Above to Below ground [Archive] - Wizards Community

Above to Below ground [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
IronBark
09-16-04, 10:04 PM I'm new at DM'ing in general, but I've played several campaigns before as a PC, so I know my way around and what makes a game fun. I've recently started a group of three PC's. I know them all pretty well and they're a good group of guys, two of which play very sinister-ly.

Since I'm kind of new I decided to start off with a published one, and being the cheap b-star I am, I got one from the DnD site; The Burning Plauge.
The party consists of three level one characters: dwarf fighter, elf evocator (sp?), and an elf rouge.

Before this campaign started we talked alot about what they wanted to play, and since the growing fad of Drow has influenced them so, they wish to venture into the Underdark. Obviously at level one they'd not be fit to breathe several hundred paces from a common drow, so I decided to lead them into it.

As of now they've almost finished the campaign in Duvik's Pass, which concludes with the anihilation of a devout Orcish cleric of Grummsh. Since they would have a tough time doing the entire campaign by themselves (only 3 level 1 PC's), I found the Evocationist a merc. He's pretty strong, I pimped him out to allow him to be my next hook for continuation of the plot.

After they take out the cleric I plan for the mercenary to backstab the party, raid them of their riches, and report back to his brooding sorcerer master of the chaos he has caused. Also, since the cleric is considered the last of a special clan ("related" to a clan that destroyed rouge's home), neither Grummsh nor the other Orc clans of the area are quite happy about the disturbance.

I'm thinking by the way my friends will think about the backstab, they'll follow the mercenary to get sweet, sweet revenge. I just need the mercenary, his master and the Orcs, to somehow lead them into the Underdark.

Any hooks, plot twists, ideas, tips, or changes?

Thank you soooo much!
FrostyObsitnic
09-16-04, 10:13 PM Well didn't you say that at level one they wouldn't stand a chance in the Underdark? How many levels to you plan to have them go up before the backstab? And how will you make sure that the pimped out merc's "backstab" doesnt end up killing them? Anyway, as for leading them into the underdark, one thing i came up with is having the merc retreat to his dark lord's fortress, leaving a somewhat obvious trail. Once the party gets there, they will probably realize that they have little to no chance of breaking in. Then you could somehow plant the information that a secret passage into the fortress lies somewhere underground, and that the sorceror uses it in his attempts to parlay with the dark elves and form an elite fighting force capable of razing the entire continent. Just a thought, and allows you to keep the party after what appears to be your BBEG while still giving them what they want.
IronBark
09-17-04, 03:47 PM I was planning on getting them down there around 5-6th so they they'd have some power behind them, but not too much. About the "pimped" mercenary, he's simply 2 levels higher than they are(rog1/ass2, I ignored prereqs for the prestige). The plan is to use blunt arrows (feasible?) to deal subdual damage right after they confront the Orc, that way it'd be quick and easy KO's. The betrayl will be the hook for them to eventually go down into the Underdark, I plan to have the Orc clans and some other nasties try and get their revenge for the cleric to level them up.

Also since I want to set this in the world of Faerun, does anyone know of a map or other referance material I could use about the continent? It would help me plan the route to Menzo as well as other key pitstops on the way.

Thanks for the suggestion Frosty, It sounds great!

Anything else need to be cleared up?
FrostyObsitnic
09-17-04, 04:17 PM One other suggestion for the betrayal battle. Just to make things interesting, have him use nerfed arrows dipped in various potions or imbued with spells. (one of the players in my party did this, and it made for a very interesting battle.) You can basically tip the arrows with sponges and avoid damage altogether (unless you dip them in potions of inflict... hehehe)
Board_Rider
09-17-04, 04:38 PM Be careful here. You know your group so what I may say is neither here nor there. In my experiences whe I "fudge" NPC's to suit my need (like your merc) I get a lot of blowback. Furthermore there are not that much more riches to be had in that module. The PC's may want revenge but is it worth dying possibly to retrieve 1st level starting equipment?
What I would do is have the merc quickly search, make it obvious, the body of the cleric when he falls and find ________(whatever you want to continue your story). Upon discovery the merc goes all cliche' and says "I am truly sorry about this...but you have served your purposes and you are no longer needed..." Then fire a 5th level Wand of Magic Missles. Enough to hurt, not to kill. Furthermore, have the PC's see what the __________ is so that they may visit a church, mage, tower etc. to get an idea of what it is and go hunting. Not only for the NPC merc but for the *gasp* artifact that could be the foothold that the Drow needed to further push their attack farther into the Dales (if you play in FR). Lastly, let the merc have Boots of Teleportation for a quick getaway after firing the Wand.........don't want those PC's critting the merc and ending your dreams!!! AAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeee...wwuuuuu u...I'm spent!!

