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Author	Comment
Siobharek	Lareth, Champion of Elemental Evil	#21	[-]
Posts: 9210 (09/25/02 03:20:14) Harry Potter with Giant Levels Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Based on an idea by Annah, Thrommel made two write-ups of Lareth after he's pronounced Champion of Elemental Evil. One has all the four half-elemental templates stacked on him, the other uses the "straight" elemental templates from Manual of the Planes along with Monte's demonically fused elemental template from Dragon #285. Edit.: They have now been errata'd by the ever-watchful Inifiniti2000. Lareth the Beautiful, Champion of Elemental Evil Clr7 Medium-sized Male Half-earth/Half-air/Half-fire/Half-water Elemental HD: 7d8+49 (88 hp) Init: +9 Speed: 30ft AC: 25 (+5 Dex, +4 armor, +6 natural) Attacks: +14 melee (1d6+10, mw quarterstaff) or +13 melee (1d8+8/19-20 blade of force); +10 ranged (10d6 blast of force) Face/Reach: 5' x 5'/5' Special Atks: Rebuke undead 4/day Special Qualities: Insanity, +4 to Fortitude saves vs poison, Immune to: disease, cold effects, fire effects, water effects and earth effects Saves: Fort +12, Ref +7, Will +10; Abilities: Str: 24, Dex: 21, Con:24, Int: 15, Wis:23, Cha: 12 Alignment: CE Skills: Concentration +11, Diplomacy +7, Knowledge (religion) +6, Spellcraft +8 Feats: Combat Casting, Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Weapon focus (quarterstaff) CR: 12 Domains: Evil, Madness (All evil spells at +1 caster level, 1/day add Insanity score to Wis-based roll) Insanity (Ex): Insanity Score 3. Wis 26 for bonus spells and DC's, Wis 20 for all other Wis-based checks. Spells Prepared (6/7/6/5/4 -- DC 18 + spell level) 6/6 - 0: detect magic, guidance, inflict minor wounds, light, read magic, resistance 7/7 - 1st: bane, cause fear, divine favor, doom, protection from good, sanctuary, shield of faith 6/6 - 2nd: bull's strength, death knell, endurance, Tharizdun's touch (3) 5/5 - 3rd: bestow curse, dispel magic, invisibility purge, rage, searing light 4/4 - 4th: confusion, divine power, greater magic weapon, poison Spell-like abilities(Sp): (7th level caster. Save DC 11 + spell level) 2/day - obscuring mist. 1/day - wind wall, gaseous form, air walk, magic stone, soften earth and stone, stone shape, spike stones, burning hands, produce flame, flaming sphere, wall of fire, fog cloud, water breathing, control water. Treasure: Ochre robes, masterwork quarterstaff, rings of force armor (any creature touching Lareth with bare flesh takes 1d4 points of damage), cloak of arachnidia, rod of force (3 functions usable a total of 5 times per day in combination: Blast of force - ranged touch attack does 10d6 to a creature within 100 feet. Wall of force - as the spell cast by a 13th level mage. Blade of force - 3 foot glowing blade can be used as a +1 brilliant energy longsword for 10 rounds.) Lareth the Beautiful Clr7 Medium sized Male Demonically Infused Earth/Air/Fire/Water Elemental HD: 7d8+28 (67 hp) Init: +11 Speed: 30ft, fly 100 (perfect), burrow 20 feet, swim 90 feet AC: 28 (+7 Dex, +4 armor, +3 natural, +4 haste) Attacks: +14 melee (1d6+10, mw quarterstaff) or +13 melee (1d8+8/19-20 blade of force); +12 ranged (10d6 blast of force) Face/Reach: 5x5/5 Special Atks: Rebuke undead 1/day, air mastery, heat, burn, haste, smite good 1/day +7 Special Qualities: Insanity, elemental qualities, darkvision 60', tremorsense, damage reduction 10/+1, SR 14, cold resistance 10 Saves: Fort +9, Ref +9, Will +8; Abilities: Str:24, Dex: 25, Con:18, Int: 13, Wis:19, Cha: 8 Alignment: CE Skills: Concentration +12, Diplomacy +5, Knowledge (religion) +9, Spellcraft +11 Feats: Combat Casting, Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Weapon focus (quarterstaff), Flyby Attack CR: 12 Insanity(Ex): Insanity Score 3. Wis 22 for bonus spells and DC's, Wis 16 for all other Wis-based checks. Air Mastery (Ex): Airborne creatures suffer a -1 penalty to attack and damage rolls against Lareth. Earth Mastery (Ex): Lareth gains a +1 bonus to attack and damage if both he and his foe touch the ground. If the foe is airborne or waterborne and Lareth is touching the ground he suffers a -4 penalty to attack and damage rolls. Burrow (Ex): Lareth can glide through stone, dirt, or almost any other sort of earth except metal as easily as a fish moves through water, in a manner similar to a xorn's. Tremorsense (Ex): Lareth can automatically sense the location of anything within 60 feet that is in contact with the ground. Heat (Ex): Lareth does an additional 1d4 fire damage any time he makes an unarmed attack. Burn (Ex): Creatures struck by an unarmed attack from Lareth must succeed at a DC 14 Reflex save or catch fire. The flame burns for 1d4 rounds. Creatures hitting Lareth with natural weapons or unarmed attacks take 1d4 fire damage and also catch fire unless they succeed at a DC 14 Reflex save. Fire Subtype (Ex): Fire immunity, double damage from cold except on a successful save. Water Mastery (Ex): Lareth gains a +1 bonus to attack and damage if both he and his foe touch water. If the foe is landbound and Lareth is touching the water he suffers a -4 penalty to attack and damage rolls. Drench (Ex): Lareth's touch puts out torches, campfires, exposed lanterns, and other open flames of nonmagical origin, if these are of Large size or smaller. Lareth can dispel any magical fire he touches as a dispel magic cast by a 7th level sorceror. Haste (Su): Lareth's demonic infusion gives him an additional partial action and a +4 haste bonus to AC as if always hasted. Smite Good (Su): Once per day, Lareth can make a normal attack to deal +7 additional points of damage against a good foe. Lareth must decide to use his smite power before his attack. A missed smite good attack is wasted. Elemental: Immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, and stunning. Not subject to critical hits. Domains: Evil, Madness (All evil spells at +1 caster level, 1/day add Insanity score to Wis-based roll) Spells Prepared (6/7/6/4/3 -- DC 16 + spell level) 6/6 - 0: detect magic, guidance, inflict minor wounds, light, read magic, resistance 7/7 - 1st: bane, cause fear, divine favor, doom, protection from good, sanctuary, shield of faith 6/6 - 2nd: bull's strength, death knell, endurance, Tharizdun's touch (3) 4/4 - 3rd: dispel magic, invisibility purge, rage, searing light 3/3 - 4th: confusion, greater magic weapon, poison Treasure: Ochre robes, masterwork quarterstaff, rings of force armor (any creature touching Lareth with bare flesh takes 1d4 points of damage), cloak of arachnidia, rod of force (3 functions usable a total of 5 times per day in combination: blast of force - ranged touch attack does 10d6 to a creature within 100 feet. Wall of force - as the spell cast by a 13th level mage. Blade of force - 3 foot glowing blade can be used as a +1 brilliant energy longsword for 10 rounds.)
Siobharek	The Redemption of Prince Thrommel	#22	[-]
Posts: 9210 (10/04/02 00:19:00) Harry Potter with Giant Levels Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	How to run Thrommel and what might bring him back to life, Jolene, and paladinhood Ronin used Thrommel to great effect against his players, and asked whether he perhaps had been too harsh. This quickly turned into a discussion about what might bring Thrommel back. As Thrommel (the mod) puts it: *Quote:* So now you have to provide them with a light. I'd suggest giving them the means to convert Thrommel back to his noble self. What could that be? Possible suggestions: - Fragarach. Why not make it that his old sword can purify the evil in him if it gets with 20 feet or something like that? You could even have a nice little side trek for the party to find his sword. Something to act as a confidence booster. (How about that dragon hunt in the Best of the Boards thread? The sword might be in the stash.) -Joline, his old lover. Clearly he still carries a torch for her, he named his familiar after her. Now, she's probably a fairly important NPC, and not likely to go travelling with adventurers out into the godforsaken mountains. So you've got a great role-playing scenario where the PC's have to convince the High Priestess to accompany her. Or more likely, they have to convince her various ministers and bodyguards to let her go. Either that or sneak her out -- imagine a cross country chase where it appears that the party has kidnapped Joline. Some fun. And this is how Ronin played it. This is IMHO very inspirational to anyone who wants to mix Furyondian politics and an old love. The paladin had asked his temple about the same info so was interested when the mage said he had some info on the subject. He told the others everything. Joline, being a prince and a paladin of Torm (couldn't resist that one), Fragarach (its existence but nothing about its location), and the theories of redemption. The cleric was all for the destroying theory since Thrommel killed him the session prior. Everyone else though wanted to find and speak with Jolene. So they attemped to scry on her and did it successfully. The next move was a little surprising. They reduced the paladin and the cleric and teleported into her bedchamber while she slept. That move took me back a bit. She was alarmed of course but they mentioned Thrommel's name quickly and startled her badly. They ended up in her study telling her all the info they had about her former lover. She then left for a few moments to get her mother and an advisor who informed the party that she could not go with them to such an obviously dangerous place. They also seemed very skeptical about the PCs story. After that she returned alone and told them that she did in fact want to go with them for she loved Thrommel more than anything. There was only one issue. The party would be considered criminals and her family would send people after them to bring her back. There is silence among the players. The other 3 players take turns just looking at the paladin and the cleric of Tyr. The paladin caves in first and states that the cause of good would be served here and that the party should proceed. The cleric of Tyr however isn't such an easy nut to crack. It takes him a full 5 minutes to decide, all the while the other players just sit there and watch him think. In the end however he agrees with the others. They then teleport Jolene away to their base of operations. The mage had used a sequester spell on a room to prevent scrying and the temple of Tyr also has a similiar room that they can use. Both the paladin and the cleric come clean with the respective temples and are informed that they can stay but if someone comes looking for them the temple will hand them over. After this I am asked to go talk with 3 of the players. The 3 clerics. They start casting augury, divination, and commune en masse. They do get some info but it is all very cryptic to say the least. This kept them on their heels. Next they decide to scry on Thrommel. I cant find anywhere in the module where it states that the Outer Fane cannot be scryed upon. They succeed again. One of the other 3 PCs is a diviner. They see him in his chamber standing in front of the corpse of Lathander (Pelor) but not doing much else. Then I hear the next part of their plan. They want to teleport into Thrommel's chamber with Jolene! That's about where the session ended. No combat, all RP. I must say it was very enjoyable. The question is this... Should I allow them to teleport to Thrommel's chamber that easily? I have read of other groups that have teleported in and out as they needed. I also must admit I admire the collective guts of the group to even consider that option. I wouldn't want to take away one of the group's more powerful abilities without just cause. Thrommel decimated them last game and this time Jolene will be with them. Another great idea I thought they came up with was to cast shield other and use the paladin and the cleric of Tyr to take damage for Jolene. That also takes some guts. It doesn't look like I'll get to introduce the idea of the PCs helping Thrommel by removing his coffin from the Outer Fane but that's OK. I also need to decide what sort of class Jolene will be if any at all. Another question would be how does Thrommel react? I dont think he'd hurt Jolene but capturing her seems like a good option. I also thought about having the forces that are trying to get Jolene back appear at some point when they encounter Thrommel. I don't think he would have any problems killing them. Thrommel's supposed reactions, courtesy of da man himself: So -- real question here: what's Thrommel's reaction? Couple different ways to play it: Malevolent "Gentlemen, I owe you my deepest and most sincere thanks. For years I have pined for the company of my true love, longing to consummate the union that was so abruptly broken. But my duties here prevented me from seeking out my lost bride. Now, you have done me the favor of delivering her to me. For that, I thank you. "As a reward, I shall make your deaths quick and painless. "And then, my sweet love, the two of us shall drink deeply together. And you shall come to know the immeasurable power which conquers death! The perfect beauty of eternal youth! And we shall be truly joined, husband and wife, in an inseparable bond for all the ages!!" Humiliated "Jolene... I... am ashamed. I beg you, look away. Look away from this pale, hollow corpse. This frail shadow of the man you loved. For I am that man no longer. "Where once virtue and love blossomed within my breast, now there is but a shrunken black heart filled with icy hate and anger. The sweet words I whispered for you have been shriveled, silenced, and tainted by the foul taste upon my tongue. "And so I beg you: take up widow's weeds and mourn. Mourn as I do, for the man you love is dead. "And you! How dare you bring her before me!! You knew what I had become, and yet you cajoled this poor woman, teased her, tempted her to see the horrible truth!! What breed of self-serving curs are you, that when a woman lies grieving for her fallen love you must drag her to the depths of hell and make her watch the rotting corpse jerk and twitch its puppet dance!! "I bid you leave -- leave now! That which you seek is gone. Only death will you find here. Go, before there is more sickness and suffering." Protective "Jolene! My love, every waking moment I spend with thoughts of you. You are a warm rain on an icy heart... But you must go! "This company of fools may have thought it wise to reunite us, but they are ignorant of the danger! Did you not think that I wanted to be with you? Did I not pledge my eternal love to you and you alone?? "It is not laziness or neglect that keeps us apart. It is danger. "I command armies of the night! Men bend beneath my gaze! I am unstoppable, unkillable, unbeatable!!! "And yet, I am afraid. "The roots of evil spread deep. There is no safe haven, there is no sanctuary untouched by their fevered whispers. Wherever men sleep, there gazes the all-seeing eye of the doomdreamers. They can kill with a word, and destroy with a thought. "And so you see why I have not come for you -- and why I bid you go now! For I would rather have you alive and safe, than spend the rest of my innumerable days mourning your memory! "Know that I love you, and if you love me too, obey my wisdom in this matter, and go." And here's how it happened in Ronin's campaign: The party made the effort to gain information on how to go about destroying vampires first. After they learned Thrommel's name they wanted more information. They eventually learned of his past including Jolene, Fragarach, being a prince, all of it. The party bard also learned of two schools of thought on how to go about redeeming a vampire so the person could live again. This is the path the group chose. They went to Jolene and told her all the knowledge they knew about Thrommel. She was stunned to say the least. After talking to her advisors though she informed them that she would not be able to go with them. She returned later to inform them that she did in fact want to go and would, but the party would be treated as outlaws for taking her against her families wishes. After some thought Arthur decides his is the best course to take but Darien takes awhile longer but then agrees. They teleport Jolene away and plan when to strike next. They teleport into the Outer fane once but the mission is botched when they fail to find Thrommel (they teleported to a room they scryed on when he was there and thought they could find him) and then Hedrack shows up and casts destruction on Kinback. After a narrow escape they re-group and decide to try again. Kinback (after being true resurrected) sends Thrommel a message stating that he would help him remove his coffin. Thrommel informs Kinback that he will only deal with Arthur (I made Thrommel a former paladin of Arthur's faith). Finally it is agreed to meet at the Earth Temple in the CRM to discuss the terms of the agreement. Everyone teleports in to see Thrommel standing upon the Earth Temple altar. The group keeps Jolene hidden at the back of the party with a hooded robe to cover her features. During the conversation they part and let her some forward. Thrommel sees her and breaks down. I used Thrommel's (the real guy) suggestion and had Thrommel (the NPC) be very protective and gave a few clues along the way (which a couple of the players picked up on). He eventually breaks down and drops to his knees placing his head down into his hands. The group was prepared for him to rush Jolene and stated such. Most of them were caught unaware when Jolene ran up the stairs of the altar to go to Thrommel! Mirrim was watching her so she got to act but Jolene had a higher initiative so Mirrim could only follow her up the stairs. Next round Kinback places a hemispherical wall of force around Thrommel so he can't get to Jolene (this was a group tactic beforehand). Jolene promptly runs right into it and falls down a mere 10' away from Thrommel atop the altar. Everyone else moves forward. Next round Mirrim decides to take a chance (Tymora and all)and teleports herself and Jolene INTO the spherical wall of force with Thrommel to chorus of groans and moans from the other PCs. The others yell for Kinback to dismiss the wall of force which he says he cannot do so Darien dispels it on his turn. Arthur wants to place a holy symbol of Torm around Thrommel's neck but Jolene has now gotten in the way. He decides not to go thru the grapple checks to move her and then again to use his idea. Everyone looks to see what will happen next. Thrommel (who still has his head buried in his hands) now looks to the heavens and screams "My God, why have you forsaken me!" Arthur takes this as his cue but Jolene places a hand out to him and says "We must end his misery Arthur". Darien steps forward and Jolene asks him for a weapon. Darien gives her a wooden stake which she promptly puts into Thrommel's chest. Darien drives it thru his chest and out his back on his turn ending Thrommel's threat. They teleport out an await the dawn. It comes eventually and they watch as Thrommel's body goes up in flames. After they decide to take the somber Jolene back home. Once there Arthur and Darien turn themselves in and are escorted to a jail cell. The only other member of the party there was Kinback who decided to teleport away (he didn't want to go to jail). That's where the session ended. I plan to give XP for Thrommel of course and was thinking of doubling it for the groups extra efforts. I also plan to knight them in Cormyr (where Thrommel is from- FR campaign of course) and was going to give them a GP award as well. IMC Thrommel will walk among the living and regain his paladinhood as well, but my players don't know this yet and with Gen Con coming along they won't know for another 2 weeks. I thought they would have killed him while he acted helpless but they watched Jolene for the most part so I had her take the lead. Siobharek ...it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
Siobharek	Another Use for Varachan	#23	[-]
Posts: 9210 (10/07/02 23:22:16) Harry Potter with Giant Levels Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Andorax' Suggestions for Using Varachan For those of you who are singing the "I gots me an Outer Fane TPK blues", I just had another thought. Varachan still has a lot of power, until he's found out. And, based on his posessions, it seems to suggest that he can still use Clerical items, even though he can no longer cast spells. If the party were to suffer a TPK, it's conceivably possible that you have two "outs". 1) Anyone who is "just" dropped into negatives can be stabilized and imprisoned, only to be released "for questioning" by Varachan. 2) If the entire party is outright killed, Varachan can gather up the corpses "for his own research/purposes". Drop a Scroll of Resurrect into the mix, use it on the PC cleric, stuff the lot of 'em in the back corner of his room and nail the door shut. With any luck, they've a cleric who's still capable of Raise Deads. Either one, or a combination of the both, could potentially give a TPKed party one last chance at survival, victory, all those good things. Siobharek ...it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
Thrommel	Alternate Axred the Athach	#24	[-]
Posts: 6210 (10/08/02 07:28:55) Runechild (admin) Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Alternate Axred the Athach (CRM room 216., p. 101) One of the most commonly asked questions is "How does that giant athach fit through the narrow doors and low ceilings in the CRM?" Trithereon came up with the ingenious solution of applying the pseudonatural template to a smaller version of the giant with a few levels of fighter. Here are the adjusted stats: Axred Male Athach Ftr4, Large Aberration (10 ft. tall) HD: 10d8+30 plus 4d10 +12 (102 hp) Init: +2 (Dex) Speed: 40 ft. AC: 19 (-1 size, +2 dex, +3 hide, +5 natural) Attack: +12/+7 melee (1d10+5, greatclub), +12 melee (1d10+2, greatclub), +12 melee (1d10+2, greatclub), +14 melee (1d12+2 plus poison, bite) Face/Reach: 5 by 5 ft./10 ft. Special Attacks: Poison bite, Fort save (DC 1 1d6/2d6 Str Special Qualities: Electric Resistance 20, Acid Resistance 20, DR 10/+3 Saves: Fort +10, Ref +6, Will +9 Abilities: Str 21, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 7, Wis 12, Cha 6 Skills: Listen +7, Spot +7 Feats: Multiattack, Multidexterity, Multiweapon, Weapon focus (greatclub), Power attack, Combat Reflexes, Cleave Special Abilities: True Strike (Su): 1/day +20 insight bonus to one attack roll, not subject to miss due to concealment. Alternate Form (Su): At will - features distort becoming waxy and rubbery while oozing yellow and white puss as a standard action, other creatures suffer a -1 morale penalty on all attack rolls while in alternate form. And here's how it played out in Trithereon's game: Alex and Arakai snuck forward and listened at the door. They could hear a deep throated, yet child-like, humming beyond the door. Alex threw open the door and shone his light inside. His magical sword illuminated the room revealing a malformed heavily tattooed giant pawing through a chest of gems which was sat between his legs. The mutant giant stood up from his prized gems while shouting and waving his arms. A gem embedded in the giants forehead began to glow a deep purple. Down the corridor Tuborg heard the giantish shouts, No steal gems! Mine! Axred crush! Arakai was the first to react and he leap into the room and struck the sitting giant with a stunning blow. Alex was next into the room and he delivered a vicious jab into the giant's flank which drew a viscous flow of orange blood. The other explorers filed into the room and surrounded the stunned monster. They mercilessly beat on the giant whose rage grew with each telling blow. Axred finally regains his senses and grabs his clubs. It gets to its feet shouting a litany of "Axred crush!" Suddenly a gem affixed to the forehead of the giant flared with a baleful glow of deep purple and the giant's features became waxy, distorting in contorted rage. All over his body the spiral of decay tattoos opened into sores and began to ooze orange blood and white puss. The giant bellowed his rage as he flailed about him, swinging and biting in a frenzy of anger. Our heroes became covered in blood and puss as the giant suffered one telling blow after another, yet it fought on seemingly oblivious to the gore falling from its body. In desperation, Alex lunged forward and drove his rapier up into the chest of the giant piercing its heart. Axred clutched at the wound for a moment and then fell backwards with a heavy, wet thud. The giant's remains quickly dissolved into a huge puddle of blood and puss leaving behind only its clubs, its hide armor and the mysterious gem. The adventurers take several steps back from the spreading ooze nearly gagging from its putrid stench. They take a quick assessment of the room and set Tuborg to guard the only other obvious exit to the room. They dump the gems from the giant's chest into their bag of holding. Alex walks into the now evaporating ooze and picks up the purple gem. It is no longer glowing but it sits warm and snuggled in his palm. He stares transfixed at the gem for several moments before Arakai slaps the jewel from Alex's hand. Alex glares at the monk in anger but that feeling is suddenly replaced by horror when he realizes that he was very close to shoving the gem into his own forehead. They carefully scoop the gem with the blade of a dagger into a bag of holding. Trithereon notes: I used the pseudonatural template on a de-advanced, yet leveled Axred. I explained the transformation with a cursed Tharizdun-related magic item. It also explains why the Earth Temple has had trouble with the Northern Bridge Complex. Axred found this gem among the many others in his chest. He fell under its curse and shoved the jewel into his forehead which transformed him into a pseudonatural creature. The transformation drove the giant insane and made it impossible to reason with. Axred became a threat to not only the Earth Temple but Bridge Complex as well. I added a tidbit into Oamarthis' letter explaining that Axred had recently gone mad. In reality, the gem is a fairly benign item in a group of good-aligned people. It is drawn by excessively greedy desires and must be cherished and held by the individual before any true curse can fall upon them. Edit: Fixed the poison DC.
