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I'm confused about the nature of the Mist transformation in the Mists of Mwangi Scenario. Reading through both the 3.5 and the PFRPG version,
When a player transforms, does he or she attempt to attack his or her own party members? Or does the bruitsh thing just sorta follow along, like a dumb lump? I don't know which one I'd prefer.
On the one hand, if they attack fellow party members, then if the Martial characters transform, the party is more or less screwed.
On the other hand, if the characters just turn into a dumb lump, then if the Arcane Caster characters transform, those Arcane Casters lose ALL their powers, and basically get to do NOTHING for the entire scenario.
Honestly, this seems like a dumb mechanic either way, but I hear the scenario is supposed to be great or something, so I'm preparing it for my college for this upcoming week.
How do you think I should interpret it? Should I have the transformed characters attempt to attack their own party members (thus risking almost immediate death if Martials transform) or should I just have them follow around ineffectually (thus risking complete boredom and feelings of uselessness if Arcane Casters transform).
Venture-Captain, Ireland—Belfast
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I did not see this as an opportunity to allow PvP in a PFs scenario. I did explain that they were barely able control themselves and wanted very much to assert their position as alpha animal but that the sense of community among the Pathfinders meant they would not draw first blood. I may even have used the term Pathfinder Flange loyalty.
I am running this at a convention next month and there are few other tricks I will be using to communicate the mist effects that I'll keep scthum on.
The players that first played this scenario stil though won't go back into the museum without checking it for mist first :-)
W
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Zean, I think you are making an assumption about the scenario that may not come true. Give it a chance. If your players tell you it was awful, come back here and say you told us so. But after running this scenario over a dozen times I can assure you it's a fun one. The save vs the mist is not difficult, and that's assuming they don't just wear facemasks.
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So we let all the Arcane Casters just suck for this scenario and have no magic. Yeah, not my idea of a fun night.
Really it's up to you how you take it on.
Our party's gnome sorcerer succumbed to the mists, but he really ran with it, slamming enemies, climbing thing, monkeying about.
One of the best sessions I've played.
Venture-Captain, Michigan—Mt. Pleasant
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Our party's gnome sorceress did the same thing. She had a blast climbing on statues, picking her nose (the character, not the player) flinging... well, we don't want to go there... ;) But she had an absolute blast playing it.
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Venture-Captain, Arizona—Tucson
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When running this, I made a handout summarizing the changes, along with description taken from the text of the adventure.
Overcome by the mist’s bizarre, corrupting influence, you begin to degenerate into a raving madman, little better than a jungle animal.
Strange ideas course through your mind: Bloodthirsty urges to smash those who oppose you, discomfort at your constraining garments and armor, and the need to find any tiny parasites inhabiting your fur and that of your friends. You would enjoy eating a banana, if you had one.
You have gained the Mist-Tainted template:
• Both Intelligence and Charisma go down to 6.
• You gain +2 to Strength and Dexterity. This gives you +1 Initiative, +1 Armor Class, +1 to Attacks, and +1 Damage.
• You are immune to fear effects.
• You have +10 to Climb checks and a climb speed of 20 feet.
• You have +5 to Acrobatics and Stealth checks.
• You gain a slam attack. It does 1d4 (+Strength Bonus) Damage.
(I also used some art that I don't have permission to distribute, so I can't post the handouts online as they are.)
The text I gave seems to encourage people to "ham it up" instead of descending into PvP.
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Venture-Captain, Arizona—Tucson
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On the other hand, if the characters just turn into a dumb lump, then if the Arcane Caster characters transform, those Arcane Casters lose ALL their powers, and basically get to do NOTHING for the entire scenario.
Honestly, this seems like a dumb mechanic either way, but I hear the scenario is supposed to be great or something, so I'm preparing it for my college for this upcoming week.
How do you think I should interpret it? Should I have the transformed characters attempt to attack their own party members (thus risking almost immediate death if Martials transform) or should I just have them follow around ineffectually (thus risking complete boredom and feelings of uselessness if Arcane Casters transform).
