Metal-themed adventure - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Metal-themed adventure

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
socialexperiment
Jul 27, 2010 21:43:36
So I had an idea to do an adventure based on heavy metal, because I had an idea for an awesome fight and had to justify the existence of said fight, with more fights. The barbarian will no doubt be happy about this.

Anyway, the whole thing would be "non-canon" (playing the usual characters, but with no impact on the actual ongoing game we have), and as I said would be themed around our favourite genre of music. I'm picturing fights the the Master of Puppets, joining in the Dance of Death, reading from the Bible Black, and then being bombarded by a Firestorm (that'd be Metallica, Iron Maiden, Dio, and Sabaton for those who are insufficiently metal). I'm also thinking that certain acts of suicidal insanity would be encouraged if they were awesome enough (because metal is hardcore like that).

I have some vague ideas for encounters, which I plan to refine. Here's two.

Master of Puppets: In a large, vaguely rectangular area, the players must fight their way to the Master of Puppets through a crowd of enemies. Most are fairly easy to defeat, but the Master can Assume Direct Control to give one enemy a boost to defenses and damage. The Master himself is controlling/directing the horde, but has no abilities otherwise--the fight ends when he dies (thus making his army non-hostile) or his army does (thus making him a non-threat).

Firestorm: The finale, unless I decide the story needs to end in combat (which is very likely). A dragon circles the battlefield, pummelling the ground with an area burst attack while the PCs battle an enemy force (I have yet to decide exactly who they're fighting or why). The dragon has no close combat abilities, but can stay airborne indefinitely (and fights from there as well). To counter this, there are building to take cover in (though they can be destroyed) and around the map are ballistae (ballistas?). Each one has several bolts with ropes attached, which deal substantial damage and can be used to pull the dragon to the ground and pin him for a round, letting melee fighters attack him without fear of retaliation.

Mostly I'm curious as to the mechanics of these two fights, as well as whether or not I should have a stereo playing the relevant songs nearby. I could play them quietly enough that we could hear each other, but I'm wondering if that might still be too distracting. I'm also curious as to whether I should have a character "on standby" in case I make a fight too hard (if it's my fault, I'm going to bail the party out; don't want a TPK caused by bad DMing).

Thanks in advance, input is appreciated.
#2
saint_matthew
Jul 28, 2010 0:53:02 & here i thought you were talking something closer to Micheal Moorcocks Silverheart novel. LOL

-M
#3
nekros22
Jul 28, 2010 21:06:31 www.harlekin-maus.com/games/metalopera/m...

Enjoy.
#4
thecapn
Jul 29, 2010 18:18:31 I had a similar idea for a one-shot silly adventure involving a party of hybrid Bards, each one representing a different member of a band. Their weapons of chocie would also double as instruments (so the fighter/lead guitarist would wield an Axe guitar. The Bassist would have a mace guitar, etc). The whole thing would be very Metalocalypse.

The adventure itself would be based off the lyrics to fantasy power metal songs like stuff from Dragonforce and Rhapsody.
#5
OleOneEye
Jul 31, 2010 9:54:13
...Firestorm...Metallica...I'm also curious as to whether I should have a character "on standby" in case I make a fight too hard

If you go the route of a DMPC swooping in, I would totally crank up some Megadeth and have him be Vic hellbent on vengeance.
#6
frothsof
Jul 31, 2010 11:11:39 first, great idea

second, you have to play the music. you dont have to blast it but anyone who has seen the movie will be smiling

third, what level are the players? for your first master of puppets encounter there are several great controllers that can do what your talking about, and you can modify the crowds from the arena fights (underrated), and use them and a lot of minions
#7
nekros22
Jul 31, 2010 19:34:26
Are we going for a "Brutal Legend" feel or a "Heavy Metal" one? Or both?
#8
fayelampshire
Aug 01, 2010 4:53:06 I was expecting something like Bastard!!. (Great manga, shame its not being translated anymore...)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 socialexperiment Jul 27, 2010 21:43:36	So I had an idea to do an adventure based on heavy metal, because I had an idea for an awesome fight and had to justify the existence of said fight, with more fights. The barbarian will no doubt be happy about this. Anyway, the whole thing would be "non-canon" (playing the usual characters, but with no impact on the actual ongoing game we have), and as I said would be themed around our favourite genre of music. I'm picturing fights the the Master of Puppets, joining in the Dance of Death, reading from the Bible Black, and then being bombarded by a Firestorm (that'd be Metallica, Iron Maiden, Dio, and Sabaton for those who are insufficiently metal). I'm also thinking that certain acts of suicidal insanity would be encouraged if they were awesome enough (because metal is hardcore like that). I have some vague ideas for encounters, which I plan to refine. Here's two. Master of Puppets: In a large, vaguely rectangular area, the players must fight their way to the Master of Puppets through a crowd of enemies. Most are fairly easy to defeat, but the Master can Assume Direct Control to give one enemy a boost to defenses and damage. The Master himself is controlling/directing the horde, but has no abilities otherwise--the fight ends when he dies (thus making his army non-hostile) or his army does (thus making him a non-threat). Firestorm: The finale, unless I decide the story needs to end in combat (which is very likely). A dragon circles the battlefield, pummelling the ground with an area burst attack while the PCs battle an enemy force (I have yet to decide exactly who they're fighting or why). The dragon has no close combat abilities, but can stay airborne indefinitely (and fights from there as well). To counter this, there are building to take cover in (though they can be destroyed) and around the map are ballistae (ballistas?). Each one has several bolts with ropes attached, which deal substantial damage and can be used to pull the dragon to the ground and pin him for a round, letting melee fighters attack him without fear of retaliation. Mostly I'm curious as to the mechanics of these two fights, as well as whether or not I should have a stereo playing the relevant songs nearby. I could play them quietly enough that we could hear each other, but I'm wondering if that might still be too distracting. I'm also curious as to whether I should have a character "on standby" in case I make a fight too hard (if it's my fault, I'm going to bail the party out; don't want a TPK caused by bad DMing). Thanks in advance, input is appreciated.
#2 saint_matthew Jul 28, 2010 0:53:02	& here i thought you were talking something closer to Micheal Moorcocks Silverheart novel. LOL -M
#3 nekros22 Jul 28, 2010 21:06:31	www.harlekin-maus.com/games/metalopera/m... Enjoy.
#4 thecapn Jul 29, 2010 18:18:31	I had a similar idea for a one-shot silly adventure involving a party of hybrid Bards, each one representing a different member of a band. Their weapons of chocie would also double as instruments (so the fighter/lead guitarist would wield an Axe guitar. The Bassist would have a mace guitar, etc). The whole thing would be very Metalocalypse. The adventure itself would be based off the lyrics to fantasy power metal songs like stuff from Dragonforce and Rhapsody.
#5 OleOneEye Jul 31, 2010 9:54:13	...Firestorm...Metallica...I'm also curious as to whether I should have a character "on standby" in case I make a fight too hard If you go the route of a DMPC swooping in, I would totally crank up some Megadeth and have him be Vic hellbent on vengeance.
#6 frothsof Jul 31, 2010 11:11:39	first, great idea second, you have to play the music. you dont have to blast it but anyone who has seen the movie will be smiling third, what level are the players? for your first master of puppets encounter there are several great controllers that can do what your talking about, and you can modify the crowds from the arena fights (underrated), and use them and a lot of minions
#7 nekros22 Jul 31, 2010 19:34:26	Are we going for a "Brutal Legend" feel or a "Heavy Metal" one? Or both?
#8 fayelampshire Aug 01, 2010 4:53:06	I was expecting something like Bastard!!. (Great manga, shame its not being translated anymore...)