Hope that helps ya. Good Luck.
FrostyObsitnic
09-17-04, 04:53 PM Personally, I dont think the merc should have boots of teleportation, as that makes him too hard to track, and too hard for the party to deal with in future scenarios. Perhaps give him boots of running reall fast, or have him throw a couple tanglefoot bags.
EatFlan
09-17-04, 05:06 PM i like board riders idea, but make it a cloak of the mountebank (dimension door 1xday) so you can add some pazaaz about how he throws the cloak across his front and *poof* leaves only the stench of sulfer in the air.

also, that way in the horrible instance that one of your PCs decides to just kill the poor guy you won't be giving away anything to bad.

bad but not too bad.

oh and for this fight where the betrayal happens you can have the merc delay to go immediately IMMEDIATELY (.0001 seconds) after the bad guy and say the bad guy launches some ray spell...'Oh _____ you fall to the ground as the world goes dark around you'

while in reality yes the PC got hit w/a spell but he also got sapped (sneak attack) in the back of the head. And you can give your PCs a chance to spot it if they are looking that way when the attack happens...but the merc being 2 lvls higher should be in the clear.

then before the bad guy dies say he's on his knees and he asks for mercy and just as he's about to shriek out that he saw the merc betraying you the merc walks up and slits his throat.

proceed then w/the other line about how 'you've served your purpose blahblhablhablhabalhbalhblah'
Board_Rider
09-17-04, 06:14 PM Personally, I dont think the merc should have boots of teleportation, as that makes him too hard to track, and too hard for the party to deal with in future scenarios. Perhaps give him boots of running reall fast, or have him throw a couple tanglefoot bags.

You would not be tracking the merc...but the item. By making it, or allowing it, to be known in books or by sages the item may be followed. OR

PC's(In a bar): What are we going to do about "enter mercs name here"?
"I dunno....but I'll tell ya what that "even a vauge description of artifact here" needs to be found.
Old Merchant: Beggin your pardon misters....but I seen it, oh yes...I have..and yer ahhh...feller too. I could talk for maybe......50 gold?

Just a thought.
IronBark
09-18-04, 11:27 AM The PC's may want revenge but is it worth dying possibly to retrieve 1st level starting equipment?

The mercenary(Meromir, to clarify the "insert name here") isnt going to rob the characters of their belongings, I mean honestly, what assassin in their right mind would enjoy another character's 1st level equipment, lol. He's going to take a precious gem they've acquired (the Orc) which will be the the artifact in question. He will then load his pack with as much of the loose ore in the cave (about 200+gp worth) and book it. OR if the PC's discover the treachary before the part is sacked, he'll have some caltrops and some kind of gas to knock them out(in the DMG?).

I figure after they smack the Orc (CR5), they'll be pretty messed up. A perfect time to beat them upside the head. A question about KO'ing the PC's: Can you use sneak attack to deal subdual damage? If so, he could certainly just beat them senseless in the cave and, as stated, leave a somewhat obvious trail through the wilderness. Speaking of which, does anyone know where there's a cheap map of Faerun where I can show where exactly they are and where local towns are and stuff?

BTW, they are going to kill the Orc today in the caves, at around 4:30 eastern, the next time we meet. So hasty replies are much obliged!!

