The Infernal Syndrome & The Sewers

[Jonathan Kressin]

We have just started The Infernal Syndrome.

Spoiler:

The party was dealing with some in game stuff at a tavern when the explosions happened in the city. They are desperately trying to get thru the crowds to the Mayor's manor. As they are getting the idea the roads are not going to work, they have decided to use the sewers to bypass the roads.

I don't think any of the players has a really good survival check to navigate the sewers. I was wondering how hard people think it would be to get moving in the right direction, and what type of chaos is happening below the sewers. My thought is to have swarms of rats moving north away from the explosion, but other suggestions would be appreciated.

I don't think the party is going to want to give up, and would like them to wait a bit so that they can actually hear all the rumors of what is happening in the city.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Jonathan

[Deidre Tiriel]

Spoiler:

Have them notice the streets getting quieter on the surface and have ladders soon accessible to the streets. If they don't get the hint, have a cave in (there are plenty in the first module) and a ladder nearby. That way they don't miss the the Mayor, which is a VERY important part. They don't *need* to talk to the Mayor, but it would benefit them and the flow of the campaign a lot.

[Anguish]

No reason the sewers aren't collapsed far enough before arrival that they have to take to the streets again. Or even that the linings have cracked and they're leaking badly (it is a coastal city after all).

Frankly if you throw encounters like rat swarms, you're just reinforcing to the players that what they're doing is a Good Thing. "Mmmmm, experience points!"

On the other hand, you could have the person in Area A around the destination be hanging out in the sewers. That's a start.

[Deidre Tiriel]

Anguish wrote:

Frankly if you throw encounters like rat swarms, you're just reinforcing to the players that what they're doing is a Good Thing. "Mmmmm, experience points!"

I agree that encounters would keep the PCs in the sewers, and at this level, they aren't likely to run away from anything without fighting it first.

I don't think going through the sewers was a Bad Choice for the PCs, just not what is written in the mod.

I think the streets were too crowded up above and that many groups would decide to take to the sewers.

just get them above ground before they get to their destination. Have it be *fate* when the NPC sees them. Have him visually be rejoiced at their showing up, wherever they do.