City of Brass Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

City of Brass Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kihon
03-19-08, 02:30 PM The adventure I'm running has my epic group going through the City of Brass. They were trying to go unnoticed, but of course they get found out. They are going to be asked to wait to see the Grand Sultan, which they probably will. I'm going to work it to seperate each of them into their own rooms. Once in the rooms, the doors will disappear and each will contain some type of "test" specific to the character. Once they pass then they get to leave and join the Grand Sultan in the Throne Room waiting for the rest of the characters to make it in.

My question - I have a test in mind for the groups wizard, cleric, theif, ranger, and psion but I have no idea what to do for the group's Paladin. I was thinking of some moral test, but in the City of Brass - NE Efreeti - probably not what they would do. The paladin is 28th level and pretty well rounded, and has pretty nice set of magical armor and items. I just can't come up with a good idea of a "test" for him while he's stuck in the room. Any/all thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. The 'more outside the box' the better, but it still has to relate in some way to his paladin status. Thanks.
Kain_Darkwind
03-19-08, 04:26 PM I believe efreeti are Lawful Evil, not Neutral Evil. Unless that is a campaign difference.

A good test for a paladin? It could be unarmed combat against an efreet champion, or perhaps a religious 'debate' against one, utilizing Knowledge (religion) and Perform (oratory) checks as well as the character's own knowledge. Or a moral test in the form of an evil efreet needing healing. Does the paladin heal the evil being or withhold it to keep the evil entity from doing more evil? (your choice on which one actually is the moral high road)

Efreet have an ancient Middle East flavor to them, so consider what was valued in that culture. Story telling, bravery, honor, wealth, wit, etc.
Tshern
03-19-08, 06:01 PM I second Kain's test. Something similar can do as well, trying to make Paladin choose what is the lesser evil is a true test to his alignment. However, putting him into a situation that makes him pick between too options that both make him break his code of honour is utterly unfair, so make sure that he has a way of getting out of the situation.
rob_douglas
03-20-08, 10:47 AM What is the purpose of the test? To see if they are powerful enough to be "worthy" of meeting with the Sultan, or to take then down a peg or two - or is it to see what their fighting style is like so it can be used against them.

I agree you don't want to make it so unfair as to require the Paladin to lose his class - as a DM - but the Efreet I think would actively be looking for just such a test. And they have no intention of being fair. What do they gain from it? Are they really happy to give him a chance to succeed? Or would they go for a Kobayashi-Maru (sp?) - no win situation, make your best choice. Something where the Paladin had to lay down his life for his cause might actually impress the Efreet enough that they would bring him back to life afterwards. The Paladin would have to believe there was no way to win, only ways to lose.

The other tests you have in mind might help with designing this one. At lest for meeting its purpose.

ROB
Kihon
03-20-08, 01:48 PM I ran the adventure in the Epic Book itself - with the wizard's tower that's located in the plane of fire. I had them sneak into the plane and just finished the adventure, now they are going to use a portal in the City of Brass to get out - unfortunately the Sultan found out about this powerful group in his domain. Now he's giving them each a "little test" to see if they are 'worthy' to meet him in person.

I like the idea of the 'no win situation' but I also see how this particular player might take such a test. I'm not going to make it physical combat, but a moral test or a knowledge test. Something perhaps outside his area of expertise.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kihon 03-19-08, 02:30 PM	The adventure I'm running has my epic group going through the City of Brass. They were trying to go unnoticed, but of course they get found out. They are going to be asked to wait to see the Grand Sultan, which they probably will. I'm going to work it to seperate each of them into their own rooms. Once in the rooms, the doors will disappear and each will contain some type of "test" specific to the character. Once they pass then they get to leave and join the Grand Sultan in the Throne Room waiting for the rest of the characters to make it in. My question - I have a test in mind for the groups wizard, cleric, theif, ranger, and psion but I have no idea what to do for the group's Paladin. I was thinking of some moral test, but in the City of Brass - NE Efreeti - probably not what they would do. The paladin is 28th level and pretty well rounded, and has pretty nice set of magical armor and items. I just can't come up with a good idea of a "test" for him while he's stuck in the room. Any/all thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. The 'more outside the box' the better, but it still has to relate in some way to his paladin status. Thanks.
Kain_Darkwind 03-19-08, 04:26 PM	I believe efreeti are Lawful Evil, not Neutral Evil. Unless that is a campaign difference. A good test for a paladin? It could be unarmed combat against an efreet champion, or perhaps a religious 'debate' against one, utilizing Knowledge (religion) and Perform (oratory) checks as well as the character's own knowledge. Or a moral test in the form of an evil efreet needing healing. Does the paladin heal the evil being or withhold it to keep the evil entity from doing more evil? (your choice on which one actually is the moral high road) Efreet have an ancient Middle East flavor to them, so consider what was valued in that culture. Story telling, bravery, honor, wealth, wit, etc.
Tshern 03-19-08, 06:01 PM	I second Kain's test. Something similar can do as well, trying to make Paladin choose what is the lesser evil is a true test to his alignment. However, putting him into a situation that makes him pick between too options that both make him break his code of honour is utterly unfair, so make sure that he has a way of getting out of the situation.
rob_douglas 03-20-08, 10:47 AM	What is the purpose of the test? To see if they are powerful enough to be "worthy" of meeting with the Sultan, or to take then down a peg or two - or is it to see what their fighting style is like so it can be used against them. I agree you don't want to make it so unfair as to require the Paladin to lose his class - as a DM - but the Efreet I think would actively be looking for just such a test. And they have no intention of being fair. What do they gain from it? Are they really happy to give him a chance to succeed? Or would they go for a Kobayashi-Maru (sp?) - no win situation, make your best choice. Something where the Paladin had to lay down his life for his cause might actually impress the Efreet enough that they would bring him back to life afterwards. The Paladin would have to believe there was no way to win, only ways to lose. The other tests you have in mind might help with designing this one. At lest for meeting its purpose. ROB
Kihon 03-20-08, 01:48 PM	I ran the adventure in the Epic Book itself - with the wizard's tower that's located in the plane of fire. I had them sneak into the plane and just finished the adventure, now they are going to use a portal in the City of Brass to get out - unfortunately the Sultan found out about this powerful group in his domain. Now he's giving them each a "little test" to see if they are 'worthy' to meet him in person. I like the idea of the 'no win situation' but I also see how this particular player might take such a test. I'm not going to make it physical combat, but a moral test or a knowledge test. Something perhaps outside his area of expertise.