Encounter Ideas - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Encounter Ideas

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Ravidell_the_Black
Jan 14, 2011 11:23:32 Hi all,

I'm looking for some ideas anyone might have (and any methods for funning it) for an upcoming encounter.

BAsically, the party will find themselves in an ancient labyrinth of tunnels that were used by dwarves long ago as they were building a citadel high overhead. These old tunnels were the "construction" access tunnels, and never finished, many have been sealed off (as the citadel proper was completed).

At one point, the PCs enter the bottom of a massive shaft, complete with chains hanging down from the darkness waaaay overhead. This used to be an elevator, but the wooden platform long since rotted away.

So, they have to climb. Not sure if I'm going to go with a skill challenge for that or not.

Looking for ideas on things that might occur or that they find along the way as they climb specifically, but any other ideas for an "old forgotten dwarf construction" labyrinth would be cool.

Also thinking that alot of these tunnels are made for dwarves, so the ceilings and such aren't very high. Mechanically, dwarves are medium creatures, so I suppose that a 5' high ceiling wuldn't *technically* cause troubles for the party.

Any ideas would be muchly appreciated.

#2
thespeck1990
Jan 14, 2011 14:04:53 Well, let's see....falling rocks are an obvious (but perhaps cliche') obstacle in an old elevator shaft. Same with creepy crawlies who can scale the walls easily, like spiders. There's also slippery walls, unstable (but perception-detectable) footholds in the rock, and other such inhibitors to the climbing.

What kind of lighting did you envision for this section, or even this dungeon? That could pose a particular problem to the party.

Another contributing factor would be what's at the end of the shaft. Would it lend itself to strong winds blowing down on the party, would any kind of monster lay in wait?

Hope this post at least jump started some ideas!
#3
pruano
Jan 15, 2011 8:03:44 Perfect place to put a gelatinous cube or any kind of ooze.

Shafts, possibly vapor shafts (wouldn't affect anyone inside the elevator, an all other issue without such protection).

Grapling hooks to support the elevator beween floors, malfunctioning now, can become traps.
#4
ErikSilverblade
Jan 15, 2011 22:26:06 Don't forget status effects, like weakened. If you did go the skill challenge route you could impose these on them as penalties for failing.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Ravidell_the_Black Jan 14, 2011 11:23:32	Hi all, I'm looking for some ideas anyone might have (and any methods for funning it) for an upcoming encounter. BAsically, the party will find themselves in an ancient labyrinth of tunnels that were used by dwarves long ago as they were building a citadel high overhead. These old tunnels were the "construction" access tunnels, and never finished, many have been sealed off (as the citadel proper was completed). At one point, the PCs enter the bottom of a massive shaft, complete with chains hanging down from the darkness waaaay overhead. This used to be an elevator, but the wooden platform long since rotted away. So, they have to climb. Not sure if I'm going to go with a skill challenge for that or not. Looking for ideas on things that might occur or that they find along the way as they climb specifically, but any other ideas for an "old forgotten dwarf construction" labyrinth would be cool. Also thinking that alot of these tunnels are made for dwarves, so the ceilings and such aren't very high. Mechanically, dwarves are medium creatures, so I suppose that a 5' high ceiling wuldn't technically cause troubles for the party. Any ideas would be muchly appreciated.
#2 thespeck1990 Jan 14, 2011 14:04:53	Well, let's see....falling rocks are an obvious (but perhaps cliche') obstacle in an old elevator shaft. Same with creepy crawlies who can scale the walls easily, like spiders. There's also slippery walls, unstable (but perception-detectable) footholds in the rock, and other such inhibitors to the climbing. What kind of lighting did you envision for this section, or even this dungeon? That could pose a particular problem to the party. Another contributing factor would be what's at the end of the shaft. Would it lend itself to strong winds blowing down on the party, would any kind of monster lay in wait? Hope this post at least jump started some ideas!
#3 pruano Jan 15, 2011 8:03:44	Perfect place to put a gelatinous cube or any kind of ooze. Shafts, possibly vapor shafts (wouldn't affect anyone inside the elevator, an all other issue without such protection). Grapling hooks to support the elevator beween floors, malfunctioning now, can become traps.
#4 ErikSilverblade Jan 15, 2011 22:26:06	Don't forget status effects, like weakened. If you did go the skill challenge route you could impose these on them as penalties for failing.