My group will be resuming tonight after taking a week off. We're currently in Sea Wyvern's Wake and have just made our way around the bend where the Brotherhood Blockade would have taken place. (I replaced that encounter with an ambush from the "Fire Trolls," but that's another story all together.)
Anyway, tonight they ought to be encountering the hydra at the water-refilling area.
Here's my thought...
This encounter just doesn't interest me much? It could be that I'm just too anxious to get to the sargasso...which just oozes mood and atmosphere. How can I make this encounter more interesting? Should I just skip it? I get the feeling that my group is going to steam-roll the poor hydra.
One thought I had to make it more interesting is to have it attack the Blue Nixie's passengers, rather than the Sea Wyvern's passengers. Suddenly they are launched into rescue mode instead of defend/conquer mode. It might amp up the drama a bit.
I don't know...just thinking out loud. Anybody got any ideas on how to spice up this encounter?
I agree with you about how attacking the Nixie will amp the drama factor, but I’m having a hard time seeing how that would go down without a lot of death among that ship’s crew before they Wyvern heroes can react. That could really deflate the heroes somewhat unfairly.
Skipping the encounter is perfectly acceptable considering you are not using XP. On the other hand, because of things mentioned in another post, I don’t recommend skipping the fresh water stop.
It depends on how you would run the encounter. After the “dream” scenario, it might be good to hit them right away with another “surprise” attack, and this time one they can't prepare for. Actually, if you can arrange it, do it before they have a chance to recoup spells from that last combat – that would make it tougher. Also (having read your blog, I have some insight) your spell caster likes to run around invisible. Hydra’s have the Scent Special Ability. It’s always good to shake up a party when they start to use the same tactics over and over again.
So, I guess what I’m saying is, go for it!
I agree with you about how attacking the Nixie will amp the drama factor, but I’m having a hard time seeing how that would go down without a lot of death among that ship’s crew before they Wyvern heroes can react. That could really deflate the heroes somewhat unfairly.
Skipping the encounter is perfectly acceptable considering you are not using XP. On the other hand, because of things mentioned in another post, I don’t recommend skipping the fresh water stop.
It depends on how you would run the encounter. After the “dream” scenario, it might be good to hit them right away with another “surprise” attack, and this time one they can't prepare for. Actually, if you can arrange it, do it before they have a chance to recoup spells from that last combat – that would make it tougher. Also (having read your blog, I have some insight) your spell caster likes to run around invisible. Hydra’s have the Scent Special Ability. It’s always good to shake up a party when they start to use the same tactics over and over again.
So, I guess what I’m saying is, go for it!
Hmm...some good points. I think that part of my reasoning for throwing it at the Nixie is that I need to put Lavinia in danger a bit to up the "Oh crap! We need to act" factor. Perhaps I'll have her come for a visit on the Wyvern while they're refilling the water supply, and that's when it can strike.
And good point about the "scent" ability...you're absolutely right about the spellcaster and his love for invisibility. He was pretty stunned when the "Fire Troll" cleric had an invisibilty purge up. They killed him so fast in the dream sequence that they never even had a chance to discover that little tidbit. It was quite a suprise when it "really" happened.
Hmm...some good points. I think that part of my reasoning for throwing it at the Nixie is that I need to put Lavinia in danger a bit to up the "Oh crap! We need to act" factor. Perhaps I'll have her come for a visit on the Wyvern while they're refilling the water supply, and that's when it can strike.
The “Lavinia as Distressed Damsel” is a fine line to walk in this AP. It has the potential to come up so often that she seems week and helpless, which isn’t what you want. On the other hand, I always felt that she was gone from the game far too long on this voyage and the heroes need to interact with her. Perhaps, yes, put her on the Wyvern for the encounter, but make her get into the fray. That puts her in jeopardy but amps up her admiration factor.
And good point about the "scent" ability...you're absolutely right about the spellcaster and his love for invisibility. He was pretty stunned when the "Fire Troll" cleric had an invisibilty purge up. They killed him so fast in the dream sequence that they never even had a chance to discover that little tidbit. It was quite a suprise when it "really" happened.
Yeah, that’s something else I wondered about when I read the last blog entry. That was the one thing that seemed to go well for them in the first go round. Why did they decide to change tactics and open themselves up to the magical assault? Although, it was Skald who fired, so was that you trying to shake things up?
The “Lavinia as Distressed Damsel” is a fine line to walk in this AP. It has the potential to come up so often that she seems week and helpless, which isn’t what you want. On the other hand, I always felt that she was gone from the game far too long on this voyage and the heroes need to interact with her. Perhaps, yes, put her on the Wyvern for the encounter, but make her get into the fray. That puts her in jeopardy but amps up her admiration factor.
