The nightmare beast and the black dragon [Archive] - Wizards Community

The nightmare beast and the black dragon [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Randall Montgomery
03-13-07, 01:13 PM I just got done reading the overview of Chapter 1 of XenEx, and I was wondering what the deal was with this nightmare beast and black dragon that were released into Xendrik. I'm assuming this had to do with events in Crisis of Faith (CoL2), and that this was the result if the party was unable to stop the Father from opening the rift. My group did manage to beat him (by the skin of our teeth, having failed our diplomacy check miserably), and I don't recall anything like this happening. Did the majority of groups fail this encounter, or is this from another mod and I just don't remember?
kiddoc
03-13-07, 01:20 PM I just got done reading the overview of Chapter 1 of XenEx, and I was wondering what the deal was with this nightmare beast and black dragon that were released into Xendrik. I'm assuming this had to do with events in Crisis of Faith (CoL2), and that this was the result if the party was unable to stop the Father from opening the rift. My group did manage to beat him (by the skin of our teeth, having failed our diplomacy check miserably), and I don't recall anything like this happening. Did the majority of groups fail this encounter, or is this from another mod and I just don't remember?

August is probably the person to answer this more directly. He has all the specific details.

I can say this, though, in terms of the Campaign's progression:

You know those adventure questions DM's have to fill out? Well, we can get nifty reports on how everybody did on them, both between and within factions. So, we're letting you, the players, shape the outcome of the campaign. If you see something in a campaign summary, there's a good bet that the majority of tables ended up that way. The chips fall where they may... Then I just go back and pretty it up with some fancy words. :D
Harliquinn
03-13-07, 01:49 PM I just got done reading the overview of Chapter 1 of XenEx, and I was wondering what the deal was with this nightmare beast and black dragon that were released into Xendrik. I'm assuming this had to do with events in Crisis of Faith (CoL2), and that this was the result if the party was unable to stop the Father from opening the rift. My group did manage to beat him (by the skin of our teeth, having failed our diplomacy check miserably), and I don't recall anything like this happening. Did the majority of groups fail this encounter, or is this from another mod and I just don't remember?

Without giving too much away, I believe that even if you free the Father, the 'spirit' that inhabited him escapes with the dragon taking flight after it.
Randall Montgomery
03-13-07, 02:02 PM August is probably the person to answer this more directly. He has all the specific details.

I can say this, though, in terms of the Campaign's progression:

You know those adventure questions DM's have to fill out? Well, we can get nifty reports on how everybody did on them, both between and within factions. So, we're letting you, the players, shape the outcome of the campaign. If you see something in a campaign summary, there's a good bet that the majority of tables ended up that way. The chips fall where they may... Then I just go back and pretty it up with some fancy words. :D

I'm aware that this is how the campaing works, which is why I had assumed the majority of tables failed that encounter. If that was where the beast came from, our table would logically not have seen it, since we'd successfully completed it.

Without giving too much away, I believe that even if you free the Father, the 'spirit' that inhabited him escapes with the dragon taking flight after it.
I figured since the module is closed I wouldn't worry about spoilers, but I don't remember this happening when we killed the Father (definitely don't remember any black dragon). However, that may just be because I have difficulty remembering things from months ago when I have 10+ characters currently active.

Edit: I apologize if I sound a little snippy, as that is definitely not my intent. Basically, I'm just curious if this situation was caused by the majority of tables failing that particular event, or if something else was going on that I simply don't remember. I hope that helps, and thanks to both of you for your comments
kiddoc
03-13-07, 02:59 PM I'm aware that this is how the campaing works, which is why I had assumed the majority of tables failed that encounter. If that was where the beast came from, our table would logically not have seen it, since we'd successfully completed it.

I figured since the module is closed I wouldn't worry about spoilers, but I don't remember this happening when we killed the Father (definitely don't remember any black dragon). However, that may just be because I have difficulty remembering things from months ago when I have 10+ characters currently active.

