Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Durrandi 08-10-07, 10:38 PM	For an encounter for my PCs, I'm going to pit them against an "indestructible" monster. The monster is extremely large (colossal, picture the size of a small mountain.) and for it to be destroyed, one or more of the PCs are going to have to climb up it and pry out a large orb that resides in one of its eye sockets. Having never made an encounter like this before, I am unsure on what to factor in for climb DCs. (i.e. do I add in the monster's grapple check? How would I enact the monster trying to brush a PC off?) Any Advice? (And no, I did not rip this from "Shadow of the Colossus." I made this idea before I heard of the game.) Stats: Juggernaut Str 45 +17 Dex 9 -1 Con 39 +14 Slam Bite Claw Gore 2d8 4d6 2d8 4d6 HD: 24 AC: 1 Reach: 30’ Space Occupied: 30’x30’ BAB: 12 Grapple: 45 Combat: Whether or not the PCs can actually harm the Juggernaut is up to the DM’s discretion. The Juggernaut can be stopped by removing the orb.
Disciple_of_Salsa 08-11-07, 12:52 AM	Hmmm..... To make the fight more than just climb checks, howzabout they have to climb/fly up and grapple the orb out. Pretty much impossible. So, whenever the juggernaut takes x amount of damage, it's stunned for y rounds. Also, you have to make a disable device check to get the out. That way, you get the fighter fighting toe-to-toe, the wizard flying (preferably invisibly, if the juggernaut is smart) carrying the ninja up to disable the orb. Yeah, then the cleric is healing the fighter or whatever. Something like that. IMHO, that is a involving fight, and not just a series of skill checks.
runestar 08-11-07, 01:26 AM	Don't the PCs have flight or teleport? Or you could summon a monster with hands on top of the monster and instruct it to pry out gem. Or just fire a ranged attack spell at the gem... *Must* it be pried out?
Durrandi 08-11-07, 12:48 PM	Don't the PCs have flight or teleport? Or you could summon a monster with hands on top of the monster and instruct it to pry out gem. Or just fire a ranged attack spell at the gem... *Must* it be pried out? Yes, it must be pried out. And it can't be destroyed since it is an artifact of great power that regenerates any damage done to it. Hmmm..... To make the fight more than just climb checks, howzabout they have to climb/fly up and grapple the orb out. Pretty much impossible. So, whenever the juggernaut takes x amount of damage, it's stunned for y rounds. Also, you have to make a disable device check to get the out. That way, you get the fighter fighting toe-to-toe, the wizard flying (preferably invisibly, if the juggernaut is smart) carrying the ninja up to disable the orb. Yeah, then the cleric is healing the fighter or whatever. Something like that. IMHO, that is a involving fight, and not just a series of skill checks. I like your idea, I am afraid I forgot to mention that since the monster is so slow, That when ever it attacks it is considered stunned for 1d3 rounds then it pulls it's arm or whatever back to attack again. Which gives the PCs an opportunity to attack. But I'm still unclear of what I should set the DC as for climb, grapple, Str checks. The PCs in question are about lvl 7 (not sure how much XP they will get before this point in the dungeon) and consist of two fighters , a wizard, and a necromancer. Theses are teh only guaranteed PCs.
Disciple_of_Salsa 08-11-07, 05:31 PM	Level 7? Problem Solved. The wizard is just gonna fly up and pry the eye out himself, so you don't really need climb checks. If he isn't strong enough, he can cast it on the extra fighter while the other one takes the hits. Oh, and I would make the strength check to pry it out pretty easy, like 20 if they only the the remainder of the 1d3 rounds to pry it out. If they can just hang out in it's head, 25. Then only the fighter (probably with significant buffs) can make it. Also, if possible, try to get the PC to see the juggernaut wading through fields of soldiers, cutting them down as they hopelessly beat at it. That way, they will know that it it immune to damage (have catapults shoot at it and the rocks bounce off), spells (the arcane backup keeps shooting magic missiles that are reflected harmlessly), and it just raises the dramatic tension. Like in the LOTR movies, it show Sauron bashing enemies away like flys, so when Isildur finally kills him, it's more exciting. Same with the Mumikil and the Cave troll.
Disciple_of_Salsa 08-11-07, 05:34 PM	Wait. Is this thing a giant or a construct? If it's a construct, it shouldn't have a constitution score. Is it immune to magic? What are it's mental scores?
Durrandi 08-11-07, 06:17 PM	Oh, and I would make the strength check to pry it out pretty easy, like 20 if they only the the remainder of the 1d3 rounds to pry it out. If they can just hang out in it's head, 25. Then only the fighter (probably with significant buffs) can make it. Also, if possible, try to get the PC to see the juggernaut wading through fields of soldiers, cutting them down as they hopelessly beat at it. That way, they will know that it it immune to damage (have catapults shoot at it and the rocks bounce off), spells (the arcane backup keeps shooting magic missiles that are reflected harmlessly), and it just raises the dramatic tension. Like in the LOTR movies, it show Sauron bashing enemies away like flys, so when Isildur finally kills him, it's more exciting. Same with the Mumikil and the Cave troll. Our wizard doesn't have fly, the party has never needed it. :evillaugh I have my own dramatic entrance. The party will be investigating underground ruin to try and find the wizard who kidnapped their comrade. Well, in one room, half of the room is gone and there is a huge chasm (also keep in mind that their is no light at all in the ruin, so kinda think Indian Jones style) that extend a long way to the point of they cannot see the other end. Long drawn out (and well devised :cool: ) story short, the thing claws its way out of the darkness after the PCs inadvertently release it. (Won't bore you with details.) Wait. Is this thing a giant or a construct? If it's a construct, it shouldn't have a constitution score. Is it immune to magic? What are it's mental scores? Technically, it is a colossal undead with a regenerating orb set in one eye. But I'm obviously bending rules here for a cooler story (in my opinion).
Disciple_of_Salsa 08-12-07, 03:22 AM	No fly? That's weird. Fly is one of most useful tactical spells, even with it's "dispel magic! take falling damage!" weakness, not to mention it's use as a problem solver. Does anyone in the party have ranks in climb? We want to make the checks possible. (Also, does he have summon monster? He could just summon a celestial badger to pry it out. Also, instead of "unkillable" give it huge DR/- and SR or Spell immunity. It already is immune to save or die (undead and construct). Will the PCs know about the orb thing?