Siobharek	Character Hooks	#25	[-]
Posts: 9210 (10/15/02 00:32:24) Harry Potter with Giant Levels Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Jeff Q UK's character intros The characters are a fairly generic mix - no offence, Jeff - and the hooks should therefore be suitable for many groups. Just thought some of you may like these, each of my PCs is listed with their hook. Please bear in mind that none of my players has ever played in either the Greyhawk world or TEE modules, as such any logical inconsistencies are entirely my own. Eathilric (Dwarf, Clr4 Moradin) - You have been called to the home of the highest priest in you region. He tells you that two dwarven clans who have had a simmering feud betwen them for years are in danger of falling into outright war. He has had a visitation from Moradin himself warning that such a war would expand and engulf all of dwarvenkind. The cause of the feud has been a disagreement over the possession of a particularly rich seam of Mithril caused by a long forgotten case of twins whose mother died in childbirth without naming one firstborn. No-one now lives who can speak the truth and Moradin will not allow one who has rested so long to be questioned in death. The only answer is to seek a treasure left in a long abandoned Dwarven temple near the village of Hommlet. No more precise information as to its location is known. This treasure seems but a simple (though beautiful) gem to those not of Moradin however, any Dwarf who touches it touches the very essence of dwarvenkind and is immediately blessed with an absolute knowledge of his lineage right from the creation of the dwarves. Your mission should you choose to accept it.......... Ellifer (Human Bbn2 Sor2, AL CN) During a recent research trip on behalf of your tutor you came across a very old manuscript with the following fragments of information on. All of your investigations have led you to believe that the manuscript is genuine and relates to the torture of a servant within the Temple of Elemental Evil. You have requested, and been granted, a leave of absence for "personal development" reasons. "we came into a gran mber. Before us was an tar dedic to the ship of the Eld menta E . As we watched one of the robed prie s turned to the alt r and commanded it to produce a weap fit emon princ . A great flaming sword appeared, worth to my eyes at least 100,0 he then" At this point the fragment is completely burnt away. Andrinor (Human Clr4 Wee Jas, AL LN) One evening quite recently you had a vivid dream. You see a man lying on the floor in full armour with his face pressed firmly into the ground crying that he cannot see. You walk over to him, lift his head and then you see that his eyes are blood red. As he sees your holy symbol he screams in terror "I have not fallen my lord, do not tempt me from the path of valour" and begins to sob uncontrollably. As you back away you tell him to put his true faith in his god, he smiles beatifically at you and says "Thank you for illuminating the path for my fall from grace, I shall not go there", his eyes clear and his skin seems less sallow. He tells you of a mighty evil that stirs near Hommlet and begs you to journey there that he may be restored to aid in its downfall. Talforn (Elven Transmuter4) This player provided my with a player history that centred around and aged Druid called Rahnkira who found him near death in a snowstorm. Whilst travelling towards Hommlet, you see a group of figures in Ochre coloured robes. Although you don't know why, you feel an inate sense of wrongness about them and their presence. That evening you have a further vision in which two druids appear. On closer inspection they both look like Rahnkira however, as you watch, one appears to attack and kill the other. Not quite sure how these events all relate to each other you press on to towards Hommlet in the hope that you may be able to shed further light on your purpose. Van Orpen (Human Ftr4) My dearest Van, Thank you for your recent work escorting the Viscount's messengers to Enstad. He was concerned by your report of hobgoblins in the region of Hommlet and has asked that you do some additional work for him. As you are aware he his gifted the running of Hommlet to Rufus and Burne, pretty much leaving them to their own devices (whilst the tax revenue still arrives that is!), however he has had a few reports that various undesirables are making their presence felt in the region. What most concerns him is that the regular reports from Rufus make no mention of anytrouble whatsoever. It may well be that the Lords of Hommlet see no need to bother the Viscount of Verbobonc with petty banditry but, given the towns history, he would be grateful if someone with more than a virginal soul and sawdust between his ears were to report on the real situation. You will of course be compensated for your time at the usual rate of 100GP for your report, if you do happen across any trinkets they are, as usual, yours to keep. Do please however try and keep the element of random death to a minimum as we would prefer not to upset either the locals in general or Rufus and Burne in particular. Yours Sir Alhem de Vrouney Ehlana (Human Rog 4) Your character has heard on the grapevine that a Dwarf will be arriving in the town of Hommlet soon. He is reputed to be seeking a lost Dwarven artifact worth in excess of 50,000 gold pieces. he is expected to be on his own and he will be looking to join a group of adventurers in the hope that he can steer them towards finding the relic. Siobharek ...it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
Siobharek	Replacing the Orcs	#26	[-]
Posts: 9210 (10/16/02 06:39:22) Harry Potter with Giant Levels Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Siobharek's, SolidSnake's, Thrommel's, and Tristan Darque's Replacing the Orcs The following is a replacement for the escaped orcs. IMHO, it replaces an opportunity for the PCs to feel good about their prowess with an explanation of how exactly the shockers get into the watch towers - well, sorta. Thanks again to the gentlemen (gentlebeings?) above for their invaluable suggestions The entire area of 52-60 and 69-70 as far southeast as the staircase is one large workshop for the dwarven lich Stoneheart and his half-flesh golem/gnome bodyguard Jigsaw. Stoneheart creates the shockers used to power the watchtowers along the rim of the Outer Fane by turning captives into shockers through a painful process including lots of electricity and a dash of necromancy. All the areas mentioned above are covered in riveted copper plates. Outside the plates, narrow bands of copper connect vanes of black glass, filled with pure negative energy. In effect, the entire area is one large generator. A black pudding in area 60 supplies the acid needede to keep the generator functioning. Walls, floor, and ceiling seem to hum with energy and streaks of darkly tinged lightning plays along the surfaces. If anyone touches the floor, ceiling, or walls of the area, he will take 4d6 damage, half electricity, half negative energy (Fort DC 20 for half). The only way of getting safely around the complex is by being immune to the effects (as are Stoneheart, Jigsaw, and the skeletons), by flying, or by using a floating disk which Stoneheart created and which is being controlled by Tatter, a bugbear ghast servant. The disk: The disk consists of a circular marble slab with a 4 high copper railing. It is operated by manipulating a central lever and in that way conforms exactly to the mine carts. If combat ensues on or from the disk, all occupants must make Balance checks (DC 13) or lose their actions as they scramble to hold on to the somewhat unstable disk. Anyone missing the Balance check by 5 or more, falls off the disk for no falling damage. Damage from touching the floor is another matter. 52. Here is Tatter, a bugbear ghast. When alive, Tatter was a guard in the air temple. He insulted Stoneheart who had him as a peace-offering. His only task is to take denizens of the mines from area 70 to area 52. He is summoned by banging a wooden club (hangs at 70 and 52) on the walls. The bugbear stands on the disk. Due to his many months of using the disk, he does not need to make any Balance checks. Tatter, Bugbear Ghast: HD 6d12; HP 39; Init +3 (dex); Spd 30; AC 23 (touch 13, flat footed 20); Atk +6 melee (1d8+3, morning star) or +6 ranged (1d6+3 javelin) or bite +6 melee (1d8+3 + paralysis) and 2 claws +4 melee (1d4+1 + paralysis); SA Paralysis, Create Spawn; SQ Undead, Turn Resistance +2, Stench; AL CE; SV Fort+1, Ref +6, Will +3; Str 17, Dex 16, Con --, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 15; Skills/Feats Climb +3, Hide +5, Listen +5, Move Silently +8, Spot +5; Alertness, Multiattack (B), Weapon Finesse [bite] (B). Possessions: MS, 3 javelins, Mwk studded leather. Paralysis (Ex): Those hit by claw or bite are paralysed for 1d6+4 minutes (Fort DC 15 to avoid). Stench (Ex): All within 10 are nauseated (-2 atk, saves, and skill checks) for d6+4 minutes (Fort DC 15 to avoid). 53. Storage. There is a lot of copper (300 lbs) and a barrel of acid (contains 50 pints - the equivalent of 50 flasks). The barrel is coated with glass and is 10 gp worth without the contents. It weighs 50 lbs when empty, 100 lbs when full. In addition, the cave holds nails, fittings, and various tools. All in all, there is a total of 1,000 lbs of equipment here which would collect 250 gp, if somehow transported out of the complex. 54. Ceiling in this cave is 30 high. A 25 tall, 10 diameter structure of brass and copper rods sparkling with electricity dominates the cave. The electricity here looks pure and somehow healthier than elsewhere. A door provides easy entry to the structure. The entire tower is a spell booster, usable by all arcane casters. Anyone within the tower who casts any arcane spell must make a Fort save (DC 20) if the save is succesful, all spells cast by the arcanist are considered Empowered (as by the feat). If the save is unsuccesful, the structure drains the casters remaining spells, inflicting 1d6 hp damage per spell available (free slot or loaded spell) (Fort DC 20 for half dmg). *Stoneheart* is always present: dwarven lich lvl 12 necromancer: HD 12d12; HP 84; Init +6 (dex, Imp. Init.); Spd 20; AC 23 (touch 14, flat footed 21); Atk +8/+3 melee (1d8+5, touch + paralysis) or +8 ranged touch (spell); SA Spells, Paralysing Touch; SQ Undead, Turn Resistance +4, DR 15/+1, Immunities, Opposite School: Illusion; AL NE; SV Fort+7, Ref +9, Will +12; Str 8, Dex 14, Con --, Int 22, Wis 12, Cha 13; Skills/Feats Concentration +20, Knowledge (arcana) +19, Knowledge (undead) +19, Knowledge (engineering) +19, Spellcraft +19, Alchemy +19, Hide +10, Listen +9, Move Silently +10, Search +15, Sense Motive +9, Spot +9; Scribe Scroll, Spell Focus (Necromancy), Combat Casting, Lightning Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse (touch), Maximise Spell, Craft Wondrous Item. Possessions: Staff of lightning (38 ch.): Lesser electric orb (4 orbs @ 1d8 dmg, Fort DC11) 1 ch., Mark of Electricity (Dur.: 8 hrs. +2 Reflex saves and disch. 3d6 lightning dmg as rngd tch atk ends spell) 1 ch., MAXIMISED lightning bolt (48 hp dmg, Ref DC19) 2 ch.; +2 ring of protection, ring of wizardry (I), +3 cloak of protection, headband of intellect +2, 2 potions of inflict serious wounds (3d8+5), arcane scroll: haste, fly (lvl 10). He always has an armour spell active (incl. in stats). Spells loaded: (5/11/7/6/5/5/4) DC 16 + spell level, DC 18 + spell level for spells marked * 0-level Ray of Frost, Daze, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Detect Magic; 1st level Pro. Chaos, Pro Law, Shield, Mage Armor (already cast), Magic Missile (x3), Chill Touch, Ray of Enfeeblement, Expeditious Retreat, Shocking Grasp; 2nd level Pro. from Arrows, Web, See Invisibility, Flaming Sphere, Ghoul Touch, Spectral Hand, Blind/Deafness; 3rd level Dispel Magic, Pro. Elements, Stinking Cloud, Fly, Negative Energy Burst, Slow; 4th level Minor Globe of Invul., Solid Fog, Contagion, Fear, Haste; 5th level Animate Necrosis* *,Feeblemind, Cone of Cold, Teleport, MELF'S ACID ARROW; 6th level Greater Dispelling, Acid Fog, Disintegrate, VAMPIRIC TOUCH Spells in CAPITALS are Maximised. Spells with are from Tome and Blood. Spells with are from The Book of Eldritch Might 2. Spellbook: 0-level Resistance, Ray of Frost, Detect Poison, Daze, Flare, Light, Dancing Lights, Disrupt Undead, Mage Hand, Mending, Open/Close, Arcane Mark, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Read Magic; 1st level Alarm, Hold Portal, Pro. Chaos, Pro Law, Shield, Mage Armor, Comp. Lang., Detect Undead, Identify, True Strike, Sleep, Magic Missile, Cause Fear, Chill Touch, Ray of Enfeeblement, Expeditious Retreat, Shocking Grasp, Spider Climb; 2nd level Pro. from Arrows, Resist Elements, Melf's Acid Arrow, Web, Detect Thoughts, Locate Object, See Invisibility, Flaming Sphere, Shatter, Ghoul Touch, Scare, Spectral Hand, Blind/Deafness, Repair Moderate Dmg, Rope Trick; 3rd level Dispel Magic, Pro. Elements, Flame Arrow, Stinking Cloud, Clairaud./-voyance, Tongues, Hold Person, Suggestion, Fireball, Vampiric Touch, Fly, Gaseous Form, Negative Energy Burst, Secret Page, Slow; 4th level Minor Globe of Invul., Evard's Black Tent., Solid Fog, Arcane Eye, Locate Creature, Scrying, Wall of Fire, Contagion, Enervation, Fear, Haste; 5th level Cloudkill, Animate Necrosis, Wall of Stone, Feeblemind, Cone of Cold, Animate Dead, Teleport, Permanency; 6th level Greater Dispelling, Acid Fog, Legend Lore, True Seeing, Otiluke's Freezing Sph., Circle of Death, Disintegrate, Flesh to Stone 55. Here is the apparatus that converts humanoids to shockers. Two large wooden cages rest on the floor they are both empty. The apparatus is a large glass cage with brass and copper rods in the centers of the glass bars. Any creature placed in the cage is converted into a shocker during a 3-hour long excruciating process (no save, but the creature can be pulled out of the cage at any time. Once the creature turns into the Elemental type, it is automatically teleported into the shocker pipes in the lightning towers. The room is empty but a small chest on a table next to the apparatus contains 5 lbs. of gold dust. 56. Jigsaw lives here. The copper plates are covered in runes. One line of them forms the invigorate item spell from The Book of Eldritch Might 2. Jigsaw:** half-flesh golem gnome EldrWar4/Ftr6; HD 6d10 + 4d8; HP 56; Init +2 (dex); Spd 20 (cant run); AC 26 (touch 13, flat footed 25); Atk +1/+1 gnome hooked hammer +15/+10 melee (hammer head 1d6+7 [+1d6 frost], 19-20/x3) and +15/+10 melee (pick head 1d4+5 [+1d6 frost], 19-20/x4); SQ Berserk, Enrune Armour, Infuse w. Power, Darkvision 30, DR 5/silver, Immunities, Construct traits; AL NE; SV Fort +11, Ref +7, Will +5; Str 18, Dex 15, Con --, Int 7, Wis 8, Cha 8; Skills/Feats: Knowledge (arcana) +4, Alchemy +10, Spellcraft +2, Craft (weaponsmithing) +12, Knowledge (the Planes) +2, Listen +1; Exotic Weapon Proficiency (gnome hooked hammer), Weapon Focus (g.h.h.), Ambidexterity, Magical Talent, Weapon Specialisation (g.h.h.), Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Critical (g.h.h.), Lightning Reflexes. Possessions: +1/+1 gnome hooked hammer, +2 banded mail, helm of alacrity (BoEM2), +4 belt of giant strength, +2 gloves of dexterity. Berserk (Ex): A flesh half-golem that takes damage in combat flies into a berserk rage the follwing round, attacking wildly until it or its opponent is dead. It gains a +4 bonus to Str, +4 Con, and 2 AC [hp 76, AC 24 (touch 11, flat footed 23); Atk +1/+1 gnome hooked hammer +17/+12 melee (hammer head 1d6+9 [+1d6 frost], 19-20/x3) and +17/+12 melee (pick head 1d4+6 [+1d6 frost], 19-20/x4). Enrune Armour (Su): +1 enhancement bonus to AC + shield at lvl 4 (Dur: 4 min). Infuse with Power (Su): +1 enh. bonus to weapon plus Frost ability (+1d6). Immunities: Immune to all spells and spell-like abilities, except: Fire and cold slows. Lightning breaks slow and heals 1 hp/3 hp dmg. Construct: Immune to critical hits, sneak attacks, and much more (cf. MM). Jigsaw was once Pirran Oranac. He was Firre Oranacs brother and came to the area to look for him. Stoneheart captured him out of interest of his Eldritch Warrior powers. Once Stonehearts curiosity was satisfied, he turned Pirran into the patchwork horror he is today. Jigsaws arms are from goblins, but they have been augmented with ogre muscle, his feet and lower legs are halfling, and his lower face sports the jaw and lips of a lizardman. Today, Jigsaw is completely mad, but he somehow remembers his old skills. His only pastime is forging weapons, which hes quite good at: Next small forge rest 3 masterwork short swords, 4 masterwork hammers and a masterwork gnome hooked hammer. He uses a set of tools of excellence (weaponsmithing), which give a +10 enhancement bonus to all Weaponsmithing rolls (value: 2000 gp, caster level 5, Prereq.: Creator must be dwarf or have 5 ranks in Craft [Weaponsmithing]). 57. Along the walls are 4 hill giant skeletons: HD 12; HP 80, 85, 90, 95; Init +4; Spd 40 ft; AC 15 (touch 9, flat footed 15); Atk +13/+8 melee (2d6+10, huge greatclub) or +6/+1 ranged (2d6+7, rock); AL: NE; SV Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +8; Str 25, Dex 10, Con --, Int --, Wis 10, Cha 1; Feats/Skills: Improved Initiative. Note: The skeletons are created using Jonathan Tweets skeleton template. Stoneheart created them himself and can as a special ability mentally call them anywhere in the complex as a move-equivalent action. 58. Stoneheart lives here. Hedrack himself has protected the cave with a forbiddance spell (password: Tharizdun awakes) and a greater glyph of warding which casts a blade barrier if any living creature except Hedrack crosses the threshold. 60. A black pudding is kept captive in a 10 deep pit here with a sympathy spell. The copper plates do not extend into the pit, but specially treated rods of copper enter the pudding. The pudding is insanely hungry, and will tear itself free from the sympathy effect to attack anyone who comes within 40 of the pit. Its appearance will be preceeded by the screeching sound of metal being torn. NOTE: This encounter was created for a 10th-12th level party. SolidSnake has provided some toned-down individuals: Stoneheart dwarven psionic lich lvl 7 shaper (Secondary Disciplines: Telepathy and Psychokinesis): HD 7d12; HP 33; Init +2 (dex); Spd 20; AC 21 (touch 21, flat footed 18 ); Atk +2 melee (1d8+5, touch + drain) or +5 ranged touch (Psionics); SA Psionics, Paralysing Touch, Constitution Drain; SQ Undead, Turn Resistance +4, SR 12, Fast Healing 3, Immunities; AL NE; SV Fort+5, Ref +7, Will +9; Str 8, Dex 14, Con --, Int 20, Wis 12, Cha 13; Skills/Feats Concentration +10, Knowledge (Psionics) +15, Craft (Gemcutting) +15, Craft (Blacksmithing) +17, Psicraft +15, Alchemy +14, Appraise +15, Hide +11, Listen +9, Move Silently +11, Search +13, Sense Motive +9, Spot +11; Psionic Focus, Greater Psionic Focus, Inertial Armor; Power Points= 51. Possessions: Djore of Ectogoo (38 ; +2 ring of armor (Feat: Improved Inertial Armor->need 2 PP in pool), ring of crystal capacitance (7), +3 cloak of resistance Powers (6+d/4+d/2+d/1+d): DC d20+5+spell level, DC d20+9+spell level for spells marked * 0-level Finger of Fire, Inkling, Control Shadow, Trinket, Burst, Catfall, Telempathic Projection, Distract; 1st level Ecto goo, Lesser body adjustment, Lesser Concussion, Firefall, Lesser Mindlink; 2nd level Mental Disruption, Levitate, Invisibility; 3rd level Psychokinesis Blast, Whitefire Psionic Attack/Defense Modes: Mental Barrier, Thought Shield, Tower of Iron Will, Intellect Fortress, Mind Blast, Ego Whip, Mind Thrust, Psychic Crush Jigsaw: half-flesh golem gnome Ftr4; HD 4d10; HP 40; Init +2 (dex); Spd 20 (cant run); AC 26 (touch 13, flat footed 25); Atk MW gnome hooked hammer +8 melee (hammer head 1d6+6, 19-20/x3) and +8 melee (pick head 1d4+4, 19-20/x4); SQ Berserk, Darkvision 30, DR 5/silver, Immunities, Construct traits; AL NE; SV Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +0; Str 18, Dex 15, Con --, Int 7, Wis 8, Cha 8; Skills/Feats: Alchemy +4, Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Craft (weaponsmithing) +8, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (gnome hooked hammer), Weapon Focus (g.h.h.), Ambidexterity, Weapon Specialisation (g.h.h.), Two-Weapon Fighting, Possessions: MW gnome hooked hammer, +2 banded mail, +2 gloves of Oranac (+2 dexeterity and shocking grasp 1/day->1d8+9). Berserk (Ex): A flesh half-golem that takes damage in combat flies into a berserk rage the follwing round, attacking wildly until it or its opponent is dead. It gains a +4 bonus to Str, +4 Con, and 2 AC [hp 48, AC 24 (touch 11, flat footed 23); Atk MW gnome hooked hammer +10 melee (hammer head 1d6+8, 19-20/x3) and +10 melee (pick head 1d4+5, 19-20/x4). Immunities: Immune to all spells and spell-like abilities, except: Fire and cold slows. Lightning breaks slow and heals 1 hp/3 hp dmg. Construct: Immune to critical hits, sneak attacks, and much more (cf. MM). Siobharek ...it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
Siobharek	Destroying the Obelisk	#27	[-]
Posts: 9210 (10/31/02 03:50:58) Harry Potter with Giant Levels Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	00Ash asked what would happen if the party tries to blow up or otherwise destroy teh pillar supporting the Obelisk below area 32 in the moat house. Andorax dragged back an old solution from the Netherworld of the Lost Threads: Here's my take on using powerful magic (or alchemy) to destroy the obelisk...specifically, a disintegrate directed at the pillar below (this was from a group that had been to the CRM and back, on a stopover on the way to the temple). The pillar vanishes, and the obelisk hangs in midair, unmoving. It begins to glow with an inner fire, sheding violet light throughout the chamber. A bright violet flash eminates from the base, rising towards the top sheding a brilliant violet ring of light. It reaches the peak of the pillar, then turns downward again. [pause for PC reactions, 1 round's worth each]. As the violet light reaches the base of the pillar, you are briefly blinded by it's intensity and chilled to the bone (3d6 cold damage, no save). The light coalesses around the bottommost point, extending downward in an intense violet beam. It strikes the floor, and a new pillar rises upwards out of it. The violet light winks out as the pillar is completed, and darkness prevades in the chamber...your light sources were snuffed out in the process. (when light is re-established) In the dim light you've re-established, you see that the pillar is much as it previously was, ladder and all. Looking at (caster of spell, lighter of powder, etc), you notice, to your horror, that a violet obex is inscribed upon his/her forehead. [effects left to the DM's discression, recommend a Bestow Curse as per 20th level caster]. As for how to actually successfully destroy it? That's a subject of broad disagreement as well. Aside from direct deific intervention, I personally lean towards one of: Wish Miracle A successful turn attempt against a 25 HD entity. Another suggestion - referred by SSShadowcat7 - was to simply have the obelisk hang in midair after the pillar is taken out. After a little while, the obelisk begins to slowly rotate around its longitudinal axis... Siobharek ...it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
Siobharek	Verbobonc Politics	#28	[-]