Thank you all for your tips, it's helping me a bunch with the campaign!
Ironbark

PS
Any tips to encourage
role-playing? eps. spells:
just saying, "I cast this"
is kind of boring...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
IronBark 09-16-04, 10:04 PM	I'm new at DM'ing in general, but I've played several campaigns before as a PC, so I know my way around and what makes a game fun. I've recently started a group of three PC's. I know them all pretty well and they're a good group of guys, two of which play very sinister-ly. Since I'm kind of new I decided to start off with a published one, and being the cheap b-star I am, I got one from the DnD site; The Burning Plauge. The party consists of three level one characters: dwarf fighter, elf evocator (sp?), and an elf rouge. Before this campaign started we talked alot about what they wanted to play, and since the growing fad of Drow has influenced them so, they wish to venture into the Underdark. Obviously at level one they'd not be fit to breathe several hundred paces from a common drow, so I decided to lead them into it. As of now they've almost finished the campaign in Duvik's Pass, which concludes with the anihilation of a devout Orcish cleric of Grummsh. Since they would have a tough time doing the entire campaign by themselves (only 3 level 1 PC's), I found the Evocationist a merc. He's pretty strong, I pimped him out to allow him to be my next hook for continuation of the plot. After they take out the cleric I plan for the mercenary to backstab the party, raid them of their riches, and report back to his brooding sorcerer master of the chaos he has caused. Also, since the cleric is considered the last of a special clan ("related" to a clan that destroyed rouge's home), neither Grummsh nor the other Orc clans of the area are quite happy about the disturbance. I'm thinking by the way my friends will think about the backstab, they'll follow the mercenary to get sweet, sweet revenge. I just need the mercenary, his master and the Orcs, to somehow lead them into the Underdark. Any hooks, plot twists, ideas, tips, or changes? Thank you soooo much!
FrostyObsitnic 09-16-04, 10:13 PM	Well didn't you say that at level one they wouldn't stand a chance in the Underdark? How many levels to you plan to have them go up before the backstab? And how will you make sure that the pimped out merc's "backstab" doesnt end up killing them? Anyway, as for leading them into the underdark, one thing i came up with is having the merc retreat to his dark lord's fortress, leaving a somewhat obvious trail. Once the party gets there, they will probably realize that they have little to no chance of breaking in. Then you could somehow plant the information that a secret passage into the fortress lies somewhere underground, and that the sorceror uses it in his attempts to parlay with the dark elves and form an elite fighting force capable of razing the entire continent. Just a thought, and allows you to keep the party after what appears to be your BBEG while still giving them what they want.
IronBark 09-17-04, 03:47 PM	I was planning on getting them down there around 5-6th so they they'd have some power behind them, but not too much. About the "pimped" mercenary, he's simply 2 levels higher than they are(rog1/ass2, I ignored prereqs for the prestige). The plan is to use blunt arrows (feasible?) to deal subdual damage right after they confront the Orc, that way it'd be quick and easy KO's. The betrayl will be the hook for them to eventually go down into the Underdark, I plan to have the Orc clans and some other nasties try and get their revenge for the cleric to level them up. Also since I want to set this in the world of Faerun, does anyone know of a map or other referance material I could use about the continent? It would help me plan the route to Menzo as well as other key pitstops on the way. Thanks for the suggestion Frosty, It sounds great! Anything else need to be cleared up?
FrostyObsitnic 09-17-04, 04:17 PM	One other suggestion for the betrayal battle. Just to make things interesting, have him use nerfed arrows dipped in various potions or imbued with spells. (one of the players in my party did this, and it made for a very interesting battle.) You can basically tip the arrows with sponges and avoid damage altogether (unless you dip them in potions of inflict... hehehe)
