed to slay the monsters in Area D12. Now they've returned to Sandpoint to recruit some fresh blood (i.e. the new PCs of the two players who had PCs die last time.) I'm also planning on having Shalelu go with them this time around mainly because I plan on using her to keep the PCs alive as they go further into RotRL, to assist them in finishing without them making another trip back to Sandpoint for supplies or new recruits and to cut down on the EXP after the changes I'm planning on.
BUT what will Thistletop be like when they return?
Q: What are the tactics of the Thistletop Commandos (3)?
The tentamont will stay where it is.
I will open the doors in between areas D1-5 and D9-D12 to give the Yeth Hounds some breathing room to cause mayhem and to keep the PCs guessing. I'll also add another Yeth Hound, which may or may not be the one that is supposed to be with Nualia. Probably will be that one though.
I figure that those henchmen of Nualia's who are still amongst the living will (Orik Vancaskerkin, Lyrie Akenja, and Tsuto) have banded together in area D15. With Orik & Tsuto fighting back to back and Lyrie offering magical assistance.
I've decided to use the Transformation Room as a variant Black Cauldron (Dragon #340, pg. 76-79) where Nualia had the 2 recently deceased party members, who are posted in the RtoRL Obituaries, augmented with the Cauldron-Born Template and unleashed in Area E2. I'm a little concerned about the fighter, who'll end up w/a 22 DEX and has a Feat that makes him impossible to Flank (Eyes in the Back of the Head, Wheel of Time RPG.) I really need to figure out more on adding templates to PCs. I figure I'll have time though because of Thanksgiving we'll miss one of our sessions.
I'm also thinking about adding a creeping glyph from J1: Entombed with the Pharaohs to Area E1.
All suggestions and comments are sought & welcomed.
Sounds brutal enough.
If you're adding total goblins, I'd suggest they be recruited from other tribes, and might have a lower morale.
If the party actually manages to sneak up the second time particularly well, I'd give them some bonuses (unpreparedness) for it, but that seems unlikely.
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One thing to keep in mind is that, PC assault notwithstanding, it's going to be extremely hard for the goblins to stay focused on a siege mentality, especially once the PCs leave. Though the bridge may well be triggered, there's no way the people on Thistletop will necessarily know when - or if - the invaders will return, and that's going to play merry hell with the defenders' responses. Life will go on, and there's no reason why everyone will stay in the most tactically sound location until the PCs return. They will still be subject to having the alarm raised all over again.
Some other thoughts:
* I'd be hesitant to suggest that the yeth hounds and the goblins can safely hang out on the same level together. Even a DC 11 save is a b@~%# when you have to make it 3 times, and with a penalty to boot, and goblins are skittish to begin with.
* Orik may well decide that now is the time to leave. He's getting itchy feet as it is, and the psychological effect of being cooped up on the island - especially with Tsuto - is going to have a definite impact on him.
* Unless you conjure up some additional goblins, the PCs should have a significant advantage when they return, simply because there're not enough defenders left to adequately guard the compound, particularly if you move everyone downstairs. That should allow the PCs to have surprise on at least the first fight, and possibly more depending on how careful and fast they are.
One thing to keep in mind is that, PC assault notwithstanding, it's going to be extremely hard for the goblins to stay focused on a siege mentality, especially once the PCs leave. Though the bridge may well be triggered, there's no way the people on Thistletop will necessarily know when - or if - the invaders will return, and that's going to play merry hell with the defenders' responses. Life will go on, and there's no reason why everyone will stay in the most tactically sound location until the PCs return. They will still be subject to having the alarm raised all over again.
Some other thoughts:
* I'd be hesitant to suggest that the yeth hounds and the goblins can safely hang out on the same level together. Even a DC 11 save is a b%%~~ when you have to make it 3 times, and with a penalty to boot, and goblins are skittish to begin with.
* Orik may well decide that now is the time to leave. He's getting itchy feet as it is, and the psychological effect of being cooped up on the island - especially with Tsuto - is going to have a definite impact on him.
* Unless you conjure up some additional goblins, the PCs should have a significant advantage when they return, simply because there're not enough defenders left to adequately guard the compound, particularly if you move everyone downstairs. That should allow the PCs to have surprise on at least the first fight, and possibly more depending on how careful and fast they are.
QFT
Goblins, being easily distracted, might just brush the PC retreat as a "retreat" and claim victory over the longshank heroes of Sandpoint. Either between Naulia and/ or Ripnugget, a group might be sent to spy Sandpoint to see if any plans are being made to gather any kind of significant reprisal, but they may be revelling in their overconfidence.
They can always trigger the bridge, so I doubt they'd see the need to have it down for any extensive period of time when there's no actual "siege" going on. If the PC's return, they can easily trigger it at that time.
What I might adjust would be that if the PC's fail to return in a timely manner, Naulia might have succeeded in releasing Malfeshnekor and begin the second assault on Sandpoint, but I'd only resort to this if the PC's are inept and slothful, etc.
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Goblins, being easily distracted, might just brush the PC retreat as a "retreat" and claim victory over the longshank heroes of Sandpoint. Either between Naulia and/ or Ripnugget, a group might be sent to spy Sandpoint to see if any plans are being made to gather any kind of significant reprisal, but they may be revelling in their overconfidence.
Personally, I'd play up this point. While goblins hate writing, they love drawing pictures, so make sure to have some new drawing / paintings on the wall, showing the goblins victory over the players. Rub in the 'running home' part by drawing the players in a humiliating retreat as much as possible. Tell it from the goblin point of view, which is probably at least a bit distorted from how the players remember it...
Drew Garrett