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Grumgarr
Here for a while
(1/21/03 9:07:21 am)
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The First's plans...
Okay.
PCs storm through the Outer Fane - Hedrack forced to flee to the Inner Fane while they take out the remaining OF forces - next night, he comes gunning for the PCs along with the First's summoned Hezrou (say 'hi' Barney) and they both die in short order.
The PCs have tried to get into the Inner Fane, bluffed past the door, then completely freaked when they saw the T-Rexes and attacked them, resulting in one eaten PC and a rapid retreat, leaving Tychon with his first view of the group, and the IF forces unharmed.
They are terrified to face the T-Rexes a second time, foreseeing more death, so Wind Walk to Hommlet...
...intending to beef up and get to the ToEE to stop the 'Grand Plan'.
Hommlet is not all sun and puppies, however, but that's another thread entirely.
Now, my question is this: what is the First to do?
It seems the adventure-as-written has no great scheme for the First's involvement, if the PCs don't assault the Inner Fane (and it now looks unlikely that the PCs will return).
The First knows about the PCs from Hedrack, summoned the Hezrou, and hasn't had to pay it, so can deduce it's dead/banished and the PCs therefore victorious.
Hedrack knows what he wrote in his journal (giving the game away, somewhat) and the First will have some idea of what the PCs know and are capable of.
What's the First's next step?
I don't want to have everyone go to the ToEE for the ultimate defence, but I don't want the PCs to get to the ToEE without repercussions of leaving the job unfinished at the ToAC, particularly since Hedrack was able to report on them extensively and directly to the First.
Surviving OF resources:
Bethe - in hiding in Rastor
Daagra - knows OF is deserted, but no details of what happened yet
Anyone?
Grumgarr
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 Infiniti2000
Here to stay
(1/21/03 10:16:57 am)
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ezSupporter
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Re: The First's plans...
Is Hedrack's body available? I would have the First raise Hedrack and order him to rebuild the OF and then the mines. It will take a while, but no big deal. 14th level, I mean 13th level, clerics of Tharizdun don't grow on trees, so Hedrack would certainly be raised as a minion. It would take Hedrack time to locate Bethe and Daagra, if even they could be located or convinced to return. Otherwise, stick a fork in Bethe and Daagra, they're done.
It's possible that the "timeline" that most people on this board are worried about is no big deal. If you had one chance to free your deity, would you do it with a small chance of success, or wait until you have a higher chance? Perhaps the PC's go to the temple and kill Imix et al, thinking their job complete. Not so, not with the IF intact. Perhaps, by the time they return most of the OF is rebuilt. Now, the PC's, who are stronger, return to clear out the IF, only to return again to the ToEE to find that the Air Node is somewhat restored and they have to beat down Yan-C-Bin.
In general, I think the First considers the loss of the OF similar to how you would feel losing your favorite shirt. You'll always have another favorite shirt.
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deafdungeonmasterRIT
Here to stay
(1/21/03 10:47:53 am)
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I think
I think having art work of the First would have create his character to be more memorizable.. anyway.. in that situation, the First would probably resurrect Hedrack. From what the adventure said, he pretty much didn't contribute in the manner Hedrack have done for his cults. So he will want Hedrack to come back again. The First is totally depraved and disgusting person to be around with. He will assure to make PCs life miserable. However, he is no Hedrack, and Hedrack will defeat him in most basis even if the First had one level higher. WHy do I say that Hedrack will beat him? Because Hedrack is more experience (is First from original Temple of Elemental Evil) with both combat and organization. In fact, Hedrack should have another two levels increase in cleric since his levels are exactly the same from the original module.
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Infiniti2000
Here to stay
(1/21/03 10:53:59 am)
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ezSupporter
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Re: I think
"In fact, Hedrack should have another two levels increase in cleric since his levels are exactly the same from the original module."
Really? I'm pretty sure I recall that Hedrack, like Falrinth, was only 9th level.
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Grumgarr
Here for a while
(1/22/03 9:49:15 am)
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Re: I think
Thanks for the input guys...
unfortunately, Hedrack went the way of the Dying Curse (from BoVD) - he's never coming back from the dead - so that resource and the First's Right Hand are no longer an option.
The First has (at best, presuming they can be found)
Bethe, Daagra, Tychon, the Third, the Vrock, the Jailor (can't remember his name) and a couple of Quasits as minions, but I reckon can also rustle up some nasty planar allies if necessary.
I thought of having the First visit Hommlet to kill and torture some random townspeople, just for the mayhem factor, then Word of Recall away at the first sign of real oposition...but it lacks panache somehow...and would draw unnecessary attention.
I'm still not sure what if anything the First would do, but I keep thinking:
"Evil things have plans: they have places to be." (Anya, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
Grumgarr
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smetzger
Here for a while
(1/22/03 11:43:20 am)
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Re: The First's plans...
Well one of the advantages of the CRM and Fanes was that nobody knew that they were serving the needs of big T. That is now gone. I think the first would:
1) Look for a new secret hideout to re-grow the cult. Of course, this would just be a backup plan in case Imix fails.
2) How about he finds the Lost Temple of Tharizdun and sets up camp there. Assuming your players defeat Imix, they return to the CRM and Fane and find some random nasties but no 1st. He lays low for awhile, you run a side adventure, then they learn of the Lost Temple....
*:> Scott
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Grumgarr
Here for a while
(1/22/03 12:09:06 pm)
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Yeah - contingency plan
I suppose the Dark God might well have foreseen that this plan to release him will fail (I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt here  ) and the First gets a True Dream with instructions to carry on the fight elsewhere...yeah, I like it...
Grumgarr
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Zarrock
Here for a while
(1/24/03 2:47:33 am)
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Lost Temple of Tharizdun
Would anyone mind sharing the basic details of TLToT (e.g. party level expected, in which issue of Dungeon did it appear and anything else you may want to share).
-Zarrock
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Zagig
Here for a while
(1/24/03 2:57:53 am)
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Re: Lost Temple of Tharizdun
It's not in a Dungeon magazine. You can buy it as an ESD (download) from SVGames. It's only $4.99 so if you really want it, it's pretty cheap.
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Siobharek 
Still here? Wow.
(1/24/03 3:11:36 am)
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Re: Lost Temple of Tharizdun
There's a little info here. With regards to levels... Well, it's kinda mid-level, actually (or was in the 1e days.) You can't count on the "for characters from level 5-10" label on the module, because of the way levels worked back then.
Oh, and here's the ESD. For $4.99 you can have the adventure on your PC within the hour.
Edit: Gah, I'm stalking Zagig. Oh well...
Siobharek
...it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. Edited by: Siobharek at: 1/24/03 3:12:28 am
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morbiczer
Here for a while
(1/24/03 4:35:43 pm)
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Re: Lost Temple of Tharizdun
Obviously there would be other, smaller temples of Tharizdun and EEE all over Greyhawk. Not many, but there should be some. The First simply could order personel from there to repopulate the OF although these surely wouldn't be too powerful.
And I don't think he would abandon the IF if not absolutely necessary. It is a very very (un)holy place to Tharizdun, Dreaming Stone and everything.
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