Posts: 9210 (11/01/02 01:40:57) Harry Potter with Giant Levels Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	This post more or less requires the use of the Oerth Journal articles on Verbobonc. Pick them up at Lenny's. I'll assume that anyone still reading after this knows of the information presented in the articles. Edit: Lenny's site seems to be down. Get the Journals here: greyhawk-codex.com/codex/greyhawk/journals/ You'll want issues 8 and 9. Groups relevant for the group, should they decide to call for help: Humans in favour of the former Viscount Fenward's racist edict about not sending forces to patrol the gnome-dominated Kron Hills. Humans and gnomes supporting Mayor Tymak, House Naxx, or the Church of St. Cuthbert, all of whom support the current Viscount, Langard's, attempt to bring the gnomes back in the fold - through diplomacy, of course. Gnomes and humans (the latter mostly allies with the churches of Trithereon and Rao) who feel that now that the gnomes have declared their independence, they deserve a stab at it. Elves, who by and large want to keep humans and elves separate. The fact that Mt. Stalagos is almost right on the border and seems to have an adverse effect to travel along the Stalagos Pass makes it great. Why investigate? It serves a fine purpose as it is. I've made most of the elves in the CRM hard-core adherents to this faction. A small handful of dwarves, who'd love to see Mt. Stalagos freed. And once the PCs have taken care of that little problem, why Dorob Kilthduum is right in the neighbourhood. Blowing the whistle: The first priority for the group, should they desire to talk to someone, is to find out whom to talk to. This requires a Gather Information Check: DC 10: The name of Sir Ingish Blackhand, one of Langard's advisors. If the group makes additional, specific inquiries (DC 20), they'll find that he's of the faction who is against Verbobonc sending forces to the gnomes. If the group present their case convincingly (DM's call), he'll hire them (see benefits below) and send them off right away in secret to prevent them from meeting with the viscount. If they act as his agents, he can hush up the whole thing. Thereby he'll support the claim that all's quiet in teh Kron Hills and that the gnomes need no protection. If the group does not convince him, he'll show them the door: They are not to attempt dierting precious city resources to madcap schemes away from what should rightfully be protected! Ingish is not evil - he simply believes that the gnomes should take care of themselves (kinda like some US politicians' view on Europe, Bosnia, the Middle-East, etc.) DC 15: The group will hear of Ingish as above (not the DC 20 info), but they will also learn of Lord Marakios Haxx. A subsequent DC 20 check will reveal that Lord Haxx believes that Verbobonc City must appear as strong as possible in the eyes of the gnomes in order to bring them back into the fold. Therefore - and because he needs another military victory in order to become mayor - he'll support the group and make sure that everyone knows that the group's success if any is all due to his military expertise. He is a great tactician, but not for dungeon exploring. DC 20: Cornelius Arx, Most Reverend Defender of the Faith of Trithereon and Supreme High Priest of the Grand Cathedral for Trithereon and All Other Gods of the Flanaess. Well, you don't get to talk to the High Priest himself (he's a lvl 19 cleric and very busy), but rather to one of his trusted assistants, Cagliostro the Red, a half-elven cleric in the cathedral. If he believes the group's story (if a St. Cuthbert follower tells it, it'll take magic or a DC 30 Diplomacy check to convince him - the two faiths are quiet at odds), he'll send them to Jebedo the Awkward, an illusionist at the court of the gnomish Prince Jemm. A subsequent DC 25 Gather Information check will reveal that the churches of Trithereon and Rao support the gnomish secession. Therefore, if the gnomes are perceived as hiring adventurers to handle their own business, the gnomes will appear independant and strong. The same GI check will also reveal that the two churches can afford supporting the gnomes: The Grand Cathedral gathers enough tithings for the Tritherine faith to be able to do without revenue from the gnomish gem mines, and the Faith of Rao receives a lot of support from the Mother Church in Veluna. DC 25: Nrata Gluglemheim, the oldest surviving member of the Gluglemheim klan, formerly of Dorob Kilthduum. Formerly a weaponsmith, she now earns her keep as a stone mason. She is still a very skilled weaponsmith (Exp8/Wiz5) and may promise the party magic weapons in order to get them to Mt. Stalagos and - maybe later - to Dorob Kilthduum. If the group does not strike her as being sympathetic to delving into the haunted dwarven halls of Dorob Kilthduum, she'll send them to Glibble Alepourer, a brewmeister at the court of Prince Jemm. At first the group may not meet with much success: A Diplomacy check (DC 15) will enable them to talk to anyone significant. A second check (same DC) will give them a 25% discount on buying scrolls and potions. A Diplomacy check of 30 will give the group a reward (up to 10,000 gp per presented evidence - see below). An exceptional effort will make the person the group talks to send an observer with them. This observer will be of the relevant race and will be quite competent: A Ftr2. Under no circumstances will anyone believe in the Tharizdun-element of the story. It's simply too far-fetched. This attitude will change once the PCs reach the Fanes and can present multiple pieces of evidence. In general, once the group has reached an agreement with one faction, the other factions will back off. The group has become just another tool in the political manoeverings of Verbobonc. Presenting Evidence If the group brings back substantiable evidence, the reactions/rewards will depend on the evidence: There's a cult in the mines! - Oh, really? Here's a thousand gold to buy some equipment so that you're able to find more. There's a cult worshipping elements in the mines! There are 4 cults, in fact! - As above, unless the group reminds the contact of the Old Temple of Elemental Evil near Hommlet. In that case, the group gets 10,000 gp to get equipment, and another group is despatched to Hommlet to find out if there is more. This group of seasoned veterans (4 4th-level NPCs) will discover the beholder who's excavating the old temple dungeons and disappear from the face of the earth (disintegrate is so practical, don't you think?) There are high-level clerics of Tharizdun in the middle of the mines! - Whoa Nelly! 25,000 gp to get equipment and the promise of 25K more if the group goes back and finishes the job. The Enemy Within Some of the money paid may look like hush money, as Thrommel puts it. Sure - maybe they are! IMC, my party had enough of double-dealing, paranoia, and insecurity, so I've gone easy on them - for now. If you want more backstabbing, either of the presented NPCs could be a plant, a cultist, or someone who works for someone who's a cultist, pawn or what have you, then all the groundwork's been done. This setup may seem a little thin, but first of all, the OJ articles give so many more ideas. Second, IMC the players, intelligent roleplayers though they are, have a hard time finding out what the factions mean and whom they can go to. So maybe it's enough. Siobharek ...it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
Siobharek	The Tainted Deck of Many Things	#29	[-]
Posts: 9210 (11/27/02 01:12:30) Harry Potter with Giant Levels Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	[Shidara:] Ive been thinking about the Deck of Many Things in the Inner Fane, and how its ripe for tharizdun-izing. So I put together this little list of adjustments and fluff modifications to the deck, to represent its time spent in such close proximity to the Black Spike. The Tainted Deck The Deck of Many Things in the Inner fane has been altered slightly by Tharizduns maddening, corrupting presence. The artifact still works as normal, but the effects of the cards fall more into Tharizduns idiom than normal. The below descriptions area slight modifications to the DMG effects for each card; the core effect remains the same, but minor details have been altered to increase the Tharizdun-tainted feel. *Balance:* Alignment is immediately changed to Chaotic Evil. Character hears a voice that says You begin to see things more clearly, as I see them. *Comet:* When drawn, the character hears Tharizduns voice in his head speak You must prove yourself as my champion. Prove that you alone are strongest, and you shall be rewarded. *Donjon:* The voice speaks: You shall be judged for your crimes when I return. Until then, share my fate. The character is then affected as per the Imprisonment spell. *Euryale:* The character is plagued by thoughts of ambivalence and apathy; he is constantly wondering if all of the effort is worthwhile, since Tharizduns freedom is imminent. The saving throw penalty manifests as a momentary thought of doubt or apathy. *Fates:* a voice thunders in the characters head: You have earned my favor. As I will undo the world, so shall I undo one event for you. When invoked, time suddenly stops just before the event to be undone. The character can see everything that happens, but others cannot. Everything is painted in shades of purple. A massive black hand reaches from above and alters reality before the characters eye. *Flames:* The character is suddenly granted a vision of an outsider, staring intently into the characters eyes, fury and hatred burning in its eyes. The outsider can be good or evil your choice/random choice. If good, Outsider believes the character intends to release Tharizdun. If evil, The outsider is a high-ranking advisor to a Priest of Tharizdun, and believes the character is vying for its position. Either way, it will take steps to thwart, delay and mislead the character at all costs, by deception or by force. *Fool:* A thunderous voice bellows in the characters head MY GENEROSITY HAS LIMITS! The character is then wracked with pain as the life force (experience) is removed rather forcefully from him. Once gone, the voice speaks again, this time more kindly and softer But your penitence has softened my heart. Draw again. *Gem:* The jewelry is all gold set with purple and black gems, each piece worth 2,000 gp each, the gems all purple and gold and of 1,000 gp value each. *Idiot:* A thundering voice speaks to the character: You dare seek to outsmart me? Know your place before my might! *Jester:* Voice You are truly blessed in my eyes. Live to see my second coming, and partake of my generosity. *Key:* The weapon gained is always a +3 Unholy Curved Dagger inscribed with the characters name. *Knight:* The fighter who appears is garbed in black and violet, and is always Chaotic. He wears an Obex symbol, and flatly refuses to remove it. He will serve and obey the charater ONLY, ignoring any others who speak to him. *Moon:* Voice: Be blessed by my power, and make request of me what you will. The wishes are always colored by Tharizduns themes (i.e., items are purple and black, bear the obex symbol, etc.) *Rogue:* The character drawing the card hears only a muffled snickering. Elsewhere, an ally or friend is visited by dreams detailing the characters betrayal (true or not). The ally is convinced the betrayal is correct, and is infused with a lust for vengeance. *Ruin:* When I return, there will be no need for wealth. Rid yourself of this base material, and embrace my second coming. With that, all of the characters coins and jewelry are turned to purplish powder. Any real estate is immediately rendered cold and inhospitable, and any homes or other structures begin to decay at rate of 1 year per hour until they are destroyed. *Skull:* Prove to me that you should be spared when I return. The death appears, baleful violet eyes glowing from under its hood. *Star:* Only those of exceptional ability can hope to see my return. Be blessed. *Sun:* I shall be with you until the day of my return. Take this, and continue to seek my freedom. The item appears at the characters feet. It is themed after Tharizduns worship. *Talons:* Trinkets such as these are powerless against me. The items disintegrate into purplish ash. *Throne:* The castle gained is a black-and-violet affair, compete with a temple to Tharizdun. Within weeks, clerics of Tharizdun are drawn to it, asking for refuge and worship. *Vizier:* Ask and I shall advise you. When invoked, the character hears the answer sought whispered to him by the deep Tharizdun voice. *The Void:* Character sees a massive image of an Obex speed toward him from the plaque. The characters soul is immediately trapped in the Obex in Level 9 of the Black Spike, exactly as if they had failed both saves upon looking at the Obex. The characters body simply collapses.
Siobharek	Book of Vile Darkness Tie-Ins	#30	[-]
Posts: 9210 (11/28/02 06:59:43) Harry Potter with Giant Levels Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Andorax has assembled the following ideas for using the Book of Vile Darkness with RttToEE. Ideas in here, so far (and in no particular order), coming from Chartam, DeafDM, ronin, Siobharek, Blackthorne, GreenGemstone, shidara, GibberingDM, Tristan DArque, grumgarr, Andorax, maddman75, errant42, and LostSoul. Flavour material: The cult of Tharizdun consists of individual for whom no part of the BoVD would be anything but aspects of just another day. Not all campaigns - even those using the more mechanical aspects of the BoVD - is for that kind of detail though. For those that are, though, a collection of Vile flavour has been assembled at the end of this post, thanks to the imaginative, thorough, and thoroughly vile work by LostSoul. *This flavour material is definitely not for the squeamish. It pushes the limit of what constitutes "family material" and should be read and used with this caveat in mind.* Chapter 1: The Town of Hommlet I think that there should be little BoVD material used in Hommlet. It's too early in the adventure, and this is the place that is still "normal". Not until we get to more exotic locales should the flavour of the BoVD come through. That said, there are a few minor things that can be added at this point. 28. Mill Chenashi: 1: Bane to Sorrow Chatrilon Unosh: Add to spellbook (no memorization changes): 1: Angry Ache, Stupor Master Dunrat: 0: Inflict Minor Wounds to Slash Tongue 0: Read Magic to Preserve Organ 1: Cause Fear to Sorrow 3: Animate Dead to Vile Lance Replace the feat Leadership with the feat Evil Brand. Add Equipment: Evil spell component: humanoid child's eye. (BoVD 45-46), Slave Ring (keyed to Hedrack's Master ring). Master Dunrat is just high enough level to pronounce a Dying Curse, and he'll give the PCs a good solid taste of what lies ahead and just how deep the evil runs. Edit The curse can be removed with a remove curse, as Dunrat is below 10 HD, but it's still a nifty way of showing what the cult is capable of. Recommended curse: "Night be as Day". Darkvision 60' granted, even if previoiusly not posessed, and even through magical darkness. Light isn't simply the "light blind" of Orcs and Drow...light is literally blinding. The PC can no longer see in a lighted area (treat it as if a dark area). Objects that cast or project Darkness will provide him "light" to see by...and the PC can see by the light of a Torch of Revealing. You might drop a few more such torches and cones into the adventure if you go this route. Recommended cure: To remain in an area of light as brilliant as daylight (requiring lots of lanterns or magic) for 24 hours without interruption. Vacra: Add to spellbook (no memorization changes): 1: Darklight 2: Darkbolt In the millhouse, there should be some basic torture instruments (thumbscrews, scalpels, etc.) that help the cults extract information from the real Jaroo (not the Doppelganger version) and torture certain citizens to take over their identification. Of course, this helps the adventurers to prepare themselves against insane and depraved cultists. Chapter 2: The Moathouse 22. Torture Chamber Use the detailed descriptions of torture devices to provide flavour. (BoVD 37-38) The lingering evil leaves a cold chill in the room and grants the ghouls the effect of a bless spell. (BoVD 35) 24. Excavated Relics The black scepter contains a spring needle trap. ("Spring Needle Trap in a Sword Hilt" BoVD 40) Gren: 1: Command to Heartache 32E. Black Sun Festrath 0: Mending to Slash Tongue 1: Bane to Angry Ache 2: Death Knell to Wave of Grief 3: Contagion to Sadism or Wrack Add Equipment: evil spell component: humanoid finger. (BoVD 45-46) Chapter 3: Ghost Town and Ruined Temple Nulb, area 3: Lareth: 4: Poison to Daming Darkness Temple Key 3. Ruin and 12. Adept's Quarters Alubya and Krebbich Consider adding the following spells to the adept spell list for evil adepts, and adding them to Alubya and Krebbich, as appropriate: 0: No Light, Preserve Organ 1: Bestow Wound, Drug Resistance, Sacrificial Skill, Sorrow, Stupor, Suspend Disease 2: Addiction, Entice Gift, Masochism, Sadism, Sap Strength, Wave of Grief, Wither Limb. Chapter 4: The Hamlet of Rastor In spite of the new drugs offered in BoVD, Tanbrosh is well-designed to work in this situation. Here it is in the new description format, with a few changes to match the new drug rules: Tanbrosh: A dried pellet made from a flowering growth in the Rastor area, Tanbrosh is dissolved under the tongue. Type: Ingested DC 25 Price: 6 gp (sold at 5 cp in Rastor) Alchemy DC: 18 Addiction: Vicious Initial Effect: -2 points of Wisdom damage. Secondary Effect: +2 alchemical bonus to Strength and Constitution. Side Effects: The addict suffers addiction damage on the first day of withdrawal, becomes catatonic on the second day, and dies on the third. Overdose: None. Chapter 5: The Crater Ridge Mines Main Gate: CRM 1-13 Terrenygit: 0: Guidance to No Light 1: Command to Angry Ache 2: Spiritual Weapon to Sap Strength 3: Blindness/Deafness to Clutch of Orcus...err, Tharizdun 3: Dispel Magic to Unliving Weapon Terryngit is also well positioned for a "get serious" approach through a Dying Curse. Terrenygit is a priest of "Big T", and this is a good opportunity to even more clearly show the difference between them and "mere" EEE cultists.. Recommended Curse: "You Shall Carry My Scent!" The inflicted PC now suffers from Troglodyte stench, only detectable to good-aligned individuals. Any time the PC becomes angry, excited or afraid, he exudes a troglodyte-like stench. Recommended Cure: To achieve a state of complete calm for an entire week's time, followed by bathing in holy water. A monastic order could be very helpful with the former. Fire Bridge: CRM 37-51 Fachish 0: Cure Minor Wounds to Slash Tongue 1: Command to Heartache 3: Blindness/Deafness to Devils Eye Choranth 1: Command to Angry Ache Water "Bridge": CRM 90-92 Poolidib 0: Resistance to No Light 3: Stilled Hold Person to Drown Fire Temple: CRM 106-123 Tessimon 0: Resistance to Slash Tongue 1: Command to Angry Ache 2: Death Knell to Wave of Grief 3: Blindness/Deafness to Sadism Add Equipment: Slave Ring (keyed to Hedrack's Master ring), Tongue Studs of Hells' Breath. Firre Oranac 1: Cure Light Wounds to Seething Eyebane (Corrupt Spell) 2: Hold Person to Wither Limb Arlainth 2: Melfs Acid Arrow to Darkbolt Earth Bridge: CRM 133-151 Reokallitan: 1: Bane to Sorrow Tac: Exchange the feat Alertness for the feat Vile Ki Strike (and reduce spot/listen by -2 appropriately) Tac is a Masochist. Reduce his hps to 65 (out of 78) from self-inflicted wounds. He has +4 to pain saves, and a +1 morale bonus (for 1 round) to Attack/Dmg/Save/Skill if he takes more than 9 hps damage in a round. Eeridik According to his description, Eeridik, the wererat sorcerer in charge of the Earth Bridge, dabbles in demonology. I found that aspect of his personality much more interesting than the wererat part, so I decided to write him up using the Demonologist PrC from that book. In order to give him as many levels as I could without boosting his CR, I decided to drop the wererat template. Background Eeridik was born to a rich merchant family, an only child whose mother died in childbirth. His father traveled on business much of the year, leaving him in the care of servants, with access to the family fortune. This gave him both the money and opportunity to indulge his increasingly jaded and sadistic appetites. His fathers money and influence kept from running into too much trouble with the law. As he grew, he found that his usual diversions were losing interest torture, rape, even murder became trite and boring. Around this time, he also discovered his natural talent for magic and began to delve into the dark arts. He diverted most of his time and money to the study of demonology, until his father found out. Unable to bear any more of his sons depravity, the patriarch disowned and exiled the young man. Eeridik took to wandering in search of wealth, power, and forbidden lore. Eeridik is irredeemably evil, devoid of any semblance of morality or ethics, and joined the cult to gain access to their libraries of information on demonology. He is darkly handsome, with curly black hair, a charming (if sinister) smile, and deep, grey-black eyes. He is also covered in disturbing, deliberate tattoos and scars, twisting runes in Abyssal spelling out the unspeakable. He wears deep red robes, fastened to the many piercings on his body with small, silver chains and various bits of pornographic jewelry. Eeridik: Male human Sor7/ Demonologist 3 [BoVD]; CR 10; Medium humanoid; AL CE; HD 10d4 + 10; hp 42; Init +2; Spd 30 ft; AC 13 (touch 11, flat-footed 13); Melee +4 (1d4, 19-20, +1 dagger), Missile +5 (1d4, 19-20, +1 dagger); SQ Charm Demon (1/day, DC 15), Quasit Familiar, Summoning Mastery +2; Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +11; Str 8 (-1), Dex 10, Con 12 (+1), Int 14 (+2), Wis 15 (+2), Cha 19 (+4). Skills/Feats: Alchemy +10, Concentration +10, Knowledge (Arcana) +15, Knowledge (The Planes) +15, Knowledge (Religion) +9, Scry +9, Spellcraft +9, Speak Languages: Abyssal, Celestial, Draconic, Elven, Ignan, Infernal, Orcish, Undercommon; Spell Penetration, Augment Summoning [T&B], Evil Brand [BoVD], Malign Spell Focus [BoVD], Sacrificial Mastery [BoVD] Spells Sor7; DC 15 + spell level [Evil +2]; 6/ 7/ 7/ 5 0: arcane mark, detect magic, light, mage hand, ray of frost, read magic, resistance 1: comprehend languages, expeditious retreat, magic missile, summon monster I, black bag [BoVD] 2: mirror image, summon swarm, web 3: flame arrow, stinking cloud Demonologist 3; DC 15 + spell level [Evil +2]; 3/ 2/ 2 1: bane, demonflesh [BoVD], doom, prot from evil, prot from good, spores of the vrock [BoVD], summon monster I, unnerving gaze [BoVD] 2: bestow curse, dance of ruin [BoVD], demoncall [BoVD], magic circle vs evil, magic circle vs good, protection from elements, stunning screech [BoVD], summon monster II 3: abyssal might [BoVD], call dretch horde [BoVD], demon wings [BoVD], distort summons [BoVD], dread word [BoVD], dimensional anchor, lesser planar binding, summon monster III Possessions: bracers of armor +2, cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1, dagger +1 Bugbear Mines: CRM 154-172 Kadiss: 2: Summon Monster II to Shriveling Fesad: 0: Virtue to Slash Tongue 1: Doom to Sorrow Steeran: 2: Flaming Sphere to Darkbolt Water Temple: CRM 173-197 Kelashein: 0: Guidance to Slash Tongue 1: Command to Heartache 3: Blindness/Deafness to Drown* (not normally a cleric spell, added as it's so very appropriate for the Water Temple) Nilbool: 1 (Wiz): Magic Missile to Tongue Tendrils Oomkaan: 0: Resistance to No Light Earth Temple: CRM 219-232 Miikolak: 0: Guidance to No Light 1: Bane to Sorrow 2: Spiritual Weapon to Wither Limb Uskatoth: 0: Cure Minor Wounds to No Light 1: Random Action to Angry Ache 2: Rage to Wrack Snearak: 0: Detect Poison to No Light 1: Command to Sacrificial Skill (only when encountered during ceremony, already cast) Web Enhancement: Drapood 1: Command to Angry Ache 2: Hold Person to Sap Strength 3: Dispel Magic to Drown Jopaarg 1: Command to Heartache Alternatively, replace one third-level spell from Drapood and Jopaarg with Devils Eye, which makes Drapoods Wand of Darkness even more useful. As well, by the time the PCs reach the Crater Ridge Mines, various clerics gain the ability to cast Lesser Planar Ally. Both the Babau demon and the Kelvezu (from the MM2) are good ways to counter parties that make extensive use of invisibility. Chapter 6: The Inner and Outer Fanes Lightning Towers Tower Sorcerers Add Equipment: 3 doses Sannish (Drug) Outer Fane Either Hedrack or Naquient is a good candidate for a Dying Curse. Use whichever would have the better dramatic effect. Typically, this would be Hedrack, but Naquient has played a big role in some people's campaigns, so go with whichever one will have the best emotional impact. Hedrack not imposing a dying curse might grab the PC's attention and clue them in that his attitude is a bit different. It is recommended that you choose one or the other, as both tends to overuse this mecahanism. Room 6, Study Naquient: Add Equipment: Slave Ring (keyed to Hedrack's Master ring) Dying Curse: "Return" Similar to what happened to her onetime "lover", the individual cursed will rise as a Spectre as soon as he or she is slain. For the purpose of this curse, consider Naquient to be "imposing" the curse as long as the PC has the prospect of so-returning, and as long as the PC exists as a Spectre (which, in this place, could well be a few hours). Recommended Cure (Naquient): None. Or, die, then be killed as a Spectre by the party, then be raised. Room 16, Weeping Statue Bethe: Add to spellbook: 1: Death Grimace (Memorize when sent out on missions by Hedrack) Add Equipment: Slave Ring (keyed to Hedrack's Master ring) Victor: Add to spellbook: 1: Death Grimace (Memorize when sent out on missions by Hedrack) Add Equipment: Slave Ring (keyed to Hedrack's Master ring) Room 19, Master Hedrack's Quarters Hedrack: 4: Summon Monster IV to Stop Heart or Damning Darkness 5: Greater Command to Morality Undone 7: Greater Scrying to Bestow Greater Curse Add Equipment: Master Ring (see Dunrat, Tessimon, Victor, Bethe, Thrommel and Naquient). Add 3 unassigned Slave Rings on the shelf of his quarters. Dying Curse: "Be cautious." Hedrack's planning and careful scheming have brought him to naught, so he shall assure that another might suffer the same. The PC is no longer able to act immediately, and loses every-other action in combat. He must declare his intended action in one round (thus spending that round planning how best to go about it), and then actually take the action in the following round. Recommended Cure: Spend a month's time planning (at least 8 hours a day) a major accomplishment, task, or activity. It has to be something that will require at least that much time to get all the details figured out. Room 27, The Vampire Thrommel: Add Equipment: Slave Ring (keyed to Hedrack's Master ring) Room 38, Chamber of Hate Succubus: Could be a Posessing Succubus, a more stealthy way to keep an eye on what's going on within the room. Inner Fane Level 1: Guardians Half-Dragon Tyranosaurs This is for all of you who hate the half-dragon Tyrannosaurs. The CR is one higher, but I think it's reasonably comparable. Edit: Please note that the Corrupted Template replaces the Half-Dragon ditto. 