They met Khandescus. And his niece. They wanted to know more about shadowgarms and thought that an old wizard could help them. I gave them some hints but Lady Leroung didn't expose herself, just had them followed when they left, so that she will be able to reward them.
Hopefully, they are going to the casting now, and I can stop making things up for a while
One more piece of advice. The AP suggests to face the Sixfold Trial at level 3. But it also suggested to deal with the BoE at level 2 and I got pretty close to a tpk. So, do you think I should let them level up to 4 before they go on stage?
One more piece of advice. The AP suggests to face the Sixfold Trial at level 3. But it also suggested to deal with the BoE at level 2 and I got pretty close to a tpk. So, do you think I should let them level up to 4 before they go on stage?
Okay. Let's go over this again, because I am still not understanding it.
Why did your PCs fail against the Bastards?
If it was just poor die rolls, then don't fret overmuch. Or was there an additional problem?
I wrote somewhere in this forum that my 4 PCs group was actually made of 3, because one of them didn't take part in any dangerous missions. Well, that was because she was pursuing fame as an actress (flirting with Thesing in order to achieve her goal yuk >_<), so I think I will have 0 problems with TST. This is also why I was so concerned about her death.
What do you plan to do with this character after The Sixfold Trial? As you correctly point out, this AP becomes MUCH more combat oriented after the play.
Have you done your "retribution" attempt by the Bastards?
Here's a thought. Rather then doing a "hit" on the party, fire a crossbow bolt past one of them as they are leaving the theatre where they are doing the auditions. And have a note tied to the bolt ...
We haven't forgotten you.
That should drive the players crazy. ;)
The Bastards are out of the picture. The survived PCs fled, found the cleric to resurrect one of them and went back (with Arael and Janiven) in less then 24 hours, before the B could retaliate.
Yes, they failed in the first place due to poor dice rolls, but it's the norm. The damage dealer has really bad luck any time he rolls to hit. Well, in checks as well. And saving throws -_-
The bard feels involved now, so I don't think she'll step back. But I will find a way to persuade her if she does.
The Bastards are out of the picture. The survived PCs fled, found the cleric to resurrect one of them and went back (with Arael and Janiven) in less then 24 hours, before the B could retaliate.
Yes, they failed in the first place due to poor dice rolls, but it's the norm. The damage dealer has really bad luck any time he rolls to hit. Well, in checks as well. And saving throws -_-
The bard feels involved now, so I don't think she'll step back. But I will find a way to persuade her if she does.
As long as they are at least 3rd level then, you should be able to proceed.
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So my players went through the Sixfold Trial brilliantly and are now at the Cornucopia, but....they explored the whole vaneo, found the remains of the magic trap (with detect magic) in the attic but not the secret room. They are sure that the Asmodean Knot is behind the huge black door in the banquet hall and they're waiting until everybody pass out to open it. My only hope is Crosael's map of the house, which they found and managed to unveil: maybe they will see the unexplored room in the attic....maybe.
Perhaps I should make Delour+Aberian collapse very close to the door. Naked. Clung to one another. Covered in honey and wine. This would keep me far away, maybe it would work for them as well....
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So my players went through the Sixfold Trial brilliantly and are now at the Cornucopia, but....they explored the whole vaneo, found the remains of the magic trap (with detect magic) in the attic but not the secret room. They are sure that the Asmodean Knot is behind the huge black door in the banquet hall and they're waiting until everybody pass out to open it. My only hope is Crosael's map of the house, which they found and managed to unveil: maybe they will see the unexplored room in the attic....maybe.
Perhaps I should make Delour+Aberian collapse very close to the door. Naked. Clung to one another. Covered in honey and wine. This would keep me far away, maybe it would work for them as well....
Another option would be to swap the two locations.
* - Is there any reason why the Asmodean Knot can't be behind the huge black door?
* - Can the Nessian[sp?] Spiral be behind the grey door in the attic instead?
Another option would be to swap the two locations.
* - Is there any reason why the Asmodean Knot can't be behind the huge black door?
* - Can the Nessian[sp?] Spiral be behind the grey door in the attic instead?
Oberigo told them about the NS and that it is behind that door. I also picked book 4 theatrically to check what kind of magic they see on it.
They still want to go there. -_-
Another option would be to swap the two locations.
* - Is there any reason why the Asmodean Knot can't be behind the huge black door?
* - Can the Nessian[sp?] Spiral be behind the grey door in the attic instead?Oberigo told them about the NS and that it is behind that door. I also picked book 4 theatrically to check what kind of magic they see on it.
