|
Author
|
Comment
|
blakwind
Here for a while
(4/4/03 9:42 am)
Reply
|
Seeking Suggestions for Planar Ally
I used a variation of Andorax's best-of-board suggestion on Hedrack's response to scrying, and I'd like some advice on how to proceed. Here's the situation.
My party of six approximately tenth-level characters has taken down two temples and two bridge complexes, and attracted Hedrack's attention and ire. So far, they have survived attacks from the assassins and Ukemil plus dire lions. By scrying these attacks, Hedrack is very aware of the PCs and their capabilities.
Varachan has twice contacted the party through anonymous messages. Using the notes as foci, the party mage has been attempting to scry the sender -- a very difficult task using Andy Collins' variant scry DCs. The mage only recently acquired the Scry spell and the scry arcane focus mirror, so his scry skill is still quite poor. At the end of last session, he tried one last time, rolling a natural twenty followed by a natural nineteen (we use the open-ended critical success skill variant). I wanted to reward his perseverance and good dice without giving up the whole show, so I improvised the following scene.
I decided that Hedrack, Naquent, and Varachan were meeting in the study (area 6 of the Outer Fane) to discuss progress on locating the Champion of Elemental Evil. I described the details of the room with the strange walls and elaborate furniture, and provided vivid descriptions of each figure, including their appearance, expressions, and nuances. I also mentioned a crystal ball, currently unused, sitting on the table. Hedrack and Varachan both immediately noticed the scry sensor. The party mage watched as Hedrack frowned, cast locate creature, and then began to cast a second spell. The mage recoiled in horror when he recognized Planar Ally and immediately dropped the scry. We ended the session on this awesome cliffhanger!
So what do I do now? Next session, I want to kick things off full force with the attack from the planar ally. However, the party is back in Rastor at Rerrid Hammersong's shrine to Moradin. I can't simply send a pseudonatural creature to walk there from the Outer Fane. As a plot device, I needs a planar ally that can travel distances quickly. Hedrack was aware that the PCs had recently returned to Rastor, and his locate object spell confirmed that they are not within the mines. The next round, he will scry them, determine their exact location, and send the ally with orders to rough them up.
What would be an appropriate challenge? The party isn't buffed for combat, but they are fully rested and healed. A creature with teleport without error, such as a demon or devil heavy, could arrive immediately. I'm partial to the pseudonatural template, but I need a base creature type that can travel several miles of distance very quickly. An earth creature is inappropriate, because Hedrack knows that the party has a cleric that can rebuke earth creatures. I'm looking for a tough combat -- these PCs can take it.
Edit: Added more descriptive message subject.
Edited by: blakwind at: 4/4/03 9:44:16 am
|
Andorax
Still here? Wow.
(4/4/03 9:51 am)
Reply
|
Re: Seeking Suggestions for Planar Ally
Well, based off of the very same BoB post you're referring to, I'm forced to ask what's wrong with the suggestions I put there? I used both the Pseodunatural Behir and the Pseudonatural 7-headed Learnean Hydra to very good effect.
Honestly, I'd love to see how the group fares against either the Pseudonatural Clay Golem or the Pseudonatural Retriever...I think I created VERY evocative descriptions on both, and the power mix is fairly solid and interesting.
"Whadda ya mean, Orcs get levels too?!?" |
blakwind
Here for a while
(4/4/03 10:45 am)
Reply
|
Re: Seeking Suggestions for Planar Ally
Andorax,
In this case, I want to hit back FAST. IMC, Rastor is 12 miles from the CRM. Even the Pseudonatural Retreiver, with a ground speed of 50, would require over two hours to cover that distance. Something with the fly speed of a dragon could make it to Rastor in about 20 minutes, or a teleporting creature could be there in a few rounds.
I like all four pseudonatural creatures from the BoB, but I'd prefer something that can be dropped immediately into combat. The descriptions you created are vivid -- I can picture the perplexed faces of my experienced players as they grow more and more confused at the enemies they face.
Alternately, is there any spell or item available to the Outer Fane forces that could quickly transport the Pseudonatural Retreiver to Rerrid's house?
You'll be pleased to learn that I already have other devious plans for the pseudonatural clay golem. I'll be sure to post a full report. 
Edited by: blakwind at: 4/4/03 10:55:13 am
|
Zenon
Here for a while
(4/4/03 11:48 am)
Reply
|
Re: Seeking Suggestions for Planar Ally
Realize that Planar Ally has a casting time of 10 minutes!