2 Corrupted Tyrannosaurus: CR 11; Huge Beast; HD 18d10+108; hp 195, 208; Init +0, Spd 40 ft.; AC 21 (touch 8, flat-footed 21); Atk +22 Melee (10d6+15+9 Vile, bite); Face/Reach 10 ft. by 10 ft./15 ft.; SA Improved Grab, Swallow Whole, Disruptive Attack; SQ Scent, Fast heal 9, DR 10/+3, Acid Immunity, Darkvision 60'; AL NE; SV Fort +17, Ref +11, Will +7; Str 32, Dex 10, Con 23, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 8. Skills and Feats: Listen +10, Spot +10 Grumgarr's description of the critters: 'As the Door slides down into the ground, the echoing roar of some huge reptilian beast fills your ears, then is joined by another equally strident call - this is a howl to make every natural creature flee in terror. (I gave my best deep-throated feral roar here, causing heads to jerk up around the table - the PCs had one round to do as they pleased here as the door opened and, typically, they geared up for a fight). As the Door opens completely your gaze is drawn inexorably to the largest creatures yet encountered in this foul place. Two huge lizards, standing over twenty feet high and fully fifty feet long from nose to tail - their man-length jaws turning from side to side on long meaty necks. Boney spurs jut through their thick blackish hides distorting the smooth lines of their flanks and backs - their eyes hold a bloodthirsty, feral red glow and their killing jaws are lined, shark-like, with row upon overlapping row of ripping teeth, oversized even for so huge a beast. Tiny vestigial forelimbs hang curled by their sides, claws clenching and clenching as if in anticipation... Level 8: The Triad The First 3: Bestow Curse to Masochism Dying Curse: Bestow the fetish of Masochism on all party members. The curse compells them to inflict at least 1/3 of their total hps in damage on themselves on a daily basis (and, if not routinely satisfied during down time, will come forth during combat). The Third 3: Bestow Curse to Sadism Dying Curse: Bestow the fetish of Sadism on all party members. The curse compells them to inflict at least 1/3 of their total hps in damage on others on a daily basis (and, if not satisfied on enemies, will be compelled to inflict it on other party members.). Chapter 7: The Recovered Temple Smigmal Redhand Smigmal is a Mortal Hunter, an assassin of the lower planes who specializes in dispatching particularly noisome residents of the Material Plane. She was conceived in a coupling between a young nun in the service of Pelor and a lusty demon lord, Grazzt. Grazzt had paid the nun several nocturnal visits over the course of weeks, slowly eroding her resistance to his depraved advances. No one believed the nuns tales of an alluring visitor, and finally she succumbed to his charms. The child she bore was an abomination, and the senior nuns at the convent sought to destroy it before word got out of their dreadful mistake. Grazzt intervened, however, and took the child to the Abyss with him there, she was raised to despise her human half, and took up the mantle of Mortal Hunter. She despised her father just as much, however, and broke from his company as soon as she was able to escape. She became a free agent, offering her considerable talents to the highest biddercurrently, the Doomdreamers. Like her father, she is dusky-skinned, demonically beautiful, and six-fingered. Her eyes glow with red-orange hatred, and bat-like wings sprout from her back. In combat, she prefers to plant her Fleshgrinding longsword in a spellcasting opponent and then engage the rest with her claws while it grinds away. Smigmal Redhand: Female Half-fiend human Rgr5/ Mortal Hunter 7 [BoVD]; CR 14; Medium outsider; AL CE Str 20 (+5), Dex 20 (+5), Con 16 (+3), Int 11, Wis 13 (+1), Cha 14 (+2) HD 5d8 + 7d10 + 36; 112 hp Init +5; Spd 30 ft, Flight 30 ft (average) AC 23 (touch 16, flat-footed 18 ) Melee +2 longsword: fleshgrinder: +17/+12/+7 (1d8+7, 19-20) and claw: +16/+11 (1d8+2); or claw: +16/+11/+6 (1d8+5) and claw: +16/+11 (1d8+2); or 2 claws: +18/+13 (1d8+5/1d8+2) and 1 bite: +13 (1d6+2) SA spell-like abilities (DC + spell level, 3/day: darkness, poison; 1/day: desecrate, unholy blight, contagion, blasphemy), Favored Enemies (+2 Human, +1 Elf), Mortal Hunting +3 SQ darkvision 60 ft, immune to poison, acid/cold/electricity/fire resistance 20, mortal skin (any non-dragon), smite mortals (1/day, +1 attack, +14 damage), spurn mortal magic (+1 saves), detect mortals, SV Fort +12, Ref +11, Will +6 Skills: Bluff +12, Climb +10, Disguise +12, Hide +15, Knowledge (the planes) +5, Listen +13, Move Silently +15, Sense Motive +7, Spot +13, Wilderness Lore +16 Feats: (Track), Alertness, Mortalbane (unholy blight) [BoVD], Weapon Focus (claws), Iron Will, Favored Critical (mortals) [MotW], Ambidexterity, Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, (Boost Spell-Like Ability (unholy blight) [BoVD]) Spells (Rgr5; DC 11 + spell level; 1) 1: Entangle (Mortal Hunter 7; DC 12 + spell level; 3/ 2/ 1) 1: cause fear, charm person, detect good, heartache [BoVD], protection from good, sleep, unnerving gaze [BoVD] 2: detect thoughts, evil eye [BoVD], hold person, magic circle against good, see invisibility, web, wither limb [BoVD] 3: flesh ripper [BoVD], mirror sending [BoVD], nondetection, scrying, suggestion, vile lance [BoVD], wrack [BoVD] Possessions: +2 longsword: fleshgrinder [BoVD], ring of invisibility, +2 mithril shirt, ring of protection +1, potions: cats grace, heroism, nondetection, cure serious wounds (favored enemy bonuses: ) Humans: +2 longsword: fleshgrinder: +20/+15/+10 (1d8+12, 17-20) and claw: +19/+14 (1d8+7, 19-20); or claw: +19/+14/+9 (1d8+10, 19-20) and claw: +19/+14 (1d8+7, 19-20); or 2 claws: +21/+16 (1d8+10/1d8+7, 19-20) and 1 bite: +16 (1d6+7, 19-20) Elves: +2 longsword: fleshgrinder: +20/+15/+10 (1d8+11, 17-20) and claw: +19/+14 (1d8+6, 19-20); or claw: +19/+14/+9 (1d8+9, 19-20) and claw: +19/+14 (1d8+6, 19-20); or 2 claws: +21/+16 (1d8+9/1d8+6, 19-20) and 1 bite: +16 (1d6+6, 19-20) Other Mortals: +2 longsword: fleshgrinder: +20/+15/+10 (1d8+10, 17-20) and claw: +19/+14 (1d8+5, 19-20); or claw: +19/+14/+9 (1d8+8, 19-20) and claw: +19/+14 (1d8+6, 19-20); or 2 claws: +21/+16 (1d8+8/1d8+6, 19-20) and 1 bite: +16 (1d6+6, 19-20) *Vile Flavour Material:* *Warning: This flavour material is intended for mature audiences. Consider its use carefully.* Note that some material here uses the CoC spell Consume Likeness, which lets you take the form of your victim, in a Vile ritual. Hommlet cultist plot hook: Elmo, Rufus, and Burne are off investigating a recent hobgoblin raid on a nearby farming Hamlet. Desina is the name of Karlun's wife. Karlun meets Dunrat and falls to a Charm Person spell. Karlun offers his millhouse to the cult for the gold. The cult sets up and begins to buy equipment. Desina meets Chenashi and Dunrat. The two cultists are attracted to her. One night, Dunrat lets his urges get the better of him, and the cult takes Desina to the mill. Desina is tortured and raped. Karlun finds out; Dunrat casts another Charm Person spell (which Karlun saves against) and threatens to torture Karlun if he talks. Karlun sneaks out, tries to find Elmo, Rufus, or Burne, but can't. The cult hears about this, and during the next day/night, the cult forces him to watch what they do to Desina while torturing him; but, during an escape attempt, they end up killing Karlun. Timeline for PCs: Night one in Hommlet: The PCs see Karlun enter the inn, out of breath, looking for Elmo. Vesta tells him that they left to investigate a hobgoblin raid on a nearby hamlet. Karlun looks dejected and leaves (the PCs can do something here). Just after he leaves, Meridosen fakes some kind of illness or slips out somehow and goes to tell Dunrat. Dunrat grabs Karlun. Day two: The cult tortures both Desina and Karlun. Their equipment is already gathered up; now they are just going to finish "playing" with their victims. Night two: The cult finally kills both Desina and Karlun, and Chenashi, Toridan, and Grune slip out to the moathouse. Dunrat takes Karlun's body and casts Consume Likeness on it, while Vacra casts Change Self to appear like Desina. Day three: Chenashi and Toridan arrive at the moathouse. Toridan is killed, and Chenashi beats feet back to Hommlet, leaving the equipment in the moathouse. Night three: Chenashi arrives back in Hommlet. She tells Dunrat what's going on, then sleeps. Day four: Chenashi casts Consume Likeness on Desina. Vacra heads back to the hidden cult HQ in the Kron Hills to warn them about the dragon. To get the PCs to the moathouse if they foil Dunrat's plans too early, they can either question one of the cultists or, if they kill them all, they can find Dunrat's journal. If Dunrat, Chenashi, or Vacra escape a fight, they will flee to the moathouse and the PCs might be able to track them. Dunrat's journal: full of mad ravings, a list of mining equipment, food for many people (much of it in live chickens, for the gnolls), etc., and a map that leads to the moathouse (use the Hommlet and Environs map in the module for this, with an "X" on the moathouse). Also contains the CofC spell Consume Likeness. Notes on the personality "quirks" of the Hommlet cultists: Dunrat is a sadist. He has a bunch of metal rings pierced into his flesh; he hangs by hooks placed into these (like the guy in the Cell) instead of sleeping. He is impotent. Dunrat often Charms Grune and Toridan and convinces them to "rape" Chenashi (she is willing, although she struggles in order to get a beating) while he watches. Chenashi is a masochist. She flagellates herself, cuts herself, and lets Dunrat do the same. She's covered in piercings (except her face). Toridan doesn't like these people he's fallen in with, but fears them more. He plans to escape if he can, but every so often Dunrat Charms him, so he forgets about it (for a while). Grune is a homicidal maniac with large appetites. Vacra is a demon and delights in anything vile or distasteful. She also dislikes Dunrat and wants to see him dead, but is taking her time. She wants Chenashi for her own. Notes on personality and "quirks" of the moathouse cultists: Festrath, after summoning the grell and being attacked by it, just went nuts and now is paranoid. He's going to attack anyone and anything that gets in his range. Garrik is a brutal sadist and loves torturing anything he captures - especially humans. He usually flays his victims alive and slowly eats them until they finally die. Garrik follows Ysslansh, as he would never work for a human; Ysslansh is the only reason he doesn't kill them all. Geynor Ton is a slightly slow-witted thug. He lives for destruction and isn't subtle about it. He wants to kill the dragon now now now! Gren has a burning hatred for Ysslansh. Once the troglodyte took over control of the excavation, he raped Gren (using his stench to subdue her). She is planning on striking back at him (and doing worse to him than what he did to her, with hot pokers), but Ysslansh controls most of the ghasts and the gnolls. She hopes that she can take him unawares with her skeletons. Even with her burning hatred for Ysslansh, she will fight to the death to keep the artifacts in her hands. She might make an alliance with the PCs, information for her escape, taking the artifacts back to Dunrat in Hommlet, but she won't agree to this unless the PCs give her Ysslansh alive (and unconcious). She doesn't know it yet, but she is pregnant. Ysslansh is an inhuman monster with a taste for blood, flesh, and pain. His motivations are crazed, only wanting to hurt and hurt more. Garrik routinely punishes his minions by giving them an hour with Ysslansh. Usually they come back alive and only slightly broken. He is getting impatient and anxious to get back to civilization, where there are many souls for him to hurt. Crater Ridge Mines, Area 220. In the Earth temple, there is a beautiful mosaic/tapestry with beautiful men & woman frolicking/kissing/caressing/fondling each other in a gorgeous garden. Looking at the picture necessitates a Will save (DC15) or be Fascinated by it. If Fascinated, PCs start to notice something wrong here and there - rotten fruit, worms in an apple, etc. It gets worse and worse and worse - things crawling all over, pools turned to blood, scenes of rape and torture - the whole thing a perversion of the first. Those looking at it have to make another save (DC 15) or are Shaken (-2 atk/weapon dmg/saves) for 1d6x10 minutes; those who are Fascinated by it suffer a -4 morale penalty to their saves (Paladins are exempt from this penalty).
Siobharek	Lightning Tower Sorcerers	#31	[-]
Posts: 9210 (12/13/02 03:43:21) Harry Potter with Giant Levels Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	*Trithereon and Grumgarr did some sorcerers for the lightning towers to avoid an Attack of the Clones scenario:* Karlov, human, Sor6; CR 6; HD 6d4+9; hp 24; init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 13 (touch 12, flat 11); Atk: +3 melee (1d8-1, shortspear), +7 ranged (1d8, light x-bow); AL NE; SV: F/R/W +5/+5/+7; Str 8, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 16; Skills&Feats: Spellcraft +9, Concentration +10 (+14 when casting on the defensive), Scry +3, Knowledge (arcana) +6; Toughness, Improved Initiative, Combat Casting, Dodge; Possessions: shortspear, masterwork light x-bow, 10 masterwork bolts, potion of cure moderate wounds, arcane scroll of hold person, bracers of armor +1, cloak of resistance +1, wand of melf's acid arrow (30 ch.), dagger, contact medallion. Spell Known: 7/4/2/1; Spells per day: 6/7/6/4. Spell DC 13 + spell level 0- resistance, detect magic, read magic, light, mage hand, mending, ray of frost 1- shield, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, charm person 2- web, invisibility 3- flame arrow Tianna - Human Female Sorceror 6; CR 6; HD 6d4+9; hp 25; init. +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 14 (touch 13, flat 11); Atk +2 melee (dagger, 1d4-1, 19-20), +5 ranged (thunderstone, range increment 10', Fort DC 15 or deafened, 10' burst), +5 ranged (tanglefoot bag, range increment 10', Reflex DC 15 or stuck to floor), or +5 ranged (heavy crossbow, 1d10, 19-20); AL CE; SV Fort +3, Ref +4, Wis +6; Str 8, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 16. Skills/Feats: Bluff +5, Concentration +10, Craft +2 (you decide - I went with Cthulhu-esque sculpting), Intimidate +7, Spellcraft +2, Ride (Spider-eater) +3 (Spot and Listen at base, +1); Toughness, Improved Inititiative, Spell Focus (evocation), Spell Focus (transmutation). Equipment: Arcane scrolls of hold Person (CL 5), web (CL 3), shield (CL 1) (x2), colour spray (CL 1), invisibility (CL 3) (x2), Melf's acid arrow (CL 3), wand of Melf's acid arrow (CL 3, 28 ch.), wand of burning hands (CL 3, 35 ch.), bracers of armour +1, ring of protection +1, contact medallion, thunderstone, 2 tanglefoot bags (may be given to guards to use), dagger, heavy crossbow, 20 bolts. Spells Known 7/4/2/1; Spells per day 6/7/6/4. Spell DC 13 +spell level (* indicates spell focus, +2 DC) 0-level - Resistance, light, detect magic, read magic, flare, daze, arcance mark* 1st - Alarm, feather fall, magic missile, shield 2nd - Protection from arrows, blindness/deafness* 3rd - Lightning bolt* Shann - Human Male Sorceror 6; CR 6; HD 6d4+9; hp 28; init. +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 14 (touch 13, flat 11); Atk +3 melee (half-spear, 1d6, 3), +5 ranged (thunderstone, range increment 10', Fort DC 15 or deafened, 10' burst), +5 ranged (tanglefoot bag, range increment 10', Reflex DC 15 or stuck to floor), or +5 ranged (heavy crossbow, 1d10, 19-20); AL NE; SV Fort +3, Ref +4, Wis +5; Str 10, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 16. Skills/Feats: Bluff +5, Concentration +10, Craft +2 (you decide - I went with Cthulhu-esque sculpting), Intimidate +7, Spellcraft +2, Ride (Spider-eater) +3; Spell Focus (transmutation), Improved Initiative, Spellcasting Prodigy (sorceror - FRCS feat - add 2 to Cha for spell CDs and bonus spells), Toughness. Equipment: Arcane scrolls of dispel magic* (CL 6), summon swarm (CL 3), mage armour (CL 1), shield (CL 1), see invisible (CL 3), invisibility (CL 3), wand of flaming sphere (CL 3, 40 ch.), wand of magic missile (CL 1, 28 ch.), bracers of armour +1, ring of protection +1, contact medallion, thunderstone, 2 tanglefoot bags (may be given to guards to use), halfspear, heavy crossbow, 20 bolts. Spells Known 7/4/2/1, Spells per day 6/7/6/4. DC 14 + spell level, or higher with Eagle's Spendour cast (* indicates spell focus, +2 DC) 0-level Resistance, detect magic, read magic, flare, daze, open/close, ghost sound 1st - Reduce, expeditious retreat, magic missile, gr* 2nd - Ray of enfeeblement, eagle's spendour (T&B) 3rd - Slow*
Siobharek	Tarren the druid	#32	[-]
Posts: 9210 (01/06/03 03:19:28) Harry Potter with Giant Levels Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Zorlag's Tarren the Druid: Concoctionist and Cannibal Remember that neutral evil druid in the mines, Tarren? We just had very fun session when players run into him before assaulting fire temple for the first time. I made him cannibal and let it slowly come to the players. At first he said to them that he didn't like those fire temple people at all and had questioned and killed couple of them. He did have a leg bone sticking out of the mossy ground. They bought those concontions from him and asked couple questions, then attacked the temple. They decided to back out after encountering that smoky room with devil head, fearing that some kind of trap or setup was ahead since alarm had been sounded. Party took that elven female warrior (Virith) as prisoner, questioned her a bit and took her out of the temple. Then they went back to the druid. They thought to frighten her a bit to tell more about the temple or they'd give her to the druid. But after a lengthy dialog where it became clear that he "loved tender elven flesh", licked his sharpened teeth party samurai had enough and attacked... He was visibly revolted about the idea of that druid and especially eating some raw meals... Well, they defeated the druid and bear after short skirmish (bear was pretty mean, slashed up main fighter to last 10 hit points) and searched the room. They even dug up the ground a bit and found over 10 quite recent corpses. Anyone who likes some vile moments in game should try this if party feels like negotiating at least sometimes. If you decide to try using Tarren as suggested, I suggest you use more subtle appearance for the druid and bear, those skulls and skull tattoos make it bit too clear what kind of nasty character he is. Oh, and do remember that he CAN change to large animal form if combat comes up (this has been Errata'd - Siobharek), and give him natural spell since RttToEE was written before splatbooks. That's all folks. Siobharek ...it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
Siobharek	Final Battle	#33	[-]
Posts: 9210 (01/07/03 07:32:17) Harry Potter with Giant Levels Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Ronin, Thrommel, infiniti2000 and DeafDM's final battle. Also includes a slightly altered take on the ritual to bring back Tharizdun. ronin My group has just entered the Fire Node last session. They have encountered a group of fire giants and another group of fire elementals. They are about to enter the area with the efreet and the paladin (first in party marching order) gets the opportunity (if he fails the REF save) to go swimming in lava. After this happens I am sure they will leave to regroup. I have been doing some thinking about the final battle. The party has taken everything out in the recovered temple except for Lareth (who went to the node) and Falrinth who teleported away. I wonder if Lareth would wait any longer knowing the party is coming after them in the node. Once they leave and he (Lareth) has confirmed the fact that they are not afraid to enter the node after them what's to stop him from taking Maliskra and Imix to the recovered temple for a shot at freeing Tharizdun before they can come back again? That battle could be staged behind the greater temple and the "freeing" process could already have begun when the PCs enter the area. Actually the group always scrys them lately before they enter the temple. How about when they scry in the morning they see the process beginning? Then they have to teleport in quickly and attempt to stop the process. That sounds rather heroic doesn't it? Either way I wanted post the NPCs participating in this final battle and see what everyone thinks, I wouldn't want to go overboard you know. I must premise this by saying that I (like Thrommel before me) have allowed all of the splatbooks and some other stuff as well (mostly Malhavoc and FFG stuff) so the PCs are a tough group to challenge. Their save DCs for spells are typically around the mid 20 range (and up) and the fighters can attain a BAB around 30 or so when allowed the time to use all those spells (as many as 17 on a PC at times). The PCs are as follows.. Arthur- a level 13 paladin with a dire lion mount Darien- a level 7 cleric/ level 7 inquisitor (with the First's prayer bead) Vallis- a level 6 cleric/ level 5 divine oracle/ level 2 contemplative Talon- a level 13 mage (aspiring archmage) Xarpolis- a level 8 mage/ level 5 loremaster Arthur and Darien are the tanks, and with Darien using the prayer bead he becomes a 18th level fighter with 14th level cleric spells. Arthur's sword will be power suited pretty nicely as well and his dire lion mount helps him a bit. The other cleric concentrates on healing mostly when needed while one mage attacks with spells and the other counters the NPCs spells alot (improved counterspell coupled with haste). The entire party will be hasted as well. The opposition: Imix with a divine rank of 0 Maliskra (changed to a fiendish half fire elemental level 11 cleric) Lareth (a demonically infused level 7 cleric with all 4 elemental templates applied) a red dragon (either a CR 12 or CR 14) The dragon isnt set in stone yet as I think it may be too tough for the group. The group did take on Susain, Dugart, Thucos, Estalion, Falrinth, and a balor (planar ally) in the greater temple (with a energy transformation field keyed to a greater dispelling) and the encounter was a stalemate. They ended up leaving the scene after 12 rounds and didn't have anyone die but didn't kill (though one NPC was stone and another was feebleminded) anyone either. The next time they teleported directly into the greater temple with Lareth and the Second (the grell idea) replacing Falrinth and the balor. They were victorious this time in about 8 rounds. Obviously I don't want a TPK but I don't want to hand the battle to them either. I want to give them a battle they can leave the table winning but won't leave the table with clean undergarments. So, too tough for them? I used an EL calculator and it came up with a 18.8 IIRC. I feel they can win this battle honestly but it will be tough. Should the battle stay in the Fire Node? I must admit, them teleporting in at the last second to thwart the attempt to free Tharizdun sounds pretty cool. I have also thought of placing the dragon to guard the entry point to the node once they leave and enter the second time. Just so many options.... This has been on heck of a ride. As always, any suggestions or comments are much appreciated. I'd like to thank everyone that posts to this board for helping me run a much better campaign. *Thrommel* I think battling to keep Lareth from summoning Tharizdun is a great climactic ending. You need to decide how the mechanics of the ritual work. In the module as written, there are basically two steps to the ritual as described: blow the horn, and have Imix place the Orb of Oblivion into the nimbus of black energy. Lareth's only job is to call forth the princes. Now the key to any good "countdown to destruction" scene is stringing it out enough to build up the suspense. Right now it sounds like it takes about two rounds and boom it's done. Here's my suggestion: it takes several rounds of sounding the Horn of Darkness to fully form the nimbus of black energy. I would describe it as looking like the spiral of Tharizdun, but completely black. It slowly spins in mid-air, growing each round. Now, Lareth and Imix know this is the part of the ritual that's most likely to be interrupted, so they've made some preparations. They've retreated to the back of the room (right where the 30 is) and, with Imix seated so he can fit inside, Lareth uses the Rod of Force to cover them in a 13' hemispherical wall of force. Lareth has Maliskra place a stone on top of the hemisphere, and once battle begins outside the sphere, he keeps an action readied to bring the wall of force back up if it gets dispelled somehow. If Lareth is extra-paranoid, which he very well should be at this point, he burns a charge covering the floor in a wall of force as well. (Don't want any ethereal visitors popping in on us.) Important thing to note here is that Area 30 is sealed with a forbiddance. That means the party can't dimension door or teleport into it. They will have to teleport into the Greater Temple (which isn't warded by forbiddance) and approach as normal. As soon as the black spiral has reached full size, Lareth with dispel the wall of force and Imix will attempt to finish the ritual. Meanwhile, outside the wall of force, I suggest