True, the "damsel in distress" scenario does come up somewhat frequently, but at the rate we play it's not too often (in real life time). I think it could be a healthy reminder of who they're on the trip for...as it is they don't cross paths with her enough during this stretch, like you said.
Yeah, that’s something else I wondered about when I read the last blog entry. That was the one thing that seemed to go well for them in the first go round. Why did they decide to change tactics and open themselves up to the magical assault? Although, it was Skald who fired, so was that you trying to shake things up?
Funny you should bring that up...that was a pretty big discussion at the table. All of the players were controlling multiple characters for that battle. It wasn't me who issued the "fire" command for Skald. It was one of the players...which led to a lot of tension at the table of the "why'd you do that" variety.
I was just trying to reduce the "me" time at the table, since I had a lot of other characters to be worrying about. I figured that I could spread the NPCs around so that they wouldn't be watching me roll dice for too much time.
I think I'll just keep control of the NPCs from now on.
Yeah, that’s something else I wondered about when I read the last blog entry. That was the one thing that seemed to go well for them in the first go round. Why did they decide to change tactics and open themselves up to the magical assault? Although, it was Skald who fired, so was that you trying to shake things up?Funny you should bring that up...that was a pretty big discussion at the table. All of the players were controlling multiple characters for that battle. It wasn't me who issued the "fire" command for Skald. It was one of the players...which led to a lot of tension at the table of the "why'd you do that" variety.
I was just trying to reduce the "me" time at the table, since I had a lot of other characters to be worrying about. I figured that I could spread the NPCs around so that they wouldn't be watching me roll dice for too much time.
I think I'll just keep control of the NPCs from now on.
Ah, thus the title of the last blog entry and the sarcasm from Adameus? I get it. Another of those “in jokes,” though not such a joke in this case. But, yeah, if that was a player running Skald, I could see the others getting a bit wonky about it.
However, I think it’s a good idea to let the players run the NPCs when it seems appropriate to do so. You’re right that you have a lot to pay attention to and in big combats like this, it makes sense for the players to play an NPC or two. That is, unless there is a plot point you need a particular NPC to cover.
Ah, thus the title of the last blog entry and the sarcasm from Adameus? I get it. Another of those “in jokes,” though not such a joke in this case. But, yeah, if that was a player running Skald, I could see the others getting a bit wonky about it.
Yeah, there was certainly a bit too much "wonkiness."
However, I think it’s a good idea to let the players run the NPCs when it seems appropriate to do so. You’re right that you have a lot to pay attention to and in big combats like this, it makes sense for the players to play an NPC or two. That is, unless there is a plot point you need a particular NPC to cover.
Right. And once we hit shore and there aren't quite so many NPCs it'll be a lot easier. It was just this "Fire Trolls" battle in which they wanted to get everyone involved that it became so much to keep tabs. Most of the time there's the "suprise" factor, in which case most of the NPCs scatter and hide.
Still it'll be fun once they hit shore and I can start "dispensing" of some of the NPCs in fun, dramatic, and creepifying ways.
Yeah, there was certainly a bit too much "wonkiness."
Are you making fun of me, Yank? :)
Still it'll be fun once they hit shore and I can start "dispensing" of some of the NPCs in fun, dramatic, and creepifying ways.
These blokes have really built a lot of camaraderie with the NPCs, from what I’ve read, so they’re likely to be effected deeply by it. Could be a good show.
Are you making fun of me, Yank? :)
Who? Me? Never...
These blokes have really built a lot of camaraderie with the NPCs, from what I’ve read, so they’re likely to be effected deeply by it. Could be a good show.
That's the plan. We'll see how it goes. I was hoping to build a Saris/Gidrick relationship, but Saris has more or less taken the "you bother me, kid" approach. I was intending to have mom and pop Talbot not survive the crash on the island and Gidrick would look to Saris for a father figure. We'll see if he's up for it then.
That's the plan. We'll see how it goes. I was hoping to build a Saris/Gidrick relationship, but Saris has more or less taken the "you bother me, kid" approach. I was intending to have mom and pop Talbot not survive the crash on the island and Gidrick would look to Saris for a father figure. We'll see if he's up for it then.
Well, far be it for be to assume too much – I only know what I’ve read – but the rogue seems to have taken a fancy to the lad, teaching him a coin trick and what not (I think I’ve kind of taken a fancy to this character – I find myself cheering him on). Maybe you could build on that. ‘Course, that all depends on the players. However, if nothing else presents itself, Diamondback could take the kid under her wing the way Viselys (the leader PC) did her.
