Awarding loots for a necro labs.. (Contents?) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Awarding loots for a necro labs.. (Contents?) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dmdax
10-27-03, 09:57 AM Hi, I need your help here.. My player defeat a necro in his lair and the guard of the region awards them with a part of the wiz possession (labs..). Can you help me building a descent lab item (and magical item, art and such)? They are 3 lvl 9th and the necro was level 13.

thanks!
Damren
10-27-03, 11:23 AM I don't know. If it was a tried & true, raise the dead, gory experiments, Frankenstein on the table Necromancer - they may not want much of it. If he was ... career focused?... he may not have much in the way of art & such. However, if the lair was of noble caliber, there may be quite a bit.

Logically, mages enter certain professions for a reason. Some might find they have the talent and join the guild to make living. Others might seek power. Some immortality. What was this guy’s focus? Did he have a long history here or was he a 'new neighbor'? Also, do you want to use this guy and/or his treasure to link to future plots or events in your game?

The lab would most likely have a great deal of 'bits & pieces' but may contain a number of valuable tools and items if the Necromancer ran along Alchemical lines. Some magical implements of the necromantic profession may be apparent and the occasional item he picked up from some crypt he was looting may also be there (a good opportunity to 'seed' items for later adventures).

Masterwork tools which could easily cross over to the Healing profession should be available. Even some healing items may be available to 'cure up' future experiments. Various defensive items (potions, ring or amulet, warding circle) against undead or other creations may be available as well; after all, some of those things are just not housebroken. Restraints, cages, tables, vats, vials, etc. Storage trunks, waste pits, hidden chambers? Creatures big & small, some living, most dead.

A hidden chamber may contain something like a necrotic clone (no, I don't think it actually exists in game stats - but a 'gifted' necromancer might be able to 'throw something together'?) that still sleeps. Kind of a frankenstein-ish angle, but the creation may include demonic or divine substance that could make it an interesting role-play encounter or future problem if the PCs don't find it this time around.

The study or library (if this stuff wasn't in the lab) may be more promising. Maps & charts to local graveyards & tombs (some may be known, others not). Scrolls and tomes related to his magical profession with a lite bit of other oddities thrown in.

The study can have ornate boxes to hold potions, parchment, inks and spell components. A 'bar' or concealed cabinet (always fun to have them trap check & lock-pick the mini-bar) that has several bottles of wine with glasses.

The large desk may conceal a 'weapon' (typically a wand of some dangerous type in an easily accessed compartment), may also be locked & have the scrolls and books of whatever current project he was working on laying on top or locked within. A finely crafted set of lenses to aid in reading or studying specimens (possible with a detection placed on it). A scrying tool of some type (I'm partial to crystal or obsidian skulls for this guy - but the choice is yours).

A suit of armor (old guard, now zombie?) may be set in a corner, as well as other items or weapons recovered from grave digging or from fresher 'specimens'. Some of these may be placed in chests in storage rooms or back in the lab (just in case he needs to cover those zombies up with something).

Hopefully, this helped. Sometimes it’s kind of tricky. I don't just like having a generic skull motif or typical creepiness (unless that's what I'm shooting for). These NPCs have history, personality and quirks. That should be used. Say he has a thing for boxes - everything has a case or holder. Kind of a neat freak in which everything is in its proper place and he even wastes magic to keep the dust away.

Does he have a cultural background? Are there any religious symbols? Is any type of art, food or drink specific to his homeland?
dmdax
10-27-03, 11:50 AM First thanks for this awesome reply. Yes, i want to link the loots for my next week adventure. In fact, they found a key.. Pretty steriotype you might say but I will introduce my new npc to them. A black Guard, one of the 'friend' of the necro. He will first visit the pc in there town asking peacefully for the key, thats it. Knowing my player they will refuse.. From that a serie of event can accure..
The necro was seeking power.. acquiring items and dealing with his enemies the old fashion way .. hiring mercenary to deal with them. In fact, I introduce a new player 2 weeks ago that way.