When your player characters transform, some won't be effective at their original roles. Encourage them to roleplay their new, ape-like personas. Many will get into this silliness. As you fear, a few will not, but unconsciousness eliminates the effect: The museum offers plenty of hazards that can maul a character into unconsciousness. If someone is unhappy that they were mist-tainted, sick a monster or two onto them and you'll soon knock them out!
If the party lacks healing, you might also drop a subtle hint that they are in a large city and can hit a nearby temple.
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Venture-Captain, Arizona—Tucson
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And a reminder that the mists affect humanoids and monstrous humanoids. Not animal companions and familiars. Not Aasimar and Tieflings.
I wouldn't EVER want to suggest that ANYONE violate the LETTER of the law in the name of fun, but I would have a hard time resisting the "terrifying hellmonkey" image...
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And a reminder that the mists affect humanoids and monstrous humanoids. Not animal companions and familiars. Not Aasimar and Tierflings.I disagree with this. Aasimar and Tieflings are human, they have to breath and have a fully material body. So why wouldn't they be affected.
They are classified (as are elemental kin) as native outsiders not humanoids. Hence why they don't get the benefits of things like Enlarge Person or hurt by spells like Charm Person.
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They are classified (as are elemental kin) as native outsiders not humanoids. Hence why they don't get the benefits of things like Enlarge Person or hurt by spells like Charm Person.And a reminder that the mists affect humanoids and monstrous humanoids. Not animal companions and familiars. Not Aasimar and Tierflings.I disagree with this. Aasimar and Tieflings are human, they have to breath and have a fully material body. So why wouldn't they be affected.
I know why per the rules I just don't agree with it. In their description they are called humans that have the blood of either celestials or demons in their ancestry. In PFS the rules are the rules, and I run it like that. That's doesn't mean I can't have an opinion on the matter outside of PFS.
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I ran this just last week (My first PFS GMing!) and the only player to subcome was the party's barbarian who already had a 6 CHA. *Shakes fist at the dice gods* He saw it as nothing but a benefit and wanted
I've been through this as a player but not as a GM.
IIRC, no one was even theoretically capable of the required DC of the knowledge check.
The (all 2nd level) party contained a two-hander barbarian.
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So we let all the Arcane Casters just suck for this scenario and have no magic. Yeah, not my idea of a fun night.
Actually, the first PFS game I ran was MoM. Both the arcane casters were changed. Hilarity ensued, especially once they realized that knocking the affected out caused them to revert. The negotiations between the Str 18 barbarian and the 2 low hit point sorcerers to allow him to punch them in the face was priceless.
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This is what's on my handouts:
Role-Playing Notes:
You degenerate into a raving madman, little more than a bloodthirsty animal. Go with it. Note: Your alignment does not change. Nothing compels you to attack your party members unless you think that’s what your character would do. You simply feel all your inhibitions leave you, all higher thinking skills are gone, replaced by base instincts. You are a mean-tempered monkey who has escaped his cage.
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This is what's on my handouts:
Role-Playing Notes:
You degenerate into a raving madman, little more than a bloodthirsty animal. Go with it. Note: Your alignment does not change. Nothing compels you to attack your party members unless you think that’s what your character would do. You simply feel all your inhibitions leave you, all higher thinking skills are gone, replaced by base instincts. You are a mean-tempered monkey who has escaped his cage.
This is basically how I handle it. When I show them paper with what has happened to them, all I say is 'Roleplay it how you want'.
My most recent running of it was the most beautiful thing ever.
The party made their way into the room with the masks, the barbarian acting fine. After dealing with the bathoom, the barbarian started acting excited and impatient, running from closed door to closed door just to see what was on the other side, despite his fellow adventurers not wanting him to or being ready for what might be waiting behind the door.
When they got to the last room, the barbarian wuickly took down the monkey, but the party was having some difficulty with the statues (another player having failed the Confusion + Rage will save) and couldnt help but attack her teammates. And THAT is when the barbarian decided it was a good time to attack his teammates. He attacked a few other people, not dropping them, but then moved on to the confused and raged character. Eventually, the confused + raged character beat him down and he went unconscious, just before the other characters dealt with the final statue.
Nobody died. Everyone had fun. I love that scenario.