Edit: I apologize if I sound a little snippy, as that is definitely not my intent. Basically, I'm just curious if this situation was caused by the majority of tables failing that particular event, or if something else was going on that I simply don't remember. I hope that helps, and thanks to both of you for your comments

Didn't take it as snippy at all--I just don't know how much of it was August + plot scheming and how much of it was actual player data. Each faction is responsible for their own subplots and data--I just get the fun job of making it readable for all eyes.

I'm sure August will drop in and let us know the full deal. Sounds scary to me though--you don't see my Blackwheel guys releasing nightmare terror horror creepy beasts on the world :P (we're too busy going "splat" falling off of airships :D )
Mherduwynn
03-14-07, 07:21 AM Okay, here's the scoop.

Because the module is retired, there really isn't much of a concern over spoilers. However, I would still prefer not to go into too many details. Suffice to say that yes, this was a reference to the end of Crisis of Faith (CVN-2).

At the end of the battle with Flame Father Garris, sad possessed man that he is, the psionic entity inhabiting tears its way free or is forced out by his will and faith. In either case, the entity manages to tear a planar hole in its attempt to return "forthwith to its plane of origin or the nearest parallel dimension". :)

The nightmarish beast is what escapes this hole and goes tearing off across the jungle canopy of Xen'drik. The aforementioned dragon may or may not have been seen before this moment by PCs. It was on the far side of the sphere of energy containing the grove and was only visible if PCs explored around it and saw the massive creature (and then immediately wet themselves... heroically).

In any case, the nightmare beast's screaming flight across the jungle and the black dragon giving chase to it is clearly described in the end of the adventure. (I promise. I wrote it. :) )

Unfortunately, there are MANY issues that can occur when a scenario is run. Keep in mind that each module in the XE campaign is run thousands of times across the world. Milage can and will vary. A tired GM might miss a passage she was supposed to read or one pressed for time might "skip that conclusion stuff". This is NOT a disparagement against GMs; I adore anyone willing to devote time to this great hobby of ours...

...but things happen. I have probably never run a scenario letter perfect in my life, so I am not throwing stones here. I just know that experiences can change wildly from one session to the next.

While we are on the subject, this is exactly why I am so grateful to Brian for collating our faction summaries and posting them to the web. Because experiences can vary so greatly, it's wonderful to have a base line for players to compare and contrast.

We are NOT saying "this is how your game went". We are saying "this is how the majority of games went and so we are establishing this timeline as our base history".

I, and I am sure the other factionmasters, welcome further questions. Thank you for playing!

-A
Randall Montgomery
03-14-07, 10:40 AM Okay, here's the scoop.

The nightmarish beast is what escapes this hole and goes tearing off across the jungle canopy of Xen'drik. The aforementioned dragon may or may not have been seen before this moment by PCs. It was on the far side of the sphere of energy containing the grove and was only visible if PCs explored around it and saw the massive creature (and then immediately wet themselves... heroically).

In any case, the nightmare beast's screaming flight across the jungle and the black dragon giving chase to it is clearly described in the end of the adventure. (I promise. I wrote it. :) )

-A

Thanks for the clarification, August. Now that you mention it, I do remember the beasts surrounding the clearing, and our group being particularly wary of a dragon. Don't remember the rest, but I was probably just so relieved to be alive (although unconscious) at the end of the battle that my retention wasn't what it should have been. :D

While we are on the subject, this is exactly why I am so grateful to Brian for collating our faction summaries and posting them to the web. Because experiences can vary so greatly, it's wonderful to have a base line for players to compare and contrast.

I absolutely agree. It was great reading through the write up to see what the overall effects of the modules were. I was quite disappointed to see that Blackwheel is not on good terms with the Covenant of Light (with the number of Diplomacy, Bluff, and Intimidate rolls my group made to peacefully negotiate that encounter, it sure felt like a battle), but at least there are some members who can act as ambassadors to maintain the Company's image.

