Looking at Level 1 encounters and not excited. Need some advice. - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Looking at Level 1 encounters and not excited. Need some advice.

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
PoniesNSunshine
Aug 16, 2010 18:33:53 So I've run campaigns off and on for several years and I'm just picking up 4E for a pretty nonconformist group of players who are looking for something a little different, but who want to start at level 1 and build from the ground up. My basic premise is that in the continent that players all live on was, many centuries ago, a domain of dread that's gradually being re-annexed by the Shadowfell - This isn't very good for all the current inhabitants of the land, as they flee to the last remaining lands that are being protected by "Guardian Stones".

Anyways this was the general gameplan - but I'm starting to crack open the encounter levels and available monsters and all I'm seeing are the somewhat played out goblins and kobolds, etc that the players can run into. When looking at the shadowfell-specific races I'm looking at much higher encounter levels

Since I don't know 4E all that well I'm cautious about creating entirely new monsters, and I'm not clear about how to "de-level" higher level monsters. Any advice out there?

#2
Neutronium_Dragon
Aug 16, 2010 23:26:58 What resources are available to you as a DM? The suggestions that we can give will be quite different if you've got DDI and/or several Monster Manuals, vs just having the MM1.
#3
feyberry
Aug 17, 2010 0:03:35 Use the monster builder. Make up anything you want. Steal powers from any creature you can find and add them to custom monsters. You can also use the monster builder to lower the level of those Shadowfell creatures.
#4
SgtFreakshow
Aug 18, 2010 11:59:58 Hm, since you do have DDI try and go to the compendium, a quick search and I came up with following monsters that probably could be used for a level 1 shadowfellish campaign:

Petitioner of the Dark Eclipse - lvl 1 Minion
Initiate of the Dark Eclipse - lvl 1
Dark Hammer - lvl 1
Shadow Shaper - lvl 1
Shadow Seeker - lvl 1
Dark Servant - lvl 2
Xivort Shadow Caller - lvl 2
Shadow Juggernaught - lvl 2
Raven Swarm - lvl 2
Myrissa, Shadar-kai Dark Warlock - lvl 2 Elite
Dark Skull - lvl 2 Elite
Shadow Stalker - lvl 3
Shadowhunter Bat - lvl 3
Shadow Wolf - lvl 3
Ninaran, Dusk Hag Archer - lvl 3
Nightcloak of the Dark Eclipse - lvl 3 Elite
Shar's Guardian - lvl 3 Solo

The compendium doesn't really give you any fluff on these creatures, but if you like the mechanics you can always refluff them to fit your purpose.
#5
lokust
Aug 18, 2010 19:08:17
I was thinking what the Sgt. said but at an even more basic lvl. Pick any creature with fitting level and mechanics you like. Refluff to fit the story. Or you can go the other way. Think of things that would be awesome for your story and slap on some borrowed mechanics. As long as it is balanced it could be described as anything.

Goblin mechanics could be: Undead pale gnolls (small sized). Sometimes they drag one of their horrid creations of stitched up flesh into battle. (bugbear)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 PoniesNSunshine Aug 16, 2010 18:33:53	So I've run campaigns off and on for several years and I'm just picking up 4E for a pretty nonconformist group of players who are looking for something a little different, but who want to start at level 1 and build from the ground up. My basic premise is that in the continent that players all live on was, many centuries ago, a domain of dread that's gradually being re-annexed by the Shadowfell - This isn't very good for all the current inhabitants of the land, as they flee to the last remaining lands that are being protected by "Guardian Stones". Anyways this was the general gameplan - but I'm starting to crack open the encounter levels and available monsters and all I'm seeing are the somewhat played out goblins and kobolds, etc that the players can run into. When looking at the shadowfell-specific races I'm looking at much higher encounter levels Since I don't know 4E all that well I'm cautious about creating entirely new monsters, and I'm not clear about how to "de-level" higher level monsters. Any advice out there?
#2 Neutronium_Dragon Aug 16, 2010 23:26:58	What resources are available to you as a DM? The suggestions that we can give will be quite different if you've got DDI and/or several Monster Manuals, vs just having the MM1.
#3 feyberry Aug 17, 2010 0:03:35	Use the monster builder. Make up anything you want. Steal powers from any creature you can find and add them to custom monsters. You can also use the monster builder to lower the level of those Shadowfell creatures.
#4 SgtFreakshow Aug 18, 2010 11:59:58	Hm, since you do have DDI try and go to the compendium, a quick search and I came up with following monsters that probably could be used for a level 1 shadowfellish campaign: Petitioner of the Dark Eclipse - lvl 1 Minion Initiate of the Dark Eclipse - lvl 1 Dark Hammer - lvl 1 Shadow Shaper - lvl 1 Shadow Seeker - lvl 1 Dark Servant - lvl 2 Xivort Shadow Caller - lvl 2 Shadow Juggernaught - lvl 2 Raven Swarm - lvl 2 Myrissa, Shadar-kai Dark Warlock - lvl 2 Elite Dark Skull - lvl 2 Elite Shadow Stalker - lvl 3 Shadowhunter Bat - lvl 3 Shadow Wolf - lvl 3 Ninaran, Dusk Hag Archer - lvl 3 Nightcloak of the Dark Eclipse - lvl 3 Elite Shar's Guardian - lvl 3 Solo The compendium doesn't really give you any fluff on these creatures, but if you like the mechanics you can always refluff them to fit your purpose.
#5 lokust Aug 18, 2010 19:08:17	I was thinking what the Sgt. said but at an even more basic lvl. Pick any creature with fitting level and mechanics you like. Refluff to fit the story. Or you can go the other way. Think of things that would be awesome for your story and slap on some borrowed mechanics. As long as it is balanced it could be described as anything. Goblin mechanics could be: Undead pale gnolls (small sized). Sometimes they drag one of their horrid creations of stitched up flesh into battle. (bugbear)