So my group is getting ready to tackle Sea Wyvern's Wake very soon. They've just finished up with The Bullywug Gambit and are dealing with a few odds and ends before gearing up for The Big Trip. (I capitalize it because I love this part of the adventure SO much.)
Anyway, something interesting that has come up is that they didn't kill Diamondback. The knocked her out and bound her for later questioning. After talking with her, they get the feeling that she's not "all bad." She's agreed to testify to the Dawn Council on the grounds that she'll not be imprisoned. She's pleaded that she's just made some bad choices and promises to behave. The group has taken it a step further. They want to give her another chance and have offered to take her along on the trip to Farshore so that she can start a new life away from the troubles that have followed her in Sasserine.
So I've got Diamondback going on board the Sea Wyvern.
I'm sure Rowyn's going to love that. Their inevitable showdown is likely to be great, and I'm looking for ways to make it super-memorable. Any ideas?
Oh, and just as a "wow, that's awesome" side note...I've been playing Diamondback off on the young-ish side...a lot like a young Harley (from the Batman animated series). Seems really appropriate. And then I get a link to the perfect image from one of the guys in my group. Check it out: The new Diamondback (ok, that link seems to be struggling...here's the address if you want to cut/paste it: http://www.comics2film.com/DCG/art/Art23018.jpg)
Where's this thread in the messageboards? It's only showing when I search through my posts? I wonder where this post will end up, too...
Where's this thread in the messageboards? It's only showing when I search through my posts? I wonder where this post will end up, too...
The thread looks like it's in the right place.
That picture is great. Exactly as I pictured her. Great idea for developing diamondback.
In my own campaign, she is beyond redemption. A hired assassin in the employ of the Kellani family. I am adding a few more encounters with diamondback. She's too great a villain to use only once. :)
My group has just finished TINH and one of my players discovered that his adopted father's ship was scheduled to be "holed." The session ended with that character heading to check on his father. When he gets there, he will will encounter diamondback and the bodies of several slain crew members.
I am also buffing her up by giving her the lucky coin from the Tome of Artifacts. This will increase her survivability dramatically.
Ooh, I see some interesting possibilities here. Really, one of two ways this could go.
She’s still loyal to her contract and creams the party when she has the chance.
or
She really is reformed (“Nobody has ever been so kind to me before,” blah, blah) and her “redemption” can stand as a literary contrast to Vanthus.
Actually, I would lean towards the second choice. There are already plenty of enemies, and you don’t want to dilute the party’s hatred pool. But even better, if you are playing her young, like you said, you can play up the whole “waif” angle. Have Avner hit on her. Use her as a surrogate “damsel in distress” and give Lavinia a break. Is one particular member of the party taking her under his wing? If so, is that character perusing Lavinia in the romance subplot? How does his attention to the girl look to Lavinia? Is she jealous? That could work in his favor or against. How young are we talking? Young enough to send off creep vibes? (that would definitely help if you have Avner hitting on her.)
And, of course, once the party has become attached to her, you could have her killed off by the “Fire Trolls.” (I love that).
I’d be very interested to hear which route you choose.
I want to run this AP again.
Actually, I would lean towards the second choice. There are already plenty of enemies, and you don’t want to dilute the party’s hatred pool. But even better, if you are playing her young, like you said, you can play up the whole “waif” angle. Have Avner hit on her. Use her as a surrogate “damsel in distress” and give Lavinia a break. Is one particular member of the party taking her under his wing? If so, is that character perusing Lavinia in the romance subplot? How does his attention to the girl look to Lavinia? Is she jealous? That could work in his favor or against. How young are we talking? Young enough to send off creep vibes? (that would definitely help if you have Avner hitting on her.)
And, of course, once the party has become attached to her, you could have her killed off by the “Fire Trolls.” (I love that).
I’d be very interested to hear which route you choose.
I want to run this AP again.
Oh, I am definitely planning to have her being "good." I brought her in as sort of "young and naive." So when offered the chance to make right for her actions by the group, she's definitely encouraged in a positive manner towards them and anxious to make the most of her second chance.
Granted, I'm not ruling out the possibility that Rowyn might get to her on board the Sea Wyvern and convince her otherwise, but we'll see how that goes.