The purpose of this thread is to clarify questions arising in this adventure. This is a SPOILER filled zone, do not venture further if you do not wish the adventure to be spoiled for you, and spoiler tags are not required when posting here.
This thread is a GM Reference thread for Part 4 of the Hell's Vengeance Adventure Path. Links for the individual threads for each part are as follows:
Senior Developer
|
since you reach 11th level in this one will there be talk about character options for liches and maybe other evil ideas like worms that walk?
No, unfortunately not. That's something that individual GMs will have to decide for their own campaigns, especially since those are not really designed as player options.
|
since you reach 11th level in this one will there be talk about character options for liches and maybe other evil ideas like worms that walk?No, unfortunately not. That's something that individual GMs will have to decide for their own campaigns, especially since those are not really designed as player options.
Yeah I figured that but figured I'd ask thanks for the Response Rob. I am eagerly awaiting the rest of this AP.
Unless she needs to be fought, why would you waste a page or so on a statblock?
Just more pages, IMO, of solo GM fun and not stuff for the players to use.
Will Her Infernal Majestrix Abrogail Thrune II get a stat block in this?
I just double checked, and in the "Continuing the Adventure" section of Hells Rebels, they said that the Queen would be stated up in this volume. So hopefully that's still the plan.
@insane
Yep all good stuff. NON STAT statblocks is what is needed. No one needs to know what 0 level spells she knows!
I think having her stats is relevant so endgame Hell's Rebels parties can put her head on a pike.
I think having her stats is relevant so endgame Hell's Rebels parties can put her head on a pike.Or anyone in Hell's Vengeance wanting to take her place.
... the list can go on and on...
It might be too late for that. Don't the players sign a contract in part III that binds their minds to House Thrune?
They're not required to. There's just benefits to doing so.
(And it helps significantly with earning the Queen's trust, or what approximates her trust.)
What are the benefits of becoming a Thrune Bound Agent?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
What are the benefits of becoming a Thrune Bound Agent?
Choice of the following:
Blackguard: Comparable to a low-grade Smite effectDarkness: The 'See in Darkness' Universal Monster Ability & the Shadowdancer's 'Summon Shadow' ability-ish
Devil Hide: Get a Natural Armor permanent improvement comparable to Medium Armor
Fiendish: pretty much add the Fiendish simple Template without changing creature type
Fire: Get a handful of Fire spells as daily spell-like-abilities
Pride: Get a +2 Inherent Bonus to one Ability Score
Slavery: Get a 100% summon one a day of a bound fiend dependent upon your alignment; if LE, it's a devil, if NE it's a Daemon, if CE it's a Demon. It's always the same Fiend, although I suppose if your alignment changed, so might the fiend.
Trickery: Get a handful of Illusions as daily spell-like-abilities
Tyranny: Get a handful of Charm/compulsion spells as daily spell-like-abilities
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
If you have the Rivals Guide you might want to incorporate the Queen's Hands band of Thrune agents as possible rivals, allies, or background in this adventure. Although I think they were level 13 or 14.
Regarding Baroness Gellintha's Soiree and clothing, how far do the Sleeves of Many Garments go into providing the circumstance bonuses? Do the outfits also come with the accesorizing jewelry, or are the PCs to obtain the jewelry independently of the magical sleeves?
IMO having Levisia really be behind the deaths of her husbands would be more in character, imo. Neutral evil social climbing noble? She would have an extended contract with the Red Mantis.
|
Senior Developer, Starfinder Team
|
Regarding Baroness Gellintha's Soiree and clothing, how far do the Sleeves of Many Garments go into providing the circumstance bonuses? Do the outfits also come with the accesorizing jewelry, or are the PCs to obtain the jewelry independently of the magical sleeves?
Sleeves of many garments create an illusion of clothing. Jewelry is an accessory and must be purchased separately (Just like you can buy a noble's outfit, but you also need to buy additional jewelry to get the full effect).
