13th+ level adventure ideas [Archive] - Wizards Community

13th+ level adventure ideas [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
RobbyPants
06-05-07, 10:21 AM I've been running a group from level 1, and they're now about 12 - 13. My problem is that I've always had a hard time coming up with good ideas for the group. Part of it is I seem to lack any creativity at these levels. The other part is that most monsters are either a cake-walk or are very deadly. What I'm hoping is that some of you can give me some decent ideas to spring board a good series of adventures, or point me to some decent material you've already found posted. Feel free to give anywhere from brief descriptions or fairly detailed quests.

The party:

Steel
CG half ogre barbarian 1/fighter 10
Steel is using a LA +1 half ogre I created, which is very similar to a goliath in terms of stats. He runs around in mithril full plate with a large greatsword, an animated shield, and a large longbow that can shoot through people (has the 'exit wound' ability). He is the typical tank.

Goals: Nothing long-term so far, but he has taken it upon himself to protect Aurora.

Aurora
CG wood elf fighter 2/ranger 2/rogue 2/deepwood sniper 7
Aurora is using a homebrew 3.5 version of the deepwood sniper PrC I created. She's a competant archer with four attacks per round. She typically hits AC 30 - 35 on her first two shots. She tends to shy away from melee as she is an archer, and she rolls very poorly for HP. ;)

Goals: She just got married (to an NPC), but still likes to adventure. She is currently pregnant. No mention of what she's planning once she has her kid.

Berk
CN elan psion 5/X 7 (I forgot the name of the PrC :P)
Berk is a psion (kinetisist) with a PrC from the Complete Psion. It's a choas based PrC that has unpredictable results when he overchannels. He may do extra or less damage. As would be expected at this level, he has by far the highest damage output in the party. He has no teleportation (save from dimension door), flight, or invisibility.

Goals: Basically, keep building his library and collection of odd stuff. Gain knowledge and power (pretty straight forward).

Sadly, the party lacks a cleric. Now, they've made friends with three other NPC clerics in different areas. Sometimes I find it necessary to send one along with them (or they frequently seek them out), so having a "balanced" four person party usually works out well. If I don't need to, I often avoid it, as I hate running NPCs in and out of combat. I like to focus it around the PCs.

They are based out of a moderate-sized city. They have recetnly traveled to a metropolis (three weeks travel by foot) to sell loot and get some better items made (as the shop from their town is somewhat limited). For the time being, I'd like to keep them here for a bit. The last time they came to this city (to get an NPC friend ressurected), they ran into trouble. The city was tainted and was having many problems directly and indirctly linked to a cult. I got the idea from the Nightwatch campaign idea form Heroes of Horror. They "solved" the problem, but the city is still recouporating from that.

So, if you need any more info, let me know. Hopefully, with all of our resources, I can get some good ideas to keep this running a while longer. Thanks in advance! :D

Edit:
New development (after last night's game):
They have traveled to a jungle basically for the heck of it. It's snowing where they live, and the psion throught it would be a good idea to go exploring. They still have several days travel to the nearest city. So far, they know that the jungles are inhabited by raksashas (they've already killed one).
Drausktanchache
06-05-07, 10:30 AM Perhaps, if you wanted, something like "A tome of knowledge has been stolen from the king's library", "Advancing army has taken a vital town" Those can become powerful, or....you can just kill someone with poison, that is always a good motivator...
RobbyPants
06-05-07, 10:56 AM Perhaps, if you wanted, something like "A tome of knowledge has been stolen from the king's library", "Advancing army has taken a vital town" Those can become powerful, or....you can just kill someone with poison, that is always a good motivator...
The army idea might be fun...

I do have countries mapped out, and it could be possible that they would get attacked. At 13th level, they're powerful enough to make a difference in a battle or even a war on their own...
Orchomenos
06-05-07, 04:46 PM Perhaps looking into the Free Online Adventures, in the Download section?

Basically, at this level, you can begins to think about dragon killing; even dragons deep in their lair, with minions hidding in 3-4 neighboring villages and even in the next large city, or dragons controlling the whole environment around their lair...

You can think about hunting down an half-fiend criminal hidding in a lower plane. The PCs could be ambushed by some low-level fiends, and easily triumph. Then the various fiend lords would learn the PCs are dangerous and ressourceful; some would make anything to kill them, some other would hire/use them against one of their own foe, perhaps even against celestials!

They could also hear about this far, far away kingdom where atrocities are rumored to happen. Peasants are forced to work 120 hours a week, are horribly taxed, and randomly imprisonned, tortured, and executed (a bill is even given to the familly for funerals). The average soldiers are weak, but not worth fighting: they are usually brainwashed LN fighters. The true foes are their leaders!
RobbyPants
06-06-07, 11:23 AM I've edited the OP, as they have traveled to the jungle (basically for fun, and out of boredom). They wanted to avoid the winter weather of their homeland, too.