Sincerely,
Joe Stalsberg
aka Dragoon Alexia d'Tharashk, Blackwheel Company
aka Terra'dax, follower of the Light

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Randall Montgomery 03-13-07, 01:13 PM	I just got done reading the overview of Chapter 1 of XenEx, and I was wondering what the deal was with this nightmare beast and black dragon that were released into Xendrik. I'm assuming this had to do with events in Crisis of Faith (CoL2), and that this was the result if the party was unable to stop the Father from opening the rift. My group did manage to beat him (by the skin of our teeth, having failed our diplomacy check miserably), and I don't recall anything like this happening. Did the majority of groups fail this encounter, or is this from another mod and I just don't remember?
kiddoc 03-13-07, 01:20 PM	I just got done reading the overview of Chapter 1 of XenEx, and I was wondering what the deal was with this nightmare beast and black dragon that were released into Xendrik. I'm assuming this had to do with events in Crisis of Faith (CoL2), and that this was the result if the party was unable to stop the Father from opening the rift. My group did manage to beat him (by the skin of our teeth, having failed our diplomacy check miserably), and I don't recall anything like this happening. Did the majority of groups fail this encounter, or is this from another mod and I just don't remember? August is probably the person to answer this more directly. He has all the specific details. I can say this, though, in terms of the Campaign's progression: You know those adventure questions DM's have to fill out? Well, we can get nifty reports on how everybody did on them, both between and within factions. So, we're letting you, the players, shape the outcome of the campaign. If you see something in a campaign summary, there's a good bet that the majority of tables ended up that way. The chips fall where they may... Then I just go back and pretty it up with some fancy words. :D
Harliquinn 03-13-07, 01:49 PM	I just got done reading the overview of Chapter 1 of XenEx, and I was wondering what the deal was with this nightmare beast and black dragon that were released into Xendrik. I'm assuming this had to do with events in Crisis of Faith (CoL2), and that this was the result if the party was unable to stop the Father from opening the rift. My group did manage to beat him (by the skin of our teeth, having failed our diplomacy check miserably), and I don't recall anything like this happening. Did the majority of groups fail this encounter, or is this from another mod and I just don't remember? Without giving too much away, I believe that even if you free the Father, the 'spirit' that inhabited him escapes with the dragon taking flight after it.
Randall Montgomery 03-13-07, 02:02 PM	August is probably the person to answer this more directly. He has all the specific details. I can say this, though, in terms of the Campaign's progression: You know those adventure questions DM's have to fill out? Well, we can get nifty reports on how everybody did on them, both between and within factions. So, we're letting you, the players, shape the outcome of the campaign. If you see something in a campaign summary, there's a good bet that the majority of tables ended up that way. The chips fall where they may... Then I just go back and pretty it up with some fancy words. :D I'm aware that this is how the campaing works, which is why I had assumed the majority of tables failed that encounter. If that was where the beast came from, our table would logically not have seen it, since we'd successfully completed it. Without giving too much away, I believe that even if you free the Father, the 'spirit' that inhabited him escapes with the dragon taking flight after it. I figured since the module is closed I wouldn't worry about spoilers, but I don't remember this happening when we killed the Father (definitely don't remember any black dragon). However, that may just be because I have difficulty remembering things from months ago when I have 10+ characters currently active. Edit: I apologize if I sound a little snippy, as that is definitely not my intent. Basically, I'm just curious if this situation was caused by the majority of tables failing that particular event, or if something else was going on that I simply don't remember. I hope that helps, and thanks to both of you for your comments