Tammy isn't taking down the Bellflower Network, any suggestions for something else to use.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
A cell of Desna worshippers? They lead a resistance movement in Nidal, wouldn't be surprised to see them crop up in Cheliax too.
Edit: And pretty sure Desna's an illegal religion in Cheliax anyways.
I can work with that. Maybe a Milani cell.
Great idea, as always Zhangar. :-)
|
I haven't played this and don't intend to (I don't like playing evil people and I want lovely Queen Abby to be more distant from my PCs) but there are two pictures in this book which are among the best I have seen, so congrats Paizo people who put it together.
- The pic of teenage Queen Abby drowning her uncle.
- The pic of Emil and Zelhara dressed up at the party.
So good. Any chance some Paizo person can put one up on this site? I want it as a desktop background.
I'm guessing you don't have the pdf? If you do you can take a screen shot to capture the image as a separate file.
So... anyone got any ideas what Paraduke Sethic got arrested for and why he was released? I know it's deliberately vague so after ideas and suggestions to get some creative juices flowing =)
So... anyone got any ideas what Paraduke Sethic got arrested for and why he was released? I know it's deliberately vague so after ideas and suggestions to get some creative juices flowing =)
Sethic pinged so many things the Order of the Scourge despises that it could be any reason.
First, he undoubtedly formed an organized crime ring around himself which, all on its own, may have brought the Scourge's attention. And the fact that he was so successful navigating both legal and illegal activities leads to a second point ...
He was promoted to noble status by the Queen. The Scourge have a taste for corrupt nobles, especially those rising in power faster than an inspection indicates they should. After becoming a Paraduke, there would be little doubt that Sethic magnified his ambitions, bending and breaking laws as he maneuvered against competitors in ploys to gain even more power.
Third, the Scourge targets assassins and their organizations, and one of Sethic's main activities was disposing bodies via his delicious razorbacks. It seems inevitable that assassins of varied sorts would have come to Sethic for his service, but also that Sethic ran a murder business himself.
The interesting thing to consider is that the Scourge prefer treating apprehended criminals to public displays to make their message clear. Yet, Sethic was hauled off for "undisclosed crimes" and was a "guest" of the Order instead, not mention that he was eventually released. The implication is that the Order came to the end of Sethic's usefulness as an interrogated prisoner and decided that freeing him was somehow reasonable.
So, releasing him suggests a few things -- not the least of which is that he still has the Queen's ear to whatever degree, a fact that makes him prominent in the adventure. Perhaps, unwittingly or not, he's now a pawn in a larger struggle that involves a disguised tension between the Scourge and the Queen herself. The Scourge may not be done with Sethic yet.
So... anyone got any ideas what Paraduke Sethic got arrested for and why he was released? I know it's deliberately vague so after ideas and suggestions to get some creative juices flowing =)Sethic pinged so many things the Order of the Scourge despises that it could be any reason.
First, he undoubtedly formed an organized crime ring around himself which, all on its own, may have brought the Scourge's attention. And the fact that he was so successful navigating both legal and illegal activities leads to a second point ...
He was promoted to noble status by the Queen. The Scourge have a taste for corrupt nobles, especially those rising in power faster than an inspection indicates they should. After becoming a Paraduke, there would be little doubt that Sethic magnified his ambitions, bending and breaking laws as he maneuvered against competitors in ploys to gain even more power.
Third, the Scourge targets assassins and their organizations, and one of Sethic's main activities was disposing bodies via his delicious razorbacks. It seems inevitable that assassins of varied sorts would have come to Sethic for his service, but also that Sethic ran a murder business himself.
The interesting thing to consider is that the Scourge prefer treating apprehended criminals to public displays to make their message clear. Yet, Sethic was hauled off for "undisclosed crimes" and was a "guest" of the Order instead, not mention that he was eventually released. The implication is that the Order came to the end of Sethic's usefulness as an interrogated prisoner and decided that freeing him was somehow reasonable.
