One is, what will the effect of their short term failure be in the outside world? Will Cressida simply urge them to return as soon as possible and try again? Will Thousand Bones and the Shoanti become angry at the delay, and should this have any effect on Korvosa/the PCs?
No considerable effect on Korvosa/outside world from the failure for the moment. Rolths operation was in the city for some years and apparently, considering Cressidas words that he became just a classical "pain in the back", it was not that world shattering. Just another annoying high, but not top priority, target that does stuff, however does not rock the boat (for now).
Cressida will want from survivors’ location of "Vreegs" den, and then muster a force of guards as quick as she can to send there. Probably would inform Thousand Bones, because shoanty would be ready to get there faster and clear the place for the guard (let’s be honest, as much as she understands TB situation, she cares more about her people more and would not put them at risk unless ordered to).
The second is, if/when the PCs return, what will the Dead Warrens be like for a second visit? Vreeg was the only derro to survive - if he decides to stay, it would make sense for him to fortify or make some sort of preparations for another assault. It would certainly be interesting to make the PCs fight against the reanimated corpses of their fallen comrades.
Well, the thing is that Vreeg doesn't call the shots. Remember that PCs just got lucky that by plot, Rolth was away, shopping in the city when they barged in. When he gets back, and finds that one of his dens was compromised (no matter if some or all of the intruders got axed - they could have informed someone where they went) he gets his thing and relocates. In addition, he would surely animate the bodies of dead PC and take them with him (to haul his stuff and interrogate them via Speak with Dead).
One is, what will the effect of their short term failure be in the outside world? Will Cressida simply urge them to return as soon as possible and try again? Will Thousand Bones and the Shoanti become angry at the delay, and should this have any effect on Korvosa/the PCs?No considerable effect on Korvosa/outside world from the failure for the moment. Rolths operation was in the city for some years and apparently, considering Cressidas words that he became just a classical "pain in the back", it was not that world shattering. Just another annoying high, but not top priority, target that does stuff, however does not rock the boat (for now).
Cressida will want from survivors’ location of "Vreegs" den, and then muster a force of guards as quick as she can to send there. Probably would inform Thousand Bones, because shoanti would be ready to get there faster and clear the place for the guard (let’s be honest, as much as she understands TB situation, she cares more about her people more and would not put them at risk unless ordered to).
Kroft will be anxious to send someone back to get the job done. This could be:
- the surviving PCs with two new characters;- several Korvosan guards;
- a group of Shoanti.
If your players are up for the first option, I’d take that one. It would be quite easy to replace the dead PCs with a new character that has ties to the Guard, the Shoanti or the temple of Pharasma, but, of course, you should not limit the players’ choice.
If you go with an exclusive (non-PC) party of Korvosan Guards or Shoanti, you could still involve the players by giving them a pregen character they can play for one session. You could try to involve some guards or Shoanti who will make a future appearance, to introduce some foreshadowing, e.g. Grau Soldado, or some homebrew characters who will be written into a future session, like a female guard who will end up becoming a Gray Maiden.
The second is, if/when the PCs return, what will the Dead Warrens be like for a second visit? Vreeg was the only derro to survive - if he decides to stay, it would make sense for him to fortify or make some sort of preparations for another assault. It would certainly be interesting to make the PCs fight against the reanimated corpses of their fallen comrades.Well, the thing is that Vreeg doesn't call the shots. Remember that PCs just got lucky that by plot, Rolth was away, shopping in the city when they barged in. When he gets back, and finds that one of his dens was compromised (no matter if some or all of the intruders got axed - they could have informed someone where they went) he gets his thing and relocates. In addition, he would surely animate the bodies of dead PC and take them with him (to haul his stuff and interrogate them via Speak with Dead).
Having the dead PCs in there as zombies would be freaking fantastic. You could also have their bodies still be in there, with certain parts missing (most notably someone’s head). When the party encounters Rolth in the future, he will have a flesh golem at his side with some of these missing parts! Vreeg could be placed with Rolth as well, which means that there will not be anything of value left in the warrens (although Gaekhen’s body will still be there to retrieve for the Shoanti quest). It will also make the future Rolth encounter harder (which could be the consequence of their current ‘failure’).
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In my campaign the players were forced to retreat twice. The first time after they had a fight in the necrophidius hallway and opened the next door looking for a place to make a choke point and ran into the 2 derros. They barely survived that intact and retreated. They convinced Cressida to post some guards to watch the entrance, but not interfere with anyone coming and going, only reporting.
I had Rolth return and find the place a shambles. Rolth ordered Vreeg to use his cloak of bones to create some defenses while he went and found a new hide out. Rolth supplied Vreeg with a couple potions to help him out. Rolth's coming and going was reported as an unknown person entering and leaving.
The party returned the next day and found the new undead guardians and fought their way to Vreeg's room. A flying Vreeg proved to be a tough egg to crack and once they had him dead were forced to retreat again. They still had gone through the boarded up door. They also knew they were short an arm.
Rolth returned again and found everyone dead but the carrion golem. He took that (with the arm)to his father's place to hide it well he got situated. Again his comings and goings were reported.
The party returned and found the place abandoned and they managed to track Rolth and a shambling golem the Gaedren's new digs.
Yes Gaedren was still alive in my game. I had him escape the fishery and was in the process of rebuilding his criminal network. The party tracked the carrion golem there, killed Gaedren (and his new accomplices) and the golem and retrieved the arm. Of course Rolth was not there.