Board_Rider 09-17-04, 04:38 PM	Be careful here. You know your group so what I may say is neither here nor there. In my experiences whe I "fudge" NPC's to suit my need (like your merc) I get a lot of blowback. Furthermore there are not that much more riches to be had in that module. The PC's may want revenge but is it worth dying possibly to retrieve 1st level starting equipment? What I would do is have the merc quickly search, make it obvious, the body of the cleric when he falls and find ________(whatever you want to continue your story). Upon discovery the merc goes all cliche' and says "I am truly sorry about this...but you have served your purposes and you are no longer needed..." Then fire a 5th level Wand of Magic Missles. Enough to hurt, not to kill. Furthermore, have the PC's see what the __________ is so that they may visit a church, mage, tower etc. to get an idea of what it is and go hunting. Not only for the NPC merc but for the gasp artifact that could be the foothold that the Drow needed to further push their attack farther into the Dales (if you play in FR). Lastly, let the merc have Boots of Teleportation for a quick getaway after firing the Wand.........don't want those PC's critting the merc and ending your dreams!!! AAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeee...wwuuuuu u...I'm spent!! Hope that helps ya. Good Luck.
FrostyObsitnic 09-17-04, 04:53 PM	Personally, I dont think the merc should have boots of teleportation, as that makes him too hard to track, and too hard for the party to deal with in future scenarios. Perhaps give him boots of running reall fast, or have him throw a couple tanglefoot bags.
EatFlan 09-17-04, 05:06 PM	i like board riders idea, but make it a cloak of the mountebank (dimension door 1xday) so you can add some pazaaz about how he throws the cloak across his front and poof leaves only the stench of sulfer in the air. also, that way in the horrible instance that one of your PCs decides to just kill the poor guy you won't be giving away anything to bad. bad but not too bad. oh and for this fight where the betrayal happens you can have the merc delay to go immediately IMMEDIATELY (.0001 seconds) after the bad guy and say the bad guy launches some ray spell...'Oh _____ you fall to the ground as the world goes dark around you' while in reality yes the PC got hit w/a spell but he also got sapped (sneak attack) in the back of the head. And you can give your PCs a chance to spot it if they are looking that way when the attack happens...but the merc being 2 lvls higher should be in the clear. then before the bad guy dies say he's on his knees and he asks for mercy and just as he's about to shriek out that he saw the merc betraying you the merc walks up and slits his throat. proceed then w/the other line about how 'you've served your purpose blahblhablhablhabalhbalhblah'
Board_Rider 09-17-04, 06:14 PM	Personally, I dont think the merc should have boots of teleportation, as that makes him too hard to track, and too hard for the party to deal with in future scenarios. Perhaps give him boots of running reall fast, or have him throw a couple tanglefoot bags. You would not be tracking the merc...but the item. By making it, or allowing it, to be known in books or by sages the item may be followed. OR PC's(In a bar): What are we going to do about "enter mercs name here"? "I dunno....but I'll tell ya what that "even a vauge description of artifact here" needs to be found. Old Merchant: Beggin your pardon misters....but I seen it, oh yes...I have..and yer ahhh...feller too. I could talk for maybe......50 gold? Just a thought.
IronBark 09-18-04, 11:27 AM	The PC's may want revenge but is it worth dying possibly to retrieve 1st level starting equipment? The mercenary(Meromir, to clarify the "insert name here") isnt going to rob the characters of their belongings, I mean honestly, what assassin in their right mind would enjoy another character's 1st level equipment, lol. He's going to take a precious gem they've acquired (the Orc) which will be the the artifact in question. He will then load his pack with as much of the loose ore in the cave (about 200+gp worth) and book it. OR if the PC's discover the treachary before the part is sacked, he'll have some caltrops and some kind of gas to knock them out(in the DMG?). I figure after they smack the Orc (CR5), they'll be pretty messed up. A perfect time to beat them upside the head. A question about KO'ing the PC's: Can you use sneak attack to deal subdual damage? If so, he could certainly just beat them senseless in the cave and, as stated, leave a somewhat obvious trail through the wilderness. Speaking of which, does anyone know where there's a cheap map of Faerun where I can show where exactly they are and where local towns are and stuff? BTW, they are going to kill the Orc today in the caves, at around 4:30 eastern, the next time we meet. So hasty replies are much obliged!! Thank you all for your tips, it's helping me a bunch with the campaign! Ironbark PS Any tips to encourage role-playing? eps. spells: just saying, "I cast this" is kind of boring...