Basically, at this level, you can begins to think about dragon killing; even dragons deep in their lair, with minions hidding in 3-4 neighboring villages and even in the next large city, or dragons controlling the whole environment around their lair...
Actually, powerful dragons aren't a bad idea. They killed a young adult one a while back, but they could contend with an older one... espescially if he's clever.

You can think about hunting down an half-fiend criminal hidding in a lower plane. The PCs could be ambushed by some low-level fiends, and easily triumph. Then the various fiend lords would learn the PCs are dangerous and ressourceful; some would make anything to kill them, some other would hire/use them against one of their own foe, perhaps even against celestials!
This could be a lot of fun. Just last adventure (after the OP), they found out that one of their good cleric friends can (and does) plane shift. Based on their alignments and personal opionions, they might have fun traveling through the Abyss, hunting down demons. He has the means to get there...

They could also hear about this far, far away kingdom where atrocities are rumored to happen. Peasants are forced to work 120 hours a week, are horribly taxed, and randomly imprisonned, tortured, and executed (a bill is even given to the familly for funerals). The average soldiers are weak, but not worth fighting: they are usually brainwashed LN fighters. The true foes are their leaders!
This could work well too. All being chaotic (two of whom are good), they might be angered at these attrocities. Of course, the person who can do anything close to teleporting is lawful evil. :P

They've discovered they can "teleport" with less-than-pin-point accuracy (5-500 miles :eek:) with plane shift. It saves travel time, although, they frequently have to hoof it for several days anyway!

Thanks for the ideas! :D
Euclid
06-06-07, 06:45 PM Why not being contacted by lawful neutral or lawful evil, depending on whether you want them as good guys or villains illithids from their home plane who seek help in opening a portal, supposedly to send a force through to bring the "war criminals" that the material plane native illithids are to justice. To make it more interesting, have the contacters appear to be neolithids, who claim that theirs is the natural form, despite the fact that PCs normally associate neolithids with insanely evil monstrosities. This would allow for adventures to open the gate or to trace the message. The PCs would have to decide whether to trust the illithids, who are putting forth good evidence of their good faith or not. I'd have the illithids as being serious about their offer. Remember, eating brains is not evil!
primemover003
06-06-07, 07:08 PM Since when can you planeshift into the plane you're already on??? The spell reads pretty clear you go to "Another Plane" not the one you're on.