you have Maliskra & the dragon in place to try to wear down the PC's as much as possible. So at this point, we've effectively broken the fight into two stages -- some mooks for the PC's to battle while Imix & Lareth power up the nimbus of energy, and the climactic attempt to stop Imix from hurling the Orb of Oblivion into the nimbus. I think broken up like this, the fight is very winnable. I predict Maliskra will go down quickly unless she is buffed to the gills. You may want to have the dragon roost up in the ceiling. (The ceiling is 30' tall, since it doesn't list a specific height.) The dragon will be the main opponent, so I'd go CR 14 for the dragon. Lareth will be a pushover. Properly buffed, he might break 100 hit points. However, the fight with Imix will be tough. The good news is, you can give the party a breather between the defeat of the dragon and when Lareth dispels the wall of force -- just have it take a few more rounds for the nimbus to grow. (I'm thinking of the scene in SW:Ep I where Darth Maul runs behind the force field and Qui-gonn sits there and meditates.) They also may not be able to stop Imix from placing the Orb into the Nimbus. I suggest that he throw the orb into the nimbus. If the party needs a little more suspense, you can tell them they can see it hurtling through the inky void toward a large circular golden door. Maybe some PC's will fling themselves into the nimbus to go after it and they can try to smash it or grab it before it impacts on the gate to Tharizdun's prison. Meanwhile the others can battle Imix. I think this scenario is winnable, but should also prove memorable. You should consider what you find an acceptable threshold for PC deaths. Do you want to kill none, one, or some? Because I suspect Divine Imix will likely kill someone. Particularly if, when they see the ritual is in progress, they don't think they can take the time to implement their full power-up suite. They can probably take on the dragon and Maliskra without the full power-up, but I don't think they can take on Divine Imix without maximum buffs. I think they'll be hard pressed to chew through 342 hit points and that 42 AC. You might also consider using semi-divine Imix, with the lower AC & SR and fewer hit points. Again, a lot of this depends on how much they power-up. My suggestion is have all three versions at your disposal and see what happens during the force-field face-off. That's another great reason to set it up like that, you can fine-tune in the midst of the battle. I hope this works out for you, it sounds like it's going to be a great fight. Let us know how it goes! And be sure to post a 'Lessons Learned' for us all when it's over and done with. Good luck! ronin Alright. Now that I have the ball rolling let me post a few more thoughts. I like the idea of the suspenseful ending. I think the best way to accomplish this is to tailor it to the party. The sooner they are able to interupt the process the sooner it happens. If they have problems with the dragon and Maliskra then it takes a few moments longer. The ideal situation would be to have Imix toss the orb as soon as the PCs get close enough and see which PC wants to play fetch. Lareth will put up 2 walls of force. The first will be around him and Imix (hemisphere) and the second will be covering the opening into the room. Lareth has witnessed the party take down a forcecage with a disintegrate spell once already and as pointed out already, he is getting paranoid. After reading the descriptions closer it appears room 29 is 60' high and room 30 is 30' high. This should help the dragon out a bit. I gave the dragon the "large and in chagre" and "hover" feats. Perhaps the best place for it would be right around the altar to use those AoOs to drive the PCs back and away from room 30. I wanted to give that feat to Imix (large and in charge) but with his reach and combat reflexes the party would be toast. I plan to have all 3 versions (sickening to have 3 versions isn't it?) of Imix ready for duty. I'll make the call once they face him as to which one to use. I think it will be the rank 0 version. I predict they will get thru Maliskra and the dragon in a few rounds fairly unscathed IF they can power up first (which they will probably do). The only real issue I see is that both Arthur and Darien may want to get into the room with Imix before dispatching the mooks. Luckily they can't do this alone. If they can talk one of the mages into it though they may get into trouble. Hopefully I can describe the nimbus well enough so they realize they have some time to spare, if even a few moments. If they are successful in getting the orb then Imix will move into area 29 to take advantage of his height and reach. Lareth will be flying and burrowing all over the battlefield. This guy is a true freak. He really thru my players for a loop when he burrowed away to ascape last time. They all sat there saying "what/ who the hell is this guy?" I am beginning to like this idea alot but I have another question. What (if anything) should happen to a PC that enters the nimbus of darkness? If I was a PC I definitely would expect something bad if I entered the darkness. I need to think on this some more. Perhaps someone will have a good idea sometime before my next session, which is New Year's Eve (short notice I know). BTW, in area 30 it describes the freeing process. With just Imix there is a 25% chance to free Tharizdun. Each prince ups the chance by another 25% with all 4 ensuring he is freed. Which brings up another quick question. Say the PCs have the orb and Imix is dead, what if they blow the horn and place the orb in the darkness themselves? No elemental prince present, no chance for release right? But the orb is destroyed in the process if Tharizdun is freed or not correct? Would this be a legitimate way to destroy the orb? It also doesn't mention this but I assume all 4 power gems must be in the orb to free Tharizdun. Anyone else have any thoughts on this subject? Thrommel The only real issue I see is that both Arthur and Darien may want to get into the room with Imix before dispatching the mooks. That's what the rocks are for on top of the hemisphere of force. Lareth should have an action readied so that as soon as the wall of force is dispelled (as evidenced by the rocks dropping) he can bring it back up. He's got 5 charges on his rod of force, he's only used 2 or 3 (depending on whether he zaps the floor or not). What (if anything) should happen to a PC that enters the nimbus of darkness? I'd say it's a long, long void which ends in the gate, just like the one described on p 79 (area 129). Only maybe this is a back way in. For the expected 'evil' effect, I would use the same 'choking' effect as the smoke trap in area 110 (p. 72). Only there's no visible smoke. Something is just trying to choke the PC. You might want to up the DC so it starts at 20 or something. Although that +1 per round is pretty rough. Depends on how long you want them to fall through the void. (I'm thinking of that cheeseball effect they have in movies where the hero falls down and tries to catch up to an object that fell seconds beforehand. Although I have to admit, in LotR:TT it was pretty cool.) You might want to have the orb hit the gate, causing the prison door to start cracking. The solar appears, using all of its might to hold the chains/doorway together. He'll beg the PC to smash the skull before his strength gives out and Tharizdun is freed. Very dramatic... It also doesn't mention this but I assume all 4 power gems must be in the orb to free Tharizdun. Actually, my reading of it is that the elemental power gems are primarily used to open the nodes. So you only need the corresponding elemental power gem for each Prince. Since Imix is the only one participating, only the fire gem is needed. As far as destroying the orb goes, if you're going for the real cliffhanger save-the-solar-and-the-world ending, you might want to simplify its destruction to something like taking 50+ points of damage in a single attack. deafdungeonmasterRIT Just one question.. Suppose that PC smash the skull.. where does that leave the Solar? I'm sure he will want to go out and challenge Imix to duel.. That will be the duel of the eon! Thrommel where does that leave the Solar? I'd rule that the solar's duty to protect the damaged gate is more important than fighting Imix. He might use his powers to heal or buff up the PC who smashed the skull, but I wouldn't have him fight unless the party was really in trouble. Think of it like a comic book: if you're reading an X-Men graphic novel, the writers don't let the Hulk come in on page 350 and finish off Magneto in the big grand finale. They let Wolverine & co. kick royal butt even if it means Professor X and Cyclops get knocked out. -Thrommel, who was always more of an Iron Man fan himself... Infiniti2000 As a reward for destroying the orb, the solar could grant the PC a wish or maybe an endure elements (fire) following by a permanency (I know, not strictly allowed, but reasonable, more flavorful given what's happening, and not unbalancing). However, if the PC asks to borrow the solar's bow or sword, tell him forget it! ronin When I say I am worried that Darien and Arthur will charge in after Lareth my main concern is that they will leave the other 3 party members alone with Maliskra and the red dragon. I think those 3 would be hard pressed to win that battle AND have enough left in the tank to be of any help with Imix and Lareth. I figure Arthur and Darien will smack into the wall of force covering the entrance to area 30 and scream for a disintegrate spell. If the mages comply they will charge in and run smack into the second wall of force. Then they will either wait for a second disintegrate (if one is even available) or return to area 29 to help with the dragon and Maliskra. Depending on their tactics the party could end up over their heads if they are not careful. Thrommel {I figure Arthur and Darien will smack into the wall of force covering the entrance to area 30 and scream for a disintegrate spell. } Then have Lareth lean some 2 x 4's up against that wall of force and ready an action to reinforce it if necessary. That should keep the party from splitting up.
Siobharek	NPC Traits	#34	[-]
Posts: 9210 (01/10/03 09:44:44) Harry Potter with Giant Levels Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	The following is the result of lots'o'peoples' efforts at making the NPCs of RttToEE more alive and distinctive: Paelban: CHATRILLON will be either French or Cajun or both. He is also extremely arrogant and foppishand did I mention his Salvador Dali moustache? Chatrillon (or Chatrillioun, you fewels!) has a thing for Maridosen, which his low Wisdom score doesnt exactly help hide. Maridosen hasnt stabbed Chats face off yet, but things can change. MARIDOSEN herself is a bit of a goth: dark hair, pale face, bags under her eyes, withered smiling muscles, penchant for wearing leather all the damned time, etc. She regards the world in general with a mild, passing contempt (More ale, you say? Thats so original.). She regards Chatrillon with a much more proactive contempt, but still recognizes his relative importance to the Cult (i.e., shell do her best to cover his ass if he goes and gets himself in trouble with the law). MASTER DUNRAT has more neuroses than Woody Allen on speed. He is a broad, balding man with a black, greasy goatee and a mole on his cheek that shakes when he is angry. Dunrat wears a loose, faded, gray robe with a white sash and sandals. A hypochondriac, he constantly washes his hands and accuses random passers-by of looking over his shoulder. GRUNE is, in many ways, a more competent leader than Dunrat. He is too lazy, however, to assume the mantle of leadership. That and the fact that Dunrat would kick his ass before he could so much as think Oh @#%$! TORIDAN is big, loud, and dumber than a bag of hammers. CHENASHI is what a librarian would look like if a librarian wanted to destroy the world. VACRA is the most evil cultist in town, and finds herself constantly pushed aside by Tharizduns more flamboyant followers. She would be the towns primary villain, if only she were more powerful. JAROO finds maintaining one form uncomfortable, and has to go off by itself every few days to stretch. It regards Dunrat and the other cultists as amusing little creatures, and the rest of the world as its own playthings. Jaroo works with the cult because they pay it and give it a chance to play with the human-things; it doesnt necessarily believe what they say (What? Oh yeah, destroy the world, unmake creation, pave the path for He of Eternal Darknesss returnwhatever.). YSSLANTH has let his newfound power go to his head. He orders the gnolls and Geynor about with impunity, and mentions the Elder Elemental Eye at every opportunity (i.e., Work fassster, you foolsss! The Eye ssseesss all, and frownsss upon your sssloth!). Ysslanth ssscoffsss at Geynor Tons hatred of him because he doesnt think Geynor is anything near a threat. GEYNOR TON despises Ysslanth with the kind of passion Gruumsh reserves for Corellon Larethian. Were it not for his blind devotion to Tharizdun (amplified by his low intelligence), he would have killed the pest long ago. As he sees it, Ysslanth will get his comeuppance soon enough, what with the unmaking of the world and everything. So long as Geynor is well-fed, hes happy. GREN is the cultist most dedicated to Tharizdun. Unlike Geynor and Ysslanth, she genuinely Believes in the Eye, and will gladly lay down her life to see Its plans through. GARRIK tolerates the clerics because they give his peoplethe gnollsfood, money, and a place to stay. If he could provide for his pack without the cult, he would, and would probably kill the cultists in the process just to shut them up. FESTRATH is mad, irredeemably mad. Being trapped by Utresshimon has stretched him beyond the breaking point, forcing him to actually question the Eyes power. Nearly animalistic, he attacks anything that comes near, and if somehow subdued and questioned, rants and raves until a lack of oxygen makes him black out. HEDRACK: Hedrack is what you get when you go through insanity and come out the other end. Hedrack is in control of his madness, but that does not make him sanefar from it. Rather, Hedrack can channel the raw power of his madness wherever he sees fit. (In case it isnt obvious yet, Ive made Hedrack Lawful Evil; IIRC Big Ts alignment is listed as Neutral Evil in The Greyhaw Gazetteer, so theres no reason his clerics cant be LE. That and I got pretty sick of seeing so many CEs in the stat blocks. But anyway.) Hedrack is also a far cry from the cackling madman-type of evil cultist; rarely does he show any emotion whatsoever. Hedrack follows Tharizdun because he is, at heart, a perfectionistan insane, uncompromising, and murderous perfectionist, but a perfectionist stilland he feels the multiverse is far too imperfect to be allowed to exist. Better to destroy so foul and flawed a creation than to let it persist and insult the hand that built it. LARETH: I see Lareth more or less as TrinityDM does: about as close to human physical perfection as possibleuntil you see his face. I also like Siobhareks take on Lareth (i.e., Lareth = Kurtz), and have therefore given him a German accent. Like his face, Lareth is brokenbetrayed by his god, killed by an inferior (YDey), and resurrected only to be forgotten in a hollow, lifeless ghost town. He is not, however, bestial-minded like Festrath: Lareth would just as soon engage the PCs in a lengthy discourse on the essence of being as fold them in half, depending on his mood. He is more likely to talk, however, given his almost total isolation (essentially, he is a Dark Del). Once Lareth is Chosen, however, its a whole new can of worms. After being fused with the destructive essence of the four elements themselves (I LOVE the Lareth of the Four Elements idea!), Lareth is more powerful than he has ever imagined possible, and his might may well rival Hedracks. Whereas before he regarded the party with indifference, he now sees them as tiny, pitiful things that DARE to challenge He of Eternal Darkness. (And hes got a light-saber.) LARETH & HEDRACK: Ive given these two a category of their own because of the following: 1) Hedrack thinks he is the Champion of Elemental Evil until it is revealed to be Lareth; 2) Hedrack isnt going to be at all happy about this; 3) Lareth feels Hedrack has betrayed him, so hows he going to react to the sudden change in his treatment on behalf of the Temple? The way I see it (and this is an important thing to note: this is just how I see it), Lareth will easily let this power and prestige go to his head (ala Ysslanth, but on a far grander scale). Meanwhile, Hedrack will feel betrayed, and I can imagine hell be a little lax in protecting Lareth until such time as he is fit to summon the Princes (i.e., hell let Lareth be beaten half to death before trying to save him). TrinityDM: CHATRILON - Easily my favorite character in the module so far, I represented Chat as being very similar in appearance and demeanor to Michael Ironside (specifically his character in the movie Total Recall). He is balding, wiry, and speaks in a dark voice. He is cold, calculating, and patient. He will achieve his goals, one way or another. ELMO - With his open, clean-shaven face, Elmo is young-looking... until you get a look at his eyes, which have seen too much for someone his age. I played him as being cautious and smart, but cagey... he's lost too much to take big risks. He takes his responsibility of guarding the town very seriously. His mannerisms I based on a younger Harrison Ford in Blade Runner. XAOD - Although IMC the paladin finally was put to rest (after being raised twice by the party), he was fun to play. Physical and enthusiastic in facing all things but a morning hangover, Xaod was strongly inspired by Kurt Russell (pick just about any move). DUNRAT - Dunrat is a tall man with long, black hair (and the seemingly obligatory goatee). I played Dunrat as a supremely egotistical maniac. He is very sure of himself, and consequently becomes very upset when things go wrong. More of a stereotypical villain, his voice and mannerisms I modeled after Alan Rickman a-la Die Hard. Y'DEY - A middle-aged woman with a cool, no-nonsense disposition, I based her largely on the actress Maggie Smith. MARIDOSEN - For some reason, I kept seeing her in my mind's eye as being portrayed as a real bitch by Carrie-Ann Moss. Thus is how she was portrayed. LARETH - Instead of playing him wild and screeching mad, I wanted Lareth to come across as powerful yet creepy. Obviously physically imposing, with long blond hair, he looks the paragon of an heroic cleric... until you see his face, and hear his slippery, cool voice speak. For his mannerisms I took another cue from Blade Runner, basing him heavily on Rutger Hauer's depiction of the replicant Roy. YETHER THE KEEN - Friendly, helpful, and honest, Yether's about the only one in Hommlet my players trust. Being so virtuous, he's been a real challenge to make interesting. I've tried basing some of his mannerisms on Bill Pullman, since he seems to have a tendency to portray such gosh-darn friendly guys. Sacremas: ELMO: I played him as a big friendly bear of a man, with a gleam of intelligence and clarity. He had the respect of the players within seconds of meeting them, and that has just grown. I think that he's the only one so far that they trust with their lives, and have done so, once at nearly catastrophic consequenses. When the old temple is mentioned he does his best to give info and be helpful, but quiet down soon as memories of his brother haunt him. Possible actor: Kurt Russel or Viggo Mortensen QUESTIN: A loud mouthed, offensive devil-may-care halfling that throws peasants out of the nearby chairs if one of his friends could use it, my players fell in love with this one from the start, and wants to keep him still even though he's so far proven less than optimal. Possible actor: That dwarf in Seinfelt (Kramer's friend). XAOD: Wild and raving while drunk, but quiet and humble sober, his demanour is as contrasted as everything else about him. He sits and drinks heavily from early on, and the alchohol have already made him unable to say how long he's been in the town or how long ago it was that he was in the ToEE. Possible actor: Keifer (sp?) Sutherland CHAT: I went all the way with the seasoned cocksure adventurer, with a professional air over him. He seemed deadly to the players... and so they gladly welcomed him into the group. They ended up hating him more than any other character yet, and even though they think he's down... he'll stick around for a bit yet. Possible actor: Christian Bale or Peter Stormare "JAROO": I played this one as a senile old man, with unfocusing eyes. He were dying and only wished to be left alone (but sympathy of course made Elmo spend a lot of time with him still, and invite him to councils...). The doppleganger on the other hand I played sort of the "whatever" of Paelban, but also eager to prove worth further employment by Dunrat/the cult, as he killed Yundi as well and tried to kill the druid... with bad results. "He'll be around the place", the gore spattered druid told Elmo later. Possible Actor (Jaroo): MARIDOSEN: Grumpy bitch, with wide shoulders. I planned on making her a goth girl as above, but sort of forgot it in the initial meeting. The players do not have any suspicions with her, and figure her for simply an Unfriendly Wench. Possible actor: Carrie Ann Moss or Anne Heche YSSLASH: Didnt have much time to make up a personality of him, since the monk decided to garrote him before he could say a word. Did not work and it evolved into a long, complicated, and exiting battle in the hallway, and obelisk chamber. But I did put him as scared of the obelisk and terrified with the grell. Possible Actor: Errr... Shrek's cousin on his father's side. MASTER DUNRAT: The players have mostly only heard rumors of this guy, and the druid had seen his back in a dream. Even so, his smug, confident and controlled smile at them made all the players actually start to tremble in terror. I described him as black clothed and with tailor made black armor, while his back is covered in various Andorax: GREN: Young, naive, from a rich family. She was roped into the cult as part of youthful rebellion, doesn't have a clue what sort of dark evils they're really up to. Her devotion, thus far, is blind...and if she is captured (her description lists her as rather dying than surrendering), and confronted with the full darkness of the cult she's a part of, I see her as breaking. She's not fully mad yet, nor is she completely (and irredeemably) evil. A week spent with Yether, after a very tearful breaking from her dark path, could lead to her eventual redemption (and possably even NPChood). Roland Delacroix: XAOD. The party never got into much with him. It's a large party, 6 players but usually 5 a night, so they drop 'xp drains' as soon as they can. Anyway, I played him a little like Ash, thats right, from Army of Darkness. Ash's character traits, reluctantly good, would rather run away, etc, fit Xaod pretty well. If you look at my RttToEE Yahoo site, under the NPC photo section, you can see I even painted his fig up like Ash! I had a good time playing him the few sessions he was in. Sacremas Point on Lareth/Hedrack If Lareth should return to the cult, I suspect that Hedrack would look upon him as the prodigal son returned home, and would guide the Elemental Lareth to be the greatest Champion he can be. TrinityDM: Whoa, another major Blade Runner flashback. I already have cast Lareth as Roy... does that make Hedrack Tyrell? Imagine the following scene: Lareth enters Hedracks chambers, bearing the rod of force and rings of force armor reserved for the Champion. Hedrack blesses him for the upcoming ritual. "I always knew there was something about you. That's why I raised you." "Yes," says Lareth. "You raised me. Raised me as I stand before you today. I was the image of perfection... and now look at me." "That is my point... look at yourself. You're the prodigal son. You have the power now within you to unmake a world. All will flock to your call or be crushed beneath your heel. Physical appearance is nothing, nothing at all, compared to that." "Nothing," echoes Larth softly. He gently raises his hands, caressing the sides Hedrack's head. "Nothing at all... as even the mightiest become, eventually." His hands clench forcibly together, his thumbs digging in to Hedrack's skull as the head of the Outer Fane flails and thrashes about. After a long moment, the body falls to the ground, where it shudders and then lies still. Lareth looks down dispassionately at the body, then strides out the door. "Naquent. It is time. Take me to the Temple, and I will fulfill the task for which I was chosen." That would be an awesome scene for the PC's to see (perhaps in a dream/vision, or while spying on Hedrack in some way). Roland Delacroix TAL CHAMMISH I'm gonna play him like, uuuuuhhhh, that crime boss guy from Snatch (forgot his name). He's mean and vile, and doesn't hide it too good, but tries to put on a face for outsiders. If Tal and some muscle manage to get a PC alone he's gonna take the PC over to a local farm, cut him up, and 'feed 'im to the pigs'. I've got 2 or three farm communities tied to the temple, through worshipping disgusting gods, they don't know about the end-of-the-world thing. Like those strange families in Lovecrafts works, twisted by evil, everyone else suspects but stays away. 'Snatch' had some great characters in it, Freddy Four-Fingers, that russian 'The Bullet(arrow?)-Dodger', lots of good material there. DeafDMRIT on Hedrack & Lareth: Formal, brilliant, insane, chaotic like Hannibal, but organized like a godfather. I would portray him as Magneto from X Men. If you look at the art of Hedrack, he looks suspiciously similar to Ian McKellan ms?. He will be ruthless but brilliant. He cannot keep the temple together without organization. I mean, there are a lot of part of the temple are clean. He even have a mind flayer working for him! While he is not clearly egoistic, his mind indicates otherwise. He feel that almost no one, save for Lareth and Varachan, are even close to his ability. He want to get things done, period. He wants T to be release and destroy the world as whole. That is his goal. For Lareth, I don't think he should start off as chaotic evil. More like Chaotic neutral. He should behave more like Brad Pitt from 12 Monkeys, acting all nuts, but logic are all there, especially his purpose and intent to establish a goal. I mean, he was beautiful, he was a lady's man He used to have it all until he lost part of his face. I mean, his charisma score should be high with women, causing them to feel bad for him! I mean, if I was a lady, I would feel bad for him, too! TrinityDMs comments on Lareth as Brad Pitt in 12 Monkeys: Brad Pitt in 12 Monkeys for Lareth! Of course! LOL, could be hilarious if you were to play him as the more nutty psychotic type: "Wipe out the human race? Great idea. It's great. More of a long-term goal, though..." or: "Go away, or I'll have you shaved, sterilized, and destroyed." or, best of all: "Naaarrgh... Get OUTTA MY *CHAIR!!*" Siobharek ...it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
