Hey all,
So I've been reading through Ch. 6 of the Princes of the Apocalypse module. So far, I really like it. I enjoy the connection between Lost Mines of Phandelver and PotA stories. Since my group is still in the middle of Lost Mines, I thought it would be cool to read ahead and prepare for the inevitable link to PotA.
I ran into a small issue. In area T3. Cage Trap of The Tomb of Moving Stone—the Development graph states that, "Larrakh then plans to sacrifice the characters at a special ceremony." It doesn't provide any other details after that.
I can only assume, since the Believers have been coeerced into murdered travelers once (T5. Charnel Chamber), that this is the "special ceremony" the writer is referring to.
I was curious how other DMs have played this encounter, if the PCs were captured or failed to get through cage trapped hall way.
Thanks,
Jake
(DM)
My players got through the scenario in one piece, no problems, but if I had to come up with something it would have gone something like this...
Larrakh, along with the Bringers of Woe/Believers/other cultists would have pinned the defeated characters under heavy rocks, similar to the child in room T4, only they would be left to die rather than released. After a day or two of struggling, they'd carve the black earth symbol on the PCs' heads to consecrate the sacrifice. Grateful for the PCs investigation of Lance Rock, and witness to their entry into the sinkhole when it first appeared, Kaylessa would have taken it upon herself to covertly explore the tomb. She would rescue the PCs before the head carving business.
Thanks Nevvur. I was thinking something similar along those lines. I like what you've done here. Thanks for confiming. :D
I haven't looked at PotA yet, but how about a variation on the "sacrifice maiden to the volcano" theme?
The defeated PCs are placed somewhere a Wandering Monster is known to travel, and wrapped in bait to gain its attention.
For instance, Xorns like to eat gems. Tie the PCs to an obsidian monolith, give each of them a gem-studded necklace and belt (like 
), and open the tunnel to Deep Below. Read the ceremonial dedication to the powers of the earth, then lock the iron door behind you as you leave. Leave a guard outside the door to listen for ... noises.