Sharn Elevators - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Sharn Elevators

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Gilo
Jun 29, 2009 0:12:52 I was planning some elevator (lift) related encounters in Sharn (4E), when I realized I don't know how elevators in Sharn are controlled (and if they are controlled).

Do they stop at each floor (or location - as some move horizontally too)? can they get directed to a specific floor? can movement be controlled from inside or outside the elevator?

I'm not sure if the books contain that information, How do you run it in your campaign?
#2
Alex_
Jun 29, 2009 1:02:04 I don't recall it ever being specified.

Always figured it was just a big hollow shaft with a meta/stone/wooden disk in it. You step on, say the floor you want to go to, and it takes you there. Or you don't say anything at all. It just takes you where you need to go.
#3
Nived
Jun 29, 2009 5:53:21 From th descriptions in Keith's novel City of Towers I go the impression that they do not stop at 'every floor' but go to public spaces every couple of levels. (which could be as many as ten stories apart).

I have nothing solid to back this up, just the impression that I got.

I also have them always in tandem, one going up, one going down, they dont switch till they get to top/bottom. Sharn's too big to go to specific levels for people, that's what skycoaches are for. You might have to wait a good while for one of the lifts to make it back to your level and be goin the way you're going.

They're more like the bus than an elevator that way.

Least that's the way I've played it.
#4
AvonRekaes
Jun 29, 2009 8:55:29 Also, if you take inspiration from Keith's novels, the lifts are not enclosed in a metal shaft. I.E., you can be thrown off the side of one and start plumeting to your death if you don't have a featherfall token.
#5
Gilo
Jun 29, 2009 16:59:37 Thanks,

My PCs have broken into a Boromar clan owned and somewhat rebuilt tower in Sharn's Fallen district.

I was thinking about adding a hidden tower floor which is only 4 feet in height (give the halflings inside an edge over the tall PCs) where the only entrance is a secret door in the elevator shaft (no stairs entrance to that floor).

Normally the elevator (going with the bus analogy) will just pass the floor without stooping (anyone without enough perception or dungeoneering skills will miss the extra floor existence), but I'll make the elevator slow enough for anyone that knows of the secret door to open it and slip through in time.
#6
SteelMirror
Jun 30, 2009 0:13:50 Not the elevator level!
#7
theshard
Jun 30, 2009 11:11:30
From th descriptions in Keith's novel City of Towers I go the impression that they do not stop at 'every floor' but go to public spaces every couple of levels. (which could be as many as ten stories apart).

I have nothing solid to back this up, just the impression that I got.

I also have them always in tandem, one going up, one going down, they dont switch till they get to top/bottom. Sharn's too big to go to specific levels for people, that's what skycoaches are for. You might have to wait a good while for one of the lifts to make it back to your level and be goin the way you're going.

They're more like the bus than an elevator that way.

Least that's the way I've played it.

This is how I used the elevators in my 3.5 campaign. I also got my inspiration from Keith's novel. Like much of the rest in Sharn, they were powered by air elementals.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Gilo Jun 29, 2009 0:12:52	I was planning some elevator (lift) related encounters in Sharn (4E), when I realized I don't know how elevators in Sharn are controlled (and if they are controlled). Do they stop at each floor (or location - as some move horizontally too)? can they get directed to a specific floor? can movement be controlled from inside or outside the elevator? I'm not sure if the books contain that information, How do you run it in your campaign?
#2 Alex_ Jun 29, 2009 1:02:04	I don't recall it ever being specified. Always figured it was just a big hollow shaft with a meta/stone/wooden disk in it. You step on, say the floor you want to go to, and it takes you there. Or you don't say anything at all. It just takes you where you need to go.
#3 Nived Jun 29, 2009 5:53:21	From th descriptions in Keith's novel City of Towers I go the impression that they do not stop at 'every floor' but go to public spaces every couple of levels. (which could be as many as ten stories apart). I have nothing solid to back this up, just the impression that I got. I also have them always in tandem, one going up, one going down, they dont switch till they get to top/bottom. Sharn's too big to go to specific levels for people, that's what skycoaches are for. You might have to wait a good while for one of the lifts to make it back to your level and be goin the way you're going. They're more like the bus than an elevator that way. Least that's the way I've played it.
#4 AvonRekaes Jun 29, 2009 8:55:29	Also, if you take inspiration from Keith's novels, the lifts are not enclosed in a metal shaft. I.E., you can be thrown off the side of one and start plumeting to your death if you don't have a featherfall token.
#5 Gilo Jun 29, 2009 16:59:37	Thanks, My PCs have broken into a Boromar clan owned and somewhat rebuilt tower in Sharn's Fallen district. I was thinking about adding a hidden tower floor which is only 4 feet in height (give the halflings inside an edge over the tall PCs) where the only entrance is a secret door in the elevator shaft (no stairs entrance to that floor). Normally the elevator (going with the bus analogy) will just pass the floor without stooping (anyone without enough perception or dungeoneering skills will miss the extra floor existence), but I'll make the elevator slow enough for anyone that knows of the secret door to open it and slip through in time.
#6 SteelMirror Jun 30, 2009 0:13:50	Not the elevator level!
#7 theshard Jun 30, 2009 11:11:30	From th descriptions in Keith's novel City of Towers I go the impression that they do not stop at 'every floor' but go to public spaces every couple of levels. (which could be as many as ten stories apart). I have nothing solid to back this up, just the impression that I got. I also have them always in tandem, one going up, one going down, they dont switch till they get to top/bottom. Sharn's too big to go to specific levels for people, that's what skycoaches are for. You might have to wait a good while for one of the lifts to make it back to your level and be goin the way you're going. They're more like the bus than an elevator that way. Least that's the way I've played it. This is how I used the elevators in my 3.5 campaign. I also got my inspiration from Keith's novel. Like much of the rest in Sharn, they were powered by air elementals.