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CrossNightwalker
Here for a while
(3/19/03 1:27 pm)
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Politics in the CRM: Who's side are you on, anyway?
OK, so my group has obliterated the Earth Temple, and is just about done with Oomarthis' bridge complex (Western, I think...I don't have the module in front of me). They've claimed the main gate as their own, and have set alarm spells everywhere (no glyphs yet...the sorceror doesn't know how). At this point, I figure that the Air and Water Temples probably know that the PCs exist, and that they'd probably make pretty good soldiers if they could be properly persuaded. The Fire Temple, on the other side of the crater, probably doesn't know, or more to the point, doesn't care...they're on top right now anyway.
So, I'm thinking about having one or both of the temples approach the group, by messenger or by spell. A nice note inviting them to dinner in the Air Temple tacked onto their heavily alarmed door, something like that...and then an invitation to join forces to wipe out "those bubble-headed bastards and their cold-hearted plans", etc. etc. make up your own rant here. A similar spiel could happen from the Water Temple, especially in light of their desire to take the Fire Temple.
My real goal is to get the PCs embroiled in the politics in this place. Unfortunately, they kill everything they come across, so depending on them to capture a foe is unlikely at best. This might be a little heavy handed, but it's also vastly surreal (A formal dinner in a dungeon? Odd, that), and might be fun. Besides, think of the stuff I could serve!
"What? You don't like Halfling Almondine? I had it specially prepared, just for you!"
Thoughts?
-Cross
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Zagig
Here for a while
(3/19/03 4:21 pm)
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Re: Politics in the CRM: Who's side are you on, anyway?
Has the party explored anything south of the Main Gate. If not, it may be a little early to have the Temples contact them. OTOH, if you really want to try it, it's a good idea.
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Unfortunately, they kill everything they come across, so depending on them to capture a foe is unlikely at best.
This is probably the very reason that both Air and Water would want to ally with the party. Both Temples know that the party kills everything in sight, and they don't want to be next on the hit list. Be prepared for the party to either ignore the message (thinking that it's a trap) or take the bait and then attack while at the meeting. Maybe the Temples should meet the party in a neutral area first, with some safety precautions in case the party attacks.
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CrossNightwalker
Here for a while
(3/19/03 8:41 pm)
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Re: Politics in the CRM: Who's side are you on, anyway?
No, they haven't gone south yet...took one look at the ore carts and tunnels, had an Indiana Jones flashback, and scuttled off in the opposite direction. They ahven't even seen Vranthis yet. *grin*
It's even more interesting now. They just took the Western Bridge, cleaning it out entirely, and are seriously considering moving their "base" there...after all, it's got lockable rooms, it's fairly defensible (they don't know about the SERs yet, nor that other people will want to use the west bridge)...they even managed to capture the cook (who I instinctively played as a simpleton with no useful information. Grrr....). Right now, they're debating whether they stay in the mines, or whether they take off for Starmantle (they're now completely out of supplemental healing items).
I like the neutral ground idea...especially since I don't want the PCs to get a free tour of the temples. It would probably make the most sense. And of course, no representative would travel without his honor guard. 
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Abelard
Still here? Wow.
(3/20/03 12:11 am)
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Re: Politics in the CRM: Who's side are you on, anyway?
Hey, a possible alternative would be for one of the Temples to try to lure the party into "bull rushing" the other. It sounds like that's their inclination, after all.
OK, so it sounds like they're really more at the northern bridge - the Air Bridge, right? Guarded by the duegar? (If really the western bridge, how did they get past Water?)
That's really on Water Temple's doorstep. I figure on the Water Temple being one of the better informed of the Temples, because of their ability to send spies through the Stalagos and back into the mines through dozens of inlets and cracks. So figure Water knows about the party as well as anyone - which might be, not too well.
Air Temple might know about the party, I suppose, due to connections with the wiped-out Air Bridge. Any survivors? If they can get detailed reports back to the Air Temple, I could imagine someone - Kellial? - dashing into their camp, attacking, then running up to the pool with the sea hag. Excellent chance to use Whirlwind Attack (and/or Spring Attack and Mobility), actually. Then he drinks an invisibility potion and tries to get away. (How he'd get up there is a good question - bribe a SER?)
More likely, Water would contact the party. Send in Kadiss's "Recruit Strike Team". The presence of elves might stay the party's hand long enough to listen - if the presence of kuo-toa doesn't loose it, I suppose.
Anyhow, Kadiss's pitch would be, thanks for clearing out that bad dwarf and his smelly cold monster, plus those horrible slimy foul trogs further on. I'm sure you weren't planning to attack us next, but we thought we'd thank you and mention that we know you're here, and if you'd like to visit some time, we'll make an arrangement, but don't come unannounced, because we are prepared for uninvited guests. And by the way, if you'd like, we could ferry you around to a spot where there's some friendly guards, and they would let you slip past to a spot where you might be able to kill a few mean folks who aren't expecting unexpected guests and get some treasure. (That last would be the whole "attack the Fire Temple" plan.)
