PC's begin at a festival with gypsies; said gypsies have several sideshow attractions including a mite in a darkened tent for people to make fun of. Later on they find the entrance through the sewers to the mite's dungeon where the little beasties turn the tables.
The dungeon will be arranged in a series of vignettes, each one a spot where mites can pick on, humiliate, and torture folks that hours earlier were making fun of them. Here are a couple sample scenes (let me know what you think or if you have further suggestions):
Pie in the face
2 humans are bound into stocks, kneeling on the stone floor. Mites take turns prestidigitating cream pies and smashing them into their victim's faces.
Swarms of fun
a victim is bound to a table with a swarm of greensting scorpions crawling all over them. A mite sits in the corner humming a show tune while 2 others watch the show with some popcorn.
Shooting gallery
a bound and gagged "assistant" human is spinning on a wheel while a crack mite marksman fires crossbow bolts around them.
Sideshow
several humans are exposed in an open area; they are perfect specimens of beauty. A handful of mites sit in a gallery laughing at them, hurling mud and rotten fruit.
Of course the mites also use the area as a lair, so there'll be places for them to live and nests/hives/whatever for their "pets". I'm open to any feedback if anyone wants to comment.
now that is a really neat idea, granted i cant say i would blame the mites and it just seems like those laughing at them are just getting there deserved dues, as an adventurer i doubt i would care that the mites are humiliating there humiliators for a change ;-)
now that is a really neat idea, granted i cant say i would blame the mites and it just seems like those laughing at them are just getting there deserved dues, as an adventurer i doubt i would care that the mites are humiliating there humiliators for a change ;-)
Good point. I should give the PC's a reason to care. GM: "You enter an arena and spy several naked men and women being laughed at by a mite audience." Monk PC: "Mom?"
Of course they could just be after the gate receipts. I just figured it'd be a little more interesting for the players to imagine than another sewer/dungeon area, especially at level 1 in their first adventure.
Good point. I should give the PC's a reason to care. GM: "You enter an arena and spy several naked men and women being laughed at by a mite audience." Monk PC: "Mom?"
Of course they could just be after the gate receipts. I just figured it'd be a little more interesting for the players to imagine than another sewer/dungeon area, especially at level 1 in their first adventure.
oh definitely agreed, i think the idea is very creative and would be incredibly entertaining. i know if i was playing in your game id love to have that be the first adventure as opposed to the generic crypt or rat infested dungeon.
I've had an idea for an interesting twist: at the initial carnival scene that foreshadows the dungeon the PC's will find a pavilion of monsters that are on display to disturb people. Later on they find one of these monsters loose in the town square. At this point the NPC with them gives them a choice; she's going to pursue the other monsters in town and the party is welcome to join or try and find the mites.