They still want to go there. -_-
You have strange players. :)
B.T.W., what did the Asmodean priest send them looking for?
You have strange players. :)
I agree, but I guess I've been strange as a player too :D
B.T.W., what did the Asmodean priest send them looking for?
A mysterious box (I think there could be a dragon egg inside, not sure yet), a gift the Mayor will open on his birthday. It is protected by an Arcane Lock and the priest put a Bestow Curse on the bard to be sure they will bring it back to him as soon as they retrieve it. They have to take the box unopened before Arvanxi finds out what it is.
P.S. the players noticed the missing room on the map, maybe their PCs will see the next day.
My PC plan to trade Khazrae's Head for Coriana's ashes. Would the nuns accept it, in your opinion? The book says that they don't even listen to anyone who knocks at their door, but the guys are resourceful and could find a way to make them listen.
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My PC plan to trade Khazrae's Head for Coriana's ashes. Would the nuns accept it, in your opinion? The book says that they don't even listen to anyone who knocks at their door, but the guys are resourceful and could find a way to make them listen.
Reading the write up of the Sisters of Eiseth, the PCs are confronted with two problems.
* - The grounds of the Massacre House are off limits to anyone not of the order. If the PCs found a way to contact the Sisters without actually entering the grounds, this might be circumvented.
* - The second, and more serious, problem is that the safe storage of their victim's remains was what made the Sisters important as assassins in the first place.
So, surrendering Coriana's ashes would violate the Spiritual Oaths of the Sisters of Eiseth.
However ...
They still carry out assassinations now and then, but at much reduced prices with much lower-profile and less important targets—this particular Sisterhood is on the cusp of transforming into little more than an organized group of street thugs as a result.
So, what the PCs are planning is not impossible.
There are just some hoops they need to jump through first.
One more. There is a chance they choose to give her a new body instead. The problem is I don't think Regenerate could help "The subject’s severed body members (fingers, toes, hands, feet, arms, legs, tails, or even heads of multi-headed creatures), broken bones, and ruined organs grow back. After the spell is cast, the physical regeneration is complete in 1 round if the severed members are present and touching the creature. It takes 2d10 rounds otherwise". I mean...if you separate a head from its body there is nothing to regenerate since the subject is dead. But Khazrae survived the process, so I wonder: is it possible to regenerate her?
They also thought of killing her and then use Raise Dead, but they are not sure how to kill a creature who survived her head being ripped off her body...
One more. There is a chance they choose to give her a new body instead. The problem is I don't think Regenerate could help "The subject’s severed body members (fingers, toes, hands, feet, arms, legs, tails, or even heads of multi-headed creatures), broken bones, and ruined organs grow back. After the spell is cast, the physical regeneration is complete in 1 round if the severed members are present and touching the creature. It takes 2d10 rounds otherwise". I mean...if you separate a head from its body there is nothing to regenerate since the subject is dead. But Khazrae survived the process, so I wonder: is it possible to regenerate her?
This is answered on ...
Completely curing her madness requires a greater restoration, and restoring her body requires a wish or equally powerful magic. For most parties, returning her to the interior of the Chelish crux might be the best possible solution—as an undead creature, she has no need to breathe, and can exist for a long, long time within the crux.
As an undead creature, she is immune to Regeneration.
They also thought of killing her and then use Raise Dead, but they are not sure how to kill a creature who survived her head being ripped off her body...
Not to mention that as a true Outsider, Raise Dead would not work. (check the definition of Outsider in the Bestiary.)
A properly worded Wish would solve both of these problems.
I was afraid of this answer >_< The book says that Desire or "equally powerful magic" is required, but nothing came to my mind nor to theirs, except for the ones written above. Desire isn't within their means.
I was afraid of this answer >_< The book says that Desire or "equally powerful magic" is required, but nothing came to my mind nor to theirs, except for the ones written above. Desire isn't within their means.
It is above their means ... now, but they will gain more wealth as they level (as well as contacts with powerful spell casters). Khazrae is effectively immortal.
this is awkward...the spell in italian is "Desiderio"...I know the difference but I didn't think about it while typing... :p
It is above their means ... now, but they will gain more wealth as they level (as well as contacts with powerful spell casters). Khazrae is effectively immortal.
Yes of course, now. Actually, the real issue is that there is no one who can cast the spell in Westcrown
It is above their means ... now, but they will gain more wealth as they level (as well as contacts with powerful spell casters). Khazrae is effectively immortal.Yes of course, now. Actually, the real issue is that there is no one who can cast the spell in Westcrown
That gets kind of interesting. Cheliax, the Infernal Empire, page 39 does indicate that 9th level spellcasting (meaning 9th level spells) is available in Westcrown.