I will surely have plenty of idea from what u wrote. thanks again!
bitnine
10-27-03, 01:14 PM You might want to check out this old thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82076), as it might give you a couple of ideas.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dmdax 10-27-03, 09:57 AM	Hi, I need your help here.. My player defeat a necro in his lair and the guard of the region awards them with a part of the wiz possession (labs..). Can you help me building a descent lab item (and magical item, art and such)? They are 3 lvl 9th and the necro was level 13. thanks!
Damren 10-27-03, 11:23 AM	I don't know. If it was a tried & true, raise the dead, gory experiments, Frankenstein on the table Necromancer - they may not want much of it. If he was ... career focused?... he may not have much in the way of art & such. However, if the lair was of noble caliber, there may be quite a bit. Logically, mages enter certain professions for a reason. Some might find they have the talent and join the guild to make living. Others might seek power. Some immortality. What was this guy’s focus? Did he have a long history here or was he a 'new neighbor'? Also, do you want to use this guy and/or his treasure to link to future plots or events in your game? The lab would most likely have a great deal of 'bits & pieces' but may contain a number of valuable tools and items if the Necromancer ran along Alchemical lines. Some magical implements of the necromantic profession may be apparent and the occasional item he picked up from some crypt he was looting may also be there (a good opportunity to 'seed' items for later adventures). Masterwork tools which could easily cross over to the Healing profession should be available. Even some healing items may be available to 'cure up' future experiments. Various defensive items (potions, ring or amulet, warding circle) against undead or other creations may be available as well; after all, some of those things are just not housebroken. Restraints, cages, tables, vats, vials, etc. Storage trunks, waste pits, hidden chambers? Creatures big & small, some living, most dead. A hidden chamber may contain something like a necrotic clone (no, I don't think it actually exists in game stats - but a 'gifted' necromancer might be able to 'throw something together'?) that still sleeps. Kind of a frankenstein-ish angle, but the creation may include demonic or divine substance that could make it an interesting role-play encounter or future problem if the PCs don't find it this time around. The study or library (if this stuff wasn't in the lab) may be more promising. Maps & charts to local graveyards & tombs (some may be known, others not). Scrolls and tomes related to his magical profession with a lite bit of other oddities thrown in. The study can have ornate boxes to hold potions, parchment, inks and spell components. A 'bar' or concealed cabinet (always fun to have them trap check & lock-pick the mini-bar) that has several bottles of wine with glasses. The large desk may conceal a 'weapon' (typically a wand of some dangerous type in an easily accessed compartment), may also be locked & have the scrolls and books of whatever current project he was working on laying on top or locked within. A finely crafted set of lenses to aid in reading or studying specimens (possible with a detection placed on it). A scrying tool of some type (I'm partial to crystal or obsidian skulls for this guy - but the choice is yours). A suit of armor (old guard, now zombie?) may be set in a corner, as well as other items or weapons recovered from grave digging or from fresher 'specimens'. Some of these may be placed in chests in storage rooms or back in the lab (just in case he needs to cover those zombies up with something). Hopefully, this helped. Sometimes it’s kind of tricky. I don't just like having a generic skull motif or typical creepiness (unless that's what I'm shooting for). These NPCs have history, personality and quirks. That should be used. Say he has a thing for boxes - everything has a case or holder. Kind of a neat freak in which everything is in its proper place and he even wastes magic to keep the dust away. Does he have a cultural background? Are there any religious symbols? Is any type of art, food or drink specific to his homeland?
dmdax 10-27-03, 11:50 AM	First thanks for this awesome reply. Yes, i want to link the loots for my next week adventure. In fact, they found a key.. Pretty steriotype you might say but I will introduce my new npc to them. A black Guard, one of the 'friend' of the necro. He will first visit the pc in there town asking peacefully for the key, thats it. Knowing my player they will refuse.. From that a serie of event can accure.. The necro was seeking power.. acquiring items and dealing with his enemies the old fashion way .. hiring mercenary to deal with them. In fact, I introduce a new player 2 weeks ago that way. I will surely have plenty of idea from what u wrote. thanks again!
bitnine 10-27-03, 01:14 PM	You might want to check out this old thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82076), as it might give you a couple of ideas.