|
So just ran thru a good chunk of the hospice and the temple to Urgathoa. The party had a hard time of it after they set off just about all the possible alarms. They barrelled straight on ahead to the blood veil vats where Rolth, Davalaus and minions were waiting with a welcoming party. The party was definitely on the ropes but managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, finish off the minions and nailed Rolth just before he cast dimension door to escape. A rather wounded Davalaus fled into the room behind with the Leukodaemon and is waiting to unleash that beastie when the party follows. That's where we left off. However, I think there's a sizeable chance they might decide to get out. Certainly with Dav, the Leukodaemon and Lady Andaisan (not to mention Ramoska) there's several chances they all might get offed.
So was wondering if anyone else had a party tuck tail and run half way thru the temple? From the villain's point of view they'd probably lock down the place with more Gray Maidens and seek out the party responsible (Davalaus can readily identify them as they have spoke on a few occassions). They have Dav's notes but haven't obtained the notes from Ramoska or Rolth's lab (but they know of their existence through Dav's references to their works, subtle DM hint).
|
If the party runs for it Dav can release word that the party is in a mad frenzy due to blood veil mutating in them, since they killed so many patients of the hospice in their 'blood fury'. They are to be reported to the Grey Maiden immediately if seen. Do not approach, they are dangerous with 'blood fury' and could strike down anyone at any time.
- - - -
My party paid off Ramoska and continued. I think everyone was below 10 hp, those that were conscious, at the end of it all. I had a party of 7 at the time.
This encounter is so frickin' deadly when the PC's bungle into it and set off alarms.
|
|
If the party runs for it Dav can release word that the party is in a mad frenzy due to blood veil mutating in them, since they killed so many patients of the hospice in their 'blood fury'. They are to be reported to the Grey Maiden immediately if seen. Do not approach, they are dangerous with 'blood fury' and could strike down anyone at any time.
I like the mutated blood veil idea. Find out next session whether they'll get Dav. If not they're going to have issues.
My party paid off Ramoska and continued. I think everyone was below 10 hp, those that were conscious, at the end of it all. I had a party of 7 at the time.
This encounter is so frickin' deadly when the PC's bungle into it and set off alarms.
They completely missed Ramoska as they essentially made a bee-line straight to the welcoming committee. That said they did start off with good plan for stealth but Dav was able to slip past them (then they set off the warded doors for good measure). The encounter in the plague vat area is horribly deadly and I even reduced the number of physicians and clerics. It was quite close to being a TPK and if I had played Rolth more strategic rather than playful madman it certainly would've been.
I think that they stand a chance to finish off Dav but if the Luekodaemon gets out then there's definitely going to be fatalities and I highly doubt they could stand against Andaisan.I don't mind some bodycount on the PCs side but everybody dies isn't terribly fun either. I think that if they try to press onto Andaisan I might have Zellara warn them that if they fall there will be no hope for a cure or something like that. Prod them to find the missing notes and they can deal with the priestess later.
|
|
My party was 6 PCs (maybe 7?) at this point. The paladin had been self-sacrificed to Dav in order to let the rest of the party get away from an encounter with Dav in his office -- which included a bunch of GMs and some doctors.
When the party came back, the paladin was hanging upside down over an open vat near the far door with Rolth holding the chain -- sort of a "dead man switch" with the paladin's life hanging in the balance. They somehow managed to stop Rolth without the paladin dropping into the vat (hmm, I don't remember -- maybe a hold person or similar on Rolth?) and the combat began. Rolth didn't quite get away (his DD was prevented just in time and he was later interrogated). The party then had to battle a released leuko. They left the demon behind and continued down the hall to face Lady Andaisin. They did fine except that a flying Lady was tough for them to hit. The party monk went down for the count in this battle (the player was leaving the game anyway, so the PC wasn't revived).
When the Lady dropped below a certain level, she fly from the room with a badly hurt party chasing her -- right into the leuko! The leuko got caught up fighting her and the party slipped around, only to have her body start to quiver and shake as they regrouped. When they saw her mutilated body rise from the catwalk, they RAN! AS FAST AND AS FAR AS THEY COULD! ;-) This is when they interrogated Dav and got some useful info from him before turning him over to the castle (who later had him beheaded).
They had to go back to get her and the GMs were waiting along with a couple of remaining clerics and doctors; Dav was dead. The DoU fought bravely but was eventually defeated. Note that the party was only gone for about 30 minutes while they rounded up help and went back for her. Vencarlo was actually in that group and was of significant help in taking her down, actually.
The Temple encounter was very difficult for them and there were 6 PCs for the first half and 5 for the second half. I think a party of 4 would've been a TPK.
|
|
Well the party finished up the Temple last session. It worked out differently than expected. The party pushed on caught up with Dav (was only rolling 1s for damage) before he could break the vat holding the Leukodaemon so they didn't have to face that. They continued into the Andaisan's sanctum and long, bloody fight broke out. Obscuring mist and air walk is a good tactic if you need to heal yourself. One party member felled by her slay living attack. The fighter brought her down finally and the party was much relieved. However, once Urgathoa got involved they went for blind retreat. The Daughter got in some devestating blows but they managed to hold the sanctum doors and flee out into the street.
The party hid out at Zellara's since it was nearby. So after a few minutes of thought I pondered what the Queen's response would be to the breach at the Hospice. The party awoke to a black cloud of smoke rising over Midland. The news traveled quickly; the Grey Maidens had unearthed a conspiracy and put a stop to a group of mad renegade doctors. The 'heroic' Maidens had burned the Hospice to the ground conveniently removing most evidence.
So a few loose ends as I haven't decided what to do with Andaisan in her Daughter form. That and the corpses of Rolth and Dav were left untouched and could easily be raised or brought back as some undead. Though I might not bring them back until Crown of Fangs as they'll soon be out of the city.
I am glad to hear things worked out. I have been giving this some thought as a potential problem for my group when they reach this part as well. So its great to hee other DM's solutions.
|
|
That Andaisin is still "alive" is just too good to save until the final adventure. You know them best, but I'd think your players will have more of an axe to grind now, rather than when they return to town with the tool they need to take down the BBEG later. I wonder if you could fit her in as a third power in Old Korvosa in the next adventure. I don't see her being affiliated with either of those two major powers vying for control.
Will enjoy hearing about what happens next! And, good play on the "we saved the city from the rogue elements in our new world order, you're safe with us!" resolution to the Hospice.