| ParagonDireRaccoon |
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I'm working on some scalable encounters and scenarios and would like feedback. They're designed to use skills and combat, with skill checks modifying combat to a certain extent. Here they are:
Encounter: The Room
The PCs are racing against a group of NPCs to retrieve a magic gem. There is a 30' x 30' room with two locked doors opposite each other. In the middle of the room is a 10' x 10' raised platform with magical effects affecting those standing on it. There is a pedestal with the magic gem in the middle.
Opening the door requires five successful disable device checks, with an encounter specific modifier. At first level it is a DC 10 check, with an extra success for each 5 points the DC is beaten by. And a successful diplomacy, intimidate, or bluff check (assumed to have taken place before the encounter) provides info that equals one success (DC 18 for first level).
The raised platform provides +1 attack, AC, and saves and allows a reroll of a failed save for everyone standing on it. This gives a significant advantage to the group who gets into the room first.
Removing the magic gem from the pedestal requires five successful checks from disable device or any knowledge check (there is a riddle involving elements that can be deciphered with a successful knowledge check, DC 15 at level one). Removing the magic gem heals all the party members of the character who removes it.
The setup is the opposing group gets past their door on round three.
Scenario: Jailbreak
The youngest son of a major noble family is in jail overnight. He frequently drinks too much and has a separate, nicely furnished jail cell set aside for him. The PCs have learned his signet ring (inherited from a relative who favored the young noble despite his place in the line of succession) holds a clue to finding a major artifact. They have also learned an assassin (or group of assassins) will attempt to kill the noble and take the signet ring.
The PCs have information that some of the local authorities have been bought off by the assassin(s). They must get into the jail, protect the noble, and convince the noble to help them find the artifact.
This one has a lot of customization/flexibility (meaning a lot of details haven't been written for it yet). The PCs could let part or all of the group get arrested. They could attempt to sneak into the jail. They could impersonate another member of the noble family to be allowed to visit the endangered noble. Weapons and consumables will be confiscated, but a PC with teleport or dimension door or a similar ability could bring weapons to jailed PCs. The PCs will need to gather information with social skills and sense motive checks to figure out which members of the constabulary are working for the assassin(s). Once the assassin(s) strike, planning will affect how much mobility and preparation they have available.
The idea is scalable (scaleable?) encounters which require a balance of PC strengths. They could be helpful for playtesting, since both can be run with different mixes of characters. And the opponents can be changed to allow for running with the same characters but a slightly different challenge (fighting a rogue, sorcerer and a witch makes for a different encounter than fighting a group composed of an urban ranger, gunslinger, and druid).