CORE1-8 Taken map confusion *spoilers* - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 rozman May 20, 2009 9:21:53	Most of this is going to be spoilered material. I think I understand some of the map in Encounter 5, but I'm lost on some of it too. Show It appears to be placed at the main entrance at the bottom of the Great Fall, corresponding with area 1 on the cross-sectional map? 1st Floor is above the 2nd floor. Didn't notice the note the first time I ran it. If the PC's are escaping via the elevator (starting location C), they lower themselves into the encounter, starting level with what should be the 2nd floor on the map? And at no point in this encounter is the elevator adjacent to a platform; you have to jump to get on/off? I'm going to assume the elevator has controls operated by those on the elevator, otherwise things get entirely out of hand. Where is the entrance to the southern guard room? I was going to have the entrances on the lower floor, then the stairs internal to the rooms to get up to where the arbalests are, but I'll need to widen the corridor on the lower floor to make it fit.
#2 mwao_dup May 20, 2009 10:40:58	Ditto. I found that really confusing as well.
#3 Madfox11 May 21, 2009 5:03:27	The downside of tiles maps and recognizing an error too late... In any event, if a map is unclear, carefully read the text both in the encounter description AND the explanation text on the map page itself. Map: Show Correct on the location. Entry platform elevator: Correct, it does NOT touch any area on the encounter map. People and objects get on and off the platform one level above the battlefield in the storage areas. In any event, jumping 1 square is really easy at these levels. Logic dictates the controlls of the elevator are not on the elevator, but than again, that would get the PCs into a lot of trouble (unless a PC has feather fall prepared). So placing the controls of the elevator is a good option for groups who are having a difficult time as it is. Otherwise though, not having the controls on the elevator forces the PCs to defeat the guardians, lower the elevator with the kids and then grab a griphon which is not too difficult either since organized defenses only show up after some time. Entrance to the towers is right next to the stairs of the tower tile at the same level as the balcony (I probably should have added a note like: "(1st floor on the map)". As for tactics, if a melee heavy group does not realize they have to flee inside to force the kir-lanans down into melee, then that is the risk they take. Note though that the adventure text does give a reason for the kir-lanans to actually get inside: "If the PCs retreat into a corridor the kir-lanans follow at a distance. They realize they are the most powerful kir-lanans nearby and they do not expect reinforcements. They are also impatient, wanting to kill the PCs as quickly as possible." The range of rain of spikes is only 10, which should be within charge range. That same impatience would also force the kir-lanans down if the PCs flee into the towers. Now, I know that from a tactical point of view it might be a bit weak, but not every creature is a patient tactical genius. These kir-lanan are impatient and have anger management issues, and that those personality flaws also make the fight more fun, so much the better ;)
#4 rozman May 21, 2009 8:59:06	The downside of tiles maps and recognizing an error too late... In any event, if a map is unclear, carefully read the text both in the encounter description AND the explanation text on the map page itself. Thanks for the feedback. I definitely like the "storming a James Bond supervillain hideout" feel; I just want to make sure I've got my brain wrapped around it so I can run it smoothly at an upcoming con. -Rozman

Correct on the location.
Entry platform elevator: Correct, it does NOT touch any area on the encounter map. People and objects get on and off the platform one level above the battlefield in the storage areas. In any event, jumping 1 square is really easy at these levels.
Logic dictates the controlls of the elevator are not on the elevator, but than again, that would get the PCs into a lot of trouble (unless a PC has feather fall prepared). So placing the controls of the elevator is a good option for groups who are having a difficult time as it is. Otherwise though, not having the controls on the elevator forces the PCs to defeat the guardians, lower the elevator with the kids and then grab a griphon which is not too difficult either since organized defenses only show up after some time.
Entrance to the towers is right next to the stairs of the tower tile at the same level as the balcony (I probably should have added a note like: "(1st floor on the map)".

As for tactics, if a melee heavy group does not realize they have to flee inside to force the kir-lanans down into melee, then that is the risk they take. Note though that the adventure text does give a reason for the kir-lanans to actually get inside: "If the PCs retreat into a corridor the kir-lanans follow at a distance. They realize they are the most powerful kir-lanans nearby and they do not expect reinforcements. They are also impatient, wanting to kill the PCs as quickly as possible." The range of rain of spikes is only 10, which should be within charge range. That same impatience would also force the kir-lanans down if the PCs flee into the towers.

Now, I know that from a tactical point of view it might be a bit weak, but not every creature is a patient tactical genius. These kir-lanan are impatient and have anger management issues, and that those personality flaws also make the fight more fun, so much the better ;)