DMing a lightning rail [Archive] - Wizards Community

DMing a lightning rail [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Thomar_of_Uointer
09-04-05, 10:15 PM I'm planning on DMing a session involving a lightning rail in our next adventure. The players are starting in Sharn, and will be hired by a gnome who works for the Dreaming Dark to transport a small item from his cell to the next. Of course, there are several agencies (mostly psionic characters) who want to get the item.

A few things I've already determined are that the group fighting the PCs will have access to dimension swap, which can be very useful in a crowded place like a lightning rail coach. The item sucks excess life energy from its surroundings, making it heavier the longer it is held, which will give the PCs ample opportunity to lose it when they set it down. The party will be fighting on top of a coach a few times, which I'm probably going to adjucate with DC 15 Balance checks to stay on as a free action (instead of a move action).

Any tips? Suggestions?
UnkemptSage
09-04-05, 11:54 PM I've often thought about doing a similar adventure. I too would like some tips on it. One thing that keeps coming to mind, though, is that I've seen the lightning rail described as having lightning arcs going over it, so the thought of having the PCs on top of it sounds pretty dangerous, and I've been trying to come up with a mechanic similar to the sewage valves in the Forgotten Forge adventure to work it, but so far I'm coming up with no good ideas.

Of course, I'm in no hurry, as I currently don't even have a group to play with, which is another problem I should solve first ;)
Grug the Just
09-05-05, 12:36 AM Damn for a few reasons.

A: I ran the adventure module (cant remember the name off hand) that contained a lightning rail fight in it. It came with a decent map too. However, I am not at home at the moment.

B: As with "A", not being at home limits my references because, at home are currently two (bought one for my girlfriend) Explorer's Handbooks. In it are a few good maps for lightning rail cars.

C: The maps mentioned in "B" would've been on this site but were mistakenly replaced with the maps from Magic of Eberron.

Here's what I can tell you.

The electric arcs are only on the engine car(s).

Cars are usually 25' wide with a 5' wide aisle down the middle. Rooves have a 15' wide "stripe" of level roof and the 5' to either side is slanted. (Balance checks required [DC 15?] , and if failed a Climb check to grab on to the edge. [DC20?])

The lightning rail's max. speed is 30 mph. Although the normal cruising speed was lower. (20 mph. I think.) So, if a character falls off they are probably too slow, minus magic, to catch up.

Last thing I can recall off hand: is that a dragonmarked engineer is needed to run the lightning rail and, the lightning rail will slow to a stop if he/she is killed.

Enjoy, for now.
Thomar_of_Uointer
09-05-05, 01:51 AM Okay.

I've come up with a hypothetical situation in which one of the opposing characters manifests psionic lock on a door to buy time so the group can go out the window and up on the roof, away from the PCs. What would be the base break DC for a simple sliding door in a middle-class cab?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Thomar_of_Uointer 09-04-05, 10:15 PM	I'm planning on DMing a session involving a lightning rail in our next adventure. The players are starting in Sharn, and will be hired by a gnome who works for the Dreaming Dark to transport a small item from his cell to the next. Of course, there are several agencies (mostly psionic characters) who want to get the item. A few things I've already determined are that the group fighting the PCs will have access to dimension swap, which can be very useful in a crowded place like a lightning rail coach. The item sucks excess life energy from its surroundings, making it heavier the longer it is held, which will give the PCs ample opportunity to lose it when they set it down. The party will be fighting on top of a coach a few times, which I'm probably going to adjucate with DC 15 Balance checks to stay on as a free action (instead of a move action). Any tips? Suggestions?
UnkemptSage 09-04-05, 11:54 PM	I've often thought about doing a similar adventure. I too would like some tips on it. One thing that keeps coming to mind, though, is that I've seen the lightning rail described as having lightning arcs going over it, so the thought of having the PCs on top of it sounds pretty dangerous, and I've been trying to come up with a mechanic similar to the sewage valves in the Forgotten Forge adventure to work it, but so far I'm coming up with no good ideas. Of course, I'm in no hurry, as I currently don't even have a group to play with, which is another problem I should solve first ;)
Grug the Just 09-05-05, 12:36 AM	Damn for a few reasons. A: I ran the adventure module (cant remember the name off hand) that contained a lightning rail fight in it. It came with a decent map too. However, I am not at home at the moment. B: As with "A", not being at home limits my references because, at home are currently two (bought one for my girlfriend) Explorer's Handbooks. In it are a few good maps for lightning rail cars. C: The maps mentioned in "B" would've been on this site but were mistakenly replaced with the maps from Magic of Eberron. Here's what I can tell you. The electric arcs are only on the engine car(s). Cars are usually 25' wide with a 5' wide aisle down the middle. Rooves have a 15' wide "stripe" of level roof and the 5' to either side is slanted. (Balance checks required [DC 15?] , and if failed a Climb check to grab on to the edge. [DC20?]) The lightning rail's max. speed is 30 mph. Although the normal cruising speed was lower. (20 mph. I think.) So, if a character falls off they are probably too slow, minus magic, to catch up. Last thing I can recall off hand: is that a dragonmarked engineer is needed to run the lightning rail and, the lightning rail will slow to a stop if he/she is killed. Enjoy, for now.
Thomar_of_Uointer 09-05-05, 01:51 AM	Okay. I've come up with a hypothetical situation in which one of the opposing characters manifests psionic lock on a door to buy time so the group can go out the window and up on the roof, away from the PCs. What would be the base break DC for a simple sliding door in a middle-class cab?