Siobharek	Replacing the Orbs (World of Greyhawk-specific)	#35	[-]
Posts: 9210 (01/14/03 12:04:16) Harry Potter with Giant Levels Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Mak, gmk6135, Siobharek, ZanForCans, and msherman's Replacing the Orbs. mak Hi! When reading through the last sections of the module I found the Orb of Oblivion & Silvery Death a bit lame. Sure - its the return and all, but still... So IMC I decided to replace them with somewhat modified "Binders" from Oerth Journal. I used the revised Suel History from Greyhawk Codex as a base (the original version had imprisoned Genie Princes) - it already mentions Imix et al and their father Etherasra for a total of nine bound elemental royalty members. Note: The text below is maks take on the binders. This incorporates questions and suggestions from gmk6135 and Siobharek. Additional comments and questions from ZansForCans and msherman are included as quotes *The Binders Detailed:* History At the very dawn of the Suel Empire, when humans first discovered the higher Keys of Power for magic, the Emperor wished to conquer a small island nation of AnaKeri. A spectacular fleet was built and sent against the islanders. No match for such martial power, the AnaKeri resorted to help from the elemental forces they worshiped. The Elemental Princes of Evil called forth air and water to destroy the fleets, fire and earth to battle the landed troops. Hardly any Suel survived. Appalled at such defeat, the Emperor turned to his archmages for plans of revenge. Led by an immensely gifted sorceress (who actually was Tiamat in disguise) the mages managed to capture the Elemental Princes one by one to the specially crafted prisons called Binders. Additional magic forced them to perform services to the users of the Binders. Tiamat wrote a book detailing the (quite complex) use of the Binders and disappeared. The binders were lost for a thousand years. When they were found again, there were none who could remember what was the force powering the items... Binders played an integral role in Suel history and were the principal instruments causing the Twin Cataclysms. In the tumults of the end of the Suel-Baklun war the Binders were lost again. Ties to the Cult of Tharizdun The Doomdreamers have known about and desperately seeked the Binders for about as long as the Cult has existed. Only recently they have met with some success. The Binder of Imix has been found in the Griff Mountains. Search for others is feverishly going on, and the Cult has obtained some clues on the location of Ogremoch's Binder. The documents telling about the serach and results gained so far can be found in the Black Cyst of the Outer Fane. Ties to the Orbs When Iuz and Tsuggtmoy created the Orb of Golden Death, the Cult secretly made another copy of the item: the Orb of Silvery Death (OoSD). There was only one set of elemental power gems, however. When the Goldskull was destroyed, the power gems were shattered with it, leaving the Silverskull essentially powerless. This means the demon so conveniently holding the power gems can be re-assigned to other duties or removed: ZansForCans *Quote:* Perhaps the best reason I like your idea is that as written, having this random demon in the fire node just happen to have all three of the remaining gems is, well, frankly, just plain silly. The guy doesn't even have a name and doesn't have any mentioned link to the whole affair. He's just sitting there waiting for them to come to him. For some reason. Anyway... this background makes things more juicy, IMHO. Thanks for fleshing it out! Now, what to do with him? Well, maybe he was instrumental in helping them find the fire binder in the first place. Thinking of gaining great power for himself, he aided them, but after Imix was released, he became second fiddle (and thus the resentment). The big question(s) for me is where is the fire binder and orb now (there's only the Orb of Silvery Death now right?)? Although powerless, it is of huge importance to the cult to finish this work. Does Lareth have it or wear it? Or, is the Binder of Fire required to be in the Orb of Silvery Death continuously to keep the node running/open (can't remember off the top of my head from ToEE if the gems were)? Are they both with Maliskra similar to the encounter as scripted in the adventure? Or stored safely elsewhere or carried by someone else? When the Binder of Fire was found, the Cult noticed to their joy that the stone set in the Binder fit exactly to the socket in the Orb and allowed opening of the Fire Node in the recovered Temple of Elemental Evil. Once the Node had been opened, the Binder could be detached without causing the Node to re-close. The scenario can be timed several ways: The cult finds the Binder AFTER Lareth becomes the Champion. The Binder is taken directly to the recovered Temple where Lareth is waiting with the OoSD. Once Imix is freed, Maliskra takes the OoSD, and Lareth the empty Binder. The Binder is waiting in the Black Cyst for the coming of the Champion, which makes it possible for the PC's to get their hands on it. The Cultists won't actually wear or use the powers of the Binders, even if they possess them. There are several reasons: It would be against their religious beliefs to try to boss the Princes around (or at least they are afraid of possible revenge once the Princes are freed) They don't have Tiamat's book and thus don't know what powers the Binders have nor how to activate them It is hard for them: insanity plays havoc on the Will saves of the powerful cultists - AND the save goes down after each two failed attempts... A better idea would be that the PCs somehow learn of the powers of the Binders and are constantly afraid of the cultists using them as weapons. msherman *Quote:* So there's no Orb in the Cyst? Perhaps the Orb is in the Cyst as long as the Champion's items are there, as well, and they are retrieved at the same time when Lareth is discovered as the Champion, and until that point, the First wears the Fire Binder and will use a Wish from it if the party steals the Orb from the Cyst; if he does, the insanity effect from the binder's will save stacks with his regular Insanity score, of course. At this point, the Node has been opened by the cult, and Imix consulted with, but until Lareth is found and brought to the temple, he cannot be freed. Even once Lareth is found, the cult doesn't release Imix immediately. Imix is brash and impatient, and not likely to sit around playing solitaire in the temple basement waiting for the other three nodes to open, especially considering how Tharizdun would reward him if he alone had freed his dark lord, so the cult is wary of freeing him from his prison until the other three node gates are excavated. However, once it becomes clear that the party is going to ruin everything, they push forward the timetable, and bring Lareth to the Recovered Temple to attempt the ritual with just Imix. Even then, Lareth isn't wearing the Fire Binder, but rather just holding it -- he's wearing the Rings of Force Armor. He knows that the fire binder loses it's powers once it's in the orb, so he isn't going to give up the force armor. Another twist -- if you want to integrate the free adventure "Thicker Than Water" from the WotC website, then the Third is one of the six decendants of Charad participating in the ritual at Mount Malison, and what the Third knows but no-one else does is that the Nightwing is the guardian of the Air Binder, and defeating it will release the binder. If the Third ends up with the binder, the cult will immediately begin excavation of the Air gate. Freeing the Princes Taking the Binder to the correct Node allows the Prince to step out of the prison, but not out of the Node. To enable the Prince to step out of the Node, the Binder must be inserted into the Orb of Silvery Death and the Prince touch the Orb while stepping out. While away from the Node the Prince must be in physical contact with the Binder at all times to avoid being sucked back into the item. msherman *Quote:* I liked the idea of the binder releasing the prince into the node, but he is still imprisoned in the node. Perhaps releasing the princes from the node can only be done by the Champion, which is why Lareth is so vital -- when the node is opened by a normal person, the Prince is only released to the node temporarily, and when the binder is removed from the Orb, the node closes and the Prince is returned to the binder. The Champion is the only one who can break the binding, releasing the princes from the nodes. When this happens, the gem breaks off the binder ring, and fuses into the orb itself. To free Tharizdun, all Princes present much insert their Binders int the OoSD and put the Orb into the Black Void created by the Champion. The Orb leaves the hands of the Princes and flies against the door to the Prison of Big T, shattering. At that point the Nodes already opened get re-sealed and the Princes present permanently freed from their Binders. msherman *Quote:* Actually, it scatters the artifacts to the four corners of the Prime Material Plane, re-binding the princes and sealing the nodes, setting us up for another try. The resource used up by the attempt is the Champion, who is killed beyond all hope of resurrection. If the attempt fails, the cult must find the artifacts again, and wait for another Champion to be born and discovered. Needless to say, the Cult can do this only once and is reluctant to try before more Binders are found. If desperate, they will take the risk of trying to free Big T with less than all four Princes. General functionality of the Binders The Elemental Princes resent being tapped for power, so the user must force them to perform as he wishes. The greater the powers wished for, the harder it becomes to get them out of the binder. The exact process of accomplishing this is by no means clear to the prospective user, and is only described in the book written by Tiamat for just this purpose. In game terms the tapping of power is a standard action and requires a Will saving throw: DC Power level Spell level10 very low 1st15 low 3rd20 medium 5th25 high 7th30 very high 9th If the save succeeds, the desired power is drawn forth from the Binder. In any case (whether the save succeeds or not) at least some evilly tainted power surges through the user, creating an unclean sensation. The user must immediately make a second Will save with the same DC as the power level attempted. If the second save fails, the user suffers some consequences. Roll 1d6: 1d6 Consequence1-2 Alignment switched one step towards evil (roll again if already evil)3-4 Alignment switched one step towards chaos (roll again if already chaotic)5-6 Gain 1 Int/Wis/Cha in regard of bonus spells and save DC's, lose 1 point in all other regards (if non-spellcaster, lose Wis) The ability score modification manifests itself as slowly advancing madness. It is permanent and can be cured only by wish or miracle. If a score reaches zero, the character becomes comatose and dies within 1d6 hours. The caster level of the powers is 20. Note that the caster level of an individual Prince is only 15, but the Binder draws more power from the prisoner than it could itself control. The powers may normally be called forth once per day. Any further uses cumulatively increase the Will Save DC by 2 (+2 the second time, +4 the third, +6 the fourth etc). The Binder of Fire An ornate golden ring set with an angularly cut ruby, flickering with an inner flame. Drawing power creates a hot feeling and leaves an aftertaste of acrid smoke. Power level Powersvery low burning hands, resist elements (fire)low flame arrow, pyrotechnicsmedium fire shield, wall of firehigh fire storm, limited wishvery high elemental swarm (fire), wish ZansForCans *Quote:* I'm not sure I like the idea of including the wishes in the powers since it allows one to 'heal' themselves of the insanity with the object itself. Yes, it probably won't even come into play for the characters (at least in RTEE), but you went through all that effort The Binder of Earth A simple, heavy bronze ring set with an uncut shard of obsidian. Drawing power creates a feeling of pressure and leaves a lingering headache. Power level Powersvery low Melf's acid arrow, resist elements (acid)low meld into stone, stone shape medium transmute mud to rock, wall of stonehigh earthquake, limited wishvery high elemental swarm (earth), wish The Binder of Air A light silver ring formed of interlinked circles set with a clear, smooth round diamond. Drawing power creates a tingling sensation and leaves one slightly dizzy. Power level Powersvery low feather fall, resist elements (electricity)low gaseous form, wind wallmedium air walk, chain lightninghigh limited wish, whirlwindvery high elemental swarm (air), wish The Binder of Water A wavy platinum ring of uneven thickness set with a deep green uncut emerald. Drawing power creates a feeling of being immersed in cold water and leaves an oily aftertaste. Power level Powersvery low obscuring mist, resist elements (cold)low water breathing, water walkmedium cone of cold, wall of icehigh horrid wilting, limited wishvery high elemental swarm (water), wish The Black Prophecy IMC I introduced the Binders via a rhyme that contained hints to their usage. The following may not be the best verse I've seen, having lost much in translation... From the blood of the capturers there will rise A Savior who helps from their chains those imprisoned for Ana-Keri's sake their Master's coming is imminent Those lost by the last of the Zolaxes shall be found to the use of the enemy of their creator - the Chosen may free the Master through His Progeny When the Sunless Day shall dawn it is time for the Chosen to pass the Dreamers' tests and the Betrayed shall join the ranks of the Betrayers Doom meets both Air and Earth and the Moons will be dug forth The Chosen leads the Dreamers' forces to Victory, Blessed Destruction
Thrommel	The Ballad of Emridy Meadows	#36	[-]
Posts: 6210 (01/23/03 09:54:14) Runechild (admin) Council of Magisters Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Kylearanon wrote this great little piece for Redithidor to sing. It's a great way to give a little history to your players and to foreshadow Thrommel for those who haven't played the original ToEE or know the whole history of Greyhawk. You'll have to craft your own tune, this wasn't written with any particular song in mind. The Ballad of Emridy Meadows Harken now to my words of sadness learn about the downfall of madness How the sacrifice of one was a boon for the land of the crowns and the crescent moon In the days of Emridy meadows An evil and fearsome power arose In a house of worship, now avoided by most It corrupted poor souls, deceiving them all Intending to bring Furyondy to fall In the days of Emridy Meadows *Refrain:* Furyondy, pearl of the heartland realms shining jewel of the north changed your face forevermore when your prince was to sally forth Lured to the new god by promise and lies Many sold their faith, never knowing the price Held fast in the grasp of insanity they started a war that should not be On the fields of Emridy Meadows While battle raged the darkness grew Like a chill of winter the northern winds blew, And the souls of the brave and the hearts of the fair Soon were filled with doom and despair On the fields of Emridy Meadows *(Refrain...)* Down came the prince with the valiant heart His sword split the night cutting deep through the dark He fought like a titan, an angel of light And single-handedly turned the tide That night at Emridy Meadows Then the morning mists faded and the light of the sun heralded a peaceful time to come Still the victory was bitter-sweet Cause the prince disappeared soon after his deed That night at Emridy Meadows *(Refrain...)* Oh, Thrommel my lord, what happened that day Did you abandon us or drown in the fray Now the nights are long and the days are cold And people still missing their prince of old Since the days of Emridy Meadows *(Refrain...)*
Infiniti2000	Splat Book Changes	#37	[-]
Posts: 8439 (04/06/03 09:30:22) Evil Hatrack Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Contains suggestions for incorporating the 'splat' books (the accessories to the core books). These do not contain BoVD suggestions. Miscellaneous Splat Book Changes pg. 46 (C11) - Terrenygit, replace endurance with owl's wisdom. pg. 53 (C40) - Heunar, replace sleep with choke, replace Great Fortitude with Augment Summoning (reduce Fort save by 2). pg. 54 (C44) - Slaazh, replace Alertness with Large and In Charge (reduce Spot and Listen by 2). Note that Alertness is a feat given to all trolls, so this is a "nonstandard" change. pg. 61 (C72) - Graud, replace Dodge with Intimidating Rage. pg. 63 (C74) - Choranth, replace Combat Casting with Heighten Turning (reduce Concentration by 4), replace spiritual weapon by knife spray. pg. 45 (C8 ) - Mereclar, revise skills to include Ride: Heal +5, Hide +5, Listen +8, Move Silently +5, Ride (Howler) +9, Search +1, Spot +11, Wilderness Lore +9. Replace Quick Draw with Off-Hand Parry. pg. 61 (C73) - Fachish: Feats: point blank shot, precise shot, quick draw, reach spell, reduce spot and listen by 2. Possessions: Replace +1 full plate with +1 blinding full plate, remove both wands, replace +1 large steel shield with large steel shield, reduce AC by 1. New Prepared Spell List (6/6/5/4/3; base DC = 14 + spell level): 0th cure minor wounds, detect magic, guidance, light, read magic, resistance 1st bless, cause fear, command, cure light wounds, obscuring mist, regenerate light wounds 2nd endurance, hold person, resist elements, silence, wind wall 3rd cure serious wounds, flame of faith, gaseous form, summon monster III 4th air walk, confusion, death knell (reach) Tactics: given time, Fachish will summon the large air elemental and use silence on it. He will buff with regenerate light wounds, endurance, resist elements (fire unless he has other info), wind wall, and air walk. Start with confusion. If the elemental is injuring someone badly within thirty feet, ready an action to use a reached death knell (likely on a mage type). If no one approaches, can spontaneously cast reached inflict light wounds, or protected himself with obscuring mist while curing. pg. 73 (C113) - Arlainth, replace burning hands with lesser fire orb. Replace Run with Greater Spell Focus (Evocation). Her spells lesser fire orb, flaming sphere, and fireball have a DC of 18 + spell level. pg. 73 (C115) - Skassik, replace Sunder with Pyro. He can't sunder much with a non-magical weapon anyway, but now his tail slap will do a little extra. pg. 73 (C116) - Zert, replace Dodge with Pyro. With two flaming weapons, this feat should make things a little more interesting. pg. 74 (C119) - Jurrikath Musseloto, replace Ambidexterity and TWF with Extra Music and Obscure Lore. With Obscure Lore, his bardic knowledge check is +10. Replace minor image with crescendo, sleep with lullaby, and ghost sound with easy math. pg. 92 (C187) - Kelashein, replace Lightning Reflexes and Weapon Focus (mace, crossbow) with Extra Turning, Divine Vigor, and Reach Spell. Change rebuke undead to 8/day, Reflex save is +2, melee attack is +9, ranged attack is +5. Replace unholy blight with Tharizduns Touch (reach), bestow curse* with Random Action (reach)* (water breathing is now not the domain spell), death knell with owls wisdom, and obscuring mist with regenerate light wounds. Replace the wand of inflict moderate wounds with a wand of knife spray. pg. 100 (C211) - Oamarthis, replace Alertness and Improved Initiative with Expert Tactician and Close Quarters Fighting. pg. 102 (C220) - Snearak, replace spiritual weapon with owls wisdom (should already be in effect roll or +3). pg. 103 (C223) - Uskathoth, replace aid with knife spray, replace one divine favor with regenerate light wounds. pg. 104 (C226) - Miikolak, replace spiritual weapon with brambles. pg. 104 (C230) - Swordmaster, replace Cleave with Death Blow. pg. 105 (C233) - Greshta, replace boots of elvenkind with the following: possum pouch, potion of cure light wounds (2), potion of jump, and a potion of spider climb. Submitted By: Infiniti2000 D'Gran D'Gran was a wanderer from the Far East, seeking wealth, knowledge, and (above all) power. In his travels, he discovered tales of an ancient entity of staggering power that was imprisoned beyond time and space. After deducing that the cult of the Elder Elemental Eye was somehow related, has allied himself with them. He is not particularly loyal to any of the elemental temples (though currently the Fire Temple pays him well enough to at least feign loyalty), but seeks to gain the attention of the Doomdreamers in hopes of being initiated into their inner circle and learning their forbidden truths. Male Ogre Mage Wu Jen 3; CR 11; Large Giant; AL NE Str 25 (+7), Dex 12 (+1), Con 21 (+5), Int 20 (+5), Wis 15 (+2), Cha 21 (+5); HD 5d8 + 3d4 + 40; hp 81; Init +5; Spd 40 ft, Fly 40 ft (good), AC 17 (touch 10, flat-footed 16), Melee Huge MW Naginata: +11 (2d6+10, x3), Ranged Huge MW Mighty Composite Daikyu (+4 Str bonus): +5 (2d6+4, x3); SA 10 ft reach, Spell-like abilities; SQ Darkvision 60 ft, Regeneration 2, SR 18, sudden action (+4 init, 1/day), spell secret: Silent Fire Shuriken, taboos: cannot cut hair, daily offering (blood); SV Fort +10, Ref +3, Will +6. Skills: Concentration +17, Knowledge: Arcana +16, Listen +8, Spellcraft +16, Spot +8 Feats: Combat Casting, Expertise, Improved Initiative, Still Spell Spell-Like Abilities: (Sor9; DC 15 + spell level; 1/day unless noted) Charm Person, Sleep, Darkness (at will), Invisibility (at will), Gaseous Form, Polymorph Self, Cone of Cold Spells (Wu Jen 3; DC 15 + spell level; 4/5/2) =prepared 0: arcane mark, dancing lights, daze, detect magic, detect poison, disrupt undead, flare, ghost sound, light, mage hand, mending, open/close, prestidigitation, ray of frost, read magic, resistance 1: elemental burst, hail of stone, cobra's breathe, backbiter, comprehend languages, ghost light, true strike 2: resist elements, fire shuriken, hold person Possessions: Huge MW Naginata, Huge MW Mighty Composite Daikyu (+4 Str bonus), 12 large arrows, Bracers of Armor +2. Submitted By: errant42 Heunar Heunar hails from tribe of orcs in a forgotten jungle in the distant south. They worship the great carnivorous lizards native to their lands, and the tribal shamans have learned to commune with-even tame-the beasts. Not content with the petty tribal wars that his kinfolk waged, Huenar traveled north and met with an exotic wizard woman named Tippish. She took a liking to him, fascinated by his ability to control the savage beasts with which he traveled. They became lovers and partners, and gained employment with the growing cult of the Elder Elemental Eye. Male half-orc Drd5; CR 5; Medium humanoid; AL NE Str 15 (+2), Dex 10, Con 12 (+1), Int 10, Wis 14 (+2), Cha 8 (-1); HD 5d8+5; hp 39; Init +0; Spd 30 ft; AC 15 (touch 10, flat-footed 15); Melee MW scimitar: +7 (1d6+2, 18-20); SQ Nature sense, Woodland stride, Trackless step, Resist Nature's Lure, Wild Shape 1/day; SV Fort +5, Ref +1, Will +6. Skills: Animal Empathy +7, Concentration +9, Heal +6, Knowledge: Nature +4, Spellcraft +4, Wilderness Lore +6 Feats: Combat Casting, Weapon Focus: Scimitar Spells (Drd5; DC 12 + spell level; 5/4/3/1) 0: create water, cure minor wounds, detect magic, flare, light 1: cure light wounds, endure elements, faerie fire, magic fang 2: barkskin, flame