However, given the general level of decay in the city, it is very plausible that such an individual has moved on
Since the highest level villain is 14 I assumed there wasn't any higher NPC around in town.
Yet again I must repeat to myself:
I am the Game Master
I am the Game Master
I am the Game Master
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PS however it is rather dangerous having someone who can use such a powerful spell.
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Since the highest level villain is 14 I assumed there wasn't any higher NPC around in town.
Yet again I must repeat to myself:I am the Game Master
I am the Game Master
I am the Game Master
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.PS however it is rather dangerous having someone who can use such a powerful spell.
You are the Game Master! ;)
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An easy way around that is to have a lower level PC with access to a scroll of a much more powerful spell. Since the check to cast is basically a given to a high enough level caster, you can say that this valuable 9th level scroll is in the possession of, say, a 13th level caster. That way the PCs don't have access to gate, or wish or whatever, but there is a one-time high level casting that they can pay for.
The campaign was going on smoothly so one of the players decided he had to raid Rance's office during the Hellcallers' Cup -_-
I assume a simple lock won't stop him, so I wonder what he could find inside.
The book doesn't say anything about his habits so I'll let him live in the same building, a couple of rooms he keeps a little bit cozier and tidier than the office. He wastes most of his money in women and spirits, so there is not so much the rogue can steal.
Yet I would like to give the PCs some hints about the Council. They totally ignored Chammady at the Devildrome, and I feel they are slightly moving off the track. How can Rance or his family be connected with it? Maybe the Council grants him some kind of protection from hellknight or dottari snooping around(I put the Devildrome in the Crua, against the NE section of the Oberigan Wall)? In exchange for what?
Nothing else comes to my mind...
He has some tunnels running under the walls into the Regio Cader that the Council is using for smuggling things into/from the dead part of the city. Perhaps they find a schedule when the next smuggling shipments are to arrive.
Thanks Oliver, this is a good tip.
I had the chance to introduce Vhanwynne Malkistra to my PCs but our pause has been long and I was afraid they could have forgotten her. So I sent her brother-in-law to the group, asking to find the missing lady.
Now they have a scrying scroll. They met VM once and have some notes of hers, I can apply all the modifiers to the spell but I don't know how to deal with her change of...being? I mean, is she a different person, someone they never met? Or is she just less familiar to them? If the spell works properly they will see her shape blurred, anyway, but how difficult should it be?
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I had the chance to introduce Vhanwynne Malkistra to my PCs but our pause has been long and I was afraid they could have forgotten her. So I sent her brother-in-law to the group, asking to find the missing lady.
Good plan.
Now they have a scrying scroll. They met VM once and have some notes of hers, I can apply all the modifiers to the spell but I don't know how to deal with her change of...being? I mean, is she a different person, someone they never met? Or is she just less familiar to them? If the spell works properly they will see her shape blurred, anyway, but how difficult should it be?
Remember the mantra: You are the game master. This is a case where you can rule how difficult it is to find her with the spell. (Remember also that as an undead, her will save likely improved.)
From the spell, "If the save fails, you can see and hear the subject and its surroundings (approximately 10 feet in all directions of the subject). If the subject moves, the sensor follows at a speed of up to 150 feet."
Since you are playing her as an NPC, you also get to decide what she may be doing at any given time.
Given that you want to encourage them to get re-acquainted with Westcrown, is there a way you can manipulate what they see to push them to do so? (i.e., give them clues to get started with some leg work?)
They didn't use the scroll. They rushed into Delvehaven without even going to the Massacre House and keeping Khazrae into the bag of holding. This isn't going to end well...
At least I gave them hints of what kind of foe they could find in there and they brought some useful items.
I'll try to make their meeting with Vahnwynne ravaging.
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PS Happy Easter :)
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They didn't use the scroll. They rushed into Delvehaven without even going to the Massacre House and keeping Khazrae into the bag of holding. This isn't going to end well...
At least I gave them hints of what kind of foe they could find in there and they brought some useful items.
I'll try to make their meeting with Vahnwynne ravaging.
B.t.w., what remote are you using for your game right now?
No, it is not going to end well. They are going to want the key that was locked in the Wave Door (What Lies In The Dust, p. 24). They might still get out alive though.
I'm inclined to speculate that they may be rushing because of the break, So you might (or might not) want to cut them some slack ... at least starting out.
Warning: Shadowy Triceratops Skeleton (p. 35) has proven more then capable of TPKing even well prepared PC Parties. I am not sure what the best fix is, but do check the thread for that volume.
We are using Roll20 and FB (audio is better on messenger).
