[Veteran DMs] Advice on closing out my ToEE campaign - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

[Veteran DMs] Advice on closing out my ToEE campaign

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
nedleeds
Jan 30, 2010 9:54:20 So I figured this might be a place to find some DMs who have actually run the ToEE. I have been running it for over a year now (using Pathfinder) and we are in the home stretch.

Campaign Journal here:

paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/community/...

I've altered things slightly from the original in an attempt to give some initial motivation for the players involvement, and to provide a little more depth to Lareth.

Another alteration is the Golden Orb / Freeing Big Z / Sundering the Gates situation. My Yellowskull indeed has 4 slots for gems, however the gems for mine are hidden in the nodes, guarded by a guardian (i'm using Demons given the Chaotic Evil of Iuz and Hedrack).

I'm dropping hints that a pimped out skull is the weapon of choice to destroying Zuggtomy. Another thought was perhaps that destroying the skull would weaken Zuggtomy, and only enable her aspect to manifest on the PMP.

In summary I'm not sure that a run through all 4 nodes would be very interesting, a few NPC interactions, but it's mostly a dungeon bash with a boss at the end of each one.

In your experience how did you use the nodes? Did you use them at all? Given the power levels, I anticipate that the PCs would have a pretty tough fight with just her Aspect and have no hope of defeating the actual big Z.
#2
warriorpoet
Aug 28, 2010 9:06:03 I never ran that, but am currently playing through it. Our DM is useing elemental creatures in each node who are forced to guard each gem. They aren't evil and so ya cannot use any anti evil weapon bonuses on them. But we are haveing to come up with ways to make travel on each node possible for the entire party. ( you can't walk through fire without some kind of protection or breathe & move through water without something, ect., ect.) so the node have been interesting. Tonight is supposed to be our finale . I realize your campaign has probably wrapped by now . I hope it went well. I am thinking of running this or Queen of the Spiders when a 4E GREYHAWK comes out.
#3
Geekoid
Sep 07, 2010 2:49:33 IF the players decide to actually wield the skull, then let them use it as a powerful weapon, if they choose to destroy it, then let that be the best choice. Sometimes let the players decision be correct,regardless of what it is; especially when you are worried that they may not be powerful enough.

When I was in it, we did the nodes. It was a pain;however years latter we still joke about it. *POOF*...*Splash*

#4
oerdin
Sep 08, 2010 3:51:37 I have extremely fond memories of playing in a campaign starting with ToEE, going on to the Slavers series, followed by Against the Giants, and then the Vaults of the Drow. That was classic 1st edition at it's best.
#5
RyndarLocke
Sep 08, 2010 17:35:01 Kill them off.
#6
jeffb2066
Feb 16, 2011 19:39:11 I know this thread is old, but just in case... destroying the skull also destroys the temple, and Iuz loses access to the elemental planes for 2 years after that happens. If you are moving the campaign into other areas of Greyhawk, that could make a difference. As Dm, I would say if the Deity is cut off from the elemental planes then so are his priests (no elemental spells!)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 nedleeds Jan 30, 2010 9:54:20	So I figured this might be a place to find some DMs who have actually run the ToEE. I have been running it for over a year now (using Pathfinder) and we are in the home stretch. Campaign Journal here: paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/community/... I've altered things slightly from the original in an attempt to give some initial motivation for the players involvement, and to provide a little more depth to Lareth. Another alteration is the Golden Orb / Freeing Big Z / Sundering the Gates situation. My Yellowskull indeed has 4 slots for gems, however the gems for mine are hidden in the nodes, guarded by a guardian (i'm using Demons given the Chaotic Evil of Iuz and Hedrack). I'm dropping hints that a pimped out skull is the weapon of choice to destroying Zuggtomy. Another thought was perhaps that destroying the skull would weaken Zuggtomy, and only enable her aspect to manifest on the PMP. In summary I'm not sure that a run through all 4 nodes would be very interesting, a few NPC interactions, but it's mostly a dungeon bash with a boss at the end of each one. In your experience how did you use the nodes? Did you use them at all? Given the power levels, I anticipate that the PCs would have a pretty tough fight with just her Aspect and have no hope of defeating the actual big Z.
#2 warriorpoet Aug 28, 2010 9:06:03	I never ran that, but am currently playing through it. Our DM is useing elemental creatures in each node who are forced to guard each gem. They aren't evil and so ya cannot use any anti evil weapon bonuses on them. But we are haveing to come up with ways to make travel on each node possible for the entire party. ( you can't walk through fire without some kind of protection or breathe & move through water without something, ect., ect.) so the node have been interesting. Tonight is supposed to be our finale . I realize your campaign has probably wrapped by now . I hope it went well. I am thinking of running this or Queen of the Spiders when a 4E GREYHAWK comes out.
#3 Geekoid Sep 07, 2010 2:49:33	IF the players decide to actually wield the skull, then let them use it as a powerful weapon, if they choose to destroy it, then let that be the best choice. Sometimes let the players decision be correct,regardless of what it is; especially when you are worried that they may not be powerful enough. When I was in it, we did the nodes. It was a pain;however years latter we still joke about it. POOF...Splash
#4 oerdin Sep 08, 2010 3:51:37	I have extremely fond memories of playing in a campaign starting with ToEE, going on to the Slavers series, followed by Against the Giants, and then the Vaults of the Drow. That was classic 1st edition at it's best.
#5 RyndarLocke Sep 08, 2010 17:35:01	Kill them off.
#6 jeffb2066 Feb 16, 2011 19:39:11	I know this thread is old, but just in case... destroying the skull also destroys the temple, and Iuz loses access to the elemental planes for 2 years after that happens. If you are moving the campaign into other areas of Greyhawk, that could make a difference. As Dm, I would say if the Deity is cut off from the elemental planes then so are his priests (no elemental spells!)