blade, heat metal 3: poison Possessions: Hide armor, large wooden shield, MW scimitar, potion of levitate, wand of cure moderate wounds (10) Submitted By: errant42 Ilyiskomok, AKA "Jaroo Ashstaff" Male Doppelganger Drd 2; CR 5; Medium-sized shapechanger; HD 4d8+4 + 2d8+2; hp 36; Init +1; Spd 30'; AC 15 (touch 11, flat-footed 14); Atk: +5 melee (1d6+1, 2 slams) or +6 melee (1d6+2, +1 darkwood quarterstaff); SA Detect thoughts; SQ Alter self, Immune to sleep and charm, Nature Sense, Woodland Stride; AL NE; SV Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +10; Str 12, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 13. Skills & Feats: Animal Empathy +6, Bluff +12, Disguise +12, Listen +11, Sense Motive +6, Spot +8, Wilderness Lore +7; Alertness, Dodge, Mobility. * +10 to Disguise when using alter self, +4 to Bluff and Disguise when detecting thoughts. Spells Prepared (4/3; base DC = 12 + spell level): 0th - Detect Poison, Flare, Guidance, Resistance; 1st - Entangle, Pass without Trace, Shillelagh Equipment: +1 darkwood quarterstaff, cloak of resistance +1. Submitted By: ZansForCans "Jaroo Ashstaff" Doppelganger Drd 3; medium-size shapechanger; HD 4d8+4+3d8+3 (39 hp); Init +1; Speed 30; AC 15 (+1 dex, +4 natural); Atk +6 melee (1d6+1, 2 slams); SQ Detect thoughts, alter self, immune to sleep and charm, nature sense, woodland stride, trackless step; AL NE; SV Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +9; Str 12, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 13. Skills: animal empathy +4, bluff +12 (+4 DT), concentration +7, disguise +12 (+4 DT, +10 AS), listen +11, sense motive +6, spellcraft +4, spot +8, wilderness lore +5. Bluff and disguise get +4 with a successful detect thoughts. Disguise gets +10 with alter self. Feats: alertness, dodge, mobility. Spells: 4/3/2 (DC 12 + spell level) 0th - cure minor wounds, detect magic, guidance, resistance 1st - entangle, invisibility to animals, obscuring mist 2nd - heat metal, hold animal Possessions: scroll of resist elements (fire), scroll of delay poison, scroll of magic fang, potion of cure light wounds (1d8+1), potion of cure moderate wounds (2d8+3), necklace of fireballs (Type I, 1 5d6, 2 3d6). Animal Companion: Snip, Dire Weasel (MM pg. 56), hp 13 If you use the MotW, I suggest the following: Spells: 4/3/2 (DC 12 + spell level) 0th - cure minor wounds, detect magic, guidance, dawn 1st - sandblast, regenerate light wounds, obscuring mist 2nd - briar web, hold animal Possessions: scroll of resist elements (fire), scroll of delay poison, scroll of magic fang, potion of animal logic, potion of cure moderate wounds (2d8+3), necklace of fireballs (Type I, 1 5d6, 2 3d6). Submitted By: Infiniti2000 Kadiss Male elf Telepath 6; CR 6; Medium-sized humanoid (elf) HD 6d4+18; hp 38; Init. +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 19 (touch 12, flat-footed 16); Atk +4 melee (1d8/19-20, masterwork longsword) or +6 ranged (1d8+1/x3, longbow +1); SQ Immune to sleep, low-light vision, +2 bonus on saves against enchantment effects, Ego Whip, Id Insinuation, Mental Barrier, Mind Blast, Psicrystal, Psion 0 level powers (9 free/day), Psychic Crush, Thought Shield, Tower of Iron Will; AL NE; SV fort +2, Ref +4, Will +7; Str 11, Dex 14, Con 11, Int 13, Wis 14, Chr 18. Skills and feats: Concentration +9, Diplomacy +13, Gather Information +9, Knowledge (Psionics) +7, Listen +4, Psicraft +7, Remote View +7, Search + 3, Sense Motive +8, Spot +4; Inertial Armor, Psionic Body (Chr), Psionic Focus (Telepathy). Powers Known (4+1, 2+1, 1+1, 0+1): 0- Catfall, Daze, Distract, Far Hand, Lesser Natural Armor; 1st- Astral Construst I, Charm Person, Disable; 2nd- Inflict Pain, Suggestion; 3rd- Crisis of Breath. Possesions: +1 Longbow, 20 arrows, Cloak of Charisma +2, masterwork longsword, Psicrystal (friendly). Submitted By: Boden Blagden Kella Female half-elf Druid 5/Shifter 4; CR 9; Medium-size humanoid (half-elf); HD 9d8+9; hp 51; Init +3; Spd 20 ft.; AC 19 (touch 13, flat-footed 16); Atk +8/+3 melee (1d6+2/18-20, +1 scimitar) or +10/+5 ranged (1d4, sling with masterwork bullet); SQ Druid abilities, immune to sleep, low-light vision, +2 bonus on saves against enchantment effects; AL NG; SV Fort +9, Ref +8, Will +8; Str 12, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 11, Wis 16, Cha 15. Skills and Feats: Animal Empathy +8, Concentration +7, Diplomacy +8, Handle Animal +8, Heal +7, Hide +11, Intuit Direction +7, Knowledge (nature) +6, Listen +6, Ride (horse) +5, Search +1, Spot +6, Wilderness Lore +13; Alertness, Dodge, Endurance, Track. Druid Abilities: Nature sense, woodland stride, trackless step, resist nature's lure, wild shape (1/day, Small, Medium-size). Shifter Abilities: Greater wild shape (3/day, Tiny thru Large size, Humanoid, Animal, Monstrous Humanoid, Beast, Plant, Vermin, or Giant). Spells Prepared (5/4/3/2; base DC = 13 + spell level): 0--create water, cure minor wounds, detect poison, light, purify food and drink; 1st-- calm animals, cure light wounds (2), summon nature's ally I; 2nd-- animal messenger, barkskin, lesser restoration; 3rd-- cure moderate wounds, stone shape Possessions: +3 hide armor, cloak of elvenkind, +1 scimitar, sling, 10 masterwork bullets, wand of cure light wounds (12 charges, 1d8+1), and 10gp. Submitted By: Andorax Kellial Unm Kellial lived in Rastor with his father, who was a miner. However, miner work was rare, so his father frequently had to do odd jobs, and occasionally left town, leaving the young (10 year old) Kellial at home alone for a week or so at a home. One day, Kellial and his two friends decided to go on a fishing trip to a nearby lake, only to have the direction of their young lives change permanently. Two gargoyles swooped in on the unsuspecting friends and brought them to the arena in the crater ridge mines. There, they quickly learned skills that would keep them alive for a few years. One of the boys was killed at the age of 13 by a small howler. The other two boys were able to subdue the beast, but not kill it. Claaginred of course was able to give this beast to others as leverage. It now inhabits the main entrance as Mereclar's pet. Kellial become very good and was Claaginred's favorite. The gargoyle, however, decided to pit one boy against another before they were able to team up and fight the gargoyles themselves. Facing death at the hand of the gargoyles or the unpleasant option of killing his friend, Kellial chose to kill his friend. It wasn't until he was 16 years old when Fachish decided he needed a good sword arm at his side. Kellial now owes everything to the Air Temple priest. He briefly visited Rastor and found his father had either moved on or died; there was no word of his passing. The young gladiator occasionally retreats to the arena, where he feels safe, and even fights in the pit for the pure joy of the crowd. Male human Ftr5/Gladiator2; CR 7; Medium-size humanoid (human); HD 7d10+14; hp 57; Init +1; Spd 20ft; AC 21 (touch 10, flat-footed 21); Atk +12/+7 melee (1d8+5/19-20, masterwork longsword) or +9/+4 ranged (1d8+3/x3, masterwork mighty composite longbow [+3 Str bonus]); AL CE; SV Fort +10, Ref +3, Will +2; Str 16, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 10, Cha 11. Skills: Bluff +6, Climb +6, Jump +6, Intimidate +6, Listen +1, Ride (horse) +5, Spot +1. Feats: Dodge, Expertise, Mobility, Spring Attack, Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword), Whirlwind Attack. SQ: Improved Feint, Study Opponent +1. Possessions: +1 half-plate (black), +1 large steel shield, masterwork longsword, masterwork mighty composite longbow (+3 Str bonus), 20 arrows, cloak of resistance +1 (black), potion of charisma, potion of cure moderate wounds, headband of ferocity, key to door to area C82a. Note: He lost a fighter bonus feat, so I removed combat reflexes. Submitted By: Infiniti2000 Lareth the Beautiful (Before Champion) Spells Prepared: 0 - cure minor wounds, detect magic, guidance, light, read magic, resistance 1 - bane, cure light wounds, divine favor, protection from good, regenerate light wounds, sanctuary, shield of faith 2 - bull's strength, death knell, divine zephyr, endurance, owl's wisdom***, Tharizdun's touch 3 - dispel magic, invisibility purge, rage, spikes* 4 - confusion, harrier, unfailing endurance* * domain spell, DotF, * MotW, **** T&B Possessions: as listed plus a Mark of the Apostasy (DotF), which is a symbol of the EEE, made from steel, about 8 inches across and grafted onto the solar plexus. This allows Lareth to cast spells without a holy symbol because it acts as the holy symbol and is always in contact with him. It grants fear 3/day as a 10th level wizard (DC 16). Tactics for Battle: Every sunset, Lareth prepares for the night by casting a number of spells. He casts these spells earlier if he spots anyone approaching the herb shop. He typically spends his days on the front porch smoking a pipe and considering his fate. These spells are the long duration ones: endurance, bull's strength, owl's wisdom, and spikes. Every 7 days, he casts unfailing endurance. He has already cast it this morning. This helps him survive the difficult days and nights in Nulb. If given a few rounds to prepare for combat, he will cast invisibility purge, protection from good, shield of faith, regenerate light wounds, and then divine favor. If given extra time, he will also cast resistance and guidance. Finally, he casts harrier on a target and then rage and charges into battle. He may prefer, however, to lead off with a confusion and/or bane. For at least the seven rounds of rage, Lareth has +19 on attacks, with damage 1d6+19/19-20x2, and 88 hps (I rolled +4 Str on bull's strength, +5 Con on endurance, and +4 Wis on owl's wisdom, really!). He generally uses the power attack, and he has a BAB +5, so that is +14 attack, damage 1d6+24/19-20x2. His saves vs. good are: Fort +15, Ref +8, Will +15. I figure he'd use the +3 from the Madness domain on his first Will save. For a really brutal Lareth, replace unfailing endurance with divine power. This gives him +16/+11 on attacks and damage 1d6+24/19-20x2. If in danger, he will retreat to the shop and fill it with a web from the cloak, then cast sanctuary and retreat to the ceiling for a couple of heals. He will then follow with the confusion, fear (from the Mark), poison, and Tharizdun's touch. He will not retreat further and will attack wildly after that. If winning, he will only pursue one fleeing target, or none if at least one is left behind (even an animal companion). In general, he always attacks one enemy until that enemy is dead, likely following up with a death's knell if circumstances allow. If the party approaches Lareth and a battle does not look likely, he may parley, as appropriate, depending on the party and the circumstances. Lareth, however, usually buffs with the long-term spells immediately, just in case. During combat, he mutters a lot, spouting odd phrases and words that have nothing to do with the combat (read the BoB for some excellent stuff). Calculations: +11 attack, damage 1d6+6 (normal) +13 attack, damage 1d6+8 (bull's strength) +15 attack, damage 1d6+15/19-20x2 (spikes) +17 attack, damage 1d6+17/19-20x2 (divine favor) +19 attack, damage 1d6+19/19-20x2 (rage) +14 attack, damage 1d6+24/19-20x2 (power attack) Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +8 (normal) Fort +10, Ref +5, Will +8 (endurance) Fort +12, Ref +5, Will +10 (rage) Fort +14, Ref +7, Will +12 (protection from good) Fort +15, Ref +8, Will +13 (resistance) Fort +15, Ref +8, Will +15 (owl's wisdom) They also got kind of freaked by the mark of apostasy, it was great! They must have talked about that thing for a good half hour, with the body just getting colder. To hasten things along, I just had it fizzle out in a pool of acid, leaving a gaping, seared hole in the body in the shape of an inverted 4-sider. Submitted By: Infiniti2000 Mereclar, Wormspike, and Sascha Hailing from the rugged lands of the north, Mereclar was always a loner, even an outcast, among the people of his small village. His father, the town constable, was an abusive drunk...this instilled a strong sense of independence and resentment toward authority figures. He ran away at age 12 after murdering his father, and grew up in the wild. He saved a wounded worg pup from a poacher's trap, and raised her as a pet and companion. He befriended the ogre Wormspike after a chance meeting on the road nearly ended in both of their deaths-an encounter that created a strong mutual respect between them. After some time as bandits in dwarven territories, servants of the EEE recruited them. Eventually, they were promoted to guard captains in charge of the main entrance, due mostly to their highly effective teamwork. Submitted By: errant42 Mereclar Mereclar is a tall, wiry man with dark brown hair and a scraggly beard. He dresses in black studded leather armor and most often wields his bow. If prepared for combat, Mereclar rides Sascha (his large worg) into battle, hanging back and firing arrows while Wormspike and any other guards present engage opponents in melee. Male human Rgr5/ Deepwood Sniper 1; CR 6; Medium humanoid (human); HD 6d8+6; hp 45; Init +3; Spd 30 ft; AC 16 (touch 13, flat-footed 13); Atk +9/+4 melee (1d8+2, 19-20/x2, MW Longsword), ranged +12/+7 (1d8+3, 19-20/x3, +1 Mighty Composite Longbow (+2 Str bonus)); SA Favored enemies (humans +2, dwarves +1); SQ Keen arrows, +10 range increment; AL CE; SV Fort +5, Ref +9, Will +2; Str 14 (+2), Dex 16 (+3), Con 13 (+1), Int 10, Wis 12 (+1), Cha 8 (-1). Skill and Feats: Heal +10, Hide +12, Listen +10, Move Silently +13, Ride +13, Search +9, Spot +10, Wilderness Lore +10; Track, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Far Shot, Weapon Focus: Composite Longbow, Mounted Combat, Mounted Archery. Spells (Caster level Rgr1; DC 11+lvl; spells 1): (1st) Resist Elements. Possessions: MW Longsword, MW Arrows (20), MW Studded Leather Armor, +1 Composite Longbow (Mighty +2), +1 Arrows (20), Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds (2d8+3). Wormspike Wormspike is prodigally large, even for an ogre. The not-so-bright look on his face is replaced with a yellow, toothy grin when he flies into a battle rage. Male ogre (8 ) / Bbn2; CR 4; Large giant; HD4d8+2d12+24; hp 78; Init -1; Spd 40 ft; AC 16 (touch 8, flat-footed 16); Atk +13 melee (2d6+10, huge greatclub), +4 ranged (2d6+7, huge shortspear); SA Rage (1/day); Reach 10 ft; AL CE; SV Fort +10, Ref +0, Will +1; Str 25 (+7), Dex 8 (-1), Con 16 (+3), Int 6 (-2), Wis 10, Cha 7 (-2). Skill and Feats: Climb +8, Listen +4, Spot +3; Weapon Focus: greatclub, Power Attack, Cleave, Dwarf's Toughness. Possessions: Huge greatclub, huge hide armor, 4 huge shortspears, and a gold necklace (500gp). Sascha Female worg, advanced; CR 4; Large magical beast; HD 8d10+32; hp 80; Init +1; Spd 50 ft; AC 14 (touch 9, flat-footed 13); Atk +14 melee (1d8+7, bite); SA Trip; SQ Scent; AL NE; SV Fort +10, Ref +7, Will +4; Str 25 (+7), Dex 13 (+1), Con 19 (+4), Int 6 (-2), Wis 14 (+2), Cha 10. Skill and Feats: Hide +4, Listen +10, Move Silently +8, Spot +10; Alertness. 4 worg pups (Rocko, Timber, Pusbucket, and Flame) - treat as noncombatants. Sascha's mate was killed by the troglodytes and its uncured pelt now lays across the earth temple altar. Tessimon Tessimon was the eldest daughter of an influential cleric of Pelor, and was groomed from a young age to join the clergy herself. Her weight problem, however, made her the focus of the other children's teasing. She thought to threaten them with the power of Pelor, but all knew that he was a kind and forgiving god... this only made them tease her more. "Tess-i-mon, big as the sun, can't catch us, too fat to run!" This engendered a strong desire to gain power-- power to make them stop, to make them respect her, to get even. Pelor's church did not offer this.... so she sought another path. She found the cult of the Elder Elemental Eye. Currently the most powerful of the elemental temples, the Fire Temple ascended to power some time ago, and has held its position through intrigue and force of arms. Tessimon rules the temple with an iron fist, brooking no opposition to her authority. She achieved her position though intrigue and assassination. She suspected many lower-ranking Fire clerics of attempting the same, so had them "removed." Only Firre remains, because he seems devoid of ambition, more than content to retain his position as jailer and torturer. Skassik is her most trusted (and feared) lieutenant, though Zert is the current champion of the temple and bearer of the lesser key and Sword of Fire. She is a short, thickly built woman (she prefers the term "voluptuous"). Her long, black hair has been bleached and dyed deep red at the ends, and her skin is beginning to take on an orange tint as result of her progression as a Fire Savant. Likewise, her irises have become deep red, and the whites of her eyes are smoky orange-- features that she uses to unnerve others. Though in control of the most powerful temple in the mines, she is not content; she covets power above all, and wishes to be initiated into the inner circle. To this end, she seizes any opportunity to inflict destruction on any of the other temples, believing that this will gain the attention of the Doomdreamers and convince them to initiate her. The Earth Temple was recently routed on a whim, and is only beginning to recover under the new troglodyte clergy. Female human Clr5/ Elemental Savant 5 [T&B]; CR 10; Medium humanoid; AL CE; Str 12 (+1), Dex 9 (-1), Con 14 (+2), Int 14 (+2), Wis 16 (+3), Cha 14 (+2); HD 5d8 + 5d4 +20; hp 69; Init -1; Spd 20 ft; AC 19 (touch 9, flat-footed 19); Melee MW heavy mace: +7 (1d8+1); Ranged MW light crossbow: +5 (1d8, 19-20); SA Rebuke undead (5/day, lvl 5, 1d20+2, 2d6+7 HD); SQ Fire resistance 10, fire focus +2, fire penetration +1; SV Fort +7, Ref +1, Will +11. Skills: Concentration +15, Knowledge (arcane) +15, Knowledge (the planes) +15, Scry +15, Spellcraft +15 Feats: Energy Substitution (Fire) [T&B], Empower Spell, Energy Admixture (Fire) [T&B], Combat Casting, Scribe Scroll Spells (Clr10; DC 13 + spell level [Fire: 15]; 6/ 5+1/ 5+1/ 4+1/ 3+1/ 2+1) 0: cure minor wounds (x2), detect magic, guidance, light, resistance 1: bane, cure light wounds (x2), sanctuary, shield of faith +burning hands 2: cure moderate wounds, hold person, silence, darkbolt (x2) [BoVD], +produce flame 3: cure serious wounds, dispel magic (x2), flame of faith [DotF], +magic circle against good 4: divine power, lesser planar ally, summon monster iv, +wall of fire 5: flame strike, summon monster v, +fire shield Deity: Elder Elemental Eye (Imix). Domains: Evil (caster level 11 for Evil spells); Fire (Turn Water Elem, Rebuke Fire Elem) Possessions: MW full plate armor, large steel shield, MW heavy mace, MW light crossbow (10 bolts), lesser tentacle rod, potion of heroism, lesser key of fire, divine scrolls: raise dead, flame strike (x2), cure moderate wounds (x2) Submitted By: errant42 Tippesh Tippesh was born in the northern barbarian lands, where her small village was raided and plundered by orcs. The half-orc wizard in the orc tribe took her in, as his prize, and began teaching her the ways of wizardry. He also tortured her on a regular basis, teaching her the intricacies of the flesh. She surpassed her teacher and killed him for his spell books. She left the orc tribe, but still had a fascination for half-orcs and for cutting into her own flesh, nearly masochistically. Eventually, she learned to harness this masochistic tendency and cut into her own flesh in order to power her spells. The resistance to pain also lets her remain conscious despite grievous wounds. Female human Evoker 5/Blood Magus 1; CR 6; Medium-size humanoid (human); HD 6d4+9; hp 24; Init +2; Spd 30ft; AC 12 (touch 12, flat-footed 10); Atk +2 melee (1d4/19-20, dagger) or +4 ranged (1d4/19-20, dagger); AL NE; SV Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +3; Str 11, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 15, Wis 9, Cha 10. Skills: Alchemy +11, Concentration +10, Heal +5, Knowledge (arcana) +10, Spellcraft +11. Feats: Brew Potion, Energy Substitution (sonic), Empower Spell, Scribe Scroll, Spell Focus (evocation), Toughness. SQ: Blood Component, Stanch. Spells Prepared (5/5/4/2, base DC = 12+spell level): 0 - detect magic, detect poison, light, read magic, resistance; 1 - magic missile (2), charm person (2), lesser sonic orb; 2 - darkness, flaming sphere (sonic), false life, see invisible; 3 - fireball (sonic), lightning bolt. Spell book: 0 - arcane mark, dancing lights, daze, detect magic, detect poison, disrupt undead, flare, ghostsound, light, mage hand, mending, open/close, prestidigitation, read magic, resistance; 1 - alarm, charm person, identify, magic missile, lesser sonic orb, Tenser's floating disk; 2 - darkness, daylight, flaming sphere, false life, see invisible, shatter; 3 - dispel magic, explosive runes, fireball, gust of wind, lightning bolt. Evocation spell: these spells have a save DC of 14 + spell level, if applicable, and is the specialized school. Prohibited school: conjuration. Possessions: slippers of spider climbing, scroll of blink, potion of cure light wounds (1d8+1), potion of cat's grace, potion of endurance, potion of intelligence, 2 daggers, and 15gp. Submitted By: Infiniti2000 Virith Virith is a renegade from the elven Order of the Bow. His lack of magical aptitude kept him becoming an Arcane Archer, and his ambition prompted him to seek greater power elsewhere. After some time as a wandering mercenary and assassin, he fell in with Zert, and subsequently with the cult. He is a tall elf with blue-black hair and eyes, and stern demeanor. Though he and Zert were companions before being hired by the cult, they have no specific loyalty to one another. Currently the most powerful of the elemental temples, the Fire Temple ascended to power some time ago, and has held its position through intrigue and force of arms. Tessimon rules the temple with an iron fist, brooking no opposition to her authority. She achieved her position though intrigue and assassination. She suspected many lower-ranking Fire clerics of attempting the same, so had them "removed." Only Firre remains, because he seems devoid of ambition, more than content to retain his position as jailer and torturer. Skassik is her most trusted (and feared) lieutenant, though Zert is the current champion of the temple and bearer of the lesser key and Sword of Fire. Male moon elf Ftr5/ Order of the Bow Initiate 2 [S&F]; CR 7; Medium humanoid; AL CE; Str 13 (+1), Dex 20 (+5), Con 10, Int 9 (-1), Wis 10, Cha 12 (+1); HD 7d10; hp 52; Init +5; Spd 30 ft; AC 20 (touch 15, flat-footed 15); Melee MW longsword: +9/+4 (1d8+1, 19-20); Ranged +1 keen longbow: +15/+10 [PB: +16/+11] (1d8+2 [PB: +5], 19-20/x2); SA Ranged Sneak Attack +1d6; SQ Immune to sleep, low-light vision, +2 saves vs. enchantment, Close Combat Shot; SV Fort +4, Ref +9, Will +3. Skills: Knowledge (Religion) +1, Spot +5, Listen +5 Feats: Weapon Focus (Longbow), Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Weapon Specialization (Longbow), Dodge Possessions: +1 keen longbow, +1 mithril shirt, +1 arrows (20), MW arrow (20), MW longsword Submitted By: errant42 Zert Zert is a dark-skinned man of stocky frame, with short but unkempt dark brown hair, grey eyes, and surprising quickness and agility for his build. He hails from the coast, and was once a pirate. An inability to develop his sea legs (and a general dislike of the ocean) prompted him to seek employment inland as a mercenary. After gaining very profitable employment with the cult, he climbed the ranks quickly through his exceptional combat prowess and ruthless manner. He is a cunning warrior and demanding leader; his leadership of the Fire Temple's forces is as responsible as anything for their climb to dominance. He doesn't share (or even really understand) the cult's philosophical views, but enjoys his job very much. Currently the most powerful of the elemental temples, the Fire Temple ascended to power some time ago, and has held its position through intrigue and force of arms. Tessimon rules the temple with an iron fist, brooking no opposition to her authority. She achieved her position though intrigue and assassination. She suspected many lower-ranking Fire clerics of attempting the same, so had them "removed." Only Firre remains, because he seems devoid of ambition, more than content to retain his position as jailer and torturer. Skassik is her most trusted (and feared) lieutenant, though Zert is the current champion of the temple and bearer of the lesser key and Sword of Fire. Male human Ftr9/ Tempest 1 [MotW]; CR 10; Medium humanoid; AL LE; Str 17 (+3), Dex 15 (+2), Con 12 (+1), Int 13 (+1), Wis 9 (-1), Cha 10; HD 10d10 + 10; hp 80; Init +6; Spd 30 ft; AC 18 (touch 12, flat-footed 16); Melee Sword of Fire: +14/+9 (1d6+7, 17-20); +1 flaming short sword: +13/+8 (1d6+4+1d6, 17-20); SV Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +2. Skills: Climb +13, Intimidate +7, Jump +13, Listen +10, Swim +12 Feats: Dodge, Expertise, Ambidexterity, Two-Weapon Fighting, Mobility, Spring Attack, Weapon Focus (Short Sword), Weapon Specialization (Short Sword), Improved Critical (Short Sword), Improved Initiative, (Improved Two-Weapon Fighting) Possessions: Sword of Fire (+2), +1 flaming short sword, potion of endurance, +2 chain shirt, lesser key of fire, iron key (chest in area 116) Submitted By: errant42 Eeridik Male Human Sor6/Acolyte of the Skin [T&B] 4; CR 10; Medium-size humanoidHD 10d4+30; hp 56; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17 (touch 14, flat-footed 13); Atk +8 melee (d4+1/19-20, dagger); SA Wear Fiend, Fiendish Glare; SQ Darkvision, Fire Resistance 20 ; AL LE; SV Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +11; Str 10, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 16. Skills and Feats: Climb +5, Concentration +16, Diplomacy +5, Hide +7, Intimidate +7, Knowledge: Planes* +13, Listen +6, Move Silently +6, Scry +4, Search +5, Sense Motive +7, Spellcraft +14, Spot +6; Educated, Combat Casting, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Brew Potion. Wear Fiend: +1 Natural Armor, +2 Inherent Dex bonus, 60' darkvision, Cast Poison 1/day as a 16th level caster. Fiendish Glare: 1/day, any target within 100'. Will save DC 20 or be appalled by the retribution in his gaze. -2 morale penalty to attack/damage/saves for 10 minutes. Also stunned: >= 50 hps: 3d4 rounds, 51-100 hps: 2d4 rounds, 101-150 hps: d4 rounds. 