Lots of good possibilities.
Lots of good possibilities.
True. And that's what I love about this AP.
Adameus certainly did seem to be more interested in Gidrick, but that's kind of been his angle on this trip. He wanted to befriend everyone...even Meravanci. (It made it easy to make him the target for my Lirith/Rowyn ploy.) Still I like to do things to force the players to stretch a bit, so I've had the little lad be fascinated with Saris. I figure he's the "dashing swordsman" type, so it's not too big a stretch. We'll see if he behaves responsibly when the kid is forced to his side.
"Cheering him on..." That's funny. I'm not sure if I should tell Troy that or not! Still, I can see where that might come from. Rough childhood...grew up in Shadowshore...trying to make things right. He's been pushing the romance angle with Lavinia, too. I'm having her be a little too focused on Farshore for now, but she's given signals here or there, too. Actually, the three non-dwarves have all made moves on Lavinia. It'll be interesting to see how it all pans out.
"Cheering him on..." That's funny. I'm not sure if I should tell Troy that or not! Still, I can see where that might come from. Rough childhood...grew up in Shadowshore...trying to make things right. He's been pushing the romance angle with Lavinia, too. I'm having her be a little too focused on Farshore for now, but she's given signals here or there, too. Actually, the three non-dwarves have all made moves on Lavinia. It'll be interesting to see how it all pans out.
Well, I have another reason to like this character. Early on he was written with a lot of Cockney slang. Either the player is English, too, or he’s done his research. I do see how he’s maturing as a character, though. Trying to clean himself up, and his grammar is an indicator.
As I implied in another recent post, the romance subplot is very tricky. However, if you have a mature group (or at least a mature GM and subject player) it is very worth the effort. I think this is a very interesting aspect of the game and will likely start a separate thread about it.
It’s interesting, though. I must have completely missed the “romance” subtext in my reading of your blog. Now I’ll have to look back at it. It must be pretty subtle?
Well, I have another reason to like this character. Early on he was written with a lot of Cockney slang. Either the player is English, too, or he’s done his research. I do see how he’s maturing as a character, though. Trying to clean himself up, and his grammar is an indicator.
He's done his research. He even sent me a "dictionary" to help translate some of his stuff so I'd have an idea of what he was saying.
As I implied in another recent post, the romance subplot is very tricky. However, if you have a mature group (or at least a mature GM and subject player) it is very worth the effort. I think this is a very interesting aspect of the game and will likely start a separate thread about it.
It’s interesting, though. I must have completely missed the “romance” subtext in my reading of your blog. Now I’ll have to look back at it. It must be pretty subtle?
Well, we're an "older" group. I'm the baby at 30 years old, but I behave in the manner of a 21 year old most of the time, if not younger. The romance subplot is tricky, indeed. I've been pushing it to the side for now, as I figure Lavinia has got enough things on her mind and is very focused on getting to Farshore. SAo it has been pretty subdued, and some of it probably has just missed the blog.
Ahh...it was beautiful. As usual, I changed my mind at the last minute and moved the encounter with the hydra as a small group took the Fire Troll's boat to explore what happened with the remains of Fort Greenrock.
The hydra attacked as the smaller boat was midway between the Sea Wyvern and the shore. The group battled with the beast, taking much damage and dealing out a fair share as well.
The beautiful part was the killing blow. It came from a ballista mounted on the Sea Wyvern after being removed from the Fire Trolls boat. What made this ballista bolt shot so beautiful?
It was fired by Avner Meravanchi.
Ahh...it was beautiful. As usual, I changed my mind at the last minute and moved the encounter with the hydra as a small group took the Fire Troll's boat to explore what happened with the remains of Fort Greenrock.
The hydra attacked as the smaller boat was midway between the Sea Wyvern and the shore. The group battled with the beast, taking much damage and dealing out a fair share as well.
The beautiful part was the killing blow. It came from a ballista mounted on the Sea Wyvern after being removed from the Fire Trolls boat. What made this ballista bolt shot so beautiful?
It was fired by Avner Meravanchi.
hehehe my Avner agreed to spot the crew a ballista, but only if he was the one who got to shoot it O:)
I made mine into a half-dragon 5-headed hydra and used the Aspect of Tiamat mini. I used an aquatic form of half-dragon from Dragon Magic that has a steam breath weapon. It ended up being a pretty cool fight that ranged all around the battlelagoon.
-blarg
I too used the tiamat mini. My two phanatons decided to explore the cliffs so by the time the redshirts got to swimming they had a pretty decent drop range and enough rocks to do some real damage.