They went to the Wave Door and retrieved keys and scrolls, but they have no clue on traps and dangers. Coriana or Khazrae would tell them about the Transposition Trap, for example, yet someone is going to suffer Wisdom damage.
I don't want to kill any PC...anymore >_< so I guess I'll let something go.
I read about the STS, and I hated it at first sight, so its skeleton is still on the platform. Still dead. Maybe a wraith will be there instead, or a group of shadows.
We are using Roll20 and FB (audio is better on messenger).
They went to the Wave Door and retrieved keys and scrolls, but they have no clue on traps and dangers. Coriana or Khazrae would tell them about the Transposition Trap, for example, yet someone is going to suffer Wisdom damage.
I don't want to kill any PC...anymore >_< so I guess I'll let something go.
This will make your life better in the long run.
I read about the STS, and I hated it at first sight, so its skeleton is still on the platform. Still dead. Maybe a wraith will be there instead, or a group of shadows.
The problem is the "Negative-Energy-Charged" template. It gives quite a bit for a +1 to the creatures CR.
So, how much rebuilding are you willing to do?
So, how much rebuilding are you willing to do?
Not so much, since I have very little time and I'm creating some sidequests too
I didn't find anything about it so I guess I have to make it up. Ilnerik can see and speak through his minions, I wonder: is it more disturbing doing it with his own voice or with the minion's?
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I didn't find anything about it so I guess I have to make it up. Ilnerik can see and speak through his minions, I wonder: is it more disturbing doing it with his own voice or with the minion's?
If they have already heard the minion's voice, doing in Ilnerik's voice would be much more effective.
My PCs are scared of the power of the Morrowfall and don't even think of retriveing it.....what now? help!
ok, Ghontasavos sent them back to pick it up
My PCs are scared of the power of the Morrowfall and don't even think of retriveing it.....what now? help!
That said, their fear is justified (it did drive Donatalus Bisby insane). So, they are unlikely to want to use it, or keep it.
The group fled Delvehaven while hunted by Vanhwynne, and so she's still there. I don't know if it ever comes to their mind, but what if they decide to resurrect her? Her brother-in-law is a rich merchant who could pay to get it done but I have no idea how rich he is. I know I could make it up, but I'd like to know if there is some kind of table with such info (average wealth for NPCs).
I don't even know if it is a good idea going down this path, since they could ask her for help against Ilnerik. Yet I'd rather be prepared...
The group fled Delvehaven while hunted by Vanhwynne, and so she's still there. I don't know if it ever comes to their mind, but what if they decide to resurrect her? Her brother-in-law is a rich merchant who could pay to get it done but I have no idea how rich he is. I know I could make it up, but I'd like to know if there is some kind of table with such info (average wealth for NPCs).
I don't even know if it is a good idea going down this path, since they could ask her for help against Ilnerik. Yet I'd rather be prepared...
A couple of things to point out.
* - They are going to want the spell: Resurrection because she was made into an Undead Creature. A lesser spell won't do it.* - As noted in the spell, she is immune to it as long as she is still an Undead Creature. So they will still need to put her down first.
The next question is what is she going to do in the meantime. She's still obliged to guard the Morrowfall, but what other allies or minions might be muster for the artifact's defense?
I know they need Resurrection, they have a scroll and they can get one more IF they have enough money.
The PCs retrieved the Morrowfall so there is nothing to guard. She can go back to Ilnerik and be destroyed or sent to hunt down the party at night or deployed at Arvanxi's estate with Jerusen.
My players are unpredictable, so all this speculating might be a waste of time >_<
I know they need Resurrection, they have a scroll and they can get one more IF they have enough money.
The PCs retrieved the Morrowfall so there is nothing to guard. She can go back to Ilnerik and be destroyed or sent to hunt down the party at night or deployed at Arvanxi's estate with Jerusen.My players are unpredictable, so all this speculating might be a waste of time >_<
Let's try a different speculation then.
Which of Ilnerik's options with Vanhwynne is most likely? Which, in your opinion, would be the most interesting?
And remember: You are the Gamemaster.
Everything in TIS is CR 8 or 9 and my PCs keep on dropping or ignoring any side quest I put on their way (well...the Massacre house wasn't a side quest) and so they're still level 6....I'm about to cry...
Everything in TIS is CR 8 or 9 and my PCs keep on dropping or ignoring any side quest I put on their way (well...the Massacre house wasn't a side quest) and so they're still level 6....I'm about to cry...
Yes, they should be Level 7 and nearing Level 8. Things are going to difficult.