151+ hps, not stunned. Spells Known* (6/7/7/6/3; base DC = 13 + spell level); 0-arcane mark, detect magic, detect poison, ghost sound, mage hand, open/close, read magic, resistance; 1st-change self, expeditious retreat, magic missile, message, shield; 2nd-bull's strength, cat's grace, endurance; 3rd-haste, lightning bolt; 4th-stoneskin. Posessions: Bracers of armor +2, +1 dagger, ring of protection +1, wand of arcane lock (11 charges), arcane scroll of improved invisibility. * The feat Educated comes from the Forgotten Realms campaign book, and replaces the Brew Potion feat (all Knowledge skills are now class skills, take at 1st). The Knowledge: Planes skill takes the place of the Alchemy skill, and is a pre-requisite for Acolyte of the Skin. He gets Brew Potion back again from "Fiendish Knowledge" These changes were done due to the fact that Sorcerors do not have Knowledge: Planes as a class skill. Submitted by: Andorax Tac Male human Mnk6/Tattooed Monk [OA] 3; CR 9; Medium-size humanoid (human); HD 9d8+18; hp 78; Init +3 (+3 Dex); Spd 60 ft.; AC 22 (touch 16, flat-footed 19); Atk +7/+4 melee (1d10+1, unarmed strike) or +5/+5/+2 melee (1d10+1, flurry of blows); SA Stunning attack, Spider and Tiger Tattoos; SQ Monk abilities; AL LE; SV Fort +10, Ref +11, Will +10; Str 13, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 12. Skills and Feats: Balance +13, Climb +13, Hide +13, Jump +15, Knowledge: Religion* +10, Listen +12, Move Silently +15, Spot +6, Tumble +15; Alertness, Deflect Arrows, Dodge, Improved Trip, Mobility, Improved Grapple. Stunning Attack (Ex): 6/day; DC 16 Tiger Tattoo (Su): 2/day fight unarmed with +1 to hit and 1d6 damage per attack for 1 round/level. Spider Tattoo (Su): All unarmed attacks, even just a touch, has a contact poison (DC 16, Pri 1 Con/Sec 1 Con). Tac can supress this poison for 1 hour with a full round of concentration and a DC 20 will save. Monk Abilities: Still mind, slow fall 30 ft., purity of body. Posessions: Bracers of armor +2, amulet of natural armor +1, ring of sustenance, ring of warmth, potion of blur, potion of bull's strength, potion of endurance, potion of darkvision. * I took 4 ranks from balance, 2 from tumble, and two from hide to grant him the requisite 8 ranks of Knowledge: Religion. I took away Spring Attack to give him the requisite Improved Grapple feat. It is worthy of note that a grapple with Tac can be very deadly, given his Improved Grapple ability (easy to start one) and his Spider Tattoo poison. Use with care. Also take note of Eeadrick's spell list. It is very likely that Tac will be benefitting from enhancements, possably to all three of his physical abilities, if he and Eeadrick have even a little bit of time to prepare. Note that his Con modifier affects the DC of his Spider Tattoo poison, increasing if it increases. Submitted by: Andorax Nilbool From a very young age, Nilbool was always groomed to be a spymaster. He was given special training the ways of the mind and how to bend people to ones will. He joined the ranks of the clerics briefly and found it not to be the life for him, though he did find the teachings of the Elder Elemental Eye the true way. Nilbool takes special pleasure in uncovering forces against the EEE and especially those against the Water Temple. Male kuo-toa Clr1/Wiz5/Mindbender 1 (+1 cleric); CR 9; Medium-size monstrous humanoid (aquatic); HD 2d8+2 plus 1d8+1 plus 5d4+5 plus 1d4+1; hp 41; Init +0; Spd 20ft, Swim 50ft; AC 17 (touch 10, flat-footed 17, +6 natural armor, +1 deflection); Atk +5 melee (1d8+1, heavy mace) and +0 melee (1d4, bite); SA Rebuke undead 2/day; AL CE; SV Fort +8, Ref +4, Will +13; Str 13, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 16, Wis 15, Cha 8. Skills: Bluff +6, Concentration +4, Craft (metalworking) +8, Diplomacy +3, Escape Artist +18, Intimidate +3, Listen +9, Move Silently +3, Scry +6, Search +12, Sense Motive +6, Spot +11. Feats: Alertness, Craft Wand, Greater Spell Focus (evocation), Great Fortitude, Leadership, Scribe Scroll, Spell Focus (evocation). SQ: Amphibious, electricity resistance 30, immune to webs, poison, paralysis, hold, and figments, insanity (score 0, so no effect), keen sight, light blindness, telepathy (100ft), slippery, skill boost (bluff, sense motive). Wizard Spells Prepared (4/4/3/2; base DC = 13 + spell level, evocation* = 17 + spell level): 0th detect magic, mage hand, read magic, resistance 1st lesser cold orb, lesser electric orb, magic missile, shield 2nd foxs cunning, invisibility, web 3rd displacement, lightning bolt Cleric Spells Prepared: (see text) Spellbook: add lesser cold orb, lesser electric orb, shatter, foxs cunning, and ice burst. Possessions: see text. Submitted By: Infiniti2000
Andorax	Closing Thoughts	#38	[-]
Posts: 1853 (05/06/03 11:26:56) Just showed up Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	After wrapping up my campaign, I tried to come up with three solid bits of advice. Here they are (after several suggested I post it here). 1) Post a campaign log, and keep it in a single thread. It's an invaluable tool for keeping yourself organized. The very act itself allows you to "gel" the last session in your mind, and you can read it the day of each new session to refresh your memory of what happened last week. It also lets the other DMs here see what's happening in your adventures, to comment, and to lend a helping hand. I tried to keep specific calls for advice separate from the campaign thread, just referring back to it as needed. It helped the campaign thread stay a campaign thread. 2) Organize your notes. Get a notebook and keep it with the module (or possably the module inside the notebook, I had a 1" 3-ring binder for mine). You're going to have countless little details to track, so try very hard to keep them all together and ORGANIZED. Critical DM aids that I've used: A page listing the descriptions of magic items I've given the PCs, and the actual nature of the items, so that when they're identified I have an easy reference. I make sure the players refer to the item by the left-most description. For example: Chat's Rapier \| Rapier +1 Chat's Buckler \| Buckler +1 Chat's Wand \| Wand of Invisibility (12 charges) A breakdown of each PC's spot, listen and SCRY checks. This way, if I need to, I can roll my own spot/listen checks for sneaking up opponents, or even scry checks when the party's being scried upon. I don't have to ask the PCs for information. A list of equipment looted from PC's bodies, along with a breakdown of who gets what, and what has and has not yet been identified. 3) Keep your Enthusiasm Up. Long adventures like this are draining on a DM. Especially with the CRM in the middle, it's hard on the DM as well to keep after it, and to keep DMing WELL rather than just going through the motions. I know I didn't "have my game on" every single week, and that it got harder towards the end. So do whatever it takes to recharge your bateries as DM. Chatting about the campaign here helped me a lot (hense the long campaign log, in part). I also email other DMs back and forth with campaign ideas. Perhaps even play a different session at the same time! If you don't have a second night to devote to gaming, maybe you could hook up with a PBP somewhere. Just be aware that it's tough to keep DMing at peak performance for such a long, sustained effort, and look for help and opportunities to get yourself recharged and re-excited about the adventure. "Whadda ya mean, Orcs get levels too?!?"
Andorax	Pseudonatural Foes	#39	[-]
Posts: 1853 (06/24/03 06:46:36) Just showed up Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	It's already had mention before here, but I've recommended several times that an appropriate way to RP the Madness domain, and the "otherworldness" of Big T's involvement, is to use the Pseudonatural template in lieu of the Fiendish one when your NPC clerics cast Summon Monster spells. To wit, I've provided a few samples here, including descriptions. The descriptions really help make it an unexpected battle for the PCs, as they're unlikely to recognize what they're facing as what it really is. Typical Summon Monster I: Pseudonatural Hawk (Tiny Outsider). HD 1d8; hp 4; Init +3 (Dex); Spd 60 ft. Fly (Avg); AC 17 (+2 Size, +3 Dex, +2 Natural); Atks: Claws +5 Melee (d4-2); SQ: Electricity and Acid Resistance 5, SR 2, True Strike 1/day, Alternate Form; AL N; SV Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +2; Str 6, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6. Listen +6, Spot +6 (add +8 in Daylight). Weapon Finesse (Claws). Alternate Form: A Pseudnoatural Hawk imposes a -1 Morale penalty to attacks against it in it's alternate form. The Pseudonatural Hawk's alternate form is like a normal hawk that's been plucked of all it's feathers, with leathern, bat-like wings and an enlarged, razor-sharp beak. ------------------------------------ Typical Summon Monster III: Pseudonatural Wolverine. Medium Animal. HD 3d8+12 (28 <34> hps). Init +2, Spd 30', burrow 10', climb 10'. AC 14 <12> Attack: Bite +4 (d6+2) <+6 (d6+4)> Full Attack: 2 Claw +4 (d4+2), Bite -1 (d6+1) <+6 (d4+4), +1 (d6+2)> F/R: 5'x5'/5', SA: Rage, SQ: Scent, SR 6, Elec/Acid Res 5, Sv: Fort +7 <+9>, Ref +5, Will +2 Abil: Str 14 <18>, Dex 15, Con 19 <23>, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 10 Skill: Climb +15 <+17>, Listen +6, Spot +6 <raging>, which occurs as soon as it is first wounded. True Strike 1/day Alternate Form (-1 morale penalty to hit it). A Pseudonatural Wolverine in it's alternate form looks like a large, warty lump of flesh, propelled along the floor by dozens of tiny crab-like legs ending in sharp claws. It attacks by two whip-like tendrils tipped with sharp claws that sprout from either side of a lamprey-like orifice filled with needle-sharp teeth, row upon row. ------------------------------------ Typical Summon Monster III: Pseudonatural Dire Bat. Large Animal. HD 4d8+12 (40 hps). Init +6, Spd 20', fly 10' (g). AC 20 Full Attack: Bite +5 (d8+3) F/R: 10'x5'/5', SQ: Blindsight 120', SR 8, DR 5/+1, Elec/Acid Res 10; Sv: Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +6 Abil: Str 17, Dex 22, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6 Skill: Listen +11, Move Silent +11, Spot +11 True Strike 1/day Alternate Form (-1 morale penalty to hit it). A Pseudonatural Dire Bat in it's alternate form looks like a massive eyeball, roughly three feet in diameter, with four feathery wings sprouting from directly behind it, fluttering rapidly. It attacks by means of an extending maw (think the inner mouth of an Alien from Alien) that shoots out of the pitch-black central pupil of the eye. ------------------------------------ Typical Summon Monster III: Pseudonatural Thoqqua (Medium-Size Outsider: Earth, Acid). HD 3d8+3; hp 16; Init +1 (Dex); Spd 30 ft., burrow 20 ft.; AC 18 (+1 Dex, +7 Natural); Atks: Slam +4 Melee (d6+3+2d6 Acid); SQ: Electricity Resistance 5, Acid Immunity, Tremorsense, Acidic, Acid Burn, SR 6, True Strike 1/day, Alternate Form; AL N; SV Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +2; Str 15, Dex 13, Con 13, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 10. Intuit Direction +4, Jump +6, Listen +6, Move Silent +5. This Pseudonatural Thoqqua has substituted Acid for Fire from a "Normal" Thoqqua. Acidic: Merely touching or being touched by a Pseudonatural Thoqqua automatically deals 2d6 acid damage. Acid Burn: When a Pseudonatural Thoqqua hits with it's slam attack, the opponent must succeed at a Reflex save (DC 13) or be covered in acid. The Acid burns for d4 rounds (as per the rules for being caught on fire, but Acid damage). Tremorsense: Pseudonatural Thoqquas can automatically sense the location of anything within 60 feet that is in contact with the ground. Alternate Form: A Pseudonatural Thoqqua imposes a -1 morale penalty to attacks against it in it's alternate form. The Pseudonatural Thoqqua's alternate form is that of a severed tentacle about 5' long crawling about independantly. ------------------------------------ Typical Summon Monster IV: Pseudonatural Varguouille (Small Outsider: Evil). HD 1d8+1; hp 5; Init +1 (Dex); Spd 30 ft. Fly (Good); AC 12 (+1 Size, +1 Dex); Atks: Bite +3 Melee (d4 & poison); SQ: Shriek, poison, kiss, Electricity and Acid Resistance 5, SR 2, True Strike 1/day, Alternate Form; AL NE; SV Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +3; Str 10, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 5, Wis 12, Cha 8. Listen +4, Spot +3. Weapon Finesse (bite). Shriek: Instead of biting, a Pseudonatural Vargouille can shriek. THose within 60 ft. (except for other Pseudonatural Vargouilles) who can both hear the shriek and can see the creature must make a Fortitude save (DC 12) or be paralyzed with fear until the monster attacks them, goes out of range, or leaves their sight. If the save is successful, that opponent cannot be affected again by that Pseudonatural Vargouille's shriek for one day. Poison: Fortitude save (DC 12) or be unable to heal the bite damage normally or magically. Neutralize Poison or Heal removes the effect, while Delay Poison allows magical healing. Kiss: With a successful melee touch attack against a paralyzed target, the Pseudonatural Vargouille begins a terrible transformation. The affected opponent must make a Fortitude save (DC 19) or begin to transform. See the description of the Vargouille for the transformation's effects, save that the result will be a Pseudonatural Vargouille. Alternate Form: A Pseudnoatural Vargouille imposes a -1 Morale penalty to attacks against it in it's alternate form. The Pseudonatural Vargouille's alternate form is fairly similar to it's normal form, save that it is scaly, and the wings of the creature are feathered in a brilliant green plumage. ------------------------------------ Typical Summon Monster VI: Pseudonatural Unicorn (Large Outsider: Good). HD 4d10+20; hp 42; Init +3 (Dex); Spd 60 ft.; AC 18 (-1 Size, +3 Dex, +6 Natural); Atks: Horn +11 Melee (d8+ , 2 Hooves +3 melee (d4+2); SQ Magic Circle vs. Evil; Spell-like Abilities, Immunities, Electricity and Acid Resistance 5, SR 8, True Strike 1/day, Alternate Form; AL CG; SV Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +6; Str 20, Dex 17, Con 21, Int 10, Wis 21, Cha 24. Animal Empathy +11, Listen +11, Move Silently +9, Spot +11, Wilderness Lore +9 (Further +3 within their forests). Alertness. Pseudonatural Unicorns continuously radiate a Magic Circle against Evil, which they cannot suppress. Spell-Like Abilities: Pseudonatural Unicorns can detect evil at will as a free action. Once per day, they can teleport without error to move anywhere within it's home, although not beyond nor back into from outside their forest boundaries. A Pseudonatural Unicorn can use cure light wounds three times per day, and cure moderate wounds once per day as per a 5th level Druid, and neutralize poison as an 8th level Druid, with a touch of it's horn(s). Immunities: Pseudonatural Unicorns are immune to all poisons, charms, and hold spells. Alternate Form: A Pseudnoatural Unicorn imposes a -1 Morale penalty to attacks against it in it's alternate form. The Pseudonatural Unicorn's alternate form has a scaly, brown hide, a tough insect-like outer carapice, six insectoid legs, and a tri-forked horn set at the end of the bony plate covering it's head. ------------------------------------ Typical Summon Monster VIII: Pseudonatural Cornugon (Large Outsider: Evil, Lawful). HD 11d8+33; hp 82; Init +1 (Dex); Spd 20 ft./fly 50 ft. (Avg); AC 25 (-1 Size, +1 Dex, +15 Natural); Atks: Whip +15/+10/+5 Melee (d4+5 and Stun) OR 2 claws +15 Melee (d4+5), bite +9 melee (d4+2), tail +9 melee (d3+2 and Wound); SQ Spell-like Abilities, Fear Aura, Stun, Wound, Summon Baatezu, Damage Reduction 20/+2, SR 24, Regeneration 5, Immune to Fire and Poison, See in any Darkness, Telepathy (100 ft.), Cold and Acid Resistance 20, Electricity Resistance 15, True Strike 1/day, Alternate Form; AL LE; SV Fort +10, Ref +8, Will +9; Str 21, Dex 12, Con 17, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 14. Bluff +14, Search +14, Concentration +15, Hide +7, Listen +14, Move Silently +14, Climb +16, Sense Motive +14, Spot +14. Cleave, Power Attack, Sunder. At Will: Animate Dead, Charm Person, Desecrate, Detect Good, Detect Magic, Detect Thoughts, Dispel Chaos, Dispel Good, Magic Circle Against Good, Major Image, Produce Flame, Pyrotechnics, Suggestion, Teleport w/o Error (Self + 50 lbs). 3/day Fireball and Lightning Bolt. 1/day Wall of Fire (all as 12th level Sorceror, save DC 12 + Spell Level). Fear Aura: As a free action, a Pseudonatural Cornugon creates an aura of fear in a 5' radius. Otherwise, it's identical to a fear cast by a 12th level Sorceror (save DC 17). Won't affect other Baatezu, and anyone who makes their save can't be affected for one day. Stun: Whenever a Pseudonatural Cornugon hits with it's whip, the opponent must make a Fortitude save (DC 17) or be stunned for D4 rounds. Wound: A hit from a cornugon's tail attack causes a bleeding wound. This wound loses an additional 2 hps per round until a heal check (DC 10) is used to staunch it, or the creature dies. Summon Pseodunatural Baatezu. once per day, a Pseudonatural Cornugon can attempt to summon 2d10 Pseudonatural Lemures (fleshy blue spheres with three stumpy legs and sharp claws around it's circumfrence), or 1d6 Pseudonatural Barbazu (A lobster-like creature (2 claws) who's back is covered in slime-ridden tentacles, each ending with a sucker mouth (beard) and a stinging whip-like protrusion in the middle of it's forehead (glaive)) with a 50% chance of success, 1d6 Pseudonatural Hamatulas (a roughly humanoid blob of pale yellow goo, with spines that extrude outward, then suck back into the body, with each shuddering, wheezy breath it takes) with a 35% chance of success, or another Pseudonatural Cornugon (as described below) with a 20% chance of success. Regeneration: Pseudonatural Cornugons take normal damage from acid (that can pierce their resistance), and from holy and blessed weapons of at least +2 enchantment. Alternate Form: A Pseudnoatural Cornugon imposes a -1 Morale penalty to attacks against it in it's alternate form. The Pseudonatural Cornugon's alternate form is that of a black, amorphous cloud from which a mass of tentacles protrudes. Several short ones near the top have eyestalks upon them, a long, thick one ends in a maw of razor-sharp teeth, a pair of them end in a mass of sharp barbs (claws), while a longer one near the rear has a razor-sharp bone-like spike sticking out from it (tail). The longest tentacle, which swirls about it constantly, is the "whip" that it wields. If you were to do a search on the first page for "pseudonatural", you'll find a few more under my approach to how to handle PCs who scry on Hedrack. "Whadda ya mean, Orcs get levels too?!?"
Andorax	Elemental Mayhem	#40	[-]
Posts: 1853 (08/07/03 12:19:00) Just showed up Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	As per requested, here's another bit I've put together. It's for DMs who want to "power up" the elements in revolt aspect of the campaign, especially if they're going to start summoning more than one of the Elemental Princes. It borrows some from the Book of Vile Darkness, but that's not absolutely required...the idea should be clear enough as-is. Fire Ascendant (Imix arrived): At the ToAC, a violet nimbus of flame now surrounds the peak of the Inner Fane, causing a visible glow that can be seen, on still clear nights, even as far away as Rastor. Around the Recovered Temple, as far away as Hommlet, flames burn hotter, and have a purple tinge to them. Wounds caused by these flames do not close properly (1 point of vile damage out of each die of damage inflicted). Accidents occur with the slightest spark or error...within the first couple of days, both the Smithy and the Inn of the Welcome Wench are burned down in accidents. Within the Recovered Temple itself, fire burns extremely hot. In addition to the vile damage, all fire attacks are automaticaly Empowered, and anyone that is "set on fire" is unable to douse it in normal water, though Holy Water will douse it instantly. Earth Ascendant (Ogremoch arrived): The waters of the Stalagos tremble constantly, as minor quakes rumble through the area. The inner ring of the CRM, and outer surface of the Outer Fane, both sproute massive spikes of stone, thrusting a dozen feet or more out into the air. Around the Inner Fane, these spikes cover the Blasted Courtyard in shadow, as they cris-cross back and forth through the caldera, but never pierce the Inner Fane itself...merely wrapping 'round it at close proximity. Around the Recovered Temple, as far away as Hommlet, soil and dirt lose their wholesomeness. No plant harvested within 20 miles of the Recovered Temple has any nutritional value, and the plantlife around there starts dying at an alarming rate. Within a week, all small plants up to bush-sized are dead...and within another week, even the trees will have fallen. Insects pour from the earth, devouring the food that does remain...foul insects, flies worms and maggots. Within the Recovered Temple itself, earthquakes rumble through on occasion. Cave-ins are frequent, and it is a constant effort to keep re-excavating various areas. Weak minions (hobgoblins, regular ogres) are dead soon, and the adventuring party will have to dig their way through. Acid and Earth spells are now partly vile (as per Fire above). Water Ascendant (Olhydra arrived): The waters of the Stalagos turn a deep shade of violet, taking on an oily consistancy. Any creature dwelling within the Stalagos or nearby waterways takes on the Corpse Creature (BoVD) Template. A black cloud hangs over the CRM, and a greasy, slimy rain falls continuously. Over the Inner Fane, a constant hissing sound is heard as these droplets strike the violet flame about the peak. Within the blasted courtyard, streams of this greasy water run onto the ground and into cracks, erupting in steam as they reach sources of heat below, such that the courtyard itself is constantly filled with a hellish mist that feels like trying to walk through mucus. Around the Recovered Temple, as far away as Hommlet, water becomes dangerous. Any person or animal that drinks from the water risks contracting Blinding Sickness (see the DMG). Inhabitants are forced to drink milk, wine, beer, any other liquid or suffer the consequences. The disease is considered a Vile disease, and subject to the same strictures of Vile damage. Refer to rules for water deprevation as applicable. Within the Recovered Temple itself, the surfaces are coated with such disgusting condensation. Conditions are similar to that of the Blasted Courtyard outside the Inner Fane. In a number of places, the water has chilled into ice, and the surfaces are bitter cold to the touch. Within a few days, conditions within the lower level of the Temple are like unto those within the Greater Temple in the Outer Fane (and likewise, the Purple Robes of Tharizdun will ward off the cold). Water and cold spells are Empowered and partly Vile (as per fire above). Air Ascendant (Yan-C-Bin arrived): A howling wind circles about the crater of the CRM. It is of "Strong Wind" grade. The waters of the Stalagos are whipped to an absolute froth. The bridges are now damp and slick with water and blowing air, requiring a series of five balance checks (DC 10) to cross successfully without resorting to crawling on all fours. The Lightning Towers' bolts are now both Empowered and inflict partially Vile damage (as per Fire above). Within the Blasted Courtyard, however, is a disturbing dead calm. Anyone not holding their breath will suffer 1 point of subdual damage for every minute spent within the caldera, but outside the Inner Fane. Around the Recovered Temple, as far away as Hommlet, a similar condition ensues to that of the Blasted Courtyard, though not quite so extreme. Anyone outside suffers 1 point of subdual damage each hour which, if rendering someone unconscious, will begin inflicting real damage instead. Within the Recovered Temple itself, howling winds blast their way through the temple, blowing outwards from the main altar. Movement is often slowed by this (again, Strong Wind). Air and Lightning based spells are Empowered and partly-vile (as per Fire above). "Whadda ya mean, Orcs get levels too?!?"

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