The party might just jump on this plan. Mine did, and spent a night in the Water Temple. The Olidammara priest did bong hits with Oomkaan, then touched the pools on the altar... he's CG, but I passed him a note that said, "Big O whispers to you that you should scream, 'waves pound relentlessly!'" So he did, and freaked out everyone, PC's and NPC's alike, and I gave him the buffs rather than make him want to drown himself. Ah, good times... (sorry my campaign log was on hiatus then.)
Anyhow, if they don't jump on the plan, no big deal. If they attack, Kadiss and crew should try to retreat. They should have tons of help in the pool right there that has slipped in. And if the party is hostile, the Temple will brace for assault. More guards might risk touching the pool - actually, lots of the human guards might do it. Might lose a couple but hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
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CrossNightwalker
Here for a while
(4/2/03 8:48 pm)
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Re: Politics in the CRM: Who's side are you on, anyway?
Just wanted to mention how this went...thanks to all your suggestions, I now have the PCs at war with one another. I had one of the kuo-toa slip in via the spy pool in B. Paid the ettin, slipped into the main complex, and tacked a note to the door inviiting the PCs to begin a dialogue with Kadiss. Course, this set off the alarm spell the PC's have been using, which brought them running back to find this little missive. Some arguing and bickering, and a return note later, and a meeting was set at the newly cleared air bridge complex. What the PCs had left had been picked over for supplies and other stuff by the Water Temple forces in the two-day interval between contacts, with all sorts of interesting leavings (some nice Aquan graffiti, etc.)
KAdiss makes his pitch, not fooling anyone with his bluffing about the Water Temple being a force for order, and would the PCs assist them with an assault on that font of chaos, the Fire Temple? Lots of "Water is harmony, fluid yet calm" kind of zen talk from Kadiss...I figure he's not nuts yet.
The PCs agreed to meet Kadiss in two days time for further discussion, though they pledged no interference with Water Temple affairs in the meantime. Kadiss is pretty sure the PCs aren't buying his act, though he's also not sure if they won't go along anyway. The paladin is worrisome.
Anyway, it definitely got them thinking about the various temples, and how they interact, which is what I wanted...draw them more into the story. So, thanks again!
-Cross
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Zarrock
Here for a while
(4/3/03 4:30 am)
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Re: Politics in the CRM: Who's side are you on, anyway?
Well, sth like that happened IMC as well. The party obliterated the Main Gate, Earth Temple and Northern Bridge Complex (Oamarthis) before suffering some setbacks when they tried to climb up and investigate the lightning towers.
When they approached the Water Temple, the guards there overheard the PCs killing the Sea Hag (Gouqoq?) and approached them. After some bluffing and conniving, one party member managed to get an audience with Kelashein. After enduring the test at the altar and surviving, the party member returned with Kelashein's offer:
- The party's wizard (a powerful fire wizard with a dark past) will infiltrate the Fire Temple via teleport and kill the half-elf sorcerer Arlainth. He'll then have to convince Tessimon that he came to take Arlainth's place.
- The rest of the party will support the Water Temple's attack on the altar. The party wizard will take no part in this as Kelashein wishes him to stay as a spy to prepare for any acts of retribution. (giving me the opportunity to have Tessimon take the wizard into the Outer Fane for "testing").
The party wizard managed to kill Arlainth and is currently resting under observation in the Fire Temple. The party assault on the altar failed miserably. Two party members were killed and all Kuo-Toa warriors and the imp who partook in the action were also slain. To make matters worse, the disintegration spell failed. The remaining characters fled and are now waiting in the Water Temple for the repercussions of their acts.
-Zarrock
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maddman75 
Here for a while
(4/3/03 7:33 pm)
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Re: Politics in the CRM: Who's side are you on, anyway?
Gah, you should hear what my players did. They wiped out Earth and started working around the CRM. They disguised themselves and bluffed their way into Water's good graces. The leader (name escapes me) agreed to give them safe passage if they help with a raid on the fire temple.
The group's quick as can be psychic warrior snuck off and made a mad dash to the Fire temple, bribing the guards at teh bridge + taking the boat. I had placed D'Gran there in addition, on accident. So he was in charge.
The PSyWar tipped them off. He was taken prisoner, then bribed the guards and escaped himself. He continued his mad dash until he found an exit to the Stalagos, downed a potion of fly, and headed back.
When they got to the FIre temple, the PCs held back for a round. The water forces were quickly overwhelmed, then the PCs wiped out fire. THEN, they high-tailed it back to the water temple and wiped them out!
So three temples gone and the group is only 5th-7th level. I'll have to harass them some more before they enter the Fanes. An encounter with Hedrack right now would be a TPK.
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"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." -- Buddha
"Nothing's a cliche when it's happening to you." -- Max Payne |
Zarrock
Here for a while
(4/4/03 12:50 am)
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Re: Politics in the CRM: Who's side are you on, anyway?
I should probably add that I started using Siobharek's boosted maps this last session, which took the PCs a bit by surprise (6 9th level characters)... 
-Zarrock
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