Quote:
Planar Ally
Conjuration (Calling) [see text]
Level: Clr 6
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 10 minutes
This is just to cast the spell and doesn't include the bargaining phase for Hedrack to get it to do what he wants. Either way, the called creature will not be able to teleport to someplace it hasn't seen. Hedrack would need to cast Scrying or Greater Scrying using the Unholy Font in Area 21(?) of the OF so that the creature would be able to look in it also and study the location where it was teleporting to.
So, by the time either a teleporter got there or something flew there, the PC's will have plenty of time to apply long duration buff spells, so don't hesitate to hammer them with something nasty.
Edited by: Zenon at: 4/4/03 12:22:45 pm
|
Andorax
Still here? Wow.
(4/4/03 12:13 pm)
Reply
|
Re: Seeking Suggestions for Planar Ally
I suppose, conceivably, Hedrack could cast Wind Walk on just about any summoned critter. 60mph would get a critter to Rastor in just about 12 minutes.
"Whadda ya mean, Orcs get levels too?!?" |
setanta14
Here for a while
(4/4/03 3:24 pm)
Reply
|
Re: Seeking Suggestions for Planar Ally
How about a pseudonatural (or a regular) Julajamus? It's one of those Tharizdunesque monsters from a Dragon magazine that they added in generic form to MMII.
|
blakwind
Here for a while
(4/7/03 3:49 pm)
Reply
|
Re: Seeking Suggestions for Planar Ally
Thanks for all the advice! Xenon's casting time remark will undoubtedly save me from some future backpedaling. 
I'm planning to windwalk a pseudonatural creature to Rastor, with instructions to destroy Rerrid's home. It's a psychological attack to demoralize the PCs, erode their support in Rastor, and hurt someone that they care about. Hedrack is attempting to demonstrate that he's not to be trifled with. They're really going to hate him after this. 
My PCs will likely be expecting some sort of immediate response. I'll play up the tension between the scry attempt and the attack, giving them plenty of time to prepare (about 35 minutes). They may dig in, hide, or even flee. The delay may even be long enough that they let their guard down. They'll definitely be surprised by the creature's behavior.
I'll post an update to let you know what happens.
|
Grumgarr
Here for a while
(4/8/03 7:15 am)
Reply
|
Barny the Purple Hezrou
I thoroughly terrified my group with a Planar Ally Hezrou (who I named Barny because of his loveable paint-job).
But this is a CR14 creature and he deserves to be.
With his Stench, high SR, good DR and 1/2 damage from weapons, he's beastly, and that's before you get to Blasphemy at will (oh yes, be very afraid). Of course Hezrou can also teleport without error at will so getting there (and back to claim his payment) are no problem.
If you really want to put the fear into them, you could use one of these beasties to tear down Rerrid's place (and beat off anyone who interferes). It could give them a heads up that they've made some very powerful enemies - and if Barny's task is to destroy Rerrid's shrine rather than the PCs (and he gets a little free mayhem into the bargain) the PCs need not be 'targeted' directly...of course once the dust clears in Rastor there are gonna be questions asked and angry locals to deal with (them priests bin up thar as long as ah've bin here and they never bothered us folks afore now). Or maybe his task is to 'liberate' the PCs' scrying focus?
Being a demon, he's bound to indulge his destructive whims a little though...or a lot
Blasphemy >does< kill the low-level with no save.
Grumgarr - who cried salt tears when Barny was Banished.
|
Dragon Mage 1E
Here for a while
(4/8/03 8:44 am)
Reply
|
Re: Barny the Purple Hezrou
I just wanted to point out that Blasphemy can only be used by casters on their home plane. So the Hezrou would not be able to use it (but Hedrack sure can!).
"What the curtains?" |
Zenon
Here for a while
(4/8/03 10:01 am)
Reply
|
Re: Barny the Purple Hezrou
[deleted]
Edited by: Zenon at: 4/8/03 10:02:19 am
|
SSShadowcat7
Here for a while
(4/8/03 7:42 pm)
Reply
|
Re: Blasphemy
I do not read blasphemy as making the caster be on his home plane. Any nonevil creature in the area of effect, if extraplanar, are banished back to their home plane, but that does not include the caster.
That's my reading of it, though. Others may see it differently.
|
 Infiniti2000
Still here? Wow.
(4/9/03 6:56 am)
Reply
ezSupporter
|
Re: Blasphemy
There are two effects: banishment and other. Clearly, the PC's aren't banished. The other effects only occur to "Creatures native to the character's plane who hear the blasphemy and are not evil...." Thus, only those native to the demon's plane and are NOT evil. Very few creatures, if any.
Thus, the net effect of this spell is only useful on the home plane of the demon and then it only banishes the PC's.
|
Okay -- Your Turn
Email This To a Friend
Topic Commands
Click to receive email notification of replies 
Click to stop receiving email notification of replies