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Post by GRWelsh on Apr 23, 2018 9:30:53 GMT -5
T1 is extremely tough for all 1st level characters. I think it works better with a few 2nd or even 3rd level characters in the party, or at the very least a party that has already acquired some experience before starting play -- thus making it more likely for them to level up before the fight with Lareth. The fight with Lareth can go very badly for the party, especially if Lareth is prepared -- and why wouldn't he be, if the party has already had an expedition or two into the moat house and dungeons? Elmo and the other NPCs being with them is a big deal and gives this party a chance. It may all come down to whether Lareth gets off a hold person spell, or not.
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Post by davegibsongreyhawkdm on Apr 23, 2018 9:55:57 GMT -5
T1 is extremely tough for all 1st level characters. I think it works better with a few 2nd or even 3rd level characters in the party, or at the very least a party that has already acquired some experience before starting play -- thus making it more likely for them to level up before the fight with Lareth. The fight with Lareth can go very badly for the party, especially if Lareth is prepared -- and why wouldn't he be, if the party has already had an expedition or two into the moat house and dungeons? Elmo and the other NPCs being with them is a big deal and gives this party a chance. It may all come down to whether Lareth gets off a hold person spell, or not. That's why I determined Lareth was forced to be otherwise engaged elsewhere for some time, with a planned raid and then unholy worship and planning at the temple following that. The party is simply both too vulnerable and unseasoned to withstand Lareth and his minions at this point! This is also why I decided to prepare A0 Danger at Darkshelf Quarry, as a change of pace side adventure for the party, so they have the potential for some characters to gain second level, and definitely gain more seasoning prior to a direct confrontation with Lareth and his mercenary forces.
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Post by davegibsongreyhawkdm on Apr 23, 2018 10:13:33 GMT -5
Continuation moathouse fourth expedition notes: Under torchlight, the party descended one-by-one the secret shaft's iron rungs to reach a 5' wide and not much more clear height corridor, which they followed, first to the east, then after a turn, to the south, where the passage reached a dead end some sixty feet past the turn south. Sylvan searched and discovered the secret door, and the party, led by Grom, exited an empty burial niche into the crypts beyond. As the party exited the burial niche, amassing at the north end of the crypts, four demonic-appearing figures were spotted at the edge of the torchlight, squatting in the south end of the room! Sylvan, Kerd, and Athyra launched attacking arrow fire, as Grom, Kobort, and Elmo closed to melee. Cornelius cast his shocking grasp spell. It was a tough, quick encounter, lasting but a few melee rounds, ending with all four ghouls slain, yet Grom, Elmo, Kobort, Athyra {also unconscious}, Furnok of Ferd, and Spugnoir were all claimed by paralysis from the filthy nails and fangs of the ghouls! Sylvan had been wounded, yet survived the battle, due to his elven immunity to the ghouls' paralysis. Kerd had also been wounded, but made his saving throws for both ghoul strikes that he had been hit by. Cornelius nearly slayed a ghoul single-handedly with his shocking grasp spell, and avoided getting struck in combat, retreating to stay away from the melee after using his spell. After binding Athyra's wounds, Sylvan used CLWs for himself and Kerd both. Then the trio set about exploring the immediate area and discussed what to do next? To be continued... A critical factor was that no attempt was made to turn the undead by Sylvan. This is also why it is important to have at least two, if not three clerics in the party that takes on the dungeon level of the moathouse due to the prevalence of undead found within... Also, the holy water procured by Sylvan went unused during the battle with the ghouls...
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Post by GRWelsh on Apr 23, 2018 10:15:22 GMT -5
Wise choice. I think that is good DMing.
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Post by davegibsongreyhawkdm on Apr 23, 2018 12:05:06 GMT -5
Still catching up, moathouse fifth expedition notes:
The party set off for the moathouse once again - Grom, Athyra, Cornelius, Kerd, and Sylvan, accompanied by NPCs Elmo, Kobort, Spugnoir, and Furnok of Ferd.
Unbeknownst to them, Lareth, with his human mercenaries and humanoids, arrived back to the moathouse just days before the fifth moathouse expedition was to commence. They also brought with them fresh recruits, some brigands.
After surveying the carnage, both in the upper level ruins and also within the dungeon, Lareth set about planning an ambush in case the adventurers were to return?
After preparations were completed, The Master took his leave with his trusted Lieutenant to proceed to the temple, bringing their unholy tithes and also to attend the evil planning councils...
Lareth's other mercenary forces, as well as the humanoids, were directed to remain behind to patrol and guard the dungeon level of the moathouse.
The ambush was set above, in the upper level ruins...
To be continued...
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Post by davegibsongreyhawkdm on Apr 23, 2018 12:07:37 GMT -5
What kind of ambushes/traps have you all experienced before in playing or running this adventure, that Lareth preset in order to strike back against adventuring parties?
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Post by davegibsongreyhawkdm on Apr 23, 2018 12:35:55 GMT -5
Still catching up, moathouse fifth expedition notes: The party set off for the moathouse once again - Grom, Athyra, Cornelius, Kerd, and Sylvan, accompanied by NPCs Elmo, Kobort, Spugnoir, and Furnok of Ferd. Unbeknownst to them, Lareth, with his human mercenaries and humanoids, arrived back to the moathouse just days before the fifth moathouse expedition was to commence. They also brought with them fresh recruits, some brigands. After surveying the carnage, both in the upper level ruins and also within the dungeon, Lareth set about planning an ambush in case the adventurers were to return? After preparations were completed, The Master took his leave with his trusted Lieutenant to proceed to the temple, bringing their unholy tithes and also to attend the evil planning councils... Lareth's other mercenary forces, as well as the humanoids, were directed to remain behind to patrol and guard the dungeon level of the moathouse. The ambush was set above, in the upper level ruins... To be continued... What kind of ambush do you all think Lareth might have put together here, in a ploy to slay the adventurers?
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Post by davegibsongreyhawkdm on Apr 23, 2018 13:34:42 GMT -5
A cooperative Furnok and an effective directed Kobort are possible rewards of good continued play by the party. On the other hand, if the party does not continue to play well, both Furnok and Kobort may prove eventual liabilities to the party? Zert makes for interesting intrigue if he were to remain in play for this adventure, I just need to consider various angles for him to continue, and then make a selection...? Also, at this point, I was still debating what to do with Zert, how he could become caught up in some interesting intrigue, especially since he was now so despised by the party...but, he made no further appearance into the campaign just yet...
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Post by davegibsongreyhawkdm on Apr 23, 2018 13:54:42 GMT -5
Also, at now the fifth expedition to the moathouse, I was considering what to do as a change of pace, as some weariness was setting in amongst the party, as it had previously when they abandoned the DMG sample adventure during the fifth expedition there.
What to do as a DM? I was quick at work looking for the change of pace I finally settled on with module A0...but how to connect things within the campaign...?
Ultimately, there were to be some further moathouse expeditions before the change of pace was implemented...
It's a delicate balance monitoring the entertainment value and morale of the players, and knowing when to change things up with some interesting new alternative direction...what have you all found as guidelines and recommendations you use when and how to shake things up a bit to keep things fresh?
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