kiddoc 03-13-07, 02:59 PM	I'm aware that this is how the campaing works, which is why I had assumed the majority of tables failed that encounter. If that was where the beast came from, our table would logically not have seen it, since we'd successfully completed it. I figured since the module is closed I wouldn't worry about spoilers, but I don't remember this happening when we killed the Father (definitely don't remember any black dragon). However, that may just be because I have difficulty remembering things from months ago when I have 10+ characters currently active. Edit: I apologize if I sound a little snippy, as that is definitely not my intent. Basically, I'm just curious if this situation was caused by the majority of tables failing that particular event, or if something else was going on that I simply don't remember. I hope that helps, and thanks to both of you for your comments Didn't take it as snippy at all--I just don't know how much of it was August + plot scheming and how much of it was actual player data. Each faction is responsible for their own subplots and data--I just get the fun job of making it readable for all eyes. I'm sure August will drop in and let us know the full deal. Sounds scary to me though--you don't see my Blackwheel guys releasing nightmare terror horror creepy beasts on the world :P (we're too busy going "splat" falling off of airships :D )
Mherduwynn 03-14-07, 07:21 AM	Okay, here's the scoop. Because the module is retired, there really isn't much of a concern over spoilers. However, I would still prefer not to go into too many details. Suffice to say that yes, this was a reference to the end of Crisis of Faith (CVN-2). At the end of the battle with Flame Father Garris, sad possessed man that he is, the psionic entity inhabiting tears its way free or is forced out by his will and faith. In either case, the entity manages to tear a planar hole in its attempt to return "forthwith to its plane of origin or the nearest parallel dimension". :) The nightmarish beast is what escapes this hole and goes tearing off across the jungle canopy of Xen'drik. The aforementioned dragon may or may not have been seen before this moment by PCs. It was on the far side of the sphere of energy containing the grove and was only visible if PCs explored around it and saw the massive creature (and then immediately wet themselves... heroically). In any case, the nightmare beast's screaming flight across the jungle and the black dragon giving chase to it is clearly described in the end of the adventure. (I promise. I wrote it. :) ) Unfortunately, there are MANY issues that can occur when a scenario is run. Keep in mind that each module in the XE campaign is run thousands of times across the world. Milage can and will vary. A tired GM might miss a passage she was supposed to read or one pressed for time might "skip that conclusion stuff". This is NOT a disparagement against GMs; I adore anyone willing to devote time to this great hobby of ours... ...but things happen. I have probably never run a scenario letter perfect in my life, so I am not throwing stones here. I just know that experiences can change wildly from one session to the next. While we are on the subject, this is exactly why I am so grateful to Brian for collating our faction summaries and posting them to the web. Because experiences can vary so greatly, it's wonderful to have a base line for players to compare and contrast. We are NOT saying "this is how your game went". We are saying "this is how the majority of games went and so we are establishing this timeline as our base history". I, and I am sure the other factionmasters, welcome further questions. Thank you for playing! -A
Randall Montgomery 03-14-07, 10:40 AM	Okay, here's the scoop. The nightmarish beast is what escapes this hole and goes tearing off across the jungle canopy of Xen'drik. The aforementioned dragon may or may not have been seen before this moment by PCs. It was on the far side of the sphere of energy containing the grove and was only visible if PCs explored around it and saw the massive creature (and then immediately wet themselves... heroically). In any case, the nightmare beast's screaming flight across the jungle and the black dragon giving chase to it is clearly described in the end of the adventure. (I promise. I wrote it. :) ) -A Thanks for the clarification, August. Now that you mention it, I do remember the beasts surrounding the clearing, and our group being particularly wary of a dragon. Don't remember the rest, but I was probably just so relieved to be alive (although unconscious) at the end of the battle that my retention wasn't what it should have been. :D While we are on the subject, this is exactly why I am so grateful to Brian for collating our faction summaries and posting them to the web. Because experiences can vary so greatly, it's wonderful to have a base line for players to compare and contrast. I absolutely agree. It was great reading through the write up to see what the overall effects of the modules were. I was quite disappointed to see that Blackwheel is not on good terms with the Covenant of Light (with the number of Diplomacy, Bluff, and Intimidate rolls my group made to peacefully negotiate that encounter, it sure felt like a battle), but at least there are some members who can act as ambassadors to maintain the Company's image. Sincerely, Joe Stalsberg aka Dragoon Alexia d'Tharashk, Blackwheel Company aka Terra'dax, follower of the Light