Need help with quasi-TPK! (Burnt Offerings Spoilers)

[klofft]

I am presently running Burnt Offerings from Rise of the Runelords and I have run into a difficulty. In order to prolong the game’s survivability, I gave the party a number of “death saves.” These simply allowed the character to automatically stabilize at -10 HP and survive. In this way, their compatriots could heal them, or at least drag them to safety. The players appreciated them and the system worked fine.

Then they met Nualia and her yeth hound. And another wounded yeth hound that had previously escaped. And Brathazmus, who no longer had any weapons (they had been stolen while he was unconscious), but who did have a huge chip on his shoulder. And the party was only 2nd level.

They actually did pretty well, considering their ridiculously horrendous luck. They managed to kill one hound, seriously wound the other, kill Brathazmus (he was still fairly badly wounded from before), and, though they didn’t know it, got Nualia to under half HP.

But they all went down, four in Nualia’s presence, one fled from the yeth hound howl and ended up in the pit under the glaive-wielding statues. Now what should I do?

The idea behind death saves was that they aren’t dead. It would be lousy of me to say, “Sorry, you all went down and you have no death saves left, so she lets the hound eat all of you. Game over.” But how can I “save” them from a narrative point of view?

I realized that Nualia would have reason to keep prisoners as sacrifices. That’s pretty easy. But what about all their gear? What about healing? For the latter, I’m considering just hand waving it and giving them their HP back. But the former…I want to avoid the silly cliché that she conveniently leaves it 10 feet outside their cells in a pile, but I don’t want them to have to fight too hard or long to get their gear back either, as it would also stink to have them live just to escape prison and die ignominiously without weapons.

If I hand wave healing, the last character could be a savior, as Nualia has no reason to suspect where he is. Even so, though, his great sword was dropped when he was panicked, so he’d still be without a primary weapon.

Please help!
Thanks in advance!
C

[Dualwolf]

Is Orik dead yet? The fact that he hates the ceremonies and is only with Niulia more out of desperation than genuine loyalty may indicate that he will feel remorse and regrett for helping such an evil woman destroy Sandpoint. Thus he may aide the prisoners with potions of healing and the location of thier stowed equipment.

[Majuba]

Also Shelelu Andosana could 'ride to the rescue' if they demolished most of the defences of the place...

I don't quite get how could they still be 2nd level, even if they skipped the catacombs, but perhaps the xp from defeating bruthazmus and the yeth hound will be enough to level them?

The Orik idea is also good... also did they kill Gogmurt the druid or treat with him? If he's still alive and the king isn't, he might want all the more to kill Nualia.

Tough situation! Should be memorable though!

Also - gear at 2nd level? Probably not worth their lives - let the town be generous resupplying them if they manage to escape.

Also, no need to hand-wave the hp - let a few days pass while she's waiting for the next weekly ritual.

[klofft]

Orik is dead. They accidentally killed him before he had a chance to surrender (critical hit from a goliath with a greatsword).

They are only 2nd level because of a house rule about being in a "safe place" (e.g., town) to level up. They have enough XP for 3rd, but decided to boldly press forward rather than retreat.

These are just clarifications and explanations, though. Thanks for the suggestions so far - I wouldn't mind more!

[Lord Fyre]

klofft wrote:

Orik is dead. They accidentally killed him before he had a chance to surrender (critical hit from a goliath with a greatsword).

They are only 2nd level because of a house rule about being in a "safe place" (e.g., town) to level up. They have enough XP for 3rd, but decided to boldly press forward rather than retreat.

These are just clarifications and explanations, though. Thanks for the suggestions so far - I wouldn't mind more!

Well, while they are not in a "safe" place, you might still let them level while in the cells. And, yes let any caster - except a wizard who needs his book - regain spells.

As for their gear, make them get it back the hard way. (Overpowering who ever is left to guard them - perhaps while that guard sleeps - especially appropriate if the guard is a goblin, as they are not known for being vigilant.)

However they did lose, so you should make them sweat a bit.

[Coridan]

Adventure Paths are difficult. Most of the Paizo made stuff is very difficult even going back to Dungeon Mag adventures. We've had to level mid-combat just to prevent TPKs sometimes (those were epic battles though I must say).