If you've never been there or don't have access to an NPC who can teleport you, I'd try Wind Walk or Shadow Walk.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
RobbyPants 06-05-07, 10:21 AM	I've been running a group from level 1, and they're now about 12 - 13. My problem is that I've always had a hard time coming up with good ideas for the group. Part of it is I seem to lack any creativity at these levels. The other part is that most monsters are either a cake-walk or are very deadly. What I'm hoping is that some of you can give me some decent ideas to spring board a good series of adventures, or point me to some decent material you've already found posted. Feel free to give anywhere from brief descriptions or fairly detailed quests. The party: Steel CG half ogre barbarian 1/fighter 10 Steel is using a LA +1 half ogre I created, which is very similar to a goliath in terms of stats. He runs around in mithril full plate with a large greatsword, an animated shield, and a large longbow that can shoot through people (has the 'exit wound' ability). He is the typical tank. Goals: Nothing long-term so far, but he has taken it upon himself to protect Aurora. Aurora CG wood elf fighter 2/ranger 2/rogue 2/deepwood sniper 7 Aurora is using a homebrew 3.5 version of the deepwood sniper PrC I created. She's a competant archer with four attacks per round. She typically hits AC 30 - 35 on her first two shots. She tends to shy away from melee as she is an archer, and she rolls very poorly for HP. ;) Goals: She just got married (to an NPC), but still likes to adventure. She is currently pregnant. No mention of what she's planning once she has her kid. Berk CN elan psion 5/X 7 (I forgot the name of the PrC :P) Berk is a psion (kinetisist) with a PrC from the Complete Psion. It's a choas based PrC that has unpredictable results when he overchannels. He may do extra or less damage. As would be expected at this level, he has by far the highest damage output in the party. He has no teleportation (save from dimension door), flight, or invisibility. Goals: Basically, keep building his library and collection of odd stuff. Gain knowledge and power (pretty straight forward). Sadly, the party lacks a cleric. Now, they've made friends with three other NPC clerics in different areas. Sometimes I find it necessary to send one along with them (or they frequently seek them out), so having a "balanced" four person party usually works out well. If I don't need to, I often avoid it, as I hate running NPCs in and out of combat. I like to focus it around the PCs. They are based out of a moderate-sized city. They have recetnly traveled to a metropolis (three weeks travel by foot) to sell loot and get some better items made (as the shop from their town is somewhat limited). For the time being, I'd like to keep them here for a bit. The last time they came to this city (to get an NPC friend ressurected), they ran into trouble. The city was tainted and was having many problems directly and indirctly linked to a cult. I got the idea from the Nightwatch campaign idea form Heroes of Horror. They "solved" the problem, but the city is still recouporating from that. So, if you need any more info, let me know. Hopefully, with all of our resources, I can get some good ideas to keep this running a while longer. Thanks in advance! :D Edit: New development (after last night's game): They have traveled to a jungle basically for the heck of it. It's snowing where they live, and the psion throught it would be a good idea to go exploring. They still have several days travel to the nearest city. So far, they know that the jungles are inhabited by raksashas (they've already killed one).
Drausktanchache 06-05-07, 10:30 AM	Perhaps, if you wanted, something like "A tome of knowledge has been stolen from the king's library", "Advancing army has taken a vital town" Those can become powerful, or....you can just kill someone with poison, that is always a good motivator...
RobbyPants 06-05-07, 10:56 AM	Perhaps, if you wanted, something like "A tome of knowledge has been stolen from the king's library", "Advancing army has taken a vital town" Those can become powerful, or....you can just kill someone with poison, that is always a good motivator... The army idea might be fun... I do have countries mapped out, and it could be possible that they would get attacked. At 13th level, they're powerful enough to make a difference in a battle or even a war on their own...
Orchomenos 06-05-07, 04:46 PM	Perhaps looking into the Free Online Adventures, in the Download section? Basically, at this level, you can begins to think about dragon killing; even dragons deep in their lair, with minions hidding in 3-4 neighboring villages and even in the next large city, or dragons controlling the whole environment around their lair... You can think about hunting down an half-fiend criminal hidding in a lower plane. The PCs could be ambushed by some low-level fiends, and easily triumph. Then the various fiend lords would learn the PCs are dangerous and ressourceful; some would make anything to kill them, some other would hire/use them against one of their own foe, perhaps even against celestials! They could also hear about this far, far away kingdom where atrocities are rumored to happen. Peasants are forced to work 120 hours a week, are horribly taxed, and randomly imprisonned, tortured, and executed (a bill is even given to the familly for funerals). The average soldiers are weak, but not worth fighting: they are usually brainwashed LN fighters. The true foes are their leaders!
RobbyPants 06-06-07, 11:23 AM	I've edited the OP, as they have traveled to the jungle (basically for fun, and out of boredom). They wanted to avoid the winter weather of their homeland, too. Basically, at this level, you can begins to think about dragon killing; even dragons deep in their lair, with minions hidding in 3-4 neighboring villages and even in the next large city, or dragons controlling the whole environment around their lair... Actually, powerful dragons aren't a bad idea. They killed a young adult one a while back, but they could contend with an older one... espescially if he's clever. You can think about hunting down an half-fiend criminal hidding in a lower plane. The PCs could be ambushed by some low-level fiends, and easily triumph. Then the various fiend lords would learn the PCs are dangerous and ressourceful; some would make anything to kill them, some other would hire/use them against one of their own foe, perhaps even against celestials! This could be a lot of fun. Just last adventure (after the OP), they found out that one of their good cleric friends can (and does) plane shift. Based on their alignments and personal opionions, they might have fun traveling through the Abyss, hunting down demons. He has the means to get there... They could also hear about this far, far away kingdom where atrocities are rumored to happen. Peasants are forced to work 120 hours a week, are horribly taxed, and randomly imprisonned, tortured, and executed (a bill is even given to the familly for funerals). The average soldiers are weak, but not worth fighting: they are usually brainwashed LN fighters. The true foes are their leaders! This could work well too. All being chaotic (two of whom are good), they might be angered at these attrocities. Of course, the person who can do anything close to teleporting is lawful evil. :P They've discovered they can "teleport" with less-than-pin-point accuracy (5-500 miles :eek:) with plane shift. It saves travel time, although, they frequently have to hoof it for several days anyway! Thanks for the ideas! :D
Euclid 06-06-07, 06:45 PM	Why not being contacted by lawful neutral or lawful evil, depending on whether you want them as good guys or villains illithids from their home plane who seek help in opening a portal, supposedly to send a force through to bring the "war criminals" that the material plane native illithids are to justice. To make it more interesting, have the contacters appear to be neolithids, who claim that theirs is the natural form, despite the fact that PCs normally associate neolithids with insanely evil monstrosities. This would allow for adventures to open the gate or to trace the message. The PCs would have to decide whether to trust the illithids, who are putting forth good evidence of their good faith or not. I'd have the illithids as being serious about their offer. Remember, eating brains is not evil!
primemover003 06-06-07, 07:08 PM	Since when can you planeshift into the plane you're already on??? The spell reads pretty clear you go to "Another Plane" not the one you're on. If you've never been there or don't have access to an NPC who can teleport you, I'd try Wind Walk or Shadow Walk.