Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dark Wanderer 11-11-03, 02:02 PM	I am running a group of 4th level characters average. Low magic world where human culture has yet to evolve past nomadic existence. The humans once made up the strongest empires but due to wars the empires crumbled and the humans wandered. the party had recently infiltrated an ancient human tomb that stored a vampires body. They were told that they needed to destroy the body by dropping it in the heart of a volcano. they are at the rim of an inactive volcano and must travel the to the heart of a five mile plateau. The land is all volcanic rock with volcanic rock spires, steam shoots and small lava rivers flowing in crevices 30 to 60 feet below the plateau. I have put some thought into theencounters that my party will run into most likely but I would like to see a different angle. Any body have any great ideas? characters: dwarven fighter 5th elven ranger 4th 1/2ling Mu 4th elven cleric 3rd elven bard 2nd
Old French Admiral 11-11-03, 02:18 PM	Perhaps the volcanic plateau has become an Azer colony. The Azers may not like having their sercet reconnaissance outpost discovered... Maybe the vampire knew that it would have to be taken to the volcano to be disposed of. In order to prevent this, he installed a few undead guardians. Or, if the vampire has already passed on and the body was lying there for some reason, maybe the ghost of the vampire lurks near the volcano.
Dark Wanderer 11-11-03, 02:28 PM	I like the azer idea. Was also thinking of the mephits or using the area as a launching area for a demon. I have a school of magic set up about 50 miles away and the school is one of the last survivng human cultures in that area of the world. So they could be incorporated also. Keep em coming....:smirk:
Bely 11-11-03, 02:38 PM	They could stumble across a hobbit with a missing finger and help him back to the shire ;) They could save a woman from being sacrificed to the “great angry earth god” by the barbarian shaman or tribe. Which could lead to the “great angry earth god” becoming upset!! A cult of Pyromancers could use the plateau as a testing ground for new initiates. There’s nothing like the minions of the vampire trying to “rescue” their master.
Aucturos 11-11-03, 03:17 PM	What about taking a hint or two from "Final Fantasty" the movie and having there be a sort of "Earth spirit" that they find while traveling so far beneath the surface that is slowly being invaded by another mysterious force... An entire civilization of Magmites underneath the surface? Say goodbye to your normal equipment... A mysterious volcano-dwelling civilization that vanished ages ago left a serious warning about an invasion or some other great disaster that will come upon their world soon, and the PC's need to figure out how to stop it.
Dark Wanderer 11-11-03, 03:40 PM	pyromancer training area.... hmmm as you walk through the spires moving as quietly as possible to avoid any ambushes. A barrage of fireballs hit around you. I can see the faces now :bigeyes:
Dungeon_Master 11-11-03, 09:37 PM	Hmmmmmm....... Red dragons, maybe a nest of Wyvrens.... Dune Stalker from the Monster Manual II maybe? My suggestion would be a red dragon that they're incapable of beating chasing them all the way to a volcano (and.... Have them lose the thing somehow about then).
Faeryl Zauvirr 11-11-03, 09:55 PM	It is an awesome idea already Dark Wanderer. I would consider the journey to the volcano just as important as the volcano itself. Have the vampires old minions chase the PCs from town to town trying to recover their masters body. Either that or have a war begin the living and the dead. The Necromancers heading the army of the dead want that old vampire to lead their legions, but first must take it from the PCs. Last but not least, try stealing the body from the PCs as they travel. Who stole it? Maybe a thieves guild that will sell the body on the black market.
Yankee 11-11-03, 11:41 PM	How about 'traps'. Okay, maybe not specifically constructed ones, but natural hazard type traps - thin layers of cooled rock over shallow lava flows - that sort of thing. Azers or Mephits were what sprang to my mind as well, maybe even a not too big Magma Elemental (Manual of the Planes) as a climactic fight. Be warned if you use one though, I think their CR is a bit lower than it should be.