Ahitaka, Mononoke, & friends

[psionichamster]

So the Druid in my KM game has directly challenged Erastil in game.

His champions will be Ashitaka, Princess Mononoke, and their respective mounts/friends (wolves & elk).

I'm thinking ranger for Ashitaka & Druid/Fighter (or ranger, or barbarian) for Mononoke herself.

Any other suggestions?

In case you're unfamiliar with the film, Google search any of the proper names easily enough.

Thanks

[Ender_rpm]

Horse lord ranger would almost work for both of them, IMO. Not much spell casting. Summoner may almost be better for Mo, since the Wolves were "gods". But there is the spear fighting issue with her, so yeah Drd/Barb w/ Boon companion would work. Level?

[psionichamster]

Not sure on level yet...a lot of that will depend on the Druid in question and her choices in the near future.

If I roll an assassination event she's 90% likely the target.

So...maybe ranger for both, Ash focused on archery and Mon on 2handing a spear.

The wolves I'd intended to be characters in and of themselves, seeing as how I've got 6 PC's to deal with.

So,
Ash = bow ranger
Mon = spear ranger
Wolves = awakened advanced dire wolves, maybe with class levels.
Elk = advanced elk? Maybe with unicorn stats?

They're currently level 3 and just started book 2, so I have some time

[Ender_rpm]

Ah, you want the critters as PC worthy as well.

Wolves- awakened, giant OR advanced dire wolves would work, possibly with barbarian for the younger one. It;s been a while since I saw the movie, but I recall he was a little hot headed. I don't recall the mother as much.

The elk I'd leave as an animal companion, it WAS just an elk, though possibly larger and stronger than some. Regular Ranger companion would likely be fine, get shot on the run, really just circle at high speeds while Mo and the wolves mix it up.

[psionichamster]

Sounds good.

I keep forgetting Rangers get animal companions.

Once I decide where & when this encounter takes place, I'll finalize stats and post em.

Thanks for help, and any other suggestions are appreciated

[psionichamster]

settled on a 4-critter encounter, hopefully with the entire party in play.

Stats to follow, but in general:

Ashitaka: Human Ranger 7, Archery Focused and Mounted Archery feated. Tactics: Plink from range, pull Artemis into range for the next group. Staying on his elk and unloading on the hoof will really, really challenge this group.

Mononoke: Human Ranger 7, Two-Handed Focused, Mounted Charge feated.
Tactics: Track and hunt her target, let Ashitaka play "bird dog" and drive them into ambush range of her and the two "Children"

Children of the Wolf-God: Giant, Advanced, Awakened Dire Wolves 11HD.
(Not sure of that last 1-2 HD...reads as a "low-ac, high attack" CR 8, but seems a little crazy for 6 CR 5 PC's. We'll see when I get their exact #'s up there)

They all have the Advanced Template on them, yielding 4 CR 8's, while Ash has an Elf-Bane Bow (which will change if Artemis gets her hands on it...probably into Human Bane) and Mon has a Huntsman spear and Furious Focus, allowing for a crazy one-shot charge followed by a rough tussle in and amongst the party.

So, the plan is to let them get to level 5, foreshadowing the anger of Erastil and general "watchiness" of Old Deadeye. If Artemis continues on her path of destruction (almost a given), these two will be the first Champions put against her.

Ashitaka takes point, delivers his final warning (he IS LG, after all), then looses a few arrows and falls back.

The fun will continue from there, possibly across different hexes and into cities, depending on the PC's strategies.

[Black Moria]

Let me get this straight. The druid (I assume that is the Artemis that is referred to) has challenged Erastil directly?

I am interested in the background on that.

Since you are going with a Mononoke theme on this, consider the Grim White Stag from the bestiary in Rivers Run Red. The beatdown on the druid from the stag will definately convey the intent that challenging gods (especially at lower levels) is an act for the insane or the stupid....

[Evil Lincoln]

I think Barbarian is a good call for Mononoke Hime

[Jess Door]

Evil Lincoln wrote:

I think Barbarian is a good call for Mononoke Hime

I would've suggested the barbarian route as well, personally.

[psionichamster]

Was debating all over about Mononoke's class - Ashitaka practically SCREAMS ranger, and it works well.

I am going to have to rebuild Mon as a Barbarian and see if I like that one more.

(for those interested in the story: check out my CJ: A Bandit King Arises! in the Campaign Journal section of these very boards)

(super short version for those unwilling or unable to follow above suggestion: meet Cleric of Erastil, find objects and areas sacred to him, kill Cleric, re-consecrate sites to Abadar, get vision of Grim White Stag watching, thumb nose at above critter.)

[Blayde MacRonan]

I've always seen Ashitaka as a paladin myself. Erastil has them (they are rare, but he does have them). Making him one would probably do more to put fear into the offending player than anything else.