So, releasing him suggests a few things -- not the least of which is that he still has the Queen's ear to whatever degree, a fact that makes him prominent in the adventure. Perhaps, unwittingly or not, he's now a pawn in a larger struggle that involves a disguised tension between the Scourge and the Queen herself. The Scourge may not be done with Sethic yet.
You rock, thank you!
Regarding the Wings of Legend encounter ...
First, truly disappointing that there is no art for the mythic and legendary griffon that served as Iomedae's own steed. How did this get passed over? This tragic oversight is worsened somewhat further in that there is no art, either, for Ironwing's current battle-mate, Vlasko the Fang.
Second, regarding Vlasko, his tactics reads, "When Kazi swoops in for an attack, Vlasko attacks foes with his scimitar using Death From Above and Vital Strike."
This is possible? I was under the impression that Vital Strike can't be combined with a charge action? Is there something I'm missing about either Ironwing or Vlasko that makes this possible?
Regarding the Wings of Legend encounter ...
First, truly disappointing that there is no art for the mythic and legendary griffon that served as Iomedae's own steed. How did this get passed over? This tragic oversight is worsened somewhat further in that there is no art, either, for Ironwing's current battle-mate, Vlasko the Fang.
Second, regarding Vlasko, his tactics reads, "When Kazi swoops in for an attack, Vlasko attacks foes with his scimitar using Death From Above and Vital Strike."
This is possible? I was under the impression that Vital Strike can't be combined with a charge action? Is there something I'm missing about either Ironwing or Vlasko that makes this possible?
They're on the cover. :-)
|
|
I'm changing this book more than I did the others. Sethic & Vasvion initial "events" were botched by the party, allowing her to know about the planned attempt on Nicolo and also failing to intercept Sethic's money. So now the two potential "allies" are fast becoming the villains of book4 for my team.
They will still investigate the bellflower network and need to procure a sacrifice later but they are so angry/excited about the two rival nobles that I think I'm going to let that continue to escalate and see where it takes us.
Primary Change I Added:
I reworked the most of the last 4 encounters.
I had the Duke's betrayal occur with an Aboleth engineer, who retreated to the dark tapestry upon the dukes defeat.
The Church of asmodeus "deep state" guy was next, Full encounter. I also made the devils summoned rather than called and it turned into a game of peekaboo.
The Paladins attacked in the woods.
Finally, I am having the Griphon and crew attack at the end. And am having the Druid be a "positive energy ghost" of Iomedae/the angelic form of the Angel Knight from Book 1 (who i am using as a recurring antagonist).
|
|
My party aligned with Sethic, but are having real reservations about event 2, Murder For Hire. As predicted, they initially had qualms about murder because most of them are LE. But after Sethic spun his treason lie they decided "we'll only kill him if we can prove he's a traitor" and I think they might actually just try to bring him in instead of killing him. Since the traitor story was false, there is no evidence. If they don't kill him, does that end their alliance with Sethic? Thoughts on how to handle this?
There is a quid pro quo with the assassination. For all intents and purposes the PC's NEED someone to be their way into the nobility. Them not killing the fool should be fine, so long as they have ruined him financially.
Plus him being outed as a Diabolist (iirc) should be enough for any true Chelaxian to see him to the afterlife. He isn't loyal to the Queen, he is loyal to the outsiders gifting him power and himself.
|
|
I don't think that's true. My reading is that Sethic is more loyal to the Queen and House Thrune than the Archcountess is.
There are many rumors regarding Sethic’s arrest, imprisonment, and torture by the Order of the Scourge, but the most compelling involves his relationship with Queen Abrogail. The paraduke is a patriotic man, and when granted his title, he swore never to lie to his queen. Sethic supposedly confessed to some terrible crime during a conversation with the queen, and she ordered his arrest. Interestingly, she also ordered his release.