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You need a little side quest to bring the XP of the charachters on par with the campaign. One possibility would be, that Ilnerik sends Vanwhynne after the SCs and they have to put her down in order to be able to resurrect her.
The SC can try to use the Morrowfall to fight the shadow beasts in the streets of Westcrown at night. That should give some XP. You can also set up a first encounter with Dog's Tongue cornered by some shadow beasts.
The SC can try to clear a guild house of the Council of Thieves they have spotted following the shipments that went through the Devildrome. (You can use the maps in the Thieves' Guild Article in part 5)
Some rumours about devils in the city in the south east may also surface, foreshadowing the attempt of the bone devil and the errinyes to free their lord.
Start the fourth chapter when your group has reached 7th level and try to give an emphasis on the side quests before going down into the spiral (the erinnye is a very tough encounter by the way).
Perhaps they are going to be defeated by the council troops when they first attempt to enter the villa and imprisoned. They are freed by one of the traditionalist Council members and need to power up before they can make another attempt to enter the spiral.
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You need a little side quest to bring the XP of the charachters on par with the campaign.
But that's the problem.
Everything in TIS is CR 8 or 9 and my PCs keep on dropping or ignoring any side quest I put on their way
So, simply offering them side quests may not help.
One possibility would be, that Ilnerik sends Vanwhynne after the SCs
This, being a side quest that cannot ignore, would be helpful here.
Actually, given that Ilnerik does knows that the PCs have Morrowfall, he might try to use some of his - non vampire - resources to try to stop the PCs. Sending a couple of assassins (2 Lvl 7 evil rogues for instance) after them would fit the bill.
These last two would have been good, and they came to my mind as well, but the PCs are never all in the same place so a couple of rat swarms (the vampire wouldn't be allowed in any PC's house) would have killed a single PC.
Things went like this: they were investigating about a cult, the thief missed a secret door (the player knew there was one) and decided to "rest and drink until something happens", who cares about Urgathoa priests raising undead. They also studied how to turn VM into a living creature, but no, from the end of one session to the start of the next one, they changed their mind and followed the thief's example.
TBH I had nothing prepared, being sure they would hunt down the cult or go back to Delvehaven to finish the job, so I took book 4...
Isavenda's kicked their ass, without even summoning the bearded devils (poor dice roll).
I could have handled it better than I've done, but they really hinder me and I'm not good at creating things out of nowhere.
I almost forgot...Rasdovian's and Marthis's estates? no! let's rush straight into Leibdaga's loving arms!
T_T
Perhaps they are going to be defeated by the council troops when they first attempt to enter the villa and imprisoned. They are freed by one of the traditionalist Council members and need to power up before they can make another attempt to enter the spiral.
Yes, I can use this, defeating and not killing, maybe also Isavenda would spare the good ones for Nyxervex (three of them are still fighting the Erinye...three of them...).
The thief (the troublemaker è_é) fled from Isavenda and is now at Crosael's door. Alone, because that's what he always does. I have one week to think how she can react to the intruder, to avoid a TPK, and watch them throw my effort out of the window.
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Poohhh.. I didn't know, that you had already pulled the trigger to launch the "Bomb"...
If the characters fighting the erinnye are defeated and brought to Nyxervex, and one of them possesses the Morrowfall, then the agents from Ilnerik will try to get the artifact from them, perhaps even the Vampire himself.
Crosael is not going to kill the troublemaker immediately.
She wants to know more, about the group that gave the Council so much trouble and the whereabouts of the copy of Liebdagas contract. If the troublemaker is so "intelligent" as to divulge where the copy of the contract is though, then there will be lots of trouble coming down on the PCs.
Use the different parties around the plaza as you see fit. Each one wants something specific from the PCs and maybe the players will get the notion, that perhaps the party is a bit ill equipped to take on the challenges of the dungeon beneath Aberian's Folly.
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Another way out of your pickles would be to switch from an XP based level-up to eventbased levelling. In that case you can give the PCs their seventh level, if they manage to survive this. The eigth level once they get into the Spiral proper (i.e. F14 and onward) or after the fight with the "other former mayor".
-----------------------------------------------------------Another way out of your pickles would be to switch from an XP based level-up to eventbased levelling. In that case you can give the PCs their seventh level, if they manage to survive this. The eigth level once they get into the Spiral proper (i.e. F14 and onward) or after the fight with the "other former mayor".
Yes I could do that. Suppose they are level 7 as they get out of Delvehaven, and they do nothing and I really mean NOTHING before rushing into the Nessian Spiral, apart from talking to Aberian. I simply can't grant them any further level, even if the AP recommends it.
I guess someone is going to die, so be it.